"MODERN CAST IRON: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More"--from author Ashley L. Jones--recaptures the ease and joy of cooking with cast-iron cookware--both experienced and beginner cooks will be able to rival grandma’s cooking--includes stories from Jones’s own childhood growing up with cast-iron cooked meals, as well as recipe after tantalizing recipe (see my review)

Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More
 
Warm, crumbly cornbread. Chicken sizzling in the pan. Childhood memories filled with delicious, home-cooked dishes and your family there to enjoy it with you. Cast iron’s popularity faded in the ’70s―replaced by chemically processed cookware―but today’s cooks are reigniting a passion for wholesome cast-iron-cooked meals. This ain't your Grandma's kitchen―caring for and cooking with cast iron is easy, healthy, and totally Pinterest worthy.

In Modern Cast Iron, self-proclaimed cast-iron connoisseur Ashley L. Jones recaptures the ease and joy of cooking with cast-iron cookware. Jones introduces readers to the best brands and types of cast-iron cookware to fulfill any cook’s needs. She offers detailed tips and tricks for rescuing old, rusted pans and keeping them properly seasoned, and she shares recommendations for the best cooking oil for every recipe. With Jones’s help, both experienced and beginner cooks will be able to rival grandma’s cooking. Chock-full of stories from Jones’s own childhood growing up with cast-iron cooked meals, as well as recipe after tantalizing recipe―from breakfast quiche to gluten-free meals and beautiful blueberry cobbler―Modern Cast Iron explores the countless ways that cast iron benefits health and happiness.

A comprehensive guide to all things cast iron and home-style cookin’, Modern Cast Iron offers a new way for cooks to spice up the kitchen using all-natural tools and ingredients.

MY REVIEW:  Cast iron cookware is far from just dark, heavy pieces of metal that come to life when heat and food are added. In its own way, cast iron purveys sustenance, comfort, family memories, and a sense of "home". I have cast iron skillets in every size, and I use at least one almost every day. I also have other cast iron cookware like Dutch ovens, cornstick pans, and more. I am still using my Gran's big 12-inch skillet to make her recipe for Pineapple Upside-Down Cake. Mom used that same skillet to fry chicken in real butter and then make gravy from the pan drippings. Of course, nothing accompanies a simple pot of brown beans better than crispy, golden cornbread baked in a cast iron skillet. In her book, "Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More", author Ashley L. Jones explores the history of cast iron, explains its various incarnations and their usages, and advises how to properly season (the process that turns cast iron into a cook's "black gold"), clean, and care for the cookware. The down-home delicious recipes include breakfasts, breads, sides, main dishes, desserts, and more. The author includes tips for healthier food preparation and has updated some of the classic recipes. Here's just a sample of the delightful dishes you can make: "Robby's Quiche"; "Mayonnaise Biscuits"; "Baby Limas"; "Garlic Potatoes"; "Beef & Vegetable Soup"; "Beef Stroganoff"; "Salmon Cakes"; "Apple Crisp"; and "Brownies". The author writes in a warm, personable style--and with great love of subject. After reading "Modern Cast Iron", not only will you be hungry, you will understand why cast iron cookware becomes a family treasure shared through generations.

Book Copy Gratis Red Lightning Books via Indiana University Press

Reviews

 

"This easy-to-digest reference will be a boon to home cooks new to cast-iron cooking" (Publishers Weekly)

"Ashley has put together a beautiful book full of practical tips and easy-to-tackle recipes that I cannot wait to try―especially the Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders! I just flat love this book! The author didn't leave out anything―from how to care for your cast iron to the health benefits of using this precious cookware―and everything in between. Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More is perfect for the cast iron snob to the cast iron newbie, and I plan to purchase copies for all of the accomplished and not-so-accomplished cooks in my life." ―Michelle Medlock Adams, award-winning journalist of more than 90 books, including The Perfect Persimmon"

"I'm excited about Ashley L. Jones's new book―Modern Cast Iron: The Complete Guide to Selecting, Seasoning, Cooking, and More. Ashley's is a much-needed work for beginners and experienced cast-iron cooks. Many of the recipes are updated classics, with Ashley lending her experience and application of ingredients to craft healthier and more enjoyable results. ―Mark H. Kelly, Lodge Manufacturing Company"

"This isn't just an introduction to modern-day cast iron but a cooking journey from the past to the present. There are a million different ways to care for and cook in cast iron, and Ashley answers common questions including the history behind cast iron, how to clean, season, and more. Whether you're a newcomer or a "seasoned" cast-iron lover, this book is a great overview of a timeless cookware. ―Kent Rollins, Cowboy Cook and author of A Taste of Cowboy and Faith, Family and the Feast: Recipes to Feed Your Crew from the Garden, Grill and Iron Skillet."

"Indulging the reader's every curiosity about cast iron, Jones delves into the nostalgia and venerable history of cast iron cooking across continents. Cooking, cleaning, seasoning, choosing pans and even how and who makes cast iron cookware today ― every topic is covered in entertaining and easy to read prose. Whether because of sentimentality, health concerns or genuine preference, cooking has come full circle back to the days of cast iron cooking; Modern Cast Iron is the how-to manual to pass on to future generations along with your grandmother's favorite cast iron pan." (Jules E. Dowler Shepard, gfJules)

"Modern Cast Iron is a great resource for anyone who wants to bring the spirit of minimalism into the kitchen. With an emphasis on family traditions and a healthy lifestyle, author Ashley L. Jones captures the spirit of having more with less.―Joshua Becker, Author of The Minimalist Home

"Jones is a warm and charming guide to all things cast iron. She has a passion for every detail from the making of it, the preservation, and most importantly cooking with it. Life long fans of cast iron cooking as well as those just beginning their journey will be delighted by her depth of knowledge as well as passion. She does a beautiful job showcasing just how versatile cast iron cooking is and always has been." ― Lauren May, Must Love Herbs

"Modern Cast Iron by Ashley Jones has successfully rekindled my desire to try cast iron cooking once again! After numerous tries and multiple failures, Ashley's stories, practical tips and yummy recipes make me think it's actually more accessible than I thought. I can't wait to add this book to my library and share with my friends! "(Victoria Duerstock, Author Heart & Home: Design Basics for Your Soul & Living Space and Heart & Home for Christmas: Celebrating Joy in Your Living Space) 


Ashley L. Jones

 

Ashley L. Jones is an author, blogger, and teacher, but she prefers the title of Big Sister. A firm believer that we all know something worth sharing, she started the blog Big Sister Knows as a way to encourage and inspire other young women to live with gusto.

In her debut release, "Modern Cast Iron" (Spring 2020, Red Lightning Books), Ashley continues that mission. Not only does she instruct readers about cast iron cookware, but she inspires them to cook simple, wholesome foods and to gather with family around the table.

Ashley's second release of 2020 is "Who is God?," the first in the "Big Answers" series (Little Lamb Books). In this beautiful board book, Ashley pulls from her Master's Degree in Biblical Studies to answer one of the biggest questions kids ask: Who is God?

In everything she does, Ashley hopes to inspire others to live wholesome lives that bring glory to God. Find your encouragement, and follow Ashley's journey, at www.AshleyLJones.com

The two talking cats--The two talking cats--Stina and Mossy usually fight instead of communicate, so this was an odd moment. They kept "talking" for about one hour, constantly.

"HIGHFIRE"--from author Eoin Colfer--a hilarious and high-octane adult novel about a vodka-drinking, Flashdance-loving dragon who lives an isolated life in the bayous of Louisiana—and the raucous adventures that ensue when he crosses paths with a fifteen-year-old troublemaker on the run from a crooked sheriff--will be filmed for TV by Amazon with Nicolas Cage voicing the title role

Highfire

In the days of yore, he flew the skies and scorched angry mobs—now he hides from swamp tour boats and rises only with the greatest reluctance from his Laz-Z-Boy recliner. Laying low in the bayou, this once-magnificent fire breather has been reduced to lighting Marlboros with nose sparks, swilling Absolut in a Flashdance T-shirt, and binging Netflix in a fishing shack. For centuries, he struck fear in hearts far and wide as Wyvern, Lord Highfire of the Highfire Eyrie—now he goes by Vern. However...he has survived, unlike the rest. He is the last of his kind, the last dragon. Still, no amount of vodka can drown the loneliness in his molten core. Vern’s glory days are long gone. Or are they?

A canny Cajun swamp rat, young Everett “Squib” Moreau does what he can to survive, trying not to break the heart of his saintly single mother. He’s finally decided to work for a shady smuggler—but on his first night, he witnesses his boss murdered by a crooked constable.

Regence Hooke is not just a dirty cop, he’s a despicable human being—who happens to want Squib’s momma in the worst way. When Hooke goes after his hidden witness with a grenade launcher, Squib finds himself airlifted from certain death by…a dragon?

The swamp can make strange bedfellows, and rather than be fried alive so the dragon can keep his secret, Squib strikes a deal with the scaly apex predator. He can act as his go-between (aka familiar)—fetch his vodka, keep him company, etc.—in exchange for protection from Hooke. Soon the three of them are careening headlong toward a combustible confrontation. There’s about to be a fiery reckoning, in which either dragons finally go extinct—or Vern’s glory days are back.

A triumphant return to the genre-bending fantasy that Eoin Colfer is so well known for, Highfire is an effortlessly clever and relentlessly funny tour-de-force of comedy and action.

Reviews

 

"The anticipated adult novel from Colfer, best known for the Artemis Fowl series, features more of that wild imagination that loyal readers have come to love (in this case, a dragon who loves vodka, Flashdance, and his Laz-Z-Boy recliner crossing paths with a troublemaking swamp rat)." (Entertainment Weekly)

“Author of the popular Artemis Fowl books for kids, Colfer has turned his attention to adult fiction to good effect, writing a delightfully funny page-turner with plenty of crossover appeal to teens and sprinkled with genial turns of phrase: alligators’ jaws are “wide like Satan’s hedge clippers”; Hooke is “distributing more mess than a group of finger painting toddlers on a Skittles sugar high.” Colfer has conjured up voices redolent of the Deep South and delightfully profane. And the characters are simply terrific. But what about those alligators?” (Booklist (starred review))

"A fun, unusual contemporary fantasy." (Kirkus Reviews)

“A twisty, tongue-in-cheek fantasy that’s part thriller, part action movie, and wholly irreverent.  . . . Colfer’s catchy narrative voice suits the characters and their setting perfectly, capturing Vern’s world-weary nature, Squib’s youthful adaptability, and Hooke’s malicious cunning. This no-holds-barred yarn is good fun from start to finish.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Briskly entertaining…With this satisfying and at times hugely joyous novel, Colfer is, like his engaging scaly protagonist, cooking on gas.” (Guardian)

 


Eoin Colfer

 

Eoin Colfer (pronounced Owen) was born in Wexford on the South-East coast of Ireland in 1965, where he and his four brothers were brought up by his father and mother, who were both educators.

He received his degree from Dublin University and began teaching primary school in Wexford. He has lived and worked all over the world, including Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. After the publication of the Artemis Fowl novels, Eoin retired from teaching and now writes full time. He lives in Ireland with his wife and two children.

http://eoincolfer.com/ 

"COLD TO THE BONE"--from author EMERY HAYES--the brutal murder of a teenager and a deadly medical drama plunge a small-town sheriff into a vortex of treachery and greed in the debut novel of Emery Hayes's "A Nicole Cobain Mystery" series (see my review)

Cold to the Bone

First female sheriff of Toole County, Montana Nicole Cobain earned the position through mental and physical grit and when a young girl is found murdered on icy Lake Maria, every bit of it is tested. But what begins as a chase for the killer quickly unravels into a high stakes medial transaction with harrowing consequences.

Eight years ago, Nicole fled her fast-track position as a homicide detective with the Denver Police Department in an act of desperation to save both her son and herself. Answering a recruitment ad, she showed up in the foothills of Glacier National Park and was elected sheriff six years later. She has a measure of peace in her new surroundings, her son is thriving, and she has effectively distanced herself from her past. Until Benjamin Kris shows up again.

Benjamin is the father of Nicole's son and a big-time charmer who has quickly scaled the crime ladder. He has a large clientele and is looking forward to a big pay day that lands him in Toole. But when it becomes clear he could be a suspect among several others in town with opportunity and motive, it's up to Nicole to sift through the tangled threads to find the killer before they strike again.

MY REVIEW: "Cold to the Bone" is a first-rate beginning to author Emery Hayes' suspenseful crime-procedural series, "A Nicole Cobain Mystery". Former Denver homicide detective Nicole Cobain left big-city life behind to evade her abusive, dominating husband, Benjamin Kris, and start life anew. She and her young son, Jordan, settled in the small ski resort community of Blue Mesa, Montana, which was located in Glacier National Park and was bordered to the North by Canada. After serving six years in local law enforcement, she was the first woman to have been elected as the Sheriff of Toole County. Working to solve the murder of a young girl whose father is involved with producing a new drug for a major pharmaceutical company becomes increasingly complex, with the girl's family acting in a strange, suspicious manner. The case takes on a nightmarish quality when Nicole's ex-husband, Benjamin, who has his own evil agenda, is also connected to the drug company. Nicole must fight to protect her son and the good life the two of them have made in Blue Mesa, but she must also do her sworn duty and find justice for a young girl whose life ended in a frozen, unfeeling landscape. I very much enjoyed "Cold to the Bone"--the characters are well-drawn, the setting is appropriately remote and forbidding, and the investigative work is excellent. The lead character is very appealing, and I look forward to more entries in the "A Nicole Cobain Mystery" series.

Book Copy Gratis Crooked Lane Books

Reviews

“A riveting read from first page to last.”—Midwest Book Review

“Cold to the Bone is such a thrilling and atmospheric read. It felt as though I was 'working with' Sheriff Nicole Cobain to solve the murder and routing for her every step of the way. I can't wait to read more about her in this addictive series.”—Lisa Cutts, author of Don’t Trust Him

"Cold to the Bone sizzles with angst-riddled characters testing their own limits, the suspense boiling over on a level that would make Craig Johnson's Longmire or C.J. Box's Joe Picket series proud. A crime-thriller extraordinaire."—Jon Land, USA Today bestselling author of the Caitlin Strong series

Emery Hayes

Emery Hayes is the author of the Nicole Cobain mystery series and the twice-monthly podcast, In My Town. Writing as Suzanne Phillips, her Young Adult novels command the attention of readers worldwide. She lives in Southern California with her family.

 

https://www.facebook.com/emeryhayeswrites/

"THE BRIDGE"--by Bill Konigsberg--two teenagers, strangers to each other, have decided to jump from the same bridge at the same time. But what results is far from straightforward in this absorbing, honest lifesaver from acclaimed author Bill Konigsberg

The Bridge

Aaron and Tillie don't know each other, but they are both feeling suicidal, and arrive at the George Washington Bridge at the same time, intending to jump. Aaron is a gay misfit struggling with depression and loneliness. Tillie isn't sure what her problem is -- only that she will never be good enough.

On the bridge, there are four things that could happen:

Aaron jumps and Tillie doesn't.

Tillie jumps and Aaron doesn't.

They both jump.

Neither of them jumps.

Or maybe all four things happen, in this astonishing and insightful novel from Bill Konigsberg.

Praise for Bill Konisberg: 

* "Konigsberg demonstrates once again why he is one of the major voices in LGBTQ literature." -- Booklist, starred review

* "Give to fans of Benjamin Alire Sáenz's Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak. A first purchase for public and high school libraries." -- School Library Journal, starred review
"The result is a story with imperfect characters who are, refreshingly, called out on problematic behaviors and aim to do better. A fresh addition to the menu of queer teenage love stories." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Konigsberg explores how conventional ideas about masculinity trap young men into believing they must act a certain way... A fun, romantic, and moving novel." -- Publishers Weekly

"Readers seeking an unusually thoughtful gay-positive romance will find this moving." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"This book offers an interesting perspective on growing up and coming-of-age by crafting two main characters who offer unique points of view for an often underserved audience. This is a much-needed book in every high school library." -- School Library Connection

"With The Music of What Happens, Bill Konigsberg serves up a profound examination of masculinity, consent, and relationships through the eyes of two of the most endearing narrators I've ever read. Jordan and Max are vulnerable, sweet, funny, and flawed. Teens, whether they identify as LGBTQIA+ or not, are lucky to have this book in their lives." -- Shaun David Hutchinson, author of We Are the Ants

"The Music of What Happens is a compelling, laugh-out-loud story, as swoon-worthy as it is deeply affecting. Max and Jordan grabbed hold of my heart from the moment I met them and I don't see them letting go any time soon. Konigsberg has a way of making me see the world -- and food trucks! -- a little differently." -- David Arnold, New York Times bestselling author of Mosquitoland and The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik

"Bill Konigsberg has a way of creating characters that could be your next door neighbor, your best friend, or that cute boy who once helped you change a flat tire. Max and Jordan will find their way into your heart, and after the last page, you'll regret that they aren't real. Once you start reading The Music of What Happens, you won't be able to stop." -- Brigid Kemmerer, author of Letters to the Lost

Bill Konigsberg
 


Bill Konigsberg was born in 1970 in New York City. Expectations were high from birth - at least in terms of athletics. His parents figured he'd be a great soccer player, based on his spirited kicking from inside the womb. As it turned out, the highlight of his soccer career was at Camp Greylock in 1978, when he was chosen for the Camp's "D" team. There were only four levels. Bill played alongside the likes of the kid who always showered alone, the chronic nosebleeder and the guy with recurrent poison ivy.

Early in his life, Bill decided he wanted to be a disc jockey, a professional baseball player, or the Construction Worker from The Village People. None of these career paths worked out for him. Yet. He still holds out hope for a Village People revival and has set up a Google Alert in case it happens.

A B- student throughout high school, Bill was voted Most Likely to Avoid Doing Any Real Work In His Life by a panel of his dismissive peers. He proved them wrong with a series of strange-but-true jobs in his 20s - driver recruiter for a truck driving school, sales consultant for a phone company, and temp at Otis Elevators.

He moved to Denver in 1996 and was voted Least Stylish Gay Guy in the Metro Denver Area (including Loveland!) for each of the years from 1996-98. His fashion-free wardrobe robbed him of prospective dates countless times, as did his penchant for wearing a mustache that didn't suit him.

He worked at ESPN and ESPN.com from 1999-2002, where he developed a penchant for sharing too much information about himself. That character flaw earned him a GLAAD Media Award in 2002, for his column "Sports World Still a Struggle for Gays." That coming out essay made him a household name to tens of people across the country.

He continued oversharing in graduate school at Arizona State, where he added People Pleasing to his growing list of character defects and parlayed that into the title of Most Chill Teacher of freshman composition.

As a sports writer and editor for The Associated Press in New York from 2005-08, Bill once called his husband, who was at the time working a desk job, from the New York Mets dugout before a game. "I'm so bored," Bill whined. He slept on the couch for a week after making that call.

He wrote a novel called Audibles at Arizona State, and sold that novel to Dutton Books for Children in 2007. His editor asked him to change the title so that it would appeal to people other than "football players who read." The resulting novel, Out of the Pocket, received strong reviews from his mother, father, significant other and one girl who had a crush on him in high school. It won the Lambda Literary Award in 2009.

His second novel, Openly Straight, hit the bookshelves in late May of 2013. He describes the novel as "Twilight-like, only without vampires and wolves and angsty teenage girls. Also, set in an all-boys boarding school in Massachusetts. Otherwise, it's like an exact replica."

His third novel, The Porcupine of Truth, was released in May of 2015. He chose to put a porcupine in the title because this is America, and no one here knows what a platypus is. The novel won the Stonewall Book Award and PEN Center USA Literary Award.

Next came Honestly Ben, a companion book to Openly Straight. He wrote it so people would stop yelling at him about Openly Straight's ending. Honestly Ben received three starred reviews and made lots of people swoon over Ben some more, which irks Bill to no end as Ben is loosely based on his husband, Chuck. No one seems to swoon over Rafe, who is loosely based on Bill. Harrumph, says Bill.

The Music of What Happens arrives in February of 2019, and it's a romance between two boys, and it includes a food truck that makes cloud eggs. Bill has an egg phobia.

Bill currently lives in Chandler, Arizona, which is the thinking man's Gilbert, Arizona. He has a husband who is clearly too good for him, and two cute dogs, Mabel and Buford, who complete him. 

http://www.billkonigsberg.com

"Dead-End Detective: A Piper and Porter Mystery from Hallmark Publishing"--USA Today bestselling author and Agatha Award winner Amanda Flower brings charm and intrigue to her first cozy mystery for Hallmark (see my review)

Dead-End Detective

They were the Two Girls Detective Agency.
Now, one of them is dead,
and the other is suspected of murder.

Darby Piper is in shock. Samantha Porter—her mentor and business partner at Two Girls Detective Agency—has died in a car crash, and it doesn’t look like an accident. In fact, evidence is pointing toward Darby.

Darby had expected to inherit Samantha’s half of the agency, but Samantha had recently changed the will to leave it to Tate Porter, her nephew, who returns to town.

Tate is no P.I. He’s a veteran, a world traveler, and something of a mystery himself. But as he helps Darby delve into secret histories and real estate development plans, he does seem to have a knack for the job. Will the agency have a future…even if Darby can prove her innocence in time?

This cozy mystery includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Berry Trifle. 





MY REVIEW:  Author Amanda Flower begins her "Piper and Porter Mystery Series" with "Dead-End Detective", an entertaining cozy mystery with an appealing female lead. Darby Piper and Samantha Porter had been good friends and partners in the "Two Girls Detective Agency" for over ten years. Samantha held the larger share of the agency, and when she suddenly decides to sell the business, Darby is at a loss. The agency is not only Darby's livelihood, it's her home--she lives upstairs above the office. Her shock becomes true heartache when Samantha is killed in a car accident and suspicion is cast upon Darby. Another unsettling surprise is the fact that Samantha had left her share of the business to her nephew, Tate Porter, who returns to the beautiful lakeside community of Herrington, New York to find out the truth about his beloved aunt's death. Tate, an army veteran, and a man with an air of mystery all his own, is now technically Darby's boss. Interest grows between Darby and Tate as they work together to solve the case. All along the way, Darby must deal with cantankerous cats, her ex-boyfriend, policeman Austin Caster, and her super-organized librarian mother. I enjoyed "Dead-End Detective", and I look forward to more mystery adventures with "Piper and Porter".

Book Copy Gratis Hallmark Publishing


Amanda Flower



Amanda Flower, a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning mystery author, started her writing career in elementary school when she read a story she wrote to her sixth grade class and had the class in stitches with her description of being stuck on the top of a Ferris wheel. She knew at that moment she’d found her calling of making people laugh with her words. In addition to being an author, Amanda is librarian in Northeast Ohio.

http://www.amandaflower.com/

"THE CHANEL SISTERS"--from JUDITHE LITTLE--a novel of survival, love, loss, triumph—and the sisters who changed fashion forever

The Chanel Sisters: A Novel

Antoinette and Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel know they’re destined for something better. Abandoned by their family years before, they’ve grown up under the guidance of pious nuns preparing them for simple lives as the wives of tradesmen or shopkeepers. At night, their secret stash of romantic novels and magazine cutouts beneath the floorboards are all they have to keep their dreams of the future alive.

The walls of the convent can’t shield them forever, and when they’re finally of age, the Chanel sisters set out together with a fierce determination to prove themselves worthy to a society that has never accepted them. Their journey propels them out of poverty and to the stylish cafés of Moulins, the dazzling performance halls of Vichy—and to a small hat shop on the rue Cambon in Paris, where a business takes hold and expands to the glamorous French resort towns. But when World War I breaks out, their lives are irrevocably changed, and the sisters must gather the courage to fashion their own places in the world, even if apart from each other.

Reviews

 

“I loved this story of two ambitious women who dare to envision brilliant futures for themselves and refuse to settle for anything less. Judithe Little has created a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the rags-to-riches rise of fashion’s most intriguing icon.”—Elise Hooper, author of The Other Alcott and Fast Girls

“Triumphant yet heartbreaking, this so true-to-life story of the fabulous Chanel sisters hits all the right notes: luxury settings, especially Paris, love and betrayal, and family bonds that both build and bind. Judithe Little has a big gift she shares with us in The Chanel Sisters. I loved this great escape.”—Karen Harper, New York Times bestselling author of The Queen's Secret

“A stirring rags-to-riches story to be sure, but more than that, The Chanel Sisters explores with care the timeless need for belonging, purpose, and love, and the heart’s relentless pursuit of these despite daunting odds. Beautifully told to the last page.”—Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Last Year of the War

“With compassion, sensitivity, and dashes of humor, Judithe Little masterfully reveals the little-known story of Coco Chanel’s younger sister, Antoinette. From a convent orphanage to the rue Cambon in Paris, this meticulously researched and emotionally enveloping narrative about the sisters’ determined climb out of poverty and into high society is historical fiction at its finest. Antoinette Chanel will capture your heart. If you read only one book this year, make it The Chanel Sisters.”—Ann Weisgarber, award-winning author of The Personal History of Rachel DuPree

 

 

Judithe Little

 

 

 

Judithe Little is the author of THE CHANEL SISTERS (Graydon House), to be released December 29, 2020.

A graduate of the University of Virginia with a BA in Foreign Affairs and a law degree, she has studied in France and interned at the US Department of State. She lives in Texas with her husband and three children.

Judithe is also the author of the award-winning WWII historical novel WICKWYTHE HALL.

For book news and more, you can follow Judithe on instagram at @judithelittle.

 

http://www.judithelittle.com/

"Alaska Homecoming Series"--from author Jackie Ashenden--bold, exciting small-town Alaska contemporary romance series--wild, beautiful setting--rugged heroes--heroines who deserve their happily-ever-after

Come Home to Deep River

Coming home was the easy part. Facing her will take everything he’s got…

Deep River, Alaska boasts a fiercely independent though small population. The people who live here love it, and they don't much care what anyone else thinks. Until the day Silas Quinn comes back and tells them an oil reserve has been found below the town and now it's neighbor vs. neighbor. Some want to take the money and run, while others want to tell the oil company to put its rigs where the sun don't shine.

Silas Quinn hasn’t been back to Deep River, Alaska, in years, not since he joined the army. He left behind the best friend he’d ever had. But he knew Hope Dawson was meant for bigger things than Deep River—and he—had to offer. What he didn’t know was that when he left, he took Hope’s dreams right along with him…

Then tragedy strikes and sends Silas home, and the entire town is thrown into chaos when they learn what brought him back—he’s inherited ownership of the town and the newly discovered oil reserves under it!

Hope gave up on ever getting out of Deep River. Her mom needed her, then her grandfather died and left her the local hangout to run. Her dreams of college and adventure died long ago. Now Si is back in town, stirring up old feelings—including her anger at being left behind. His return brings Hope an offer that can change her life. Love, or adventure, are almost within reach—but she can’t have both. Freedom means she loses him again, and he's the one she's really always wanted.

"The heroes of Deep River are as rugged and wild as the landscape. Jackie Ashenden's romances will leave you breathless."―Maisey Yates, New York Times bestselling author, for "Come Home to Deep River" 




Deep River Promise

Welcome to Deep River, Alaska...

Damon Fitzgerald's only desire is to get back to LA and out of the tiny Alaskan town he's somehow inherited. But first he has to keep a promise he made to his old army buddy and look out for his friend's son. That would be a whole lot easier if the kid's mother wasn't the mayor of Deep River...

Astrid James didn't ask to be mayor of Deep River but since she is, she intends to do right by the town and her son. The last thing she needs is an arrogant outsider coming in and taking charge, no matter how attractive he is. But when Astrid starts to realize that Damon is more than just a pretty face, she'll have to decide whether she can risk her heart and her son's happiness on a man who's mission is to leave Deep River.

 

 

That Deep River Feeling

Escape to Deep River, Alaska... to a new life, and a chance to breathe again

Zeke Calhoun has a secret―he was jailed for a violent crime he didn't commit and he's been on the run since he came to Alaska. He doesn't care much about Deep River, but he'll do just about anything to keep the last promise he made: to look out for his best friend's sister.

As the sole police officer in Deep River, Morgan West is perfectly capable of looking out for herself, but Zeke is irresistible. He's tough, challenging, and all kinds of sexy, but getting involved is the last thing on her mind, especially when she learns the truth about him. But the more time they spend together, the deeper they both get. Soon she'll have to choose: be true to her job and her town, or trust in the man who might be the shelter her soul's been craving all this time...


Jackie Ashenden

 

Jackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who’ve just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kickin' heroines.

She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly angel guppies by the time you read this). When she’s not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random stuff on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.

You can find Jackie at www.jackieashenden.com or follow her on Twitter @JackieAshenden

The two talking cats--Stina and Mossy usually fight instead of communicate, so this was an odd moment. They kept "talking" for about one hour, constantly.

"DEVIL'S HARBOR"--author ALEX GILLY'S memorable fiction debut--perfectly imperfect protagonist and compelling storyline--a thriller unlike any you have read before (see my review)

DEVIL'S HARBOR

With heart-stopping thrills, a Walter White-esque villain, and a fascinating hero, Alex Gilly's Devil's Harbor is a thriller unlike any you have read before...

Nick Finn and his partner and brother-in-law, Diego Jimenez, are used to rough water. As Marine Interdiction Agents for Customs and Border Protection, the two hunt drug smugglers, human traffickers, and other criminals who hide in the vastness of the waters surrounding southern California.

One night, Finn and Diego track a phantom boat off the Los Angeles coast, but it disappears before they can intercept it. They find a dead body in its wake, ravaged by sharks. Their investigation into the floater stalls when Finn is accused of using excessive force following the death of a suspected drug smuggler.

Then Diego is murdered--and Finn is the number-one suspect. As he races to find the real killer and save his marriage, Finn is forced to partner with Linda Blake, the desperate captain of the Pacific Belle and mother of Lucy, a very sick little girl, to attempt the one thing he has devoted his life to stopping.

In order to clear his name and save a child's life, Finn must smuggle narcotics by sea into the United States…and avoid the net that his CBP colleagues have cast for him.

MY REVIEW:  Author Alex Gilly's debut fiction work, "Devil's Harbor", is a suspenseful thriller that will keep you turning the pages until you read it all the way through. Once you start reading, you'll be hooked by the perfectly imperfect protagonist and the compelling storyline. As a Marine Interdiction Agent for Customs and Border Protection, Nick Finn patrols the ocean waters off Southern California, hunting the human predators who prey upon the weaknesses and addictions of their fellow man. His partner is Diego Jimenez, the younger brother of Finn's wife, Mona. A violent encounter with a phantom boat, skulking through the night waters with its lights out, will forever change the lives of Finn and those around him. When Finn is investigated for using excessive force, Mona, a lawyer, acts for his defense. Then the unthinkable happens--Diego is murdered, and Finn becomes the prime suspect. As his troubles intensify, his recurring struggle with alcohol resurfaces--a lingering inheritance from an alcoholic father. Desperate to clear his name, save his marriage, and hold onto his life and sanity, Finn becomes involved with dangerously warped schemers who have a twisted, evil agenda all their own. Finn has served his country both in wartime and stateside. He is a good man who has made some bad choices. Is it too late to save himself, or can he pull off one more mission--the mission of a lifetime? Author Alex Gilly is also a translator, and I will say this as a reader and a film fan: "Devil's Harbor" will translate into a terrific action-adventure film with a lead character whose flaws are outshone by his inherent heroism.

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine

Reviews

 

“Gilly's debut is a real page-turner filled with thrills, chills, and unexpected surprises.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“Buy it! Recommend it! Push it on anyone who loves suspense and action served with hard-boiled style! The writing is exuberant yet controlled, the plot is twisty and devious yet easily tracked, the characters are freshly imagined...The boat chases are the best since the early Bond novels, the revelations are startling, and the bourbon scenes make you thirsty.” ―Booklist (starred review)

“Devil's Harbor is a fast-paced, sophisticated thriller, filled with twists, turns and compelling characters that will stay with the reader long after they've read the exciting final pages. Alex Gilly is a writer to be reckoned with - one that knows his territory, whether it is a speedboat trapped in an offshore gale or how to aim a rifle from a pitching deck. This is a book that operates deliciously in the shadows beneath the dark Pacific waters surface and in the darker places in men's hearts. A fine debut that will keep readers up late at night.” ―John Katzenbach, internationally bestselling author

“[A] thrill-a-moment first novel...The ending is an unexpected nail-bitter that crackles with tension.” ―Publishers Weekly

ALEX GILLY

ALEX GILLY is a writer and translator who was born in New York City and has lived in Australia, Canada, France, California, and the UK. One of his translations, Thierry Cruvellier's THE MASTER OF CONFESSIONS, was longlisted for the 2015 PEN Translation Prize. Alex holds an MA in Translation and Interpreting Studies and a BA in Linguistics and Spanish and Latin American Studies, both from the University of New South Wales. In addition to his work as a translator, Alex has worked as a boating-magazine writer, editor, and copy editor. He currently lives in Sydney with his wife and son. DEVIL'S HARBOR is his first novel. 

http://www.alexgilly.com/

"BELL SOUND SERIES"--from author SANDRA HILL--the quaint little Outer Banks town of Bell Cove, North Carolina is known for its famous bells, quirky characters, and determined matchmakers--three military men will each have their hearts healed and find hope for future happiness as the spirit of Bell Sound works its magic in their lives

A Hero Comes Home

Welcome to Bell Cove, North Carolina. 
 
The famous bells in this small Outer Banks town are ringing a hero’s welcome when a former army captain returns home...

After being held prisoner for three years in an Afghan prison, Jake Dawson is finally going home--except everyone, including his wife and young sons, believed he was dead. Jake has changed since he left for war, and now he isn’t sure where he belongs.

Sally has changed, too.  Her marriage to Jacob was on shaky ground even before his last deployment, but he’s still every inch the hot, headstrong man she loves, despite his wounds, both visible and invisible. Seeing him with their three boys makes her want to fight for this unexpected second chance.

As summer winds down, all of the wacky folks in Bell Cove, which is awash with yellow ribbons and American flags, are aiming for a Labor Day Love Re-Connection.  In fact, they’re pulling out all the stops, in their usual outrageous style, to get Jake and Sally together again…


 

Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

Come visit Bell Cove, North Carolina.

Independence Day may have just passed in this small Outer Banks town known for its famous bells, but one ex-Navy SEAL has a declaration of his own to make . . .

Merrill Good knows there are many different kinds of exciting. There’s the adrenaline rush he experienced during his years in the military. There’s the thrill of starting up his own treasure hunting company. But topping them all is the surge of exhilaration he feels every time Delilah Jones crosses his path. Smart, voluptuous, and outspoken, Delilah is a bombshell with a secret that could explode at any moment.

Since Delilah moved to Bell Cove to take over her great-uncle’s Elvis-themed diner and motel, the locals have been nothing but friendly. And that’s a problem. The moment someone gets close enough to figure out her ex-con past, her future will be jeopardized. But keeping Merrill at arm’s length isn’t easy when the rest of her body has other ideas.

Add to the mix Delilah’s little girl who fashions herself “Little Orphan Annie,” a former showgirl grandmother with a gambling problem, a whole town full of quirky matchmakers, and there’ll be fireworks long after the Fourth of July . . .  


 
 
The Forever Christmas Tree

The Christmas bells may be chiming across the Outer Banks town of Bell Cove, North Carolina, but there’s one local ‘grinch’ who’s not listening . . .

He’s got bad-boy looks and a Bah Humbug attitude, so when the local paper asks the villagers to vote on the “Biggest Local Grinch” as a fund-raising project, Ethan Rutledge isn’t surprised to hear he’s made the ballot. He might own the local Christmas Tree Farm, but the holiday hasn’t been welcome in his home since Wendy Patterson left him heart-broken twelve years ago.

But now Wendy’s back, fresh from a tour of duty as a female Navy SEAL. She’s bold, beautiful, and has five Navy buddies trailing after her—as if she needs a bodyguard! And what’s all this about them wanting to start a treasure hunting company right here in Bell Cove’s failing bell factory? Then Wendy learns about how Ethan’s been nurturing the one thing he has to remember her by: a gorgeous Norway Spruce tree.

Can the magic of Christmas and the spirit of the town help rekindle the romance between two people who thought they’d left love behind years ago?  


Sandra Hill

 

Sandra Hill is a graduate of Penn State and worked for more than 10 years as a features writer and education editor for publications in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Writing about serious issues taught her the merits of seeking the lighter side of even the darkest stories. 

Sandra Hill is a bestselling author of novels and anthologies in various genres, including historical, time-travel and contemporary. In all her books, the common thread is humor and sizzle. Hot, funny, sexy novels set in the past and the present. Featuring sexy heroes--Vikings, S.E.A.L.s, Cajuns and more.

http://www.sandrahill.net/ 

"The Rules of Scoundrels Series"--Regency Era Romance from author Sarah MacLean--Four Scandals, whispered about in ballrooms across Britain. Four aristocrats, exiled from society, now royalty in the London underworld. Four loves, powerful enough to tame the darkness and return these fallen angels to the light. (see my review)

A Rogue by Any Other Name

What a scoundrel wants, a scoundrel gets...

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

A broken engagement and years of disappointing courtships have left Penelope with little interest in a quiet, comfortable marriage, and a longing for something more. How lucky that her new husband has access to such unexplored pleasures.

Bourne may be a prince of London’s underworld, but he vows to keep Penelope untouched by its wickedness—a challenge indeed as the lady discovers her own desires, and her willingness to wager anything for them... even her heart.

“Brilliantly crafted and deliciously seductive...” (Library Journal (starred review)) 

MY REVIEW:  While dark and wounded heroes bring out the nurturer in a woman’s soul, I also think that they ignite the naughty spark in a woman’s spirit! There is something about them, even though you may try to remain proper, that makes you want to show your own naughty self. They certainly won’t reproach you for letting down your hair and giving in to temptation! Bad boys are just as delicious and delectable as that last piece of chocolate fudge cake that you devour in the dark on a midnight kitchen raid. Fallen Angels are also delicious bad boys, especially when they have a few surprises tucked beneath their wings. Even on the road to redemption, they manage to be nice and naughty! Whether earthly, unearthly, or somewhere in-between, Fallen Angels take romance reads to new heights. "A Rogue By Any Other Name" is the first book in the "Rules of Scoundrels" series from author Sarah MacLean, and it is a smashing start! The rogue in question, Michael, Marquess of Bourne, once lost everything with the turn of one card. Over the next decade, he not only recovers his losses, but increases his fortune many times over. Now one of four partners in an exclusive gaming hell called "The Fallen Angel", he is very much like a fallen angel being driven a burning need for vengeance. Marriage to his childhood friend, Lady Penelope Marbury, will help him to achieve his primary goal: regaining the land that was his inheritance and getting revenge on the man who took it from him. Even though she suffered the embarrassment and disappointment of a very public broken engagement, Penelope is still not willing to settle for a "suitable" marriage. She wants more--much more! A tortured hero, greatly in need of redemption, and a wonderful, spirited heroine make for a very satisfying and rewarding romance read. You will fall in love with Michael and Penelope, just as they fall so deeply in love with each other. A must read for devoted lovers of historical romance!

Book Copy Gratis Amazon Vine


 

One Good Earl Deserves a Lover

The second in the incredible Rules of Scoundrels series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean.
Lady Philippa Marbury is odd. The bespectacled, brilliant fourth daughter of the Marquess of Needham and Dolby cares more for books than balls, flora than fashion and science than the season. Nearly engaged to Lord Castleton, Pippa wants to explore the scandalous parts of London she's never seen before marriage. And she knows just who to ask: the tall, charming, quick-witted bookkeeper of The Fallen Angel, London's most notorious and coveted gaming hell, known only as Cross.

Like any good scientist, Pippa's done her research and Cross's reputation makes him perfect for her scheme. She wants science without emotion—the experience of ruination without the repercussions of ruination. And who better to provide her with the experience than this legendary man? But when this odd, unexpected female propositions Cross, it's more than tempting... and it will take everything he has to resist following his instincts—and giving the lady precisely what she wants.

 
 

No Good Duke Goes Unpunished

A rogue ruined...

He is the Killer Duke, accused of murdering Mara Lowe on the eve of her wedding. With no memory of that fateful night, Temple has reigned over the darkest of London’s corners for twelve years, wealthy and powerful, but beyond redemption. Until one night, Mara resurfaces, offering the one thing he’s dreamed of... absolution.

A lady returned...

Mara planned never to return to the world from which she’d run, but when her brother falls deep into debt at Temple’s exclusive casino, she has no choice but to offer Temple a trade that ends in her returning to society and proving to the world what only she knows... that he is no killer.

A scandal revealed...

It’s a fine trade, until Temple realizes that the lady—and her past—are more than they seem. It will take every bit of his strength to resist the pull of this mysterious, maddening woman who seems willing to risk everything for honor... and to keep from putting himself on the line for love.


 

Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover

She is the most powerful woman in Britain,
A queen of the London Underworld...
But no one can ever know.

He is the only man smart enough to uncover the truth,
Putting all she has at risk...
Including her heart.

The fourth book in New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean’s incredible Rule of Scoundrels/Fallen Angels series. These four dark heroes will steal the hearts of their heroines and the readers alike! This is the last in the Rules of Scoundrels series—Chase’s story

By day, she is Lady Georgiana, sister to a Duke, ruined before her first season in the worst kind of scandal. But the truth is far more shocking—in London’s darkest corners, she is Chase, the mysterious, unknown founder of the city’s most legendary gaming hell. For years, her double identity has gone undiscovered... until now.

Brilliant, driven, handsome-as-sin Duncan West is intrigued by the beautiful, ruined woman who is somehow connected to a world of darkness and sin. He knows she is more than she seems and he vows to uncover all of Georgiana’s secrets, laying bare her past, threatening her present, and risking all she holds dear... including her heart.  


Sarah MacLean

 

New York Times, Washington Post & USA Today bestseller Sarah MacLean is the author of historical romance novels that have been translated into more than twenty languages.

Sarah is a leading advocate for the romance genre, speaking widely on its place at the nexus of gender and cultural studies. A romance columnist and co-host of the weekly romance novel podcast, Fated Mates, her work in support of romance and the women who read it earned her a place on Jezebel.com's Sheroes list and led Entertainment Weekly to call her "the elegantly fuming, utterly intoxicating queen of historical romance." Sarah is a graduate of Smith College & Harvard University. She lives in New York City.

http://www.sarahmaclean.net  
 

"The London Underground Series"--from author Eva Leigh--Regency Era Romance that sizzles with the dark secrets of London’s underworld...souls may be seduced...and hearts may be stolen...

From Duke Till Dawn

Eva Leigh launches a seductive series that sizzles with the dark secrets of London’s underworld...
 
Years ago, the Duke of Greyland gave his heart—and a princely sum of money—to a charming, destitute widow with unparalleled beauty. After one passionate night, she slipped from his bed and vanished without a trace. And just when he’s given up hope of ever seeing her again, Greyland finds her managing a gaming hell. He’s desperate to have her… until he discovers everything about his long-lost lover was a lie.

In truth, Cassandra Blake grew up on the streets, picking pockets to survive. Greyland was a mark—to be fleeced and forgotten—but her feelings for the duke became all too real. Once he learns of her deception, however, the heat in his eyes turns to ice. When her business partner absconds with the gaming hell proceeds—leaving unsavory investors out for blood—Cassandra must beg the man she betrayed for help.

Greyland wants compensation, too, and he’ll assist her under one condition: she doesn’t leave his sight until her debts are paid. But it’s not long before the real Cassandra—the smart, streetwise criminal—is stealing his heart all over again.

Reviews

 

“magnificent... a fast-paced and seductive treasure.” (Publishers Weekly (starred review))

“Leigh’s heroines are complex, vivid characters who seem to have stepped out of an enviable time and place, and not just because of all the satisfying, sexy romance they get to have.” (Sarah MacLean for the Washington Post)

“Intelligent, romantic, and plays by its own rules [...] I highly recommend this story...” (All About Romance (Desert Isle Keeper))

“Delightful banter and delicious passion... simply divine!” (Tessa Dare, New York Times bestselling author)

“[A] divine blend of depth, wicked heat and sparkling wit. Eva Leigh’s characters leap off the page and linger long after you’ve closed the book. She’s a wonderful writer.” (Julie Anne Long, USA Today bestselling author)

“Strong characters—a truly “kissable” hero, a courageous heroine and a couple of witty friends—blend with the unique plotline to create a novel full of passion, adventure, sensuality and seductiveness that’s impossible to put down. Leigh is at the top of her game!” (RT Book Reviews (top pick))

“Ebullient, angsty, romantic, and wise, From Duke till Dawn is a terrific start to Eva Leigh’s new series.” (Heroes & Heartbreakers)

“This eminently likeable hero and heroine are complicated and intriguing, as is the fascinating view into the underbelly of Regency England...  Readers will eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.” (BookPage)

“Leigh’s new series opener casts an eerie glow on the denizens of London’s criminal class, letting one of its own become the answer to a duke’s stolid life of propriety. Strange bedfellows indeed, with heat in abundance. Readers will enjoy watching these two overcome enormous barriers to find happiness.” (Library Journal) 

 

 

 

 

Counting on a Countess

 

For a shameless libertine and a wily smuggler in the London Underground, marriage is more than convenience—it's strategy...

 
Christopher "Kit" Ellingsworth, war veteran and newly minted Earl of Blakemere, buries his demons under every sort of pleasure and vice. His scandalous ways have all but emptied his coffers...until a wealthy mentor leaves him a sizeable fortune. The only stipulation? He must marry within one month to inherit the money. Kit needs a bride and the bold, mysterious Miss Tamsyn Pearce seems perfect.

Husband hunting isn't Tamsyn's top priority—she's in London to sell her new shipment of illicit goods—but she's desperate for funds to keep her smuggling operation afloat. When a handsome earl offers to wed her and send her back to Cornwall with a hefty allowance, Tamsyn agrees. After all, her secrets could land her in prison and an attentive, love-struck spouse could destroy everything.

But when an unexpected proviso in the will grants Tamsyn control of the inheritance, their arrangement becomes anything but convenient. Now, Kit's counting on his countess to make his wildest dreams a reality, and he plans to convince her, one pleasurable seduction at a time.

Reviews

 

“Tamsyn and Kit are a match in charm, wit, and intelligence. Their passion ignites the pages, and their journey to love and trust will touch the hearts of readers.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Leigh proves that the most intriguing part of London is its underground; a place where a smuggler and a nobleman can make the perfect match. Always original, sensual, absorbing and fast paced, Leigh’s novels explore the dark and dangerous aspects of the era. Readers will be clambering for more of her emotional, well-told tales that can be enjoyed over and over again.” (RT Book Reviews (top pick))

“Eva Leigh is proving herself as vital a voice in the genre as those with slightly lengthier book lists to their credit. Leigh consistently crafts whip-smart heroines and irresistible heroes delivered in packages bursting with wicked wit, feminist leanings, and sex positivity... For any who question whether historical romance is outdated or can be feminist, look no further than Eva Leigh’s work – while maintaining assiduous historical accuracy, she delivers intoxicating yarns that bulldoze tropes and flip gender expectations on their head.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“there’s just something about the way [Leigh] structures her plots that slips under my skin and gets my mental wheels turning every time...” (Seattle Review of Books) 

 

 

 

 

Dare to Love a Duke

 

For a dashing duke and the proprietress of a secret, sensual club in the London Underground, passion could lead to love… if they dare

 
Thomas Powell, the new Duke of Northfield, knows he should be proper and principled, like his father. No more dueling, or carousing, or frequenting masked parties where Londoners indulge their wildest desires. But he’s not ready to give up his freedom just yet. The club is an escape, a place where he can forget about society and the weight of his title… and see her, the woman he’s wanted forever.

Lucia—known as Amina—manages the Orchid Club, a secret society where fantasies become reality. But for Lucia, it’s strictly business, profitable enough to finance her dream: a home for the lost girls of the streets. Surrounded by lovers, she only observes, unwilling risk her future for any man. No member has ever intrigued her...until him, the masked stranger whose heated looks sear her skin. After months of suppressed longing, they dare to give in to temptation…

But the late duke’s legacy comes with a shocking secret, and the scandal threatens to destroy everything Tom loves… his family, the Orchid Club, and even Lucia.

Reviews

 

“Every now and then, you discover a new (or at least, new-to-you) author who leaves you a little sunstruck... I was dazzled.” (Lisa Kleypas for Powell’s “Lisa Kleypas Recommends” column- Forever Your Earl)

“packages all the best parts of historical fiction and wraps them up in a lovely romantic bow. [...] Leigh’s heroines are complex, vivid characters who seem to have stepped out of an enviable time and place, and not just because of all the satisfying, sexy romance they get to have.” (Sarah MacLean for the Washington Post (Scandal Takes the Stage- Best Romance Novels of November))
 

“Eva Leigh is proving herself as vital a voice in the genre... Leigh consistently crafts whip-smart heroines and irresistible heroes delivered in packages bursting with wicked wit, feminist leanings, and sex positivity... For any who question whether historical romance is outdated or can be feminist, look no further than Eva Leigh’s work – while maintaining assiduous historical accuracy, she delivers intoxicating yarns that bulldoze tropes and flip gender expectations on their head.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Featuring a strong, secure, and in-no-need-of-saving heroine, the third in Leigh’s London Underground series is a must-read for Regency romance lovers.” (Booklist)

“a sexy, scandalous tale... Complex characters, witty exchanges, a little blackmail, and a lot of loyalty and love make this a fantastic ending to a sensational series.”  (Publishers Weekly)

“You’ll breeze through this steamy read...” (BookTrib.com)

“Rebellious and racy... sparks fly...” (Woman’s World (Woman’s World Book Club Pick - Best New Books of the Week))

"The drama is so juicy, and fans of Harlots will love it!" (Bookish) 

 

 

Eva Leigh

 

 

 

Eva Leigh is a romance author who has always loved the Regency era. She writes novels chock-full of determined women and sexy men. She enjoys baking, spending too much time on the Internet, and listening to music from the ’80s. Eva and her husband live in Central California.

Eva also writes in multiple romance genres as RITA-award nominated Zoë Archer.

http://evaleighauthor.com

"The Gilded Age Girls Club Series"--from author Maya Rodale--life, liberty and happily ever after in late 19th century, Gilded Age Manhattan--anything can happen...and true love is always in fashion

Duchess by Design

In the first novel of Maya Rodale's "The Gilded Age Girls Club" series, an English duke vows to make an American seamstress his duchess...

In Gilded Age Manhattan, anything can happen...

Seeking a wealthy American bride who can save his family's estate, Brandon Fiennes, the duke of Kingston, is a rogue determined to do the right thing. But his search for an heiress goes deliciously awry when an enchanting seamstress tumbles into his arms instead.

...and true love is always in fashion

Miss Adeline Black aspires to be a fashionable dressmaker—not a duchess—and not even an impossibly seductive duke will distract her. But Kingston makes an offer she can't refuse: join him at society events to display her gowns and advise him on which heiresses are duchess material. It's the perfect plan—as long as they resist temptation, avoid a scandal, and above all do not lose their hearts.

Reviews

 

“Duchess by Design is a heartbreaking, soul-renewing, subversive tale of the limitations of gender and societal expectation and a reassertion of the world-changing power of love.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“With an almost Wodehousian flair for words, perfectly placed wit, endlessly amusing characters, and a vividly evoked 1890s New York City setting, Rodale launches her new Gilded Age Girls Club series on a spectacularly high note.” (Booklist (starred review))

“An inspiring look into a time when being a female change agent came at significant personal sacrifice... highly recommended; readers will eagerly look forward to the continuation of the series.” (Library Journal (starred review))

“Rodale’s Gilded Age-set series launch is a smart, bright love story that perfectly balances messages of female empowerment and social potential with romantic tensions created by class and gender dichotomies ripe for revolution.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Rodale charms with this captivating historical... Sparkling characters, able plotting, and joie de vivre make the first in Rodale’s Gilded Age Girls Club an utterly enjoyable standout.”  (Publishers Weekly)

“Duchess by Design stands out as unique and refreshing.  It’s more than worth your time.” (All About Romance.com)

“Adeline Black is a character any reader would be proud to know.” (BookTrib)

“DUCHESS BY DESIGN is a refreshingly different premise with a modern young woman and a duke who struggles with what is right, and what his heart wants. This tale is fun, realistic, and well written.” (Romance Reviews Today) 

 

 

 

 

Some Like It Scandalous

 

They are sworn enemies…

Theodore Prescott the Third, one of Manhattan’s Rogues of Millionaire Row, has really done it this time. The only way to survive his most recent, unspeakably outrageous scandal is marry someone respectable. Someone sensible. Someone like Daisy Swan. Of all the girls in Gilded Age Manhattan, it had to be her.

Pretending to be lovers...

Daisy Swan has plans and they do not involve a loveless marriage with anyone. But when a devastating family secret threatens to destroy her standing in society, suddenly a fake engagement with Theo is just the thing to make all her dreams come true.

And now it’s time to kiss and make up…

Daisy Swan aspires to sell cosmetics that she has created, but this brainy scientist needs a smooth talking charmer’s flair for words and eye for beauty to make it a success. Before long, Daisy and Theo are trading kisses. And secrets. And discovering that despite appearances, they might be the perfect couple after all.

 

"Rodale’s second Gilded Age Girls Club title hits the romance sweet spot with an uplifting, empowering love story that underlines the point that the best adventures happen not when the prince saves the princess, but when two people bring out the best in each other, fall in love, and change the world in the process." (Kirkus Reviews (starred review))  

 

 

 

 

An Heiress to Remember

 

USA Today bestselling author Maya Rodale’s Gilded Age Girls Club series continues with an enemies-to-lovers romance that shows love is sweeter than revenge.

Uptown Heiress
 

Once a society darling, Beatrice Goodwin has returned to Manhattan in a cloud of scandal. She is determined to save the bankrupt family business—Goodwin’s Department Store—and transform it into the shopping destination for Manhattan’s women. She will certainly never, ever sell it to Wes Dalton.

Downtown Rogue
 

Wes Dalton came from nowhere to possess one of the great fortunes of the Gilded Age, thanks to his premier department store located opposite Goodwin’s. This “Merchant Prince” never forgot the girl who got away—or her parents who made it clear that he’d never be rich, powerful or respectable enough. He has sworn revenge—until Beatrice’s return complicates everything.

Happy ever after at last . . . ?
 

Now Goodwin’s and Dalton’s are dueling to be the best department store in Manhattan. Beatrice and Wes will stop at nothing to impress, and not even the sparks flying between them will get in the way of their fierce rivalry. They’re competitors by day and lovers by night, until they’re forced to choose what is sweeter: revenge, success or happy ever after at last.  

 

Reviews

 

"Rival store owners, second-chance romance, and a focus on feminism are wrapped up in a thoroughly fun package that’s part Mr. Selfridge mixed with a dash of Gilded Age You’ve Got Mail, producing a winning addition to Rodale’s popular series." (Library Journal (starred review))

"An entertaining, thought-provoking addition to this captivating series." (Kirkus Reviews)

"Historically minded readers will appreciate Rodale’s eye for detail and illuminating depiction of the changing role of women in Gilded Age society." (Publishers Weekly)

 

 

 

Maya Rodale

 

 

 

Maya Rodale began reading romance novels in college at her mother’s insistence. She is now the author of numerous smart and sassy romance novels. A champion of the romance genre and its readers, she is also the author of the non-fiction book Dangerous Books For Girls: The Bad Reputation Of Romance Novels, Explained and a co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a national reading series devoted to romantic fiction. Maya lives in New York City with her darling dog and a rogue of her own. 

 

http://www.mayarodale.com