In Search of Recognition by Jim McAllister

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

In Search of Recognition: The Story of Search and Rescue in British Columbia provides background on why and how organized volunteer search and rescue became a reality in the province, and how search and rescue evolved over many years to meet the increasing demands of finding lost people and rescuing those injured outdoors. The primary focus of the thousands of volunteers is to save the lives of persons lost or injured outdoors; training and fundraising for equipment and other costs also require time and energy. Through personal involvement and references, the author provides insights into how funding and other support for the volunteer service was achieved, through government, responsible agencies, organizations and individuals working together to find ways to assist those who strive "so others may live."

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The 1980s were also an era of leading-edge development in search and rescue equipment and techniques, in British Columbia and elsewhere. Arnor Larson, a mountain guide in Invermere BC, was a leader in developing and testing rope rescue gear and systems. He established Rigging for Rescue in 1986. In addition to providing rescue training, he would test equipment in his facility using drop test towers. Arnor would attend the annual Wildland Rescue Symposium in the US, along with leading workshops in BC testing equipment and systems in local conditions and terrain. Arnor also taught rope rescue to some SAR groups under the PEP banner. As a member of Golden and District Search and Rescue at the time, we were fortunate to have Arnor instruct us.

About the Author: Jim McAllister has been involved in search and rescue for over 45 years, starting as a volunteer member in the Rocky Mountains in 1977 with Golden and District SAR and then Cranbrook SAR. He became the SAR specialist for the Province of B.C. in 2002. In 2008, Jim retired from the provincial government as a director with Emergency Management British Columbia and became a volunteer director for special projects with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Jim has been involved with many major projects: the establishment of Avalanche Canada, the updating of volunteer reimbursement rates, the establishment of health and safety guidelines, the formation of a joint health and safety committee, Swiftwater Rescue standards, sustainable funding for search and rescue and the establishment of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial. Jim wrote a book on the last project, titled A Monument to Remember, and one on incidents, titled One Week in August: Stories from Search and Rescue in British Columbia.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779627394
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519145.Jim_McAllister

God and Petroleum by Roberto Aguilero

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

It's been many years since God planted in my heart the idea to author this book. To do so I relied on science and engineering, looking deep into the earth a few thousand feet, dreaming of petroleum reservoirs I could not see, and evaluated them using mostly indirect sources of information. Petroleum hydrocarbons in earth are of organic origin (they form from dead plants and animals) and are intimately related with water. I also had to look to a different scale deep into the universe when it was created 13.77 billion years ago to try to understand the origin of hydrogen, the birth of the first hydrogen star (the seed star), its explosion in a supernova, and the repetitive births and explosions of subsequent stars that led eventually to the formation of elements such as carbon and iron and to hydrocarbons in the universe. These are hydrocarbons of inorganic origin.

Then I moved into the micrometer scale of human cells and to top research informing us that we are very close to chimpanzees, and a very persuasive discussion about evolution that I agree with. The book of Genesis tells us that God created man and woman in the sixth day, and that he formed man in the seventh day of the dust of the earth and woman of the rib of man. At first glance all of this seems contradictory, but it is not. This book shows that available science supports Genesis' seven days very well. They do not contradict each other.

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Following Monsignor Georges Lemaître’s mathematical demonstration showing that the universe has expanded since the Big Bang, many scientists have produced data from the Hubble telescope corroborating the expansion. The observations by Hubble in 1929, proving galaxies are moving away from the earth at speeds proportional to their distance, has traditionally been known as Hubble law.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted in 2018 to recommend amending the name from Hubble law to the Hubble-Lemaître law, and in fact, this is how it is called now by the IAU. This is a recognition of the contributions of both Hubble and Monsignor Lemaître to the development of modern cosmology. The amendment recommendation stemmed from the fact Lemaître was the first to come up with the idea of an expanding universe in 1927, previous to Hubble’s contributions in 1929. Although Lemaître was first, his ideas received little attention at the time.

The galaxies outside of our solar system are moving away from us. One theory indicates that the farthest the galaxies are away from us, the faster they move (Library of Congress, 2019). Another theory based on data collected by the Planck satellite indicates that the cosmos is expanding at a slightly slower rate than was thought, making the universe around 13.82 billion years old rather than the 13.77 billion years formerly given for the age of the universe (Siegel, 2018). For the purpose of this book there is a slight difference.

About the Author: Roberto Aguilera is professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Calgary (Canada) and president of Servipetrol Ltd. He specializes in the evaluation of naturally fractured, tight and shale petroleum reservoirs worldwide. He has authored and co-authored six books dealing with petroleum engineering subjects and over 300 technical papers. He has rendered training and/or consulting services in over 40 countries worldwide. This is his first book linking God, His creation, and the benefits of petroleum to humanity while debunking alarming claims about its use.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779622619
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/475304.Roberto_Aguilera

Cowboy Watch by Petie McCarty

 

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

The Watchers Series—Fallen angels cast out of heaven by the archangel Michael for coercing with Satan to gain control. Some of these conspirators—duped late in the game by Satan’s lies—doubled back to seek redemption for their unwitting betrayal. Offered parole in exchange for penance, these Watchers are given the toughest bodyguard missions with little leeway for success.
One last chance.
These are their stories . . .

Cowboy Watch:

Someone—or something—wants Kellen out of town . . .

Kellen Brand’s inheritance comes as a monumental shock—a rundown farm she doesn’t want and one paroled Watcher all her own. Kellen’s eccentric mother believed Watchers to be fallen angels seeking penance by guarding individuals who had lost their way. Seriously? A Watcher? Only her mother . . .

Since Kellen vows no sane woman would choose to live in Riverside, she’s on a mission to dump the old farm fast and to the first buyer who comes along. Unfortunately for her, the only buyer is a resort developer, spurned by a townful of objectors and one handsome cowboy—her neighbor, Luke Thornton. Luke must block Kellen’s farm sale or risk exposure of his own family’s secrets. He can ill afford his immediate and compelling attraction to his new neighbor.

Someone is watching Kellen, but not who she thinks. Someone deadly and intent on scaring her out of town. Or worse. Luke has a hellish choice to make—step in and rescue Kellen from her threats, or to protect his family, stand by and watch . . .

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A familiar aroma wafted up from the river, a combination of humus, plant material, microscopic plankton, and a touch of fish. Unable to stop the smile slowly stretching across her face, she untied her sneakers, rolled up her jeans, and slipped into the icy water. She immediately gasped and felt her smile deepen to a grin. Remaining in the soothing current for a long time, she absorbed her surroundings as trout darted in and around the submerged rocks to grab their plankton lunch.

A horse suddenly whickered behind her, followed by the telltale creak of a saddle. Too close for comfort. The back of her neck prickled. Ankle deep in the water, she couldn’t make a decent sprint for the car, and Kellen regretted her impulse to visit this deserted stretch of riverbank.

Easing around, she spied the towering silhouette of a powerfully built man astride a huge black stallion no more than ten yards away. The rider’s face lay shadowed beneath a wide-brimmed Stetson. The cowboy made an impressive and, at this moment, intimidating sight—a throwback from the frontier days of the Wild West.

The horse whickered again and sidestepped away from the edge of the embankment, forcing the cowboy to twist around to keep her in sight. She could feel his dark eyes scanning every inch of her. The intensity in his gaze raised goose bumps on her arms, and a tiny shiver edged up her spine. Trapped here along the edge of the river, she felt vulnerable yet strangely unafraid. Would he come any closer?

A horn blared up on the highway, and she jumped with a yelp. The big horse reared at the sound of her cry, and Kellen caught a brief glimpse of the cowboy’s dark eyes, eyes that could stare right through to a girl’s soul. She scrunched her own eyes shut and forced herself to breathe. When she opened them, the rider was gone. Had she imagined him? Another mild shiver rifled up her spine. No, the fearsome rider was definitely real.

About the Author:

Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing new Cinderella series tales, her new The Watchers series, sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more contemporary romance standalones to go along with her two previous releases—Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades. Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Book 2 of The Watchers, Christmas Watch.

Visit Petie's web site or her Facebook page.

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A Code of Knights and Deceptions by Eliza Hampstead

 

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

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Tell us your latest news?

Right now, I’m deep in edits and preparing for the release of A Code of Knights and Deception! It’s been a long journey—over a decade in the making—but I finally feel like it’s the right time to share this story with the world. I’m also working on the next book in the series, so readers can expect more medieval intrigue, romance, and unexpected twists soon!

When and why did you begin writing?

I’ve always had stories in my head, but I seriously started writing over a decade ago. The idea for A Code of Knights and Deception came to me first, but I put it on hold when I struggled to finish it. In that time, I wrote The War of the Nephilim, my spicy fantasy romance series, and learned so much about storytelling. Looking back, I think I needed that experience before I could do justice to this book.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I published my first book. Before that, writing felt like something I just did, but after putting my work out into the world and seeing readers connect with it, I finally embraced the title.

What inspired you to write your first book?

A Code of Knights and Deception started with a simple but intriguing question: What if I woke up in medieval England? From there, my research spiraled, and the story took shape. I wanted a time-travel romance that felt fresh—something different from all the Scotland-based stories set in the same era. And, of course, my love for medieval England made it the perfect setting!

What would you like my readers to know?

That I pour my heart into every book I write. Whether it’s A Code of Knights and Deception or The War of the Nephilim, I love blending romance, history, and fantasy in a way that feels immersive and emotional. My books aren’t just stories; they’re journeys. I hope readers lose themselves in them, fall in love with the characters, and maybe even see history in a new light.

Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling dark time travel romance.

She thought it was real. She was wrong.

When Sophia wakes up in 15th-century England, she expects hardship—but nothing prepares her for this brutal, unforgiving world. Lost, alone, and desperate to return to her husband and son, she vows to find a way home. But as the days turn into months, Sophia begins to build a new life, finding unexpected kinship and purpose in this strange land.

After a violent attack, she takes fate into her own hands, disguising herself as a man to train under Henry, the castle’s enigmatic master-at-arms. As steel clashes and their connection deepens, forbidden desire ignites.

Yet Henry is not who he claims to be. His real name is Ethan, and this is the least of the lies he tells her. Falling for Sophia was never part of the plan—but the closer they become, the more he realises how wrong it is to keep her in the dark.

As danger closes in and the lines between reality and deception blur, Sophia must uncover the truth about Henry—and herself—before she runs out of time.

*Warning: strong language, steamy scenes, and graphic violence inside. Mention/Description of, but not limited to, abduction, blood, death, amputation, childbirth, death, sexual assault, suicide, violence against children, rape, and torture.*

The book is the first in a duology and ends with a cliffhanger.

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I tensed up, unsure of what would happen next. Would they really go through with it? Beating someone up for a believable story was one thing, but they wouldn't kill an actor, would they? No, they wouldn't go that far; I was sure of it.

Before I could process the thought, two soldiers brought forth a rope, swinging it over the tall branch of an oak in the square. They couldn't possibly stage this, could they? Hanging someone without harm wasn't possible. Using the fake hand and stage blood was one thing, but hanging someone? That could go wrong very quickly! Surely, any moment now, a rider would burst through the crowd, interrupting the execution. But no such intervention came. The dreadful scene continued.

Helpless and sick, my stomach churned as the farmer was led to the tree, and the noose was placed around his neck. A priest stepped forward, reciting a brief Latin prayer, his voice audible amidst the oppressive silence. Was this really happening? They couldn't just sentence him one minute and hang him the next! There had to be some sort of protocol or waiting period, right?

As time ticked by and nothing happened, it became clear that this was not a show or a performance. This was a real execution, taking place right before our eyes in a matter of minutes.

About the Author:

Award-winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.

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Stellar Heir 2: Syndicate Moon by Scott Killian

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

Jael and his crew are on the run, searching for an ancient machine that could save the galaxy, but the syndicate-controlled moon has other plans.

After uncovering an artifact that grants him extraordinary powers, Jael thought he had gained the upper hand in the lawless fringes of space. But news of his newfound abilities has spread throughout the galaxy, and a bounty is placed on his head for crimes he didn’t commit. New enemies emerge to claim the reward and old foes remain relentless in their pursuit of the artifact.

Jael is unwillingly thrust into a high-stakes game that determines control over the moon. The four crime syndicates use this brutal contest to decide who will rule, and now Jael’s fate is entangled with theirs.

Complicating matters further, a mysterious woman with a similar artifact stalks Jael across the moon, sabotaging his quest. With each step, the stakes rise, and every decision could mean life or death. Jael must fight to stay alive, protect his crew, and uncover the second Antiqui lock—before time runs out.

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Sprinting to the edge of the barge, Jael quickly reloaded his pistol with his last three slugs. He aimed and fired at Lorvel. Lorvel swung to the side, barely avoiding Jael’s shot. Jael cursed under his breath and fired again, but Lorvel moved surprisingly fast, evading again. Not wanting to waste his final bullet, Jael holstered the pistol and dashed toward Lorvel. Lorvel had managed to get up onto the side of the barge, and he rolled to avoid Jael’s charge. Jael skidded to a stop, sending loose trash over the side and quickly pivoting and dropping into a fighting stance.

Lorvel fired his own weapon at Jael, but black crystalline armor erupted from Jael’s skin, deflecting the shots. The bullets pinged off the scales, creating sparks. Lorvel’s gun clicked, signaling that his clip was empty. He dove behind a mound of trash, disappearing from sight. Jael rushed to the spot, but when he reached the pile, Lorvel was already gone.

“So what is all that rocky juuk?” Lorvel called out, his voice now coming from the opposite direction of where he had been just moments earlier. “A nanite lattice? Some new tech you stole from Hezion Corp? That why you killed them all, butcher?”

“Sure. Whatever you want to think.” Jael moved around the barge, walking slowly at first and then running to where he thought Lorvel was hiding. “You wouldn’t believe the real story even if I told you.”

“Try me. I’ve been around the galaxy and seen a few things.”

Jael heard the click of Lorvel’s hammer on his gun pull back. Two shots pounded into the back of Jael’s head, and he spun around to see nothing but trash. “Why don’t you come out and fight me face to face?”

Lorvel laughed. “Because I’m not suicidal. You just bodied a half-dozen of Legion’s…” There was a momentary silence before Lorvel spoke again. “Well, I won’t say best, but they were pretty good fighters.”

Merzi zipped overhead, turning and idling. Jael and her made eye contact, and she nodded her head to his right. He slowly and as quietly as he could shift his weight and sprang over a pile of refuse.

“Saihreen warned us you were some kind of warrior monk. Said we should be—” Lorvel didn’t get to finish.

Jael came crashing down on Lorvel. Both the men strained as they wrestled for control. With a quick twist of his wrist, Lorvel managed to bring his gun around and shoved it into Jael's midsection. Slamming his forearm into Lorvel’s wrist, Jael redirected the shot. The gun discharged, and the bullet hammered into Jael’s side. It hurt, but Jael powered through and struck down Lorvel’s hand, trying to free the gun.

Lorvel snarled and used his free hand to jab at Jael’s ribs, attempting to find an opening. Jael grunted, absorbing the blow and tightening his grip around Lorvel’s arm. He twisted Lorvel’s wrist, forcing the gun into an upward angle.

The next few shots were fired into the air. He brought his knee up into Lorvel’s midsection. Lorvel gasped, the impact knocking the wind out of him, and Jael wrenched the gun from his grasp.

Slamming the butt of the pistol into Lorvel’s face, he flipped it and pulled the trigger.

About the Author: Scott Killian grew up in California where he consumed every bit of sci-fi, fantasy and horror media he could find. Delving deep into the works of Frank Herbert, Isaac Asimov, and H. P. Lovecraft, those portals in his mind were opened, and his obsession with reading began. Storytelling, in any form, is his only passion.

Inspired by epic sci-fi space operas, Killian crafts tales of interstellar adventure and space wars, blending thrilling martial arts combat with galactic-scale conflict. His works often feature gritty fight sequences and complex characters caught in the heart of a stellar conflict, creating a unique blend of space opera thriller and sci-fi epic.

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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Syndicate-Moon-Thrilling-Sci-fi-Stellar-ebook/dp/B0DG3XZCSH/ref=sr_1_1 FREE TO READ ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

Love Letters to Me, Myself and Him by Rayan Khamis

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

"No two souls meet by accident"

Have you ever felt like you've missed someone you've never met? Like your soul is yearning to meet another soul that fate has destined for you to meet? As I tackle the challenges of everyday life I come to realization that there's a higher power guiding me to my soulmate. These love letters have become my anchor and devotion towards my soulmate though we've never locked eyes. Come on a journey of self- discovery, self- reflection, faith, destiny and hope. Unwind to my truth of what love, guidance and faithfulness means to me.

Read an Excerpt

Dear Rayan

You're going to inspire so many people soon. You will be surprised when you find out how many people want to hear you talk. You’re an artist in so many ways. You’ll be remembered by the things you left behind. You’re going to do so many wonderful things, my love. First and foremost, don’t ever be afraid of crying. No matter where you are, if you need to cry a river, do so. If you don’t like crying alone, make sure you have a trusted friend by your side for comfort; and say, for example, you’re at dinner and something you saw or heard triggers you, go to a quiet area and let it rain. Don’t mix up fear with crying because then you’ll always be afraid. Crying can be therapeutic as well, especially if it’s tears held back from a young age. I have a lot of love for a lot of people and things. I had to grow up and, unfortunately, realize that not everything you love loves you back. I have love for the risk-takers and the hopeless romantic. Sacrifice and love is so beautiful.

About the Author: Rayan, a talented 27-year-old author, hails from Sudan, North Africa. She moved to Canada at the tender age of four, where she has cultivated a unique voice in the literary world. Though she discovered her passion for writing later in life, it was in 2019 that she first picked up a pen to craft love letters, a genre that has since become her signature.

Known for her wit and quiet demeanor around most people, Rayan's true personality shines brightly when she is among her loved ones, where her loud and vibrant nature comes to life. Her writing reflects this duality, blending sharp humour with heartfelt emotion to create deeply resonant works that captivate her readers.

Rayan's journey from Sudan to Canada and her experiences growing up between two cultures provide a rich backdrop for her writing, infusing her love letters with a depth and authenticity that set her apart in the literary scene. As she continues to write and share her stories, Rayan remains a dynamic and compelling voice, one that speaks to the complexities of love, identity, and connection.

Instagram : http://www.instagram.com/rayanroseay
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Stone of Doubt by Margaret Izard

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Margaret Izard will be awarding a Stone of Doubt Book Swag Box to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I love romance and sci-fi books, so writing those types of stories I love comes easily.

What research is required?

An immense amount of research goes into my books, not only for the world-building but for the time travel as well. I include many folklore and fairy tales to evaluate the fantasy aspect.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Evie embodies a lesson I learned early on in life – the odd and unusual people who are quirky are the most interesting people to be around.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I keep rocks around when I write to have something to fidget with. Each rock carries a specific energy, so when I need to draw upon that to help my thought process, that’s the rock I pick up.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am a plotter with scene-by-scene summary outlines.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

It’s an open space beside my desk.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Next in the series:

Highlander’s Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book coming November 2025. Features Alex MacDougall, Mary and Roderick from Thistle in the Mistletoe son. A forbidden love between a Highlander and an English lady intertwines with magic, betrayal, and the fate of a nation as they fight to unite their worlds and reclaim Scotland’s legacy.

Stone of Faith, book 6 Ewan’s Story. (Evie’s twin brother) A cursed pirate captain and an enslaved siren defy a power-hungry madman—and fate itself—to claim a love that spans centuries as they save the human and Fae realms.

Stone of Destiny, book 7. Katerine MacArthur, Evie’s BFF love story. A woman torn between fate and forbidden love must defy a Fae prophecy and battle dark forces to reclaim her future—and the heart of the Fae warrior she can’t forget.

Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book coming 2026
This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Many of my stories are twists on classic fairy tales or folk tales. What are some of your favored folk tales, and what type of twists would you like to see in a love story?
Example – Robin Hood but told from Friar Tuck’s POV where he finds forbidden love.

In the absence of doubt, only faith is found.

A human with Fae powers living like an oddball has its ups and downs until Evie MacDougall’s dream Fae boy pops back into her life after she thought another was “the one.”

One dark and devilish, the other her long-lost love. Evil forces trap her for a magic Fae stone, but which man can she trust? As a teen prophesied to be Fae king, Aodhán viewed the girl of his dreams through an Eye of Ra.

Once, he risked all to help Evie MacDougall find a magic Fae stone, only to end up imprisoned. Kept from his true love for years, he finds her at risk from an evil Fae hunting a magic stone.

Is a single vow strong enough to save true love, to save the human and Fae realms?

Read an Excerpt

Her head shot up, and he stood before her. “Hello, Evie.”

Her hand lifted as she moved it toward him, expecting it to pass through. When she touched his warm chest, she jerked back.

He captured it in his hand. “Aye, I’m real, Evie.”

He brought her hand to his lips and brushed the back, kissing her. Tingles shot from her hand to her heart. Only one person affected her that way. Aodhán.

His grin grew as he lowered her hand. “I’ve been away, and for that, I am sorry. But I’m finally freed. Free to revisit the human realm.”

Tears gathered in her eyes as he gazed into her eyes, her heart. Her Fae love, Aodhán, stood before her and held her hand.

“Evie, please let me make up my absence to ye. Let me show ye new hope and erase all doubt about yer feelings for me.”

She whimpered as a tear fell. “Aodhán?”

His hand came up and caught her tear. He rotated his palm and held it open, presenting a clear gemstone shaped like a teardrop.

Handing it to her, he whispered, “I can only stay a moment, but tomorrow I shall come to ye. I’m glad ye kept the sphere. I heard yer call every time. No more tears, Evie.”

He brushed a kiss on her lips. “Look for me tomorrow night in yer dreams. Don’t lose hope.”

Aodhán faded from her view.

Evie blinked. She turned around once, scanning the area. No one was about.

She turned again, calling out, “Hello?”

No one appeared on the street.

She pulled her camera up and pressed the button. Aodhán’s smiling face and ethereal glow came into view. Proof he’d visited and she’d not seen a ghost.

Her fingers brushed her tingling lips at the promise of tomorrow night.

About the Author:

Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. Her latest awards are 2024 Reader’s Favorite Honorable Mention for Stone of Love and 2024 Spring BookFest Silver Award for the same title. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her desire for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets.

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The Guardian Awaits: Fata Morgana by Pamela Ackerson

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

Undercover agent, Colin Chase Rand had seen it all, or thought he’d had.

Cruising down the road, rocking to the radio, Colin came across an ethereal phenomenon, the Fata Morgana. It was no mere illusion. The shimmering surreal glow enveloped him, pulling him through a portal, setting his course to a different era and defying all explanations of reality.

Nothing could’ve prepared him for the next leg of his journey, a journey that would take him to a deceptively quiet countryside in Genoa City, 1935, where a sinister serial killer was lying in wait.

Read an Excerpt

He headed next door to the restaurant, grabbed a meal to go, and some Danish for his breakfast. The next morning, after he toured the House on the Rock, Colin headed southeast. Colin put it in auto-drive, looked at his itinerary, and played around on the radio. Preferring side roads instead of busy highways, he meandered through the countryside lost in his thoughts.

The long road had multiple mirages. The weather had been wacky lately, most likely causing all the mirages. He always thought they were like chasing a rainbow. No matter how close a person gets to it, it was always just beyond their reach. He recalled a long-ago memory with his mother.

She’d taken his hand. “Look. Colin. The end of the rainbow is right in our backyard. Watch what happens as we move closer.”

He’ll never forget that day. It withdrew from them as they moved toward it, but when they walked back to the house, they turned to look again. He expected it to be gone. Colin stood in awe. The rainbow glistened and beckoned to him.

Passing through Genoa City, a few miles from the Wisconsin and Illinois border, a stunning illusion of a mirage was on the road in front of him. The lights and colors were bending upward. The air was shimmering, similar to the northern lights. He stared, mesmerized by the sight.

The closer he got, the bigger it appeared. The road lifted upward, reaching skyward, creating an impression that the countryside was floating.

There were horses and people hovering in the air. He wanted to reach his hand out and pet the horses.

As he drove closer to the phenomenon, the more it wavered. Within seconds it morphed from within his reach to beyond the horizon and then back again. It was enchanting.

“Was it King Arthur’s sister, Morgan? Is she the one that had magical powers and could pull castles into thin air?”

Siri answered him, Morgan le Fay was King Arthur’s sister who lured sailors to their deaths by summoning visions in the sky. She created large objects to flow upward confusing the sailors, prompting claims of sighting the Flying Dutchman. A tale among the sailors, the ghost ship was cursed to sail the seas for eternity.

Colin held the steering wheel, watching as he entered the mirage. “Fata Morgana.”

About the Author: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Wall Street Journal bestselling, award-winning author, Pamela Ackerson is a time traveling adventurer. She was born and raised in Newport, RI where history is a way of life. She lives on the Space Coast of Florida where everyone is encouraged to reach for the stars!

Her literary journey is as diverse and adventurous as the time-traveling escapades she writes about. With a rich tapestry of genres at her fingertips, she weaves stories that span from the wild frontiers of the Old West to the intricate cultural tapestries of Native American history. Her work doesn't stop at fiction; she delves into the realms of history, self-help, and even marketing, showcasing a versatility that resonates with a wide audience.

Ackerson's presence on the Space Coast of Florida reflects her forward-thinking approach to writing, always aiming for the next big leap in her storytelling odyssey. Her prolific output is a testament to her dedication to her craft, inviting readers to join her in exploring the vast landscapes of human experience and imagination.

Honest reviews of her books are always appreciated.

Absolutely no AI tools were used to create this story or any story she has written.

Have a good moments day.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00QY1ARI4
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/PamAckerson
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Website: http://www.PamelaAckerson.net
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Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1735229

Everything You've Ever Wanted by Jess Ames

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

Jenna Mitchell has spent her adult life under the control of her husband, her dreams of owning her own bakery pushed aside. But at twenty-eight, she's finally ready to reclaim her life and pursue her passion. Well… almost.

With the unwavering support of the Sensational Six—her close-knit group of friends—Jenna can finally envision a day where she is in charge of her own destiny, a big step forward for her. As she works at her friend’s café, Jenna begins to discover the strength and courage she needs to break free from her past and begin focusing on her future.

But can she quiet the echoes that keep finding their way back to her? Will the doubts they’ve created make it impossible for her to see—and trust—the path forward before her chance at a better life slips through her flour-dusted fingers?

Fans of Rachel Hanna will enjoy this warm and uplifting story about self-discovery, finding the courage to start anew, and the unbreakable bonds of chosen family.

Read an Excerpt

Since then, I'd been working hard to plan out the pastries that would make up the breakfasts at her writers' retreats. After months of planning and prep, they were finally starting up the following weekend. The Sensational Six had jumped into action and helped Paige put the whole thing together in a matter of a few months. It was incredible, and I was honored to be a part of it.

I'd worked hard and had proven myself, and I wouldn't let Craig ruin that for me. I felt safer with him behind bars. Safer than I'd ever felt (outside of weekends with my grandma when I was a child).

I took a lap around the apartment, trying to cool myself down a little bit. I took in everything I’d done to make the place mine in the last few weeks. I had hung white sheers and topped them with sunshine-yellow valances. The cushion on the white rattan couch that came with the apartment had been re-covered with a yellow slipcover and bright white and navy throw pillows lounged along the back. The framed prints I had found in the local thrift stores surrounded it nicely, and complemented the Iceland landscape painting centered above it that Cat had brought back from her travels and gave me when I’d moved in. “To remind you of the great big world that’s out there waiting for you,” she’d said. As I stopped to look at it, vibrant green mountains complete with a waterfall flowing into an otherwise still pool. I doubted I’d ever be brave enough to travel that far, and I admired Cat even more because she was.

I smiled at the thought, then sat back down at the table and slid my grandmother’s recipe book onto my lap. Thumbing the edges of pages I knew by heart, I flipped to one that held a memory that was equal parts fond and painful. Lavender cupcakes. The last thing we ever baked together.

About the Author:

Jess Ames is knocking on the door of fifty, but has the sense of humor of a twelve year old and the body of a fifty-four-year-old (according to her fitness app). She is “mama” to nine, “mimi” to four, “friend” to all, an adequate wife, and living the dream of the little girl who wanted to be a writer when she grew up.

They are both still waiting for that moment, so she’s writing in the meantime.

Website: https://JessAmesAuthor.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/JessAmesAuthor
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TikTok: http://www.TikTok.com/@JessAmesAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Youve-Wanted-Clearwater-Dreams-ebook/dp/B0D9FMKVTQ
Signed paperback: https://jessicaames.com/collections/books/products/everything-youve-ever-wanted-signed-paperback

The Last Door, Ajar by Michael Holly Barrett

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

It is 1945. The infamous Max Smartz, superspy; Eva Braun, wife of Adolf Hitler; Joseph Goebbels, propaganda minister; and Otto Klugg, intelligence officer, do not die at the end of World War II, but trick the guards in the Fuhrerbunker tunnels, allowing them to make their escape. Their escape plan is to reach war-neutral Southern Ireland, where Maxwell Smartz has an established base and is familiar with rural south Kerry and its people. They evade capture and eventually reach France. Here, they meet with a good friend and colleague, an undercover agent called Maurice Le Blanc, who asks them to assist him in retrieving some stolen gold bars.

After finding the fortune, the friends attempt to retrieve it in an old Dutch van but are continually thwarted and risk losing everything. To complicate matters, they learn that Max's brother, Victor, has been incarcerated in the notorious Spandau prison and is being tried for Nazi war crimes. They hatch a plot to save him, but is it worth the danger of going back to Berlin and being caught?

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Just the week before, her own death rehearsal, the one she secretly vowed not to carry out. There will be no stage debut for this actress, she kept telling herself. Hitler returned to their sitting room in a fit of giggling uncontrollably, dribbling at the same time; she hadn’t seen him like that in a very, very long time. “What, pray tell, is the matter with you?” she wanted to know, and he tried to tell her between fits of coughing and laughing; the more he recalled the more he laughed at his own recollection of what just happened. “Sit down,” he ordered her. “That Goebbels, he is a dummy and a genius at the same time. Both in equal parts. I told him what I was about to do, using my own German Shepherd dog, Blondi.” Blondi was given to him by Martin Bormann in 1941, as a gift. “Joseph knows I loved Blondi, I told him I was testing the efficiency of the cyanide tablets given to me by Doctor Shultz. He understood, as I thought, because he turned to me and said, ‘I’ll take care of it for you, as I know of your fondness for Blondi. OK, Mein Fuhrer, just go, leave it to me’. I thanked him, I went for a walk upstairs to the Reich Chancellery, and sat down and took in some fresh air. It must have taken at least a half hour before I decided to return downstairs again, and who came charging out of the guest room — only Blondi jumping all over me, so glad to see me. Then Joseph must have heard the commotion and he came bounding out too, all smiling and happy with himself.

About the Author: My humble beginnings in a terrace house with an outdoor toilet and indoor rats. The drinking water was got from a public pump in the street. We were all sailing in the Titanic,Third Class, but we were not aware of anything better. We had so much fun, swimming in the river. As kids we had wonderful imaginations.The only luxuries we ever saw were in the Cinema, usually American films, people smoking and drinking alcohol.

Everyone in the town of County Cork, Ireland seemed to be in the same boat; we made the best of it until the swinging sixties came along and changed everything. In spite of our poverty, I managed to get a College education. But opportunities were as scarce as rich Uncles. The Christian Brothers were brutal, and handy with the cane, in National School. I was lucky like many fellows my own age to get an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic. Soon developed a taste for Alcohol, and got into trouble pretty soon, was lucky again to find A.A. and get my act together in 1978.

My hero died in 1977, Elvis Presley, the music stopped, the sixties was over, the Beatles were broken up, CCR, too. So getting sober was the best thing to do, under the miserable circumstances. I got a job as a Pipe Welder with ASME 1X certificate and began working around Europe, finally settling in warm Spain, Barcelona and met a Catalunya woman. Started writing for the first time, mostly comedies, Peter Sellers style, another hero of mine.

This is my second published book, I also self published earlier works Like ,'Gorilla Days in Ireland' by Michael Barrett, on Amazon. The Frankie Stein Enigma, and others, I paint oil and acrylic pictures, write mountains of poetry, sing and play the guitar.

' I do just about everything, that doesn't make any money for me.' But love doing what I do, writing poetry is mind stimulating, energising.

My favourite actors are William Holden, Warren Oates, Gregory Peck, and favourite detective the great Peter Falk in Columbo, a genius and Clouseau, Peter Sellers, and Peter Ustinov.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100045861996652
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-barrett-78b686103/

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