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

August 3, 2023 By 5 Comments

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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Midnight Rapture by Anya Summers – Spotlight and Giveaway

August 2, 2023 By 3 Comments

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.

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

July 27, 2023 By 4 Comments

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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Hidden Away at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 26, 2023 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Returning to the fan-favorite world of the closeknit Amish community of Promise Lodge, the small-town Missouri setting of her beloved Amish inspirational romance novels, Charlotte Hubbard continues to delight readers with uplifting tales of faith, family, and the blessings and happiness of true love and caring partnership.

There are no secrets among Missouri’s Amish community of Promise Lodge, as they share their joys, burdens, and blessings. But two visitors with a hidden agenda bring some surprising revelations—and unexpected saving graces…

When Karen Mercer and Andi Swann come to Promise Lodge for a week’s stay, the Kuhn sisters quickly detect the guests are not Plain folk, despite their kapps and homemade dresses. Entranced by the idyllic Amish lifestyle they’ve read about in romance novels, the visitors have gone undercover to revisit the place that was once the church camp where they spent happy summers. They mean no harm—but when the truth is uncovered, their deception has an intriguing impact on the faithful, hard-working community . . .

Meanwhile, amid bustling preparations for a spring wedding, a shy horse trainer is encouraged to share his colorful world with a newcomer awaiting a miracle . . . while the widowed baker of luscious Promise Lodge Pies sees a long-time friendship in a romantic new light. And in the wake of a destructive storm, Karen and Andi’s insider knowledge of the grounds may offer the safe passage they all need to renew and rebuild—stronger than ever . . .

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Look at how this place has changed since we went to church camp here,” Andi remarked as they stood at the entry to Promise Lodge. “This must be a new metal entryway sign, because I don’t remember it having sunflowers and wheat sheaves, do you? And this plot to the left was a mowed pasture for horseback riding, and now it’s planted in green beans and tomatoes—”

“Probably to be sold at this produce stand,” Karen said, nodding toward the wooden structure at the roadside. “And look at all the houses! And there’s a tiny home with a dock on the far side of Rainbow Lake. How cool is that?”

“The old timbered lodge and the cabins look just the same as I remember them,” Andi said wistfully. “Except the Amish here have obviously done a lot of painting—and that looks like a new roof. The summers we spent here as campers and counselors were some of the best times of my life.”

“Yeah, they were.” Karen pointed toward a large white barn. “And look at those adorable black and white cows! Everything looks too neat and perfect to be real—”

“But what about us?” Andi interrupted, her smile falling a notch. “Do we look authentic? We’re wearing these calf-length dresses we made and the kapps we ordered from a store in Lancaster County—and we’ve read hundreds of Amish novels—but what if they call us out as fakes? What if they make us confess in front of everybody at church and then—”

“They can’t do that, silly!” Karen reminded her with a chuckle. “We’re just taking a little trip down memory lane while we live the Amish life instead of just reading about it. If we stick to our script and imitate the way these folks do things, we’ll be fine, right?”

Andi sighed as though she wasn’t too sure about that. “But we made our phone reservation request and sent our money as though we were Plain, and the Amish think it’s a sin to lie. Maybe we should’ve—”

“But we didn’t,” Karen pointed out quickly. Her pulse was pounding with anticipation as she picked up the old-fashioned suitcase she’d bought at a thrift store. “If we follow our plans, we won’t have any problems. We’re just a couple of Amish maidels who’ve come to Promise Lodge for a week to check it out because we read about it in the Budget newspaper—which we did. Let’s walk to the lodge before you get cold feet and back out on me.”

About the Author

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband and their Border collie, Vera.

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Hollyland by Patricia Leavy – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 21, 2023 By 5 Comments

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

What happens when a seemingly ordinary woman with a passion for the arts falls in love with a Hollywood star known for his bachelor status and quick temper with the paparazzi? Something extraordinary.

Dee Schwartz is a writer and arts researcher. Ryder Field is a famous actor descended from Hollywood royalty. On the night they meet outside a bar, their connection is palpable. Ryder’s mother—legendary actress Rebecca Field, half of Hollywood’s golden couple when she died—was kidnapped and murdered by a crazed fan in a shocking event that forever tarnished Tinseltown. Dee’s mother, too, died when she was young. Bonded by this loss, the two embark on a love story that explores their search for magic—or “gold dust”—in their lives. Everything changes, however, when Dee mysteriously disappears after an awards ceremony. Is history repeating itself? Can there truly be a happily ever after in Hollywood?

Enjoy an Excerpt

Dee clutched her cell phone and exited the crowded bar to see a line of hopefuls waiting to get in. Looking for a quiet place to take her call, she walked around the corner to the empty side street, the warm LA breeze blowing through her long, chestnut hair. Just as she put the phone to her ear, actor Ryder Field stepped out of the side entrance. With a string of film credits to his name, he was best known for the twelve years he starred as CIA operative Bruce Jones on the hit action television series, The Mission. Examining his tight black jeans and black T-shirt that showed off his muscular, tattooed arms, Dee couldn’t help but notice how impossibly sexy he was. They made eye contact, and she looked down ever so slightly. He smiled at her, and then leaned against the stucco exterior of the building and lit a cigarette.

“Uh, hi. I’m here,” she said, trying to refocus on her call. “Are they freaking out?… I guess you haven’t read it yet,” she said with a laugh. “Well, yeah, you could say that. It might be a little provocative. As soon as we hang up, I’ll text you the bits you should be aware of… Right now?… Jesus, just let me text you in a minute… Fine.” She glanced over at Ryder, he smiled, and took a drag of his cigarette. She looked down, lowered her voice and said, “On page one there’s an explicit oral act in the balcony of a church. Page four, bent over a pew… No, the other thing… Page seven, on the altar…” She glanced up at Ryder who was staring at her, trying to keep a straight face, laughter in his sea-colored eyes. “Well, tell them technically it’s not forbidden in the Bible. I don’t think it’s expressly mentioned… Oh, one more thing. Holy water is used as a metaphor throughout… Think about it… Yeah…” She laughed. “Oh, I can imagine the subject line of that email!… Well, just tell them, ‘Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore.’” She laughed. “Yeah, okay. Thanks, bye,” she said, hanging up.

She looked sheepishly at Ryder, who turned to face her, his side against the building. “Sorry about that,” she said.

“I have a million questions about that call,” he said.

She smiled and said, “Have a good night,” turning to leave.

“Wait, you can’t leave me wondering like that. You’re not going to tell me?”

About the Author:Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. Hollyland was featured on She Reads in “The Most Anticipated Romances of Spring 2023” and was the 2023 Firebird Book Awards 1st Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction and 1st Place Winner in Summer/Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

Website | She Writes Press | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

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What would I tell a new author? by Robert Creekmore – Guest Blog and Giveaway

July 20, 2023 By 4 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Robert Creekmore will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble 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 would I tell a new author?

I would tell them to sit their ass in a chair and write.

I’m always astounded by the way writers are portrayed in television and movies. It’s as though, whatever comes out of their typewriter or printer is the finished product, ready to be handed over to an eagerly waiting agent or publisher upon their completion. No rewrites or revisions are necessary. We skip ahead a few months where they’re lavished with praise for the new edition to their evergrowing oeuvre. Guess what? That shit doesn’t happen. Writing is a messy business because what we do is take the inner workings of fallible human minds and whittle down an idea to a lean state that can be packaged between two covers and hopefully sold as something besides stiff toilet paper or a spacer for a short table leg.

There is no secret to writing besides hard work. I speak with new writers all the time who tell me that they’re not writing momentarily because they’re, “waiting for inspiration.” That’s a horseshit excuse to be lazy. In writing, as in most art, inspiration rarely comes at a random moment. Instead, I often find myself most inspired when I’m deep in the process itself. Sure, there are entire chapters in my novels that were written while running or showering, but they’re more akin to spillovers from the previous night’s writing session. Once my mind has a moment to calm itself, the new bits that were begging to break through the prior evening stumble out like drunkards into the street after Saturday night’s last call. Had I sat on my hands instead of engaging them on my keyboard, I would have never finished my first novel, let alone be writing my fourth.

There is no wrong or right to it otherwise. Unfortunately, I cannot provide you with insights as to what creativity is, exactly. I cannot because I don’t understand it. My brain spins ideas like an out-of-control Rolodex of free associations. The bizarre connections I make between them happen somewhere behind the scenes of my gray matter. Practice can improve your ability to access it, but I believe a substantial portion of it is endemic to the neurology of the individual. That you can’t control. The only thing you can do is keep working and never, ever give up.

Two years after Naomi murdered the serial killer and rapist Vernon Proffit, she is attempting to adjust to a quiet life with her wife, Tiffany. But Vernon’s flock is not done with her. Under new leadership, their numbers have swollen as they morphed from a single entity into a network of cultists called Apostles of the Cloven Hand.

Naomi has suppressed her abilities since killing Vernon, but she cannot ignore the voices of the young people the new flock tortures and molests. They scream for help in her dreams every night, causing her to question her own sanity.

When she uses her long-dormant abilities to stop an attempted gay-bashing, Naomi’s true identity is exposed. The cult sends an assassin to kill Naomi and her family, forcing them to flee the state while the Apostles move to take everything the family has built.

Naomi fought the cult before and won. But that was before she had her chosen family to worry about. Now, she must choose between hiding on her own to keep her family safe or fighting back to destroy the Apostles. If she hides, the Apostles will continue to victimize those near them. If she fights, her family will be at risk of the same fate they plan for Naomi.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Even after your enemies’ defeat, they are still with you.”

Those are Nate’s words. I hear them whenever I wake up screaming and fighting in the middle of the night. Tiffany has similar episodes.

How do you build an ordinary life when you’re not, well, ordinary? Terror and fury molded me for eleven years. That abruptly ended with the death of Vernon Proffit and his acolytes. Sure, there was a period of celebration following. After vengeance, the anger never completely subsides. Don’t interpret that as regret; some motherfuckers need killing.

What bothers me is that before I fed Vernon to the Atlantic Ocean, the screams that woke me were my own as I relived trauma.

The abilities my guide, Mara, gifted me are still intact, but I choose to shut myself off from them. However, now something new comes pulsing forth from the ground that I have no control over. I’m stirred from sleep by the horrors others are experiencing. They cry out for help, but I don’t know how to save them. Mostly, they’re abused young people. Their voices drive me mad. If I could only find them, maybe I could stop their suffering. Last night, it was a young man named Vincent. I couldn’t see where he was. I could only hear him wail in pain as he experienced abject hopelessness.

But I attempt to tarry forward.

Today, I should be happy. It’s July twentieth, two-thousand-six; my twenty-seventh birthday as Naomi Pace. Legally, as Hannah Sillman, I’m thirty-four and will turn thirty-five on Christmas day. That birthday is celebrated more ominously, as the real Hannah rests with her mother, Milly, under an old oak tree high up in the hills of Yancey County. Her father, Al, gifted me with this new life by giving me her identity for my eighteenth birthday. He was more of a father than my own, Amos, who beat me mercilessly when he found out that I was in love with Tiffany. I still am. Their hate and violence couldn’t destroy that.

I won. Why am I still so sad? Why do I disregard my own life, feeling guilty about those I couldn’t save, like Charles? He died during our escape. There was nothing I could do. I know that, logically, but I can’t convince my heart of it. It eats at me with each heartbeat, saying, ‘you could have done more.’ It does so now, at four-thirty in the morning. I’m sitting up in bed with no one to speak with. I don’t dare wake my beautiful bride, Tiffany, as she sleeps soundly next to me.

About the Author:Robert Creekmore is from a rural farming community in Eastern North Carolina.
He attended North Carolina State where he studied psychology. While at university, he was active at the student radio station. There, he fell in love with punk rock and its ethos.

Robert acquired several teaching licenses in special education. He was an autism specialist in Raleigh for eight years. He then taught for four years in a small mountain community in western North Carolina.

During his time in the mountains, he lived with his wife Juliana in a remote primitive cabin built in 1875. While there, he grew most of his own food, raised chickens, worked on a cattle farm, as well as participated in subsistence hunting and fishing.

Eventually, the couple moved back to the small farming community where Robert was raised.

Robert’s first novel Afiri, is a science fiction love letter to his childhood hero Carl Sagan. It was nominated for a Manly Wade Wellman award in 2016.
Robert’s second novel is the first in a trilogy of books. Annoyed with the stereotype of the southeastern United States as a monolith of ignorance and hatred, he wanted to bring forth characters from the region who are queer and autistic. They now hold up a disinfecting light to the hatred of the region’s past and to those who still yearn for a return to ways and ideas that should have long ago perished.

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The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight by Jennifer Ivy Walker – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 19, 2023 By 3 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jennifer Ivy Walker will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Wielding a trio of enchanted Elven weapons to battle a dark wizard and a legion of diabolical dwarves, Tristan is faced with the impossible choice between saving the woman he loves or defending his endangered kingdom. Inexplicably compelled to remain in the sacred forest where he hears the voice of her heart, the heir to the throne of Cornwall incurs the wrath and scorn of his army when he decides to hunt for his captive mate.

Her verdant magic greatly enhanced by the mystical Morgane la Fée, Issylte must summon a coalition of Naiad nymphs and celestial fairies to destroy a nascent evil as she fights to reclaim her rightful crown.

When the Black Widow Queen unites with a malignant menace and a ghost from Tristan’s haunted past, the Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight must ally with a triad of shapeshifting warrior tribes to defeat a Viking Trident and defend their trinity of Celtic kingdoms.

Interwoven fates. Otherworldly mates. Destiny awaits.

Check Out Some Recent Reviews

“…I was drawn into its world as my own world disappeared…” – https://the-avidreader.blogspot.com/2023/06/The-Emerald-Fairy-and-the-Dragon-Knight-06-21-23-RT-Review-GF.html

“… a captivating read that offers a compelling blend of romance and epic fantasy.” – https://ginaraemitchell.com/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight/

“The story both made my heart race and melt, between the tension, action, and the love Tristan and Issylte have for each other.” – https://www.thefaeriereview.com/2023/06/the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight/

“A simply stunning conclusion to a series that has been a feast for the senses.” – https://heatherosborneauthor.com/2023/07/11/blog-tour-the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-by-jennifer-ivy-walker/

“This is a story I wish I could read again for the first time!” – https://guatemalapaula.blogspot.com/2023/07/review-tour-giveaway-emerald-fairy-and.html

“…delivers an exceptional battle between good and evil as Issylte’s journey comes full circle.” – https://novelsalive.com/2023/07/19/spotlight-the-emerald-fairy-and-the-dragon-knight-by-jennifer-ivy-walker-plus-giveaway/

Enjoy an Excerpt

She held the églantine to her nose, inhaling the delicate fragrance with a smile of wonder. “Thank you, my love. It reminds me of the nightingale in the woods of Avalon. You never cease to amaze me.” Gratitude shifted to empathy as she intently searched his face. “How does it feel to come home?”

Tristan looked out at the cerulean sea. The blue waters of Lyonesse. His home. “I feel…conflicted. Tremendous guilt and grief, mingled with incredible joy.” He raised the hand in which she held the wild rose, lifting the pink blossom to his nose. He inhaled its soothing floral fragrance—Issylte’s essence—to ease his heavy heart. “When I saw the edge of the forest where Goron held me that day…I relived the horrors…” A violent shudder shook his body.

Issylte wrapped her arms around his waist and nestled her head against his thundering chest.

He kissed the top of her head, cocooning her in loving arms. “But now…with you here…I remember the love.” He rocked her in his arms as fond memories flowed, washing away the sadness and sorrow. “My mother’s tender touch…my sister’s beautiful smile…my father’s noble face. All the happiness we shared here. All the laughter. All the love.”

Issylte raised her tear-stained face to beam at him. “Love conquers hate. It is the Goddess’ greatest gift. And I am eternally grateful that She has healed your broken heart.”

He kissed her. His Wild Rose. His green golden goddess. His Emerald Fairy. “Aye, my love. She has. Through you.”

About the Author:Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.

As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, “Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête”–an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of “Tristan et Yseult” and the fairy tale “Beauty and the Beast”, enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.

“The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight”—the conclusion of “The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven” trilogy–is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a paranormal fantasy adaptation of the medieval legend of “Tristan et Yseult” (Tristan and Isolde), interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldly elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.

Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

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The Script Is Not Enough by Jamison LoCascio – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 19, 2023 By 7 Comments

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

The Script is not Enough takes a unique look at the making of four different independent feature films. The author takes you through every stage in development from writing, to financing, and to distribution and marketing. Find out how you can learn from the hard experiences and challenges that face the filmmaker along the way.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Life and filmmaking do not often mix well

I offer a detailed look at my journey of making four different feature films for the brand-new filmmaker out there. I am trying to write the book that I could have used in the very beginning. This is a book about what it means to be a filmmaker with little to no industry connections, “ins,” magic tricks, or otherwise.

My “rules,” which are in bold throughout the book, are just some things I keep in mind for myself. Based on my own experience reading books on making films, I want to try to avoid burying what is of value—the information—into a sort of “life story.” That’s boring.

It’s very upsetting to see how many people sit around talking about how they never got a chance to make a film in their life, and now they are married, divorced, single, too old, too young, too poor, too comfortable…too anything besides “ready.” There are so many excuses not to make a film, so it’s best to just make one before your time’s up.

Life and filmmaking do not often mix well; you need to make movies and also live your life. “Life” and “Movies” are two separate and severe challenges. So, make movies and make life, even when everything is against you, and it certainly will be. A poignant moment of “The Empire Strikes Back” comes to mind…

“Are you afraid?” asks Yoda.

“No,” answers Luke Skywalker.

“You will be. You will be,” says Yoda, his eyes widening, in a very creepy way.

Your first feature film is simply a difficult but attainable milestone. I now know now why that is. Lack of experience and opportunity to grow is more harmful to new feature film producers and directors than anything else. When you can try and fail at something, or succeed moderately, you can grow, adapt, and overcome. The problem with making feature films is that many do not get a chance to ever make one or, even worse, they make one and never get a chance to try again.

About the Author:Jamison LoCascio is an award-winning feature film director. In 2012, Jamison LoCascio began to write the screenplay for his first union short, “Midnight Catch,” which garnished much acclaim at the New Jersey International Film Festival and Manhattan Film Festival. LoCascio decided to form his production company, Halcyon Valor Productions Incorporated. Graduated from Montclair State University with honors winning the “Excellence in Filmmaking” award for his numerous successful productions which premiered in film festivals around the world. LoCasio’s short films have since been honored by the Screen Actors Guild and screened at such festivals as the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival, Montclair Film Festival, and NewFilmmakers New York. LoCascio’s shorts “Track 3,” “A Stranger’s Confession,” and “Powerless” were all official selections of the Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner. His films have been anthologized in the prestigious Anthology Film Archives in Manhattan, distributed worldwide on DVD, picked up for online distribution by Film Bay. DIRECTV & AT&T distributed 6 of LoCascio’s short films on their new International short film platform. LoCascio’s first feature film, “The Depths,” starring Michael Rispoli and Patch Darragh won Best Feature Film at the 2017 Manhattan Film Festival and had a strong critical reception. The film also won Best Feature Film and Best Director at the 2017 Los Angeles Film Awards and received domestic distribution with Sony Pictures and The Orchard releasing on all major platforms including Amazon, Itunes, DVD and more. LoCascio’s second feature film “Sunset” starring acclaimed actor Austin Pendleton received rave reviews and won multiple awards including Best Dramatic Feature Film at the 2018 Manhattan Film Festival, Best Ensemble at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Leading Actor (David Johnson) International Independent Film Awards. “Sunset” also received domestic distribution with Sony Pictures and The Orchard. LoCascio and Adam Ambrosio have recently launched their latest initiative by filmmakers for filmmakers called Film Valor, a youtube channel with over 3,000 worldwide followers and over 250,000 views, a behind the scenes look at their filmmaking process. “Know Fear,” his latest feature film, received critical acclaim and stars Amy Carlson. The film had a limited theatrical release. His next feature film “How Dark They Prey,” a unique horror anthology, has been released on major streaming platforms including Amazon Prime, Tubi, Plex, Udu, Mometu and many more with critics hailing the film as “Horror at its best”. His latest feature film release “7×7” is a collection of many of LoCascio’s award-winning short films brought together for one viewing experience on major platforms including Tubi and Amazon Prime.

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Bad Henry by Ron Chepesiuk – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 14, 2023 By 2 Comments

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

Henry Louis Wallace terrorized Charlotte, North Carolina, from May 1992 to March 1994. Wallace preyed on lower economic class Black women between 17 and 35 years old. He knew most of his victims, some through his job at Taco Bell, and gained their trust with his friendly demeanor and gentle nature-concealing a monster fueled by drug abuse and rage against women.

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

Carolyn Love Murder

On June 15, 1992, Love left her apartment and went to work. Bojangles was close, so she walked. At work, she asked her manager if she could change ones for quarters, which she planned to use at the laundromat after her shift ended. The manager agreed and Caroline left work, walking home.

On the way, she ran into her cousin Robert who offered to drive her home. Love accepted. Robert watched as she entered the apartment. Earlier that day, Wallace was at the apartment because his girlfriend, Sadie McKnight, was Love’s girlfriend and roommate. McKnight had cleaned the apartment. She had left her house key on the wall. When McKnight was not looking, Wallace took the key, made a copy, and put it back on the wall without McKnight noticing.

Later that day, Wallace was driving around when he decided to stop at his girlfriend’s apartment. When Love arrived home, she was surprised to see Wallace in her apartment, but she was not worried. After all, Wallace was her friend, her roommate’s boyfriend. He was harmless, or so she thought. He had let himself into her apartment using the key he had made from the key owned by girlfriend Sadie McKnight. Wallace said he was in the bathroom and would leave as soon as he came out. When Wallace came out of the bathroom, he went into the living room where Caroline was watching television.

Wallace came up to Love and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Love did not like it. She asked Wallace why he had kissed her. He did not really have a good answer. She told Wallace that if he promised not to do that again, she wouldn’t tell his girlfriend about it. Wallace blew up and attacked Love, violently putting her in a chokehold, which he would later describe to police as the “Boston choke.”

About the Author:

Ron Chepesiuk is an optioned screenwriter, documentary producer and the award-winning author of more than 40 books. He is a former professor and head of the Archives at Winthrop University in South Carolina. He is a two-time Fulbright Scholar to Indonesia and Bangladesh and a former instructor in UCLA’s Extension Journalism Department.

His articles, which number in the thousands, have appeared in such publications as FHM, USA Today, Black Enterprise, Woman’s World, Modern Maturity, New York Times Syndicate, Toronto Star, Los Angeles Times Syndicate, Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, among others. His documentary on Frank Matthews, legendary drug Kingpin, which he produced and directed, won the Silver Doc award at the Las Vegas International Film Festival. Four of his screenplays are currently in development for feature movies and four of his books have been optioned for movies. His script Death Fences was the grand winner of the Amsterdam, Holland-based 2019 New Visions International Film Festival.

As an expert in crime history, he is a consultant to the Gangland TV series the and has been interviewed on numerous TV programs, including Discovery, NBC Dateline, History, Biography, ID, Reelz, Black Entertainment Television, Starz, and TV 1. As a journalist, Ron has reported from more than thirty-five countries, including Cuba, Northern Ireland, Colombia, Kenya, Hong Kong, and Nepal, and his 16, 000 plus interviews include such luminaries as Gerry Adams, Yasser Arafat, John Kerry, Evander Holyfield, Jimmy Carter, Andy McDow, Abbie Hoffman, a former president of Nicaragua, and three former presidents and two vice presidents of Colombia, South America.

Ron is also radio host of CRIME BEAT Radio Show. The Crime Beat show has been on the air since January 2011 and has listeners in 160 plus countries. Guests have included Robert Kennedy, Jr., Henry Hill, Noam Chomsky, George Jung, Joe Piston (aka Donnie Brasco), F. Lee Bailey and Chris Kyle, American sniper

Website | Wikipedia | Twitter | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

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Catawba Falls by W.F. Ranew – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 13, 2023 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. W.F. Ranew will be awarding $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

PI Red Farlow travels to Camp Ridgemont for Boys for a reunion with his summer camp friends. On arrival, he discovers two camp counselors in the woods, hacked to death. Red’s investigation soon widens with more mysterious deaths, one of them a close friend.

Far-right extremist Troy Unsworthy knows the hills and hollows after a lifetime of growing up in these mountains. Red soon learns all the victims are connected to Unsworthy in the years leading up to a deadly auto accident.

When he learns Unsworthy was released just before the counselors’ deaths, Red goes into the mountains. His trek requires sure-footedness over rocky terrain and old-growth forest as he explores caves with endless tunnels, shafts, and deep-water pools searching for his suspect.

But, did Unsworthy really murder these people, or should Red turn his attention to other suspects?

Red treads a treacherous path on his quest to find the killer and bring him to justice.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Death visited late in the day. I came upon the human tragedy the following morning.

Near Kitsuma’s summit, a steady breeze rustled trees and bushes hugging the mountainside. Spring in North Carolina meant comfortable temperatures during daylight. Standing there, I felt the night’s lingering chill.

Years had passed—fifty or more—since I’d tramped the mountain’s footpaths.

Two dozen of us searched the area late the previous evening but had gotten nowhere near the summit. We resumed our task along the rigorous trail on the Old Fort side well before dawn. . .
We covered areas unreachable in the previous night’s outing. Two hours later, I came upon the campground, forty yards down a side trail and near a cove of rhododendron and mountain laurel.

The scene’s horror struck deep, painted in strokes of surreal hues. The blood, in the dim light, bore a black pigmentation. One young man’s skin tone paled to a faint glow reflecting his orange rain parka.

Two light-green pup tents stood side by side. One caved in toward the back; the other seemed undisturbed.

I looked around for the second camp counselor. Raking the mountainside, my gaze focused on something resembling a yellow night safety vest. I made my way downhill.

Soon enough, I came across another grisly scene. The young man’s head cocked at a strange, unnatural angle as he sprawled belly down in the bushes and leaves. The blood wasn’t as apparent with him as the fluid had seeped into leaves and pine needles beneath him.

Something tilted out of his left hand—a cell phone.

About the Author W.F. Ranew is a former newspaper reporter, editor, and communication executive. He started his journalism career covering sports, police, and city council meetings for his hometown newspaper, The Quitman Free Press. He also worked as a reporter and editor for several regional dailies: The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, The Florida Times-Union, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Ranew has written two previous novels: Schoolhouse Man and Candyman’s Sorrow.

He lives with his wife in Atlanta and St. Simons Island, Ga.

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