All Hallows' Brides: A review

Grab your kindle copy of All Hallows' Brides here!

FROM AMAZON: When doors creak and ghostly whispers are heard in the midnight hour, this stunning collection of Gothic Regency Historical Romance novellas are sure to leave you breathless with Poe-inspired, romantic dreams…

Welcome to the All-Hallows’ Brides collection. Seven of your favorite Historical Romance authors have come together for a collection of never-before published stories that will give you a chill, a thrill, and have you reading them again and again. Inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, you’ve never seen a collection like this by some of the biggest names in Historical Romance.

The title of each story is named for their 'Bride':

Emma by Kathryn Le Veque

Aislin by Meara Platt

Sarah by Scarlett Scott

Madeleine by Mary Lancaster

Beth by Maggi Andersen

Hyacinth by Chasity Bowlin

Eleanor by Sydney Jane Baily

Raven by Violetta Rand

So, grab your candle and lock your door, and settle down to read this smashing collection of darkly-tinged romantic tales with unforgettable heroes and magnificent ladies. Romance has never been so daring… or so Gothic.

And if you hear a knock on your door… don’t answer it.

Unless you are prepared to welcome a wandering wraith in a tattered wedding gown…

MY REVIEW: (5 STARS) This anthology collection is chillingly perfect.

From the first story to the last, I was captivated. Each one is well-crafted, with engaging characters and eerie plots.

With each story inspired by works of Edgar Allan Poe, the reader becomes immersed in gothic romancelandia.

I thoroughly enjoyed each and every story, but my favorite is Madeleine by Mary Lancaster. I adore The Fall of the House of Usher, and found her twist on Poe's tale wonderful.

It's the perfect anthology to curl up with on All Hallows' Eve.

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Behind a Moonlit Veil: A Review

If you're looking for a good book to read before Halloween, this is it! You can grab your kindle copy here.

FROM AMAZON: An evil lurks in the darkest corners of Victorian London...

Amaris Maxwell has lived her entire life with ill health. As the daughter of a prominent doctor, it never occurred to her to question his abilities, nor his associate’s rather unorthodox treatments. But the life of a sheltered woman has its disadvantages. She yearns to be free, to live an existence outside the same four walls. It isn’t until fate thrusts her into the path of Mr. Jackson Moreland that she begins to question everything she’s ever known. As a mysterious killer begins to terrorize the streets of London, Amaris realizes that things are not always how they may appear…

But how close is the true villain?

Jackson Moreland has lived the last two years of his life in a personal hell after the brutal murder of his wife. Released from an asylum, he struggles to come to terms with his reality. When he is engaged by Scotland Yard to assist in learning the identity of the murderer of Whitechapel, everything changes the moment he meets Amaris. He knows something isn’t right and he’s determined to find out what it is.

As things progress between them and secrets are revealed amid their growing attraction, they begin to fear that the true threat may not be the Ripper after all.

MY REVIEW: (5 STARS)  With a stunning blend of fact and fiction, Tabetha Waite has penned a flawless Victorian historical romance with an overlay of gothic.

The characters came alive for me. I cheered for Amaris, detested the two doctors, and felt stabs of pity for Jackson. The last few chapters had me gasping with surprise and wondering how the book would end.

Jack the Ripper is one of those unsolved mysteries that seem to fascinate people. The fact that Waite managed to weave so much of this case plus all the other historically accurate people/places in among her fictional characters showcases her magnificent writing abilities.

I highly recommend this book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tabetha Waite is the multi-award winning author of the Ways of Love Series. Her debut novel, "Why the Earl is After the Girl," was published in July of 2016 and won the 2017 Best Indie Book Award in Romance and the 2018 Second Place Feathered Quill Book Award in Romance. Her second book, "Where the Viscount Met His Match" was a 2019 Finalist in the International Book Awards for Romance and a 2019 Finalist in the Book Excellence Awards for Romance. Her third book, "When a Duke Pursues a Lady" was a 2018 Finalist in the Book Talk Radio Club Awards, and "Who the Marquess Dares to Desire" was a 2019 Finalist in the Raven Awards. She is a certified PAN member of the RWA. When she's not writing, Tabetha is reading, as true bookworms do, or checking out any antique mall she comes across. She is a small town, Missouri girl, born and bred, and continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters.

You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages any fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates. Visit her website.

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The Earl on the Train: A Review

Grab your kindle copy of The Earl on the Train here!

FROM AMAZON: Nicholas Masterson, Lord Sharpe, has a problem with potions. He won’t drink them, he craves them, and they’re getting weaker by the day. When his spymaster uncle requests that he travel from London to India to investigate, he reluctantly agrees and hops on an early morning train.

A woman with a plan.

Ida Quimby has set herself a goal: begin a new life as an elite perfumer, selling potion-based perfumes to the highest tier of London society. But when her good-for-nothing brother reneges on his promise to supply her with the magic serum for her potions, she takes matters into her own hands and sets out for India to confront him.

The journey of a lifetime.

A chance meeting on a train brings Nick and Ida together, starting them down a path of mystery and intrigue that could get them both killed. Or lead them to a love for all times.

MY REVIEW: (5 STARS) Catherine Stein has done it again.

With witty dialogue, engaging characters, and an intriguing plot, Stein drew me into her world.

A little magic, a little spice, and a Victorian setting are mixed together in this book. The result? A fast paced romance story that like a breath of fresh air.

Nick and Ida's adventure is one you definitely don't want to miss.

Catherine Stein is now on my must-read author list.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Award-winning author Catherine Stein believes that everyone deserves love and that Happily Ever After has the power to help, to heal, and to comfort. She writes sassy, sexy romance set during the Victorian and Edwardian eras and full of action, adventure, magic, and fantastic technologies.

Catherine lives in Michigan with her husband and three rambunctious girls. She loves steampunk and oxford commas, and can often be found dressed in clothing that was purchased at a Renaissance Festival, drinking copious amounts of tea.

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The Writer'a Planner by Angie Wade: A Review

Do you use a writer's planner? If not, I suggest you try one. They're super useful, and I have a fantastic one right here.

I received this writer's planner in the mail today, and I can't say enough great things about it.

I took a few pictures (please ignore the quality--a photographer I am not) for you, but they don't do this planner justice.

Just look at the table of contents. There are sections for yearly goals, monthly goals, plus a word tracker. Also included are sections for plot sketching, book signing upkeep, expenses, and weekly tasks--plus much more.

I've bought quite a few planners as an author, and this one is--by far--the easiest to use. Wade did a fantastic job laying everything out for practicality and ease of use.  

5 full stars!

To grab your own planner, visit NovelNurseEditing.com/Merch.

Looking for an editor? Visit NovelNurseEditing.com.

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What I Need More Of

What do I need more of in my life?

Discipline. That's the answer.

I have so many great book plots, exercise routines, and to-do lists saved on my computer that I'm drowning in them.

I need more discipline so that I can make the time to get to them all.  I'm scattered between three writing projects now, and I feel like I can't give any of them the attention they deserve.

I end up doing the same exercises over and over because it's just easier than searching through all the new ones I've saved.

And my to-do lists? Pffft. I'm lucky if I make it half-way through one, then I end up tacking what's left onto the next one.

So....discipline. That's the key. Choose one and work on it until it's done. I think that's the way I need to go.

If anyone has any helpful hints or strategies they use, please feel free to drop me a comment or an email (beth@authorbethhale.com) and let me know.

Here's a preorder for you. One of my short stories is included, and ALL proceeded go to breast cancer research. Click here to get your copy--delivered to your kindle on September 16, 2019.

True love and heart-warming romance. There’s something for everyone in these sassy and spicy short romances, and it’s all for a good cause.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 4 women. Here’s your chance to read a good book and help other women at the same time.

Curl up in your comfy chair in front of the fire and know that every book purchased, and every page read, raises money for breast cancer research.

The Fall in Love collection has it all:

• Contemporary and historical
• Small town romance
• Royal romance
• Seasoned romance
• Friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers
• And everyone’s fave, second-chance romance

Get the Fall in Love anthology today.

***ALL proceeds go to fund research in the fight against breast cancer. *** 

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Before We Were Strangers: A Review

I've been an avid Brenda Novak fan for years. This is her latest offering.

FROM AMAZON: Something happened to her mother that night. Something no one wants to talk about. But she’s determined to uncover her family’s dark secrets, even if they bury her.

Five-year-old Sloane McBride couldn’t sleep that night. Her parents were arguing again, their harsh words heating the cool autumn air. And then there was that other sound—the ominous thump before all went quiet.

In the morning, her mother was gone.

The official story was that she left. Her loving, devoted mother! That hadn’t sat any better at the time than it did when Sloane moved out at eighteen, anxious to leave her small Texas hometown in search of anywhere else. But not even a fresh start working as a model in New York could keep the nightmares at bay. Or her fears that the domineering father she grew up with wasn’t just difficult—he was deadly.

Now another traumatic loss forces Sloane to realize she owes it to her mother to find out the truth, even if it means returning to a small town full of secrets and lies, a jilted ex-boyfriend, and a father and brother who’d rather see her silenced. But as Sloane starts digging into the past, the question isn’t whether she can uncover what really happened that night…it’s what will remain of her family if she does?

MY REVIEW: (5 STARS) This is classic Novak. A solid mystery, a female-driven plot, and plenty of twisty turns.

Sloane is determined to find out what happened to her mother, no matter the cost. As she delves into the mystery, she reconnects with the man who was her high school sweetheart and the woman who used to be her best friend.

And so begins the many-layered tale from master storyteller Brenda Novak.

This book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I was up until three a.m., when I finally finished the last page.

If you're wanting a gripping mystery with a second-chance romance subplot, this is the book for you. 5 full stars.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Join Brenda Novak's Online Book Group on Facebook--http://www.facebook.com/groups/brendanovaksbookgroup/. They're currently reading HER DEADLY SECRETS by Laura Griffin. Get an autographed copy in one of Brenda's popular Brenda Novak Book Boxes: http://www.brendanovak.com/store/

It was a shocking experience that jump-started Brenda Novak's career as a bestselling author--she caught her day-care provider drugging her children with cough syrup to get them to sleep all day. That was when Brenda decided she needed to quit her job as a loan officer and help make a living from home.

"When I first got the idea to become a novelist, it took me five years to teach myself the craft and finish my first book," Brenda says. But she sold that book, and the rest is history. Her novels have made the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists and won many awards, including eight Rita nominations, the Book Buyer's Best, the Book Seller's Best, the Silver Bullet and the National Reader's Choice Award.

Brenda and her husband, Ted, live in Sacramento and are proud parents of five children--three girls and two boys. When she's not spending time with her family or writing, Brenda is usually raising funds for diabetes research (her youngest son has this disease). So far, Brenda has raised $2.6 million! 

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