Guest Post & Spotlight for The Royal Desires Series by Kelli A Wilkins

 

Spotlight on… The Royal Desires Series

A Sensual Historical/Fantasy Romance Trilogy

By Kelli A. Wilkins

www.kelliwilkins.com

 

 

Hi everyone,

Today I’m sharing a look at the making of the Royal Desires Series. This trilogy of historical/fantasy romances is made up of A Most Unusual Princess, A Most Intriguing Temptation, and A Most Unfortunate Prince. Together, they are a fun series, but each story stands alone as a separate read.Why? Because when I wrote A Most Unusual Princess, I never knew I was writing a trilogy.

I’ve been asked how I plotted the series. Did I use note cards to keep track of each character’s description? Did I make an overall outline of the whole trilogy, and then write each book?

Nope. The truth is… I just wrote the story that was in my head. I didn’t intend to write a trilogy—it kinda happened on its own. (With a lot of typing on my part, of course!) I wrote each book by itself, with its own setting and theme, apart from the book that came before. So, although they share characters, each book can be read apart from the others.

A Most Unusual Princess is a sensual novella about unruly and willful Princess Elara, and Dalton, the handsome (and incredibly patient) guard tasked with protecting her while she searches for a suitable husband. The book is a unique blend of comedy, human drama, and romance. It’s also the first fantasy romance I ever wrote—and it was a lot of fun. 

I liked the idea of following a very headstrong and spoiled Princess Elara as she looked for a husband. From the outset, we learn that Elara is an opinionated young woman who is used to getting her own way. When Dalton innocently catches Elara doing something very unladylike, the Dalton-Elara love/hate/love relationship is born.

 I enjoyed writing Dalton and Elara’s story and fell in love with them. I never expected I’d visit these characters again, but not long after completing A Most Unusual Princess, I knew Dalton needed his own book, so I wrote A Most Intriguing Temptation.

 A Most Intriguing Temptation focuses on the theme of fidelity. Elara wants to test Dalton’s loyalty, so she masquerades as a sultry kharim girl in a pleasure palace. Naturally, she gets in over her head and into big trouble. I took Elara out of her element and gave her new challenges and experiences. We also got to see a different side to Dalton’s character and learned about his weaknesses and desires.

When I wrote A Most Intriguing Temptation, I introduced readers to Prince Allan. He’s basically the male version of his sister, Princess Elara—hedonistic, selfish, and utterly wild at times. I had fun creating the character and enjoyed setting him free in a pleasure palace completely without limitations. I soon realized that Allan needed a book of his own, so I wrote A Most Unfortunate Prince.(Several readers also asked me if Allan’s story would be told, and I was happy to oblige!)

But before I wrote a word, I knew that Allan was going to have to face the music for his bad behavior. At the start of the book (yes, right there on page 1) Allan is banished for his actions stemming from A Most Intriguing Temptation. His father kicks him out into the real world alone and broke, and he’s forced to make his own way in life.

I decided to take this carefree, roguish prince and turn his world upside down. I asked myself: How bad can you make things for him? He has nothing: no food, no fancy clothes, certainly no job skills, and no real sense of identity. He had lived a pampered life where everything was handed to him on a silver platter (literally), and now was in for a rude awakening. I really put the screws to poor Allan, and at times left him broken, sad, and utterly miserable. 

Over the course of the book, Allan suffers life’s lessons at the hands of his evil employer and falls in love—twice. The story introduces us to Claudette, a sassy seamstress who fancies Allan and helps him adjust to the life of a commoner. Once a carefree womanizer, Allan discovers a secret side to himself, and through his relationship with Claudette, he learns what is truly important in life. And to round things out, a more settled Elara and Dalton also appear in the book and help wind up the series.

I enjoyed writing each of these books. It was fun to create the characters, give them unique adventures, and complicate their lives—all in the name of love. Although these are historical/fantasy romances, there’s enough spicy love scenes, adventure, drama, sadness, and humor to keep readers of all genres entertained and enthralled.

You can read full book summaries and reviews on each book’s page on my site. Here are the links:

 Book 1: A Most Unusual Princess: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unusual-princess

 Book 2: A Most Intriguing Temptation: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-intriguing-temptation

Book 3: A Most Unfortunate Prince: https://www.kelliwilkins.com/a-most-unfortunate-prince

 If you’ve read the trilogy, let me know what you think. What was your favorite book? Which scenes did you like best? Readers can contact me on social media. 

 Happy Reading!

 Kelli A. Wilkins

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelli A. Wilkins is an award-winning author who has published more than 100 short stories, 24 romance novels, and 9 mystery/thriller/horror ebooks. Her romances span many genres and settings, and she likes to scare readers with her horror, mystery, and thriller fiction.

Her latest book, The Route 9 Stalker, was published in January 2026. This mystery/thriller is set in Central NJ and follows Detective Jim Rourke on a disturbing new case. Meet him for the first time in The Route 9 Killer.

Kelli’s 24th romance, For Love’s Sake, an epic historical/fantasy romantic adventure, was published in 2025.

​

In 2024, she released Surreal Escapes, a collection of 7 speculative/spooky stories. Anything can—and does—happen in this anthology.

Follow Kelli on her Facebook author page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKelliWilkins and visit her website/blog www.KelliWilkins.com for a full title list, social media links, and more.

Book Blitz for Can't Shoot Whiskey by Zoe Forward with a GIVEAWAY

 

Can’t Shoot Whiskey
Zoe Forward
Publication date: April 6th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Josh Hurst was supposed to be my forever. Instead, he became the villain in my origin story.
I gave him my heart. He broke it without flinching. So, I did what any self-respecting, heart-shattered girl would do—I declared war.
Our revenge game? Legendary.
Until I left for college and swore I’d never look back.

But life doesn’t care about vows made in the dark.
When my father dies unexpectedly, I’m dragged back to the hometown I outgrew, handed guardianship of my grieving kid brother, and forced to take over my father’s struggling veterinary clinic.
And waiting for me—like karma with a smirk—is Josh.
Not as a memory.
Not as a ghost.
But as my new business partner.

Avoiding him? Impossible.
Forgetting what we were? Laughable.
He still looks at me like I’m his. Like we’re a story paused instead of over. Like one spark is all it would take.
And God help me, the spark is still there.
But we don’t do soft. We don’t do safe.
We do oil and fire. War and wreckage.
Whatever we once were—
Whatever we still could be—
We’re enemies.
And this time, nobody’s walking away unburned.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

I pressed my lips tight to fight the smile dying to break free. “What happened to your face?”

He took off his glasses and shoved them in the white lab coat he wore over a green scrub top and khaki pants. “You’re late.”

“You’re blue.” I bit back a snicker.

His cheeks flushed.

A snort giggle escaped me. “Did you have a Braveheart re-enactment after baseball? I’ve never heard of that kind of kink, but to each his own, right?”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s Blu-Kote.”

“The old fogie wound treatment stuff? Do you use that?”

“No.” He wiped ineffectively at his face. “This morning, a horse owner poured it on the hoof while I was looking at the abscess before I could stop him. The mare kicked it all over me. It won’t come off my skin, and it ruined my shirt.”

“Oh.” I compressed my lips to stop the laughter bubbling. A head duck helped while I threw my oversized purse on the client sofa. I reached for the bottle of alcohol off the shelf above the sink and grabbed a few cotton balls. “Hold still.”

“Stop laughing.” He waved at me when I got close to keep me away.

“I’m going to help you.” I saturated a cotton ball in alcohol and wiped his cheek. It didn’t come off easily since it had set into the skin. I rubbed harder.

“Oww.” He tried to bat me away. “Are you trying to peel off my skin?”

I held up the cotton ball to show the blue coming off. “Stop being a wuss. How many clients did you see like this?”

He put the laptop on the counter and crossed his arms. “A few.”

“You need to come up with a better story than some horse kicking it all over you.” I kept rubbing.

“I’m not going with kink as my story.”

I laughed so hard I had to step away from him and put down the cleaning items. I rubbed my eyes. “You’d have the ladies wondering.”

“I’d rather not be known as the Blue Man of the bedroom.”

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Zoe Forward is a parent, wife, veterinarian, and unapologetic chocolate lover. She writes spicy paranormal and contemporary romances that blend action, adventure, humor, and a touch of magic.

Zoe lives in the South with a lively menagerie of four-legged beasts and two slightly wild kids.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!

Can’t Shoot Whiskey Blitz

—

Book Mail

 

Our Extraordinary Summer by Lori Wilde

New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde returns to the enchanting Hobby Island with a poignant story about two estranged sisters who come together after the passing of their mother, featuring family, love, and one unforgettable summer—perfect for fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery.

Queen of Lombard Street by Lisa Kleypas

From New York Times bestselling author Lisa Kleypas—a sweeping, richly layered Victorian novel about a trailblazing female economist who’s determined to build Britain’s first women’s bank, but she must fight both financial corruption and a system intent on destroying the newly found family she’s created.

Now Live!! Bad Boy Breakaway by Kara Kendrick

 

Bad Boy Breakaway by Kara Kendrick is now live! I’m the bad boy of hockey. I score goals—and make headlines. My latest fight bought me a three-game suspension and a brand-new babysitter. Tori Prince. Ice Queen, hedge fund shark—and the team owner’s daughter. Now we’re neighbors and she runs my life like a hostile takeover: no partying, a strict curfew, mandatory sessions with the team’s psychologist. Smile for the cameras. Stay out of trouble. Don’t give her father’s franchise another reason to regret keeping me. One more screw-up and I lose my contract. Pissed off, I push back. Hard. Except Tori doesn’t flinch. She’s all perfect curves and ruthless self-control—and I may have finally met my match. Which only makes me want to undo her more. Every glare she gives me feels like a dare, and the closer she stands, the harder it is to remember why we can’t cross the line. Then we do. One kiss turns into her hands fisting my jersey, her panties on my floor, the rules between us shattered. And if our secret leaks? I’m off the roster, she’s Wall Street’s punchline, and the Coastal Crushers get scorched by the fallout. Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited https://bit.ly/4aji2Gv Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4tmhVmo

Release Blitz for Inn Love Again by Jody Brettkelly

 

Inn Love Again by Jody Brettkelly is now live!

Lights, hammer, action!

On this season of your favorite reality renovation show, four design teams compete to turn a home into a business.

Posh design editor Tabitha is desperate to transform her parents' crumbling Cotswolds manor into a themed inn. It's the only way to keep them—and their menagerie of animals—from moving into her tiny flat.

Tabitha is teaming up with Tim, a brawny, rugby-playing builder who needs the prize money to pay for his own … complications.

He also happens to be the jerk who ghosted her seven years ago.

Now they must work together to win the cash prize, but they can’t be in the same room without sparks flying—and that’s not just the faulty wiring.

Can they demo the walls they've built up to win the show … and each other's hearts?

For fans of Mhairi McFarlane, Abby Jimenez and Emily Henry

 Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/3ZE5QeT   

Bookshop: https://tr.ee/cqqPo3  

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4kBRCoc 

 

Meet Jody Brettkelly

Jody Brettkelly comes from a tiny beach town in New Zealand but now lives California with her family.

She writes mysteries and romcoms fueled by lattes, aperol spritzes and…bread.

Her first romcom series is about love in crumbling Cotswold manor—with TV cameras and loads of animal shenanigans.

 

Connect with Jody

Website | https://www.jodybrettkelly.com/   

Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54944765.Jody_Brettkelly    

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/JodyBrettkellyAuthor      

Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/jodybrettkelly/        

Newsletter |  https://www.jodybrettkelly.com/newsletter/  

Audiobook Review for The Wild Card by Piper Rayne

 

The Dugout #2

The Wild Card by Piper Rayne

Published:   April 2, 2026 by Piper Rayne Inc.

Taken from Goodreads:  Getting pregnant after a one-night stand with my brother’s best friend was never part of the plan.

We’re talking about Foster Davis here.

Chicago Colts closing pitcher.

The broody king of one-word answers.

And the man everyone knows keeps one foot out the door.

Surprisingly, when two pink lines turn my world upside down, Foster doesn’t run. He steps in, he shows up, and he insists we do this together.

Pretending we’re fine is easy. Pretending this is just about the baby? Not so much.

Because Foster is gentle when no one’s watching.

Because he looks at me like I’m something worth protecting.

Because the walls he’s built start to crack—and I’m the one he’s letting inside.

Our arrangement was supposed to be simple. Boundaries were set. Co-parents and no catching feelings.

Okay, maybe a few sex lessons were added in too. Bad idea, I know.

Because the more time I spend with Foster Davis, the harder it is to remember why I ever thought he was the risky choice.

My Thoughts:  I listened to The Wild Card on opening day of MLB 2026.   It was the perfect way to celebrate my favorite sport season.  The authors understanding of the quirks of baseball players had me loving every word and laughing out loud more than once.  Foster has all the quirks, the sexiness, the cockiness, and the protectiveness of a man use to getting what he wants.   Callie’s brother is also a professional baseball player, so she knows all about professional athletes.  She understands all the quirks but that does not mean that she has to make it easy on him.

I loved listening to this story.   The multiple narrators made this audiobook come to life.   I am not sure that I have ever listened to a book with so many narrators, but it was perfect.   Each character had a voice and a personality. 

The Wild Card is a great addition to The Dugout Series.  Although the books do not have to be read in order.   Each book is a standalone story with characters and settings that overlap.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

 

Meet the Author:   Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling author duo. Our goal is to bring you romance stories that have "Heartwarming Humor With a Side of Sizzle" (okay...you caught us, that's our tagline). A little about us... We both have kindle’s full of one-clickable books. We're both married to husbands who drive us to drink. We're both chauffeurs to our kids. Most of all, we love hot heroes and quirky heroines that make us laugh, and we hope you do, too.

Spotlight for Operation Medusa: Book #1 by Jake Greco

Operation Medusa: Book #1 by Jake Greco

Published:  September 8, 2025

Taken from Goodreads:  Operation Medusa History’s wounds never fully heal — and in the wrong hands, they can start a war.

From the creator of the Specters of Athena universe comes a gripping new military thriller saga that blends real-world history, relentless action, and the razor’s edge of modern geopolitics.

When Greece and Turkey collide in a dangerous dance of brinkmanship, the conflict is fought not only in contested waters and borderlands, but also in intelligence rooms, diplomatic corridors, and the shadows where truth is the first casualty.

At the heart of the series is Nikolas “Strix” Andros — a battle-tested Greek operative whose past in black operations and NATO counterterrorism leaves him uniquely suited for the high-stakes games being played in the Aegean. Alongside Command Sergeant Major Yakovos Rousso, Strix faces provocations by air, land, and sea, each one threatening to ignite a wider war neither side can fully control.

Told through multiple perspectives — Greek, Turkish, and NATO — Operation Medusa combines the adrenaline of modern special operations with the deep resonance of generational history. Inspired in part by the author’s own Greek heritage and the stories of family members who lived through siege, hunger, and occupation, the series honors the resilience of a people while delivering page-turning suspense.

If you crave military thrillers with authentic action, layered political stakes, and characters forged in the crucible of history, Operation Medusa will keep you reading deep into the night.

Add to your MUST-READ on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

 

Meet the Author:   Jake Greco grew up in Arizona and is a desert rat. Jake's dad, a WW2 vet, taught him to shoot at a young age and fueled his passion for firearms and adventure. His life experiences have molded him into a versatile author and storyteller whose works span the spectrum of thriller and suspense genres. A lifelong admirer of the Southwest’s rugged beauty, Jake weaves the stark landscapes and complex characters of this region into his gripping novels. His stories often feature heroes and antiheroes grappling with morality, loyalty, and the unpredictable twists of fate, delivering page-turning narratives that leave readers on the edge of their seats. From shadowy desert hideouts to the tense corridors of power, his tales explore the human condition under extraordinary pressure, reflecting both the fragility and resilience of the human spirit.

When not writing, Jake enjoys shooting, fly fishing, 4-wheeling, and exploring the very landscapes that inspire his stories, finding new vistas and hidden trails that fuel his imagination. He lives and writes from a quiet corner of the desert Southwest, where he continues to craft stories that thrill, provoke, and entertain readers around the world.

Book Review for The Irish Daughter of New York by Kate Hewitt

 

Maggie O'Halloran #1

The Irish Daughter of New York by Kate Hewitt

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Published:  March 31, 2026 by Bookouture

Taken from Goodreads:  Maggie O’Halloran gazes at the Statue of Liberty, her eyes wide with wonder. “At last,” she breathes softly. “This is where my future begins…”

New York City, 1891: Stepping off the boat she boarded in Ireland, Maggie O’Halloran’s heart is filled with hope for this brave new world. But when her father isn’t waiting at the docks as planned, her excitement vanishes with the terrible realization she and her brother Danny are utterly alone—homeless, penniless and without a friend in the world.

Life on the Lower East Side is hard and grindingly poor, but Maggie is determined to survive. As she gazes longingly into the windows of Manhattan’s famous department stores, she dreams of owning her own millinery shop and becoming independent at last. And when fellow Irishman Brendan O’Donoghue offers her and Danny refuge, Maggie finally feels hope for their future.

Finding work with a wealthy family on the Upper East Side, Maggie’s dreams begin to feel closer than ever before. But just as her fortunes finally change, her brother’s involvement with a notorious New York gang brings terrible danger to both her and Brendan’s doors. Facing a heartbreaking decision, can Maggie save her brother and protect the new life she’s built? Or will the American dream she has held so close to her heart be lost forever?

The first book in the Maggie O’Halloran series, this is a sweeping, epic and heart-wrenching story of one woman’s determination to change her fortunes against all odds. Perfect for fans of moving historical fiction, Kristin Harmel and Jean Grainger.

My Thoughts:  I love a good historical fiction and Kate Hewitt wrote a beautifully good historical fiction.   This one is a little different because it is about a young lady and her brother’s adventure of coming to America, New York City actually.  I enjoyed the strength and determination of Maggie to find housing, a job, and safety for herself and her brother. 

The details of the New York City brought the city to life.   I could picture the brownstones, Central Park, the mansions, and the rest of what Maggie saw as she traveled through the city.   I could hear the accents and sounds of the city as I followed Maggie through her adventure. 

This is book one of the Maggie O’Halloran series and I am so excited for more. 

Thank you Bookouture for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy onAmazon

 

Meet the Author (taken from her website):  Kate was born in Pennsylvania, went to college in Vermont, and has spent summers in the Canadian wilderness. After several years as a diehard New Yorker and 13 years in the UK, she now lives in central New Jersey with her husband, the last two of her five children, two affectionate Golden Retrievers and a persnickety cat.

In addition to writing, Kate works as a Core Editor with Cornerstones Literary Consultancy and also offers individual manuscript assessment for creative writers.

 

 

Release Blitz for The Harbor by Terri Jo

 

The Harbor by Terri Jo  is now live!

Izzy Summers' life changes instantly overnight, leaving her homeless and sleeping in her car at a Door County campground. With nothing left to lose, she hides out in the quiet town of Fish Creek with a job and a roof over her head, searching for a way to survive.

That plan unravels when a persistent--and dangerously attractive--sheriff keeps crossing her path. Izzy trusts no one, least of all someone wearing a badge.

Sheriff Tony Fontaine knows Izzy is running from something, and he's determined to uncover the truth. What he doesn't expect is how quickly his curiosity turns personal.

Izzy doesn't want a man.

Too bad the sheriff has other plans.

  Download today!

Amazon US: https://bit.ly/4bgqbNE   

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/4u5UPRu      

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/4beLcbA

 

Meet Terri Jo 

Terrijo passion for all things books began back in junior high. A dedicated reader from the very beginning, she started writing in her early twenties. She has published six novels under a pen name and co-wrote two anthologies about Deadwood, South Dakota.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Terrijo lives in the Twin Cities her pint size Morkie, Zoey, who loves to make an appearance in her small-town women's fiction.
She writes about genuine issues that many women face today, stories that not only entertain, but give hope, laughter and all the feelings in-between. When Terrijo is not hiding out in her writing cave, you can find her behind the chair of her hair salon in Stillwater, or out on the lakes sailing and dreaming up new plots to help her readers escape reality for an hour or two.

 

Connect with Terri Jo

Website | https://bit.ly/4bCGgwq 

Goodreads | https://bit.ly/40vpR7P  

Amazon | https://bit.ly/4rmM0AR   

Facebook | bit.ly/44WQ1nf      

Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/terrijo_author/