Linda Nightingale's Blog, page 5
September 22, 2021
Redeemed by Fire by C.J. Bahr
Today, I’m delighted to have author C.J. Bahr on the blog. Welcome! Grab that mic. Drumroll You’re on…
Tell me three words that describe you starting with A, B, and C.
Amusing, Bookish, Creative
Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?
I write paranormal romance, supernatural suspense, and fantasy. Personally, I love to escape when reading, so I, too, try and tell stories that hopefully sweep my readers out of their lives and into something magical, sometimes dark and dangerous, yet they will find a happily ever after at the end.
What gets your creative juices flowing?
Music. Music plays such an integral part of my life, first as a musician and second as my career as a music editor for film and television. So like a composer writing music for the screen, I listen to instrumental TV/Film scores to get the creative words going. So if I’m writing an action scene, I’ll put listen to “The Italian Job” or “Transformers”, anything that will have a great rhythm.
Who would you love most to meet ‘in person’ and why?
Maybe George R. R. Martin and we could commiserate on our slow writing. Or, wait! I probably should pick a fast, productive author and pick their brains.
Do you have a favorite snack that you like to munch on while writing?
Does wine count? I’m not much of a snacker, but I will have glasses of water and cups of tea surrounding me. Of course when it gets “five-o’clock somewhere” there just might be a glass of wine from a local winery nearby…
Do you have a hobby?
I use to own horses and compete in the sport of Eventing, but sadly had to let them go. I do quilt and crochet. Plus, I’m a voracious reader.
Do you read your reviews on your books? Do they influence your story at all?
I absolutely do read all the review that I find. First, it’s an honor a reader took the time to leave one, whether good or bad, so I believe it’s only fair I take the time to read them. I do take to heart the criticisms, it’s a great way to learn and improve my writing. Even knowing what is great and working helps as well.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’m not sure it this counts as a quirk, but I’ll throw it out there anyway. I’m a slow writing, so when I get stuck staring at a blinking cursor, I’ll go all old-fashion and grab a pen and paper to get unstuck.
Do you have another profession besides writing?
As mentioned above, I’m a music editor for TV/Film. I work closely with composers and producers to get the soundtrack into the show/movie. The pandemic was hard on the industry, shutting everything down, but it’s slowly opening back up.
If you could go back in time, where would you go?
Hmmm, this is a tough one. So many choices. I sent one of my heroines to 18th century England and found out women didn’t have a lot of choices. Maybe I’d go to Regency England, and make sure I land myself a forward thinking Duke.
What’s the one thing you would do if you could be your character for a day?
Casi Thomas, my latest heroine, lives in New Orleans, a city I’ve always wanted to visit. In fact, I had the hotel and flight booked for June 2021, and then the pandemic hit. Tried and rescheduled for June of 2020, but then Delta variant reared its head. So if I was Casi, I’d take in the sites of the city, listen to great music, take the city’s ghost tour and maybe a riverboat casino.
What was the inspiration for this latest book?
New Orleans. I knew music would play a pivotal roll, so what better city to pick?
Will there be more books in your series, or can you tell us about any previous books?
The Fire Chronicles is a potential seven book standalone series. Each novel has one of seven Archangels. Book 1, “Walking Through Fire” is a contemporary Scotish ghost romance set in the Highlands with Uriel presiding over events. Book 2, “Forged In Fire”, is set in 18th Century England. A time travel story, with the help of Archangel Remiel, where I send a contemporary women into the past where she meets the hero, a very flawed, handsome, roguish, Highwayman. And now, “Redeemed By Fire” is set in contemporary New Orleans, with the Archangel Gabriel and a supernatural serial killer hunting in the French Quarter.
What is your favorite part of this book and why?
My hero, Detective Lucas Avery. I think I have a crush on my Cajun hottie and created my very own book boyfriend!
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on a new urban fantasy/sci-fi series starring a kick-ass, tough as nails, snarky female time cop. Plus, I’m plotting the next fire book, current working title, “Baptized By Fire”.
See below for Bio, buy links, social links, blurb & excerpt.
Author Bio:
First published in Marion Zimmer Bradley’s “Sword & Sorceress” anthology, C J was bitten by the writer’s bug and hasn’t stopped since. The Wild Rose Press published her award-winning first novel, “Walking Through Fire”— a Scottish ghost romance. She is currently working on the fourth book in the interconnected standalone series, The Fire Chronicles, as well as a new Urban Fantasy starring a kick-ass Time Enforcer.
When her pen isn’t scribing, you can find her busily cutting and tracking music for film and television. With over thirty years of music editing experience, her credits range from “Northern Exposure” and “The Muppets Christmas Carol”, to “The Kill Point”, “The Following”, and ABC’s hit comedy, “The Middle”.
In her downtime, you’ll find her curled up with a cup of tea, her cats and a great book in Tarzana, California.
Social Media Links:
Website/Newsletter: https://cjbahr.com
Twitter: @cjbahr https://twitter.com/cjbahr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bahrcj
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cjbahr.author/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828572.C_J_Bahr
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/c-j-bahr
Amazon Author: https://tinyurl.com/y7jmpqdg
Buy Links:
Universal Buy Links: https://www.cjbahr.com/books/
Redeemed By Fire Specific Buy Links:
Books2Read: https://books2read.com/u/3yaVMe
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG6JX5T/
B&N: https://tinyurl.com/273fhhtc
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/wctyc9xa
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/3v6mcsn7
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/vrxs8nbp
Blurb:
Cassanne Thomas returns to New Orleans to start her life over and becomes the target of a supernatural serial killer. Escaping her close call with death, Casi is the only witness to the crime and finds herself placed in protected custody by a handsome Cajun detective. But with her dark, troubled past, trusting the police is the last thing she wants to do.
Detective Lucas Avery, the top homicide detective in NOLA, is unaware of the supernatural world surrounding him. With the killer stalking the streets, he vows to shield the beautiful, enigmatic, Casi with his life while fighting his growing attraction to her. He’s been burned before.
Danger chases Lucas and Casi from the streets of the French Quarter to the wilds of the bayou. Will they be able to stop a monster, straight out of a nightmare or become victims themselves?
OFFICIAL EXCERPT:
Casi screamed and covered her ears, though too late. The loud boom made her ears ring. Who was shooting at them? She tried to see, but Luc’s weight had her effectively pinned. Squealing tires along with a string of Cajun curses from Luc, had Casi guessing the shooter had fled.
Luc holstered his weapon when Casi spotted the blood dripping off his arm.
“Oh my God!” She pushed at him. “Let me up. You’re hurt. You’re bleeding!”
Luc rolled off her and did as she asked, while gripping his thigh with both hands. Her gaze left his arm drawn to the blood oozing out between his fingers. The thigh wound appeared much more serious. She tugged her phone out and quickly dialed 911. But before it connected, Luc’s bloody fingers grabbed her phone and disconnected the call.
“We can’t call this in.” Luc exhaled harshly and gritted his teeth as once again, he applied pressure to his leg.
“You’re shot. You’re bleeding from multiple places. We need an ambulance!”
He shook his head. “Can’t. We need to leave. Now.”
September 14, 2021
The Rewired Series: The Recruiter
by Alexander Mukte
GENRE: Mystery/Thriller Sci-fi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB: The Rewired Series
Series Blurb:
This is a fantastic, genre-bending series that weaves together the best mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction elements. With characters that span across books and time, The Rewired Series explores what plagues humanity and the impact each person can have while leaving you with the promise of a better tomorrow. Alexander Mukte wraps all of these themes inside edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries with larger-than-life characters you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Blurb: The Recruiter
A fast-paced and thought-provoking mystery that will keep you on your toes until the very end. The Recruiter is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable start to the series, full of intriguing twists and turns.
Leslie may be an idealist, but she’s no fool. She trusts her boss, Ori, implicitly. He has vision, principles, and a way with people. When a bomb is detonated at work, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of events. All of a sudden, their lives are on the line, and every choice matters.
Is Ori who she thinks he is? Why would anyone want to hurt him? And how do they get out of this mess? Leslie doesn’t have it all figured out, but what becomes clear is that there’s a lot the world doesn’t know about Ori Clayborn.
Jessica is driven to make a difference by uncovering the truth. Investigative reporting is her life. One day she gets a unique assignment that leads her back to her hometown and into Ori’s orbit. What will she find, and what’s her role in this?
The Recruiter is a captivating, imaginative story that draws you in deeper and deeper, page-by-page. Alexander Mukte creates a universe that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
Blurb – Deeply Rooted Dreams:
This bold and compelling sequel is an evocative page-turner on the journey to a better future.
Since her encounter with Ori years ago, Jessica, an investigative journalist, has continued her mission to print the truth that the world needs to hear. Her pursuit has led her to meet with a source, Zach Carver, a leading mind at Singularity Group. The meeting goes awry, and Jessica awakens to find that she has a gap in time and memory and that Zach is now missing.
What happened? Who is responsible? And how can she help Zach? It is imperative that Jessica find out, and to her surprise, Ori has reappeared to help her do just that.
Malik, an intelligent and inventive young man, is determined to find a way to overcome the virus that has impacted the world. When he crosses paths with powerful people at Confidence Biotech, the leading treatment and contact tracing company, they take an unusual interest in him. Then, all of a sudden, they paint Malik as public enemy number one, forcing him to go on the run.
What do they want from him, and does this mean that he is close to discovering something they couldn’t?
Deeply Rooted Dreams is the second installment of The Rewired Series, unveiling more of the universal trial that Ori alluded to in The Recruiter. Alexander Mukte’s second novel creates an even more intricate world, striking an engaging balance of mystery and wonder.
Excerpt From “The Recruiter”:
Chapter 6
Leslie’s ears were ringing as she began to regain her senses. She saw Ori kneeling over her. His lips were moving, but she was having trouble making out his words. Slowly she realized he was asking, “Are you ok?” She nodded feebly, and he extended his hand to pull her up to sitting.
Panic rose in her chest. She must have blacked out. She started looking around, trying to piece together what happened and if everyone was ok. Past Ori she saw fire and smoke coming from a car. And a few feet away from him, she saw Roger sitting and holding his head. She realized there was a pounding in her own head as well.
Ori touched her shoulder, and she realized he was saying something else to her. She tried to focus. “We’ve got to get you and Roger inside where it’s safe,” Ori was saying.
“Isn’t that your car?” Leslie asked.
“Don’t worry about it; everything is ok. We need to get inside where it’s safe,” Ori said.
“What about Ms. Hetty?” Leslie asked.
“She’s okay; she was inside the building,” Ori said. “Are you ok to stand up?”
Leslie noticed that Roger made his way over to her and extended his hand to help her up. Leslie took both of their hands, and the two men helped her to her feet.
Jordan appeared as well as a flood of other employees. Ori yelled, “Everyone, stay in the building, away from the windows. Jordan, call the police.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.
Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.
After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.
An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons.
The Recruiter is Alexander’s first novel, though perhaps the 39th in his mind. We hope you enjoy it, and Deeply Rooted Dreams, as much as we have.
Author Links:
Amazon Author Profile: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B084G4KKRD
GoodReads Author Profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20023247.Alexander_Mukte
BookBub Author Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alexander-mukte
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandermukte/
Subscribe: https://www.threetofivepublishing.com/contact
Buy Links:
Website: https://www.threetofivepublishing.com/the-rewired-series
The Recruiter
Ubl: https://books2read.com/u/bovWNv
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Recruiter-Alexander-Mukte-ebook/dp/B084JRJP7H/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-recruiter-alexander-
mukte/1136281285
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1497199481
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-recruiter-4
Deeply Rooted Dreams
Ubl: https://books2read.com/u/mZa1e5
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XP5KC42
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deeply-rooted-dreams-alexander-
mukte/1138814308
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/deeply-rooted-
dreams/id1553351240
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/deeply-rooted-dreams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card!
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow the author on tour for more exciting excerpts and chances to win!https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/07/fsvbt-rewired-series-by-alexander-mukte.html
The Rewired Series by Alexander Mukte
GENRE: Mystery/Thriller Sci-fi
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB: The Rewired Series
Series Blurb:
This is a fantastic, genre-bending series that weaves together the best mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction elements. With characters that span across books and time, The Rewired Series explores what plagues humanity and the impact each person can have while leaving you with the promise of a better tomorrow. Alexander Mukte wraps all of these themes inside edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries with larger-than-life characters you’ll want to revisit again and again.
Blurb: The Recruiter
A fast-paced and thought-provoking mystery that will keep you on your toes until the very end. The Recruiter is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable start to the series, full of intriguing twists and turns.
Leslie may be an idealist, but she’s no fool. She trusts her boss, Ori, implicitly. He has vision, principles, and a way with people. When a bomb is detonated at work, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of events. All of a sudden, their lives are on the line, and every choice matters.
Is Ori who she thinks he is? Why would anyone want to hurt him? And how do they get out of this mess? Leslie doesn’t have it all figured out, but what becomes clear is that there’s a lot the world doesn’t know about Ori Clayborn.
Jessica is driven to make a difference by uncovering the truth. Investigative reporting is her life. One day she gets a unique assignment that leads her back to her hometown and into Ori’s orbit. What will she find, and what’s her role in this?
The Recruiter is a captivating, imaginative story that draws you in deeper and deeper, page-by-page. Alexander Mukte creates a universe that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
Blurb – Deeply Rooted Dreams:
This bold and compelling sequel is an evocative page-turner on the journey to a better future.
Since her encounter with Ori years ago, Jessica, an investigative journalist, has continued her mission to print the truth that the world needs to hear. Her pursuit has led her to meet with a source, Zach Carver, a leading mind at Singularity Group. The meeting goes awry, and Jessica awakens to find that she has a gap in time and memory and that Zach is now missing.
What happened? Who is responsible? And how can she help Zach? It is imperative that Jessica find out, and to her surprise, Ori has reappeared to help her do just that.
Malik, an intelligent and inventive young man, is determined to find a way to overcome the virus that has impacted the world. When he crosses paths with powerful people at Confidence Biotech, the leading treatment and contact tracing company, they take an unusual interest in him. Then, all of a sudden, they paint Malik as public enemy number one, forcing him to go on the run.
What do they want from him, and does this mean that he is close to discovering something they couldn’t?
Deeply Rooted Dreams is the second installment of The Rewired Series, unveiling more of the universal trial that Ori alluded to in The Recruiter. Alexander Mukte’s second novel creates an even more intricate world, striking an engaging balance of mystery and wonder.
Excerpt From “The Recruiter”:
Chapter 6
Leslie’s ears were ringing as she began to regain her senses. She saw Ori kneeling over her. His lips were moving, but she was having trouble making out his words. Slowly she realized he was asking, “Are you ok?” She nodded feebly, and he extended his hand to pull her up to sitting.
Panic rose in her chest. She must have blacked out. She started looking around, trying to piece together what happened and if everyone was ok. Past Ori she saw fire and smoke coming from a car. And a few feet away from him, she saw Roger sitting and holding his head. She realized there was a pounding in her own head as well.
Ori touched her shoulder, and she realized he was saying something else to her. She tried to focus. “We’ve got to get you and Roger inside where it’s safe,” Ori was saying.
“Isn’t that your car?” Leslie asked.
“Don’t worry about it; everything is ok. We need to get inside where it’s safe,” Ori said.
“What about Ms. Hetty?” Leslie asked.
“She’s okay; she was inside the building,” Ori said. “Are you ok to stand up?”
Leslie noticed that Roger made his way over to her and extended his hand to help her up. Leslie took both of their hands, and the two men helped her to her feet.
Jordan appeared as well as a flood of other employees. Ori yelled, “Everyone, stay in the building, away from the windows. Jordan, call the police.”
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.
Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.
After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.
An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons.
The Recruiter is Alexander’s first novel, though perhaps the 39th in his mind. We hope you enjoy it, and Deeply Rooted Dreams, as much as we have.
Author Links:
Amazon Author Profile: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B084G4KKRD
GoodReads Author Profile:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20023247.Alexander_Mukte
BookBub Author Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alexander-mukte
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandermukte/
Subscribe: https://www.threetofivepublishing.com/contact
Buy Links:
Website: https://www.threetofivepublishing.com/the-rewired-series
The Recruiter
Ubl: https://books2read.com/u/bovWNv
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Recruiter-Alexander-Mukte-ebook/dp/B084JRJP7H/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-recruiter-alexander-
mukte/1136281285
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1497199481
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-recruiter-4
Deeply Rooted Dreams
Ubl: https://books2read.com/u/mZa1e5
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XP5KC42
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/deeply-rooted-dreams-alexander-
mukte/1138814308
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/deeply-rooted-
dreams/id1553351240
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/deeply-rooted-dreams
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card!
Follow the author on tour for more exciting excerpts and chances to win!
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/07/fsvbt-rewired-series-by-alexander-mukte.html
September 9, 2021
The Texan’s Favor by D.K. Deter
THE TEXAN’S FAVOR
Release Date: 10-06-21
Western Historical Romance
The Wild Rose Press
A stranger’s path, a broken promise, and a second chance…
Blurb:
Ambushed, Texas Ranger Jake Fontaine’s a dead man until a Kansas spinster raises her shotgun in his defense. Despite the rogue lawman’s obsession to bring in his brother’s killer, duty demands he escort her to the next town.
Kat Collins is a thief, though an honorable one. She’s on the run from controlling kin and aims to escape her past. Traveling with Jake offers the perfect cover—until her uncle finds them sharing a campfire and imposes his own kind of justice—a wedding.
Marriage will cost Jake his freedom but refusing may cost him his life. Kat figures he’s bound to recognize her on a wanted poster. Would sharing passionate nights in his arms be worth the peril?
Excerpt:
“Not that it’s any of your affair, Ranger, but I’m goin’ to St. Louis. I didn’t plan for any delays. You were in trouble, and I tried to help.” She lifted her chin. “Although you bein’ a Texas Ranger and all, I’d think you would’ve had the upper hand.”
He stuffed his hat back on. Contrary to his usual confidence around women, she baffled him. “Lady, you’re riding a horse to St. Louis, alone?” Stubborn woman, someone should be responsible for her welfare. Was Emmett involved with her decision?
She slammed the coffeepot to the smoking fire and a moment later stomped across the ground separating them. At over five-and-a-half feet tall and her boot heels adding an extra inch, she dug her forefinger into his chest. “Ranger, you question where I’m going? Don’t forget you’re in Kansas. Don’t Texas Rangers ride in—Texas?” She stretched the word Texas and placed her hands on her hips. “Did you lose your way?”
Her words strained his good intentions. He leaned forward, wrapped his hands around her thin wrists, and murmured, “Honey, it’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever lose my way to Texas.”
Available for pre-order on Amazon and Apple Books
About the Author:
D. K. Deters is a fantasy and historical romance author. She was a communications consultant before turning to a writing career. Like many historical romance authors, she’s always had a deep interest in history, and the nineteenth century is her favorite. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her adult children and their families. Her hobbies include restoring old dollhouses and secondhand furniture. Christmas is her favorite time of the year. Her debut eBook, Christmas Once Again, was also published by The Wild Rose Press.
Connect with D. K. Deters:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D-K-Deters/e/B07HDSG9RQ/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-k-deters
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dkdetersauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18486948.D_K_Deters
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dkdeters_author/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/dkdeterscom/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dk_deters
Website/Blog: https://www.dkdeters.com/
August 23, 2021
Runaway Royal by Wendi Zwaduk
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Wendi Zwaduk will be awarding a Prize Pack featuring a necklace inspired by the book and made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Will this runaway royal ever find her place…and true love?
All Princess Catherine Zara of Lysianna wants to do is attend college like everyone else her age. So she’s a royal and requires a security guard to move about in public, but if she goes to university, she doesn’t have to marry the man chosen for her. He’s not her true love, so why torture herself? All she has to do to get her life started is to run away to the US…
And then she meets Luke.
Luke Cobb wants to survive college with a degree in studio art and guarantees that he can show his paintings in the local galleries. All he needs is the right break to get his work mainstream and the right woman to stoke his dormant muse. When he meets Zara, he’s smitten and his creativity sparks.
Except, she’s a princess and he’s a commoner, which could be a big problem…
Read an Excerpt
©2021 Wendi Zwaduk, All Rights Reserved
She opened her sketch pad and created a list.
While I’m at university, I want to:
*be kissed properly
*buy a cheeseburger
*see a rock band play a concert
*have sex & lose my virginity
*have sex with a handsome man
She tapped her pencil against her lips as she debated the next item for her list.
*to meet the tall, dark and handsome artist downstairs
*to model for someone (nude?)
*to attend a real party
*to fall in love
She snorted. Love wouldn’t happen. Not for her. Before things got that far, she’d be found out. The law of averages wasn’t in her favor. If her stepmother didn’t tell someone she’d arrived at the college, Corinne would let the secret slip.
Still, she could dream.
Besides, the list was only one of dreams. It wasn’t like she’d created a checklist to live by. She’d come to the college to get an education, not fall in love. Even if she wanted to be with someone and experience those aspects of life, she had to finish her degree first. She’d paid the money to attend and refused to waste the chance—even for love.
About the Author:
Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj
Website http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Blog https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/
Fan Page https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer/
Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Wendi-Zwaduk/e/B003KA589U/
Bookbub https://www.bookbub.com/authors/wendi-zwaduk
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/
Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer
Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer
Buy links:
https://books2read.com/u/4jA1zD
https://www.firstforromance.com/book/runaway-royal
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08VJHSJBF/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/runaway-royal-wendi-zwaduk/1138737040
https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=8zAhEAAAQBAJ
https://books.apple.com/us/book/runaway-royal/id1551834734
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August 22, 2021
Kindle Countdown for inspirational Regency romance
It’s a Kindle Countdown deal for my inspirational Regency romance,Seeking Fortune!Only 99¢ for a limited time.
(U.S. residents only.)
There are lies more believable than the truth.
FromUSA Todaybestselling authorJosie Rivieracomes the first heart-warming novel in the Romany Gypsy Seeking Series.
A Golden Pen Winner, Seeking Fortune also got over 6000 nominations on Kindle scout.
Losing his wife and daughter to influenza shook James Colchester’s faith in God. As another epidemic threatens, he’s torn between what’s best for his fragile son: fleeing to his Welsh homeland, or staying put.
In a moment of weakness, the black-haired, green-eyed Gypsy’s delicate touch on his palm quells his fear…and her beauty ignites a warmth he hasn’t felt in years.
Desperate to return to her people, Valentina goes against every lesson her mother taught her to soothe the Englishman into a false sense of security. But as James’…
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August 18, 2021
The First Sin by Lisa Beth Darling
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lisa Beth Darling will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Lucifer Returns to Eden
Lucifer is unceremoniously yanked out of Hell by his Father so he can return to his old job in the Garden of Eden. When he arrives, broken, battered, and bleeding, he falls into the arms of Eve who is unsure about seeing her old lover again as are the people now living in a dying paradise.
Tasked with returning the Sacred Trees of Life and Knowledge to flourishing bounty once more, Lucifer struggles to learn his new place in his old home. Yet, he hasn’t been placed there solely to tend the Garden. His son, Cain, is on the way with murder and destruction on his mind.
Having lived, cursed by God, for eons, Cain Enoch has made quite a name for himself and amassed a fortune that would make even his Grandfather envious and with it he’ll stop at nothing to find Eden and destroy. Why? So he can finally die even though it means taking the Earth, Heaven, and Hell with him.
Read an Excerpt
“It looks like everything is on schedule. Come tomorrow, just after eleven in the morning, you will be the largest owner of imaging and communications satellites orbiting the planet. The stock is going to shoot through the roof at opening bell.”
“Good work,” he said as he tossed the folder onto his desk without looking at it, “Go home, get some rest. We’re going to party hearty tomorrow but before that I need you at your best to deal with the press. You know how I hate that.”
“Yes, I know.” She smiled for him. “Congratulations, you did it.”
“We did it,” he corrected, “now go on, scoot, get out of here.” He said with a smile and wave of his hand toward the heavy mahogany door to his office. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about that bonus I promised you. It’ll be in your next check. Take a vacation, Jessie. You work too much.”
“Pot. Kettle. Black,” she snickered as she walked through the door for the night.
Watching her leave was something he always enjoyed. The way the soft black cotton of her skirt clung to her firm ass was nothing short of divine. Once she was gone he opened his desk drawer to pull out a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue and pour himself a good long drink.
Jessie had no idea how long of a road it had been getting to tomorrow. It was thousands of years in the making but here it was dancing in the palm of his hand…finally. Drinking down the last of the two fingers in the glass and pouring himself another, Cain Enoch—owner, operator, and CEO of Enoch Industries—got up from his fancy desk in his fancy high-powered office with its breathtaking view of the Manhattan skyline, and went the Monet hanging on his wall. Looking back to the door, he used his mind to lock it before pushing the hidden button behind the lamp that sprung the painting loose on its hidden hinges. Behind it was his office safe which he now opened and took from it the only object hiding there. Taking another swallow of the warm liquid he smiled at the gleaming short sword in his hand and whispered, “Soon, not long now. Soon we’ll know.” Satisfied that his most prized possession was still secure he put it back in the safe and locked it tight. Turning back around he gingerly picked up the handset of his desk phone, punched #2, and when Jason, his driver answered, informed him, “I’m ready. I’ll be there in five.” Then he hung up.
On his way to his private elevator, he buttoned the Armani jacket clinging to his athletic frame like white on rice and straightened his silk tie. Walking the short distance from the elevator to where his town car was parked and Jason waiting by the open door, the footfalls from the soles of his shinning leather shoes echoed loudly, almost booming as though they foretold of his deeds on the horizon, throughout the nearly empty parking garage.
“Good evening, Mr. Enoch,” Jason greeted him with a warm smile as he held the door and his boss slid onto the buttery soft backseat.
“Jason,” Cain replied without looking at the man who’d been driving him to and from his home in the Hamptons, around Manhattan, and wherever else he wanted to go for the last six years. “The scenic route tonight, if you please.”
“Yes, sir,” the chauffer replied never losing his smile. The scenic route meant that Mr. Enoch had a lot on his mind, he wanted to drink his Johnny Walker Blue in the backseat and let his brain decompress, let it meander around with the car taking the long slow route to its destination. It also meant he wouldn’t talk much, if at all, he wouldn’t demand anything, no he would just sit back there silent as a lamb drinking and thinking watching the night go by with absent eyes.
Tonight, Jason could find no fault in that, after all tomorrow was a very big day for his boss and the whole world knew it. No pressure there.
Copyright 2021 Lisa Beth Darling and Moon Mistress Publishing
About the Author:
As of this writing, I am 54 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to one, and wife to my husband, Roy, for the last 34 years. I live and write in my hometown of New London, CT. I began my writing career in the 4th grade when the class was given its first-ever Creative Writing assignment. I put pencil to paper and was instantly transported to a place I knew that I would never want to leave. I have been publishing my works since 7th grade.
Early influences were Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Harold Robins, Jacqueline Susan and VC Andrews. As such, my works tend to be a grand mash-up of drama, horror, suspense, action, intrigue, and, of course, intimate relations.
My stories are filled with secrets, lust, betrayal, and sometimes rage, they may keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning cheering, weeping, and captured by suspense as our heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons who reside within and without.
In my spare time I enjoy gardening and photography as well as cooking and baking. I also enjoy helping other authors bring their works to the world stage.
Website: http://www.lisabethdarling.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lbdarlingauthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/darlingWRTR
Instagram: http://instagram.com/darlingwrtr
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Beth-Darling/e/B002BMDA9I
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1577311.Lisa_Beth_Darling
Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/First-Sin-South-Eden-ebook/dp/B096QZF49Q
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For more chances to win and different excerpts, follow Lisa Beth on tour:
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August 16, 2021
The Secret of Drulea Cottage by Claire Kohler
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Claire Kohler will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Briony Fairborn, a midwife in eighteenth-century Scotland, comes from a family shrouded in scandal. Left with only one friend after her mother’s death, she has little hope of gaining any others, let alone finding a husband. Instead, Briony tries to live a quiet life and avoid her neighbors’ ridicule as much as possible.
But things in Everton take a drastic turn when a storm brings foreigners to the village docks.
On the night Santiago Mendes arrives, he comes with a broken ship, a broken leg, and a broken spirit that Briony finds herself profoundly drawn to. Her scarred heart slowly starts to open, and although Briony suspects he may be hiding something, she cannot help but dream of the possibility of love.
That is, until another stranger appears in town, intent on repaying a childhood debt. A dangerously handsome stranger who shows Briony that she’s even more different than she could have imagined. And that her past is far darker than she realized.
Magic, romance, and political intrigue collide as the secrets surrounding one Scottish woman begin to unravel. Secrets that she may not be ready to face.
Read an Excerpt
“Capitão! Senhor Mendes! Come quick!” A sailor appeared in the doorway, his eyes distraught. “Silva went overboard!”
“Show me!” Santiago followed the sailor out, not bothering to check if Costa came too.
A monstrous storm the likes of which he’d never seen was swirling directly above the São Nicolau. Lightning descended in vicious bolts while giant black clouds blocked out all sunlight. Waves rocked the ship back and forth, making it almost impossible to stay upright. The mainmast started to bend; it wouldn’t be long before it collapsed.
Santiago gripped the side of the ship and made his way forward—
But something hit him from behind, propelling him toward the mast—
CRACK!
Santiago was on his back, trying to scramble out of the way, but he couldn’t quite move fast enough. The top half of the mast crashed down, landing on his right leg.
He cried out as pain tore through his body. It was so intense that he felt his mind swimming, drifting in and out of consciousness. He tried to pull his leg out, but it wouldn’t budge.
Santiago was trapped. “H-Help…”
Suddenly a silhouette appeared directly above him. Santiago’s heart leaped—
But then a pistol was in his face. With what was left of his strength, Santiago willed his eyelids to stay open. If this is to be my final moment, I’m going to make sure I look my killer in the eye.
About the Author:
Claire Kohler grew up in Mooresville, NC, as the eldest of four daughters. Her love of stories began at an early age, and as a child, she could often be found borrowing way too many books from the library and scribbling away in a journal.In 2016, Claire became a full-time middle school English teacher in a public school. In her second year of teaching, she also taught social studies. After becoming pregnant in 2018, Claire decided to shift careers and become an online ESL teacher so that she could also take care of her newborn at home.
She now lives in Statesville, NC, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She is also an active member of Christ Community Church Mooresville, where she often serves as a Bible study and small group leader.
Claire plans to continue creating exciting historical fantasy novels and potentially branching out into other genres as well.
Website Link: https://secretdruleacottage.wixsite.com/clairekohlerbooks
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/Claire-Kohler-Books-100151582291586
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August 6, 2021
Black Diamonds: Gift from Outer Space
Yes, black diamonds are real. Rare, but they do exist.
A black diamond is a carbonado, or “an impure form of polycrystalline composed of diamond, graphite, and carbon.” This means that it gets its darkness from the number of inclusions—clusters of graphite, that stuff used in pencil leads—inside it. Conversely, a white diamond has few inclusions.
A black diamond in its raw state isn’t particularly attractive. It generally looks like a piece of burned-out coal, rough and dark. Once polished and faceted, however, that changes. A black diamond appears opaque because, like anything black, it absorbs color, any light reflected back usually look as if it’smerely coming from the surface of its facets.
There are three types of black diamonds:
Natural (Fancy Blacks, no explanation needed there.)Treated (regular white diamonds with too many inclusions are treated with radiation, high pressure, and chemicals to make them darker.)Manmade or synthetic…View original post 1,308 more words
July 27, 2021
A Country of Eternal Light by Darby Harn
GENRE: Speculative Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
“One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read” – Sunyi Dean, author of The Book Eaters
A rogue black hole tears apart the solar system. Mairead’s life is already in pieces.
The Earth has less than a year to survive.
Asteroids rain hell; earthquakes rattle cities; manic tides swamp coasts. Mairead intends to give herself to the erratic waves that erode her remote Irish island, the same that claimed her child. When Gavin, an American, arrives to scatter his father’s ashes, she becomes torn between wanting for life and death.
Despite the tides, fuel shortages, and closing borders that threaten to trap him on the island, Gavin can’t seem to scatter the ashes. He doesn’t know how to let go any more than Mairead does and they find a strange comfort in their confusion.
Their affair draws Mairead back to the world of the living, but the longer Gavin stays, the more it seems there might be a future for them. There is no future.
Life closes down around them. The world they know shreds. Life drains into an inescapable abyss. And yet Mairead fights, both the gravity of her grief and the restless, dissonant desire to find some kind of peace no matter how brief.
EXCERPT:
“Here?” I say.
Gavin and I inch down grass carpeted limestone steps from the buckled road to a strand the sea exposed. This is foolish of us but then this is our fashion so we go on, being fools, further out into the moonscape the retreating sea exposed. Crabs skulk through the seaweed. The rock slick. The seals beach hundreds of yards off shore and we just keep going, skipping from one pink stained stone to the next, like playing hopscotch with no end.
Do I want it to end?
A rogue wave could come in. I could slip on a rock and brain myself. He could. Could I? Could I slip, right now, and pull him with me? I squeeze his hand. He squeezes back. He’s got me. I pull and then he’s done; he guides me to a flat bit of rock and we sit, where people have not sat or stood since there was ice covering the world.
His hand touches his coat pocket. “Maybe.”
For a long time we watch the seals sleep. They rest their hairy chins just over the water. How tired they must be, spending all night in the turbulent sea. How sad they must be, to fight this war with the water every single day. How angry they must be. Who do they blame.
Do they know.
Gavin holds the pill bottle in his hands. The current surging through him to twist off the cap. The strain on his face. The trap he’s set for himself. It’s like giving up the drink. You want to. You just can’t. It’s nothing to do with wanting. You’ve no control over it. He can’t let go.
~**~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Darby Harn studied at Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Irish Writing Program. He is the author of the sci-fi superhero novel EVER THE HERO. His short fiction appears in Strange Horizons, Interzone, Shimmer, The Coffin Bell and other venues.
Links:
Website: http://www.darbyharn.com
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Country-Eternal-Light-Darby-Harn-ebook/dp/B0921W3QNF
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/darbyharn
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/darby_harn
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/DarbyHarn
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/Darby-Harn-255976537767428
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Darby Harn will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
RAFFLECOPTER:
a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.jsFor more chances to win and to read excerpts of A Country of Eternal Light, follow Darby on tour:
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2021/04/nbtm-country-of-eternal-light-by-darby.html
