Get Ready for Valentine’s Day with Cupid’s Schemes Volumes 1 & 2 Two Collections of Sweet Romances By Kelli A. Wilkins

 Two Collections of Sweet Romances

By Kelli A. Wilkins
www.kelliwilkins.com

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at my contemporary romance releases, Cupid’s Schemes Volumes 1 & 2. As
some readers may know, I write romances in all genres (historical, fantasy, gay, paranormal, and contemporary) at all heat levels, but these novellas are something new for me. Instead of full-length romances, each book is a collection of flash-fiction stories.

Both volumes contain a dozen or more sweet romances where the characters meet under unusual circumstances and develop an intense connection. And that’s where I leave them—at the start of their relationship. Why? 

I wanted to show how two people meet, feel a spark of romance, and then leave the rest of the story up to the reader’s imagination. What happens next is up to you. I end each story with the characters in good places and the potential to have a happy-ever-after ending with their new love interest. These feel-good stories are perfect for a boost of romance whenever or wherever you need it.

The settings vary from New Year’s Eve parties to snowstorms, summer picnics, and even a haunted corn maze. I grouped the stories by season, so as you read through each book, you’ll be following the calendar year. And believe it or not, some of these settings and “first meets” were inspired by true stories people have told me over the years. 

Here are the summaries and links to each book, plus a mini-excerpt from the first story in Volume 2. 

Cupid’s Schemes Volume 1
A Collection of Sweet Romances

In these 16 flash fiction vignettes, Cupid’s arrow hits the mark and ignites a spark between two strangers—whether or not they’re looking for romance. Their unusual meetings lead to new beginnings and new chances at love.

Sweet stories of couples falling under Cupid’s spell include:

* a Medieval knight courting a pretty lady
* two neighbors discover that romance can happen when you least expect it
* a dehydrated mermaid rescued by a handsome stranger

These lighthearted mini-romances are perfect reads for a quick lunchtime escape or an after-work indulgence.

Order your copy here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/ebook/dp/B07JM9K1BB 

All other platforms: https://www.books2read.com/u/boZxkZ 

 

And don’t miss Cupid’s Schemes Volume 2

Another Collection of Sweet Romances

In these 12 mini-romances…

* a photographer falls for a sexy cowboy in an abandoned ghost town
* two friends discover romance in a spooky setting
* a long-lost love returns from out of the blue

Order Cupid’s Schemes: Volume 2 here:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MFR25KF

All other platforms: https://books2read.com/u/mYrBBd

 

Here’s An Excerpt from…

New Year, New Love

“This New Year’s Eve party is going to be fun. I’m glad you could come at the last minute,” Sharon said to Diana as they stepped into the hotel lobby. 

“Thanks for inviting me. I didn’t want to let your extra ticket go to waste,” Diana replied. She hated to admit that she’d had no other plans for tonight other than to curl up on the couch and watch a movie. She turned as Sharon’s boyfriend, Matt, and another man strolled up to them.

“You remember my cousin Eric, don’t you?” Sharon asked.

Diana gazed up at the six-foot-three blond hunk. Eric looked absolutely adorable in his dark gray suit, crisp white shirt, and blue and gray striped tie. 

“Yes, of course.” How could she ever forget Eric? Even though she had only spent an afternoon with him, meeting a dreamboat like Eric stayed with a girl for a long time. 

“Hi Eric. Happy New Year,” she said, then glanced at Sharon, confused. Why was Eric here? Was he alone? Where was his girlfriend, Melissa? 

Eric stepped to her side. “Hi Diana. It’s nice to see you again. Can I take your coat?” 

“Sure. Thanks.” She let Eric help her out of her gray wool coat. She caught his eyes roving down the front of her midnight-blue dress. She almost hadn’t worn the low-cut dress tonight, but then reconsidered. Why not? It was New Year’s Eve and she should dress up and look nice, even if she was single. One of her New Year’s resolutions was to jumpstart her boring life, starting tonight.

They handed their coats to the coat check attendant and strolled into a grand ballroom decorated in silver and gold. Eric kept pace with her as they followed Sharon and Matt to a table. 

“This is some change, huh?” Eric said as he pulled out a chair for her. “The last time I saw you it was ninety degrees outside and we were both in a pool.”

Diana felt a blush creep into her cheeks. “I know. Sharon’s Labor Day party seems like yesterday.” She sighed as she recalled seeing Eric’s lean, tan body in nothing but blue swim trunks. She and Eric had gotten along fabulously at the party and they had a lot in common. They had been having harmless fun playing volleyball when Melissa showed up and everything went to hell. 

But Melissa wasn’t here tonight. Did that mean Eric was single? 

She looked at Eric and felt her pulse surge. Now she was elated that she had accepted Sharon’s invitation. This was one New Year’s Eve she’d never forget.

***

I hope you enjoy these collections of sweet romances. I welcome comments and questions from readers and other authors. Contact me via my site, blog, or social media pages.

Happy Reading! 

Kelli A. Wilkins

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 20 romance novels, 7 non-fiction books, 3 horror ebooks, and 2 online writing courses. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror stories. 

In January 2021, Kelli released Journaling Every Week: 52 Topics to Get You Writing. This fun and innovative guide to journaling is filled with hundreds of thought-provoking prompts designed to get you writing about your feelings and emotions. 

Back in 2020 Kelli published Love, Lies & Redemption, a western romance set in 1877 Nebraska. This novel blends a sensual love story with mystery and danger.

She released Romance Every Weekend: 104 Fun Ways to Express Your Love, a non-fiction guide to romance in 2019. The book features 104 fun and easy ways you can express your love to that special someone in your life. Perfect for men or women, it focuses on tender, everyday gestures that let your partner know how much you love him or her.

Kelli posts on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/KWilkinsauthor. 

Visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list and to find all her social media links.

Death by Intermission (An Abby McCree Mystery) by Alexis Morgan Book Tour! @Alexis_Morgan

 

Death by Intermission (An Abby McCree Mystery) by Alexis Morgan

Death by Intermission (An Abby McCree Mystery)
by Alexis Morgan

About Death by Intermission 

Death by Intermission (An Abby McCree Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Publisher: Kensington (January 26, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
ISBN-10: 1496731255
ISBN-13: 978-1496731258
Digital ASIN: B087Z9CVW8

Abby McCree spends a summer showing family films under the stars—only to end the season with an unexpected slasher flick . . .

 

Ushered once again onto another committee by the mayor of Snowberry Creek, Washington, Abby is tasked with keeping the box office receipts of the town’s Movies in the Park nights. Cut to the director’s chair from where she’s suddenly organizing the summer’s last feature. From the opening scene through the final credits, Abby feels she’s earned nominations for best volunteer, best movie date with her tenant Tripp Blackston—and best daughter for ignoring her mother Phoebe’s own movie date with Owen Quinn.

Unfortunately, Abby and the others are treated to a post-credits scene: the body of local insurance agent Mitchell Anders. This discovery is followed by a plot twist revealing that the murder weapon comes from Owen’s foodtruck. With her mother’s boyfriend suspected of murder, Abby starts her own investigation determined to shine a spotlight on the real killer . . .

 Read an excerpt from Chapter 2

 Gage wasn’t even breathing hard when he finally reached them. He nodded at both Tripp and Owen before focusing his attention on Abby and her mother. “Are you two all right?”

Abby briefly debated whether or not to put on a brave face, but this was Gage. He would know she was lying if she claimed to be unaffected by the situation. “Not particularly, but we don’t plan on giving in to a fit of the vapors anytime soon.”

Her mother nodded in agreement but added, “I really wish I could turn back the clock on tonight.” Then she held out the bloody gloves safely tucked inside the clean one. “Abby thought you might want these. I was wearing them when I shook that man’s shoulder to wake him up. That’s when we figured out something was wrong . . .that he was . . . well, you know.”

When her voice cracked, Owen immediately tugged her back against his chest and held her close. It hurt to see her normally unflappable mom so upset. “I’m really sorry you got caught up in this, Mom.”

When she didn’t immediately respond, Owen spoke for her. “Phoebe knows none of this is your fault, Abby.”

No, it wasn’t, but that didn’t stop her from feeling pretty darn guilty anyway. She turned her attention back to Gage. “What do you need from us?”

“For starters, a brief rundown on what exactly happened here. Start from when movie ended and go from there. Once I’ve heard the basics, you can head back to your place. I’ll come by later to take a full statement.” He glanced at his watch. “Considering how late it is, I probably won’t get there until tomorrow.”

Actually that was kind of a relief. “That’s fine. We’ll be home.”

He nodded and looked around the area. “We’ll close the park for the time being and secure this area while we start processing the evidence. Let me get my deputies started on things, and then we’ll talk.”

After a brief call to whoever he left in charge down below, Gage turned his flashlight on the victim while he and the two deputies studied the body without going any closer. Finally, he put on a pair of gloves and stepped closer to tip up the man’s hat long enough for everyone to get a good look at his face. “He looks familiar, like I’ve seen him around town. No name comes to mind, though. Anybody else recognize him?”

Owen took a closer look and grimaced. “His name is . . . was Mitchell Anders. He took over Don Davidson’s insurance business after he passed away a few weeks back.”

One of the deputies must have been assigned the job of taking notes. He jotted down the name as Gage continued his preliminary examination. He was about to step back when he hesitated and then leaned forward as he aimed his flashlight toward something on the ground. Abby wondered what had caught his attention that had him looking even more grim. “Okay, Abby, start at the top and tell me what happened.”

 About Alexis Morgan

Alexis Morgan is the USA Today bestselling author of over forty-five novels, novellas, and short stories that span a variety of genres: American West historicals (as Pat Pritchard); paranormal and fantasy romances; contemporary romances; and cozy mysteries. A RITA® Award-finalist, Alexis Morgan is a member of RWA and Sisters in Crime. She lives in Washington State and can be found online at AlexisMorgan.com.

Author Links –

Website – http://www.alexismorgan.com/      

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/AMorganAuthor

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Alexis_Morgan    

Blog –  http://www.alexismorgan.com/snowberry/index.html 

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N –  Kobo – GooglePlay  –  IndieBound 

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 1 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

February 1 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 2 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

February 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 3 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 3 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – GUEST POST

February 4 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW

February 4 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW

February 5 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

February 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 6 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 7 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 8 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 8 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST

February 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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Restitution By Janet Lee Berg Book Tour! @janetleeberg1 @maryanneyarde #HistoricalFiction #Restitution #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub

December 8th – February 9th 2021 

Book Title: Restitution 

Series: Sequel to "Rembrandt's Shadow" 

Author: Janet Lee Berg 

Publication Date: 30th September 2020 

Publisher: Koehler 

Page Length: 262 Pages 

Genre: Historical Fiction  

Twitter @janetleeberg1 @maryanneyarde 

Instagram @dawgeared @coffeepotbookclub 

#HistoricalFiction #Restitution #BlogTour #CoffeePotBookClub

Book Title and author: 

Restitution 

About the book

“Restitution” is the riveting, multigenerational story of Sylvie Rosenberg, a Holocaust  survivor traumatized by the memory of her art dealer father forced to trade paintings with the  Nazis in an attempt to save their large extended family. Sylvie’s adult life in 1970s New  York is plagued by survivors’ guilt and bitterness. But when her self-destructive ways  threaten to upend the life of her Vietnam-vet son, Sylvie finally needs to face her  demons. She returns to Holland to confront her past and fight the Dutch judicial system for  the return of the masterpieces, but the battle proves far more difficult than Sylvie imagined... 

Weaving in tragic true events from her own family history, Berg offers a sensitive story of  history, romance, and humor along with detail from the extensive research of Lynn H.  Nicholas, the world’s leading expert on art pilfered during WWII. Over 80 years later, the  real family still awaits justice and the return of artwork that continues to hang on museum  walls, without noting their tragic history…  

Buy Links: 

Amazon UK:

Amazon US:

Barnes and Noble:

Books-a-Million: 

Author Bio: 

Janet Lee Berg  

Janet Lee Berg is a native New Yorker with a residence in Charleston, SC. She is also  author of several other works of fiction and children’s books and has had her work featured  in the local, regional, and national press. A journalist in the Hamptons, Janet Lee Berg has  interviewed numerous celebrities and pursued an MFA in Creative Writing, under the  direction of published professors including Frank McCourt, author of Angela’s Ashes.  

Author’s Social Media Links: 

Website: http://janet.dalitopia.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/janet.berg.338/friends 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/janetleeberg1 

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7123134.Janet_Lee_Berg

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished Book Blast!

No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

by E. James Harrison

February 9, 2021 Book Blast

Synopsis:

Five years ago, US Air Force pararescue jumper Garrett Shepherd saved a stranger’s life. Now that man, Edwin Sprague, is dead—and he’s left Garrett millions of dollars as thanks. But there’s a catch: Edwin has a task for Garrett to complete that will double his money—if he survives: Edwin wants revenge from beyond the grave, and he wants Garrett to get it for him.

Garrett agrees to give the bizarre challenge one week of his time, but he’s quickly pulled into a dangerous world of scandal, bribery, and secrets some would kill to keep hidden. He has attracted the attention of some very powerful people—people who have destroyed their enemies before and will not hesitate to do so again. With the help of a Navajo policeman and a beautiful lawyer, Garrett’s investigation leads him deep into the Navajo reservation—but uncovering the information he’s hunting for proves to be a deadly quest.

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Published by: Covenant Communications
Publication Date: January 5, 2021
Number of Pages: 304
ISBN: 9781524413545
Series: No Good Deed Goes Unpunished is not a part of a series.
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Edwin Sprague knew he was a dead man walking the instant he was sucker punched in his kidney and a blanket was thrown over his head.

The only question rumbling through his mind as his hands were zip-tied behind him and he was shoved into a vehicle was whether it would be a quick bullet to the head or painfully slow as they tortured him to talk. He was hoping for the bullet, but that hope evaporated when he felt a needle plunged deep into his right bicep. Within a moment, the semidarkness of the blanket turned to the complete black of unconsciousness.

When his consciousness returned, it came all jumbled and in bits and pieces, like someone channel surfing with a remote control. One second, there was a memory of him standing beside an abandoned Navajo hogan in Beclabito, Arizona, and the next, it was a vague image of two men dressed in desert camo. Then, as if someone had hit the rewind button, he was in the middle of a conversation with his wife or arguing with his son about a boat.

Water splashing on his face abruptly stopped the channel surfing and pulled him to the here and now. He was lying spread-eagled on his back on the ground with what felt like a thousand sharp rocks digging into him.

Above him, a gravelly voice said, “Wake up, old man.”

The water was splatting on his forehead and running into his eyes and trickling down the side of his face before dribbling into his ears. Edwin tried shifting his head sideways to get out of the water, but it wouldn’t move. Then he tried lifting his right hand to block the flow, but it stayed as still as if it were nailed to the ground. He tried moving his left hand and got the same result.

There was a slight chuckle, and the miniature waterfall stopped. After blinking several times and squinting against the sunlight, Edwin’s vision cleared enough for him to see a man standing above him holding a half empty water bottle. He watched as the man tipped the water bottle and a thin stream of water cascaded toward him, splashed onto his forehead, and again filled his eyes and ears. Frustrated and angry, he tried rolling onto his side, but he couldn’t move.

The man gave a quick nasally laugh and continued pouring the water.

“Come on, old man,” he taunted, “don’t just lay there; get up and make me stop. You’re supposed to be this tough old dude, but you don’t look so tough to me.” Then, pouring the water faster, he said, “You know, if you’d ask me to stop, I’d stop. How about it? You want me to stop?”

Edwin drew a breath to shout, but all that came out was a soft puff of air.

“What? I didn’t hear you. Did you say something?” the man sneered.

Then, bending over slightly but without slowing the flow of water, he said, “No, of course you didn’t say anything. You can’t. And you can’t move either, can you?” Grinding his boot heel into Edwin’s hand, he said, “How about that—does it hurt?”

Pain shot through Edwin’s hand, and he simultaneously tried moving his hand and screaming but could do neither.

“Yeah, of course it hurt.” He stopped the flow of water. “It’s the drug, old man. You can see and hear, and feel pain, but you can’t move any muscle in your body, which is too bad for you.”

Squatting down, the man grabbed Edwin’s hair and yanked his head back, then poured a few drops of water into his upturned nose. Every natural reflex told Edwin he was drowning, and his body instinctively reacted to stop the water from hitting his lungs. Edwin sneezed out a vaporized spray of snot and water directly into the man’s face.

The man reared back, wiped the watery liquid from his face, then doubled up his fist and slammed it into Edwin’s cheek.

“Stop it! You’ll kill him!” another voice shouted from somewhere above Edwin’s head.

“So what? He’s going to die anyway.”

“Yeah, but you can’t beat him to death or drown him. That’s not what they want done.”

“He blew snot on me!” the man shouted back angrily as he rose to his feet.

“I don’t care. We’re going to do exactly what we were hired to do.
Nothing more, nothing less.”

The man looked down at Edwin, drew back his foot, and kicked him in the ribs, causing Edwin’s lungs to huff out a muffled explosion of air.

Then, turning away, he asked, “Has the rest of the money been deposited into our account?”

“Not yet.”

“Somebody better hurry. I’m getting really tired of this forsaken desert. It’s as desolate and ugly as anyplace in Africa.” With that, he kicked sand onto Edwin’s face.

“Leave him alone, and come sit under this tree. We should get a call anytime now.”

Edwin followed the man’s retreating footsteps with his eyes, seething with anger but unable to lift a finger. He blinked his eyes several times to clear a particle of dirt, and for the first time since coming to, he concentrated on what little he could see.

Overhead, a few cotton puffs of clouds dotted the intense blue of the summer sky. To his right he could barely make out the outline of red sandstone cliffs. A stubby sagebrush and prickly pear cactus blocked his view to the left. Looking down, he couldn’t see anything, not even the tips of his boots. All of that was enough to tell him he was in the desert and that within a couple of hours he would be slowly roasting under the blistering rays of the sun and, if he was still alive, praying for someone to pour some water on his face. Closing his eyes, he forced his mind to concentrate on moving each finger on his right hand, then his left. When none moved, he tried wiggling his toes in his boots. Nothing.

Edwin guessed an hour had crawled by before he heard the distinct chirp of a satellite phone announcing an incoming call. Then there was a very soft, muffled conversation, too faint for him to understand, followed almost immediately by the sound of footsteps approaching. A few seconds later, a man was standing on either side.

The man who had been pouring water onto his face remained standing, holding a bottle of water in his hand. The second man squatted down, pulled his lips back in a tight smile, and said, “Mr. Sprague, it’s time for us to leave. My friend here doesn’t think we should tell you anything, but I’m a little more charitable than he is, so let me explain what is about to happen.

As you know, you’ve been drugged. Let me correct that. We’ve given you a combination of drugs since we abducted you yesterday—that’s right, yesterday. Until just a couple hours ago, you were completely unconscious.

You had to be so we could get you here without you knowing where ‘here’ is. Just as you started coming around, we injected you with a different drug, and I don’t need to explain what it’s doing to you.” Patting Edwin on the shoulder as if to console him, the man continued. “I suspect it’s a terrifying experience to be able to see and hear but not be able to move or even speak.

Don’t worry. Over the next six or eight hours, the drug’s effects will slowly wear off. You will gradually regain some of the use of your fingers, arms, feet, and legs. You’ll be nauseous, have the worst headache of your life, and generally feel worse than any day of your life, but you’ll be able to stumble around.”

Edwin tried cursing the man and silently screamed in frustration when nothing came out.

“Our client wants you to die naturally out here in the desert. You have no idea where you are, and there is no possibility you’ll find your way back to civilization before you die of thirst. You’ve already been without food and water for twenty-four hours, and in the heat of the day and cold of the desert night, I suspect someone of your age and condition will last only another day, maybe two at the most. And even if you knew where you were, you couldn’t walk for help; civilization is too far, and your muscles will be too cramped. You’re going to die out here, Mr. Sprague, and after you do, coyotes will feed on you for a while, then scatter your bones.”

The man rose to his feet, looked down at Edwin, and said, “Our client wants us to make certain you understand how ironic, yet fitting, it is that the desert you’ve been exploiting and destroying all these years will get its revenge by finally destroying you.”

Edwin shifted his gaze to the man who was holding the water bottle, who bent over and set the bottle on the ground. He picked up a fistful of red dirt with one hand and forced Edwin’s mouth open with the other.

“This is for blowing snot on me,” he said and poured the dirt into Edwin’s mouth.

Edwin reflexively blew the dirt out and began coughing and gagging.

Through spasms of coughs, he watched as the man rose to his feet, picked up the bottle, and began pouring the water out onto the ground beside Edwin’s head. When the bottle was empty, he shook the last few drops onto Edwin’s face. Then the two of them turned and disappeared from his sight.

***

Excerpt from No Good Deed Goes Unpunished by E. James Harrison.  Copyright 2021 by E. James Harrison. Reproduced with permission from Covenant Communications. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

Much to his dislike, E. James Harrison is not a New York Times bestselling author. However, he is the author of four other novels, one of which was nominated for a Whitney Award (which he didn’t receive) and all of which his wife, mom, and daughters think should be best-sellers. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, he learned to type in the seventh grade on an old Smith-Corona manual typewriter and has been pecking out words ever since. He somehow managed to graduate from college with degrees emphasizing public relations and creative writing and has spent most of his professional life writing articles about such gripping subjects as internet technology or has kept veterinarians spellbound with articles about the latest advances in goat, rabbit, and hamster medicine. When he isn’t putting words on paper for himself or others, he can be found boating with his family, slaving away on the family ranch, flying an airplane, or traveling to see new things and meet new people. He and his wife, Deborah, split their time between the deserts of southern Utah and the mountains of Idaho.

Catch Up With E. James Harrison:
www.EJamesHarrison.com
BookBub
Goodreads

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Giveaway!:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for E. James Harrison. There will be 1 winner of one (1) Amazon.com Gift Card and there will be 1 winner of one (1) physical copy of No Good Deed Goes Unpunished by E. James Harrison (US addresses ONLY). The giveaway begins on February 9, 2021 and runs through February 25, 2021. Void where prohibited.

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