Where books are borrowed, and friendships are forged…
When her beloved grandfather dies, Ana Meštrović buys a catamaran in his memory, which she names Dida Krila – Grandad’s Wings.
For the summer months, it will be transformed into a travelling library, delivering books to children living across the Croatian islands.
Joined by crew members Natali, a young mechanic afraid of her own shadow, and Lloyd, an older widower who needs a fresh start, the newly-formed trio all have their own reasons for needing the floating library to be a success.
Embarking on an adventure that will change them for good, they each discover that a new chapter is only a boat ride away…
Publication Dates – 16th January 2026 (ebook) 29th January 2026 (paperback)
Eva Glyn writes escapist relationship-driven fiction with a kernel of truth at its heart. She loves to travel and finds inspiration in beautiful places and the stories they hide.
Set mainly in Croatia, her contemporary stories are more about friendship than romance, the coming together of people through shared interests, and the opportunity to make fresh starts in their lives. A love of books is a common theme too, so her publisher, One More Chapter, has christened them the Bookish Escapes collection which currently includes The Dubrovnik Book Club, and The Santorini Writing Retreat, with The Croatian Island Library to be published in January 2026.
In addition Eva has written two Second World War dual timeline romances, An Island of Secrets and The Collaborator’s Daughter, and a new beginnings novel entitled The Olive Grove. All are set in Croatian, a country she loves.
Although she considers herself Welsh, Eva lives in Cornwall with the man she met and fell in love with more than thirty years ago. She also writes as Jane Cable.
We’re thrilled to present the cover for A Poem Penned in Poison by R. Dugan! Pre-order today!
A Poem Penned in Poison (Tales of Wonder and Woe Series)
Expected Release: October 31, 2025
Genre: Dark Romantasy/ Fantasy Horror
Enemies to Lovers
Forced proximity
Grumpy x sunshine
Assassin x healer
Reluctant partners
Masquerade ball
He falls first AND harder
Villain romance
Social Recluse x social butterfly
Touch her and die
Poet x muse
NAOMI WEATHERS is running from something—and no one knows it.
THE POET POISONER is on the hunt…and Naomi has just stepped into his path.
In the enchanting and deadly third installment of the TALES OF WONDER & WOE, a healer and a poisoner clash in a wicked struggle for survival…a struggle that might be a blade in both of their hearts.
Welcome to the book tour for the newest swoon-worthy release by D.L. Houpt, The Stardust of Dawn! Read both books now on Kindle Unlimited!
The Stardust of Dawn (The Heir of Darkness #2)
Release Date: July 10, 2025
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
💛 You will cry 💛 Slow burn 💛 Bodyguard romance 💛 Villain origin/prequel to book 1 💛 He’d burn the whole damn world for her (duh) 💛 The juiciest f*ck it moment 💛 Did I mention you’ll cry?
Even the most beautiful flowers have petals that rot.
Tethys, Patron Goddess of Venia, has always lived a life of duty—until she meets Araes, an honorable yet infuriatingly ambitious mortal lieutenant. When children begin vanishing from Venia, she is forced to set aside her hatred. But the deeper she searches for answers, the more secrets she uncovers—from her sister Polaris’s self-imposed isolation to the hidden histories of the primordial gods.
Inspired by Ares and Aphrodite, the second installment in the Heir of Darkness trilogy is an epic prequel of love and the fight for freedom, exploring the delicate balance between following one’s heart and the true power of a woman scorned.
We’re celebrating the release of this epic finale with a tour and giveaway! The Legacy of Ophelia is available on August 7th, and you can read the entire series on Kindle Unlimited!
The Legacy of Ophelia is the fifth and final book in the epic romantic fantasy series, The Curse of Ophelia. Start the quest today with book one The Curse of Ophelia where we follow a cursed warrior on a quest with her found family to try to find the boy she loved and restore her clan to glory before her curse takes her life, but she ends up exposing ancient prophecies and political schemes instead.
🪽 Meddling angels
🏛️ Curses & quests
🪽 Warrior clans
🏛️ Found family
🪽 Multiple slow burn romances
🏛️ High stakes fantasy
*SPOILERS*
A forgotten myth resurrected. A legacy to conquer them all.
Ophelia and Malakai have been ripped from their loved ones and are at the mercy of a vengeful god.
But they quickly discover that in order to uncover secrets buried among realms, that may be precisely where they need to be. Even if it jeopardizes all they have fought to become.
Meanwhile, their friends receive a surprise visit from a potential ally that spurs them to rekindle partnerships, deny the bounds of power, and push love to the brink of destruction.
With myths resurrected and the very fabric of Ambrisk at risk, can the warriors survive their final battle against the deities? Or are they fated to become the legends stories are written of?
Everything culminates in this high-stakes, realm-shattering conclusion to the Epic Romantic Fantasy series, the Curse of Ophelia. With a loveable found family, scorching slow burn romances, and inspiration from Greek mythology, this series introduces a universe full of twisted lore and ancient battles that is perfect for fans of Chloe C Penaranda, Sarah J Maas, and Melissa K Roehrich.
For those of you who were waiting on the twins’ stories, the wait is over! My Pucking Mates by Izzy Elliott is now available!
My Pucking Mates (Pucking Werewolves #4)
Release Date: August 1, 2025
Genre: Paranormal Hockey Romance
🩷 MFM
🐺 Found Family
🩷 Hockey Romance
🐺 Fated Mates
🩷 Multiple POV
🐺 Werewolf Romance
🩷 Twins
In the heart of the wild, where the moon casts its glow, the twins are left to confront their deepest demons while a part of their pack embarks on a perilous mission.
As they grapple with the shadows of their past, they find themselves at a crossroads—one that could shatter or solidify their bond with the only woman who can claim their hearts.
With her fierce spirit and undeniable allure, their mate holds the key to their future, but she must navigate the tangled web of their histories. As secrets are laid bare and vulnerabilities exposed, the brothers realize that the greatest challenge isn’t just about facing their fears—it’s about revealing the truth to the woman they love.
Can they conquer their past to offer her the future she deserves, or will the weight of their history prove too heavy for their hearts to bear?
Dive into a world of passion, danger, and the intoxicating pull of destiny in this sizzling shifter romance that will leave you breathless.
This is the 4th book in the Pucking Werewolves series and while it picks up right where book 3 left off, there will be no continuation of the main plot. This addition to the series is about the twins and their mate.
Forbidden Love 💔 Age Gap 🕰️ Slow Burn 🔥 Small Town Romance 🏡 Grumpy x Sunshine 🌦️ Morally Grey Hero ⚖️ Healing Romance 🩹 Dark Cottagecore 🍄
When eco-warrior and budding bee expert Suzie returns to Ashfordby, she expects a peaceful summer solving the mystery of Hugh Delaware’s dying bees and spending time with her best friend.
After a recent run-in with The One That Got Away (and made her swear off relationships for life), she needs the break. Peace, quiet, and a chance to focus on what she loves sounds perfect—until she stumbles into a tangled web of sabotage, murder, and secrets threatening to destroy the estate Hugh has dedicated his life to saving.
As Suzie and Hugh join forces to unravel the mystery, a shocking discovery leaves the estate reeling and the pair questioning everyone around them—except each other. But with a struggling marriage and the weight of the estate on his shoulders, Hugh’s world is a far cry from Suzie’s council-house upbringing. Any connection between them feels impossible—and forbidden. She would never entertain an affair, yet the more she tries to stay away, the more she’s drawn back in.
Caught between her growing feelings for Hugh, the painful wounds of her past, and a sinister plot targeting the estate, Suzie must summon the courage to expose the truth—and keep her heart out of the crossfire—before more lives are lost.
With its blend of romantic tension, murder, and environmental intrigue, Nightshade is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and uncovering beauty in the most unexpected places. Perfect for fans of romantic suspense and age-gap romance.
My thoughts: This was really good, it works as a standalone, so if you haven’t read Bane (about Michael and Aimee) that’s ok.
Suzie returns to her hated hometown to help out some bees who are dying, the owner of the tea farm that needs the bees to do their pollinating thing is worried that without them, his business is over and he’ll have to sell his family’s ancestral home to developers.
She’s not keen as her awful ex lives in the area and she’s not especially close to her parents, but her best friend Aimee and her boyfriend Michael also live there. She moves into the spare room at Aimee’s and starts investigating the bees’ deaths.
The book is both a romance and an eco-murder mystery – the victims might be bees, but their deaths lead to other shocking actions as someone is trying to sabotage the tea farm and the estate.
Suzie’s investigation has ramifications for all of the residents and staff, especially Hugh, who runs it and will eventually inherit it. His whole life revolves around the estate and even though he and Suzie have an instant attraction – he’s married to Victoria, a not entirely happy woman. He’s also a lot older than Suzie.
The story gets more intriguing as Suzie discovers what’s been going on and who has been killing the bees. She also meets the resident witch, her crow and badger (totally normal), and has an eventful run in with her scummy ex (urgh).
Will love flourish? Will Hugh leave his wife and will they solve the mystery of who is trying to bring the estate down? Well, you’ll have to read it!
Friendships – fantastic. Family – getting better. Career – promotion on the cards. Romance – seriously delayed Sade Sodipo is ready to meet ‘the one’ and finally fulfil the Nigerian Dream. So far God hasn’t performed that little miracle quite yet, but it’ll happen this year for sure. Especially if her mother, two best friends, younger sister and all those in the unofficial Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, have anything to say about it. She might love her job, have great friends, and even own her own home, but according to the meddling aunties, this is why she’s still single at 50. Not wanting to turn into a bitter aunty herself, Sade knows it’s time to get serious, but the options aren’t looking great – zero potential at church, work or in her social life. What if her prayers for the perfect man have got lost? Or maybe Sade’s happy-ever-after is right on time…
Author Bio – Ola Awonubi is an award-winning author, creative writing tutor, and speaker, known for her compelling storytelling that bridges cultures and histories. Born in London to Nigerian parents, she spent part of her childhood in Nigeria before returning to the UK, where she pursued her passion for writing.
Ola has authored eight books, including Love’s Persuasion, Love Me Unconditionally, and the anthology Naija Love Stories. Her historical fiction novel, A Nurse’s Tale, published by One More Chapter Books (HarperCollins) in July 2023, became a bestseller in Canada, earning a spot on The Globe and Mail’s historical fiction chart. It was also recognized by the Brown Girl Collective as a favourite historical fiction book of 2024. Her upcoming romantic comedy, The Marriage Monitoring Aunties’ Association, is set for release in Summer 2025, as part of a two-book deal. She is also working on a Jane Austen adaptation set in Lagos, currently under consideration by publishers and agents.
Beyond her writing, Ola is a creative writing tutor and speaker, sharing her expertise at prestigious events such as the Black British Book Festival, Meet-Cute Romance Festival, and London Festival ofWriting. She will also be speaking at The London Writers Festival, Jericho Writers Conference, inspiring aspiring authors with her insights on storytelling, publishing, and book marketing. Ola’s work has been featured in Afreada, Brittle Paper, Story Time, Woven Tale Press, and NaijaStories.com, with over 15 short stories published across various literary platforms.
Through her Substack newsletter, “The Resilient Writer,” she provides actionable writing guidance, digital resources, and industry insights, helping fellow creatives refine their craft and build their author brands.
Giveaway to Win a Paperback copy of The Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association (Open to UK only)
My thoughts: I really like Sade, she’s a successful woman, owns her own home, has a nice group of friends, is an active member of her church and a loving daughter, sister and auntie. She’s also single at almost fifty.
And while she’s not especially worried, it seems to be causing concern for her mum, and the infamous Marriage Monitoring Aunties Association, who always have plenty to say on the matter.
When she does meet the rather nice Jimi Taylor, there’s an instant attraction, but she wants to keep things professional and her mum isn’t too keen as he has an ex-wife and son. But Sade is a woman who knows her own mind and after a series of dates involving some very delicious sounding food (I wasn’t hungry before I read this book, I was after), things start hotting up, but can Sade keep things secret from the MMAA or will they be sticking their oars in?
Funny, wry and with a lot of heart, this is a great later in life love story.
Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
The Across Time series has gotten a glow up and it is gorgeous!
An Epic Grimdark Romantasy that’s basically like GAME OF THRONES meets DEADPOOL…with some extra swoon and SUPERNATURAL-esque lore
It also has:
❤️🔥 Grumpy x sunshine
❤️🔥 Hot Viking Warrior
❤️🔥 Reluctant hero
❤️🔥 Fight training
❤️🔥 Banter
❤️🔥 Mature (age 30+) FMC
❤️🔥 Pop culture Easter eggs
❤️🔥 Touch him and 💀
❤️🔥 Found Family
❤️🔥 Action Packed
❤️🔥Emotion Focused Spice (book 2)
Fires of the Forsaken
She just wanted a gosh-darn pizza. The apocalypse had other ideas.
Addie did not have “getting plucked from the 21st century and thrown into the apocalypse” on her “things to do after work” checklist. Yet here she is, trapped in the hellscape known as Sakar–a world torn apart by a Celestial war. Now she’s dodging soulless Wraiths, getting chased by venomous horses, and trying her darndest to avoid a meltdown.
Thankfully, Cheriour, the gruff and grumpy commander of the human army takes her under his wing. He’s blunt, brutal, and socially awkward. Totally not Addie’s type.
So why does she find him so infuriatingly attractive?
As Addie’s connection with Cheriour grows so does the danger. Wraiths threaten to eliminate the last dregs of humanity and secrets about Addie’s past are about to surface that might just make her the key to saving everything… or destroying it.
Darkly thrilling and laced with biting humor, Fires of the Forsaken is perfect for fans of Game of Thrones, Deadpool and Supernatural.
Ashes of the Earth
Earth’s last hope has anxiety, a lethal power, and absolutely no idea what she’s doing.
Addie is having a colossally bad year. She’s stuck in a bullshit biblical war, her friends keep dying, and her newfound power might be slowly eating her alive.
At least she has Cheriour, the gruff, battle-scarred commander of the human army, who is secretly a teddy bear hiding beneath a grumpy face. But even their budding relationship is threatened as the war rages.
With Wraiths scavenging the ailing country of Sakar, and the Celestials tightening their grip, Addie must lead a desperate mission to save what’s left of this world. But the deeper she dives into the secrets of Sakar—and the reason she was brought here—the more she realizes some truths should stay buried.
Content warnings would be for violence/gore, sometimes disturbing imagery, scenes depicting the loss of family members/loved ones, scenes showcasing mental health issues (ie, anxiety, depression, etc.), and a very brief mention of violence toward a minor.
It’s time to reveal the cover for the final book in the Vials of Fate trilogy, The Imminent Power of Hope by Catalina Matei!
The Imminent Power of Hope (Vials of Fate Book 3)
Genre: Dark Romantasy/ Dragons
Expected Release Date: October 23, 2025
Dragons
Fated mates
Found family
Secrets/ hidden truths
Banter
Strong FMC
Dual POV
Cunning gods
Unique magic
In a world that mended itself anew, free will was no longer a chain; it was the binder that tied a nation’s hope to its actions.
After a battle that ensured the human nation’s victory, things are about to change once more as Zadrohn vanishes with a powerful artefact in his possession.
Caught between a web of lies and her need to be everyone’s saviour, Tiadola must renounce more than her pride in order to see the continent safe. The search for her lover intertwines with the one of finding the god’s resting place.
Resilient and hopeful, can she be the one to liberate the world from millennia of injustices? In hope lies the power, and she is nothing if not hopeful.
We’re proud to present the cover for The Crimson Princess by Zoey Voss. This will be the first in a series called The Ravengale Chronicles, available September 24th!
The Crimson Princess (The Ravengale Chronicles Book 1)
Expected Release Date: September 24, 2025
Genre: Dark Romantasy/ Vampires
Vampires,
Rival kingdoms
Forbidden love
Captive princess – she’s more than willing though…well the first time 😉
She just got her full powers
She’s promised to another (no triangle)
For the rulers of Ravengale, there is only us and them…until the rule of law becomes the path to destruction.
As princess of Ravengale, Satima is bound by her father’s rule to sit back as others compete in the Challenge and watch the champions travel to the human realm to shelter the innocents from the monsters of the Third World. But the Book of Life dictates a path for her that defies the laws of Ravengale and she temporarily vacates her throne to fight for humanity, a choice that will change the destiny of her world and beyond.
As Satima is thrust into a tragic battle, death will touch her in the most intimate of ways, driving her into the path of her father’s enemy, the ancient and powerful vampire king. Toren is as gorgeous as he is a ruthless leader, and despite Satima’s caution, the vampire makes her blood run hot, and her body hotter. But in the throes of passion, there is a dark history between their worlds, a darker one between Toren and her father. One wrong move, and everything Satima has known and loved will be shattered.
In the vein of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Reign where the princess is a warrior, the fae are inconsequential, zombies are real, and vampires and druids are enemies of the court. That is until one vampire, the king himself, seduces the princess into risking all for him.
ramblingmads 