Sharon Ledwith's Blog, page 15

Calling All Time Travel Romance Readers! Coming Soon from Stella May...

The acclaimed time travel series, Upon a Time from Stella May, goes full circle with Book Four releasing May 31, 2023! Here is a peek of what's coming soon.

Ajaded CEO. A fiercely focused ballerina. A love that defies all society’srules.

SoHo,1962

JJMorris, successful CEO, leads a secret double life, playing saxophone to his heart’scontent in his hole-in-the-wall dive bar. Yet he can’t escape the feeling he’sslowly petrifying into just another jaded millionaire. 

Then agorgeous blonde steps into his bar and shakes up his world. Certain this fiercelittle swan of a woman is exactly what’s missing in his life, he maps out aplan to wed her by Christmas. With or without his snobby mother’s approval.

Mostwomen would be thrilled to learn that the tall, handsome bar musician is, infact, a wealthy prince charming. Verochka Osipoff is less than impressed. She’sfocused on becoming a prima ballerina, and everything hinges on her next audition.She can’t afford distractions, especially a rich playboy slumming it in SoHo.

Yet theheat of their attraction melts Verochka’s heart like warm chocolate. But JJ’sworld is a cold, glittering nest of vipers. And their venom could destroy theirlove song before the first movement ends.

Preorder at BOOKStoREAD, AMAZON, and GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS.

Stella May is the penname for Marina Sardarova who has a fascinating history you should read on her website.

Stella writes fantasy romance as well as time travel romance. She is the author of 'Till Time Do Us Part, Book 1 in her Upon a Time series, and the stand-alone book Rhapsody in Dreams. Love and family are two cornerstones of her stories and life. Stella’s books are available in e-book and paperback through all major vendors. 
When not writing, Stella enjoys classical music, reading, and long walks along the ocean with her husband. She lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Leo of 25 years and their son George. They are her two best friends and are all partners in their family business. 
Follow Stella on her website and blog. Stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.

We Wrote a Book...

The Journey of Writing BooksI happened to walk by the television during the announcement ofthe Best Supporting Actress category for the 2023 Academy Awards as my hubbyhad just serendipitously switched it on. I paused, wondering who would win, andwhen Jamie Lee Curtis’s name was announced, I smiled knowing she’d earned heracting chops throughout years of peaks and valleys slogging it through theentertainment industry. Then, I listened to her speech, and something deepinside of me resonated with her. She rattled off a list of names having to dowith the award-winning movie, raised the golden statue, and yelled, “We won anOscar!”, then she mentioned her family, and repeated, “We won an Oscar!”. Thisspeech continued on with colleagues and fans of her movie genres until theactress finished off with her parents, Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis, bothaccomplished actors in their own right, and shouted, “We won an Oscar!”

Then it hit me. What Jamie Lee Curtis said would apply to anyonewho worked hard, and put in the time and effort to accomplish a huge dream orgoal. Being in the Olympics. Making a professional sports team. Getting yourpaintings or photographs in a gallery. Writing and publishing a book. You sawwhere I was going with this, didn’t you?

What Ms. Curtis said rings true for me. It takes thousands ofpeople to help you reap your reward…or in this case award. I’m not sure howmany people (over a thousand for sure) who have helped me along in my writingcareer. From conception in 1995 to publication in 2012, and then again in 2015,it truly took a global village to help me make my dream of becoming a publishedauthor come true. Of course, I have more dreams in my back pocket. Completingboth my young adult book series, starting another book series, reaching readersglobally, and seeing my books translate into movies or a television series arebut a sampling. Some of these goals will take years to accomplish throughdog-eared determination, and others will rely on connecting to the right peopleat the right time. One never knows how fate will intervene, but it helps to beprepared and ready when that door swings open. I know what I’ll say too. “Wewrote a book!” I’ll shout humbly, knowing that I was never alone in the midstof writing any of my books. Ever.

If you never got a chance to hear Jamie Lee Curtis’s speech, youcan listen to it below. I promise, it’s short, but very powerful:

 If you’re a reader, did yourealize how many people are involved in helping an author become published? Ifyou’re an author, have you ever thought about how much support you’ve receivedover the years of your writing career? Would love to read your comments. Cheersand thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate you! 

Let the Summer Long Weekend Season Start with Ice Cream Cake by Helen Carpenter...

The month of May ushers in the start of the long weekend season for Canadians and Americans. Ah, warmer weather and longer days await! First up is Victoria Day weekend, followed by Memorial Day weekend. These two back-to-back holiday weekends may celebrate differently, but you can be sure ice cream is on the menu at some point over these holidays. So, I've virtually flown in my author friend Helen Carpenter up from Florida to whip up a little something sweet and cool to enjoy with family and friends. The best part? This recipe is no bake. That's another reason to celebrate! The kitchen is all yours, Helen...

If you like to have dessert on hand for those daily ice cream craving family members or guests, this cake keeps well in the freezer. It’s expandable, too. Just use a bigger pan, more ice cream and extra whipped topping. When it comes to ice cream, more is better, right?

No Bake Ice Cream Sandwich Cake
What you’ll need:
One package (12 bars) of ice cream sandwiches
One container (8 ounces or larger) of whipped topping (or make your own with a pint of whipping cream and 3 tablespoons of sugar)
Garnish of your choice: Sprinkles; chopped nuts; caramel, chocolate or other syrup
Glass or plastic pan with a lid

Directions:
Arrange six ice cream bars in a crisscross pattern in the bottom of the pan. (You may have to cut the bars to make them fit. Of course, then you’ll need to eat those little left-over pieces—who said chefs have an easy life?)

Spread a layer of whipped cream over the bars. *

Crisscross the remaining six ice cream bars on top of the whipped cream.

Slather another layer of whipped cream over the top and sides.

Decorate with sprinkles or chopped nuts, or drizzle with caramel or chocolate syrup.

Cover and freeze 2-3 hours or overnight.

Remove from freezer 10-15 minutes before serving to soften.

*For a richer cake, add a layer of syrup and/or chopped nuts over the whipped cream.


Once upon a time there was a mother/daughter author duo named Helen and Lorri, who wrote as HL Carpenter. the Carpenters worked from their studios in Carpenter Country, a magical place that, like their stories was unreal but not untrue. Then one day Lorri left her studio to explore the land of What-If, and like others who have lost a loved one the magical place lost much of its magic. But thanks to family, plus an amazing group of wordsmiths named Authors Moving Forward (AMF), the magic is slowly returning.

Helen Carpenter loves liking and sharing blog posts from other authors. She lives in Florida with her husband of many years and appreciates every day, especially those without hurricanes.
Stay connected on her blog and Facebook.

Guest Post: Gardening and Writing by Paranormal Romance Author C.D. Hersh...

Gardening and Writing...

Can they possibly have anything in common?

The warm days this week enabled us to take a stroll through theyard, another put-our-butts-in-the-writing chair avoidance tactic. We found aslew of winter weeds scattered throughout the landscape. Some tiny-leafed,prostrate thing has taken over a portion of the easement making it the greenestit has been in years. Buckhorn plantain spills out between the path steppingstones. Flat rosettes of chickweed carpet the stone gully in the backyard, andhenbit, with its scalloped leaves and purple stems, juts out of the grass—or atleast what passes for grass in the lawn. 

We’re letting the unidentified weed taking over the easement andthe lawn. It’s green, low growing, and doesn’t look like it would need much mowing.But after an afternoon of surfing weed identification web sites (anotheravoidance tactic), we’ve come to the conclusion that we might have to dig outthis patch of weeds and eradicate it every other spot we find. You see, ifwe’ve identified it correctly, we’re harboring shot weed, also known as hairybittercress. Oh, it looks innocent enough, but when it sets seeds the slightesttouch will send hundreds of seeds shooting out in a three-foot radius acrossthe lawn into flowerbeds and pathways looking spots to hide and root. 

Fighting weeds in the garden is a full-time task. It starts inearly spring with digging out winter weeds like plantain, chickweed, and henbitfrom the paths and flower beds. By the time we get those eradicated thedandelions rear their yellow heads. After that it’s pigweed and purslane andnutsedge and Canadian thistles and Jimson weed and ground ivy and goose grass.Spring and summer progress marked by an army of weeds marching through thegarden. We hoe and pull and mulch and spray, and they just keep coming. Theonly thing that keeps them under control is persistent daily effort—and maybe ahard, hard freeze. 

Like the cycle of weeds in the garden, writers face differentchallenges along every stage of our careers. As soon as we think we have ahandle on our craft and profession something new springs up and surprises us.The beginning writer’s weeds might be learning the basics of the craft orfinding that story idea or dealing with writer’s block. For some it’s gettingto the end of the book, or figuring out what to do with the sagging middle. Forthe more skilled, unpublished writers the weeds that need pulling could besocial networking, getting an agent, or getting published. Whatever the weedsin your writer yard there’s one universal truth—they will always be there. Ourjob is to figure the best way to control them.

We’re not beginning writers. We know how to write. That has beenreinforced with a number of contest placements. We have a good grasp of theskills and have been published. We know our stories and the characters. We evenhave books waiting in the wings to be written. But we still have writing weedsto pull—BIG ones. 

We haven’t finished our series—yet.
We want to write in several genres, which presents branding problem andsometimes an identity crisis.
While we have some social networking and internet connections there isn’t alarge following wanting our books—one of the biggest weeds for a lot ofwriters.
Currently, we spend more time blogging than writing the books. 

Gertrude Jekyll, one of the most importantBritish landscape designers and writers, once said, “There is no spotof ground, however arid, bare or ugly, that cannot be tamed into such a stateas may give an impression of beauty and delight. It cannot always be doneeasily; many things worth doing are not done easily; but there is no placeunder natural conditions that cannot be graced with an adornment of suitablevegetation.” 

Gertrude’s advice applies not only to the garden, and all thoseweedy patches, but to writing as well. The road to success isn’t easy, but wecan accomplish it. We can transform those bare, ugly pages into somethingoverflowing with suitable vegetation (the best words and story we can make).When we finally reach that goal it’s worth the work. So, pull those weeds outof your writing garden and create something beautiful!

We’re going to try this year to get rid of our biggest weed andfinish our next book.

What are the writing weeds that are stopping you from creatingyour masterpiece? Do you have a plan to pull them out? 

While you figure out what weeds to attack here’s an excerpt fromthe first book in our series.

In the wrong hands, the Turning Stone ring is a powerful weaponfor evil. So, when homicide detective Alexi Jordan discovers her secret societymentor has been murdered and his magic ring stolen, she is forced to use hershape-shifting powers to catch the killer. By doing so, she risks the two mostimportant things in her life—her badge and the man she loves.

Rhys Temple always knew his fiery cop partner andwould-be-girlfriend, Alexi Jordan, had a few secrets. He considers that part ofher charm. But when she changes into a man, he doesn’t find that as charming.He’ll keep her secret to keep her safe, but he’s not certain he can keep up arelationship—professional or personal.

Danny Shaw needs cash for the elaborate wedding his fiancée hasplanned, so he goes on a mugging spree. But when he kills a member of thesecret society of Turning Stones, and steals a magic ring that gives him thepower to shape shift, Shaw gets more than he bargained for.

EXCERPT

The woman stared at him, blood seeping from the corner of hermouth. “Return the ring, or you’ll be sorry.” 

With a short laugh he stood. “Big words for someone bleeding todeath.” After dropping the ring into his pocket, he gathered the scatteredcontents of her purse, and started to leave. 

“Wait.” The words sounded thick and slurred . . . two octavesdeeper . . . with a Scottish lilt. 

Shaw frowned and spun back toward her. The pounding in his chestincreased. On the ground, where the woman had fallen, lay a man. 

He wore the same slinky blue dress she had—the seams ripped, thedress top collapsed over hard chest muscles, instead of smoothed over soft,rounded curves. The hem skimmed across a pair of hairy, thick thighs. Muscledmale thighs. Spiked heels hung at an odd angle, toes jutting through the shoe straps.The same shoes she’d been wearing. 

The alley tipped. Shaw leaned against the dumpster to steadyhimself. He shook his head to clear the vision, then slowly moved his gaze overthe body. 

A pair of steel-blue eyes stared out of a chiseled face edged witha trim salt-and-pepper beard. Shaw whirled around scanning the alley. 

Where was the woman? And who the hell was this guy? 

Terrified, Shaw fled. 

The dying man called out, “You’re cursed. Forever.”

C.D. Hersh–Two hearts creating everlasting love stories.
Putting words and stories on paper is second nature to co-authors C.D. Hersh. They’ve written separately since they were teenagers and discovered their unique, collaborative abilities in the mid-90s. As high school sweethearts and husband and wife, Catherine and Donald believe in true love and happily ever after.

They have a short Christmas story, Kissing Santa, in a Christmas anthology titled Sizzle in the Snow: Soul Mate Christmas Collection , with seven other authors.

They are looking forward to many years of co-authoring and book sales, and a lifetime of happily-ever-after endings on the page and in real life.

Social Media Info:WebsiteSoul Mate PublishingFacebookAmazon Author PageTwitterGoodreads

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with Cookbook Author Sloane Taylor...

 Many people believe Cinco de Mayo is MexicanIndependence Day. Nope, that is actually September 16. May 5 celebrates theBattle of Puebla which was Mexico’s victory over France in 1862. Anotherinteresting fact – Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo more than the people inMexico. 

I met a wonderful lady in the Hispanicaisle when I was shopping for these ingredients. Lydia literally took me by thehand and taught me a great deal in just a few minutes especially abouttortillas and refried beans which I’m sharing with you. I am thankful for Lydiaand the time she spent with me. 

MENUGuacamole &Tortilla ChipsBeef TacosFlour TortillasRice with Tomatoesand OnionRefried BeansMexican Beer –Corona, Dos Equis, Modelo, Tecate

 

Guacamole

Thisdish can be made hours in advance of your dinner and stored in the fridge.

2lg. ripe avocados1tbsp. (15ml) onion, chopped fine5drops Tabasco sauce1med. tomato, peeled and chopped⅛tsp. (.60ml) cumin⅛tsp. (.60ml) garlic powderFreshlyground pepper to taste

Cutavocados in half. Lift out pits and save. Scoop out avocado from shell andplace into a glass bowl. Mash with a fork. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Tastefor seasoning and adjust to suit you.

Placeguacamole into a serving dish. Bury at least one pit into the dip. This helpskeep the avocado from turning black. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerateuntil ready to serve.

Servewith tortilla chips.

Photo by The BlackRabbit on UnsplashBeefTacos1 lb. (500g) 90% lean ground beef½med. onion, chopped1cup (250ml) canned tomato sauce2tsp. (10ml) chili powder½tsp. garlic powder½tsp. (2.5ml) dried oregano½tsp. (2.5ml) paprika½tsp. (2.5ml) ground cumin½tsp. (2.5ml) cayenneFreshlyground pepper to taste

Preheatoven to 220° F (100°C).

Brownbeef in a large skillet set over medium heat. Be sure to stir and break upclumps. Stir in onion and cook 3 – 4 minutes.

Pourtomato sauce over meat mixture. Sprinkle on spices. Stir well. Cook 5 – 8minutes longer, stirring often.

Pourinto an ovenproof dish. Set in oven until ready to serve.

FlourTortillas1package store bought flour tortillas

Whenyou return home open the package, separate tortillas and lay directly onto yourkitchen counter for 10 – 15 minutes. Restack tortillas, wrap lightly in a papertowel. Replace them in their original package, seal, and refrigerate untilready to use. 

Heata flat skillet over medium heat. Lay in a tortilla and warm for a minute or so.Turn. Fold tortilla in half. You now have a perfect taco shell. 

Layshells on a plate and serve. 

Ricewith Tomatoes and Onion¼cup (60ml) olive oil1med. onion, sliced thin2cups (200g) rice, not instant2cups (450ml) chicken stock, not broth2cups (450ml) water14½oz. (411g) can diced tomatoes

Heatoil in a large saucepan set over moderate heat. Swirl oil to coat pan bottom.Add onion. Cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes or until onion istransparent but not brown.

Pourin rice. Stir well for 2 – 3 minutes to coat all the grains. Do not let therice brown or the dish will be bitter.

Stirin stock, water, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Cover pan and reduce heat to asimmer. Cook for 20 minutes or until rice absorbs all the liquid.

Ifneed be, keep rice warm in a low oven until you’re ready to serve.

RefriedBeans1can refried beans*2strips bacon

Scoopbeans into a microwaveable bowl.

Frybacon until crisp. You want to render as much fat out as possible. Eat thebacon (no joke) and then stir the rendered fat into the beans.

Dependingon how powerful your microwave is, heat for 1 – 2 minutes before serving.

*Buying canned beans is much easier than using dried pinto beans for this dishand probably better tasting. Be sure the can reads Authentic Refried Beans. LaPreferida is the brand Lydia recommended. She was right. It was delicious as ithas bits of bean in it instead of just being a heavy paste.

May you enjoy all the days of your life filled with good friends, laughter, and seated around a well-laden table!

Sloane

Sloane Taylor is an Award-Winning author with a second passion in her life. She is an avid cook and posts new recipes on her blog every Wednesday. The recipes are user friendly, meaning easy.

Taylor's cookbooks, Date Night Dinners, Summer Sizzle, and Recipes to Create Holidays Extraordinaire are released by Toque & Dagger Publishing and available at all book vendors.

Excerpts from her books and free reads can be found on her website, blog, and her Amazon Author Page. Connect with Taylor on Facebook and Twitter.

Cover Reveal: From Here to There, Volume 2 Anthology by Mirror World Publishing...

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the
~ COVER REVEAL ~
From Here to There, Volume 2


About From Here to There, Volume 2:

Seven journeys across time, space, and the imagination.

Journeys, space travel, time travel, quests, spaces in between, portals…

In this second volume in the Far, Far Away series, we’ve gathered together the words of seven authors who’ve had the courage to explore the furthest reaches of reality.

Slip between the layers of space and time to discover what lives in the pockets. Find love in the most unexpected of ways and watch it thrive across the tapestry of history. March with the soldiers of a forgotten kingdom as they travel on foot and question the value of life and the hereafter. Then meet the gods and journey with them to correct the timeline of the mortal realm.

In this collection, you’ll get stuck in a time loop you won’t want to leave, experience the revival of an impossible connection between man and machine, and meet the aliens who will make portal-hopping possible in the near future.

So pack your bags for an epic journey and enjoy the trip… From Here to There

Included in the Anthology:

“Embedding” by Elana Gomel“The Impossible Man” by Kelly D. Holmes“The Repositioning March” by Buddy Young“Industrial Honey” by Rhiannon Lotze“Night Music” by Jane Lupino“From Above” by Roy Sarkar“The Harajuku Crevasse” by Taylor Calder.
Connect with the Publisher:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mirrorworldpublishing

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mirrorworldpub

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28439132-mirror-world 
Blog: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.wordpress.com
Publisher Website: http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-d6tf8fpn4_mjraKjM-hUQ

Guest Post: What it take to be an Author in Today's Publishing World by Author Anne Montgomery...

Want to be an Author?

You’ve gottahave grit! 

Would F.Scott Fitzgerald be successful in today’s publishing world?

Being an author is atough job. OK, maybe not as daunting as the career track those Deadliest Catch folks are on – admittedly, I found myself reaching forthe Dramamine more than once watching those crabbing boats being tossed liketoys – or Mike Rowe’s gig when he does things like testing shark suits ormucking out sewers on Dirty Jobs.

Still,converting thoughts to printed words in order to tell a coherent story that’sof interest to readers, and then convincing others your efforts are importantand well-written enough to publish and promote, well, there are all kinds ofadversities mixed up in that endeavor.

I’vehad a number of difficult jobs over the years. I used to be a maid, on my handsand knees cleaning other people’s bathrooms. I was a baseball umpire for 25years where I was, without question, the most disliked person on the fieldpretty much every time I stepped on the diamond. As a sportscaster, I was onlive television about 2000 times, where, when you make a mistake, there aremyriad people who delight in pointing out your errors.

Despite mylabors with jobs that didn’t do much toward promoting positiveself-esteem, I was definitely not prepared for the rigors of being an author.I’ve written six books: two rest in a drawer, two are published, one willbe shortly, and one is a work in progress. Since I began writing 25 years ago,I have been rejected by agents, publishers, editors, and reviewers too manytimes to count. I’m pretty sure my no-thanks numbers have edged up over the onethousand mark. In fact, I’ve been snubbed so often that I sometimes find myselfstrangely delighted when I receive a rejection letter that’s, well, kind. A positive comment contained therein might temptme to tears. (I know I’m not the only one.)

Today,aspiring authors face a different reality than those of the past. The advent ofthe personal computer and the Internet have paved the way for a hugerelease of creativity, that, depending on your point of view, is eitherfabulous or horrifying. On the positive end, anyone can write, self-publish,and post their book on Amazon. It’s estimated that somewhere between 600,000and one million books are published in the U.S. alone each year, probably halfof which are self-published. The other side of the equation is that without thegatekeepers – agents, editors, publishers – finding your gem in that themassive pile of prose is problematic: the proverbial needle in a haystack.

Feeling down yet? All Ican say is don’t give into despair. Here’s what I’ve learned from the authorsI’ve become acquainted with, my fellow travelers on this detour-filled journey.We are a tough bunch. I have not yet met an author who’s said, “I quit! I can’ttake it anymore!” Perhaps that’s why I found a bit of unintended humor at theexpense of one of America’s most famous writers: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Irecently began watching Z: The Beginning of Everything, abiographical Amazon series based on the life of Zelda Fitzgerald, thewriter’s wife and muse. In one of the early scenes, F. Scott opens a letterfrom a publisher. His book is rejected. And F. Scott, who up until that pointwas dashing and strong and optimistic, disintegrates into a despondent pile ofmush and goes completely off the rails, drunk, depressed, needing Zelda to givehim strength. While I know my reaction was not what the show’s writers intended,I couldn’t help it. I felt like laughing. I wanted to yell at F. Scott to pickhimself up. Get over it! Move on! Try again!

And then, I wonderedwhether the famed writer of The Great Gatsby wouldhave survived the complexities of today’s publishing world. And what aboutHemingway? Twain? Faulkner? Steinbeck? How might these giants of the industryhave navigated the choppy waters we face today?

I thinkthey would have struggled, just like we do.

So, my fellow authors,take heart! Be strong. Be proud. The fact that you’ve even finished writing abook puts you in rarified air. You will survive, if you don’t take rejectionpersonally – Yes, I know it’s hard – and if you have a sense of humor.

Allow me to give you a brief intro to my latest women's fiction novel for your reading pleasure.

The past and present collide when a tenacious reporter seeks information on an eleventh century magician…and uncovers more than she bargained for.

In 1939, archeologists uncovered a tomb at the Northern Arizona site called Ridge Ruin. The man, bedecked in fine turquoise jewelry and intricate bead work, was surrounded by wooden swords with handles carved into animal hooves and human hands. The Hopi workers stepped back from the grave, knowing what the Moochiwimi sticks meant. This man, buried nine hundred years earlier, was a magician.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

Former television journalist Kate Butler hangs on to her investigative reporting career by writing freelance magazine articles. Her research on The Magician shows he bore some European facial characteristics and physical qualities that made him different from the people who buried him. Her quest to discover The Magician’s origin carries her back to a time when the high desert world was shattered by the birth of a volcano and into the present-day dangers of archaeological looting where black market sales of antiquities can lead to murder.

Amazon Buy Link
Anne Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, amateur baseball umpire, and high school football referee. She worked at WRBL‐TV in Columbus, Georgia, WROC‐TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP‐TV in Phoenix, Arizona, ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award‐winning SportsCenter, and ASPN-TV as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery has been a freelance and staff writer for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces.

When she can, Anne indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, football refereeing, and playing her guitar.

Learn more about Anne Montgomery on her website and Wikipedia . Stay connected on Facebook , Linkedin , and Twitter .

Book Tour: City of Ruby; Crimson Winter Volume 3 by Justine Alley Dowsett...

Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the virtual book tour for Crimson Winter: City of Ruby by Justine Alley Dowsett.

Show what makes you weak, so they fear what makes you strong...

About Crimson Winter: City of Ruby:
Reeling after the fall of the Kingdom of Taiyou, Yukari Namikoya and her remaining allies find themselves reduced to scared refugees hidden far below the earth in the Temple of Machalite. The dreaded Lady Lilyth rules in Taiyou now and threatens to bring the whole world under her dominion one piece at a time.

And what the Lady Lilyth can't control, she plans to destroy.

In a desperate bid for the survival and freedom of the various races of Crimson Winter, Yukari must seek to uncover secrets the Vile Emperor has kept hidden for a millenia and in order to do this, she has to journey to the last place she'd ever thought she'd go - the Ruby City.
Genres: 
Young Adult, SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure
Release Date: 
April 17, 2023
Exclusive Excerpt:

The school’s hallways were blissfully quiet and surprisingly bright. Even the red haze seemed to clear from my mind a bit as I caught my breath within the relative safety of Shinjuku High. 

Had I imagined it? Perhaps the red haze was more troublesome than I had originally thought. It seemed as if my imagination was running away with me and creating horrors where there was nothing to fear. I took a deep breath to steady myself and determined I would make a doctor’s appointment tomorrow – even my nightmares were not usually this horrible or vivid. 

For now I had my glasses to find, and if I could also locate my swimsuit then a dip in the pool would certainly make me feel better. Reigning myself in, I strode with purpose toward the new swimming pool complex our school’s student council president had raised the money last year to construct for us. 

As expected, I found my swimsuit in my locker in the girl’s change room, though my glasses were not in there. Changing quickly, I folded my uniform and placed it in the locker, grabbing a towel on my way out to the pool area. Considering the time, I figured that I would have the pool to myself, but surprisingly that wasn’t the case. 

He was waiting there for me, the blonde exchange student. 

At least for a moment it seemed that way, as he looked up expectantly at the sound of my entrance. At first I was tempted to ignore him – being a student of Shinjuku High, he had just as much right to be here as I did – but after a moment I found myself studying him curiously. Why did he seem so very familiar? 

Oddly, he wasn’t wearing swim clothes, but rather he was still dressed in his school uniform from earlier in the day. Had he even gone home yet? 

It occurred to me after a moment perhaps he wanted to swim, but hadn’t yet been provided with a swimsuit from the school. However, the look on his face as he regarded the calm surface of the pool betrayed a deep aversion to water. 

“What are you doing here?” The question escaped me before I even wondered if it would be rude of me to ask.

He looked startled, then immediately confused. “Me? Oh, I…” He stumbled over his words as if embarrassed and I noticed that though he was speaking Japanese, his accent was decidedly foreign, almost Scottish or Irish. “I suppose I just wanted to see it.” 

“See what?” 

He turned his attention back to the pool and gestured vaguely at the clear blue water. 

“Haven’t you ever seen a pool before?” I asked, startled by his answer. 

He shook his head, looking confused. “No, I don’t think I have.” 

I found myself wondering where he had come from and wishing I had paid more attention to his introduction this morning. I opened my mouth to ask him when I was interrupted by the distant, yet unforgettable, sound of a chilling inhuman scream. 

“What was that?!” I asked no one in particular, but he answered me regardless. 

“Lillem.” The word brought up a sudden wall of red fog and I fought to see through it.

Purchase Links:
Mirror World Publishing eBook: https://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/ebook/products/crimson-winter-city-of-ruby
Mirror World Publishing Paperback: https://mirror-world-publishing.myshopify.com/collections/young-adult-fiction/products/city-of-ruby-crimson-winter-vol-3-paperback
Amazon Kindle eBook: https://amzn.to/3KUo98N
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/41lCq3O
Follow the Tour:
https://saphsbookpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/04/book-tour-schedule-crimson-winter-city.html
Meet the Author:


Justine Alley Dowsett is the author of over ten novels, and one of the founders of Mirror World Publishing. Her books, which she often co-writes with her sister, Murandy Damodred, range from young adult science fiction to dark fantasy/romance. She earned a BA in Drama from the University of Windsor, honed her skills as an entrepreneur by tackling video game production, and now she dedicates her time to writing, publishing, and role-playing with her friends.
Social Media Links:

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/mirrorworldpublishing

Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/mirrorworldpub

Amazon:
http://amzn.to/2obPWUL

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/28439132-mirror-world

Blog:
http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.wordpress.com/

Publisher Website:
http://www.mirrorworldpublishing.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-d6tf8fpn4_mjraKjM-hUQ


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Author in the Kitchen: Eris Field Perese's Healthy Meatloaf Meal and her latest Historical Novel...

It's so easy to misplace things, well it is for me, so I thought Ishould share this recipe for a great meatloaf dinner before I lost it.

Meatloaf Veggie Dinner1 lb. ground beef1 egg, beaten½ cup finely chopped onion3 tbsp. ketchup¾ tsp. salt¼ tsp. ground pepper½ can condensed Campbell's tomato soup¾ cup dry breadcrumbs ( I like Italian ones)6 small red potatoes4 garlic cloves, optional1 tbsp. olive oil½ tbsp. mixed Italian herbsCooking spray 
Meatloaf Topping½ can condensed tomato soup3 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce2 tbsp. brown sugar 

Combine ingredients in a small bowl then coat meatloaves with themixture.  

Preheat oven to 400° F. 

Mix ingredients together, ground beef through breadcrumbs, Iuse my hands.  Shape into 5 small loaves and place them (not touching) ontothe center of the baking pan. 

Wash, dry, and cut into about ½ inch pieces potatoes with skin on. Add garlic. Sprinkle lightly with olive oil and Italian herbs.  Setaside. 

Spray a shallow baking pan big enough to hold the meatloaves inthe center and a mixture of vegetables around the edges. 

Bake 35 minutes.  Check to see that the meat loaves andveggies are done.  Let stand 5 minutes and serve. 

Enjoy! 

Allow me to share a little of my latest novel, that is close to my heart, for your reading pleasure.

My historical novel-- Lady Munevver: The Opium Merchant’s Daughter-- is set in the Victorian period as England is preparing to enter the War in the East, the Crimean War, to support the Ottoman Empire that has been invaded by Russia.  Russia’s 1853 invasion of Crimea results in three Empires—England, France, and the Ottoman Empire-- declaring war on Russia. It precipitates a disastrous marriage for Lady Munevver. It changes the world with advances in ships and military weapons, the development of the telegraph with its ability to deliver war news almost instantly, and the creation of modern nursing in Scutari Hospital. 

In Surrey, England, the merchant father of beautiful but handicapped Munevver is obsessed with gaining acceptance by the Ton.  Refusing Munevver’s plea to marry her childhood love, William of Yorkshire, he arranges a marriage with James, the dissolute son of an impoverished, hard-handed Duke.

When England is drawn into the Crimean War, James joins the Light Brigade and sails to the Ottoman Empire to fight the invading Russians. After learning her husband has died in Scutari Hospital, an improvised hospital for English soldiers located across the Bosphorus from Constantinople, Munevver, terrified at what her father-in-law might do, flees England. Her destination: the ancient city of Aleppo in the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire where she hopes her uncle will shelter her in his vast trading compound.

Her escape ends in Constantinople when. the Sultan, irate at Queen Victoria’s command that he return the widow of one of her Lords, arranges a marriage for Munevver with Ari, a member of his court. Problem solved.  Munevver is now the wife of an Ottoman citizen. She is invisible.

Banished to the ancient, primitive city of Ankara, the young couple struggles to survive political intrigue, intense cold, and lack of medical care.  After Ari dies of tuberculosis, Munevver is desperate to return to Yorkshire, to her grandfather and to the man she loves, William. But how? Dare she accept the quid pro quo arrangement offered by the most powerful woman in the Ottoman Empire, the Sultan’s mother? 

Available in e-book and paperback.

Amazon Buy Link 

Eris Field was born in the Green Mountains of Vermont—Jericho, Vermont to be precise—close by the home of Wilson Bentley (aka Snowflake Bentley), the first person in the world to photograph snowflakes. She learned from her Vermont neighbors that pursuit of one’s dream is a worthwhile life goal.

As a seventeen-year-old student nurse at Albany Hospital, Eris met a Turkish surgical intern who told her fascinating stories about the history of Turkey, the loss of the Ottoman Empire, and forced population exchanges. After they married and moved to Buffalo, Eris worked as a nurse at Children’s Hospital and at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

After taking time off to raise five children and amassing rejection letters for her short stories, Eris earned her master’s degree in Psychiatric Nursing at the University at Buffalo. Later, she taught psychiatric nursing at the University and wrote a textbook for psychiatric nurse practitioners—a wonderful rewarding but never to be repeated experience.

Eris now writes novels, usually international, contemporary romances. Her interest in history and her experience in psychiatry often play a part in her stories. She is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Western New York Romance Writers. In addition to writing, Eris’s interests include Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders; Eradicating Honor Killings, supporting the Crossroads Springs Orphanage in Kenya for children orphaned by AIDS, and learning more about Turkey, Cyprus, and Kurdistan.

Learn more about Eris Field on her website . Stay connected on Facebook .

Author in the House: Vonnie Hughes on the Mystery of Happiness and a Snippet from Her Suspense Thriller...

Ever wondered what therationale is for happiness? When you think of it, the things that make somepeople happy can only make other people sad. For example, a full fridgeoverflowing with food can be a dieter’s hell. And the moaning sound of a moose inrut, although giving rise to happy enthusiasm on the part of a cow moose, onlystrikes worry and fear into the hearts of people living on the edges of forestsin cooler climates.

Sunrise or sunset? What bringsyou more happiness? Why? If it’s sunrise, is it the thought of the day to come?What if the sunrise is weak and watery? Does happiness fade in anticipation ofa squally, unhappy day? And if sunset toggles your happiness genes…why? Is itthe color? Is it the thought of the end of a working day so you can finallyrelax? Or is it just plain appreciation of nature’s beauty?

Now I take umbrage at the late20th century insistence on “everybody must be happy” psyche. Why? Whymust we be happy? Doctors and psychiatrists say it leads to healthierpeople. Yeah? What if you’re a healthy athlete with a depression problem? Howdoes that work? Smiling for photos? Yick.

You know what? If I feel sour,leave me alone. Sure, I’m wallowing, but we all need time to wallow. And see –even the word ‘wallow’ has negative connotations. Have you thought about this,that the superficially ‘happy’ upbeat person can be hard to live with, dayafter day? Shut up, Pollyanna.

Innocent Hostage, is a compelling story with the right amount of twists and turns and red herrings that will keep you enthralled and guessing to the last page. Here's a little to tease you...

Two years ago, Breck Marchant handed his son, Kit, over to his ex-wife, Tania, even though it tore him apart. She knows all about kids. Thanks to his own upbringing, he hasn’t a clue. But when the boy is held hostage, Breck steps up to the plate. Somehow he’ll make this father thing work and hold down his dangerous job at the same time even though the odds are against him.

Ingrid Rowland is Kit’s preschool teacher and she has known Tania for years. As far as she can tell, neither Tania nor Breck know the first thing about being parents. She fears for Kit’s future. When Breck turns to Ingrid for help with his son, she sees a different side of him. As Breck and Ingrid work to protect Kit and hold on to their careers, they begin to work together to fight off a puzzling series of vicious attacks. Then a startling revelation culminates in a murderous turn nobody sees coming.

EXCERPT
Toeing the inside of each stair tread he climbed the stairs that led to the bedrooms. As he got near the top, he hesitated. More perfume, different from the smell of soap powder hung in the air. Tania’s perfume, strong and poignant. It was called Chloe. He ought to know. He’d bought enough of the stuff.

He stopped. Was she here? Had she been here? That stuff lingered for a long time. Their apartment had stunk of it for weeks after she’d left.

“Tania?” he whispered.

A disturbance in the air was his only warning. He ducked as something whizzed over the top of his head. Then he was shoved aside as a dark figure pushed past him. Breck clutched at the banisters, his feet shooting out from under him on the slippery carpet. Shit! Scrambling to his feet, he bounced down the last couple of stairs and chased the stocky figure careening down the hallway.

His quarry wrenched open the front door. Dusk had settled and it was almost dark outside. He managed to grab his attacker’s coat and began reeling in the interloper like a fish. But the man wriggled out of his plastic raincoat and fled towards a blue pick-up truck waiting at the curb. His balding head gleamed under the streetlights. Someone inside the vehicle leaned over and flung open the passenger door, revving the engine just as Breck aimed a solid punch at the back of the attacker’s neck. Reeling against the car door, the man half-collapsed on to the front seat of the truck, his legs hanging out the door. The driver floored the accelerator and the blue truck jerked out from the curb as if the driver was unfamiliar with the gears.

BUY LINKS
The Wild Rose Press - Amazon

Vonnie Hughes is a multi-published author in both Regency books and contemporary suspense. She loves the intricacies of the social rules of the Regency period and the far-ranging consequences of the Napoleonic Code. And with suspense she has free rein to explore forensic matters and the strong convolutions of the human mind. Like many writers, some days she hates the whole process, but somehow she just cannot let it go.

Vonnie was born in New Zealand, but she and her husband now live happily in Australia. If you visit Hamilton Gardens in New Zealand be sure to stroll through the Japanese Garden. These is a bronze plaque engraved with a haiku describing the peacefulness of that environment. The poem was written by Vonnie.

All of Vonnie’s books are available at The Wild Rose Press and Amazon .

Learn more about Vonnie Hughes on her website and blog . Stay connected on Facebook and Goodreads .