A.L. Butcher's Blog, page 9
May 18, 2025
Morgan’s Landing – Blog Tour #Mystery
Where is Julie Morgan?
Morgan’s Landing
by Linda Griffin
Genre: Mystery, Police Procedural
“Morgan’s Landing is a fast-paced, unpredictablemystery you’ll devour in a single sitting.”
~ Indies Today
In the small Maryland town of Morgan’s Landing,fourteen-year-old Julie Morgan is living in comfort with her wealthy family.She disappears on her way to school after a spat with her twin sister.
Detective Jim Brady, married and the father of two, has been on the Morgan’sLanding police force for twelve years. He identifies a few suspects in thegirl’s disappearance—Is it the fired school janitor, a paroled sex offender,Julie’s computer teacher…or his own teenage son? Jim can’t believe his soncould be involved, but his wife is convinced the boy is hiding something.
He needs to find Julie before the worst happens—and keep the peace at home.
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I was born and raised in San Diego, California and earned aBA in English from San Diego State University and an MLS from UCLA. I began mycareer as a reference and collection development librarian in the Art and MusicSection of the San Diego Public Library and then transferred to the Literatureand Languages Section, where I had the pleasure of managing the CentralLibrary’s Fiction collection. Although I also enjoy reading biography, memoir,and history, fiction remains my first love. In addition to the threeR’s—reading, writing, and research—I enjoy Scrabble, movies, and travel.
My earliest ambition was to be a “book maker” and I wrote myfirst story, “Judy and the Fairies,” with a plot stolen from a comic book, atthe age of six. I broke into print in college with a story in the San DiegoState University literary journal, The Phoenix, but most of my magazinepublications came after I left the library to spend more time on my writing.
My stories have been published in numerous journals,including Eclectica, Thema Literary Journal, Avalon Literary Review, The NassauReview, and Orbis, and in the anthologies Short Story America, Vol. 2, TheCaptive and the Dead, Australia Burns, 2023 in a Flash, and Apocalypse.
Member of the Authors Guild and Sisters in Crime
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Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!
I, The Sun – Blog Tour and Giveaway #HistoricalFiction #AncientHistory
He conqueredmore than forty nations and brought fear and war to the very doorstep ofEighteenth Dynasty Egypt, but he could not conquer the one woman he trulyloved.
I, The Sun
by JanetMorris
Genre: AncientEgyptian Hittite Historical Fiction
“I, theSun is a masterpiece of historical fiction. It tells a great story whileaccurately creating the world of the Hittites and their best known emperor,” —Dr. Jerry Pournelle.
SuppiluliumasI and the Amarna pharaohs:
Biographicalnovel of the greatest Hittite king.
From palacecoups in the lost city of Hattusas to treachery in the Egyptian court ofTutankhamun, I, the Sun, the saga of the Hittite King Suppiluliumas, rings withauthenticity and the passion of a world that existed fourteen hundred yearsbefore the birth of Christ.
They calledhim Great King, Favorite of the Storm God, the Valiant.
**On Sale Now!!**
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Best sellingauthor Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels,many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She contributed shortfiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which shecreated the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fightersmodeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited theBangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as wellas co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. Shewrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet in the 1970s, including High Couch ofSilistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. Thisquartet had more than four million copies in Bantam print alone, and wastranslated into German, French, Italian, Russian and other languages. In the1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this landmark series. The thirdedition is the Author’s Cut edition, newly revised by the author for PerseidPress. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fictiongenres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris haswritten, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, aswell as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental militarytechnology and other defense and national security topics.
Janet said:‘People often ask what book to read first. I recommend “I, the Sun”if you like ancient history; “The Sacred Band,” a novel, if you likeheroic fantasy; “Lawyers in Hell” if you like historical fantasy setin hell; “Outpassage” if you like hard science fiction; “HighCouch of Silistra” if you like far-future dystopian or philosophicalnovels. I am most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author’s Cuteditions, which I revised and expanded.’
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Choice ofprint or ebook copy of I, The Sun,
$ 10 Amazongiftcard
-1 winnereach!
What is something unique/quirky about you?
Together we breed Morgan horses. We consult with Morgan breeders to help them choose crosses to their stock to achieve a desired result.
We are also musicians; Janet plays bass guitar, Chris sings and plays guitar. We have an album on MCA records. Look for Christopher Crosby Morris on Soundcloud or N1M.com
Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Janet wrote her first novel, High Couch of Silistrain 1975; a friend sent it to an agent who chose to represent her; she had already written the second book in the Silistra Quartet and her agent told her not to disclose that until they finalized the contract for the first one. When the publisher learned of the others, Bantam Books bought the succeeding three. When the fourth book was published, the series already had four million copies in print. Suddenly Janet was a novelist specializing in environmental, gender, historical and political subjects. In the process, Chris started as her editor and ultimately a co-writer. Since then, she and Chris have co-authored many books.
Who is your hero and why?
Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-socratic philosopher, whose Cosmic Fragments foreshadow our knowledge of reality and how to perceive it. Among his precepts is the statement that change alone is unchanging. We’ve worked Heraclitus’ fragments in here and there throughout our books.
Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?
I, the Sun. Writing is very cinematic for me, very visual, so all my stories seem suited to the screen. The make or break in movies is the screenplay, what to include and more importantly what to leave out, because it’s impossible to fit an entire novel into a 2 ½ hour feature. Screen writers welcome.
What inspired you to write I, the Sun?
Years ago, I took a course in self-hypnosis and one of the exercises was to go to a deeper level and imagine meeting a person who would serve as your helper and guide. At a deep level I watched as a door like that of an elevator slowly opened to reveal someone inside. As he stepped out I couldn’t help but notice a large conical crown he wore and immediately asked him who and what he was. He replied, “I am a Hittite.” Then I asked, “What’s a Hittite?” To which he responded, “You’ll find out.” The rest as they say is history.
Convince us why you feel I, the Sun is a must read.
Only recently have archaeological efforts yielded enough biographical information in the form of writings on tablets, usually transcriptions of treaties between powers. Taking time to read these texts tells a story of an evolving empire which I find irresistible to explore. My job then becomes to share with you what made it so exciting.
Who designed your book covers?
Most of our covers, including I, the Sun, are realized by Roy Mauritsen, a gifted graphic artist.
Advice to writers?
As for advice to writers, here is all we know: write the story you want to read. Start at the beginning, go to the end, and stop. Seriously. From start to finish you must inhabit the construct in a manner that makes the reader choose to continue; if we as writers can’t feel what it’s like being there, our readers can’t either. Close your eyes, look at your feet where they are standing on the story’s ground; tell us what you see. Tell us what you hear. Ask at the end of each paragraph ‘what happens next?’. If you lose touch with it wait until you’re back inside it. Tell the story that comes to you, and from you, to us.
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
May 15, 2025
Protopia – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Dystopia #Thriller
A dystopian thriller set in thevery near future.
Which side are YOU on?
Protopia
by John Calia
Genre: YA Dystopian Thriller
In a world ravaged by ideological war, can two lifelong friends, torn apart, findtheir way back to each other, or will conflicting visions of a perfect societydestroy their relationship or, worse yet, prove fatal?
Olivia and Alexandra, inseparable sincechildhood, stumble into the brutal conflict between Cygnus, a bastion ofultra-libertarian ideals, and Elyria, a socialist commune that promisesequality and justice. As tensions escalate, the women are forced to make achoice: which community to join.
Olivia, haunted by anxiety and self-doubt, isdrawn to the promise of security and equality in Elyria. Alexandra, ever theadventurer, chooses the independence and freedom of Cygnus. As they settle intotheir respective communities, Olivia and Alexandra encounter rigid ideologiesand corruption at the highest levels of government. They challenge the leadersof their respective communities and realize their lives are under threat.
Olivia must confront her own demons and thelimitations they’ve imposed on her life. Growing in confidence andself-awareness, she starts to envision a different future—one that balancesindividual freedom with collective well-being. As the conflict between Cygnusand Elyria reaches a boiling point, Olivia and Alexandra must navigate thetreacherous landscape of their own divided loyalties. Can they turn theobstacles into opportunities, or will the divide between them proveinsurmountable—even deadly?
Protopiais a heart-pumping, thought-provoking tale of politics, adventure, and loyaltyset in a dystopian world that eerily echoes our own.
Fans of Emily St. John Mandel and Matt Haigwill love this new adventure from the author of Parallel Lies and thebest-seller The Awakening of Artemis.
John Calia is a multifacetedauthor, born in Brooklyn and formerly a naval officer, banker, entrepreneur,and consultant. His debut business fable, The Reluctant CEO: Succeeding WithoutLosing Your Soul, earned a five-star rating and sparked a passion for writing.Calia’s fascination with artificial intelligence and its societal implicationsled him to craft The Awakening of Artemis, a near-future speculative fictionnovel that soared to #6 on the Amazon Science Fiction Adventure bestsellerlist. His latest release, Parallel Lies (2023), is the highly anticipatedsequel to his bestseller.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!
May 14, 2025
To Desire The Stars – Blog Tour and Giveaway #Scifi #Romance
Exiled alien prince Jarren Graf has never encountered ascent like Lissa Reyes.
To Desire the Stars
by Venus Campbell
Genre: SciFi Romance
Exiled alien princeJarren Graf has never encountered a scent like Lissa Reyes’.
Abducted from Earth by Jarren, high-achiever Lissa Reyesdiscovered something hunted her scent. Both their scents, that is. As the keyto reclaiming his throne and ending generations of galactic subjugation, Lissaknew Jarren could not let her go. But as a prince from a world built onolfactory power, Jarren’s passions flared with her close. Every whiff grewtheir desire. Every touch increased their hunger for each other. By fate orchance, their love would change his civilization.
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Follow the tour HERE for special contentand a $20 giveaway!
May 13, 2025
Ghost – Blog Tour and Giveaway #M/M #LGBTQ Contemporary #Military #Romance
Sometimes you can’t see love coming, but that doesn’t meanit isn’t there.
Ghost
Fire Lake Book 9
by M. Tasia
Genre: M/M LGBTQ Contemporary Military Romance
The Thrilling LastStory in the Fire Lake Series
THE INVISIBLE MAN
A cop down to his bones, Detective Ray Sommers has seen it all, and knows howto trust his instincts.
While visiting an old friend, he finds what he knows with what he seescolliding right in front of his eyes. A man has appeared from out of nowhere.Literally. And in more ways than one, Ray’s visit has gotten way morecomplicated.
Darren, aka Ghost, ran from his traumatic past taking with him someunbelievable secrets. But now he’s found a family where he’s been accepted forthe first time in his life.
Ray and Darren’s initial encounter might’ve been a bit unorthodox, but interestsparks and their attraction is undeniable.
Ghost and his Fire Lake family are targeted by a powerful and ruthless man, andthey fight back with every weapon they have—of which Ghost is one.
Now that he’s found someone who genuinely sees him, he’s not sure he’ll livelong enough to enjoy him.
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**Don’t miss the restof the Fire Lake series!**
Find out more atthe Author’s Website!
M. Tasia is an author who lives in Ontario, Canada. Michelleis a dedicated people watcher, lover of romance novels, 80’s rock, and happilyever afters (once the MCs have been put through their paces of course), whogrew up with a love of reading. Mother of three wonderful children, wife to oneunderstanding husband, and servant to two spoiled furry children who don’t seemto realize, that they’re actually cats.
Michelle writes contemporary mm romance and believes loveshould be shared and celebrated. After all, you deserve to have romance,excitement, intrigue, and passion in your lives.
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!
May 9, 2025
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
May 7, 2025
VE Day 80 – why we should remember
VE Day 80 – why we should remember.
8th May 2025 – the 80th anniversary of VE day. Victory in Europe. The official end of the Second World War in Europe. The end of the most devasting war in human history. The end of six years of death, chaos, hatred, genocide, economic turmoil, loss, fear and the evil of human against his (or her) fellows. Between 70-80 MILLION people died, and many more were wounded, sometimes permanently, or displaced. 80 MILLION!!!!!
There have been several headlines stating 4 in 10 Brits don’t understand what VE day signifies. I was shocked, and saddened by this. My parents had both served in the military, and my father was wounded in action and lost most of the sight in one eye. I was brought up to understand what had happened during WWII, and the history of Europe in the 20th century. My grandparents took in a Jewish refugee, my best friend was the decendent of an Eastern European woman of Jewish heritage who that had fled the pogroms as a child, and whose family had died in the gas camps.
There were reminders of the war, it’s cost and what the liberation of Europe meant. Everywhere. From the buildings destroyed in the blitz, to families whose grandparents or parents hadn’t come home, or, worse, been exterminated by a vicious regime. I’d be surprised if there’s not a family in Western Europe who had not been touched in some way by the second world war.
17 million people were killed by the Nazi regime – Jews, gay people, disabled, socialists, Jehovah Witnesses, Romany/Gypsy, Soviet prisoners, Polish, ‘traitors’, and various other groups to some degree. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victims_of_Nazi_Germany
Six years of bloody war and unprecedented evil had come to an end. That is something to celebrate. And remember, to give thanks for liberty and remember those who were murdered, or fell in war.
But, I hear you say that was 80 years ago…Not my problem, not my generation….
Yep. It was 80 years ago – in living memory but only just. And it is your problem. It’s everyone’s problem. If people don’t learn, and speak out then it happens, again and again.
It can, and does continue. Since 1945 possibly over 50 million people have been killed in genocides around the world – in every part of the globe. Humans are, apparently, extremely good at being shitty to one another.
As the news becomes more troubling by the day and human rights are eroded left, right and centre and right wing politics is growing keep in mind that tyranny walks where hatred and division lead.
We should remember VE day – because it reminds us of the darkness that overran a continent, a world is not extinguished, merely dampened, and could and may well arise.
Do not be complacent. Do not forget what has happened, and continues to happen, and lurks, awaiting the chance to rise.
Remember. Learn. Understand.
It might be your rights that are removed, your family that are hounded, removed, murdered. It could be you. Or me.
https://www.ajourneyintotheholocaust.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Genocides_Chart_9-2-2014.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_genocides.
https://www.spiegel.de/international/genocide-since-1945-never-again-a-338612.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II_casualties
April 30, 2025
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
April 21, 2025
Durf jy die nalatenskap van die masker ontdek?
https://books2read.com/Echoes-Afrikaans
Legaat van die Masker Verhale
Waansin, obsessie en die legaat van die verlede verweef hul towerspreuke in hierdie kort, tragiese verhaal gebaseer op die Phantom of the Opera.
’n Dosyn onstuimige jare ná die dramatiese gebeure by die Paryse Operahuis word Raoul, Comte de Chagny steeds deur die misteriese Operaspook gespook – die skepsel van legende wat personeel by die Operahuis onder sy knegskap gehou het, Raoul se minnares ontvoer en sy broer vermoor het. In Raoul se onrustige verbeelding is die spoke van die verlede oral, en vreemde en kragtige musiek besoek steeds in sy drome.
https://books2read.com/TCV-Afrikaans
Wanneer moord en raaisel by die Operahuis begin, weet een vrou wie daaragter sit, en wat werklik onder die masker lê. Geheime, leuens en tragedie sing ‘n kragtige lied in hierdie ‘might have been’-verhaal.
Trane en bloedrooi fluweel.
