new release

1 Week More!

Kristbethke

Are you as excited for Take a Chance as we are!

Well, maybe not. Tia and I can’t wait for this book to be in the wild, and hope you all fall as in love with Crew and Mal, and the Harringtons, as we are.

This was a blast to write and we have so much planned for the rest of the series. So many tropes and personalities, storylines and shenanigans, to explore. We’re thinking right now it’ll be a 6 book series. But of course, there’s always room for more and we have thoughts.

Today I thought I’d introduce you to Malachi Trevino. He’s a mess but also not. He’s down on his luck, through no fault of his own, and he’s got his adorable, precocious, too-smart-for-his-own-good, four-year-old son to worry about. Not that Payton is a worry in any way. But Mal has to make sure Payton has everything he needs to grow and thrive.

And first that means getting a job. He grew up on a farm, raising cattle and working the land. It’s what he loves. It’s in his blood. And though he has a lot of skills, they’re geared toward farming and ranching. He’s pulling out all the stop just to find work. He only wants to do an honest days work for a fair wage. So he can take care of himself and Payton.

Mal’s perseverance pays off, or maybe fate steps in, and he lands a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true. Eventually, Mal learns the family is exactly what they seem. But he still keeps his walls up and his heart guarded. Because he knows how quickly everything can come crashing down.

When he catches feelings for the handsome, enigmatic Crew, he doesn’t trust it. He can’t let go of his hang ups. Except Crew is everything he didn’t know he wanted. And he’s great with Payton. But Mal’s worried, so worried, about what would happen if he and Crew crash and burn.

Luckily, he takes a chance and finds his happily ever after. And a new place to call home.

Join Mal and Crew as they fall in love. Preorder here!

new release

2 More Weeks!

Kristbethke

Do you want to know how it started?

I had this idea, see, of a family with a ridiculous amount of siblings. The parents were teen parents, survived against all odds, and now have a baseball team of children…who were all grown up. Of course I took it to my amazing and lovely coauthor, because we’d been talking about shifting gears after we finished the third book in the Black Dog Inn series. (Check out that series if you haven’t already!)

Tia was immediately on board. They loved the idea. And as we were writing Remodeling Felix we started making notes. We wanted it to be set completely in a completely different location and setting than BDI and….well, I’m not even entirely sure how we settled on a horse ranch. Other than we’re both horse people. Tia, in particular, knows a lot about horses. And so Blue Creek Ranch was born. Set in Colorado, it’s a huge property, with a lot of family, a lot of horses, and a lot of love.

One of the things that was important to me, and Tia agreed, was that the Harrington family always supported one another. No internal drama. I mean, other than being in a family of twelve, with different personalities, you know? That’s not to say that it’s all fluffy. Of course it’s not. You’ve read our co-written stuff (I hope!). There’s definitely angst, of varying degrees, throughout the series. But there’s also silliness and banter, sweet and heat, and so very much love.

Crew Harrington kicks us off, as he falls in love with single dad Mal. Crew is the foreman on the ranch, working closely with his dad, who started it all. And though he runs the ranch, Crew’s passion is his broodmares (of which there are 8, and doing his best to better the breed. American Quarter Horse, that is. BCR breeds mostly for western pleasure, but they’ve had a few do well in hunter under saddle. He does everything he can to diversify, open up gene pools, and produce quality horses.

Care of the animals comes first with the Harringtons and all who work for them. Stewardship of the land comes second. Crew pushes to reduce their carbon footprint, reduce and reuse whatever they can, and work the horses as long as they are capable and willing. The animals get top-notch, quality care.

But so do the people. Crew is drawn to Mal from the start, realizing that Mal needs a hand up. But more than that, Mal is competent and capable. That’s Crew’s kryptonite. So it’s no wonder he catches feelings first. And maybe everything he does isn’t the smartest. But his heart is in the right place. Eventually, he gets Mal to take a chance; on him, on his new home, and on happily ever after.

If you want to Take a Chace too, preorder here!

new release

Coming Soon!

Kristbethke

Tia and I started a new series! You can expect more found family, but this time with horses, a single dad, and an actual family who seems too good to be true…but isn’t.

There still some angst, and there will be varying degrees of that throughout the series, which we think is going to be 6 books. But you can expect good men falling in love. And horses. And a family dynamic that most would be envious of…even if there are ten siblings.

Blue Creek Ranch is idyllic as it looks. Beautiful land, good morals, and run by a family that is actually as kind and hardworking as they seem. The Harringtons take stewardship of the land, and of people, seriously. This family doesn’t stop at blood. They treat everyone like their own.

Welcome to the Family.

The first book features the second born Harrington son and a man desperate for a new start for him and his child.

To say Mal Trevino is down on his luck might be an understatement. Out of work and the sole parent of his young son, he’ll do whatever it takes to get back on his feet again. But his luck seems to finally be turning when he applies for, and lands, a job at Blue Creek Ranch. The Harringtons seem too good to be true but he’s not about to look a gift horse in the mouth. He takes all that they offer and works hard, while also trying to avoid getting too attached. Mal knows all too well that the good things in life can be taken in a blink.

Crew Harrington’s mission in life is to keep his family ranch thriving. Hiring Mal quickly proves to be a good decision. Mal is competent, capable, and shows a lot of talent. The only downside? That’s Crew’s kryptonite. Getting involved with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But there’s no denying the chemistry between the two men. All they have to do is figure out how to make it work. 

It starts out as a bit of a rough ride. Crew’s missteps reinforce Mal’s walls. But as the days pass and the more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to stay away from each other. As Crew and Mal learn to communicate, and let each other in, love isn’t far behind. All Crew wants is for Mal to take a chance; on him, on their future, and on happily ever after. 

How awesome is that cover by Morningstar Ashley? It’s the perfect depiction of Crew and the ranch.

We hope you’ll dive in to the new series with us. We’re especially fond of these characters and the new world we’ve created. Throughout the series, we’ll hit on all our favorite tropes. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

Take a Chance releases June 26th.

Pre order here!

new release

Out in the Wild!

Kristbethke

Have you been waiting for Felix’s book? You’re in luck because it’s available now! If you preordered, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts and you should have it already. If not, here’s your chance to grab the latest installment of Black Dog Inn series.

It’s got all our favorite tropes and a whole lot of love, healing, and growing. Pick up Restoring Felix today!

When it inevitably got too much and he left, I’d be crushed. Maybe even devastated. But I’d be vindicated too, and that was a powerful enough emotion to get me through.

One bad decision five years ago means Felix Decker lives with chronic pain. It’s a challenge he’s learned to deal with and he’s content with his life. And more importantly, resigned to being alone. But all that gets turned upside down when a favor to a friend leads to Kellan Huntley entering his inner circle. Kellan is tall, beautiful, and sassy…and someone Felix thought he’d never see again. It’s all he can do to keep Kellan at arms length. Felix doesn’t need, or want, the reminder of who he used to be. Someone he can never be again.

Kellan chose to teach in Fairville on a whim and never expected to come face to face with the weekend hookup he can’t forget. Felix isn’t who he remembers and the new, grumpy jerk is upsetting to say the least. But that doesn’t stop Kellan from wanting to help the man who so clearly needs it.

The attraction between them is still as strong as ever. Kellan is determined to show Felix that his disability doesn’t diminish him in any way. Felix, for all that he craves Kellan’s touch, is just as determined to push Kellan away. But Kellan’s gentle persistence breaks through Felix’s walls, and what started as animosity soon gives way to affection. It takes time and communication, and a few bumps along the way, until Kellan can help Felix restore his belief in happily ever after.

new release

Coming Soon!

Kristbethke

Ready for the next Black Dog Inn book? Good because it comes out on March 27th!

You can preorder it now right here

Tia and I are super excited about this next installment in the series. Felix has been on our minds since he first appeared on page…and turned what we thought would be a duology into a series. We’re so happy to bring his story to life and finally give him his much deserved happily ever after.

When it inevitably got too much and he left, I’d be crushed. Maybe even devastated. But I’d be vindicated too, and that was a powerful enough emotion to get me through.

One bad decision five years ago means Felix Decker lives with chronic pain. It’s a challenge he’s learned to deal with and he’s content with his life. And more importantly, resigned to being alone. But all that gets turned upside down when a favor to a friend leads to Kellan Huntley entering his inner circle. Kellan is tall, beautiful, and sassy…and someone Felix thought he’d never see again. It’s all he can do to keep Kellan at arms length. Felix doesn’t need, or want, the reminder of who he used to be. Someone he can never be again. 

Kellan chose to teach in Fairville on a whim and never expected to come face to face with the weekend hookup he can’t forget. Felix isn’t who he remembers and the new, grumpy jerk is upsetting to say the least. But that doesn’t stop Kellan from wanting to help the man who so clearly needs it. 

The attraction between them is still as strong as ever. Kellan is determined to show Felix that his disability doesn’t diminish him in any way. Felix, for all that he craves Kellan’s touch, is just as determined to push Kellan away. But Kellan’s gentle persistence breaks through Felix’s walls, and what started as animosity soon gives way to affection. It takes time and communication, and a few bumps along the way, until Kellan can help Felix restore his belief in happily ever after. 

If you’re able, please consider preordering. It so helps with visibility on release day. So do reviews. We’d appreciate it if you’re able.

new release

Charity Anthology New Release

Kristbethke

What do authors do when human rights are being threatened? They contribute to an anthology where all the proceeds will be donated to the ACLU.

It’s hard to believe that in 2025, we’re still fighting this fight that we’ve fought for so long and so hard. But we are. And we’ll keep fighting. Because that’s all we can do when those in power what to negate our existence, shove us into boxes, or closets, and tell us we can’t live the way we want. It’s heartbreaking. Soul crushing. But still we persist.

The authors, and editors, at JMS Books got together, wrote some stuff, donated our time and our stories, so that we could bring you the Love is Free anthology. As mentioned, all proceeds of the book will be donated to the ACLU so that those in a position to can keep challenging the unjust bills and laws that are being put forth.

This is a collection of over 50 stories that show love in all it’s forms. If you can, grab a copy, enjoy the stories, and know that you’re helping to fight against injustices.

You can get it here from the publisher or from Amazon. The other usual places will be coming along soon. So keep an eye out! And thank you for your continued support.

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What Kind of Year Has it Been

Kristbethke

Well, 2024 is officially coming to a close. And it’s been a heck of a year! I worked from home and so was able to write more, which was a boon to my soul. Here’s a quick recap!

Tia Fielding and I wrote and released the first two books in our Black Dog Inn series. Rebuilding Charlie and Renovating Law were labors of love. We love this world and characters we created. It’s got all the good small town feels, some heavy themes, but a lot of love and joy and fun too. Restoring Felix is up next and we hope to have it out in the beginning of next year!

In July, I released another book in the Landry’s Fall series, for JMS Books’ anniversary. Falling in a Fortnight took a while to get started, but once I got rolling, I was able to crank it out. Jay has been around for a while, if you’ve read the other books in the series. He first showed up in Twas the Play Before Christmas and ever since, I’ve been wanting to write his tale. He also made an appearance in last year’s As Luck Would Have It, and in turn, Kyle is a side character in Jay’s story. It’s got more of those small town feels, a healthy dose of BDSM, and two men falling in love quickly and easily. When it’s right, it’s right! Like all Landry’s Fall books, there’s no need to all of them or read in order to get the whole story, but if you choose to, you’ll see plenty of cameos!

And to round out the year, I released my holiday novel Home for the Hawley-Daze. I love holiday stories, and punny title aside, it’s one of my favorite things I’ve ever written. Something about these two just hit home for me. Once again, I set it in a small town (catching a theme here?). Hickory Hollow is vaguely based on the region where I spent a great deal of my childhood and absolutely loved writing it. So much so, I accidentally created a series. That should come as no surprise to anyone who has been following along. I love series. I love to read them and I love to write them. Hickory Hollow is quite a town and I can’t wait to revisit it. Barrett and Morgan are adorable, and with holiday shenanigans as a backdrop, they fall in love. And Barrett finds his home.

So what am I planning for 2025?

Well, as I mentioned, Tia and I will be releasing the next book in the Black Dog Inn series. We also have thoughts about a new series we are planning on hashing out, so look for more from this writing duo!

As for my solo work, I’m definitely diving into to Hickory Hollow again. I have a rough idea for 3 more books. If you’ve ready Home for the Hawley-Daze, you might be able to guess who is up next. Any guessing on who else will be getting books?

Other than that, we’ll see where the muse takes me!

I also have a short story in a charity anthology called Love is Free that will be coming out in January! All proceeds are going to the ACLU. With the US in the state it’s in, and what may be coming, we need to keep fighting for equality for all. I’ll post links when they’re available. Definitely check it out.

Here’s wishing you a healthy and happy New Year! Remember to take care of yourself.

new release

Out Today!

Kristbethke

It started with the blip of an idea, as most stories do. It went through about 7 iterations before the story actually worked. I knew what I wanted: a man who hated where he grew up, a man who adopted that place as his own, and Christmas. Eventually we got there. Barrett has reasons to reset his childhood, Morgan has reasons to love his little town, and plenty of holiday shenanigans.

Hickory Hollow was born and took on a mind of it’s own. It became another character in the book, a perfect backdrop to Barrett and Morgan falling in love. It spawned future possibilities. We’ll see where they lead.

But out today Home for the Hawley-Daze. A punny title, perhaps. But so fitting for these two guys. You can get it here!

Barrett McKinnon is at a crossroads. Newly retired from the Marine Corps, and at loose ends, he heads back to the town he was forced to spend half of his childhood in. He never thought he’d ever set foot in Hickory Hollow again. He tells himself it’s only for the holidays. Just to spend some time with his uncle, the only family he has left. Come January, he’ll head out and start the next phase of his life.

But Hickory Hollow is not like Barrett remembers. Morgan Hawley is the driving force behind the town’s now booming economy. The festivals and events Morgan plans have taken it from ghost town to tourist destination. When Barrett unwittingly gets roped into helping Morgan get ready for the Holiday Festival, he starts to see the town in a new light.

Morgan loves the little town he’s adopted as his own, and Barrett can’t wait to get away again. But the more time the two men spend together, the more things change. No matter how much he fights it, Barrett is drawn in to the holiday magic Morgan is creating. And, more importantly, to the man himself. But when the daze of attraction and Christmas cheer settles, it’s up to Barrett to figure out if Hickory Hollow, the town he thought he hated, is now the place he can call home.

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Stuff Your Kindle Day!

Kristbethke

It’s that glorious day again! Romance Bookworms has a list of over 1000 books that are free for today only!

It’s an quite the list, so make sure you have some time to sit down and check them all out. Take advantage of getting a free book or two or three…or many more. There’s something for everyone on the list, so I’m sure you can find something to tickle your fancy. I know I’ll be looking through it later.

Tia and I have put Rebuilding Charlie up there, so if you haven’t had a chance to start the Black Dog Inn series, this is your chance. And we’re in really great company! So follow the link and get to clicking!