Accidental Paradise by Eric Grandy

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

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

Fiction allows for what I call “reality based creativity”. I take real events from what I’ve experienced or heard or what others have shared with me and weave a “fictional reality” that, hopefully, readers can relate to.

What research (or world-building – for fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?

I don’t write sci-fi or paranormal or fantasy. I do research when I want to get important facts straight. For instance, my next novel involves a main character who travels to Lagos, Nigeria. My neighbor is from there and he and I sat and talked several times about life, culture, the people and his personal experiences growing up there. I write fiction but it is always fact based.

Name one thing you learned from your heroine.

Through LaVern Whitaker, I have relearned the value of always doing what’s right. It may not seem like the right, or easiest thing to do at the time, but in the long run, it’s always the right thing. After she received an unexpected scholarship to a prestigious performing arts school, her father shared this cogent advice. “Always do the right thing, LaVern. You never know who’s watching that can make your bumpy road smooth.” That’s one of those reality based lessons I’ve tried to live by.

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

One unexpected aspect of writing is that I listen and observe all the time. I don’t eavesdrop, but I listen to nearby conversations and I watch others' mannerisms. You pick up a lot of character traits that way. A coworker once mentioned that he was “earhustling”. I had never heard the word before so he explained what it meant. I knew I would use it somewhere in my novel. And I did. And, I carry around something to write on because I don’t trust my memory when the time comes to recall what I saw or heard.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

You could call me a hybrid. Most of the time I jot down the major plot points in a chapter. But sometimes I write myself into a corner and have to figure my way out. I was more than halfway through my novel when I realized I didn’t have a villain. I had to revisit my story to find a suitable character, then weave his presence into the mostly completed manuscript.

Look to your right. What’s sitting there?

I’m looking through my dining room window onto my front porch, a favorite place where I often sit and read and listen to the birds. Beyond that is my wife’s beautiful garden. Most of the colorful, summer blooms are gone now but the greenery is soothing. I need to give the lawn one final cut though.

Anything new coming from you? What?

I’m working on my second novel. I don’t have a title yet. That’s always the last decision I make. It’s about a private detective who reluctantly takes on a local drug dealer as a mentor. The dealer agrees only because he wants to avoid probation. Their relationship is tumultuous with lots of shouting, cursing and some physicality. A trip to Lagos, Nigeria is an epiphany for the dealer which causes him to re-examine his life.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Yes. I always want to know what readers like and don't like about my novel.

Natural talent, hard work, and a childhood friend help LaVern Whitaker find her calling as an actress. When her life becomes overwhelming, they discover a small town where her true identity can remain unknown and she can stay out of the spotlight. The more she visits her secret getaway, the more deeply she feels connected to the history, the lifestyle, and the people. Could this place be her home away from home, or become the home she has dreamed of? Or will sinister forces rip it all away?

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Oh, this is our second time here and we love Louiston.”

LaVern removed her shades and looked down at the little girl.

“Oh, pardon me. This is my daughter Brittany. Brittany, this is Miss James.”

“Hello Miss James. It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you too, Brittany. You look so cute in your bathing suit and crocs.”

“Thank you.”

There was an awkward moment of silence before Brittany spoke up.

“Daddy, can we get my ice cream cone?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said a slightly chagrined LaVern, “don’t let me interfere. I just wanted to say hello.”

“That’s alright Miss James. No need to apologize.” Wilson looked down at his restless daughter. “I think I should be on my way though. It was a pleasure meeting both of you again.”

“Likewise.”

From underneath the umbrella came a final salutation. “It was nice meeting you again too.”

Wilson and Brittany resumed their journey to the ice cream stand. LaVern returned to her shaded chair and replaced her sunglasses. She turned and looked at Shaundra.

“See, that didn’t hurt, did it? I removed my shades and he still didn’t recognize me.”

“Like I said before,” reminded Shaundra, “nobody would expect to find a movie star in a place like this.”

That’s exactly why LaVern, again, reserved her space a year in advance. Louiston was part of them now. As indispensable and as life-giving as a pulse. And Mary Scales was a member of their family.

About the Author: Eric Grandy was born and raised in Baltimore City and graduated from City College. After he graduated from Essex Community College, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played six years for that team. He went on to a variety of jobs: photographer, lab manager, driver for DHL and warehouse manager. After retirement, he decided to devote himself to writing, producing several short stories and Accidental Paradise, his debut novel.

Grandy still lives in Baltimore with his wife Rhonda and his daughter Marti.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Paradise-Eric-Grandy/dp/B0FKPYYH8S

Dogged Determination by Chris Redding

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

A vegetarian veterinarian needs cash for a no-kill shelter, which is her life’s passion. But her efforts to fundraiser have been stymied, because she doesn’t know anyone rich.

The heir to a hot dog fortune must give away money before he gains his inheritance. Having been raised with a silver spoon in his mouth, he doesn’t know anyone needy enough.

Sounds like a match made in Heaven, but when a stray mutt brings them together, will they recognize what the other can provide?

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No one had taken Daria’s picture.

No one would discover who Dad was or where he currently resided. She could relax a little, and she let her shoulders down. At the table adorned with a centerpiece that was tall enough to block her view, she eyed everyone else’s actions before she picked up her utensils. She’d been at many balls and fundraisers. Sadly, the information about what fork to use or when never stuck in her mind.

She had other talents than picking the correct utensil. One of which was separating rich men from their money for a good cause, of course, which was her animals.

“What do you do?” one of those rich men at the table asked her. He had a close-trimmed beard and tiny spectacles.

Now was her chance. The first question was always about your profession. “I’m a veterinarian.”

“She also runs an amazing animal shelter,” Samuel added.

Odd of him to be supportive.

The man cleared his throat. “Animal shelter?”

“A no-kill shelter,” she began.

After each sentence, the man leaned closer.

He was hooked. She figured he’d be good for at least a few hundred. She would be a few more dollars closer to her goal of buying the property next to her office to build a bigger shelter.

The shoe-catcher sauntered by with a woman on his arm. He glanced her way. He sported a mustache and slicked back hair.

Daria almost stumbled in her spiel.

He smiled.

About the Author: Chris Redding has been writing romance and suspense for more than 2 decades. She’d written more than 60 novels and novellas over her career as a ghostwriter.

Website: http://www.chrisreddingauthor.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chrisreddingauthor
Twitter: http://www.pinterest.com/chrisredding/
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dogged-Determination-Chris-Redding-ebook/dp/B0F9XCM9YX/ref=sr_1_3

The Goodbyes by Helen Gillespie

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

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

I don’t have an answer to this question. The story needed to be told, so I told it. The genre is where it landed.

What research is required?

I needed to research or confirm the technology available in 1992, when the story I told took place. Also, I needed to refresh my memory about the Webster and Greene County, Missouri area. Specifically, I couldn’t remember if I44 had been completed at the time. And, one thing I had totally forgotten about was that the speed limit in the area, including Interstate 44, was 55 miles per hour.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

If there’s hesitation about doing something, sometimes it is the universe saying, “Don’t do it.” If a person decides to do something anyway and it remains a little creepy, definitely don’t do it. Also, our parents hold secrets too, secrets so painful, they can’t be shared until it’s almost too late.

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

I often dream up and develop scenes and dialogue while taking a shower or doing other human things. If I recall what I've dreamed up, developed, or refined while doing my human things, I let the information flow through my fingers and onto the computer keyboard. After I run out of words, I go back to the start and fine-tune what I’ve written.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am more of a pantser. However, as I develop my sequel, I’m trying to be more of a planner, especially when it comes to a timeline. It’s crucial so that my sequel makes sense.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A whiteboard with various reminders sits directly to my right. Above it, I have a collage of memorabilia from my Army service.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Oh yes! Aside from the gobbledygook I write just to be silly or warm up my brain, I hope to publish a sequel to The Goodbyes. It will contain more emotional scenes and expose more secrets from the core set of characters I introduced in The Goodbyes.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I want to know what the greatest lessons readers learned between the ages of 18 and 25.

Struggling with becoming an adult in a small mid-western town, Dianne must confront family secrets, deception, and discovery during her last year of college. As she cares for her ailing mother, her world begins to unravel and she is challenged to navigate through lies, friendships, love...and murder.

Meeting the wrong person makes it possible for her to recognize the right ones and to find the strength she needs to survive. Realizing that she is responsible for her own destiny, she learns that to say hello to a new life, she must first say goodbye.

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Although hesitant, Dianne prepared for her date with more apprehension than she had earlier when she prepared for her first day in the classroom. Weirdly, she hoped she would be stood up.

“Sorry I’m late. The ladies at work needed me to stop by and help them,” Michael told Dianne when she answered the door.

“Hi, Michael. Please, come in. Do people ever call you Mike?”

“Naw, ever since the second grade there was this other Michael, and everyone called him Mike and me Michael. It kinda stuck.”

“Makes sense. I’m almost about ready. I’m going to finish putting these towels away, and I’ll be ready to go.”

“Your momma okay?”

“Yes, she’s in the room sleeping. Thank you for asking.”

Dianne was surprised to hear Michael ask about her mother and not instantly jump into something about himself.

“See, I’m not as bad as you thought this morning.” Michael stared at Dianne as though he expected appreciation for his politeness.

“I hope not,” Dianne said, smiling while placing the last of the towels in a nearby closet.

“Dianne, you leaving?”

“Yes, Mom. I hope I didn’t wake you.”

“No, I was getting up and heard Michael come in. Ken should be over in about an hour, and he’s bringing me something to eat.”

Dianne disappeared briefly from Michael’s sight into her mother’s room to kiss her goodbye.

“You going to be okay, Mom?”

“Yeah, my boyfriend’s coming over and bringing dessert,” Katrina said, smiling and forcing her eyes open.

About the Author: Throughout grammar school and college, Helen Gillespie loved developing story sketches or full stories but kept them hidden within herself. That creative spark proved valuable in unexpected places, first on assignment as a musician in the US Army, and after leaving the Army, when she earned a degree in elementary education. After reentering the Army in 1981, she put pen to paper, or rather, “fingers to an Olivetti.” She officially learned the art of journalism to serve the Army, but it quickly became a personal passion. Interviewing fellow soldiers, exploring their jobs and personalities, and publishing useful information for the military community formed the basis of her skill and enjoyment. Those years of thought, training, education, and experience laid the foundation for crafting her first novel, The Goodbyes.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565442142189
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hgillespie/
Website: https://www.helengillespiewrites.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hgillespe
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.gillespie/

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My Husband Almost Killed Me by Linda Beason

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

"If you ever leave me, I will kill the kids then I will kill you." "I can't help but think of other women who may be facing similar situations, even now in a time and generation when these events can easily be exposed as much as they could be hidden. I wish I could reach each one of them, look into their eyes and tell them: you don't have to live like this. Life can be better; you can choose a different path. It's not easy, trust me, I know that more than most people do, BUT IT'S WORTH IT." This book is an autobiography about a woman raised on a large farm who learned to drive a large tractor at the age of seven, then spent many years plowing, planting and harvesting crops and taking care of the farm animals. After three years in the Marine Corps, she married her college sweetheart who became a drunk and abused her for seven horrible years before he almost killed her then disappeared. After she recovered she and her three kids fled to Florida to hide so he wouldn't find them and finish the job.

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A few weeks ago, after one of Phil’s drunken rages, I decided that the kids and I would start camping out in the cornfield surrounding the house to avoid getting in his way. The plan was simple: we’d head out about an hour before he typically staggered home and stay hidden and out of sight until we were sure he had returned and passed out in bed. After that, we would crawl back into the house, get tucked in, and wake up the following day when Phil would have recovered from his stupor, and we could go back to being a regular family until we had to do it all over again at night. This way, we could avoid the brunt of his tirades and tantrums, and, most importantly, I could retain some semblance of peace, normalcy, and quiet for myself and my kids.

So far, it had been working.

As far as the kids were concerned, any chance to camp out in the fields was a fun opportunity they couldn’t miss. They were now used to the earthy, starchy, grassy smell, the sound of crickets chirping, and the occasional rustle of small rabbits nearby scurrying through the underbrush. Bailey and Ryan usually wore themselves out singing nursery rhymes and playing with their toys under the tent. Then, using a dim flashlight, I read bedtime stories to them while cradling Brooke and rocking her to sleep. When they were all fast asleep, I would keep watch, waiting for Phil to arrive and timing our return to the house.

The plan was working, but tonight, Brooke’s feeble cries threatened to disrupt it. She had initially fallen asleep in my arms, but for some reason, her eyes opened back up moments later, and since then, she’d been crying and refused to go back to sleep. I tried to cradle her even more, hoping the cry would let up, but it only grew louder. I wasn’t worried about a neighbor hearing us and calling the cops to report a lost, crying baby in the fields; the house closest to our field was a good half-mile away. I was more worried about Bailey’s and Ryan’s sleep being interrupted and the possibility of Phil’s sudden return.

About the Author: Born and raised on an Indiana farm, Linda Beason was steeped in the rhythms of rural life and nurtured by the enduring love of a close-knit family.

From an early age, she embraced responsibility and excelled throughout her school years. As an alumna of Purdue University— where she earned degrees in both agriculture and accounting—Linda distinguished herself academically and professionally, later working for several corporate companies, most notably the Green Giant Company, and serving honorably in the Marine Corps.

Yet despite a childhood filled with warmth and promise, Linda's adult life took a harrowing turn when she entered a marriage that would test the very limits of her strength. For nearly a decade, she endured domestic abuse at the hands of a dangerous man whose fury was fueled by alcohol and an insatiable need for control. That turbulent period sent her racing through a whirlwind of experiences that would forever alter her path. Even in the darkest moments, however, Linda clung to her faith in God and the quiet confidence of a Midwesterner.

Linda passed away in 2024 while writing this book. Through these pages, she hoped to inspire women to overcome the challenges of toxic relationships and the hardships of motherhood, reminding them that even the deepest wounds can heal and that the promise of a brighter tomorrow is always within reach.

Buy Link: https://amazon.com/dp/1779626460
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God's Coded Language Is All About Transparency by Janette C. Andrejowich

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

For people seeking to understand the spiritual world and the deep things of God, decoding God's language, expressed in imagery, numbers, colours, parables, parallels, stories, and foreshadows, is the essential elusive key that lights up the path of understanding the spiritual view of God. Nothing is hidden. It is written, "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" (I Corinthians 2:9). But this scripture only applies to those who want to see a charcoal sketch of their calling. People who receive the free gift of God's Holy Spirit have embraced the unique Spirit, and the world in the scriptures comes alive in dazzling colour because the elusive key is found and applied.

The Apostle Paul added, "these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God" (I Corinthians 2:10).

Every aspect of God's creation on earth is a revelation of the great Creator God for those with the Spirit-opened eyes to see, ears to hear, and a willing heart of flesh. The amazing discovery of God's coded language is all about transparency, unveiling His plan for mankind and His holy, royal, ruling family in the making.

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THE TREES, VINES and FLOWERS

“Open your doors, O LEBANON, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, because the glorious trees have been destroyed; Wail, O oaks of Bashan, for the impenetrable forest has come down” (Zechariah 11:2).

What was at one time so glorious, so impenetrable and great is being destroyed. Where is the Lebanon referred to in Zechariah? Who are the cedars, the cypress, the oaks, and the glorious trees?

Scriptures reveal God’s use of imagery. The fallen cedar trees described in Zechariah 11 are the once-great and highly honoured heavenly rulers in God’s government and holy court. They have turned against Him; they are rebels. Many are already overthrown and imprisoned in Sheol. The remaining rebels will come to an end on the Day of God’s wrath. God has a plan for mankind. He will fill the positions once held by the “glorious trees” with new members—transformed righteous mortals.

Satan has his puppets busy at work: hiding truth, distorting history, and keeping mankind ignorant of their calling. The thoughts of carnal mankind demand sight before belief. God is asking for faith. The unseen world is closed to mankind at this time. Satan uses this barrier to keep people from questioning God’s wonderful and miraculous creation all around them. Battles have been fought and tensions in heaven are on-going. Mankind is ignorant of the vast dominions controlled by fallen sons of God in heaven, yet to be overthrown. They cannot fathom the hatred these heavenly rebels have towards mortals on earth, especially those who will be awarded their most-high offices. Regardless, in time, it will all be revealed.

“See, the Lord, the LORD Almighty, will lop off the boughs with great power. The lofty trees will be felled; the tall ones will be brought low. He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax; Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One” (Isaiah 10:33-34).

About the Author:

Jeremiah said, "If I say, 'I will not mention Him or speak any more in His name,' His message becomes a fire burning in my heart, shut up in my bones, and I become weary of holding it in, and I cannot prevail" (Jeremiah 20:9). I have this same experience, which has led me to create a resource centre (https://sharingsharpens.ca) to share all of my studies, and now my books. God's Coded Language Is All About Transparency is my first published book, which came together from many of my studies. It is like a collection, all fitting perfectly together. It is not my last book. Many are already written, soon to be placed on the shelf to accompany this one.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1834180260
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781834180274
Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/search?q=9781834180267

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Shadowslayers by Colin Sephton

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

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

The genre I write in is fantasy. I just think you can be so imaginative and free, creating your own world with its own unique life forms and characters. Anything goes, and nobody can tell you you’re wrong! It’s your world, you are the creator, and you can have fun with it.

What research is required?

The level of research depends on what you are writing. This trilogy of which Shadowslayers is the second novel and it is a metaphysical science-fantasy journey that weaves together ancient Vedic wisdom, modern scientific speculation. It’s a deep psychological and spiritual inquiry and at its heart it asks what is consciousness? Can we alter fate? And what does it mean to be whole in a fragmented universe? The two protagonists, Ignatius and Indigo are struggling to come to terms with the events of the first novel (Timeslayers) when they are unwillingly thrust into another, and much darker, cosmic adventure. Their relationship with each other may be due to affection, but it may also be out of necessity because they are the only two humans who have shared this experience.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine

I guess I have learned that the two protagonists are really aspects of myself. They both represent me! This is something I hadn’t realized at first. They have different personalities, Ignatius often symbolizes reason, tradition, or structured inquiry, and Indigo represents intuition, inner knowing, and spiritual receptivity. When I am writing their dialogue, it flows easily in my head. So, I think they are both me!

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

I’m not sure how many other writers work like this, if any, but sometimes I have a scene in my head that is so detailed and exciting I must use it. I might have no idea where it will fit into my novel, but I just think it’s such a good idea it must be used so I write it, add more detail, edit it, then will work and weave it into the plot somewhere.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I think I Am both. I will often be a pantser. I like to get what’s in my head down on paper or into the laptop. But then to develop an idea, particularly if it is complex I will scribble charts and tables in a notebook or create a spreadsheet on the laptop. I can then see all the links throughout a long plot and can move things around and add in to improve them.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Nobody. Writing is a solitary craft! When I can I like to work in my study surrounded by my inspiration, science books, fantasy books, graphic novels and art books. However, I can work virtually anywhere because I do a lot of my writing in a notebook, on an iPad or a laptop. I write in coffee shops, hotels and even at the beach.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I have a couple of things that are imminent. I have the third book in the trilogy, called Soulslayers that will be published in November. I also have an art book I am looking to release soon to accompany the first novel, Timeslayers, containing all my fantasy artwork showing the world and characters that inhabit the cosmos I have created.

Do you have a question for our readers?

If you wrote a fantasy novel yourself, what would it be about?

When doppelgangers start appearing in Oxford, Union Jack agents Ignatius and Indigo find themselves on another cosmic quest, one they didn’t set out to investigate.

Drawn into the search for the elusive and dangerous Book of Shadows, they find themselves traveling across the cosmos once again, racing against other versions of themselves, and visiting the Oracle to be given prophecies of terrible destruction that will engulf the cosmos in darkness. Only these two heroes—or their doubles—can open the book, which would lead to dreadful consequences for themselves, the world and the whole of creation.

The agents must outwit their own mirror souls and invade the impregnable Administorium, which holds the answers they need but also fearsome enemies of both the Union Jacks and the entire cosmos. In this quest, Ignatius and Indigo must protect not only England and the Empire, but the world and the cosmos.

Read an Excerpt

The scene became liquid, and blackness enveloped all, circling everything in the room, like an archaic ghostly phantom made of deadly vapours, before giving way to the slightest of dim light in which Indigo could see the ancient crepuscular shadow deepen and fully form into the upper body of the Queen of Shadows. She had concealed herself and had escaped the destruction earlier and was now a phantom bent on revenge. Her beautiful face appeared before Ignatius and she kissed him, her blue lips locking on to his as she pulled him closer, her slender arm locked around his neck. He had no escape. She looked directly at Indigo and sneered. The queen knew this would hurt Indigo the most.

As the queen kissed Ignatius again, then withdrew her face, Indigo could see she was sucking the lifeforce from his rigid lifeless body, revealing her black fangs as she pulled back, black tendrils draped between them like foul saliva.

The queen was now fully formed, her naked body displayed, her legs wrapped around Ignatius like a succubus in the night. Black tattoos covered her body, and as she moved, so did the tattoos. They writhed and changed shape, sliding over her skin, caressing her, absorbing energy from her.

Indigo knew it was only a matter of time before Ignatius would be an empty husk, a living zombie.

About the Author:

Colin was born in Coventry and worked in the automotive industry for over twenty years before becoming an Engineering teacher. Obtaining his first library card at the age of thirteen, he became an avid reader of Fantasy and the mysteries of the Universe. He has an inbuilt curiosity for lost knowledge and ancient texts that may help to unlock the secrets of consciousness and the universe. Living in Oxford for many years, he has now moved back to his home county of Warwickshire where he enjoys creating and working with his wife on their garden in which he writes and entertains their two grandsons. He has always been an artist and writer and is inspired by the worlds created by Robert E Howard and Michael Moorcock, with the artwork of Frank Frazetta.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/timeslayers
Art Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/sephtonart
Website: http://www.colinsephton.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shadowslayers-Colin-Sephton-ebook/dp/B0FN4H2SH5/ref=sr_1_1

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Arabesque by M G de Mota

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. What would we find under your bed?
Most likely dust; nothing exciting.

What was the scariest moment of your life?
The scariest moment in my life was having an emergency operation to one of my eyes.

Do you listen to music while writing? If so what?
I listen to music occasionally, not always, but I always listen to classical music. It can be orchestral, instrumental, opera or a score to a ballet but it has to be harmonious, emotional and touch me in some way or other. My favourite classic composer is Mozart so I listen to his music any time, whether I’m sad or happy or need inspiration. Mozart has it all.

What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
I don’t know. I don’t tend to have long term goals, as I don’t really see the point in them. I write because I love to do it and because of all the stories floating in my head. It is something I can’t not do but goals and objectives don’t come into it. I write first and foremost for the fun of it and because I truly enjoy it.

How long did it take you to write this book?
To write the first draft took me approximately a year, including necessary historical and subject matter (ballet) research, but the real hard work comes after that first draft. Countless revisions by myself, then when I’m happy with it, I send it to my editor. After her revision I will need to go through the novel another two or three times. Finally there are two or three people who will read it before it’s published. They all give me feedback and sometimes suggestions, which I may or may not choose to incorporate. After these stages there is one final proof-reading by myself and another by my editor. All this takes at least another six months or a year. Only after that does the publishing process begin. So in total 18 months to two years.

A woman living alone in a coastal Sussex town in 1998 plants a copper beech sapling at 3 a.m. on a dark, cold night. Why?

A ballet dancer in 1960s East Germany is oppressed, longs for escaping with his little daughter but not his wife. Why? Will he make it?

In 2022 Karsten von Stein, widower and principal of the Royal Ballet, with two young children, meets Ivone Benjamim, a Portuguese, newly-arrived principal dancer. They discover a magical chemistry when dancing and soon it transfers to their private lives.

Against the background of ballet and its dancers, a woman called Grace tells her story from a rehab centre. Obsessive, delusional she begins believing Ivone robbed her of the man of her dreams—Karsten. And then a skeleton is found in a garden...What connects all these people and their stories?

You’ll be the audience facing the stage of this balletic novel.

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First Variation – Amadeus
Berlin, East Germany, July 1965

Amadeus gazes at his wife. Margarete or Grete, as is her preference, sleeps, exhausted from the effort of birth. Her hair appears glued to her forehead, wet from perspiration. Next to her, in a plain white hospital baby cot, their daughter is also asleep. He touches the little girl’s head gently. The baby, a small bundle inside the clothes too large for her, stirs marginally but does not wake. He arranges the cover around her slight body to keep her warm. She was born with hair, if one could call the blonde fluff hair. His chest swells. He already loves that little person with all the force of his being. Swallowing a couple of emotional tears he realises he will do anything, anything, to protect her. He wants her to grow up in peace, in freedom, to be able to make her own choices. With a heavy heart he wonders whether such wishes will ever be possible in this German Democratic Republic where democratic is a word devoid of meaning.

East Germany may be a lot of things but democratic is not one of them. Will he be able to adequately protect this tiny being and give her all she deserves? His chest tightens. He may have to shelter her from her own mother. Feeling shivers down his spine he recalls how his fears, his suspicions were confirmed a few months earlier, just after Grete told him she was pregnant.

About the Author:

M G da Mota is Margarida Mota-Bull’s pen name for fiction. She is a Portuguese-British novelist with a love for classical music, ballet and opera. Under her real name she also writes reviews of live concerts, CDs, DVDs and books for two classical music magazines on the web: MusicWeb International and Seen and Heard International. She is a member of the UK Society of Authors, speaks four languages and lives in Sussex with her husband. Her website, called flowingprose.com, contains photos and information.

Website: https://www.flowingprose.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/m.g.da.mota
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/margarida-mota-bull/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mgdamota/

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Wedding Planning by Kathy Forbes

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

This book has everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding.

This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and notebook to keep track of everything.

All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the "day of" to have a good breakfast. They don't mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.

The five easy steps and how they relate to each other is the foundation of this book, which will make sure you have an educational, memorable, stressless, wonderful experience throughout the whole process:

1) Timeline
2) Budget
3) "Day of" schedule
4) Duties and tasks
5) Lists and assignments

The secret is having a planned schedule that catches everything, and a specific person in charge on the "day of" that pulls it off while you enjoy with the guests. Let me show you how to perfect your wedding planning experience.

Waiting to your wedding day is just too late to realize the importance of this thought process and having a specific/special go-to-person working the "day of" on your behalf.

You will enjoy the days up to the wedding as much as the day itself, as this book helps make it all come true.

Read an Excerpt

Wedding Planning 101

This book has everything you need to know to plan your perfect unique wedding.

This is not your typical wedding planning book. Chapter titles alone will tell you what needs to be done, and the subtitles break it down further. The book includes tips, advice, stories, templates, and a notebook to keep track of everything.

All the other books, magazine articles, Instagram and Pinterest timeline posts state on the “day of” to have a good breakfast. They don’t mention the people that take care of all the duties and tasks throughout the day so you can be VIP guests at your own wedding.

There is more to planning a perfect “day of” than you think – believe me.

So, you can enjoy the days up to as much as the “day of”, this book will help.

The Reality is: 3 things are kept – your spouse, the ring, and your photographs. All the rest is but a fading memory over time. You most likely have read the saying “don’t sweat the small stuff” or as I suggest, we rewrite it for wedding planning to state “plan for the small stuff details and you won’t sweat”.

I have been married since 1973 – the oops, challenges and happenings - they all happened at our wedding and at least one of them happens at every wedding. Some things never change. This book will help you Plan for them, Minimize them and Smile through them.

This wedding planning book will help you to succeed in putting on a memorable, unique, and stress free wedding. Forge onward through these pages to discover the secret to learning how to pull it all together by just following the easy 5 steps.

Included is the industry insider stuff such as what the vendors and suppliers would like you to do, ask them and the reason why it is important. Through this direction you will acquire the knowledge of what questions to ask your vendors and suppliers. All you must do is fill in the blanks on the easy to complete templates supplied for all the steps.

As I said earlier, this is not your typical wedding planning book filled with wedding dress styles, centerpiece designs and how to walk down the aisle at the ceremony. Everyone has access to that in books, internet, and visuals on Pinterest. This book has the real stuff you need to know. It is a gift you give yourself to be happy and successful in the whole exciting process of your wedding planning.

This book shares real stories (to make a point, relate to real people and tips to make it easy) and of course professional advice.

About the Author: I knew that our youngest daughter was going to be engaged soon, so I enrolled at BCIT and got my wedding and event planning credentials in 2005. I changed careers from corporate sales analyst to something that puts meaning and joy into my life every day. In no time I put it to good use: one daughter married in 2006 and the other in 2007. I retired in 2020 but continued to expand my world. I paint and am a miniature hobbyist—both produce a connection with a memory that I want to preserve and share. I wrote this book as a memory for me, and as an educational reference book to educate you all. My goal is to make planning a wedding a wonderful experience.

My life's motto is: be interested and interesting.

Websites:
http://www.kathyforbesauthor.com
http://www.anewpaigeevent.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237476373-wedding-planning

Buy Link: https://a.co/d/cnjW6AP

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Sound Catchers by Jessica Coriat

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

Sound Catchers is about Maddy, a twin girl who experiences hearing loss early in her childhood. Initially, she is fitted with bilateral hearing aids. As her loss progresses, she makes the transition to cochlear implants. The book captures the world in which Maddy lives in a lyrical and loving way. It creates an awareness of children with hearing loss as part of the world around them, enabling the reader a glimpse into that experience through Maddy's journey.

This book contributes to a greater understanding of those who live with hearing loss. It helps the reader to build empathy, and it creates an awareness of differences. As such, it holds a valuable place in the social/emotional curriculum, which is taught in schools nationwide.

About the Author:

Jessica Coriat completed her bachelor of science in Special Education/Elementary Education and went on to earn two master's degrees, one in Deaf Education and the other in Creative Writing for Children. With over twenty years of experience as a teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing, Jessica continues to teach her students alongside their typical hearing peers. As a full-time working mother of three teenagers, Jessica has plenty of free time on her hands. She enjoys spending it in her home in New Jersey, with her son, her twin girls and their cavapoo, Bailey. Jessica is also passionate about living a healthy lifestyle. She is thrilled to have written this book and continues to make time to write each day. Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/@soundcatcher
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/235174168-sound-catchers
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1779621175

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The Chronicles of Ordi by Alex Zenk

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

*******

In reflecting on the writing process for Chronicles of Ordi: Brotherhood of the Lost Gems, my previous discussion on how minor characters drive the story, by catalyzing plot points, enriching world-building, and escalating conflicts, indirectly addresses the question of whether a minor character insisted on a larger role. It does so by illustrating the organic way these characters can evolve during creation, often forcing their way into greater prominence, as happened with Verdun in my book. However, to directly answer the query: yes, I did have a minor character who insisted on playing a larger role, and that was Verdun, Ordi's brother, whose growth exemplifies how characters can "misbehave" in a writer's mind.

Conceived initially as a secondary figure in the Brotherhood, a stoic warrior brother to Ordi, the dwarf mage protagonist, Verdun was intended to provide muscle and occasional comic relief during their quest for the Otthroite Gems across Asheros' rugged landscapes. His role was limited: guard the group from threats of Asheros, offer gruff support to Ordi's leadership, and serve as a foil to more flamboyant members like the loyal hound Mira or the elven druid Nimue. But as I drafted scenes in the depleting mines of Unrar or the forests of Asheros, Verdun kept asserting himself. His protective instincts, rooted in their sibling bond, turned into profound moments of vulnerability, revealing backstory about their shared losses and Asheros' darkening world, which added emotional depth. What started as a brief dialogue ballooned into key subplots, like Verdun's uncertainty about their quest, which mirrored Ordi's doubts. He "insisted" on this expansion because he felt too alive to sideline; ignoring him made scenes flat, so I let him grow, ultimately making him a co-anchor for the Brotherhood's dynamics. He shines bright in book 3.

This experience taught me that characters don't always "behave" as planned; they emerge from the subconscious like stubborn sparks. To manage them in my head, I use a multi-step approach honed through trial and error. First, I visualize Asheros' terrain vividly: picturing Verdun trudging through cold rivers or glowing cliffs helps ground his actions in the environment, preventing wild deviations. Second, I rely on loose outlines tied to the map I designed, plotting journeys that constrain character arcs. Third, when a character like Xerxes threatens to overshadow with his cunning schemes, I pause and journal their motivations in short bursts, asking "What does this serve the quest?" to rein them in. Finally, beta readers act as my "reality check," flagging when someone like Verdun dominates, allowing revisions that balance the ensemble. This method keeps the story's rhythm intact while embracing surprises, turning potential chaos into richer narratives. Without it, Verdun might have stayed minor, but Asheros' epic feels more authentic because he didn't.

In a world where ancient magic is fading and darkness grows, one dwarf mage stands between his realm and destruction.

Ordi, a gifted mage with the rare ability to command all elemental magic, is summoned by his king on a perilous quest. Accompanied by his loyal posh hound Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must recover the legendary Otthroite Gems—powerful artifacts thought lost to time.

As they journey through forbidden forests, abandoned dwarven cities, and haunted valleys, they discover these gems are the only hope against the rising threat of the long-banished Dark Lord. With each step, they uncover secrets of ancient magic and face betrayals that test the bonds of brotherhood.

Rich in world-building and filled with magical encounters, "The Chronicles of Ordi" blends classic fantasy elements with fresh perspectives on courage, loyalty, and the price of power.

Read an Excerpt

A hellhound emerged from the swirling smoke, its eyes burning with an evil fire. Two towering demons flanked the beast, their twisted forms radiating dark energy. Accompanying them was a horde of monstrous spiders, their grotesque legs and mandibles glistening in the dim light. Ordi's heart pounded in his chest; he hated spiders—no, he was terrified of them. These were no ordinary arachnids; they ranged from five to eight feet tall, their massive forms looming menacingly. The challenge before him was immense. Hellhounds could withstand most mortal magic, and the demons posed a threat he had only read about in the academy's ancient tomes. Desperately cycling through spells in his mind, Ordi cursed under his breath, doubting whether any would suffice against such formidable adversaries. Read more – link in comments.

About the Author: Alex Zenk brings a fresh voice to the world of epic quests and magical realms. Born and raised in the midwest, Alex's love for fantasy was kindled early by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and nurtured through years of immersive role-playing games. As a pastor by day and a storyteller by night, Alex brings a unique perspective to his writing, weaving themes of morality, redemption, and the complexities of good and evil into his narratives.

Drawing inspiration from his experiences in World of Warcraft, Alex has crafted a rich and immersive world in his debut series, "The Chronicles of Ordi." His background in theology and his deep understanding of human nature inform the complex characters and intricate plot lines.

When not writing or tending to his pastoral duties, Alex can be found exploring the natural beauty of Iowa with his family, using these adventures to fuel his imagination and inspire new fantastic landscapes. With plans for multiple books set in the world of Asheros, Alex Zenk is poised to make a significant impact on the fantasy genre, offering readers a blend of classic epic fantasy with a modern, thoughtful twist.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apzenk/
Amazon: https://a.co/d/g00TgiA
Website: https://apzenk.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565462734987

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Father of One by Jani Anttola review

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

Maka, a young Bosnian soldier, has survived three years under siege. When the enemy forces launch their final attack on his hometown, he must escape to the hills. But traversing the vast woods is a task against all odds: to stay alive, and to find his infant son and his wife, he is soon forced to make a desperate move.

Set against the harrowing background of raging guerrilla warfare and the genocide in Srebrenica, Father of One is, at heart, a story of deep humanity, compassion and love. It is the account of one man’s desire to reunite his family, separated by war, and of bonds unbroken by trauma, sustained by loyalty and tenacity. Writing in a voice that rings with clarity and authenticity, Jani Anttola lays open a dark moment in Europe’s recent history.

This was a heartrending book. I'm not normally keen on war stories, but this one is different. It's not involved as much on the tactical end of war. It's a very personal look at one man's desire to survive and get back to his family. It doesn't sugar-coat what he goes through, but he comes through everything with his humanity still in one piece.

I loved how it was the love of family that kept him on the right path, both physically and morally. Though not an easy book to read at times, the author's way of putting things kept me involved and wanting to find out what happened next.

I think this would make an amazing movie!! 5 stars

Read an Excerpt

The old man they called Dedo died in September after a two-day storm. The wind blew from the south, bringing sea clouds, grey and ragged like used steel wool, that poured down on the valley and the gusts drove rain against the window planks, making them wet and dripping, with pooling water on the floor of the cell. Outside the camp the trees bent in the heavy wind and the hayfields were flat in the rain. It was a summer storm but it wasn’t warm: the police stayed holed up in their house and grey smoke puffed from the stovepipe and was ripped away flatly in the wind. The cops had reduced their perimeter to a few that huddled in the far corners. In their olive-green ponchos the guards looked like some strange, dark-glistening mushrooms behind the rain. Then, after the storm broke, the drizzle continued for a day and the hills were deep green and misty, and the rusty old silos of the batching factory stood out brightly in their crumbling yellow paint. There were pools of water on the paths between the barracks and tree branches blown across the yard and everything was washed out, fresh and silent.

That afternoon they were corralled into the third barrack. The hundreds of inmates stood waiting, packed in the hall now, happily surprised by the announcement of an additional tea portion. The previous police crew had repurposed the building as a prison canteen. On the low counter the inmates had built, a gas stove was alight. On its grate sat a fifty-litre, boiling aluminium kettle. Maka stood behind the cauldron with another inmate, a ladle in hand, feeling the heat from the little blue flames that flickered underneath.

About the Author

Jani Anttola is a Finnish novelist and a medical doctor. In the 1990s he served in Rwanda with the French military and fought in Bosnia as a soldier of the Bosnian army. His works have been published in the UK and Finland. He has spent most of his adult life abroad, working in Africa, the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific.

Author website: https://www.jani- anttola.com/

Buy links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Father-One-Jani-Anttola/dp/1915603986

https://www.amazon.com/Father-of-One/dp/1915603986

https://bookguild.co.uk/bookshop/historical/father-of-one/



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The Passenger by Joie Lesin

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

She’s a 1940s ghost whisperer.

Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home.

He’s the son of a ghost.

Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction.

Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?

The Passenger, a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country, tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found.

Read an Excerpt

When her husband was on his way to her to say goodbye, she’d sweated through the cries of soldiers falling into the mud around her and the deafening noise of battle.

Don’t go there, Elizabeth. You couldn’t help him.

She’d known the only help she could provide was to help him pass on in peace.

Elizabeth had expected Patrick’s ghost to visit her. For weeks, she braved the early spring chill to await his arrival. Bundled in layers, she waited on the beach for him. Their special place. When he finally came, he met her there. Patrick sat next to her on the blanket he’d given her as a birthday present when they were younger. The one with the purple daffodils. When she thought of his final goodbye, she thought of the daffodils she’d stared down at while he talked—as if the color of the flowers were the most important detail of the day.

Yet the broken dead man who sat beside her was.

Patrick’s once handsome face wore sadness like a caul. He’d wished she would remember him as the whole and healthy man who she clung to and kissed before he shipped off to war. When she pictured the delicate purple flowers imprinted on the fabric, she overlooked the bloodied gash in his side where he’d taken the bullet.

About the Author:

Award-winning, Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She is most recently the author of The Passenger (The Wild Rose Press, 2024) and her work is also featured in Scribeworth Magazine. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.

Website: https://www.jlesin.com
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joielesin.bsky.social
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger

The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-lesin/1008401528?ean=2940185717905
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-passenger-48

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The Rebellious Countess by Helene Matheson

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

Society may be run by the men of the ton, but six scandalous sisters are determined to take it by storm one gentleman at a time.

Máira Blair married for love, her honeymoon trip with the Earl of Dorset is a dream come true—until reality turns it into a nightmare. Máira wakes up to discover her husband isn’t an earl, but the captain of a pirate ship and what was supposed to be her honeymoon, is a voyage bound for war-torn France. If that isn’t enough to disparage her husband’s character, he abandons her in the middle of a French port where she must find a way to survive as she defends her virtue and her life. Just when she’s convinced of what kind of rogue she married, the pirate transforms into a hero on a quest to save her and the missing Earl of Astley.

Sir Elias Drake married for convenience, he needed a Scottish bride to complete his mission. He can resist his desire for his beautiful wife, especially after she discovers his true identity. Except Máira Blair was more than he bargained for. He needs her skills, cherishes her compassion, and is tormented by her passion, which only makes him want her and the life their marriage represents more.

It will require both of their talents to rescue the Earl of Astley, and it will take more than a war to defeat their hard-won love—if they can escape.

Read an Excerpt

“Máira…” He took a step toward her, wanting to take her into his arms and erase the horrors she’d experienced in the hours since he saw her last. The way she quickly moved to keep distance between them, nearly gutted him and he stopped before he made her run out the door she’d just entered.

“You look as if you fought off the demons of hell and somehow won. Are you alright?” He asked.

The noise she made was decidedly unfeminine and nothing like the woman he knew. Somewhere between a snort and a growl, it was attached to a sneer that only hatred could form. “I’m breathing, if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Breathing?” Holy, bloody hell. What had he done? He was going to kill Peter and every one of his crew for not looking out for her. “I meant, do we need to fetch a surgeon?” He spoke softly, as if that would keep their conversation private in the middle of a tavern with every eye and ear observing them with avid curiosity. If he were lucky, only the barkeep and her henchman, and spoke English.

“Are you worried about my reputation? My virtue? My life? Or are you worried that I still stand on this green Earth?” Her hand rose to her chest in a display of mock distress. It succeeded in drawing every eye in the place to her damned feminine curves.

He glared at the men around him, some looked away sheepishly, others didn’t care. They would look their fill unless he challenged each and every one of them.

About the Author:

Helene Matheson writes steamy regency historical romance novels with intelligent, unstoppable heroines who don’t require an alpha male to save them—having one in their bed is another story.

Helene moved south for fun in the sun after she retired from public service and began pursuing her life-long dream of writing. She wrote the Amazon best-selling mystery series The Book Barn Mysteries for Lyrical Press and has written multiple award-winning romantic suspense novels under Kym Roberts.

In her spare time she can be found woodcarving by the pool or blogging for The Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction. To contact her on social media, you can find her under KymRoberts911 on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Her books can also be found on her websites.

Helene Matheson: http://www.HeleneMatheson.com
Kym Roberts: http://www.KymRoberts.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDM5CSH
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebellious-countess-helene-matheson/1147883832
Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Rebellious-Countess/Helene-Matheson/9781648399787

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Only in September by Cynthia Flowers

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

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre?
I didn’t pick the genre it chose me. The story came to me through a patchwork of experiences (mine, others), pieces of conversation or experiences shared.

What draws you to it?
It was a ‘what if moment’ I had after an encounter several years ago and then the idea for the story took flight.

What research was required?
None, just my imagination for this one.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.
Survivorship. Resiliency. Positive attitude helps. Be open to new experiences.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?
Not yet. My habit is to write in the early part of the day or when I need to escape from the real world, which seems more often these days.

Are you a plotter or pantser?
Somewhere in between. The plotter part is when I let the story marinate in my head for a while (months) and then when I feel there’s enough there I start clanking away on my laptop. The joy comes while writing and new things suddenly pop up that give the story twists and turns I had not considered. That’s the pantser part.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?
A wall with my ‘to do list’ posted for both my fictional and grant writing assignments.

Anything new coming up from you?
Yes. About 4,000 words written for the sequel to Only In September.

Do you have a question for our readers?
What do you look for in a good read? Is it the characters, the plot, the genre, style of writing?

When Jacqueline follows her trusty Labrador Bailey down a hidden path to the beach, she's unaware that her vacation plans on a small island off the New England coast has already taken her life in a new direction. Running into an unassuming local beach comber stirs new thoughts, desires, and a self-determination she never knew she possessed. Jacqueline will need to trust her instincts and make the most of what fate has in store if she wants the future that, until now, she has only dared to dream of.

Read an Excerpt

With the sun barely over the horizon, Jacqueline awoke to Bailey licking her face and the best morning smell ever. Michael had the coffee pot simmering over the fire pit.

Jacqueline wasn’t ready to give up the warmth of her sleeping bag, so she managed to sit up while still inside it.

“Looks like you’re in a cocoon. Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Surprisingly, yes. I was snug as a bug,” she said with a yawn.

“Well, one of the other reasons for camping out is to see the first rays of the sunrise, so let’s get you up so you don’t miss it.” He helped Jacqueline to her feet while she was still inside the sleeping bag. To remain steady, Michael had to hold her. She was all right with that.

I hope this sunrise viewing lasts a while.

Consumed by the beauty of the moment, Jacqueline felt a swelling from inside that took her nearly to the brink of tears as she looked out at the bright yellow rays that made the ocean glisten.

“We have a few clouds, which is a good thing,” he said. “It helps make the sunrise a bit more dramatic.”

“I bet you’ve seen lots of these,” Jacqueline replied while trying to compose herself.

“Yes, but I never get tired of it. It’s like seeing it for the first time every time,” he shared.

They both grew silent and took in the beauty of the early morning sky, and the warm connection of being so physically close to one another.

About the Author: Cynthia Flowers, a recently retired advertising professional, now grant writer, resides with her husband and four-year old Labrador named Eddie, at their “sanctuary” in Upstate New York, Although previously published, this is Cynthia's first book of fiction. Early on in grade school, Cynthia looked forward to creative writing class and enjoyed reading her stories aloud to her eager classmates.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Only-September-Cynthia-Flowers-ebook/dp/B0DWT79L6N/ref=sr_1_1

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