C.A. Milson's Blog, page 107
November 10, 2022
AVALON Book Blast
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Avalon is now also available in French!
Some cats need nine lives to make a difference. Avalon only needed one.
From Amazon bestselling author Vanessa Morgan, Avalon is the heartwarming and once-in-a-lifetime love story of a girl and her neurotic Turkish Van cat.
With humor, the author details how Avalon made other creatures cringe in distress whenever he was around, how he threw her dates out by means of special techniques, and how he rendered it almost impossible for her to leave the house. Avalon was so incorrigible that even the landlord ordered to get rid of him. But beneath Avalon’s demonic boisterousness, Vanessa recognized her own flaws and insecurities, and she understood that abandoning Avalon would be the worst she could do to him. Thanks to her unswerving loyalty, Avalon transformed into a tender feline and even landed a major role in a horror movie. In turn, Avalon made it his mission to be there for his human companion.
Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet.
Read an Excerpt
Ignoring the neighbors’ cats had diminished Avalon’s jealousy, but with four more beings in the apartment demanding my devotion, Avalon’s reality was still a far cry from his personal utopia, and new pet peeves were routinely added to his usual problem-seeking behavior.
Small changes often caused major disturbances. When we removed a DVD from the cupboard, or put a pen on the living room table that he wasn’t used to seeing there, Avalon pitched himself near the problem area and vocalized his complaints as if he was a muezzin calling to prayer. He only stopped if the space returned back to normal.
Intelligent and calculating as he was, Avalon had also developed a technique to prevent Ballon and Tigris from using his litter boxes. Each time he heard the scratch scratch scratch in the litter, he settled into attack mode behind the bathroom wall, wiggled his behind, and leapt onto the other cat as soon as it emerged, making it jump. It worked every…single… time. Proud, Avalon walked away from the crime scene with his nose pointing airwards.
Borat, our guinea pig, was initially the best one off, but ended up the most miserable. What kept him safe at first was Avalon’s fear of rodents. Cats may be considered deadly predators, killing a median of 2.4 billion birds and 12.3 billion mammals a year in the United States alone, but whenever Borat had free range inside the apartment, Avalon went in a large circle around him, avoiding him at all cost.
Eventually, Avalon ferreted out a way to make Borat twinge in distress whenever he approached. It started when I taught Avalon not to throw up on the bed and carpets. Those lessons must have been meaningful, because Avalon didn’t vomit in those places anymore. Instead he aimed for the guinea pig’s head. As soon as he felt a hairball mounting, Avalon ran as fast as he could toward Borat’s cage, leaned in, and puked his heart out.
About the Author:
Vanessa Morgan is the editor of the movie reference guides When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampire Movies, and Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children. She also has had one cat book (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders) published. Three of her stories have been turned into movies. She has written for myriad Belgian magazines and newspapers and introduces movie screenings at several European film festivals. She is also a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Belgium. When she’s not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching movies, eating out, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats.
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The French version of the book can be purchased at Amazon for only $0.99.
Vanessa Morgan will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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November 8, 2022
Beginning of Arrogance
Beginning of Arrogance
by Bryan Cole
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don’t worship their deity.
So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can’t help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn’t called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.
All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
Krell’s sword struck the pell.
His heavy breathing couldn’t disguise the dull thunk from the blade as it hit, bits of wood breaking off. Krell twisted his wrist and pulled, disengaging the blade. He struck again, the blade sliding along the wood, leaving a fresh scar. Once again, he failed to cut through the post.
Krell recovered his stance, his shield raised as Olgar taught him while his sword moved back into proper striking position. His next strike was high and carved another sliver of wood. Without waiting, Krell swung again. The sword hit lower than Krell wanted. He pulled back into the proper stance, and his next strike was on target, carving deep into the wood.
“All right, lad, I think we’ve seen enough,” a voice said from somewhere ahead of him.
Krell took a step back from the pell. An unsteady step, he was forced to admit. The sun was still high in the sky. Sweat ran into his blue eyes, causing him to blink in irritation. He glared at the wooden post. No more than halfway through. His chain mail armor was heavy on his shoulders.
He looked over at the town council, seated at a long table under an awning. They had comfortable chairs for the most part, and were sipping on what looked like cool drinks in the shade. Krell wondered how much attention they were actually paying to this test.
Amra Thort was the leader of the town council, and owner of one of the largest fishing fleets in Watford. She was a formidable- looking woman with steel gray hair, whose hands bore the signs of hard work done many years ago. People in the town respected her, Olgar had told him.
Seated next to her was Daylan Plintform, a wealthy merchant who owned many trading and fishing vessels. His long face was handsome, but he always looked irritated, even when he wasn’t. Olgar detested him, but refused to explain why. He was popular in town, since he paid for numerous festivals and banquets when the catch was good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.
CONNECT WITH BRYAN COLE
WEBSITE: https://fatpaladin.ca/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
PURCHASE LINKS BEGINNING OF ARROGANCE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Bryan Cole will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BEGINNING OF ARROGANCE
Beginning of Arrogance
by Bryan Cole
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don’t worship their deity.
So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can’t help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn’t called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.
All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood…
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
Krell’s sword struck the pell.
His heavy breathing couldn’t disguise the dull thunk from the blade as it hit, bits of wood breaking off. Krell twisted his wrist and pulled, disengaging the blade. He struck again, the blade sliding along the wood, leaving a fresh scar. Once again, he failed to cut through the post.
Krell recovered his stance, his shield raised as Olgar taught him while his sword moved back into proper striking position. His next strike was high and carved another sliver of wood. Without waiting, Krell swung again. The sword hit lower than Krell wanted. He pulled back into the proper stance, and his next strike was on target, carving deep into the wood.
“All right, lad, I think we’ve seen enough,” a voice said from somewhere ahead of him.
Krell took a step back from the pell. An unsteady step, he was forced to admit. The sun was still high in the sky. Sweat ran into his blue eyes, causing him to blink in irritation. He glared at the wooden post. No more than halfway through. His chain mail armor was heavy on his shoulders.
He looked over at the town council, seated at a long table under an awning. They had comfortable chairs for the most part, and were sipping on what looked like cool drinks in the shade. Krell wondered how much attention they were actually paying to this test.
Amra Thort was the leader of the town council, and owner of one of the largest fishing fleets in Watford. She was a formidable- looking woman with steel gray hair, whose hands bore the signs of hard work done many years ago. People in the town respected her, Olgar had told him.
Seated next to her was Daylan Plintform, a wealthy merchant who owned many trading and fishing vessels. His long face was handsome, but he always looked irritated, even when he wasn’t. Olgar detested him, but refused to explain why. He was popular in town, since he paid for numerous festivals and banquets when the catch was good.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Bryan Cole is the author of the Paladin’s Journey series. New to the writing world, he spent years working in the enterprise software space, focused on quality assurance and delivery of software applications. Which is weird, because that has nothing to do with writing fiction.
For that, we need to go back – way back – to his first experience with Dungeons & Dragons. His friend Chris brought over the box set for Myth Drannor, eager to play. Together, they realized they had no idea what they were doing, because neither of them owned a copy of the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, or the Monster Manual.
From those incredibly awkward beginnings, a lifelong passion for epic science fiction and high fantasy adventure was born. Everything from his grade 4 teacher letting him stay after school to play a video game where you were the wizard on a quest, defeating monsters by answering math problems, to some truly memorable movies like Willow that showed him a world bigger and more exciting than the real one.
Of course, Star Wars and Star Trek have had a major influence on him. Want to get in good with Bryan? Lead with a Star Wars meme. From one of the good movies. Otherwise, your plan will backfire.
Bryan is also an avid gamer, and enjoys video games, board games, and tabletop roleplaying games.
These days, he lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, and his adorable cat.
CONNECT WITH BRYAN COLE
WEBSITE: https://fatpaladin.ca/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
PURCHASE LINKS BEGINNING OF ARROGANCE
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Bryan Cole will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q & A With …
Tell us about you as a person.
I would say that I am a pessimistic optimist. I believe that people tend to make short-term decisions without thinking through the consequences of their actions, and that can be sometimes indirectly harmful. Yet at our core, I believe we all never want to cause harm, that we’re all in this together and are willing to help others. I try to be a good person as much as I can. In terms of interests, I’m a stereotypical nerd through and through, with a love for board games, video games, anime, science fiction, and – of course – fantasy.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
This is a tough question, and the nerd in me immediately wants to know the constraints. Alive or dead? If dead, am I time travelling back to see them, or are they coming forward to spend a day with me? Will the remember any of the information I share with them? What can I bring with me (for instance, supporting media and historical documents)? If there is an opportunity to warn someone of a calamity, then I might pick individuals like Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It would be extremely selfish to squander the opportunity to mitigate global catastrophes but do so in a way that hopefully leads to the same outcomes.
But, if I’m being selfish, I’d pick René Descartes. The father of modern philosophy, a mathematician who founded the Cartesian coordinate system and is known as the father of analytic geometry, he is one of the key figures in the birth of the modern world. I think we’d have an amazing conversation!
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Beginning of Arrogance is a story about what it means to be called as a paladin, and the consequences that flow from that. Paladins are rare but are not random. They are called for a specific purpose, to make manifest the will of their god on the world. The implications of that are myriad. For those in positions of power, unless they are devoted followers of that particular god, paladins represent an indirect threat that they need to plan for and counter. For everyone else, when a paladin appears – especially among a group of followers – that means that something awful is about to happen. Krell is there to keep that from happening, with mixed results.
What is your writing process?
I spend time writing when I can, and when I am in the correct frame of mind. I still have a full-time job and a family, so carving the solitude out of my day to write can be challenging at times. Sometimes when I go to write, my mindset is wrong, and instead I will do research or just goof off! However, when I sit down to write, I’ll spend three to four hours enmeshed in the story as I type it out. I then review it to see whether the characters diverged from the plot beats I outlined, and if it is better to adjust them back on course or adjust the story so they can remain who they are. It’s tremendously rewarding and fun for me when everything comes together!
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
This is a really hard question for me! Both because I’m only generally aware of what is happening in the up and coming actor and actresses world, but also because there are so many characters in Beginning of Arrogance. For Krell, I would pick someone like Timothée Chalamet. He blew me away with his portrayal of Paul Atredies in Dune and has the right sort of wiry strength that I imagine Krell would have. Olgar would be well served by someone like Stellan Skarsgaard, while Captain Gijwolf would be Idris Elba. Maybe someone like Tanner Buchanan for Tristan, who has a major narrative role as the lancer to Krell, our protagonist.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Marketing is as hard or harder than writing the book (at least for me!). Seek assistance and be prepared to devote substantial amounts of time toward getting the word out. We all have our own definitions of success (just holding my own copy of Beginning of Arrogance in my hand was such a thrill for me!), but unless you let people know about your book, you’re not going to get readers. I’d also advise you to not wait as I did – begin the marketing campaign earlier with advanced reader copies, instead of waiting until the book is published. I’ve learned a lot about Facebook marketing, Instagram marketing, author tours, and website design, but there is still so much more to learn and know!
List 5 things on your bucket list.
See the Aurora Borealis in person (the northern lights).Visit the Bay of Fundy.Visit Italy, to view Roman and Renaissance history.Visit Greece, to view Greek historySpace travel would be amazing, but probably not in my budget.In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
The push to online book buying has certainly accelerated as a result of the pandemic. I think the technology platforms like Amazon are allowing more and more people, combined with their enforced free time at home, to access the self-publishing world. At the same time, recent court documents released in the Random House merger that stated roughly fifty percent of all traditionally published books sell less than one dozen (that is, less than 12) copies ever has certainly opened some eyes. Already I’ve sold way more than twelve copies of Beginning of Arrogance, and the rise of self-publishing will only continue to accelerate.
Any final thoughts?
Everyone has a story to tell, and with ready access to the internet, not only is it easy to find and read amazing stories, but increasingly easy to write your own. I had no idea before I began writing that I would enjoy it as much as I have, and I would encourage everyone to give it a try and see if you enjoy it as much as I have!
November 2, 2022
GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX
Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex
by Carole P. Roman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: YA adventure
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Templeton Academy- the superhero high school is finally open!
The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body.
The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive.
Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade.
However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff.
Even school bully Elwood Bledsoe is attending.
If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend.
Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
There Whill Be Blood
A barely cooled lump of lava hardened under my feet. One of my sneakers was stuck between two small rocks in the solidifying mess. I stared at my foot in disbelief. Instinct told me I should be a human torch, my legs nothing more than toasted stumps. I glanced up, my heart beating wildly. We were trapped on the side of the mountain facing our school, separated by a burning sea of molten rocks.
The world around me steamed, the lava staining the sky burnt orange. Trees swallowed by molten rock looked like skeletal hands emerging from a grave that glowed beneath the blackened crust. I saw heat waves shimmering from the earth but felt none of its intensity. I pulled fiercely, feeling my ankle twist. Aarush steadied me as I nearly toppled over. He was shirtless, his back slick with sweat and covered with scrapes. His fingers worked feverishly to free my foot.
Overhead two helicopter-sized pterodactyls circled the craggy summit. The wind from their leathery wings buffeted the two of us. I think the air they circulated stopped the patches of lava from cooking us alive, but what do I know?
“We better get moving, Grady. Leave your sneaker. We are risking getting burned by staying too long in one spot.” The ever-practical Aarush reasoned as he pulled the velcro releasing my foot. I wobbled, then fell to one knee.
“Do you think they’re real?” I hollered to my friend over the noise, pointing upward.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.
Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.
She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.
Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.
Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.
She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.
Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.
http://www.caroleproman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/
https://twitter.com/caroleproman
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Carole-P-Roman/e/B008ZOXI0W
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4T6PWPH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview With …
What is something you’ve lied about?
I lied to my kids about eating carbs. I love bagels. What can I say?
Who is the last person you hugged?
My kids and grandkids, today at dinner. OMG, they’re delicious.
What are you reading now?
Sally Christie’s The Rivals of Versailles. It’s brilliant.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
I make a list and find the one that describes the book best.
Share your dream cast for your book.
Grady Whills – Finn WolfhardAarush Patel – a young Aziz AnsariPari Patel – a young Priyanka ChopraElwood Bledsoe – a young and American Tom FeltonValencia Templeton – Cate BlanchetteMiss Parker – Reese WitherspoonDr. Templeton – Liam NeesonOctober 31, 2022
BLACK MAGIC MURDER
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Careful what you wish for!
Graduating to a fully-fledged witch on my upcoming birthday should be a momentous occasion, but when a local hairdresser turns up dead, I know it’s going to be one hell of a week.
Saltwater Cove’s resident infuriating fae looks like a good suspect for the murder, but insists she’s innocent and reveals a huge secret too amazing to be a lie. But if she didn’t do it… then who did?
The murder triggers the return of a dark force… dark enough to send even the most experienced witches into panic mode. Harriet, Jordi and Tyler join me as I try to find the culprit, putting my magical abilities to the ultimate test.
When the killer strikes even closer to home, I need to up my game if I’m going to keep evil at bay.…or have I finally met my supernatural match?
Read an Excerpt
“I cannot believe you’re not going to have a birthday party!” Harriet said, dropping on the edge of my bed, disgruntled. “It’s not every day you turn twenty-five and become a full-fledged witch. Why would you not want to have a party? It’s a milestone to celebrate.”
“Parties are over-rated,” I blurted, holding a pink and black blouse against my chest and checking out the vintage look in the full-length mirror in the corner.
Not bad, if I say so myself. Lookout, Tyler, here I come.
“Harriet’s right.” Jordi joined her on the bed. Both my best friends stared blankly at me. These two women meant the world to me, and that was precisely why I was not having a party.
“I’m sure lover boy has a great night planned this evening, but what about the rest of us?” Harriet giggled. “How are we going to celebrate your birthday?”
I bit the inside of my cheek, choosing my words carefully. “Do you remember what happened when we hosted our last party at The Melting Pot?”
They glanced sideways at each other, and then Harriet piped up, “Please don’t tell me it was New Year’s Eve?”
My forehead tightened. “It certainly was.”
A grimace turned Jordi’s expression upside down. “I remember. Prudence McAvoy turned up dead in your pond. But when you think about it, that’s no great loss.”
“Jordi!” I said, three octaves higher. “That is a terrible thing to say.”
She shrugged. “Sorry, but we all know she was not at the top of my Christmas Card list. She made my life hell at school and after. She made my life hell…period.”
About the Author:
Polly Holmes is the cheeky, sassy alter ego of Amazon best-selling author, P.L. Harris. When she’s not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she is planning the next murder in one of Polly’s cozy mysteries. She pens food-themed and paranormal cozy mysteries and publishes her books solely with Gumnut Press.
As Polly Holmes, Cupcakes and Corpses was a finalist in the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America’s 2019 IDA International Digital Awards, short suspense category. Cupcakes and Curses claimed second place and Cupcakes and Cyanide gained third place making it a clean sweep in the category.
She won silver in the 2020 ROAR! National Business Awards in the Writer/Blogger/Author category and for the second year in a row, she was a finalist in the 2021 ROAR! National Business Awards winning bronze in the Writer/Blogger/Author category with Gumnut Press taking out the gold in the Hustle and Heart category.
2022 saw Polly Holmes’ books Muffins & Magic and Mistletoe, Murder & Mayhem long-listed in the Davitt Awards, a prestigious award run by the Sisters of Crime, Australia. Muffins & Magic also placed in the finals of the cozy mystery category in the Nashville Silver Falchion Awards.
She lives in the northern suburbs of Perth, Western Australia, with her Bichon Frise, Bella.
Polly Holmes will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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October 25, 2022
KAINE
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
I call on the fates to bring my love to me. As I will it, so mote it be… Nikki Sinclair isn’t interested in love. She’s happy as a model and doing her own thing. Besides, keeping people at bay means she won’t get hurt again. Then she runs into Kaine. He’s nothing like she expects and exactly what she never realized she needed. But he’s got a past. It’s up to her to decide if she’s willing to summon this bad-boy mechanic or keep going on as a solo act.,br>
Love can be a tricky thing. What if fate has its own idea for Nikki? She’s not willing to argue, especially if it means having her bad boy. Time to do some summoning.
Read an Excerpt:
“He gives you hell often, doesn’t he?”
“He does.”
“You turned him down.”
“I did.” She disengaged from her pretend suitor. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. I’m game to help a lady in distress.”
“I appreciate it.” She held out her hand. “I’m Nikki.”
“Kaine.” He kissed her knuckles.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kaine. Thank you. I should mingle, but you’ve saved me from a huge headache.” If she didn’t start circulating again, she risked losing her job.
“Okay, but if Eunice gives you a problem, you direct her to me. Just tell her Kaine McDermott wants to discuss it, and she’ll know.”
“You don’t have to cover for me.”
“Who says I’m covering? It’s an archaic rule. If you’d met me outside of tonight, we could be together, no problem. Inside, it’s off-limits? Silly.” He nodded. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”
“Thanks.” She smiled, not wanting to leave him. He was a nice guy. Not grabby. Cute and seemingly sweet.
If only that no-dating rule hadn’t applied tonight. “See you.” She resumed circulating until the end of the event, then joined the other girls to change into little black dresses for the after-party.
She wasn’t a fan of mingling and schmoozing, but if she could actually flirt with Kaine again, then it might not be so bad.
About the Author:
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
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A randomly drawn winner will be awarded a necklace created by the author.
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October 24, 2022
Grayality
Grayality
By Carey PW
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: LGBTQIA Contemporary Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Love knows no gender.
Pate Boone, a twenty-six-year-old transgender man, embarks on a new adventure when his childhood best friend, and yes, ex-lover, Oakley Ogden, convinces him to escape their hometown in hopes for something new.
They land in Cloverleaf, a tiny rural town in Montana, so that Oakley can care for his granny who is battling breast cancer. She pressures the two young men to enroll in a nearby college. Pate immediately becomes enthralled with Maybelle, a young, vivacious freshman to whom he fears revealing his transgender identity. Still, he finds it impossible to resist Maybelle, even after he meets her ex, Bullet, a large, violent man determined to keep Pate away from “his girl.”
But there are others who accept Pate immediately, like Stormy. An outdoorsy, rugged freshman, Stormy warns Pate away from Maybelle and Bullet, but Pate’s too infatuated to heed these warnings.
Oakley tries to support his friend’s new love but finds himself entangled in his own emotional calamity when he unintentionally falls for Jody, a gay and ostentatiously confident drag queen. This new relationship awakens deep internal conflicts in Oakley as he struggles to accept his bisexuality, lashing out at Pate and causing friction between him and Jody.
Oakley must decide if he can overcome his insecurities so he doesn’t lose the love of his life. And Pate must discover if the love between him and Maybelle is strong enough for her to accept him as a transgender man, or if she will break his heart.
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EXCERPT
Pate held up his hand to stop me. “You didn’t pull away when he held your hand. Even he noticed that. You didn’t pull away from his kiss. You think he’s never hit on straight guys before? I think he’d know by now that straight guys pull away—”
“And gay guys don’t?” I asked.
“They don’t if they are interested. Oakley, sexuality is not either/or. Maybe you have some attraction to him. Maybe not toward just any man, but toward him.”
I had been so busy trying to analyze my repulsion toward guys that it had never dawned on me to consider what made Jody attractive to me. His emerald-green eyes alone were enough to mesmerize anyone. His skin was silky and soft like a woman. His frame was small and delicate. But thinking on it, it wasn’t so much those physical traits as it was his confidence and free spirit. I had never seen a girl perform and light up a room as if she owned it the way Jody had dominated the club in Billings. When he realized that I thought he was a girl when I made the date, his response was calm. He didn’t get offended or even embarrassed. Jody was going to keep being Jody. I hadn’t found that certainty for myself yet.
“It wouldn’t mean anything different than me preferring to stay a feminine guy,” Pate replied, shrugging his shoulder. “It’s not about girl or boy. It’s about the feminine and the masculine that’s in all of us.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Carey PW (he/they) is a debut author, college instructor, and mental health counselor. Carey is currently completing his next manuscript, Acing the Game.
Carey lives in Montana, and identifies as nonbinary, transmasculine (AFAB) and panromantic asexual. Due to the lack of resources in rural communities, Carey has discovered that writing about his lived experiences is a therapeutic outlet for him and hopes that his readers relate to his own personal struggles and triumphs shared through his characters’ narratives. Carey is particularly interested in exploring relationship conflicts around sexuality and gender differences. He has also worked as a high school writing instructor and college writing instructor, earning a B.A. in English Literature, a M.Ed. in English Education, and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education all from the University of Georgia. In 2020, Carey earned his second M.Ed. in Counselor Education and works as a licensed clinical professional counselor, LCPC. He has a strong passion for working with the unique mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Readers can learn more about Carey from his blog, http://www.careypw.com. When he is not writing, Carey is busy training for marathons, parenting his six cats, sharing his culinary talents on social media, serving on the board for the nonprofit Center for Studies of the Person (CSP) and learning photography.
Carey PW loves to hear from readers. You can find his contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
Other links:
Author Blog: www.careypw.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careypatrickwertz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CareyPW2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.p.singer/
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Interview With …
What are your favorite TV shows?
I’m a sucker for reality TV over scripted shows. I watch 90 Day Fiancé, Teen Mom, MTV’s The Challenge, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Big Brother, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Little People, Big World, Fear Thy Neighbor, Bar Rescue, and more. It is something that I can sit down in front of and not think too much about. However, my husband and I tend to get rather analytical when we watch them! They induce good conversations on human behavior.
What is your favorite meal?
It’s hard to say that one meal is my favorite, especially since my husband and I cook so much good food! I’ll share some interesting meals that perhaps others haven’t considered. I’m an organ meat lover! I love tongue, liver, heart, you name it! My husband makes beef tongue by boiling it with veggies for hours until it’s super tender. Then he drains the broth into a pan and simmers it until it thickens and serves the tongue in the sauce. It’s good with some spicy zucchini noodles made with peanut butter, soy sauce, fresh ginger, siracha, and rice wine vinegar. For dessert, maybe some Irish cream boozy cookies!
If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?
I’m actually working on my first series now. It’s about LGBTQIA people who develop special powers on their twenty-first birthday. Their powers are all connected to different animals in the animal kingdom, such as mammals, rodents, and birds. Some use their powers for good and others for evil. Members of the LGBTQIA community have different abilities. For example, transgender people have certain powers, and asexuals have different powers. It’s a dark fantasy romance with some elements of horror. I’ve wanted to write horror without necessarily making it my key theme. It’s way different than this novel, but I’m stoked about it.
Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?
I can name people, but really, it’s broader. I idolize writers who have made it big like Stephen King. That’s really impressive. I also idolize writers who have a fan base that keeps their career going. I admire writers who take risks and write about controversial topics and themes. I admire writers whose works have remained popular over hundreds of years. I would also say that I idolize writers who write one really good novel and nothing else. It takes a lot to produce an impactful work.
How did you come up for the title of this book?
Grayality is playing on the words gray and sexuality. It’s about the gray areas of sexuality. Too often, I think people put themselves in a category, then are not open to exploring other kinds of relationships. But they may be more open than they think, especially for the right person. My husband was adamant that he could not be with a man when I wanted to transition. Now, he’s attraction to me, including sexual attraction, has not changed a bit, yet he originally saw it as impossible. He was a big inspiration for the book.
October 19, 2022
SOPHIA FREEMAN SERIES
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
EARTH AWAKENED … SEED PLANTED … PATH REVEALED.
What begins as a special trip for eleven-year-old Sophia Freeman and her father, leaves her trapped on a mysterious island with a tree boy and fantastical creatures. Later, she learns she is dying from an eternal curse and the only way to prolong her life is to drink the island’s sacred water. Can Sophia and her companions reach the fountain and defeat the guardian before time runs out?
THEY MUST RISK IT ALL TO REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM … OR BE SEALED AWAY FOREVER.
Sophia Freeman and her best friend, Tim Charnal, must beat all contestants in a three-round Beyond Event organized by the mighty arbiters to free him from the penalty of murder and gain the islanders’ trust. Entering the hologram and surviving environments filled with everything from hammer-throwing cave giants to a slimy tentacled sea monster, they will need all their courage, wits, and skills. But how are they going to win when magic is forbidden?
EVIL RISING … ISLANDERS MISSING … AND FRIENDS BETRAYING.
With the increase in deaths of Pandilone Islanders, the arbiters devise a strategy to free the god demon within five days to lift the Eternal Curse. All goes as planned until iron-masked creatures kidnap magic users, weakening the army. To gain reinforcements, Sophia Freeman, Tim Charnal, and rescued Allen Chan must gather all six items to cast the Dream Spell, connecting them with Sophia’s father and his air force. But how can the trio succeed in time while surrounded by enemies and traitors aiming to stop them at any cost?
Read an Excerpt from SOPHIA FREEMAN AND THE GATE OF JADE (book 2 ):
“So, Wondnair, what happened back there?” Tim asked, picking at his food. “Why did the arbiters put our victory on hold?”
Sophia hung her head in silent shame.
“Sophia’s body was taken over by, uh … someone,” said Wondnair.
“You mean … T-Tombermon? Why would he help us win?” Tim shook his head. “No, it can’t be true—”
“Look, no monster of that size would simply drop and let you two pass,” Wondnair continued. “Sophia was like its master back there.”
Holding her bowl tightly, Sophia watched her teardrop fall into her earthy soup.
“So, she broke the rules?” Tim couldn’t eat any more. “It’s over—we’re disqualified.”
Wondnair said, “We don’t know that ye—”
“I am so sorry, Tim,” cried Sophia. “We lost because of m-me.” She wiped her eyes. “You shouldn’t have come with me to fight that fountain guardian. Then this n-never would have h-happened.”
“Sophia.” He slid closer to her on the bench.
“I’m n-not the Ch-Chosen One!” She slammed her fist on the table.
Tim gently placed her head against his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her. “Sophia, listen to me. The fight isn’t over.”
About the Author:
Thuan Doan was born in Indonesia, and grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Thuan has been fascinated by art from a young age, especially fantasy. He would wake up hours before school, sit outside the classroom, and scribble in his sketch book.
After college, he worked on a series of jobs, including: an advergaming association as a storyboard/concept artist, gaming company as lead concept artist, and graphic designer for various clients.
Thuan conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet. 4 years later, the story is complete. While book 1, 2 and 3 are being shared with the world, he’s writing and illustrating book 4 of the Sophia Freeman series.
Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents’ names.
“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”
T.X. Troan married Sarah, his original fan and longtime love, in 2016. They live in Enderby with their pack dogs and school of fish!
AWARDS
★ Entrada Publishing Incipere Award, 2020
★ Readers’ Favorite 5 star Badge, 2019, 2021 and 2022
★ Literary Titan Badge, 2020
T.X. Troan will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
October 18, 2022
GRAVE GIRL
Grave Girl
by Dan Padavona
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GENRE: Mystery/Thriller
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BLURB:
Every mind holds a secret. Some are more deadly than others.
Nightshade County Sheriff Thomas Shepherd is a successful model for every law enforcement officer with autism. He leads an idyllic life in his uncle’s old home along Wolf Lake and is planning to marry private investigator Chelsey Byrd.
But when a star athlete’s girlfriend disappears while camping, everyone blames the boyfriend. He’s volatile and dangerous. Did he murder the girl and bury her in the woods?
The sheriff’s gut tells him there’s more to the story than the boyfriend is willing to admit. The more he digs into the case, the more he worries someone is hiding a dark secret.
Is the boy a killer? Or is he the next victim?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
McKenzie Ossman twirled a length of blond hair around her finger and took in the stars. Here, five miles beyond Kane Grove’s city lights, the sky was a frozen portrait of fireworks. She shivered against the chill and puffed out a condensation cloud, the cold already deep enough to penetrate her bones. By morning, frost would cover the landscape.
She accepted the bottle of Jack Daniels from Marshall and sipped. This was a terrible idea. As much as she wanted to get him away from the pressures of Kane Grove University and the constant attention he received from being a future NFL draft selection, she didn’t like it when he drank. Hazel-skinned, strong, body painted with tattoos, he was a Greek god when he was sober. But lately he’d taken to drinking too often. He changed after the alcohol hit his bloodstream, turning angry and short-fused, a bomb ready to blow.
Then there was the problem of getting back to campus on his motorcycle. She couldn’t trust him to drive buzzed. Sometimes he pushed the motorcycle past eighty in the dark, her arms wrapped around his waist, Marshall one wrong move from disaster.
Marshall Prisco was the proverbial diamond in the rough. Few small college football players attracted professional scouts, yet dozens attended Kane Grove football games for the chance to see him play. A senior wide receiver, he was unstoppable on the field, too fast and strong for the poor fools tasked with covering him.
McKenzie sipped from the bottle and winced when the alcohol burned her throat. Marshall held out his hand, and she wasn’t sure she should give the bottle back to him.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Dan Padavona is the author of The Wolf Lake series, The Logan and Scarlett series, Darkwater Cove, The Scarlett Bell thriller series, and The Thomas Shepherd Mysteries. Many of his novels rank in the top-10 in Amazon’s thriller and mystery categories. He is a husband, a parent, and proud member of the International Thriller Writers Organization.
When he’s not writing, Dan enjoys photography, biking, weightlifting, and storm chasing. Dan has videotaped tornadoes from New York to Oklahoma and Texas and was nearly swept up by a strong twister outside Sweetwater, Texas. A self-proclaimed ice cream and gelato lover, Dan admits to spending too much time in the gym, compensating for his questionable nutritional decisions.
Website: https://www.danpadavona.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/djpadavona
Instagram: @dan_padavona
Twitter: @DanPadavona
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3ZHMKFD
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Dan Padavona will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q & A With …
1.Tell us about you as a person.
At my heart, I’m an optimist, and this shows through in my thrillers, even though I write dark mysteries. It wasn’t easy to become an optimist. I grew up in a broken home and barely knew my father. Negativity surrounded me for many years, and I allowed myself to become a victim.
I now view my past experiences as gifts. They forged me into the person I’ve become and helped me establish a strong work ethic and sense of purpose.
2. If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
That’s a tough one. I suppose I could say Gwen Stefani because she’s been my crush since the 1990s, but I would choose either Eric Thomas or Tony Robbins, as I find both incredibly motivating. There is so much I could learn from spending a day with either of them.
3. What’s the story behind your latest book?
Grave Girl is the first book in the new Thomas Shepherd mysteries series. This series is the next step in the highly successful Wolf Lake series, in which I created these characters. I wanted to continue their stories while bringing new readers to my thrillers. It isn’t necessary for readers to experience Wolf Lake before the Thomas Shepherd series.
Thomas Shepherd is an intriguing character who readers fall in love with. He’s a sheriff with Asperger’s syndrome, and he spent his life learning how to show his feelings and accept love. In many ways, he models my own challenges from earlier in life.
Now, don’t make the mistake of thinking these stories are romantic mysteries. They most certainly are not. The killers and criminals Thomas and team face are deadly and frightening, many influenced by infamous thriller characters like Hannibal Lecter and Buffalo Bill.
4. What is your writing process?
While I don’t enjoy outlining, writing from the seat of my pants gets me in trouble. My happy medium is to write story beats, which are brief summaries (a paragraph or less) of each chapter. Then I write the book based on those beats. This keeps me organized and on point, while allowing for creative expression and new ideas.
I generate a little over 2000 words every morning. Afterward, I follow a technique I read about in a Dean Koontz interview years ago. Throughout the day, I edit my last completed chapter until the prose flows and I’ve stamped out most of the errors. By evening, the last completed chapter is in “final draft form”. This means that my book is ready for my editor as soon as I finish the manuscript.
5. If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
I often envision Thomas Shepherd played by a younger William Petersen. In the movie Manhunter, Petersen displayed amazing character range. His internally injured portrayal of a former FBI profiler would mesh well with Thomas’s life challenges.
6. What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Writers need to see themselves as creatives and marketers. Whether you publish independently or through a small house, they’ll expect you to get the word out on your own. The odds of your book going viral are very long.
Learn everything you can about Amazon’s AMS advertising platform, Facebook, and Bookbub. While I recommend researching how successful authors marketed their books, pay attention to what advertisers are doing outside of the writing community. Marketing experts exist in all fields. Learn from them.
7. List 5 things on your bucket list.
Whoa, that’s a big one. Parasailing looks awesome, and I want to live in nice house near the Finger Lakes of NY, particularly in Ithaca, my favorite community. Meeting Eric Thomas or Tony Robbins would be a trip. I’d like to bike around Skaneateles Lake on a beautiful spring day. Owning a beach house or condo on the ocean would also bring me great joy.
8. In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
I don’t have statistics to back up my assertion, but I believe reading increased overall, and the swing from traditional printed books to e-books accelerated. Many authors worried that the pandemic would cause sales to tank, but my earnings increased, as did those of many of my friends.
9. Any final thoughts?
I just wish to thank all my readers for embracing my books. You changed my life, and I’m forever grateful.
October 9, 2022
DAUGHTER OF BELIAL
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Some Family Trees Should Be Burned. . .
Greer Girls are special. Greer Girls are rare. Greer Girls are central to the secret Order of Belial.
Sophie Greer knows none of this. All she knows is that her now ex-boyfriend cheated on her, she’s alone working in Paris, and her mysterious billionaire boss, Edward Hughes, is way too interested in her life.
But when Sophie is kidnapped in Moscow while on a business trip, she’s plunged into the dark underbelly of the global elite and a sinister secret society with deep ties to her family; ties that lead to revelations darker than anything Sophie could have imagined.
Betrayed by the man who raised her, and targeted by the illustrious Hughes family, only one thing is certain—family history can be deadly. If Sophie is to survive, she must decide who to trust and what to believe, or risk being crushed beneath the weight of the all-powerful secret Order of Belial.
Read an Excerpt
The front door slams behind me with a clamorous thud. I jump, frightened. Marcella Belleville’s ominous laughter sails through the air while the cloaked beings descend the steps to encircle me. Turning to and fro, I try to slip through an opening in their ranks, but they close in so that not even a hairpin could find a fissure for escape. A low chanting starts up, like a rumble from some vile private inferno.
Testor ad sanguinem. Respondendum est in sanguinem.
The primal beating of the drums grows louder, drowning out Marcella’s maniacal laughter. Blood rushes to my face. I hear a whirring in my ears.
Testor ad sanguinem. Respondendum est in sanguinem.
All I see is darkness. My heartbeat keeps time with the pulsing of the drums.
Suddenly I feel another presence. Ephemeral. Sinister. It also laughs. Its guttural wails blend with Marcella’s tinny falsetto as it, too, encircles and envelops me. No one is touching me. I know that. And yet…
It feels like hundreds of hands are caressing my body. Sliding up and down the sides of my torso. Untucking my shirt. Unfastening my trousers. Cupping my breasts. Pulling my hair. Wrapping icy, tentacled fingers around my throat…
It feels awful—delectable—disgusting—delicious, all at once. I hate it. The chanting grows louder.
Testor ad sanguinem. Respondendum est in sanguinem.
Testor ad sanguinem. Respondendum est in sanguinem.
“Stop!” I cry out, finding my voice at last. “Please. Stop!”
But it’s too late. Wispy black smoke fills my nostrils. My mouth freezes into a silent scream as the smoke fills every orifice in my head—eyes, nose, ears, mouth. The sound of babies crying mixed with horrific images of children laughing and playing in blood assault my senses. I know it can’t be real, must be a trick of some sort, an illusion, but I’m powerless to stop it.
About the Author
JENNIFER JUVENELLE is a Native American/French author born in Hollywood, raised in Detroit, and fashioned in France. Formerly an actress and model, Jennifer now splits her time between crafting psychological thrillers and the magic of motherhood. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Jennifer made healing from trauma a priority when her life became untenable. Daughter of Belial is the unexpected product of her journey from trauma to triumph. An eager explorer, she currently lives in a remote Mexican seaside-jungle village with her debonair Aussie author husband and their young son.
Jennifer will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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