Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 5
October 15, 2025
Blog Tour: BIRDS, PUPPIES, AND MURDER by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside
BIRDS, PUPPIES, AND MURDER
Joyce Proell and BrendaWhiteside
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Cozy Mystery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Lostpuppies, endangered birds…
The sisters arebirddogs on a murder most fowl.
The sisters arethriving like mountain sage in an Arizona autumn. Nicole’s yoga business isgaining a foothold in Wyatt. Emma’s first mystery novel is scheduled forrelease. But a proposed, expansive building project in the pristine area of thebird sanctuary has the community in an uproar. It’s Environmentalists versusBig Business, and the sisters are caught in the cross-fire.
When one of Nic’s yogastudents is found dead near the planned resort, the amateur sleuths are back onthe trail of a killer. Who has the most to gain from her death—the morallychallenged developer, the money-grubbing boyfriend, her jealous brother, a nastyneighbor, or a co-worker with dark secrets? And where has Skittles, the dog,gone?
While the ChocolateMartini Sisters sort through the litany of villains, they’re leaving no mysteryunsolved. The stakes are escalating, throwing the sisters on divergent pathsthat all come together at a dangerous intersection. As they unsnarl the tangledmysteries, will they expose the murderer before the killer finds a way tosilence them?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
“We don’t even know if they’ve ruled it a homicide yet.”
“Do you hold sway with Detective Hakata like you do Rodney?”Lydia’s mischievous smile matched her teasing tone. “Friend to friend?”
Nic gazed on the colorful paintings of peacocks and Indiandancers on the far wall while seeming to consider how much influence she hadover either man. “Yes and no. Ken was a wealth of information on our firstventure into sleuthing. He became more tight-lipped on the following two cases.Because of Dawg.”
Her aunt blinked several times, not understanding. “A dogwas involved?”
Nic joined Emma in laughter. “Guthrie’s nickname around thestation is Bulldog. He’s a ferocious detective, although I’m doubtful he knowshe has a nickname. Not the sort of thing he’d appreciate. Em and I shortened itto D-A-W-G. Dawg.”
Lydia clapped her hands. “Love it!” She chuckled. “So, he’sthe dog, but he’s got his sidekick on a short leash.”
“Ha. Good one, Auntie.” Emma dabbed her lips with a napkin.“Guthrie didn’t like our interference on the first case. We were instrumentalin leading him to the killer and, most likely, poked his ego.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
After hearingcountless stories as a mental health professional, Joyce Proell retired tocreate her own tales. An award-winning author, she writes historical romanceand cozy mystery where all endings are guaranteed happy. She shares her home onthe prairie with a husband and a little dog with a big personality. When sheisn’t reading or writing, she likes to swim and finds baking almost as relaxingas a day at the spa. Visit here at her website: www.joyceproell.com
BrendaWhiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, cozy mystery, andromance. She’s a born and bred Arizona native who sets fictional stories inimaginary, but recognizable, Arizona locations. She and her husband live inCentral Arizona. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDWfishes, Brenda writes. Visit Brenda at https://www.brendawhiteside.com
OTHER AUTHORLINKS
Joyce Proell
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JoyceProellAuthor
Visit herwebsite at www.joyceproell.com
orwww.facebook.com/AuthorJoyceProell
Amazon AuthorPage:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Joyce-Proell/author/B009K432O8
GoodreadsAuthor Page
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6545483.Joyce_Proell
BookBub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/joyce-proell
BrendaWhiteside
Or on FaceBook:https://www.facebook.com/brenda.whiteside.58/ or
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571687885846
X:https://x.com/brendawhitesid2
She blogs andhas guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/
Amazon AuthorPage: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003V15WF8
GoodreadsAuthor Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3972045.Brenda_Whiteside
BookBub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/brenda-whiteside
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside will be awarding a$20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN gift card
Blog Tour: Xonarye Series by S.H.S.
Xonarye rise again
Xonarye: Australia
Xonarye Book 1
by S.H.S.
Genre: Travel Adventure, Mystery
One hidden book. Aforgotten country. Three mates on a journey that could change everything.
Nineteen-year-old Leaf Brodie is just an ordinary apprenticefrom Naracoorte, a small country town tucked between Adelaide and Melbourne. Helives a simple life apprentice builder, beers with mates by night until aroutine renovation job uncovers something that doesn’t belong: a sealed,leather-bound book hidden inside an old farmhouse wall.
The book tells of a place that doesn’t exist on any map. Acountry called Xonarye, once nestled between Yemen and Somalia,rich in a rare, indestructible mineral called Xzed. Long ago, thepeople of Xonarye vanished beneath the ocean to escape war and greed—but notbefore scattering twenty-six mysterious keys across the globe. Now, generationslater, the legacy of that hidden world has landed in Leaf’s hands.
Driven by curiosity and loyalty, Leaf enlists his twoclosest mates Spence, a level-headed farmer, and Summo, a flashy car salesmanwith a sharp tongue to help him decipher the book’s secrets. Together, theyuncover a forgotten legal contract, a hidden vault in Adelaide, and a beltbuckle that can’t be melted, burned, or broken no matter what they throw at it.And then comes the final clue: a name, a country, and a warning.
Reblick, a shadowy global organisation, is also searchingfor the truth and they’re watching.
As the line between myth and reality begins to blur, Leaf isforced to make a choice: walk away and return to his normal life, or follow thetrail to Cuba and beyond… risking everything to uncover the truth of Xonarye’sfate.
Xonarye rise again.
Amazon* B&N * Bookshop.org * Tertulia * Goodreads
Xonarye: Cuba
Xonarye Book 2
The trail of Xonaryeleads to Havana. But nothing about this journey is simple
Leaf Brodie thought his life changed forever back inNaracoorte when he discovered the mysterious book sealed behind a wall. Now, heand Selina are in Cuba, chasing the next clue in a worldwide puzzle that datesback centuries. A transparent cloth has revealed a hidden map, and it pointsstraight to Havana.
But nothing stays easy for long. Reblick the secretiveorganisation that once silenced Xonarye is still in pursuit. Leaf and Selinamust decipher local legends, evade dangerous followers, and track down a manwho knows more than he lets on. Meanwhile, Summo makes his way to Panama City,following instructions tied to a hidden safe house, while Spence travels by airand ferry from Havana to the island of Tobago, meeting a one-legged strangerwith a mysterious past.
Scattered across three countries, the friends are testedlike never before.
From bustling city streets to forgotten safe houses, thelegacy of Xonarye continues to unfold—one fragment at a time. But with dangerclosing in, and Reblick growing bolder, it’s no longer just about solving amystery. It’s about staying alive long enough to piece it all together.
In a world full of deception, their bond of friendship isthe only truth they can trust.
The journey continues. The stakes are higher. The legendgrows.
Xonarye rise again.
Amazon * B&N * Bookshop.org * Tertulia * Bookbub* Goodreads
Xonarye: Japan
Xonarye Book 3
A dangerous betrayal.The journey of Xonarye leads to the edge of trust and the heart of Japan.
Leaf Brodie’s path has already taken him across oceans,through hidden vaults, and into the shadows of a global conspiracy. Now, withSelina by his side, he arrives in Japan following a transparent cloth thatrevealed the next clue in the legacy of Xonarye. The trail leads them to theTanaka Dojo, but instead of answers, they find silence. Master Kenji Tanaka isgone.
Guided by a new thread, Leaf and Selina travel west toIzumo, a city of ancient tradition and quiet mystery. There, they meet theelusive Master Kenji a wise Aikido master who speaks in riddles and testsLeaf’s strength in more ways than one. Earning his trust means staying hidden,training in secret, and learning to control not only his body, but his purpose.Six months pass in the mountains, and while Leaf grows stronger andunderstanding himself.
Unbeknownst to him, another student Yuji Morita. Younger,faster, and full of questions, Yuji becomes both a training partner and ashadow. But he’s not who he seems. As Leaf trains to protect the truth ofXonarye, Yuji’s true allegiance to Reblick threatens to undo it all.
Meanwhile, the pieces set in motion in Cuba. Spence andSummo remain out of contact. The clock is ticking.
From sacred dojos to coastal shrines, from quiet reflectionto explosive action, Xonarye: Japan is a journey of honour,resilience, and trust. As the legend of Xonarye draws more eyes from the dark,Leaf must face the hardest question yet:
Who can he trust when the enemy is already beside him?
Xonarye rise again.
Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads
Scott Shepherd is an emerging Australian author with apassion for adventure, storytelling, and the lure of lost lands. Hailing fromNaracoorte, South Australia, Scott self-published his first novel in 2020,introducing readers to the daring world of Xonarye. Since then, he has writtenthree books in the Xonarye series, bringing his vivid imagination to lifethrough tales set in exotic locations steeped in mystery and culture.
In 2025, Scott re-released a refined edition of his debutnovel, Xonarye: Australia, followed by the second instalment, Xonarye: Cuba,with the third book, Xonarye: Japan, set for release later the same year.
A part-time novelist, full-time family man, andself-described “regular guy,” Scott continues to write from his hometown, wherehe balances storytelling with hiking, fatherhood, and shared adventures withhis partner. Whether at his desk or exploring the outdoors, Scott is alwayschasing the next great journey—on the page or beyond.
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!
October 14, 2025
Blog Tour: SWITCH by Lisa Towles
A fast-paced techno thriller that brings a grippingconclusion to the E&A Investigations series as Mari Ellwyn faces her past,her nemesis, and a web of high-stakes crimes.
Switch
E&A Investigations Book 3
by Lisa Towles
Genre: Mystery Crime Thriller, Suspense
A body vanishedfrom the morgue. A coastal town gripped by bank heists.
The only link is apast that someone will kill to keep buried.
In Book 3 of the E&A Investigations series, Mari Ellwynand Derek Abernathy return to track a string of unsettling bank robberies.Their case takes a dark turn with the bizarre disappearance of a body from thelocal morgue, a mystery connected to the vanishing of the previous MedicalExaminer, Dr. Camille Bota. Their investigation plunges them into the dangerousworld of a multi-national organization involved in suspected fraud and fringetechnology research. For Mari, the case ignites a personal quest, forcing herto confront the long-unresolved disappearance of her father, CIA operativeRichard Ellwyn.
The deeper she digs, the more Mari realizes that both sheand her father are inextricably linked to their lifelong nemesis, the notoriousinternational crime boss Jacques Martel. The missing body and the secretssurrounding Dr. Bota become entangled with her father's shadowy past andMartel's deadly machinations. In a high-stakes collision of family secrets andcriminal enterprise, Mari must confront her father and their shared enemybefore they both become casualties in Martel's lethal game.
REVIEWS:
“A taut, high-intelligence thriller with real emotionalteeth…” - The Prairies Book Review
Fast-paced, smart, and full of twists, this is a thrillerthat delivers both heart and heat." —Scott Olsen, San FranciscoBook Review
“A breakneck techno-thriller that crackles with smart dialogue, raw emotion,and relentless tension.” – Literary Titan
This exhilarating, action-infused crime thriller deftly incorporates suspensewith harrowing drama to keep readers turning the pages. – The BookCommentary
**Releases on Sep 30th!!**
Salt Island
E&AInvestigations Thriller Series Book 2
"Thisbook is an intricate, immersive, and riveting thriller, with plenty ofsurprising twists and turns." — Readers' Choice
In the heart-pounding international thriller Salt Island, MariEllwyn, a former-CIA private investigator, finds herself thrust into a perilousworld of high-stakes corporate espionage and ecoterrorism. As her newly formedpartnership with Derek Abernathy is put to the ultimate test, Mari faces adaunting challenge that forces her to confront powerful ghosts from her past.
When billionaire CEO Jack Darcy's reputation and IPO deal are under threat,Mari finds herself entangled in a web of secrets, lies and corporate fraud. Thedisappearance of Jack's glamorous wife, coupled with the unraveling of a darksecret within his esteemed environmental startup, leaves Mari with unansweredquestion and a thirst for Justice.
While Mari's partner Derek goes undercover to investigate a series ofsuspicious deaths on a local farm in California's Central Valley, Mari grappleswith the haunting truth about her missing father—a man with a double identityand secret agenda. Determined to uncover the depths of her father's involvementwith her case, Mari embarks on a solo journey to the British Virgin Islands, ahidden Caribbean refuge that holds the key to her own identity and future.
With Derek gone and time running out, Mari must decide whether to riskeverything to uncover the truth or succumb to the powerful forces that seek tobury it forever. Get your copy of Salt Island now and braceyourself of a relentless rollercoaster. Secrets can't stay buried forever, butnow Mari is alone, exposed and fighting for her survival.
What readers are saying about theaward-winning Salt Island:
"An often engaging tale of money, danger, and family." - Kirkus
"An intricate, gorgeously written, character-driven page-turner with someshocking twists." - Prairies Book Reviews
"An intoxicating read, hugely entertaining." - The Book Commentary
"An exceptional thriller and a riveting work of espionage, wrongdoing, anddiscovery." - Midwest Book Review
Hot House
E&AInvestigations Book 1
Who killed Sophie Michaud? Stay up all night readingthis award-winning psychological thriller that has readers obsessed.
Shot in the line of duty, exCIA operative Mari Ellwyn is again chasing adrenaline, when she reinventsherself as a private investigator on a quest to find the killer of collegestudent Sophie Michaud. Every door Mari opens proves to be more perilous thanthe last, but she’s hell bent on bringing the killer to justice—for Sophie,students, and all women.
Teaming up with seasonedinvestigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pairdiscover Sophie’s journal, which is filled with names and controversialsecrets—listed among them is Mari’s own father.
What secrets was Sophiehiding?
As they connect the dotsleading to Sophie’s death, the blackmailing of a federal judge, and Mari’s ownfamily, Sophie’s murderer is closing in for the next kill. Facing an adversarylike none she’s ever experienced before, Mari must find her missing father andreconcile her broken past before she becomes the killer’s next victim.
A multiple award-winningnovel, Hot House is a page-turning psychological thrillerpacked with tension, secrets, suspense, and surprises. If you like BlakeCrouch, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Gardner, discover Lisa Towles’ E&A Seriestoday.
· First Place Winner of The Book Fest 2022 Literary Award, Mystery &Crime category
· Literary Titan Gold Award for Fiction
Escape into this devious mindmystery by getting your copy of Hot House now, so you cansolve the puzzle of who killed Sophie Michaud.
What readers are saying:
“A dark,edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended!”Chanticleer Reviews
“Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale.” - KirkusReviews
“Towles does a fantastic job of pacing thestoryline so that the reader hangs on to every clue... I recommend this forfans of crime fiction writersBaldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review
“Award-winning author Lisa Towles delivers again and again withher gripping thrillers…” SarahLovett, Bestselling author
“The plot is propelledforward by the clever use of suspense,measured action, and ingeniously written conflict. It is amoving and delightful read with cinematicscenes and characters that will stick with readers for a long afterthey turn the last page.” - The Book Commentary
“Hot House is an intricatemaze of blackmail, surprise and suspense delivered byquirky characters, pithy dialog and LOL humor. Another hit by my favorite thriller writer, Lisa Towles.”- Ana Manwaring
“Fans of investigative thrillers and mysteries will be the audience forHot House, but its ability to craft a sassy, fun series of dialogues andinspections... creates an exceptionalread with a powerfully unexpectedconclusion... This will attract audiences both within and beyond the thriller and mystery genres." -Midwest Book Review
“Towles has produced aknockout novel with Hot House. Towles’s plot is as twisted and unpredictable... Nowhere will thriller fans find a moreengaging keep-you-on-your-toes read.” -Literary Titan
“This meticulouslyconstructed, remarkable mystery deftlyexplores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hiddenworkings of the world. A fast-pacedand psychologically astute thriller.” Prairies Book Review
“Hot House is one of those books that pries your eyelids open anddoesn't relent until you've reached the end. Good luck getting Mari out of your head!” - Benjamin Bradley
Amazon* Apple * B&N* Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub* Goodreads
Lisa Towles is anaward-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker onthe topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has 11crime novels in print with her newest title Specimen freshly released inNovember 2024. The first two books of her E&A Investigations Series (HotHouse and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon Kindle Bestsellers. Lisa also writesstandalone thrillers, such as her 2022 political thriller, The Ridders, whichwon an American Fiction Award. Lisa is an active member and frequentpanelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, andInternational Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT Management and worksfull-time in the tech industry.
Read more about Lisa’sbook on her publisher’swebsite.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!
Blog Tour: THE INVASION and SURVIVAL by J. Taylor
Book Details:
Book Title: SURVIVAL (Book Two The After series) by J. Taylor
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old), 198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher: FriesenPress
Release date: January 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kissBook Description:
In the wilderness of Nova Scotia, Charlotte and Anna confront the formidable challenges of survival such as finding food, building a shelter, and establishing a new life. Their bond is tested, however, when an unknown individual enters the scene, potentially driving a wedge between them. As tensions rise, a catastrophic event further complicates their situation, leading to a separation that leaves them struggling to reunite.
Book Two of The After Series explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the harsh realities of survival, highlighting both the strength of Charlotte and Anna’s connection and the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org
add to GoodreadsNext in This Continuing Series:
Book Details:
Book Title: THE INVASION (Book Three The After series) by J. Taylor
Category: Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old), 198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher: FriesenPress
Release date: July 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kissBook Description:
With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.
Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo
add to Goodreads
Meet the Author:J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories.
Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
October 13, 2025
Spotlight: THE YEAR I LIVED TWICE by Alex Woolf
Genre: Time Travel Mystery
'I loved everything about this book, which drew me in from the first page and kept me hooked throughout...' Reader review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
READER'S FAVORITE AWARD WINNER 2024
MANYBOOKS BOOK OF THE MONTH FOR JUNE 2024
When Jason loops back in time, he thinks he can save his brother’s life – but the past is not so easily rewritten…
Haunted by the tragic loss of his brother, Archie, in a fire, Jason is given a miraculous chance to rewrite history. Following a mysterious accident, he wakes to find himself transported back a year, with Archie alive and well.
Jason sets about changing the course of history to prevent his brother’s death. Instead, he discovers unsettling secrets about the people around him – from those in his closest circle to Archie himself – until the shocking truth about what will happen on the night of the fire reveals itself.
As danger looms and secrets unravel, Jason finds himself in a nail-biting race against time to save his brother from his grim fate.
The Year I Lived Twice is a gripping tale of love, loss, and resilience. Join Jason on a journey through time, where every decision carries the weight of destiny and every moment holds the promise of redemption.
Purchase:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Year-Lived-Twice-time-mystery-ebook/dp/B0CW1CSPHV/
Author Website: https://alexwoolf.co.uk/
Blog Tour: BOY WITH WINGS by Mark Mustian
Johnny Cruel is born with strange appendages on his back andends up in a freak show traveling the South in the 1930s. Is he an angel or adevil? What does it mean to be different?
Boy With Wings
by Mark Mustian
Genre: Historical Fiction, Magical Realism
"Vibrant andalive, the kind of book where the blood pumps mightily." —Kristen Arnett,NYT bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things
What does it mean to be different?
When Johnny Cruel is born with strange appendages on his back in the 1930sSouth, the locals think he's a devil. Determined to protect him, his motherfakes his death, and they flee. Thus begins Johnny's yearslong struggle to finda place he belongs. From a turpentine camp of former slaves to a freak show runby a dwarf who calls herself Tiny Tot and on to the Florida capitolbuilding, Johnny finds himself working alongside other outcasts,struggling to answer the question of his existence. Is he a horror, a wonder,or an angel? Should he hide himself to live his life?
Following Johnny's journey through love, betrayal, heartbreak, and severalmurders, Boy With Wings is a story of the sacrifices andfreedom inherent in making one's own special way-and of love and the miraclesthat give our lives meaning.
Winner, Grand Prizefor Fiction, Next Generation Indie Book Awards
Winner, da VinciPrize for cover art
Winner, Bronze Medalfor Historical Fiction from Independent Publishers Book Awards (IPPY)
Finalist, HawthorneAward for Fiction
Finalist, Cross-GenreFiction, International Book Awards
Finalist, LiteraryFiction, National Indie Excellence Awards
Shortlisted, ShelleyWard for Paranormal Fiction
“…a magical, highly imaginative tour de force... Boldly original and unexpectedlyprofound…"
—Readers’ Favorite Reviews
“Mustian’s story is a study in acceptance, diversity,kindness, and the possibility of marvels in life… Vibrant with discovery, Boy With Wings is a winner.”
—Midwest Book Review
“Boy with Wings is a lyrical, mesmerizing blend of the magical—feathered wings—withsocial realism…”
—Historical Novel Society Reviews
“…riveting… Anevocative historical novel that celebrates distinctive individuals in theDepression-era South.”
—Foreword Book Reviews
“In this imaginativenovel filled with magical realism, religion and morality are turned insideout and upside down.”
—Southern Literary Review
Amazon * Apple * B&N* Bookshop.org* Books2Read * Bookbub* Goodreads
Mark Mustian is the author of the novels "TheReturn" and "The Gendarme," the latter a finalist for the DaytonInternational Literary Peace Prize and shortlisted for the SaroyanInternational Award for Writing. It won the Florida Gold Book Award for Fictionand has been published in ten languages. The founder of the Word of SouthFestival of Literature and Music in Tallahassee, Florida, his new novel,"Boy With Wings," is the winner of the Grand Prize for Fiction fromNext Generation Indie Book Awards and has received numerous other honors,including winning the Bronze Prize for Historical Fiction from IndependentPublishers Book Awards (IPPY) and being named a finalist for the HawthorneAward for Fiction.
Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon* Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $30 giveaway!
Blog Tour: SCENES FROM A SONG by Susan Sloate
SCENES FROM A SONG
Susan Sloate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Drama
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
OnHalloween Eve, 1961, in his dingy Bronx walkup apartment, seventeen-year-oldJimmy Welton hears the opening notes of a song in his head. Jimmy’s stillmourning his firefighter father, who taught him to play the guitar but recentlydied in a house fire, leaving his family destitute. Jimmy takes this song,about all he misses from his life now, to the New York amusement park where heworks after school. There, he meets Mark Morgan, a rebellious teen with his ownband, who eventually invites Jimmy to join them. And the rest is rock'n rollhistory...
Their band, TheGooseBumps, become a worldwide phenomenon, and the songs they write and singtogether become the backbone of rock musical history. And the song Jimmy firstheard on Halloween, "Wrapped in Gauze", becomes the song that notonly comforts him in that terrible time but also comforts others: Victoria,recently divorced and dealing with an out-of-nowhere family tragedy; Carolyn,whose final flippant words to someone in pain can't be taken back; and Jack,battling back from unimaginable loss with the help of his cheeky therapist anda song he thinks he hates.
SCENES FROM A SONG isthe story of a song that makes us smile, that breaks our hearts, that stayswith us forever, and the very special band that started it all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
Jimmy hesitated for a moment, then took a good slug and feltit burn down into his stomach. Only then would he trust him-self to strum thefirst chords of “Bawk Bawk”. He’d written it in a sardonic mood one day, whenhe heard Debby playing “The Twist” on her record player and wanted to make funof it. It had never occurred to him he’d end up playing it for a bunch of guysin a seedy bar after midnight.
Jimmy took a deep breath and launched into the song,speaking as well as singing it. After he’d written it, he’d realized he couldeven dance it a little, too, and he made gestures as well:
Imitating a chicken, clicking his heels together, clappinghis hands. His father had told him he was a natural showman, so he gave it hisall.
When he began to ham it up in the dance part, the boysbe-gan to laugh, and they laughed right through to the end. Jimmy finished withthe high whistle he’d learned the previous summer, and a final click of hisheels before bowing to them.
Mark, Kellen and Hammy applauded enthusiastically, and Mick,who’d come back to see if they wanted another round, said to him, “Terrific,fella. Funniest thing I’ve seen since ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’. You a comic?”
“Are you kidding? He’s a musician!” Mark roared. “A greatmusician! And ‘Bawk Bawk’s a number-one hit if ever I heard one!”
He jumped onto the floor and imitated Jimmy, clicking hisheels together, arms flailing like a chicken, and making the ‘bawk bawk’ sound.In a minute, Hammy and Kellen were following him.
“Play it again, Jimmy!” Mark shouted. “So we can dance itthis time!”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Guest post: What do you hope readers will get out of yourbook?
SCENES FROM A SONG is a novel about the unquenchable powerof music in our lives, and what I hope is that readers will read it, thinkabout the band and the people who hear that song later and then think aboutsongs in their OWN lives that continue to matter to them.
Those songs can be as innocuous as something that makes youremember a particular time in your life (happily or unhappily), or somethingthat still has such emotional resonance that every time you hear it, it hitsyou in the gut. Those songs evoke deep feelings—and our ability to feel is whatmakes us human, after all.
For me, a good example is the Pretenders song “Back on theChain Gang”. It had just come out and I’d been hearing it on the radio for afew weeks when I bought the single (a 45 rpm record—remember those, kids?) AndI was at the start of a new romance when I came home one day and took abath—and I played that song, over and over, while I was in the bath andthinking about my romance.
To this day, every time I hear it, it makes me smile. Theromance didn’t end well, but at that moment I was as happy as I could feel, sothe song still brings me to a place of happiness. I’ve never heard it sincethat time without remembering that bath and how happy I was then. And all theseyears later, it still carries that ‘happy’ charge for me.
So I’m hoping readers will respond to the song and what itmeans, not just to the band but also to the people who hear it at difficulttimes in their lives. Because songs mean different things to different people,and whether it becomes a happy or sad memory is entirely up to you.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
SUSAN SLOATE isthe author or co-author of more than 25 published books. This includes 3editions of Forward to Camelot, a time-travel thriller about the JFKassassination that became a #6 Amazon bestseller, was honored in 3 literarycompetitions and was optioned by a Hollywood company for film production. Shealso wrote the autobiographical Broadway novel Stealing Fire, which became a #2Amazon bestseller and Hot New Release, and Realizing You (with Ron Doades), forwhich she invented a new genre: the self-help novel.
Susan has alsowritten young-adult fiction and non-fiction, including the children’s biographyRay Charles: Find Another Way, which won the silver medal in the 2007Children’s Moonbeam Awards. Mysteries Unwrapped: The Secrets of Alcatraz led toher 2009 appearance on the TV series MysteryQuest for The History Channel. Shehas also been a sportswriter and a screenwriter, edited the popular Kyle &Corey young-adult book series, man-aged two political campaigns and founded anauthor’s festival to promote student literacy in her hometown outsideCharleston, SC. She has appeared in multiple volumes of WHO’S WHO IN AMERICA,WHO’S WHO IN ENTERTAINMENT and WHO’S WHO AMONG AMERICAN WOMEN.
Visit heronline at https://susansloate.com.
Social Media:
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SusanSloateAuthor
X.com:@Susan_Sloate
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/susan_sloate/
Website:www.susansloate.com
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GIVEAWAY
Susan Sloate will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN giftcard to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC.
October 11, 2025
Review: RACHEL RISING: THE SHADOW OF DEATH by Terry Moore
The B/W sketches are just soawesome! Such cool drawings!
Imagine crawling out of thedirt after being buried there by someone. If only Rachel could remember whathappened. And why was everyone saying that she wasn’t Rachel?
Rachel wasn’t dead, but shecould see death. Evidently, she could tell when someone was about to die. Man,that little girl in there had strength to take down her big sister. Yikes! Talkabout a huge surprise when everyone at the morgue thinks Rachel is dead. What’swith that psycho little girl? Maybe Rachel was really dead.
This was a cool story. Some ofthe text was a little much and a little hard to read, but you get the storyfrom the cool pictures. The head getting chopped in the elevator was way toogross. It’s just one death after another here. People just coming back from thedead. Was Rachel an Angel of Death? A cool read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE LAST SLEEPOVER by RL Stine
It was 10 years ago when thestory of the Last Sleepover trapped a girl in a closet and made her disappearforever. Now, the new kids of the house want to find the lost Emma-Lee. Whatthe kids didn’t know was that the house was haunted by a ghost that didn’t wantthem there. A nice story!
Rating:4 stars
Review: RACHEL RISING: CEMETERY SONGS by Terry Moore
Rachel Beck…the girl who won’tdie.
The drawings are totally radand illustrate the story quite well.
Rats were coming out of thepipes. What the…? Loved the motion and facial expressions. Lilith and the evilpriest are wrecking a lot of havoc. Will this finally be the end of Rachel?
A good read!
Rating:4 stars
