A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 19
October 8, 2024
Strange Bedfellows Release Blitz #PoliticalRomance
OUT NOW—Strange Bedfellows by Steven Donahue (@PublishConquest @writersd56) #politicalromance #rivalstolovers #enemiestolovers
Blurb:
“Politics makes strange bedfellows, and I’d like to keep my sheets clean.”
Democratic incumbent, and Hayfield’s current mayor, Jade Weatherby thought she had the mayoral race in the bag. That was until cafe owner and independent candidate, Finn Haley, joined the game.
Amidst their political rivalry and social pressures put on them by the small town’s populants, Jade and Finn immediately fall for one another.
When a third candidate for mayor emerges with plans that could endanger the town, Jade and Finn are forced to make tough decisions about their careers and their growing relationship.
Genre: Political Romance
Tropes: Enemies to lovers, Social Issues
Spice: One (reference can be found at https://www.conquest-publishing.com/resources)
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Strange-Bedfellows-Steven-Donahue/dp/1962739287/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/strange-bedfellows-steven-donahue/1145830191?ean=9781962739283
Excerpt:
The air smelled like money. Money was the one thing most attendees had in common.
There was old money, like the wealth of the Hendersons, derived from oil fields in Texas. Then there was new money, like the Charlestons, who started a dotcom for sports fans that took off like a rocket.
The room was filled with rich people eager to help finance their choice for mayor of Hayfield, Pennsylvania. At the front of the hotel ballroom stood the one person who hoped to shake some of that money off the tree and guide it into her campaign coffers.
Mayor Jade Weatherby knew the pressures of fundraising. This was her third go-around and it never got easier. Money always came with strings, and she sometimes felt like a puppet caught in a web of promises and obligations.
She opened her compact to check her makeup. At forty, the stress of two consecutive terms had begun to show. She hated the lines that ran under her eyes and the loose skin forming on her chin. She touched the edge of her face and wondered if it was time for a facelift.
Jade snapped her compact shut and watched her assistant, Raydrick Lee, walk up to the podium. The slender, black man moved so gracefully it was easy to see why he had no trouble attracting members of his own gender. Jade recalled many times when women were disappointed to find out they biologically lacked what he needed. The mayor hid her clenched fists as she nervously waited for her turn to speak. Raydrick addressed the crowd first.
“Good evening,” said Raydrick. The noise in the room dissipated. “I want to thank you all for coming tonight in support of our wonderful leader of Hayfield.” He paused as some applauded. “I am proud to work for an intelligent, passionate person who I can truly call my friend. A trailblazer for the rights of all citizens, no matter their gender, race, religious beliefs, or romantic preferences. A 21st Century leader in every sense of the word. Come on, now,” said Raydrick. “Let’s hear it for Mayor Jade Weatherby.”
The applause grew louder as Raydrick whooped up the crowd. The host stepped away from the podium as a single spotlight fell on Jade while she made her way to the microphone.
She raised her hands and flashed her best politician’s smile. “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you all.” She turned toward her assistant as the room quieted again. “I want to take a moment to thank my right-hand man, Raydrick Lee, for his kind words and unyielding support.” More cheers filled the room before dying off.
Jade looked out at the jubilant audience. “Most people enter politics with good intentions. They feel a call to duty, a need to do what they can to improve society. JFK said it best, “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country”. I believe that applies to all levels of government, from small towns like ours to big cities like Philadelphia, and capitals like Washington, D.C. Good people want to do good things.”
Jade paused for more applause.
About the Author:
Steven Donahue was a copywriter for TV Guide magazine for 14 years. He is an avid reader, and his writing is inspired by the works of Ernest Hemingway, John Jakes, Ray Bradbury, and Matt Christopher. Donahue is a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that brings him great joy and great sorrow on a week-by-week basis.
Currently residing in the northern suburbs of Philadelphia, Steven hopes to become successful enough to one day retire to a beach house in Ocean City, N.J.
Website: https://steven-donahues-site.yolasite.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@writersd56?lang=en
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writersd56/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/writersd56
Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .
October 6, 2024
Check out the Legacy of The Mask Series
Award-winning #historicalfantasy based on the #PhantomoftheOpera.
Echoes of a Song:
A dozen tumultuous years after the dramatic events at the Paris Opera House Raoul, Comte de Chagny is still haunted by the mysterious Opera Ghost – the creature of legend who held staff at the Opera House under his thrall, kidnapped Raoul’s lover and murdered his brother. In Raoul’s troubled imagination the ghosts of the past are everywhere, and strange and powerful music still calls in his dreams.
Madness, obsession and the legacy of the past weave their spell in this short, tragic tale based on the Phantom of the Opera.
Best fantasy 2019 on reviewer site NN Light Book Heaven!
Available on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and many other stores on the link below.
Universal Link https://books2read.com/Echoesofasong
Tears and Crimson Velvet
Madame Giry finds herself embroiled in the tragedy unfolding at the Opera house; mystery and murder stalk the corridors and, it is said, a ghost haunts the place. Giry knows the truth, for she recalls the caged man she met so many years ago. This is her story, their story.
When murder and mystery begin at the Opera House one woman knows who is behind it, and what really lies beneath the mask. Secrets, lies and tragedy sing a powerful song in this ‘might have been’ tale.
Winner of the 2020 Best Short Story award on NNLight Book Heaven
A short, tragic tale based on characters from Phantom of the Opera.
A Legacy of the Mask Tale.
https://books2read.com/TearsandCrimson
October 5, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
September 30, 2024
Love Reading? Check out my books on Barnes and Noble #Fantasy #Horror #DarkFantasy
Love #fantasy with a bit of sizzle? Check out my books on Barnes and Noble –
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22A%20L%20Butcher
September 28, 2024
Love Reading? Check out my books on Amazon
Do you love #fantasy? Do you like a bit of sizzle with your sorcery? Do you like dark fantasy and gothic horror?
Check out my books on Amazon.
Check out the Legacy of The Mask Series
Award-winning #historicalfantasy based on the #PhantomoftheOpera.
Echoes of a Song:
A dozen tumultuous years after the dramatic events at the Paris Opera House Raoul, Comte de Chagny is still haunted by the mysterious Opera Ghost – the creature of legend who held staff at the Opera House under his thrall, kidnapped Raoul’s lover and murdered his brother. In Raoul’s troubled imagination the ghosts of the past are everywhere, and strange and powerful music still calls in his dreams.
Madness, obsession and the legacy of the past weave their spell in this short, tragic tale based on the Phantom of the Opera.
Best fantasy 2019 on reviewer site NN Light Book Heaven!
Available on Amazon, Kobo, Barnes and Noble and many other stores on the link below.
Universal Link https://books2read.com/Echoesofasong
Tears and Crimson Velvet
Madame Giry finds herself embroiled in the tragedy unfolding at the Opera house; mystery and murder stalk the corridors and, it is said, a ghost haunts the place. Giry knows the truth, for she recalls the caged man she met so many years ago. This is her story, their story.
When murder and mystery begin at the Opera House one woman knows who is behind it, and what really lies beneath the mask. Secrets, lies and tragedy sing a powerful song in this ‘might have been’ tale.
Winner of the 2020 Best Short Story award on NNLight Book Heaven
A short, tragic tale based on characters from Phantom of the Opera.
A Legacy of the Mask Tale.
https://books2read.com/TearsandCrimson
September 26, 2024
What is the Secret of Blossom Rise?
When a young nurse takes a job at an old military hospital she finds the answers to an old family question – what is the secret of Blossom Rise Hospital? Who is the long-dead man who walks the grounds?
#Ebook #Audiobook #Paranormal #Ghoststory
September 25, 2024
Murder Among the Pyramids – Blog Tour #Mystery #Historical
Escape on an Egyptian Excursion tothe Land of the Pyramids!
Tourhighlights include: Hieroglyphics and high tea in the desert,followed by murder after sunset . . .
Murder Among the Pyramids
1920sLady Traveler in Egypt Book 1
bySara Rosett
Genre:Cozy Historical Mystery
Escapeon an Egyptian Excursion to the Land of the Pyramids!
Tourhighlights include: Hieroglyphics and high tea in the desert,followed by murder after sunset . . .
It’s1924 and Blix Windway has made a career out of her wanderlust, givinglectures to ladies’ groups about everything from the flora of theAmerican desert to the beauty of the Swiss Alps, but she needs newmaterial for her talks.
Shestrikes what seems to be an ideal agreement with an eccentric olderlady. Blix will be her travel companion during a journey to Egypt,helping to smooth the way through customs and coordinate sightseeingtours. The arrangement will provide Blix with the perfect opportunityto photograph the pyramids and gather material for her next lectureseries.
Butthey’ve barely left England before the trouble begins—rough seasand an attempted robbery. Then a murder occurs during a tour of thepyramids.
Despitethe attempts of the British officials to sweep the death under therug, Blix becomes increasingly convinced that one of their tour partyis a murderer.
Blix’ssearch for the truth takes her from the posh sporting clubs andlavish gardens of Cairo to the narrow, twisting lanes of the city’scenturies-old bazaar and the vast desert around the Giza Plateau. CanBlix unearth the truth before the killer makes this journey her last?
JoinBlix on this classic murder mystery from Sara Rosett, author of thebeloved High Society Lady Detective series.
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**Wantsome more historical cozies? Check out the 1920s High Society LadyDetective Mysteries!**
Murderat Archly Manor
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 1
A high society murder. A spiritedlady detective. Can she out-class the killer before an innocentperson takes the fall?
London,1923. Olive Belgrave needs a job. Despite her aristocraticupbringing, she’s penniless. Determined to support herself, shejumps at an unconventional job—looking into the background of hercousin’s fiancé, Alfred.
Alfredburst into the upper crust world of London’s high society, but hisanswers to questions about his past are decidedly vague. Before Olivecan gather more than the basics, a murder occurs at a posh party.Suddenly, every Bright Young Person in attendance is a suspect, andOlive must race to find the culprit because a sly murderer isdetermined to make sure Olive’s first case is her last.
Murderat Archly Manor is the first in the High Society Lady Detectiveseries of charming historical cozy mysteries. If you like wittybanter, glamorous settings, and delightful plot twists, you’lllove USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett’s seriesfor Anglophiles and mystery lovers alike.
Travelback to the Golden Age of detective fiction with Murder atArchly Manor.
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Murderat Blackburn Hall
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 2
Amissing author and a sleepy English village rife with secrets . . .
September,1923. Despite closing her first case, high society lady detectiveOlive Belgrave hasn’t found a new client. She’s taken a job as ahat model to pay for her poky boarding house room. But then a joboffer comes her way—make discreet inquiries about a famous authorwho’s disappeared.
Olivetravels to the English countryside to hunt for the missing mysteryauthor. But soon after she arrives in the sleepy village, a body isdiscovered. Then a second murder focuses the police’s attention onOlive, and she must clear her name before the murderer pens a plotthat frames her.
Murderat Blackburn Hall is the second book in the High Society LadyDetective series, a lighthearted cozy historical mystery series setin 1920s England. If you love novels that take you back to the GoldenAge of detective fiction with interesting plots, posh settings, andtwisty mysteries, you’ll love the High Society Lady DetectiveSeries from USA Today bestseller Sara Rosett.
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TheEgyptian Antiquities Murder
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 3
Anopulent London townhouse, a mummy curse . . .
.. . and a plucky lady detective. It’s October, 1923, and OliveBelgrave has a new case. Her client, Lady Agnes doesn’t believe incurses, and she hires Olive to prove her Egyptologist uncle wasn’tthe victim of a malevolent mummy. Olive investigates and discoversthe truth is much worse—it’s murder.
CanOlive debunk the curse and reveal the true culprit before thesupposed curse claims another victim?
TheEgyptian Antiquities Murder is the third book in the HighSociety Lady Detective series, a historical mystery series set in1920s England. If you enjoy lighthearted novels reminiscent of theGolden Age of detective fiction with spirited protagonists,perplexing mysteries, and atmospheric settings, you’ll love theHigh Society Lady Detective series from USA Today bestsellerSara Rosett. Get your copy today!
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Murderin Black Tie
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 4
Tophats and tails. Mink and murder . . .
November,1923. An invitation to a house party at the estate of Parkview Hallis a welcome respite for Olive Belgrave, a newly minted working girlwho’s become the solver of high society’s trickiest problems.
Butwhen the sumptuous black tie event turns deadly, Olive’s cousinPeter becomes the main suspect. Olive must unmask a sophisticatedkiller before an innocent man takes the blame . . . because murderdoesn’t RSVP.
Murderin Black Tie is the fourth standalone installment in the HighSociety Lady Detective series. If you like mysteries with elegantsettings, charming characters, and a whodunit that will keep youguessing, you’ll love USA Today bestselling author SaraRosett’s series of delightful historical mysteries.
Escapeinto an elegant country home mystery with Murder in Black Tie.
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AnOld Money Murder in Mayfair
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 5
Midnighttreasure hunts, fancy-dress parties, and a blue-blooded murder . . .
November,1923. Olive’s school chum, Gigi, invites Olive to London becauseGigi’s dotty grandmother fears for her life—or so she’s said toGigi. However Olive is surprised to find that the dowager is far frommuddled. The sharp and imperious matriarch refuses to admit to herworries and sends Olive on her way.
Withouta client or case, Olive is swept into the glittering lifestyle of the“fast set,” and their decadent excess. But then among thecocktails and champagne, a murderer strikes during a frivolous partygame, and Olive realizes the dowager’s fears were well-founded.
CanOlive unmask the upper crust culprit before the party’s over for abright young person?
AnOld Money Murder in Mayfair is the fifth installment in thepopular High Society Lady Detective series from USAToday bestselling author Sara Rosett. Join Olive and her dappersleuthing partner Jasper as they navigate the extravagant parties ofthe Bright Young People as well as their own budding relationship . ..
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Murderon a Midnight Clear
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 6
Asnowbound country mansion, a missing butler, and a Christmas case . ..
Oliveand Jasper have never been closer—except in one area. Jasper isstill reticent about his frequent disappearances from polite society.With the holidays approaching and no paying client on the books,Olive decides to shadow Jasper when he’s unexpectedly called away.Her search brings her to Holly Hill Lodge where an eclectic group hasgathered to celebrate an old-fashioned English Christmas.
Theguest list includes a celebrated lawn tennis champion, a fussyscientist studying snowflakes, a persuasive luggage salesman, afamous lady explorer, and the family’s eccentric aunt who has afondness for the newfangled drinks called cocktails.
Whenthe butler goes missing, Olive and Jasper must work together to solvethe Christmas crime—as well as the secret Jasper hides. Murderon a Midnight Clear is the latest installment in USAToday bestselling author Sara Rosett’s popular High SocietyLady Detective series.
Unwrapthis 1920s Christmas mystery with all the trimmings—carols, a Yulelog, plum pudding . . . and murder.
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Murderat the Mansions
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 7
SouthRegent Mansions has all the modern conveniences . . . includingmurder
London,February, 1924. Discreet sleuth for the high society set, OliveBelgrave is delighted with her new flat at South Regent Mansionswhere she’s made several friends, including the modern careerwoman, Minerva, who draws a popular cartoon about a flapper for aLondon newspaper.
Butthen Minerva comes to Olive for help after catching a glimpse of adisturbing sight—a dead body. At least, that’s what Minervathought she saw, but there’s not a dead body anywhere in the poshbuilding, and the residents are continuing with their lives as theynormally do. Is Minerva seeing things? Is she barmy? Or is there amore sinister explanation?
Tohelp restore Minerva’s peace of mind, Olive investigates herneighbors. They include: society’s “it” girl of the moment, anaccountant with a fondness for gadgets, a snooty society matron, anda school teacher turned bridge instructor. Olive uncovers rivalries,clandestine affairs, and hidden jealousies. With dashing Jasper ather side, Olive must discover whose secret is worth killing for.
Ifyou like sophisticated whodunits, charming characters, and novelswith a lighthearted tone, you’ll enjoy the seventh installment ofthe High Society Lady Detective series, Murder at theMansions, from USA Today bestselling author, SaraRosett.
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Murderin the Alps
1920s High Society Lady DetectiveMystery Book 8
Acold-blooded killer lurks in the luxurious winter wonderland of St.Moritz . . .
Switzerland,1924. Lady sleuth Olive Belgrave is set to enjoy a holiday ofice-skating and snowshoeing in the glamorous alpine setting of St.Moritz, but her plans are rudely interrupted when an unfortunateaccident takes place. It quickly becomes clear that the tragic eventwas a carefully concealed murder.
Oliveisn’t one to shy away from a challenge, and with her sharpintuition and knowledge of the high society set, she uncovers motivesamong the elite guests. However, this case is one of the mostchallenging she’s faced.
Hersuspects include a famous lady mountaineer, an up-and-coming fashiondesigner, a mousy lady’s maid, and several gentlemen sportsmen whoseem to be only interested in tobogganing, ice-climbing, and the newsport of skiing down the mountain slopes. Can Olive find the cunningkiller and solve the impossible crime before it’s too late?
Ifyou enjoy puzzling mysteries set among the glitz and glamor of the1920s, you’ll enjoy Murder in the Alps, the latest installmentof USA Today bestselling author Sara Rosett’s HighSociety Lady Detective series.
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“USAToday” bestselling author Sara Rosett writes lightheartedmysteries for readers who enjoy atmospheric settings, fun characters,and puzzling whodunits. She loves reading Golden Age mysteries,watching Jane Austen adaptions, and travel.
She is the author of the HighSociety Lady Detective historical mystery series as well as threecontemporary cozy series: the Murder on Location series, the On theRun series, and the Ellie Avery series. Sara is the creator of theonline course, How to Outline A Cozy Mystery, and is the author of“How to Write a Series.”
“Publishers Weekly”called Sara’s books “enchanting,” “well-executed,” and“sparkling.” Sara loves to get new stamps in her passport andconsiders dark chocolate a daily requirement. Find out more atSaraRosett.com.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
September 24, 2024
Merlin’s Apprentice #Blog Tour Middle Grade #Fantasy
Young Pip must embrace his power to become a battle mage so he candefend the Magic Realm against the fierce Northmen invading from thesea and from the dark forces attacking his kingdom.
Warrior Rising
Merlin’sApprentice Book 2
by Susan McCauley
Genre: EpicMiddle Grade Arthurian Fantasy
Young Pip must embrace his power to become a battle mage so he candefend the Magic Realm against the fierce Northmen invading from thesea and from the dark forces attacking his kingdom.
Whilerecovering from Mordred’s reign of terror and the departure of KingArthur, Pip foresees a new enemy breaching the shores of Britain: afleet of Northmen led by the ruthless Halfdan Ragnarsson. Pip andMerlin fear Ragnarsson will fill Mordred’s void and bring demonicdarkness and chaos to their realm. It falls to Pip, together with oldfriends and new magicked allies, to stop Ragnarsson, protect themagical barrier that separates the Magic Realm from the Realm ofFaerie, and unite the mages of light to protect all who werescattered by the breaking of the worlds.
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The Mage
Merlin’sApprentice Book 1
Twelve-year-oldPip must embrace his magical powers to rescue his family fromslavery—or help the king save the realm—a decision that will tearhis world apart.
Desperateto keep his family together, Pip hides his power so he can be soldwith them. But when his father and brother are sold to differentmages and the slavers attempt to separate his mother and sister, Piploses control and injures a slaver with magic. The uproar catches theattention of the southern king’s druid advisor, Merlin, who quicklyoffers a place to Pip, his sister, and his mother. On the road toKing Arthur’s court, bandits attack their camp, and his family isfurther torn apart. Pip has no choice but to work with Merlin—whomay not be the evil mage Pip assumes him to be—to learn to harnesshis powers so he can help King Arthur stop Mordred. Only then mightPip have a chance to see his family together again.
**Only.99cents for a limited time!**
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SusanMcCauley is an award winning author of paranormal, fantasy, andhorror for adults, young adults, and middle grade readers. She firstfell in love with the paranormal when she was three years old andscared witless on Disney’s Haunted Mansion ride, but begged herparents to ride again and again! Susan has lived on all three coastsof the United States, as well as having spent a few years in the U.K.She loves to travel, snorkel, practice taekwondo, read, try newrestaurants, watch movies, and go to the theatre. She’s alsopassionate about animals and has a special place in her heart forcats.
Youcan visit her on the web at www.sbmccauley.com
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
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Mindfall Inception – Blog Tour #Sci-fi #ScienceFiction
Conleyjust wanted revenge. The price could be the end of the Holy Empire.
MindfallInception
Empireof the Mind Book 1
byBruce W. Paulik
Genre:Science Fiction, Epic Space Opera
Conleyjust wanted revenge.
The price could be the end of the HolyEmpire.
Acrossa thousand-world empire, a new force emerges that threatens to shakethe foundations of Emperor Cyraxian’s reign. Telepathy, once awhisper, now resounds across the empire, and is branded heretical,inciting a deadly pogrom led by the relentless Blackshirts, theEmperor’s armed clergy.
Amidstupheaval in this dystopian empire, Conley Duin, an outstanding youngKnight of the Empire, grapples with his newfound telepathic powers, arelationship deepened by mutual telepathy, and a lifetime ofshattering personal losses. When his quest for retribution unveilstreachery that reaches to the heart of the empire, loyalty, love, andpower become entwined.
MindfallInception is an interstellar space opera of rebellion and revenge. AsConley and his telepathic friends battle tyranny, their journeythrough darkness and telepathic connections across the galaxychallenges them to envision a new empire—one where understandingminds is key to the future.
Diveinto a saga of intrigue, rebellion, space battles, and awakening in agalaxy where the echoes of the mind cannot be silenced. Join Conleyand the rising telepaths as they raise a space fleet, challenge anempire and irrevocably alter humanity’s destiny.
**Getit FREE 9/25 – 9/29!**
Brucehas read science fiction since he was old enough to read––andimagined his own versions of stories in these worlds. During hiscareer as a health professional, his habit of reading science fictionevery day led to a desire to create his own worlds and stories. Aftera long apprenticeship as a fiction writer, Bruce has finally embarkedon the process of sharing his worlds and stories with you, startingwith Mindfall Inception, Book 1 of the Empire of the Mindseries.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10Amazon giftcard – 1 winner (WW)
Paperback of Mindfall Inception – 2 winners (US only)!
