Character Interview by Dana Hammer – Guest Blog and giveaway

February 6, 2025 By 3 Comments

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

Character Interview

In Fanny Fitzpatrick and the Sirens, Fanny attends a summer camp for aspiring sirens. As you might have guessed, the camp has…issues. What follows is an interview between a disgruntled parent and Lotus, one of the sirens who runs the camp. The parent’s name is Tiana Jost.

Lotus: Hello, this is Lotus, how may I help you?

Tiana: Hi, Lotus. I’m Tiana, Cleo’s mother.

Lotus: Oh…

Tiana: Yeah. What kind of camp are you running there? What is the matter with you people?

Lotus: Well, we all have our flaws, Tiana. We are imperfect beings, just trying to exist on this imperfect planet. You know?

Tiana: No. I don’t know. My daughter got stung by a poisonous something or other-

Lotus: Portuguese man-of-war.

Tiana: Yeah. That. And then your lack of medical care sent her into a coma! A coma! What do you have to say for yourselves?

Lotus: I can assure you that she was given the best medical care we could, given that we are located on an island with no hospital. But sometimes things just don’t work out the way we want them to. You know? Like, this one time I made a whole batch of peanut butter balls, and I stashed them in my nightstand, thinking I could ration them out and eat one every night before I went to bed. But you know what happened?

Tiana:…

Lotus: Ants. Ants happed, Tiana.

Tiana:…

Lotus: Because ants love sweet treats, so-

Tiana: I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANTS!

Lotus: That’s a shame. Ants care about you.

Tiana: I can’t handle this. Is there someone else I can talk to?

Lotus: Well, my partners are…indisposed. They’re in deep water, so to speak.

(Giggles)

Tiana: I have no idea what you’re laughing about. My daughter could have been killed, and it seems like you don’t even care.

Lotus: Do you like poetry? I do. When I get all worked up about stuff that’s out of my control, I like to recite this little ditty to myself. It’s by Alabi. It goes: Life may not let me choose my lot,
But whether I’d be happy or not…That is my choice. Lovely, right?

Tiana: No. It’s infuriating, and I need some actual answers from you.

Lotus: Alright. Here are some answers. Your daughter was the victim of an unfortunate stinging. We don’t know why she went into a coma. Maybe her body had some kind of severe allergic reaction. When we realized the extent of the damage, we shipped her home to you, where she could receive proper medical care. We were informed that she came out of the coma, and is fine now.

Tiana: Yes, but-

Lotus: Not finished. It has been four moon cycles since she was sent home. Why are you calling me now, after all this time?

Tiana: Because…

Lotus: Whatever the problem is, I’m here to listen.

Tiana: I just…

Lotus: You can tell me.

Tiana: There was a…chemical spill.

Lotus: Oh no!

Tiana: Our house is damaged beyond repair. We don’t have any money to buy a new house. It’s all just…

Lotus: I understand. You were hoping that I could give you money. Is that right?

Tiana: Hey! I’m not out of line here. My kid was seriously injured!

Lotus: Of course she was. But, moving on — tell me about this chemical spill. How did it happen?

Tiana: It was a hazmat truck. It crashed on the overpass, and all the contents spilled onto our house. It was some kind of radioactive stuff. We had to evacuate, and our house is totally uninhabitable.

Lotus: That is completely unacceptable. Something has to be done.

Tiana: So…you’ll give me some money? For damages?

Lotus: No way! I can’t afford that kind of payout! We live on a self sustaining island. All I have to offer is chickens and sand — I would have to sell organs to pay you more than a few hundred dollars.

Tiana: Oh.

Lotus: But there is something else I can offer you.

Tiana: We aren’t interested in attending your camp again.

Lotus: I’m not offering that. I’m offering something much better. Justice.

Tiana: What?

Lotus: Toxic waste is a huge problem, not just for you, but for the whole planet. It ruins everything, destroys ecosystems, makes humans sick, and is just plain evil. I think that the way this toxic waste was handled is deeply problematic. We on Feather Island have ways of solving these kinds of problems.

Tiana: What ways? What are you talking about?

Lotus: Well…I’d rather not discuss it on an unencrypted line. But maybe I could pay you a visit, so we can discuss our options?

Tiana: Um…I guess.

Lotus: Great! Sit tight, and I’ll be there within the week. Tell Cleo I’m excited to see her.

Tiana: I will. But what’s going to happen? Are you going to get them to pay me for damages, or…

Lotus: You’ll see. Everything is going to work out perfectly. Don’t you worry about a thing.

(Call ends)

It’s the end of the school year. For most kids, it’s time to relax and get ready for summer. For Fanny, there’s work. She has a brand-new baby brother, and she’s been hired by Zeus to look after his “injured” son. And she still has her and her friends’ cheesemaking business! Fanny is overwhelmed.

But then she meets three sirens who want Fanny to join them on Feather Island for a summer of singing, instrument playing, and fun at the beach. The program is totally free and could start an amazing musical career-the thing that Fanny has always wanted the most.

Athena and Gemma are dead set against it. Athena says that the sirens are bad news; that their whole purpose in life is to lure men to their deaths with their beautiful singing. Gemma says that Feather Island is part of a network of unmappable islands, the type of place where criminals and sketchy organizations hoard their wealth and do their crimes.

Surely, the sirens don’t do that anymore, right? All that stuff was a long time ago. If the sirens want to keep their island paradise a secret, well, that’s not so weird, is it? Fanny has talked to them, and she just knows that they aren’t as evil as everyone says. They are perfectly nice ladies.

Right?

Follow Fanny Fitzpatrick as she navigates big sisterhood, friends who disapprove of her life choices, burning ambitions, and a bunch of sirens luring her away to their private island.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The thing with funerals is, you have to be sad. Or at least, you have to act sad, because it’s ghoulish and weird to be happy at a funeral, even if you really, really didn’t like the person who died. But when someone dies, you can’t say you didn’t like them. You have to pretend that whoever died was a nice person, who you will miss very much.

That’s the situation I’m in today. I’m at a funeral for my cousin, Ava May. And it IS sad that she’s dead. OBVIOUSLY. My aunt and uncle are devastated, and my mom has been crying all morning, and even my dad got a little teary, and I don’t think he liked Ava May either, but of course he can never say that, because she’s dead.

The thing with Ava May is, she was never nice to me. Ever. She was always saying terrible things about my family because we don’t have as much money as hers. My aunt is an oceanographer and a college professor, and my uncle is an investment banker, and together I think they make a lot more money than us, but that doesn’t mean my family is trash or whatever. My family is fine. But Ava May was always like, “Oh my god, who doesn’t have a pool in this day and age? Don’t you get hot in the summer?” And “I can’t believe you’ve never been to France. You’re so provincial.”

But now Ava May is dead, and I can’t be mad at her anymore, because A) it would be petty and B) it wouldn’t do any good.

About the Author: Dana Hammer is a novelist, screenwriter and playwright. She has won over forty awards and honors for her writing, few of which generated income, all of which were deeply appreciated. She is not a cannibal, but she is the author of A Cannibals Guide to Fasting. Dana is also the author of middle grade fantasy My Best Friend Athena which was inspired by a desire to write something her 9 year old daughter could read.

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Coming Up with Titles by L.T. Getty – Guest Post and Giveaway

January 24, 2025 By 5 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.T. Getty 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.

Coming Up With Titles

Coming up with Fantasy Titles is easy! Just pick a format:

1) A _______ of _________ ; if you’re feeling dangerous making it a little longer:
2) A ________ of ________ & _________
Or go with Good Old Classic
3) ___________ of the ___________

Switch around “of” to “and” as needed or like a good boomer add a “The”, then pick from the following list:

Moon
Sword
Throne
Ash
Fire
Wolf
Prince
Sea
Crown
Midnight

I’m kidding. These are popular formats. Famous examples include:

1) The Wheel of Time; Tower of Obsidian; The Sword of Truth
2) A Court of Thorns and Roses; A Song of Ice and Fire; A Ballad of Snakes and Songbirds
3) The Lord of the Rings; Gardens of the Moon; Faith of the Fallen

Again kidding – Tower of Obsidian isn’t famous.

Whether we’re talking about an individual book or are coming up with a series name, you usually need something relatively short and punchy, unique and memorable. Why short? Because it will get a nickname otherwise and, while I have no problem using ACoTaR and TLotR, those are famous, if you’re not careful it’ll be that book with the dragons and it had red. Also, it may be listed with the series title, and again, these are famous, but A Song of Ice and Fire: A Dance with Dragons or The Wheel of Time: Fires from Heaven; but it’s more common for books for young readers, such as Harry Potter & the Philosopher’s Stone or Percy Jackson & The Lightning Thief. I don’t know how much you care about covers but, I’d like the title not to be completely crammed in there.

The first thing I would consider if this is going to be a standalone or a series and figure out if you want a running theme. For instance, I have another series called Rogue Healer, and the format follows Person’s Something: Witchslayer’s Scion, Magus Gambit, Titan’s Ascent, and the working title for the next in the sequence is Hawk’s Flight, but that might change. I like having meaning about what’s going on in the story, so it’s not uncommon for me to be drafting and come up with a title midway or even after I have a working draft.

I had several considerations when naming A Fable of Wood and String. My father pointed out The Puppet Master was already taken and not at all original, but that was always my intended name for the duology as a whole and never each book. Several contenders included Songs Foxes Sing, Of Shepherds and Foxes, and my first solid one I came up with was A Ballad of Wood and String – music plays an integral part of the story – but The Hunger Games launched a new book/movie in 2023 (The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes), so I decided that would sound too much like piggy-backing, so I changed Ballad to Fable. I wouldn’t begrudge anyone else if they chose not to do this, but my niece also is not a fan of The Hunger Games, so I wanted to distance myself between the two.

I considered A Jig of Wood and String but it didn’t sound right. To me, etymology is important, and a Fable is usually a short morality tale often featuring talking animals. It has other definitions though:

fable
noun
1. a short tale to teach a moral lesson, often with animals or inanimate objects as characters; apologue: Aesop’s fables.
the fable of the tortoise and the hare;
Aesop’s fables.
2. a story not founded on fact:
This biography is largely a self-laudatory fable.
3. a story about supernatural or extraordinary persons or incidents; legend:
the fables of gods and heroes.
4. legends or myths collectively:
the heroes of Greek fable.
5. an untruth; falsehood:
This boast of a cure is a medical fable.
6. the plot of an epic, a dramatic poem, or a play.
7. idle talk:
old wives’ fables.
https://www.dictionary.com/browse/fable

Most of these work, so one could argue which one I meant. It’s a work of fiction (2), but that’s using it in the vaguest way possible. I’d argue foremostly it’s also the plot of an epic (6) and about supernatural events (3), so the fact that the foxes talk are a bonus.

Wood & String has several meanings. The first and most obvious is that marionettes are traditionally made of wood (and plaster, glass, etc) and are controlled by string. The second is the mandolin Lily plays and uses is again made of wood and strings. Finally, there’s the dynamic between the fox and the jorogumo. The jorogumo spins a web of lies and deceit and catches her victims. In this case she turns them into marionettes and controls them via strings. The fox on the other hand’s normal domain is the woods. This implies a game between two supernatural creatures with human beings in the balance.

So how does one start coming up with names? This is the case whether you’re trying to come up with a business name or even for chapters. Practice. Take a book or show you love and come up with something else that would work in a pinch. It’s not as easy as it first appears, but if you practice, I promise it’ll get easier. Look up words similar to the ones that the author/creator has already used and see if you can evoke a similar mood or theme or, consider if you wanted to go for a complete rebrand. How would you do it differently?

How are you at coming up with titles? Any trends you love, others you wish would go away? Comment below.


Would it hurt you to just do as you’re told?

The O’Connell siblings live in the shadow of their parent’s past, held back by obligation to keep the people of Stagmil safe when their father has to lead the non-hunters of their village to drive off a wyvern.

Lily doesn’t trust the stranger who calls herself Madeline when she staggers into the pastoral lands. The puppeteer seems to take an interest in Lily’s talent with the family mandoline, and she teaches Lily new music. Lily’s had songs stuck in her head before, but nothing like this.

Twins Seth and Tiffany however can’t wait for their father to return so they can get on with the shearing. Seth should at least be helping hunt the wyvern, and Tiffany wants to take her best friend Molly and head to the nearest city and see the world.

The twins and several other villagers are lured by song into the woods and transformed into marionettes: Seth breaking free before he can be strung, and Lily tainted in a way she doesn’t understand. They have the skills to track the woman down, but to restore Seth to his body, and rescue Tiffany and the others?

Tracking the woman takes them far from the familiar woodlands they know, across the sea to an enchanted castle, where in an effort to rescue their sister they’ll learn something much more sinister than turning folk into puppets is going on. They’ll get help, of course, but not from who they expected.

After all, last Seth checked, foxes are only supposed to have the one tail.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The figure in black started to play something else, and the other’s eyes widened. Tiffany shouted something, and they all reached for the soft wax of the candle but didn’t know what they were doing. In the haste of grabbing the candle, it was knocked to the ground.

Seth ignored his companions and nocked his bow. “Stop what you’re doing or I’ll shoot!”

The figure seemed undeterred. Seth knew he was about to commit murder, but he didn’t care and he wouldn’t leave Louis or any of them to whatever that doppelganger was, and this thing was obviously part of this plot. He loosed the arrow, and the figure only stopped playing to bat it away with the sword hidden under the cloak. Impossible, Seth thought, nocking another with a second between his fingers for quick redraw. He might not be the finest archer—but at this range he didn’t have to be, and no one could deflect arrows in succession for long.

Someone screamed. It looked like Rebecca was caught in a web when she tried to bolt from the glen between two trees. Seth unsheathed his long knife and went to help her, but the figure of Not-Lily appeared, taking off her face and standing near Rebecca. The face was completely blank underneath; Seth let out a surprised gasp before she replaced that face with something with six red eyes, two in the normal place with another four running up her forehead.

Then he saw it—her—grow. The lower half of her body swelled and became massive, bulbous, like the back half of a centaur; her body remained about the same size, but rather than fur and four legs, shimmering black hair and eight legs protruded from the torso, longer at the bend than Dale was tall. She towered over Rebecca. A giant spider . . . woman? There was something eerily feminine about it, a sort of terrible beauty that froze him when his instincts told him to move. She stepped over Rebecca, barrelling down on Seth. He loosed another arrow at her head, but she dodged and shot out webbing from her hands that knocked him backwards, pinning him to the grass. More spider silk flew and pinned his arm to the grass.

Seth tried to wriggle free the monster chased after Dale, and to Seth’s horror, caught him with long strands at his wrists, and wrangled him like a marionette. Dale wriggled against the webbing and she dragged him back, and it seemed that he was transforming in the shadow, shrinking and becoming . . . something else. Seth unbuttoned his over shirt to try to free himself.

Dale was reduced to the size of a doll, and the spider had shifted him to a web in the canopy before going after Tiffany. Brigid flailed between two trees, seemingly stuck in a giant web.

Louis cut Seth free and thrust the bow into Seth’s hand. He shouted something and Seth realized that if he got her attention, there wouldn’t be another time. Louis released his sling in the dark. Seth couldn’t see the rock’s trajectory but the spider reeled, leaving Tiffany and moved with intent on the pair of them. They darted in opposite directions, and by luck the creature honed in on Louis, giving Seth enough time to fire. The arrow bounced off the creature’s bulbous body.

Out of the corner of his eye, Seth thought he saw a fox or coyote dart from the bush and bound through the grass. It ran behind the mandolin-playing creature and bit it in the butt. Suddenly there were two people, but Seth couldn’t watch them.

Seth let loose another arrow, narrowly missing the torso, and shouted at the others to run—he wasn’t sure who it had now, was it Rebecca or Molly? The light was too poor for him to be certain, but whoever the spider held she was shrinking fast.

The creature turned, six red and black eyes focused on Seth, and came down on him with full force. Seth found his limbs caught by two bands of silk and forced above his head, and he was hoisted into the air. He locked eyes with Louis who was looking not only smaller, but . . . wooden. Against his control, Seth raised his hands to his ears and removed the wax, and sound same rushing back.

About the Author L.T. Getty is a Manitoba Paramedic. She received her degree in English in 2006 from the University of Winnipeg, and has gone on to write several novels. Her latest title, Titan’s Ascent, is a sword and sorcery forthcoming from Champagne Books for 2025.

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Where is Love? by Annie Caboose – Spotlight and Giveaway

January 6, 2025 By 1 Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Annie Caboose 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.

While walking in the garden one day, Annie, a curious little ant from Hillsville, meets a single poppy flower called Love. They become instant friends, sharing stories, laughing and talking for hours on end. Then one autumn day Annie goes to visit Love, but Love is not there. Remembering the rhyme that Love told her, she sets off on an adventure to find Love.

Love is with you every day.
Love is never far away.
Go search, go find and then you’ll see
All the places Love can be.

But don’t forget to look within
For often, that’s where Love begins.

May Annie’s story inspire anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved being, to look and perhaps still find them within their lives and within themselves.

Enjoy an Excerpt

About the Author:

Annie, a.k.a. the Caboose, is the youngest of nine children. Her loving mother read her lots of children’s stories, including some she wrote herself. Inspired by her mom, Annie wrote her first book, Where is Love? She resides on a lake in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, fascinated by the many birds that live there too.

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The Brave Prince in the Enchanted Forest by Beverly Brown – Spotlight and Giveaway

January 1, 2025 By 6 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Beverly Brown 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.

In the heart of a lush, beautiful serene forest, where butterflies, birds and bees freely dance in the gently breeze, a magical tale unfolds. Meet Prince, a majestic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, who loves this serene place that they call The Enchanted Forest. As the appointed guardian of this homeland by the beautiful Forest Fairy Princess Jenna Joy, Prince learns things about himself, makes new friends and protects the sanctity of the forest. This story is a heartwarming tale of courage, friendship and the beauty of nature. Follow Prince’s pawprints as he navigates his way through the forest and you will be immersed into a world of wonder and joy. You will be enchanted and reminded of all the magic and extraordinary powers that lie within the hearts of our loyal, furry companions.

Enjoy an Excerpt

In recognition of the Cavalier’s promise, Princess Jenna Joy placed a golden crown with red jewels, a symbol not only of royalty but also of untapped magical powers, atop his little head. She named him Prince, in honor of becoming the first leader of the forest.

At that time, a bolt of energy went through Prince’s body.

He felt different.

He felt special.

He felt more responsible.

He even felt taller.

About the Author: Beverly Brown is an author who has a passion for storytelling. With a 20-year career as a Human Resources Leader, she has honed her understanding of people and their unique stories – a skill she brings to her writing, infusing her tales with warmth, empathy, and insight.

Beyond the pages of writing and outside the corporate world, Beverly is a culinary enthusiast who finds joy in cooking and sharing meals with her family in Atlanta, Georgia.

She is an avid traveler, seeking inspiration in the diverse cultures and landscapes she encounters, and a dedicated gardener, nurturing her plants with the same care she pours into her storytelling. As a lifelong learner, Beverly is constantly seeking new knowledge and experiences, whether in her professional field or her personal pursuits.

Beverly is a certified Pet Grief Counselor and uses those skills to support families in managing the grief cycle of their beloved family pet. Through her Facebook group Paws in Paradise Support Group, she is helping to build another community where members support each other with compassion and understanding.

Her writing reflects this curiosity, offering readers stories that are as enriching as they are enchanting. Drawing inspiration from her personal experiences with her own fur babies, her stories are a testament to the gentle nature and loyal spirit of these charming canines.

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Winter Blogfest: Diane Billas

December 27, 2024 By 2 Comments

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a free e-copy of my book Superficial, open internationally. 

A New Tradition by Diane Billas

When I envision the holidays, you know what I see, me sitting curled up on the couch by the Christmas tree with a steaming mug of hot chocolate with a good holiday book. In reality that barely happens because of the craziness of the season, but one can always dream!

Another vision I get when I think about the holidays is the Christmas my family had last year. Most years my husband and Itravel to both families for Christmas, and let me tell you, they are not close to each other. We’d spend two plus hours in the car on Christmas day and arrive tired/stressed for Christmas dinner.

But last year was different. It was our first Christmas with our son, and we decided to stay home. We could see our extended families at some point, but we wanted Christmas to be time together with our new little family and it was glorious. We wore our Christmas pjs, helped our little one open his gifts, drank boozy hot chocolate while watching The Muppet Christmas Carol, and it was even warm enough to go to the playground. It was simple, but I absolutely loved it.

And you know what, we are hoping to do the same thing again this year. It’s going to be our new Christmas tradition to stay home and visit family before or after the craziness of the holidays, so we can just enjoy our time with them, and ourselves. I am also determined to sit by our Christmas tree and read a fun holiday book.

 

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea’s friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

 

Diane Billas is an award-winning author of the YA sapphic contemporary romance novel DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN?, featured in Parents Magazine, and the YA superhero novel SUPERFICIAL, both with Creative James Media. Her sapphic short story, THE PROM DO-OVER will be featured in the PROM PERFECT anthology, out Spring 2025 with Wild Ink Publishing.

Diane Billas lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn and piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit

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Winter Blogfest: Rosemary Morris

December 25, 2024 By Leave a Comment

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Indira and Daisy.

. 

 

Christmas Past by Rosemary Morris

My earliest memory of Christmas, in the year the 2nd World War ended, is of my mother taking me to Hamley’s the famous toy shop in Regent Street, London, when I was five years old. Doll’s houses, doll’s house furniture, prams and beautiful dolls with eyes that opened and closed enchanted me. I fell in love with one with dainty underwear, a sugar-candy-pink organdie dress and bonnet. I begged mother to buy it for me. She refused and told me not to cry. On Christmas day I unwrapped my present from my parents. Speechless with delight I cuddled the doll, I named Rosebud. Years later, my mother told me she took me to the toy shop because she thought a child should choose a doll which she liked best.

The run up to Christmas did not begin as early as it has in recent years. About a fortnight prior to Santa Claus bringing my stocking with a tangerine in the toe, some chocolate coins, a children’s annual and a few small toys, shopkeepers decorated their windows, we knew Christmas was near; and on the last day of term at my convent school, where a nun took the role of Mother Christmas instead of a male Father Christmas, my friends and I were in the festive spirit.

At home I enjoyed making multi-coloured paper chains from strips of multi-paper. They were hung across the ceiling in the lounge, their ends meeting at the large paper bell in the centre. In the room decorated with holly and Christmas cards were on the mantlepiece, my friends came to my party on the twenty-third. We played hunt the thimble, musical chairs and blind man’s bluff, followed by a sumptuous tea. Food was rationed but to provide the treat Mother had saved, for example. When parents came to collect the children, I said goodbye and gave each one a small present bought at Hamley’s.

On Christmas Eve Father brought a Christmas tree home. Nothing can completely recover what was, in my eyes, the magic of decorating it with tinsel, fragile baubles that would glitter in the light shed by tiny candles in holders and a dainty fairy doll on the top.

Tucked up in bed before I slept, I wondered what my presents from my parents, grandparents, other relatives and my mother’s best friend, who I called Aunty May, contained. As soon as I could write, I dreaded the task of writing thank you letters with pen and ink. I resented having to thank Aunty May for the children’s book Alice in Wonderland. Although I was a young book worm, I disliked the story and instead of being grateful stamped on Alice Through The Looking Glass which she gave me on the next year.

Yet Christmas was not merely about fun and presents. At Sunday school we studied the Nativity, helped to arrange the creche in the church, with figures of baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the shepherds. I loved the atmosphere and the ‘playing of the merry organ and sweet singing in the choir.’ At home we enjoyed a traditional lunch and, at teatime, my mother’s homemade fruit cake covered with marzipan under a layer of snow-white icing sugar.

On Boxing Day, we ate delicious leftovers, and in the evening family and friends gathered at our house to enjoy each other’s company.

 

Grammar schoolgirls fourteen-year-old Indira Nathwani and Daisy Royston have been best friends since they were four years old. Indira lives in Southeast England with her wealthy Hindu family, an older brother, pious grandfather, parents, and aunt and uncle. In their temple room her grandfather teaches her to worship and serve God with love and devotion. Daisy lives with her mother, a single parent who works hard to provide for her. Since her devout Christian grandmother’s death, Daisy rarely attends church. Sometimes she and Indira agree to disagree about their cultures and religions, but it never affects their friendship. However, Indira, who is not allowed to go out alone, is envious of her best friend’s freedom. Daisy’s only known relative is her mother, who she loves and appreciates, but she struggles not to envy Indira for having a large, perfect family. Daisy stays at the Nathwani’s house to celebrate Diwali and the Hindu new year on the next day. To reciprocate, Daisy’s mother invites Indira to stay for three nights at her house to celebrate Christmas. The Nathwani family’s refusal leads to tragedy, which Indira is blamed for, then a shocking revelation causes distress. Indira is distraught and Daisy realises Indira’s family is not perfect. 

“A fascinating view of two vastly different cultures shown through these two teenage girls.”

Maggi Andersen.

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Winter Blogfest: Vicki-Ann Bush

December 25, 2024 By 4 Comments

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win an ebook copy of Alex McKenna and the Geranium Death. 

Christmas 1997 by Vicki-Ann Bush

My story begins not with joy but with one of the scariest evenings my parents ever experienced. However, I promise if you stay with me to the end you will smile.

It was 1997 and we all resided in Las Vegas, Nevada. My parents, who were retired, lived a modest lifestyle. Enjoying their home and family was the most important way to spend their time. We had all been celebrating my youngest child’s birthday at our home, which was about a 25-minute drive for Mom and Dad. It was getting late, and they were tired, so they decided it was time to go home. We had our good-bye hugs and kisses (Italians take longer to say hello and good-bye than the actual time it takes for the celebration) and walked them to their car.

I’m not sure how much time passed but I had just snuggled into bed when the phone rang. My mom could barely get the words out. My heart raced and my brain shut down. All I could think of was that they were in an accident and Dad was seriously injured. Then over gasps for air, she pushed the words past her lips, “We were robbed! They broke down the front door. All the Christmas gifts are gone.”

The thieves had taken everything, even my mom’s jewelry. My parents were inconsolable. How could someone do this? These were the words they asked over and over again. We found out later that they had been doing it for a while. Hitting homes at the holidays. Eventually, the universe did catch up with them and they were caught. But that didn’t help my mom and dad. They fell into a depression. Only twelve days until Christmas and they couldn’t financially replace everything that was under the tree.

Every Christmas Eve, my parents would open their home to people who didn’t have family or who were separated by miles from their loved ones. Mom would cook for a week. Setting out an abundance of delicious Italian food and delectable desserts. We had the best time, and everyone looked forward to December 24th at the Guidice home. But this year, it was going to be different. Or, at least that’s what they thought.

Unbeknownst to my parents, our family got together and reached out to the friends my parents had helped over the years. Everyone came through with a little something that they could afford. We went shopping and replaced what we could, and used the remaining funds to help them have the most beautiful Christmas Eve ever. All of the usuals came, and a few new faces as well. My mom and dad were overwhelmed with love. Our family spoke about that Christmas Eve for years, and we will never forget the joy and love that not even a vicious few could take away from our family and friends.

 

No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it…so shall it be.

Alex McKenna’s plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven.

The little girl needs his help and he’s willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother’s warning, he chooses to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven’s older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century. 

To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the treacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit who feeds off of the souls of children. 

Could this be Alex’s last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it’s too late?

 

Originally from New York, Vicki-Ann is an award-winning author and short screenplay writer. She currently resides in the Pacific Northwest. Writing Young Adult paranormal, she finds inspiration from events that have been in her life for as long as she can remember. Inheriting the sensitivity to the supernatural from her family, they continue to be an endless source of vision.

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Winter Blogfest: Tammy Lowe

December 25, 2024 By 2 Comments

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win three e-books from The Acadian Secret Series: The Acadian Secret, The Sleeping Giant, and Rise Like a Phoenix. 

Why Nova Scotia Sends a Christmas Tree to Boston Every Year by Tammy Lowe

Every year, the tiny Canadian province of Nova Scotia sends a Christmas Tree to Boston, Massachusetts.

“Why?” I hear you ask.

Well, grab a cup of hot chocolate and gather round for story-time.


Did you know…as World War One raged across Europe, the largest man-made bomb (prior to Hiroshima) went off—

In the Halifax Harbor.


It was the hub of Canada’s war effort.

Home of the Royal Canadian Navy.

And base for merchant ships from around the globe.


December 6th, 1917.

Normally, a flag would fly from a ship to alert others if it was carrying explosives. However, the captain of a French freighter, the Mont-Blanc, decided not to fly the flag to avoid the possibility of becoming a target of any German U-boats.


The Mont-Blanc carried:

–2,300 tons of picric acid

–200 tons of TNT

–35 tons of high-octane gasoline

–10 tons of gun cotton.


Meanwhile, after a series of “unfortunate events”, a relief ship bound for Belgium ended up on the wrong side of the channel—heading straight for the Mont-Blanc.


At the last moment, the Mont-Blanc tried to turn, the relief ship tried to reverse its engines, but the two ships collided.

8:45 am.

The damage wasn’t more than a large gash, however the collision caused benzol fuel to leak.

The metal from the colliding ships caused sparks to fly, igniting a fire.


The Captain of the Mont-Blanc knew this was disastrous and ordered everyone to abandon ship. In lifeboats, his crew rowed toward shore, all the while yelling at everyone, warning of the danger.


However, none of the French crew of the Mont-Blanc spoke English.


Crowds gathered along the harbor to watch the burning ships, completely oblivious to the horror yet to unfold.


The Mont-Blanc floated closer to Pier Six, starting the wooden structure on fire. The Halifax fire-department sent its brand spanking new gas-powered fire truck.

Meanwhile, Canadian and British navy ships began rescuing people from the water.


Eventually, word of the actual danger everyone was in began to spread. Vincent Coleman, who ran the telegraph station, realized a passenger train was due at the pier any moment.

He frantically sent out a warning:

“Hold up the train.

Ammunition ship afire in harbor making for Pier 6 and will explode.

Guess this will be my last message.

Good-bye boys.”


It was his final message.


At 9:05, the fire reached the cargo hold of the Mont-Blanc.


With the force of a nuclear bomb, the ship disappeared in a white flash. Everything was flattened within a mile. Windows were blown out of buildings up to 60 miles away.


The explosion then caused a tsunami, sending ships out of the harbor and onto the shore.

Houses collapsed.

Fires were started in the rubble of fireplaces and stoves.


At least 2000 died that morning.

9000 were injured.


At first, nobody knew the ship carried the explosives. They assumed Halifax had been hit by the Germans. So, all German speaking residents were rounded up. It wasn’t until later in the day they realized what had really happened.


To make matters even worse, as the rescuers searched the debris for survivors—a blizzard arrived in Halifax.


Yep. A blizzard.


This made the search even more difficult as would-be survivors in the rubble were now buried beneath snow, trains couldn’t arrive, and travel was severely hindered.


Word spread throughout Canada and the USA of the devastating events. Within hours, Boston, Massachusetts raced to send medical personnel and equipment to help the Nova Scotians.

They were the first to arrive and the last to leave.

And that is why, to this day, Nova Scotia sends a Christmas Tree to the city of Boston as an expression of everlasting gratitude.


Canadian Heritage Minute:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw-FbwmzPKo

When Elisabeth London travels back in time to the 14th century, she is transported to a world straight out of the pages of a fairy-tale. Swept away by the adventure and romance, Elisabeth follows her heart—and Aquarius—into this whole new world.

But Elisabeth soon learns her father has discovered where (or rather when) she is. He’s sent a bounty-hunter to bring her home. Although a million questions buzz through her mind, there’s one thing she’s certain of—her parents will never let her hang out in the 14th century with a guy she met in Ancient Rome.

With her heart at stake, can Elisabeth avoid the bounty-hunter and find a way to stay in this fairy-tale world?

Or is her love-life about to take a rather grim twist?

Find out in Elisabeth London’s timeless story of love, danger, and adventure.

 

An adventurer at heart, Tammy has explored ruins in Rome, Pompeii, and Istanbul (Constantinople) with historians and archaeologists.

She’s slept in the tower of a 15th-century castle in Scotland, climbed down the cramped tunnels of Egyptian pyramids, scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sailed on a tiny raft down the Yulong River in rural China, dined at a Bedouin camp in the Arabian Desert, and escaped from head-hunters in the South Pacific.

I suppose one could say her own childhood wish of time-traveling adventures came true…in a roundabout way.

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Writing Tips for Authors by Denise Alicea – Guest Blog and Giveaway

December 16, 2024 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Denise Alicea 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.

Writing Tips for Authors
Here are my tips for writers below.

Read Widely
Immerse yourself in various genres and styles to expand your literary horizons.

Write Consistently
Establish a regular writing schedule and stick to it. Touch your work daily, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Find Your Voice
Don’t try to imitate others. Develop your unique writing style and perspective.

Embrace the First Draft
Allow yourself to write imperfectly. The first draft is about getting your ideas down.

Show, Don’t Tell
Use vivid descriptions and sensory details to bring your story to life.

Edit Ruthlessly
Be willing to “kill your darlings” and cut anything that doesn’t serve the story.

Seek Feedback
Connect with other writers and find beta readers to provide constructive criticism.

Keep Learning
Attend writing workshops, read craft books, and continuously work on improving your skills.

Remember, every writer starts somewhere. Keep writing, stay persistent, and your skills will grow with practice.

It is Christmas. Apollo, sleeping on his new cushion, is a rescue cat who has just found his forever home. He is surprised to hear a man coming down the chimney, but his first sight of Santa Claus reassures him that this man is friendly. They talk for a while, and Santa Claus explains who he is and what Christmas is all about. Apollo listens carefully and has just one wish – that all cats everywhere could be as lucky and cared for as he is. Will his wish come true? Read on and find out all about Santa Claws!

About the Author: Born in Manhattan and raised in Connecticut, Denise Alicea started writing when drawing and painting simply weren’t enough. A writer of poetry, fantasy, time travel, romance and more, Denise has won several awards and has had several finalist nominations. She loves technology, reading, watching movies, and managing her blog over at The Pen & Muse Book Reviews

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A Superhero Story, Philly Style by Diane Billas – Guest Blog and Giveaway

November 5, 2024 By 5 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. The author 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.

A Superhero Story, Philly Style

I absolutely love superhero movies. Before having a child, I’d always drag my friend or partner to the newest superhero release. Now, I just wait until they come on Disney+ but as soon as it’s uploaded, I’m ready to watch the movie, or show, so it only made sense that I tried writing my own superhero story.

But it didn’t start out that way. I was participating in a Twitter pitch event for my first book, DOES LOVE ALWAYS WIN?, and I noticed there were these really cool pitches all centered around an event, like a TV reality competition or something like that. That got me thinking, what do I love that I could center my next book around? And then I remembered how much fun I had at a Comic-Con convention in Philadelphia, which had been focused on just superheroes (Chris Hemsworth, Chris Evans, and Tom Hiddleston were even there!). I sat down, started writing, and the words kept flowing. Then, as I was penning my story, the star of the Comic-Con convention, Jake Johnson aka The Amazing Boy, became a superhero in real life and no one knew it. That’s when my book turned a corner and became a superhero story and SUPERFICIAL was born.

It’s set in a dual perspective, which is something I’ve never done before but I thought it was important to hear both sides of the story, from the perspective of the fan attending the conference, Lea, and from the superhero, Jake. After they get stuck in an elevator together, they must team up, along with a few friends they find along the way, to figure out why everyone at the convention has disappeared and to also find the villain who has been stealing precious artifacts from Philadelphia’s top institutions.

I had so much fun writing this story; it blends a lot of my favorite topics, obviously superheroes, but it also includes museums and classical music. I’m not originally from Philly, but this story is my love letter to the city. I really enjoy living here and I showcase some of the premier museums and tourist sites in this book. SUPERFICIAL is Marvel meets National Treasure, Philly style.

Embark on a thrilling adventure with Lea and Jake as they navigate the unexpected twists and turns at the biggest superhero fan convention of the year. When Lea finds herself trapped in an elevator during the event with superstar Jake, also known as The Amazing Boy, they realize something sinister is afoot. With everyone at the convention frozen, including Lea’s friends, Lea and Jake must team up to unravel the mystery behind the villainous acts plaguing Philadelphia. As they race against time, Lea grapples with whom to trust, while Jake uncovers startling truths about his own identity. A pulse-pounding journey filled with friendship, betrayal, and the ultimate quest for justice, will Lea and Jake save the day, or will supervillains prevail? Dive into this gripping tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Enjoy an Excerpt

LEA

A lone figure lingers in the back corner of the elevator wearing a navy-blue Yankees baseball hat, their face cast downwards. I push for level two when there is a large bang. The lights flicker and go out. Deathly silence follows but is broken by a curse word behind me. I whip around, trying to make out the figure’s face.

“Watch that cape, you almost gave me cape burn,” the voice grumbles.

“Sorry. I never knew how annoying wearing a cosplay costume would be,” I reply, biting my lip.

When the silence continues, I nervously keep up my word vomit. “This is my first time coming to one of these things. I should’ve taken a page out of your book and worn the incognito star look. I would’ve been more comfortable on the plane flight earlier this morning and gotten less strange looks.”

Backup lights flicker on. I can barely see the figure lift his head and look at me directly in the eyes. My heart drops.

“About the incognito star look,” he says, his dark eyes full of hesitation.

No way.

No freaking way.

He isn’t playing an incognito star.

He is the star of today’s show. The last-minute addition that made the entire WizCon event sell out as soon as his name was announced.

A gasp escapes my mouth. I can’t physically stop it if I tried. I’m from the middle of nowhere Ohio. You don’t see a movie star on an elevator or anywhere in your vicinity. Keep calm, Lea, don’t scare him off. He’s incognito for a reason.

“Oh.”

That’s what I come up with to say. I mean, what else am I going to utter aloud?

About the Author:

Photographer credit:
Sam Rodriguez
S.R.WeddingStory

Diane Billas currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and son. When she’s not writing she can be found reading multiple books at once, performing the French horn or piano, or dreaming of the next country she’s going to visit.

Does Love Always Win? is her debut novel, which released June 2023 from Creative James Media. This book was drawn from Diane’s personal experiences as a queer individual who has struggled throughout life being comfortable identifying and expressing herself. Diane wrote the book she wished was available to her when she was in high school.

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