Cherry Red
by
​Darlene Fredette

A contemporary firefighter romance.

Overstepping the platonic-only rule is as dangerous as fire and ice swirling into steamy combustion.
 
This summer, Carly Redd focuses on expanding her ice cream business. Coerced into attending her ex's engagement party with firefighter, Noah Harding, posing as her fake boyfriend stirs up a fiery combination, especially when his warm charm melts the ice guarding her heart. 
The fire chief’s daughter should wear a Do Not Touch sign, but Noah's interest burned the moment he first saw Carly. Masquerading as her boyfriend is a no-brainer, but convincing Carly to trust him with her heart proves harder than extinguishing a wildfire.

Cherry Red Review
“A feel-good romance with lots of witty banter and fun.”
​
Get your copy
https://www.amazon.ca/Cherry-Red-Darlene-Fredette-ebook/dp/B0CYNY67XN
​

About the author
Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women's fiction novels filled with elements of heart, sweetness, humor, a little cozy mystery, and falling in love. She resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada, where the summers are too short and the winters are too long, with her husband, daughter, and two very large dogs. 
Follow Darlene
http://www.darlenefredette.com/​
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darlenefredette.bsky.social
Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/
Art Blog: https://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@darlenefredette

Around the Fire is back with indepth interviews with authors. I've done a little revamping and am so happy to get a peek behind the curtain. Today, please welcome Joie Lesin. 

The Passenger
by
Joie Lesin
Paranormal Fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Review
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R20PNO4AL2QM3N/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl
Ms. Lesin's novel, The Passenger, kept me hooked to the end. 
Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home.
Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?
Grab your copy today!
Amazon (E-book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9/
Amazon (Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Joie-Lesin/dp/1509256644
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-
lesin/1008401528
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982
The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/

About the author
Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and the author of The Passenger. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including ghosts. She loves to write a good ghost story—especially when it includes a touch of romance.

Originally from Massachusetts, at six years old, Joie moved to her mother’s birthplace, Minnesota. By eight, Joie lost her New England accent, however, it's gradually returning as the years go by. She grew up in Minneapolis but now resides in St. Paul with her husband and their blended family—which includes a rambunctious grand-corgi.

Joie misses the ocean, but she often finds herself walking by one of Minnesota’s many lakes and travels to one of the coasts as often as she can. In fact, she considers California her home away from home. When she’s not writing, reading, or walking, you can find her listening to music. She absolutely loves music—especially live—and songs have sparked most of her story ideas.
Where to find out more.
Website: https://www.jlesin.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/joielesin
Book Page: https://www.jlesin.com/thepassenger
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/authorjoielesin
Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2899613.Joie_Lesin
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoieLesin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoieLesin

I was going to post about our latest camping adventure. Notice the was. With Pete back on his feet for the most part, we did a September camp in Lancaster. Then this past weekend we were to go to the Poconos for a long weekend with the grandkids. Did you ever notice how you fix one thing and then there's a trickle down? Yeah? Me too. My DH and his friend Larry changed the brakes on the camper. Everything was hunky dory until the test drive where the brakes didn't work. One kind of needs those. Some  sort of electric issue has reared its ugly head so camp was canceled and we're waiting for the expert to come. Was I disappointed? Sure. But instead my family came down and Sunday afternoon we played a game of UNO NO MERCY.  Only one game you ask? The game played for a very long time. We ignored the rule if you have more than 25 cards you're out. Instead we just kept going. I laughed so hard I was exhausted by the end. The game was so much fun. We'll play again, maybe with a double deck. I know, I'm just asking for trouble. Anyway I reccomend UNO No Mercy. 
The Musing.
So, when I was sad about not camping, struggling with my asthma, and generall feeling down I found this parable about a butterfly and wanted to share it with you. In my upcoming A Christmas Storm, Lacy is flat on her back, staring into the sky and crying out, "Why me?" I know I've been there at points in my life. I'll bet you have too.
The parable
A man finds a butterfly struggling to hatch from its cocoon and decides to help by cutting a slit in the cocoon with scissors. The butterfly emerges, but it has a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man expects the butterfly's wings to enlarge and support its body, but the butterfly is unable to fly and spends the rest of its life crawling.
The moral
The moral of the story is that struggles in life help us develop strength and that it's important to tackle challenges on our own. The cocoon and the struggle to get through it are nature's way of forcing fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings, preparing it for flight.

What else is happening around my house? (Pictures below). Well, Hali is getting older, and like a lot of us, her hair is thinning. The girl is chilly, especially her undercarriage, which has always been nearly non-existent. Hoodie to the rescue. Despite her face, she really likes it. 
I'm trying my hand at wood burning, and of course, it has to be owls. What do you think?
​
I also found a bread recipe that we like. It's soft, so good for sandwiches. I have a stand mixer with a dough hook. 
Basically, it's
2 cups of water
1.5  tablespoons of yeast
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
1 tablespoon of salt
3 cups of all-purpose flour
3 cups of whole wheat
Let it rise in a bowl covered until it doubles in size. Then, dump it on the counter, split it in two, and shape the loaves. I make a rectangle and roll it up. I let it rise again for about an hour.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

Thank you for stopping by. It's been a busy fall for me. There have been several inperson signings, One book release. One upcoming release. A wedding. A camping trip to Lancaster PA. Check out my cover for A Christmas Storm on my Lake Unami Stories page. I get a breather then I'll be at two places in November. One in Vernon NJ and one in Lafayette. Stay tuned for further information. Now on to today's spotlight.

The Cowboy's Last Chance 
by
​Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy 
October 21, 2024
​Cowboy Romance
www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Last-Chance-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0DCZWNZCQ
When Vivian Blackburn, recently returned to Southwest Missouri sets out to shoot pictures at a rodeo, she's not looking for a cowboy but when she meets bull rider Calhoun Kelly, she's found one. They have an instant attraction and rapport. They're compatible in every way but one – he has a strong Christian faith and she lost hers after her parents died. When Vivian experiences strange dreams that seem to warn Calhoun of upcoming danger, she doesn't know what to think. Calhoun decides to hang up his spurs at the end of the season but before he does, he and Vivian are married. They decide they'll settle at her grandmother's old farmhouse but not until he rides his last rodeo. When he's critically injured, his life hangs in the balance. Will Vivian find her faith and pray? It's a close call but time will tell.

About the author
From an early age, Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy scribbled stories, inspired by the books she read, the family tales she heard, and even the conversations she overheard at the beauty shop where her grandmother had a weekly standing appointment. She was the little girl who sat at the feet of the elders and listened.
As an author, she has published more than fifty novels and novellas writing as both Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy and as Patrice Wayne for historical fiction. She is also the author of a new Faery Folk series from Evernight Publishing writing as Liathán O'Murchadha. Her books are found in many places, online and in brick and mortar stores including some in both Ireland and Australia. As of October 2022, she currently has six upcoming titles from World Castle Publishing, Evernight Publishing and The Wild Rose Press.
She spent her early career in broadcast radio, interviewing everyone from politicians to major league baseball players and writing ad copy. In those radio years she began to write short stories and articles, some of which found publication. In 1994 she married Roy Murphy and they had three children, all now grown-up. She was widowed in 2019. Lee Ann spent years in the newspaper field as both a journalist and editor and was widowed in 2019.
In late 2020, she hung up her editor’s hat to return to writing fiction. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, she lives and works in the rugged, mysterious, and beautiful Missouri Ozarks.
leeannsontheimer.blogspot.com/

​Periphery
by
AA Dasliva

Coming from The Wild Rose Press November 20, 2024.
Science Fiction Romance
Military Romance 
​
About the Book
Charlotte barely survived the accident that killed her husband four years ago. Resuscitated a savant, she struggles to find meaning in her survival. When she meets Simon, a mysteriously familiar stranger, they are drawn to each other with undeniable magnetism. But Simon is contracted to a black-ops agency. With the agency on her heels, and Simon claiming her heart, Charlotte's past and future collide when she's offered a chance to reconnect with her late husband. As secrets are revealed, motives uncovered, and alliances are formed, Charlotte must choose...between the fate of the world and the fate of her heart.

D.V.'s Review 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉
Periphery by AA DaSilva is an edge-of-your-seat read. From the opening scenes, where a crash changes Charlotte’s life, to the final OMG, I was caught up in the story of a woman who is putting her life back together after the tragedy.
Building a career as a nurse, dealing with post-traumatic, previously unknown brilliance in physics, and finding love, Charlotte is coming to terms with her new reality. Until her past appears and the implausible becomes reality.
Twists and turns of who is really who and what Charlotte should believe take place in a world where secret technology has implications not only in this dimension but also in others. Who are the good guys? Who can’t be trusted?
At times, I alternately shouted No! Or Yes! out loud. The bad guys had me wanting to enter into the story and get them myself.
This military, sci-fi romance had me thinking of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook.
I can’t wait for more from this author and highly recommend you read this book.

The Unpredictable Colors of Love 
by
J. Arlene Culiner 
8/23/24
Contemporary Romance, Art, and Nature in an 18th-century French Château

About the story
Callie Patterson, an unsuccessful artist, hopes that a relationship with the irresistible and magnetic Nicholas Trier will pave the way to success. She follows him to France where, in a magnificent château, he holds his artists' retreats. But famous men surround themselves with hangers-on and demand complete loyalty.
Callie soon finds herself far more attracted to Michel Alexandre, the estate gardener, who loves and protects trees and every living creature. But if she wants to make a name for herself, she’ll have to choose Nicholas and his world.
Except nothing is quite the way it seems, and perhaps success isn’t the most important thing, after all.

Get your copy.
books2read.com/u/b6pJMx
books.apple.com/us/book/the-unpredictable-colors-of-love/id6633440769  
us.amazon.com/Unpredictable-Colors-Love-Arlene-Culiner/dp/1509258183
​books2read.com/u/b6pJMx

About the Author.
​Born in New York, raised in Toronto, Jill Culiner set out to have a life of adventure and discovery, not one of security and comfort. She has since crossed much of Europe on foot, travelled, by bus, train, car or truck throughout North and Central America, Europe, and the Sahara, has lived in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave-dwelling, on a Dutch canal, a lonely, and a very haunted stone house on the English moors. Such a lifestyle has meant staying flexible and taking up any sort of work that presents itself: belly dancer, fortune teller, b-girl, translator, fashion model, storyteller, radio broadcaster, actress, social critical artist, photographer, and writer. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village of no interest and protects all creatures, especially spiders and snakes. She particularly loves incorporating into short stories, mysteries, narrative non-fiction, and romances, her experiences in out-of-the-way communities with their strange characters, and very odd conversations.
www.j-arleneculiner.com
www.jill-culiner.com
soundcloud.com/j-arlene-culiner

Welcome to my fire. With a fall snap in the air it's certainly time for one. A cup of tea, a good book, and a crackling fire. Maybe in a fire pit, or fireplace. Don't have one of those. Make it a screensaver on your TV or laptop. Here you go, try this one www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFMY5NxXDhw 
I have just a bit of my own horn blowing before we get to today's guest. The Mystery at Starling Mine, an Agent Carter Mystery by yours truly is now available. Grab a copy. It's the perfect Halloween gift for readers young and old.  www.amazon.com/dp/B0D38B4G6G
Now, on to my special guest she's also a fellow glamper and with luck we may see her in person this fall.

Terrabyte  Security
by 
Tena Stetler
This story of missing persons, stolen identities, and international intrigue in a sleepy little town in the Colorado Rockies will keep you on the edge of your seat.
 
About the book. 
A sleepy little town, Aspen Ridge, nestled in the Colorado Rockies, is experiencing major growing pains. As is Candle's adorable pup.
Former CIA agent, Candle Bearclaw’s new security firm, Terrabyte is expanding by leaps and bounds. When her best friend’s husband, a high-profile software entrepreneur, comes up missing, Candle and her husband, Miacoh, also the new chief of police, find themselves knee-deep in international intrigue.
The same day, an Indigenous woman, Molly Reacher, pleads for Candle to take her convoluted case with identity theft overtones. Come to find out, Molly’s friend, a Native American woman, is also missing.
Cayson, an employee of Terrabyte Security is assigned to protect Molly as the company works through the intricacies of her cases.
Law enforcement are supposed to be all over both missing person cases until Miacoh discovers the indigenous woman’s case is nearly invisible. Will either be found alive?
 
Get your copy at one of these retailers. 
Universal Link:  books2read.com/u/3kQGy6
https://www.amazon.com/Terrabyte-Security-Mountain-Town-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0D8L9VHDZ
  www.barnesandnoble.com/w/terrabyte-security-tena-stetler/1145833553
books.apple.com/us/book/terrabyte-security/id6505109847
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/215946691-terrabyte-security
https://www.bookbub.com/books/terrabyte-security-mountain-town-mysteries-book-2-by-tena-stetler

A peek between the pages.
​A Native American woman paced in front of Terrabyte Security wringing her hands. The phone calls, strange faces in her windows, and stolen work products had to stop. It was bad enough her professor plagiarized her work, claimed it as his own, stole her identity and emptied her bank accounts, then disappeared off the face of the earth, not to mention blew up the college chemistry lab. Okay, I’m not the only one he victimized. But I’m one of the few that didn’t have a trust fund to fall back on. Oh, this is such a mess. She covered her face with her hands for a moment and took a long cleansing breath, then continued pacing.
Pausing mid-stride, she sensed eyes on her. She whirled around to find three sets of eyes staring at her through the window. The woman she knew as Candle, who’d blown the professor’s scandal wide open, curled an index finger beckoning her into Terrabyte’s office. Her pulse quickened. Her heart nearly beat out of her chest as she wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans. Should I stay, explain myself, and ask for help, or take flight as I have these many months?
Candle circumvented the woman’s choice by stepping out of the door into her path with a reassuring smile. “Can we help you?”
She tugged on her denim jacket, straightened her shoulders, and swallowed hard. “I sure hope so. I’m Molly Malone Reacher.”
Candle extended her hand. “Happy to know you, Molly. I’m Candle Bearclaw. Terrabyte Security is my company. Why don’t we step into the office and talk?” Candle pulled open the door. Miacoh grabbed the edge of the door and held it open.
Molly’s gaze darted around the office as she trudged in behind Candle. She kept her bag held tight against her as her fingers twisted in the strap.
“Have a seat.” Candle motioned to the wooden chair in front of her desk, then glanced at Miacoh and Cayson. She jerked her chin at the tall, black-haired man in uniform. “Miacoh, is the Chief of Police in our little town.” She waved a hand toward the tall, blond Aussie. “Cayson is my investigator, part-time security alarm installer for Terrabyte, and on occasion part-time officer for the Police Department.” Miacoh dragged another chair across the floor and straddled it. Cayson stood behind Miacoh. Terra, the pup, thumped her tail on the floor and attempted to get to her feet as Candle signaled her to stay with a hand gesture. “This is our company mascot soon to be security specialist, Terrabyte.”
She eased down onto the edge of the chair. Her gaze darted from one to the other. “I…I… don’t know where to begin.

About the author.
In Tena’s past lives she’s been a savings and loan branch manager, a paralegal for a criminal law firm, IT Manager for an electrical contracting firm, and now a published writer.  After trying on many hats, she finally found the one that fits the best. Or in other words, she loves making things up to entertain others.  LOL
.  Her books tell tales of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure,magic, and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a fifty-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors.

Social Media Links: 
Website: https://www.tenastetler.com
Authors’ Secret’s Blog - https://www.tenastetler.com/category/authors-secrets-blog/
My Say What Blog -www.tenastetler.com/category/my-say-what-blog/
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/tenastetler.author
Twitter Page: https://www.twitter.com/TenaStetler 
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14187532.Tena_Stetler
Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/author/tenastetler
Newsletter: https://www.tenastetler.com/newsletter-signup/
Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/tenastetler
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tena-stetler
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenastetler/
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/tenajean2014
BookGorilla - https://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B014E0PEPM/tena-stetler
Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tena-stetler-10057978/

Death by Jelly Beans
by
Suzie Black
Release 9/4/14
Cozy Mystery

 “Brings a whole new meaning to the rabbit died.”

About the story.
Mermaid Swimwear President Holly Schlivnik discovers the Bainbridge Department Store Easter Bunny slumped over dead and obnoxious swimwear buyer Sue Ellen Magee is arrested for the crime. Despite her differences with the nasty buyer, Holly is convinced the Queen of Mean didn’t do it. The wise-cracking, irreverent amateur sleuth jumps into action to nail the real killer. But the trail has more twists than a pretzel and more turns than a rollercoaster. And nothing turns out the way Holly thinks it will as she tangles with a clever killer hellbent on revenge. 

Grab a copy today.
www.barnesandnoble.com/w/death-by-jelly-beans-susie-black/1145804565
www.goodreads.com/book/show/212700868-death-by-jelly-bean
https://www.bookbub.com/books/death-by-jelly-beans-holly-swimsuit-mystery-book-5-by-susie-black
https://www.amazon.com/Death-Jelly-Beans-Swimsuit-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D12LQBXL​​

Nine days from today, my third installment of the Agent Sam Carter Mysteries releases. I had no idea that what began as a request from my then nine-year-old nephew would turn into a three-book series. 
How it all began.
My family and I were attending a Christmas concert at church in December of 2016. During the mid-concert break, my nephew Carter crawled over several laps to get next to me. He plopped down and, with his face in his hands, said, "I hear you write books." Being quite precocious, this statement could go anywhere. I paused a moment and then responded, "Yes, I do. How may I help you?" He sat up straight. "I want you to write a book about me. I want to ride a motorcycle and have a long mustache." The music came back, and our conversation ended. That young man planted a seed, though.
At the time, I was working on other books and getting ready to publish my first, Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar. As the year progressed, I didn't forget what he'd asked.  What began as a lark, never thinking I would publish it, just make a booklet for Carter, became an actual book. I took liberties with family members and situations (the names were changed to protect the innocent and not-so-innocent).
Though the book takes place in the Pacific Northwest, most of the scenes are based on the town of Branchville, NJ. The pictures I used for chapter headings were mostly ones I took or created and then edited and digitized. 
By December, the first Agent Sam Carter book, The Mystery at Branch Lake, was released, and now the third. 
I'm not sure where or when the next mystery will happen. Oh, look, it's a mystery. 
Below are some of the pictures from The Mystery at Branch Lake. 
The second book, The Mystery at High Pointe Tower, actually takes place in New Jersey. I've used local areas that many from Sussex County will be familiar with. Things like Volcano Road, High Point Monument, and the Lusscroft Trail.
Join me next week, and I'll fill you in on The Mystery at Starling Mine

This is me in 20 degree weather with a wind chill of 5 below at the highest point in NJ, The High Point Monument. Yes, I was only wearing a sweatshirt. What an author will do for a photo op, sigh.
If you're interested in any of my Agent Sam Carter Mysteries head on over to 
www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4CBD46Q
The first two are available and Starling Mine releases next week digitally. But here's a big secret you can order the paperback today!
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0785LCHWH
​

About D. V. Stone
D. V. Stone is known for her engaging and captivating storytelling, often weaving elements of romance, fantasy, and adventure into her novels. Her official website, dvstoneauthor.com, serves as a central hub for fans and new readers alike to explore her literary works, learn about upcoming book releases, and gain insights into her creative process. The site typically features detailed book descriptions, author blogs, and exclusive content such as interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at her writing journey. Additionally, visitors can find information on where to purchase her books, sign up for newsletters, and connect with DV Stone on social media. Whether you’re a long-time follower or new to her stories, dvstoneauthor.com offers a comprehensive and inviting space to immerse yourself in the world of DV Stone’s imagination.