Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 27
May 23, 2024
Guest Blog- On the Threshold by M. Laszlo #SciFi #HistoricalFiction #MagicalRealism
Onthe Threshold follows from an idea book written whileworking on an M.F.A degree in poetry at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville,New York; c. 1990.
At the time, there were two kinds ofpoetry students at Sarah Lawrence. The first type wrote in an obscurantist,free-association style. The second type preferred confessional poetry. Alas,neither style of writing really applied to my interests. The thing that did itfor me was the philosophical poem—the type of poem that the other studentstended to regard as “boring.” No matter what the others thought, though,nothing could shake my faith. What could be more fascinating than a poem thatseeks to explain the riddle of the universe?
Looking back on that era, the thoughtoccurs that this was about the time that my preferences changed from poetry toprose. That would explain why it became necessary to translate all thosephilosophical poems into one long novelistic work that could bring everythingtogether. Oddly, it was not visionary, metaphysical fiction that sold me onprose. At the time, believe it or not, no kind of prose writingfascinated me quite as much as film theory—particularly phenomenological filmtheory.
In the early nineties, my sisterattended NYU film school—and she would often tell me about cutting-edge writingthat followed from the theories of Walter Benjamin and Carl Jung. Much of thesetheories show up in On the Threshold—especially the notion that when wewatch a movie, only the conscious mind follows the plot. The unconsciousmind reacts to the symbols and archetypes and interprets the movie as areiteration of some primal association of ideas—as if the unconscious mindreally does contain within it inborn knowledge, just as Plato had always believed.
As peculiar as all this might sound, the idea ofphenomenological theory soon had me obsessing about The Mary Tyler MooreShow. To make a long story short, in one quirky prose poem after the next,I would meditate on the notion that The Mary Tyler Moore Show containswithin it the phenomenology and archetypes that L. Frank Baum put into TheWizard of Oz:
Mary driving to the big city = Dorothy on her way toEmerald City.
Mary fighting over the apartment with Rhoda =Dorothy’s house landing on the Wicked Witch.
Mary’sgetting caught between two adversaries, Phyllis Lindstrom and Rhoda, =Dorothy’s getting caught between Glinda and the Wicked Witch.
Also:
The Cowardly Lion = Lou Grant and his fear of womenin the workplace.
The brainless Scarecrow = the brainless Ted Baxter.
Theheartless Tin Man = the insolent Murray Slaughter.
Dorothy’s clicking her heels andsaying “There’s no place like home” = the final episode of The Mary TylerMoore Show, the one in which everyone gets fired and promptly sings a songof homecoming: “It’s a Long Way to Tipperary.”
Perhaps it is no mystery why Onthe Threshold had to contain a strong, intellectual woman character—andperhaps it is no surprise why that character would be so helpful in bringingabout the resolution. All the source material for the book comes from a timewhen the author just happened to be studying with loads of women at SarahLawrence. Moreover, how to deny my sister’s influence? The funny thing, though,is that many a feminist reader might oppose the work on the grounds that thewomen characters are not independent enough nor do they speak to one anotherenough with regard to women’s history and women’s issues. Whatever the case maybe, the point of my work is not to offend. The point is to resolve the riddleof the universe, and it is my firm conviction that my characters do justthat—and they do it for everyone, irrespective of either race or creed orgender.
On the ThresholdM. Laszlo
Genre: SciFi, Historical Fiction, Magical RealismPublisher: Awesome Independent Authors PublishingDate of Publication: February 2024ISBN-10 : 1922329584ISBN-13 : 978-1922329585Number of pages: 342Word Count: Approximately 90,000 wordsCover Artist: Rose Newland
Tagline: Obsessed with solving the riddle of the universe, Scotsman Fingal T. Smyth conducts an occult-science experiment during which he unleashes a projection of his innate knowledge.
Book Description:
Obsessed with solving the riddle of the universe, a Scotsman named Fingal T. Smyth conducts an occult-science experiment during which he unleashes a projection of his innate knowledge.
Fingal aimed to interrogate this avatar to learn what it knows, but unfortunately, he forgot how violent the animal impulses that reside in the deepest recesses of the unconscious mind can be. The avatar appears as a burning man who seeks to manipulate innocent and unsuspecting people into immolating themselves.
With little hope of returning the fiery figure into his being, Fingal must capture his nemesis before it destroys the world.
Amazon BN
Excerpt:
Autumn, 1907: lateone morning, some kind of torrid, invisible beast seemed to wrap itself allaround Fingal T. Smyth’s body. Each one of his toes twitching fiercely, heexited the castle and scanned the distant, Scottish Highlands. Go back whereyou came from. As the entity wrapped itself tighter all about his person,Fingal blinked back his tears. I’m melting, I am. Aye, it’s the heat of fusion.
Gradually, thebeast’s heartbeat became audible—each pulsation. At the same time, too, theillusory heat of transformation emitted an odor as of oven-roasted peppercornsdissolving in a cup of burnt coffee.
Over by the gatehouse,Fräulein Wunderwaffe appeared—the little German girl wearing a plain-sewn robeand square-crown bowler. In that moment, she no longer seemed to be a sicklychild of seven years: her inscrutable expression resembled that of a wise,indifferent cat.
Perhaps even some kind of lioness. Fingal cringed, and he recalled a fragmentof conversation from three weeks earlier.
“She suffers from amost unnatural pathology, an anguished, maniacal obsession with cats,”
Doktor Hubertus Pflughad explained. “Ever since the poor girl was a baby, she has always regarded ither fate to one day metamorphose into a glorious panther, for she believesherself to be ein Gestaltwandler. Do you know this word? It means shapeshifterand refers to someone who possesses the power to take the form of anything innature.”
The heat radiated upand down Fingal’s spine now, and his thoughts turned back to the present. Aye,it’s a change of phase. I’m melting into a chemical compound. Despite all, hegreeted the girl and willed himself to flash a grin.
Fräulein Wunderwaffedid not return the smile. Hand on heart, the little girl drew a bit closer.
Then, as the hot,animalistic presence undulated all across Fingal’s body, the little girl’s eyesgrew wide. Until the little girl’s expression turned to that of a vacant stare.
A moment later, herfeet pointed inwards, she removed her hat 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 commenced then: from the other end of thewinding, decorative-brick driveway, each clay block shining the color of blueWelsh stone, a sleek Siamese cat with a coat of chocolate-spotted ivory hadjust appeared. And now the creature raced toward his shadow.
As he looked into theanimal’s big, searching, blue eyes, the chocolate Siamese studied theoff-center tip of his nose. Then the animal turned away, as if to compare thepeculiarity with that of some disembodied visage hovering in the distance.
Out upon the loch,meanwhile, a miraculous rogue wave suddenly arose—and now the swell crashedagainst the pebbly strand.
Not a moment later, acool flame crawled across Fingal’s throat. The strange fire rattled, too—notunlike the sound of fallen juniper leaves caught up in the current and dancingagainst the surface of a stone walkway.
Crivens. By now, thealien, pulsating presence held him so tight that he could barely breathe.
Before long, he fellto the earth, and as the dreamlike flame continued to move across his throat,he rolled all about—until the illusory sensation of cool warmth wriggled andtwisted and dropped into his neck dimple.
He crawled over tothe little girl and grabbed her ankle. “Get on up to your physician’s room, eh?
Please. Go on and wake Doktor Pflug and tell himwhat’s happened.”
About the Author:M. Laszlo is the pseudonym of an extreme recluse who lives in Bath, Ohio. Rumor holds that he derived his pen name from the character of Victor Laszlo in the classic film Casablanca.
Website: https://www.mlaszlo.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Matthew99610035
AIA Publishing: https://www.facebook.com/AIAPublishing
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22078734.M_Laszlo
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Marked Under the Midnight Sun by Susanna Strom #PNR #Shifter #FatedMates
1) What inspired you to become an author?
I’m a natural storyteller. Stories,characters, and imaginary worlds have filled my head since I was a child. I’vealways wanted to put them on paper, to give them an existence outside of myimagination. Over time, I became more ambitious. I wanted not just to write thestories down, but to write well. I studied the craft of writing and worked tohone my skills.
2) Do you write in different genres?
I write paranormal and post-apocalypticromance. I love both genres, but PNR is my happy place. When I set out to writemy first novel, it was a story close to my heart about a pack of wolf shiftersin my home state of Washington. A few chapters in, I realized that I didn’tpossess the writing chops to do the story justice. I set it aside, took classesand workshops, and read dozens of craft book. When I felt ready to try writinga novel again, I wrote the first of what turned out to be a five book,post-apocalyptic romance series. The wolf shifter novel I abandoned alwayscalled to me. I returned to it, confident that I finally had the skills to tellthe story. That book became Secrets of Shooting Star Lake, the firstbook in my Black Rock Guardians series.
3) Is there a genre that you’d like towrite that you haven’t tackled yet?
I love romantic suspense and might try myhand at that someday. I’m playing around with ideas for a standalone, Gothicromance ghost story.
4) Is this book part of a series? What isthe next book?
Marked Under the Midnight Sun is the third book in the Black Rock Guardians series. I’vestarted work on the fourth book, Beneath a Shifter’s Sky. I love thisseries and would like nothing better than to keep playing in this world foryears to come.
5) Is the book, characters, or anyscenes based on true life experience, someone you know, or events in your ownlife?
I weave real-life experiences into everybook I write. In the Black Rock Guardians series, the Hagen women own andoperate a bakeshop named after their Norwegian-American grandmother. MyNorwegian-American grandmother passed down her love of baking to many of hergrandchildren. The dog in Marked Under the Midnight Sun was based on andnamed after a friend’s dog. Many of the pets in my books are based on real-lifeanimals. The Black Rock Guardians series feature close relationships betweencousins. I dedicated the series to my cousins, who were my best friends when Iwas growing up.
6) Who designed the cover of your latestbook?
I swoon every time I look at the beautifulcover for Marked Under the Midnight Sun. I struck gold when I hired LoriJackson to design the cover of my first book. Eight books later, she’s stillthe person I turn to whenever I need a new cover design. She’s one of the bestin the business. She knows the market and makes sure that every cover reflectsthe genre and sets the right tone and mood. She’s easy to work with and isendlessly patient and kind. Of course, it helps that she’s working with amazingimages from photographers Wander Aguiar and Golden Czermak.
7) Do you have advice for other writers?
Yes, I do. I’d tell beginning writers notto pay attention to anybody who says there’s only one correct way to do things.Some people need outlines and beat sheets in order to make progress. Otherpeople find that their creative muse goes on strike if they try to outline abook. Some people will urge you to write a rough and dirty first draft andabsolutely not to edit as you go. That may work for many people, but othersneed to edit as they go or they stall out. We’re all different. No advice worksfor everybody. It takes time and experimentation to figure out the writingsystem that works with and not against your inherent brain strengths. Bewilling to challenge your assumptions about what might work for you. BecauseI’m well-organized and like check lists, I thought I needed to outline. Wrong. Outliningshuts me down. My best advice is to feel free to ignore advice that doesn’twork for you and how your brain is wired.
8) When you’re not writing, what do you do?Do you have any hobbies or guilty pleasures?
When I was younger, I felt guilty aboutthings that gave me pleasure, especially romance novels. I thought I needed toread “worthy” books. Now, I’m older and wiser. I freely admit that I’d ratherread about the Ice Planet Barbarians or the Dark Protectors than anyprize-winning literature. When I’m not writing, I read and love genre fiction.
I also love to bake. I’m an old fashioned,from scratch, home cook. Cooking relaxes me. Pies, cakes, and breads are myspecialty.
Marked Under the Midnight SunBlack Rock Guardians Book ThreeSusanna Strom
Genre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Cougar Creek Publishing, LLCDate of Publication: May 21, 2024ISBN: 9781960382092ASIN: B0CKKXFYFCCover Artist: Lori Jackson
Tagline: He was loaded for bear. And he still wasn’t ready for her…
Book Description:
Viggo
I do jobs no one else in my pack can do. Dirty jobs.
Like kidnapping Liv Hagen.
I didn’t want to do it. I was just following my alpha’s orders.
I never thought my bear would think she’s ours.
But there’s no way I can keep her. The consequences are too dire.
So, when the time comes, I’ll have no choice but to surrender her to fate.
Even if it kills me…
Liv
Kidnapped, held captive, and used as a bargaining chip against the Black Rock Guardians.
Yeah. Seems about right for my luck.
But if the big, bad bear shifter thinks I’m going to submit to his—or anyone’s—will, he’s got another thing coming.
Which is why I’ll just have to ignore my attraction to the sexy jerk. It’s probably Stockholm syndrome, anyway.
I mean, it’s not like he’s my fated mate or anything… right?
Marked Under the Midnight Sun, Book 3 in the Black Rock Guardians Series, is a lightly angsty, enemies to lovers paranormal romance with plenty of spice and tense moments, and just the right amount of suspense, action, and adventure. Download today and get ready for the supernatural romance you didn’t know you needed.
Amazon Kobo Apple BN Books2Read
Excerpt:
Liv huddled next to thecampfire, a flimsy Mylar sleeping bag wrapped around her shoulders. Soakingwet, her cheeks flushed scarlet from the frigid air, the human was in trouble.The sun had dipped below the horizon and the temperature was plummeting.
I glanced at my shiveringcaptive. “Gimme your coat, dress, and boots.”
“What?” she sputtered. “Dude,I’m not stripping in front of you.”
My lip quirked. Nobody butthis feisty, gotta-be-freezing-her-ass-off woman would dare call me dude. Mostpack mates cringed in my presence, and referred to me as Mr. Creed, or sir.
Not Liv.
“You’ll never warm up if youspend the night in wet clothes.” I pointed at the sticks wedged into the groundnext to the campfire. “I’ll put your things close to the flames to dry out.”
“Forget it.” She yanked theemergency sleeping bag up to her ears.
I bit the inside of my cheek.I never got a good look at her body underneath the sodden down parka, but herlegs were shapely and I bet her figure matched.
Whatthe hell am I doing?
Was there any thing morepointless, more self-destructive than being attracted to the woman I’m turningover to my heartless alpha?
Time to shut this shit down.
I stepped toward her anddeliberately shaped my features into an intimidating scowl.
“You telling me you’d ratherfreeze to death than take off your wet clothes?”
She didn’t answer, probablyrealizing how foolish she’d sound if she said yes.
“My orders are to bring yousafe and sound to Medved. I can’t let you get hypothermia.”
“And a flunky like youdoesn’t dare disappoint his alpha, right?” Scorn dripped from her voice.
“That’s right.” No point intaking offense when she spoke the truth. I lowered my chin and put command intomy voice. “So either you strip or I’ll do it for you.”
Color returned to her cheeksin an angry flush. “Try it, buddy, and you’ll lose a hand.”
I could easily overpower the mouthy woman and peel her clothes off. Grizzlyshifter versus human? Hell, no contest. Liv wasn’t stupid. She had to realizehow powerless and vulnerable she was. Still, she jutted out her chin, and herpretty brown eyes shot sparks.
Rubbing the back of my neck,I debated how to handle the insolent human. I’d ripped her away from everybodyand everything she knew. Her next few days were bound to be rough, especiallyif she shot off her mouth in front of Medved. Why not cut her some slack? Ifshe saw me as a reasonable man, she might be more willing to listen when Iwarned her to mind her manners in front of my alpha.
“How about I turn around andlook the other way while you undress?” I proposed.
The fingers clutching the topof the sleeping bag had turned bone white, and she trembled from the cold.“Fine,” she said reluctantly. “Do it.”
I put my back to her. “Justdon’t get any crazy ideas about picking up a branch and clobbering me.”
She snorted. “We’re in themiddle of godforsaken nowhere.” I heard rustling as she dropped the sleepingbag and shed her wet clothes. My imagination filled in the details as Iimagined her naked behind me. “Even if I managed to knock you out, where wouldI go?”
About the Author:Susanna loves to read―and write―stories full of complex characters who find love, hope, and connection while navigating through an exciting and dangerous world. Susanna lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two very spoiled cats.
Website: https://susannastrom.com/
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/h6WRRb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susannastrom.author/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susanna-strom
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susannastromauthor
Susanna’s Stormers, Facebook Readers Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1572291033136914
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20463245.Susanna_Strom
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A Bewitching Thursday
In the Kitchen with Susanna Strom - Recipe for Grandma Helena’s Oatmeal Cake #InTheKitchen #Recipe #OatmealCake #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4dLgQwR
Halloween Flash Fiction with Creole Noir #FlashFiction #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3KcmBWz
Marked Under the Midnight Sun by Susanna Strom #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3wQ3TB9
On the Threshold by M. Laszlo https://buff.ly/3ywGyVw
What they’re saying about The Hunter’s Daughter: “A GENUINELY CREEPY ATMOSPHERIC DEBUT. A propulsive store of crimes old and new, the power of memory and the darkness that dwells inside us all. You’ll be turning pages all night and searching the woods for dark shadows (which just might be the Forest God…)” - Jennifer McMahon
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller #newrelease https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
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Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
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Get Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/3QUgeLr
Resolve the riddle of the universe.
On the Threshold by M. Laszlo
https://bit.ly/3Vaj2Xe
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
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#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
Enter to win a $75.00 Amazon Gift Card from Author M Laslo
On the Threshold Virtual Book Tour #SciFi #HistoricalFiction #MagicalRealism
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May 22, 2024
A Bewitching Tuesday
INTERVIEW WITH M. LASZLO (On the Threshold) #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/44UNc3V
Please Welcome Susanna Strom as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal Romance, Marked Under the Midnight Sun, Black Rock Guardians, Book Three #bewitchingbooktours
https://lindamooney.blogspot.com/2024...
Resolve the riddle of the universe.
On the Threshold by M. Laszlo
https://bit.ly/3Vaj2Xe
“Deliciously unpredictable and absolutely engrossing, Nicola Solvinic’s The Hunter’s Daughter is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a very long time. With a dash of magical realism and the kind of complicated, conflicted heroine I love, Solvinic pulls off a nearly impossible feat: making the reader care about a woman who may well be following in her serial killer father’s footsteps. Put The Hunter’s Daughter at the top of your TBR list—I loved this book!”
—Karen Dionne, bestselling author The Marsh King's Daughter
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller
Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Get Tickets Here: https://bit.ly/3QUgeLr
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
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#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
Enter to win a $75.00 Amazon Gift Card from Author M Laslo
On the Threshold Virtual Book Tour #SciFi #HistoricalFiction #MagicalRealism
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As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases #Amazon #ad #CommissionsEarned
May 21, 2024
A Bewitching Tuesday
Please Welcome Susanna Strom as She Tells Us About Her Paranormal Romance, Marked Under the Midnight Sun, Black Rock Guardians, Book Three #bewitchingbooktours
https://lindamooney.blogspot.com/2024...
The Heart of Chenoa by Creole Noir #MagicalRealism #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3WMgX4X
Resolve the riddle of the universe.
On the Threshold by M. Laszlo
https://bit.ly/3Vaj2Xe
Marked Under the Midnight Sun by Susanna Strom #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/44QNQQ4
Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
https://amzn.to/3Touz4p
#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
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May 20, 2024
A Bewitching Monday
INTERVIEW - SCIENCE FICTION - ON THE THRESHOLD by M. Laszlo #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/44R5G5i
Marked Under the Midnight Sun (Black Rock Guardians) by Susanna Strom ~ #BookTour #Excerpt #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4aqD307
The Crystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan
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THE HUNTER'S DAUGHTER is a raw, gritty, all-consuming psychological thriller that is masterfully rendered - a unique jewel in the genre. Author Nicola Solvinic's skill is evident as she expertly manipulates characters and readers and monsters through a tunnel of darkness to emerge at the end. - Sandra Hoover Goodreads
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
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https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller
Book Tour ~ Marked Under the Midnight Sun by Susanna Strom #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3K9L8M4
The Heart of Chenoa by Creole Noir Virtual Book Tour
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Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
https://amzn.to/3Touz4p
#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
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The Crystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan
The Crystalline CrucibleAdam Rowan
Genre: New Adult Publisher: Spinning Monkey PressDate of Publication: May 14, 2024ISBN: 9798985769562ASIN: B0CXYM3R8BWord Count: 90000
Tagline: Treasure comes in many forms
Book Description:
Maxwell Jacobs, a neurodivergent 21-year-old with a passion for knights, Tetris and cheese sandwiches, harbours an audacious dream-to become the greatest treasure hunter in England.
His chance comes with The Crystalline Crucible, a treasure-hunting contest promising untold wealth and answers to the world's biggest secrets. However, Max's mission gets off to a rocky start when he's arrested for breaking into a museum in search of a clue. His fear of leaving his hometown, Stapleford, his cynical best friend, Rosie Shaw, and his clumsy, awkward nature only serve to complicate things further. Overall, his prospects seem dim.
That is, until Max crosses paths with Khalil Ahmed, a former criminal seeking redemption and quick cash. Despite their differences, their shared desperation draws them into The Crystalline Crucible. Together, they'll decipher cryptic clues and embark on an epic nationwide adventure, with high stakes and a singular goal: to find treasure!
Amazon Books2Read BN Smashwords AmazonUK Apple
CHAPTER 1: THE WOOLLY MAMMOTH THIEF
In the seven-decade-long existence of the Nottingham Natural History Museum,no break-in had ever occurred until five a.m. on one fateful Saturday. Thetrespasser’s name was Maxwell Oscar Jacobs, a local retail worker. In his sparetime, he enjoyed playing Tetris, doing crossword puzzles, and—his preferredpastime—a spot of treasure hunting.
With a stone he’d found on the pavement, Max had smashed the museum’sback window and climbed into it by balancing on a rubbish bin. Shortlythereafter, he padded warily through the geology exhibit surrounded by modelsof Earth, not enjoying the experience in the slightest. Surveillance camerasmounted above on the wall scanned him, but he dearly hoped the authorities hadn’tbeen dispatched to arrest him. They shouldn’t be. After all, he hadn’t pouredchocolate milk on the power box outside for nothing.
Max was twenty-one years old, rather tall with stick insect limbs.Bright blond hair and a poorly cut fringe topped his head. He wore a greyCookie Monster hoodie, straight-legged jeans, Mickey Mouse socks and a cheap,halfbroken children’s watch with coloured numbers. He also wore blue trainers withthe shoelaces undone and carried a Tony the Tiger rucksack in which to storethe mammoth tusk he was after. To top it all, he had a scabbard that held abroadsword called Fleshrender, Max’s favourite possession.
Pacing along, he thought passingly that he should have dressed the partmore and put on a ski mask. His heart pounded as he passed by the dinosaur exhibit,unease assailing him. It was too late to go home at this point. He just had tofind the mammoth tusk before daylight.
He gathered himself, drew his sword and focused on not tripping whilehe navigated through the dark, winding corridors. Even the smallest of noises madehim jump—broadsword at the ready—as he crept through the empty halls.
With the lights off, the museum was practically a haunted house. While hetiptoed into the zoology section, glimmering rays of moonlight streamed inthrough the windows, falling gently over him. Shadowed model animals lined thewalls, felt rabbits and plastic spiders sitting on table displays. A frighteningbear stood with its paws raised and its sharp jaws wide open as if
ready to pounce on him at a moment’s notice. Max’s eyes widened, but withinseconds he discerned to his relief it was just taxidermy.
At last, the mammoth appeared behind a red security barrier not far away.With every muscle tensed, he gazed in awe at its gigantic figure. But his jawdropped as he realised, despite how carefully he had planned this mission, he’dforgotten one crucial part: how to extract the mammoth tusk out of theskeleton. It looked like it’d been screwed in tightly. Should’ve
brought a screwdriver. Oh, bother.
Pushing his shoulders back, he sheathed his weapon, strode right up to
the mammoth and peered at the display label. It read:
This woolly mammothskeleton was discovered in 1925 by a team of esteemed archaeologists in ruralDevon. It was the first almost entirely preserved specimen ever uncovered inEngland. It is a relic of priceless historical value. DO NOT TOUCH.
Deciding to disobey and wrest the tusk out, Max stepped over the maroonrope that encircled the mammoth and wrapped his hands around it. Like Arthurpulling the sword from the stone, there was nothing else to do but pull really,really hard.
After counting down from three, he tugged the mammoth tusk towards himwith all his might. It took a few tries, but finally the tusk separated from thewoolly mammoth skeleton with a nasty crack, and he fell on his backside.
Yet before he could rejoice, he heard the sound of a creak.
A door opened across the room.
“PUT YOUR HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK! LAY DOWN ON THE GROUND!”
Max turned around and scrambled to his feet, mouth wide open. Police withintimidating weapons emerged out of nowhere, swarming him. He gaped at theapproaching horde before looking back down at the tusk. This couldn’t behappening.
The thought crossed his mind to run. But what was the point? There weretoo many police. He was toast!
He dropped the mammoth tusk on the floor and unsheathed his sword.
“Listen, this is all a b-big misunderstanding,” he stuttered.
“NO MISUNDERSTANDING!” a second officer yelled, a woman in a navy tunicwith a bulletproof vest. She inched over to him. “HANDS BEHIND YOUR BACK NOW!”
Max stared at the police, aghast. They think I’m a criminal. How ridiculous.I’m just an innocent treasure hunter!
“Let me e-explain. It’s v-very, very important for you to let meeexplain,” Max stammered.
He pointed his sword at them threateningly, before spotting a paunchy manwho held what looked like a laser pointer and was aiming it at him.
Max swung the sword around as a warning. “Please. If you’d just give mea second to clear this up, I’m sure that—arghhh!”
His words cut out with a bloodcurdling scream. Electricity surged throughhis body. The red dot he’d seen on his chest hadn’t been from a laser pointerat all, but a taser. Limbs spasming, Max fell onto the floor and crumpled intoa ball as the police closed in on him.
About the Author: Author Adam Rowan’s passion for writing began in childhood, although he admits his early attempts were far from perfect. After a hiatus during his teenage years, Adam rediscovered his love for writing in his early twenties and has been dedicated to improving his craft ever since. In 2022, MotherButterfly Books published Adam's first novel. His second book, The Crystalline Crucible, is published by Spinning Monkey Press and is inspired by his experiences growing up in England. When he's not immersed in the world of writing, Adam is an electronic musician and avid film fan. With the support of his family, Adam continues to pursue his writing dreams, understanding that patience is key in the journey of creating a book.
Threads https://www.threads.net/@shinjutnt
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/shinjutnt/
Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3w3uH0d
May 17, 2024
A Bewitching Friday
INTERVIEW - PNR - MARKED UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN (Black rock Guardians, #3) by Susanna Storm #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4dICJwE
The Crystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4dGPPdR
Susanna Strom's Author Journey #PNR #Shifter #FatedMates
#bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4bDegH3
Marked Under the Midnight Sun by Susanna Strom Virtual Book Tour
https://www.mommasaystoread.com/2024/...
The Heart of Chenoa by Creole Noir Virtual Book Tour
https://www.mommasaystoread.com/2024/...
“Deliciously unpredictable and absolutely engrossing, Nicola Solvinic’s The Hunter’s Daughter is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a very long time. With a dash of magical realism and the kind of complicated, conflicted heroine I love, Solvinic pulls off a nearly impossible feat: making the reader care about a woman who may well be following in her serial killer father’s footsteps. Put The Hunter’s Daughter at the top of your TBR list—I loved this book!”
—Karen Dionne, bestselling author The Marsh King's Daughter
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller
Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
https://amzn.to/3Touz4p
#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases #Amazon #ad #CommissionsEarned
May 16, 2024
A Bewitching Thursday
Susanna Strom's Author Journey #PNR #Shifter #FatedMates
#bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4bDegH3
The Crystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan #bewitchingboktours https://buff.ly/4bk6xy2
“Deliciously unpredictable and absolutely engrossing, Nicola Solvinic’s The Hunter’s Daughter is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a very long time. With a dash of magical realism and the kind of complicated, conflicted heroine I love, Solvinic pulls off a nearly impossible feat: making the reader care about a woman who may well be following in her serial killer father’s footsteps. Put The Hunter’s Daughter at the top of your TBR list—I loved this book!”
—Karen Dionne, bestselling author The Marsh King's Daughter
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller
Interview: PNR Romance Author Susanna Strom + excerpt #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4alZfIA
Check out The Crystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan. This is a new adult and Rowan's second novel. #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3vCMxqL
Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
https://amzn.to/3Touz4p
#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
As an Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases #Amazon #ad #CommissionsEarned
May 14, 2024
A Bewitching Tuesday
Creole Noir's Protection Spell #ProtectionSpell #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4bCFrlr
Guest Blog- Bound Across Time by Annie R McEwen #ParanormalRomance
#bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3K42mdL
Marked Under the Midnight Sun (Black Rock Guardians, Book Three) by Susanna Strom ~ Paranormal Romance #PNR ~ #BewitchingInterview #Interview #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3WDIdmc
Bound Across Time by Annie R McEwen #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3WFhXI0
MARKED UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN TOUR #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3UXxodv
The Crystalline Crucible Book Tour
If you love action, adventure, and treasure hunting, you’re going to want to read The Cystalline Crucible by Adam Rowan! #bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/4aj8N7w
Bound Across Time by Annie R McEwen Review, Excerpt Interview & Giveaway
#bewitchingbooktours https://buff.ly/3UOa6FQ
A hypnotic, sinister debut mystery about a seemingly good cop who is secretly the daughter of a notorious serial killer.
“MYSTICAL AND ENTRANCING… plunges you into the deepest, darkest woods to uncover a family’s sinister secrets with the one woman brave enough to look evil in the eyes.” - Georgina Cross, Author
The Hunter’s Daughter by Nicola Solvinic
https://amzn.to/48NTMdP
https://bit.ly/3YDcQHB
#nicolasolvinic #mysteryauthor #crimeauthor #thrillerwriter #criminology #criminologymastermind #crimefiction #crimethriller #crimenovels #detectivenovels #suspensenovels #thrillerbooks #murdermystery #mysteryseries #whodunit #mysteryreads #bookcommunity #mustread #bookrecommendation #bookish #booklovers #readinglist #bookclub #bestseller
Join Roxanne Rhoads June 29, at 2pm
Curious at Crossroads- Oddities Fest
Crossroads Village
6140 Bray Rd, Flint, MI
https://www.facebook.com/events/76102...
Check in for chills, check out with goosebumps: Explore Michigan's haunted hotels with author, Roxanne Rhoads.
Haunted Hotels of Michigan
Coming August 12, 2024
https://amzn.to/3Touz4p
#MichigansMostHauntedHotels #MichigansMostHaunted
#HauntedMichigan #MichiganGhosts #GhostlyGetaways #MichigansGhostlyGetaways #HauntedTravel #GhostTravel #GhostTourism #HauntedTourism #DarkTourism #HauntedHotelsofMichigan #MichigansHauntedHotels
She’s an American historian: rational, logical, sure that she’s found her dream job in a Welsh castle. The job comes with a dream man: clever, strong, fiercely attractive. What’s the catch? He’s a ghost. https://amzn.to/3uTAwNo
#paranormalromance #ghostromance #ghostlove #romance #witchcraft #timeslip #celticfolklore #Samhain #DayoftheDead #standingstones #magick #familysecrets #Wales #haunted #supernatural #series #welshmagick #Wicca #welshwitchcraft #Irishfolklore #hauntedcastle #castleghost
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