Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 101
December 11, 2023
Blog Tour: Red Lily series by Anna J. Stewart
She'llrisk everything to expose the truth.
Vanished
Circle of the Red Lily Book 2
by Anna J. Stewart
Genre: Romantic Suspense
She'llrisk everything to expose the truth.
Since her twin sister Sylvie's disappearance seven years ago,single mother Mabel Reynolds has turned grief into action and becomea strong voice for victims of violence and abuse.
When new revelations shed light on what may have happened not onlyto Sylvie, but dozens of other women, Mabel's hope for answers isreignited. But the new oh-so-charming DA overseeing the investigationseems more interested in a quick rather than an accurate resolution.
With little faith in the system, Mabel isn’t about to stayquiet, not when she’s finally close to the truth. She’s willingto go up against anyone—even a smug, irritating, attractive DA toget the answers she and other families deserve.
Open and shut.
That's what Assistant DA Paul Flynn has been told about his newassignment supervising a house of horrors case. With a high-profileconviction at stake, Paul can’t afford to make a wrong move if hisprofessional goals are to be achieved.
But Mabel Reynolds has his attention. All of it. Attraction aside,the woman knows far more than what’s in the official files whichmakes her something even more intriguing. But using Mabel as an assetmeans exposing her and her young daughter to even more danger. Dangerthat is closing in on them from every side. As even darker forcesappear, and their lives are threatened, Paul is faced with riskingnot only his entire career, but also the one thing he neveranticipated losing: his heart.
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Exposed
Circleof the Red Lily Book 1
2023Finalist for the Daphne du Maurier Award
Workingas a Hollywood photographer means Riley Temple has seen it all. Butthen she finds herself staring at the chilling image of a dead woman.When her questions about the film lead to violence, she reluctantlyturns to the only person who can help. Detective Quinn Burton, thepolice commissioner’s son. Her history with the LAPD iscomplicated, her trust in authority, tenuous. But to find thoseresponsible and protect those closest to her, she’s willing to doanything. Even trust a cop.
After more than a decade onthe job, Quinn knows a dangerous situation when he sees it and RileyTemple is up to her ears in trouble. But not for the reason shethinks. The pictures she’s stumbled on call into a question anotorious murder conviction—one that powerful people have a vestedinterest in keeping in place. Seeing this case through meansbetraying someone: his job, his family, or the woman he’s fallingin love with.
As old secrets are revealed, Quinn and Rileyfind themselves targeted by members of a secret society that has longmaintained violent control over Hollywood’s powerful elite. Asociety that, until now, has remained hidden in the shadows. Asociety that will stop at nothing to keep their secrets buried.
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What inspired you to write this book?
Well, it’s the follow-up to EXPOSED and picks up a fewmonths after the end of that book so my inspiration was necessity, LOL. Thestory has to continue (and I do plan for five books in the series total). VANISHEDwas a story I was anxious to write for a variety of reasons, but mainly Iwanted to dive deep into the connection between twins. Mabel, my heroine, is atwin and it’s her twin sister Sylvie’s disappearance that drives her in justabout every aspect of her life. Coping with that loss, that element of unknown,where she knows her sister is gone but she hasn’t necessarily accepted it yet,was appealing to me as a writer. I try to find new elements to explore witheach book I write, so that was probably the biggest factor of inspiration thistime around.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Book three will be out this time next year—I will startwriting it after the holidays I think (depending on my other deadlines). I havea title and cover already (the cover is awesome!), but I’m holding offannouncing it just yet. Each book will expand on the previous, so announcing itnow will give a little away as to what happens in VANISHED. I can share thatit’ll be Cassia’s story and I can’t wait to find out her backstory. I don’tplot, so I don’t have the answers about her agoraphobia and PTSD, but I’m goingto do my best to make her issues unique and hopefully emotionally impactful.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in VANISHED?
Oh, there’s a large cast of characters but the three mainones are Mabel Reynolds, an accountant by trade but she volunteers as a rape advocate.It’s something she started doing after her sister disappeared; Mabel couldn’tdo anything to help her sister, but she feels like she can make up for herfailings by helping others who survive vicious attacks. She’s a single motherto almost nine-year-old Keeley who is just a spitfire of a little girl. I lovewriting children into my books, but I underestimated how difficult it would beto include one in a suspense/thriller. Finding that balance of keeping her safebut also putting her in the crosshairs was challenging for sure.
Lastly there’s Paul Flynn is the main hero, Mabel’s loveinterest, and a special investigator for the DA’s office. He has a history withLos Angeles, one he’s not anxious to revisit, but he’s also a loyal anddedicated friend and he’s asked to come back to oversee the house of horrorscase that’s unfolding due to the ending events of EXPOSED (book 1 in the Circleof the Red Lily series). He’s determined to go through life alone, which madepairing him off with a single mother so much fun. The last thing he wants is afamily (for reasons readers will find out, obviously), which means that’s whathe’s going to be getting.
How did you come up with the concept and characters forthe book?
I knew when I wrote book 1 (EXPOSED), that one of the fivemain heroines introduced would have a connection to the case that’s blown openin that story. Mabel made the most sense because she was very logic minded andshe was a single mother. She was a crusader given her work as a volunteer sogiving her a solid connection to the missing women expanded her motivation.That kind of personality clashes with the hero needed to oversee theinvestigation into the case that’s causing some major political and professionalissues for a lot of people in various positions of local government and thefilm industry. I usually start with conflict when beginning my stories, sopitting Mabel against Paul even when they’re going to be unofficially workingtogether, just got the ball rolling on the story itself.
The titles are playing an important part in the stories,too. EXPOSED was the first title—and at the end a number of things had beenjust that—brought into the light, including the dozens of missing women whohave gone missing over decades. People really can just vanish; it’s a sadreality for a lot of friends and families, so in that way, the title fed intothe story.
Where did you come up with the names in the story?
Coming up with names is always one of my favorite bits ofcreation I get to do. I usually spend a couple of days going through TheCharacter Naming Sourcebook (I have 3 copies!) and jotting down names that justspeak to me. I tend to lean toward different types of names; unusual ones.
Where the Circle of the Red Lily books are concerned,however, there’s an added dimension I played with. All of the lead characters(five heroines, five heroes) have some name connection to a classic Hollywoodactor or actress. Paul Flynn, for instance, is named for Paul Newman and ErrolFlynn. Mabel Reynolds is named after Debbie Reynolds, one of my all-timefavorite actresses. Mixing and matching a bunch of them was a bit of a puzzle Igot to put together before I even started writing book 1. As the books getpublished, readers can try to figure out who the references are with thecharacter names.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
The banter between Mabel and Paul. Whenever these two wereon the page together, it just sang. They’re blatantly honest with each otherpretty much from their first meeting and there was something refreshing aboutthat and also freeing for me as a writer. The censor wasn’t in play like itnormally is. And the scenes between Paul and Keeley, Mabel’s daughter. I couldwrite those all day! Their Star Wars Monopoly game was particularlyentertaining. I remember smiling like a fool the whole time I was writing thatscene.
Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
What makes Mabel tick? Her unending quest for answers. She’sdetermined to find out what happened to her sister and she’s willing to doanything. She makes enemies as easily as she makes friends because she’s nottaking no for an answer. Losing her twin has left her feeling as if she’smissing a piece of herself and to her mind, the truth is the only thing that’sgoing to bring her any peace.
As far as Paul Flynn? He’s all about getting justice for thevoiceless. Victims, their families, the people who can’t speak for themselvesanymore? He’s going to be their champion in court and beyond. Like Mabel, he’lldo what has to be done to get the job finished. They compliment each other inthat way, but it also means they’re going to butt heads a lot.
Who designed your book covers?
Authors on a Dime does my covers. My publisher was sofabulous in agreeing to let me hire the designer and I love the entire process.Kristen and I are friends (she’s an author as well) and she gets me. We almosthave a shorthand at this point. When we were working on book 1, we knew wewanted to go with similar theming and a specific look that would go across allfive novels, so landing on that “feel” took a few back and forths. For book 3on the other hand? She nailed it on her first attempt. Seriously, I can’t waitto share that one because it’s my favorite one yet!
If you had to do it all over again, would you changeanything in your latest book?
Well, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change anything inVANISHED, mainly because I wrote the entire book twice. When I turned it in thefirst time, I just wasn’t happy with it. And it was keeping me up at night. SoI asked for it back and hacked it apart, reworked it, and made all the changesthat were bugging me. It ended up as an entire rewrite (and even ended updelaying its release), but I’m thrilled with how it turned out. And my editoreven said she was glad I took it back to rework it. Needed to get those twistsand turns a bit tighter and more unexpected.
If your book was made into a film, who would you like toplay the lead?
Oh, this is a fun one to answer because I’ve actually “cast”all of the main characters in this series in my head. And in my notes. Mabelwould be played by actress AJ Cook who plays JJ on Criminal Minds. It’s justwho I’ve always seen in the role. As far as Paul Flynn? I envision BradleyCooper; he’s got that swoon-worthy Hollywood thing going on that fits Paul to aT.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
There’s a scene toward the end where I needed a huge eventto happen that would endanger not only my main characters, but also a lot ofinnocent bystanders. Navigating all of that, piecing all of it together andkeeping the intensity and pacing up was a challenge, but I think it’s some ofthe best writing I’ve done to date. I won’t give it away, because I think it’sa bit unexpected, but for readers who are waiting for it after reading thisblog, I’ll just say Ka-Boom!
If you could spend time with a character from your bookwho would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Oh, that would be Aunt Moxie, Riley Temple’s (book 1’sheroine) great aunt. She’s eighty years old and is known for playing aparticular role back when she was in her 20’s. She’s lived through the GoldenAge of Hollywood and has a huge collection of movie memorabilia. I would loveto just hang out with her and hear all the stories of the people she workedwith and knew. Even though she’s fictional.
Are your characters based off real people or did they allcome entirely from your imagination?
All my main characters are my own creation. I’d feel limitedand nervous writing someone based on anyone I know in real life. Secondarycharacters on the other hand, tend to be based off real people and murdervictims and bad guys have a tendency to be inspired by people who have tickedme off in some way. It’s very cathartic.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do youfeel like you have the reigns of the story?
They always highjack the story and I’m a better writerbecause of it. Like I said, I don’t plot, so the characters have to show me theway. They don’t always get what they want, but I always give them what theyneed.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
All of these Circle of the Red Lily books are kitchen sinkbooks: there’s something in them for everyone. There’s romance (of course!),there’s mystery and suspense, twists and turns, there’s tons of humor (andsarcasm because it’s me) and a group of tight-knit friends who will do anythingfor one another. Pick up any of my books and it will always be aboutfamily—family found and family made. If that’s your cuppa, then grab VANISHED!
Have you written any other books that are not published?
I’ve got TONS of stories that haven’t been published, mostof them paranormal romance. At this point I don’t think I anticipate they willbe. I’m having way too much fun writing suspense and thrillers. I’ve got someideas as far as moving into a different romance genre, but I’m afraid most ofthose will remain under the bed.
AnnaJ Stewart is the USA Today bestselling author of more than fiftysweet to spicy romances. Primarily writing for Harlequin’sHeartwarming (sweet romance) and Romantic Suspense (spicy) lines, shealso writes romantic thrillers for Arc Manor’s Caezik Romance. Inaddition to being a Holt Medallion winner (Bride on the Run), she’sfinaled in the Daphne duMaurier Award for Excellence, the NationalReaders’ Choice and had one of her books optioned as a TV movie. Nomatter the story, Anna’s books are always about family—the oneswe’re born to and the ones we create. Anna lives in NorthernCalifornia where she loves going to the movies, attending fanconventions, and heading to Disneyland, her favorite place on earth.When she’s not writing, she is usually cooking, baking,binge-watching her newest TV addiction, or re-watching her all-timefavorite shows, Supernatural and all things StarTrek. She also spends a frustrating amount of timewrangling two monstrous cats named Rosie and Sherlock.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
Blog Tour: WITH GOD WE BURN by Joshua Lange
With God We Burn
by Joshua Lange
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GENRE: Historical Romance
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BLURB:
Julien Allais, a French Catholic, prays for only one thing: tokneel before God in the Holy Land of Jerusalem, far from his home inConstantinople, the capital of the Christian world in AD 1096. Joining thesilver-clad Crusaders arriving from the west to free the Holy Land seems likethe answer to his prayers.
Youngand untrained, Julien is soon captured, abandoned by the knights he hadtrusted. Despite what he was told, his Muslim captors are not Godless fiends.Ahtmar, a boy near his own age, is among his captors, and Ahtmar’s sister Zahratends to Julien’s wounds. As Julien’s feelings for Zahra and respect for Ahtmargrow, he questions everything he thought he knew. The Jerusalem they describeis a bustling city ruled by the Turks for the sake of all residents, no mattertheir faith. It doesn’t need to be freed – it needs to be protected from theCrusaders who will destroy it in the name of their faith.
AsJulien and his captors travel to Jerusalem, a forbidden love between Julien andZahra is born. This love will change them both. Will it have the power tochange a world at war?
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Excerpt One:
Chapter 1 June, 1096 — Constantinople
With my hands clasped and my eyes closed, I prayed. Lord,please protect my father and I. Bless us so that we might get by – even if it’sonly for a few more months. Please, lift our spirits and ease our burdens. Isqueezed my eyes shut tighter, pushed my knees firmly into the cold floor, andsat up straighter, as if that would somehow hasten my communication withheaven. I want to travel to Jerusalem. I want to complete my pilgrimage.Please, dear God, allow this to happen. Allow us to find our way to your holycity.
My next thoughts had been my heaviest, and I hesitated insharing them with God, even though He already knew. Father says I should becontent. He says I should simply wait until a path to Jerusalem opens. But itdoesn’t feel like it’s that simple. Please, guide me, Lord… Amen.
I gazed up at the impossibly high ceiling, which was markedwith delicate, colorful paintings of Jesus, and a clear window that was like aview to heaven itself. The dusk sunlight beamed down upon the hundreds of loyalchurch followers and cast many of us in a deep, orange light.
The church was supported by stunning pillars and walls madeof stone and marble, and featured stained glass windows that depicted themiracle that was the life of Jesus. They showed him bearing the crown ofthorns, suffering on the cross, healing the sick, and returning to life – theywere all a reminder that our pain was nothing in the grand scheme of things. Aperson-sized crucifix watched over me from the far end of the room.
I concluded my prayers feeling energized but unsatisfied. Ididn’t allow my impatience to get the best of me, though, especially insidethis house of salvation. I darted by the Greek citizens in their brightlycolored dalmatic tunics and headed outside.
The city had been truly unbelievable. A far cry from France,where things were held together mainly by wood and farmland. Here, the Greekshad a towering fortress surrounded by stone walls and towers, compact andcircular. The buildings were largely tall and secure, like ever-watchful stonetrees. It was packed with citizens along the bustling main street.
The Greeks visited shopping stalls and restaurants, boughtnew clothing and loudly made trades. Even after being there for a year,Constantinople had remained truly foreign to me. The noise of shopkeepershailing potential customers and the nearly blindingly bright colors of clothingin yellows, blues, and purples were enough to distract me on my way home.
It was hard not to get absorbed in the beauty of the city,but truly, I had been an outsider to Byzantium, and as part of the CatholicChurch, it hadn’t exactly been the warmest welcome for my father and I. Evennow, I remember the hostile glares and turned up noses from the purple-wearingnobles. I remember looking down at my own unassuming, tan tunic, picking at it,feeling how ragged it was, and most of all, how inferior I’d felt.
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Topic: what was the hardest part about writing this book andhow did you overcome it?
The toughest part was getting the balance of emotions, andperspectives, right. The Crusades are a difficult and tragic time in history,and With God We Burn follows the historical path of the First Crusade prettyclosely. It took time and effort to make sure that the balance between theChristian point of view and the Muslim point of view was perfect – as it issuch as delicate and understandably sensitive subject.
The book mainly follows a Christian boy; however there areseveral pivotal characters that are Muslim.
I have to say, the great people at my publisher, CinnabarMoth, were integral with helping me to get this balance correct, and Iwholeheartedly believe it will show in the book itself.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Born and raisedon Long Island, Joshua has had a love for storytelling since he was young. Hegrew up with the larger-than-life characters and silly stories in pro wrestlingand got lost in complex role-playing video games, and finally manifested hislove at age 18 when he wrote his first book.
Joshua oftenreflects on the bigger picture in life and thinks most people are good, decent,and worthy. Love, unity, and respect are his core ideals, and they are woveninto all of his writing.
He currentlylives on Long Island with a loving family, which is he truly grateful for.
You can followcurrent projects, or catch up with him on social media; he is always open tomaking new friends!
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lange170
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshglange/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100014463883655
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/with-god-we-burn-josh-lange/1144013737
https://www.amazon.com/God-We-Burn-Joshua-Lange-ebook/dp/B0CJ87FKP8/ref=sr_1_1
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GIVEAWAY
Joshua Lange will be awarding a $10Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayBlog Tour: LIGHT OF THE GODS by Miriam Newman
Light of the Gods
by Miriam Newman
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GENRE: Fantasy historical romance
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BLURB: Inages gone by, the gods of the mountains had split the earth in two. Now that passage must form a barrier againstinvaders. Javrik, clan chieftain’s son,has known his wife for only a month when he must defend her. Arman, soldier from a far-off land, findshimself fighting for people he never knew existed. The lives of nomads, raiders, warriors andlovers are changed forever in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain.
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Excerpt One:
The chestnut,uncharacteristically, took a misstep and then another. He had been going on aloose rein, but now he raised his head and Javrik tensed instantly. The sun waslong past its zenith, but bright enough. There would be no concealment for anyrider who left the woods or the walls, so he pulled up in the shelter of somestones that were still standing and waited, short sword in hand. He carried abow, the sword and a dagger. Araks had never made armor. He had a fast horse,but that was no defense against an arrow.
He had nodefense of any meaningful kind against what he saw emerge from the woods. AnOmani cavalry officer in full battle gear rode towards him at a flat-footedwalk, and Javrik made a small sign of supplication to his gods because it waslike looking at a ghost. They had assumed not one of those men still lived, yethere was one with armor, sword and spear, riding a horse capable of knockinghis horse flat and running him over. It was what they were trained to do.
The officer‘sbay charger stopped instantly, perhaps twenty paces from him. Javrik had noteven seen the rider signal the horse. The horse wore armor, too, on its mostvulnerable spots, gleaming in the sunlight. A single mounted Omani cavalrymanwas said to be worth three of any other because you could stop them only with acrossbow or a spear, neither of which he had.
“Hola,” Javriksaid, using the universal greeting, then switching to Omani, hoping it was goodenough. “I have no quarrel with you.”
The officerremoved his helmet; he had understood. He was older than Javrik but stillyoung, with dark curly hair and a typical Omani profile—bold features, oliveskin. And clean-shaven, which meant he was from a city somewhere.
“Nor I withyou,” he said.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Fantasy poetry driven by myths and legends has beenmy passion for as long as I can remember. I was published in poetry beforecatching the romance writing bug. I bring that background to my writing alongwith a lifelong addiction to horses, an 18 year career in various areas ofpsychiatric social services and many trips to Ireland, where I nurture my muse.My published works range from contemporary fantasy romance to fantasyhistorical, futuristic, science fiction and historical romance. Currently I livein rural Pennsylvania with a “motley crew” of rescue animals. You can see mybooks at www.miriamnewman.com.
Website: http://miriamnewman.com
Website: http://thedarkcastlelords.net
Blog: http://miriamnewman.com/blog
Blog: http://thecelticroseblog.blogspot.com
Email: mrmireland@aol.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMiriamNewman
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/miriamnewman
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/miriam-newman-cf7ca8bf-caab-4b7e-a6f2-7db5490d9215
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3146550.Miriam_Newman
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Miriam-Newman/e/B005DBFZUG
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GIVEAWAY
Miriam Newman will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawnwinner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayDecember 9, 2023
Review: SANTA CRUISE by Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
“Your body must not be surroundedby water” was the psychic prediction Alvirah got just before boarding a holidaycruise. Just perfect. Two escaped felons were among the stowaways on the cruisealong with Alvirah, Willy, Regan, and Jack.
Aptly named “Santa Cruise,” theship would have ten Santas strolling around in suits, greeting guests andtaking pictures. Two suits go missing to hide the felons. Such excitement onthe turbulent seas.
Once again, the two Clarks manageto lure us into a suspenseful and mysterious story that gets you hooked andkeeps you reading. The best part was the possibility of a would-be killer onthe ship. Will they finally figure out what’s going on here?
A good holiday mystery at sea!
Rating:5 stars
Review: DOG EAT DOUG: BAK IN BLACK Vol. 7 by Brian Anderson
Cute and funny comics about anadorable puppy and her baby companion. See what fun mischief these two havewhen the parents announce plans to move. Moving boxes everywhere! Oh, whattangled fun they have.
A quick and fun read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: DOG EAT DOUG Vol. 9 by Brian Anderson
Cute comics about a pup, a baby,and two cats. A fun read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN? By Mary Higgins Clark
Where are the children? For years,Nancy had been asking herself that very question. Ever since that day. Eversince the trial. Now married with two more children, she still thinks about it.
“Somewhere today, Nancy Harmon iscelebrating her 32nd birthday and the 7th anniversary ofthe death of the children she was found guilty of murdering.”
The past was repeating itself whenher 2 current children go missing. Nancy, where are the children? Oh no. Notagain.
This story was a little slow toget into as it concentrated at first on the missing children and Nancy’scatatonic state. Could Nancy be suspected of murdering these 2 children aswell?
Meanwhile, the 2 kids are trappedwith a sick and twisted stranger with a sinister plan to repeat history. Thisone had good suspense, but I have to admit that I kind of figured who it wasgoing to be in the end.
Another good mystery!
Rating:4 stars
December 8, 2023
Blog Tour: CHRISTMAS COVE by Sarah Dressler
Christmas Cove
by Sarah Dressler
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GENRE: Romance
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BLURB:
With only three weeks left in December, traveleditor, America Greene, arrives in the idyllic Christmas Cove to find it...Christmasless!
America needs a story, and fast, so she teams upwith the town’s good-looking (and eligible) mayor, Leo, to light up Main Streetand salvage her chance at being a full-time writer. The connection between themheats up, halls are decked, sleigh bells ring, and lights twinkle. Just whenshe thinks the holiday is saved, a nearby city threatens the future ofChristmas Cove. With her heart, and career, hanging in the balance, she mustlearn that Christmas is much more than just a place on a map before time runsout.
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Excerpt One:
Night came and went with another solid sleep. America lookedat herself in the mirror, unable to believe what she had done, or what she hadoffered to do. Sure, she knew her reasons for wanting to bring back Christmaswere purely in the interest of self-preservation. Wanting to succeed with herfirst article assignment was a huge driving factor, but the task at hand was somuch bigger than anything she should have taken on. There was no denying herreign as the office elf, and she knew that if anyone had enough Christmasspirit to spread around, she did.
Now that the offer was out there, she would need to followthrough. One way or another, she was getting her Christmas Cove experience, andan article drafted to prove it. Sure, she had enlisted Leo’s help, but if shehad any real chance of success, they would need reinforcements. America checkedher watch. Leo would be back any minute to pick her up. In the meantime, shepulled her coat back on and tidied her hastily twisted bun atop her head.
The pine tree, so generously given to her that previousmorning by Leo, stood in its bare state beside her. There is nothingsadder than a Christmas tree with no lights. Except perhaps, shethought, one without ornaments too.
“This simply will not do,” America said.
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Topic: What's your favorite scene in this story and why?
If you ask any author what their favoritescene is from their story, you will likely receive a similar answer. How do Ichoose just one? Because a storyteller knows that the sum of the story isgreater than the parts. I love Christmas Cove. All of it, the characters, thesetting, the traditions, and the kindness. It’s a place that we all secretlydream about being a part of, and we long for the sort of Christmas that bringsa community together.
But since you asked, I’ll spill the tea on oneof the scenes that I am especially fond of, and one that has several beautifulmoments for the main characters, America and Leo.
Spoiler alert:
The scene takes place at an annual bonfire. Ina tradition called the Bonfire of Fears, people write down their fears onscraps of paper and throw them into the flames. The paper turns to ash andglitters in the night sky, turning something bad into something beautiful. Thisscene has a reflection later in the story that will surprise and please thereader when America and Leo come together in a most unexpected way.
“The paper left [America’s] hand as though shewas throwing a baseball in a World Series game. She wanted to be certain thefire would devour her fear.
“Open your eyes,” Leo whispered into her ear.
The tiny hairs perked up and tickled her neck,causing her hand to reach up and cover them. He stood close. Too close. Sheswallowed hard at the sight of his rapid breaths condensing and dissipatinginto the chilly night air. Was he going to kiss her? Because she wanted to kisshim.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
SarahDressler, originally from Florida, now calls the mountains of Colorado home.Beginning her writing career as an award winning fashion blogger, Sarah nowwrites fiction full time. She has spent her life traveling the world, first asthe daughter of a US Air Force officer, and later as a military spouse. Sheenjoys sunset walks with her husband of nearly twenty years, and raising twovery busy teenagers.
Buy Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Cove-Sarah-Dressler-ebook/dp/B0CBD7Q57L/
iTunes: http://books.apple.com/us/book/id6460122265
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/christmas-cove-sarah-dressler/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/christmas-cove
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1420736
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sarah_Dressler_Christmas_Cove?id=Rl_QEAAAQBAJ
5PP: https://www.5princebooks.com/sarahdressler.html
Socia Media
5PP Page: https://www.5princebooks.com/sarahdressler.html
INSTAGRAM AUTHOR PAGE: instagram.com/thesarahdressler,
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GIVEAWAY :
Sarah Dressler will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnesand Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.a Rafflecopter giveawayDecember 7, 2023
Blog Tour: NEXT STOP, BOSTON by Iris Dorbian
Next Stop, Boston
by Iris Dorbian
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GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
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BLURB: Sixteen-year-oldGeri Randall's life is turned upside down when her late sister's fiance, DezDeacon, a washed-up rock star, is named her guardian. Whisked away from theonly life she knew and taken on a rock and roll tour, Geri is initiallydesperate to win Dez's approval. That desire hits a sour note when Dez'streatment of her becomes too much to bear. What ensues is a battle of willsbetween her and her temperamental guardian, a collision course that will pushGeri to do the unthinkable to get what she wants.
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Excerpt One:
Her skinnyfingers rippled across the strings. She played a G chord, one of the few chordshe’d
taught her inbetween gigs. She plucked it again, the twangy sound vibrating in her ears.
It was part ofher nightly backstage ritual. Most important was polishing and cleaning hisguitar.
He waspersnickety in the way he liked it. Lately, she had gotten the hang of it, butit had been rough going there for a while, as he was never satisfied withanything he asked her to do. Whether it was this task or another, she couldnever please him. Not until recently.
She’d thoughtbeing on the road would be a lot more fun. She didn’t hate it, but she didn’trelish it either. Time was a blur; it was as if school and her other life neverexisted, with every day seeming to stretch into an eternity.
She scanned themusty room, and when she was sure no one was lurking, Geri picked up the Gibsonagain and pretended to play the guitar like a rock god. Tossing her head back,she rolled her right arm like a windmill and closed her eyes, faking thestrumming and picking motions.
It was dumb,childish as all hell. But, screw it. She needed to let loose.
Of course, ifhe saw her doing this, she’d never hear the end of it.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Iris Dorbian is an arts and business journalistwhose bylines have appeared in a wide array of outlets that include Forbes,Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Crain's New York Business, Business Insider,Buyouts, Venture Capital Journal, Investopedia, Playbill, Backstage, DanceMagazine, Theatermania and Stage Directions, where she served aseditor-in-chief for eight years. Her personal essays have been featured inHBO's Inspiration Room, Boomer Magazine, Jewish Literary Journal, DiverseVoices Quarterly, and Gothesque Magazine. Having previously published"Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater"(Allworth/Skyhorse) "An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of theCamps" (original publisher: Mazo Publishers) and "Sentenced toShakespeare" (Sunbury/Milford House Prss), "Next Stop, Boston"is her fourth book.
Links:
Book links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Next-Stop-Boston-Iris-Dorbian/dp/1949802353
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/next-stop-boston-iris-dorbian/1144160777
Social Media Links:
Linkedin Site: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/iris-dorbian/1/759/358
Twitter site: https://twitter.com/IrisDorbian
Facebook site: https://www.facebook.com/iris.dorbian
Instagram site: https://www.instagram.com/irisdorbian/
Muckrack.com: http://www.muckrack.com/irisdorbian
Personal website: www.irisdorbian.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Iris Dorbian will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC toa randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
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