Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 26
June 13, 2025
Spotlight: VEIL by Jeff Clulow
Genre: Horror
An old house filled with riddles.
A young woman unable to laugh, unable to cry.Now, through her dead mother’s wedding veil she will see the house not as it is, but as it once was.
She will glimpse the events of a day nearly thirty years before.
A day of obsession and cruelty.
A day of hope too, where a lost lover hides in the shadows.
Through the veil, she may come face-to-face with her family’s darkest secret.
She might learn the reason for her mother’s insanity.
She may even find a way back to her lost emotions.
And solve the mystery of her own past.
Author Bio: Jeff Clulow is a British/Australian author of romantic dark fiction and horror. Born in Cornwall in the UK, Jeff now lives and writes in Sydney, Australia. Jeff’s writing leans towards the lighter end of dark fiction, exploring themes of family, childhood, love and loss. He’s inspired by folktale, mythology and the notion that the old gods still walk among us.His stories have reached the finals of the Aurealis Awards, the Shadows Awards, the American BookFest Awards and the National Indie Excellence Awards. He has been awarded an ‘Honourable Mention’ in the Robert N. Stephenson competition for short fiction in horror and is the winner of the 2023 Asylumfest Mayday Hills Ghost Story Competition.
Book Release Date: Aug 1, 2025
Social Media Links:
Website: www.jeffclulow.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21440508.Jeff_Clulow
June 12, 2025
Blog Tour: PEI'S PINEAPPLE CAKES by Crystal Z. Lee
Book Details:
Book Title: Pei's Pineapple Cakes by Crystal Z. Lee
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Balestier Press
Publication Date: May 10, 2025.
Tour dates: June 9 to June 27
Content Rating: GBook Description:
While visiting her grandmother in central Taiwan, Pei finds herself in the middle of a mystery. The pineapple cakes from her grandmother's bakery have disappeared! Soon Pei is collecting clues as she embarks on a quest to find the missing pineapple cakes.
From traditional Taiwanese artisan craftsmanship to picturesque villages of central Taiwan, Pei discovers the beauty of her grandmother's hometown. This is a charming story of courage, adventure, and the love between grandchildren and grandparents.
Pei's Pineapple Cakes is an elaborately illustrated picture book that makes an ideal gift:
-Real locations from central Taiwan make for an inspiring geographical, historical and cultural reading experience-Storyline sparks dialogue around kindness, empathy, courage, and resilience-Exquisite illustrations of Taiwanese artisans' craftsmanship foster appreciation for heritage and traditions-Bilingual text in English and Mandarin encourages learning in both languagesBUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON ~ B&N ~ BAM
add the goodreads
Meet the Author:
Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual writer who divides her time between the U.S. and Asia. Crystal grew up in Taipei and later returned to live there in her adult years. Some of Crystal's fondest memories in Taiwan include boating at Sun Moon Lake, chasing butterflies in Maolin, making pineapple cakes and eating her way through night markets with her family. Besides children's books, Crystal's other published works include poetry and a novel. Her other book about Taiwan is titled Kai the Dancing Butterfly. She is also the author of Mei's Mermaid Mission, A Unicorn Named Rin, and Love and Other Moods.
connect with the author: website ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Meet the Illustrator:
Allie Su grew up in Yunlin county, Taiwan. She often finds her illustration inspiration from the great outdoors. One of her favorite places to hike in Taiwan is Sun-Link-Sea Forest in Nantou. She adores Taiwanese cuisine and night market foods, such as stinky tofu, vegetarian noodles and taro pastries from Taichung. Allie also illustrated Mei's Mermaid Mission and Kai the Dancing Butterfly. Enter the Giveaway: PEI'S PINEAPPLE CAKES by Crystal Z Lee Book Tour Giveaway
June 11, 2025
Blog Tour: THE COWBOY'S COUNTRY CHARM by Anne Carrole
“Just friends” isn’t working.
Sparks are flying.
Until dark clouds from the past threaten disaster.
The Cowboy’s CountryCharm
A Wyoming Romance Novel Book 2
by Anne Carrole
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
“Just friends”isn’t working.
Sparks are flying.
Until dark clouds from the pastthreaten disaster.
A friends-to-lovers story fromaward-winning author Anne Carrole
Recent air force veteran and reluctant cowboy, Rusty “to the rescue” Russell,has set his sights on the attractive independent-minded event planner who saysshe’s too busy to get involved. That mindset is what makes Kristy Winslow aperfect candidate for a casual relationship. Because with past traumas stillhaunting him, he doesn’t dare commit to anything more. But keeping her at arm’slength is more difficult than he bargained for.
Kristy Winslow has no desire to date again, since her last relationship wentterribly wrong. Besides she needs to focus on her new career opportunitybecause failure is not an option. But the charming cowboy’s persistence andpromises of a no-strings fling has Kristy throwing caution to the wind. If onlyshe can keep her mind on the job and her heart from getting broken by thiscomplicated but intriguing redhead.
Love is in the air, but will demons from the past pull them apart or make themstronger together?
Country Snow andMistletoe
A Wyoming Romance Novel Book 1
Cozy up with thisholiday romance filled with charm and good cheer.
2022 RWA/NYC Big Apple Contest Winner
Career-minded Lexi Russell seeks a calm, predictable life that doesn’t requiretaking chances. But coming home to Wyoming for Thanksgiving, she finds out hercarefully orchestrated life has imploded. Her “perfect” boyfriend has beencheating on her, her lucrative job has been eliminated, and the family ranch ison the chopping block. In addition, the teenage boy who broke her heart onesummer a decade ago has turned into a handsome cowboy who’s planning on buyingher family’s ranch with a lowball offer and her parents’ blessing. She’s got tofigure out a way to help her parents avoid a serious mistake, find a newjob, and stop her growing attraction to the cowboy who dumpedher. With Christmas on the horizon, things take an unexpected turn that willforce her to decide whether love is worth the risk.
Anne Carrole is an award-winning author ofcontemporary and historical western romances. Raised on a farm with horses,dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, and whatever other animals she could convinceher parents to shelter, she’s married to her own sweet-talking hero and is theproud mother of a twenty-something cowgirl. Besides the Wyoming Romance novels,you can also enjoy her popular Hearts of Wyoming series where love gets asecond chance. Visit her website at https://www.annecarrole.com
Website * Facebook * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a giveaway!
June 10, 2025
Book Blast: PERFECT VENGEANCE by Tee O'Fallon
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tee O'Fallon will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Trusting him could save her...or destroy her.
Robin Hood meets the Sopranos…an insanely dangerous scheme Gina Perot and her friends hatched to steal from the mob and donate the loot to a worthy cause. Successful Wall Street investment banker by day, cat burglar by night, Gina leads a double life. But she's never forgotten how the mob and the FBI destroyed her family and ripped her life apart. Now it's time for payback. Charity and revenge all rolled into one. Perfect. Until Gina's scheme sends her crashing headfirst into a major FBI investigation and facing heavy-duty federal obstruction charges. And, the hottest, most frustrating man she's ever met.
Stop stealing from the mob or else…is the order FBI Strike Force Special Agent Jack Gates gives Gina. But Jack quickly learns he can no sooner control a force of nature like Gina than he can control where a tornado sets down. Facing a court-ordered deadline, Jack needs Gina's cat burglar skills to help him bring down a powerful Mafioso. He makes her an offer she can't refuse: go to jail or work for him as an FBI cooperator. When the mob learns Gina's been ripping them off, Jack is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Even if that means confessing his terrible secret and losing her forever.
Read an Excerpt
“I didn’t break my word to you, I swear it. I only went back into the kitchen to get my penlight, and I found the cash on the floor. I couldn’t very well open that freezer door again, could I?” Tension from everything that had transpired over the last week slammed into her like a two-ton safe. “Fine. Don’t believe me. Throw me in jail, but keep my friends out of this.”
Leaving him standing in the living room, she spun and dashed into the kitchen. She whipped open the pantry doors and grabbed a bar of 80% Brazilian chocolate. She tore off the wrapper and broke off a chunk, about to shove it into her mouth when Jack ripped it from her hand.
“Did you eat any of that stuff yet?” He threw the chocolate bar to the floor. The look on his face was ten shades past furious. It was...dangerous. “Did you?”
“No, not that it’s any of your bus—”
He pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. For a microsecond, she resisted, shoving her hands against his iron-hard chest. When she opened her mouth to tell him precisely what she thought of his manhandling her, he took full advantage and slipped his tongue between her lips.
Any resistance on her part died then and there. She melted into his warm body, absorbing his heat, his very breath, as he kissed her deeper. His big hands threaded through her hair, and he groaned into her mouth. The kiss became feral, all-consuming. Her mind went totally blank, but every square inch of her skin shimmered with sparks igniting simultaneously. In one split second, Jack had accomplished what no man ever had.
Gina felt alive in the arms of a man. Really alive.
About the Author:
Tee O'Fallon is the bestselling, award-winning author of the K-9 Special Ops, Federal K-9, NYPD Blue & Gold Series, and FBI Strike Force Series. Tee spent twenty-three years as a federal agent conducting complex, long- and short-term criminal investigations, including undercover operations, across many agencies at the federal level, and four years conducting multi-state investigations as a police investigator. It felt only natural to combine her hands-on experience in the field with her love of romantic suspense. Tee has lived in New York State most of her life with a five-year stop in Colorado. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine.
Buy Link: https://teeofallon.com/perfect-vengeance/
Website: https://teeofallon.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teeofallon
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/802313500378498
Twitter: https://x.com/teeofallon
Instagram: https://instagram.com/teeofallonauthor
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tee-o-fallon
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Tee-OFallon/e/B01FYTINXM
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15197736.Tee_O_Fallon
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@teeofallonauthor
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Book Blast: A NEW LIFE by L.J. Ambrosio
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.J. Ambrosio will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope.
A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page.
Read an Excerpt
They rushed out of the hotel and stopped short of the Lyft; they gazed in wonderment at the outrageously small size of the car. Reluctantly they climbed into the car. It was like the Mouseketeer’s car; it was so small and they were so tall. They wondered if they should try another Lyft but there was not enough time. As they pulled away, they smelted gasoline or oil burning. Louie shot Ron a silly look, then smiled.
Ron hit the ceiling with every bump; his head bounced almost out of the taxi. Louie held his hand up to avoid suffering the same fate. The roads were rough all the way to the Air France Terminal. Louie told the driver he should sell his car to an amusement park.
Ron decided to travel with just a carry-on bag. He had no desire to check bags after remembering a few of Michael’s airline horror stories of his lost luggage. Michael, his mentor and friend, truly taught him the right way to travel safe and as a gentleman; they might give you an extra drink if you're nice.
As Ron approached the departure gate, he tried to put the thought of leaving Rhonda behind out of his mind but not his heart. He wondered what Michael would say to him about this incident with Rhonda. He would tell Ron to smile; Rhonda was in a better place.
About the Author:
Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ljambrosioauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorlambrosio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/louis.ambrosio
Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/ljambrosio
Blog: https://ljambrosio.blogspot.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2XkCETDOj_VUtCFcB74ig
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Reflections-Michael-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B0F9YPJZQ3/ref=sr_1_1
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June 9, 2025
Blog Tour: EVER SINCE THE BALL by Kate Ellington
EVER SINCE THE BALL
Kate Ellington
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
MirandaHarlake's only chance to escape the detestable match her parents are arrangingis a sham betrothal to her best friend, Peter, who proposes solely to save herfrom a loveless marriage. She gratefully accepts, though both know they'llnever wed.
Piquedby her parents' scheming, Miranda secretly attends a masked ball and danceswith a fascinating stranger all night. Upon discovering her partner was theinsufferable George Rockford, she tries to forget the romantic evening theyshared.
George,lonely despite his popularity and roguish ways, is intrigued by Miranda butshe's apparently immune to his charms.
Mirandamust listen to her heart and find courage to be honest with everyone—especiallyherself—if for once she's going to fulfill her own dreams.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
As Mirandaapproached the drawing room she heard men’s voices, and neither of them was herfather’s. She guessed Mr. Tolwood had stopped by and brought someone with him,but when she strode into the room she nearly gasped aloud.
George andEbenezer Rockford stood chatting with her parents, glasses of sherry in theirhands. So this was why her mother had insisted she change. Nobody lookedMiranda’s way when she entered the room and she wanted to tiptoe out and sendCassandra down with a message that she was ill. Very ill. She sighed. It wouldnever work. Mentally preparing herself for an atrocious evening, she walked toher father’s side.
“Ah, here sheis at last!” Mr. Harlake said, taking her arm.
Miranda fixeda smile on her face as he steered her over to stand beside Ebenezer.
“You rememberMr. Rockford, don’t you, Miranda?” Mr. Harlake asked, eyes twinkling.
“Yes, ofcourse. Good evening.” Miranda hadn’t seen him up close in a long time. He haddark brown hair, brown eyes, and a short beard. She’d never been fond ofbeards.
Mr. Rockfordtook her hand and kissed it. “Good evening to you, Miss Harlake.”
She went topull her hand away, but he showed no sign of relinquishing it.
“Call herMiranda. So much friendlier,” Mrs. Harlake said with a wide smile.
“Then shemust call me Ebenezer.” He motioned to George. “You know my nephew, George?Why, you two must have gone to school together.”
Miranda was glad to remove her hand fromEbenezer’s grip as she turned to face George.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
KateEllington grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lakeseemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age elevenwhen a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by anauthor she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.
Aftergraduating from college with an art degree she settled in the PacificNorthwest, where she currently resides with her family.
Katewrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for yearsuntil another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jottedit down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29720924.Kate_Ellington
https://bsky.app/profile/kateellington.bsky.social
https://www.kateellington.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kateellingtonauthor
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GIVEAWAY
KateEllington will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 7, 2025
Review: GOOSEBUMPS: NIGHT OF THE LIVING DUMMY 3 by R.L. Stine
Never read the magic words that’llbring the new dummy to life. Suddenly, the dummy was showing up in the oddestplaces and causing havoc for two kids. The dummies were alive! And at the helmof this army was Slappy! How will the kids be able to get rid of 13 dummies? Agood read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE NIGHTMARE ROOM: LIAR, LIAR by R.L. Stine
Liar, liar, Ross. The boy justcouldn’t tell the truth no matter what. Of course, when you lie so much, no onetends to believe you. And so, no one believed Ross when he said he spotted histwin—a twin that doesn’t want him around. Ross was so confused about this andnobody would believe him either. And it seemed everyone was rememberingdifferent stuff about Ross like him loving brussels sprouts. Eck!
Turns out Ross was stuck in aparallel world—a world he didn’t belong. If he didn’t leave it soon, he woulddisappear forever. For once, Ross was gonna have to learn to tell the truth.
A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: FRIENDS FOREVER by Shannon Hale
Even though you were one of theolder kids in school, eighth grade was still tough for Shannon. Beauty andpopularity were two things that would be nearly impossible to get. Shannon justfelt ugly and uncool. Indeed, eighth grade was tough.
This graphic novel cutelyillustrates the trials and trauma of junior high. I enjoyed the comical scenesin it. Good illustrations!
Not only did Shannon want to bebeautiful and popular, but she also had big dreams of being a published author.What was more confusing was the topic of boys. How can you like them whenthey’re such total jerks? Yep, this story was totally relatable. I especiallyliked the daydreaming and emotional scenes. Truly artistic!
In the end, we are who we are andthat should be enough. A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: SNOW CAN BE DEADLY by Cindy Bell
A murder mystery weekend for thesenior sleuths. The resort they’re staying in gets snowed in by a storm whenEddy stumbles upon a body. Problem was that the body was not there whensecurity came. Was this part of the murder mystery play? Did Eddy have a fewtoo many drinks beforehand? Or was there a real murder here?
If who the gang suspected was thevictim, then there were several people that would’ve wanted the guy dead. Withsuch an interesting mystery, you can’t help but keep reading. I just love howthe senior sleuths work together to solve a case. A great mystery!
Rating:5 stars
