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Friday, April 17, 2026

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Fracture by Basar Gorur @XpressoTours

Fracture
Basar Gorur
(Shadow Sovereign Series, #1)
Publication date: April 17th 2026
Genres: Adult, Techno Thriller

A murdered diplomat. A dying man’s cryptic message. A conspiracy that could shatter NATO.

When U.S. geopolitical strategist Roger ‘Simms’ Osbourne receives word that his colleague and friend Aslı Green has been killed, he inherits more than grief. He inherits her secret: evidence of a sophisticated Russian operation that sank a Ukrainian tanker and made it look like an accident.

Sent to London to sell a critical NATO surveillance system, Simms quickly discovers his official mission is compromised. A powerful British political faction, backed by shadowy money and royal connections, is determined to see him fail. The deeper he digs into Aslı’s murder, the more he realizes the two threats are connected.

Forced to abandon the rulebook, Simms assembles an unlikely alliance: his embattled team, a mysterious operative named Katya who knows too much, and assets on both sides of the law. Together, they uncover a sprawling network funneling Russian profits through international shell companies to fuel a political war against the West.

But Russian Admiral Sidorov isn’t waiting for the dust to settle. His devastating military demonstration exposes NATO’s vulnerabilities and humiliates the alliance on the world stage. And lurking beneath it all is an even darker secret: Chinese technology at the heart of Russia’s most advanced weapons.

Now Simms must wage war on three fronts: political, financial, and military. Because if he fails, his friend died for nothing. And the next strike won’t be disguised as an accident.

For fans of Tom Clancy, Mark Greaney, and Brad Thor.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Ankara. Surveillance van outside Mikhail’s apartment. Evening.

 

Jack adjusted the lens for the hundredth time. Jones was sorting sunflower seeds by some private system known only to God and possibly his therapist.

“Stilettos,” Jones said.

“We’re not doing this.”

“We’re absolutely doing this. We’ve been here four hours. I’ve counted the bricks on that building. There are 2,847. I’ve earned a conversation.”

“You counted wrong. There are 2,846.”

“You counted them too?”

“Shut up.” Jack refused to look at him. “What about stilettos?”

“Women wear them voluntarily. On purpose. They pay extra for the privilege of balancing on pencil erasers.”

“Groundbreaking analysis. Call the sociology department.”

“I’m serious. Men’s fashion evolution went: uncomfortable, less uncomfortable, sweatpants. Enlightenment achieved. Women’s fashion went: uncomfortable, more uncomfortable, here’s a torture device from the Spanish Inquisition, but we made it beige.”

Jack checked the window. Nothing.

“Maybe they like being tall.”

“Platform sneakers exist. Wedges exist. Sensible block heels exist. Those chunky things that look like orthopedic equipment for fashionable astronauts.” Jones cracked a seed with surgical precision. “The stiletto isn’t about height. It’s about violence.”

“Violence.”

“Think about it. Historically, women couldn’t carry weapons. Swords, daggers, frowned upon. Very unlady-like. But shoes?” Jones gestured broadly, scattering shells. “Nobody regulates footwear. So some genius says, what if we put a three-inch steel spike on a pump and call it couture?”

“That’s actually not terrible.”

“I’m occasionally not terrible. Mark the calendar.”

The radio crackled. Static. The universe’s way of saying nothing was happening, and nothing would happen.

“You know they were daggers first,” Jones said. “Fifteenth century. Little needle-point shivs for punching through armor gaps.”

Jack checked the monitor. Still dark. “We are not talking about fashion history.”

“It’s tactical history. ‘Stiletto’ comes from stilus. The little metal spike Romans used for writing.” Jones pointed a shell at Jack. “It literally means ‘angry pen.’ The shoe is just a knife you can walk in.”

“You made that up.”

“Look it up. CIA even tried to weaponize them in the fifties. Program called Stiletto Rose. Pop-out blades in the heel.”

“Bullshit.”

“Swear to God. Total failure. Mechanics didn’t work. But someone tried.” Jones grinned. “Boredom is the mother of weapons development.”

Jack massaged his temples.

“Your ex-wife had stilettos, didn’t she?”

“Louboutins. Red soles. Cost more than my first car.” Jones found a seed worthy of consumption. “She never wore them. Kept them in the box. I asked why. She said they weren’t for wearing, they were for knowing she could wear them.”

“That explains the divorce.”

“Many things explain the divorce. Most of them are my fault. Some of them footwear-adjacent.”

The window remained dark. Jack was developing a personal vendetta against it.

The radio crackled.

“All teams, target vehicle approaching.”

Jack grabbed the camera. Jones swept the sunflower seeds aside.

“Finally,” Jones said. “I had a whole bit about platform shoes being siege equipment.”

“Save it.”

“Battering rams for the fashion-forward.”

“I will leave you here.”

Author Bio:

Başar Görür;

Writes geopolitical techno-thrillers grounded in institutions, leverage, and the real mechanics behind modern power. He has a BA degree in International Relations.

During his military service, he served on the personal staff of the Commander of the War Academies, working directly for a four-star air force general as an aide and translator. That experience informs how he writes briefings, decision cycles, and pressure under uncertainty.

He later held senior executive roles at PwC and at 3M Corporation headquarters, operating in multinational environments where cross-border incentives and capital flows shape outcomes. He now leads a private asset-management business.

Outside of work, he is a licensed captain and avid scuba diver who spends several months each year at sea and has traveled extensively. These experiences shape the Shadow Sovereign series.

Amazon / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!

Fracture Blitz


Thursday, April 16, 2026

Book Tour + #Giveaway: STRINGS by Jan Merritt @RABTBookTours




Contemporary Romance, Romantic Drama, Women’s Fiction

Date Published: 11-21-2025



With a national lockdown looming, a Southern journalist flees north, determined to jumpstart her career in the safety of a Minnesota wilderness, feisty and wary of entanglements, she piques the interest of a bored Native American rock star.

A pandemic is spreading across the globe. A national lockdown looms in the United States. A Southern journalist sees a chance to protect her health and jumpstart her career by escaping north to a Minnesota wilderness. Feisty and wary of entanglement, she piques the interest of a bored Native American rock star on his way home.

Robby Song’s career may be on hold, but Grace Wheeler is on a mission to build hers. To Robby, she’s an intriguing challenge. To Grace, he’s a distraction she’s not ready to handle. But the brutal Northwoods winter is coming. Grace flees back south . . . to soul-searching isolation and a puzzling middle-of-the-night call.

 


Interview with Jan Merritt

Could you tell us about any research trips you took for this story? Which places did you visit, and what made them essential to your writing?

I spent many weeks over the course of several years in northern Minnesota, specifically on Gunflint Lake off the Gunflint Trail, in Grand Marais, on the North Shore of Lake Superior, in Pequot Lakes, in Duluth, and on the Fond du Lac Reservation. I lived on a barrier island near Charleston, SC for 42 years. In Charleston, I have attended multiple Wallflowers’ concerts, one at the Art Deco Riviera Theatre. Those visits enabled me to describe settings effectively, hear accents, touch rocks, walk on sand, eat pie, paddle canoes…

What's the strangest thing you've ever had to research online for your book?

Rough sex

What research (history, mythology, science) goes into your world-building?

(for STRINGS)
Family/iron ore mining history
Gunflint Trail history
Ojibwe culture
BWCA environmental/political issues
Sulfide-ore copper mining/Antofagasta
Covid
Psychotherapy
Rock music industry

Have any of the people you've known, past or present, left a lasting impression on your writing journey? If so, we'd love to hear about a memorable experience that stands out to you.

I started an email correspondence with the director of the Fond Du Lac Cultural Center/Museum about the same time I started writing STRINGS. My dad’s family was from Duluth and had had generations of contact with the Ojibwe in that area, but I was born and have always lived in coastal SC. The director kindly agreed to answer questions as they came up about Ojibwe thinking and practices, at one point saying something like we are all humans, and everyone’s feelings are universal — most people forget that when they do negative actions. Typically wise and simple.

Do you write in the same genre all the time?

STRINGS is my first book, and it’s contemporary romantic drama and so is the next one, but the third has a definite historical element.

If so, have you ever consider writing in another one?

When I was in my twenties, I wrote short stories, but none submitted.

Which character, supernatural or human, do you enjoy writing the most and why?

People fascinate me, especially their relationships. I don’t think of myself as creating any character though. They’re already in my head…doing what they do…saying what they say. I just write it all out for them…like channeling. I almost feel guilty. Like I’m cheating, except sometimes it’s so hard or sad, even painful.
I started it because I thought if I wrote it all out, they’d be quiet and I could get sleep. Didn’t work.



About the Author


Jan Merritt is passionate about teaching both in the classroom and on horses, but brain cancer changed her life. Surgeries and treatments have left her with a new brain, one that does not have skills to teach middle school English or balance to ride horses . . . but loves to create stories.

Jan lives on the coast of South Carolina with strong ties to northern Minnesota. Growing up was filled with rich but conflicting narratives. Her dad told stories about his pioneering Minnesota family, egalitarian values, and the importance of self-reliance. They made annual trips to family cabins on a lake north of Duluth. But in her friends’ homes back in Charleston, she was immersed in plantation lore, tales of the Confederacy, and exclusive traditions of a social set that she was not born into. She is married to a musician who is also a mental health therapist. They have three children.


Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads


Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/STRINGSJanMerritt

Amazon



RABT Book Tours & PR

Book Tour: The Breaking of Time by J.J. Hebert @authorjjhebert @RABTBookTours




Chronicles of the Arvynth


Metaphysical Fiction

Date Published: November 25, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media



USA Today bestselling author J. J. Hebert's brand-new urban fantasy series Chronicles of the Arvynth begins with The Breaking of Time, a novel about a devoted father whose desperate act to save his son fractures reality itself, awakening ancient magic and drawing him back into the path of an immortal order he once betrayed, where love, time, and silence collide in a race against eternity.


🏆 Mariel Hemingway's Book Club Selection (Best Urban Fantasy):

"This novel is heartfelt, gripping, and memorable in all the best ways." —Mariel Hemingway, Bestselling Author & Oscar-Nominated Actress ★★★★★


ONE FATHER'S DESPERATE CHOICE FRACTURES TIME AND REALITY ITSELF.

To everyone around him, Daniel Ward is a mild-mannered accountant, devoted husband and father in a quiet New England suburb. But when his ten-year-old son chases a runaway soccer ball into the street, straight into the path of a speeding truck, Daniel does the impossible. He freezes time.

That single act of defiance exposes the secret he's buried for decades. His magic awakens the ancient order he once betrayed, the Arvynth, a brotherhood of immortal sorcerers devoted to stillness and death, determined to silence the world.

As his carefully constructed life unravels, Daniel must protect his family while evading the brotherhood that hunts him. Every second he steals from time feeds the void that seeks to consume it, threatening not only the people he loves but reality itself.

Forced to choose between sacrifice and survival, Daniel discovers the truth: sometimes the loudest act of love is defiance.

The Breaking of Time is a race against eternity, a supernatural thriller that fuses urban fantasy and family drama in a story about the noise of life, the cost of power, and one father's desperate fight to keep the world from falling silent.


PRAISE FOR THE BREAKING OF TIME:

“Known for his cinematic writing, strong worldbuilding, and character development, Hebert’s The Breaking of Time is an exciting start to a new series… lays a solid foundation for a much larger story…” —USA TODAY contributor

"This work will grab readers’ attention early as Hebert combines a diverse array of genres—fantasy, thriller, family road novel, and others—into a fast-paced, character-driven adventure... An exciting, tightly written tale of magic... Our verdict: Get it.” —Kirkus Reviews

"The Breaking of Time is meticulously crafted to explore themes of love, loss, redemption, and the struggle to balance personal desires with greater responsibilities." —BookLife/Publishers Weekly (EDITOR'S PICK)

"The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth delivers cinematic urban fantasy that bridges generations, echoing the mythic gravity and moral weight of J.R.R. Tolkien while unfolding within a sleek, contemporary world... This is prestige fantasy..." —Jesse Metcalfe, Award-Winning Actor ★★★★★

"An immersive paranormal thriller that balances the rich worldbuilding and in-depth lore characteristic of fantasy fiction with the all-too-human dramas of identity, family, and the consequences of secrecy." —Independent Book Review (STARRED review)

“If you like magic that feels tactile and real, or if you enjoy emotional stakes wrapped inside supernatural danger, this book will hit the spot.” —Literary Titan★★★★★ (Gold Winner, Literary Titan Book Award: Fiction 2026)

“A smartly plotted supernatural thriller with a strong, charismatic protagonist to root for.” —The Wishing Shelf ★★★★★

"A winning blend of the supernatural and family adventure that crackles with heart and imagination." —BestThrillers ★★★★★

 


About the Author

 

J. J. Hebert is the #1 Amazon, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of nine books, including his acclaimed debut Unconventional and The Backwards K, which, according to Newsweek, is currently in development for film adaptation. His latest #1 bestsellers, both published in 2025, are The Breaking of Time: Chronicles of the Arvynth and The Hands-On Author: Taking Control of Your Book Marketing Journey. A lifelong New England resident, Hebert frequently weaves the region’s landscapes and atmosphere into his storytelling. He is also the award-winning CEO and Founder of MindStir Media, a leading hybrid book publisher.


Contact Links

Website

Instagram

Facebook

"X"

TikTok

Threads


Purchase Link

Amazon


RABT Book Tours & PR

Review: The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap (A Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery #7) by Greta Sinclair

The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap

A Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery #7

by Greta Sinclair

Published: April 16, 2026

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Cozy Culinary Mystery

 

Blurb:


Hattie Leiper never imagined her baking could earn a handshake from a famous TV judge—especially one that’s followed by his sudden collapse!

During a tented garden bake off at a Belle Meade estate, Hattie, along with her bestie and detective Bo Becket, must navigate competitive bakers, daily mishaps, and sugary secrets.

Her furbabies are less than thrilled about the whole event, making their objections known at every turn, but Hattie can’t ignore the nagging feeling that something fishy is at play. Was it a careless ingredient mix-up or something more deliberate?

Between a retired nurse with suspicious medical knowledge, a seasoned traditional pastry chef, and a tech-minded baker with a grudge, everyone becomes a suspect.

With Moose her Chow Chow, Mini Pearl, the feisty Yorkie, and crime magnet British Shorthair Cecils’ insights guiding her from afar, Hattie pieces together the clues—because even when they’re off-duty, her four-legged friends never miss a beat.

Four Bonus Recipes Included!

MULTIPLE BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND THE 2025 GLOBAL BOOK AWARDS SILVER MEDAL WINNER FOR 
A VERY STICKY MURDER.

If you enjoy clean cozy mysteries by authors like Ellery Adams, Ashley Weaver, Poppy Dennison, Jenn McKinlay, and Sophie Green, you’ll love The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap. Each book in this series reads as a satisfying standalone — no cliffhangers, no unfinished threads, just cozy charm and clever sleuthing.

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ BookBub


My Review:

Hattie and Gracie have received an invitation to take part in a local bake-off. They are experiencing a mix of excitement and anxiety as they compete in the event until the host, Paul, suddenly collapses in the midst of the competition and is taken to the hospital.

Was Paul's collapse merely a coincidence, or was there something more malevolent at play? Could it have been an act of revenge? Or perhaps Paul had information he intended to disclose, but someone intervened? These questions kept the narrative engaging right up to the conclusion.

However, there is no need for concern, as Hattie, Bo, and her three crime-solving companions—Moose, her Chow Chow; Mini Pearl, the spirited Yorkie; and Cecil, her crime-attracting British Shorthair—are on the case, diligently collecting all the evidence.

Some of the bake-off contestants quickly became suspects, raising significant alarm for Hattie, who found it difficult to trust them completely. She was wary of certain inconsistencies in their stories that did not quite align.

The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap left me deeply confused as I pondered what had happened to Paul and the reasons for his collapse. I kept wondering whether any of the contestants were implicated or merely unfortunate bystanders caught in an unexpected situation. The unfolding mystery kept me eager to reach a conclusion as each clue was uncovered.

I highly recommend obtaining a copy of The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap today to discover where the clues may lead!

Check out all the books in the Hattie and Moose Cozy Mystery Series I’ve read.


Murder, Music & Mischief #1

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Fiddling with Murder #2

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Dancing with Murder #3

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Murder, Relics & Rivalries #4

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Murder, Mistletoe & Spirits #5

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Heartstrings and Hijinks #6

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


The Great Nashville Bake Off Mishap #7

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Connect with Greta Sinclair

Release Blitz + #Giveaway: Death and Life in the City of Dreams by Nicholas Deitch @RABTBookTours


 


Literary Fiction

Date Published: April 16th

Publisher: Acorn Publishing



Jaded city planner Townsend Meadows looks out across Evermore Valley with the ghost of his dead friend by his side. “Do you ever wonder,” Fen asks, “what this city will look like five hundred years from now?”

Their city is teetering on the brink of collapse, and the mayor’s answer is a gleaming new auto mall at the valley’s edge. For Townsend, it’s the death of everything a city should be. Struggling to regain his passion and forced to choose between compliance and conviction, he must risk his career to fight for a more hopeful and verdant future.
From an architect’s vision at the dawn of the twentieth century, to a rancher’s dynasty scarred by violence and greed, to a city founder’s hidden message of hope, this story about the rise, fall, and reawakening of an American city reaches far beyond the present. A timely, sweeping novel of memory, corruption, and resilience, Death and Life in the City of Dreams asks, “What legacy will we choose to leave for our children?”

 

About the Author

 

Nicholas Deitch is a writer, architect, and advocate for social justice whose fiction explores the intersection of cities, history, and human resilience. His passion for storytelling began when a colleague recognized the emotional depth of his nonfiction work. Since then, he has honed his craft, publishing short stories in Litro Magazine, Club Plum, and Santa Barbara Literary Journal. His short story “Grace Eternal” won Best Fiction at the Santa Barbara Writers Conference (2019).

Death and Life in the City of Dreams, his debut novel, is deeply influenced by his experiences in nonprofit leadership and the design of inclusive communities and urban places.

Originally from Los Angeles, he now lives in Ventura, California, with his wife and creative partner Diana.

 

Contact Link

Facebook


Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N




RABT Book Tours & PR

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: I Love It When We Read Together by Karolyn Wallace @RABTBookTours



Children's Books / Early Learning Beginner Reader

Date Published: 08-12-2025

Publisher: Mission Point Press



I Love It When We Read Together invites reading partners to create their own special rituals with gentle prompts and endearing illustrations that encourage kids to read along, spot animals, and spark lively conversations. This book is perfect for building fluency and connection. Inspired by the literacy challenges of the pandemic, early childhood educator Karolyn Wallace crafts a cozy experience that helps families bring the joy of reading home.

 


About the Author

Karolyn Wallace is a seasoned educator with over twenty years of experience teaching in elementary classrooms across public and private schools in Maryland, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, and New York. Before that, she was a broadcast journalist at local news affiliates in Los Angeles and Flint, Michigan. She is currently part of the team at The Children’s Learning Lab, where experienced educators connect with elementary students for online learning. She divides her time between Michigan and California, enjoying the company of her husband, children, and grandchildren.


Contact Links

Website

Goodreads

Instagram


Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/LoveWhenWeReadTogether 

Amazon



RABT Book Tours & PR

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: The Magical Library by Aimee O’Brian @AimeeOBrian @XpressoTours

The Magical Library
Aimee O’Brian
(Charmed Love, #4)
Publication date: April 16th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

In the small town of Hazard, the past never stays buried—and love may be the most powerful magic of all.

Whitney Hopewell, Hazard’s newly elected mayor and former librarian, is determined to protect the town she loves. When a smooth Boston developer offers a sleek solution to Hazard’s affordable housing crisis, she’s cautiously hopeful. Derrick Cross is charming, intelligent, and undeniably intriguing. Convincing the local innkeeper to rent him a room feels practical. Helping him with his historical research feels personal.

But Derrick hasn’t come to Hazard to help. He’s returned to settle a centuries-old score. His family’s downfall is tied to the town’s founding, and transforming Hazard’s quaint charm into soulless urban sprawl is his long-planned revenge. Falling for the woman fighting to save it threatens everything.

As Whitney and Derrick grow closer, sensing a deep connection neither can explain, secrets surface. A hidden tunnel, a looming hurricane, and a magical heritage quilt that reveals dreams of true love force them to confront history, heartbreak, and desire.

This enchanting small-town, enemies-to-lovers romance weaves family feuds, magical realism, and heartfelt emotion into a story about forgiveness, fate, and choosing love over vengeance.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Whitney looked up and up at the tall, dark-eyed man before her, and her heart beat just a tad faster…well, galloped actually, even as she sought to rein in her reaction. What was it about this man?

The man of her dreams.

She shook her head at the thought. Ridiculous! Obviously, she needed more sleep. She drew in a sharp breath and gripped her desk to pull herself together.

“Good afternoon, Mayor Whit.” The quick flash in his dark eyes told her he was mocking her. But to be fair, she had mixed feelings about the moniker she’d been gifted by the town.

She gave a small headshake. “Stop.” She motioned at the guest chair. “Have a seat, Mr. Cross.”

His eyes took in the vinyl-upholstered, armless chair. It wasn’t the most inviting, looking as if it was there by design to discourage lengthy visitations.

With a glance at her, he sat, leaned back, and steepled his fingers.

Aware of his penetrating gaze, Whitney looked down and arranged the papers scattered over her desk into neat little piles. “I haven’t finished studying the bids yet. Your visit is premature.” She swallowed, hard.

He raised a brow.

Whitney cleared her throat. “What I mean…”

“I know exactly what you mean.” He directed his attention on her now neat stacks of documentation. “Do you have any questions? Concerns I might…alleviate?”

Whitney caught her breath and stopped herself from leaning forward. He was being persuasive, cajoling, and for an instant, it had worked.

And that just irked her.

Oh, not that he’d employ tried-and-true sales techniques on her, but that such behavior was beneath him. She recognized in him a strength and a clarity of thought that rivalled her own. The man exuded decisiveness. This conciliatory manner didn’t suit, not at all, and worse, it chafed at her.

Fine…he wanted to play? She would take charge of the meeting. “Tell me why you believe H.A.S. Homes is our best option for the housing mandate?”

He raised a brow and launched, running down the superiority of the company over all others. This was better; biased, certainly, but a presentation of definitive ideas on what H.A.S. would bring to the community of Hazard.

And yet, even when he was outlining all the reasons she should choose his bid over all the others, something tickled the back of her mind until, in a flash, it became clear why it wasn’t quite right. Everything he said only highlighted what Mackenna had called his designs—cookie-cutter. “Your designs are unimaginative.” The words popped out at his pause before she could edit her thoughts. With the words flung out there, his pause lengthened, and Whitney held her breath. Would he fill the silence?

Or should she?

Before she could come up with something to say to lessen the impact of her last comment, he spoke. “Is that what you need? Imagination?” She heard the subtle teasing, as if she had missed entirely what she should have been focused on. “How about, instead,” and now his tone grew serious, “how about homes people can afford?” He had a point, and Whitney was willing to concede him that, but she missed the enthusiasm he had exhibited before, and his next words dampened his entire presentation, as recrimination hovered within them. “This town has imagination to spare. What you need is the practical.”

Did she? Because Whitney felt like she lived her life in the practical and what she craved was creativity. She released a slow sigh. She couldn’t help it. She tried to keep the disappointment off her face. Ah, well, balance then, she thought. What she said was, “Is that right?”

Silence stretched between them.

Whitney felt unbalanced suddenly, talking to him alone in her office. What had been businesslike before now felt intimate, just the two of them intent on each other. She found herself hyperaware of his masculinity, seated as he was, a mere three feet from her on the other side of her teakwood desk. She gave a tiny cough. “Well, I need more time, and the council hasn’t met to discuss the bids yet. We will vote.”

“At the next city council meeting.” His gaze on her was unwavering.

“Of course.”

“In a month.”

She nodded.

“So…”

He was watching her, waiting. She shifted in her chair. Suddenly, despite the air conditioning blasting out of the vents, the room was too warm, the heat of summer overwhelming. She had no idea now what she could give him. It wasn’t her place to make promises on how the council would vote. She…needed a moment. “I’m going to walk to the library and let everything you shared with me settle in. I’ll consider your points and study the bids again tonight.”

“Over dinner?”

Her eyes jerked back up to his, even as they both stood. She placed a hand on her desk to maintain her balance. “Dinner?”

Author Bio:

Having lived in both California and Texas, award-winning author Aimee O’Brian now resides in the beautiful wine country where she writes dark, sexy, funny romance. With her three children grown and experiencing their own adventures, she and her husband are free to explore the world. When she’s not reading, writing, or planting even more flowers in her garden, she can be found stomping through ancient ruins and getting lost in museums.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X


GIVEAWAY!

The Magical Library Blitz


Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Review: Plagued World (EMP Aftermath #8) by Grace Hamilton

Plagued World

EMP Aftermath #8

by Grace Hamilton

Published: April 15, 2026

Genre: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Post-Apocalyptic 

 

Blurb:


Society collapsed. But the true nightmare is only beginning…

Bear and Laurel are still reeling from the attack on their small community. Their clinic has been reduced to ashes, and what little remains of their medical supplies won’t last long. They need time to recover—but fate has other plans.

A brutal illness rages through the battered community, and there’s nothing Laurel can do to stop it. One by one, Thunder Bay’s residents are falling sick. Now, Trent is infected—and getting worse. With only natural remedies at their disposal, time is running out. They have to stop the spread before it’s too late.

Meanwhile, Gideon and Sharon travel with Kate, desperate to leave old enemies behind. But long, dangerous miles still separate them from the relative safety of Thunder Bay. And to make matters worse, someone is following them…

With two frightened children depending on them for protection, they’d rather avoid a fight. But every time they slip away, their pursuers close in again. It’s not bandits. It’s not hostile locals. They’re being hunted.

And soon, there’ll be nowhere left to run…


Goodreads ~ Amazon


My Review:

An illness is spreading rapidly in Thunder Bay, and Laurel finds herself powerless to combat it without any medication. She is doing everything within her power to assist everyone while ensuring the safety of Mae and her unborn child, but now Trent has also fallen ill.

At the same time, Gideon, Sharon, Lisa, and Kate are on the run, particularly Kate, who has stolen a truck loaded with medications. They are attempting to reach Thunder Bay, but their chances are dwindling after they shoot one of the men who was firing at them. Their situation has escalated from a desire for revenge to a thirst for blood, putting Gideon, Sharon, Lisa, and Kate in greater danger than ever before.

The more I read, the more I was drawn in, and I couldn't have stopped even if I had wanted to, which I certainly didn't, as everyone's circumstances grew more intense with each page I turned.

I know I've mentioned this before, but I can't emphasize it enough: this is one of the best series I've ever encountered. The world-building improves with every book, and the suspense keeps me hanging on every word as I eagerly anticipate the fates of the characters. I wish I could turn the pages faster as I race toward the conclusion, not that I want it to end—certainly not now, and not ever.

I wholeheartedly recommend that all fans of dystopian fiction pick up a copy of Plagued World today for another exhilarating installment in the EMP Aftermath series!


Check out all the books in the EMP Aftermath Saga I’ve read.

Broken World #1

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Chaotic World #2

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Dangerous World #3

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Divided World #4

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Collapsed World #5

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Lawless World #6

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Sabotaged World #7

Goodreads

Amazon

BookBub


Plagued World #8

Goodreads

Amazon



Connect with Grace Hamilton

Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ BookBub


Book Blitz + #Giveaway: The Man In The Middle by Julie Lee Williams @RABTBookTours




A Tapestry of Tangled Lives


Family Saga / Fiction / Based on True Lived Experiences

Date Published: April 6, 2026

Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing, Arizona, US www.parulagrawal.com

 


A story of human connection between twins, between lovers, between comrades in war, set against the shadow of the evangelical religion and its judgments."

 

Based on a childhood of shadowy secrets surrounding her parents’ marriage and the rigid judgment of the Evangelical religion, the author attempts to find her truth. A work of historical fiction and romance, it spans the era of WWII and beyond, weaving the story of her father, mother and aunt (her mother’s twin sister). The unexpected twists and turns mirror those of our own lives, and readers can empathize and identify with the characters’ humanity as they struggle with their flaws. The power of religious judgement is explored along with the strength and resilience of individuals challenged by the ethics of life. This is also a fascinating study of the complexities of being twins. With the strongest of bonds that overwhelms their very different personalities, their love for the same man creates a gulf between them that threatens their entire adult relationship. It is also a story of a man and how he navigates his own journey after love and loss. When his WWII experience takes him to countries he has never dreamed of seeing, and opens him to the excitement of new cultures, he finds new meaning. At the same time, his bonds to his comrades in arms and their shared experiences of battlefield traumas leaves him with emotional scars. A story of secrets and the power of love, the themes of self-doubt and second chances are embedded in the narrative, along with the acceptance of one’s actions following painful choices.

A story of human connection between twins, lovers, comrades during World War 11, families, and generational trauma, set across the United States and Europe and against the shadow of the Evangelical religion and its judgments. A family saga of secrets, shadows, and unspoken enduring love, and its impact across three generations, based on a true story of lived experience. A work of romantic, historical fiction, The Man in the Middle; A Tale of Tangled Lives is based on the true story of the author’s parents. It follows their youth in the early 1900s in US, through the years of WWII in Europe, and after, and their lives as friends, lovers, parents, and elderly individuals.

This is a story of love and its many forms. There are no heroes or demons, only people dealing with their humanity. Or maybe there are heroes: Luke, as he navigates his life honourably and responsibly, while harbouring feelings for more than one woman; Anna as she comes to terms with her selfish impulses and attempts to overcome them; Pierrette, who recognizes and accepts that she cannot give Luke the life he wants, and that their love is not enough. Karoline is perhaps the true heroine of the book. A victim of the religious beliefs she is trapped by, she finds it impossible to love herself. Instead, she spends her life feeling inferior to her sister and undeserving of Luke’s love. At Luke’s passing, she finally receives the confirmation of her worth and her place as the love of his life.

 

About the Author


"The author lives half-time in San Diego, CA, and half-time in a small village in Southern France. This is her exploration of the unexplained secrets that shadowed her childhood and the consequences that haunt all our choices."

“I wrote this book to come to terms with my past. I wanted to understand the people who raised me, through the fictional characters of Karoline and Luke, who represent my parents and my mother’s twin sister, Anna, who represents my aunt. My childhood was full of love, but as I watched the individuals around me, I sensed a drama that excluded me. I knew my father had been in WWII and experienced Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and much more during the four years he spent in Europe. The way he talked about the world he had discovered there intrigued me and I knew there was more to tell, which he never spoke about. My mother adored my father, but there was a tension in the room when my aunt was present. A connection between my father and my aunt was obvious despite their effort to hide it. Through the years, there were inadvertent comments that hinted of a previous relationship between them, but it wasn’t until the end of my father’s life that conversations took place that enlightened me. I didn’t ask, but they each wanted to tell their story, their truth about what happened. This book is my truth, my experience in living with them and loving them. It is my attempt to honor them by exploring their humanness and accepting that we are each a complex entity.”

 

Contact Links

Instagram: @julie.lee.williams


Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/TheManintheMiddle

Amazon



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