Spotlight: Lines We Shouldn't Cross by Harper Reynolds

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

When they first meet, sparks fly…but not the romantic kind…

Ella Westhoff is a marketing genius. But romance? Not her strong suit. So, while she’s prepared to return to her small hometown and help her grandmother successfully reopen her B&B, she will not fall for the grumpy landscaper on the job—the one who so thoroughly annoyed her at first sight. That was the plan, anyway…

Cooper Daniels isn’t cut out for love, either. His bitter divorce certainly taught him that. One-night stands are all he’s willing to commit to these days. Which means that even though he enjoys bantering with the brilliant Ella, he knows he can’t be the kind of guy she deserves. No matter how much she makes him wish he could be…

Somewhere between fresh starts and past hurts, business and pleasure, Ella and Cooper might be able to claim a happily ever after. But only if they’re willing to cross some lines along the way…

Lines We Shouldn’t Cross, book 1 in the Innocence series, is a sweet and spicy, emotional contemporary romance. Download today and get ready to fall for Ella and Cooper.

**Releases March 20th!! Get it for On Sale for a limited time!**

Excerpt

Ella

This, this… guy! I stalk out of the dining room, fuming.

Of all the people for Pippa to rent the carriage house to, it had to be him. And now he’s living right next door, invading my sanctuary, the space I’ve always considered mine.

Why did he have to ruin my hope of living in the carriage house? There must be plenty of places available for rent in town. I sigh, trying to let my frustration go because bitching and moaning won’t change a thing.

I’d spent countless sleepovers there with my best friend, trading secrets, and dreams. Later, losing myself in romance novels, I’d imagined my own epic love story. Yeah, well, that had been a big naïve fantasy. Most guys turn out to be jerks—like my ex—not some swoon-worthy hero who sets my body ablaze while cherishing my soul. That kind of guy only exists between the pages.

Now, another real-life example of an arrogant jerk stands right there in the dining room, pouring wine as if he owns the place. His broad frame fills the space like a quintessential guy’s guy. His large hands tell a different story. Hands that could build barn walls or something, not pouring wine with unexpected gentleness. Strength and softness, wrapped in those sexy, veiny forearms. If he’d be anyone else, I’d be hopelessly flustered.

Fine, the man’s hot enough to melt steel, but that's where my appreciation ends. His charm could strip paint of wood, and it's just about as healthy to be around. He might have fooled Pippa, but not me. And now we’re supposed to work together? Fricking perfect.

In the kitchen, I muster a smile. “Need a hand?” The lasagna’s rich scent fills the room, promising comfort.

Pippa, beaming as though she’s crafted a culinary masterpiece, hands me a tray bearing the night’s first course. In the center, a mason jar filled with her homemade ranch dressing takes the spotlight amid the salad greens and a basket of still-warm bread. 

“Could you bring this in?”

Her warm smile tells me she’s missed me and is happy I’m home.

“Of course.” I won’t rain on her parade, so I nod and smile. One quick taste of the creamy dressing first, then the breadbasket joins the greens as I steady myself to face Mr. Arrogance Next Door.

“Thanks, darling.” Pippa smiles. “I’ll be right there.”

Yes, please, I pray silently. I don’t care to be alone for even one minute with that infuriating man. I let out an inaudible sigh, part frustration, part resignation. 

“Alright,” I say, forcing a cheery tone. With no excuse to dodge McCocky, I carry the tray out of the kitchen.

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About the Author

I write the kind of romance novels that blend sweet and spicy into something deliciously real - stories that'll warm your heart one minute and make you reach for a fan the next. My characters are flawed souls who stumble their way to love with enough emotional baggage to fill a cargo plane, but they're worth every messy moment.

Life handed me my own romance novel when I fell for an American military man while living in Germany. Now I'm living my happily-ever-after in a cozy Kentucky town, where my European roots tangle perfectly with Southern charm. You'll find me powered by excessive amounts of coffee, testing ice cream flavors (strictly for research purposes), and soaking up cuddles from my golden retrievers, Dakota and Tucker.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * Amazon 

Spotlight: Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point by Beth Kaplan

Release Date: March 4, 2025

Publisher: Mango Publishing

Dr. Beth Kaplan offers a lifeline for personal and professional fulfillment with Braving the Workplace!

Practical steps for transformation. Dr. Beth Kaplan shares her expertise on belonging in the workplace while sharing insights on this vital element in a rapidly changing corporate landscape. Braving the Workplace combines groundbreaking research with engaging storytelling to offer a comprehensive guide for businesses. Dr. Kaplan provides a clear, actionable framework to help organizations cultivate a sense of belonging among their employees while promoting mental health.

Belonging and the workplace. This book is valuable for many readers, from individuals grappling with personal belonging issues to senior leaders tackling leadership challenges and driving inclusivity. It provides strategies to effectively assume leadership roles, create a diverse work environment, and boost employee productivity. Braving the Workplace is a must-read for making belonging a fundamental aspect of any organization.

Inside, you will find:

• A step-by-step guide on how to take action and create change for a diverse work environment

• Strategies for personal growth in finding a sense of belonging in the workplace

• Techniques for having inclusive conversations to foster a positive work environment

If you enjoy books on work culture, such as Belonging, Inclusion on Purpose, or You Belong Here, then Braving the Workplace is for you!

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Dr. Beth Kaplan is a visionary thought leader, researcher, and keynote speaker who has redefined the intersection of belonging and leadership development. She empowers companies to enhance employee engagement and retention while significantly lowering turnover costs. Kaplan is a sought-after consultant and advisor for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, government, and educational institutions. She is currently pioneering a groundbreaking belonging tool with the University of Pennsylvania designed to measure belonging and predict the propensity to thrive. Drawing from more than two decades of experience as a workplace executive and extensive research on belonging and workplace trauma, Kaplan distilled her expertise into her debut book Braving the Workplace: Belonging at the Breaking Point. Dr. Kaplan holds an M.S.Ed and Ed.D in learning and leadership strategy from The University of Pennsylvania. She currently lives in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. To learn more, please visit DrBethKaplan.com.

Spotlight: Heartbreaker by Elise Faber & Kat Mizera

Release Date: March 10

She was just supposed to be a one-night stand…

But then she became my world.

Once, I was the lead guitarist of the hit rock band, Midnight Sun. Then a tragic accident took everything from me. I can no longer play guitar, my wife left me, and the future I worked so hard for is slipping away.

All I am now is a grumpy, infamous, former rockstar.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I’m not in the market for a woman, especially not Jade Cantrell—who’s as beautiful and talented as she is sweet.

Then the media pounces on a story about the two of us, and suddenly we’re zipping off to a mountain retreat and writing an album together.

I can’t keep it strictly business—no matter how hard I try.

And the more I get to know her, the more I know I don’t have any hope of keeping her out of my heart.

One night will never be enough.

I'm going to keep her forever.

When the Game Breakers meet more than hearts will be broken…

They’ll claim, protect, and...maybe just rock their women's worlds.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

Meet Kat Mizera

USA TODAY Bestselling Author Kat Mizera was born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of Wanderlust. She's lived from coast to coast, and everywhere in between, but home is wherever her family is. A devoted mom and wife to her wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat loves to travel the globe with her adventurous, hockey loving family. Greece is at the top of that list. She hopes to one day retire there, spending her days writing books on the beach.

Kat is former freelance sports writer who now writes steamy hockey romance about her favorite fictional teams, the Las Vegas Sidewinders and the Lauderdale Knights. The library of novels she's penned also include sexy contemporary stories about baseball stars, alpha sex club owners, bodyguards, rock stars, and royalty. Regardless of genre, her books about bad boys with hearts of gold will steal your breath, rock your world and melt your heart.

To find out about Kat Mizera’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Kat Mizera and her books visit: https://katmizera.com/

Connect with Kat Mizera: https://katmizera.com/pages/contact-kat

Meet Elise Faber

USA TODAY bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys. She lives in Northern California. 

To find out about Elise Faber’s  upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Elise Faber and her books visit: https://www.elisefaber.com/

Connect with Elise Faber: https://www.elisefaber.com/contact

Spotlight: Believing In You by Sharon C. Cooper

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.

After a case of mistaken identity, riddled with betrayal, Harrison Grant is struggling to open himself up to other people again. He lost a part of himself while in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and it seems impossible to move forward.

Enter Nyla Priestly. She’s a woman with a bubbly smile for everyone she meets and who always has a kind word to say. The jaded version of Harrison wants to doubt her personality is real. No one can be that happy all the time. Right? 

Nyla has never been into the broody type. Yet something about Harrison makes her body crave him. Sure, he’s gorgeous and happens to be one of the sexiest saxophone players she’s ever met. But achieving her dream of owning Moody Days Jazz Club is top priority. She doesn’t have time to deal with a man. No matter how good he makes her feel. 

As Harrison falls for Nyla and helps her fulfill her dreams, can her unceasing love be enough for him to trust again?

Excerpt

It didn’t make sense that she was fantasizing and sometimes daydreaming about the man. Why him? Why did her temporary boss make her want to touch him all over and jump his bones? Sure, it had been awhile since she’d been with a man, but it hadn’t been that damn long. And sure, he was handsome in a sexy, geek kind of way with an intelligence that was as attractive as the rest of him. However, he was uptight, standoffish, and a workaholic. 

So not my type.

Even with those negatives, the sexual tension that vibed between her and Harrison Grant was hot enough to leave burn marks. It was a good thing that her assignment would soon be over. She didn’t know how much longer she could pretend she wasn’t seriously interested in him.

Then again, who was she kidding? The man was so far out of her league, there was no way he’d be interested in her. It didn’t matter anyway. He seemed like the type to never step out of line. No way would he help her act out some of the fantasies.

 Nyla snorted at the thought and shoved her bag into the bottom desk drawer. No sense in daydreaming about someone she could never…

The door behind her burst open, and she jumped, her hand flying to her chest. “What in the…”

Harrison.

“I told you to always get the caller’s name and tell me before transferring them to my phone,” he ground out, his chest heaving as if he was about to blow a gasket at any moment.

Nyla should be concerned, especially since he had never raised his voice at her, but all she could do was stare at him. The man was too gorgeous for his own good, and the fire in his eyes only made him look that much hotter. 

Even his black, wire-rimmed glasses didn’t detract from his handsomeness. Smooth deep-bronze skin, a thin mustache and goatee, and eyes that were so dark, they almost looked black, made up his perfect face. Then there was the black turtleneck he was wearing. It molded over his muscular upper body, and the black slacks had to be tailored specifically for him to look that good.

Yup. Too damn fine.

“Did you hear what I said?” he snapped, and that shook Nyla from her thoughts.

“I heard you,” she said, though she wasn’t positive that she’d heard everything. Ignoring his rant and scowl, she said, “Good morning, Sunshine. Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Or do you need something stronger, like a shot of tequila, to calm you down?” 

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author 

USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, as well as romantic comedy. She enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and family game night. Her stories have won numerous awards, including The Rochelle Alers Best Series award for her Atlanta’s Finest Series (2022) and The Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year award (2021). When she isn’t writing, Sharon loves hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, or to sign up to be notified of her latest releases, visit www.sharoncooper.net

Website * Facebook * Pinterest * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Cover Reveal: Frozen Flames by M.H.B

(The Hollow, #3)

Publication date: March 20th 2025

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

One mistake.
A tragic accident.
A life-altering event.

Something I can never take back.

What do you do when you meet the girl of your dreams but you’re now a shadow of who you used to be.

Gemma Ackerman, my girlfriend, was my everything. Her quiet, nerdy aura drew me in and I never wanted to let go. Life on my Harley with her by my side was perfect.

Until it wasn’t—until I lost myself.

Because a part of me died that night and it was never coming back.

I welcomed anger instead.
I greeted loneliness like an old friend.
I allowed guilt and sorrow to nestle inside my head.

That’s when I met Claire Edwards—the epitome of joie de vivre. She showed me a new colorful way to see the world. She turned numbness into eagerness for a taste of life.

And now I’m torn between a girlfriend that never gave up on me and a woman I picture as my wife.

I had no other choice.
I let myself die, so that I may live.
And it’s all thanks to her. . .

*Follow the same standalone storyline as Silent Screams and Grieving Graves through Harvey and Claire’s eyes.

About the Author

M . H . B . graduated law from a Canadian University. She loves spending time with her partner and her dog. She has a passion for animals and loves the simple things in life: chocolate, music, books, sunny days, and overall wellness. When she is not writing, her mind is in another world with a book in hand. 

Connect:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18387897.M_H_B_

https://mhbmhb.wixsite.com/books

https://www.instagram.com/mhb.author/

https://www.facebook.com/authormhb

Spotlight: I Am Jayvyn by Peter D. Brown

Circa 1710: Twelve-year-old Jayvyn’s life is shattered when English slavers raid his peaceful village, killing his father and tearing him from his mother and sister. Surviving the horrors of the Middle Passage alone, he endures two brutal years of ‘seasoning’ on a Barbados sugar plantation before being sold again and transported to South Carolina. There, he is auctioned to a rice plantation owner and forced into a world where love, loss, and cruelty coexist.

Amidst oppression, Jayvyn forms bonds with fellow enslaved Africans as they navigate the brutal realities of colonial America. Over the years, he gains a profound understanding of humanity’s virtues and flaws—even confronting the limits of forgiveness. His journey is a harrowing yet inspiring testament to resilience, faith, and survival, offering readers a deeply immersive and thought-provoking historical narrative.

Excerpt

From Chapter 10 – Training Begins

Jayvyn’s ship arrived in Barbados the day before after making the Middle Passage. Before dawn on the first day, he and others are put to work, all weak and depleted from the harrowing voyage.

Jayvyn and the new arrivals stood at the beginning of the clearing, naked and shaved, men and women alike, old and young. The guards began dividing them into smaller groups. The men and larger boys were split into groups of about five each. The women, girls, and smaller boys were similarly grouped. In all, there were five groups—two of the men and three of the others. Jayvyn was included with the men, along with a few other boys around his age. 

Each group was then led by a guard, along with some of the Blacks in tan clothing, to a segment of the clearing. One group of men was assigned to the area being cleared, thick with freshly fallen trees. Jayvyn’s group was brought to a place slightly inside of this.

Here they were shown what to do. Gathering some tools, the Blacks in tan clothing demonstrated by digging around stumps, prying rocks out of the ground, and working to remove the undergrowth. As they understood, the new arrivals were put into the mix. 

Some joined the group removing stumps and such, while the rest gathered debris and carried it to the edge of the clearing where it was piled with other like debris—rocks with rocks, stumps with stumps, and so forth. Soon, all of the newcomers were working.

Several men stood nearby, white men with rifles along with some of the Black guards. Men carried felled trees to the area for debris. The trees were very large and required chopping into smaller pieces before they could be moved. Still, it took several men to move the large pieces, some stumbling and falling over the rough terrain as they struggled to get them down the hill. Guards stood nearby with sticks, flogging anyone who faltered or didn’t move quickly enough. 

Jayvyn saw the women, girls, and smaller boys downslope from him working in the newly tilled ground, making new plantings and tending to ones already started. 

All were closely supervised by the guards as well as the established slaves in tan that had been brought to instruct them. If anyone slowed, the established slaves were quick to admonish them, with harsh words and gestures, to work hard and unceasingly. 

Jayvyn carried large bundles of brush, stumps, and rocks to the area for debris. His bare feet occasionally stumbled over sharp objects hidden on the jungle floor, causing him to fall. Each time, he was quickly noticed by a guard, who yelled and approached with his stick. 

Jayvyn recovered as fast as he could, but a few times, the guard caught up to him. Jayvyn found himself lying in a fetal position, using his hands and arms to deflect the blows until he was let up to gather his load and resume his work. His body ached from the beatings as well as from the hard, unforgiving work in his depleted condition. Others suffered similarly if they failed to keep up the pace.

Soon, the sun was full in the sky, and the temperatures rose. It was very hot and humid in the jungle. There were many insects as well—stinging, biting insects that hovered around Jayvyn’s eyes and ears, got into his mouth and nostrils, and crawled on his skin as he fought to keep up the work and avoid the guards’ wrath.

At some point, water was brought, and the slaves were made, one at a time, to briefly stop and drink. But the break was only long enough to drink and catch their breath before being put back to work at the same unremitting pace. 

Blazing hot sun and humidity caused sweat to pour into his eyes and down his face. Jayvyn felt the sting of his sweat as it passed over his freshly bruised skin, now spotted with a variety of insect bites as well. 

His muscles grew numb and quivered under the weight of each new load. The rocks, varying in size, shape, and weight, were difficult to handle. They dug at his fingers and pressed into his groin as he carried them, arms fully extended. The stumps, too, were unruly in the same way, inconsistent in size and shape, and home to a variety of insects. 

The dirt from the debris was constantly smeared and pressed into his body. His feet had many fine cuts from the thorns, roots, and rocks he stumbled over. The sloping ground with its uneven surface made things all the harder. It was impossible to predict where his feet would land and what the surface would be like, causing him to continuously trip. 

Jayvyn’s naked body became an ever-changing array of dirt, scratches, bruises, and bites—constantly streamed with sweat.

Several of the new arrivals fell unconscious, physically unable to carry on in their condition. They were revived, if possible, with shouting, slaps, and splashes of water. They were either put right back to work, or, if they were truly incapable of continuing with the same task, moved to a lighter task. 

Some were taxed beyond their limitations and couldn’t be roused. They were carried out, arms and legs limp, heads hanging, like the slaves thrown to the sharks. Jayvyn briefly wondered what would become of them. 

Most stayed with their task throughout the day, only stopping for short intervals to drink water.

Dusk came, and still they worked. It had been at least twelve hours of constant hard labor. Men came with torches and lanterns to light the way, but eventually it became too dark to see well enough, and they stopped and marched back to the stockade. 

Light flashed before Jayvyn’s eyes as he walked, barely able to keep moving. He wondered how he was ever able to make it through the day. There were so many moments, from early in the day, when he was certain he wouldn’t be able to last even a minute longer. Yet somehow, he’d endured far more than he ever imagined he could have. He literally felt like a walking dead person.

When they arrived back at the stockade, another tub of the same food was brought. Although it was terrible, the slaves were so depleted they had to eat anything that might give their bodies some of what was required to sustain life. 

For the newly arrived slaves, the instinct to survive was all that remained. Any other of life’s impulses were luxuries that simply couldn’t be accessed. Luxuries like conscious thought, feelings, or sensations of any kind were simply beyond their remaining reserves.

Through the haze of his vision, Jayvyn passively noticed the guards eating nearby. He smelled the sweeter, more savory smells of their food but was unable to conjure any emotion about it; it just was. 

He saw, too, some of those who’d fallen and been carried out that day. They were sitting against the sides of the stockade—slumped, nearly lifeless, faces slack, eyes vacant—much as the sick boys on the ship.

There wasn’t much commotion in the stockade that night. Only occasional whimpers or groans of intense discomfort—subtle sounds of shifting—worn, depleted bodies seeking positions causing the least amount of pain—until unconsciousness mercifully overcame them. Jayvyn soon followed.

The sudden, jarring foot in his side came as a brutal intrusion to the barest beginnings of much-needed rest. Jayvyn’s bloodshot eyes snapped open in the darkness. He lay bewildered by his surroundings, fighting for some kind of explanation for where he was and what he saw. Lanterns and torches flickered outside the door. Others, sleep suddenly shattered, blinked in confusion as they, too, struggled to come to terms with reality.

The guards came with more of the awful food. 

It was difficult to function at all. Sleep couldn’t have been more than a few hours at best. 

With great difficulty, Jayvyn ate, drank some water, and got painfully to his feet. Every part of his body was sore as he rose unsteadily. He was quickly reminded of the cuts and bruises on the bottoms of his feet.

They were given a few moments to urinate or defecate, if they could, but soon they found themselves walking out the same trail they’d left only hours ago. 

Jayvyn’s head still buzzed with the remnants of his short sleep. 

Moments later he found himself back at the same task he’d barely survived the day before. It was still dark, but the sky above the trees was beginning to show the first light of dawn.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

Peter D. Brown is a historical fiction writer passionate about preserving history and shedding light on overlooked stories. Aware of his position as a white author writing about the African American experience, Peter approaches this work with deep respect, rigorous research, and a commitment to accuracy. His storytelling challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths while exploring themes of resilience, justice, and the human condition.

Website: https://peter-d-brown.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maine_author/