Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 17
August 15, 2025
Giveaway: CINEMATIC DESTINES by Patricia Leavy
Patricia Leavy is giving away copies of CINEMATIC DESTINIES, her upcoming romance from She Writes Press. How to get yours? It's easy... just complete the Rafflecopter below and you'll receive one from the author! Plus, one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card!
So, what's the book about? Here's the info:
For fans of Tessa Bailey and Hannah Grace, Cinematic Destinies is a feel-good, contemporary romance about a trio of adult children searching for love and beauty in the shadow of their parents’ legendary Hollywood fairy-tale romance.
Legendary actor Finn Forrester and his wife philosopher Ella Sinclair Forrester met on the location shoot for Jean Mercier’s film Celebration. The world has been captivated by their fairy-tale romance since Finn famously proposed on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. As the couple now prepares to celebrate their thirtieth wedding anniversary, they wonder if their children will ever find love.
Eldest daughter Betty is excelling in a medical residency program in New York City—and has convinced herself that distancing herself from emotions is the path to success. Youngest son Albert, a recent college graduate, is trying to find his footing in Boston as he struggles with his identity. Free-spirited Georgia, her mother’s spitting image and an actress following in her father’s footsteps, has been cast in Jean Mercier’s final film, mysteriously titled Beauty. When she arrives on set in Iceland and meets her costar, sparks fly. Is history repeating itself? How has growing up in the shadow of the world’s most iconic love story affected each of the Forrester children?
Reviews
“If you’re a romantic with a brain and a heart, this is your jam . . . I closed the book with a full heart and a goofy grin.” Literary Titan, 5-star review
“Cinematic Destinies is a stunning and poignant celebration of romance, the magic of movies, and life itself. The exotic Icelandic film set, well-drawn characters, and smart writing make this book impossible to put down . . . This is a gorgeous novel.” —Laurel Richardson, author of Lone Twin
“Overall, the writing, the characters, the little nods of sizzle, and the brilliant family dynamic make this book a winner. Very highly recommended.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Leavy’s latest must-read novel features a trio of romantic storylines about the quest for love and identity in the shadow of a Hollywood fairy tale . . . Cinematic Destinies is a spellbinding ode to love, art, and what it means to live.” —Mary E. Weems, author of Blackeyed
About the Author:
Patricia Leavy is an award-winning, best-selling author. Formerly Associate Professor of Sociology and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College, she has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Her most recent novel, Shooting Stars Above, was featured on People “10 Romance Books to Read After Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry.” She has also received career awards from the National Art Education Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, and other organizations. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established “The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cinematic-Destinies-Novel-Carpet-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DWNGNM1Z/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
Patricia Leavy will award a free digital copy of her upcoming book CINEMATIC DESTINIES to the first 7500 people who enter the Rafflecopter and one lucky entrant will receive a $150 Amazon gift card.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 14, 2025
Blog Tour: GHOSTED by Lori Matsourani
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lori Matsourani will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour. Also, the author has organized a Goodreads giveaway for the book: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/418301-ghosted.
When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.
Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?
Read an Excerpt
He walked toward her as though they were long-lost friends, and she half expected him to pull her into an embrace. Then she recognized the dark chocolate eyes behind the black-framed glasses and her stomach lurched.
Nick Dorsey. He’s Mrs. Snowden’s nephew?
“Aunt Margaret told me you were checking in today.”
Stunned, Bethany stepped backward, bumping into the edge of the desk as her heart thudded. A white-hot flush scorched every inch of her skin as she stared at Nick. Of all the people she could run into, it had to be the first guy to break her heart? And why did he have to be so handsome, with that bit of hair curling over his forehead and late-day stubble?
She inhaled deeply to rein in her composure, hating her can’t-catch-your-breath reaction to him, then dipped her chin in a neutral acknowledgment.
“Hello, Nick.”
His smile morphed into a full-on, lopsided grin. “It’s been ages since I’ve seen you. Ten years, I bet. Not since the summer Zach and I got our drivers’ licenses.”
Mrs. Snowden laid her hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Bethany is staying in the Howard Room. Can you help her with her bag?” Then, turning to Bethany, she said, “Come back down when you’re ready and I’ll give you a tour of the house.”
As Bethany followed Nick to the second floor, the pain, questions, and self-doubts she’d buried years ago reemerged, seeping into her belly like liquid concrete. The last thing she needed was Nick Dorsey invading her healing zone. It had taken her months to get over the summer romance they’d shared—and he’d abruptly ended—when they were teens. And even longer before she could bring herself to date again.
And now he was in her safe space.
About the Author:
Author Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Website: https://lorimatsourani.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.matsourani
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.matsourani/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/lori_matsourani
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lori-matsourani.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lori.matsourani
X: https://x.com/LoriMatsourani
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alloriannam
Buy Links:
https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9XCPLYD/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghosted-lori-matsourani/1147463084
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghosted/id6746414091
https://wildrosepress.com/product/ghosted/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 13, 2025
Blog Tour: THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN by Susan Harris Howell
THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN
Susan Harris Howell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Paranormal cozy mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Whenbeloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students livein as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for whatpurpose. As she and her student entourage explore the possibilities, theyuncover a death years ago and what appears to be the ghost of the dearlydeparted. All of this stirs up Samantha's long-held fear that she wasresponsible for that death, challenging all she thought she knew about herselfand the work she holds dear. They must figure out what happened before Samanthagets fired for "dabbling in the paranormal."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
Samantha reached out to hold Chess's shaking hand only toimmediately regret it. The stickiness of dried blood would have made herrecoil, but she refused to desert Chess, who squeezed her hand like afrightened child. So while Allie returned Chess’s skates and answered thequestions of concerned friends, Samantha stayed put. She only hoped thepounding of her own heart would not attract attention and require anexplanation.
Samantha quickly walked toward the women’s restroom, which,thankfully, was empty, went in, and locked the door. With deep, shaky breaths,and no longer fighting the tears, Samantha moved immediately to the sink whereshe scrubbed her hands vigorously, several times. She reached into her pursefor her cell phone, scrolled quickly through her contacts, and tapped her thumbon the one she sought.
She took a deep breath when instructed to leave a message.“Debra, this is Samantha Hayes. Could you give me a call please? I need to talkto you.” She waited a moment, decided she had said all she needed to for now,then added, “Thanks,” before ending the call.
She continued to hold her cell, however, as she paced, allthe while trying her best to take even, measured breaths. Think of somethingelse. You’ve washed your hands. You’re safe. You'll talk to Debra when shecalls back. Breathe. She was surprised that her reaction was this intense. Thesight of blood had not frightened her this much in a long time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Iam a psychologist, speaker, and author of The Spirit of Vanderlaan, my debutnovel released in December of 2024. This book is a fun, cozy, ghost storyfeaturing a professor, Samantha Hayes, and her lively band of students who getcaught up in solving a campus mystery. This book draws on my teaching career ofover thirty years to capture the camaraderie and warmth between a professor andthe assortment of personalities which inhabit her office.
Ihave also published extensively on equality between women and men. My firstbook, Buried Talents, explores the subtle ways women are discouraged fromentering male-dominated occupations. Buried Talents was named a winner inInterVarsity Press’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Myhusband and I have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorablegrandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. While Doc doesn’t understand aword I say, he fully supports my books and their content.
Website:https://susanharrishowell.com
Instagram:www.instagram.com/susan_h_howell/
EmailList & Monthly Blog: https://susanharrishowell.substack.com
Facebook:www.facebook.com/susanhowellwriter
AmazonAuthor Page:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Harris-Howell/author/B09JL6T1RX?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1723819866&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22175282.Susan_Harris_Howell
BookBub:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-harris-howell
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Vanderlaan-Samantha-Hayes-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHV65RM4?ref_=ast_author_dp
B&N:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spirit-of-vanderlaan-susan-howell/1146282868?ean=9781509258888
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
SusanHarris Howell will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawnwinner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 12, 2025
Blog Tour: AIRPLANES, ATLANTA, AND AN ASSASSIN by Mary Seifert
Katie & Maverick Cozy Mysteries, Book #10
Date Published: 07-10-2025
Publisher: Secret Staircase Books
High school teacher Katie Wilk is thrilled when her students qualify for Mock Trial America, a prestigious courtroom competition in Atlanta. Alongside her best friend and fellow teacher Jane Mackey, a team of eager teens, and a crew of devoted chaperones, Katie boards a flight from Minnesota—ready for a week of intellectual showdowns and Southern hospitality. But things go sideways before the plane is even off the ground.
With canceled flights, endless delays, and one particularly obnoxious passenger stirring up trouble, the trip turns into a logistical, almost deadly, nightmare. When that same rude traveler turns up later in Atlanta, the chaos takes a deadly turn—and suspicion lands squarely on the Mackey family.
As Katie digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: stolen documents, corporate espionage, dangerous toxins, and enough motive to make her question everything. Can she untangle the truth before the killer strikes again?
Luckily, she’s got help—from Maverick, her sharp-nosed, loyal Labrador retriever and trained search-and-rescue dog, who’s always ready to sniff out danger.
Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, this latest installment in Mary Seifert’s charming cozy mystery series delivers Southern intrigue, tricky puzzles, and the kind of dogged determination only a Lab (and a resolute teacher) can provide.
Review: A high school math teacher was ona class field trip with her students. Told in the diary voice of the maincharacter, story has a bit of charm and wit as it takes a while to settle. Thenumber of various characters thrown in here can be a little overwhelming andconfusing. The read was generally pretty easy. I liked the set-up and thepremise. The thing was that it was pretty slow. It just seemed like more andmore characters were coming in, and the reader was just getting bogged down byendless dialogue. When were we going to find a dead body already? We usuallyalready have a dead body within the first 2 chapters in a typical cozy mystery.Story didn’t quite get to me as much as I’d hoped, but it was still a decentand easy read.
Rating:3 stars
About the Author
Mary Seifert is the author of the Katie and Maverick Cozy Mysteries 2024 International IMPACT Award winner for books in a series, a collection of fun and thrilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Her books, including the 2023 American Fiction Award finalist Maverick, Movies & Murder and the 2024 Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem finalist Santa, Snowflakes & Strychnine, are must-reads for cozy mystery fans who enjoy a good puzzle wrapped in a heartwarming story.
Set in the charming landscapes of West Central Minnesota, where the lakes begin and the criminals are caught, Mary’s stories transport readers to a world of intrigue, humor, and small-town charm. Each book is a delightful mix of suspense and warmth, featuring memorable characters, ingenious puzzles, and clever twists that keep you guessing until the very end.
Busy crafting her next mystery, Mary indulges in her love of research, currently studying the flora and fauna of the Nantahala National Forest and the magnetic call of Atlanta for the upcoming installment of her series. She believes that every great mystery starts with a curious mind and a love for uncovering the truth, but scrupulously scrubs her browsers history of any hint of crime.
Join Mary on her literary journey, where a good story is always paired with a cozy blanket, a glass of wine, and a touch of mischief!
Twitter "X": @mary_seifert
Instagram: @maryseifertauthor
Threads: @maryseifertauthor
LinkedIn: Mary KG Seifert
BlueSky: @mkgsei.bsky.social
Purchase Links
https://mybook.to/PlanesAtlantaAssassin
August 11, 2025
Spotlight: CHANCE MEETING by Christine Columbus
Genre: Rom-Com
Summary: Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of the love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy.
To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton, until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel is left wondering if she’ll be able to put the pieces of her life back together.
Author Bio: Eighteen years ago, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and waiting for my ship to come in. I published several short stories and a novel with The Wild Rose Press.
After that, I took an Adult Gap Year that lasted thirteen years.
In 2024, I signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for my sweetheart romance novel, Chance Meeting.
I am excited to be back writing and looking forward to the release of Chance Meeting and sometime in 2025, I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight.
Purchase links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chance-Meeting-Christine-Columbus-ebook/dp/B0CW19SK79/
Social Media links:
Spotlight: CHANCE MEETING by Christine Columbs
Genre: Rom-Com
Summary: Melody is fostering her niece while her sister, Captain Opal Erickson, is deployed to Kuwait. A chance meeting at work with Clayton, a construction manager, awakens feelings of the love and romance. Everything is perfect until Opal reveals a family truth and swears Melody to secrecy.
To honor her sisterly pledge, Mel attempts to reject any advances from Clayton, until he guesses the truth. Torn between loyalty to Opal and love for Clayton, she pours herself into work, making a mess of everything. When the dust settles, Mel is left wondering if she’ll be able to put the pieces of her life back together.
Author Bio: Eighteen years ago, while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and waiting for my ship to come in. I published several short stories and a novel with The Wild Rose Press.
After that, I took an Adult Gap Year that lasted thirteen years.
In 2024, I signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for my sweetheart romance novel, Chance Meeting.
I am excited to be back writing and looking forward to the release of Chance Meeting and sometime in 2025, I’d Rather Kiss You Goodnight.
Purchase links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chance-Meeting-Christine-Columbus-ebook/dp/B0CW19SK79/
Social Media links:
Review: THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL by J.C. Kenney
Can a lost pin help two lonely souls find their one true love? Kaitlin didn't want to go to the Christmas Parade. Michael didn't, either. But when their chance meeting along the parade route is brought to an abrupt and all-too-soon end, an angel steps in to bring them back together.
Kaitlin's beloved heirloom angel pin, to be more exact. Michael finds it on the ground after Kaitlin's gone. With only a name to go on, can he track her down to return the pin before the night ends, as he feels he must? Once she realizes it's gone, is there any chance she'll ever see it again? The only hope they have of finding each other and returning the pin to where it belongs rests with divine intervention and the absolute determination that only comes from true love.
Review: A genuine connection made at theChristmas parade. When she loses her special Angel pin and he finds it, itbecomes a sweet tale of Cinderella as he tries to find her. A good holidayshort to warm your heart!
Rating:4 stars
August 9, 2025
Review: PARKER GIRLS #1 by Terry Moore
I liked the B/W sketches. Nicelines in them.
Hot chick Alex meets a guy on abeach and saves him from a possible stabbing. Wow, what a knock-down! Goodaction shots!
Then a dead girl is found in thewater. Out come the Parker Girls. Then we backtrack to Alex and Mark. She justgot him some money, slept with him, and then left him high and dry. Funny howshe leaves him tied to the bed. What happens next?
Fun and easy read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: PARKER GIRLS #4 by Terry Moore
The Parker Girls are tough withpeople, but they don’t hurt dogs. Good! They’re still looking into Piper May’sdeath. They’re talking to people to get the events before her so-calleddrowning. Man, can you imagine getting your heel stuck in some guy’s brain?Disgusting! A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: PARKER GIRLS #3 by Terry Moore
The Parker Girls are still lookingin the actress’ mysterious drowning. Was the billionaire husband involved? ThatAlex is one kick-a chick! Love this series!
Rating:4 stars
