D.V. Stone's Blog, page 18

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with J. Arlene Culiner

All About Charming Alice
Trust in love and solutions will appear
By J. Arlene Culiner
​
Release date: April 3, 2023

About the book
Alice Treemont has no intention of falling in love. Living in Blake’s Folly, a semi-ghost town, she cooks vegetarian meals, rescues unwanted dogs, and protects the most unloved creatures on earth: snakes. What man would share those interests?
Jace Constant is in Nevada, doing research for his new book, but he won’t be staying. He’s disgusted by desert dust on his fine Italian shoes and dog hair on his cashmere sweaters. As for snakes, he doesn’t just despise them: they terrify him.
So why does the air sizzle each time Alice and Jace meet? A romance would entail far too many compromises.

A peek between the covers
The sound of loud banging had Alice shooting down the stairs and out through the front door. What was going on? It sounded as if a whole wrecking crew was slugging away at the very walls of her house. Any second now, the whole entire building would collapse into a vast heap of dust and shattered sticks of furniture.
She found Jace sitting on the ground beside the veranda, nails sticking out of his mouth, a hammer in his hand and a stack of thick old wooden beams beside him. Now what was this absolutely infuriating person up to? He wasn’t going to make her life miserable all day long, was he? Yes, it looked like he was.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
He turned his head, gazed at her nonchalantly. Took the nails out of his mouth and whistled lasciviously. “Jeans. I didn’t know you owned a pair of jeans. I like your hair like that, too.”
She blushed. She’d pinned her hair back in a low, loose chignon but would rather have been eaten by ants than admit she’d taken special care with her appearance this morning. Why? Because she really did want to please him. “Jace, I want an answer. What are you doing?”
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you a house needs upkeep? If you want this place to be standing in another one hundred and fifty years, there are things that have to be done. Urgently. This joist here, for example. It needs to be reinforced, so I’m doing that.”
“You’ve no right!” She leaned forward aggressively, hands balled into fists.
His eyes twinkled. “A man likes to catch up on home repairs on his day off.”
“This is my house, not yours!”
“Quite right. You own the house. But, at the moment, this happens to be my home.” He put a nail into place and banged away at it.
All Alice could do was stand there, wait patiently for the noise to stop so she could continue the argument. God, he was infuriating. “It isn’t your home! Your home is in Chicago.”
“My apartment is in Chicago. That’s true enough. A nice, big, flashy apartment with expensive, modern furniture. I’ve also worked out that it’s perfectly impersonal and soulless. Simply an apartment, get it? Not a home. This place is a home. A real home. And I feel like helping you protect it.” He began attacking another nail. Stopped. Looked at her. “And when I’m finished with this job, the veranda isn’t going to cave in like it was threatening to do. And, by the way, I’m not stopping with the veranda. There’s all the rest.” The wide gesture he made encompassed the whole house, the yard, the road, all of Blake’s Folly.
“The entire state of Nevada,” Alice muttered sourly and glared ferociously, hoping he’d eventually take the hint or feel intimidated. But since he didn’t bother looking up again, her effort was wasted. Besides, he was right, and he was doing her a big favor. He might be gone in a few weeks’ time, but the veranda wouldn’t be.
She turned to go back into the house.
“Alice?”
She stopped. “Now what?” She forced herself to look forbidding.
He stood, brushed off his pants. “Breakfast is waiting. After that, we’ll take the dogs for a walk. Together. I’d like you to show me more of the desert.”
“No way.” What would he come up with next? What was he trying to do? Run a revolution? “I go on my walks alone.”
“Not today, you aren’t. I bought a pair of walking boots like yours, and today’s the day I’ll be testing them.” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “Besides, it’s Saturday, and I promised the dogs we’d go walking on Saturday. Can’t disappoint dogs like that, Princess. Could mess up their psyches.”
“Why are you calling me Princess?” she asked suspiciously.
His grin broadened. “Private joke.”
“Between you and who else? The dogs?” Exasperated, Alice stomped back into the house, but not before she heard him coming up behind her and whistling a vaguely familiar tune. What was that melody? She searched her mind. The words rushed into her head: “You’ll never walk alone.”
No. He really was pushing things too far. Making fun of her too. Not that there was anything she could do about it. More useful for her to concentrate, get on with her life—as if she could with all the ruckus that man was creating.
Links:
https://linktr.ee/j.arleneculiner

About the Author
Writer, photographer, social critical artist, musician, and occasional actress, J Arlene Culiner, was born in New York and raised in Toronto. She has crossed much of Europe on foot, has lived in a Hungarian mud house, a Bavarian castle, a Turkish cave-dwelling, on a Dutch canal, and in a haunted house on the English moors. She now resides in a 400-year-old former inn in a French village of no interest and, much to local dismay, protects all creatures, especially spiders and snakes. She particularly enjoys incorporating into short stories, mysteries, narrative non-fiction, and romances, her experiences in out-of-the-way communities, and her conversations with strange characters.

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight Sophia's Magic Beans.

Sophia’s Magic Beans:
​In a sweet small town, a single mom gets a second chance at romance with the help of guardian angels. www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTCHPR6FAbout the story.
At Lake Unami  a small New Jersey town, sometimes fairytales do come true.
 
Calliope Novak’s candy store made it through the shutdowns, but she still struggles with everyday costs. She juggles chores, work, and making time for Sophia—her six-year-old. Personal life? Non-existent. Luke O’Brian confronts his boss and mentor after discovering his law firm’s involvement with a crooked politician and is reminded of the non-disclosure agreement he’d signed. He can’t break it without evidence—evidence that he can’t access after he’s escorted out of the building by security. Devastated, he reluctantly returns to his hometown to regroup. Lake Unami in Northern New Jersey is a magical place. Rainbows and unexplained coincidences seem more normal than not. Guardian angels, bookstore owners, and an endearing cast of characters all come together to bring happiness and love to Calliope, Sophia, and Luke.
 
Release Date: 04/10/2023
ISBN(s): 978-1-5092-4681-6
https://www.amazon.com/Sophias-Magic-Beans-Spring-Things-ebook/dp/B0BTCGGPY9
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sophias-magic-beans-d-v-stone/1143005804
https://books.apple.com/us/book/sophias-magic-beans/id6445591530
universal link
https://books2read.com/Sophiasmagicbeans
 
A peek inside.
“Boardwalk Books. Can I help you?” 
“Sophia Rose Baylor, what are you doing answering the phone?” Calliope held the phone out and glared at it like her daughter could see the mother’s look. “Where’s Mrs. Booker?” 
“She’th right here. Aren’t you, Mithus Booker.” That toothless lisp was hysterical, and if Calliope wasn’t so startled to hear her kid answering the phone at another business, she would’ve died laughing. “I’m in training.” 
Calliope bit her cheek. “May I speak with your boss, please?” 
“Wanths to talk to you.” 
“Calliope, dear. Everything is fine, and my newest employee has been charming customers all afternoon.”
Theme(s): Small Town, Friends to Lovers, Workplace, Second Chance Love, Other Holiday
Subgenres(s): Contemporary, Paranormal, Fantasy, Women’s Fiction contemporary romantic fantasy; small town; single mom; second chance romance; family life fiction; mothers and children fiction; sweet and wholesome
​
This story is one of The Wild Rose Press's Jelly Beans and Spring Things. A collection of novella's to sweeten your day. Check out the entire series at www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTCHPR6F​

A word from the author.
Thank you for stopping by. I love the town of Lake Unami. It's based on both lakes near my home in Northern NJ. My first book to experience the magic of Lake Unami is Rainbow Sprinkles another tale of a second chance at love with Gloriana and Nathan. I hope to help more characters find their happily ever after and am currently working on a story starring Nathan's daughter who we met in Rainbow Sprinkles. 
www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Sprinkles-One-Scoop-Book-ebook/dp/B088FCBLNG

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Around the Fire with your host D. V. Stone.

It's not often I have openings on my blog that I haven's scheduled way in advance. When I went to put today's issue together I was surprised. I thought I had a guest. ​Nope. What to do? What should I fill the page with? So, I puttered around the campsite considering my options. I didn't want to cheat an repost something from the past. I peeked at a few websites looking for inspiration.  Really nothing new. I looked through my pictures. I haven't taken any great ones lately. Then I spotted these I created with the input of some of my social media followers. 
If you've followed me for any amount of time you know the first book I wrote never became published. A few weeks ago I'd pulled it out attempting to see if it was salvageable. I believe it is. Does it have many problems? Oh, yeah, it does. But I love this story. It's my first book baby. 
The series will be
Kingdom at a Crossroad
Kingdom on a Precipice 
Breaking of a Bond
The Heart of a Revenant
I have a lot of work to do. Haana's story Kingdom at a Crossroad but I'm going to share the first chapter of the first book which is a draft. ​ Prologue Deep inside the Room of Knowledge, Athair startled awake. A flash of light burst across the chamber from the Living Map of Aimhirghin, illuminating the Seomra Geasa where he’d nodded off while poring over a scroll. The circlet banding his arm snapped open, and he caught it as it assumed the shape of a staff.
The map took up most of the space in his chamber of spells. Its four corners supported by woody gnarls of Guardian Oaks. Their roots penetrated deep into the ground and then spread toward the boundaries of Aimhirghin. The trunks stretched up and out through the ceiling where interwoven branches spanned to form a canopy that arced above the Caislean, the House of Sárnait, and the heart of Ath Dara, the elven family’s royal residence.
Athair leaped from his ancient wooden rocking chair and raced to the massive structure. He grasped its edge with one hand while waving his staff over it. “Nochtan.”
 The winds of change blew across the map, and it trembled beneath his hand. Villages, cities, farmland, and forests shimmered into sight. Leaves rustled on miniature trees, and dust lifted into the air from the roads.
The burst of magic was not centered on a single location. Instead, the entire map had lit up though now it faded. Seeking the source before it disappeared altogether, Athair’s gaze swiftly covered the surface as he circled the map.
“Who wields power so strong to cause such a disturbance?”
The map didn’t answer.
Before he could pinpoint the magic’s origin, the burst, which glowed like a thousand candles only moments before, went dark. But not before the significance of what had happened slammed into his mind and soul. It wasn’t a burst of magic.
It was the birth of An Tsolais.
The elven magic of old, greater than the Luisne Lar most Elves settled for in this age, and not seen in Aimhirghin since ages past. Few wizards like he now wielded An Tsolais.
Athair raced to the other side of the chamber while casting a charm to transform the granite basin of water into a scrying bowl. He needed more detail than the map could provide. The water rippled, and the image of land became clear. Now, like a golden eagle hunting its prey, the landscape passed in a flash of time. Scanning the world below, he saw nothing unusual or of note in the villages or cities.
Stretching his sight farther out, he spotted Prince Kíeran’s patrol on the hillside and circled above. Kíeran’s towering figure stood out from the rest like a beacon, Lun shone down, and his nearly white hair reflected it like an aura. Captain Aíndle stood at his side near the edge.
The captain’s aura was brighter than usual but fading to its normal dim state as he pointed out over in the direction of Alleen. Aíndle had more Luisne Lar than most elves though he suppressed it. Whatever had happened, the brightness of his aura showed he, too, felt the magic.
Seers were now few. Even rarer were Elves who could manipulate the land and the elements. Yes, his people had the Knowing, but most now called it intuition. The few stronger in Luisne Lar––the inner glow––did as Aíndle and tucked it away. Fear of judgment and censure from a King who despised magic led them to tamp down their very nature.
Prince Kíeran was the worst. He disregarded Luisne Lar’s presence, denying its uses as nothing more than old dangerous ways.
Stubborn Elf, just like his father.
The elves of Ath Dara had denied themselves and their heritage for so long the gift was nearly lost to them.
Athair forced his thoughts back to the problem at hand. By the time he’d searched the four corners of Aimhirghin, it felt like hours had passed. His temples throbbed, and his back ached from hunching over the scrying bowl. He was no closer to finding the newborn Elf than he’d been at the start.
It was time to accept he wouldn’t be able to find her unless and until she showed herself. Trying to locate a specific Elf in Aimhirghin when they didn’t want to be found was like staring into the night sky, seeking a particular distant star. They were everywhere and nowhere, blending into the background.
“Cheilt.” He waved his staff again, and the scrying bowl went dark. With one last glance at the living map, he left the Seomra Geasa and strode through the corridor. He quickened his pace with each step, his mind buzzing with anxiety. He reached the stairs leading to the main level of the House of Sárnait and leaped up them two at a time.
“Hail, Athair,” a House Guard greeted him and opened the door. “The King awaits you.”
Without breaking stride, Athair entered the room, his robes snapping around his legs.
King Sárnait stood looking out the window. He turned as Athair came into the room. “What was that?”
“The return of An Tsolais.”
Sárnait gave Athair his back to once again peer out into the night. The King’s long black hair hung straight. He’d loosened it from the more formal braid worn during the daytime. Though he wasn’t as large as Prince Kíeran, Sárnait still had the build of a Warrior. “Tell me what you know.”
“It is not dark magic, of that I am certain.” Athair approached his King and looked out as well. “It was strong, although it faded quickly.”
“All magic is dark,” Sárnait mumbled under his breath, then yanked the curtain closed and went to his chair. “Maybe it was nothing or from the Outerland.”
 “You can’t block An Tsolais by pulling a curtain over it.” Athair jerked the curtain back open, and scents of the Queen’s garden floated in. Lavender and roses tickled his nose. It refreshed and calmed him. “Magic this strong has not been seen in Aimhirghin for a long time.”
Sárnait ignored him and pushed papers around on his desk.
 He walked over and placed a hand on them, waiting until the king looked up. “An Tsolais is here, in Aimhirghin. Since I cannot locate it and know not what form it will take, we will wait. The Ælf will eventually find her way here. You must be prepared.”
Sárnait’s angry, bitter eyes stared into Athair’s. “You remember what happened the last time I embraced its power. I will not allow magic back into my house.”
“Sárnait, it is not the same.
“So, you say.”
The two elves faced off. Athair could almost see the memories of the past skittering across Sárnait’s eyes. Memories that haunted Athair as well.
When the King returned his attention to the present, he released a deep sigh of resignation. “That such a creature now exists does not bring comfort. It is as the Oracles say. They come only in times of trouble, Mender a Chroi ––Healer of Hearts.” Sárnait shoved the papers away. “Or destroyer of them.”
Athair rubbed his face. “The burst was different with Athas. This one shook everything, not simply my magic.”
“Don’t say her name.” Sárnait slammed his hands on the desk, and papers floated to the floor.
Athair didn’t want to argue with his King. Both males struggled with past issues. One’s which may still affect future decisions. No sense in riling him since the more Athair pushed, the more stubborn Sárnait could be. Left to stew on his own, the King usually came to do the right thing. Usually.
“At least we have time. If it is Mender a Chroi, she must grow and come into her gift.”
“And if it’s not Mender but other?”
Athair looked past Sárnait and out into the night. “I don’t know.”
 “So, we wait.”
 Athair nodded, bowed, and left the King’s study.
                                                                                 ****
Athair continued to scour Aimhirghin over the next twenty-three years but was always drawn back to Alleen. The simple folk in the villages told him stories of Fairies, witches, and even a wild girl who lived in the woods.
“There,” said the farmer while he pointed to the woods. “I saw her there picking some greenery from the stone wall.”
Athair handed the man a copper.
“Thank ye, sir.” The man tipped his well-worn straw hat.
“Tis nothing.” Athair waved a hand of dismissal. “I thank you.”
Sheep scattered as he trekked across their pen. Peering over the wall into the woods, he saw nothing unusual. With a shrug, he sat on the wall, swung his legs over, and then stood gazing at the ground. Tiny footprints, which appeared decidedly feminine, tracked into the forest.
“Nochtan.” He waved his hand over the ground. No magical signature was revealed. He pressed. “Nochtan ordú i.”
He huffed and shrugged. A trip into the woods it was. He loved the trees and creatures who dwelled there. Their presence gave him comfort while he considered the differences between the previous years and now. Prior to the burst, he had been nagged by a pre-apprehension that some essential knowledge eluded him. The mystery over Aimhirghin compounded his feelings of trepidation in the years since the birthing.
The circlet he wore wound around his wrist and up his forearm, whispered dark portents to his mind. More than a vain adornment, his staff was nearly a part of his body. It gave impressions of coming danger. Treachery. Death. War. But something new happened.
After that night, the warnings remained, but they’d changed. As he traveled on his quest, often the darkness would abate, and a trembling of anticipation and excitement replaced it. Love. Goodness. Honor.
 It gave Athair hope.
The essence of magic suddenly brushed against his consciousness. He refocused his attention on the here and now. The circlet warmed and then sprang to staff form of its own volition. It pulsated with energy and light, making his hand glow while it shimmered with power.
Though a wizard, he was also an Ath Darian Elf. He crouched into a warrior’s stance, ready to defend himself. Sensitive ears picked up the sound of a gasp, and he turned to scan the area. Athair reached out with his senses, and a bare tickle rippled over him. Then, in the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a small brown figure.
Realizing she was found out, the creature scrambled under a nearby Wild Privet shrub. He spun and hurried in the direction of the figure. “Wait, I only wish to talk to you.”
But whoever it was disappeared, evaporated like a dream, leaving behind a familiar presence like a faint aroma of the past. Something that tantalized your senses, but he was unable to identify.
He searched long and grew tired and frustrated. Even the trees wouldn’t help him. They kept catching his robes as though trying to thwart him. So, finding no further magical signatures, he dismissed the idea the being was still here. With his staff wrapped and quiet around his arm once more, Athair gave up. There were no elven campsites in the areas, and no Elves, to his knowledge, lived in Alleen. The magic must only have been passing through. But what was she?
I hope you enjoyed this peek behind the curtain. If you like to leave a comment go for it. And until next time, I'll leave you with a bit of prose Kieran the main character penned. The song goes on as does the story. Kieran searching and finding love.
For so ever long
Adrift on the waters
Like a leaf on the currents
Like the foam on a wave

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Virginia'dele Smith

​She’s always feared abandonment.
​Is she about to face it again or find happily ever after? 
M’Kenzee Davenport knows love doesn’t last. So despite marrying her high school crush on a whim in Vegas, the gritty photojournalist never believed the union was real. But when her husband-in-name-only goes missing on a mission for the FBI, she’s stunned to receive his effects as next-of-kin. 
Poring through his childhood journals, M’Kenzee discovers to her amazement that the handsome G-man has loved her forever. And with no news about his fate, the tormented loner worries he’s lost for good just as she discovers she doesn’t want to live without him. 
Will M’Kenzee be reunited with the man of her dreams? 
Three Times to Make Sure is the emotional third book in the Green Hills romance series. If you like endearing characters, family drama, and wholesome matches, then you’ll adore Virginia’dele Smith’s captivating story.
 
What others are saying
Must read 
This book with lovable characters broke my heart, mended it, broke it again, and made me cry like a baby!Reedsy Discovery Review:  https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/three-times-to-make-sure-virginia-dele-smith#review

Buy Three Times to Make Sure to learn the heart’s buried truths today!
Get your copy here⤵️
 ​https://ashlimontgomery.com/products/three-times-to-make-sure
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL257TFJ
https://amzn.to/3Fybs16

The inspiration behind the story
What a treat to cozy up around the campfire with new friends! I love to chat, I love to share, and I love love stories.
My books take place in Green Hills, a fictitious small town that could exist just off the Indian Nation Turnpike in southeast Oklahoma. Hidden among lush green trees, Green Hills has mystical qualities of unity and encouragement. The community is designed and depicted how I wish the world would be: uplifting, supportive, helpful, and kind. There are all types of people in Green Hills, with all types of backgrounds and careers, and I look forward to sharing each of their stories for as long as the words keep flowing.
We are often advised to “write what you know,” so while I have a healthy, overactive, and dramatic imagination, I expect the fine folks of Green Hills will love many of the jobs and hobbies that I love: quilting, sewing, reading, writing, cooking, baking, book stores, libraries, tea rooms, hair salons, dress shops, boutiques, antique malls, crafts, fabric shops, home decor, architecture, real estate, teaching, and singing. There will be a lot of football, and other sports like baseball, dance, and yoga. There will be doctors and nurses, firefighters and EMTs. There will be police and mayors and civil servants.
There will be tragedy and loss. There will be challenges and struggles. There will be a theme of facing Alzheimer's disease and the fight to end it.
There will be love — heartfelt and wholesome love, sweet love, deep and emotional love. Lots and lots of love!
While these common threads will be woven within the stories, each one is unique and engaging on its own. Each one is an opportunity to escape to Green Hills for a few hours, visit friends, discover love, and enjoy a happy ending.
Welcome to Green Hills ~ I’m thrilled you’ve come to visit!

Heat level: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children Think of movies like Narnia, LOTR, and National Treasure.)

Ashli Montgomery is a wife, a momma, and an author whose passion is sharing love stories, books, quilts, yoga, recipes, and her favorite things in life. She is quilting to mend the mind by spearheading and educating a community of quilters through Quilt 2 End ALZ, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she launched to use her quilting hobby as a platform to advocate for an end to Alzheimer's disease.
Ashli writes wholesome and heartfelt, small-town romance under the pen name Virginia’dele Smith to honor Syble Virginia Tidwell, Adele Gertrude Baylin, and Etta Jean Smith. These three cherished grandmothers were beautiful role models, teaching Ashli to love without judgment and to always put family first. Through Grandma Syble’s journals and appetite for books, through Momadele’s priceless cards and handwritten letters, and through many, many hours of visiting over fabric at Mema’s kitchen island, Ashli also learned to treasure words.
You are invited to join Ashli in Green Hills and learn more about Virginia’dele Smith and the many hats she enjoys wearing by subscribing to Ashli’s newsletter,  The Gazette , at AshliMontgomery.com.

January 26th, 2023

Happy New Year! I can say that, right? It's still January. I'm chatting with you from Northern Florida. It's a little chilly but I've got sun, a hoodie, and a cup of one of my favorite afternoon beverages, Lady Grey tea. One of my fellow campers just popped over and share one of his birthday cupcakes with me. Thanks, Bill and happy birthday.  🥳️
As I was heading to my winter home in Florida (I’m retired from my paying job) thoughts about what to talk about this month. Then my phone dinged while sitting in a gas station off US 95. My book Felice hit number 5 on Amazon in the Romantic/Fantasy category. Not only did I try to do the happy dance in the truck, but the light bulb went off, and blogging about writing while traveling was born.
Back in 2017, hubby and I began talking about how we would spend our retirement. Going south was definitely in the plan. No more snow and ice. Pete previously slipped on ice and suffered major trauma to his leg, requiring surgery and months in a leg brace. To this day, he walks with a limp.
We have many friends in Florida. Okay, we had a general idea. But how? We couldn’t afford a second home, and we do love Northern New Jersey for the rest of the year.
A camper! That’s the ticket.
But I needed an office.
Okay, a big camper!
That’s what we did. After looking at between 50 and 60 rigs, we settled on 2HOOTs. She has a bunk house that doubles as an office and guest room.
During our sojourn to the Sunshine State last year, I not only finished Jazz House but also wrote and contracted for Sophia’s Magic Beans (releases 4/10/23). Then I began a multi-author series called The Mortar & Pestle (Sea Hunter releases 3/16/23). So, for me, traveling is conducive to writing.
Over the summer, we continued to travel for research. Maine and Massachusetts are full of naval history, and visiting places is immersive. Talking to people and standing on the shores where so much history happened was amazing.
Here’s my list of what I need to be a traveling author.
1. Internet access. (This is not guaranteed even in campgrounds that claim they have it.) We have one carrier for our phones, so I can hotspot another carrier for the truck. I’ve often been spotted wandering aimlessly around with my phone held high over my head searching. Emails, marketing, and zoom meetings are all a part of my life, and I need the connections.
2. I invested in a lap desk. It was inexpensive and comfortable (I’m using it now.)
3. The ability to focus. Writing is a full-time job for me, and I treat it as such. I get up and get ready like I’m still going to the office.
4. Know when enough is enough. Especially when I’m deep in research or editing, I can forget the time. Having a dog helps. She needs to go for walks, and so do I.
The lifestyle is not for everyone, but I’ve found my place. Inspiration, ideas, and research are around every bend in the road. If you haven’t yet, I hope this year you, too, find your place. If you have, then enjoy it.
What items can you not travel without? Where is your happy place? I'm so excited and hope you are too! The Mortar & Pestle seven-author book series will release beginning in March. Aren't the covers stunning? (They were done by Sydney Winward).  But you don't have to wait. We have put together a FREE sample book for you. Head over to Bookfunnel and download your free copy today at
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

And here's the link to the pre-order sale on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Kerry Blaisdell.

 
Burying the Dead
by 
Kerry Blaisdell

Released January 16, 2023
Paranormal Romance

Sometimes the only way to stop the world from going to Hell is by working with Demons. Hyacinth Finch has one goal: Save her nephew Geordi from the Hell Demon who kidnapped him. But to succeed, she'll have to work with his demon Mafia relatives, which she swore she'd never do. Worse, she'll have to make another deal with the High Demons who murdered her. But Geordi's life is worth it, even if she loses her own humanity in the process. Meanwhile, Hyacinth's ghost boyfriend Eric is wasting away, after being ejected from his "borrowed" body. While digging in his past for something to make him fight for survival, she uncovers secrets that could destroy their relationship. Moreover, her feelings for Geordi's demon cousin Jason are stronger than ever, though every morally impossible choice she makes drives him farther away. Can she save Eric and Geordi, without losing herself-and Jason-forever?

Amazon Review 
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/customer-...
A threaded, layered Urban Fantasy packed full of unexpected twists and turns. There were mysteries and plot twists I didn't expect, at all. How this author keeps it all straight is amazing in itself. What a great plot!!!

Get your copy today
https://books2read.com/BuryingTheDead​
Kerry Blaisdell is the bestselling and award-winning author of the acclaimed Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD and its sequels, which InD’tale Magazine recommends for “fans of shows like ‘Constantine’ or ‘Supernatural.’” She also writes award-winning Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, a Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Quarterfinalist) and Historical Mystery. She has a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Comparative Literature (French/Medieval English), and a Master’s in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from University of Portland. Kerry lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her family, assorted animals, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
To connect with Kerry online, join her Facebook Reader Group, or subscribe to her Very Occasional Mailing List and get TWO free downloads!

Around the Fire Welcome Martha O'Sullivan.

Hello, Everyone! Thanks for joining me and my guest today. Martha is new to my blog and I look forward to getting to know her. Before we get started a bit of housekeeping. Did you take advantage of the free sample copy of The Mortar & Pestle? No, well here's the link 
Link to free sample of series  https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
And here's the link to the pre-order sale on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
And Sea Hunter's Linkhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1
Martha, thank you for being my guest today. Now, while I pour us some coffee, why don't your introduce yourself? I’m a swimmer! I am fortunate enough to live in Florida and have a pool and swim laps most afternoons. It’s a win-win; exercise and mindfulness. 
That's wonderful! I'm in Florida too. Northern where it's still a bit chilly for a swim but soon. What interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have? I was home raising my children for two decades which I really enjoyed, but I didn’t make much time for hobbies other than writing in their teenage years. Now they are grown and I can focus on writing full-time.So I’d have to say exercising and decorating. 

Who is your network or support system? 
My husband has been very supportive of my writing over the years. It can be a lot of work and investment with little reward. My girls are proud of me and that means the world to me. My friends and extended family have also been great. I’ve learned so much from online author groups. Authors are incredibly generous and patient. 

So, true. When people ask what I do and I tell them I'm an author, may think I'm rolling in the dough, and not think about the hours of work involved in each book to sell for pennies on the dollar. But I do love writing, so here we are talking about our passion. Who or what books or authors lit your passion and inspired you?
The first romance novel I ever read was Heartbeat by Danielle Steel. I still have it. I used to check out her paperbacks at the library when I was in high school. Her books definitely got me thinking about writing romance. But Nora Roberts is my all-time favorite author.  She’s an incredible storyteller. 
 
I'm listening to Nora Roberts Awakening  currently. It's very good. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent? 
Honestly, no! 

What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special?
As I mentioned, I’m a midwestern transplant who lives in Florida and sometimes I still pinch myself even after all these years. It’s such a beautiful place to live. I love the weather and the lifestyle. Too many favorites to choose!   

Does writing energize or exhaust you? 
Both. It’s all-consuming, satisfying and electrifying all at once. Some days I’m so mentally and physically drained and other days I can’t stop. It’s also fickle and unpredictable. I’ve had to adjust to that. 

I hear you. Yesterday I pulled up a chair next to my neighbor and said, "I can't look at the computer for one more minute." Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? 
My first book, Second Chance, took on a mind of its own and became a trilogy-Second Chance, Chance Encounter and Last Chance. All three books are standalones but each features a couple with the other two couples as supporting characters so everyone gets a happily ever after ending. Christmas in Tahoe is not part of the Chances Trilogy but mentions one of the characters in passing. All my books are set in Lake Tahoe. 

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? 
This is going to one of the most draining yet most rewarding things you’ve ever done. Second only to motherhood. And it’s going to take a lot longer than you think. Bring your moxie and grow some thicker skin.
 
I hope someone reading this understands that. Many say, "Oh, I should write a book." And maybe they should, but not think it's a piece of cake, and should be aware of the time and angst. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? 
None. I know that’s unusual. I have some ideas in my head if that counts.
 
What is your favorite childhood book? 
Charlotte’s Web 

How long on average does it take you to write a book? 
Christmas in Tahoe, which came out in December 2022, took me just under a year.

Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? 
The first time we went to Lake Tahoe on vacation. My girls were five and three. I was immediately smitten. Thus, the setting for all my books. 

It's been a pleasure getting to meet you, Martha. I wish you the best with all your books. Before you head out to the pool for laps could you leave us with some information about your latest book and where to get more information about it and you? Last Chance
by 
Martha O'Sullivan

Moira Brody knows Paul Webster better than he knows himself. But neither one of them know that he is as desperately in love with her as she is with him. Still, she isn't going to wait around forever, especially on Valentine's Day. When Paul learns that the hard way, he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. He can't lose her. Or let the past dictate the future. These friends turned lovers will have to look at each other with fresh eyes and brave hearts. But not everybody is on their side. And Paul will have to choose between following his head and listening to his heart. Or risk losing Moira forever.
  
https://books2read.com/marthaosullivanlastchance
 
 
About the Author
Martha O'Sullivan has loved reading romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing her own books is the realization of a lifelong dream. She is a graduate of Illinois State University where she wrote for the school newspaper and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She is also a former Acquisitions Editor at MacMillan Computer Publishing. Martha writes contemporary romances with M/F couples and happy endings. A native Chicagoan, she lives her own happy ending in Florida with her husband and two daughters.

Find out more by following Martha at
https://www.marthaosullivan.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/authormarthaosullivan/ 
http://twitter.com/@m_osullivan26

Around the Fire Announces an Exciting New Series Release!

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From the Cover
A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe.
Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive.
Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters.
Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.
About the Series
Go on the adventure of The Mortar & Pestle series with international authors of different genres and vast backgrounds who came together and offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world traveling, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors and award winners there’s something for everyone in this series.
Get a Free Sampling of all the stories at  dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

A bit about all the stories
 
Selkie
By
Sydney Winward
No one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…
On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.
Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.
Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.
 
Seeker
By
Jean M. Grant
Nock, draw, release. Her bow is always ready, and if her arrow hits its mark, she will secure her destined soulmate.
 
Aileana Montgomerie’s bloodline holds valuable gifts of foresight and healing, but with each honor comes a curse. Even though she is descended from the mystical isles’ folk, she lacks the ability of the Scottish Ancients and wonders if she belongs in a magical family. Aileana just wants a purpose. What good is her bow and arrow if she is denied the right to fight for her clan?
Brodie MacDougall is ordained to be the next war chieftain of his clan. The title is a privilege as long as his brother, the future laird, doesn’t expect him to lift a sword and charge into battle. Chronic pain and nervous vapors force him to spend his days alone. Can his strategic skills keep him one step ahead of his conspiring brother?
Through a magical Mortar & Pestle, Brodie finds his heart’s desire. But there’s a catch. The seat on his brother’s council is no longer dependent upon his health…but on Aileana’s strength. With rumblings of unrest among their clans, will their love foster an alliance or be a step toward war?
 
Quartermaster
By
Marilyn Barr
Can the love of a pirate heal the wounds inflicted by a gentleman?
Catalina
He violated me. Don Rodrigo took my family’s business, home, and titles, but he will never own me. I’m on the run. He’s threatened to expose my secret. My last hope is to intercept the ship carrying my dowry before our match is permanent. Trusting pirates to give me a fair share is foolish but not as much as staying on the same island as my attacker…
Chub
The letter from our arch-nemesis was written in feminine calligraphy but our nutmeg Captain Teeth didn’t notice. Blimey that because the author of the letter is my lady love. I’d bet my last doubloon. If only she didn’t shrink away from my touch… Killing every scoundrel who dared to hurt her isn’t helping…but it cools the rage I hold inside.
Can Chub teach Catalina to assemble her shattered fragments into the strong woman she wants to be or is she too broken to believe in herself? Will she accept a pirate’s promise of true love or was the Mortar & Pestle’s message too late for lonely Chub to claim his lady love?
https://www.amazon.com/Quartermaster-Marilyn-Barr-ebook/dp/B0BRWRPDBF
 
Sea Hunter
By
D.V. Stone
On the turbulent high seas, an archeologist must protect a historic shipwreck from treasure hunters—not fall for one.
Zahra Corbyn
As the professor of antiquities, nothing snaps my cap more than treasure hunters and looters. They smash and grab and then are gone with the wind. And there are two after Sea Wraith. But fate is a funny thing. Thanks to an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not only am I in cahoots with one of them but he’s also fired up my heart, turning me into a khaki-wacky.
Captain Jack Alexander
I’ve been told women on a ship are unlucky, but this dame has the two pieces of the map I need to finally claim Sea Wraith. Now, I find myself in a lousy deal that makes me one-third partner with her and a known scalawag. It’s either that or bupkis. After all these years of chasing down my dream of finding the shipwreck, my obsession is cooling off and heating up toward a bird who’s way above my pay grade.
Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar & Pestle?
If you like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, you’ll love Zahra Corbyn and Jack Alexander.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1
or grab a sample
dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
 
Revamped
By
Shirley Goldberg
An energy vampire hungry for love meets the wisecracking woman of his parents’ nightmares.
Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowdsourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
 
Trickster
By
Darlene Fredette
Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart?
Working for a top modeling agency is Jade Parsons’s dream job until her boss suffers a heart attack, and his son temporarily fills his position. Eric’s push-pull approach fuels her frustration. While anticipating the troublemaker’s imminent departure, Jade’s destiny is revealed through a magical Mortar & Pestle, leaving her heart tormented by whispers of a different fate.
World-renowned photographer Eric Martini returns home to restore his relationship with his estranged father, but wounds from the past haunt him. Enchanted by his father’s feisty assistant, he masks his heart and refuses to give in to desire. Convinced his destined future is already written in the stars—and doesn’t include Jade, Eric’s only choice is to walk away.
Will Jade and Eric find the courage to trust the mythical and smokey signs before their paths are severed forever?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS1PD9W2/
 
Artist
By
Ginny Frost
Stuck at a retreat with her ex, Lexi is torn between reviving her art and rekindling an old romance.
Lexi Pintari is stuck in a dead-end cubicle job that is slowly killing her. She tucked away her passion for art when the love of her life ghosted her after college. Witnessing her lack of motivation, Lexi’s best friend drags her to an art retreat for much-needed reflection and inspiration. Though knowing her ex-boyfriend is an artist-in-residence there, Lexi agrees to go. Unfortunately, her metal-goth style and enthusiasm for graphic comics clash with the pastel-scarf-wearing, tea-sipping participants, making her ex the least of her problems. 
Cole MacDougall is blocked. His rise to the top of the modern art scene is crushed by a missing muse. He is desperate to paint again, but the canvas remains blank. Due to the shortage of patronage revenue, he is forced to put up with the groupie-students. Until he sees a woman standing out like a sore thumb in ripped jeans and a leather jacket. Lexi. Hope blooms that he can renew his passion through her. 
For two weeks, Lexi and Cole work together, discovering what they’ve lost professionally and personally. Will a magical Mortar & Pestle show them how to connect the broken lines and seal their destiny?
Book Funnel Free Sample  ⤵️
dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
Link to Series  ⤵️
https://www.amazon.com/Mortar-Pestle-6-book-series/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
 
About the Series
Go on the adventure of The Mortar & Pestle series with international authors of different genres and a vast backgrounds who came together and offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world traveling, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors and award winners there’s something for everyone in this series.

Click Here for special .99 cent pre-order Click Her For FREE Sample of all the stories On sale for a limited pre-order time, so, grab Your Copy Today! About the Authors
Sydney Winward
Is a fantasy and paranormal romance author who dabbles in the occasional historical fiction. She loves building complex worlds filled with magic, strong characters, and emotional stories that can make you laugh and cry.
Sydney is the author of The Bloodborn Series and the Sunlight and Shadows Series. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, thinking about stories, or going on adventures with her children. She lives in Utah with her husband and three amazing kids.
https://sydneywinward.com/
 
Jean Grant
Jean has a penchant for misunderstood creatures, be it sharks, microbes, or wounded characters. A scientist by training, she now spends her days as an author and champion for her children. She writes historical and contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Two of her books won InD’tale RONE awards.
A nature enthusiast, Jean also writes for family-oriented travel magazines and websites. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, tackling the biggest mountains in New England, and going on adventures near and far with her family. If she were stuck on a desert island, her three essentials (besides family, food, water, and shelter) would be coffee, lip balm, and the Rock Dwayne Johnson.
https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
 
Marilyn Barr
I have a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education/inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant and advocate for the autistic community. This puts me in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated.
I currently reside in the wilds of Kentucky with my husband and son. When I’m engaging with the real world, I’m collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. I love to read paranormal romance as much as I love to write it. Connect with me on Goodreads to find out what I am reading.
https://www.marilynbarr.com/
 
D. V. Stone
Is an award-winning author of both independent and traditionally published works. She hosts a popular book and author blog, Around the Fire. She is a contributing writer for Still Moments Magazine, Dishing With D.V.
A Brooklyn, NY native, D.V. Stone has lived in many places, though she’s called New Jersey home for the past twenty-eight years.
Retired, she considers herself a full-time author, and she travels with her husband Pete, dog Hali, in a 41ft 5th Wheel.
https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/
 
Shirley Goldberg
Is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at dating in mid-life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. A Little Bit of Lust is her third book in the series Starting Over, although all her books are standalone. Shirley’s characters all believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees. 
Shirley Goldberg.com
 
Darlene Fredette
I write stories about falling in love and happy-ever-after. I grew up with my nose in a book and daydreaming. Writing stories is an escape and I can’t imagine a better way to spend my day.
The Artist In Me... The title of ‘artist’ is huge, and I’m not sure my work is deserving of the title, but my family definitely says it is. While I do many styles of art, my favourites are pencil drawings and paintings. Every week, I pencil sketch a new drawing for my daughter.
I have always loved painting, from ceramics to canvas painting, but I recently discovered fluid art painting and I love it!
http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/
 
Ginny Frost
Writes contemporary romance with a sexy, funny kick. In her down time, she plays clerk at the local library—the perfect job to feed her reading addiction.
She lives in upstate NY with her very own kindhearted ogre, their two smart and sassy daughters and an evil cat named Flash.
www.ginnyfrost.com

A Special Friday the 13th New Release Spotlight.

PG-13 for violence this is a horror story. Avenging Angel
by
Michelle Godard-Richer
Releases Friday, January 13, 2023

​A Friday the 13th Short Story: 13 authors ~ 13 suspenseful stories. Murder and mayhem on Friday the 13th...Find each story in the series on Amazon.
On Friday the 13th, sweet college student and barista, Maya Pendleton, leaves Rowena’s Coffee to walk home alone. The streets of Gideon’s Hollow are empty. The locals believe the spirits of the witches from nearby Salem roam on this cursed night, seeking revenge on the descendants of those who burnt them at the stake.
Maya’s lonely footsteps echo through the empty street in a steady rhythm until they’re interrupted by another pair. They belong to Rand Roosevelt⎯an evil man with murder on his mind. But he picks the wrong night, the wrong victim, and he messes with the wrong witch.

Get your copy here
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLCZ8W66
 https://books2read.com/AvengingAngel

​Excerpt
The witch removed her athame from her satchel, sliced open the meaty part of her palm, and coated the blade with her blood. She held it to the sky as she moved to stand beside the girl in the center of the circle. “As above,” she buried the ritual knife into the Earth beside Maya’s waist, “so below.”
She lifted her arms to the clear sky where the orange harvest moon held reign over the night, letting the power of the elements fill her. The tendrils of darkness hung in the air nearby, waiting for her to harness their energy. “Dark God. An act most foul, the murder of an innocent, has been committed upon this sacred land. Lend us your strength to right the wrong.”
The black candles on either side of Maya’s head burst into flame, melting the wax into two small nubs. 
“Yes, my lord. Yes.” The witch smiled. “Dark Lord, lend Maya Pendleton your power. Resurrect her from the land of the dead, so she may bring vengeance upon Rand Roosevelt, the one who wronged her, to restore balance to this sacred land.”
A bolt of lightning forked down from the sky into Maya’s chest. The wound on the girl’s hand closed, and her eyes popped open.
The witch outstretched her palms over the girl, who was no longer human, but rather an immortal slave bound to the witch. “Arise, my avenging angel.”
Heat level: none but the violence would put it at a PG13

About the Author

Michelle Godard-Richer is an award-winning thriller and romance author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.

Follow Michelle
www.michellegodardricherauthor.com
Goodreads: Michelle Godard-Richer
Twitter: @MGodardRicher
Facebook: Michelle Godard-Richer Author
Instagram: michellegodardricherauthor
TikTok: @mgodardricher

Around the Fire New Release Book Spotlight with Judythe Morgan

When Love Comes Home. The Fitzpatrick Family series
by
Judythe Morgan
Released: December 18, 2022
Rated ~G~

Sometimes your heart knows what’s best.

Sammy Fitzpatrick and Tiffany Fischer eloped on prom night. The next day her father forced them to sign annulment papers then whisked her off to art school. Sammy and Tiffany made secret plans to go to Guatemala with a mission group.
Then she and her parents disappear without a trace. Resigned to a life alone, Sammy heads to the mission field missing a chunk of his heart.
Ten years later, he learns the annulment papers were never filed. Tiffany is still legally his wife, but she doesn’t know it and she's engaged to someone else. His heart has never let him forget. But is he too late?
As secrets unravel, will they be able to find the love they once shared again?

Get your copy today
https://amazon.com/When-Love-Come-Home-Fitzpatrick-ebook/dp/B0BQLGYWMP/

Judythe's inspiration for the story
The release of When Love Comes Home is bittersweet because Sammy’s story is the last of The Fitzpatrick Family series. I’m going to miss all the Fitzpatricks. I’ve loved finding soulmates for all the brothers and sisters. They’ve kinda been like a pretend family as I’ve crafted their stories. Like my real family, Sammy has heartache and disappointment, tragedy and trial, but in the end faith and love lead him to happiness.
I chose preacher kids as my main characters because I’m married to a PK (preacher’s kid), and I have a preacher son who has six children. That means I’ve watched a lot of PKs. Their romances are not that different from the rest of the world. Plus, I found lots of inspiration. 
Sammy’s story plot is a twist on the Sweet Home Alabama movie. I hope you enjoy When Love Comes Home as much as I did writing it.           ​I’m a native Texan whose roots called her home after years of roaming as an Air Force daughter and then Army wife. Now, I write award-winning fiction from a Christian worldview that’s filled with strong characters tackling real-life situations. Besides fiction, I blog weekly at www.judythewriter.com​