The Lost and Found of Green Tree by Bobbie Candas

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bobbie Candas 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.

Both heart-warming and gut-wrenching, the merging stories of Mariah and Nanette reveal their grit and determination as they attempt to carve out a better life for themselves during one the twentieth century’s most arduous decades.

Growing up in the rural village of Green Tree, Nanette is convinced she’s meant for a bigger life, perhaps in the spotlight of Hollywood. But selling popcorn in a Minnesota movie theater is a far cry from the glamor she dreams of; nevertheless, Nanette is undaunted by challenges.

Mariah, living just outside of Green Tree, yearns to move off the family farm and take on a modern job in a bustling city, but she’s sidetracked by love. By eighteen, she finds herself married to her high school sweetheart, giving birth to twin daughters, and living only a few miles from the home she grew up in.

As the economy worsens during the Great Depression, Nanette’s and Mariah’s lofty goals are forced to change as early tragedies confront both women. Brought together by a mutual friend, Nanette extends a generous offer to Mariah, but in time she exacts a frightening price.

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Listening to my mother-in-law announce decisions made by Alfred and Lars set off a ringing in my ears. I couldn’t hear anymore and felt a hot flash envelop my body. My mother-in-law’s mouth was moving, but I couldn’t understand what she was saying. The ringing got louder as I stood up from the table. I leaned forward, gripping the table’s edge, and then crumpled into a heap on the floor.

Lying there, I first heard mumbling and then distinct words hovering over my ears.

“My goodness gracious. Here, Mariah, drink some water, dear. Lost you for a minute. And you’re skin and bones. Are you eating enough?”

Gerta was on the floor, cradling me in a sitting position. “Here, drink some more. You’re probably dehydrated. You must take better care of yourself. I know these are troubling times.”

I coughed on the water, then took a second sip, regaining more of my senses, as I sat up leaning away from her. In a raspy voice I spat out, “Troubling times?... Troubling times! The love of my life, the father of my two daughters has died and now you’re telling me to get out of our home and leave behind all that we’ve worked for! These are not troubling times, Mother Gerta. This is the depth of despair.”

About the Author:

I'm a Texas girl: grew up in San Antonio, went to school at UT in Austin where I earned my degree in journalism, and settled in Dallas where I raised a husband, two kids and a few cats. My husband, Mehmet, and the cats will probably disagree on who raised who, but I'm a sucker for a robust discussion.

For years I was involved in retail management, but have more recently focused on my writing, taking deep dives into the lives of my characters. When you can pry my fingers off the keyboard, I enjoy entertaining, sharing food and drink with friends and family. I enjoy shopping, usually on the hunt for apparel, with a special weakness for shoes, and will frequently jump at the opportunity of an unexpected trip to a far-away place.

And I always make time for reading. I keep a stack of novels ready and waiting on my night stand, with a few tapping their toe in my Kindle. I bounce around genres, and I’m always ready for a good recommendation.

Novels by Bobbie Candas:
The Lost and Found of Green Tree
Imperfect Timing
Luck, Love and a Lifeline

Follow Bobbie on:
Facebook: Author Bobbie Candas: https://www.facebook.com/bobbiecandasauthor
Good Reads author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8292457.Bobbie.Candas
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Bobbie-Candas/s?3A283155%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ABobbie+Candas


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An Amish Christmas Star by Charlotte Hubbard

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 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.

The crisp fragrance of pine trees and the warm spice of fresh cookies aren’t the only blessings that Christmas brings, and no one knows more about happy homecomings than three couples who are celebrating the greatest gift of all . . .

STAR OF WONDER by Charlotte Hubbard

When Raymond Overholt comes to Promise Lodge, hoping to sell the barnboard signs he’s painted with stars and Christmas messages, spirited young Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued. But any courtship between them will face fierce opposition from the bishop of Raymond’s Old Order community—unless someone can convince him that at the heart of faith lies love . . .

Read an Excerpt

With the girl’s laughter still dancing in his head, Raymond Overholt tried to refocus his thoughts. If he didn’t convince Mr. Kraybill to sell his handmade plaques, his past several weeks of work would be for nothing. He’d have to return home to Coldstream with his tail between his legs, and face a long, dreary lifetime of milking his dat’s cows. Running a dairy was honest, necessary work but Raymond didn’t enjoy spending his early mornings and late afternoons in a smelly barn disinfecting udders any more than the Holsteins liked having him around. Worse yet, if he overslept, his older brothers did the milking and left the hosing down and mucking out of the stalls for him.

“If your customers like these plaques, I can make more,” he assured the steely-haired storekeeper. “I—I really appreciate having the chance to sell them here in your new store. Our bulk market in Coldstream is dim and overcrowded with merchandise, and even if the owner there had display space, he wants nothing to do with artwork. It’s that Old Order thing.”

Mr. Kraybill smiled knowingly. “Jah, Amish stores don’t usually carry much that appears English even if they have a lot of customers come in from outside their community to shop,” he acknowledged. “But your plaques carry a solid Christmas message—‘Wise men still follow His star’ and the lyrics to ‘We Three Kings’ are meaningful reminders about following our Lord’s holy light. Thanksgiving always kicks off the Christmas buying season, so we’ll give it a shot, Raymond.”

He hoped his grateful grin didn’t appear too adolescent—or desperate. Raymond gazed around the store, where a gal in a pleated Amish kapp was stocking shelves in the rear. A few early shoppers were pushing carts into the grocery section. “If you need some extra hands when things get busy these next few weeks, I’d be happy to help, sir,” he offered. “I’ve not worked in a store, but I’m gut at tallying sums and I’m a quick learner.”

“I’ll keep it in mind,” Kraybill said with a nod.

Raymond heard probably not in the storekeeper’s words, but he’d dealt with people’s dismissals before. If he’d dressed in dark broadfall pants with a plain shirt and suspenders—and if he’d chosen glasses with conservative frames—Kraybill might’ve taken him more seriously. But until he had no other choice than to submit to Old Order ways and join the church, Raymond was determined to wear clothing he liked.

“I’ll be back in a few days to see how my signs are selling,” he said. “Denki for giving me a chance.”

About the Author:

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 60 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

Website: http://www.charlottehubbard.com
Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amish-Christmas-Star-Shelley-Shepard-ebook/dp/B09PJ348C8
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/an-amish-christmas-star-shelley-shepard-gray/1140825147
Kensington Publishing: https://www.kensingtonbooks.com/9781496734273/an-amish-christmas-star/
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/An-Amish-Christmas-Star-Paperback-9781496734259/385381250
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/an-amish-christmas-star/id1602867197

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Forever Askole by Gail Koger

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Koger 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.

My name is Ella McAllister, I’m a psychic witch and a healer. My life is kinda nuts. Not only do I have the Coletti hunters chasing me, but now I also have a very determined Askole High Commander after me. Why? I shot his ship down and it crash landed, and it blew up. Yep, itty-bitty pieces everywhere. My bad, but his ship was a dead ringer for a Rodan Marauder, and it was my civic duty to blow the enemy spacecraft out of the sky. Wasn’t it? Any hoo, I healed his owies and boogied.

I thought that was the end of it, but oh no. For some unknown reason, Sariel, the Askole High Commander, decided I would make him the perfect mate. As if. I think the blow to his head made him completely bonkers.

Sariel informed me the mating dance had begun and there was nothing I could do to stop it. The idiot had obviously never dealt with a witch before. I didn’t have the time to play games with him, so I did a little abracadabra alakazam and ran.

Sigh. The persistent Askole found me. Now I have a decision to make. Keep running or surrender to the High Commander. He is a damn good kisser.

Would the mating dance bring two lonely souls together? Who knew?

Read an Excerpt:

“He was your lover?” Sariel queried in disbelief.

I cringed with embarrassment. “Briefly. I fell for his lies and didn’t see his true nature until he tried to sell me to the hunters.”

“I will never betray you or lie to you,” Sariel stated.

“So, you keep saying, but I’m not looking for a mate nor do I need one.”

Sariel’s tentacles stood out from his head. “A lie. Your loneliness drove you to bed a traitor.”

Ouch! “Okay, fine. I’m lonely, but…”

“I.”

“Am.”

“Not.”

“Mating with you,” I enunciated clearly.

“As a warrior, you can challenge me to combat to stop the mating dance.” Sariel’s rather toothy grin was alarming. “Do you dare duel with me?”

In hand-to-hand combat I wouldn’t last ten seconds. “How about I teach you a little-known fact?”

Sariel’s helmet formed over his head, and he asked warily, “What would that be?”

“Never mess with a witch. It doesn’t end well.” I shouted my power word, “Sufflamine!” A thunderous cracking boom rent the air. A second later, a shockwave of energy hit Sariel and flung him out into the ocean.

He hit with a big splash and sank beneath the surface. “Excellent tactical move.”

Seriously? He sounded almost proud of me. “Stay away from me or next time I won’t be so gentle.”

“There is no where you can run that I cannot find you,” Sariel replied.

About the Author:

I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.

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Bentley by Megan Slayer

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

I call on the fates to bring my love to me. As I will it, so mote it be…

Natalie Harvey wants a guy who not only understands baseball, but supports her love of the game. When she meets bad-boy first baseman for the Cougars, Bentley Turner, she can’t help but fall for him. He’s sexy, strong, athletic and irresistible. He’s her perfect man, but what if he’s not interested? The spark is there, and she decides to invoke the spell. Why not?

She’s ready to summon her very own bad boy and try her luck with love.

Read an Excerpt

Of the many things she liked about having a minor league team so close was the ample parking. She never had to walk more than a few hundred yards, and the lot was well-lit. She locked her car and hustled up to the ticket window. Once she showed her credentials and ticket, she gained entrance to the facility. Natalie strode over to the first-base side and located her seat. When she was on the clock, she liked to sit right at the edge of the field to better take in the action. Since she wasn’t working, she’d sit four rows up and simply enjoy the game. She loved the atmosphere of a ballgame. The sounds of the crowd, the smell of the food, the excitement in the air. The Cougars scored quickly in the second inning, and she made a few notes on her phone. The sensation at second base, Dalton Cohn, had made three great catches and even managed two double plays with the first baseman, Bentley Turner. Natalie watched Bentley Turner in action and couldn’t help but sigh. He had a temper at times, looked like he’d stepped out of a bar, and could swear a blue streak, but he moved with grace and had skills on the field. If he hadn’t injured his shoulder defending first base last season, he’d still be in the majors and probably racking up good stats. Instead, he’d been relegated to the minor leagues to rehab. She’d spoken to him a few times and loved the deep blue of his eyes and his easy smile. He could be cocky and pushy. Rumor had it he’d bedded women in every city and left a string of broken hearts in his wake. It could all be rumors, but...

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. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

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The Worst Kind of Truth by Frank Zafiro

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Frank Zafiro will be awarding Winner #1 a box set of River City series 1-3 (Kindle version) AND Winner #2 a surprise package of out-of-print versions of Zafiro titles (paperbacks) - US Only. International readers may substitute digital version of any title in the author's back catalog to two randomly drawn winners 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?

When I really started writing in earnest after a lifetime of starts and stops, I was ten years into my policing career. So it was no surprise that crime fiction is most of what spilled out. But what continues to draw me to the genre is that, much like science fiction, crime fiction is a wonderful genre to explore some of life and society’s biggest, thorniest questions.

What research is required?

Fortunately, my twenty-plus years in the law enforcement field whittles down the number of things I need to research. Or did, at least. I’ve been retired since 2013, so there have been changes. As my River City series catches up to modern day (The Worst Kind of Truth is set in 2008), I expect to have plenty of questions about “how is this done now?”

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Officer (now Detective) Katie MacLeod is the core of this series. Writing her so intimately over all these books has taught me that while there are differences between the genders, much of the human experience is universal. That’s a lesson I shouldn’t have to learn, I know, and maybe I didn’t learn it so much as have the understanding driven home, but no matter how it happened, it’s a valuable perspective to hang onto, since it has a much wider application.

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

One odd quirk might be a naming convention I use… a lot of my secondary characters (and a few main ones) are named after either hockey players or people I served with in the Army. Some are mixed and matched, of course, but anyone who is a hockey fan (especially a Flyers fan) or served with me from 1986-91 will be grinning at some of the names they come across.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

Used to be a pantser. Now I’m a plotter, though I’d say my plotting mainly consists of bullet points with scenes and notes. The transition from the first to the second was mandated when I co-authored a number of books (fifteen of my forty or so novels). You can’t (or, at least, shouldn’t) pants it when you’re writing with another author. You need a road map. I guess along the way of improving that outlining process with other writers, I found that it had value for my solo work.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Looking past the trash can, there’s a framed picture of Springsteen on the wall, right next to a painting my Nanu did about twenty years ago. Also, my dog Richie (and sometimes my cat, Pasta) are lounging on the floor behind me. Richie is entirely comfortable in his role as writer dog. Pasta is pretending he’s only there because he wants to be, not because he wants to hang with us.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

For hard boiled fans, my fourth SpoCompton book, Live and Die This Way, is coming out October 11. Later this year, a new Stefan Kopriva mystery will drop (Kopriva is a spinoff series from River City). If you like a little quirky humor in your mystery, my Stanley Melvin PI Stories will start dropping this fall, beginning with the award-winning first entry, Hallmarks of the Job.

Do you have a question for our readers?

In terms of subgenre, what kind of mysteries do you like best? Why?

Detective Katie MacLeod has her hands full.

It has been four years since her promotion to detective, and after paying her dues in property crimes investigations, she has made it to the Major Crimes unit. This is where the highest profile cases land—homicides, robberies, serious assaults, and sexual assaults.

Katie catches two rape cases almost back-to-back. One victim is a prostitute with an unknown suspect… who Katie fears may be gearing up for more assaults. The other victim is a college student who has accused her boyfriend, a popular baseball player, of raping her at a party.

Both cases have their own set of perils. Katie juggles her time investigating each one, encountering many obstacles—a lack of evidence in one, and wondering how to parse conflicting statements in the other.

As she battles past these difficulties, Katie faces another fact… that both cases hit home with her in very different ways. Solving them becomes more than just a job for her, but something deep-seated and personal… something that may exorcise some of her own demons from the past.

Or will they consume her?

Read an Excerpt

“Thanks,” Nicole said.

Katie looked at her. “This wasn’t your fault, Nicole. I wish I could change that it happened to you but I can’t. But I am going to do my best to catch the man that did this to you.”

“You’ll catch him,” Nicole said.

“I’ll do my best,” Katie repeated. She knew better than to make promises to victims, no matter how tempting it was.

“You’ll catch him,” Nicole repeated. “I know it. You’ve done it before.”

Katie cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

Nicole looked at her intensely. “I know who you are. I recognized your name as soon as you came in.”

That didn’t surprise Katie. She’d been involved in a number of high-profile incidents during her career. The media coverage wasn’t always favorable, either. But Nicole’s stare didn’t have the anger or blame that came with that sort of attitude. Instead, it resonated with belief.

“This happened to my mom,” Nicole said. She looked away to pluck more tissues and wipe her eyes. “A long time ago. I was fifteen at the time.”

Katie did some quick math. That meant her mother was assaulted in 1996 or 1997. And ninety-six was the year of—

“What’s your mother’s name?” Katie asked. Her heart-rate quickened as she waited for the response. Her mind flashed back to that case, back when she was a patrol officer. She ran through the names of the victims of that man, all of them indelibly imprinted upon her memory… and then she knew what Nicole would say.

“Maureen Hite,” said Nicole, just as Katie expected. “She was attacked by him. The Rainy Day Rapist.”

“I remember,” Katie said, quietly. Images of her and Thomas Chisolm searching a parking lot on the north side flashed through her mind. Of her finding Maureen Hite huddled near the front wheel well of a Chevy Blazer. She could still see the stark blue and white stripes of the quarter-panel and the door beside the woman. Maureen’s baffled expression, lost and fearful. “How is she now?”

Nicole shook her head. “She died six years ago. Pills.”

“I’m… I’m sorry.”

“She never really got over it,” Nicole said.

Katie nodded. “I don’t think it’s something you get over. It’s not a cold. You just learn to live with it.”

“Yeah, well, she didn’t really learn how. Or only for a while.”

“I’m sorry, Nicole.”

“Don’t be. It wasn’t your fault. You caught him. You caught him and you killed him.” Nicole’s jaw was set and her eyes burned brightly. “I know you’ll do the same for me.”

Katie Macleod stared back at her, unable to answer.

About the Author:

Frank Zafiro writes gritty crime fiction from both sides of the badge. He was a police officer from 1993 to 2013, holding many different positions and ranks. He retired as a captain.

Frank is the award-winning author of over three dozen novels, most of them crime fiction. These include his River City series of police procedurals, Stefan Kopriva mysteries (PI), SpoCompton series (hardboiled), Jack McCrae mysteries (PI), and Sandy Banks thrillers. He has also co-authored multiple series with other authors, including the Charlie-316 series (procedurals with Colin Conway), Bricks and Cam Jobs (action, dark comedy with Eric Beetner), and the Ania series (hardboiled with Jim Wilsky).

In addition to writing, Frank hosted the crime fiction podcast Wrong Place, Write Crime. He has written a textbook on police report writing and taught police leadership all over the US and Canada. He is an avid hockey fan and a tortured guitarist. He currently lives in the high desert of Redmond, Oregon.

Buy/pre-order The Worst Kind of Truth: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B72GF6SW

Website: http://frankzafiro.com
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/dfab1c274c36/zafironewsletterhome
Blog: http://frankzafiro.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankZafiroAuthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Frank_Zafiro
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankzafiro370/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/frank-zafiro

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Celestial Bodies by Patricia Leavy

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.

What my Protagonist Taught Me About Doubt and How to Breathe Through It

People often ask what I’ve learned from my characters and their stories. The truth is, I’ve learned so much, it’s impossible to summarize. There’s no character I’ve learned more from than Tess Lee, the protagonist in the Celestial Bodies novels. Tess is a world-famous novelist. She uses her pen to grapple with tough subjects—the stuff that hurts us in life—and to guide readers through it, to a place of hope. It’s not surprising that the excerpts from Tess’s novels, embedded in this collection, are among my greatest source of learning. I’ll share an example.

I think one of the things many of us suffer from is doubt—even just a small seed of doubt—doubt that we are good enough, loveable, worthy. Tess tackles this in a novel in which the protagonist is depressed. One summer night, she goes to her favorite lake, jumps into the freezing water, and swims out to an old dock. As she’s swimming, she’s trying to decide whether she’ll ever swim back, or if she’ll drown herself. Here’s the excerpt from Tess’s book. When I doubt, these are the words I replay. Then I breathe. I just breathe.

“She pulled herself up onto the old wooden dock, her body cold and dripping. ‘Damn it,’ she muttered at the splinter lodged in the palm of her hand. Crawling to the middle of the dock, she collapsed on her back, trying to catch her breath. She rubbed her fingers across the sore spot in her hand, knowing there was no way to remove the shard in the dark night. How is it, she wondered, that something so small could hurt so much? If she removed the splinter, would she always feel its absence? It was something that was inside of her that will forever be missing, like that piece of herself she had lost long before she got to know it, or that other piece that was stolen, or that other piece she sacrificed for reasons she no longer remembers. Her mind flooded with things she didn’t yet understand: the relationship of the small part to the whole, the haunting nature of the one out of one hundred, the loudness of the single voice that did not praise us amid the sea of those that did, our obsession with the one love we lost and not the boundless possibilities for love we might find. Above all, she wondered about the nature of doubt, how it creeps in and casts a shadow over the light, causing us to ask: Does he truly love me? Do I deserve love? Am I worthy? Perhaps these questions would never be answered. On this night, there was only one question that mattered: Will I swim to shore or will I suffocate in the ghostly waters? Until she had an answer, she would stay there. She looked up at the night sky, bursting with stars. One twinkling star caught her eye. It drew her gaze as if it were the light at the end of the proverbial dark tunnel. The twinkle pulsed like her heartbeat. Mesmerized, she blocked out all the others and watched her lone star twinkle. Was it a lifeline, an anchor, or a distraction? She wondered: If she could lasso that one star and pull it to her, would the entire sky crumple like a piece of paper? Would it give her a paper cut that would then be all she felt? Overwhelmed, she squeezed her eyelids shut and opened them again. This time, she saw all the stars lighting up the sky. She inhaled deeply, oxygen filling her lungs. Breathe, she told herself, just breathe.”

Heart-warming and wonderfully romantic, written with the sharp wit of Candace Bushnell and the sensitivity of Meg Donahue, comes best-selling author Patricia Leavy’s tour de force about learning to balance darkness and light in our lives.

Celestial Bodies is a series of six novels that follow the epic romance of Tess and Jack: Shooting Stars, Twinkle, Constellations, Supernova, North Star, and Stardust. An exploration of the power of love, each novel focuses on love at the intersection of another topic: healing, doubt, intimacy, trust, commitment, and faith. While external threats occur in each book, this is ultimately a story about internal threats—the audio playing in our own heads.

Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find happiness in her personal life. Jack Miller is a federal agent who specializes in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on a beautiful love story that asks the questions: What happens when people truly see each other? Can unconditional love change the way we see ourselves? Their friends are along for the ride: Omar, Tess’s sarcastic best friend who calls her Butterfly; Joe, Jack’s friend from the Bureau who understands the sacrifices he’s made; and Bobby and Gina, Jack’s younger friends who never fail to lighten the mood. Along the way, others join their journey: the female president of the United States, with whom Tess bakes cookies and talks politics; the Millers, Jack’s childhood family; and many others. Celestial Bodies is about walking through our past traumas, moving from darkness to light, learning to live in color, and the ways in which love—from lovers, friends, or the art we experience—can heal us. Written as unfolding action, this collection moves fluidly between melancholy, humor, and joy. It can be read for pleasure or selected for book clubs.

Read an Excerpt

Tess removed her coat and shoes as Jack locked the door. He kicked off his shoes and threw his jacket on the countertop. He came up behind Tess, put his hands around her waist, and she turned to face him. Without a word, they started to kiss passionately. He picked her up, carried her to the bedroom, and put her down on the edge of the bed. They both pulled their shirts off. Jack grabbed a pillow and placed it behind Tess. He lay her down, pulled off the rest of her clothes, and took off his own. Starting at her feet, he gently kissed her, and worked his way up her body. Soon, they were making love, screaming in bliss. After, they lay beside each other, kissing. Jack pulled a blanket over them.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I couldn’t wait another minute.”

“I’m so happy. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”

“Me either.”

“Why don’t you move in with me? I want to wake up each morning with you and fall asleep in your arms each night.”

“Marry me, Tess.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life. I love you with my whole heart. Marry me.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “I’ll marry you.”

About the Author:

Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a bestselling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chair of Sociology and Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. She has published over thirty-five books, earning commercial and critical success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages. Patricia has received dozens of accolades for her books. Recently, her novel Shooting Stars won the 2021 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Contemporary Novel, her novel Film won the 2020 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction, the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Chick-Lit, and the 2021 Independent Press Award Distinguished Favorite Chick-Lit, her 3-novel set Candy Floss Collection won the 2020 American Fiction Award for Anthologies and the 2021 NYC Big Book Award for Anthology, and her novel Spark won the 2019 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction, the 2019 Living Now Book Award for Adventure Fiction, and the 2021 National Indie Excellence Award for New Adult Fiction. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2016 Mogul, a global women’s empowerment network, named her an “Influencer.” In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” She lives in Maine with her husband, daughter (when she’s not away at college), and her dog. Patricia loves writing, reading, watching films, and traveling.

Website: http://www.patricialeavy.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomenWhoWrite/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patricialeavy

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Celestial-Bodies-Tess-Miller-Novels-ebook/dp/B09WZGRGML/

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Veils and Vampires by Cee Bee

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding an art nouveau journal to a randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

I’m checking out the Bold Tsarina nightclub, even if it is owned by Konstantin, the Bratva crime lord who hates my guts. After all, the trip could snag me a high-paying gig for another mafia king, the infamous Caelin Vass.

Yes, that Caelin Vass.

I’m talking about the hot-as-sin social media sensation who’s rumored to be both a horrible boss and a blood-sucking vampire. And did I mention that Caelin’s also the star of my hottest NSFW fantasies? He is. Plus, that isn’t even the strangest part of my life right now… or the best.

Read my story and have some fun. You know you want to.

Read an Excerpt

Far up the street, a police car switches on its flashers.

This is getting good.

The driver's side door whips open and out steps Celin MacGregor, my would-be boss. The man does not look happy. He glares right at me.

“What're ye doin', lass?”

Huh. Vass' accent gets heavier when he's angry. Nice to know.

“Talking with some girls from high school.” I gesture to Devon and Shay as evidence.

Only the two of them are gone.

I frown. “Or, I was chatting them up.”

Caelin stalks closer. On reflex, I step backward. Soon my spine hits the glass facade of the building. It's not like sidewalks in Manhattan are super huge.

Caelin sets his hands on either side of my head, caging me against the wall. My blood heats. If I thought there was some kind of energy between us back in his office, it's nothing compared to what zings between us now. The connection becomes a charge of desire that prickles across my body. I might even be panting a little.

“I'll ask ye again,” says Vass, his voice low. “Ye know the likes of them?”

“It's like I told you--I went to high school with those girls. And you're standing awfully close.”

The whoop of a police siren slices through the air. A man's voice reverberates through a loudspeaker. “Move your vehicle.”

I go up on tiptoe and peer over Vass' very broad shoulders. Sure enough, three police cars are lined up behind his badly-parked Porche. One officer stalks closer. The guy wears sunglasses even though it's after ten o'clock. You have to admire that kind of swagger.

Caelin glances over his shoulder and shoots the officer an angry look. The man freezes in place.

I raise my hand to shoulder height. “I'm over here, in case you're wondering. Maybe you can ask Caelin to back off from both the sidewalk and my face.”

The officer pales. “I'm so sorry, your Majesty.” Without saying another word, he gets back into his vehicle and drives away. The other police cars follow.

Leaving me alone with one very angry Scotsman.

About the Author:

CEE BEE writes stories that blend epic fantasy, steamy romance, and lots of sass. If you want immersive tales that transport you to fresh worlds (and new book boyfriends) then you’ve come to the right author. To learn more about CEE BEE, please visit www.ceebeeauthor.com.

NOTE: CEE BEE also writes young adult fare under the name Christina Bauer. Check out Christina’s books at www.christinabauerauthor.com. There’s a literal sh*t ton of them.

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Poetry from my Heart by Paul Guerin

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Paul Guerin 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.

Five things you’d never guess about Paul Guerin

You would never guess my humble beginnings

As a very young boy, I lived in a small Irish townland village community. We were on the poor end of the spectrum and living in poverty meant surviving day by day. It was a humble beginning and we lived in a two-room hovel with no running water and no toilet facilities [“We were poor as poor can be, in a house with a broken floor, no running water, nowhere to pee and a single bed and not much more”].

As a four-year-old, my job was to walk to the town square and fill a pail of water for our daily supply. It also was our only source of hygiene. Often there was little to eat [“Nana cooked on the smoky hob, with a fire of turf and a big iron pot, pig’s cheeks in cabbage did the job, a simple life with not a lot”]. I survived by the grace and loving kindness of an old Irish grandmother. I called her Nana.

You would never guess I was born in Ireland

My Irish roots are where my poetry came from. It didn’t happen right away as I was grabbed up and taken to live in England at age 6. In England, I had enough to eat and lived in a home with an actual toilet and running water. But emotionally I was in continuous free-fall, and I had nightmares for years about being wrenched from Ireland. The resultant trauma was the genesis of many of my poems, where I was able to express my deep and darkest feelings and share them with others. I dedicated a section of my book to Ireland and whenever I go back there, I feel I am home [“Ireland bound I am again, flying through the wind and rain, the Emerald Isle is calling me, to relive childhood history”].

You would never guess I am a poet

My creative writing abilities were dormant for years, buried inside until I was able to find and accept a sound level of emotional freedom. After that, it took many more years of soul-searching for me to come out of the literary closet and admit that YES, I am a poet and I have stuff to share with you, some of which you will most definitely find personal and sensitive. Deciding to “let the inner poet emerge” was not easy. The fear was that I would not be taken seriously. I felt the fear and did it anyway!

You would never guess I am an accountant

I had no masterplan for what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was a survivor. It was mostly “one day at a time” for me during my teen years. In my late teens, it was suggested I become a doctor or an accountant. As I wanted to get on with making a living rather than spend seven years in medical school, I chose the accountant route as the fastest way to reach my financial goal. The accounting profession generally has worked out well for me. Over the years, I have gravitated more to the entrepreneurial side of business than to the books and records side and I have always been more comfortable with creative thinkers than with the bean-counter mentality [no disrespect intended]. Poets are romantics whereas accountants, by nature, are far removed from romanticism. In my own case, I have leaned heavily towards the creative side rather than to the numbers side. Now that my Poet Persona is out of the literary closet, I would hazard a guess that you won’t believe I am an accountant.

You would never guess I am this old

As the years fly by and the number creeps higher, my tendency is to fall into a state of denial about my age. I am guilty of thinking that I shall live forever. But as poetry is ageless, the feelings expressed in the poems will withstand the test of time. That fact at least will keep me young in your eyes!

So, you’ll never guess by reading my poetry, that I may be a little bit old!

Thanks for hosting this guest blog and I hope you enjoy my book.
Warmly
Paul Guerin

Poetry: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience, in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm.

Poetry means different things to different people. For me, it is all about feelings. If it captures the emotions of the reader, a poem will resonate and fill the soul. It can mean everything to one person and not much at all to another. The mood of the reader and no-one else determines the outcome.

For example, love poems are wonderful when you are in love and their passion is amazing. If you are facing adversity, however, love poems likely will just annoy or even anger you.

In "Poetry from my Heart", I have attempted to divide the poems into categories which will fit your mood no matter what you are experiencing at the time you choose to explore them. There should be something for everyone, no matter whether you are in love, out of love, you hurt, you are lonely, angry, abandoned, or you are facing other challenges in your life.

Poetry has a healing power that nurtures the soul and quietens the mind, and so I hope that whatever your situation is in life, you will find something here that helps you safely on your journey.

Read an Excerpt

Like Eagles soar

You inspire my soul to reach the highest peaks
You light up the world I live in
With light so bright it dazzles and shines
Until all that is impossible becomes real

And the things I do are easier now because your love
Has made me strong and willing to risk
That which before I would have left untouched
And the results are amazing and stunning

I stand in awe and I laugh at myself
For ever doubting that I could not reach
For the highest peak and touch the stars
And find the apex of my soul

You have inspired the very best in me
To reach and seek my authentic self
To take a stand for what I believe in
To have the courage to trust in myself

And to believe that my dreams can come true
You have shown me how to fly with you
And to join with you with wings spread wide
Soaring into the sunset to meet the new dawn.

About the Author:

As a very young boy, I lived in a small Irish townland village called Castletownroche. The village was situated in the very beautiful and pastoral County Cork. I had an Irish uncle who played in a showband and who taught me to fish at age four. I wrote a poem about that. My mother was absent and I never knew my father. I wrote another poem about that. We lived in abject poverty. I survived by the grace and loving kindness of an old Irish grandmother sporting a black dress, black shawl and a wicked temper driving a razor-sharp tongue. I called her Nana.

Nana taught me to fear her retribution and used it to keep me safe and provide security that I could find nowhere else. Well into my teens, my inner world was cast in fear and I had no real sense of belonging or attachment to anyone or to anything. The inability to handle those feelings eventually led me to substance abuse. My journey along that road has generated much of the poetry of adversity, hope, and inspiration that you will find in this book. I truly hope that those poems in particular will salve the souls of those of you who are still trudging that happy road to destiny on your way back from hell.

Not surprisingly, I have had difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships throughout my life, and much of the love poetry is about those failures and many, many, sorry attempts to return to love. Those painful/happy experiences had a major influence on my writing.

Connect with Paul Guerin

WEBSITE https://paulguerinpoems.com/
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/paulguerinpoems
GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60876796-poetry-from-my-heart

Buy a copy of Poetry from My Heart

AMAZON.COM https://amazon.com/dp/0228865654
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Improbable MD by Derek J. Robinson

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotoins. The Literary Lobbyist will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In Improbable MD, Dr. Derek J. Robinson traces his unlikely journey from fishing on the bayous of Louisiana, to an ER and helicopter flight physician in Chicago, to leadership in some of the US’ largest health care organizations.

The grandson of a sharecropper and son of a single mother, Derek grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Shreveport, LA. A graduate of the city’s public schools, he saw first-hand the difference that access to quality education and health care made within his own family. He shares how his dream of being a doctor became a reality, despite the odds, and why he believes mentoring and investing in young people is vital to the health of our nation.

Robinson takes the reader inside the ER, where he has treated victims of gun violence and shares how spilt-second clinical decisions and the trust of his patients, shaped his appreciation for being a doctor, But, even with many years of training, he exposes how it feels to reach the limits of what he can offer patients and even shares the pain and lessons he has learned from the illness and loss of family members. Beyond the walls of the ER, Dr. Robinson explains how we became a business leader in health care and influential voice in boardrooms.

Through sharing his inspirations and tribulations, Dr. Robinson inspires readers to push beyond both self-doubt and external obstacles to pursue their dreams. In telling his story, he shares the roles that faith, friendship, love, and fatherhood have played in his life, and he hopes to motivate readers to chart their own journeys to successful and fulfilling lives.

About the Author:

Derek J. Robinson is a board-certified physician in Emergency Medicine. He is vice president and chief medical officer at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, a division of Health Care Service Corporation – the nation’s largest non-investor owned health insurance company. In this role, he leads the care management operations division and serves as the company’s primary health care expert.

Dr. Robinson continues to provide clinical care to patients in the ER at the University of Illinois Chicago where he is a clinical associate professor of emergency medicine. His unique perspective on the complexities of healthcare, including his past service as a health care federal regulator, have enabled him to influence the transformation of health care for Americans. He has been featured on WTTW, WMAQ, WLS-TV, BNC, and other news outlets discussing important health care issues and social topics.

A native of Shreveport, LA. Dr. Robinson resides in Chicago, IL with his wife and two sons. When he is not working, he enjoys swimming, cycling, fishing, and spending time outdoors. For more on Derek Robinson and his memoir Improbable MD visit: http://www.DrDerekRobinson.com

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The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven by Jennifer Ivy Walker

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jennifer Ivy Walker 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.

In this dark fairy tale adaptation of a medieval French legend, Issylte must flee the wicked queen, finding shelter with a fairy witch who teaches her the verdant magic of the forest. Fate leads her to the otherworldly realm of the Lady of the Lake and the Elves of Avalon, where she must choose between her life as a healer or fight to save her ravaged kingdom. Tristan of Lyonesse is a Knight of the Round Table who must overcome the horrors of his past and defend his king or lose everything. When he becomes a warrior of the Tribe of Dana, a gift of Druidic magic might hold the key he seeks. Haunted and hunted. Entwined by fate. Can their passion and power prevail?

Read an Excerpt

“I don’t know if she even exists, Lancelot, but I want a woman who makes me feel alive! I want her kisses to arouse my passion, her heart to sing to mine. I want a muse to inspire my song, a lady to whom I would pledge my sword—and my life.” Tristan shook his head and sighed. “Is such a love even possible?”

The First Knight of Camelot responded with a sad smile. “It is indeed possible, Tristan.” Lancelot turned his pensive gaze to the vast expanse of sea. “In French, we call such a love l’amour fou—a passion so intense… it can drive you mad.”

Lancelot glanced back at Tristan, a forlorn smile reaching his intense blue eyes. “When you find such a woman, Tristan, the love she gives you fills every empty hollow in your soul. She completes you; she invigorates you; she thrills you. And, when you consummate such a love, the exquisite blend of the spiritual and physical realm will satisfy you more than the finest wine or the greatest victory in battle. The love she gives you with her body will transport you to the stars, and you will never experience a greater joy.”

About the Author:

Enthralled with legends of medieval knights and ladies, dark fairy tales and fantasies about Druids, wizards and magic, Jennifer Ivy Walker always dreamed of becoming a writer. She fell in love with French in junior high school, continuing her study of the language throughout college, eventually becoming a high school teacher and college professor of French.

As a high school teacher, she took her students every year to the annual French competition, where they performed a play she had written, "Yseult la Belle et Tristan la Bête"--an imaginative blend of the medieval French legend of "Tristan et Yseult" and the fairy tale "Beauty and the Beast", enhanced with fantasy elements of a Celtic fairy and a wicked witch.

Her debut novel, "The Wild Rose and the Sea Raven"--the first of a trilogy-- is a blend of her love for medieval legends, the romantic French language, and paranormal fantasy. It is a retelling of the medieval French romance of "Tristan et Yseult", interwoven with Arthurian myth, dark fairy tales from the enchanted Forest of Brocéliande, and otherworldy elements such as Avalonian Elves, Druids, forest fairies and magic.

Explore her realm of Medieval French Fantasy. She hopes her novels will enchant you.

Website: https://jenniferivywalker.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferIvyWalker
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bohemienneivy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferivywalkerauthor/
Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B0B91R2MJZ
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wild-rose-and-the-sea-raven-jennifer-ivy-walker/1141977954

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God of Summer by Kat Chant

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kat Chant 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.

Back in the Bronze Age, Angus McCraggan sacrificed his life to break the Celtic curse laid on his kind. He failed. Millennia later, he returns to modern Ireland to find his people have become feral, vengeful shadows. With his hollow hill now packed with tourists, he uses his power to keep his past hidden.

Until an American calls him out.v Since a banshee attacked her as a teen, Erin De Santos has been tormented by dreams of a boy she’s never met. Armed with a new identity, she returns to the Emerald Isle determined to face her nightmare. But her discovery turns fatal.

When the banshee strikes again, Angus surrenders his heart—and his hope of freeing his people—to save her. With his life now hers and his curse descending, Erin must make a terrible choice: kill her savior or share his doom.

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Erin gaped, horrified how easily he’d seen through her. For the longest time her tough outer shell had been unbreachable. He scanned her from head to toe, his gaze mapping every inch her shapeless sweatshirt had hidden. Despite herself, her blood warmed at such a thorough appraisal.

“Planning to beg a favor, were you?” His lip curled as he took her silence for confirmation. “Let me guess, you loved a man, but he left and now you need my help to bring him back.”

She shook her head violently. To hear her heart’s desire spoken aloud hit her hard enough to make her eyes water. She never cried. Not for years. His fault for taking away the terrible, numbing powerlessness that crippled her whenever she revisited that awful day.

Her mouth worked in what would be another failed explanation. But he’d taken her fear. She owed him the effort. “Yes, someone I loved left me behind. Everyone said it was an accident, but it wasn’t.” Too much information, but her mouth motored on without brakes. “He wasn’t my lover, if that’s what you think. He was my dad, and he’s been gone since I was fourteen, and I can’t get closure because no one would ever believe—”

Her voice cracked on the last and broke the flow of admission. For the life of her, she couldn’t add that she blamed a banshee for his death.

About the Author:

Kat Chant is an award-winning writer. A bookworm who grew into a history buff, she swapped beaches for castles and moved from Australia to the UK. When studying medieval history, she fell in love with a lad from Ireland…and fell in love with his country, too.

She and her family live in the heart of Ireland, surrounded by fields in forty shades of green.

Kat is a keen cook and often experiments with traditional farmhouse foods such as making bread, cheese, jam and liqueurs. She also decorates the occasional cake.

Web: https://www.katchant.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatChantAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katchantauthor
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TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katchantauthor
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kat-chant Amazon Author Profile: https://amazon.com/author/kat-chant

Buy Link: https://books2read.com/godofsummer

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The Ack Ack Girl by Chris Karlsen

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

Love and War

A country under attack and the story of one woman’s fight to protect England and her heart.

1941. The German war machine has crushed all of Europe-only England holds fast. To force a surrender, the German Luftwaffe bombs cities and villages the length of the country. As the battle rages, Britain is in desperate need to put more pilots in the air.

To free up more men a new unit is formed: The Ack Ack Girls. These special teams of courageous women will now fight in the anti-aircraft stations. Determined to be part of the effort, Ava Armstrong, volunteers for one of the special teams.

Her unit just happens to be located near an RAF airfield teaming with pilots. Sparks fly, and not just from artillery, when Ava crosses paths with Chris Fairfield, a handsome and cocky pilot stationed there. But nothing is easy in time of war, not even love.

Read an Excerpt

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

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

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

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

“Sorry, I was reading this flyer.”

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

“I am.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“You really are a wanker.”

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

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

About the Author:

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.

I’m currently working on the Bloodstone Series, which is historical suspense with romantic elements. I’m also writing a world war two romance series, The Love and War series.

My past series include my historical/time travel romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters.

Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and two wild and crazy rescue dogs.

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The Virus of Beauty Series by C.B. Lyall

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.

The Virus of Beauty – Book 1

Ugliness is power, and the Virus of Beauty is spreading causing panic throughout the witch population.

Wilf Gilvary is a teenage wizard who is terrified of using magic. When his father dies under mysterious circumstances, the same day the Mages Crystal shatters, Wilf is plunged into the middle of a political struggle between the witches and wizards in the Magical Realm. He’d rather play soccer than practice magic, but he’s forced to make a choice between the life of a normal Hong Kong teen and one of wizardry after a powerful virus begins to decimate the witch community. The cure is spellbound in a journal Wilf inherited from his father and when his friend Katryna contracts the virus, Wilf understands that he must overcome his fear of magic to unlock the journal’s secrets – but will it be too late to save her?

The Veil of Corruption – The Virus of Beauty Book 2

Witches and magic are taking over Wilf's life.

After being thrust into a long-standing conflict between the witches and wizards that has destabilized the Magical Realm and finding the antidote for the Virus of Beauty, Wilf would like to return to his normal soccer playing teenage life. But he can’t rest until his stepsister, Myra, is caught and brought to justice. It’s been three days since Myra took to the skies above Hong Kong and disappeared. Now Wilf is accused of corrupting the Veil, a defensive barrier between the witch and wizard cities. As the spell expands throughout the magical realm it is attacking witches and wizards. But Wilf would rather embrace his witch friend, Katryna, than his wizard powers. When evil forces have other plans and they kidnap Katryna, Wilf realizes that he’d do anything to save her and the Magical Realm, even if it means risking his own life by connecting to the primary source of all magic.

The Vassal of Magic – The Virus of Beauty Book 3

Wilf Gilvary is a slave to the magic he hates.

Yet his powers seem a solution for saving the Magical Realm and Katryna, the girl he loves. If only he could figure out how to tap his magic’s full potential.

As factions of witches and wizards vie for control of the Magical Realm, Wilf embarks on a harrowing journey that plunges him into the realm’s ancient secrets. At first, Wilf begins to doubt everything. His affection for Katryna might be the remnants of a broken love spell. And he still struggles to control his magic.

But Wilf risks his life to learn more about his powers and his destiny. It leaves him facing an impossible choice: forever abandon his dreams of life as a Normal in Hong Kong, or allow magic and the Magical Realm to perish from the world.

Read an Excerpt from The Vassal of Magic – The Virus of Beauty Book 3

Wilf glanced over at Ermentrude and Jayden. “Ready?”

Ermentrude tightened her hold on Catcus and gave a brief nod. Wilf took a deep breath and laid his hand on the sphere’s surface. Flashes of energy spiked upward to connect with his fingers. He clenched his teeth and grunted when they made contact.

The wall on his left disappeared, leaving a view down Tai Wang Street. He swallowed the lump in his throat. These could be his last glimpses of the city he loved, but this was no time to be sentimental. He needed to focus on keeping to the right path through the Thermals. After they rescued Katryna, then he could worry about how he would return to Hong Kong. The portal shuddered and lifted off the ground.

Lights wove together, forming a pathway through the sky. The portal rattled and rose higher. Cloud patterns reflected on the surfaces of Mong Kok’s glass and steel skyscrapers, but the outline of both portals remained cloaked. He steered into a thick bank of clouds, and Hong Kong disappeared.

“Shouldn’t the fissure be appearing by now?” Jayden stared at the sky above them.

Ermentrude leaned forward. “You’re right. The gateway should have opened by now.”

Wilf pressed his hand down on the sphere, strengthening the connection. The energy spikes sizzled and expanded. He winced as the portal picked up speed. An explosion of green light burst in the sky and the fissure opened. The portal sped up, and they blasted into the Thermals.

About the Author: Carolyn Lyall was born in Stockton-On-Tees, United Kingdom. As a child Carolyn growing up in Northern England in the sixties Carolyn loved sports, reading and amateur dramatics. She joined a renaissance group, practiced the broadsword and dreamed of visiting other worlds. Her passion for what could be drove her forward when faced with everyday struggles. Her first memorable skirmish with gender inequality came at nine-years old when she was told that only boys were allowed to play soccer. In response, she simply refused to do any classwork until they changed their old-fashioned policies. She won that battle.

At the age of 18, she took a role as typist for a nursing school in Middlesbrough. She then moved to London and enrolled in night school. She was quickly recognized for her ability to fit in anywhere and for not being afraid to push back on the predominantly male leadership. She eventually became a project manager in software development and micro-computers, bridging the gap between computer programmers and management.

Her dream to travel was finally realized in 1990 when she moved to New York City, USA with her husband and the first of three sons. This was the steppingstone to a lifelong adventure that has taken her and her family to India, Belgium, and Hong Kong.

Raising her family in multiple countries around the world, she saw that each move, while a shock, was an opportunity for her sons to redefine themselves against new challenges and different cultural norms. Now, that her sons have left home, Carolyn has used her passion for the fantastic to create a world where every day gender inequalities are at the forefront of a world ending conflict. She shares this story through the eyes of a young man who is suddenly thrust into this new world along with all of his own woes and prejudices. The introduction to this world is in Carolyn’s debut YA fantasy novel, “The Virus of Beauty,” which was released July 31, 2019 under C B Lyall.

Carolyn has published two short stories in an annual anthology by 25 Servings of Soop. She wrote a number of articles for the American Women’s Associates Magazine. Fueled by her love of the works of Terry Pratchett, Sarah J Maas, Cassandra Clare, Brandon Sanderson and others, Carolyn has completed a number of writing courses, which included a Master Fantasy/Science Fiction writers course with Gotham Writers’ Workshop, a YA Voice class and Advance Novel Writing course at Sarah Lawrence College’s Writing Institute.

Website: http://cblyall.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarolynBLyall
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cblyall
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/carolynlyall

Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/Virus-Beauty-Book-1-ebook/dp/B08NF1L94T/ref=sr_1_1
Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/Veil-Corruption-Virus-Beauty-Book-ebook/dp/B08LW57DXQ/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2QEJZOZM75KKV
Book 3: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09WZJ18R5
Series Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NGNYQL3

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