ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS TAKEN FROM AN E-MAIL FROM KATIE FERRARO OF PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE AND THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE.
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From the New York Times bestselling author of Next Year in Havana, this unforgettable novel connects three women across a century through one extraordinary book—and celebrates the power of literature to preserve memory, fight oppression, and bring people together.
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September 30, 2025
Berkley Trade Paperback Original
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PRAISE FOR THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES:
“This captivating story is an ode to book lovers!”—Woman’s World
“Cleeton crafts a love letter to books, reading and writing…Cleeton’s engaging blend of mystery, romance, and easily digestible history will have wide appeal.”—Booklist
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes has everything I love: suspense, adventure, heart, and gutsy heroines. Every night before bed, I would return to the three characters who revealed, layer by layer, the mystery of what happened to Eva. I delighted in the gradual unfolding until I couldn’t hold off any longer and raced through the final chapters, my pulse racing, my mind frantic, and breathed a sigh of relief. I dare you not to do that same!—Alka Joshi, New York Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes intertwines three strong women in different timelines, all linked through the connection of a cherished book. Chanel Cleeton expertly draws back the curtain on life in Cuba under Fidel Castro’s regime and demonstrates how a single book can impact lives. A moving tribute to the power and comfort of books, this is a must read for book lovers.—Madeline Martin, New York Times bestselling author of The Booklover’s Library
A new novel by Chanel Cleeton is always a treat! THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES reminds us that books and stories have always been and will always be a shining light in our lives, which makes it the perfect tale for everyone right now. I was swept away by the interlocking stories of the three wonderful heroines. My only difficulty was that I was torn between savoring every page and racing ahead because I desperately needed to know how it would end! Suffice to say, there is the perfect blend of drama, intrigue and passion to make it a novel that will appeal to book lovers everywhere.—Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Orphan
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton is a spellbinding journey through time, where three women—separated by decades but bound across time by a single, forgotten story—unravel a literary mystery with dangerous implications. With her signature blend of rich historical detail and compelling mystery, Cleeton crafts a tale of resilience, love, and the power of the written word. As forgotten pages resurface and long-buried secrets come to light, the past refuses to stay hidden. With twists that keep you breathless and a haunting truth waiting to be uncovered, Cleeton masterfully blends history, suspense, and the enduring power of storytelling. A must-read for those who crave intrigue, resilience, and the undeniable magic of books.”—Eliza Knight, USA Today and international bestselling author of Confessions of a Grammar Queen
Chanel Cleeton’s The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is a mesmerizing tale of courageous women irrevocably impacted by the far-reaching tentacles of on-going wars and a revolution in Cuba that spans oceans and ages. From the turn of the twentieth century to the present, three women bravely face betrayal, loss, love and murder to preserve and protect Eva Fuentes’ novel, a seemingly innocent story about first love, and it’s link in history.
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes is a love letter to the liberating and restorative power of the written word, books, and heroic teachers and librarians. From beginning to end, Cleeton’s beautifully written story with its undercurrent tension and sense of urgency sets a course for an exceptional and captivating reading experience.—Monica Chenault-Kilgore, author of The Jewel of the Blues
**PRAISE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE**
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ABOUT THE LOST STORY OF EVA FUENTES:
A mysterious book with a legacy spanning from the beginning of the twentieth century to the present day unites three women in this unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Chanel Cleeton.
London, 2024: When American expat Margo Reynolds is hired to source a book that’s more than one hundred and twenty years old, she thinks her greatest challenge is going to be that there’s only one copy in existence. However, it quickly becomes clear that her client isn’t the only person determined to procure the book at any cost. Thrust into a deadly quest, Margo teams up with an unlikely ally—the man she loved and lost—and is forced to confront the ghosts of her own past as the lingering feelings that simmer between them ignite.
Havana, 1966: Pilar Castillo’s days are spent working as a librarian in Havana, her nights spent hoping for her husband’s freedom after his unjust imprisonment. But Pilar has a secret that could jeopardize her life. She’s fighting Fidel’s regime in her own way, and when she comes into possession of a book that was published more than sixty years earlier, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk to protect the literary works entrusted to her care.
Boston, 1900: For Cuban teacher EvaFuentes, traveling from Havana to Harvard to participate in the largest cultural exchange between Cuba and the United States is not only a chance to represent her country at a critical time in its bid for independence, but also an opportunity to work on the book she’s writing. When a moonlit encounter with an enigmatic stranger alters the course of Eva’s summer at Harvard, and as secrets, lies, and forbidden love rise to the surface, Eva’s life—and legacy—is irrevocably changed.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Photo by Chris Malpass
Chanel Cleeton is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Cuban Heiress, Our Last Days in Barcelona, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, The Last Train to Key West, When We Left Cuba, and Reese’s Book Club pick Next Year in Havana.
She received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Richmond, The American International University in London and a master's degree in Global Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science. Chanel also received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law.
She loves to travel and has lived in the Caribbean, Europe, and Asia.
High speed skiing, insurance claims, scammers, and all the familiar, lovable characters immediately pull you into Todd’s newest mystery.
We meet champion speed skier Colin Burns as he tries to break the speed record of 160 mph.
Thankfully and miraculously he does beat the record, but he tumbles to his death as something hits his leg and takes him flying into the air and smashing to the ground.
How could a champion like him fail as he was slowing down?
Shortly after, Owen McKenna gets a call from Colin’s girlfriend Genevieve because she was having trouble collecting the two-million-dollar life insurance policy from the insurance company.
As Owen was investigating, more heartbreak happens for Genevieve.
McKenna wasn't too successful with his investigation so far, but he couldn’t give up after the last disaster because he felt it was his fault.
He normally gets himself into some bad situations. This time it seemed even worse. Does he get out of the disasters?
Find out how it all turns out in this as always intriguing, tension-filled read with another Todd Borg masterful plot.
With his books you always learn so many new things, and he has such detailed writing that you are right there with the characters.
He just crafts the best storylines.
You definitely do not want to miss this one.
Mr. Borg never disappoints. You won’t be able to put the book down and will be turning the pages faster than a speed skier can get down the hill.
Thank you to Mr. Borg for a copy of his book. All opinions are my own.
A rescue team searches for a missing young girl and suspects all is not as it seems in this high-stakes romantic suspense novel from the author of Lethal Standoff and Facing the Enemy
When wilderness survival expert Therese Palmer receives a frantic phone call from former colleague Professor Rurik Ivanov, she is shocked by the news that his young daughter, Alina, is missing—and that Rurik wants Therese’s help finding her. She’s sure Rurik hasn’t given her the whole story . . . especially since he refuses to report the kidnapping to the police. Yet with a child’s life hanging in the balance, Therese can’t turn down this mission. She knows the clock is ticking and she can’t do this alone.
Therese reaches out to Texas Ranger Blane Gardner, whom she met seven months ago during one of her training courses in wilderness survival skills. Blane’s specialized training and background with the Crisis Negotiation Unit make him uniquely prepared for this search-and-rescue mission. He agrees to help Therese and to accept Rurik’s terms to keep Alina’s disappearance quiet, and as the two begin working together, Therese is determined the spark growing between them won’t distract from their mission to save Alina.
Traversing deep into the desert of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Alina’s last known location, Therese and Blane struggle to separate truth from lies within the mix of intel they’re receiving. As they close in on answers that suggest the involvement of Russian organized crime and a high-profile international assassination attempt, they must fight to rescue Alina before she becomes an innocent casualty of a much bigger plot—no matter the risk to their own lives
Praise for Canyon of Deceit:
"…Time was running out, and the chilling certainty settled in Alina’s life depended on them unraveling the truth before the ruthless men hunting them closed in. With danger at every turn, Therese and Blane had no choice but to trust each other, even as the secrets they carried threatened to pull them apart…" ~ Sue Garland, Christian Novel Review
"Set against the rugged, dangerous beauty of the Guadalupe Mountains, Canyon of Deceit is a riveting tale of high stakes, survival, and trust that I couldn't put down. DiAnn Mills has crafted a page-turning novel. This is romantic suspense at its finest!" ~ Elizabeth Goddard, award-winning author of Storm Warning
"A pulse-pounding blend of romance and suspense, Canyon of Deceit has a gripping plot and unforgettable characters with a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very last page." ~ Carrie Stuart Parks
"Buckle up, readers! Canyon of Deceit is a heart-pounding suspense packed with intrigue on every page. Danger, action, and adrenaline-fueled drama make this a must-read for fans who crave edge-of-your-seat adventure." ~ Natalie Walters, bestselling, award winning author of the SNAP Agency series
Canyon of Deceit Trailer:
Plus, Canyon of Deceit includes two original songs written by the heroine, Therese—one from her childhood and one that captures the depth of her love and transformation as an adult. These heartfelt lyrics come to life in custom-recorded tracks that reflect the emotion and spirit of the novel.
New Caney, Texas
October, Thursday, Current Day
Therese
The shrill ring of my mobile phone jolted me awake at 2:00 a.m., a haunting prompt that emergencies seldom emerged in daylight. Someone had ventured into the wilderness and needed me to lead a rescue mission. My skills of trekking over precarious terrain to find victims who suffered from physical injuries, dehydration, starvation, or all three, kept me on alert. At times I viewed my life like a Star Trek tagline, “Where no man has gone before.”
I grabbed the phone off my nightstand. Unidentified caller. “Hello?”
“Ms. Palmer, this is Professor Rurik Ivanov from Houston Leonard University. We met nearly a year ago. You taught a course in wilderness survival as an adjunct professor.”
I captured a mental image of the Russian man—gray-blue eyes, stone-gray hair, angular face. “Yes, sir. How can I help you?”
“I apologize for the hour, but I’m in a desperate situation.”
The angst in his voice zapped me into guarded mode, especially when I barely knew the man. I snapped on my bedside lamp. “Are you all right?”
“No, ma’am, which is why I’m calling you. Do you remember my wife and daughter?”
“I met them both at a faculty dinner last Christmas. A lovely family.”
“My wife was murdered today, and kidnappers have taken my daughter.”
I inhaled sharply, and alarm for the professor’s family fired hot from the soles of my feet. “Daria? Alina? What happened?”
“A man called me late this afternoon while I prepared to leave for home. He said he’d taken Alina. Then he sent a link to a video showing my wife’s execution—”
He stopped abruptly, his final words drumming into my senses. The seconds ticked by, and I waited.
“I watched Daria grab her chest and struggle . . . The blood rushed from her precious body—my dear Daria’s life gone forever.” He grappled again to control his tear-filled voice. “He said they would release Alina unharmed if I paid three million dollars. They’d call with instructions. When the man hung up, I hurried home thinking it had to be a terrible mistake or someone had used AI to generate the video. On the way, I phoned Daria and the call went to voice mail. I also redialed the man who’d contacted me. The phone rang repeatedly, but the number offered no way to leave a message. I contacted Alina’s school and learned Daria had picked her up before noon.
“At home, reality rooted. A lamp and a table in the living room lay in pieces. Daria would have fought hard, but there were no signs of blood. I didn’t recognize the place in the video where they killed her. I even checked for geotag information on the clip, but it had been stripped. I later clicked on the link . . . the video had disappeared.”
I ached for his loss. “What do the police say?”
Silence answered me, then Rurik finally said, “Contacting them is impossible. The man warned me against telling anyone who works in law enforcement, or I’d never see Alina again.” He sobbed into the phone. “Please, give me a moment.”
“Take all the time you need.”
The professor taught Russian language and literature at Leonard University and was highly respected and liked among faculty and students. I’d enjoyed our occasional chats, and he’d observed some of my classes. What had he done to upset the wrong people?
“Thank you. I can talk now,” he said. “I have no idea where the killers have taken Daria’s body or how to find Alina. Neither do I suspect anyone.”
I willed my pulse to slow. “Professor, the police are trained in handling confidential matters and how to find who is responsible. They have families and understand what you’re going through.”
“And endanger my daughter?” Panic throbbed in his ragged voice.
“I’m sorry.” My grief over losing Kate many years ago surfaced raw and bleeding. “Are you alone?”
“Yes. At home.”
“Are there family or friends who can stay with you?”
“My family is in Russia, and I do not trust anyone.”
“You could very well be in danger too.”
“My welfare is unimportant.”
“Who are these people, and why has your family been victimized?”
“I have no idea. The man refused to identify himself, but he did say ‘we.’ Maybe he thinks I have money or believes I have done something criminal to my country or to the US.”
What was he not telling me? I tossed off my blanket and stood in my bedroom, shivering, not from the cold but the horror of this unfolding story. “Professor Ivanov, I’m confused. Why call me? This is a job for the police or the FBI.”
“I cannot risk my daughter’s life. You are my only hope to find Alina. You have the skills to get her back.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “I’m a wilderness-survival specialist, nothing more. I’m not equipped to carry out a hostage negotiation without backup, which is another reason you need to involve the authorities.” More questions bolted into my mental space like a landslide. “How would I find her?”
“That’s where I can help you. Alina has GPS trackers hidden in her shoes. Not even Daria knew about them.”
“Why would you track your young daughter?”
“Alina’s biological mother died when she was a baby, and I’ve been consumed with protecting my daughter ever since. I checked my phone app and learned at one thirty this afternoon, Alina was taken to a private landing strip west of Houston. I called there, and a woman who worked in the small office said no one had filed a flight plan. But she made a mistake. The tracker had stopped registering.” He coughed and asked me to wait while he got a glass of water.
A connection at Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management popped into my consciousness. They had the technology to confirm the date and time a plane took to the skies and where it landed.
“I’m better. I apologize for my lack of control,” the professor said. “My app showed tracking again near an abandoned airstrip in a remote area south of Hobbs, New Mexico. The tracking indicated ground-speed movement for two and a half hours to a section on the north side of Guadalupe Mountains National Park called Dog Canyon. That’s where the tracking ended, and I’ve detected nothing since. I assume the kidnappers parked the vehicle and proceeded on foot with Alina. Research shows the area is off-grid. Ms. Palmer, did they remove her shoes? How would they expect her to walk in bare feet?”
My thoughts trailed to the worst possible scenario. Why take Alina to a remote location unless they planned to dispose of her body there? Another argument lay with logic. Why go to the expense of transporting a kidnap victim there when they had the ability to dispose of her body in their backyard? A morbid idea, except true. Whatever the reason, they risked exposure from security cameras until they reached an off-grid area.
“I can’t stress enough how the authorities have technology and skills to find Alina. They can unravel valid threats and comprehend the danger of taking your story to the media.”
“The man who called me said they’d be watching my every move. I bought a burner phone tonight to call you.”
His anguish rippled through me, interfering with my ability to think clearly. “What about the ransom?”
“I can liquidate assets here and in Russia to meet their demands, but the statistics on kidnappers returning my Alina alive are not good. Perhaps they would accept what I can put together now. I’m sorry . . . I wish I had an answer. Why harm an eight-year-old little girl?”
“I have empathy for your grief.” Daria’s lovely face and the white-blonde-haired little girl refused to leave me alone. “Although I could lead you into Dog Canyon, I have no idea how to pull her out of the clutches of dangerous men. You’d need armed law enforcement and possibly a negotiator.”
“That would draw attention. I’ll pay you whatever you want.”
“Money is not the issue, Professor—”
“Alina means more to me than anything else in this world. What is love but to take ownership of a problem and do all I can to stop those men?”
“What if I fail?” The terror of not finding his daughter alive resurrected an echo from the past that had shaped my career.
“Can you live with yourself if you don’t try?”
Unaware, he’d pressed my weakest button. “I’ll hear you out. But I don’t believe you’ve given me the whole story, and I need the truth before I risk my life.”
“I’ve . . . I’ve given you all of it.”
“You’ve stated what you want me to know. What have you done or not done in this tragedy that Daria is dead, Alina is missing, and you can’t go to the police?
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Excerpt from Canyon of Deceit by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2025 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who invites her readers to step into stories where suspense meets adventure and romance warms the heart. Known for crafting unforgettable characters tangled in unpredictable plots, DiAnn believes every breath we take unfolds a story waiting to be told—so why not make it thrilling?
Her novels have consistently landed on bestseller lists including CBA, ECPA, and Publishers Weekly, and have won prestigious awards such as the Christy, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol awards.
DiAnn is a founding board member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Conference Advisor for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers. She actively participates in Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers, DiAnn passionately invests in helping fellow authors succeed through mentoring, book coaching, and editing. She travels nationwide speaking and teaching engaging writing workshops.
A proud coffee snob who roasts her own beans, DiAnn also enjoys diving into good books, experimenting in the kitchen, and unabashedly spoiling her grandchildren—whom she insists are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband make their home under the sunny skies of Houston, Texas.
Connect with DiAnn online for behind-the-scenes glimpses, writing tips, and lively discussions:
ALL INFORMATION IN THIS POST IS TAKEN FROM AN E-MAIL FROM AMBUR HOSTYN OF HARPER COLLINS AND THE AUTHOR'S WEBPAGE.
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An immersive and transporting novel that raises the question: What really happened to Jane Stanford?
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September 23, 2025
Harlequin Trade Publishing
MIRA
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PRAISE FOR THE GUEST IN ROOM 120:
"I devoured this novel!"- Bryn Turnbull, author of The Woman Before Wallis.
**PRAISE TAKEN FROM AUTHOR'S WEBSITE**
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ABOUT THE GUEST IN ROOM 120:
1905 As the mother of a university and a woman with an iron will, Jane Stanford has made her share of enemies. After a scare at her mansion in San Francisco and on the advice of her doctor, she flees to Honolulu and the fashionable new Moana hotel. But as fate would have it, the island is not as safe as it seems.
2005 Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who desperately needs a jump start on her next novel, and she makes a split decision to attend a writers' conference at the Moana under an assumed name. As a storm brews offshore, she begins having nightmares that feel hauntingly real. Terrified, Zoe enlists the help of mystery writer Dylan Winters and, over the course of the week, races to uncover the shocking truth of what happened in the hotel one hundred years ago almost to the day.
1905 ‘Iliahi Baldwin’s life changes the moment she lands a job at the Moana. Newly hired and reeling from a tragic loss, she strikes up an unlikely friendship with the formidable Jane Stanford upon her arrival, which leaves young ‘Ili devastated when the unthinkable happens. ‘Ili knows things, but there are powerful people who need the truth to remain hidden, and to cross them could prove disastrous.
Inspired by the incredible true story of one of America’s most mysterious deaths, this is an unforgettable tale of betrayal and secrets that still echoes through the years.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Sara Ackerman is the Hawai'i born, bestselling author of historical & contemporary novels set in the islands.
Her books have been labeled “unforgettable” by Apple Books, “empowering & deliciously visceral” by Book Riot, and New York Times bestselling authors Kate Quinn and Madeline Martin have praised Sara’s novels as “fresh and delightful” and “brilliantly written.”
Amazon chose Radar Girls as a best book of the month, and ALA Booklist gave The Codebreaker’s Secret a starred review.
Sara grew up on O'ahu, hearing the stories of her parents and grandparents, who lived in Hawai’i when war came to their doorstep.
Her grandfather was the principal at Honoka’a High & Elementary School, and her grandmother was a teacher. They spoke of marines camped out in their living room on weekends, of nearly getting shot for walking down the street at night, of the African lion that lived with the troops, and of hiding out in a lava tube when they first got wind of the attack.
Back then, fear and paranoia ran rampant, but so did courage and strength and hope. Sara's novels pull from these memories and shine a light on ordinary people doing extraordinary things.
A few of her favorite things, in no particular order – hiking, homemade PIZZA, a good thunderstorm, stargazing, BOOKS, craft beer, her wonderful BOYFRIEND, snorkeling, mountain streams, friends, and ANIMALS.
In fact, animals inhabit all of her novels in some way, shape or form – dogs, donkeys, dolphins, a featherless chicken, endangered Hawaiian crows, horses, and even a lion.
When she's not writing or teaching, you'll find her in the mountains or in the ocean, which is where most of her inspiration happens.
She blames Hawai'i for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories.
