C.A. Milson's Blog, page 4

Nelly Adler Author Spotlight

Three swoony grumps. Three
unforgettable love stories. Ready to fall hard for your next book boyfriend?

The Firefighter’s
Fake Fiancee’

The Wildfire Pact Book 1

by Nelly Adler

Genre: Small Town Fake Engagement Firefighter Romance

I ran from the altar
… and ran straight into the man who still holds my heart.

After bolting from my high-society wedding in a designer
gown and heels, I had nowhere to go but back to Ember Ridge, the small town I
left behind.

I wasn’t expecting Cal Bennett, my high school ex, to pull
me from a ditch in the pouring rain. Or to still be just as grumpy and
gorgeous.

When the town assumes we’re together, I panic and blurt out
we’re engaged.

Cal’s a rule-following fire captain. But agrees to fake it
to protect me from my ex.

What starts as pretend turns real fast: glances that last
too long, walks in town that lead to sweet kisses that don’t feel fake.

Tangled sheets and feelings we never dealt with the first
time around.

But when the man I ran from tries to ruin everything with
one post, the fallout threatens to destroy our second chance—for good.

And I’ll be damned if I’ll let that happen.

Amazon
* Audible
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

My Grumpy Firefighter
Daddy

by Nelly Adler

Genre: Alpha Hero Mistaken Identity Firefighter Romance

From flirty texts to
falling hard… now he doesn’t remember my name.

It started with a wrong number.
I should’ve deleted it. Instead, I replied.

Jack Reid was all fire and fury. He was bold, gruff, and
unexpectedly funny.
I was hooked before I even knew his name.

This mistaken identity continued for a while, but we got
serious once he figured me out.
First coffee. Then Dinner at my place and kisses that made me forget how to
breathe.
And Lily—his smart, sassy daughter with glitter on her shoes and a heart big
enough to break me.

I fell hard for both of them. Trips to the park, special
time with Lilly, and late nights with Jack!

As the Charge Nurse in the ER, I received a call stating
that an incoming firefighter was in critical condition. I knew it was Jack
before I saw him.

Now he’s broken. Bruised. And doesn’t remember I exist.

And now I will fight for a man who’s forgotten he ever loved
me.

Amazon
* Audible*
Bookbub
* Goodreads

Grumpy Billionaire’s
Nanny

by Nelly Adler

Genre: Forced Proximity Single Dad Billionaire Romance

Never Give Your V
Card to your Boss

I was offered the job of a lifetime. 6 figure income, living in a mansion and
caring for the sweetest little boy.

My Boss is my BFF’s brother and she always warned me against dating him. He is
TOTALLY OFF LIMITS!

Ethan Grayson, my Brooding, impossibly gorgeous billionaire Boss.With his son,
he is the sweetest. The more I watch, the more I want to see. I am starting to
see a softer side to him. He listens to his son, he is kind and shows his love
in so many ways.

When a freak storm blows in, we’re stranded for days. Our days are fun filled
with games by the fire with Jake.

But at night, after Jake is in bed, there is a fiery tension between us that
boils over and lines are crossed.

Rules were broken, Now, I’m staring at two pink lines …This will change
everything and nothing will ever be the same again.

Amazon
* Audible*
Bookbub
* Goodreads

Hello, Friend!

Welcome to my little corner of the romance world—where
grumpy heroes fall hard, sassy heroines steal hearts, and happily-ever-afters
are always guaranteed 

[image error]

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I’m so glad you’re here. Below is a list of my steamy,
feel-good reads, perfect for curling up with a cup of coffee… or a glass of
wine (no judgment here!).

[image error] The Grumpy
Billionaire Collection 

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[image error] My Grumpy
Billionaire’s Nanny

Enemies to lovers. Best friend’s brother. Surprise
pregnancy.

[image error] My Grumpy
Billionaire Mountain Man

Brother’s best friend. One wedding. One bed. One mistake
that feels way too right.

[image error] My Grumpy
Billionaire Protector

Runaway bride. Best man. Secluded resort. He was never
supposed to be the one…

[image error] My Grumpy
Firefighter Daddy

Mistaken identity. Single dad. ER nurse. Sparks fly and
hearts collide.

And now I have a

[image error] A BRAND-NEW
SERIES!

The Wildfire Pact Series – Book 1

[image error] The
Firefighter’s Fake Fiancée

Runaway bride + fake engagement + small-town chaos = one
blazing hot second chance.

Book 2, Damaged
Daddy, coming soon!!

Thank you so much for being here. I hope you fall in love
with these characters the way I did while writing them. Your support means the
world to me!

With love and a little steam,

Nelly Adler 

[image error]

Facebook
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Goodreads

 

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The Weird Girl

One shattered birthday party.

Two teenage victims.

A city drowning in fentanyl.

The Weird Girl

A Georgia Thayer Novel #2

by Carla Damron

Genre: Women’s Suspenseful Crime Fiction

One shattered
birthday party. Two teenage victims. A city drowning in fentanyl.

Social worker Georgia Thayer (The Orchid Tattoo) has spent her career fighting
for the vulnerable, but nothing could prepare her for being a foster mom to
Tessa—a teenager haunted by her traumatic past. Determined to give her a normal
life, Georgia’s efforts to give her a normal life crumble when a neighborhood
party spirals into disaster, leaving one girl fighting for her life while
another disappears from the front yard of her family’s home.

As Georgia undertakes a frantic search for the missing girl, she uncovers a
dangerous fentanyl trade that snakes from hospital emergency rooms to high
school hallways to the darkest corners of her city. She is up against a
charismatic candidate for attorney general and a ruthless drug kingpin, two
powerful men willing to use lethal means to bury their secrets.

With her chosen family threatened, her faith in herself shaken, and an
unexpected ally emerging from the shadows, Georgia’s efforts to save one girl
puts her own in danger.

The clock is ticking. The truth is deadly. And every second lost could mean
another life destroyed.

Amazon
* Apple
* B&N
* Kobo
* Bookshop.org
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

 

The Orchid Tattoo

A Georgia Thayer Novel #1

Crime fiction that
makes a difference: in The Orchid Tattoo, award-winning author
Carla Damron delves into the disturbing world of human trafficking. 

Social worker Georgia Thayer can balance her own mental
illness with the demands of an impossible job. Mostly. But when her sister
vanishes in the dead of night, her desperate quest to find Peyton takes her
into the tentacles of a human trafficking network-where she encounters a young
victim called “Kitten.”

Kitten is determined to escape. She won’t be trapped like
the others. She won’t sell her soul like Lillian, victim-turned-madam, feeding
the dark appetites of international business moguls and government leaders. But
the Estate won’t let her out of its lethal grip, and her attempts at freedom
threaten her very life.

Aided by Kitten and, at times, by the voices in her head,
Georgia maneuvers to bring down the kingpin of Estate and expose its dark
secrets, but her efforts place her-and the few people she allows to get
close-in grave danger.

Amazon * Apple
* B&N
* Kobo
* Bookshop.org
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

Carla Damron believes fiction can make a difference. A social worker, advocate, and author
of suspense, women’s fiction, and mysteries, Damron uses her writing to put a
human face on issues like drug abuse, mental illness, and human trafficking.
She’s won multiple literary awards, including the Women’s Fiction Writers
Association Star Award for Best Novel and the NIEA award for best suspense.

Damron holds an MSW and an MFA in Creative Writing and teaches with Writers.com. Currently the
VP for the Southeast Chapter of Mystery Writers of America, she lives in South
Carolina with her husband and their family of entitled rescue animals.

You can read
more about her at https://carladamron.com/

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BETWEEN TWO SEASONS

BETWEEN TWO SEASONS
by Marc Macdonald

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Literary Fiction

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Haunted by regret and stalled by guilt, Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is Mae Seasons—a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in being anyone’s project.

Alex came hoping to make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role: caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of buried truths.

As days at Silver Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an unlikely friendship—one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant compassion, and the possibility of healing.

At once poignant and quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways connection takes root.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

I exited the food line like a camper in the mess hall, tray in hand and desperately seeking a friend or two to sit with. I, however, scanned the room for the opposite: an empty table. I didn’t have any friends here and wasn’t intent on making any. I wanted to eat and get back to my room. A budding headache and body ache were on the precipice of significantly derailing my first hours at Silver Springs. And these were crucial hours. I was banking on a good night’s rest to alleviate these symptoms but feared the anxious excitement of finally arriving here would preclude any such endeavour.

“Hey, new guy, over here,” came a voice and welcoming wave from the person sitting at a table to my left.

Shit. There goes anonymity.

I had a split decision to make: be polite and kindly dismiss the invitation or accept and possibly be pulled into the labyrinth of Silver Springs politicking. My therapist would not be pleased with this thought. I was creating an outcome, a negative outcome, to a situation I had not yet experienced. But still, I mean, how was this place unlike high school? I’d already relived several moments from my burgeoning youth, and I’d only been on the premises a very short time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Marc MacDonald is an author who believes every great story starts with a spark—whether it’s a single sentence, an unforgettable character, or an idea that won’t let go. As the writer behind Between Two Seasons, a novel that celebrates the beauty of human connection, Marc weaves heartfelt narratives that linger long after the last page is turned.

When he’s not crafting compelling fiction, Marc applies his storytelling skills as a seasoned communications professional, proving that every message—whether in a book or a press release—deserves to be engaging. He’s also a fierce defender of the Oxford comma, an unapologetic pun enthusiast, and someone who firmly believes that coffee is the most essential writing tool.

Find him deep in his next manuscript, chasing inspiration, or justifying “research” as an excuse to buy more books. Catch up with Marc on his personal website: https://marcmacdonald.ca/ or @MarcMacWrites on Instagram.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Marc Macdonald will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q & A With …

Tell us about you as a person.
I live in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada with my wife, two boys, and family dog, Ozzie. By day I’m the Chief Communications & Engagement Officer for a city nearby and I’m fortunate to work with words in all aspects of my personal and professional life.

I’m a die-hard baseball fan (Atlanta Braves) and love being out in nature, especially in the fall months. I’ve lived across Canada and even spent a few years living in New Jersey when I was in high school.

As I reach this new stage of life, I’m excited to really dive into my novel writing and bring the world stories that resonate and land with emotion and humour.

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Such a tough question. But I think I would choose Aaron Sorkin. I love his television shows mostly because of the way they’re written. I would love to understand how he views language and writing and storytelling.

What’s the story behind your latest book?
Haunted by regret and stalled by guilt. Alex Chambers arrives at Silver Springs Health and Rehabilitation Centre searching for redemption. What he finds instead is Mae Seasons — a sharp-tongued, fiercely independent resident with no interest in being anyone’s project.

Alex came hoping to make amends for the mistakes of his youth, especially to the woman he once hurt. But when that hope slips away, he’s drawn into an unexpected role: caregiver and reluctant confidant to Mae, whose irreverence hides a lifetime of buried truths.

As days at Silver Springs unfold in their strange, often absurd rhythm, Alex is forced to confront the tangled grief of his past. Through awkward silences, reluctant confessions, and moments of startling vulnerability, he and Mae forge an unlikely friendship — one stitched together by shared loneliness, reluctant compassion, and the possibility of healing.

At once poignant and quietly humorous, Between Two Seasons is a story about the lives we try to outrun, the people who challenge us to face ourselves, and the surprising ways connection takes root.

What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Do anything and everything you can to make it happen. Make connections, be relentless, and certainly don’t be afraid or hesitant to fight for yourself or make the tough asks. The more you talk about your book the more others will as well.

List 5 things on your bucket list.
1. Visit all Major League Baseball stadiums
2. Have my book turned into a movie/tv show
3. Write a best-seller
4. See every corner of Canada
5. Go to Scotland

Any final thoughts?
Thank you for the chance to talk about myself and Between Two Seasons. My last thought is about indie authors.

The shelves in big bookstores are full of shiny covers and bold-font names we’ve all seen a hundred times. And sure, some of those books are worth the hype. But here’s the thing: not every story worth reading comes with a million-dollar marketing budget or a spot on the bestseller list. A lot of the good stuff—maybe even the best stuff—is being written by indie authors who are telling the stories only they could tell.

Indie writers don’t have a boardroom full of people asking if their book is “relatable to the 18–34 demographic.” They’re not being told to trim a chapter to keep things neat for a holiday release schedule. What they do have is the freedom to let a story breathe, or wander, or hit you sideways with an idea you didn’t see coming. That freedom leads to books that feel alive—sometimes rough around the edges, sometimes brilliantly polished—but always honest.

These are the voices you won’t always find on the front table of a chain store. They might be self-published, or working with a tiny press, or selling directly from their website. But in those places, you’ll find stories that challenge, surprise, or comfort in ways the “safe bets” from major publishers sometimes can’t. Stories from people writing outside the usual bubbles—queer writers, immigrant voices, working-class perspectives, folks from towns you’ve never heard of but who know something about life you don’t.

And when you pick up an indie book, you’re not just buying paper and ink—you’re backing someone who probably did their own editing, their own cover design, their own late-night marketing hustle. Every read, every review, every recommendation helps that writer keep going.

So if literature is about discovering new ways of seeing the world, indie authors are the mapmakers we shouldn’t overlook. Their stories may not come wrapped in gold foil or front-of-store displays, but they’re real, they’re daring, and they’re waiting for readers willing to look beyond the obvious shelves.

Protopia

Two Friends.

One Shattered World.

And a choice that could change
everything.

Protopia

by John Calia

Genre: Dystopian Thriller

#1 Amazon Bestseller!

America’s cultural divide turns deadly.

When lifelong friends Olivia
and Alexandra find themselves in opposing camps, the bonds of their friendship
are tested like never before.

Olivia seeks solace in a socialist utopia that promises protection and
belonging, but at what cost?

Meanwhile, Alexandra chases freedom. But can she survive in a community with
few, if any, rules?

As their worlds collide and tensions escalate, secrets and lies threaten to
destroy the foundation of their relationship.

Can they bridge the gap between them, or will their differences tear them apart
forever?

In this gripping tale of loyalty, adventure, and human connection, the stakes
are higher than ever. Protopia is a thought-provoking thrill ride that explores
the power of friendship in a world on the brink.

If you devour the complex characters of Emily St. John Mandel or the visionary
world-building of Octavia Butler, you’ll be captivated by this latest
masterpiece by the author of the Amazon best-seller The Awakening of Artemis.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

A Brooklyn-born, second-generation American, and the
eldest of three boys, writing is his third career and the one about which he is
most passionate. Following graduation from the US Naval Academy and active duty
in the Navy, he embarked on a career in business. He began writing his blog
“Who Will Lead?” in 2010 attracting over 120,000 readers. It inspired him to
write his first book, an Amazon five-star rated business fable titled “The
Reluctant CEO.” His fascination with artificial intelligence and its impact on
society was the inspiration to write a science fiction thriller, The Awakening
of Artemis. Currently, he makes his home in Fairport, NY, a village on the Erie
Canal.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

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Recipe For Love

Love, laughter, and a little kitchen chaos are on the menu
in Recipe for Love!

When a sous chef with secrets clashes with a showrunner
chasing a viral hit, sparks fly hotter than the stove.

Recipe For Love

A Cat’s Paw Cove Book 24

by Sharon Buchbinder

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Comedy

When it comes to love, all bets are off…

Karmen Artos, a sous chef at Feline Fine Retirement Home, is horrified when two
of the residents hijack her kitchen. Worse yet, they’ve created an Internet
cooking show that has gone viral. The recipes are revolting, but viewers are
wild for ‘Grandma’s Witchin’ Kitchen!’

Devon Winger, a down-on-his-luck showrunner, arrives in Cat’s Paw Cove to
convince the eccentric elderly Internet stars to take the show to the next
level — a ShowFlix series. The magical stars are tickled at the idea, but
Karmen is dead set against revealing the sanctuary for supernaturals to the
world.

Can Karmen convince the sexy Devon that the show will be a dud? Or will Devon
realize there’s more to the quirky retirement home than meets the camera’s eye?

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

Sharon Buchbinder has been writing fiction since middle
school and has the rejection slips to prove it. A retired RN and professor, she
is the author of the Hotel LaBelle Series, the Jinni Hunter Series, and the
Obsession Series. She also has seven books in the Cats Paw Cove Series, a
magical place where anything can happen–and does! When not writing, she can be
found walking her dogs, herding cats, or breaking bread and laughing with
family and friends.

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GOD’S CODED LANGUAGE IS ALL ABOUT TRANSPARENCY

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Janette C. Andrejowich 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.

For people seeking to understand the spiritual world and the deep things of God, decoding God’s language, expressed in imagery, numbers, colours, parables, parallels, stories, and foreshadows, is the essential elusive key that lights up the path of understanding the spiritual view of God. Nothing is hidden. It is written, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (I Corinthians 2:9). But this scripture only applies to those who want to see a charcoal sketch of their calling. People who receive the free gift of God’s Holy Spirit have embraced the unique Spirit, and the world in the scriptures comes alive in dazzling colour because the elusive key is found and applied.

The Apostle Paul added, “these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God” (I Corinthians 2:10).

Every aspect of God’s creation on earth is a revelation of the great Creator God for those with the Spirit-opened eyes to see, ears to hear, and a willing heart of flesh. The amazing discovery of God’s coded language is all about transparency, unveiling His plan for mankind and His holy, royal, ruling family in the making.

Read an Excerpt

THE TREES, VINES and FLOWERS “Open your doors, O LEBANON, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, because the glorious trees have been destroyed; Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has come down” (Zechariah 11:2).

What was at one time so glorious, so impenetrable and great is being destroyed. Where is the Lebanon referred to in Zechariah? Who are the cedars, the cypress, the oaks, and the glorious trees?

Scriptures reveal God’s use of imagery. The fallen cedar trees described in Zechariah 11 are the once-great and highly honoured heavenly rulers in God’s government and holy court. They have turned against Him; they are rebels. Many are already overthrown and imprisoned in Sheol. The remaining rebels will come to an end on the Day of God’s wrath. God has a plan for mankind. He will fill the positions once held by the “glorious trees” with new members—transformed righteous mortals.

Satan has his puppets busy at work: hiding truth, distorting history, and keeping mankind ignorant of their calling. The thoughts of carnal mankind demand sight before belief. God is asking for faith. The unseen world is closed to mankind at this time. Satan uses this barrier to keep people from questioning God’s wonderful and miraculous creation all around them. Battles have been fought and tensions in heaven are on-going. Mankind is ignorant of the vast dominions controlled by fallen sons of God in heaven, yet to be overthrown. They cannot fathom the hatred these heavenly rebels have towards mortals on earth, especially those who will be awarded their most-high offices. Regardless, in time, it will all be revealed.

“See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled; the tall ones will be brought low. He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One” (Isaiah 10:33-34).

About the Author:

Jeremiah said, “If I say, ‘I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,’ His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail” (Jeremiah 20:9). I have this same experience, which has led me to create a resource centre (https://sharingsharpens.ca) to share all of my studies, and now my books. God’s Coded Language Is All About Transparency is my first published book, which came together from many of my studies. It is like a collection, all fitting perfectly together. It is not my last book. Many are already written, soon to be placed on the shelf to accompany this one.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1834180260
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781834180274
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/search?q=9781834180267

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THE GOODBYES

THE GOODBYES
Helen Gillespie
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Women’s Fiction

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Struggling with becoming an adult in a small mid-western town, Dianne must confront family secrets, deception, and discovery during her last year of college. As she cares for her ailing mother, her world begins to unravel and she is challenged to navigate through lies, friendships, love…and murder.

Meeting the wrong person makes it possible for her to recognize the right ones and to find the strength she needs to survive. Realizing that she is responsible for her own destiny, she learns that to say hello to a new life, she must first say goodbye.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

All living creatures hold secrets for basic survival. Humans keep secrets to preserve their image, hide their misjudgments, or protect those they care about. Only in the safest conditions, absolute trust or vulnerability, can humans feel safe divulging their secrets, laying bare their hidden selves.

Katrina England and her husband did not keep secrets from Dianne or indulge in the usual childhood fantasies of princesses or fairy godmothers with her daughter. Even Santa Claus was introduced from a historical perspective rather than as a magical elf. The Englands were doting parents who disciplined their daughter when necessary and answered her questions honestly, only withholding information that surpassed Dianne’s maturity. Yet, despite this philosophy, Katrina did hold a few secrets, one very close.

As Dianne approached adulthood, Katrina began to share these secrets. By then, Dianne’s father had died, leaving the two women to navigate life together as a family with no other relatives living close by. Katrina often grappled with the lifelong weight of a childhood secret and her secret of late, a terminal cancer diagnosis. Both became weightier as her cancer took hold. When Dianne began dating the MegaMart store manager, Katrina’s concern of her daughter’s future turned to worry.

Dianne, nearing graduation while dealing with her mother’s illness, found herself facing unexpected challenges. When Michael D. Glossen entered her life, her challenges became problems. Oddly, she met “Michael D” when a cream rinse emergency arose.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Throughout grammar school and college, Helen Gillespie loved developing story sketches or full stories but kept them hidden within herself. That creative spark proved valuable in unexpected places, first on assignment as a musician in the US Army, and after leaving the Army, when she earned a degree in elementary education. After reentering the Army in 1981, she put pen to paper, or rather, “fingers to an Olivetti.” She officially learned the art of journalism to serve the Army, but it quickly became a personal passion. Interviewing fellow soldiers, exploring their jobs and personalities, and publishing useful information for the military community formed the basis of her skill and enjoyment. Those years of thought, training, education, and experience laid the foundation for crafting her first novel, The Goodbyes.

Social Media
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565442142189
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hgillespie/
Website: https://www.helengillespiewrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hgillespe/

Personal Social Media
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.gillespie/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

Helen Gillespie will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Q & A With …

Tell us about you as a person.

I am spacey, much like Dianne, the

If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
I’d love to hang out with any of the National Public Radio hosts – all extraordinary people. The one I most want to hang with is Anne Garrels. I’ve always liked her voice and listened to her book on an iPod in 2004 during my long trip to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

What’s the story behind your latest book?

The story is about Dianne and Mel leaving school life and entering a life away from the adults who raised them. During the story Dianne unravels while juggling her final year of college and watching her mother slowly lose her battle with cancer. Michael, a charming but deceptive man, enters her life for a short time while Mel, a young restaurant worker and adoptive daughter of restaurateurs, befriends and supports Dianne for the long haul. Although not having a “birth family” surrounding them, older adults step in until it’s their turn to say, ”Goodbye.”

What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?

Talk about it in life, blogs, and personal social media. Be prepared to open up about the genesis of the book and the author’s motivation to write the book.

List 5 things on your bucket list.

1. Live fully every day.
2. Treat people with kindness while trying to understand them.
3. Complete a sequel to “The Goodbyes.”
4. Ride a train through the Rocky Mountains.
5. Leave the earth a better place than it was when I was born.

Any final thoughts?

Yes! Embrace editors! I have learned that yielding to one’s editor is a virtue. Don’t worry if an editor missed something. A reader will surely bring it to the world’s attention. {smile} I want to say, “Chill Dude, just enjoy the story.” I offer another smile.

The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder

To solve a baffling murder – search both sides of the grave…

The Crooked Medium’s Guide To Murder

by Stephen Cox

Genre: Spooky Paranormal Victorian Murder Mystery

London 1881. Can two
crooked women stop a murder?

 

Extravagant medium Mrs Ashton and her lover,
blunt working-class Mrs Bradshaw, run a spiritualist scam. Mrs Ashton secretly
reads minds.

Believing that Mrs Ashton is genuine,
grieving Lady Violet craves the truth behind her mother’s untimely death. But
Lady Violet’s powerful husband Sir Charles hates spiritualists. Has he killed
before?

Uncovering this MP’s wicked crimes will put
all three women in terrible danger…

 

To solve a shocking
murder, look on both sides of the grave.

 

“An astonishing feat of twisting plots and perceptions”

“It’s deliciously twisty, with women who won’t be told, a young bride
in peril, and the delicate art of a con.”

“A book I’ve been looking for all my life. Queer found family all
wrapped up in a supernatural murder mystery. Absolute perfection.”

“a brilliant, gripping story. .. if you’re looking for a great new book
to read, I encourage you to check it out.”

“…an actually intriguing mystery.”

“with a new murder thrown in and a couple of pre-existing ones
uncovered, we get an astonishing story of redemption with well-plotted but
never signposted twists and turns thrown in at every stage.”

“…a murder mystery with a supernatural spin. … the premise and plot
were great. The story is very atmospheric with a very nasty aristocrat villain.
..an entertaining read…”

 

**Only 0.99cents!**

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Stephen Cox is a writer living in London.
He’d read every Holmes, Christie, and Sayers before he was 21 and did Holmes
fanfic in school. He has also read the Moonstone six times. With a science
degree he has always been a fan of history and the imagination.

The Crooked Medium’s Guide to Murder
contains the strong characterisation, women protagonists, authentic period
setting, and wide roaming imagination of his other works.

He says ‘It’s a rip-roaring twisty story,
with relationships under stress and surprising readers at every turn.”

His first two novels, Our Child of the Stars
and Our Child of Two Worlds were called “heartfelt, imaginative and gripping”,
with wide praise in the national press.

Stephen says ‘I wanted female rogues as my
leads – people who lead a crooked life, who need to keep secrets, yet can be
kind and generous too. This is a rigorous detective story with a client in
trouble and old crimes to be solved. It has everything – a brutal man, a Lady
in danger, and the past and present feeding the action. Can these outsiders
possibly win? Queer women certainly existed and made lives together in
Victorian England, as those with eyes to see can see,’

 

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The Black Aces MC

She’s trouble.

I like a bit of trouble.

The Black Aces MC

by S Courtney

Genre: Contemporary MC Romance

CUPID
I’ve lost everyone I’ve ever loved
My first love put the last nail in the coffin
I’ll never express that emotion again

Then I minced words with the wrong waitress
I thought she would scurry off, but she stood her ground, cursed me out, and
demanded I thank her!

She’s the firecracker trying to spark that emotion I burned, cursed, and buried
deep within me.
She’s trouble.
I like a bit of trouble.

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S Courtney is a romance author whose motto is “Love
Worth Dying For” There’s always a little (lot) of bloodshed for the
happily ever after/for now. Her love of writing began in middle school after
hours writing until bedtime letting her imagination run wild.

With that imagination she has created her paranormal series,
the Bound Series with strong but caring Alphas and independent women with big
ambitions and a little magic! And a look inside the tough job of reaping souls
to the Underworld in Sandman.

She also tapped into the dark world of motorcycle clubs and
the secret life of an mercenary with a curiosity.

She looks forward to writing into other tropes, such as even
darker romance, mafia, and sweet almost insta-love.

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The Rabbi’s Knight

In possession of a cryptic ancient scroll, Rabbi Samuel, St.
Clair and the others will risk everything to fulfill their shared and sacred
destiny as guardians of the Temple Mount.

The Rabbi’s Knight

Prequel to Wages of Empire

by Michael J. Cooper

Genre: Historical Fiction

“The Rabbi’s
Knight is instantly compelling and fascinating in its arcane plot and
propulsive pacing. Literally, a page turner!” -Sylvia Boorstein,
PhD, New York Times bestselling author of Happiness Is
an Inside Job

“A well-written
historical adventure story . . . with unexpected twists and turns that keep you
hooked . . . an exciting and historically fascinating read.” -Andrew
Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author of Blue
Madagascar and the Homeland novels

The year is 1290. At the twilight of the Crusades, war-weary
Knight Templar Jonathan St. Clair is garrisoned in the port city of Acre in the
Holy Land. In possession of an ancient scroll with a cryptic inscription, he
learns that it holds the key to unlock the secrets of Jerusalem’s Temple Mount.

But time is running out. Acre will soon come under siege,
and the one man able to divine the scroll’s meaning, Rabbi Samuel of Baghdad,
has been targeted for assassination. St. Clair apprentices himself to Rabbi
Samuel and together they travel to Jerusalem. On their pilgrimage, they are
hunted by scheming emirs in the service of a bitter enemy of Rabbi Samuel. But
they are aided in their quest by others: a brilliant young scholar, Isaac of
Acre; a powerful young Scotsman, William Wallace; a learned Muslim mathematician,
physician, and cartographer, al-Hasani; and a beautiful independent-minded
woman, Zahirah, who avoids serving in an emir’s harem by hiding in a leper
colony on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

Rabbi Samuel, St. Clair and the others will risk everything
to fulfill their shared and sacred destiny as guardians of the Temple Mount.

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Wages of Empire

Book 1

Winner — 2025 Pacific
Book Award for Best Historical Fiction
Winner — 2025 International Impact Award for Historical Military Fiction

Grand prize winner –
2022 CIBA Dante Rossetti Award for YA fiction
First place honors – 2022 CIBA Hemingway Award for wartime fiction
#1 Amazon Best Seller—Jan 2024—Historical World War I Fiction

In the summer of 1914,
sixteen-year-old Evan Sinclair leaves home to join the Great War for
Civilization. Little does he know that, despite the war raging in Europe, the
true source of conflict will emerge in Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from
Jerusalem where the German Kaiser dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor.

Filled with such
historical figures as Gertrude Bell, T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill, Faisal
bin Hussein and Chaim Weizmann, Wages of Empire follows Evan through the
killing fields of the Western Front where he will help turn the tide of a war
that is just beginning, and become part of a story that’s still being written.

“Masterful storytelling
will keep you furiously turning the pages of this compelling (historical WWI)
novel. A winner!”–Andrew Kaplan, New York Times Best-Selling Author of Blue
Madagascar and the Homeland Novels

  “The characters,
historical and fictional, come to life on the page as the storyline drives
relentlessly forward. Bravo!”–Matt Coyle, bestselling author of the Rick Cahill
novels

  “A beautifully written
tale…exhibits seamless research in illuminating unforgettable historical and
fictional characters…a tour de force!” –Professor Ronit Meroz, Dept of Jewish
Philosophy and Talmud, Tel-Aviv University, Israel

  “This superb historical
novel is a must read…directly relates to issues we face today.” –Rizek
Abusharr – Emeritus Director General of Jerusalem International YMCA

  “Cooper has made this
period of history come alive. It is a treat to read.” –Rabbi David Zisenwine,
Ph.D. Professor Emeritus of Education, Tel Aviv University

  “A Young Indiana
Jones–style adventure.” –KIRKUS reviews

  “Story is gripping and
the characters that he describes come alive through his skillful writing. I
couldn’t put it down!” –Rabbi Gordon Freeman, Ph.D., Rabbi Emeritus, B’nai
Shalom, Walnut Creek, CA

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Crossroads of Empire

Book 2

Winner — 2025
International Impact Award for Historical War & Military Fiction

Winner of
the 2024 CIBA Hemingway First Place Prize for 20th Century Wartime
Historical Fiction

2024 SF Writers
Conference Writing Contest Finalist-Adult Fiction

“. . . both a
gripping page turner and a series of carefully observed character studies.
Beautifully written in a voice and in details that capture the era, Crossroads
of Empire is a must-read for readers of all ages” -Chanticleer
Book Reviews

The story of Evan
Sinclair that began in Wages of Empire continues in Crossroads
of Empire. Having survived German artillery, poison gas, and friendly fire
in helping to turn the tide of the war in its first months, Evan barely
survives his hospital ship’s sinking by a German U-boat. Left with amnesia, he
no longer remembers who he is.

 Likewise, Evan doesn’t
recall that, despite the European war, the true source of conflict is in
Ottoman Palestine, since it’s from Jerusalem’s Temple Mount that Kaiser Wilhelm
II dreams to rule as Holy Roman Emperor over Arabian oil reserves and the Suez
Canal.

 The Middle East Front
soon explodes with pitched battles at Suez and Gallipoli as Evan’s story is
interwoven with those of historical figures Gertrude Bell, T. E. Lawrence,
Winston Churchill, Faisal bin Hussein, and Chaim Weizmann.

 During his quest to
recover his memory Evan will discover far more: love for his father, grief for
his late mother, and hidden secrets of his bloodline-an unbroken lineage that
stretches back to the Crusades and will determine his future role in the Great
War.

“Cooper
masterfully crafts a novel that intertwines vivid characters and complex
themes, blending historical fiction with elements of mystery and intrigue. This
unique combination makes it a must-read for fans of both genres.”
—BookTrib Review

 

“In page after
page of Crossroads of Empire, I was thrilled with how the plot widened with
various actors added as history unfolded one step at a time. The book picked up
speed as it moved along with rising tension as disparate subplots charged forward
to the conclusion. I loved it! Bravo!”
—Sylvia Boorstein, PhD, bestselling author, teacher of
Buddhist Insight Meditation, and co-founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center

 

“Crossroads of
Empire dives into the tumultuous waters of World War I, presenting a
thrilling narrative enriched by a blend of historical and fictional characters.
Cooper’s writing is compelling and richly detailed, offering a tapestry of
scenes that bring early 20th-century conflicts vividly to life.”
—Literary Titan Review

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Michael J Cooper writes
historical mysteries set in the Holy Land at major turning points of history—all
the while subtly promoting the notions of coexistence and peace. His books have
won multiple awards and include; set in 1948 Jerusalem Foxes in the Vineyard (winner of the 2011 Indie Publishing Contest
Grand Prize); set at the twilight of the Crusades in 1290, The Rabbi’s Knight (finalist for the CIBA 2014 Chaucer Award for
historical fiction); set at the start of WWI in 1914, Wages of Empire (winner
of the 2025 Pacific Book Award for best historical fiction, winner 2025
International Impact Award for historical military fiction, the CIBA 2022 Grand
Prize for young adult fiction as well as the Hemingway first prize for wartime
historical fiction); A sequel of Wages of Empire, Crossroads of
Empire (winner of the 2025 International Impact Award for historical war
& military fiction as well as first place in the 2024 CIBA Hemingway for 20th
Century wartime historical fiction, placed as a finalist in the 2024 SF Writers
Conference and won first prize honors in the 2023 CIBA Hemingway wartime
historical fiction category).

 A native of Berkeley,
California, Cooper absconded to Israel after high school and spent the next
eleven years studying and working there. He lived in Jerusalem during the last
year the city was divided between Israel and Jordan, studied at Hebrew University,
and graduated from Tel Aviv University Medical School. He returned to the US to
specialize in pediatric cardiology, and after 40 years of practice, he
continues to return to the Middle East for biannual volunteer missions serving
Palestinian children who lack access to care. Otherwise, he lives in Northern
California with his wife and a spoiled-rotten cat. Three adult children
occasionally drop by.

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