C.A. Milson's Blog, page 20
January 6, 2025
My Sweetest Temptation
The angel who brought peace to my chaos.
My Sweetest Temptation
Nico & Gigi Duet Book 1
by I.S.A. Bella
Genre: Dark Mafia Romance
Gigi
He was the devil I craved.
I knew I was screwed the moment I caught his eye.
He’s sexy, cunning, and cruel—a ruthless killer disguised as a prince.
Despite every warning sign and instinct telling me to stay away, I found myself
drawn to him in a way I couldn’t resist.
Our chemistry ignited a forbidden romance that simmered with intensity and
danger.
But then Nico shattered my heart, leaving me at the mercy of his enemies.
In the end, I was just another pawn in a deadly game.
Nico
She was the angel who brought peace to my chaos.
The first moment I saw her, she was mine—a soul to possess.
Innocent and beautiful… everything opposite in my world.
She held the power to unravel my defenses.
Until, through her deceit and betrayal, she shattered it completely.
And now, she has been snatched away from me, leaving me hollow and raging.
My enemies will face my wrath for taking what’s mine.
I will burn this world down and stop at nothing to bring my angel back home.
This is a dark romance that contains dark themes that may be triggering
to some. TWs listed inside the book and on my website.
Amazon
*
Google
*
Kobo
*
Books2Read
*
Bookbub
*
Goodreads
Meet i.s.a. bella – a young adult introverted romance writer
whose stories are so raw, emotional, and heart-wrenching that they’ll leave you
both vulnerable and hopeful. She weaves tales of redemption and second chances
with relatable, flawed characters yet so strong in their struggles.
Through her strong lead and side characters, i.s.a. bella
takes you on a journey of self-discovery and growth as they navigate through
the challenges of life. She aims to touch your heart and inspire you to believe
that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a happy ending.
Website
*
Facebook
*
Instagram
*
TikTok
*
Bluesky
*
Bookbub
*
Amazon
*
Goodreads
Follow the tour
HERE
for special content
and a giveaway!
Paperback copy of My Sweetest Temptation & character art
image,
$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
Under the Oak and The Costume Box
Under the Oak and The Costume Box
Peter Hynes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Poetry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Although his poetry has been published in several anthologies with other poet’s work, it has never been collected in a book of his own. This is the first. Under the Oak collects poems previously shared, and some that will be new to readers. We have tried to include a broad sample, hoping to find something for everyone to enjoy and re-read in the future.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT FROM UNDER THE OAK:
lucky fool
when she runs
the wind falls behind her
when she speaks
everyone stops
to listen to her wisdom
if she sings
the birds stop to hear
and when she loved you
you were such a lucky fool
until you let her get away
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Peter Hynes is a Canadian. He began writing poetry many years ago, in high school. His poetry has been published in various anthologies and elsewhere since. This is his first book of poems. He was born in southwestern Ontario. He still lives in the province with his wife and their small menagerie.
WEBSITE: https://www.peterhynespoetry.com
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/poetrybypeter57/
Goodreads author profile – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18656375.Peter_Hynes
Bookfunnel promo: https://books.bookfunnel.com/ReflectionsinWords/6nob4jg2l2
Under the Oak : Poems by Peter Hynes (book 1)
Amazon ca – https://www.amazon.ca/Under-Oak-Poems-Peter-Hynes/dp/1773709682/
Amazon ca Kindle – https://www.amazon.ca/Under-Oak-Poems-Peter-Hynes-ebook/dp/B07C598Y91/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/under-the-oak-peter-hynes/1128518346
Booktopia – https://www.booktopia.com.au/under-the-oak-peter-hynes/book/9781773709680.html
Walmart – https://www.walmart.com/ip/Under-the-Oak-Poems-by-Peter-Hynes-Paperback-9781773709680/304304438
iBooks – https://books.apple.com/us/book/under-the-oak-poems-by-peter-hynes/id1390252033
The Costume Box: Poems by Peter Hynes (book 2)
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/1779623313
Barnes & Noble – https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-costume-box-peter-hynes/1146521274
Walmart – https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Costume-Box-Poems-by-Peter-Hynes-Paperback-9781779623317/13930810916
Booktopia – https://www.booktopia.com.au/the-costume-box-peter-hynes/book/9781779623317.html
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Peter Hynes will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN gift card -a Rafflecopter giveaway
January 5, 2025
WHERE IS LOVE?
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.
While walking in the garden one day, Annie, a curious little ant from Hillsville, meets a single poppy flower called Love. They become instant friends, sharing stories, laughing and talking for hours on end. Then one autumn day Annie goes to visit Love, but Love is not there. Remembering the rhyme that Love told her, she sets off on an adventure to find Love.
Love is with you every day.
Love is never far away.
Go search, go find and then you’ll see
All the places Love can be.
But don’t forget to look within
For often, that’s where Love begins.
May Annie’s story inspire anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved being, to look and perhaps still find them within their lives and within themselves.
Read an Excerpt
About the Author:
Annie, a.k.a. the Caboose, is the youngest of nine children. Her loving mother read her lots of children’s stories, including some she wrote herself. Inspired by her mom, Annie wrote her first book, Where is Love? She resides on a lake in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, fascinated by the many birds that live there too.
Website: https://anniecaboose.com
Amazon: https://a.co/d/4MLCYGf
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniecaboose/
Annie Caboose will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
CHILD PROTECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
CHILD PROTECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Jo Cooling
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: NonFiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
In the beginning, a tragic event started me on my journey to a destination and my love for helping children of all ages and their families.
However, what I was not prepared for was that the people who assisted me and paved the way for my advancement in my chosen career in Child Protection were the same people who tried to bring me down.
This book will give you insight into what it is like to work in Child Protection. It will show you the difficulties and sometimes dangers workers face on a daily basis. Furthermore, the novel will also highlight the satisfaction you get when you can assist a child and their family through a traumatic event.
My career at Child Protection spanned nearly a decade, and during that time, I was bullied by management. I observed management bully other workers; I was also aware of workers consuming drugs, both outside work hours and during work hours.
This novel is a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens at Child Protection when the public is not watching or listening.
Child Protection is not an easy career path, but it can be a good job if you like long hours, have a thick skin, keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and abide by everything that management wants you to do, even when you know it is wrong or unfair.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Because this book contains content that is 18+ with various trigger warnings, we do not feel excerpts will be applicable. It discusses Jo’s time as a child protection worker and features substance abuse, sexual assault and various other triggering topics.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
The life of Jo Cooling is like living in a theme park: one minute, it’s like riding a roller coaster, baking cupcakes, cookies, and slices. With a kitchen covered with chocolate, flour, and cooking utensils. Also trying to develop new tastes and ideas for her growing baking business.
Sometimes, she feels like she travels through life in a Dodge ’em car. All the while, she works to complete two novels while caring for two Cavoodles, who believe their mother was placed on this earth purely to play with them 24 hours a day.
But no matter how out of control her life can be at times, eventually, she ends up sailing around on the Walt Disney teacup ride on top of the world. However, when she relaxes, the Cavoodles see this as an opportunity to snuggle on Mum’s lap.
Jo’s work career has been just as colorful as her current life. She has worked in horse and car racing, sold lingerie, designed websites, been a Personal Assistant, and worked as a Law Clerk.
Jo looks at life like a box of chocolates: each day unwraps a new layer, revealing unexpected flavors and textures.
CONNECT WITH Jo Cooling
WEBSITE: http://jocooling.com
INSTAGRAM: @jocoolingauthor
PURCHASE LINKS Child Protection Behind Closed Doors
AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/1779418698
AMAZON.AU: https://amazon.com.au/dp/1779418698
INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/child-protection-behind-closed-doors/9781779418692.html
BOOKTOPIA: https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779418692
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter givaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q & A With …
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Dr. Phil McGraw has always been an influential figure in the realm of psychology and child protection. His career, spanning decades, has been dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate through some of the most challenging issues. His work has not only brought awareness to the complexities of child protection but has also provided practical solutions and support to those in need.
Dr. Phil’s approach to addressing these sensitive issues with empathy, candor, and a no-nonsense attitude is truly inspiring. Spending a day with him would offer an invaluable opportunity to learn from his vast experience and expertise in dealing with child protection matters. I would love to discuss the current challenges we face in this field, exchange ideas on how to improve systems and support for vulnerable children, and gain insights into his methods for empowering families to overcome their struggles.
Moreover, Dr. Phil’s platform has a far-reaching impact, and understanding how he leverages this to advocate for child protection and mental health would be incredibly enlightening. His ability to connect with people from all walks of life and provide them with the tools they need to make positive changes is something I deeply admire.
You can’t mention Dr. Phil’s accomplishments without also laying praise to his beautiful wife Mrs. Robin McGraw who in her own right has accomplished so much. Releasing her own novel “From my Heart to Yours” encouraging and inspiring women to be their best selves, through life lessons, faith, family and friendships.
The amazing charity ‘When Georgia Smiled’, that supports victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse and individuals facing crisis. The foundation not only supports victims, but creates awareness, offers solutions and addresses the needs of children and families.
Overall, spending a day with Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw would not only be a personal honor but also an opportunity to further my own mission of raising awareness and driving change in the field of child protection.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Unearthing the Hidden World of Child Protection
“Child Protection Behind Closed Doors” is born out of my unwavering commitment to unveiling the hidden realities of the child protection system. This book is a heartfelt exploration of the world where dedicated Child Protection workers strive to safeguard our society’s most vulnerable—children who face unimaginable circumstances.
The Journey Begins
The journey of writing this book started with my personal experiences within the child protection sector. Every day, I encountered stories that were both heart-wrenching and inspiring. These stories needed to be told, not just to raise awareness, but to spark a necessary dialogue about the flaws in our current system and the urgent need for reform.
Behind the Veil
In “Child Protection Behind Closed Doors,” I offer readers a rare glimpse into the daily lives of Child Protection workers. These unsung heroes face numerous challenges, including systemic bullying, risky management decisions, and a critical lack of support from leadership. Their stories, which I present with unfiltered honesty, highlight the immense difficulties they encounter and the courage they display in their mission to protect children.
A Parent’s Perspective
I have highlighted in some of my stories the impact of poor decisions made by management and workers which extends far beyond the immediate circumstances.
Parents often bear the brunt of these flawed choices, facing consequences that can profoundly affect their lives and the lives of their children. These decisions, sometimes made hastily or without adequate consideration, can lead to devastating outcomes, including life and death situations.
This book brings to light the voices of those parents, I am sharing their stories and the emotional toll they endured in their fight for justice and the well-being of their children.
A Call to Action
This book aims to be more than just a collection of anecdotes; it is a call to action. By revealing the harsh truths about substance abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and the environments many children endure, I hope to ignite a much-needed conversation about the reforms required in our child protection system. My goal is to encourage readers to become advocates for change, questioning the status quo and pushing for a more compassionate and effective system.
Child Protection Behind Closed Doors, is not a book I wrote to make money, or get my name in the spotlight and that is why I am currently researching and compiling information to pitch to the Government in 2025.
Why Now?
In 2024, the issues within the Child Protection system remain as critical as ever. Despite efforts to address these problems, fundamental challenges persist. “Child Protection Behind Closed Doors” arrives at a crucial moment, serving as both a reminder of ongoing struggles and a beacon of hope for future improvements. It underscores the importance of remaining vigilant and proactive in our quest to protect our children, not only in Australia but across our globe.
Who Should Read This Book?
This book is intended for anyone passionate about child welfare—parents, educators, social workers, policymakers, and concerned citizens. It is for those who believe in the power of truth to drive meaningful change and are committed to creating a safer and more just world for our children. Whether directly involved in child protection or simply wanting to understand the sector’s challenges, this book offers invaluable insights and a call to action.
Joining the Cause
I invite you to join me in this journey. “Child Protection Behind Closed Doors” is more than just a book; it is a movement towards justice, compassion, and a brighter future for all children. Let us stand together, informed and inspired, ready to make a difference.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
As a writer, it’s essential to understand that everyone has different goals and backgrounds. My strengths might differ from a young author who grew up using social media. Here are some tips I’ve found helpful for marketing my book:
1. Play to Your Strengths: Identify what makes you unique and leverage that in your marketing strategy. Everyone’s strengths vary, and it’s important to find yours.
2. Utilize Social Media Creatively:
• I have taken 20+ photos of myself in different poses holding my book.
• Use an AI photo shop program to choose backgrounds for any occasion.
• Add captions to your photos. For example, I pair pictures of my cupcakes with captions like “Grab a book, Grab a cupcake.”
• Upload the photos to your social media accounts and write engaging posts to market your book.
• I have received a lot of positive feedback on my posts which can be very encouraging.
• Followers love a give-away. Researching all the available social media accounts like Goodreads, ReaderViews, Facebook, and Instagram is a great way to get your book out there, you’re not making money, but you’re networking and that is invaluable.
• Investing in a professional website is well worth the money as you can link up all your social media accounts, advertise your promotions and all related information about your book, a one stop shop.
3. Tailor Your Pitch: My novel has two faces—one for the public and one for the government. The content remains the same, but my pitch to the government leverages my strengths in research and presentations. Find your unique angle and use it effectively.
4. Support System: It’s important to have a supportive publisher and marketing team. I’m grateful for my publisher, Tellwell, and my marketing guru, Ashleigh, who have been instrumental in my journey. Having an established publisher is half the battle when marketing a book as they have all the contacts and expertise.
5. Stay Positive: It’s easy to feel disheartened if your book doesn’t become an instant success. My book has a 5-star rating, has been nominated for an award, is on over 1,000 people’s lists as wanting to read, and I’ve earned $107. Despite the hard work, sometimes it feels like it’s all for nothing. When this happens, When I feel a bit disheartened, I bake some cupcakes and send out more posts. Stay positive and keep pushing forward.
6. Dream Big: Unless you’re famous or already a well-known published author, selling a number 1 bestseller right off the bat is unlikely. However, don’t let that stop you from dreaming big and being the most confident author you can be.
Happy marketing!
List 5 things on your bucket list.
1. Spend Quality Time with Family: The most important thing for me right now is to spend as much time with my mum creating memories that I can cherish when she is no longer with me.
2. Expanding My Baking Business: Building a new home designing a big baker’s kitchen with a butler’s pantry, to take my baking business to the next level.
3. Host a Baking Workshop: Share my love for baking with other women who have been affected by violence.
4. Pitch My Book to Parliament: Advocate for the importance of child protection by presenting my book “Child Protection Behind Closed Doors” to policymakers.
5. Meet Dr. Phil and Robin McGraw: Spend a week shadowing Dr Phil and Robin McGraw to gain insight from their vast experience.
Any final thoughts?
Allow Your Light to Shine Bright
As we conclude this journey together, I want to leave you with a heartfelt message. Allow your light to shine bright, so people stand up and take notice when you are around. The love we have for ourselves and the people we allow in our lives is endless.
Your kindness and strength are like a beacon, guiding and inspiring those fortunate enough to know you. Never doubt the impact you have on the world around you, for your presence brings joy, comfort, and hope to many. Embrace every moment with the grace and confidence that make you truly remarkable.
Thank you for being a part of this journey and for your unwavering support. Together, we have shed light on the hidden realities of child protection and sparked conversations that can lead to meaningful change. Let’s continue to stand together, informed and inspired, ready to make a difference.
With deepest gratitude and hope,
Jo Cooling
January 2, 2025
Essentially Sweet Romances
This series is like a box of chocolates, each one has
delicious mystery, a sweet romantic filling, essential oils, and its own unique
flavor! From the big city of Raleigh, to the big sky of Montana, and all the
way to Buffalo, you’ll find laughter, sweet romance, and best of all, dogs!
The Lavender Thief
Essentially Sweet Romance Book 1
by Elysian Hunt
Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy
When Stephanie Pierce got home from a long day with her
millionaire boss, nothing could prepare her for finding the apartment’s
caretaker dead in the hall or her extreme attraction to the hot detective
assigned to protect her and solve the case.
Still, she can’t help but notice that things in her overly organized life are
out of place, especially her beloved essential oils.
Was she the real target?
Can she let go of perfection and embrace real life and love? Is there any
chance she and her Goldendoodle catch the heart of the detective and survive
the thief lurking in the shadows?
This is a laugh out loud, cozy romance, with an amateur sleuth x hot
detective, and a heartwarming HEA ending! On a scale of 1 to 10 here is what
you’ll find inside…
Spice level: 2 (some sizzling kisses)
Thriller vibe: 4
Cute dog: 10
Clean romance: 10
Essential oil twist: 9
The Peppermint Villain
Essentially Sweet Romance Book 2
Beck Graham is a city girl at heart, but her Montana roots
are calling her. But when she arrives, she finds her long lost Gran dead, with
a mysterious local legend to blame. Heading back to Raleigh would be the easy
thing, but the ranch catches at her heart. Determined to discover the actual
killer, Beck finds the one man she can’t seem to attract is the one with the
answers she seeks.
Can she survive Montana’s wilderness? Can she prove true Graham blood runs in
her veins? Not without the help of a tall, dark, and handsome Navy Seal who
knew Gran better than anyone else.
This is a laugh out loud, cozy romance, with an amateur sleuth x hot
detective, and a heartwarming HEA ending! On a scale of 1 to 10, here is what
you’ll find inside…
Spice level: 2 (some sizzling kisses)
Thriller vibe: 6
Cute dog: 9
Clean romance: 10
Essential oil twist: 7
The Lemon Gunman
Essentially Sweet Romance Book 3
Wanted for assassination.
I’m the top female sharp-shooter in the US, so it makes sense, I guess. Only I
didn’t do it.
Running is my only option in order to figure who framed me, and exactly what
happened in that Cincinnati hotel room. But I’m trapped here in the city,
incapable of producing an alibi, when all I want is the wide-open fields of
Montana. Oh, and Harper Wasden, the Navy Seal who stole my heart the second I
laid eyes on him. But he’s off fighting a war somewhere, I’m alone, with only
an abandoned Pitbull to keep me from going crazy. When help arrives out of
nowhere, saving my neck from the FBI’s clutches, dare I trust it? Not when
every heart beat pounds out the name Harper Wasden.
The problem is, it looks like I did it. Even. To. Me.
The Spearmint Spy
Essentially Sweet Romance Book 4
A dark anniversary looms over the most luxurious cruise
ship on earth.
Escaping myself in order to survive the date that almost killed me last year is
imperative. Daddy’s ship is the perfect place to do it, with no reminders of
the past or familiar faces. But finding a body in my car just before boarding
is no help at all. Especially since she’s dressed just like me, designer nails
and all.
To make things worse, an infuriatingly handsome passenger is determined to ruin
the entire trip, and besting him might be the only enjoyment I get. Except all
my usual tricks fall flat, and he seems impervious to my seething rebukes.
Finding a gun hidden in my room is the last straw; espionage surrounds me and I
haven’t got a clue how to survive it, or the anniversary I’ve never been less
prepared for. I’ll need all the brute force my protection dog can dish out,
and, I hate to say it, the help of the one man I can’t intimidate.
The Myrrh Boss
Essentially Sweet Romance Book 5
Have you ever been deceived, hoodwinked, snookered?
Well, I have, by a man I once a looked up to and, it chokes me to say it,
dated. Turns out he runs the mob in Buffalo, NY, and I was 100% wrong about
him. One thing I’m not wrong about is that spurning him equals life
over for me. He has eyes everywhere, and the police force is wrapped
around his little finger too, which is why I’m also running from fake drug
charges.
But when I discover his under-ground dog fighting ring, something deep down and
red-headed flares up. One of us is going down, and it won’t be me, I’ve got
dogs to save.
A street-wise kid named Cooney hatches the craziest plan. He says the mob’s
second in command, Billa, will help me, but isn’t that jumping from the pan
into the fire? And a fire he is too. How can I keep from repeating my mistake
when Billa is stealing my heart piece by piece? Can a girl from the suburbs
take down a mafia boss?
In this sweet but sizzling mafia romance, you’ll laugh out loud all the way to
the feel good ending!
Writing across multiple pen names, Elysian Hunt has sold
more than 1.4 million books, won multiple awards, and been a best seller many
times over. With over 35 novels in print, she enjoys many genres as long as
they are fast-paced and engaging.
She never wanted to be a writer, but she couldn’t ever find
that one book, the perfect one for her. So, she wrote it, and the rest is
history. With fresh story ideas churning and a deep love for sharpening her
writing skills, Elysian’s work gets better with time.
There are a few things you can count on with her rom com and
cozy mystery books: sweet romance, happily ever after’s, and don’t forget the
dogs! Fall in love with vivid characters, intriguing settings, and mysteries
that will keep you turning the pages.
Website
*
Facebook
*
Bookbub
*
Amazon
*
Goodreads
Follow the tour
HERE
for special content
and a giveaway!
ebook copy of The Lavender Thief,
$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner each!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
December 31, 2024
A Buckeye Falls Christmas
Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will their
holiday get plowed away?
A Buckeye Falls Christmas
A Buckeye Falls Novel
by Libby Kay
Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance
On the first day of Christmas, Buckeye Falls gave to me…
A snow storm…
Uninvited dinner guests…
A Christmas pageant…
And a friends’ reunion dinner to warm your heart.
It’s been ten years since five couples found love in this charming small Ohio
town. Families and careers have grown, but the love remains the same.
Max is hosting Christmas at the diner, a final sendoff before the beloved
hangout gets a facelift. But the risk of a snow storm and a few uninvited
guests threaten everyone’s plans. Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will
their holiday get plowed away?
Revisit your favorite couples in this holiday novella, which includes favorite
recipes from the series. Warning: this story will make you hungry and may cause
uncontrollable swoons.
Amazon
* Apple
* B&N
* Kobo
* Bookbub
* Goodreads
Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with
her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any
kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or
Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!
When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in
her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband,
traveling as far as their bank account will allow.
Libby cohosts the Romance Roundup podcast with Liz Donatelli
on the Reader Seeks Romance Channel where they recommend romance books and
interview authors, influencers, and publishers. Check it out for your weekly
dose of romance!
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour
HERE
for special content
and a giveaway!
$25 Amazon
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
December 30, 2024
THE ANGEL SCROLL
THE ANGEL SCROLL
Penelope Holt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Spiritual Romance, Mystery/Thriller
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
ONE ANCIENT PROPHECY, TWO HEARTBROKEN LOVERS, AND A WORLDWIDE SCAVENGER HUNT FOR THREE MIRACULOUS PAINTINGS.
After her husband’s death, New York artist Claire Lucas has baffling dreams and waking visions as she channels an enigmatic and healing painting of a holy man in India at the deathbed of a young woman. When widowed antiquarian Richard Markson announces that Claire’s canvas is one-third of three paintings prophesied by the Angel Scroll, a recently discovered Dead Sea parchment, she is pulled into an international scavenger hunt to find the stolen scroll and the paintings it predicts.
As she pursues the paintings with Richard across historic and holy sites in America, Israel, and Europe, Claire encounters a series of remarkable teachers. A Buddhist, a Benedictine monk, and a professor of early goddess worship all provide rich explanations for the artist’s compelling and perplexing psychic experiences — until she assembles the incredible triptych and deciphers its inspirational message for the modern world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
In Benares, India, the sweltering night dragged on. Moonlight slid through the bedroom window and bathed the young, Christlike figure who sat cross-legged on the floor. Only a loincloth covered his slender hips, and his long, coarse hair was coiled in a topknot on his crown. He’d been watching the young woman on the low bed for hours. She was feverish, her breathing shallow, as she squinted at him now through half- closed lids. Her husband held her hand and shot the young man a pleading look. “Please let her live. I’m a rich man. I can pay you. I can help the poor of Benares, the poor of India.”
“To thwart death is not to conquer it,” the young master said, and the husband buried his head in the bed’s embroidered cover. In a single, fluid movement, the holy man rose and stroked his host’s bent head, His long, graceful fingers raking the dark hair, slick with perfumed oil, revealing a channel of pale, moist scalp.
Beyond the bedroom, in the narrow hallway, the master found his three companions propped against a wall and dozing. He tapped the closest with a calloused foot, and one by one the sleeping men awoke. “Is she well now?” the tall one asked, stretching.
“She will be dead come dawn,” his master whispered, as the four men stepped into the dusty and deserted Indian night.
The phone rang. Claire woke up and realized her face was wet. She’d been crying again. She eyed the clock—9 a.m. She cleared her throat, picked up the phone, and tried to sound awake. “Hello?”
“You still sleeping?” Claire held the phone away from her ear to stop Deirdre Vetch’s whine from piercing her brain. “You’re coming to the gallery to talk about the painting, right? We must talk.” Deirdre’s verbal pummeling began.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Penelope Holt was born and educated in England and now lives in New York. She is a novelist, playwright, business writer, and marketing executive, whose work has been performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, York Arts Center, and New York’s American Folk Theater. In addition to writing fiction, The Angel Scroll, and The Apple, based on the controversial Herman Rosenblat Holocaust romance, Holt is a prolific writer, editor, and co-author of non-fiction, including Business Intelligence at Work A Personal Operating System for Career Success, Singing God’s Work, the story of the Harlem Gospel Choir, and many other works. She is married with two children.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q & A With …
Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
No, but I talk to myself, lost loved ones, a higher power, and any benign forces that might be watching over me.
Do you have any phobias?
Not really. When my son was a baby, I used to panic every Sunday night at the thought of strapping him into his car seat and traveling a treacherous stretch of I95 to get him to daycare. Come Monday morning, the panic was gone and it was business as usual—only for the same panic to return every Sunday night. I’m also not a fan of camping and adventures in the woods, where snakes and creepy crawlies slither and skitter around, and strange noises and things that go bump in the night set the nerves on edge. Lots of respect for those who commune with the scarier side of nature.
Do you listen to music when you’re writing?
Not usually. I like to write in complete silence. I seem to need quiet to concentrate. I was asked to turn the novel into a screenplay and while doing that, I was moved to listen to classical guitar recordings, and Gregorian chant, which features in a scene set in Dormition Abbey in Jerusalem’s Old City.
Do you ever read your stories out loud?
I mostly read them in my head, but I will read out loud to hear if a certain cadence is working and hopefully working a spell.
Tell us about your main character and who inspired him/her.
In The Angel Scroll, Claire Lucas, a Manhattan-based painter, is grieving the unexpected loss of her young husband. She is plagued by strange visions and dreams that compel her to channel an enigmatic masterpiece of a Christlike figure at the deathbed of a young woman in India, which instantly becomes a healing and celebrated work that draws crowds.
Claire soon meets and is immediately but reluctantly attracted to an antiquarian, Richard Markson. As she joins him on a worldwide scavenger hunt for two other miraculous paintings, foretold by a prophecy in a recently discovered Dead Sea Scroll, she embarks on a journey that explores life’s biggest questions: life after death, faith, and spiritual transformation. Claire, a skeptic and seeker, faces supernatural experiences that challenge her belief system. Alongside characters like a Benedictine monk, a professor of mysticism, an anthropologist, and a Buddhist monk, Claire explores various metaphysical ideas and spiritual beliefs.
As Claire confronts a spiritual crisis, she must navigate conflicting answers from different traditions and belief systems to uncover the truth behind her supernatural experiences and move from profound grief to new love.
THE POSEIDON PROJECT
THE POSEIDON PROJECT
E. William Podojil
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE:
Suspense, Thriller, Mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
The Poseidon Project is an international suspense thriller and the first book in The Herb Society Mysteries series
Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past. Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom. Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands. But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are. Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future. But not only their futures; the world’s.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
The Spectrum’s engines roared, providing thrust to power the plane to takeoff speed as it lurched ahead down the runway. The plane’s power was evident as the acceleration force held them in their seats. This plane was designed to go fast, and the cabin was surprisingly quiet. As they hit takeoff speed, Taylor pulled back, and the nose lifted off the ground, followed shortly by the rest of the plane. The landing gear retracted immediately into the fuselage.
The passengers quietly stared out the large porthole windows as the Goose climbed out of Tucson. It was almost dusk, and Lukas spotted thousands of saguaro cacti dotting the sides of mountains that cast distorted shadows that looked like goblins. The exhilarating views captivated everyone. That is, for everyone except Donna, who sat rigid in her seat, hands clenched and her eyes squeezed shut. Lukas shot her a thumbs up in thanks to Donna—already not a fan of flying, but all in for a fifteen-hour flight halfway around the world just to support her friend. The plane’s angle leveled off, and soon Taylor emerged from the cockpit, curious how well the passengers had settled into their home for the next fifteen hours. Linda and Betty had their eyes shut, as Donna distracted herself with her laptop.
Taylor walked back to the crew stateroom for a few minutes. He and Diego had a brief conversation before Diego walked up to the cockpit. Lukas moved toward the back of the plane to set up his inflight internet connection and workspace. Linda and Betty awoke, startled and disoriented after their brief power nap, while Donna adjusted their seats to face each other, a small table between them. Betty remarked that it reminded her of a train.
“How’re you doing?” Taylor asked Lukas.
“Just trying to get set up here. I’ve got a lot of work to do on the way to Dubai. I need to connect with my team in Croatia to get some data and ideas on how I can get this ransom together. It’s still early morning there, so I’ll wait a few hours.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep until then?” Taylor suggested. I’m gonna try to myself. You mind?” Taylor pointed to the empty seat next to Lukas.
“Of course not.” Lukas stood to let him in. Taylor sat and reclined his seat. “I changed my mind. I’ll let the kids do the first leg, then I’ll replace one of them, and we rotate like that.”
Lukas saw that his mom and her friends were already starting to doze off, no doubt tired from the frenetic day. “Why don’t you sleep with me?” Taylor said, and then caught himself. “I mean not with me but next to me—you know what I mean. You make me all tongue-tied, Dr. Halloran.”
“Sure, I could use a nap. I’m relieved we’re finally on our way.” Lukas reclined his seat to the same angle as Taylor’s. The cabin was mostly dark, except for the LED accent lights that glowed a cool blue.
Taylor reached out and touched Lukas’ hand. “Is this okay?” He then intertwined his fingers with Lukas’. “This is better than okay. Sleep tight.” Lukas raised their joined hands and kissed the back of Taylor’s. Pretty soon, their hands were on each other’s thighs.
Heat rose from Taylor’s athletic legs.
Despite the sadness, stress, and emotion of this week, Lukas appreciated the kind soul sleeping next to him. As he was resting, Lukas suddenly felt a rush of panic. What am I doing? Random memories of Drew raced through his head as he tried to calm himself. He tried to rationalize his thoughts. Yes, I just met this guy. Yes, I promised myself I’d never get hurt again. But he’s such a nice man. What if he’s psycho? He pulled his hand away from Taylor and eventually calmed his mind and drifted off to sleep. When Lukas woke up, he noticed his mother sitting with her eyes open, staring at nothing, either deep in thought or terrified of something. Lukas walked over to her. “Ma, are you doing okay?”
“I think I’m okay. I just have a lot on my mind.”
“I know. This has got to be tough for you…” “Honey, I’m not talking about your father. Of course, I’m concerned about him, but it’s only a matter of time until we can see him, hopefully.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
E. William Podojil has worked as a writer, advisor and international business executive while living in the Netherlands and the United States. He studied screenwriting at UCLA. His first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004, by Haworth Press. His latest novel, The Poseidon Project, will be published by Wild Rose Press in August, 2024 as the first book in the Herb Society Mysteries series.
Podojil currently resides in Northeast Ohio with his husband and three sons. He travels extensively and writes about his experiences on his website www.ewpodojil.com.
https://www.facebook.com/ewilliampodojil
http://www.twitter.com/EWPodojil
https://www.instagram.com/ewilliampodojil/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Q & A With …
What would we find under your bed?
EWP: Nothing is under my bed. I don’t like clutter.
What was the scariest moment of your life?
EWP: One of the scariest moments of my life was during the swim portion of a triathlon. We were in extremely deep water, and when the mass of people began the swim race, I was accidentally kicked in the head and briefly lost consciousness and started to sink. Luckily there was a triathlon lifeguard sitting in a nearby kayak who saw me go under and pulled me back up. I held onto the boat to catch my breath but I was rattled. She followed me until I finished the swim portion and cheered me on as I emerged from the water in last place. Luckily I was a good cyclist and runner so I caught up in the later events, but I still have nightmares of nearly drowning.
Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
EWP: I can’t concentrate on both writing and the music at the same time, so I choose one or the other.
What is something you’d like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
EWP: In the next year, I hope to publish book 2 of the series and be working on book 3. I’m also working on another project outside of this series on which I hope to make progress. My pipe dream is to have The Poseidon Project made into a film, so anything moving in that direction would be great.
How long did it take you to write this book?
EWP: The concept for the book has been swirling inside my mind for some time, so writing it and getting an offer to publish took about six months. Then the editing process took another three months, which was what got the book to what it is today.
FalconSaga Cover Reveal
An elf afraid of opening his heart, and a human who is heir
to an awesome power: Only by embracing their shared destiny can they save
Iceland…and each other.
FalconSaga
by Robert Winter
Genre: Epic Fantasy
In modern-day Iceland, a place of glaciers, volcanoes, and
legends, the Norns have foretold a sorcerous invasion that could destroy
everything.
Magnús, an elf of the huldufólk, is driven by the murder of his human lover a
century ago to save those humans he can, and to figure out what is behind
recent troll attacks on tourists. But the Norns have spoken. He must protect
Altair, a young human from Boston, who is bringing a dangerous magical force to
Iceland. If Magnús fails to keep Altair safe, the country will fall to a
sorcerer called the Black Priest. Yet if Altair lives, Magnús will meet his
doom.
For his part, Altair is a graduate student bullied to visit Iceland by mentors
who seem to have their own agenda. He knows nothing of elves, sorcerers or
prophecies. Suddenly, the handsome, mysterious Magnús is guiding Altair around
Reykjavik and into danger. A witch, a berserker, and more elves are along for
the quest across Iceland’s forbidding landscape. And why does everyone keeps
calling Altair “the Falcon”?
An elf and a human with a shared destiny. Will they solve the mystery linking
their fates before it is too late for all Iceland?
**Releases
Jan 31st – Preorder Now!**
Robert Winter is a recovering lawyer who likes writing about
love and adventure much more than drafting a legal brief. Once upon a time, he
went to Georgetown University law school. Upon graduation, he moved to New York
to work in a large law firm, but later returned to Washington, DC. The legal
work was entertaining and Robert spent a lot of time in bankruptcy court,
usually representing either groups of creditor or the debtors themselves. But
legal work didn’t satisfy the urge Robert felt to tell stories.
When he turned 50, Robert left behind the (allegedly)
glamorous world of international law firms and bankruptcy court to pursue his
real passion. Now he lives in Montreal with his husband, studying French
between trips to exotic locations.
When Robert isn’t writing, he loves to cook Indian food. The
aromas of the spice blends excite and challenge him. Although he’s never been
to India, the food seems comforting and home-like. Add a trip to the Golden
Triangle to the bucket list!
Website
*
Facebook
*
Instagram
*
TikTok
*
Bluesky
*
Bookbub
*
Amazon
*
Goodreads
Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$ 10 Amazon giftcard
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
December 29, 2024
Dark Fairytale Trilogy
Tay’s best friend, Cale always told him fairy-tales were dark, but they all have happy
endings, right?
Willow’s Way
Dark Fairytale Book 1
by Cheryl Headford
Genre: LGBTQ YA Epic Fantasy
Cale always told Tay that fairy tales were dark. But they
always have happy endings, right?
Taylor Preston is a normal sixteen-year-old whose biggest worries are his GCSE
exams. He’s right in the middle of them, but he has a summer of fun with his
parents to look forward to after. Or not.
Despite their promise to spend the summer focusing on their one and only son,
Tay’s parents, Local Authority specialist foster carers, take on one more
special case.
Willow’s arrival throws more than Tay’s summer into chaos. Suddenly, his best
friend is possessed by a demon, his parents aren’t his parents after all, and
he’s literally living a nightmare in a fairy tale world that as dark as
anything Cale ever warned him about. All he has is Willow and a burning desire
to save his friend before he succumbs to the demon and Willow kills him.
Amazon * Apple * eXtasyBooks * B&N
* Google
* Kobo * Bookbub
* Goodreads
Tay’s Trials
Dark Fairytale Book 2
strangers who call themselves his family. Even Willow has deserted him. Then he
meets Wisp, and things look up – until a shadow assassin attempts to kill him,
Cale traps his shadow in a gem and the only way to save him appears to be a mad
wizard.What can possibly top all that? Meeting a hundred-thousand-year-old king and
his dragon friend, the very dragon on whom the entire city is built.
Amazon * Apple * eXtasyBooks * B&N
* Google
* Kobo * Bookbub
* Goodreads
Godric’s Gift
Dark Fairytale Book 3
Tay had thought that fighting demons was the hardest thing
he’d have to do, but what came after was so much harder.
No one thought Tay was ready to face his possessed brother
and the demon army at his back, and that included Tay himself. Gray, however,
thought different and, as usual, Gray got his way. But if Tay thought the
demons were the hardest thing he’d have to face, he would soon find himself
dead wrong.
From determining ownership of the land formerly occupied by
the demons to a world that had been without a High King for so long they
weren’t sure they needed one, every day brought new problems, and then there
was the magic that was not so slowly leaking out of the world. Tay’s life got
more complicated every day.
When Gray stepped up with the answers, it only made things a
whole lot worse.
Amazon * eXtasyBooks * B&N
* Google
* Bookbub
* Goodreads
Cheryl was born into a poor mining family in the South Wales
Valleys. Until she was 16, the toilet was at the bottom of the garden and the
bath hung on the wall. Her refrigerator was a stone slab in the pantry and
there was a black lead fireplace in the kitchen. They look lovely in a museum
but aren’t so much fun to clean.
Cheryl has always been a storyteller. As a child, she’d make
up stories for her nieces, nephews and cousin and they’d explore the imaginary
worlds she created, in play.
Later in life, Cheryl became the storyteller for a re
enactment group who travelled widely, giving a taste of life in the Iron Age.
As well as having an opportunity to run around hitting people with a sword, she
had an opportunity to tell stories of all kinds, sometimes of her own making,
to all kinds of people. The criticism was sometimes harsh, especially from the
children, but the reward enormous.
It was here she began to appreciate the power of stories and
the primal need to hear them. In ancient times, the wandering bard was the only
source of news, and the storyteller the heart of the village, keeping the lore
and the magic alive. Although much of the magic has been lost, the stories
still provide a link to the part of us that still wants to believe that it’s
still there, somewhere.
In present times, Cheryl lives in a terraced house in the
valleys with her son, dog, bearded dragon and three cats. Her daughter has
deserted her for the big city, but they’re still close. She’s never been
happier since she was made redundant and is able to devote herself entirely to
her twin loves of writing and art, with a healthy smattering of magic and
mayhem
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Amazon
* Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
