Blog Tour + Review: A Change in Plans (Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series #17) by Mike Martin @mike54martin @pumpupyourbook

 

Food, family, friends and a few dead bodies…

RCMP officer Winston Windflower’s rare afternoon off gets interrupted when a hit and run turns into murder and he must pull together a team of Mounties from Newfoundland to resolve the crime. Following the money and fentanyl— and bodies—Windflower and his team join forces with police officers in southern Ontario to take down an international drug-smuggling ring.

Windflower must face personal doubts and fears when fellow Mountie Fil Romano is kidnapped. While the higher-ups at HQ make plans to give safe passage to the drug lords in return for Romano’s life, Windflower worries Romano will get caught in the crossfire. Windflower again looks to his friends and allies for help in the difficult hours and days ahead. 

╰┈➤Book Details

• Genre: Mystery
• Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery/Police Procedural
• Language: English
• Pages: 278
• Paperback ISBN: TBA

A Change in Plans is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“When a Mountie is kidnapped, it further complicates matters. As the tension keeps increasing, the action reaches a fever pitch. This author knows how to keep the plot moving swiftly to keep readers hooked. You will enjoy spending time with Windflower, a hero who’s clever, brave, and endlessly resourceful.” – Steven Finkelstein

“Readers cannot help but enjoy this series. Even though there are some nail biting, adrenaline pumping things going on, it is balanced out by the personal parts of the story. Yes, Windflower could be chasing down a killer or a drug dealer, but he is always grounded with his wife and two daughters, his friends and his community. I personally enjoy when he does his smudging and reconnects with his deceased Auntie and Uncle and gives back to the earth.” – Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

╰┈➤Read if you love…

 Mystery 

̷̊̊̊̊̊ International Drug-Smuggling Ring

Kidnapping 

Dead Bodies

Canadian Mounties to the Rescue

Edge of Your Seat Excitement

Excerpt:

Summer was nearing its end in the small town of Grand Bank on the eastern shore of Canada. Winston Windflower, husband, father and RCMP officer, was enjoying some quiet time while his wife, Sheila Hillier, and their two girls, Amelia Louise and Stella, were in St. John’s for their annual back-to-school shopping spree. He was alone except for his four-legged friends. Lady, an eight-year-old collie, was still frisky and ready to go for a walk as always. Molly, the cat, was ageless and just about lifeless as she sat in her bed waiting for the next treat to fall in front of her.

It was a fine, sunny day as Windflower looked out of their home onto the Atlantic Ocean. Because it was so nice, he had taken the afternoon off for picking berries. The summer had been unusually hot and sticky, and that meant the berries were out a little earlier than usual. His fervent hope was that his special picking spot had not been disturbed by early pickers trampling down bushes and limiting the harvest.

If things went well, he could pick a gallon of berries in a couple of hours, and if he was super lucky, Sheila would make something fabulous with the blueberries when she got back. Maybe a pie or even one of her blueberry specialties. Windflower salivated when he imagined all of that deliciousness. He grabbed a couple of Tupperware containers and a bottle of water and then headed for his favourite spot.

There was a congregation of berry pickers at the closest picking location, just past the clinic. Bent over, they paid him little attention. He didn’t mind being ignored. The area was too busy and crowded for him. He took the trail down by the brook and then up the hill to the lookout. He paused for a moment to take in the majestic view of Grand Bank. Windflower glanced over the brook to the town and the wharf, all the way to the craggy outcrop that the locals called the Cape. Then he continued on up over the hill and towards the other side.

He veered off the path about halfway down and was very pleased to find his desired location calm and untouched. He said a silent prayer of thanks to Creator and began his task. Some people would have thought of this as work, but Windflower found berry picking both meditative and spiritual. It reconnected him to the land and made him think of his early days growing up on the reserve in Pink Lake, Alberta. His Cree family would all go berry picking for the day, bringing a lunch and a kettle to make tea.

He soon had one container filled and was working on the second when his pocket buzzed. He checked the number on his phone. It was Corporal Samira Gupta, his right-hand assistant, calling from the bigger community of Marystown. He had made arrangements with his boss, Superintendent Ron Quigley, that he would take the job as acting inspector for the region as long as he could stay in Grand Bank and have an assistant in Marystown. Gupta filled her role perfectly.

“What’s up, Corporal?” asked Windflower.

“Sorry to bother you,” said Gupta. “Betsy said you were off. But I thought you should know. We had a hit and run in Marystown. Over near Walmart. A woman in her forties is in hospital. Sergeant Tizzard is on the scene.” Eddie Tizzard was one of Windflower’s long-time friends and co-workers. They’d been working together for the last 10 years in one way or another.

“That’s a dangerous area,” said Windflower. “How is the woman?”

“She was unconscious when they brought her to the hospital in Burin,” said Gupta. “But no other information so far.”

“And the driver?”

“We’re working on it. Tizzard has a team doing interviews from the scene.”

“It’s busy around there. Somebody would have seen something.”

“That was our thinking, too,” Gupta agreed. “If we don’t get anything back soon from the canvass, we’ll do a media hit.”

“Perfect. Keep me posted.”

Now that his reverie had been disrupted, Windflower packed up his stuff and headed back down to his car. He was driving towards home when he noticed the driver of a passing car flashing their headlights at him. He slowed down and pulled over and then went to see if they were okay. As he got closer, he squinted to see Moira Stoodley, co-owner of the Mug-Up Café, the best and only diner in Grand Bank, in the driver’s seat. She was also the wife of his best friend, Herb Stoodley, who was tutoring him in two very diverse subjects—classical music, about which Windflower knew next to nothing before he met Herb, and trout and salmon fishing, which he thought he had mastered but now realized he was only a beginner.

He assumed Moira had stopped him to say hello or to pass along a message from her husband. But it was much more serious.

“I saw Mike Winger, that crazy-looking guy, back on the road,” said Moira. “It looked like his wheelchair had tipped over. A few young fellers were helping him get back up. But he looked in bad shape. Had a cut over his forehead. I asked him if he was okay. He told me to mind my business and went on home. You might want to check in on him.”

It wasn’t exactly his job to look after wandering locals, but it had become expected of the lone police officer in the community. He may have the high and mighty title of acting inspector, but his day job consisted of part-time social worker, youth counsellor and senior companion when he wasn’t solving crimes or directing the limited amount of traffic that Grand Bank produced.

Helping citizens in distress certainly fell into his ‘other related duties’, and Mike Winger seemed to be in constant need of assistance of one kind or another. Mostly of his own doing.

Windflower knew a little about the man from his many interactions with him. Winger was an American and a veteran of the Gulf Wars. After he left the military, he got certified as a refrigeration mechanic and started wandering around, first in the United States and then into Canada. He ended up in the Grand Bank area working for fish plants and discovered a place where nobody really knew him but welcomed him anyway.

Mike Winger finally felt at home. He bought a house and found a girl who eventually moved in.

His life seemed perfect until… the crash that changed his life. His girlfriend was killed instantly as his car slid off the highway to avoid a moose one late spring morning. He was left with one leg paralyzed and the other badly damaged. Stuck with his feeling of loss and grief, he turned to alcohol and then drugs. Then he became mean and isolated. His scooter was his only escape, but even that turned out to be another source of problems.

Windflower had rescued him and the scooter more times than he could remember. From ditches by the side of the road. From a farmer’s field. From the pub, more than once, when he had been asked to leave, none too politely. One time from the cemetery, although Windflower wasn’t exactly sure how that happened. Mike Winger was certainly one of Windflower’s pet irritants in Grand Bank. But since neither of them were going anywhere soon, they had figured out how to survive, if not get along, together.

– Excerpted from A Change in Plans by Mike Martin, Ottawa Press and Publishing, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

My Review:

A Change in Plans marks the seventeenth installment in Mike Martin's Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series. This novel is a fantastic addition to the series, standing out as just as compelling, if not more so, than any of its predecessors that I've enjoyed.

The story kicks off with a woman being struck down in the street, spiraling into a tale filled with drugs, money, and lifeless bodies. Sgt. Windflower, accompanied by his fellow Mounties, embarks on a mission to dismantle this drug operation.

From the very first page, A Change in Plans captivated me, holding my attention tightly as I hurried toward the conclusion to discover its ultimate fate. I found myself unable to flip through the pages as quickly as I wished, eager to see the next twist in Windflower's investigation.

I was thrilled when he enlisted the Mounties to assist in the pursuit of some extremely dangerous individuals. Windflower's character is truly admirable, and I cherish the moments he shares at home with his wife, Sheila, and their two daughters, Stella and Amelia Louise.

Let’s not forget his furry companions, Lady, an eight-year-old collie, and his cat, Molly. Lady enjoys long walks, while Molly prefers to lounge in her bed at home while Windflower and Lady are out. And mealtime with the family is simply the best; Windflower treats his four-legged friends exceptionally well during these times.

The narrative is filled with numerous twists and turns that significantly enhance the reading experience, including several unexpected surprises that caught me off guard. With each twist, my desire to turn the pages grew stronger. The mystery and suspense elements also contributed to making the story engaging and enthralling.

I wholeheartedly recommend any of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery novels to all fans of the genre! Be sure to pick up a copy of A Change in Plans or any of the seventeen books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series today!

About the Author

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 17 books in this light mystery series with the publication of A Change in Plans. 

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the year award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Visit Mike’s website at https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com. 

Connect with him on social media at:

╰┈➤ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore 

╰┈➤ Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin 

Sponsored By:

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Book Tour: The Road Home and Other Stories by Gene Altman @RABTBookTours

Short fiction collection

Date Published: March 4, 2026 

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group 

The Road Home is a powerful and emotionally rich literary fiction short story collection that explores the universal search for identity, belonging, and meaning in life.

From a chance encounter that propels a young mother into the glamorous world of high fashion… to an elderly widower rediscovering hope through an unexpected bond… to a troubled young man battling inner demons—these stories highlight the resilience of the human spirit.

Set across diverse locations and cultures, these compelling stories examine:

●     Self-discovery, emotional healing and personal transformation

● Connection, friendship and Love.

● Written by retired psychiatrist Gene Altman, this collection offers readers authentic, insightful, and psychologically rich storytelling.

At the heart of the collection is the title story, The Road Home, a moving exploration of what “home” truly means—not a physical place with walls and a roof, but a deeply personal destination where one is fully accepted and finds belonging, comfort and safety.

Perfect for fans of literary fiction, psychological fiction, and character-driven stories, The Road Home invites readers to reflect on their own lives and discover the strength to overcome obstacles by discovering unexpected inner resources within themselves.

About the Author

Gene Altman is an award-worthy literary fiction author, retired psychiatrist, and former professional photographer whose work explores the depth of human emotion, identity, and personal transformation. A graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Medical School, Altman brings a rare blend of psychological rigor and creative insight to his writing.

Before dedicating four decades to clinical psychiatry in Hawaii, Altman worked as a professional photographer in New York City. His candid photography and prose collection, Cityscapes: Intimate Strangers, earned praise for its evocative storytelling and emotional impact.

After retiring from psychiatry, Altman turned his focus to writing literary short fiction inspired by his lifelong passion for helping individuals better understand themselves. His stories explore themes of self-discovery, friendship and love—making his work resonate with readers seeking thoughtful, character-driven narratives.

With a unique perspective shaped by both psychology and art, Gene Altman crafts compelling stories that illuminate the complexities of the human experience.

Contact Links

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Book Blitz + #Giveaway: How to Love a Prince by Hayden Stone @writerhayden @XpressoTours

How to Love a Prince
Hayden Stone
(Being Royal, #2)
Publication date: June 1st 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

What happens when a playboy prince must find a respectable husband to redeem himself and secure the monarchy’s future when he unexpectedly inherits the throne?

When London-based playboy Prince Theodor learns he’s about to inherit the Danish throne, he must clean up his scandalous image by finding an appropriate husband. But his planned redemption arc to audition fake boyfriends to fake marry creates another set of problems, until a fateful trip to Corfu, Greece, leads him to Greek Prince Stefanos, of the former Greek monarchy, and challenges his guarded heart as sparks fly.

It’s too bad they accidentally sink a yacht, which inevitably leads to more scandal, and they must start apart. However, Theodor and Stefanos can’t stop thinking of each other, leading to heated, secret encounters between Greece and England guaranteed to set the tabloids alight once their secret is revealed…

How to Love a Prince, Book 2 in the Being Royal Series, is a light-hearted royal rom-com featuring fake dating, opposites-attract, and forbidden love.

For fans of Red, White & Royal Blue, Boyfriend Material, and The Unlikely Heir.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

When I pause long enough to go to the bar and get some water, I bump unsteadily into someone. “Sorry,” I manage, clapping a hand on the tall man’s shoulder in apology. It’s solid muscle under my fingers. He’s even more built than I am, and I’ve kept in good shape since my military service years ago and more recent modeling work after that. Before I settled into working with my business partner on our design projects.

The man turns around, frowning, his mouth open to complain. Then his eyes widen in recognition, beneath a tumble of dark, wavy hair.

Of course he’s hot.

I grit my teeth. A hot man is what got me in trouble to begin with tonight. Or, more like, said hot man got himself caught up in the tabloids and then caused me problems.

Also, I might be staring at the stranger.

Not being a British royal usually has its advantages in London. Less recognition, for starters. I’ve lived in London for years now, away from Denmark. I get less than I would get back home anyway, unless on the off chance I come across a Dane or a Danish monarchy enthusiast. Which, surprisingly, happens more often than one might think.

Except I’m hardly being subtle tonight. I want to be seen. Straightening to my full height, I stand my ground in defiance.

Let them photograph me. I insist.

I want Aidan to know what he’s missing. He’ll be sorry then, him and his wretched groom.

Except it doesn’t make things any better, and then it dawns on me I’ve still been gawping openly at a gorgeous man, with olive skin and black hair and blue eyes. Which, I’ve got to say, is a stunning combination known to do a number on me. He’s mesmerizing. I gawp like a tourist taking in one of the wonders of the world. Believe me, he’s one of them. Usually, I’m a shade more coy, to my credit, but I’ve had a lot to drink tonight, and my filter is off. In fact, my filter’s probably tossed somewhere deep in the Thames, like a votive offering right alongside some Bronze Age weapons and Roman coins.

“Prince Theodor?” He has an accent that I can’t quite place. It’s totally hot, though.

“Guilty,” I say flippantly, recovering in an artful facade of manners. I run a hand through my hair. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to crash into you. Shockingly rude. Would you like me to get you a drink to make up for it? Please.”

“No need. Already have one.” The man holds up his cocktail, complete with little umbrella and some fancy garnishes. His eyes dance. “You don’t know who I am?”

If I hadn’t been busy staring at his face like I was trying to etch it into my memory for all time, I would have maybe looked at his hand with its cocktail. Confession time. “To be honest, I barely know who I am right now.”

“Fair.” The grin he gives is spectacular, easy, almost familiar. His white teeth match his white shirt. I shiver. “I can see why you might want to forget tonight. Bad luck about the news.”

Now he looks sympathetic. My face burns.

Oh, hell.

Does everyone follow the tabloids? God, has everyone seen my embarrassment coming before I did?

Even so, do I want to forget this stranger? The probability in truth is at around nil. Around us, the dance music thumps on, people laugh and carry on around the bar where we stand in the shifting strobe lights from the dance floor, all purple and pink and blue.

And then, everything comes crashing down again as his words belatedly register in my brain. My mouth hangs slightly open. So much for finding the evening’s prospect. He’s murdered my opening.

“Ouch, man.” My suaveness has gone right out the door of the club and died on the Soho street. Probably by drowning in a well-trodden puddle. “You had to remind me about the news.”

“Sorry.” He looks contrite. Then he searches my eyes, with amusement lingering in his. There’s no malice that I can see, which makes for a refreshing change, at least. “You really don’t know who I am?”

“How rude, I should have asked your name. I’m sorry, my manners have vanished. Terribly sorry. What’s your name, then?” I ask.

He laughs easily, shrugging. “It’s Stefanos.”

I go back to staring. Something is at last clicking into place through an absinthe-induced fog. No wonder he looks a little familiar. “As in, Prince Stefanos?”

That would be Prince Stefanos of the former Greek monarchy. The Greek Royal Family remains, but in exile outside of Greece, spread across Europe.

“Yes.” Stefanos bows his head. There’s something completely charming in the gesture, almost shy. Certainly self-effacing. “And I’m very sorry about the reminder of the tabloids. I know they’re a pain for all of us.”

“You just re-reminded me,” I complain, but I’m smiling, despite the miserable night he seems to insist on reminding me about, like he’s delighting in a few more twists of the knife. And despite my best efforts to forget about Aidan. A stab wound is like that. My gut twinges. Or maybe it’s the drinks protesting in my stomach.

At any rate, I’m distracted by Stefanos, the moment of his glossy hair as he laughs again, ducking his head down as he breaks my riveted gaze.

“I’ve got to say, the prince-per-capita rating in this club is off the charts tonight.” I gaze openly at him, leaning ever so slightly in. Yes, he’s hot. Confirmed. As if there were any question about his hotness. The evening’s at last starting to look better and better. Thank fuck.

“Absolutely—”

Then, in turn, someone careens into me—and my flirting is officially cancelled.

Because it’s officially messy o’clock at the bar before last call.

And I’m drunk enough to not have my bones left for balance—and I crash hard, my drink splashing him first—and I fall hard right into Stefanos’s chest.

Author Bio:

More animal than mineral, Hayden Stone is a writer of fun queer fiction, especially with kissing. He currently lives in Victoria, Canada, and has previously lived in Vancouver, Canada and London, UK. He likes strong coffee and is owned by two cats. You can find out his latest news on Twitter or Instagram, or at his website: haydenstonebooks.com

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GIVEAWAY!

How to Love a Prince Blitz

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Teaser: Shadow by Anne Kane @AnneKane @RABTBookTours @changelingpress

 

Riptide MC, Books 6

MC Romance

Date Published: June 6, 2026

Publisher: ChangelingPress

In my world, loyalty is everything and Wynter is mine. Mess with her, you answer to me.

Wynter -- Scary Guy lived up to his name, threatening to rape me and sell me as a whore. Not happening. I reached for the hidden blade at my ankle just as a tattooed biker wearing a Riptide MC cut stepped in to save me. The dude knew how to handle an asshole like Scary Guy without breaking a sweat. Gorgeous as he is, this biker isn’t just eye candy. I find myself kissing him in the middle of a crowd of nerds and superheroes. I have a thing for tough guys with tattoos. My head tells me to run, but I want more. I want him.

Shadow -- I noticed her the second she slipped in front of us, alert and watchful like she expected trouble just for existing. When some ape starts pawing her, I step in. Nobody manhandles a woman in front of me. I pretend she belongs to me, and she plays right along. I’m willing to do more than just talk tough if the bastard won’t back off. When he proves how stupid he is, attacking her in the parking lot, I’ve got the excuse I needed to beat some sense into him. Wynter’s mine, whether she knows it or not. Trouble’s not finished with her, and neither am I.

Excerpt

Copyright ©2026 Anne Kane

Wynter

I glanced over my shoulder. He was still there.

I’d dubbed him Scary Guy.

I tried to convince myself I was just being paranoid and the guy just happened to be headed in the same direction as me. I’d never seen him before; I was sure of that. You didn’t forget a face like his with a jagged scar down the side of his cheek and a spider web with a skull in the center tattooed on his neck. There was no reason for him to be fixated on me.

I certainly wasn’t the kind of woman men liked to fantasize over. I was short, wiry, and dressed as a Browncoat, one of the characters out of my favorite sci-fi series. I didn’t have a spectacular rack or an hourglass figure and my hair hung in a single braid down my back, the only way I’d found to keep it from exploding into a messy tangle.

I assessed him out of the corner of my eye. He was big and solid, although at this distance it was hard to tell if that bulk was muscles or a beer belly. He had on some kind of dark costume with a black cape that fell to mid-thigh. This was a comic book convention, so his outfit wasn’t all that strange. I had no idea who he thought he looked like. I swear ninety percent of the people here wore capes of some type. It could be anybody or nobody.

He looked dangerous, though, the kind of guy you avoid being caught alone with. Unfortunately, I was well acquainted with the type. I grew up in the projects, daughter of a junkie too deep into her addictions to care about me. Self-preservation meant I’d developed a sixth sense when it came to creeps like this a long time ago.

I gave my head a mental shake. This may not be Dragon Con in Atlanta, but there were still several thousand people here. He couldn’t just drag me off to a dark room, even if he wanted to, so why did his stare send shivers of apprehension down my spine?

As if he could sense my attention, the asshole grinned at me and licked his lips. Yikes! If I had any doubt that he was focused on me, it fled right then and there.

“Excuse me.” I shouldered my way between a young woman dressed as Batwoman and a couple dressed as Shrek and his bride. Zigzagging back and forth, I headed for the doorway. Maybe I could lose the creep in the crowd.

“Hey, watch it!” A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle glared up at me when I accidentally stood on her foot. This section of the event was crowded, waiting for some promised celebrities to appear. I mumbled an apology and continued to wade my way through the crowd, trying to recall the map they’d handed me when I got here. The place was a warren of smaller rooms radiating off a central hall. I should be able to find a spot to hide.

A quick glance behind me showed Scary Guy was following me. My heart rate increased as adrenaline flooded my system. I had too much at stake right now to be caught in an altercation with anyone.

The crowd parted in front of the jerk with no effort from him. I got it. One glare from that face and no one wanted the kind of trouble it promised. I still didn’t understand why he’d singled me out. Just my bad luck? I felt like a rabbit being stalked by a coyote, looking for a hole to vanish into. I just needed to get out of his line of sight long enough to dart into one of those smaller side rooms and disappear.

It seemed like forever before I finally reached the doorway and plunged out into the main hall. The crowds were thinner here, and I took advantage of the opportunity to dash across to the far side and slide into the Marvel Comics section.

Not surprisingly, the room was crowded, people packed in shoulder to shoulder. For once my lack of height played to my advantage. Anyone scanning the area from the entranceway would have a hard time seeing me when most of the gathering towered over top of me. Making my way to the center of the room, I turned to scan the area behind me.

Nothing.

Scary Guy was nowhere in sight. I let out a ragged breath and put a hand up to my chest. I could feel my heart racing beneath my fingertips. So much for being a brave member of the Resistance. All it took was one creepy guy to send me scurrying for cover. He hadn’t even been that close to me, let alone within touching distance.

I inhaled deeply, trying to remember the meditation class I’d once attended. I needed to calm down. It’s not like this was the first time I found myself running from the hint of danger. As a kid, my life had been chaotic at best. My mother might have been a junkie who cared more about her next fix than me, but in order to stay out of the foster care system, I’d had to make sure she stayed alive.

Sometimes that meant doing things that could get me thrown into juvie, like pick-pocketing for rent money. It was more luck than skill that I never got caught. I became an expert at shoplifting and begging long before I hit double digits. I had a plan, and I clung to it like a drowning man clinging to a life raft. All I had to do was make it to sixteen without drawing the attention of Child Protective Services, and I could split. Free from the threat of foster care, I could do anything I wanted.

A simple plan, but a workable one.

Then my mom got pregnant again.

I have no idea who Star’s father is, and I doubt Mom did either. She was at that point in her addiction where she would sleep with anyone for a fix so there were lots of candidates to choose from, and none of them had names.

My little sister was born on a hot July day, in the back of a dealer’s van, and I was instantly smitten. Somehow Child Protective Services didn’t get wind of the birth, or they were too overworked to care about one more kid who wouldn’t amount to much. Mom brought the baby home, and I took over, making sure Star was fed and clothed and stayed alive.

I already knew how her life would go if I didn’t stick around, so it’s not like I had a choice. Star blinked up at me with those big blue eyes, and my heart melted. I promised myself then and there that I’d look after her.

Star wasn’t exactly a normal name, but then neither was Wynter. Mom had a thing for weird names. Maybe it came from having such a boring name herself, or maybe she thought naming my little sister Star would give her a chance in life. In her own way, when the need for a fix wasn’t consuming her, I liked to think Mom cared about us.

My attention snapped back to the present. Something was happening in the front of the room. A buzz of excitement swept through the crowd. I stretched up on tiptoe to see, but there were three big guys in front of me blocking my view. They laughed and joked with one another, oblivious to me or anyone else in the crowd.

Gritting my teeth, I squeezed between them.

No wonder the crowd was so excited. From a partially hidden door up front, four of the Marvel Avengers stalked into the room. Iron Man, Captain America, and the Hulk all took their seats at the signing table while the Black Widow stood up and swept the room with a piercing gaze. With a theatrical flourish, she picked up the microphone from the table in front of her. Laughter and excitement rippled through the crowd as she introduced herself and her companions as if everyone present wasn’t very aware of who they were. Showing off her agility with an impressive back flip, she landed in her seat and indicated the signing was now open.

The crowd surged forward, carrying me along with it. I had no intention of paying to have someone sign a comic for me, no matter how famous or agile they were, but the crowd’s excitement was contagious. It didn’t cost anything to watch, and if I got close enough, I might even be able to get a picture of one of the fabled Avengers on my phone. Star would love that. She was eight and loved comic books the way I loved to draw. I fished my phone out of my pocket and let out a sigh of relief when I saw I’d actually remembered to fully charge it the night before. Now I just needed to get close enough to that table to snap a picture or two.

The hair on the back of my neck prickled, and I glanced behind me, expecting to see Scary Guy. Instead, my gaze landed on the three big guys I’d seen earlier, still laughing and joking with each other. I’d noticed that they all wore leather cuts with some kind of logo on the back, and I’d spent enough time on the streets to know what that meant.

It showed their motorcycle club affiliation, and not the granddaddy going for a Sunday ride kind of club. That alone should have twigged my survival instinct, but for some reason it didn’t. They certainly looked the part of outlaw gang members. Tough, tattooed, leather-clad guys with muscles to spare, they had that aura about them that spelled danger. Not a bunch you’d want to mess with, especially if you were trying to convince the courts you were a responsible, law-abiding citizen.

The biker in the center looked directly at me, and a slow grin spread across his face. He lifted one brow as if questioning my attention. Damn, he was mouthwatering, although maybe that wasn’t quite the word. Appealing? Sexy? Tempting? Definitely not hard on the eyes. I could picture myself licking my way down his…

I blushed, but I didn’t look away. He looked like the kind of guy who wouldn’t be shocked by my home life or my mom’s abdication of her parental responsibilities. Maybe a carnal distraction might help settle my nerves before the court date.

A commotion erupted in the entranceway, pulling me out of my daydream. Scary Guy and his buddies were pushing their way into the room, knocking other attendees out of their way like might made right or some other stupid macho shit. Abandoning my silent exchange with Sexy Biker, I pivoted to face the front of the room. Hopefully Scary Guy wouldn’t be able to pick me out of the crowd if he couldn’t see my face. Not like we were old buddies or anything.

The Marvel characters were hamming it up, signing, and occasionally posing for photos. A couple of conference workers dressed in shirts with the Marvel logo on them were collecting money from the fans as they handed over comics to sign or the fee for having their picture taken with one of the celebrities. When the characters stood to pose with the fans, I managed to snap some shots with my phone, although I wasn’t close enough for details. I could tweak the pictures when I got back home, editing out the fans. With any luck, I’d have a few usable pictures for Star to gush over.

I jumped as an enormous hand clamped down painfully on my shoulder. “Thought you could get away, did you?”

Shit.

Scary Guy.

I couldn’t afford to just knee the asshole in the balls, tempting as that was. The courts would definitely frown on that. Plastering a calm expression on my face, I twisted around and drew my brows down in a puzzled frown. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

His grin was pure evil. “Not yet, but I plan to fix that. You’re coming with me to a place where we can get to know each other real well.” Keeping his hand on my shoulder, he swept my body with a glance that left me feeling dirty. “Real, real well.”

I shook my head, trying to resist the temptation to pull my knife out of its hidden ankle sheath. “Sorry, but I don’t think my boyfriend would like that.” I tried to shrug his hand off my shoulder. “He’s a bit old-fashioned when it comes to things like that.”

Scary Guy dismissed my imaginary boyfriend with a flick of his hand. “Where is he? My boys can take care of him.”

I narrowed my eyes. “I’m flattered you think I’m worth that much trouble, but I’m going to pass. I have things to do today.” I shrugged out from under his hand and took a step toward the back of the room. The people around us were too wrapped up in the excitement of the Avengers to pay any attention to my discomfort and shifted to let me through.

Scary Guy reached out to stop me, hooking one meaty hand into the belt at my waist. I twisted in his grip, and anger mottled his expression. “I don’t think you understand, bitch. I’m not asking you, I’m telling you.”

So much for playing the model citizen.

I reached for my knife.

* * *

 

About the Author

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008, and her fate was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage Publishing and just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first submission. Since then she has published more than thirty stories in a variety of sub-genres, all with a happily ever after.

She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys spending time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not playing with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing guitar, singing and of course, reading.

 

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Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

 

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Book Blast + #Giveaway: Love Across Time by Beth Ford @BethFordAuthor @GoddessFish

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddes Fish Promotions. Beth Ford will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Blurb:

Ashley and Thomas, a medieval knight, are in 1377 England, escaping from present-day immigration authorities intent on capturing Thomas. Having fled to the past to ensure their togetherness, Ashley is faced with adapting to fourteenth-century life, while Thomas, new to his title as Baron after his older brother’s death, is called to Parliament, encountering enemies there and at court as he struggles to build his own alliances.

Ashley's work at a monastic hospital is deemed “miraculous” but draws unwanted attention as potential witchcraft. Meanwhile, becoming embroiled in a political movement, she realizes too late it’s a plot against the King.

How can Ashley conform to social expectations, counter the plot, and still keep her relationship with Thomas, in all the turmoil?

Read an Excerpt

The scene at Newgate was much different than when they had left only a couple of hours before. The crowd of everyday travelers had dispersed, and de Landys’s men had been reinforced, though a few of them lay on the ground with arrows through their chests. Most of them stood with their backs to Ashley and her group, intent on countering the King’s men, who were heaving against the gate to break it down.

The two knights who had agreed to accompany her paused. Ashley glanced up at de la Garde. “This is your moment, Sir Matthew. Your future reputation will depend on what you choose to do now.”

Sir Matthew set his mouth in a grim line. He glanced at his fellow, who nodded at him. They roared past her and attacked the men from behind, slashing swords into backs and necks. Ashley used the distraction to dash into the gatehouse, where she paused only to slide the torch into a handy sconce on the wall. The King’s men were still tied up. She would have to trust that their loyalty to the King held true. Ashley knelt and used her dagger to cut through the ropes, starting with de Mantel.

“What’s the situation?” he asked as soon as he was free of his gag.

“The King’s men are on the other side of the gate. We’ve reinforced them from inside.”

“You? Are there any fighting men in your reinforceme

nts?”

“Yes. Two.” The bloody body of one of the traitors fell into the gatehouse doorway. Ashley forced a smile even though the sight made her gag. “See?”

About the Author:

Beth Ford writes historical and time travel stories that transport you in time. She is the author of the novels In the Times of Spirits, Love Between Times, Love Across, Time, and After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. She also writes the Cassie Woods, Reporter historical mystery romance novella series. Her work has also appeared in a variety of literary journals. She lives in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Connect with Beth Ford

Website ~ X ~ BlueSky

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon/BN GC

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

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Teaser + #Giveaway: Voices Carry Here by Gail Galotta @RABTBookTours

Mystery and Suspense

Date Published: 05-04-2026

Publisher: Mission Point Press

Do you hear the voices? Listen if you dare . . . You’ll get both the heebies and the jeebies in this unsettling new title.

A henpecked husband learns that “till death do us part” isn’t the end of the story when his dead wife returns.

A newly retired couple uncovers a pestilent secret buried beneath their dream home.

A young woman retreats to the countryside to discover herself, only to stumble upon an unsolved tragedy calling out for justice.

Voices Carry Here is a collection of short stories steeped in mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. Set against the beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, these tales will reveal secrets just beneath the surface of tranquil lakes, cries for help echoing from shadowed campgrounds, and small-town characters experiencing extraordinary circumstances.

Blending chills with warmth, author Gail Galotta’s flair for supernatural suspense is tempered with touches of humor, romance, and nostalgia.

 
Excerpt from “The Pestilence House”

We moved into our newly constructed home in early June. The first nightmare occurred just two weeks later.

I awoke to the sound of heavy breathing. Thinking at first that it was Ken, I swept my arm across to his side, but it was vacant. I quickly realized that something else was present in the room, something that was steadily approaching the bed. I lay there paralyzed, my back to the presence that hovered above me for a moment and then lowered toward my head. I could feel the subtle waves of labored breaths against the nape of my neck. I tried to scream, but terror froze my vocal cords. Is this a dream? It must be a dream! Where is Ken! Then, another sound invaded my ears—a guttural noise, like that of an animal. A racoon? A coyote? I jerked my head around and opened my mouth to fend off the beast with a mighty shout. Instead, my lips encountered the extended tongue of a different creature. His distorted face—with its bulbous nose and bulging eyes—scarcely seemed human. His skin was dappled with bruises and only thinly veiled the skeletal frame beneath. Suddenly, the tongue retracted, and the jaw extended in an effort to speak—or bite. I screamed. A bloodcurdling scream that vanquished the intruder and sent my very human husband rushing upstairs.

Ken turned on the light and sat next to me on the bed while I attempted an explanation of…I wasn’t sure what. He suggested that my nightmare may have been prompted by something I heard from the movie he had been watching. My trembling eased as he continued. “Sometimes I wake up and think someone’s at our door. You know, like when our dog used to hear a doorbell on TV.”

The reference made me smile. “I didn’t bark, did I?”

Although Ken’s theory seemed plausible, I wasn’t totally convinced. Especially after I suffered a similar experience a few nights later. Our cocker spaniel had been gone for several years, but when I felt the mattress yield to the weight of something at my feet, my first thought was of that beloved pet, and I instinctively adjusted my position to accommodate her. Then my eyes flashed open. Something was moving slowly along my body. I could feel the light depressions on the blanket, like footsteps in the snow. This time I didn’t scream. My breaths quivered as something pressed gently on my back and then my shoulder. I lay still, waiting to throw off the…squirrel? Rat? But when a whisper approached my ear, I bolted upright. Whatever noise I made alarmed Ken. This time the television was off, and the only ambient sound that could have possibly inspired my dream was the rhythmic breathing of my husband, who had been asleep next to me in bed.

 

About the Author

Gail Galotta was raised in Chicago with childhood summers in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

She’s always been drawn to the mystical pull of water, which often shapes the settings of her stories. An award-winning writer and former English teacher, she lives in Vulcan, Michigan, overlooking the same lake that inspired her earliest work. When asked what inspires her latest fiction, she offers only a cryptic smile.

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https://mybook.to/VoicesCarryHere

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Cover Reveal + #Giveaway: You Had Me at Meow by Gracie James @XpressoTours

You Had Me at Meow
Gracie James
Publication date: July 7th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Some girls get fairy godmothers. Abby Thompson gets a talking cat with a British accent and absolutely zero chill.

After her latest blind date—arranged by her loving (but relentless) mother—ends in a concussion, a wine-soaked dress, and enough humiliation to power Manhattan, Abby decides she’s done with dating. Forever.

Too bad her cat, Mr. Whiskers, has other ideas. And he’s suddenly sharing them. Out loud.

“Honestly, Abby, your taste in men is almost as concerning as your taste in sweaters.”

His mission? Fix her train-wreck love life and help her land her dream job. His qualifications? None. He’s a cat. His methods? Questionable at best.

But somewhere between the disastrous first dates, ruthless office politics, and the unexpectedly charming veterinarian who might actually be worth shaving her legs for, Abby starts to wonder…

Is Mr. Whiskers a miracle? Or a catastrophe with whiskers?

Either way, her opinionated feline isn’t backing down. And if Abby wants her dream life, she might have to trust the one life coach she never asked for. Her cat.

You Had Me at Meow is a sweet, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding your voice, risking your heart, and one very determined cat who refuses to let his human settle for anything less than purr-fection.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

Gracie James lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their sweet rescue cat, Pinky, and absolutely loves the rain. When she’s not writing swoony, laugh-out-loud rom-coms sprinkled with a touch of magic, she’s usually hiking up a mountain or eating chocolate like it’s a personality trait. Her creative peak occurs somewhere between “I should go to bed” and “well, it’s basically morning now,” and she considers sunrise more of a suggestion than a deadline.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!

You Had Me at Meow Reveal

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Release Blitz: Resilient Mental Health for Teens by Chad K. Smith, MBA @RABTBookTours

A Practical Guide to Calm Anxiety & Stress, Build Copying Skills, Boost Confidence, Improve Communication, and Strengthen ...

 

Teens & Young Adult, Self-Help, Stress Management

Date Published: May 31, 2026

Publisher: Growth Mindset Publishing

There will always be times when life is stressful and overwhelming, but with the right tools and techniques in your back pocket, you can bounce back stronger every single time.

 

School is stressful, your social life is stressful, and the thought of the future is stressful.

Sometimes it seems as though everything is stressful.

If you’re feeling the pressure from every direction, you’re not alone.

Whether they admit it or not, most teens feel this. In fact, research has found that 83% consider school a major source of stress… and that’s before we even get to social media or your relationships with friends and family.

Since everyone’s dealing with it, you might have thought this is just something you have to live with, but did you know that there are things you can do to fortify yourself so that all the stress, anxiety, and overwhelm can roll off your shoulders like water off a duck’s back?

There are a ton of coping strategies that take no more than a few minutes to perform that will make a really big difference in how you handle it all.

Better yet, you can develop the skills that will make it easier to navigate relationships and social situations so that your anxiety doesn’t get so high in the first place.

You’re about to discover it all in this practical and engaging guide, and you’re bound to start noticing the difference immediately.

 

Inside, you’ll discover:

• Exactly what stress is, why it happens, and how to catch it early
• ·Simple coping strategies for fast relief in any situation that has your heart racing or your mind swirling
• How to stay present (and why this will make such a big difference)
• What “the white bear effect” is, how it’s affecting your emotions, and what you can do to make all your big feelings easier to handle
• How to rewrite your inner voice, bounce back stronger, and build an inner strength that will carry you through life
• The art of healthy communication (with practical advice for dealing with conflict, setting boundaries, and much more)
• The secret to staying organized without burning out (take the stress out of deadlines and overload)
• Your complete social life survival guide: Make your interactions easier and less overwhelming both on and offline
• What to do when you’re worried that your stress or anxiety is becoming too intense for you to handle on your own
• Fun and practical activities to help you put your new skills into practice right away
• And much more.

 

If you’ve been told to “just relax” or to stay positive more times than you care to remember, you might doubt that there’s much you can do to make life less stressful and overwhelming. You might even have started to worry that you’re the only one who feels like this.

But how are you meant to relax or stay positive when you don’t know what you need to do to get there?

You absolutely have what it takes to handle whatever life throws at you and bounce back from stress, worry, and fear as though you barely felt it at all. All you need are the right strategies—and you’re about to get your hands on all of them.

 

Ready to armor yourself for life? Get your copy today!!

About the Author

Chad K. Smith is a self-published author, father of two, and dedicated mentor focused on helping teenagers and young adults develop strong financial skills early in life. With more than 25 years of experience in finance and an MBA, Chad recognizes that many people lack a fundamental understanding of how money works, and he is committed to addressing this gap.

In his books, Chad explains money, investing, and life skills in clear, practical steps that teens can understand and apply. He avoids jargon and lengthy lectures, instead offering real-world guidance to help readers build confidence, make informed decisions, and plan for their future, whether by saving, investing, or developing long-term thinking.

Chad distinguishes himself by making financial education empowering, practical, and engaging. His writing encourages teens to take responsibility for their decisions, build strong habits, and believe in their ability to succeed regardless of their background.

Chad’s books have become trusted guides for teens and families who want more than just information; they want action, growth, and a better future. If you are ready to build confidence, take control, and create opportunities your future self will appreciate, Chad K. Smith is poised to guide the way. Take the next step today by downloading a free chapter from his latest book or scheduling a family meeting tonight to set financial goals together. This simple action could be the start of your journey towards financial empowerment.

Purchase Link

Amazon

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