Relatively Normal Secrets by C.W. Allen – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. C. W. Allen will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Like most siblings, Tuesday and Zed don’t always get along. Unlike most siblings, their arguments are over things like whether their parents are hiding a life of crime, or are simply the weirdest adults on the planet. When they decide to go on the hunt for some solid evidence, things get weirder than ever: two thugs with shape-shifting swords show up, their dog shows off some tricks she definitely didn’t learn in obedience school, and even their treehouse turns out to be more than meets the eye.

Their escape leaves Zed and Tuesday stranded in a land where robots and holograms live alongside quaint medieval villagers and soldiers on horseback. Soldiers who insist their father is a disgraced fugitive, and their dog a legendary monster.

If they ever want to see their parents again, they’ll have to learn to work together. After all, they’ve got a mysterious code to break, secrets to unlock, bandits and soldiers to outwit, and a rowdy dog whose antics are getting more outrageous by the minute. Even if they manage to evade the eerie secret police and uncover enough clues to figure out what’s really going on, they’re not sure they’re going to like the truth.

Zed and Tuesday will have to decide who to trust and what really matters, or they’ll never get back to normal (whatever that is.) Because when it comes to normal, everything is relative.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Their father was fond of saying the dog had not managed to learn anything in the years that followed, but that was not strictly true. While it was true that she did not come when called or sit on command, the dog had in fact learned many tricks. Nyx had learned quite early on, for example, how to help herself to the contents of the refrigerator. No one was quite sure how an animal without thumbs was capable of opening a refrigerator door, since she had never been caught in the act, but an entire ham doesn’t simply get up and go for a stroll during the night, now does it?

Zed imagined some people would consider it normal to take a dog along to run errands—as long as the dog could fit comfortably inside a purse, that is, or at the very least wait patiently in the car. But Nyx was neither tiny, nor well-behaved and patient. She was, in fact, huge. Her bristly black fur and legs that seemed much too long for the rest of her frame made her look like a gigantic hairy spider. His mother spent nearly every moment in the dog’s company, and whenever she needed to go inside the grocery store, or post office, or other location where dogs are generally unwelcome, she brought Nyx along to wait in the car for her return. Nyx made use of this time by bouncing anxiously from seat to seat, smearing her nose on the windows.

About the Author:

C.W. Allen is a Nebraskan by birth, a Texan by experience, a Hoosier by marriage, and a Utahn by geography. She knew she wanted to be a writer the moment she read The Westing Game at age twelve, but took a few detours along the way as a veterinary nurse, an appliance repair secretary, and a homeschool parent.

She recently settled in the high desert of rural Utah with her husband, their three children, and a noisy flock of orphaned ideas. Someday she will create literary homes for all of them. (The ideas, not her family.)

Relatively Normal Secrets (Cinnabar Moth Publishing, Fall 2021) is her debut novel. She writes fantasy novels for tweens, picture books for children, and short stories and poems for former children. Her work will appear in numerous anthologies in 2021. She is also a frequent guest presenter at writing conferences and club meetings, which helps her procrastinate knuckling down to any actual writing.

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Never Say Chai by Kirsten Weiss – Spotlight and Giveaway

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It’s Halloween season in small town San Borromeo, and Abigail and Hyperion are determined to make Beanblossom’s Tea and Tarot spooktacular. But when Hyperion’s boyfriend, Detective Tony Chase, is arrested at Beanblossom’s for murder, the duo is certain someone’s playing a nasty trick. And when the official investigation turns into a witch hunt, the stakes to unearth the truth are raised…

But a clever killer has plans to squash their investigation… and the two amateur detectives. If they don’t solve this puzzle—and fast—it will be out of the cauldron and into the fire for them both.

Never Say Chai is the fourth book in the Tea and Tarot cozy mystery series. A fast-paced and funny cozy mystery, packed with quirky characters, pets, and murder! Perfect for fans of Jana DeLeon, Janet Evanovich, and Donna Andrews. Buy the book and start this hilarious caper!

Tearoom recipes in the back of the book!

Enjoy an Excerpt:

Never panic-shop.

Also, never drink and shop. And especially never panic, drink, and shop.

I’d done all of the above.

The tearoom’s oven broke last month while I was baking quiches. The estimate for its repair had been nearly as much as a new oven. In a fit of panick and piña coladas, I’d bought a new one.

The thought still made my insides curdle like over-whipped clotted cream. Industrial ovens ain’t cheap.

I hated budget pandemonium, especially when I was its cause. There was a certain joy in watching numbers fall into place, especially on the profit side of the ledger. And I’d just messed with my carefully balanced tearoom universe.

So I was more than a little anxious as I studied our tearoom. Miniature pumpkins lined its broad windows. Paper bats dangled from hanging lamps and sprouted from tiered tea trays.

Even the costumed Tarot readers had gotten into the Halloween groove. The scent of baking sugar and pumpkin hung in the air. Women chatted at their tables, teacups clinking.

It was October first, day one of the Halloween season, and San Borromeo (saint of heartburn) was becoming a Halloween town. This was a good thing for those of us dependent on tourism. Tourists don’t flock to the Pacific beach quite as often in October, despite the occasional day of spectacular weather. The Halloween festivities meant more customers.

Beanblossom’s Tea and Tarot needed those customers, especially after that new oven. It was a really awesome oven, though.

About the Author: Amazon bestselling author Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop. Kirsten is best known for her Wits’ End, Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, and Tea and Tarot cozy mystery books. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

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Strategy Quest by Paul A. Sacco – Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Paul Sacco will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. In addition, the publishers are supplying this book, as well as others, FREE, here. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In Strategy Quest: The Executive Guide for Finding Business Opportunities, you will learn how to achieve the strategic mindset necessary to create and decide on the business opportunities that will put you ahead of your competition.

Using the psychology of personality type, you will understand how to make the shift to this growth mindset. In Strategy Quest, you will learn that the strategic mindset is composed of Strategic Intuition and Strategic Thinking. Strategic Intuition creates strategic visions and concepts, while strategic thinking decides if these are genuinely strategic and the right choice for your business.

Strategy Quest uses business examples to show what the strategic mindset is and isn’t. The book also equips you with the tools that you will need for your Strategy Quest and shows you how to overcome the obstacle that you might encounter.

Enjoy an Exclusive Excerpt

People often use the words goal and objective interchangeably; yet, when it comes to finding strategic opportunities, it is very helpful to distinguish between the two. Objectives are usually SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-based). Goals are vague and qualitative and thus, allow for the divergent exploration of information and experiences. Divergent exploration is necessary for you to employ your introverted strategic intuition (NiS). Business objectives are convergent and rely on the deployment of Te or Ti.

Establishing Needs-Based Goals

Although a goal is vague, it can’t be so abstract that it fails to provide a starting point for exploration. Creating a strategic goal requires finding the right level of constraints, such that it is neither too vague nor too specific. A goal stated as, “finding an opportunity to gain ground or distance on competitors” is too vague to start you on your Vision Quest. A goal such as “improve our customer service” is too narrow to be strategic because it references a business function. An effective goal is constrained to the minimum extent possible while still providing direction.

Suppose that I gave you an empty canvas and asked you to paint. You will likely ask, “What do you want me to paint?” Your goal is too vague to know how to start. If I asked you to paint a car, I have constrained your choice of subject. If I asked you to paint something representing the abstract word transportation, your choice of subject is much broader. An effective goal contains an abstract need.

Abstract words are intangible. Consider that the word love is both an abstract word and a need. Although we can’t see it or measure it, we recognize it symbolically; for example, with a heart. Giving someone a gift is an action that can demonstrate love. When we feel love emotionally, we might express our feelings with a hug, for example. There are many different scenes you could paint if your subject is love.

To show how an abstract, needs-based goal can broaden our thinking about a problem, consider someone who has had their house broken into by a burglar who picked the front door lock. A tactical-thinking type would likely see the lock as his tangible problem and conclude that a better one was required. However, if he viewed the problem in terms of an abstract need, he might consider the goal of improving security. Since “security” is an abstract word, he can consider a broader range of information. Rather than simply researching locks, the person might also consider installing a security system, getting a dog, or moving to a better neighborhood.

About the AuthorAs President of Propheta Lucro Management Consultants, Paul specializes in helping leaders find strategic opportunities. One of the world’s top experts in strategic thinking, Paul has over 35 years of experience managing and leading businesses. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto holding both a B.A. Sc. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. Paul is available to speak about business strategy or to teach, coach or facilitate the Strategy Quest method. For more information visit our web-site or contact Paul at: Email: Paul@prophetalucro.com

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The Rewired Series by Alexander Mukte – Q&A and Giveaway

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Do you have any tattoos? Where? When did you get it/them? Where are they on your body?

I have a boring answer here, but I don’t have any tattoos. I wanted to get one or several in college, but I could never decide what to get. I definitely appreciate how tattoos enable self-expression and have such artistic value.

Is your life anything like it was two years ago?

My life today vs. two years ago is like night and day. Two years ago, I was working in a large corporation. My days were filled with PowerPoint slides, Excel spreadsheets, and conference calls. Then my wife and I made a plan for me to pursue writing full-time. Now, my days are spent being present with my family and trying to be the best author I can be.

How long have you been writing?

Though I have gotten lost in stories in my head for as long as I can remember, I’ve been writing a relatively short time. I started putting pen to paper on The Recruiter, my debut novel, four years ago.

What advice would you give a new writer just starting out?

While I only have a few years under my belt, the advice I would give to myself at the start would be:

1. Discipline is critical. You’ve got to figure out how to break things down into smaller tasks so that progress doesn’t seem so daunting.

2. Feed your brain. Keep a reading list of things you are interested in learning so that you can continually absorb new information. Your imagination appreciates the input.

3. Foster positivity. Identify a process that keeps you feeling positive. Embrace the value of affirmations, yoga, and meditation.

Tell us something about your newest release that is NOT in the blurb.

There’s a lot of symbolism in this series. Certain characters are embodiments of something much more significant, like fear, war, ego. Also, the colors in the cover art for each book are inspired by the chakras. Hopefully, this can create some fun dialogue for those who like to dissect and analyze the works you read. There’s both a discussion guide and a character map in the back of both books to aid in that too.

Also, Atlanta is a primary setting in both novels. So, for anyone who has lived or spent time in Atlanta, you can hopefully recognize some of the nods to areas in the city.

This is a fantastic, genre-bending series that weaves together the best mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction elements. With characters that span across books and time, The Rewired Series explores what plagues humanity and the impact each person can have while leaving you with the promise of a better tomorrow. Alexander Mukte wraps all of these themes inside edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries with larger-than-life characters you’ll want to revisit again and again.

A fast-paced and thought-provoking mystery that will keep you on your toes until the very end. The Recruiter is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable start to the series, full of intriguing twists and turns.

Leslie may be an idealist, but she’s no fool. She trusts her boss, Ori, implicitly. He has vision, principles, and a way with people. When a bomb is detonated at work, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of events. All of a sudden, their lives are on the line, and every choice matters.

Is Ori who she thinks he is? Why would anyone want to hurt him? And how do they get out of this mess? Leslie doesn’t have it all figured out, but what becomes clear is that there’s a lot the world doesn’t know about Ori Clayborn.

Jessica is driven to make a difference by uncovering the truth. Investigative reporting is her life. One day she gets a unique assignment that leads her back to her hometown and into Ori’s orbit. What will she find, and what’s her role in this?

The Recruiter is a captivating, imaginative story that draws you in deeper and deeper, page-by-page. Alexander Mukte creates a universe that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.

This bold and compelling sequel is an evocative page-turner on the journey to a better future.

Since her encounter with Ori years ago, Jessica, an investigative journalist, has continued her mission to print the truth that the world needs to hear. Her pursuit has led her to meet with a source, Zach Carver, a leading mind at Singularity Group. The meeting goes awry, and Jessica awakens to find that she has a gap in time and memory and that Zach is now missing.

What happened? Who is responsible? And how can she help Zach? It is imperative that Jessica find out, and to her surprise, Ori has reappeared to help her do just that.

Malik, an intelligent and inventive young man, is determined to find a way to overcome the virus that has impacted the world. When he crosses paths with powerful people at Confidence Biotech, the leading treatment and contact tracing company, they take an unusual interest in him. Then, all of a sudden, they paint Malik as public enemy number one, forcing him to go on the run.

What do they want from him, and does this mean that he is close to discovering something they couldn’t?

Deeply Rooted Dreams is the second installment of The Rewired Series, unveiling more of the universal trial that Ori alluded to in The Recruiter. Alexander Mukte’s second novel creates an even more intricate world, striking an engaging balance of mystery and wonder.

Enjoy an Excerpt from The Recruiter

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or the darkness of destructive selfishness. This is the judgment. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Prologue

“Did you think we were going to let you get away with it?” The man’s voice was both incredulous and triumphant. The light from the full moon began to fill the room as Ori’s eyes adjusted. He inhaled deeply. The man continued as if he was talking to himself, “We knew you were up to something. Did you actually think that you stood a chance?” Ori surveyed the room. He squinted to focus on his surroundings.

“Are you listening to me?” the man continued speaking while Ori remained silent, not acknowledging him. Ori made out three bodies in the room with him: one talking, one holding a flashlight, and a third one close to what looked like the door.

The shack was an old cabin but was well built. No lights were turned on, nor was there a fire burning, so as not to attract any unwanted attention. The natural moonlight was perfect to illuminate most of the space. In the areas where the moonlight did not reach, there was the glow of a bright flashlight. This flashlight was suddenly pointed directly into Ori’s eyes.

About the Author:Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.

Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.

After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.

An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons.

The Recruiter is Alexander’s first novel, though perhaps the 39th in his mind. We hope you enjoy it, and Deeply Rooted Dreams, as much as we have.

NOTE: The Recruiter just won a 2021 American Fiction Award in the African-American Fiction category. It was also a finalist in the Cross Genre and Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diverse categories.

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The First Sin by Lisa Beth Darling – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lisa Beth Darling will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 

Lucifer Returns to Eden

Lucifer is unceremoniously yanked out of Hell by his Father so he can return to his old job in the Garden of Eden. When he arrives, broken, battered, and bleeding, he falls into the arms of Eve who is unsure about seeing her old lover again as are the people now living in a dying paradise.

Tasked with returning the Sacred Trees of Life and Knowledge to flourishing bounty once more, Lucifer struggles to learn his new place in his old home. Yet, he hasn’t been placed there solely to tend the Garden. His son, Cain, is on the way with murder and destruction on his mind.

Having lived, cursed by God, for eons, Cain Enoch has made quite a name for himself and amassed a fortune that would make even his Grandfather envious and with it he’ll stop at nothing to find Eden and destroy. Why? So he can finally die even though it means taking the Earth, Heaven, and Hell with him.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Help me,” Lucifer gasped and held out his arms toward the people behind the veil but they were just staring at him. Then he noticed the weapons in they were holding. “Please, please,” he held up his hands in the universal sign of surrender, “I mean no harm. Just help me.”

“It’s a trick,” Persephone warned in a hiss. “He’s a liar.”

Eve looked to Gabriel and the two passed a silent nod before they looked at Persephone and spoke in unison; “He never lies.”

Then Eve finished their share thought, “The Truth has always been his weapon.”

Those words made the sight of Lucifer Morningstar in his current desperate state even harder to take.

Eve stepped forward to stand just on the side of the veil, “Lucifer, what are you doing here?” She asked in a soft voice.

The sound of his name confused him as he tried to focus on the sight of the woman before him, “You know me? Please help me. Let me in. Please. I will do anything you want.”

The fact that he did not recognize her face was understandable given his condition but still his failure brought a tinge of pain to her heart. “Be quiet and listen, we don’t have much time. If you cross the veil, if you come in here, no harm will come to you so long as you do none, but you can never leave again. You will spend all of eternity here. With us. Do you understand?”

No, he really didn’t understand her words. All he did understand was that he could not spend another night out here in the cold wasteland. He could not take another second of being hungry, thirsty, and in pain. “Please let me in.” Was all he could manage to beg.

Eve stepped back from the veil, “Come in, Lucifer, come in and be welcome but do not ever betray us.”

Lucifer stumbled through the veil with no time to spare before full sunrise. He fell to his knees and looked up at his savior through dazed eyes, “Thank you,” he whispered with all sincerity just before he passed out at her feet.

Copyright 2021 Lisa Beth Darling and Moon Mistress Publishing

About the Author:

As of this writing, I am 54 years-old, the mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to one, and wife to my husband, Roy, for the last 34 years. I live and write in my hometown of New London, CT.

I began my writing career in the 4th grade when the class was given its first-ever Creative Writing assignment. I put pencil to paper and was instantly transported to a place I knew that I would never want to leave. I have been publishing my works since 7th grade.

Early influences were Stephen King, Mary Higgins Clark, Harold Robins, Jacqueline Susan and VC Andrews. As such, my works tend to be a grand mash-up of drama, horror, suspense, action, intrigue, and, of course, intimate relations.

My stories are filled with secrets, lust, betrayal, and sometimes rage, they may keep you awake into the wee hours of the morning cheering, weeping, and captured by suspense as our heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons who reside within and without.

In my spare time I enjoy gardening and photography as well as cooking and baking. I also enjoy helping other authors bring their works to the world stage.

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The Secret of Drulea Cottage by Claire Kohler – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Claire Kohler will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Briony Fairborn, a midwife in eighteenth-century Scotland, comes from a family shrouded in scandal. Left with only one friend after her mother’s death, she has little hope of gaining any others, let alone finding a husband. Instead, Briony tries to live a quiet life and avoid her neighbors’ ridicule as much as possible.

But things in Everton take a drastic turn when a storm brings foreigners to the village docks.

On the night Santiago Mendes arrives, he comes with a broken ship, a broken leg, and a broken spirit that Briony finds herself profoundly drawn to. Her scarred heart slowly starts to open, and although Briony suspects he may be hiding something, she cannot help but dream of the possibility of love.

That is, until another stranger appears in town, intent on repaying a childhood debt. A dangerously handsome stranger who shows Briony that she’s even more different than she could have imagined. And that her past is far darker than she realized.

Magic, romance, and political intrigue collide as the secrets surrounding one Scottish woman begin to unravel. Secrets that she may not be ready to face.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Screams drew Briony from her state of shock. They pierced the darkness as terribly as the lightning hitting the ground.

Except ’tis na just hitting the ground anymore! She gasped at the sight of flames rising from the town below. Her neighbors were flying through the streets in a panic, and Briony could see why: the tailor shop and the McGuffs’ house were alight!

Fergus! Briony forgot about Niall and charged down the hill with nary a care for her own well-being. All she could focus on was the thought of the little boy potentially trapped and scared. She reached the burning house and stepped inside. “Hello! Fergus?! Is anyone in here?”

Most of the fire was above her, hungrily swallowing the thatched roof. The smoke was so thick within the confined space that Briony struggled to breathe. Only a few licks of flame had reached the floor, and they were quickly spreading toward the McGuffs’ table.

“H-Here!” came a voice. Whoever it belonged to was too hoarse to identify. Briony covered her mouth with her hand and made her way forward, edging around the blazing table.

Briony hastened into the back bedroom, her eyes flicking between the open window and two beds before landing on their target: Penelope McGuff. The woman was on the ground, facedown. The rest of the family was nowhere in sight.

“Mistress McGuff!” Briony dropped to her knees and grabbed the woman’s hand, but Penelope didn’t stir.

CRASH!

About the Author:

Claire Kohler grew up in Mooresville, NC, as the eldest of four daughters. Her love of stories began at an early age, and as a child, she could often be found borrowing way too many books from the library and scribbling away in a journal.

In 2016, Claire became a full-time middle school English teacher in a public school. In her second year of teaching, she also taught social studies. After becoming pregnant in 2018, Claire decided to shift careers and become an online ESL teacher so that she could also take care of her newborn at home.

She now lives in Statesville, NC, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She is also an active member of Christ Community Church Mooresville, where she often serves as a Bible study and small group leader.

Claire plans to continue creating exciting historical fantasy novels and potentially branching out into other genres as well.

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Sought by Aline Hunter – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Aline Hunter will be awarding (United States only) a signed print copy of Sought, a key ring, necklace, and book marks to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

There can be light in the dark…

Shane Heyward left everything behind to find his mate. He struggled for months, following his wolf to her location, guided to a place where supernatural beings exist and thrive. Despite being capable of leading his own pack, he chose to join one. When he finds his mate by accident, he’s shaken by the truth. Not only is she blind, the wolf within her is completely feral. If he can’t help her take control of the beast, she’ll have to be destroyed.

Luna Lowe was forced to leave her previous pack after she shifted, attacked, and almost killed two members—one of which was her sister. She’s ashamed of her behavior, wondering if death is preferable to living alone, when the male she believed abandoned her due to her lack of sight arrives.

As Shane and Luna come together, he learns her history. His female was wronged, and the insult has to be dealt with swiftly and harshly. As he takes charge and seeks retribution, reverting to his Alpha nature, everything will change—for both of them.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Luna,” he said softly, his voice deep and low.

A warm flutter erupted in her belly. “Yes?”

“I’d like to hold your hand.”

The idea appealed to her, sending tingles all through her body. Unfortunately, the act of touching him again also terrified her. It was difficult enough to keep her wolf contained in the cabin of the SUV, where his scent was so strong she couldn’t escape it, without adding skin contact to the mix. When he’d rested his hand on her knee earlier, clothing had remained between them. As he moved to her hand, her body came to life in entirely new ways. That had teased the beast, which was dangerous in itself. Then he’d breezed his lips over her skin, and she thought she was going to lose it. She was already straddling an invisible fence, combating her attraction to him. It didn’t help that when he returned to her and slid her hand under his arm, placing her palm on what felt like a leather jacket as he guided her from her grandparent’s home, she’d gotten an idea of his size and strength.

He was tall, broad, and muscular.

She’d been turned-on immediately.

She thought the beast was going to rip clear out of her skin.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” He didn’t reach for her. Obviously, he was able to smell her discomfort. Hell, the aroma was so strong it plugged her nose. “There are no right or wrong things to say. Not with me.”

“If you touch me,” she answered, ashamed to admit it, “the wolf will rise.”

“I know.” He didn’t sound disturbed.

“She could hurt you,” she whispered, mortified by the fact.

To her shock, he laughed. “She can try, lovely. But it won’t happen.”

Not wanting to offend him, she considered her words. “You’re sure?”

“There’s only one way to find out.”

About the Author:

Aline Hunter has written stories featured in horror magazines, zombie romance anthologies, and flash fiction contests. Her work has a dark undertone, which she credits to her love of old horror films, tastes in music, and choices in reading, and has been described as “full of sensual promise,” “gritty and sexy,” and “a breath of fresh air.”

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Nature Is Unlimited Broadcasting Station: Flowers She Wore on Her Feet by Bertha and Edward Mkwelele – Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

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‘Flowers she wore on her feet’.

This is the story of an extraordinary girl and young woman with a brilliant mind, a heart of gold, and who is gone too soon. Neema was a priceless gift to us. Neema was an extraordinary young woman, with joy and wisdom, and remarkably profound and greater understanding about herself and others. She taught us everything worth knowing about life and love, everything about what it means to be a best friend. Neema, outlook for future is something about this book. Neema would have wanted the world to hear the voice of children and young people, girls and young people in particularly young women around the world, their walking sound when they walk wearing their beautiful flowers on their feet. Meaning that those girls and young women around the world have worked hard the same way Neema did, searching for their favorite flowers and they were able to see them and finally finding their ways to broadcast them, and therefore, finding their unique values. This is what Neema would have wanted the world to hear from children and young people saying that we go out and we’re asking for help and support, they will wear flower on their feet because they worked hard to get see them and therefore they can now see themselves, and therefore , the walk by itself is a voice and a cry for help and they are saying help us because we would like to contribute to the world and we’re read and we know what we love and what we want to do and what we’re loving doing and we just want opportunities to let us equip with knowledge and skills then we will all be ready and set to contribute to the world we live in our own unique way happily.

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She would also watch TV, sit on the computer, and do a little bit of music. Now let’s get to the point: Neema was a little girl, our first child, and a child like any other, and of course she went out to play like any child or did all the things that children do.

She was a little bit shy—she was confident, but shy. Yes, that’s right. More seriously, her family and friends would describe her as easygoing, a good listener, a word-player and an extraordinary person who nicknamed herself “unbroken-divine.” Neema was the kind of girl who would go out and grab the world by the lapels. She grew up having her mind set, and believed that you alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.

Neema would hope to laugh as much as I cry, to get her work done and try to love everyone and have the courage to accept the love in return. We believe that Neema would have been able to tell us what she feels about the world today. She would say, “I feel very hopeful, very expectant. I’m looking forward to it.”

Beautifully, as the only daughter in the family, Neema got all the attention and grew up to impress core values she created herself. She was pretty much on the happy side of life, carrying a positive attitude as much as she could. She was always using her favourite saying: “This is what I am happy doing,” but like all children and teenagers Neema had her own “days of.” That means she had some sad days or frustrated days or depressed days. Neema would run to her mom and daddy and talk to them because she was close with them. They were affectionate. She also had few friends at home during school holidays and at school during school time. She was quick to reach out to her friends and talk to them as well. She made her school term as enjoyable as she possibly could, and thought of the next time she would go home for school holidays.

About the Author Bertha Mkwelele and Edward Mkwelele are co-founders of the Neema Edward Mkwelele Wellness Foundation, where they empower young girls in Tanzania through education.

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The Ack Ack Girl by Chris Karlsen – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Chris Karlsen will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 

It’s 1941 and the German war machine has defeated all of Europe except England. In an effort to force a surrender, the German Luftwaffe is bombing villages and cities the length of the country. As the battle rages, Britain is in desperate need to put more pilots in the air.

To free up more men a new unit is formed: The Ack Ack Girls. Teams of courageous young women will now fight in anti-aircraft stations. Excited to be part of the effort, Ava Armstrong has volunteered for one of the special teams. Her unit just happens to be located near an RAF airfield teaming with pilots. Sparks fly, and not just from artillery, when Ava crosses paths with the highly decorated and handsome Royal Airforce pilot, Chris Fairfield.

 

 
 

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Ava put her new uniform bits away. Someone had left a flyer for a pub called the Two Roses in her stand. Skimming it as she headed toward the mess she ran into a solid body.

“Have a care, watch where you walk. You nearly trod on my foot.”

Startled, Ava looked up into a square-jawed, dark-haired pilot with a dimpled chin, who could pass for Cary Grant’s younger brother. Distracted, apologizing escaped her.

“I’d say I accept your apology had I received one.”

“Sorry, I was reading this flyer.”

He eyed her up and down. “You’re part of the new anti-aircraft branch of the ATS.”

“I am.”

He eyed the length of her again but this time a snort accompanied his comment. “I hope you can see planes better than tall men inches from you.”

The cheek of the man! She wasn’t about to let that comment slide. “Had you considered stepping out of the way when you saw me coming?”

“No, why should I? I was in this spot first. You’re lucky I don’t ask the captain to have your lot stop to salute us.”

“What cheek. Pardon me, I’m hungry and you’re boring.” Ava tucked the flyer into her jacket pocket and whispered, “Wanker” as she pushed past.

The wanker hummed White Cliffs of Dover and got in line behind her.

“Lieutenant Fairfield, it’s good to see you here. Finally on the mend?” the blonde, ATS corporal serving the food asked the wanker in a sugary voice.

“I still have the tail-end of the nasty pneumonia cough hanging on, but I believe I’ll be ready to return to my squadron this week.”

“We might see you around before then. When we have a bit of time to ourselves, my friends and I go for a pint at the Two Roses pub in the village. Come by and I’ll buy you a pint.”

“If they don’t send me off the same day as my orders come through, I’ll do that but I’ll buy.”

Ava made a note to ask what village they were near. No one had indicated so far and she was curious. She didn’t dare ask in front of the arrogant wanker Fairfield. He already thought her a clumsy goose. No need letting him think she was lost too.

She moved down the food line, pausing for a second trying to decide if she wanted the soupy mashed potatoes. Then a long, blue wool uniformed arm reached over her to take a roll, his tray clinking against hers.

“Excuse my reach but you’re taking too long and I’m ravenous.”

“You really are a wanker.”

“You wound me.” He pressed his hand to his chest. “At least I’m not a dawdler.”

He walked away with his roll before she could offer a comeback.

About the Author:

I was raised in Chicago. My father, a history professor, and my mother, a voracious reader passed on a love of history and books along with a love of travel. My husband and I retired to the Pacific Northwest where we live with four crazy rescue dogs.

I am a retired police detective. After twenty-five years in law enforcement I decided to pursue my dream of writing. I’ve completed a historical-time travel romance series called Knights in Time. I currently write a historical suspense called The Bloodstone Series.

I am also working on a world war two series of novella romances.

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Lessons I Learned from my Characters by Michael Haddad – Guest Blog and Giveaway

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Lessons I learned from my hero (heroine/villain)
I’m going to try and expand upon this topic by opening it up to more than just the hero and villain. When I read through the final product, many of my characters end up displaying some valuable lessons that can be picked up and absorbed by the reader.

If we’re starting with the hero, Elias is someone who has been defeated by the system his entire life. He has been beaten down and treated so poorly to the point that he no longer had a sense of resolve or drive. This left him as someone susceptible to a lot of manipulation and that was made evidently clear as he carried out his role as Frostborn. The way I see it, Elias shows us the risks that come along with giving up on yourself. However, by the end of Frostborn, he finally regains a sense of purpose and uses the power he has had all along to execute his own will. I think that turning point is where readers gain a little more respect for him.

Katerina, a secondary protagonist, teaches the lesson behind blind loyalty. It took a lot for her to finally realize the wrongdoings of her superiors and how they have mistreated the citizens of her kingdom. She started off as nothing but a tool until a fresh new perspective from the Frostborn helped her see more clearly.

Our villain, Agmund, explores themes of self-righteousness and pride. He fails to see the wrongs of his methods and stops at nothing to defend his home from an invading army. While that seems honorable at first, Agmund is meticulous in his work. He would rather cause insurmountable death than lose against his enemies, all out of this innate sense of justice. Even when his loyal generals turn on him, he persists in his efforts. I feel that this character illustrates the dangers of being too close-minded and too firm one’s ways.

Then we have Dalia, a slave just like Elias. She started with nothing, was handed nothing, and was forced to prance around in the Frostborn’s enormous shadow as his only friend. Yet, despite being the less-than-interesting sidekick to Elias’ preset narrative, Dalia worked toward her own goals and trained skills that didn’t come naturally to her like they did to others. Also, between her and Elias, she was the one behind all the grunt work. She had to do the planning, she had to keep alert, and she had to train twice as intensely just to keep up. And still, instead of complaining, instead of becoming a martyr, she flourished. It’s not about the cards we’re dealt—it’s about how we plan to make those cards a winning hand.

I could keep going, although I fear I won’t stop! As well as the characters already mentioned, there are others like Khai, Eira, and even the Masked King who depict some extremely important teachings. It just takes a bit more to fully understand them. Nevertheless, instead of spilling every detail to all my wonderful readers, I want to see if you could spot some lessons yourself and I want to know how you interpret them. Keep in mind, I’m definitely open to new understandings and opinions. Don’t be shy to reach out and let me know how you feel about the characters of Frostborn!

The Frostborn—the one destined to end the war, the one blessed by the magic of Aether—was supposedly nothing more than a hopeless fairytale, a myth lost to time. But as the centuries-long war between the kingdoms of Eljud and Surtrol forces Elias Jökull to evacuate his village, a run-in with the fearsome Gjallarhorn army awakens within him a dormant power long since forgotten by the people—a power signaling the existence of the Frostborn.

With such critical news, hope of victory against Surtrol becomes contagious, yet Elias’s former life of slavery leaves him apprehensive about lending a hand to his own flawed kingdom. Even still, knowing the world will soon be in search of him, the newfound Frostborn must choose his allegiances quickly. And after encountering a ranked Surt captain, he does just that.

But while acting as a double agent, feeding intel to Eljud’s southern enemy and working both sides of the same border, his conflicted self struggles to anchor his loyalty to a single kingdom as buried secrets begin to unearth.

The incessant clash between the north and south is soon coming to an end and Elias will have to find a side to stand on. The hard question is: which side? Everyone wants the Frostborn for themselves, but for how long can Elias let the world string him along?

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She holds the child close to her chest, cradling the head with a mother’s delicate touch. The other infant is nestled in a crib only a few feet away. Winds rattle the glass panes of the cracked window and some of the winter air seeps through. The rough and tattered curtains dance with it—the only movement in the room besides the woman’s near-chattering teeth. She does her best to keep the children warm, but for some reason they sleep soundlessly, soothed by the whistling of the wind.

The woman brushes a gaunt, wrinkled finger along the pudgy cheeks of the bundle in her arms. The shackles on her wrist jangle, anchored down by a bolt at the centre of the room. The tight, unrefined metal leaves behind blisters, but to her it is worth it. The young child’s skin is stone cold to her touch, but soft and full of colour. He breathes evenly and she can feel his pulse just fine when she moves her finger to the child’s neck. He feels dead, yet is as alive as anyone.

“Freezing cold. Ah, but look at these pudgy cheeks. You remind me of those statues in the hall,” she whispers, pinching his face until it is ruddy. “I’d be scared if you weren’t so adorable.”

The woman lifts her head as the sound of rushed steps echoes in the hall outside the door. She hears the jiggle of keys and a mechanical click releasing the lock. The knob turns and the door swings open…

About the Author: Hardworking university student and recent John Abbott College graduate, Michael Haddad doubles as a fiction author of the fantastic who throws himself into his own writing—who can’t stop imagining new worlds, new ideas, new characters. His passion for roleplaying games has earned him his fair share of teasing, but he’d be lying if he said it didn’t open his imagination. When not at his computer, typing away, Michael is often with his friends and family, losing terribly at tennis, hunkering down for movie marathons, and trying to get a good night’s sleep. As someone born and raised in Montreal, he is no stranger to having ice rinks for streets and snow up to the knee—but that’s nothing a warm cup of coffee can’t beat.

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