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.
https://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/NATB2025-Nov_general-square.jpg10801080Bethany Maineshttps://bethanymaines.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Aug2016-Logo-op3-300x69.pngBethany Maines2025-11-07 10:14:402025-11-07 11:03:49Noir at the Bar November
Congratulations 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.
This October is set to be a busy time for me with three (3!!) anthologies being published. With 12 Knights of Christmas, Cooking Up Death, and the Pumpkin Spice Romance, I have been kept busy with marketing and all of the pre-release items that go into these ventures. It has been exciting to work with editors and other authors to see these anthologies come to life. However, I think that in my next forays into submitting short stories, I may pay slightly more attention to publication dates. I just didn’t think that all of the stories I submitted for October anthologies would get accepted!
The Pumpkin Spice Romance
I’m particularly excited to share this anthology with such fantastic stories and authors! I’m also excited for our online release party on October 25th. The Caffeinated Romance Readers Group is a romance readers group on Facebook that focuses on clean romance books. During the “party,” I’ll be giving away some free e-books and the other authors will also be sharing some prizes as well. Join the group if you want to win some prizes on release day!
Deja Brew – Bethany Maines – Sometimes love needs a splash of pumpkin spice magic. Even with the ability to glimpse the future five minutes ahead, chaotic coffee shop owner Maddie Scott can’t stop herself from soaking a grumpy (and gorgeous) new customer, Felix Faraday, in pumpkin spice. But as sparks fly and supernatural secrets brew, it’ll take more than magic to keep this romance from boiling over.
Pumpkin Spice Joy Ride –K. Harris Tully –Toy store manager Carrie Smith needs a boyfriend, a Thanksgiving side dish and a hundred thousand dollars (not necessarily in that order). When ex-high school crush Buck “Bad Boy” Buchetti shows up with a shipment of the hottest toy of the season, Carrie jumps at the chance to save her store. There’s just one catch to this ’90s nostalgia second chance romance: Carrie may have to join the mob.
There’s Pumpkin Between Us – Kathryn LeBlanc – Running her family’s pumpkin farm keeps Autumn Piper too busy for love—especially when her old flame shows up unannounced. Graham Oakley never planned to return to Hayden, Vermont, or face the fiery redhead he left behind. Amid small-town charm, crisp autumn nights, and one mischievous goat, second chances take root. There’s Pumpkin Between Us is a cozy, small-town, second-chance romance filled with laughter, farm life, slow-burn chemistry, and the irresistible magic of falling in love.
Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Love – Birdie Song – She was still his favourite human, after all these years: When Leonie walks out on a failed marriage, she never imagines running into Hayden, that shifter boy from school now all grown up and running his own café. Old feelings rekindle as fast as ever, but is Leonie still that human kid who couldn’t stand up to her paranoid parents? Hayden hopes not, even though he’ll love her all the same.
Picture of Love –Virginia’dele Smith – Scarlett St. James has a chip on her shoulder and a camera in her hand, and that’s all she needs…until a fabulous job sends her to picturesque Green Hills. There she’s tasked with producing the annual Pumpkin Spice Festival. With little time to work, Scarlett accepts help wherever she finds it. Enter Noah Ford. The affable — albeit hot — small-town assistant is so much more than Scarlett bargained for. Can she trust the feelings he incites? Or is his instalove too good to be true?
Road Blocks & an Announcement
/in General WritingAn 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!
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
/in General Writing, Life, mysteryA Romantic Craft
/in Christmas, Craft, General Writing, LifeCooking Up Death!
/in General WritingCooking 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/
Deja Brew & the Pumpkin Spice Romance
/in General WritingThis October is set to be a busy time for me with three (3!!) anthologies being published. With 12 Knights of Christmas, Cooking Up Death, and the Pumpkin Spice Romance, I have been kept busy with marketing and all of the pre-release items that go into these ventures. It has been exciting to work with editors and other authors to see these anthologies come to life. However, I think that in my next forays into submitting short stories, I may pay slightly more attention to publication dates. I just didn’t think that all of the stories I submitted for October anthologies would get accepted!
I’m particularly excited to share this anthology with such fantastic stories and authors! I’m also excited for our online release party on October 25th. The Caffeinated Romance Readers Group is a romance readers group on Facebook that focuses on clean romance books. During the “party,” I’ll be giving away some free e-books and the other authors will also be sharing some prizes as well. Join the group if you want to win some prizes on release day!
Deja Brew – Bethany Maines – Sometimes love needs a splash of pumpkin spice magic. Even with the ability to glimpse the future five minutes ahead, chaotic coffee shop owner Maddie Scott can’t stop herself from soaking a grumpy (and gorgeous) new customer, Felix Faraday, in pumpkin spice. But as sparks fly and supernatural secrets brew, it’ll take more than magic to keep this romance from boiling over.
Pumpkin Spice Joy Ride – K. Harris Tully – Toy store manager Carrie Smith needs a boyfriend, a Thanksgiving side dish and a hundred thousand dollars (not necessarily in that order). When ex-high school crush Buck “Bad Boy” Buchetti shows up with a shipment of the hottest toy of the season, Carrie jumps at the chance to save her store. There’s just one catch to this ’90s nostalgia second chance romance: Carrie may have to join the mob.
There’s Pumpkin Between Us – Kathryn LeBlanc – Running her family’s pumpkin farm keeps Autumn Piper too busy for love—especially when her old flame shows up unannounced. Graham Oakley never planned to return to Hayden, Vermont, or face the fiery redhead he left behind. Amid small-town charm, crisp autumn nights, and one mischievous goat, second chances take root. There’s Pumpkin Between Us is a cozy, small-town, second-chance romance filled with laughter, farm life, slow-burn chemistry, and the irresistible magic of falling in love.
Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Love – Birdie Song – She was still his favourite human, after all these years: When Leonie walks out on a failed marriage, she never imagines running into Hayden, that shifter boy from school now all grown up and running his own café. Old feelings rekindle as fast as ever, but is Leonie still that human kid who couldn’t stand up to her paranoid parents? Hayden hopes not, even though he’ll love her all the same.
Picture of Love – Virginia’dele Smith – Scarlett St. James has a chip on her shoulder and a camera in her hand, and that’s all she needs…until a fabulous job sends her to picturesque Green Hills. There she’s tasked with producing the annual Pumpkin Spice Festival. With little time to work, Scarlett accepts help wherever she finds it. Enter Noah Ford. The affable — albeit hot — small-town assistant is so much more than Scarlett bargained for. Can she trust the feelings he incites? Or is his instalove too good to be true?
>ORDER THE PUMPKIN SPICE ROMANCE NOW<