Tag Archives: #NinaSodenBooks

Kindred Schemes by R.K. Harrington

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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

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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

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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!

1. You Love the Idea of Magic Existing Right Now

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.

2. Cities Feel Alive to You

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.

3. You Believe the Ordinary Is Never Truly Ordinary

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.

4. You Love Strong, Flawed Protagonists

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.

5. Found Family Hits Hard

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.

6. You Enjoy Darker Themes

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.

7. You Love Rules to Magic

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.

8. You Enjoy Slow-Burn Romance

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.

9. You Like Stories That Feel Real

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.

10. You’re Drawn to Mythology

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.

11. You Love Secrets

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.

12. You Like Power With a Price

Again, nothing comes without consequences.

13. You Prefer Dark Humor

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!

14. You Love Worlds That Feel Just Out of Reach

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.

15. You Always Want More –

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

DO YOU LIKE STARTING A SERIES THAT IS ALREADY COMPLETE, KNOWING YOU WON’T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE TO COME OUT? YOU’RE IN LUCK, BOTH MY BLOOD ANGEL SERIES AND MY SECTOR C SERIES ARE AVAILABLE IN FULL! CHECK THEM OUT BELOW!

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.

Why Dystopian Fiction Feels More Relevant Than Ever

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Dystopian fiction has always mirrored society—but lately, it feels uncomfortably close to home. Readers aren’t drawn to dystopian worlds because they’re bleak. They’re drawn to them because they ask hard questions.

Dystopian stories explore:

CONTROL AND POWER

The Dresden Files — Jim Butcher

  • How it explores the theme:
    Power is hierarchical and political: the White Council, vampire courts, fae queens. Control is maintained through rules, fear, and tradition.
  • Why it matters:
    Magic doesn’t equal freedom — power always comes with oversight and consequences.

Kate Daniels Series — Ilona Andrews

  • How it explores the theme:
    Power shifts between magic factions, shapeshifters, necromancers, and ancient beings.
  • Why it matters:
    Control isn’t static — it’s constantly contested, unstable, and violent.

The Iron Druid Chronicles — Kevin Hearne

  • How it explores the theme:
    Gods, immortals, and magical beings exert power over mortals in subtle and overt ways.
  • Why it matters:
    Power imbalance between the divine and human is a recurring moral tension.

American Gods — Neil Gaiman

  • How it explores the theme:
    Power comes from belief. Old gods struggle to maintain control in a changing world.
  • Why it matters:
    Control is psychological and cultural, not just physical.

the sector c series — Nina soden

  • How it explores the theme:
    Society is governed by a council of vampires and shapeshifters. Yet the world, and their power, begin to crumble around them.
  • Why it matters:
    In a world where control is everything, a pebble in the pond can change the world!

TRUTH VS. PRPAGANDA

The Hollows Series — Kim Harrison

  • How it explores the theme:
    The supernatural community hides behind a carefully controlled public narrative.
  • Why it matters:
    Truth is curated to maintain public order — and fear.

Neverwhere — Neil Gaiman

  • How it explores the theme:
    London Above actively ignores London Below.
  • Why it matters:
    Reality is shaped by what society chooses not to see.

The Others — Anne Bishop

  • How it explores the theme:
    Humans believe they control the world, but the truth is far darker.
  • Why it matters:
    The illusion of dominance collapses when the real power is revealed.

Good Omens — Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

  • How it explores the theme:
    Prophecy is misinterpreted, manipulated, and selectively believed.
  • Why it matters:
    Even divine truth can be distorted by bias and expectation.

The Blood Angel Series — NINA SODEN

  • How it explores the theme:
    Humans are blind to the reality that the world they live in is far from the world they believe to be truth.
  • Why it matters:
    Perception is reality, even when it was not intended.

SURVIVAL UNDER PRESSURE

Mercy Thompson Series — Patricia Briggs

  • How it explores the theme:
    Mercy survives in a world dominated by supernatural power structures.
  • Why it matters:
    Survival isn’t about strength — it’s about adaptability.

October Daye Series — Seanan McGuire

  • How it explores the theme:
    Faerie politics are lethal, and survival often requires sacrifice.
  • Why it matters:
    The cost of survival is emotional as well as physical.

The Mortal Instruments — Cassandra Clare

  • How it explores the theme:
    Teen characters face life-or-death stakes while navigating rigid magical law.
  • Why it matters:
    Survival requires questioning authority — not obeying it.

The Beast within — Nina Soden

  • How it explores the theme:
    Characters face unusual situations forcing them to make tough decisions under extreme pressure.
  • Why it matters:
    Survival by following the natural, or unnatural, instincts within ourselves.

The Magicians — Lev Grossman

  • How it explores the theme:
    Magic doesn’t protect characters from trauma or failure.
  • Why it matters:
    Survival includes enduring disappointment and disillusionment.

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN

The Others — Anne Bishop

  • How it explores the theme:
    Humanity is examined from an outside perspective.
  • Why it matters:
    Being human isn’t about dominance — it’s about empathy.

The Sandman — Neil Gaiman

  • How it explores the theme:
    Mortality, dreams, and meaning define humanity.
  • Why it matters:
    Human fragility is portrayed as a strength, not a weakness.

Rivers of London — Ben Aaronovitch

  • How it explores the theme:
    A rational protagonist navigates an irrational world.
  • Why it matters:
    Humanity lies in curiosity, ethics, and restraint.

The Golem and the Jinni — Helene Wecker

  • How it explores the theme:
    Two non-human beings explore identity, freedom, and belonging.
  • Why it matters:
    Humanity is defined by choice, not origin.

These stories allow readers to safely examine fear, resistance, and resilience.

In dystopian fiction, ordinary people become heroes not because they’re powerful—but because they refuse to stop caring.

That’s why dystopian stories will always endure!

Comment below and tell me what your favorite dystopian books are. I’d love to add them to my TO-READ list!

Happy Holidays to the Storytellers and Story Lovers

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There’s something about the holiday season that feels like a book you return to year after year.

The familiar opening lines. The comforting setting. The quiet moments that linger long after the last page.

As the year comes to a close, I wanted to pause and say thank you—and Happy Holidays—to every author I’ve had the honor of featuring here, and to every reader who has spent even a few minutes of their time wandering through my posts (or even better, through the pages of my novels).

If you’re reading this, you’re part of a community that believes in stories. You’re part of MY community.

And that matters. It matters to me.

Books Are the Gifts That Never Stop Giving

Books have always been a special kind of gift. They don’t sparkle under the tree, but they glow in other ways:

They offer escape when the world feels heavy.
They provide comfort when words are hard to find.
They challenge us, soften us, and sometimes even change us.

This time of year, stories feel especially powerful. We read by twinkling lights. We recommend favorite novels to friends. We tuck books into stockings, hoping the right story finds the right person at the right time.

Stories remind us that even in dark chapters, hope still exists.

And that’s a very special kind of magic.

To the Authors Who Shared Their Stories Here

To every author who trusted me with their work, their process, their vulnerability, and their voice—thank you.

Writing is brave. Sharing that writing is even braver.

Behind every book is a person who wrestled with doubt, chased inspiration at odd hours, and kept going even when the path felt uncertain. Trust me, I know! Featuring your stories on this site has been one of the greatest joys of my year, and I’m endlessly grateful for the chance to spotlight your creativity.

Your words matter. Your stories matter. And I can’t wait to see where the next chapter takes you.

To the Readers Who Keep Showing Up

And to the readers—those who comment, share, recommend, and quietly return—thank you for being here.

Readers are the heartbeat of storytelling. Without you, stories are just words on a page. With you, they become worlds, emotions, and memories.

Whether you found this site through a favorite genre, an author interview, or a single late-night scroll, I’m grateful you stayed.

May your holidays be filled with stories that make you feel understood, inspired, and a little less alone.

Turning the Page on a New Year

As we step into a brand-new year, I hope it brings:

  • More time to read
  • More courage to write
  • More stories that surprise us
  • And more moments of quiet joy with a good book in hand

The best stories are never really finished—they simply invite us to keep reading.

So here’s to fresh chapters, new ideas, and the magic that only stories can create.

From my heart (and my bookshelf) to yours—

Happy Holidays and happy reading.

— Nina Soden

Letters From Lucca by Kim Baccellia

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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

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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!

Fur, Fangs, & Mistletoe by Jessica Coulter Smith

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When a struggling single mom and her adorable toddler get snowed in with a grumpy wolf shifter, Christmas magic starts working overtime.

Fur, Fangs, & Mistletoe

Christmas Cove Book 1

by Jessica Coulter Smith

Genre: Paranormal Holiday Romance

Escape to Christmas Cove, a cozy small town where magic, shifters, and holiday romance collide.

After a painful breakup, Riley is ready for a fresh start in Christmas Cove. All she wants is a peaceful life for herself and her two-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Love isn’t on her holiday wish list. When she’s stuck in a blizzard, help arrives in the form of Alex Conors — a protective, brooding werewolf.

Snowed in with a grumpy shifter and a crackling fire, Riley begins to see the gentle heart behind Alex’s fierce exterior… and Alex finds himself falling for the brave single mom who awakens something he thought he lost long ago.

Hot cocoa and toddler giggles turn strangers into something more. But when Riley’s past resurfaces and threatens the safety she’s found, Alex will have to prove that loyalty, love — and pack — are forever.

A warm, emotional holiday romance filled with shifter charm, second chances, and the magic of Christmas. Ideal for fans of protective alphas, found family, and heartfelt happily-ever-afters.

🏠 Small-town charm & found family
🐺 Grumpy wolf + sunshine single mom
👩‍👧 Adorable toddler moments
🎁 Snowed-in & forced proximity
💕 Fated mates and holiday magic

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Jessica Coulter Smith is an acclaimed romance writer with a passion for storytelling. Her works showcase the power of love and its ability to transcend boundaries, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. With a unique writing style and perspective, Jessica continues to inspire and entertain readers from all walks of life.

Find her online…

Website * Blog * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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

My Holiday Playlist

There’s something about Christmas music that immediately puts me in the mood to write holiday romances — especially the kind filled with snow, twinkle lights, and a little bit of magic. Every December (and sometimes long before), I start building a playlist that keeps me in the spirit while I write.

Some of these songs are sweet and nostalgic, others tug at the heartstrings, and a few just make me smile. Together, they capture the emotions I love weaving into my stories — love, hope, second chances, and finding light in unexpected places.

So pour yourself a mug of cocoa (or maybe some spiked eggnog), settle in, and let me share a few of my favorite Christmas songs — the soundtrack behind Fur, Fangs, & Mistletoe and just about every cozy story I write this time of year.

My Favorite Christmas Songs

✨ “Hard Candy Christmas” – Dolly Parton

✨ “The Little Drummer Boy” – Johnny Cash

✨ “Blue Christmas” – Elvis Presley

✨ “Mistletoe & Holly” – Frank Sinatra

✨ “Pretty Paper” – Willie Nelson

✨ “The First Noel” – Josh Groban

✨ “Mele Kalikimaka” – Jimmy Buffett

✨ “Christmas in Dixie” – Alabama

✨ “White Christmas” – Bing Crosby

✨ “Silver and Gold” – Burl Ives

✨ “Silver Bells” – Martina McBride

Each of these songs carries a little spark of what I love most about Christmas: love, kindness, reflection, and that touch of wonder that seems to hang in the air all season long.

Music always finds its way into my writing — sometimes as inspiration for a scene, sometimes just as background noise while I sip cocoa and imagine snow falling outside my office window.

Whether you’re reading holiday romances, baking cookies, or curled up with your favorite blanket and pet (I usually have a cat in my lap), I hope you take a moment to enjoy your own soundtrack of the season.

Friends and Foes of Zenobia

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Do you dare approach Zenobia’s purple throne?

Friends and Foes of Zenobia

A Paranormal Horror Anthology

featuring tales by

Denise N. Tapscott, Marc L. Abbott, Linda D. Addison,

Kirk A. Johnson, John Palisano, Robin Reed, Steven Van Patten

From the spellbinding novel Gypsy Kisses and Voodoo Wishes, meet Zenobia Jalio. 

Many know her as a grandmother with a few magic tricks up her sleeve from the heart of New Orleans. 

However, some believe she is a self-righteous witch, a dangerous judge, and a ruthless tormentor.  Others know her as a trusted healer, savior, and kind friend.  

History shows she was once the beloved queen of Palmyra.

Read this collection of her deeds, then decide, 

do you dare approach Zenobia’s purple throne?

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Denise N. Tapscott is a California native. She left her heart in San Francisco, but somehow managed to leave her soul in New Orleans.

She is the author of the novel Gypsy Kisses and Voodoo Wishes and the sequel, Enlightening of the Damned.  She recently published an anthology called The Friends and Foes of Zenobia and she’s currently working on a third book in the Zenobia series called Lotus Flowers of the South.

As an actress, she’s known as ‘Tasha’, a sassy vampire featured in the YouTube comedy series ‘The Vamps Next Door’.

Denise is also a co-host of the Beef, Wine, and Shenanigans podcast with fellow dark fiction writers Steven Van Patten, Marc Abbott and Kirk A Johnson. The podcast is known for being both hysterical and insightful as it deals with a wide range of topics.

*Headshot courtesy of Jay Courtney Photos.

Often referencing her favorite quotes, below is Denise’s favorite motto by Hans Christian Andersen:

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.”

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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!

AUTHOR Q&A

  1. Pen or typewriter or computer?

When I first started, I wrote everything down with a blue pen in journals.  Eventually I wrote and continue to write on a laptop.  When I have trouble with a scene in a book, I will write it out by hand and later add it to a word document. If I get inspired, I’m definitely writing notes on scrap paper or post its. I do have an old school manual typewriter, but I’ve never used it.  I have no idea if it still works.

  1. Tell us about a favorite character from a book.

One of my favorite characters is the dog in Cujo by Stephen King. I love how as a reader you see things from his perspective and then how it switches to the humans encountering a monster.  It bums me out that supposedly Steven King doesn’t remember writing that story.

  1. Describe your writing style.

I do my best to write kind of like painting a picture.  I want my reader to visualize what the characters see, or if the stories were on a big screen the reader could sit back and enjoy it. There’s a saying that as a writer you should show more than tell. So I do my best to show.  For example, instead of saying “she walked across the street” I would say “As the sun burned brightly overhead, she slowly limped across the hot asphalt, hoping that her heels wouldn’t start to blister.”  It took me a long time to really understand “showing” versus telling. I’d say it is definitely an ongoing battle.

  1. What is your writing process?

 I make a rough outline so that I can stay on track with the main storyline/plot, but the rest is definitely organic.  I do my best to stay true to what characters want, so there will be twists and turns. However in the end, the main plot will still be the main plot.  Chapters will come later, to help with the pacing of the book as a whole.

  1. What is your writing Kryptonite?

My Kryptonite is time. Sometimes there is plenty of time, but more often than not, there’s never enough time.  I don’t get writers block, but I do struggle finding a balance of finding time to write, do social media stuff, work at the muggle job and doing something physical like taking a walk.  The stories are in my head but finding the time to get them onto screen and eventually into a physical book is a challenge. So many characters, so little time.

My other Kryptonite are certain words that I use entirely too much, like “beautiful” or “dark”.  I constantly ask myself, “why is it beautiful?  Is there another way to describe it?”.

  1. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I try to be more original.  I think there’s an audience for everything, even if it isn’t mainstream. Generally, my plot lines aren’t super unique or new, but how I present them are definitely different, which I enjoy. I hope my readers find my stories distinctive and entertaining.

The Enforcer’s Possession by Harley Wylde

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A contract of power. A marriage of enemies. A love written in blood, bound by desire.

The Enforcer’s Possession

Ruthless Alliances #1

by Harley Wylde

Genre: Dark Mafia Romantic Suspense

A contract of power. A marriage of enemies. A love written in blood, bound by desire.

Caterina: My father thinks he owns me. A spoiled mafia princess, good for one thing — marriage to strengthen his empire. But I refuse to be sold to a cruel man. If he wants an alliance, I’ll give him one — on my terms. So I go to Dante De Luca, the De Luca family’s most dangerous enforcer. Cold. Controlled. Lethal. Our contract marriage is supposed to be business, not desire. Then he touches me, and everything I thought I knew about power and control shatters.

Dante: Caterina Lombardi doesn’t know what she’s started. She wants protection. I want her. She thinks she can use me to defy her father, but once she’s mine, she stays mine. She’s fire wrapped in silk — reckless, beautiful, and born to test every rule I’ve ever followed. But in our world, rebellion comes with blood, and enemies are closing in. I’ll burn everything to protect her… even if it means becoming the monster she fears.

A dark mafia romance filled with obsession, betrayal, and dangerous passion. For readers who love possessive alpha heroes, spoiled princess heroines, enemies-to-lovers heat, and contracts written in blood.

WARNING: Intended for readers 18+ The Enforcer’s Possession includes dark and possessive elements, emotional intensity, and morally gray behavior.

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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.

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Author Interview with Harley Wylde

Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes, and no. I loved animals so much, when I was only a few years old, I’d tell people I wanted to be an animal doctor. Once I was a little older, I changed my answer. I fell in love with writing even in elementary school. But I was always told that writing wasn’t a career, it was a hobby. It wasn’t until  my 20’s I took the plunge and submitted a finished novel to a small press. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Do you only write Mafia romances?

I actually write a lot of different romance genres, and have more than one pen name. As Harley Wylde, I write mafia, motorcycle club, blue collar bad boys, and the occasional fantasy motorcycle club. My other pen names cover anything from historical romance to young adult and even erotica.

What is the hardest thing about being an author?

Deadlines! That’s the one thing I struggle with the most. Between the demands of my family, the random bits of chaos that are never planned, and my health issues, I’m always fighting to get things turned in on time. More often than not, I missed my date by at least a day or two.

What keeps you going when you’re exhausted and want to give up?

Music and coffee. Sometimes, my playlists fit the theme of the book. Other times, it’s songs that kept me motivated to write (or awake). And I’m addicted to Starbucks white mochas, so I almost always have one before I start working.

How can readers meet you in person?

I attend several book events each year. You can find the schedule on my website, but my next two events are in March 2026:  Authors Rocking Little Rock in Little Rock, AR and Tempted & Tantalizing in Raleigh, NC.