Today is the official release day for Elevator Ride- Book 1 of the Valkyrie Brothers Trilogy—an action-packed, age-gap, rom-com mystery! For me, “release day” always conjures visions of a novel in a cage with the barred door being slowly raised in a darkened Barnes & Noble. Slowly, the novel takes its first steps into its natural habitat with a voice over from David Attenborough, discussing the savage yet beautiful jungle of the bookstore where the novel must cross the frosty tundra of non-fiction, avoid the predatory romantasy, and duke it out with a few dukes in regency romance, until at last... it finds the homeland of romance. Or mystery. Or possibly over there in rom-com. Oh, the trials of a cross-genre book looking for its home.
This year, I’m publishing the Valkyrie Brothers rom-com mystery trilogy, while writing my next paranormal romance. Focusing on the marketing for the trilogy while keeping my head in the fantasy of werewolves, witches, and wizards can be a bit challenging, but they can also provide a break from each other. When all the fated mates get too angsty I can go over to hang out with the Valkyrie brothers Rowan, Forest, and Ash--as they struggle to find love AND stay alive in Seattle.
I debated what to call the series – Valkyrie Brothers or Elevator Ride. But since I wanted to use Elevator Ride as the title for book 1, I ended up settling on Valkyrie Brothers. But Elevator Ride would have been appropriate because each of the brothers meet their love interests in an elevator. I actually came up with the meeting scene in book 3 first and had to work my way back through the brothers to figure out what the heck everyone was doing in their respective elevators. In Elevator Ride, Rowan a tough guy ex-Marine gets ambushed by Vivian serving a cease-and-desist letter. In Between Floors, Forest gets stuck with Chloe, the nanny candidate he just rejected. And in Emergency Exit, Ash accidentally takes Harper to the wrong party. The Valkyrie Brothers are smart, tough, and in love, but there are threats looming and they each have to unravel their own mystery. With Elevator Ride (out today!), Between Floors (June), and Emergency Exit (September) there will be laughs, romance, action, and of course a happy ending and I hope readers will enjoy all the flavors that come with being a cross-genre novel.
About the Book
Elevator Ride - Vivian Kaye has been tasked with serving a cease-and-desist letter to Rowan Valkyrie—the most hated tenant in Seattle’s Hoskins building. When the ambitious paralegal ambushes the seasoned security expert in the elevator, she ignites a powder keg of tempers and attraction. Rowan and Vivian clash like only a twenty-something progressive and a forty-something ex-Marine can, but when one misstep sends Vivian flailing into Rowan’s arms, the pair also find themselves tumbling into a secret office romance. Vivian is soon head-over-heels for the older CEO, but worries that he might not take her seriously. Before Rowan can fix things, a shocking attack puts Vivian in the cross-hairs of a mysterious assailant. Heartbroken, Vivian is determined to deny her feelings and put all her energy into catching her attacker. And Rowan is desperate to protect Vivian because unless he can push all the right buttons, this elevator ride might be going straight down.
GENRE: Rom-Com Mystery-Thriller
RELEASE DATE: 3/24/25
BUY NOW: https://amzn.to/3AnaMLQ
What Readers Are Saying
“Elevator Ride is a delightful read that balances humor, romance, and intrigue with aplomb. Bethany Maines proves herself a master of her craft, delivering a story that is as heartfelt as it is entertaining. Fans of romantic comedies with a twist of suspense will find this book hard to put down.”
–BooksShelf.com
About the Author
Bethany Maines is the award-winning indie and traditionally published author of romantic action-adventure and fantasy novels that focus on women who know when to apply lipstick and when to apply a foot to someone’s hind-end. She can usually be found chasing after her daughter or glued to the computer working on her next novel or screenplay. You can catch up with her on Facebook or on her website – www.bethanymaines.com
• Website - https://www.bethanymaines.com
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBethanyMaines
Congratulations on the new book! Looks like a real winner.
I’m excited about this new release from Bethany. Just the kind of plot to keep me entertained and thinking.
I think the fact that she is so creative in so many areas also excites me about her new release.
Thanks Saralyn! I hope you love it!
Thank you Debra for introducing me to author Bethany Maines. Looking forward to reading the entire series.
It’s nice to see something light and fun to read…. that still has enough of a bite to interest readers.
I love finding new writers (& readers) too! Nice to meet you!
Congratulations on your new book; it sounds very intriguing. It’s always nice to learn about an author’s book release, especially when they are new to me. Thank you for sharing.
Appreciate you stopping by and am glad you have met a new author through It’s Not Always a Mystery.
Thanks Jeanne! I appreciate Debra sharing her platform. It’s always such a great blog.