Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 57

Review: THE GUILTY HUSBAND by Stephanie DeCarolis

 

It all started with a youngwoman—a murdered intern for a wealthy CEO. He knows way more than what he’stelling and that’s where the guilt sinks in. He is the guilty husband. Nosurprise that Vince had an affair with the intern. But, if he didn’t kill her,then who did? Right away, the story grabs you with its mystery.

 

With the cops on his tail, hismarriage in shambles, and the media turning his life upside down, Vincerealized that if he was going to get out of this, he has to take matters intohis own hands. It gets real enticing the more you learn in the story. You won’tbelieve how this really ends.

 

A gripping 5-star read from startto finish! Look forward to more books by this author.

 

Rating:5 stars

Review: DOUBLE DATE by R.L. Stine

 

Can a high school player date twotwin sisters at once? Now if he knows what’s good for him. Ever since hestarted dating the twins, bad things have been happening to Bobby. I mean, amonkey head in his locker? Yikes! There was a bad sister. But who was it?

 

What a great lesson and a goodread!

 

Rating:4 stars

Review: THE OPEN MARRIAGE by Victoria Jenkins

 

I really thought that this wouldbe an interesting read based on the summary. I was even willing to overlook theBritish spelling/writing, which I’m not particularly fond of. What got to mewas this read went absolutely nowhere. I recall being 7 chapters in and nothinghad happened. I hate stories like that. Do something! Make something happen!

 

This was just a waste of my timeand I will no longer try one of this author’s books.

 

Rating:1 star

Blog Tour: LETTERS FROM A WARRIOR, P.S., MOM, I LOVE YOU by Dale E. Dallman

 

LETTERS FROM A WARRIOR, P.S., MOM, ILOVE YOU

Dale E. Dallman

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GENRE:  Non-fiction Military History

 

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BLURB:

 

"LettersFrom A Warrior, P.S. Mom, I Love You" is a captivating true story full ofadventure and self-discovery. It is portrayed with a relentless wit that offersan intimate glimpse into the world of the US Marine Corps Boot Camp in 1960.This is all done through the eyes of a young man who trades his small-townroots in Minot, North Dakota for the thrilling and challenging life of aMarine.

 

Througha series of unapologetically honest and unintentionally humorous letters to hismother, the author shares his unvarnished experiences as a naive 18-year-oldnavigating the tribulations of boot camp. With the specter of his seeminglymenacing drill instructors looming large, this young man's quest for a lifebeyond his hometown quickly becomes a rollercoaster of exhilaration, fear, andpersonal growth.

 

Witnessthe author's transformation from a small-town boy to a dedicated warrior as heovercomes adversity and learns invaluable lessons about courage, resilience,and the true meaning of strength. From his first day at the MCRD to histhrilling new beginning in Hawaii, this unforgettable memoir stands as atestament to the power of determination and the indomitable spirit of youth.

 

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ExcerptThree:

 

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't ever send me anything but mail.DO NOT SEND FRUIT, CANDY, NUTS, POPCORN, or anything other than paper! Onlypaper letters. Don't even put perfume on the letters. PLEASE. Tell anyone whoknows me not to send anything. Tell Peggy not to bake me anything, PLEASE!

 

Vacky and a guy from Chicago got packages today at mailcall. Vacky got a big box of fudge from his girl, and the guy from Chicago gotpopcorn balls. The D.I. made each go into the Quonset and get his galvanizedbucket. He had them run to the head, fill the buckets with hot water and runback. He made them go three times because they kept spilling the water. He thentook a box of salt and dumped half in each bucket. The street in front of ourQuonsets is pretty long.

 

The D.I. had a recruit stand at each end. One with the waterbucket, the other holding the sweets. They had to run to the one with thesweets, eat as much as they could, run to the guy with the water and drink asfast as they could. They had to keep this up until all was gone. They startedthrowing up right away! It just got worse.

 

We start bayonet training pretty soon. The D.I. said each ofus would try to stick him with our bayonet. He said if we missed, he was goingto stick us.

 

I think he is nuts!

 

One time I want to get out of here, the next time I wouldn'tquit if I had to. I can't believe I am starting to like being in the Marines.We really are the best.

 

We went to a parade and the Navy and Army were there. Theymarch like a bunch of pansies. They have no pride.

 

LOVE, DALE

 

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 GUEST POST

What was the hardest part about writing this book? How didyou overcome it?

 

I imagined being able to write for as long as I canremember.  I wrote stories in grade school and beyond.  I dumped themin the trash.  I wrote to the editor at local and national newspapers. Some of my work got printed but most got dumped.  When I joined theUS Marine Corps at the ripe old age of seventeen, I kept a journal that I separatedinto letters I sent home. Life took over and my passion for writing was put onthe back burner for 50 plus years as I struggled to live.  

Then, 2011 gave me a wakeup call!  A flood hit Minot,North Dakota.  It wiped out the family home which I had bought. Swept it right down river! I went into the vacant lot when it dried outand low and behold, fourteen feet up in a tree was an old trunk.  In thattrunk were the letters from the 1960's, Marine Corps Bootcamp!  Iimmediately made plans to write a book but gave up.  

I was at a V.A. shrink who was treating me for PTSD. She told me to get back to writing.  I tried, but again justcouldn't get over the hump!

A buddy who was in the Marines with me was dying.  Hecalled and wanted to talk to me before he died.  I immediately went to hisside and we talked until he took his last breath.   We spent three daysgoing over our life in the Marines!  The highs and lows.

He recounted how another buddy that was in a helicoptercrash with me, had contacted him when he was dying.  I found out then,that the second buddy had also been in treatment with the VA shrinks. I didn'trealize that what we had been through had affected all our lives!!  Ithought I was just an alcoholic.  I thought all three of us were ok, justwild and untamed!  So the last things he said was, "Dallman, finishthat damn book, because I'm in it."   He added a very life changingstatement when he said, "I won't be able to read it. I will be dead, but Iwant you to tell our children and grand kids!"

I went back home and made myself a promise.  Iconvinced myself I needed to change!!  I threw away the Cognac bottle,changed my diet, prayed to God for help and re-read the faded letters from the1960's!  Everything suddenly fit as I recounted the stories, he and I toldeach other. It took two buddies dying to make me get the courage to write thatbook!  

THEN-my wife, who is a professional photographer and singerwas recording a song in Las Vegas.  I went along and the people she wasusing for the recording asked me what I wanted out of life.  I told them Ihad lived a long time and accomplished a lot, but never could finish writing abook!  

Well, theyimmediately hooked me up with Traci Wooden, a great publisher, and with herguidance and my wife's prodding, I finished.

Now, I am on book #2 and #3!!

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

DaleE. Dallman, Senior was born on a hot dry day in Britton, South Dakota, just offthe Sisseton Indian Reservation, east of Lake Tewaukon, because that was theclosest hospital. His relatives all worked for the railroad and/or farmed nearFort Ransom, Cayuga, and Rutland, North Dakota. When his father got the chanceto quit farming and transfer to the railroad they moved to Minot, North Dakotawhere Dale attended grade school at Sunnyside and graduated high school atMinot High.

 

AfterDale and a few of his friends got themselves into trouble towards the end oftheir senior year, a nice judge “suggested” that he and several of hisacquaintances join the United States Marine Corps. The formation of the “NODAKPLATOON” made the timeline fit. The Marines took him to San Diego, California,Hawaii, Asia, and back to San Francisco, California. He grew up fast in theMarines. One of his buddies stuck with him after they were discharged and thetwo followed each other off and on through life.

 

Hisfirst real job after the service was in Billings, Montana with Brown &Williamson Tobacco Co. as a road salesman. This led to other road salesman positions with the American GreetingsCompany and the Bristol Myers Drug Company. He ventured into real estate, casinos, auto sales, RV sales, which tookhim to Wyoming, North Dakota, and South Dakota. He became a deputy sheriff inCalifornia for a while, then traveled on to Washington, Arizona, Virginia,Germany, and Colorado, to name a few.

 

Today,Mr. Dallman lives in the South with his wife Cassandra Dallman, a professionalphotographer and singer out of Atlanta, Georgia.  He enjoys and continues to take great pridein his children and their offspring. 

 

Thisbook is neither his first nor last written work so please check back to seeupcoming books from Dale E. Dallman.

 

Hecan be found at

 

https://www.dallmanproductions.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Grizzlytrack

https://www.instagram.com/dallmanproductions/

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

 

DaleE. Dallman will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt from UNBOWED by M.G. da Mota

 

 

Haywards Heath,West Sussex, England

 

The room was in semi-darkness but heliked it that way. Should anyone peer inside at night he or she would seenothing but a person’s silhouette. A figure with no face and moving like aghost among the undefined shapes of the furniture.

Opening themagazine on his desk he admired her photograph. A coloured headshot clearlyshowing her green eyes. He liked her eyes. Two emeralds on her lovely face. Hefollowed the shape of her mouth with his fingers. Turning the page he looked atthe second image. A full size portrait picturing her in a figure-huggingroyal-blue gown, flaunting her curves beautifully. She was smiling, about tobow to the audience at the end of a concert. He held the magazine carefully,then took a pair of scissors from a drawer and for a moment let them catch thefaint moonlight coming through the window, as if performing a sacred ritual.Respectfully he began cutting out both pictures and then repeated the procedurewith the third and final picture where she appeared in front of the orchestrawhile conducting. Her arms seemed to float towards the musicians like anextension of the score. She wore an elegant navy-blue trouser suit with a pearlcoloured silk blouse. He preferred to see her in a dress, a long evening gown, sleevelessand slickly wrapped around her body like a second skin. She owned a variety ofevening dresses but his favourite was the dark claret red, embroidered withsame colour sequins. In the stage lights it literally made her shine.

For the moment heplaced the photos in a desk drawer. Picking up the concert programme he sat onthe couch and placed it on his lap. He opened it on the page where she’d signedit. A large group of people had been waiting for her at the stage door. He hadlingered, allowing others to get ahead. As she approached the place where hestood he stepped forward, placed the programme in front of her and asked, ‘willyou sign it for me, please?’ Smiling she looked him in the eyes and saidkindly, ‘of course.’ Quickly she scribbled, thank you for coming to the concert, with best wishes, Alex.

It made him happyshe hadn’t signed her family name of Jewel, it felt more personal. Jewel was anappropriate surname for she was a diamond, a precious jewel to be admired andloved. He didn’t much care for her first name. Alex sounded like a man’s name.She was too feminine, too radiant, too sexy for it. One day when they weretogether – for he knew they were destined to be together – he’d make her seeAlex didn’t do her justice and she’d change it to please him. Diamondah was abetter name, as she was a bright diamond. Or Esmeralda to suit her emeraldgreen eyes. His own personal jewel.

Touching hersignature he followed the letters with his indicator finger and after a whileplaced the programme in his safe box of treasures. Opening the drawer with therecently cut out photos he looked through all photographs, newspaper cuts andconcert programmes inside. They’d find their way into the safe later. He pickedup the latest photo where she wore the blue gown and placed it aside.Everything else he deposited in the safe, then returned to the sofa and put hisfeet up. Running his fingers over the selected photo he touched the image ofher body, imagining she was in the room and he was caressing her for real,quickly becoming aroused. He held the picture with his left hand, opened histrousers with his right and began to touch himself, fantasising his fingerswere her hands working him until he reached the climax and cried out her namein ecstasy.

Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Unbowed-M-G-Mota-ebook/dp/B0D5HYBKG6/

Blog Tour: TWICE HUNG by Vanessa C. Hawkins

 

TWICE HUNG

Vanessa C. Hawkins

 

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GENRE:  Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

 

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BLURB:

 

EthelArsenault's been hearing noises in her brother's house ever since she arrivedfrom Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame,or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when nightfalls?

 

Ethelisn't sure, nor is she happy when she's left alone to care for Ernest's estate.Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some othersinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blameat Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house...

 

...or is it just her imagination?

 

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ExcerptThree:

 

“An animal? Like a racoon?” Ethel pursed her lip, wonderingif all this time she had been hearing a poor frightened animal in the walls,rather than the lost soul of a sea captain. Since Al had told his story a fewnights ago, Ethel was certain no one besides herself had heard anything of thesort.

 

 Ernest bent to siphis tea before spooning a few generous lumps of sugar to dissolve within theamber fluid. “Something like that,” he said. “I’ve heard it a few timesrecently, mostly at night, so it must be some kind of nocturnal creature.”

 

“I’ve not heard a thing! Have you, Ethel?” Dolly asked, herfingers pressing at the hollow of her throat.

 

Ethel frowned, wondering whether she ought to say anything.“It’s an unfamiliar house…” she’d decided, “so I’m afraid even normal soundswould feel foreign to me.”

 

“I’m sure it’s just—”

 

“Sorry to disrupt, Mr. Arsenault,” Adella-Ray said from thewide open French doors that bisected the breakfast area from the foyer, “butI’m afraid I am unable to locate your spirits.”   

 

Ernest swivelled in his chair to face the exit. “Did youcheck the cabinet in the study? I know I put a bottle in there a few weeksago.”

 

Adella-Ray nodded, a few mouse-brown strands of hair bobbingout the borders of her maid cap. “I remember, Sir. But it seems it’s gone.”

 

Dolly laughed, finally pausing to take her first bite ofbreakfast. “You probably drank it, Ernie. Perhaps without thinking? You’ve beenworking late all week, seldom even coming home till morning.”

 

Ernest harrumphed, though he only seemed mildly perplexed ashe turned to resume his position at the table. “Perhaps so, Darling,” he saidin a tone unconvinced at the suggestion. “Though I was sure—I don’t care muchfor the stuff. Too fruity…”  He scratchedhis head, “I suppose I’ll have to buy another before I go.” He wiped his chin,smoothing out the corners of his moustache before standing up to excusehimself.

 

“Just another thing to add to the list,” he said. “I won’tbe able to keep you company today, I’m afraid.” He looked at his pocket watch.“Too much to do before departure tomorrow. Will you two be all right while I’mgone?”

 

Ethel smiled, while Dolly offered a confident wave of herhand. “We’ll find something to occupy us.”

 

“The day is lovely, after all,” Ethel agreed.

 

Ernest nodded. “Very well,” he said before turning towardsthe foyer where Adella-Ray had already fetched his hat and coat. “I won’t behome till late. So be sure to dine without me.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Alife-long lover of horror, Vanessa wrote her first story in the genre when shewas only in grade five. It was titled Mutilated and it warranted her a trip tothe school guidance counsellor. A lifetime later, she continues to write aboutanything that suits her fancy. She was afforded second place in the David AdamsRichards Prize this year, and honourable mentions in the WFNB writingcompetition for her novel A Child to Cry Over. With over a dozen publicationsunder her belt, Vanessa was celebrated as a bestselling author with Books WeLove Publishing for the sale of over a thousand copies of The Curious Case ofSimon Todd! She lives with her husband Brendon and daughter Bernie in NewBrunswick.

 

Vanessais the author of the following BWL Publishing Inc. releases:

 

TheCurious Case of Simon Todd

BunkerBlitz

BallroomRiot by Vanessa C. Hawkins & Tara Woodworth

 

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/GloryhillAlabaster/

https://bookswelove.net/hawkins-vanessa-c/

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

Vanessa C. Hawkins will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BNgift card to a randomly drawn winner.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blog Tour: PROPHET'S DEATH by Robert Creekmore

 

PROPHET'S DEATH

Robert Creekmore

 

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GENRE:  Southern Noir

 

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BLURB:

 

Death-cultleader Joseph Proffit has met his end! Along with him perishes the secretmethod for manufacturing indigo, the substance that imbued him with godlikeabilities.

 

Tothe dismay of Naomi’s family, she succumbed to the injuries Joseph dealt herduring their final battle atop the abandoned Coast Guard station, Frying PanTower, thirty miles off the North Carolina coast.

 

Bothof their bodies were lost at sea when the one-hundred-foot-tall structurecrumbled during Tropical Storm Gabriel.

 

Naomi’sbeloved companions escaped aboard her dive boat, along with Joseph’s finalvictim, who is on the verge of death.

 

Inthe aftermath, Naomi’s family has no choice but to rebuild their lives inhiding, fearing reprisal from the handful of remaining Apostle loyalists.

 

Soon,their secret, dormant conflict will be thrust onto the world stage by a wealthybenefactor who funnels his personal hatred and unfounded grievances intothrongs of ignorant followers.

 

Isthis the end of Naomi’s family? Without her, how will they survive?

 

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ExcerptTwo:

 

He guides the boat between the two wooden bunks of the boatlift. Nate fights his way onto the dock through the sheets of rain blastingsideways into his face. He activates the hydraulics. The lift pulls the boatout of the water and level with the dock.

 

The three of them drag Malcolm off the boat before Natelifts it higher to avoid the rising water.

 

Exhausted after moving Malcolm from the dock to the sidedoor, the three can go no further and lie him on his side atop the sofa infront of the picture window.

 

“We have to call home,” Nate says.

 

“Telling someone that their spouse is dead isn’t somethingyou do over the phone,” Herschel replies.

 

“More urgently,” Rebecca interjects, “we have to getelectrolytes into Malcolm. He drank plenty of water before passing out, so he’snot in imminent danger of thirsting to death. To regain some level ofconsciousness, we need to get something like Pedialyte in him.

 

But, no stores will be open in this storm.” “Would powderedGatorade work?” Nate asks.

 

“Yeah,” she responds.

 

Nate gets up and begins rummaging through Naomi’s kitchenjunk drawer. He excavates an old plastic container, half-filled with clumpyorange Gatorade powder. Nate mixes up a batch inside a large plastic cup with aflexible straw. Malcolm mumbles and occasionally opens his eyes. When he does,they encourage him to drink. Within the hour, he’s holding the cup himself. Hiseyes begin to regain life. He looks around, saying, “Where is the other woman?”“She didn’t make it,” Rebecca answers.

 

A wave of melancholy washes across his exhausted face.

 

“The sooner we leave, the better,” Nate says.

 

“Will he make the week-long boat trip back to NorthernVirginia?” Rebecca asks.

 

“No. That’s why I’m going to take Tiffany’s Corolla.”

 

“They’ll follow you,” Herschel says to Nate.

 

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GUEST POST

 

 Please describe acompelling scene and why it's important.

 

     Chapter two of Prophet’sDeath delineates a transition in family dynamics. Hours earlier, NaomiPace, the protagonist of books one and two had died valiantly fighting serialkiller, Joseph Proffit atop a collapsing structure miles offshore. He alsosuccumbed to his injuries.

     With his last victim clinging to life, Naomi Pace’s three bestfriends race him to shore in her boat through the rains of tropical stormGabriel.

The cult wasunaware of this development, which gave Nate, Naomi’s closest friend, a chanceto get out of town with Joesph’s final victim, Malcolm. Rebecca and Herschel,stay to cover their tracks. Unfortunately, Nate is unable to take Malcolm, infailing health, to a local hospital because of the cult’s presence in theregion. Instead, he decides to drive him north to his home in Tysons CornerVirginia where he could be treated without fear of being discovered.

Malcolm hadbeen trapped in a small room for months and was malnourished. His hair andbeard were unkempt. His clothes were ragged and he stank horribly. However,like all people, at some point, one has to go to the bathroom, so the pairstopped at the Virginia Border rest area.

Because ofthe advancing storm, it was nearly empty, except for two vehicles, a worktruck, and a red Mercedes.

Five menstood outside smoking cigarettes. Four are workmen, dirty from a hard day'slabor, the other a college-aged young man. All shoot disapproving stares.

Minuteslater, however, it’s not the laborers who enter the bathroom to harass Malcolm,it’s the college boy.

While kickingon Malcom’s stall door, what he doesn’t expect is the feeling of the muzzlefrom Nate’s pistol being pressed against his skull. This shocks him becauseNate is a relatively short, slight man. 

As Nate saidto Malcolm later, “My merepresence and asking nicely wouldn’t have made him stop. He would have seen asecond victim. However, one tends to listen intently to whoever holds a gun totheir head.”

On his knees with Nate’s pistol to the back of his head, thecollege boy begs for his life, offering all the money in his wallet.

Nate killed two cult members hours before. One murder was tosave Naomi’s life from a shooter. Nate’s second victim was a man named Levi wholured gay men, like himself and Malcolm, into the clutches of the serialkiller, Joseph Proffit.

What’s a third, then? Just one less asshole.

At the last minute, it’s Malcolm who talks him out of it bysaying, “Nate, baby, don’t do that.”

Nate tells him that Blair deserves it.

Malcolm agrees but asks what good it will do him. With that,Nate smashes the butt of the pistol against the college boy’s head, knockinghim out.

The pair flee, leaving Blair unconscious on a filthy bathroomfloor.

It’s after this that Nate takes the reigns of leadership leftover after the death of Naomi Pace.

 

 

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

RobertCreekmore is from a rural farming community in Eastern North Carolina.

 

Heattended North Carolina State where he studied psychology. While at university,he was active at the student radio station. There, he fell in love with punkrock and its ethos.

 

Robertacquired several teaching licenses in special education. He was an autismspecialist in Raleigh for eight years. He then taught for four years in a smallmountain community in western North Carolina.

 

Duringhis time in the mountains, he lived with his wife Juliana in a remote primitivecabin built in 1875. While there, he grew most of his own food, raisedchickens, worked on a cattle farm, as well as participated in subsistencehunting and fishing.

 

Eventually,the couple moved back to the small farming community where Robert was raised.

 

Annoyedwith the stereotype of the southeastern United States as a monolith ofignorance and hatred, he wanted to bring forth characters from the region whoare queer and autistic. They now hold up a disinfecting light to the hatred ofthe region’s past and to those who still yearn for a return to ways and ideasthat should have long ago perished.

 

Robert’sfirst traditionally published novel, Prophet’s Debt, was a Manly Wade WellmanLiterary Award Finalist.

 

Hissecond, Prophet’s Lamentation, was a Lambda Literary recommendation for July2023.

 

Website:https://www.robertcreekmore.com/

Twitter:AuthorCreekmore

Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Prophets-Death-Robert-Creekmore/dp/1962308162/ref=sr_1_1

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GIVEAWAY

 

RobertCreekmore will award a randomly drawn winner a $10 Amazon/BN gift card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt Tour: EXILES by L.J. Ambrosio

 

EXILES

L.J. Ambrosio

 

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GENRE:  Literary Fiction/Coming of Age

 

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BLURB:

 

In this final chapter, Ron's story concludes from Reflectionson the Boulevard (2023). Michael's wish was for Ron to exile himselfin the heart of Paris with its beautiful culture and citizens as theyprotest and fight for the soul of the city. Ron's journey is met withlife-affirming friendships and lessons along the way. The final book inthe Reflections of Michael Trilogy, which started with AReservoir Man (2022).

 

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EXCLUSIVEEXCERPT

 

Ron slowly walked up to his apartment stairs, anxious toplay with Rhonda, his little aging Jack Russell terrier. She scratched her noseand pawed at the door expecting his arrival, and sometimes he would sing to herthrough the door, especially songs like “My Little Buttercup.”

 

He opened the door, and Rhonda leaped towards him. Hegrabbed her and continued to pet her for several moments, especially under herbelly. It was always like this.

 

He looked at Rhonda and quietly said “You are the rock of mylife. Boy, do I love you; you want a bone?” He went to the closet, took onegigantic bone, and placed it near her mouth.

 

Rhonda quickly grabbed the bone, ran around the house, andhid it under a blanket on the ground. This action forced Ron to look for it. Asthis game went on, Rhonda would just bark and bark, like a chant, that her bestfriend was home. Rhonda again hid her bone, but Ron knew this is what she wouldalways do regardless.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

LouisJ. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in LosAngeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, runningtwo major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at 7Universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning filmproducer 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

 

Palace Marketplace: https://market.thepalaceproject.org/item/5900746

Hoopla: https://www.hoopladigital.com/title/16927020

Barnes and Noble; https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/exiles-lj-ambrosio/1145295484;jsessionid=6BEBDF0D8FDBD00DC37A1EAACF96C083.prodny_store01-atgap12

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/exiles/id6482298566

Everand: https://www.everand.com/book/720323806/Exiles-Reflections-of-Michael-Trilogy

Thalia: https://www.thalia.de/shop/home/artikeldetails/A1071509419

Vivlio: https://shop.vivlio.com/product/9798990212138_9798990212138_10020/exiles

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1546995

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/exiles-65

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Exiles-Reflections-Michael-Trilogy-Ambrosio/dp/B0CZHY93GQ/ref=sr_1_1

 

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GIVEAWAY

L.J. Ambrosio will be awarding a$20 Amazon/BN gift card, a dragonfly necklace, or a second dragonfly necklaceto three randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Blast: TRUTH AND DARE by Ann M. Trader

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ann M. Trader will award a randomly drawn winner a $20 Amazon/BN GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A bright and talented environmental engineer, Goldie Vreeland understands facts and figures, but Max Corda, her secret office obsession, remains a puzzle. On the eve of a business trip to a coastal island, fate intervenes, pairing her with her sexy crush. As she thinks about sharing the same space with Max for a week, her world veers dangerously off course.

Fueled by success as engineer and president of his family’s firm, recently divorced Max needs to jumpstart his life. When his father unexpectedly assigns him to Goldie’s project, his closely guarded attraction to her comes front and center. Thoughts of spending a week alone with this beautiful intelligent woman make his internal compass glitch.

Romance stirs with the island breeze, so simple when they’re hundreds of miles away from normal. But as Goldie and Max return to reality, will they discover real love is more than a game?

Read an Excerpt

“Those lips,” I said, the words slipping off my tongue.

“Excuse me?”

His question broke my trance. “Oh, Lord. I’m sorry I—”

“Wait. You feel it, too, don’t you?”

I hesitated then nodded.

Max leaned toward me. “You know, I’ve been trying to get a read on you tonight, but I’m pretty rusty at all this.”

“Let’s get one thing straight, Max. There’s nothing about you that’s rusty.”

A smile quirked at the corner of his mouth. “The word means nothing to you because you’re young and beautiful.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “You really think a lot about this age thing, don’t you?”

He sighed. “I’m thirty-one, Goldie.”

“Well, lucky for you my ceiling’s a good thirty-three.”

He bit back a smile, his eyes growing softer, warmer. “I like you, Goldie.”

“I like you, too, Max.”

“I really want to kiss you.”

“So, what’s stopping you?”

“The very real possibility I won’t be able to stop,” he said with a reverent tone.

About the Author

I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring recipes on the lighter side of southern comfort foods. I’m a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, and I love relaxing on my back porch to read and write. These days I take walks around my neighborhood, but when I was sixteen, I hiked the Grand Canyon with a group of friends. I love watching television dramas (in no special order): Palm Royale, The Buccaneers, The Bear, Mary and George, Emily in Paris, Outlander, Shrinking, Shogun, Bridgerton, Outer Banks, Stranger Things, The Crown, and Peaky Blinders and reading a great romance book.

Website: http://www.annmtrader.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/annmtrader
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ann-m-trader
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annmtraderbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21925238.Ann_M_Trader
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anntrader5

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dare-Wonder-Wildflowers-Book-ebook/dp/B0D3JG5KQ8/ref=sr_1_1

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Blog Tour: THE SECRET COTTAGE by Kate Ellington

 

THE SECRET COTTAGE

Kate Ellington

 

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GENRE:  Historical Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

IsabelTate yearns for the simple pleasures she took for granted before scandal rockedher family two years ago. On May Day, she's determined to forget her troublesand enjoy herself at the Claremont family's annual festival.

 

Meanwhile,Robert Claremont steels himself to begin courting the haughty heiress nextdoor, but his bashfulness is only one obstacle to winning her hand. Despite adeep sense of family obligation, he dreams of choosing his own bride.

 

Captivatedby each other from the moment they meet, Robert and Isabel are kept apart by amisunderstanding until a chance encounter leads to friendship and more.

 

Withopposition on all sides, they must overcome inconceivable odds to claimhappiness.

 

 

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ExcerptThree:

 

When Robert reached the manor he crossed the echoing greathall and mounted the curved staircase to the second floor. He strolled throughthe long gallery under the painted eyes of the many Claremonts who had livedhere before him. Thornwood Manor had been home to Robert's family forgenerations. Originally a mere fortress, it had undergone countless changesover the centuries. At the end of the gallery Robert pushed aside a tapestryand followed the corridor leading to his father's rooms in the most ancientwing of the house. The dark stone walls and perpetual chill suited his fatherwell.

 

Mr. Claremont didn't look up when Robert entered the roombut remained sitting at his desk, reading a letter.

 

“You wanted to see me, Father?” Robert prompted after someminutes.

 

His father tucked the letter into a drawer and removed hisspectacles, fixing his gray eyes on Robert. With his dark hair, tall statureand rugged features there was no mistaking who Robert took after. His brotherWilliam had inherited the fair hair and almost unearthly beauty of theirmother.

 

“I've engaged an artist to paint your and William'sportraits. He writes that he’ll arrive next week.”

 

Robert nodded. “I presume that's not all you summoned mehere to tell me?

 

Mr. Claremont stood and walked to the fireplace, handsclasped behind his back. After gazing into the flames for a moment he turned toRobert. “Margery Penrose will be here today. I want you to win her.”

 

“Win her? Surely she'll have some say in the matter."

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Kategrew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed tolast forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when ateacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’dnever 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.

 

http://www.kateellington.com

https://www.facebook.com/kateellingtonauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29720924.Kate_Ellington

https://www.instagram.com/kateellingtonwrites/

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY

KateEllington will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawnwinner.

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