Saturday, April 12, 2025

Origins Progeny by Diana Fedorak

               To heal the future, one must confront the past…

After an estranged explorer returns home to help her ailing mother, she’s confronted by powerful forces who demand a high personal cost for any hope of a cure.

Wild Women Authors feature Diana Fedorak and Origins Progeny, a sci-fi adventure published by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book which has been described as “. . . a gripping sequel to the Firebird Award Winner, Children of Alpheios. . .”: Alina DeHerte thought she had escaped Alpheios, the genetically engineered city on planet Eamine. After rescuing her son from its corrupt rulers, she built a fresh life with a new fiancĂ© in a remote sanctuary. But when word of her mother’s grave illness reaches her, Alina's fragile peace shatters.

Returning to Alpheios means she must navigate rising threats in an unpredictable city. In pursuit of dominance, the city’s power brokers are jeopardizing their citizens’ lives. Alina must ally with a man she has long avoided—the Guardian officer who fathered her son. Both have a shared stake in the city’s uncertain future.

If Alina wants her mother to survive, she must unravel the city’s secrets and grapple with her conflicted past. Deep winter is upon them, and Alpheios is on the brink of explosive change.

We had a chance to speak with Captain Chance Graylin, aide to Chancellor Jade Graylin.

Good morning, Captain. Thank you for taking time out of your schedule to speak with us. We’d like to begin with knowing what made you choose to become a Guardian officer? My father was a Guardian officer. I was drawn to its sense of purpose in protecting the citizens of Alpheios. A stable city is a peaceful city, and I aim to keep it that way.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a Guardian or would you choose something different? There’s no doubt in my mind I’d become a Guardian officer. I was born for this.

What is your biggest fear? That I will fail in protecting others. Don’t repeat that.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Bond. James Bond. I don’t think I have to explain why.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? My mother once told me that when you seize on a good idea, move fast. Otherwise, the energy that is required of you will dissipate and fade. Make it a fait accompli.

Thanks for speaking with us, Chance. Now we’d like to chat with Diana.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, [or both] have had a major impact on your writing? I was enamored with fantasy stories growing up. I also enjoyed YA dystopian from the 2000s like the Hunger Games and Divergent franchises. Lately, I’m into sci-fi /fantasy authors like Adrian Tchaikovsky, Elizabeth Lim, Sarah J. Maas, Martha Wells, and Frank Herbert. I’m currently watching HBO’s Dune Prophecy series, and I’m a big fan of the movies. Also, anything Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon related, I’ll watch.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? For the medical piece of the story, I read up on medical journal research concerning genetics and stem cells, and how donors are matched. I listened to doctors on podcasts who described the concept of regenerative medicine, and how your stem cells play a major role in keeping you healthy. It helped me hone some of the finer points of what was happening to the characters in the story, like Alina’s mother, who is suffering complications from a biotech product. It didn’t change the overall story arc much, but I made some tweaks to it.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. How did you hear about them; what influenced you to submit to them? I met my editor, Morena, virtually at a writer’s conference in Las Vegas during the pandemic when I pitched to her my first book in the series, Children of Alpheios. I had pitched to numerous agents by that point. Some had gotten back to me, politely declining, but they had initially asked for a portion of the manuscript, so I kept pitching.  I saw that The Wild Rose Press had published some fantasy and speculative fiction novels recently and had been in business for over fifteen years which was a good sign for a small press.

How is the submission process; what is the turn-around time from date of query to date of release? Morena asked me to send her my full manuscript on the spot. A month went by, and I followed up asking her for her thoughts. I was used to getting rejected so when she said she loved it, it was a very pleasant surprise. Within a week, the President of The Wild Rose Press, Rhonda Penders, sent me a contract offer. About nine months later, Children of Alphieos was published, which is fast if you’re with a publisher. As soon as the first book received a release date, Morena asked me for a second book, now Origins Progeny. It took me about a year-and-half to write and revise it, and once I signed the contract, it took them about a year to prepare it for publication.

What are you reading right now? I’m currently reading Comics Lit, a new essay series of why we love comics. It’s edited by a friend, Tonya Todd, who also wrote a delightful essay about Catwoman in it. It contains wonderful insights on how comics have shaped our culture.

What's next for you? I’m currently working on the third book in the Children of Alphieos series. I hope to have it done this year.

Here’s an excerpt of Origins Progeny:

      Her knee aching, Alina pressed her hands against the hard object she’d tripped over. Snow hid a log in her path. Shivering, she rubbed her knee. Blackness surrounded her. She squinted at her link in the dark. The numbers glowed back. It was nearly negative sixty degrees Celsius outdoors.

She’d cleared the woods but wading through the accumulating snow had lengthened her travel time. The snow was up to her knees and would continue to rise. Gasping, she peered through the curtain of whistling white all around. She wasn’t even sure she emerged at the right spot out of the woods where the dirt path led back to the city.

Uncertain of her whereabouts, she tried to activate the link’s other features. “Show my location.” But the howling wind drowned out her voice, and the link blinked back, “ERROR.” She tried again. “Light.” But her link did not register her command.

Crap. She could remove her gloves and fiddle with it, but her fingertips were numb. Her body shook as the suit struggled in its fight against the elements. Her stomach had shrunken into a pit. Although her face was covered, she couldn’t feel the end of her nose. She wiggled, feeling a coil inside her suit. Did one of the battery lead wires disconnect? If the other two leads held, she still could make it back.

Had Gordo received her message? No response from him. How long would it take until he called her in missing? Touching the corner of her eye, she winced. Windburn scraped at the small amount of her exposed skin.

She could call Chance. He’d find a GATV to search for her. A small relief grew within her at knowing he wasn’t far. Her link might not even tolerate much more of the freeze. But the GATVs would have to drive slowly in this weather, and by the time he reached her…

To learn more about Diana Fedorak, go to:

www.dianafedorak.com

https://www.facebook.com/dianafedorakauthor

https://www.instagram.com/diana_fedorak_author


To purchase Origins Progeny, go to: 

Amazon: https://a.co/d/7y3tY5f

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM2Q1J6Q

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/origins-progeny-diana-fedorak/1146492137

Series: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/children%20of%20alpheios/_/N-w

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221237516-origins-progeny

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/origins-progeny-by-diana-fedorak

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/origins-progeny/id6737810409

Monday, April 7, 2025

Runaway Love Story by Sadira Stone

 Wrong time, wrong place, perfect guy.

Wild Women Authors focus is on Runaway Love Story from the Book Nirvana Series, written by Sadira Stone. Come to Book Nirvana for a spicy, funny, heart-wrenching tale of true love and second chances.

About the Book:

Laurel: Fired again, and now my darling aunt needs my help. That San Francisco art gallery job will have to wait. I’m stuck in Eugene, Oregon, rescuing the auntie who rescued me. Running into Dalton ignites a sweet flirtation that quickly turns spicy. He’s almost perfect: a beloved teacher and coach, wise and funny, and so compassionate with Maxie. But he wants lasting love, and I’m only passing through. No matter how much I crave him, I can’t let him derail my dreams. 

Dalton: Between my scheming ex and my Mom’s dementia, this is the worst summer break ever—until Laurel Jepsen comes into my life when I least expect it. Though she stubbornly denies her artistic gift, she’s brilliant, stunning, forthright, and the spark between us grows hotter each time we meet. But she’s clinging to big-city dreams, and I can’t leave my hometown. When a social media post about our budding love goes viral, Laurel’s insecurities flare. To keep her from running away, I’ll have to convince her how brightly she can shine right here.   

Excerpt: showing Laurel and Dalton as they share the heartache of watching a family member succumb to dementia.

I prop my forearms on the railing. “It’s hard. Wish I could say you’ll get used to it, but I haven’t yet.”

She grips my arm, her eyes glittering with threatening tears. “How do you do it, Dalton? How do you watch someone you love just—disappear?”

I search my brain for a comforting answer, but nothing comes. My gut nudges me to enfold her in my arms, but it’s too soon for such an intimate gesture. Besides, our run in the late-summer heat has left me sticky and no doubt pungent.

I lay my hand over hers. “I guess you just show up. Remember, she loves you, even if she forgets.”

“Yeah.” She blows out a long, windy sigh, and her gaze slides away, toward the glassy green below. “Could I call you sometime? You know, to talk about this stuff?”

I close my eyes. Yessss. My inner victory dance complete, I answer, “Of course. Let’s have a coffee after running club on Saturday.”

“That’d be great.” Her bright smile lights up something deep in my chest.

Ten minutes later, we trot to a stop outside my place. As I wipe my sopping head with a bandana, another opening springs to mind. “Hey, there’s a 10K race in Springfield a week from Sunday. Wanna join us?”

“I’ll think about it.” She flashes a grin. “I haven’t been training regularly.”

“Could’ve fooled me. You’re in great shape.”

She bats her long, pale lashes. “I’ll bet you say that to all the girls.”

Buoyed by her flirtation, I finally work up the nerve to ask her the question that’s been nagging me since we met. “Can I ask a personal question, Laurel?”

She waits, eyebrows raised.

“How old are you?”

Something about her narrowed gaze suggests she’s been wondering too. “Thirty-one.” She digs the toe of her running shoe into the dust. “Where does the time go, right? And you?”

“Thirty-nine.”

“For the first time?” She winks.

I raise three fingers. “Scout’s honor.”

Her gaze slides down my body and back up, leaving a sudden tingly chill, as if she somehow peeled away my damp running clothes to peer beneath.

She nods. “You’ve held up well, Gramps.”

I can’t decide whether to wince or laugh. Before I can formulate a snappy comeback, she steps in close—alarmingly, deliciously close—and kisses my cheek, her lips a sweet whisper of pleasure on my skin. She smells like sweaty sunshine.

“I’d better book it. Maxie’s waiting. Thank you, Dalton. For the run, and the advice, and the job, and—just, thanks.” She lopes away, calling over her shoulder, “See you Saturday.”

I stroke the lingering warmth on my skin. When she disappears around the corner, I turn toward home, grinning like a happy idiot.

 Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Runaway-Love-Story-Sadira-Stone-ebook/dp/B0DTJCZKHP

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-love-story-sadira-stone/1131145865?ean=2940184725000

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/runaway-love-story/id6740822711

Google Play Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sadira_Stone_Runaway_Love_Story?id=skxAEQAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/runaway-love-story-1

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1693740

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/RunawayLoveStory

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/223816608-runaway-love-story

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/runaway-love-story-book-nirvana-by-sadira-stone

Bookfunnel link to deleted scenes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bn0awaetvk

 

Author Bio:

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in small businesses—a quirky bookstore, a neighborhood bar, a vintage boutique. Set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com

Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

https://linktr.ee/SadiraStone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sadirastone/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18568049.Sadira_Stone

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/sadira-stone

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Sadira-Stone/e/B07KWK5FBX

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sadira0641/

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

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sadirastone.bsky.social

Author newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/q7x4c6

Tiktok: https://tiktok.com/@sadirastone

Author website: https://www.sadirastone.com

Bookfunnel link for Deleted Scenes: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/bn0awaetvk

 

 

 

Friday, March 21, 2025

Scandalous in Huntington Beach

               Sparks fly when a feminist and a politician inherit a rundown B&B. . . and a baby.

Wild Women Authors focus on Scandalous in Huntington Beach, written by Melody DeBlois as part of the Love is a Beach series, released by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book: As a senate hopeful for the State of California, Bennett Browning knows nothing about babies. When his former girlfriend dies and leaves him with a daughter he knew nothing about, he’s left scrambling until he meets Emma Kuan, his daughter’s aunt, who volunteers to be the nanny.

Emma is used to keeping secrets. She and her sister have always hidden their tragic past, but she’s stunned her sister hid the baby even from her. After meeting her niece, who captures her heart, she will do anything to be with her, even living with a stranger.

Worried about potential scandal, Bennett and Emma juggle jobs, living arrangements, and parenting until a doctor gives them bad news about their baby girl—and forcing their priorities to change drastically.

An Excerpt:

Bennett had that do-gooder thing going for him—she’d give him that. His kindness at her sister’s burial service wasn’t lost on her. She’d noticed, too, that he was handsome, but he seemed unaware of it. His dark hair went all curly in the rain, and his sultry brown eyes were at once sympathetic and then suddenly full of something she couldn’t quite name.

She respected him for all he’d done for L.A.’s troubled youth. He’d built a rec center, organized youth sports teams, and for a short time practiced law—working mostly pro bono. Before he became a senatorial nominee, he’d mentored small business owners. True, his accomplishments impressed her. Who wouldn’t be taken in by all he'd done? But all this didn’t mean he welcomed becoming a single dad.

Then, unexpectedly, he pulled something from a shopping bag.

“Aww,” she couldn’t help but say at the sight of the snuggly teddy bear.

“I had a moment this morning and saw this in a shop window.” A helpless expression spread over his face. “Do you think Madelynn will like it?”

Emma’s chest felt as if it would burst. Still, she’d just composed herself when someone knocked at the door. A thick-figured woman introduced herself as Riley Morgan while trying to contain the squirming baby in her arms.

Emma’s heart melted at the sight of her niece.

“Fingers that reminded Emma of her sister’s extended from the sleeves of a ruffly pink dress. Eyes, the same chocolate brown as her daddy’s, thickly lashed and alert, took in her new surroundings, her thumb in her mouth.”

To Purchase Scandalous in Huntington Beach, go to:

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221237484-scandalous-in-huntington-beach

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/scandalous-in-huntington-beach-love-is-a-beach-book-3-by-melody-deblois

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scandalous-Huntington-Beach-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B0DM2NPJBR/ref=sr_1_

Barnes&Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/scandalous-in-huntington-beach-melody-deblois/1146492135?ean=9781509259489

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/scandalous-in-huntington-beach/id6737809843

A Bit About Our Focus Author: Melody DeBlois lives in Sacramento (the City of Trees). She writes romance novels. She’s partial to poetry, sun, rain, strong coffee, and her writing room surrounded by books. Besides California, she and her late husband lived part-time in a condo in Oregon overlooking the Pacific. That gave her a love for beach towns and whale-watching and sunsets—all the things that inspire the Love is a Beach series. The writing process fascinates her, the alchemy of layering and developing characters, the tinkering with language. There’s so much to treasure in the world: family, friends, and those random, everyday moments that make life grand. She hopes to give her readers all of that.

Find Melody online at:

https://www.melodydeblois.com/

https://www.facebook.com/melodydebloisbooks/

https://www.instagram.com/melody.deblois/

https://www.pinterest.com/deblois0181

Monday, March 17, 2025

This Wicked City by Michael Walsh

Wild Women Authors feature author Michael Walsh and This Wicked City, book 3 in the Ocean Park series, a contemporary police procedural, published by the Wild Rose Press.

About the Book: Crime and corruption are rising in Ocean Park, a tired factory town in northern Massachusetts. The police and fire departments are no help—they're staging a work slowdown to protest a pay freeze caused by city budget cuts.

Police Detective Matt Conley is disgusted with the dereliction of duty, and when tasked with solving the murder of a young Haitian immigrant, he infuriates the force by teaming with the victim's friend Emmanuel to find the killer. They encounter an enterprising family of Voudou worshipers, a ruthless real estate magnate, and a clever, love-struck arsonist in their search for justice. This Wicked City is a mystery powered by its characters' struggles with love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Good morning, Matt Conley. Let’s begin with you telling us what made you choose law enforcement for a career. Giveback, pure and simple. I grew up in Ocean Park, the best city in the world. It has a beautiful seashore, one of the largest municipal wooded reservations in the country and is a short ride to the cultural and sports mecca of Boston. O-P has problems like every city, but it’s filled with people who value love, loyalty, and sacrifice.

Knowing what you know now, if you had it to do over again, would you stick with being a cop or do something different? I toyed with law and politics, but to be honest with you, those two professions seem to be the root of Ocean Park’s problems. Go figure.

What is your biggest fear? That the bad guys win, that I let down friends and family, and the place I love becomes a battleground.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Andy Dufresne, the maligned protagonist of Stephen King’s brilliant novella Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. Andy’s smart, tough, and – most importantly – insanely hopeful and optimistic.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received? A boss that I respected once told me that I didn’t realize how talented I was. I think that goes for all of us. We doubt ourselves and spend too much of our lives worrying about it - at least the humble ones do.

Thank you for spending time with us, Matt. Now we’d like to speak with your creator, Michael Walsh.

Which writer or character[s], from either books or movies, have had an impact on your writing? Authors Dennis Lehane, Stephen King, and John D. MacDonald influenced me greatly. All of them create characters you can identify with. They put you there in the story, and make you care about the characters. All of them deliver on their promise to make you vicariously walk with their characters. Those authors make you laugh, worry, marvel, and even cry sometimes.

With regard to research, where did you start for this novel? Did that lead you down different paths, thereby changing the original concept? Haitian Voudou, arson, and love were the cornerstones. Those story elements are central themes in This Wicked City. Action and conflict drive good fiction, and This Wicked City has plenty of both. I spent a lot of time polishing the story, and reviewers say that it shows.

Tell us a bit about your publisher. I researched and queried hundreds of publishers. The submission process is clean, easy, and relatively quick. The Wild Rose Press is a great publisher, professional and supportive. They’ve been doing this for a long time and have kept disciplined in a crazy, ever-changing business. It took about three months to get my finished product scheduled for release, which gave me time to put together the marketing plan.

What are you reading right now? A Private Cathedral by James Lee Burke. He’s one of the best writers today, and reading his books are both enjoyable and like a writing class.

What’s next for you? The Ocean Park Mystery series continues with the fourth installment – The Fall of Ocean Park will test Matt Conley’s will with the Dark Web, criminal social media influencers, temptation, and a secret that could end his marriage.

What others are saying about This Wicked City:

“Walsh successfully creates a vibrant setting and memorable main players. His depiction of Ocean Park is strong and clear, quickly revealing a failing factory town that’s trying desperately to reclaim its former glory” Kirkus Reviews

To purchase This Wicked City, go to:

https://t.ly/1  54L (Amazon)

https://bit.ly/3Pe7wGw (Barnes and Noble)

https://bit.ly/4j8cL8H (Kobo)

https://bit.ly/40fiGjF (Google)

https://bit.ly/40bbSV9 (Apple)

 

To learn more about Michael Walsh and the stories he creates go to:

Facebook Page – Facebook.com/authormichaelwalsh

Twitter handle – https://twitter.com/AuthorMWalsh

Instagram - @authormichaelwalsh

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/michael_walsh


 

Friday, March 14, 2025

Return to Victoria Island by Karen Andover

              Trust is Everything.

Wild Women Authors focus on Return to Victoria Island, a contemporary romantic suspense written by Karen Andover, released by the Wild Rose Press on March 5, 2025.

 

About the Book: When hardworking accountant Ava Morrison is passed over for her dream promotion, she is disappointed. But when her employer gives her two weeks to sign a high-value client or be fired, she is devastated. Then she is reminded of the upcoming boat show on Victoria Island, a picturesque vacation retreat off the coast of Florida—and the perfect place to recruit wealthy businesspeople.

Someone is stealing from property developer Jack Rutledge, and he needs the help of a discreet accountant. He asks Ava to audit his company books and in return he will introduce her to potential clients. But soon things turn dangerous. As their partnership becomes personal, it could add up to love or a fatal miscalculation.

 

An Excerpt:

 “Speaking on behalf of everyone on the management team, we wanted you to know how much we value your dedication and achievements.” Lines around Maggie’s mouth creased as she pursed her lips.

“Having said that”—she peeked at her watch before she continued—“unfortunately, we don’t think you’re the best qualified candidate for the job. And so, we wanted to let you know we have selected another candidate for the position.”

What?

The butterflies in Ava’s stomach dropped like an out-of-control roller coaster cresting the top and rushing down the hill. Coldness washed over her. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping tears would not leak out. She squashed a memory of her high school guidance counselor frowning over her grade report and recommending she consider other careers instead of applying to college.

 All those years of hard work. What had it all been for?

 She stared blankly at the woman she had considered a mentor who had singlehandedly derailed

her career ambitions in under thirty seconds.

 

To purchase Return to Victoria Island, go to:

 Return to Victoria Island (Victoria Island Series Book 2) - Kindle edition by Andover, Karen . Romance Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

 

A bit about our focus author:

Karen Andover is an author of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and science fiction. She loves island life and her goal is to share her happy place with readers one book at a time. She lives in Florida, enjoys spoiling her rescue pup, and can be found at:

https://karenandover.com/

https://www.facebook.com/karenandover

Wednesday, March 12, 2025

Cupid's Silver Spark by Sadira Stone

 Come to Bangers Tavern for super-steamy rom coms featuring chosen family, diverse characters, creative cocktails, and the best tater tots in Tacoma.

 Wild Women Authors is pleased to offer Cupid’s Silver Spark, a Bangers Tavern Romance, written by Sadira Stone, now available in a box set, as part of our Books In A Series events.

 About the Book: Still stinging from a breakup, Carla Portofino wants nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. When her bestie drags her to Bangers Tavern’s Anti-Valentine’s Bash, Cupid gifts her a swoon worthy silver fox. Maybe a no-strings fling is the remedy for her tattered heart? He seems perfect, until his company makes a grab for her building, tangling them in more string than either can handle.

All Jeremy Franklin wants on Valentine’s Day is to escape the lovey-dovey hype. But his best friend insists on cheering him up with a trip to Bangers Tavern, where Jeremy meets Carla, a woman so tempting he simply must pursue her. Trouble is, his real estate firm has the hots for her building, and he’ll have to fight to save her shop from their greedy grasp.

To keep her business, Carla must dare the hardest hurdle of all—trust the enemy. Will her silver fox prove a predator, or will Cupid’s arrow strike true?

Excerpt:

“You ladies looking for a spot? We don’t mind sharing. Right, Jer?”

The other man looked up, and time slowed. The din stilled. The crowd blurred.

“Which one you want?” Shari asked. “Tall, dark, and yummy, or the silver fox?”

Carla’s mouth opened, but no sound emerged.

Squaring her shoulders, Shari strutted forward. “Mighty kind of y’all to offer. My friend here is famished. If we don’t get her some tater tots soon, she just might expire.”

“That would be a damn shame.” The fox’s slow smile simmered with sexy mischief. The silver at his temples proved he was experienced enough to deliver. Smile lines at the corners of his dark eyes deepened as he aimed his intense gaze at Carla.

Mayday!

“Miss Rosie,” he called without breaking the stare. “We’ve got a tot emergency here.”

The blue-haired waitress bopped up to their table. “Tonight’s specials are Love Bites, AKA jalapeno poppers with bacon, or Diego’s famous tots with cheesy artichoke dip and bacon.”

Shari tittered. “Because what cures a broken heart better than bacon?”

The server nodded, her curls bouncing. “It’s a proven fact.”

“Bring us a double order of each,” the fox said. “That is, if you ladies don’t mind sharing.”

Right then, Carla wouldn’t mind sharing all sorts of things with him—her phone number, her bed, her deepest fantasies…

Must be the bourbon talking. She told the waitress, “And an iced tea, please.”

“Bullshit,” Shari interjected. “You’re not spending your hard-won drink coupon on brown water.” She snatched the ticket and dropped it onto the server’s tray. “Darlin’, bring whichever of those cocktail specials you like best.”

Carla opened her mouth to object, but Shari shot her a don’t-mess-with-me glare.

Chuckling, the dark-haired guy introduced himself. “Leo Delgado. And this is Jeremy Franklin.”

“Shari Poulsen. And this is my bestie, Carla Portofino.”

Jeremy. Carla mentally rolled the name over her tongue as they shook hands all around. A friendly name. Down to earth. Kinda sexy, in an approachable way.

“So,” Shari sipped her drink. “What brings you boys here tonight?”

Leo elbowed his friend. “Mr. Grump-ass here was going to spend tonight watching Netflix alone. Figured a party would do him good.”

Carla ignored Shari’s pointed stare and kept her focus on Jeremy. “What were you going to watch?”

He shrugged, but the corners of his mouth ticked upward. “Maybe a disaster movie. Seems suitable for tonight.” He inclined his head toward his friend. “Mr. Party Monster wouldn’t leave me in peace. I figured a few drinks would shut him up.” His smile widened. “Now I’m glad I surrendered.” He scooted a little closer and nudged Carla with his arm. “How about you?”

A flush of warmth spread from the contact, and the room tilted just a tiny bit.

 Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9LL788X

Universal Book Link: https://books2read.com/cupidssilverspark

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cupids-silver-spark-sadira-stone/1142009095?ean=2940185816790

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/search?query=Cupid%27s+Silver+Spark+by+Sadira+Stone

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/cupids-silver-spark/id6443281202