Book Link

From Amazon: When News Correspondent Alexandra Returns Home Injured From A Deadly Assignment, Can Air Force Pilot Sean Convince Her To Keep Her Christmas Promise? 2021 READERS’ FAVORITE GOLD MEDAL WINNER High school hockey player Sean Reynolds is captivated by Crystal Rock’s newest resident, Alexandra Evans, the lone skater who’s determined to make the high school figure skating team. Luckily, Sean is there to rescue her when she falls through thin ice. Ten years later when they meet again, Sean is an Air Force Lieutenant while Alexandra has become a highly respected news correspondent. Although they come from different worlds, their attraction is instantaneous when they meet again at Christmas in Crystal Rock, and after spending every spare moment of their Christmas holiday together, Sean does something crazy and asks her to marry him. Alexandra has compared every man she’s ever met with Sean, even though they never actually dated in high school since Sean was much older. But she immediately accepts his proposal, knowing they can find a way to work it out. They’re planning a holiday wedding the following year. But when Alexandra’s overseas assignment turns deadly, she returns home scarred and breaks their engagement while refusing to see Sean. Can Sean convince her that beauty is only skin deep so that two hearts can keep their Christmas promise?

My Review: This book combines two of my favorite things, namely love and Christmas. Throw in a dash of snow sprinkled with a bit of spice, combined with old flames that never were ten years ago, yet new flames now, wounded warriors and the world of reporting, special ops, and deranged people who plant IEDs and you have one wonderful novel.

Book Link

From Amazon: Cathy Lynn Brooks spent her career working with children with special needs, but despite her professional experience, it was still heartbreaking for her to witness the challenges faced by her daughter, Justine. Justine always reminded Cathy of Annie Oakley. She was fierce and protective of the vulnerable, but she was also plagued by her own troubles. At a young age, Justine was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. As Justine grew up, she often made bad choices due to the traumas of her past and her mental illness. Through it all, Cathy never stopped loving her daughter. In this revealing and powerful book, Cathy takes you back to the early days of Justine’s childhood and the events that led to her diagnosis. Cathy watched her daughter try time and again to change her life, amazed and awed by Justine’s persistence, courage, and compassion. Cathy hopes that her daughter’s journey to a place of healing and peace will inspire others struggling with mental illness or caring for a family member with the same issues. She shows families that, while there are many obstacles on the road to better mental health, there are amazing joys waiting for you as well! This debut memoir, Not My Story To Tell is a great addition to the works of Mitch Albom and Jeannette Walls. If you liked ‘Beautiful Boy’ by David Sheff, you’ll love Not My Story To Tell.

My Review: This is a devastating book about a child with mental health issues and her sudden death at age 29. I know child loss, I’ve lost two boys, but this book isn’t about me or my losses. Having retired from working as a registered nurse, I have full empathy for this author. Mental illness is different in each person, and must be treated that way, individually, and correctly. Sadly, it’s universal worldwide in that those with mental health issues fall to the side. Read this book. Learn about mental illness in a child and as an adults. Read the accomplishments and the sorrows.

Tik Tok JLMWrites

1. My name is Lance Meredith, I live in Ontario, Canada. I’ve been an avid reader my whole life and wrote for years as a hobby before taking the plunge and writing professionally. I write in the superhero, ghost hunter, science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian future genres.

2. Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?  I wrote for pleasure through high school and into university before the weight of so many academic papers pushed the love of writing out of me. I returned to writing in 2015 when I had some time to write. It took me a few years to regain my ‘writing muscles’ and write my first published novel, Guardian, Into the Light of Day.

3. How difficult was it writing your first book?  It took me three years to bring my writing to a level that could be commercially viable. Additionally in my quest to get the details of the novel technically correct, there was an enormous amount of research involved including consulting a significant amount of experts in fields from astronomy to medicine.

4. Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you? There were a few prolonged periods of writer’s block when I wrote myself into a corner and had to think for several days about how I was going to resolve it.

5. Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?  My family and friends have cheered on every success and expressed support during the writing process.

6. Anything specific you want to tell your readers? Guardian will return in future stories.

7. What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?  “Turn on the tap” meaning just sit down and write, even if you words come in drips, eventually you will have a complete work.

8. What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel

targets that audience? I write for adults, fans of the genre. I included a strong romantic subplot that ties in with the main plot of Guardian as well.

9. Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?  

Since my novel is a superhero(ine) novel, I examined some well known pieces of comic book art for inspiration, then worked with my cover artist to create the effect.

10. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

Hemmingway had a colourful description for first drafts; mine would add further evidence to his assertion.

11. Any last words before we wrap things up?  Writing is both one of the most challenging things I have ever undertaken and one of the most rewarding. For those who love a good superhero tale, I encourage them to give the novel a look!

Links:

Blog: http://jlmeredith.com/welcome-to-my-blog/

 author page/website: JLMeredith.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JLMWrites

Twitter,  https://twitter.com/JLM_Writes

Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/Guardian-Into-Light-JL-Meredith-ebook/dp/B09ML7V944/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1826TTUEBXFF7&keywords=jl+meredith&qid=1666874209&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=digital-text&sprefix=JL+Mere%2Cdigital-text%2C96&sr=1-1

Barnes & Noble, https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guardian-into-the-light-of-day-james-l-meredith/1141488102?ean=9781777921811

Media Kit:

Book Title: Liopleurodon: The Master of the Deep
Author: M. B. Zucker
Publication Date: 20^th September 2022
Publisher: Historium Press Books www.historiumpress.com
Cover Design: White Rabbit Arts www.wrarts.com

Page Length: 251
Genre: Historical Fantasy

Twitter handles: @MBZuckerBooks @MichaelZucker1 @cathiedunn

Hashtags: #HistoricalFantasy #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2022/09/blog-tour-liopleurodon-master-of-deep.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Liopleurodon: The Master of the Deep

By M. B. Zucker

Blurb:

From M. B. Zucker, award-winning author of “The Eisenhower Chronicles”

Liopleurodon ferox was the deadliest sea predator of all time, the king of the Jurassic ocean. This whale-sized reptile’s return to the early twentieth century triggers a geopolitical crisis in this new historical science fiction thriller. Former President Theodore Roosevelt foresees the threat the Liopleurodon would pose if it falls into the wrong hands. The race is on as Roosevelt leads the American effort to destroy it before the Kaiser’s Germany can turn it into a weapon.

Fans of Jurassic Park and Steve Alten’s Meg series will not want to miss this adventure filled with action, political intrigue, and characters that readers will remember long after finishing this novel.

Advance Praise for Liopleurodon: The Master of the Deep

“The storyline itself was superb —- A Jaws/Jurassic Park thriller and a bit of a spy novel all in one – and compelling.” – The Historical Fiction Company

Scene 5: Teddy Roosevelt battles the Liopleurodon during the climax, intervening as it preys upon Neville Chamberlain’s wedding yacht.

Roosevelt watched as the five-meter triangular head moved along the ocean’s surface. It first swam toward the Thüringen and then turned to attack Roosevelt’s boat.

“Keep a distance from the yacht!” Roosevelt shouted to the men behind him. He made a split-second calculation of weaponry and decided the harpoon gun was his best chance since it combined distance and power. The drawback was that it had to be reloaded. Roosevelt moved as fast as possible, loading another lance and cocking the weapon.

The Liopleurodon flapped his flippers, closing the distance to Roosevelt’s boat. Roosevelt aimed and fired. The harpoon overshot the Liopleurodon, which struck the boat. However, dodging the harpoon sacrificed the Liopleurodon’s speed and decreased his attack’s power. Roosevelt and his crew wouldn’t have known this as they spun along the ocean’s surface, feeling queasy as they slowed.

Roosevelt grit his teeth and changed tactics. He drew his sword. “Come on! Let’s settle this! You and me!”

The pliosaur approached once more, again attacking on the Atlantic’s surface. Roosevelt marveled at the Liopleurodon, envious of his power as his three-meter jaws opened. Roosevelt was cocked, screaming and lunging with his sword, stabbing the top of the Liopleurodon’s mouth. Blood burst from where the sword struck.

The Liopleurodon shrieked and Roosevelt surged with joy. The adversaries moved in opposite directions as if on cue, the Liopleurodon raising his head to escape and Roosevelt pulling back to strike again.

“What fun!” Roosevelt shouted as he swung for the Liopleurodon’s throat, already bleeding from the harpoon wound. Roosevelt missed and the Liopleurodon turned to submerge.

Roosevelt took a second to catch his breath, careful not to lose his balance with his pegleg. He knew the Liopleurodon was done playing with him. That was fine. Roosevelt’s brain raced as he calculated ways to score a mortal blow. He needed to access a weak point so he could stab the reptile to death. Roosevelt couldn’t let the Liopleurodon dictate the terms. No amount of stabbing the Liopleurodon’s mouth would kill it. He had to access someplace more vulnerable. If the Liopleurodon did as he predicted, such an opportunity was imminent.

He turned to his men. “Brace yourselves!”

Buy Links:

Universal Link: https://mybook.to/liopleurodon  

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Liopleurodon-Master-Deep-M-B-Zucker- ebook/dp/B0B99H12H2

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/Liopleurodon-Master-Deep-M-B-Zucker- ebook/dp/B0B99H12H2   

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/Liopleurodon-Master-Deep-M-B-Zucker- ebook/dp/B0B99H12H2  

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/Liopleurodon-Master-Deep-M-B-Zucker- ebook/dp/B0B99H12H2  

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/liopleurodon-m-b-zucker/1141992437?ean=9798986256467   

Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/liopleurodon/m-b-zucker/historium- press/9798986256450  

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/liopleurodon-1  

Author Bio:

M. B. Zucker has been interested in storytelling for as long as he can remember. He discovered his love of history at fifteen and studied Dwight Eisenhower for over ten years.

Mr. Zucker earned his B.A. at Occidental College and his J.D. at Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He lives in Virginia with his wife.

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.michaelbzucker.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MBZuckerBooks  and https://twitter.com/michaelzucker1  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100061516155957

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbzucker

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/M-B-Zucker/e/B09JM74HMF

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21882348.M_B_Zucker  

Book Link

From Amazon: This delightful collection of poems makes a perfect companion for the holiday season. The magic of Christmas comes to life and welcomes the reader into the North Pole, Bethlehem and Santa’s village. Including a mixture of the Mistletoe curse, lazy elves, anti-bullying Rudolph, an ugly sweater party, a Santa sleigh ride and more. This festive collection will surely bring a smile to many in the spirit of the holiday season.

My Review: Mellen has written a lovely book of Christmas poems and small drawings for each. The poems vary from family and a tree, to angels and those who can’t afford Christmas in a bah humbug manner. No one goes hungry thanks to churches and Rudolf makes an appearance.

Please welcome M J Mallon to my blog. Shall we sit and have a chat?

1. Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hi Mary, I am an author, poet, book reviewer and blogger. I write YA Fantasy, poetry, and short fiction. As well as this, I enjoy taking photographs of nature, and European travel destinations such as Portugal, Spain, and in UK  – Edinburgh, in Scotland, and Cambridge in England. I am building up my reputation as a book reviewer via my new bookstagram account.

2. Has writing always been part of your life and when did you “know” that it was time to start writing your first book?

I began writing in my teens, thereafter lost my writing mojo somewhat. Later in life, I came back to it when my family were grown up. With regards to my first book, my YA fantasy, Bloodstone  #1 The Curse of Time series, lots of experiences came together and triggered my imagination to write. Some were artistic…namely two sculptural artworks – Juniper Artland’s crystal grotto in Wilkieston near Edinburgh, UK, designed by Anya Gallaccio,  and Dr. John C. Taylor’s magnificent Corpus Christi Chronophage clock in Cambridge, UK… and a mysterious and magical black cat muse who suddenly appeared in my garden and became a character, Shadow in the series!

3. How difficult was it writing your first book?

The most difficult part of writing my first book was the editing process. I write with minimal planning so I had to do a fair amount of intervention to make the first draft work!

4. Have you ever wanted to give up and what stopped you?

Sometimes it gets frustrating, small independent authors spend so much time and effort writing, editing, and promoting our work. There is so much competition… and it is even harder with short poetic works. As is the case with some of my releases. My latest is Do What You Love, Fragility of Your Flame Poems, Photography and Flash Fiction which releases 25^th November.

5. Who is the most supportive of you and your dream to be a writer?

My mum and dad and my eldest daughter, Natasha. My mum always reads all my work, loves it all! And gives me feedback. And Natasha is my go to beta reader and a keen bookish soul like me.

6. Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I wrote Do What You Love as a poetic, as a short fiction poetic summary of some of my highlights of my life-to-date. It is a nostalgic looking back, a processing of the joys of friendship, family, travel and change as we grow older.

It begins with this poem – I love hibiscus flowers!

 

FRAGILITY OF YOUR FLAME

hibiscus flower

fragility of your flame

memories not lost

recalled by rain drops falling

caressing tender petals

© M J Mallon

7. What is the best advice given to you (book or otherwise), and by whom?

In my case, focus on one thing at a time! I tend to be a bit of a writing butterfly. So, hubby’s great advice was to finish my first book… and not get sidetracked. He was right, I did! And there are now two books in The Curse of Time series with a planned continuation of the series in the antagonist Ryder’s Land of Shadows. 

8. What is your target audience and what aspect of your writing do you feel targets that audience?

I have two target audiences…  which can be tricky… teens and those who are young at heart for my YA Fantasy, (even though The Curse of Time series has poetic moments too!) and readers who primarily enjoy short fiction, photography and poetry for my other works. The style of writing that targets both is the poetic aspect in all of these said works.

9. Did the cover evolve the same way, or did you work with someone to make it come together for you?

My cover was designed by an old friend of mine: Colleen Chesebro who has a new cover design and formatting service. I believe Colleen captured the essence of the book exceptionally well and the girl on the cover does look like me!

10. What are you working on now? Can we get a peek, an excerpt?

I’m working on the third book following on from the Curse of Time series which is very much in its infancy…

Here is an excerpt, please be aware it may change and is unedited.

Excerpt – The Land of Shadows

Darkness descended as all too familiar phantoms beckoned to come. “Remember me,” they chorused reaching out as their irregular shadows danced so close that I could feel them crowding in upon me.

I pushed them away, moving with utmost care, my hands outstretched to avoid obstacles and creatures of darkness in my way. I managed to stumble forward using my senses to reach the kitchen, pulling at the handle of the cupboard drawer I rummaged inside and clasped a pillar candle, and then a box of matches to summon the light. I struck a match, but the candle flickered and died. Trying again and again, I sighed with frustration as each time the candle refused to light. I trembled, alone in the house, my forehead creased with a mounting sense of doubt and fear.  Had my world become a world  of darkness?  A world bereft of light, of happiness, had it become Ryder’s world?

“No!” I yelled in fury to the void.

The void was not as empty as I had imagined. The sudden familiar motion of Shadow curling around my legs calmed and reassured me. I knelt down and stroked his blue black fur, which blended into and became absorbed by the darkness. He purred the sweetest, melodious note, a gentle salve to my nerves.

“What’s happening Shadow? The world has turned dark. The moon is submerged, like it has tumbled into the sea,  swept away by the tides and is now buried, and lost.”

Shadow miaowed, he jumped upon my leg, his claws extending gently. He wanted to be picked up, which was an unusual request from him, I bent down and carried him towards the lounge, my intention to sit with him on the settee. He relaxed as I put him down. His presence reassured me as he kneaded his paws, massaging my fear away.

The two of us sat

Waiting for something to change.

For light and hope to come.

But still the darkness remained.

© M J Mallon

11. Any last words before we wrap things up?

Thank you for featuring me on your blog! I hope your readership will give my books a go… if they like poetic, philosophical, descriptive and imaginative writing I believe they may find something they like in my works.

Blurb – Do What You Love

Do What You Love Fragility of Your Flame Poems, Photography & Flash Fiction is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.

With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.

The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.

float along with me

create clouds of sweetest joy

to do what you love

hold fate’s hand as we venture

near and far on life’s journey

© 2022 M J Mallon

Release Date: 25^th November 2022, able to preorder via the following links.

Buy Links Do What You Love:

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0BKLC9DYY/

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/What-You-love-Fragility-Photography-ebook/dp/B0BKLC9DYY/

Amazon Canada: https://www.amazon.ca/What-You-love-Fragility-Photography-ebook/dp/B0BKLC9DYY/

I am thrilled to say that two of my poetry collections, (Mr. Sagittarius and Lockdown Innit,) have been requested by prestigious libraries in the UK: The British Library, The Bodleian Library Oxford University, the Cambridge University Library, National Library of Scotland, National Library of Wales and Trinity College Dublin for Legal Deposit.

Add the book to your TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63114445-do-what-you-love

The cover of the paperback and kindle have been designed by Colleen Chesebro who has a new service for authors which I can highly recommend. Colleen also designed the interior and cover of The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet.

https://unicorncatspubservices.wordpress.com/my-services

Portfolio:
https://unicorncatspubservices.wordpress.com/portfolio

https://wordcraftpoetry.com/unicorn-cats-publishing-services/

Other poetry/flash fiction collections:

Kyrosmagica Publishing

The Hedge Witch And The Musical Poet

https://books2read.com/u/mv1OeV

Mr. Sagittarius Poetry and Prose

http://mybook.to/MrSagittarius

Anthology – This Is Lockdown, (poetry, diaries and flash fiction – kindle)

http://mybook.to/Thisislockdown

Poetry during Lockdown – Lockdown Innit

 http://mybook.to/Lockdowninnit

Poetry also features in my highly acclaimed YA Fantasy series.  Each chapter begins with a short poem. The Curse of Time Book 1 Bloodstone and Book 2 Golden Healer are published by Next Chapter Publishing.

https://www.nextchapter.pub/books/bloodstone

https://www.nextchapter.pub/books/golden-healer

https://www.nextchapter.pub/authors/mj-mallon

Author Bio

M J Mallon was born in Lion city Singapore, a passionate Scorpio with the Chinese Zodiac sign of a lucky rabbit. She spent her early childhood in Hong Kong. During her teen years, she returned to her father’s childhood home, Edinburgh where she spent many happy years, entertained and enthralled by her parents’ vivid stories of living and working abroad. Perhaps it was during these formative years that her love of storytelling began bolstered by these vivid raconteurs. She counts herself lucky to have travelled to many far-flung destinations and this early wanderlust has fuelled her present desire to emigrate abroad. Until that wondrous moment, it’s rumoured that she lives sometimes in the UK, and often times in Portugal.. Her two enchanting daughters have flown the nest but often return with a cheery smile to greet her.

Her motto is to always do what you love, stay true to your heart’s desires, and inspire others to do so too.

All my links can be found here: https://linktr.ee/mjmallonauthor

BOOK LINK

From Amazon: IT BEGAN WITH THE GOVERNMENT ABANDONING THEM, LEAVING THEM FOR DEAD. Now a leader, war is all she knows. However, life had taken a swing for the worse. Secrets are rising, and untold truths are unfolding. Her faith has faded, and darkness is taking over. Gena fights to discover the truth, opening doors that can’t be shut. When a new battle begins between Heaven and Hell, Gena learns who she is and that there’s a darkness rising within. Is she afraid of the dark? What if the monsters inside her were set free? How safe would this world be, then? New dangers rise in the shadows of hope. Will they be the end of her or is she their greatest threat? It will keep you on the edge of your seat, leaving you wanting more.

My Review: This is an exceptional novel written most creatively; a true dystopian with touches of both Heaven and hell. Gene is a strong female and she her family, blood kin or not. Gene does what she must to keep her family safe and includes wars, stealing, killing, most anything one can imagine after Earth is hit with a virus that killed at will, leaving the living to do their best to make a life out of almost nothing. Weather variances, and traveling to multiple Earth’s in which no two are alike. I can see this book become a movie. Five stars.

From Amazon: Life is alive with poetry; all the sights, sounds and smells. Blend it all together in your mind and you will begin to sing songs in your heart. You deserve a reason to smile, to feel good while pondering the magic of your world. You are closer than you think. Open, A Tanka Picture Book! Consider the story each picture shares through its visual. Enjoy how each is enhanced with a tanka poem. Engage your senses while on a journey of passionate creativity. To feel the excitement found in even the simplest of sights is why A Tanka Picture Book was created. Tanka is a form of traditional Japanese lyric poetry that uses 31 syllables spread out over 5 lines, to convey its message. The word “tanka” translates to “short song.” The short songs of this book elevate what may be considered average, to a new level of appreciation by connecting imagination and emotion. Those wishing to be inspired, those seeking an uplifting read and those who are simply curious to see if they might enjoy poetry will love A Tanka Picture Book. You can add this happy, little book to your print or electronic libraries. Be sure to pick-up an extra copy for someone who can use a thoughtful gift.

My Review: This is the absolute most beautiful book of poetry I’ve read yet! I’m creative, I write books, I do illustrations and paintings, but I’ve never written a Tanka poetry book. Sure – I can write rhyming prose but that’s it! 31 syllables written perfectly and the perfect art to go with each piece. This book makes you think. We can all sit on a bench under a tree and contemplate the tree as we view it, yet what does the tree think looking down upon us? A tree thinks about its view? Fantasy, right? Not fantasy when you read the Tanka. Five shiny gold stars.

Book Link