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. 

Review - - Going Rogue in Red Rye County

Going Rogue in Red Rye County

by Katie Mettner

Secure One - Book 1

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

Release Date: February 21, 2023

Reviewed by PJ

 

She’s on a mission
And dangerously off the grid…

After an undercover mission gone wrong, agent Mina August is on the run from the FBI and The Madame, a ruthless brothel owner. Her mantra: trust no one. But alone and permanently disabled, the cunning beauty must trust her ex-partner Roman Jacobs to take her side in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Can she fight her true feelings for Roman to stay professional…and alive?  

PJ's Thoughts:  

I love a story that plunges me straight into the action then keeps me on the edge of my seat until the final twist. This book does exactly that. It's an intense, fast-paced, action-packed, roller coaster ride filled with unexpected twists, emotional romance, and life-altering challenges. I loved how strong Mina was and how she handled her physical limitations. Roman won my heart with his respect for her, confidence in her as his FBI partner, as well as his unspoken love, and protective nature. So much hidden yearning with these two.  

It's been a while since I read a Harlequin Intrigue. Going Rogue in Red Rye County reminded me of what I've been missing. Katie Mettner's characters were well developed and intriguing, engaging both my interest and my emotions, with a tightly-woven plot that kept me glued to the pages. As this is the first book in this series, there were several characters to be introduced - primary and secondary - as well as potential storylines for future books yet all of those introductions felt organic and woven into the story in a logical, realistic way. I felt emotionally attached to Mina and Roman almost immediately but by the end of the book, I had formed attachments to some of the secondary characters as well. And I am fascinated by the concept of the Secure One organization and how they operate. 

If the well-balanced blend of action, suspense, and romance that kept me reading this first Secure One book late into the night is what I can expect from the rest of the series, I can hardly wait for the books to come.

Review - - Holden

Holden
By Delores Fossen
The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch - Book 10
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue
Release Date: February 21, 2017
Reviewed by PJ
    

Holden Ryland certainly didn't become a marshal just to end up busting his ex, Nicky Hart, for taking files from Conceptions Fertility Clinic. But only Nicky knows just what was really stolen: a newborn being held for ransom. A newborn who is kin to both her and Holden. The missing boy is only the start of a mystery that snakes through Texas, winding its way through their families. Bad blood may linger between them, but Holden can protect his nephew back at the Silver Creek Ranch. If they can lay their past to rest to rescue this child, is it possible for them to have a future together? 






I enjoy a good romantic suspense novel or suspense-thriller and Fossen's Holden more than fills the bill. This story hits the ground running from page one and doesn't let up until the end. It's filled with action, intrigue, romantic chemistry, second chances, family feuds, and enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until the very end. 

Holden and Nicky are intriguing characters who had a brief relationship in the past that ended badly when Nicky did something she now regrets. Working together to find the missing baby quickly makes it clear that there's still attraction between them but Nicky's lies put Holden and his family in danger once before. Is she being completely honest this time and as deeper emotions come to the surface, will Holden believe in her enough to put his heart on the line one more time?

Nicky and Holden have a complicated past, made more so by the fact that their families are on opposite sides of the law. I found their journey believable and enjoyable but readers should know that their romance, while important, is secondary in this book. Holden is part of Harlequin's Intrigue line and as such the primary focus is on the action/suspense facet of the story. A bit more time devoted to the emotional development of their relationship would have been nice but there was enough for me to believe in their happy ending and I was so caught up in the action that I truly didn't miss it as much as I would have thought. Fossen skillfully leads her characters through an action-packed, edge-of-your-seat race to uncover a villain and save a baby before it's too late and I was with them every step of the way.  

Holden is the 10th book in Fossen's The Lawmen of Silver Creek Ranch series but stands well on its own. Several characters from previous books are featured in Holden but not having read their stories in no way lessened my enjoyment of this book. If anything, it made me excited to read their books! 

Whether she's writing straight western contemporary or western contemporary intrigue, I can always count on Delores Fossen to bring realistic, multi-layered characters and emotional, fast-paced, and thoroughly satisfying stories to life through the pages of her books. 

Winter Holiday Recipes (and reads!) - - B.J. Daniels

I'm delighted to host today's stop on the TLC Harlequin Winter Holiday Recipes (and reads!) tour featuring New York Times Bestselling author, B.J. Daniels. B.J. is here to share one of her favorite holiday treats to make and give away at Christmas. Please join me in giving her a warm Romance Dish welcome!

Read about the other authors and stops on the TLC Book Tours' Harlequin Winter Holiday Recipes (and reads!) tour by clicking here. 

Candy-Coated Pretzels

Ingredients:

·       Pretzels – 1 bag

·       Vanilla Almond Bark – 24 oz block

·       Peanut Butter – ½ cup

·       Sprinkles – for decorating

I love sending treats to the kids for the holidays. I have made cookies, fudge, caramels, spiced nuts, caramel corn, popcorn balls and candy-coated pretzels.

What is the first thing that they eat and wish they had more of? The candy-coated pretzels.

So I don’t think I need to tell you how many pretzels I make every season.

I’ve learned tricks on how to do them since I have to make so many.

Yes, they are easy, but time consuming. If you have any helpers around, they can do the sprinkles. This is the job that has to be done while the candy coating is still warm so a helper is always good.

Start with finding pretzels. I live in the sticks so it isn’t easy to find them. I like the large ones because the job goes faster, but often all I can find is the tiny twists (1 lb bag) or the Christmas shapes they sell at Walmart.

Next melt the Almond Bark in a large heavy bowl. A bowl that stays warm works best. There will be melting directions on the back. Just don’t overcook it. You want it melted enough that it coats but is easy to shake off the excess.

I melt the entire 24 oz block then I dump in about 1/3 of the pretzels and stir. You want to be able to stir so you can coat the pretzels. Too many pretzels just makes it harder.

I’ve learned a great trick. Use a metal skewer to hook onto a dozen of the coated pretzels. You can let the excess drop off, then slide off one after another onto a cookie sheet covered with foil. When full, just slide the foil off on the table and get another sheet.

The block of Almond Bark makes a bunch of pretzels. I often get over it when I still have coating left. Just add some peanut butter. Put some pretzels on a sheet of foil and pour the rest of the coating onto them. They will set up and you can break off chunks. The peanut better makes it seem almost healthy.

Trust me when I tell you that you can’t just eat one! Don’t eat while reading or they will all disappear and you won’t know where they went. J

Have a wonderful holiday.

B.J. Daniels

Thank you for joining us today, B.J.! 

Readers, do you have a favorite holiday recipe you'd like to share?

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A conman's daughter takes refuge with the family she never knew she had in New York Times bestseller B.J. Daniels's latest addition to the Cardwell family saga. 

Dee Anna Justice had thought that her convict father was her only living relative. Now Walter Justice, fearing for his daughter's safety, urges her to seek out her cousins in Montana. Calling in a decades-old debt, he also enlists private investigator Beau Tanner to protect her. 

Despite their fiery attraction, she resents the bodyguard her dad foists on her. Trust doesn't come easy to DJ. But the warm, embracing family she finds at Cardwell ranch just might begin to soften her suspicious nature, and learning to trust the sexy PI may be the key to saving her life.

Purchase Links

Amazon | Books-A-Million | Barnes & Noble

Connect with B. J. Daniels

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Today's Special - - Adrienne Giordano's The Rebel Book Tour

I'm happy to welcome Adrienne Giordano's The Rebel book tour to The Romance Dish!  I read The Rebel today and thoroughly enjoyed both the love story between David and Amanda and the mystery in which they find themselves enmeshed.  The Rebel is the fifth book in Giordano's Harlequin Intrigue series but stands well on its own. Several characters from the previous books have minor roles in this book but I didn't feel like I was missing anything by not having read those books. However, now that I've sampled Giordano's writing, I want to download the others...and I will! 

USA Today bestselling author Adrienne Giordano writes romantic suspense and mystery.  She is a Jersey girl at heart, but now lives in the Midwest with her workaholic husband, sports obsessed son and Buddy the Wheaten Terrorist (Terrier). She is a co-founder of Romance University blog and Lady Jane's Salon-Naperville, a reading series dedicated to romantic fiction. 

Connect with Adrienne:  Website / Newsletter / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Street Team

The Rebel

Harlequin Intrigue

By Adrienne Giordano

Release Date: October 1, 2015

Blog Tour Dates: October 1, 2015 – October 9, 2015

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Buy Links:  Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Google Play / Harlequin / Kobo

Book Summary:

Bad to the bone…in all the right ways 

A brilliant civil lawyer, David Hennings has always been the outsider—at odds with his wealthy family, shunning relationships, defying convention as a sexy leather-jacketed biker. Which is why sculptor Amanda LeBlanc agrees to his request to reconstruct a skull from a cold case murder. The instant heat between them is scorching. 

But once Amanda takes the job and gets too close to the rebellious attorney, her carefully balanced life is upended by a series of methodical attacks. Someone doesn't want her to finish the job. Now David will risk everything not to lose the woman he unknowingly put in jeopardy.

* * *

Excerpt 1 from The Rebel

Inside the stairwell of the hundred-year-old building on the city’s West Side, David climbed the last few steps leading to the landing of Amanda’s second-floor studio. He loved these old structures with the Portland stone and brick. The iconic columns on the facade urged the history major in him to research the place. Check the city records, see what information he could find on who’d built it, who’d lived here or which companies had run their wares through its doors.

Structures like this had a charm all their own that couldn’t be duplicated with modern wizardry. Old buildings, this building, had a life, a past to be researched and appreciated.

Or maybe he just wanted to believe that.

He rapped on the door. No hollow wood there. By the scarred look and feel of its heavy weight under his knuckles, it might be the original door. How amazing would that be?

The door swung open and a woman with lush curves a guy his size could wrap himself around greeted him. She wore jeans and a graphic T-shirt announcing he should make love, not war—gladly, sweetheart—and her honey-blond hair fell around her shoulders, curling at the ends. The whole look brought thoughts of lazy Sunday mornings, hot coffee and a few extracurricular activities, in a bed and out, David could think of.

To say the least, she affected him.

And she hadn’t even opened her mouth. Please don’t be an airhead.

“David?”

Yep. That was the voice from earlier. Soft and sweet and stirring up all kinds of images right along with Sunday mornings and coffee. With any luck, more than the coffee would be hot.

Hokay. Mission Pam Hennings getting derailed by wicked thoughts. Time to get serious.

“Hi. Amanda?”

“Yes.” She held her hand out. “Amanda LeBlanc.”

David grasped her hand and glanced down at her long, elegant fingers folding over his. Her silky skin absorbed his much larger hand, and he might like to stay this way awhile. Nice hands. Soft hands. He’d imagined a sculptor’s hands to be work-hardened and rough. Not that she swung an ax all day, but he’d expected…different.

“Um.” She pointed at their still joined hands. “I kinda need that hand back.”

Epic fail, Dave. He grinned and regrettably slid his hand away. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but where have you been all my life?”

As recoveries went, it wouldn’t be listed among the top hundred in brilliance, but a man had to work with what he had. Still, her lips, those extraordinary, shapely lips, twisted until she finally gave up and awarded him with a smile.

“Good one,” she said. “Come inside and we’ll talk about your project.”

 * * *


Check out the other books in Giordano's Harlequin Intrigue series!

Readers, do you enjoy romantic suspense?

Do you read Harlequin Intrigue?

Do you enjoy a bad boy hero who's a really good guy as much as I do?

There is a tour-wide giveaway of a $25.00 eGift Card to an online book retailer of winner’s choice and three swag packs.

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Blog Tour Stops

October 1, 2015

Peaces of Me

My book Addiction and More

HEA Romances With A Little Kick

The Reading Café

CK Crouch

Long and Short Reviews

Reading On The Rocks

October 2, 2015

Amy Manemann’s Blog

The Book Review

October 3, 2015

What I’m Reading

Harlequin Junkie

Romancing The Book

Just Romantic Suspense

October 4, 2015

A Chick Who Reads

Em & M Books

Renee Entress’s Blog

October 5, 2015

Recommended Romance

Urban Girl Reader

October 6, 2015

So Many Reads

SOS Aloha

October 7, 2015

Becky On Books

The Romance Dish

October 8, 2015

Book Binge

Lush Book Reviews

Harlie’s Books

Adventures in Writing

Romance Junkies

October 9, 2015

Just The Write Stuff

Cricket’s Chirps

Today's Special - - Debra Webb and Regan Black

You never know who you're going to meet when you say hello. Last October, I introduced myself to the woman sitting next to me in a workshop at the Moonlight and Magnolias conference in Atlanta. Turns out that woman was romantic suspense author Regan Black. I told her I was a book blogger. She told me about the series for Harlequin Intrigue that she's writing with Debra Webb and gave me a copy of the first book in the series, The Hunk Next Door which was due to be released the following month. It was love at first scene. (read my review here) The second book in the series, Heart of a Hero was released earlier this month and continues my love affair with this dynamic collaborative duo's heart-stopping romantic suspense stories. If you haven't read their books yet, I highly encourage you to give them a try. 

I'm delighted to host Regan and Debra today as they share with us some of the adventures of writing as a team.  Please welcome USA Today Bestselling authors Regan Black and Debra Webb!

Thanks for hosting us today, PJ!

Debra and I have known each other since I was a newbie at my first writing conference.  I was a huge fan of her novels and gushed like any good fan girl would. She was so inspiring and approachable (and patient) and she gave me amazing advice that weekend. A year later she gave me my first cover quote for my debut novel.

Fast forward almost a decade (notice neither of us has aged a bit!) and dozens of phone calls and we are exploring new adventures as a writing team. Joining forces was Deb’s idea, but it only took me about two seconds to think it over. Come on - the chance to write with my mentor and friend?

People ask us all the time how the co-writing works for us. First, you have to know Deb is an idea factory. She comes up with a scenario and creates a brief outline and then we talk and brainstorm until we have a story concept with characters we both love. And then we talk it out some more.

As we dig into the writing process, phones and text messaging are the lifeline. From the brainstorm to “What did you mean here?” to the final edits, we do it all by phone.

We still laugh about the day I was stuck on a backstory point with a hero and she said, “Oh! Maybe his parents were in the circus. That would give him…” My answer was something along the lines of a profound “Hmm. I’ll think about it.”

And I did. Because as resistant as I was to that particular idea, it was actually workable. It’s our inside joke now, but it’s probably a safe bet that circus parents will show up in one of our books eventually.

Of course there was the flurry of text messages when we realized I had set the story set in one place, and she had a chase and love scene set on the other side of the state. Neither of us had noticed it in the outline. We laughed a long time about the potential sexual tension on that drive.

What makes it work so well for us is our communication and appreciation for each other’s strengths. A good, similar sense of humor doesn’t hurt. Add in mutual trust and you’ve got the keys to our partnership.

The Hunk Next Door (Harlequin Intrigue Nov/2014) was our first release, kicking off The Specialists: Heroes Next Door series. The second story, Heart of a Hero hit the shelves on February 1st. To Honor and To Protect will be out June 1, 2015.

Because we were on a roll, Deb and I launched the Dangerous Protectors romantic suspense trilogy with Against The Wall (Dec/2014) Too Far Gone (Jan/2015) and Nothing To Lose (available Feb 27, 2015).

Of course we continue to work on our individual titles, but with every new story idea Deb and I get more excited to share our books with readers. Co-writing has been a joyful, energizing experience for both of us and I can hardly wait to dive into the adventures our next phone call will create.

Good luck to everyone in the Heart of a Hero giveaway!

Live the adventure,

Regan and Debra


Readers, if you teamed up with a friend to create something what would that special talent be? Writing? Blogging? Knitting? Photography? Baking? Some type of craft? Let's dish!

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment today will receive a copy of Heart of a Hero signed by both Regan and Debra. (open to everyone)

When she met and married the man of her dreams Debra put her writing aside and tried some other occupations, including door-to-door sales, various factories and restaurants, a day care center, a hospital and a department store. Shortly after the birth of her first daughter Debra’s husband joined the military and she decided to go to college. Eventually the U.S. Army took them to Berlin, Germany, and Debra accepted a position as secretary in the commanding general’s office. By 1985, they were back in the States, and her next major career move landed her at NASA in the Space Shuttle Program.

For more than a dozen years after returning to the States Debra and her family lived in a small Tennessee town where everyone knew everyone else. A few years after settling in Tennessee her second daughter was born. Though she hadn’t written in nearly two decades, in 1996 Debra took up writing again. With the support of her family and God’s blessing her dream of being published came true in March of 1999.

Debra’s life has come full circle now. She and her family, along with their three dogs, have moved back home to Alabama. With more than one hundred novels to her credit, Debra writes spine-tingling romantic suspense and thrillers.

Debra's websites: http://www.debrawebb.com/ and http://www.thefacesofevil.com/ (she hosts a weekly briefing at the faces of evil site every Friday with excerpts and giveaways)

As a USA Today bestselling author, Regan Black is fiercely committed to guiding readers through action-packed adventures to the best happily ever after endings so you can savor a fantastic escape from the daily grind. If you are looking for a proven author who delivers a fast-paced, exciting paranormal, urban fantasy, or romantic suspense novel for your essential escape, you’ve come to the right place. “With countless years of experience telling tales to amuse friends and family, my mission is to deliver stories from the heart, full of unforgettable, passionate characters who know what they want and are willing to risk it all to reach the goal.”

Join the adventure at 

http://www.ReganBlack.com
Twitter 

or on Facebook 

Trapped with a madman… 

Trail guide Charly Binali is alone in the Rockies with a madman and his armed mercenaries, and he's demanding she lead him to a powerful, hidden device. And when help comes in the unexpected form of her very hot neighborhood mailman, Charley discovers the "nice" guy she gave her heart to isn't who she thought. 

Undercover CIA agent Will Chase hated lying to Charly, but getting to that dangerous device first is a matter of national security. It's seven bad guys against him and Charly, but between his training and her survival skills, they just might beat the odds—if he can get her to ever trust him again.

The Hunk Next Door: http://www.amazon.com/Hunk-Next-Door-Specialists-Heroes-ebook/dp/B00K9ZXYW2

Heart of a Hero: http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Hero-Specialists-Heroes-Next-ebook/dp/B00O92RPGC

Against The Wall: http://www.amazon.com/Against-Wall-Dangerous-Protectors-Book-ebook/dp/B00PFZQ4PK

Too Far Gone: http://www.amazon.com/Too-Gone-Dangerous-Protectors-Book-ebook/dp/B00Q546HMK

Nothing To Lose:http://www.amazon.com/Nothing-Lose-Dangerous-Protectors-Book-ebook/dp/B00RTMK51G

To Honor and To Protect: http://www.amazon.com/Honor-Protect-Specialists-Heroes-Next-ebook/dp/B00R0IALWW