A Superhero Story, Philly Style by Diane Billas – Guest Blog and Giveaway

November 5, 2024 By 5 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A Superhero Story, Philly Style

I absolutely love superhero movies. Before having a child, I’d always drag my friend or partner to the newest superhero release. Now, I just wait until they come on Disney+ but as soon as it’s uploaded, I’m ready to watch the movie, or show, so it only made sense that I tried writing my own superhero story.

But it didn’t start out that way. I was participating in a Twitter pitch event for my first book, DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN?, and I noticed there were these really cool pitches all centered around an event, like a TV reality competition or something like that. That got me thinking, what do I love that I could center my next book around? And then I remembered how much fun I had at a Comic-Con convention in Philadelphia, which had been focused on just superheroes (Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Tom Hiddleston were even there!). I sat down, started writing, and the words kept flowing. Then, as I was penning my story, the star of the Comic-Con convention, Jake Johnson aka The Amazing Boy, became a superhero in real life and no one knew it. That’s when my book turned a corner and became a superhero story and SUPERFICIAL was born.

It’s set in a dual perspective, which is something I’ve never done before but I thought it was important to hear both sides of the story, from the perspective of the fan attending the conference, Lea, and from the superhero, Jake. After they get stuck in an elevator together, they must team up, along with a few friends they find along the way, to figure out why everyone at the convention has disappeared and to also find the villain who has been stealing precious artifacts from Philadelphia’s top institutions.

I had so much fun writing this story; it blends a lot of my favorite topics, obviously superheroes, but it also includes museums and classical music. I’m not originally from Philly, but this story is my love letter to the city. I really enjoy living here and I showcase some of the premier museums and tourist sites in this book. SUPERFICIAL is Marvel meets National Treasure, Philly style.

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea’s friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Enjoy an Excerpt

LEA

A lone figure lingers in the back corner of the elevator wearing a navy-blue Yankees baseball hat, their face cast downwards. I push for level two when there is a large bang. The lights flicker and go out. Deathly silence follows but is broken by a curse word behind me. I whip around, trying to make out the figure’s face.

“Watch that cape, you almost gave me cape burn,” the voice grumbles.

“Sorry. I never knew how annoying wearing a cosplay costume would be,” I reply, biting my lip.

When the silence continues, I nervously keep up my word vomit. “This is my first time coming to one of these things. I should’ve taken a page out of your book and worn the incognito star look. I would’ve been more comfortable on the plane flight earlier this morning and gotten less strange looks.”

Backup lights flicker on. I can barely see the figure lift his head and look at me directly in the eyes. My heart drops.

“About the incognito star look,” he says, his dark eyes full of hesitation.

No way.

No freaking way.

He isn’t playing an incognito star.

He is the star of today’s show. The last-minute addition that made the entire WizCon event sell out as soon as his name was announced.

A gasp escapes my mouth. I can’t physically stop it if I tried. I’m from the middle of nowhere Ohio. You don’t see a movie star on an elevator or anywhere in your vicinity. Keep calm, Lea, don’t scare him off. He’s incognito for a reason.

“Oh.”

That’s what I come up with to say. I mean, what else am I going to utter aloud?

About the Author:

Photographer credit:
Sam Rodriguez
S.R.WeddingStory

Diane Billas currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn or piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit.

Does Love Always Win? is her debut novel, which released June 2023 from Creative James Media. This book was drawn from Diane’s personal experiences as a queer individual who has struggled throughout life being comfortable identifying and expressing herself. Diane wrote the book she wished was available to her when she was in high school.

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How I Use Social Media as an Author by Henrik Wilenius – Guest Blog and Giveaway

November 1, 2024 By 3 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award the winner’s choice of an audiobook set via Spotify or a digital book set of THE RISE UP TRILOGY. Click on the tour banner to see the other stop on the tour.

How I Use Social Media as an Author
I must admit I was at first very apprehensive about using social media. I guess most of the writers feel the same way. More often than not, we’re a bunch of introverts who don’t want to draw attention to ourselves, only to our writing. Maybe, it was also because I had been spoiled by my Finnish publishing house (WSOY). There was no social media when my first book came out. My publisher arranged all the interviews. Before and after my book came out, I must have had about twenty interviews on TV, Radio, and newspapers/magazines, and it really drained me. I don’t like to talk about myself. But The Rise Up Trilogy was self-published and I soon realized I didn’t have an option whether to be active in the social media or not.

It’s been a long learning curve. Before I had published the Rise Up Trilogy, I had very little presence in the social media. But then, like all the other unknown writers, I really needed to learn a new skill set. Fortunately, I had found a great virtual assistant company (taskbullet.com) to help me with graphic design, with my website and other related stuff. I decided I was going to keep my personal life out of it as much as possible, showing my face as little as possible. Instead, I let my writing do the talking. I started making 30-60 second videos first on TikTok, then on Instagram. To my surprise, I really enjoyed making them and some of them went even viral, gaining over million views. Unfortunately, after two viral posts, the views and likes dropped dramatically on Instagram. I would get just few hundred or few thousand views. I assume it was because of the exposing corporate and government corruption is considered political, even if it takes place in a fictional world. On TikTok, I’ve been banned temporarily by then already many times, but I could still pull a good number of views from non-controversial posts. But it’s fine. I already had dozens of good posts about the Rise Up Trilogy and I decided to take a pause from posting new material until I figured a way to get my viewers back. Anyway, social media posts don’t have much impact on book sales or podcast downloads even they go viral, at least in my case.

Next, I became active participant in animal rights and climate change discussions, but I found myself recycling same ideas in different context over and over again and got bored. This is not my thing. I’m a storyteller and through stories relay my ideas and understanding. That’s where these ideas come alive. I also tried posting political commentary not connected to my stories but after just one post, I learned that it was not my thing either. There are plenty of great commentators out there, and I better stick to things I’m good at.

The Rise up trilogy is a coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam, three best friends on the threshold of adulthood. Before they can find their place in this world, they must come to terms with their past and learn to confide in each other as they are confronted by intolerance, ignorance, and corporate greed that threaten to rob them of their future. Inspirational, harrowing, intense and deeply moving, this trilogy presents a ray of hope amidst terrible hardship, misfortune and loss.

Book One: Catch You if You Fall

High school best friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam must confront real-life issues that loom for Gen-Z today, including the climate crisis, corrupt politics, and racial and gender equity.

When Hashim turns eighteen, he receives a grant from his Mosque that will send him to an Ivy League in New York. His devout Muslim family couldn’t be more proud. And to support their young son on his journey, they arrange a wife for him. There’s only one problem: Hashim is gay.

Hashim’s best friend Alex is struggling with a difficult home life, a non-present father, and financial issues that prove particularly painful when all his friends are planning to go off to college and leave him behind.

Standing confidently alongside these two boys is Maryam, a headstrong Muslim girl who bucks her traditional roots by becoming a vegan activist.

It doesn’t take long until certain evil forces start to draw these three even closer, as their futures and the wellbeing of their community and the world is threatened. They are called to act.

Book Two: Merry Farm

In the second installment of the Rise Up Trilogy, best friends Hashi, Alex, and Maryam stumble upon a huge government coverup. When more people get sicker and sicker, and nothing about the outbreak makes news, it becomes clear the corruption goes up high.

As the three attempt to expose and stop a tragedy that could kill thousands, they end up framed as the bioterrorists responsible for this exact crime, and a team of hitmen is dispatched to hunt them down. As they grapple with their own growing pains, Hashi, Alex, and Maryam hurry to outrun the disaster, prove that they are innocent, and do what they feel is right.

Book Three: Collusion

Now a well-known activist, Maryam, along with her two best friends Hashim and Alex, is chosen by the President of the United States to draw up a proposal to help fight climate change, mere weeks before superstorm Roxanne makes landfall in the Northeast.

After the President’s Future Rescue Advisory Board hears their climate proposal to set heavy taxes on meat, dairy and carbon emissions, and someone leaks it to the press, chaos spreads across party lines. A few months since they stopped a deadly virus in its tracks, the three uncover a conspiracy on the highest level of the legislative branch.

While the deadly hurricane wreaks havoc along the eastern seaboard, destroying the U.S. Naval Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and hitting New York City with devastating force, Maryam, Hashim, and Alex grapple with forces beyond their control in the government.

How will their stories unravel? What do their futures hold as they mature into adults in a world that may not accept them? Find out in this last book in the Rise Up Trilogy.

Enjoy an Excerpt from CATCH YOU IF YOU FALL

“And it’s going to happen tomorrow,” Hashim said as he crouched on the couch.

Alex drew his brows closer, but soon his forehead smoothed. “Seriously?” he said and studied Hashim’s face. “Wow. We need to get you out of this mess.”

Sharing his predicament with his best friend had calmed Hashim’s nerves. Not that he had told the whole story, like the fact that he was gay. However, that was a piece of information he had only shared with God, though unwillingly, because from Him, you can’t hide a thing.

Alex’s eyes grew wide. “But you’re just turning eighteen, for God’s sake. Isn’t it a little early to get engaged?”

Hashim pressed his lips together and winced. You tell me.

“His mom knows that once Hashim has committed to an engagement, he won’t break it,” Maryam said. She had been following the conversation from the other side of the room, giving the guys some space after she saw how upset Hashim was when he came in. “Without a solid religious reason to back out, that could shame the whole family,” she added. “People won’t greet you anymore or return your calls. You become a nobody.”

About the Author: Henrik Wilenius is the author of the Rise Up Trilogy, a young adult coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam confronting real-life issues like climate change, corrupt politics, animal cruelty and racial and gender equity.

The Rise Up Trilogy is now available also as an audiobook and a weekly serialized audiobook podcast on all the major platforms.

Previously, Henrik as published two books (an autobiographical coming of age book and a YA novel) by a major publisher (WSOY) in Finland before switching to English and self-publishing. The Rise Up Trilogy was inspired by his fifteen-year stint as a volunteer in a Red Cross Youth Shelter and by his vegan activism.

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5 Pros and 5 Challenges of Writing in My Genre by A.Y. Chan – Guest Blog and Giveaway

October 25, 2024 By 4 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

5 Pros and 5 Challenges of Writing in My Genre

I love middle grade. I read it all the time ‘for fun” even though I’m well out of the target age range. While there are many reasons I chose to write my debut in this genre, there are also many challenges I’ve faced in doing so. Let’s get down to it!

PROS

Pro #1: The Joy and Optimism of Middle Grade

Middle grade kids are in that sweet spot where they’re young and bright-eyed, but old enough to start understanding the world and have a keen curiosity about how it works. I love stories that tap into this curiosity, helping kids develop a deeper sense of self and showing them a world full of hope and possibility.

Pro #2: Promoting the Love of Reading

Growing up, reading was my refuge. There’s something really special about fostering that same love of reading in children. Knowing my stories might be a source of joy for a young reader is incredibly fulfilling.

Pro #3: No “Awkward” Scenes or Swearing

This might not be considered a pro for everyone, but I like not having to deal with overly lovey-dovey scenes, adult themes, or even the occasional cuss word. Writing middle grade allows me to focus on the adventure, friendship, and growth of my characters.

Pro #4: The Dynamic Kidlit Community

The kidlit writing scene is so vibrant and supportive. Groups like SCBWI and Inked Voices are filled with friendly and lovely people and interacting with fellow writers has been a wonderful experience, full of camaraderie and encouragement.

Pro #5: Encouraging Imagination and Creativity

Middle grade books are the perfect playground for imagination. These stories often include fantastical elements, magical adventures, and creative problem-solving, which can ignite a child’s creativity and fuel their dreams.

CHALLENGES

Challenge #1: Middle Grade Dialogue

The biggest hurdle is to not sound like an adult trying to sound like a middle grader. It can be awkward and cringy, and young readers can spot it from a mile away. Authenticity in dialogue is crucial and can be challenging to master. I struggled with this when I first started writing middle grade and I went through a lot of thought, observation and too many rewrites to count!

Challenge #2: Finding Your Middle Grade Voice

Beyond just getting your middle grader dialogue right, your entire story needs to adopt a middle grade tone. Everything from vocabulary to plot and situations needs to be appropriate and true to that age group. While you may want to give your characters the freedom to travel independently, it’s not realistic. For example, where are their parents? Why aren’t they in school?

Challenge #3: Ensuring Positive Role Models

Middle graders are still learning and can be impressionable. It’s important to make sure your characters set good examples (or at least try their best to!). Adults and even YA readers might know better, but middle graders may still be figuring things out, so you need to be mindful of this when making decisions for your characters.

Challenge #4: Book Promotions

You can’t promote your book directly to middle grade readers. The gatekeepers are parents, teachers, and librarians. Reaching these gatekeepers effectively can be a real challenge, as they are the ones who will ultimately introduce your book to kids.

Challenge 5: Keeping it Engaging Without Being Overly Complex

Middle grade readers are beginning to explore more complex narratives. However, striking the balance between an engaging plot and one that’s not too convoluted can be tricky. You want to challenge your readers but not overwhelm them.

Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there’s a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!

Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!

Enjoy an Excerpt

I may be small, but I am fierce. At least that’s what I keep telling myself. Over and over again. Fierce.

“Charyeot,” the taekwondo tournament referee says in Korean. Attention.

I snap my arms to my sides.

“Kyeong-nae,” the ref says. Bow.

I turn to face my opponent, Dax Washington. His dark skin glistens with sweat. We dip our heads.

I look up to see Dax towering over me, his eyes stormy.

It suddenly occurs to me how much “fierce” sounds like “fears.” Not that I’m scared or anything. I’m not.

“Sijak!” The ref throws up his hand. Begin! Immediately Dax’s large fists hammer down like a hailstorm.

Well, maybe I’m a little worried.

Dax lunges. I block his front kick with my forearm. I flinch and reel back. The ref blows his whistle, but Dax doesn’t stop. I barely have time to move before—oof—another kick nails me in the elbow.

Okay, fine. I’m totally panicking.

About the Author: A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

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Men of the 65th by Talia Aikens-Nunez – Spotlight and Giveaway

September 17, 2024 By 4 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Talia Aikens-Nunez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.

Enjoy an Excerpt

[T]he US public was shocked to discover that during the war, 162 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment had been court-martialed and ninety-one of those soldiers found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion.

The US military kept the courts-martial quiet. But the soldiers of the 65th sent letters to their families describing what was happening, which led to public outcry and confusion from the press. How could one of the most distinguished regiments of the Korean War, whose soldiers had only months before been praised by General Douglas MacArthur for their “brilliant record of heroism,” become involved in the largest mass court-martial of the Korean War?

Did the Borinqueneers lose their bravery and heroism in such a short time? Or were they victims of discrimination in a prejudiced and segregated system? Were they betrayed by the country they risked their lives for?

This is the story of one of the bravest and most decorated regiments in the history of the US military. It is a forgotten story in a forgotten war. But it is a story of patriotism, loyalty, and bravery in the face of danger and discrimination, and it is one that deserves to be told.

About the Author:

Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series of books about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter and son.

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Beautiful One by Mary Cope – Interview and Giveaway

September 10, 2024 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Do you prefer writing by hand, typing on a computer, or using some other method?

I definitely type on the computer. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone still writing by hand these days. I might jot down a few ideas occasionally, but that’s about the extent of it. Typing enables me to articulate my thoughts swiftly and effortlessly, and I value the flexibility to edit and reorganize my writing.

When I’m driving and thinking about the current chapter I’m working on, I often use voice commands on my phone to jot down key points so I don’t forget them. That’s really helpful.

What was the most rewarding part of writing your book?

The most fulfilling aspect of writing my book, personally, was experiencing the creative satisfaction of giving life to a story. As I immersed myself in the world of my characters, developing their personalities, their struggles, and their triumphs, I felt a deep connection to the creative process. Seeing the story unfold on the page, watching as the characters grew and changed, and knowing that I was the one shaping their journey was incredibly satisfying.

There was a sense of accomplishment that came from completing my book. When I finally reached the end of my manuscript, I felt a tremendous sense of pride in what I had accomplished, knowing that I had created something that was entirely my own.

Along those same lines, what was the most rewarding part of having your book published?

The most rewarding part of having my book published was the opportunity to share my story with readers. Being able to connect with others through my words and knowing that my book had resonated with someone else was incredibly fulfilling. I think the impact and connection with readers was the most rewarding aspect, followed closely by the sense of achievement and recognition that came with seeing my book in print and receiving feedback from readers. Also, having my book published opened up new opportunities and future projects that I hadn’t anticipated.

Did you face any rejections or setbacks along the way?

Beautiful One was rejected three times before it was signed with a publisher. Those first rejection letters felt like a personal blow. My feelings were triggered with self-doubt and disappointment. I started to question my abilities as a writer wondering if my work was good enough. Rejection is hard, especially with something so personal.

The rational part of me knew that rejection was a natural part of the writing process, but the emotional part of me struggled. I had to remind myself that rejection didn’t define me as a writer. It’s just part of the journey.

Transformation, empowerment, love and music come together in the book, Beautiful One.

Elizabeth Ryan is a beautiful, shy, naïve high school senior. Having never dated she meets the boy of her dreams, Aidan Mitchell. Despite his history of womanizing Liz is drawn to him. Soon Liz becomes the envy of all the girls on campus, when they become a couple and her dream boyfriend sweeps her off her feet and into the dating world that is all too new and strange for her. When other guys start to take notice of Liz, Aidan is troubled with fits of jealousy.

Elizabeth then meets the ruggedly handsome, Spencer Hayes and they quickly bond over their passion for music. Liz begins to struggle with the feelings that spark between them. In the end Elizabeth finds herself torn between helping Aidan overcome his jealousy and anger and giving into what her heart truly wants.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The music changed from one song to the next, and I realized I was having fun. My feet were killing me, but I didn’t care. I had been keeping track of how many guys I’d danced with. Currently I was at seven. I smiled at Melissa when she and Mason were dancing intimately even though the song was upbeat.

I was laughing, sweating, and dancing my butt off. This was the best time I’d ever had.

Then my heart stopped.

I felt a lump in my throat and a pit in my stomach when I saw him, dressed in black jeans and a black button-down shirt. He was movie-star perfect as he sauntered across the dance floor. When I tore my gaze from him, I noticed the accessory that graced his forearm. A leggy blonde wearing a short red dress. Figures.

I was torn between wanting to excuse myself and run or torture myself and stay. Foolishly, I opted for the latter. My heart twisted with jealousy watching Aidan gyrate to the music while his pretty dance partner sexually rubbed up against him. The pain was agonizing. Like a train wreck. I wanted to look away, but I couldn’t.

About the Author:Mary Cope is a passionate romance writer known for her ability to craft characters that feel undeniably real. Drawing inspiration from both her personal experience and vivid imagination, Mary’s words resonate with readers. A romantic at heart, Mary believes true intimacy is what love is all about.

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Beautiful One was just announced as the YA first place winner in the NEST awards.

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LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Crushing by TR Simmons

August 23, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Thanks for joining us on our 17th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

Atarah is a high school tomboy and a stellar athlete, but of below average height and beauty.
This is a problem when everyone’s physical attributes and popularity are ranked by an AI computer called Big Social.

Atarah has five days before the Crush-it dance to find her secret admirer and become popular or she will have little chance of acceptance to a top university and their romantic reality shows.

A cryptic message warns Atarah that Big Social’s selfish protocols for human happiness are killing Earth. A plan to subvert the AI will require Atarah to find true love on the night of the dance.

SCAVENGER HUNT:

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LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Absolute Mercury by NJ Damschroder

August 21, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Thanks for joining us on our 17th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

High-school quarterback Mercury O’Brien is very certain about her place in the world. She’s going to lead her football team to a championship, finish her senior year, and begin the journey to her dream job as a professional football official. But then the team gets a new wide receiver, and Oliver Bledsoe’s presence challenges everything: her reputation as a steady leader, her rules against getting involved with teammates…and maybe even the laws of physics.

Because impossible things start happening, like a wall of light erupting out of the endzone during a football game—an entity that local tech giant XyMass Technologies wants to exploit. Mercury and Oliver share a matching vibrational energy with each other and with the anomaly, putting them on XyMass’s acquisition list.

At first, they refuse to be involved and distracted from their personal goals. But soon they don’t have a choice. As their feelings intensify, so does the crazy chaos surrounding them, dragging their friends into the mayhem and luring hungry predators. Mercury is forced to abandon her single-minded focus, and when her parents go missing, she has to face the truth: she’s intertwined with something not of this world, something that could destroy everything she cares about.

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LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Addison Brae

August 20, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Thanks for joining us on our 17th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

 

Disgraced. Disqualified. Devastated. Scandal disqualifies Olympic gold winner when teen figure skater learns her parents covered up her black-market adoption. She must disprove the deception to unerase her career and identity.

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Playtime Clothes by Kim MacLean – Spotlight and Giveaway

June 26, 2024 By 1 Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kim MacLean will award a randomly drawn winner a $15 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The young boy’s room is an undeniable mess. Did he actually clean his room, as he is telling his mom? Or do his clothes come to life and play?! They are, after all, playtime clothes. Is he learning a lesson to tell the truth and be accountable, as we all do in life? Or is it a world of make believe? It is for you to enjoy while you decide.

About the Author: Kim MacLean was inspired to be creative while she and her little girls made their own fun inside their home on long, cold winter days. Her girls sat for hours painting and gluing crafts into works of art on paper. Oh, the rows and rows of finished masterpieces drying on the floor while Kim sat and wrote! And there were the hundreds of books that they read and enjoyed together that further inspired creativity and an adult love of children’s books!

Tia Bates is an artist, illustrator, and storyteller from London, Ontario. She is inspired by the beautiful illustrations she grew up looking at in children’s books just like Playtime Clothes, the first children’s book she has illustrated! Currently pursuing a master’s degree in fine art, Tia’s personal artwork is all about the stories we tell.

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Secrets About My Favorite Genre by William A. Glass – Guest Blog and Giveaway

June 4, 2024 By 5 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. William A. Glass will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Secrets About My Favorite Genre by William A. Glass

I mainly read non-fiction. Always have. Biographies, diaries, narrative histories, and sometimes even historical source material. That’s one of my secrets. I write fiction but read non-fiction.

So, it stands to reason that my favorite fiction genre to write is related to history. My first two novels, As Good As Can Be and Off Broadway: A Marriage Drama, are historical fiction. The new one, Crossing Day, is Alternative History, a sub-genre of speculative fiction.

One secret to writing historical fiction is research. It’s essential to be accurate right down to the tiniest details. Getting historical facts wrong is jarring for readers who have followed your story back into a far-gone time. For example, if it’s 1973 in your narrative and some characters go to see the movie “Chinatown”, readers who know film history would realize it hadn’t been released yet. Now, all the work you’ve done to write a plausible story is wasted. Your credibility as an author is shot.

Historical accuracy is important even if you intentionally change history, as happens when writing alternative history. It’s a sub-genre of speculative fiction, so one might think real history is not involved. In fact, alternative history almost always depends on actual history up to a point. Crossing Day is set in 2024, and the characters live in the Confederacy. That’s because they are in Huntsville, Alabama, 160 years after the South gained independence in the Civil War. In the novel it slowly comes out how this happened. To make it plausible, true historical facts, including the names of real Civil War generals, are included. To learn more, you’ll have to read the book!

It’s been one hundred and sixty years since the Confederacy won its independence at the Battle of Altamaha Crossing. Slaves of African descent still perform most of the work in the South. This seems normal to Ryan Walters and his friends who attend high school in Huntsville, Alabama. Like teens everywhere, they enjoy sharing videos, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. Jaybird’s drive-in is their favorite gathering place. There, they befriend Mish, a slave girl who works as a car hop. When the drive-in’s owner sells Mish to a dirty old man, Ryan and his friends awaken to the injustice around them. Despite the danger, they decide to help Mish escape. Will they succeed?

Enjoy an Excerpt

The referee blows her whistle and points to the Joseph Johnston High School goal. It’s a foul, just outside the penalty area. Hastily, several defenders form a wall. Liam Larsen, the goalkeeper, shouts directions.

“Block that kick, block that kick,” the Johnston cheerleaders yell.

Melanie Montgomery, wearing her purple and gold cheerleader outfit, catches the eye of one of the boys on the squad. He nods as she runs toward him and then leaps, placing her foot into his waiting hands. Melanie’s world dissolves into a swirl of color. She comes to earth with a thud.

“Nice landing,” the boy says.

“Thanks.” Melanie glances at the scoreboard and sees that despite their efforts, another goal has been added to the visitor’s tally. “I hate these German schools,” she pouts.

“Yeah, they act like they invented the game,” one of the other cheerleaders exclaims.

There’s no injury time added in high school soccer, so the match comes to a screeching halt when the clock winds down and the buzzer goes off. Most players line up to shake hands, but three of the Germans laugh and walk off. Their coach gives a Hitler salute to the Johnston stands. A chorus of boos greets his gesture.

“Everyone on the line,” Sam Gorman, the Johnston soccer coach, shouts. He crosses his arms and glares at his players threateningly until the whole team is on the touchline. “All right, Ryan,” he says to the team captain, “cool down.”

About the Author Bill is a retired business executive who now lives in a small southern town with his wife, Bettina. She’s a retired high school German teacher. Bill coaches soccer at a small college. Often, Bettina, who has a commercial driver’s license, pilots the soccer team bus to away games.

Bettina and Bill have three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon who have all graduated from college and moved away to pursue careers. Instead of having an empty nest, Bettina and Bill now host three rescue dogs. They enjoy finding promising hiking trails to explore with their dogs.

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