A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 22
August 16, 2024
The Bone Below – Release Blitz #Fairytale #Retelling
OUT NOW – The Bone Below: A Princess and the Pea Retelling by Sylwia Koziel (@PublishConquest @Bysilverstories)
Blurb:
“Throne of Glass meets Bridgerton in this Princess and the Pea fairytale retelling!”
Each time Nelka leaves her cottage she seems to bump into the same unnamed stranger who teases her relentlessly and ignites feelings she isn’t prepared for. When her sister becomes ill, Nelka leaves the safety of her village to find a cure. Trouble becomes imminent when Nelka is taken prisoner and held hostage by the foreign King and Queen. Their son, and soon-to-be King, has plans and Nelka is exactly what he needs to set them into motion. Each day Nelka spends in the castle with the Prince brings her closer to a truth she didn’t know had been hidden while pushing her further from the village farmer of her past.
The Bone Below is a journey of self-discovery, first love, and learning about one’s place in a vast world.
Available from:
Ingram: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?y3Pkat5OMFNoCdI0tUdc9vWpXESPTRnUNcartojy69J
Smashwords: https://books2read.com/u/brMqve
Excerpt:
Her sodden dress left a trail of mud behind as her shoes squeaked against the once pristine floor. She worried with each step she would slip on the white marble floors.
As if on cue, Nelka’s face reddened at the mess behind her. In her head, she could hear Mother yelling how she was worse than a pig. Under usual circumstances, her embarrassment would have her rushing to clean it up. Fear was a much stronger force though, and as Nelka tried to keep her pace steady, it overwhelmed her. Her limbs were no longer her own but separate, with a mind of their own. Nelka knew what awaited her could not be good. She knew these could be some of her last moments; she might never experience the sun on her face again, the brisk wind brushing against her cheeks. Yet, her feet kept moving because she could never say no.
She almost collided with the ground when her captor shoved her forward. She grunted as she kept her balance.
“Don’t fall again,” he mocked, his voice unapologetic.
Moments before she had tripped up the stairs outside as the rain poured. She felt like a piece of cattle when her struggle went ignored and her captor didn’t bother to ask if she was okay. Why it surprised her a peasant would be treated that way, Nelka didn’t know. Or perhaps it had to do with who she identified herself as in order to protect herself. It had been pointless, a risky decision that led her exactly where she had wanted to avoid.
Ropes burned against her already raw skin as the echo of her yelp reverberated against the walls of the long hallway, shaking her from her dooming thoughts. As she straightened herself, her mind fully registered where she was and what it meant. Across the sea in Lecit, so far from her home in Lubrana—her quaint village, where her family must be worried to tears and her sister blanched with death waiting outside her door.
The castle’s entryway was more grand than Nelka could have dreamed, and much longer. A way to intimidate folks before they deigned to disturb the Royal family’s peace. The ceiling reached higher than Nelka’s cottage three times over. The chilling, white walls were ornately detailed with amber tiles, while oil lamp chandeliers hung above to provide the barest bit of light. The only source of movement, besides her and her captor’s steps, was the shadows that loomed.
No windows lined the walls, as if to communicate all hope was already lost. That one’s fate was already determined so there was no point in one last look at the world beyond. A cold and eerie welcoming. The columns spread along both sides of the walkway were wrapped in golden vines trailing upward, leading Nelka to crane her neck. She needed to squint to see properly, but images of birds flying overhead were painted on the ceiling, their delicate wings fluttering against the cold stone. A mockery of true freedom. Just like Nelka knew she would never leave. Never see her family again.
Beyond the next set of doors, Nelka knew the Royal family awaited her arrival, ready to sentence her without blinking. Nelka had only heard rumors of their cruelty, but now the daunting interior made it tangible, a reality she had no choice but to face.
Nelka wanted to pinch herself for her outburst at the market. For opening her foolish mouth and thinking she could use her unclaimed status to absolve her. Even if she were a noble in blood, she was not a noble in character.
A fresh wave of tears fell down her face, her vision blurring further with the mixture of rain, but her hands tied behind prevented her from wiping her eyes. She wished Kaz were there. He would be able to undo the vicious knots restraining her. She shook off the thought of him, of his lively green eyes that saw something greater in her.
About the Author
Sylwia is a born and raised Chicagoan, spending her days exploring the city, one train stop at a time. She currently works as a media planner at a large media agency where she daydreams of the day when a slack notification no longer makes her heart jump in fear.
Sylwia writes all sorts of genres that have strong romantic subplots. She enjoys character driven stories where the main character is on a journey of discovering themselves and learning to let go of the expectations weighing on them.
On top of publishing her debut duology, The Bone Below and The Bone After, with Conquest Publishing, she is also in the early drafting stages of self-publishing a series of novellas under her pen name KC Silver.
The Bone Below, the first installment of The Bone Below series, will hit shelves in April 2024.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bysilverstories/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bysilverstories
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bysilverstories?lang=en
Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .
August 13, 2024
Feral – Blog Tour #Historical #Horror
There’s something very, very wrong with the children.
Feral
by Bryan W. Alaspa
Genre: HistoricalHorror
For Garland, the move to California is just what his family needs tofinally find comfort and success. After years of failed businesses,this may be their last chance. However, making the journey across thedangerous Sierra Nevadas is potentially deadly business in the 1800s.The journey is long and arduous.
This time, though,Garland’s friend Silas says he met a man who has found an easier andsafer way to make the journey. Little does he know that his son ishaving ominous dreams about their trip and that something lurks deepwithin the woods. The long trek becomes harder and more difficult,taking longer than promised. Soon, the entire train of wagons,horses, and people is trapped in the mountains.
Then, thesnow comes and buries them. As a small party sets off for rescue, noone knows that the thing within the woods that has been calling tothe children is ready. Beneath the snow, as the travellers fight offstarvation, a true nightmare starts—an ancient nightmare with sharpteeth that affects the children. Now, the screaming starts, and thetrue horror begins.
BryanW. Alaspa is a Chicago born and bred author of both fiction andnon-fiction works. He has been writing since he sat down at hismother’s electric typewriter back in the third grade and pounded outhis first three-page short story. He spent time studying journalismand other forms of writing. He turned to writing as his full-timecareer in 2006 when he began writing freelance, online and beganwriting novels and books.
He is the author of dozens of books in both fiction andnon-fiction and numerous short stories and articles.
Mr. Alaspa writes true crime, history, horror, thrillers,mysteries, detective stories and tales about the supernatural.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
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The Bruiser – Release Blitz
OUT NOW—The Bruiser: Book One in The Viper Series by Becky Kapjon (@PublishConquest @bkapjon)
Blurb:
When a grief-stricken hockey player meets an introverted graduate student, nothing can go wrong…
Bethany Morgan only wants one thing: an internship to fulfill her graduation requirements. This time it is going to be different until she looks at the guy she is interviewing with. All she can think about is the failed one-night stand they had together and how he didn’t remember her.
Dan Rossi is coming off the best year of his career, and the worst of his life. When a mysterious blonde walks into the foundation office he sets up in his girlfriend’s memory, his whole life changes. He hasn’t felt this way in a long time and doesn’t know if he is ready to live his life again.
Will Dan be able to move forward and embrace the feelings he has for the mysterious girl in the office? Is Bethany going to be able to mix business with pleasure?
Ingram: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?9riD00mHSiZWGObooMhK76qhfOCEYMQlKR4nvG3YCv4
Amazon US paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Bruiser-Viper-Becky-Kapjon/dp/1962739066/
Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/Bruiser-Viper-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0CVZRSZKM/
Excerpt:
One week after her horrific night of fun, Bethany stretches in her bed, the sunshine’s warmth comforting her. She thinks about her interview. The reminder of her last few causes her to cringe with embarrassment. She was so nervous and fumbled over her answers, then in the end, didn’t get the internships. She wrings her hands together as she thinks about the day’s interview.
She tells herself, “Get it together.”
Gathering her robe and towel from the chair in the corner of her small bedroom, Bethany treks toward the bathroom, turning on the water in the shower before digging her soap and shampoo out of the hallway closet. Easing her toe into the stall to see if the water is the right temperature, she shivers at the frigidness but jumps in anyway. She has no time to waste. Maybe the coolness of the water will make her more mentally alert. She prepares for the interview, answering any potential interview questions, and giving perfect answers while scrubbing her body. Not wanting to stay under the cold water any longer than necessary, she wraps herself in her robe with a sigh and walks back to her room.
She takes a deep breath after looking at the clock on the nightstand. She calculates how much time she needs to dress and walk the few blocks to the office building. She chooses a skirt and blouse that is comfortable. Her hands shake while placing the outfit choices on her bed. She places them next to her “interview” dress and black chunky heels. With both outfits side by side, she looks at her selections and thinks, “It looks like I am going to a funeral.” Which is what’s going to happen if she doesn’t get this job. She hates second-guessing herself. She groans to herself, takes another deep breath, and tries not to forget all of her interview techniques.
“Tiffany, did you leave for class yet?” Bethany yells into the hallway, which is met with silence.
Tiffany could have at least said goodbye before she left. Her roommate would know exactly which outfit would look the best on her. She wore a blouse and skirt with a blazer at the last interview, so she decides to wear the black dress this time.
With the dress on, she looks in the floor-length mirror and squints at her reflection while turning from side to side. She needs something to liven it up. A purple scarf hangs from out of her top dresser drawer. Bethany grabs it, looking at the deep purple against the black dress, thinking it looks perfect. She pulls her hair back in a professional bun and applies a touch of foundation, and a dab of pink lip gloss to her full lips. The professional and put-together woman who stares back at her in the mirror at her vanity is not the nerdy, college student she is accustomed to seeing.
On her way out the door, Bethany grabs her purse and portfolio with a few copies of her resume inside. The small office is in one of the buildings two blocks from the apartment. Before closing the door, she takes a look at the clock and sees there is plenty of time to make the short walk. She glances at her phone one last time reading the address and the contact information. She reads the address and name of Daniel Rossi as she descends the steps of her apartment to take a deep breath of the fresh air. To pass the time on her walk, Bethany thinks of every possible greeting she could use.
“Hello, Mr. Rossi. This office is very impressive.”
“Hello, Mr. Rossi. I like what you have done with Remembering Katie’s Legacy.”
The only problem is she didn’t know much about the foundation. Bethany’s advisor caught her off guard when she had to reschedule the interview twice. Last night she had a paper to finish for her business class. She didn’t have a lot of time to research the company or the President. Her advisor told her it was a startup and there wasn’t much more information in her email. When she tried to look for information about the foundation, there was very little on their website. The website hasn’t been updated and it looked like it was in the beginning stages of development.
About the Author:
Becky Kapjon lives in Chicago, IL. She is a wife and mother of 2 daughters. Becky has always been an avid reader and enjoys many different genres, but especially romance which is one reason why she decided to write her own. She is a huge Disney fan and loves everything Harry Potter along with cheering on her favorite sports teams. She loves rooting for the Chicago Bears (football), Chicago Blackhawks (hockey), and her favorite Chicago White Sox (baseball). In her spare time, you can find Becky spending time with her family watching movies, going to the zoo, or at her favorite vacation spot, Walt Disney World.
You can always find Becky with her iPad in hand and her kindle app full of new books. She has been busy writing her new Viper Series, the first book, The Bruiser releasing in 2024, with Conquest publishing. With many more to come in the series.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bkapjon
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beckykapjon1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beckykapjon/
Release blitz organised by Writer Marketing Services .
Οι Καλικάντζαροι της Κουζίνας και άλλα Σκοτεινά Διηγήματα
Έξι σύντομες ιστορίες χάους και αταξίας. Νικητής της καλύτερης φαντασίας 2018 στο NN Light Book Heaven. Άτακτοι καλικάντζαροι, αγνοούμενες κάλτσες, πονηροί κλέφτες και μπερδεμένοι θεοί εμφανίζονται σε αυτή τη συλλογή σύντομης φαντασίας.
https://books2read.com/KitchenImpsGreek
#Καλικάντζαροι , #Μέγα Μάγος, #Θυσαυρός
August 12, 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
August 10, 2024
Έξω Από τα Τείχη
Όταν η παλίρροια του πολέμου κυλήσει ποιος θα παρασυρθεί στο πέρασμά της; Μια σύντομη ιστορία φαντασίας για την αποφασιστικότητα μιας γυναίκας σε καιρό πολέμου.
https://books2read.com/OTWGreek
#φαντασία, #ιστορικήμυθοπλασία, #φανταστικό, #νουβέλα
August 8, 2024
A Curse for Samhain – Blog Tour #Paranormal
Welcome to the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good,strong brew.
A Curse for Samhain
The Skeleton CrewParanormal Cozy Series Book 1
by Dahlia Donovan
Genre: ParanormalRomance, Cozy Mystery
Welcometo the Skeleton Crew. Bring your knitting needles and a good, strongbrew.
Gender fluid, autistic vampireHyde Snodgrass runs Between the Leaves—a cosy village book store.Their life revolves around books, all things autumnal, and the twocats who rule their world. The shop also plays host to a weeklyknitting group called the Skeleton Crew.
When one of the leaders of thevillage coven fails to show up for the weekly knitting meeting, Hydefinds themselves investigating a horrific murder side by side withtheir long-term crush, Teresa Vega.
Suspicion immediately falls onother members of their group. Hyde and Teresa struggle to findanswers to the growing list of questions. It’s made all the moredifficult when the killer has them in their sights.
Can working together spark theromantic flame within them?
Will they solve the mysterybefore death comes too close?
Amazon* Apple* B&N* Kobo* Smashwords* Books2Read * Bookbub* Goodreads
DahliaDonovan wrote her first romance series after a crazy dream aboutshifters and damsels in distress. She prefers irreverent humour andunconventional characters. An autistic and occasional hermit, herlife wouldn’t be complete without her husband and her massivecollection of books and video games.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$5 Amazon
August 4, 2024
Rejected Moon – Blog Tour #ParanormalRomance
As they confront their painful pasts and the powerful mating bondthey once rejected, can they forge a new future together, or willthey be torn apart by old wounds?
Rejected Moon
Dirigo Pack SeriesBook 4
by Sabrina Silvers
Genre: ParanormalRomance
Nik Connal has lived his life in the shadows, on borrowed time. As arogue, he was supposed to be killed the moment he was exiled from hisbirth pack, rejected by his father, and condemned by all who knewhim. Instead of sinking into despair, he gathered a pack of otherslike him and forged his own path, determined to make a difference,outside the pack hierarchy, yet always determined to find a home forhimself and his pack. He lived a life of lies, did things he hated,all for a greater good.
Until he came face to face withthe mate he was forced to reject.
Isa Sinclair knows whatit’s like to be abused and tortured, to be at the mercy of thosestronger than her. Now that she is the number three enforcer in theChesapeake Pack, she takes her duties as protector seriously. Whenshe is asked to help those wolves abused by the Saranac Alpha, shewillingly accepts, until she is confronted by a ghost from her past,a ghost she never expected to see again.
As Nik and Isaconfront the mating bond that ties them together, can they navigatethe dangers of their present, and overcome the pain of their past tofind a new future, healed and whole together? Or will they fall backinto despair, alone and broken? Rejected.
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Forbidden Moon
A Dirigo Pack SeriesPrequel Novella
Can a mating bond bridge the gap between feuding packs … or willit destroy them all?
Maya Wessex and Garrett Colvinwere childhood friends until their pack rivalry tore then apart. Whenthey meet again as adults, the mating bond roars to life, giving thema second chance at life, love, and mating.
But when avicious attack on Maya’s pack threatens to ignite a war, not onlyis their mating at risk, but their lives and the lives of theirpack.
Forbidden Moon is a prequel novella set in theDirigo Pack world. It does not need to be read before the other booksin the series.
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**Don’tmiss the rest of the books in the series!**
Findlinks on the
Sabrina Silvers began her writing career dreaming of elves, orcs, andhobbits in the fantasy section of her local library, looking inwardrobes for Narnia and Aslan, and hunting for gnomes in the forest.To her dismay, she never found any of them except between the pagesof her books. So, she had to go out and create them for herself,leading to her lifelong love of reading and writing and dreamingabout adventures, fantasy creatures and love in fantasy lands! Shedivides her time between writing sexy contemporary romances under adifferent pen name, reading, knitting and being owned by a veryspoiled cocker spaniel who does not share her love of fantasycreatures.
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Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
August 3, 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
July 31, 2024
Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor – Blog Tour
There is a murderer among them. Andno one with secrets is safe.
Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor
byAJ Skelly
Genre:Historical Romantic Suspense, Mystery
AgathaChristie’s And Then There Were None meets TheGilded Age in this delicious, suspenseful murdermystery.
When Lady Emma Grace Hastings receives amuch-coveted invitation to the most auspicious Christmas party of theseason—one that comes with a 10,000 pound prize for the winner of amysterious game—she cannot believe her good fortune.
Butas the guests are assembled at Mistlewaithe Manor, the chillingintent of the game is revealed. Each guest has cause for alarm,because all of them have secrets, and to win the prize money, thosesecrets must be exposed.
Things take a sinister turn whenEmma Grace finds herself caught between her old love and hersoon-to-be betrothed. Suspicions abound, and old wounds are opened.The dead body in the study does not help. Nor does the raging winterstorm that prevents escape from the manor. Emma Grace must battle herheart, use her wits, and put her sleuthing skills to the test tosurvive the weekend alive.
Because there is a murdereramong them.
And noone with secrets is safe.
AJ Skelly is an author, reader, andlover of all things fantasy, history, and fairy-tale-romance. Andwerewolves. She has a serious soft spot for them. As an avidlife-long reader and a former high school English teacher, she’salways been fascinated with the written word. She lives with herhusband, children, and many imaginary friends who often find theirway into her stories. They all drink copious amounts of tea togetherand stay up reading far later than they should.
You can read more of her shortstories at www.ajskelly.com.
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Quill & Flame Publishing House Murder at Mistlethwaite Manor BookBox,
$10 Amazon giftcard
– 1 winner each!
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