C.A. Milson's Blog, page 3
August 14, 2025
I HAVE A STORY
I HAVE A STORY
Colleen L Donnelly
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Jim Turner writes crime but doesn’t live it. He respects his grandfather’s tales of heroes but doesn’t believe them. When his failing grandfather sends him to a remote peninsula to write the end of his own heroic love story, Jim includes a war criminal interview to maintain his edge.
Chastity is an anomaly, a misfit in pre-WWII culture as well as in Jim’s life. Her spritely charm and endearing features turn Jim’s world upside down, especially when she reveals his grandfather’s peninsula as the site of her upcoming wedding.
Do good journalists flee when their interviewee is murdered? Do heroes write fiancés out of another’s story and themselves in? “The End” become the hardest words for Jim to write.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT
Author’s Note: Boy meets Girl. Can he love her enough to wish her happiness with another?
She rifled through pillows, fabric-covered boxes, scarves, and whatever else got in her way, searching for a pen and paper. By the time she unearthed what I would need, I knew exactly what I would say about this gem of a girl whose forehead now glistened from exertion. Resisting the temptation to graze her hand, I took the pen and paper from her.
“Here’s what I think you should say.” She plied me with highlights of her romance with Dwayne, their chance encounter and the immediacy of their commitment, their starry optimism for the future.
I couldn’t write that way. I didn’t take dictation. I always plotted with my head and wrote from the gut. But this time, I wrote from the heart, penning my vision of Chastity’s awakening into the passion which oozed from her and all around her home.
“Did you get all of that?” she stopped and asked.
“That and more,” I assured her. Though I had captured her enthusiasm on the page, not a single one of her words made it there. Not even their full names. I referred to them as Chastity and Dwayne, and nothing more. I believed the universe already recognized her, this beautiful explosion of life and color in a world darkened by war. Dwayne carried the distinction of the one lucky enough to orbit her as long as they both should live. I choked down my objection to that and forced a smile.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Colleen L Donnelly put her science education to use for years and then put it behind her to pursue other passions. Her first love is writing and her second is hunting—hunting for that next good story, hunting for relics and antiques, hunting for the next good author to read. An avid believer in work hard/play hard, Colleen splits her time between indoors and out, always busy at something.
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lq6qGO
Goodreads: bit.ly/4jHc6Lj
BookBub: https://bit.ly/4ivgQls
Social Media Links:
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/colleen-l-donnelly
Website: http://www.colleenldonnelly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.donnelly.568/
Goodreads: http://www.Goodreads.com/colleenldonnelly
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colleenldonnelly/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/37vcnO4
Twitter: https://x.com/ColleenLDonnell/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Colleen L Donnelly will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
August 13, 2025
THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN
THE SPIRIT OF VANDERLAAN
Susan Harris Howell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Paranormal cozy mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
When beloved professor, Samantha Hayes, learns that her favorite four students live in as many of her old dorm rooms, she wonders how it happened and for what purpose. As she and her student entourage explore the possibilities, they uncover a death years ago and what appears to be the ghost of the dearly departed. All of this stirs up Samantha’s long-held fear that she was responsible for that death, challenging all she thought she knew about herself and the work she holds dear. They must figure out what happened before Samantha gets fired for “dabbling in the paranormal.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT
As she walked to her first class of the day, Samantha congratulated herself that for the first time this semester she would arrive at her own class on time. A glance at her watch revealed she even had five minutes to spare. With Douglas Hall in sight and her classroom on its main floor, she was sure to make it on time—
“Samantha!”
Grrr! So close. Although showing up late for class frustrated her, she was mostly annoyed by the person who was about to detain her. If I ignore him, maybe he’ll go away.
“Samantha!” This time he was more insistent.
Samantha released a breath of resignation. She should have known better. He wasn’t the kind to be ignored. Samantha turned to face him as she reached the door of the building. She hadn’t been at Vanderlaan long enough to flout someone who carried the weight around here that he did. “What can I do for you, Len?”
Dr. Len Titus stood before her, dressed as always, in a suit with a starched white shirt and tie which he would loosen by afternoon. His graying hair with a precise part on the side had become his hallmark, along with his hands-on-hips pose and gravelly voice. Levi’s imitation of each was spot on, although professional decorum required that Samantha refrain from the encouragement her laughter would ensure. Since Len Titus was of slight frame, someone unfamiliar with this man might assume passivity or weakness. Not Samantha.
“I see we’re both teaching in Douglas Hall this semester,” he said. “Hope I won’t be in your way.” He peered over his wire-rimmed glasses. “Or you in mine.”
Samantha took a breath, gritted her teeth, and walked through the door. She would use the back entrance next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I am a psychologist, speaker, and author of The Spirit of Vanderlaan, my debut novel released in December of 2024. This book is a fun, cozy, ghost story featuring a professor, Samantha Hayes, and her lively band of students who get caught up in solving a campus mystery. This book draws on my teaching career of over thirty years to capture the camaraderie and warmth between a professor and the assortment of personalities which inhabit her office.
I have also published extensively on equality between women and men. My first book, Buried Talents, explores the subtle ways women are discouraged from entering male-dominated occupations. Buried Talents was named a winner in InterVarsity Press’s 2022 Readers’ Choice Awards.
My husband and I have two grown children, a daughter-in-law, one adorable grandson, and an incorrigible beagle named Doc. While Doc doesn’t understand a word I say, he fully supports my books and their content.
Website: https://susanharrishowell.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susan_h_howell/
Email List & Monthly Blog: https://susanharrishowell.substack.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susanhowellwriter
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-Harris-Howell/author/B09JL6T1RX?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1723819866&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22175282.Susan_Harris_Howell
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-harris-howell
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirit-Vanderlaan-Samantha-Hayes-Book-ebook/dp/B0DHV65RM4?ref_=ast_author_dp
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-spirit-of-vanderlaan-susan-howell/1146282868?ean=9781509258888
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Susan Harris Howell will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
August 12, 2025
Tales From the Cursed Edge
Step beyond the threshold of safety and discover what lies
beyond . . . the Cursed Edge.
Six gripping tales of courage, sacrifice & redemption
await on the precipice between salvation and damnation.
Tales From the Cursed Edge
Dark Stories of Swords and Sorcery
An Edge Weaver Anthology created by Marie Ito
with stories by
Michael Magistro, James Andrews, W.E. Wertenbeger,
Rob D. Smith, Jack Finn, JP Wilder, Chris Mason
Where light fails,
heroes are forged in darkness.
Six gripping tales of courage,
sacrifice, and redemption await on the precipice between salvation and
damnation. Each story draws you deeper into a world where magic flows like
blood and monsters prowl the shadows.
Journey with unlikely heroes thrust into extraordinary
circumstances—a mundane worker transported to a realm of danger and destiny, a
mighty king confronting the terrible price of power, a battle-hardened
mercenary facing the ghosts of his past, a loyal emissary venturing into enemy
territory with nothing but faith, two companions racing against time to prevent
an ancient evil’s return, and a lone holy warrior seeking divine aid against a
darkness that threatens all creation.
These tales explore the moments that define us: when fear
must yield to courage, when ordinary souls rise to extraordinary challenges,
and when the darkness seems insurmountable, but the flame of hope refuses to
die.
From master storytellers Michael Magistro, James Andrews,
W.E. Wertenberger, Rob D. Smith, Jack Finn, JP Wilder, and Chris Mason comes an
anthology that will transport you to lands where magic and monsters reign, and
where heroes are forged in the fires of adversity.
Step beyond the threshold of safety, and discover what lies
beyond . . . the Cursed Edge.
The Savage Rat Lord by Michael Magistro:
A young fast-food worker falls into another world and finds his true
calling in a desperate village.
Denmýr by James Andrew:
A powerful warrior king faces dark truths about his family’s bloody
legacy and his ancestral sword.
The Many Mouths of the Endless Night by W.E.
Wertenberger & Rob D. Smith:
A mercenary
confronts childhood guilt in a city where rat-controlling street urchins stalk
the night.
The Last Emissary by Jack Finn:
A desperate kingdom sends its final messenger to a usurper’s court in
a last attempt to end a brutal war.
The Black Altar by JP Wilder:
Two companions discover a dark artifact tied to an ancient cult
seeking to open a forbidden gateway.
Heroes Never Die by Chris Mason:
A lone paladin, survivor of a sacred order, embarks on a quest to
reclaim divine power against cosmic horror.
EdgeWeaver
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Michael
Magistro is a Clovis, California-based author with deep
roots in the vibrant Bay Area. When not managing regional operations for a
Fortune 150 company, Michael channels his passion into crafting compelling
narratives that explore themes of redemption, legacy, rebirth, and the enduring
search for hope in the darkest of times. Outside of his professional and
creative pursuits, he enjoys powerlifting, devouring a wide range of media, and
cherishing moments with his family.
James
Andrews is a full time artist and designer living in
the Northeastern United States. This is the first step in his journey as an
author and he has many more stories to tell. When he’s not sculpting dragons,
drawing comics, or writing, he spends all the rest of his time with his golden
retriever and his cat.
W.E.
Wertenberger is a writer of Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Crime
fiction. He grew up in Northern Ohio and currently lives and works in Kentucky.
His most recent work has appeared in Savage Realms Monthly and Cirsova
Magazine.
Rob
D. Smith wanted to weave tales as soon as he plucked
his first Fantastic Four comic book off the grocery store spinner rack. He
honed his imagination with scribbled drawings in notebooks creating intricate
stories where he learned that his imagination was far greater than his art
skills. Words became his way of exploring the weird worlds in his mind. Since
then, he has had wide success in the crime, horror, fantasy, and weird fiction
genres.
Jack
Finn is a folk horror author and member of the
Horror Writers Association. He lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and
two clever dogs. His debut novel, The Seven Deaths of Prince Vlad (Anuci Press,
2024), explores dark and thrilling themes. In 2025, Jack’s werewolf
duology—Prey Upon the Lambs (April) and The Desolation of Hunters
(September)—will be released by Anuci Press, along with They Come When You Are
Asleep, an anthology of his short stories (Velox Books). His work has appeared
in notable horror collections, including Doors of Darkness, Horroscope 4,
Twelve Months of Horror, and more.
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky
JP
Wilder also known as JP Vile, is a versatile author
and academic specializing in fantasy, science fiction, and pulp genres. Best
known for his Crusader series and Hunter Caine Pulp Stories, Wilder delves into
themes of war, honor, betrayal, and redemption through action-packed
storytelling. He has contributed essays and introductions to the Edge Weaver
Classics series, covering iconic works like A Princess of Mars and 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea. Wilder also explores historical mysteries and survival
strategies in his academic works. Holding an MBA and an MFA in Creative
Writing, he enriches his narratives with profound historical depth.
Chris
Mason is a fantasy and sci fi writer hailing from
Jackson, Mississippi. He is the author of The Stars Fell (Science Fiction), as
well as The Dark Rider (Dark Fantasy). A fan of epic storytelling centered
around good versus evil, he can usually be found gaming on his couch with his
cats, Quincy and Rocky, or traveling in search of new inspiration.
Follow the tour
HERE
for special content
and a giveaway!
Choice of print or ebook copy of Tales From the Cursed Edge,
$25 Amazon giftcard
– 1 winner each!
GHOSTED
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. Also, the author has organized a Goodreads giveaway for the book: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/418301-ghosted.
When her fiancé’s infidelity prompts Bethany Hendren to map out a new path forward, her plans are disrupted by an unexpected encounter with Nick Dorsey, who convinces her to help search for the remains of a troubled eighteenth-century ghost. Nick is the handsome summer boyfriend who ghosted her years ago, and now he wants to rekindle their relationship.
Despite her reluctance to trust him, Bethany discovers he’s still the funny, caring person who captured her heart as a teen, but giving him a second chance is risky—it could lead to love and happiness or result in another devastating heartache.
Although Bethany wants a happily ever after with Nick, does she have the courage to trust him with her future?
Read an Excerpt
As they walked back to the inn, Bethany counted on the shadows from the street lamps to mask Nick’s probing gaze and boost her courage to ask him what happened all those years ago. His reason might help her find closure and make peace with the past. And then, maybe, they could part as friends.
But what if his explanation inflicted a fresh wound instead?
She hesitated, and Nick broke the silence. “There’s something captivating about this town at night. It gives me a sense of anticipation, like something exciting is just ahead.”
“It’s the same for me, too,” she replied, relieved her question remained unasked. “Like anything is possible, as though the darkness dismantles all the barriers we erect during the day.”
He turned his head. “Are there specific barriers you’re referring to?”
Fear. She was afraid to find out what happened that summer. And truth. Did she really want to know why he’d ghosted her?
As she contemplated a reply, his fingers brushed against hers. She stiffened, surprised by his touch and flustered by the warmth of his skin. Immediately, her mind went blank, his question and her reply obliterated by the rapid thudding inside her chest.
Be strong.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, moving her hand away from his to scratch her cheek, then fidget with her purse strap. “What did you say?”
About the Author:
Author Lori Matsourani is a romance addict. Give her stories with a touch of heartbreak and a spark of joy, and she’s happy. Throw in characters with a huge helping of heart and soul, and she’s up reading all night in romance heaven! While currently a Texas resident, Lori grew up near Baltimore and often draws on the historical flavor of Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore to inspire her story settings. She authored her first fiction story at twelve and has been hooked on writing ever since. Early on, her writing career focused on articles for magazines and newspapers before shifting to her first writing love—fiction. For Lori, connecting words to tell a story is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and she loves the challenge of creating every piece.
Website: https://lorimatsourani.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.matsourani
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.matsourani/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/lori_matsourani
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/lori-matsourani.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@lori.matsourani
X: https://x.com/LoriMatsourani
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@alloriannam
Buy Links:
https://books2read.com/lorimatsourani
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F9XCPLYD/thewildrosepr-20
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ghosted-lori-matsourani/1147463084
https://books.apple.com/us/book/ghosted/id6746414091
https://wildrosepress.com/product/ghosted/
Lori Matsourani will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
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August 6, 2025
Time Lock Series
A sci-fi-tingedaction-adventure with heart and humor, the TimeLock series is
set in the crime-ridden near future where a bold new technology transforms the
justice system and challenges America’s moral compass. Only one problem—what
happens if you’re innocent?
The Millennium Paradox
Time Lock Book 3
by Howard Berk & Peter Berk
Genre: SciFi Action Adventure
The Award-Winning series co-written by award-winning writer Howard Berk
(“Columbo,” “Mission: Impossible”) and Peter Berk.
Newly relocated to the charming Alaskan town of Caribou Bay
after bidding farewell to his best friends Morgan and Janine Eberly, Yoshi Ito
inadvertently prompts his boss, geneticist Dr. Emory Layton, to try a new
genetic acceleration protocol in a local prison. Using technology from the
TimeLock process, the experiment goes awry.
Instead of yielding the desired medical benefits, it generates a terrifying
outcome that infuses a convicted killer with superhuman powers.
As the killer begins to exact revenge upon his enemies, local helicopter pilot
Tom Brooks recruits the Eberlys’ help to stop the unstoppable force before the
residents of Caribou Bay—and possibly the whole world—are forever at the
killer’s mercy.
**NEW RELEASE!!**
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* Kobo * Bookshop.org
* Goodreads
The Kyoto Conspiracy
Time Lock Series Book 2
TimeLock stole
twenty years from Morgan Eberly’s life. A terrifying new version of the radical
technology might just end it.
Two years after the events of TimeLock, a new and unhinged
president of the United States approves an immoral and illegal plan to develop
a weaponized form of the TimeLock process for use on the battlefield.
But only one man, geneticist Dr. Lionel Garvey, can execute the program. When
both he and his wife Kiyoko are kidnapped in Kyoto, Japan, Morgan and FBI Agent
Janine Price receive a frantic text from Kiyoko’s brother, Yoshi.
Realizing they can’t trust anyone in their own government, Morgan and Janine
fly to Japan and team up with Yoshi for an unauthorized rescue mission. After a
daring raid of a research facility in Japan, the trio realize they have only
delayed the president’s insane plan. They must now execute a dangerous assault
on a frozen corner of Siberia to accomplish their mission. Can Morgan and
Janine stop the president from unleashing a newly weaponized version
of TimeLock before it’s too late?
“A deftly crafted dystopian style science fiction
suspense thriller of a novel, “TimeLock” by the team of Howard and
Peter Berk is a compulsive page turner of a read from cover to cover and
unreservedly recommended . . .” —
Midwest
Book Review (TimeLock)
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Time Lock
Time Lock Series Book 1
When everyman Morgan Eberly is arrested for a murder he
didn’t commit, he’s subjected to an experimental new technology that instantly
ages prisoners the number of years of their sentence. Now 43 and on the run,
can Morgan and rogue FBI agent Janine Price unlock the truth about TimeLock
before it’s too late to turn back?
An innocent man. A radical punishment.
The clock is ticking . . .
With crime rampant, the President authorizes a hugely controversial
program: TimeLock, a cellular acceleration process whereby select
prisoners are instantly aged the total number of years of their
sentence. In other words – three strikes and you’re old…very old.
A sci-fi-tinged action-adventure with heart and humor, TimeLock is
the first in a new series of novellas set in the crime-ridden near future where
a bold new technology transforms the justice system and challenges America’s
moral compass. Only one problem—what happens if you’re innocent?
What Readers
are saying about the series:
TimeLock is a
high-octane action thriller with a classic feel, reminiscent of Michael
Crichton or Tom Clancy. It’s familiar, but in all the right ways.
The central concept is brilliant . . . The novella is tightly paced,
and there’s not a dull moment. . . .The introduction is particularly engaging,
with an absolutely killer prologue that sucks you in right from the
start. Reading TimeLock, I felt like I was watching a movie . . . It’s a crowd-pleasing blockbuster of a
novella, with all the thrills you’d hope for, and a cracking start to a
series. – Read
the full review
Whoa!! Okay so this was awesome and I have to say first off- I hope like hell
someone picks this up to make a movie or a show out of it!! This was a
super interesting premise so I was hooked. It moved at a great pace and I was
on the edge of my seat the whole time. -Book Blogger @gryffindorbookishnerd
I vastly enjoyed this quick read . . . The writing was keenly honed and
smartly detailed . . . In sum, was a well-plotted and shrewdly paced
action-packed thriller featuring slightly frayed characters and storylines that
were cleverly laced together with wry humor and witty snark.
–Empress DJ/Honolulubelle, Books
and Binding Book Reviews
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* Kobo * Bookshop.org
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An award-winning novelist and screenwriter, Howard Berk’s
credits include memorable episodes of such classic TV series as “Columbo,”
(including “By Dawn’s Early Light,” for which guest star Patrick McGoohan won
an Emmy), “Mission: Impossible,” “The Rockford Files,” “The Fall Guy,” “The New
Mike Hammer” and “The Contender,” starring “V” and “The Beastmaster” lead Marc
Singer. Howard Berk also wrote the feature film, “Target,” starring Gene
Hackman and Matt Dillon.
Peter Berk has
written six novels, three TV pilots and a dozen screenplays, including several
with his father, Howard Berk, which became the basis for the TimeLock series
of novels. IE also published Peter’s political murder mystery, First
Line of Defense and will publish his forthcoming novel, Fireline. Peter and his
family live in Southern California.
Website * Facebook * Facebook * X * Instagram * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 5, 2025
BLOOD IN THE SHADOWS
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Hawk MacKinney will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
When marine buddy, Gulfport, Mississippi Sheriff asks Craige Ingram for help, Ingram and Buckingham Parish patrolman ‘Badger’ Thomas Boback find themselves in the summertime dogdays of the humid Gulf Coast. With crowded beaches and an undermanned staff, a routine investigation soon becomes anything but routine when indescribable body parts start showing up along the surf, in beachfront cabins, half-buried in bayou wetlands, stashed under freeway bridges, and across county lines. Craige’s search for answers to identifying victims and killer among the crowds of tourists and skin-and-sun partygoers soon makes it obvious the victims have no connection with one another—until conflicting DNA results and haunting premonitions resembling the warnings Craige’s grannie often had become part of the investigation. The jigsaw of abandoned cross-kin offspring begin a horrifying Gordian Knot tangle that threatens anyone who approaches the shadowy ancient wreck of an old mansion – an asylum from a lost time.
Read an Excerpt
During the long haint-ridden nights the craving had become scalding, nearly uncontrollable. The green-yellow eyes withdrew into darker corners of windowless rooms, as flickers of Cajun Grandmère Nana’s weathered face swirled in the mist. Everybody around knew ageless Kreyòl Cajun Grandmère Nana. Some of them truly were believers. They knew what they had seen with their own eyes, and no one was going to convince them otherwise. They’d call to her by her dead half-sister’s spook-name, Momby Bocor. In the shadows of full-moon nights, they’d mumble in a breathless cadence, “Momby Bocor. Momby Bocor. Momby Bocor,” that became more chant than phantom witch-worker. Nana’s soft Acadia dialect in her New Orleans patois gave a pleasing lilt to the dapples of moonlight, her outline sauntering the back yard beneath the sprawling sheen of the swamp magnolia’s thick leaves. Not a hair was out of place in the golden red crown circled atop her head. Her frayed sweet gum twig swizzled back and forth in toothless twitches. Time-wrinkled eyes looked, mesmerized, toward the full silvery orb. She could almost see ancient Luna rising out of the gentle watery laps of the Gulf, reflected in the ripples and washing the sandy beaches. Nana often warned her gran’chil’ Ramona about the waxing madness that came from the blinding dazzle of the full moon. Lots of folks shrugged her off as a tiddly old crone passing her unnumbered days and nights inside her own world. Yet Nana’s houseplants never got frost burned, and her early flower beds and vegetable gardens were never planted before the last freeze. Ramona didn’t shrug off her Gran’mere Nana who was sharpened by the clean brisk air spilling among the haints and steamy haunts of bayous that would stay warm until spring. Then would come the days of warm Gulf air piling into big dark thunderheads, and the offshore waters would froth into elegant capped grey plumes. He could hardly wait. Sharp mangled grubby teeth chewed the lower lip pulling it raw. Blood oozed. The wet tongue did a quick taste, fed the perpetual lust. The craving hunger was always there. With the cloudy moon it would make for a cozy night to roam so long as Richard didn’t find out. It would make for good hunting.
About the Author:
Hawk MacKinney has authored several award-winning works of fiction that include THE MOCCASIN HOLLOW MYSTERY SERIES and THE CAIRNS OF SAINCTUARIE SCIENCE FICTION SERIES. His historical romance MOCCASIN TRACE was nominated for the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award.
Cross-genre character-driven plots reflect Hawk MacKinney’s southwest upbringing along the Texas and Oklahoma borders. With postgraduate faculty positions in several medical universities, Hawk MacKinney has taught graduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem.
Website: http://www.hawkmackinneyauthor.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Shadows-Hawk-MacKinney/dp/B0FG47PDSV/ref=sr_1_1
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August 4, 2025
Tales From Planet Sanos
The future is grim. Seven human women, trained in survival
and negotiation are being permitted to land on Planet Sanos with one goal:
secure a future for the humans of Earth… at any cost.
Tales From Planet Sanos
A Multi-Author Science Fiction Romance Omnibus
with stories by
Celia Kyle, Chloe Graves, Elin Wyn, Holly Hanzo,
Lara Roth, Mary Ashe, Robin O’Connor
The future is grim.
The Earth’s oceans are poison to humans, and pure water, untainted by the
generations of pollution, is scarce and coveted. Our only hope—Earth’s only
hope—rests in the landing capsule gradually descending from the generational
spaceship, the USS Legacy. Seven human women, trained in survival and
negotiation are being permitted to land on Planet Sanos with one goal: secure a
future for the humans of Earth… at any cost.
This SPECIAL EDITION print omnibus has a glossy cover, printed edges, digital
signatures, and custom artwork throughout. It contains the following Planet
Sanos shared world novellas:
Taken by the Alien Merking by Celia Kyle
Taken by the Siren King by Chloe Graves
Taken by the Storm King by Elin Wyn
Taken by the Alien Kraken King by Holly Hanzo
Taken by the Leviathan King by Lara Roth
Taken by the Merrow King by Mary Ashe
Taken by the Alien Triton King by Robin O’Connor
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Ex-dance teacher, former accountant and erstwhile
collectible doll salesperson, Celia Kyle now writes paranormal and science
fiction romances as well as urban fantasy. It goes without saying that there’s
always a happily-ever-after for her characters, even if there are a few road
bumps along the way. Today she lives in central Florida and writes full-time
with the support of her loving husband and two finicky cats.
Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour
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Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card or a print copy of the
Special Edition
– open WW (anywhere that Amazon will ship)
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July 30, 2025
Upheaval
Some secrets were never meant to be uncovered
Upheaval
The Divided States Series Book 1
by A.E. Faulkner
Genre: YA Dystopian Fantasy
The Divided States of America, 2121
A hundred years after the Great Infection Spread swept across countries and
continents, barriers rose and borders closed. Nations isolated themselves in
protective siloes as survivors faced starvation, disease and the daunting task
of rebuilding. The United States was carved into three Territories, each ruled
independently.
Today, the three Societal Order leaders ration everything – clothing, food,
energy – because demand drowns supply. To conserve resources, citizens are
declared either day dwellers or night dwellers, essentially limiting their
existence to 12 hours each day.
Where you’re born is where you
stay. Until now.
Everly Scott is preparing to graduate from her final year of schooling when
she’s chosen to serve on an inter-Territory delegation. As one of twelve
delegates, she will help assess and recommend updates to the Alliance
Agreement, which outlines trade and peace relations between the Territories.
Everly embarks on the journey of a lifetime – crossing the Xone walls to learn
about people and places that have always been well out of reach. It’s the
greatest opportunity she’s ever had. And also the most dangerous one.
Secrets lurk within each Territory and
Everly’s about to find out what happens to those who uncover them.
**Don’t miss
Book 2 – Uprising!**
Find it on Amazon
A. E. Faulkner was born and raised in Pennsylvania. When
she’s not lost in a book, she loves spending time with her husband and two
sons, especially while hiking, biking, or exploring nature. She loves almost
everything about nature—ticks excluded, and one of her biggest fears is the
repercussions we will face when nature can no longer tolerate human
destruction. As such, she never tires of reading dystopian-themed tales.
Stories about the end of the world absolutely fascinate her.
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$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner,
Ebook of book #2 – Uprising – 3 winners!
July 29, 2025
The Conall Series
Heroes and villains from myth, legend,
and history converge in this saga set in the vast ancient forests, treacherous
bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious lochs of Scotland some four hundred
years before the birth of Christ.
The Place of Blood – Rinn-Iru
Conall Book I
by David H. Millar
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Over four hundred years before the birth of Christ, the island of Ériu is a patchwork of
feuding kingdoms, vast plains, and frozen bogs. Battle, intrigue, betrayals,
and courage are part of life for the Celts who call Ériu home.
At the same time, from their underground halls, the mysterious demi-goddesses
of the Aes Sídhe seduce brave warriors, turning men into kings
and binding them with fearsome geis.
Conall Mac Gabhann is content with his apprenticeship with the
local blacksmith. Content, that is, until he finds his family slaughtered in
their home. Two men share responsibility for the massacre: a mad Irish king and
a dissolute Roman. Conall will have his vengeance or die in the attempt.
Accompanied by his childhood love—the beautiful but dark-spirited—Mórrígan,
and the veteran warrior Fearghal, Conall’s quest takes him
northward through unfriendly kingdoms to a confrontation beyond the ancient
earthworks of the Black Pig’s Dyke.
Along the way, Conall and Mórrígan will gather an army and come under the
influence of the Aes Sídhe. If Conall desires, an apprentice blacksmith will
become a king. Who knows what Mórrígan will become?
The Conall Series contains scenes of sex and violence and language
appropriate to the period (400 B.C.) it is set in. It is not recommended for
those under 14 without parental consent.
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The Raven’s Flight – Eitilt an Fhiagh Dhuibh
Conall Book II
Conall II: The Raven’s Flight continues to chronicle the story of Conall and Mórrígan and
the epic journey of the warriors from Ériu (Ireland).
Conall and his brooding queen, Mórrígan, lead over two thousand warriors with
their followers across the narrow sea separating Ériu
from Albu (Britain). Their quest: the capture of Cassius Fabius
Scaeva, the dissolute Roman held responsible for the slaughter of their
families.
The Ériu encounter human, natural, and supernatural foes and friends. At the
mercy of the Aes Sídhe, a race of demi-goddesses who demand that he
fulfil his geis, Conall is named the Hand of the Goddess and given
the instrument that will crush the Na Daoine Tùrsach—a tribe of fanatical,
blood-lusting priests.
They battle fierce northern tribes: the Forest People’s one-eyed king, Drostan
Ruadh, opposes their presence, as do the Na Mèadaidh, led by the sly
Finnean Mac Sèitheach. Yet, not all are enemies. The Raven People offer their
support, although it too comes at a price.
Heroes and villains from myth, legend, and history converge in this saga set in
the vast ancient forests, frozen bogs, snow-capped mountains, and mysterious
lochs of Scotland some four hundred years before the birth of Christ.
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The Sisters – Na Deirfiúracha
Conall Book III
It is 406 B.C. The Gaels tramp battle through the vast forests of Northern Albu and cross
the brooding moors and marshes to reach the grain fields of Southern Albu. The
majestic stone brochs, crannags and dùin of the north give way to the great
hillforts of the South.
The Sisters is the third book of the series. In this tale,
the fearsome women surrounding Conall take centre stage.
A malevolent queen bent on conquering Northern Albu launches an invasion and
kidnaps the twin daughters of Conall and Mórrígan. The king’s and
queen’s blood oath promises no mercy until the young twins are returned.
A merciless assassin stalks the community, and Tadhg is given
the unenviable task of tracking the killer down. His mission worsens when the
signs point to one of the women close to Conall, and he becomes the target.
Which partners are loyal to their hand-fasting oaths, and who will betray them?
Will honour be redeemed on the battlefield?
Amid the battles, betrayals and intrigue, Mòrag, a tall beauty and fearsome
warrior, desires Conall at any cost. A clash with Conall’s queen, also known
as The Dark Huntress, is inevitable.
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A Brace of Eagles – Snaidhm Iolar
Conall Book IV
“Butter-gold and cruelly hooked, the beak ripped a ragged gash across the newborn’s throat.”
Blacksmith’s son, Conall Mac Gabhann’s only desire was to follow in
his father’s footsteps and enjoy a long life with his childhood love, Mórrígan.
The slaughter of their parents dashed those dreams. Fuelled by vengeance, both
embark on the dark path of retribution.
From the ancient forest, two great eagles take wing. With amber-gold
eyes, Fate and the Goddess watch, ready to
guide and meddle in human lives.
Conall, now Clann Ui Flaithimh’s ‘king over kings’, must complete
his geis—at any cost. He takes another stride closer to Rome and a
reckoning with Marcus Fabius Ambustus. Flat-bottomed biremes carry
Conall’s army across the Muir nIocht to crash on the shingle
beaches of Northwestern Gaul.
New enemies and uneasy alliances flourish. Assassins, treason, and betrayal
thrive.
Above all, Conall values loyalty. Thus, treason within the tribe sours his
belly. Mercy will have no part in his response.
The fourth novel in the Conall series, Conall IV: A Brace of Eagles,
is a rousing epic of Celtic heroes and villains, bloody battles, political
intrigue, honour, betrayal, tragedy and forbidden love.
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Retribution – Díoltas
Conall Book V
“Witch!” Tullus gasped.
“You are not that fortunate, Roman,” came the menacing reply.”
Blood has purchased a fragile peace for Conall and Mórrígan and
the close circle of friends they call family. However, allies and enemies alike
wonder if the king and queen have lost the thirst for vengeance on those who
slaughtered their families. Alarmed, gods, kings, and despots conspire to poke
the slumbering fire.
Brennus of the Senones smarts at his defeat at Conall’s hands and
covets his lands and wealth. Will a bruised ego and hubris overrule the Gaulish
king’s typical pragmatism?
The Gaiscedach want revenge for the defeat and execution of
their queen. In the dead of night, like cockroaches, they scuttle over the
walls of Lugudunon.
Marcus Fabius Ambustus tolerates no challenge to his plan to be the
Dictator of Rome. But has arrogance blinded him to the enemy he has
nurtured?
The gates of Rome and retribution draw closer. But Conall needs his enemies as
much as his friends. Still, who are enemies and who are friends? It is a time
of schisms and rebuilding, of loved ones endangered, and assassins and spies
revealed.
Yet, there has always been one constant: only the foolish doubt that Conall and
Mórrígan will show mercy to those who threaten their family.
Conall V: Retribution
is the final novel in the Conall
series.
The Conall Series contains scenes of sex, violence, and language appropriate
to the period (400 B.C.) in which it is set. It is not recommended for those
under 14 without parental consent.
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Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, internationally
published and award-winning author David H. Millar is the founder, owner, and
author-in-residence of A Wee Publishing Company—a business formed to promote
Celtic authors and literature.
David is the author of the five-volume, ancient
Celtic-based Conall series and the spin-offs The Dog Roses, The
Dog Roses: Resolution, The Blood Queen and Brianag: A Blood Queen
Novel.
David resides in Houston, Texas, with his family and
two recent family members, tuxedos Beau and Stiletto.
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July 28, 2025
THE GRATEFUL GREEN DINOSAUR
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Larissa Pemberton will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Percy the green dinosaur explores practicing gratitude with the help of his friend Custard the unicorn, to turn his bad day around by turning his negative thoughts into positive ones.
As a society, we often tend to focus on the negative. Teaching children to practice gratitude and shift their mindset toward the positive can lay the foundation for a happier, more fulfilling life.
Read an Excerpt
He stomps outside his cave to go meet with his friend Custard the unicorn. They have organised a nice playdate out on the sunshiny fields. But dark clouds quickly spread across the sky, and it starts to rain!
“Ahh no, I hate the rain!” exclaims Percy to Custard.
As you can see, Percy is very unhappy with the circumstances in his day. He begins to complain to Custard, “I have had such a bad day. Everything seems to be going wrong! I stubbed my toe, I burnt my toast, and now it’s raining!”
Custard responds calmly, “I’m sorry you feel like you have had a bad day. Your feelings are valid. However, focusing on the negative things in your day only brings about more negative things to complain about!”
“Oh really?” asks Percy.
About the Author:
Larissa is a devoted mother to three young boys. Her path of self-discovery, shaped by the challenges and joys of motherhood—led her to discovering and embracing the life changing practice of gratitude. By incorporating it into her daily routine, she experienced a profound shift in her mental health and overall happiness. Now, Larissa is passionate in sharing this practice with her sons and other children, believing that learning gratitude at a young age can set the foundation for a life guided by joy and emotional resilience.
Website: https://thegratefulgreendinosaur.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thegratefulgreendinosaur
Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/0228829798
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