Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 129
June 7, 2023
Blog Tour: Entheóphage by Drema Deòraich
Entheóphage
by Drema Deòraich
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GENRE: Medical Mystery/Ecofiction
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BLURB:
Dr. Isobel Fallon thinks she's found a treatmentthat will help her son and others suffering from Milani Syndrome, a rareneurological disorder. What she doesn'trealize is that harvesting the source of this treatment in the only accessibleplace on earth it grows, a coral reef in the Nlaan Islands, is going to haveconsequences far beyond the disruption of the fragile ecosystem on one smallreef.
CDC researcher Nadine Parker and her team arebaffled. Lukas Behn’s daughter Kyndrahas contracted a bizarre new virus that leaves her screaming in pain. But they can't identify any physical,biological source for that pain, not in Kyndra, nor in the dozens, thenhundreds, and finally millions of children worldwide succumbing to the samevirus. And no one seems to have made aconnection between what's happening with the infected children and the eventson a small coral reef in the South Pacific.
Eventually, Nadine has to face the unlikely truth,and the enormous implications of it. Thechildren aren't sick. They're changing. But will anyone else believe her?
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Excerpt One:
T’nei translatedfor Isobel. “Why are you here?”
Isobel foughtthe urge to look at Travis. “To harvest a special coral from the reef.”
“No,” T’neisnapped. “Anyone could do that. Your men could do that. Why are you here?”
Isobel’s mindraced. What was Mtuji after? “I’m the lead scientist. I know which coral toharvest, and how it’s processed. Only I can do that.”
“Only you?Among all your people?”
Isobel pursedher lips. “No. But I’m the one who began this research in search of medicinefor a very rare disease. I found what we needed in a special coral. I learnedthat coral grows here.” She paused. “I started this project. I came here tofinish it.”
T’neitranslated her words for Mtuji.
The other womenmurmured among themselves, staring at Isobel as if they could see through her,see the truth of the matter. The elders among them wavered. Some argued. Theyounger ones held their ground.
Isobel’sstomach knotted.
At length, thecrone spoke aside to T’nei, who turned to Isobel.
“And if we sayno, go home?”
Isobel’s jawtightened. “Then we’ll go home, and I’ll start again. Find another way. But ittook me years to find this coral. Thousands of children are born with thisillness. None survive it.”
Mtuji absorbedher words in silence.
“What would youdo,” Isobel went on, “if your children were born this way and I could savethem? If you had to watch your children die because another nation’s leaderdenied me access to their reef?”
T’neihesitated, then translated Isobel’s words.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Drema Deòraich is a writer of speculative fiction that asks bigquestions. Her short stories have been published in numerous online journals,as well as a few semi-professional zines. Her debut novel “Entheóphage,” amedical mystery/climate fiction novel released in October of 2022, has beennominated for the 2023 Ursula Le Guin prize. Drema is still hard at work on herscience fantasy trilogy, “The Founder’s Seed,” with plans to release book onein late 2023.
When she isn't writing, Drema helps her legal-eagle boss to savethe world one case at a time, pets her husband's cats, watches the starlingsmob her birdfeeders, or spends time in Nature, surrounded by flora and fauna.
Buy Entheóphage here:
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Entheóphage-Drema-Deòraich/dp/1958461008
Or read free on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Entheóphage-Drema-Deòraich-ebook/dp/B0BHH7SDQR
Visit Drema’s websites at:
Follow Drema on:
Twitter: @dremadeoraich
IG: dremadeoraich
FB: NiveymArtsLLC
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GIVEAWAY
Drema Deòraich will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawnwinner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 6, 2023
Blog Tour: I'M WITH THE BAND by Tanith Davenport
I'm With The Band
by Tanith Davenport
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GENRE: Erotic romance
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BLURB:
When filmmaker Tawny Michaels is asked to makea documentary about recently re-formed band Greycomet, she already knows whoshe’ll have to face – her ex-boyfriend Marsh Kilmer, lead singer of the band.In the ten years they’ve been apart Tawny has been happy with nothing butflings, choosing to avoid relationships, but Marsh’s only regret is losing her– and he’s determined to win her back, no matter what.
Knowing the production company is in the financialhole and finding herself still attracted to Marsh, Tawny decides to go alongfor the ride, but their passionate reunion hits trouble when the documentaryattracts a stalker who has been relentlessly chasing the band. Tawny findsherself hiding out with Marsh, fighting to keep her business afloat whilekeeping herself safe – but soon realises her safety is the last thing on hermind. Can she forgive Marsh the past and trust him with her heart?
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Excerpt One:
As the last words echoed through the air, Marsh opened hiseyes and saw her. Tawny met his gaze without flinching. She was years pasthiding away.
“And here’s the woman I wrote this for, all those yearsago.”
Lola’s eyes widened as she immediately took the bait.
“Can you tell us more about your relationship with Tawny?”
“Oh, that’s a long and complicated story.” Marsh heldTawny’s gaze. “She stood by me while we were first forming as a band. And then,when we were going on our first tour, I didn’t know how long we’d be gone, so Iasked her the night we left to come with us—and she jumped right in the back ofour van.”
Tawny kept her face impassive as the memory surrounded her.
It had been a risk, she had known that. That was why Marshhad been reluctant to ask her. They had planned for him to go and stay incontact with her, even though she had known how unlikely it was that they wouldlast at such a distance.
And that last night, after the show, Marsh had told her,“Come with me. I want you with me—and whatever happens, let me get you out ofhere.” And she had ridden away in the rear of his van, with nothing but herhandbag and the clothes on her back.
Lola was looking even more eager now, and Tawny had hadenough. She had to get out of there.
“Tawny?” Lola asked as she started for the door. “Do youregret giving everything up for Marsh Kilmer?”
Tawny turned and looked Lola full in the eyes.
“Not for a moment.”
And she left, closing the door on Lola’s gleeful face.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
TanithDavenport began writing erotica at the age of 27 by way of the RomanticNovelists' Association New Writers' Scheme. Her debut novel "The Hand HeDealt" was released by Totally Bound in June 2011 and was shortlisted forthe Joan Hessayon Award for 2012.
Tanithhas had short stories published by Totally Bound, Naughty Nights Press andHouse of Erotica. She loves to travel and dreams of one day taking a drivingtour of the United States, preferably in a classic 1950s pink CadillacEldorado.
Tanith'sidea of heaven is an Indian head massage with a Mojito at her side.
www.facebook.com/TanithDavenport
www.twitter.com/TanithDavenport
tanithdavenport.blogspot.com
Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/book/im-with-the-band
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GIVEAWAY :
Tanith Davenport will be awarding a $10 Amazon orBarnes and Noble GC, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during thetour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayJune 5, 2023
Blog Tour: THE DELICATE AFFAIR OF COLONEL BAQUISTE by Luki Belle
The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste
by Luki Belle
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GENRE: Adult Fiction, Gothic Fiction, ParanormalSuspense, Military Thriller
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BLURB:
The setting: two fictitious nations, Hastanand Llehstanz, in a past imaginary era of colonization.
The Llehstanz Monarchy won its final battle overHastan to colonize the nation after years of war. The battlefield charge wasled by a reputable, young, ruthless, and handsome Colonel Valstohl Baquiste.Highly skilled but equally arrogant, he holds a prejudice against the people ofHastan. Tragically, Colonel Baquiste was unexpectedly attacked during the lastbattle leaving him physically disabled. Realizing his military life is over,the embittered Colonel Baquiste awaits his dismissal to return to Llehstanz.However, he is offered a second chance for victory.
Colonel Baquiste is called back to military duty ona secret mission. He must go alone in disguise to capture elusive thugsterrorizing the Llehstanzite regiment. In accepting the mission, Baquisterealizes he is no longer fighting an enemy on a battleground when he travels tostay at the palace of renowned Southern Hastana landowner, Sir BojeshnomaanYervaan. Yervaans’ sinister nature ensnares Baquiste while the delicate assignmentcompels him to confront his tragic past and his prejudice against Hastanas. Ifthe ambitious Colonel wants victory, it will require him to use not just hisgrit but also his heart.
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Excerpt One:
I would take your place if you ordered me Valstohl. Youstill have five hours to get on that ship and go home. Let Masim clean up thismess on his own reputation, this is not your problem. And if you fail then hewill just find another officer and keep trying. Your life is not worth this! Gohome, start a family, you are the only Baquiste heir. Don’t take this mission!
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Chosen Guest Topic: What do you hope readerswill gain from your book?
The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste (TDACB) is a storyfrom a fictitious colonization era set within two fictitious nations, Hastanand Llehstanz, nevertheless, the human elements showcased in this novel arevery real and pertinent to our current times.
I wrote TDACB because of my personal life experiences havingbeen born and grown up in post-colonial countries, having been on the receivingend of hate, racism, and prejudice. Call it a means to self-heal with anaspiration to believe that it is possible to overcome prejudice if we recognizethat in our human imperfections lie the opportunity for change and the power tochoose towards a positive outcome. If we were perfect and absolute, changewould not be possible, if we all put our anger out into the world it would bedestructive. But, if we helped ourselves compassionately, we would inevitablyhelp others positively. It all begins with self-healing and the means to dothat is to learn to change our psychological masks by allowing ourselves toimmerse in another person’s world, to view the world through a different lens,to take off, even if momentarily, any forced uniform and imposed roles and todisguise ourselves, if only to catch a glimpse of our own former self and tounderstand the world from a different perspective.
In TDACB, the Colonel goes under disguise to fulfill amilitary mission while immersing himself in the same society that was conqueredby his nation, by the military of the Llehstanz Monarchy. Under the disguise ofnaturalist Gulaan Dasmire, is the Colonel able to see his actual self (ValstohlBaquiste) and begins to reconcile Valstohl’s tragic past. The persona of Gulaanand Valstohl is examined by the Colonel only in disguise which ultimately leadsto Colonel Baquiste’s delicate change of heart and allows him to reconcile hispast grief.
However, things could have gone very differently for theColonel if he chose differently and herein is the other message in my book thathumans must choose and even the act of saying or doing nothing is an act ofchoice. What I beautifully learned while writing TDACB, which holds true to myown personal experience is that positive messages and factors are never theloudest. They are usually the gentle nudges that you get along the way in thejourney of life, coaxing you into choosing towards beneficial progress. Idepict this in several ways throughout my novel (no spoilers), to nudge theColonel into accepting something he has been consciously, subconsciously, andunconsciously denying or has been avoiding. In contrast, I have found from my personallife experiences that the negative factors scream the loudest and the Colonelsure had his share of tragic events that impacted him.
Moreover, none of the other characters in TDACB are sparedfrom choosing. Master Jeshn Yervaan’s choice mattered the most and I have foundmyself asking many a times how I would have chosen differently if I were him.Perhaps it is also something the reader can consider as well. And veryimportant to note that there were domino effects from decisions that were madeby Colonel Valstohl Baquiste and Master Jeshn Yervaan. This is so pertinent toour lives because we do not exist in isolation, and we must try our best toassess how our individual choice can ultimately affect those directly andindirectly connected to us. We are all empowered in some way or another tochoose. Even a child is empowered to choose as is shown by the Hastana boyChamcham who is at the center of the tense relationship between Gulaan(Valstohl) and Jeshn. While the boy is impacted by choices made by the adultsaround him, he too is empowered, and he makes a couple of bold and bravedecisions.
Now to choose we must observe first, and this is anothervery important aspect that I hope the reader will take away from TDACB. The actof observation is a key trigger to most events in the novel and I am hopefulthat the reader will find the very subtle act of observation that started thestory, only at the end of the story (it will almost be like an aha moment). Tohelp you identify that aha point I would like to point out that what we observeis impacted as much as we who are observing are impacted. An observation doesnot necessarily have to last for minutes or hours, it could be in a matter of seconds,and it is about what gets transpired, in that split fleeting moment, by whatobserves you or what you observe. Think about it? Our brain is super powerful,and it does make very fast decisions. So, see if you can identify what was thekey observation trigger that started off the story for Colonel ValstohlBaquiste, once you get near the end :) Layering upon the theme of observationand in conjunction with the act of being in disguise, I would also like topoint out that the Colonel is able to observe himself objectively as Valstohlwhile being in disguise as Gulaan. Many monologues are possible for the Colonelonly through this means and it is ultimately his way to reconcile tragedy andprejudice.
Finally, in the path to self-healing and or reconciliationit is important to be empathetic to oneself as well as to others who impactedyou negatively. To do this one must try to imagine. It is easy to create thenegative story about what is unknown to fill in the gaps, the brain does notlike gaps, and it will create its own conclusion, its own image and story to beable to happily put away something that is nagging or open ended. In TDACB, Iintentionally create a latitude for the reader to be able to imagine the pastof the characters and the events that could have led to an outcome which theColonel experiences. The reader can imagine Valstohl Baquiste’s military past,the Yervaans’ past, what led to Lieutenant Colonel Brune Farmagash’s decisionin chapter 13. Even the Colonel is forced to imagine what happened to hisfather and what decisions could have led to the fateful night at the Yervaanpalace many years ago from the present moment in the story. Imagination keepsus alive, and it can also get us into trouble, but it has the beauty and thepotential to make us empathize with another when we do not know what led toanother human’s actions and words. Imagination is a powerful tool if we can useit positively :)
And in saying that, I hope that you dear reader of this postwill not imagine for too long about what could the story of The Delicate Affairof Colonel Baquiste be about because the book is available for you to readright now! :) I hope I was able to share what you might get out of it, the restI leave in your imaginative and curious mind. Speaking of curiosity, a fewparting words, stay curious always, it is what gave the Colonel his edge, tolearn and to understand the people of Hastan and their culture. The very thinghe needed for his Delicate Affair mission.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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LukiBelle works in the media industry. Storytelling was a fixture from childhoodwhen she would listen to stories told by her grandparents, parents, sisters,and cousins who would read to her from diverse cultural fiction books. Growingup, Luki was fortunate to live in various parts of the world and experiencebeautiful cultures. During this time, she embraced and appreciated diversityamong people while recognizing through love, overcoming pain, or grief, one cantruly bond with others leading to unimaginable positive outcomes.
Websites
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Delicate-Affair-Colonel-Baquiste-ebook/dp/B0BWLFTW6R
Barnes& Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste-luki-belle/1143104792
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/people/Luki-Belle/100090188427853/
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GIVEAWAY :
Luki Belle will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes andNoble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveawayMay 31, 2023
Blog Tour: KISS ME DEADLY by Tamela Miles
Kiss Me Deadly
by Tamela Miles
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GENRE: Horror/Paranormal Romance
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BLURB:
You never see the claws until you feel them.
Kiss Me Deadly is the chilling follow up horror andparanormal romance anthology to the fan favorite collection of stories, RockPaper Scissors, brought to you from author Tamela Miles. Five unsettling talesof horror, with a pinch of the paranormal romance many readers have come toenjoy.
The Swinging Tree:
Audrina and Matt are all set to enjoy a vacation ina charming little town in Northern California. But the town holds deadlysecrets that no citizen is willing to speak about. Silence may be golden, butit puts Matt and Audrina on a collision course with a dark force that ishell-bent on vengeance.
Hands Clean:
Lili's life is forever changed after a beach housegetaway with her friends. She is given a once-in-a-lifetime chance to exactpunishment on the one who betrayed her trust, and she grabs it once because shedoesn't believe in transcendence.
Be Home by Sunrise:
Chase has been taking care of headstrong Tiffanysince he turned her into a vamp. When she does the unforgivable, he whisks heraway into hiding. She hopes their bond will go from maker and child to lovers,but there's a looming presence that won't let them ride off into the moonlighttogether. Or let them go unpunished.
Witch Bitch:
An afternoon spent with friends and new girlfriend, Luna,has Mason feeling hopeful about the future after his struggle with depression.When the situation goes from friendly to life or death, he is forced toconfront the demons he has spent so many years running from. For some, forgiveand forget isn't an option.
PaperDolls:
Zachmakes a great escape from his old life to Vegas with his new partner in crime,Paris. She challenges him to reflect on his ways and embrace the dangerous paththey're both on. Too bad, for a city full of women, his soul searching takeshim to an even darker place. Two is company, three is murder.
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NOTE: The book is on sale for$0.99.
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Excerpt One:
Matt slowlymade his way across the field, completely unaware of the rugged ground beneathhis bare feet. He had one objective on his mind as he moved along. He had toget to the source of the whispers. The mist was heavy and dampened his barechest and pajama pants. Still, he trudged on until he reached the tree. Hestopped abruptly and looked around.
The woman inthe flowing white dress emerged with a lilting laugh. She danced around him;her lips parted provocatively. She whispered his name over and over. The beautyof her brown skin and short wavy hair captivated him, and he shuffled towardher. He could hear her in his head.
Not tonight,lover. But, soon, you’ll come to be with little ol’ Jewel to stay.
She disappearedinto the mist, and Matt’s eyes snapped open. Confusion set in as he realizedthat he was in the field behind the Bellewood and not still sleeping besideAudrina. He looked around, completely dazed.
“What thehell…”
He ran thewhole distance back to the hotel, and as he entered the lobby, one of theemployees gave him a once-over. He met the older African American man’s eyesand was surprised at his direct gaze. “A bit early in the morning for a longwalk. Watch out for that mist, Mr. Marsh. It can change your whole life.”
Matt gave him aterse nod. “Thank you.” He swiftly headed for the elevator and, once inside,looked down at his feet blackened with dirt. He desperately needed a shower,and he hoped Audrina was still sleeping so he wouldn’t have to explainsomething that he himself couldn’t understand. As far as he knew, he had neversleepwalked.
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Review: In “One,” there seemed to be abattle of mental wills between two friends…but, unfortunately, we don’t reallysee who wins.
There was a degree of mysteriousdarkness in these stories that’s alluring to readers. Stories, for the mostpart, were nicely written, and I actually got into some of them. I liked “TheSwinging Tree” about a ghost that has been taking revenge on the white guys fortheir interracial relations and “Witch 8-itch” about a dead witch coming backfrom the grave for vengeance.
“Payback using the supernaturalwas intriguing.”
“Vengeance often turns us intosomeone we don’t recognize, then devours us whole.”
These were some good shortstories. Some could’ve used more of a finish as they didn’t quite end well forme.
Overall, these were good reads andI hope to read more of them.
Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Tamela Miles is a school psychologist with Ed.S and PPS credentialsand a graduate of California State University San Bernardino and CaliforniaState University Dominguez Hills. She is also a former flight attendant. Shegrew up in Altadena, California, in that tumultuous time known as the 1980s.She now resides with her family in the Inland Empire, CA. She's a horror/paranormalromance writer mainly because it feels so good having her characters do badthings and, later, pondering what makes them so bad and why they can never seemto change their wicked ways.
She introduced herself to readers in 2015 with her debut bestsellerhorror/paranormal romance anthology, “Rock Paper Scissors”.
She enjoys emails from people who like her work. In fact, sheloves emails. She can be contacted at tamelamiles@yahoo.com or on her Facebookpage, Tamela Miles Books. She also welcomes reader reviews and enjoys feedbackfrom people who love to read as much as she does.
Social Media Links:
On Twitter: @jackiebrown20
On Instagram: Tamela Miles Books
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/sassysleepingbeauties/
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GIVEAWAY
Tamela Miles will be awarding a $5 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawnwinner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 30, 2023
Book Blast: UNTIL I'M SAFE IN YOUR ARMS by Jenna Jaxon
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna Jaxon will be awarding a $10 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.
Can a wager to find a wife turn into a true love match?
Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.
As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go.
She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?
Read an Excerpt
“Mrs. Dowland, might we save the rest of the tour for another time? My wife and I are rather fatigued and wish to retire until dinner.”
“Of course, Captain. The master bedroom is just here.” She opened the door behind them onto a large bedchamber, the main component being a massive four-poster oak bed jutting majestically into the center of the room. The covers and bedcurtains were again in masculine colors of maroon and blue, and the walls papered in a dark floral paisley that Emma loved on sight. “I see Buckleigh and James have put your things there.” She motioned to their trunks. “I’ll make sure you are undisturbed until the dinner gong sounds. Do you prefer to dine at seven or eight o’clock?”
“Eight,” Alex replied quickly. “Thank you, Mrs. Dowland. You’ve been a great help. That will be all for now.”
“Very good, Captain.” With one last nod and a hint of a smile, Mrs. Dowland left, pulling the door closed.
“At last. I thought she’d never leave.” Alex turned to Emma, pulled her close, and sank his mouth down on hers.
When they finally came up for air, Emma’s head was whirling. “I thought you said we needed to rest.”
“I said we needed to retire.” He’d already begun pulling at his cravat, his gaze darkening when it fell on her. “Are you tired, my love?” Unbuttoning his jacket in record speed, Alex stripped it from his body and tossed it over his shoulder. “Do you need rest…or something else, perhaps?”
“B…but it’s still daylight.” She’d always assumed for some reason that marital relations were relegated to the hours of darkness, perhaps because they were too intimate to be done in the light of day. Maybe she’d been wrong about that.
About the Author:
Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling author of historical romance, writing in a variety of time periods because she believes that passion is timeless. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all these elements into her own stories.She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets--including Olive, an almost silent cat, Earl Grey, a very curious bunny, and a Shar-pei mix named Frenchie.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 29, 2023
Blog Tour: THE WARLORD'S STORMY SKYE by Gail Koger
The Warlord's Stormy Skye
by Gail Koger
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GENRE: Sci-Fi romance comedy
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BLURB:
Myname is Skye McAllister, I’m a psychic witch and a healer. My life is arollercoaster ride of craziness. My unique electrical powers have a bunch ofalien males eyeing me like I’m prime rib at an all-you-can-eat banquet.
Ifthat wasn’t bad enough, a crazy old witch transformed herself into a half-humanKotsor spider and is trying to kill me with hexes, magical bombs, and herzillion hatchlings. Have you ever triedto disarm an enchanted bomb with space Neanderthals trying to claim you astheir mate? It’s a good way to die.
Tokeep me alive, Zarek, the Coletti Overlord, assigned me a partner. Vorian is a badass War Commander who is usedto people obeying him immediately. Likethat’s going to happen. I will admithe’s sex on two legs, and so damn pretty. But if I let my hormones dictate myactions, we’d be bound for life. Not happening.
Oncewe rid the galaxy of Mallox and the evil spider lady, I’m ditching his fineass.
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Excerpt One:
“You haveexpended a great deal of energy today.” Vorian held out a chocolate bar. “Thiswill help replenish it.”
Before he couldchange his mind, I snatched the bar out of his hand like a hungry velociraptor.
Vorian’s eyeswidened slightly at my ferocity.
What did heexpect? I was a chocolate-starved female. I tore off the wrapping and took abite. Yum. It was the good stuff. “Why are you being nice to me?”
“It is my dutyto provide for you.”
“Duty, huh?”
“Yes.” Vorianpulled another candy bar from his hip pocket and ate it slowly.
I guess Ishould look on the bright side. I had chocolate. I wasn’t dead yet. Jagger waslocked up, and my partner looked nothing like Badon. No man boobs, scars, orbristly nose hair. He had classically handsome features and a body to die for.Not that I noticed. Okay, I had seen him naked when the three-eyed creep hadkidnapped us, and yowzer. He was centerfold material. He made my panties wetevery time I looked at him. Yep, my life was a rollercoaster ride of craziness.
I licked themelted chocolate off the wrapper and noticed Vorian was staring at me intently.“What? Do I have chocolate on my nose?”
“Did Badonviolate you?”
I snorted. “Asif. I hit him with my limp dick spell.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale PoliceDepartment and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no ideawhat a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency,what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in atree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have atendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. Mypet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not aclue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman thencried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to dealwith? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I tookup writing.
Author links: www.gailkoger.com
https://www.facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1598719.Gail_Koger
https://www.instagram.com/gkoger58/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gail-koger
http://www.amazon.com/Gail-Koger/e/B001K838BY
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GIVEAWAY
Gail Koger will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to arandomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
May 27, 2023
Review: ARIZONA ARTIST by Ann Omasta and Callie Love
After paying $5K to reveal aboyfriend’s secret, Kendall sees the photo of her boyfriend banging someoneelse. What was worse was actually catching him in the act…with her MOM. Ohgawd! What else could she do but drive?
Eventually, she finds herselfstranded in hot and dry Arizona. If it wasn’t for the good-looking guy thatstopped to help her, she would’ve burned out on the road. She was looking for aPrince Charming rescue; instead, she got a hot-headed grump. But I guess goingwith a grumpy stranger was better than suffering through the desert elements inthe middle of nowhere. Or was it?
At Thom’s home, he makes anenticing “Beauty and the Beast” order to not go into a certain room. What washe hiding in there? What could have done to possibly warrant a lifetime prisonsentence? Kendall ponders over how she could help the “artist-criminalrescuer."
It takes one awkward class reunionto turn up the heat with these two. But will his secret tear them apart?
A good read, for sure!
Rating:5 stars
Review: ALASKA ADVENTURER by Ann Omasta and Callie Love
An Alaskan recluse was not incharge of his estranged niece and nephew after the death of their parents? Saywhat?! Oh, this oughta be good.
“This grumpy mountain man doesn’tappear to have a gentle or caring bone in his body.”
Both Quinn and Boone seemed to bein a hot-potato game with the kids—neither one of them wanted to take them. Ashe keeps trying to kick them out, she continues to make herself at home withthe kids. The story of the pet wolf was so touching. It’s funny how the kidsfreak out when there’s no Wi-Fi. I don’t blame them. Alaskan mountains weremuch too remote for me. Seriously, over an hour from the next town? Will thekids be able to live in Alaska? Will Quinn give up her life in New York for themountain man?
A sweet and sexy romance!
Rating:4 stars
Review: COLORADO COWBOY by Ann Omasta and Callie Love
A dead wife. Her will dictatedthat the ranch go to her sister and her husband to share. A cowboy and a citygirl. They were like fire and ice. It would never work. What was Maddiethinking?
With the sisters looking so alike,was it any wonder why Colt ended up kissing Sadie?
“Lusting after my dead sister’shusband is not on my agenda.”
Perhaps Maddie really did knowwhat she was doing and wanted them to be there for each other.
This was a sweet romance, but italso had a bit of mystery with Maddie’s secret.
A good read, for sure!
Rating: 5 stars
May 26, 2023
Blog Tour: EXCELLENCE THROUGH MENTAL STRENGHT by Lionel Baugh
Excellence through Mental Strength
by Lionel Baugh
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GENRE: Self-help / personal development
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BLURB:
Haveyou ever felt like your weaknesses were holding you back from opportunities inlife? Or feared you don't have the skill set to tackle new experiences? Perhapsyou've even worried about just not being as naturally talented as the peoplearound you?
Excellence Through Mental Strength will not only dispel your concerns but willalso teach you how to reframe your perception of self. You're already morecapable than you realize, and this step-by-step guide will show you how torecognize the true power of your strengths-so you can 'make the shift' into agrowth mindset and take back control of your future.
Never let your perceived 'weakness' into the driver's seat of your life again.Bolster your mental strengths instead and pave the road you want to travel withgrounded confidence in who you are, where you're going, and what you bring tothe table.
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Excerpt One:
How you manage your attention is at the heart of mentalstrength. Like everything you learn, your ability to do so improves withpractice. Imagine the following: Katrina was having a lively conversation withfriends at the office. She wanted to buy a new car. One of her friends,Charles, always opinionated, made a strongly worded recommendation: ‘Katrina,based on your profile and personality, there’s only one car for you—A VW Golf!’On the way home, a curious thing happened. Generally uninterested in cars,Katrina began to notice VW Golf ’s in the traffic. The traffic was slow. It wasas if all the other vehicles were just vehicles. Cars, vans, SUVs blurred intoa mass of noisy movement. This was the mass migration of rush-hour. However, VWGolfs kept showing up, on her left, in front, just a little to the right, inher rear-view mirror. Gray ones, blue ones, old models, new ones. The trafficsteadily seemed to become a river full of 25 VW Golfs. She even noticed oneparked at a strip mall, another getting its gas refilled. As she arrived at herdriveway, she noticed that even her next door neighbor had a VW Golf.Previously, it had been just a ‘car’. She took this as an omen and bought onethe next Saturday. ; Katrina was amazed by what happened because she’s notaware of how the brain works. The brain is largely a giant filtering machine.It maintains focus by eliminating what you don’t want to notice so you canfocus on what you do. If this wasn’t so, we’d live in a state of perpetualconfusion.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
LionelBaugh Born: 5/25/53 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Nationality: British/US CitizenEducation: Trinity College, Dublin University Lives in: Solis, Uruguay Speak:Both English and Spanish, without preference. I’m an executive coach. In 2009,I completed a long career in financial services and made a life changing andcomprehensive career shift. My banking career had a lot of diversity to it. Ienjoyed assignments in New York, Lima, Manila, Hong Kong, Oslo, SanAntonio-Texas, and Miami. Professionally that took me through commercialbanking to capital markets and eventually to wealth management. In 2008, I leftMerrill Lynch, and by early 2009, I was certified as a business coach. Thisopened up a whole new world, unleashing a passionate desire to help people growand a fascination with what works in life. As my coaching career advanced, Imoved from business coaching to executive coaching, where most of my existingpractice lies. The fundamental difference is that executive coaching focusesmore on 143 behavior and mindset than on entrepreneurialism. Behavior andmindset are where my passion lies. (Having said that, most entrepreneurialsuccess is also about mindset, but you do spend time on things like themarketing strategy and the cash-flow forecast.) I became a sponge for learningand have obtained certifications in Emotional Intelligence and in the Red2Bluemindset model. I have read too many books to number or list, and the subjectsrange from psychology to therapy to emotional intelligence, agility, andself-awareness to mindfulness, stoicism, and more recently, anything I canlearn about performance under pressure. My ‘why’ is sustained by a strongbelief that everyone has excellence in them. I’m curious to discover eachperson’s unique ‘hidden genius’. I’m very motivated to help identify thatexcellence, polish it, and display it to the world in all its splendor. I haveclients throughout the Americas and the UK whom I coach via Zoom. I also dofrequent webinars and in-person workshops.
Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Excellence-through-Mental-Strength-Lionel/dp/B0BY4CR8LY/
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GIVEAWAY :
Lionel Baugh will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnesand Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
