Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 52
September 16, 2024
Book Blast: MEN OF THE 65TH by Talia Aikens-Nunez
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Talia Aikens-Nunez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.
Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.
But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?
In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.
Read an Excerpt
[T]he US public was shocked to discover that during the war, 162 soldiers of the 65th Infantry Regiment had been court-martialed and ninety-one of those soldiers found guilty of disobeying orders and desertion.
The US military kept the courts-martial quiet. But the soldiers of the 65th sent letters to their families describing what was happening, which led to public outcry and confusion from the press. How could one of the most distinguished regiments of the Korean War, whose soldiers had only months before been praised by General Douglas MacArthur for their “brilliant record of heroism,” become involved in the largest mass court-martial of the Korean War?
Did the Borinqueneers lose their bravery and heroism in such a short time? Or were they victims of discrimination in a prejudiced and segregated system? Were they betrayed by the country they risked their lives for?
This is the story of one of the bravest and most decorated regiments in the history of the US military. It is a forgotten story in a forgotten war. But it is a story of patriotism, loyalty, and bravery in the face of danger and discrimination, and it is one that deserves to be told.
About the Author:
Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series of books about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter and son.Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War-ebook/dp/B0BNT3ZRZQ/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Cover Reveal: STELLAR HEIR by Scott Killian
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author 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.
Jael Ked’Korhva hadn’t anticipated becoming the galaxy’s most wanted.
He hadn’t planned on picking up a strange alien artifact, either, but once it was clasped around his wrist, Jael was granted extraordinary abilities. His senses were heightened, his reflexes faster, and he could now regenerate from damage that would spell the end for others, which was a boon, considering he was just a derelict scavenger.
That was until forces from every corner of the stars wanted Jael’s artifact for themselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to take it back. What initially appears as a boon swiftly transforms into a weighty charge. Yet, it's a charge Jael accepts without hesitation, understanding the catastrophic potential should the relic fall into the wrong hands.
Prodded onward by visions of an ancient ally and a mysterious enemy, Jael becomes a pivotal piece in a vast interstellar play of power and dominion.
An action-packed space opera, perfect for science fiction fans of Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio or The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey.
About the Author: Scott Killian grew up in California where he consumed every bit of sci-fi and horror media he could find. Delving deep into the works of Thomas Harris, Stephen King and H. P. Lovecraft to name a few, those dark portals in his mind were opened and his obsession with the macabre began. Story telling, in any form, is his greatest passion.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scott.E.killian
Twitter: https://x.com/authorsekillian
Email: saltnsulfurpublishing@gmail.com
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/9f595cbdc394/author-scott-killians-newsletter
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF1RLYLB
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 14, 2024
September 13, 2024
Blog Tour: YAY...I LOVE TO LEARN by Mr. B's Books
Children's Book
Date Published: July 23, 2024
Another wonderful rhyming Childrens story from Mr. B about the value of learning at school, home or with family and friends...Yay. The thirteen rhymes and and magical illustrations bring excitement and fun to the importance of learning, listening, paying full attention and the importance of asking questions with every learning experience. Like Mr. B's first first three books, Yay...It's My First Day of School, Happy Makes Me Happy and Twins With Love x2 your hearts will smile.
Review: “I love to learn because it is somuch fun. With my mind so bright, I shine like the sun!”
With cute, little illustrations,this book shows all the enthusiasm of bright, young kids as they share whyexactly it is fun to learn. See what kids can accomplish when they learn.
A good read that’ll surely turnkids into learners!
Rating:4 stars
About the Author
Mr. B
Happy Makes Me Happy
Amazon Best Selling Children's Book Author
Mike Barnes is a semi-retired new author whose passion for writing came to fruition upon his retirement from 38 years of authentic servant leadership.
As a father and grandfather, Mike was reading to his twin granddaughters and decided to unleash his passion for writing children’s books with rhyming stories about love, care, and kindness.
In addition to Happy Makes Me Happy, Mike has a second book Twins With Love x2 and a third book, YAY… It’s My First Day of School coming this year.
Mike also recently started Barnes Leadership and Strategy Coaching whereby he has been a keynote speaker on Authentic Servant Leadership Hardwired to the Heart.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
September 11, 2024
Blog Tour: ON THE THRESHOLD by M. Laszlo
On the Threshold
by M. Laszlo
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Science Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Obsessed with learning the origins of the cosmos, the actualmeaning of life, and the true purpose of civilization, a fine Scotsman namedFingal T. Smyth dedicates himself to the study of Plato’s most extraordinaryideas. Convinced of Plato’s belief that humankind possesses any and all innateknowledge deep within the collective unconscious mind, Fingal soon conducts aseries of bold, pioneering occult-science experiments by which to resolve theriddle of the universe once and for all. However, Fingal forgets how violentand perilous the animal impulses that reside in the deepest recesses of theunconscious mind. And when Fingal unleashes a mysterious avatar of his innateknowledge, the entity appears as a burning man and immediately seeks tomanipulate innocent and unsuspecting people everywhere into immolatingthemselves. Now, with little hope of returning the fiery figure into his being,Fingal must capture his nemesis before it destroys the world.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
Fräulein Wunderwaffe did not return the smile. Hand onheart, the little girl drew a bit closer. Then, as the hot, animalisticpresence undulated all across Fingal’s body, the little girl’s eyes grew wide.Until the little girl’s expression turned to that of a vacant stare.
A moment later, her feet pointed inwards, she removed herhat and undid her long, flaxen hair.
Again, he cringed. “If you’ve noticed something, ignore all.This hasn’t got anything to do with you.” A third time, he cringed.
A most ethereal, lyrical, incomprehensible hiss commencedthen: from the other end of the winding, decorative-brick driveway, each clayblock shining the color of blue Welsh stone, a sleek Siamese cat with a coat ofchocolate-spotted ivory had just appeared. And now the creature raced towardhis shadow.
As he looked into the animal’s big, searching, blue eyes,the chocolate Siamese studied the off-center tip of his nose. Then the animalturned away, as if to compare the peculiarity with that of some disembodiedvisage hovering in the distance.
Out upon the loch, meanwhile, a miraculous rogue wavesuddenly arose—and now the swell crashed against the pebbly strand.
Not a moment later, a cool flame crawled across Fingal’sthroat. The strange fire rattled, too—not unlike the sound of fallen juniperleaves caught up in the current and dancing against the surface of a stonewalkway.
Crivens. By now, the alien, pulsating presence held him sotight that he could barely breathe. Before long, he fell to the earth, and asthe dreamlike flame continued to move across his throat, he rolled allabout—until the illusory sensation of cool warmth wriggled and twisted anddropped into his neck dimple.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
.jpg)
M. Laszlo is anaging recluse who lives in Bath, Ohio. Rumor holds that his pseudonym is areference to Victor Laszlo, a character in the classic film Casablanca. On theThreshold is his first release with the acclaimed, Australian hybrid house AIAPublishing. Oddly, M. Laszlo insists that his latest work, On the Threshold,does in fact provide the correct answer to the riddle of the universe.
Buy link: https://aiapublishing.com/product/on-the-threshold-m-laszlo/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
M. Laszlo will beawarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
September 10, 2024
Blog Tour: CROSSING DAY by William A. Glass
CROSSING DAY
William A. Glass
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Young Adult/Alternate History
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
It'sbeen one hundred and sixty years since the Confederacy won its independence atthe Battle of Altamaha Crossing. Slaves of African descent still perform mostof the work in the South. This seems normal to Ryan Walters and his friends whoattend high school in Huntsville, Alabama. Like teens everywhere, they enjoysharing videos, playing sports, and hanging out with friends. Jaybird'sdrive-in is their favorite gathering place. There, they befriend Mish, a slavegirl who works as a car hop. When the drive-in’s owner sells Mish to a dirtyold man, Ryan and his friends awaken to the injustice around them. Despite thedanger, they decide to help Mish escape. Will they succeed?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptThree:
Melanie wanders into the dining room and finds her parentsalready seated at the table with their personal slaves standing behind them.Her mother, Dorothy, takes a sip of orange juice and replaces the glass on thelace tablecloth. Her servant, Natty, immediately gets a pitcher from thesideboard and refills the glass. Meanwhile, James is smiling at Melanie.“Morning, Miss,” he says. The white-haired Black man pulls out her chair. Onceshe’s seated, he spreads a cloth napkin over her lap.
“What was all the ruckus at Jaybird’s last night?” DanMontgomery asks. He’s the mayor of Huntsville and knows everything.
“A German boy started it,” Melanie says defensively.
“Yes, and his father already called me to complain. He’s abig wheel at The Space Flight Complex.”
“Sorry!”
Montgomery points to the syrup. His slave, Parker, reachesfor it and then pours. “Enough,” Montgomery snaps. He turns back to Melanie.“You and all the others will have a week of detention.”
Melanie gasps. “What about cheerleading practice?”
“You should have thought of that before you went to thedrive-in. That’s where all the delinquents hang out and you with them.”
“I won’t go anymore. Please.” Melanie bats her baby blues ather father. His expression melts. “Go to detention after school today, andmaybe we’ll see about tomorrow.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Montgomery cuts off a bite of pancake and pops it into hismouth. That reminds Melanie to eat as well. It’s almost time for the bus.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Billis a retired business executive who now lives in a small southern town with hiswife, Bettina. She’s a retired high school German teacher. Bill coaches soccerat a small college. Often, Bettina, who has a commercial driver’s license,pilots the soccer team bus to away games.
Bettinaand Bill have three sons, Alex, Robert, and Gordon who have all graduated fromcollege and moved away to pursue careers. Instead of having an empty nest,Bettina and Bill now host three rescue dogs. They enjoy finding promisinghiking trails to explore with their dogs.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/william.glass.50767
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamasaglass
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WilliamAGlass3
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-glass-1281609/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20170818.William_A_Glass
LibraryThing: https://www.librarything.com/profile/Glaswa4611
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Day-William-Glass-ebook/dp/B0CW8HBGV4/ref=sr_1_1
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
William A. Glass willaward a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.
September 7, 2024
Review: ALL BUT SAFE by N.L. Hinkens
A pregnancy and a marriage.
Five months into a newrelationship and it seemed that nobody seemed to be pleased about it, includingthe mother, his ex-wife, and his ex-girlfriend. Threatening messages have beencoming at them. Somebody was targeting this new couple and their unborn baby.But who? Whoever was behind this was making this couple’s life a livingnightmare.
Drama and tension kick up betweenLexi and Cash as they try to figure out this frightening ordeal. This wholething grabs you and makes you really wonder who’s behind this: the mother, theex-wife, or the ex-girlfriend.
Sounds like Cash marrying Lexi wasa mistake. Sounds like Jess was actually better for Cash than Lexi. I mean, heclearly still loved Jess. Needless to say, the premise grabs and you just gottafind out what’s going on. It’s kind of a long story to get through, but itstill keeps you reading. The way it all turned out was not that surprising.
Rating:4 stars
Review: HOW I LEARNED TO FLY by R.L. Stine
What if you could learn to fly?Well, learning certainly wouldn’t be easy…but it was definitely fun to see thiskid try. Flying can sure be cool…right? Well, not as cool as you’d think. Infact, it can be a nightmare.
A wild, high-flyin’ adventure bythe great R.L. Stine!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE CREATURES FROM BEYOND BEYOND by R.L. Stine
.jpg)
A strange new house and a dollcoming to life. Whoa! The kid said aliens had shrunk him. Aliens! Aliens thatate kids! Yikes! Suddenly, these kids were being chased by ugly space reptiles.Then it turns into a case of a body switch. A good, scary read!
Rating:4 stars
September 6, 2024
Cover Reveal: HOW TO REACT WHEN WOKEN AT 3 A.M. BY DRUNK ARGENTINIAN BACKPACKERS WHILE STAYING IN A YOUTH HOSTEL AND OTHER LESSER KNOWN TRAVEL TIPS by Simon Yeats
Welcome to the cover reveal of Book Four of the LESSER KNOWN TRAVEL TRIPS series, How to React When Woken at 3am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips. The author 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.
Book 4 of the hilarious book series that those in the know will want to read when arriving at Paris airport so they laugh so freaking hard that it will intimidate any suspicious characters looking to abduct them and sell them into the human trafficking game.
Life was not meant to be easy, Simon Yeats’ father used to tell him. Well, it sure as hell was not meant to be this bizarre and witty. Australian ex-pat Simon Yeats shares his stories of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection with comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living his life abroad. All while having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as Mongol hordes in the 12th century.
From how to negotiate getting abused in Los Angeles when you will only drive at 5 miles/hr., to what to do when locked out of your hotel room in your underwear, to the emotions of attempting the world’s second highest bungee when you have a pathological fear of heights, to how to deal with the trials and tribulations of staying in a youth hostel with travelers who have no respect for the other guests.
Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to empty your bank account, get squeezed sitting in a middle airline seat, or deal with border security at the Ukraine/Russia boundary..
Read an Excerpt
Big Wednesday was my first day at work as a liftie on the Burgess Creek lift at the Steamboat ski resort as a wide-eyed 20-year-old. I do not remember the exact date, but I am absolutely certain it was a Wednesday because everyone who was present at the resort that day referred to it as ‘big Wednesday.’
Overnight, between ‘ordinary Tuesday’ and ‘big Wednesday,’ the town and resort received a mammoth amount of snowfall. It absolutely dumped. A biblical amount of snow. Even though I do not recall snow being mentioned once in either the old testament or the new testament. But I could have missed the reference.
And Moses went up the mountain at God’s direction and there was fresh dump of powder snow, and he cried out, “ye verily, gonna cut me some wicked turns.”
To get to work on my first day, I take the shortcut straight down the hill to the main road and bus stop. I am decked out in my official Steamboat resort onesie ski suit. The snow level is over my belly button. It is like wading through waist high surf for a half mile.
I scramble onto the bus, and I am on my knees huffing and puffing while dripping with sweat.
An inauspicious start to the day.
About the Author:
Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.
With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.
No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.
Pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Argentinian-Backpackers-Staying-Hostel-Lesser-ebook/dp/B0DCSYR5T7?ref_=ast_author_dp
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNQLSPW/about
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoryeats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryeats
a Rafflecopter giveaway
