Title: Taylor's Father

Author: Penelope Ward

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Age Gap (17 Years), Best Guy Friend's Father

Single Dad, Forbidden, Second Chance

Protective Hero, Sassy Heroine

Cover Design: Letitia Hasser, RBA Designs

Photographer: Brennen McMurray

Model: Levi Stocke

Release Date: February 22, 2026

BLURB

From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

When my best friend Taylor gifted me a vacation at a resort owned by his grandparents, the last thing I expected was to bond with a man seventeen years older.

Tate was also vacationing alone.

He’d come to Midnight Key to clear his head and reevaluate his life.

I’d come to get over my high school sweetheart who’d dumped me.

I’d spotted the brawny, tattooed Adonis in the lobby on the first day and thought he had to be someone’s hot dad.

But then we matched on an app that paired single men and women by proximity.

The problem was? At nineteen—almost twenty—I’d lied and said I was twenty-nine.

Tate outed me on our first date, and I fessed up to my real age.

But we continued to run into each other.

And eventually we found our connection was too magnetic to deny.

While we agreed to only use first names and to part ways at the end of the trip, I’d really fallen for Tate.

I never forgot him and knew he was the one who got away.

Remember that guy friend who gifted me the trip?

Well, four years later, Taylor got married.

He’d been estranged from his dad for years, though recently they’d reconnected.

What I didn’t know was that the man I’d had that torrid affair with at the resort would be standing next to Taylor in the receiving line.

My dream man Tate? Was Taylor’s father.

ADD TO GOODREADS

PRE-ORDER LINKS

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Will be free in Kindle Unlimited

SPECIAL EDITION PAPERBACK

Audio preorder will go live in mid-February.

A model-cover paperback will be live on release day.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

17-YEAR AGE GAP

BEST GUY FRIEND'S FATHER

SINGLE DAD

FORBIDDEN

SECOND CHANCE

PROTECTIVE HERO

SASSY HEROINE

AUTHOR BIO

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.

AUTHOR LINKS

FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM

TIKTOK
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OTHER BOOKS BY PENELOPE WARD

SEE ALL BOOKS HERE

 

      SINNER & SAINT BY JL BECK   Release date: December 12th   SERIES: Black Hollow Creek Book 1   Genre/Tropes: Dark Romance / Morally Grey Cowboy / Cowboy Romance / Enemies to Lovers / Forced Marriage / Age Gap / Small Town Romance / Forbidden Love / She falls first but he falls harder / Opposites Attract / Filthy Talkin' Hero       SINNER & SAINT by JL Beck is NOW LIVE! Make sure to grab this all-new enemies to lovers,small town, dark cowboy romance today!!   NOW AVAILABLE! https://geni.us/blackhollowcreek1             BLURB I’ve always been the good girl. The preacher’s daughter. The town’s saint. The one who never strays from the rules. Until one reckless night changes everything. Calder Bishop is the monster I’ve been warned about my entire life. Heir to the most feared family in Black Hollow Creek. Rancher by day, enforcer by night. His touch carries ruin, his name carries blood, and his gaze makes my prayers falter. When I stumble into Bishop business, Calder is left with a choice: end my life or claim it. Killing me would be mercy. Keeping me could start a war. But Calder Bishop has never been a merciful man. And if there’s one thing he wants, it’s me—all to himself. Now I’m trapped in his world of violence and vengeance, my innocence colliding with his sin. I search for a way out but there is none. Only Calder. It’s when he claims me—branding me with his soul—I learn the truth: the only thing more dangerous than a Bishop’s wrath…is his love. **This is book one in the series and is a complete standalone with a happily ever after. Certain scenes within this book may be triggering to some readers. Please review the trigger list at the beginning of the book before reading.**             About JL Beck:  

1. Beck writes steamy romance that’s unapologetic, meaning it makes no apologies for the way it rips you open and makes you crave more. Her heroes are alphas who take what they want, and she pairs them with heroines that bring them to their knees.

She loves writing about darkness, passion, suspense, and of course, steam. Leaving her readers gasping and asking what the hell just happened is only one of her many tricks. Her books range from morally grey to dark and spicey but always end with a happily ever after. She loves to write across numerous tropes, but her favorite is enemies to lovers. She started her writing career in the summer of 2014 and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Wisconsin and is a mom to two, a wife, and likes to act as a literary agent part-time.   Visit her website for more info: www.beckromancebooks.com   Connect with JL Beck: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJLBeck/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjlbeck/ Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@authorjlbeck Amazon: http://amzn.to/2srbge9 Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2tOVZl8 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8425041.J_L_Beck Unapologetic Romance Book Club FB Group: http://bit.ly/2sWljZG

 

The Cardinal Code: Absolution
Avery Sterling
(The Cardinal Code, #2)
Publication date: April 17th 2026
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Michael Chamberlain and Paislee Sullivan finally have a chance to breathe—away from chaos, away from the Order, and away from the world that nearly tore them apart.

But the Cardinalis Order doesn’t forget its own.

When Michael is summoned to London, Paislee is pulled into the glittering core of their society—a world of ancient bloodlines, ritual politics, and expectations she never agreed to.

As Michael is drawn into duties he cannot refuse, everything Paislee thought she understood begins to unravel—about the Order, about Michael, and about the dangerous cost of loving someone born into its highest ranks.

Peace was never meant to last. Not in a world ruled by influence…and sharpened by those who know how to use it.

But some bonds never break.

Return to a world of shadows and desire

in Book Two of The Cardinal Code Series.

Author Bio:

Avery Sterling's love for the romance genre began in her teen years when she picked up her first novel. She was captivated by the sweeping scale of emotions brought about by the words. The experience catapulted her towards learning the art of wielding a breathtaking adventure, with a love that felt authentic. Wanting to inspire people with her own thoughts and words, she finished her first novel at sixteen. It was a step towards understanding the essence of what she wished to create.

Most of her youth was spent traveling, searching out the romance and beauty in her everchanging world. From the waves that crashed against the rocky shores of Downeast, Maine, to the warm breezes of the Caribbean, she discovered that love was universal, apparent in its grandest and simplest of forms. Her goal is to write novels an audience can relate to, one that conveys the truth and nature of love… with all that steamy romance.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

—

 

COVER REVEAL: Property of Sevrin (Kings of Anarchy MC: Lexmore Beach, Maryland)

Get ready for a suspenseful supernatural standalone biker romance from USA Today bestselling author Esther E. Schmidt.

Preorder here:
books2read.com/Sevrin

Author: Esther E. Schmidt
Cover Design: Gchelle Design
Release Day: March 24, 2026
Genre: Supernatural biker romance

A rare ancient legend binds these fated mates as direct descendants from the Roman Gods. Will they survive a blood feud or taint the sea red for all of eternity?

Sevrin – I’m a descendant of Neptune, and the president of the Kings of Anarchy Long Beach, Maryland chapter. Perusing a vendetta against the brother of my destined fated mate has consumed me for decades. When I eventually come face-to-face with my fated mate for the first time, it unknowingly triggers a legend's inescapable journey causing catastrophic consequences for everyone involved.

Fosca – I’m a descendant of Salacia, and a medical examiner. Working with law enforcement while knowing my destined fated mate is an outlaw biker creates issues deeper than standing on opposite ends. Especially when he harbors a hatred deep enough to want me as dead as my rogue brother.

The Maryland chapters are more than a brotherhood when it comes to putting the club first, and handling those who cause problems. Each story features a new couple, and can be read as a complete standalone with action, suspense, no cheating, and a happily ever after.

 

 🌹💚A Feast to Die For 🌹💚 a Cozy Mystery novel by E. Hazard in The Velvet Scone Mysteries is Now LIVE! ✨

A New Zealand Small Town Cozy Mystery 

The Velvet Scone Mysteries 

Author: E. Hazard

➡Add to GOODREADS

1-Click on Amazon

US  | UK  | CA  | AU

Kindle Unlimited

Books in the series:

A Jam to Die For: Book 1 is F-r-e-e 

Grab your free copy when you sign up to E. Hazard’s Substack: HERE

A Scone to Die For

AMAZON

A Donut to Die For

HERE

~Blurb~

Murder, mulled wine, and Christmas chaos in a small New Zealand town.

In Willowby, the annual “Twelve Tables of Christmas” feast at St. Agatha's Parish Hall is the highlight of the summer holiday season. With themed tables, lavish dishes, and fierce competition for the coveted Golden Ladle Award, the community is ready to celebrate in style.

But the festivities come to a shocking halt when Trevor Pike, the arrogant Chair of the Garden Society, collapses after sipping poisoned mulled wine. Known for his sharp tongue and endless feuds, Trevor made enemies at every table — leaving almost everyone a suspect.

Café owner and amateur sleuth Tamsin Blake is determined to uncover the truth while juggling gingerbread Santas, café gossip, and even an ugly Christmas jumper contest. With Iris by her side, Inspector Crumpet squawking unhelpfully, and Detective Sergeant Cal Morgan frowning at her interference, Tamsin must untangle a web of secrets before the holiday season is ruined.

Full of festive flavor, quirky characters, and twisty clues, A Feast to Die For is the perfect holiday cozy mystery for fans of small-town whodunnits, culinary sleuths, and Christmas stories with a summery Southern Hemisphere twist.

Join the Tour HERE

For more about E. Hazard and her books:

HERE

About The New Romance Cafe

The New Romance Café is the place to get your daily dose of romance books. 

Hang out with like-minded readers and authors at different stages of their writing journey, in a diverse and inclusive group. 

Find out about new releases, take part in fun discussions, and recommend your favourite reads in the safe space of the Café.

Group: 

Website: 

Romance Cafe Publishing: 

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 ✩⛄✩ NEW RELEASE ALERT ✩⛄✩

🔔✨Deck the Hall, a forbidden MM romance is Now LIVE! 🔔✨
By Susan Horsnell
Goodreads: 

🔔✨1-Click on Amazon 

US | UK | AU | CA

What to expect:

When power becomes a weapon, love becomes a rescue mission.
When the truth became a headline, they became each other’s safe harbour.
Two hearts. One home. No permission needed.

🔔✨BLURB 🔔✨

A forbidden kiss.
A leaked photograph.
A powerful Earl who will do anything to protect his legacy—no matter who he destroys.
When the press erupts with news of Peter Cranford’s relationship with lawyer Xander Miller, Peter is dragged back into the ruthless world of his aristocratic family. But nothing prepares him for the night his father’s men break into Xander’s home and drag Peter away.
Xander isn’t a fighter—but he’ll risk everything to get Peter back.
What follows is a rescue that makes headlines, a criminal trial that shakes the aristocracy, and a love story that refuses to die under pressure. As Peter heals and the truth comes out, the pair build a life together—founding a law firm, a family, and freedom.
For the first time, Peter chooses his own future…
Xander.

🔔✨ For more information about Susan Horsnell and her books:

HERE

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Title: Beautiful Chaos

Author: S. Nelson

Genre/Tropes: Contemporary Romance; MMA Romance; Second Chance Romance; Boss/Employee Romance

Release Date: December 10, 2025

Jackson Crew is a star in the MMA world, his skill a testament to years of ruthless training. But behind the brutal punches and unyielding victories lies a man haunted by a tragic past—one that has left him emotionally scarred and unwilling to believe he deserves to be happy. He channels his pain into his fights, but when the cage door shuts, the ghosts of his past remain, lurking in the shadows, taunting him, luring him to believe he’s destined for a life of loneliness.

Sophie Delaney never thought she’d be going through a divorce at the age of twenty-nine, and as the decision to leave her abusive ex shatters her world, she is left unsure of her next step. Rebuilding her life feels impossible, but when a new job opportunity presents itself, she prays this will be the first step she needs, allowing her to finally move forward in this next phase of her life.

But then she meets her new boss, and her doubts resurface. Reluctantly, she shoves aside her reservations and accepts the opportunity to work for the famous and moody MMA fighter.

Their chemistry is undeniable, but as their connection deepens, Jackson’s unresolved pain and Sophie’s emotional wounds may prove to be too much for either of them to overcome.

Can they both learn to heal or will they allow their personal trauma to dictate their futures, causing them to miss out on a chance for happiness neither of them even dreamed possible?

In this raw and heartfelt story of second chances, Beautiful Chaos explores love, redemption, and the strength it takes to rise from the ashes of a broken past.

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