by Philip Eliot | May 31, 2026 | Romantic Suspense |
FIRST PLACE WINNER – Contemporary Romance, The BookFest Awards 2026 WINNER – Romantic Suspense, Firebird Book Awards 2026A blind date. A hidden agenda. And one man determined to keep her safe—whether she wants him to or not.Olivia Hart didn’t sign up for this. What was meant to be a glamorous weekend getaway with her best friend has turned into something far more unsettling—a mysterious dating event where women are blindfolded and chosen. Now, with a number pinned to her back and dread curling in her chest, Olivia finds herself trapped in a game she never agreed to play.Ethan Carter is more than just hotel security—he is a former elite operative with a code he won’t break. When he sees Olivia standing alone, anxious and out of place, something about her cuts straight through his practiced distance. She’s not like the others. And someone in this room has already marked her as an easy target.When the lights go down, Ethan steps in. Not only as her blind date, but as her bodyguard.And what starts as protection quickly becomes personal. Because the deeper Ethan pulls Olivia into his world, the closer she gets to the shadows he’s spent years outrunning—shadows he never meant to expose her to. His past threats are no longer his alone, and Olivia, the one woman who makes him feel again, has become the perfect leverage against him.In a world built on masks and misdirection, trust is the only thing more dangerous than desire—and loving her might be the costliest mistake he’s ever made.Her Blind Date Bodyguard is a First Place award-winning contemporary romance/romantic suspense, recognised for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and storytelling excellence at The BookFest Awards Spring 2026.It is also a Firebird Book Awards Winner, further highlighting its impact in the romantic suspense genre.PRAISE FOR THIS BOOK?????“This book gave every trope I was looking for—a protective, alpha MMC, forced proximity that actually mattered to the plot, and a well-paced slow burn that stayed engaging.The action sequences had a sharp, high-stakes intensity that kept the tension consistently elevated. I also enjoyed the other characters—their dynamic, humour, and banter added depth and balance to the story.Overall, the setup for the series is strong, and I’m especially looking forward to the next book!”— Goodreads reviewer?????”I loved the whole dynamic of this story.Good world building and descriptive scenes which can sometimes be lacking in books, I also liked the fact there was actually a good build up/slow burn element, too many stories in this genre tend to rush this element which always leave me feeling cheated – this did not disappoint.Erotic scenes were perfect, not crass or a turn off but sensual, steamy and definitely well written.I particularly liked there were some good unseen twists, also i felt connected to the characters and got to know them.All round a brilliant read. I have recommended it to my booktok book club members. A good strong start to the series.”— Amazon reviewer
by Philip Eliot | May 31, 2026 | Science Fiction |
If you love hard science fiction survival, realistic science and engineering, and epic Mars colonization fiction, strap in. Red Homestead is a massive, technically accurate adventure about space homesteading on the wild frontier of the Red Planet. An epic, very hard science fiction novel about building a homestead on Mars, with real physics calculations, real orbital mechanics, real engineering, real chemistry, real economics, and real danger.It’s the end of the 21st century. The discovery of gold in the Tharsis Plateau triggers a Martian gold rush and the scramble for Mars is underway. Unsuccessful inventor Henrik Weeks is unwillingly forced to join the exodus to the Red Planet after he learns a recently released government bioweapon makes it too dangerous for him to stay on Earth. The only captain willing to take him to Mars is the scowling, sarcastic, abrasive, doomsaying spacer Anders Mortenson, who Henrik will have to live with for years on end. Anders’ ship, the Evergreen, is bound for lawless Valles Marineris. They soon learn they’re ill-prepared for the challenges of Mars settlement, and the planet holds many unexpected dangers. Will they succeed in their goal of building a successful homestead into a city on Mars? Or will the Red Planet defeat them, as it has defeated so many others? Contains violence and strong language. Very long and achieves a frankly obsessive degree of technical accuracy. Written by author Andrew Stanek, who can’t go to Mars because he has too much writing to do.
by Philip Eliot | May 31, 2026 | Horror & Paranormal |
BookFest Award Winner.Vampires, vengeance, and a quest for survival—The Night Crew is a heart-pounding supernatural thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.After the brutal murder of his wife, Michael White is thrust into a world of unimaginable horrors. With no help from the local authorities, he embarks on a personal investigation that uncovers a chilling truth—vampires are real.When he confronts his wife’s killer, he discovers the true nature of the monster who tore apart his life—a bloodthirsty vampire who has already claimed countless victims. On the brink of becoming the undead himself, Michael is saved by a team of vampire hunters known as The Night Crew. They offer him a chance at revenge and a shot at redemption.Teaming up with these skilled hunters, Michael must navigate a dark, dangerous world filled with vampires and other supernatural creatures. But the road to vengeance is fraught with peril, and Michael’s humanity is at risk as he battles to destroy the creature that killed his wife.Will Michael be able to seek vengeance against the vampire that shattered his life while retaining his own humanity, or will he succumb to the darkness that threatens to consume him?Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!
by Philip Eliot | May 31, 2026 | New Adult Romance |
In High Lonesome, where gossip moves faster than a free beer at happy hour, one tiny secret might just derail a ten-year-old relationship pact.Yeah, the pact was the last hope of a heartbroken eighteen-year-old who’d been unceremoniously dumped by Rory I’m-giving-you-your-freedom Kelley. She said I needed to ‘spread my wings,’ but spoiler alert: all I ever wanted was her.So I agreed to her wild idea—if we’re both still single by her 28th birthday, we’d give it another go. And now? Now Rory’s back in town for our high school reunion, her big 2-8 is around the corner, and I’ve got my shot.The problem? My own little secret. The kind that could take our second chance and blow it all to pieces. And if Rory finds out, I’ll have to say goodbye to her all over again… This time, for good.Fans of Meghan Quinn, Lucy Score, and Claire Kingsley, grab your snacks, settle in, and get ready for Book 1 in the High Lonesome series—a laugh-out-loud, steamy, small-town romance that’s ten years in the making. Scroll up and dive into the reunion weekend chaos to find out if love deserves another shot!
by Philip Eliot | May 31, 2026 | Paranormal & Fantasy Romance |
Finding four soul-bonded mates should be a blessing for a magically incompetent witch, except they have no clue who or what I am.Nobody does.Not even me.Officially, I don’t exist. At least I didn’t until I accidentally set fire to a farmer’s market. That’s when I’m sent to Starfall Academy for the most powerful magicals, where students hone their skills and learn control.Alaric Vane is the son of the Mage Council leader. A storm mage with a serious attitude problem who enjoys making my life miserable when he’s not sending my magic haywire.Zane Vanyx is the last of his kind, the only son of an insane mass-murderer. Everyone’s afraid of the incubus, but he’s taken to stalking me, which is concerning.Maverick Wilder, our bear shifter PT instructor, is huge, fierce, and strangely protective. He claims he’s my mate, which can’t be true because faculty and students are forbidden from fraternizing. And that includes being together in his office after hours…Kai Seathorne is a shy, sweet merman, and one of the few students who doesn’t make fun of me. I’d love to get to know him better, but in our elitist society, witches and lesser magicals don’t mix. Or kiss.Sadly, my confusing love life is the least of my concerns.I can’t afford to let my guard down.Not with vicious hellhounds hunting me.—Witch Fire is book 1 in a new paranormal magic academy series. This book ends on a cliff and is perfect for fans of Eve Newton, KC Kean, and Morgan B Lee.
