Still Writing, Still Dreaming

If you’ve been wondering whether I’m still here—still writing, still imagining, still chasing stories late at night—I wanted to answer that question plainly and honestly.

Yes. I’m still here. And yes, I’m still writing.

The past two years have been one of those seasons that look quiet from the outside but feel anything but on the inside. The kind where words are being shaped slowly, where stories are tested and re-tested, where worlds are being built with care rather than urgency. Not every chapter is written in public, and not every creative season announces itself loudly—but that doesn’t mean the work isn’t happening.

It is.

I’ve been spending time in two very different story spaces. One is filled with wonder, light, and the kind of magic that asks readers to believe again. The other leans darker, asking harder questions about survival, memory, and what remains when everything familiar is stripped away. They couldn’t be more different on the surface, and yet they share the same heartbeat: characters searching for truth, belonging, and hope in worlds that challenge them at every turn.

I’m being intentionally careful with these stories. Not because I’m unsure of them—but because I believe some worlds deserve patience. I want them to arrive fully themselves, not rushed or diluted by timelines that don’t serve the story. If you’ve followed my work for any length of time, you know I care deeply about atmosphere, emotional resonance, and the slow unfolding of meaning. That hasn’t changed.

What has changed is the depth of the work.

I’ve grown as a writer over the last few years—not just in craft, but in confidence. I trust my instincts more. I’m more willing to sit with difficult scenes until they say what they need to say. I’m less interested in chasing trends and more interested in telling stories that linger after the final page.

That’s the energy behind the stories I’m working on right now.

While I’m not ready to share titles, covers, or plot details just yet, I am hopeful—and quietly excited—to have something ready to share later this year. When it’s time, you’ll be the first to know. And when these stories do step into the light, they’ll do so with intention.

If you’re a reader who has been waiting, wondering, or checking back from time to time—thank you. Your patience means more than you know. Writing can sometimes feel like a solitary act, but it’s never done in isolation. Knowing there are readers who care, who remember, who are willing to wait—that matters.

So this is simply a small note to say: I haven’t gone anywhere.

I’m still building worlds.
I’m still chasing characters who refuse to leave me alone.
I’m still writing toward something I believe is meaningful.

And I can’t wait to share it with you when the time is right.

Until then, thank you for being here.

— Nina


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Loving a Winston by Stacy Eaton

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Deep family bonds meet the thrill of unexpected romance.
It’s finally time for the Winston siblings to surrender to passion and find their forever loves!

Cara

Loving a Winston Book 1

by Stacy Eaton

Genre: Steamy Small-Town Romance

What happens when the man you fall for is all wrong for you?

Cara Winston has always been a bit of a rebel and an adrenaline junkie. As a helicopter pilot and paramedic, she relies on that to do her job. When Cara and her team respond to a multi-vehicle accident involving motorcycles, she’s expecting the worst. What Cara doesn’t expect is to find herself intrigued by the blue eyes of a man wearing motorcycle gang colors.

Ryan Vigilante rides the road mostly on two wheels, not four. When several of the club members end up in an accident on the highway, Ryan never expects to see a future in the eyes of the intense female paramedic. The only problem is that she’s way out of his league, and he knows that getting involved with her could only jeopardize her safety.

With Cara’s family trying to keep them apart and Ryan’s club breaking the law, Cara finds herself more of a rebel than usual. Will things work out for Cara and Ryan, or will Cara’s law enforcement brother, Ethan, find a way to stop it for good?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

**On Sale – Only $1.99! for a limited time!**

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Evan

Loving a Winston Book 2

What happens when she’s not really who you think she is?

Evan Winston is dedicated to his job as a registered nurse in the ICU department of the local hospital. He’s one hundred percent focused on the needs of his patients and his family, or at least he usually is. That changes the day a woman visits one of his patients and turns his world upside down.

Laney Marshall wants nothing more than to help people who struggle—especially those women and children who are fighting to survive domestic violence situations. After losing someone close to her to an abusive man, she is determined to do everything in her power to help.

Unfortunately, Laney has people that don’t want her to do that. In fact, they don’t even like her in this town or even the state of Pennsylvania. They prefer her on the other side of the country, where they think she belongs, living the life planned for her.

Can Laney and Evan find a way to build a relationship while keeping others from getting involved, or will the revealed secrets be enough to end any chance of a future before it begins?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

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Candy

Loving a Winston Book 3

What happens when your lustful heart wins over your intellectual mind?

When Candy’s sister, Cara, was dating outlaw biker member Ryan Vigilante, Candy paid little attention to Ryan’s club buddy, Bollard. Sure, Bollard, who works behind the bar at the local tavern, was pleasing on the eyes and made a mean chocolate martini, but he was an outlaw, and that’s not the kind of person Candy associates with.

Michael Bollard is out of the club now and hopes to purchase the tavern. He had never wanted more than his bikes and the club, but now, Mike has high hopes to build a future. A future that suddenly collides with sexy and intelligent Candy Winston in ways he could have never imagined.

Just when he thinks he might have this new future figured out, a stranger enters the bar with a surprise he never saw coming. Will that surprise send Candy running for higher ground, or will it cement her future in the tavern with Mike?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

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Carmen

Loving a Winston Book 4

What happens when your first love returns to town—twenty years later?

Child Psychologist Carmen Winston spends a lot of time at the schools, and when she comes across a man and the name of a new student, she mentally flashes back to a time of young love and dreamy hopes of the perfect future that never happened.

Tim Kohl lived in Millerstown for six years before his parents moved him across the country. He never expected to return or to bring three kids with him when he did. The last thing Tim expected to find in town is his high school sweetheart, who is still as beautiful as ever and still single after all this time.

When sparks fly, can these two put the past behind them and plan a future, or will the years apart separate them before they can figure it out?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

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Coral

Loving a Winston Book 5

What happens when you overhear your family talking to the man you’ve fallen for?

Coral Winston has felt out of touch with her family since her mother passed away and threw everything she had into her coffee café. When her family forces her to vacation, they decide to come along for the fun.

Landan Lancaster is the oldest of the eight Lancaster children, and he’s still trying to deal with walking away from his cheating bride the night before their wedding many months prior. When a large family comes to stay in the Lancaster guest house on the lake, he finds himself expectedly intrigued by the woman standing at the water’s edge.

On the slopes of South Lake Tahoe, Landan realizes he has met his match in more ways than one, and Coral begins to feel as if she has finally found a place where she belongs. When she overhears a conversation between Landan and her family, Coral gets the wrong idea and flees without thinking. Unfortunately, she finds the café a mess and the cops waiting for her when she arrives home.

Can Coral overcome the issues facing her and find her way back to the beautiful mountains and water of Lake Tahoe, or will Landan lose her before he can ever call her his own?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

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Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concussion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.

Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement. She has a daughter in college and a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.

Stacy writes a variety of genres, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate to with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.

Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee, and her favorite sweatshirt that says, You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel.

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The Serpent Series by SZ Estavillo

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.

Every crime tells a story…

But not every killer is the villain.

The Serpent’s Order

The Serpent Series Book 4

by S.Z. Estavillo

Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense

An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

**NEW RELEASE on Feb 10, 2026! PreOrder Now!**

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Twilight of the Serpent

The Serpent Series Book 3

Some predators hide in plain sight. Others hunt from the shadows.

Merrick Winslow is a decorated Army officer, a man of discipline and honor—or so he claims. When he reports that his ex-wife, Cheonsa Soo-Min, has been stalking him, no one questions his story. He paints her as unstable, vengeful, and dangerous, a woman consumed by obsession. But when two officers are gunned down with her own weapon, the truth becomes harder to see. With the law closing in, Cheonsa vanishes, fleeing to Rio de Janeiro, where she is taken in by Von Schlange, the vigilante thought to have disappeared for good.

Von has retired her vengeful ways, leaving behind a life of bloodshed to run a quiet veterinary clinic. But when Cheonsa’s past collides with Winslow’s lies, the two women begin to unravel a deadly deception—one that turns predator into prey. By the time Von uncovers the truth, an innocent life has already been taken.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do: find the real monster and make him pay.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Detective Anaya Nazario and Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are adjusting to life as new parents. But after only four months of maternity leave, Nazario is pulled back into the field to investigate the murder of two officers. What should be a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more sinister—secrets buried beneath the badge, a killer hiding behind a uniform, and a web of corruption stretching further than anyone expected.

As Nazario and Huxley chase down leads, their investigation intersects with a vigilante they once thought was dead. And this time, Von Schlange isn’t just seeking justice—she’s delivering retribution.

For fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, and Taylor Adams, Twilight of the Serpent delivers a high-stakes vigilante thriller packed with morally gray justice, relentless suspense, and a tangled web of deception. Perfect for readers who love strong female leads, intense cat-and-mouse chases, and dark psychological twists.

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The Serpent Woman

The Serpent Series Book 2

The exciting sequel to The Serpent’s Bridge…

A serial killer is on the loose. With her insidious tattoo and venomous killer strike, they’re calling her the serpent woman.

Two of the best in their field, LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario and FBI Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are forced to work together yet again, despite their strained romantic history and a baby on the way. Together on a nationwide hunt, they must find this serpent woman before she strikes again.

But, as the cat-and-mouse chase evolves, Nazario and Huxley begin to realize that their killer is on a mission of vigilante justice and they must struggle with the question of who really deserves their justice: The killer, or her victims?

This dark thriller delves into the sensitive topics of sex trafficking, child abuse, animal death, sexual assault, graphic violence, and dead bodies. Reader discretion is advised.

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The Serpent’s Bridge

The Serpent Series Book 1

Compelling dialogue, rich, gritty prose, and characters you won’t forget — if you loved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson, or Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger, you’ll love The Serpent’s Bridge.

Recovering alcoholic Detective Anaya Nazario remains haunted by her father’s murder. Lucas Nazario was the highest-ranking Puerto Rican LAPD detective, and his case has gone unsolved for twenty-four years since his murder. When Mexican immigrants are targeted by a serial killer, Nazario senses a connection and fights to keep the leadless case open. The homicide investigation centers on Sanctuary Baptist, a church composed of immigrants led by Pastor Stan and his wife. Nazario’s personal and professional worlds collide when she is compelled to collaborate with her former lover, Special Agent Blake Huxley. As their lives merge once more, the FBI and Detective Nazario stop at nothing to find a killer.

Is this the same monster who killed her father and left him for dead under a bridge?

Can she put a stop to the murders before more families lose loved ones?

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Get the Box set duo for Only $2.99 for a limited time!

Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.

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My Secret Life by Nina Soden

Most people think they know me.

In my everyday, real‑world life, I’m a Realtor. I lead The Soden Team of Legend Realty. I coach new real estate agents to build their dreams… their businesses. I talk about homes, contracts, inspections, negotiations, market shifts, and deadlines. I answer my phone – a lot. I send emails at odd hours. I help people navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives, and I genuinely love that work.

But here’s the part most people don’t know.

I have a secret life.

When the day quiets down, when the inbox is closed and the showing schedule is finally clear, I slip into another world. One filled with characters and conflict, tension and hope, what‑ifs and maybes. I’m not unlocking doors or analyzing comps — I’m building worlds, chasing scenes, and listening to voices that don’t exist anywhere but, on the page, and in my mind.

I’m an author.

If you found your way to this website, that probably isn’t a secret to you. You might already know about the books, the stories, the interviews, the projects that live here. But what might surprise you is that for many people in my real, day‑to‑day life… this part of me is still hidden in plain sight.

And here’s the twist: for some of the people reading this, my real‑world job might be the surprise.

“Wait,” you might be thinking, “you’re a Realtor?”

Yes. And also… a writer.

For a long time, I thought those two things lived in separate boxes. One was practical, grounded, responsible. The other was creative, private, a little bit wild. I worried that sharing both would confuse people — or that one would somehow cancel out the other.

But the truth is, they inform each other in ways I didn’t expect.

Real estate taught me how to listen. Writing taught me how to notice. Real life gives me endless inspiration for stories, and storytelling helps me connect more deeply with the people I serve every day.

Still, calling writing my secret life feels right.

Because it’s the part of me that shows up early in the morning or late at night. The part that exists quietly alongside everything else. The part that isn’t always visible, but is always there — waiting.

And I know I’m not alone in that.

So many people carry secret lives with them.

Maybe yours is a hobby you don’t talk about much. A creative dream you haven’t shared yet. A business idea scribbled in a notebook. A passion you explore in stolen moments between responsibilities. A version of yourself that feels very real — even if not many people see it.

I’d love to hear about it.

If you’re comfortable, tell me about your secret life. The thing you love. The thing you dream about. The part of you that lives just beneath the surface.

Because sometimes, sharing the secret is how it starts to feel real.

And who knows — maybe it was never meant to stay a secret at all.


All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall

book tour and giveaway banner for All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall
 
When the shadows come alive,
Ava and Caleb discover the only safe place is in each other’s arms.
But the closer they get, the darker the truth becomes.
 
ebook - All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall
All the Shadows We Become

by Dustin Blackwall

Genre: YA Romantasy Thriller

about the book - graphic

Caleb Ward is trying to forget the night he almost died.
Ava Lin is trying to understand why he survived.

But Hollow Creek isn’t letting either of them move on.

What starts as a strange blackout spirals into a trail of eerie clues, shifting shadows, and a connection between Ava and Caleb that grows hotter and more undeniable with every new secret uncovered.

Something happened that night.
Something dangerous.
And it’s waking up.

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standing ebook teaser for All The Shadows We Become by Dustin Blackwall
excerpt - graphic

The lights exploded into darkness so fast it felt like the whole world had been switched off. One second, the fairgrounds pulsed with noise; the next, a hush dropped over everything – thick, heavy, wrong. Ava’s breath caught in her throat as the shadows around the tents stretched, bending in directions that didn’t match the lanterns flickering overhead.

“Caleb…”
She didn’t even finish his name. Her hand shot out on instinct, finding his fingers in the dark. His grip closed around hers immediately – warm, tight, desperate – anchoring her like a lifeline.

Static rolled through the air, not sound but pressure, brushing across her skin like cold fingertips. The wind picked up and carried the faint smell of scorched leaves and metal. Somewhere behind them, a ride creaked slowly, even though nothing was moving it.

Caleb stepped close enough that she felt the heat of his chest at her shoulder.
“I’m here,” he whispered, voice low and unsteady.

Something moved at the corner of her vision – a ripple of shadow that stole her breath. But Caleb was already there, guiding her back against him, solid and unwavering.
The world still trembled, but she didn’t. Not with his strength at her back. In that moment, she felt it with aching clarity: as long as he held her, she could face anything.

All around them, people shouted – fragmented cries swallowed by the dark. A string of carnival lights fizzled overhead, sputtering blue sparks that made the shadows jump like living ink.

Ava squeezed his hand harder.
“We have to move,” she said, though she wasn’t sure which direction was safe anymore.

Caleb turned, pulling her with him, and in that split-second flash of dying light, she saw his face – terrified, determined, and somehow still looking at her like she was the one thing in this chaos he trusted.

The ground trembled.

The shadows bent again.

And together, hand in hand, they ran toward whatever waited in the dark.

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ebook - Light Years To Midnight by Dustin Blackwall
Light Years to Midnight

by Dustin Blackwall

Genre: SciFi Thriller

about the book - graphic

When data itself begins to speak, who decides what it’s trying to say?

Light Years To Midnight — a globe-spanning thriller where science, faith, and code collide in a race against a countdown written into the fabric of reality.

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standing ebook teaser for Light Years To Midnight by Dustin Blackwall
excerpt - graphic

The wind whipped dust across the plateau as Jonas crested the ridge, breath burning in his throat. Below him, the satellite dishes of the abandoned relay station stretched into the dark like a field of frozen giants. Their metal frames groaned under the rising storm, each bent toward the same invisible point on the horizon.

He wasn’t alone.

A faint beam of light—too controlled to be an accident—flickered between the dishes. Jonas crouched, heart thudding, watching as a woman stepped into view, her silhouette sharp against the skeletal machinery. She moved with the alertness of someone who had been running for far too long.

Elena.

He had seen her face in files, in encrypted packets, in the warnings that had chased him across continents. But seeing her here, in the flesh, felt unreal—like walking into a photograph he wasn’t meant to understand.

Before he could speak, a second figure emerged from the opposite end of the array. Maya paused only when she spotted Elena, recognition flaring across her face. They had never met, not really, but the anomaly had braided their paths tightly enough that the moment felt inevitable.

Jonas stood and lifted a hand, but movement in the distance froze him mid-step.

Engines.

Low, tactical, deliberate.

A convoy approached from the north, its headlights dark, its tires crunching through gravel like muffled gunfire. Special operations—unmarked, unhurried, confident. Not hunters, but collectors.

Elena’s eyes locked on his.
“Are they here for you,” she whispered, “or for all of us?”

Maya stepped closer, her breath sharp in the cold air. “Does it matter?”

Something pulsed beneath the earth—three beats, a pause, three more—vibrating up through the metal frames of the dishes. The sky above them shimmered, faint but unmistakable, as if answering the rhythm.

Jonas swallowed hard.

“No,” he said. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s already found us.”

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about the author - graphic
Dustin Blackwall bio pic

Dustin is a lifelong fan of science and speculative fiction, blending his fascination with astronomy, technology, and the unknown into stories that explore the edge between logic and wonder. When he’s not writing, he’s reading, stargazing, or chasing trails on his dirt bike — always searching for what lies just beyond understanding.

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I come from very humble beginnings in a small town in British Columbia. I worked the usual jobs you find in places like that — the kind that teach you patience, grit, and a deep appreciation for people. Eventually I made my way to Vancouver, where I built a career in Architectural Drafting. It was steady work, and for a long time it felt like the right path.

But somewhere along the way, something stopped resonating. I realized I was getting older, and that the little voice that had always whispered “follow your passion” wasn’t going to quiet down on its own. So I made a choice — a hopeful, slightly terrifying, wonderfully exciting choice — to finally listen.

And that’s how I found my way back to storytelling.

Writing lets me share the worlds I’ve carried with me for years… and invite readers into places where shadows glitch, secrets breathe beneath small towns, and ordinary people discover extraordinary courage. I’m grateful every day for anyone who chooses to walk into those stories with me.

What is something unique/quirky about you?

I’m a tad nerdy.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I grew up in a little town a few hours from Vancouver, B.C. — and when I say little, I mean little. It’s the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and where the biggest claim to fame is being the crossroads of four major highways.

I didn’t stay long, though. Even as a kid, I felt this tug toward something bigger, something just beyond the tree line. It is beautiful, but the opportunities I was looking for weren’t there. So I carried those early memories with me — the quiet streets, the mountains close enough to touch, that sense of being on the edge of something unknown — and they found their way into my stories later.

Those small-town roots are still a part of me, and they shape the worlds I write. There’s something special about places where secrets linger just beneath the surface… and shadows sometimes feel alive.

If you knew you’d die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?

Laying the back of my truck on a clear night with a blanket watching the universe move across the sky.

Who is your hero and why?

One of my greatest inspirations has always been Carl Sagan. There was something extraordinary about the way he looked at the universe — not with cold detachment, but with wonder, curiosity, and a deep sense of humanity. His work opened doors in my mind, inviting me to think bigger, dream wider, and explore ideas I might never have considered otherwise.

I still miss his voice, his gentle wisdom, and the way he made the cosmos feel both vast and intimate. His influence hasn’t faded for me; it’s woven into the way I see the world and into the stories I try to tell. He reminded all of us that imagination and science, wonder and truth, can live side by side — and that there’s beauty in asking the next question.

What do you do to unwind and relax?

I love getting outside whenever I can. Camping, being out in the fresh air, just letting the world slow down a little — it does something good for the soul. And when I really want to let loose, I’ll take my dirt bike out and ride until I’m completely worn out. There’s something freeing about it, like shaking off all the stress at once and coming back to myself.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!

So far out of the box I can’t even see it anymore

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Honestly… I’m not sure I ever had a single moment where it clicked. Writing has been a gradual transition for me — a quiet shift rather than a dramatic one. I’m still getting used to the idea, and maybe that’s okay.

What I do know is that somewhere along the way, the stories I carried inside me started asking for space. They wanted to be written, shaped, shared. And every time I sit down to put those worlds onto the page, I feel a little more like the person I’m becoming — someone who tells stories because they matter to me, and hopefully to readers too.

So whether I call myself a “writer” or not, I’m grateful to be on this path, learning as I go, and inviting others into the worlds I create.

Do you have a favorite movie?

My favorite movie? I think I’d have to choose 2010. There’s something about it that still feels awe-inspiring to me — that sense of scale, of mystery, of looking out into the universe and realizing how small and extraordinary we really are.

It’s epic in the quietest, most meaningful way, and every time I watch it I’m reminded why stories about the unknown resonate so deeply. They make us curious. They make us dream. They invite us to imagine what else might be out there… and what might already be waiting for us.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

LOL.  Not there yet. I’m still surprised I got published!

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always loved Halloween — it’s my second favorite holiday after Christmas — and there’s something magical about that time of year that never really left me. I wanted to tap into that feeling again, the sense of wonder and mystery I had when life was simpler and the world felt a little bigger.

So I started writing a story that let me step back into that space. A world I would have loved to wander through myself… eerie, playful, full of possibility. Creating it felt like revisiting an old memory and discovering something new inside it. And sharing that world with readers is one of the most joyful parts of the journey.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve got a few more ideas rattling around in my head — stories that feel a bit more adult, a little grittier, with edges I’m curious to explore. And who knows… one of them seems to be whispering about becoming a trilogy.

It’s still early, but that’s part of the joy. Writing has opened doors I didn’t expect, and I’m excited to follow these new threads wherever they lead. If readers are willing to come along, I’d love to keep building worlds we can step into together.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

What I enjoyed most was how writing this story carried me back to my childhood — a time when everything felt a little simpler and the world didn’t weigh quite so heavily. It reminded me of those early days of curiosity and imagination… and even of my first crush, with all the awkwardness and wonder that comes with those early infatuations.

There was something sweet about reconnecting with those memories, like rediscovering a part of myself I hadn’t visited in years. Bringing that feeling onto the page made the writing process feel less like work and more like a return to something familiar and deeply human.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

Caleb: Jacob Elordi

Ava: Anna Cathcart

Liam: Timothée Chalamet

Dr. Vale: Lee Pace

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

I think this story is a must-read because of the way it unfolds — slowly at first, like a candle burning down in a dark room, and then suddenly you realize the shadows are moving in ways you didn’t expect. There’s a careful blend of suspense and a soft, growing romance, all wrapped in a tension that keeps tugging you forward.

What I love most is how the moments of quiet connection sit right beside the unsettling ones. It’s a story meant to pull you in gently, hold you close, and keep you wondering what might be waiting just beyond the edge of the light.

If readers enjoy that mix of heart, atmosphere, and mystery, then I think they’ll find something special here.

What did you edit out of this book?

There were moments when I felt the story tugging toward something a little steamier, especially as the characters grew closer and their emotions deepened. But I also wanted to honour the heart of the book — that youthful space where tension, longing, and connection can feel electric without crossing too far.

So I chose to keep the romance within a safe YA zone, focusing more on the emotion, the build-up, and those breath-catching moments that say so much without needing to go further. In many ways, holding back made the story stronger… it let the characters speak through their feelings rather than the physical details.

What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?

Carl Sagan, Arthur C Clarke, Issac Assimov, Dean Koontz, Alan Steele, Dan Browne, R.A. Salvatore

How long have you been writing?

Well for years, just got serious about it recently.

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

I google everything to get my facts straight and try to write what I know.

Do you see writing as a career?

LOL ask me again in a year.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?

I’ve always been a reader — it’s one of the constants in my life. I tend to wander between genres depending on my mood, but I’m especially drawn to science fiction, fantasy, military thrillers, and good old-fashioned espionage.

There’s something about those worlds — the sense of scale, the strategy, the imagination — that has always lit up my curiosity. They shaped the way I think about storytelling and probably planted the seeds for the kinds of mysteries and atmospheres I love exploring in my own work.

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

I tend to have quite a few ideas drifting around in my head at any given time. Sometimes I’ll jump from one project to another just to follow where the energy is that day — it’s part of how my creativity works.

But when a story really starts calling to me, I can focus in and give it the attention it deserves. There’s something wonderful about letting ideas breathe while still being able to commit fully when a project reaches that moment where it feels ready to come to life.

Pen or type writer or computer?

COMPUTER

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?

It’s a bucket list thing.  It was time.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

I think I’d tell them to just go for it. People will always have their own ideas about how your life should look, what path you should follow, what’s “practical.” But only you can feel the pull of the things that matter to you.

I’d remind my younger self that it’s okay to choose a different direction, even if no one else understands it yet. Your path is yours to walk — and the stories you carry are worth listening to.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It really depends on what real life is doing at the time. The bills don’t stop, the responsibilities don’t pause, and sometimes finding the space to write feels like trying to carve out a quiet moment inside a storm. But little by little, you find ways to make it work.

Some days it’s easy, and other days you just have to put your head down and keep going. The important part is showing up for the story, even in small moments. That’s how the books eventually come together – one determined page at a time.

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I think it’s a chronic condition for me.


Kindred Schemes by R.K. Harrington

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.

One bookish debutante. Two dashing suitors. And a season full of scandal.

Kindred Schemes

Schemes Book 1

by R. K. Harrington

Genre: Historical Regency Romance

 One bookish debutante. Two dashing suitors. And a season full of scandal.

Lady Alaina Sinclair never expected London society to be so treacherous—or so tempting. She has always preferred books to ballrooms, but with a disastrous start to her first season, she’s determined to rewrite her fate. With her heart set on the respectable—and very eligible—Duke of Ashford, Alaina is ready to embrace society’s expectations… even if it means silencing her true desires.

Alaina’s world is set awry by Christopher Kendall, the Marquess of Rochester—sharp-tongued, maddeningly handsome, and inconveniently, the duke’s closest friend. Their first encounter is a disaster. Their next, a temptation. And every moment together after that, increasingly impossible to ignore. But with a web of secrets, jealous relatives, and mysterious threats unraveling around her, it soon becomes clear: this is no ordinary season.

Kindred Schemes is a modern take on a regency romance with glamour, a steamy love triangle, and enough mystery to keep readers turning the page.

What readers are saying:

“The story’s central love triangle will delight romance fans…Harrington excels in crafting multidimensional characters…[A] satisfying blend of romance, intrigue, and character-driven storytelling.” — Booklife 

An entertaining period love story, nicely balancing breathless lust with social satire and high-mindedness.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The characters are colorful and sharply etched…the prose has a droll, Austen-esque verve to it, using pompously polite palaver to reveal the crassness of high society…In keeping with the style is the spirit of the book’s message—that true love triumphs over mercenary calculation. Readers will root for the feisty Alaina to overcome the stuffed shirts and find her heart’s desire.” — Kirkus Reviews 

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R. K. Harrington is a debut historical romance author, combining swoon-worthy romance with a bit of mystery. Her first novel, Kindred Schemes, is scheduled to be released February 2026.

In 2021, R. K. Harrington found that her daydreams were yearning to spill over to the written page, and, ever since, has been writing historical romance with a dash of mystery in hopes of publishing her work one day. After much editing, and long hours designing, she is gearing up to release her first novel, with many more to come!

R. K. Harrington grew up reading romance novels at a (maybe too) young age, and the stories entranced her. Give her a Happily Ever After (HEA) and there is no better book in the world. While romance books (namely historical romances) are her first love, R. K. Harrington is an avid reader of all genres. She has gone through many phases: medical mysteries, crime dramas, science fiction, romantasy, and is currently in a fantasy phase (she does do the occasional non-fiction book as well, namely history). Through every season of reading, romance books of all kinds are sprinkled liberally.

When R. K. Harrington is not writing or reading (or working her day job as an engineer), she is having fun with her husband, their kids, and her very cute dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Maximus. They all live in the DMV area, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and the two days of Spring and Fall are beautiful enough to open the windows!

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Would you like a chance to win a $20 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!


Spirit Bear Conspiracy by Anne Kane

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.

My mission: Save my woman, guard the secret of the Spirit Bear, and take down the poachers.

Spirit Bear Conspiracy

Brotherhood of the Wild #1

by Anne Kane

Genre: MC Romantic Suspense

My mission: Save my woman, guard the secret of the rare spirit bear, and take down the poachers.

Ryland — I was tailing a gang of poachers, certain they’d lead me straight to their kingpin, when a stray arrow from a crossbow slammed into me. Pain lanced through me and everything faded to black. In that blur of unconsciousness, I could have sworn a pure white bear stood over me, calm as can be. When I opened my eyes again, a woman — curvy and impossibly beautiful — was watching me with the cutest look of mixed concern and distrust on her face.

Kimberly — I thought I was alone on a tiny island off the coast of British Columbia until an arrow from a crossbow barely missed skewering me. With my dog Diego at my heels, I ran to hide in a maze of caves, my heart pounding. Crouched down in the dark, I listened in terror as voices and footsteps floated to me from outside. I prayed the shooters wouldn’t find the spirit bear that inhabited this place. When I finally crept back out into the daylight, I found I wasn’t the only target — but the unconscious man lying in a pool of his own blood wasn’t talking. Victim or one of them?

WARNING: This Riptide action-adventure romance includes violence, abuse, coarse language, vigilante justice, and adult situations. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Enjoy!

What readers are saying:

☆☆☆☆☆ 5 out of 5 stars.

Diego Rules Poachers Drool !

Loved the start of The Brotherhood series !! It has loose ties to the Author’s other series called Riptide MC ! The characters Kimberly and Ryland are well written and a lot of fun to read. The storyline has real world implications in the animal poaching and for animals living in shelters, so please be careful if such stories cause you any emotional distress. The book has a lot of action both in and out of the “bedroom”. I can’t wait to read book 2. 5’s for an action packed read !. · Dianna Rule TX

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Award winning author Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue mutt(Merlin the Wonder Dog), a slightly larger rescue dog (Lexi the Aussie Shepherd) a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She has two handsome sons and seven adorable grandchildren. She’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy so of course when she writes, she lets her imagination take over. The one thing the reader can always count on is that the main characters will live happily ever after, even if they have to defeat a few nasty aliens first.

When she’s not busy writing the next great novel, she likes to kayak, hike, ride motorcycles, swim, skate, practice karate, play her guitar, sing and of course, read.

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Would you like a chance to win a $10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!


15 Signs You’re Definitely an Urban Fantasy Reader

Urban fantasy readers are a special breed. If you’ve ever looked at a dark alley and wondered what might be lurking just out of sight, this genre probably already has you in its grip.

Here are 15 signs you’re definitely an urban fantasy reader—and why this genre keeps pulling us back. Yup, us, I love reading and writing urban fantasy!

Urban fantasy isn’t about far-off worlds. It’s about this one—just with secrets hidden beneath the surface. It might be a magical underworld… vampires hiding in plain sight… werewolves that come out with the full moon… you get the picture.

Subways, rooftops, abandoned buildings—urban fantasy turns cities into living, breathing characters. Those dark alleys no one ventures into in the real world… they are full of characters we love to hate between the pages of novels, safe in our homes.

That barista? Probably a witch. That stranger on the bus? Maybe not human. Even your mom, your dad, your best friend’s cousin… no one is safe from speculation when you dive into an urban fantasy adventure.

Urban fantasy heroes are rarely perfect—and that’s the point. Let me ask you this: Who among us is perfect? Movie superheroes are portrayed as almost God-like with their perfect personalities. However, in real life, as in urban fantasy, most heroes have flaws just like you and me, and oftentimes even worse.

These stories thrive on chosen family, loyalty, and unlikely alliances. We can’t pick the family we are born into, but the family we do select can be even stronger. Urban fantasy stories flourish when the ‘found family’ aspect is at its best.

Urban fantasy isn’t afraid of shadows, trauma, or moral gray areas. Not going to lie… there are often trigger warnings associated with many of the dark urban fantasies. Go in with caution… enjoy with an open mind.

Magic systems matter—and breaking them always comes with consequences. This is pretty self-explanatory. Rules exist, no matter what world you live in. Break the rules and pay the price.

Romance exists, but it never overshadows the story. That feeling of ‘what if’ or ‘just do it’ will come up, but it is rarely the driving force.

Even with magic, the emotional stakes stay grounded. Urban fantasy reality, even when adding the element of magic or supernatural beings, doesn’t have to seem pretend or far-fetched.

Gods, demons, fae, legends—urban fantasy reimagines them all. I love me some Greek mythology, which is the inspiration for a lot of urban fantasy stories.

Every chapter feels like peeling back another layer… diving deeper into a world we aren’t supposed to know exists. Maybe it does… maybe it doesn’t… who’s to say? The stories come from somewhere.

Again, nothing comes without consequences.

Sarcasm and grit go hand-in-hand in this genre. Do your friends often tell you that you have a dark sense of humor or that your humor is dry or harsh? Yeah, you just might fit in with the rest of us!

Urban fantasy whispers, This could be real. Urban fantasy calls to readers… drawing them in, but often keeping them peeking through the window, just outside of reality.

Once you find a good series, you’re in for life. Book 1… book 10… or even book 40… keep them coming.

THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES BY NINA SODEN (AWAKEN, BEGINNINGS, REVENGE, AND PURSUIT)

THE BEAST WITHIN (IN THE SAME WORLD AS THE BLOOD ANGEL SERIES, BUT A STAND-ALONE NOVEL)

THE SECTOR C SERIES BY NINA SODEN (THE CHOSEN, THE HUNTED, AND THE BRIDGE)

Urban fantasy doesn’t just entertain—it invites you to question reality itself.


Letters From Lucca by Kim Baccellia

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.

Check out the cover reveal of this gut-wrenching historical where Sammi Clark travels to Italy to redeem her beloved Grandmother’s name, only to find the truth is more complex.

Letters From Lucca

by Kim Baccellia

Genre: YA Historical Fiction, WWII Mystery

On the heels of Sammi’s grandmother’s whispered deathbed wish, a package of letters from Italy arrives at her post box. Reading them makes Sammi recall whispers she heard in childhood of her grandmother’s wartime involvement, a past that Sammi’s father and aunt would rather see remain closed. As if things couldn’t get any worse, her long-time boyfriend, Hunter, dumps her.

However, an opportunity arises that sends her to Italy to defend her grandmother, even if the truth might shatter all she believes. In a helpful twist, Joseph, her best friend’s Italian cousin, offers to help her. Despite the obvious growing attraction between Joseph and her, she tries to suppress it as she embarks on her mission to vindicate the grandmother she loves.

**Releases Feb 3, 2026 – PreOrder Now!**

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Award-winning author Kim Baccellia grew up in Sacramento, California, the oldest of seven. She has a business associate degree from Sacramento City College, a BS degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, and studied post grad bilingual/bicultural education at CSUF.

She’s been a telemarketer, library helper at the Harold B. Lee library at BYU, assistant manager, sales clerk, tutor, bilingual teacher, and homeschool mother.

Award-winning author. Author of YA paranormal CROSSED OUT and CROSSED FIRE. YA dystopia CANDLE IN THE WIND. Also the author of the urban diverse fantasy EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA. Short Christmas Magic in the Holiday analogy MISTLETOE AND MAGIC. Re-releasing YA fantasy series under new titles in 2026! Currently working on a historical romance set in Tuscany.

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Would you like a chance to win a $10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!


Tea for Two by Bianca White

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.

An Austen-inspired Short Story Duet

Enjoy two tea parties, two romances and two characters from one of the world’s most beloved authors.

Tea for Two: An Austen-Inspired Short Story Duet

by Bianca White

Genre: Historical Romance

Jane Austen and tea. What more could one ask for?


Enjoy two tea parties, two romances and two characters from one of the world’s most beloved authors.


In this historical romance short story duet gossip-loving Mrs Jennings meddles in affairs of the heart, and scandalous Henry Crawford turns heads once again!

Be swept away by the amusements of the Regency tea party in these Austen-inspired short stories. Delight in the sweet romance, dancing, gossip and, of course, tea.

“But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Tea for Two comprises two short stories:

Jilted

Lord Asher Mandeville is heartbroken when his childhood love, Miss Tabitha Rowe, jilts him only weeks before their wedding.

Asher refuses to accept Tabitha’s rejection and chases after his betrothed to demand an explanation.

Tabitha is determined to escape him, but Asher’s shattered heart will accept nothing other than her return.

Wooing Miss Woodforde

Jasper Trevethan loves Miss Sophie Woodforde, but he is a penniless rake. Sophie would never marry him, even if he were rich.

As an impoverished companion, Sophie serves the whims of others while pining for her employer’s scandalous nephew.

When an unexpected inheritance transforms Sophie’s life, she becomes the target of fortune hunters.

Before another scoundrel steals his love, Jasper must prove his devotion and woo Miss Woodforde. But Sophie would rather become an old maid than marry a man who only wants her for her money, especially Mr Trevethan.

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Bianca White writes passionate and spicy historical romance.

Bianca loves history and has a degree in history and history of art. The word “research” is often used as an excuse to drag members of her family around every stately home and castle wherever they go. Nothing, not even the grumbling of said family, will keep her away from a historical fashion exhibition.

When she’s not writing, Bianca feeds her addiction to romance novels. She also loves baking and watching movies. Thanks to her love of baking (and eating), she feels the need to balance it with a little activity and enjoys tai chi, aerobics and swimming.

Bianca lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two children.

To receive all the latest news from Bianca White, and a bit of history in your inbox, sign up for her mailing list at Bianca White Writes.

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Would you like a chance to win a $10 Amazon or PayPal Gift Card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!