BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPORATY - NERDY GIL NELL (Nerdy Girl Novels, #2) by Lindsey Gray

Nerdy Girl Nell

Nerdy Girl Novels, #2

by Lindsey Gray

Publication date: March 17th 2026

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

BLURB

Nell De Lacy loves small things like story time, a well-stocked bookshelf, and evenings with friends. Relearning how to date after grief was supposed to be the hardest thing.

Enter professional wrestler Chance Robicheaux. Towering, tender, and utterly relentless about keeping her safe. The two become friends first, spending nights learning each other’s quirks. Between hospital rooms and poker nights, the two find something electric and real.

Nell’s life suddenly fractures with a violent assault, a cache of stolen images, and a blackmailer who won’t be denied. As the threat tightens and the press draws near, Nell’s voice, literally and figuratively, fails her at the worst possible time.

With the De Lacy family company’s December board vote approaching, Nell faces a critical challenge that threatens to upend her life. The outcome of the vote carries the risk of awarding a coveted contract to the wrong people, forcing Nell to balance family loyalty, legal danger, and a secret that could change everything.

Nell and Chance’s is a story about rebuilding, of finding courage in therapy and friendship, and discovering there’s strength in asking for help. Nell’s fight becomes Chance’s fight, and soon they choose to fight evil together. Will justice arrive before the quiet she loves is gone forever?

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EXCERPT

“This honey pot just got a whole lot sweeter.” Chance Robicheaux licked his lips and tossed in a few plastic chips. The cards in his hand were the best he’d held the entire night.
He peered around the table of friends as they partook in their newly minted Wednesday poker night. Rob Breyer, Chance’s closest friend and wrestling tag team partner, concentrated on his hand. Rob’s girlfriend, Emma MacLean, rolled her eyes at Chance’s comment, then winked at him when she glanced his way. The dealer and his new sidekick, Seamus De Lacy, took a sip of his drink while the rest of the players made their decisions.
Chance’s eyes landed on the last member of the table; he bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from moaning. Emma’s roommate, Nell De Lacy, stared at him with a slight look of awe mixed with determination, which he found fucking irresistible. The woman had driven him mad since their first meeting over a bowl of potato salad to his crotch. No matter what the situation, one glimpse of Nell, her auburn hair in those cute as hell space buns and perfectly pouty lips, had him hard in three seconds flat.
“I fold.” Rob placed his cards on the table and slumped in his chair.
“I’ve got nothing.” Emma tossed in her cards, then slid her arm around Rob’s shoulders. “This isn’t our night.”
Chance lifted his eyes to Nell’s. “What about you, Nell?”
The corner of Nell’s lips that Chance spent hours fantasizing about curled upward. “I’ll see you.” She tossed in enough to match Chance’s bet. “And I’ll raise you.” She counted out the rest of her chips and placed them in the pot.
Chance could tell she was confident about the hand she possessed. She had her tells as much as anyone else did. The smirk she wielded always made him pull out of the game. Not tonight, though. She’d gone all in, but he’d go a bit more.
“All right.” He determined the required chips to call but decided to raise to find out what she had to offer.
“You can’t do that!” Her confidence turned to anger.
“I sure can. I’m willing to make a deal if you think your hand is still as worthy as it was a moment ago.” Chance’s heart thumped in his chest while he stared her down, praying she would give in.
“What kind of deal?” she asked.
Chance grabbed the pad of paper and pen beside him and wrote down what he wanted. He slid it to her.
She picked it up and read his chicken scratch. “This…” The words clogged her throat as heat moved up to color her face.
“You place that in the pot. I win; you deliver. You win; you can rip it up.”
Nell opened and closed her mouth, then pressed her plump lips in a firm line. She pushed the slip across the table. “I call. Show me what you’ve got.”
Chance peered into her brilliant emerald eyes as he laid each card down one by one. Her face paled. “Royal flush.”
“Damn,” she murmured, and she laid her cards down face up.
“Full House. Not bad, but not good enough tonight.” Chance licked his lips in anticipation of his winnings.
Emma glanced between the two. “What did he win?”
Nell placed her palms on the table, her cheeks tinged pink. “A kiss.”

 

Author Info

Lindsey Gray is a writer, an over-thinker, and a chronic list-maker, but her passion for writing stories you'll love always tops the list. Her author journey began in 2010 with the publication of her first novel, and she has spent the last decade creating worlds for readers to play in. In addition to her own work, Gray utilizes her skills formatting novels for other authors and hosts the weekly show, Gray Matters, on TMV Cafe Internet Radio. She lives and writes fueled by iced tea, her handsome hubby, and the beautiful chaos of mothering her children.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / X / Instagram / Threads / TikTok / BlueSky / StoryGraph

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BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - URBAN FANTASY - FIVE UNLESS (Legends & Shadows Saga, #4) by Angie Day

Five Unless

Legends & Shadows Saga, #4

by Angie Day

Publication date: March 24th 2026

Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

BLURB

In this gripping finale, a clean romantasy where the last safe place falls under siege and love has to survive it all.

Welcome to the final round.

Mara and Kylan can’t be happy. Alec won’t let them. Hunting for energy is getting harder for every Legend. The Shadow mansion feels the hunger. Then Alec returns, not with threats but with force. He seizes the mansion, rips their home away, and everything Mara built with Kylan and their found family fractures instantly. He leaves her one challenge: find the safest place you can.

Driven into hiding, they reach for the one place that might be out of Alec’s reach. Secrets surface. Loyalties bend. Alec will not relent. Mara must decide who to fight and who to save when not everyone can survive.

Expect a fade to black fantasy romance in crisis, finale-level stakes, and a relentless villain in full command. This urban fantasy pushes found-family bonds to the breaking point and intensifies a slow-burn love that refuses to die. Dark, vivid, and built to leave you crying, breathless, and satisfied.

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EXCERPT

“What he does isn’t your decision,” I hissed at Fiona. “If you’re looking for a fight, you don’t have to go after him.”
Kylan pulled his arms away when he felt me tense.
“Too bad Thayer banned you from playing,” Fiona said, sizing me up and her eyes lingering on my gloves.
I smiled and cracked my knuckles. “You think I answer to Thayer?”
“Mara, don’t,” Derek said.
“Why not?” I asked, pulling off my gloves and settling into a low stance. “I’m feeling a little hungry.”
Fiona’s face paled slightly, even if she tried to hide it. She lowered her stance, ready to accept the challenge we both know she’d lose.
Kylan stepped in front of me and I didn’t budge. He caught my clothed arm, “Stand up.”
I shook off his hand and tried to step around him. He stopped me again with an arm blocking my path.
“If you really need to teach Fiona a lesson, take it outside. You have little eyes here,” Kylan whispered.
I looked around and caught Cassie holding Etta. Those little eyes watched me snarling at Fiona and ready to knock her out. I swallowed. I knew why Cassie didn’t like being here. I knew why she didn’t want her daughter turning into a Shadow.
Right now, I was everything Cassie feared for her little girl.
I stood and stepped back, slowly pulling my gloves back on.
Fiona relaxed, silently debating whether or not she wanted to taunt me more. Nikki would’ve. Most of the other Shadows would’ve if this was a year ago. But things were different now.
For better or worse.
I walked over to her and lifted my hand, now covered by my glove. She hesitated a second before she took it. I shook her hand and smiled, but pulled her closer.
“If you come after my brother like that again, I’ll cut an X on you so big you’ll need a full human to heal you,” I whispered. I tightened my grip. “Got it?”
She leaned back, already smiling. “I missed you.”
It felt a little twisted to grin back at her, but it was automatic. I dropped her hand and felt more at home here than I had in months.

 

Author Info

Angie Day found her love of writing while in college where she studied psychology and eventually went on to a master’s degree. She noticed the need for romantic and fantastic adult stories that were still wholesome and clean. So, she took matters into her own hands. LEGEND UNDONE is her debut novel. When she’s not devouring the next book, she is spending time outdoors with her husband.

To follow along with her journey, find her on Twitter or check out her website.

Website / X / Instagram

 

 

Presented by 

SPOTLIGHT - HORROR - GHOSTLY RETURNS (Ghostly Howls, #2) by Stephanie Hansen

Ghostly Returns 

Ghostly Howls, #2

by Stephanie Hansen

Date of Publication: 2/10/26

Publisher: Hypothesis Books

Cover Artist: Miblart

Genre: Horror Romance

ISBN: 979-8245440408

ASIN: B0FSXRJLYY

Number of pages: 113 (novella)

Word Count: 25,000

Tagline: Irish Folklore meets Small Town US

BLURB

Strange visitors have appeared in Ethel, their clothes and mannerisms jarring against the familiar rhythm of the coastal town. The woman in Orla and Dave's spare room speaks in archaic phrases and marvels at electric lights, while the silent man staying with Molly and Cormac carries a translucent device that glows with symbols no one recognizes.

As fog rolls in from the sea, bringing with it the now-familiar whispers and cold spots that signal another haunting, the four friends realize they must unravel the temporal mystery before them. The clock tower strikes at midnight, and both past and future hang in the balance.

*Contains mature themes, open door sex scenes, and mature language.

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Excerpt:
Three years ago, the small town of Ethel, VA, was rocked to its core when the lighthouse became a beacon for something an-cient and hungry. Every year since then, we’ve cast a protection spell, tying knots in rope while visualizing a protective shield, at the weathered tower a week before Samhain, our voices car-ried away by the salt-tinged wind. This year’s no different.
Cormac’s slender fingers intertwine with mine as we ap-proach Orla and Dave across the grassy shoreline. We’ve man-aged to mostly heal from the toxic tendencies of the past—the jealousy, the competition, the midnight arguments that left scorch marks on the walls. Magical abilities complementing each other have a tendency to do that, like puzzle pieces finally finding their fit.
The mid-October sunlight glints off Cormac’s long, blonde hair, turning each strand into spun gold against the blue sky. We don’t meet here at night anymore, not since the shadows began to move independently of their owners. She gently squeezes my hand in reassurance, slight crow’s feet crinkling around her eyes with a smile that blooms one of my own in return. She tries to continue her broody exterior by wearing a scuffed leather jacket with silver buckles, but her face is too full of light these days to continue the façade.
“It’s about time you two showed up,” Orla says as she wraps me in a hug, her dark curls tickling my cheek. Her automatic soul-possessing ability takes hold straight away, a warm honey-like sensation flooding through my veins. I feel her anxiety—sharp and metallic—and she feels mine. While hers is about the treacherous events three years ago, mine is about the small vel-vet box burning a hole in my pocket, holding a moonstone ring for Cormac.
I know she’ll say yes; I hear Orla’s thoughts echo in my mind like a whisper in an empty room. To assuage her anxiety, I push forward images of Cormac and me from earlier in the morning. We’d stayed in bed, all consumed with passionate kisses and bodies moving in rhythmic dance together; sheets twisted around our ankles, the taste of her still on my lips.
Okay, okay, you’re excused for being late, Orla sends through the connection, her mental voice tinged with amuse-ment. Then it’s gone as Dave, tall and broad-shouldered in his flannel-lined jacket, gently pulls her out of the hug. He com-plements her power as Cormac complements mine, his deep voice carrying over the crash of waves against the shore.
“Did you actually expect them to be on time?” he asks her, his breath visible in the chilly air.
Orla looks at me, her eyes sparkling, and we snicker like schoolgirls sharing a secret.
“Some of us know how to keep a woman in bed,” I goad Dave, watching his cheeks flush crimson.
Before he can respond, Cormac says, “Guys, I think you should come over here,” her voice tight with tension.
She’s rounding the other side of the lighthouse, her boots crunching on the path. I jog over to her, worried she might be in danger, the wind whipping my hair across my face. Once I’m next to her, I’m struck with frozen terror, my breath catching in my throat. As Orla and Dave’s footsteps catch up, I try to count the sleeping bodies sprinkled around the remnants of a bonfire.
Sprawled across the damp autumn ground lies a peculiar as-sembly of slumbering figures—some adorned in woolen cloaks and flowing medieval gowns; others draped in shimmering flapper dresses and tweed vests and flat caps. The incongruous sight sends a chill down my spine, conjuring memories of that haunted night years ago when phantoms in pheasant feathers and tarnished armor materialized from the mist. Could history be repeating itself? I draw Cormac closer, my fingers tightening protectively around her shoulder. A bitter wind sweeps through the clearing, rustling crimson leaves and stirring the strange visitors from their dreams.
“Oh, halloo,” calls a woman with cascading silver-streaked hair that catches the morning light. Deep laugh lines frame her eyes as she rises gracefully to her feet, brushing debris from her embroidered skirts. Her button nose crinkles above heart-shaped lips as she smiles warmly. “I’m Marie. We weren’t expecting anyone so early.”
“You’re days early for Samhain,” Orla informs her, her voice carrying across the clearing.
“Samhain!” exclaims a younger woman with stylish curls and bright eyes. She leaps up, clapping her hands together with enthusiasm, silver bracelets jingling at her wrists. “I’m Florian. I absolutely adore a proper shindig.”
Another woman glides forward, her tweed vest firmly hug-ging her body. She loops her arm possessively around Florian’s slender waist and extends her other hand, adorned with bangles that glint in the early light. “Kiersten,” she offers, her voice me-lodic but guarded.
“Molly, and this is Cormac,” I reply, mirroring Kiersten’s protective gesture by drawing Cormac against my side, feeling her warmth through her leather jacket.
“Might there be lodgings available in your village?” Marie inquires, her eyes scanning the distant rooftops visible through the thinning trees.
“Not anywhere that could accommodate a gathering of this size,” Dave responds, his weathered hands resting on his leather belt.
A tall woman with anxious eyes approaches Orla hesitantly. A man with sandy blond hair clutches her trembling arm as she nervously smooths out her skirt. Dave and I don’t miss her flinch with his touch, juxtaposing their closeness. It resurfaces memories from when Dave and Orla couldn’t touch. “Hello, I’m Claudia,” she murmurs, “and may I present Alex?” Her delicate fingers twist together nervously while Alex soothingly rubs her goosebump-covered arms.
“Orla and Dave,” Dave announces, nodding curtly. When Alex extends his hand to Orla, Dave intercedes and shakes his hand, so Orla doesn’t have to.
“Um, Orla,” Alex interjects, his deep voice surprisingly gen-tle. “Pardon our intrusion, but might Claudia ask you something rather personal?”
“Of course, what troubles you?” Orla asks, leaning forward with interest.
“Do you perceive others’ thoughts when you make physical contact?” Claudia whispers, her pale cheeks blooming with a rosy flush that spreads to the tips of her ears.
“Perhaps we should escort this assemblage to our home-stead,” Dave interrupts, clearing his throat. “We have several spare rooms. Not sufficient for everyone, but certainly prefera-ble to camping outside.”

“We’d be eternally grateful,” Marie responds, casting a con-cerned sideways glance at Claudia’s distressed expression. “A proper rest would benefit us tremendously after our... unusual journey.”

Author Info

Stephanie Hansen is a PenCraft and Global Book Award Winning Author as well as an Imadjinn finalist. Her debut novella series, Altered Helix, released in 2020. It hit the #1 New Release, #1 Best Seller, and other top 100 lists on Amazon. It is now being adapted to an animated story for Tales. Her debut novel, Replaced Parts, released in 2021 through Fire & Ice YA and Tantor Audio. It has been in a Forbes article, hit Amazon bestseller lists, and made the Apple young adult coming soon bestsellers list. The second book in the Transformed Nexus series, Omitted Pieces, released in 2022. Her debut spicy paranormal romance, Ghostly Howls, released 2023. Her debut historical magical realism, Armored Hours, released 2024. The Armored Hours sequel, Guarded Time, released 2025 and the Ghostly Howls sequel, Ghostly Returns, released 2026. She is a member of the deaf and hard of hearing community, so she tries to incorporate that into her fiction.

https://www.authorstephaniehansen.com/
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Presented by

SPOTLIGHT - SUSPENSE THRILLER - DEATH BEFORE A HOOKUP by Alicia Rice

In a world ruled by power, desire can be deadly.

Death Before a Hookup
by Alicia Rice
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Thriller

In the heart of two cities divided by rivalries, it unveils a compelling narrative of passion, ambition, and transformation.

James, a steadfast leader striving for progress, faces the complex dynamics of a changing world as he partners with Evelleyne, a boss from a rival gang. Against an ongoing feud between the Northside Ryders and the River Syndicates, a symbol of new possibilities, the characters embark on a journey of self-discovery, secrets, adoration, and resilience. The flames of change burn brightly, forging alliances, shattering expectations, and ultimately illuminating the path to redemption.

Prepare for a tale of love, loyalty, and redemption set against conflict and transformation. As the characters navigate the complexities of their choices, the story explores the resilience of the human spirit and the indomitable power of love to endure even in the darkest times.

 

“The perfect enemies-to-lovers novel with Romeo and Juliet vibes. Gritty, emotional and utterly unputdownable!”

“Evelyne and James’ love story was beautifully made. I was torn apart by the tragic ending.”

Amazon * Author’s Site * Bookbub * Goodreads

Where are you, baby? You know I hate waiting,” says Evelleyne, her breath briefly fogging the reflected outline of her bare shoulder on her phone's screen."

“I just got out of the shower. Give me about fifteen minutes, and I’ll be there,” said James.

“You could have waited on the shower, baby. You’ll be hot and sweaty as soon as I let you in the door.”

“Is that so? Well, let me hurry up then. Sounds like I’m going to have my work cut out for me tonight.”

“You have no idea.”

“Let me finish here. I’ll see you in a bit.”

“Okay, baby. Be careful. No speeding tickets this time.”

“I can’t make any promises. You know I can’t wait to get to you, girl.”

“I know, baby, but I’m not going anywhere, so there’s no need to rush. Just know your girl is waiting on you—with nothing on.”

“See, that’s what makes me break the law getting to your house.”

Evelleyne laughs. “You’re so cute when you’re possessive.”

“Yeah, and I’m the luckiest man alive to have you in my life. I’m gone; see you in a few.”

“Okay, baby.”

Evelleyne sits on the window ledge, gazing out into the night. The moon is high, and its white light glistens on her voluptuous, tanned body. Her heart beats faster, and she can barely catch her breath as she tightens the grip on her cell phone.

James is rushing down the steps, ready to see his beloved. He hears a soft, shaky voice as he’s about to hit the “end call” button on his cell phone.

“I love you, James,” says Evelleyne.

“I’ll see you soon,” he shyly responds.

Evelleyne gazed at the night sky, and a tear rolled down her cheek. She knows James loves her, but he won't say it—he’s proved that. Still, she wants to hear it from his lips.

James hopped in his Chrysler 300. Though excited to see Evelleyne, he’s nervous before starting the car. His mind drifted through the chapters of his life, a journey marked by unexpected turns and profound transformations.

He thought back to the days when he rose through the ranks, becoming an underboss for the Northside Ryders. The choices, alliances forged, and conflicts navigated shaped him into a formidable figure in the city's underworld.

Meeting Evelleyne was a turning point. Her strength, resilience, and unwavering spirit drew him in. Love blossomed amidst the chaos, a beacon of light in the shadows of their tumultuous world. Together, they dared to dream of a different future.

Alicia Rice is a multi-genre author, leadership development strategist, and speaker whose work explores power, choice, resilience, and the human condition. She is the author of several compelling titles, including Historian of the Wasteland, a gripping dystopian series that challenges readers to examine what survives when systems collapse — and what should.

By day, Alicia serves as a Learning & Development leader, designing leadership programs that empower emerging and senior leaders to lead with courage, justice, and accountability. By night, she writes stories that explore generational trauma, moral conflict, and the quiet strength of those history often overlooks. Her work is deeply influenced by her grandmother’s encouragement, who nurtured her love of storytelling from a young age and instilled in her the belief that her voice mattered.

When she’s not writing or mentoring, Alicia is either gaming or building platforms that connect authors, leaders, and lifelong learners through purpose-driven dialogue

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * TikTok * Amazon * Goodreads

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Enter the Death Before a Hookup Giveaway Here!

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SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - COZY MYSTERY - LAST BITE by Amy S. Peele

A mouth-watering home run of a beach read where a newly widowed woman finds second chances through a funeral catering business and the magic of Chicago baseball.

Last Bite
by Amy S. Peele
Genre: Cozy Mystery

A mouth-watering home run of a beach read, this lighthearted romantic comedy featuring a newly widowed fortysomething takes the reader on a joyful romp through-out some of Chicago’s finest eateries—with a dash of Cubs baseball on the side.

In the heart of Chicago, forty-five-year-old Angie Sortino finds herself at a crossroads. Recently widowed, she discovers that her deceased husband, Vinnie, has left her penniless. Until his City pension can be cleared up, she’s on her own.

Angie has just taken a job at Chicago City Hall as a cleaning woman when her spirited twenty-two-year-old niece, Gina, and Gina’s best friend, Kim, approach her with the idea of starting a catering company targeting funeral parlors. Seeing a chance to reawaken her own culinary aspirations, Angie gets on board. As the three women embark on this new venture, they face the challenges of the catering business, from securing clients to perfecting their menu. Angie and Gina’s love for the Chicago Cubs adds a playful twist to their journey; they often find inspiration in the vibrant atmosphere of Wrigley Field. Gina’s youthful enthusiasm, meanwhile, contrasts with Angie’s cautious nature, leading to hilarious mishaps, unexpected romantic encounters, and heartfelt moments.

Through late-night brainstorming sessions and spontaneous cooking experiments, Angie begins to find her voice, both in the kitchen and in her life—and ultimately, with the support of a respected funeral director, Gina and Kim, and an unexpected new love interest, she learns to embrace her worth and pursue happiness. 

"Last Bite is a deliciously layered novel that mixes humor, heart, and mystery in equal measure." —Chicago Book Review

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             The sky was blue, it was a warm late-September afternoon, and there was no better place to be as they walked across the street from Murphy’s into the ballpark. They had the best bleacher seats. Center field, perfect view of the field, and an excellent place to grab a few home run balls, if the stars were aligned. As they approached their seats, Kim stopped. “Wait a minute. Gina, do you see what I’m seeing? It’s Peggy’s girls from the kitchen.”

Gina looked past the girls and saw something that astonished her. There was Peggy sitting next to Ben, who stood up and waved.

“Uncle Ben, what the hell?”

“Hey, Gina, it’s a long story, but we’re all here to have fun and forget about our troubles, right, Peggy?”

Peggy growled, “Why not, can’t work today, schools are closed. Ben stopped by with tickets yesterday and I figured my crew needed a break after the poisoning incident.” She sat back down, grumbled some more, and took a sip of her beer. Gina walked over and hugged Ben and sat between him and Peggy.

“I am so sorry about the poisoning,” Gina said. “Angie got it all straightened out. It wasn’t us who did it. She can bring you up to speed after the game.”

“Good to hear. Sorry I was so mean to you, but it put me behind schedule,” Peggy said. “By the way, my niece is coming out from San Francisco tomorrow, loves baseball. Maybe we can take her to a Cubs game. She’s a private investigator and has a case here. I think you’d like her. She’s a lot of fun. She bats for Kim’s team.”

“What’s her name?” Gina asked.

“Jackie Larsen, she’s one fun-loving smart cookie. Her parents disowned her when she came out, but I told her she would always have a place in my heart and home,” Peggy said, and then turned to watch the players warm up. Gina went to sit with her mom, Angie, and Kim.

“That Ralph knows how to pick good seats,” Connie said.

“Vinnie and Ralph spent many a day in the bleachers,” Gina leaned over and remarked. “They could afford the fancier seats, but they said this is where the real fans were.”

Angie bought popcorn, peanuts, and beer for the crew, toasting, “Here’s to family and the Cubs.” They all raised their beers, toasted, and yelled, “Go, Cubs!”

The Cardinals took an early lead with two home runs in the top of the second, and the Cubs answered in the bottom of the fifth and tied the score. Baseball time was different for Angie. She had learned from Vinnie to put all her cares away and soak it all in, one pitch at a time, one hit at a time, one inning at a time. Today, of all days, she was doing just that, glancing at the field and then over at her family, including Thad and Daisy, knowing they would always get through anything as long as they were together. She laughed out loud when one of the lunch gals yelled at the ump, “That was a strike! Get some glasses!”

What a motley crew, Angie thought. At the top of the sixth, one of the ushers came over to where she was sitting. “Is there an Angie Sortino here?”

They all looked up. “Who wants to know?” Angie asked.

“We have a very special surprise for Angie. Are you Angie?”

“Depends. You’re not from the mayor’s office, are you?” Angie asked.

“No, I work for the Cubs.”

“Okay then, I’m Angie. What exactly is the surprise?”

“Not at liberty to say, but if you’d please follow me, you’ll know soon enough. All I can say is it must be your lucky day.” He gestured for Angie to follow him.

“Bring her back in one piece,” Connie called after.

“No worries, she’ll be safe and sound. Enjoy the rest of the game. Go, Cubs.”

Angie followed him through the park, her mind reeling. Where is he taking me? They navigated through all the fans, kids in tow, lines of people waiting for beer and dogs.

He took her on an elevator up several floors, and she noticed a sign pointing to the press boxes. They walked past them.

“Would you please take a seat, Angie?” said the escort. “I’ll be back to get you at the start of the seventh inning.” He pointed to a small area with a live TV monitor displaying the game and several chairs. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Why not? I’ll take a beer, please.”

The young man returned with a draft beer and a bag of peanuts. “Enjoy.”

Angie sipped her beer, cracked open peanuts, and watched the rest of the sixth inning. The game was tied. Fans were yelling as the Cubs took the field at the top of the seventh. She was deeply engaged in the game when the usher interrupted her.

“How are you doing?”

“Great, but I’d like to get back to my family. Time for the seventh-inning stretch.”

“You’ll be enjoying that in just a few minutes. A friend of yours has arranged something for you. I hope you brought your best singing voice.”

Singing voice? Angie thought, as the usher led her to a door marked “Announcer” and gently knocked. What the hell?

“Come in,” came a voice from within.

The usher opened the door and Pat Hughes, the announcer for the Cubs, glanced over. “Angie, you’re going to be singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” with our guest celebrity.”

“What! Are you kidding me? Oh my God! This is a dream come true!”

“Come on in. We’re on in a few minutes.”

Angie stepped in and froze. There in front of her was Bill Murray—the Bill Murray, wearing his 2016 World Series T-shirt and hat, holding a microphone. “Hey, Angie. Nice to meet you. I was a friend of Vinnie’s—so sorry he’s gone.” He reached over

and gave her a warm embrace, saying, “He was a hell of a man, and there was no better Cubs fan.”

Angie was having an out-of-body experience, thoughts flooding through her mind. Is this real? How did this happen? I’m with Bill Murray.

Bill brought her right up front—where you could see the entire field—and handed her a microphone. “I know you know the words,” he said, smiling.

The Cubs announcer broke in, “And today we have our very own Bill Murray with a special guest, Angie Sortino, singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”

Bill jumped in, “A one—A two.” He glanced over at Angie and they both started singing.

“Take me out to the ball game. Take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack. I don’t care if I never get back!”

Angie gave it all she had, joy erupting from within her. She caught sight of her and Bill on the Jumbotron. As the camera scanned the crowd, everyone got up and sang, arm in arm. “So it’s root, root, root for the Cubbies . . .” The song ended, the crowd went wild, and Angie hugged Bill, smiling ear to ear.

“This was truly a dream come true.” She pointed at him with both of her index fingers. “Bill Murray. I sang with Bill Murray!”

Bill gave her a departing hug. “Take care, Angie. So nice to meet you after hearing about you from Vinnie for so many years.That man sure loved you.”

Amy S Peele was born and raised in the Chicago area, and now lives in Marin County in California. Having spent thirty five years working in the field of organ transplantation, she brings a fresh, knowledgable, and humorous new voice into the world of mystery novels.

In addition to killing people in her murder mysteries, she enjoys meditating, teaching yoga, swimming, and pursuing her spirituality by studying the teachings of Deepak Chopra. Amy invites you to her website www.amyspeele.com to learn more about her.

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