The Christmas Cardinal by Aïda Juodis – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Aïda Juodis will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Christmas Cardinal, written by Aïda Juodis, is a soft and whimsical tale that was gently crafted to help provide children who have lost a loved one with comfort and warmth during the holiday season.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy an Excerpt

If you wonder where your loved one goes when they pass away, remember that they’re always with you in your heart to stay.

But they go somewhere else that’s special too and continue watching over you.

Look up above at the sky to the North Star way up high.

Just beyond that big bright star is the North Pole not too far.

About the Author Aïda Darija Juodis is a storyteller who blends comfort, wonder, and gentle magic in her writing. The Christmas Cardinal reflects her belief that love endures, guiding us from near and far.

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Resort, Two, Murder by Joanna Campbell Slan – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanna Campbell Slan will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Kiki Lowenstein heads to Florida for sand, sunshine, and family time—until a shocking death pulls her into a mystery simmering beneath the resort’s perfect surface. With craftiness and heart, she dives into a dangerous tangle of lies that only she can unravel.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The scream ripped through the dawn and straight into my spine. I didn’t breathe until I reached the balcony.

Seven floors below, a housekeeper stood frozen at the pool’s edge, hands over her mouth. The turquoise water rippled around hair the color of fire.

Copper hair.

Floating.

Still.

My blood turned to ice.

“Mom?” Sixteen-year-old Anya whispered behind me. Pale. Too pale. “What happened?”

“I don’t know yet. Stay back. Keep your brothers inside.” My voice didn’t tremble, but everything inside me did.

I yanked the curtains closed, but not before my mind captured every detail: the purple satin gown billowing under the water, the bare feet, the drifting red hair like a drowning sunrise.

Then Brawny — my fierce, loyal Scot nanny — sprinted into the courtyard and dove in, shoes and all. She flipped the girl over, started mouth-to-mouth, refusing to accept what the water already knew.

Could this be real?

Sirens wailed in the distance. And I stood frozen on the balcony, one hand pressed to my heart, silently begging for a miracle.

It didn’t come.

The red-haired model from last night’s fashion show was gone.

About the Author: Joanna Campbell Slan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author known for her engaging women’s fiction and mystery novels. With nearly 80 books to her credit, including contributions to the original Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Joanna specializes in stories featuring strong female protagonists and the power of women’s friendships. Her tagline, “Creating a better world one story at a time” perfectly captures the spirit of her work, as she has a keen interest in presenting all sides of social issues. Joanna is best known for her Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series, which spans 19 books and 42 short works, chronicling the growth of a widowed mother who finds new purpose through crafting and sleuthing. Living on a nearly deserted island off the coast of Florida, Joanna draws inspiration from her surroundings and her love for various crafts, including Zentangle®, crochet, and upcycling. Her accomplishments include winning the Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence for her continuation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Contact her at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com

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Arabesque by M G da Mota – Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. M G da Mota will award a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Please click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A woman living alone in a coastal Sussex town in 1998 plants a copper beech sapling at 3 a.m. on a dark, cold night. Why?

A ballet dancer in 1960s East Germany is oppressed, longs for escaping with his little daughter but not his wife. Why? Will he make it?

In 2022 Karsten von Stein, widower and principal of the Royal Ballet, with two young children, meets Ivone Benjamim, a Portuguese, newly-arrived principal dancer. They discover a magical chemistry when dancing and soon it transfers to their private lives.

Against the background of ballet and its dancers, a woman called Grace tells her story from a rehab centre. Obsessive, delusional she begins believing Ivone robbed her of the man of her dreams—Karsten. And then a skeleton is found in a garden…What connects all these people and their stories?

You’ll be the audience facing the stage of this balletic novel.

Enjoy an Exclusive Excerpt

Karsten steps briskly away, heading towards Covent Garden, cursing his decision to leave car and motorbike at home, taking the bus and walking from the stop in Trafalgar Square. He enjoys walking on the Strand but today has turned out to be a bad idea. Those two women. He increases his pace, not wanting to be late. Glancing at the time on his mobile he exclaims aloud that he must hurry, causing two older women to stare.

Breaking into a run up Wellington Street, Karsten turns left onto Russell Street, glancing with longing at the mouth-watering pastéis de nata, the Portuguese custard tartlets on the window of the minuscule Santa Nata café. He should buy some to take home. The kids would like them. Quickly he steps in and asks for a box with four of the delicious pastries, pays contactless and leaves towards the Covent Garden piazza. He turns sharply right into the arcades, running to the Royal Opera House’s revolving doors. Entering he exchanges greetings with the doorman while his gaze searches the space around. Gabriela is in the shop checking some of the souvenirs and jewellery.

Waving he calls out, ‘Gabi.’

Moving her eyes in his direction she sees him, smiles widely and runs towards him.

‘I almost thought you’d stood me up,’ she says, laughing at her own joke, ‘but knowing you’re performing tonight I knew you’d come sooner or later.’

‘I’m sorry I’m late,’ he answers, kissing her cheek, ‘you won’t believe what just happened.’

‘What?’ then, pointing at the box in his hand she admonishes, ‘you stopped at Santa Nata for pastries!’

Karsten stares down at his hands and chuckles. Removing his backpack he carefully places the boxed tartlets inside, saying, ‘Let’s have something to drink and eat while I tell you what really happened and it wasn’t the stop at Santa Nata.’

They head for the opera house café counter to choose and place their order. Gabi buys a sandwich with cheese and chorizo, a small bowl of olives and a salad. She orders a glass of white wine. Karsten doesn’t eat much on working evenings opting instead for a salad, banana and bottle of mineral water. The girl at the till recognises him and throws him a dazzling smile.

‘Good luck tonight,’ she says.

‘Thank you,’ he replies sincerely.

He and Gabi sit at a table and while eating he tells her what just happened on the Strand. At the end he states he doesn’t really want to go to the brunch next morning.

‘So why did you accept?’ Gabi mumbles, munching a mouthful of sandwich.

‘I felt it was rude to refuse and this Lacey was pushy. I could hardly get a word in.’

‘And the other one?’

‘Quiet. Seemed embarrassed. Blushed.’

‘You’re her hero now. You saved her…or she recognised you.’

He shakes his head. ‘Of course not. I’m certain she’s no idea who I am. I think she thought her friend was being a little obnoxious, that’s all.’

About the Author: M G da Mota is Margarida Mota-Bull’s pen name for fiction. She is a Portuguese-British novelist with a love for classical music, ballet and opera. Under her real name she also writes reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books for two classical music magazines on the web: MusicWeb International and Seen and Heard International. She is a member of the UK Society of Authors, speaks four languages and lives in Sussex with her husband. Her website, called flowingprose.com, contains photos and information.

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Winter’s Embrace by Pamela Ackerson, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Cindy Lewis Smith, and Jae El Foster – Spotlight and Giveaway

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A print copy of ‘Winter’s Embrace,’ autographed by author Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Embrace the joy of Christmas and some yuletide cheer in this collection of five sweet holiday romances from four of today’s most entertaining authors! Featuring brand new stories from Pamela Ackerson, Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, Cindy Lewis Smith, and Jae El Foster, this anthology will help you hold the spirit of Christmas and the magic of true love in your heart the whole year round.

Meant to Be by Pamela Ackerson: Single and starting over in tiny Lorman, Mississippi, teacher Faith Anjos dives into home renovations with tools in hand and a boat from her late dad’s fishing Sundays. Realtor Gabriel White becomes her unexpected ally, sharing lunches, family barbecues, and stolen kisses under patriotic park lights. But when a sassy ex-roommate stirs trouble and life’s curveballs hit hard, Faith learns that true love thrives not just in perfect houses, but in the messy magic of Christmas cheer and forever promises.

Window Shopping by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe: Single and sentimental, Whitney dives into downtown’s dazzling displays—animatronic toys, frosted windows, violin carols—chasing Christmas cheer alone after helping coworker Chad remotely. Fate intervenes with a literal bump into charming Chad, leading to diner laughs, Santa’s lap shenanigans, and hand-holding revelations. As they embrace kid-at-heart traditions amid bustling streets and Santa’s sly matchmaking, a parade invite blossoms into dinner-and-movie dreams. Proving the season’s sparkle uncovers love when least expected.

Mr. Hollister’s Christmas by Cindy Lewis Smith: Thirty-three and resigned to spinsterhood in Goldfield, Josie channels her Georgia Christmas memories into a perfect Eve nuptial for Rose and Hank, footed by taciturn rancher Clint Hollister. Their prickly partnership blooms amid pine boughs, fiddle waltzes, and whispered regrets from a saloon-fueled mail-order mishap. When a wheel-wrecked ride home unveils Clint’s hidden role in her arrival—and his lingering loneliness—snowy revelations ignite a romance as timeless as the stars above the Llano River.

What the Snow Blew In by Jae El Foster: Snowbound in Deerborne, Connecticut, during a record-breaking blizzard, editor Carina Whitaker hunkers down with wine, her cat Tom Boy, and cherished Christmas ornaments—until a shivering mailman named Jerry delivers a package and seeks refuge from the storm. As power flickers out and drifts bury her home, candlelit evenings spark unlikely conversations, shared meals, and cozy traditions that warm more than the gas fireplace. Amid reading aloud by firelight and piano carols, holiday magic proves that what the snow blows in might just be the love she’s been waiting for.

The Magic of Mistletoe by Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe: Sarah’s winter break turns into survival mode: dodging doll-throwing dollops, sweeping glass shards, and sacrificing her office sanctuary for peace between battling children. Amid cold coffee confessions and contract close-calls with hubby Thomas, festive fumbles—from runaway pillows to reluctant photos—test their bond. Yet as grilled cheeses soothe tears and starry-eyed surprises arrive post-midnight, mistletoe weaves its spell, transforming holiday havoc into heartfelt harmony and impossible dreams come true.

Read an Excerpt from Mr. Hollister’s Christmas by Cindy Lewis Smith

It has been a long week. So many preparations for Rose’s wedding on Christmas Eve. What a time to have a wedding! Rose told me that she would have never dreamed of having a Christmas wedding, it was all Hank’s idea. But, with her being my only friend when I arrived in town last year, I was going to do everything I could to make it happen for her.

Her fellow, a young man named Hank, works for Mr. Hollister at the Hollister Ranch. It’s a well known ranch in these parts, out near the banks of the Llano River. Thousands of head of cattle roam the ranch’s eight hundred and forty some odd acres. Mr. Clint Hollister, the owner, is a widower. I’ve heard tales about how he lost his wife several years ago. Folks say she was sick with yellow fever when she was in child birth. Both her and the baby succumbed to the disease. Mr. Hollister was devastated. For some reason, he never remarried. People talk, but I take no mind to idle gossip. They just say he turned into a bitter old man, choosing to live his life alone on the ranch.

Hank has worked on the Hollister Ranch since he was a youngster. His parents died in an Indian raid when he was baby, and he grew up with kin folk until he went to work for Mr. Hollister, the same year his wife died. The kin folk just couldn’t care for him any longer, as they were getting up in age. Maybe Hank knew even then, that Mr. Hollister needed someone. Hank said Mr. Hollister was more like family to him than an employer.

A few weeks ago, Rose asked me if I would help Mr. Hollister plan the wedding and give it a woman’s touch. Rose didn’t know anything about planning a wedding, she had never even been to one before. Like Hank, her parents had passed away and she had been on her own for a while. She took up with me real quick when I came here. Almost as if she needed an older sister to confide in. We immediately became best friends.

Needless to say, I was not looking forward to working side by side with Mr. Hollister planning a wedding. Our first meeting a year ago didn’t go so well. It was like he was either appalled by the sight of me for some reason, or instantly just didn’t like me. He kept his distance and made it a point to never look at me eye to eye.

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The Art of Human Connection by Adir Biniamini – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Adir Biniamini will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In an age of extreme technology and growing separation, we’ve lost our way. We’ve traded authentic human connection for a world of aggressive tactics, self-serving behaviors, and fleeting transactions that leave us feeling isolated and unfulfilled.

The Art of Human Connection offers a powerful and ethical alternative, a return to our shared humanity.

This educational book is your essential guide to mastering the simple yet profound skills that form the bedrock of true success. Through a series of practical insights and transformative principles, you will learn how to:

– Cultivate Self-Awareness: Understand your own emotional landscape and its impact on every interaction.

– Build Authentic Relationships: Master the art of empathy and genuine communication to forge instant rapport and build lasting trust.

– Navigate with Confidence: Learn to move through professional and personal challenges with less friction and more grace.

“The truest version of a person is never who they perform to be, it is who they become when they forget to perform!”

This is a powerful call to action, inviting you to reflect on your own experiences and visualize a clear path to improvement. By embracing this approach, you will discover a liberating truth: your greatest success and most profound connections begin the moment you stop performing and simply start being.

Enjoy an Excerpt

How often have you caught yourself rehearsing a conversation, worried about sounding “too pushy” or “not professional enough”? That internal hesitation, the voice that whispers, “I shouldn’t share that anecdote” or “I can’t ask that question”, is a massive barrier to real connection. It’s called Waiting for Permission, and it keeps you locked into a rigid script, sacrificing genuine curiosity and spontaneity for safety. But here’s the game-changer: you don’t need external approval to create a powerful, human connection. The permission slip is self-written.

Here is your three-step guide to stop waiting for permission and start showing up as your most impactful self.

Write Your Own Permission Slip: Trust Your Gut

The key to unlocking connection is recognizing that your authentic impulse is valuable. Stop seeking external validation and start acting on your intuition.

Practice Proactive Empathy: Show genuine interest right away with a sincere opener like, “I know you’re busy; thanks for making time,” to establish a welcoming tone.

Share with Courage: If you feel an authentic impulse to ask a slightly more personal or relevant question, or share a relevant story, do it. That’s where real connection happens.

Not long ago, I was coaching a client who was preparing for a high-stakes networking event. She had rehearsed her “elevator pitch” dozens of times, but when she practiced with me, it felt stiff and distant. I asked her to set aside the script and instead share why she cared so deeply about her work. She hesitated, “That’s too personal, isn’t it?”, but then told a short story about how her project had helped a struggling family regain stability. The moment she spoke from that place of authenticity, her entire presence shifted. Her voice carried warmth, her eyes lit up, and suddenly, she wasn’t performing, she was connecting. At the event, she led with that story. Instead of polite nods, she received genuine engagement, follow-up questions, and even an unexpected partnership opportunity. The difference wasn’t in her words; it was in her willingness to stop waiting for permission and trust her authentic impulse.

About the Author:Adir Biniamini is a visionary coach and the author of The Art of Human Connection. His journey into coaching began after a long and successful entrepreneurial career where he learned firsthand that genuine connection is the cornerstone of success.

From working at a flea market as a teenager to launching multiple businesses, Adir quickly discovered the power of authentic communication. A pivotal piece of advice, “Be exactly who you are . . . real, friendly, inviting,” became his guiding light. Thirty years and successful businesses later, this commitment to genuine human connection remains the cornerstone of his success.

Adir’s unique philosophy, forged from a lifetime of business and personal challenges, is built on the belief that a deep connection to ourselves is the key to creating meaningful relationships with others. Through his work, he helps clients master the essential skills of emotional intelligence and rapport, empowering them to navigate challenges and create lasting success in every facet of their lives.

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The Hotel Guru’s Journey by Robert Rauch – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Robert Rauch will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

For over half a century, Robert Rauch, referred to as “The Hotel Guru”, has witnessed and made history within the evolution of modern hospitality. From performing night audits on Sweda cash registers in the 1970s to utilizing AI-enabled revenue strategies today, he has seen it all. The Hotel Guru’s Journey combines his fascinating behind-the-scenes narratives with proven operating insights.

This unique operations guidebook shares both the “war” stories and the systems that matter. Rauch shares lessons learned the hard way in trust, crisis management, technology adoption, and leadership. And aside from the entertaining personal experiences, you’ll gain access to tried-and-true frameworks, in-the-trenches checklists, and practical guidance for all aspects of hotel operations.

Whether you’re breaking ground on your first property, expanding a hospitality portfolio, or seeking to avoid costly mistakes, Rauch’s five decades of experience provide your competitive advantage in building a successful and sustainable hotel.

For up-and-coming hoteliers, veteran general managers, and hospitality investors, The Hotel Guru’s Journey is your map to long-term success.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Wellness

True wellness is about more than just physical health. It encompasses mental and emotional well-being too. Offering a range of amenities designed to help guests relax, recharge, and feel great is the goal. From spa services to tranquil relaxation areas, providing the perfect environment to unwind and find balance will always score points. We’ve built spas into hotels, but they’re tough to make profitable. As hotel operators, we knew we didn’t have the skills necessary to operate a successful spa, but the fix was simple: bring in a spa operator as a partner! We chose a spa operator who had a following in the areas of hair, nails, facials, massage, and more. Professional spa operators are better than most hoteliers at operating a spa and will help make including a spa more profitable in the long run. But that’s not where our wellness desires ended. We continually get involved in each of the wellness modalities.

Nutrition

Eating well is crucial for maintaining energy and vitality, especially when away from home. Menus should be carefully curated to offer a variety of nutritious options, catering to diverse dietary needs and preferences. Prioritizing whole foods and balanced meals, supporting the body’s natural rhythms and promoting sustained well-being throughout a guest stay is a noble deed. Our chefs are in tune with this, and they shop locally so that everything is fresh. At our newest hotel, opened in late 2024, our chef was even featured as the top chef in the region! And our menus always have gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Nutrition can include fun activities as well. We’ve often partnered with wineries, chocolatiers, and beer brewmasters. Nutrition isn’t the focus, but in moderation, wine, beer, and dark chocolate can provide a great combination of mindfulness, delight, and healthy imbibing! Cooking classes with our chefs are also in high demand, and wine tastings paired with healthy choices are a close second.

About the Author:

With a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration from Western International University and a master’s degree in Tourism Administration from Arizona State University, Mr. Rauch has served as president and on the board of numerous tourism organizations. Mr. Rauch is a recently retired faculty member at Arizona State University and taught Tourism Industry Entrepreneurship. He is widely quoted on television and radio and in numerous publications, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Los Angeles Times. He speaks at industry conferences regularly and has developed several leading brand hotels, three of which the firm still owns and manages, and has been a finalist for CEO of the year in San Diego, CA, and Phoenix, AZ.

Mr. Rauch currently utilizes his private company, R. A. Rauch & Associates, Inc., to provide management services for his owned hotels, consulting services for various Wall Street firms and selected litigation support clients, and asset management services designed to provide hotel owners with oversight and review of potential and currently operating hotels. He also serves as Chairman and Chief Strategist of Brick Hospitality, a company formed by his management team to operate hotels in California. Mr. Rauch recently sold RAR Hospitality, a leading hospitality management firm with 20 hotels under management or development, retaining management of selected hotels where he serves as an owner in San Diego. As a student, teacher, and mentor in the hospitality industry over a six-decade period, Mr. Rauch continues to be active at industry conferences, in key meetings, and when needed to support the hospitality sector.

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A Day with Me Behind the Scenes by M. Jayne LaDow – Guest Post and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. M. Jayne LaDow will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A Day with Me Behind the Scenes

People imagine writers living glamorous lives—typing away in cozy coffee shops, inspiration flowing like wine, manuscripts practically writing themselves.

My reality? I write in the cracks.

A sentence here while the coffee brews. A paragraph there between loading the dishwasher and figuring out what’s for dinner. I used to write sitting next to my mother-in-law during our afternoon TV sessions in her final years. Now I write from my recliner, usually with all three cats staging a hostile takeover of my workspace.

Gino is the boss. He doesn’t sit on the laptop—he just stares at me with those unblinking cat eyes until I bend to his will, which usually involves stopping mid-sentence to provide chin scratches. Jonesy is the cuddler, determined to wedge his entire fluffy body between the keyboard and my arms, oozing over the keys like some kind of purring lava flow. And George? George wants to play. Constantly. He brings me toys to throw, strings to dangle, and the unwavering belief that right now is the perfect time for fetch, regardless of whether I’m mid-sex-scene or trying to figure out whodunit.

On a good day, I knock out several thousand words. On a bad day, I do literally everything except write—reorganize my files, scroll social media (which takes up the most time, let’s be honest), convince myself I need to research 1997 fashion trends for the fourth time, and maybe vacuum.

I get ideas constantly—at the food bank while sorting cans, making dinner, in the shower. I’ve learned to write them down or record voice memos wherever I am. Yes, people look at me weird when I start muttering plot points in the cereal aisle. Eh.

My bestie and I book-talk daily. Right now we’re reading Fake as Puck by Sarah Smith (very spicy, highly recommend). Soon it’ll be Christmas romances and cozy mysteries, because we’re seasonal like that. She keeps me sane and reminds me why I love reading and writing in the first place.

I manage my own social media and online presence—not very well, but I try. I post five days a week even though I’m pretty sure no one’s listening. I volunteer with Creative Footnotes, help out at the food bank, and somehow juggle it all.

And my family? They think it’s hilarious. Every time I mention a new book, one of them asks if this one has Fabio on the cover or if there are sweaty pirates involved.

The answer is no. But honestly? There probably should be.

She set out to solve a mystery, not to fall in love.

In 1997 Virginia Beach, some truths refuse to stay buried…

Dani Jones is used to lesson plans and late-night grading, not murder. But when a student’s uncle confronts her after class and then disappears, her world tilts. Days later, during a Chesapeake Bay cleanup, she is there when his body is found, hidden in the marsh. As the last person to see him alive, Dani is suddenly at the center of a mystery that rattles the quiet coastal town.

Enter Gavin Larkhurst, a sharp-tongued radio newsman with a protective streak. His feelings for Dani make him desperate to keep her safe—even when she refuses to stop digging. But trust is fragile when danger lurks around every corner, and someone will do anything to keep the past buried.

Equal parts mystery and romance, A Pilgrimage of Whispered Truths is a spicy whodunit about uncovering secrets, risking your heart, and the lessons that change everything.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The ocean had always been her refuge. Even now, with storm clouds bruising the horizon, Dani walked the shoreline barefoot, the wind tugging strands of hair across her face. The water hissed over the sand like something whispering secrets it could no longer keep.

She tried to quiet her mind—to let the rhythm of the waves wash away the questions still circling like gulls. But the past few days wouldn’t let her rest: Carl Rendell’s fury, the burned church, Brian’s haunted silence. Each memory rose and fell with the tide, reshaping itself into something sharper.

A flash of color caught her eye—a shard of glass half-buried near her foot. She bent to pick it up. Red, warped by heat. A fragment of stained glass.

Her breath hitched.

She turned it over in her palm, the edges cutting faintly into her skin, and for a moment she imagined the flames reflected there, licking at the sky. The wind howled, cold and certain.

Whatever she’d stumbled into, it wasn’t finished with her yet.

She slipped the shard into her pocket, the salt wind stinging her eyes, and kept walking toward the dark line of the pier, where the sea met the secrets she could no longer ignore.

About the Author:

M. Jayne LaDow is a playwright and author who leapt into writing romance after thirty-three years wrangling middle school English students. Her rom-coms and spicy cozy mysteries are inspired by her years in education, where she was regularly pied in the face, sang classroom karaoke, and dressed up like characters from novels.

She’s the author of The Marchfield Series — One Night Stands and Lesson Plans, Learning Goals and Dancing Poles, Pop Quizzes and Stolen Kisses, Tardy Pass, No Questions Asked, and the upcoming Budget Cuts and Midnight Lust — and the Tides of Truth Series, beginning with A Pilgrimage of Whispered Truth: A Steamy Cozy Mystery set in 1997 Virginia Beach.

She firmly believes every great story starts with a dash of trouble and a happily ever after.

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Handling Negative Criticism by Forest McMullin – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Handling Negative Criticism

Handling negative criticism can be a difficult skill to learn. We put much of our identity and years of our lives into creating something that we believe deserves to be out in the world. When someone disparages it, we can easily and understandably bristle and shut down. We can dismiss their thoughts and assume the critic doesn’t realize what we were trying to do and just doesn’t “get it”. We can be defensive and argumentative. And we can end up not hearing things that might make our work better.

For years I was a college professor, teaching photography at an art school. My job required me to criticize my students’ work almost daily. As a result, I developed the skill of being critical while still being constructive and honest. This meant I always included something positive in my critique of student work, except when someone just didn’t try, in which case all bets were off. By leading with the positive, students tended to be much more receptive to the real analysis that followed.

It is quite possible to become so close to our work that we are blind to the ways it functions. We can’t be objective to its qualities and need an outside critic to help us pierce our subjective bubble.

The criticism we receive for our writing may not be as considered. In fact, it may be ignorant, misguided, or downright cruel. But– and this is a big but–we owe it to ourselves and our creative output to listen to it with as much humility as we can muster. We should be committed to making our work the best it can be and hearing and listening, really listening, to honest criticism is an essential component in that process.

I’m not suggesting that we take all advice and criticism to heart. Actually, I think the greatest challenge facing us as creative practitioners is to determine which input is useful and which we can and should ignore. Finding that balance is essential. But, it will lead us toward producing a product that pleases and excites both our readers and ourselves.

A photograph can tell the truth. It can also get you killed.

Ethan McGuire’s relentless pursuit of explosive stories has cost him his family, his integrity, and now–possibly–his life. While documenting the rise of white supremacist movements in Western New York, Ethan encounters a world of neo-Nazis, heavily armed survivalists, rogue FBI agents, and violent criminals, all with something to hide. But when a crew of ruthless bank robbers starts hunting him for photos he doesn’t even know he has, the stakes turn deadly.

As his enemies close in and his family becomes a target, Ethan must expose the truth–before it buries him. Shooting at Shadows is a relentless thriller and chilling cautionary tale, inspired by the author’s real-life experiences as a photojournalist. It exposes the darkness lurking beneath the surface of American extremism–and the cost of bringing it to light.

“One hopes that McMullin has further adventures planned for his unlikely hero.” –Kirkus Reviews

“…a provocative thriller exploring highly pertinent themes in American culture today…” –Fredrick Soukup, author of Blood up North

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Let’s do this.”

The driver pulled across the lot and into the space closest to the entrance. The other three men immediately got out and walked into the bank as they pulled down their ski masks. At the same time, they opened their coats and swung out submachine guns on shoulder straps.

BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!BAM!

The first man in the door sprayed the ceiling of the waiting area with bullets from his gun. Chunks of drop ceiling flew apart and fell to the floor as dust and smoke filled the air.

“THIS IS A HOLD UP. GET ON THE FLOOR. NOW!”

One of the men stood and looked out the front door. A second one raced to the desk of the manager, grabbed her by her hair and threw her to the floor as he screamed, “AND DON’T TOUCH THAT ALARM BUTTON OR YOU WILL DIE!”

The third man jumped on the tellers’ counter and pointed his gun, first at the tellers, then to the half door that led to the waiting area. “Away from your drawers, get out there and lie on the floor. Keep your hands where we can see them. No cell phones. No heroes. Everybody lives to see another Friday night fish fry.”

A blond woman was visibly very pregnant, eight months or so it appeared, and when she got to the front she struggled to get down. “HURRY UP!” the second man screamed.

“HEY,” the man on the counter yelled. “Get her a chair!”

“What the hell, man?”

“DO IT!”

“Damn,” he complained, but he went behind the manager’s desk, pulled the chair out, and pushed it to behind the woman. “SIT!” he yelled in her face.

The third man jumped down from the counter on the tellers’ side and let his gun hang again from its shoulder strap. He pulled a black plastic garbage bag from his coat pocket and calmly went from drawer to drawer pulling out stacks of fives, tens, twenties, fifties, hundreds, all bundled with paper wrappers. He took a moment flexing each before he threw them in the bag. The few that were stiff he left on the counter. He knew they would explode with purple dye as soon as they were a few yards outside the bank.

About the Author: Forest McMullin is a writer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Earlier in his career, he was a photojournalist who specialized in photographing fringe social groups. Today he writes both long and short form fiction, Shooting at Shadows is his first novel.

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If I’d never heard of me, would I read my book? by Austin S. Camacho – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Austin S. Camacho will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

If I’d never heard of me, would I read my book?

Well, the first thing I look for in a novel is interesting characters. This book stars Skye Maddox who is no ordinary assassin—she is meticulous, principled, and views her work as both a profession and a challenge. Hired by Milo Williams, a grieving father whose son was murdered after a botched kidnapping, Skye is tasked with eliminating everyone responsible. Milo provides her a starting point, but the real mission is to climb the ladder of crime, one target at a time, until she reaches the true mastermind.

I also love books with a lot of action, and this one has it in spades. As she works her way through the criminal underworld of Washington, D.C., Skye’s assignments pit her against violent gang members, corrupt judges, and ruthless mob bosses. Each step forces her deeper into a deadly web of organized crime, Yakuza involvement, and betrayal. Along the way, she gains reluctant allies—like Brandon, a terrified mouthpiece for a mobster who wants out, and her therapist Jayla, the only person who knows her true name and glimpses her conflicted psyche.

Even in a high-action book, I like to meet complex characters like Skye. Her assignments are never just about pulling the trigger. Skye prides herself on precision, creativity, and leaving law enforcement baffled in her wake. But her professional detachment is tested as she confronts echoes of her traumatic past, the ghost of her first kill, and the dangerous possibility of trust and connection in a world where both are liabilities.

Suspense is another factor I look for in a new book. In this one, the tension escalates as Skye maneuvers between rival factions—Hetman’s criminal empire, Kobayashi’s Yakuza contingent, and law enforcement circling closer to the truth. Every move sharpens the line between hunter and hunted, and Skye must decide whether she’s fulfilling a contract, enacting justice, or simply proving herself the best at her deadly craft.

In the end, True Target is just what I look for when I want a fun read: a high-stakes thriller that blends relentless action with psychological depth, following an assassin bound by her own rules, haunted by her past, and driven toward a final reckoning where survival means outsmarting everyone—including herself.

Skye Maddox is a contract assassin driven by both personal demons and professional discipline. Hired by grieving father Milo Williams to hunt down the chain of men responsible for his son’s death, Skye takes on a mission that escalates into a war with Washington, D.C.’s most dangerous underworld figures led by a man known only as Hetman. As she climbs Milo’s ladder of revenge, Skye uncovers a web of corruption that links drug dealers, judges, mobsters, and even international crime syndicates.

The story escalates through brutal shootouts, betrayals, and psychological games, as Skye pushes deeper into Hetman’s empire. Each success makes her a bigger target. In the end, she must weigh the cost of finishing Milo’s revenge against the danger of becoming just another expendable weapon in someone else’s war.

Enjoy an Excerpt

When Jayla stood, Skye raised a palm to stop her. “Yes. Yes, all right. I just finished an assignment, but it was part of a larger contract so I’m feeling like both the situations you mentioned. I’m on the job, and I just took a player off the board.”

Jayla jotted in her notebook. She always collected the euphemisms Skye used for her profession. “So, tell me about this latest assignment. How do you feel about this player you’ve taken off the board? Was it, in your mind, a just action?”

“You always want to go there,” Skye said, shaking her head. “What did I tell you? The first rule of the assassin’s doctrine. The target has got to deserve it.”

“Oh, yes,” Jayla said with a half-smile. “Your job, while criminal, does have rules.”

“I misspoke earlier,” Skye said, sliding a slim dagger out of her boot. “It’s not a job. It’s a profession. All professions have their rules. For doctors, rule number one is ‘do no harm’, right? For an assassin, it’s that the target has got to deserve it.” Skye began to absently flip the dagger in the air, catching it by its tip each time. “In this case, this bastard kidnapped my client’s son. I don’t know how they got him. My client kept his family totally under the radar. But once he got the ransom demand, the client agreed to pay, and the ransom money was in transit but not fast enough to suit the kidnappers. They killed the boy, I think just to make a point. Just to be snotty. The action took place overseas and no way the police would ever have gotten close to the killer.”

Jayla nodded. “I think I understand. So, you were hired to…”

“Correct the balance,” Skye said, standing.

About the Author: Austin S. Camacho is the author of eight novels about Washington DC-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series, and the detective novel Beyond Blue. His short stories have been featured in several anthologies and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and one of the creators of the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity literary conference.

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What Kind of Writer Am I? by J.A. Boulet – Guest Spot and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. J. A. Boulet will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What Kind of Writer Am I?

I am a character-driven underwriter. No, I don’t write insurance policies lol. What I mean by underwriting is that I write my first draft so fast that I typically fall short of my goal of 70-75K word count. My characters quickly over the story. It is like trying to write a story on a freight train with fast-moving scenes and movie-like characters, who are all hurtling me towards the end.

But do not worry, I am also a very methodical professional author. My first draft is never complete without a full story edit, in which I add chapters and tidbits of information to round out the story and slow it down just a tad. I always achieve my goal of 70k words at the very least, but never seem to write a novel of 100k words or more. It is just not in me lol.

I typically have at least 2-3 book ideas scheduled to be written. With the time allotted to me, that means I have to get cracking and finish that book!

The outcome is that readers will enjoy my fast-paced stories that are hard to put down. You can typically finish my books in 3-7 days, depending on your style of reading. Enjoy! Thanks for following along on my 1833 Brothers & Sisters book tour, and leave a review if you liked it!

A peek into the Underground Railroad and the tumultuous period before the American Civil War.

In 1833 Philadelphia, the northern states of America were changing, and not everyone was keen on altering the status quo. Black slaves were being freed, and new slaves were no longer allowed.

But the southern states didn’t always agree. Natives were being thrown out of their homes for living too close to gold, and escaped black slaves were being hunted down. Jesse Eastman controls the affluent Eastman Empire and frees a former slave, his half-sister Georgina. But some family members don’t like it.

When an estranged brother gets the idea to let a ruthless gang of property buyers initiate a takeover, all hell breaks loose.

1833 Brothers & Sisters will pull you into an old western-style family saga, filled with greed, marital love, family conflict, and smoking gun shootouts.

Enjoy an Excerpt

When Zee stepped back into the mansion, several angry shouts from the office raised the hairs on her neck. She padded quickly up the stairs and turned to look down the stairs behind her. Billy stormed out of the main floor office, flanked by Jesse, Xavier, and Samuel.

Jesse was waving a large document in his hand. His dress shoes clacked on the marble floors as he chased Billy from the house. “This is not a legal document!” Jesse shouted, his voice reverberating against the tiled ceiling. “You don’t even have signing authority for the Empire!”

Billy brazenly turned and shouted back. “I am an Eastman! I can sign a bill of sale for my family business.” His voice thundered across the entire mansion.

Jesse’s face turned red, and his breathing expanded and contracted in his chest as he tried to control his urge to punch his brother in the face. “Get out,” Jesse calmly stated.

“What?” Billy shouted.

“You heard me,” Jesse replied quietly. Xavier and Samuel positioned themselves to quickly intervene if the two brothers began physically fighting.

“You’re telling me to leave?” Billy’s finger flew in the air and pointed accusingly at Jesse.

“Yes, Billy,” Jesse glowered, the anger still evident in his voice. “You attempted to sell the company illegally for a fraction of what it is worth to a bunch of thugs from Texas.” Jesse ground his teeth and clenched his hands into balls of anger. “You are officially extradited from the Eastman family. Father did it to me, and I am now doing it to you.” Jesse took two large strides towards his brother.

Billy jumped to the side to avoid a direct hit, but that wasn’t what Jesse was doing.

About the Author:J. A. Boulet is a passionate historical fiction novelist weaving tales with strong romantic themes. Raised in a Hungarian refugee family, J. A. was born and grew up in Canada with strong moral convictions, which she has stood behind all her life. Ms. Boulet began writing poetry at a very young age and progressed to short stories and novels easily. She quickly became a history geek and became fascinated with ancestry and the rough path of immigration. Her university studies ranged from photojournalism to accounting. After decades of working in accounting, J. A. published her first book in 2020 and has since published one to two books annually.

She lives in the Niagara region of Canada with her two sons, a crested gecko, a large Doberdor dog, and a small orchard of fruit trees.

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