Nov 13, 2025

Blog Blitz: Excerpt and Giveaway - Can’t Hurry Christmas by Melissa Baldwin





Can’t Hurry Christmas 
by Melissa Baldwin 
Publication date: November 13th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20


About the Book:
The holiday spirit is the last thing on my mind, and he’s focused on his new beginning. But one mistletoe moment might change everything.

Callie
Spending the holidays alone for the first time in four years wasn’t exactly on my wish list. But with a major shake-up at work and more changes than I ever saw coming, embracing my new reality seems like the only option.

And then there’s Travis—charming, handsome, and a Texas drawl that could make any woman weak in the knees. But is it too soon to start something new? I’ve been out of the dating game for a while, and maybe this season is meant for family, friends, and finding joy in my new season.

One thing’s for sure—I’m in no hurry for Christmas to arrive.

Travis
Christmas in the Northeast? In the freezing cold? Yeah, not exactly my idea of home. But turning down this job offer wasn’t an option—it’s the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around every day.

Still, spending the holidays away from everything and everyone I love is tougher than I expected. And then there’s Callie. I never planned to meet someone like her, let alone work so closely with her.

Now I’m left wondering… is taking this risk worth everything I’ve worked for?

Have you read the award-winning UnLucky Christmas? Don’t miss the chance to catch up with your favorite characters in Can’t Hurry Christmas from USA Today Bestselling Author Melissa Baldwin.

 “Callie, I know this isn’t a typical holiday season for you. I can’t imagine how you are feeling now that…things are different without ...”

“You can say his name, Hannah.”

“Joey,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. I know this is a difficult time.”

I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. I asked him to set a wedding date, and he said he wasn’t ready and didn’t know when he would be. That pretty much told me everything I needed to know. Our goals were not exactly as aligned as I thought they were.”

She places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’m really proud of you.”

“Proud? For getting dumped?”

“No. For not settling,” she explains. “And for letting me drag you into crazy holiday chaos instead of spending the night alone, binge-watching TV shows you’ve seen a hundred times.”

I laugh under my breath. “You’re not wrong. This is good for me—I always do better when I’m busy.”

“You might even enjoy yourself at the festive family night,” she says, tying another bow in less than two seconds.

“Oh, I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I say flatly. “Hundreds of children, awkward small talk, and tacky decor. I’m all in.”

She giggles. “By the way, Anna’s new friend is coming with us. Her name’s Mia. She’s such a sweetheart.”

“Cool,” I say, biting my lip as I attempt another bow.

“And her dad’s meeting us there.”

I glance up. “Okay?”

“He’s a very nice guy…”

I narrow my eyes at her. “That’s great. Is there a reason you’re telling me this?”

She conveniently avoids making eye contact with me.

“Hannah…”

“Yes?”

“What are you up to?”

“I’m not up to anything,” she says, innocently. “I just thought it might be nice for you to meet a new friend.”

I stare at her. I should’ve known she was up to something. She was very insistent that I go to the festive family night.

She shrugs. “Anyway, he’s single. And nice. He has a good job. And he’s very—”

“Stop right there,” I interrupt. “No setups. You promised.”

“I didn’t set you up,” she says. “I merely mentioned that a single, employed man who also happens to be a devoted father will be in the same vicinity as you.”

“Oh, well in that case,” I say, rolling my eyes again.

She smirks and reaches over to take the mangled ribbon from my hands. “Here, let me help. You’re not exactly grasping the bow tying process here.”

“I didn’t get Mom’s crafty gene like you,” I mutter.

She laughs. “No. But you certainly inherited the moody gene from her.”

“I’m not the only one,” I tell her.

She holds up a perfectly wrapped box, complete with an elaborate gold bow. “See? We make a good team.”

“Always,” I say. “You do the work, and I’m here for moral support.”

 

About the Author:
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.

Find the Author

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
Prize: $25 Amazon gift card

Can’t Hurry Christmas Blitz

Nov 6, 2025

Spotlight - Excerpt of Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey



It is a Spotlight Day!! Today I bring you Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey. "A steadfast private detective. A case that would cover all his debts. When the first body drops, can he catch a killer before he’s cashed out?"
 Below you will find a link to the Amazon link, excerpt, and book details!


💜,
Steph



Murder in Retrograde by Greg Hickey
Publication Date: August 25, 2025



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20
At time of posting- available on Kindle Unlimited

About the Book
A steadfast private detective. A case that would cover all his debts. When the first body drops, can he catch a killer before he’s cashed out?

In a litigious future America, detective Marcus Carver sticks to civil cases. When a space tech CEO wants him to investigate a business rival for illegal hydrocarbon combustion, Carver reluctantly agrees. But the case takes an explosive turn when the police find the target’s head of security murdered.

Determined to get to the bottom of things, Carver finds himself sucked into a morass of cyberpunk gangsters, cultish environmentalists and crooked cops. And when another body turns up, it’s clear this ruthless killer doesn’t intend to stop.
Can Carver crack the case before it blows up in his face?

Murder in Retrograde is a thrilling science fiction crime novel. If you like stories about dystopian systems and hard-boiled detectives battling corrupt institutions, then you’ll love Greg Hickey’s propulsive futuristic whodunit.


Schuyler returned to his chair and slumped into it. The right side of his mouth parted to reveal bright, predatory, white teeth. I noticed he never smiled fully, but only in these half-grins somewhere between a chuckle and a leer. It didn’t do much to convince me we shared the same principles.
He said, “I believe an associate of mine is guilty of combustion, in violation of California state law.” 
“Do you have a name?” I asked. 
“Naomi Battle.” He said it like it was a name I should know. 
“Who is she?” 
“Like I said, an associate. A business associate. Some might call her a competitor, but I don’t see it that way. We’re both striving for the same objective. We’ll get there faster if we each know the other is working just as hard to get there first.” His gaze strayed to the window behind me. “My father always said it’s easy to see others as obstacles, as enemies. It’s much harder to admit the only obstacles are your own abilities, the only enemy, your own blindness.” 
I thought that all sounded very nice. I thought Schuyler could print those words under a photo of a cloud-covered mountain peak and put it in an ornate gilt frame that hung in his entryway so that any dour old ladies who visited would get misty-eyed at the hope that there were still men of substance, of principle, in this decaying world of ours. I said, “Why do you suspect Ms. Battle?” 
“I’ve seen the smoke,” Schuyler said. “As the old saying goes, where there’s smoke …” 
“You’ve seen it?” 
He pointed through the wall to his right. “Her house is less than two kilometers in that direction. You could see it from here if the mountains weren’t in the way.” 
I went to the window and looked out across the barren, rippling rock to the slope leading to the next denuded peak, then down below to the fire-scalded landscape that provided a buffer between Schuyler and Battle and the artificial light and greenery of the regular rich, and beyond to the Pacific thundering against the sea wall guarding the long-submerged beaches. If anything were burning up here, you’d see it for kilometers around. 
I turned to face him and shook my head. “I don’t do that. No neighbors, no relatives, no co-workers or business rivals or whatever you want to call them. Nothing personal.” I’d made that policy before I took my first private case. Most people are decent enough when left alone. But when you tell some of them that all the rest are criminals and it’s up to the rule-followers to enforce the law, that civility quickly goes the way of the manatee. Personal connections only made it worse. 
Schuyler leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head. It wasn’t quite the easy, confident motion he probably wanted it to be. It seemed to require some effort for him to shift his bulk into the right position. His mouth went on half-smiling, but his eyes were jade daggers. 
“Mr. Carver, I’m sure you know the law,” he said. “‘A person may not knowingly refine, ignite or cause the combustion of hydrocarbon-based or so-called “fossil fuels.”’ And ‘any person, other than an officer or employee of a state or local governmental entity in this state, may bring a civil action against any person who refines, ignites or causes the combustion of hydrocarbon-based fuels in violation of—’” 
“I know the law,” I said. “It says you may sue Ms. Battle if you believe she’s guilty of combustion. It doesn’t say I have to help you.” 
His hands slipped forward from behind his head, and he seemed about to pound his desktop before he got control of himself and laid his palms gently on the smooth gray surface. “It is the moral duty of every upstanding citizen to ensure those who violate the laws of the state are brought to justice.”
“That’s my policy,” I said. “Things get messy when personal feelings are involved.” I knew I was crazy to turn my back on a hundred billion dollars. But I was doing it. “Thank you for thinking of me.” 
Schuyler said nothing, just stared at me with a raised eyebrow and his slowly spreading grin. I waited for a minute, then turned to go. 
He let me get to the door. Then he said, “What do you charge for a case like this?”
About the Author

Greg Hickey is a former international professional baseball player and forensic scientist, and current endurance athlete and Amazon-bestselling author. His previous works include the novels Parabellum, The Friar’s Lantern and Our Dried Voices, the latter of which was a finalist for Foreword Reviews' INDIES Science Fiction Book of the Year Award. He lives in Chicago with his wife and daughter.

Nov 5, 2025

Reading Recap - September/October 2025



Hello Readers, Bloggers, and Awesome people! 
A dual re-cap for some 'ber months.


~~Books I Read in September~~
In September... read 4 books, and DNFed 2

September was, as expected ... so busy with work that I was pretty burnt out and reading was lacking. 

~~Books I Read in October~~
In October... read 8 books.

I have so many review books and my TBR pile is overflowing... spooky vibes were vibing :) until xmas took over... looping back to more spooky now.


Feel free to share in the comments! I would love to know what you are reading! 

Oct 27, 2025

Blog Tour: Review -The Cornish Christmas Book Club by Angela Britnell



The Cornish Christmas Book Club by Angela Britnell
Series: Cornish Romances Book Club #2
Publisher: Choc Lit
Publication Date:  October 15, 2025



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20


About the Book 

❄️Enemies-to-lovers 
❄️Christmas romance 
❄️Small town 
❄️Workplace romance 
❄️Forced proximity 
❄️Friend’s brother 
❄️Single parent 
 
’Tis the season for second chances — and unexpected chapters . . . 
 
Tamara Pascoe has spent years saving every penny and perfecting her baking in the hopes of opening her own café in the cosy Cornish village of Penworthal. But when she loses her job, her long-held dream is suddenly out of reach. 
 
To make matters worse, her perfect café location is snapped up by newcomer Gage Bennet — a brooding ex-Marine with plans to open a bookshop. 
 
Gage has no time for pleasantries, let alone Christmas spirit. But he didn’t count on Tamara — sharp, stubborn and full of festive cheer. 
 
Tamara is impossible to ignore, and when the village book club throws them together, Gage realises they might just be able to help one another. Tamara needs a job. He needs help connecting with the community. 
 
Striking a reluctant truce, Tamara and Gage’s frosty beginning starts to melt as they bond over their shared love of books. 
 
As snow begins to fall and the fairy lights go up, could a little Cornish book club help two opposites write their own happily ever after? 

Rating: 


Review: 

The Christmas Book Club is a cozy, second-chance holiday romance set in the charming Cornish village of Penworthal. While it’s technically the second in a series, it reads perfectly well as a standalone since each book focuses on different residents of the same delightful village.

This time we follow Tamara, a mother (although her son is an adult now) with dreams of opening her own café, and Gage, a former Marine new to town who’s opening a bookshop. Their paths cross easily in this small village, where gossip is always the best news, and while the first impression is meh, it slowly turns into friendship and then more. 

I’ll admit, the pacing felt very slow at times, and I didn’t quite connect with Tamara as much as I hoped. Gage, on the other hand, was a high point and I enjoyed watching him gradually open up and find his place in the community. I loved that he had a passion for history and books and was learning more and more about himself as the story progressed. If not for him, I probably would have given up. Tamara, is a strong and strong-willed independent woman and her guard is up a lot, so she comes off as rude a lot of the time... likely to keep herself safe. Sadly, that also just rubbed me the wrong way as I was reading her character at times too though.

The romance was sweet, if not especially swoony, and the festive holiday backdrop added a nice seasonal touch. I appreciated that the author took us through a few months of them learning about each other, so different from the insta-love of so many romance books right now. We see them flirting through Halloween, and working together through November, then on into Christmas. 

Overall, The Christmas Book Club is a gentle, heartwarming story perfect for readers who love small-town charm, second chances, and the comforting feel of a Hallmark-style holiday romance.


About the Author:

Angela grew up in Cornwall and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat too many Cornish pasties! A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she's visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to her wonderful American husband she's a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

Find the Author

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Oct 26, 2025

Building the Book Pile #507

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday

This week flew by. I had days full of work meetings, I am in the process of finding help for my office, getting everything I need together and squared away for a work trip in a few weeks, and just general household things. I feel like resting isn't an option right now. Also WHYYYYY is there always so much laundry?!

That said, I am finding time for reading - mostly before/in bed so I have also had a few late nights. I have to finish a book today for a blog tour that I am on next week (didn't realize I was on it), and prep some stuff for while I am away - if I can. 

How has your week been?


Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog

Blog Tour: The Cornish Christmas Book Club by Angela Britnell (Adult)

Monthly Re-Cap


Books Received Recently...  
 
For review consideration...

 

Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading! 

Oct 24, 2025

Recent Reads: Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards

Publisher:  Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book
Publication Date:  September 11, 2025 



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 
Six contestants. One chance at a new life. Who wouldn’t be tempted to cheat?

Six down-on-their-luck people with links to the world of crime writing have been invited to play a game this Christmas by the mysterious Midwinter Trust. The challenge seems simple but exciting: Solve the murder of a fictional crime writer in a remote but wonderfully atmospheric village in north Yorkshire to win a prize that will change your fortunes for good.

Six members of staff from the shadowy Trust are there to make sure everyone plays fair. The contestants have been meticulously vetted but you can never be too careful. And with the village about to be cut off by a snow storm, everyone needs to be extra vigilant. Midwinter can play tricks on people's minds.

The game is set - but playing fair isn't on everyone's Christmas list.
Review: 
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery to curl up with this winter, this one will be a great fit. It has all the right ingredients: a snowed-in Yorkshire village, a cast of down-on-their-luck contestants, and a game that promises to change their lives. But with that many secrets in one place, it was never going to stay cozy for long.

The story unfolds through journal entries from some of the contestants, each with their own motives and secrets. I liked getting inside their heads since everyone has lost their way within the publishing world and seems a little haunted by the outcomes. It makes for a surprisingly eerie and lonely atmosphere beneath the cozy holiday trimmings.

I also really enjoyed the game element, the puzzles, clues, and layers of mystery were well done and fun to participate in and try to solve. The book encourages you to “play along,” but honestly, as a murder mystery reader, isn’t that half the fun anyway? I found myself doing that naturally, scanning every scene for a hint of who might be cheating or lying.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of, but they’re well defined, and the tension among them builds nicely as the group starts to dwindle. The setting gave me The Shining vibes: isolated, snowbound, and just unsettling enough to make you want to keep the lights on.

Overall, it’s a decent murder mystery with a great wintry feel—equal parts cozy and creepy, perfect for a quiet night by the fire.

Oct 20, 2025

Recent Reads: An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward


An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward 

Publisher: S&S/Saga Press
Publication Date:  June 24, 2025



https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27405327-pop-manga-coloring-book?from_search=true  https://www.amazon.com/Pop-Manga-Coloring-Book-Beautiful/dp/0399578471?ie=UTF8&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399578471&linkCode=as2&redirect=true&ref_=x_gr_w_bb&tag=x_gr_w_bb-20

Format: Ebook
Source: Kindle Unlimited - Borrowed


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 
An ancient witch explores the thrills—and perils—of online dating with hilarity and heart in a charming rom-com perfect for fans of cozy fantasy and witchy romance.

Meet Thorn Scarhart, a thirty-nine-year-old witch who’s having trouble finding love in the 17th century. Despite the local matchmaker’s efforts and Thorn’s arsenal of powerful love potions, she has yet to fall in love. After the disappearance of her sister and the loss of her mother, Thorn was too caught up in…well, life, to focus on dating. Now, she fears she may have missed her chance.

But, when one of her potion brews backfires spectacularly, Thorn is hurled 350 years into the future, landing in a bustling city where her once-isolated cottage is now a historical museum. While this unexpected leap through time may seem daunting, modern life does have its perks: indoor plumbing, electric kettles, and the world of online dating. At thirty-nine, the odds may not be perfect, but at least they’re not impossible.

With the help of the museum’s new curator—and her charming veterinarian brother—Thorn dives headfirst into the 21st-century dating scene. And as she searches for romance, she might also find herself along the way.
Review: 
This book was recommended to me by a friend and dubbed a 'cozy, cute, and funny little read'. She said it isn't too serious and it a funny one, so I immediately picked it up and actually read it right away.

This book was hilarious. Thorn is a witch in the 17th century and she is getting old and hasn't found a man. Despite her and a matchmakers attempts she is unable to secure a good one, so as a witch she turns to magic and potions to do the job for her. Then it all goes wrong and she time travels to modern times. Now in the 21st century, she has technology and online dating at her fingertips. 

This plot was so much fun, an old-world witch looking for love in a different time with lots of changes from her norms. I liked her in those awkward situations trying to figure things out for herself and sometimes failing. I thought that she was strong and determined and didn't know that things could go wrong. 

The romance was super cute, nothing spicy just lots of warm fuzzies. I liked all the characters and think that there could be more here with the sister - so maybe another book? I really needed Thorn right now - she as so much fun to read about and this book is a fun one for spooky season if you are looking for a romance on the gentler side. 

Oct 19, 2025

Building the Book Pile #506

Welcome to Building the Book Pile!

Happy Sunday

While the students were on a break this week it was still a bit busy at work getting ready for the coming weeks and making sure companies had their job posting in the system. I spent a fair amount of time slogging through emails from my week off as well. 

At home, the dogs are starting to be better. Charlie's back issue seems to be doing ok now (thankfully) but we are still on high alert around rougher play and jumping. Both dogs got into my chili last Sunday so the beginning of the week was also a lot of getting their bellies back to normal. 

It is starting to Frost here in New Hampshire, so the garden is fully done and luckily the garlic is in the new box until Spring. The chickens are starting to slow on the egg production but I also found them stashing eggs under their laying boxes yesterday so I need to keep checking. 

Reading has been moving along - I have been trying to alternate between review books and books on my TBR or recommendations from friends to keep things fresh. I think it is helping. I am reading a Christmas themed one right now though and it is taking all of my willpower not to pull our my Xmas decor... lol.

How was your week? anything fun happen, any great reads?


Linking up this week with the Caffeinated Reviewer and her Sunday Post series.

xo steph


Coming up on the Blog

Recent Reads: An Ancient Witch's Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward (Adult)

Recent Reads: Miss Winter in the Library with a Knife by Martin Edwards (Adult)


Books Received Recently...  
 
For review consideration...



Heir of Illusion by Madeline Taylor - from the publisher/ Netgalley


Have you missed anything lately?
What have you been reading?  How was your week? Feel free to leave a comment!

Happy Reading!