C.A. Milson's Blog, page 116
December 7, 2021
VBT – The Romance Novel Formula
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.
Is there a secret formula for writing a successful romance novel? Backed by research and professional expertise, The Romance Novel Formula provides everything you need to take you from idea to first draft of your breakout romance novel.
Join best-selling romance author and academic researcher, Alicia Leigh, as you discover:
*How to take your love interests on the “lovers’ journey” – inclusive of ALL types of romantic relationships: ménage, alien, LGBTQI, polyamory, etc.
*A unique five-act structure to make your story easy to write and manage.
*The specific story “beats” exclusive to the romance genre (and which other books on writing typically exclude).
*The story and character arcs necessary to classify your book as romance.
*How to avoid stereotypes by focusing on archetypes.
*Popular romance tropes.
*Essential writing techniques.
*Advice on dialogue.
*The most common writing mistakes . . . and how to avoid them.
*Goal, motivation, and conflict.
*Fear, need, and flaw (what are they, and do you need them?).
*Much more!
Complete with checklists and over 30 writing exercises, The Romance Novel Formula is the new essential romance writing guide for aspiring and experienced writers, plotters and pantsers, and professional researchers.
Read an Excerpt
Introduction
“Romance novels are written to a specific formula.” The number of times I’ve heard this insulting and patronizing phrase throughout my career as a romance writer would fill its own book! Yet, regardless of urban legends and popular culture tales, the simple fact is this: There is no romance novel formula. Let me repeat that with emphasis: There is no romance novel formula.
Now, it may seem I have contradicted the title of this book by saying that. However, there is more than one way to write a romance novel. This book is intended as a guide to assist you while giving you the freedom to find your own version of a formula. While there is no set formula per se, there is a structure you can follow that will aid you in writing your breakout romance novel. This structure isn’t used solely by romance writers. Different forms are used by all novelists (see, for instance, books such as Story, Save The Cat! Writes a Novel, The Plot Whisperer, and Story Engineering, which have a variety of formulas, guides and suggestions). In that regard, writing a romance novel is almost the same as writing any other novel. I say almost because the romance genre has necessary inclusions that are applicable to it alone.
This applies to every genre. These are called genre conventions. Whether you are a novice or a seasoned writer, this book can lead you through the quagmire of structure and help you find the unique path for your characters to follow on what I call the lovers’ journey.
About the Author:
Alicia Leigh is a bestselling non-fiction author, international-selling romance author, identical triplet, writing coach, and hot chocolate addict.
She uses her postgraduate degrees in counseling from the Australian College of Applied Psychology and editing from Macquarie University to create believable, three-dimensional characters. Her certificates in forensic science and forensic anthropology from the University of Strathclyde add layers to the realistic crime elements in her stories. She has completed her master’s degree in writing at Swinburne University and is currently embarking upon her PhD in Creative Arts (writing) at Central Queensland University.
When not writing, reading, coaching, studying, or enjoying nature, she can be found having fun with her three gorgeous children (plus one laid-back dog and one hypersensitive guinea pig).
She is active on social media and encourages readers and writers to interact with her there. She writes romantic fiction novels under the pseudonyms A.K. Leigh and Leigh Hatchmann.
*Fall in love … with Leigh*
Facebook
Instagram
Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Buy links
Amazon
Amazon Au
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Alicia Leigh will be awarding a paperback copy of The Romance Novel Formula to 3 randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.
December 2, 2021
VBT – JUST A GIRL IN THE WHIRL
Just a Girl in the Whirl
by Annie Wood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Young Adult
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A 17 year old girl is overwhelmed with responsibilities trying to keep her messy family together. Everything spins out of control when her addict actor dad who bailed on the family three years ago leaving her with her lovable but bi-polar mom and her two little sisters, comes back into town and wants to reconnect.
Writing poems is her only escape. Just a girl in the is about family, forgiveness, and having enough courage to live your own life, your own way.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
In the past 747 days I’ve made 747th breakfasts for my family. I barely have to think about what I’m doing anymore, the eggs just poach themselves. Doing the same thing, day in and day out, gives my life the feeling of being stuck in slo-mo. In fact, I’m moving so freakin’ slowly I may as well be standing still. It’s like I managed to step into a vat of cement while everyone around me is coasting along on one of those people movers they have at the airports. Also, my particular vat of cement happens to be on a carousel, going around and around and around. So, sure, there’s movement, only I’m not getting anywhere.
“Damn it.” I bend down to pick up yet another broken glass. My bad. As usual. When my mind wanders, it takes my coordination with it.
“Lauren. Don’t say damn.” my kid sis reprimands.
“You’re right, Sara. Sorry. Finish your scrambled eggs, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Ouch.” I cut my pinkie on a sliver of broken glass.
“We’re out of Band-Aids,” Matty informs. “You should get more.”
“Gee, thanks, sis. Don’t bother getting up.”
“I won’t,” she tells me as she continues scarfing down the food I made her.
Yep, this is my brood. Not on purpose, though. I mean, I didn’t plan this brood or birth this brood, it just sort of turned out that they’re now, mostly mine.
My eighteenth birthday is in 99.3105497 days away and then I’ll be free.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Annie Wood is an Israeli-American, Hollywood native, and a lifelong actress and writer. The web series she created, wrote and stars in, Karma’s a Bitch, was Best of the Web on Virgin America (anniewood.com/Karma)
Wood was part of the NBC DIVERSITY SHOWCASE with her comedic scene, That’s How They Get You. She’s written 100s of scenes for actors that have been used by Emmy Award-winning TV director, Mary Lou Belli in her UCLA course and casting director, Jeremey Gordon in workshops all around town.
As an author, she has three books out: Dandy Day, Just a Theory: a quantum love adventure and her first YA novel, Just a Girl in the Whirl (Speaking Volumes Publishing)
Annie’s also an Internationally exhibited mixed-media artist, a produced playwright, and was the third female solo dating game show host in the history of television with the nationally syndicated show, BZZZ! that she also co-produced. (Which just re-ran in 2020 on BUZZRTV!)
Annie writes and creates art daily.
Writing: medium.com/@anniewoodinhollywood
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anniewood
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniewoodworld/
Art: ArtistAnnieWood.com
Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GoodVibesByAnnieWood
She also runs the Twitter account for the Women of the Writers Guild West Follow us here —> @WoWGAW
She is part of the Middle Eastern Committee at WGA
and a Dramatist Guild Member and an Authors Guild Member
Get the book!
https://amzn.to/3xL4hMI
Soul Touching Work Of Art!
“This book made me tear up multiple times, as I felt a real connection with the characters and their struggles. I recommend it for all ages.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Annie Wood will be awarding a $40 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $40 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview With …..
Hi Annie. Tell us about you as a person.
I’ve always had a lot of energy and passion for all things creative. I grew up in Los Angeles and I’ve been acting and writing since I can remember. I’m a mixed media artists too so I spend my days, after yoga and meditation, creating! I recently found out that I have ADHD. I know I’ve had it since I was a kid and I’m learning about what it all means now. It makes a lot of sense to me as I’ve always felt like I thought differently than a lot of folx. Not better or worse, just different. I’m married to an awesome Italian man and we have a cute little dog named Shanti. We visit his family every year in Rimini, Italy and I love it there.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Leonard Cohen. He’s no longer with us so we’d have to go back in time or his ghost can visit me. I’m fine with that. I’d like to write poems with him all day long and have him sing some of my poems. If you don’t know who he is, please YouTube him. He’s my favorite singer/songwriter/poet of all time.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
I overheard someone talking once about how he has a standing date with his daughter in a restaurant so they can have dinner together one on one. I liked that idea but then my mind took off and thought – but what if it was a standing date the father makes AFTER he disappears for three years? And what if it’s three daughters and they are not happy with him? That’s how a lot of my writing starts. With questions. Then I write in order to find answers.
What is your writing process?
I write a screenplay first. Dialogue is my favorite part of writing. Usually my characters keep me up at night and I have to get out of bed to write down what they’re saying. After the screenplay, I convert it into a novel. I usually write in 2 hour bolts.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
I like Chloe Grace Moretz. She has a sweet, smart, grounded vibe about her.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
To start a blog! To write stories that have to do with their book, or maybe include excerpts or a poem, or art. I like to write on the platform Medium. I recommend it for writers. If anyone wants to join, here’s my referral link: https://anniewoodinhollywood.medium.com/membership
List 5 things on your bucket list.
I never really think about bucket lists to tell you the truth. I just think of things I want to do as they come up and then I just do them. But I guess a few big things I haven’t done yet that I’d like to do are…
Perform in a musical on stage. (I did play Frenchy in Grease in Jr. High but I’d like to do it again as an adult.)Be a series regular animated voice in a funny adult animation TV show.Be a New York Times best selling author.Have my art in museums.Create something that helps kids and teens learn how to love themselves.
In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
I don’t know much about the publishing industry but I do think that maybe people read more books since they were home a lot.
Any final thoughts?
Yes, please keep in touch with me by signing up for my newsletter https://anniewood.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=bc1232344052ab42837ae5c90&id=fb73a45276
And by following me on my socials!
And lastly…here are my 3 Keeps:
Keep Creating.
Keep Positive.
Keep Showing Up.
Love and Good Vibes, Annie
December 1, 2021
Book Blast – BITE ME FOR CHRISTMAS
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.
He came to her in a dream, but he’s more like a nightmare in tight jeans, and she wants a taste.
Rachael isn’t good at magic, and she’s not versed in life, but this witch wants to lay her hands on the sexy vampire who’s come to her in her dreams. Can she have her Christmas wish — the vampire?
Gavin wants the witch, but he doesn’t believe he’s worthy of her. Part of him wants to devour her magic and save himself, but what if being saved doesn’t involve dying?
Anything is possible with a little Christmas magic.
Read an Excerpt
©Megan Slayer, 2021, All Rights Reserved
Rachael admired the twinkle lights she’d strung around the kitchen. Somewhere people were enjoying themselves. They might even be making love under the Christmas tree. She’d like to try that — sex in front of the tree.
Instead, she’d pulled the chore of kitchen clean-up. She always pulled that chore and the rest, too.
She draped the washcloth over the faucet and surveyed the room. Everything appeared to be back in place.
When she peeked into the living room, Serena and Millie were deep in another round of cards. The last Rachael knew, they were playing hearts. Rachael tiptoed out to the back porch to admire the snow. The cauldron bubbled with some batch of potions. She had no idea what her sisters made, only that she had to clean out the pot when they finished. The tangy smell filled the enclosed space and made her dizzy.
She crinkled her nose. If she knew how, she’d change the scent to something nutmeg-y or pine — anything but the overwhelming aroma.
Something flashed among the white snow. She folded her arms and stepped up to the screened-in windows. Maybe the flash was the play of firelight on the snow.
The snow glittered and mesmerized her as it fell — that had to be it. The flash was falling snow.
She hummed the tune of a Christmas carol and fought back tears. Christmas shouldn’t be this depressing, but she couldn’t help herself. She tried to make the day bright, but Christmas Eve would forever be the day her parents died and her world turned upside down. The loss turned her sisters bitter, too. The official account said nothing about her being at fault, but her sisters swore she’d created the fog, which caused the collision.
She wished she knew the truth.
One day, she wanted to know, but she also wanted to replace the sad memories with good ones. She’d never forget her parents, but she needed to move forward with her life.
Someday.
The flash returned, but this time, a man appeared among the snow.
Her blood sizzled, and she gasped. She knew this man.
Her vampire.
“Gavin,” she whispered. “You’re here.”
“You did ask for me for Christmas.” He moved across the snow and stood in the doorway to the porch. “Said you wanted a vampire for Christmas.”
She longed to touch him, but feared she’d draw her sisters’ attention.
“You did request me, didn’t you?”
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.
Buy Links:
Books2Read
Changeling Press
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
Kobo
November 30, 2021
Book Blast – SHATTERED
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.
Courage put Libby Brown into the final selection for the Olympics, but betrayal crushed her spine and her chance at the Gold. Now she has two choices, use her courage to put her life back together, or remain shattered forever.
Read an Excerpt
I knew hearts didn’t stop beating until you died, yet I was certain mine had just stuttered to a halt. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs refused to expand. My throat went dry. I’d planned most of my life for this one year. I’d worked out, built my strength, gone to ski camps, kept at it until I’d made it through the selection process—until I’d almost made the US Olympic slalom team. I had my passport. I’d packed my bags weeks ago. Now, my mother was telling me I couldn’t do what I’d lived for all these years?
My heart kicked in and air filled my chest. “Shut up! Shut up!” In my mind, I screamed, but that’s not the way I heard my voice. Shut up sounded like a whimper.
“Libby, stop.” Dad was back, his hand on my shoulder, his face filled with pain. “Please, stop.”
His calm presence and the terrible sound of his plea brought me up short.
I gulped back the ragged clutch that filled my throat. “Why? Why can’t I ski with my team?” Then I glanced down. Mom was lying across the foot of the bed. She was lying across my legs, and I didn’t feel the weight of my mother’s body.
About the Author:
I’m someone in love with the English language…well, any language for that matter. How did we decided to use words, intonation, structures to communicate? Does our language come from our culture or does our culture come from our language? I love to drive people nuts with questions like this.
I have a background in Linguistics and Inter-Cultural Communication, but these days my greatest passion is writing for young readers. My young adult novels are Sliding on the Edge, The Princess of Las Pulgas, Double Negative, Sudden Secrets, and now Shattered, A Story of Betrayal and Courage. Sometimes I write Middle Grade Fantasy and have four of those stories published.
When I’m not writing I’m hiking or traveling or practicing yoga or asking a lot questions about things I still don’t understand–like what is language anyway?
C. Lee McKenzie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
November 29, 2021
EDUCATION: LESSONS TO MANAGE ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION
Education: Lessons to Manage Erectile Dysfunction
by Kelly Dawn & Rockie Dale
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Self-help, Non-fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
No man likes to see a doctor at the best of times, but when the diagnosis is erectile dysfunction, it can feel like a life sentence.
There was a time not so long ago when talking about erectile dysfunction was taboo and rarely talked about in public. That began to change in the late ’90s, when advertisements for Viagra began to air on TV. Today, the erectile dysfunction business is a multi-billion-dollar industry with great promises and limited advice.
The authors of EDucation are a real-life couple who had to deal with erectile dysfunction early on in their relationship. They found a few books on erectile dysfunction, but they were very clinical in nature, so they wrote their own book filled with practical advice, like whisky dick is real and having a few before the lights go out is a bad idea.
EDucation is a light-hearted, helpful and fun view of erectile dysfunction for men and their partners!
Remember: it’s all in your head!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT: Exclusive Excerpt
What the Hell Just Happened?
The causes of ED can be both physical and psychological. Common physical causes are
increased age, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and alcohol or drug abuse. Psychological symptoms are stress, depression, anxiety, fatigue and, of course, more stress caused by the inability to achieve an erection. In many situations, a man may have both physical and psychological symptoms.
“Whisky Dick” is Real!
A diagnosis of ED is a good time to rethink your bad habits. Smoking, alcohol and substance abuse restrict blood flow, which is critical, as blood needs to flow to the penis for an erection. What’s more important? A shot of whisky or sex? “Whisky Dick” is real—a shot might calm your nerves, but it won’t help you get it up! Whisky is ED’s best friend. If you’re thinking of having a shot of whisky with your erection pill, you’re wasting your money and adding stress. Booze and erection pills do not complement one another.
Get moving!
One healthy practice is to get back to regular exercise. Exercise doesn’t cure ED, but it does increase oxygen and blood flow throughout the body, including the penis. In addition, the body releases chemicals called endorphins during exercise. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in your brain, which is similar to a morphine high.
Exercise gives you a double-barrel boost—it increases blood flow, which is important, and it gives you a high that can help with depression issues. If you don’t exercise regularly, why not start? Even if you don’t think it will help your ED, it will tone your body and give you a boost of self-esteem that your partner is sure to notice. Confidence goes a long way, in body and mind.
It may also unload some stress, which will help you in the long run. You will hear from us repeatedly that controlling stress is very important,
Positivity chases ED away and negativity brings him back.
Your goal is to kick ED out of the bedroom!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
We are Rockie and Kelly, two people in their 50s, who met online after our marriages fell apart. The late 40s and early 50s are a difficult time for many couples, as the kids start to leave home and you wonder what the next chapter holds for you. There may be financial, career, relationship and — in particular — sex issues that suddenly rear their ugly heads.
We spent a long time talking and texting prior to meeting in person, and eventually, as our relationship grew, we were ready for intimacy. He was upfront from the beginning that he suffered from Erectile Dysfunction (ED). His honesty about ED helped us to deal with this and, as our relationship progressed, we found different solutions to improve our sex life. We also discovered that while there is a lot of information available about ED, most of the books on this
topic are very clinical and serious. As time went on and we became better acquainted with ED, we decided that we wanted to take what we had learned and write a book that would be both helpful and humorous in order to help other couples.
You will notice that we have included a song at the beginning of each chapter. We felt the song lyrics had hidden meaning for us, from our point of view of ED. If you are not familiar with these songs, take time to listen to them and see if you can find or make the connection with Erectile Dysfunction.
It is important to note that we are not medical professionals, nor sex therapists, and do not offer a cure. We are here to give you fun and practical advice on how to live with ED and have a fulfilling sex life.
This book is meant for both men and women, whether new to the diagnosis of Erectile Dysfunction, or in the midst of dealing with it—married or otherwise. We hope it helps you find a new normalcy in the bedroom, and that you enjoy our straightforward and unconventional approach!
CONNECT WITH KELLY DAWN & ROCKIE DALE
WEBSITE: Kelly Dawn & Rockie Dale – Authors (educationed.ca) https://educationed.ca/
FACEBOOK: EDucation Book | Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ededucationbook
INSTAGRAM: Kelly Dawn & Rockie Dale (@ededucationbook) • Instagram photos and videos https://www.instagram.com/ededucationbook/
TWITTER: Kelly Dawn & Rockie Dale (@EDEducationbook) / Twitter https://twitter.com/EDEducationbook
GOODREADS: Kelly Dawn (Author of EDucation) | Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21850915.Kelly_Dawn
This book is free during the tour.
PURCHASE LINKS EDucation: Lessons to Manage Erectile Dysfunction
AMAZON.COM – https://amazon.com/dp/0228830745
AMAZON.CA – https://amazon.ca/dp/0228830745
AMAZON KINDLE – https://amazon.com/dp/B09DGP1YY1
BOOKSHOP – https://bookshop.org/books/education-lessons-to-manage-erectile-dysfunction/9780228830740
INDIGO CHAPTERS – https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/education-lessons-to-
manage-erectile/9780228830764-item.html
BARNES & NOBLE – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/education-kelly-dawn/1140121338
BOOK DEPOSITORY – https://www.bookdepository.com/EDucation-Kelly-Dawn-Rockie-Dale/9780228830740
APPLIE IBOOKS – https://books.apple.com/us/book/education-lessons-to-manage-erectile-dysfunction/id1583952091
SMASHWORDS – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1100617
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Kelly Dawn & Rockie Dale will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
November 23, 2021
Book Blast – POLISH DRAGON PI
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.
A bible mysteriously disappears from a Russian businessman’s home and it is said to have a secret hidden inside that would cause embarrassment to the Russian Orthodox Church. The Polish Dragon P. I. is called in, along with his new partner, to help find the bible. The problem is the bible is not supposed to exist and there is a secret organization, sworn to protect the church, also looking for the bible. They will stop at nothing to locate it and destroy it.
Read an Excerpt
“I found out that before Father Zelenko was in charge of the church, there was another priest there who was excommunicated from the church.”
“Really? How did you find that out?”
“I managed to talk to some of the older parishioners, who told me they were surprised when he was given the boot, so to speak.”
“Did you find out why he was excommunicated?”
“Yes, it appears he began to question some of the things going on with the church and some outside group called…”
“The International Bureau of Archangels.” Tom blurted into the phone.
“How did you know that?”
“I have had two calls from some mystery person who wanted me to check out Father Zelenko and who just last night left me a message to check out this group.”
“Well, I’m not having much luck finding anything about the Bureau, but most of the local churches and any others I’ve contacted claim to not know anything about this group. They say they never heard of them.”
About the Author: Steve Zimcosky is a multi-award winning and international selling author. He is the creator of the Polish Dragon P. I. series and was born in the Slavic Village area of Cleveland, Ohio where many of his stories take place. He has wanted to be an author since elementary school while reading books like White Fang and Call of the Wild by Jack London. He spends his retirement time writing short stories on a variety of subjects he hopes his readers will enjoy. Some of his favorite authors include Stephen King, James Clavell, Thomas B. Dewey and Vivien Chien.
Steve Zimcosky will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
November 22, 2021
VBT – BETRAYAL AT THE BORDER
Betrayal at the Border
by Mark M. Bello
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Legal/Political Thriller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
In Betrayal at the Border, attorney Zachary Blake returns to tackle two cases that strike at the heart of our nation’s contentious immigration debate.
In Riverview, Michigan, undocumented immigrants Miguel and Mary Carmen Gonzalez are determined to realize the American dream. They find jobs at a local filler plant, have children, and lead an all-American life, that is until ICE raids their plant . . .
Canan and Karim Izady are naturalized citizens of the United States. They have immigrated legally from Kurdistan and have an American born daughter, Hana. Unable to persuade her mother to follow the young family to America, Canan and Hana travel to an ISIS hotbed so the child may meet her grandmother for the first time. With the war over, what could possibly go wrong?
Two unique immigrant families, two uniquely dangerous consequences of America’s dysfunctional immigration system. Enter Zachary Blake, superstar lawyer.
But, for the first time in a long time, Blake is out of his element—immigration law calls for the expertise of his specialist/partner, Marshall Mann. Together, two extraordinary lawyers take on a terrorist network and a broken immigration system. And master investigator Micah Love returns, racing against the clock to prevent tragic circumstances. In our politically charged, anti-immigrant international climate, will a Hail Mary be their only move?
Award-winning legal thriller author, Mark M. Bello, pits our nation’s broken immigration system against important human and social justice rights issues, spinning a tale that shines a bright light on the everyday fears of immigrants all over these United States. Can Blake, Mann, and Love prevent a Betrayal at the Border?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
The Gonzalez children were both born in Lincoln Park. The city was a part of the Downriver Community, southwest of Detroit. Their little three-bedroom bungalow was the only home they had ever known. In a city of approximately 37,000, only 20% were of Latino descent, nearly a 50% increase since 2010.
Emma and Emilio’s parents, Mary Carmen and Miguel Gonzalez, immigrated to Lincoln Park in 2011 when Mary Carmen was pregnant with Emma. Papa found a job, mixing compounds at an adhesive and filler plant in nearby Riverview. Emma was born soon after her parents moved into the house. Two years later, her little brother was born.
When they were old enough to be placed in daycare, Mama secured a job at the same filler plant as her father. The two siblings depended on each other. They were attached at the hip until Emma was old enough to go to Kindergarten. It was a very traumatic time for Emilio. He started behaving as if his sister died.
Emma promised to play with him after school, but Emilio carried on to the point where Emma pushed back and refused to go to school. Promises of candy and ice cream after Mama got home from work finally persuaded both children to go separate ways. As time went on, they adapted to the new routine.
Two years later, Emilio started Kindergarten, and all was forgotten—the siblings were reunited at Raupp Elementary School. Both children spoke fluent Spanish and English and did well in school. The children were now entering fourth and second grade, respectively, and thriving.
The Gonzalez children made friends easily and were well-liked in the school. Emma and Emilio were Americans. Although Mama taught them Venezuelan games and customs and tried to convey a sense of their Latino heritage, the kids had experienced life in no other country but America. They spoke fluent English, celebrated the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving, and proudly recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Emma collected dolls while Emilio collected baseball cards—he worshipped Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and treasured his 2012 Cabrera Triple Crown card. Emma and Emilio did everything other American children did.
Their parents were determined to raise them in America, with American values and an American education. They dreamt of a better life, with higher education and, perhaps, affluence for their children. But these dreams were clouded by a secret reality—the Gonzalez family, as ‘American’ as they appeared, protected an important family secret, far more important than the Frozen game. This one could derail all of their dreams.
Emma and Emilio were taught to be careful and quiet, even though they didn’t understand why this was a big deal. But they knew Mama and Papa feared their secret would one day be discovered. Their parents’ fear was so intense; Emma and Emilio were frightened too.
Emma was conflicted. Mama once taught her that telling and keeping secrets was bad. She shouldn’t tease her little brother by telling him she knew something he didn’t know. She shouldn’t keep things from her friends, and, most of all, she shouldn’t keep any secrets from Mama and Papa. So, why was this secret okay?
Mama carefully explained the delicate situation to her children: She and Miguel came into the country legally but stayed longer than they were welcome. As a result, Mama and Papa were not citizens and did not have the protection some of their friends’ parents had. They could be picked up by the police at any time, put in jail, and even sent back to Venezuela, where conditions were terrible, especially for people who ran away and were later returned by government mandate. It didn’t matter if their minor children were citizens. If the family secret were discovered, her mother decried, it could mean hasta la vista, forever.
The threat of permanent separation from her parents terrified Emma. A secret preventing her from losing them, perhaps forever, was one worth keeping. Emilio was too young to understand, but Emma made him pinky swear to silence.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
As an attorney and civil justice advocate, author Mark M. Bello draws upon over 40 years of courtroom experience in his Zachary Blake Legal Thriller Series.
A Michigan native, Mark received his B.A. in English Literature from Oakland University and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. After working extremely high-profile legal cases, Mark wanted to give the public a front-row glimpse of what victims face when standing up for justice.
Combining his legal experience and passion for justice with a creative writing style, Mark not only brings high-quality legal services to his clients but captivating novels to his readers.
When Mark’s not writing legal and political novels, he writes and posts about fairness and justice in the civil justice system on his website, Legal Examiner and NotFakeNews. In his spare time, Mark enjoys traveling and spending time with his family. Mark and his wife, Tobye, have four children and 8 grandchildren.
For more information about Mark, please click here:
https://medium.com/authority-magazine/lawyer-and-author-mark-m-8e59acf7b054
Mark loves hearing from his readers! Drop him a line on the Contact page or follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or Bookbub.
Contact: https://www.markmbello.com/contact
Website: https://www.markmbello.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarkMBelloBooks/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarkMBello
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16283795.Mark_M_Bello
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mark-m-bello
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Betrayal-Border-Zachary-Blake-Thriller-ebook/dp/B09FYJ6MWN/
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Mark M. Bello will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Author Interview
Tell us about you as a person.
I’m Attorney/Author/Podcaster Mark M. Bello. I started writing as a senior citizen, toward the end of a 45-year legal career. I write social justice legal thrillers about real-life topics in America, featuring real-life American injustice. I have four adult children, 9 grandchildren, 4 grand-dogs, and a grand-lizard. I like to read, write, watch baseball, football, and basketball. I play senior league baseball, swim, walk, ride, play pickleball, golf, and tennis. My biggest joy is playing sports or swimming with my grandchildren.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Barak Obama. I’d like to discuss social justice with our 44th President and get the real story of how dangerous it must have been (and still is) to be the first Black president in a divided, still sadly racist, America.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Betrayal at the Border tell the tale of two immigrant families wrapped up in two cases that strike at the heart of our nation’s contentious immigration debate. One family, undocumented from Venezuela, lives In Lincoln Park, Michigan. They live and work in peace until ICE raids their plant and separates parents from children. The other family lives West Bloomfield, an affluent Michigan suburb, naturalized citizens of the United States who return ‘home’ to Syria for a visit and are captured and held for ransom by ISIS.
Two unique immigrant families, two uniquely dangerous consequences of America’s dysfunctional immigration system—super-lawyer Zachary Blake to the rescue. He and his professional team must race against time to reunite the Lincoln Park family and rescue the captured West Bloomfield mother and child.
The novel pits our nation’s broken immigration system against important human and social justice rights issues, spinning a tale that shines a bright light on the everyday fears of immigrants all over these United States. Can Zachary Blake and team prevent a Betrayal at the Border?
What is your writing process?
Except for my first novel, which was written from personal experience and a case I actually handled in my law practice, I choose my topics from actual social justice events happening in real life and real time. Once the theme of the novel is chosen, I outline the character and plot (either on the computer or in my head) and begin writing, typically in fits and spurts.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
Zachary Blake would be played by someone like Justin Bartha, a nice Jewish boy from my neck of the woods. Other possible are Patrick Dempsey, Ryan Reynolds, or Ben Affleck, who fit the age and character profile. Bartha would be the logical choice.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
That is the multi-million-dollar question. I have tried a lot of different things, without huge success. I guess I would say “perseverance” and a willingness to spend money. When I discover the secret sauce, I will be sure to let everyone know. Maybe it’s these questions and answers!
List 5 things on your bucket list.
Become a best-selling authorSee a world where people of all races, creeds, colors, and religions, live in peace and harmonyTravel to multiple places I’ve never beenGreet my first paternal grandson (he hasn’t been conceived yet, as far as I know)See our society get a handle on climate change.In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
I’m not sure. I suspect more people are shopping for books online, but I think that was already happening. In the Detroit area, where I live, multiple small and large book sellers went under and closed their doors. I think this is cyclical, though—we will one day see the rebirth of the corner bookstore.
Any final thoughts?
Thanks for the opportunity. I will keep on writing and encouraging readers to try my work. Reach out to let me know what you think. I am constantly seeing famous people on television hawking books, good and bad. I’d like to see television and radio shows devote some time to independent authors, from time to time. Otherwise, I plan to keep plugging away. I have just written, of all things, a Jewish recipe cookbook, featuring Zachary Blake’s fictional Jewish family. I have written (currently being illustrated for release in the winter) 4 children’s safety/social justice picture books, and I am currently working on my 8th Zachary Blake legal thriller. I am enjoying my golden years!
November 14, 2021
VBT – Summer Storms
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.
Sixteen-year-old Earl Layman is going stir-crazy. Secluded with the flu inside the four walls of his home and only the escape of his video games to help him through, Earl is struggling to keep his sanity.
That is until he notices the boy next door, seventeen-year-old Rex Chambers, raking leaves in the adjacent yard.
Earl’s summer is about to change. Before another torrential rainstorm hits the small upstate New York town of Betham County, they meet during an awkward cell phone exchange. As they start to connect through occasional texts, Earl and Rex enter the throes of adolescent lust.
In the early stages of forging a lasting connection, their family situations threaten to destroy all they are working for.
Read an Excerpt
Now, on this morning in early May, Earl’s thoughts returned to his past. He stared at the photos wedged beneath the glossy plastic sheets of film in the photo album.
He took a breath as he turned through pages of smiling faces—his family members in various pictures. He smiled back, deep in thought, tears falling and blotting the top of the album.
A rattling of glass bottles jarred his concentration, pulling him out of his momentary trance. He set the photo album on his bed and went to the window, gazing out into another sweltering day. Though gray clouds buckled beneath a darkening May sky that promised another rainstorm, the air was thick like clam chowder.
He was at home, sick from school for the third day this week, if his fever didn’t break. Earl had been bedridden with nowhere to go. He checked his cell phone for messages—from anybody. He missed human contact from his class friends, especially his best friend, Andy Gelman.
Traffic hummed along on the main artery of Betham County, a street over, and Earl caught a glimpse of a woman walking her dog. A young bicyclist pedaled to class. And the boy next door, Rex Chambers, on whom Earl had a small crush, bagged recycling for weekly pickup. Rex looked up at him, waved, and smiled. “Mornin’.” He placed the recycling bin by the side of the street and ambled to the fence separating the yards.
Earl’s face flushed; his skin tingled. Maybe it was the flu, or he was just feeling embarrassed. Shy. Staring at the cute guy who rode his mother’s motorcycle to school every morning this year made Earl light-headed.
“Cat got your tongue?” Rex yelled up from the neighboring yard, pulling the motorcycle away from where it was leaning against the fence and reaching for the helmet hanging on the handlebars. “You need a ride to school?”
“I…um…”
Rex tossed the black Darth Vader–like helmet back and forth in his hands like a basketball. His dark hair was slicked with a generous amount of gel, and his angelic eyes and chiseled face set the cogwheels in Earl’s rusty thoughts in motion. “I haven’t seen you around this week. Where’ve you been?” Rex asked.
Earl grinned back at the tall, handsome boy. Was Rex keeping track of how many days I’ve been out of school? “I’m sick.”
“Another day, then?”
Earl nodded, lifted a hand to wave. “See you around.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
Earl bit down on his bottom lip. He couldn’t believe the boy next door had talked to him; he did not know Rex well. They didn’t talk every day, and when they passed each other in the hallway at Betham County High, Earl was too nervous to speak to him or engage him in conversation. He’d smile at the gorgeous guy, but it was a brief moment in his long day. A fleeting exchange of waves or grins, and both young men went their separate ways. The only class Earl and Rex shared was study hall. But by ninth period, Rex usually ditched the boring forty-five-minute class to take off on his motorcycle and ride around town.
“Feel better!” Rex yelled up to him. He put the helmet on, swung his leg over the cycle and started the engine. “I’m off! Another boring day at Betham County High.”
About the Author: Thomas Grant Bruso knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid.
His literary inspirations are Jim Grimsley, Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Karin Fossum, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly.
Bruso loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles.
In another life, he was a freelance writer and wrote for magazines and newspapers. In college, he was a winner of the Hermon H. Doh Sonnet Competition. Now, he writes book reviews for his hometown newspaper, The Press-Republican.
He lives in upstate New York.
https://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Grant-Bruso/e/B00OGMHLW8
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8591689.Thomas_Grant_Bruso
https://www.instagram.com/thomasgrantbrusoauthor/
https://twitter.com/thomgrantbruso
Buy links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09GHBP492/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0
Ninestar Press: https://ninestarpress.com/product/summer-storms/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-storms-thomas-grant-bruso/1140168619
Thomas Grant Bruso will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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November 2, 2021
Book Blast – ROGUE ROYAL
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.
You are formally invited to the royal ball…to become the husband to the king!
King Charles of Lysianna needs a husband and fast. He’s up against the biggest time crunch of all—a royal decree stating he must marry or lose the crown. It’s already December and he’s running out of time. Throwing a royal ball to find a suitable man for the role of husband seems like the king’s only option…until he meets Nathan. This royal has always done things his own way—and maybe now it’s time to go rogue.
Nathan Pratt doesn’t want much from life except to raise his son and be happy. Dating isn’t on this single father’s radar until he sees Charles in the castle solarium and his heart goes out to the sad-looking man. Once he meets Charles, he starts to think love might be possible. There’s just the small issue of Charles being the king…
Will Nathan be able to handle the glare of the spotlight with Charles beside him, or will the notoriety that comes with dating a royal be too much?
Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of gunshots as well as the threat of kidnapping. This book is linked to Runaway Royal.
Read an Excerpt
©2021 Megan Slayer, All Rights Reserved
“You’re nicer than I was told.”
“Who told you I’m mean? No one will die if you’re honest.” Charlie picked up the cup of coffee. “Tell me.”
“Cook. She said you’re grumpy.”
“Only at five in the morning.” He laughed. “Thank you for your honesty and the coffee. I’ll return the cups later. You’re dismissed.”
“Yes, my king.” Cort tripped over his feet as he left the room.
“Nice kid.” Charlie leaned on the chair. “So young and impressionable.”
“They get younger every day,” Spencer said. “He’s a bit young for you.”
“Spence? Seriously?” He crinkled his nose. “I’d like someone closer to my age. Are there any men, late-twenties or early thirties, single and looking to be with a man who wants love, tenderness and a partner? Find that for me and we’ll talk.”
“It gives me a better idea as to what to look for.” Spencer abandoned the tablet on the tray. “Do you want to meet Nathan?”
“He’s got a kid?” Charlie asked. “I wouldn’t turn down someone who happened to be a father.”
“You’re kidding.” Spencer snorted. “What about who will inherit the throne?”
“It’ll be Alistair. That’s already been arranged.” He didn’t see the big deal. “Look, I haven’t found anyone yet and we still have to plan the gala or ball—that the interviewer already knew about. I thought we’d just decided on it.”
“I let her know while you were getting your picture taken.” Spencer shrugged. “It’s going to come out sooner than later.”
“True,” Charlie said. “Focus on the ball.”
“Very good,” Spencer replied. “I’ll be right back.”
Charlie sank onto the carved chair and sighed. What Spencer didn’t understand was that he wanted to find someone. He didn’t want to be lonely, but he needed to find the right person.
He gazed out of the window at Nathan. He had no idea if they’d be compatible or if Nathan would even want to date a king. He might not even be gay. The unknowns didn’t mean Charlie couldn’t gawk at him and consider what could be.
He was a king and deserved a fairy-tale ending, right?
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.
Newsletter: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj
Website: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Blog: https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/
Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer
Buy Links:
https://books2read.com/u/boaoqp
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FK1VJSZ/
https://www.firstforromance.com/book/rogue-royal
Megan Slayer will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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October 26, 2021
Book Blast – DIVORCE BUCKET LIST
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.
Divorce Bucket List is a practical and heartfelt guide that effortlessly blends meaningful exercises and reflections with author Jennifer’s personal experiences through the trials and challenges of divorce. Written as a way to empower others to rebuild their lives as they work through the trauma of a divorce, this illuminating guide explores Jennifer’s harrowing journey through divorce, revealing her creation of her Divorce Bucket List – and how it helped her emerge into a happier, healthier, and more emotionally fulfilling chapter of her life.
Perfect for anyone who feels lost, alone, or broken as they struggle through divorce, Divorce Bucket List will help you rediscover yourself and your values, overcome your fear of the future, and learn to love again. With a blend of real-life anecdotes, reflections, and exercises to encourage you to apply a Divorce Bucket List to your unique situation, Jennifer’s story will inspire you to move past your divorce and make the most of this exciting new time in your life.
Read an Excerpt
Looking back on everything, it’s clear to me that the process of going through a divorce is a complete journey. It can be a journey that ruins you, or it can be a journey that leads you to a brighter and stronger place in your life. For me, it started as a journey that almost ruined me. There were so many points where I found myself spiraling out of control. At times throughout my experiences in the divorce process, I couldn’t even recognize myself.
It’s important to give yourself grace, knowing that there may be a point in your journey where you go through downtimes and possibly even feel like things are spiraling out of control. Set an expectation for yourself that you know the divorce journey will not be easy and that at some point, you may even feel as if you are at rock bottom. Then know that you can rebuild from there. Your rock bottom might look different than mine. Your rock bottom might be one day crying in the bathtub with a glass of wine, or it might look like losing everything you’ve had—friends, family, finances, belongings, maybe even children for a little bit and having to start from scratch. But I need you to know that no matter where your spiral or rock bottom takes you, you are going to come back from it.
The only way a caterpillar turns into a butterfly is by becoming this disgusting, gooey mess inside of a cocoon. If a caterpillar can be completely broken down (literally, tissue is dissolved) and lose its entire identity—the only identity it knew all of its life—then go on to become this majestic, beautiful, flying creature, why can’t you do the same? What happens to the caterpillar isn’t as crazy as it sounds. It’s the same thing that figuratively happens to us in our lives. There are often periods in life when we break down completely from the identity that we knew for ourselves … divorce is no exception.
About the Author:
Jennifer Harris is an author, speaker, divorce coach, and the creator of the Divorce Bucket List. After experiencing her own traumatic marriage and divorce, she went on to become a highly trained and certified Confidence & Transformation Divorce Coach. With over ten years of coaching experience, she’s passionate about sharing her story of the grief and trauma she experienced and how she developed the Divorce Bucket List to help her move forward. Jennifer is dedicated to inspiring others to achieve their desired outcomes through divorce and rebuild their lives to emerge from their separations into happier, healthier chapters of their lives. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her two wonderful boys.
http://www.DivorceBucketList.com
For More Resources or To Work with Jenn: http://www.Divideguide.com
http://www.Facebook.com/DivideGuideJenn
http://www.instagram.com/DivideGuideJenn
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC5hAyDVsWpT91lMzDPq69w
https://www.tiktok.com/divideguidejenn
The book is on sale for only $0.99.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Divorce-Bucket-List-Powerful-Self-Discovery-ebook/dp/B09HW7H2M1/
Jennifer Harris will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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