Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 108

Book Blast: HAPPINESS MOUNTAIN by Amal Indi

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Amal Indi will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Happiness is the most important experience that we as human beings seek throughout our entire lives. Yet there is no one clear definition of happiness in the world today.

How, then, can we expect to be happy to our fullest if we do not know what happiness is?

Everyone has happy moments in life. Suppose you are awake sixteen hours a day after eight hours of sleep—how much time are you truly happy in these sixteen hours?
If you are happy only 20 percent of your day, you will not feel truly happy in life.
If you are happy 50 percent of your day, you will feel like you have an OK life.
If you are happy 60 percent or above, you are living a happy life.
If you are happy 80 percent and above, you’re living a phenomenally happy life.
What if you could change the times that you are not happy to happy moments?

If you want to get better at something, you must study and become proficient in that subject. You do not know what you are missing if you do not learn. The same principle applies to happiness. If you want to be happier, study what happiness is. If happiness is important to you, master it.

By knowing happiness, you can consciously live a happier life. You can minimize the external factors impacting your happiness. You can get happiness under your control.

Irrespective of where you are in life today, by reading this book and following the happiness definition, philosophy, and methodology, you or anyone can live a happier life.

Read an Excerpt

The Happiness Philosophy

We as human beings find happiness in different ways: money, family, travel, meditation, exercise, material things, alcohol, pets, work, etc. We look for happiness from various activities while living busy lives with work, family, and other responsibilities. We all have times when we are unhappy and suffering while doing daily activities. We tend to look at happiness and daily activities as distinct moments of life.

Daily life is a collection of experiences from when you wake up to when you go to bed. By changing the philosophy of happiness to make every experience a happy experience, you can genuinely live a happier life. If you make every experience happy, naturally your whole day will be happy. If you focus on happiness daily, your entire life will be happy. You do not need to wait for something to happen or some future activity to be happy. You set the intention to be happy in the present moment, in every experience.

To live in this new happiness philosophy, you need a good understanding of happiness. Happiness Mountain’s happiness definition, philosophy, and methodology will help you with that. Why is a methodology critical? A methodology can be followed by anyone, and they will gain results. You do not have to reinvent a methodology for happiness. Instead, follow the Happiness Mountain methodology with ease. Irrespective of where you are in life today, by reading this book and following the happiness methodology, you or anyone can live a happier life.

About the Author: With over 20 years of experience working for financial institutions as a Solutions Architect, Amal set out on a mission to find true happiness. After researching happiness for many years, he is ready to share a definition, philosophy, and methodology for happiness so that anyone can follow and find true happiness with inner peace, joy, and fulfillment. He has written an incredible book called “Happiness Mountain – Make every experience a happy experience”. Amal is also a father of two kids and lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada. Amal’s mission is to heal the world and allow everyone to enjoy true happiness.

Find out more on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CBSXPNHM

Or visit

http://www.happinessmountain.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amal-indi-6874064/
https://www.facebook.com/happinessmountain.inc/
https://www.spreaker.com/show/happiness-mountain
https://www.instagram.com/happiness_mountain/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: THE BABYSITTER’S CLUB: CLAUDIA AND MEAN JANINE by Raina Telgemeier

Two sisters. One was artistic andthe other was a genius. For Claudia, math wasn’t everything; after all, she hadher painting class and the babysitter’s club. Well, according to her parents,if she didn’t pass her math test, she might have to give those things up. 

Claudia and her sister were alwaysfighting. Even after their grandma had a stroke, they were still at odds. Inthis case, Claudia becomes Grandma’s tutor as she recovers from the stroke.

Loved the colorful illustrations!I especially liked the rope swinging in the barn and the dog bath. Too funny!Story had more babysitting fun as always.

Sometimes you want to pour punchon her head, but she was still your sister. Will the two sisters come to amutual understanding?

A sweet and fun read!

 

Rating:4 stars

Review: THE BABYSITTER’S CLUB: LOGAN LIKES MARY ANN by Gale Galligan

Although the art was great (asalways,) the panels and text were too small to read. There just seemed to be alot going on with the pictures that it was hard to figure out the story. Youcan a good sense of the story, of course, but without being able to read thewords, you can’t get the full scoop.

 

It’s a decent read if you just goby the pictures, which you pretty much have to with the small text.

 

Rating:3 stars

Review: CAMP SPIRIT by Axelle Lenoir

This comic was very similar to thedry, sarcastic, no-personality Daria show. So, this Daria has to go to camp tobe a counselor for the summer. The art was cool, but some of the panels weretoo topsy-turvy and some of the text was too small to read. I didn’t quite getsome of the commentary. I also didn’t like the setting. Who would want to go tocamp anyway? Eh, this was a bad read.

 

Rating:2 stars

Review: CLICK by Kayla Miller

Meet Happy-Go-Lucky Olive, who’sgot friends, activities, and the social scene. To be honest, this starts offpretty menial and dry. Nothing really happens…until the school puts on a talentshow and Olive doesn’t seem to have any talent. So Olive was feeling left out. 

This had nice images with an okaystory. It really wasn’t too great.

 

Rating:3 stars

Review: ROOTS by Tara O’Connor

Was this a crummy ode to abreak-up? So, this lady was just feeling sad and pathetic? This angle certainlydidn’t grab me. Cool sketches, yes, but a bad read altogether.

 

Rating:1 star

Blog Tour: MIND EXPRESSIONS by Alysha Potente

 

Mind Expressions: A Book on Poetry withSyllable Counts

by Alysha Potente

 

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GENRE: Poetry

 

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BLURB:

 

This poetry book has a total of over 130 poems, and most featurealongside: beautiful photography art. All of the poems are different from thenext, in meaning and technique.

 

Analyticalin nature, each poem dives into various topics. With this are also syllablecounts, where the number of syllables per line are counted and arranged. Thisbrings forward a technical side to poetry writing, where it is precise andbalanced.

 

Itis a skill that requires practice, where you hear the word for what it is,using mathematics while rhyming words together. All of the poetry featuresdifferent rhyming forms.

 

 

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EXCERPT

 

JUST WATCH FOR ALL OF THESE LYRICS..

 

Words are sung with vocal ranges..

It’s a tuneful piece that exchanges..

Some words hold more power than some..

Getting stuck in heads that we hum..

They lock into the soul and mind..

Swirling into depths to remind..

They affect emotions it’s true..

Shaping our personal world too..

Our own thought patterns can alter..

Changing us and what we harbour..

 

Careful though, listen carefully..

They can affect you mentally..

Careful though, show an alertness..

The devil these words might possess..

A prowling beast in the language..

Worshipping it with a passage..

Careful though, take note of meaning..

 

Yes a song can be catchy as..

Do you know what the meaning has?..

Just watch for all of these lyrics..

With the beat make it deliquesce..

Tap into the language it portrays…

Tune out the beat that gives you sways..

It's easy to just sing along..

‘Oh look I’m stuck too on this song’..

Singing it loud in the shower..

Giving these lyrics all the power..

 

Careful though, listen carefully..

Look what’s this evil entity?..

Careful though, step with a caution..

This could all be a libation..

A demon conducting behind..

Open your senses to the signs..

Careful though, be truly thorough..

 

Syllables: 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8,8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8, 8= perfect patterns.

Every two lines rhyme together.

 

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Alysha has beena self- taught creative writer, since the age of 16, in her hometown of Perth,Australia. Her passion for it developed on its own, the need to express herselfin a different way other than verbally, was what motivated her to keep up thispassion. The use of words was captivating for expression and the love of rhymeswas also heard by ear.

 

Alysha's firstpoetry book that she read was actually in Primary School and it was called'Revolting rhymes', which was a retake on nursery rhymes but in a humorous way.This book started this creative side in her at a young age, that, and also herlove for art in general.

 

In 2015 shestudied a short course at Berklee, where she was introduced to the notion ofsyllable counts. In fact, though she had actually been doing syllable countsunconsciously with her poetry in general. By using the same measurement oflines going off of sight, had in turn created similar syllable counts/patternsin her work.

 

Her book 'MindExpressions' is a technical side of poetry writing that's come to life. It'sthe use of mathematics, along with creative writing. She wanted to give thereader a breakdown of each poem within, in order for them to delve into eachpoem further and analyse it using a different set of eyes. The poems areanalytical in nature, along with syllable counts (some perfect) and perfectrhymes. This really showcases poetry at the highest skill.

 

Alysha is multi-talentedin Art itself and is also a perfectionist. For where her passion lies indifferent artforms, is where she crafts her skills to a perfectionstandpoint.  

 

CONNECT WITHALYSHA

 

https://alyshapotente.com/   

 

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100065852568798  

 

https://www.instagram.com/alyshapotente_artist/ 

 

PURCHASE LINKSFOR MIND EXPRESSIONS:                

 

AMAZON https://amazon.com/dp/0228894085  

 

AMAZON (AU) https://amazon.com.au/dp/0228894085 

 

AMAZON (CA) https://amazon.ca/dp/0228894085  

 

BARNES &NOBLE https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mind-expressions-alysha-potente/1143804488 

 

KOBO https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/mind-expressions 

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Alysha Potente will be awarding a $15Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: THE STAR RIDER UNIVERSE series by Heidi Skarie

 

THE STAR RIDER UNIVERSE SERIES

by Heidi Skarie

 

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GENRE:  Science Fiction

 

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BLURB: You may feature oneor more of the books in the series. Please include the series blurb along withthe book blurb and excerpt for the book(s) you choose to feature.

 

TheStar Rider Universe series blurb

 

Cana small band of heroes save their world from a ruthless interplanetaryconqueror?

 

TheStar Rider series is an exciting space opera series that takes place in adistant galaxy during an intergalactic war. The first three books are about twoundercover operatives, Toemeka and Erling, and their friends, lovers, andenemies as they fight for the freedom of their world.

 

Thenext three books are about Toemeka and Erling’s young adult children as the warcontinues and a new generation is pulled into the struggle for peace.

 

You'lllove this thrilling series if you like stories that take place in other worldswith feisty heroines, brave heroes, space battles, and starships.

 

*****

 

BookOne: Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge

 

Hewanted to rule the stars. He shouldn’t have murdered her family…

 

ToemekaGanti won’t rest until the universe is rid of the sinister sorcerer-deity whokilled her parents. Working undercover to liberate a peaceful people from hisruthless usurper, she attempts to develop a weapon that can break through thetyrant’s shields. But she’s barely begun her work when she’s captured by thedespot’s dark agents.

 

Rescuedby a mysterious and handsome warrior-priest, Toemeka and her team join forceswith the planetary resistance. But without her device to knock out the enemydefenses, their budding rebellion could swiftly be crushed. And her time tocomplete it has almost run out…

 

CanToemeka free an oppressed planet and light a spark of hope throughout thegalaxy?

 

StarRider on the Razor’s Edge is the electrifying first book in the Star Riderspace opera series. If you like feisty heroines, high-tech weapons, andcourageous crews, then you’ll love Heidi Skarie’s thrilling saga.

 

*****

BookTwo: Star Rider and the Golden Threads

 

ToemekaKimes doesn’t sit back when her loved ones are in trouble . . . she jumps in tosave them.

 

WhileToemeka is living in a secret dome-city for refugees, an urgent message arrivesfor her husband, Michio. It’s a plea for help from Queen Koriann of Jaipar.Planetary-conqueror and sorcerer, Samrat Condor, is threatening to attackunless they surrender.

 

Michiohas left the dome-city for specialized training to stop Condor’s spread of darkpower, so Toemeka goes to Jaipar on planet Borko in his stead. There she isreunited with Agent Erling Fenian, her former Coalition partner.

 

Complicationsarise including old feelings between Erling and Queen Koriann, personalbetrayal, dark sorcery, spiritual tests and hostile alien

 

Willthey be able to save Jaipar?

 

*****

BookThree: Star Rider and the Golden Threads

 

Toemekawants peace . . . but Condor, the universe’s most powerful world-conqueror,wants her dead.

 

Toemekaresigns as a Coalition operative during an interplanetary war, to livepeacefully with her warrior-priest husband, Michio. Her plans are shatteredwhen she’s abducted by one of Condor’s sorcerers, who’s interested in twistingher unique abilities to increase his own dark powers.

 

Michiois devastated and searches the galaxy to find her. But time is running out forthem—as well as the free world they’ve dedicated their lives to protecting.

 

Afterthe sorcerer-conqueror Condor destroys Coalition headquarters, he turns toannihilating Toemeka and Michio’s home planet.

 

WillMichio rescue Toemeka in time for both of them to use their mystical powers tosave their world? Or will their attempts ultimately lead to their deaths?

*****

Book4: Call of the Wind

 

Willa young pilot shot down in occupied territory be executed or overcomeimpossible odds and survive?

 

Livingunder the shadow of an interplanetary war, Baymond Kimes’ life is shatteredwhen his father is shot at a spiritual gathering. He turns to his childhoodfriend, Princess Fawniteen, for comfort. Their innocent love blossoms, but whenFawn’s parents reveal she was betrothed at birth to another, the young coupleis devastated.

 

Fawndutifully accepts her fate, and Baymond escapes at sixteen by joining theInterplanetary air fleet.

 

Trainedas a fighter pilot against the forces of a powerful sorcerer-deity, Baymondgrows up fast. Eventually, his aircraft is shot down and he’s captured.

 

CanBaymond escape to see Fawniteen again and use his special gifts to save thegalaxy?

 

Ifyou like brave heroes, true love, exciting adventures and space battles you’lllove Call of the Wind.

 

*****

Book5: Call of the Eagle

 

Onereckless decision and now he must face a sinister world conqueror in battle . ..

 

Duringa time of interplanetary war, Baymond escaped heartbreak by joining thegalactic air fleet. Now he faces death daily while living on a military spacestation far from his home planet. His latest assignment is to travel to awar-torn planet on a reconnaissance mission.

 

Meanwhile,Princess Fawniteen is expected to marry Prince Radcliff to form a politicalalliance between their countries. But when Radcliff’s father dies, she realizesshe’s still in love with Baymond and wants control over her life.

 

Fawniteenbreaks off her engagement and travels across the galaxy to be with Baymond. Shejoins him on what’s proposed to be a peaceful mission. Instead, they findthemselves cut off from the space station and war erupts.

 

WhenBaymond and Fawniteen become separated, he must face his hardest trial yet whenhe’s captured by the enemy when searching for her.

 

WillFawn and Baymond survive their separation by war? Can Baymond draw on hisunique gifts and defeat a powerful sorcerer-deity to save the galaxy?

*****

Book6: Golden Cord of Light

 

Whendarkness descends can a few courageous heroes save their planet?

 

PrincessMorisa’s world is turned upside down. She planned to be a priestess living at amonastery for the rest of her life. But now she’s being sent to a foreigncountry and is expected to use her special powers to entice the prince to marryher. How can she seduce him when it goes against everything she’s been taught?

 

PrinceEverette is embroiled in the world of politics and rebellion. With his fatherleaving for war and his mother ill, he’s the regent ruler and head of themilitary. As if that isn’t enough, he’s expected to be polite to the feistyPrincess Morisa, who is staying at the palace for the summer.

 

Everetteand Morisa’s stormy relationship intensifies as the warring world around themerupts. Can they put aside their differences long enough to keep the mostdangerous sorcerer in the galaxy from destroying their planet? Or will thegalaxy plunge into darkness?

 

 

 

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Excerpt One:

 

From Book 1Star Rider on the Razor’s Edge, A Space Opera Adventure,

 

Toemeka racedthrough the dense, ominous forest, pursued by Talon soldiers and their vicioushounds. More hounds rushed out from behind trees. Saliva and blood dripped fromtheir fangs as they growled and stalked her from all directions.

 

Toemeka jerkedawake, her heart pounding and body shaking. Only a nightmare, she reassuredherself, drawing a deep breath to control the anxiety. She felt awful - hungover and thickheaded. Not knowing where she was, Toemeka shoved a damp lock ofhair off her aching forehead and sat up. In a nearby berth less than five feetaway lay Michio, sleeping soundly.

 

Distortedmemories of the previous evening sprung to mind. Hammering music. A snakeslithering around a man’s neck. Rochambeau shot. The smell of a ship burning.She wasn’t sure what was real and what was an illusion caused by the drug.

 

Monitors alongone wall dimly lit the room. The low drone of engines and a distinct vibrationsuggested she was on a starship or perhaps a space station. Stars and planetsshone as dots of light in the blackness of space when she looked out theporthole. Most likely a space station with simulated gravity, she decided.

 

She pushed thesilver space blanket off her clammy body and slid off the berth. Her bare feethit the cool floor. She took a soft step, swayed unsteadily and threw out ahand, pressing it against the wall to regain her balance. Michio’s brownleather jacket hung from a hook on the wall. She crept quietly towards it inhopes of finding his energy gun.

 

Michio rolledover; she froze. once his breathing became regular again, she thrust her handinto the jacket pocket. empty, but something heavy clunked against the wall.Underneath the jacket hung his gun belt. Her hand closed around the solidhandle of a Juggernaut 50, a powerful energy gun; she pulled it from itsholster.

 

 The berth creaked. She swung around and aimedthe Jug 50 at Michio as he leaped out of the berth. He coiled before her like ahuka panther ready to spring, radiating self-confidence. He had the muscularbody of a warrior and seemed taller and more dangerous than he’d appeared whenasleep. He wore nothing but loose-fitting silk sleeping pants that hugged histaut stomach.

 

Blast it! Whydid she feel vulnerable when she was the one holding the Jug 50? Then it hither. The weapon was of little use because she would never shoot someone whomight be an ally. “Stay where you are!” she exclaimed.

 

He studied herwith piercing eyes. “I see you’re finally awake.”

 

She held outher free hand. “Give me the Viper’s keyless remote.”

 

He scowled.“Are you crazy? Do you think I’m just going to let you steal my ship and leaveme stranded in space?”

 

“I’m sure youknow someone who will come get you. Now give me the remote or I’ll blast a holein your thigh.” Feeling weak and nauseated, she locked her knees, afraid herstrength would give out.

 

“So this iswhat I get for risking my life to rescue you.” His stance remained guarded.

 

“If you wererescuing me, you won’t mind taking me back to my apartment.”

 

He shook hishead. “It’s no longer safe for you there.”

 

“I’ll decidewhat’s safe and what isn’t.”

 

“Fine,” hesnapped, “but I need to get dressed before we go anywhere.” He reached for hisclothes hanging on the hook behind her.

 

“Stay back.I’ll hand them to you.”

 

“Don’t push me.And put the Jug 50 away before one of us gets hurt.”

 

“Not likely.”She kept the gun trained on him, then turned to snatch his clothes off thehook.

 

He sprang,knocking her backwards, slamming her right arm against the wall. The gundischarged with a flare of light as it flew out of her hand and onto a berth.She pushed against his unyielding chest.

 

He pinned heragainst the wall. “Now will you listen to reason?” His eyes flared with fury.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

What makes your bookseries different from other series in this genre?

 

That’s a good question. Thereare several aspects that my space opera series, The Star Rider Universe, thatis different from other series. The first book in the series, Star Rider onthe Razor’s Edge, came about in a highly unique way. I had a series of six dreams over six nights that was likewatching a movie.

 

The dreams took place on another planet in afuturistic world that had space travel during a time

of intergalactic war. Themain characters were undercover operatives that came to work with

the local resistance tooverthrow the tyrannical ruler of the country.

 

I found the dreams captivating and they inspired me to become a novelistso I could share the

exciting story with others.

 

After that first novel, otherideas flowed in and I wrote a whole series based on the world

created in that first book.I’ve written six books in the series and I’m working on the seventh book. Witheach book, I expanded the story world creating new planets with different alienraces, and unusual animals and plants.

 

I feel that the primary way in which the Star Rider series is differentfrom most space opera

series is its focus on character development, relationships, andpersonal and spiritual unfoldment. In my novels, the heroes and heroines haveto grow in order to win their quests andgain

inner and outer freedom. Theycan communicate telepathically,travel into another dimension, and are followers ofa secret religious teaching.

 

A fierce intergalactic war serves as a backdrop forthe characters’ growth. They have to find the courage to face challenges. Theyface death, love, loss, andhardships. I find that this level of

emphasis on the characters and their stories is missing from most spaceoperas. 

 

I’ve just released a new bookin the series, Golden Cord of Light. The reader doesn’t have to

have read the other books inthe series to enjoy this novel because it introduces a new main

character.

 

Morisa is a feisty,determined heroine. She was given to a monastery to be raised at five years oldafter it was discovered she had valuable reishe power. Her goal is to become a priestess,but at sixteen she is sent into the world to marry a foreign prince.

 

She and the prince areseparated by different beliefs, cultures, and ideals. When they are pulled intothe intergalactic war, they are forced to work together to try and save thosethey love.

 

So while the series crackleswith action and adventure, it is enriched with strong

characters whosepersonalities, quests, and romances add a deeper dimension to the stories.

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Heidi Skarie is the author of the Sci-Fi, Space Opera series TheStar Rider Universe. The sixth book in the series, Golden Cord of Light is anew release and the seventh is coming out in 2024. She was inspired to write StarRider on the Razor’s Edge after having a series of six dreams that was likewatching a movie.

 

Heidi Skarie loves writing and creating stories. She especiallyenjoys writing science fiction and fantasy because it allows for creativity,imagination, and freedom of ideas. All inventions come from a feeling or dreamof possibilities that can later manifest like computers, cell phones, zoomcalls, and self-driving cars.  Shevividly remembers the amazing day when Neil Armstrong took his first step onthe moon and the possibility of space travel became a reality.

 

Skarie teaches classes on writing and has spoken on podcasts,radio, and television. 

 

She lives in Minnetonka, MN with her husband, Jim, and their cat,Lucky.  To find out more about herjourney as a writer visit her website and blog.

 

Website/blog: http://www.heidiskarieauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heidi.skarie

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiSkarie

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/heidiskarie/

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Theauthor will award a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: MOCCASIN TRACE by Hawk MacKinney

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Hawk MacKinney will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on he tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

It is July of 1859, a month of sweltering dog days and feverish emotional bombast. Life is good for widower Rundell Ingram and his hazel-eyed, roan-haired son, Hamilton. Between the two of them, they take care of Moccasin Hollow, their rustic dogtrot ancestral home, a sprawling non-slave plantation in the rolling farming country outside Queensborough Towne in east Georgia. Adjoining Ingram lands is Wisteria Bend, the vast slave-holding plantation of Andrew and Corinthia Greer, their daughter Sarah and son Benjamin.

Both families share generations of long-accepted traditions, and childhood playmates are no longer children. Against this rustic idyll of hard work and gracious living comes inflexible discord and divided loyalties that mutilate ties of blood and bond, tearing at their lives as smoke and battle no longer so faraway crashes and maims ever closer. Ahead of the on-coming ranks of Blue, foragers and bumlers burn, loot, scavenge and kill. Hamilton faces agonizing sacrifices with dreadful consequences. With little else than his wits, he tries anything to protect Sarah, their unborn child, his sickly father, and Sarah's family.

Read an Excerpt

Back at his post behind the oaks, it wasn't long before the Trace crowded up with a hodgepodge mishmash of wagons and carts headed as far from Augusta as they could get. As he silently watched, it seemed the whole of the Parish was on the move. His thoughts jarred by the hurried plunge of a rider coming toward him through the canebrake. He dropped to one knee, his rifle to the ready, just as Nat and one of Ben's mules busted into the clearing.

Nat hauled up, slid off the mule, "Mister Ben said to git the word to you -- Yankie patrols spotted this side of Sandersville. They burnin' ever'thing, barns, houses, killin' what they don't take. Tearin' Jericho out'a ever'thing they git their hands to."

Hamilton grabbed his mare's reins, pulled into the saddle, "Get back to the Bends. Tell Ben you found me, and Nat -- keep a sharp eye out. Advance lookouts could be anywhere."

Hamilton, off in a mad tear, nudged the mare faster. Wind whistled in his ears, low hanging limbs slashed his sweaty face, horses' hooves flinging clods high behind him. Yankies moving that fast wouldn't ask questions; they'd burn, move on, Sarah and their child be refugees like the pitiful wagons he'd seen. He reined up next to the porch, his horse skidding as he swung out of the saddle.

Bessie was on the front porch, "See you comin' fast." Pistol in her hand, she threw quick glance out across the fields. "Nat find you?"

"Yeh...he's on his way to let Ben know...they might be making a wide sweep into Augusta from this side."

"Missy's cramps reg'lar, an' you be the only help. Yankie or no Yankie, Missy an' that chil' in her belly need both of us."

"If it's their main bunch they'll have bummers way ahead of their army."

"Lordy mercy -- nobody gonna stop that ceptin' the Lord." Bessie shoved her pistol deep in her pocket. "Don't matter how many trompin' 'bout, ain't nobody gittin' twixt me'n Missy an' her chil'. When the Lord say that baby come, fightin' gonna wait, but Jehovah sure gonna have a handful."

"I'll keep watch out by the barns."

Bessie started inside and stopped, "Maybe watchin' from the barn ain't the best next thing. Mistress Corinth'a be upset we don't let her know her grandchil' comin' so she can come help. When she do, young Benjamin alone in that big house settin' there all big an' white. You knows what I means -- Yankies cain't miss it. Bein' hot-headed he won't budge, an' now ain't the time for bein' spiteful 'bout which soldiers got the most bullets -- git shot dead. You'n me both know how that cut down Mistress Corinth'a."

"Might be best to get Mother Greer here while we can," said Hamilton fighting his own fear.

"If Mistress Corinth'a come she best while it daylight. Missy's cramps likely won't be reg'lar for a spell. 'Fore things git busy, time is now to hotfoot over there, an' git back here quick-like."

"Tell Papa where I'm headed."

"Don't need tellin' Mister Rundell, he been up 'fore daybreak, his gun primed and ready. We manage...you make double-sure your butt git back here in one piece." Shook her head, "Sweet Lord…what a mixed-up world you bringin' this chil' into."

Hamilton was into the saddle. Gave the mare her head, didn't bother with gates, jumped the fences, pushed her to a full-out gallop. He stayed clear of the Trace, cleared hedgerows and fences, splashed through slough bogs. Before he realized it, he burst through a squatter's camp, scattering pots, pans, campfires, ramshackle shelters, and stampeded several horses. Startled poachers reached for rifles. He spurred the mare and disappeared into the brush, leaving them with nothing to aim at. Racing faster, he finally caught glimpses of the white unperturbed columns of the Bends. As he came out onto the wide buggy approach to the house, he glanced behind, making sure no one was on his tail.

About the Author: In addition to professional articles and texts on chordate neuroembryology, Hawk MacKinney has authored several works of fiction—historical love stories, science fiction and mystery-thrillers. Moccasin Trace, a historical novel nominated for the prestigious Michael Shaara Award for Excellence in Civil War Fiction and the Writers Notes Book Award, details the family bloodlines of his protagonist in the Moccasin Hollow Mystery Series: Hidden Chamber of Death, Westobou Gold, Dead Gold, Curse of the Ancients, and Blood of the Dragonfly.

Hawk’s science fiction novels include The Bleikovat Event, Vol I in The Cairns of Sainctuarie Science Fiction Series, followed by Vol II, The Missing Planets, and Vol III, Inanna Phantom.

Hawk MacKinney served in the US Navy for over 20 years. While serving as a Navy Commander, he also had a career as a full-time faculty member at several major state medical facilities. He earned two postgraduate degrees with studies in languages and history. He has taught postgraduate courses in both the United States and Jerusalem, Israel. He now makes his home in Augusta, Georgia, where he writes full-time.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/698008.Hawk_MacKinney
Website: https://www.hawkmackinneyauthor.com/
Buy Links: https://www.amazon.com/Moccasin-Trace-Hawk-MacKinney-ebook/dp/B0CB24VY52
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moccasin-trace-hawk-mackinney/1008084042

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Blog Tour: VEILED IN BRICK by Eliza Modiste

The Veiled Series, Book Two

 

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: August 18, 2023

 

 

Zoey Sheffield never understood the appeal of the unknown. She’s a woman who knows what she likes. A blunt woman. A woman who craves control. She doesn’t need love—the mere idea of romance is detestable and, no, she does not need a man to stand by her side. She would much rather have their company in bed—or in a car—or in an alleyway—the location isn’t relevant, really. What’s important is that she could happily and promptly bid them adieu after they served their purpose and then, she could move on to the next one. The world that she’s been thrust into, however, is one where that thought seems utterly impossible.

It's all because of the men. The stupid men.

There’s James Turner, the tall, muscular, tattooed one. Charming and charismatic with a sarcastic flair that knows no bounds, he’s worked for months to chip away at Zoey’s stone clad will to avoid romance with expertly placed sledgehammer strikes.

And, then, there’s Liam Cohen. Blonde and freckled, burly with golden retriever energy, a playboy mindset and a disguised damaged past, he and Zoey have long fallen into a friendship that both of them wish to remain a constant in their lives.

The men have made Zoey’s life more complicated than she wished it to be, and she struggles to hold onto the reins to her own reality. The universe that she’s a part of has different plans, however, for there is more for Zoey that lurks in the shadows. The threat crouches in the distance, hides around corners, and awaits the most imperfect opportunity to present itself. It’s ready to snatch the reins from Zoey’s hands altogether—and the uncomfortable unknown that she’s forever attempted to avoid is now a darkness that threatens to drown her completely.

 

Other books in The Veiled Series

 

Thinly Veiled

The Veiled Series, Book One

The past haunts her, the present beguiles her…and the future is ready to bring her full circle.

Freshly escaped from her unfulfilling and unnecessarily stressful criminal past of drug dealing and theft (and the manipulative ex-boyfriend associated with it), the beautiful, foul-mouthed romantic Claire Branson needs a fresh start. Routine. Monotony. An authentic happiness that could feel…simple. She needs her chaotic life to go right for once - please, and thank you.

Claire never expected her run of bad luck to turn so quickly. After moving to the Appalachian small town of Salem, Virginia, a spur-of-the-moment visit to a nearby tavern leads to new, unforeseen possibilities when she opens the front door and locks eyes with Luke Turner, the steel-grey eyed bartender at the run-down watering hole.

Luke could be the simplicity that Claire longs for – he’s undeniably sexy, sarcastically sweet, and, above all, radiating innocence. But with Claire’s dark past festering under the gauze of her quick getaway, will Luke be able to keep his innocence? And, more importantly, will they get out of everything alive?

Thinly Veiled is a steamy medium burn romance novel with a dark, adventurous edge that keeps fans of suspenseful romance novels turning pages, wondering if that ‘happily ever after’ ending will ever really come for Claire and Luke…while their passionate soirees will leave us all begging for more of their steamy love scenes.

 

“OMG, I just finished. This book was amazing. I cried, was on the edge of my seat; man, those sex scenes… damn. Eliza's writing is impressive; I could see it all in my head so easily, and I didn't see how it would end. I loved the ending, though. Yes, I totally cried!” – Amazon Review

“The writer expertly weaves together multiple plotlines, leaving readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. "Thinly Veiled" is a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspense novel with a healthy dose of snark and irony.” – Amazon Review

 

If you're looking for a witty romantic comedy combined with suspense and a bit of sexiness, scroll up and order now!

 

 

Excerpt

Abottle floats in the ocean, the letter haphazardly rolled and stuffed inside ofit hiding a message for a select few deemed worthy to read. It pitches and yawsthrough the waves, safely holding the contents as it aimlessly wanders. Stormspass. Lightning strikes. And yet the bottle remains the same, protecting thefragile sheet of paper from the elements. The bottle is impenetrable. The wavescrash and the rain pours, but it remains the same—unyielding. Bobbing along asif the glass is unbreakable.

Untilsomeone comes along, grabs the bottle by the neck, and throws it to the ground.

Theseemingly everlasting protection that was once in place is shattered to pieces,and the letter is stolen. There’s no telling if it’s in good hands. It could beripped to bits in the blink of an eye—soaked in acetone rendering the inkunreadable—burned until it’s reduced to ash. Of course, not all things are whatthey seem…but the possibility of the letter being destroyed sounds more likelythan any other outcome. 

I’mbiased, though, because it’s me. I’m the bottle. And I just wanted to be leftthe fuck at sea.

Ugh. I’m being dramatic—I should rewindto the point where I stopped recognizing my life. I could go as far back aswhen I was packing up my belongings to follow my best friend, Claire Branson,to Salem, Virginia. The venture across state lines from North Carolina wasn’twhat caused my head to spin, though, for our lives were both as normal as theycould possibly have been. 

Normal. We got an apartment. We had jobs.She fell in love with her bartender coworker, Luke Turner. Her ex-boyfriend andold accomplice Colton Langdon blackmailed her for a heaping pile of money thatshe didn’t have, leading our newfound group to set up a sting operation for thedrug dealer to whom Colton was indebted. We watched a man die.

Youknow. Typical girl things.

Traumaticas those events were and as often as I unintentionally revisited the horror inmy mind, they weren’t what caused my world to feel like it turned upside down.It was the goddamn men—and I was currently sandwiched between thetwo that most often sent my mind reeling.

“Ifound a nice place to get dinner—”

“This shit again?”

Thevoices came forth from either side of me, and I slowly returned my empty bottleof cider to the counter. I took my time, rotating it atop the coaster as if Iwanted to view the label. I swallowed the last sip that I held in my mouth andlooked toward the second voice, Liam Cohen.

Mydear friend and across-the-hall neighbor’s mouth was twisted in an amused grinthat stretched the scar above his upper lip. The expression softened myannoyance, but only just. I shoved his brawny shoulder, and I was certain thatthe resulting sway of his body was one that was put on for show.

“Willyou be nice?” I admonished him, and his dark eyes damn nearsparkled.

“Whatis it,” Liam leaned forward to speak past me, “the fiftieth time that you’veasked her out?”

Isighed, clamping my teeth together to prevent myself from respondingsarcastically, ‘This week.’

“Shesaid no, Jay,” Liam added. “She doesn’t do—”

“Dates,”I finished Liam’s sentence for him as I twisted myself to look at James Turner.“I don’t do dates.”

Thegrimace on James’ face that was clearly directed at Liam vanished as I lookedinto his grey eyes. He smiled, his crooked nose scrunching up, and he tuckedhis hair behind his ears.

“Iknow,” he replied, confidence unwavering. “You’ve said so before.”

 

About the Author

Eliza Modiste lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, daughter, and an abundance of animals. Graduating in 2017 with a degree in accounting, she became immersed in the ever-riveting world of numbers and reconciliation. Shortly thereafter, as a hobby - or, perhaps, a method of escape - she began to write in her spare time.

Her first novel THINLY VEILED started as creating characters that mimicked the brash, humorous, never-ending monologue in her mind. Combining this and a heavy splash of romance similar to the books that she would often get lost in made for an entertaining way to pass the time. This hobby, however, eventually blossomed into a full-blown passion. THINLY VEILED has since morphed into a mix of both romantic comedy and suspense, and Eliza has plans for several more novels to follow THINLY VEILED

When not writing, Eliza can be found baking, binging a television series, or spending time with friends and family.

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