The Adventures of a Southern (Baptist) Buddhist by Pamela McConnell, MSW, LCSW

 

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This true story is about a girl who is born up north; into a conservative, fundamentalist/evangelical family—but then becomes a Liberal Buddhist.

Her family moves back to their roots in the Appalachian south, where Pam is molested by her grandfather. She later owns her sexuality by becoming promiscuous; beginning a pattern of serial dating, marrying, and divorcing.

She is first married at 18 to another 18-year-old, who gives her a beautiful son—but he is a redneck and they have nothing else in common. Her second husband is a talented musician but turns out to like sex with men. Her third husband speaks five languages and is a Pakistani, but he beats her up. Her fourth husband is a chef who makes delicious meals but turns out to be a felon and a crackhead. Finally, the love of her life neglects to tell Pam for seven years that he is married.

In the meantime, Pam completes two degrees and works as a counselor, and then 20 years as a hospice social worker. She begins her hospice career in Southern California, where she has moved to get away from the DEEP South. That is where she converts to Buddhism. From that point, she begins to look inward for the answers to her questions about life’s meaning.

Pam leaves the country after two failed relationships, some years apart. She spends a year teaching English in South Korea and goes from there to Pakistan with her third husband. In between, her dad dies and Pam reconnects and bonds with her mom, backpacking on the Appalachian Trail. When she leaves the love of her life, she goes on Pilgrimage to India and Nepal. The meaning of her life is coming into focus.

At the end of the book, Pam goes on a trek in the Himalayas, on the Annapurna Circuit. Just over the three-mile high pass is a magical Pure Land in Muktinath, with a Buddhist temple that is dedicated to the female Buddha Vajrayogini. With a new perspective, Pam has the realization that her Enlightenment is ensured; she WILL become a Buddha someday.

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After the divorce, mom said, “Don’t EVER bring another boyfriend or husband home.”

I didn’t go home for two years, although I wrote snail mail letters each month to answer mom’s letters. During this time Saint had married a 16 year old and had a son, Aaron. He and Clay would grow up to be close.

Saint’s reaction to my divorce was to remind me of a Bible story about ‘The woman at the well’:

“Do you remember they used to stone adulterers in THE BIBLE? I think that might be a good idea today.”

I asked, “What did Jesus say to the men that wanted to stone the adulteress?”

Saint was silent.

I answered my own question, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”

He seemed to be saying that maybe I should be stoned, since I was dating again and having sex after divorce. However, that did not stop HIM from dating again after HIS divorce a year or so later. It was DIFFERENT for him. His wife had left him.

I told mom: “If I have to act like Saint to be a Christian, I’d rather go to hell.”

She was aghast; but Pam, The Sinner, didn’t give a hoot. Because Saint was the “injured party” he was allowed to bring his next girlfriend/wife home. Mom coddled Saint and his now two kids, cooking for and babysitting them several times per week.

In contrast, she had told me: “Don’t expect me to babysit for you.”

About the Author:

Pamela McConnell, MSW, LCSW was raised in a fundamentalist/ evangelical Christian church and family. At age 34 she converted formally to Buddhism. She has recently completed a Pilgrimage in India and Nepal. Earlier, she spent two years in Asia: a year teaching English in S. Korea and a year in Pakistan with her 3rd husband. She worked as a counselor after earning a B.S. in Psychology. She worked as a hospice social worker for the last 20 years of her career after earning an MSW degree and becoming licensed as an LCSW. She is an avid backpacker and trekker, having done 500 miles on the Appalachian Trail and more than half of the Annapurna Circuit in the Himalayas.

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Blood of the Hunted by Marc Micciola

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The Resistance Is Rising

Weylyn, Olwen, and other members of the marginalized and subjugated group known as the Tóráin are trying every day to gain equality and freedom. Their enemies, which consist of vile human monarchs, their soldiers, and a masked witch assassin known only as The Dove, continue to tighten their grip around the necks of the Tóráin.

Leading The Resistance, Weylyn and Olwen endure many trials that test them physically and mentally, relying on their loved ones to keep them from losing hope. They both wish to see a time of equality and peace, but to achieve that requires more than what they have. Desperation leads The Resistance to find new allies all across the continent of Kosavros with the goal of finally defeating their oppressive overseers.

Their fight for freedom and respect leads Weylyn and Olwen down paths that open their eyes to new dangers, both involving themselves and the rest of the world. However, they do not waiver. For the Tóráin are known for their resilience, and they have already endured much. What comes next will be hard, but they’re ready to fight for their lives. Together.

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I considered myself a fair-sized lycan. It wasn’t common for others to be taller or stronger than me, so fighting someone who was both of those by a wide margin was a difficult task. We wrestled on the floor for only a moment before he threw me off him, sending me down the hallway we had come from earlier. Quickly recovering, I kept my eyes on Greagoir as he got to his feet and growled. Both of us charged at each other this time, the hallway wide enough for Greagoir’s large frame. Right before we collided, I pounced on the wall and leapt off it, bringing my arm under Greagoir’s chin and dragging him down to the ground. He roared as he fell onto his back, clearly unhappy that he was bested. Foolishly, I had admired my good work too long, and Greagoir spun around, swiping at my legs with his massive arm. I fell, landing on my ass. Now on all fours, the large lycan clawed at me. He just missed my thigh as I pushed myself back and away from the small knives he called claws. I tried to get to my feet, but before I could, Greagoir leaped from his crouched position and caught me. He pinned my arms down with his massive hands and reared his head, showing off his teeth during a thunderous growl.

“A good try, but you can’t kill me. Around here, I do the killing.”

About the Author:

Marc R. Micciola lives in Ontario, Canada with his two dogs Rielly and Ace. He has a great passion for hockey, movies, and books. He possesses a book collection consisting of a multitude of fantasy stories. Many of these novels are from his favorite authors: Mark Lawrence, George R. R. Martin, Tom Lloyd, and J. R. R. Tolkien. His prize possessions are his two replica swords from the Lord of the Rings films and his growing number of fountain pens. When Marc isn’t writing, he’s spending time with his dogs, his family, and his friends. Photography and wood art are other things that Marc enjoys doing. Marc’s goal when writing any book is to put together a story that is enjoyable, emotional, and intriguing. If the words on the page make you feel something, then this author feels he’s done his job.

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All Signs Point to Murder by Connie di Marco

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Rob Ramer was the perfect husband until he committed the ultimate family faux pas—he shot his sister-in-law to death. Believing himself under attack by an intruder in his home, he fired back. But when evidence is discovered that Rob’s wife, Brooke, was plotting his murder, Brooke is charged with conspiracy in her sister’s death. Geneva, a third sister, is desperate for answers and seeks the help of her friend, San Francisco astrologer Julia Bonatti. Geneva’s lost one sister and now it seems she’ll lose the other. Was this a murder plot or just a terrible accident? Julia vows to find the answer in the stars.

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The building on Guerrero was a once proud Victorian with bow front windows. It had since been broken up into six small units and fallen into disrepair. There was something about this chore that made my stomach go into knots. Rummaging through a dead woman’s possessions was bad enough, but what if I found something that implicated Moira in a crime? Should I remove it and risk the police finding out?

I approached the long stairway leading to the front door. The wind had died down and now fog danced around the streetlights. It was eerily quiet. No lights shone from any of the windows. I climbed the cracked granite stairs to the entrance where the weathered door stood ajar, listing slightly on its hinges. Inside, a bare overhead light bulb cast a meager glow down the long corridor, cannibalized from a once grand entryway. The hallway smelled of dirty cat litter, moldy vegetables and cigarette smoke. I followed the corridor to the end, and stopped at the last door on the right.

I slipped the key into the lock and reached around the door jamb where I felt the light switch. A rusting chandelier with two bulbs missing illuminated the one large room that was both Moira’s living room and bedroom. The main room housed a collection of hand-me-downs and broken furniture, ripped curtains and piles of clothing in various spots around the floor.

I heaved up the mattress, first on one side and then the other, making sure nothing was hidden between it and the box spring. I pulled open each of the bureau drawers, checked their contents and pulled them all the way out to make sure nothing was behind them. I opened a small drawer in the bedside stand. Amid a loose pile of clutter was a dark blue velvet box embossed with the letter “R” in cursive gold script. Could this be from Rochecault? I was fairly certain it was. Rochecault is an infamously expensive jeweler on Maiden Lane downtown. How could Moira have shopped there?

I opened the box and gasped. An amazing bracelet heavy with blue stones in varying colors rested inside. The setting had the slightly matte industrial sheen of platinum. Moira couldn’t possibly have afforded this. Shoving the box into a side pocket of my purse, I decided I was definitely not leaving this for the police to find, and slid the drawer shut.

I scanned the room. Moira hadn’t been much of a housekeeper and it didn’t appear as if there were many hiding spots. My eye caught a small black notebook under a jumble of papers and unopened bills on a rickety desk. I dropped my purse on the floor and reached for the book. A searing pain shot through my skull. Blinded, I fell to the floor.

About the Author:

Connie di Marco is the author of the Zodiac Mysteries featuring Julia Bonatti, a San Francisco astrologer who never thought murder would be part of her practice: The Madness of Mercury, All Signs Point to Murder, Tail of the Dragon, Serpent’s Doom and Enter a Wizard, Stage Left (a prequel e-book novella). Writing as Connie Archer, she is also the author of the national bestselling Soup Lover’s Mysteries from Penguin Random House. You can find her excerpts and recipes in The Cozy Cookbook and The Mystery Writers of America Cookbook. Connie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association (UK) and Sisters in Crime.

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The Spinster, the Rebel, and the Governor by Charlene Bell Dietz

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Move over Susan B. Anthony. There’s an unsung woman asking for the vote 224 years before you. In 1638-1648 Margaret Brent, fighting for justice became a voice in court for others, educated and Indian princess, built a fort and saved pre-colonial Maryland from destruction. The American Bar Association each year honors select women attorneys, such as Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Sandra Day O’Connor with their Margaret Brent Award.

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“Maryland provokes my ill manners.” Fulke paced the kitchen floor as he talked. “We need women who are willing to marry. There are no wives to be had.”

“Take heart, brother,” Giles said, “maybe the next ship will bring some pretty ladies for us.”

Hesitant to speak, but then doing so, Margaret said, “Fulke, if it’s not beneath your standards, Mary and I would release any of our four maids from their servitude, any of which I am certain would agree to marry you.”

Fulke shook his head. “None are well born. These types of marriages only bring strife.”

Mary leaned over to him. “Sweet brother, our city has a couple of widows. Have you thought about courting them?”

“Like the Widow Hawley?” He glowered at her. “I would never choose her to be your sister-in-law—let alone live with that woman.”

His brother laughed and said, “Patience, Fulke. There’s still hope.”

“Giles, didn’t you listen to what our sisters said about the indentures becoming freemen? These young kids of four years ago are about to become freemen of age—looking for wives. They already outnumber their masters, who also want wives. I’m too old for all this waiting around. I need a loving wife who will bear me children.”

“Hold fast.” Giles said, “See what the next ship brings. Imagine some golden-haired beauty with a winsome smile strolling down the gangplank. Think of her pretty little shoes, stepping daintily onto our Maryland’s soil. When she looks around the gathered crowd to find a husband and sees your handsome face, she will swoon into your arms. A ship from England will arrive any day now.”

“Good.” Fulke strode to the door.

Then he swung around and pointed his finger at Margaret.

“Why Father thought I needed protect you, Margaret, I have no idea. It’s not you who need protection. Anyone you judge to be on the wrong side of right—they need protection. I shall leave on the next ship back to England.”

About the Author:

Charlene Bell Dietz writes science and historical-suspense, award-winning mystery novels and short stories. Her award-winning short stories have been published in the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers 2016 Anthology and SouthWest Writers 2019 Anthology. The Flapper, the Scientist, and the Saboteur combines family saga with corporate espionage. The Flapper, the Impostor, and the Stalker propels readers back into 1923 frenetic Chicago during the Roaring Twenties. Both these novels were named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2018, and each won the coveted Kirkus Starred Review. Her latest novel, The Scientist, the Psychic, and the Nut, gives readers a frightening Caribbean vacation. Her current work in progress, a biographical historical novel, starts in England in 1638 and ends in precolonial Maryland. Charlene, a retired educator, traveled the United States as a consultant for Houghton Mifflin Publishers after a career of teaching little ones, older ones, and college graduates. Surrounded by forests and meadows, she currently lives in the foothills of the mountains in central NM several miles from the small village of Torreon. Charlene is the current president of Croak & Dagger, New Mexico Chapter of Sisters in Crime. She belongs to Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, Rocky Mountain Mystery Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and SouthWest Writers.

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Light, Dark, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum by Scott Benjamin Gracie

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Since the dawn of time, electromagnetic energy has permeated through the universe, surrounding and interacting with everything it touches, illuminating, destroying and giving life.

The colourful section of the electromagnetic spectrum we see in the form of visible light, rainbows and other phenomena is tiny when compared to its vast entirety. Using many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum have become common everyday occurrence for the majority of people on Earth, as it's been integrated into our lives in ways that we don't even think twice about it.

This book illuminates many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and its effects, the endless ways we have harnessed its energy, and how we interact and live with its influence.

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Biological Reactions to Sunlight Animal Life and the Sun

The Sun powers all life on Earth. Without light and heat from the Sun, all life on Earth would cease to exist.

Either directly or indirectly, animals including humans need sunlight to survive. Not only does the Sun keep the Earth warm enough to live comfortably, but sunlight also creates reactions within organisms.

The plants that some animals eat are filled with vitamin D, so not only do animals produce this nutrient from the Sun itself, but they also absorb it from in the plants and even other animals they eat. Not enough vitamin D can result in weak bones as well as other complications.

Cold-blooded animals need the Sun’s radiation to keep warm – they lay out in the Sun, soaking it up and recharging their bodies – while warm-blooded animals do not need as much.

Nocturnal animals also need the Sun’s energy but cannot get it directly from the Sun. Instead, they prey on animals that have received energy from the Sun. Even organisms that live on the ocean floor in the dark indirectly get the energy of sunlight from organic matter that falls from the surface.

The strength of the Sun also triggers some bird migrations and physical seasonal changes with plants.

Beneficial UV Effects

Some UV light is beneficial in small doses. When directed onto skin, the UVB part of the electromagnetic spectrum produces vitamin D, which is essential to life. Vitamin D promotes the creation of serotonin and is directly in proportion to the amount of sunlight the skin receives. (Reichrath 2015.)

The image below shows a simplified process of the vitamin D journey in the human body. The image to the right shows light’s interaction within a plant cell.

About the Author:

Scott's passion for light and the electromagnetic spectrum began in his early teens while tinkering with electronics as a hobby. He was formally introduced to the lighting industry while studying Electrical and Electronics in Sydney, Australia, and in 1998 he started his career making custom light fittings and lamps in his dad's garage. Formal lighting design qualifications expanded his opportunity to help project-manage and design on many industry levels.

Twenty-two years on, and Scott has worked on many major infrastructure, commercial and architectural lighting projects. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia & New Zealand, the Colour Society of Australia, the International Dark Sky Association and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

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Rebirth of a Sage by Lani Gonzales

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Five Things You Might Not Know About Lani Gonzales

1. My favorite animals are the butterfly, octopus and t-rex. Butterflies symbolize new hope and new beginnings. The octopus is intelligent and resilient. T-rex is powerful and has adorable tiny arms.

2. I have a pet hedgehog named Quilliam, and my dog, Trouvaille is my best friend. I love animals big and small. I believe that you can tell a lot about a person based on how he or she treats animals.

3. I can lick my elbow. I read online that it was impossible, and I was so surprised when I was actually able to do it. It was a small reminder to challenge perceived limitations.

4. I became a lawyer when I was 23 years old. When I became a partner at a law firm, I thought that my life was “set.” To my own surprise, I became an author, went back to school after my 35th birthday, and I will be starting a new business devoted to helping others. It is never too late to create a life that you love.

5. I’ve travelled to 27 countries, mostly solo. I learned to be independent, resourceful and open-minded. I fell deeply in love with so many cultures and countries. However, I could probably write a travel book about all the odd and embarrassing places that I’ve had to take an emergency bathroom break.

A TRANSFORMATIONAL MEMOIR OF LOVE AND LIGHT.

In Lani Gonzales' intimate self-help debut, Rebirth of a Sage, readers meet the woman she was when she discovered ayahuasca and commenced her journey toward spiritual rejuvenation. Panicked, fearful, and drained, she hoped for an escape for both her and the lonely little girl she'd buried inside. Guided by the Shamans and supported by friends she made along the way, her cleanse progressed one ceremony at a time, culminating in a state of pure spiritual refinement.

Through eleven soul-stirring chapters enriched with enlightenment and healing, readers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions as they journey with Lani. A heartwarming chronicle ensues, traversing the blissful highs and devastating lows she faced along her way to rebirth. Unburying her darkest demons, she inspires us to do the same, gradually weaving threads of transformation and encouraging us to reconnect and reignite the divine flame within our souls.

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My chronic illnesses, uncurable by doctors, had vanished. My allergies dissipated. I started and ended each day with meditation and gratitude instead of a handful of medications. My body knew exactly how to heal itself. After decades of relying on doctors who medicated my symptoms, I learned to trust my body, and it finally found the cure.

About the Author:

Born in the Philippines, Lani Gonzales immigrated to Virginia, USA, with her family when she was only two years old. Determined to emulate her parents' discipline and ambition, Lani worked through college and law school and is now a practicing partner in a successful law firm in Tampa, Florida. A world-traveling, volunteering, energy-healing, aspiring hypnotherapist, Lani is committed to using her light as a beacon to help others find theirs.

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The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

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A murdered midwife. A body in the stable. At the age of thirteen, Sherlock Holmes is thrust into his first two cases. At stake: the lives of his own family.

Before Sherlock Holmes met Dr. Watson in 1895, he had already developed his skills as the world's most famous consulting detective. Arthur Conan Doyle provided little information about his detective's formative years or how he created his singular profession. These first two books in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes series reveal how Sherlock's past shaped the sleuth he became.

Faced with the possibility of losing his mother to the gallows for a murder she did not commit, Sherlock must uncover the true killer before she hangs in The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife.

In Case Two, unexpected guests and a murder arrive in time for the family's Christmas celebrations. For the safety of his family, Sherlock is compelled once again to bring the perpetrator to justice in The Adventure of the Murdered Gypsy.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes and traditional historical British detective mysteries will love The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes as a welcomed addition to the originals.

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Mother pivoted, swung her foot, and hit her opponent squarely on the jaw. The man landed on his back against the wooden floorboards with enough force to send tremors through the soles of my feet.

Mr. Moto raised himself onto one elbow and rubbed the side of his face with his other hand. “Very good.”

Mother extended her hand to our baritsu instructor, but he waved it away. “I’m quite amazed,” she said, “at the freedom of movement these Turkish trousers allow.”

I couldn’t argue with her statement. The blousy coverings permitted full use of her legs—something her skirts had never done. At the same time, I found them rather unsettling. Until she had introduced the garment for our lessons, I had not seen her lower extremities, and certainly not in motion. I also couldn’t help but wonder what our instructor thought of her visible, albeit covered, limbs.

On the other hand, both he and I bared most of our legs. The traditional baritsu costume, or gi, consisted of a loose, long-sleeved white tunic that all but covered a pair of very short pants.

When he rose to his feet, I was struck again by our instructor’s diminutive size. He matched my mother closely in height and weight, but I had learned at our first lesson his stature did not indicate his strength when it came to defending himself.

Of course, my mother was rather tall compared to many women in our village. Slim and dark-haired, I was told repeatedly how much I resembled her.

“Your turn, Master Sherlock.”

By this time, I’d gotten used to his accent and enjoyed how he pronounced my name, roughening the l almost into an r.

I took the traditional opening stance, but before I could bow, Trevor entered, leaving my uncle’s workshop open to the winter air. My seven-year-old cousin stood just inside, almost as if he were afraid to enter. The cold air rushed in, causing goose bumps to break out on my legs.

“I was told to come and get you. Cousin Mycroft is here.”

“How wonderful,” my mother said. “I know he’ll want to freshen up from his trip, so we’ll be there shortly. Sherlock was about to have a go at this new move. If you wish to stay and watch, you may. But please shut the door.”

Once we were no longer exposed to the elements, I bowed to our trainer and prepared to imitate the kick my mother had just executed.

Trevor spoke up behind my back. “But Mother said you were to come directly and bring Uncle Ernest with you because a friend of his has come too.”

About the Author

Liese Sherwood-Fabre knew she was destined to write when she got an A+ in the second grade for her story about Dick, Jane, and Sally’s ruined picnic. After obtaining her PhD, she joined the federal government and worked and lived abroad for more than fifteen years. Returning to the states, she seriously pursued her writing career, garnering such awards as a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart contest and a Pushcart Prize nomination. A recognized Sherlockian scholar, her essays have appeared in scion newsletters, the Baker Street Journal, and Canadian Holmes. These have been gathered into The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes essay collection series. She has recently turned this passion into an origin story series on Sherlock Holmes. The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife, the first book in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes series, was the CIBA Mystery and Mayhem 2020 winner.

Website: http://www.liesesherwoodfabre.com
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Beginning of Arrogance by Bryan Cole

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Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I’ve had a deep love for the fantasy genre for as long as I can remember. My formative years were spent reading the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy and watching movies like Willow and the Dark Crystal. These examples of the fantasy genre formed an indelible impression in my imagination of epic fantasy, of knights standing on the battlements facing a dragon, of magic and the terrifying beauty it brings to the story. Science Fiction is a potential future we are all moving toward and is fascinating because of what might be. Fantasy is pure imagination of a world that never was and makes for more vivid stories that are more reliant on imagination, at least for me. A major reason I wrote Beginning of Arrogance was so that I could read the epic fantasy story that I couldn’t find anywhere else!

What research is required?

There are countless excellent sources people can reference for research (thank you internet – love what you’ve done for humanity, even if you’re a bit dark and 70% filled with misleading or false information these days). For starters, I am an avid student of history, and the more history you learn, the more you see it in other works of fantasy. The War of the Roses, World War II, the Napoleonic Wars – you can find elements of all of them in fantasy literature. Other research involves literary tropes and themes (like the three-act story structure or the five-man band). Otherwise just learn a little bit about everything. More importantly, if you’re going to include specific elements in your book, then research those elements at least a little bit beforehand! When Krell and his companions get access to a sailing vessel, it’s important that there are some proper terms and terminology present in the story!

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

In my professional job, I often must build consensus. Organize data, present it, and convince others that my plan is correct, though occasionally they give me new data and I learn my plan is a waiting catastrophe, and I reassess. I am constantly working with others, trying to find a great solution for everyone. Krell… is not like that. Krell is going to do what he is going to do and is mostly oblivious to the sheer weight of charisma he is hauling around, dragging others along with him on his often reckless and rarely thought through plans. Writers pour parts of themselves into their characters, and I find it interesting that Krell may be acting as an outlet for my desire to simply just go, and if others join me that’s great, otherwise I’ll be off doing my thing by myself. It was a very strange realization for me!

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

There is a certain amount of mental headspace that I need to find in order to be productive at writing. There are times where I will go and sit, ready to write, and find that I am in the wrong mindset. I don’t question this anymore. If it isn’t the right time, I will do something else – research, entertainment, other work – and see if I can get myself into the correct frame of mind. If it happens, I’ll easily write over five thousand words in a single writing session. There are days when it does not.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m 70% plotter. The outline for Beginning of Arrogance, and for the entire arc of books, was something that I outlined prior to really beginning to write. However, once I began writing there was a certain amount of getting into the headspace of the characters and letting them alter the story as they went. There were elements of the story that changed as I figured out who the characters were and what they were motivated by. Some of the more reckless decisions they made – and the disastrous story consequences those choices led to – came about because of who they became in my imagination.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A vast array of eclectic items. In no particular order, a USB drive, a tape measure, a five-dollar bill, a tube of crazy glue, two Lego minifigs, a picture of my daughter, a mug she gave me for Father’s Day with her handprints on it, my passport, a pair of wired headphones that I don’t use anymore, a roll of twine, a (paid) utility bill from 2020, four pens, and Darth Vader’s lightsaber. My desk is chaotic most of the time. I really understood Chazz Palminteri’s character in the Usual Suspects when he said, “There’s a system to it”!

Anything new coming up from you?

Onward to book two! The consequences of the actions taken in book one become something our survivors need to deal with, as new characters and challenges present themselves, particularly as the threat from the sea rises in ferocity and tempo. Tentatively titled Foolishness of Love, I’m hopeful to publish in the first half of 2023. I’m also thinking about other writing projects, all while working a full-time job!

Do you have a question for our readers?

I am extremely interested in feedback on my book! You can reach me at www.fatpaladin.ca, and share any thoughts or opinions you have. I put a lot of effort into writing realistic and interesting characters, particularly female characters, and hope you like how they turned out. Otherwise, if you read Beginning of Arrogance and loved it, what would motivate you to add a reader review on GoodReads and/or Amazon? As an indie author, reviews are by far the most important asset I can receive at this point.

I hope you enjoy Beginning of Arrogance, and I look forward to writing more of Krell and his companions in the future!

Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don't worship their deity.

So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can't help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn't called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.

All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood...

Read an Excerpt

 

“Shortly after the tower collapsed, there was a surge of undead. Some priests came in and did something to contain it, and let it be. Or possibly not, since the story has been retold so many times. However, there is an old royal proclamation that anyone who rebuilds and takes residence there will get possession free and clear of all past obligations, though taxes and other fees would need to be paid going forward should you gain the title to the property.”

She paused, looking at them all.

“Thinking of making a grab for it?”

Kraven shrugged. “No ships in harbor to take me anywhere else, and nothing else to do tomorrow, so yeah, probably. Have others tried?”

Daylan laughed. “Oh yes, many, and hordes of children as well. You’re welcome to walk up there, survey the ruined tower and get scared by the ghost, just like everyone else has been for the last two hundred years. It’s pointless. Much like this conversation. If we could move back to meaningful town business?” Daylan and Amra began discussing the missing fishing vessels again, and what they could do to replace them. Aldrik interrupted, raising a concern about the Black Theocracy and whether Watford would be blamed if one of their trade ships vanished.

Captain Gijwolf walked up to the group of them, gesturing for them to step outside. Aldrik gave an enthusiastic wave as they departed. The evening air was clean now that the rain had stopped, and Krell breathed in deeply, savoring the smell of the sea.

“Well, gentlemen, your work was done and done well. However, more warriors arrived today looking to join the charter. I sent all but one away and was wondering if you’d like to meet him or not. He’s at the Netminder’s Friend, so he is likely at your destination, anyway. What say you?”

About the Author:

Bryan is an avid reader, and has loved the fantasy genre since he was a child. His love of stories of mighty knights, terrible dragons, and noble steeds has inspired him for decades.

WEBSITE: https://fatpaladin.ca/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole

AMAZON.COM: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0228868661
INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/beginning-of-arrogance/9780228868668-item.html
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beginning-of-arrogance-bryan-cole/1141715221
BOOK DEPOSITORY: https://www.bookdepository.com/Beginning-of-Arrogance-Bryan-Cole/9780228868668
KINDLE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5JJ338K
APPLE BOOKS: https://books.apple.com/us/book/beginning-of-arrogance/id6443055348

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Body Snatched by Ana Diamond

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What’s worse than losing a body from a funeral home? Losing two. But mortician and amatuer sleuth, Lily Reynolds has a hunch. The new visitor in town, Rick Drakon, may have charmed his way into her life but she’s not fooled by his smooth talking ways. Problem is, Rick is a long-time friend of Lily’s new husband, Detective James Rivers. While James is busy convincing her to look elsewhere, Lily embarks on a dangerous path toward uncovering the truth. Will this case come between the couple or will Lily find herself closer to evil than ever before?

Read an Excerpt

Black River reminded James of one thing: murder.

Hidden in dense foliage, the river stretched out far beyond his view and also happened to be a perfect spot to dump a body. He had no doubt there had been many missing people over the years who wound up weighed down by rocks at the bottom of the river until their flesh disintegrated into nothing.

His boss, Donald Abrams had a bad habit of telling him about their worst cases, probably to freak him out. The sicko with the garden of people floating upright like weeds was particularly gruesome. The chills he got from that one made the hairs on his neck stand up. However, since Manorview’s crime rate was low, James wasn’t entirely sure if the stories were folklore or not.

“Congrats on your last case. I heard you’re a big boss detective now,” Rick said as he reeled in his empty line.

James impaled a worm on his hook and swung the line out into the water. “Thanks. I wouldn’t say big boss though. More like maybe I’ll get to keep my job.”

“Have you ever caught anything here?” Rick asked.

“No, but I hear there’s trout.”

And bodies.

About the Author:When Ana Diamond isn't writing about tough gals finding love in unexpected places, she’s at work by day in the medical field. She writes romantic cozy mystery novels with feisty strong women and alluring men who can’t resist them. Her books are fast paced, entertaining and heartfelt all at once.

Ana is a 2020 Tara Contest Finalist for Body Conscious and 2015 Melody of Love contest finalist. She lives in New York with her husband, two children and two needy but wildly entertaining kitty cats.

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Silhouette by Paul Swingle

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On the night of a blue moon, while walking his dog, middle-aged widower Jim sees Gladys on the roof of a neighboring apartment building and is inspired to speak with her. There’s just one problem: she can’t hear him.

Indeed, Jim isn’t even sure that Gladys truly exists—that she isn’t just a rooftop patio umbrella silhouetted against the moon. Hampered by debilitating social anxiety, he cannot work up the courage to even wave.

Yet Jim returns to the same spot night after night, and Gladys—who is indeed real—sees him and becomes equally interested. She even contributes to their “conversation,” though he cannot hear her either. And while Gladys struggles with her own demons—self-loathing and depression—she is lifted by Jim’s attention, even as she describes how difficult her life has been.

Two characters, driven by sadness and a longing to connect. Will they?

Read an Excerpt

Women aren’t jumpers. Did you know that? We don’t use guns either—at least not on ourselves. We’d shoot a prick on a moment’s notice, though. Ha ha. Anyway, John—although I’d love to throw myself off this planet, it ain’t going to happen. But you never know, do you? Sorry. Not trying to fake you out. Are you lonely, John? God, it’s getting cold and miserable out here. Walk Bowser, John, so I can leave my post and get warm. I’m going to stay very still until you leave. Maybe you’ll forget that I’m a real person. We can continue our chat some other night. I’m going to stay very still, so you can drift away.

About the Author:

Dr. Paul G. Swingle can be considered one of the founding fathers of Clinical Psychoneurophysiology, one of a select few, directly responsible for bringing Neurotherapy out of university labs and clinics to the general populace in the 1980’s.

His academic positions include, Professor of Psychology at the University of Ottawa from 1972 to 1997, Lecturer in Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School from 1991 to 1998, Associate Attending Psychologist at McLean Hospital (Boston), Head of the Clinical Psychophysiology Service McLean Hospital (Boston). Professor Swingle was also Clinical Supervisor at the University of Ottawa from 1987 to 1997 and Chairman of the Faculty of Child Psychology from 1972 to 1977. Dr. Swingle is a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia and is Board Certified in Biofeedback and Neurotherapy. He is actively involved in research and practice. His numerous publications include nine books and numerous peer reviewed journal publications.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Silhouette-Paul-G-Swingle/dp/B09C3D527K
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paul-G-Swingle/e/B09F2518KP/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1

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Heal Your TMJ by Dr. Haissam Dehan

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TMJ clicking. Jaw locking. Headaches. Migraines. Ear pain. Stiff Neck. The evidence is overwhelming: the roots of these issues may be caused by your TMJ! TMJ is the name of the joint of the jaw, and groundbreaking research has now revealed that it may be the cause of many chronic pains we suffer. TMJ is the second most common musculoskeletal pain, and as many as 1 in every 3 people will experience TMJ pain in their lifetime. For the longest time, people suffered in silence with TMJ pain, but new breakthrough advancements in research and treatment reveal that you can life a life TMJ-pain-free!

Drawing on his private practice, where he works with people suffering with TMJ, Dr. Dahan reveals in this book his 6 steps to eradicating chronic TMJ pain from your life. He will draw experience from his years working with TMJ sufferers to teach you how to heal your TMJ and live your best life ever!

Read an Excerpt

Sleep is one of the most overlooked causes of pain disorders. Studies have shown over and over again that if you don’t get proper sleep, you will have pain. Numerous recent research has shown the importance of sleep in healing the body and protecting against chronic pain. It only takes one week of poor sleep for people to start experiencing pain.

About the Author:

Dr. Haissam Dahan became a dentist in 2005, and furthered his education by completing a clinical fellowship in orofacial pain at the world-renowned Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He conducted TMJ research, earning a PhD from McGill University in 2014. He has lectured at Harvard, McGill and Tufts University, and has spoken at national and international conferences. He has a successful private practice in Ottawa helping patients who are suffering with TMJ pain.

Dr. Dahan lives in Ottawa with his wife, and has two young boys and a girl. He enjoys running, cycling, and spending time outdoors with his family and friends.

Paperback: https://amazon.com/dp/0228882281
Kindle: https://amazon.com/dp/B0BCHQRZY7

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Avalon by Vanessa Morgan

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Avalon is now also available in French!

Some cats need nine lives to make a difference. Avalon only needed one.

From Amazon bestselling author Vanessa Morgan, Avalon is the heartwarming and once-in-a-lifetime love story of a girl and her neurotic Turkish Van cat.

With humor, the author details how Avalon made other creatures cringe in distress whenever he was around, how he threw her dates out by means of special techniques, and how he rendered it almost impossible for her to leave the house. Avalon was so incorrigible that even the landlord ordered to get rid of him. But beneath Avalon's demonic boisterousness, Vanessa recognized her own flaws and insecurities, and she understood that abandoning Avalon would be the worst she could do to him. Thanks to her unswerving loyalty, Avalon transformed into a tender feline and even landed a major role in a horror movie. In turn, Avalon made it his mission to be there for his human companion.

Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet.

Read an Excerpt

Around three o’clock that night, Avalon was fed up with the strange man in his bed. He plonked his rear down on Gilles’ pillow, complaining fretfully in his ear while tapping him on the face.

After nearly an hour of incessant wailing and poking, more drastic measures were required. The new solution: pushing Gilles out of bed.

Avalon succeeded.

Climbing back under the covers wasn’t an option. Unable to sleep, Gilles got up. "I guess I didn't pass the test."

"Give Avalon some time. Maybe he was just irked because you took his side of the bed."

But Gilles had already understood that this wasn't going to be a one-time event.

For several minutes, Gilles and Avalon sized each other up. Then Gilles said, "I’d better leave the two of you alone now. It’s clearly what the little guy wants."

I swear I could see Avalon smirking when Gilles put on his jacket and left.

Instantly, Avalon leapt onto me, and compensated for the evening before. He entered a kiss-induced trance. This cat was all about exclusivity, and when granted that exclusivity, his love was immense.

"Are you really that happy that Gilles is gone?"

In reply, Avalon looked at me with swoony eyes and purred loudly, then swatted out his paw to urge me to continue to pet him, which I did.

A phone call interrupted our tender moment. It was Gilles.

"There won't be any train to Brussels for hours," he said. "Is it okay if I come back to your place for a while?"

"Of course." His return would offend Avalon, but I couldn’t possibly leave Gilles outside in the rain for several hours.

As soon as Gilles appeared at the front door, Avalon’s pupils widened to a pitch black.

Let's see who's the boss here, he seemed to be thinking.

Being a cat of action, Avalon went through his usual attention-seeking routine: making a selection of irritating noises, scratching the wallpaper, and pushing objects to the ground.

When that didn't work, Avalon opened Gilles' overnight bag and threw out a piece of clothing. His eyes so dark and evil they could be gateways to hell, Avalon stared at his adversary and waited for a reaction. He then pulled out a box of gel wax. Again, he looked up at Gilles to make sure he understood that all this bungling was meant to get a message across. A third object followed, then a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, until there was nothing.

Hell-bent on winning the game, Avalon took Gilles' coat in his mouth and towed it toward the front door. There, he used his right paw to tap the keys hanging from the wooden doorframe.

Avalon’s message couldn’t be any clearer: there was room for only one man in my life. A feline one.

About the Author:

Vanessa Morgan is the editor of the movie reference guides When Animals Attack: The 70 Best Horror Movies with Killer Animals, Strange Blood: 71 Essays on Offbeat and Underrated Vampire Movies, and Evil Seeds: The Ultimate Movie Guide to Villainous Children. She also has had one cat book (Avalon) and four supernatural thrillers (Drowned Sorrow, The Strangers Outside, A Good Man, and Clowders) published. Three of her stories have been turned into movies. She has written for myriad Belgian magazines and newspapers and introduces movie screenings at several European film festivals. She is also a programmer for the Offscreen Film Festival in Belgium. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching movies, eating out, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats.

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The French version of the book can be purchased at Amazon for only $0.99.

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Momma Llama's ABC Book of Latin America by Momma Llama and Friends

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Momma Llama & Friends will be awarding a $10 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.

Momma Llama's ABC Book of Latin America is both fun and educational. This multicultural adventure includes people, places, and things from Central and South America - from Mexico to Argentina. The charming illustrations will make you and your child smile. Additionally, each page names the country or region of the subject; parents might learn something too.

About the Author:

Momma Llama envisions a world in which Mom becomes the star and the hero of each fun-filled adventure, giving a new perspective to the way children learn and play.

Each story showcases Momma Llama, a hard-working independent, and adventurous mother, promoting ideas such as teamwork, determination, respect, and the idea that Moms give more than we realize.

Momma Llama aspires to unify the diverse cultures of the Americas by promoting multiculturalism in a fresh new way.

There’s always something new in Momma Llama’s magical world, so join us for more adventures.

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Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures Series by Edward Hochsmann

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.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. If you could apologize to someone in your past, who would it be?

My mom. I wasn’t a bad kid, but I could have been better and she certainly deserved better.

If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?

A dragon, of course! How cool would that be?!

How do you keep your writing different from all the others that write in this particular genre?

My stories may be unlikely (e.g. the odds against all these adventures happening to one crew are astronomical), but they are always plausible. If you really want to see how ridiculously unreal the action/adventure genre has become (for movies, anyway) watch a few of Ryan George’s Pitch Meeting spots on Youtube. They are hilarious!

What are the best and worst pieces of writing advice you ever received?

Best—find a good editor and proofreader
Worst—that Facebook/Twitter/Instagram ads are worth the money.

Are the experiences in this book based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Some are. The fishing scene in Dagger Quest is an absolutely true account of an experience I had on patrol with Dependable. Ben is from Northern Illinois, the son of an airline pilot and had a choice of the Naval and Coast Guard Academies but chose the latter (like me). Emilia Hopkins and Joe Williams are based largely on two of my former coworkers in the Coast Guard (right down to some of the conversations in the books).

An aging Coast Guard patrol boat is all that stands between the world and nuclear annihilation!

The world is on the brink of war, with NATO mobilizing to counter a Russian threat to Poland and Lithuania and leaders openly discussing war options. In the midst of the crisis, a Russian bomber collides with a U.S. fighter off Florida causing the accidental launch of a nuclear-tipped hypersonic missile.

A Coast Guard cutter on a routine patrol finds a drug-laden sailboat smashed and adrift north of the Florida Keys. The boat’s damage is from a near miss by the Russian missile which has not harmlessly flown deep into the Gulf of Mexico as initially thought, but crashed somewhere in the Keys.

The Coast Guard crew is in a race against a vicious and powerful international crime syndicate to find and recover the Russian nuke before its discovery can trigger a nuclear war.

Exploring the friendship and teamwork of a typical ship's crew, in the face of unexpected and hazardous challenges, Dagger Quest provides a fast-paced, taut story - excellent fare for both sea adventure and military thriller fans.

Mission: Five days to destroy the enemy in the Caribbean before a catastrophic weapon is unleashed—but all he can think about is the woman he left behind…

The deadliest nerve gas ever made has fallen into the hands of a murderous Caribbean drug cult. The criminal 252 Syndicate has the gas in a secret lab on an oil rig servicing ship, but the ship has been taken for ransom by the Salinas Cartel in a violent drug war. The U.S. can’t use airstrikes and calls on Coast Guard Officer Ben Wyporek to lead his crew through a risky covert raid on the Salinas cult’s fortified island base. He accepts the assignment, but remembers a previous lethal encounter with the 252s and struggles to say goodbye to the love of his life, Victoria Carpenter.

Ben and his crew aboard the stealth-equipped Cutter Kauai must sneak into the harbor and tow the ship away. But if Kauai is detected and defeated, death by gas or at the hands of vicious adversaries will follow. Now, every decision Ben makes will determine the fate of his entire crew—and the chances of reuniting with Victoria.

This second book of the series builds on the friendships and teamwork of Kauai's crew, this time in the face of several challenging missions and one potentially lethal encounter. It is a worthy sequel to Dagger Quest that sea adventure and military thriller fans will enjoy.

Young Coast Guard Lieutenant Haley Reardon has not even gotten her feet on the ground on her new patrol boat command when she finds herself and her crew supporting a dangerous covert mission. They must insert and retrieve a Defense Intelligence Agency operations team trying to seize a transnational criminal syndicate boss from a small Caribbean island controlled by a front company of the Chinese government and protected by a superior military force.

A honeymoon period would be lovely, but, as always, the world gets a vote.

Can Haley avoid leaving the DIA team to their fate, when attempting to rescue them could destroy her crew and boat and lead to war?

This third installment of the series conveys the humor, friendships, and teamwork of Kauai's crew from the previous books, with a new series of exciting actions from search and rescue to combat. The crew and their new skipper must come together for the toughest mission they have ever faced.

Read an Excerpt from Bravely and Faithfully

Another burst landed and detonated off the starboard side, and Hopkins ordered a course change to the right. Haley knew their luck would not hold for long—as soon as the gunboat captain realized what they were doing, he would go to rapid-fire. She selected UHF and keyed her microphone. “Starfish One Seven, Orchid Actual. Where’s that help? Over.”

“Orchid, Starfish One Seven. I’m on with a flight of F-16s from the 93rd. They’re three minutes out, over.”

“One Seven, Orchid Actual, roger, tell them to step on it! Out.”

Hopkins had just altered course to the left again, and the game went on for two more salvos. Then, as Haley feared, the Chinese captain tried a long burst. The twelve shells missed, falling on both sides. Two were close enough to pepper Kauai with shrapnel, sharp pings ringing through the Bridge like hail on a tin roof.

Their luck ran out on the next burst: one shell exploded on the left side of the mast, knocking out the EO camera and showering the Flying Bridge with shrapnel. Another struck the special operations boat and started a small fire. The fire itself was not an immediate danger to the ship, but it provided a beacon that brought hell down on them. Shells were bursting on the rear of the superstructure and in the water around Kauai. The bridge crew huddled behind what cover they could find as the windows in the rear doors shattered and debris scattered around them. As they kneeled together between the command chair and the FC3 console, Haley looked into Ben’s face and, seeing the same fear she had, reached out and gripped his hand.

About the Author:

Edward Hochsmann is the pen name of a retired U. S. Coast Guard search and rescue and law enforcement professional. The veteran mariner, aviator, college professor, and defense analyst has added “author” to his list of experiences. Ed likes reading, police procedurals, contemporary music on the road, and classical music in the office. After a career traveling from Australia in the west to Italy and Germany in the east, Ed has settled into a quiet life in the Florida Panhandle to focus on writing (and not shoveling snow!)

Ed has two novels published right now (plus one launching in August 2022) in the Cutter Kauai Sea Adventures series about a Coast Guard patrol boat assigned to "special" missions. Dagger Quest takes place in the Florida Keys and involves an aging Coast Guard patrol boat dragooned into a search for a lost Russian nuclear weapon in a time of international crisis. The second, Caribbean Counterstrike, features the same patrol boat and crew, now with equipment and training upgrades, sent to recover a deadly nerve gas from a murderous Caribbean drug cartel. Bravely and Faithfully has Kauai, under a new captain supporting a covert raid on a Caribbean island held by the Chinese.

Ed's second series, C6S: Patrol Force deals with a combined defense establishment and constabulary for a galactic economic empire called the Confederation of the Six Systems (C6S). Ed has published two novellas and a novel-length collection late last year.

Website: https://www.edwardhochsmann.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20594307.Edward_Hochsmann
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edhochsmann/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/edward-m-hochsmann

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