Secrets about My Favorite Genre by Pamela Spradlin Mahajan – Guest Blog and Giveaway

December 2, 2024 By 10 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Pamela Spradlin Mahajan 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.

Secrets about My Favorite Genre

One thing I have learned as I make my way along this writing journey is that, no matter the genre, giving the reader a question they want answered is an important part of keeping someone invested in the story.

Initially it may seem plausible that only mysteries or thrillers need a compelling question—but that’s not really true. I first noted this truth while watching some particular series with my husband (I don’t remember which one and it doesn’t particularly matter for the sake of this argument). I asked a question out loud, something along the lines of, “But if she is in a relationship with that guy, why is she acting as if she is single?”

It wasn’t a particularly interesting or vital concern, but the character’s behavior created a sense of incongruence within me that I wanted to correct. One plus two equals three so why is this coming out to four? Setting up even a small question your readers want answered, whether the genre you write in is romance, historical, or mystery, is a great way to hook them.

I took this idea for A VERY RETRO CHRISTMAS and ran with it. While there is a heartwarming romance at the center of my story, there is also a bit of mystery and scandal. I set this up early by demonstrating conflict between two characters. Why don’t they get along? Why does she treat her daughter-in-law so poorly? This question is answered later in the book.

So one of the secrets of any genre is to confuse your readers a bit, knock them off balance, and give them a question—even the smallest one—that they want answered. Then drag it out a bit and deliver the payoff of an answer at the climax of your book. It’s a surefire way to keep them turning the page.

What if the future you always dreamed of, was actually in the past?

Social worker Cat has no intention of falling in love or getting married—much to her mother’s chagrin. While mourning her paternal grandmother’s passing, Cat opens an heirloom left by the matriarch—a coveted Christmas ornament—and finds herself transported to December 1936.

Handyman Eli spends his days doing odd jobs around town and his nights hammering away on his house—whatever it takes to keep his mind off the awful year he’s had. When a mysterious young woman drops into his life seemingly overnight and wants to rent his guest house, he is at first annoyed and then more than a little intrigued.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Cat stared into the young face of what was certainly her Grandma Lana. How was this possible? Minutes ago, Cat had been unpacking the contents of what remained of her grandmother’s Christmas decorations—the grandmother who passed away a few months ago.

And now here she was sitting in what was supposedly her hometown with a young version of Lana—a version who looked to be in her late teens.

Had Cat finally lost her mind? Was that the explanation for all this? Had her grandmother’s death been too much for her to bear? Or had she contracted some sort of virus that a sturdy dose of pills could fix?

“Won’t your mother and daddy be expecting you home soon?” Maribel asked Lana.

“They’ll understand, once I explain what’s happened.”

Lana laid a hand on Cat’s shoulder and a feeling of warmth permeated Cat’s entire body. Cat studied her grandmother. She had clear, warm-toned skin without a wrinkle in sight. Her eyes were a clear blue, her cheeks were round, and her yellow-blonde hair was styled into a soft wave.

Lana’s dress was delightfully retro—a floral print number with a collar, buttons at the chest, and a matching fabric belt at her waist.

“What were you doing here with Eli earlier, Mar?” Lana said.

Maribel, who had vivid red lipstick and some kind of undergarment that made her chest look like two grenades ready to strike, pursed her lips. “Just trying to ease the man back into the dating pool.”

About the Author: Pamela Spradlin Mahajan is the author of women’s fiction and romance. Her debut novel, “Skye, Revised,” was released in early 2024. Pamela has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and creative writing from Missouri State University and a Masters from the University of Missouri School of Journalism. Her recent short stories have appeared in the online literary journal “They Call Us” and she has been honored in the WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction Contest. A native of Springfield, Mo., Pamela lives with her family in Kansas City, where in addition to writing women’s fiction and romance, she also works as a copywriter, journalist, and reseller.

Website | Instagram

Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance Tagged With: , , ,

Heroes, Holidays, and Hope by Laura M. Baird – Interview and Giveaway

December 2, 2024 By 3 Comments

We are chatting with Laura M. Baird who is visiting with us today to promote the upcoming release of HEROES, HOLIDAYS, AND HOPE, Volume 2, written by a group of Veterans and Veterans’ family members who are also bestselling and award-winning romance authors. Leave a comment for a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift certificate.

Sacrifice. Valor. Patriotism.

They fought courageously on the battlefield. Now they’re fighting for love.

We are a group of Veterans and Veterans’ family members who are also bestselling and award-winning romance authors. We are back with Heroes, Holidays, and Hope: Volume 2, our second limited edition, military holiday romance collection that also supports Soldiers’ Angels. Their mission is to provide aid, comfort, and resources to the military, veterans, and their families.

Do you believe in Halloween magic? The stories are contemporary military romances taking place around and during Halloween. From closely held secrets, to ghosts, sexy adult costume parties, and things that go bump in the night – this a bewitching “must have” collection. With various tropes and steam levels, there is something for every reader to enjoy.

Come out from the shadows and pick up your copy today (gift some copies too!) – together we can make a huge difference.

Participating authors include: Laura M. Baird, Caterina Campbell, Lynn Spangler, D.C. Stone, Sadira Stone, Dania Voss

Laura is the second oldest of four who grew up in Florida, since her family moved there from Virgina when she was three.

“My sister and I fought like cats and dogs for a period of time in our early teens, but we’ve become the best of friends, texting every day,” she said. “She still lives on the East Coast while I’m on the West Coast.”

Laura has been published since 2017 and is honored to have become an award winning and best-selling author of nearly forty contemporary romances. She is also a US Army veteran.

In many of her books, she includes either a military or veteran element, but she began writing military romances in 2020. 1001 Dark Knights put out a call for lesser-known authors to contribute a story of 5K words that would be published in an anthology that would be offered to readers for free, for three months.

“They wanted to help authors gain exposure, which was marvelous!” she said. “And of course I jumped on the opportunity; and my story, Love and Honor, was among the stories chosen.”

It didn’t take long before other stories came to her, and she published the first volume of her MILITARY ROMANCE COLLECTION. It is offered free at digital retailers.

“I want to entice readers to jump into my series and be eager for more,” she explained. “And with nearly every anthology in which I contribute a story, it’s one more that will eventually become part of another volume in my series.”

Her story contribution to HEROES, HOLIDAYS, AND HOPE – Volume 2, “Promise It’s Forever, is an enemies-to-lovers, age gap with fun, snarky banter.

“I had envisioned it to be a spicy one, but as the story unfolded, I didn’t feel it appropriate to slip in a sex scene just for the sake of having a sex scene,” she told me. “Very unlike me NOT to have a spicy romance scene.”

As a child, she thought she wanted to do a lot of things: teacher, nurse, photographer, helicopter pilot, scuba diver.

“I remember watching the National Geographic channel with my parents, thinking how cool it’d be to travel the world and take pictures of different places, people, animals. Then I wanted to fly helicopters for a search and rescue team,” she said. “My biggest reason for joining the Army was to fly, but the recruiter wasn’t about to tell me I’d never make the reach requirements. He said, ‘I can get you on the flightline.’ And he did.”

She became an electronic repair person for equipment in fixed winged aircraft.

“Boy, was I naive,” she admitted. “But I wouldn’t have changed a thing, because it led to terrific experiences and lifelong friends; and most importantly, meeting my hubby and having a wonderful family.”

She and her husband met while they were both serving in the Army at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, and have been married for thirty-four years. After they got out of the army, they settled in Idoho (where he was from) and began their family.

She told me that she was an extreme introvert in school, with a handful of close friends.

“I would’ve loved to have been more outgoing and encouraged to try a sport or a club… something. I know my shyness and reluctance to stray from my small sphere carried on into adulthood. It becomes ingrained in a person,” she explained. “But my husband has helped me throughout our marriage to step beyond perceived boundaries. He encouraged me to return to school for dental hygiene in my late 20s.”

Laura started writing in her mid-20s, but with family and going back to college, she set it aside. It wasn’t until she was in her mid-40s that she started thinking about writing more seriously.

“Between learning the craft, the market, and the publishing industry, it was overwhelming,” she admitted. “All I could do was try, and if something didn’t work, I’d try another way. Every step has been a learning process, and I continue to learn as each year passes.”

She writing schedule is very varied. While she was still working as a dental hygienist, she would make time whenever she could, mostly on the weekends. Once she reduced her hours, she would discipline herself to dedicate hours to writing, depending on how her WIP as flowing – some days she’d be more motivated in the morning, other days it would be in the evening.

Now that she’s no longer working outside the home, she typically starts her day with a stretching routine and some sort of workout. She tackles any needed chores (laundry, food prep) followed by a shower then writing.

“If my flow is good, I can literally spend hours on my laptop,” she said. “I have to force myself to get up every hour to stretch and move around, walk my stairs a few times, otherwise I’ll pay for it later with a stiff neck or aching back. Then there are some days I don’t write at all, whether I’ve hit a wall or my time is occupied with errands, appointments, or helping my mom (shopping for her or taking her to appointments).”

“What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing?” I wondered.

“The elements I look for in a good book are character development and effortless flow. When I can read a story that completely consumes me, makes me feel invested for the characters, and makes me realize three hours just went by in the blink of an eye, that’s great writing. When I write, I picture my story unfolding in real life, as if I’m part of the story. I put myself in each character’s POV to see what’s happening, feel their emotions, and how they’re going to react to any given situation. I want good flow. I can be a bit anal when it comes to details, so I have to ask myself, what’s really relevant to this scene/story? What’s going to keep the reader either engaged or skimming through.”

Recently, she was asked to join a shared world project involving shifters in a major city, and the common elements in each story was a particular bar and a Shiftergoverning agency.

“Now it’s up to me to decide what shifter will be my main character. Will it be both MMC & FMC? What kind of shifter? What are their abilities? What predicament do they find themselves in and how do they resolve it? I’ve barley begun to write out some notes, but I’m getting very excited to see what I can come up with and if it’ll be worthy of the shared world.”

She’s also currently working on two novellas, both with wedding themes, that will be included in upcoming anthologies.

“For two years, I’ve really loved writing for anthologies in order to challenge myself as well as gain new exposure, find new readers,” she explained. “I’ve got loose notes for the stories, so it’ll take more fleshing out, but one involves a wedding crasher. He finds it exciting and interesting to slip into wedding venues and observe the bride, groom, and attendees. He encounters one of the bride’s maids who is a bit older and a lot jaded about love. An age-gap, reverse grumpy/sunshine. And of course, eventually he’s going to change her mind about finding love again.”

I asked her to describe her writing space.

“I move around throughout the house when I write, depending on what hubby’s doing and if I need complete solitude. Several years ago, we remodeled my office, and I love it. Light hardwood floors, pewter paint, and scenic pictures of the US on the walls. It’s where I used to spend much of my time on my PC. But lately I’ve preferred my laptop. If hubby’s watching TV or YouTube videos and I need the quiet, I’ll close myself in our front room, kick back on the loveseat, and write. There are times when I can concentrate regardless of what hubby’s watching or listening to, and I just like to spend time in his presence. When that’s the case, I settle into my glider rocker and write while he’s relaxing in his Lazy-boy.”

Finally, I asked, “What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?”

“First and foremost, I’d say, write what you love, because it comes from your heart and soul, and you’d strive to do your best. There are many components to writing: the craft itself, the technicalities; the beginning, middle, and end. Then there is the lyrical side; setting a scene, evoking emotions, engaging the reader. There’s also knowing what niche your work would fit into, in the publishing industry. Are you a writer who wants to appeal to the masses or a very select readership? There’s a wealth of advice out there, so it can feel overwhelming, but finding what works for you is most important. If you can only spare an hour a day to write, then make the most of that time. If you can view tutorials online or listen to podcasts or read about others’ journeys to give you an idea of what it means to be a writer, then do it. Also, read other works in the genre in which you want to write, getting an idea of what’s out there so you can bring your fresh perspective to the arena. There is no one perfect way to write and start your journey. The important part is to start.”

Website | Instagram | BookBub | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Heroes, Holidays, and Hope Project | Soldiers’ Angels

Buy the book at your favorite online venue.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Interviews, Romance Tagged With: ,

An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze by David Scott Richardson

November 29, 2024 By Leave a Comment


An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze by David Scott Richardson
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Middle Grade (8 – 12 y.o.), Historical
Rating: 4 Stars
Review by: Astilbe

An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze, recipient of the Literary Titan Gold Book Award and runner-up winner of the PenCraft Book Award, renders life on the home front through the watchful eyes of 15-year-old Scotty Johannsen as WWII rages across the globe. Against the backdrop of blackouts, bomb shelters, rationing, and victory gardens, Scotty and his friends follow the rhythms of yesteryear, weaving their wartime worries through the “wilds” of Seattle’s Ravenna Park, where their imaginations run free.

Into this fragile balance a neighborhood threat emerges: Someone is lighting fires during the mandatory blackouts. Scotty, whose father is an air raid warden, is soon caught up in the firebug mystery and tries to smoke the arsonist out. When the local bully throws suspicion on Scotty’s draft-age brother, and when even his best friend’s actions don’t seem to add up, Scotty must navigate a moral and ethical thicket while treading a path toward maturity. Even as scarcity slips into every nook and cranny, An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze celebrates a youthful spirit and hearkens to simple pleasures, where free time and family abound.

Even hard times can have some good in them.

I was impressed by the character development. Mr. Richardson had well over 300 pages to explore the personalities and growth of both major and minor characters, and he used them to dig deeply into their lives and showcase both their flaws and their strengths. Sometimes I had to remind myself that this wasn’t actually a memoir because of how well-rounded and realistic nearly everyone was. Even the characters I would not necessarily want to live with due to certain habits they’d developed over time that I find irritating were still interesting to read about because their best moments were also given a chance to shine.

The pacing was a little slow at times, especially in the beginning as the characters were being introduced and the mystery was being set up. This is something that paid off beautifully later on as character development deepened and more clues about who was starting the fire began to emerge, but it does ask the reader for some patience upfront as certain aspects of the plot are being assembled behind the scenes. I tend to prefer a faster pacing in most cases, but that is a subjective topic and I was glad I hung out to see where this tale was going.

The world building couldn’t have been better. I appreciated how much effort the author put into describing what daily life was like during World War II for children and teens in the Pacific Northwest. Everything important was included, from the homemade meals they enjoyed – or in some cases complained about – to homework to the games they improvised when the radio didn’t have anything interesting playing on it. It truly felt as though I’d slipped back 80 years into the past as I read this which is exactly what I was hoping to find.

An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze was well worth the effort I put into reading it.

Filed Under: Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , ,

Researching Tips by Hildebrand Hengest Hermannson – Guest Blog and Giveaway

November 29, 2024 By 5 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.

Researching Tips

Find accurate sources of information when researching material for your book. Many guru books and websites are well-intentioned but inaccurate; even quality authors can have biases. Ask yourself—what are their sources? Is the information being accurately relayed? Can you find those sources and read them yourself? It is always best to find the primary source.

A mountainous thundering bull breaks up battling tribesmen, summoning three struggling youths, as an insidious unseen enemy turns tribes against tribes—pitting rich against poor, sons against fathers, and men against gods. Its insatiable hunger for division threatens to plunge mankind into a dystopian realm ruled by man-eating wolves.

A miraculous seven-headed horse, a symbol of unity, assembles the struggling youths of extraordinary origin into a journey of self-discovery. There Sunu the Saxon Poet, Rufus the Roman Stoic, and Keresaspa the Sarmatian Priestess must overcome pride, aversion, and unforgiveness; there they must learn from historical heroes, philosophers, and amazingly similar gods to battle the unseen monster and its rising wolfmen.

Fated to part ways to face the demons at home, Sunu, Rufus, and Keresaspa must reunite as they bring divided peoples together to fight the source tearing everyone apart. They must heed the divine wisdom of the seven-headed horse and justly wield the seven magic weapons they’ve mysteriously been given to overcome the unseen enemy and understand the higher purpose of the mountainous thundering bull.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Sunu meets the seven-headed, winged horse, Long Ears (CH 4 of The Fate of Our Union).

Sunu’s breath caught in his throat as he stared at a white stallion with seven handsome heads, spreading a glorious pair of wings. It towered at twenty-one hands, and its seven heads encircled its neck like temple pillars; one faced forward, one angled to the left, one angled to the right. A head was on each side, while two in the back angled left and right. “You are the one we’re speaking to,” its pink lips uttered under black nostrils, the words echoing in Sunu’s ears like a divine melody.

“It’s as if all seven were as one!” Sunu imagined the sacred horses merging, gazing breathlessly as they surrounded the seven-headed, winged stallion inside the birch grove. His heart raced in suspense, his eyes wide with wonder, as he awaited its next move.

The stallion’s seven heads repeated, “As one.”

“I’ve heard of a horse with eight legs.” Sunu imagined Woden’s horse, Sleipnir. “But never one with seven heads . . . that can speak . . . and has wings!” Visually high, Sunu gaped at every beautifully mane-draped head under the dreamily feathered wings.

The stallion’s forward-facing head replied in a deep, resonant voice, “It’s time you heard.”

About the Author: Hildebrand Hengest Hermannson’s deep-rooted fire for Indo-European culture and Western Philosophy ignites his first novel, The Fate of Our Union, the inaugural piece in a planned series. His work draws inspiration from the national epics The Saga of the Volsungs (Norse), Mahabharata (Indian), Aenid (Roman), Odyssey (Greek), Táin Bó Cúailnge (Celtic), and Shahnameh (Iranian), weaving these rich cultures into original stories featuring fantasy world-building, dynamic characters, and intricate plots and themes. His Wild Hunt of thought breathes life into his spiritual, ethical, and cultural interests, inspiring us all to strive for imperishable virtue.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

But the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Science Fiction/Fantasy Tagged With: , , ,

A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker

November 27, 2024 By 5 Comments



A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical Romance
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Once a royal Breton knight, Sir Cardin is now infamously known as Basati, the Basque Wolf. Savage and sullen, he drowns his guilt in raucous taverns, accruing enormous debt and acquiring vengeful enemies.

Ulla, widowed daughter of a Viking chieftain, is a skilled archer who lives as a recluse in a secluded woodland cottage. Rendered mute by trauma, she avoids humans, preferring the company of her wild wolf and falcon as she hunts in the Forest of Brocéliande.

When his mother’s dying wish calls Basati home, he finally meets the son he abandoned at birth and Ulla, the enigmatic priestess who is teaching the boy to hunt. As the holidays approach, Basati finds himself smitten with the beguiling beauty as he bonds with his once forsaken child.

But past enemies plot against him, and Basati is ensnared in darkness.

Can music lure the savage wolf into the light of love?

Incredibly, unexpectedly, it is the clever machinations of one woman who sets alight the plot of A Celtic Yuletide Carol.

The strength of family and sincere attachments brings readers close to the characters in this new historical romantic adventure. Cardin, one of Brittony’s royal knights, proves to be a deep and complex character. His nickname might mean ‘wolf,’ but he seems more like the brute the word also means.  However, we heart-wrenchingly come to see why he makes the choices he does.  And Ulla is not the just a lovely damsel. She, with her falcon, wolf, and horse create an image that is almost magical.

Yet, if not for a brilliant bit of trickery by a very secondary character, the two might never have met. It seems a step outside the usual, for this type of medieval romance.

A healer, Ulla is not merely beautiful, but is an active, important and thinking character. Her working companionship with her animals is thrilling to read. I really appreciated the strength and resourcefulness of the fairer sex in this tale. However, there is a lot more to it. At times, the descriptions become near poetic.

Truly, the author can describe a tavern so perfectly, you will believe you can smell it. ‘Odin’s blanket’ (snow), mistletoe, and druidic celebration all work to give this a Yuletide setting. The wonderful characters together with the believable setting have we can foresee further developments between the characters.

However, the motivation of every character is not always good, and alliances between various kingdoms across France, might, indeed, be fragile. The larger world intrudes quite abruptly, and all is not smooth sailing for Ulla, Cardin, and the extended family. Their story will keep you on the edge of your seat!

I always have to find something to complain about, and in this case it’s the cover. It is a great looking, dramatic cover that says, ‘historic Celtic Adventure,’ but it just isn’t different enough from others of its ilk. Yes, Cardin is every bit as masculine as one could imagine, but in my mind, Ulla ought to dominate this cover.

That said, it was my great pleasure to read this book. Many congratulations to the author… and to readers, I highly recommend you put this one on the top of your TBR list.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for November 27, 2024

November 27, 2024 By 1 Comment

Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

A Musical I Liked

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge Tagged With: ,

Burnt Island by Kate Rhodes

November 26, 2024 By Leave a Comment


Burnt Island by Kate Rhodes
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: Three stars
Reviewed by Fern

INTRUDERS HERE ARE BOUND TO DIE

As the sun sets on St Agnes on bonfire night, a man’s charred body is found on Burnt Island, surrounded by threats in the old Cornish language.

Deputy Chief of Police Ben Kitto has no choice but to ban all travel between the islands, forcing the community of just eighty islanders to remain within reach, while he hunts for the killer. Ben quickly suspects the motive is to rid the island of newcomers who threaten tradition, and when a second fire results in the disappearance of another islander, he only has forty-eight hours before another life is lost . . .

On the tiny Scilly Island of St Agnes moments before the annual Fifth of November fireworks and festivities one of the locals is found burned to death, his charred body a very clear message that a killer looms large amongst the 80 locals. DI Ben Kitto is determined to keep the small community safe, but there are many hidden currents, and he can’t deny the tension looming between the old Cornish ways and the newer incomers.

I have been really enjoying this British Police procedural series revolving around a small group of islands off the Cornwell coastline. While Ben and Eddie – his sergeant – as well as their boss the Chief of Police are all regular characters each book so far in the series had felt very much like a standalone because while the links between the islands are strong and plenty of the locals visit the other islands the core community of each group remains quite discreet. This lets the books feel very much as if they stand alone, because each community is quite distinctive, and this helps keep the stories separate. I am really enjoying this, and I definitely feel readers should feel comfortable starting pretty much anywhere so far in the series.

I thought the plot to this book was very well handled. After Ben begins to investigate it’s quite clear there is no real reason for the victim to have been killed. Instead of feeling random this leads to the fact that there’s something much deeper underlying the plot and I thoroughly enjoyed the investigation looking into what was really going on. I thought this was paced very well, my only small disappointment was how Ben followed through on one thread that was clearly an “easy out” kind of explanation and while I could clearly see why and how he went down this path and the supporting evidence that led him there, I was a bit sad Ben didn’t listen to Eddie or his advice and thoughts and neither did Ben stop to think about how this lead was a bit of a cop out and too pat and easy to be readily believed. In a backhanded way I could see that jumping on believing that the local weirdo was responsible certainly pushed the plot forward and helped develop the tension and pacing, but it felt to me rather like picking on the shy and quiet kid instead of actually looking for the real answer.

With quite a bit of action and a good pace I enjoyed this murder mystery and am growing to be quite a fan of the series as a whole. I’m looking forward to the next story in this series.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Teacups and Temptations by Kate Ellington – Spotlight and Giveaway

November 26, 2024 By 3 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Molly Merriwether readily accepts an invitation to Waverly Hall, eager for adventure and amusement with her best friend. She never expected to be left unchaperoned with three intriguing young gentlemen for weeks.

Roger Bailey, recuperating in more ways than one, avoids Molly until her kindness and humor tempt him to deepen their acquaintance.

Molly lands in one unlikely escapade after the next with Roger and soon considers him a friend—perhaps more—but the barriers he puts up make it impossible to truly know him. Has she only imagined those tender looks in his eyes?

For a chance at love, Molly will need to bare her innermost self and trust someone more deeply than she’s ever dreamed possible.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Not having chaperones has made it all the more interesting.” Molly glanced outside, where the men stood in a circle talking.

“Auntie’s going to be so upset when she finds out,” Caroline said.

“Perhaps she never will.”

Caroline clicked her tongue. “Of course she will. She’ll tell our parents.”

“Then we’d better enjoy ourselves while we still can.”

About to sip her juice, Caroline set the glass down. “I know that look, Molly. What are you planning?”

“Oh, I just thought we might have a poke around while the gentlemen are otherwise occupied.”

Outside, the men had set out across the field toward the kennels.

“We’ve done enough poking around,” Caroline said. “We’ll probably get lost again.”

“No. We’ve done enough poking around that we won’t get lost. And there’s that arched door we saw in the east wing other day.”

“It’s most likely a broom closet.”

Molly rose, leaving her napkin on the table. “It’s in the corner of an empty room on the third floor.

And with such an elaborate door? There were vines engraved on it.”

“The room wasn’t empty—it looked like an old sewing room. I’m sure it’s nothing of interest.”

“We won’t know until we look.”

“You’re doing this no matter what I say, aren’t you?” Caroline asked.

“You don’t have to come.” Molly gave her an angelic smile as she backed toward the door.

About the Author: Kate grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

After graduating from college she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance Tagged With: , , ,

We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging by Ritu Bhasin

November 25, 2024 By Leave a Comment


We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging by Ritu Bhasin
Publisher: Greenleaf Book Group Press
Genre: Contemporary, Non-Fiction
Rating: 3 Stars
Review by: Astilbe

Many of us feel constant pressure to mask and curate who we are–to perform as someone we’re not rather than be who we are. And it hurts us. But we don’t need to live this way.

With We’ve Got This, award-winning and globally recognized DEI and empowerment expert Ritu Bhasin delivers a much-needed guidebook on how to heal, thrive, and stand in your power in the face of hate and hardships. She reveals how to unlock belonging–for yourself and for others.

Ritu knows firsthand that the path to belonging can be both beautiful and hard. As a child of working-class immigrants of color, she experienced relentless struggles with racist bullying and cultural confusion growing up. Even as a successful lawyer and business leader, Ritu grappled with knowing, embracing, and being her authentic self–until she realized the freedom that comes with claiming belonging, which she passionately shares in these pages.

Combining empathy, humor, and research with life-changing wisdom and savvy, We’ve Got This is the guide for finding belonging and joy that readers from across backgrounds have been waiting for.

The world needs more inclusiveness.

While I’m not Punjabi like Ms. Bhasin is, I am a member of a few other minority groups that are also misunderstood by society at large at times. I smiled and nodded along as I took note of the many similarities between our two lives that may not appear to have much in common at first glance. There is something refreshing and encouraging about discovering what one has in common with a stranger, and I was glad I took this journey with her.

The repetition in this book made it difficult for me to remain highly interested in reading the next page or chapter. As excited as I was to explore this topic and as much as I wanted to give it a higher rating, repeating the points so many times made them less meaningful to me as a reader. So many passages could have been trimmed down or combined into previous chapters.

Some of the most memorable sections for me were the ones that explored how yoga can bring about both physical and emotional healing. This is a form of exercise I’ve practiced on and off for years, and I’ve also found it incredibly helpful for dealing with all sorts of physical and emotional sore spots. The more people who become aware of this option, the better if you ask me!

I also struggled with how much time the author spent sharing her own story. Obviously, it was important to understand her catalyst for writing about standing strong in the face of hate and discrimination, but I kept wishing for more advice on practical ways to do so instead of more examples of prejudice. There was so much more that could have been done with these later sections.

With that being said, I did find the section that talked about how to let someone know when they’ve said something offensive useful. It can be difficult for some people to hear that they’re being hurtful, and they may not always be open to listening to how certain words feel when one is on the other side of them. There are ways to nudge those automatic reactions aside, though, and it’s good to do so when possible.

We’ve Got This: Unlocking the Beauty of Belonging was thought provoking.

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews Tagged With: , , , ,

Our Global Crisis by Brian McLean- Spotlight and Giveaway

November 25, 2024 By 1 Comment

>

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. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Modern society has reached a critical juncture in its existence. Like past civilizations ours has reached a point where its future is far from certain, with its decline, or even collapse, being distinct possibilities.

The Incas, the Mayans, the Romans, the Rapanui, and many others, had seemingly successful societies, yet collapsed when faced with challenges that threatened their continued existence.

Are we to suffer the same fate? What could possibly cause our downfall?

Climate change and environmental issues? Perhaps. It is now almost a certainty that these events are destined to inflict catastrophic damage to our global society. Our coastal cities and island nations, as well as our global economy and agricultural output, will be irreparably damaged. Many of Earth’s species, as well as the lives of many millions of people, will be displaced or lost forever.

Such a fate may still be averted, but that opportunity has largely passed. Even if we are able to correct the climatic and environmental issues threatening our society, we must still recognize and address the ultimate source of our problems. For if we fail, a far worse fate potentially awaits us.

Our Global Crisis is an eye opening look at the common weakness shared by societies and civilizations both past and present. But analysis of the problem alone will not solve the global crisis we now face. Thus, the final chapter is dedicated to the simple, yet critical solutions, necessary for our very survival.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Humans stand at the pinnacle of evolutionary success. Highly intelligent and curious, with the capacity to reason, it is within our nature to be caring and compassionate. Capable of modifying our environment, we have created an interconnected global society of such magnitude and complexity that it stands apart from all others that have come before it. Yet our society has reached a critical stage in its development. Like past civilizations, ours has reached the point where it is most susceptible to failure.

We face this critical point in our continued existence due to shortcomings in our nature. For although we are the product of countless millennia of evolutionary improvements, we are nevertheless an imperfect species.

Our imperfections have contributed to our setbacks on many occasions. Civilizations and complex societies, including, the Incas, the Mayans, the Romans, the inhabitants of Rapa Nui (Easter Island), and others, all suffered significant setbacks, or collapse, seemingly at the height of their existence. Our global community too, now faces its own challenges.

The question we must ask ourselves is: Do we have the desire and the willingness to change, not only our society, but the very nature of who we are? Changes that will allow us to thrive and adapt to realities we face as we enter the Anthropocene era. The answer?

Perhaps.

About the Author: Brian McLean, ART, is a former Medical Laboratory Technologist and Information Systems Specialist. Drawn by his passion for the outdoors, he shifted from a successful career to spend nearly two decades working for a family run orchard business. A passionate conservationist and environmentalist, Brian is also a keen observer of human nature and humanity’s interaction with the biosphere. Based on those observations, he has been meticulously compiling and crafting Our Global Crisis over the last 22 years. Currently, he is working to restore riparian and temperate forest ecosystems affected by clearcut forestry practices, and when he needs to decompress, he spends time under the stars delving into his other passion, astrophotography.

Website | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Non-Fiction Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page
Next Page »