We’re thrilled to present the cover for the first book in a new duology by Kate Gateley, called Shadow of the Yew Tree!
Shadow of the Yew Tree (The Mythic Bones #1)
Expected Publication Date: Spring 2025
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy Romance
Dual POV
Grumpy/sunshine
Men in therapy
Open door romance
Canadian PNW backdrop
ADHD rep
Mentor/mentee
Unique magic system
One bed / forced proximity
Slow Burn
Druids & Science
FMCs who are 30+ (and MMCs who are 40+ 😉)
Who is patient number eighty-seven?
Shadow of the Yew Tree by Kate Gateley is the first novel in a contemporary fantasy and romance duology featuring an angsty Druid doctor and a sassy, enigmatic journalist who find themselves in an unexpected partnership. Secrets vine dangerously between them as they race to counter the rapidly growing threat to their hidden magical world …
The Mythic Bones Duology is a standalone series set in Gateley’s beloved “Lost Wells” world. It is perfect for A Discovery of Witches and Outlander fans with a modern Canadian twist.
‘The Brandon blood is dark with lies and treachery and as it flows through my heart, my vow is this: they will all pay.’
Hampton Court Palace 1530s
Anne Brandon has always understood the power of a king’s patronage and, though the court of Henry VIII is a dangerous place for women, as the daughter of the king’s best friend, Anne feels safer than most. But Anne’s husband Lord Powis is tiring of her childlessness and when Henry VIII begins plotting to rid himself of a queen in his quest for an heir, suddenly Anne’s life is in danger. And as whispers of the name of her friend Anne Boleyn get ever louder, there is peril in every loose word, every forbidden conversation.
Pembrokshire Present Day
Caroline Harvey has spent years helping her grandfather, the reclusive bestselling novelist Dexter Blake, hide from his legions of fans in his home on the Pembrokshire coast. After his death, the vultures begin to circle Dexter’s fortune. When Caroline’s ownership of the house she has inherited is called into question, her research into its history reveals it was once owned by Anne Brandon who had sought refuge there. Intrigued, Caroline is determined to discover why Anne fled the court of Henry VIII.
Two women divided by centuries but joined by secrets and courage. And when a twist in their histories threatens them both with the same fate – losing the man they love – their revenge will be the same too. Because there’s no one mightier than a woman underestimated or more powerful than the need to save those they love.
Bestseller Alexandra Walsh is back with a compelling, captivating insight into the Tudor court through the eyes of a woman who had only her guile to keep her alive. Perfect for all fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory, Anne O’Brien and Elena Collins.
Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.
My thoughts: I really like these dual narrative stories, especially when they bring a forgotten woman in history back to life. Anne Brandon was the daughter of Henry VIII’s best friend and stepdaughter to his sister, the Dowager Queen of France, she lived a life of privilege but in a time where daughters were traded in marriage to ensure fortunes and land, favours and heirs.
Married to a cold hearted man, who cares only about his legacy, unable to give him children, she is in love with another, and considering the emphasis placed on marriage, is somehow able to live with her lover, far from court, while her estranged husband openly takes his mistress with him.
She was also a contemporary and possibly a friend of Anne Boleyn – Henry’s ill-fated second wife, so would have seen the huge upheaval and turmoil during her life.
What links her story to our modern day heroine is a plot of woodland on the Pembrokshire coast. Here reclusive writer Dexter Blake created his incredible sci-fi series that became a worldwide sensation, and here his granddaughter Caroline has made her home. She has a lot of secrets, and with Blake’s death, she’s finally coming clean, at least to her oldest friends, Ben and Gideon.
As she researches the land her home stands on, she learns about Anne Brandon and her bravery in defying the norm and living with the man she loved, rather than the husband she had been made to marry. In finding her own safe and beloved home, she lived a quiet but safe life. Aunt to the tragic Lady Jane Grey, she could have been right at the heart of Tudor court life, and had been as a younger woman, but in choosing her own path, she is instead an inspiration and one who should not have been forgotten.
Caroline’s story weaves around Anne’s and as her secrets come to light, can she find a way back to her true love, just as Anne did?
Clever, enjoyable, moving and enthralling.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
We’re thrilled to present not one but two gorgeous covers for upcoming releases by Susan Renee. If you love hockey romance featuring enemies to lovers and forced proximity, you need to pre-order these right away!
Off Your Game (Chicago Red Tails #1)
Expected Publication Date: April 29, 2025
Genre: Hockey Romance
For fans of Tessa Bailey, a laugh-out-loud enemies-to-lovers romance about a professional hockey player who finds himself facing off with the team’s new marketing rep, who might just be his new lucky charm.
Good looks and wads of cash usually get me whatever I desire, unless I desire a box of my favorite cereal at the grocery store right before it closes. As if tonight’s loss wasn’t bad enough, I’m now watching said box of cereal, my literal good luck charm, disappear in some woman’s cart.
The brazen woman denies my cash offer along with my proposal for a more intimate payment. How much loss can a man take in one day?
At this point, who cares how rude I am to her? She’s public enemy number one and chances of seeing her again are slim to none. That is, until she appears at the arena the next morning as the newest marketing rep for the Chicago Red Tails hockey team.
Just my luck.
Carissa Smallson is feisty, outspoken, and boldly confident. She’s also funny, down to earth, and…ugh, she’s insanely pretty. Everything about her is both unbelievably annoying and terrifyingly attractive.
As Captain of the team, I’m always laser focused on my job, but lately I can’t stop thinking about her. I lead my team to victory night after night. Hustle, hit, and never quit.
But if I’m not careful, she could knock me off my game.
An intense, forced proximity romance about a woman running from an abusive past, and the hockey player who vows to keep her safe.
Sometimes life makes you play an unfair game.
As a pro hockey player, I’ve had desperate flirty women throw themselves at me, one after another for years. Today, it took only seconds for someone to walk into my home and have me completely forget about any other woman I’ve ever met.
A favor for an old teammate, I opened my penthouse to Charlee Mags, my new short-term roommate. When I said yes to this favor, I didn’t know how breathtakingly beautiful Charlee would be, or that I would come to enjoy hanging out with her, even crave being around her. It’s almost funny how much we have in common.
But Charlee has baggage.
I knew when she showed up at my door with a black eye, this could be a fragile situation, and I would do all I could to help her feel safe, but she doesn’t want to be the damsel in distress. Underneath her injury, she is an independent, strong-willed, funny woman who knows more about hockey than she originally lets on. And now I’m struggling to keep myself from falling for her.
Charlee Mags is the perfect woman for me.
One hundred percent my type.
I have no idea who hurt her or why, but when Charlee leans on me for support, one thing is certain.
Happy book birthday to author Allie Shante and congratulations on the release of Live Like Legends, the final book in the series!
Live Like Legends (Living Legend Book 3)
Publication Date: January 30, 2025
Genre: Fantasy Romance/ POC
angels/demons found family a fight for Heaven’s Gate hurt/comfort library spice I’ll always find you mental illness rep
Sometimes the light we seek…finds you instead
After the events in Purgatory, Dani hasn’t quite felt the same. She knows the fight for her soul—or whatever there is inside of her— isn’t over. Dani would take the realms by storm if she had her way, but the angel that has her heart would rather keep her all to himself. Nicholas just wants to keep her safe, but when a certain entity from her past pays a visit, the fate of her newly found family hangs in the balance. Dani can only ask herself one question when the time to stand arrives: What happens if she’s not strong enough to keep darkness out of Heaven’s Gate?
A final fight for happiness
Nicholas thought finally having Dani and getting the answers he was promised would be enough, but when his father revealed much more truth than he would have liked, he decided living in ignorant bliss was enough. The darkness that looms in his mind has settled but keeping Dani close and his father at arm’s length may prove to resurface old wounds. When things take a turn for the worst and his happiness is threatened, he will have to put his pride aside to ask for help. Nicholas will learn that the power to fight and win comes from the one thing he was born out of: love.
When investment banker Adrian and software engineer Rowena started the day, they didn’t expect to end it engaged!
But Adrian has invented a fake fiancée to impress his CEO, regretting the lie almost immediately, and now he is in hot water. Meanwhile, Rowena’s career has just gone up in flames, leaving her unemployed, unexpectedly expecting with no father in the picture, and short of options. When fate throws these two hot messes into a meet-cute of epic proportions, it’s a match made in rock-bottom heaven. They say love is blind, and with nothing to lose, Adrian gets down on one knee… and Rowena says yes!
The rules of engagement are simple: Pretend to be madly in love Keep their real lives separate Absolutely, positively do NOT catch feelings
However, faking it is harder than they thought, especially when every overnight stay comes with only one bed and zero personal space—blurring that imaginary line between ‘just business’ and ‘definitely personal.’
Soon, their carefully constructed charade starts to feel alarmingly… real. Can Adrian and Rowena stick to their engagement pact, or will their fake relationship graduate to something authentically messy, complicated, and wonderful?
Find out in this hilarious, heartwarming tale of two strangers who said “I do” before they even said “Hello.” Because sometimes, the worst day of your life just might lead to the best mistake you’ll ever make.
If the Ring Fits is an age gap, marriage of convenience rom-com with a multi-millionaire MMC and a STEM FMC perfect for fans of Lynn Painter, Sarah Adams and Fallon Ballard**
Camilla Isley is an engineer who left science behind to write bestselling contemporary rom-coms set all around the world. She lives in Italy and her first title for Boldwood, The Love Theorem, a Hollywood-meets-STEM romance, was be published in June 2023.
My thoughts: These loosely interconnected rom coms are a lot of fun, and this one’s no exception.
Getting fired on the day she’s just learnt that she’s pregnant with her awful ex’s baby isn’t exactly what Rowena planned. Her day could be going better, but when a handsome stranger throwing up in the bathroom stall next to where she’s throwing up, suggests they play fake fiancée to convince his boss he’s not all about work, without really hesitating, she says “why not?” And it gets crazier from there.
The handsome stranger is Adrian, a financial whizz who’s in line for CEO but his boss wants to see more from him, basically he needs to get a life. And he’s invented a pregnant fiancée in a panic, now he actually needs to find one.
As the pair play house (albeit with a housekeeper, driver, maids and very little to do around the huge fancy apartment) and try to convince people they’re madly in love and not plotting their relationship on a spreadsheet, the inevitable happens.
But will it be ok? Can a romance you cooked up in a desperate moment actually become something real? Well, you’ll have to read it and find out! I’m not telling.
Fun, funny and hugely entertaining, I can’t wait for the next one!
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
Escape to a beautiful Italian island with this wonderfully romantic story, threaded with secrets and intrigue.
It’s time to return to Ischia…
Alessia knows her grandmother grew up on the beautiful Italian island off the coast from Naples. But Ornella seldom talks about her life there – or why she never went back.
So Alessia is amazed when Ornella reveals that, in the months before she left Ischia, she had worked on the set of a famous 1950s movie filmed on the island. Is there a link between the film set and the tragic death of Ornella’s teenage sister? Ornella has kept her past – and the heart-wrenching promise she made – a secret for over sixty years. She has tried not to think about the love she gave up. But now, perhaps the truth should finally be revealed…
Travelling to Ischia together, Alessia falls in love with the utterly captivating island. Meeting handsome journalist Roberto helps her dig deeper into her family’s past, too. Just what happened to Ornella’s sister? What heart-wrenching secret is her grandmother hiding?
This summer, can Alessia and Ornella put the past to rest and find the happy ending they both deserve?
A wonderfully escapist, romantic and compelling story of secrets and sacrifice, love and loyalty, that is perfect for fans of Karen Swan, Louise Douglas and Rosanna Ley.
Victoria Springfield writes contemporary ‘wish you were here’ evocative women’s fiction set in Italy. Her feel-good books follow unforgettable characters of all ages as they deal with love, loss, friendship and family secrets. Readers can feel the sunshine!
Facebook: VictoriaSpringfieldAuthor
Twitter: @VictoriaSwrites
Instagram: @victoriaswrites
My thoughts: This was a lovely, sun drenched read, perfect for chilly January, although it would work pretty much any time!
Ornella never talks about her past, or why she and her husband left Ischia to move to the UK when they did, so her apparently sudden decision to open up and then to return takes granddaughter Alessia by surprise. Triggered by the death of an Italian film star, Ornella’s story takes us back to the 1950s full of glamour and tragedy.
In the present day Alessia and journalist Roberto delve into the events of that past, searching for answers, the stories don’t add up and there has to be more to it. A tragic event throws their investigation into relief as history seems to be repeating itself, but can something good come from so much sadness?
Romantic and sweeping, with the Mediterranean glistening in the background, this little island has a story to tell. Inspired by the truly glamorous film stars who once graced Italy’s southern coast and its unique history, this transported me to the warm glow of an Italian summer. Marvellous.
*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 Spell Caster by Tamsin Hawthorn will be FREE on Amazon from Jan 20-24. Grab a copy now! You won’t regret it!
The Spell Caster: A Witchy Paranormal Romance (Spell Caster’s Familiar Book 1)
Publication Date: August 1, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Romance
🌙 Witches, angels, demons
✨ Smoldering slow burn
🌙 Epic conflict spanning several series
✨ Best friends to lovers
🌙 It’s forbidden
✨ He fell first, and he fell hard
✨ You better keep your hands off her
🌙 Found family
A failed spell caster.
Layla Rosen’s one purpose is to summon a demon familiar and become a spell caster—a powerful witch able to stand between the modern world of non-magical humans and the vicious creatures known as angels.
But when her summoning circle fails, she is left without a weapon at the worst possible time. The angels are stirring, tipping the balance of power in a war older than history.
With enemies closing in, Layla must find a way to fix her broken magic and put her life back together. She definitely doesn’t have time for this growing attraction to her childhood best friend—someone she’s forbidden to get involved with.
Jessica is escaping to the Greek Retreat to discover if running away from a broken engagement really can lead to a happy ever after. She doesn’t believe life works that way, but her future could depend on it.
The Greek island of Kynos is an idyllic hideaway, offering its visitors the space and time needed to truly appreciate the traditional hospitality. The locals are always friendly and ready to entertain their guests, while the daily activities offer many different ways to explore the island and its heritage.
Jessica is hoping The Retreat will provide everything she needs in order to plan for a successful future, but has she left it too late?
The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.
Chrissie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to avoid some of the issues her parents have left her to deal with at home. She hopes that visiting a new location will give her a different perspective and help her to find a way forward.
The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.
Pre-order Links
Publication Date: 22nd May 2025
Katie is escaping to the Greek Retreat to give herself some space to recover from an unexpected predicament. She blames herself for the situation she finds herself in and knows that something has to change, although she has no idea what she is looking for.
The Greek Retreat is a trilogy of standalone tales full of sunshine, surprises and love.
Pre-order Links
Publication Date: 21st August 2025
Stephanie writes contemporary fiction in the form of novels, novellas and short stories and her books explore a wide range of life’s challenges, dreams and responsibilities. The stories are all character based, so she has fun expressing each unique personality and the reasons behind their actions in a setting which always has a strong sense of community.
She published the AEGEAN SUN series of books as a fly-on-the-wall vision of life in a Greek resort during the summer season, the CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE series is set in a British suburban cul-de-sac over the festive period and the GREEK RETREAT trilogy is planned for publication in 2025.
Stephanie lives in Lancashire where, apart from reading and writing, she loves gardening and cycling and is a huge fan of the soaps Emmerdale and Neighbours.
Wanton Troopers is a historical romance set in the tumultuous aftermath of the English Civil War. The action unfolds in the cloud-wracked autumn of 1645 as the defeated Royalist Hugh Malahide returns to his Uncle’s impoverished estate in need of sanctuary; “He had half expected warmth at last and blessings, had them stored up as miser’s gain. But he had already been upstaged. The tableau that greeted him was not of upflung arms and welcome, but of a medical emergency in front of him, centred on a writhing, groaning heap of bloodied old clothes there on the floor of his uncle’s hallway.”
The ‘groaning heap’ is Tom Fentiman, a figure who will drag the hero, Hugh, into a whirlwind adventure of danger and betrayal, and into the path of the beautiful Isabella, daughter of his Parliamentarian rival, with whom romance and a happy life seems an impossibility, but one he does not resist.
Can this defeated Royalist reject the siren song of King Charles’s lost cause, and survive? Only armed by force of character and a charm-the-birds smile, Hugh sets about seduction, burglary and defying Fate.
Author Lindsey Erith’s background as a portrait artist provides the canvas on which her characters are displayed. Her keen interest in human nature creates protagonists and antagonists who live with her readers. The puritanical Fentiman comes to life on the page; “His nose was high, his visage hewn from good quality rock. A swag of jowls had started to sag off the square jaw onto blindingly white neck linen.”
Action and suspense whip the story along at a galloping pace. There is shocking betrayal, theft, kidnapping and rebellion; “Isabella saw human gargoyles up on the tower: mutineers with matchlocks, pointing long barrels. Their intentions were not innocent. Below in the square a prone figure lay in a spreading pool of blood.”
The romance is equally exhilarating as Hugh and Isabella attempt to resist their forbidden attraction; “Every hair on the back of Isabella’s neck curled, she held his hand against her face. The barrier was gone, he breathed and gathered her against him, she sighed and raised her mouth, giving, so the little room they were in hummed about him…”
A happy vein of humour also runs through the pages. The angry Fentiman’s whisper gains, “a head of steam like a kettle and rising in pitch.” And the disappointed Hugh, “felt like a tomcat whose fur has been rubbed the wrong way…”
Wanton Troopers takes us to a bygone era full of daring, greed, ambition and danger. Her characters aren’t cardboard cutouts. Each personality and their inner motives are delivered with the care and enjoyment of a masterful portrait. These heroes aren’t perfect, they are all too human, which makes them irresistible. The central character exudes determination, honour and fairness. Readers will cheer for him and fear for him until the very end.
Lindsey Erith was born in Reigate, the daughter of the photographer John Erith. She survived a girls’ public school and coming to terms with severe health problems before achieving a graphics Diploma. This gave her an entry to portraiture and strengthened her keen interest in character and likeness. Woven throughout her life has been an abiding passion for music, reflected in the poetic rhythm of her original writing style.
Her love of music led to the love of her life and a Valentine’s Day happy marriage to the distinguished classical music producer John Boyden, whose unwavering belief in her encouraged her to submit her first book for publication. Wanton Troopers, her new book, is written in the same style and period as Mary Florida. Each ‘Royalist Romance’ explores the heights of love and longing in the tumultuous aftermath of the English Civil War.
My thoughts: Hugh Malahide returns to his uncle’s house after the crushing defeat of the Royalists at Naseby, during the English Civil War, when it becomes clear that Scottish reinforcements are not coming. He’s lucky to get away, luckier than Tom Fentiman, son of his uncle’s neighbour, who has been shot.
Riding to his father’s house to warn them that Tom might die, he meets Isabella, Tom’s sister, who hurries to her brother, and their ghastly, greedy father, who has told people that Tom was dead. He’s a real charmer, intent on selling Isabella into marriage in exchange for land and money. With Hugh and Tom’s help she escapes one such entanglement and she and Hugh fall for one another – unfortunately he’s already married, although estranged from his wife, and so must fight the attraction.
He also needs to help his beloved uncle who is about to lose everything as a poor harvest and heavy taxes (to pay for the war) have left his tenants unable to pay their rents. But Hugh is clever and capable, getting into all sorts of scrapes and adventures as he waits to see whether the tide will turn for Charles I and restore the throne or not.
There’s lots of clever little historical references which set the time and place perfectly, like the many nicknames Royalists had for Oliver Cromwell, the burning of Basing House, the last Royalist stronghold, and the way that Parliamentarians and Royalists viewed each other, easy to identify from their very different clothing.
This was a really enjoyable book, if I’m honest I don’t read many books set during the Civil War (although Children of the New Forest was a favourite growing up) and usually prefer non-fiction (The Siege of Loyalty House about Basing House was very good) but I really liked this, I thought Hugh and Isabella were great characters and Hugh’s various adventures in pursuit of saving his uncle’s home and protecting Isabella, were really interesting and entertaining. Uncle Josiah and the housekeeper Luisa were very sweet together and the ending was bittersweet, coming as it did with two deaths, one that set Hugh free, and one that broke his heart.
Highly recommend this to both historical fiction and romance fans.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for a review, but all opinions remain my own.
We’re proud to present the cover for When You Burn Me, the first book in a brand-new series by Lorelei Johnson!
When You Burn Me (Enchanted Hearts Book 1)
Expected Publication Date: April 30, 2025
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Paranormal Fantasy
Paranormal Romance Slow Burn Fated Mates Forbidden Romance Betrayal He Falls First Witches, Vampires, and Demons (oh my!)
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
When fate strikes, love ignites—and some flames are meant to burn.
Sienna finally found a family in her fierce, tight-knit coven, yet her past remains a shadow she can’t shake. Haunted by the brutal loss of her parents, she’s determined to find answers. But when long-buried secrets resurface, the life she’s built is threatened by a danger darker than anything she’s known.
Damon has always been an outsider, an unwelcome half-breed in a faction of dark witches who thrive on purity and power. Trapped in a world that rejects him, he’s resigned himself to isolation—because no one leaves the Order alive. But when he meets Sienna Quinn, she calls to something in him he thought was long dead, and he’ll risk everything to keep it.
Their worlds weren’t meant to collide, yet their connection is undeniable. They know the rules: light and dark don’t mix. But rules were made to be broken… if they can survive the fallout. Torn between loyalty and desire, will they defy everything they’ve ever known or will it all go up in flames?
When You Burn Me is the captivating first book in the Enchanted Hearts series. Filled with slow-burn tension, forbidden desire, and the magnetic pull of fated mates, this steamy paranormal romance by Lorelei Johnson will leave you spellbound
angels/demons
Paranormal Romance
ramblingmads 