Join Lilly, Boris, and Jack’s adventures in the magical Mushroom Patch,
where friendship and fun collide!
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Mischief in the Mushroom Patch
The Mischief Series Book 1
by Amanda M. Thrasher
Genre: Children’s Fantasy Chapter Book
Where do fairies get their magical fairy dust?
After leaving the mushroom patch without permission, two mischievous fairies find themselves in more trouble than they can handle. Boris, with a broken ankle and a bent wing, is unable to walk or fly, and Lilly must devise a plan to escort him safely back to the mushroom patch.
As with all actions, there are consequences! Lilly and Boris have broken colony rules and wasted precious fairy dust. Sentenced to work in the dust factory, the two learn a valuable lesson about the production of fairy dust, but can they survive the foreman?
I know you often worry about your writing skills and how they will develop over time. I want to assure you that with each new book you write, your skills will improve and continually develop. It’s a natural progression that will allow you to find your rhythm, method, and voice. When you first started writing, you may have felt unsure and inexperienced. The words didn’t flow as effortlessly as you hoped, and you questioned whether you had what it takes to become an author. But let me tell you, those doubts are unfounded.
Writing is an art that requires practice and patience. Just like any other skill, it takes time to hone your craft. Each book you write will be a stepping stone towards improvement. You will learn from your mistakes, experiment with different techniques, and discover what works best for you. Don’t be discouraged by the initial struggles or setbacks you may encounter. They are all part of the learning process. Embrace them as opportunities for growth and keep pushing forward. Remember, even the most accomplished writers started from humble beginnings.
As you write more books, you will gradually find your rhythm. You will develop a writing routine that suits you best, whether early mornings or late nights, in a cozy café or a quiet corner of your home. This routine will help you establish discipline and allow your creativity to flow more freely. Finding your method is another exciting aspect of your writing journey. You will experiment with various approaches, such as outlining or writing by the seat of your pants. You will discover what planning techniques work for you and what kind of structure helps you stay focused. Embrace this experimentation and trust that you will find the method that brings out your best work.
Perhaps the most rewarding part of your writing journey will be finding your voice. It’s the unique way you express yourself through your words, the distinctive tone and style that make your writing yours. This voice will evolve with time and experience, becoming stronger and more refined. It will be an authentic reflection of who you are as a writer. So, my younger self, don’t worry. Embrace the journey of writing and trust in the process. Each new book you write will be an opportunity to improve your skills, find your rhythm, develop your method, and discover your voice. Enjoy the ride, and remember that the best is yet to come.
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A Fairy Match in the Mushroom Patch
The Mischief Series Book 2
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Lilly, Boris and Jack are back!
The three friends are together again in this newest addition to the Mischief Series.
A natural disaster has taken the elders by surprise, and the scientists are unprepared. Damage to the colony is inevitable! Can the Master Engineers devise a plan to save the colony before they lose their home?
The fairies’ Kick-a-Berry Match has been postponed as well, and the fairies must find new ways to entertain themselves until the pitch dries up. Along the way, they make a new friend named Pearle, and though she cannot walk, she can fly with ease.
Valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork and perseverance will be learned as the fairies embark on their newest adventure.
Every third year, on the fifth full moon, the Mushroom Patch holds a magical Spider Web Scramble.
Excitement buzzes through the forest as the fairies prepare to scramble the magical webs in order to complete the course. As a special treat, the elders disclose that the stars will be coming down to join in and play. A wish will be granted for the fairies who are pure of heart and manage to beat the clock, locating the star that has their name etched on it.
With the no-fly rule in place, teamwork is the only way Pearle can complete the course. But little do they know that possible danger is in their midst. Will the magical spider web scramble be postponed? Will the stars grant Lilly, Boris, and Jack their wishes? Find out in this delightful magical adventure.
This is the third installment in The Mischief Series.
Lilly, Boris, and Jack Are Back! Get Ready for a Human Attack!
Who knew a slimy moss bomb war between friends would lead to an adventure of a lifetime! From strategizing with the elders for their playful battle to, of all things, escaping the clutches of a human!
It doesn’t take long to learn the fairies shockingly have more in common with the child than they ever could have imagined. Broderick, everyone’s favorite spider, provides the goodies, and Lilly supplies the fairy songs and games.
Filled with twists and turns, adventure, and fun, find out if the fairies and the elders can help the stranger reunite with her family. Or will there be a human attack?
Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!
Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster!
Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.
Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they’ll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this enchanting tale!
Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England, moved to Texas, and resides there still. She’s an award-winning author of Young Adult, General Fiction, Middle Grade, Early Reader Chapter, and Picture Books. Amanda is a multiple Gold Recipient of The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA), earning the award in multiple categories, including Young Adult, General Fiction, and Early Reader Chapter Books. She is also a two-time Gold Medal winner of the Readers’ Favorite International Book awards, a New Apple Literary Award winner, and a North Texas Book Festival award winner. Visit Amanda’s website at: amandamthrahser.com.
Amanda founded and is the CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press, an independent publishing company. She shares her writing and publishing experience with others through school visits, book signings, trade conferences, and workshops for aspiring writers of all ages.
For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back . . . until now.
When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly. Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.
DiAnn Mills delivers romantic suspense fans a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again!
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MY REVIEW
I’ve been wanting to try one of DiAnn’s books and finally got around to doing that. Facing The Enemy was a twisting turning mystery that kept me turning the pages.
Risa was a compelling main character. She lost her brother to a hit and run driver and discovered it wasn’t an accident. It was intentional. But the target was her. I felt so sad for her. The guilt must have been eating her up. It had her questioning her faith and I was glad she sought help for that.
In her determination to find out who was behind her brother’s murder, she comes up with a plan that might help. Knowing she needs help, she enlists the aid of Gage, her old partner at the FBI. Together they begin to put the pieces together. The closer they get, the more their lives are in danger.
I enjoyed the blush of romance between Risa and Gage. Felt like they were a good match. In their line of work they see some horrific things, brush shoulders with despicable people. Finding a partner who understands you and supports you, isn’t easy. No one should go through that alone.
I felt the suspense building and building. While I read, I became so immersed in the story. Paid close attention to everything I read. Didn’t notice anything around me. And when I reached the ending I was able to finally relax, relieving the tension in my neck and shoulders.
4 STARS
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Praise for Facing The Enemy:
“Riveting! In her signature style, Diann Mills expertly weaves a gripping tale of ever-increasing danger. Captivating, authentic characters along with surprising twists and turns drew me deeper into this engrossing thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I still can’t stop thinking about it!” ~ Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of COLD LIGHT OF DAY
“I’m a longtime reader of suspense thrillers, but DiAnn Mills’ latest, FACING THE ENEMY, made me gasp with surprise. The issues involved in the story—adoption and the families who long to love children—are close to my heart, and that emotional connection held me by the heartstrings. Not to be missed! ” ~ Angela Hunt, author of WHAT A WAVE MUST BE
Facing The Enemy Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers Publication Date: September 2023 Number of Pages: 352 ISBN: 9781496451941 (ISBN10: 1496451945)
Twelve years ago, my younger brother fell into an abyss of drugs and alcohol. He chose his addictions over Mom and Dad—and me. Prayers for healing fell flat, but none of us gave up, proving our belief in unconditional love. Then yesterday he called, and my hopes skyrocketed. Trenton said he missed me and wanted to make amends with his family, beginning with his older sis. We chose to meet at a popular restaurant for a late dinner within walking distance of my apartment. A knock on my cubicle jolted me back to reality. Gage, my work partner, towered in the entryway and grinned. “Hey, what’s going on?” The sound of his voice caused me to tingle to my toes. “Thinking.” “Obviously, you were a million miles away.” His blue-gray eyes bore into mine, the intensity nearly distracting me. I leaned back in my comfy, ergonomic chair. “My brother called.” “Trenton? The guy you haven’t seen in years?” “The same.” “And?” “He wants to meet tonight for dinner, to talk about making amends.” Gage shook his head. “Risa, he has a record a mile long. He’s planning on manipulating you, squeezing every penny he can get.” I picked up an old photo of Trenton and me as kids. Dad had snapped it while we were in our tree house. I swiped at a piece of dust, then replaced it beside my photo of Mom and Dad. “I must give him a chance. He’s my brother.” “What if he’s gotten himself in over his head and needs his FBI agent sis to bail him out?” I bit into my lower lip. Gage’s words had a level of truth, even if I didn’t want to admit it. “I want to hear him out.” Gage stepped closer. “I don’t want to see you hurt. Remember three years ago when he called you from a bar demanding money, cursed you until you hung up?” The soft gentleness in his whispered tone said more than friend to friend. “Think about canceling the dinner or let me go with you.” Emotion rose thick in my throat. “You mean well, and I—” Catching myself, I nearly said love. “I appreciate your concern. But I’ll be fine. Want me to call you afterward?” He nodded. “I can run by if you need to talk.” I peered into the face of the man I adored. “I will. Promise.” # I arrived early at the restaurant to meet Trenton, anticipating his contagious smile perfected by an overpaid orthodontist. The phone attempted to keep my attention, but my mind swirled with how I wanted tonight to move forward against the reality of what had happened in the past. The host approached me. Trenton walked behind him, towering several inches above the short man. I held my breath and stood, not feeling my legs, only my pulse speeding at the sight of my brother. Trenton chuckled low, the familiar, dazzling, heart-crunching expression that had always touched me with sibling love. Clear brown eyes captured mine. Gone were the dilated pupils and bone-thin body. My brother held out his buff arms, and I rushed into them. “Risa, you look amazing,” he whispered. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.” “Nothing could have kept me away.” I stepped back, noting the miracle before me. Telling Mom and Dad wasn’t a part of tonight’s plan, but I wished they were here. We’d all be blubbering. I swiped at a tear and feared a humiliating sob would replace my already-fragile composure. “I want to remember this moment forever.” Please stay strong this time. “Me too, Sis.” He gestured to the booth. “Sit, and let’s talk and eat.” I slid in and he took the opposite side of the table. A server presented us with menus and asked for our drink order. “We’ll have two Dr Peppers,” Trenton said. He remembered my favorite drink. No mention of alcohol. I breathed in deeply to steady myself. I wanted our reunion to be special, not me a weeping mess. “I’ve missed you.” Trenton cocked his head, and the mischievous brother from days gone by appeared. “I’ve been clean for four months. Working steady and enrolled in night school for the next college term.” He took my hands, and his features grew serious. “But before I say another word, I’m sorry. I promise you, I’ll never hurt you, Mom, or Dad again. Please forgive me for the mess I made of my life and dragging my family through the stench of it.” I’d heard this before, from his teen years into his twenties. Dare I believe our prayers had been answered? “I forgave you years ago. All we ever wanted for you is a healthy body and mind.” “Thanks, Sis. I know you’ve heard this ‘I’m sorry’ junk before, but I’m well on my way.” His words warmed me like a quilt on a chilly night. “I can see it, feel it. Why tell me first instead of Mom and Dad?” “Great times with you growing up that never left me.” Memories rushed over me . . . The time we went camping by ourselves and it snowed. Birthdays. Christmases. All the treasured times I believed had vanished into the chasm of addiction. The server returned with our drinks, and Trenton released my hands. “Have you decided on your order?” the server said. Neither of us had picked up our menus, but I often frequented the restaurant and ordered a vegan dish. Trenton opted for their pork chop and fixings. “And I’ll take the bill.” He pointed at me. “No arguments.” “My treat when we have dinner again.” “Got it.” “You were about to tell me something about us.” He rubbed his palms on the thighs of his jeans. “Two things stand out. The first one happened when I was four, so that made you ten. You were watching me trying to climb an oak tree in the back yard. I was crying because my short legs couldn’t swing high enough. Then I felt your hand on my shoulder. You boosted me up onto the branch. Climbed up with me. No long after that, Dad built us a tree house.” “I loved that tree house. You had your space and I had mine.” “What I’ll always remember is what you said to me. ‘Trenton, I’m your big sis. I’ll always help you. I promise.’” I blinked back the ocean of hopeful tears. “Thanks. I remember our times in the tree house, our private little world.” “One more reason I contacted you. I was six and you were twelve. For three summers, Mom and Dad put me in swimming lessons, but I couldn’t put my head underwater. Not sure why. You convinced Mom and Dad that you could teach me how to swim. So every day we went to the neighborhood pool, and at the end of two weeks, I was swimming. I trusted you.” I took a deep breath. Be aware of manipulation, Risa. “Thanks.” I raised a finger. “I remember being a high school junior and this jerk of a guy followed me home. Wouldn’t leave me alone. You punched him in the nose.” Trenton laughed. “My voice hadn’t changed yet, but I wasn’t going to let him bother you.” “That’s love, Brother.” Oh, Trenton, let this be for keeps. I’m afraid to believe the nightmare is over. “And we’ll make many more crazy times together. Do you have plans for Saturday morning? I volunteer at a community center for kids at risk. We have a mixed basketball team, and I could use some help with the girls.” I shivered. What a blessing to have my brother back. “All I need is a time and place.” “You never fail me, Sis.” He took a long drink of his Dr Pepper. “Are you writing?” I grinned. “Dabbling here and there.” “I never understood why you left a safe job as a college prof and writer to the dangers of the FBI?” He shrugged. “Other than your wild side that you kept more in check than I did.” “Teaching and writing short stories with a few successful publications failed to fill my adventure deficit. Every time I read about a crime, I wanted to be the one working the case. Dad said I couldn’t create a crime and solve it—I had to be actively involved.” “Your personality better fits law enforcement. Still married to the FBI?” I wiggled my shoulders. “Of course. Five years ago, I moved to the Violent Crime Division, specifically Crimes Against Children. It’s stressful and emotional, but protecting children suits me.” He frowned. “Because of me?” I blinked. “A little. My main reason is what happened to the little girl who lived across the street from us.” “Right.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry her death still bothers you. Isn’t there a special team for finding missing kids?” “Child Abduction Rapid Deployment or CARD. They’re an elite, specialized team, and that’s all they do. That’s not my role, but we often work together.” “What do you investigate?” Trenton seemed interested in my job, another first. “My partner and I investigate kidnappings, pedophiles, pornography, online predators, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, parental kidnapping, and any other situation that fell into the ‘violent crimes against children’ bucket.” “I remember you were the neighborhood babysitter.” He gave me his unforgettable impish grin. “And I also remember how much fun you had learning how to handle a car at high speeds.” I couldn’t conceal my laughter. “Guess I’m part daredevil. Blame Dad for that. I remember loving to watch him race cars.” “He’d still be at it if Mom hadn’t insisted his speed-loving days were over.” “When he taught me to drive, I learned a lot of tricks,” I said. “He already knew I was danger on wheels and asked Mom to teach me.” He laughed. “Any potential brothers-in-law?” I waved off his remark. My thoughts swept to Gage. Maybe I had found him, but that was a future conversation. “Nope. My job scares them off. I had more dates during my stint as a dull college professor.” “You dull? Never. You just haven’t found the right guy. Pray about it, and if there’s a guy good enough for my sis, he’ll appear.” I startled. “Did you say pray?” “Think about it. Who but God could have turned me around? Helped me walk away from drugs, alcohol, and so-called friends?” Even in his good days, Trenton had steered away from mentions of faith. Maybe he had changed. “I don’t know what to say.” “That’s a first.” He chuckled. “You always had more words in one day than I had in a week. But honestly, no more jail. No more being tossed out of an apartment because I couldn’t pay the rent. No more waking up and not remembering the night before.” Wow. A true miracle. I swiped at happy tears. “I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad.” He leaned over the table as though to tell me a secret. “I’ll do the honors very soon.” When our food arrived, he asked to say grace. I was so glad our eyes were closed, or he’d have seen a leaky faucet. We chatted through dinner. Laughed about some of the goofy things we’d done as kids. Time seemingly stopped, and my half-full cup of blessings spilled over with joy. “Will you tell me about your healing journey?” I said. “You can hear for yourself when I talk to Mom and Dad.” He moistened his lips. “Do you trust me enough to walk you back to your apartment and call them from there? I mean, does your building have a lobby area with a little privacy?” “It does, but you can call from my apartment. Trenton, they will be incredibly happy.” “I hope so.” I was so focused on our conversation that I didn’t think I tasted my favorite dish. We finished and he paid the bill. Outside the restaurant, a few people mingled, and the night sky hosted a half-moon, alerting me to how long Trenton and I had talked. I breathed in thankfulness and expectations for a positive tomorrow. At the crosswalk, we waited for the pedestrian sign to signal our turn. “How long have you lived in this fancy high-rise?” he said as we ambled across the street. “Two years. I like the busyness and excitement.” “It must be in your DNA. One day, I want a small place in the country where it’s quiet.” “Never for me. I’ll visit you though.” The humid heat mixed with exhaust fumes spiraled around us. “What are you taking in college?” “Psychology. See if I can’t help a few kids understand life and avoid pitfalls.” “Incredible. I’m so pro—” Trenton grabbed my shoulders and thrust me several feet ahead next to the curb. I landed on my side and rolled over. What—? A horrible thud. A woman screamed. Tires squealed. Horns blew. Stinging pain radiated up my leg, side, arm, and head. In agony, I managed to roll over and glance at the street. My brother’s body lay in the intersection, a twisted mass of flesh and blood. *** Excerpt from FACING THE ENEMY by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2023 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.
About Author DiAnn Mills:
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DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure? Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Jerry Jennings Writers Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
(Dead Presidents MC Book 11)
Publication date: September 25th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rabbit:
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They say combat trauma can be the noose you hang from, the cross you bear, or the cliff you scale to survive. But I was a f*ck up long before my Army enlistment and the resulting PTSD. Thanks to the veteran MC that took me in, I’m coping with my condition. Mostly.
Until her.
The Complete Package. She’s way out of my league. I shouldn’t have a chance in hell with Elenore, but I got a peek under her hood and the sexy scientist has a screw loose.
Good thing I’m the best damn mechanic in Seattle.
Elenore:
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I never once contemplated murder until my sister showed up bruised and bloody on my doorstep. Now, my intellect has overridden my morals to create an extermination plan with a 98.3% success rate.
Relax, I won’t actually kill anyone. Probably.
But he might.
Who knew I’d find a kindred spirit in my self-appointed tattooed biker bodyguard? Rabbit’s alarmingly protective but the most fascinating person I’ve ever met. And the sight of his bare chest just made the lock on my bedroom door spontaneously combust.
A tempest on the outside with a soft, gooey center, he could be the one.
If I’m strong enough to love him.
The Dead Presidents MC is a brotherhood of military veterans formed to help vets reintegrate into civilian society. They’re the good guys… mostly. Complete, standalone HEA love stories. No cheating, no cliffhangers.
Elenore hadn’t flipped out on me for invading her privacy. Nor had she asked me to leave. If she dropped her towel and started dressing right there in front of me, I’d likely cream the inside of my jeans. She was perfect. And not just because she was brainy, beautiful, and had her shit together, but because she was fucking weird. I’d been through her entire apartment, and nothing was out of place. Her closet was arranged by color with pictures of her goddamn outfits to keep them straight. Nobody was naturally this clean, organized, and meticulous.
Elenore had a screw loose.
Which meant I might actually have a chance with her.
“You left the door open,” I blurted out, sounding like a fucking idiot.
“To my apartment. Not my bedroom.”
“It wasn’t locked.”
She added pants to the pile of clothes in her arms and turned to face me. “I need to get dressed.”
I wanted to tell her to go right ahead but decided not to push my luck. Still clutching the sexy photos I’d filched, I said, “These are mine.”
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About Author Harley Stone
International bestselling author Harley Stone specializes in imperfect characters, realistic storylines, scorching hot sex scenes, and fun, witty dialogue. She’s always up for a good adventure (real or fictional), and when she’s not building imaginary worlds, she’s dipping her toes into reality in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their five sons and two dogs.
Amid new threats and unsettling discoveries, hope still perseveres.
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Remarkable Magic
The Hybrid Magic Chronicles Book 3
by Cristy L. Bowlin
Genre: YA Fantasy
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Amid new threats and unsettling discoveries, hope still perseveres.
Aaron is done letting the Defenders control his life. He refuses to continue running and hiding. The Defenders claim that hybrid mages are dangerous abominations, but Aaron and Lilith are determined to prove otherwise. Meanwhile, Elara and Theo are grappling with formidable new abilities that they never expected to possess. Striking out on their own, Aaron and his friends discover another group of hybrid mages living in the desert who are preparing to fight. New alliances are forged, yet not everyone agrees on how to confront the Defenders. When more people see what hybrid magic can do, it could either be revered or feared even more. Aaron and his friends must make some tough decisions before those choices are taken from them.
Theo was the last to enter the tavern, hanging back as they had agreed. Pipe smoke permeated throughout the open dining area and mingled with the scents of alcohol and sweat. Theo stood next to the wall, trying not to cough, while his friends walked to the bar. Elara bought a drink and sat on a stool. Aaron and Lilith continued walking until they reached a piano in the corner of the room.
Theo furrowed his brow when Aaron took a seat on the piano bench and started playing. He didn’t realize Aaron knew how to play an instrument. However, Theo’s jaw nearly dropped open when Lilith started singing. Her voice was a melodic soprano reminiscent of birdsong. It shouldn’t have surprised Theo, yet he stood there awestruck at the performance. He soon realized he wasn’t the only one in awe. The whole room quieted as people turned their attention to Aaron and Lilith. This wasn’t part of the plan they discussed, but it would set the stage for Lilith’s speech.
When Lilith finished singing, everyone in the room applauded as if they were at a concert hall rather than a tavern. Lilith dipped into a curtsy as Aaron played the final chords in the song. Then Lilith stood on top of the piano bench and cleared her throat. “Thank you all for listening to our song.”
“Play another one!” someone shouted.
Lilith smiled. “We would be happy to, but first my friend and I have something to tell you all.”
Elara made eye contact with Theo across the room. She looked nervous, and Theo imagined he wore a similar expression on his face. He wanted to be there beside Lilith and Aaron in case anything bad happened, but they insisted that they had to introduce themselves first on their own. As the youngest and smallest among them, Lilith was the least threatening and most likely to garner sympathy. And with Aaron’s fame, people would quickly recognize his name if not his appearance, so he would be of the most interest. Elara and Theo could be introduced a bit later if the crowd reacted positively to the presence of hybrid mages. If not, Elara and Theo could remain anonymous and cause some type of distraction, allowing Aaron and Lilith to slip out of the building.
“My name is Lilith Brouning, and this is my good friend Aaron Ztrong. We are both hybrid mages.” She paused as people started murmuring amongst themselves, and then she held up the Defender pamphlet Aaron grabbed earlier. “Some people like to call us dark mages. I’m sure you are all familiar with the Defenders of the True Four. Maybe some of you have even read their pamphlets and agreed with some of the things they had to say. But I’m here to tell you the ugly truth about them. They tried to kill Aaron, and they succeeded in murdering my parents. They would get rid of every last hybrid mage if they could.
“I understand why they have their concerns about us because Florella Jacobsen was a hybrid mage, and she did unspeakable things during the Jacobsen Conflict. She was responsible for far more deaths than the Defenders, but now she herself is dead. She will cause no more harm to any of us, and I can promise you that Aaron and I are nothing like her.”
Aaron stood up next to Lilith. He gestured to the piano behind them. “We enjoy the same pastimes as all of you. We have families we care about deeply. We make mistakes sometimes, but that’s part of what makes us human. All we want is to be able to live our lives without constant fear of being hunted down.”
“That’s why we are here today,” Lilith said. “We’ve been hiding ourselves away for more than a year, and we simply cannot do it anymore. How free has the Deravine Commonwealth really become if there are still some mages who can’t be true to themselves?”
A few hisses rose up from the crowd as people cursed the commonwealth, but twice as many people shushed the critics. When the room quieted again, Lilith held up her hands in a placating gesture. “Politics aside, I hope we all can agree that what the Defenders have been doing is outright persecution. Their crusade must come to an end. I hope the next time you see one of these pamphlets, you will tear it down and throw it away.” She crumpled the pamphlet in her hand and threw it on the ground. Some people clapped, which Theo considered a small victory at least.
A man and woman abruptly stood, scraping their chairs across the wood floor. “That’s a nice speech, to be sure,” the woman said, “but actions speak louder than words. We know you fought alongside Florella the day she died.”
Lilith scowled. “We were fighting for our own lives because a group of Defenders attacked us. Florella happened to be with us because we had captured her.”
“So you say,” the man mumbled. “Doesn’t mean we can trust your word for it.” He raised both his hands and threw balls of fire directly at Lilith and Aaron.
Cristy L. Bowlin is an English professor at Oxnard College and author of The Temple Dancer’s Diary and The Hybrid Magic Chronicles, set in the fantasy realm of the Deravine Commonwealth. She currently lives in Southern California with her husband, daughter, and pet cat. When she isn’t reading or writing, she is most likely dancing, hiking, or getting invested in (another) TV series.
A standalone high-stakes middle grade fantasy by Alysa Wishingrad, author of the Junior
Library Guild Gold Standard selection The Verdigris Pawn.
Monsters are still lurking on Barrow’s Bay.
Dare Coates is sure of it. No drifter or ruffian could have killed her father, the Captain
of the Guard, while he was on patrol. But everyone insists that monsters have
been gone for years now. Dare’s mother. Her classmates. Even the governor, who
swiftly marries her mother just months after her father’s death.
Dare’s suspicions grow even stronger when the governor suddenly ships her off to the
mainland, away from any hope of uncovering the truth about her father’s death.
Or so she thinks. Soon Dare finds solid proof that monsters still exist and she starts to
question everything she’s always known. Was her father who she thought he was?
Who can she trust? Where is the line between good and evil?
The truth hides behind danger and deception. But with the help of an unlikely crew of
cohorts and a stray beastie, nothing can stop Dare from finding out what
happened to her father and exposing who the real monsters are.
Perfect for fans of Ellen Oh’sSpirit Hunters and Lauren Oliver’sThe
Magnificent Monsters of Cedar Street.
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MY REVIEW
I loved, loved, loved this books. I loved Dare. She had so much to overcome. The mystery surrounding her father’s death. The mystery of the monsters. Are they responsible for his murder? Her mother remarries quickly and then she’s shipped off of the island. The only home she’s ever known. The mainland is now her home. It’s cold and dirty. And those monsters. She’ll have to be wary of the human ones too.
Dare was so brave and quick thinking. She didn’t always have all the answers but she didn’t act rashly. She also had some stalwart friends. I loved them too. And I don’t want to forget Beastie. I’ll leave that one for you to meet.
And I loved the monsters. If you could imagine it, it was in this book. Deadly when riled. And they were armed with some formidable weapons and the fights were thrilling.
I don’t think I’ve ever read such a suspenseful story aimed at middle grade readers. I found myself leaning forward as I was reading some scenes. Just like I would if I was watching it on the TV.
Alysa Wishingrad is a new author for me and I can’t wait to go see what else she’s written.
I did mention that I loved this book, didn’t I?!
5 STARS
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Enjoy this peek inside:
Dare Coates was an awful girl.
Everyone on Barrow’s Bay said so. The adults, hiding behind satin-gloved hands, whispered it through tight-lipped sneers. But the children said it out loud, every chance they got. On the streets, in class, and they were saying it now as Dare stalked out of the schoolhouse.
She didn’t even want to be in that pathetic Founder’s Day pageant, let alone play the monster. But then she’d be condemned to repeating the entire year’s lessons under the schoolmarm’s tutelage. There was awful, and then there was the unbearable.
Dare tried to lose Francis Cooper and the rest of the class as they trailed after her, slinging taunts and teases all the way through the center of town. She wound past the shops, around the gazebo on the village green, and even into the middle of the street, hoping to ditch them amid the passing carriages and wagons. And still she made no effort to conceal that her stockings were torn, her hair a tangle of knots, and the left sleeve of her favorite dress was ripped wide open. Instead, she kept her gaze pegged dead ahead and her upper lip fixed in a snarl, a warning to passersby to steer clear.
It’d always been easy enough to ignore them when they teased her that her hair wasn’t done in the latest style, for rescuing a spider from certain death at the hands of one of the boys, or for having no shame about speaking her mind. In fact, she went out of her way to be a walking affront to everything the GOOD people of Barrow’s Bay valued—beauty, conformity, and the sparkle of wealth. She was happy to be a thornbush among the lilies, for even the sharpest thorns serve a purpose. They’re a warning, protection. A defense.
And Dare was more than content to shine every one of her points and angles until they gleamed.
~~~~~
About Alysa Wishingrad:
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Alysa
Wishingrad writes
fantastical stories for young readers, tales that ask; is the truth really
true? Her favorite stories are those that meld the historical with the
fantastic, and that find ways to shine a light on both the things that divide
and unite us all. The Verdigris Pawn, a Junior Library Guild Gold
Standard Selection, is her debut novel. Alysa lives in the Hudson Valley with
her family and two demanding rescue dogs. You can find her at www.
alysawishingrad.com or on Twitter at @awishingrad or Instagram at @alysawishingradwrites.
Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Litter organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Author Kevin R. Doyle will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!
And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The Litter
by Kevin R. Doyle
Genre: Horror
Synopsis
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.
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MY REVIEW
Whoa. I’m a huge fan of horror. Been reading it and watching it since I was a youngster. I don’t expect the characters to always be well fleshed out as the author’s often kill them off quickly. And the plot doesn’t always have to be well written. I often read a scary book for easy, fast entertainment. Probably why I enjoy those B Movies so much.
What Kevin Doyle did with The Litter was immerse me in his story to where I had to remind myself it was just a book. Nothing bad was happening to me. It was that well written.
The title and cover promised that horror waited in the pages, and it did. As did the synopsis. Gruesome attacks, suspense around every corner and all the horror you could hope for. Whatever prowls the streets is hazardous to your health.
This was a straight through read for me and I read it at night. In the dark. The only light came from my eReader. What was that? Was there something creeping up behind me? The hairs stood up on my arms. Talk about a bad case of the heebie jeebies.
5 STARS
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Enjoy this peek inside:
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Pam said.
“Still think it was a dog?” her partner asked.
“What else could it have been? It doesn’t take the ME over there to know that this guy’s been all chewed up.”
“What I’m getting at is it may not have been a single animal.”
“Come again? Are you thinking of a pack or something?”
“Well,” Gonzales said, “just looking at it . . .” He waved his arm in the direction of the mess on the pavement.
“That’s insane, Enrico. Who the hell ever heard of a pack of dogs attacking people in the middle of a city?”
“You ever hear of one dog doing anything that even remotely looks like that?”
“What about rats?” she asked the older cop, fearful he would laugh in her face.
“I actually thought of that myself for a moment there. It’s not the most far-fetched of possibilities.”
“No?”
“Not at all. Once, I saw what was left of an old wino eaten by rats, back when I’d been on the force not much longer than you have. But that was a guy who’d crawled under the porch of a house, probably trying to escape the weather. Besides, long ago as it’s been, from what I remember, that body didn’t look anything like this.”
“No, huh?”
“Not really, no. It looked more like he’d been nibbled on till he was worn down to practically nothing.”
Pam pointed towards the corpse.
“That’s not a bunch of nibbles,” she said.
~~~~~
About Author Kevin R. Doyle:
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A retired high-school teacher and former college instructor, Kevin R. Doyle is the author of numerous short horror stories. He’s also written four crime thrillers including The Group and The Anchor, 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 fourth Sam Quinton book, Clean Win, was released in March of 2023.
I swear I just blinked and here it is almost October. Before you know it Christmas will be here. This whole year flew by for me. I’ve been so busy I haven’t had time to stop ad smell the roses. Heck, they’re probably dead since I forgot to water them. LOL
The epidemic was traumatic and Covid hit me like a freight train. Took months to regain my strength and even longer to get my brain back in gear. I missed 2 years of doing my Chills And Thrills feature for October. But I’m back at it and have some scary good stuff to share. Get ready October. Here I come!!!!
I have some exciting reviews and giveaways to share. And some free books! Check it out below.
Looking forward to chatting with you and have a great new week!
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Book News.
What I just finished. I’ll be sharing my reviews soon.
What I’m reading now.
What I’ll be reading next.
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This week’s reviews.
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Here are some FREEBIES for ya.
Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.
Publication date: September 22nd 2023
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult
A young woman, cursed. A rebellious prince in hiding. A forbidden love that will threaten two worlds…
There are two main things I’ve learned since my life turned upside down. The first is, if you speak of someone’s death before it happens, you’ll be blamed for murder. The second? If the hottest guy you’ve ever seen kisses you, and thanks you for saving his life, don’t argue.
I watched him die, over and over. So many times. The vision is always the same and there is never one damn thing I can do to save him. I don’t know why I can’t dream about normal things, like going to school naked, or spiders. I hate spiders. No, I’m lucky enough to see strangers at the moments of their deaths.
The only thing keeping me sane is knowing the visions aren’t real.
Until the accident. The blood. He dies in my arms.
At least, I thought he did. But now he’s here, telling me I saved his life. Telling me unbelievable stories about monsters and gods and destiny. Promising to protect me.
If none of this is real, why am I afraid of the creatures hunting me? And if I saved his life, why are the nightmares back, stronger than ever? What is this thing lurking inside me, eager to strike?
I don’t know, but I’m freaking out.
I’m afraid what I think is real, isn’t. And what I know is not, just might be.
The creature’s eyes dart back and forth between me and Ryker, as if taking its time, contemplating who to kill first. Ryker takes advantage of its hesitation, shoving me away. “Dani, go! Run!” The command is raw and guttural, impossible to ignore.
I take off, running as fast as I can toward the school. Adrenaline rushes through my bloodstream like a bomb went off inside me. There is no thinking. I have tunnel vision. All I see is the grass in front of my feet. The door that leads to sanctuary inside the school building. All I hear is blood pounding inside my skull and the rush of air as it bursts in and out of my lungs. It’s as if I’m breathing fire.
I’m halfway there. He said he’d be right behind me. I can’t hear him. Where is he?
I risk a glance back, over my shoulder. I expected him to follow. When I look behind me, I see he’s still staring the creature down. He has a dagger in one hand and he is slowly circling the monster, waiting for it to strike.
Shit. What is he thinking? Is he trying to buy me time? I don’t need more time. I’m almost there. Worse, that thing huge, easily the size of four large men. Maybe it is, because I count eight legs sticking out of the goo.
I slow to a jog, then stop, turning completely to watch him and the creature pace one another. As Ryker did with me, with each step he’s moving just enough not to incite an immediate attack, but positioning himself for a straight shot away, toward the school’s garden.
No. Oh, God. Shit.
I know how this ends. I just saw it. There are more of them, in the garden. Waiting. An ambush. They are here to kill him. Why? Why? Why?
I sprint toward him, away from the school. Away from safety. I can’t allow him to run for the garden. More of those things are waiting. They’ll gut him. Cut him open. He’ll bleed out, blood soaking the gravel path. Just like my vision. No. No. No.
“Ryker! Run! They’re in the garden! It’s a trap! It’s a trap!”
I scream at him, my legs pumping as fast as I can make them go, faster than any track meet or workout I’ve ever run. A terrified part of me knows it’s not fast enough.
I push my muscles to their limit, trying to reach him in time. I don’t know what I can possibly do to help him against that thing, but two is better than one. It has to be. We’ll run for the woods. Anywhere but that fucking garden. Literally anywhere.
“Dani, no! Get back!”
“The garden! It’s a trap!” I sprint, my gaze dropping to the abandoned high heels shoes on the grass. The four inch points aren’t exactly one of my grandad’s shotguns, but they’re better than nothing. That thing has eyes, doesn’t it?
I’m forty meters away when the creature lunges at Ryker. He is looking at me, yelling at me to run.
My heart stops dead in my chest. I yell out a warning, but it’s too late.
Secrets and Scallywags: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley
Secrets and Scallywags: Magical Mystery Book Club Paranormal Cozy Mystery 5th in Series Setting – A Small Oceanfront Community Better Beginnings, Inc. (September 20, 2023) Digital Print length : 256 pages ASIN : B0C494MPJ8
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When this club selects a book, magic happens. They become the main characters in the story when the mystery comes to life.
This month’s book selection takes them to a charming island community that’s abuzz over a mysterious boat that washed ashore. Rumor has it that it’s the same pirate boat that sunk a year ago in the bay. The one that supposedly sank with treasure aboard.
When the club meets the ghosts of the men from the boat, they learn the astonishing secrets of the treasure. These ghosts can’t move on until it is found.
Can the motley group find the treasure and free the ghosts? They better, since it’s the only way they can exit the book and get back home.
About Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth Pantley is the international bestselling author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution and twelve other books for parents, published in over twenty languages.
She simultaneously writes well-loved cozy mysteries: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Mystery Book Club series.
Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest, the gorgeous inspiration for the setting in many of her books.
At the writers’ conference, murder tops the program.
Aspiring mystery author Emma Banefield and travel writer Nicole Earp are excited to attend a writers’ conference during their latest sisters’ getaway. Nic’s birthday should be all about relaxation, writing, and a chocolate martini to toast another trip around the sun, but the climate at the gathering rumbles like a sudden desert thunderstorm.
When sparks fly between the keynote speaker and her timid assistant over a handsome mystery author, the subtitle on this anticipated tranquil weekend spells drama. If a heated love triangle, bruised egos, and betrayal aren’t enough to upset the atmosphere, the conference banquet erupts into a drunken brawl and sends the place spinning. After a body is discovered, Nic and Em do what they do best—snoop—and become embroiled in a mystery that jumps off the pages of a true-crime bestseller.
With more than enough suspects and little time, the amateur sleuths have their hands full finding the killer. But can the competitive Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime before the prickly chief detective does, or will a murderer outwit them all?
~~~~~
Enjoy this peek inside:
As Nic dropped the phone into her bag, the inn doors opened. Two women, one she recognized from the conference leaflet, entered. Literary Agent Shannon Valdez surveyed the lobby with a commanding air. The brochure didn’t show her Amazon-like stature. Tall, large boned, yet curvy, she struck a pose, one tan, spiked-heel on a step, with her free hand tucked in a pocket of her trendy, calf-length belled trousers. A creamy, white sweater beneath an unbuttoned, blue, knee-length coat completed the image. Nic didn’t recognize the shorter woman with shiny, ebony hair and alabaster skin, but the brochure stated additional agents might be added at the last minute.
They strolled toward the registration desk when Seth Dawes approached them. He must have flown from the school to the inn to beat Nic. “Shannon and Nell. Good to see you both.” He clasped Nell’s hand with both of his.
“Hi, Seth.” Shannon air kissed each cheek. “I see you’re giving a presentation on author and book promotions.”
“I am and looking forward to it. This should be an interesting conference, only you’d think they could’ve gotten a better keynote speaker.”
“Who knows if she’ll even show?” The literary agent waved a hand. Electric blue, manicured nails cut the air. “Lola’s not above screwing over anyone if a better deal comes along.”
Seth leaned in, a smirk on his lips. “I happen to know she’s in town, but you’re right. Who knows what she’ll pull. Too bad they didn’t put “watch your back” in the fine print under her bio in the conference brochure.”
The threesome shared a laugh.
“I need to check in. See you later, Seth.” Shannon led the way to the front desk.
Dawes reversed course toward the Azul Saloon.
She relaxed against the sofa. Apparently, not everyone adored Lola Dufrane. She wanted to rub her hands together. Drama and writer-fun—all in the same weekend.
~~~~~~
About the Authors
Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.
Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.
Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.