SOMETHING DISCOVERED by Author Bernadette Marie **BOOK BLAST** **GIVEAWAY**

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Bernadette Marie to the blog today to talk about her new book, Something Discovered, Book #2 in the Funerals and Weddings series of contemporary romances. You can find all the stops on Bernadette’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for your chance to win a $25 gift card. The entry form is at the end of this post.

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

Sometimes coming home opens the door to discovering something new.

After Coach Diaz’s funeral, Alex Burke realized there was nothing left for him in Boston, especially after he found out his girlfriend had moved on. Moving back to Colorado, and bonding with his college friends, is what Alex needed to get his life back in order.

Catherine Anderson grew up in the shadow of Coach Diaz’s daughter. The best friend that was always overlooked, Catherine had reservations about the men who had been Coach’s Fabulous Five, especially Alex Burke who always had eyes for Rachel, and didn’t even know Catherine existed.

Coming together to mutually help Rachel through hard times, Catherine and Alex realize they’d had eyes for one another back when. Perhaps now that Alex was home, it would be a good time to explore an adult relationship. But when news out of Boston rocks his world, it just might be more than Catherine can handle.

Get Something Discovered on Amazon ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Google Play

Alex took the brush from her and set it on top of the open can of paint. “Do you dance?”

Now he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Her eyes were wide as she studied him. She might have thought he was crazy, but she wasn’t pushing him away.

A few measures later, she finally lifted her arms and swayed with him.

“This is silly,” she chuckled shaking her head.

“Spontaneous,” he corrected as he pulled her a little closer. “It’s supposed to be romantic, right? Stopping what you’re doing and dancing?”

Her eyes went wide. “Are you trying to be romantic?”

“Am I not good at it?”

Catherine blinked and he could see her lip tremble. “I asked you first,” she said and her voice shook.

Alex slowed his sway. Maybe he was trying to be romantic. Maybe that was why he felt the need to show up at her house with flowers and wine.

He slowed even more, until they were simply standing in the bathroom—his hands on her hips, her arms around his neck.

“I guess I am,” he said looking down into her blue eyes.

Catherine swallowed hard and ran her tongue across her pink lips. “Then I guess you’re good at it.”

The ball was back in his court, he decided. He could let go of her and pick up the paint roller, or he could take the next step and see what happened.

Catherine’s fingers began to make circles at the nape of his neck, and now he trembled.

Lowering his mouth, until his was only a breath from hers, he stopped and locked eyes with her. Her baby blues were soft before they disappeared behind her eyelids, and he knew then she wanted the kiss he was contemplating as much as he did.

Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie is known for building families readers want to be part of. Her series The Keller Family has graced bestseller charts since its release in 2011. Since then she has authored and published over forty-five books. The married mother of five sons promises romances with a Happily Ever After always…and says she can write it because she lives it.

Obsessed with the art of writing and the business of publishing, chronic entrepreneur Bernadette Marie established her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, in 2011 to bring her own work to market as well as offer an opportunity for fresh voices in fiction to find a home as well.

When not immersed in the writing/publishing world, Bernadette Marie can be found spending time with her family, traveling, and running multiple businesses. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, and loves Tai Chi. She is a retired hockey mom, a lover of a good stout craft beer, and might have an unhealthy addiction to chocolate.

Bernadette's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Bernadette Marie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It’s been my pleasure hosting Bernadette Marie today on the blog. Please come back again soon for more authors, books, and giveaways.
Nancy

TO ENTICE A SPY by Author Diane Scott Lewis **Book Blast** **GIVEAWAY**

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Diane Scott Lewis to the blog. Today we’re featuring her book, To Entice A Spy. You can find all the stops on Diane’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for you chance to win a $20 gift card. The entry form can be found at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Historical Romantic Suspense

In 1794, Widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne seeks revenge for the brutal death of her female companion during a Paris riot. On her return to England, Eseld delves into espionage to defeat the French rebels.

Baron Robert Penhale, Eseld’s childhood love, rejoins the Secret Services after his wife’s death. He’s determined to protect England from the revolution terrorizing France.

A ruthless French spy fights for the common man while disguised as an English aristocrat. He’s intent on revenge against those who oppose him.

With the spy stalking them and Robert in fear for Eseld's life, the fate of the couple verges on disaster.

Amazon ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Book Depository ~ Target

Pierre entered the Blue Anchor tavern. At a table in the far corner, he sat and ordered a small beer. He reached into his greatcoat pocket and pulled out the letter he’d just picked up from the General Post Office. Crackling it open in the dim candlelight, he started to read the coded letter.

Men laughed and talked in the low-ceiling taproom, puffing on pipes. The word, “revolution,” popped up now and then. Had their arguments been for or against?

The nerve of the English to care about his country’s events, but the murder of useless royalty across the Channel had made George III fear for his crown. Now Britain, along with Austria, attacked France to demand the status quo.

A pretty wench in apron and cap sauntered up to his table.

“You promised to visit me. I’m that earnest to run my fingers through your hair blacker than coal, an’ gaze into them blue eyes. Handsome devil.”

“Not now, I’ll come back later tonight. I’m busy.”

Pierre was anxious to finish his note and turned from her. Another chit he dallied with. He heard her walk off in a huff.

He hunched down and snickered.

The note confirmed that a woman, a spoiled aristocrat, was in town to interfere with him.

“How delightful,” he muttered under his breath. Could that be the recent arrival, Countess Trehearne?

He crunched the paper in his fingers as if to rip apart anyone who impeded his operation. This woman, the delectable Eseld, would be easy to fool, and dispose of, if necessary.

Diane Parkinson (Diane Scott Lewis) grew up near San Francisco, joined the Navy at nineteen, married in Greece and raised two sons in Puerto Rico, California, and Guam. She's a member of the Historical Novel Society and wrote book reviews for their magazine. She’s always loved travel and history and has had several historical novels published. Her most recent is the Oyster War Novel set in the 1950s: Ghost Point.

Her spy novella, To Entice a Spy, set in England during the French Revolution—two former lovers chase a ruthless spy; will love rekindle as murder stalks them?—will be released on October 11, 2021.

Diane lives with her husband and one naughty dog in western Pennsylvania.

Diane's Website ~ Amazon Author Page ~ BookBub

Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Twitter ~ Instagram

Diane Scott Lewis will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for stopping by. Notes From a Romantic's Heart will be on a short va-ca from Wednesday, October 13th through Thursday, October 21st, but will be back again on October 22nd with more great guests.

Stay healthy, happy, and well read.
Nancy

T.BALL AND THE RISE OF THE WORLD SPINNERS by Author Stephen James Moore *Review Tour* *Giveaway*

Notes From A Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Stephen James Moore to the blog. We’ll be taking a look at his new book, T. Ball and the Rise of the Worldspinners, including my review. All the stops on this tour can be found at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win a gift card. The entry form is at the end of this post.

GENRE: Middle Grade / Young Adult Fiction

The Stage Is Set

"What's up, dude? Name's Hector," said the offbeat rabbit, his long ears stuffed in a bulging cap.

"I am Tobias Oakwood Ball," replied the young hedgehog, puffing out his spines.

Newfound friends and future companions, T. Ball and Hector are destined to join the humans, four and two-legged ones, winged ones and the fairy folk who must unite in a titanic struggle of good vs. evil. A malevolent entity has come to the woodlander village of Two Trees, dispatched from the realms of the Worldspinners with a mission to bring darkness to all the worlds.

It is a plan that has been centuries in the making, nothing by accident and unknowing participants in the plot had been carefully chosen. Many times through history they have tried and failed. This time they will enter through the back door by corrupting nature.

There will be a bully called Spike, an overworked wizard named The Great Toothsayer, and an annual hedgehog race that sets everything in motion. Also, there are mobster squirrel gangs called Hoarders and a tyrannical mob boss named Clough Briarthack. Then there's the Professor, a lost book, hard-working moles and others—but that's to come in the next book. The story begins now . . .

Who tricked The Great Tooth?
Why must T. Ball find his own special gift?

Amazon ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Kobo ~ Indigo/Chapters ~ Bookshop ~ Book Depository

The Young Tooth Is Rescued

As if on cue for announcing winter’s ceremonial arrival, it snowed during the night, leaving a soft white covering. Winter would be early and stay long that year.

Two strangers dressed in simple monk habits of long brown sackcloth had waited silently in the night shadows outside the thorp. They had been there since late afternoon.

Standing there patiently, they knew what was to happen that night but had the wisdom to know what can and cannot be changed. Far from commonplace forest village creatures, these were members of the legendary order of woodland seers and magi called the Grand Order of the Berts.

Master Shoe Bert was the taller of the two, being a badger of unknown seasons. He was learned and spiritually wise beyond comprehension by mere mortals. At his side stood his docent, a young mouse called Herb Aceous. Always the devoted young student, he had not yet earned the full title of Bert.

Legend has it, the Bert lineage was founded by a mouse who came across the waters from the east, named Ali Bert the Wise. Known as the All Seer, he was responsible for bringing light during the darkest ages for all the animals. More likely, the actual founder of the Berts was a rat, possibly female, known in some enlightened history books as Eli Bert and honoured to this day by many small ancient sects who trace their roots back to the beginning times. Due to the politics surrounding rats, it is probable that the Bert origin story was changed to venerate the founder as a mouse, and a male one, at that. Recognising a female rat as the Bert founder would have been unacceptable in those dark ages of fear, superstition, and prejudice.

As the two wise ones stood untiring, both knew the tragedy that would soon befall those around the Great Green Emerald Lake. Several moons ago they had glimpsed tonight’s events in the bubbling waters of the Looking Bowl, inside Master Shoe Bert’s cave. Their meditations and scrying powers had well-prepared them for what they needed to do. They saw the Fairy Folk put on their magnificent display, observed the evening’s festivities, and watched the woodlanders contentedly file back to their homes. The master and his student would remain concealed in the shadows, witnesses to the atrocities destined to be perpetrated upon the woodlanders. They were both mortified, as they could see future events unfolding before their eyes but could do nothing to stop them. Much was at stake and fate must play out. Some things can be changed, others cannot. They continued to monitor the situation until the moment was almost upon them. Wrapping woolen scarves around their snouts, they waited with grim anticipation for the silent horror that was about to arrive.

3.5 Stars

I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of good versus evil in this book, the way it dealt with issues of bullying, and conflict resolution. I admit, I was a bit underwhelmed when trying to reconcile the books description with the actual story itself. An expectation was set, but not fully met. That's not to say what was there wasn't entertaining, because for the most part it was.

I few of the conflicts seemed a bit over the top, and there were areas of rambling that could have been handled more efficiently. However, bottom line, the lessons taught and learned were valuable. I'm not certain a lower middle-grader would appreciate what the book has to offer, but older grades will likely get the play on words and entertainment value of the book. While I probably wouldn't let my 12 year-old grandchild read it, I would certainly recommend to the older teens.

U.K Born Stephen Moore is a writer and accomplished Martial Artist. Lover of literature and ancient history. T. Ball was given in a dream and now his world is alive thanks to the T. Ball book series which covers human, animal and the unseen worlds showing victory through adversity and an incredible adventure through darkness and light. Stephen has also published The Christmas Adventure which shares T. Ball's world reminding us of the seasonal message.

Stephen James Moore will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for stopping by. Please come back tomorrow for another author, book, and giveaway. Notes From a Romantic's Heart will be on a short va-ca from Wednesday, October 13th through Thursday, October 21st, but will be back again on October 22nd with more great guests.

Stay healthy, happy, and well read.

Nancy

UNEXPECTED CONNECTION by Author Sue Jaskula *Book Blast* *Giveaway*

Notes From a Romantic’s Heart is pleased to welcome author Sue Jaskula to the blog. Today we’re featuring her romantic suspense, Unexpected Connection, from The Wild Rose Press. You can find all the stops on Sue’s tour at Goddess Fish Promotions. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway. The entry form can be found at the bottom of this post.

GENRE: Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Confident and resilient homicide detective Jennifer Scott is instinctively suspicious when her best friend's life is disrupted by the arrival of an unbeknownst twin sister. When a murder coincides with her appearance, the mysterious twin becomes the prime suspect.

Adding confusion to Jen's organized life is another unexpected intrusion, her handsome and sophisticated new partner, Detective Luke O'Connor. As mischievous as he is charming, chemistry between the two intensifies, threatening Jen's reputation and testing her limitations.

As the murder investigation unfolds, the detectives are forced to back-burner their heated connection while they race against time to figure out what other long-lost family members may be involved, how they're connected to the twins and why they've surfaced now.

eBook Links: Amazon ~ B&N (Nook) ~ Chapters/Indigo

Print Links: Bookshop ~ Target

His reply was also hushed, but other officers snuck curious glances our way. “Well, you are full of yourself, Detective Scott. I wasn’t hitting on you, I merely shook your hand and re-introduced myself, trying to make the situation between us comfortable since we will be working together. As your new partner, it’s my job to have your back, so to speak, so you have no choice but to have me in your personal space. I also don’t date cops and I would appreciate it if you would keep the “your type” comments to yourself since you know nothing about me, due in part to the fact that you can’t see two feet past your own ego that tells you every good-looking dude who walks by your blonde-haired, blue-eyed, pretty face must want to get into your pants.”

My career has spanned many years in a mix of criminal and civil law and hospital surgical administrative work. Along with my work and life experience, I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and a Creative Writing Certificate both from McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario.

I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to take early retirement and pursue a career in writing, a pursuit I have entered into with energy and enthusiasm. I am currently a registered member of Toronto Romance Writers and Crime Writers of Canada.

My husband and I share our home in Grimsby, Ontario, with our youngest daughter, her boyfriend, our dog and two cats. But I spend a great deal of time at our cottage in Kincardine, Ontario near my daughter, son-in-law and first grandson. On these shores of Lake Huron, with some of the best walking trails in the country, my imagination soars and my best stories come to life.

Sue's Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Goodreads

Sue Jaskula will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It's been my pleasure hosting Sue for today's stop on her tour. Please come back again next week for more authors, books, and giveaways.

Nancy