Sunday, March 30, 2025

The Guardian Awaits

 

The Guardian Awaits

 

The Mirage: Fata Morgana

Chapter One

 

 

Undercover agent, Colin Chase Rand had spent a week with his family who had come to visit him in Duluth before he left the area.

His mother had always wanted to stay at the historic Fitger’s along the shores of Lake Superior. His father, as always, was accommodating to her wishes. She was thrilled with the stunning lake-view room they’d reserved.

His brother, Rick, was there for a few days but had to return before the week was up. They were short-handed at the fire station and he had to return to work. His mother and sister, Ilene, took advantage of the hotel spa and lots of shopping.

It was extremely relaxing. He’d been on guard, on high alert for so long he’d practically forgotten how to relax.

His good friends, Keoni and Lizette, came to share the last day with him and his family. It was awesome to have all of them together before he headed out of state to the next assignment.

The shaky goodbyes and the hugs filled him with happiness and love. He had one hell of a family. Colin knew how lucky he was to have them.

With his family, Keoni, and Lizette in the rearview mirror, Colin left Locke Bay satisfied he’d done the best job under the extenuating circumstances.

It was hard saying goodbye, not knowing if all would go well with his next assignment. It was something he learned to accept and live with. He was close to his family and, at times, it was extremely difficult to be without them, especially during the holidays, or missing birthdays.

Or, when Lizette put the gun to his head. All he could think of was how much he’d miss his family; how it’d break his parent’s hearts if she pulled the trigger.

Keoni Nani and Lizette Hill are two of the best friends a person could have. They’d met under the most unusual circumstances. When he’d first met Lizette, he didn’t trust her, knew she was hiding something. She was, absolutely without a doubt.

Funny how things turned out sometimes, he ended up knowing she and Keoni would always have his back.

Usually, when he completed a job, he left it all behind, but those two will be lifetime friends.

After Keoni’s initial shock of discovering that Colin and Lizette were undercover FBI agents, he had their back. Normally, the job would’ve been over and assigned somewhere else. It wasn’t quite how it worked out and Colin was satisfied with the outcome.

Keeping their secrets from the Mafia and keeping them from the FBI wasn’t much different. Occasionally, there was a bit of guilt that bubbled up. Neither one of them coughed up the information to the higher echelons.

 Colin smiled to himself. And boy, the two of them were a bundle of fun. It broke the high stress of being undercover and wondering if he’d see the next morning.

It was his mother’s expression when he announced he’d joined the FBI as an undercover agent.

It took a few moments before she finally said, “I’m proud of you, son, but what happens when you wake up dead because of some sicko or felon killing you?”

He hugged her. There was nothing else he could do except give empty reassurances.

He had a four-week vacation under his belt, and he intended to take the whole four weeks. One week with his family and the rest would be a nice ride to Florida by way of the New England coast.

It’d be the first break he’d had in well over three years. Colin planned on taking small hops and playing tourist before he hit all the waves on the Rhode Island coast. He may even put his board in at Ruggles Rd.

Once he tackled those breakers, he’d be on his way to the next town, the next adventure, and the next undercover position in a small, obscure, and relatively unknown town in Florida.

He drove on the scenic roads and avoided the highways. He smiled as he enjoyed the drive looking at the open land, the cows, corn, soy, more corn, and oh, look! Cows.

A few hours later, it was time for him to charge the car, and take his first stop at Spring Green. He’d heard about the House on the Rock for years and never managed to get there to see it until now.

The hotel room was typical. Colin leaned his head back in the chair and looked out the window wondering what it would be like to live in Florida.

He sure wouldn’t have to worry about driving and shoveling snow anymore. That will be nice.

He headed next door to the restaurant, grabbed a meal to go, and some Danish for his breakfast. The next morning, after he toured the House on the Rock, Colin headed southeast. Colin put it in auto-drive, looked at his itinerary, and played around on the radio. Preferring side roads instead of busy highways, he meandered through the countryside lost in his thoughts.

The long road had multiple mirages. The weather had been wacky lately, most likely causing all the mirages. He always thought they were like chasing a rainbow. No matter how close a person gets to it, it was always just beyond their reach. He recalled a long-ago memory with his mother.

She’d taken his hand. “Look. Colin. The end of the rainbow is right in our backyard. Watch what happens as we move closer.”

He’ll never forget that day. It withdrew from them as they moved toward it, but when they walked back to the house, they turned to look again. He expected it to be gone. Colin stood in awe. The rainbow glistened and beckoned to him.

Passing through Genoa City, a few miles from the Wisconsin and Illinois border, a stunning illusion of a mirage was on the road in front of him. The lights and colors were bending upward. The air was shimmering, similar to the northern lights. He stared, mesmerized by the sight.

The closer he got, the bigger it appeared. The road lifted upward, reaching skyward, creating an impression that the countryside was floating.

There were horses and people hovering in the air. He wanted to reach his hand out and pet the horses.

As he drove closer to the phenomenon, the more it wavered. Within seconds it morphed from within his reach to beyond the horizon and then back again. It was enchanting.

“Was it King Arthur’s sister, Morgan? Is she the one that had magical powers and could pull castles into thin air?”

 

Siri answered him, Morgan le Fay was King Arthur’s sister who lured sailors to their deaths by summoning visions in the sky. She created large objects to flow upward confusing the sailors, prompting claims of sighting the Flying Dutchman. A tale among the sailors, the ghost ship was cursed to sail the seas for eternity.

 

Colin held the steering wheel, watching as he entered the mirage. “Fata Morgana.”

 https://youtu.be/18yWcZv9OS0

Coming April 11, 2025

DCL Publishing presents: The Guardian Awaits

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Friday, March 28, 2025

Heather's Lucky Charm

 Heather’s Lucky Charm

 


A Charming Short Story 

The crackling bolt of energy hit the tree. Nolan O’Malley ducked, barely able to avoid the lightning ball flung at his head.

The wizard, Cliona, yelled at him, “Bean chéile!”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. I loved each and every one of them.” His emerald eyes glistened in memory. “There were no complaints coming from the little lassies.”

“You made my sister think she was the only one, used her and then disposed of her like she was abhorrent waste.”

“I never made promises of forever. Why would I do that when there are so many willing, beautiful women for me to love?”

 Nolan dove away from another bolt.

“I curse you to stay in the empty realm and only walk the Earth on Patty’s Day—until you find the woman you would die for.” She raised her finger. “But, she must accept you or you will forever be stuck in the realm.”

 Cliona snapped her finger. Nolan was teleported to an ethereal realm of emptiness. The rolling green hills of Éire were nowhere to be found. No fresh smell of buttercups and daisies wafted through the air.

Just emptiness. Nolan walked alone in the dark realm. Each year, it was torture having people in his life for only one day and then, have it ripped away from him and he was alone again.

Happiness was forever out of his reach.

 

∞     ∞     ∞

 

As promised, he returned to Earth on Patty’s Day. Year after year he sought out women, had pleasure with many but never found the key to breaking the curse.

After a few centuries, he’d given up.

He would lose time until the familiar burst of the lightning ball would send him traveling through the portal.

This time, he was nowhere near his home.

Nolan looked around. There were fields of flax dancing across the horizon. Unsure of where he was heading, he walked down the dirt road.

There was an old-looking contraption on the side of the road. He approached a group of young women. They were giggling and laughing on their knees in the grass.

“Look! I found one!” One of the young girls raised a four-leaf clover in the air.

The thick Southern American accent was surprising. It was the first time he’d been sent to the New World.

The other two girls ran over to her. Squealing and laughing.

He kept walking. The girls saw him and waved hello as he moved on about his business.

“Come on, Heather. I’ll help you find one.”

Nolan turned to watch the girls help Heather. She was a young lassie, perhaps twelve or thirteen. Several minutes later, the girls rode by him in the contraption and waved as they went by. The little girl didn’t look very happy.

She probably didn’t find her four-leaf clover.

Nolan continued toward town. The plan was to find a woman he would die for. But, since he’d given up, a pint would be nice.

On his way out of town, he saw the little girl again digging around the dirt.

“What’re you doing, lass?”

She quickly stood and backed away a few feet. Nolan immediately felt her tension and stopped walking toward her.

He put both hands out. “I’ll not harm you. Just heading my way back out of town. You looking for a four-leaf clover?”

The little girl nodded.

“I’ll tell you a wee secret to finding one, if you promise not to tell anyone.”

She nodded again.

“Look for the fairy rings. But these rings won’t be barren. They’ll have the colors of Éire in them. The darker the green in the middle, the better it is. Once you find that special fairy ring, you’ll find the magical clover you seek.”

The little girl’s smile lit up her face.

“And don’t forget to make that wish!” Nolan waved and walked on down the road, knowing he’d be back in the dark realm soon enough.

 

 

Heather’s Lucky Charm on Amazon

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*Almost all of the books are available as audio, e-book, paperback, hardcover, and in Large Print at 16pt.

 


Have a good moments day,

Pam

 

PamelaAckerson.net

@PamAckerson

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Email: PamAckerson@adcmagazine.com

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Their Mended Hearts

 

 


A second chance at love… if they’re brave enough to take it.


Their Mended Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 2

by Angie Cole

Genre: Sweet Small-Town Contemporary Second-Chance Romance



He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.

Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.

Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.

As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.

Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?

 

**Get it FREE March 28th – 30th!**

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Their Shattered Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 1



He’s a firefighter with a broken heart. She is a nurse with a hidden secret and a heart that has been broken. Can love give them the strength to heal?

Will Deluca, a firefighter and ranch owner, hides his pain behind a rugged exterior. After the tragic loss of his wife, his days on the Rockin' D Ranch are filled with hard work, caring for his two children, and carrying the heavy burden of unfulfilled promises. In the quiet hills of Texas, his world feels as empty as the vast plains.

When Anna Samuels, a compassionate nurse with a heart for healing, arrives in Cardinal Creek, she’s seeking a fresh start. Leaving behind heartbreak, Anna’s journey brings her to the ranch, where Will’s piercing blue eyes and quiet strength draw her in. Together, they find a spark of hope—something neither thought they’d feel again.

As their connection deepens, Will dreams of honoring his late wife’s wish to create a sanctuary for children with autism, blending his cowboy roots with a mission of healing. But his lingering guilt threatens to pull him back into darkness, jeopardizing their fragile bond.

Anna sees Will’s strength and kindness, but her secret—casts doubt over their growing love. Will her secret be the ultimate test of their love?

Set in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Their Shattered Hearts is a heartfelt story of second chances, featuring relatable characters, small-town charm, and the unyielding spirit of love. This western ranch romance will captivate readers who adore cowboy romance books with emotional depth and a loving MMC.

Will they find the courage to confront their demons and embrace the love they both deserve or will the ghosts of their pasts keep their hearts shattered forever?

 

**Get it for Only .99cents March 28th – 30th!**

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My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.

My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.

As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it's a very personal experience and isn't the same for every person.

 

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Thursday, March 27, 2025

The Forgotten

 

 


Betrayed! Banished! Broken! Can Luther's love for Amelia survive?


The Forgotten

The Realms of Darkness Book 1

by KA Stefana

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance 



My name is Luther Van Leer, and I'm a prisoner in the vampire queen's castle. She'll let me out if I'm willing to meet her demands, but I will refuse until she puts a stake through my heart. I'll not let her turn me into a monster. At least, that was my plan. With a turning kiss, I was turned into a monster, banished, beaten, and betrayed. Now, my master expects that I will fall in love with her and play nice. If my cold-dark heart ever finds her, revenge will be mine!

Step into the dark and feudal world of the four kingdoms. The prophecy hangs over the land, turning kings and queens against each other. When Amelia turns Luther, she unknowingly drags him into her world. Instead of gaining a lover, she gains another enemy. Will Luther forgive her ultimate betrayal and help her survive, or will he abandon her? It would be his right.

From the darkness of the salt mines, the horrors of the bird cages, the temptations of the Forbidden Lake, and dragon tattoos, Luther and Amelia will be in a race against time to save their kingdom.

This is book 1 in the Realms of Darkness Series.

This book was first published on Amazon's Kindle Vella.

 

**Only .99cents!!**

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Welcome Readers! I am so excited that you are taking this journey with me into the Shadowvere, where my characters live. I love to weave tales of darkness and light, pushing my characters to the end of themselves. How will they react? Some may fall into evil, spiraling into a never-ending vortex of darkness. Others may walk the line between the realms of darkness and light. Only a few will rise above the chaos. They are the defenders and heroes in the world of shadows, but they, too, wrestle with the shadows surrounding them, trying to lure them down dark alleyways and into the back rooms of iniquity.

My friends always ask me where my tales come from. I guess it comes from years of reading great tales from the likes of Tolkien, Lewis, and so many others. In reality, I don't have a clue. The stories somehow flow from the unruly characters that beg to be written yet refuse to follow their storylines. Just the way I like it!

Past the shadows, you will find twist of romance between kings and outcasts, enemies to lovers and everything in between.

As for me, I started my writing journey during quarantine and haven't stopped writing since. I am thankful for the writing community and their support and for my family and friends. Most of all, I am blessed to have a husband who supports all of my late-night shenanigans, wrestling with characters and pounding away at the keyboard until the wee hours of the morning.

~ A million hugs! Thanks for joining the Shadowverse.


 

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Wednesday, March 26, 2025

Lines We Shouldn't Cross

 

 


Sometimes the road to a fresh start has a few detours



Lines We Shouldn’t Cross

The Innocence Series Book 1

by Harper Reynolds

Genre: Contemporary Romance 



When they first meet, sparks fly…but not the romantic kind…

Ella Westhoff is a marketing genius. But romance? Not her strong suit. So, while she’s prepared to return to her small hometown and help her grandmother successfully reopen her B&B, she will not fall for the grumpy landscaper on the job—the one who so thoroughly annoyed her at first sight. That was the plan, anyway…

Cooper Daniels isn’t cut out for love, either. His bitter divorce certainly taught him that. One-night stands are all he’s willing to commit to these days. Which means that even though he enjoys bantering with the brilliant Ella, he knows he can’t be the kind of guy she deserves. No matter how much she makes him wish he could be…

Somewhere between fresh starts and past hurts, business and pleasure, Ella and Cooper might be able to claim a happily ever after. But only if they’re willing to cross some lines along the way…

Lines We Shouldn’t Cross, book 1 in the Innocence series, is a sweet and spicy, emotional contemporary romance. Download today and get ready to fall for Ella and Cooper.

 

**Releases March 20th!! Get it for On Sale for a limited time!**

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I write the kind of romance novels that blend sweet and spicy into something deliciously real - stories that'll warm your heart one minute and make you reach for a fan the next. My characters are flawed souls who stumble their way to love with enough emotional baggage to fill a cargo plane, but they're worth every messy moment.

Life handed me my own romance novel when I fell for an American military man while living in Germany. Now I'm living my happily-ever-after in a cozy Kentucky town, where my European roots tangle perfectly with Southern charm. You'll find me powered by excessive amounts of coffee, testing ice cream flavors (strictly for research purposes), and soaking up cuddles from my golden retrievers, Dakota and Tucker.

 

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Tuesday, March 25, 2025

The McCullough Pack Series

 

 


When love walks into a family war: 

Headstrong siblings, fated mates, a grandmother's love, and enemies thirsting for revenge.


Saved by the Wolf

The McCullough Pack Book 1

by Nola Li Barr

Genre: Sweet Paranormal Romance 


A Sweet Paranormal Romance Complete Series

Fate brought us together, but the scars of our pasts threaten to tear us apart.

Jill

The moment I hear his voice, something inside me shifts. He seems to reach right into my soul, and suddenly, all I want is to be near him, to feel safe in his arms. But I’ve been down this road before. My last relationship left me broken, bruised, and wary. And the way his friends hang on his every word? It’s too familiar—too much like my past.

Still, there’s an undeniable connection between us. My heart whispers that he’s different, that he’s the one I’ve been waiting for. But how can I trust it when my head is screaming to run?

Luc

She’s shy, quiet . . . human. Not someone my wolf should be drawn to, but he is. When I’m near her, my wolf is calm, content, and all he wants is to claim her as mine. But I’ve sworn off love. I know too well the pain of a broken heart, and I promised myself I wouldn’t go through that again.

Yet, no matter how much I try to push her away, my wolf won’t let me. She’s the one, and every fiber of my being knows it.

Saved by the Wolf is the first book in the McCullough Pack series—a heart-tugging, sweet paranormal romance with all the love, none of the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

 

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Loved by the Wolf

The McCullough Pack Book 2


*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

He loves me . . . He loves me not . . .

Becca

I’ve loved him for years and thought the feeling was mutual. But when I lean in to kiss him on our first date, he recoils, claiming he only loves me like a sister.

He breaks my heart that night.

Every bone in my body is telling me to leave—to start a new life in a new place. A place without him in it.

But I must be a masochist because no matter what I tell myself, I cannot stay away from him . . .

Brandon

She is my mate. My wolf knows it.

Ever since she kissed me, my wolf has been clawing at me to claim her. It is becoming harder and harder to control myself.

Because I can’t claim her.

My past haunts me with reminders of my failures. She’s better off without me. The best I can do is be her protector—if I can even do that . . . .

Set against a backdrop of a tight-knit family, this friends-to-lovers story is filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

 

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Adored by the Wolf

The McCullough Pack Book 3


A Sweet Paranormal Romance

*Originally published under Nola Li Gordon. The whole series is now under Nola Li Barr.

All is fair in love and war.

Millie

I’m the responsible sister. The one my family relies on. It’s the reason I’m standing in for my sister, instead of going on my well-deserved vacation.

My day brightens when he walks in. I try to act professional, but he stands close, and his eyes never leave me.

When he leaves, I tell myself he’ll soon forget about me. But on a visit to my friend, he’s there to greet me. This time, I’m the one who can’t look away.

I’m only enjoying his company. Nothing can go wrong.

Jacob

I’m the planner of my family, and with war coming to my pack, I must prepare for it. But my wolf is restless, wanting what my elder brothers have—a mate.

When I see her, my wolf screams she’s the one, and I feel the urge to claim her. I push him down and manage to leave, but thoughts of her continue to bombard me every day.

A day later, my brother pays her a visit, and on his return, he starts acting . . . odd. Once my partner in crime, now he’s looking at me as his enemy.

Suddenly, everything goes wrong.

Enter a world where the strength of a family lies not only with its pack but also with their soulmates. A world filled with all the love without the spice, and a guaranteed happily ever after.

 

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**Don’t miss the rest of the series!!**

Find them on Amazon!

 

Or get the box sets!

Get Set 1-3 or Set 4-6 and the NEW RELEASE on March 9th – Set 7-9

 

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Nola Li Barr writes sweet family saga romances. Both in contemporary and paranormal/fairy tale settings. She loves to explore family dynamics with her characters and see them fall in love, most of the time with someone they’d never deem possible. In the hopes of sharing her stories with her kids sooner than later, her romances are always sweet with a happily ever after. When she’s not writing she can be found reading, baking, and navigating the path of motherhood. Follow her on social media @nolalibarr or visit nolalibarr.com.

 

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