Spotlight: Some Like It Hott by Serena Bell

(Hott Springs Eternal, #3)

Publication date: January 14th 2025

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

She’s nothing he wants. And everything he needs.

Preston: I’m Mr. Serious, the guy they call “all work and no play.” So of course my grandfather’s sadistic will has put me in charge of fun at the family’s wedding resort. I have just a few weeks to come up with an all-ages activities program for the resort’s guests—or lose my family’s land forever. Meanwhile, the clock’s ticking at my finance firm, where I’m up for a huge promotion—if I can prove I’m a team player.

Worse, I have to work with the reigning queen of fun, Natalie Archer. If there’s a party, Natalie’s there, and she’s the one dancing on the tables. She doesn’t think much of my suits, ties, cufflinks, and spreadsheets, and I don’t think much of her fun-first–safety-last attitude. But for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about her gorgeous curves, wild curly hair, or sparkling smile. I’m a man who values self-control—and I’m running low.

Natalie launches Operation Fun to help me loosen up and win the promotion I’ve been chasing. Now we’re spending days and nights together—and learning that some activities are a lot of fun for both of us. But as our deadline approaches and our collaboration heats up, Natalie and I find ourselves asking a big question: Opposites may attract, but can they live happily ever after?

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, fish-out-of-water, billionaire, opposites attract, workplace relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

Excerpt

By the time I start my new job a week after my coffee-shop encounter with Lloyd and Susie, I’m starting to feel more optimistic about things. My new boss, Hanna, hooked me up with a swanky room in the Hott Springs Eternal lodge; I’ve deleted all Lloyd’s emails, texts, and photos; and I’ve pawned all the jewelry he gave me.

I’m not sleeping great, and I’m still a little weepy…but you can’t have it all.  

I poke my head into Hanna’s office and say, “Hey!” 

“Oh, hi, Natalie. Come in.” 

I can tell right away that something’s off. She doesn’t sound as brimming with enthusiasm as she did when she called to let me know I had the job or when we talked about my lodging. But I tell myself it’s nothing to do with me—probably a bridezilla situation from earlier in the morning—and step inside.

“Good to see you.” She waves me into a chair across from her. “I have some paperwork for you to fill out, but first I wanted to have a word with you.”

She rearranges a stack of papers, and I realize she’s nervous. Which means the “something off” I observed when I first walked in? Probably does have to do with me. 

Shit. “Everything okay?” 

I don’t know what I’ll do if this job falls through. Things are over with Lloyd, and it’s a huge understatement to say my parents aren’t my first choice of roommates. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that the idea of asking them for any kind of favor makes me feel like throwing up. Which is why I have to save the money to go back to school.  

And even if my housing situation weren’t at stake, I want this job. Yeah, it’s not on the long-term Get Serious path, but it’s totally up my alley. I love people and I love, well, fun—and this is a job where I get to make sure people have fun. Nothing else I’ve applied for sounds like something I want to do. 

“I have so many great ideas for how to make Hott Springs Eternal a true destination!” I blurt out, sounding like a bad cover letter—as if that’s going to keep her from delivering whatever bad news is on the tip of her tongue. 

She winces, and…I do, too. She looks away, and shit. Shit shit shit.

“It’s complicated,” she says, still not making eye contact. “Nothing to panic about, but there’s a—twist.” 

“A twist,” I repeat. That doesn’t sound good. 

“I’m really sorry about this bait and switch, but my hands are totally tied. I know I hired you to be the sole person in this position, but, well…God, how do I explain this?” 

She’s not making any sense, and apparently my face betrays my confusion and worry because she says, “Wait, let me start from the beginning.” 

But just then, her eyes leave my face and fix on something behind me. “Oh, hey,” she says. 

I turn to see a man standing in the office door, towing a rolling suitcase behind him. He’s tall and broad-chested, wearing a gorgeous gray linen suit whose expensive tailoring flaunts the strength in his shoulders and biceps. His brown-and-burgundy power tie is cinched up tight against his strong, tanned throat. A half day of dark stubble coats his iron jaw, his cheekbones were carved from stone, and he’s scowling like he just found out his bespoke-suit maker has gone out of business. 

My mouth goes dry, and my thighs get hot. 

I may have read a little too much “You liked Fifty Shades? Try this!” romance at a formative age. 

My eyes go to his hands.

No ring. 

Yes, I checked. The universe has spontaneously served me up a Hot Man in a Suit. I challenge any single, straight woman with a pulse not to try to figure out if this guy’s married.

Although it’s pointless. 

Because things never work out between men like him and women like me. They’re all business, and I’m a party. They take themselves and everything else seriously, and I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up. 

But it doesn’t stop me from having to wipe imaginary drool from both corners of my mouth. 

It might be the stern look and the crease between his dark eyebrows. The set of his jaw or the harsh twist of his lush mouth. 

Whatever it is, I have to force my eyes away from him and back to my boss’s face. 

Which is pained. 

Whatever the bad news is, it involves this man. And that makes sense because no matter what happens next, I already know he’s bad news for me. 

“Preston,” Hanna says, “this is Natalie Archer. I’ve, er, hired her to be Hott Springs Eternal’s activities coordinator.” 

His scowl deepens, making my heart beat faster, out of both fear and lust. 

“That’s unfortunate,” he says.

Yikes. 

Nice to meet you, too, Preston.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

Connect:
https://serenabell.com/
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Spotlight: My Heart’s Desire by Heather Alexander

(The Kincaid Brothers Series, #2)

Publication date: January 13th 2025

Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

Synopsis:

When her best friend’s name appears on a tombstone dated 1883, the only way for Amber Harrison to save her is to travel through a mysterious time portal to the Old West—

Destiny drops her in 1883 Montana at the feet of Josh Kincaid—a sexy, time-traveling deputy with plans of his own. Attraction stirs between Amber and Josh, and soon their flirtatious friendship blossoms into a fiery romance. Teaming up, they devise a rescue, but time isn’t their only enemy. An escaped convict, seeking his revenge on the Kincaids, interferes with their plans. In order to keep their future on its true course, they must stop their adversary’s plan from coming to fruition. Can they beat time and return to their rightful place, or will they be stranded in 1883 forever?

Excerpt

“Don’t move,” a deep, masculine voice commanded. 

Amber froze. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Waves of fear poured down her  spine. 

“Hands where I can see them,” the voice continued. 

Amber thrust her hands straight up into the air. Her stomach burned, fear roiling in its  depths. If she didn’t have an ulcer when this over, it would be a miracle. She closed her eyes for  a second, hoping the voice belonged to Wyatt. Because if it wasn’t him, or she was in the wrong  year, surely, she was dead. Trespassing was against the law even in this backward time. Great,  and she didn’t think it was possible for her anxiety level to climb any higher. “Turn around…slowly.”

The initial signs of an oncoming panic attack banged at the door to her senses. Her heart  pounded, her chest tightened, and her head spun like she’d just come off the tilt-a-whirl at the  amusement park. But she did as she was told and inched herself around, one baby step at a time. 

If anything confirmed her trip back in time one hundred and forty years, this was it. The  cowboy standing before her was tall, over six feet, and clad in what she expected to see a man  from the 1880s to be dressed in. He wore an unbuttoned vest over a linen shirt with the sleeves  rolled up to his elbows. His pants were super snug, and his dusty cowboy boots covered his legs  from the knees down. The empty holster sat low over his right hip, and the silver spurs at his  heels clanked as he moved toward her. 

“W-Wyatt?” She swallowed nervously, lowering her hands. “D-don’t shoot!” Dark blond brows shot up when she said his name, but he waved the gun and took another  step toward her. 

“I didn’t say you could lower your hands.” 

Oh, shit! 

She thrust her hands up again. “You…you are Wyatt, aren’t you? Wyatt Kincaid. Please tell  me you are. Otherwise, I’m seriously screwed…in more ways than you could possibly imagine.” Mesmerizing green eyes widened, and then his gaze swept over her from head to toe but  remained on her feet. “I’d recognize twenty-first century sneakers anywhere.” He tipped his chin toward her footwear, but his gun remained aimed at her. Relief surged through her, and she sagged a little. This must be Emma’s husband. Now she  understood what compelled her best friend to return to a previous century. Emma, you got  yourself one fine husband. Out of all the details Emma revealed about Wyatt last year, Amber  didn’t recall anything about him having such compelling green eyes. It was difficult to look  away, not that she wanted to, she had to. This was her best friend’s husband. Chalk it up to her  time-travel muddled mind. 

He took a step toward her and tilted his head to study her. “I’m guessing you’re…Amber?” “Uh-huh. That’s right.” She nodded, still a little stunned. “Where’s Emma? I need to see  her.” 

His scowl quickly turned into a smile, and he holstered his gun. “Wow, the famous Amber  Harrison in the flesh.” 

He recognized her! Inside, she jumped up and down with excitement. “You know me? Wait,  I don’t know how that’s possible. We’ve never met.” 

“I recognize you from a photo Emma brought back with her last year…but you’re mistaken  about who I am.” 

She retreated a step. “If…if you’re not Wyatt Kincaid, then who are you?” His smile widened, and he extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Josh. Wyatt and James’s brother.” 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Heather Alexander writes time-travel, contemporary, and historical romance.

Heather began writing as a child, inspired by her mom who loved to write fiction and poetry. Putting pen to paper—or rather fingers to keyboard—she began writing in the genres she loves. When she’s not writing, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, sipping Earl Grey tea while cozying up with a great book, and traveling. She is currently working on her next book.

Follow Heather on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads @booksbyha. Join her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Connect:

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https://www.booksbyha.com/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/heather-alexander-bf80a86c-ca6d-4142-938c-5698efdd1c9a

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22456385.Heather_Alexander

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Spotlight: Where the Road Ends by Kathryn Beck

Publication date: January 13th 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Synopsis:

Bartender Mara Sawyer has sixty days to turn her life around. If she can’t, Mara will lose the chance to regain custody of her daughter. Never having envisioned her life as a living, breathing, public service announcement for the Wyoming judicial system, Mara embraces the judge’s harsh rebuke. Finding a steady job will be easy, finishing school will be easy. Eluding the distraction of the new swaggering Texan, Luke Whitten, will be anything but easy. 

With all her cards on the table, Luke and Mara build a strong friendship and along the way, she gives herself permission to fall in love again. When Mara’s ex offers up full custody in exchange for betraying Luke, Mara must choose — her daughter’s happiness, or her own.

Excerpt

The location pin on his phone showed he was in Rock Springs, Wyoming. He smirked. Kind of made sense now, the bar name. The phone faded to black, waiting for him to punch in an address, something. 

A horn honked in front of him, and the driver left the driveway with a wave to someone. 

Luke glanced around. “Not too shabby for a hick town.” 

A chipper, informative voice on his phone began spouting off a dissertation about hick towns in general and a song of the same name. 

“Shut up.”

The phone went quiet.

Those new beginning adventures reemerged today. After last night, every shot of tequila loosened his pitiful tongue. What could he say? He felt like wallowing, and the bartender girl was a good wallower listener. 

He looked at his phone again. “Go west, young man.”

Making a hard right, he went west.

Ten minutes down Interstate 80, the highway became a traffic jam of semis. His little pickup, overshadowed by diesel mammoths. It gave him a chance to look around at the beauty of the mountains, their whitecap tips touching the sky. Last night, nothing had been beautiful, but in the heated cab of his truck, Wyoming was quite gorgeous. All white and green. Mountains, not hills. When things began moving again, the highway patrol motioned drivers off the road and into a rest stop. 

The bright sunshine made the cold tolerable. The expensive lightweight jacket he picked up mid trip in Durango did its job, keeping him warm and comfortable.

He walked the on-ramp from the rest stop to the highway, curious to see what the problem was. There were several truck drivers on the side of the road, arms crossed over their down vests. 

“Any clue what’s going on?” he asked an older man in a beanie, making a note he needed to pony up for a beanie to go with his fancy warm jacket.

The man pointed down the highway. “Hell of a storm. I’m going to miss my delivery in Salt Lake.”

“They should have rerouted you if the dispatchers had any sense,” one of the other men said. 

They all laughed about the stupid-ass dispatchers, safe in their terminals somewhere.

“Might as well get some sleep. Going to be awhile,” the older man said, nodding at Luke. “Only seen this happen once before, and that was a helluva long time ago. We’re going nowhere fast today.”

Luke thanked him and walked farther down the ramp, feeling fortunate there was nowhere to be anytime soon. He kicked at a sheet of ice on the road and maneuvered to the dead grass, so he didn’t slide on his ass and make a fool of himself. He peered in the direction the other gentlemen had looked, holding his hand over his eyes as the sun blasted up and over a mountain top. 

He said it to the bartender last night, to himself plenty of times in the last couple of weeks, but in the valley before him, his new reality stared him in the face.  

Rushing, as if it had somewhere to be in a hurry instead of considering all the people inconvenienced, the Green River raced up and over the asphalt of the interstate in the distance. 

The End of the Road. 

Luke pivoted on the dirt, taking in the white mountains, the pine trees snaking up the incline into the bluest, widest sky he’d ever seen. All the air a man could hope to breathe. 

Rock Springs would be a tough town if bartender girl were any sign. A tough town built with tough people who weathered tough times with grit and tenacity. 

He cocked his head and smiled. He’d fit right in.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

Kathryn is a transplanted Canadian who now calls Texas home. She loves writing strong, morally gray women tackling complex relationships and their messy lives. Kathryn enjoys road trips, spa weekend getaways, and spending time with family and friends. 

Connect:

https://www.kathrynbeck.cm/

https://www.instagram.com/authorkathrynbeck/

https://x.com/KGBeckNovelist

https://www.facebook.com/Author.Kathryn.Beck

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Spotlight: Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon

Publisher: Chelshire Publishing

Publication Date: November 28, 2024

Genre: Action Adventure/Monsters

Logan Osborne has spent his life chasing the shadows of the past.

As a child, he watched helplessly as his father was snatched from a fishing boat by what he swore was a mermaid. No one believed him then. No one believes him now.

Determined to prove that mythical creatures exist, Logan is drawn back to the small coastal town where his nightmares began after another mysterious disappearance stirs the waters.

Teaming up with his pragmatic colleague Elliot Sheppard and his fiercely loyal friend Penny Swanson, Logan dives headfirst into an adventure packed with danger and deception. As they dig deeper, the trio faces resistance at every turn—a secretive agency with its own agenda, a suspiciously unhelpful police force, and Logan’s old flame, who may know more than she’s letting on.

What they uncover is far darker and more terrifying than Logan ever imagined: the truth about his father, the secrets of Minatuck, and the horrifying reality of the Mermaid of the Hamptons.

Will Logan and his friends expose the lies that have haunted him for years, or will they be Dragged Down Deep into the swampy, secretive underbelly of a town that guards its mysteries with deadly intent?

Excerpt

The creature was indistinct in the dark night. A howl split the air, the noise somewhere between the lolling of a cow and with the shrillness of a siren. It traveled through Logan, making the fillings in his teeth hurt. If an elephant and a Tasmanian devil had a baby, it would have sounded like this, Logan thought inanely.

     It began to move purposely toward them, its arms outstretched. Its eyes shone like blazing yellow neon, mesmerizing them. There was no place to hide in the tidal pool. Logan spun, pushing Elliot toward the parking lot. 

     “That was no turtle,” Elliot gasped. 

     Logan ran, his heart pumping feeling like it would jump from his chest. “Run!” he yelled.

     They splashed heavily in the shallows; their feet weighted with water. Clamoring through the tide, Logan slipped, Elliot pulled him under the armpit propelling him forward. Their clothes were drenched, glued to their perspiring bodies, their feet heavy with trapped fronds and weeds. They made it onto the beach.

     Logan was afraid to look behind them. “Move this way!” Logan pointed to a perimeter of shrubs lining the sand.

     They took off, their arms slashed by the tall grasses. Elliot clutched his phone. He turned for a second, but Logan grabbed the back of his shirt to drag him through the reeds. “Not now, you idiot!” Logan screamed.

     They could hear the heavy splashes of the creature following them. They burst out of the grasses, running at full speed onto the sandy area toward the car. The reassuring outline of the jeep greeted them at the same time a club grazed Logan’s shoulder. 

     Logan heard Elliot grunt with pain, the distinct sound of a fist meeting flesh echoing in the still night. Ham-sized hands gripped Logan’s shoulder, spinning him to plant a fist that landed under his right eye. The night went silent but for the sound of the roaring of the blood in his head. He felt the trickle of blood leak onto his lips after his nose connected with what felt like a brick wall. He was on his knees, looking down at two sets of biker boots, silver skulls dangling over the insteps right in front of him. 

     Logan caught sight of another pair of footwear, polished traditional lace-ups. He pushed himself up on all fours, reaching out and grabbing the legs connected to those shoes. He clutched a handful of beige trousers, the gabardine material slipping in his hand. He recognized the uniform. He felt rock-hard muscles underneath the pants leg. His assaulter kicked, Logan’s head snapping back to see a field of spinning stars. Their attackers were laughing. Logan was outraged. 

     They wouldn’t be laughing when the mermaid from hell pounced on them, he thought grogilly. He opened his mouth to let them know they were about to be surprised by the alleged wild dog or imaginary alligator but decided he’d have more satisfaction watching them wrestle with whatever was following them from the marsh. 

      A strong hand picked him up by the hair and another pounded his ribcage. He winced, his vision blurred, trying to see when the creature from the Black Lagoon would arrive like the cavalry.

     Except that pursuer never arrived. It appeared that the monster had more brains than he and Elliot put together. 

     Logan listened vainly for whatever was following them to break through the marsh, but it must have been scared off. He chose that time to swing wildly, his fist finding a face that must have been hewn of stone. The impact stunned him more than the beating his ribs were taking. His arm went numb from knuckles to elbow. 

     His cheek landed in the dirt while Elliot was thrown against the car wheel. A baseball bat made contact with the windshield, showering them with shards of glass. The bat sailed through the air to smash the side mirror. More glass rained down on them.

Logan lay on his face, every bone in his body aching, his head heavy. He heard new footfalls, lighter one, followed by the sound of a plank of wood connecting with a body.

“Ow!” one of his attackers howled. 

Next he heard several grunts, and the hard slam of bodies falling. 

Logan picked up his head, his vision fuzzy to see two figures in wetsuits beating the crap out of his assailants. Tilting his head, he squeezed his eyes, discerning one was decidedly curvy and feminine. “Penny?” he asked, the word garbled by his swelling lips.

Running feet penetrated the fog that was swallowing his brain. Everything sounded muffled, as if he could barely hear it. There was a loud ringing in his ears.

“Done,” a woman’s voice came to him from far away. “Cowards,” she spat. 

“What do you want to do with these too?” a male voice asked. 

“Leave them. They’re harmless.”

“The boss isn’t going to be happy.”

“I said leave them,” the voice commanded. 

Logan tried to rise, groaned and fell down into the wet sand. “Elliot?” his voice a thread.

“He’s coming around. We have to go!” a man’s barked.

The cold touch of a wetsuit made his skin goosebump as a person knelt next to him. He tried to roll over. Logan felt a soft hand brush back his hair. “Stop tilting at windmills, you silly man. Go back to school.” He caught sight of a smile with a mole on the upper lip.

Logan felt the blood drain from his head as it fell onto a cushion of grass. 

     “Did you see them?” Logan spit out a mouthful of dirt. He was sprawled on a small mound and couldn’t move.

     “My eye is swollen shut,” Elliot’s voice was gravelly. “I feel like I got hit by a train. Am I imagining it, or were we rescued by the creature?”

      “It wasn’t the creature.” Logan was breathless with the effort, wondering if he should share what he thought. “I think it was Aimee.”

“Aimee!” Elliot coughed. “What’s she doing here?”

Logan ignored the question; he was wondering the same thing. 

     Rising painfully to his knees he crawled over to where Elliot was propped against the wheel of the jeep. “Anything broken?”

     “Only my pride. I feel like I’m trapped in an eighties crime drama. What are you doing?” he asked Logan, who was pulling his phone from his pocket with a battered hand.

     “I’m calling the police.”

     “I think that was the police,” Elliot retorted weakly. “What happened to your mermaid?”

     Logan growled, “She’s not my mermaid.” 

     “Did you get any pictures?” Logan asked.

     “Let me see with my good eye.” Elliot squinted as he looked at his screen. “Nothing good. Maybe it was one of those goons setting us up.”

     Logan shrugged. “I couldn’t see much, but I know it was that monster, Mitch and his playmates,” he paused and continued, “And Aimee and some other guy.”

      “You think she was working with them?”

      Logan shook his head. “No, they beat the crap out of them. Mitch practically crawled out of here.”

      “Are you sure it was Aimee? This is a major complication.”

      Logan didn’t answer. He spoke into his phone. “Pen? Can you swing by the marsh, and Penny… don’t say anything to anyone.”

– Excerpted from Dragged Down Deep by Michael Okon, Chelshire Publishing, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Michael Okon is an award-winning and best-selling author of multiple genres, including paranormal, thriller, horror, action/adventure, and self-help. He graduated from Long Island University with a degree in English and then later received his MBA in business and finance. Coming from a family of writers, he has storytelling in his DNA. Michael has been writing from as far back as he can remember, his inspiration being his love for films and their impact on his life. From the time he saw The Goonies, he was hooked on the idea of entertaining people through unforgettable characters.

Michael is a lifelong movie buff, a music playlist aficionado, and a sucker for self-help books. He lives on the North Shore of Long Island with his wife and children.

Connect:

Website ➜ www.michaelokon.com

Twitter ➜ https://www.x.com/IAmMichaelOkon 

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/IAmMichaelOkon 

Spotlight: The Northern Pacific Railroad by Tim Piper

In 1872, six hundred miles between Bismarck and Bozeman were to be surveyed for the Northern Pacific Railroad. But Sitting Bull is gathering strength to resist this incursion into the tribes’ hunting grounds. Citizens and politicians question the need for the rail line and doubt that it can ever be guaranteed safe from Indian raids. But financier Jay Cooke is willing to risk his financial empire to build it.

When Cooke summons Jubilee Walker to his mansion and presents a proposition for completing the survey, Jubil finds it impossible to resist. But the stakes are high, both financially and personally. How much will Jubil risk to turn his adventure travel tours into a major business? Can he do it without losing the respect of the people he loves? And will he even survive the attempt to complete the survey?

Book 3 in the Jubilee Walker series is based on actual events of the 1872 and 1873 railroad surveys, and the ensuing financial turmoil as investors lose faith in Cooke’s vision.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Paperback

About the Author

TIM PIPER is retired from a long career in Information Technology and has been a lifelong hobbyist musician. In his earlier days he was an avid hiker and backcountry camper, but his adventures these days are less strenuous and more comfortable. He began his education at Illinois State University as an English major, but life circumstances put him on a more pragmatic path, and he graduated with a BS in Business Admin, a degree he finds appropriately named. He lives in Bloomington, Illinois. 

Learn more at www.timpiper-author.com or follow him on Facebook.

Spotlight: Shadow by Aubree Valentine

Ten years away has taught Lindsey Addington to go after what she wants and her sights are set on Garrett Everleigh. Lindsey will do whatever it takes to break down Garrett’s walls and convince him to take a chance on love. Fans of Yellowstone and Heartland will fall in love with this best friend's little sister/forbidden romance that sets the tone for this new, exciting, and highly anticipated series from Aubree Valentine. 

Blurb

Welcome to Addington Ranch… where the cowboys steal hearts and the women tame wild stallions. 

Garrett Everleigh has been waiting (and half heartedly dreading) the day that Lindsey Addington, an heir to the Addington Ranch, returned home from chasing her horse show dreams. 

Lindsey is everything the rugged, determined ranch hand has ever wanted—and everything he can't have. Especially if he wants to keep his job and the ‘family’ that chose him. The only family Garrett has. 

Ten years away has taught equestrian royalty, Lindsey Addington, exactly what - and who - she wants. Far more stubborn than Garrett ever gave her credit for, Lindsey won't let his reservations - or his secrets - keep them from having the relationship they deserve.

Putting a decade of training with thousand pound animals to good use, Lindsey turns her insight and training on Garrett and breaks down every ounce of his resolve until he breaks. 

Fans of Yellowstone and Heartland will fall in love with this best friend's little sister/forbidden romance that sets the tone for this new, exciting, and highly anticipated series from Aubree Valentine.

Excerpt 

Copyright 2025, Author Aubree Valentine

“What are you doing out here, Linds? You’ve got a party going on, you know?”

“I know. I came out here to see you,” she gently elbowed him. 

“You should get back to your party.”

“Maybe later,” she turned up the dial on what little of sex appeal she thought she had and moved so that she was kneeling on the ground beneath his open thighs. “Right now, I came out here because I wanted to tell you something.” 

“Don’t,” Garrett grunted and stood, trying to put space between them. 

Lindsey stood just as quickly and grabbed ahold of his biceps. “Garrett, will you atleast look at me, please?”

Garrett squeezed his eyes closed. “I can’t, Linds. I can’t look at you because if I do, all of my resolve will break.” 

That confession was a tiny reassurance that at least Garrett had some kind of feelings for her too. It was all the encouragement she needed to keep trying.

“Then let it,” she begged. She wanted to see his resolve break. She wanted him to give into whatever it was that he was fighting and give in to her.

Garrett opened his eyes and put his hands on Lindsey’s shoulders. This time she could see the hunger lingering in his eyes. “Is that really what you want, Linds? Do you really want me to give into temptation?”

That was exactly what she wanted. What she’d been longing for. She was eighteen now after all. Nothing was stopping them from letting the attraction take over. “Of course,” she whispered in return.

“Tell me exactly what you want, Linds,” Garrett brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. 

“Kiss me.”

“I shouldn’t,” he argued. 

Lindsey could think of a million reasons why he should.

“But you will,” she batted her eyes and bit her lip, “won’t you?”

“Damnit,” he cursed under his breath. 

Then his lips were on hers.

She half expected Garrett to be gentle, or to immediately back away again. But he didn’t. Once his lips touched hers, he devoured her like he was a man starved for far too long. And with every ounce of experience that came with kissing a man and not the desperate nervousness of Lindsey’s first kiss and former high school boyfriend. 

Everything about Garrett’s kisses were better than she could have ever imagined. They were all-consuming. Promising. And for a split second, she let herself believe that they really could have it all. That the two of them could be so much more someday soon.

“Shit, Lindsey,” Garrett broke their kiss like she was a flame and she’d just burnt him. “I shouldn’t have done that. I’m sorry,” he said as he started pacing around. 

She should have walked away then. Took the victory of winning a kiss and walked away. Forgotten about her feelings and the happily ever after she thought included Garrett. Except she couldn't. 

“Garrett,” she moved toward him, countering every step he took backwards until he bumped into a tree. With his body pinned against the hard bark, she wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder, soaking in as much of Garrett and the moment as she could. 

“Linds, I…we shouldn’t. You’re getting ready to leave for college. You don’t need a man like me holding you back.”

“Garrett,” she looked up into his eyes. “I really need you to kiss me again. Let me have this. Let me have you. All of you. Even if it’s just for tonight.”

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About Aubree Valentine

Aubree Valentine is a masterful storyteller who weaves tales of passion, heartbreak, and happily-ever-afters that leave readers swooning and coming back for more. A hopeless romantic at heart, Aubree channels her boundless imagination and appreciation for the complexities of romance into every book she writes. Her characters are as real as they are irresistible—flawed, relatable, and unforgettable—taking readers on journeys filled with sizzling chemistry, emotional twists, and moments that tug at the heartstrings. Whether it’s a steamy small-town romance or a friends-to-lovers tale, Aubree’s stories always promise: love, laughter and happily ever after. When she’s not penning her next novel, Aubree can be found binge-reading romance novels, borrowing her husband’s power tools for some over the top project, or spending quality time with her family and their fur babies. Connect with Aubree Valentine on social media, through her website, or sign up for her newsletter to stay up-to-date on new releases, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into her writing

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