Sep 12, 2026

#BookBlitz #Excerpt #Giveaway #MyBestFourYears #MeganLinski #XpressoTours

My Best Four Years
Megan Linski
Publication date: September 11th 2026
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Young Adult

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Megan Linski paints a hallmark to grief in this story of a heartbreaking best friend break up that’s emotionally unforgettable.

Aria and Lucky are two best friends who managed to survive high school, though not everyone did. They live in a small town that’s determined to destroy everyone’s dreams, but when they’re together, the two girls soar. The adults in their lives swear there’s no way out of their tiny hometown, but Aria and Lucky promise each other they’re going to run away together, believing the music they make is going to change the world.

Until one of them leaves, and the other stays. Aria finds herself looking back on her past, struggling to find where she belongs in a place that wishes to stomp out her light. Lucky’s rise and fall is brighter than a supernova, dazzling and destroying whatever it touches.

Then the unthinkable happens, and their friendship is left in the remnants of what comes after.

Lucky promised Aria forever. But forever turns out to be far shorter than either of them thought it could be.

An honest, endearing novel, My Best Four Years is a devastating portrayal of the power of unconditional friendship, and the loss that is felt when those we love are left behind.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Are you ready for this?” Lucky asked. The rhinestones on her guitar glimmered as she slipped the strap over her shoulder. We were behind a curtain that led to the small stage of a local bar, where a dozen patrons clattered about. We’d been selected as the headlining act for a band that played regularly on Friday nights, and we were so nervous.

Lucky’s face was pale white. I was sure mine looked the same. Our first live show. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

“It’s our time,” I said confidently. “Let’s get out there.”

The curtain was pulled aside, and we strode on stage in unison as the announcer introduced us. I took my stance at the keyboard, took a deep breath, and began to sing.

We started off strong, and got an enthusiastic response from the crowd during the first song. The next song was a little shaky, but the longer we played, the more confident we became, until we’d nearly gone through every song we’d created. The crowd was really getting into the music.

As I played the keyboard, somebody caught my eye from the corner of the bar. The most handsome man I’d ever seen was leaning on the counter. He might’ve been a few years older than I was. I was absolutely captivated by his appearance, so much so that I nearly missed a note on the melody.

When I met his blue eyes, he gave me a smile. I bashfully looked down when we finished the song, and we went to take a bow as we wrapped up the show. The applause in the room was so loud, I could hardly hear myself think. The curtain was drawn, and I felt shaky on my feet as I realized we’d actually done it. We’d pulled off our first performance!

“That was amazing!” Lucky cheered. “I loved every minute! The lights, the stage! It made me feel so alive!”

“It was incredible,” I gushed. “I’m so proud of us, Lucky!”

I gave her a squealing hug. We cheerfully hopped off stage, then headed to the bar to get a drink. People clapped us on the back and congratulated us as we walked through the bar, thanking us for the performance.

While we were sipping on virgin cocktails, Lucky’s phone rang. She picked it up, a huge smile spread across her face. “Hello, Carla! Yeah, we just got done! It was amazing. I wish you were here to see it…”

Her words trailed off. The smile slid off Lucky’s face. After a few moments, she nodded, and hung up the phone with a vacant gaze.

“It’s Carla,” she said. “She’s in the parking lot waiting to pick me up. She says we have to talk.”

Author Bio:

Megan Linski is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author who lives in Michigan. She is the author of more than sixty fantasy and paranormal novels which feature themes of friendship, community, and healthy romantic relationships. She has over fifteen years of experience writing books alongside working as a journalist and editor. She graduated from the University of Iowa, where she studied Creative Writing.

Her passions include ice skating and horseback riding. In her free time she enjoys dancing in the snow and drinking fancy coffee while at her natural habitat, the mall.

Megan advocates for the rights of the disabled, and is an activist for mental health awareness.

Megan co-writes the Hidden Legends Universe with Alicia Rades. She also writes under the pen name of Natalie Erin for the Creatures of the Lands series, co-authored by Krisen Lison.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


GIVEAWAY!

My Best Four Years Blitz


#CoverReveal #TheOtherDaughter #HeidiField #ZoolooBookTours

 

Two brothers. Two daughters. One deadly legacy.

Every family has secrets. Some are worth killing for.

Shiv has spent years trying to leave Peasedale behind. With Mason Tucker finally free from prison and her son, Pip, growing into a happy young boy, the future feels brighter than it has in a long time.

Then Hunter Piper appears.

For decades, the Piper name has been synonymous with tragedy, violence and loss. Now Hunter has come back to claim what he believes is his, bringing with him a daughter no one knew existed.

Jeanie.

As old wounds reopen and long-buried secrets begin to surface, Shiv finds herself drawn into a deadly conflict rooted in the darkest chapter of her family's history.

When Pip vanishes, the race to find him leads back to the place where it all began—the shack in the woods.

But some truths should never be uncovered.

And some daughters inherit far more than their father's name.

The gripping conclusion to the Peasedale Woods Killers series, The Other Daughter is a chilling psychological thriller about family loyalty, revenge, and the making of a monster.



About Heidi Field

Heidi Field was raised in the beautiful countryside of the South of England with her parents and her two sisters.

In her twenties, she was a freelance Sports Massage Therapist. She achieved a Degree in Zoology at the age of thirty and then went on to raise two boys and become the stepmother of three more young children.

She still lives near her family home with her partner, their Great Dane and the children that have yet to fly the nest.

In her early forties, Heidi completed a Master's in Creative Writing at Winchester University. She entered the course hoping she would become a children’s fantasy writer and left with a burning desire to write contemporary mysteries and thrillers. Heidi wanted to put relatable people in extraordinary situations, challenge them, push them to their limits and watch them fight for their sanity.

The Peasedale Woods Killers is Heidi’s first series, interweaving the relationships between mothers, sons, and serial killers, questioning where blame ends and responsibility begins.

Love dark psychological thrillers?

Join my Voices From Peasedale Woods and Lonely-Happy Writer Substack Publications for exclusive stories, deleted scenes, book news, and early access to upcoming releases.

📚 Get to know me better

🔪 Delve deeper into the characters and events of Peasedale Woods 

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Sep 11, 2026

#BooksonTour #APerfectMother #MirandaSmith #Bookouture #NetGalley

 

My life is perfect. Bad things don’t happen to me. So why has someone taken my daughter? 


I thought I was the luckiest woman alive. I have a loving husband, who supports me in everything I do. A beautiful home, with comfy couches and art taped to the fridge. And Stella—my kind, gentle daughter. I’ve fought so hard for this life, and every day I’m grateful for it.


So it hits me like lightning, the moment I see my nanny stumbling towards me, blood drying on her forehead. She was attacked. Stella is gone.


The world spins. I fight to breathe. This can’t happen to me. Not now.

I thought it couldn’t get any worse, but as I sit in a daze on Stella’s bed, my eye falls on a stuffed cat, threadbare from cuddling, that I thought I’d never see again. My blood freezes. Because now I know who did this, and they won’t rest till my perfect life comes tumbling down.


But they don’t know how hard I’ll fight to protect myself, my daughter—and my secrets… 


A gasp-out-loud psychological thriller from the bestselling author of Not My Mother, with a twist you’ll never see coming. Perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Lucy Foley and Gillian Flynn.


Miranda Smith

Miranda Smith writes psychological and domestic suspense. She is drawn to stories about ordinary people in extraordinary situations. Before completing her first novel, she worked as a newspaper staff writer and a secondary English teacher. She lives in East Tennessee with her husband and three young children.


Mailing List: https://bookouture.com/subscribe/miranda-smith

Website: https://mirandasmithwriter.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MirandaSmithAuthor/


A Perfect Mother 
Written By Miranda Smith
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

First, I want to thank Miranda Smith, Bookouture and NetGalley to provide you with this book so I may bring you this review.

WOW!!! Miranda Smith’s A Perfect Mother is a well thought out psychological thriller that was created outside the box. If you follow my reviews you must know that missing person dramas are my favorite.What sets this apart from the others and has me invested is that readers are taking you inside the abductors mind. When I mean the inside view of their mind they go deep in detail. It is a book that needs to go on your TBR as it is one of Miranda’s best. 

The story gets twisted at the end as we hear from the kidnapper who shares a bit about their past. 

The rule of thumb is to write about what you know or are passionate about. This is why Miranda chooses her character to be a best selling author. She also has many other accomplishments.



Aug 29, 2026

#BookReview #TheGuncle #StevenRowley #PenguinRandomHouse

 

The GUNCLE

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew.

Patrick O’Hara has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant — from a safe distance. His Palm Springs home and reclusive lifestyle aren’t exactly welcoming to children. But when tragedy strikes, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian.

Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his own great love and managing a stalled career. He regrets his decision to take them in, until he starts to recognize that his outsize lifestyle and unusual life wisdom could bring about a season of healing that redefines their understanding of family, and finally lead Patrick back to himself.

WINNER of the Thurber Prize for American Humor
USA Today Bestseller
Wall Street Journal Bestseller

A Library Reads Pick
A PEOPLE Magazine Best Book of the Week
A Washington Post Feel Good Book for Summer
One of NPR’s Books We Love 2021
A Goodreads Choice Award Finalist

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608011/the-guncle-by-steven-rowley/9780525542285/



Steven Rowley

Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR as one of the Best Books of 2019, The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor, The Celebrants, a TODAY Show Read With Jenna Book Club pick, and the instant USA Today Bestsellers The Guncle Abroad andThe Dogs of Venice. His fiction has been published in twenty languages.

Originally from Portland, Maine, he is a graduate of Emerson College and currently resides in Palm Springs with his husband, the writer Byron Lane, and three rescue dogs.

Rights Inquiries / All titles

Rob Weisbach | Rob Weisbach Creative Management
Tel: 323-498-5853 | rob@robweisbach.com

Media Inquiries / The Editor, The Guncle & The Celebrants

Katie McKee | G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Tel: 412-561-1207 | kmckee@prh.com

Stephen’s Social Media






The GUNCLE 
Written By Steven Rowley 
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews

Steven Rowley had me snickering and giggling at the things Grant and Macy would say to their Guncle Pat in The Guncle!! This was such a cute fun read that will make you smile but there are moments that unfortunately are heartbreaking. However, It in my opinion is unlike any other book out there and is creatively written outside the box. Which is refreshing. 


Krish Del Rosario I totally loved your cover design on the book! It was so colorful just like Guncle Pat! Oh and the two kids marching behind their Guncle was perfect.It drew me in to want to know more about the book. 


Guncle Pat had a great idea for Maise and Grant to make a video for their Mom who had passed. The kids also wanted him to share how he met their mother.


OMG seriously remember not to turn off my phone at night!! I would have had a major panic attack if I woke up to 13 missed calls from Patrick’s parents and one from Greg. I get it if his motto is if their was an emergency he would deal with it on a full night's sleep. However, this was a HUGE phone call he missed. Sadly, after a year in a half Sara passed away. 


I loved how the kids called Guncle Pat GUP. Can you guess why? For Gay Uncle Pat. 


To be a fly on the wall at the restaurant scene it was the most comical thing ever with Patrick being a vegetarian and educating me on Lacto-Ova and Pescatarian. But the kids all they wanted was bacon and hotdogs. I was laughing my booty off on that scene. 


I was quite surprised and shocked by maisie’s question Guncle Pat and actually I was too. She asked him if he liked being gay. Who would ask someone that. I understand she is young but still you don’t ask that question! To find out his reaction you just need to go pick up this book!! 







Aug 27, 2026

#BookReview #OvercomingtheWallofAwful #BrendanMahanMeDMS #AlexHughesCapell #GCPBalance

 

Overcoming The Wall of Awful

Why it’s Hard to Get Things Done With ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety (and how to do them anyways) 

Written by Brendan Mahan, M.E.d, MS with Alex Hughes Capell


A groundbreaking, practical guide to accomplishing your goals and thriving in life, written for people with ADHD, autism, trauma and anxiety. 

“Overcoming the Wall of Awful is not only endlessly validating, but epically empowering. This book needs to be in the hands of everyone who has ever failed at anything.” —Jessica McCabe, New York Times bestselling author of How to ADHD 


We’re afraid to talk about it—that feeling we all get when we need to do something as simple as cleaning the kitchen or sending an email and we just … can’t. It’s not because we don’t want to, it’s because we feel paralyzed. We’re not aimless. We’re not lazy. Our brains are working against us! We have purpose, we just need guidance.  

This is that guide. Just like bricks, negative emotions and experiences can build up until they feel like an impenetrable wall between us and our goals. Brendan Mahan, MEd., MS. calls this the Wall of Awful—and he’s lived it. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult, Mahan has made it his life’s work to help people overcome their own Walls of Awful and accomplish their biggest, scariest ambitions.  

Mahan draws on twenty years in teaching, counseling, and coaching people with anxiety, ADHD, autism, and trauma. He teams up with writer Alex Hughes Capell in Overcoming the Wall of Awful to present his comprehensive model. The book explores:  

  • How anxiety works and why it gets in the way 
  • Ways people try to get past the Wall that don’t work—and what does 
  • How to climb your Wall of Awful and take back control 


Learn how to identify key emotions, the bricks in your Wall. Then, learn the tricks, systems, and habits you’ll need to not just climb one Wall—but to overcome your blocks throughout your life, one step at a time. The Wall is real, but you are stronger than you know. 


Brendan Mahan, M.Ed., M.S., grew up with undiagnosed ADHD. He has spent the last twenty-five years becoming the person he needed. Mahan draws on his experience as a former teacher, principal, and mental health clinician in his work as a highly esteemed ADHD coach, consultant, celebrated podcast host, and speaker. He has coached hundreds of clients with ADHD, autism, and anxiety through their most difficult challenges. Over that time, he has built a groundbreaking model that helps people understand and solve their challenges at a deeper level. That model is the subject of this book, “The Wall of Awful.”

Connect with Brendan on his socials 



Alex Hughes Capell
 is an award-winning career writer of 22 book length projects and numerous shorter pieces. She is highly conversant with psychology and behavior, neurodiversity and mental health, science, business, and the technology industry. In addition to her expertise as a writer, Alex adds patient expertise on the mental health community, anxiety, and trauma informed approaches to the book.



Overcoming the Wall of Awful 
Written by 
Brendan Mahan, M.Ed, MS
And 
Alex Hughes Capell 
Review By Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews 

First, I want to thank Brendan Mahan, MEd, MS., Alex Huges Campbell, and Grand Central Publishing for providing me with this book so I can bring this review to you. 


Brendan made me smile as dedicated this book to his father, Bill Mahan, who has always supported his writing and without this book wouldn’t have happened. He also tugged on my heart strings when he dedicated this book in memory of his Mom, Peggy Mahan. He wishes you were here to see what all that studying you helped him do lead to. Brendan, I bet she would be extremely proud of all your accomplishments! 


Brendan starts out his book with a very beautifully written and insightful forward from Jessica McCabe who is a creator and host of How to ADHD.  She shares with the readers how she first met Brendan and how she learned about The Wall of Awful. She shares all the invaluable lessons that she had learned from attending his program. Jessica is proud of Brendan for climbing the Wall of Awful! If both Jessica and Brendan can do it then for sure anyone that picks up this book can do it as well!! 


Brendan was very mindful when planning on writing this book! He wanted this book to be geared towards every reader! I appreciate how considerate he was of the population that would be reading this specific book. Specifically the neurodivergent community. So to help with this he put in multiple supports that can help. For example the parts he found important he stressed in bold print. 


You will see side bars, bullet lists, landmarks at each chapter level at the beginning of each chapter you will have one sentence summary at the beginning of the chapter a mini review and action step guide at the end of the guide.


I think it was very important to know upfront that this book does not have to be read in order from start to finish. That for this book of ideas and that you can pick and choose which section you would like to focus on. 


I found this crutial and I actually think Brendan should have mentioned this sooner in the book. If you are reading this and suffering a mental health crisis this is not the book for you. Getting help in stability is the first step. 


However, if you are in a non crisis situation or managing a chronic or long term mental health condition then yes this book could serve you additional help. You would have never guessed it but for years I have suffered from anxiety, overthinking, ptsd, and social awkwardness (or so my sister calls it). It wasn’t till I changed my mental health therapist from a male to female to get a different perspective on things over this summer and was introduced to an low dose anxiety med. Let me tell you those two changes and a few others have really made an impact on my life in a positive way! So, when I was offered to read and review this book by the publisher it was a no brainer that I agree to it. It came at the perfect time when I was open to taking it all in and learning more about what could help better myself. So, thank you Grand Central Publishing for sending this book and for Brendan for writing it. 


Small world! Brendan is friends with author Caroline Maguire who is the author of Friendship Skills for Neurodivergents that ironically I just read and reviewed for her. It is a phenomenal eye opening book if you have not read it you definitely should. In his book he refers to her under the topic of social skills.


For me change has always been hard. So accepting the situation and changing your self talk of the situation is very hard for me. Then bravely moving on from it sometimes is not so easy. 


At the end of the book in the appendix Brendan gives a great extra bonus tool kit with breathing exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 method, sensory regulation strategies, the mammalian driving technique and Immediate distraction technique. You will also find a climbing the wall of awful quick start worksheet. 


After reading this book you can tell Brendan really has a gift for what he does for a living. Not only that but a passion for helping people seek help they need. If you or anyone you know are suffering from anxiety I highly suggest you read this book! This book would also be a great addition to any mental health office, school library, etc. 









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Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews (heidilynnsbookreviews@gmail.com) Published @ 2014 by Crossroad Reviews