*Books by Heat Level

Faking It with the Detective by Rose Bak

She’s always wanted an adventure, and she’s going to get it, even if she has to pretend to be someone else!

All her life, Michelle has longed for the kind of adventures that she reads about in books. Instead, the forty-year-old cashier has a boring life, a boring job, a boring apartment, and a cat who hates her. Nothing exciting ever happens to her. Until she meets Derrick…

The handsome detective thinks that she’s his FBI contact. When he crashes into the café where she works, demanding that she go with him to find their target, she figures she might as well go for it. Sure, she doesn’t know how to investigate a case. She’s never handled a gun or thrown a punch. And the only time she runs is, well, never. But she was in drama club in high school, so surely she can fake it?

There’s something strange about Michelle. Derrick can’t put his finger on it, but she’s not like any cop he’s ever worked with. She’s sassy and sweet and she flinches every time she sees his gun. But there’s something about her that makes him dream about finally settling down. If they can just figure out where this mob boss is hiding…

She was assigned to help him, but Michelle is the distraction he doesn’t need. If they manage to get out of this alive, he just might need to hold her close — forever.

Sometimes a girl has just gotta fake it. You know what I mean!

The Maiden of the Storm by Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

By Book Lovers Magazine

The Maiden of the Storm by Michelle Deerwester-Dalrymple

When the power of love is stronger than the chains of bondage . . .

She’s a powerful Scottish Highland Celtic woman. He’s a Roman warrior, captive in her village. When their passion for each other grows, can they find a way to be together?

Or will the conflicts between the Celts and Romans drive them apart?

In the Caledonii village, Riana is the chieftain’s oldest daughter and accustomed to position and authority. Until the day a Roman soldier is brought in and made a slave.

Despite her moral objections, she is directed by her father to tend to the Roman, to bring him back to health and make sure he’s fed.

At first, he’s nothing more than a curiosity for her, but as they spend time together during her duties to him, they forge a camaraderie that quickly becomes something more.

Something passionate and forbidden.

Horatio is a confident Roman soldier brought low after a night of missteps. Bound to slavery for the Caledonii tribe, he spends every waking moment biding his time and planning his escape. What he doesn’t plan is the desire he feels for the very woman directed to keep him in chains.

His desire grows, as does his love for the red northern woman.

As their passions rise, Riana decides that she cannot see the man she loves enslaved. They concoct an escape that is successful on the surface but leads to disastrous results.

When they believe all is lost, their love for each other gives them one final chance for survival. Will their love overcome the obstacles that would tear them apart?

That’s How It Was by Hazel Pacheco

By Book Lovers Magazine

That’s How It Was by Hazel Pacheco

Best described as slyly funny and heart-warming, That’s How It Was: Operation Finders Keepers is uniquely written in letter format. Written from a ten-year-old boy’s perspective, Randy Ray’s letters prove to be captured moments in time just waiting to be discovered by his daughters thirty-seven years later. These treasured memories allow his daughters to get to know the boy who became their father.

Henry Wondered by Hazel Pacheco

By Book Lovers Magazine

Henry Wondered by Hazel Pacheco

In book one of the Henry and Friends Series, somewhere in the bosque, in the open spaces near the Rio Grande, lives a covey of quail . . . In this episode, Henry wonders about many things. In particular, how to impress his first crush! When a handsome roo enters the picture, all seems doomed. Will Federico, a stranger and self-proclaimed talented flamingo dancer, foil Henry’s plan to impress Gloria? Follow Henry as he discovers the wonder of serendipity.

Beautifully illustrated, Henry Wondered presents a delightful, humorous tale that celebrates thoughtfulness and delivers a subtle faith inspired message that encourages overcoming pride and jealousy.

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco

By Book Lovers Magazine

Federico Exaggerated by Hazel Pacheco

Book two of the Henry and Friends series, features the flamboyant Federico who loves the spotlight, and frequently regales the covey with his exaggerated tales of daring. In this episode, Federico captures the attention of his audience with an inflated story of his bravery on the Rio Grande. Without warning, he is interrupted by the announcement of ripe hackberries. Left without an audience, Federico stomps off and accidentally stumbles onto something that might recapture his friends’ attention—well maybe. What he finds might teach him that truth can be incredible on its own. He just needs to convince his friends he’s not exaggerating.

Beautifully illustrated with Kim Sponaugle’s vibrant watercolors, Federico Exaggerated presents an educational, yet humorous tale that delivers a subtle faith inspired message that encourages accepting imperfection in each other.