Monday, May 30, 2022

Violins and Vampires by CEE BEE



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN GC via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lexa Kozlov must pay off her family's massive debt to the mob... all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? A never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. Lexa barely has time to sleep, let alone find love.

Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isn’t sure. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are alone. The energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming.

Is Lexa leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one… or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more?

***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave***


Read an Excerpt

I've never wanted anyone more than Caelin Vass.

Never hated a man so much, either.

Vass looms before me right now. He's all broad-shoulders, brown hair, and searing dark eyes. Imagine a Celtic god in a three-piece suit; that's the general idea. We stand in his office—a place that's all plush leather chairs and heavy wooden furniture.

Sadly, Vass and I aren't alone. Some chick in a kimono kneels before him. She toys with his belt buckle with ill intent. And by ill intent, I mean she's about to give my potential employer a blow job.

In his fancypants office.

Right in front of me.

Wish I could say this is the first time something like this happened. It isn't. I also wish I didn't want to punch Kimono Chick in the throat and take her place.

Yet I do.

Still, I must stay away from Vass' pants and get this gig. Why? It pays one hundred grand a month. For someone like me, that money's literally a life-saver.

Across the room, Kimono Chick smirks so hard, it's a wonder her face doesn't get stuck that way. "Join in or get out."

Meanwhile, Vass stares at me with a smoking hot look that makes my thighs clench. He knows the affect all this has on me.

Stupid Vass.

Stupid thighs.

Which leads to a big decision: do I go for the job, the belt buckle, or the door?

Tough call.

About the Author:
CEE BEE writes stories that blend epic fantasy, steamy romance, and lots of sass. If you want immersive tales that transport you to fresh worlds (and new book boyfriends) then you’ve come to the right author. To learn more about CEE BEE, please visit www.ceebeeauthor.com. Her new book, VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES, is available on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZYVCNC3

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

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Vampires of the Daemonverse Series
1. Violins and Vampires – now on Kindle Unlimited: Amazon ONLY $0.99
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Valor and Vampires

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Friday, May 27, 2022

Divided Fates by Stephanie Allen



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

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

I have always been drawn to fantasy, ever since I was a little girl. I think it’s the idea of leaving our world and heading to another one. Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis was the first fantasy series I read, and I can’t even tell you how many different places I looked for an entrance to Narnia. My first published series was based on the idea of what would happen if a teenager, rather than a young child, found their way through a portal to another world. Harmony was such a fun series to write for that very reason. Plus, I was able to throw in enemies to lovers, fated mates, dragons, fae, magic, the whole shebang. It was so much fun and will always have a special place in my heart.

What research or world-building is required?

Research depends on what my world is based on. I like to look at cultures and history in order to build portions of my world. For the Dueling Fates trilogy, I did a lot of research on Jewish/Hebrew culture, as well as Viking and Native American cultures. In my case, my brother is like a walking encyclopedia since he’s a history teacher, so I’m able to gain a lot of information from him. He’s studied Vikings extensively, so I was able to glean a lot of knowledge from him. I’ve always been fascinated with Native American culture, so it wasn’t hard for me to research that. For this series, I really focused on Lakota culture since I live in Wyoming and love visiting South Dakota. So though research isn’t necessarily required, I highly recommend it, especially if you want to bring some realism to your fantasy novel and make it more relatable.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

My favorite character in Divided Fates is King Jordan, by far. He is the hero that I wish existed in real life. He’s kind, compassionate, and romantic as hell, though it’s a quiet romance. I think that’s why he’s so special to me. In this day and age, “smut” is the word of the day, or year, especially if you’re on the #BookTok side of TikTok for longer than five minutes. While I’ve definitely read my share of smut (oops, did I just admit that?), I like writing a character that has a few old-fashioned notions. He truly loves his chosen queen, and would go to the ends of the world for her. He will keep himself only for her, and he cherishes her more than anything. So what did I learn from him? Sometimes, it’s okay to be the one that waits for a good thing.

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

One of my odd writing quirks is that I don’t outline my books with a pen and paper. I outline my books with music. Every single book I write has its own Spotify playlist. That playlist grows or shrinks as I write each book, and each one has a unique flavor. Divided Fates definitely has a darker theme to it, with most of the tracks being instrumental. Game of Thrones music played a huge role in this particular book. I also love the band Smash Into Pieces, and a few of their songs have flavored this particular book as well.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I am definitely a plotter. Since Divided Fates is the second in a trilogy, I already had a good idea of where I was going with the book. Although, you could almost say that I’m a little mixture of plotter and pantser, because though I have my main points planned out, I often deter course when I’m working on the fine details of a chapter. Sometimes, my characters even take an unexpected detour and I have to frantically write to catch up with them.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My husband is a tattoo artist and I’m currently sitting at a tattoo convention in Loveland, Colorado. To my right is some flash tattoo art and an iPad ready to be filled with art. However, if I was home, I guarantee that I’d be sitting at my table with one of my bookshelves to the right of me. I always like to write with my books nearby.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently working on two different manuscripts. The first is the third and final book in the Dueling Fates trilogy. The working title for this one is Destructive Fates and it will conclude the events that took place in Divided Fates and answer any and all questions the readers have. The second is a new series that I’m developing. It will have a Hades and Persephone inspired story (though loosely). For the first time, I will be writing a morally gray heroine and I’m very excited about it.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Sure thing! What draws you to a particular book? Are you reading it for the fantasy aspect, or are you drawn to certain tropes? For me, I love reading books that have fated mates tropes. It’s a soft spot of mine.

Ten days after the battle in the north, the world of Erez has been thrown into turmoil.

Princess Isemay awakens - injured and weak - in a strange village. Branded an outcast because of her mixed heritage but forced to stay against her will, she must choose to conform to the sha’nidow way of life or face the consequences. When a mysterious stranger arrives with a heartbreaking message, Isemay’s hope abandons her to a fate far more destructive than she was prepared for.

Princess Alena finds herself the queen of the northern kingdom - powerful, adored, alone. Fighting inner demons of darkness, she travels south to visit her brother, now the king of Neilos. But fate will not allow her to find peace, and she must decide whether she will side with those she loves or the one who holds ultimate power.

Niri Flesh-cleaver, granddaughter to the elusive Choshech and heir to the nashech throne, has everything she could want - and yet her heart yearns for more. Torn between her mother’s orders and a forbidden love, she quickly realizes she cannot have both. Driven by brokenness, she will seek to destroy the one person she blames for Choshech’s demise - and find that perhaps her heart was the better guide all along.

Three women. Three separate journeys. One path to find that fate will divide even the closest of bonds.

Read an Excerpt

“Your Majesty, go!” Jeremy shouted as he shoved the king toward his stallion. “We can’t fight what we can’t see.”

Jordan murmured a prayer for Jori and Noam as he gripped Ryoma’s mane and mounted bareback. “Get to a horse!” he ordered as he slammed his heels into his stallion’s ribs. Ryoma shot forward into the night, his ears flat against his skull. Refusing to allow panic to shiver its way into his body, Jordan used his legs to guide his stallion, keeping his hand fisted in the horse’s mane. Echoing hoofbeats came from behind—as well as the flapping of several wings.

“Your Majesty, above you!”

Jordan lay forward against Ryoma’s neck as a shadow passed right where his head had been. “Who are you?” he shouted at the fleeing darkness.

A shrieking roar filled the night as another shadow blew above him.

He squeezed his heels against Ryoma, urging the poor horse to gallop even faster. They were among trees now. He could feel branches whipping him in the face as his stallion fled at a blinding pace. He couldn’t be sure, but it felt as though they were climbing.

He could no longer hear hoofbeats behind him and prayed that Jeremy hadn’t befallen the same fate as the other two men. The trees seemed to be providing some cover for he could no longer hear flapping wings close by. The night was pitch black as they barreled headlong over unfamiliar ground, driving further and further up the mountain.

A roar and a crash sounded from somewhere behind him as Jordan and Ryoma broke through the tree line. He gasped as the moonlight suddenly filled his vision. They were atop a mountain peak, streaking along an open space. He risked a glance behind to see another horse break out of the forest—a riderless horse.

About the Author: Stephanie M. Allen graduated from California Baptist University in 2009 with a B.A. in English and a desire to share her imaginative stories with the world. She loves to write fantasy, particularly centered around young adults. Aside from writing, Stephanie loves to read, ride horses, and sing. She currently lives in Wyoming with her husband and two children.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorStephanieAllen
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/StephMarieAllen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15844466.Stephanie_M_Allen
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thestephmarieallen
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Stephanie-Allen/e/B01LZGBRKL

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09X9PHJHF/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1

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Thursday, May 26, 2022

Beyond the Birch by Torina Kingsley



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Torina Kingsley 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.

Eleven year old Macy dreams of action and adventure that will take her far beyond her family's farm. But what will happen when that adventure finds her?

Long ago, faeries were banished from the land after a legendary battle. So long ago that many wonder if faeries really exist or if the battle was just a tall tale. But one mysterious night, Macy's mother is attacked, and ever since, unusual things start happening. Missing items, changing moods, and most strange of all, the family's sheep start behaving unusually.

Her mother is suddenly determined to get rid of the sheep, and Macy suspects that the reason may be sinister. When Macy meets a boy her age, the aloof and sarcastic Jay, they embark on a journey to discover the truth and save her mother. In this twist on The Wonderful Birch, you won't find kings, queens, or evil stepmothers. Instead, you'll find two courageous pre-teens from the outskirts, ready to defend Odele from the magical forces that threaten it.

Read an Excerpt

“Oh, yes,” the old woman sighed. “There was a terrible fire, and I lost my home. I am going to my sister’s to stay with her for a while. If I can make it there.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Laurel smiled at the woman, “If you’d like to rest for the night, you are welcome to stay with my family. We have a farm just outside of town.” Though they didn’t have much, Laurel knew she would be able to spare some bread and find her some blankets for the night. She couldn’t bear the thought of leaving the woman alone in the dark wood.

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Nonsense, we’d love to have you.”

The old woman’s shoulders visibly relaxed, “Oh, thank you! Thank you!” she cried. “You can call me Dores.”

“Well, Dores, I was just heading home anyway. It seems my daughter left the pasture gate open again, and a sheep got out. I was hoping to find him before dark, but it seems I will have to keep searching in the morning.”

“I can’t thank you enough dear,” the old woman said, shivering.

Laurel was used to the crisp, cool night air. Without a word, she removed her shawl and offered it to Dores.

All at once, Laurel was overwhelmed with an ominous feeling in the pit of her stomach. She inhaled sharply and looked frantically about, trying to place the source of the sudden sensation, but it was too late. There was a flash, and both women let out a shriek.

About the Author:Author Torina Kingsley masterfully creates a world where things aren't always as they seem. Beyond the Birch is an imaginative spin on an old folktale that reminds us all to hold our loved ones close and always believe in own our capabilities.

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Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Rock My Heart by Nadia Blair



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nadia Blair will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

She never meant to end up in a rock star’s bed …

By day, Madelynn Crenshaw is the perfect senator’s daughter. By night, she’s a struggling artist. She doesn’t do scandal or media scrutiny, but when wicked rock god Sloan Elliot asks her to paint him for a charity event, she can’t resist. It’s for a good cause, right? She promises herself she won’t become his latest conquest—or have her love life splashed all over page one. During their studio sessions, Madelynn can’t deny their sizzling attraction, but it’s the man behind the rock god persona she really can’t resist. Sloan tempts her, teases her, and makes her long for things she’s never allowed herself to want…

When their affair hits the tabloids, and all hell breaks loose, Madelynn and Sloan must decide if they can risk love—and heartbreak—with the whole world watching.


Read an Excerpt

“I don’t doubt your training, Miss Crenshaw. I’m just wondering whether you’ll be able to resist the temptation to ravish my naked body.”

She scoffed. “You think I’ve never seen a nude model in a figure drawing class? It’s not like you’ve got anything I haven’t seen.”

“Don’t I?” He took a step closer, and Madelynn found herself backing away, until she felt the wall at her back.

“You are a world-class jackass.” She hated the breathless note in her words. Hated him for mocking her. Taunting her. Making her want something she knew she couldn’t have.

“Fortunately for me,” he murmured, his voice gone low and husky, but still with that damnable mocking edge. “You seem to have a thing for world-class jackasses.”

He loomed over her, only inches away; if he leaned just slightly closer, or she took in a deep breath, they would touch. Madelynn sucked in a shallow breath, fighting a wave of giddiness, the flush of heat shimmering through her veins. Mistake. His scent enveloped her, heat and leather and scotch, and she had a sudden urge to turn her face into the curve of his neck, taste the warm salt of his flesh, and sink her teeth into him until he groaned.

He’s only going to use you and cast you aside. Forget your mad idea. Forget him. Leave now.

But he took that final step, his chest brushing her breasts, setting her skin aflame. He brushed kisses across her mouth, pausing to nibble at the edge of her lips.

About the Author:Nadia Blair writes steamy contemporary romance featuring outrageous bad boys and gutsy girls who give as good as they get. She has a thing for snappy dialog, humorous situations, and swoon-worthy happily-ever-afters.

When she's not having conversations with fictional people, she enjoys summer thunderstorms, top-shelf whiskey, and rockin' out to a classic guitar solo.

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Buy the book for $0.99 during the tour: Amazon.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Blood of Azure series by Jonathan Michael



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 tosee the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books.What are four things you can’t live without?

Air. Water. Food. And passion. Because what is life if you don’t have something to live for.

What is your favorite television show?

This may be an uncommon response for an author. It certainly doesn’t fit the stereotype. My favorite show is football. Specifically, the Seattle Seahawks. Every week. Every gameday. This is a must for me. Every household project and every writing project goes to the wayside when the Seahawks are on. Go Hawks!

If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Why?

If I could be any character in a literary work, it would be Merry or Pippin from Lord of the Rings. I want to go on epic adventures, but I’m not a hero. The world would be destroyed if I chose to be the hero in any book. And I don’t think I’d do so well as a villain either. Once the hero came face to face with me, I’d be like, “You want me to stop trying to take over the world? Meh… Okay. It was kind of evil, anyways.” So, let’s roll with the sidekick who gets to go on the adventures and explore Middle Earth to its fullest, but always have a hero looking over my shoulder, protecting me from the bad guys. That sounds like a good place to be.

What have you got coming soon for us to look out for?

The next book I have coming will be Season of Salvation, Blood of Azure: Book 3. The adventures continue in the world of Azure with the villains becoming global threats, the heroes realizing the roles they must play, and further exploration of the scenic terrain.

I’m still in the early stages, but I am thoroughly excited for this release with the storylines I’m plotting. It’s shifting a tad more toward political intrigue with the protagonists needing to oust corruption without looking like the villains. I will also be sure to reveal more of the magic system, and it won’t be any good without more magical beasts. I’m thrilled with what’s to come in the world of Azure.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

Brent Weeks has influenced me a great deal. I was immersed in his Night Angel Trilogy when I first decided to write. Brandon Sanderson as well. His metallurgy magic system in Mistborn is phenomenal. Between the two, they inspired me to start typing, and I would say I followed their lead with how creative they are with world building. Before reading their works, I thought of fantasy as elves, dwarves, ogres, and such. But it can be so much more. Just allow your imagination to open up.

Another author who has influenced my style of writing is George RR Martin. He has a plethora of characters and names each chapter after the character you’re following in his Game of Thrones series. I found this to be a great method to follow several storylines in a long, epic fantasy. Once you get familiar with the characters, it allows for a quick change in setting and aura, just by reading the chapter heading. If I read the chapter heading, Jon, I know the chapter will involve virtue and courage, and it will likely draw out hopeful emotions. If I read the chapter heading, Cersei, I know it will be more devious and hateful. It’s a great tactic if you have multiple characters to follow. George also showed me that a great story can draw out both good emotions and dark emotions. And that’s okay. It’s beneficial for us to see the good and evil and have strong emotions about it. I don’t like Cersei Lannister. She’s a vile woman. But she cares deeply for her family, which gives us a thread of hope for her wellbeing. And this is what I strive to do with my characters. I want to make you care for all of them, regardless of their actions.

BLOOD OF AZURE SERIES

Four races with powers dictated by the seasons seek balance and prosperity. However, life instinctively primes itself for survival, and when one race commands the touch of death, all others fall in line. Tyranny plagues Azure as an immortal ruler governs the knowledge of the seasons and those wielding its power.

Four young protagonists, Stone, Jaymes, Goose, and Astor, each navigate their way to escape his shadow and reclaim their freedom. Simple ambitions for young souls. But little did they know, they would uncover the secrets the realm is built upon, and the unique talents they each carry. Their ignorance allows the knowledge of the seasons to escape into the world around them little by little, and with it, a power loosing anarchy upon the realm. A power most aren’t worthy of wielding. It is up to Stone and his companions to tame that power and reclaim the balance.

Four seasons to balance the land. Four sages to balance the life.

SEASON OF SACRIFICE, BOOK 1

Courage is for the bold. It is not for Stone McLarin. He’s been in hiding for four seasons after being orphaned by the Taoiseach. He doesn’t care for the heroic antics of avenging his parent’s death or securing his freedom. He only desires one thing—to protect his sister’s life.

This proves challenging when his sister, Jaymes, possesses a rivaling power of decay to that of the tyrant ruler’s. She’s a threat to his dominance, and there will be no escaping his shadow.

When the Taoiseach manipulates his way into Jaymes’s life and steals her away, Stone has no choice but to follow. He must venture into the heart of the tyrant’s domain and figure out how to penetrate the impenetrable. And if he succeeds there, he will have to slay the most powerful man in Azure.

In a world ruled by decay, what chance does life stand?

Season of Sacrifice is part one of the Blood of Azure series—an epic fantasy full of grim encounters, heroic adventures, unique magic, and a captivating world to explore.

Author’s Note: Contains explicit language and some graphic descriptions.

SEASON OF SUFFERING, BOOK 2

A villain in his own mind, Stone McLarin is labeled the hero for murdering a man.

Not only is Stone weighted down as a hero, but he’s idolized by the dominant religion, and he’s the sole protector of the knowledge of the ages. The pressure of the entire realm is on his shoulders.

Carib Reign, a shapeshifter building an army of immortals, plans to purge the Crimson Capital to find this hidden knowledge. His motive, to give the people of Azure the freedom they deserve.

With many adventures along the way, Stone will lead the charge to defend the Crimson Capital against the Immortal Army. Should he fail, anarchy is inevitable. Death for all Azure, a possibility.

Where there is life, death anticipates. But what if death is abandoned? Life will rebel.

Season of Suffering is part two of the Blood of Azure series—an epic fantasy with both light and dark hearts. You’ll experience many fantasy tropes, clashing swords, unique magic, fantastical beasts, and a wide range of Azure’s scenic terrain.

Author’s Note: Contains explicit language and some graphic descriptions.


Read an Excerpt from SEASON OF SUFFERING

I retrieve the jar of thunderbugs from my haversack and throw it at the pile of wood. A surge of light erupts as the glass shatters, followed by small booms of thunder. But the brush doesn’t light. No fire, and now my thunder lantern is gone as well. I crouch to get my hands dirty with steel and flint.

Plenty of sparks spit from the stone and blade, but no flame. I wish I could create fire with my talent. Instead, I get rot.

A loud roar bellows behind me. I hold still. Why, I don’t know. Still prey won’t fend off a large predator. Still prey are accepting defeat just before they die. I rise to my feet, slashing my blade in a whirl. The bear is several paces away. It stands upright, towering three times my height.

“Go! Get out of here! I don’t want to kill you! Just go!”

The beast drops on all fours and charges.

I do the same. When I get close enough, I leap into the air. The bear halts and lifts a paw to swipe at me. It tears into my side, but I accomplish what I intend. I grab its scruff and whip myself onto its back. With my kukri, I stab at its throat and twist. It’s not enough. I remove the blade, tossing it aside, and jab my fist into the open wound. The bear rages. It heaves me up and down. My legs fly into the air. My fingers, gripping the bear’s scruff, slip away, and the only thing holding me onto the bear’s back is my one arm embedded deep inside its flesh. I feel around, softening its sinew with my rot until I find its spine. I grab hold of it and focus. Moments later, the bear collapses.

“You forced me.” I exhale and lay my head onto the bear. The coarse fur is rough on my cheek. I close my eyes, and exhaustion steals me away into slumber.

About the Author:
Jonathan J Michael was born and raised in the greater Seattle area in the scenic state of Washington. Jonathan is an advocate of science, nature, and exploration, which has a heavy influence in his debut series, Blood of Azure.

When I drive down the freeway, I often want to veer onto the backroads and head for the mountains. When I'm at an evening gathering, I'm eager to step outside and gaze at the stars. When I'm on a ferry, I'm at the guardrail staring into the depths wondering what kind of leviathans lurk below. I'm an explorer, and since I'm not on the next Crew Dragon headed for the ISS, fantasy novels let me have what I seek. I write to explore a world of wonder.
~ Jonathan

Website: https://jonathanjmichael.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.j.michael.author
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_j_michael/

Season of Sacrifice – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1XV54W
Season of Suffering – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NSM62N8

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Thursday, May 12, 2022

Her Lustful Desires by J R Salisbury



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

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

I love historical romance. I think the romantism of the era is a big draw. I tend to write in late Victorian because women were able to do so much more. Things that were considered scandalous in Georgian and Regency era weren’t in late Victorian. High society had very strict rules and it was far easier for a woman to be the center of gossip.

What research is required?

Research is very important when writing historical romance. You must research not only places, but also what was going on at that particular time. What inventions are becoming reality. You need to be as accurate as possible, because readers expect it.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

She can stand up on her own two feet and is not intimidated by men who want to see her fall off her pedestal.

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

For some reason I feel I need to write every day. Even if it’s only a couple hundred words.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I used to be a pantser (still love to just sit down and write whatever comes to mind. BUT both my editors have been slowly changing me into a plotter. Part of me understands the reasoning behind plotting a book out, but another part of me thinks it takes me away from valuable writing time. So yes, I can do both.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My 17 year old Yorkie is asleep in his bed.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

In June Once A Lady will be released. Book 2 of Silk & Scoundrels. Later this year I’ll have another installment in a series published by Oliver Heber Books, part of the popular Love & Devotion series. It will be out in November. I’m plotting a new Scottish series which will be set just after Culloden (getting out of my Victorian era comfort zone) and hope to have it out later in the year. And lastly the second book in this new series – Her Naughty Marquess.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What are your favorite tropes and why?

A daring widow. A determined duke. A story too wicked for the eyes of the ton…

Lady Georgiana, dowager duchess of Ashwood, emerges from a year of official mourning with her next steps firmly in mind. She will retreat to her beloved country estate, play merry matchmaker to her dearest friends, and write daring romance novels under a male pseudonym. Far from the prying eyes of the ton—and her late husband’s odious cousin.

But when her publisher wants to meet “Geoff Parker” in person, she gratefully accepts the help of Jeremy Graystone, childhood friend and heir to a dukedom. A man whose bronze, muscular good looks could tempt her to forget to keep him at arm’s length.

Years ago, Jeremy had to watch Georgiana’s family marry her off to another. Now the timing is finally right. But with Georgiana determined to relish her newfound freedom, he will be patient and plan for the day he will have her in his bed, his hands tangled in her spun-gold hair, her lapis blue eyes only for him.

And do whatever is necessary to keep her late husband’s greedy cousin from destroying her happiness…

Read an Excerpt

Martin pushed his way into the solicitor’s office, acting as though he were the most important man in all of England.

She’d never met him before, but he was everything Ashwood had described him to be. An unattractive short man who bordered on obesity, sweated profusely, and had a head of thinning dark blond hair and cutting brown eyes.

He barely acknowledged her as he sat in the chair beside hers.

“What’s she doing here?” he demanded.

“She is your cousin’s widow. This concerns her as well,” Pickford replied, looking him in the eyes.

“She’s just that—a widow. All she’ll need is some source of income until she can find another man to dupe and a place to live. There must be somewhere we can put her.”

Georgiana’s back bristled. Time to put this man in his place. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I’m sitting right here. I’m not a book on a shelf you take out to dust off from time to time. I’m a living, breathing human.”

“Yes, yes. Now, can we get on with this? My bags and such should arrive at the house, along with my valet, as we speak. There’s much to do.”

“And where would you have me stay, my lord?” She knew her misuse of his new title would irritate him, and that was what she intended, wanting to see him blow up like a puffer fish, insulted. Which was precisely what happened next.

“I’m sorry, but I’m now the duke and therefore referred to as Your Grace.”

“And I am the dowager duchess and am referred to as Your Grace as well,” she replied smugly.

“Your living arrangements are none of my concern. As I said, I’ll be happy to find a cottage or small house on one of the estates. Until one is found, I suggest you go to a hotel. There is no longer a place for you at Ashwood House.”

“You’d throw a dowager duchess out onto the street?” Georgiana said in mock horror. Martin was a miserable man, and she would be sure everyone among the ton knew it. All she had to do was say the word, and invitations would be few.

Pickford interrupted their bickering. “Can we begin, Your Graces?”

“Of course,” Georgiana said with a polite smile.

Martin nodded and grunted. “Oh, very well, though I strongly protest to this woman being present.”

“Duly noted, Your Grace.”

The next hour was painful. Martin challenged every point of Ashwood’s will where Georgiana was included, but Pickford persevered and finally finished. She rose, ready to take her leave.

“Would you be so kind as to send a copy of all this to my solicitor, please?” she asked. She and Pickford had already gone over it. Because of Martin’s attitude, she had decided long before meeting the new duke to have her affairs handled by the prestigious firm of Kingsley and Kingsley.

Pickford nodded as he rose. “I will make sure a copy is forwarded to Kingsley and Kingsley. I’m sorry to lose your business, Your Grace, but I understand. I look forward to perhaps doing business with you again in the future.”

Nothing had been lost on Martin, and though he didn’t utter a word, his eyes never left her.

“I assume the carriage you use belongs to me now,” he challenged. “Have it sent back to Ashwood House as soon as you’re finished. You’ll have to purchase your own or hire one.” He snorted, thinking himself funny. Such a vulgar sound.

“No, Your Grace, I purchased the carriage and four you saw. If there’s nothing else, I bid you both good day.”

About the Author: I've always been a creative individual. Writing is just a facet of that creativity...

My careers in public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, artist management, modeling and special event planning all elevated my passion for writing, not to mention gave me a treasure trove for story lines.

I write women's fiction; contemporary romance (as Jamie Salisbury) and historical romance (as JR Salisbury) which is ever evolving. I am fortunate enough that writing (and marketing of said product(s)) is my full-time job, although I always have one or two other projects going at the same time.

Some of my other interests include photography, equestrianism, reading, and of course, travel.

I sincerely hope my writing will entertain, enlighten, and inspire others to pick up the pen and pursue their own dreams. I love to be contacted by readers, writers, and history buffs.

Website: http://www.jamiesalisbury.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Her-Lustful-Desires-Merry-Widows-ebook/dp/B09TWQM82R/

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Tuesday, May 10, 2022

Marines Don't Cry by Danny and Jackie Garcia



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, and ten randomly chosen winners via rafflecopter will win a free copy of the eBook. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Would you recommend military service?

At the age of 17, I had reached a point in my life that I had to get away from my family, away from the ghetto, away from myself. So, I decided to join the Marine Corps and see the world. I knew that I needed a home and place that provided security, leadership, and family. After having served 12 years on active duty, I would strongly recommend military service because I learned discipline, teamwork, and leadership. I felt complete. Jackie and I are both veterans, and she has 21 years of military service. She will tell you that she misses the people and the US Air Force mission. The military taught her leadership as well, and she uses all of those skills in her role as CEO of our nonprofit, Global Walk Inc. Together, we understand teamwork, dedication, military tactics – and we are powerful together.

Do you feel that we should have mandatory military service after high school?

Well, I can tell you that I quit high school when I was in the 11th grade. I was bored and frustrated with the classroom and teaching. I couldn’t take it and thought the subjects had no meaning for me. So, I walked out of the class and knew I wouldn’t go back. The US Marine Corps recruiter welcomed me. If given a choice, though, I would say graduate from high school.

Military service after high school would help young people grow up, learn to be responsible, and to be proud of their country. Military service would teach young people to honor and protect their country.

Do you ever feel depressed or down? What do you do if “yes”?

Truthfully, I get down when I have been hurt, especially by someone that I love and trust. I guess I have higher expectations of them then they have of themselves. When someone tells me that they love me, I believe them and respect and accept what they say. However, in this life I realize that I can only put my trust in God because we are not perfect.

Recently I was wounded by someone who I knew and loved. I thought I knew this person. The words that were said reminded me of the past when I was hurt before. What did I do? I left, I walked away. I realized they did know what love was and did not respect my feelings or me as a person. This situation made me think about the character and childishness, and I knew I couldn’t participate in the relationship. I knew I had to change, find a new direction, and focus on my calling and purpose. To love myself. How can you love someone if you don’t love yourself?

Tell us about your diagnosis of combat PTSD. How do you survive?

I find that in this world there are so many people that say they want peace. But instead of demonstrating peace, they demonstrate violence. Part of PTSD comes from a time, a place, a situation where you are fighting someone else… or you are fighting yourself. When you participate in this, you lose and experience fear, angry, frustration. You remember venomous words, horrific scenes; you recall being beaten up and not being able to defend yourself.

Believe this: there is war on battlefields, but there are also wars in the homes we live in. It is a battle of the mind and of the spirit. But it is not the Spirt of the Lord. For where there is the Spirt of God, there is life and not death.

How do I survive? I do not participate; I leave situations and people to God. I cannot be angry, judgmental; I can’t change or fix someone else. I have to turn the cheek, and find God and ask for his help.

Have you ever been lost -- really lost?

Danny and Jackie answer this question in Marines Don’t Cry with stories of death to life, deep sorrow to joy, darkness to light, and freedom in Christ.

Danny recounts his early life in Spanish Harlem and describes conversion from a life of drugs and “the fast lane” to one consumed with knowing and serving God. This makes his journey of walking more than 52 million steps on six continents for children and world peace such an incredible story.

Marines Don’t Cry is about the transformational power of God’s love: how Danny found his calling and is delivering the message of Christ at all costs.

Read an Excerpt

As we left the Arab village and continued toward Baghdad, the security patrol noticed something odd. In the distance, the guards saw large groups of people coming toward the caravan. About 20,000 people were walking toward us and were converging on us. The people were coming from both sides of the road. The military escort responsible for my safety became agitated and concerned. The crowds were not racing angrily toward us, but we were clearly outnumbered. Although the vehicles had automatic machine guns at the front and back of the caravan, I think the escorts were afraid.

“What shall we do, Mr. Garcia? They are coming!” the guards exclaimed.

“You don’t have enough bullets. Let them come,” I said.

As the crowd got closer, I could hear them singing. The caravan came to a stop. The guards were shocked. The people were in unison, in harmony, like a massive choir. The melody was beautiful.

“Why are they doing this? Why are they singing? Are they singing to me?” I asked.

“This is unbelievable,” said the guards. “They are singing to you! They are welcoming you.”

“Welcome,” they sang lovingly. “You are welcome!”

I absorbed the beauty of this moment and melted in their love for me. I smiled as the crowds joined the caravan. In unison, we continued forward into Baghdad. More than fifty TV cameras from around the world, including China, were waiting and recorded the entry into Baghdad. The sponsors made sure that all vehicles were removed from the main highway so that we were clear to walk. We walked up and over a bridge, the main bridge into the city of Baghdad, and thousands of people were flashing cameras in the daytime.

The city welcomed us. The Iraqi Olympians cried. Never had they been acknowledged with such a welcome.

In front of all the people was a little girl, maybe six years old. She stepped toward me and, looking up, raised a flower to give to me. I bent down to accept her flower. Then I picked her up, turned her around, and set her on my shoulder for the crowds to see this beautiful child. The people went wild and shouted with joy and happiness. My gesture was a message to the world:

“Everyone, see her! This is your child. I love her, you all should love her! She is who I care about. The children, we must protect them.”

About the Authors

Danny Garcia, The Walking Man, was born and raised in New York’s Spanish Harlem. He served as a United States Marine, law enforcement officer, and ordained minister. Since 1996, he has prayed and walked over 52,000, 000 steps on six continents for children and world peace. During his journeys, Garcia met with dignitaries all over the world, ministering to the famous and to the poorest of the poor. Danny made presentations to Kings/royals, Presidents, and other world leaders, to include four Presidents of the USA, several Prime Ministers of other countries, the Pope, Mother Teresa, Ambassadors and various eminent personalities and multilateral organizations. Garcia began his journey as a personal commitment to peace and children and continued walking and raising funds for multiple charitable organizations.

Danny is married to the former Jacqueline Charsagua of El Paso, TX, and they work side by side to share the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jackie Charsagua Garcia is married to Daniel Garcia. She graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, in 1985 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Jackie holds a Bachelor of Science in Management and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management. While in the US Air Force, Jackie specialized in communications, acquisition, systems engineering, and information technology.

After a rewarding and fulfilling Air Force career, she retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the summer of 2006, having spent more than 21 years on active duty. Since 2006, she has supported and advised on all aspects of her husband’s walks and charitable initiatives within the United States and abroad. She joined Danny during his Africa Walk in 2007 and ministered in South Africa, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Southern Sudan. During this time, her faith and reliance on God grew tremendously under the mentorship of Danny Garcia. The Global Walk experience gave Jackie an opportunity to serve God abroad, and her vision is to spread the hope, love, and the grace of Jesus Christ through her writing. She is a native of El Paso, TX, mother of one amazing daughter, and a breast cancer survivor.

Websites:

https://marinesdontcry.com
https://www.globalwalk.cc

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/dannygarciawalkingman/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/263639465513321
https://www.facebook.com/jackiecharsagua.garcia

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dannyg_walking man/
https://www.instagram.com/jackiecg_usafa85/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBYOx4vqntVWUtW8pnefqg/videos

YouTube link of an interview with Danny and Jackie for the Veterans History Project: https://youtu.be/tiJV0RdVmis

Linked In:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-c-garcia/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-walk-inc

BookFunnel: https://buy.bookfunnel.com/xq67q9237u
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Marines-Dont-Cry-Delivering-Message/dp/163195640X/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/marines-dont-cry-danny-garcia/1139454637
Books-a-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Marines-Dont-Cry/Danny-Garcia/9781631956409
BookShop: https://bookshop.org/books/marines-don-t-cry-delivering-the-message-at-all-costs/9781631956409
IndieBound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781631956409

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Wednesday, May 4, 2022

The Litter by Kevin R. Doyle



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kevin R. Doyle will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner, and a second drawing for a free e-Book copy of the book, via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

They kept to the shadows so no one would know they existed, and preyed on the nameless who no one would miss. Where did they come from, and who was protecting them? In a city that had seen every kind of savagery, they were something new, something more than murderous. And one woman, who had thought she had lost everything there was to lose in life, would soon find that nothing could possibly prepare her for what would come when she entered their world.










Read an Excerpt

The youngster nodded, looking somewhat relieved, though it was clear that he wouldn’t be sleeping well for a few nights.

“Do you think . . .” This one seemed to have a real issue with finishing sentences. “Do you think I’ll be called to testify?”

“Testify?”

“Yes, sir. If you catch the guy who . . .”

“I think you’ve missed something here, son. That old fellow wasn’t murdered.”

“He wasn’t? But what about all the . . .”

“Relax, kid. He obviously ran afoul of a wild dog who tore into him.”

Tony looked at them for a second, a panoply of emotions crossing that young face, disbelief first and foremost.

“Are you sure about that, sir? I mean, I grew up on a farm, and I’ve never seen any dog attack that looked like that.”

Gleason’s partner reached over and patted the kid on the shoulder.

“Don’t worry about it, son. We don’t get them often, but every now and then a stray animal makes its way in and does a number like this.”

“No, sir. I don’t think you followed me. I used to hunt all the time back home. And what I mean is I’ve never seen a single dog, or even a coyote, attack that looked that way.”

“Come again?”

The kid took a breath, obviously feeling a bit more sure of himself.

“What I meant was, whatever animal attacked that old man, it wasn’t only one. I’d lay money he was attacked by a pack.”

About the Author:
A high-school teacher, former college instructor, and fiction writer, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written three crime thrillers, The Group, When You Have to Go There, and And the Devil Walks Away, and one horror novel, The Litter. In the last few years, he’s begun working on the Sam Quinton private eye series, published by Camel Press. The first Quinton book, Squatter’s Rights, was nominated for the 2021 Shamus award for Best First PI Novel. The second book, Heel Turn, was released in March of 2021, while the third in the series, Double Frame, came out in March of 2022.

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Shadows of Time by Jackie Meekums-Hales



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jackie Meekums-Hales will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Were you a good reader and/or writer in school?

Yes, I was always good at reading and writing, though I don’t think I was conscious of it at the time. My mum was an avid reader, so she used to take us to the library every two weeks, as soon as we were old enough to read. Although we didn’t own many books, we always had two or three to read, and I loved reading. I would read under the bedclothes after lights out and hide away from a busy family, to lose myself in a book at any opportunity. Books we read in school made no allowances for a child’s vocabulary in those days, but I must have absorbed pronunciation and meaning, and I probably used context clueing without knowing it. Mum deliberately used to use words we might not know, so that we’d have to learn them and expand our vocabulary! At A Level, I studied English literature, so most of my writing was essays, rather than creative.

I didn’t have an opportunity to write at length at school, especially at primary school, but at the lower end of secondary school we regularly had “composition” for homework, and I always had a good mark. I was lucky enough not to have any problems with spelling or punctuation, and we used to have a weekly lesson on English grammar, so that was drummed into us. The only problem I ever had was being left-handed, because in primary school we had to write with a pen dipped in an ink well (I know, it sounds ancient!), and I used to smudge what I’d written. When I graduated to a fountain pen, it was better, and biros were a real bonus, even if they made my handwriting worse. There were no computers in my school days, so everything was written by hand, which made it far more laborious, but we used to be able to draft in pencil, revise and write up in ink, so we were encouraged to review what we’d written.

Have you taken any writing courses to help you prepare for a career in writing?

No. I could never aspire to a career in writing, when I was younger. Ironically, with a career as an English teacher, I had to teach creative writing for public exams, and I taught English Language at Advanced Level, which involved students producing some extended creative writing of various kinds. I attended a course for teaching that, but the criteria had a very different emphasis from those used in producing writing for publication, so they were no help when it came to honing my own novel. I learnt a lot during the editing process.

Have you started writing any books and then not finished them and if yes, is there a specific reason why you didn't finish?

Oh yes! A very long time ago, I began writing a novel based on my father’s childhood. It’s all hand-written in an old exercise book. I didn’t have much time to write in those days, and when he died I lost the impetus to finish it. I hadn’t identified the age group that would read it, and I didn’t think I’d got a clear target audience for it. I decided it wasn’t going to work, so it might be best as a short story. I used to write short stories for children, when my own son and grandchildren were growing up, and I started a novel about a boy meeting a wizard, long before “Harry Potter” existed! It’s still waiting to be finished, and I might go back to it one day, but I don’t think I can compete with J.K. Rowling.

Do you ever get writers block and if yes, what do you do to get back in sync?

I have had writer’s block, and if that happens, I stop trying to write until I’ve been for a long walk. While I’m walking, I try to sort out my ideas in my head and brainstorm where to go next. When you can’t distract yourself with anything else, it focuses the mind!

What first drew you to start writing Shadows of Time? Was there a specific moment that made you think up the subject?

When my younger sister and I were small, our dad used to tell us stories about his family, and I was fascinated. When information started to become available on the internet, I spent two years researching our family history, and the stories I found there made me want to bring characters to life. There were young men who went to war and didn’t come back, women who lost babies in infancy, emigration to New Zealand, Australia and Canada, and various other significant events. I ‘d been a keen watcher of some television programmes that reunited birth mothers with long-lost children, because I knew at least two people whose babies had been adopted when I was a child. I think it was probably my mother’s death that sparked the initial idea of “what if…?” and then I went to visit my daughter in Australia, where I saw the sculpture in Fremantle, dedicated to the Barnardo’s children who were shopped out there, some of them being my husband’s ancestors, and I sat on the seat dedicated to the “lost generation” of Aboriginal children that were taken from their mothers. The whole issue of women’s loss began to gel with my own experience of losing my daughter and grandchildren to the other side of the world. Maggie’s story began to embody that sense of bereavement, and I began to weave a family around her.

Do you consider Shadows of Time to have a specific lesson or moral for your readers?

I think one lesson is that we should never assume that someone else’s life is perfect, because we may not know what they carry as scars from a past that can’t be eradicated or denied.

Which actor/actresses would you like to see playing the lead characters if this book were made into a film?

What a tempting question!
Judi Dench as the older Maggie would be wonderful! Emma Watson as young Maggie.
Cathy – Kate Winslet
June – Olivia Colman
Robert – Colin Firth

Can you please tell us something about yourself that your readers would be surprised to learn?

I didn’t finish my first novel until I was 69, encouraged to finish it by my younger sister, who’d had her own debut novel published after retirement. I still hadn’t completely retired, and even now, at 71, I do some work as part of the governing body of the school where I taught for 26 years. What I didn’t know, to begin with, was that my sister’s publisher was also to be the one to accept my novel, so we are actually two sisters, both writing novels after academic careers, both published by Between the Lines Publishing. They had no idea, until after I’d signed my contract, because I submitted in my married name, so my sister’s was different.

Can you tell us about and share with us a photograph that tells a story?

The photograph is of The Orient Express. When I retired from teaching, at Christmas 2010, I was lucky enough to receive a cash sum as part of my pension arrangements. I decided to use some of it to fund a trip I had always dreamt of making. I’d read Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express”, and I’d seen wonderful pictures of both the trains and the service on board. I’d grown up a working-class girl, who could never have imagined being able to afford to ride the train, because it was the preserve of the upper classes, but it was just possible that my husband and I could give ourselves a special memory for retirement. I told my mum, who was, by then, 96 and very frail. She would have loved to travel, but she’d never had the chance. She was excited for us and said “Do it!”. So we booked our trip. What an experience! We sat on the Pullman from London to the coast, dining in seats like plush armchairs and waited on by deferential waiters in uniforms as crisp and white as the tablecloths. At Folkstone, we were met by a brass band, playing jazz while we boarded a coach to take us across the Channel to France. We eventually reached the famous wagon-lits, the trains with their rich wooden panels and Lalique glass. Between Calais and Venice, we were cosseted. We woke up to magnificent mountain views, and the excitement had us running from one window to another. We arrived in the wonderful chaos that is Venice station, and a water taxi took us to our hotel.

After five days of adventures on vaporetti, visiting sights like Murano and bridges like the famous Rialto, we flew back to England. We took to Mum the photos we’d taken and showed her the videos of mountains and sights like the fire boat on the Grand Canal. She loved it.

Two weeks later, Mum died, after a stroke. I am so glad we went to Venice when we did, and that we’d been able to share that with her. Had it not been for her determination that her children should have the education denied to her generation of women, it would never have happened.

In closing, do you have any questions that you would like to ask your readers?

I would like to ask the readers how they feel about flashbacks – fleshing out the story, or confusing? I belonged to a book club where opinion was divided, and one reader preferred the plot to go in a straight line.

Is there a topic concerning women that they feel no-one has dealt with? For example, my second novel is about a woman in her sixties, because not all readers are young.

Maggie’s daughter, Cathy, is a successful business woman in Australia. After the failure of a relationship and her mother’s death, she returns to England for the funeral, hoping to rekindle her childhood sense of carefree life in the Yorkshire countryside. She is confronted by revelations about Maggie’s tragic past, which has a legacy of loss overshadowing her family’s present and future. As Cathy and her sister June unravel the truth, her mother’s story unfolds in a flashback to 1945. Life for the young Maggie before they were born reflects the world of mid-century attitudes towards women who dared to have a baby out of wedlock. The illusion of the Maggie her daughters knew is dispelled.

Meanwhile, two young women explore family history, and fate takes a hand. Three families are linked through coincidences and circumstances they did not know they shared. Cathy must decide how far, and for what reasons, she allows herself to live in the shadows of the past.


Read an Excerpt

As she looked out across the water at the familiar silhouette of the city, she realised that what mattered was the past she carried within her, a past that time could not change. Her mother had kept her sadness and her loss to herself, but, like so many of her generation, she had gone to her grave with that trauma unresolved and the sorrow never wiped away.

That evening, on her laptop, Cathy listened to the testimonies of the children who were part of the “stolen generation”. There was a lot wrong with the world, but thank goodness it had changed. Their experiences seared her heart. "Half-caste" children had been forcibly removed in an attempt to dilute their brown skin in the future. How could that have been seen as right? How could it have been right to take away a baby born of love to a woman who had already lost the man who fathered it? She felt the weight of being a woman in a world where women had, for so long, been victims of hypocrisy and twisted morality. Somewhere in her head, those Aboriginal women and her own mother blended into one huge, tangled barb of loss. She would understand, next May, her country's "Sorry Day." She only wished there could be another, across the world, for all those women who wept for the children taken from them.

About the Author:
Jackie is a member of the Society of Authors, whose debut novel Shadows of Time was the fulfilment of an ambition nurtured during her working life as a teacher, inspired by her research into her own and others’ family histories. She has been writing as a hobby since childhood, contributing to poetry anthologies since her undergraduate days and being a Poetry Guild national semi-finalist in the 1990s. She has also written short stories for friends, family and students. Since retiring, she has contributed to Poetry Archive Now (2020), with 20-20 Vision, uploaded to YouTube, and has had poetry and flash fiction published online by Flash Fiction North. One of her flash fictions is to appear in an anthology, having been selected from entries during the Morecambe Festival 2021. She had a creative memoir, Shelf Life, published by Dear Damsels in 2019, a precursor to collaborating with her sister on a creative non-fiction memoir Remnants of War, published in 2021. She writes a blog about her walks and thoughts in the Yorkshire and Somerset countryside.

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/jackieihales
Blog: https://jottingjax.wordpress.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/128512053-jacqueline-hales
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Jackie-Meekums-Hales-103410038936426/news_feed

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Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Blight of Denominationalism by John J. Wipf



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. John J. Wipf 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.

What purpose do all religions serve?

There are only two destinies after we die.

Do you feel like there is something missing in life?

Is Jesus Christ more than what is portrayed by status quo Christianity?

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Most of the people in churches (no matter the denomination) are so afraid of the hypocritical leadership that they will never be used by God for the purpose Jesus Christ created them for. They will do whatever it takes to impress their leaders, and to look good in the eyes of others. The above passage says to fear God, not man. That man that you are afraid of has more fear of losing the fear and respect of those under him than you have of him. That is why when someone will step out of line, he will turn the whole church against that person, if that person will not conform.

Church attenders have been programmed to think that if someone from the church has stopped going to church or had a falling out with the leadership, the out-fallers are wrong. There is no need to check out the facts, they think. The pastor is right and the out-fallers are wrong. We saw that very clearly with my wife’s family. They went through the very same thing that we went through, with more than one Baptist pastor. And they will testify that those pastors were wrong, or went about dealing with a problem in the wrong way. Yet when this problem with Mike started, they took his side because he was their pastor. They took their pastor’s side because that is what they have been programmed to do. Nothing about checking up on the facts; nothing about checking the Word of God and doing the will of God. It’s clear that they believe the pastor is right and dictatorship is stronger than blood.

Everyone is responsible of their own destiny; when you stand before Jesus Christ on judgment day the Christian’s work will be judged so as by fire. The work for this world will burn up, but the work for the kingdom of Heaven will stand. Your leader will not give an account of your actions. If you want true religious conviction, and a valid faith to believe in, you have to take the Word of God for what it says and act upon it through prayer, fasting, and faith. You cannot depend upon your leaders for your relationship with the Lord.

About the Author: John Wipf was part of the Hutterite religion for 18 years and was a member, college student, and a part time missionary in the Baptist denomination for 10 years. Other points of interest include:

● Five years of theological studies (Baptist)
● Mission work in Canada, Costa Rica, Panama, and Sri Lanka (Baptist)
● Independent mission work in west central Manitoba, Canada (present)
● Founder/CEO of a company that installs fertilizer and grain handling equipment in the prairies of Canada (present)
● Husband and father of 2 boys and 2 girls, and 1 taken to heaven before birth, and 1 on the way.

John Wipf married Faith in June 2013. Our goal is to start a cattle ranch (as a retreat) to help people with their relationship with Jesus Christ and to tell people about the gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Faith Wipf was born and bred a Baptist for 32 years. She then left with her “Honey Bear” John to begin their independent ministry. She is currently very busy raising four crazy, wonderful children and looking forward to waddling during the next few months. Homeschooling and the “dreaded” housework fill her days.

In the Blight of Denominationalism we cover part of our journey from religious bondage to true and free freedom in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Also covered in this book there are summaries of my study on some of the world’s renowned religions.

WEBSITE: http://johnwipfbooks.ca
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Author-John-J-Wipf-106053418451233
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21776333.John_J_Wipf

AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/0228838711
AMAZON.CA: https://amazon.ca/dp/0228838711
AMAZON KINDLE: https://amazon.com/dp/B09CRLWR14
INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/blight-of- denominationalism/9780228838739-item.html
BARNES & NOBLE: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/blight-of-denominationalism-john-j- wipf/1140035467
BOOK DEPOSITORY: https://www.bookdepository.com/Blight-of-Denominationalism-John-J- Wipf/9780228838715

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The Prince by Antony Soehner



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

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

I’ve always loved fantasy stories and the escapism that they bring. Stories like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and American Gods where the rules of our world are bent or totally thrown away are super enticing. Worldbuilding and exterior lore are especially my favorite part. I find that my writing is always better when I make the rules.

What draws you to it?

There are a lot of things about fantasy that I love and would attribute to being the draw, but I think world-building would be at the top of my list. There is just something about sitting at my computer for hours mapping, bullit-pointing, and creating characters that constantly pulls my attention from everything else I need to be doing. It can be a bit distracting while I’m working or cleaning but if it turns into a book or story, I would say it's worth it.

What world-building is required?

In “The Prince”, readers are taken into my fantasy world of complex politics, imperialism, and magic. When I was creating the world, I wanted to step away from the typical euro-centric fantasy we normally see and open the realm to other cultures. The influence of Native American traditions and culture was always at the base of my story. I wanted to trade the round table of knights for tribes dancing and singing around a campfire. Many of the lessons taught by characters like Ta’goda came from my own personal experiences. But those led me down the greatest rabbit hole of research I’ve ever done. In the end, I wanted to make characters and cultures that will bring either positive or progressive conversation to our own world.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

One of the largest lessons I learned from my character Theo was to question and oppose abuse. When you know something is wrong, being silent only helps the abuser. There are a handful of moments when Theo decides to stand up to the king and even places himself in danger to protect others from getting hurt. At first, I wrote those situations as a no-brainer reaction to injustice but after discovering my own experiences of abuse, I learned that it takes a lot to do what Theo did and I now strive to uphold my own character's values. It's funny when your art imitates life and inspires you to create change.

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

Something I learned from playing Dungeons and Dragons is that you can write using dice. When I first started writing, I would use twenty-sided dice as a way to help move my story along. I could write myself to a forked road and if I was stuck with indecision, a single roll would help me decide left or right. Now I tend to write less without the dice’s help, but from time to time when I need to break a writer’s block, I pick a color and roll.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I used to proudly say I write as a pantser, but in the last year I have adopted the term “Planter” as a hybrid between pantser and plotter. I tend to create and plan certain scenes in my head that I use to map my story. Then I let my characters take over and tell the journey between plot points. I’m a hobby gardener outside of writing and I like to think of my writing as a garden. You plant the seeds and water them, but inevitably you have to let things happen naturally and you can’t force it.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My Hydroflask is always at my side. I carry that thing everywhere I go and make sure it’s always filled with water. It was a gift from my youngest brother a few years ago and is covered in an eclectic collection of stickers. It’s a little silly but I consider it like a security blanket of sorts.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Currently I am working on book four of the “Prince Theo Saga.” If this summer goes well, I hope to begin publishing book two this fall for release next year. There is a lot of work to go until then, but you can catch me at things like FanExpo Denver where you’re likely to get early access to things like beta reads.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What cultures and traditions do you wish to see in fantasy stories that you feel are underrepresented?

Destiny will always test the greatest of leaders.

Theo never imagined life outside the king’s castle. But when the queen’s funeral reveals the king’s true colors, Theo must rely on his sister, her allies, and his friends to get him to safety. With the help of mercenaries and the native tribes of the plains, Theo must learn to face his destiny and open his mind to the diverse world he’s been thrown into.

Read an Excerpt

“Dad!” Rhan burst out.

Ta’goda turned his intense focus to his daughter and suddenly his entire body deflated.

Without another word between the two, Ta’goda stood up from his fighting stance, faced whatever was hiding from view of the other three, and he closed his eyes.

Around the towering orc, three snarling wolves made of green flame formed from the ground up. Ta’goda raised his axe in the direction of his fight and the wolves took off.

Once the wolves were out of sight, Ta’goda rushed to his daughter and wrapped her in his arms.

“Rhan,” Ta’goda choked out.

“I’m okay,” she cried into his shoulder.

The chief pulled away and looked her in the eyes.

“What happened?” Rhan asked as she wiped away tears from her cheeks.

“We are under attack,” Ta’goda gritted his teeth, “I must get back to the battle. Our tribe needs me.”

“And me—”

Ta’goda shook his head at Rhan’s protest.

“What?” Rhan blinked at her father.

“You have a new duty,” Ta’goda swallowed. The chief’s eyes peered over his daughter’s shoulders and locked onto Theo. “I cannot leave our people and get the prince to the rivers—”

“I’m not leaving you here—”

“Rhan’takono, this is not the time to argue—”

“There is nothing to argue over! I’m fighting beside you—”

“I can’t—”

“I am to be chief one day! How can I stand before my people after running from this?”

“If you don’t go now, there won’t be a tribe for you to be chief of!” Ta’goda snapped. “This is not a command as your chief. I am begging you as your father—” the words caught in the back of his throat, “please.”

About the Author:
Geek by heart, author by trade.

Raised on a healthy diet of geek and pop culture, Antony has come to share his love and appreciation for role-playing games, geek culture, and fantasy adventure. If it’s random comic book facts, Star Wars trivia, or just the measly obscure movie reference, Antony is there!

Website: http://www.Antonysoehner.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AntonySoehner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AntonySoehner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/antonysoehner/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17220779.Antony_Soehner
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/antony-soehner
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Antony-Soehner/e/B075Z3GM57/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
The book will be $0.99 during the tour. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09MJL33NV/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

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