Author: Marsha

Congratulation to the 2019 RITA Award Winners!

Posted July 27, 2019 by Marsha in Discussion Post / 0 Comments

The 2019 RITA Award recipients will make July 26, 2019, a day to remember in Romance writing acknowledgment history. This year Authors of Color, Authors of Diversity were acknowledged with top honors – and it’s a long, long overdue celebration.

As a reader and a blogger, this is one ceremony that I wish I could attend in person, but I’m content to watch the live streams and read the Twitter updates as the conference moves through the days leading up to award night.

Many of the authors who took home awards are long-time favorite authors or authors that I’ve read a few of their books. So many more are new-to-me, and I’ll be frank and tell you that I headed over to Amazon to pick up titles by the winners. When a book receives a RITA, then I should be reading it. It’s just that simple. And I will be going over the finalists and the mentions as well to pick up even more titles.

So, my congratulations to every single winner whether it’s the first statue received or the latest – all are amazing talents yet it’s their hard work, perseverance, stubbornness, blood, sweat, tears, and love of the written word – and belief in themselves – that brought every single person on that stage to where they stand today as an RWA RITA Award winner.

I don’t know any of these talented people personally — but I am so happy for every author there.

Here are the RITA Award winners for 2019. Each book title is linked back to GoodReads should you like to check them out a bit more.

Lone Star Defender by Jennie Jones

Posted July 26, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Nine days to build a future…

Pepper Mackillop is no soft touch – but try telling her townspeople that. She’s only been home a week and is facing so many problems she’s numbered them to keep track. Her goal is to help rejuvenate her economically rundown hometown of Reckless in Calamity Valley, Texas, but between the town’s unrealistic expectations and the underhanded developers snooping around, she’s challenged every which way. Then Jack Shepperd comes home.

Prodigal son Jack is forced to return home to his family ranch when his uncle decides to retire. He has nine days to close down the ranch and pay a debt to Pepper’s grandmother. A debt that will keep him all but glued to Pepper’s side. Pep is the most captivating, spirited, headstrong woman he’s ever met. Years ago, she broke his heart. What are the chances of a clean getaway this time around?

Titles in the Calamity Valley series include — Lone Star Hero – Lone Star Protector – Lone Star Defender

Bound: A Doyle Witch Cozy Mystery by Kirsten Weiss

Posted July 25, 2019 by Marsha in Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Cozy Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Bound by magic, bound by love, bound by murder…

The Bonheim triplets live seemingly ordinary lives, hiding their magic from their neighbors in the small, mountain town of Doyle, California. But then a body is found in flighty, big sister Jayce’s coffee shop. Confronted by a sheriff with a grudge, a sister in denial, and a sexy lawyer with an agenda of his own, no-nonsense Karin must prove her sister innocent.

But as Karin works to unravel the murder, the knottier the mystery of her small mountain town becomes. Why are hikers vanishing in the nearby woods? Why are some people cursed with bad luck and others with good? And what is Jayce’s lawyer hiding?

With her sister’s fate hanging by a thread, Karin struggles to untangle the truth, and death stalks ever closer.

Titles in The Witches of Doyle Paranormal Cozy Mystery series include — Bound – Ground – Down – Witch

Montana Daughter by Juanita Kees

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Trinity Calhoun is a name everyone knows on the race circuit, but her days in the hot seat are numbered. She’s tired of the limelight, meaningless relationships and long hours behind the wheel. When her father calls her and her sister home, she’s ready. She slips right back into the family business, finishing off the custom car projects her father has lined up. But racing is in her blood and she’s lured back to risking her life on the hot rod drag strips outside of town. It’s there she meets paramedic and volunteer firefighter, Reece Balmain, who has her re-thinking the road her life is taking.

Reece Balmain arrives in Big Fork a broken man. He’s lived and breathed through horror accidents, haunted by the faces of the people he’s cut from vehicles. He knows one thing–speed kills. He’s hoping not to see too much of it in small-town Montana until he hears about the drag races taking place outside of town. He knows Trinity Calhoun. He’s watched her race, seen her win, held his breath when her car somersaulted into barriers in Daytona Beach. He doesn’t like what she does, but he can’t stay away from the woman who’s claiming his heart.

Titles in The Calhouns of Montana series include — Montana Baby – Montana Daughter – Montana Son

Rock Chick Rescue by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Jet McAlister has a secret. Eddie Chavez has the hots for Jet (not to mention Eddie’s just plain hot). Jet has too many problems to realize that Eddie’s interested. Eddie loses patience when Jet ends her waitressing shift at a strip club with a knife at her throat. Since Eddie’s a cop, he figures he can help. Since Jet’s used to solving everyone’s problems, she doesn’t want Eddie’s help.

Throw in a Dolly Parton look-alike, a gruff but lovable strip club owner, Jet’s ne’er do well father, his ne’er do well friend, Bear, Bear’s long-suffering, chain-smoking wife Lavonne and the crew from Rock Chick and you’ve got Rock Chick Rescue.

Rock Chick Rescue takes you on a wild ride with Jet, Eddie and the gang as they wrestle bad guys in a bagel shop, hit Denver’s backstreet poker tables (with big hair), and help the strippers at Smithie’s take down a would-be murderer.

Through this, Jet’s got to learn that even when life made you give up your dreams, you can still end up with the (hot) guy. Eddie’s got to rescue Jet from a bad man (so he can do better things with her) and teach her that some dreams can come true.

Titles in the Rock Chick series include — Rock Chick – Rock Chick Rescue – Rock Chick Redemption – Rock Chick Renegade – Rock Chick Revenge – Rock Chick Reckoning – Rock Chick Regret – Rock Chick Revolution – Rock Chick Reawakening (1001 Dark Nights) – Rock Chick Reborn –

Information about Ms. Ashley’s titles that have been reviewed here at Keeper Bookshelf (and links to the review posts) can be found on the Kristen Ashley page.

All Roads Lead to You by Jennifer Probst

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Happily single, Harper Bishop trusts in only one passion—her rescue farm and healing her thoroughbred, Phoenix. Her dream is to lead him to the Triple Crown. But how unreachable is it without experience or help? A handsome new guest at her family’s B&B has what it takes to make it come true. And with his irresistible brogue, warm smile, and soothing touch, he’s a major distraction.

After a bitter betrayal, horse trainer Aidan O’Connor has fled Ireland for a vacation in New York’s Hudson Valley. When he sees the horse with the fighting spirit, he’s inspired with a new goal: to train Phoenix to win. He’s also facing an unexpected new challenge: his feelings for Harper.

How can she dare to open her heart to a man who’ll be there only long enough to break it?

So Harper and Aidan agree: try to keep it professional and focus only on Phoenix and the finish line. But along the way, they could also learn a few lessons in love, trust, and taking chances. And, as painful as it promises to be, saying goodbye.

Titles in the Stay series include — The Start of Something Good – A Brand New Ending – All Roads Lead to You – Something Just Like This (1001 Dark Nights Stay Novella – Nov. 2019) –

Cowboy Up by Stacy Finz

Posted July 24, 2019 by Marsha in Modern Western Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Former FBI agent Cash Dalton has come to Dry Creek Ranch to work through a botched case that still gives him nightmares. The rundown 500-acre spread left to him and his two cousins is a good place to lose himself while he figures out his next move. Then he gets a call that changes everything. Thirteen years ago, he unknowingly fathered a child. The girl’s mother is dying and Cash must step up to raise a daughter he never knew, finding help from an unusual ally—the local pariah.

Aubrey McAlister is the talk of the town when she dumps Dry Creek’s favorite son just weeks before their wedding. She has her reason but to protect a vulnerable friend swears never to tell. Keeping her secret doesn’t prove easy, though, when a nasty rumor threatens everything—and everyone—she cares about, including Cash’s family. As the two grow closer Aubrey realizes the only way to stop the gossip is to give Dry Creek something real to talk about . . . a romance to rival the rumors.

Titles in the Dry Creek Ranch series include – Cowboy Up –

Dangerous Lies by Claudia Shelton

Posted July 23, 2019 by Marsha in Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

To ex-Navy SEAL Mitch Granger, responsibility isn’t just a word. It’s his Code of Honor. But when assigned to protect Coercion Ten’s latest target, she challenges his authority, defies his rules, and wreaks havoc on his personal willpower. Fighting for her isn’t a problem. Giving his life for her isn’t a problem. Forgetting their world-stopping kiss? Definite problem. And if he can’t concentrate solely on keeping her safe, it may cost them both their lives.

Journalist Liz Walkert’s missing father sent her a cryptic message that she was in danger. What he didn’t tell her was why. Unbeknownst to Liz, her family has been in Witness Protection all her life. Mitch may be her bodyguard, but his protection comes close to being control, the one thing she has none of in his presence. After a kidnap attempt and a narrow escape from attacking CT forces, they both realize they’re going to need to focus on the mission and fight their attraction if they have any hope of surviving.

Titles in the Shades of Leverage series (which can be read as stand-alone titles stated by the author) include – Slater’s Revenge – Dangerous Lies –

A Paris Fairy Tale by Marie Laval

Posted July 23, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense / 0 Comments

Is Paris the city of happily ever afters?

Workaholic art historian Aurora Black doesn’t have time for fairy tales or Prince Charmings, even in the most romantic city in the world. She has recently been hired by a Parisian auction house for a job that could make or break her career.

Unfortunately, daredevil journalist Cédric Castel seems intent on disrupting Aurora’s routine.

As Aurora and Cédric embark on a journey across France, they get more than they bargained for as they find themselves battling rogue antique dealers and personal demons, not to mention a growing attraction to each other.

But with the help of a fairy godmother or two, could they both find their happily ever afters?

Meant to Be by Nan Reinhardt

Posted July 19, 2019 by Marsha in Contemporary Romance, Series / 0 Comments

Can a near-tragedy help two best friends realize they’re meant to be so much more?

Best friends since grade school, high-powered Chicago attorney, Sean Flaherty, and small-town mayor Megan Mackenzie have always shared a special bond. When Sean is shot by a client’s angry ex, Megan rushes to his side, terrified she’s about to lose her long-time confidant.

Upon his return to River’s Edge to recuperate, Sean discovers that his feelings for his pal have taken an undeniable turn for the romantic. While Megan struggles with an unfamiliar longing for Sean, she worries that he may be mistaking a safe place to land for love.

Can Sean help her realize that they are truly meant to be so much more than friends?

Titles in the Four Irish Brothers Winery series include — A Small Town Christmas – Meant To Be – Christmas With You – The Baby Contract –

Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley

Posted July 17, 2019 by Marsha in Connection to another series, Contemporary Romance, Mystery, Romantic Suspense, Series / 0 Comments

Indy Savage, cop’s daughter, rock chick and used bookstore owner, has been in love with Lee Nightingale, once bad boy, now the man behind Nightingale Investigations, since she was five years old. No matter what ingenious schemes Indy used to capture his attention, Lee never showed an interest and Indy finally gave up.

Now Indy’s employee, Rosie, has lost a bag of diamonds and bad guys are shooting at him. When Indy gets involved, Lee is forced to help. Complicating matters, Lee has decided he’s interested, Indy’s decided she’s not. But she can’t seem to keep Lee out of her life when she’s repeatedly stun gunned, kidnapped and there are car bombs exploding (not to mention she’s finding dead bodies).

Indy’s best bet is to solve the mystery of the diamonds before Lee. Lee’s challenge is to keep Indy alive and, at the same time, win back her heart.

All of Ms. Ashley’s titles can be found on the Kristen Ashley page.