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Top Five Songs about Ghosts and Spirits by Parker Williams – Guest Blog and Giveaway

January 23, 2019 By 3 Comments


Long and Short Reviews welcomes Parker Williams who is visiting with us today to celebrate the recent release of The Spirit Key, the first book in his Lock and Key series. Enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win a signed copy of the book.

Top 5 songs about ghosts and spirits

The people at Long and Short Reviews have asked for an original top five for The Spirit Key. Parker suggested I find five songs about…spirits and ghosts. Really? You couldn’t have asked me for my top five favorite desserts or the guys I found hot when I was a kid? Fine. Whatever.

#5: Legend of Wooley Swamp by Charlie Daniels.

Charlie Daniels had two songs I liked a lot. The first, of course, was The Devil Went Down to Georgia. When I was a kid, I got a thrill when I heard him say, “I done told you one, you son of a bitch, I’m the best there’s ever been.” So that song stuck with me, even if Johnny’s song wasn’t nearly as good as the Devil’s. Just saying.

Anyway, the other song he did that hit me in the feels was The Legend of Wooley Swamp, which tells the story of a rich, miserly man who runs afoul of three brothers who kill him and steal his money. It also talks about instant Karma. I’m not sure why, but the song continues to resonate with me to this day.

#4: Something in My House by Dead or Alive

This isn’t exactly about ghosts or spirits, but I loved the imagery of the song, and I’d always loved their music. From Youthquake to Mad, Bad, and Dangerous to know, they tripped my gay youth in a big way.

#3: Ghostbuster’s Theme Song by Ray Parker Jr.

Because, duh! This was the seminal song for spirits and those who hunted them. Growing up, I sometimes wished my life would be a lot more like this, but no. They got the fun ghosts like Slimer. I got… Well, people with missing faces, and things like that. Really, life is never like the movies.

#2: Hotel California by The Eagles

Okay, I’m going to admit, I have no idea if they’re ghosts or spirits or demons or whatever. But the song was catchy and my mom listened to it a lot, so I got into it. Good thing the guy escaped, too! Being trapped forever with spirits and ghosts might suck.

And finally, #1!

Ghost Riders in the Sky from the movie Ghost Rider by Spiderbait

Okay, this is not the original, nor even the first remake, but this was my favorite version of the song, because it was ghost related! Even though in the comics he was really a demon named Zarathos, or something. But still, the song was pretty dang cool!

So there you have it. My top five ghost related songs. Hope you like them.

When he was eight years old, Scott Fogel died. Paramedics revived him, but he came back changed. Ghosts and spirits tormented Scott for over a decade until, thinking he was going mad, he did the only thing he could.

He ran—leaving behind his best friend, Tim Jennesee.

Scott’s had five normal, ghost-free years in Chicago, when the spirit of Tim’s mother comes to him and begs him to go home because Tim’s in trouble and needs him.

He isn’t prepared for what he finds when he goes home—a taller and sexier Tim, but a Tim who hasn’t forgiven Scott for abandoning him… a Tim whose body is no longer his own. The ghost of a serial murderer has attached itself to Tim, and it’s whispering dark and evil things. It wants Tim to kill, and it’s becoming harder for Tim to resist. To free the man who has always meant so much to him, Scott must unravel the mystery of the destiny he shares with Tim.

Enjoy an Excerpt

WHAT MEMORY stands out most in your mind from when you were a kid? For many of my friends, it was getting a good grade on a test they were sure they’d fail, making a catch during a football game, or finding out the person they were crushing on liked them back. For others, it was more physical, like their first kiss or having sex for the first time.

For me, the one that topped that list was in the summer of 2002. The memory? Me dying. Well, almost dying. I mean, technically, I was dead for twenty-seven minutes, at least according to the paramedics and doctors.

See, I had gone down to the quarry with my brother and some of his friends. I was eight at the time, and to be invited to go along with the “big kids” was a heady thing.

Okay, fine. My mom told them they had to take me, but they weren’t supposed to let me know.

That’s not the point of the story, however. Still, between us, when your brother tells you that Mom said he had to take you and that you ruined his day by dying? That kind of sticks with you.

Anyway. The whole week had been hotter than hell—upper nineties, heat index topping a hundred, with no breeze at all. What made it worse was the humidity. Everyone complained their clothes stuck to them, and we all would have given anything for a bit of cool air. Those were the days you wanted to do nothing more than stretch out in front of the air conditioner and fantasize about being in the arctic.

Of course, those are also the times that drive Mom mad, like when we’re there, whining about how hot it is, and my brother announces he’s going swimming with his friends, and she tells him to take me along to the quarry with him.
Fine. I’m a little hostile over that memory, but in my defense, I died, so I think I have a right to be a tad grumpy.
Moving on….

There were a few old trees that stretched out over a pit of water. In the seventies, the place had been used to mine rocks that were crushed to use in gardens and the like. When the company that owned it shut down, it left a huge hole in the ground. Over time, it filled with water, which attracted kids from all over, wanting to swim. That was our destination for the day.

By the time we got there, all of our T-shirts had soaked with sweat. I distinctly remember looking at Cole Turner and seeing wisps of dark hair on his chest and wondering to myself what it would look like once he took his shirt off. I wasn’t sure why that thought flitted through my head, but it was gone just as quickly, because I saw Tim Jennesee sitting on a rock, taking off his shoes.

“Tim!”

He turned and smiled at me, waving like a freak. I took off running. Tim had been my best friend forever—which at the time was probably a few months, but in my eight-year-old mind, that qualified as a really long time—and seeing him there was a surprise. Normally he preferred to stay inside and play on the computer, indulging in game worlds like the Sims. Later he graduated to MMORPGs like EverQuest, with the promise that one day he would be creating them instead of playing someone else’s.

I got to where he sat and took my spot at his side. He nudged me with his shoulder. “I didn’t know you were going to be here!”

“Ryan asked me to come along.” See? I thought my brother was all cool and stuff. Shows how much I knew.

“Really? My mom said I had to get out of the house. I figured I’d come swimming for a while. I tried to call, but—”

“We were already on our way here.”

I hadn’t thought to call him, and I felt bad… for about three seconds. I was with Tim and the day had gotten a thousand times better. His dark hair shone in the sun, and his brown eyes sparkled. Being with him was enough to make me smile, and having him there with me made the day perfect.

Okay, here’s where things go to shit, so you’ll have to indulge me a bit. I don’t often discuss my death with people, because they ask all kinds of inane questions, and I’m so over that shit.

There was a big tree that stretched out over the watery pit. Someone had climbed it, tied off a rope, then knotted it at the other end. See, the idea was to grab hold, push off, and soar out into the nothingness, then arc high in the sky before letting go and plunging into the water, sinking, then rising once again until you broke the surface, then rushed to have another turn.

Doesn’t that sound idyllic? Like a Norman Rockwell painting or something?

Yeah, you’d think that.

It was my turn. I’d hedged about it all day, because I hated the idea of being so high in the air and falling. Ryan openly mocked me, and his friends teased me to no end. When Tim got up and announced he was going to do it, well, that raised the bar right there. How could my best friend do it, while I was too chicken?

Wrapping his hands around the rope, Tim ran and leaped off the edge, soaring into the air with a loud cry. Then, as he reached the apex of the arc, he let go. For a moment everything stopped, as he rose a little higher, then hung in the air before he dropped like a stone, laughing all the way.

When he broke the surface of the water a few seconds later, my heart started beating again.

“So, nerdy Tim can do it, but little Scotty is too much of a baby.”

It’s funny how you don’t remember how much of an ass your brother was when you were a kid, isn’t it?

“I’m not a baby!”

“Then prove it, chicken.”

“Fine!”

I stormed over to the rope and took hold of it. I glanced down into the murky pit, and my heart stuttered once more.

“Come on, Scott. It’s fun!”

Tim came jogging over, water sluicing down his chest, his hair matted to his forehead. Weirdly, that stray thought about Cole? Yeah, so over it. Now it was Tim that I was staring at.

“Okay.”

I was going to make Tim proud of me. I didn’t understand why, but thinking of him running over and hugging me, telling me how great I’d done? It became the only thought in my head at the moment.

I turned back and set myself, ready to do it. One quick glance at Tim, who nodded at me, and I rushed to the edge, jumped, and flew.

It was amazing. One second gravity has been conquered, and you’re flying up, up, up. Then you remember that everyone is gravity’s bitch, and you’re jerked back down. I hit the water, flush with pride over having done it.

When I flapped my arms to go back to the surface, though, that was when shit got real.

I couldn’t move my foot. Something had wrapped around it and held me below the surface. In my mind, a shark had grabbed me and was dragging me down. I struggled, trying to swim up, and my lungs burned.

You have to know, at this time, my mind had refused to believe I was going to die. It kept screaming for me to fight, to do whatever the hell I had to in order to get back to the surface. And I fought as hard as I could. Only….

At one point, I thought I’d gotten free, and my struggles to swim back to the surface intensified. I pushed hard against the water, trying to get up, back into the sun, but then I knew I was still stuck, and I had no more breath in my lungs.

I remember opening my mouth to scream for Tim to help me, but the murky water rushed in, and I choked, which led to more water being drawn into my body. Everything sort of went hazy and then shifted to black.

I’d died.

About the Author: Parker Williams began to write as a teen, but never showed his work to anyone. As he grew older, he drifted away from writing, but his love of the written word moved him to reading. A chance encounter with an author changed the course of his life as she encouraged him to never give up on a dream. With the help of some amazing friends, he rediscovered the joy of writing, thanks to a community of writers who have become his family.
Parker firmly believes in love, but is also of the opinion that anything worth having requires work and sacrifice (plus a little hurt and angst, too). The course of love is never a smooth one, and happily-ever-after always has a price tag.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Email“> | Goodreads

Buy the book at Dreamspinner Press or Amazon.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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A Merciful Fate by Kendra Elliot – Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

January 17, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Kendra Elliot who is celebrating the recent release of A Merciful Fate. Enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card and a digital copy of the book.

Raised by preppers, survivalist and FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick has a deep-rooted need for a safe place. Her getaway in the Cascade Foothills is her secret. But when skeletal remains are unearthed—those of a murdered man linked to a notorious heist—Mercy realizes she isn’t the only one with something to hide.

Thirty years ago, an armored-car robbery turned deadly. The mastermind was captured. Four conspirators vanished with a fortune. One of them, it appears, never made it out of the woods alive. For Mercy and her fiancé, Police Chief Truman Daly, their investigation opens old wounds in Eagle’s Nest that cut deeper than they imagined. Especially when a reckless tabloid reporter draws fresh blood. It’s clear to Mercy that somebody in this close-knit community is not who they seem to be.

Some are still shattered by the heist. Some still have reason to be afraid. But which one will kill again and again to hide three decades of secrets? To land this case, it’s up to Mercy to unmask a familiar stranger before someone else dies.

Enjoy an Exclusive Excerpt

“I haven’t told you everything.” Sandy’s voice shook.

Bree took her hand and squeezed. “Talk away.”

Comfort flowed from her friend’s hand. “You know he physically abused me. I told you how I had to sneak away and change my name.”

“Yes.”

The care in Bree’s gaze nearly undid her. “You don’t know how bad it was … It wasn’t just the physical stuff. It was mental and emotional too.”

“Of course it was,” Bree said gently. “They go hand in hand.”

“I had no money. He wouldn’t let me work. He gave me some cash at the beginning of every month and that was to buy all our groceries and anything else the house needed.” The words spilled out of her. She’d opened a gate that’d been locked for a decade. “I knew how to stretch every dollar. I planted a garden to make the grocery money last longer. I traded with neighbors for fruit from their trees and firewood for heat. When he realized this, he cut the cash back more because I clearly didn’t need it. It wasn’t about the lack of money—not completely. It was the mental abuse. Everything was my fault. The reason he couldn’t give me more money was my fault. The reason the meals were never tasty enough was my fault. The reason he had to work was my fault. Nothing was ever good enough.”

“That’s horrible.”

“I was stuck. I didn’t know how to leave. He wanted children … I never understood how he could be so disgusted with me but also want children from me.” Her heart pounded. “Of course it was my fault I never got pregnant. I got birth control. I might not have been able to do anything else, but you can be damned certain I would do anything to keep from having his child. I guarded those pills with my life. I had nightmares that he’d find my hiding spot and beat me, throw out the pills.” Revulsion racked her.

“Oh, Sandy.” Bree looked ready to cry.

“His mission was to keep me down. If I was under his foot, it supported his ego. He felt strong and powerful.” She laughed. “I can see it so clearly now. I look back and can’t understand why I married him in the first place.”

“But you told me that he wined and dined you at first. Bought you flowers and jewelry.”

“I was so stupid.”

“You were young. He sounded like a dream.”

“In a way he was. He was older and mature. His truck was new, and he took me to the nicest restaurants. But it all stopped once we got married … It didn’t just stop, it turned 180 degrees.”

Bree leaned closer. “I think you’re letting your memories take control of your thoughts. Yes, something bad has happened recently, but you don’t know that it’s him. It’s understandable that you’re thinking that way, but you need to take a step back and look at the situation rationally.”

Bree made sense.

Am I expecting the worst?

Terror swept through her. “No. I know it’s him.”

“But Sandy…” Bree didn’t finish. Instead she set down her coffee and added her other hand to the one gripping Sandy’s. “My vandalism is directed at me. I know it. It can’t be your ex harassing me.” Her tone was flat again. “I told you about the big X on my truck door … That’s personal.”

“Who would make it personal to both of us?” Sandy asked. She’s holding back. “I feel like you’re not telling me something.”

Bree said nothing, her two hands still tight on Sandy’s one.

A chill settled on her skin. Even in the warm sun, goose bumps rose on her arms. “Do you know who did this, Bree?” Her voice cracked.

Her best friend was silent, a mental struggle reflected in her eyes. She finally spoke. “I have some suspicions.”

“Did you tell the police? Because Truman was stumped today. I don’t think he has any leads.”

“It’s too far-fetched.” Bree gave a weak smile. “My memories are running away with my thoughts too.”

“Tell me,” Sandy ordered. “I’ve told you everything. You know how I had to pull myself up. Lionel destroyed my self-worth. How can yours be worse than mine? The police deserve to know … I deserve to know. Whoever is doing this is trying to tear me down again.” Anger was red hot on her tongue. “He’s in for a surprise. I’m not the powerless person I used to be. I will fight back with everything I’ve got because I deserve better. I never believed that when I was married. I thought I deserved what I had—but now I know I’m worth it.”

“You have come so far,” Bree told her, her dark gaze holding Sandy’s. “You are the strongest woman I know. You put yourself back together and became the type of person I wish I was. You have no idea how much I admire and envy your backbone.”

She’s not going to tell me. I never thought I’d see the day she let me down.

“Give me a few days. I’m going to look into a few things.” Bree took a deep breath. “I want to make sure I’m not crazy first before I tell the police my suspicions.”

“I might be out of business by then.” Truth.

“You’ve got to trust me on this, Sandy.” Her eyes pleaded for understanding.

I don’t understand.

Bree’s head jerked as her gaze shot to the far side of the park. “Did you see that truck?”

Sandy looked in time to catch a flash of red. “The red one?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I swear I’ve seen it five times in the last two days.”

Sandy frowned. “A lot of people around here drive red trucks.” She studied her friend, who appeared sincerely rattled. “Is this part of our minds running away with our thoughts?”

Bree’s laugh was feeble. “I think you’re right. I’ve been looking over my shoulder for a while now.”

“You’re not the only one,” admitted Sandy. “My neck is sore from looking behind me.” She stood and tossed her empty coffee cup in the garbage can at the end of their bench. “I think we need something stronger than coffee.”

“I’m with you.”

About the Author Kendra Elliot has landed on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list multiple times and is the award-winning author of the Bone Secrets and Callahan & McLane series, as well as the Mercy Kilpatrick novels: A Merciful Death, A Merciful Truth, and A Merciful Secret. Kendra is a three-time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award, an International Thriller Writers finalist, and an RT Award finalist. She has always been a voracious reader, cutting her teeth on classic female heroines such as Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Laura Ingalls. She was born, raised, and still lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters, but she looks forward to the day she can live in flip-flops. Visit her at www.kendraelliot.com.

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Oil and Water by BA Tortuga – Excerpt

January 11, 2019 By Leave a Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes BA Tortuga who is releasing the second edition today of Oil and Water.

Hey y’all! I’m BA Tortuga, resident redneck and lover of all things cowboy!

I’m tickled to be re-introducing Max and Morgan, the boy’s from 2006’s Oil and Water. They’ve been waiting for their re-release a long time, and I’m pleased as punch that they’re here.

Morgan wrapped his jacket around himself, tugging the collar up against the rain. Miserable weather lately. Maybe it was time to head south. Italy, maybe. Or Brazil.

Somewhere warm and lush and green.

He shivered, trying to decide whether to go to his little private flat or his official rooms or just find a pub to hide in for a few hours. There was no way he was bringing his flute out into this shit.
His reverie was broken by the feel of a solid shoulder slamming into his, almost knocking him back on his ass on the wet pavement.

“Careful! Christ, this isn’t a fucking football field.” He winced, rubbing his shoulder.

“Shit! Sorry. I didn’t even see….”

The voice rang a bell. So did the tall, rangy body, even if it was topped by a cowboy hat this time instead of a cap. He grinned up. “Well, cowboy! Rescue me on one meeting, beat me on the next.”

“Oh. Hey.” He got a half smile that turned into a thunderous frown. “You’re a hell of a houseguest, leaving without a word.”

He backed up a step or two. “Didn’t know I was one. A houseguest. I left my cell number.”

“You did? Oh.” Now Max just looked… embarrassed. “Sorry. I…. It wasn’t there when I woke up. ’Course the maid, or whatever the hell she is, was in….”

Morgan grinned, shook his head, then moved closer, reached out, and grabbed Max’s phone off his belt. He found the address book, scrolled down, and found his name. “See? Right here.”

“Oh. Well, how in hell was I supposed to know that?” Max grinned back. “I never call anyone.”

“Oh, good to know.” He looked Max over, nodded. “I like the hat.”

“Thanks. Keeps the rain off better.” Max reached out, wiped a drop of rain off his nose.
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“Yeah. I was just wishing for something warm and lush.” There was electricity—pure and sharp and settling in his balls—whenever they touched. Still. Wow.

“Yeah?” Shifting from one old cowboy boot to another, Max nodded. “It’s wet as a dog in a creek. Want to have dinner with me?”

“Oh, I’d like that.” A dog in a creek…. Oh damn. That was adorable, as adorable as anything pure, walking sex could be.

Much love, y’all,

BA

Oilman Max inherits a passel of trouble when his boss passes away and leaves him a house in England, a family full of squabbles, and a heck of a lot of money. He’s thinking London is the worst place on earth… until he meets Morgan.

Colorful, carefree, and a little crazy, Morgan is just what Max needs, and the two set out on the adventure of a lifetime, chasing pleasure wherever it takes them, learning that together they can make anything fun… and sexy.

Too bad reality has to set in, and Morgan’s multimillionaire father has a lot to say about what reality looks like. Will their different worlds conspire to separate them like oil and water?

About the Author: Texan to the bone and an unrepentant Daddy’s Girl, BA Tortuga spends her days with her basset hounds and her beloved wife, texting her sisters, and eating Mexican food. When she’s not doing that, she’s writing. She spends her days off watching rodeo, knitting and surfing Pinterest in the name of research. BA’s personal saviors include her wife, Julia Talbot and coffee. Lots of coffee. Really good coffee.

Having written everything from fist-fighting rednecks to hard-core cowboys to werewolves, BA does her damnedest to tell the stories of her heart, which was raised in Northeast Texas, but has heard the call of the high desert and lives in the Sandias. With books ranging from hard-hitting GLBT romance, to fiery menages, to the most traditional of love stories, BA refuses to be pigeon-holed by anyone but the voices in her head.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads | Blog | Instagram | Tumblr

Buy the book at Dreamspinner Press.

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Top 5 Caribbean Island Destinations by Andrew Grey – Guest Blog

January 11, 2019 By 1 Comment


Long and Short Reviews welcomes

Top 5 Caribbean Island Destinations

Each year Dominic and I go on a cruise as a winter vacation getaway. We have stopped at many islands and definitely have some favorites.

Bonaire – The snorkeling is out of this world and the people are amazingly friendly.

Curacao – Its like The Netherlands with bright Caribbean colors with terrific swimming and shopping.

St. Kitts – Dominic loves this place and I love to make him happy.

St. Martin – This is before the hurricane. We are going back soon and we’ll see what life is life afterwards.

Aruba – Smiling. It’s a great island and now I can’t get the Beach Boys song out of my head.

With the pressures of the job bearing down on him, police officer Garrett Wreckley needs a vacation—in fact, he isn’t given a choice in the matter. Since the water has always soothed Garrett’s soul, he heads to the Caribbean, hoping some time alone sailing on the open water will help him pull himself together.

But even though he’s taking a break from law enforcement, Garrett can’t get rid of his cop’s instinct so easily.
He meets Nigel, a young man as innocent as he is beautiful, who grew up sheltered from the world, exploring the beaches and tropical forests with only the company of his aunt, his brother, and the wildlife and sea creatures he befriended.

As sweet, passionate love blooms, their time in paradise feels too good to be true… and Garrett’s gut and training tell him that might be the case. As he investigates, he quickly realizes everything is not as it seems. Will his snooping destroy not only their romance, but everything Nigel believes about his life?

Enjoy an Excerpt

After noon, clouds built to the east and the wind picked up. Garrett checked his timing and bearings, set the wheel, and added additional sail to pick up speed. The radar showed some sort of storm heading his way, though it could be possible for him to outrun it.

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With still about an hour to go by his calculations, he spied land off to the west. Rather than questioning it, he headed that way.

The island was small, definitely not Martinique. The chart listed it as Montessa. Not that he’d ever heard of it. Didn’t matter, though. The clouds drew closer and closer to the water as he approached the north side of the island. He found a break in the reef and slipped into a small cove. The water instantly calmed, and he breathed a sigh of relief. After dropping anchor, he lowered the sails and stowed them away, then closed all the windows, as well as the access hatch. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was in for, but when the rain hit, it was torrential. The boat rocked side to side, but not badly, and he stood under shelter, setting out some clean buckets to catch the fresh water.

After the thunder and lightning passed, Garrett stripped down, grabbed a bar of soap, and washed himself off, letting the rain rinse him clean.

Once done, Garrett went inside, dried off, dressed, and made himself dinner, listening to the rain pound the roof of the cabin overhead. The batteries were charged and he’d used very little the night before, so he settled on the bed to read, passing the hours quietly until it was time to sleep.

Sometime in the night, the storm passed, leaving behind quiet, and again Garrett slept soundly. He hadn’t dreamed, at least not that he remembered.

In the morning, other than being wet, the boat was fine. He ate a cold breakfast and then ventured onto the deck. He stood, scanning over the island for any signs of habitation. He saw nothing but thick vegetation and a small lagoon nearer to shore. He thought he might explore it and moved the boat closer inland. With no one around and a sandy beach, he figured it was safe for a swim ashore to have a look around.

Garrett dressed for the water and sun in his suit and a solar shirt before venturing back out. He’d planned to jump off the side of the boat for the swim to shore, but when movement near the beach caught his eye, he paused on deck.
A man stepped out of the trees, blond and tall, sun-kissed, wearing a pair of shorts and a gray T-shirt that he pulled over his head as he got closer to the water. Garrett watched the gorgeous creature move with unusual grace before stopping, and knew the minute the man spotted the boat—he stopped to look and then waved. Garrett waved back, still just watching and wishing he had his binoculars. The man waded into the water as though looking for something, then dove, swimming strongly when he came up before diving again, surfacing with a large conch shell. He paddled to shore, looked it over, then dove back into the water and came up without it.

This time when he broke the surface, the man waved again and motioned him over. Garrett contemplated only a minute before diving into the water, heading straight to shore. After all, some god of the water didn’t beckon him every day of the week. Even as he swam, Garrett wondered if he’d imagined the whole thing. It wasn’t until he stepped out of the water and the man approached that he was sure he was real.

About the Author: Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.

Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Amazon Author Page | Barnes and Noble Page | Dreamspinner Press | Facebook | Facebook Group All the Way with Andrew Grey | Goodreads | Twitter @andrewgreybooks | Website

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance Tagged With: ,

Lifestyle Post: 5 Ways to Cope With Cabin Fever

January 11, 2019 By 6 Comments

Winter has arrived for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. While we haven’t had much of it so far this year, I live in a country that is generally a pretty cold and snowy place during this season.

The snow is pretty at the beginning of the winter, but I will admit that this isn’t my favorite time of the year. I feel pretty restless and ready for spring long before the weather actually warms up again.

Last winter, I befriended someone who had never heard of the term cabin fever before. It wasn’t a term people used in her culture, but she immediately understood what it feels like to be dreadfully tired of the cold and snow.

Luckily, there are some things that I’ve found to be helpful when I’m feeling this way. Today, I wanted to share them with you.

1.  Bundle Up and Go Outside

If you’re anything like me, this might be the last thing you want to do on a cold day. It can be really effective, though, especially if it’s sunny. There’s something reassuring about spending a little time outdoors and reminding yourself that spring will be here eventually.

2. Cook or Bake Delicious Food

They can be as inexpensive or gourmet as your budget allows, but now is the perfect time to try new recipes or return to old favorites. For example, banana bread is something I love to make on gloomy winter days. The scent of it makes the whole house smell amazing. In a future post, I’ll share this recipe with all of you!
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3. Exercise Indoors

There are countless Youtube channels devoted to everything from lifting weights, to dancing, to yoga and so much more. I get a real mood boost from working out, especially if I don’t have to go outdoors to do it.

4. Learn Something New

This winter I’m hoping to improve my Spanish. It’s a beautiful language, and I’d love to be better at speaking and understanding it. I’m also thinking about taking a knitting class or learning how to code. Not only is there something to be said for learning new skills, putting all of that brainpower into figuring them out is a wonderful distraction from the endless cold.

5. Work On Your TBR List

Raise your hand if you have a list of books you’d like to read and TV shows or movies you want to watch! Now is the perfect time to make some real headway on those lists if there’s anything you’ve been wishing you had the time to catch up on.

How do you fight back against cabin fever? Is this a term that people use in the area where you live?

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings Tagged With: , ,

Winter Blogfest: Laura Strickland

January 1, 2019 By 6 Comments

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win one ebook copy of my newest Christmas book, The Toy Maker’s Secret. .

Winter Magic

When we were children, it was easy to believe in the magic of the holidays. It took root sometime soon after Thanksgiving and grew up gradually, as neighbors put lights up on their houses, stores began playing seasonal music, and those all-important holiday catalogues arrived in the mail. I was raised in the northern part of the U.S., so the finishing touch for me was always a dusting (or more) of snow. Then on the Big Night, I’d lie awake in bed, straining my ears for the sound of reindeer hooves on the roof. Because I believed.

These days, and in our world, it’s harder to buy into the magic. All too often, we groan at the thought of the holiday season coming on with all the extra tasks it adds to our busy lives. Most of us work outside the home, and the addition of shopping, baking, addressing greeting cards and above all coming up with the extra cash needed to purchase gifts can become overwhelming. 

And let’s face, it, recently our world often doesn’t seem too pretty—or too magical. Our country is split into political factions, and hatred runs rampant. Ugliness abounds, and madmen decide who will stay or go, who will live or die. In the face of all that, it’s difficult to summon up a holiday spirit.

But let me tell you this, my friends. Beneath all the shouting, all the red-faced rhetoric and the “you’re-wrong because I’m-right”, the magic of the holidays still exists. That’s because, when you get down to it, that magic doesn’t depend on gifts, greeting cards, or even snow.
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It depends on the look in a child’s eyes when he sits in a loved-one’s lap, listening to a story being read. It depends on the warm, contented feeling that comes when the family’s all together. It’s born when a song’s sung, or a smile’s given to a stranger, or a door’s held for a fellow shopper. It blossoms whenever we do something for someone else.

You see, I still believe, because the magic’s what unites us, and it’s called love. May you have a beautiful holiday however you celebrate!

When Santa asks his worker, Olja, to help make another elf’s Christmas wish come true, she believes the job calls for a love potion. Brewing it up will require her to travel all around the North Pole gathering unusual supplies, and to take a few dangerous risks. But she’s never failed Santa in the past and doesn’t intend to now.
Elf Runi’s in the business of guiding Santa’s sleigh and making other people’s wishes come true. This year he’s dared make a wish of his own, one from the heart. When he meets Olja, he hopes he’s found his forever. But it will take assistance from a reindeer, a generous helping of love and a whole lot of magic to make his wish come true. That is, if Olja and Runi can just outwit the three troublesome trolls who decide they’d make a fine winter’s snack.

About the Author: Multi-published and multi-award winning author, Laura Strickland writes stories that span several Romance genres. Her Scottish Romances have been compared to Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander and her American Historicals echo the work of authors such as Susan Wiggs and Kristin Hannah. Her award-winning Buffalo Steampunk series has broken new ground both for its setting and its portrayal of automaton characters pursuing their rights. Currently, she is at home in Western New York and at work on her next book.

Website

Buy the book at Amazon.

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Winter Blogfest: Daphne Dubois

December 27, 2018 By 7 Comments

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of ONLY THE BEGINNING..

Finding the Joy

This time of year my wallet is full of lists—those crumpled up, half crossed off reminders that I still have things to do. 

The best thing about lists is drawing a line through the last item. I feel entitled to celebrate by hanging out at the book store with a gingerbread latte, making fun of the titles by adding “in bed with no clothes on.”

Try it, it’s funny. 

Lately though, when I peek into the vortex of disorganization that is my purse, I continually find unfinished lists and that means no gingerbread latte for me. I begin to resent all the errands, which I now call ‘things that get in the way of stuff I really want to do‘.

I love the holidays…really I do, but sometimes the work involved in putting the Merry in Christmas leaves me exhausted and more bitter than Scrooge. 

With baking, mailing packages, and making sure everyone knows their line (yes singular) for the Christmas play, I roam the Shopping Malls—otherwise known as the black hole of commercialism—and my holiday mojo gets sucked away. 

 

I drag my parcels through the parking lot, getting my coat dirty from brushing up against the salt encrusted cars. Bah humbug is right, life would be so much more enjoyable without all the fuss. 

Then on Sunday, I listened while someone talked about feeling the joy. 

Feeling the joy? 
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How can I feel the joy when I have all of these things to do? If I don’t wrap the presents and make the cookies, who will? Like most profound moments of epiphany, their answer was simple—you feel the joy in everything you do. 

One of the coolest chicks out there, Gwen Stefani, said it best, “What You Waiting For?” 

And truly, why delay the happiness? I realized I have a choice. Instead of begrudging the baking and shopping, I can be thankful that I’m able to buy my groceries instead of having to depend on the food bank to feed my family. And that baking with my kids is a chance to make a memory, not another chore to be completed.

There is a tangible sense of freedom when you exercise the choice to be happy.

I’m putting off dusting/vacuuming to read Christmas books with my kids. Instead of madly decorating to make everything perfect for a family party, I’m laying out all my ornaments for my beautiful nieces to have a go at the tree. 

Today, I suggest you make the choice and feel the joy. Don’t wait until everything is crossed off, because guess what—there’s always something you forgot. So sit back, get a gingerbread latte, and read How the Grinch Stole Christmas In Bed With No Clothes On.

Cheers! *holds up latte*

After a heartbreaking betrayal, Melissa Legacy shuns romance. So when her best friend joins the Lovers Oasis website and fears her fiancé will find out, Melissa agrees to meet the anonymous Romeo, prepared to explain her friend’s change of heart—then she sees him.

Failing restaurant entrepreneur, Craig Wheaton hasn’t been home since his mother’s tragic death. Now he’s back to confront his demons and stand beside his brother as best man. Dreading the reunion, he agrees to meet his avatar lover, but at the last moment he reconsiders the arrangement—until he lays eyes on her.

When Craig assumes Melissa is his online consort, she impulsively plays along, resulting in an afternoon of unexpected intimacy. But with Melissa using her friend’s identity and Craig dealing with a family fallout, is a future together impossible, or will they discover that love at first sight is Only the Beginning?

About the Author: Daphne Dubois writes contemporary romance and believes the right book at the right time can make all the difference. When she’s not putting her characters in compromising positions (ahem), she works as a registered nurse. A member of the Writer’s Federation of Nova Scotia, she lives in Eastern Canada, the most romantic place in the world.

Website l Facebook l Twitter

Buy the book at Amazon.

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A Tour of Downtown Philadelphia at Christmas by Joe Cosentino – Guest Blog and Giveaway

December 6, 2018 By 1 Comment

Long and Short Reviews welcomes back Joe Cosentino who is celebrating the release of two books! Write a comment about why you love holiday stories. The one that brings our holiday bells the most will win an audiobook of A Home for the Holidays, Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 1, by Joe Cosentino, published by Dreamspinner Press, performed by Joel Leslie!

A Tour of Downtown Philadelphia at Christmas
My spouse and I took a trip to downtown Philadelphia one Christmas Eve, and we were shocked and amazed by the creativity, nostalgia, beauty, and spirit all around us. We strolled by Victorian Carolers unleashing their gorgeous melodies in front of bayed store windows under lamppost-lined streets. As if little children, we gazed and gaped at the never-ending Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad miniature. After strolling through Dilworth Park with its jolly snowmen, elaborated decorated trees, and festive handmade holiday items for sale; we warmed our noses and toes at a roasted chestnut stand next to an open fire. An elaborate lunch at a Dickensian style restaurant was followed by charming and entertaining productions of A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker. After returning home for Christmas, we headed back to Philly and our jaws dropped at the stunning fireworks at the River Waterfront on New Year’s Eve. All of these delightful experiences are in my latest novella, The First Noel, Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories Book 3, published by Dreamspinner Press.

In Book 1, A Home for the Holidays, loosely based on my trip to the magical, gorgeous, and romantic island of Capri; Bobby, a young, Italian American law student from Philadelphia travels to Capri, Italy during the winter holidays to meet his eccentric Italian relatives. There he falls in love with his handsome, muscular, sexy Italian distant cousin, Paolo.

The Perfect Gift, Book 2, takes place over the next two Christmases, where Bobby and Paolo move to Philadelphia, and overcome numerous obstacles for the perfect wedding (December Grooms) and adopt a seven-year-old son (An Unexpected Present).

Now in The First Noel, Book 3, young lawyer Bobby’s hysterically funny parents and quirky best friend Jared are back. Jared and Jared’s lover, (the second) Noel, have spotted young fashion designer Paolo in a cozy restaurant with a young man named (the first) Noel. Who is the muscular, gorgeous, and charismatic first Noel? Also, due to doctor’s orders, Bobby’s Dad has turned in his Santa suit at his department store, leaving the store without a Santa. Finally, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by an anti-gay organization, has arrived on a mission to take back Bobby and Paolo’s eight-year-old son Geoffrey. Just when everything seems to be going up in flames like a dry Christmas tree too close to the fireplace, an unexpected Santa appears and rings in a happily ever after ending.

I’m so excited that Dreamspinner Press is publishing The First Noel as an e-book, and the entire Bobby and Paolo Holiday Story collection as a paperback!

I’d like to join Bobby, Paolo, Geoffrey, Jared, and both Noels in wishing you a happy holiday. The Bobby and Paolo holiday stories are my special holiday gift to you, wrapped with a huge ribbon of love.

THE FIRST NOEL, Bobby & Paolo’s Holiday Stories Book 3
a short e-book novella by JOE COSENTINO, published by Dreamspinner Press

Each Christmas has marked a milestone in Bobby and Paolo’s love story. But will this year be their last noel? It’s no surprise Bobby isn’t feeling much holiday spirit—not when he suspects his husband, Paolo, might be interested in his new business associate, the incredibly handsome Noel. On top of that, Bobby’s father is hanging up his Santa suit at the department store due to health issues; and worst of all, Geoffrey’s birth mother, funded by antigay extremists, is threatening their family. She’s trying to take away Bobby and Paolo’s adopted son, but she’ll have to face their supportive friends, family, and pastor before she can tear Geoffrey from the only real home he’s ever known.

With so many challenges in their path, the December grooms will need an extra helping of holiday magic this year. Rumor has it Santa’s on his way to spread some holiday cheer.

And

THE BOBBY AND PAOLO HOLIDAY STORIES
(A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, and The First Noel)
a paperback anthology by JOE COSENTINO, published by Dreamspinner Press

The holidays are a magical time for everyone, but they hold special meaning for young lawyer Bobby McGrath and fashion designer Paolo Mascobello. Their whirlwind romance begins one December on the Isle of Capri, where they meet and fall in love, and each holiday season adds a new building block to their life together. Celebrate with Bobby, Paolo, and their colorful friends and family as they marry and start a family. Happily ever after doesn’t always come easy, but with love and the spirit of the season, miracles can happen and Christmas wishes can come true.

 

Praise for the Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories:

“I adore the character of Bobby…the heartwarming family moments…The vivid and almost lyrical descriptions that Joe Cosentino uses when Bobby is arriving on Capri or sightseeing all over the island with Paolo…the love the author has for Capri and the people there flows off the page in every word he has written…when you finish reading this story, you will want to book your own flight to Italy and boat to Capri.” Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

“I was there with Bobby and Paolo, feeling the sun on my face and the warm swell of the sea as I walked barefoot on the sea’s edge, the author’s brilliantly descriptive words took me to that beautiful place where Bobby and Paolo fell in love.” Three Books Over the Rainbow

“Joe Cosentino’s holiday novella, A Home for the Holidays, delivers in every way that a romantic, feel-good story should. Every book I read by this author continuously pulls me in and wraps me up like a warm blanket.” Kathy Mac Reviews

“I’m going to go on record saying that Joe Cosentino pretty much has me at hello. His writing style is incredibly smooth with beautiful details that never feel like too much or too little. Even in this very short story, I felt like I was right there in Capri with Bobby. Both the scenery and Bobby’s emotions are painted with lush, vivid detail…exceptional writing and beautifully gift-wrapped love story.” AM Leibowitz

“I got glimpses of movies like Three Coins in the Fountain and Roman Holiday…Very romantic.” Multitasking Momma Reviews

“A Home for the Holidays a delightful, heartwarming journey of discovering one’s roots and the traditions that bring meaning to family. At the same time, it explores how breaking with tradition and becoming the person you were meant to be is also part of that grounding process, that finding home and making it your own is exactly what this holiday season is about. Filled with gentle humor and the lush backdrop of the isle of Capri, the story takes you on a wonderful guided tour of this landscape of the heart and the mind. The descriptions are a feast for the mind’s eye, the supporting characters quintessentially Italian, and the main characters—Bobby and Paolo—are the kind of yin and yang match that captures the imagination and the heart. For a charming seasonal read, A Home for the Holidays will leave you sighing with happiness.” GGR-Reviews

“In The Perfect Gift, Joe Cosentino has, once again, written a story filled with love, laugh out loud humour and a HEA that will leave a smile on your face and seasonal joy in your heart. I loved this delightful novella and highly recommend you add it to your holiday reading list…Joe Cosentino has a way with words that I find enchanting and delightful. His descriptions of characters and settings are colorful and often highly amusing. There’s a magic to the worlds he creates that few other authors can achieve.” Divine Magazine

“Joe Cosentino has a way with his stories with a touch of humor, great descriptions, and he grabs your attention, making you turn the page. If you like sweet romance, holiday stories, Christmas magic and cute kids, you will love this one!” TTC Books and More

“hilarious, contains some excellent observations about human nature, and had me eagerly turning the pages to find out what’s next…if you’re looking for a two-part read that is fun, emotional, suspenseful, and all about finding (and keeping) a family of your own, then you will probably like this novella. I definitely loved it!” Rainbow Book Reviews

“This is a feel good heartwarming holiday story you need to add on your holiday reading list. Or anytime of the year, because I know this will warm your heart. Recommended!” Lelyana’s Book Blog

“The Perfect Gift was funny, sweet, and entertaining…The emotional journey felt so real…For fans of LGBT fiction and romance, this is a must have book. It contains all of these elements shaping it into the wonderful journey that Joe Cosentino made it.” Urban Book Reviews

Enjoy an Excerpt of The First Noel

“Geoffrey’s mother has surfaced. Calista and her lawyer came to see me today. She wants Geoffrey back!” I grimaced. “Or rather, I suspect the staff at the local Adam and Eve Forever Organization have convinced her she wants him back.”

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“With the information that Geoffrey’s father was dead, and his mother had voluntarily terminated her parental rights then disappeared into a life of drugs and prostitution. Unfortunately, now she’s claiming rehabilitation and a change of heart,” I explained.

“Does she and this organization have a chance of taking Geoffrey from us?”

My throat tightened. “I’m afraid they have a very good chance, especially with a Republican-appointed judge.”

Noel rubbed his square jaw. “The Adam and Eve Forever Organization, huh?”

“Have you heard of them?” I asked.

Noel revealed a row of straight pearl white teeth. “They’ve heard of me. When I was a football player. The group led protests trying to get me fired from my team, and boycotts to take away my endorsements. I’m not surprised they’re after your son. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Thank you, Noel, but Bobby is a lawyer.”

I had an idea. “Noel, would you be willing to come to our apartment for dinner tomorrow at six? It’s not far from here.”

“Sure.”

“Paolo, please give Noel our address. See you at home. Thank you, Noel!”

I hurried out of the restaurant. As I ran the few blocks home, the sky enveloped the tall buildings around me in a blanket of peach, burgundy, and marigold. White cottony snowflakes landed on my face like manna of hope. No longer feeling panic and fear, like a bear protecting its cub, I resolved to protect our son from The Adam and Eve Forever Organization.

I entered the apartment to find Geoffrey sitting on the living room sofa, next to Jared. Looking like auditioners for the musical Wicked, their faces were green. I hung up my coat and joined them, trying to act as if my world hadn’t been blown apart.

“Hi, Dad.” Geoffrey came to me for a kiss.

I opted for a hug. “What’s going on?”

Geoffrey explained, “It’s never too early to start masking. Otherwise, your skin will be as dry as a Republican woman’s—”

“Sense of humor,” Jared said quickly.

“Did you do your nebulizer?” I asked Geoffrey.

Geoffrey nodded.

Jared winced. “It nearly ruined his facial. Is that thing really necessary?”

“Yes. It keeps Geoffrey healthy.”

“What good is health without beauty?”

I offered Jared a stern glance. “I’ll fix dinner.”

“Make my favorite. Chicken, spinach, and oyster mushroom brown rice risotto.” Jared blew me a kiss.

“And lemon squares for dessert!” Geoffrey blew me an identical kiss.

About the Author:  Joe Cosentino has appeared in principal acting roles in film, television, and theatre, opposite stars such as Bruce Willis, Rosie O’Donnell, Nathan Lane, Holland Taylor, Charles Keating, and Jason Robards. As a bestselling author, Joe was voted 1st Place Favorite LGBT Mystery, Humorous, and Contemporary Author, and 2nd Place Favorite LGBT Romance Author by the readers of Divine Magazine. He has also won many Rainbow Award Honorable Mentions. For Dreamspinner Press, Joe wrote the heralded In My Heart series: An Infatuation & A Shooting Star; the popular Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories: A Home for the Holidays, The Perfect Gift, and The First Noel; and the raucous The Naked Prince and Other Tales from Fairyland. That was followed by Holiday Tales from Fairyland, Tales from Fairyland Book 2. His famous Nicky and Noah mystery series includes Drama Queen, Drama Muscle, Drama Cruise, Drama Luau, Drama Detective, and Drama Fraternity. The scorching Cozzi Cove series (NineStar Press) are Cozzi Cove: Bouncing Back, Cozzi Cove: Moving Forward, Cozzi Cove: Stepping Out, Cozzi Cove: New Beginnings, which were followed by Cozzi Cove: Happy Endings. Finally, Joe’s mainstream Jana Lane mysteries (The Wild Rose Press) are Paper Doll, Porcelain Doll, Satin Doll, China Doll, and Rag Doll. Releasing next year are more Nicky and Noah mysteries: Drama Castle, Drama Dance, Drama Faerie, and Drama Runway. Joe is currently Head of the Department/Professor at a college in upstate New York, and is happily married. He loves to hear from readers.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page
Buy The First Noel at Dreamspinner Press, Kobo, iBooks, or Barnes and Noble.

Buy The Bobby and Paolo Holiday Stories at Dreamspinner Press, Amazon, or Barnes and Noble.

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The Night Before Christmas by K.S. David – Spotlight and Giveaway

December 4, 2018 By 7 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. K. S. David will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the otherh stops on the tour.

From the author of A Promise Kept and Every Single Wish, comes an exhilarating romantic suspense for the holidays.

As Center City and its quirky residents get ready to ring in the holiday with merriment and good cheer, Calista Tate is forced to make a terrible decision? Does she stay and fight for the life she’s created or – does she run away? One man could be her angel – her saving grace. And, the promise of love may be strong enough to make her hold her ground. The wrong decision could put them both at risk.

Calista Singletary decided it was finally safe to settle down. She opened a small bakery, has a new home and life is good. That is until she gets arrested for killing her elderly neighbor. It doesn’t help that she chased the old man out of her house with a rolling pin two days earlier. The same rolling pin is found under his bruised and bloody body. Calista thinks some trickery is underfoot. Good thing her sexy attorney, Marc Collins, thinks he can get the charges dropped.

But Calista knows that when the authorities start digging, they’re going to uncover her true identity. That’s when the real horrors will begin. She usually stays packed and ready to blow town at the first sign of trouble – assuming a new name, a new look, a new story. But she’s growing close to Marc and just once, she wants to feel normal. Will the cost be too high?

Three years earlier, the man Calista loved sucked her into a world of indescribable horror. She’s the only one who can testify to the atrocities he committed by Thomas Langston. She stole three million dollars of his money and maimed him the day she left. In return, Thomas made her a promise. He would always love her. He would never stop looking for her. And the next time he saw Calista – he was going to kill her.

Enjoy an Excerpt:

A small crowd was gathered on the edge of my lawn. Neighbors hollered so loud that I couldn’t even hear myself think. A wall of hickory trees covered in a new dusting of snow stood above us caught our noise, bounded it around and threw the sounds back down. The strange vibration of our voices echoed in my ears.

“Calista! Really! Chasing an old man with a dough roller in the middle of the night! You should be ashamed,” chastised Alma Douglas. Her blue curlers peeked out from beneath a large sateen scarf infested with brightly colored butterflies. Her thin pink cotton robe barely closed over her ample bosom. Her feet were thick, feet were shoved into a pair of matted blue slippers.

“Ashamed?” I snorted. “I found him in my house! What woman runs out of her home in the middle of the night screaming, if nothing is wrong?”

“He’s harmless,” Mr. Landy gagged back a chuckle. “Wouldn’t hurt a fly.” Then leaned forward and whispered, “The lights are on, but no one’s inside.” He whistled and made circles around his head. “You know what I mean, right?” Meager strands of gray hair had escaped hair band and whipped around the balding halo of his scalp.

The subject of our discussion was my elderly neighbor, Fred Guthrie. The man was stooped with a slight hump in his back. I had been living next door to him for a few months but had only seen him a hand-full of times. Shuffling his feet back-and-forth, he was oblivious to the argument surrounding him. The man was thin. A good wind could have knocked him over. Standing between us, Fred Guthrie was immune to my argument. His yellow, rummy eyes were downcast. Blue veined hands quivered at his side as he hummed faintly.

About the Author:K. S. David lives in the Mid-Atlantic with her husband, their three children and a menagerie of pets. New storylines are constantly running through her head. She keeps notebooks tucked in pockets of the car, the nightstand and makes voice recordings just about all day long. She’s addicted to true life mysteries and crime shows, both of which marry well with a great romance. Some of her favorite things are long walks, reading in bed, baking and of course, writing her next novel.

Amazon Author Page | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

The book is on sale for only $0.99 at Amazon.

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Rabbit’s Snow Dance by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac

November 27, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Rabbit’s Snow Dance by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
Publisher: Dial Books
Genre: Childrens, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (32 pages)
Age Recommendation: 3+
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Rabbit loves the winter. He knows a dance, using an Iroquois drum and song, to make it snow—even in summertime! When rabbit decides that it should snow early, he starts his dance and the snow begins to fall. The other forest animals are not happy and ask him to stop, but Rabbit doesn’t listen. How much snow is too much, and will Rabbit know when to stop?

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With great power comes many opportunities to misuse it.

Repetition is one of those things that can make or break a children’s book. Luckily, the repetition in this book was handled perfectly. It happened often enough to give the storyline a sense of rhythm, and the words used in it were so catchy that I actually really liked seeing them pop up over and over again. They also gave the audience a lot of insight into Rabbit’s personality. The more he repeated those terms, the more I learned about who he was as a character.

The only thing I wish had been added to this tale was an explanation of where Rabbit’s powers came from. His ability to control the weather was impressive. I only wish I could have known if it was something he’d always been able to do or if his decision to make it snow in the middle of summer was a one-time mistake. With that being said, this is a minor criticism of something I enjoyed reading quite a bit.

There was so much humor tucked into the plot. I chuckled my way through many of the scenes, especially the later ones when Rabbit’s wish for winter weather began to come true. There were so many moments where his stubborn insistence on skipping ahead to his favorite season had consequences that he couldn’t have seen coming but might have taken they risk they’d happen anyway if he did. It was delightful to watch this character react to everything that happened to him as a result of his stubbornness.

I’d recommend Rabbit’s Snow Dance to readers of all ages, from kids to adults, who love legends.

Filed Under: Reviews, Science Fiction/Fantasy, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,
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