The Vicious and the Vile VII by Luki Belle – Spotlight and Giveaway

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

A collection of short horror stories, The Vicious and The Virile VII offers a captivating combination of unique and varied short stories emblematic of the dark fantasy genre.

Karan Lloyd Hamilton: when touring a fictitious national park in India a wealthy American couple, Judas and Priscilla Hamilton are attacked by tigers and get physically separated. The mortally wounded wife, pregnant with male twin, dies giving birth in the wilderness to healthy babies. Only one twin is found and returned to Judas who survived the attack. The grieving father returns to America with his newborn and the corpse of Priscilla. The boy, Karan Lloyd Hamilton, grows up to be a Wall Street investment banker. He bears a physical scar from his traumatic birth which has transformed Karan into a predator by night in the streets of Manhattan.

Kartik Shiv Yuvarajan: the second twin boy of Judas and Priscilla Hamilton did not die but was taken by the mystical tribe of the national park. The tribe hides the baby until he is stolen and given to a tour guide of the park, Arjun. Afraid of the consequences of taking the baby to the American embassy, Arjun adopts the child, gives him the name Kartik Shiv Yuvarajan and then returns to his ancestral village. Kartik bears a similar mark upon his body like his twin Karan. This mark brings about strange physiological changes in Kartik and leads to unexpected events that threatens his life in the village. Arjun must now decide whether to let Kartik know of his identity or whether to flee once again with the teenager.

Hounds of the Monks: a warrior flees with his family to save his daughter from the lustful, cruel king of the land. When the king’s army gives chase to bring back the young girl, the warrior separates from his wife and daughter to protect them. Mother and her girl seek shelter in a monastery only to realize that the holy surroundings may be equally dangerous.

Desert Frogs: a film producer with her adolescent twin sons and a film crew travel to a fictitious nation, Gapharkh, to shoot a few scenes in the country’s legendary desert. A civil war is imminent in Gapharkh between the military regime and the nomadic tribe of the desert. Unexpected connections quickly form between the twin boys and the nomads while the war heats up in the backdrop as the film crew rushes to complete their work. Discovering that there was a dark motive behind allowing the foreign film crew to shoot in the desert, the producer desperately tries to escape Gapharkh with her sons and her crew.

Stolen Princess: Rosemarie, a young woman rescued from prostitution, finds herself alone and homeless when her husband is lost at sea and her in-laws throw her out of her husband’s home. Rosemarie’s fate momentarily worsens when she is raped and almost killed but, miraculously, she is saved by strange old women who take Rosemarie to a secluded, enchanting island. The heavenly place seems like freedom until Rosemarie realizes that there are sinister forces around her who intend to keep her captive in the isle. Rosemarie’s past may be her only salvation.

Bastard of the Mist: Angeline a young widow, arrives at a remote and beautiful rehabilitation center for veterans to work as the assistant of the institution’s co-founder. Angeline is supernaturally gifted. Her dark powers clash with evil forces that exist in the forests surrounding the institution when she discovers a sinister plot by her employer Professor Kvalish, a man with a mysterious past. An unraveling thus begins and threatens the existence of everyone at the rehabilitation center.

Nature’s Call Girl: in a futuristic Earth a global war is ongoing between humankind and nature. Here, a fictitious country Parakrytheon, has built a nation devoid of plant and animals with artificially created weather to protect its humans from natural predators. On a fictitious island Kamin, humans live harmoniously with nature and beast. This place has the resources that Parakrytheon needs to defeat its natural enemy. Twin brothers Hagaath and Laksha, and their sister Kamina, are the means to this end.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“I have been an accomplice to many crimes, Mr. Croft” Karan said in a breathless tone with sweat dripping from the wet strands of his hair, arched over his forehead. His muscular chest heaved as he took in the cold, dry air, looking intensely at Dev.

The butler stood a few feet away from him in snow boots, a long woolen uniform coat and a thick winter hat. Hands in mittens, Mr. Croft unfolded them from his formal posture and frowned with concern, shocked to hear this disclosure.

“Young master, this cannot be! How do you mean?”

“People have been killed, violated, robbed, beaten and I heard everything without doing anything!”

“Did Master Hamilton hear these things?”

Karan gravely shook his head “I…I wanted to call the police but I…I did not know how to tell them who these people were and what I did not see…I only heard…I heard the pain!” his voice was grave.

“Is this from your gift, young master?”

“IT IS A CURSE!!” Karan raised his voice in anger and turned away from Dev with an exasperated sigh. He paced for a moment shaking his head repeatedly, his palms clenched.

“I called you here this morning Mr. Croft, not for a confession but to ask you a very direct question which you must answer!” he sharply turned around and looked piercingly at the butler.

“I will do my best…” Dev started to say.

“I don’t want your best! I want the TRUTH!”

Mr. Croft immediately anticipated the nature of the young adult’s question and reservedly nodded.

“Did my father witness my mother’s death by the tigers?”

Dev swallowed, he knew there was no escaping this moment “Yes, young master.”

Karan pressed in his lips and looked down momentarily “And did he lose his arm during the attack?” he looked up with a saddened gaze.

The butler gravely nodded.

About the Author: Luki Belle works in the media industry. In addition to The Vicious and the Virile VII, she is the author of three other novels: The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste, The Sexy Seven Supernaturals, and Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus. Storytelling has been a fixture since Luki’s childhood when she would listen to stories told by her grandparents, parents, sisters, and cousins reading to her from diverse cultural fiction books. Paranormal characters existing as and amongst humans-while exalting in their mystical powers-have always fascinated Luki. She loves to explore magical, futuristic, fantastical, and ancient realms in her stories where her human and supernatural characters are thrust together, and their conflicted and tormented natures collide.

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Curveballs by Gail Taylor – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Taylor 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.

Here you are on the brink of a journey all about self-discovery and chasing dreams. With personal stories and tools that shaped the author’s path, she focuses on embracing authenticity. You’ll explore how living with purpose and passion is achievable. This personal-growth book combines cutting-edge technology and music interaction, reflecting the author’s belief that music can transform and positively impact individuals and communities.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Many people spend years—decades, even—in jobs that are safe, but not challenging. Stable, but far from rewarding. I refer to that choice as settling.

If you are in this situation, you might tell yourself you are staying in this role for your family or for their future. Sometimes you plan to leave these unfulfilling positions as soon as you have saved a certain amount of money, or have paid for your home or schooling.

I have seen firsthand when opportunities present themselves to folks in these situations whereby they pass on the new challenges and the chance to chase their dreams. You may convince yourself to stay where you are because the field you want to join is too competitive, your skills and talents are rusty and insufficient, or you are too old for a new career . . . a refrain many of us have heard, or uttered. I am so thankful I never believed any of these falsehoods.

When I decided to come out of retirement, three years into it, it was to start my own business: Gail Taylor Music. My goal was to become a keynote speaker, using my stories and music to help others become their best selves. When I mentioned this to my new entertainment lawyer, his first reaction was, “Write a book.” And so here we are.

If you have read the introduction to this book, you know something about my rather tumultuous early life and how I turned things around. For twenty-five years as a financial advisor, I helped clients with investments and with building retirement plans. I absolutely adored my job and imagined staying in this role until I retired, sometime in my seventies. Things might have worked out that way, but when I was fifty-eight, I started taking piano lessons.

The lessons were meant to be a hobby, a diversion from days spent neck-deep in numbers, analytical thinking, and playing it safe with clients’ nest eggs. Instead of just learning an instrument and having a bit of fun, I fell in love with music as it flooded back into my life. After spending two years with my new passion, I decided to retire sooner than planned and dedicate my time to studying this incredible art form. I was financially independent, so I made the decision, at sixty-one, to sell my business and turn over a new leaf.

It was not just an affair I was having with this new interest. I realized I wanted to spend as many hours in the day as possible learning all aspects of music. For someone with no musical background, I was in for an exciting journey and lots of new experiences. Due to advancements in technology, I was able to study online with the Berklee School of Music. It was so exciting. They did not require me to audition. The curriculum was worth every penny of the tuition I paid. I studied bass guitar, piano, keyboard, ear training, and songwriting. After a few years, I began to toy with the idea of reinventing myself as a musician.

When I shared my new passion with people, I was pleasantly surprised by their supportive reactions. “Oh, that is so inspiring,” they would say. I heard this often, from people I knew well and strangers sitting next to me on an airplane. It was as if I was suddenly in the same category as mountain climbers and long-distance swimmers. It felt so amazing to know I could inspire others to pursue their dreams.

About the Author: Gail Taylor, a Canadian songwriter, keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and author, is celebrated for inspiring others to take charge of their lives. With forty years of studying personal growth and peak performance, she proves that designing your own life is possible, regardless of your beginnings. Her expertise has made her a sought-after guest on numerous podcasts.

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Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for December 4, 2024

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

Something I Wish Would Come Back into Fashion

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. George L Thomas  4. M | RAIN CITY READS  
2. Lydia Schoch  5. Priscilla King  
3. Stephen @ Reading Freely  6. Margaret G. Hanna  

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Jury Duty is Murder by Kate Damon – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author 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.

The verdict is in; a famed athlete is headed for prison. The jurors have done their job and are free to go back to their lives.

But after being sequestered for four months, life as some knew it no longer exists.

HAROLD ASHMAN’s house is almost destroyed by a careless driver. Exotic dancer, CEECEE LAINE, discovers that her boyfriend is two-timing her, and she no longer has a job. Actor ALEX MANNING learns his career is down the tubes, and 72-year-old, HELEN RYDER, discovers her family is plotting to put her in an old folks home.

Then things take a turn for the worse. When former jurors start dropping like flies, CeeCee, Helen, Harold, and Alex are convinced there’s a killer on the loose. Now the feuding foursome must find him before he kills them—or before they save him the trouble by killing each other.

Enjoy an Excerpt

While Helen kept the salesman occupied, we untied the rope that the CHP officer helped tie. Nervous, I glanced around. Sweat poured down my temples. My mouth felt dry. Any moment, I expected a black and white to come shooting toward us, sirens blaring. Only Helen and the salesman were inside the roped off area and they both had their backs toward us. A trailer truck marked Mattress Sale in big bold letters hid us from the street. Mattresses were piled high, creating a barrier between us and the furniture store behind us. After making sure that no one could see us and no security cameras were present, we reached into the bed of Harold’s truck and grabbed hold of Carter. Lifting him by the ankles, I was surprised at how cold he felt given
the hot day, how heavy. By the time we laid him out on top of the most expensive mattress we could find, we were both out of breath.

About the Author When Kate Damon is not writing, she and her husband enjoy RVing, spending time with family and friends, raising Monarch butterflies, and playing a wicked game of bridge.

Writing as Margaret Brownley, she has published more than 40 novels and is a New York Times bestselling author. Known for her memorable characters and humor, she is a two-time Romance Writers of America Rita finalist.

Not counting the book she wrote in sixth grade, and the puzzle of the missing socks, this is her first mystery.

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

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.

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

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.

An Empty House Doesn’t Sneeze by David Scott Richardson


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.

Researching Tips by Hildebrand Hengest Hermannson – Guest Blog and Giveaway

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.

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But the book at Amazon.

A Celtic Yuletide Carol by Jennifer Ivy Walker



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.

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for November 27, 2024

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A Musical I Liked

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1. Lydia Schoch  5. Angela @ Angel's Book Nook  
2. George L Thomas  6. Priscilla King  
3. Tanith Davenport  7. M | RAIN CITY READS  
4. Stephen @ Reading Freely  

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