Daughter of Lore by Eileen Dreyer

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He doesn’t believe...

Zeke Kendall doesn’t believe in fairies. He’s a scientist; an anthropologist who has spent the last ten years digging in the harsh deserts of the American Southwest. But things look a lot different in the soft green shadows of Ireland. There it is easier to believe that magic exists, especially when Zeke tumbles off a fairy mound and ends up in the arms of the beautiful Nuala, who seems to know everything about him. When she tells him she is a fairy, he actually wants to believe it, even as he knows better.

She can’t believe...

Nuala is daughter of Mab, Queen of Fairies. She has grown up in the twilightland of the fae, fiercely loyal and loving to her people. But she has also been in love with Zeke Kendall ever since she first saw him in her scrying water as a child. To now have him so close is both joy and torture.

For she is the heir to the great crown of the Tuatha de Danann fairy clan. She has no place in Zeke’s world. And he, a man drawn in the sharp edges of his deserts, has no place in hers. Even as passion rises and the love she’d only dreamed of blossoms into reality, Nuala knows that a future for them is impossible. And yet, she can’t find a way to send him back to his own world.

Note: This title was previously published as Dark Seduction

Read an Excerpt

“I want to know about you.” Zeke shook his head, his smile a bit tentative. “Don’t I know you?”

His hand had fallen back to his side. Nuala saw him rub at his jeans leg, as if testing himself.

“Ah, well...” she managed, briefly looking into the shadows of the glen where tiny wee beings passed their lives among the bluebells and foxglove. “That’ll take some explaining. Why don’t we walk, then?”

Zeke took a quick look around. “I guess that would be okay. I won’t get lost, will I?”

“No more than you are now.”

He flashed her another grin. “In that case, lead on.”

She frowned, still anxious after that fall of his. “You’re feelin’ all right, then? Your head isn’t bothering you? It was quite a tumble you took, you know.”

“Yes, I do know. I can feel every rock I rolled over. But my head only hurts a little now, and the dizziness is better.”

“And you’re not feeling anything else? Anything troubling?”

“Other than a massive amount of confusion?”

This time Nuala smiled. “And why should you be, now? ‘Tis all very simple. You climbed a hill to find the fairy queen, and so you did.”

His expression was wry again. “Did I tell you I don’t believe in fairies?”

“Did I not tell you that matters to no one here but you?”

He laughed, and Nuala felt her heart leap like a salmon. “As long as I know the ground rules.” He shook his head again, a lock of hair escaping its confines and sweeping his forehead. “But it’s going to take some getting used to.”

Nuala tilted her head, savoring the sparkle of his wit, his words. “What?”

“This place. This dream. It’s so real, but it’s not real at all, which makes me think I can do anything here and not pay the consequences.”

Oh, she should tell him not to believe. Not to give in to the sorcery of this place and assume that all was possible without cost. He would be gone soon, back to his family, and she would be left to lead her fractious, frivolous clan through the next millennium with a consort she hadn’t chosen but had promised herself to. Zeke would be hurt. She would be shattered, never to be put back together again.

But she couldn’t. Sure, she couldn’t say so much as a word.

Selfishly, she wanted him to fall in love with her. She wanted, with a desperation that ached in her, for him to look to her every minute, to smile when he saw her, to laugh when they made love. She wanted to be the only woman in his eyes, even for the short time they had. Since she’d loved him that way for so long.

So she smiled, her decision made, and led him farther into the land of faerie.

About the Author:

New York Times bestselling author and RWA Hall of Fame member Eileen Dreyer and her evil twin Kathleen Korbel have published over forty novels and novellas, and ten short stories in genres ranging from medical suspense to paranormal to romance. She is thrilled to have joined Oliver Heber Books to continue her Drake’s Rakes series about Regency aristocrats who are willing to sacrifice everything to keep their country safe, of which Ill Met by Moonlight is a near relative.

A former trauma nurse, Eileen lives in St. Louis with her husband, children and large and noisy Irish family, of which she is the reluctant matriarch. A seasoned conference speaker, Dreyer travels to research, and uses research as an excuse to travel. Oh, who's she kidding? She doesn't need an excuse. She has the Irish wanderlust and satisfies it as often as she can to the point that she has sung traditional Irish music on four continents. She also had the incredible chance to research Drake’s Rakes by attending the 200th anniversary of not only the Battle of Waterloo, but the Duchess of Richmond ball (in period attire). She has animals, but refuses to subject them to the limelight.

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Midnight Highlander by Anya Summers

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Xavier Campbell needs a miracle. If he doesn’t want to lose the life he’s worked so hard to build, he must get married, and quickly. Trouble is, there is no woman in his life. Not even a friend with benefits. As a regular Dom at Eternal Eros, he gets what he needs and goes home. And a wife? Hell, no. This Highlander is single for a reason. So when his entire existence threatens to come crashing down, he realizes he might have to make some adjustments…or a bargain with the she-devil who beguiles him, body and mind, from the first moment he touches her.

Emma Morton wants a man. To play with. Watch television with. Cuddle with. And yes, God help her, she wants him hard, naked, and in her bed. More than once. What she doesn’t want is complications. Expectations. She is dedicated to her work, to building her business. She’s worked too long and too hard to change her plans for something as fleeting as love. No matter how much she wishes otherwise, life has repeatedly proven that romance is a myth. Pure fairytale.

But passion? Yes. She could definitely go for a ‘Single’s Night’ of play—and release—at the infamous Eternal Eros.

After one scorching night of pleasure, a reckless bargain is made. Marriage with an expiration date. A business arrangement. Nothing more.

But what starts as a farce becomes a bit too real and Xavier realizes this is no game. Telling Emma the truth would be dangerous…especially when he realizes he is playing for keeps.

Read an Excerpt

The announcement sounded over the loudspeaker that it was time for the submissives to assemble in the Pit to begin the selection process. Emma hoisted her glass. With her gaze unwaveringly trained on Xavier, she drained it, setting the empty tumbler back on the bar.

She tore her gaze away from Xavier and focused on his brother, casting a flirty smile in his direction. “Well, maybe I will see you in a bit.”

“If not tonight, lass, another night. Any woman who can drink good Scots whiskey like that, I want to get to know better.”

“Careful, or you’re going to fall in love with me.” She winked as she stood up.

Jasper pressed a large palm over his bare chest. “Lass, I’m already halfway there.”

With a throaty laugh, Emma swaggered away from the bar, putting a little extra sway in her hips for good measure. She would enjoy a night with Jasper. But it wasn’t his gaze on her back she felt with every step.

She tossed a glance over her shoulder, just to check.

No, Jasper was too gregarious, and was deep in conversation with another Dom at the bar already. It was his beast of a brother, with brawny muscles upon muscles and impossibly wide shoulders, whose gaze bored holes in her back. At least he wasn’t a participant in the event tonight. He never took part, for which she was extremely thankful.

Could you imagine doing a scene with that one? She shivered at the thought.

Emma would select literally any other Dom in the club to play with over him.

She got into line behind Nora and Tessa, who were each dressed up as pagan maids—the naughty version with skirts that ended mid-thigh, displaying a hint of the garter belts beneath. Behind her were Daisy, and Sage, and a few others.

The point of the selection process was to introduce a submissive to a Dominant they might not have tried playing with, and vice versa. It was always a bit of a head trip, the wondering, and waiting to see who they would spend the night with. Sex wasn’t always a given, either. That was something the Dom and sub discussed before engaging in their scene.

When it was Emma’s turn to pick, she fished around in the bucket and closed her hand around a marker. She withdrew it to the delight of the crowd assembled around the Pit.

She opened her closed fist. Stared dumbfounded at the marker in her hand and the man it represented.

“No.” Her gut clenched in fear. It couldn’t be. Not him. He never participated. After the tongue lashing she had given him at the bar, he would spend the time punishing her.

“Is this right?” She couldn’t stop the question as she stared at Sophia Ryan, doing her damndest not to recoil in horror before all the onlookers.

Sophia’s kind smile nearly undid her. “Yep. That’s Xavier Campbell’s marker. You’ll be down in private room six.”

Internal warning bells sounded that screamed: Danger imminent. Red alert. Engage offensive maneuvers.

Emma pasted a smile on her face as she exited the Pit. Her legs trembled on her walk toward the elevator. Fear coiled in her belly. Her hands shook as she reached for the elevator call button.

She could go home. Right now. Abandon ship, and take whatever consequences there might be.

She couldn’t do a scene with Xavier. She didn’t even like him. And the feeling was mutual.

About the Author:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

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Ella by Nancy Fraser

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nancy Fraser 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.

To get away from her late husband’s questionable deeds, Ella Winslow takes her three children and heads west to the unsettled Washington Territory to claim land she believes she’s inherited from her father.

Tucker McAlister was fired from his position as deputy marshal for arresting the mayor’s brother-in-law for spousal abuse. His mentor has found him another job, first escorting the wagon train going west, and then as the new marshal in the growing town of Tacoma, Washington Territory.

The trail is long and hard, yet Ella is more than up to the task. Still, Tuck feels the need to watch over her and her children, whether she wants him to or not. It isn’t until they arrive in Washington that he realizes his protection will now need to extend even further than the wagon train itself.

Will Ella’s faith allow her to trust again and make a safe home for her family, while welcoming Tuck into her heart?

Read an Excerpt

U.S. Marshal’s Office
St. Joseph, Missouri
April 20, 1870

Tucker McAlister settled against the wooden railing opposite Willard Davis’ desk. The older man leaned back in his chair and raised his head. His faded brown gaze, gray hair shot through with strands of white, and grizzled beard easily gave away his age. Not to mention the wear and tear thirty-odd years of being a lawman had put on his body.

Tuck held his breath. This was it. Davis was about to announce his retirement, leaving the job of marshal open for the taking. Given Tuck was the deputy with the most experience, he figured he was a shoe-in for the job.

Unfortunately, he’d figured wrong.

“The mayor wasn’t pleased with you arresting his brother-in-law,” Davis said, his narrowed stare aimed in Tuck’s direction. “No doubt with all the high-priced solicitors making their way into town, the whole fiasco is going to be thrown out of court like so much dirty bathwater.”

“He’s guilty as sin, and you know it.”

“I know it, you know it, and—no doubt—the mayor knows it. This isn’t the brother-in-law’s first brush with the law. However, the reprobate claims his wife provoked him.”

“There’s no cause for a man to strike a woman, especially one with child. It’s assault.”

“She’s his wife,” Davis pointed out.

Tuck could feel the flush of anger staining his throat, his face. “That still doesn't give him the right.”

“And the man’s lawyers are claiming you didn’t have the right to give him a black eye and broken wrist.”

“He charged at me when I put myself between him and his missus. I was defending myself when I punched him in the eye. As for his wrist, he did that himself when he swung and missed. I can’t help it if I was standing in front of a brick wall when I ducked.”

Davis snorted a laugh before continuing. “I agree with everything you’ve said, Tuck. You’re my best deputy—the one man I’d trust to take over for me when I retire—and I know you were only protecting the woman.” Heaving a sigh, he added, “However, the mayor’s demanding I fire you. Right here. Right now.”

“No, you can’t do that,” Tuck argued. “I’ll appeal to the state marshal’s office. Surely, they’ll have my back.”

“Their hands are tied. The governor supports the mayor’s request.”

“I was only doing my job, boss.”

“I know, and it’s not fair. I told ‘em so, too.”

“What am I supposed to do? Keeping the law is all I’ve known since I came here eight years ago.”

“You should’ve already been promoted and posted somewhere within the state, Tuck. Hanging around here out of loyalty to an old coot like me hasn’t done you any good.”

“It wasn’t as much loyalty as it was gratitude. You gave an inexperienced, bitter young man a job, a purpose. I owe you everything.”

“What you owe me is to accept the favor I’ve called in from an old friend.”

“A favor? What kind of favor?”

“I got you a job escorting a wagon train headed to Oregon and then on to the Washington Territory. You leave in two-day’s time. Once you get to Yakima, you’ll need to send a telegram to Marshal Burt Macklin in Olympia.”

“They’ve got a job for me in Olympia?”

“Not there, but the territory’s expanding rapidly. They need a marshal in Tacoma who can cover the town, and the surrounding county. Macklin will meet you in Tacoma to swear you in. Then, as soon as you’re settled, you’ll be able to hire yourself a deputy or two.”

“You told them about me?” Tuck asked.

“I told Burt you were the best deputy I’ve ever trained, and darned near the best shot I ever saw. That was all he needed to hear.”

“Does he know I’ve been fired?”

Willard Davis shrugged. “Probably not. I didn’t see any reason to bring it up.”

About the Author:

Nancy Fraser is a best-selling and award-winning author who happily jumps across multiple romance genres with gleeful abandon.

She's also the granddaughter of a Methodist minister known for his fire-and-brimstone approach to his faith. Nancy has brought some of his spirit into her Christian romances. And, her own off-beat sense of humor to her clean & wholesome books.

When not writing (which is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and colorful people.

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The Royal Fifth by James Peyton

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

The Royal Fifth: The amount of stolen treasure Conquistadors were supposed to give to the Spanish Crown.

In a world corrupted by its past, what could turn a sensitive artist into a killer?

Young Santa Fe artist, Martín Cortés, is devastated by the deaths of family members and the loss of a huge emerald that once belonged to Hernán Cortés.

Colin Glendaring, a disgraced archeologist with an insatiable passion for pre-Columbian artifacts, is responsible. Martín learns that another family descended from the Spanish Conqueror lives in Oaxaca. Rather than kill Glendaring, he heads south. He discovers an unconventional household that includes Ilhui, a beautiful young woman with a dangerous political agenda.

Martín is stunned when he learns how the family manages to live so well…then alarmed when he discovers that Glendaring is on his way to Oaxaca. Martín and Ilhui are soon accused of murder. On the run, they are betrayed, and Ilhui is kidnapped by a guerilla leader known for recreating grisly Aztec rituals.

With time running out, Martín makes a pact with a ruthless army officer and a crooked federal policeman. Will it be a deal with the devil, or can he do what has to be done to save his new family and love?

Read an Excerpt

SANTA FE IN PRESENT TIME

Three months before he approached the international bridge, Martín Cortés drove through the gates of his parents’ home in Tesuque, just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. Invariably that caused something powerful to stir inside him. That particular day, as the rambling adobe came into view, what stirred inside Martín was a witch’s brew of emotions. The last time he was summoned to a business meeting by his father had been three years ago. It concerned his decision to pursue a career as an artist rather than take over the family bank. That had ended badly—for everyone.

As he turned into the driveway, Martín slowed. He scanned the wooded, thirty-acre site at the base of the piñon-covered hill and then moved his gaze to the house. His eyes traced the rounded corners of the traditional two-story adobe. Irregular roof lines dipped gradually, almost whimsically, on both sides to meandering one-story additions. The structure was pinkish-tan and looked like it had been fashioned by a sculptor, which in effect it had.

Stubby piñon trees and patches of snow dotted the edge of the gravel drive and parking area. Still cold in early March, smoke curled from one of several chimneys, caressing the bare branches of tall trees flanking the driveway. Although the sky gleamed clear and blue through the clutter of spidery branches, Martín felt like a small plane flying into a thunderhead.

About the Author

Award-winning Author James Peyton infuses his novels with stranger-than-fiction encounters and true-to-life characters based on his extensive travel and research. Realism in his plots and action comes from that background and his experience in martial arts and tactical firearms.

The Royal Fifth is based loosely on historical events surrounding the Conqueror, Hernán Cortés, brought into the present time. It will be followed by a mystery-thriller series featuring federal policeman, Artemas Salcido. Artemas is the illegitimate son of a Mexican governor and his Yaqui servant. Following his mother’s suspicious death, he was sent to be raised by the village priest. He attended Harvard on a scholarship and returned to Mexico vowing to fight corruption—only to receive his real education, where the grade is often life or death.

Website: http://jameswpeyton.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/216986.James_W_Peyton
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/James-W.-Peyton/e/B001K7XKJA

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Life's Journey by Patricia S. Gibbons

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Five things you would never guess about me:

1. I wrote my first book “the Rottweiler In Australia” when I was in my 30’s, and have always wanted to write a novel. When I retired and Covid lockdowns came about, that was the time to start. So I guess the thing in this sentence that you probably would never guess about me is that I will be 80 years old this year. Wow! Where did all those years go ?

2. The second thing that I wonder if you know about me, is that I am a Classical Homoeopath. I had been practicing Homoeopathy since 1998 , and I had my own Health Food Store with my consulting rooms at the rear for a number of years. These years were very enjoyable and I learnt so much about people, vitamins, and even more about the wonders of Homoeopathy.

3. I am also an “All Breeds Dog Judge” . I bred Rottweilers for 42 years before concentrating more on the judging side. I obviously love dogs. I spent a considerable amount of life breeding, showing, trialling & tracking Rottweilers. The dogs of course become part of your family and my two children grew up learning to walk with their arms around the wither of a Rottweiler for support. I was part of the “Pal Superdog Team” back then before Agility became popular in Australia.

4. I was leader of the Rottweiler Demonstration Team, and that was a great time in my life.

We travelled around to the large shows, Melbourne Royal, Sydney Royal and the Rottweiler Specialty shows, with our very popular Obedience and Agility Demonstrations.

5. In my capacity as an “All Breeds Dog Judge” I have travelled all over Australia judging in every State, and travelled overseas judging in the UK, Hawaii, USA, Philippines, Malaysia, N.Z and China.

Penelope, aged 9, and her family emigrate from the UK to Australia. This book covers her journey onboard the ship and her family's friendship with a Greek family. This friendship continues in Australia throughout their life's journey.

The book includes the life effects of being interfered with as a child, and the ups and downs of adopting children. Along the way there is mystery, murder, love and disappointment.

Patricia Gibbons keeps you intrigued and in wonder of what is to come.

An exciting read!

Read an Excerpt

When Australia was in sight, everyone was up on deck to see the new land that would become our home, and little did I know at that point that I would come to love this land and be forever grateful that my parents had decided to emigrate to Australia.

We were docking at Fremantle, and the Papadopoulos family were so excited, running up on deck to spot their father Markus jumping up and down and waving, running along the deck calling their names. Sophia was tearing up, and the boys were yelling and screaming at their dad with excitement. It was such a lovely sight, but also a sad time for my family, as we would say goodbye to the Papadopoulos family. Our family was to stay on the liner and continue to Melbourne.

Shirley was crying, not because she was happy for them, but because she was losing her shipboard romance in Theo. Would she ever see him again? There were so many unanswered questions for the whole family. We all had made such good friends, but Shirley, ever a romantic, had wanted her romance to continue. Little did we know how far away Fremantle was from Melbourne and how far away Theo would be from Shirley. Sebastian and I promised to write and visit when we could, but we eventually found out how vast this land called Australia was.

When we landed at the Melbourne docks, Dad was waiting with an enormous smile as he ran on board with excitement, grabbing me in his arms and throwing me around like a merry-go-round. I was terrified. I did not know my dad that well. He had been away for years in the war and then left to travel to Australia to ensure all was well for the family to arrive. I screamed as I felt this tall, dark-haired stranger grab me, until Mum, my sisters and John ran to Dad for a hug and kiss, and I realised this stranger was my dad.

Dad was a handsome man, a real English gentleman. Dark hair, dark brown eyes, and quite thin with a pencil moustache. He looked so handsome in his blue RAAF uniform. He smoked a pipe and although we were not a wealthy family, Dad spoke posh, obviously from a good English upbringing. Mum was a real down-to-earth Cockney, blonde, blue-eyed, a little weighty, everybody’s friend, and welcomed everyone into our home. Shirley had Mum’s blonde hair and blue eyes, as did John, but Kate had dark hair and blue eyes, a bit of both parents. I had dark hair but dark brown eyes; I always felt I looked more like Dad.

About the Author

Patricia writes under the fictitious name of Patricia Gibbons. She has lived a busy life and some of her adventures are in her new novel, Life’s Journey, but not all:

In her teenage years singing and dancing were also one of Patricia’s loves and she appeared in a number of stage performances.

Patricia successfully bred Rottweilers for 42 years, and wrote her first book The Rottweiler In Australia about the first 20 years. She published this book back in the mid-1980’s. After becoming an All Breeds Dog Judge, Patricia judged Championship Dog Shows all over Australia, and she travelled overseas to judge in the UK, USA, New Zealand, Malaya, the Philippines and China.

Patricia has a Diploma in Classical Homeopathy and Bach Flower Remedies.

WEBSITE https://patriciagibbonsauthor.com/
GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59516112-life-s-journey

AMAZON.COM https://amazon.com/dp/0228863643
AMAZON.CA https://amazon.ca/dp/0228863643
BOOKTOPIA https://www.booktopia.com.au/life-s-journey-patricia-s-gibbons/book/9780228863649.html
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The Investment Committee Guide to Prudence by Jonathan J. Woolverton

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JJ's investment career spans more than five decades. He has been the chief investment strategist for a pension plan sponsor, a managing director and senior consultant within a global investment planning consultant firm, and a managing director and chief operating officer of an investment management organization. Over his career, JJ has attended well over a thousand investment committee meetings as a plan sponsor, a consultant, and a money manager. In the majority of these meetings, he has found that committee members lack three things: in-depth investment expertise to effectively carry out their fiduciary responsibilities, the necessary time allocation to administer and manage the investment program in the best interests of the beneficiaries, and the ability to develop an efficient monitoring system to hold all service providers accountable for the products and services they provide.

This book outlines the steps to be taken in establishing investment policy; formulating asset mix strategy; creating an appropriate investment management structure; undertaking investment manager searches; and highlighting the conflicts of interest, biases, and self-interests of the various service providers.

This book is designed to assist members of investment committees in their role as fiduciaries/trustees/administrators.

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In any treatise on the topic of investment committees, interested parties would be inundated with the following terms: prudence, due diligence, care, skill, transparency, duty, loyalty, and, more rarely, common sense. While all of these terms are important, they are used sparingly throughout this book in favor of the fundamental concept underpinning them—that is, prudence. It dominates everything else. If investment committee members get prudence right, everything will fall into place. Prudence is not judged by investment results alone, many of which are beyond the full control of the investment committee—rather, it is judged by the process by how the investment committee members made their decisions and conducted their oversight of the fund assets. The prime responsibility of the investment committee is to look after the interests of the plan beneficiaries. Of course, that is the easy part. The hard part is how to do this. Investment committee members are responsible for determining the road map and are the driving force that spans the period from the plan design stage to fulfilling the obligations undertaken by the plan sponsor.

I won’t say that the majority of investment committees are dysfunctional; however, I also can’t say that the majority are functional. My observations are not because the members of most investment committees are not the brightest, are not highly educated, do not have the best intentions, do not prioritize the best interests of the plan beneficiaries, or do not have impressive experience or credentials—although experience is too often insufficiently related to the fiduciary investment field. They typically have these qualities. However, the four main detriments to a well-functioning investment committee are a lack of:

1. relevant background and experience in dealing with the complex nature of the financial markets and their interactions with the finances and security of the plan;

2. understanding regarding the multiplicity of investment products and vehicles available;

3. in-depth knowledge of the various service providers that operate within the pension and investment environments and their motivations; and,

4. time to successfully, effectively, and efficiently design and implement investment policy.

As a result, there is often a significant disconnect between policy, strategy, and implementation. To improve the performance of the investment committee, any gaps must be closed.

About the Author:Jonathan J. Woolverton, CFA, has spent his whole career in the investment field—over fifty years. After graduating from university in Pennsylvania, he moved to Toronto, Canada, where he began his career in the investment department of an insurance company. In his role as investment officer he was responsible for formulating investment strategy and overseeing all investments within the equity and fixed-income divisions. JJ later joined Ontario Hydro as their chief investment strategist where all pension funds were managed internally.

JJ left the money management business to become an investment planning consultant. He was a founding partner and managing director of Frank Russell Canada. He moved back to the money management side as the managing director and chief operating officer of Guardian Capital Inc. JJ graduated from Westminster College with a BBA and achieved his Chartered Financial Analyst certification. JJ has published numerous articles on the pension and investment industries and has been the keynote speaker at many conferences and seminars.

WEBSITE: http://www.jjwoolverton.com

AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/0228861594
AMAZON.CA: https://amazon.ca/dp/0228861594
AMAZON KINDLE: https://amazon.com/dp/B09PGSP1Q9
INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/the-investment-committee-guide-to/9780228861591-item.html<
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APPLE IBOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-investment-committee-guide-to-prudence-increasing/id1603529759
SMASHWORDS: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1124083

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Lessons Learned about Life and Love by Vivianne Knebel

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

Five Things You Might Not Know About Me

1. Being stylish and polished, I have heard comments that people cannot imagine me with a broom in my hand. Little do they know, that I am very much hands-on and don’t mind getting my hands dirty. Being very task-oriented I like to get things done.

Rather than waiting for people to help me lift or move heavy things around, I’ll do them myself. Often I find myself lifting heavy bags of steer manure and bending down for hours on end in my garden. I love feeling the warm soil between my hands and being close to nature. It is a real and beautiful thing.

2. What I thought once out of the question was training for the Honolulu marathon.

I have never been sports-oriented. To start running was out of the ordinary for me. During my yearlong training for the marathon, I entered a few 10 k races. To my surprise, I had won the first prize in my age group a few times. Even one 10 k race in Germany, while I was visiting that country. I felt empowered after I finished the marathon in Honolulu in under four hours. Once again I proved that by setting achievable goals, staying focused, and having perseverance and determination, we can accomplish what we set out to do.

3. Ballroom Dancing and Competing

I always loved music and believe music is life! My husband and I did not share the same love for dancing. He enabled me to take dancing lessons at the Arthur Murray dance studio. I loved it from the start and was glad that my husband supported my passion. The beautiful gowns were my style and the tango was my all-time favorite dance. I derived so much joy from my years of dancing. Although I stopped dancing thirty years ago, I often play tango music while preparing dinner and break out into an expressive tango move once in a while, which pleases my husband.

4. I was never technically inclined. When my husband contemplated buying a small plane for business trips, he suggested I should take flying lessons.

My husband believed in me and whatever he encouraged me to do, no matter how challenging it was, I gave it a try. After taking flying lessons, and being in the air with my instructor I had serious doubts about being able to master the skill. After my first solo flight, I thought that it was one of my biggest accomplishments, and once again, I proved to myself that we are more capable than we think. I encourage people to look for new opportunities, despite inhibitions.

We need to free ourselves from our self-limiting beliefs, which trap us in our own minds.

5. Modeling

Growing up, I was always in the shadow of my beautiful sister who was two years older than me. Although I was proud of having such a beautiful sister, it nevertheless hurt not to get the attention and lavish praises she was showered with. Next to her I felt very ordinary and considered myself the ugly duckling. I was a late bloomer. Later on, in life, I was approached by a scout and asked about modeling. I went to the Casablanca modeling agency and learned to walk and the skill of applying makeup. Later I was hired for many fashions shows, advertisements in magazines and modeled for eyewear as well as appearing on TV. I was surprised to be considered a model. Each of us has many facets. My advice is to explore them! Make the most of it! You cannot fail, only create a new result!

In her second book "Lessons Learned About Life and Love", Vivianne shares some of the lessons she has learned from writers and thinkers such as Dr. Wayne Dyer and Dr. Viktor Frankl, weaving them into her own experiences in a compelling guide to living, loving and thriving in old age. Her insights offer proof that great wisdom is not gained only from the classroom or the lecture hall, and that one need not look far to understand the secrets to living well. From anecdotes about her everyday rituals to memories from her world travels, Vivianne captures the profound and often surprising moments of enlightenment that can be found right in front of us, if we only know where- and how-to look.

Read an Excerpt

I am now 78 years old and in the stage of nb completion. I write about the aging process. I want to impart what it means to age well instead of merely growing old. It is a mistake to see aging as a decline. For everything, we lose we gain as much. I see aging as strength, wisdom, and emotional maturity.

There is emerging energy to do something we have not done before. For me, it is writing. When we write and reflect we engage in nostalgia, which leads to deep gratitude for our experiences and the people we met on our life's journey. Gratitude leads to happiness. All the challenges I have overcome gave me a profound sense of gratitude and a higher sense of awareness. I encourage people to find new abilities despite inhibitions! Aging for me is an active drive forward to seek greater value and meaning. I have learned to grow even beyond my success and live my most beautiful life. My intention is for people to realize it can be for them as well. Very often we encounter surprising moments of enlightenment if we only know where and how to look.

About the Author:

Born an illegitimate child in the wake of WWII in Berlin, Nazi Germany to a single mother, Vivianne Knebel’s options were limited and her future looked bleak. She experienced poverty, cold, and hunger, and was even driven to the point of committing suicide. To seek out a better life, Vivianne immigrated to Canada as a teenager, but her misfortunes did not end there. However, in response to a miraculous intervention, she decided to preserve her life and keep moving forward.

After this incident, Vivianne met a fellow German immigrant, Wiland, who eventually became her husband. But even more than that, he became a catalyst for change in her life. His belief in her is what helped her see the true, immeasurable value of her life. She went on to play a key role in Wiland’s business venture and together they built a better future for each other.

Since then, Vivianne has run a marathon, learned to pilot a plane, and even beat cancer. She’s found a greater sense of spirituality and wants to share her story with the world, to remind people that there is always a reason to keep moving forward.

Website: https://vivianneknebel.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/knebelauthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vivianne-Knebel-100504868342880/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianneknebelauthor/
Tumblr: https://vivianneknebelauthor.tumblr.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20376391.Vivianne_Knebel

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Learned-About-Life-Love/dp/0578976005/

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Heart Fire by Rose Mackie

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rose Mackie will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Clkick on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

*The planet Falosia has an excess of females. The planet Verit has a surplus of males. The best of each have been put forward to start a new colony and find mates, in a last desperate attempt to save both worlds. A scorchingly hot sci fi, alien romance. *

Denara barely survived her disastrous first attempt at marriage; for years she threw herself into her research, giving herself time to heal. When the opportunity arises to take up a position on the colony, she decides to take a risk for the chance to live, and love, again. Lucius has spent his life under the heel of the ruthless Matriarchs of Verit. Tasked with leading the males of the new colony, he reluctantly accepts the assignment. The last thing he wants is to tie himself to a scheming female through mating, but nothing could have prepared him for meeting Denara. Sparks fly, but can they overcome their pasts to find love? With the political machinations of two planets vying for control over the colony, perhaps together, they can bridge the gap between their worlds.

What to expect: Glorious world building, spicy alien romance, friends to lovers, enthusiastic consent. Recommended 18+ due to sexual content.

Read an Excerpt

“Would you like to see a trick?” He blinked in surprise. “What?”

“A trick? Something that Falosians don’t often show outsiders?” Not waiting for his reply, she stood up and walked to a nearby bush that bore large buds. “I have been analysing some of the flora that the bio teams have been bringing in, and if I’m not mistaken, this is a fruiting plant.”

She reached her hands out to cup one of the buds, and bent to place her lips next to it, whispering, bathing the bud in her breath. Lucius moved next to her, staring in rapt interest. He reminded her again of a huge jungle cat, eyes bright with curiosity. A few moments passed, and she opened her hands to show a peach-coloured fruit, covered in fuzzy blue hairs. She plucked the fruit, pulled her laser knife out, and sliced a section away to reveal the dark blue pearls within.

Lucius leaned in to sniff, his eyes flicking to hers at the sweet smell.

“Go on, it’s perfectly edible. They will start appearing on our normal food rotation soon, now that we’ve confirmed they are suitable for our digestion.”

He took the offered fruit and scooped out some of the pearls, dropping them into his mouth and popping them with his teeth. As he did, his mouth was flooded with a sweet, slightly spicy juice. “I suspect they will be very popular. This would make an excellent fermented spirit.”

Denara laughed. “I will start mixing hangover cures.”

“How did you do that?”

Denara smiled archly. “I said I’d show you a trick, not that I’d show you how I did it. You can’t expect me to show you all my secrets at once.”

About the Author:

Rose Mackie (she/her) is an Australian author who writes and loves sci-fi romance, paranormal romance and fantasy romance. Born in Scotland and living in Perth, Western Australia for the past 15 years, Rose loves nothing more than to hang out with her family and rescue cat, and create magical worlds of imagination.

All Rose Mackie books have an element of spice, kick-ass heroines, enthusiastic consent and happy endings. Rose has been writing for as long as she can remember, but has recently published her first book, Heart Fire. It still spins her out that people are reading the weird stories she makes up in her head!

Rose has fallen in love with writing, and loves seeing audiences connect with her work and characters, and hopes you’ll love them too!

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The Secrets That Kill Us by Phoenix Blackwood

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Phoenix Blackwood will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the othe stops on the tour.

Thanks for stopping by It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

YA is such a universal genre and takes place in a pivotal time in life. You don’t have to be a teen to read YA, adults can read it too and may be having similar experiences in their lives as well. It’s a time when a lot of changes happen, and it’s where a lot of people need validation the most. My goal with my books is to write stories of people who are pushed to the edges of society, those that don’t have a lot of good representation. I want to make these people feel seen.

What research or world-building is required?

The Secrets that Kill Us takes place in modern-day, in a generic made-up city. Most of the world-building came from my own experiences, from the school to the MC’s home. I have pictures of these places in my head and when describing them simply navigate through the spaces in my mind. I’m a very visually-centered person, so I try to create vivid descriptions for people to see what I’m seeing.

Name one thing you learned from your hero.

Liz taught me that sometimes, you have to let go and trust people. You can’t always be completely independent, you can’t always do everything on your own. And that’s okay. Sometimes you need to lean on close friends to get through tough times, and it’ll bring you closer.

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

I cannot write without my instrumental writing playlist playing in the background, which consists majorly of the music from Undertale. You’ll catch me jamming out to a song about a village of dogs while writing the most serious scenes.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a complete pantser. I used to plot when I was younger, but then I never progressed past outlines. Now I just sit down and write, I hardly plan anything. I have a vague notion of what happens when, but it’s not usually written anywhere and if it is it’s written nonsensically on some sticky note somewhere. I write everything in order, that’s the only sense of plotting that takes place in my head nowadays.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A stack of books and my journaling supplies. It’s my TBR pile, the books I’m currently reading, and a couple journals with a pencil case holding a ridiculous amount of washi tape (I have a bit of a problem, there’s a drawer full of it in my studio as well).

Anything exciting from you? What?

My debut, The Secrets that Kill Us, was out April 5th! I’ve been so excited for its release. This is a story I’ve put a lot of love and care into, and it’s amazing for it to be out into the world.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What makes you really fall in love with a book? You know, the kind of book-love where you can’t put it down, and end up reading the whole thing in an incredibly short period of time for your reading pace. Is it the characters, the action, the story?

At sixteen, Liz had already trudged through hell and back. Having bounced from one foster home to another most of her life, she finally finds herself in a stable home. But stability poses its own challenges after a life of unsteady fooling, and Liz grapples to find a way to be still. Her past still plagues her in this new world. Everything feels wrong, she is at odds with her own body and mind, and struggling to survive.

Liz finds an unlikely friend in Alex, a girl who may not share Liz’s troubled past but strives to understand, even though it means becoming a pariah at school. With Alex’s help, Liz searches for the strength to confront her demons, and the two see each other through addictions, transitions, and the dangerous consequences of coping.

Unable to let herself trust and love, even in this new space with new support, Liz’s trauma begins to drag her under. Some secrets kill, and some truths fight to stay hidden. Unearthing them all will require Liz to trust others despite a lifetime of learning just how dangerous that is.

Read an Excerpt

High school wasn’t much different than middle school, other than things being less sticky and more dingy. I’d made it through freshman year by the skin of my teeth, and now the daunting task of sophomore year stood before me, halfway accomplished. The guys were a lot more obnoxious, graduating from senseless teasing to aggression in order to fulfill their newfound need for overbearing toxic masculinity. I rolled my eyes as I walked past a group of guys pushing each other around, proving my point. At least I wasn’t the new kid this time. I’d somehow managed to keep up with the class and graduate. I'd made it through a year and a half of high school without being held back. It was still a constant struggle. When I got to my locker I squinted at the paper I’d been given for the code, bringing it closer to my face. Contacts weren’t cutting it, I really needed to wear my glasses. But damn, did I hate them. After a few different attempts I managed to get the right numbers and threw the books I didn’t need in. They made a loud slam as they hit the back of the locker.

About the Author:

Born and raised in New England, Phoenix has always been a creative – whether it’s painting or writing. From a very young age, Phoenix has envisioned and created characters, writing them into existence and exploring them through visual arts. Having graduated to first-time short story author, Phoenix is embarking on a journey towards novel writing as they finally bring characters they’ve known for years into the world. Phoenix is neurodiverse and intersex and hopes to bring more representation to both topics with their writing. They believe in creating relatable characters that people can find themselves in and empathize with.

Website: https://t.co/UEEMwVpdtV
Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/nixblackwood

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-that-Kill-Us-ebook/dp/B09RZZ4MSY/

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One April After the War by G.S. Boarman

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. G.S. Boarman will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When Mary Warner is requested to attend a meeting with her estranged godfather, President Ulysses S. Grant, she quickly finds that an invitation from the office of the President is an offer she can’t refuse.

Fresh from concluding a counterfeiting sting in Cincinnati, Secret Service agents Merritt and Argent are tasked by the President to convince Miss Warner to return with them to Washington, D. C. For the two Treasury agents, this simple assignment to escort the socially awkward and willful young woman on an 800-mile railroad journey from Louisville, Kentucky to the White House proves far more interesting and difficult than the men could have ever thought possible. And, in the face of danger, it may just turn out that Mary is more of an asset than a problem for the two agents.

For Mary Warner, the trip begins to take on a sinister meaning as she finds herself virtual prisoner to Merritt and Argent. Madness, morality, and murder all swirl in a strange April storm at midnight turning this odd odyssey into something so much more than a mere trip between cities.

Read an Excerpt

Merritt looked over to M before resuming his seat. She seemed completely unperturbed by the stranger’s arrival, appearance, or attitude. She had, in fact, stopped studying the stranger as soon as his presence became known to Argent and himself. She was now studying Merritt, with some expectation in her gaze. He apologized for the intrusion of the stranger, then again took up his newspaper. Argent also apologized, with the promise that he would speak to the porter about restricting access to their apartment. Having been dismissed of all but the most basic duties in this apartment, the least he could do was to keep intruders at bay.

M tried to return to her reading, but her mind was restless, her thoughts both insistent and scattered, and she could not bring her mind to bear on what she read, nor could what she read bring any order to her thoughts. She finally gave up the effort and turned her head towards the window. No matter what Argent thought, the air was fresh and cool.

She was still awake, though seeing nothing, when she heard the outer door quietly open and shut. She waited to see if it was the strange man returned to murder them all, and it was as she waited that she drifted into sleep. Her scattered thoughts coalesced into a memory of the creek at home and in this memory was Merritt, and they played together in the creek, though they were both grown; he made her laugh, like Randy used to do.

About the Author:After the death of G. S. Boarman, a great niece cleaned out the old Kentucky family farmhouse and in the attic, amid the rusting coffee mill, the rickety outdated furniture that was still awaiting repairs, and the stacks of vermin-eaten Harper’s Weekly’s and Police Gazette’s, she found a curious box marked simply “M”.

On the kitchen floor, the metal hasps were flipped back and the top pried off. Lying on the top of a very neat and orderly collection of things was a scrapbook and lying loose inside the scrap book was a note that said simply, “Please finish the story.” The scrapbook itself contained a rough outline of a narrative with sometimes undecipherable glosses and cryptic references to mysterious sources.

From letters and notebooks, ledgers and calendars, train schedules and stockholders’ reports, the story was slowly extracted and pieced together, and the small treasures, carefully wrapped and preserved in the box, took their place in the narrative.

Boarman’s will had already been read, probated, and executed, but the niece, as executrix, felt obligated to fulfill Boarman’s last wish — to breathe life into the long-ago story of a woman who held some importance to Boarman.

Website: https://www.gsboarman.com/

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Honorable Profession by Andy Kutler

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Thank you for joining us at It's Raining Books. Why did you start writing?

I felt like I had something to say, and writing was a way to express myself. I started blogging for The Huffington Post, writing about politics, history, travel, sports, popular culture – whatever had me in the mood. And as with everything in life, the more I wrote, the better I got at it. At some point, I thought it was time to take a shot at a book.

Did you ever think it would pay the bills? Or do you hope that one day it will?

No, it’s always been a hobby. I’m fortunate – I’ve had a rewarding professional career, which has alleviated any pressure to write for commercial sales. I write what I want, when I want. And I love that.

Who is your favorite author? Why?

I have many favorites, but I consistently enjoy Jeff Shaara’s books, mostly because of his unique storytelling style of giving the reader different perspectives. In his war stories, you witness most events thorough the eyes of a foot soldier, a general, and an adversary. I love those competing perspectives. But I’ll also say Shaara’s last book was somewhat of a dud – proof we’re all human and fallible.

Have you ever received a rejection letter? If so, how did you recover?

I imagine every published author has. It’s part of our growing pains, but you just can’t take it personally. Publishers are making business decisions, and that’s all they are. It’s not a commentary on the quality of your writing.

Do your books simply come to you, or do you struggle for each chapter?

I wouldn’t call it a struggle, it’s all part of the writing process, and I make quite a few course corrections on the path to finishing a sotry. Sometimes, you realize a subplot or character just isn’t working, and you need to cut it loose and try something different. Every author knows that’s a thousand times easier said than done.

What is one genre or sub-genre you wish you could try writing in?

Young adult. I want to try writing something that my 16-year-old self would fall in love with.

Honorable Profession: A Novel of American Politics is a compelling, hopeful story of a cynical former Secret Service agent and his idealistic daughter as they follow a longshot candidate into the perilous arena of presidential politics.

After resigning from his agency under an ethical cloud, 46-year-old Dan Cahill commits himself to rebuilding his relationship with Megan, the college-aged daughter in Las Vegas he has long neglected. She persuades a reluctant Cahill to join the student-led campaign of a popular professor competing in the Nevada presidential primary against impossible odds. As they face powerful forces conspiring to clear the field, Cahill's deep-seated disdain for electoral politics collides with Megan's higher ideals. Each of their faiths are tested by political allies and adversaries, all desperate for victory, no matter the costs.

Crafted by award-winning author Andy Kutler, Honorable Profession is an absorbing, modern-day political drama filled with authentic and indelible characters, each struggling with their own loyalties and principles as they duel with unscrupulous rivals and the meaning of public service

Read an Excerpt

A waiter removed the unfinished salads and set down their main courses. Tilapia for him, penne pasta in arrabbiata sauce for her. Neither reached for a fork, and Anna sat expressionless, her eyes burning into him. Finally, she moved her plate aside and rested her chin again on her folded hands.

“Forty minutes now, we’ve known each other. Every political instinct in my body is telling me to laugh off your question. Tell you you’re misreading things and assure you I’m going to Washington because I believe I can do more good there, and better serve the people of my state.”

It was like he hit a nerve. “I didn’t mean to suggest you don’t care about people. You have—”

“I’m far from perfect, Dan, and I have my share of shortcomings. But dishonesty isn’t one of them. I’m going to Washington because I believe I can do far more good there, and for far more people.”

She paused, taking a long sip from her wine as she contemplated her next words.

“And yes, you’re right, there’s more to the story. But sharing that with a stranger would be more than reckless. Just like it’s unwise, if not self-destructive, to continue this conversation.”

“And yet we’re still talking.”

“And yet we’re still talking.”

“Vic is a phone call away.”

Anna leaned forward again, her eyes exploring his. “What is this between you and me? Or do you not have any idea what I’m talking about?”

He knew exactly what she was talking about. “I – I don’t know.”

About the Author:

Andy Kutler is a writer and author of two award-winning novels, The Batter’s Box and The Other Side of Life. Andy has also written extensively for The Huffington Post and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Over a 28-year professional career, he has worked in the United States Senate, the U.S. Secret Service, and the national security community. A Wisconsin native, Andy lives with his wife and two children in Arlington, Virginia.

Website: https://www.andykutler.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/andykutlerfanpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndyKutler

Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Honorable-Profession-Novel-American-Politics/dp/1684338891
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/honorable-profession-andy-kutler/1140042789

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The Fall of Jake Hennessey by P.J. MacLayne

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. P.J. MacLayne 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.

Jake Hennessey deals in selling fine jewelry of an illegal nature. The thrill of getting away with it is his addiction. When he hears a rumor about a rare old book in the personal collection of a small-town librarian, he gets the urge to try a new game.

After all, even jewel thieves get bored.

But the librarian, Harmony Duprie, isn't what he expected and the challenge becomes serious business.

In order to win, Jake's going to have to play by a new set of rules—and make them up as he goes along—because this time, he's playing for the rest of his life.

Read an Excerpt

The Bargen house was simple to break into. It was well-maintained, but Jake knew the tricks. The windows were the easiest point of entry once the family left to go to a concert. With the police busy controlling the crowds, the neighborhoods were unguarded.

The locked doors would be easy to pick, but that left behind traces a good cop would find. The first window Jake tried was firmly latched, and he didn't want to break a window if he didn't need to. But they'd left the kitchen window open a crack. He had to go through at an angle to get his shoulders through the narrow opening and use his arms to pull the rest of his body past the sink and onto the floor.

He waited a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the semi-darkness. Older people favored nightlights throughout their house. They gave him all the light he needed to work. There hadn't been time to scope out the interior, so he crept from room to room to find the main bedroom.

The door stood open, but he slipped on the latex gloves he'd swiped from the motel before he entered. If he got lucky, the case and the brooch would be sitting on top of the dresser. He hoped Mrs. Bargen hadn't worn it. But the cluttered tray held no jewelry box.

He worked quickly, opening and closing each drawer, not finding what he was looking for. The next place to check was the closet. He turned on the light and closed the door behind him. And hit paydirt.

About the Author:

: Born and raised among the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania, P.J. MacLayne still finds inspiration for her books in that landscape. She is a computer geek by day and a writer by night who currently lives in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. When she's not in front of a computer screen, she might be found exploring the back roads of the nearby national forests and parks. In addition to the Harmony Duprie Mysteries, she is also the author of the Free Wolves adventures.

P.J. MacLayne can be reached on:

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She's the One Who Can't Keep Quiet by S.R. Cronin

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. S. R. Cronin 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.

Do you know what your problem is?

Celestine, the fifth of seven sisters, is tired of hearing about hers. Father thinks she’s frivolous because she likes pretty clothes and caters to the crowds in the taverns who adore her music. Mother thinks that because she’s the most social daughter in the family, she can’t keep quiet about anything.

They’re both wrong. Celestine hides a secret she has kept for most of her life.

As the family beauty and a talented musician with a lyrical voice, she has the best prospects for marriage to a prince. When such a liaison never happens, people assume Celestine is too choosy. But even in somewhat tolerant Ilari, a daughter hates to disappoint her family. How can she tell them she’s in love with a princess instead?

Lucky for Celestine, all her sisters are obsessed with an invading army headed to their realm. Celestine would rather ignore the threat and enjoy the freedom their lack of attention gives her. But, her voice can unlock a power that may help save Ilari. And the woman she loves is determined to fight these invaders. And her family, for all their talents, seems clueless about how to motivate the masses.

Celestine knows she can inspire the citizens of Ilari to do what needs to be done. Is it time to put her inhibitions aside and use her voice to save those she cares about?

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Backstage as we gathered our things to leave, Nevik stepped behind the curtain.

“Madam, your music is excellent,” he said to me. “Would you allow me the privilege of walking with you to your inn?”

“Your wife? Your family?”

“They’ll see to each other,” he said. “I told them that I’ve some musical questions I wish to ask of you.”

“Very well.” I turned to the others. “Do you mind if I start back now?”

“Please.” Zamarran spoke for them all.

Once we were outside, I dropped the polite veneer.

“I know we’ve never met, sir, and you are a prince, but I also know what you did to my sister and I’ve nothing to say to you.”

He shook his head. “That is why we are walking together. If you’re going to frequent the places in Pilk where I dine, I need you to stop glaring at me. It’s awkward.”

“I don’t glare at my audience,” I said.

“You sure did when I requested that song.”

“It’s Ryalgar’s favorite.”

“It’s my favorite too, and she and I continue to enjoy it together.”

“I don’t understand.”

“Your sister and I…we remain much in love. We see each other whenever we can.”

I looked at him in horror. Despite the freedom permitted to the young and unmarried, most of us took marriage vows seriously. I couldn’t believe my sister would participate in such a torrid arrangement.

“My marriage is not one of love, it never has been, and your sister knows it.”

“Right. What woman hasn’t heard that line before?” Was this man just another Davor?

“No. The farce I’ve been saddled with was arranged by our parents. She hated the idea worse than I, yet we were both ordered to make it seem real, so it wouldn’t sway public opinion against our families. Ryalgar has known about this from the start. The woman I am forced to call my wife has an agreement with me and she loves another as well.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes and I beg you to verify this with your sister. I love her with all my heart. And she loves me.”

Well, wasn’t that a surprise?

We’d reached the inn where I stayed.

“Celestine. Before I bid you good night, let me say that I regret I never got the chance to meet you when Ryalgar and I were publicly courting. I enjoyed the sisters I got to meet. Your family is wonderful. Please. You’re becoming quite the figure here in Pilk so I don’t need you as an enemy. In fact, I could use you as a friend.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“If I find your story to be true, we’ll talk again.” Then the side of me that handled our promotions kicked in. “And if it is true, I could use a friend, too.”

About the Author:

Sherrie Cronin writes stories about people achieving the astonishing by developing abilities they barely knew they had. She’s made a lot of stops along the way to telling these tells — living in seven cities, visiting forty-six countries, and working as a waitress, technical writer, and geophysicist. She’s lost too many beloved cats to mention, but has acquired a husband and three children who are all doing fine, despite how odd she is.

Today she lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina where she writes, answers a hotline, and occasionally checks her phone for a message from Captain Picard. She still hopes to get the chance to pursue her remaining dream in life and become Chief Science Officer on the Starship Enterprise.

Author Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cinnabar01
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/46Ascending
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.r.cronin/
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Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sherrie-Cronin/e/B007FRMO9Q
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/s-r-cronin
Author Blog: https://troublesome7sisters.xyz/

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