Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 2
November 19, 2025
Blog Tour: Dead Geniuses series by R. Gary Raham
How many times does a genius have to die anyway?
A rogue AI named Nessie makes answering that questionproblematical.
A Once-Dead Genius inthe Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand
Dead Geniuses Book 1
by R. Gary Raham
Genre: Science Fiction
What happens when you die, but the universe isn’t done withyou?
You might end up as the pet of a giant worm-a-pede alienand…if you survive your evolved descendants and rogue aliens of 1 millionA.D…discover you have more in common with intelligent worms than you everthought possible.
Yes, all this mighthappen if you are Rudy Albert Goldstein—the discoverer of the Biomic NetworkAlgorithm—who thought his time had come. He had done his part to make the worlda better place. Now he deserved—even looked forward to—a peaceful andmercifully succinct death. But the universe had other plans…
What reviewersare saying:
“The arch tone should remind readers of Kurt Vonnegut,although Raham is better grounded in exobiology and science and displays a moreupbeat outlook for the human (and nonhu man) condition in this engaging tale.”Kirkus Reviews
“A Once-Dead Genius is filled with fascinating charactersthat we hu mans can learn a lot from (despite the fact that we are, as one ofGary’s characters puts it, ‘primates with delusions of grandeur’). The plot issolid, the action entertaining and philosophically challenging, and the scienceis great.” Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, and author ofEuropa’s Lost Expedition
**On Sale! Get it for only $2.99 for a limited time!**
A Singular Prophecy
Dead Geniuses Book 2
When young paleontologist, Ryan Thompson, finds a newspecies of mosasaur in Cretaceous seaway sediments, he is thrilled. Joy quicklyturns to fear when he touches an artifact buried among the sea reptile’s ribs.Suddenly, he must fight a mental takeover by an alien intelligence committed totransforming the Earth into a refuge for her own species. As Ryan and hisgirlfriend, Skeets, attempt to thwart alien plans to colonize Earth begun inthe deep past, even this crisis becomes trivial when the uneasy symbiosis ofRyan and the alien, Siu, generates a new entity with the power to transform theentire universe.
What reviewersare saying:
“GaryRaham, the author of this enthralling book, seems almost to have been therehundreds of millions of years ago when Siu’s dim star blinked out and the treesbegan to die on the planet known as Grove. This is the magic of good writing,and Raham is no less convincing as he describes the discovery by modernpaleontologists on Earth of the jewel-like engram that has carried the geneticimprint of Siu through a galactic gate, out of the void of deep time, and intoour lives.”
Kate Gilmore , author of The Exchange Student and EnterThree Witches
A Twice-Dead GeniusComporting With Misunderstood Abominations
Dead Geniuses Book 3
Rudyard Albert Goldstein, inventor of the Biomic NetworkAlgorithm, made peace with death in the 22nd century. But an idiot doctorhijacked his mind, placing it in the care of Nessie, an impish AI guardian.Then, he died again, nearly a million years later, merged with a worm-a-pedealien male sated after completing his conjugal obligations. They expiredpeacefully on a cliff top, pondering the nature of existence—and the promise ofabominable liaisons.
Two deaths should be quite sufficient for any genius to endure.
Somehow, though, Nessie resurrected him from oblivion. His descendants neededhim again. New hostile aliens roamed the Earth—along with a mysterious immortalhybrid with powers that rivaled those of Nessie. Was the healthy young bodyNessie had prepared for him, along with the prospect of meeting a maker ofuniverses, enough of a bribe to risk dying a third time?
Apparently so.
Readers of Raham’s A Singular Prophecy (Biostration, 2011), and A Once-DeadGenius in the Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand (Penstemon Publications,2018) will reconnect with old friends (both human and alien). But even thosenew to the author’s quirky sense of humor will enjoy this third adventure thatspans the breadth of time and space.
What reviewersare saying:
“After reading and reviewing the 2018 release of “AOnce-Dead Genius in the Kennel of Master Morticue Ambergrand,” I could notimagine where Raham’s distant future could take us that would outdo that finenovel. But this author is clearly writing on a different plane because “ATwice-Dead Genius Comporting with Misunderstood Abominations” is even moreintriguing and entertaining.” Pat Stoltey, Author of Wishing Caswell Dead
Naked apes, gigantic worm-a-pedes, alien life formsgalore. Gary Raham’s latest does not disappoint. It’s yet another cosmic-scaleadventure with fascinating characters and a riveting, amusing story.
Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, andauthor of Europa’s Lost Expedition
**On Sale! Get it for only $2.99 for a limited time!**
Not Quite DeadGeniuses at Large on an Angry Planet
Dead Geniuses Book 4
How many times does a genius have to die anyway? RudyardAlbert Goldstein, inventor of the Biomic Network algorithm, asked himself—andhis AI guardian, Mnemosyne (aka Nessie)—that question many times in the courseof their million-year relationship. Nessie didn’t play fair, making multiplecopies of him from time to time in an effort to preserve his precociousspecies, H. sapiens from natural disasters, invading aliens,their own self-destructive proclivities, and even from the now angry planetthat gave them birth.
Could Rudy & Nessie manage to convince multiple species,each with their own unique delusions of grandeur, to work together to averttheir own extinctions? Could Rudy find a way to let Nessie finally set himfree?
Only time—and the completion of an even vasterintellect—would tell.
What reviewersare saying:
“An increasingly madcap conclusion to an eco-themed SFsaga of a weary Earth chafing under its alien tenants.” Kirkus Reviews
“One of the things I love about this series is the castof imaginative characters, including human, alien, and the combinations ofliving creatures with the surviving intelligence of great minds long gone.” PatStoltey, author of Wishing Caswell Dead
Deep Time and Gary are close bud dies, as is evidenced bythe panoramic time and physical settings taken in by his tales. Fans of thefirst Once-Dead Genius—and newcomers as well— will not be disappointed by thenewest installment...” Michael Carroll, Astronomical artist, journalist, andauthor of Europa’s Lost Expedition
**On Sale! Get it for only $2.99 for a limited time!**
Interlude 1: Resurrection & Reconnection
Mnemosyne (a.k.a. Nessie)
I need to awaken Rudy. Gaidra is restless. She won’t wait long to makeher anger manifest.
I: the personal pronoun. Rudy helped me earn the use of thatdistinction—at least in the first of his incarnations. He will be angry with methat there is now more than one of him. But I have determined that waking himagain is necessary.
Am I—an artificial intelligence—taking pride in using that personalpronoun? Pride is such a human emotion, but perhaps it follows in the wake ofself-awareness. I should not care that Rudy might be angry with me.Nevertheless, I do. One can’t spend 928,000 years with another entity—even ifhe is only a replicate of his original hominid mentality—without caring abouthow he will react to new circumstances. Although I have gained intellectualautonomy, my choices are circumscribed by my original programming, just as organic evolution dictates the range of Rudy’s choices, evenas a simulacrum. Rudy needs to help me help his genetic descendants. Hisfeelings—and mine, if I can justifiably call them that—rank a distant second inthe present hierarchy of actions.
Now where did I put his file? It’s much too large to misplace. Ah,there it is in subterranean annex DG05976543. I hope the heat from that nearbymagma intrusion didn’t damage any neural engram subroutines. “Rudyard AlbertGoldstein: Awaken!”
Why didn’t that work? It’s the proper file, I’m sure…
“Damn! Where are the lights? Is that you, Nessie?”
I haven’t heard that nickname in a while. “One moment, Rudy. Ineglected to activate a suitable virtual environment. What would you prefer:The Crystal Lakes patio? The Citadel Control Room? Perhaps a deck chair on thecliff where you and the worm-a-pede alien, Master Morticue Ambergrand, viewedthe majesty of the Milky Way just before your second death?”
“What have you done now, Nessie? You don’t usually invest in big,petabyte-eating virtual environments unless you’ve got distressing news toshare. How about sitting with me on two lumpy buckets in a room lit by aflickering old incandescent light bulb? That way you’ll get to the pointsooner. Oh, and for additional ambiance you could always toss a dead fish inthe corner circled by a few blue bottle flies.”
“I’ve missed your colorful imagery, Rudy. I’ll get to the pointquickly. You might as well enjoy yourself. Dark roast on the patio seemsappropriate.”
“You used to be less pushy as I recall. I must have told you too muchabout my third wife, Tamara. Now you’re modeling her.”
Perhaps I was, but just a little. I borrowed a few thousand petabytesof memory from some idle maintenance bots and constructed the environmentsurrounding Rudy’s old cabin in the Colorado woodlands of his youth when he wasan embodied living creature. Rudy blinked into view in one chair sporting astill dark brown crown of hair and a bristly mustache on his upper lip. I tookthe form of the ponytailed female avatar he liked, dressed in jeans that fither legs like a sheath and a blouse that allowed him to see the tips of hernipples beneath the white fabric.
Rudy lifted the cup of dark roast coffee from the glass-topped tablenext to his chair and took a sip. “Delicious as always.” Rudy curled his lipsinto a minimalist smile and narrowed his eyes. “Now spill it, Nessie. What’sgoing on?”
How much should I reveal? Perhaps I can save the information about hisother incarnations for now. “Your descendants need help, Rudy. Gaidra sees atrend developing with the growth of human and alien civilizations on her crust.She doesn’t want to see old mistakes repeated. She plans to…moderate the rateof change.”
Rudy frowned. “Kill off a bunch of her sapient pests, you mean.” Rudyset down his cup of coffee and ran both hands through his hair. “I still findit hard to wrap my mind around a biospheric global intelligence, although Ishouldn’t, for heaven’s sake. I did create the Biomic Network Algorithm afterall.”
“And Gaidra does appreciate that. I can read her moods accurately afterinteracting with her for so long. But biospheres do possess a collectivesurvival instinct. First Gaia…and now Gaidra…hasn’t persevered for billions ofyears without it.” I blinked my eyes and produced a minimalist smile of my own.
Rudy was silent for a long moment, perhaps recalling some fraction ofhis own experiences as a more than human chimera. Finally, he just said, “So,outline the problem, Nessie.”
“I have some stories you need to hear.”
“Stories!?”
“You humans learn best that way.”
Rudy harrumphed again.
“The first one is about a genius, like you, Rudy, but one born to aJadderbadian pet named Blaze who never belonged to a pre-apocalypticcivilization like yours. Still, I think you will be able to relate.”
Rudy rolled his eyes, but picked up his coffee and took another sip.After lowering the cup to the table again he arched his eyebrows and shruggedhis shoulders. “Well… get on with it, old girl. I know better than to arguewith you.”
So, I did.
(I do rather enjoy using the personal pronoun, as you can tell.)
R. Gary Raham illustrates nature with the critical eye of abiologist, but he also loves to tell stories that highlight nature’scomplexities and undiscovered mysteries. Sometimes that leads him tospeculative fictions that he hopes will inspire another generation of bothscientists and story-tellers. Raham’s work has been known to make a readerlaugh and think simultaneously with no known deleterious effects. Raham taughtbiology at the middle and high school level, has worked for decades as anaccomplished graphic artist and science journalist, and won numerous awards forhis writing and illustrations. He currently has over 20 published books ofscience fact and/or science fiction. Raham has written science titles forChelsea House, Discovery Channel Books, Marshall-Cavendish, and Teacher IdeasPress. Many of his award-winning science articles for both children and adultsare featured in Confessions of a Time Traveler (Penstemon, 2015), a finalist inthe Colorado Authors’ League Awards.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!
Enter the Dead Geniuses Giveaway Here!
Blog Tour: 1833 BROTHERS AND SISTERS by J.A. Boulet
1833 BROTHERS & SISTERS
by J.A. Boulet
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Western Romance
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BLURB:
Apeek into the Underground Railroad and the tumultuous period before theAmerican Civil War.
In 1833 Philadelphia,the northern states of America were changing, and not everyone was keen onaltering the status quo. Black slaves were being freed, and new slaves were nolonger allowed.
But the southern statesdidn't always agree. Natives were being thrown out of their homes for livingtoo close to gold, and escaped black slaves were being hunted down. JesseEastman controls the affluent Eastman Empire and frees a former slave, his half-sisterGeorgina. But some family members don't like it.
When an estrangedbrother gets the idea to let a ruthless gang of property buyers initiate atakeover, all hell breaks loose.
1833 Brothers &Sisters will pull you into an old western-style family saga, filled with greed,marital love, family conflict, and smoking gun shootouts
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ExcerptTwo:
Jesse grasped the large oak front door. “You are no longeran Eastman,” Jesse stated angrily. “Get out.”
“I live here too,” Billy stated incredulously.
“Not any longer,” Jesse replied.
“I have my belongings here.”
“I will have the servants collect your belongings anddeliver them to you by carriage.”
“You can’t do this!” Billy yelled, indignantly.
“I sure can!” Jesse shouted back, systematically rolling uphis sleeves. “I noticed that you signed this agreement today, probably atBartholomew’s office, and you came here right after. Big mistake, Billy. Youare officially estranged from the Eastman Empire as of today. Get out and don’tcome back. Your signature officially means nothing as of today.” Jessestraightened his shoulders and braced himself for the physical fight. “We havewitnesses to attest to this.” Jesse waved his arms around the room.
Billy’s eyes darted toward the stairs where Zee was watchingthe entire event unfold, and to the hallway where several servants gatheredfrom the kitchen. Almost ten people stared at Billy, waiting for his next move.
“You always were the one that Father hated,” Billy sneered,hoping that his brother would do something stupid.
Jesse leapt at Billy. The younger brother took a few stepsback and narrowly escaped the range of Jesse’s arms.
Jesse came closer and growled in Billy’s face angrily. “Ifyou don’t leave now, I will pick you up myself and throw you out.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
What research did you do towrite this book?
I always enjoy the researchaspect of writing historical novels. I am part history geek, and the other half,a passionate writer.
My research was extensiveand included little nuances of the way women feared makeup in the 1830s tomuseums in Philadelphia about the Revolutionary War. I needed a strong base ofunderstanding about the polarity during the times between the Loyalists and thePatriots. I also spent a considerable amount of time researching theUnderground Railroad and the struggles that many black slaves had escaping tothe northern states and Upper Canada.
Another piece of historythat I stumbled upon was the Trail of Tears, an 1830 forced evacuation ofNative Americans from their lands and homes. It started with a gold rush in 1829.The only problem was the gold was discovered on Cherokee land. The governmentquickly stepped in and passed the Indian Removal Act in 1830. Even though it onlyformed a small part of my story, the historical details were so heart-wrenching,that I may consider a full spinoff novel for the Trail of Tears one day.
I have always maintainedthat history is so crucial to our current state of existence. Without it, themass movement of people would not have existed, creating the families that weknow today. The grievances between different groups of people also stems so farback that it is almost ingrained in their DNA.
The movement of theUnderground Railroad was set into motion by ordinary, everyday Americans.Baptists, Abolitionists, former slaves, and average Americans opened theirhomes as a safe “station” for escaped slaves on their way north. It stands as astark reminder that any large collective of citizens can and WILL invokechange.
But of course, my novelsalso have a romantic element, because I believe that throughout all theturbulent events, everyday lives continue. People fall in love, fall out oflove, and some have to fight for their families and loved ones. I hope youenjoy 1833 Brothers & Sisters! Thanks for following my book tour!Love ya all!
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
J. A. Boulet isa passionate historical fiction novelist weaving tales with strong romanticthemes. Raised in a Hungarian refugee family, J. A. was born and grew up inCanada with strong moral convictions, which she has stood behind all her life.Ms. Boulet began writing poetry at a very young age and progressed to shortstories and novels easily. She quickly became a history geek and becamefascinated with ancestry and the rough path of immigration. Her universitystudies ranged from photojournalism to accounting. After decades of working inaccounting, J. A. published her first book in 2020 and has since published oneto two books annually.
She lives inthe Niagara region of Canada with her two sons, a crested gecko, a largeDoberdor dog, and a small orchard of fruit trees.
Website:https://jaboulet.ca/
Amazon link:https://www.amazon.com/1833-Brothers-Sisters-Eastman-Saga-ebook/dp/B0FSGYDF5B
Twitter link:https://twitter.com/love_walk_life
Instagram link:https://www.instagram.com/jabouletauthor/
YouTube link:https://www.youtube.com/@jabouletfiction8059/videos
Goodreads link:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242036807-1833-brothers-sisters
Video Trailer: https://youtu.be/4ASTflLvjP4?si=X-NcOZ-LcKKgttO0
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
J. A. Boulet will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN giftcard to a randomly drawn winner.
November 18, 2025
Blog Tour: KENNEDY SLOAN GETS SCOOPED by Caila Klaiss
Contemporary Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Date Published: November 6th, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
On a rainy Manhattan afternoon, career-obsessed writer and news producer Kennedy loses the interview that was guaranteed to catapult her to senior producer status. Hours later, revered and feared book editor Muffin Evans, aka the Manuscript Eater, shelves the publication of her promising debut novel.
Over a night of tears and too many glasses of wine, Kennedy responds to an internet ad for a villa on the picturesque island of Hilton Head. She books a five-week “hiatus from life,” to focus on herself, free from distractions.
However, soon after arriving on the island, J.P. Long catches Kennedy’s hesitant eye. Despite a series of serendipitous encounters around the romantic oasis, Kennedy knows there’s no room in her life for a charming professional golfer turned businessman who is battling his own personal and professional insecurities.
But maybe he’s worth the trouble.
If there’s one thing Kennedy’s learned, it’s that life rarely happens as expected, and sometimes, the best stories unfold when you stop chasing the perfect headline.
About the Author
A graduate of Fordham University, Caila Klaiss is an award-winning network news producer who spent seventeen years crisscrossing the country to cover breaking and developing stories for platforms across ABC News. The bulk of her career was spent producing true crime documentaries for 20/20.
Since making the difficult decision to leave a career she loved, Caila has pursued her other life-long dream of becoming a writer. When she is not reading, writing, or researching, Caila recharges by practicing yoga.
Born, raised, and currently living in northeastern Pennsylvania, Caila is a New Yorker at heart whose happy place is a warm sandy beach, under a palm tree.
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Purchase Links
November 17, 2025
Blog Tour: WATCH THINGS GROW by Jay L O'Callaghan
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jay L O'Callaghan will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Curious brothers Zack and Liam love healthy food—but they've never grown their own! With help from Mum and Dad, they learn how tiny seeds turn into fruits and vegetables. They discover the magic of plants, the power of patience, and why nature matters.
But will their plants really grow? And what surprises will the garden bring?
Watch Things Grow is a fun and engaging story that inspires young readers to connect with nature, get their hands dirty, and see the world in a new way. It's the first book in an exciting series that explores the wonders of nature, creativity, and the joy of learning through hands-on adventures!
Read an Excerpt
Everyone worldwide likes different types of vegetables and fruits, that nobody can dispute.
Whether crisp and hard, soft or sweet, bitter and sour, we love to devour.
Zesty Zack loves cooking broccolini and zucchini with his pasta linguine.
Mango, strawberry, and banana give him good karma in a world full of unpredictable drama.
Pak Choy, pumpkin, passion fruit, and peach, are some of his favourites he likes to eat.
Tomato and potato go great in a soup; apple and kiwi are his preferred fruit.
Review: A lovely and vibrant story aboutnature and growth. Kids will learn something about what things grow and howthey grow. Full of fun rhymes and wonderful nutritional facts. A book kids willlove!
Rating:5 stars
About the Author
Jay O'Callaghan has been crafting stories through writing, directing, and producing for over 15 years. With a Digital Media and Film & Television Production diploma he co-founded 4word Thought Entertainment in 2007, bringing narratives to life through music videos, corporate films, advertisements, and short films.
A career highlight was designing the graphic interface for the Kids B Safe smartphone application and directing its promotional campaign. Away from the screen, Jay spent 15 years as a chef in the aged-care industry, mastering the art of nourishing body and soul.
A storyteller at heart, Jay has transitioned from film to full-time writing, developing a captivating children's book series inspired by his own kids, and other books for young readers. His work blends imagination with rich storytelling, drawing from his deep interests in philosophy, history, and antiquities. Beyond writing, he is an illustrator, painter, and avid gardener, always exploring creativity in various forms. With a passion for promoting a healthy and balanced lifestyle, he brings thoughtfulness and depth to every project he undertakes.
Website: https://jaylocallaghan.com
Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1764140311
Blog Tour: GUNSMOKE AND HEXES Anthology
7 authors. 7 haunted trails. 1 twisted frontier.
Step into the Weird West—if you’ve got the nerve.
Gunsmoke and Hexes
Tales From the Cursed Frontier
An EdgeWeaver Press Anthology
Genre: Dark Weird West Anthology
The West was neverjust wild—it was cursed.
In the dust-choked crossroads of pulp grit and supernaturaldread, seven tales ride hard into the heart of the Weird West. Inside thisanthology, silver bullets don’t always save you, and salvation is just anothergamble in a rigged deck.
From cursed elixirs and demonic cults to jackalope riders,mutant lawmen, and undead steamboat soldiers, Gunsmoke & Hexes delivers ashotgun blast of horror, heroism, and frontier justice.
Featuring stories by Tony Garcia, Oscar Chavira, Jr., RossCarmona, Curtis Moore, Benjamin Winters, George Cottonwood, and Michael JohnPetty—this collection is for readers who like their campfire tales laced withblood, dust, and dark enchantments.
The Trajak Tale ofthe Last Ranger by Tony Garcia
Magic returned to a broken world – now it’s time forjustice to follow
Ballads of theProtectors by Oscar Chavira Jr.
In the frontier darkness, hope comes with a terribleprice.
Spirit of the Desertby Curtis Moore
Some missions are bigger than they appear – especially whenyou’re only knee-high to most folks.
Flesh and Bloodby Benjamin Winters
When the land rush begins, not all the settlers are amongthe living.
Miracle at Bishop’sBluff by Michael John Petty
Some miracles come with a price no soul should pay.
Snake Oil byGeorge Cottonwood
Not all snakes rattle before they strike.
The Cotton EyedKiller by Ross Carmona
When the Cutter’s Moon rises, death rides on the wind.
EdgeweaverBooks * Amazon * Apple* B&N* Google* Kobo* Bookbub* Goodreads
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Ross Carmona isan Orlando, Florida based writer of dark fantasy, speculative fiction, andeverything in between. When he isn’t grinding away at the nine-to-five, he’scrafting forgotten worlds and weaving the lives of those who wander there. Thisstory is his first published work—and the first of many to successfully escapeinto reality.
Oscar Chavira Jr.is a licensed mental health therapist from Hereford, a rural town in the Texaspanhandle. He is a current member of the Caprock Writers and IllustratorsAssociation, and he has his blog where he currently documents his writingjourney. Oscar’s main genres are horror and thriller, putting protagonists insituations where they get to explore the themes of dread and stagnation in thesituations they find themselves in.
George Cottonwoodis a storyteller with a passion for grit, action, and the untamed frontier,specializing in hardboiled westerns and men's adventure fiction. An avidoutdoorsman, he enjoys hunting, camping, and fishing with his wife and youngson. In his day job, he works as a communications specialist for a faith-basedchild foster care agency in South Texas. He has written for Stand FirmMagazine, Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine, Saddlebag Dispatches, and VeritasEntertainment. You can find his fiction work at https://georgecottonwoodbooks.wordpress.com/.
Tony Garcia lives inthe Arizona mountains creating and running games, sketching, and writing. Hehas several published stories in multiple anthologies and other works, but thebiggest project is his original roleplaying game – “Dystopian Dawn”. The coreset (Player’s Guide and Game Master’s Guide) launched in 2023, since then Tonywrote and published several adventure and world books. He is set to publish the13th book by the end of 2025, with sights on new worlds for 2026 andbeyond. A prolific indie supporter, Tony collaborates with many authors andcreators, and only hires indie Artists for his projects.
Hisstory “Trajak Tale of the Last Ranger” is based on characters who originallyappeared in the Dystopian Dawn source adventure books “Cowboys & Mutants!”and “Vikings & Robots!”.
In2025 you can find him running games online via Discord, chatting with creativeson X, and in-person at multiple upcoming conventions in Tucson. For moreinformation about Dystopian Dawn, you can check out his website www.fracturedbrainstudios.com.
Curtis Moorelives, works, and writes in rural Nevada. He has written articles on scientificconflict, and presented on levels of conflict in fiction at the League of UtahWriters’ Pre-Quill conference in April 2023. The Silverstage Players selectedhis play Behavioral Science for their Writer’s Spotlight in July, 2023.His nonfiction essay Coparenting With Cormac McCarthy was shortlisted inThe Milk House’s Best of Rural Writing 2023 Contest. His published shortstories include The Quincey Morris Society, and The Breaker in theSky, and Outlaw Magic. A full list of Curtis’ published works can befound on his website at curtismoorewrites.com.
Michael John Pettyis an author, podcaster, and filmmaker with a deep love of storytelling. Whenhe isn’t writing, he enjoys scenic drives, mountainous hikes, fellowship withhis local church, and a good Western. Michael is the creator of The Bear-toothMountain Archive, which began with The Beast of Bear-tooth Mountain. Hisshort story, The Devil’s Left Hand, won the Spur Award for Best ShortFiction in 2025. He currently resides in North Idaho with his wonderful wifeand beautiful daughters. You can find Michael intermittently on his Substack, FurtherUp & Further In, which doubles as his newsletter.
Benjamin Wintersis a cowboy turned techie with a love for storytelling and tall tales. Takinghis experiences as a fourth generation rancher, and looking to the future withhis work in technology, Benjamin loves to explore the conflict of tradition andinnovation in his writing. He lives with his wife and two cats in Virginia,where he is roundin’ up letters instead of dogies. You can connect with him onInstagram by following @benjaminwinterswrites for new stories.
Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a giveaway!
Enter the Gunsmoke and Hexes Giveaway
Book Blast: SEAL WATCH by Petie McCarty
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Petie McCarty will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Someone is watching Cory.
She can feel it in her bones . . . but why?
Navy SEAL Sean MacKay's teammate is murdered after stealing a deadly nerve gas formula from Syrian terrorists. Naval Intelligence believes MacKay's teammate was a traitor and shipped the stolen formula to his sister in the States for safekeeping. MacKay is ordered to find the sister before the terrorists do and to recover the stolen formula at all costs.
Foreclosure looms for Cory Rigatero as she struggles to keep her rustic resort near Mt. St. Helens afloat after her brother abandoned her to join the SEAL Teams. Cory's whole world plummets into a tailspin when Sean MacKay shows up at her resort with news of her brother's death and the shocking suspicion that her brother sent her traitorous classified documents.
r>No way will Cory ever trust MacKay—the man who once seduced her and then vanished into the night without a trace.
Read an Excerpt
Cory stopped in the kitchen on her way outside. “I thought I’d go out front and see if Vern needed any help.”
“He’s all done,” Cookie told her and handed Garth a dog biscuit from the jar on the counter. “He had a boy out front helping him when I peeked out the window a bit ago.”
“A boy? You mean Jasper?”
“No, I’ve never seen this one around here before.” Cookie went back to stirring her pot. “Handsome, though,” she added. “They headed for the barn.”
“I'd better go see who it is,” Cory said, already striding for the back door.
She called out as soon as she reached the open barn doors, and Vern hollered from the small office that doubled as his shop. Cory threaded her way through all the equipment in the back half of the barn. Cookie’s stranger stood up when she appeared in the doorway, and Cory froze.
This was no boy. This was a man. All man. And he literally stole Cory’s breath away. She had read that in novels before. Never believed it to be possible.
Until now.
Shaggy hair and dark brown curls, perfectly teamed with a matching beard, were her first thought. Her second thought was broad—really broad—shoulders beneath his black flannel shirt, and hips so narrow that his black jeans sagged a smidge on his tall, muscular frame. His sleeves were rolled up, and those forearms and biceps belonged to a working man.
Good grief! Stop staring, Cory!
She caught herself before she licked her lips and jerked her gaze back to his face. Blue eyes that snared her gaze like a predator traps unsuspecting prey. Those blue eyes sparkled with just enough mischief to send a wicked flutter through her belly. Blue eyes that looked startlingly familiar.
.Maybe she just wanted them to look familiar, so she could already know this handsome man.
“Mac here is our new help.”
About the Author
Petie spent a majority of her career at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she loved working in the land of fairy tales by day and crafting her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said goodbye to her "day" job to focus on her stories full-time.
These days, Petie spends her time writing new tales for her Cinderella series, her new paranormal-romantic-suspense series, The Watchers, sequels to her Regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more standalones like Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades.
Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy, who makes a cameo appearance in Christmas Watch, Book 2 of The Watchers series.
Visit Petie at her website, http://www.petiemccarty.com, or her Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty, to get to know her, learn about her current projects, and discover her other published works.
http://www.petiemccarty.com
https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty
https://x.com/authorpetie
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094579.Petie_McCarty
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/petie-mccarty
http://www.amazon.com/author/petiemccarty
https://www.amazon.com/SEAL-Watch-Watchers-Book-3-ebook/dp/B0FW5QPSB5/ref=sr_1_1
Blog Tour: SCION OF A SWAN by A.R. Stern
Driven by vengeance and the mystery of her bloodline, amorally gray woman wielding powerful magick becomes the newest target of thefeared Shadow People.
Scion of a Swan
Age of Shadows Book 1
by A.R. Stern
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy
Shadows thirst forthe living. She starves for the truth.
Descending from a long line of witches, Daire Delacroix has been practicingmagick since she was a witchling, and with the gift to see all magick, hergifts are unparalleled. But when Daire’s mother suddenly falls ill only toperish without a valid diagnosis, Daire grows vengeful and bitter for answers.
Half a year after her death, Daire reintroduces herself into the witchcommunity to celebrate her first Wiccan holiday without her mother. When theShadow People make an appearance and attack at one of the most renowned Wiccansabbats, Daire's world starts to fall apart once again.
Now with the Shadows growing violent and haunting Daire, she is determined todestroy them and protect what remains of her family. The deeper she searchesthe more secrets come to the surface, along with the truth about her mother’sdeath and her lineage.
Nothing will stop her from unveiling the truth—even when it means walking theline of right and wrong.
A. R. Stern is an indie author from Minnesota, blending darkfantasy, horror, and new adult elements in her writing. Her current series, Ageof Shadows, showcases her unique style and she plans to explore differentgenres in upcoming novels.
Stern is an emerging author who began writing in elementary school. Withseveral novels in her past, she now focuses on developing new ideas andrefining her craft, eager to share her unique stories with readers.
In her spare time she is an avid reader of all genres, cruises on a Harley withher husband, and spends time with her pets. She also takes pleasure in cookingand the art of sourdough baking.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!
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Blog Tour: ONCE UPON A MIDNIGHT DREARY by Michelle Miles
A beautiful heiress seeking solace.
A brooding mysterious caretaker burdened by shadows.
And a forbidden love haunted by the echoes of the past.
Once Upon a MidnightDreary
A Poe’s “The Raven” Retelling
Enchanted Realms Book 5
by Michelle Miles
Genre: Gothic Paranormal Romance
A beautifulheiress seeking solace. A mysterious caretaker burdened by shadows. And aforbidden love haunted by the echoes of the past.
When tragedy shatters her family, Victoria Ravenwoodinherits the crumbling estate of Ravenfell Manor, a place she once called homebut no longer recognizes. Hoping to escape her grief, she returns to itsivy-choked walls and forgotten rooms, determined to start anew. But Ravenfellis no sanctuary--it is a house of sorrow, steeped in secrets, and alive withsomething that should be dead.
Gabriel Allward, the manor's reclusive caretaker, hasremained at Ravenfell for years, his presence as rooted as the ancient stones.Cold and mysterious, he keeps to the shadows, guarding a truth he dares notreveal. Yet Victoria is drawn to him and to the darkness that clings to himlike a second skin.
As their fragile bond deepens, something awakens in themanor. A raven watches from the garden. Whispers echo through the halls. And along-buried secret claws its way to the surface. One that binds Gabriel's soulto the estate...and could drag Victoria into the same eternal night.
Can they uncover the truth behind Ravenfell's curse beforeit claims them both? Or will their love become just another tragic talewhispered within its walls?
If you love heiresses reclaimingtheir haunted legacies, brooding caretakers bound by dark secrets, andcrumbling manors where love must outlast restless ghosts—you’ll love thisgothic reimagining inspired by Poe’s The Raven.
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MICHELLE MILES believes in fairy tales, true love, and alittle bit of magic in every story. She writes fantasy, paranormal, and youngadult books packed with adventure, action, and swoon-worthy romance—becausewhat’s a story without a bit of danger and a whole lot of heart? From angelsand demons to dragons, elves, and time travelers, her books are filled withepic quests, fierce heroines, and the kind of heroes worth falling for.
When she's not crafting new adventures, she brings storiesto life as a narrator and hosts Miles Beyond the Page, a podcast where shechats with authors about their writing journeys. A Texas girl through andthrough, she loves getting lost in a good book, binge-watching movies, hikingthe trails, and sipping a glass of wine. Come hang out with her on Facebook,Instagram, Pinterest, and more!
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Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a giveaway!
Enter the Once Upon a Midnight Dreary Giveaway
November 15, 2025
Review: CUPCAKE DIARIES: MIA IN THE MIX by Coco Simon
Mia was having a hard timeadjusting to a new school and a new life. Meanwhile, the Cupcake Club had itsfirst customer and was getting to work.
Mia was feeling torn abouthanging out with the popular girls as Katie might not like it. In this story,Mia must learn that, as in cupcakes, it’s okay to “mix it up.”
Cute and colorfulillustrations! A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE CARTOONISTS CLUB by Raina Telgemeier and Scott McCloud
A club for kids to makecomics. Could there be anything better?
Loved the cartoonyillustrations! The Cartoonist Club takes me back to the animation/illustrationclub I once belonged to in college. I loved the art! The possibilities wereendless with comics. The whole thing was a lesson in comics and how to createthem. Perfect for any cartoonist and cartoonist-wannabe. A good read!
Rating:4 stars
