Caridad Pineiro® Romance Author
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Romance Author
There are at least five tropes that romantic suspense readers can’t get enough of! I have my favorites too. Ones like bodyguard romance (hint hint), enemies to lovers, kidnapping rescue (another hint hint), and so many others. Today I’m highlighting five that I love and that I think readers love! If you love them also, please take a moment to check out the Crooked Pass Security series and grab your copies today at https://amzn.to/47cmo2o.
Happy National Black Cat Appreciation Day! When we adopted our first cat, Osiris, the lady at the shelter told us that black cats were hard to place because people were superstitious about black cats. We were surprised by that, and since we had no qualms about a black cat, Osiris became a member of our family. We had her for over seventeen years, but lost her to cancer a few years ago. P.S. If there was ever one of my heroines that needed a cat, it would be FBI Agent Diana Reyes from DARKNESS CALLS, my first vampire suspense series. She’s a hard worker with a tortured past, and I think a cat would help her chill out. Grab your copy today for only 99 cents at https://amzn.to/3HitSqd.
I love creating stories that keep you turning the pages well past midnight. It’s a challenge to blend danger, passion, and swoon-worthy heroes! That’s why I think you’ll love CLIFFSIDE KIDNAPPING. I’m just going to ask one thing: Don’t blame me if Sophie and Ryder’s story keeps you up late tonight! Grab your copy today at https://amzn.to/47cmo2o. Here’s a tense teaser from the story to get you started!
“Are you worried about that car?” she asked and peered back at it again. The vehicle had picked up speed on the straighter length of the road and was gaining on them.
“License plates have those black covers that make them hard to read. Not what you expect on cars around here,” he said and checked the mirror again.
She did as well and realized that the windows were so tinted it was impossible to identify the driver.
Not good, she thought just as Ryder said, “Hold on.”
Barely several yards ahead was a driveway and Ryder turned into it, the car fishtailing until Ryder righted it onto the narrow lane and jerked to a stop. Delilah whined and shifted uneasily in her seat, clearly sensing the heightened tension in the vehicle.
They all turned as the suspicious SUV shot past the driveway.
Ryder immediately jammed his car into reverse and, seeing it was clear, whipped out and back onto the road.
The SUV was in sight but pulling away quickly.
“In a rush or escaping?” Sophie asked, trying to read past the dark license plate covers to get the number.
Ryder peeked in her direction and said, “Only one way to find out.”
He put the pedal to the metal, making up ground on their suspect car but the driver increased his speed, trying to outrun them.
“I guess we know,” she said.
I haven’t done a recipe in ages, so for today’s Food Friday, I decided to share one of my personal favorites: Oxtail Stew. This dish is a love it or hate it kind of food. My daughter and I love it, but hubby not so much. Properly done, an oxtail stew is meaty and tasty! For those who love braised short ribs, you’ll love oxtail stew. P.S. Who in my book world would love this? Definitely Carlo from the At the Shore series. As a seasoned chef, he would totally make a dish like this for Emma, the love of his life. You can enjoy their story in NEVER A BRIDE. Grab your copy today at https://amzn.to/4fzJ3Yu.
Ingredients:
2 cups chopped onions
1 cup chopped carrots
1 tbsp capers
1/2 cup chopped manzanilla olives
32 oz Chicken Broth (The packaged kind)
2 cups dry red wine
10-12 large oxtails
2-3 bay leaves
Directions:
Trim any excess fat from the oxtails. Pat and dry. You may have very small oxtails in the package and I keep them to make beef broth and don’t use them for the stew.
Heat some olive oil in a stockpot. Brown both sides of the oxtails and then remove to a plate. You will need to remove everything but about 2-3 tbsps of the grease from the stockpot, and discard it.
Add the carrots and cook for about five minutes. Then add the onions and cook until they are starting to brown.
Add the capers and olives and cook for about five minutes. Return the oxtails and any juices to the stockpot. Add the chicken broth, bay leaves, and red wine, and bring to a low simmer.
Oxtails are a tough meat, much like short ribs. Summer on low for about 3 to 4 hours, or until tender. Salt and pepper to taste. I usually serve the oxtails over white rice.
It’s a hearty, delicious dish, especially in the winter! I hope you try this out and I hope you’ll enjoy it.
It seems like yesterday that my daughter joined me for my very first book signing. It’ll actually be twenty-six years this September, which is hard to believe. But what I love most is that my daughter has joined me on this book journey and is now a successful author. I love being able to do book signings with her and see how wonderfully she is doing. To find out more about my mini-me’s awesome stories, including her new romantasy TRAVELER, please visit https://amzn.to/3JzAnFy.
I’m so excited about the new books in the Crooked Pass Security series! I loved giving Sophie and Robbie their stories and also introducing you to new characters who you will see in future stories, including the new Cold Case K-9 series coming in late 2026/2027. For today’s Write Wednesday, I’m sharing a little teaser from DEFENDED BY THE BODYGUARD. In this scene, Robbie and the crew at Crooked Pass Security have identified quote a number of suspects who may be responsible for the attacks on Selene’s life. Selene is worried about the long list, but Robbie reassures her that she has even more people to keep her safe. Here’s the teaser and you can grab your copy at https://amzn.to/47cmo2o.
Stroking his thumb across her cheek, he said, “You have lots of people to protect you and who love you.”
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, but a shadow of a smile drifted across her lips. She reached up and raked her fingers through his hair, then trailed her hand down tenderly across his bruised cheek. Wincing slightly, she said, “Does it still hurt?”
“Only when I smile,” he said, then grinned and faked a grimace.
She chuckled and shook her head, but then her almost electric blue gaze darkened. She rose slightly on her knees, until she was eye to eye, lip to lip, with him.
“Selene?” he asked, wanting to be sure of what she wanted.
She answered by leaning in and skimming a kiss across his lips, the touch a hesitant exploration as she returned to kiss him over and over.
He cradled her back, offering comfort and support as the kiss deepened.
Her breath soughed against his lips as she broke away for a second, but then returned, opening her mouth to his. Pressing her body to his, he drew her in tighter until they were breast to chest and his body responded, hardening against her softness.
She shivered then and he tempered his hold, loosening it so she could draw back and meet his gaze.
She licked her lips, then bit her lower one and shook her head, as if in denial of what she was feeling.
“I’m not… It’s been…” She shook her head harder then and looked away before blurting out, “I’m not sure of what I want. I’m sorry.”
He clasped her cheek and tenderly urged her to meet his gaze. “I’m a patient man, Selene. I would never rush you or hurt you.”
Through incipient tears, she nodded. “I know,” she said, voice hoarse, and in a softer tone added, “I do. I do.”
It was almost as if she was trying to convince herself. To truly believe he wouldn’t damage her as other men had, which made his heart hurt at the pain she’d suffered.
“Whenever you’re ready, Selene,” he said and meant it, even if whenever turned out to be never.
Happy National Vinyl Record Day! When I was younger, we only had vinyl records for our own music playing or the radio! I still have a few of my vinyl records that I can’t part with, namely, recordings from All-County orchestra performances and the entire Romeo and Juliet movie (also before videotapes!) What about you? Do you still have vinyl records and a turntable? P.S. As a vampire who’s lived through many centuries, I’m sure Ryder Latimer still has vinyl and listens to it. If you love spicy, dark, and suspenseful vampire stories, DARKNESS CALLS is for you! It was an RT Top Pick, a finalist in many paranormal romance contests, and the first in the series. Grab your copy today for only 99 cents at https://amzn.to/4oD0Wdi.
