Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 116
September 23, 2023
Review: CAPTIVATING BALLET CLASS MISUNDERSTANDING (erotic manga)
A guy in aballet class full of girls. Gee, it doesn’t take a genius to figure out why.All the girls were just so beautiful, curvy, and busty. Hey, the guy’s onlyhuman, right?
I liked thelovely dance motion in the art. The girls all torture him with their bodies andthe guys give him a tough time about it.
One day, theguy wakes up and finds a pair of girl’s underwear in his room. What the...? Andcould the mystery girl be that tough chick from his dance class? I just lovedthe funny awkwardness of the guy. Poor guy ends up being taken advantage of bya girl and he didn’t even remember it. Man, what a jip! That’s certainly notgoing to be the second time around. But it turns out the whole thing was amisunderstanding. Oh, awkward!
A good readabout love!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE UNEXPECTED ROOMMATE (erotic manga)
A college boy had a girl for aroommate. Yeah, that wouldn’t be awkward. Things were kinda confusing in thisone. I couldn’t keep the names straight so I kept forgetting who was who. Ithink the guy hooks up once…but we’re not sure. Eh, not great.
Rating:2 stars
Review: SILENT NIGHTS AT THE MART (erotic manga)
Former rich boy needs a job.Perhaps working at a mart with lots of girls might not be too bad. Well, therewas just one really hot girl—his co-worker. Did one drunken night at a motellead to sex? If only he could remember. Of course, things at work become moreawkward between the two co-workers. We don’t even know if they do it or not.
Eh, an okay read.
Rating:3 stars
September 22, 2023
Blog Tour: BEAUTIFUL DANGEROUS by Becky Flade
It’sexquisite torture watching you.
For your sake, I hope you meet myexpectations...
BeautifulDangerous
PhillyHeat Series #4
byBecky Flade
Genre:Romantic Thriller, Suspense
It’sexquisite torture watching you. For your sake, I hope you meet myexpectations...
Inthe year following her brother’s tragic murder, Public DefenderHannah Patel withdrew into the comfort of family and career. As timepassed, the man obsessed with her became a terrifying threat.
Afatal error caused Detective Doyle Murphy to doubt his future in lawenforcement, but protecting Hannah presents an opportunity forredemption. Neither expect their forced closeness to create genuinefeelings.
As their burgeoning romance grows, it pushes herstalker over the edge.
Will love win? Or will madness?
TheJanuary air was sharp as shattered glass in Hannah’s lungs. The scull slicedthrough the water soundlessly; the oars cut through with precision as shepumped and pushed her legs and arms in a familiar rhythm. Embraced the burn inher muscles. It was early; the sun hadn’t fully breached the horizon, but herswas not the only boat on the river. A college crew sped past, their coxswainnodding to her as they passed. She was on the last leg, approaching theclubhouse at the far end of Boathouse Row, when she pulled in her oars and letthe momentum take her home as the sun glowed orange over the skyline of CenterCity.
Ineeded this. The solitude and quiet. The solace I always find on the water. Ineed the calm to carry me through the day.
Shelifted the bow side oar and glided alongside the stage before climbing out withpracticed grace. She stood and stretched, pulled off her cap and wiped thelight sheen of sweat from her brow. Hannah rowed all year, conditions allowing,and though sometimes the river froze, winter was her favorite. In the dog daysof summer, the algae and pollen created a pungent film on the water’s surface,which hindered the oars. Cold meant clean. “This is perfect.”
Pullingher single scull from the river was the hardest part, and she did iteffortlessly. She’d rowed since college and had deceptively muscular legs andarms. With the oars in one hand and the boat over her shoulder, she carried hergear to the clubhouse and secured it in the garage. It had been converted intoa storage area for boats and gear decades prior, but was still called thegarage.
Twentyminutes later, dressed in her favorite charcoal pencil skirt and a silky blousethe color of ripe peaches, her long black hair–still damp from theshower–plaited down her back, Hannah pulled a thick wool cap over her ears andslipped into the cashmere coat her parents gave her for Christmas. She hurriedacross Kelly Drive and onto Lemon Hill Drive, where she’d parked her car ninetyminutes earlier.
Hermother hated the Mazda. Thought she should drive something small, sporty, andfeminine. Hannah considered it, and, despite her secret infatuation with thePorsche Carrera, chose the sport utility vehicle. Sculling, skiing, and hervolunteer work at the Women’s Humane Society Animal Shelter in Olde City madethe compact SUV the better choice. Frosty morning sunlight glinted off thechrome detailing. Hannah smiled. And she’s pretty.
Withthe fob in her hand, she remotely started the car, used her foot to open theliftgate and tossed her duffel bag in the back. She’d had it customized fortransporting animals and no matter how funky her gear got, or muddy, or sandy,she wouldn’t damage her interior. She shivered, closed the hatch, and unlockedthe doors. With one foot in the car, and her body half in the seat, she froze.
Astandard piece of paper, folded in half and tucked under the windshield wiper,fluttered in the icy breeze. Dread curled in her stomach. The coppery taste offear coated her tongue. She reached for it, slowly, cautiously, as though itwould bite her if she moved too quickly, and picked it off her windshield. Shechecked the back seat. Empty. Checked it again. Hopped into the driver’s seat,and locked the door. She waited a second, two, before unfolding the sheet.
It’sexquisite torture watching you. Wondering how those powerful legs will feelwrapped
aroundme. How the muscles in your arms will quiver under restraints. I’ll know soon.
Foryour sake, I hope you meet my expectations.
**OnSale for Only $1.49!! Get it now!**
Amazon* Apple* B&N* Kobo* Smashwords* Bookbub* Goodreads
Findthe rest of the series here!
ThePhilly Heat Series
on Amazon
WhenI was little, I thought everyone had stories in their head. When Ifound out only special people had stories to tell, I wanted to be oneof the magical ones who shared their stories with the world. I wrotemy first book in kindergarten with the help of my teacher, Mrs.Daniels. My mom – my biggest fan and most ardent supporter – hasthat little crayon-drawn book tucked into the pages of her familybible. It took almost thirty years to get from there to published buthere I am, making my own dreams come true, one happily ever after ata time.
Website* Facebook *Twitter * Instagram* Bookbub *Amazon* Goodreads
Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
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Book Blast: FUTILITY OF DEFENSE by Bryan Cole
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bryan Cole will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Paladins are nothing but trouble. When Krell, an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea, hears the call from ReckNor, the capricious god of the seas and skies, the attention of the rich and powerful turn their gaze toward him. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.
When Krell stands against the might of the sea devils and emerges victorious, concern and interest turn to fear—fear of their secrets and plans being revealed and exposed, of the ruin that often follows in a paladin's wake. Now he stands in defense of a pitiful town at the edge of nowhere, even as the sea devil menace grows more dire for each day that passes.
For as deadly as the sea devils are to Krell, his past choices and the consequences of his actions may be deadlier still . . .
Read an Excerpt
“Petimus told us that you were unlike any paladin we have met before, but I must say, I am surprised nonetheless. Greetings, Krell of ReckNor. My name is Naerdra Smithforge, stonesinger of Talcon. Here to build a fortress to protect your small town from the sahuagin, I understand.”
Krell smiled, looking at her. She wore woolen leggings and a linen shirt, with a mantle of fine cloth embroidered with gold sigils. A red sash with a gold pin was her only other adornment.
“I am most pleased you are here, Naerdra. The town sorely needs your aid.”
“Hmm. Perhaps I will see one of these sea devils for myself.”
Krell’s expression darkened. “If you remain in Watford for any length of time, you certainly will.”
He gestured. “My trusted allies and companions, Verbena and Dahlia, who have stood with me against the sea devils and saved my life more than once.”
Naerdra nodded at them, and they both inclined their heads while bowing slightly. Krell stared at them for a moment. Their bows had been identical in both timing and depth.
“You’re certain you are uninjured, Krell? You have blood on your face,” said Petimus, his voice concerned.
Krell turned toward him and grinned. “As Olgar will tell you, some lessons can only be learned a single way, at least for me. I am ReckNor’s blade, and he wants it sharp. That means that I will be pressed against the grindstone at times. Unpleasant, but necessary. Still, his gifts are many, and the grace of ReckNor has healed my wounds already.” Krell stood and stretched.
Naerdra looked at Krell, then at the tree in front of the temple, then upward to the sky. “I have heard also that you are dragon friend, Krell of ReckNor. Is this so? May I meet your mighty companion?”
Krell nodded, smiling. “Of course, Naerdra. Fortis is currently hunting, though I think he does it because it amuses him more than because he requires food. He dislikes it when I… uh…” Krell glanced at Verbena.
“Query, Krell. When you query him.”
Krell nodded. “He dislikes it when I query him while hunting. He will return when he is satisfied with himself.”
About the Author:
Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.Website: https://www.fatpaladin.ca/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Futility-Defense-Paladins-Journey-Bryan-ebook/dp/B0C9XBWJ8H/ref
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September 21, 2023
Blog Tour: MEN OF THE 65TH: THE BORINQUENEERS OF THE KOREAN WAR by Talia Aikens-Nuñez
Men of the 65th: The Borinqueneers of the KoreanWar
by Talia Aikens-
Nuñez
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: YA nonfiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Ricanunit in the United States Army.
Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men ofthe 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facingracial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned themhundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.
But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65thcame into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-oneBorinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. Howcould this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of theArmy?
In this telling of one of the forgotten stories ofthe Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of theBorinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largestcourt martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65ththrough Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts ofthe Korean War.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
[T]he US public was shocked to discover that during the war,162 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment had been court-martialed andninety-one of those soldiers found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion.
The US military kept the courts-martial quiet. But thesoldiers of the 65th sent letters to their families describing what washappening, which led to public outcry and confusion from the press. How couldone of the most distinguished regiments of the Korean War, whose soldiers hadonly months before been praised by General Douglas MacArthur for their“brilliant record of heroism,” become involved in the largest masscourt-martial of the Korean War?
Did the Borinqueneers lose their bravery and heroism in sucha short time? Or were they victims of discrimination in a prejudiced andsegregated system? Were they betrayed by the country they risked their livesfor?
This is the story of one of the bravest and most decoratedregiments in the history of the US military. It is a forgotten story in aforgotten war. But it is a story of patriotism, loyalty, and bravery in theface of danger and discrimination, and it is one that deserves to be told.-page 10
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, andnonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series ofbooks about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river inConnecticut with their daughter and son.
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War-ebook/dp/B0BNT3ZRZQ/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY :
Talia Aikens-Nuñez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GCto a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayBlog Tour: DISCARDED by Nancy M. Bell
DISCARDED
by Nancy M. Bell
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Canadian Historical Mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Whenthe British arrived in Winnipeg in the 1800s it was convenient for the men totake Metis wives. They were called a la vacon du pays – according to the customof the country.
Thesewomen bore the brunt of ensuring survival in the harsh environment. Withoutthem the British army and fur traders would not have survived the brutalwinters. However, as society evolved it became accepted that wives must bewhite, schooled in British ways, fashionable in the European sense and marriedby the Anglican church.
TheMetis wives and their ‘country born’ offspring were thrown out and forced tofend for themselves. The unrepentant husbands continued to live comfortablywith their ‘new’ wives. It was inevitable that some discarded wives did notaccept their fate quietly and hard feelings on both sides were unavoidable.
Whenthe bodies of two discarded Metis wives, Marguerite and Marie-Anne, are foundfloating in the Red River, Guilliame Mousseau, sets out to get to the bottom ofhis sister Margueite’s murder.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt One:
“Marguerite,you must go to him. Ètienne needs medicine, the fever is eating him up,” MarieAnne urged her sister.
The youngerwoman shook her head, wringing out a cloth in cold water to soothe her child.“How can I? The English woman, she is there now, I doubt Miles will even speakto me.”
“He must,Ètienne is his son!” Marie-Anne insisted.
“No longer.”The words were bitter. “He has disowned the bebes and me, discarded us like somuch offal. Now that his fancy English lady has arrived.”
“Still,Marguerite, you must go and ask. I will come with you. Together we will convinceyour Miles to either send the British doctor or give us money for themedicine.” Anne Marie pulled the dripping cloth from Marguerite’s hand andthrew it on the pounded earth floor. “Look at him! You cannot just let him die.If you won’t go yourself, I will go in your stead.”
Marie-Annewhirled around, grabbing two thick shawls from the back of a chair, andwrapping them around her shoulders. She planted her hands on her hips andglared at her sister. “Are you coming?”
“Yes, oui, ofcourse. I know you are right. It is just my pride that stops me. For how longwas I his wife in every sense of the word? If not for me, and you, and otherslike us, those soft Englishmen would never have survived their first winter. Itwas our relatives who brought them buffalo and other provisions to see themthrough, and us who cared for them, chopped wood, carried the water, bore theirchildren…” Marguerite broke off, her throat closing in frustration and sorrowfor all that they’d lost. Angrily, she swiped the moisture from her cheeks andstraightened her back. “Come, we go. Alexandre! Come watch your brother while Igo to your papa to ask for help.”
The older boypoked the dying fire one more time before crossing the small room. He pickedthe sodden cloth up from the floor and wrung it out. After rinsing it with somewater from the bucket by the bed, he wiped his little brother’s face.
“Maman, he’sburning up.” Alex looked up at her. “Will Papa come and take him to the doctor?Why hasn’t he come to see us lately?”
“Your papa willnot be coming, nor will he take Ètienne to the doctor. The best we can hope foris that he will send the doctor or at least make provision for the apothecaryto give me some medicine for him. I have tried the best I can with the willowbark, but it isn’t enough.”
“Will Ètiennedie like Elizabeth?” Alex glanced at the empty cradle still sitting by thehearth.
“Not if I canhelp it,” Anne Marie promised. She took Marguerite’s arm and pulled her towardthe door. “Put this on against the cold.” She thrust a Hudson’s Bay blanketinto the other woman’s arms.
“Oui, yes, wemust go. You are right.” Marguerite wrapped the woolen blanket tightly aroundher, and after one last look at her children, followed her sister out into thebitter wind blowing down the Red River, howling around the eaves of the smallbuildings and sending snow flying into their faces.
Alex’s lastwords echoed in Marguerite’s head as she shouldered her way against the wind.“Tell Papa I miss him.” She snorted, as if Miles cared about them anymore. Evenlittle Elizabeth, dead at six months of age, hadn’t moved him to contribute toher burial. It was the English woman’s fault. She was the one who turned Milesagainst them. Charlotte Windfield, what sort of name was Charlotte anyway?Grief stabbed her for a moment, not Windfield anymore, oh no. Miles married thesalope in the church two weeks ago. So now she was Charlotte Ashmore. LadyAshmore, the pute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Topic: What makesyour book different than others in the genre?
Discarded ispart of a collection of Canadian Historical Mysteries which is a companionseries to the publisher’s earlier Canadian Historical Brides Collection. Thereis one mystery set in each province and territory.
Discarded isset against the backdrop of the 1869 Riel Rebellion. Rather than tell the storyfrom the point of view that is presented in our history books, I delved deeperand was dismayed at the high handed and arrogant way the original inhabitantswere treated. I chose to tell the story from the point of view of those whowere already living and thriving in Winnipeg and area when the large area knownas Rupert’s Land was overseen by the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Sir John AMcDonald was the Canadian Prime Minister at time in what was known then asUpper Canada and consisting mainly of present day Ontario and Quebec, alongwith parts of the Maritimes. McDonald had little or no regard for the currentinhabitants and once the Hudson’s Bay Company agreed to sell their interest inRupert’s Land to the Canadian government in order to make the opening of theprairie lands to the west possible, the Canadian government did everything inits power to displace the current residents who consisted mainly of Metis andindigenous peoples.
In Canadianhistory books Louis Riel is portrayed as a traitor and a rebel. In truth, theman was only seeking a fair and equable entry into the Dominion of Canada. Itis true that the history books are written by the victors, and they tend tosugar coat their roles in the events.
The titleDiscarded comes from the callous treatment of the Metis and indigenous womenwho were taken as what was referred to as ‘country wives’ at the time. Theywere considered married to the British and Scottish immigrants who came to workfor the Hudson’s Bay Company, to trap furs and hunt buffalo in the customaccording to the country. They were not considered married by the clergy whocame later. These women bore the brunt of the burden of survival in the harshclimate that the newly arrived Europeans would have perished in without theefforts of these women. However, as the settlement grew and evolved, theBritish in particular wanted to introduce more of their culture and societywhich resulted in the men importing English brides. These women were consideredmore acceptable in the new order of society and were married in one of thethree churches that now flourished in the village of Winnipeg. As this happenedthe ‘country wives’ were sent away, basically discarded and disowned. There wasacrimony on both sides by the women, the discarded wives were hurt and angry,the new English brides were appalled at what they considered their husbands’relationship with those they considered far beneath their regard.
I believethe fact I have chosen to tell the untold story of early Winnipeg, rather thanstick to the rhetoric put forth in Canadian history books sets this storyapart. I hope I have done it justice.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Nancy Marie Bell is a proud Albertan and Canadian. She lives nearBalzac, Alberta with her husband and various critters. She is a member of The Writers Union ofCanada and the Writers Guild of Alberta.
Nancy has numerous writing credits to her name, having threenovels published and her work has been published in various magazines. She hasalso had her work recognized and honoured with various awards, and mostrecently, a silver medal in the Creative Writing category of the Alberta 55Plus Summer Games in 2013.
Nancy has presented at the Surrey International Writers Conferencein 2012 and 2013, and at the Writers Guild of Alberta Conference in 2014. Shehas publishing credits in poetry, fiction and non-fiction.
Nancy blogs on the first of each month at the Canadian HistoricalBrides Blog and on the 18th of every month at the Books We Love Insider Blog.Please drop by and say hi.
You can find her on Facebook at http://facebook.com/NancyMBell
Follow on twitter: @emilypikkasso
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
NancyM. Bell will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Book Blast: VOICES OF CANCER by Lynda Wolters
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lynda Wolters will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
"I don't know what to say" and "I don't know what to do" are common responses to a life-threatening diagnosis. Voices of Cancer is here to help.
Every cancer story is different, but there is one commonality: both patients and the people supporting them often struggle to properly articulate their wants and needs through particularly challenging and in many cases, uncharted territory. Lynda Wolters knows firsthand: she was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal mantle cell lymphoma in August of 2016.
Voices of Cancer offers a candid look into the world of a cancer patient, informed by Lynda’s own story and conversations had with dozens of patients weighing in on their needs, wants, and dislikes as they navigate the complex world of diagnosis, treatment, and beyond. With comprehensive and accessible insight from people who’ve been there, Voices of Cancer helps educate, dispel fears, and start positive conversations about what a cancer diagnosis truly means, while shining a light on how best to support a loved one on their own terms.
Read an Excerpt
Tip 1: A good way to get involved is to find out when a patient is going to an appointment or having treatment and then be there for them. I do that with my cancer friends, and they are always genuinely happy to see me, even if I am only there to share a hug. It is surprising how a five-minute visit can carry a patient through an otherwise long, lonely day.
Tip 2: Setting up a meal delivery chain through mutual friends is a great way to be present and available to the patient and their family.
Tip 3: Checking to make sure the patient has adequate transportation to and from appointments is very useful because, most times, we patients either do not feel up to driving or are unable to drive after receiving treatment.
Tip 4: It is also helpful to have someone clean the house, even if that only means the bathroom and the kitchen. My husband did his best to do it all: work, cook, take care of me, clean. But, oh, what I would have given for a hand in this area, as I felt a lot of guilt by not being able to keep up my own house for a year.
Tip 5: Leading on from the previous tip, another way to provide support is to keep the patient’s caregiver in mind. That person has the weight of the world on their shoulders with all the added responsibilities. And don’t think the patient doesn’t realize this, which in turn adds unhealthy stress to the situation. The sense of guilt that comes with this can at times be overwhelming to the patient. Consider taking the caregiver out for a much-needed cup of coffee or meal, or perhaps sit with the patient so the caregiver can go for a solo walk or on an outing with friends. If the caregiver is running on empty, everyone feels it, so being present and available to the caregiver is a huge help to the patient. Whatever you do, we do love you for trying: anything is better than nothing. It is on the patient to educate friends and family as much as it is on the non-patient to be sensitive to the irritating little sayings that seem so harmless. Bottom line: most patients would prefer a well-meaning gesture, such as a meal or a visit, to an empty cliché that is better left on a T-shirt or a charity wristband.
About the Author:
Lynda was born and raised in a tiny farming community of 400 in northern Idaho. She worked on the family farm, with her first job being picking rocks out of the fields and ultimately graduating up the ladder to driving a grain truck and combine during harvest. Following high school, Lynda continued her education in Las Vegas before she moved back home to Idaho to raise her three sons. Lynda still resides in Idaho with her husband and their peekapoo, Max.
Lynda has worked in the legal field for 30+ years and enjoys ballroom and swing dancing, horseback riding, kayaking, and river rafting. She has a heart for people and enjoys regularly volunteering. She spends the bulk of her spare time reading and writing.
Lynda was diagnosed with terminal stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) in August 2016. She touts herself as being a thriving warrior of the disease.
Lynda has completed two books of nonfiction: Voices of Cancer, released in October 2019, and Voices of LGBTQ+, released in August 2020.
The Placeholder, Lynda’s debut novel, was released in November 2022.
Lynda has published the following articles: Navigating the Workplace with Chemo Brain, February 23, 2020, Elephants and Tea. and When Masks Weren’t Popular, March 24, 2020, Patient Power. She has spoken on several podcasts, been a guest on a local talk show regarding Voices of Cancer, and given interviews for other outlets and print.
Jane Brody wrote up Voices of Cancer in the New York Times, her article entitled What to Say to Someone with Cancer, on January 13, 2020, with a follow-up on January 20, 2020, entitled, When Life Throws You a Curveball, Embrace the New Normal.
The Chinese translation rights of Voices of Cancer have been purchased by a grant to offer the book to medical students in Tawain.
Lynda donates Voices of Cancer books and a portion of its proceeds to Epic Experience, a nonprofit camp for adult survivors and thrivers of cancer located in Colorado.
WEBSITE: https://www.lyndawolters.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynda.wolters24
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/lyndawolters1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lyndawolters/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Wolters_Lynda
Amazon links:
KINDLE: https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want-ebook/dp/B07YLZKSTX/
HARD COPY: https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/1645430391/
AUDIBLE: https://www.amazon.com/Voices-Cancer-What-Really-Want/dp/B0839PK3GJ/
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September 20, 2023
Blog Tour: BLUE BLOOD by Lily Ragley
I am thrilled to be hosting a spoton the BLUE BLOOD by Lily Ragley Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check outmy post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About The Book:
Title: BLUE BLOOD: Mafia Romance & Suspense(The Family Book 1)Author: Lily Ragley
Pub. Date: September 15, 2023
Publisher: Lily Ragley
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 342
Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/BLUE-BLOOD
What price would you pay...to rulethe largest mafia Family? My husband has earned his way to the top. But I amanchored down by the past.
I was 25 when the Don selected me as his bride. Cold, commanding, and ruthless- he wanted nothing less than the best. And that was me. Perfectly perfect… andall a farce.
Once he discovers my past, there’s no saving me. Not from his judgment or fromthe traitors lying in wait. For everyone knows the Family does not believe indishonor, but they do in murder.
Blue Blood is a standalone, arranged marriage, mafia romantic-suspense.
Blue Blood: An Excerpt | Lily Ragley
PROLOGUE
Her mouth opened in a silent scream.
It echoed shrilly around in her mind, but no sound came out.Nothing except the breaths rushing closer and closer together as she observedthe scene distantly.
Calm. That’s how she should be. That’s how she’d alwaysappeared, her cousin had said–like a composed porcelain doll. Unmoved, even ifthe sky collapsed over their very heads.
That was, of course, until today. But who could blame her?She had never felt another person’s blood before.
Her fingers flexed under the moonlight, watching as itglistened. The texture was unsurprising, but the smell…
Nausea rushed through her as she choked.
Oh, God.
Oh, God.
The pungent odor suddenly hit her, piercing through the veilof numbness blanketing her. Its stench thrust the last fifteen minutes to thefore in a morbidly endless loop inside her head. Help! Help me.Quivering all over, she inched closer to the body, finally daring to approachit.
Deep breath.
In.
Out.
It was motionless, shrouded in darkness. The weapon in itsback protruded at an odd angle, glinting at her tauntingly. When the night hadbegun, she could have hardly imagined it ending with a dead body on theexpensive carpet. She’d tried her best to prevent it, to avoid it coming tothis.
Please, no!
But she’d failed.
Creak.
The office door slowly opened, yet she could hardly move orlook up. Footsteps rushed forward all the way until they encountered the flowof blood.
Deep red rivers.
“Ana…”
The soft alarm brought her eyes up to her aunt’s horrifiedface.
“You shouldn’t have come here.”
About Lily Ragley:
Lily Ragleyis a corporate worker by day and a debut author by night. She enjoys sweetromances with a touch of dark mystery.
Offline, shelikes long walks, chocolate, staycations - and did she mention chocolate?
Find andfollow Lily!
Giveaway Details:
3 winnerswill receive an eBook of BLUE BLOOD, US Only.
Ends October3rd, midnight EST.
a Rafflecopter giveawayTour Schedule:
Week One:
9/18/2023
JB's Bookworms with Brandy Mulder
Guest Post
9/18/2023
#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog
Excerpt/IG Post
9/19/2023
Guest Post
9/19/2023
Guest Post/IG Post
9/20/2023
Review/IG Post
9/20/2023
Review
9/21/2023
Excerpt/IG Post
9/21/2023
Review/IG Post
9/22/2023
Review/IG Post
9/22/2023
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Week Two:
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September 19, 2023
Blog Tour: THE GROUP by Kevin Doyle
THE GROUP
by Kevin R. Doyle
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GENRE: Mystery
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BLURB:
Sure,Ron Green had made a mistake, but it wasn't one that millions of other guyshadn't made before him. And maybe he deserved some sort of punishment, like hiswife leaving him or his kids hating his guts. But this? Being the main suspectin a single murder was bad enough, but at the same time knowing he was apotential victim of a serial killer was even worse. However, before Green couldconvince the cops of his innocence, he first had to convince them the serialkiller actually existed, and at the moment they weren't believing a thing hesaid.
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Excerpt One:
Hollis fellsilent as the ME went about her business although even he could pretty muchguess what had happened. With no exit wound, the small caliber bullet had nodoubt buried itself somewhere inside the skull, probably after ricochetingaround for a while.
“So how manydoes this make?” she asked without looking up. “Have you all hit the tripledigits yet?”
“Actually,” he said, “we passed the hundredmark at the end of last month. I’m not sure what number this one makes.”
“Well,” the MEsaid as she stood up and stripped off her gloves, “I won’t be able to putanything down officially till I get him on the table, but it’s pretty obviouswhat happened here.”
“One bulletback of the head,” Hollis said.
“Right. Whichgets back to the oddity.”
“How did he endup lying face up?”
“Exactly. Even a .22, in the back of theskull, should have sent him tumbling forward. This looks almost apologetic.Could it have been some sort of a robbery?”
“That’s the nice thing about it, Hollis. Mypart’s easy. I just have to come up with the means. You guys get to do thewhole motive and opportunity thing.”
Hollis grimacedas she walked off.
“Oh by theway.” She turned back to him. “I checked with the office before I left. Thismakes number one hundred twelve for the year. And only sixteen days to go.”
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Review:
All he wanted was a job. In fact,after months of unemployment, he really needed it. But the rejections just keptcoming. No one would give him a break.Meanwhile, Ron—father, husband,student, teacher—has just found out that his ex-lover was murdered and wasworried about being the prime suspect.
The premise grabs you right away.Ron is practically nerve-wracked about being the prime suspect. When talking tothe cops, we find out that Ron met the woman at a focus group. Ron tells hiswhole story about how he met her and how their affair got started. I wasn’tsure how the nameless guy looking for a job tied into all this. And what aboutthe dead guy with a bullet hole in head in the first chapter?
At times, the story hit a lag,slowing the whole thing down. When a second woman was found dead, it becomesapparent that the deaths may be connected to the focus group they were all in.Supposedly, this group was for a senator at the time. At this point, the readstarts feeling too long. I kind of expected a quicker investigation and ariveting mystery. I really don’t think this story needed 50 chapters. Therewere just too many holes that didn’t quite fill in all the way and I wasn’tsure how they fit the rest of the story. Primarily what interested me was Ronbeing the murder suspect and who the real murderer was.
This was a fairly nice read aboutmurders that some crime aficionados might enjoy. I just think it could’ve beenbetter.
Rating:3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
A retired high-school teacher and former college instructor, KevinR. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written fourcrime thrillers including The Group and The Anchor, and one horror novel, TheLitter. In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton privateeye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’sRights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel. The fourth Sam Quinton book, Clean Win, wasreleased in March of 2023.
Web site: www.kevindoylefiction.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kevindoylfiction
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6473241.Kevin_R_Doyle
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CGB2QV4
Barnesand Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-group-kevin-r-doyle/1119265954?ean=9781509239351
Audible:https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Group-Audiobook/B0BRQZZQGK
GoogleBooks: https://books.google.com/books?id=LO-SswEACAAJ&source=gbs_book_other_versions_r&cad=2
Kobo:https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-group-29
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GIVEAWAY
KevinR. Doyle will win a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
