Craving Silence by Freya Barker Excerpt Reveal

Title: Craving Silence (Silence, #5) 

Author: Freya Barker 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Release Date: October 16, 2026 

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC. 

Nurse practitioner, Dana Kerrigan, finds her steady and comfortably predictable life suddenly turned upside down as the result of a family emergency. With no choice but to take a leave from work, she has to hustle to keep Silence’s favorite pub running and her parents looked after. When heartbreak brings with it an unexpected opportunity to realize a long-held dream, it presents a new set of problems. One that involves murder, and the man sent to investigate.

As a recent transplant to Silence, sheriff’s detective, Rick Althof, was aiming for less stress and more solitude. Instead, he finds himself frequently drawn to The Kerrigan, a popular pub in town, to enjoy a meal, a beer, and—if lucky—a friendly chat with the owner’s pretty daughter. Still bearing the invisible scars of past mistakes, he’s determined to keep things friendly, despite a growing attraction. However, his resolve is put to the test when she lands in the middle of an elaborate development scheme involving bribery, blackmail, and even murder.

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“What’s the deep sigh for?” he asks from his perch on the ladder, as I fold the last of the towels. “It’s a satisfied sigh,” I explain, picking up the stack of laundry to carry upstairs. “The kind that comes with being able to check a box off my list.” A faint smile appears on his lips. “You’ll have another to check off soon,” he offers. “I’m almost done here.” I’ve been so busy studying the man, I failed to notice how quickly he’s made his way around to the last remaining wall in the kitchen. “I see that. It looks amazing.” I glance around the space, mentally noting some patchwork that will need to be done, but at least the horrific wallpaper is gone and the walls will be ready for some paint soon. Maybe I can do some of that after work this week. “Let me run these upstairs real quick, and I’ll help with the clean up.” My linen closet sports organized stacks of linens and towels, everything sorted by type and size. I guess I’m a little anal, but I love when everything has a place. It makes life so much easier. Maybe that need for predictability is why my life had become such a rut before Mom’s health took a nosedive and forced me to pivot and adapt. But that process also showed me there is so much more to life if you can be open to change. That kind of flexibility takes time though, and like a muscle that has been dormant for a long time, it needs to be used and exercised. I’m working on it. Half an hour later I haul the last garbage bag stuffed with discarded wallpaper to the back porch. Leaning over the railing, I twist my head to look up at the sky which is studded with stars. I missed the sun going down, and the temperature must’ve dropped about fifteen degrees. It’s cold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we drop below freezing tonight. Inside, I find Rick in the kitchen with a serious expression on his face. He may have been watching me. “You have to go…” I guess. He shakes his head in response and slowly approaches. His hands slide around the sides of my neck as he tilts my chin up with his thumbs. His eyes are deep blue pools I find myself drowning in. His voice is low and his words send a delicious shiver down my spine. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.” Closing my hands around his wrists, I lift up on my toes until my lips almost touch his. “Yippie,” I whisper, before taking the initiative.

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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Release Blast & Review for One Night With Number 19 by Elise Faber

ONE NIGHT WITH NUMBER NINETEEN

Elise Faber

Release Date: September 28

AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

It was supposed to be one night.

Now I can’t seem to let him go.

As a single mom, my life is built on routine, responsibility, and putting my son first. There isn’t room for distractions—especially not from a playboy hockey player with a reputation as big as his ego.

One night with Sawyer Hill, star forward for the Grizzlies, was supposed to be a moment of indulgence. Nothing more.

Only…he keeps showing up. Keeps looking at me like I matter. And worst of all, he looks at my son like he plans to stay.

But I’ve trusted the wrong man before, and I won’t make that mistake again.

Except—

The more he shows me who he is…

The harder it is to walk away.

This is the fourth instalment in this ongoing series, about Lainey and Sawyer. Although this is Sawyer and Lainey's story, Ollie is a big part of it; Lainey's son lost his father when he was very young.

This story is an emotional rollercoaster for the main characters; they go through stages of growth, moving forward, revelations, and how things got to where they did. How many of us ended up where Sawyer did? I can definitely relate to his situation. It makes you question: are you truly happy?

Both Lainey and Sawyer laid their vulnerabilities bare. Lainey is struggling with her attraction to Sawyer, knowing his history and fears of getting hurt. Sawyer's fears are messing up something he longed for a long time.

Ollie is a standout character; that little man melts everyone's heart and has everyone wrapped around his little finger. The characters were awesome; the Grizzle family is the bomb. It's like one big happy family who is there for one another in their time of need and even when you need a good ribbing. The chemistry between Sawyer and Lainey was beautiful.

Final thoughts:

This story had suspense, witty banter, heartache, emotional moments, found family, beautiful friendships, healing, love, growth, and some big personal revelations for both main characters. I loved learning more about Sawyer's past, as it sheds light on the choices he made up until the point he meets Ollie and Lainey. Both he and Lainey are learning to trust in what they had and their love, and that it was okay to make mistakes and it wasn't an end-all, be-all situation.

Most of all, I loved the beautiful bond forged with both Ollie and Sawyer. I truly believe that was part of Sawyer's own healing journey of letting go of the past and moving forward. I really enjoyed this emotionally moving story.

Grab your copy!

https://geni.us/OneNightWith19

Meet Elise Faber:

USA Today bestselling author Elise Faber writes romances with swoony, possessive heroes who fall hard and fast—and have just the right amount of heat. When she’s not writing about hockey or cheering on the Sharks, she’s playing it—her favorite date nights happen on the ice with her husband. Off the rink, you’ll usually find her soaking in the bathtub with a book or bingeing reality TV. Elise lives in Northern California with her husband and two teenage boys, and firmly believes happily-ever-afters are non-negotiable. Connect with her on Instagram, TikTok, or at elise@elisefaber.com.

To find out about Elise Faber’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Elise Faber and her books visit: https://www.elisefabershop.com/

Connect with Elise Faber:

https://www.elisefabershop.com/pages/contact-us

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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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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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