Book Blitz & Giveaway for Hook, Line, and Murder by GG Calpo

Hook, Line, and Murder

GG Calpo

(The Sweet TOOTH Murder Mystery)

Published by: The Wild Rose Press

Publication date: February 9th 2026

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Mystery

What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!

When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

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EXCERPT:

The day was beautiful, with clear skies and a mild snap in the air. It was cold yet warm with the right amount of heat from the sun, making it the perfect spring day. Motorboats and sailboats dipped in and out of the water, out by Poet’s Bay. And at the edge of the harbor were the fishermen, alone or in groups of two or three, a rod in their hands and their tackle boxes opened beside them. We rounded the corner, almost done with our walk, when we saw mothers dragging their children away and fathers covering the eyes of the children in their arms. Pushing against the stream of parents scrambling away were others whose eyes were fixed on the man by the harbor’s edge. A man on whose fishing line dangled a catch with, what I thought were, red fins and a red tail swaying lazily around the hook.

Red? In the salt waters of Poet’s Bay? As I stood there trying to figure out what I was seeing, Barbara shoved her way into the crowd. I followed, my curiosity getting the better of me. Murmurs of “Good morning” and “Good to see you, Mrs. B” trailed behind me, changing to “You sure you want to see this, Mrs. B?” and “I wouldn’t go any further if I were you, Mrs. B.” We fetched up to the front and looked down on the ground before us while the fisherman beside us puked his guts out.

It wasn’t a fish he had caught.

Instead, on the ground was a hand. Just a hand. Nothing else.

Author Bio:

GG Calpo is a retired lawyer and accountant who traded contracts and numbers for the far more enjoyable chaos of fictional crime. Now she writes cozy whodunits featuring warm-hearted golden-aged sleuths who’ve seen it all, heard it all and will investigate a murder with zero hesitation. She loves stories where the stakes are personal, family and friendships are paramount, with characters who refuse to follow the outline and endings that pull the rug out. When not plotting twisty crimes—on paper only, of course—she spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget.

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Hook, Line, and Murder Blitz

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New Release & Review for TWISTED LITTLE GAME by Raleigh Ruebins

TWISTED LITTLE GAME

Raleigh Ruebins

Release Date: September 24 

Meet Raleigh Ruebins:

Raleigh Ruebins writes steamy MM love stories with small towns, big egos, and men who should know better... but they fall hard anyway. Her favorite characters are guys who deserve their happily-ever-afters, even if they're rough around the edges--real, flawed, but always with hearts of gold. 

Connect with Raleigh Ruebins:

https://www.instagram.com/raleighruebins/

Blurb:

My stalker is a problem… but my bodyguard is a monster.

I never asked for Roman Petrov.

I made one mistake, got threats on my life, and now my brother hires me a bodyguard?

Roman is six-foot-five, pure muscle, and a gorgeous, scowling face.

I break a few of his rules on my first night of his protection.

Provoke him, 'til he pins me to the wall.

And something explodes between us when he lays his hands on me.

Our size difference sparks a pure physical addiction.

His two rules:

His family runs the mob… but we don’t talk about it.

And he’s usually 100% straight… but completely obsessed with me.

I can take a man who’s taller and bigger in every way.

As threats escalate, Roman demands I stay in his room, closer than ever.

When I’m attacked on campus, Roman’s unhinged, vowing to destroy anyone who hurts me.

He’s the heir to a powerful Bratva crime family, and war with the mafia is erupting now, too.

I know I’m in danger.

Lines blur between who I can or can’t trust.

But I have Roman close to me. And I believe it when he says I’m his.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/0g3HGgEj

Available in KU

Roman and Tate's story was just an okay read for me. I liked the characters enough, but something was missing; I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe not enough intrigue to grab my attention. I did like the characters, but I never fell in love with any of them, and I can say we never saw those twists coming. Tate and Roman are complete opposites: Tate, the lightbringer, and Roman, the darkness, but Tate's light brings changes in Roman never seen before, and I felt Tate's goodness and light rubbed off on everyone around him. The chemistry between Roman and Tate was off the charts. I like it when you see a dark, dangerous character fall hard and fast and realize they can have a softer side when they meet the right person. Roman never expects Tate, and vice versa; their chemistry and connection were just too hard to fight. After all that death and destruction that had been part of Roman's life for a long time, it was heartwarming to see him find some peace and be truly happy, something that had never been part of his old life.

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Book Review for Twisted Little Game by Raleigh Ruebins

TWISTED LITTLE GAME

Raleigh Ruebins

Release Date: September 24 

Blurb:

My stalker is a problem… but my bodyguard is a monster.

I never asked for Roman Petrov.

I made one mistake, got threats on my life, and now my brother hires me a bodyguard?

Roman is six-foot-five, pure muscle, and a gorgeous, scowling face.

I break a few of his rules on my first night of his protection.

Provoke him, 'til he pins me to the wall.

And something explodes between us when he lays his hands on me.

Our size difference sparks a pure physical addiction.

His two rules:

His family runs the mob… but we don’t talk about it.

And he’s usually 100% straight… but completely obsessed with me.

I can take a man who’s taller and bigger in every way.

As threats escalate, Roman demands I stay in his room, closer than ever.

When I’m attacked on campus, Roman’s unhinged, vowing to destroy anyone who hurts me.

He’s the heir to a powerful Bratva crime family, and war with the mafia is erupting now, too.

I know I’m in danger.

Lines blur between who I can or can’t trust.

But I have Roman close to me. And I believe it when he says I’m his.

Buy Link:

https://a.co/d/0g3HGgEj

Available in KU

Roman and Tate's story was just an okay read for me. I liked the characters enough, but something was missing; I just can't put my finger on it. Maybe not enough intrigue to grab my attention. I did like the characters, but I never fell in love with any of them, and I can say we never saw those twists coming. Tate and Roman are complete opposites: Tate, the lightbringer, and Roman, the darkness, but Tate's light brings changes in Roman never seen before, and I felt Tate's goodness and light rubbed off on everyone around him. The chemistry between Roman and Tate was off the charts. I like it when you see a dark, dangerous character fall hard and fast and realize they can have a softer side when they meet the right person. Roman never expects Tate, and vice versa; their chemistry and connection were just too hard to fight. After all that death and destruction that had been part of Roman's life for a long time, it was heartwarming to see him find some peace and be truly happy, something that had never been part of his old life.

Author Raleigh Ruebins:

Raleigh Ruebins writes steamy MM love stories with small towns, big egos, and men who should know better... but they fall hard anyway. Her favorite characters are guys who deserve their happily-ever-afters, even if they're rough around the edges--real, flawed, but always with hearts of gold. 

Connect with Raleigh Ruebins:

https://www.instagram.com/raleighruebins/

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Blog Tour for The Healing Heart by Randa Knight

Title: The Healing Heart

Series: Boys of Bragg

Author: Randa Knight

Genre/Tropes: Guarded heroine x Protective Alpha; Second Chance; Girl Squad; He Falls First; Forced Proximity; Breaking the Family Curse; Touch Her and Die Protector; Extreme Sports 

Release Date: September 14, 2026 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Review - “This compelling story touches the heart and had me in Josh and Lizzy's corner.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Goodreads Review - “This is a nicely developed story with strong and likable characters. This story has some nice twists with passion, love and more.”

Lizzy
One reckless night. One unforgettable taste of him.
The moment I broke my rules and gave in, I knew I was playing with fire. His smoldering cerulean eyes and the way he whispered my name? Irresistible. He didn’t want forever—but I needed more.
Now, he’s back, acting like the boyfriend dreams are made of. Sweet. Attentive. Protective. Maybe even ready to love me the way I crave.
But how do I trust a man who’s made walking away into an art form?

Is a second chance worth the burn?

Josh
I left her. Not because I didn’t want her—but because I wanted her too much.
Marriage. Kids. The white picket fence. I told myself I couldn’t be that man… because I’m my father’s son. And he broke my mother in ways I can never forget.

So I let Lizzy go.
But fate had other plans. Now I’m here, ready to fight for her, to protect what’s mine—with teeth, fists, and fury if I have to.
She says she doesn’t trust me.

But I’ll prove it—one kiss, one promise, one heated night at a time.

A quiet moan escapes me as his lips graze my neck, trailing gentle kisses before finding that spot just below my jawline. When he sucks there, slow and deliberate, my fingers tangle in his sandy-brown hair, urging him not to stop. Languidly, he moves his hand up my thigh and wraps it around my waist before sliding his hand across my skin to cup my breast. He places open-mouth kisses everywhere but the nipple, where I want him.

I huff. He gives me a growly laugh and continues to the opposite breast, then switches back and forth until I squeeze his waist with my legs. I need some kind of relief. His hand presses flat against my stomach as he trails kisses downward, lips grazing and nibbling along the way. Instead of going where I crave him—no, need him—he places small bites on my inner thigh.

“P-please.” I attempt to move his head to my core.

Instead, he switches to the opposite thigh, where the tip of his tongue flicks the fold between my leg and pussy. My body bows off the bed at his small, teasing pecks, desperate for release. I feel him grin before he devours me with his mouth. It only takes a few flicks of his tongue to send me over the edge. He keeps going, adding his fingers, making me see stars. My body goes completely limp as he crawls back up and those dazzling blue eyes stare up at me.

Josh.

I jerk myself from the dream. “Shit.” I shouldn’t have any dreams about my ex, let alone sex dreams, especially since I started dating my sorta boyfriend Phillip.

I grab my phone and call my person, Dee. She’s been my best friend since we were freshmen at the University of Nebraska, even if we live almost two hours apart now. I would say until she ran off with Mike, but she fought that man every step of the way to the point she broke up with him almost weekly. Ok, not weekly but close. All because my feisty and fearless friend was petrified since she caught feelings for Mike.

“You’re lucky Michael left work early and I’m already up with his evil spawn.” Dee groans, probably filling or refilling her coffee cup since it’s barely five a.m.

“I had a dream and… it’s messed up.”

Dee yawns. “Gonna tell me, or do I have to be like Ivy and make up elaborate stories trying to figure out this fucked-up dream?” Dee mutters to herself, “Why is it that this child is only two, but he knows exactly when his father leaves? Michael wasn’t out the door ten minutes before his mini-me was up crying for him. Seriously? Who carried him for nine months and ruined her rockin’ body, with amazing tits? Huh?”

I shrug, even though she can’t see me. “First, you still have a great body, to the point your husband can barely keep his hands to himself. Second, at least your son cuddles up with you when Mike leaves. Ivy says she misses that phase. I have no idea. Call her about that. I’m sure Mase was like that with Grant. My dream…” I trail off, hopeful my soulmate knows that I want her to finish the sentence or at least pick the topic up.

“So, this dream… were you fucking someone you shouldn’t? Or marrying—”

“The hell? How do you do that?”

Knowing her, she’s smiling from ear to ear. “You’re my soulmate. I know how your mind works. Tell me, in detail, about this dream so I know how freaked out you are and how to fix this. If I even need to fix anything.”

I do as she asks and tell her everything, complete with his mischievous blue eyes lovingly staring at me when I awoke.

“You’re feeling guilty cause of Chill Phil… Well, he’s not really chill, more like douchie. Why did I start calling him that?” She finishes, talking more to herself than to me.

“It rhymes,” I deadpan.

Dee continues, completely ignoring my comment. “Josh, now, I’m not sure what you’re thinking there. Do you want him back? It’s been almost three months since you went near him. That’s no small feat since he’s with Michael almost all the time. It pisses me off that you avoid all the parties and shit we have. It’s pissing everyone else off as well. Get over it. You knew he had commitment issues, and I’m proud of you for standing up for yourself to him, but that doesn’t mean you turn your back on your friends. You barely visit anymore. It’s bullshit.” She whisper-shouts into the phone since Cristian is probably within earshot. I can hear his musical activity table, though I’m surprised the volume is still on. Dee usually shuts it off almost immediately.

I’m surprised she didn’t rip me a new backside sooner. I’m sure Cat, Mike’s baby sister, who moved in with them after college, talked Dee down a few times already. Should I have pretty much ghosted my closest friend, spiraling me into a pit of depression? No. Should I have baked so many cookies, rolls, and desserts that I needed to donate them to the local soup kitchen? No. Did I contact Dee’s old boss at the community center to continue baking more in their industrial kitchen to work through my guilt? Absolutely. Well, I did until Gordy, Dee’s adopted dad, busted me.

I know Dee’s right. I’ve wallowed long enough. I’ve been missing out on so much by avoiding Josh the last few months. I swipe the tears rolling down my face. She’s right, I shouldn’t ignore my girls—Dee, Ivy, and Cat—just because I don’t want to look at his gorgeous face and be reminded that he doesn’t want me.

Dee continues. “Your butt better be here this weekend for girl time. You know what I can do to you. Though I’m not sure if we can pull off an official girls’ night, since Grant just returned from a training exercise and Joel comes back from some type of special schooling Michael sent him to, we can do something together with all the girls for a few hours, then just the two of us. I miss you. We’ve never been apart from each other for more than a month. Fully expect me to beat the crap outta you when you get here. Better yet, come tomorrow.”

Gut me. Guilt crawls across my chest, squeezing my heart. She knows I feel bad about not visiting more or spending time with her. I used the excuse that things had picked up at work, so I had to put in more hours, then I blamed starting a relationship with Phillip.

I sigh, knowing Phillip asked me to go with him to his friend’s birthday party—or maybe it was a work thing. I should’ve paid more attention. I should just cancel so I can spend the entire week with my bestie and her sweet little boy.

“Let me call Phillip and see if I can get out of whatever he said. I think it’s for one of his friends or something.”

“Wait, you don’t remember whose party it is?”

I shake my head. “No.”

Dee laughs loudly, then quiets down, probably when she realizes how loud she’s being. I bet she got Cristian to lie back down. “Yeah, Mr. Chill won’t last long, but if it gets you here… bring him. You wouldn’t want to miss Dom’s going-away party. He’s PCSing in two weeks to Missouri.”

“What?! Dom’s leaving? What the hell?” I screech in a slight panic.

Dom is one of the many guys in our circle of friends. Ok, he’s actually one of Mike’s many soldiers since Mike, or as the guys call him, Auggie, is a first sergeant at Fort Bragg—though it was briefly called Fort Liberty for a hot minute before it was changed back. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve heard anyone actually call it that. Anyway, Dom and I bonded after he called Josh out for breaking up with me for the thousandth time. The two of us talked for hours about everything, from Josh and his stupidity to Dom’s evil ex-wife, to how he quit drinking and his new girlfriend, and circling back to Josh.

“What did you expect? Avoidance has consequences. And I’m petty enough not to tell you shit when your ass cancels on fucking girls’ night of all things,” Dee deadpans. “I get not coming to Josh’s birthday party or poker night or even the weekly bonfires. But it’s girls’ night at Ivy’s house! That’s bullshit.”

Yeah, I’m an asshole who needs to fix this, which means I will bail on going to that party with Phillip. Joy washes over me thinking about seeing my bestie—and ditching that lame party. Dee’s right, Phillip won’t last much longer, but I can’t give her that satisfaction. If I was petty like her, I would be reminding her how many times she dumped Mike. Lucky for her, I’m not.

Instead, I’ll bake my emotions. What should I bake? I grab the basics while I figure it out. I can’t deal with Dee’s guilt trip without baking something even if I deserve everything she gives me. Maybe I’ll make her favorite cupcakes or brownies. I mean, it’s the least I can do for being a shitty friend. I need to try to fix my screwup. Definitely some chocolate cupcakes with chocolate ganache and caramel drizzle.

“I’ll be there tomorrow.” I know she has a satisfied smile on her face when we hang up.

Randa Knight was born and raised in a small little town on the Ohio/Indiana border. Her love of reading began in middle school and never ended. For the past few years, she has been an avid reader and blogger. She studied Literature with a Creative Writing minor at Indiana University (Go Hoosiers!) where she fell in love with writing. The idea for Boys of Bragg series began during a creative writing course.

When she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out with her four boys, husband, and new puppy. Or spending copious amounts of time on Tik Tok instead of writing or cleaning.

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