Archive for the ‘Interview’ Category

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  Panic Peak by William A. Liggett
CategoryAdult Fiction (18+), 254 pages
GenreCli-Fi Thriller 
Publisher: Consilience Press LLC
Publication Date: February, 2024
Content Rating: PG-13: Very occasional f-word and sh*t in dialog

Book Description:

How can a single glacier grow dramatically while hundreds are shrinking around the world?

This paradox confronts a young glaciologist Kate Landry as she looks down at her research site buried under shocking mounds of new snow. Little does she know that Mount Olympus is in the bulls-eye for a sophisticated geoengineering experiment being conducted by a scientist who has convinced a secretive international oil cartel to fund his dubious climate modification techniques. While Kate struggles to understand why the glacier is growing and begins to unravel the entire nefarious scheme, she also struggles to avoid the unraveling of her developing relationship with social psychologist Grant Poole. The more Kate uncovers on the glacier, the more her own life is at risk. Can she expose the unethical and dangerous geoengineering operation without being caught before she’s stopped? And at what risk to her life?

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MY REVIEW

I’ve only read a few cli-fi thrillers and after reading the synopsis I thought this was a good one to try. It didn’t disappoint, in many ways.

A mysterious iceberg that appears to be growing while others disappear. What’s behind that? Natural or man’s interference.

The setting, Mount Olympus. Subzero temperatures and isolated. Where the environment is an adversary. That’s something I really like in a story. A test of human endurance all it’s own.

A hidden agenda, along with the requisite villain. A must for any good thriller book.

And a female protagonist. One who’s double tough, self confident and willing to stick to what she knows is true. But also, flawed. Which makes her believable and makes you rout for her.

I thoroughly enjoyed Pain Peak and now want to see what else the author has to offer.

4 STARS

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Guest Interview with William Liggett, Author of Panic Peak

  • Your main character is a woman who is passionate about her research and teaching. How did you arrive at that?

I was raised in a family with a strong, well-educated mother and three sisters. I have always thought that women’s contributions should be respected as much as men’s. If we ignore the voices of female scientists, we are losing half of the knowledge we could otherwise gain.

I wanted Kate’s leadership and commitment to scientific knowledge and aspiration to save her glacier to inspire her students and others. Not everyone responds well to her passion for her work, which creates a challenge for my character, but also reflects the tension in our culture.

  • What inspired you to write a book about geoengineering?

After publishing my first cli-fi novel, Watermelon Snow, I was visiting with a climate scientist friend, Yaga Richter, who recommended that my next novel deal with geoengineering. She had been studying this controversial subject using computer models, and she described some of the concerns that her fellow scientists had. For example, someone might actually inject chemicals to block solar radiation without authorization. Also, unanticipated side effects such as droughts, floods, and wildfires could result from altering the climate. Since I began writing my novel, articles that describe geoengineering studies and concerns have increased exponentially.  It has become a hot topic.

  • Based on the scenes you describe it sounds like you’ve spent time on Blue Glacier. Can you say more about that?

Years ago, I lived in the research station on the side of Mount Olympus, Washington, between June and September collecting data as an employee of the University of Washington’s Blue Glacier Project. Our crew was flown to the station one at a time in a single engine ski plane that landed on the snow and took off down the side of the snow-covered mountain. Part of our assignment was to measure the depth and rate of flow of the glacial ice. This required us to carry equipment from the top to the bottom of the glacier while taking care not to fall into the deep crevasses along the way.  We learned to appreciate the raw beauty while skirting the many hazards. It was a perfect setting for an adventure (Watermelon Snow) and a thriller (Panic Peak).

  • Describe your next book in the Warming World Adventures series.

Panic Peak places Kate at the center of the action with Grant supporting her, often from a distance. It features her passion for her work, but also permits her scientific and mountaineering skills to shine. My next novel will feature Grant’s approach to combating global warming and will reflect his positive worldview. As a social psychologist, he sees ways to overcome the resistance to climate mitigation that others don’t see or agree upon.

Because I believe people are hungry for progress and good news about the climate, I’m thinking of setting my next novel in the future when humanity has gotten the climate under better control. Perhaps Grant is now in his 70’s and his granddaughter is eager to learn what he and others did to bring about the reversal of a climate disaster. I’m thinking of her documenting his story as a tribute to him and her grandmother, Kate.

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Meet the Author:

Bill Liggett writes fiction that blends behavioral and earth sciences in the recent cli-fi (climate fiction) literary genre. His goal is to paint a hopeful future based on solutions to global warming.

He holds a BS in geology and an MA in education, both from Stanford University, and a PhD in applied social psychology from New York University. Among the many positions he has held over the years, he taught in high school and college, conducted behavioral science studies for IBM, and consulted with health care and educational organizations.

Wherever he lives, he loves being outdoors. Home for him has included the West Coast, East Coast, Alaska, and now Colorado, the state of his childhood. He and his wife, Cathy, live in Niwot, Colorado.

connect with author:  website ~  X/twitter  ~ facebook instagram ~ goodreads

 
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PANIC PEAK by William A Liggett Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Book Details:

​Book Title: A Carrows Murder (The Carrows Family Chronicles, Book 10) by Annabelle Lewis
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 286 pages
GenreMystery/Crime/Romance/Humor
Publisher:  PePe Press
Release Date: June 2024

Content Rating:  PG13 +M: My book has cursing. The f-bomb. Sexual flirting but closed-door action. 


A Note from Annabelle Lewis:

Welcome to the latest installment of The Carrows Family Chronicles. Don’t let the words Book 10 scare you! Dive into the adventure without the need for exhaustive backstory, as each page unfolds with its own excitement, color, and twists. While my characters’ pasts enrich their present journeys, rest assured that you can fully immerse yourself in this standalone tale. Prepare to be swept away by the twists, turns, fashion, humor and discoveries awaiting you within these pages.


Book Description:

A Crafty Plan. A Healing Sojourn. A Deadly Twister.

Royal Dutton, close friend and stylist for Charles and Angelica Carrows, has a broken heart and he’s falling to bits. Disturbed by Royal’s escalating depression and dangerous choices, the London-based Carrows family decide to distract Royal with a vacation to an English castle on the dazzling eastern shores of Yorkshire, Britain.

Well-intentioned, they plan a murder mystery using the villagers near the castle as characters who will each play a role in convincing the unsuspecting Royal that there is a murder to be solved for a real-life person.

It should have been fun.

But there are unforeseen consequences. The small town of Boswell Crag and its eccentric villagers will never be the same.

​And someone . . . will not survive.

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MY REVIEW

First things first. I have this thing where I have no compunctions about jumping into a series anywhere. I was a bit worried about it with this book as it’s the tenth in the series. I’m thrilled to say I had no issues about it being so far along. I was immediately captivated by the characters and the plot. Everything flowed so easily.

About the plot. A fake murder mystery event at a castle. How fun. I once did one of these on a ferry boat cruise. Highly recommend you do it if you have the chance. Of course, someone ends up dead, for real. And let the sleuthing begin. It’s not an easy solve. I always love that. And I really enjoyed the characters frustrations and fears as they tried to figure out the who and why while also making sure they aren’t a target for the killer.

This was a straight through read for me and I finished it in a couple of hours. If this book is any indication of the author’s other ones, I can’t wait to read more.

5 STARS

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Interview With Author Annabelle Lewis
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Tell us about a favorite book when you were a kid

I fell in love with books early. Fairy tales, picture books, comic books—Peanuts, I devoured what I could at home until I was old enough to pedal my bike alone to the library. There I spent hours roaming the stacks, amazed by every single volume and frustrated with giddy anticipation that there were so many worlds to explore and choices to be made. But the real favorite and love of my life came when I found the Chronicles of Narnia. I was never the same after entering that world and from that point on was reading whenever I found a moment to spare. Annabelle Lewis is a pen name and Lewis—is a humble hat tip to the great man who wrote the Narnian world – C.S. Lewis.

What is the last great book you’ve read?

I don’t know that it’s the greatest book in the traditional sense of what might qualify for that title, but I actually fell on the floor laughing while reading the book FU Penguin. Since it almost made me pee in my pants, I think that qualifies the book as something particularly special. The book is a farce – a collection of raging rants or blogs from a hysterically funny man named Matthew Gasteier who for no reason takes on cuddly pictures of animals and rages at them with absurd and foul-mouthed glee. I loved every single page of his absurd and twisted sentiments. Not everyone’s cup of tea to be sure, but damn, it worked for me! Thank you for the belly laughs, Matthew!

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

It’s hard for me to choose, but I wrote a short story called Caliburnus that is very personal to me. It’s not part of a series, just a fictional story based on my journey as a special needs mom. It’s about a mother’s dream and the ache of hope. https://theannabellelewis.com/caliburnus-2/

Regarding time frames, what is your favorite era to work with and why.

My work is contemporary fiction. I’ve placed the story in the “now,” and this definitely has its drawbacks. Even before the work can be published, advancements and the use of technology, slang, trends, and societal developments vex me and my characters. I worry about the work holding up but hope that years from now the storytelling itself will still be enjoyable enough to accept.

Talk about how you outline a book

The process can vary, but I always have a broad outline in my head of what the book is about. It’s the ‘elevator pitch’ I would present if given 10 seconds to explain the synopsis while trapped in an elevator. Then I layer on the story with characters, and timeline, and events. Then I build a storyboard with a short explanation of what happens in each chapter. Often, however, I’m just dying to write the story and begin. Consequently, my characters often totally screw up my outline and I have to follow them where they take me. The story will often change, but the overall idea will not.

How long have you been writing?

In hindsight, I think I have always been writing. It began with journaling, and I often worked out my angst or issues after putting them on paper and looking at them. And I read books, all the time. As many as possible. When I became a mom, I started writing short stories about my children to capture the feel and memory of a moment or event. And my own mom always encouraged me to write a book, telling me over and over “I know you have a book in you.” But I didn’t really try until my children had graduated from high school and the activity level in the house decreased. One day, I drafted the first outline of Charlotte McGee, Book 1 of the Carrows Family Chronicles, and never looked back. I wish I had taken my mom’s advice and begun writing fiction earlier!

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Meet Author Annabelle Lewis:

Annabelle Lewis—a pseudonym—is a Minneapolis-based, multi-genre writer, dog lover, incredible mom, and champion of the screwed over. In addition to her touching, yet oddly scathing blog posted on her website, she’s published two exciting fictional series.

The Carrows Family Chronicles are humorous and vengeful caper novels. If you’re interested in a light romp about a family of well-dressed billionaires serving yummy revenge to a string of unsuspecting bad guys who have it coming, look no further.

The second series—The Boston Clairvoyants—is also a set of good versus evil stories. These psychic mystery/thrillers have been edited so they could be read as stand-alones, but as Glinda the Good Witch says – “It’s always best to start at the beginning.” The books have a supernatural hierarchy, a wee bit of romance and mythology, and a solid sense of humor. Lovers of dogs and Dean Koontz fans will adore these books.

Annabelle typically sends out two newsletters a month—so she promises not to annoy her subscribers too much. They typically contain feverish reviews on the latest stuff she is watching or reading, links to book giveaways, contests to win a signed paperback, and book browsing for other author’s work.

​Oh, and a warning. Annabelle loves to curse. And there is cursing in her books and her blogs . . . because she’s gotta keep it real.

Connect with the Author Website ~ X/Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~Instagram ~ Bookbub ~ Goodreads

 

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BOOK DETAILS:

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Leave Everything You Know Behind by Ginny Fite

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Category: Adult Fiction, 228 pages
Genre:  Women’s Fiction
Publisher:  Sunbury Press
Release date:   January, 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 + M: issues of suicide, some strong language, death

BOOK DESCRIPTION:

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An unexpected friendship changes everything for two women facing the hardest challenges life can dish up.

Cranky, aging newspaper publisher Anne Canfield is determined to live forever, no matter what. Young, brilliant writer and teacher Indira Anand thinks she wants to die. But the winter morning Anne saves Indira Anand from drowning, everything changes.

​When Anne is diagnosed with incurable brain cancer and has only months to live, she must hurry to save her newspaper, heal her regrets, keep her secrets hidden, and protect her son from the truth before time runs out. Indira, thwarted by both the law and her distant husband but desperate to escape the pain she watched her grandmother endure, wavers about her decision. Out of options, Indira reaches out to Anne, and they make a pact to help each other. Now it’s just a question of time.

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Interview With Author Ginny Fite:
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There are many books out there about death and friendship. What makes yours different?

I was thinking about Beaches, Steel Magnolias, Terms of Endearment, and Me Before You when I began writing Leave Everything You Know Behind. What makes Leave different is that the two main characters are strangers from different generations, different cultures, and different life experiences. They are fated to meet when each most needs someone who will understand what they’re going through. Their pact gives Anne the pluck to deal with pressing issues before her inevitable death and provides Indira with the courage to live in spite of her dire prognosis.

How long have you been writing?

All my life. Professionally since my twenties as a reporter for several newspapers and magazines and later as a published poet and short story writer. I started writing my first novel in my early forties with no idea what I was doing. I’m not sure I have any better idea about how to do it now, but eight novels are out in the world and three more are on my computer waiting for a publisher.

Do you write every day?

Yes. Sometimes it’s drivel and I have to delete most of it the next day, but sometimes it’s gold. I don’t aim for a particular word count, but I like to feel like I’ve accomplished something as solid as a full sentence. Unlike the geniuses who write 8,000 words a week, I’m happy if I get 500 words a day I can keep.

Favorite travel spot?

I love the beach, almost any beach, but one with both mountains and the ocean is my favorite. I’m currently developing a novel in which the main character travels to Tofino in British Columbia. I’ve been there and remember it well, but I find myself spending hours gazing at photographs, losing myself in the sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

What is your next project?

I’m working on a thriller with a female assassin as the main character. It’s very slow going. I have to research everything and resist my natural urge to dive deeply into her psyche. Also, I’ve never been an assassin, so there’s that problem. How does a human operate with no remorse? I want to make her more than a killer robot. The question is how to do that. And right now, except for blowing up the bad guys, I have no idea how it ends.

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MEET AUTHOR GINNY FITE:

Award-winning writer and journalist, Ginny Fite has been a journalist, a spokesperson for a governor and for a member of Congress, held posts in higher education institutions, and a robotics R&D company. Writing about ordinary people who grapple with extraordinary circumstances, her eight novels span the genres of mystery, thriller, adventure, and women’s fiction. 

Connect with the Author:  website  ~ facebook  ~ X ~ goodreads ~ bookbub

 
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“First rate sci-fi novels. Atrium’s worlds compel both in their alien detail—and what they reveal about our own world.” — BookLife

HOME RULE was named a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards announced in April 2024.

**All books are half price at $1.99 in celebration!**

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The Bush Clinic

The Tribal Wars Book 1

by Stella Atrium

Genre: Science Fiction, Space Opera

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A space colonization story about seeking independence and home rule in the face of corporate greed. Tribal women bind together in a war zone where they are discounted as not important enough to save or keep safe.

On Dolvia, Lt. Mike Shaw demands Dr. Greensboro’s doctoring skills at the hospital, forcing the closure of her bush clinic. She witnesses forced labor, forced migration, and the threat of an epidemic from bad water. She sees how tribal women–often wearing burkas–find solutions for saving the children in a conflict zone, and she commits to the their cause for Home Rule.

Brianna Miller is an isolated girl–a mixed-blood orphan–among the Dolviet tribes. With the lessons from Dr. Greensboro, the abuse from soldiers, the sisterhood among victims, Brianna prepares for a future she will choose for herself. But first she must travel offworld.

**On Sale for Only $1.99!**

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The Body Politic

The Tribal Wars Book 2

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Brianna Miller returns to Dolvia where tribal women protest the oppressive rule of Rabbenu Ely by self-torchings in the Cylay Square. Brianna re-establishes her tribal schools and takes on assistant Kelly Osborn who is mixed blood and also a poet.

Kelly visits a neighboring planet Cicero where her aunt Carline Bryant takes over her education. While returning to Dolvia, Kelly meets the Australian adventurer Hershel Henry who has signed on for a tour of Dolvia as a photo-journalist. Henry takes an opportunity to interview the khalif on the opposing side of the tribal wars.

**On Sale for Only $1.99!**

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Home Rule

The Tribal Wars Book 3

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Brianna Miller and rebel leader Karlyhi emerge as leaders uniting the tribes against the offworld mining cartel. Reporter Hershel Henry opens a local newspaper to report a more honest version of events leading to regime change. But will bringing down Rabbenu Ely only stir more violence and unrest?

Unity starts at home. How can the tribes bind together as a nation-state after fighting among themselves for generations? Inspiring leaders are needed, and a flashpoint act that binds individuals to a single cause. When Henry witnesses (and broadcasts) the ninth death-by-fire, this one by respected teacher Kecouroo, all the tribes feel the outrage and call for Rabbenu Ely to step down.

**On Sale for Only $1.99!**

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Tribal Logic

The Tribal Wars Book 4

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From Paris, Jesse Hartley jumps back to Dolvia in the galaxy’s Westend. A bloodless coup on Stargate Junction interrupts her travel plans and sends her in a different direction. Hershel Henry is tasked with rescuing abandoned conscripts after the abusive Company withdraws from asteroid mining.

A change in leadership on Stargate Junction makes all characters question how the future will shape. How to survive the shifting loyalties among the city-states? Will my home even be there when I return?

While on a deep space rescue mission, Hershel Henry misses karsci on Dolvia the Abydian khalif steps down. Within the turmoil, will Henry connect with Jesse Hartley, or is that romance lost forever?

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**Get it for Only .99cents or free in KU! **

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What book do you think everyone should read?

 

The Little Prince is a classic for readers of all ages.

 

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? 

 

Some characters are added to a scene so the action work, but later they step forward a primary characters. I’m often as surprised as the reader.

 

What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book? 

 

Today’s writers are lucky with internet research so that details can be vivid and follow the laws of physics (at the very least).

 

I like to develop magic out of found-in-nature wonders, such as Utcan’s talisman that is a serpent pouch based on a “mermaid’s purse,” shaped in nature by a shark for a developing fetus. Utcan can spy though a hole drilled in the head of a dead fetus in the pouch and view the universe. No lie; true story.

 

What do you think about the current publishing market? 

 

Self-publishing changes every 18 months, and the services play follow the leader. If one group focused on direct sales from the writer’s website, soon enough all groups are offering the same. It’s all pay-for-play, so be certain that you have enough capital stashed away to afford the next steps such as offering audible books.

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

 

I like humor and romance and action, but not so much dark apocalyptic setups where everybody dies after torture. Set-ups begin to bore me. I do find that when writing a long scene, I start the think that somebody has to die soon so the sequence can end.  LOL

 

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

 

Don’t even get started. Writing is a life style choice. All your days are spent with characters that other people cannot know yet, and at the sacrifice of parties or friends or long walks with the dog.

 

Do you believe in writer’s block?

 

Writing is a daily discipline. There are many tricks to get past the dread of facing the blank page. One principle that I found was that when a scene isn’t working, the problem may reside with earlier scenes where better action is required for continuity. The later event is an outgrowth of a previous action.

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Stella Atrium presents planet stories about female protagonists of diverse ethnicities who encounter obstacles relatable to our lives today. How do women in a conflict zone gain voice in the public square using the few tools available to women?

THE BUSH CLINIC received an Editor’s Pick from BookLife, a 2022 Artisan Book Review Award, and a 2023 Independent Press Award for Science Fiction.

The second novel titled THE BODY POLITIC also received an Editor’s Pick from BookLife and a Artisan Book Review award.

HOME RULE debuted in the Top Ten Amazon rankings for the genre category in August 2023, securing an Editor’s Pick from BookLife, a Literary Titan medallion, and another coveted Artisan Book Review Award for Science Fiction.

TRIBAL LOGIC: Book IV of The Tribal Wars was released in January 2024.

Also be certain to pick up Atrium’s standalone novel SEVEN BEYOND that won a 2014 Reader’s Favorites Award in Science Fiction.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Book Details:

 The Wedding by Kelly Smith
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +) , 240 pages
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Friendship
Publisher:  Sunny Day Publishing
Release date:  September 2023
Content Rating: PG-13: A small amount of sec scenes 

Book Description:

Four friends, one city. Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel navigate life, careers, and love in Boston. Each woman is newly single and looking for a fresh start. As their work lives start to look up, they each meet a new man who may be “the one”—or may not. The bond the four women share helps them make better sense of their lives, but at times their friendship causes more issues than it solves. New couples form, and one of them is headed for the altar. But which of the women is about to be a bride?

All along the way, Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel are each other’s biggest fans and cheerleaders. The Wedding explores the bond women share and the love they seek.

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Interview With Author Kelly Smith:
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There are many books out there about love and romance, what makes your different?

The thing that makes, The Wedding, so different from other love/romance books is that in The Wedding the reader follows the journey of four friends who are falling in and out of love while they are trying to build careers and maintain their own friendships. What is special about The Wedding, is that while the reader is reading, they are also solving a mystery. Who is getting married?? Reading to the end will earn you a wedding invitation to THE wedding!

Do you ever get writers block? How do you overcome it?

I do get writer’s block. I find it pops up when I am feeling stressed out or anxious about something in my life. Sometimes a drive will help to get the words flowing again, at other times I have to let my stress or anxiety pass before I can continue to create.

What is your next project?

I am working on a short series about the effects of being a serial womanizer from the male’s perspective. The reader will tag along with my main character as he discovers how his promiscuous ways can lead to his life in turmoil, but can a serial womanizer really change?

Where can readers purchase your books?

Readers can purchase all my books:

Signs in the Rearview Mirror Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind

Out of the Darkness

The Wedding

On Amazon, Kindle, Audible, Barnes & Noble (online), Target (online), Book People, and of course my website

www.kellysmithauthor.com

If you could have only one season, what would it be?

I love the fall. I am not sure if that’s because I grew up in New England, or because my birthday is in October, but nothing beats the smell of sharpened pencils, crisp air, and fresh apple cider all in the same day. Late September through Halloween you walk through crunchy fallen leaves and pull your sweater a little tighter around you as you make your way to either the local high school football game and sit in the stands with hot coco or take photos with friends and family as you pick way too many apples at your towns local farm that gives you the encouragement to make a variety of apple desserts. Fall is when the leaves change, and winter begins to knock on your door for alerting you to prepare to huddle in before the freezing temps take over and its time to huddle in to keep warm. Fall is my happy place.

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Meet Author Kelly Smith:

Kelly Smith, a three-time published author, first came on the scene with her debut novel, Signs in the Rearview Mirror Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind. After healing from her toxic relationships, she soon realized dating after a toxic relationship was difficult, which then led her to write Out of the DarknessOut of the Darkness, her sophomore book is about her experiences with healing after abuse, dating, and finding love again. Sunny Day Publishing published all of her books.

Smith, an award-winning writer, writes for Elephant Journal and HuffPost. Smith is a dating expert for the online relationship and dating magazine, GoDates.

Smith is a certified relationship and dating coach who works with clients who are trying to rebuild their lives after an abusive relationship ends, or after a long-term relationship ends.

Smith is a Boston native who moved to the Austin, TX area in July 2003 with her three sons.

Media Expertise Kelly can speak on topics including domestic violence in teen dating, narcissism, and toxic relationships, women as the abusers, recovering from an abusive relationship, dating again after an abusive relationship, narcissism in both men and women, and living as an adult child with a narcissistic parent.

Connect with the author:   Website  ~  X/Twitter  ~  Facebook Instagram ~ Goodreads

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THE WEDDING Book Tour Giveaway

 

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The Black Leopard’s Kiss & The Writer Remembers by Laury A. Egan

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Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 306 pages
Genre:  Literary, with magical realism
Publisher:  Spectrum Books
Release Date: Dec 16, 2023

Content Rating:  PG + M.  Language is moderate; scenes of attempted incest and lesbian encounter.  

 

 The Legend Of Rachel Petersen

by J.T. Baroni

Genre: Horror / Paranormal

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MY REVIEW

I love it when a story, especially a horror story, makes me wonder what if? What if something like what happened to the main character, Christian, had happened to me. Not the part where he’s passed over for a promotion or quits his job to write a book. It’s the part where he stumbles upon an old, forgotten grave in the woods. I used to go on hikes all the time. And there was a cabin we spent our summer vacations at that nestled right up against a huge woods. I’d walk for hours, pick berries and follow many faint trails made by the wildlife that lived there. During one of my walks I came upon a clearing with this huge mound of dirt in the center. Being young, I climbed to the top and sat there. I had so many questions about what it was. To this day I never found out. I’ve watched so many horror movies. The New Daughter with Kevin Costner comes to mind when I think about that mysterious mound. That movie made the hairs stand up all over my body. And that’s saying something as not much can do that anymore. That said, the sometimes funny, sometimes sad and very scary tale of Rachel Peterson made those hairs stand up. It probably didn’t help that I read this book at night. And that’s why I did. I wanted the quiet and the dark to help me immerse myself. Not that I really needed it, turns out. The author did a fine job of pulling me.

This was told in more than one time line and was still easy to follow. It added depth to the characters and the story. I could have easily enjoyed each story all by itself. And just look at that cover. If that doesn’t creep you out……..

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name!

Amazon

One line review excerpts

 

This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites. Jessica Barbosa -Readers’Favorite 

The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a terrifying, unsettling story you will not be able to put down.                                                             

                                                                                                     Lisa Leone-Campbell – Lisascubby

The account is beautifully written, and the twist at the end was a big surprise.

                                                                                                      Alma Boucher – Readers’Favorite

There is a story within the story that is fascinating.                        Pikasho Deka – Readers’Favorite

This book deserves the rating of Five out of Five Stars. JT Baroni is unrivaled when it comes to crafting a compelling plot!                         Juliet Blessing Official Reviewer – Onlinebookclub.com

 

Winner of Five Gold Stars! Wow! What an epic ride! Anyone searching for a gripping read in the paranormal, mystery, and fast-paced action will find this one a new favorite!

                                                                                              Alex Ndirangu – Readers’Favorite.com

 

I totally recommend this book if you are fond of the horror and paranormal genres, and you want a reading that will keep you thrilled and glued to its pages!                          Raven – ravennonest.com

 

This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites! 

                                                                                                  Jessica Barbosa – Readers’Favorite    

 

While there is definitely the scare factor in this story, the author actually weaves in humor, mystery and a thrilling story that will keep you mesmerized until the final page!

                                                                                                         Brenda Casto – Reader’sFavorite

The best part of this novel is how Baroni transforms a simple drama into the kind of thriller that will give the reader chills as they connect the dots. The Legend of Rachel Petersen is in a class of its own.

                                                                                                        Essien Asian – Readers’Favorite

So fasten your seatbelts and welcome to Christian Kane’s twilight zone. Highly recommended for die-hard fans of the paranormal genre.                                      Carmen Tenorio – Reader’sFavorite

Baroni’s narrative mastery is on full display, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder long after they’ve turned the last page.                                                       Demetria Head-GPBookreview

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Interview With Author J.T. Baroni

What is the book about?

   Here’s the blurb:

      Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, 43-year-old Sportswriter Christian Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve-year-old girl laid to rest beneath the weathered tombstone. His book quickly tops the Best Seller Lists; then Hollywood adapts it into a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous. But then! Does an enraged Rachel become more than a figment of the writer’s imagination? Did she rise from her grave? Is she seeking revenge on him for slandering her name?

When did you start writing the book?

    I originally wrote this book in 2012. In the first half of 2023, I revised it by adding 165 pages and a new ending chapter. My story is now more descriptive, has more detail, and the final chapter comes out of left field and smacks you upside the head!

How long did it take you to write it?

    Between holding down a job as a transformer repairman, and life in general, I wrote the original book in two years.

Where did you get the idea from?

    Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature. While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.
​​​​​​​    Waiting patiently for any deer to cross my path gave me plenty of time to think about that lone grave’s inhabitant and ponder her story, which I was then driven to write.

    Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

   Chapter One had originally started with the Yoder boys hunkered down under a pine tree on the opening day of buck season in Western Pennsylvania, then I focused on them to the end. This made for a very short read of only 80 pages. After much, much, thought, I finally conjured up Christian Kane the disgruntled sportswriter, and had him write the “Legend of Rachel Petersen”, which doubled the page count and made for one very interesting read. This story is actually a story within a story, spanning 3 time periods. That original Chapter One in the rough draft became Chapter Five in the finished story.

What came easily?

   The characters, their individual voices, and dialogue.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

   I loosely based the Kanes, a happily married couple, on mine and my wife’s relationship; mainly how they supported each other’s dreams and ambitions. My wife gave me the inspiration and determination to write, and finish this book. Also, since the Yoder boys were hunters, and grew up on a farm, they resemble me as a young boy.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

   Harold Robbins, Mark Twain, and Jack London. I’m telling my age with that answer, but I enjoyed their books because they wrote captivating stories that held my interest to the last page.

Do you have a target reader? 

   For this book, I’m targeting any readers who enjoy paranormal, spooky ghost tales. Readers who relish Stephen King’s novels will be captivated by my Revised Edition of The Legend Of Rachel Petersen.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?

   I simply write when it’s raining, or the urge hits, or when I think of a good scene. Sometimes the rough draft got shelved for a month or longer, then I was able to pull it back out and look at it from a fresh perspective.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

   Only after ten or more chapters when I get lost, do I start an outline.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

   I edit as I write. After writing the first chapter, I’ll edit it; then, after writing the second chapter, I’ll start with Chapter one and edit both chapters and so forth… Now that I think about that, my editing process is similar to a Ponzi scheme.

Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)

   The first edition was published by Damnation Books. Their editor, April Duncan, was wonderful and gave me great ideas on improving my writing. The Revised Edition was edited by myself and my son, Skyler, who is a grammar fanatic.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

   Sometimes I tell Alexa to play Santa Esmeralda, Supertramp, The Stones, INXS, or the Golden Oldies. Other times, the news is on the tube.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

   I did with the original, but none would take on an unknown writer. Then I contacted publishers until Damnation signed me.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process? 

   I decided to self-publish mainly because that process cuts out the ‘middleman’. Again, my son, who is very computer savvy, helped me achieve that.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

   The cover was professionally designed by Dawn Dominique, a very talented artist with Damnation Books. I listed her and April Duncan on the credits and copyright page of my revised edition. My wife added the “Revised Edition” to the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

   I have no social platforms, not even Facebook. I have been targeting bloggers, I’ve advertised locally; and again, Skyler is getting the word out there on TikTok and other social platforms. I’m trying to get this revision to go virile. I’ve been scrutinizing national advertising agencies that pinpoint consumers on their likes, then promote those annoying pop up ads.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors? 

   If you, a friend, or family member excel with today’s technology, definitely consider self-publishing. We used Draft2Digital Publishing and we are extremely pleased with their whole process, and their POD paperbacks. If you are going to take the traditional route, watch out for those so-called Vanity Publishers.

Where did you grow up?

   Johnstown, PA

Where do you live now?

   I wish I could say Key West, but I’m ten miles from where I grew up; I still have a Johnstown address.

What would you like readers to know about you?

   I like to fish; if you have a boat, call me!

What are you working on now?

   I’m 32 chapters into a psychological thriller where a psychologist and an attorney are planning to rule the world. They both share a secret, but one of them has an ulterior motive. Three more chapters should finish it. Then edit, edit, edit…

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About Author J.T. Baroni:

Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature.

While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.

          While waiting patiently for that big buck to cross my path, I had plenty of time to ponder the dead girl’s fate, which I was then driven to write.

Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.

A newly retired transformer repairman, I refer to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, as home.

My wife Becky and I share our abode with two retrievers – Piper, and Remmy.

Links: Books2Read / Goodreads

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The author is giving away one eBook and one Print copy.

US Only.

Easy to enter!

Just leave a comment.

Giveaway ends January 9th.

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Spiked Punch (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series)
by Lesley A Diehl

 


Spiked Punch (Maddie Sparks Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Upstate New York
Camel Press (November 14, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1684921252
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1684921256
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C6NR8C3G

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On the other side of seventy, Maddie Sparks decides to spice up her life by changing her writing interests from cozy mysteries to romance. She also determines her appearance should reflect this transformation in her writing career. A sassy new haircut and more fashionable clothes complete the newer Maddie Sparks. Before she can begin this new chapter in her life, a stabbing death in the quiet country village she has made her home shocks the town’s residents.

When her son is accused of the murder, Maddie and the acting county sheriff come together to find the real killer. Their relationship soon blooms into more than one of shared determination to solve the murder. As they enjoy a hike in a nearby park, someone shoots the sheriff, barely missing Maddie. Another killer could be loose in the area, and the person may be closer to Maddie than she realizes. Maddie discovers parts of herself she didn’t know existed: real life romance with the sheriff, a talent for sleuthing and room in her life for a fuzzy, orange cat named “Spike.” This recent lease on life may be more exciting and more dangerous than Maddie expects.

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Interview with Author Leslie A. Diehl

Hello and Welcome back to the blog!

 

I am happy to have you here again and with a new book and series. Congratulations!

 

Before we get too far into the new book can you catch us up on how many series you have? I have lost count.

 

I’ve been busy since I retired to take up writing cozy mysteries. It has been a lot of fun, far better than my first career as a professor and college administrator, although I did love being in the classroom and working with college students.

 

My first series was only two books featuring a craft brewer; A Deadly Draught and Poisoned Pairings. I had a good time doing the research for the book, meeting brewers and sampling their product!

 

I followed this series with The Big Lake Murder mysteries set in rural Florida, the Laura Murphy murder mysteries based on my experiences as a college professor, and the Eve Appel mysteries which are set in rural Florida. I’ve moved my setting for the Maddie Sparks mysteries back to Upstate New York where I now live year round.

 

And, of course, I have numerous short stories published in various anthologies. To see all my work visit my website www.lesleyadiehl.com.

 

Now that we know what you’ve been up to lets chat about Maddie’s book.

 

From mystery writer to romance. Is there a little romance writer lurking in Lesley?

 

Well, the book is still a cozy mystery, but I have thrown in a bit of romance for my seventy plus protagonist. I have her fall for a younger man! He’s actually only a few years her junior (maybe  seven or so), but I like the idea that age is of no consequence for them. The romance seemed to emerge organically for Maddie as she begins writing outside her genre (because she’s a cozy mystery writer also), but she’s grown bored with the genre and wants something a little more….racy. As for me, I will continue to write cozy mysteries. I’ve always included romance in all my series.

 

Can you share a bit of the process of developing a new series?

 

I looked back on my work and realized half my characters were much younger than me, some were of retirement age, but aside from some characters in a series of short stories, none of my protagonists were close to my age. I thought it was time I brought a smart, active, snoopy older woman to the page. It was a natural to use my own perspective on life at this age to create the character. I paired Maddie with the retired county sheriff (the younger man) and included Maddie’s family as important characters in the story lines.

 

The first book is really a path to discovery for Maddie. She finds she’s still interested in love even after a disastrous marriage, that her mind is sharp and curious, making solving a murder her new mission in life, and she adopts a cat although she’s never had a pet before. Finding new aspects of herself is what we all hope for when we age, so I’m certain this series will bring joy to those who find a role model in Maddie and those younger folks who hope to continue growing and changing in their lives.

 

Did the idea come from any part of a previous series?

 

No.

 

Maddie sounds like a strong leading lady. Can you share with us and introduce us to her fellow cast?

 

Maddie has two sons from her marriage. The eldest, Geoffrey, and his wife Abigail own a real estate and property management company in Maddie’s village. They are rather traditional people. They work hard and are devoted to their daughter, Sara. Maddie’s other son, Richard, is a defense attorney in the area. He’s handsome, urbane and single. Sara, Maddie’s only grandchild, is a beautiful young woman, tall, slender, unlike our tiny Maddie in physical appearance, but much to her parents’ consternation, Sara has the same curious mind that her grandmother has and the same interest in taking down criminals. Maddie worries Sara’s curiosity might put her in danger.

 

Zack Montgomery, a former county sheriff, has come out of retirement to investigate a local murder. He and Maddie meet at the crime scene and, like her name, sparks of passion fly between the two.

 

One supporting character which I will develop more in the next books in the series is a woman (Jane) around the same age as Maddie. Soon a friendship develops between the two, another signal that new friends are possible even at Maddie’s age.

 

I am curious about the cover and a few questions.

 

I am guessing there might be a clue or two hidden. Am I right?

 

The cat on the cover is meant to be Spike, the cat Maddie finds and adopts. He is located center stage on the cover because he is at the heart of finding the murderer. It was my intention to include a cat in this series as I’ve not done that in my previous work. However, I wanted the cat to be a partner in solving the murder and Spike, as readers will see, is certainly key in solving the mystery.

 

Maddie’s house is located on the creek that runs through her village, and because much of the action occurs in her home, the cottage on the stream pictured on the cover is important.

 

I love the title too. Can you tell us about it? Home much input did you have? Did the title come first or after you were into writing the story?

 

With this publisher, Camel Press, I determine the title. I cannot tell you everything about the tile except to say it makes reference to the cat’s name (Spike). Beyond that, you have to read the book to understand.

 

Tell us about Spike.

 

Maddie found Spike, a fluffy orange fella, at the scene of the murder, hiding in a closet in the bedroom of the murdered man. One of the detectives at the scene wants to take Spike off to the local rescue group, but, perhaps because Maddie dislikes the detective’s attitude about cats (and Spike seems to agree with her), she takes Spike home with her intending to see if the cat belongs to anyone in the neighborhood or is the cat an orphan because Spike’s owner had been murdered. Little does Maddie know that she is now a pet parent. She has a lot to learn about cats and especially about Spike. To her surprise, the two of them grow increasingly close and along with the county sheriff,  they become a crime fighting trio.

 

One more question because I know you are busy and I think it is snack time.

 

What is your favorite snack?

 

Recently, I’ve found I love a chewy ginger cookie. I have one with my afternoon tea. Maddie loves tea also and, like me, she never finds time to bake anything to go with her afternoon cuppa, so she buys her cookies at the supermarket or the local bakery.

 

Opps I lied. Sorry.

 

What is your idea of a perfect date?

 

A good movie (is there any such thing anymore?) and movie popcorn. Yum! If not that, then a cuppa and a scone.

 

Would Maddie agree?

 

Maddie would prefer the tea. And a murder to solve with Spike and Zack.

 

 Thanks for inviting me to talk with you. I enjoyed it. We should get together for tea some afternoon.

~~~~~

About Lesley A. Diehl

Cows, Lesley learned growing up on a farm, have a twisted sense of humor. They chased her when she went to the field to herd them in for milking, and one ate the lovely red mitten her grandmother knitted for her. Determining that agriculture wasn’t a good career choice, instead she uses her country roots and her training as a psychologist to concoct stories designed to make people laugh in the face of murder. “A good chuckle,” says Lesley,” keeps us emotionally well-oiled long into our old age.” She is the author of the Eve Appel mysteries from Camel Press as well as several cozy mystery series and numerous short stories. Go to her webpage to find out more: www.lesleyadiehl.com.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon
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Purchase Links – AmazonB&NKobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 15 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 15 – Cozy, Suspenseful, and Sweet – SPOTLIGHT

November 16 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 16 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 17 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

November 17 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 18 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

November 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 20 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 22 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 23 – THANKSGIVING U.S.

November 24 – Sapphyria’s Books – SPOTLIGHT

November 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 25 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

November 26 – fuonlyknew – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 27 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

November 28 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 29 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 29 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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A British cowboy bachelor, the rodeo queen he’s been crushing on, and fateful family entanglements threatening to keep them apart…

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Christmas With the Cowboy

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A Cowboys and Tiaras Romance Book 2

by Shantal Sessions

Genre: Small Town, Second Chance Christmas Romance

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A British cowboy bachelor, the rodeo queen he’s been crushing on, and fateful family entanglements threatening to keep them apart…

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While visiting his former Oxford flat mate, British bachelor James Davenport falls in love not only with the small town of Primrose, CO, but with rodeo queen Isabelle Pomeroy. But a family crisis sends James scuttling back across the pond leaving Isabelle without an explanation.

Isabelle Pomeroy spent the last year touring the state as Miss Rodeo Colorado, and comes darn close to winning Miss Rodeo America. But her tenure is over and she’s anxious to come home to her family for Christmas. Helping at her family’s ranch is a welcome distraction from the heartache left by a handsome Brit who left without so much as saying goodbye.

Without warning, James returns, working hard to become a true-blue cowboy and anxious to win her back. Isabelle is determined to avoid another heartbreak, but it seems a tall order amidst her small town’s festive traditions and everyone brimming with holiday spirit.

Will James weave some Christmas magic and convince Isabelle of what’s truly in his heart? Will Isabelle allow herself to heal, so they can finally forge a real relationship?

Christmas with the Cowboy is a heartwarming second chance romance bursting with Christmas magic, charming holiday traditions, and an emotionally satisfying happily-ever-after.

**On Sale Now! Get it fast before the price goes up!**

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Interview With Author Shantal Sessions

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What inspired you to write this book?

While my son and his wife lived in England, they had talked to several British people who fantasized about coming to the American West to experience the landscape, ride horses, or even drive an old truck down a dusty road. And that was it! I dreamed up a guy who wanted to escape the expectations of high society and breathe free in the mountains of Colorado. Of course, he falls in love with a rodeo queen!

I’ve also wanted to write a sweet, swoony, wintery romance for a long time. I adore Christmas, so it was an absolute no-brainer to try my hand at writing a love story that unfolds during the holidays. I tried to create iconic holiday festivities and events wherein my characters would have breakthrough moments. It was a joy to think about what I love about winter and Christmas, and weave a little holiday magic into a what I hope is my sweetest, swooniest romance yet.

Tell us about your main characters. What makes them tick?

Isabelle Pomeroy: The leading lady in Christmas with the Cowboy. If you’ve read Caught by the Cowboy, you’ll know she is Emmy Jo’s best friend and the reigning Miss Rodeo Colorado. She is the daughter of a rancher and has spent her life working with animals. As a veterinarian student, she has helped many of the poorest ranchers in Primrose keep their animals healthy. She is the golden girl of this small ranching community, smart, sweet, talented, and hardworking, but never takes time for herself (yes, James figures this out;) She’s a bit of an over-achiever because her love language is helping others. It’s no wonder everyone in Primrose adores this small-town girl. She spent the last year touring the state as Miss Rodeo Colorado, and comes darn close to winning Miss Rodeo America. But her tenure is over and she’s anxious to come home to her family for Christmas. Helping at her family’s ranch is a welcome distraction from the heartache left by a handsome Brit who left without so much as saying goodbye.

James Davenport: The leading man in Christmas with the Cowboy. He’s a Brit, dashing and handsome. As an aristocrat with a law degree from Oxford university, he’s destined to spend his life working as a solicitor in father’s London law firm. Except he can’t stand the thought of being strangled to death by all the family and social expectations. He needs to breathe free. He visits his former Oxford flat mate, a lawyer in Denver, and begins building a life in Colorado, trying to become a true-blue cowboy.

The more enamored he becomes with Isabelle and the West, James can’t digest the idea of living in London for the rest of his life, and stays in the States. There is one emergency trip back to London last summer, but he’s been in Primrose since then (unbeknownst to Isabelle). His father reminds him often that he’s a spoiled prat who doesn’t have the luxury of “finding himself.” There are too many family responsibilities to take such a selfish view of life.

And that’s just a taste of the tension that awaits you in Christmas with the Cowboy.

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Caught by the Cowboy

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A Cowboys and Tiaras Romance Book 1

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A disillusioned rancher, a runaway rodeo queen, and two old flames who could burn them both…

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After his father lost their ranch in a high-stakes poker game, Will Hawkins fought for his job as general manager at the Hayfork River Ranch. With his inheritance now in the hands of a California billionaire, he’s determined to make sure it doesn’t get developed into luxury ranchettes and shopping centers. And try to forget about the woman who betrayed him and broke his heart.

Emmy Jo Jackson is hiding from her ex-fiancé and a raging social media storm. As a rodeo queen vying for the state title, it’s only a matter of time before he finds her and tries to take revenge. She seeks refuge in the Hayfork River Canyon where she hopes the beautiful vistas and wide-open spaces will allow her a chance to steel her resolve and train at the ranch for her upcoming pageant.

Will is resigned to his life and bent on not getting distracted by another pretty heartbreaker. Emmy Jo is determined not to let a grumpy cowboy who’s easy on the eyes derail her from chasing her dream. Except spending time together on the ranch weakens their defenses, like a rail fence coming undone, and pretty soon they’re both questioning their previous notions. When their pasts come-a-calling, can Emmy Jo and Will round-up the lies and see them for what they are? Or will the love that blossomed on the ranch be lost forever?

Download Caught by the Cowboy today and get roped into this sweet and clean, grumpy/sunshine romance, breathtaking scenery, and an unforgettable cowboy guaranteed to make you swoon.

Praise for Shantal Sessions–

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“Caught by the Cowboy combines the charm of a rodeo queen, Emmy Jo, with the rugged allure of Will Hawkins, a ranch manager who should have been the heir. Both have their guard up, but the chemistry between them is electric as they move from antagonists to swoony kisses. The wit and banter as Emmy Jo and Will challenge each other leads to some hilarious outcomes.The author includes a gorgeous ranch that I’d like to go visit, as well as authentic rodeo details. Add their despicable exes causing more havoc, and you’ve got a book you can’t put down. Recommended.”
~Jen Peters, award-winning author (Black Rock Ranch series)

“Sessions does a great job of pulling the reader into life on the ranch and shows the dedication it takes to become a rodeo queen. Caught by the Cowboy is a captivating, authentic, small-town romance that will keep readers turning pages well past their bedtime.” ~Jill Burrell, Author of the Best-selling Finding Providence Series

“Caught by the Cowboy is everything a sweet romance should be–complete with vivid characters, flirty banter, and sizzling chemistry.” ~USA Today Best-selling Author Kimberly Krey (Sweet Montana Bride Series)

“The chemistry between Will and Emmy Jo is palpable, as their blossoming relationship forms the heart of the story. The author expertly crafts scenes that are laden with tension, emotion, and a genuine sense of connection, captivating readers and drawing them into the characters’ lives.” ~USA Today Best-selling and award-winning author Donna K. Weaver

**Get it FREE for a limited time!!**

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Shantal is hopelessly romantic. She adores writing ALL THE FEELS right up to the first kiss and beyond saying, “I do.” She is a multi-genre sweet romance author who engages in her two great passions: reading and writing heart-soaring romance, charming characters with chemistry, and scintillating kisses that will steal your breath away. Originally drawn to writing young adult Medieval romance, she’s since written contemporary romance, all sweet and clean.

Happily living in a love story all her own, she lives in Utah with her husband, near her two married sons and amazing daughters-in-law, and her two granddaughters. Shantal loves the great outdoors and can be found gardening in summer and skiing in winter. She’ll come inside to hunker down for a Jane Austen book or film (or romance, romcom, and costume drama), and to make the most delectable pumpkin chocolate chip cookies on the planet. Learn more at https://www.shantalsessions.com.

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If you loved Catnip, Toilet Paper, and Lasers, this new collection of cat poems will tickle your whiskers and your funny bone.

 

 

 

Title: Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips: Cat Poetry: The Art of Being Feline

Author: M.G. Rorai

Publication Date: September 30, 2023

Pages: 178

Genre: Poetry/Cats



goodreads add to

 

Ever wonder why there are “mews” in “amewzing”?

 

‘This collection of cat poems will tickle your whiskers and your funny bone. They’re the purr-fect way to brighten your day and celebrate the furry friends in your life.

 

Prepare to laugh out loud as you read about cat adventures with magnets, candles, strawberry milkshakes, and plush balls—but don’t let me ruin the surprise, you’ll have to read to find out! 

 

Get ready to laugh your tail off!

 

Buy Links:

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Interview With Author M.G. Rorai

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I’m excited to find out all about your new book, Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips!
Can you tell us about the main characters (the kitties!)?

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Most of the kitties are just anonymous cats, reaching out to tell their tales of mischief and being
annoyed by their human (doesn’t every toilet paper roll need a good shredding??), but the
consistent narrators of the book are my two kitties, Socks and Elsa.
They are a sibling pair, and I’ve had them for about three years now. When my husband and I
were looking into getting our next cat, we checked the local shelters and came across Socks. He
was cute and adorable; at the time his sister was absent, as she was getting spayed. We took him
home, fell in love, and immediately went back for Elsa.
And they are a sleepy playful pair. If Elsa’s on the cardboard, Socks must have it. If Socks is on
top of the cat tree, Elsa must shove him off. The sleepy part comes in when they’ve spent their
energy and curl up together on said cat tree, cardboard, or even my futon couch, as if their little
spats were just passing clouds of fray.
So of course their antics are woven throughout this book, along with the previous one, Catnip,
Toilet Paper, and Lasers. You can see Elsa’s obsession with food and Socks’ infatuation with
cardboard. And I couldn’t leave out the battle with the auto litter box.

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I know you get this asked many times, but why poetry? Have you been writing
poetry all your life?

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I’ve always been a busy person, so short stories and poetry made time for me. I like being able to
see the beginning, middle, and end of a project instead of something that forecasts further ahead.
But as I progressed in my writing career, more poems collected together, and my stories
occasionally got longer.
With poetry, the rhyming felt like a puzzle putting the words together. A relaxing puzzle. This
and prose helped me throughout my academic career, balancing out hectic schedules with a
stress reliever.
Poetry is also a form of painting with words. It allows my thoughts to paint unique
images in a way different from my stories. Some people think in words; others in
images. I mostly think in images and love the artwork my brain creates when I put words
to paper. I hope some of that passes on to readers when they read my books.
Poetry’s just always been there, poking through occasionally between stories. While I
may not have written poetry all the time throughout the years, I’ve mostly been writing in
some form or fashion, whether it be poetry, books, blog posts, copywriting, or something
else that let my creative side bust a move from my very logical and analytical job.

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Do you have a “real” job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some
other jobs you’ve had in your life?

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My main job over the years has been as a teacher. I started out as a college Biology instructor,
working part-time at sometimes up to four different colleges in a semester. This was my living
for about four years. Then I became a full-time high school science teacher, but still taught
college at night. After about six years of high school, I was offered a full-time job as a
professor at the college I had adjuncted at since 2010, and I took it. I still work there.

Other jobs? I think grad school is a job, as I pretty much breathed school and lab 24/7. It was a
pretty stressful time. But other than that, I’ve worked as an Internet researcher at a recruiting
firm before stepping into the world of teaching. You could say I was a career student who briefly
stepped out into the world for some job experience before dipping back into academia. But
through all of this I wrote, not necessarily poetry, but mostly prose. I started taking poetry
seriously again during the pandemic, and my old poems spoke to me like flower petals
pressed in the pages of a favorite book.

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Does a big ego help or hurt an author?

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I think it depends on what that big ego is used for. Imposter syndrome is a big problem among
authors, and probably many fields—people just don’t think they are doing well and give up when
they aren’t succeeding fast enough. Or they see their work as subpar that will never go
anywhere. If ego is used to combat that low self-esteem, then yes, definitely it can be a big help
to motivate the author to keep going.
Where ego hurts is when it inflates the author to the point that their work is above all reproach.
Their words are golden and not even their readers’ or editors’ opinions matter. I once heard the
story of an author so full of themself that they refused editorial services for their latest book
when they’d had editing for the past ten or so books. And guess what? Their next release was
riddled with mistakes, and fans definitely complained.
But I can’t speak much to the effects of inflated ego as I lie more in the former category.

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As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

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Definitely a werewolf. The power and control they have in shapeshifting, but also keeping
animal abilities in human form, to me speaks of perseverance and motivation. I think they strive
for their goals, and meet their goals (not the wild brainless type, but the ones with human
intelligence), and that dedication and discipline to stay the course resonates with me. It says
when you’re down, you finish. When you want to quit, you keep going, because the
werewolf always gets their goal. They are strong and they use that strategically. It may
sound silly, I know, but it’s motivating to me.
Personally though, I’d rather choose a werecat, because cats are more awesome than dogs, but I
grew up on werewolf movies and comics, so the werewolf imagery is stuck in my mind, and
that’s what I associate strength with. But one of my favorite weekend house shirts has a
werecat drawing on it.
I would like to add a disclaimer and say that I am not a furry, I just appreciate the
characteristics of the werewolf/werecat. Also, I would like to add that I am aware that
weres are fictional – this question didn’t specify real animals only.

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What advice would you give a writer working on their first book?

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After the honeymoon period of, “Wow! I’ve written a book!” has ended, don’t expect your
book to immediately go viral and fly off the digital shelves. You may think your book is
awesome, and it may be, but there are tons of other books being published right alongside yours,
so you’ll need to figure out a clever way to get your book noticed by the masses.

Also, if you self-publish, not everything has to be high cost. Publishing on digital platforms,
such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, etc., is free, and editors and covers don’t
have to break the bank. The issue isn’t cost, it’s quality. You need to find services that will get
your book polished and noticed.

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What would you like to say to your readers and fans?

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Meow!
Laughing aside, I hope you enjoy my books and more to come. Just know that I write
when I can as my day job keeps me uber busy, so it’s mostly writing on weekends and
sometimes in the mornings before work. I generally publish when I can, but usually a
month or two apart from each release. I do try to stay active on my blog though to keep
everyone updated on changes/releases—you can find it here at
www.WrathofKitties.com.
Also, life is too short not to enjoy things. Go pet a cat, read a good book, and remember
that you won’t get this chance again. May you have many moments of mews, mirth, and
mischief.

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Book Excerpt  

 

The magnets are so cute

that I must knock them off

but get yelled at for this,

so the new approach is soft.

 

I sit by the fridge

staring at those squares

and when Human isn’t looking

I lick with tongue hairs.

 

All was going good

until one was quite sticky

leaving a bad taste,

and I’m not so picky.

 

I bite at the air

to get rid of the taste

then knock down that magnet;

good riddance, post-haste.**

 

 

 

 

About the Author
 

 

M.G. Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband. Her latest book is Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips.

Author Links  

Website | Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

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