Labels

Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Review: Danger at Rare Reads: Small Town Secrets and Hidden Clues (Secrets of Hollow Pines: A Clara Thorne Cozy Mystery Series) by Jennie Jacobs

Danger at Rare Reads: Small Town Secrets and Hidden Clues

Secrets of Hollow Pines: A Clara Thorne Cozy Mystery Series

by Jennie Jacobs

Published: September 17, 2025

Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery

 

Blurb:


An old bookstore.
A hidden ledger.
A town full of secrets waiting to be unearthed…

Inheriting my aunt’s bookstore should be quiet work—until a ledger, a coin, and an old photo fall into my hands.
Small town. Big secrets.
I wanted peace. I got puzzle pieces and mystery.

Rare Reads holds stories, but Hollow Pines hides lies and scandals.
Eccentric neighbors peer through windows – making my skin crawl.

My partner, Tibbs, has paws, whiskers, and an appetite for trouble.
Gossip travels faster than Tibbs can chase a moth.

Old fires burn behind every smile, and even Deputy Eli can’t look away.
Aunt Vera’s secrets tangle with my own, and every clue tightens the knot.

The past is restless and demands release.

With every page I turn, the danger grows, and I somehow become the next chapter.
I chase answers through dust and shadow, but something—or someone—won’t let me close the book.


Goodreads ~ Amazon


My Review:

Clara Thorne takes over her Aunt Vera’s old bookstore, but she quickly realizes that she has inherited much more. Indeed, Clara has also come into possession of the town's significant secrets, which are far from trivial. There’s something strange and suspicious happening in Hollow Pines, and Clara is just the right person to uncover what it all means. Naturally, she has a sidekick in her cat, Tibbs, who is her partner in this adventure.

Clara arrived in Hollow Pines with the intention of tidying up the bookstore and preparing it for sale, but she discovers more than mere stories. She stumbles upon a box that Vera concealed behind one of the shelves, containing secrets that someone is determined to keep hidden. How far are they willing to go to ensure the contents of that box remain a mystery?

Danger at Rare Reads serves as an excellent beginning to the new Clara Thorne Cozy Mystery Series. The mystery left me eager for more, as I wanted to uncover what Hollow Pines and its residents were concealing. Numerous twists and turns kept the narrative engaging.

I’m excited to find out what lies ahead for Clara and Tibbs. What new adventures will unfold in the next installment of the Clara Thorne Cozy Mystery Series?

Don't miss out on grabbing a copy of this delightful read, Danger at Rare Reads, to kick off what promises to be a fantastic new mystery series!


Connect with Jennie Jacobs

Goodreads

 

Release Blitz: Shadow of The Samhain Moon by Jaylee Austin @RABTBookTours

 


Nordic Monster Romance Series, Book One


Fantasy Romance

Date Published: October 21, 2025



The Scandinavian legend of the undead draugr, Nordic guardian warriors of treasure and the burial mounds of ancient tombs. Tropes fated mates, chosen one and sacrifice.

As autumn descends upon the quaint Scandinavian town of Norskeby, Minnesota, the annual Harvest Festival is on the brink of celebration. Amidst the vibrant pumpkins and ghostly decorations, the townsfolk remain blissfully unaware of the ancient Norse burial ground that lies beneath their feet, a resting place of dark secrets and vengeful spirits.

Elin Bjorn, the town's spirited yet introverted librarian, has always felt an inexplicable pull towards the rich myths of her Scandinavian ancestors. But as Halloween approaches, her fascination with the tales of Draugr, the vengeful undead warriors guarding their treasures takes a dark twist.

Join Elin and Ragnor in this spellbinding tale of love, sacrifice, and the eternal battle between light and darkness, where the true harvest lies in the heart's strength and the unbreakable bonds of the soul.


About the Author

 


 In a whimsical corner of the universe that journey's through the enchanting realms of Wonderland, Jaylee Austin weaves tales that dance between the ethereal and the imaginative.

Her desk, a canvas of creativity, is often interrupted by the playful pounces of her two adorable companions, but none more so than Tilly, her clever alpha pug.

With a spirited background as a retired high school English and Theater teacher, Jaylee brought wit and warmth to the classroom, she invites readers to leap into alternate realities where the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and every page is a step further down the rabbit hole.

 

Contact Links

Website

Goodreads

Instagram

Facebook

https://linktr.ee/JayleesWorld

Book Buzz


Purchase Links

Amazon

iBooks

Kobo

Smashwords


RABT Book Tours & PR

Teaser Tuesday: Early Snow by Kevin Wolf @RABTBookTours




Mystery
Date Published: 11-15-2025

Odyssey Pruit paints pictures of the ghosts and spirits she saw in the halls of an old hotel where she worked ten years before. GUY HOGAN doesn’t believe in ghosts. Hogan is hired to guard Odyssey’s pictures for her first art show in the same old hotel. When an early blizzard closes the roads, knocks out the power and telephone, Hogan is trapped in the hotel with Odyssey’s quirky fans. When imps and ghouls make their presence known, Hogan questions his doubts, and the answer could be murder.


Excerpt


Opening Scene

By noon, the autumn sky had turned from blue to the color of road asphalt.  Treetops bent in the winds funneling into the canyon from the high peaks.  Stray snowflakes splattered the windshield, turned into tiny droplets, and in an instant were gone.  
My best friend and new boss, Dalton Cummings, pulled his pick-up into a parking spot at the back of the big, white hotel and killed the engine.  “The truck with the paintings is supposed to be here in about an hour.”  He pulled up the sleeve of his flannel shirt and checked his Timex for the tenth time.  “We’ll leave our gear in the pickup.  I’ll let the hotel manager know we’re here.  You see if you can find,”--He snatched a clipboard from the dashboard and flipped through the pages–-“damn it, I can never remember her...”         
“Porsche Hurt,” I told him.  “Porsche.  Like the car.  Hurt, like ouch.” 
“That’s one of those damn made-up New York City names if I’ve ever heard one.  Her folks never gave it to her.”
“You’ve said that before.”  Then it hit me.  I held back the smile.  “I know what’s going on.  Ex-game warden Dalton Cummings is nervous about his first paying job since retirement.  What could it be?”  I enjoyed the edge I had over my friend.
Cummings turned toward the window.  His breath painted a gray haze on the glass.
 “Let me guess.”  I wanted to see his face, but he wouldn’t turn back.  “The man who fought forest fires, rescued lost campers, and saved fish and wildlife for generations to come is afraid of a New York woman.”
“That ain’t it.”
“Then what?” 
He shook his head, and the brim of his Stetson left a mark on the fogged window.  “I don’t like hotels,” he mumbled.
“What?”
“Hotels.”  He clamped both hands on the steering wheel.  “I’d rather be in my own bed.”  He stared straight ahead.  “I do fine in a sleepin’ bag in the backcountry.  But there’s somethin’ about a little old mint on a fluffy pillow and turned-down sheets that makes me all crawly.”  He shook like he was cold.  “It’s all too fancy.”
“Don’t worry.” I bit back a laugh. “It’s just two nights.  You probably won’t get any sleep anyway.” I couldn’t resist adding one more thing.  “The ghosts will keep you awake.”
Cummings jerked up on the door handle and glanced sideways at me.  He raised his middle finger.  “Screw you, Hogan.” 


About the Author


Kevin Wolf is an award-winning Mystery and Western author. His books include Trailridge (2024), The Homeplace, winner of the 2015 Tony Hillerman Prize and the 2016 Strand Critics Award finalist for Best Debut Mystery. His short story Belthanger received the 2021 Spur Award for Best Short Fiction and his novel, The Bootheel was a 2024 Peacemaker Award finalist.


The legends and landscape of the West are evident in everything he writes. His newest novel, Trailridge, is set against the grandeur of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park and the 1982 Lawn Lake Flood. Those who visit Rocky often or have chosen the national park for their once-in-a-lifetime destination will recognize the mountains, valleys, rivers, and the twists and turns of Trailridge as this story races to its climax.In The Homeplace, a schoolboy hero returns after sixteen years to solve a murder in a windswept, dying town on the eastern plains of Colorado. In his short story Belthanger, readers are given a glimpse of a 1950s small town, soon to be bypassed by the new Interstate Highway System, and the drama that unfolds on the town’s darkened streets one night. The BootHeel is a coming-of-age tale of a teenage orphan and an aging gunman as they follow a treasure map into Mexico as the nineteenth century draws to its end.


Kevin Wolf is a member of Western Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, and serves as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. He facilitates a weekly critique group for other writers. The great-grandson of Colorado homesteaders, he enjoys fly fishing, old Winchesters, and almost every 1950’s Western movie. He lives in Estes Park, CO with his loving and patient wife.

Contact Links


RABT Book Tours & PR

Teaser Tuesday: Doc by Harley Wylde @harleywylde @RABTBookTours @changelingpress

 


(Dixie Reapers MC)

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: October 24, 2025



When a fierce heroine collides with a hardened outlaw, secrets ignite and sparks fly.

 

Nova -- I was never a part of my uncle Bats’ outlaw MC world. He kept me far from the Dixie Reapers, convinced distance meant safety. But when my parents died in a crash I know wasn’t an accident, I walk straight into the world I’ve been shielded from, where every secret carries blood, betrayal, and danger. Each step puts a bigger target on my back, but I can’t stop. Not when the conspiracy reached higher than I ever imagined. And then there’s Doc. He’s a risk I can’t afford, no matter how much I want him.

Doc -- I patched into the Dixie Reapers for a fresh start, not to guard the 19 year old niece of a fallen brother. As a veteran and the club’s medic, I know how to fight, save lives, and bury temptation. But Nova’s stubborn, reckless, and too tempting to resist. I fell fast, and hard. Once I’ve set eyes on her, I’m not letting go. Protecting her tests me more than any battlefield ever has, but losing her isn’t an option.

Enemies circle like vultures -- dirty cops, corrupt judges, men willing to kill to silence us. Together we uncover a deadly web of human trafficking and murder. But in the outlaw world, justice comes at a cost. Nova is mine, and I’ll burn the world down before I let anyone take her.

 

If you like possessive alpha males, gritty MC romance, heart-pounding suspense, and age gap romances, you’re going to love Doc and Nova’s story!

 

WARNING: This book contains mature themes, government corruption, human trafficking, violence, and adult content. Reader discretion advised.

 


 

EXCERPT

 

Nova

 

My little Honda looked pathetic among the gleaming motorcycles, like a child who’d accidentally wandered into an adult party. I gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white, as I scanned the Dixie Reapers clubhouse. Uncle Bats had always warned me to stay away from this place, from his world. But Uncle Bats was dead, and I needed answers that only his brothers might have.

The folder and notebook on my passenger seat contained everything I had left of my mother -- her research notes, newspaper clippings, and a lifetime of suspicions that had probably gotten her killed. I picked them up, clutching them to my chest like armor.

“You can do this, Nova,” I whispered to myself. “For Mom and Dad.”

I took three deep breaths, counting each one the way my therapist had taught me after the accident. Except it wasn’t an accident. I knew it wasn’t, no matter what the police report said.

Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the parking lot. Men in leather cuts moved between motorcycles, their laughter and conversations a low rumble that stopped abruptly when they noticed my car. I felt their gazes on me, assessing, suspicious.

Uncle Bats had kept me secret from them, and while I knew of the Dixie Reapers, I’d never been allowed to meet them. Now I was about to shatter that barrier. The thought sent a tremor through my hands, but I shoved the fear down deep where it couldn’t reach my face.

I stepped out of the car, my sensible flats crunching on the gravel. Five feet tall in my best shoes, I’d never felt smaller than I did walking toward that building. The folder and notebook clutched to my chest were my only shield against their stares.

“Hey, darlin’, you lost?” called one man, his tone somewhere between amused and suspicious. Tattoos covered his arms and disappeared beneath the leather vest emblazoned with the Dixie Reapers patch.

I kept walking, eyes forward, spine straight the way my mother had taught me. “Look them in the eye, Nova,” she’d say. “Don’t let them think you’re afraid, even when you are.”

The surrounding conversations died one by one, replaced by silence and the weight of two dozen stares. I could feel them taking in my brown hair, my hazel eyes, my five-foot-nothing frame that had never intimidated anyone. I probably looked like a strong wind could blow me over, but they didn’t know about the steel underneath. They didn’t know I was Mary-Jane’s daughter.

The clubhouse door loomed ahead, guarded by a mountain of a man with a graying beard and hands the size of dinner plates. His cut identified him as a full member, not just a hang-around. He stepped directly into my path, forcing me to stop or walk straight into his chest.

“Clubhouse is members only, sweetheart,” he said, voice like gravel. “Whatever you’re selling, we ain’t buying.”

Tiling my chin up, I met his gaze. “I’m not selling anything. I need to speak with whoever’s in charge.”

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “That so? And what business would a little thing like you have with the Dixie Reapers?”

The men behind me had moved closer, forming a loose semicircle. I could feel them at my back, curiosity and suspicion rolling off them in waves.

“My name is Nova Treemont. I’m Bats’ niece.”

The effect was immediate. The doorman’s expression shifted from dismissive to shocked in an instant. A murmur rippled through the men behind me.

“Bullshit,” someone whispered.

“Bats never had family,” said another.

“He had a sister,” another voice said.

The doorman’s eyes narrowed, searching my face. “Bats never mentioned no niece.”

“He wouldn’t have.” I met his gaze. “He kept me out of… all this. For protection.” I gestured at the clubhouse with my free hand. “But he’s gone now, and I need help. The kind only the Dixie Reapers can provide.”

The doorman studied me for what felt like an eternity, his gaze moving from my face to the items I clutched and back again. I could almost see the gears turning behind his eyes, weighing the possibility I was telling the truth against the risk of letting a stranger into their sanctuary.

“Wait here.” He turned to enter the clubhouse.

I stood rooted to the spot, aware of the bikers still watching me. I could feel the curiosity and hostility aimed my way. I kept my breathing even, pretending I couldn’t feel their stares boring into my back.

The doorman returned a minute later, holding the door open. “Come on,” he said gruffly.

I stepped past him into a world my uncle had spent his life shielding me from. The air was thick with cigarette smoke that clung to the furniture and walls. The smell of beer and whiskey undercut everything, along with something else -- something distinctly male and dangerous.

Pool balls clacked on a table where a game paused mid-shot as players turned to stare. Behind a long bar, bottles gleamed under dim lights. Motorcycle memorabilia covered the walls -- license plates, photos.

It should have felt alien, this place my blood relation had called home. Instead, deep inside me, something whispered recognition. As if some part of me had been waiting to find this place my whole life.

The doorman nudged me forward with a hand that could have wrapped around my entire upper arm. “This way.” He guided me deeper into the clubhouse. “They’re waiting.”

I followed, clutching my mother’s research to my chest, aware that I was crossing a threshold I could never uncross. Behind me, I heard someone say softly, “Mary-Jane’s kid? Jesus Christ.”

They’d known my mother then. At least some of them had known, and they’d stayed away all these years. Just as Bats had intended.

The thought steadied me as I walked toward whatever waited ahead. I wasn’t just Nova Treemont anymore. I was Mary-Jane’s daughter, Bats’ niece. And I had questions that needed answering, no matter how dangerous the answers might be.

The back room was darker than the main area. Five men sat around a table, their faces half in shadow, their cuts marking them as the officers of the Dixie Reapers. I stood before them, a girl in jeans and a cardigan, feeling like I was facing a firing squad. But I’d come too far to falter now.

The doorman who’d escorted me in gave a brief nod to the man at the head of the table before stepping back, positioning himself in front of the closed door. Message received: I wasn’t leaving until they decided I could.

“So,” said the man at the head of the table. His neatly trimmed gray beard and dark eyes seemed sharp beneath heavy brows. The patches on his cut read, “President -- Savior.” “You claim to be Bats’ niece.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “I am Bats’ niece. My mother was Mary-Jane Treemont, his younger sister.”

A muscle in the President’s jaw twitched. “Bats was a brother to us for a long ass time. Never once mentioned a niece.”

“He was protecting me. Keeping his family separate from… this life.”

One of the other men -- younger, with a Vice President patch -- snorted. “Convenient story, sweetheart. Got any proof?”

I unzipped my bag and pulled out a small photo album, sliding it across the table. “Page three. That’s my mother and uncle at her college graduation.”

I watched as the President flipped to the page, his expression unchanging as he studied the photo of a much younger Bats with his arm around my mother.

“Could be anyone.” The VP’s tone lacked conviction.

“Check the next page,” I said. “That’s from my parents’ wedding. My mother, my father, and uncle.”

The President studied the photo longer this time before passing the album to the man next to him. It made its way around the table, each man taking a moment to examine the proof of a side of Bats they’d never known.

“So you’re his niece.” The President slid the album back across the table. “What do you want from us?”

I took a deep breath and placed my folder on the table. “My parents died several weeks ago in what was ruled a car accident. Their car went off the road. Police said my father lost control.”

“And you don’t believe that.” The VP watched me with narrowed eyes.

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t. My mother was an investigative journalist. She was working on a story.” I opened the folder, spreading out newspaper clippings and photocopied notes across the scarred wood. “She was investigating connections between Magnolia County officials and organized crime. Money laundering, illegal gambling, possibly human trafficking.”

The men exchanged glances, their expressions giving nothing away. I’d honestly expected some sort of reaction, especially since this was happening in their territory. My uncle had always been clear that while he may be an outlaw, some things weren’t tolerated.

“Three days before she died, she called me,” I continued. “She said she’d found something big. Something that would blow the whole thing wide open. She wouldn’t tell me details over the phone, said she’d show me everything when they came to visit that weekend.” My voice cracked slightly. “They never made it.”

I pulled out a copy of the police report, pointing to highlighted sections. “The accident report says the car was traveling at high speed, that my father lost control. But my father never drove fast. He was cautious, meticulous. And the witness statements are vague. No one actually saw the car go off the road.”

“Accidents happen.” An older member with a gray ponytail watched me intently. “Doesn’t mean someone killed your parents.”

I met his gaze directly. “After the funeral, our house was broken into. Nothing valuable was taken, but my mother’s home office was ransacked. Her computer was gone. All her files.”

That got their attention. The men straightened, exchanging glances that spoke volumes.

“I managed to salvage these.” I gestured to the documents on the table. “She kept backups in a safety deposit box. But it’s not everything. There are references to evidence she had that I can’t find.”

The President leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “And what exactly do you expect us to do about this, Ms. Treemont?”

“I’ve tried the legal route,” I said. “I’ve been to the police, the FBI, even a private investigator. No one will touch it. The case is closed.” I swallowed hard. “My uncle –Bats -- once told my mother that if she ever needed help, real help, she should come to his brothers. That you take care of your own.”

“Bats said that?” The VP’s eyebrows raised.

“He did,” I confirmed. “And with him gone, you’re all I have left.”

The President’s eyes were unreadable as he studied my face. “You understand what you’re asking? If what you’re saying is true, you’re talking about going up against powerful people. The kind that can make a car accident happen.”

“I know.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “But they killed my parents. They’ve been watching me too. Cars following me home. Strange calls. Last week someone broke into my apartment.” I pulled up my sleeve, revealing a jagged raw wound on my forearm. “I surprised him. He had a knife.”

That drew a low curse from one of the men who hadn’t spoken yet.

“Before she died, my mother dug into something dangerous -- something big enough to get her killed. These bastards still tried to bury it, but I swore I’d drag the truth into the light and make them pay.” My gaze cut across the table, meeting each man’s eyes in turn. “Justice for my parents is the only thing that matters.”

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the distant sounds of the main room beyond the door.

Finally, the President gathered up my mother’s papers, tapping them into a neat stack. “Wait outside.”

The doorman stepped forward, opening the door for me. I hesitated, reluctant to leave my mother’s research behind.

“We’ll return these,” the President said, seeing my hesitation. “Go on now.”

I had no choice but to comply. The doorman escorted me back to the main room, indicating a worn leather couch against the wall. “Sit tight.”

I perched on the edge of the couch, feeling the weight of curious stares from the men scattered around the room. No one approached me, but I could hear the whispers.

“… Bats’ niece…”

“… Mary-Jane’s kid…”

“… looks just like her mother…”

That last comment made me look up sharply, trying to identify who had spoken. An older member nodded at me from the bar, raising his beer bottle slightly. “Knew your mama when she was younger than you. Bats always said she was the smart one in the family. Said she could sniff out a lie from a mile away.”

A lump formed in my throat. I’d never heard anyone talk about my mother like that, like they’d known her personally. “Did you know her well?”

The man shrugged. “Well enough. Your uncle always spoke highly of her investigative skills. Said she could’ve been FBI if she hadn’t been so damn stubborn about working outside the system.”

That sounded like my mother. And it sounded like something Uncle Bats would say.

I sat straighter, hope kindling in my chest for the first time since I’d arrived. Maybe they would help me after all. Maybe I’d finally get the answers I’d been seeking for several weeks.

I just had to convince them I was worth the risk.

I traced the edge of my mother’s notebook with my fingertip, counting the seconds that stretched into minutes. The leather couch beneath me had seen better days, cracked and worn by years of men larger than me shifting their weight. Around the room, bikers pretended not to watch me while doing exactly that. I wondered if Uncle Bats had sat here, on this very couch, planning runs or celebrating victories I’d never know about.

My gaze drifted to a wall of photos near the bar -- men in Dixie Reapers cuts, arms slung around each other’s shoulders, grins splitting their bearded faces. I rose slowly, drawn to search for my uncle’s face among them. A few members tensed as I moved, but none stopped me.

There he was. Younger, with fewer lines around his eyes, his arm thrown around another member, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him during his rare visits to our home. He’d always been on edge around us, as if expecting trouble to follow him through our door.

Now I understood why.

“He was a good man,” said a voice behind me.

I turned to find the older member who’d spoken to me earlier, the one who’d known my mother.

“One of our best,” he continued. “Loyal to the bone.”

“But not loyal enough to tell you about his family,” I said softly.

The old biker’s mouth quirked in a half-smile. “That was his loyalty to you, girl. Keeping you separate. Safe.” He nodded toward the back room. “Not many of us manage that trick.”

Before I could respond, the door to the back room opened. The President emerged, followed by the others. The room fell silent as they approached.

“Ms. Treemont,” the President said, his voice carrying across the now-quiet clubhouse. “We’ve discussed your situation.”

I returned to the couch, perching on its edge, hands folded in my lap to hide their trembling. “And?”

“Bats was our brother.” The President spoke in a measured voice, choosing each word with care. “That carries weight. But what you’re asking involves the club in what appears to be a personal vendetta against powerful people, based on circumstantial evidence.”

My heart sank. “It’s not just --”

He held up a hand, cutting me off. “I didn’t say we wouldn’t help. I said you’re asking a lot.”

Hope flickered back to life in my chest.

“We’ll hear you out,” he continued. “Review what you’ve brought us. But I can’t promise involvement beyond that. Understand?”

I nodded quickly. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” His expression remained stern. “This isn’t a democracy. I make decisions based on what’s best for the club, not for outsiders -- even ones with Bats’ blood.”


About the Author

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde's website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

 

Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde

 

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

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



RABT Book Tours & PR

Review Tour + #Giveaway: Bitten by the North Wind by D. Lieber @AuthorDLieber @GoddessFish


BITTEN BY THE NORTH WIND

D. Lieber

GENRE: Werewolf Paranormal


Blurb:


A reluctant werewolf, the man who turned her, and the prophecy that brought them together. Volatile Wisconsin werewolves wrestle with messy emotions and Norse mythological forces in this paranormal romance.

Thea never thought accepting a date with the office hottie would wind up with her being turned into a werewolf. After months of struggle and unmasked rage, she’s finally ready to step back into her human life. She’s absolutely done with having to rely on him, and she never wants to see him again.

Syver has been a werewolf for most of his life, and he’s been well in control of his wolf side for years. When he accidentally turns Thea in a moment of passion, he accepts that she’s angry with him. The only thing he can do is teach her what she needs to know about being a mánagarmr and the forces of nature they embody.

Despite everything he’s done to her, Thea still can’t resist Syver’s touch, and his knowledge of that fact makes him unbearably arrogant. Syver can’t seem to think straight or control himself whenever Thea is around, putting them both in danger.

Can these two werewolves learn to control the chaos within them before someone ends up dead?

Excerpt:

His body flushed as his stomach threatened to expel the dinner he hadn’t eaten. Pain shot through him, and he started to sweat, a hot flash heating his blood. He recognized the inevitable signs of an emotional transformation, so he didn’t fight it.

A strangled grunt escaped him instead of the scream inside his head. He doubled over. His bones melted while his skin itched.

He tried to let go of his human thoughts. This was who he needed to be right now. This was who he was. Sorrow, rage, and an unnamable drive mingled with the agony of breaking bones and tearing muscles.

But after one anguished minute, it was over. He didn’t think about what to do; he didn’t need to. Wiggling out of his clothes, he ran through the still-open back door.

The night felt warmer with his fur coat. The nighttime creatures fled before him, instinct telling them to get out of the way.

He was quick, as fast as any coyote, while he streaked through the woods and into the tall crops of the surrounding farms. He could hear the farm dogs barking in his wake, but he paid them little mind. He would be gone before the farmers even knew he was there.

The summer was dying, and he could smell the fruit of the fields ripening. But the ground was still warm beneath his paws.

Normally, this was enough—to be wild, to catch a scent and take down a wolf’s natural prey. The thrill of the hunt, the chase, the pursuit of something he would eventually catch, it was the best part of being a mánagarmr.

But not tonight. The freedom of shedding his humanity didn’t quite stick. He could still feel his sorrow, his rage, his confusion.

My Review:

D. Lieber has done it again, crafting a fantastic new tale, Bitten by the North Wind. From the very first page, it will sweep you off your feet. The story centers on Thea and Syver, beginning with their initial encounter and his transformation of her into a werewolf. Thea is furious about what he has done, feeling completely outraged.

Her anger toward him is so intense that she wants nothing to do with him; however, her inner werewolf has different plans. Thea desires solitude to live her life as she wishes. The two cannot be near each other without igniting a fiery tension.

Syver has lived as a werewolf for most of his life, having been transformed at a young age. He insists that he accidentally turned Thea during their first encounter, but is that the whole truth? After being a werewolf for so long, he must have learned to control his wolf by now.

Bitten by the North Wind captivated me from start to finish, with no dull moments to be found. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop because I was eager to uncover everything about the mánagarmr. I enjoyed following Thea and Syver on their adventure, wondering how their bond and lives would unfold. I needed to know whether they would end up as soulmates. 

Bitten by the North Wind is filled with suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I hurried to see how the story would resolve. I appreciated the world-building and would love to explore this universe more.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Bitten by the North Wind today for another thrilling werewolf journey!


Author Bio and Links


D. Lieber has a wanderlust that would make a butterfly envious. When she isn’t planning her next physical adventure, she’s recklessly jumping from one fictional world to another. Her love of reading led her to earn a Bachelor’s in English from Wright State University.

Beyond her skeptic and slightly pessimistic mind, Lieber wants to believe. She has been many places—from Canada to England, France to Italy, Germany to Russia—believing that a better world comes from putting a face on “other.” She is a romantic idealist at heart, always fighting to keep her feet on the ground and her head in the clouds.

Lieber lives in Wisconsin with her husband (John) and cats (Yin and Nox).


Published Works:

Conjuring Zephyr June 2016

The Exiled Otherkin (Minte and Magic Adventure, #1) November 2017

Intended Bondmates (Intended Fates Trilogy, #1) June 2018

In Search of a Witch’s Soul (Council of Covens Noir, #1) March 2019

Dancing with Shades (Council of Covens Noir, #0) August 2019

Once in a Black Moon March 2020

A Very Witchy Yuletide October 2020

The Treason of Robyn Hood March 2021

The Assassin’s Legacy (Minte and Magic Adventure, #2) October 2021

Intended Strangers (Intended Fates Trilogy, #2) March 2022

Intended Enemies (Intended Fates Trilogy, #3) January 2023

The Curse of Moonseed Manor October 2023

The Goblin King’s Mischief October 2024

The Winter Sorcerer and the Summer Witch May 2025

Bitten by the North Wind October 2025

Connect with D. Lieber

Giveaway:


$10 Bookshop.org GC





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