Release Blitz ~ Campus of Shadows: A Psychic Battle for the Soul by Jo Loveday

 

 Release Blitz

Campus of Shadows

A Psychic Battle for the Soul in a Supernatural Thriller

By

Jo Loveday

 

About the Book:

Publication Date: September 23, 2025

Genre: New Adult College Dark Academia Supernatural Thriller - Psychological Horror.

 

Something dark has followed Dave Everest to college—something hungry.

A neurodivergent freshman desperate for independence, Dave arrives at the University of Mann with high hopes and a shaky sense of self. But his new freedom quickly spirals into chaos when he's drawn into the orbit of his dangerously magnetic, party-obsessed roommate, Zane Maddox.

While Dave chases acceptance in all the wrong places, his childhood friend Maria Vasquez warns of forces far beyond hangovers and heartbreak. Gifted with psychic insight—and carrying a heavy burden of guilt—Maria senses something ancient and malevolent stalking him, like a vulture waiting for its moment.

Zane mocks Maria as a "crazy religious freak," but his grudge is personal, not spiritual. And as Dave's loneliness deepens, he reaches into the void—and something answers. A whispering voice named Ivan slides into his consciousness, awakening memories soaked in addiction, violence, and rage.

As family tensions boil over during Thanksgiving break and reality begins to fracture, the line between madness and possession blurs. Ivan's grip tightens. And the vulture circles closer.
Maria may be Dave's last chance at salvation. But will she reach him before the darkness does?

A dark academia pyschological horror pulsing with paranormal suspense and coming-of-age dread. Perfect for fans of Donna Tartt and Shirley Jackson.

It's The Shining meets The Exorcist.

 

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Excerpt:

“You’re not getting this car out anytime soon. Come on. I’m ready to spark one.” Zane starts walking.

“Here?”

“Not right here in plain view. I have a nicely landscaped courtyard over there.” He does a sweeping motion to the right, then walks away with Ian in tow.

Thirty feet from the car, Zane and Ian duck behind a tall hedge planted to hide a row of air conditioners.

I stop. “This is sketchy, dude. Campus PD will smell that shit a mile away.”

Zane steps back in view, hands on his hips. “I’ll stand out here and watch while you and Ian take a rip, then you be lookout.”

“I plan to chill right here by my car.” 

“Whatever. Just whistle if you see someone coming.” He disappears behind the bushes.

I head back to my car and run my fingers over the huge gash in the paint, thinking about how Dad is going to kill me. 

A minute later, they are both looking at the gouge close up.

“It’ll cost at least four hundred dollars to fix it,” concludes Zane.

“I hope not.”

“At least your car doesn’t look like that.” Ian points to a dusty beater with missing hubcaps.

“That guy would not have the same problem.” I huff. “There is no paint left.”

“I can see you driving that tank, Ian.” Zane laughs.

Ian squats like he is behind a steering wheel. They both crack up.

“It’d be going chug, chug.” He lurches forward and back. The two of them find this hilarious.

“You can always sell your sperm, Dave.” Zane laughs. “Lucy seems to find it valuable.”

There’s mad belly laughter.

“Very funny.” I scan the road in hopes of finding someone walking this way, perhaps the owner of the car blocking mine. My fingers go back to the scratch, feel its depth. Another scar I have endured since I got here. A long sigh seeps out. Go ahead, you will feel better echoes through my mind. “Where is that pipe?”

“There’s my man.” Zane thumps me on the back and looks over his shoulder. “Nobody’s coming. We can all go.”

We cram ourselves into the small hidden space, and I breathe out the last molecule of oxygen before inhaling. I pray it fills every tiny air sac I have.

A sick headrush hits me, followed by odd, rolling laughter.

I peek through the bushes but see nothing.

Footsteps on the road catch my attention while we emerge from the bushes. My heart rockets when the profile appears.

“Hello, Professor.”

 

Audio Excerpt:

https://dl.bookfunnel.com/5grlkl2eyq

What Readers Are Saying:

"Jo Loveday blends personal and actual demons, capturing the intense pressures young people face from family, peers, and the shadows within."   - Angela Douglas, Author of Every Fall  

“Campus Shadows is a dark academia, psychological suspense story that keeps you alert.  [ ]  I enjoyed how raw and honest the plot is, and the campus setting drew me in.” - Leanne Reads and Reviews

"From the first haunting sentence, Campus of Shadows grips you with the quiet unraveling of a college freshman’s mind and it doesn’t let go until the last unforgettable line. I loved this book. It belongs on everyone’s bookshelf.” — Jeffrey Phillips, author of The Past That Kills and the Jesse Stoker Mystery Series.

“After a football injury derails his plans, freshman Dave Everest transfers at the last minute to his father’s old alma mater. But strange things start happening from the moment he arrives—a priest recoils at his touch, a vulture appears to stalk him, and his new roommate Zane immediately leads him into trouble. Campus Shadows is a chilling paranormal tale that explores the grip of dark possession, perfect for readers who enjoy eerie twists and sleepless nights.” -        Deborah Shlian, MD, MBA, award-winning author of Silent Survivor and the Sammy Greene Thriller Series

 

About the Author:

Jo Loveday is the award-winning author of the thriller, Terminal Lucidity, and soon to be released, Campus of Shadows. With years of experience as a registered nurse, she brings uncanny insight into the human condition—both its fragility and its resilience. A dual citizen of Canada and the U.S., Jo splits her time between Florida, Georgia, and frequent pilgrimages to Winnipeg.

 

 

Contact Links:

Website: https://www.joloveday.com

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0D9ZY19XZ

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51022629.Jo_Loveday?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558518271734

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jolovedayb

X: https://x.com/JoLoveday

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jolovedayb

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JoLovedayBooks/books-and-such/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jolovedayb

 

Hosted By:

Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

 

Release Blitz ~ Date Night with Death by Avery Arujo

 

Welcome to Moonridge, Book 2

Paranormal Mystery/Romance

Date Published: September 23, 2025

Welcome to Moonridge, where the ghosts have come out to play and Death just checked into the local B&B.

Running a B&B in a town cursed by magical drama wasn’t Mina Cartwright’s dream job, but it’s home. After all of the werewolf debacle over the summer, business has flatlined, and she’s barely holding on financially. Her last hope? A surprise booking from the cast of The Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills, who are bringing their reality-show chaos (and impeccable fashion) to Moonridge just in time for the Halloween festival.

But the real trouble begins when Dex Grimm, a mysterious, breathtakingly aloof man with a cane and a suspiciously deathly aura, checks into Room Ten. He says he’s a writer. Mina suspects he’s hiding something … like the fact that he might actually be the Grim Reaper.

As ghostly activity spikes, magical boundaries fray, and her guests (living and otherwise) cause mounting mayhem, Mina finds herself caught between a brewing supernatural crisis and a man known primarily as Death who somehow makes her feel more alive than she has in years.

Add in a reality TV crew, rampaging ghosts, and the underlying danger of an ancient evil reawakening in Moonridge, and Mina’s fall season is about to be to die for.

 

About the Author

Avery Arujo is the pen name of a socially anxious, awkward, and proudly introverted author of the paranormal mystery/romance series Welcome to Moonridge. Avery lives in the northern U.S., where the scenery is beautiful, the weather perfect, and the food divine. When not writing, you’ll find Avery watching a horror movie or trashy reality TV or reading under a blanket with a cup of coffee, and the world’s sweetest dog trying to prove that they are more interesting than any old book.

For more information about the Welcome to Moonridge series, or to sign up for the newsletter, visit welcometomoonridge.com.

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Teaser Tuesday ~ The Wheels on the Stroller - Written by Claudia Kramer Kohlbrenner & Illustrated by Brian Dumm

 

Children's Book

Date Published: 2025

Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing

The Wheels on the Stroller, a fresh adaptation of the well-known song and book, The Wheels on the Bus, invites parents and children on a stroller journey of song, motion, and colorful illustrations. Roll through a variety of neighborhoods meeting delightful creatures and various neighbors in action as the seasons change. Experience being fully present in the moment with your child as you sing and act out each verse. The Stroller kids show readers how to perform each motion! In addition, a picture clue in each illustration signals the next action. The Wheels on the Stroller aims to reawaken the joy and wonder of simple, everyday happenings as seen through the eyes of young children. It seeks to inspire readers to make up verses of their own based on adventurous stroller walks (or wagon walks!) through their neighborhoods.

Ready…Set…Let’s Roll!

 

Excerpts

“The children in the yards play throw and catch! throw and catch! throw and catch! The children in the yards play throw and catch! through the neighborhood.”

 

“The parents crossing streets say ‘look both ways’ ‘look both ways’ ‘look both ways.’ The parents crossing streets say ‘look both ways’ through the neighborhood.”

 

About the Author

Claudia Kramer Kohlbrenner earned a B.S and an M.Ed. degree in the field of speech-language pathology and she also received extensive training in the teaching of reading. She maintained her American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) certification during her 35+ years of teaching and for many years after retirement. Claudia taught mainly in the public schools with students of all ages but primarily with special education and general education students at the preschool and elementary levels.

When teaching at the preschool level, Claudia encouraged busy parents to utilize the time spent carrying out daily routines as language-rich opportunities. Parents were counseled to talk about what was happening in a child’s “here and now” - while getting dressed, brushing teeth, taking a stroller walk! Claudia used available and self-generated rhymes and songs and involved as many bodily senses and movements as possible to facilitate developmental skills in preschoolers. She considers the repetition used in The Wheels on the Bus book and now in The Wheels on the Stroller to be a valuable learning tool for young children. According to early childhood research, repetition reinforces language processing, pattern recognition and a sense of predictability. It also provides children with opportunities to rehearse new sound and word sequences.

After retirement, Claudia’s love of rhyme inspired her to take a few children’s poetry writing classes. She was pleased to have several poems published in “Highlights High Five” and “Highlights” magazines, with two poems also published in children’s anthologies. The joy of reading to her sons long ago and now her grandchildren sparked her desire to write a children’s book as well. One day, after she and her young grandson enthusiastically sang and motioned along with The Wheels on the Bus book, grandma and grandson set out for one of their many adventure-seeking neighborhood stroller walks. As the wheels on his stroller went round and round, they greeted neighbors with tail-wagging dogs, watched squirrels scurry up trees and delighted in the “ding! ding! ding!” of an approaching bicycle along with other encounters- The Wheels on the Stroller was spontaneously born!

 

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Teaser ~ The Fear Driver - Compiled by Dragon Soul Press

 

Horror (various subgenres)

Date Published: September 23, 2025

 

 Bite-sized horror stories are brought to you by twenty-five authors. From creepy crawlies to the seemingly normal pets. From hideous monsters lurking in the dark to charismatic people showing their true colors.

Each tale is precisely 100 words and leaves a long-lasting chilling effect. Some will make you question the security of the world around you, and what's more terrifying than that?

Featuring drabbles by the following authors: Bernardo Villela, K.J. Watson, David J. Vowell, Joshua Ginsberg, A.L. Smith, Petina Strohmer, Zari Hunt, Paul Burgess, Diana Parrilla, Angel Zapata, Vanessa Bane, Marc Sorondo, Jacek Wilkos, Arvee Fantilagan, Jodie Francis, Alex Azar, Andreas Flögel, Jade Kalb, Andrew Buckner, Ken Whitson, Jãnis Bogužs, Andrea Tillmanns, C.L. Hart, S.F.J. Painter, Monica Wenzel, Dragan Ivanović, and J.E. Feldman.

Excerpt

One Moonlit Night

Copyright 2025 by C. L. Hart

As fourteen-year-old Nevil Teodoro climbed down the trellis near his bedroom window, a blood-curdling scream pierced the darkness, startling him so badly that he nearly fell. Juan Soto, the head groundskeeper, ran up from the gardens, his clothes covered in mud and his face pale as the moon.

“What’s goin’ on, Ese?” Nevil asked as he finished his descent. “You look like you seen a ghost!”

“Get back in the house, Chico, and call Mama Cecilia.”

“You trippin’, Juan Solo? You want me to call una bruja vieja and not la policia?”

“Ain’t no policia can stop a moon vampire!”

 

About the Author

C. L. Hart is an editor who writes or a writer who edits. She primarily pens dark fantasy (often Lovecraftian) and sweet romance. She resides in a tiny town on the Northeastern Colorado plains with her adult son, her cat daughter, and her cat grandson. When not editing, writing, or rehabilitating eldritch horrors, she enjoys coloring, crafts, and cooking things that she hopes will be palatable to someone besides the eldritch horrors.

Visit C. L. Hart

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Book Tour ~ Not That Orange! by Bailey Adams

 

Children's Book

Not That Orange is a delightful and colorful tale about self-acceptance, diversity, and embracing what makes us unique!

Carrot is on a mission—he’s searching for his orange! But there’s just one problem… he’s green! With the help of a friendly orange from a nearby tree, Carrot embarks on a journey across the farm, asking the other crops for help. But as confusion grows, Carrot soon discovers something surprising—carrots can be all sorts of colors, not just orange!

Through fun, playful storytelling and charming illustrations, Not That Orange teaches young readers (ages 3-5) an important lesson: being different is not just okay—it’s something to celebrate! In a world that often focuses on fitting in, this book encourages little ones to embrace who they are and appreciate the beautiful diversity around them.

Perfect for preschool and kindergarten-aged children, Not That Orange is a wonderful addition to any home or classroom library, inspiring kids to be confident in themselves while learning about colors, friendship, and the joy of being uniquely you!

About the Author

Bailey Adams is a children’s author and dedicated educator with a passion for literacy and creative storytelling. Based in Metro Detroit, she currently works as an elementary P.E. teacher but has also taught third, fourth, and fifth grade. With experience as a Reading & Math Coach for Kindergarten and first grade, Bailey's ultimate dream is to become an Elementary Literacy Specialist while continuing to share her love of storytelling with young readers.

Bailey’s journey as a writer began in the fourth grade when she discovered the magic of crafting stories—and she hasn’t stopped since. She embraces an organic writing process, letting ideas flow naturally from inspiration sparked by books, shows, or random bursts of creativity. Instead of following structured outlines, she prefers to sit down and let the words lead the way, trusting that storytelling from the heart produces the most genuine and meaningful work.

Despite being a perfectionist in many areas, Bailey believes that writing should be an intuitive and soulful process, with revision and refinement coming later. She is passionate about inspiring young minds through engaging, heartfelt stories and hopes to make a lasting impact in both the classroom and the literary world.

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Book Blitz ~ Sweet Nightmares - Wicked Mirrors by Hazel St. Lewis

 

Sweet Nightmares
Hazel St. Lewis
(Wicked Mirrors)
Publication date: September 17th 2025
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

She was prophesied to destroy an evil god, but she becomes his minion instead.

Jane Whitfield rose from nothing to become the youngest Prima Ballerina in the history of the Royalle Ballet—despite having a violent husband three decades her senior. But her carefully choreographed world shatters when her husband’s enemies come to collect his debts. Jane is tortured into making an impossible die, or strike a bargain with an evil god trapped inside a mirror.

Nightmare is ancient, cruel, and feared for a reason. He trades magic, wealth, and knowledge for soul-crushing costs—and he believes Jane is the witch destined to destroy him. But instead of killing her, he toys with her, offering a twisted sell her soul, serve him, and receive an endless supply of riches—enough to satisfy her wretched husband and his debtors.

Now bound to a god who revels in ruin, Jane becomes more than just his minion—she’s his growing obsession. But obsession doesn’t spare her from his darkness. He’s evil. She’s supposed to hate him, but the more time she spends in his realm, the harder it is to tell if he’s her monster… or her salvation.

She was destined to destroy him, but love might destroy her first.

Sweet Nightmares is an adult romantic fantasy Prequel/Sequel novel to Gilded Wicked Mirrors. It can be read first, or after GWMs. It is a touch-her-and-die, villain romance perfect for lovers of the Hades and Megara dynamic or fans of Kingdom of the Wicked. It is not a standalone.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Jane stood up and put her body between them just in time to be slammed between the Vampire Prince and the ancient god. At the impact, Nightmare’s hands wrapped around her waist, steadying her.

Nightmare let out a low, wicked growl. The whites of his eyes bleeding red, fury painted on every curve of his body, his fangs and metal nails bared. Ready to kill every mortal in the room if Jane didn’t do something quickly.

“Everyone get out now,” Jane said, her hand on Nightmare’s chest and her voice wavering. Her eyes never left Nightmare. “Thorne, my monster. Keep your eyes on me.” She dug her hand into his shirt while he tightened his hold around her waist. At the same time, she heard movement from all around them. Everyone else, leaving them alone in the room.

When he still hadn’t calmed down, and his eyes hadn’t lost any of the red, Jane asked, “How can I help you settle down?” Jane flattened her palm once more over where his heart should beat—but it never did. “What do you need?”

“I need to feed.” Nightmare’s eyes flashed, and he darted around, presumably searching for an unsuspecting human he could eat.

“Are you going to kill your food?” she breathed.

“Yes.”

“Do you have to?”

Nightmare blinked, his black, well-manicured eyebrows creasing together.

“Are you able to control yourself?” she asked.

“Yes,” he said slowly, cocking his head, his eyes fixating on her neck.

“Then feed on me.” She cocked her head to the side, giving him permission to take her blood.

“You may hate it.”

“It’s fine. I am not afraid of you.”

An unreadable sound vibrated in his chest, and then, without warning, he pushed her fiercely up against the wall, pinning her in and biting down on her neck.

At first, it hurt, his fangs piercing her skin and claiming her. It was a sharp pain, but then the wound began to tingle and turn… the feeling becoming something hot and pleasurable.

Every nerve ending in her body lit up with an intense feeling that she’d never felt before. A moan escaped her lips, and she suddenly needed to be closer to him, to be touching him, one with him.

Author Bio:

Hazel St. Lewis is a Northern California-based Romantasy author. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she struggled to read and write, but fantasy stories inspired her to start storytelling. Unfortunately, now, she is a little too obsessed with morally gray characters. When she isn’t writing, she can be found playing with her hoard of cats (too many to count…it’s a problem), singing songs to said cats, or painting.

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Sweet Nightmares Blitz

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Book Blitz ~ Soulmates and Slapshots - Love in Maple Falls by Melissa Baldwin

 

Soulmates and Slapshots
Melissa Baldwin
(Love in Maple Falls)
Published by: September 17th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

I’m escaping the city. He’s chasing a fresh start. In a town full of surprises, love might be the biggest one.

Fiona
I’m a city girl turned temporary small-town resident—yes, I know, cliché. But after my life in Manhattan unraveled, I needed a reset. So when my aunt invited me to Maple Falls, I didn’t hesitate.
The slower pace is exactly what my burned-out brain needs. I’ve even made a few friends—including Weston Smith, a new player for the Ice Breakers hockey team who shows up when I need him most.

A local crisis draws me in, and suddenly I’m more involved than I ever planned. Maybe it’s the fresh air, or maybe it’s Weston. I came here planning to leave… but now, I’m not so sure.

Weston
Maple Falls is my fresh start—new team, new town, and a chance to prove myself. I didn’t expect to get wrapped up in this community so fast—or to fall for a certain city girl.
Fiona is bold and energetic, and I’m drawn to her more every day. When she’s pulled into a town-wide crisis, I don’t hesitate to help.

Maple Falls isn’t just where I play hockey—it’s starting to feel like the place where my future truly begins.

***

Soulmates and Slapshots is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. In this slow burn, soulmate romance, a charming city girl meets a nice guy who falls first. Set in a small town with all the chemistry, but none of the spice.

Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.

Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen
Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall
Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods
Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin
The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Hi. Are you lost?” I ask.

Wow. That sounded like the worst pickup line ever, and I immediately regret saying it.

Before I can excuse myself, she turns around and gives me a curious look.

“No. At least I don’t think so,” she says. “Is Maple Falls even big enough to get lost in?”

I laugh. “That’s a good question.”

Why did I even say that? I’ve only been in town a short time, so I wouldn’t be able to help if she needed it.

“Honestly, I’m trying to decide what to do next,” she says. “I’m not used to having so much free time on my hands.”

“I wouldn’t know,” I admit. “What’s free time?”

She gives me a casual smile. “So what recommendations can you give a Maple Falls visitor?”

I knew it. She didn’t seem like a local.

I raise my eyebrows. “Well, I probably won’t be much help since I just arrived in town myself.”

She smiles. “Ah, another new person. That’s a relief because I’m assuming everyone else in this town already knows each other.”

“Most likely,” I agree. “But you’re not the only newbie, so don’t worry.”

“What brought you to Maple Falls, Washington?” she asks.

“Work,” I reply. This is the truth. I just leave out the hockey part, and I’m not sure why.

She flashes a slight smile. “That’s a good reason.”

I’m trying not to stare, but this woman is stunning. So flawless it can’t be ignored. And it’s obvious she has a confidence and openness that instantly draws people in.

“And while we’re on the subject, what made you come to this booming metropolis?” I ask, before she catches me staring.

A flash of amusement spreads across her face. “I’m visiting my aunt, and I actually left a booming metropolis to come here.”

“Really? Where?”

“New York.”

Now it all makes sense—she has a city girl vibe. She’s confident, polished, and a little bit mysterious.

“Ah, the city that never sleeps. It’s a great place,” I say. “One of my favorites for sure.”

She nods slowly. “It is. But there’s something special about this little town too.”

“I agree,” I say. “I moved here from Tennessee. Not quite as fast-paced as New York, but more thrilling than Maple Falls.”

She lifts an eyebrow. “I don’t know…I’ve heard Maple Falls isn’t as sleepy as people think.”

“Really?” I ask, leaning in a little.

She lowers her voice dramatically, even though the only other people nearby are across the street. “I heard there might be a town scandal happening right now.”

“Ooh, now that’s interesting.”

“Yes, it is,” she says with a playful smirk. “And they even have their own professional hockey team.”

I laugh. “Yes, I’m familiar with the Ice Breakers.”

She tilts her head, narrowing her eyes at me with curiosity. “Hockey fan?”

I shrug, unable to hide the grin pulling at my lips. “More than a fan. I play on the team.”

Her eyes widen. “Wait—seriously?”

“Weston Smith, defense,” I say, offering my hand. I’m not sure why I added my player position, but it doesn’t matter now. Maybe she likes hockey?

She takes my hand and grins. “Fiona Hale. And wait until I tell my aunt. She’s going to lose her mind when she hears this—she’s a die-hard fangirl of your team.”

I chuckle. “We love our fans. I’m sure I’ll meet her sooner or later.”

She studies me for a moment, clearly still processing. “So, you’re a hockey player.”

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin always dreamed of sharing her stories with the world. She brought this vision to life, becoming an award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty romantic comedies and cozy mysteries. Melissa is also a wife, mother, new empty-nester, and travel advisor.

Her books feature charming, ambitious, and real women, whom she considers part of her tribe. Although she rarely takes a day off, when she's not writing, she enjoys quality time with her family, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and booking Disney vacations. Melissa still uses a paper planner, and her guilty pleasures include Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital.

Visit authormelissabaldwin .com to sign up for her newsletter.

Fans of Melissa's books, join her Reader Tribe on Facebook

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Soulmates and Slapshots Blitz

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Sales Blitz ~ Things that Should Stay Buried by Casey L. Bond

 

  

Title: Things That Should Stay Buried

Author: Casey L. Bond

Genre: YA Epic Fantasy/Mythology

Editor: Stacy Sanford/ The Girl with the Red Pen

Cover & Trailer Designer: Melissa Stevens/ The Illustrated Author Design Services

Publication Date: August 28^th, 2020

Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR

Blurb: 
Some destinies are written in the stars. Others must be bought with blood…

The Zodia are real. Clawing their way from a long-forgotten tomb, they emerge, ravenous to claim everyone born under their star signs. Plotting to resurrect kingdoms no human knew existed, they are driven by a hunger for vengeance against the one who buried them: Aries.

Larken is a natural born sprinter, but even she can’t outrun the darkness closing in. A shelter-in-place order has been issued, causing widespread panic. Some brush the alarm off as a drill, until people begin to disappear... vanishing without a trace. Left with only one option, Larken’s brother does what he must to save her life... and calls forth Aries.

Considered a traitor by his own kind, only Aries has the power to stand against the Zodia. But he can’t do it alone. Mystically bonded to Larken, the pair must band together for the fight to come if either hope to make it out alive. Neither anticipated the passion that would ignite between them. Yet, in a world suddenly thrust into chaos, it may be the key to their survival.

The Zodia are out for blood with their attentions inexplicably focused on Larken. When long buried truths finally come to light, will their love be their salvation or their curse?

“A mesmerizing and haunting twist on a familiar tale you don’t want to miss. “ - Cameo Renae, USA Today bestselling author of the Hidden Wings Series

“Casey L. Bond reaches for the stars to bring us Things That Should Stay Buried. The Zodia are beautiful, dangerous and to die for.”- New York Times Bestselling Author Chanda Hahn

99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Casey Bond lives on a rural farm in West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. She writes phoenixes – gloriously flawed and morally gray characters that fiercely rise from the ashes of their circumstances. World building is one of her favorite hobbies, along with stamping metal jewelry, swimming, and enjoying the beauty of nature. She thinks thunderstorms are better than coffee and that watching a meteor shower is the closest thing to magic you might ever see. She’s a firm believer that every amazing book needs a world you want to wrap yourself in, a character you want to win, and a love you would fight for. 

 

Casey is the award-winning author of When Wishes Bleed, Gravebriar, and House of Eclipses.

Author Links:

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99 CENTS FOR A LIMITED TIME!

Book Tour ~ The Girl in the Maze - A Thriller by R. K. Jackson

 

THE GIRL IN THE MAZE

by R. K. Jackson

August 25 - September 19, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

USA TODAY BESTSELLER • Perfect for fans of Alice Feeney, Megan Miranda, and Tana French, R. K. Jackson’s lyrical, twisty psychological thriller follows an aspiring journalist as she uncovers dark truths in a seaswept Southern town—aided by a mysterious outcast and pursued by a ruthless killer.

 

Now available for the first time as an audiobook, this lyrical novel comes alive in a tour de force performance by narrator Hillary Huber.

When Martha Covington moves to Amberleen, Georgia, after her release from a psychiatric ward, she thinks her breakdown is behind her. A small town with a rich history, Amberleen feels like a fresh start. Taking a summer internship with the local historical society, Martha is tasked with gathering the stories of the Geechee residents of nearby Shell Heap Island, the descendants of slaves who have lived by their own traditions for the last three hundred years.

As Martha delves into her work, the voices she thought she left behind start whispering again, and she begins to doubt her recovery. When a grisly murder occurs, Martha finds herself at the center of a perfect storm—and she’s the perfect suspect. Without a soul to vouch for her innocence or her sanity, Martha disappears into the wilderness, battling the pull of madness and struggling to piece together a supernatural puzzle of age-old resentments, broken promises, and cold-blooded murder. She finds an unexpected ally in a handsome young man fighting his own battles. With his help, Martha journeys through a terrifying labyrinth—to find the truth and clear her name, if she can survive to tell the tale.

Praise for THE GIRL IN THE MAZE:

"A juicy, twisty literary thriller so captivating you might want to take the long way to your destination... Hillary Huber['s] mastery of accents from the melodious Geechee dialect to the broad vowel drawl of Southern aristocracy is on point and music to this Southerner's ears."
~ The Atlanta Journal Constitution

"A Southern Gothic thriller with a twisty plot and echoes of Tana French."
~ Dianne Emley, bestselling author of Killing Secrets

"The Girl in the Maze has suspense, action, memorable characters and even a perfect storm."
~ Savannah Morning News

"One of the best books I’ve read [this year] . . . The Girl in the Maze is a genre-crushing story that’s part mystery, part thriller, with elements of horror. The result is a terribly entertaining novel."
~ Cemetery Dance

"Enthralling . . . a psycho-thriller of dark secrets in a small historic Georgian coastal town."
~ Judith D. Collins, Must Read Books

"This scared the hell out of me."
~ Laura Otis, MacArthur Fellow, author of Müller’s Lab

Audio clip from The Girl in the Maze a psychological thriller narrated by Hillary Huber:

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published by: Audiobook: Paradise Press in Association with Fright Night Audio; Print & eBook: Penguin Random House
Audiobook Publication Date: August 5, 2025
Number of Print Pages: 300
Audiobook ISBN: 979-8-218-70529-9
eBook Links: Kindle | Goodreads | BN | Apple | Penguin
Audiobook Links: Audible | BN | Apple | LibroFM | Chirp | AudiobooksNow | Spotify

Read an excerpt:

Prologue

She wants to kill you.

Martha’s fingers tightened onto the Pentel No. 2 pencil, clutched in her lap like a secret talisman. Dr. Ellijay picked up the stack of test booklets, squared them on her desk with soft raps, and began handing them out. She walked slowly down the aisle, her heels popping on the linoleum.

Not today, Martha thought. Please, Lenny, not today.

Outside the casement windows, the campus was awash in gray, a silent movie, as it had been for days, suspended between fog and drizzle, the dull light suppressing shadows, flattening the neo-Gothic buildings of Ponce de Leon College like a plywood set. Only two o’clock, but outside looked more like dusk.

The quad was empty, except for a lone figure seated on a bench, a man in a tweed blazer taking notes in a composition book. He looked up in Martha’s direction, then down at the notebook, then toward her again. To escape his gaze, she looked elsewhere, beyond the campus buildings, above the crenellated rooflines.

It was there again. She had seen it before, on bad days, and now it stretched across the buildings, high above the spires and turrets, gelatinous and nearly invisible except for a network of threadlike capillaries. It pulsed and it heaved, breathing, alive.

Don’t look at it, Lovie. Lenny murmured in her ear, his voice moist and intimate. You know they don’t want you to see that, right? Just pretend you don’t see it.

Today Lenny was only a voice, but on some days she could see him. He was tall and gaunt, his skin white and mottled, like the belly of a toad. Spiked hair. Blue jeans shiny with stains. Canvas sneakers, gray and frayed.

Martha felt a touch on her shoulder, jerked around.

“Relax, Martha.” Wade leaned forward in the desk behind her. “You look as tight as a piano wire. You’ll do great.”

You won’t do great. You’ll die. Lenny hissed. S’truth. You’ll die if you even touch the paper.

This was the first time Wade had spoken to her in months. In the early weeks of the semester, he had flirted with her, singled her out for special attention. For a while, the attraction had been mutual. She liked his pug nose, his subversive sense of humor. But that was before.

Dr. Ellijay walked to the end of the next aisle, Martha’s aisle.

Have a look out, Lovie. ’Ere it comes.

Martha tried to concentrate, to review her mental notes. This was the final. Her grades had been floundering—that’s all part of the plan, innit?—but Martha had decided she would overcome the plan. She wouldn’t let them win.

Don’t touch the paper, Lenny rasped. It’s printed with poison ink. It’s like them colorful frogs in Ecuador. We learned about that in Biology 101, remember? Beautiful, but lethal. If you touch the ink, you’ll die.

Dr. Ellijay returned to her desk at the front of the room and glanced at her wristwatch. “All right, you have forty-five minutes,” she told the class. “You may begin now. Good luck.”

Look at ’er. She’s watchin’ you. She wants to see you fail. Touch the frog poison, and you’ll die. Look out the window. The man on the bench, he’s watchin’, too. They’re all watchin’. They’ve all been waitin’ for this moment, doncha see?

Martha stared at the page, paralyzed. She felt a drop of perspiration release from her armpit and crawl down her side. Around her, she heard the frantic scratching of her fellow students’ pens. They mingled with the sounds of the rats in the walls, the ones that chewed at the masonry with their sharp teeth, like yellow rice grains. The other students acted as if the rats weren’t there.

She glanced at the clock. Six minutes gone already. She looked down at the paper and tried to focus, to form the answers in her mind.

If you fall for it—don’t say I din’t warn you, Lovie.

She wanted to cry, or to scream, but she was motionless except for the pounding of her heart.

Don’t react. Don’t let ’em know. Don’t let ’em on to you, right? That’s the worst thing.

She heard Dr. Ellijay’s footsteps approach and stop next to her desk. She didn’t look up.

“Martha? It’s been ten minutes, and you haven’t even started. Are you all right?”

A swarm of ghostly, amoeba shapes floated in front of Martha’s eyes, and she felt as if her head would explode.

“Martha?” Dr. Ellijay placed a hand on her shoulder.

Martha screamed and lunged out of her seat, pushing the desk over, causing books to tumble out.

Run. It’s yer only chance—run like hellfire.

She bounded up the aisle, reached the door, and flung it open with a bang.

Run, Lovie.

In the hallway, Martha collided with a student on his cellphone, texting. She turned the corner onto another hallway and spotted the door to the custodial closet. She tried the knob. It opened. She slipped inside, squeezed next to a plastic mop bucket with rubber wheels, pulled the door closed, and slid to the floor.

In the darkness, she could smell ammonia. She heard the rats scurry around her. One brushed against her ankle, another along the back of her neck. Out in the hallway, footsteps approaching.

Voices calling her name. But Martha remained silent, invisible.

This is one thing we’re good at, hey, Lovie? Lenny said. We know how to vanish.

Chapter 1

Ten months later

Martha sat on an iron bench in front of the Wash-and-Fold and watched a column of ants as they marched away carrying crumbs from the smashed corner of a ham sandwich.

She had made the walk from the Pritchett House to Tobias Avenue in only fifteen minutes, strolling past dew-damp lawns and sprinklers, reaching the business district early. Nothing to do now but wait and watch the town slowly wake up. The morning was hazy, already humid. The rising sun painted sharp, expanding triangles of yellow on the buildings and storefronts.

Martha opened her leather satchel and unfolded the advertisement, the one Vince found on the bulletin board at the Gateway Center. She reread it for the hundredth time.

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT
The Historical Society of Amberleen, Georgia, seeks a full-time intern to assist with book project. Must be bright, organized, and detail-oriented, able to hit the ground running. Will transcribe/edit interviews, write introductions, assist with research. Three-month term with stipend. Assist with book project. Must be bright, organized, and detail-oriented, able to hit the ground running. Will transcribe/edit interviews, write introductions, assist with research. Three-month term with stipend.

She felt restless, considered moving to the local diner for a cup of coffee, then scrapped the idea. Like so many things, caffeine was no longer admissible.

She wished she’d brought a book to read, or maybe a newspaper. Anything to take her mind off the fluttery feeling in her gut, a sensation that took hold yesterday when the Trailways bus crossed the Intracoastal Waterway and rolled past that sign in the grass median:

Welcome to Amberleen. Spacious Oaks, Friendly Folks.

Martha held the leather satchel close to her face and sniffed. The smell calmed her. It reminded her of her father, who kept it bulging with papers as he shuttled between their house and the university. She tilted the satchel and heard a faint rattle from within, a secret sound. The part of herself she would keep hidden.

A Lincoln Continental pulled up in front of the brick building across the street and parked. A tall woman with white hair and an old-fashioned, collared dress got out, unlocked the glass door to the building, and entered. Martha checked her watch—eight fifteen. She took out a mirror, freshened her lip gloss, and brushed a few strands of loose hair from her face. It was time.

***

Excerpt from THE GIRL IN THE MAZE by R. K. Jackson. Copyright 2025 by R. K. Jackson. Reproduced with permission from R. K. Jackson. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

R.K. Jackson is a former CNN journalist who now works at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He is the author of two novels of psychological suspense: the USA Today bestseller The Girl in the Maze and its sequel, Kiss of the Sun, both originally published by Penguin Random House.

Catch Up With R. K. Jackson:

RandalJackson.com
Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @RKJackson
Instagram - @randal.jackson1
Threads - @randal.jackson1
Facebook - @rkjacksonAuthor

 

 

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Book Tour ~ The Champagne Crush - Les Femmes Series by Caroline O'Connell

 

The Champagne Crush
Caroline O’ Connell
(Les Femmes Series)
Publication date: September 16th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For fans of The Paradise Problem, a slow-burn romance about a socialite in over her head in a high-stakes job promoting a new sparkling wine with a difficult boss who wants to see her fail—despite the electric sparks flying between them.

Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy.

A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them.

When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Also check out Caroline’s other book, Affordable Paris Hotels!
Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Trip to Paris is the must-have resource for travelers who want charm, comfort, and location—without the luxury hotel price tag.

—

Black Tie dinner at Plaza Hotel in NYC,

fundraiser to benefit the California Sparkling Wine Producers in Napa, CA

 

            Sean gestured to the bottle in the ice bucket on the table. “One strong benefit of sparkling is the affordable price, compared to a bottle of French champagne that costs two or three times as much. Granted most sparkling wines don’t have the complexity of champagne, but that’s not necessary for every occasion.”

            Chris agreed. He was glad Sean made the point.

            “Have an idea for the documentary finale,” Ken said. “How about a sabering and pyramid of flutes? That was quite dramatic at the Spago party for the Oscars.” A reminder Chris would like to forget. The second cork popping off and barely missing the celebrity guests was a drama he didn’t want to repeat.

            “All good ideas,” Kevin said. “May call on some of you for on-camera interviews before we wrap.”

            Chris was full by the time the dessert of Valrhona chocolate mousse with whipped cream and berries was served. He devoured it anyway. He noticed Catherine hadn’t eaten with the gusto of others at the table. She and Vanessa only sampled their dishes. Must be some party protocol.

            While after-dinner coffee was offered, Doug stepped to the mic and introduced the head of the UC Davis Sparkling Winemaking Program, who thanked everyone for their support and described how the money raised would benefit their research and scholarships.

            “Now it’s time to end the suspense and find out how much these rare bottles are worth,” Doug said. “Please welcome our celebrity auctioneer, Trevor Jones.” Trevor walked onstage to loud applause. Doug piped in, “You’re clapping now, but if you don’t bid generously, you could be on the receiving end of his jokes.” That drew guffaws. The crowd was getting rowdy after a few glasses of good wine, just the thing to bid up the prices.

            Trevor took the microphone. “Good evening, folks.” He went into a short monologue recapping the day’s events and cracking jokes at the expense of high-profile guests. He closed with, “Let’s take the plunge. We have many exceptional bottles to auction off to reach our goal. Please open your wallets and bid with abandon.”

            There were other things Chris wanted to pursue with abandon, starting with Catherine’s bare back. Her slinky dress was killing him. Unaware of his train of thought, she was in an animated conversation with Will.

            The bidding became heated, and Chris directed his attention to the stage. As each lot was auctioned off, Chris and Ken jotted down notes in the margins of their programs and bantered back and forth about the prices they were fetching. Unlike the blind tasting, this process was highly visible. Chris assumed some buyers were making winning bids for the prestige and bragging rights, as much as for the unique bottles and contribution to the cause. In this case, glitz overrode substance. He said as much to Ken—not grasping he was about to fall into the same quest to be victorious.

            Pleased with the competitive bidding, Trevor congratulated the crowd on their good taste. The lots were fetching higher prices than anticipated. After forty-five minutes, one final bottle remained. “Well folks, you’ve risen to the occasion. The California Sparkling Wine Producers thank you,” Trevor said. “And now we have a special surprise for our last bottle.” The crowd drew quiet. “The high bidder on this rare Trianon 1952 vintage jeroboam will also receive a two-night stay at romantic Les Crayères in Champagne and a gourmet dinner for two in their Michelin-starred restaurant, along with a private tour of the kitchen and toast with the chef.”

            When Catherine stood up, Chris figured she was going to the ladies’ room, so he was taken off balance by Trevor’s next words. “Catherine Reynolds, representing Trianon, has agreed to join the winning bidder in a toast and to lead off the first dance of the evening.” He beckoned her to the stage.

            Did I say I wanted a woman full of surprises? Uh-oh. He’d be damned if anyone else was getting this prize. He was feeling awfully possessive at the moment.

            They were off and running. A number of attractive men participated in the early bidding, including Chris, Patrick Tournelle, Will Frost, and even Sean Dunlavy. When the dollar figure exceeded $4,000, the bidding contest narrowed to only two: Chris and Will. Trevor chided the combatants. “Looks like we have a horse race, ladies and gentlemen. Miss Reynolds, would you care to weigh in on the contest?”

            All she murmured was, “I’m glad they’re supportive of the cause,” which prompted twitters.

            When Chris made it clear he planned to bid whatever it took, his friend Will bowed out. Finally. Do I have to broadcast my interest any louder?

            “Fair warning,” Trevor announced, indicating the bidding was about to stop, and the gavel came down. “Sold to Chris McDermott for $5,000.”

            Amid applause, Chris walked onto the stage, shook hands with Trevor, and enfolded Catherine in a warm embrace that sent cameras flashing. Doug Barr joined the trio to pose for photos. A waiter materialized with four glasses of champagne that they sipped while the stage was being cleared.

            The band took their places. Vanessa stepped up to the microphone and started performing her signature version of “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”

            “I believe this dance is mine,” Chris whispered in Catherine’s ear, before he whisked her onto the dance floor.

            “You sure know how to make a splash,” Catherine said. “Hope this doesn’t appear like we’re fraternizing.”

            “All for the cause,” Chris murmured, holding her possessively close. She felt so good in his arms while they moved in time to the music. Vanessa sang the refrain, and he caught the message of the song—a love so strong it made you weak.

            Other couples joined them on the dance floor, and Chris steered Catherine to a less conspicuous spot in an alcove behind one of the pillars. “About that bare back,” he murmured and pulled her closer in his embrace.

 

Author Bio:

CAROLINE O’CONNELL has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline” — Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved — “Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…”

Her debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025.

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