THOUGHTS ON THIS 'n THAT

  What would you do if you were planning to kill your brother—but someone beat you to it? That is the premise of debut author, Peter Malone Elliott's novel, BLUE RIDGE (LevelBestBooks). After former Olympic contender turned burn-out horse trainer Cillian Clarke is framed for the murder of his identical twin Christopher, a rising-star Virginia politician, Cillian is forced to go on the lam. But when someone from Christopher’s past emerges and offers Cillian the chance to clear his name, Cillian is plunged headfirst into a sinister conspiracy that not only threatens the sanctity of democracy, but also promises to expose the devastating secret intertwining the brothers forever—the truth behind the death of a woman they both loved. Born and raised in Virginia, he now lives in Brooklyn, but still holds the magic of the mountains and Southern living near and dear to his heart. His debut novel, BLUE RIDGE, is set to be released by Level Best Books on January 9th, 2024. Other notable writi...

  He had it all planned out in bestselling Lori Foster's new novel THE FEARLESS ONE (HarlequinTrade) until she showed up. Jedidiah Stephens came to the Colorado Rockies for one reason: to uncover the truth behind the fire that killed her family. She's been chasing down clues, and everything has led her to an isolated campground. Her plan is to get a job there so she can investigate who comes and goes.  Getting involved with her boss, Memphis Osborn, the ruggedly handsome groundskeeper, is definitely not part of the plan. When Jedidiah arrives on the scene, Memphis just knows she's up to something. He can see the desperation in her eyes and warily agrees to hire her.  As they work side by side, Diah triggers his deepest protective instincts--and the chemistry between them ignites. But the more Diah digs into her family's past, the more secrets she unravels...and the more afraid she becomes.  She lost everything once before. She'll never forgive herself if she loses M...

  Three couples. Three days. A family getaway to die for. Every year, the illustrious Van Ness siblings—heirs to a copper fortune—gather at their luxury winery estate for a joint birthday celebration. It's a tradition they've followed nearly all their lives, and now they are back with their significant others for a much-needed weekend of rest and relaxation, away from the public spotlight. With lavish comforts, gorgeous scenery, and indulgent drinking, the trip should be the perfect escape. But it soon becomes clear that even a remote idyllic getaway can’t keep out the problems simmering in each of their lives. As old tensions are reignited, the three couples are pushed to the edge. Will their secrets destroy them, or will they destroy each other first? And who’s been watching them from beyond the vineyard gates? When a torrential rainstorm hits, plunging them into darkness, the answers prove all too deadly. TARA LASKOWSKI is the author of  One Night Gone , which won the Agath...

  How far would you run to escape your past? For eight strangers in a Los Angeles backpacking hostel, even the other side of the world isn’t far enough. The craving for a new identity and the chance to start again is something they have in common. But the search for a fresh start isn't as easy as they'd imagined. And they soon discover that it doesn't matter where you are or who you are - if you can't lay the past to rest, coincidence, fate and deception have a way of catching up with you when you least expect it. HERE'S AN EXCERPT of THE VACATION Prologue  Venice Beach, Los Angeles      “That’s her,” the driver yelled to the three men waiting in the rear of the transit van.      He pointed a gloved finger in the direction of a slender woman walking along the sidewalk up ahead.      “You sure?” a gruff voice asked. “It’s pretty dark out there.”     The driver was very sure. He’d watc...

  In Ruth Madievsky's novel, ALL NIGHT PHARMACY (Catapult), a  young woman finds herself pulled into a world of illicit trade as she experiences a mystical encounter at her job as an ER secretary, after th e disappearance of her sister, following a wild reckless night, with her sister. Suddenly entwined with Sasha, a supposedly psychic refugee, the narrator faces a bewildering dance of friendship, desire, and spiritual guidance.  This intoxicating tale follows her as she takes on the challenges of sobriety, sexual self-discovery, and the haunting choice between pursuing or letting go of her missing sister. Ruth Madievsky is the author of the bestselling poetry collection, "Emergency Brake" (Tavern Books, 2016). Her work has appeared in Tin House, The Iowa Review, Gulf Coast, Prairie Schooner, Rattle, ZYZZYVA, and elsewhere. Originally from Moldova, Ruth Madievsky lives in Los Angeles, where she is a chapbook reader for Gold Line Press and a pharmacist. You can find her at...

  A millionaire and a woman who thinks he's a house flipper are stuck living in a house together with a menagerie of rescue dogs as roommates, in this heartfelt romantic comedy from  New York Times  bestselling author Jaci Burton. After her ex took all their money and bailed, Hazel Bristow is left broke and homeless. A kind friend whose home is on the market lets Hazel and her foster dogs stay there until it sells. It’s the perfect setup, until her friend forgets to tell Hazel she’s sold the house. Linc Kennedy is shocked to find Hazel and her pups squatting in the house he just bought, but after some negotiating—she offers to cook amazing meals for him in return for a paycheck—he agrees to let her remain while he’s renovating the place. Linc tells Hazel he’s an investor who renovates homes for fun—he just leaves out the part about being wealthy. Hazel’s intrigued by Linc. He’s funny, sweet, ridiculously hot, and loves dogs almost as much as she does. But her track record...

  The America Civil war was a four-year war (1861-65) between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. The war began primarily as a result of the North and South's different views on slavery. The bloodiest was three days of fighting at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania when 51,000 men were either killed, wounded or missing in action. Eventually the South surrendered and President Abraham Lincoln delivered the infamous Gettysburg Address. THE LAST OF WHAT I AM (UnionSquaer&Co.) by Abigail Cutter is a haunting and beautifully written novel about a Confederate soldier whose own personal war follows him into the afterlife—  until one fateful day when his encounters with a modern-day couple change everything. A ghost in his deserted childhood home in Virginia, Tom Smiley can’t forget the bloody war and its meaningless losses, nor can he shed his revulsion for his role in the Confederate defense of slavery. But whe...