Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle (Mysteries of a Heart Series Book Two) Christian Mystery by Celeste Fenton Book Tour with Guest Post & Giveaway

 WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

of

Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle

By Celeste Fenton

 Book Summary

Two mysteries. One fight for survival. And danger closing in from both sides of the sea.

Gabby Heart travels to a remote Scottish castle with her best friend, Abe—a bestselling children’s author—expecting misty views, historic charm, and quiet time to plan their next book series. But Brantmar Castle holds more than ghosts of the past. When the women are taken hostage, Gabby must rely on her instincts, her resilience, and the help of men who may not deserve her trust to survive.

Meanwhile, on Dost Island, young residents are vanishing without a trace. As those left behind scramble for answers, unsettling clues emerge—leading to a dark motive no one could have predicted.

From the storm-swept highlands of Scotland to the rocky shores of New England, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle blends mystery, emotional grit, simmering romance, and humor, in a story where secrets run deep... and time is running out.

Publisher: Independently Published (September 22, 2025)

ISBN: 979-8292238829

ASIN: B0FNLY4WXK

Print length:  389 pages (also available as ebook)

Purchase a copy of Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Captive-Heart-Brantmar-Castle-Mysteries/dp/B0FNNF1N9L

Barnes & Noble:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/captive-heart-at-brantmar-castle-celeste-fenton/1148429830

Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Captive-Heart-Brantmar-Castle/Celeste-Fenton/9798292238829

You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/241919370-captive-heart-at-brantmar-castle?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=pApPHZoBlz&rank=8

Guest Post:

Too Hot to Handle: The Art (and Awkwardness) of Writing Intimate Scenes

by Celeste Fenton

When I started writing my Mysteries of a Heart series, I expected to craft a few murders, a handful of family secrets, and maybe a kiss or two. What I didn’t expect was to have my adult children saying, “Mom!” and my grandkids asking why Mimi’s book was “not for kids.”

Let’s just say no one warned me how complicated it can be to write a love scene when you’re a grandmother.

It’s funny—when I was directing a teaching and learning center, my days were filled with emails, spreadsheets, and project evaluations. Now, I’m on my sofa, soft music in the background, typing about two fictional adults who can’t keep their hands off each other, and wondering if my grandkids’ iPads have parental controls strong enough to block my Amazon page.

I’ll admit, I blush easily. The first time I wrote an intimate scene, I kept looking over my shoulder as if someone might barge in and demand, “Celeste Fenton, did you just type hot, hard, and wet in the same sentence?”

But here’s the thing—I didn’t plan to write steamy scenes for shock value. I wrote them because love, at every age, deserves honesty. Gabby and the other characters are midlife adults with a past, not teenage virgins. The intimacy in my books isn’t gratuitous—it’s a natural, human part of healing, connection, love, and vulnerability.

Still, I admit, writing those scenes is… delicate. I want emotion, not anatomy. Suggestion, not instruction. I’m aiming for romantic tension—not something that requires readers to hide the book under a blanket like a teenager with contraband.

Sometimes I’ll read over a passage and think, “Oh, that’s a bit much,” and tone it down. Other times I’ll think, “Well, it’s what the characters would do,” and leave it in… and then spend the next week praying no one brings it up in conversation, because I know my cheeks will burn.

My sons have each had their moment of disbelief.

One texted: “Just read chapter twenty-eight. Sure, you don’t want to use a pen name?”

The other called and said, “You know people you know will read this, right?”

Yes, boys. I do. (I say ‘boys’, even though they recently turned 40)

And my response? “Good! Maybe they’ll learn something about emotional intimacy!” (Followed by me quickly changing the subject to sports.)

I think there’s an unspoken rule that once you hit a certain age, you’re supposed to write about recipes and yoga. But the truth is, real life is still full of sparks—love, attraction, the flutter of a heartbeat when someone looks at you just so. I wanted my books to celebrate that. To remind women—especially those in midlife and beyond—that we’re not done feeling, loving, or desiring.

Of course, I also keep a “PG version” of my manuscript handy when the grandkids want to know what I’m writing. In that one, the couple “have a nice chat and fall asleep.”

So yes, it’s awkward. Yes, my family teases me. And yes, I occasionally wonder if my characters are more adventurous than I am. But there’s tremendous  joy in writing stories that say: you’re still vibrant, you’re still passionate, and you’re still allowed to yearn.

Because whether you’re twenty-five or eighty, the heart doesn’t retire—there’s no expiration date on love and desire.

So now it’s your turn. I’d love for the readers and visitors to share in the comments. What are your thoughts on reading and/or writing about steamy stuff? 

Contact me at https://celestefenton.com/contact or on social media.

https://celestefenton.com

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0F5HTW7RK/allbooks

https://www.instagram.com/celestefentonwrites

https://www.facebook.com/celeste.fenton.9/

https://www.youtube.com/@CelesteFentonWrites

https://www.tiktok.com/@celestefenton

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/1923908781

https://bookshop.org/shop/celestefenton 

About the Author, Celeste Fenton

Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense.

When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

You can follow the author at:

Website: https://celestefenton.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Celeste-Fenton-Mysteries-of-a-Heart

IG: https://www.instagram.com/celestefentonwrites/

Giveaway

Join us as we celebrate the launch of the second book in Celeste Fenton's Mysteries of a Heart series: Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/2025/11/captive-heart-at-brantmar-castle-by.html

#CaptiveHeartatBrantmarCastle #MysteriesofaHeart #ChristianMystery #CelesteFenton #BookTour #KindleUnlimited #GuestPost #Giveaway #WOW #WomenOnWriting 

Blog Tour Calendar

November 12th @ Just Katherine

Author Celeste Fenton guest posts with thoughts about the power of friendship later in life. Also, Katherine has a review of Celeste's latest novel: Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

November 14th @ Books R Us

Learn about emotion wildfires with author Celeste Fenton's guest post about Writing Through the Flames of Grief, Anger and Longing.

www.booksrusonline.com

November 17th @ Chapter Break 

Ever wonder about The Frizzy Side of Murder? Celeste Fenton, author of the Mysteries of a Heart series, shares thoughts on blending suspense with romance.

https://chapterbreak.net/

November 19th @ Words by Webb

Need a fun & adventure-filled read for December? Jodi reviews Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

November 20th @ A Wonderful World of Books

Sometimes writing is Too Hot to Handle. Author Celeste Fenton shares The Art (and Awkwardness) of Writing Intimate Scenes.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

November 22nd @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion

Ever wonder about a day in the life of an author? Learn more in today's interview with Celeste Fenton.

https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

November 25nd @ Other People's Pets

Novelist and animal lover Celeste Fenton shares five things everyone should know about Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

https://other-peoples-pets.com

November 28th @ Your Weekend Care Package

Author Celeste Fenton is a guest contributor with her ideas about the perfect weekend care package.

https://nicolepyles.substack.com

December 3rd @ Word Magic

Author Celeste Fenton writes about how Creativity Has Gone to the Dogs. Learn about the key influence her dogs have on her writing process.

https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com