Posted January 10, 2026 by Marsha in Challenges, Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Love Inspired (Harlequin), No Spice Romance, Owned, Reading Challenges, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments
An unexpected partnership. A shocking secret. Can the truth heal old wounds?
After months away, architect Wyatt Teague returns home only to find himself named a guardian to his late friends’ orphaned twins…alongside his ex-fiancée, Natalie Dalton.
But caring for them together proves to be a challenge: Wyatt’s job is in the city, and Natalie can’t leave her family’s apple orchard.
As they vow to make this new partnership work, old feelings between them quickly resurface.
But when Natalie finds out the true reason behind Wyatt’s abandonment, can she trust him with the babies…and her heart?
Titles in the Home to Foxtail series include: Mountain Homecoming ~ Her Pretend Holiday Beau ~
This is a no-spice romance, perhaps with closed-door or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂
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Posted January 10, 2026 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments
I made a commitment to myself to whittle down my massive TBR Tower of Leaning Books this year, and the TBR 26 in ’26 Reading Challenge looks like a fun way to do that (along with other Challenges to motivate me and keep me on track).
It’s very simple to join in the fun. Simply click the link either in the text above or on the graphic to go to the sign-up page, read over the requirements, and sign up.
I’ll be creating a TBR 26 in’26 Reading Challenge page, so that I can easily list my read books for this challenge. You can find that page through the Challenges at the top of my pages, or click on THIS LINK.
Posted January 9, 2026 by Marsha in Challenges, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Holiday Romance, Kindle Unlimited, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments
Coldly ruthless and deeply cynical, Apollo Metraxis has made a career of bachelorhood. But when the inheritance of his father’s estate is conditional on a marriage and a child, he is forced to do the unthinkable!
Unpolished Pixie Robinson is the world’s worst choice of a wife for Apollo. Yet her family’s mounting debts leave her defenseless and therefore uniquely suitable.
But when the wedding night exposes Pixie’s untouched vulnerability, striking a chord in the dark reaches of his heart, Apollo is forced to think again.
And that’s before he discovers that she’s carrying not one—but two Metraxis heirs!
Titles in the Christmas with a Tycoon duet include: The Italian’s Christmas Child ~ The Greek’s Christmas Bride ~
This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.
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Posted January 9, 2026 by Marsha in Challenges, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Presents, Holiday Romance, Kindle Unlimited, Series, Sexual Content / 0 Comments
Italian tycoon Vito Zaffari is waiting out the festive season while a family scandal fades from the press. So he’s come to his friend’s snow-covered English country cottage, determined to shut out the world.
Until a beautiful bombshell dressed as Santa literally crashes into his Christmas! Innocent Holly Cleaver sneaks under Vito’s defenses—he wants her like no other before, and decides he must have her.
When Vito finds her gone the next day, he’s sure she’ll be easy to forget . . . until he discovers that their one night of passion has a shocking Christmas consequence!
Titles in the Christmas with a Tycoon duet include: The Italian’s Christmas Child ~ The Greek’s Christmas Bride ~
This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.
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Posted January 8, 2026 by Marsha in This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments
You can check out the 2026 Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge on their official site through either the graphic link or the text link below. Maybe you’ll want to join in, too.
I’ve made a commitment to myself for 2026 to whittle down my TBR tower a lot. I’ve discovered that several titles now have series or duet titles attached. In an effort to keep myself motivated and on track, I’ve joined several Reading Challenges for 2026. So, before I get into the details of the Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge for 2026, please allow me to say: Thank you to the Harlequin authors (or the publishing house itself) for putting so many Harlequin titles on Kindle Unlimited. Frankly, there is no way that I could afford to purchase every title that I’d love to read, many of which are now parts of duets, especially in Harlequin Presents. Being able to finish those duets or series through KU is such a help to my monthly book budget, allowing me to read even more of my favorite authors’ titles.
We all have favorite authors. I’ve several in various genres, so joining the Beat the Backlist Challenge 2026 is one way to keep a record and myself on track as I chip away at the backlists of many of those authors I’ll always one-click (when the book budget allows). I’ll be doing a combination of reading owned (TBR) titles and catching up on backlists through Kindle Unlimited. It’s a help that I can combine some of the titles in at least two different Reading Challenges this year.
I’ll be adding a Goodreads shelf below the Beat the Backlist Challenge on the sidebar, as well as listing the titles (on my Beat the Backlist 2026 Page), where I can see my progress… and perhaps you’d find a title or author there that you’ve yet to discover. Good luck to all trying to get through their books this year!
Posted January 8, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Christmas Romance, Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Montana (Tule), Previously Published, Series, Small Town Romance, Tule Publishing / 0 Comments
Three weeks. One unfinished house. And the man who still knows exactly how to undo her.
Felicity Evans traded in hard hats for high heels the day she left Holly, Montana for Seattle. Now a rising star in the financial world, she doesn’t look back—until her father’s injury drags her home to finish his most important construction project. She’ll manage the crew, keep her heart locked up tight, and be gone before the snow melts.
Then Danny Montgomery shows up.
Once the boy who could make her laugh—and make her knees weak—Danny is now a man whose rough hands and easy grin make it impossible to breathe. She needs his help to meet the deadline, but working side by side only stirs up the heat they’ve been avoiding for years.
Danny’s waited a decade for this second chance, and he’s not wasting it. Every glance, every accidental touch, every long winter night is another chance to remind her exactly what she walked away from.
By Valentine’s Day, the house won’t be the only thing finished. Felicity’s convinced her resolve will be gone too…
Titles in the Big Sky, Small Town series include: A Montana Christmas Homecoming ~ A Holiday Wedding Rescue ~ Home to Montana ~
This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.
Previously published as V is for Valentine’s Day.
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Posted January 7, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Mystery, Paranormal Romantic Suspense, Series, Small Town Romance, This one's a Keeper / 0 Comments
A geologist with an unwanted psychic gift, a man on the run, a dead body, and a friend accused of…murder?
Geologist Petra Cloch can touch an object and sense the emotions of the people who’ve held it before. Although her paranormal powers are a burden, they’ve helped her solve several crimes and make friends in her new southwestern small town. She’s enjoying settling into her new job when her landlord, Shelley, introduces an “old friend.” Wayne seems cagey. He wants to keep his visit a secret and has recently adopted an energetic dog “for protection.”
When Petra stumbles over Wayne’s dead body, suspicions quickly turn to murder, with Shelley the prime suspect. Petra and her friends investigate and quickly uncover a slew of suspects, scams, and motives. Petra’s psychic abilities alone aren’t enough to reveal the true killer. To clear Shelley, Petra will need all of her cleverness, the help of her found family, some luck, and the dog that seems to have adopted her.
Titles in the Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery series include: A Stone Cold Murder ~ Death at Rock Bottom ~ Buried in Betrayal ~
This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.
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Posted January 5, 2026 by Marsha in Challenges / 0 Comments
I’ve joined the 2026 New Release Reading Challenge. I first joined this Challenge when the ladies at (un)Conventional Bookworms started it years ago, and I’m happy to follow along now as The Chocolate Lady’s Book Review Blog takes over. It’s probably a bit odd for me to join a Reading Challenge for New Releases, considering that I often review ARCs, which means that I do have access to many newly released titles, both ARCs and my own purchases. Actually, I’m going to join in for a couple of reasons.
First, I love discovering not only new-to-me websites or blogs but also new-to-me authors or even genres I haven’t tried yet. Second, I’m making this year the one where I finally tackle that TBR Leaning Tower of Books I’ve accumulated… and if I read a newly purchased book shortly after buying it, I’m preventing it from being added to that ever-growing TBR. Okay, it’s convoluted. 
But it works as motivation for me.
Honestly? I’m just looking to have a bit of fun discovering books that others have enjoyed. This will serve as my “joining post”, and I will list my New Release books on this 2026New Release Reading Challenge Page (my own) in order to keep track for myself. The hardest part of any Challenge for me is remembering to go link up… hopefully, I’ll do better at that this year.
Posted January 4, 2026 by Marsha in Booksprout ARC, Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Marietta Montana, Modern Western Romance, Montana (Tule), Series, Sexual Content, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments
A wounded military hero. A small-town doctor with everything to lose. A secret one-night stand… and a surprise pregnancy that could change everything.
Ex–Special Forces soldier and military dog handler Calhoun Miller should be dead. Instead, he’s in Marietta, Montana, chasing a decades-old mystery to honor his fallen team leader. Romance isn’t part of his mission—until a magical night with a beautiful stranger leaves him wanting more. But when a freak accident puts him in the hospital, his vow—and his heart—are suddenly at risk.
Dr. Jory Quinn never expected her sexy, anonymous hookup to turn up in her ER—especially not as her patient. Keeping their night together a secret is the only way to protect her career. But Calhoun’s presence stirs memories she’s tried to bury…and when he reveals he’s investigating the disappearance of her father and brother, staying away becomes impossible.
And now, with her own secret growing, Jory has to decide—will she protect her heart, or risk everything for the only man she’s ever truly wanted?
First published as The Cowboy’s Claim.
Titles in the Cowboys of Honor series include: The Montana Cowboy’s Code of Honor ~ The Montana Cowboy’s Duty ~ The Montana Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming ~ The Montana Cowboy’s Call to Serve ~ The Montana Cowboy’s Last Mission ~
This story may contain language, possible violence, and/or sexual situations geared to an adult 18+ audience.
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Posted January 4, 2026 by Marsha in Challenges, Discussion Post / 0 Comments
My ultimate reading goal for 2026 is to whittle down my TBR Leaning Tower of Books to something more… reasonable. (I know that you know what I’m talking about because if you’re a reader, you also have a TBR pile). I’m also a series reader, often collecting titles until a series is mostly, if not totally, complete before indulging in a series-binge-read. Then, life descends, and frequently those intentions go out the window when life gets in the way of the “fun stuff”, like leisurely reading.
I came across the Finishing the Series Challenge 2026 while randomly browsing Challenges that might fit my goal for this year. It serves a dual purpose for me: getting books off my TBR and finally finishing the series taking up space on my Kindle. A two-for-one deal that I couldn’t pass by.
As to my goal: Primetime Series 17+. Yes, it’s a lot, but then I have a lot of series that I really do need to get read. I’ll be posting the series both as a post here at Happily Ever After Romance, as a listing on my Challenge page here, and on my Finishing the Series Challenge 2026 Goodreads Shelf.
I am admittedly not great at challenges. Oh, I can get the reading done, but it’s the link posting that gets me in trouble. I shall do my best to keep on track in 2026. If anyone else is doing Challenges this year… I wish you the best of luck and happy reading experiences.
Posted January 3, 2026 by Marsha in A TBR Read, Challenges, Harlequin, Harlequin Intrigue, Modern Western Romance, Mystery, No Spice Romance, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments
Sometimes you can go home again. It’s just not always safe…
Mary Cardwell Savage never meant to send that letter to her ex, Chase Steele.
How could she know her words would bring the gorgeous cowboy back to Big Sky, Montana—with an unstable and dangerous stalker following close behind?
Now Chase wants to prove that their love deserves a second chance.
And this time, nothing will keep him from his heart’s desire…not even a killer.
Titles in the Cardwell Ranch: Montana Legacy series include: Steel Resolve ~ Iron Will* ~ Ambush Before Sunrise* ~ Double Action Deputy* ~ Trouble in Big Timber* ~ Cold Case at Cardwell Ranch* ~
This is a no-spice romance with either closed doors or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂
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Posted January 2, 2026 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments
2026 A time to anticipate a blank sheet of a brand new year, and a time to look forward to discovering new books, new adventures, new-to-me-authors, and revisit with older, favorite authors as well.
I don’t do “New Year’s Resolutions”, I’ve found over time that if I do so… I’m guaranteed to fail, spectacularly. However, I do believe in goals and plans… and I have several of those in mind for the coming year.
My number one priority will always be ARCs, those advanced copies of upcoming titles that publishers and authors have graciously granted me access to. Those are gifts that I will never take lightly, and I’m always grateful for the trust in me to talk about an upcoming book.
However, my main goal for 2026 is to tackle my TBR pile seriously. *sigh* Yes, that leaning tower of books that are sitting in my Kindle or on my shelves just waiting (impatiently) for me actually to read the books I’ve purchased. You, too? I cannot be the only person who picks up a book I cannot wait to dive into, only to discover that I’ve got a review due and… put off reading the new one for just a few days (yeah, right). Time is fleeting, as I’ve realized recently from my own personal health issues (I fell over my cat and broke my tailbone, resulting in a very long time away from family and reading). Tomorrow, as we know it, is not guaranteed, so since I paid good cash for those books, it’s time that I actually read the stories within them. That is my main goal after the ARC reviews.
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Posted December 31, 2025 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Heartwarming, NetGalley, No Spice Romance, Series, Small Town Romance / 0 Comments
Not every hero…
Wears a uniform
Brooke Lawson refuses to let her troubled past stop her from making her mark in Flame, Texas. The close-knit community is exactly the fresh start she needs.
Great new job, caring new friends—her only problem is the series of mortifying scrapes she finds herself in.
Being frequently rescued by Michael Barnes, the small town’s handsomest firefighter, does have its upside. His warmth and humor set him apart from every man she’s ever met.
But when his large, ready-made family starts interfering, will she be the one to rescue him? And will their special spark continue to shine?
Titles in the Flame, Texas series include: Rescuing Her Firefighter ~ Her Texas Plus-One (June 2026) ~
This is a no-spice romance with either closed doors or fade-to-black scenes. Tension and kisses might be involved 🙂
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Posted December 31, 2025 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, Harlequin Medical Romance, NetGalley, Standalone / 0 Comments
The hottest mistake of her life?
Obstetrician Monica Hamilton loves her job, yet with every tiny baby she delivers, she longs for her own even more.
When she’s poised to explore single motherhood, it’s terrible timing to notice sexy Argentinean paramedic Luke Arias.
All he can promise is no strings and scorching hot nights. He’s already had to bring up his orphaned siblings—children are 100 percent off his agenda.
Usually cautious Monica is powerless to resist Luke’s charisma…but will their temporary fling break her heart or unlock everything she’s ever wanted?
~Standalone~
This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.
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Posted December 31, 2025 by Marsha in Closed Doors/ Fade to Black, Contemporary Romance, Debut Title, Harlequin, Harlequin Romance, No Spice Romance, Standalone / 0 Comments
They’re crossing a billion-dollar boundary…
Heiress Eleanor Ainsworth’s secret to survival? Never fall in love.
Only one person ever challenged that: billionaire Nic Kosmas, the childhood best friend she once dated for six sizzling months. So, when she returns to London to help launch a foundation honouring Nic’s late father, temptation follows…
And after a stolen clinch lands them in the tabloids, the only solution to protect Nic’s family legacy is a fake relationship! Yet, as the line between façade and feelings blurs, Ellie’s in danger of breaking her golden rule…
~Standalone~
This story may contain language, violence, and/or sexual situations intended for an adult 18+ audience.
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