The Dog Men by Patricia Crandall – Spotlight and Giveaway

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

Ten-year-old Wyatt and eleven-year-old Hannah uncover the dark world of illegal dog fights when they trespass at a Vermont farm and peep through a barn window. And when crotchety old Lester Cranshaw’s dog, Paddy, turns up missing, there is no holding him back from investigating the situation and the kids join in. In the dead of the night, after the trio are captured and held hostage at the Inglis farm, Wyatt will need all of his wits and courage to escape in order to save the lives of his friends. THE DOG MEN draws the reader into a tempest of animal abuse, lawlessness, and kidnapping within the confines of small-town happenings. A chilling plot and a peerless relationship between kids, adults and pets.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Wyatt watched Mrs. Forbes drop apples and oranges into brown paper lunch bags. Then came two bananas.

He frowned. “Won’t the sandwiches get crushed, Mrs. Forbes?”

Her hand stopped in mid-air. She reached into the bags to adjust the distribution of food. “Satisfied?” She smiled.

“Yea.” Wyatt swiped the cowlick bangs away from his forehead.

“I’m not happy, Mom,” eleven year old Hannah piped up. “How about peanut butter cups and Kit-Kats?”

“You two are breaking me down.” Cleo Forbes shook her head. “I’ll put in candy if you promise to eat the fruit. Just don’t toss it.”

“We’ll eat everything.” Wyatt smacked his lips.

The phone rang and Wyatt watched Mrs. Forbes turn her back to answer it. He heard the loud, whining voice of old Miss Filmore. He inched over to the peninsula and reached into the candy bag, tossing more chocolate into the lunch bags.

Hannah covered her face to smother giggles.

“I don’t know what’s going on,” Cleo said as she returned to the peninsula and greased a cake tin. “But a hike and fresh air will do you both good. Wish I could join you.” She sighed. “At least I’ll get the wool sweaters and blankets aired on the line. It’s a perfect day for doing that.” She started taking stuff out of the cupboards. “And, don’t be late like last time. You scared me half out of my mind! When it got dark, I really worried.”

“I’ll make sure we’re back on time, Mrs. Forbes,” Wyatt zipped his lunch into his black knapsack. Hannah’s mom was really nice and made terrific brownies, but she was an awful worrier. It wasn’t dark yet when they got back. Not really. “Come on Hannah. Hurry up.”

She was shoving stuff into her backpack. Just like a girl to bring all that. Hannah went out the door ahead of him and Wyatt hesitated. “Mrs. Forbes? When did you say my mom and dad are coming home?”

About the Author:Patricia Crandall is the author of nine books, and a 2023 winner of the Besties of the Capital Region Awards, Author Category. Her latest book, “Lacey O’Dunn, The Rookie,” is a crime/thriller involving drugs and car bashing senior citizens on icy winter roads. She has also published numerous articles and short stories in various magazines and newspapers. Her book, “The Dog Men,” third edition was also just released. Patricia is a member of Sisters in Crime (Mavens) and National Association of Independent Editors and Writers. She lives with her husband, Art, and a rescue cat, Bette, at Babcock Lake in Grafton Mountains near Petersburgh, New York. She has two children and three grandchildren who live nearby.

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Buy the book from Amazon.


Friday Five Writing Prompt Challenge for August 4, 2023

Each Friday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly five word writing prompt. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Today’s five words to use as your prompt are:

control, patient, justify, loose, biology

Thank you for joining our Friday Five Writing Challenge! Please put the direct URL to your blog post here so other participants can visit your post. Thanks!

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A Day Behind the Scenes with Renée James – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Renée James will award a $15 Amazon or BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Hi Long and Short Reviews,

It’s an absolute pleasure to be here on your blog. Thanks for having me!

I’ve had quite an eclectic career in media and communications, working on a variety of projects both in Australia and abroad. When I’m not busy with work, you can find me hanging out with my family, friends, and furry companions. I’m a big fan of hitting the waves, going on bike rides with my kiddos, and soaking up the sun at the beach. I’m a firm believer in the importance of play and finding joy in the present moment.

But let’s be real, my life as a mum of three is anything but chill. My day kicks off with my littlest one and a steaming cup of joe. Coffee is my jam, my hug in a mug. I then proceed to wake up the rest of the little ones, feed the puppies and bunnies, and make school lunches. After a happy dance around the house, we’re off to school on our bikes (weather permitting, of course). Once I’ve put the baby down for his nap, it’s time to fire up the laptop and get to work. I run an online shop (check it out at www.patroosh.com.au) thanks to the success of my first children’s book, Patroosh, the Cheeky Pelican. I’m also busy with author visits to schools and speaking engagements at writer’s festivals throughout the year. Writing is my passion – it ignites me, makes my heart sing, and sets my soul in motion. So, you’ll find me scribbling down new ideas or using my trusty voice recorder on my phone to capture inspiration for my next books.

On top of all that, I run my own video production company called Mystery Lane Media.

I’ve always felt that life is too short to leave any stone unturned, so I work my butt off to make my dreams a reality. Being a mum is one of the coolest jobs ever! I love inspiring my little ones to dream big and to know that they can conquer anything they put their minds to. I feel like it’s my duty to show them that nothing is impossible and that they have the power to achieve their wildest dreams!

I’m thrilled to announce the release of my third children’s book, Tiny Green Unicorns.

Discover the secrets of the Tiny Green Unicorns and join a young girl on her quest to unravel the mysteries of these elusive creatures in this captivating story. Her journey teaches her the value of determination and the magic of imagination. With lively illustrations, this enchanting tale is sure to captivate young readers and leave them with a sense of wonder about the world around them. Plus, stay tuned for a surprising twist that will have everyone laughing!

Thank you again for featuring me on your blog. Happy reading!

Big hugs,
Renée

Have you ever seen a green unicorn?

Tiny green unicorns are really, really small. They might be the tiniest unicorns of all.

They are here every day, and if you keep searching for magic, you might even find one yourself today.

About the Author: Renée James is a multifaceted talent with an extensive communications and media background. She is creative to the core and treasures her family and friends. Her children are her greatest inspiration, as they are constant reminders to never stop searching for magic.

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Buy the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, AbeBooks, or Booktopia.

Book Me, Baby by Tamrin Banks – Spotlight and Giveaway

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Tamrin Banks who is celebrating today’s release of Book Me, Baby, part of the Candy Kane Key series.

Hartley Hanover:

Oooh! I hate that man! Booker Sloan is the most uptight, arrogant, annoying man I’ve ever met! He even has the nerve to arrest me for not filing a permit. A permit! And when it turns out that I did file it, it just got lost in the shuffle….does he apologize? Heck no! He proceeds to tell me all the things I do wrong every single day of my life! I’m surprised he doesn’t yell at me for breathing!

But when I’m alone at night…why do I keep thinking about him? Why does the occasional sadness on his face make me want to fix whatever’s wrong in his universe? Why can’t he stay out of my dreams and keep those dang handcuffs to himself?

Booker Sloan:

I know I messed up and I should apologize. I shouldn’t have acted the way I did. But something about that dang, sweet woman just has me so screwed up that every time I open my mouth the worst things come out!

It’s not her. It’s me. And I know it. But I feel like if I give her one little inch, the gorgeous woman will take every piece of me I have left. I’m barely hanging on and if I have to push her away to protect myself? Well, that’s just how it’s got to be.

So why does it bother me so much when a new man in town shows a little interest in the petite, sunny woman who’s got me tied up in knots? She’s not encouraging him. In fact it seems like she’s running away from him.

So how come I still want to punch his grinning mouth and grind him into dust under my boot heels and then haul her over my shoulder and make sure she understands that she’s mine?

Enjoy an Excerpt

Laughing, I reach over and hug little Edward Reese. He hugs me back hard. He is just the sweetest boy.

“Now, I know that you’ve been waiting for this book!” I pull it from behind my back. “Surprise! It came in early and I made sure to set it aside for you!”

“You are the best, Miss Hanover!” His huge, gap-toothed smile makes my heart light.

He hasn’t had an easy time of it lately. His dad got hurt while driving home from work last month and broke his leg so the whole family has had to pitch in to help. Even nine year old boys. So he hasn’t been able to spend as much time in the library as he usually does and he loves to read.

“You just get it back to me when you’re done. Doesn’t matter how long. I’ll take care of it.”

His little round cheeks flush and his freckles disappear in a wash of red. “Thank you so much, Miss Hanover. I can’t wait to read it!” He dances off and his mom smiles at me, watching his light steps before she turns back to me.

“We really appreciate you doing this, Miss Hanover. We’re all working really hard. And Sam is worried about him.” She nods her head at Edward.

I can’t even speak, my throat tight with my own tears. But I clear my throat and say, “I’m glad. I hope that this helps him relax a little bit.”

“It will. Thank you.” She moves off and I turn back, groaning when I’m faced with the last person I want to see.

“Sheriff? How nice to see you.”

His arctic blue eyes glare at the setup on the sidewalk. “I talked to you about this last month with the Christmas in July to-do. You cannot block the sidewalk like this. And did you get a permit this time?”

I nod my head and sigh. “Yes, I did. Last month when you had your hissy fit.”

He stands up straight and pushes his broad shoulders back and I feel that little pull in my belly that I absolutely hate! Why the fuck do I have to react like this around this man?

I mean, sure he’s hot. His light brown hair is thick and gleams in the sunlight. But it’s so tamed that it almost doesn’t look real. His body is tall and tanned, muscles upon muscles to drool over. I jerk my brain back in line.

No, not drool over. Dread. You dread seeing this man. He smiles at me and I growl under my breath.

“Can I see it?”

“I don’t have it on me.” He nods his tawny head at me. “I’ll be back then.”

He steps away and I see him on his little radio talking to someone and I roll my eyes and turn to Mrs. Cassidy, discussing the latest thriller that she just read that I recommended to her.

“I loved it, Miss Hanover! So good! Do you have any more like that?”

I’m nodding at her when I feel a big hand grab my wrist and pull it backwards. My mouth falls open when I see that the Sheriff has a hold of my wrist.

“What the heck are you doing? Get off of me!” I try and pull away and he grits hit teeth, his firm jaw tensing.

“Stop resisting.”

“What are you doing, Sheriff?” Mrs. Cassidy’s mouth is hanging open and she’s glaring at him like he’s mugging me.

“I’m arresting her for disturbing the peace, not having a license for a demonstration and now resisting arrest.”

“You must be joking,” I huff, staring at him.

“Nope.” He grabs my other hand and pulls it behind my back, clicking the handcuffs on my wrists. The cold steel against my skin makes me shiver and freeze in my tracks.

His blue eyes look me up and down and I swear there’s some kind of emotion there that I don’t understand. I don’t think I want to understand it.

I just want him to get away from me and leave me alone. And take his handcuffs and shove them where the damn sun doesn’t shine!

About the Author

I’m a mother of three who works for a school district as a cafeteria aide but I’ve also had a lot of different hats over the years. Divorced single mom fresh out of the military working nights in a plastics factory all the way to teaching cardio kickboxing and zumba at the YMCA.

I’ve been married to my honey bunny for 22 years now. He’s absolutely the best and tries to keep me in check as much as possible because I am a crazy person that stacks too much on her plate and then does it all no matter what. Even if it drives everyone nuts!

I love the kind of romances where you know what you’re getting. I don’t like happily for now. That just feels like cheating to me. I also don’t like love triangles. I’m an easy girl and I like my books like I like my men…lol! Uncomplicated. So if you’re reading my books, you know that no matter what, there’s a happily ever after!

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Buy now or read FREE with KindleUnlimited!

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR.

Midnight Rapture by Anya Summers – Spotlight and Giveaway

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

Rescued by a hot, kilt-wearing Scot…

Freya’s on the run from her abusive ex-boyfriend. She’s exhausted and terrified, but if she stops, she knows he’ll find her – and their infant daughter – and make her pay. Desperation drives her to do something she shouldn’t, that she knows is fundamentally wrong…

… and sure enough, she gets caught red-handed. All she can do is beg for mercy.

When Jasper catches the gorgeous new maid with her hand in his wallet, his first instinct is to call the police. But Freya’s tearful plea strikes a chord deep within him, and instead he finds himself offering her the protection of his name and family.

Their union is meant to be on paper only but Jasper soon finds himself enthralled by his new bride. He starts a campaign to seduce her into his bed, never expecting her to wiggle her way into his heart.

And when her past threatens her very existence, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Fall headlong into this steamy, fake relationship, stand-alone romance between a fierce Scottish businessman and a single mother as they navigate the road of love with all its pitfalls

Enjoy an Excerpt

With her heart galloping faster than the speed of sound, she glanced at the door. It felt like she had thousands of eyes watching her, judging her, ready to call her out. She swallowed down any revulsion she felt, because she didn’t have any choices. This was the choice. Then she filched the cash, peeling off three hundred-dollar bills from the stack. It was tempting to take the whole thing and simply run. Grab their belongings at the motel and head off. But she wouldn’t be selfish. This was enough to get her past the next week with rent, food, and diapers. After that, she would figure it out like she always did. She placed the money clip back on the desk and folded the cash to fit in her jeans pocket.

“So. Do you want to call the police or should I, lass?” a deep male voice with a hint of an accent asked behind her.

Oh god no!

She’d been caught stealing. The one time she did something outside the law, she got caught. Freya whipped around and sucked in a panicked breath.

And she was confronted with the most gorgeous man she’d ever encountered.

Mr. Campbell was tall, a few inches above six feet, with some of the broadest shoulders she’d ever seen. They stretched his ivory linen button-up dress shirt obscenely. The shirt looked like it had been spray painted on over his muscles. The ivory shirt contrasted sharply with his thick, inky hair that fell to his shoulders in soft, tousled waves. He had a striking face with thick black brows framing deep-set cobalt eyes that were currently glowering menacingly at her. A proud Norman nose bisected his face and sat above a pair of the most perfectly formed, lush male lips. And his sexy, kissable mouth was shrouded by his close-cropped black beard that did nothing to hide a jawline that was all man and added to his striking physique. He was the poster boy for tall, dark, and hunky. He was all hard angles and drop-dead gorgeous.

With her heart hammering wildly, she blurted out. “I’m sorry. I’m about to be evicted and—”

He sighed deeply and shook his head as he withdrew his phone from the back pocket of his jeans. “Save your lies for the police, lass.”

“Please don’t call the police. I swear I’ll leave and never come back.” She pleaded. Her bottom lip trembled. She couldn’t go to jail. She held up the three hundred-dollar bills and laid them on the desk.

She did not know how she would afford anything, her rent or diapers or food. Because she doubted she would get paid for her work today. Freya wanted to rage at fate, at the unfairness of the cards she’d been dealt. Other people broke the law and didn’t get caught. But she did.

Shit! This made a bad day even worse.

Maybe they should leave today. Stop by the motel, grab what little she had stored there, and go.

And go where? Every place they had run, he’d found them. She didn’t have the gas money to get them far. She had far too many problems and not enough resources to solve them.

He narrowed his eyes and prowled her way. Unholy fear had her quaking in her shoes. Would he hurt her? Would he beat her? Menace rippled off his towering form. She backed up until her butt hit the desk and she had nowhere else to run. Her gaze darted to Maddie in the playpen on the other side of the couch, staring solemnly at the scene.

Please stay quiet, baby. Don’t let him hear or see you.

“You’re not a very good thief if all you were going to take is a lousy three hundred bucks.”

“I’m not a thief,” she sputtered. He scowled, glancing from her to the cash on the desk and then back to her again with a get real expression stamped across his handsome face.

“I mean, okay, I was going to steal it, but only so I could pay rent and buy food. But I really don’t want any trouble. Please, you have the money back. I’ll go, and you’ll never see me again.” Tears threatened, but she steeled herself, unwilling to allow those tears to fall.

“Hmm. What to do?” He reached out. She flinched. It was a knee-jerk reaction after living with her ex, who would hit her whenever the whim struck him. It was far too ingrained in her that he was going to cause her pain, because that’s what men did.

His cobalt eyes narrowed, and he curled his hand around her bicep. Unexpected heat lashed through her at his touch. She licked her bottom lip, and her gaze lowered to his mouth. It really was a sexy one, too. The image of her sucking on his full bottom lip flashed through her brain.

Hello, libido. You do still exist.

The air thickened at his nearness. His scent, a deeply masculine one with notes of sandalwood and something darker, greeted her. And Freya couldn’t explain what manner of madness drove her to do it. Only that she was drawn to that mouth, drawn to him, even though panic beat a drumbeat through her. Maybe fear heightened the sudden onslaught of desire thrumming through her body. Because she leaned up on her tiptoes, planted her mouth over his full lips, and kissed him.

Mr. Campbell’s entire body froze. She traced the seam of his lush lips, hungry to taste him, to tangle their tongues together and nibble on that bottom lip. His lips were smooth as silk. His beard teased her mouth and sent tingles shooting through her body to coalesce in her core. And then he groaned, cupped her face in his large, firm hands, and kissed her. He kissed her like he’d been waiting for her his entire life.

About the Author:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead of binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for August 2, 2023

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

Today’s topic is: A Job I Wouldn’t Be Good At

Thank you for joining our Weekly Wednesday Blogging Challenge! Please put the direct URL to your blog post here so other participants can visit your post. Thanks!
1. Tanith Davenport  6. M | RAIN CITY READS  
2. George L Thomas  7. Stephen @ Reading Freely  
3. Lydia Schoch  8. Patrick Prescott  
4. Priscilla King  9. Stephanie @ Books Less Travelled  
5. Michael mock  10. blaise @ stained with a kiss of lipstick  

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1956 Love & Revolution by J.A. Boulet


1956 Love & Revolution by J.A. Boulet
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

What would you do for your country?

In 1955, a group of uncommon people meet by chance. During the final year of Rákosi’s iron fist rule, Imre Nagy’s reforms are repealed, plunging Hungary back into economic ruin.

A university student, a cleaner, a Hungarian soldier and several others find themselves drawn toward each other as their love for their country is tested. In the fall of 1956, political strife deepens as the students begin demanding reform.

How far will they go to save Hungary?

Well-researched, politically charged and fast-paced, 1956 Love & Revolution will lure you into the lives of everyday Hungarians who risked everything for their country.

I didn’t know a lot about went on in Hungary during this time period, but reading this book made me feel like I was right there. The characters in this book came alive for me – they are fully formed, with pasts, with foibles, with imperfections. My heart broke for Elona as she dealt with her husband and the way he treated her.

And, it’s not just the characters, but the setting at well. I felt like I was right there, picturing everything.  The juxtaposition of the changes the country is going through and the changes and growth that the main characters are going through gives a richness to the story.

During the story, there is heartbreak, pain, sorrow, and yet still, by the end, hope prevails. And, isn’t that what we all want from a good book?

Thank you, Ms. Boulet, for introducing me to a part of history I didn’t know much about and characters I’ll remember for a long time.

 


Enemies in Earnest by Willow Sanders – Spotlight

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Willow Sanders who is celebrating today’s release of Enemies in Earnest, a Man of the Month Club book.

Acacia Ashley has one love: the written word. Specifically the rich, earthy, prose of Mr. Ernest Hemingway. Her love for Hemingway goes so deep that she opened a bar in his honor. Every year in July she plays host to Hemingway Days in Candy Cane Key, and every year she has to stay on guard in case Edwin Wheeler decides once again to find a way to ruin the solemnity of the occasion.

Edwin Wheeler doesn’t care about books or old men, but the sea? The sea is where he spends his days in search of the almighty dollar. But when he grows bored of plying tourists with fruity drinks, he’s often found needling the resident bookworm, Acacia. She’s hated him ever since the incident four years ago. Why does getting a rise out of her give him a bit of a rise as well?

When the bell tolls signaling approaching stormy weather that threatens both of their businesses, the pair realizes a farewell to arms may be the best way to avoid a dangerous summer.

Enjoy an Excerpt

It was much easier to ruminate over one’s nemesis when he wasn’t ten feet away. The other problem? The way he doted on and cared for his mother was literally catnip. Lady Kitty catnip, not like, for Six- toed Joe. The second his mom shivered, he was there with her cardigan. She coughed, he had her water at the ready. He repeated what MariJo’s nephew and niece said, but louder and in the direction of her good ear, without making it obvious he did it for her benefit. How could someone who was such an asshole be so sweetly attentive to his mother? It didn’t compute.

“What if we served a buffet of Hemingway-inspired appetizers?” Asher asked, his bushy eyebrows the only thing I could make out over the clipboard he referenced.

“Now wouldn’t that be a hoot?” Edwin flipped a fifty onto the counter. “I’m sure no one in the history of Hemingway-inspired bars, restaurants, parties, or events has ever thought to offer a little canape dipped in literary puns.”

Asher lifted an eyebrow in his direction as if to ask me is he for real? Unfortunately, yes, he was. The two of us had a War and Peace length conversation in silent eye rolls and quirks of lip before Asher heaved a dramatic sigh and placed his clipboard on the counter.

“I believe it was the great Oscar Wilde who said sarcasm is the lowest form of wit.”

Edwin nabbed a cherry from my garnish center, shrugging in Asher’s direction. God, he was ridiculous. He never took his eyes off me, even though the shrug was directed at Asher. Did he want me to chastise him for stealing a cherry? Because of the list of things I could chastise the man over, being a cherry stealer was low on the list.

“What can I do for you Edwin?”

I tried to be as subtle as I could, affixing the plastic top to the tray of garnish. It was a place of business after all. Sanitation was important. Certainly, no one wanted his grubby, work-roughened fingers anywhere near their drinks.

“Now there’s a statement heavy with possibility.”

Edwin Wheeler did not get to do funny things to my nervous system. No ma’am. The way his voice went soft and gravely did not affect the steady, reliable thrum of my pulse. And his tipped lip or the mischievous glint in his eyes did not make my face feel hot. I’d rather succumb to food poisoning from bad fish than have him be the reason I felt flushed and a little woozy.

“Did your mom call up your cousin and ask him to come for a playdate? That was so considerate of her. This way you have someone who is obligated to tolerate your company every day while your boat’s boo-boos get all patched up.”

At that moment, the sexy version of Santa Claus, also known as Edwin’s cousin, took a seat next to him at the bar and regarded me.

“How’s that champagne coming along?” he asked his cousin.

“This here’s Klaus.” Edwin cocked his head.

“Bottle or glasses?” I asked, ignoring the flirty challenge in Edwin’s eyes. “The bottle is probably the better choice as you’ll get four glasses out of it for thirty dollars versus four glasses of champagne at nine fifty a piece which would be thirty-eight, before tax.”

Edwin’s eyes flit to the fifty he had sitting in front of him and back up to look at me. Though that didn’t really answer the question. Regardless of which he chose, the fifty covered it and then some.

He didn’t get to win. It was my bar. If I were a petty person, I’d pour four glasses and charge him the per-glass rate. If he wanted to play Mr. Unaffected, James Dean cool, and answer me in smirks and eyebrow lifts instead of words, fine. I’d show him.

About the Author:A marketer by day, and author by night, Willow Sanders is a best-selling author of sweet with heat Contemporary Romance and Romantic Suspense. She loves to write spunky, take no shit women, and understanding men with a strong side of sarcasm and an extra helping of BDE. When not writing you can find her torn between her loyalty to the Fighting Illini and her husband’s loyalty to Michigan State, bemoaning traffic, feeding her caffeine addiction, and trying to find the connection between her and the Gilmore Girls–because she is certain she is a long-lost family member.

Buy now or read FREE with KindleUnlimited!

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This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR.

Friday Five Writing Prompt Challenge for July 28, 2023

Each Friday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly five word writing prompt. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Today’s five words to use as your prompt are:

arrange, cottage, stretch, idea, partnership

Thank you for joining our Friday Five Writing Challenge! Please put the direct URL to your blog post here so other participants can visit your post. Thanks!

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

What Kind of Writer Am I? by J.A. Boulet – Guest Post and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. J. A. Boulet will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What Kind of Writer Am I?

I suppose there are labels for everyone and anything but rarely do we fit entirely in one box. What kind of writer am I? Well, first of all, I am a career writer. I enjoy writing and am very passionate about it but I do not solely write for only enjoyment or to pour out my feelings in journals (my hands can’t stand writing with a pen too long lol) nor do I write as a hobby. Although, I do know many writers that enjoy this type of writing and that’s okay too.

For myself, I am committed to writing as a life-long career in historical fiction and historical romance. I will continue to publish novels so my readers can expect a new book at least once per year, maybe more.

Some other aspects of my writing that define me are not as simple. I am an underwriter. I write the first draft very quickly, sometimes faster than I can type. I often finish the book 10,000 words under what it should be. After the first draft, I do a full story edit and include more substance and additional scenes. Usually, this brings me up to my goal of 75,000 words or 300 pages.

My writing can also be categorized sometimes as character-driven, but this is only a master illusion. I have outlines and I keep my characters from venturing off into the woods many times, lol.

I do write steamy sex scenes too, but lately, I have reduced the occurrence of these scenes with each novel so the reader can focus more on the events. I find this also helps balance out the readers who do not enjoy sexual matter. It is much easier to skip this way without losing too much of the story.

All in all, I have progressed into my own individual style of writing and it has improved with every book. I hope you enjoy 1956 Love & Revolution and thanks for following along on my blog tour! Love ya all!

What would you do for your country?

In 1955, a group of uncommon people meet by chance. During the final year of Rákosi’s iron fist rule, Imre Nagy’s reforms are repealed, plunging Hungary back into economic ruin.
A university student, a cleaner, a Hungarian soldier and several others find themselves drawn toward each other as their love for their country is tested. In the fall of 1956, political strife deepens as the students begin demanding reform.
How far will they go to save Hungary?

Well-researched, politically charged and fast-paced, 1956 Love & Revolution will lure you into the lives of everyday Hungarians who risked everything for their country.

Enjoy an Excerpt

It was August 1955, and Elona was tired. She grabbed her bucket and wrung out the mop one last time. She had been cleaning at the theatre all night, and it was now early dawn. Something about the purple-lightening skies always enchanted her. Budapest was a quiet city at 4:30 am, almost peaceful. But Hungary was nothing close to peaceful lately. So many things were happening in her country that it made her stomach churn. Politics wasn’t something she was keen on, but lately, it seemed every Hungarian held hope that their country would reinstate a more economically-sound government.

They lived through so many years of repression, paying exorbitant taxes for Hungary’s industrialization and war reparations to Russia, among so many other fees, that every single Hungarian paid almost two-thirds of their income out to the government. This left so little for food, cigarettes or anything else. It was a tough life of constantly working with little chance of enjoyment.

Elona was only twenty-one years old, but she felt like she was eighty.

She stepped outside onto the dark street and turned back to lock the theatre doors. Her pail and mop were already beside the door when she noticed she had left the dirty water in the bucket. She sighed and cursed softly. Elona was not going to open up the heavy double doors again and return all the way to the other side of the washrooms to dump her bucket.

She pushed the keys deep inside her pants pocket and picked up the pail gently, sneaking to the alleyway. Elona tiredly tipped her bucket in the alleyway, dumping it upside down to empty it completely so she could return home with a much less heavy pail. She didn’t drive, and her bicycle broke, so she didn’t even have that luxury anymore. A headache started at her temples, and she massaged her face gently. Maybe, one day things will get better.

She looked up as male voices echoed down the street. She wondered who would be in the streets at this hour. There wasn’t much crime because of the state police, so she usually had nothing to fear.

Then a chill ran down her spine.

About the Author:J. A. Boulet is the passionate author of five historical fiction novels. Her newest novel, 1956 Love & Revolution, is a chilling standalone book about the 1956 Hungarian uprising. A highly anticipated release scheduled for June 5, 2023, this is a book that the author holds close to her heart.

J. A. Boulet was raised in the aftermath of the Hungarian Revolution. Her father was a Hungarian soldier who fought bravely during the 1956 uprising. He escaped and was granted asylum in Canada. Ms. Boulet’s mother also fled from the revolution shortly after. The couple met, fell in love and built a family in Saskatchewan.

J. A. Boulet was born decades later. Raised in a refugee family with strong morals has provided J. A. with the foundation to which she has stood behind all her life. Ms. Boulet began writing poetry at a very young age and progressed to short stories and novels easily. She quickly became a history geek and became fascinated with ancestry and the rough path of immigration. J. A. published her first book in 2020 and has since published one to two books annually. She writes with an unsettling realism, grabbing your emotions and refusing to let go. 1956: Love and Revolution is a book you won’t be able to put down.

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