Posted in #BookTours

The Vacation Bubble

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Vacation Bubble: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy
Marcella Steele
(To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #1)
Publication date: September 1st 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Readers’ Favorite
Perfect for fans of Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, and Part of Your World—this witty second chance romance is a sun-drenched escape with heart, heat, and humor.

A fling wasn’t on her vacation itinerary. Neither was falling in love with the one man she’d already run from.

Romance has ghosted, gaslit, and gone full Shakespearean tragedy on Sofia Drake. She’s officially a one-woman rom-com with no third act in sight, ready to bolt if love sneaks up on her again.

Freshly dumped and jobless, Sofia is mid-pity-party (yes, wine and ice cream are involved)‌ when a friend drags her to a job fair. If she’d known how a chance meeting would blow up her carefully constructed life, she would’ve stayed home. One look into Ryan Hunter’s crystal blue eyes and she can tell he’s trouble. He’s gorgeous, charming, and way too young. He’s also the first man in years to make her feel a real, rocket-exploding kind of heat. But when the jet-setting Ryan invites her on a spontaneous trip to Barcelona, Sofia does what she does best: she runs.

It takes a kick from her best friend (a “get a life” lecture) to move Sofia out of her comfort zone and onto a plane to Barcelona—alone. No men, no pressure, just a solo adventure. At least… until she runs straight into the one man she swore she’d never see again.

Now, Ryan is offering to be her personal tour guide, and Sofia is breaking her own ‘no men’ rule for a new one: keep it vacation-only. Sun, sangria, and maybe a little sizzle. They make a pact for the summer: Thirty days—no falling in love, no risky complications. Really.

Sometimes the best adventures happen when you finally stop running from what scares you the most.

“The Vacation Bubble will resonate with readers who crave wanderlust, sizzling chemistry, and second chances.” Readers’ Favorite

Goodreads / Amazon

Only 99c for a limited time!

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EXCERPT:

Sofia – the meet cute #1 San Francisco job networking event

It was his voice I heard first—deep, with a sexy tone that rumbled through me.

“I’m in the mergers and acquisitions department. Possibly you’re acquainted with the bank?” he asked the balding man next to him. “It’s a global company whose headquarters are located here in San Francisco and in London. We’re looking for fresh talent, someone with experience in finance. The organization has an excellent training program.”

The line moved up, but I hung back, waving at people to take the place in front of me. Obvious? A few sideways glances confirmed that my chivalry wasn’t going unnoticed.

His voice came from my right, only a few feet away. I shifted in my high heels and casually pretended to brush a piece of lint off my shoulder, then caught sight of him. It may have been only four or five seconds, but as my eyes raked across his features, time seemed to slow, as if watching a movie at half speed. To say he was gorgeous wouldn’t do him justice. That face belonged on the cover of GQ magazine. Tall, dark, and handsome with refined, perfectly symmetrical features, luscious full lips, and, God help me, a chiseled jawline resembling Adonis. That was the moment I knew I was in trouble.

He continued his pitch to the short man in a suit. The man wasn’t over thirty-five, but the back of his head was already thinning. Sexy guy stood over six feet tall, his bronzed olive skin and tousled dark curls effortlessly stylish without seeming overdone. Even his clothes were sexy, although it was more about the way they fit his frame. My eyes scanned him from bottom to top, taking in his leather shoes, indigo-blue designer jeans, a white-collared shirt, and a black sport coat cut close to his body, revealing broad shoulders that led to a slender waist in a V shape. When he raised his arm to retrieve a business card, his bicep bulged against the sleeve of his jacket. Holy shit.

A buzzing sound rang in my ears, muting the conversation, but I watched as his face broke into a wide smile, dimples forming like perfect punctuation marks on his cheeks. Without warning, his head swiveled a fraction to the right and his eyes caught sight of mine—sparkling, deep blue eyes that held me transfixed for a split second. Then, in one swift (not obvious at all) move, I brought my hand to my hair and, as I flicked it over my shoulder, my gaze shifted to the blond woman directly in front of me. Thank God I was next in line.

A flush bloomed on my face, not solely due to the hot flash racing up my neck. Stop right there, missy, I told myself. He’s too young, probably in his thirties. I’d never needed a drink so desperately. Forcing my view straight ahead, I ordered a gin and tonic when I reached the edge of the bar.

“Make it two, please,” his voice rang in my ear.

Author Bio:

Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


GIVEAWAY!

The Vacation Bubble Blitz

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Posted in #History

To Rescue the Constitution

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

George Washington and the Fragile American Experiment (The Presidential Series) 

Instant New York Times Bestseller

#1 New York Times bestselling author Bret Baier reveals how George Washington saved the Constitution–and the American experiment

“To Rescue The Constitution is a masterful exploration of the electrifying struggle to unite a young United States.” —Jay Winik

A sweeping narrative ranges from the unsettled early American frontier and the battlefields of the Revolution. It also covers the history-making clashes within Philadelphia’s Independence Hall. Bret Baier’s To Rescue the Constitution dramatically illuminates the life of George Washington. He was the essential Founding Father. He did more than perhaps any other individual to secure the future of the United States.

George Washington rescued the nation three times. First, he led the Continental Army to victory in the Revolutionary War. Second, he presided over the Constitutional Convention that set the blueprint for the United States. He also ushered the Constitution through a fractious ratification process. Third, he led the nation as its first president. In this compelling work of American history, the struggling new nation needed to be rescued. Washington was the only American who could bring them together.

After the victorious War of Independence, the nation fractured. A spirit of unity and patriotism might have been expected. However, division took place instead. The states were no more than a loosely knit and contentious confederation, with no strong central union. The urgent need for nation building prompted the calling of a Constitutional Convention. This gathering was to meet in Philadelphia during the summer of 1787.

Setting aside his plan to retire to Mount Vernon, Washington agreed to be a delegate at Philadelphia. There he was unanimously elected president of the convention. Washington successfully brought the Constitution into being. He then sacrificed any hope of returning to private life. He accepted the unanimous election to be the nation’s first president. Washington was not known for brilliant oratory or prose. However, his quiet and steady leadership gave life to the Constitution. He demonstrated how it should be enacted.

In this vivid and moving portrait of early America’s struggles, Baier captures the critical moments that defined the nation. Washington’s leadership brought the nation back from the brink of collapse. Baier exposes an early America that is grittier and far more divided. This is a depiction often different from what is portrayed. We can see this division reflected in today’s conflicts.

This gripping work of narrative nonfiction reveals:

  • A Leader Forged in War: Follow George Washington from the battlefields of the Revolution to the presidency, as he rescues the young nation not once, but three separate times.
  • The Fight for the Constitution: Go inside Philadelphia’s Independence Hall for the history-making clashes and fractious debates that defined the Constitutional Convention and the future of the American experiment.
  • The First Presidency: Discover how Washington’s quiet, steady leadership as the nation’s first president gave life to the Constitution, showing a fledgling country how its new government should be enacted.
  • A Nation Divided: Uncover an early America that is grittier and far more divided than often portrayed—a searching look into our past that holds a mirror to the conflicts of today.
Posted in Cozy Mysteries

The Day the Rabbi Resigned (The Rabbi Small Mysteries Book 11)

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Rabbi Small has left the synagogue, but he’s not done with sleuthing, in this “engaging” mystery from the New York Times–bestselling author (New York Newsday).

Edgar Award–Winning Author

Rabbi David Small has dealt with temple politics for three decades. He has also been involved in more than a handful of murder investigations. Now, he is ready to retire from his synagogue in the cozy Boston suburb of Barnard’s Crossing. For years, his secret desire has been to permanently take up teaching. When he finally leaves the synagogue to pursue that dream, life at a university proves more dangerous than he thought.

Late at night, a notoriously ambitious college professor dies in a car wreck. The academic had been drinking heavily, but evidence suggests that the crash might not have been an accident. The local police are stumped. They enlist the only detective they know. His astute eye and quick mind come from a higher power: Rabbi Small.

Posted in #BookTours

The Relationship Contract

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The Relationship Contract: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy
Marcella Steele
(To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: February 10th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

One crazy love experiment. A daring adventure. 60 days to pass the test.

Once upon a time… Sofia Drake doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after anymore—especially with a man fourteen years younger. But the gorgeous and charismatic Ryan Hunter refuses to give her up. He makes an unconventional proposal: sixty days to prove their love could overcome any obstacle. It’s an offer she can’t refuse.

The catch? His job takes him to London. No problem. Sofia throws the rule book in the trash, upends her life, and sets off for the adventure of a lifetime with Ryan—prepared to risk everything for a second chance at happiness.

Touring London, Sofia feels like she’s stepping into the life her twenty-something self dreamed of, but while her world opens up to new possibilities, freedom brings more questions than answers. Ryan hopes that dazzling her with trips to Dubai and the Maldives will convince her to stay. His mother tries to make sure she doesn’t.

Just as Sofia’s confidence in herself and the relationship blossoms, Ryan’s old girlfriend surfaces with a plot twist that threatens to rewrite their entire future.

The question isn’t whether their love is strong enough. It’s whether they’re brave enough to renegotiate the contract and face what neither of them saw coming.

Love is like free-falling off a cliff. You never know where you might land.

Perfect for fans of Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghan, and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. A witty, second chance romance with the London charm of Jojo Moyes.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“How long will you be in London?” Elaine asked.

“A few weeks, I’m not sure yet.” Me—the ultimate planner—winging it? “It’s sort of open-ended. I think I’ll be in Europe for two months, traveling to various places.” I hesitated, because how could I explain I was choosing to spend my severance package on this trip to Europe instead of job hunting—that I was hurling myself into a new life, a new relationship, without a clue about the direction this would lead?

She tilted her head with curiosity. “Business or pleasure?”

I barked out a laugh. “Definitely pleasure. I’m joining my boyfriend.” The word still felt foreign on my tongue. After years spent in romantic exile, being part of a couple seemed surreal. “Ryan works in London part-time—his main office is in San Francisco, where we met. So, I’m basically following him across an ocean.” I shook my head. This was coming out all wrong. “Not that I’m desperate or anything. I mean, I lost my job, but the timing worked out perfectly because Ryan suggested I come live with him. Well, travel together, since he moves around constantly. We’re returning to Barcelona at some point because that city holds special meaning for us—” I cut myself off, cheeks burning. Apparently, my anxiety had me spiraling out of control, transforming me from an articulate professional into a babbling teenager who just discovered her first crush.

Her eyebrows shot up while her forehead remained suspiciously smooth. “Ryan? That wouldn’t be Ryan Hunter, would it?” Her voice climbed several octaves.

“Yes… do you know him?” Something cold twisted in my stomach.

“Know him? Um. Not personally, but he’s one of our frequent flyers.” The way she scrutinized me made every hair on my neck stand at attention. “He’s your boyfriend?”

I nodded, shrinking into my luxurious seat like a deflating balloon.

This time her smile looked painted on, her tone as artificially sweet as high-fructose corn syrup. “If you need anything else, just let me know.” Watching her slim figure trail through the aisle of the cabin, I wondered if I was projecting or if the twist in my gut was justified. Anyone who knew Ryan might take one look at me and wonder, Really? Him… and her? I had questioned that myself when we first met. Despite his unwavering attention, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get past the age difference when someone like Elaine was sizing me up.

When Ryan and I were alone, it was just too good to waste time worrying about how the world viewed me. In his eyes, I was perfect. He didn’t notice the saggy bits or dimpled skin. According to my best friend, Madison, I had a figure most women would kill for and could pass for a forty-year-old on a good day. Most days were not that good, but I’d made peace with the crows feet and that little belly pooch that refused to disappear. After all, at one time it was a baby bump, then a beach ball. I’d earned that lump.

Still, a thought niggled its way into my brain. There was something suspicious about Elaine’s reaction to me. Call it women’s intuition, but somehow, I just knew. Had she hoped to snag him for herself? I couldn’t blame her; Ryan was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His image should appear on a Pinterest board titled: Hot Guys with Dark Curly Hair and Piercing Blue Eyes. How many flight attendants and restaurant hostesses had set their sights on him?

Author Bio:

Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


GIVEAWAY!

The Relationship Contract Blitz

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Posted in #History

History of California

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

A Captivating Guide to the History of the Golden State, Starting from when Native Americans Dominated through European Exploration to the Present (U.S. States)

If you want to discover the influential and captivating history of California, then read on…

Free History BONUS Inside!

California’s transformation into the most populous state in America was certainly no accident. It became the home of some of the country’s richest citizens, spread amongst Silicon Valley and Hollywood. California has always been one of the most diverse and multicultural states in the United States. This diversity existed way before it was a state at all and even before the arrival of the Europeans.

California’s rugged yet diverse terrain influenced the first settlers. They spread into hundreds of different tribes. Each tribe had its own lifestyle, religion, diet, and culture. Much of this was based on the landscape they ended up in. Thousands of years passed. Then, the Spaniards arrived slowly. They colonized the land and converted thousands of Native Americans. They established missions and villages in many of the cities we know today. These cities include San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and more.

Over the course of the 18th century, California truly developed into the state we know it as today. Within the century, the region passed through the hands of the Spaniards and the Republic of Mexico. Finally, the United States of America acquired it by warring over California’s fertile and diverse lands. From the first true economy surrounding the California Gold Rush, the region began its evolution. It would become America’s richest and most populous state. This status is still maintained today. Yet, the state’s evolution into what it is today was not easy. The gorgeous and idyllic region of California attracted immigrants from all over. As a result, prejudice was commonplace. It took many years of rallies, protests, and social movements. These efforts were essential to create the diverse and accepting state we know today.

In this book, you will learn about:

  • California’s Native American population
  • The Spanish exploration of Mexico, which led to the discovery of California
  • The colonization of the region of California led by the Spanish church missions
  • Mexican California
  • California’s independence from Mexico
  • The Gold Rush
  • The San Francisco earthquake
  • The effects of World War I and II on California
  • The socio-political reforms that occurred over the course of the 20th century
  • California’s technology boom
  • How California transitioned into one of the most populous and affluent states in America as well as one of the more diverse and liberal states in the country
  • And much more!