Murphy's Laws

 

 

30 Days.

7 Rules.

1 Undeniable Attraction.

Murphy’s Laws

by Terry Newman

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Comedy 

Thirty days. Seven rules. One undeniable attraction.

After her fiancé skips out on her wedding, Murphy Clarke buries herself in her life-coaching career and develops seven rules to protect her heart. Number one? Never take vacations.

Oops. We find her on a month-long vacation in North Carolina, where she’s alarmed by the sparks flying between her and an arrogant yoga instructor. She’s confident, though, that she’ll be able to keep her other six rules... until she isn’t so sure. Of anything.

Noah Andrews’s name was once synonymous with the San Francisco tech industry, but his heart broke - both physically and emotionally. After a heart attack sidelined his career, his long-time girlfriend dumped him. Why is he now so attracted to this woman who seems to embody the life he left behind?

Witty and full of heart, MURPHY'S LAWS is a story of second chances, small-town charm, and the beautiful chaos that comes when you stop following your own rules... and start following love instead.

 

**Only .99cents!**

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They continued the defamation of Nik Peterson for two more rounds of drinks.

“Scumbag,” Eli shouted out.

“Hey, we already called him that.” TC studied her beer bottle, then slowly eyed Eli. “Murphy would like a new name for the douchebag.” She laughed. “Hey, I just gave him a new name.”

As the name calling slowed, the giggling increased. “It seems our work is done here,” Murphy said as they ran out of names. “I need to go home.” She stood, got dizzy and sat back down. “Whoa. This room is spinning pretty badly—or would that be goodly?” She put her hands on her head.

“No, it isn’t.” Eli stood, and tottered. “Oh, oh, yes, it is.”

“We’ve got to make it home.” TC pulled the car keys out of her purse. “Let’s go. I think I’m going to be sick.”

TC stood, pulled Eli up, and then the two of them pulled Murphy up. “Thank you both for a wonderful night.” She hiccupped. “It was very cath-cathartic.” She giggled.

They hung onto each other as they stumbled toward the exit. Murphy hoped at least one of the two doors she saw was an exit.

“Murphy!” The voice was familiar. Nik? No, not that jerk. She stopped or tried to. TC and Eli were still headed toward those double doors.

“Wait up. Eli. TC.” Now the familiar voice was calling them all.

TC and Eli stopped too. Murphy looked in the direction the voice was coming from. Noah. Well, two Noahs. Both looking extremely concerned. His dimples weren’t showing. Why?

“Where are you three going?” The few lights in the place highlighted his golden hair.

“Home.” TC gripped Murphy a bit harder. “We’ve done our duty.” She nodded. “Yes, we’ve stood up for our sister and friend Murphy.”

“Yeah,” Eli echoed. “We made sure she came through a harrowing”—she squinted— “hey, you’re Noah. Our yoga instructor.”

Noah smiled. Both Noahs. And they both had those adorable dimples. Murphy couldn’t figure out exactly why there were two of him. One of him tempted her enough. Now she’d have to avoid both of them. Does the second one smell of sandalwood too?

“Yes, I am. And your neighbor. And the neighborly thing to do is to get the three of you home safely.” His gaze moved from Eli to TC, and then to Murphy. Her body tingled. Yup, the second Noah elicited the same response from her.

“What a gigantic coincidence,” Eli blurted out. “That’s exactly where we’re going. Home. Right, ladies?”

“Yeah, it is a coincidence.” TC stepped closer to him. “Wanna come with us?”

Noah took TC’s arm by the elbow. Murphy whimpered.

“Yes, yes I do,” he said. “I’ll drive. Sound good?”

“You don’t have to.” Eli patted his arm. “We have Sky. Sky hasn’t been drinking tonight. She’ll drive us home. She’ll be our disgusting driver? No, no that’s not right.”

“Designated driver.” Noah said. His dimples were nowhere to be seen. Murphy sighed.

“Yeah, yeah, that’s it. I’ll go find Sky.” She took two steps and wobbled dangerously. Noah took one long stride and caught her.

“Who is Sky and where is she?” He glanced at TC and Murphy as if he were interrogating them.

TC hiccupped. “Murph, you tell him.”

“Me? Really?” She sighed.

“What do you have to tell me?” Noah sighed.

Murphy took several steps toward Noah, both Noahs, and tried to decide which one to talk to. Did it matter?

She stood on tiptoed and whispered—okay, it probably wasn’t a whisper considering how noisy Reef’s was. “Sky isn’t here. She’s only in Eli’s mind.”

“What?” He rubbed a temple.

“Sky is Eli’s imaginary friend.”

“Did you tell him?” TC tugged at Murphy’s arm. “Does he know?”

“Kind of.” She tried to focus on her two sisters. Damn, where did the second one come from?

“I’ll explain everything tomorrow if you’d just help us get home. Please.”

“Yeah.” Noah’s tone softened. “No problem. I’ve got you.”

“Are you”—TC hiccupped— “sure? Do you know where we live?”

“He’s our neighbor,” Eli said and grabbed his free arm. “We’ll follow you.” She giggled. “Anywhere.”

Murphy whimpered again.

“Noah’s going to take us home.” TC sighed. She looked to her right. “Aren’t you?”

As Murphy followed everyone out of the bar, the North Carolina humidity hit her. Both Noahs led them to a car she was unfamiliar with.

“No, my car is over there,” TC said as she tried to pull the man in the opposite direction they were headed.

“We’re taking my car.” His husky voice sent shivers down Murphy’s spine.

 

Terry Newman is an award-winning author who writes romantic comedy with a splash of fantasy.

Fueled by coffee, peanut butter, and popcorn, she writes stories set in fictional towns in northeast Ohio. Terry loves to place her characters in improbably situations, then allows them to take over…uhm…guide the story.

She lives in a small apartment with overflowing bookshelves, her muse, Moose, and all her characters, in North Lima, a real town in northeast Ohio. And, yes, it does get crowded at times.

 

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The Indie Love Wales flash sale is LIVE and tickets are 50% off.

 

Romance readers… this is your warning! The Indie Love Wales flash sale is LIVE and tickets are 50% off.

Join us in Swansea this October for signed books, special editions, your favourite romance authors and the best bookish energy.

Snag the deal before it ends

Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../indie-love-swansea-2026...

Sale ends soon—so don’t think, just click!

Attending authors and vendors:

• ADINA D. GREY

• ALI WILLIAMS / ELLIE ROSE

• ALYS J. CLARKE

• AMY DAVIES

• ANNALEE ADAMS

• ASH RAVEN

• B.A.PEPPER

• BAILEY GRAYSON

• BECCA STEELE

• BEKAH D. KILLER

• CARRIE AUSTIN--MALONE

• CHARLIE NOVAK

• CORI ZAHARA

• CORINNE M. KNIGHT

• CRYSTAL NORTH

• D. E. BARTLEY

• D.V. WILLIAMS

• DANI ELIAS

• DILY IOLA DESIGNS

• ELENOR POUNTAIN

• ELOUISE EAST

• EVELYN FLOOD

• GEM L PRESTON

• HARLEIGH BECK

• HOLLY MARCH

• JAC FRANKLIN

• JOANNA MAZ

• JODI OLIVER

• K. L. THORNE

• K.L SHANDWICK/KELLY SHANDWICK

• K.L. TAYLOR-LANE

• KATHERINE ISAAC

• KELSEY HODGE

• L G CAMPBELL

• L. ANN

• L.R. DOUGLAS

• LIZZIE JAMES

• LOUISE STEEL

• LOWRI CHARLES

• LYNDSEY HALL

• MADDISON COLE

• MADELYNNE ELLIS

• MAISIE MYERS

• MICHELLE DUPS

• NIKITA ROGERS

• RAE SIMMONS/CASSIDY LANE

• REBECCA CHASE

• RHIANNE WILLIAMS

• ROSIE EAST

• S LUCAS

• SAMANTHA JAYNE

• SEBASTIAN SHARPE

• SOPHIE DYER

• SULLYN SHAW

• T C PERSONALISATION

• THERESA HISSONG

Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder by Wren Jones #Review

 

Practical Potions and Premeditated Murder

Wren Jones
Blurb:The first in the Practical Potions series.

Sella is tired of being a failure.

She has a lovely, cozy shop—an heirloom from her mother—, a snarky feline familiar, and one, single friend to call her own. It should be enough. But Sella’s magical abilities left a stain on her hometown, and even years away didn’t repair her reputation. The life of a kitchen witch is rough when everyone thinks Sella’s magical blends of coffee and tea will leave them with boils instead of the intended “motivation” or “self-compassion.”

But when a murder shakes the town and Sella’s best friend becomes suspect one, failure is a luxury they can’t afford. Luckily, the murdered woman—a confident ghost with a fiery determination for justice—is ready to help… and she’s more than Sella ever bargained for. With her friends, her familiar, and a bit of magic, Sella is ready to prove herself once and for all.

Although, perhaps she should brew a strong cup of “courage” first.

Just in case.
REVIEW: 4.5 starsIt’s been a while since I read a cozy mystery and I really enjoyed this one. It had all the right vibes and I was fully invested in the story.

Sells is a witch who owns a shop. She isn’t fully accepted by the community around her. When one of her customers turns up dead she finds herself at the centre of a murder investigation. With the help of her familiar she starts to piece together what happened.

This was read beautifully by Samantha Norbury.

✨ THE FIFTH LIFE OF ALICIA✨ Emma Hart

 

✨ THE FIFTH LIFE OF ALICIA ✨ Emma Hart

 BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT 

The Fifth Life of Alicia: book one of a new romantasy duet, is coming OUT NOW!

emmahartbooks.co.uk/shop

Buy links: https://books2read.com/u/mZ9kje

Out May 16th on Amazon + Kindle Unlimited

ABOUT THE BOOK:

What if your soul returns to its original body, but you remember nothing?

For Alicia, waking up in the world of a historical fantasy novel as Lady Alicia Vermillion, the antagonist destined to die, is nothing short of a nightmare.

Having already died once—which is how she ended up here in the first place—she’s adamant that history isn’t going to repeat itself. Story be damned.

Unfortunately for her, fate is a powerful thing, and despite her best efforts, some things just can’t be changed. When she’s shipped off to the neighbouring country of Stein to marry Grand Duke Kalon Stein, the emperor’s son, she makes a plan: delay their marriage until he meets and falls for the book’s heroine, then prance off into the sunset.

If she never meets the woman, she can never be accused of trying to kill her.

Except nothing is going the way she remembers. The cold, indifferent character in the book is nothing like the obsessive, dedicated man in front of her. As far as Kalon is concerned, Alicia is his, and nothing can change that.

Not even when the heroine shows up ‘early.’

He doesn’t understand why she thinks he’s going to fall for another woman. She doesn’t understand why he hasn’t.

But with threats lurking around every corner, the story Alicia thinks she knows is falling to pieces—and one thing is clear.

There’s more than one way for her to die in this world, and if that happens, Kalon might just burn it to ashes…

Marked By the Alpha

 

 

An alpha with a storied legacy. 

An independent woman rebuilding after grief. 

Forbidden desire—

for only one is human….

Marked by the Alpha

Tolstone Wolf Shifters Book 1

by Sheritta Bitikofer

Genre: Paranormal Fated Mates Romance

An alpha with a storied legacy. An independent woman rebuilding after grief. Forbidden desire—for only one is human….

After her mother’s death, photographer Erica Barrett, buys a home she and her mother obsessed over during her childhood in the quaintly historical town of Tolstone. Her magnetic next door neighbor intrigues and disturbs her. The sensual pull feels otherworldly.

Wolf shifter Dominic Beaumont never wanted to be the prime alpha of the sanctuary city, Tolstone, but when his father dies, he’s forced to step up as pack leader and prime alpha over all the wolf packs sheltering in his town. Erica’s arrival is dangerous. The attraction is fierce and instant, but duty comes first.

When revelations about Erica’s past and parentage create chaos, and she questions everything she thought she knew about herself, Dominic is her strength. But as tension builds in the pack, and his leadership is challenged, love becomes a risk that could cost him his authority, his people, and everything he’s sworn to protect.

Perfect for readers craving illicit wolf-shifter romance filled with fate, secrets, rebellion and an alpha willing to risk everything for love. 

 

**Releases June 11 – PreOrder Now!**

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“Why are you lying to me? Lying to yourself?” Dominic beseeched, now his turn to interrupt. “I know you feel something between us because I feel it too.” He rushed forward, heedless of the consequences, and took her hand to press it to his chest. “You can’t tell me this is all one-sided. I knew the moment you walked into this store that you were special.”

Erica rolled her eyes and slipped her hand out of his grasp. “Those lines are so old, Dominic. If you think saying all the right things is going to make me change my mind, you’re wrong.”

As if he had been physically slapped in the face, Dominic staggered. “Lines? Is that what you think this is? Like I’m just playing you?”

“Aren’t you?” she sneered. “Isn’t that what guys like you do? Say all those pretty things like ‘I read in my spare time’ and ‘It’s such a burden to be needed’ and all that bullshit. Then, when you have the girl, you dump her for the newest thing that comes along. You’re only interested because I’m something new in town, right? Someone new to win over.”

His mouth hung open. “Why would you—"

Then he stopped. He was going to ask why she would believe something so heinous, so stereotypical and cynical. Then he remembered what she had told him last night. She never grew up with a father, and if he could take a wild guess, he would have said that her mother planted those ideas in her head. No man could be trusted. A woman should rely on herself and no one else. Erica’s entire childhood would have been one jaded, dysfunctional mess, and this was the kind of baggage she carried into adulthood.

The mating bond was there and he knew everything out of her mouth was forced. She might have believed what she said, but her heart wasn’t in her accusations. Below the anger, below those hateful words, Erica really didn’t want this to end. The mating bond told him that much, otherwise, this thing between them would have unraveled already, wouldn’t it?

Too dumbfounded, he just stared into her beautiful face, the one that was on the verge of bursting into fresh tears. Her pride denied her the release. He would have loved for her to come apart in his hands, just so he could have the privilege of comforting her when she needed it most and put the pieces back together the right way.

“What can I do to make you believe me?”

Erica looked away, and he saw her throat work. “I don’t know if there is anything you could say.”

Just then, his pocket buzzed and chimed, and he was ready to smash the damned cellphone.

“Go ahead,” she said as she marched away. “Go play hero for someone else.”

 

Sheritta Bitikofer writes paranormal romance with a particular fondness for wolf shifters and witches. Her stories are driven by one guiding belief: love inspires courage. Through fierce romances, unbreakable pack bonds, and the magic of covens and family, her characters fight for the lives—and loves—they deserve. Sheritta lives in northwest Florida, where she drinks far too much coffee and joyfully balances life as a wife and mother while crafting her next heartfelt paranormal love story.

 

When she's not writing her next novel or taking care of her daughter, Sheritta enjoys diving into the fascinating and complex history of the American Civil War. With a BA in American History from American Public University, her primary focus of study is the many human-interest stories that embody the spirit of the mid-nineteenth century. 

 

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Shade of Wings

 

 

Shade of Wings is a speculative young adult novel about a family of New York City crows struggling to survive the outbreak of West Nile virus during the sizzling summer of 1999.

Shade of Wings

by Pam McGaffin

Genre: YA Teen Animal Fiction

For fans of Laline Paull, a speculative young adult novel about a family of New York City crows struggling to survive the outbreak of West Nile virus during the sizzling summer of 1999.

Four-year-old Duncan needs to hurry up and find a mate—at least, according to his sister, Cloud. But she doesn’t know about the mistake that’s preventing him from leaving their family to start another.

Though he’s the eldest, Duncan doesn’t see himself as a father. Yet that’s what he must become when both his parents die of the mysterious illness that’s killing crows across New York City. He devotes himself to caring for his siblings, including three fledglings—but he soon discovers he can’t protect them from the “blind death.”

Meanwhile, a zoo pathologist’s worst fears are realized. It starts with dead flamingos. Then critically ill New Yorkers start showing up in hospital emergency rooms.

Some blame the crows.

 

A profound story of loved ones sticking together in the face of tragedy and hardship.” - Kirkus Reviews

 

An amazing and heartfelt read. McGaffin confirms what so many of us already know, that humans should learn from the smart ones around us, even if they're crows." - Lori Matsukawa, TV News Anchor and author of Brave Mrs. Sato

 

"Utterly original! I’m in awe of Pam McGaffin’s deft storytelling—she makes a family of crows both fascinating and deeply relatable.  I love a book that leaves me seeing the world with fresh eyes, and Pam accomplishes that in spades.” - Andrea Ezerins, author of When the Forest Dreams

 

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He and Sky went to the fountain to forage before dusk. The longer they take, the more she thinks he’s getting back at her for making him wait. She still feels the spot on her breast where his kick landed. She’d never seen him so angry. He became someone she didn’t know. Now she’s not sure she knows herself. Everything she thought she understood about being a number two helper—second to Duncan—was thrown into doubt when he attacked . . . as if she were the enemy. Before, when they still had parents, she shrugged off their sibling squabbles, crow fights being more common than play. Sometimes the two got confused. Either way, you forgave and moved on, no harm done. But this was different. This marked a before and after in their relationship, their roles. His eruption was perhaps the inevitable result of too much pressure, from all they had lost, all that had changed in just a few days. But why take it out on her? He seems to think that he alone bears the weight of that shift. He doesn’t know that every time she closes her eyes, she relives the soft rustle and thump of their father’s fall to the ground and Mother’s wailing cry, followed so quickly by her passing, silent and unmarked. And hanging over it all is the fear that they, too, might succumb to a sickness that’s as random as it is deadly.

Still, there’s nothing to do but carry on. The fledglings’ drop from the nest was only the first of many trials to come. Until they can fly and do their own foraging, they will demand constant attention. Worm, in particular. He and Duncan had taken so long to get down the tree. She and Sky tried to keep Kyra and Lucas calm and still as they waited. And waited. And waited, the fledglings growing crankier and crankier. And who could blame them in this heat? Then Sky, who never complains, said she was “dying” of thirst. They all were. So, Cloud led them down to the riverbank for a drink and a dip. The fledglings loved splashing in the water once they overcame their fear. Lucas, that rascal, found a tire and was happily playing in its pool of green sludge until Cloud ordered him out.

Pam McGaffin always knew she would write books when she grew up.

So, at age 51, after a long career in journalism and public-relations, she quit her day job and went to work. After seven years, countless rewrites, and a seat-of-her-pants course in modern publishing, she released her debut novel, The Leaving Year, with SparkPress Aug. 14, 2018.

Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest where she grew up, The Leaving Year, is a coming-of-age story about love and loyalty, family and friendship, and the stories we tell ourselves in our search for meaning.

For her second novel, Shade of Wings, she looked to New York City to tell the story of the West Nile virus outbreak from the point-of-view of the first US victims – American crows. She hopes readers fall in love her hapless hero, Duncan, and his plucky crow family. She certainly loved giving them life.

Before tackling novels, Pam wrote short stories and articles. Her short fiction has appeared in the online literary journals, Eclectica and Amarillo Bay, and her articles have been published in many Puget Sound-area publications and websites, including The Daily Herald (in Everett, WA), Bicycle Paper, the MS Connection newsletter, and Seattle Children’s Story Project.

She has a BA degree in Communications Journalism from the University of Washington and certificates in fiction writing and advanced literary fiction from UW Extension.

When she isn’t writing or thinking about writing, she likes to read, walk the dog, swim, bike, garden, and watch birds.

 

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