books

Holiday Highlight: Breaking Her Enforcer by Amber Daulton

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

If you’ve been following Amber’s guest posts on my blog, you know that she is consistently adding to her Lozano Cartel series. And the newest Lozano Cartel title comes out next week on October 6, 2026! It’s called Breaking Her Enforcer, and has a unique twist on a beloved holiday: Christmas. I have interviewed Amber on the holiday aspect of the story, which you can read below.

1. What holiday does your story highlight?

Breaking Her Enforcer takes place in December with Christmas quickly approaching. Marisol and Ángel are moving through their lives with signs of the holiday all around them. From the Christmas trees, garland, and nativity sets to the bouncy music and some scrumptious dishes that made my stomach growl when I writing those scenes, Christmas is in full swing. The holiday culminates in the final chapters, when both Marisol and Ángel confront their families and their pasts. So while this is absolutely a dark stalker romance, the holiday season provides the emotional backdrop.

2. What inspired you to choose that holiday when you were writing your story?

I had several emotional themes in mind when I was coming up with the plot, which include: family, loss, forgiveness, second chances, and coming home. These themes are often featured in Christmas movies and books, though Breaking Her Enforcer is definitely NOT meant for the Hallmark crowd. Plus, the last book in the series (Corrupting His Wife) took place in October, so the possible timeline to set this one at Christmas was too good to pass up. For Marisol, Christmas has traditionally been a time when her brother Raul came home to celebrate with her. This year is going to be completely different. For Ángel, Christmas represents home in a different way. He’s been estranged from his parents for years, and the holiday gives him a reason—and an emotional push—to finally return and try to make amends

3. How do your characters celebrate Christmas? What’s similar or different for the average reader?

My characters celebrate Christmas in many ways that will feel familiar to readers. Their homes and workplaces are decorated with Christmas trees, ornaments, wreaths, lights, and other holiday decorations. Ángel’s family also has a strong religious tradition, including attending Mass and gathering with their extended family for a large Christmas Eve dinner. Food plays an important role in their celebration, with homemade dishes, desserts, and leftovers shared among family members.


What may feel different for some readers is the Mexican setting and the way cultural and Catholic traditions shape the holiday. Christmas is very much a family-centered occasion for these characters, but their celebrations also take place within the darker world of the cartel. That creates an unusual contrast between the warmth and familiarity of Christmas and the violence and danger surrounding the characters. For example, during one confrontation in Marisol’s home, Bruno knocks over a crucifix and kicks it into her lit Christmas tree, breaking several ornaments. So while readers may recognize many of the traditions—the decorations, food, religious observances, family gatherings, and gift-giving—their experience of Christmas is complicated by the dangers and emotional turmoil that come with living in the cartel world.

4. How does the holiday play into the overall plot?

Christmas becomes an emotional deadline for my protagonists. For Marisol, she has to learn to let go of the past. For Ángel, he has to learn that it’s time to go home. And that mirrors their romance perfectly. They both spend Christmas dealing with family wounds and growing as people, as well as deciding on what kind of family and future they want to create together.

5. Anything else you’d like to share?

The next book in the Lozano Cartel series is Her Twisted Bodyguard, which follows Carlota Lozano and Tajo Aguilar. Fans have been hungry for Carlota’s story for a while! Carlota is a cartel princess trapped in an unhappy marriage to Manuel, a ruthless capo. Tajo is her husband’s estranged half-brother, and he’s willing to use Carlota to get revenge. Neither expected that they would have to work together to stay alive. Her Twisted Bodyguard will be live in May 2027.

Amber Daulton writes raw, edgy romantic suspense and dark cartel romance featuring high stakes, deep
passion, and defiant hearts. She’s the author of the Lozano Cartel, Arresting Onyx, Embracing You, and
Ramseys in Time series, as well as a rich catalog of standalone novellas. Her books are available
worldwide in digital, print, and select audio formats.
From her home base in North Carolina, she builds dangerous criminal underworlds and maps out
fierce, second-chance love stories alongside her supportive husband and her demanding feline writing
assistant, Zita.

Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the
Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook and
print on demand while select titles are in audio and foreign language formats.
She lives in North Carolina, USA, with her husband and demanding cats. Connect with her and purchase her books on her website: https://amberdaulton.com

A drive-by shooting lands him in the hospital. And in the arms of temptation.
Cartel enforcer Ángel Rascón knows he should stay away from the woman who saved his life. Marisol
is a sensual blend of fire and innocence, irresistible to his inner beast. She’s also the little sister of a
man now on the run from the cartel—Ángel’s friend and former partner. Getting involved with her
could destroy everything he’s worked for, but when she’s threatened, it’s game on.
Physical therapist Marisol Cruz knows Ángel is dangerous, yet he’s always there. Watching. Waiting.
Wanting. After her brother’s enemies track her down, Ángel appoints himself her protector with every
intoxicating kiss.
Ángel will have to risk his position—and his life—to keep her safe. But Marisol faces the most
devastating choice of all. Loving her stubborn enforcer may mean losing her brother forever.


– Book 3.5 in the dark romance series, the Lozano Cartel. All the books can be read as a standalone,
but are part of an interconnected series.
– Scenes featuring gang violence and suicide may be uncomfortable for some readers.
– No cheating. HEA guaranteed!

Ángel latched the squeaky iron gate behind him and crept across Marisol’s darkened front yard.
The soothing droll of crickets masked the sound of his footsteps while the overgrown trees, shrubs, and
cacti at the far property line shielded him from any nosy neighbors. Not that she had any in this quiet,
working-class neighborhood on the city’s outskirts. As he braced himself against the side of her house,
the rough stucco scraped his jacket and the back of his head as it always did. Yellow light poured from
the living room window in horizontal beams as though to expose him.


Fuck that. He wasn’t an amateur.


Faint music seeped from inside the house.


He smirked, willing to bet his bank account that Marisol was streaming reruns of her favorite
telenovela. Desperate for a glimpse of her, he pressed closer toward the glass pane and peered through
the slatted blinds.


Inside, Marisol was bundled under a thick red-and-green checkered quilt on the sofa and cheered like a love-struck teenager over something that happened on the TV.


Damn right. He knew his woman well. From the high-stakes story lines to the nineteenth-
century period costumes, Las Sombras del Imperio had found its way into countless living rooms
across the country. Including his own.


After the program ended, Marisol turned off the television and grabbed her dinner plate and
glass.


He darted around the house and ducked under a mesquite branch in the side yard. The crisp
breeze rustled through the leafy branches, swept back his hair, and chilled his skin. Gritting his teeth,
he huddled deeper into his denim jacket. His thick, cable-knit shirt caught against the hard ridge over
his collarbone, irritating the taut skin. A deep, metallic chill radiated from the inside out, numbing the
fracture site with a dull ache. He yanked the collar away from his neck and cursed.


Light now streamed out from the kitchen window.


As the rambunctious mutt next door yapped at something stirring in the bushes, Marisol peered
out the glass into the darkness. Fine lines crimped her face.


Ángel slunk deeper into the shadowy foliage. Once she focused on washing the dishes, he
swiped a branch out of his way and rolled his tight, sore shoulders. A low grunt tore from his mouth.
Distant laughter rang out, disrupting the tranquility of the night.


He tsked, shaking his head. The university-aged kids who lived in that dingy house at the end of
the street were partying again. It was only Thursday, for fuck’s sake. Sighing, he pinched the bridge of
his nose. As if he had any room to judge. At twenty-eight years old, he’d surely partied harder than
those guys down the block could imagine.


He pulled his phone from his jeans back pocket and checked his notifications. Nothing from
Raul. Or Muniz. What the hell was going on with them? He slid the cell back in.
A crash echoed from the other side of the house.


Ángel jerked upright.


Marisol flung her dish towel aside and raced out of the kitchen.


“Mierda,” Ángel dashed back around the house and snatched his gun from his hip holster. His
pulse thundered in his ears. Icy dread slashed through his stomach.


The front door hung open.


“Get out!” Marisol shouted from inside. Something shattered. “Get out of my house!”

An Oldie But a Goodie: In the Crosshairs: The Body on Leffis Key by M.S. Spencer

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Wednesday is the 2nd book birthday for In the Crosshairs: The Body on Leffis Key by M.S. Spencer! Ms. Spencer is celebrating this special milestone here on my blog. I had the honor of asking her a few questions about her book.

How long has your book been out? When was it originally released?

This will be In the Crosshairs’ second anniversary. It was published by The Wild Rose Press on May 27, 2024.

Can you tell us about your story, world, and characters?

In the Crosshairs: the Body on Leffis Key, combines several interests of mine—Florida, birdwatching, and national politics. It takes place on a small key adjacent to Longboat Key, on the gulf coast of Florida. A strip of low dune and mangrove swamp, Leffis Key is home to the Marine Rescue Facility and a nature walk. Palmer Lind, the heroine, is a birder on a trek down the east coast after losing her husband. The stranger who helps her is a refugee from Capitol Hill, hiding from those who may have murdered his boss, a senator. He rents a conch house and owns one each of many vehicles, from planes to boats to a refurbished classic Airstream camper.

That sounds fascinating! What inspired this story?

I started writing this book after I came across an obscure news item about the Chinese buying up US farmland. It intrigued—and concerned—me. I decided to insert it as a plot element in a novel—and what to my wonderment should happen but two years later it’s a full-blown global issue!

I set In the Crosshairs on the gulf coast of Florida because that’s where I live. Let me explain with a short excerpt from the book: 

“A beam of red light shot through her window. Sunset already? She got up, fixed herself a drink, and took it to the balcony. She watched as the sun sank into the gulf, long, needle-like pincers of light stretching out as though it wanted to hook the horizon and hang on for dear life. Like Kilroy, whatever was pulling it from below won the battle and the sun dipped, leaving its signature green spot as a token of affection for the world.”

This is what it’s like to live on the Gulf Coast of Florida. By day the sky is the deep blue of Paul Newman’s eyes; at close of day it’s flooded with a full palette of reds, oranges, pinks and purples. Put it this way: I have a lot of pictures of my children—I have even more pictures of sunsets in Sarasota!

View from Leffis Key

That does sound beautiful. I would love to make it to Florida one day. Can you give us a brief look at your writing process? Are you a plotter or pantser? How much time did you spend on this project? What is your writing schedule like?

I have the luxury, being retired—kids grown, husband looking down on me from above, no mortgage—of being able to write whenever I want. Which usually means every day for at least four hours. Producing a full-length novel takes about a year, from first draft to release. My first draft is usually an expansive outline, about 30,000 words. After the plotline is set I can focus on building the characters and elaborate on the setting and atmosphere. Once those are established, I concentrate on ironing out any inconsistencies, creating red herrings, and refining the mystery. So I guess you could say I’m a plontster. 

I love that combination word. I think most authors are somewhere between the two. Is there anything else you’d like to share?

My interest in national politics stems from my years working on Capitol Hill—for the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, as a speechwriter for a Senator, and then at the Dept. of the Interior. Once you’ve seen the inner workings of federal government, you’ll never believe a single news article again!

Palmer Lind, recovering from the sudden death of her husband, embarks on a bird-watching trek to the Gulf Coast of Florida. One hot day on Leffis Key she comes upon—not the life bird she was hoping for—but a floating corpse. The handsome beach bum who appears on the scene at the same time seems to have even more secrets than the dead man.

His story begins to unravel as the pair search for answers to a growing pile of dead bodies. Spies, radical environmentalists, and wealthy businessmen circle around each other in a complex dance. Which one is lying? What do a seemingly random group of individuals have in common, other than being targeted by a crossbow?

Pick up a copy of In the Crosshairs: The Body of Leffis Key at your preferred retailer:

Amazon  Barnes&Noble  ITunes  Kobo  Google  BooksAMillion

Books2Read  WildRosePress    AmazonCA   AmazonUKAngus&RobertsonIndigoGooglePlay

Librarian, anthropologist, research assistant, Congressional aide, speechwriter, nonprofit director—M. S. Spencer has lived or traveled in five of the seven continents and holds degrees in Anthropology, Middle East Studies, and Library Science. She has published eighteen mystery or romantic suspense novels. She has two children, an exuberant granddaughter, and currently divides her time between the Gulf Coast of Florida and a tiny village in Maine.

Follow M.S. Spencer on your preferred social media:

Blog: https://msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/msspencermysteries

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/msspencerauthor

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/msspencer
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/msspencerauthor/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-s-spencer

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B002ZOEUC8

BookDNA: https://bookdna.com/search/author/21204

New Release: Twice in a Lifetime Series by Jana Richards

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Today’s guest author has not one, but three new books to talk about. Her Twice in a Lifetime series released in March of this year. Please welcome Jana Richards.

Hi, I’m romance writer Jana Richards, and my latest releases are the three books in the Twice in a Lifetime time-travel romance series. Gabriel Daniels finds himself in a waiting room next door to Heaven after being involved in a car wreck. In order to earn his wings and a place in Heaven he must help three mortals get a second chance at love. Senior angel Thomas will act as Gabriel’s guide and mentor on this journey. And if he’s successful, he’ll be allowed to watch over the people he loved back on Earth.

There’s a catch: Gabriel must examine events of his own life before reaching Heaven. Thomas argues he won’t be ready to accept the perfection of his angelic life until he recognizes and accepts the mistakes he made in his mortal life, especially his mistakes with love. Gabriel isn’t happy about having to relive painful events, but since it’s the only way he can help his family, he agrees. 

And then they’re off. In I’LL BE SEEING YOU, Thomas and Gabriel’s first challenge is to take World War Two veteran Frank back to 1944 to help him correct the biggest mistake he made with love. In NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE, Gabriel takes Joanna back to the 1970s and convinces her to help the fiancé she broke up with when she became paraplegic. In the final book, WHEN I WAS YOUR MAN, Gabriel takes his client Sam back in time ten years to convince him to marry the woman he jilted at the altar. As his clients learn and grow and make new decisions, Gabriel faces his own past and begins to see his mortal life differently. 

What Inspired the Series

I’ve been inspired by World War Two stories most of my life, since my father was a WW2 veteran. I am drawn to stories of romances hastened by the danger of war. I’m especially fascinated by romances between men and women from different countries who never would have met if they hadn’t been thrown together by war.

When I first began writing what eventually became I’LL BE SEEING YOU, I never thought of the book as part of a series. I wrote Frank, the World War Two veteran, as the main character and everything was told from his point of view. But then I began to think that a more interesting perspective might come from Gabriel, the angel. What was his story? How did he end up becoming an angel? Writing from Gabriel’s point of view also gave me the opportunity to create a series in different time periods. So, I sketched out a very brief outline of what a series of three books would look like. And then I set those ideas aside till I could get back to them. I didn’t know it would take almost ten years to do so. In between I wrote several other books, but I always had the Twice in a Lifetime series in the back of my mind, waiting patiently for its time to shine.

Bringing the Series to Life

Finally in early 2024, I had the opportunity to delve back into this series. I started with an unfinished manuscript that I had to rework, and two paragraphs outlining the next two books. It took a lot of work, but finally in March 2026, the Twice in a Lifetime series was released. 

Since I self-published this series, I had several additional tasks, aside from the writing. Of course, every writer needs to work with a good editor. There were two rounds of professional editing for each book. Then I consulted with a cover artist to get the feeling I wanted to achieve with these books. After that I formatted the interior of the books for both paperback and ebook formats, and finally uploaded them to retailers. 

Self-publishing is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s a lot of work. But it is also very rewarding, especially for someone like me who’s a bit of a control freak when it comes to my work. 

My Writing Process

I admit my writing process can be somewhat chaotic. My desk ends up littered with multiple pieces of scrap paper with scribbled notes about plot points and character traits. I’m sort of organized in that I always begin by writing an outline of the main plot of a story so that I have a place to start, and something to refer back to when I get stuck. It’s my way of telling myself the story. But the outline isn’t written in stone. If some new, better ideas occur to me as I’m writing, I’ll follow them if they make the story better. I consider myself a cross between a plotter and a pantster. 

When I’m in the thick of a writing project, I try to work at it consistently, at least five days a week. It’s the only way I know to get the work done and to stay in the flow of the story.

Outside of Writing

I retired from my day job as bookkeeper/admin assistant in December 2021 so now I can write almost full-time. But I leave time for other things, like family, especially my three-year-old granddaughter. I also spend summers volunteering at my local zoo, which I enjoy very much. And somewhere in between I try to make time for exercise and a social life!

Thanks for having me on your blog, Chelsey!

As a former history teacher, this series sounds intriguing! I also love a good WWII story as that’s the era of my great-grandparents romance as well. Here is some more information about Jana and her writing:

Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length contemporary romance, paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting than peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better). 

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren and a senior cat named Layla. You can reach her through her website at https://www.janarichards.com

Titanic Facts for the Casual Fan

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

A traveling Titanic museum, Titanic The Exhibition, is currently set up in my area. I have always found the history of the Titanic fascinating, and walked through the museum. I’m not a Titanic expert by any means, so I found many parts of the museum informative and new. 

Titanic Postcards

There are dozens (potentially hundreds) of various postcards from the time period featuring the Titanic. There are real photos of the ship being built and sitting fully built in port. And there are hand drawn likenesses of the various phases of being built, sitting in port, sailing on the ocean, and sinking.

Seeing the postcards didn’t surprise me as much as it reminded me how much times have changed. Because everyone has a camera on their phone, we aren’t buying postcards of the places we visit anymore. I think the last time I bought a postcard was in 2005 when I visited New Zealand and Australia. I want to start looking for postcards again when I travel.

Vaccination cards

Vaccination against smallpox was required for immigrants to enter the United States during this time. So immigrants using the White Star Line ships to move to the U.S. had White Star Line vaccination cards. The photo below is a vaccination card for the S.S. Celtic, but the Titanic card would have looked similar.

The “packing list”

Packing for any trip is always such a feat. I make a list that is double and triple checked, and I still inevitably miss something. I cannot imagine how much food to plan for thousands of people.

The Quality of rooms and dinnerware 

I didn’t get a picture of the models of rooms and examples of dinnerware for first class, second class, and third class. But with each example, there was a plaque that explained how second class on the Titanic was better than first class on all other ships. Third class was also much better than the passengers anticipated. Which would make first class the best in the world. Titanic truly was a luxury ship for the time period. 

The infamous third class gates 

There was a poster next to the replica of the gates that explained the gates were always locked to prevent third class passengers from visiting the first and second class areas of the ship. They weren’t locked just on the night of the sinking to prevent the 3rd class passengers from getting to the life boats (like in the movie). In the chaos of the sinking, most of the gates were left locked due to forgetfulness, not malice, which (in addition to not enough life boats) is why so many 3rd class passengers died during the sinking. Which is still really terrible! It reminds me of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire from the late 1800s. The owner of the factory locked workers in to prevent them from taking breaks or leaving early. When the factory caught fire, no one could escape, and most of the employees died. Between these two tragedies (and probably others), there are now laws about emergency exits and locked doors/gates in regards to safety. 

The Promenade Deck

This was for first class passengers to walk along for socializing. In fact, the poster said this was how mothers showed off their single daughters. And I immediately thought of Bridgerton! I imagine the promenade deck is the one Jack teaches Rose how to spit off of. I didn’t take a picture of the replica, but I did take a selfie with my husband while we were sitting on one of the benches. I certainly would have noticed him on a promenade!

The Iceberg

I knew that the Titanic received an iceberg warning that was pocketed by Mr. Ismay. What I didn’t know was that there were 5 iceberg warnings sent out to whatever ships might be sailing that part of the Atlantic. And when the Titanic hit the iceberg and began to sink, they sent out SOS messages all over. The museum had a wall that quoted the final correspondence between Titanic and other ships. Those ships received updates as they sailed toward the Titanic. As we know, none made it in time, and one arrived to rescue the survivors.

The same room with the iceberg correspondences also had a sheet of ice kept at two degrees above what the Atlantic ocean was that night. Visitors are allowed to touch the ice. It hurts. I can’t imagine falling into that water.

Connections to Utah

The museum had a room titled “Connections to Utah” where passengers who were either from Utah or spent any significant time in Utah were highlighted. The one that stuck out to me the most was Irene Corbett. She traveled to England for an education in nursing. Irene could have gotten on a lifeboat as a 2nd class passenger, but different accounts have been combined to guess that she gave up her seat to help others. She perished. Her children were then raised by their grandparents. She is the only known Latter-day Saint to perish in the sinking. 

I imagine that this room changes based on location. I would love to know the passenger highlights for the other states.

Real Life Romances on the Titanic

There were several real life couples who either met on the Titanic or used the Titanic to travel to America after marrying or planned to marry in America. Their stories inspired the fictional characters of Jack and Rose.

The Original Go Fund Me

There was a Titanic Relief Fund that people could donate to that helped the survivors and sufferers of the sinking. I don’t know why learning that fact surprised me so much, but I enjoyed the information. 

Goodbye

What’s left of the ship is currently disintegrating, and it is projected that Titanic will cease to exist by 2050. I know that most materials are not permanent, and the Titanic did sink over 100 years ago, but that bit of information was very surprising to me. 2050 is not too far off. That will be in most of our lifetimes. It’s sad to me.

The Titanic continues to gauge the interest of many people, and I imagine it will continue to be an event that people study. What’s an intriguing Titanic fact you know? Share it in the comments!

My Top 5 Reads of 2025

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

Okay, it’s technically my top 8 reads of 2025, but 4 of them are in the same series, so I’m reviewing them together. 

I read 41 books this year – 2 more than my goodreads goal! 5 (8) of them I loved so much, I need to share them with you.

Remember When We by Khardine Gray. 

Khardine Gray also writes under the name Faith Summers. Whether she’s writing as Khardine or Faith, her series are all mafia romances. Remember When We is my absolute favorite of hers. It’s the third installment of her Gangster and Dolls series. It’s a second chance romance with the older brother’s best friend and secret baby tropes weaved into the plot. Lyssa and Gio haven’t seen each other in almost a decade. The death of Lyssa’s brother, Gio’s best friend tore them apart. Now they’re back in each other’s lives, and Lyssa owes money to the wrong man. Gio must not only win back her heart, but also save her from dangerous men who want to harm her.

Khardine/Faith write very spicy love scenes, and most of her MMCs are morally grey and very alpha-like. Several of her stories cross the line for me; but knowing that she has stories like Remember When We keeps me reading her stuff.

Queen Charlotte by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes

Unlike the other Bridgerton stories, Queen Charlotte the book was released after Queen Charlotte the limited Netflix series. But like most film-book comparisons, the book is better! What I love about reading is that we get to experience the characters’ emotions in their heads. On screen, we guess what they’re feeling by their body language and tone of voice. Like the mini-series, Queen Charlotte follows Charlotte and George’s early days as newlyweds, Brimsley and Reynolds’ relationship, and Lady Danbury’s fight to keep her children’s rightful status after her husband dies. The book also gets a couple of scenes that aren’t in the show. My guess is they are scenes that either got deleted from final edits, or were never filmed due to time. And finally, Brimsley and Reynolds’ love story is so much better in the book. I didn’t like their story in the show. I thought Reynolds was toxic and verbally abusive. In the book, Brimsley calls Reynsolds out on this unequal behavior, and Reynolds changes for the better by the end of the book.

I’m all for Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes continuing to give side characters their own story. 

The Rokesby Series by Julia Quinn

  • Because of Miss Bridgerton
  • The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
  • The Other Miss Bridgerton
  • First Comes Scandal

These four books are considered the Bridgerton Prequels. The MMCs of each book are a son in the Rokesby family – the family whose countryside property is next to the Bridgerton’s Aubrey Hall. And three of the FMCs are a Bridgerton girl; either a sister or cousin to Edmund Bridgerton (Violet’s husband and father to the eight main Bridgertons). I argue that these four books are better than the original eight Bridgerton books. But I’m sure it’s because Julia Quinn started with the Bridgerton books, and simply improved her plot creativity and writing skills as she wrote and published more. Let’s dive in to a brief summary of each:

Because of Miss Bridgerton is about the oldest Rokesby, George, and the oldest Bridgerton Billie (Sibylla). They think they hate each other, but their mothers know better and hook them up with an elaborate scheme of dinner parties and visiting London.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband takes us to the colonies on the North American continent during the American Revolution. Edward, the second oldest Rokesby is serving the King in his Majesty’s army. Cecilia has traveled to the colonies to find her injured brother, who happens to be Edward’s best friend. In order to get the answers she seeks, Cecilia needs the Rokesby name, and pretends to be married to Edward.

The Other Miss Bridgerton is about the third Rokesby, Andrew, and a Bridgerton cousin, Poppy. Andrew is a ship captain. His ship participates in some legit business and some pirate-level business. Poppy gets kidnapped by some of his crew, and he has to take care of her while they make an important and deadline-driven journey to Portugal. 

First Comes Scandal is about the youngest Rokesby, Nicholas, and the youngest Bridgerton Georgie (Georgiana). Georgie’s reputation has been compromised by a malicious young man who wanted to force her to marry him. Nicholas’ father asks him to marry her in order to save her from a life of spinsterhood and a soiled reputation. Their love story begins after their marriage. 

In usual Julia Quinn fashion, these four stories are full of witty women, temperamental men, and comedy. I love her writing, and this is my favorite series of hers (so far).    

Romney: A Reckoning by McKay Coppins

I didn’t know who Mitt Romney was before he became a real contender in the 2012 Republican primaries. Part of that is because I was too young to vote or care before then, and part because I took a political science class during that time, so of course my professor used class time to closely follow the campaigns. Over the years, I have grown to greatly respect Mitt Romney, especially during his time as a Senator representing Utah. Reading this biography that covers both his personal and political life was very enlightening, and I like him even more now. Mitt Romney always tries to do what he thinks is right, even when others disagree with and disparage him. I think he’s a great role model for future politicians. 

Zalis by Nancey Cummings

Nancey Cummings writes science fiction romances, and her longest running series is the Warlord Brides/Warriors of Sangrin series. Zalis is the 13th installment in that series (16th, if you count the three side stories, which I do). It popped up on my “Because you read…” recommendations on my kindle, and I bought it right away and started reading immediately. Zalis is an alien warrior, his species is called Mahdfel, and he is of the Sangrin line. He meets his human mate when he rescues her in a group of kidnapped human women to be sold on the sentient being trafficking market. Gemma does not want to go back to earth, so she accepts a match with Zalis in order to stay near her twin sister. What will start as a marriage of convenience, has the chance to bud into love. I love Nancy Cummings’ writing. She is creative in her world building. She develops humorous and witty characters. Most authors cannot continue a series for this long and keep it entertaining with readers still wanting more. But I do want more, and her acknowledgements at the end of Zalis do promise more in due time!

What were your favorite books that you read in 2025? Share them in the comments!

Should you repeat a writers conference?

Posted on by Chelsey M. Ortega

In June 2023, I took the opportunity to attend my first educator’s conference with my administrators and several other teachers. The conference was in Austin, Texas. I’d never been to Texas before, so that in and of itself was motivation enough to accept an everything-but-meals-and-activities paid trip. About halfway through the conference, one of my colleagues said that he’d attended this exact conference with his previous school a few years prior, and the sessions and keynotes were the exact same. So he spent the week picking sessions he didn’t pick last time, or just enjoying himself in a city he’d never been to. Six months later, that same conference came to Salt Lake City, Utah – an hour north of us. Those of us who went to Austin saw no reason to attend again. So, the teachers who didn’t go to Austin, went to the Salt Lake sessions.

An editing software that I use hosts several online conferences each year for different genres. I religiously attended for a couple of years, and I noticed that they had the same presenters teach the same session for the topics of marketing, plotting, and different world building and editing programs. After the third repeat, I stopped attending those sessions.   

With that being my introduction to conferences, I struggled in deciding if attending the Quills Conference two years in a row would be worth it. 

It was.

First of all, the sessions were completely different. There were new presenters that were not there last year, and returning presenters taught completely different classes – or different enough, that it didn’t feel like a repeat. 

The networking opportunities were different as well. In fact, if my memory serves me correctly, there were more networking opportunities this year. 

Some things remained the same: pitches with agents and editors, headshots with a professional photographer, and banquets featuring three keynotes speakers (though the keynote speakers were different).

Overall, I learned plenty of new information, connected with new writers, reconnected with writers I only get to see at the Quills and Pre-Quills, and had an enjoyable break from my normal life. 

So, yes, attending the Quills Conference year after year is totally worth it. I look forward to having it be part of my summer travels each year. 

What writers conferences have you attended that you would recommend to others? Tell us in the comments!