Fiona Ingram's Blog, page 11

Book Spotlight: Blood and Water by Linda Armstrong Miller

 

It’s about telling the people you love that you love them, because tomorrow is not promised to you…

 

Title: Blood & Water
Author: Linda Armstrong-Miller
Publisher: Dorrance Publishing
Pages: 266
Genre: Christian Thriller

Lisa Rivers is agenius with a photographic memory. She is the youngest, highest paidcomputer designer for the Department of Defense. Her program promises no more POWs and can be used domestically. No more missing children. So,how is it that Lisa is kidnapped? How was her identity discovered? Isshe still alive and if so, can she be found before it is too late?

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/35nwbkz3

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdcu442x

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/tbn9suhe

Book Excerpt  

 

Sunday morning, Sam Rivers and his son Zach ran from the parking lot to the entry of the emergency room. The run had only been a hundred yards but, with the guilt Sam carried, twenty extra pounds, and no sleep in the past twenty-four hours, he found himself panting and sweating as if he had just run a marathon.He bent over, placed a hand on each knee for support. As he did, sweat joined in the center of his smooth, black forehead, ran down to a point, and dropped off his nose as he held his head, first down then up, trying to catch his breath.The few gray strands at his temple appeared to outshine the rest of his black hair. If this is what getting old is all about, Sam decided he didn’t want any part of it. He stood and wiped his face. The sweat made his skin look like dark shiny caramel.Breathing less like an asthmatic old man, Sam led Zach through the doorway. Once inside, they felt lost and overwhelmed. They stopped, looked around for a familiar face then tried not to panic when they didn’t find one.As Sam looked around, he continued to work on controlling his breathing and on the catch that had seized his right side.There were two areas where they could seek help, triage and the information desk—both busy. Between the two areas was a door sporting a Staff Only sign. Sam thought about trying the door. Before he could, a young woman wearing baggy blue jeans and a sagging yellow T-shirt—Sam could only guess she was someone wanting to be seen but hadn’t—beat him to it.The exasperated attendant of the information desk turned to her and asked, “Can’t you read?”“I was just looking for the bathroom,” the lady with the yellow T-shirt said then sucked her teeth.“That sign don’t say Bathroom.” He pointed down the hall to a sign that did.With that, the attendant turned back to the young mother of two standing before the information desk. The lady with the yellow T-shirt turned from the door, flipped the attendant a bird then left through the doors Sam and Zach had just entered.The waiting room was filled with mothers holding babies and with men and women reading magazines as they waited for one of the too-few rooms to become available. Sam and Zach felt like intruders as they walked through the waiting room trying to find a way back into the patient care area; unwilling to wait. On the way to the bathrooms, they passed a man holding his head down as if snoozing, a lady sitting next to him, trying to quiet her crying baby. He never looked up but she watched them suspiciously as they walked through.After checking the phone and bathroom areas, Sam and Zach had no choice but to go back and wait for someone at either the triage area or information desk to become available. There were two nurses at triage. One, somewhere in her early twenties, was assisting an elderly white-haired lady—who was not making her job easy. For some reason, the lady kept trying to pull her blouse up and show the nurse something underneath. Each time she did, the woman exposed her undergarment. The nurse noticed Sam, smiled then looked back at the elderly lady.The other nurse, mid-thirties, maybe older, was with a young mother who was holding a runny-nosed little boy. He squirmed, trying to get down. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he screamed for all to hear, “Let go!”More focused and quicker than the younger nurse, the older nurse finished with the mother who couldn’t control her child then moved on to yet another mother and child combo. When done, she turned to Sam and Zach.“Sir, may I help you?” she asked.Her name was Tish, no last name, just Tish. She was light skinned with sandy brown hair, which was pulled tightly into a ponytail. Tish was heavy-set with a pretty face but, for some reason, she seemed unwilling or unable to smile. She looked tired, although it was only 0800.Tish looked at Sam through the open glass partition which separated them as he approached. “Yes, I’m Detective Rivers. My daughter was just brought in by helicopter.” Sam who was tired and had pain in both his knees and his legs also found it hard to smile at 0800.The pain in his knees and legs were the least of the pain he felt, the pain that encompassed his heart threatened to encompass the rest of him. He felt all of the fifty-three years that made up his life catching up with him. At least he was no longer panting. He was thankful for that.“Sir, let me get the patient representative. She’ll be able to…”“I don’t want the patient representative.” Sam walked away from Zach, meaning for him to stay where he was, and approached the door. Zach followed anyway. "I want to see my daughter, Lisa Rivers. I know she's here?"Sam looked through the open door into the hallway located behind triage. He wondered where Special Agent Frank Millwood was. Sam couldn’t help feeling angry at Frank. He knew they were coming. Where was he? Why hadn’t he made arrangements for them to be taken straight back upon their arrival?“Sir, at the moment—” Tish started again.“There was an FBI agent that came in with my daughter, Agent Millwood.Where is he?” Sam interrupted her again.“Detective Rivers, Zach, over here.” They turned and saw Millwood standing in the hallway, at the end of the waiting room. The sight of him immediately made Sam forget he had been angry at him. In fact, he was glad to see him. According to Frank’s partner, Sam couldn’t ask for anyone better to protect Lisa. That kind of praise from one lawman about another was gold.Saturday night, when Frank was called in, before Lisa’s rescue had gone down, Frank had been dressed in a nice coat and tie. Sam marveled that all he had to show for the day’s wear and tear was a little dirt. As far as Sam was concerned, that made him a lucky man.Frank had thick curly brown hair with even thicker and curlier eyelashes, the kind that women envied. He had perfect white teeth that flashed easily.Sam found him easy to like and trust—something he rarely found, especially the first time he met someone.Millwood was a second-generation FBI agent, joining the agency because it was expected of him. If Millwood was feeling the pressure of walking in his father’s footsteps, it didn’t show.“Thank God,” Sam said leaving Tish and triage.Millwood waved at Tish, indicating that Sam and Zach were friends, not foes. This didn’t seem to impress Tish one way or the other, but she said nothing more, allowing the two to pass.As Sam and Zach walked with Millwood, it appeared that he was either already familiar with this emergency room or he’d done a lot of investigating since arriving. He led them down a long hallway that had no patient examination rooms, just closed doors.They went about halfway down that hall and turned to the right, which placed them in an area that did have examination rooms. They passed the mother with the runny-nosed little boy. She was chasing him in the hallway while other patients watched her. Some were laughing at her and encouraging the little boy to run faster.Millwood caught the kid and held him for his mother. He then flashed a look at a young, white male of about twenty-two, sporting tattoos of horned serpents all over his right arm. The look said, I dare you to say another word.When the mother had her son in the room again, Millwood pulled the door shut and the three of them continued.They made a left onto another hall and Millwood led Sam and Zach to room 104, where all else ceased to exist for Sam. The door to the room was open and no one in the room seemed to realize visitors were standing outside looking in. Sam and Zach watched the flurry of activity centered on a stretcher that sat in the center of the room.Lisa laid on that stretcher, attached to three IVs—one in each arm, and another one with four tails extending from it, protruded from her neck. Two one-liter bags, which were almost empty, hung from an IV pole; their fluids ran into Lisa’s veins. A small bag with the word Dopamine and the life-saving liquid from two units of blood were also running into Lisa’s bruised and battered body.As if that weren’t enough, she also had wires running from her small chest to a cardiac monitor mounted to the wall. Other wires ran from her chest and back to another monitor that sat on a red cart. Without being told, Sam and Zach knew what all the activity was about. Lisa had gone into cardiac arrest and now she was being resuscitated. She had coded.

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About the Author 

Linda Armstrong-Miller has worked in the medical field for over twenty years. In that time, she has worked as a counselor, registered nurse in the emergency room, ICU, Recovery Room, and she has worked with children placed in psychiatric hospitals. She understands when a family is in crisis, and she has been with them during their time of distress, depression, anxiety, and difficulty. She believes in God and uses her belief as well as her experience when writing. Blood and Water is her second book published. Touched is her first book. Currently she is working on a young adult trilogy.

Website: lindaarmstrongmillerauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindaam1 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039732613292 

 

Becoming Flawesome by Kristina Mand-Lakhiani

 

Being described as “10 years worth of therapy in one book,” Becoming Flawesome is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth…

Title: Becoming Flawesome
Author: Kristina Mand-Lakhiani
Publisher: Hay House Publishing
Pages: 280
Genre: Nonfiction

Perfection. We all dream of living by it, feeling it, being it…

And it is in the name of perfection that we demonise our flaws, make ourselves ‘less-than,’ and render ourselves vulnerable to the shame of not being good enough.

We live in a society that subliminally encourages us to wear metaphorical masks, slay our inner sadness, and ignore our imperfections, or as Kristina refers to them, her ‘dragons.’ Even within the world of personal development and spirituality, toxic perfectionism lurks in the shadows.

In Kristina’s upcoming book Becoming Flawesome #BecomingFlawesome, she reflects on her own story, her battle against perfectionism, and what it took for her to return to what she now deems to be her most authentic self. Being described as “10 years worth of therapy in one book,” Becoming Flawsome is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth.

Every chapter is closed with reflection points and exercises to encourage the readers to dive deep into the essence of who they truly are, what their values are, and how to navigate an oftentimes overwhelming world.

In this book, Kristina breaks the mould as she takes the reader on a journey through:

The dark, controversial side of ‘personal growth,’ and the insecurities that thrive on it

Self-care vs self-love, and why you need both

What authenticity actually is, beyond the buzz

The ‘Hermione Syndrome,’ and how to diagnose if you’re secretly suffering from it

How to create aligned lifestyle habits that stick

Why the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself

Societal masks, and how to remove them from your psyche 

Imposter syndrome in the world of high-flyers 

Emotional literacy: how to cope with strong, painful emotions healthily 

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx 

Mind Valley Books: https://www.mindvalley.com/books/flawesome 

What is Becoming Flawesome? 

 

Being deeplyinvolved in the personal growth industry for 20 years, surrounded byprofessional friends who have written and published successful books, I alwaysassumed that I would write a book. It seemed like a natural progression withinour industry. However, my tendency to be brutally honest with myself presenteda challenge. I knew that I would only write a book when I had somethingmeaningful to contribute. This realization took years because I had beenfocused on my work as an entrepreneur and marketer, helping other authorsconvey their messages and teaching their methods. It was only after some timethat I recognized I had my own unique perspective to share, even if it drewinspiration from the teachings of others. 

 At a certain point,I felt a strong desire to share a message with the world, and that was themoment I knew I was ready to write the book. I sat down and began the writingprocess. However, my initial concern was finding the right publisher. Given mydeep involvement in the industry, I felt a strong inclination to publish withan exceptional and reputable publisher. I hesitated to publish independently,as I felt it would not align with the ideas I embraced as a co-founder of aprominent company in our field. It dawned on me that if I wanted to write abook about staying true to myself, my values, and authenticity, I needed to doit on my own terms. This realization led me to choose self-publishing, enablingme to make independent decisions about content, writing style, and the order inwhich it would be presented. The initial version of the book carried arebellious tone, reflecting this newfound autonomy.

 

However, uponcompleting the manuscript and preparing for publication, an unexpectedopportunity arose. A reputable publisher, one that I had admired for some time,expressed interest in publishing my book. At that point, I felt that my bookcould benefit from being associated with a well-established publisher like HayHouse. I agreed to work with them under the condition that they would allow meto retain my unique and somewhat obstinate style. Although additional editingwas done in collaboration with Hay House, the book still maintains some of itsunconventional nature. In essence, this book represents a small act ofrebellion, which aligns well with its topic. This book will help you to findyour way back to your most authentic self, break free from toxic perfectionism,and start living flawesomely - find the courage to be completely honest withyourself, and kindness in your heart to love and accept yourselfunconditionally.

 


About the Author

Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of Mindvalley, a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more. 

She started her career in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s, achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company quickly grew into a global educational organization offering top training for peak human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the world. 

Kristina believes life is too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world traveller. Kristina helps her students to virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework - “Hacking happiness” - a unique framework of balancing your life, taking in every moment, and paying close attention to the small daily choices.  

Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests - "7 Days To Happiness", "Live By Your Own Rules.” and "The Art of Being Flawesome". Kristina talks about personal transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a path to happiness.

In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book - "Becoming Flawesome" #BecomingFlawesome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path towards being more honest with herself. 

Website: https://kristinamand.com/

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414/

 
 

10 Things You Might Not Know About Larimar: Gem of the Sea by Christine E. Schulze

 

A fearless captain and a mysterious girl who walks on water. An underwater city and a destined deadly curse. What could possibly go wrong?

 

Title: Larimar: Gem of the Sea
Author: Christine E. Schulze
Publisher: KDP Publishing
Pages: 140
Genre: YA | Fantasy

A fearless captain and a mysterious girl who walks on water. An underwater city and a destined deadly curse. What could possibly go wrong? Captain Jorah is renowned for being one of the youngest explorers to ever sail Zephyrian waters. He’s also notorious for landing his crew in situations they hadn’t counted on, involving man-eating mermaids and other dangerous misadventures.

When Jorah decides to search for the legendary underwater City of Larimar, he doesn’t account for the quest that follows. After being rescued from shipwreck by a mysterious young woman who walks on water and carries a singing seashell around her neck, he soon finds himself reunited with an old friend once thought lost to him. Before he knows it, he’s caught up in a race against time to save her yet again, this time from a looming prophecy about a deadly serpent destined to consume her entire race.

Can Jorah help her save her people before the dark prophecy completes itself?

The Amielian Legends is a collection of stand-alone young adult books, all set in the same fantastic universe, that can be read in any order. Read Larimar: Gem of the Sea today to discover new worlds filled with adventure, diverse characters, and whimsical magic.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/44u4tQY 

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Larimar-Gem-of-the-Sea-Audiobook/B0BZDYVKWY

 

10 Things You Might NotKnow About 

Larimar: Gem of the Sea

Larimar is the first book I’ve ever published an audiobook edition of! The audiobook edition released on April 20th, 2023, which also happened to be my birthday. Auditioning various narrators and getting to hear how they brought each character to life was a fantastically fun time. I ultimately went with Jocelyn Duford, who not only does a great job with each character but has a beautiful singing voice. Since the book contains two little songs that I composed, listening to Jocelyn sing them is an added gem (pun intended!) in the audiobook. I actually still have a few free review copies of the audiobook, so if you read the rest of this post and the book sounds up your alley, feel free to reach out at fadbooks@authorchristineschulze.com to request a copy to listen to and review.

While Larimar is now a novella, it was originally published as a short story. I’ve since added in extra chapters and scenes and fleshed out the characters. This allowed it to stand on its own and become an official book in The Amielian Legends (more on that below).

One of the main inspirations behind the book was the larimar gemstone. Back when I wrote the original short story version, I was obsessed with rocks, gems, and minerals. Honestly, I still love rocks and gems, collecting them, and learning any history or lore behind them. Did you know that larimar stone was originally found in 1916 but wasn’t named until it was rediscovered in 1974 by explorer Miguel Mendez? He named the stone after his daughter and the Spanish word for sea, “mar.” What a cool stone to inspire my underwater city and race of elves! 

A lot of the characters in my books are inspired by real-life people that I know. In the first draft of the short story version of Larimar, Jorah was called Michael, after a friend of mine from grade school. Larimar and the other characters aren’t inspired by anyone in particular, but these days, my boyfriend Isaac and I say that Jorah and Larimar are “us,” our book couple. Except that he would be Larimar and I would be Jorah, both in terms of personality and appearance. Jorah is light-skinned with green eyes and golden hair, and Larimar has brown skin and black hair. Swap the genders and you have me and Isaac. I also dedicated the sequel story to Isaac and me, as that one was very much inspired by us.

Say, what? There’s a sequel? That’s right! So, Larimar is part of The Amielian Legends, which is my series of stand-alone books all set in the same fantasy universe. They are each individual stories about different characters and kingdoms that can be read in any order. That being said, Book 8, Narwhals in the Stars, is the only book in the series to follow characters from a previous book. Larimar and Narwhals are both adventures about Jorah and Larimar. They can each be read separately on their own, but in reading both, you get both their backstory and where their lives ultimately take them together.

Another inspiration behind Larimar is my favorite gaming series, The Legend of Zelda. Tears of the Kingdom just released (at the time of writing this, I’ve played it non-stop for three days), so best believe I’m taking every chance I can to hype up Zelda and the way it’s inspired my writing since I was a kid. One big inspiration was the idea of a world filled with many diverse races with their own powers and abilities. The Larimar Elves are no exception. They live and breathe underwater but can also live on land. And they are one of my dark-skinned elven races, since diversity is important to me in fantasy (more on that later too). Zelda may not be as big an inspiration to Larimar as other books of mine (like Prelude of Fire, in which characters go on a quest to collect seven prism shards and can perform magic spells through magic songs), but it’s still left its mark on Larimar. In fact, the world of Loz where Larimar and many of my books take place, was named after “Legend of Zelda,” as an homage to the series that inspired me so much as a writer.

Speaking of which, Larimar takes place in the Lozolian Realm, which readers visit in many of my other books. And the cool thing about that is you might see some crossovers. For example, the Larimar Elves are mentioned in The Gailean Quartet, a completely separate series.

Larimar reflects one of my passions as an author, which is to include a diverse cast of characters. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to see more diversity in my favorite genre. No one taught me to be that way. I think it’s just something God put in me, and no one taught me to NOT be that way. My mom knew I preferred dolls who looked different than me because I thought they were pretty, and she didn’t try to make me get a blonde doll just because it looked like me (I would’ve likely protested anyway, as I was pretty strong-willed). As they say, if you don’t see something, write it yourself. So, I started writing books inspired by favorite stories like Narnia and Lord of the Rings, but with more diverse races. 

Larimar will eventually be part of an Omnibus. Two omnibuses editions for The Amielian Legends are in the works. The first will contain Books 1 through 4, and the other will contain Books 5 through 8. Each omnibus will also include a bonus story. If that sounds pretty cool and you want to know when the omnibuses are ready to release, consider joining my newsletter at https://www.authorchristineschulze.com/newsletter. You also get a couple free stories with the newsletter too.

Last but not least, Larimar is a fast-paced adventure both on the high seas and under the seas, perfect for those looking forward to the new The Little Mermaid! To find Larimar and read it for yourself, in audiobook, ebook, or paperback form, you can go here: https://www.amazon.com/Larimar-Epic-Fantasy-Adventure-High/dp/B0BQ9LM6YF About the Author

Christine E. Schulze has been living in castles, exploring magical worlds, and creating fantastical adventures and romances since she was too young to even write of such stories. Her collection of young adult and children’s fantasy books, The Amielian Legacy, is comprised of series and stand-alone books that can all be read separately, but also weave together to create a single, amazing fantasy.

One of her main aspirations for The Amielian Legacy is to create fantasy stories with characters that connect with readers from many different backgrounds. Her current focus is to include racially diverse characters and those with disabilities. The latter is inspired by Schulze working with adults with autism and other developmental disabilities at Trinity Services in Southern Illinois.

Schulze draws much of her inspiration from favorite authors like Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Diana Wynne Jones, favorite games like The Legend of Zelda, and especially from the people in her life. Some of her exciting ventures include the publication of her award-winning Bloodmaiden, as well as The Gailean Quartet with Words Matter Publishing. Her books for younger readers include In the Land of Giants and The Amazing Captain K.

Christine currently lives in a cozy Hobbit hole, but you can visit her on her website: http://christineschulze.com.

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10 Things You Might Not Know About Hush Hush City by Jo Denning

CruelPrince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to DeadBlood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series!Saoirse Reilly, policedetective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling upbut there's no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once again. Whileinvestigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a supernatural power strugglecenturies in the making. Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newlyinstalled vrykolakas master,needs Reilly’s help securing his territory—which just so happens to be herhometown. Alderisi, once herenemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste forReilly's blood. The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be torely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert issomething more than human.If anyone can take on monsters, it's him. And he'd like to get closer to Reillythan ever before.There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there's nothingmore dangerous. After all…Stepping out of the silenceis scary but secrets can kill.Will Reilly escape the web of death anddeception? Find outin this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfectheroes and slow burndark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted. Amazon:https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq

 

10 ThingsYou Might Not Know About Hush Hush City

Did you know that Hush Hush City…

Explores the overlap of Viking and Irish culture? (Bonus fact: The Vikings ruled Dublin for nearly three-hundred years.)

Includes cameos with Clara and Chelsea?

Gives more information about Reilly’s heritage and her mysterious father, Cian Dermot?

Features new monsters and myths, including draugr and dhampyr?

Describes many modern magical practices like osteomancy, crystal charging, and Ogham?

Reveals Somerled’s true identity?

Illustrates Delaney and Aiden’s psychic abilities? 

Touches on the fraught history between Ukraine and Russia?

Shows the dark past Alderisi and Somerled share?

Introduces Maureen’s (real) boyfriend?

 

 

About the Author

 

Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse Reilly series. She has spenther career as a behavioral health therapist supporting kids and teens whostruggle with addiction. Jo began writing supernatural crime thrillers as a wayof processing the traumatic things she has seen and heard. Her characters maybe supernatural but their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So,too, are their triumphs over impossible odds.

When she's notwriting, Jo enjoys baking, drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makesher home somewhere in the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffycat, and one barely domesticated cat.

Let’sConnect!

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Book Spotlight: A Final Farewell by Marilyn Meredith

 

The discovery of a body in a neighbor’s pond piques retired deputy Tempe Crabtree’s curiosity, and she begins her own investigation…

Title: A Final Farewell
Author: Marilyn Meredith
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 227
Genre: Mystery

A woman’s body found in a neighbor’s pond piques Tempe’s curiosity. It isn’t long before she is enmeshed in the intrigue and gossip surrounding the mystery.

Miqui Sherwood has two handsome suitors both wanting to marry her. Does either one have any ties to the murder victim?

Tempe’s life is threatened, and the health of Tempe’s friend and mentor, Nick Two John, is failing.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40YLA5V

Book Excerpt  

 

“Oh, my goodness. Jerod Garfield drained his pond and found a body.” Tempe had been reading the local news on her phone while her husband read the Dennison Banner.

Hutch folded the Banner and put in on the kitchen table where they’d been drinking their morning coffee. “Nothing in here about it.”

“I don’t know why we bother with the paper. Now that it’s delivered by mail, the news is at least a day late.”

“I like it because it has positive articles about the schools, sports, and kids as well as others’ achievements. And I’ve always read the paper with my morning coffee.”

True, and Tempe once had done the same, but these days, it was easier and quicker to check her phone.

Her husband clung to his habits of the past. He refilled his mug from the coffee pot on the table. “Who is the deceased?”

“Authorities don’t know yet.”

“You have any idea who it might be?”

She shrugged. “If I were still on the job, I’d find out who has gone missing in the past few years.” Tempe had recently retired as the resident deputy of Bear Creek. She hadn’t been replaced. Instead, deputies from Dennison were assigned to patrol Bear Creek on different shifts, or were sent to respond in the case of an emergency.

These days, unless they planned to do something special, Tempe’s daily attire during the cooler fall temperatures consisted of a sweater, good jeans, and a comfortable pair of sneakers. Like she’d always done, she wore her still all-black hair in a long, thick single braid. Hutch usually donned his favorite well-worn Levi’s, a long-sleeved flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. 

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About the Author

Marilyn Meredith is the author of over forty published novels, including the award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of the Public Safety Writers Association. She’s taught writing in many venues and appeared on numerous panels at mystery cons. Her home is in the foothills of the Southern Sierra, a place much like the fictional Bear Creek of the Tempe Crabtree mysteries. When not writing, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her large family.

Website | http://fictionforyou.com 

Twitter | http://www.twitter.com/marilynmeredith 

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/marilynmeredith 

   Sponsored By:

Book Spotlight: Write Out Loud by Naomi D. Nakashima

Are you stillstruggling with your book? Feeling overwhelmed or creatively blocked withself-doubt, fear, and general anxiety about what it means to write a book? Areyou still wondering if you have what it takes to even write a book? Not allfears are created equal. Write Out Loud is a step-by-step guide to help youidentify the fears that are keeping you from sharing your story so you can beatthem back and finally write your book with confidence. In Write Out Loud,you’ll learn how to:

• identify the source ofyour self-doubts and fears

• validate your book idea

• gain self-belief (in yourstory and in your ability to write your story)

• start writing your firstdraft with confidence

• feel comfortable talkingabout your book idea

• And, yes, much more!

 Amazon bestsellingauthor and ghostwriter Naomi D. Nakashima brings her experience of helpingauthors to write and publish their books along with her training as apsychotherapist to walk you through the sometimes-painful process of facingyour fears and sharing your story. If you're ready to finally sit down andstart writing your book without the fear and anxiety, read Write OutLoud: How to Get Over your Fears and Build the Confidence to Finally Write YourBook. Purchase a copy of Write Out Loud on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Bookshop.org. You can also get an autographedcopy (and put more money back in the author's hands) by purchasing it on Glitz andGlamour. Make sure you also add it to your GoodReads reading list.

 

Naomi D. Nakashima is abestselling author of nonfiction, a ghostwriter with 20 years experience, atrained psychotherapist, and a TikTok writing coach with thousands of followerswho attend her coaching events and regular Q&As. Everything I Needto Know About Parenting I Learned from Watching Star Trek, her first bookpublished under her name, became an international Amazon bestseller and stayedon the bestseller list for step-parenting and blended families for three years.As a single mother of two, Naomi daydreams about spending her free time readingbooks, diamond painting, and traveling the world.

 Follow her online at:

 Website: https://helpmenaomi.com/

Shop: https://shop.glitzandgrammar.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/helpmenaomi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helpmenaomi/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/helpmenaomi/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helpmenaomi/

Happy Birthday Blast for Babe in the Woods by Jude Hopkins

 

We're thrilled to announce the release of Jude Hopkins' Babe in the Woods today! To help celebrate, we are asking our readers if you can please prettyplease pick up a copy at Amazon and come back and tell us how you liked it? Or, leave a review!  
Congratulations, Jude, on your women's fiction new release, Babe in the Woods!




Is Now Available in Paperback! 

It's September 1995, the first year of the rest of HADLEY TODD'S life. After a decade in Los Angeles, trying and failing to launch her career as aplaywright, Hadley has returned to her hometown in rural New York towrite and to be closer to her lonely, ailing father - not that he always welcomes the help. Between looking after him and teaching Shakespeareto teenage malcontents at the local high school, Hadley is determined to produce a masterpiece before 36. She even joins a writing group,thinking the structure will keep her focused. Hadley hopes to channelher recent heartbreak from being dumped in L.A. into writing a playabout the last moment of a woman's innocence, a play that an agentfriend in Hollywood has promised to produce. But she struggles withwriter's block and seeks inspiration.

Enter TREY HARDING, a young, handsome sports reporter for a local radiostation who covers sports at the high school where Hadley teaches. Treyreminds Hadley of her L.A. ex and is the perfect spark to touch off herimagination. Trey has two girlfriends who work at the school, givingHadley a great perch from which to watch and write down theirinteractions. The fact that Trey is an aspiring rock star and she hasL.A. record biz connections makes the alliance perfect. She danglespromises of music biz glory while watching his moves. But after theyboth go to Hollywood, Hadley learns that believing in herself is all the inspiration she needs.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41FoWQa 

Barnes & Noble: https://bit.ly/451nn20

About Jude Hopkins

Jude Hopkins has published essays in The Los Angeles Times, Medium, andelsewhere, as well as poetry in numerous journals and magazines. Herwork can be found on her website at judehopkinswriting.net.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/HeyJudeNotJudy

Medium: https://medium.com/@heyjudehopkins 
 

Top Ten Things You Might Not Know about Peter J. White & The Ghost Hunter Series

 

When the ghostly victimsof a small-town crime lord find him, ex-special forces soldier Max Sinclairrealizes the only road to peace is to serve them the justice they crave. But the Bannister clanhas tentacles that reach from Eastern Washington into Mexico, trafficking womenacross the border and into their brothels. Haunted by visions of the dead, Maxburns a swath through the Bannister empire, doing his best to set the dead free,but odds are he'll be joining them before he's done. The Hollow Men is the first novel in the Ghost Hunterseries about a vigilante who sees the dead—Max Sinclair. Haunted by visions andlonging for justice and redemption, Max hunts down evil incarnate—his soulhanging in the balance as he walks the line between the dark and the light.

 

Top Ten Things You Might Not Know about
PeterJ. White & The Ghost Hunter Series

1) I lived in Thailand 1984-1990; this hasinformed almost everything I’ve written since.
2) I started out writing screenplays (almost all horror) and am currentlyturning my
screenplays into novels. In fact, the first screenplay I wrote for my Master’sbecame
the Ghost Hunter series.
3) The Ghost Hunter series is inspired by true events. I’ve also created a version of the experience that features Max Sinclair.

4) I grew up in SE Alaska. Sitka, to be precise.
5) Max Sinclair is based on a real guy, a friend of mine.
6) I was a kickboxer for 10 years and had my first kickboxing fight at the ageof 55.5
against a 24-year-old. (I kicked his ass.)
7) I climbed Mount Rainier twice.
8) My father was a general surgeon and pilot. He had a Pitts Special in whichhe flew
complicated aerobatic routines. When he was 80 years old, he took me up and did
such a rigorous routine I passed out.
9) I have a video of him shooting a charging bear dead.
10) Every arcane and supernatural practice in the Ghost Hunter series is basedon true
events. My website and newsletter provide more insight into these.
11) (bonus) I answer every email I get. PeterJWhiteAuthor@peterjwhite.net

 

Peter J. White wasborn in Colorado and raised in SE Alaska. He has degrees in Education, French,and an MFA in Creative Writing. He taught ELL in Bangkok, Thailand for sixyears, and currently teaches high school English in Washington State. Hobbies,past and present, include writing, bicycling, mountain climbing, kickboxing,MMA, and yoga.

Website: https://peterjwhite.weebly.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088706454075

Creating a Book You Love by author Patricia Eckerman Ambas

 

As a writer you pour yourheart into your work. But what happens when you get to the end - all the way topublication - and it���s no longer the book you love? Somewhere along the way itwas tweaked until it morphed into a new creation - one that you didn���t evenlike. I published a book inDecember that I was not comfortable promoting; I didn���t want to share about itpersonally or professionally. It took some reflection to figure out what wasblocking me from the zeal I had held for it leading up to its release, andlooking back, I noted that the children���s book had been postponed so long thatby the time everything was set, I just wanted to get the book out. Anymisgivings or doubts I had were pushed to the side in order to rush through therelease before the new year began. But those doubts didn���t leave, and instead,they grew until I realized that it wasthe book cover that was not attractive to me and some of the art on the pagesleft me unimpressed. I found myself discrediting the book cover whenever I meta new reader to let them know that I didn���t like the cover, as if to tell themit was okay if they didn���t either.

 To create the book I actually loved, I needed to make changes. So, while the book was out as aless-than-attractive version, I was at work behind the scenes with a new coverdesigner. Then came the interior work. Months later I had a book that I loved.It is so easy to share the book that had been in my heart all along, but itjust needed some adjustments. This makeover allowed me to finally present thebook I had imagined.

 One of the benefits inreflecting on why I didn���t love my book was that I could make changes to thesecond book in the series to ensure this wouldn���t happen again. When I Can���t Wait to Love You Forever: A BigSister Book released this month, this time, I was incredibly proud topromote it. If you find yourself no longer in love with your book, it may justbe a 'you' thing, but it may also be a universal feeling that needs to beaddressed. As much as we want to rush the process, slow it down to compose abook that you love. And don���t be afraid of a little modification; it may justbe what makes it rework its way into your heart and into the hands of others.

 

About the author: Patricia Eckerman Ambaswas inspired by her son���s inventive game when she wrote I Can���t Wait to Love You Forever: A Big Brother Book. At therequest of readers, she followed it up with the big sister version in thesimilarly titled book in the series, ICan���t Wait to Love You Forever: A Big Sister Book. Her experience as aneducator prompted her to weave in the important aspects of social and emotionallearning and positive parenting into the books. Always surrounded by her threeyoung children, you can find Patricia on the lake catching sunrises or at her familybusiness, Manila Resto. Keep in touch by following her on FB and IG at@PatriciaEckermanAmbas or send her an email atAuthorPatriciaEckermanAmbas@gmail.com. 

 Website: https://www.PatriciaEckermanAmbas.com/

FreeResources: ICantWaitToLoveYouForever.com

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

InstaGram: https://www.instagram.com/PatriciaEckermanAmbas/

Publisher: https://www.WordLifePress.com/

 

Book Spotlight: The K-Frost Caper by James Blakley

 

Daring insurance investigator Luna Nightcrow and cosmopolitan cop Tiago Toussaint match wits and wiles, in an attempt to find out when anyone has last seen Frost, Kelvin Frost (one of perhaps 3 cold-blooded criminals), in Miami… 

Title: The K-Frost Caper
Author: James Blakley
Publisher: The Powers That Be Publishing
Pages: 206
Genre: Mystery/Suspense/Romantic Tension 

A cold case heats up when Kelvin Frost, believed to have drowned in Alabama, returns from the dead to apply for more life insurance. Or has he? When a body-a dead body-identified as Kelvin Frost, turns up in Miami, murder complicates matters. Enter Luna Nightcrow, the insurance fraud investigator whose “smartphone never sleeps.” After recovering a valuable Cherokee relic, Nightcrow accepts Charmed Life Mutual Insurance’s offer of $50,000 to sniff out and close down the K-Frost Caper. But it won’t be easy with so few leads or clues. Paired with cosmopolitan cop Tiago Toussaint, the two match wits and wiles, in attempt to find out when is the last time anyone saw Frost … in Miami?

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zru92q 

B&N: https://bit.ly/3KrkJdx 

Books-a-Million: https://bit.ly/3MssXnl 

Walmart: https://bit.ly/3MazR0j 

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3nFV8Vp 

BookBub: https://bit.ly/3GePsIf

 

Book Excerpt  

Excerpt from The K-Frost Caper

Southern Comfort Flight 213 landed smoothly at Miami International Airport around 6 pm. Luna left the plane and walked to the baggage area. While she waited for her luggage to arrive, her first thought was to call Hector Luz’s cell. But, if he was corrupt, Luna’s call—even if she tried to hide her number with a star 67 code—might tip him off that Charmed Life increased its search for him. So she didn’t call.

     When Luna’s luggage finally arrived, it wasn’t hard to find. Nor, it appeared, was she.

     A dark-skinned man in a tan cotton suit and black tie spotted her. He folded the newspaper he’d watch Luna from behind and rubbed his goatee thoughtfully.  Then he began to move. 

     Luna gathered her laptop, slung her purse, and extended the handle of her rolling duffel bag. Just as she was about to start up, the man with the goatee slowed her down. 

     “Luna Nightcrow?” the man asked.

     “Yes,” she answered.

    More...

About the Author

James Blakley was educated at Missouri Western State College and Washburn University. While at MWSC, he was a local and national award-winning columnist and section editor of “The Griffon-News.” Blakley worked 10 1/2 years as a page and as an Assistant Librarian for the River Bluffs Regional Libraries of St. Joseph, MO. He currently lives in Topeka, KS where he worked for The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library and several years in clerical and customer support capacities for international computer companies, such as EDS and HP. Additionally, Blakley has worked in information gathering and analysis for various government agencies and programs.

 

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