Linda Nightingale's Blog, page 7

Drifting by Steven M. Cross

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Steven M. Cross 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.

Drifting brings light into the dark corners of mental health, bullying, and sexual assault.

Dean Knight has struggled against his personal demons for as long as he can remember. He thought he lost that struggle when he felt their knowing grip pull him deeper in the river, but he was saved. Saved for what? His memories are trapped within his mental illness. He hears his sister and father’s voices. The problem is, they’re dead, both killed in the same river that tried to claim Dean. As he struggles to remember, he discovers their voices aren’t pushing him to harm himself, but to discover the truth surrounding both their deaths. One person, Ella, has all the answers, but Dean can’t remember if she loved him or tried to kill him.

Roxanne “Rocky” Rivers struggles against her own demons, not voices, but a past trauma she can’t fully remember. She only knows everyone at school thinks she’s a slut and a head-case. A razor her only release for the pain. Rocky knows no one will believe a crazy girl who tries to kill herself.

Dean and Rocky find a connection. Can they find the strength and trust to help each other when neither can survive alone?

Read an Excerpt

We have walked into another large cave. In one wall, a small chamber is cut.

“I bet there’s treasure in there. Arrgh,” like a pirate, then laughing hysterically, cackling, and releasing my hand. I kneel and see a pocket watch lying at the chamber’s entrance.

A hand, half bone, half decayed skin, creeps from the chamber, grabs my wrist. My heart catches. My eyes bulge. A scream rises in my throat.

Then, I see a bashed in skull emerge from the opening, its jaw set in a gaping grin and then another hand. Behind it on the floor, I see part of a skull, blood, a tooth, and hair. The skeleton crawls out of the chamber. I hear the girl’s crazed laughter. Bones skitter over the ground, click like castanets.

“Dean.” Its voice is thick like it’s filled with sand. I, we, feel like our head is going to explode into pieces of blood and brain and bone.

When I close my eyes, it grabs me and lifts me up, flopping me over its shoulder like an old rug. I can’t move, can’t talk, can’t breathe. The dry, brittle bones click against my skin.

It takes me to another part of the cave on the edge of a high cliff, lifts me off its shoulder, grabs my shirt, dangles me over the edge of the cliff, lets go.

I kick and scream as I fall through the air. I look up, see the face of a beautiful girl, then disappear into a pool of hot, frothy water. As I peer through the churning water, the skeleton’s hand grabs my hair.

I scream, choke on water, but then I’m gulping fresh air and staring into the Rose’s face.

“What the hell?”

“I’m naked,” I say aloud, though I’m only thinking it in my head.

“Next time, I’ll let your skinny ass drown.” She turns, leaves the bathroom.

About the Author: Steve Cross is an educator/freelance writer who lives in Poplar Bluff, MO. His credits include four young adult novels, two fantasy novels, and seven plays. He has optioned one script and sold another one. Plus, he’s finished as a quarterfinalist in Bluecat and in Fresh Voices screenwriting competition. He and his wife have one daughter and two grandchildren with whom they spend a lot of time. Cross loves Cardinals baseball, classic rock music, and character-driven movies. His favorite films are Dead Poets Society and Field of Dreams. Cross also likes to read, everything from Young Adult contemporary novels to screenplays, to horror and fantasy. At 62 and a cancer survivor, he believes his writing career is just now getting into full swing. His favorite type of screenplay to write is a psychological drama.

https://www.facebook.com/steven.cross.56/
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https://twitter.com/stevecrosswords
https://twitter.com/stevecrosswords
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/987662.Steven_Cross

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Drifting-Steven-M-Cross-ebook/dp/B093WRF6FC/ref=sr_1_1

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Knight Light by Claudia Riess

GENRE:   Mystery

Genre: Mystery!

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BLURB:

On March 24, 1946, World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine, is found dead in his hotel room in Estoril, Portugal.  The cause of death remains mired in controversy when, three-quarters of a century later, a letter of his that could rock the art world is unearthed in a routine home renovation in upstate New York.  The letter is addressed to a person of international repute and offers information about art works looted during the German occupation of Paris.
When the young man in possession of the letter is brutally murdered, his mentor, art history professor Harrison Wheatley and Harrison’s sleuthing partner, art magazine editor Erika Shawn, hurl themselves into the dual mission of tracking down both the killer and the looted art.
The hunt takes the couple to far flung locations, and as the stakes rise along with the murder count, it looks like the denouement will take place far from the comforts of home.

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Excerpt:

Harrison was at a loss.  “Denise, what is so disturbing to you about this?”

She opened her mouth to answer, then changed her mind.  After a beat, she said, “I’ll tell you what happened next, and you will know for yourself.”

He had no choice.  He nodded and waited for her to continue.

She smoothed her skirt and refolded her hands, as if this would bring order to what was to come.  “The next morning after breakfast—dry rolls and tea without sugar, it was—Ben and I set out for our respective homes.”  Her voice had cracked a bit, and she cleared her throat.   “Ever since the incident at the cinema, Benny was keeping his distance from me.  It was clear he was unsure how to act in my presence.  I wanted us to go back to the way we were, so I turned around and caught up with him.  ‘I’ll walk you home,’ I said.  ‘I’m perfectly capable of walking by myself,’ he said.  I walked with him anyway.  I hardly knew what to say next, and he was of no help, giving me the cold shoulder, so we walked down the street in silence for the entire ten minutes it took us to get to number 110, the address of the Eisenberg gallery and residence.  You should know that the Eisenberg’s apartment, like the Wildenstein’s, was accessible from inside the building.  The apartment was not as grand as theirs, though.  Three rooms, three flights up.”  Madame D paused to take another of her curative deep breaths.

“I will get right to the point,” she said evenly, although Harrison saw her hands briefly unclasp to take up a patch of skirt material and clutch it between her palms.  “The door to the gallery was wide open, but we didn’t need that clue to realize that something terrible had happened.  We could see it through the gallery window.  Ben let out a low grunt, like an animal that had just been wounded, and ran into the building.  I followed after him.

“The floor was strewn with empty frames, like a heap of firewood.  Not a single canvas had been left behind.  I stood dumbly in the center of it as Ben tore around in circles screaming ‘Maman? Papa? Maman? Papa?’ before realizing he was going nowhere and shot out of orbit to head for the back office.  I followed behind in a kind of wide-awake daze, and when I reached the room, I saw first a neat pile of paperwork on a small desk, and then, beside it on the floor, the bodies of two German officers piled together like discarded rag dolls.  Ben was crammed in a corner as if pinned there by an invisible force, his mouth open, screaming without making a sound.  And then, as if suddenly released, he sprang out the door, brushing by me without seeing me, running and stumbling toward the stairwell that led up to the apartment.  I followed him like a sleepwalker, alert to every detail, but viewing it from another dimension of time and space.

“I was standing behind him as he pushed open the door to the apartment, and so my first view of the scene was obstructed.  His was not.  Both his parents were lying face-up on the hardwood floor.  Each had been shot in the middle of the forehead.  Except for the neat bullet holes, their faces were remarkably intact.  The pools of blood, like crimson pillows beneath their heads, were proof enough that their wounds had been fatal, but Ben, dropping to his knees beside his mother’s inert form, refused to believe it, whispering and howling that she wake up.  And still, not a word had passed between us.  What happened next was so unearthly, even more so than the murders, that I did not truly believe it was happening until it was done.” 

Madame D paused a moment before going on, and Harrison felt that if he said a word it would be considered an act of transgression.  “The window in the living room,” she continued—“we were in the living room, you see—went nearly from the floor to the ceiling.  The window was open and the long white curtains—cotton batiste they must have been—were fluttering in the breeze.  Maybe Ben saw them as angel wings, I don’t know.  Maybe he thought he could fly—remember, he believed he could become anything he wanted to be—and that the curtains were heavenly portals or something of the sort.  It’s so painful not to know what he was thinking when he rose to his feet and without a word, without a cry, ran to the window and flew off.  In my mind I hear myself shouting ‘Ben, no!’ just as he is about to jump, so I must have shouted, don’t you think?”  She looked at Harrison, actually wanting him to answer.

Harrison felt keenly aware of what he had just been hearing, yet stunned speechless by it.  Like the young Denise, he reflected.

“Harry?” she urged.  “Don’t you think I shouted that?”

He must choose his words carefully—no! say what you think!  “Yes, I believe you did,” he said, faltering.  “Probably you did.”  Counterpunching in the forefront of consciousness: What? Two German officers and two Jews killed by the same person? 

“In the end I know it doesn’t matter,” she said, “but I want to believe I said something.”

“How can anyone know how to react in such a situation?” he asked, as the question in his head refused to be gaveled into silence.  “I hardly know how to react in this situation, and I’m a grown-up!” 

She granted him a smile, but her thoughts were elsewhere: “I blame myself, you know,” she said quietly.  “If I had let Ben hold my hand in the theater, or if I had pulled my hand away less forcefully, he might have rushed to me, if even for a parting embrace, and I would have held onto him until that dreadful impulse had melted into a river of tears.”

ABOUT CLAUDIA:

Claudia Riess is a Vassar graduate who’s worked in the editorial departments of The New Yorker and Holt, Rinehart and Winston.  She is author of the Art History Mystery Series published by Level Best Books and includes: “Stolen Light,”* “False Light” and “Knight Light.” She is also author of “Semblance of Guilt” and “Love and Other Hazards.”

“Knight Light,” the third novel in her Art History Mystery Series, released February 23, 2021, follows the series amateur sleuths Erika Shawn, art magazine editor and Harrison Wheatley, art history professor, as they tackle the sinister world of art crime that tests both their courage- and love-under-fire.

www.claudiariessbooks.com

Tweets by ClaudiaRiess

https://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaRiessBooks

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Light-Art-History-Mystery-ebook/dp/B08VY6RQVF/

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

Claudia Riess will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Fostered Identity by Maggie Thom

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Maggie Thom will be awarding a $20 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.

Her teenage sister has run away. It’s her fault. And on her watch.

Shyla thought she was doing the right thing by helping her teenage sister get a little freedom. She never expected she’d bolt on her. Desperate to keep their mom from discovering she has a missing daughter, Shyla sets out to find her wayward sister.

A fluke encounter gives Shyla a clue. Only she gets a lot more than she bargained for. She finds her sister, but she gets pulled into doing a heist. An impossible heist. And not just any heist but that of stealing her mom’s million-dollar jewelry. Ones that recently arrived, with no explanation.

Damien is a good guy running from an awful past. When his brother ends up in the hospital, Damien is determined to stop the one man who has and is destroying their lives—their father. Damien will break all of his promises, even steal, if it will end their father’s control.

Shyla and Damien find themselves thrown together, not trusting each other but not having any choice. They will have to work together if Damien is going to stop his father once and for all. And if Shyla is going to protect her family. An impossible crime that will bring them surprises they didn’t see coming.

Can they catch a thief by being a thief?

Book 1
The Twisted Deception Series

Emerald grew up in a foster family. It wasn’t an ordinary foster family. She was the first of eight girls to move in. The jewels that she was given to play with as a teenager, that she was told were baubles, are now resurfacing thirty-five years later. They are worth millions. And it appears worth stealing. Who is sending them out? And who wants them back at all costs?

“…fast-paced and kept me guessing. I like a mystery enveloped with family secrets and jewel thieves. I want more, and I want to know the secrets. I will be excited to read the second novel…” Author Christine H-Jackson

Read an Excerpt

“You’re sick. You destroyed Jordie. Or tried to, but he turned you down. Isn’t that why you hurt him, ’cause he didn’t want any more to do with you? He was getting out. But you couldn’t lose your number one thief. He’s been clean for a whole year.”

The man chuckled. “He’s mine. One day, he’s gonna slip out of this world.”

“What do you want?”

“There’s something I need you to get. Jordie couldn’t do it. You saw what happened to him. If you do like him and ignore me, you will end up in the same place. Or worse.”

Damien felt sick, but he didn’t know what he was going to do. This man had destroyed his life. As much as he wanted to turn tail and run, it was his turn to step up and protect his brother. Their father would stop at nothing, even kill Jordie. It appeared he almost had.

“Fine. What do you want to steal?”

The door to the apartment opened. Damien’s eyes widened as he met Shyla’s whose eyebrows couldn’t have shot any higher. Thankfully, her hands were full of bags of groceries and trying to balance her purse and keys. He rushed over to her, grabbing the door, and stepping between her and it.

“Smart boy,” His father was at happy with his question. Shyla was going to be another matter.

Shyla hustled past him, almost throwing the bags of groceries onto the counter. She whirled around, staring him down. He leaned against the door. He at least needed a chance to explain.

“No. I just know you. You haven’t changed at all. All you’ve ever done your entire life is steal, steal, steal, and steal. So, what is it?” He waved at Shyla with his hand while making pleading facial expressions that she give him a minute and then he’d explain.

“Something a little bit different. It’s a beautiful set of jewelry.”

About the Author: Take the adventure beyond your fingertips.

Multi-Award-Winning Author, Maggie Thom has written all types of stories but finally settled on her love of puzzles, mysteries, and rollercoaster rides and now writes suspense/thrillers/mysteries that keep you guessing and take you on one heck of an adventure.

She is the author of 8 suspense/thriller/mysteries. The award-winning Caspian Wine Series – Captured Lies, Deceitful Truths, and Split Seconds – and her other individual novels Tainted Waters, Deadly Ties, and Fractured Lines. And now a new series – The Twisted Deception Series – Fostered Identity, Book 1. On her website, you can find her free novel – Blurred Lines.

Her motto: Read to escape … Escape to read …

“Maggie Thom… proves her strength as a master of words, plots and finely chiseled characters… she weaves a brilliant cloth of the many colors of deceit.” Dii – TomeTender

Website: http://www.maggiethom.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authormaggiethom
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maggie-thom
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/maggiethom2
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6549592.Maggie_Thom
Pinterest: https://pinterest.com/maggiethom2/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Thom/e/B009WSTDG8/

Buy Links: THE BOOK IS ON SALE FOR $0.99 DURING THE TOUR.

Amazon: http://mybook.to/FosteredIdentity
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/fostered-identity-maggie-thom/1138918935
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/fostered-identity
Google: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=rqwgEAAAQBAJ
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/fostered-identity/id1556127213

For all book links: https://books2read.com/FosteredIdentity

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Arresting Onyx by Amber Daulton ON SALE!!

For the first time ever, both Arresting Mason and Arresting Jeremiah are on sale for $2.99 each.

This romantic suspense series features smokin’ hot sex scenes, bad boy heroes, and badass heroines who fight their own battles and keep their men on their toes.

Now is the perfect time to catch up with these books since they’re half off! Find them on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Apple/iBooks.

Limited Time Only – May 14 to May 28, 2021

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Arresting Mason (Arresting Onyx book 1)

– Their chance encounter resulted in a steamy affair, but will his former gang and a parole officer tear them apart?

Blurb

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.

Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.

When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39005064-arresting-mason

Check it out on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/arresting-mason-by-amber-daulton

Arresting Mason – Purchase Links

Amazon – http://amzn.to/2ppcmEJ

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2uOj90J

Apple/iBooks – https://apple.co/2FVAQMP

Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/m2vvY7

Arresting Jeremiah (Arresting Onyx book 2)

– When threats escalate, will Jim and Calista succumb, or fight for a love they can’t deny?

Blurb

Injured Parole Officer Jeremiah “Jim” Borden never expected Calista Barlow, the sassy blonde waitress he’s craved for months, to ring his doorbell. She slips into his heart—and his bed—but he’s obsessed with a gangland investigation that threatens his career and maybe even his life.

Calista doesn’t trust easily, not with a daughter to protect and the stalker who keeps calling her. After her violent ex-boyfriend returns, she finds solace in Jim’s arms.

Jim may have to forego his need for answers to protect the ready-made family he adores, but how will he and Calista escape an unseen enemy that is always one step ahead of them?

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55223686-arresting-jeremiah

Check it out on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/arresting-jeremiah-arresting-onyx-book-2-by-amber-daulton

Arresting Jeremiah – Purchase Links

Amazon – https://amzn.to/32vAlqu

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2E4eJYO

Apple/iBooks – https://apple.co/35BOuo1

Universal link – https://books2read.com/u/mVKvMP

About the Author

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press, Books to Go Now, and Daulton Publishing, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.

Social Media

Universal link – https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Yes—These Are Your Grandma’s Romances by Nancy Fraser

Heat Rating: 3.5/5

(Fully realized lovescenes/no language)

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Blurb:

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Ah … the Fifties!

A time of innocence, and the not so innocent. From “I Love Lucy” and “Willy” to “Private Secretary”, “Father Knows Best” and “Bachelor Father”, television and music from the fifties gave us inspiration. Come take a trip down memory lane with these five vintage reads!

Get your romance on, and make grandma proud!

Ed Loves Marnie ~ 1955 – Can this handsome military man convince the single mother to take another chance at love? Or, will their shared memory put a wall between them?

Willa Thomas, Attorney-in-Love ~ 1956 – Will these co-workers be able to tow the company line and forego a chance at romance? Or, will they risk everything for love?

Professor Knows Best ~ 1957 – Will this freaky trip back in time to 1957 give her the answers she seeks? Or, only more confusion? How difficult will she find it to navigate being best friends with the college-age version of her own mother?

His Private Secretary ~ 1958 – Can she run interference between her handsome boss, his needy family, and the scores of women trying to bed him and wed him and still remain unaffected by his many charms?

The Bachelor Father ~ 1959 – Will Nanny #5 be the one to finally ace the job, and coax him out of his shell and back into life? And, will a family vacation to Paris fulfill their wildest dreams?

Excerpts: (1 from each book)

Ed Loves Marnie ~ 1955

“You two know each other?” Terri asked. “That’s great.” The moment Stan set down the drinks, Terri tugged on his coat sleeve and pulled him toward the dance floor. “We’ll just leave you two to get reacquainted.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Marnie apologized, nodding toward her overzealous friend.

“No problem. Would you like to dance?” he asked.

“No, thank you. I’ve really got to be going. My kids—”

“Two, right? A little girl and you were expecting. They must be about four and seven now.”

“Three-and-a-half and a very precocious six,” she corrected, amazed at his excellent memory for detail.

He smiled and, for the first time in ages, Marnie let down her guard and actually enjoyed the simple gesture. She leaned in and asked, “How about you? I mean, you’re still in the military, and promoted to Major, too.”

“I’m stationed at Andrews Air Force Base,” he confirmed.

“So, you’re just in town for the wedding?”

“Actually, I’ve bought some property just outside Frederick.”

So close. The thought excited and frightened her in equal measure. She suspected a man like Edward Louden would be hard to ignore. “Well, as long as you don’t mind a small town, this is a great place to live.”

“What about you?” he asked. “Have you remarried?”

She shook her head. “I’ve been too busy raising my children and working. And, trying to cram some night classes in at the same time.”

“Sounds as if you’ve been busy.”

“Very. Thankfully, my parents are close by and have been a godsend with the kids.” After a moment’s silence, she asked, “How about you? Any kids?”

He shot her a broad grin. “No. I’d need a wife for that. Unfortunately, I haven’t had much time to look for one between duty assignments.”

She couldn’t help but appreciate his lighthearted sarcasm.

A comfortable silence fell between them. They both relaxed back in their chairs and enjoyed the music. When it looked as if the orchestra was about to take their break, Marnie stood to leave. “Please, tell Terri and Stan goodbye for me. My children will be up early, no matter how late I get to bed.”

“Would you like me to walk you to your car?” he asked.

 She shook her head. “No, but thank you. Stay here and enjoy the reception.” 

***

Stan and Terri came back to the table just minutes after Marnie Wilson made her escape. Ed had to admit, he’d barely recognized her. It hadn’t been until the name had registered that he’d realized who she was, and how he knew her. She’d certainly changed over the past three years. Matured. No doubt single-parenthood could do that to a person.

“So,” Terri asked the minute she hit the chair, “where’s Marnie?”

“She left,” Ed said simply. “Apparently her children are early risers.”

Stan chuckled. “All kids are early risers. It’s a gift.”

Ed waited for the inevitable question.

“Just how do you know Marnie?” Terri asked. “Has my best friend been holding out on me?”

“No,” he said, his voice solemn with the memory of their meeting. “We met four years ago this past March. I had the unfortunate task of delivering the military’s condolences when her husband’s plane was shot down over Korea.” 

Purchase Links:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091HXWJPD

(334 pages)

Apple:  https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1561179077

B&N/Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/yes-these-are-your-grandmas-romances-nancy-fraser/1139151824

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/yes-these-are-your-grandma-s-romances

Universal: books2read.com/u/bMRR68

Custom: books2read.com/Grandma

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/yes-these-are-your-grandma-s-romances-a-romance-anthology-from-the-fifties-by-nancy-fraser

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57606497-yes–these-are-your-grandma-s-romances

Author Bio:

NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.

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Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.

Nancy has published over forty books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

Website: www.nancyfraser.ca

Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor  @nfraserauthor

Bookbub: http://bookbub.com/profile/nancy-fraser

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Nancy-Fraser/e/B004AOL61Y/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7206382.Nancy_Fraser

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3gC68iMStwKCr4v_S6fMIA

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Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bookbub

Amazon Author Page ~ Goodreads ~ YouTube ~ Newsletter

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JIGSAW PUZZLE:

Grandma’s Jigsaw Puzzle

Oh Good Now This by Susan Merson

Why did you choose literary fiction, particularly women’s fiction, over genre fiction, or did it choose you?

Yep, it chose me.

I’ve never been good at drawing inside the lines and while some find the rules of ‘genre’ as liberating, I get confused and distracted, worrying about “doing it right”.

So, I let myself wander deeply in the territory that I understand. I’ve put in a lot of time and digestion into this wonderful life of mine and the experiences that have changed me are the experiences I use to spin the stories that are mine to tell.  I have had my share of steamy romances, and maybe even a mystery or two that I needed to solve, but they are all wildly different, specific to me, and may lead to roads not usually open on the ‘genre’ highway.

I’ve also spent many years as an actress in the machine that is network television and ‘genre’ ruled my life in a big way. Once I passed thirty, the ‘genre’ dramas would not accept a love interest of my age, or ‘look’. Screenplays and television treatments were tortured into ‘high concept’ or “low concept’, ’buddy movies’ or ‘diseases of the week’. I used to appear in lots of medical shows or court room dramas. I think I played a character called Dr.Klein in at least ten different shows over the years, and the scenes were almost interchangeable, never mind the year or title of the show. And there was Judge Bernstein in several shows as well, same costume, same hair do, same dialogue, maybe even the same set— but different show.

And then, there’s language, rhythm, and structural shifts. I love them all and so want to use these tools in creating worlds that are based on the specific internal shifts of characters, rather than move swiftly to action and plot point.

I applaud all good storytelling, and confess to not paying enough attention to the marketplace, but so far… I seem to write in my own voice which is closer to ‘women’s fiction’ than romance or fantasy.

I like the idea of finding a character who would be interesting enough to move through a ~~~~series of books, but she hasn’t appeared yet. Maybe I need to turn the channel.

GENRE: Women’s Literary Fiction

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BLURB:

Starting over is hard enough but when ghosts decide to hitch a ride into the future—things can get complicated.

Widowed Vivi leaves California for a new start back east landing in a college town near her old friend Vikram, now the local ‘spiritual’ leader and disappointing lover. But the two have old business which leads them to uncovering the ghosts they conjured long before and the ones that are haunting them now.  Vivi reclaims her life, — with the help of a couple different dimensions– saying hi to the ghosts who choose to hang around, and growing a new garden and a new life.

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EXCERPT:

They climb into Vikram’s old Saab. The dope has worn off but the sugar high has not. Vikram reaches into his pocket. He brings out a little statue of an Indian god and goddess. He hands it to Vivi.

“A wedding present.”

“Gosh, this guy has four arms.”

“Yes,” Vikram says. “Doesn’t she look happy?”

Vivi blushes. “Never mind,” she says.

Vikram slides his arm along the top of the seat and pulls her close. Vivi isn’t sure.

“Don’t worry. It’s freezing.  We can keep each other warm.”

Viv slides closer and feels the warmth of his body. She snuggles in. He is so tall and it feels good to be smaller than, to be surrounded by.

“Jake is shorter than you,” she says. “I’m not used to being surrounded.”

“The more to keep you safer, my dear.” Vikram says with a soft smile.

“So, tll me about this. Who are these guys?” She is referring to the small statue.

“It’s the perfect wedding gift. Vishnu and Lakshmi are devoted to each other. She is the goddess of prosperity, purity and generosity. The embodiment of beauty, grace and feminine charm.”

“Just like me,” says Vivi.

“Just like you,” he echoes.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Susan Merson began her career as an actress on and off Broadway, in television and film. Co-founding the LA Writers Bloc in 1985 with award winning writer Jane Anderson, she has mentored writers through the Bloc and through her private and university classes in Playwriting, Life Stories, Writing as a Spiritual Practice, Tarot for Writers and the popular VOICING Series. Her short fiction has been featured in The Jew in America, Nice Jewish Girls (Penguin), The Worcester Review, the Chicken Soup series and several other online platforms.  As a playwright, her award-winning plays have been performed internationally, including her 8 solo plays featured and used as example in YOUT NAME HERE: An Actor Writers Guide to Solo Performance. (Amazon). Long form fiction available on Amazon is her award-winning blog, WHEN THEY GO AND YOU DO NOT and her first novel DREAMING IN DAYLIGHT.  OH GOOD NOW THIS, her newest novel launches 12/1/21. She is a tarot reader and counselor, a maker of quilts, clothing and whimsy.  Susan is a humble mother and a proud resident of New York City. http://www.susanmerson.com

FACEBOOK:

SUSAN MERSON AUTHOR:  https://www.facebook.com/susanmersonauthor

WEBSITE: http://www.susanmerson.com

BUY LINKS:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/…/oh-good-now…/1138532579

https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1546617489

https://www.amazon.com/Good-Now-This-Susan…/dp/B08RCXVNTX/

~~~~~~~~~~~

The author has also done a series of five videos regarding the use of Tarot for writers (for more information, visit her website):

1: Author/ teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/ Amazon) explores Tarot to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #1:  INTRODUCTION

An introduction to using your own intuitive powers to tap into the resonance of Tarot images, packed with archetypes and symbols, to jumpstart inspiration for your artistic projects.

**CORRECTION: The Raziel Tarot Deck is designed by artist Robert Place with commentary by Rachel Pollack. https://youtu.be/LGONsfOayJg

 2: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/Amazon), explores TAROT cards to jumpstart your writing, TAROT FOR WRITERS #2: LANDSCAPE

Explore the landscape of story. Entering the world of the card offers visceral clues to the landscape of your writing. https://youtu.be/Mwq9x-I9oQE

3: Author/ teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/ Amazon) explores  TAROT cards to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #3: CHARACTER.

A brief exploration of character and how to find their first basic journey. Look deeply at the character clues in the cards and throw three cards to begin their adventure. https://youtu.be/CuovTNQ5ztk

4: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/AMAZON) explores TAROT cards to jump start your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS #4:  WHAT STORY SHOULD I WRITE TODAY

On pulling cards to intuitively discover the story, the genre, the themes and the major turning points of a new story. https://youtu.be/eHm0mVSNaPo

5: Author/teacher Susan Merson (OH GOOD NOW THIS/AMAZON) explores TAROT to jumpstart your writing. TAROT FOR WRITERS/ #5 TIMELINES AND DEEPER DIVE INTO RELATIONSHIPS

Timelines and going deeper into relationships with pro and antagonists. The more cards you draw the more information you can gather. https://youtu.be/EClPq0e-H70

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

 Susan Merson will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

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The Misadventures of a (Wannabe) Slutty Bartender

by WS Carmichael

WS Carmichael

I took a risk when I titled my newest book, The Misadventures of a (Wannabe) Slutty Bartender by putting the word ‘Slutty’ in the title. Slutty is loaded word. Hearing it elicits some type of visceral response from everyone, and rarely is that response positive. For most, the word slutty represents a woman of low moral character, someone we should look down upon with disdain and scorn. I’ll admit, there were times in my life I thought much the same way. Calling a woman a slut is usually the result of gossip, driven by virtue signaling and insecurities. When used in a derogatory way, the moniker of slut is a badge of shame, a public declaration of a woman’s unworthiness of love and compassion. We are to believe she is dirty, unclean and impure.

Well, I refuse to continue the tradition of shaming a woman for the choices she makes with her own body. Which is why I decided to put ‘Slutty’ on the front cover, out in the open for God and everyone to see.

As times change and social norms evolve, being called a slut no longer carries with it the negative connotations it once did. For many, a slut is merely a woman who chooses to reject the patriarchal ideology that a woman touched is a woman ruined while men are free to dip their wick in any willing receptacle without damage to their reputation or social standing. What was once a shameful label is now looked at as a symbol of pride by some.

The Misadventures of a (Wannabe) Slutty Bartender is a story about a woman empowering herself (or at least attempting to) by no longer allowing anyone to tell her how she should behave or how she should conduct her private life. The main character, Ava, has been turning herself inside out for several years trying to become the person her fiancé and his stuffy parents would approve of. When her engagement collapses in a heap of shock and lies, she realizes she has lost herself in the outdated and suffocating perception of what makes a woman valuable. In an effort to regain her essence, she embarks on a mission to embrace life my having a series of one night stands. She theorizes the only way as a young, single woman to recapture her lost zest for life is to welcome all Vegas has to offer, including casual sex. It isn’t the sex she is necessarily after, but instead she is chasing the freedom to decide what – and who – she does and when she does it. Unfortunately for her, her escapades rarely live up to her fantasies. Each attempt is more hilariously disappointing than the last, thus making her a wannabe slut. Don’t worry. She eventually gets the HEA all women deserve.

My hope is that in addition to being entertaining, The Misadventures of a (Wannabe) Slutty Bartender conveys the message all women are fabulous, worthy and fierce, regardless of their sexual practices. There is no longer room in a woman’s underwear for societal judgement.

Make no mistake, I am in no way advocating the women of the world suddenly start tossing their cooters at every man passing by. In addition to being an author, I have also been a nurse for over twenty years. While I am all for women having total control over their goodies, my medical training demands I urge you to use good judgement and be safe.

Whether you have one partner or a hundred, you deserve to be valued for the awesome and beautiful person you are.

GENRE:   Romance/Romantic Comedy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Ava Moreland has it all planned out. In two months, she will marry her fiancé, Tim. She’ll continue working at Vegas’s famous Cosmopolitan bar while he runs his father’s accounting firm. Soon they’ll start a family and she’ll have the white picket life she’s always dreamed of.
Or not.

When her fairytale engagement implodes in a devastating display, Ava embarks on a quest to reclaim her identity and feminine prowess – by sleeping her way through Las Vegas. With her best friend, Jarrod, acting as wingman her plan is foolproof.
Or not.

Nothing goes as planned with hilariously disastrous results. Her sexual misadventures will keep you in stitches as Ava searches for herself in Sin City, finding herself and her happily ever after in the unlikeliest of places.

Excerpt

The problem with a dramatic exit is what comes next. They never show you that part in the movies. You never see the tough heroine stumbling down a hotel hallway, her feet tired from traveling all day, alone and confused in a strange city, holding back tears as the realization her life has been flipped upside down settles in.

No. They never show you that part. They fade to black and pick up two years down the line when she’s found her happily ever after.

Where the hell is that fade to black button? Because this is the part I want to skip. I want to skip the binge eating and the ugly crying. I want to skip the ‘why me’ phase. I want to skip the explanations to my friends when they ask what happened. I want to skip all of it.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

WS Carmichael is attempting to write the world into romantic bliss one novel at a time. Based in upstate NY, she travels as often as her hectic schedule will allow. When she isn’t busy writing, she’s a mother, nurse and avid sportswoman.

WS Carmichael fell in love with romance at an early age when she would sneak Harlequins from her mother. A voracious reader, she eventually made the jump to writing.

Writing is her passion and she’s always jotting down new storyline and character ideas. Often, her characters take on a life of their own and don’t always cooperate with her plan for them. Creating well developed, strong alpha male characters that don’t fit into the typical romance hero mold makes her novels exciting and relatable. A woman who believes whole heartedly in happily ever after, she gives her heroes the heroine they deserve.

You can check out her blog and find out more on her website:

 www.wscarmichael.com

Social Links:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wscarmichaelauthor/#

Twitter:       https://twitter.com/RomanceWSC

Website:     http://www.wscarmichael.com/

Amazon buy link:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

WS Carmichael will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Angelbound – Clockwork Igni by Christina Bauer

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Christina Bauer will be awarding an angel/demon necklace to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Long live the me! As Queen of Antrum, I rule an underground realm of demon hunters who love finding new caves. Hey, it’s boring down here; I’m glad they all have a hobby. Per usual, I try to act interested about their latest discovery, but all I hear is “blah blah blah new cavern blah blah blah Forbidden Tombs blah blah blah massive bronze pyramids blah blah blah creepy ticking sounds.” It’s a little odd, but I’m not worried.

My bad.

Suddenly, the Forbidden Tombs burst through the ground in my home realm of Purgatory. Bronze pyramids smash through abandoned buildings and highways, making rush hour a nightmare. Even worse, the metal structures attract tiny lightning bolts called igni, which are my very special supernatural buddies. Within minutes, every last igni gets stolen away.

Now. I’m. Pissed.

Whoever hides inside those pyramids? Time to dust off your mummies and shine up your sarcophagi. Because my husband, Lincoln, and I are breaking in and kicking ass.

Angelbound Origins
In which Myla Lewis kicks ass and takes names. Nuff said.

1. Angelbound
2. Scala
3. Acca
4. Thrax
5. The Dark Lands
6. The Brutal Time
7. Armageddon
8. Quasi Redux
9. Clockwork Igni
10. Lady Reaper

Read an Excerpt

I stand in a small square room. A heavy iron door looms before me. All around, the walls are lined with intricately-entwined gears and springs. Tiny pieces whirl and tick away at high speed. With each click and swipe, a tiny jolt of worry ricochets down my spine. Sweat beads on my palms.

I’m girl enough to admit it. This scene freaks me out.

No question why, either. This isn’t just any metal portal. It’s Pandora’s Door. As in, the girl didn’t keep a box of nasties. Nope. Instead, something awful lurks behind this very entrance. If I pull on the handle, that magical whatchamacallit gets free. Based on what I’ve learned, the mystery something-something could make everything right again. In other words, my igni would return. I’ll move souls once more. The Great Scala is back. How perfect.

Or I could release an unknown scourge that destroys all the after-realms. Definitely not as cool.

A memory appears. I picture Verus giving me a solemn warning: “No matter how tempting the door may appear, you must step back and walk away.”

It’s logical enough advice. Plus, Verus is an oracle angel. In my experience, she’s right most of the time. Perhaps I should give up. Go home. Play with my kid. Smooch my hottie husband. Get a mocha.

That lasts all of five seconds.

Screw it. I’m going in.

I grasp the handle and pull.

About the Author: Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too. Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Website: http://www.BauersBooks.com

Blog: http://monsterhousebooks.com/blog/category/christina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorBauer/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CB_Bauer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christina_cb_bauer/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cb-bauer-481b12139/
Web site: http://monsterhousebooks.com/authors/cbauer

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The Most Eligible Viscount in London by Ella Quinn

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ella Quinn will award a $25 Amazon/iTunes GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In bestselling author Ella Quinn’s intriguing new Regency trilogy, a dashing suitor must decide if love and marriage are mutually exclusive . . .

Viscount Gavin Turley is convinced that love matches cause nothing but trouble. Still, after months of courting, he’s fallen for Miss Georgie Featherton. He’s passionate about her, in fact. But words of love are not an indulgence he will allow himself. When he presents Georgie with his marriage proposal, he will lead with his head—not his heart. His qualifications as a husband are excellent, after all. What could go wrong?

No sooner does Gavin kneel on one knee than Georgie’s heart goes aflutter with joy. Finally, the proposal she longed for had arrived. Yet Gavin seemed to be listing his credentials for a business partnership, not a romantic union. Without a declaration of love, Georgie can only reject his offer—unless the ladies of the ton, and Georgie’s grandmamma, have anything to do with it. For sometimes it takes a wiser eye to see the love behind a guarded heart—and a clever scheme to bring it out of hiding . . .

Read an Excerpt

A light tap sounded on the door to Georgie’s parlor. Smith opened it and stood aside as Adeline swept into the room.

“I did not think you would be resting.” She sounded pleased to have been right. “How are you doing?”

Georgie shrugged. “I wish I knew.”

“I can tell you that he does want very much to marry you.” Georgie pulled a face. “Yet he is still haunted by his father.”

In an attempt to help, Littleton had told Adeline who in turn told Georgie about the mess the former Lord Turley had made of everything after his wife had died. “I understand why he thinks he should not love his wife, but I do not understand how one can stop oneself from falling in love.” And that was the essence of the matter. Georgie firmly believed that love was the thing that held two people together during difficult times. She began pacing the room again, changing directions so as not to wear a path in the rug. “Do I give him another chance? Or would I be wasting my time? If he is so certain he will not love his wife, I do not see what I can do to change his mind.”

Adeline’s forehead creased in thought. “Allowing him until the end of the month to convince you would still give you time to go back to Town before the Season ends, and it would answer your questions.”

“I suppose you are correct.” Georgie stopped pacing. Why was this so hard? She closed her eyes and reached deep into her heart. There was a chance that there might be another gentleman out there who was even more perfect for her than Lord Turley only because this unknown gentleman loved her. But until she knew for certain that Turley would never love her, she would give him an opportunity to prove himself. “I shall give him one more chance.”

“I need to tell you one more bit of information.” This time her friend had a wicked grin on her face. “Your grandmother and her friend the duchess arrive tomorrow. They are staying with Mama-in-law.”

“And Turley.” Georgie felt her eyes widen. “Oh my. That will be interesting. What I would not give to hear what they have to say to him.”

“That is exactly what I thought,” her friend agreed. “Frits has suggested that he be allowed to come here as often as he wishes in order to court you. Do you have any objections?”

Georgie began pacing again. For some reason, she could not remain still. Littlewood really was the perfect place for a courtship. Other than the house party entertainments, they could spend time out of the eyes of the ton. It would give her—them—both the opportunity to attempt to resolve the differences in what they each wanted in a marriage. “No.” She wondered what role her grandmother and the duchess would play. “No. I have no objections.” Having a course of action would, at the very least, help her shake off the malaise she had been experiencing. “In fact, I believe I am looking forward to seeing how he intends to convince me I should enter into a loveless marriage.”

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a Great Dane. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She’s currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement.

Ella loves when readers connect with her.

Website: https://www.ellaquinnauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllaQuinnAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ellaquinnauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7044274.Ella_Quinn
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ella-quinn
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ella-Quinn/e/B00CAE0FSQ

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/AzbRgd
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2PHZZEB
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3sD40si
Nook: https://bit.ly/3sDrldr
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3sDr2PP
Print: https://amzn.to/31t8qpU
BookBub: https://bit.ly/3fsGdb4
Goodreads: https://apple.co/2QFZyLh

Audiobook narrated by Rachael Beresford

Audible: https://adbl.co/3sCVQA6
Amazon Audio: https://amzn.to/3szTt1e
iTunes: https://apple.co/2QFZyLh

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Is it the Beginning?

Pink Fuzzy Slippers Authors

Is this an interesting enough beginning to a book to make you want to read more? I’d seriously like your input because I’m about to submit this book for consideration and am wondering (as I always do) if I’m starting at the right point in the story,,. From Royal Secrets or I might title it simply Forbidden. Which one?

As I spun Ingrid into the final turn of the waltz, I was thinking of the new American Embassy we’d finally won for my country. This morning, I was on the King’s righthand when he signed documents finalizing the long negotiations. I knew how much this meant to him because I am Crown Prince and Heir Apparent to the throne of Desjardins, a province-state in southern Europe, captured between the mountains and the sea. This embassy would create more financial strength and give us a stronger voice in world politics. My…

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