FOREVER WITH YOU by Kaye Rockwell – Featured New Release

FOREVER WITH YOU

Kaye Rockwell

BLURB

A billionaire and his sister’s best friend.
They can’t stand one another but kept each other’s secrets over the years.
Now she’s in trouble and the only way to protect her is a marriage of convenience.
The only thing is… that has to be a secret too.

This book is an enemies to lovers, best friend’s older brother, billionaire romance featuring the eldest of the Torres siblings, Stephen and his sister’s best friend, Vanessa who he has a hate-hate relationship with. In this book they are forced to enter a secret marriage of convenience.

Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle

ABOUT KAYE

Kaye is a Romance Author who spent the majority of her childhood falling in love with fictional characters, swooning over romcoms and teen dramas, singing and dancing to musicals AND daydreaming about her own Happily-Ever-After that lead to her writing her own love stories.

Social Media Links:

Website ➜ kayerockwell.com
Instagram ➜ @thenomaddreamer
TikTok ➜ @thenomaddreamer
Facebook ➜ @authorkayerockwell
Twitter ➜ @authorkrockwell
Goodreads ➜ goodreads.com/kayerockwell

CARINA GASKELL – Featured Author

CARINA GASKELL

Romance Author

ABOUT CARINA

Carina Gaskell has been writing stories since she could hold a pen, and dreaming them up even before that.

Raised in the province in a house full of love and books, it’s no surprise that the Manila-based author would go on to carve out her own space in the romance genre writing cozy, feel-good novels.

Her stories feature sweet and swoon-worthy heroes, strong (and artistic!) heroines, and a lovable cast of side characters. She loves indulgent wish-fulfillment romances, Happy Ever Afters, and the concept of soulmates—both romantic and platonic.

Her favorite love story is that of hers and her partner’s.

CONNECT WITH CARINA:

Website: carinagaskell.com
Email: contact@carinagaskell.com
Instagram: instagram.com/carinagaskellwrites
Threads: threads.net/@carinagaskellwrites
Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/Carina_Gaskell
Amazon: .amazon.com/Carina-Gaskell/author
Tiktok: tiktok.com/@carinagaskellwrites
Facebook: facebook.com/carinagaskellwrites

CARINA’S BOOKS

Second Chance Books

When Nell’s brother-in-law walks out on her pregnant sister, it falls on Nell’s shoulders to cover their mountain of bills. To do so, she must convince the owner of a secondhand bookstore to sell his property so she can earn a commission.

But when she visits the store, two unexpected things happen: the owner offers her a job sorting the shelves—extra income!—and her childhood crush, Thomas Whelan, turns out to be the only other employee there. Only a fool would turn that opportunity down.

When Thomas reveals he needs help with his love life, it seems all too perfect: get an in with Tom by helping him prepare for his dates, recruit him towards her cause of convincing their boss to sell, get paid, and live happily ever after.

Except the more time she spends with Tom, the more she gets attached: to him, to the bookstore that soon might not even exist, and its customers.

Set in a small town in the throes of gentrification, Second Chance Books is a novel that explores the power of love, literature, and community when it comes to changing and saving lives.

Second Chance Books is free to borrow with Kindle Unlimited subscription. Also available in paperback. books2read.com/secondchancebooks

True North

After Sophie’s long-term boyfriend decides he doesn’t want to marry her, she flies back home to her native Philippines with her tail tucked between her legs. Forget romance. With the help of Ninang, her wealthy grand-aunt on her mother’s side, she picks her pieces back up and throws herself headfirst into her dream project: opening a coffee shop on the famous beach resort island of Dalisay.

But there’s a catch. Ninang agrees to help fund the cost of starting a new business, if and only if Sophie hosts her younger sister, Narra, and their cousin, Layla for the summer. Fresh out of college, Narra and Layla have come to Dalisay for three months of fun and romance, and they refuse to leave Sophie out of it.

Enter Archie Hastings. A smooth-talking, motorcycle-riding Brit, he moved to the island to work at a non-profit and nurse a heartbreak of his own. When Narra indulges in a little too much fun and romance, he’s there to help Sophie save the day, only to find himself pulled into a scheme to get Sophie—and by extension, himself—laid.

Sophie just wants to be left alone. But love has a funny way of sneaking up on you, and this summer, on the beautiful sunny island of Dalisay, where the white sand is soft like powder and the blue sea impossibly clear, it might just catch her off-guard.

True North releases on August 4, 2024. Preorder now! books2read.com/truenorthis1

ASIAN ROMANCE GIVEAWAY 2023

ASIAN ROMANCE GIVEAWAY

In celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the US and Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a group of us Romance Authors with Asian heritage banded together to give away a signed paperback copy of one of our books to one lucky winner:

THE COMEBACK by Lily Chu

WINGS ONCE CURSED & BOUND by Piper J. Drake

LUNAR LOVE by Lauren Kung Jessen

FULL EXPOSURE by Thien-Kim Lam

SINGAPORE FLING by Maida Malby

ZORA BOOKS HER HAPPY EVER AFTER by Taj McCoy

ISHA, UNSCRIPTED by Sajni Patel

FANCY MEETING YOU HERE by Julie Tieu (ARC)

COMING CLEAN by Jen Trinh

GIVE LOVE A CHAI by @nanxiwenauthor

ROLE PLAYING by @cathyyardley (ARC)

This giveaway is open to US residents only. Enter at KingSumo between May 7 to 14, 2023. A winner will be randomly selected on Monday, 5/15. You can also find details on Julie Tieu’s website.

WHEN I MET YOU by Kaye Rockwell – Featured New Release

WHEN I MET YOU

Kaye Rockwell

BLURB

College proves to be tougher than Kim expected it to be and with the rising popularity of her new online boutique, she leans on her friends and Kyle to support her.

But when Kyle’s cover of a song goes viral on social media, it catches the eye of the original talent and the most sought out music label in the world, leaving them with a tough choice.

What happens when your dreams come true
but it means leaving the one you love behind?

Buy Links:

Kindle Unlimited
Paperback

ABOUT KAYE

Social Media Links:

Website ➜ kayerockwell.com

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

TikTok ➜ https://www.tiktok.com/@thenomaddreamer

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/authorkayerockwell/

Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/authorkrockwell

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/kayerockwell

MOONSTRUCK AT MARDI GRAS by Aurora Paige – Featured New Release

MOONSTRUCK AT MARDI GRAS

Holidates Series Book 16

Aurora Paige

BLURB

Juliana

Who knew a dating app would match me up with my long-time crush–my big brother’s best friend?

After my best friend bailed on me for my birthday trip to Mardi Gras, I was stuck with two options–go alone or find someone to accompany me using the Holidates app. Lo and behold, I find myself on vacation with the man who’s been the star of more than one of my naughty fantasies–Easton Hawthorne.

That sinful smile, those soulful brown eyes, that delicious dark scruff. For as long as I can remember, Easton has been completely off-limits.

But not anymore. Not after we’ve shared more than just the most epic kiss and an unforgettable night in the same bed.

But when life brings us both back to reality–with our pasts hellbent on keeping us apart–will Easton and I be strong enough to be more than just a holiday fling?

Easton

Who knew Juliana Delarosa, my best friend’s little sister, was the one I’ve been searching for?

She’s been under my nose this whole time. Hell, she even sold me Girl Scout cookies when we were kids!

Gone is the chubby-cheeked little girl with pigtails and braces. In her place is a curvy, classy, and compassionate woman who knows exactly what she’s looking for. Don’t even get me started on what those dimples do to me!

We made a deal–take a fun trip as nothing but friends. No kissing, no touching, and definitely no sharing a bed.

But when we broke that promise, all hell would break loose, too.

Who knew I’d be moonstruck at Mardi Gras?

Buy Now! Amazon

ABOUT AURORA

Aurora Paige is a healthcare professional by day and a Filipina-American writer of steamy contemporary romance with sassy heroines and sexy heroes at night. Each Aurora Paige story delivers a variety of Curvy Heroines, Multicultural relationships, Alpha Heroes, Steamy Heat, and a Guaranteed Happily Ever After.

Website: www.aurorapaige.com

Newsletter: www.aurorapaige.com/newsletter-sign-up

Facebook: www.facebook.com/xoaurorapaige

Smitten Squad FB group: https://www.Facebook.com/groups/thesmittensquad/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/xoaurorapaige

Twitter: www.twitter.com/xoaurorapaige

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@xoaurorapaige

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/20700755.Aurora_Paige

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/aurora-paige

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Aurora-Paige/e/B08M91XPXB

FULL EXPOSURE by Thien-Kim Lam — Happy Book Birthday!

FULL EXPOSURE

Thien-Kim Lam

BLURB

In FULL EXPOSURE, Thien-Kim serves up a piping hot dish of a romance featuring a boudoir photographer and an aspiring filmmaker finding love in the middle of Mardi Gras—can a Big Easy fling become the real thing?!

Boudoir photographer Josie Parks never ever takes a vacation. But when a client cancels a New Orleans shoot at the last minute, she decides to fly out from her Washington, D.C., studio anyway. Maybe the trip will reawaken her recently stagnant muse. After all, it’s Mardi Gras season…

Spencer Pham has come home after twelve soul-sucking years in corporate hell to pursue his passion: making a docu-film on his family’s history as the first Vietnamese Mardi Gras krewe. The last thing he expects is getting whacked in the head by a beautiful woman trying to snag some parade beads.

Over some beignets and coffee, Spencer and Josie connect over their artistic pursuits. He offers to show her the real New Orleans, if she’ll help him with the camerawork for his film. Despite Josie’s type-A personality clashing with Spencer’s laissez-faire attitude, they seem to make a great team, and soon, the good times are rolling both on and off camera. But Josie has a life in D.C., and they both have big dreams they’re chasing. When this Big Easy fling starts feeling awfully serious, can they find a way to choose between personal and professional passion?

Buy links:

Amazon Harper Collins Barnes & Noble Bookshop

ABOUT THIEN-KIM

Thien-Kim Lam writes stories about Vietnamese characters who smash stereotypes and find their happy endings. A recovering Type-Asian, she guzzles cà phê sữa đá, makes art, and bakes her feelings to stay sane.

Thien-Kim is also the founder of Bawdy Bookworms, a subscription box that pairs sexy romances with erotic toys. She’s been featured on Jezebel, Bustle, Entertainment Weekly, and Oprah Daily.

Social links:

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram

REVIEW

An adorable meet-cute, a fantastic sense of place, fascinating history of Vietnamese Americans in New Orleans, and an interesting multicultural pairing. I loved that both main characters have tight bonds with their families and they have lifelong friendships.

A much-improved hero compared to the previous book. Being the eldest child, I related to both MCs’ overdeveloped sense of responsibility towards their families. With my Carpe Diem motto, I am not too bothered by their insta-lust and quick attainment of a deep connection after only a few days together. When you know, you know.

I found it odd that there was no interconnection between Spencer’s family and Trixie’s (the heroine of the previous book who is also Vietnamese American).

THE BEST MAN’S PROBLEM by Sera Taíno – Featured New Release

THE BEST MAN’S PROBLEM

Sera Taíno

He can’t forget the kiss he shared with the best man.

But is he the best man for him?

His sister’s wedding isn’t the ideal place for Rafael Navarro to reconnect with the man he kissed in a moment of reckless abandon. But it’s impossible to avoid best man Étienne Galois! The gorgeous Haitian photographer hasn’t forgotten the intimate moment they shared, even if Rafi is the most maddening person he’s ever met. Can the two find common ground, proving opposites not only attract—they can become lovers for life?

The Navarros

Book 1: A Delicious Dilemma
Book 2: The Best Man’s Problem
Book 3: The Trouble with Exes

Purchase from your favorite retailer here: https://serataino.com/thebestmansproblem

Sera Taíno writes romances exploring the joy of love in the context of community and family in all its rich diversity with an emphasis on inclusiveness.

She was selected for the Harlequin Romance Includes You Mentorship, an initiative launched in 2019 to reach out to diverse communities of writers and bring more own voices stories to romance readers.

Her debut novel, A Delicious Dilemma, published with Harlequin Special Edition, is now available.

When she is not writing, Sera can be found teaching her high school English class, reading, or wrangling her husband and two children.

Sign up for Sera’s newsletter here, or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, or BookBub to stay up to date.

I am so happy the Familia Navarro is back! I felt an affinity with this family (especially Papi Enrique) since Sera introduced them in A Delicious Dilemma and I’d been impatiently waiting for Val’s siblings to have their own stories. And now, they’re here beginning with Rafi’s story in The Best Man’s Problem.

Grab the moment because life is too short to waste any of it.”

I knew from the start that I would like this story because opposites attract is one of my favorite Romance tropes. And boy, are Rafi and Étienne opposites. Rafi is so controlled, super organized, and a lot uptight while Étienne is a little chaotic, seize-the-day kind of person. This is the main reason for all the pushing away that happens in the story. And the pull? It’s the physical attraction between them plus the similarity in their love of their respective families and fierce loyalty–Rafi to Val and Étienne to Philip.

I know my worth … I deserve to have someone love me with their whole chest.”

As always, Sera’s writing is lush. Her prose is lyrical and evocative. She makes me relate to the characters and feel for them. I may have related too much to Étienne because, during the point of high conflict, I wanted to kick Rafi’s stubborn ass. Oops!

Life has no loyalty to anyone, so you must live it without remorse.”

I love the diversity, the rich multicultural background, and the steam in Sera’s stories. The first two books in the series have been excellent. I can’t wait for Nati’s turn!

ASIAN ROMANCE GIVEAWAY

WIN 8 ASIAN ROMANCE BOOKS!

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a few of us Asian Romance authors are offering an Asian Romance giveaway. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to win all 8 books:

The Stand-In by Lily Chu (paperback)
Happy Endings by Thien-Kim Lam (signed paperback)
Donut Fall in Love by Jackie Lau (signed paperback)
Going Public by Hudson Lin (signed paperback)
Singapore Fling by Maida Malby (signed paperback (US only); ebook (international winner))
Circling Back to You by Julie Tieu (signed paperback ARC)
Give Love a Chai by Nanxi Wen (signed paperback or ebook)
Love, Comment, Subscribe by Cathy Yardley (paperback)

Rules:

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents. To enter, please either subscribe to an author’s newsletter or follow them on social media as directed in the Rafflecopter. Participants can submit as many entries as they like (up to 8 max). This raffle will be active from May 8-13th, 2022. A winner will be contacted by Monday, May 16th. At that time, the winner must provide a valid mailing address and/or email to receive the books. Good luck!

Enter the giveaway here: https://bit.ly/AsianRomanceGiveaway

Reposted from Julie Tieu.

GOUDA FRIENDS by Cathy Yardley – Featured New Release

GOUDA FRIENDS

Cathy Yardley

BLURB

Two high school BFFs reunite and endeavor to fix each other’s lives in this geeky romance from the author of Love, Comment, Subscribe.

Tam Doan dumped her boyfriend after he threw away her gourmet cheese. Sure, it’s a little more complicated than that, but the point is, he had it coming. Newly single and unemployed, Tam calls up her best friend from high school and utters the emergency code word—goldfish. Next thing she knows, she’s on a plane back home.

Josh O’Malley was a troubled, unconfident teenager. Now he’s the successful owner of a multimillion-dollar ghost kitchen. Tam, his high school BFF and fellow member of the Nerd Herd friend group, was instrumental in building his self-esteem. When she calls him out of the blue, he jumps at the chance to return the favor.

Josh and Tam immediately get to work fixing her life—but again, it’s complicated. Their close friendship was always a lifeline between them; a blooming romance might confuse things. Still, at least one thing is for certain: their chemistry is un-brie-lievable.

Buy Links:

eBook audiobook paperback

EXCERPT

“Hey, Tam?”

“Mmm?” She glanced over to find him staring at her.

“You know I love you, right?” He looked so earnest. So sincere. “You’re the most important person in my life. And I don’t take that lightly.”

She sighed. Then she crawled out of bed, went over to his bed, and gave him a huge, almost bruising hug, breathing in the scent of his neck. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

“I love you too, Josh,” she whispered.

And that’s why we’re not sleeping together.

REVIEW

Fluffy, foodie, friends-to-lovers romance that’s better than gouda. It’s actually grate. 😜

Cheesy puns aside, I really enjoyed this book in both eBook and audiobook versions. It’s very current and has all the elements I love in a contemporary romance — diverse, likable, multidimensional main characters in Tam and Josh who experience character development individually and also grow as partners, a cohesive plot that flows smoothly, and fantastic relationships all around. There’s just enough push and pull to keep things interesting without being annoying.

Bonus: the cartoon cover doesn’t indicate it, but there are several sexytimes that are actually brie-meltingly hot.

ABOUT CATHY

Cathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy. She has sold over 1.2 million books with publishers like St. Martin’s Press, Avon, and Harlequin Books. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right. She likes writing about quirky, crazy adventures because she’s had plenty of her own: she had her own army in the Society for Creative Anachronism; she’s spent New Year’s on a three-day solitary vision quest in the Mojave Desert; and she had VIP access to the Viper Room in Los Angeles. Now, she spends her time writing in the wilds of East Seattle, trying to prevent her son from learning the truth about any of said adventures and riding herd on her two dogs (and one husband).

Follow Cathy:

Website
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Amazon

THE WIND’S ECHOING EMBRACE by Erin Pirani–Featured New Release

THE WIND’S ECHOING EMBRACE

Erin Pirani

SYNOPSIS

The secrets of his past may hinder the future…

A year has passed since the attempt on Ali Raza’s life. He has managed to put everything behind him and live anew in wedded bliss with his wife, Charmaine Radcliff. Unfortunately, the peace in their lives is derailed when Ali is summoned to India to solve the assassination attempt of a respected official. Ali agrees that Charmaine accompany him, with the exception that she remains undercover. When alarming details from his past emerge, they are both at risk.

Lies, betrayal, and dangerous games…

When the intrepid seamstress Charmaine embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with her husband, her enthusiasm attracts the interest of a high-ranking British officer and her marriage is placed in jeopardy. Ali and Charmaine face a multitude of challenges, from interfering family members and dangerous attractions to an unidentified villain. Can their love see them through these betrayals,or will fears from the past endanger them both?

From the charming grandeur of England to untamed India, The Wind’s Echoing Embrace is a whirlwind journey of devotion and the power of love.

Purchase Links:

Universal Amazon Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT

The food, spices, and incense whirled around her. It gave Charmaine some comfort. And little by little, she pulled her handkerchief away from her nose and tucked it into the suit’s breast pocket.

The men who were not bartering stopped and greeted her with an odd stare. Women draped in bright full-length clothing murmured behind their hands.

The activity pulled her in so many different directions that she could not think straight. She turned to speak to her husband but found him in a much-contrasted demeanor from his usual self. Since receiving the telegram from his superior, Ali’s behavior had altered. He now appeared guarded.

To the people around her, she must have seemed as if she were a foreign creature. Yet Ali still walked alongside her as any dutiful gentleman would. On the other hand, Charmaine saw him in another light. Stern, straight-laced—the conduct typical of a military officer. So different, so unlike the man she had grown to love over the last year. An uneasy feeling sprouted in the pit of her stomach. Now she was the stranger in a strange land.

ABOUT ERIN

Erin Pirani is an up and coming author who writes historical romances set in the Edwardian, Victorian, Medieval, and Fantasy Eras. She likes to sprinkle humor into her stories to alleviate the tension. Erin finally had her dream come true in the fall of 2017 her debut novella Carried by the Eastern Wind was published by a small press. She has then taken the self-publishing route with the release of her latest title The Wind’s Echoing Embrace.

Her love of reading stemmed from a journalist father while her creative abilities were fostered by her artist mother from her childhood in Northwestern Minnesota.

She currently lives with an adventurous husband and two rambunctious daughters in North Carolina. Their constant moves fuel the inspiration for Erin’s stories.