The Harper and the Wells families have regarded each other with deep suspicion for four generations. The Harpers have been known to offer their psychic talents for less-than-legal purposes, and the powerful Wells clan has a reputation for playing both sides of the street. But for all the years of history and distrust between them, there is a mysterious pact binding the two. They share the responsibility for protecting a long-buried and very dangerous secret.
Sophy Harper and Luke Wells are shocked to learn that her aunt and his uncle have been sleeping together—and now they are both missing. Not only that, but the last traces of them are at the scene of a murder soaked in negative paranormal energy. Clearly, someone is willing to kill to obtain the secret their families have been charged with protecting. Despite their mutual distrust, which, as far as Sophy is concerned extends to Luke’s hellhound of a dog, they both know that the terms of the pact must be honored.
Their investigation uncovers a psychic trail leading to a bizarre desert art colony where nothing is as it seems. But Luke and Sophy are concealing a few secrets, too. By a strange twist of fate, a Harper and a Wells have no choice but to trust each other and the fierce attraction that is binding them as surely as the pact between the families.
THE SHOP ON HIDDEN LANE by Jayne Ann Krentz is hopefully the start of a new romantic suspense/paranormal series in the Jayneverse featuring two generational psychic families, the Harpers and the Wells, suspicious of each other but tied by a pact protecting a long-buried secret. If you love the other psychic/paranormal series in the Jayneverse, you will be excited for this new set of characters in present day Fogg Lake.
Sophie Harper is not happy about Luke Wells showing up to hire her to psychically read and clean a crime scene for him. When Sophie discovers her missing aunt and Luke’s missing uncle are together, they reluctantly pair up to find them. Sophie’s ability to read past crime scenes and Luke’s ability to connect seemingly random dots in a problem are perfect for the hunt as well as the nose of Luke’s dog, Bruce.
This story brings together supernatural elements from several past books and series from the Jayneverse; the Arcane Society, the Bluestone Project, and the disaster at Fogg Lake. Sophie and Luke, like many couples in Jayne’s books, seem to be completely incompatible, but are actually perfect for each other. The dialogue is always entertaining with Sophie’s sass and Luke’s low-key wit. While I wait for the next dustbunny in Harmony, I was excited to meet Bruce and look forward to discovering more about his past and current abilities. The suspense plot is full of twists, surprises, and comes to a satisfying conclusion.
I am always happy to curl up with and disappear into a Jayne Ann Krentz book. I know the crime will be solved and two disparate souls will find their perfect match. I highly recommend this new book in the Jayneverse and cannot wait for more.
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About the Author
Jayne Ann Krentz is the author of more than fifty New York Times bestsellers. She has written contemporary romantic suspense novels under that name and futuristic and historical romance novels under the pseudonyms Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, respectively. Jayne currently lives in Seattle, WA.
Art historian Mia is running out of time to prove her theory that the sculptor of an unearthed erotic statue was a courtesan erased from history—a scandal no one will believe. Chasing through Venice, she tracks down hidden details of Sofia, a powerful courtesan who seems to have left a trail of sex-fueled art buried across the city, but Mia’s now being followed, and even her boss might be in on the lie.
Meanwhile, in 1609, Sofia defies Venice’s unfair laws to create illicit art that could ruin her future. Her aspirations to become a great artist go up in flames when her patron’s wife steals her work and threatens her lover.
Four hundred years later, it’s up to Mia to discover the truth, but now she’s uncovered a world of art theft that could leave her ousted—or, worse, right in the crosshairs of the most powerful crime family in Italy, who will stop at nothing to force her to authenticate the famous statue. Mia’s only hope is to prove Sofia’s existence before everyone involved silences them both forever.
THE SECRET COURTESAN by Kerry Chaput is a dual timeline historical fiction novel with an interesting and somewhat unique historical timeline set in Renaissance Italy. I found the historical timeline emotional and fascinating as it pulled me into Sofia’s life, and while the present-day timeline with Mia is interesting regarding her art research, I found the suspense plotline not as compelling or believable.
Dr. Mia Harding is an art historian hired to authenticate a sculpture which she believes is not sculpted by the famous male Renaissance artist it is accredited to, but by a female artist erased by history. The historical timeline has a courtesan named Sofia Rossi, traded to an artist while she has longed her entire life to be an artist, which is not allowed in Renaissance Italy. While both women faced discrimination of a kind in their own timelines, I sincerely felt Sofia’s anguish of not being able to be recognized for what she was born to do and her fight to break the rules; while Mia did face professional discrimination, I never felt she moved forward on her own, but kept feeling sorry for the situation she put herself in. Also, Mia’s romance and run in with people trying to stop her from proving her belief in a female sculptor never hit me as emotionally as Sophia’s story.
I found the research and beautiful emotional writing of Sofia’s story kept me reading this novel to the end and I wish Mia’s present-day story made me feel more. Overall, this is worth the read for the atmosphere, emotion, and history of Sophia’s story, while Mia’s story is not bad, I was hoping for more than an average romantic suspense plot.
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About the Author
Kerry Chaput is a multi-award-winning author inspired by badass women in history. Born in California, she now calls the Pacific Northwest home, where she spends her days hitting the trails, chasing historical rabbit holes, and feeding her addiction to espresso and doggy cuddles.
BREAK MY FALL (Gossamer Falls Book #2) by Lynn H. Blackburn is the second Christian romantic suspense in the Gossamer Falls series. These books center around a large, multi-generational family in Gossamer Falls, North Carolina. Each book features a Christian romance intertwined with a suspense plot involving illegal activities and corruption in the area. While this story is a complete romantic suspense plot, I feel it is best read after the first book, Never Fall Again, due to continuing characters and criminal plot lines between books one and two.
Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned on returning home to the small town of Gossamer Falls to open her dentistry practice and help the underserved population in the neighboring area with a mobile dental clinic. What she did not expect was the amount of despair and corruption in the neighboring county and the small talk that will ultimately put her life in peril. After a series of incidents, the Gossamer Falls police chief fears for Meredith’s safety, but Meredith does not want him hovering as she fights her personal attraction to him.
Police Chief Grayson Ward has heard rumors about the neighboring county and is helping a covert FBI joint task force with information. When he learns that Meredith has been targeted, he will do anything to protect her, except open his heart to her. He has experienced several losses in his life and is not willing to risk his heart, but Meredith seems able to break down his walls. Can Grayson protect Meredith from those who want to hurt her, or will he end up being shattered again?
This is a solid Christian romantic suspense that has a good balance of two characters fighting their attraction while being thrown together in danger and having their friends and relations help and support them both. I preferred the first book more because this romance has a fairly large portion of the H/h not communicating which is annoying in a couple of their age. This is a Christian romance so there are no sex scenes or premarital sex. The religious aspects were never obtrusive or story stopping but fit in seamlessly throughout the story focusing on family love and forgiveness. The suspense plot was realistic with plenty of tension and apprehension for the main characters.
I recommend this enjoyable second book in the Gossamer Falls Christian romantic suspense series and am looking forward to reading book three.
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About the Author
Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!
She’s currently writing the Gossamer Falls series set in the mountains of Western North Carolina. The series will include three novels and one novella and kicks off with Never Fall Again.
Unknown Threat, the first book in her Defend and Protect series, was a 2021 Christy Award finalist, and her previous titles have won the Carol Award, the Selah Award, and the Faith, Hope, and Love Reader’s Choice Award.
Bah humbug. Bounty hunter Jake Hale hates Christmas. He doesn’t do twinkling lights, festive packages, and you definitely won’t ever catch him singing Christmas carols. What he will do? Track down the worst of the scum out there. The former special ops soldier makes merry by tossing the naughty into prison cells and getting a grand pay day. Ho, ho, ho.
Then a ghost from Christmas past walks through his door.
True Blakely is always at the top of the nice list. Beautiful, sweet, with an innocence that—yep, he might have been tempted to destroy once or twice—she’s there to hire him. There have been a string of dangerous accidents in her life, and True fears that someone is trying to kill her. Not at all the sort of case that Jake would usually take—he hunts down the criminals after they jump bail, not before they’ve even been arrested. But one look into True’s bedroom eyes, and he can’t refuse. Maybe he still is a bit too tempted by the girl who got away…and surely one nice act won’t kill him? For her, he can play the hero.
He’ll close the case and be home in time for Christmas dinner.
Except, on the first morning of his investigation, he finds a dead body. One waiting underneath True’s glittering Christmas tree. The attacks are real, and it’s clear that someone is gunning for True. But Jake is on the job now, and no one is going to hurt her. His protective instincts are in overdrive…and so is the desperate desire that he’s always felt for True. This time, he’s done fighting that desire. He’ll finally show True just how fantastic it can be when you aren’t nice. Welcome to his naughty list.
HOLDING OUT FOR A HOLIDAY HERO by Cynthia Eden is a hot and steamy holiday romantic suspense that kept me laughing out loud, turning the pages to figure out the villain in the suspense plot, and cheering for Jake as he turns from Scrooge into the hero True needs. This is a fast-paced standalone holiday romantic suspense with a great H/h duo and interesting secondary characters.
True Blakeley was the sweet, good girl in high school. Jake Hale was the bad boy who secretly wanted her. Now the former special ops soldier is a bounty hunter who hates Christmas, and beautiful True, the object of all his dreams, comes to him for help. Jake is determined to protect her as well as bed her. What he doesn’t realize is True has no problem with any of that.
Believable characters, fun dialogue, a well-paced suspense plot, and smokin’ hot sex scenes make this the perfect for me holiday read.
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About the Author
Cynthia Eden is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller.
Never miss a release from Cynthia Eden! Sign up for her newsletter at cynthiaeden.com/newsletter. You can also visit her Facebook page for her latest updates: facebook.com/cynthiaedenfanpage.
Cynthia writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate.
Today I am featuring Books #1, Three to Ride, and #2, Two to Love, in a re-released and updated erotic romantic suspense series “Nights in Bliss, Colorado”. I did not read this series when originally released under the pen name Sophie Oak, but I was excited to try a “new” Lexi Blake series.
All the books in this series are centered around the small town of Bliss, Colorado which has a very open and nonjudgmental population. Bliss is the town you may end up in accidentally or run to to hide, but then you stay because you are excepted and cared for by the quirky population no matter what trouble may be following you, and you just may find the love or loves of your life.
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THREE TO RIDE (Nights in Bliss, Colorado Book #1)
Book Description
Rachel Swift is a woman on the run.
A stalker sent Rachel’s world reeling. Now she’s running for her life, and Bliss, CO, seems like the perfect place to hide. Bliss is a strange little town, filled with artists, nudists, and the occasional conspiracy nut. It’s a good place to start over.
Max and Rye are just the men to catch her.
Horse trainer Max and Sheriff Rye gave up on their dream of finding one perfect woman to share long ago. Rachel walks in, and they’re both in love and fighting their true natures.
A town like no other….
When Rachel’s past catches up with her, all of Bliss is in danger. Rachel knows she should run, but how can she leave behind the love she’s found with Max and Rye and the home she’s built in Bliss? With her whole town behind her, Rachel is ready to make her stand. It’s time for her to get back in the saddle and ride.
THREE TO RIDE (Nights in Bliss. Colorado Book #1) by Lexi Blake is a dangerous, sexy, and humorous erotic romantic suspense that has plenty of characters to fall in love with and quirky small-town characters to laugh with. This series has been reissued, and each book has updates and two extra chapters. I did not read the first issue under the name Sophie Oak, but when I saw a “new” Lexi Blake series, I had to give it a try.
Rachel Swift is on the run from a date who could not take the word “no”. Because he is a police officer, no one believes her life is in danger, so she runs. Her car dies in Bliss, Colorado, a small town she discovers is filled with artists, nudists, and a lovable alien conspiracy theorist besides the normal small-town gossiping, but caring neighbors. Alpha twins, Max and Rye have grown up in Bliss and have always shared their women. Max runs the family horse farm and Rye is the town sheriff. Max discovers Rachel working at the local diner and soon both brothers are vowing to protect and love her, while she is hesitant at first about their relationship, she quickly falls for both.
This book is a solid, well written romantic suspense with a heroine in peril. The change-up comes as the hero is two alpha male twin heroes. The sex is very steamy, hot, and explicit, but the scenes do not overtake the romance, suspense, and humor. While Rachel is on the run and afraid, she begins to become more confident as she is loved and cared for not just by Max and Rye, but by the whole town. The dialogue is realistic and had me laughing out loud at times along with the antics of many of the town folks.
This is a great group of characters, the main throuple, and the entire secondary cast of inhabitants of Bliss all make you want to return. I highly recommend this fun, extra steamy, and suspenseful erotic romantic suspense. Looking forward to book #2!
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TWO TO LOVE (Nights in Bliss, Colorado Book #2)
Book Description
Three lost souls
Growing up in the eclectic, small town of Bliss was wonderful for Callie Sheppard. She loved everything about it, except for the lack of potential romantic partners. She only went wild once in her life, sharing a perfect weekend in Dallas with two incredible men she never thought she would see again. When they parted, she was left with a hole in her heart she feared would never be filled.
One romantic weekend
DEA agents Nathan Wright and Zane Hollister were thrilled when Callie agreed to spend the weekend with them. Just days away from a long, undercover assignment, they considered this passionate affair to be an ideal way to spend their last days of freedom. They never expected to fall in love. Leaving her behind was the hardest decision of their lives.
An unexpected reunion
Six years later, Callie is preparing to break in a new sheriff after Rye Harper walked out on the job. Her heart skips a few beats when the man walking through the door is none other than Nate Wright. Nate and Zane have come to Bliss, but their time undercover has left them broken and scarred. The boys are determined to win back Callie’s heart. But when the criminals they took down come seeking revenge, Nate and Zane may have to save the strange little town of Bliss before they can reclaim the woman they love.
TWO TO LOVE (Nights in Bliss, Colorado Book #2) by Lexi Blake is a suspenseful, sexy, and humorous erotic romantic suspense with a great cast of characters that had me laughing out loud, turning the pages to make sure the good guys win, and sweatin’ to hot and sexy throuple sex. This is the second book in the series and can be read as a standalone, but I suggest you read book #1 first for more fun info and backstory on all the town folk of Bliss.
Callie Sheppard loves her hometown of Bliss, but the dating pool is limited. She finally decides to treat herself to a set up by one of her best friends with two men in Dallas. After a wonderful weekend, they leave her a note that leaves her heartbroken. Nate and Zane are DEA agents and agreed to the sexual set-up for a fun night before they have to go undercover. They did not expect to fall in love.
Six years later, Zane is almost killed in the DEA operation when he is outed to the motorcycle gang. He is having a hard time recovering with PTSD and a knife slashed face and body. Nate feels obligated to help his best friend and accepts the open sheriff position in Bliss, Colorado where he is shocked to find Callie as the sheriff department admin. As both men attempt to win back Callie’s love, they are still under threat when a hit is put out on Zane from the incarcerated motorcycle gang leader.
These books are so much fun, but they also are well written romantic suspense stories. The main characters go through all the angst of a one-on-one couple, there just happen to be two heroes and one heroine, or a throuple. The men have been friends their entire lives, but they are not bi-sexual, they share Callie and are a committed threesome. The romantic suspense kept me reading, the town folk kept me entertained, and the sex scenes are smokin’ hot and steamy. The town of Bliss is full of wonderful secondary characters that make me laugh out loud as well as cheer them on as they protect those, they consider their own.
I highly recommend this exciting erotic romantic suspense, and I cannot wait to get the next book in the series.
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About the Author
New York Times bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband and three kids. Since starting her publishing journey in 2010, she’s sold over three million copies of her books. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance that she found success. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings.
Today I am sharing my Feature Post and Book Review for LOST HEART IN KING MANOR on this WOW! Blog Tour.
Below you will find a book summary, my book review, an about the author section, and the author’s social media links. Enjoy!
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Book Summary
Some secrets are worth killing for.
And some hearts don’t break quietly.
At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor.
What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda.
As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead. But can she trust her instincts before it’s too late?
Publisher: Independently Published (April 15, 2025)
ISBN: 979-8280071773
ASIN: B0F2ZML3M9
Print length: 347 pages (also available as ebook)
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My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
LOST HEART IN KING MANOR (Mysteries of the Heart Series Book #1) by Celeste Fenton is a romantic suspense/mystery mash-up with gothic elements set on an island off the Massachusetts coast in King Manor, a historic mansion turned into a senior rehabilitation and research center with a hurricane looming. This first book in the Mysteries of the Heart series by this new-to-me author kept me turning the pages well into the night.
Gabby Heart is a talented artist and children’s book illustrator who lives on Dort Island. She receives a call from the island while she is away getting her daughter settled for college in Michigan. Her mother is having problems on her own and when she falls and needs a hip replacement, she agrees to move to King Manor which is a senior rehab/research center on the island. The manor is full of secrets and danger.
The slow-burn romance has Gabby torn between two men, Rick and Jay. Both have secrets and motives that kept me guessing about who to trust almost to the end of the story. The mystery plot is well paced throughout the story with plenty of twists that had me continually changing my mind about what was really going on and who to trust. The historic manor with its secret passages adds to the gothic feel and the hurricane adds to the sense of dread, fear, and suspense.
I enjoyed this book with its mix of genres, well-paced plot, and engaging cast of characters.
I recommend this book, which is easy to read and entertaining and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
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About the Author
Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense.
When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.
In this romantic suspense series filled with intrigue, danger, and second chances, The Mysteries of a Heart Series follows the journey of Gabby Heart, a sharp-witted illustrator with an uncanny knack for stumbling into adventures of a lifetime and secrets worth killing for.
With each book unraveling a new mystery and deepening the emotional ties between characters, The Mysteries of a Heart blends pulse-pounding suspense with slow-burn romance and proves that sometimes the most dangerous secrets are the ones hidden in the heart.
