BKFUNNEL/Beside the Hollow Oak- A SAVANNAH SLEUTH MYSTERY #5 BY VERONICA MIXON

    amazon

 A missing baby. A buried secret. And an FBI cold case—definitely not what the Savannah Sleuths expected in retirement.  

Thank you for reading and reviewing this fifth book in the Savannah Sleuths Series. Your support means the world to me and I couldn't do this without you by my side! 

When a hurricane topples an oak in Savannah’s Forsyth Park, Emma Lynn Whitmore and her lifelong friend, Graham Boone, uncover a weather-beaten diaper bag tangled in the roots. Inside are baby clothes, a stuffed rabbit, and a mystery that has haunted the city for three years—the unsolved Prescott kidnapping.   Emma Lynn has no desire to clash with federal agents, but Savannah has a way of pulling her into puzzles she can’t ignore. With Margaret’s bossy determination, Graham’s quirky charm, and Wren—Graham’s brilliant niece, whose tech skills uncover digital trails no one else can see—the Sleuths are drawn into a web of family secrets, Savannah scandals, and lies weathered but not washed away.   Can three retirees and one sharp-eyed teenager solve the case the FBI left behind—or will the past reach forward to claim them too? Beside the Hollow Oak is a witty and heartwarming Southern cozy mystery filled with friendship, small-town intrigue, and just enough danger to keep you turning the pages. Perfect for fans of Ellery Adams, Vicki Delany, and Ann Ross.

 

MY 5 STAR REVIEW TITLED:  The Team does it again with a touch of romance 

Emma Lynn is a widow of a man named Henry.  She misses him and her grandmother who bequeathed her the cottage she lives in now. She's made updates to the place with the help of her friends. Graham has been in love with her for some time. Will he get a chance finally to make his move?  

Emma has ghost written for others for many years and now it looks like a mystery is chasing her and not letting go. Although others think maybe she should. But it's grabbed here by the heart and she just can't let go.  Especially when the grieving mother of the boy who was kidnapped visits and begs for their help. The mom is positive that her son Walker is still alive and it's not long before Emma is wondering too !

I loved the humor, emotions and connectives of this "family".  And Graham and Wren are a hoot ! Even stern Margaret has her own charm. 

 Great twists, and turns . And even  dead ends until the final great ending !

bkfunnel/ Kilts, Kisses & Chaos by Beatrice Bradshaw

   For any other questions, please contact:
Beatrice Bradshaw <author@beatricebradshaw.com>

Finding a home in the Highlands and love with her grumpy neighbour, Niall, seems like a fairy tale ending for Marla – even in modern times. But not all is perfect...

 

With this download, you're subscribing to Beatrice Bradshaw's newsletter – you'll receive special offers, new release details, this novella, ARC opportunities, and lots of bonus material delivered right to your inbox. All the goodies, straight from Scotland!

 

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THE STORY:  

Marla inherited Lady Hamilton's old castle – Hazelbrae House – in the small rural town of Kilcranach in the Scottish Highlands. After restoring and turning Hazelbrae into an official NHS retreat and local bed-and-breakfast, she is finally ready for the grand opening event. 

At least that's what she thought. Until one fiasco after another descends upon the celebration – attacking seagulls are just the beginning in a series of catastrophes. 

Amid the chaos, Marla’s and Niall’s old wounds, fears, and doubts make an unwelcome reappearance, threatening to unravel their relationship. And when Niall’s estranged mother suddenly shows up, tensions escalate. 

Will Marla and Niall’s bond withstand this Scottish comedy of errors – or will their hard earned happily ever after go up in peat smoke? 

(This story contains a bit of steam as well as some cursing. And maybe even a curse…)

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 My 4 Star Review TITLED: Surprising Grand Opening

I liked both Marla and Niall. They worked so hard together to make this a good, new castle to help others relax.  They also both had some serious issues when it comes to their self worth and fear of being left behind !

he Grand opening of the castle was hilarious in the disasters that happened but also some really funny moments too ! 

Jun2,2026-Readnow Netgelley/ Man of My Dreams A Novel by Olivia Worley

 

  Netgalley   

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers

Pub Date Jun 02 2026 | Archive Date Jun 16 2026   

St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

 A romance author is shocked when one of her characters-in-progress seemingly comes to life… but is he too good to be true, in this dramatic and twisty thriller perfect for fans of Ashley Winstead and Kate Alice Marshall, where the truth really is stranger than fiction.

Read this if you like:

*Meet cutes gone wrong (like, really, really wrong).

*Your boyfriends as unreliable as your narrators.

*Bringing him to meet your family, Murder Edition.

Bestselling romance author Ivy Harcourt has been as unlucky in love as she’s been successful in writing—as her sad relationship track attests, there are no good dating options left in New York . . . Until she rescues an escaped dog in the park, and runs into Liam. Charming, British, hot architect Liam. The exact description of the love interest in her next book.

When an instant connection leads to a whirlwind relationship, Ivy is convinced she’s found the dream man. Except he may be too perfect. He may be hiding something.

And Ivy may have secrets of her own..

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9781250372338
PRICE	$29.00 (USD)
PAGES	320

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------------------ My 5 Star review TITLED: Wild !

When I first started reading this book, it became clear that Xander was her ex-boyfriend. And Liam is her new great looking and wonderfully kind new boyfriend.  Then things began to make me feel like I fell through a rabbit hole. Something like Alice in Wonderland.   I was a bit confused at first but I just couldn't let go of this story.   I just had to know what was going on ! As time went on things just kept getting weirder.   

But the depth of this story, and the lies and cruelty that was involved made me gasp.  

The end I never saw coming but the twist was so stunning that I'm glad I read it to the end.   

 I read this story through Netgalley and I'm so glad that I did !

May 29/Bksprt/ STROKES OF TREASON by John Jess

   Bksprout

 Book 6 of A- MAX McCALLUM THRILLER

 

My job was simple: protect Ebony Turner.      She sees hidden lies in brushstrokes like others read a newspaper. She is brilliant, talented, and relentless. 

The painting she found isn’t art; it’s a key to a corruption network of donors, dealers, judges, and cops.

I vowed to keep her safe, but she defied expectations and the system that shaped her.

She trained to move through rooms of power, accept protection, and stay silent. Instead, she refused.

Her defiance has made us both targets; we are being hunted.

We move beneath the city's glamorous façade, where money buries the truth.

This city runs on secrets. At its core is Jeffrey Mercer, a titan of greed. He controls half of New York and aims to bury the truth, and anyone who has seen it.

I made Ebony a promise. I didn’t know the whole city would try to stop me from keeping it.

Mature

302 pages

English

Crime Fiction Psychological Thrillers Thrillers

Hosted by John Jess Team

Note from the Author

I'm sure you'll really enjoy this book. It's an intellectually engaging and satisfying thriller. Happy reading.

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--------------My 5 Star Review:TITLED:  The Games have already begun !

There is quite the mysterious beginning. Right off the bat I wondered who is Marianne Hartwell?   How does she figure in ? What's her game? 

It seemed like there were plenty of shadowy,  questionable other "players" in the game ! From the very beginning the story kept me guessing  

I liked both Max and Ebony.  They were sharp in their own ways and skills.  They were precise and watching for all the angles. Sometimes they got it right and sometimes they didn't.  There is no romance in the story but there is respect and attention to details and each other. But the story had great depth to it. All though, I have to admit that even though I enjoyed the story there were times that I didn't understand some of the details . The details that mainly Ebony was uncovering. But the ending?  Really good. 

 

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Bksprt-May 24, 2026/ Bad Boy I Shouldn't Want by Mia Amour

  Bksprout

 

 I was sent to expose him. Now I can’t stop craving the man I’m supposed to destroy.

I came chasing a case that’s put people in the hospital. Every lead lands on Colt Mercer.

I just didn’t expect him.

The quiet, dangerous man who runs everything from the shadows... And looks at me like he knows how I’d unravel.

Controlled. Untouchable. A mistake waiting to happen.

He should shut me out.

Instead, he pulls me deeper. Closer.

Until I’m surrounded. His space. His rules. His presence in every breath.

And those hands...

They don’t hesitate. They take.

The tension builds. Tight. Until it snaps, and I’m the one who lets it.

I don’t want him anymore. I’m addicted.

But the deeper I dig, the truth turns ugly. Someone inside his world is poisoning everything he built.

And Colt?

He’s either the man keeping me alive... Or the reason I was sent here.

Because if I get this wrong...

I won’t just lose the case. I’ll lose myself to the man who was never supposed to let me go

Explicit

310 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Small Town Romance Forced Proximity Protector Hero Alpha Male Slow Burn Suspense Romance Small Town Former MC Brotherhood Strong Willed Heroine High Heat

Hosted by Mia Amour ARC Team Group

Note from the Author

Thank you ahead of time and looking forward on hearing your feedback.

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____My 5 Star Review TITLED:   They all are going to have to work together 

 Both main characters were unique and likeable. Even lovable in their strengths and how they work things out. 

Colt Mercer is at his dock at 3 am, restless and concerned. Because something isn't right and he's trying to figure it out.   Out of the dark a single car pulls into the end of his dock.  Out comes a beautiful woman who is sharp and has the feeling of Fed all over her.   It's Agent Sierra Cross. They take each others measure. I loved how Colt kept rolling that toothpick in his mouth as he grinned and strolled towards her.  And they try to stuff down the attraction between them.  There is serious damage being done, people being injured and killed. Sierra has a grudge in the match because a man, named Tomas was someone she swore to protect and then he was killed in a warehouse fire !! She demands the truth !  She then gets sent a threat via text!  The same wording that Tomas got before he was murdered. 

Colt Mercer has a group of dangerous, protective, skilled men who all have their different skills and businesses. I loved the variety of that team and that whatever Colt needed in his winery business they have his back.  They are incensed when they all know that contaminated product has been moving through Colt's dock. And Colt is angry that he didn't catch it ! Colt is surprised that Sierra is steps way ahead of him on this. 

 The danger increases when someone tries to kill Agent Cross.  Colt was already feeling protective of her and all his cold rage explodes in him when someone makes that first attempt. 

  I loved the teamwork, the tension the romance and the ending ! 

  I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

May 26-Bksprout Hunted by the Lost Heir Moretti Dynasty Series by Ivy Lenox

  Bksprout

 

They've touched what's mine. Now blood will be spilled.

As one of NYPD’s top organized crime detectives, I’ve spent years trying to destroy New York’s most powerful mafia dynasty...the Moretti's.

One warehouse shootout changes everything.

I  met a woman I was never supposed to meet.

She steals my gun. Then she saves my life.

Nadia Ferraro's brilliant, ruthless, and dangerously tied to the Morettis. She’s also hiding secrets powerful enough to destroy empires.

I should arrest her. I should stay away from her.

Instead, I can’t stop touching her.

When Nadia's kidnapped by enemies tied to a deadly Greek syndicate, I burn New York to bring her back.

But the deeper I dig, the more dangerous the truth becomes.

Because the Morettis aren’t my greatest enemy.

They’re my blood.

Explicit

153 pages

English

Crime Fiction Contemporary Romance Dark Romance mafia romance enemies to lovers forced proximity hidden identity protector hero possessive hero family secrets detective hero kidnapping dark romance

Hosted by Ivy Lenox's ARC team

Review on at least 1:

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_________________

My 5 Star Review TITLED: Best

This is the best lost/hidden heir story that I've read in a long time ! Sean Donovan is NOT Irish by birth but had two loving parents who loved him beyond anything else !  But Sean's "father" has a dark secret that he's hidden for years. Sean is about to have shock after shock to deal with. And Nadia is WAY ahead of him ! They save each other even before either of them know the full game. But Nadia just CAN'T kill him ! There's just something about hm and she's going to figure it all out and it's going to be as fast as she can. She has sources but so does Sean.  No one really realizes at first just who has been puling their strings.  I loved strong, lethal Nadia and how the two of them got together. It looked like Nadia and Sean are an unlikely couple but they are not ! The two of the are the Best together.  

The Mortetti family turns out to be a dangerous but also a lovely surprise.  

Everything turned out better than anyone could have guessed. Great romance, great ending ! 

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

May12-bksprt/ Predator: A Dark Mafia Arranged Marriage Romance (King of the Mafia Book Five) by Ivy Davis

  Bksprout

I had to marry him for politics.

But I had no idea who the man I was bound to forever really was.

 

Marco Amato. Handsome, older, dangerous.

The man my father forces me to marry.

It’s the last thing I want.

But after my brother fails to kill Marco, I have no choice but to end up as a wife.

At first, I hate my husband but after a while, he stirs something inside of me.

The only problem is: my new husband has a secret.

One that could destroy our relationship and everything I’ve worked for.

Can I truly be happy to the man I was forced to marry?

Or will everything crash and burn?

Explicit

170 pages

English

Contemporary Romance Romantic Suspense Dark Romance mafia romance dark mafia romance arranged marriage romance mafia arranged marriage age gap mafia romance age gap romance mafia billionaire romance mafia enemies to lovers enemies to lovers romance mafia forced marriage romance

Hosted by Ivy Davis's review team

Note from the Author

Than you for taking the time to review my book. Predator is the fifth book in the King of the Mafia series but can be read as a standalone.

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--My 5 Star Review TITLED: A Rebellious Woman & A Vengeful Man

 

Forty year old Marco  Amato is determined to form an alliance with the Irish Mob. He's and Italian mob man who was almost killed.  He was shot by the very hit man that he hired  and was left for dead. He's healed now about his hand is still messed up.  Now he is determined to marry Patrick Sullivan's daughter to form a powerful alliance against his very own mob family.  He doesn't want to marry a spoiled child but he was the power that the union will bring.   Ciara wants no part of this arranged marriage and wants out even if her brother Cormac has to kill Marco.  Which her brother is VERY willing to do even though it goes against what his father wants done ! 

Enzo Bianchi has taken over the Italian mob when everyone thought Marco was dead. He now  has aligned himself with the Russian Bratva. And Marco wants Enzo and the hit-man, Will Taylor dead. 

Ciara is a spoiled, entitled young woman who is 20 years younger than Marco.  And she is all in when it comes to Cormac killing her intended groom, Marco. He doesn't succeed but that doesn't mean that he will stop trying. Ciara starts to have mixed feelings about Marco, even though she realizes he's not only handsome but truly dangerous.  They don't trust each other and agree to just "look Married" but also go their own way after their forced honeymoon to Italy for a week. Yeah, I don't see things working out exactly as they planned ! I found them humorous in that determination.

But the story kept me going in the story because of their drama, her brother's continued drama on Ciara's behalf.    And I thought that they could be happy with each other if they just let go of their resentments !

I enjoyed this story and was glad that Booksprout gave me the opportunity to read it !