Coastal Magic 2025 Featured Author Spotlight & Giveaway - - Caridad Pineiro

 

Welcome to The Romance Dish's first Featured Author Spotlight for the 2025 Coastal Magic Convention. Coastal Magic (CMCon25) is a fun-filled, weekend reader/author event held in Daytona Beach, FL each February. The 2025 event is February 20-23 and registration is now open. Each month from now through January, 2025 l will be spotlighting one Featured Author who will be attending next year's event. First up is Caridad Pineiro. Caridad is joining us today to talk about her South Beach Security K-9 Division series for Harlequin Intrigue and her newest book, Escape the Everglades. I just finished reading it and - whoa - what a heart-tugging, action-packed ride. I couldn't put it down. 

Please give Caridad a warm Romance Dish welcome!

I’m so excited to be visiting with you all on The Romance Dish! It’s such an exciting year for me since besides having the brand new South Beach Security K-9  Division spinoff series beginning in May, we’re also waiting for our first grandbaby in the next week or so! All joyous new releases! Read on to find out about these new releases and how to enter a giveaway for a $10 gift card and an e-copy of BISCAYNE BAY BREACH.

This month’s release in the SBS K-9 Division series is ESCAPE THE EVERGLADES which features some very interesting heroes. Carlos Ruiz is a marine who’s now a single dad because of his wife’s tragic death. Carlos is an environmentalist who also runs a tour business in the Florida Everglades. The heroines, K-9 Agent Natalie Rodriguez and Missy, a Labrador Retriever, are both Army veterans suffering from PTSD after being injured while on deployment. It was a labor of love to bring Carlos, his son Luke, Natalie, and Missy together to help them heal from the wounds in their lives.

In ESCAPE THE EVERGLADES, Carlos and Luke are out in search of a Florida panther they are tracking when they run across alligator egg poachers. They have to flee the area when the poachers fire on them but manage to save the eggs by bringing in game wardens to assist. But that prompts a series of attacks at Carlos’s home and business and he calls in South Beach Security to help.

What follows is an action-packed and emotional story as Natalie and Missy protect Carlos and Luke and as both father and son begin to love again after the loss in their lives. That love and the beauty of the Everglades will help Natalie and Missy heal from the wounds of war.

One of the fun things about writing all the stories in the SBS K-9 series was picking the dogs for each story based on their special skills.

In the first book, SABOTAGE OPERATION, the SBS K-9 agent is needed for protection so the K-9 heroine is a Belgian Malinois.

Since Labrador Retrievers are great in watery situations and search and rescue, Missy was perfect for ESCAPE THE EVERGLADES!

In KILLER IN THE KENNEL (November 2024), the K-9 heroine is a bloodhound since the story involves searches for missing women and cadavers.

Finally, DANGER IN DADE (Christmas 2025) a pit bull is the top dog since she’s needed for protection.

You may be asking yourself what’s next since I’m happy to say I’ll be doing another 4 book spinoff which will also have some puppers in the stories. Would you believe a corgi is the K-9?

Thanks so much for visiting with me. For a chance to win a $10 gift card and an e-copy of BISCAYNE BAY BREACH, #3 in the earlier South Beach Security Series, let me know if you love stories with dogs!

Okay, readers, tell us if you love stories with dogs in them. And if you have dogs in your real life, feel free to tell us about them too!

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, July 14 will receive Caridad's giveaway of a $10 gift card and an e-copy of BISCAYNE BAY BREACH. 

Coastal Magic Featured Author & Giveaway - - Hildie McQueen

 

 

If you like strong alpha heroes and feisty heroines, you will love USA Today Best-selling author Hildie McQueen's Medieval Highlander romances.

Hildie McQueen was born in Mexico, grew up in Southern California, and now resides in a beautiful small town in Georgia. 

Her obsession for all things pink and Paris can only be beaten by her love for dogs. Thanks to her superhero husband Kurt’s unwavering support, she can write full time with her constant companions, the trio of fearless tiny dogs.

Coastal Magic Featured Author, Hildie McQueen joins us today with a post about her newest book, The Bear, recent travels to Scotland, and something sweet for a holiday treat. Welcome, Hildie!

 

I recently traveled to Scotland to get a feel for the country. It was my second trip there and like the first time, I strangely felt as if I’d come home. The people are warm and welcoming, the food delicious and the beauty of Scotland is breathtaking.  There were several times that my travel companions and I stood silently side-by-side looking out at unforgettable views. If you have not traveled to Scotland, please do. You won’t regret it. 

One of the places I was looking forward to exploring was the Tokavaig area on the Isle of Skye, where my new release, The Bear, and next series, Clan Ross of Skye, will take place.  

Dunscaith, the castle, which will be my Clan’s keep is in ruins, but we were able to walk around and explore it. Let me tell you it was so worth it. The ruins are surrounded on two sides by Loch Eishort and one side by tall hills. When atop the ruins, the views are amazing. 

To celebrate the release of my next book, The Bear, I decided to make a simple medieval fruit tart. It was so easy to make and without a recipe, I was surprised how good it tasted. Back in those days of course, they had to mill the flour, churn the butter and grind the spices.  Thankfully we don’t have to do all that.  Try it, you and your family will love it!  

Medieval Fruit Tart

Measurements are approximate, alter to your liking.  You may want to double the brown sugar if you prefer sweeter. 

You’ll need 1, flat pie crust, 2 pears, 1 apple, 1 tablespoon cinnamon, 1 pinch of ginger, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and 4 pats of butter. 

First you buy a flat pie crust, pinch the edges to lift them a bit.

Slice fruit and place on the crust.

Mix the spices and sprinkle them over the fruit.

Lastly, cut the pats of butter into fourths and dot them on top.

Bake at 350 for about 30-35 minutes.  Enjoy!!

 

***

The Bear

by Hildie McQueen

Release Date: November 3, 2023

Available to purchase in e-book or print

Also available in Kindle Unlimited

The Bear is a story that introduces readers to the Clan Ross of Skye family.  The hero, Cynden Ross is the youngest of the siblings. Cynden discovers a horrible secret as he is about to embark on a trip that can change his life. With his clan on the brink of devastation, he travels from the Isle of Skye to the Isle of Uist to request help from his cousin, The Lion, warrior, laird and leader of a huge army.  When meeting a beautiful woman, who mistakes him for her dead betrothed, he finds it hard to leave her behind. 

I have a feeling you will be unable to put this book down! 

The Bear  https://amzn.to/49bKV6j

Sign up for my newsletter and get a free book!  https://goo.gl/jLzPTA 

Follow me on Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/hildie-mcqueen

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/105613612956190

 

PJ here. I'm giving away one Kindle copy of The Bear today so tell me...

Have you read Hildie McQueen yet?

Have you visited a place you'd never been before that felt like home?

Are there any new recipes you'll be trying over the upcoming holidays?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 10 will receive a Kindle copy of The Bear. 

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Interested in joining us for Book Besties Weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida? Click here for more information about Coastal Magic Convention 2024, a casual, welcoming, and fun gathering of readers and authors February 22 - 25, 2024.  

Coastal Magic Featured Author & Giveaway - - Lisa Lin

Welcome back to my second Coastal Magic Convention 2024 Featured Author Spotlight. This month, I'm featuring debut author Lisa Lin. Lisa not only writes multi-cultural romcoms that elicit both heartfelt tears as well laugh-out-loud humor but she's also a friend of many years. 

Lisa Lin started reading romance when she was 13 and never looked back. After previous jobs in law and politics, she realized writer was the job meant for her. She believes in writing what she knows so her books contain witty characters, family relationships, and celebrates female friendships. An introvert to the core, she is addicted to Twitter, and prefers to spend her weekends in pajamas bingeing on Netflix. ha'

Hi, Lisa! Welcome back to The Romance Dish. It is so exciting to have you here as a Coastal Magic Convention Featured Author.

Thanks so much PJ! So thrilled to be here. It’s always a pleasure to be at The Dish-been a long time fan!

The first two books in your From Sunset Park, With Love series have been published this year. What should readers expect from The Year of Cecily and The Rachel Experiment?

Asian characters finding their HEAs! But also snappy witty banter (major Aaron Sorkin fan here), legal jokes (hey I gotta put that JD to use somehow), food (I’ve been accused of making readers hungry while reading my books to which I say #sorrynotsorry), and complicated family dynamics.

And Girl Squads. I love featuring friendships in my books, female friendships in particular. Romance tends to focus on romantic relationships for obvious reasons, but in my opinion, and personal experience, those aren’t the only relationships that are important and worthy of being explored.

Familial relationships and friendships also play an incredibly essential role in our lives and should be highlighted too. I know for me, my circle of girlfriends are invaluable and have gotten me through a lot of rough times. I don’t know what I’d do without them and I hope I never have to find out.

My writing friends have been lifesavers on my path to publication. They’ve held my hand, talked me off the ledge, kicked my butt when I needed it, and are always happier and more excited for me than I am for me.

Asian-American culture features predominantly in these stories. What was it like to write books so closely mirroring your own heritage? Are family members trying to figure out which characters are modeled after them? 

It truly meant so much to me. Growing up, it was difficult and rare to find books with Asian characters or covers with people who looked like me or reflected my life or experience in any way . And when I did, it was a thrill. Representation is SO important y’all. And when I started reading romance, it was the same deal. It wasn’t until authors like Jeannie Lin, Courtney Milan, Sherry Thomas, etc. came along that things really began to change. I know I stand on the shoulders of giants and I am beyond grateful to all of them and all the other authors who put cracks in that ceiling for me. I am proud of being part of the effort to help Romancelandia live up to its mission statement of “HEAs for All” and it’s not a responsibility I take lightly. As Lyn Liao Butler said “It’s about time there are more of us out there.”

As for my family, I had a strict policy with family members who expressed interest in reading my books. “If you insist, you can buy and/or read my book. I can’t stop you, do what you want to do. But we shall never speak of it. It’ll be like it never happened.” So if they are wondering, they can keep wondering. ;)

I love the humor in your books, laughing out loud more than once while reading. How emotionally involved do you get during the creation of these stories? Do you find yourself experiencing the same emotions while writing that we do when reading?

This is a really interesting question and I had to think for a minute. First off, thank you for saying you enjoyed the humor in my books. Having someone say they laughed while reading my books lets me know I did my job right. Generally, I think I can compartmentalize pretty well when I write. It isn’t me waking up after a one night stand/night of debauchery because I forgot no good ever comes from tequila, it was Rachel. Cecily was the one locking horns with her mother and trying to hold on to her temper, not me. But like any author, there are elements of me and my own life in my books.

Cecily’s meeting with the genealogist and her feeling when she looked at her ancestor’s naturalization certificate and thinking about how different her life would be if they hadn’t come to America, and the great debt she owes likely reflects the feelings of many children of immigrants, me included. Rachel very much shares my awkward turtle and introvert tendencies. More than once I have gotten anxious and panicked over something I said that I was afraid had been taken the wrong way only for the other person to wonder what I was even talking about when I tried to apologize. No wonder Rachel and I are both baffled by people who like to people. But yes, I cringed along with Cecily when Judith told her she too understood the importance of a good sex life. I mean, who wouldn’t under those circumstances?? I cringed, then laughed HA ;)

This has been a year of firsts for you. First published novel. First author book signing. First time as a CMC Featured Author. Has your debut year been what you expected? What have you learned? Any surprises along the way?

Like I mentioned above, I’m extremely fortunate to have phenomenal author friends who are a few steps ahead of me on their publishing journey and they’ve shared their wisdom with me and gave me tips and a heads up on what to expect. That being said, there are still some things you can only understand after experiencing it first hand. For example, what it feels like to hold a copy of your book in your hand for the first time or how to deal with reviews, good and bad. One of the things I had to learn was how to promo my books and it’s been a steep learning curve for sure. How much is too much? How much is too little? How do I juggle promo while I’m editing the next book and drafting yet another one? Still working on that one.

At heart, I am still a voracious romance reader and lover who fangirls over her favorite authors. The transition to the author side of the equation has been a bit surreal to say the least. This past summer I attended my first big romance reader/author event as an author and having readers come up to my table at the signing to tell me they’ve read and enjoyed my books was staggering and gratifying.

I have been blown away by how generous the romance community has been to me. Fellow writers, bloggers, readers, have all been so kind and supportive. So many congratulated me and supported me when I announced my deal back in July of 2021 and boosted and spread the word when Cecily and Rachel released. Fellow authors welcomed me into the fold and treated me like one of their own. To give just one example, I did my first author event in NYC at Yu and Me Books right after Cecily released. I was so nervous and terrified no one would show up and I’d face an empty store alone. But Lyn Liao Butler agreed to moderate the event and do a Q&A with me, and Priscilla Oliveras, Alexis Daria, and Maya Rodale all came to support me. I will love all of them forever for that. All I know is I am beyond grateful and I have a lot of paying forward to do.

As a debut author you may be a bit of a mystery to readers so let’s talk about you a bit.

What are your passions (aside from writing, of course)?

I was a political science and history major in college and politics and history are huge passions of mine. The West Wing is my most favorite show EVER and I loved the Medici mini-series and The Crown on Netflix. My friend Susannah Erwin and I just finished the Diplomat and it ticked ALL my boxes. I also love food-my dad always used to tease/joke that while some people eat to live, I live to eat. And…no lies detected, lol.

What would readers be surprised to learn about you?

As a pandemic project, I decided to use Duolingo to learn/improve my French. I’m currently on a 868 day streak and I’m probably prouder of it than I should be.

What is the top travel destination on your bucket list?

Oh there are so many. But Ireland has to be at the top of the list. Nora Roberts wass my gateway to romance, and many of her books are set there. Nora’s love for the land and people shine through on every page, and I want to pop into an Irish pub, listen to traditional music, and learn to dance a jig. I’ve also always wanted to travel south of the Equator so Australia is on my bucket list as well.

What are you currently reading or looking forward to reading?

I’m about to start Xio Axelrod’s Love on the Byline and I just know I’m going to devour it in one sitting. A second chance romance with a journalist heroine and hero who’s the personal assistant to a Hollywood star who have to fight their growing attraction when she’s assigned to do an in depth interview on said star. Need I say more??

I’m also looking forward to the next book in Felicia Grossman’s Once Upon the East End series. Felicia is one of my favorite romance authors and she writes fantastic historicals with Jewish protagonists. Book 1, Marry Me By Midnight (her take on Cinderella) came out last month and I can’t wait for Wake Me Most Wickedly, which comes out April 2024. Felicia’s spin on Snow White is bound to be amazing and y’all should also go pre-order it now.

What are your must-have drinks and/or snacks while writing?

Vino is crucial when writing *those* scenes. Julie James gave me that tip years ago and thank goodness for it. Maybe someday, writing sex scenes will be a less awkward out-of-body experience but today is not that day, lol. Other than that, I don’t have any essential drinks or snacks when I’m writing, though I have been known to reward/bribe myself with an ice cream sandwich or cupcake, or brownie, etc. after I’ve met my daily word count.

When will your next book be released? Are you able to tell us anything about it?

The final book in the From Sunset Park, with Love series will be out April 10, 2024. The title is Bethany Meets Her Match and features Jeffrey’s little sister Bethany Lee, who readers meet in The Year of Cecily. When Bethany showed up on the page in Cecily, I fell in love with her immediately and knew she’d have to get her own book eventually. What can I tell you about the book? Hmm. Well, the love interest I paired her with is also a doctor and they butt heads right off the bat. There’s a dumpling making contest, Bethany’s neighbor has a precocious daughter who steals the show, and there may or may not be a Guess Who game that goes awry. And expect more family drama, food, and banter. I’m excited to share Bethany’s story with readers and have them get to know her better.

Where can readers find you online?

I am @laforesta1 on Instagram, Twitter, and Bluesky (though I’m on Twitter less these days). I’m LisaLinBooks on Facebook.

My website is www.lisalinbooks.com.

Thanks for visiting with us today, Lisa. I’m excited to see you in Daytona Beach next February for Coastal Magic Convention 2024. Before we wrap this up, do you have any questions for the Romance Dish readers?

As a new/new-ish author, I’d love to know-how do you discover new to you authors? What will entice you to give a new/debut author a shot? The cover? Back blurb? Reviews? Personal recs from trusted friends or family? A mention from a fav author? Let me know below.

Lisa has also offered a giveaway today. One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, September 29 will receive a signed copy of The Year of Cecily and The Rachel Experiment.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Coastal Magic Featured Author Spotlight & Giveaway - Deb Marlowe

 

Welcome to The Romance Dish's first Featured Author Spotlight for the 2024 Coastal Magic Convention. Coastal Magic (CMCon24) is a fun-filled, weekend reader/author event held in Daytona Beach, FL each February. Each month from now through January, 2024 all of the Featured Bloggers (including me) will be spotlighting one author who will be attending next year's event. First up is Deb Marlowe, an author I've had the pleasure of knowing for many years. Deb is here today to chat about her current historical mystery series. Please give her a warm welcome. 

Hello, Deb! Welcome to our first Coastal Magic 2024 Featured Author Spotlight! Murder on the Mirrored Lake, the third book in your historical Kier and Levett Mystery Series has just been released. What can readers expect from the books in this series? 

One of my favorite things about this series is featuring the same couple from book to book.  It’s given me a wonderful chance to do a real deep dive into their characters, background and yes, also the slow burn romance.  As always, there is a mystery to solve, and action and adventure unfolding as it happens, but there is also a chance to share some revelations about our favorite characters and the people around them.  So, yes, adventure, but also character development and world building.

And of course, the romance!   It’s been obvious from the beginning that Niall and Kara have feelings for each other, but it’s also been clear that Niall is hiding something.  Something to do with his past.  Readers have been communicating their desire to know!  And now, at last, we find just what his secrets are and how dangerous they might become.  But with the truth out, will Niall be free to express himself? 

This series is set in the Victorian era. Why did you choose that period? How did it impact the development of your characters?

The inspiration for this series was the Great Exhibition of 1851.  I’ve always been fascinated with it.  I have long wanted to use it as a setting and it just seemed perfect for the start of a mystery series.  The first book, A Killer in the Crystal Palace, is set there.  I wanted my characters to really experience the Exhibition, not just visit it, so I had to set about creating a hero and heroine who might be exhibitioners there.

 And thus was born Niall Kier—my big blacksmith who is also a forge artist, with an artist’s soul.  And Kara Levett—the daughter of a baron who has had an unusual upbringing.  She’s also artistic, but she’s very left brain/right brain and she combines all of her interests in creating the astonishingly detailed automatons that she shows at the Exhibition. 

What kind of research did you do for this series? Was any of it onsite? Did you discover anything that surprised you?

Oh, PJ, you know me—I LOVE research!  I’m such a history nerd.  J  I did a LOT of research for this series.  I did some in depth learning on the Great Exhibition and how it came to be.  That held a lot of surprises!  I was shocked to learn about some things that I think of as modern, were actually around for the Exhibition—such as carbonated water and weather predictors.  In fact, I wrote an article about some of the more surprising finds for my website.  You can find it at https://www.debmarlowe.com/behind-the-book.html

I’ve researched much more—details about Victorian London, the political and international landscape, secret societies, poisons, I could go on and on!  But details provide a lot of flavor in the stories and I try very hard to make Kara and Niall’s world come alive. 

The books in this series feature a continuing lead couple. How does writing a series like this differ from writing a “one and done” book? What attracted you to this type of series?

I’m a character driven author, and as I mentioned, I’m loving the chance to delve deeper and broader into my characters.  I’ve got more scope to really explore their layers and I’m enjoying watching them peel them away, a little at a time.  I feel the same about the recurring secondary characters.  The relationships are deeper and more varied and I’m having fun with it.   I love the whodunnit aspect of the stories, but I also love creating a world I get to return to!

 

Now that you’re three books in, what are you enjoying most about these characters, their adventures, and their romance? Have they surprised you as they continue to evolve?

I’ve often featured some sort of adventure or mystery in my Regency Historical Romances, but now I really get to turn the volume up!  Actually, I feel the same way about the romance and the world building in the series.  The secondary characters are so vivid and important in my mind and to Niall and Kara.  There’s so much room to explore. 

And yes, I get a surprise in almost every book I write.  A character I didn’t plan for or anticipate.  A sudden veer from the plotted path.  A truth that just pops out of a character’s mouth.  It’s what makes writing fun! 

Let’s talk about you a bit. What are your passions (aside from writing, of course)?

I love to cook and garden.  I am the designated cook for family and friend holidays, birthdays, etc.  And I love exploring historical recipes.  You can watch me make some on my extremely amateur Deb Marlowe’s Historical Kitchen videos on my website!  https://www.debmarlowe.com/deb-marlowes-regency-kitchen.html   I love to travel and I’m addicted to good books and good TV.  

What would readers be surprised to learn about you?

Well, if readers follow me on social media, they likely already know a lot about me.  I’m an open book.  J  But if they don’t, they might be surprised to learn I am a leap year baby and only have a birthday every four years! 

If you could time travel, where would you go, what would you do, and who (real or fictional) would you want by your side?

I would definitely want to go to Regency England and Victorian London—the places I write about!  It would be amazing to experience it for myself—as long as I could come back.  J  Hmmm..I would definitely want to meet Prinny, although I would be so tempted to scold him.  LOL.  And the real Jane Austen.  And Prince Albert.  Giovanni Batista Belzoni.  Robert Peel.  Wellington.  And by my side?  In the Regency, I would wish for Hestia Wright to be my sidekick—if readers have read the Half Moon House Series, they know she has the strength, charm, influence and heart to make it a good time!  And in Victorian London, I would love to hang around Kara and Niall from the Kier and Levett Mysteries.  We would talk art and literature and science and enjoy good drink and food and probably have an adventure or two! 

What books are on your current to-be-read list or what upcoming books are you looking forward to reading?

I’m currently reading several research books for the continuing adventures of Kara and Niall.  I’m so looking forward to the next in Mary Balogh’s Remember Series, and I’m woefully behind on both Julie Anne Long and C.S. Harris.  I need a few more hours in the day! 

Thanks for visiting with us today, Deb. I’m excited to see you in Daytona Beach next February for Coastal Magic Convention 2024. Before we wrap this up, do you have any questions for the Romance Dish readers?

Thank you so much for having me, PJ!  I can hardly wait for Coastal Magic!  I’m so impressed with the organization and I’ve heard such good things!  Plus, it’s been too long since we hung out! 

For the Romance Dish readers, I think I would ask how they feel about adventurous books with a slow burn romance.  Is there something else they would like to see included in a series like this?  I’m having a grand time with it and I want everyone else to enjoy it, too. 

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 31 will receive an autographed copy of A Killer in the Crystal Palace (book one of The Kier and Levett Mystery Series). If the winner is international, they will have their choice of one book from the Half Moon House Series, A Series of Unconventional Courtships, or the Castle Keyvnore Pixie Collection. 

Click for more information about Coastal Magic 2024. It would be wonderful to see some of you there! 

 

Coastal Magic - - Back from the Beach!

I'm back from my first Coastal Magic Convention and my thought upon leaving Sunday was, "When can we do this again?" If you're looking for a small (250-300) author-reader event where you can mingle with fellow romance readers, chat with favorite authors, discover new-to-you authors, and enjoy Florida in February, look no further than Coastal Magic. It's casual, warm, welcoming, and fun!

Here are a few highlights from the weekend. 

The weekend kicked off with a Roaring Twenties welcome mingle. Here's reader Amy with author Maggie Mae Gallagher. If you missed my review of The Fixer Upper, the first book in her Echo Springs series, check out my review here and download it to your Kindle today for only $1.99. 











Hildie McQueen writes sweet Western romances and Highland historicals. Check her out!

Jeanne Adams writes stories for a variety of readers, including romantic suspense, time-slip, paranormal, space opera, and more. And, as you can see, she also has a wonderful sense of humor. 











JD Monroe and her adorable dragon were a hit at the Roaring Twenties meet and mingle. 

Author Tigris Eden made jars of Bathtub Gin a/k/a Eucalyptus-Lavender bath salts and they smell so good! 

With the wonderful Nancy Naigle. Have you seen her new Hallmark Movie, The Secret Ingredient yet? 

With two of my favorite authors...and people: Cathy Maxwell and Amalie Howard.
Don't let the sunshine fool you. It was cold and very windy out there! 

Flapper extraordinaire, Elicia Hyder. I've yet to meet the reader who doesn't love her...and her books! 

I met so many new-to-me authors at this event whose books I'm looking forward to reading. One of those was Shana Gray. She came all the way from Canada! 

With the multi-talented Xio Axelrod. Her newest book, Frankie and Johnny: Let the Music Play, is waiting on my Kindle and I can't wait to dive in. 

April Alieda writes salty-sweet contemporary romance with magical elements. And has the best hair! 

Again with the fabulous hair! Seressia Glass (who also writes as Mallery Malone) is the author of  contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy.  And has the sweetest smile. 

Here's mischief waiting to happen! Ashlyn Chase, Cynthia D'Alba, and Eve Langlais are ready to party at the Roaring Twenties meet and mingle. 

Hailey Edwards and Avery Flynn ready to greet readers at Saturday's book signing. 

I was delighted to discover upcoming debut author, Yaffa S. Santos was one of the readers sitting at my lunch table Saturday. Her first book, A Taste of Sage, will be released May 19. 

It's always fun to catch up with YA Paranormal author, Shaila Patel. Not only one of the nicest people around but also a terrific, award-winning, author. 

A few of the wonderful featured authors who were in attendance at this year's Coastal Magic. 

Rene Folsom and Jeaniene Frost sharing some book love with readers at Saturday's signing. 

This one had me laughing all weekend. I adore Cynthia D'Alba and her books! 

Cathy Maxwell, earning her Coastal Magic wings!

Kait Ballenger brought her cowboy wolf shifters out to play. 

Bru Baker is not only a talented author but also an accomplished artist. 

And, when all was said and done, it was time to relax with good friends, yummy nachos... 









   





...and $3 margaritas.








Until next year!