Road Blocks & an Announcement

An Announcement

Last month, I blogged about having to scramble to pick a new pen name after the reader-tested and selected name was snagged out from under me.  Cue the gnashing of teeth and tearing of hair.  I was upset because I had every intention of using the pen name for a series of new novels that I had pitched to a publisher.  And when that publisher came back with an offer, I was elated… until I tried to acquire the domain name. And then I discovered that my carefully vetted pen name had been taken while I dithered around. However, we managed to select a new pen name—Sirena Corbeau—and now I get to make the announcement that 2026 will be magical year!

New Publisher

Varus Publishing and I, writing as Sirena Corbeau, will be releasing four new paranormal romances in 2026.  Varus Publishing is an imprint focusing on uplifting and championing romance authors and I’m excited to be able to bring a new world, series, and characters to life with them. This is the first time I’ve written in the romance genre with a strictly romance publisher and I am excited to learn from their experience.

About the Series

In this sizzling paranormal romance series, each book delivers a stand-alone, binge-worthy romance sparked by the meddling of Dante Montanari, a 400-year-old dragon shifter. Dante Montanari has a knack for bringing things together—supernatural deals, magical items, and even fated mates. The wealthy dragon barely cares for human laws, but he’s as protective of his employees as he is of his hoard. With pulse-pounding danger, passionate fated love, and a touch of dragon-forged magic, each book is perfect for readers who crave strong heroines, magnetic heroes, and happily-ever-afters that burn brighter than fire. Expect Book 1, Heart’s Curse, in March of 2026!

HEART’S CURSE – Lucas Kane is a talented telekinetic and ruthless casino boss looking to move up in the Montanari organization. Charlotte “Charlie” Auvray is a witch with no magic who believes she has nothing to offer. But when a curse drives the newest Montanari property, The Lucky Heart Hotel & Casino, into bloody chaos, Lucas realizes Charlie may be the only one who can stop the madness. What happens in Vegas might break the curse—and his heart.

Heart’s Curse will be followed by Forged in Flame, Curselocked, and Swamp of Shadows. Each book will expand this fantastic new world where humans and magical creatures mix, and bump into the problems of our modern world.

Interested in Paranormal Romance?

But if you want some paranormal romance now, now, now, please check out my existing Supernaturals series!  https://bethanymaines.com/supernaturals/

Noir at the Bar November

A Romantic Craft

Cooking Up Death!

Love, Lefse, & Murder blurb for the Cooking Up Death Anthology with book coverCongratulations to all my fellow authors in the Cooking Up Death Anthology!

Cooking Up Death from Camden Park Press features sixteen tales of wonderfully food-centered murder and mayhem.  With toxic treats and lethal luncheons, each amateur sleuth must hunt down the murderer.  And each mystery is presented with an accompanying (non-deadly, we swear) recipe.

Featuring stories by John M Floyd, Annie Reed, Lauryn Christopher, Alan Orloff, Bethany Maines, Abigail Leigh Reed, Debra Henry, S.B. Watson, Wayland Smith, Sally Milliken, Jena Rey, Susan Madon, Melissa Behrend, Sheila Dene’ Lawrence, Mary Birk, and Kirlagh James. Edited by Lyn Worthen.

My story, Love, Lefse, & Murder, was inspired by a Nordic bakery in Poulsbo, WA, and my many trips to the delightful tourist towns on the coast of Washington. I love cozy mysteries, and I can’t wait to dive into the entire collection, which includes recipes for not only clam chowder, but also Chinese dumplings and Oreo truffles.  And I hope everyone will enjoy my tale of small town murder, marketing, and museums, as well as my lingonberry jam recipe.

Love, Lefse, & Murder

When Ryden Johanssen moved to Dune Park, Washington, to open his Scandinavian bakery, he never thought he’d end up as suspect number one in the Mayor’s murder. Now, Ryden is making friends and enemies as he investigates the death and attempts to clear his name AND the reputation of his beloved lefse.

BUY NOW (all retailers): books2read.com/CookingUpDeath

BUY NOW (Amazon): https://amzn.to/4orgLDo

See more anthologies from Bethany: bethanymaines.com/catalog/anthologies/