Cover Reveal: A Strange & Terrible Wonder by Nichole Louise

A Strange & Terrible Wonder

by Nichole Louise

Release date: August 18th 2026

Genres: Adult, Historical

Blurb:

Eleanor Dare, daughter of Roanoke’s Governor John White, has no choice but to accompany her overly ambitious husband Ananias and her idealist, yet inexperienced father to England’s new colony. Manteo of Croatoan wants nothing more than to cast off his association with the English and return home. Haunted by memories of an unexplainable event, he sets out to find the truth about what was brought to Roanoke by the English two years before as a weapon against the Spanish.

Based on real people who vanished from history, Eleanor and Manteo form a taboo friendship as they work against unseen forces to end the violent and otherworldly attacks upon the settlement. In the midst of this survival scenario, both Eleanor and Manteo—once powerless and marginalized in England, emerge as unlikely leaders of the ravaged colony.

Blending 16th century science, occult, and the impacts of early colonialism, A Strange and Terrible Wonder reimagines what became of the Lost Colony.

AUTHOR BIO:

Nichole Louise is a speculative historical fiction writer and book reviewer (NicholeLouise.com). Raven Rock (2023), a prequel to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was recognized by Writer’s Digest, the Historical Fiction Company, and the CIBAs. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Journal of the American Revolution. Her second title, A Strange and Terrible Wonder (2026) is a historical folk horror tale exploring the Lost Colony of Roanoke. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gaming, and volunteering at Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society. 

Author links:

https://nicholelouise.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7262199.Nichole_Louise

https://www.instagram.com/nichole__louise/ 

Blitz: You Had Me at Meow by Gracie James with an excerpt and a giveaway

You Had Me at Meow

by Gracie James

Release date: July 7th 2026

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252472218-you-had-me-at-meow

Blurb:

Some girls get fairy godmothers. Abby Thompson gets a talking cat with a British accent and absolutely zero chill.

After her latest blind date—arranged by her loving (but relentless) mother—ends in a concussion, a wine-soaked dress, and enough humiliation to power Manhattan, Abby decides she’s done with dating. Forever.

Too bad her cat, Mr. Whiskers, has other ideas. And he’s suddenly sharing them. Out loud.

“Honestly, Abby, your taste in men is almost as concerning as your taste in sweaters.”

His mission? Fix her train-wreck love life and help her land her dream job. His qualifications? None. He’s a cat. His methods? Questionable at best.

But somewhere between the disastrous first dates, ruthless office politics, and the unexpectedly charming veterinarian who might actually be worth shaving her legs for, Abby starts to wonder…

Is Mr. Whiskers a miracle? Or a catastrophe with whiskers?

Either way, her opinionated feline isn’t backing down. And if Abby wants her dream life, she might have to trust the one life coach she never asked for. Her cat.

You Had Me at Meow is a sweet, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about finding your voice, risking your heart, and one very determined cat who refuses to let his human settle for anything less than purr-fection.

Purchase: https://amzn.to/4dSEYye

Excerpt:

Before I even reach the fridge, Mr. Whiskers has settled into his favorite spot on the couch while I gather the essentials of a proper pity party: a pint of mint chocolate chip, my largest spoon, and one of Dottie’s cosmic brownies. Ahhh, perfect.

Curling up next to my furry little roommate, I pull our softest blanket over my legs and queue up one of our favorite movies. Maybe watching someone else’s embarrassing moments will make me feel better about my own.

As the opening credits roll, I crumble Dottie’s brownie over my ice cream, letting out a contented sigh. At least dessert never disappoints.

“Why can’t I find love like in the movies, huh, buddy?” I ask, running my fingers through his soft fur. “You know, the kind where tripping in front of your dream guy leads to true love instead of a concussion.”

Mr. Whiskers blinks up at me, his eyes reflecting the TV’s flickering light.

“I mean, look at tonight,” I continue, digging into my brownie-ice-cream creation and regretting nothing. Well... except maybe going out in the first place. “Mom sets me up with someone who’s supposedly perfect for me, and he turns out to be a complete jerk. And then when I finally meet a genuinely nice guy, he’s my cat’s veterinarian and he’s already taken.”

I scratch under Mr. Whiskers’ chin, earning a faint purr.

“Maybe I should just give up on dating altogether,” I muse. “I mean, who needs romance when I have you, anyway? We could be two crazy cat ladies together. Well, one crazy cat lady and one crazy cat, but you know what I mean. No more terrible blind dates, no more falling head over heels, literally, for the wrong guys. Just us, some yummy snacks, and the sweet escape of a good movie night. What do you think, huh, buddy? Sound good?”

“Darling, that sounds like the best idea I’ve heard all night.”

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends July 16

Prize: $15 Amazon gift card

https://gleam.io/gGC18/you-had-me-at-meow-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

Gracie James lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their sweet rescue cat, Pinky, and absolutely loves the rain. When she’s not writing swoony, laugh-out-loud rom-coms sprinkled with a touch of magic, she’s usually hiking up a mountain or eating chocolate like it’s a personality trait. Her creative peak occurs somewhere between “I should go to bed” and “well, it’s basically morning now,” and she considers sunrise more of a suggestion than a deadline.

Author links:

https://authorgraciejames.com/

https://www.instagram.com/authorgraciejames 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/70418272.Gracie_James 

Blitz: Lady Petra and the Wolf (Lords Fall First #2) by Anna Valleria with an excerpt and a giveaway

Lady Petra and the Wolf

Series: (Lords Fall First, #2)

by Anna Valleria

Release date: July 2nd, 2026

Genres: Adult, Gothic, Historical, Mystery, Romance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/252484254-lady-petra-and-the-wolf

Blurb:

In Victorian London, Lady Petra, the daughter of the powerful and manipulative Earl of Kemberley, has spent her life as a silent pawn in her father’s political games. While the ton sees a perfectly poised debutante, Petra is secretly a woman of industry who runs a sanctuary for abused servants in a derelict London theatre.

Julian, the Viscount Wolfridge, known to the world as Wolf, is a cynical rake with a secret heart of gold and a childhood spent on the Bristol docks. When he proposes a fake courtship to Petra to stir her indifferent betrothed into action, he doesn’t realize he is stepping into a web of secrets far deeper than his own. As Petra’s world of mystery and Wolf’s path of redemption collide, they must decide if a marriage born of a trap can ever survive the truth.

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3R6pdwk

Excerpt: 

“I have to kiss you, Petra. You have from ten to tell me to stop. To tell me you do not want this. Ten.”

“My lord?” A flush rose from her delectable decolletage, blooming up her neck.

“Nine. Julian, you mean. Or Jules.”

“Is this to do with our pretend courtship?”

“Eight. Hang the pretense. There will be nothing pretend in this kiss.”

If possible, Petra’s eyes grew even wider in the dim firelight as she backed up against the wall adjacent to the fireplace.

“You wish to make it real.” She said in a very controlled voice.

“Seven. I want you. That is what I wish. Six.”

“I admit I do not know what I want. But I should like to find out.” She said quietly.

“Five. Does me kissing you achieve this goal?” He had no desire to crowd her, yet it was as though his physical frame was magnetically tethered to her proximity. He braced an arm against the wainscotted wall above her, leaning toward her with slow deliberation.

“It could be particularly illuminating.” She breathed, her face assuming a distinctly dazed expression.

“Four. There is one thing.” Wolf paused his countdown as something hot and possessive shot through his blood. “If I kiss you, you will be thinking of me. John is the best of friends, but I cannot have you thinking of him with my lips upon you.”

Petra drew in a shaky breath before she responded. “You are wholly unique. I do not believe I would even consider thinking of anyone or anything else if I found myself in a carnal embrace with you, my lord. Three.”

Drawing back to search her features, Wolf scanned her face with a singular intensity. It was patently clear that her continuation of the count served as a definitive assent, a silent surrender to the mounting tension between them. The unmistakable spark of curiosity and unmasked desire dancing within those mahogany depths provided the final, exhilarating confirmation he required.

And then she kissed him.

Before his mind could catch up with the explosions reverberating through his chest, Petra broke away briefly and uttered a soft, breathless plea. “Forgive me, Jules, I was never very patient waiting for something I want.”

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends July 9

Prize: $20 Amazon gift card

https://gleam.io/wllWV/lady-petra-and-the-wolf-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

Anna Valleria is an award-winning historical romance author who believes that everyone deserves to see themselves on the page. Her mission is to write steamy Regency and Victorian stories featuring socially active heroines and devoted heroes that reflect windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for all readers, including characters of different sizes, backgrounds, abilities, and neurodiversities. Her novel The Baron Takes a Wife was the 2025 winner of the Hearts Through History Romance Through the Ages Contest in the published Georgian/Victorian category.

Currently residing in a beautiful, historic city in the southeastern U.S. with her family and a rescue pup. If she's not writing, she's likely in a coffee shop, walking with her son or dog, or trivia with her team, Stone Cold Jane Austen. 

Author links:

https://annavalleriabooks.com/

https://www.instagram.com/annavalleriawrites 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51351477.Anna_Valleria 

Blitz: Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure (The Paladin League #8) by Patti O'Shea with an excerpt and a giveaway

Wicked Temptation: The Lost Treasure

Series: The Paladin League, #8

by Patti O’Shea

Release date: July 1st, 2026

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237775219-wicked-temptation

Blurb:

He’s always been a protector. She’s strong enough to fight on her own. This time, survival depends on each other.

Special Forces Sgt. Cal “Baggs” Baggnell walked away from Iona Desmond. Carving out his own heart hurt—but watching the woman he loves charge headfirst into danger hurt even more.

Iona loves Cal with her whole being, but she couldn’t change the core of who she is to fit his protective nature. He knew exactly who she was when they met—the need for adventure is in her DNA.

Now, their paths collide in Puerto Jardin, where Iona has talked her way into Cal’s op. And he’s been assigned to work with her.

Their bait: the Lost Treasure of Trujillo. Their target: arms dealer Jorge Torres. Their problem: Torres isn’t the only predator closing in.

With ruthless drug lords, rival treasure hunters, and a powerful Russian mob lieutenant obsessed with finding the billion-dollar fortune, Cal and Iona must put their past aside. The deeper they dig, the deadlier the game becomes.

As betrayals mount and enemies tighten their grip, survival depends on one thing: Trust. If they fail, they won’t just lose their second chance—they’ll lose everything.

Wicked Temptation is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.

Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who works undercover for the Paladin League as a photojournalist. This story features a second-chance romance, identical twins, and a kick-butt heroine.

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eWZVJ8

Excerpt: 

“Archer—my boss—had intel that someone named Fuentes was after the treasure, but couldn’t get more.”

“So he sent you down and you kicked a hornet’s nest.”

She jerked her hand free. “I didn’t kick anything.”

His gut clenched, stupid and instinctive, the words scraping against an old wound he never talked about. He covered his fear with irritation. Anger was cleaner, sharper, easier to control. “And yet you were kidnapped.”

Io shot to her feet. “I did not kick anything. I hadn’t even done much when I was grabbed. I didn’t realize the words Paladin League were tantamount to waving a red flag and shouting I know where the treasure is.”

Cal stood and closed the distance. “You were down here for days.”

“I was working on my article while I got the lay of the land.” She glared at him. “I traveled to San Isidro, interviewed people, took pictures. The only thing I did in Trujillo was visit the convent the day after I returned.”

“The convent surrounded by men belonging to an arms dealer.” He glared back. “Don’t tell me you didn’t see them.”

“I saw them.” She crossed her arms. “I figured I’d be tailed. I was. I also figured I could lose them. I did.”

The cockiness. It made him insane. “They grabbed you and held you prisoner.”

“They did not. Torres and his men never touched me. They weren’t even that interested in me. It was easy to shake them off my ass.”

“Maybe too easy. Did you think of that?”

“Of course I did.” She stepped closer. “I didn’t just look behind me and say oopsie daisy, they lost me. I made sure my tail was clear.”

“You were compromised.”

“I was targeted. That’s different.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?”

She opened her mouth, shut it, and then shook her head. “I’m too tired to argue. Believe whatever the hell you want.”

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends July 9

Prize: $20 Amazon gift card

https://gleam.io/RTHVS/wicked-temptation-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

Patti O'Shea's passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she's been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it's given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada's Yukon Territory.

Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.

Author links:

https://www.instagram.com/author_pattioshea/

https://www.pattioshea.com/

https://www.facebook.com/PattiOSheaBooks/ 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/177046.Patti_O_Shea 

Blitz: Camp Shifter Series by DJ Jennings with an excerpt and a giveaway

Camp Shifter series 

by DJ Jennings

Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/261128-camp-shifter

Blurb:

Welcome to Camp Shifter, where one mysterious letter changes everything. Hidden from the human world, Camp Shifter helps newly awakened shifters navigate their new lives—and discover the fated mates destiny has chosen for them. Filled with irresistible attraction, laugh-out-loud moments, emotional journeys, and steamy romance, these stories feature bears, wolves, owls, and other shifters finding love when they least expect it. From enemies-to-lovers and rejected mates to second chances and insta-love, the Camp Shifter Series delivers heart, humor, passion, and happily-ever-afters in a world where fate always has a plan—and love changes everything.

Purchase:

Now on KINDLE UNLIMITED: https://amzn.to/4xBpc40

Excerpt from YOU SHOOK ME HOWL NIGHT LONG

Prejudice against shifters was still a thing.

Oh, how it was, indeed. Risa’s heart squeezed and she fought to maintain steady breathing.

She knew what it was like to be discriminated against for being a shifter.

Fourteen months ago, Pole had dumped her, two days after she got The Letter.

Timing really was everything.

He ghosted on her. Just... disappeared. Stopped answering her texts and calls until she had to get on the flight for her month at Camp Shifter. By the time she’d returned home, he’d moved.

And changed his phone number.

Fuck Pole.

“Earth to Risa? You there?” Danielle gave her a curious look. “You seem awfully pissed about this issue.”

“What? No. I’m fine.”

“And you’re the calmest, most serene staff member here at Camp Shifter, so when you get angry, we know something’s very wrong,” Travis added with a smirk.

“I am?” She tried to deflect the anger question.

“People love your classes,” he said with a shrug.

“That’s because we’re naked.”

“And a few hate it.”

“I know,” she said with a sigh. “Some of them have a long way to go toward accepting their bodies.”

Danielle leaned forward, chin in her hand, and gave Risa a searching look. “That’s why your calmness is so important. You make people who have been shamed for their size, their shape, their very being, feel like they can be themselves for the first time ever. That’s a gift, Risa.”

The squeeze around her heart lessened.

“Thank you.”

Danielle’s worry lines between her eyes reappeared.

“And we need to do everything we can to keep all the camps running.” She stood, giving Josh and Travis looks Risa couldn’t decipher. “Let’s go talk to the medical researchers about rabies screenings,” she muttered.

“Great. Just what I want to do on draft day,” Travis said with a groan.

“Draft day?” Risa asked.

“You know. Football draft.”

Her body went cold. “Oh.”

Danielle laughed. “Not a fan?”

“I hate football.” And with that, Risa stood and took her tray to the dishwasher section, her quiet morning coffee disrupted by rabies.

And memories.

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends June 25

Prize: $25 Amazon gift card

https://gleam.io/JAVaN/camp-shifter-series-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

The author of the Camp Shifter series, Darla Josephine “DJ” Jennings, is originally from Ohio but now lives in Massachusetts in a household full of people who drive her nuts, but she loves them anyhow. She fills her days with writing, business management, and the never-ending task of herding cats.


Learn more about her in the New York Times bestselling novel, Random Acts of Crazy by Julia Kent, where she stars as one of the main characters. That’s right! DJ Jennings isn’t real, but Julia Kent sure is. :)

Author links:

https://www.jkentauthor.com/books/dj-jennings/

https://www.instagram.com/jkentauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17035252.D_J_Jennings

 

Blitz: Deceptive Inheritance (Remnants of the Lost #1) by Jennifer Anne Davis with an excerpt and a giveaway

Deceptive Inheritance

Series: Remnants of the Lost, #1

by Jennifer Anne Davis

Release date: June 9th 2026

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/246316607-deceptive-inheritance

Blurb:

Laney Lake transfers to Stonemore University with a plan: two years of freedom before real life drags her back home. After a lifetime of overprotective parents and careful rules, she’s determined to finally live by making friends, saying yes more often, and experiencing the things she’s always been told to avoid.

Then Rowan Ward notices her.

To the rest of campus, he’s the rugby captain. He’s charming, confident, and impossible to miss. To himself, he’s a werewolf barely maintaining control. Rowan is the next alpha, bound to a future already chosen for him. His girlfriend is perfect on paper. She’s from a powerful bloodline, unquestioned loyalty, and the one his father expects him to marry. It should be enough.

It isn’t.

Laney pulls at him in a way nothing ever has, stripping control down to instinct and want. He knows he should stay away. Instead, he watches her. Circles her. Fights urges that feel older than reason.

Laney doesn’t know what he’s hiding. She only knows that when he’s near, her body wakes up and she’s warm, restless, and painfully aware of how badly she wants him to touch her. As Laney leans into her stolen freedom and Rowan teeters on the edge of breaking every rule he’s sworn to follow, old laws begin to strain. Because Laney isn’t ordinary. And if Rowan’s world discovers why she matters, choosing her could cost him everything.

She wanted two years of fun.

He was never supposed to want her.

But some instincts don’t care about rules.

And some sparks are born to burn.

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Q6LLwl

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deceptive-inheritance-jennifer-anne-davis/1149433161

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/deceptive-inheritance/id6757562806

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/deceptive-inheritance

Excerpt:

His eyes darkened as his lips pulled into a seductive smile. “You sure about that?” He lifted a single eyebrow.

Holy shit. He was beautiful. And sexy. I wanted his hands on me. Heat flooded into me, and I stifled what would have been a low moan. I had to get it together before I embarrassed myself.

He chuckled, taking another step toward me.

I shook my head, trying to snap myself out of this strange lust-filled haze I was trapped in. Maybe I needed a boyfriend to fool around with so I didn’t react this way with a complete stranger. “I should get back to class,” I said, needing to end this odd encounter between us.

“I’m not keeping you here.” He gestured toward the hallway behind me.

All I had to do was walk away from him. But I couldn’t. My legs wouldn’t move.

“Are you going to leave?” he asked, his voice husky.

Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to turn my back to him, but I couldn’t make myself walk away. There was some strange connection tying us together. It didn’t make any sense, but I knew it was true.

“You sure you don’t feel it?” Rowan asked, taking a step closer to me, his voice a whisper in my ear as his hands hovered next to my upper arms.

“Feel what?” I asked.

His hands closed around my arms and heat exploded through me. I cried out. 

He let go. 

I turned to face him. “What the hell was that?” I whispered, my legs and arms feeling shaky.

His brows were drawn together as he examined his hands, confusion filling his face. “It can’t be,” he mumbled. “What the actual fuck?” He took a step back, away from me, almost stumbling as he did so.

Before he had a chance to touch me again, I ran away from him, thankful my legs worked this time. I had no idea what just happened between Rowan and me, but I couldn’t let it happen again. I would avoid him from here on out. Any man who made me lose my head like that was dangerous.

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) ends June 11

Prize: $25 Barnes & Noble gift card

https://gleam.io/QecwZ/deceptive-inheritance-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

Jennifer Anne Davis is the bestselling, award-winning author of YA fantasy and NA paranormal romance. She graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential. She lives in the San Diego area with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their rambunctious, spoiled GSP. 

Her three adult children are in college and graduate school. When she’s not writing, Jennifer can be found reading, crocheting, or baking sourdough bread. 

Jennifer has always loved writing stories where the stakes are high and the tension is even higher. 

Awards:

Cage of Deceit: Winner 2018 Kindle Book Awards

The Key: Finalist 2014 USA Book Awards 

The Voice: Finalist 2014 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

The Voice: Winner 2013 San Diego Book Awards

Author links:

https://jenniferannedavis.com/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jennifer-anne-davis

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenniferAnneDavis/#

https://www.instagram.com/authorjennifer

https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjenniferannedavis

https://x.com/AuthorJennifer 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6466369.Jennifer_Anne_Davis 

Blitz: A Jewel of a Crime (Venus Bixby Mystery #3) by Valerie Taylor with an excerpt and a giveaway

A Jewel of a Crime

(Venus Bixby Mystery, #3)

by Valerie Taylor

Release date: June 2nd 2026

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249372959-a-jewel-of-a-crime

Blurb:

Venus Bixby is ready for a fresh start. With green streaks in her hair and “Rock the Shamrock” polish on her nails, she’s sold her dance studio and set her sights on a glamorous second act: traveling the world to recover stolen art. But before she can book her first flight, she stumbles over the new studio owner’s dead body behind a drawn curtain.

In a town like Chatham Crossing, secrets don’t stay buried and gossip travels faster than the morning coffee line. Suddenly Venus is a suspect in a very public investigation. As she scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers a troubling secret from her late husband’s past: he purchased an emerald ring she’s never seen—and now it’s missing.

When a string of burglaries rattles the town, Venus begins to suspect the murder and the stolen emerald are connected. With rumors swirling, neighbors whispering, and her passport dreams slipping, she’ll need sharp instincts—and a dash of Irish luck—to catch the real culprit.

A Jewel of a Crime is a sparkling cozy mystery filled with small-town charm, amateur sleuthing, loyal cats, and twists that keep the pages turning. Includes cookie recipes and a nostalgic oldies playlist.

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4wTXZsQ

Excerpt 

“Where do you think Margo is?”

Rather than barge uninvited into the classroom looking for her, Gabby and I bided our time and hung out in the lobby. I shifted from one foot to the other while Gabby perused the business cards pinned to a brand-new combination whiteboard and corkboard.

“When I come back with that vase, I’ll bring a few business cards to tack up here.”

“Great idea!” I rifled through my purse until I found a couple of cards promoting Oldies & Goodies and Cats & Their Cradle. I affixed them to the cork and smiled. Part of me wondered whether Sam would take them down before anyone ever saw them.

Still no Margo. Did she not hear the bell when we entered a few minutes ago? Maybe not over Ol’ Blue Eyes. I considered writing a message on the whiteboard. I picked through the pens in the Tremont Regency Hotel mug on the desk, but there didn’t appear to be any of those dry-erase markers.

“Where could she be?” Gabby asked.

“Probably in the back. Should we check?”

I gently opened the glass door to the main classroom. A rush of crisp air reminded me how we’d kept the temperature in the low sixties so the students wouldn’t get overheated. The smell of fresh-cut grass suddenly wafted over me. My nose recognized dance floor wax, forcing me to stifle a sneeze. 

The same song we heard when we walked into the lobby still played. Must be on a continuous loop. I listened closely. Ah, Frank was singing “Witchcraft.” An appropriate theme for the day.

The walls were painted a creamy shade of white. Floor-to-ceiling mirrors lined one wall and a row of barres ran parallel to the floor. The mirrors reflected framed images on the opposite wall. I turned to examine them up close. I walked along the wall, studying and touching each gently. Definitely Sam and Margo in their younger years. 

This egotistical display was so unlike the studio Paul, and then I, owned. Our walls were proudly adorned with photographs of the young dancers who graced our ballroom.

Where are those pictures? Why didn’t they ask if I wanted them? What else did they keep from me?

“Margo?” I called.

Silence.

At the far end of the room, there was a royal purple floor-to-ceiling drape pulled closed across the width of the ballroom. As I walked toward it, I waved toward Gabby. “I’m gonna check back here.”

I noticed a universal restroom to my right. I motioned to Gabby. “You check in there.”

Then I drew back the curtain. “Never mind. Found her!” I cried out.

GIVEAWAY

Blitz-wide giveaway (INT) - ends June 11th

Prize: $20 Amazon gift card

https://gleam.io/OvSfO/a-jewel-of-a-crime-blitz

AUTHOR BIO:

Valerie Taylor lives in Connecticut and considers herself a typical "average Jane." She might remind you of the reclusive neighbor who fancies herself a novelist. Unlike many of her peers whom she admires, she does NOT have a degree in literature. But she is the award-winning author of the romantic comedy trilogy: WHAT'S NOT SAID, WHAT'S NOT TRUE, and WHAT'S NOT LOST. The roots of those three novels, as well as the books in the Venus Bixby Mystery series—A WHALE OF A MURDER and SWITCHED AT DEATH and A JEWEL OF A CRIME—most likely took hold during her early years watching Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Red Skelton, and The Twilight Zone. Her love of oldies music stems from hours listening and dancing to Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and being in the Bobby Darin fan club.

Author links:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20248997.Valerie_Taylor

https://valerietaylorauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/valerietaylorauthor/

https://www.instagram.com/valerieetaylor/ 

https://x.com/valerieemtaylor/