Cecelia Mecca's Blog

Versions of You: Sneak Peek

 

Welcome to  story that blurs the lines! This genre-bending novella brings together everything I adore about romance… from small-town warmth to historical depth to a bit of the paranormal. In this exclusive preview, meet a heroine who’s caught between the pages of her favorite stories and the pull of real-life love. Grab a cup of coffee and step inside Between the Pages where every version of love has its moment. N.B. This sample is unedited.

 

Chapter 1

Kitchi Falls, Pennsylvania

Was there any better smell than paper and rain?

I turned the page of my current read, a paranormal romance novel with a vampire hero. With a thousand things to do, from inventory to ordering, reading should be low on the list. But it was raining, my favorite time to crack open a book, so I gave myself permission to take some time off.

Less than a full sentence in, the door of my shop swung open, the tinkling bell that alerted me to new customers drowned out by the sound of driving rain.

“Are you out of your mind?”

Nolan immediately took off his jacket, shaking it and giving my terrified cat his own shower. Putting my book on the counter, I laughed as James ran through Nolan’s legs and into the stacks.

“You know he hates getting wet,” I said, pretty sure that’s why Nolan did it in the first place.

Hanging up his soaking rain jacket, Nolan headed straight for the coffee counter, putting a new pod into the machine.

“Pretty sure he hates his name more.”

The cat in question returned, unscathed, and jumped onto the counter. Petting the tiger-striped stray Nolan found abandoned behind his and his father’s hardware shop, I ignored my best friend and talked directly to my adorable fluff ball.

“What do you think, James Alexander Malcolm Mackenzie Fraser? Do you like your name?”

Nolan, coffee in hand, pulled up a stool on the other side of my counter, the deep, familiar sound of his laugh as comforting as the aroma of the delicious dark liquid he’d poured. “Tell her it’s ridiculous.”

At the sound of his voice, James turned away from me and headed straight to his favorite person. Traitor.

“Tell him,” I said, as if my cat had a clue, “that just because he knows you like being pet under your chin, it doesn’t make up for getting you wet.”

I watched the two of them as the flickering of an always-present candle danced on both their faces. The man who was as steady a presence in my life as my parents. The cat who alternately liked and hated me, sometimes in the same sixty-second span. A bookshop that, while it might not be paying for an oceanfront vacation home anytime soon, thrived enough to bring me a steady income. Life was good. So what if I didn’t have a date for my cousin’s wedding this weekend? Or if my mother wouldn’t stop asking if I was seeing anyone.

I wasn’t.

Pushing thirty. No prospects in the love department. But I had plenty to be grateful for.

“You still lost in,” he nodded to my book, “there?”

Nolan picked up my latest read. The Vampire’s Temptation. “What’s tempting him?”

“Maybe the vampire is a girl.”

“Is it?”

“No.”

He put the book back, taking a sip of coffee as James bounded off the counter.

“My little contrarian.”

I was Nolan’s little everything. That was his favorite expression, and one that got him into trouble recently. His latest ex—and Nolan had a lot of them—wasn’t a fan of our close friendship. But I didn’t feel too badly since she wasn’t really for him anyway.

“So what exactly are you doing out in,” I waved my hand toward the window of my shop where Between the Pages was written in big, bold letters, “this?”

“Lucas’ tattoo chair’s hydraulic lift was jammed, and he had an appointment tonight.”

Although the owner of Grunt Ink, just down the street, went to high school with Nolan and me, we’d gotten closer to him and his wife more recently.

“Were you able to fix it?”

Nolan looked at me with those brown eyes of his, waiting until I took it back.

“Ok, ok. Stupid question. Of course you were.”

“Good girl.”

I nearly spit out my own coffee—one of the many things Nolan and I had in common, being able to drink caffeine at night—at that.

“What? Isn’t that what your heroes say?” He nodded to my book.

When I stopped laughing, I answered, “Yeah. But not like that.”

His brows raised.

“It’s a sex thing. They say it as a praise kink. Like when…” Oh geez. How the hell did I explain it to someone who never read a romance book in his life? Or any book, for that matter. Which was one of the things we definitely didn’t have in common. I’d had my nose in a book since middle school, and Nolan had been avoiding them for even longer than that. “Never mind. Did you eat yet?”

“Not unless beef jerky counts. Why?”

I grudgingly admitted defeat. “No way I’m getting any more customers tonight. Besides, I’ve been craving a chicken cheesesteak. Any interest in KC’s for a late dinner?”

Before I even finished the question, Nolan headed to the back room. James jumped onto my lap.

“Where did he go?” I asked, petting his head with one hand and opening my book with the other.

The story of my life—finishing a chapter when I had other things to do. But there was something about the lure of the page, the characters in a romance especially, that felt safe and exciting all at once.

“And so it seems we will have a bit of fun here in,” he waved his arms around him, “Stone Haven.”

Lawrence ground his teeth. “Fun? If you call the murder of an innocent woman—”

“Innocent?”

Kenton lifted his chin. “She is Maiorium,” he repeated. “And for that, she cannot be allowed to live.” He lifted his glass. “A toast to our little secret. And to Alessandra Fiore’s last days on earth, poor thing.”

He downed the remainder of his drink, stepping around Lawrence and gripping the railing of the second-story balcony.

“Have fun attempting to save her.”

And just as Lawrence turned to walk away after muttering a curse under his breath, he added, “I hope you have better luck than you did in Caltabellotta.”

He wasn’t surprised when Lawrence pushed him from the balcony. Indeed, he allowed it, and laughed the whole way down to the ground, despite the risk of discovery.

Taunting him had been worth it.

“Figure out why he’s tempted yet?”

I jumped at the sound of his voice, startling James, who bounded off my lap. Closing the book, I stood up.

“I already know that. It’s on the back cover blurb.”

Nolan scrunched his nose, reminding me of the skinny basketball player who asked me for help writing a paper in seventh grade. We’d been inseparable since, although Nolan was no skinny seventh grader anymore. He’d filled out in all the right places since then… a brown, floppy-haired, hazel-eyed hunk who was as reliable now as he’d always been.

“Where’d you go?”

“Dumped my coffee. If I knew you’d be willing to close up early, I’d be at KC’s with a beer in hand already. I knew you’d go back to the book. Sometimes I think you like them more than real people.” With a wink, he added, “Let’s go, baby.”

Baby. He’d been calling me that for years, and I still smiled every time. He also had apparently flipped the “Closed” sign, cleaned up the coffee station, and stacked the romance display I’d been reorganizing, quietly tidying the shop while I’d been lost in my book.

“Thanks,” I said, tidying up the counter.

He knew what I meant.

“Anything to get out of here sooner.” Nolan put his still-wet rain jacket back on. “Please tell me you have an umbrella somewhere.”

That would have been a brilliant idea, except… “I had no idea it was even supposed to rain.”

KC’s Taphouse was less than a block away, but we were still going to get soaked.

Before I could stop him, Nolan had taken off his jacket and was already putting it on me.

“Just because I forgot mine doesn’t mean—”

“Stop wiggling.”

Knowing Nolan’s single-minded determination, I listened. No way he’d let me out of this shop without his jacket. His jacket smelled like cedar and soap, and I couldn’t tell if the warmth spreading through me was his or mine.

Coming in November, stay tuned!

The post Versions of You: A Genre-Hopping Romance Excerpt That Will Steal Your Heart {Chapter One Sneak Peek} appeared first on Mecca Romance.

Love Kael? You are going to fall head over heels for his brother… Prince Kael, Whisper of War and Storms by C.L. Mecca

Exclusive Excerpt from Realm of Stone and Starlight

“Would you care to test your theory? How easy Gyorians can be subdued?”

 

She didn’t step back.

 

Of course she didn’t.

 

Instead, Lyra tilted her chin even higher, fingers twitching at her side as a breeze stirring in the closed chamber. “You’d lose,” she said, voice low.

 

“I don’t lose,” I replied, closing the space between us.

 

The air pressure shifted, subtle but undeniable. A flirt of wind brushed past my cheek like a whispered dare. Then came the sudden snap of force. I caught the invisible strike before it landed, my own magic flaring in response. Stone hummed beneath our feet.

 

Her eyes widened, just slightly. I could understand why. Few could detect and prevent such a strike.

 

She flicked her wrist, and the wind coiled around my arm like a rope. Meanwhile, Lyra’s expression barely changed. I reached through the air rope and gripped her wrist before she could cast again, twisting her gently toward the wall. She didn’t resist. Not at first.

 

But then a burst of air slammed into my chest and sent me a step back. She spun away, Lyra’s hair whipping around her in an arc.

 

I caught her by the waist before she got too far.

 

We were both breathless. Flushed.

 

Close.

 

“Still think you’d win?” I asked, my voice rougher than I’d intended.

 

Her smile was slow. Dangerous. “You’re the one panting.”

 

Once. Just once I wanted to see her lose control.

 

Coming in 2026…

Go to Fate of Echoes and Embers

The post Realm of Stone and Starlight Exclusive Excerpt appeared first on Mecca Romance.

To celebrate the launch of my special editions, I wanted to share something fun with you…no purchase necessary, just a thank you for being part of the Mecca Romance fam.

Here are three desktop wallpaper surprises, inspired by the small towns and cozy streets that live at the heart of Kitchi Falls. These originally appear as  “day to night” end paper illustrations, and the special editions have additional scenes as well. Feel free to use these illustrations for your personal use with my permission!

Morning in Kitchi Falls as featured in book one, And So, We Dance. DOWNLOADAfternoon in Kitchi Falls as fetured in book two, Bring It On. DOWNLOADNighttime in Kitchi Falls as featured in And So, We Fall. DOWNLOAD

These small towns—and the big romances inside them—wouldn’t exist without you.  So thank you!

 

The post Kitchi Falls Special Edition Surprises appeared first on Mecca Romance.

https://meccaromance.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Square.mp4

On mobile? Click here to watch!

Coming September 16th

Start from the beginning. On all retailers and Kindle Unlimited…

 

The post Fate of Echoes and Embers — Release Date & Let the Romantasy Begin | C.L. Mecca appeared first on Mecca Romance.

This weekend only, grab the special edition of Boys of Bridgewater and get the collector’s edition items FREE!These are the levels:

 

 

And this one is for you! Offer expires Sunday, August 24th!

 

ORDER IT HERE

 

The post Boys of Bridgewater “Show Edition” appeared first on Mecca Romance.

Whether you’re craving a flirty escape or a love story that simmers with slow-burn chemistry, steamy small town romance delivers it all… cozy charm, unforgettable heroes, and just the right amount of spice. In this post, I’m sharing some of the best small town romance books to read right now, including Last Call, a reader favorite from my Cissy Mecca lineup. Whether you’re new to the genre or a seasoned romance reader, these swoon-worthy reads are guaranteed to steal your heart.

1. The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker – Rugged Alaskan hero, city girl heroine, icy tension → unexpected heat
2. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey – Gilmore Girls vibes meet steamy “fish out of water” romance
3. Book Lovers by Emily Henry – Sharp enemies-to-lovers dynamic in a cozy small town
4. Wild Love (Rose Hill Series) by Elsie Silver – Second-chance cowboy love with emotional stakes
5. Last Call by Cissy Mecca – Flirty enemies-to-lovers in a small-town bar, packed with humor, heat, and heart.

Why Last Call Belongs on Your TBR

• Community spark + sizzling chemistry — fits the cozy + spicy niche perfectly.
• Instant connection — if you loved It Happened One Summer or Book Lovers, you’ll devour Last Call.
• Bonus Scene — Subscribe below for an exclusive short story set in the same town!

More Ways to Fall for Small Town RomanceBrowse my full list of steamy small town reads, including hidden gems and bonus scenes.Get exclusive behind-the-scenes conten and extras with the Mecca Romance Insiders.Love to connect with other readers? Join the Mecca Romance Reader Group for fun shennanigans!

⸻

Bonus: Free Short Story!

Love small -own chemistry? Sign up and get a free bonus scene from Last Call plus a free series prequel novella.

The post 5 Must-Read Small Town Romances (2025 Picks) appeared first on Mecca Romance.

Where Do You Want to Go?

To a small town in New York’s Finger Lakes? A fantasy realm of magic, betrayal, and fated love? Or maybe a medieval castle in England where knights fall hard for clever heroines?

Whatever answer, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to Mecca Romance, where each story is a portal. I’m Cecelia Mecca (you can also find me as Cissy Mecca and C.L. Mecca), and I write emotionally charged, flirt-filled romances where strong women fall hard but never lose themselves. Whether you love sword-wielding knights, smoldering vampires, or stubborn small-town bachelors, there’s a world here waiting for you to escape into.

My books span three romance sub-genres:

Historical romance as Cecelia Mecca (Medieval & Scottish knights)Paranormal/fantasy romance as C.L. Mecca (Think vampires and otherworldly royalty)Steamy small-town romance as Cissy Mecca (Commitment-phobes beware)

If you’re new, I invite you to start wherever your heart takes you. And if you’re feeling adventurous, join the Crossover Club or download your Mecca Romance Passport to explore all three worlds and unlock exclusive rewards along the way.

Because here, love is always worth the leap and the journey is half the fun.

The post Welcome to Mecca Romance appeared first on Mecca Romance.

Calling all romance lovers! Whether you’re new to the Mecca Romance universe or a longtime fan, this summer is your chance to dive into sizzling stories, collect limited-edition stickers, and win swoon-worthy prizes.

What Is the Mecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge?

The Summer Reading Challenge is a celebration of the stories you love…from castles to coffee shops, vampires to knights. All you have to do is read or re-read one, two, or all three of the specially selected Crossover Ready books from Cecelia Mecca, C.L. Mecca, and Cissy Mecca.

The more you read, the more rewards you earn, starting with our exclusive Summer Reader stickers and leading up to fun surprises for completing all three.

The Crossover Ready Books

The Knight’s Reward  by Cecelia Mecca

Travel back to medieval England in this slow-burn, swoon-filled historical romance where loyalty battles longing.

The Vampire’s Temptation  by C.L. Mecca

Sink your teeth into this steamy paranormal small-town romance featuring an ancient enemy, forbidden love, and a heroine caught in the crossfire.

Last Call  by Cissy Mecca

Head to a steamy small-town bar where banter flies and sparks ignite in this flirty enemies-to-lovers contemporary.

How It WorksRead 1, 2, or 3 books from the challenge list.Claim your sticker(s) by coming back here to screenshot.Unlock extra entries for giveaways when you complete all three.Share your progress on social with #MeccaRomanceSummer for bonus fun.

Already read one? Re-reads count! This is your chance to revisit your favorite Mecca moments or discover a new pen name you haven’t tried yet. We’ll be talking about the books in our Facebook group too!

How to Get Started

  Start reading! When you finish, come back here to claim your sticker.

  Comment on this post and tell us which sticker(s) you’ve earned. This is how I will be picking prize winners.

  Watch your inbox for bookish goodies!

  Claim your Crossover Club sticker (if you don’t have it already).

Bonus: The “Crossover Reader” Perk

Readers who complete all three books will be entered to unlock special Mecca Passport perks.

Deadline to Complete the Challenge: August 31st

Grab your iced coffee, your eReader, and maybe a swoony playlist like this one for the Bachelor Pact on Spotify. The Mecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge is onand your next book boyfriend is waiting.

From castles to coffee shops, your escape awaits.

The post Mecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge – Read, Re-Read, and Win! appeared first on Mecca Romance.

Calling all romance lovers! Whether you’re new to the Mecca Romance universe or a longtime fan, this summer is your chance to dive into sizzling stories, collect limited-edition stickers, and win swoon-worthy prizes.

What Is the Mecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge?

The Summer Reading Challenge is a celebration of the stories you love…from castles to coffee shops, vampires to knights. All you have to do is read or re-read one, two, or all three of the specially selected Crossover Ready books from Cecelia Mecca, C.L. Mecca, and Cissy Mecca.

The more you read, the more rewards you earn, starting with our exclusive Summer Reader stickers and leading up to fun surprises for completing all three.

The Crossover Ready Books

The Knight’s Reward  by Cecelia Mecca

Travel back to medieval England in this slow-burn, swoon-filled historical romance where loyalty battles longing.

The Vampire’s Temptation  by C.L. Mecca

Sink your teeth into this steamy paranormal small-town romance featuring an ancient enemy, forbidden love, and a heroine caught in the crossfire.

Last Call  by Cissy Mecca

Head to a steamy small-town bar where banter flies and sparks ignite in this flirty enemies-to-lovers contemporary.

How It WorksRead 1, 2, or 3 books from the challenge list.Claim your sticker(s) by coming back here to screenshot.Unlock extra entries for giveaways when you complete all three.Share your progress on social with #MeccaRomanceSummer for bonus fun.

Already read one? Re-reads count! This is your chance to revisit your favorite Mecca moments or discover a new pen name you haven’t tried yet. We’ll be talking about the books in our Facebook group too!

How to Get Started

  Start reading! When you finish, come back here to claim your sticker.

  Comment on this post and tell us which sticker(s) you’ve earned. This is how I will be picking prize winners.

  Watch your inbox for bookish goodies!

  Claim your Crossover Club sticker (if you don’t have it already).

Bonus: The “Crossover Reader” Perk

Readers who complete all three books will be entered to unlock special Mecca Passport perks.

Deadline to Complete the Challenge: August 31st

Grab your iced coffee, your eReader, and maybe a swoony playlist like this one for the Bachelor Pact on Spotify. The Mecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge is onand your next book boyfriend is waiting.

From castles to coffee shops, your escape awaits.

The post ecca Romance Summer Reading Challenge – Read, Re-Read, and Win! appeared first on Mecca Romance.

There’s just something about Sicily…

Maybe it’s the way the sun lingers just a little longer. Or the way a simple scoop of gelato can taste like an act of rebellion. Or maybe it’s the magic of stepping into a place where life moves slower and everything feels a little more possible.

When I started writing Meet, Play, Love, I didn’t set out to write a “healing” romance. I just wanted to escape. Like my main character, I was juggling a lot and craving the kind of reset only a foreign country could offer.

Page by page, Sicily worked its magic.

It  has this way of holding space for grief and joy at the same time. For remembering and forgetting. For choosing yourself while still leaving the door open to love. It’s the perfect backdrop for romance, not because it’s beautiful (though it absolutely is), but because it invites surrender. And when you’ve been hurt or disappointed or just… exhausted, surrender is the bravest thing you can do.

In Meet, Play, Love, that surrender happens in a villa, a makeshift girls’ trip, and a pool with a view and a flirty “pool boy” who definitely isn’t what he seems. It’s sexy and fun and a little over-the-top, but it’s also about choosing joy again. Even if it’s messy.

If you’ve ever needed a reset. If you’ve ever booked a flight or read a book just to feel something again, Meet, Play, Love is for you.

If you want to know what dirty thoughts went through my mind at the beach lido, grab the spicy bonus scene by signing up for the Mecca Romance Insider.

The post Escaping to Romance: Why Sicily is the Ultimate Healing Setting appeared first on Mecca Romance.