Friday, August 30, 2019

Time Travel by Roxanne San Jose


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Roxanne San Jose will be awarding a PDF of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Angelie Thompson invented a time machine in 2015 and her boyfriend, John Salvador, was accidentally transported back to 1970. Left with no other option, Angelie journeys through time, searching for John. Along the way, she encounters several adventures, meeting new people on her desperate search for her lover.

Meanwhile, stranded in 1970 and with no hope of ever returning back to his own time, John begins a new life, working as a receptionist in Lesti Hotel where he finds a new love, Elisha.

Conflict arises among the characters due to their complicated relationships and when disaster strikes, it's up to Angelie to save the world with her time machine invention.

The tale of ‘Time Travel’ highlights love, determination and friendship.

Read an Excerpt:

The sound of metal in the time machine groaned as Angelie Thompson turned it to the left with her ratchet.

“All done,” she murmured to herself.

Standing up, she typed in the places and years in the time machine remote control to test it. The six foot black octagon shaped time machine lit up and opened its doors. Angelie smiled and said to herself, “Someday, I’ll use it again.”

Then she headed to the table where her “Best in Science” award and her twelfth-grade last-semester report card was to study her notes.

Time Machine Notes:

1. Make sure the red wires are connected to the blue wires.
2. Buttons for the dates and places in the time machine remote control must be connected to the time machine so it can transport in the correct time.
3. Time machine remote control must have batteries.
4. No injury

Angelie reviewed the notes and stretched her arm to ease the muscle cramps there. “Well, everything seems fine.”

As she looked back at the time machine, she heard a knock and turned to the door.

John Salvador, her boyfriend, stood before her and he held up a steaming cup towards her. “Honey, here’s your cappuccino to keep you functional.” He kissed her on the lips.

She replied, “Thanks, honey,” as she took the drink and sat.

He grabbed a chair and sat next to her then glanced at her time machine notes. “Did you finally finish your work?”

Angelie gulped, and then replied, “I think so. All the wires seem to be in place and transportation to the dates and places are working properly.”

He looked at the notes then stood up, walking toward the time machine. With a look of seriousness, he said, “I guess you’re ready.” He glanced over his shoulder to smile back at her. “Do you want to catch a movie to relax for a while? Buzz is the 2015 movie of the year.”

Angelie shook her head in response. “I don’t think so. Do you want to try it now?” With a pause, she added, “Do you think it’ll work?”

He walked over to the time machine and stood beside her.

She asked, “So, do you want to go to the year 3050 to see what the future looks like?”

He grinned. “Definitely.”

Angelie typed “3050” under the “year” in the time machine remote control and the door opened.

John’s eyes widened. “Wow.”

They entered the time machine nervously, stood still and held the handle on

the side. The machine cast a white smoke inside, blinding them temporarily, a signal that it had transported them to the year 3050. Inside, the time machine, they remained nervous as they did not know what lay ahead of them. After ten minutes, the time machine’s automatic slide door opened behind a tree, allowing them to see cars that could fly. The people were dressed in odd suits, there were also robots, robotic animals talking to each other and no pollution in the air. The water was crystal-clear, the roads made of metal, and buildings built with glass.

About the Author:
I am born in the Philippines but I now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. I self-published my first book, Annagram, in 2015 about three countries fighting for an island.

Website: https://roxannesanjose.wixsite.com/roxannesanjose
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sjroxanne
Instagram: http://www.instagram/roxanne_sanjose
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/roxanneasanjose
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/roxannesanjose

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Travel-Second-Chances-Bundle-ebook/dp/B07R8C8W5B/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/time-travel-roxanne-san-jose/1131287594
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/time-travel-avid-second-chances-bundle
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/934333

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Wednesday, August 28, 2019

The Carousel by Cynthia Owens


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Cynthia Owens will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC or a Sterling silver Claddagh necklace (International) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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

I’ve always loved to read historical romance novels. They sweep me away to another place and time and take me out of my normal, everyday life. What’s not to love? So I guess it was natural that I wanted to write historical romance.

What research is required?

A lot! :-) Historical accuracy is very important to me, and I want to make sure I get every detail right! I’m lucky in that I have an extensive collection of research books in my home office—everything from Civil War history to Irish castles and coffin ships to what it was like to live in a 19th Century lighthouse!

The Carousel is set in 19th Century New York City, shortly after the American Civil War. I did a lot of research on the city when I began the Wild Geese Series, but this story required a little more specialized research. My artist hero live in a flat in the Tenth Street Studio Building. The first modern facility designed solely to serve an artist’s needs, it housed some of the most important artists in the United States. The three-story domed building, topped by a glass ceiling, housed more than twenty studios and living quarters around a central exhibition hall. The artists who lived there displayed their paintings in a continuously rotating group show.

I love finding little research gems like this one, and it seemed like the perfect place for Kieran Donnelly to live…even if he did want to give up his art!

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Emily Lawrence taught me that a disability need not define a person. Even though she’s blind, she is perfectly capable of leading a normal life.

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

I don’t know if you’d consider it odd or even interesting, but I have a stuffed leprechaun named Seamus O’Reagan, who sits on my writing table.

I found Seamus at a local discount store in March of 2006. Being in love with all things Irish, naturally I couldn’t resist him. Now 2006 was a special year for me. I’d finished the final revisions to my book, In Sunshine or in Shadow, just before Christmas, and I’d resolved to submit the manuscript, either to an editor or a contest, each month. I’d had a couple of rejections already, and there were no interesting contests in March, so I submitted a partial to Highland Press a few days after adopting Seamus. A week later, I got a request for the full manuscript, and shortly afterward, my editor offered me a contract!

It may sound silly, but I’m convinced that little stuffed leprechaun brought me a wee bit of Irish luck!

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m a bit of both, but mostly a pantser. When I get an idea for a story, and the characters begin calling to me, I have to just sit down and write. It’s like a compulsion! Most of the time I have absolutely no idea how my characters will get from the first meet to the happily-ever-after. I will do a little plotting, just so I have a general idea where the story is going, but I prefer to allow my characters to tell me their story.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

Seamus O’Reagan, of course! :-) There’s also a bookcase—several, in fact!—and an open Funk and Wagnall dictionary that belonged to my dad. A largely self-educated man, he loved words and always wanted to know exactly what they meant. I believe I got my love of words from him. Each day, when I come into my office to work, I turn to a different page as a kind of memorial to Dad, in much the same way as a page of the Book of Kells in turned every at Trinity College in Dublin.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Well, I don’t want to say too much yet, but I’ve begun the first story of a new series. It will be a little bit “darker” than my other stories, and it’s set in the enchanted kingdom of Ceiluradh, which is based loosely on the Irish legend of Tir na nOg.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Have you ever known anyone with a disability, and if so, does it make you feel just a little bit over-protective of them? In The Carousel, Kieran has a hard time getting past Emily’s blindness to realize she’s a grown woman who can cope quite nicely with real life. It takes a shattering experience to convince him she really is an independent woman despite her blindness.

I want to thank you so much for having me here at your blog to celebrate The Carousel!

..Like the Wild Geese of Old Ireland, five boys grew to manhood despite hunger, war, and the mean streets of New York...

The War had left him blind to beauty…
Kieran Donnelly is a gifted artist who has sworn never to paint again. He saw and did too many things during the war to extinguish the ugliness that lies in his heart. But a chance to work with some of the most magnificent paintings brings him close to the world he still loves…and an extraordinary woman who sees his true heart.

Darkness couldn’t extinguish the light in her heart.
Blind from the age of four, Emily Lawrence yearns to experience the outside world. When she hires Kieran Donnelly to catalogue her father’s paintings, he offers her a glimpse at life outside her exquisite home…and a chance for a future.

Can Kieran and Emily emerge from the darkness to find happiness and love?

Read an Excerpt

Emily’s breath caught in her throat. His hard thigh pressed warmly against hers. He smelled of paint and turpentine and cologne. His gentle voice teased her senses, made her heart pound and her body tremble. If she moved her face just a little…

She didn’t have to. He caught her chin in his hand, raised her face to his, and claimed her mouth with such tenderness she almost cried out. “Emily. Sweet Blackbird.” He murmured the words against her lips. He always thought of her that way, although he rarely voiced the words. “I don’t ever want you to be afraid or sad. You should always be happy.” A sigh escaped her as his thumb brushed her lower lip. “D’you know you have the most beautiful mouth, as red and sweet as a wild strawberry?” Another kiss, softer, yearning, as his knuckles caressed her cheek. “And the softest skin…like satin, it is, only warmer, more alive…” His lips brushed over her cheek, oh, she couldn’t breathe! But what did it matter, with Kieran’s lips on her skin, his warm hand caressing her back, the low rumble of his voice twining around her like a tender vine?

“Kieran.” His name felt soft on her lips. She reached out to stroke the hard line of his jaw, feeling him grow rigid. “Kieran…please…”

He pulled her closer, closer still, and his breath came harder. “Ah, sweet Heaven. Emily…darlin.’ Kiss me, love. Kiss me… Emily…Em…”

She could only open her mouth under his and gasped as his tongue slid into her mouth. Hot little sizzles danced over her, even as tiny chills chased over her arms.

Had anything ever felt so exquisite?

About the Author:
I believe I was destined to be interested in history. One of my distant ancestors, Thomas Aubert, reportedly sailed up the St. Lawrence River to discover Canada some 26 years before Jacques Cartier’s 1534 voyage. Another relative was a 17thCentury “King’s Girl,” one of a group of young unmarried girls sent to New France (now the province of Quebec) as brides for the habitants (settlers) there. My passion for reading made me long to write books like the ones I enjoyed, and I tried penning sequels to my favorite Nancy Drew mysteries. Later, fancying myself a female version of Andrew Lloyd Weber, I drafted a musical set in Paris during WWII.

A former journalist and lifelong Celtophile, I enjoyed a previous career as a reporter/editor for a small chain of community newspapers before returning to my first love, romantic fiction. My stories usually include an Irish setting, hero or heroine, and sometimes all three.

I’m the author of The Claddagh Series, historical romances set in Ireland and beyond, and The Wild Geese Series, in which five Irish heroes return from the American Civil War to find love and adventure.

I’m a member of the Romance Writers of America and Hearts Through History Romance Writers. A lifelong resident of Montreal, Canada, I still live there with my own Celtic hero. I have two adult children.

Website: http://www.cynthiaowensromancewriter.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCynthiaOwens
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Cynwrites1
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Cynthia-Owens/e/B003DQ1V2E

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07TXGS4QM/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-carousel-cynthia-owens/1132308194?ean=2940161461914

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Monday, August 26, 2019

Finally Home by L. Simpson


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

HEART AND SOUL

Ben McTavish is besotted when he sees a vixen in striped leggings own a cringe-worthy moment and turn it into a hilarious bit. He can’t stop thinking about her even though he puts his foot in his mouth every time he tries to get to know her. Ben would love to spend some time with this woman who has captivated him, but he needs to get his farm established before the bank takes back the land.

Kate Bloomington is all about whipping her life into shape, including getting to know her grandmother who she is now caring for. When she meets Ben, also known as Saint McT since he helps all comers, she pushes him away. Somehow, he shows up at every inopportune moment, mortifying her and enticing her at the same time. She learns that he needs help as much as she does, and together they create a love that is unbreakable.

Read an Excerpt

“What’s on your mind?” he asked after I’d been standing at the kettle long after it had boiled.

“Ah…” I muttered, caught off guard and not able to come up with a ready answer. Sensing my indecision, he turned me around then lifted me onto the kitchen bench, coming to stand between my legs. In this position, I was at his height, and I appreciated how handsome he was at this angle. His hair was even more mussed than usual, and I remembered I’d had my hands in it, holding him close as he’d made me come. His eyes looked into mine, and they were open and appreciative with a hint of a smile. He wasn’t laughing at me, but I sensed he knew the direction of my thoughts.

“Tell me what you want, Kate,” he said quietly as his gaze dropped to my lips.

“You. I want you. And I want you to stay, but I don’t know what to do about it.” The words fell out of my mouth as I looked at his lips that were now giving me a sexy smile.

“Why don’t you know what to do? Ask me.”

“You might think I’m easy.”

“Never.”

“You might think I’m going to put out, and I want to but I… maybe… don’t know what I’m doing. And I think you do,” I said. I didn’t see the point in lying. He could be trusted with the truth.

“Well, what happens if I say yes? Do you think I’m easy and will put out?” he murmured as he rubbed my thighs.

“Of course not,” I answered.

“And how do you know I know what I’m doing?”

“Because I’m on fire when you look at me, and when you touch me, I’m only seconds away from coming apart.”

As I said this, he sucked in a breath, like what I said hit a target he didn’t know he had.

“Will you stay with me?” I whispered right before I kissed him. It started slow and sweet, until his tongue slipped into my mouth, and tangled with mine. Then he increased the intensity. Before long I was clinging to him, needing more, desperate for contact.

About the Author: As a girl growing up in Australia, Laura was lost in the world of Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. During high school, volleyball dominated her life. There had to be something positive about being 6’1” with red hair. Representing Australia from a young age she eventually took a scholarship at the University of Iowa. Living in America and being a full time athlete in a college town was an eye-opening experience and lots of fun (from what she can remember). #gohawkeyes

Returning from the States, her career took a different turn as she started working at the Red Cross and completed her Masters of Law in Human Rights. As one of the few non-lawyers in the class, her essays were far more floral than the rest, something that caused the discerning professors to shake their heads. Through working and studying, she realised there are other ways to win hearts and minds.

While she’s spent the last 14 years as an advocate against poverty and homelessness, the desire to change the world through storytelling has only got stronger. She now lives in the Alpine Valleys of North East Victoria, Australia with her husband, daughter, son, two dogs and seven chooks. When she’s not doing the whole mum thing, working at a homelessness agency, renovating her farmhouse, or trying to do laundry bleary-eyed at midnight, she is writing.

Say G’day to Laura:

website: http://www.lsimpsonauthor.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/l.simpson.romance
twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lsimpsonauthor
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lsimpsonauthor
linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-simpson-47278971

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Home-Alpine-Valleys-Simpson/dp/1951055020/ref=sr_1_1

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Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Julian Fox: The Dream Guardian by E.J. Miranda


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. E.J. Miranda will be awarding a 1st prize: $50 Amazon e-gift card, and a 2nd prize: $40 Amazon e-gift card, to two randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

It is said that dreams are just that: only dreams. But believe me, this is not always true. Some dreams are as real as the dreamer.

Thanks to their dreams, dreamers can receive the special visit of eternal wisdom that has inspired the creativity of great inventors, scientists, musicians, and even writers throughout the ages.

This creative wisdom is not always the type that appears to the eager conscience. Sometimes, a Defiler, a destroyer of dreams, is the one who tries to appear before the dreamer. These creatures were once humans, but they allowed their pain and desire for revenge to take over and seek the same miserable fate for the one who dreams.

You must not fear — Dream Guardians, also known as Kelsdrant, will always protect the one who dreams, even with their own life. They are people of flesh and bone, just like you and me, or at least they are on Earth.

The following story is dedicated to the fun, extravagant, and enlightening life of Julian Fox, the Dream Guardian.

Be prepared, dear reader. It is time to dream, laugh, reflect, and even maybe cry.

Welcome to the Land of the Wise Dreams.

Read an Excerpt

Chapter 8: The Fate of the Carrier

That night, he locked his door to protect himself from Nicholas’s intentions. He knew his brother was very patient and would wait for the opportune moment to execute the perfect prank.

The occasion was presented that night when the unsuspecting victim, Julian, was asleep since he had to get up earlier than usual. Nicholas could finally do something to torture his brother to compensate for the terrible sushi experience. He dressed in black, wanting to be mysterious like in the movies. He glided silently through the house unseen, even by the discreet service staff. He went to the kitchen where Julian had forgotten to remove the duplicate key to his door from the keychain that contained all the copies of the house’s keys.

Taking it, he went quietly to his brother's room with a small flashlight in his hand. He opened the door quietly, knowing that if he was discovered he would be in trouble. However, his evil desire forced him to move forward. This audacity cheered him on:

“Bah! So what if Mom rips my ears off? At least it is for a good cause.”

His evil plan was to move forward all the clocks in the house by two hours. Thus, the innocent Julian would get up early, sleepy and most importantly, in a bad mood. Julian would need those two hours, just like he had needed the indigestion medicine that his mother had given him to prevent further damage to his body and mind.

One by one, Julian’s watches joined the conspiracy. His own cell phone, all the watches, and the alarm clocks surrendered to Nicholas, the defiler of time.

About the Author: E. J. Miranda is an avid reader, an enthusiastic traveler, and a passionate author. Her great sense of humor and love for nature have granted her a rebellious writing style: Her approach describes the adventures of life but in such a way that each reader can have an individual take on the matter. Her inspiration comes from her curiosity about other countries’ cultures and peculiarities. A few countries in particular that spark her curiosity are Colombia, Italy, Costa Rica, England, Belgium, Mexico, Spain, and the United States. Her favorite places to visit are historical sites and museums, locations that allow her to explore important and even overlooked details. She currently lives with her husband in Colombia but frequently travels to Houston to visit her daughter and son. E.J. Miranda has a degree in tax accounting, but she prefers interacting with people to calculating their taxes. To learn more about her life and work, visit http://www.ejmiranda.com.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46288494-julian-fox
Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorejmiranda
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EJMirandaAuthor

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/julian-fox-the-dream-guardian-e-j-miranda/1132532225
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Julian-Fox-Dream-Guardian-Miranda/dp/173379820X/ref=sr_1_1

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Monday, August 19, 2019

Raspberry Chocolate Murder by Leena Clover


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

Brand new cozy mystery series from the creator of Pelican Cove

**Enraged Baseball Star Murders College Sweetheart**

The past two years have been tough for Anna Butler. Widowed at fifty five and diagnosed with a dreaded illness soon after, she is struggling to keep it all together. Then the license for her dream café is rejected. Anna feels she can’t get a break.

Cassie Butler dropped a glitzy Hollywood life and came home to nurse her mother. Penniless after being duped by her crooked manager, she isn’t striving too hard to rebuild her flagging career. Living with her estranged mother after twenty years is proving to be a challenge.

When a young college girl is found dead in the woods, her boyfriend becomes the top suspect.

Anna agrees to go sleuthing to help her friend’s son, a bright young kid she has watched grow up. As Anna uncovers one clue after another, her faith in the boy begins to waver. Is he really as innocent as he claims to be?

Raspberry Chocolate Murder is the first juicy mystery in a brand new cozy mystery series from international Amazon bestselling author Leena Clover. Set in the small seaside town of Dolphin Bay on the California coast, this is a fast pageturner with plenty of twists and turns and luscious food.

If you love strong heroines, small town life, friendships that endure and yummy food that makes your mouth water, you will love Dolphin Bay.

Grab this beach cozy today and start reading.

Read an Excerpt:

Cassie put in an order for the roast turkey on sourdough. It came with hickory smoked bacon and avocado and loads of local Monterey Jack cheese. Cassie tried to add up the calories she was about to consume, thinking of the fat grams and carbs that were taboo to her peers. Then she gave up. She would have plenty of time to shed some weight after she landed a good role. Cassie eagerly accepted her sandwich from an apron clad girl, sniffing hungrily at the delicious smells wafting through it. She turned around swiftly and landed into a solid wall.

“Hello Princess,” a deep, throaty voice whispered in her ear.

Cassie felt her knee pop as she looked into a pair of brown eyes the color of creamy milk chocolate. She was a bit too familiar with who they belonged to.

“Dylan,” she said in a clipped voice. “What are you doing here?”

“Getting a bite to eat,” the tall, tanned man answered, rubbing his nose. “Same as you.”

Cassie nodded and walked to her mother’s table. Anna and her friends were devouring their lunch with relish.

“Can I give you a ride?” Cassie asked the women.

“We can walk back,” Anna said primly. “Your car’s too small for all of us.”

About the Author: Leena Clover is the international bestselling author of the popular Pelican Cove cozy mystery series.

An avid reader herself, Leena grew up reading mystery books. Some of her favorite authors are Agatha Christie and M C Beaton. Now she is trying her hand at writing whodunnits, making them as nail biting as possible while keeping them cozy.

Her love for food is evident in all her books. Readers can find yummy treats in the pages of her books, along with friends that last a lifetime.

Get bonus chapters and exciting offers when you join Leena's newsletter - http://subscribepage.com/leenaclovernl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leenaclover
Facebook: https://facebook.com/leenaclovercozymysterybooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Leena-Clover/e/B071ZX7XS9
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/leena-clover

Buy the book for only $0.99: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VVQDGPN/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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Friday, August 16, 2019

One of Two by S.R. Cronin


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. S.R. Cronin will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC and a kindle copy of another book from the 46. Ascending collection (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Telepathy creates as many problems as it solves, as everyone in the secret organization x0 would admit. When new member Lola discovers another group of telepaths with a totally different approach, those problems multiply at the speed of thought.

Soon, Lola’s family and friends are in danger. Lucky for her, she’s not your average budding psychic. Each person she is close to has a special gift of their own. That’s good, because it’s going to take every power they possess to stop these others from tearing apart x0.

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Warren hated being asked about things he couldn’t think about. He tried to keep his feelings vague as he answered the construction manager in charge of the new complex being built in Tierra del Fuego.

“Yes, the primarily purpose is to keep intruders out. State of the art security system, as obvious as possible. I want my people to feel safe there from nuclear war, zombie apocalypse, and viral Armageddon. You get the idea.”

“That was in the original design, sir, although we’ve added a few things I’m sure you’ll like. The area I need more guidance in is the one you left rather grey. To what extent do you need to keep people in?”

I need that area to stay grey, you idiot. Warren recited a couple of nursery rhymes in his head before answering.

“That’s a contingency concept, on the off chance, uh, unexpected circumstances arise. Just being prepared. You keep that function concealed and don’t give me details. Give me a manual or something I can access in an emergency.”

“You want a manual?”

“Better yet,” Warren said. “Why don’t you do this part on your own initiative? You know, in case I have needs down the road I don’t anticipate. Don’t skimp, but bury the costs and don’t mention it to me again.”

“Sure, boss. Whatever you say.”

The man hadn’t risen into management without being able to read a situation. He was being told to build an impenetrable fortress that could secretly double as a prison, and to pretend the second function was his own idea.

About the Author:
Sherrie Roth grew up in Western Kansas thinking there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.

She published her first science fiction short story and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next tale. When it finally came, it declared to her it had to be a whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.

The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down. He explained that, in a fit of practicality, she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and had spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was she found it at least mildly entertaining and ridiculously well-paying. The bad news was the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.

Apparently she was now Mrs. Cronin, and the further good news was they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved dearly, even though to be honest that is where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. "It's about time," were his exact words.

Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was the book informed her it had grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided she better start writing before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cinnabar01
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Number46Ascending
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805814.Sherrie_Cronin
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sherrie-Cronin/e/B007FRMO9Q
Blogs:

46 Ascending - https://46ascending.org
Face Painting for World Peace - http://tothepowerofzero.org/
Fire Dancing for Fun and Profit - http://ytothepowerof1.org
Treasure Hunting for a Good Time - http://zsquaredblog.org/
Leaving the Nest to Touch the Sky - http://ctothepowerofthree.org/
Touching the Sky to Save the World - http://dtothepowerof4.org/

Email me at lola.zeitman@gmail.com

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Thursday, August 15, 2019

Playing House by Ruby Lang


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

“Playing House is relatable, heartwarming, and oh so sexy. I zoomed through this thoughtful and joyful story about two people finding themselves and each other.” —Jasmine Guillory, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Date and The Proposal

Romance blossoms between two city planners posing as newlyweds in this first in a bright new series by acclaimed author Ruby Lang.

The last thing Oliver Huang expects to see on the historic Mount Morris home tour is longtime acquaintance Fay Liu bustling up and kissing him hello. He’s happy to playact being a couple to save her from a pushy admirer. Fay’s beautiful, successful and smart, and if he’s being honest, Oliver has always had a bit of a thing for her.

Maybe more than a bit.

Geeking out over architectural details is Oliver and Fay’s shared love language, and soon they’re touring pricey real estate across Upper Manhattan as the terribly faux but terribly charming couple Darling and Olly.

For the first time since being laid off from the job he loved, Oliver has something to look forward to. And for the first time since her divorce, Fay’s having fun.

Somewhere between the light-filled living rooms and spacious closets they’ve explored, this faux relationship just may have sparked some very real feelings. For Oliver and Fay, home truly is where their hearts are.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Fay said hastily, “We love the neighborhood. Also, we both have a professional interest.”

“Are you historians?”

“No, we’re urban planners.”

“What’s that all about?”

“Well, we work with city government and developers and community groups to look at how land is used to figure out how to grow and accommodate a community’s needs. We look at zoning and infrastructure. We talk to the residents and community leaders and try to help all these groups figure out what kinds of businesses they need, or if they need more schools, or more bike lanes—”

“No bike lanes. Hard enough for my sister to park already. Every Tuesday and Thursday she has to sit in her car for a half-hour to wait out the street cleaners. She’s read everything by Toni Morrison twice already. Although I suppose it doesn’t sound so bad when you put it that way.”

“We also make recommendations for more affordable housing.”

“Well, I know all about that. I’ve lived in my building since 1969, and if I hadn’t bought early, I wouldn’t be able afford five square feet to myself anymore. A young couple like you, if you want to start a family in this neighborhood, if you aren’t the CEO of something, you can forget about it,” [Ms. Hernández] said.

**Don’t forget to visit Independent Authors (a href="https://indieauthorsblog.wordpress.com/">https://indieauthorsblog.wordpress.com/)to continue reading the excerpt!

About the Author
Ruby Lang is the author of the acclaimed Practice Perfect series. She is pint-sized, prim, and bespectacled. Her alter ego, Mindy Hung, wrote about romance novels (among other things) for The Toast. Her work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Walrus, Bitch, and other fine venues. She enjoys running (slowly), reading (quickly), and ice cream (at any speed). She lives in New York with a small child and a medium-sized husband.

Website: http://rubylangwrites.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RubeLang
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RubyLangWrites/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruby.lang
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13495728.Ruby_Lang
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/rubylang

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-House-Uptown-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07Q5N1FSP/ Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1131072410
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/playing-house/id1458215839
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Ruby_Lang_Playing_House?id=tOCQDwAAQBAJ
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/playing-house-21
Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488055096_playing-house.html

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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Loved by the Beast by Anya Summers


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

Anna has plans for her life. This fall, she will be heading off to medical school, well on her way to becoming a doctor. But first, she and her besties head to Ireland to celebrate.

Nowhere did her future plans even include serious dating, let alone becoming mated to a man who can turn into a freaking beast with wings. Nor did she reckon with being sucked through a portal onto another planet while on her way home from a great night out.

Yet from the very first time her new mate touches her, Anna wonders if this could be the real deal – as in: the big L. The only problem is, her mate says his kind do not love; they protect, they pleasure, and they provide. Can Anna really kiss goodbye to all her plans for the future, and agree to spend the rest of her existence without love?

Publisher’s Note: This steamy paranormal romance, while the third in the Alcyran Chronicles series, can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Read an Excerpt

His nose caught a whiff of sweetness on the breeze. The potency and flavor reminded him of dragonsbane wine. Being surrounded by the foreign stench, his beast wanted to roll around in the familiar scent.

He scrutinized the pavement below.

Then he spotted his prey. The women walked three abreast down a deserted lane, swaying slightly as they trod. He inhaled a giant whiff, needing to be sure. His people needed him to finish this task and succeed. Rhiannon had been correct. Their scent held trace amounts of Clovis blood, mingled with that of the people of this planet. It confused his internal sensors, made him want to call them Clovis—but they were not. They had far too much of Earth inside them. Their Clovis scent was so faint and diluted, if he had not been searching for that in particular, he would have missed it.

He swooped down near the trio. His senses were on high alert. He homed in, soaring near their location. One of the women, a black-haired wench with hair that fell to her waist, glanced skyward, lifting her face toward his position, and emitted an ear-piercing scream.

That face. Even in the dark he could discern her beautiful porcelain features, the arched brows, slim upturned nose and pouty lips that were presently drawn in abject terror. A lightning bolt of energy struck D’Vorak’s system. His wings stretched. His dick woke like a sleeping giant, straining against the confines of his leather britches. His entire being bellowed: mine. That, at long last, he had found his mate.

The urge to rut until his seed emptied into his mate’s sex and his staff became flaccid surged through him. It overrode his every thought. He had to claim her, bind her life force with his and plant his offspring in her belly.

The thought of being with his mate after believing he was doomed to walk alone made his head swim. He was exultant. Desire thundered through his veins. His blood roared.

And then his mate and the other two women sprinted away. D’Vorak snarled. How dare she run from him? She belonged to him, now and until the end of their days. Like they could outrun him.

He shot after them, weaving his great wings between buildings as he flew, speeding closer and closer. He grinned when they took the dead-end with the entrance to the portal. Rhiannon had said the women would be drawn to the magic of the vortex, that their blood would recognize the magic and it would act like a tether, leading them to it. The trap had been executed to perfection.

D’Vorak looked at the woman, his mate. She was a sprite of a thing, lush where it counted, and he felt himself nearly coming out of his skin at the sight. She was his mate, all right. His body and being exhibited all the signs. His feet touched down upon the firm, stone ground. Not breaking his forward momentum, he stalked forward. Voracious need battered his every footstep. He wanted to shake himself. It had been hundreds of years since any of his kind had found their mate. They slaked their lust on their harems full of concubines to quell the rising madness within. Every aspect of his being bellowed that he must take her, bind her to him at once.

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

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

Website: http://www.anyasummers.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnyaSummersAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anyabsummers
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15183606.Anya_Summers
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Anya-Summers/e/B01EGTVRKC/
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/anya-summers
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anyasummersauthor/
Newsletter: https://anyasummers.com/newsletter/

Don’t miss these exciting titles by Anya Summers!

Dungeon Fantasy Club Series

Her Highland Master, Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/Highland-Master-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01E9UB8SO/
To Master and Defend, Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/Master-Defend-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01FNG23HI/
Two Doms for Kara, Book 3 https://www.amazon.com/Doms-Kara-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01GXGOAK0/
His Driven Domme, Book 4 https://www.amazon.com/Driven-Domme-Dungeon-Fantasy-Club-ebook/dp/B01IIUY8Y2
Her Country Master, Book 5 https://goo.gl/YWhLqm
Love Me, Master Me, Book 6 https://goo.gl/QlTE9u
Submit To Me, Book 7 https://goo.gl/Or8pYr
Her Wired Dom, Book 8 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRJY9TF/

Pleasure Island Series

Her Master & Commander, Book 1 https://www.amazon.com/Master-Commander-Pleasure- Island-Book-ebook/dp/B06Y5SVVB9/
Her Music Masters, Book 2 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0711R9D1H/
Their Shy Submissive, Book 3 https://goo.gl/ufyJLn
Her Lawful Master, Book 4 https://www.amazon.com/Lawful-Master-Pleasure-Island-Book-ebook/dp/B073SRDNNT
Her Rockstar Dom, Book 5 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VSGP8Q
Duets & Dominance, Book 6 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075TG9RYC
Her Undercover Dom, Book 7 https://goo.gl/HKhVba
Ménage In Paradise, Book 8 https://goo.gl/qce2BD
Her Rodeo Masters, Book 9 https://goo.gl/HDZw6v

Cuffs & Spurs Series

His Scandalous Love https://www.amazon.com/Scandalous-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B079GBB57Z
His Unexpected Love https://www.amazon.com/His-Unexpected-Love-Carter-Beginning-ebook/dp/B07C2NBGLQ
His Wicked Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B661RP1
His Untamed Love https://www.amazon.com/Untamed-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07D9ZDHMH
His Tempting Love https://www.amazon.com/Tempting-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07HYT1GVQ
His Seductive Love https://www.amazon.com/Seductive-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07KXP3MMF
His Secret Love https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07NKN5Y2S
His Cherished Love https://www.amazon.com/Cherished-Love-Cuffs-Spurs-Book-ebook/dp/B07SBDTVMV

The Alcyran Chronicles

Taken by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYNT21L
Claimed by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/Claimed-Beast-Alcyran-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B07Q3HNP26/
Loved by the Beast https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07W3QFLJW/ref=sr_1_1

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Monday, August 12, 2019

The Persistence of Memory by Karen Janowsky


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Karen Janowsky will be awarding a digital copy of the entire Persistence of Memory trilogy: Deja vu, All Our Yesterdays, and The Beginning of Always, in epub or mobi, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When superheroes fall in love, anything can happen.

Daniel Hecht doesn’t belong in this century. Catapulted into the present from 1943, he’s out of place and out of touch. Still, he was the American war hero called “Lionheart” and his heroism has followed him into the modern world. He now leads an underground group of superpowered misfits, but the misfit he keeps turning to is Nina Asher.

Nina has a vast knowledge of history, yet no idea who she is or where she’s from. She has become the target of dangerous creatures that have appeared all over the world. As she and Daniel work to decipher an ancient, cryptic myth, they experience flashbacks to things that never could have happened. They are falling in love, but there’s something they’re sure they need to remember, and it’s keeping them apart.

The key to saving the world may begin with the act of remembering.

Read an Excerpt

From CHAPTER TWO

Labyrinth

‘The New Woman was blessed. Each of the gods lay a gift inside the womb of the unborn goddess.’

July 2011, Roosevelt University, Washington, D.C.

Nina

“A s a matter of fact, I already have gotten lost in here,” Nina admitted. She had just led Daniel through the archives room at the back of the library. After a few unintended detours, they managed to find their way back to the entrance. “I don’t think I’m usually this bad with direction.” She wondered if she should have said that aloud. It seemed like the opposite of what one should say while trying to make a good impression. She saw him look at her sideways and couldn’t quite tell whether he was trying not to laugh at her.

“I can see why.” He turned around, surveying the labyrinthine expanse of corridors demarcated by large crates and floor-to-ceiling shelves which were crammed with boxes, tools, and large, old-looking objects. He smiled. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, organizing this place.”

He turned around again. He was only a few inches away from her, and when he reached past her waist, she held her breath. A memory flashed of the same motion, the same, comforting scent, like the woods after it rained, and a familiar, definitively masculine arm pulling her closer. The memory vanished as he leaned in and turned the doorknob, holding the door open for her to pass. She met his eyes as she walked by him and he looked as startled as she felt. She tried to blink away the residual, now contentless déjà vu. “Well, I won’t be bored, at least.” She tried to get a quick, surreptitious impression of his reaction, hoping his face wouldn’t register disappointment in her lack of wit. When she glanced up, it was obvious that he had been looking at her as well. They locked eyes and looked away.

About the Author:
Karen Janowsky has been fascinated by ancient mythology since childhood. She has loved superheroes since the first time she saw the Super Friends on television in 1970’s. Because flying an invisible jet was never a viable career option, and because running around in a cape, swimsuit, and bright red boots is not socially acceptable for adults, she teaches yoga and writing at the College of Southern Maryland. Her stories and poems have been featured in several anthologies and literary magazines since 1991. She received her master’s degree in English from Florida State University.

Author website: https://www.karenjanowsky.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Karen-Janowsky-391334061451858/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Karen_Janowsky
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkarenjanowsky/

Where to Buy:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Persistence-Memory-Book-Déjà-Vu-ebook/dp/B07P5GF4FH
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-persistence-of-memory-book-1-karen-janowsky/1130727739
Apple iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1454271061
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-persistence-of-memory-4

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Thursday, August 8, 2019

The Angel and the SEAL by Petie McCarty


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Petie McCarty will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour as well as 3 ebook copies of No Cowboys No Angels, Book 2 in the series. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Angel and the SEAL . . . a cozy mystery with romantic suspense from the Mystery Angel Romances series. An angel hidden in every book waiting for you to figure out who . . .

Navy SEAL Sean MacKay's teammate is murdered after stealing a deadly nerve-gas formula from Syrian terrorists. Naval Intelligence believes MacKay's teammate was a traitor and shipped the stolen formula to his sister in the states for safekeeping. MacKay is given orders to find the sister before the terrorists do and to retrieve the stolen formula at all costs.

Foreclosure looms for Cory Rigatero as she fights to keep her rustic resort near Mt. St. Helens afloat after her brother deserted her to join the SEAL Teams. Cory's whole world dives into a tailspin when Sean MacKay shows up at her resort with the news of her brother's death and the wild suspicion her brother may have sent her traitorous classified documents. No way will Cory trust MacKay -- the man who once seduced her and then vanished into the night without a trace.

Read an Excerpt

Mac had almost made it back to his cabin when he heard Garth’s frantic bark again. The sound hadn’t come from the lake, and Garth wasn’t out hunting night critters as Mac had earlier suspected. This bark echoed from the area near the barn.

“Garth!” Mac hollered into the night.

Two harsh barks burst in rapid succession from the dog. A long, piercing howl swiftly followed.

Worried the dog might be in trouble, Mac sprinted for the barn, surprised to find all the doors shut. He heaved one of the large double doors open, and Garth bounded out, almost knocking him over.

Mac stepped into the darkness of the barn and called out, “Vern? You in here?”

Nothing.

He squatted down to Garth’s level and suffered a couple face licks. “How did you get shut up in the barn?” He ruffled the dog’s ears and noted the big canine appeared slightly unsteady on his feet. “You okay, boy?”

Garth wagged his tail, and Mac led him out into the moonlight for a better look. A scream ripped through the night air and stopped them both.

Cory!

Mac hauled ass for the main house with Garth huffing hard alongside, already winded and laboring to stay on Mac’s heels. Something had happened to the big dog, but he couldn’t worry about that now.

The two tore through the border of the side garden. Mac spied the kitchen door to the main house standing wide open and raced that direction.

A second scream sliced through the air. This one sounded closer to the front of the house, and Mac changed course to race in that direction. Garth stayed straight and bounded through the open kitchen door as Mac cleared the front corner on the house.

He stumbled when he caught sight of a man in dark clothes and a black hoodie half-carrying, half-dragging Cory down the front steps with a knife to her throat. Mac skidded silently into the rhododendron bushes lining the porch. The assailant hissed over his shoulder to someone behind him.

Okay. Two tangos.

About the Author:
Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her cozy-mystery-with-romantic-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in No Angels for Christmas.

http://www.petiemccarty.com
https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty
https://twitter.com/authorpetie
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094579.Petie_McCarty
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/petie-mccarty
http://www.amazon.com/author/petiemccarty

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Angel-SEAL-Mystery-Romances-Book-ebook/dp/B07RYV7RXR

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Tuesday, August 6, 2019

The Maine Nemesis by R. Scott Wallis



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. R. Scott Wallis will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A Day in the Life of R. Scott Wallis


I’m living the writer’s dream, I think, and I count my blessings every day. After a quarter century of working for the man, I was fortunate enough to retire at 47 years old, and now my full-time job is writing my stories and producing my silly little podcast. Don’t hate me, because I’ve yet to actually sell anything.

But, despite not being able to secure a coveted deal with a Big Five publishing house, my independently-published books are doing marginally well on Amazon, and I’m thrilled that people are reading my books and liking the worlds I’ve created. When I first released the first book in my new Skyler Moore Thriller series this past January—THE MAINE NEMESIS—I hadn’t even dreamed that a Las Vegas-area book club would not only read my book this summer, but also invite me to come talk about the book over dinner. It’s just the icing on my big fat cake and it tickles me to no end.

I’m a morning person, so I get up with the sun—my two rescue dogs kinda make me—and sit at my desk from about 6:00am until 10-ish, every single day that I’m not traveling. Four hours of writing is about the most I can do in one day. I don’t go back and read what I wrote the day before; I just keep going, as fast as I can, on the first draft, then I go back and do re-writes when I’m done. It takes me about two months to complete a book, then I send it off to my trusty editor friend in New York. While he’s doing his part, I start on my next project. I save the afternoons for emails, marketing—that’s the independent writer’s second full-time job—and errands. I never touch my computer or iPhone in the evenings, save to jot down a note here and there, so I don’t forget an idea. After dinner, I watch crappy reality television shows and read books. I have about 40 books in my to-read pile; I buy more than I can get through!

I moved to Las Vegas, Nevada about a year and a half ago, and after some 25 years living and working in bustling Washington, D.C., I couldn’t be happier with my new desert home. The American south-west is definitely where I belong. I love the heat, lack of humidity, and access to world-class restaurants and entertainment on The Strip. Yes, the slot machines call my name a lot, and they’re exciting, but I try to limit my gambling so that I can continue to afford to write my books and do what I love—making things up.

On the weekends, I produce THE SWISH EDITION pop culture podcast. It’s been ranked as high as the top 2% of all iTunes comedy podcasts and my co-host Dale and I have a ball making it and sharing it with people in over 144 countries! Now, if I could just get to the top 2% of Amazon with my books, I’d be living the dream. :-)

THE MAINE NEMESIS and the sequel, THE NEW MEXICO SCOUNDREL, are out now, exclusively on Amazon as ebooks and trade paperbacks. THE NEVADA SABOTEUR comes out September 27. A different thriller, SCOUT’S HONOR: LIFELINE, comes out August 23. (Whew. I’m tired.)

Fiercely independent, insatiably curious, and always up for an adventure, public relations hotshot Skyler Moore is a hero for our time. She's decidedly not a sleuth by trade, but mayhem often comes knocking as she and her friends visit the small towns and big cities of America.

In "The Maine Nemesis," Skyler decides to spend the summer at her seaside cottage in Wabanaki, Maine, with her best friend—celebrity chef Brenda Braxton—and they have no idea that murder will be on the menu. But women are turning up dead in the once sleepy village where nothing ever happens. With the residents up in arms and the rinky-dink police force overwhelmed, Skyler and her friends feel compelled to lend a hand to save the town they love so much. The backdrop is classic New England Americana: lobster rolls, the whole town out for the Fourth of July, and summer evenings cooled by the ocean breeze. That...and an occasional murder, a kidnapping, and a few dangerous liaisons.

Skyler's mile-a-minute adventure will keep you turning the pages to see what comes next for her and her Down East 'friends.'

Read an Excerpt:

There were only a handful of orangeries in the United States and Lois Millhouse had one in her side yard. The tall metal and glass structure was an architectural marvel—fashioned after the original 17th century orangery on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles in France, albeit much smaller—and had been featured in several magazine and newspaper articles over the years. Most recently, House Beautiful did a cover shoot on the property.

Inside, orange trees flourished year-round at one end and flowering plants such as Tropical Anthurium, various varieties of roses, African Violets, and scores of orchids were extremely well maintained on the other. Lois employed three part-time employees to tend to ‘her babies’ and she toiled in the greenhouse herself most mornings after she ate breakfast and had carefully read every page of the Wall Street Journal. She had a thing for financial news and plants, in that order.

And, of course, for making Wabanaki everything it should have become decades earlier.

On Tuesday morning, she was on her hands and knees cleaning up a broken pot and spilled soil when she heard someone approaching. She turned her head to see Skyler holding a pie plate and smiling widely.

“I hope I didn’t startle you,” Skyler said. “I was knocking, but I don’t think anyone heard me.”

“I don’t startle too easily, Skyler,” Lois said, getting to her feet. “How are you, dear?”

“I’m fine. I brought you a pie. It’s apple. Not blueberry.”

Lois chuckled. “You are very sweet. And, yes, I do not eat blueberries anymore. I appreciate them, mind you.” She waved her arms around like a flight attendant pointing out emergency exits. “I wouldn’t have all this without those little blue berries, now would I?”

“I have a feeling that you’d be successful no matter what.”

“You didn’t come over here just to give me a pie, now did you?”

“You’ve seen right through me.”

Lois pulled off her gloves and set them on the potting bench. “You’re working with my grandson to keep the Chowder House from sinking in bad press.”

“I am.”

“Thank you for that. And Wabanaki thanks you.”

“Well, Madam Mayor, I too have dedicated my life to this town.”

“I know that very well,” Lois said. “Let’s go get some coffee. There’s always a fresh pot in the kitchen.”

Skyler followed the old woman through a side door, down a covered breezeway, and up a few steps into the main house. They were in the cavernous kitchen and sitting at the built-in banquette sipping coffee out of enormous mugs when a young woman appeared out of nowhere and set a plate of muffins in the center of the table. She was gone as quickly as she appeared.

“Who was that?”

“Midge,” Lois said softly. “She’s new. And like a ghost. I hardly hear her moving about the house but she manages to clean and bake and sort the mail and she changes my bed sheets every day like at a first class hotel. I’m paying her next to nothing. It makes me feel bad. But I enjoy the help.”

“Maybe she deserves a raise,” Skyler said, biting into a muffin. “These are amazing. And still warm.”

“I will be sure to compensate her appropriately. So, what is on your mind?”

“Brenda and I were talking yesterday and she told me that she had a drink with an old mutual friend of ours, a man named Augie Alameda.” Skyler stopped and inspected the woman’s face for some kind of recognition.

“And?” Lois asked evenly.

“Well, to be very blunt, we wondered if perhaps you hired him.”

“Hired him to do what?”

“Seriously? Do you not know him?”

“It’s really none of your business, frankly.”

Skyler blushed. “It’s sort of my business. I mean, that’s my business. I’m a public relations professional. It’s what I do. And it’s what I’m doing for Tanner and the Chowder House. We all want to see Wabanaki overcome this slump, don’t we? Especially the mayor?”

“My dear,” Lois began sweetly, “I want nothing more than for this town to flourish. Just like my plants out there. But I did not hire this Mr. Alameda to do anything and I have no idea what he does anyway. How could he possibly help?”

“You said it was none of my business, like there was something there.”

“Because I meant that, not because I actually have something to hide from you. I don’t think I like you coming in here and interrogating me, that’s all. You’re a P.R. professional, not a detective on the Wabanaki police force.

“I see. And I am sorry if I upset you.”

“I’m not upset. But I will bite. Who is Augie Alameda?”

Skyler gave the woman a rundown of Augie’s credentials and history. “And he got Brenda her start.”

“But you don’t like him?” Lois asked.

“I don’t, but that’s because we worked together a few times and we’re both pretty much independent contractors. We’re both solo practitioners, if you will. We butted heads and it wasn’t pretty.”

“But he can get the job done?”

“Oh yes. He can. And he most certainly will. Which is why the Chowder House and the Lobster Shanty and the Sea Captain’s Inn and all the businesses in town need to be prepared. Combined with the Boston Globe piece that’s coming, we could get quite busy.”

“I’m thrilled, Skyler,” Lois said, standing, indicating that the visit was over, “I really am. But it wasn’t me.”

They exchanged pleasantries and Skyler was shown the door. It didn’t actually slam shut behind her, but it felt that way.

Skyler was more suspicious than ever and wondered if the Mayor was lying to her…or if someone else was behind Augie’s coming to town.

About the Author:
R. Scott Wallis is endlessly inspired by his surroundings and adventures. And he thrives on new chapters and creating unique projects to keep himself out of trouble. Scott started his working life as an advance person and assistant to a sitting United States Vice President. Later, he served as the creative director for a leading Washington think tank. That led to working directly for one of the richest men on Earth, conceiving and executing exclusive events for his billionaire friends. Tired of working for the man, Scott became a top-rated pop-culture podcaster and celebrity interviewer, while also dabbling in both the worlds of clothing manufacturing (creating his own baby clothes brand that was sold in over 300 stores nationwide) and retail sales, with his own well-received men's clothing store.


Always willing to lend a hand or donate what he can, he's an enthusiastic philanthropist, championing causes such as childhood bullying, animal adoption, and feeding the less fortunate. A wide-eyed world traveler, Scott has been to four continents, mostly by sea. While he loves exploring Europe and the Caribbean islands, it's the vast United States that he likes best. He's been to Alaska four times, Hawaii twice, and can't wait to explore the eight states he hasn't been to yet. Technically a Connecticut Yankee, Scott grew up in historic Williamsburg, Virginia, and lived for 25 years in the Washington, D.C. area, before recently discovering that the American West is where he is most at home. He lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.


http://www.rscottwallis.com
https://www.facebook.com/skylermoorethrillers

The book is on sale for only $0.99.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1729813321/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_b7guCbE7B2WJN

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Monday, August 5, 2019

The Road to Reality by Dianne Burnett



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.

Get ready to laugh. Get ready to cry. Get ready for a whirlwind of an adventure. Settle in for a powerful, poignant story of inner strength and courage-and get a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Survivor, the world's most popular reality show.

Spinning their mutual love of exotic adventure into gold, Dianne Burnett and her former husband, TV producer Mark Burnett, co-created Eco-Challenge, an expedition-length racing event televised on Discovery Channel that catapulted them into the arena of reality TV and set the stage for Survivor-a modern-day Robinson Crusoe with a million-dollar prize. But Dianne and Mark's fairytale marriage did not survive their Hollywood success . . . she found herself left behind, her contributions unrecognized. She lost her partner in life and began to lose her identity. In that experience, she found an opportunity to grow.

A fascinating, fast-paced, heart-warming "page-turner," The Road to Reality takes readers on a roller-coaster ride-complete with a zesty romance, as well as the ups and downs of going for your dreams-while it imparts the lessons learned as Dianne discovers what really matters in life is something beyond fortune and fame.

Read an Excerpt

“Di, imagine us rafting down those,” Mark said, pointing at the foaming, churning waters as the helicopter suddenly dipped lower. I looked down at the rushing Colorado river tipped with whitecaps. No, thanks. Just flying around in a helicopter was plenty daring for me. I pulled baby James tighter, and resumed my silent chanting of The Lords Prayer, my typical pastime when in whirlybirds.

“And over there,” Mark said, pointing to looming cliffs, “they’ll repel 1,000 feet down feet down the sheer faces.” I imagined sliding down a rope that stretched the length of the Empire State Building and shuddered. It was the spring of 1994, and James and I had flown to Utah to be with Mark on the latest phase of planning for our first Eco-Challenge already being billed as “the toughest adventure race in the world.”

About the Author:
Dianne Burnett is an author, producer, and actor of stage and screen. She is also a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Dianne and her ex-husband, Mark Burnett, joined their creative forces to invent Eco-Challenge, the impetus for Survivor, which kickstarted America’s reality-television show craze and went on to become the longest-running and most lucrative reality TV series of all time.

Following the success of Survivor, Dianne produced and acted in the stage play Beyond Therapy at the Santa Monica Playhouse, served as Executive Producer of the indie film Jam (which won Best Narrative Feature at the Santa Fe Film Festival), and acted in Everybody Loves Raymond. In memory of her mother, Joan, who lost her battle with esophageal cancer in 2010, Dianne formed Joan Valentine—A Foundation for Natural Cures, a nonprofit organization that serves as a resource for those seeking alternatives to traditional medicine.

She also recently launched a multimedia platform and social network: called theotherside.com, it explores alternative views on everything from relationships to health. Formerly of New York, Dianne now lives in Malibu, California, with her family.

https://www.facebook.com/TheRoadToReality
https://dianneburnett.com/

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Road-Reality-Journey-Real-Life-Survivor/dp/1401941001

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