WORTH THE FIGHT by Liz Durano – Featured New Release

WORTH THE FIGHT

LIZ DURANO

When the woman you’ve loved for years walks back into your life with a ticking biological clock…

Six years ago, Cassie Reynolds was my Harvard mentor—the brilliant woman who taught me everything about business and left me wanting more than professional guidance. Now she’s back as Pierce Enterprises’ Chief Compliance Officer, hired to ensure I don’t make mistakes as the company’s newly appointed CEO.

There’s just one problem: I never stopped thinking about her.

When I discover she’s planning single motherhood through a fertility clinic because she thinks time’s running out, every instinct I have—shaped by Filipino family values that prioritize community over independence—tells me she shouldn’t face this alone.

I could keep my distance. Let her pursue her clinical solution while I focus on proving myself as CEO. Stay safely within professional boundaries while she builds the family she’s always wanted.

Or I could fight for what we could have together.

A partnership. A family. A future where neither of us has to face life’s biggest challenges alone.

The board already questions whether I’m ready to lead. Getting involved with my Chief Compliance Officer could cost me everything I’ve worked for. But watching Cassie plan for single motherhood when I could give her so much more? That’s a risk I can’t ignore.

Some things are worth fighting for—even when the odds are stacked against you. Even when loving her could destroy my career. Even when she’s convinced our nine-year age gap and professional complications make us impossible.

Especially then.

Because the biggest risk isn’t falling in love with the woman I’m not supposed to want.

It’s letting her walk away when we could build something extraordinary together.

Buy Link: Amazon

Although Liz studied Journalism in college, she discovered that she preferred writing fiction over ad copy, and so these days, she writes women’s fiction and romance. She lives in Southern California with her family and a senior Chihuahua mix who keeps guard of her writing space and a growing pile of books (and wool for when she needs to spin for inspiration).

You can follow Liz’s book adventures by visiting and connecting with her via her social media accounts:

Website: lizduranobooks.com
Facebook: facebook.com/lizduranobooks
Instagram: instagram.com/lizdurano
Threads: threads.com/@lizdurano
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@lizdurano
Pinterest: pinterest.com/lizdurano
Ream: reamstories.com/lizdurano

ALANNAH ROBERTS – Featured Author

Alannah Roberts—wifey, mum to one beautiful baby girl, fur mum to a battalion of Pomeranians, corporate baddie by day, and aspiring author by night (fueled by crispy Coke Zeros and occasionally questionable decisions).

Alannah lives in Australia, but she was born and partially raised in the Philippines. Books have been her escape, her comfort, and her obsession for as long as she can remember. She has cried, laughed, and screamed her way through stories that left a mark on her soul—and now, she dreams of writing ones that do the same.

She started writing Collide back in 2012, but fear and doubt turned it into a secret side project. After surviving an ectopic pregnancy that nearly took her life, Alannah made a promise to herself—and to her daughter—to stop playing small. To chase her dreams. To be brave.

One day, Alannah hopes to live on a little farm, surrounded by books, her family, and her fur babies, writing stories that make people feel something—every day until the end of her days.

Connect with Alannah:

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COLLIDE: The Rhapsody of Heartbeats Book 1

One city. Two hearts. And a collision that changes everything

Elena Montgomery returns to New York with nothing but a guitar and a promise to keep. Her family’s name carries weight, but after a bitter divorce shattered her childhood, it’s not legacy she’s chasing—it’s freedom.

Then she meets him. The charming, mysterious stranger who crashes into her life and awakens a part of her she’s kept hidden. The chemistry is explosive. The connection? Addictive. But fame, secrets, and the ghosts of their pasts threaten to tear it all apart.

As the pressure builds and the spotlight grows harsher, Elena is forced to choose: chase the life she’s always wanted or risk everything for the kind of love that burns too hot to last.

Collide is a seductive, emotional rollercoaster about passion, fame, family, and the fierce journey to finding your voice—even when your heart is on the line.

Buy Links:

Kindle Unlimited

Alannah’s Shop

FLOAT: A Collide Short Story

Float is a whimsical short story told from the point of view of a weedy sea dragon featured in Collide—specifically during Chapter 13, when the main characters share a romantic indoor picnic at the aquarium.

Needless to say, things get a little wet.

A light-hearted, cheeky companion piece set in the Collide universe—a fun, imaginative peek beneath the tank.

For the best experience, it’s recommended that you read Collide by Alannah Roberts first.

Preorder Link:

Kindle Unlimited (Release Date: December 13, 2025)

All proceeds from this short story will be donated to the Birch Aquarium in San Diego, which inspired the setting for the scene, and to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, which helps protect the natural habitat of the Australian weedy sea dragon.

THE EYE OF THE STORM by Zoey Fox – Featured New Release

THE EYE OF THE STORM

Zoey York

BLURB

Cassie Hawthorne never planned to come back to Freedom, Montana. But after a humiliating betrayal and a life that’s crumbled beneath her feet, the quiet town she once called home is the only place left to run. Haunted by memories of her childhood, and the boy who shattered her heart, Cassie returns to rebuild her life-one step, one breath, one guarded heartbeat at a time.

Trenton Delsey never forgot the girl who got away. He buried his regrets beneath ranch work, family responsibilities, and the toxic relationship he never had the strength to escape. But when Cassie walks back into town, Trenton’s carefully constructed world begins to crack, and long-buried secrets start to rise.

Drawn together by old feelings and unresolved pain, Cassie and Trenton find themselves navigating the wreckage of their past. But their reunion is more than just emotional-it’s dangerous. Because beneath the surface of Freedom lies a tangled mystery involving the disappearance of billionaire Evan Ransom… and someone will do anything to keep the truth hidden.

As Cassie is pulled into the heart of the investigation-and into the crosshairs of a manipulative woman with everything to lose-Trenton must confront the darkest night of his life: a car crash, a cover-up, and the guilt that’s been eating away at him ever since. What Brenda Walsh knows could destroy him. But what Trenton finally remembers could save them both.

With the help of his fiercely loyal family-including his brother Alex, a U.S. Marshal with his own secrets-Trenton fights for redemption, while Cassie fights for freedom from a past that’s always had a hold on her. Together, they’ll discover that love is not the absence of storms, but the place you find shelter in the middle of one.

Gripping, romantic, and emotionally raw, The Eye of the Storm is a sweeping small-town love story where danger lurks behind every secret-and healing comes at the cost of the truth.

Buy Links:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Website

ABOUT ZOEY

Zoey Fox writes sweeping small-town romances filled with second chances, family bonds, and a touch of storm-tossed drama. She’s the creator of The Delsey Dozen series, set in the heart of Freedom, Montana, where love, secrets, and resilience collide.

When she’s not writing, Zoey enjoys hiking, reading, and gathering inspiration from her own community and family life in upstate New York. She believes in stories that remind us love is worth fighting for—and that even in life’s fiercest storms, we can choose joy, belonging, and happily-ever-afters.

Follow Zoey:

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REVIEW

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THE END GAME by Michael Scott Clifton – LSLL Book Campaign

THE END GAME

By Michael Scott Clifton

Contemporary Sports Romance

Publisher: Independently Published

Publication Date: August 8, 2025

SYNOPSIS

Eager to put his past behind him, Chris Cooper takes the head basketball job at Mayfield High School in Northeast Texas. Haunted by a history of rocky relationships, he’s surprised by the sparks his landlady, single mom, Jennie Sloan, ignites in him.

Despite trust issues from her own tumultuous past, something about the tall coach with emerald-green eyes makes Jennie believe in second chances. When her young son bonds with Cooper, the barriers Jennie built around her heart begin to crumble.

Excited about the raw potential of his team, Cooper is blindsided by Rocco Rawlings, the arrogant Head Football Coach and Athletic Director. The AD demands Cooper’s entire team play football. When Cooper refuses, Rawlings works to undermine the basketball program, and Cooper is forced to find inventive ways to succeed.

As the stakes rise on and off the court, Cooper and Jennie must contend with the demons of their past to protect the fragile flame they’ve lit, while Cooper’s scrappy team—fueled by grit, heart and a shared dream—might just defy the odds and reach the ultimate end game.

A state championship.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Journey into realms of magic and mystery

Michael Scott Clifton is a rapacious reader, gardener, and movie junkie. A resident of East Texas, he lives in Mount Pleasant with his wife, Melanie. A multi-award winning author, his books include The Treasure Hunt Club, The Janus Witch, and the Conquest of the Veil Series—The Open Portal, Escape From Wheel, A Witch’s Brew, and Cavern of the Veil Queen, and the award-wining Teen/YA novel, Edison Jones and the Anti-Grav Elevator. Pringle Prawn, an urban fantasy novel, is a 2024 Reader’s Favorite Book Award winner. Google him @authormsclifton, or visit his website at www.michaealscottclifton.com

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REVIEW

Texas-style Hoosiers meets a Hallmark movie, in book form. With its small-town, underdog-basketball-team-goes-to-the-state-championship feel-good story, paired with a sweet romance, The End Game checks all my boxes for an incredibly satisfying read.

… our lives aren’t blank pages in a book … We can’t skip the parts we don’t like and flip ahead to the parts we do.”

Michael Scott Clifton’s writing shows a cinematic quality that makes his work a great candidate for film adaptation. His deft use of classic storytelling elements—characters, setting, back story, conflict, and action—yielded a book that a wide range of readers would find engaging. Sports, romance, drama, faith. There’s something in it for everyone to enjoy.

From the first dribble of the ball, always look where you’re going, not where you’ve been.”

The large cast of characters includes a sympathetic hero in basketball coach Chris Cooper, a fascinating love-interest in Jennie, an obstructive antagonist in Rawlings, a wise mentor in Julius, and a wonderful group of young athletes who are easy to root for. The romance between Cooper and Jennie, although fast-paced, was seamlessly integrated into the story and enhanced the overall theme rather than distracting from it. Jennie and her son Josh were essential parts of Cooper’s personal endgame.

Individual players don’t win games. Teams do.”

The basketball scenes are where this book shines the most. Mr. Clifton’s descriptions of the players’ moves in the games and Cooper’s strategic coaching instructions made the book come alive. There were several heart-in-throat moments as well as fist-pump celebrations. It was as if I was watching the action on TV without the added cursing-at-the-referees part of the normal viewing experience.

In essence, The End Game is a slam dunk of a story. Swish.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLTheEndGame on your preferred social media platform.

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CANYON OF DECEIT by DiAnn Mills – LSLL Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

Canyon of Deceit

By DiAnn Mills

Romantic Suspense

Publisher: Tyndale Fiction

Pages: 338

Publication Date: September 9, 2025

SYNOPSIS

A child. A deadly conspiracy. A race against time.

When survival expert Therese Palmer is called to find a kidnapped girl, she quickly realizes the truth is more dangerous than she imagined. Enlisting the help of Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, they track the girl’s last known location deep in the Guadalupe Mountains—where every clue leads to more deception. As Russian organized crime and a deadly assassination plot come to light, Therese and Blane must fight against ruthless enemies and their growing attraction. Will they find the girl before time runs out, or will she become a pawn in a much bigger game?

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author DiAnn Mills is known for her gripping romantic suspense novels where readers can Expect An Adventure. With multiple Christy Awards and numerous bestsellers, her stories captivate readers with their depth and intensity. A passionate storyteller and dedicated mentor, DiAnn is also a coffee connoisseur and proud grandmother living in Houston, Texas.

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REVIEW

Heart-wrenching prologue. Catch-your-breath action adventure. Second-chance romance. Faith-centered story. Danger at every turn and thrilling international intrigue. DiAnn Mills’s Canyon of Deceit has it all.

Hope is a reason to live when the world erupts into madness.”

Ms. Mills delivered once more a fast-paced, high-stakes romantic suspense novel with a strong Christian belief at its core. As I’ve come to expect from her, the main characters, Therese Palmer and Blane Gardner, are excellent at their jobs and worthy of respect. Their tragic back stories make it easy to sympathize with them and root for them to triumph against all odds. What they were missing in terms of luck, they made up for in bravery and fierce determination to complete their mission. They are deserving of a hopeful future together after going through everything Ms. Mills threw their way. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that at the end of the book, bruised and battered Therese and Blane truly earned their happily-ever-after.

Nothing is guaranteed. Neither life nor death.”

The situation with the antagonists is super complicated, and some aspects of the Russian subplot went over my head. It gave a proper backdrop to explain the involvement of the FBI and the Texas Rangers, but the violence and loss of lives and properties leaned towards excessive. The bright light in the midst of all the bloodshed is the little girl Alina. She provided the focal point of the story and the motivation for the actions taken by both sides — good and bad.

It’s not what we lose that defines our character—it’s what we learn.”

An exhilarating read. Thanks to the publisher and Lone Star Literary Life for providing me with an advanced copy to review and for including me in the campaign.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLCanyonofDeceit on your preferred social media platform.

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TO CONDEMN A WITCH by Lisa A. Traugott – LSLL Book Campaign: Review & Giveaway

TO CONDEMN A WITCH

By LISA A. TRAUGOTT

Historical Fantasy

Publisher: Rose Castle Media

Pages: 399

Publication Date: August 11, 2025

SYNOPSIS

A stolen scroll. A cursed bloodline. A prophecy that binds three witches across life and death…

Scotland, 1729. When clairvoyant healer Fiona MacLeod discovers an enchanted scroll, she awakens a prophecy linking her fate to two other women: Eleanor, a servant-turned-mistress caught in a scandal, and Matilda, a vengeful ghost burned for witchcraft. Together, they must form a coven—maiden, mother, and crone—to protect a changeling child marked by ancient magic.

But a ruthless witch hunter is closing in—one who will stop at nothing to destroy the child and the women sworn to defend her.

Spanning the infamous Hellfire Caves of England to haunted Scottish glens and the wilds of colonial Virginia, To Condemn a Witch is a haunting prequel in the Tales of the Witchblood series—a dark tale of feminine power, sacrifice, and the unbreakable bond between witches who rise, no matter how often they are condemned.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa A. Traugott is the award-winning author of the Tales of the Witchborn series (To Rescue a Witch and To Condemn a Witch), a haunting historical fantasy saga in the realm of ghosts, goddesses, and rebellion. She double majored in history and theater to guarantee unemployment yet somehow became a full-time author. An original cast member on American Grit with John Cena, she also had five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

She lives in Austin with her husband and two kids where they enjoy walking ghost tours and telling scary stories around the campfire. You can get a FREE chapter of To Rescue a Witch at LisaTraugott.com.

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REVIEW

Ms. Traugott must have a touch of the supernatural herself, because she concocted a spellbinding story that kept me engrossed for several hours straight. To Condemn A Witch is fantastical, with its themes of ancient spirituality and magic, and is also rooted in factual historical events. The combination makes for a fascinating read.

Told from multiple points of view, the story spans several decades and various locations, both real and fictional, including Scotland, London, across the Atlantic, the Virginia Colony, and the Otherworld. The author’s impeccable research provided a backdrop that was so vividly described, it almost felt like the reader time-traveled to witness the events firsthand as they unfolded. Many of the scenes were gruesome, horrifying, and some were even downright scary. But there were also tender moments and funny segments as well.

The major characters were complex and compelling. The villains (the witch hunter, the betrayed wife, the shape shifter) revealed themselves early and were consistent in their evil deeds. Those who were considered protagonists (the coven members — Fiona, Matilda, and Eleanor; William MacLeod) were not necessarily likable or sympathetic, but they had redeeming qualities that proved their humanity and placed them on the right side of the story. They had strengths and flaws, which gave them dimensions that enriched the story. Matilda especially stands out for having made realizations about herself throughout the course of the story that guided her actions later.

Although this book was released later than Book 2, I recommend reading it first before To Rescue A Witch for a more complete experience. Be aware of the contents that may cause anxiety or discomfort — violence, deaths, mature themes, slavery, and historically accurate but objectionable language.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLToCondemnAWitch on your preferred social media platform.

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HIGHER LOVE by Joanne Kukanza Easley – Book Campaign: Review and Giveaway

HIGHER LOVE

By JOANNE KUKANZA EASLEY

Women’s Literary Fiction

Publisher: Red Boots Press

Pages: 380

Publication Date: May 12, 2025

SYNOPSIS

Higher Love – the new release from Joanne Kukanza Easley, the multi-award-winning author of Sweet Jane, Just One Look, and I’ll Be Seeing You.

In 1986 Austin, Texas, sixteen-year-old Stephanie steps into sixty-two-year-old Lauren’s life, her uncanny resemblance cracking open a buried past. Claiming to be the daughter of the child Lauren gave up for adoption forty-five years ago, Stephanie upends Lauren’s life—already complicated by her remarriage to Brett after thirty-three years apart. Stung by her adoptive grandmother’s deception, Stephanie stays, her past of tragedy and self-harm forging a fragile bond with Lauren and Brett. When Stephanie’s trust fund evaporates, crushing her college dreams, Lauren sacrifices all to give her a future—only to face a bittersweet twist that echoes the past and changes everything. This heart-wrenching family drama delves into the enduring impact of secrets, the power of unconditional love, and the strength found in facing our pasts.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon | B&N

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Joanne Kukanza Easley, a retired registered nurse with experience in both the cold, clinical operating room and the highly charged world of psychiatric hospitals, lives in the Texas Hill Country, where she writes fiction about complicated, twentieth-century women. Her multi-award-winning debut, Sweet Jane, was named the adult fiction winner at the Texas Author Project and shortlisted for the Sarton Award and Eric Hoffer Award, among others. Just One Look, Joanne’s second novel, was a May 2022 Pulpwood Queen Book Club Pick. I’ll Be Seeing You, her third novel, features characters from Sweet Jane. Look for her fourth novel, Higher Love, a sequel to her third book, in Spring 2025. Her prize-winning short stories and poetry have appeared in several anthologies.

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REVIEW

Having read and reviewed I’ll Be Seeing You by Ms. Easley, I was eager to return to the eighties and get an update on the fascinating life of Lauren Eaton. This sequel, Higher Love, retained all the elements I loved in the first book — the incredible support system that made up Lauren’s found family, the awesome sense of place in every location the characters visited, and the realistic and relatable portrayal of the protagonists in the story. I appreciate the balance of admirable qualities and understandable flaws that the author infused in Lauren, Brett, and Stephanie. They were utterly human, living a life of ups and downs. Real, but also an escape into another dimension with a guaranteed hopeful ending.

I enjoyed all the little details that firmly set the story in the mid-eighties and lent it so much authenticity. The descriptions of fashion, entertainment options, and mentions of historical milestones were familiar. They invoked nostalgia in this reader, who considers the decade of Rob Lowe and Stand By Me her favorite era. The scenes showing the generational gap between a grandmother and her teenage granddaughter were particularly entertaining.

This story of love managed to be light in places and deep in others, tackling issues such as alcoholism, death, mental health, and teenage pregnancy in a way that held gravity but did not descend into dark places.

Overall, an engaging story that will appeal to a wide range of readers.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLHigherLove on your preferred social media platform.

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TO L.A. WITH LOVE: A Charity Anthology – Featured New Release

TO L.A. WITH LOVE

A Charity Anthology

BLURB

When wildfires destroyed two beloved Los Angeles public libraries in January 2025, the romance community answered with heart.

In To L.A. With Love, 100+ local and international authors and poets weave tales filled with sexy contemporary passion, dreamy historical romance, and spellbinding magical encounters. From the sweetest kiss to steam between the sheets, these tales remind us why we fall in love with books—because like libraries, they offer refuge, inspire dreams, and bring people together.

This anthology celebrates the power of romance, and all proceeds from To L.A. With Love support the restoration of the Altadena and Pacific Palisades libraries, proving that love stories can heal more than fictional broken hearts—they can rebuild community. Pick up your copy today, and join us in writing a new chapter for Los Angeles.

Buy Link:

books2read.com/tolawithlove

Beneficiaries:

Altadena Library Foundation

https://www.altadenalibraryfoundation.org/

LAPL Palisades Branch Recovery Fund

https://lfla.org/laplrecoveryfund/

FEATURED AUTHORS

Aarti V Raman, USA Today Bestselling Author
Alexa Santi
Alexis Krasilovsky
Alice Duncan
Aliza Mann
Allie Lasky
Amanda Richardson
Amy Award, USA Today Bestselling Author
Amy J. Hawthorn
Andrea Johnston
Anna Quinn
Anne Barwell
Arell Rivers, USA Today Bestselling Author
Aria R. Blue
Arianna Quinn
Ashley Erin
Caitlin Loggins
Cecilia Rene
Christina Alexandra
Christine Ashworth, USA Today Bestselling Author
CJ Warrant
Claire Davon, USA Today Bestselling Author
C.G. Burnette
Claire Marti, USA Today Bestselling Author
Crystal Perkins
Cynthia Diamond
Dee Lagasse
DL Gallie
Ella Braeme
Ellena Espejo
Gemma Snow
Gwen Galloway
Heather Scarlett
HL Miller
J.C. Hannigan
JCC Downing
Jeannie Choe
Jennifer Worrell
Juliet Gauvin
Karen Grey
Kelly Violet
Kennedy L. Mitchell
Khushi T. Saha
KL Hill
Kristen Elizabeth
Leesa Bow
Lena Cove
Libby Waterford
Lisa Rayne
M. Solis
Michelle Mars
Milly Gray
Monica Ross
Natalie Tay
Nicole Sanchez
Nikki Prince, International Bestselling Author
Olivia Huxley
Pamela DuMond, USA Today Bestselling Author
R. Snow
R.L. Merrill
Rae Shawn
Rhian Cahill
Rose Bak, USA Today Bestselling Author
Samantha Shaye
Shana Gray
Shelley Kassian
Simran
SL Hannah
Sorcha Mowbray
Stephanie J. Scott
Stephanie Marie Whitson
Susannah Erwin
Theresa Lambe
Tiffany Carby
Tori Mitchell
Tracy Reed
Vi Summers, International Bestselling Author

HER BLOODY BETRAYAL by L. G. Hill – Featured New Release

HER BLOODY BETRAYAL

A Why Choose Vampire Romance

by

L. G. Hill

BLURB

When your peaceful community is suddenly teeming with rogue vampires and you have to work with your ex to get rid of them …

As the youngest of three sisters, I’m surprised when our sire, leader of our vampire clan, comes to me first with news of rogues terrorizing the population of our remote Canadian town.
The reason I’m first in the loop? Mason, my first turn and ex-lover, the male who broke my heart.
But of course, Mason is the smartest in his clan and the only one who can help us end this nightmare.
Not even the comforting support of Billy, my loyal second in command, or the grounding presence of Pinch, my human assistant can quell the overall rage that scorches my blood.
Especially after a rogue attacks my dog.
I probably shouldn’t take that out on Mason … but his nearness makes me ache for reasons unrelated to my anger toward him for leaving me.
And I probably shouldn’t take Mason’s fiery torment out on Billy and Pinch either, but here we are …

Her Bloody Betrayal is an MFMM steamy vampire reverse harem with enemies to lovers, found family, and a badass heroine who takes no crap. Swords cross, and the blood and wine flow in this spine-tingling story of love and betrayal.

Content Notes: mentions of past childhood sexual abuse/abandonment trauma; suicide ideation; drug use. The dog doesn’t die. No AI.

Buy Link: Kindle Unlimited

ABOUT L. G. HILL

L.G. Hill is the pen name for Linda G. Hill’s Why Choose Romance books.

Award-winning author Linda G. Hill was born and raised an only child in Southern Ontario, Canada. She credits the time she spent alone when she was growing up, reading books and building worlds and characters of her own to keep her company, as the reason she became a writer.

A stay-at-home mom of three beautiful boys, Linda is a graduate of the Writing Program at St. Lawrence College in Brockville, Ontario. Aside from caring for her family, she enjoys traveling the world, eating trout cooked on the barbecue, and, of course, reading.

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UNDER THE GULF COAST SUN by Skip Rhudy – LSLL Book Campaign

UNDER THE GULF COAST SUN

By SKIP RHUDY

Romance / Coming of Age / Surfing

Publisher: Stoney Creek Publishing

Pages: 266

Publication Date: April 22, 2025

SYNOPSIS

This coming-of-age tale set against the sun-soaked beaches of 1970s Port Aransas, Texas, is a love letter to the people and culture of the Texas coast and the enduring allure of the Gulf of Mexico.

Eighteen-year-old Connor O’Reilly isn’t ready to leave his beloved hometown until the tourist girl he met the previous summer, Kassie Hernandez, returns to Port Aransas for one final vacation before college. Their tumultuous summer fling is wrecked by a freak accident in which Connor is lost at sea. His long years of surfing and fishing in the Gulf, as well as Kassie’s desperation to reunite with him, are pitted against the enormity and utter indifference of the sea.

CLICK TO PURCHASE

Amazon | B&N | Bookshop

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Skip Rhudy grew up surfing in Port Aransas, Texas. He has translated poetry and prose from German to English, and translated Wolfgang Hilbig’s novella Die Weiber for his master’s thesis in 1990 at the University of Texas. His short stories were published in numerous small press magazines in the mid-1990s, and his novella One Punk Summer was published in 1993 and reprinted in 2021.

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REVIEW

What an entertaining read! A true destination romance, Under The Gulf Coast Sun took me to Port Aransas, a place I haven’t been, and to the nineteen seventies, a time not-too-far gone yet a whole lifetime ago. I am equally delighted and aghast that this book is considered a historical romance. I was already alive during the time setting of the story, so I’m feeling old. But I’m also not old enough to say I could relate to the characters in this coming-of-age love story.

Skip Rhudy did a wonderful job of infusing his characters with a balance of confidence, confusion, and insecurity that typifies teenagers of every generation yet placing them in distinct situations that could only have been experienced by the youth in the seventies and early eighties. The younger drinking age, the loose parental controls, and the existing media and technological selections are some examples that place this book in the past. Connor and Kassie are fully fleshed-out characters who acted true to their ages. They are sympathetic and easy to root for, having virtues and flaws that make them real.

Usually, I don’t like the main conflict in romance caused by a misunderstanding and lack of communication, but I understood why it happened here. I appreciate how Mr. Rhudy laid it out, so it came out organic and a natural offshoot of Connor and Kassie’s backgrounds.

The surfing scenes and the locations are described incredibly well, a testament to the author’s talent and lived experience. The dialogues flowed naturally. The language was plain, easily understood, and true to the time. My only critique is the head-hopping and unnecessary points of view from a couple of secondary characters.

Overall, a quick and enjoyable read.

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLUnderTheGulfCoastSun on your preferred social media platform.

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