Hello my lovelies – Happy October! I cannot believe how quickly 2025 is going 😮 I feel like Christmas is tomorrow 🤪 But I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

Alright – I’ve got a new kind of giveaway for everyone today, so bear with me, I promise it’s worth it. So, I have a…problem – I have too many books! I know, what a “horrible” problem to have, but it kind of is when you only have so much space to put them. I was trying to decide what to do with them and I could donate them or take them to Goodwill but I thought…why not see if any of you would like them? I’m calling it my Pay It Forward Giveaway because if anyone out there deserves to benefit from my too many books problem, it’s all of you! So, these 49 books need a new home, but there is a tiny catch – all of the books have been signed and personalized to me. If that’s no biggie to you, great! If it is, then this might not be the giveaway for you. And hey, if your name is Lisa then even better 🙂

Now for the details…

Here are the books that are up for grabs!

• Transcendence by Shay Savage
• Surviving Rain by Shay Savage
• Bastian’s Storm by Shay Savage
• The Air He Breathes by Brittainy C. Cherry
• Loving Mr. Daniels by Brittainy C. Cherry
• How I Became Lotus Rain the Porn Star by Erika Ashby
• Under Different Stars by Amy A. Bartol
• Ace’s Redemption by A.C. Bextor
• Bang by E.K. Blair
• Fading by E.K. Blair
• Date Me by Jillian Dodd
• Wanted by Kelly Elliott
• Saved by Kelly Elliott
• Pretty Pink Ribbons by K.L. Grayson
• A Lover’s Lament by K.L. Grayson and B.T. Urruela
• The Summer Remains by Seth King
• Give Me Something by Elizabeth Lee
• Taken by Kelly Maine
• Beautiful Disaster US Cover by Jamie McGuire
• Walking Disaster US Cover by Jamie McGuire
• Beautiful Disaster UK Cover by Jamie McGuire
• Walking Disaster UK Cover by Jamie McGuire
• Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin
• Beloved by Corinne Michaels
• Beholden by Corinne Michaels
• Perfectly Damaged by E.L. Montes
• Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman
• Torn by K.A. Robinson
• Twisted by K.A. Robinson
• Insidious by Aleatha Romig
• Consequences by Aleatha Romig
• Truth by Aleatha Romig
• Convicted by Aleatha Romig
• One Pink Line by Dina Silver
• Kat Fight by Dina Silver
• Girl with Guitar by Caisey Quinn
• The Resistance by S.L. Scott
• The Redemption by S.L. Scott
• The Reckoning by S.L. Scott
• Naturally Charlie by S.L. Scott
• Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken
• Toxic by Rachel Van Dyken
• Fearless by Rachel Van Dyken
• Sex Unlimited by Kathryn Perez
• Love and Truth by Kathryn Perez
• Big Girls Do It Better by Jasinda Wilder
• Big Girls Do It Married by Jasinda Wilder
• Rock Stars Do It by Jasinda Wilder
• Biker Billionaire by Jasinda Wilder

I know – it’s a long list and some of the books are series/sets and they will be given away together – so all together there are 37 prizes that I will be giving away. All of the covers pictures are the editions that will be given away – some are the original covers that don’t exist anymore! Also, while I would love to give everyone the book/set that they most want, the prizes will be distributed out randomly (once again, if that’s not okay with you – totally understand, no hard feelings).

Are you ready to enter? 🙂

Good Luck!

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays!

I know it’s cliche and people say it every year but I really cannot believe the Holidays are already upon us!  This year has been a complete blur for me, I’m not sure how 2023 has treated all of you but it has been an absolute rollercoaster of an adventure at my house.  However you choose to celebrate this time of year, I hope you’re surrounded with friends and family, joy and love and of course…a good book and your favorite beverage. I love giving back, especially around the holiday season and I’ve can’t let 2023 end with a super amazing giveaway!

For the next 12 (business) days, I’ll be giving away a surprise item – what’s Christmas without a few surprises, am I right? 😉  I’ve got loads of goodies to give – signed paperbacks, swag packs, book lover shirts and who knows what else I might find with all my goodies.  I can say for sure I do have a couple of Ultimate Book Boxes and those are packed with all of the above and then some!  Each day I will draw a winner from the rafflecopter giveaway in the post, so make sure you stop by this page every day to enter.  Also, it wouldn’t hurt to make sure you’re following the True Story Book Blog Facebook page and subscribed to the blog by email so you don’t miss a single chance to win!

So…now it’s time for the good stuff!

Title: The Other Belle
Author: Whitney G.
Release Date: November 4, 2022
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Steamy Fairy Tale

 

 

 

Once Upon a Time

Belle

I’ve always known that I am the biggest disappointment in my family.

Since the day I was born, my father has made it painstakingly clear that my older sister Isabelle, “the better Belle,” is his golden child.

I’m an unwanted copper tin that he can’t wait to throw away, the rubbish that he keeps hidden from sight as much as possible.

Only a few people in our village know that I exist…

On countless nights, I’ve awoken to the sound of his ugly whispered prayers, wondering if he knew I could hear.

“Please change Belle into someone else so she can land a suitor who will help pull us out of our debt.”

“Why couldn’t you drag her to heaven instead of her mother?”

“Can you at least teach her how to read books as well as Izzie so the town library might have a job for her when I die?”

I can’t help but see the irony in his last prayer since my sister is a living, breathing fraud, but that’s a story for another day.

“This is your last chance to prove your worth to this family, Belle.” He suddenly steps in front of my bed, holding out a bright red ribbon.

“If the prince’s glass slipper doesn’t fit your foot today, there’s no shame in that, but if it does and you even try to resist, I swear on everything I own that—”

“You’ll punish me by locking me in the basement until I’m forgiven.”

“I’ll never forgive you.” He snaps his fingers. “Izzie! Come help Belle with her hair and face, please!”

Stifling a groan, I walk over to the window and watch heavy sheets of rain attack our land. I silently wish the hills would rise and roll over our cottage, so I won’t have to take part in this.

Then again, an escape from my bleak existence might be nice.

Every woman in town is buzzing with glee over the day’s big news: A prince from the Second Kingdom is crossing through The Whispering Woods in search of his lost love via a “Which maiden’s foot can fit the slipper she left behind?” contest.

I desperately want to know why he can’t remember what this woman looks like and attempt to find her that way, but no one else seems to find this odd.

Can a prince really be that stupid?

“Your eyes are so beautiful, Belle.” Izzie pulls a brush through my curls, yanking all the life from them. “Dark emerald and grey like our mother’s. You should help the prince focus on those when he arrives instead of opening your mouth.”

“I’ll try.”

“Try hard.” She scolds. “I mean, that’s what I would do if this was my only shot at landing a prince. This is as close as you’ll ever get to attracting a suitor, so don’t cry if it doesn’t work out.”

“Right…” I don’t dare mention that she cried bloody murder this morning when she found out she was ineligible for this silly fitting game.

“Are you reading anything good lately?” she asks.

“Romeo & Juliet,” I say. “Oh, and I’m almost done with Oedipus Rex.”

“I see.” She loops a red ribbon around my smoothed hair. “Are they romances?”

“No, Izzie.” I hold back a sigh. “They both end in utter tragedy.”

“What?” She sucks in a breath. “Then why are you reading them? Better yet, how could any author bother to write such awful things?”

I bite my tongue as hard as I can.

Moments like this are what I wish most people witnessed when they complimented how “well-read” and “worldly” my sister is.

They’re completely unaware that she reads the same three books every week—usually skipping ahead to revisit her favorite chapters—and I’m convinced that she can recite those stories word for word. All without ever glancing at the page. She complains about being misunderstood, wanting to explore the world outside of our small kingdom, but whenever I tell her that we should go together, she comes up with an excuse.

Standing still, I force myself to smile as she paints my face in pale powder and coats my lips in a crimson rouge.

“Okay, you’re all set.” She spins me around to face my father. “This is the best I can do.”

“Much better.” He glances at his pocket watch and pushes me closer to the door. “Don’t keep him waiting when he’s close. Make a good impression and say all the right things.”

“All the right things” means utter silence in his book.

I stare through the glass as a sparkling golden carriage, led by four grand white horses, makes its way down our winding road.

With every galloping step, I can’t help but wonder what life in the other kingdoms is like.

They can’t all be this way…

When the procession stops in front of our gate, two footmen step into the rain and roll out a royal blue carpet.

Another servant opens the back door and holds up a parasol, while another ties the stallions to our fence.

The prince emerges in a white and blue coat, and I crane my neck to steal a glimpse of his face.

With a hard, chiseled jawline and deep green eyes, he’s utterly breathtaking, but my heart doesn’t race at the sight of his features.

Not a single butterfly flutters in my chest.

I’m not attracted to him in the slightest. 

He knocks a few times, and I contemplate letting him stand there until he walks away.

“Open the door, Belle.” My father hisses. “Now.”

I let out a breath before pulling it open.

“Your Grace.” I offer a weak curtsy. “How may I help you?”

“I’m Prince Charming,” he says, “son of King Aries II & Queen Arabella Windsor, victor from the War of Beasts, and heir to the throne of the Second Kingdom.”

“Please tell me that you don’t have to say all that every time you introduce yourself.”

“I do.” He smiles. “I’m looking for the eligible maiden of the house.”

His gaze ventures toward Izzie, and I can practically see him undressing her with his eyes like every man in town does.

“The eligible maiden is me.” I roll my eyes and usher him inside.

“Oh.” He looks Izzie over one last time before looking my way. “Please have a seat so that my men can determine if you’re my long-lost true love.”

“Can’t you see that I’m not already?” I ask. “I think we would both remember if we’d ever met.”

“Belle.” My father warns.

“Right over here.” Izzie guides me onto a chair, mouthing, “Stop it.”

Prince Charming’s footman clears his throat and reads from a long scroll.

We can hardly hear his words over the heavy rainfall.

“And now, let the fitting begin.” He pulls a sparkling glass slipper from his satchel and slides it onto my right foot. “Please rise, Madam.”

I stand to my feet, hoping to show that the shoe is too small, but it fits perfectly.

What the …

 

Keep reading more from the first chapter here!

 

 

Whitney G. is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author. Her books have been published in twelve languages.

 

Whenever she’s not penning a new novel, you can find her blogging about self-publishing at The Indie Tea, drinking hot coffee, or traveling the world in sweater boots.

 

You can connect with Whitney via whitneyg.com & via social media

 

 

 

 

 

Title:  The Other Belle
Author:  Whitney G.
Release Date:   November 4, 2022
Genre:  Fantasy Romance, Steamy Fairy Tale

 

 

Gah!  I cannot wait to get my hands on this one – that cover is GORGEOUS!!!

 

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Waking up beside my best friend after a crazy night in Vegas is nothing new.

However, waking up wearing nothing but two shiny, matching wedding rings is.

For the girl who promised to never settle down, it’s her worst nightmare.

For me, it’s a dream come true.

I’ve wanted Raelynn Vos since she first propositioned me at a frat party. I, of course, turned her down, knowing I’d need more than a one night stand. Nothing less than forever would do.

She’s fierce and determined, but I’m more determined than she could ever be.

When fate forces us to pretend our marriage is real, I use every second to prove I’m the perfect man to tame her wildness.

In fact, by the end of our charade, I’ll have her begging for it.

I L-O-V-E this cover!  It’s so beautiful and I love how all of the covers in the series look – cannot wait to have them on my bookshelf!  I cannot get enough of the girls from the Blame it on the Alcohol Series – they are the best.  These books are fun, sexy and addictive!

There’s only one thing to do when you wake up married to your brand-new boss, whom you hate but can’t resist: You blame the champagne.

I blame the bubbles for my wild night with a masked stranger.

Who cares if it’s nothing this good girl would normally do – with a man who turns out to be my horrible boss?

Who cares that I’m promised to someone else?

I blame the alcohol for agreeing to marry him. As long as my new husband keeps his mouth shut, I can survive five years of our little arrangement. It’s too late for anything else.

But our impromptu wedding leads to so much more than I bargained for. His dirty promises warm me. His kisses make me lightheaded. His respect slips past my best defenses. The hate turns to friendship and makes me dream of more. He’s like the most dangerous kind of champagne. That’s why I blame him for making me fall in love with him.

But when I find out our marriage was nothing more than revenge, what’s to blame for my broken heart?

Title:  Blame it on the Tequila (Blame it on the Alcohol Series Book #2)

Author:  Fiona Cole

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

It started on a dance floor after too much tequila and ended with looking into the handsome face I never thought I’d see again. In person, at least.

I saw his face all the time on magazine covers.

To the world, he’s Parker Callahan—famous rockstar.

To me, he was the boy I loved, the stepbrother who left me behind to follow his dreams.

After our tequila-fueled encounter, he wants me back but that’s not a road I’m ready to walk down again. He broke my heart once, and even five years later, I’m not sure I could handle another blow.

When a once-in-a-lifetime offer comes my way, even my broken heart isn’t enough for me to be able to turn it down. I agree to join the band’s tour and help Parker write his next album–but this time I’m not falling in love.

This time I’ll walk away.

But if there is one thing life has taught me, it’s that love never goes according to plan—especially when Parker is involved.

I’m Jake Masterson, single dad, and the General Manager of Seattle’s NHL team. I walked away from a career as a player so I could raise my daughter. For the last twenty-plus years, Queenie has been my main priority, but now she’s getting married.
And there’s a small complication.
A beautiful, sexy complication named Hanna.
She’s my son-in-law’s older sister. Or at least that’s how they were raised. The truth is a little more scandalous than that.
I’ve been drawn to her from the moment I laid eyes on her. And I spent months trying to keep a lid on that attraction.
Until we finally give in.
It starts with one searing kiss, but quickly ends with us between the sheets—and in the shower, and the hot tub, you get the picture—and turns into months of sneaking around.
Here’s the problem: we live on opposite ends of the country. It can’t be anything but casual. And as I’ve already said…it’s complicated.
But when Hanna finds out she’s pregnant…suddenly things get real serious.

I am obsessed with the All In Series! Check out the other books!

Title: A Life for a Lie (All In Series Book #1)
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary Romance

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series comes a romantic comedy about instant attraction, second chances, and not-so-little white lies. 
Sometimes I need an escape from the demands, the puck bunnies, and the notoriety that come with being an NHL team captain. I just want to be a normal guy for a few weeks. So when I leave Chicago for some peace and quiet, the last thing I expect is for a gorgeous woman to literally fall into my lap on a flight to Alaska. Even better, she has absolutely no idea who I am.
Lainey is the perfect escape from my life. My plan for seclusion becomes a monthlong sex fest punctuated with domestic bliss. But it ends just as abruptly as it began. When I’m called away on a family emergency, I realize too late that I have no way to contact Lainey.
A year later, a chance encounter throws Lainey and me together again. But I still have a lie hanging over my head, and Lainey’s keeping secrets of her own. With more than lust at stake, the truth may be our game changer.

Bishop wrote Stevie a Love Note a couple of years ago – did you see it?

Title: A Favor for a Favor (All In Series Book #2)
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary Romance

From the New York Times bestselling author of Pucked and A Lie for a Lie, a new stand-alone romance about trading favors, battling wills, and winning love.
When I joined Seattle’s NHL expansion team, I thought it was the start of something great. But nothing ever goes the way you expect. Take my introduction to my new neighbor. She came rolling in on the hot mess express at midnight, making a racket while she tried to get into my team captain’s apartment. Did I mention that he’s married to a woman who definitely was not her?
Imagine my surprise when I end up with an injury that has me out of the game for weeks, and she’s the one to offer to help me. I should probably add that she’s not the captain’s mistress. She’s his sexy, pastel-haired younger sister.
So we come up with an arrangement: she rehabs me so that I can get back on the ice sooner, and she can add a professional athlete that isn’t her brother to her client list. Seems simple enough. As long as I can keep my hands to myself and my hormones in check.

Title: A Secret for a Secret (All In Series Book #3)
Author: Helena Hunting
Genre: Contemporary Romance

From New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting comes a new romance about trading secrets, breaking the rules, and playing for keeps.
My name is Ryan Kingston, and I’m a rule follower. I’ve never been in a fistfight. I always obey the speed limit. I don’t get drunk, and I definitely don’t pick up random women at bars.
Except the night I found out that my whole existence has been a lie.
I got drunk. And picked up a stranger.
Her name was Queenie, and she was everything I’m not: reckless, impulsive, and chaotic. We did shots and traded secrets. And ended up naked at my place.
She left me a thank-you note in the morning and her panties as a parting gift. But no way to contact her.
Six weeks later I’m sitting in the first official team meeting of the season, and there she is. I neglected to mention that I’m the goalie for Seattle’s NHL team.
And Queenie? Turns out she’s the general manager’s daughter.

I love everything about Jake’s Note!

Keep reading to see the full Love Note!

Hanna,

The very first time I met you, I knew you were someone special. I was enamored by everything about you. The way you smile, your laugh, but most of all, the way you love with your whole heart. In those first few months I had to constantly remind myself to stay on the right side of the friendship line. But the more I got to know you, really and truly know you, I saw something in you that made it impossible to walk away.

Your selflessness and your strength are two of your greatest qualities. I didn’t think it was possible to fall in love with you anymore than I already had. Until our son came into this world. Being your partner in life is one thing but having you there to parent with instead of around is a gift I promise I will never take for granted.

You are patient and kind. You are warm and understanding. And you’re unbearably sexy when you’re dressed in leggings and one of my old shirts, with your hair in a ponytail, face make-up free because you’ve been too busy loving our son to be bothered with anything that doesn’t involve him.

You are everything I didn’t know I needed in my life.

I’m lucky to love you.

Yours forever,

Jake 

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Helena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.