Loving Summer Rain by Megan Slayer

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Megan will award a randomly drawn winner a handcrafted necklace and bracelet. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A match made in heaven? More like a match made in Norville and made to last.

Arthur Burton wants a lover and partner, but no man seems to want to be with the local insurance agent. He’s not the bland two-dimensional man on the billboards, but he hasn’t been given the chance to show his colors.

Summer Rain Davis embodies the bohemian lifestyle. He loves his arts and crafts. He’s always had a thing for the buttoned-up professional types and when he’s set up with Arthur, sparks fly.

Love is possible in a small town if Arthur and Summer Rain are willing to give their romance a try.

Can these two men, seemingly total opposites, find common ground and love to last a lifetime? Or will their differences keep them apart?

Read an Excerpt:

James turned him around to face the mirror. “So, what are we doing?”

“A trim and polish. Just neaten me up.” His heart sank. He was too buttoned-up already and not getting out of his comfort zone wasn’t helping much.

James stared at him through the reflection in the mirror. “May I try something? It won’t be too drastic, but I want to try a slightly different look for you.”

James had the ability to style individuals to make their uniqueness shine. If he had an idea for Arthur, who was he to argue? “Okay.”

“Yeah?” James grinned. The piercing in his bottom lip sparkled. “You’re sure?”

“I am.” He needed something. This could be the small change required.

“Good.” James combed Arthur’s wet hair. “Why do you look so lonely and sad, doll? Not because of that review? Talk to me.”

He kept so much bottled up. If he couldn’t tell his stylist, who could he tell? “Because I am lonely.”

“Why? You’re handsome, have your own business, are smart…” James parted Arthur’s hair, then began trimming. “What’s not to like about you?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t give myself the chance to look for guys, that’s one thing.” He cringed. “That sounds doofy.”

“No, you sound scared and like you need a little help.” James continued cutting. “You need a matchmaker.”

“I do.” He shouldn’t have admitted that out loud, but oh well.

“What do you want in a guy?” James asked.

He sighed, buying himself some time to think. “I want a man who is kind, considerate, who will work with me and make me better. A partner. I want a guy who isn’t afraid to date an insurance agent. Someone who sees beyond the shell and won’t let me get complacent.”

“And looks?” James stared at their reflection. He narrowed his eyes, then resumed cutting. “You must have a type.”

“Not really. I like guys based on their attitude and ability to empathize. It’s about being drawn to the man,” Arthur said. “You know? If there’s a spark when we’re talking, then that’s the thing. If there isn’t, then I don’t bother.”

“I do.” James finished cutting, then combed Arthur’s hair. “Sometimes, you just know the guy is right.”

About the Author:

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

Website
Newsletter
Blog
Facebook

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fairly Royal by Grace Grahme

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

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

I’m a romantic. Not in the ultra-gushy ‘Hallmark’ way, but in an optimistic, looking on the bright side of life, believe in the power of love way. I like happy endings. Therefore- I like romance and I write romance.

What research is required?

My books are set in the late 90s- so that’s fun to go back to that time and NOT have all the conveniences or hassles that mobile phones and our connected society have brought.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

In book 1, the main female lead is definitely an idealized version of myself… but in book 3, the main male lead is definitely more me. It was fun to write that- and have him be the character who grows the most- especially after in books 1 & 2, it’s the woman who has the growth arc.

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

I have a celebratory drink- typically a kir royal after finishing each book. (anyone remember Romancing the Stone?) But that’s about it- I’m boring that way.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Plotser. I work from an outline, but it’s relatively high level and I allow my writing and characters to figure out how they get from point a to point b.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My super cute, but annoying and demanding, rescue dog Scamp. He had a bad puppyhood, so he hates strangers. Which is bad because at 5lbs of fluffy whiteness, everyone wants to love on him.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

So many things! Now that book 3 of my contemporary steamy billionaire book is released, I’m finishing up a Christmas novella and putting the finishing touches on my first romcom, also a Christmas story that’s going to be in a series with nine other authors. It’s WEIRD to be listening to Christmas music in June and July to get in the mood. And I’m scared to death I can’t be funny. But I’ve had fun writing it at least!

Do you have a question for our readers?

I’d love to know what a reader does before they decide to buy (or download on KU) a book. I’m guessing 1- cover catches your eye, 2- you read the blurb. Then do you check out the reviews? Do you do the ‘look inside’? What makes you click in the end? And how much does price impact your decision?

Can a ruse of a royal relationship result in a real romance?

Philip has a problem.

Namely, his relationship to the throne.

Well, that and paparazzi hounding him, plus family obligations on steroids.

Years ago, the notoriously private Earl of Arburne and Glasgow’s #1 most eligible bachelor decided relationships were impossible with his unique pressures.

So he avoids anything serious. Hell, he avoids dating at all.

When he lands in yet another tabloid headline, he has the brilliant (or brilliantly stupid) idea to give the tabloids what they want.

A romance.

No one needs to know it’s fake.

But when he enlists beautiful, bold, and outspoken Anna McDonnell, his best friend’s little sister, he finds himself with a whole new set of troubles.

Anna’s rules for their ruse make their arrangement feel far from pretend. Counterfeit feels more and more like something authentic.

And in the realm of royalty and public scrutiny, anything real and pure can’t survive.

Philip has a problem.

Will this liason be a love-match or will their fling fall flat?

Fairly Royal is the page-turning third book in The Fair Series of contemporary billionaire romances. If you like bold heroines, billionaire heroes, and plenty of steam, then you’ll adore Grace Grahme’s royal romance.

Read an Excerpt

“You’re taking Anna on a date?” Janet sounded disbelieving.

Phillip smiled. He could always count on her to get to the point. Anna was like that too.

“Yes. Do I have to ask your permission?” he asked her brother.

Robert looked amused. “Anna can make her own decisions, but we were surprised when she told us.”

“I’m more surprised you’re taking her to the opera, and she still said yes.” Janet opened her laptop. “If there’s a second date, may I suggest you take her someplace she’d enjoy?”

“What would you suggest?”

“Something fun and active. Maybe a game or a hike. She’s not one to sit still.”

“Noted.” Phillip jotted the advice down in the notebook as other council members filtered into the room.

“Robert may not be nosey, but don’t think you’re getting off that easy with me. This conversation isn’t over,” Janet whispered, leaning over to him.

He nodded. She was the first person he’d need to convince about his interest in Anna.

The meeting ran shy of an hour, and Janet did an excellent job of keeping the group on track, with it ending on time, and the attendees filtered out of the room, leaving him alone with Janet.

“What’s going on with you and Anna?” she asked.

He gave her a look that deterred most people from asking questions, but she sat waiting with a pleasant expression.

“Are you being nebby?”

“I’m shameless, I know. You’ve known her forever, and you don’t date. Why are you going out with her now?”

“Can’t I change my mind?”

“Not without weighing the pros and cons for ages. You’re not spontaneous.”

“That’s something I like about Anna. Perhaps watching my best friend fall in love with an amazing woman made me realize that I’m missing something. Perhaps it even made me envious of the happiness he’s found.”

Janet’s face fell.

“Phillip, you said we were only friends.”

“And we are. Or perhaps this is all a big ruse to get me out of the constant speculation by the tabloids.” Her expression didn’t ease, and he tried a different tack. “I thought you’d be happy that I’m moving out of my comfort zone.”

“I am. I just want to make sure you know what you’re doing.”

“Are you worried I’ll hurt her?”

“I think she could eat you alive. She’s not meek. And, she’s not comfortable.”

“I’ll attempt to hold my own. I might surprise you.”

“You could be full of surprises if you’d give yourself the freedom to try.”

“Perhaps this is my way of trying. Anna makes me want to try new things.”

“I look forward to seeing that. I want to see you happy.”

“I am happy.”

“No. You’re content. You could be so much more.”

“I am not content.” Her words struck a spark of anger in him. She had no idea.

“Then you’re not happy either. If Anna gives you a chance for that, don’t let it get away.”

“What’s Robert’s opinion of me taking his sister out?” He diverted the conversation to something safer.

“He was surprised. But he thinks that you could be good for each other.”

“How so?”

“Anna’s impulsive, and you aren’t. You could balance each other well, like Robert and I.”

“True.”

“And he said he could still skewer you with his foil if necessary, so avoid being unkind.”

About the Author:

I love reading and I love writing even more- I balance (not always successfully) writing, a career, a family, and a menagerie of rescued dogs, cats, and backyard chickens.

Writing allows me to live vicariously through my characters, escape to worlds and experiences I might never have, and my characters always have a witty response or a perfect retort. (no more 5 hours later having the thought of 'that's what I should have said!')

I'm an avid coffee consumer and adult beverage fan. I love catching up with my friends on Marco Polo and working out at they gym. I avoid cleaning, cardio, and carbs- unless it's an emergency.

I carve out writing time by starting my day at 515am. Which unfortunately means I'm in bed earlier than I'd like. And I still don’t get my to-do list done!

WEBSITE: https://www.gracegrahme.com
TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@gracegrahmeauthor
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/grace.grahme
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/gracegrahme/
BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/grace-grahme
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21284522.Grace_Grahme

FAIRE'S FAIR, Book 1, 99¢ through July 1: https://www.gracegrahme.com/booklink/2559361
FAIR PLAY, Book 2, 99¢ through July 1: https://www.gracegrahme.com/booklink/2559360
FAIRLY ROYAL. discounted price of $2.99 through July 5: https://www.gracegrahme.com/booklink/2559359

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pride of Lyon's by Jenna Jaxon

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna Jaxon 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.

Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made... unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON'S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives... and loves.

What’s a young lady to do when a powerful lord tries to abscond with her and make her his mistress?

When you’re Miss Honoria Quinn, you leap from his carriage and run like the wind to find some place to hide. Trouble is, Honoria mistakenly chooses The Lyon’s Den, a disreputable gambling house as her sanctuary, a move that ends up with her having to make another choice at the hands of the Den’s match-making proprietor Mrs. Dove-Lyons: wed a complete stranger or become the lord’s mistress.

No good deed goes unpunished…

Thomas, Lord Braeton agrees to attend a wager at The Lyon’s Den only to keep his brother-in-law out of trouble. What he doesn’t count on is becoming embroiled in one of Mrs. Dove-Lyons’s schemes to marry him off. But when he tries to come to the aid of another peer, Thomas finds the only honorable thing he can do to save Miss Quinn’s reputation is put aside his hopes for a love match for himself and instead offer to marry her.

As Thomas and Honoria set out on a wary journey to matrimony, can they learn to live together and hope love will grow between them? Or are they doomed to a loveless marriage of convenience from which one or both will want to escape?

Read an Excerpt

His light amber eyes had turned dark again. Was it a trick of the light in this corridor that did that? It made him look so…hungry.

A shiver raced down her back.

“As today is our wedding day, Honoria…”

Every muscle in her body tensed. Would he go back on his word not to press her so soon? Her heart raced and her body heated. Did she want him to press her?

“Yes?” The single word was barely a breath.

“I wondered if you would allow me…”

She held her breath. Allow him…what?

“A kiss?”

Gasping, Honoria didn’t know whether to laugh or scowl at him. Thomas could be a rascal it seemed. “I believe that would be in order.” They had not even kissed after the ceremony. Papa had always frowned upon such public displays. “It is, as you say, our wedding day.”

“Yes, it is.” Suddenly he loomed so close to her all the air seemed to have been sucked out of the corridor. Gently, he raised her chin and lowered his head until her mouth was mere inches from his.

Unable to stare into those darkening eyes any longer, Honoria closed hers and waited breathlessly.

Suddenly his lips pressed against her, soft and warm. Everything about the man made her feel warm. He held her head in both hands and turned it ever so slightly, until their mouths seemed to merge into one. With that small change came an overawing feeling of rightness, as though this was the way a kiss was meant to be.

She shifted just a little toward him, drawn ever closer to his masculine presence.

In response, he pressed his lips against her harder, more insistent.

A thrill of longing shot through her. As though she wanted more of that.

About the Author:

Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling author of historical romance, writing in a variety of time periods because she believes that passion is timeless. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories.

She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets--including two vocal cats, one almost silent cat, two curious bunnies, and a Shar-pei mix named Frenchie.

Blog
Facebook
Twitter>
Instagram
TikTok

Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Chasm by Branwen OShea

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Branwen OShea 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.

They thought the biggest problem they faced was each other.

After Bleu, Rana, and their new friends narrowly prevent war between the star beings and humans, they hope the upcoming negotiation will secure the peace. Newly emerged from their subterranean haven, the Northern Haven humans are clearly not suited to Earth’s ice age, and require assistance from the enlightened star beings to survive long term on the Surface. But Commander Savas doesn’t trust the suspiciously kind star beings and their unexplainable abilities. When both sides reluctantly negotiate a joint mission to find the other Havens, Bleu must somehow cooperate with the manipulative commander to keep his friends safe.

As their team confronts unexpected dangers, Bleu and his teammates begin to suspect the star beings don’t know as much about the Surface as they claimed, while Rana is torn between remaining true to her nonviolent ways or becoming more human to survive. When an unnatural predator attacks, even the nearly all-knowing Kalakanya can’t explain it. Now the team must pull together or their new discovery will pull them apart, limb by limb.

Read an Excerpt

Neviah gaze narrowed. “You do know you’re doing a good job, right?”

He snorted. “So far, we’ve managed not to kill each other.”

“Considering Savas tried to nuke them a few weeks ago, that’s a huge accomplishment.”

He laughed, but she was right. It was amazing they hadn’t yet attacked each other. “Okay, let’s hope we can all continue to stay alive.” He turned to leave, then spun back. “Listen, if the choco doesn’t work to keep you awake while piloting, call back to me, and I’ll come entertain you. All right?”

Her smile was radiant. “Entertain me? Hmm. That sounds good. A whole lot better than stressing about flying across an ocean that hasn’t been crossed in centuries. Perhaps I should just give the choco back to Savas now?”

“Noooo. Choco is too amazing to lose.”

“Oh, so now we’re sharing it, eh?” She poked him with her stylus. “You want some of my choco?”

“Only a fool would say no to that.”

“Hmm. To the choco or to sharing it with me?” She lifted an eyebrow expectantly.

He shrugged and looked away, too riffled by her mood to answer properly. Her persistent flirting embarrassed him, and she always interpreted that to mean he liked her back. “I need to help pack up.” He left before she saw him blushing. Ugh.

About the Author:

As a young girl, Branwen wanted to become an ambassador for aliens. Since the aliens never hired her, she now writes about them.

Branwen OShea has a Bachelors in Biology from Colgate University, a Bachelors in Psychology, and a Masters in Social Work. She lives in Connecticut with her family and a menagerie of pets, and enjoys hiking, meditating, and star-gazing. Her published works include Silence of the Song Trees, The Calling, The Cords That Bind, and The Chasm.

Website
Twitter
Instagram
Facebook
TikTok
Amazon Author Page

Buy The Calling (Book 1) on Amazon
The Cords That Bind (Book 1.1) on Amazon
The Chasm (Book 2) on Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tales from Cloud Canyon by Rachel Kowert

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Dr. Rachel Kowert PhD will be awarding a $75 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC or 1 copy each of the 3 Cloud Canyon books (available in November) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Tales From Cloud Canyon

Dr. Rachel Kowert

Cloud Canyon is a place where the everyday child is celebrated for doing everyday things, with their everyday abilities. It is a world where mistakes are learned from, diversity is celebrated, and every child gets to be the hero of their own story. 

Tales from Cloud Canyon is a storybook collection that features a series of male and female centered stories as well as topical short stories. The first book in the collection, Pragmatic Princess: 26 Superb Stories of Self-Sufficiency was successfully kickstarted in 2019. This project  raised more than $25,000 in 30 days and earned an INDIES award for educational children’s picture books. Over the last few years, I have continued to write and expand the Cloud Canyon universe and am excited to announce that I am launching a second Kickstarter June 4 for a BRAND NEW collection of three topical short stories: Here, There, & Everywhere, Invisible Friends, and The Secret to Success.

Here, There, & Everywhere is a story about death, dying and grief told in a child appropriate way from a faith-agnostic perspective. Meaning, it would be just as appropriate in a religious home as it would be in a non religious home.

Invisible Friends is a story about the how’s and why’s of navigating online stranger danger.

The Secret to Success highlights the importance of persisting through frustration and failure and the power of friendly encouragement (and is very much based on my own personal challenges with learning to ski)!

What makes Tales from Cloud Canyon unique is that they are entertaining, educational, and inclusive. The symbolic models are some of our earliest teachers.  The role of models is particularly influential in childhood as it can have a long lasting impact on intellectual, social, emotional and moral development. Knowing this, it was important to create stories that provided an educational opportunity as well as one to show children that they can be the heroes of their own stories… and didn’t need superpowers to do it!

I also wanted to make sure every child could see themselves as the hero of their own story. When children grow up not seeing themselves reflected in the media they consume, they grow up feeling like they don’t matter. So within the Cloud Canyon universe more than half of the characters are female, more than half come from a minority background, and 1 in 10 have visible disabilities. It was equally important that these details were not the central theme of the stories themselves as our shape, level of ability, and what our family unit looks like are just some of the many parts of who we are and not necessarily the defining feature of our stories.

My goal with Tales from Cloud Canyon is to change the status quo around children’s literature and let children know that they are the heroes of their own story, no matter their gender, ability or background. I want all children to have the opportunity to celebrate the power of the everyday through the magic of storytelling… and maybe learn a thing or two along the way.

 

THE STORIES

Tales from Cloud Canyon is a series of character driven, topical short stories celebrating the everyday child, doing everyday things, with their everyday abilities designed for children aged 3+. Developed by a research psychologist and mom of 3, these stories were developed to be entertaining, educational, and celebrate the power of the everyday within our the beautiful, diverse world.

This Kickstarter collection features three topical short stories from the Cloud Canyon Universe: Here, There, & Everywhere, The Secret to Success, and Invisible Friends. Each of these titles are fully illustrated from artist Randall Hampton and are about 25 pages long.

THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE WRITING

The fictional characters in childhood stories are some of our earliest teachers. We learn a range of things through the observation of these symbolic models, such as what is right and wrong, a desirable and undesirable behavior, gender roles, norms, stereotypes, and more. The role of models is particularly influential in childhood as it can have a long lasting impact on development.

Each story in this collection was developed to not only be entertaining but educational as well, with the stories' characters modeling a range of age-appropriate skills spanning four areas of human development: intellectual, social, emotional, and moral. The skills that are modeled within any particular story are displayed on the back cover of each book and explained in more detail on the last page of the book.

DIVERSITY, REPRESENTATION & INCLUSION Tales from Cloud Canyon changes the narrative by reflecting and celebrating the beautiful and diverse reality of our world. The characters within the Cloud Canyon Universe were developed to represent a range of shapes, sizes, abilities and disabilities, and traditional and non-traditional families.

In the Cloud Canyon universe:

-More than half the characters are female
-More than half the characters come from an ethnic-minority background
-1 in 10 characters have a visible disability
-Characters come from traditional and non-traditional families
-Different body shapes are represented
-she/her, he/him, and they/them pronouns are represented

It was also equally important that these details were not the central theme of the stories themselves as our shape, level of ability, and what our family unit looks like are just some of the many parts of who we are and not necessarily the defining feature of our stories.

PRODUCTION AND RELEASE

All of the stories have been written and are currently being brought to life through the illustrative magic of Randall Hampton. The physical production of the books is expected to start in June 2022. Time from production to shipping is about 6 - 8 weeks (+/- 2-4 additional weeks due to COVID delays). Once Rachel receives the books, they will be shipped to backers. There is an expected arrival date of the books no later than November 2022.

Read an Excerpt

The Secret to Success tells the story of Quinn and Yanni. Quinn is a quick study. but learns on a school ski trip that everything may not come as easily. This story highlights the importance of persisting through frustration and failure and the power of friendly encouragement.

Excerpt:

For the rest of the day, Quinn kept trying,
And found each attempt more gratifying.
Through determination and her sheer will,
Quinn finally mastered the bunny hill.

Yanni’s feet still weren’t fully complying,
Staying upright, but they kept on trying.
And with each try, they did in fact progress,
And by the end, they started falling less.

Quinn never made it up the big hill with her friends,
But realized that it didn’t matter in the end.
Instead, she focused on doing her best that day,
Letting her preset expectations fade away.

While her classmates all talked about the big ski lift,
Quinn focused on Yanni’s words and her new mind shift:
The true secret to success is power of will,
Which is often much stronger than actual skill.

About the Author:

Dr. Rachel Kowert is a research psychologist, award-winning author and mom of three. In 2019, she launched her first Kickstarter project from the Cloud Canyon universe was a collection of female centered stories entitled Pragmatic Princess: 26 stories of self sufficiency and raised more than $25,000 in 30 days and won an INDIES award for educational children's picture book.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

Randall Hampton is an author, illustrator, husband and father of 3. He is the Creator of "The Little Game Master" series of books and considers himself a story teller above all else. When he is not spending time with family and friends, Randall enjoys reading, video games, music, and table top games of all sorts.

https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Kowert/e/B00QU7NZUE
Kickstart Campaign: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/pragmaticprincess/tales-from-cloud-canyon
Book video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCTQ0ZgA14Q Website: https://www.rkowert.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/drkowert
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drrachelkowert
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrachelkowert/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/Psychgeist
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelkowert

 

 

 

 Enter to win a $75 Amazon/BN GC - a Rafflecopter giveaway.

 

The Rise of the Last Beast Kingdom by One Who Loves GOD

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Loves GOD will be awarding a $75 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.

Enslaved by a system of its own creation, humankind desperately seeks to free itself from the Beast. Lacking the knowledge, having refused the truth, all hope is gone…or is it?

Examining our history from creation to the present, this book provides insight as to why we are where we are today. Using the Hebrew Scriptures as its guide, we are taken from the cause of our plight to the ultimate ending. Although the Hebrew Scriptures are used, this is not a book supporting any major religion. There are only a few people in the world today who actually follow and obey the WORD of God – YeHoVaH. Most of the world follows man made religious practices. This book explains how this came about and how the present day systems evolved. This book provides a means for hope for the world, something surely needed now and especially in the coming days.

Read an Excerpt

Governing System

Having failed to obey our Father, we lost the chance to live with YeHoVaH under the original governing system which YeHoVaH established. We lost the opportunity to live under His governing system in which we were to trust and live with each other in love. Instead, man would set up a governing system, establishing the way we live together. Ultimately mankind would develop governing systems which did not include trusting and obeying our Creator or loving Him above all else or each other. We as His creations instead instituted a system of dominance one over another. This system which requires and is based upon the will of one person dominating that of another is what we established and how we govern ourselves instead of trusting and following the Commandments of YeHoVaH.

With the failure of humankind to trust, acknowledge and obey our Creator, we set up the human governing systems. Failing to obey the Command of YeHoVaH we failed to love each other. After being taken out of the Garden, man began the pattern of interaction which continues to this day and resulted in the formation of the current beast system in which we live. The first human being born after our creation established the pattern which enabled our current system to develop and be put in place.

About the Author:

As a child in elementary school, only attending church on Easter, the author did not feel strange when getting down on their knees and praying to GOD. Entering high school, the pull to understand GOD became greater and greater. A study of various religious books began - the Bible, Islam, eastern religions and thoughts were all examined. After reading the Hebrew Bible and particularly Isaiah 56:7 - “I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

The author determined that the GOD of the Hebrew Bible was in fact GOD. The author then began following the Hebrew traditions.

After earning an undergraduate degree from an Ivy League University and a law degree, the author began a successful law practice, joining the ranks of the millionaire’s club while living in Brentwood, CA near Beverly Hills. Life continued with marriage by a Rabbi and a family - until disaster hit. Business fell apart and bankruptcy left the author with nothing except faith in GOD which continued. A period of moving back and forth across the USA, 6 times in 8 years, finally resulted in settlement in the eastern USA. Upon finally deciding to stay in the east, one last trip was needed to the west by the author. During this trip, GOD brought an understanding to the author which changed everything and led to the writing of this book.

Goodreads

Barnes and Noble
Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Accidental Detective Series by Kris Bock

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kris Bock will be awarding Ebook copies of the first four books in the Accidental Detective Series - Something Shady at Sunshine Haven and Something Deadly on Desert Drive (out now), plus early copies of books 3 and 4, Someone Cruel in Coyote Creek (not available publicly until September 29, 2022) and Someone Missing from Malapais Mountain (not available publicly until February 28, 2023) - to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Accidental Detective book 1: Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

Injured in a bombing, Kate returns to her hometown in Arizona with new scars, a limp, and pain meds that give her brain fog. For the first time in her life, she's starting to feel her age (49), even though she's living like a teenager again: staying with her father, trying to understand why her sister resents her so much, and running into old friends who still think of her as Kitty.

Seeing her mother in an Alzheimer's unit is the hardest part – until an old friend asks her to investigate suspicious deaths at that nursing home. Is a self-appointed "Angel of Mercy" killing patients to end their suffering? Are family members hastening their inheritance? Is an employee extorting money and killing the witnesses? Kate uses her journalism skills to track clues, but the puzzle pieces simply won't fit. If Kate can't uncover the truth, her mother could be next on the killer's list.

Kate has followed the most dangerous news stories around the world. But can she survive going home?

The Accidental Detective book 2: Something Deadly on Desert Drive

Starting over at fifty might be hard, but it shouldn’t be deadly…

Still recovering from an injury that might have permanently derailed her career as an international war correspondent, Kate Tessler is living in her childhood bedroom and pondering her second act when another case lands in her lap. Kate’s father and his coffee group are worried. Their friend Larry married a younger woman who now insists he has dementia and won’t let any of his friends visit. They’re convinced that Larry’s wife and her two adult, dead-beat kids are out to steal his money. Can Kate help?

Soon Kate and her unusual gang of sidekicks are unofficially, officially investigating. But before they can dig out the truth, a murder raises the stakes. Now they need to prove Larry is both mentally competent and not a killer. They’ll have to find the real murderer—without risking their own lives in the process.

Praise Something Deadly

“I had such a lovely day reading your story. I could barely put it down. I am still in awe of how you manage to wrangle these three generations of sleuths without every going over the top or relying on stereotypes or cliches, and of course watching Kate start to come to terms both with her disability and potential inability to ever fully heal as well as her new life, aging, being back home again and reconnecting with her family—all while solving two crimes—definite multi-tasker! The story was so engaging and quite clever.” – Sinclair Jayne, author

Read an Excerpt from Something Deadly on Desert Drive

Mayor Todd Paradise shoved his hands in the pockets of his khakis. “This councilmember is blocking me, and I suspect it’s because of the developer. Maybe he’s simply trying to make me look bad. I suspect he’ll run against me in the next election. I’d be tempted to let him have the job, except I’m afraid of the damage he’d do.”

“What exactly do you want me to do?”

Todd hesitated, his gaze searching my face. “That’s the problem. I don’t know what to say. I’m not sure it’s ethical for me to ask you to investigate a political opponent. I’m not sure it’s ethical for me to let someone get away with this, if something illegal is happening. And I can’t pay you.”

“I see.”

“Do you have any advice? That’s all I can really ask.”

The sun highlighted his hair, showing threads of gray among the brown. His eyes looked troubled, but the lines at the corners came from smiling and laughing. When he was a boy, a lot of Todd’s charm came from his enthusiasm and passion for justice, his belief we could make the world a better place. He’d now seen the challenges, the complications. He was worn down, discouraged, but still fighting.

I wanted to make sure life didn’t knock down the rest of his spirit.

About the Author:

Kris Bock writes novels of mystery, suspense, and romance, many with outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. Get a free Accidental Detective short story and bonus material when you sign up for her newsletter. You’ll also get a free 30-page sweet romance set in the world of the Furrever Friends cat café and a printable copy of the recipes mentioned in the cat café novels

Kris also writes a series with her brother, scriptwriter Douglas J Eboch, who wrote the original screenplay for the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Follow the crazy antics of Melanie, Jake, and their friends a decade before the events of the movie. Sign up for our romantic comedy newsletter and get Felony Melanie Destroys the Moonshiner’s Cabin. Or find the books on Amazon US or All E-book retailers

Website
Blog
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Amazon UK Author Page

Where to buy Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

Tule Publishing
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
Kobo
Google Play
Amazon UK

Buy links for Something Deadly on Desert Drive

Amazon
Kobo

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Big Wild Love Adventure by Julianna Keyes

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a digital copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

After being ditched at the altar, Emmy Shaw’s heart, like her dented food truck, is definitely not open for business. Deeply in debt to her parents and evicted from her apartment, she takes a friend’s drunken dare and fills out an application for a new dating-adventure reality show. She never expects to be chosen—or to get a chance at the show’s huge cash prize, which could put her life back on track.

But when she’s abandoned in the middle of the jungle two months later wearing only a bathing suit and a backpack, she questions if being on the show might be even worse than the #emmytrashtruck hate brigade she left back home. Then she meets her fellow cast members—including sexy, inscrutable Wes—and starts to reconsider, wondering if maybe money’s not all she stands to gain from this experience.

After a year of abysmal failures, this summer of cave treks, jungle hikes, impromptu talent shows, and a sexy flirtmance turns out to be just the thing to help Emmy rebuild her shattered confidence. She signed up for the show to hide from the mess her life had become, but this escape from reality might be just what she needs to find herself.

Read an Excerpt

Everyone looks amazing as we wait in the field, which has been transformed into the elimination pavilion. There’s a wooden platform where we all stand, men on one side, women on the other, backed by a large wall with an enormous heart made of roses. Kip stands before us, his teeth stark white even in the dark, with a large pink trunk next to him. Off to the side is a gazebo ringed with flowers and fairy lights and boasting a large sign that reads LOVE SHACK.

The producers had already explained some of what to expect tonight, but for the sake of the viewers, Kip goes over the rules with us while the cameras roll. The longer he talks, the more jittery I get, and I know I’m not the only one. Sweat trickles down the small of my back and behind my knees, and my stomach keeps trying to claw its way up my esophagus. I’ve been here an entire week and we’ve yet to have a challenge with a cash prize, and I really don’t want to leave with nothing.

“Tonight is the first ever Big Wild Love Adventure Re-Pairing Ceremony,” Kip solemnly informs the camera. “Earlier today, the contestants secretly cast their votes about whether or not to re-pair with their current partner. If they both choose to re-pair, they’ll automatically go to the Love Shack. If one or both choose not to re-pair, they’ll remain in the dating pool.”

It finally dawns on me that the pavilion floor has been painted with high gloss blue shellac to represent water. Flames from nearby tiki torches reflect off its surface, bringing it to life. Around us, the jungle murmurs quietly, like it too, is trying to figure out just what the hell we’re all doing here.

About the Author:Julianna Keyes is a Canadian writer who has lived on both coasts and several places in between. She’s been skydiving, bungee jumping and white water rafting, but nothing thrills—or terrifies—her as much as the blank page. She loves Chinese food, foreign languages, baseball and television, though not necessarily in that order, and writes sizzling stories with strong characters, plenty of conflict, and lots of making up.

When not helping characters fall in love, she sometimes kills them in thrillers and suspense stories written as Elaine Murphy

Twitter
http://www.facebook.com/juliannakeyesauthor
Website
Goodreads

Buy links:

Amazon
Kobo
Google
iBooks
Barnes and Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Collector by Lane Stone

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

Art expert Emma Kelly arrives at the Metropolitan Museum to meet with disgraced philanthropist Boyle York only to learn he has been murdered. His body and a nearby masterpiece are splattered with blue paint. In the following days, works of art around the world are attacked with the same paint, which Emma believes has something to do with the Virgin Mary. Emma’s husband, Elliott Baldwin, the Assistant Director in charge of the FBI’s New York City field office, isn’t convinced but appreciates her expertise.

Following a lead, Emma travels to her other home in Bath, England, and continues her search for one of the most famous Nazi-looted paintings. When a diver hired to explore a sunken Nazi submarine is murdered with the same weapon used to kill Boyle York, Emma wonders if the art crimes on three different continents are actually an attempt to trip her up.

Emma races against the clock to countries with Virgin Mary apparition sites in an attempt to save the world’s most beloved artwork. Can she convince the Vatican to disavow the perpetrators and stop the attacks and bring justice to the mastermind behind them before it’s too late?

Read an Excerpt

I would hate him forever for making me afraid. My hands trembled and I was as white as the sink I leaned against. I looked how you would expect someone who had just made a deal with the devil to look. How was I going to sit with Ali and Victoria? He’s a killer. The phrase repeated over and over in my head.

I splashed water on my face and returned to the table, knowing that not a single one of the brilliant comebacks I now thought of, guaranteed to reduce Ali to a sobbing lump, could be used in front of Valerie. As I turned the corner a waiter poured a martini from a shaker into a fresh glass and took away her empty. Ali wasn’t there. Valerie was lubed up and looked past caring about anything.

I sat and the waiter shook out my re-folded napkin and held it out to me. “Your friend isn’t staying for lunch?”

She shook her head.

“Would you care to order, Madame?”

Valerie looked at the drink. “I’m not hungry.” A text came in and she picked up her phone.

“I’ll have my salad now, please.” That ‘please’ was a signal that I intended to over tip to make up for our party of three table ordering only one meal, that wasn’t liquid. His nod was as understated as the vermouth in the Tavern on the Green’s martinis. If only interactions like what had taken place between us, and between Tabitha and her chauffer, counted as a second language I would be bi-lingual.

About the Author:

Lane Stone lives in Alexandria, Virginia and Lewes, Delaware with her husband, Larry Korb, and their Standard Schnauzer, Cordy. She’s the author of THE COLLECTOR, an art thriller, which is the first book in The Big Picture trilogy. The first book in the Old Town Antiques Mystery series, DEAD MEN DON’T DECORATE, will be published in November 2022, and will be written as Cordy Abbott. She is the author of the Pet Palace Mysteries and the Tiara Investigation Mystery series.

When not writing she enjoys characteristic baby boomer pursuits: being a dog Mom, traveling and volunteering for good causes, like AAUW and the Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation. She serves on several boards.

She has a post-graduate certificate in Antiquities Theft and Art Crime.

Website: http://www.LaneStoneBooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/themenopausedog
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaneStoneBooks

She is represented by Dawn Dowdle, Blue Ridge Literary Agency.

http://www.amazon.com/Collector-Big-Picture-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B09YZRQ1MX
http://www.amazon.com/Dead-Dont-Decorate-Antique-Mystery/dp/163910125X/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

When We Return by Eliana Tobias

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eliana Tobias will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Who should be held responsible for public wrong? By 2008, it finally seems that the Peruvian government is ready to make amends to its citizens after the violent guerilla movement of the last three decades.

Otilia and Salvador, a mother and son torn apart during the conflict and separated for twenty years, are eager to have their pain and suffering acknowledged. But they hit a roadblock when the government denies responsibility in their legal case.

Things begin to look up however when Otilia meets Jerry, a kind man and the son of Jewish parents who escaped the Holocaust. Grappling with his own upbringing and the psychological struggled his parents endured, Jerry is just the person to empathize with Otilia's feelings. Together, Otilia, Jerry and Salvador must support one another through the turbulent journey that is healing from historical trauma. And through it, find the courage to rebuild their lives and open themselves to love and companionship.

Artfully weaving together different timelines and countries, this novel examines the nuanced topic of grief a community endures after a collective tragedy. In this exploration of the culture of remembrance following displacement and loss, we discover what happens when out past calls us back to what we must do to achieve justice and reconciliation when we return.

Read an Excerpt

Salvador entered the prison gates, following an orderline line of elderly men carrying multiple plastic bags. When a person in the back started to yell, the advancing lineup came to a stop. Almonds immediately a guard raised his baton and struck the unruly man to one side.

At the first security checkpoint, bags were opened for inspection. Since Salvador carried no package, he was told to move on. Next, he spread his legs wide for a pat-down. Up ahead, after showing his identity card, he was given a metal token with a printed number he’d have to return to the guards on his way out to account for his visit. Lastly, while shuffling along, he was asked to contribute a few coins for soft drinks for the guards. He reached into his pockets and found some money for drinks for the guards, which he dropped in a box at the end of the corridor.

In the prison yard, Salvador was keenly aware of the throng of people milling about. These places are jam-packed, he thought as he looked for his uncle in the crowd. Inmates talking to suited lawyers, visitors meeting up with family members, joggers getting exercise, and a group of men shooting hoops. Cooked meals, fruit, drinks, batteries, radios and clothes for sale were set up in stalls against decrepit walls. Long lineups of raucous men waited to use a few public phones that only accepted calling cards. Among the cacophony, supervising guards moved through, keeping an eye on the inmates while yelling into their megaphones.

Salvador noticed Tomas, drawn and frail, walking slowly toward his dragging his feet, his face grim. He seemed shorter than Salvador remembered him. It’d been years since they’d seen each other last, and the man had aged badly.

Tomas let out a deep breath, nodded, and pointed to a bench. Salvador checked out the courtyard, wrinkling his nose at the stench. Before Tomas rolled down his sleeves, Salvador noticed the naked female tattooed on his uncle’s forearm. Tomas pulled two cigarettes out of his stained pants pocket and held out one for Salvador.

“No Thanks, I don’t smoke.”

“So you found me, kid. How about that?” His voice was loud. He lit his cigarette with trembling hands. “How’s life?”

Salvador had no stomach for small talk. It was colder than usual for the end of March, and he wanted to be out of there as soon as he could.

Tomas coughed.”I’m stuck in this fucking place.”

“I’m here for only one reason,” Salvador said, staring him in the eyes.

“Thought you’d be wearing your cop uniform.”

“Cut the crap,” Salvador snapped.

Tomas looked puzzled, his face carved with age.

Salvador removed a pad of paper and pen from the inside pocket of his light jacket.

“What the fuck is that for?” Tomas sneered.

“I need facts.”

“Say that again; I’m hard of hearing,” Tomas said leaning in.

“Since when?” Salvador looked at Tomas doubtfully.

“Be nice. Remember that I took you in when you were an orphan - when your mother and father left you alone. You were just a grimy little beggar. Now it’s your turn to take care of me- get me out of this nightmare.”

About the Author: Eliana Tobias was born in Santiago, Chile, to immigrant parents who escaped the Holocaust. She graduated from the University of Chile then completed other degrees in early childhood and special education in the United States and Canada. After working in this field in various capacities, including teaching at the National University of Trujillo in Peru, she moved to Vancouver, where she has lived for thirty years and where she discovered her love of writing. Her rich experience of political turmoil, of listening to stories of the Holocaust when Jewish communities in Europe were shattered, of losing family in Chile under military dictatorship, and living in Peru during a time of intense civil conflict, fueled her passion to write about the ways in which people caught in devastation rebuild their lives. Eliana Tobias lives in Vancouver, B.C.

https://elianatobias.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16635485.Eliana_Tobias
http://www.twitter.com/TobiasElliana

a Rafflecopter giveaway