No Bass No Party by Gary Shea

July 15, 2025 By 1 Comment


No Bass No Party by Gary Shea
Publisher: BWL Publishing
Genre: Non-Fiction, Auto-Biography
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Poppy

An outstanding account of the music business, A riveting story of determination and focus, Musical teenage dream come true, Against all odds musical ups and downs, Defying logic following your heart, Climbing the musical ladder of success, Fearless journey on the road to stardom, (You won’t read about the heads of chickens being bitten off or mounds of drugs being snorted from the naked bodies of sweaty groupies. No, what you will read about on these pages is the deep and intense journey into the very heart of rock and roll and what it takes to come out the other side. Gary Shea took that ride and has survived to tell his thrilling tale and there is no need for embellishment nor hyperbole—the truth is more unbelievable than fiction.

Gary is the bassist and co-founder of New England and Alcatrazz, two bands that burned very brightly during the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Along the way, Shea walked amongst giants including Steve Vai, Paul Stanley, Todd Rundgren, Yngwie Malmsteen and a slew of others. He guides us through the machinations, madness and magic of the music world, beginning with his early fascination for bass players and rock and running all the way through to standing on big stages in big arenas in front of big crowds. For every step forward, the industry took two bites of his soul but owing to perseverance, passion and no little amount of pigheadedness, he endured and now reveals all his secrets. No Bass, No Party: Sketches of My Life in Music are masterfully told stories of what lies in the corners and ‘neath the bright lights of the music business. A rock and roll memoir you must read.

Steven Rosen, Music Journalist for Guitar Player Magazine and author of eight biographies including Tonechaser- Understanding Edward: My 26-Year Journey with Edward Van Halen.)

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book. Honestly, I’ve never heard of Gary Shea or the bands he was part of (I’ve since remedied that and looked them up on YouTube and listed to some really amazingly good music). But even though I’d not heard of him, or his bands, I was sucked right into this book.

The author shares his musical journey from the very beginning. He was exceptionally driven and determined and, boy, did he have to believe in himself to get through. His road was bumpy and unsure much of the time, but he persevered through it all and seems to have retained his joy in playing music despite the numerous setbacks.

This book was so easy to read and get involved in. The tone is quite conversational, as if he and I were just sitting down and having a chat. I really enjoyed that about the book. Only two things kept this from being a solid five-star book. First, there were quite a few grammatical and editing errors that I noticed. To be fair, I do editing as a second job, so am primed to find them. Many readers may not even notice them. And second, the book is ONLY about Mr. Shea’s music journey. I truly wish there had been just a little more personal details included. I was truly interested in him and just wished for a little more so I could get to know him a little better.

Still, this was a book I didn’t ever want to put down due to annoyance or boredom or any of the other things that make a reader stop reading. I’m glad I had a chance to read and review this book (and add some new music to my Spotify lists).

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Words of Power by Shami Stovall

July 14, 2025 By 1 Comment


Words of Power by Shami Stovall
Publisher: Aethon Books
Genre: Fantasy
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

A magic-fueled progression fantasy adventure from Dragon Award winning author Shami Stovall.

Power is not given—it’s taken. He will prove even the lowest can rise to challenge gods.

In the Tze Empire, spirits and demons rule the wilds, but Ring Warlocks control civilization. For Rimon, the son of a courtesan and lowest in society, Ring Warlocks seem like gods.

Each has their own magic drawn from Titans, and they can do whatever they please, regardless of how it affects the prefectures they rule.

But when a chance encounter places one of the ancient and powerful rings in Rimon’s hands, everything changes. For there is a trick to the rings, and Rimon sees through the test given to him.

Suddenly, he is no longer a player at the fringes of power; he is a Ring Warlock and granted his own territory.

Determined to make sure his prefecture thrives, Rimon must contend with jealous rivals, demons seeking his ring for themselves, and forces he cannot yet name, all while mastering his new abilities.

Rimon will have to grow twice as strong as his rival warlocks just to survive in this new Progression Fantasy Adventure by Shami Stovall, the Dragon-Award winning author of Knightmare Arcanist!

I was so freaking excited to read this book…the start of a brand-new series by Shami Stovall. I think I might have enjoyed it even more than Knightmare Arcanist and I loved that book!

The main character in Words of Power, Rimon, is more mature and has seen more of the world in many ways. He’s not jaded by any means, but he’s also not as naive. This gives him so many more layers and really deepens the story.

He is idealistic, but already there are forces at work that make the reader wonder how… or if… he will be able to maintain that idealism and his desire for right over might throughout the series.

And, I absolutely love the other characters in the book…and what a varied group they are. I’ll not give you any spoilers, but I think I can honestly say there are characters here I’ve never seen before.

As the first book in the series, there is naturally some word building, but the author does it so seamlessly, the reader is drawn into this world very organically. And, also as the first book in the series, not all storylines are tied up with a pretty bow. There’s not really a cliffhanger, but there is definitely more to look forward to, all the time ending in a very satisfied way.

Kudo, Ms. Stovall… and I am waiting anxiously for the next book!

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Mad Season: Elles Garity’s Story by Gregory Armstrong – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 11, 2025 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gregory Armstrong 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.

Fifteen years ago, Elles Garity’s world came crashing down, in more ways than one. Now in her mid-twenties, long since removed from the small island town that she grew up in and never dealing with the pain of her loss, life is calling her back home. In the affirmant of recent unfortunate events Elles finds herself at a turning point once more. This time though, she’ll be forced to confront both her unresolved grief and the people and places she left behind. It won’t be easy. Along the way Elles will learn the truth behind a new friend’s dark connection to her tragic past and be the last to uncover unthinkable family secrets that will unravel everything she ever knew about the family she thought she lost.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Now, I was questioning all of it. I didn’t deal with things well. I didn’t allow anyone to help me deal with things. My life, the road I was on, the lane I had shifted into when I took the wheel, to put it quite figuratively, looked dark and dismal. I was solely responsible for switching my life into cruise control before ever giving myself a chance to learn to drive the damn car.

All these things ran through my head. I didn’t speak to Loyal about any of it. Where would I start? How could she possibly understand my position? Not that I gave her a fighting chance. Time sort of stood still as I sat there frozen, empty. I started this. I made this mess. I had no fucking clue how to fix it. I closed my eyes for a while, and when I opened them, it hit me like a slap to the head. The answer was staring me in the face. Where it all went wrong is where it needed to begin again.

“Grace, I’m worried about you.”

She had never said those words to me before. Ironic, though, how it came across, how I took it—her spotting the wreckage and expressing concern to the very person who was entangled in the heap. Out of upheaval, I took solace in a clouded idea to uproot myself once more. I emerged partially from my funk, oddly enough,

with a wayward smile and slightly brighter outlook. I turned to Loyal, sincere. “Everyone must think I’m horrible.”

About the Author:
Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, and a Connecticut native all my life, my family eventually moved to Norwich in 1977, where I grew up. I attended and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1991. It was there, in my final two years, where I acquired a passion for writing. At the time, the school provided a writing center, a classroom filled with computers, designated as a creative writing outlet for the students, and overseen by the now accomplished author Wally Lamb. Here, we were free to use our time working on our own projects, developing, learning, and sharpening our writing skills. Each class, we would gather in a circle to show and share our work with Mr. Lamb and the rest of the class by either reading or having our material read aloud, and hearing feedback from our peers.

Mr. Lamb’s writing center instilled a desire in me to one day write a book and become an author, just as he was doing, putting the final touches on his debut novel, She’s Come Undone. Unfortunately, for me, that is when that dream of mine became a struggle that would last decades. At the age of three, I contracted meningitis, which caused me to go completely blind and left me hospitalized for several weeks. Despite doctors believing my vision would never return, it did, slowly and to a certain degree, although my optic nerve had sustained too much damage and I was declared legally blind.

Growing up was a struggle. Socially, I was quiet, shy, uncomfortable knowing I was different from all of the other kids, because of my physical limitations and lack in self-confidence. Reading was also a challenge. Even though I soon got my first pair of glasses, which made my vision clearer, being able to see the print on a page was still a major issue. For those reasons, I have never been much of a reader, and how does someone who doesn’t read, who doesn’t study the art of literature through books, because it was a strenuous activity on my eyes, learn how to write?

The fact that I found myself stuck, without the necessary tools and unsure of my own talents and abilities to be a quality writer, all the other insecurities of my childhood at play, I gave it up for a time. My active imagination for storytelling did not. As I got older, and into my teenage years I started listening to more music to fill a void. The more I listened, the more I began to broaden my tastes in artists, groups and genres, and the more I heard stories in the songs. Music, along with television and movies, were combining to strengthen my inspiration to be an aspiring author.

One such movie, which mirrored many of my own self-imposed hurdles, was Eddie and the Cruisers. The character of Eddie Wilson, lead singer of a fictional rock and roll band, was consumed by the notion that his music was never good enough, that if they were going to be a band, they had to be great, if they were going to release an album, it had to be great as well. I had obviously grown-up learning and hearing about the great authors and novelists of all time, the great classic books. I had always put that pressure on myself, the same way Eddie Wilson did. I was convinced that I didn’t know how to write, and even if I did, would it be good enough? I had been told, taught by teachers and others, that there were rules to the writing game, including creating a story outline, character development, a whole assortment of proper steps to follow and processes before the writing even began.

Over the years, I started a novel a time or two, hating it, and giving up again. I met my future wife, got married, started a family, and quit my average job to become a stay-at-home dad. Through all of it, thirty-plus years, that ever-present need to write gnawing at me, the urge still there, my vivid imagination still running wild—I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I had to let that creativity out and give it a real and focused purpose. With the rough idea of a plot in mind, I sat down at the computer and finally let all of those insecurities go. With a shot of determination and a relaxed mind, I slowly but surely discovered my own writing style, and found my storytelling voice. To hell with all the rules, the unrealistic expectations I placed upon myself, the result—a deeply, emotionally charged story of tragedy, personal reflection, and redemption, that is Mad Season.

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Ever Since the Ball by Kate Ellington – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 10, 2025 By 7 Comments

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

Miranda Harlake’s only chance to escape the detestable match her parents are arranging is a sham betrothal to her best friend, Peter, who proposes solely to save her from a loveless marriage. She gratefully accepts, though both know they’ll never wed.

Piqued by her parents’ scheming, Miranda secretly attends a masked ball and dances with a fascinating stranger all night. Upon discovering her partner was the insufferable George Rockford, she tries to forget the romantic evening they shared.

George, lonely despite his popularity and roguish ways, is intrigued by Miranda but she’s apparently immune to his charms.

Miranda must listen to her heart and find courage to be honest with everyone—especially herself—if for once she’s going to fulfill her own dreams.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Miranda fidgeted with her fan as she and Peter made their slow way up the Rockfords’ torchlit drive. Ahead, costumed guests climbed the stairs and disappeared into the elegant manor.

When they at last came to a halt, Peter opened the door and helped Miranda out.

“I’ll meet you inside after I settle the horses,” he said.

Miranda clutched his arm. “No, we’re supposed to go in together.”

“I need to see to the carriage. I forgot about that when I devised this plan.”

“But—”

“You’ll be fine. Arriving alone will give you an even greater air of mystery.”

Not seeing any other option, she reluctantly let go of his sleeve. “Don’t be long.”

“I won’t.” He jumped into the driver’s seat and gave her a wave before driving away.

Miranda hesitated at the foot of the long staircase, debating about whether or not to just step onto the lawn to wait for Peter. But then she realized she was blocking the way for people behind her. Mustering her nerve, she climbed the stairs with the chattering crowd.

Once inside, she looked for a place to wait for Peter. Miranda didn’t want to go too far into the house, as it would be easy to miss each other in the throng. She found an alcove off to the side of the front doors with a window affording a good view of the drive.

Miranda had just turned to look out the window again when she felt someone step into the alcove behind her.

About the Author Kate Ellington grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

After graduating from college with an art degree she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

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The White Deer of Kildaire by Christy Matheson – Spotlight and Giveaway

July 9, 2025 By 8 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Christy Matheson will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour and a fine writing notebook with personalized art to a second randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

There’s a deer sorting Christmas decorations in Maura’s kitchen…

All Maura wants is a peaceful winter holidays in her dilapidated Irish castle, but her ex is threatening her with family court, and her second grader has invited a strange–completely unclothed–friend, to spend the holidays with them. Oh. And the friend’s dog, which is not actually a dog but probably one of the white deer of Celtic myth.

Maura distracts herself from her husband’s threats by trying to discover why a Fae deer is in her kitchen, when the two women accidentally end up in the Ireland of ancient myth. The White Deer was the human queen of this castle, but it appears she has husband trouble too. Perhaps…the deadly sort of trouble.

Can Maura rescue her new friend — or is Maura herself so tangled in the White Deer’s fate that she won’t make it home to her children alive?

This novella will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy fantasy, ancient history, Irish folklore, and uplifting stories about motherhood and found family.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Raindrops slide down the windscreen of the Peugeot, and condensation creeps up the windows as we let the minutes tick by. We got to Cork airport early, but Aiden and Kaylee haven’t changed their minds. No way, no how are they getting on that plane back to America.

Aiden lifts his phone and snaps a picture of the distinctive swoop of the departures building, then turns and gets me in the frame. Ca-tip. Ca-tip. He hunches and his thumbs fly over the screen.

“Okay,” Aiden says. “Done. It’s official now.”

He’s trying to prove that I did my best to drop them off, but I know it won’t be enough. The teens’ biological parents are both going to blame me for violating the custody agreement.

Within seconds, my phone buzzes against my leg. In the back seat, Kaylee’s pings, then dings, then chirps. Aiden, who at 16 always plans ahead, switched his to silent mode before unleashing the storm of recriminations. I should have done the same. I close my eyes and lean my head against the cold window. Buzz, buzz, chirp, ding.

“Are you sure you won’t get out…” My voice can’t turn this into a question.

“Have we missed the plane yet?” Kaylee demands.

“No,” Aiden and I say together.

We sit without talking. More pings.

Amber: Please.
Please please please please please.
One mother to another. Please.

In my heart of hearts, I sympathize with Amber. I’d want to see my children for Christmas, too.

About the Author: Christy Matheson writes award-winning fiction about friends, family, and finding one’s place in an ever-changing world.

She is the author of “The Castle in Kilkenny: Fairy Tales” novella series. Each one sets a traditional Irish fairy tale within a modern blended family, perfect for readers wanting a cozy family adventure.

Christy’s regular historical work (sans fantasy elements) can be found in the award-winning “Feisty Deeds: Historical Fictions of Daring Women,” of which she is also an editor. Her Regency novels are represented by Kristina Sutton-Lennon and have won pre-publication awards for women’s fiction.

Christy is also an embroidery artist, classically trained pianist, and sews all of her own clothes. She lives in Oregon, on a country property that fondly reminds her of a Regency estate (except with a swing set instead of faux Greek ruins), with her husband, five children, three Shelties, one bunny, and an improbable quantity of art supplies.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Newsletter | Substack | Goodreads | The Story Graph | Book Bub Author Page

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Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025 By 1 Comment

Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Fictional Worlds I’d Love to Visit?

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Feels Like Love by N.D. Jackson – Spotlight

July 8, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Retired at the age of 34, Dylan Parker packed up his life and bought a bar in Mustang Prairie. Small-town life would be an adjustment, or so he thought, until he met Sadie. As a deeply satisfying friendship grows between them, so does their mutual attraction. Readers who enjoy small-town, friends-to-lovers romances will fall in love with Feels Like Love by N.D. Jackson, a steamy, diverse romance.

Blurb

I just wanted to belong…

Sadie had never belonged anywhere other than on stage. A soulful singer and musician, she left home at a young age and never looked back. No one missed her anyhow. Traveling the country with one no good boyfriend after another for work, Sadie settled in New Orleans until another d-bag boyfriend decided she wasn’t enough…and the slutty new bartender was.

She left for Mustang Prairie and the open arms of her half-sister Amelia…or so she thought

I just wanted to protect her…

Dylan Parker retired at the ripe old age of 34. After catching a serial killer who’d tortured Chicago for a decade, he was ready to turn in his homicide detective’s shield.

Needing distance from his high society parents and their social climbing friends he packed up his truck and bought a bar in Mustang Prairie. Getting reacquainted with small town life would be an adjustment…until he met a copper haired amazon with a voice like warm honey.

Sadie was everything he wanted; a friend, a devil’s advocate, a sister, and a confidante. Theirs was a deeply satisfying friendship so Sadie and Dylan fought their mutual attraction.

Can Sadie & Dylan admit that their friendship feels more like love?

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Excerpt 

Copyright 2025, N.D. Jackson

“Everyone gets sick.” She didn’t understand his tone but a moment later it all became clear. “What is this Ty? You think I did something to him? Is that what this is all about?”

He opened his mouth to respond but she didn’t want to hear it. She didn’t want to hear him deny it when they both knew it was the truth. So much for being one of them. She didn’t wait for a response, for him to figure out a way to soften the blow and tell her he didn’t meant it like that. She just threw her keys at him. “See for yourself that I didn’t kill your friend for whatever reason you think I’d do such a thing.” She turned and picked up the first box. It needed to go downstairs.

“Sadie I didn’t mean it like that!” He knew it was no use. She wouldn’t listen, so he took the keys and went to see about his friend.

Four boxes later, Karl was gone and Sadie was nearly finished stacking all the boxes downstairs. She would just finish them now. Hopefully, by the time she got home, Ty would be long gone. She wasn’t in the mood to see anyone right now but she needed to check on Dylan. He had to be sick to just skip out on a day like this.

She locked up and made the quick drive to Dylan’s house, running up the stairs and through the door calling out to him. She went straight up to his bedroom where he lay in a sweaty heap of sheets and blankets. Ty stood to one side of the room, looking concerned. “Dylan! Are you okay?” She felt his face, neck, and chest. He was clammy all over. “How do you feel?”

“He’s sick,” Ty said, very unhelpfully.

Sadie glared at him and then turned her back on him. “Dylan, tell me what you’re feeling.” She began stripping the covers back and bringing him to a sitting position.

“I’m feeling mighty glad you came to save me.” His smile was crooked and his words were slurred.

She gave him a tight smile while trying to keep them both upright. “Of course I came for you Dylan. You’re my guy.”

“Always babe. Now can you make the room stop spinning ‘cause it’s making me feel sick?”

“No problem big guy. I’m all over it.” She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Can you stand?” He tried but he was too wobbly, and her jaws clenched. Ty stood back, no help at all but she said nothing to him. “Okay stand again, but this time put as much of your weight on me as you can.”

This time he stood up but with most of his weight pressed against her. “Alright let’s get you in the bathroom.” They limped to the en suite bathroom and she sat him on the toilet while she ran a bath. “We need to bring down your temperature,” she told him as she flew back into the bedroom, stripping the sheets off the bed and tossing them down the laundry chute.

“Sadie,” he sang off-key over and over. “Where did my Sadie go?”

“He doesn’t sound too good.” Ty rubbed the back of head, sounding worried.

She inhaled a long breath and let it out slowly, keeping her mouth shut. Eventually, he would leave and she could feel good knowing she hadn’t caused any unnecessary drama for Dylan. Checking on the water, she tossed in a few aromatherapy balls to help. “Alright, Dylan we need to get you in there, okay? So I need you to help me. Hang on to me and don’t let go.” She removed his boxers, tossed them out the door, and helped guide him down.

“Ah, feels good.” The guttural sound of satisfaction vibrated inside the bathroom, echoing off the walls as he sank into the water.

She smiled. Luckily he was too big to possibly drown since Ty was no help at all. She found the bath sponge she bought for him under the sink. Unopened because according to him it was ‘girly shit’. Dipping the sponge in the water, she rubbed is face and chest. “We need to get you warm and reduce your fever. Stay put.” Inside the bedroom, she breezed past Ty and grabbed the bed spray and clean linens. The window was open, the bedding fresh and now scented. “Okay,” she muttered to herself thinking what else she would need. “Food, meds, juice. Trixie.” She pulled out her phone and dialed. “Hey Trix. Dylan’s got some type of bug or something and I need to keep an eye on him. Can you grab fresh fruit, tons of vegetables for soup, and meds to reduce fever, help sleep and clear congestion? I’m not sure what else he has because he’s pretty incoherent but grab whatever else you think he might need and I’ll pay you back when you get here.” She disconnected and went back to check on Dylan.

“I could’ve gotten that stuff for him,” Ty yelled from the safety of the bedroom.

She said nothing, just helped Dylan quickly wash so she could get him dressed and back into bed. He needed to rest. “Stand up for me big guy.”

“You think I’m too big?” His words were slurred and she smiled despite her worry.

“Naw, I think you’re just big enough.”

“That’s what she said,” he snickered.

“Very funny,” she grumbled as she quickly dried him off. He was a big guy and required a towel that was just as big and heavy. “Okay we need clothes.”

“I’m alright like this,” he swayed, wrapping his arm around her waist. “I only stopped sleeping naked because I didn’t want to freak you out.”

That was an image she did not need to think about now. Or ever. They walked into the room, him naked and talking nonsense and her trying to keep them both from wiping out on the hardwood floors. “That’s sweet of you Dyl, but it’s your house so make sure you’re comfortable.” She sat him on the bed and grabbed flannel pants and a t-shirt. “While you’re sick though, I have to insist on pajamas.”

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About N.D. Jackson

Wanderer. Lover of books. Romance author. Vegan. Those are just some of the things used to describe me! When I’m not spinning tales of small town and contemporary romance, I love to travel, cook, and watch/listen to true crime, history & strange documentaries and podcasts. I’m a native Chicagoan currently living in Europe who has been in love with books for as long as I can remember. My first book, Conflict of Interest, was published in 2014, and I’ve been writing books ever since! I’m a full-time writer and part-time author, traveler, vegan blogger, and obsessive fan of Dawson’s Creek.

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Splendificent by Dacy Alex – Q&A and Giveaway

July 8, 2025 By 6 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author 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 you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Is a paranormal ability the same thing as a superpower? When I think paranormal I think ghostly ability. But if it’s the same thing as a superpower give me invulnerability all day. I’d be a champion in every single UFC division. Even the women’s ones! Ya’ll bitches don’t want this smoke.

When writing descriptions of your hero/ine, what feature do you start with?

For females I always seem to start with their hair. My second editor complained I had too many blondes. I likes what I likes, good people. For guys it varies, usually I pick their defining features, like facial structure, eye type, you get my point.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I had to look up what that meant because when you said pantser, I was gonna take this in a different direction! I’m a plotter. My first editor drilled into me the need to be on team plotter. Rather forcefully I might add!

Did you learn anything from writing this book? If so, what?

Well, when writing the Splendificent series, I learned a lot about mythology and occult practices. Actually, my own mother became convinced I was trying to become a vampire! Although, I like vamps, I think I’d make a better werewolf. Dogs love me!

Hell on Heels and Death by D Cup
This raw and naughty book brings together the first two Splendificent novels in one ENORMOUS package…

Not that type of enormous package!

I swear.

Splendificent 1:

California cutie Giselle Nyfall arrives at the Big Apple to attend liberal arts college, Hemera University. But, when a computer glitch lands her with four extraordinary young women as roommates Giselle’s sheltered world is blown away.

These Hotties are supernatural aristocracy, the magical one percent: an elf princess who decapitates as well as she pirouettes, the B.B. gun-toting daughter of the Tooth Fairy, a glamorous and gold-digging fox spirit with thickness in all the right places, and a vampire-succubus hybrid with a bad gambling problem and a blood-soaked family tree.

This Hot Squad uncovers a demonic curse threatening New York City’s human elite orchestrated by denizens of the Christian Hell. The only cure? The five stunners themselves!

Splendificent 2:

The Hot Squad members must battle supernatural mercenaries, contend with a portal to the underworld, avoid demonic death traps and thwart a nefarious prince hellbent on fulfilling an ancient prophecy and bringing on the death of one Squad member who happens to be his sister. All difficult assignments when they’re constantly losing their skimpy clothes and falling into the arms of hot studs and each other!

Will Giselle and her voluptuous companions come together to triumph over the forces of evil? Does the family that slays together stay together? Find out in the sexy, hilarious and politically incorrect Splendificent 2!

WARNING:

This book is absolutely not for anyone under the age of 18! You, Mister 17 years and 364 days old? Move along, son, move along.

Enjoy an excerpt:

This was going to be difficult.

This was going to be a violation of trust.

But it needed to be done.

Giselle stood in front of Stuart in his messy-even-though-he’s-only-been-there-a-couple-days-dorm, and she stood with pride.

Stuart was hammering away on Final Fantasy XIV on his gaming computer with his glowing green mouse and blue glowing keyboard.

“Stuart, I am special,” Giselle announced with a Princess Magalinda worthy dramatic voice.

“Big facts,” Stuart responded, “Look at those boobs on you! They’re mad huge! And you can make a lot of money off being special. Just don’t be like my cousin Joey Numbers. It starts with you stripping for old bitches. You get that easy side money, so you justify it. Then you start fucking those old bitches for extra cash. Cool? Then you’re the go-to guy in the old bitch pussy circle. The Steph Curry of fucking old bitches. Then their husbands offer more to watch. Then it turns into threesomes.”

“Eeep!” Giselle squealed.

Stuart continued, “Then they offer you a large sum to have gay sex, and you justify it again. Now you’re making big money. But at what cost, Giselle? At what cost?”

“At no cost because I’m not a guy, and I’m not a prostitute! Listen to me, Stu.”

She wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about this, but she was being swallowed by her secret. And if anyone could give her some outside the box thinking it was Stuart.

“I’m kinda wrapped up in something dangerous,” she said, clasping her hands.

 

About the author:

Dacy Alex is an author that has also taken home several screenwriting awards under a different name. Dacy loves the possibilities of the supernatural but also the inherent weirdness of the everyday world and likes to combine the two whenever possible. Dacy likes to focus his stories on new adults, which might explain why he can subsist on a steady diet of classic CW shows. The 100 and The Originals are the best ones don’t argue with me plz k thx bye. Dacy’s an avid video gamer; Dacy’s favorite games are Final Fantasy X-2 and Persona 4: Golden. I’ll be a contrarian and say I’ve never played a Dark Souls like game and I don’t wanna! Oops, I forgot I was doing this in third person

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Theirs Until Always by Mae K. Knight- Spotlight and Giveaway

July 8, 2025 By 4 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mae K. Knight 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.

Adam:

Men like me don’t get happy endings.
When my demons talk to me, I talk back.
I heeded their call when they demanded my parents’ death.
I even listened when they ordered my own.
And they nearly won.
Until her.
One night changed my life. Then I lost it all. I lost her.
Now, I’ll do anything to get my sunshine back.
But can a sinner like me be willing to share after learning I’m not the only one craving her light?

Jordyn:

When a man shows you his red flags, run.
But running from Adam is easier said than done.
When he re-enters my life, my world implodes with the secrets he’s keeping.
Can I forgive him and learn to live in his shadows? To be the light he thinks I am?
Or will his darkness consume me?

Abel:

Witnessing your twin nearly die, hardens something in you.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Adam breathing.
As kids, he’d protected me, even though that was my job as the older brother.
Now, it’s my turn to protect him.
You can run little sunshine, but you won’t get far.
If Jordyn’s what my brother needs to keep his demons at bay, then I’ll claim her for us.
She’ll be ours, always.

Read an Excerpt

Stars and moonlight shine down on me, competing with the lights escaping the inside of the club I’m approaching, heels clicking over concrete. I don’t linger outside or make eye contact with anyone, my skin tight with apprehension. A white gossamer dress shifts against my skin, tightening my nipples. The hem stops above my knees, the back remains open, and a deep vee allows the cool night air to kiss my chest.

In a word, I look hot.

Eat your heart out, Adam, I think as I smile graciously at the bouncer who allows me entry. Initially, I stand at the threshold, roaming my eyes over the press of bodies gyrating under moving lights before stepping forward. I know Adam wouldn’t be found among them, so I squeeze my way onward, offering apologies along the way, catching a hint of blond hair in the back of the club, in the VIP section.

Of course.

It begs the question once more of what exactly he does for a living.

When I stop before another bouncer, he turns his thick neck behind him, eyes landing on Adam, who gives him a nod, rising out of his seat. The rope lifts, and I’m waved through. Stepping forward, my heels sink into plush carpet as I meet Adam halfway down the row of tables, his arms banding around my waist to pull me into him.

About the Author Mae K. Knight is a self-published author based in Louisiana, who enjoys writing “trauma boys” as her readers coined them, BIPOC FMCs that look like her and fast, smutty stories that leave you craving for more. When not writing, she’s reading monster romances penned by her fellow indie authors, studying for her nursing degree, or lifting heavy weights in the gym to feel like a bad bitch on a competition platform.

Website | Signed Paperbacks | Facebook | Goodreads | Threads | TikTok

Go directly to her Amazon page for her KU titles.

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Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba

July 7, 2025 By 15 Comments


Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives by Naguib Sami Kerba
Publisher: BWL Publishing
Genre: Non-Fiction, Photo Biographies
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Everyone has a story. A picture is worth a thousand words, but sometimes one needs words as well. “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives” does just that. I’ve combined a portrait with asking people four thought provoking questions about themselves. The portrait and their answers are a compelling read about life, its challenges and each individual’s journey. At the end of each chapter, each person makes one final observation learned from their journey.

This book is inspiring… and calls each of us to examine our own lives. The author takes ordinary people and asks them to reflect on their lives, then he shares those reflections with us. He asks these questions:

1. your biggest challenge and how you overcame it
2. the fork in the road that changed your life
3. something you’ve learned on your journey.

I love the format… the book is set up so you can go to anyone’s story and read at your leisure. To be honest, I’ve not read every story in preparation for this review because this isn’t a book to be rushed through, but I know it’s a book I’ll come back to again and again.

I enjoyed the pictures the author included with the chapters. It was a further glimpse into the subject’s lives. And I especially like that, in the epilogue, the author provides a link to his website and his photography (which is magnificent… just sayin’).

I highly recommend this book… not to hurry through and get finished with it, but to savor as a fine wine… dipping into it now and then when you want a break from the busy-ness and negativity we are sometimes surrounded with. And definitely something you’ll want to revisit regularly.

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