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Three elder stateswomen in the music industry, scarred by scandal, addiction, and forced retirement, go all in to create a killer comeback album.
Three elder stateswomen in the music industry, scarred by scandal, addiction, and forced retirement, go all in to create a killer comeback album. As they learn to trust themselves and dive back into songwriting, they entwine their lives and voices in ways they couldn’t have imagined alone.
Everyone has forgotten about soul singer Honey Conaway, except that she stabbed a producer’s eye out at a party and left drunk and stumbling like some glitzy Medea. Everyone loves Gloria Redmond: Girls grew up listening to her country-tinged, smart-alecky tunes, but she has become irrelevant past her prime. And everyone knows Sian Star, not for her time fronting the pop band The Whirlygirls, but for driving a red Porsche into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When these three women create an award-winning comeback album together, each is challenged by the version of herself that pushed her out of the spotlight in the first place.
What readers are saying:
“A beautiful novel about three vibrant, memorable women who refuse to abandon their passion for music despite their struggles with aging, caretaking, and the frustration of thwarted dreams. Gloria, Honey, and Sian are an inspiring reminder that nothing is over until it’s over.”
Jane Delury, Author of Hedge
“Drop the needle on this power chord of a novel and feel it pull you in. A resonant story about friendship, songwriting, and serendipity, and about how all of us, even aging country stars, can reinvent ourselves.” — Elisabeth Cohen, author of The Glitch.
Meri Robie is a writer and editor living in Baltimore. Her novel Wildflowers will be published by Watertower Press in 2025. Her play, “Light Strikes a Deal” was included in the Rapid Lemon Theater’s Variations on Night festival (2025), and she earned Honorable Mention for the 2023 Page One Contest by Gutsy Great Novelist (gutsygreatnovelist.com). She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars. You can find her volunteering as an usher for various Baltimore theater productions, driving Baltimore School for the Arts students to local art events, or scribbling away notes in the front seat of her car at stop lights.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
S Courtney is a romance author whose motto is “Love Worth Dying For” There’s always a little (lot) of bloodshed for the happily ever after/for now. Her love of writing began in middle school after hours writing until bedtime letting her imagination run wild.
With that imagination she has created her paranormal series, the Bound Series with strong but caring Alphas and independent women with big ambitions and a little magic! And a look inside the tough job of reaping souls to the Underworld in Sandman.
She also tapped into the dark world of motorcycle clubs and the secret life of an mercenary with a curiosity.
She looks forward to writing into other tropes, such as even darker romance, mafia, and sweet almost insta-love.
One of the most magical things about writing is knowing that words travel farther than I ever could on my own. A story written in the quiet of my office in North Alabama can end up being read in a coffee shop in Oregon, a library in New York, or maybe even on a balcony somewhere in Paris. That thought makes me smile every single time.
And it also makes me curious.
Today, I want to turn the spotlight around and ask you a question: 👉 Where in the world are you reading from?
Whether you’re in the United States or across the globe, I’d love to see how far this little community of readers and writers stretches. Drop your city and state (or country if you’re outside the U.S.) in the comments below.It’s a simple way for us to connect, and I think it’ll be fun to see the map of our community unfold together.
Why I’m Asking
Part of being a writer — and honestly, part of being human — is being fascinated by stories. And to me, places carry stories just as much as people do. Your hometown, your current city, the little café or park where you like to read — these are all threads of the bigger story we’re building here as a community.
It also helps me shape the kind of content I share. If many of you are local, maybe I’ll start highlighting more North Alabama literary events or indie bookstore happenings. If a lot of you are scattered far and wide, I might focus more on universal themes — the writing process, character creation, and the joy (and chaos) of storytelling.
A Little About Me
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Nina Soden, and I wear a couple of hats:
✍️ Author— I write urban fantasy and dystopian fiction, and I share behind-the-scenes peeks into my writing journey here on the blog.
🏡 Realtor— When I’m not building fictional worlds, I’m helping families buy and sell homes in North Alabama. (It’s another kind of storytelling, really — every home holds a history, and every move begins a new chapter.)
🎭 Theatre Enthusiast — The stage has always been a second home for me. Whether I’m performing in a local production or lending my voice to a reading, theatre keeps my creativity alive in a way that fuels everything else I do. If you haven’t seen my weekly Theatre newsletter… check out the September 9, 2025 issue HERE and make sure to let me know if you want to subscribe!
❤️ Family Gal — At the heart of it all, I’m a wife, a mom, and someone who believes that family is the foundation of every life worth living. My family keeps me grounded, inspires me, drives me to keep going, and cheers me on through every new adventure.
I love that my life blends all these worlds together. My readers get a peek into my real estate life, my clients discover my books, and sometimes my theatre friends end up in both! It’s all connected by one simple truth: I love people, and I love stories.
Your Turn!
So now it’s time for you to chime in.
Where are you reading from?
Do you prefer curling up with a book in your favorite chair, or are you a café reader?
And just for fun — what’s the last book you finished?
Drop your answers in the comments below. I’ll be reading every single one, and who knows — I might even feature a few responses in a future post.
Thanks for being here, for reading, and for sharing this journey with me. I can’t wait to see where in the world you’re reading from!
✨ If you’re enjoying the blog, don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss future posts. And if you ever find yourself curious about North Alabama real estate — whether you’re moving here, away from here, or just like to browse beautiful homes — let me know. I’d be happy to share that side of my world with you, too. ✨
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
A relentless thriller that explores the unbreakable bonds that transcend time.
‘Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, “just one more page”.’ J.D. Barker, New York Times bestselling author EVIL HAS MANY FACES Chilling murders terrorize a town and bring together two detectives to face the hardest tasks of their lives. Jack Ludlum, who relies on his brawn to get things done, is now paired with his archenemy, Jill Jarred, a brilliant investigator with keen intuition. As they delve into the secret world of incels and white supremacists, and conflict between local authorities and the FBI rages, a media frenzy further complicates the mission.
Is there a serial killer on the loose? Or something entirely different? Will the detectives’ clashing personalities be their undoing, or can they unite to stop the killer before they kill each other?
What Goes Around is a dynamic thriller that examines the intricacies of love, loss, and the unbreakable bonds that transcend time. With its pulse-pounding pace, captivating characters, and a revelatory twist that challenges the boundaries of life and death, this novel will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, and thinking long afterwards. ‘Starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.’ Lisa Black, New York Times bestselling author of the Locard Institute thrillers ‘An adrenaline-fueled novel, the action breathlessly driven by two detectives relentlessly pursuing the bloody trails left by a serial killer with a dark sense of justice, deadly groups of white supremacists, and one lonely, alienated boy caught up in the violence.’ Kathleen Kent, New York Times bestselling author ‘Fast-paced propulsive thriller that doesn’t let up – highly recommended!’ Lori Brand, author
Michael Wendroff is the author of What Goes Around, a debut thriller published by Bloomsbury, which bestselling author Eric Rickstad calls a “brilliant debut,” and bestselling author Lisa Black says, “starts off at a breakneck pace and doesn’t let up until it reaches its unexpected conclusion.” Plus, #1 bestselling author J.D. Black says, “Relentless and gritty, Wendroff expertly weaves a narrative that begs, ‘just one more page…’”
The book was inspired by what his mother said to him the second he was born: “Oh! How nice to see you–Again!”
Michael has an MBA in marketing from NYU, and was inducted into their Hall of Fame. He is a global marketing consultant. He shares his time between New York City, Sarasota, Florida, and Lake Garda, Italy. He is married and has three wonderful children.
His mother was an editor (watching his mother scribbling in red ink on manuscript pages at home on weekends prepared him for his own editor’s comments!). She remarried a literary agent, so Michael was friendly with many authors, and even spent a vacation with Robert Ludlum. Watching Ludlum hand-write his 450 page novels on yellow legal pads didn’t dissuade Michael from trying to write a novel (though he’s thankful for his PC).
What Goes Around was launched in the USA, UK, and Australia, and foreign language rights have been sold in Italian, Japanese, and Hungarian. The hardcover went through 3 printings, and now the trade paperback is available (along with audio book and e-book).
Fun fact: Michael’s great-grandfather was brought over by Thomas Edison from the University of Copenhagen to work with him. He holds a number of patents, including for plastic buttons. Michael proudly wears button- down shirts whenever he can.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
He swore to protect his town—but guarding his heart is the real challenge.
Genre: Small Town, Second-Chance Firefighter Romance
He swore to protect his town—but guarding his heart is the real challenge.
Volunteer firefighter Shawn Miller thought he had his life figured out in small-town Elken Grove. His print shop pays the bills while his real passion—fighting fires—keeps him connected to the community he loves.
Then his new Captain walks through the station doors: Rebecca “Becks” Schwartz, the woman who walked out of his life nine years ago. Now she’s his superior officer, and someone in the department is determined to drive her away—or worse.
As danger closes in, Shawn must balance protecting Becks with respecting her authority. But when sparks fly hotter than ever between them, he realizes some flames aren’t meant to be extinguished—they’re meant to be stoked.
Get REKINDLED FLAME today and feel the heat of this slow-burn second chance romance!
★★★★★ “This is a wonderful page turner.” – Goodreads review
★★★★★ “Shawn and Becks second chance story is not without some major events which keeps the reader entranced by the story.” – Goodreads review
★★★★★ “I loved this story with its second chance at love for these two.” – Goodreads review
★★★★ “The characters Shawn and Rebecca are going to deliver a very entertaining book for you to enjoy reading.” – Goodreads review
Ella Braeme writes steamy small-town romance where protective heroes and the women who capture their hearts find love in the mountains and marshlands of Georgia. Whether her characters are running toward danger or running from their past, they always find their way to happily-ever-after. When she’s not dreaming up new ways for couples to fall headlong into danger (and love), she’s in her garden, supervised by a dog who firmly believes digging holes helps the flowers grow. Her quick, satisfying reads deliver the perfect escape, whether you’re sneaking in a chapter during lunch or staying up way too late to reach that happily-ever-after.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Love, laughter, and a little kitchen chaos are on the menu in Recipe for Love!
When a sous chef with secrets clashes with a showrunner chasing a viral hit, sparks fly hotter than the stove.
Karmen Artos, a sous chef at Feline Fine Retirement Home, is horrified when two of the residents hijack her kitchen. Worse yet, they’ve created an Internet cooking show that has gone viral. The recipes are revolting, but viewers are wild for ‘Grandma’s Witchin’ Kitchen!’
Devon Winger, a down-on-his-luck showrunner, arrives in Cat’s Paw Cove to convince the eccentric elderly Internet stars to take the show to the next level — a ShowFlix series. The magical stars are tickled at the idea, but Karmen is dead set against revealing the sanctuary for supernaturals to the world.
Can Karmen convince the sexy Devon that the show will be a dud? Or will Devon realize there’s more to the quirky retirement home than meets the camera’s eye?
Sharon Buchbinder has been writing fiction since middle school and has the rejection slips to prove it. A retired RN and professor, she is the author of the Hotel LaBelle Series, the Jinni Hunter Series, and the Obsession Series. She also has seven books in the Cats Paw Cove Series, a magical place where anything can happen–and does! When not writing, she can be found walking her dogs, herding cats, or breaking bread and laughing with family and friends.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Sometimes, one voice is all it takes to awaken hundreds.
A New Life
Reflections of Michael Book 4
by L.J. Ambrosio
Genre: Contemporary LGBTQ Fiction, Coming of Age
From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope. A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page.
What Readers are saying:
“A heartfelt continuation of The Reservoir Man series, taking readers on an emotional journey through friendship, grief, and self-discovery. Set against the evocative backdrop of Paris, this novel follows the touching bond between Ron, a kind and grounded man, and Louie, a young gay man struggling with his sense of self. Ambrosio masterfully portrays the evolving relationship between the two, echoing the mentor-mentee dynamic seen in earlier books. Louie’s vulnerability and innocence shine through, while Ron’s compassion and strength help guide him through confusion and loneliness. Their moments together are filled with laughter, conflict, understanding, and ultimately growth. The emotional depth of this story is its true strength. From joy to sorrow, the book invites readers to feel alongside the characters. The final scene is especially poignant—both heartbreaking and healing.” – Amazon Reviewer
“A New Life continues the journey of familiar characters we’ve come to love, and yes, we still get that charming bookstore setting and Paris, which basically makes this the cozy, wanderlust-y read of the season. Ambrosio knows how to tell a story that pulls you right in and gives you all the feels. Ron and Louie’s friendship gets deeper, there’s a solid dose of personal growth, and just when you think things are on solid ground—bam, a twist. Classic.
If you’re already a fan of the trilogy, definitely keep going with this one. And if you’re new to it all, start from the beginning—you’ll thank me later.” – Amazon Reviewer
Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7 Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.
Safina Bello is a dark romance and thriller author who writes stories about obsession, betrayal, and dangerous love. Inspired by suspenseful plots and morally gray characters, she crafts tales where romance is as thrilling as it is risky. When she’s not writing, she’s connecting with readers, she is currently working on her new book “Dear Killer- The murder of Monica Hall”
Follow Safina on Instagram: @_Safinsb
When Obsession Turns Deadly: The Dark Truth Behind “Dear Killer”
I’ve always been drawn to the parts of life that most people are too scared to look at—the shadows, the secrets, the dangers hiding in plain sight. That’s what inspired me to write my upcoming thriller, Dear Killer: Murder of Monica Hall.
It’s not just a story. It’s a confession, a warning, and a nightmare all rolled into one.
“If you’re reading this; it means he killed me…”
Those are Monica Hall’s last words to the world, written like a diary and a death sentence all at once. For years, she lived in the shadow of a man whose love was nothing but a slow poison. He was patient. He was obsessed. And to him, Monica was his forever—even in death.
When her body is finally found, it looks like the tragic end of a life spent running from him. But nothing is ever that simple. Monica wasn’t just a victim. She was a master of lies, a manipulator, and a murderer. The further the investigation goes, the clearer it becomes that Monica’s death was not the end of her story… it was only the beginning of a new nightmare.
Writing Dear Killer forced me to confront a chilling truth:
People like Monica exist.
I’ve seen pieces of her in real life—the ones who hide behind charm, who destroy everything they touch, and who have families willing to cover their darkness just to protect a last name. That realization haunted me. It still does.
We often imagine monsters as strangers lurking in the dark. But the worst monsters? They’re the ones smiling in family photos.
Dear Killer is more than a thriller. It’s a look at love twisted into obsession, at secrets buried too deep to stay hidden, and at the terrifying ways the past always catches up to us.
This book scarred me as much as it thrilled me to write. But that’s the kind of story I live for—the kind that keeps you awake at night, staring into the dark, wondering how well you really know the people you love.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
In the heart of a small town, love finds its home.
Sweetheart Wedding
Cranberry Bay Book 5
by Mindy Hardwick
Genre: Contemporary Small Town Romance
Determined to start her life over after a failed engagement, Gracie has built her boutique inn into a successful Cranberry Bay business.
Meanwhile, youngest Shuster brother, Adam, loves helping his friends and family while working as a park ranger.
Devastated after a tragic accident, Adam guards his heart and is happy to have Gracie’s friendship. Both swear off love. But when Adam and Gracie are tossed together to help plan a Cranberry Bay wedding, they find their resolve not to fall in love crumbling.
And when Adam loses his Oregon State Parks job and takes a new job in Montana, both will have to decide whether to make the commitment to love each other and leave Cranberry Bay behind for a new life.
Mindy Hardwick holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. Her published contemporary small-town heartwarming romance includes her Cranberry Bay Series: Sweetheart Cottage, Sweetheart Summer, Sweetheart Christmas and Sweetheart Santa. She has also published a young adult romance, Weaving Magic and a young adult novella, Erin’s Choice. Mindy’s middle grade books include: The World is a Sniff, Stained Glass Summer, Some Stories Are Not Seen, and Seymour’s Secret. Mindy facilitated a poetry workshop for teens at Denney Juvenile Justice Center and wrote about the experience in her memoir, Kids in Orange: Voices from Juvenile Detention. Mindy can often be found walking on the north Oregon Coast beaches.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Heroes and villains from myth, legend, and history converge in this saga set in the vast ancient forests, treacherous bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious lochs of Scotland some four hundred years before the birth of Christ.
Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the island of Ériu is a patchwork of feuding kingdoms, vast plains, and frozen bogs. Battle, intrigue, betrayals, and courage are part of life for the Celts who call Ériu home.
At the same time, from their underground halls, the mysterious demi-goddesses of the Aes Sídhe seduce brave warriors, turning men into kings and binding them with fearsome geis.
Conall Mac Gabhann is content with his apprenticeship with the local blacksmith. Content, that is, until he finds his family slaughtered in their home. Two men share responsibility for the massacre: a mad Irish king and a dissolute Roman. Conall will have his vengeance or die in the attempt.
Accompanied by his childhood love—the beautiful but dark-spirited—Mórrígan, and the veteran warrior Fearghal, Conall’s quest takes him northward through unfriendly kingdoms to a confrontation beyond the ancient earthworks of the Black Pig’s Dyke.
Along the way, Conall and Mórrígan will gather an army and come under the influence of the Aes Sídhe. If Conall desires, an apprentice blacksmith will become a king. Who knows what Mórrígan will become?
The Conall Series contains scenes of sex and violence and language appropriate to the period (400 B.C.) it is set in. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
Conall II: The Raven’s Flight continues to chronicle the story of Conall and Mórrígan and the epic journey of the warriors from Ériu (Ireland).
Conall and his brooding queen, Mórrígan, lead over two thousand warriors with their followers across the narrow sea separating Ériu from Albu (Britain). Their quest: the capture of Cassius Fabius Scaeva, the dissolute Roman held responsible for the slaughter of their families.
The Ériu encounter human, natural, and supernatural foes and friends. At the mercy of the Aes Sídhe, a race of demi-goddesses who demand that he fulfil his geis, Conall is named the Hand of the Goddess and given the instrument that will crush the Na Daoine Tùrsach—a tribe of fanatical, blood-lusting priests.
They battle fierce northern tribes: the Forest People’s one-eyed king, Drostan Ruadh, opposes their presence, as do the Na Mèadaidh, led by the sly Finnean Mac Sèitheach. Yet, not all are enemies. The Raven People offer their support, although it too comes at a price.
Heroes and villains from myth, legend, and history converge in this saga set in the vast ancient forests, frozen bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious lochs of Scotland some four hundred years before the birth of Christ.
It is 406 B.C. The Gaels tramp battle through the vast forests of Northern Albu and cross the brooding moors and marshes to reach the grain fields of Southern Albu. The majestic stone brochs, crannags and dùin of the north give way to the great hillforts of the South.
The Sisters is the third book of the series. In this tale, the fearsome women surrounding Conall take centre stage.
A malevolent queen bent on conquering Northern Albu launches an invasion and kidnaps the twin daughters of Conall and Mórrígan. The king’s and queen’s blood oath promises no mercy until the young twins are returned.
A merciless assassin stalks the community, and Tadhg is given the unenviable task of tracking the killer down. His mission worsens when the signs point to one of the women close to Conall, and he becomes the target.
Which partners are loyal to their hand-fasting oaths, and who will betray them? Will honour be redeemed on the battlefield?
Amid the battles, betrayals and intrigue, Mòrag, a tall beauty and fearsome warrior, desires Conall at any cost. A clash with Conall’s queen, also known as The Dark Huntress, is inevitable.
“Butter-gold and cruelly hooked, the beak ripped a ragged gash across the newborn’s throat.”
Blacksmith’s son, Conall Mac Gabhann’s only desire was to follow in his father’s footsteps and enjoy a long life with his childhood love, Mórrígan. The slaughter of their parents dashed those dreams. Fuelled by vengeance, both embark on the dark path of retribution.
From the ancient forest, two great eagles take wing. With amber-gold eyes, Fate and the Goddess watch, ready to guide and meddle in human lives.
Conall, now Clann Ui Flaithimh’s ‘king over kings’, must complete his geis—at any cost. He takes another stride closer to Rome and a reckoning with Marcus Fabius Ambustus. Flat-bottomed biremes carry Conall’s army across the Muir nIocht to crash on the shingle beaches of Northwestern Gaul. New enemies and uneasy alliances flourish. Assassins, treason, and betrayal thrive.
Above all, Conall values loyalty. Thus, treason within the tribe sours his belly. Mercy will have no part in his response.
The fourth novel in the Conall series, Conall IV: A Brace of Eagles, is a rousing epic of Celtic heroes and villains, bloody battles, political intrigue, honour, betrayal, tragedy and forbidden love.
“Witch!” Tullus gasped. “You are not that fortunate, Roman,” came the menacing reply.”
Blood has purchased a fragile peace for Conall and Mórrígan and the close circle of friends they call family. However, allies and enemies alike wonder if the king and queen have lost the thirst for vengeance on those who slaughtered their families. Alarmed, gods, kings, and despots conspire to poke the slumbering fire.
Brennus of the Senones smarts at his defeat at Conall’s hands and covets his lands and wealth. Will a bruised ego and hubris overrule the Gaulish king’s typical pragmatism?
The Gaiscedach want revenge for the defeat and execution of their queen. In the dead of night, like cockroaches, they scuttle over the walls of Lugudunon.
Marcus Fabius Ambustus tolerates no challenge to his plan to be the Dictator of Rome. But has arrogance blinded him to the enemy he has nurtured?
The gates of Rome and retribution draw closer. But Conall needs his enemies as much as his friends. Still, who are enemies and who are friends? It is a time of schisms and rebuilding, of loved ones endangered, and assassins and spies revealed.
Yet, there has always been one constant: only the foolish doubt that Conall and Mórrígan will show mercy to those who threaten their family.
Conall V: Retribution is the final novel in the Conall series.
The Conall Series contains scenes of sex, violence, and language appropriate to the period (400 B.C.) in which it is set. It is not recommended for those under 14 without parental consent.
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, internationally published and award-winning author David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and author-in-residence of A Wee Publishing Company—a business formed to promote Celtic authors and literature.
David is the author of the five-volume, ancient Celtic-based Conall series and the spin-offs The Dog Roses, The Dog Roses: Resolution, The Blood Queen and Brianag: A Blood Queen Novel.
David resides in Houston, Texas, with his family and two recent family members, tuxedos Beau and Stiletto.
Nina Soden 