Archives

Going Rogue in Red Rye County

Aug9

Book Link

From Amazon:

Book one of three…

She’s on a mission
And dangerously off the grid…

After an undercover mission gone wrong, agent Mina August is on the run from the FBI and The Madame, a ruthless brothel owner. Her mantra: trust no one. But alone and permanently disabled, the cunning beauty must trust her ex-partner Roman Jacobs to take her side in a deadly cat-and-mouse game. Can she fight her true feelings for Roman to stay professional…and alive?    

From Harlequin Intrigue: Seek thrills. Solve crimes. Justice served.

Discover more action-packed stories in the Secure One series. All books are stand-alone with uplifting endings but were published in the following order:

Book 1: Going Rogue in Red Rye County

My Review:

A great spin on suspense, pain, romance and more

I loved this book!!! Did I write I loved this book? If not, I loved this book!!! I’ve read numerous books by Katie Mettner, but this one is in a different level, a new level I’ve not read from her in the past. Romance for sure. I love a good romance. Disability does occur, and it is over come, the suspense is superb and I had no idea who The Madame was, although I tried to figure it out and thought the FBI in some way but I was blindsided by who the character actually was, as our protagonist was as well. The bunker? I want one. The whole bit. The nice rustic with all you need, and the bunker below the two main bedrooms is a must. All that tech is amazing! Five shiny gold stars.

The Wishing Stone

Aug6
Screenshot

Please welcome Stefanie Nici to my blog. Hello Stefanie. Thank you for stopping my today.  

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hello! My name is Stefanie Nici and I write Women’s Fiction with elements of romance. I was born in Philadelphia PA and now live in New York with my husband, two sons, and my 89-year-old mother. We recently rescued an adorable blonde pup and named her Harley. 

How difficult was it to write your first book? 

The first book I ever wrote was nonfiction and dealt with improving and making the most out of our romantic relationships. I had typed up pages and pages and was so happy for it to be complete but with the changing times, I didn’t think it was a good time to release this work. Months later my husband pushed me to write a work of fiction, so I did. For some reason, the story I decided to write seemed to flow so easily, Unlike the other fictional stories I would begin and file on my laptop. 

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

I never wanted to give up. I may have procrastinated, but I never thought about giving up. 

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

Without a doubt, it is my husband. He is my biggest supporter. 

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

I appreciate every reader that I am lucky enough to have my stories read by.  

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

No one has really given me advice. I have learned many things along the way such as waiting for the right person to work with when you are paying for services. This is your work, your art, your baby, and you want to leave it in the right hands. 

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

I would say anyone in a relationship or who has been in a relationship, romantic or otherwise, will enjoy my stories.  

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

While I was near the end of writing my first story, I reached out to a writer’s support group asking for recs and two designers messaged me. The designer I chose was always reachable and provided the best first draft. She created the cover herself from the story blurb. Readers love the cover, as do I, and I think it is perfect for the story. 

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

As a mood reader, I am also a mood writer. I have a couple of different stories simmering, and I like to keep the lid on tight! 

Any last words before we wrap things up?

If anyone reading this has the desire to write, I implore you to do it. It may seem impossible or unreachable, but I am living proof that it can be done, and you can do it. 

https://www.facebook.com/stefanieniciwriter/ FB 

https://www.twitter.com/nicistefanie Twitter 

http://www.instagram.com/stefanienici Instagram 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZY1CFQF  The Wishing Stone 

https://amazon.com/stefanie-nici/e/B081S3WBPY/ Amazon link for all books and stories. All my books and stories are available on Amazon and with Kindle Unlimited. 

I’ve Updated My Art Gallery!

Aug6

Gallery Link

I’ve gone and done it. My art gallery has been updated. I still have photographs that I took myself, traditionally painted pieces, digitally painted pieces, and more recently, images made with AI assistance. While I don’t, and won’t, use any AI piece in any kids book or for any book cover of my own, they are sometimes nice to use as a background for a poster on social media. Only watchers have access to all of my galleries.

This entry was posted on August 6, 2024. 4 Comments

The Compromise

Aug2

Book Link

From Amazon:

The Compromise also retold as Gluskabe Brings Back Summer, is a thousand-year-old legend, increasingly relevant to the 21st century. Nowadays, the media has projected the ego in the first place, ahead of values like empathy and compassion, which both should positively define us as humans.

The Great White Wizard remembers an era when he was happy because everything was covered with snow, so he decides to stretch out his power to freeze the earth to the south. He feels entitled to satisfy his desires, so spring or summer is no more.

Undeterred by the wizard’s icy grip on the land, our hero, Gluskabe, embarks on a courageous journey north, determined to plead for the return of spring.

Will he succeed?

My Review:


Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Compassion

Reviewed in the United States on August 1, 2024

Verified Purchase

Compassion. That is a big word for a little kid, but it’s never too early to teach children and adults alike about compassion for those in need. Compromise. Another big word for a little kid. Yet kids can and do accept the concept rather easily if allowed to have a full discussion with those in need to know. The adventure within teaches those two concepts and more. Five shiny gold stars.

Authentically Dead

Aug1

Book Link

From Amazon:

A hair-raising, side-splitting supernatural adventure!

In the idyllic town of Pine Port, Kelsey was on the cusp of realizing her dreams. In weeks, she’d clasp her high school diploma and beauty license. Or so she thought, until her life took a supernatural detour, far removed from the ordinary path she’d envisioned before she stumbled upon her extraordinary ability—she could hear and see the deceased as if they were still living.

This wasn’t what she had hoped for and certainly not the kind of beauty treatment she had in mind. Juggling the intricacies of the living was already a challenge, and now with her power to commune with the dearly departed, she unexpectedly found herself on a mission to help the dead unearth their authentic selves as the local undertaker’s quirky assistant. Amidst a cast of eccentric characters, surprising friendships, and a generous dose of supernatural dark humor, Kelsey deftly navigated the realms of the living and the not-so-living in hilarious escapades as she struggled to keep her sanity and her sense of humor intact.

The burning question remained: Could Kelsey successfully graduate high school while straddling the realms of the living and the dead? Would she ever find her place in a world where the living and the departed collided in the most unpredictable ways? Discover the answers in “Authentically Dead,” a hair-raising, side-splitting supernatural adventure that will leave you in stitches and rooting for Kelsey every step of the way.

My Review:

This book is a true departure from most books I’ve read by this author. A teenage girl in her senior year of highschool is bullied for her quirkiness and being different. Yet only her mother knows how different our protagonist is as she and her mother were intuitive as well. After being tossed out of cosmetology school, she find a job in a funeral parlor doing hair and makeup. The dead talk to her, and not just talk, they unload secrets that only the next reader gets to find out what they are. Kusma must be rather intuitive to write this story so well.

Meet Gabriel Constans!

Jul31

Please welcome Gabriel Constans to my blog. Nice to see you on my blog, Gabriel.

Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

I’ve written for newspapers, magazines, and websites, as a freelance journalist for years and then in the last 20 years started writing short stories, novels, nonfiction books and screenplays. I keep learning all the time.

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

Writing’s been a part of my life since being a teenager and starting an other newspaper at the high school I attended, but then didn’t write much for 15 years, until encouraged to write again by my wife.

How difficult was it writing your first book?

Writing my first book was not too difficult, as it was a fictional YA book based on a real experience with a mother who was in hospice and her children.

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

No. I’ve wanted to try different genres and outlets, which I’ve done.

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

As mentioned previously, my wife. Not only has she encouraged me from the beginning, but she is also honest with her feedback and provides space and time for me to write.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Writing means so many things to so many of us. Sometimes I write stories to inform and inspire people. At other times it’s to entertain and be moved by the tale. And, at other moments it’s to externalize my experiences and have some objectivity to what has or is happening in my life.

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

Discover your passion, be consistent, and most of all, be kind.

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

Presently, and for the last few years, my target audience has been for readers of romance.

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

I was fortunate to collaborate with Jane Cornwell on the cover. She was the illustrator and designer.

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

I have four screenplays in progress. One with some star actresses attached. They are each different. Taking excerpts from a screenplay doesn’t really work that well.

Any last words before we wrap things up?

Much appreciation to Mary for letting me participate in this interview and share it with others. Writing or not writing isn’t the end of the world. Losing hope, insight and connection with others are the real challenges.

Bio: My most recent sapphic romance, The Last Conception, was both a novel and a romcom film (which is now playing around the world). Other works include Buddha’s Wife, and Saint Catherine’s Baby.

Author Page: https://tinyurl.com/53vyrwe2

Website: www.gogabriel.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gabriel.constans.7

Twitter: @GabrielConstans

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/133749.Gabriel_Constans

Amazon author page: https://tinyurl.com/53vyrwe2

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/constansgabriel/

A Woman Like Maria links:

Amazon Print: https://tinyurl.com/LikeMaria

Kindle: https://tinyurl.com/5x4f6cj5

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bd7dpynf

Apple: https://tinyurl.com/dxshwbsw

Smashwards: https://tinyurl.com/p7t6tuzw

Kobo: https://tinyurl.com/bdzktcka

Tell Me a Story in 99 Words

Jul30

Book Link

From Amazon:

It has been a desire of mine since I was a young person to write stories. I had to start somewhere, so I chose to start by writing very short stories.That bring said, I welcome you to a collection of short stories, very short stories as each of the stories is only 99 words in length. Meet memorable characters. See something of yourself in many of the scenarios. Experience a wide range of emotions. Be inspired to write stories of your own. Return to your favorites and enjoy them again and again.

My Review:

Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick stories that pop! Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2024

Verified Purchase

I found the concept of 99 words in telling a single story interesting, so I bought this book. Each story had multiple messages despite their short verbiage. The stories are unique, and they end with a twist. Five stars.

This entry was posted on July 30, 2024. 7 Comments

Fortune’s Wheel

Jul30

Book Title: Fortune’s Wheel, The First Meonbridge Chronicle

Series: The Meonbridge Chronicles

Author: Carolyn Hughes

Publication Date: 22/4/24 (Audiobook)

Publisher: Carolyn Hughes

Listening Length: 11 hours and 54 minutes

Genre: Historical Fiction

Twitter Handle: @writingcalliope @cathiedunn

Instagram Handle: @thecoffeepotbookclub

Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #MedievalEngland #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

Tour Schedule Page: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2024/06/blog-tour-fortunes-wheel-audiobook-by-carolyn-hughes.html

Book Title and Author Name:

Fortune’s Wheel, The First Meonbridge Chronicle

By Carolyn Hughes

Audiobook Narrator: Alex Lee @alexleeaudio

Blurb:

How do you recover from the havoc wrought by history’s cruellest plague?

It’s June 1349. In Meonbridge, a Hampshire manor, many have lost their lives to the Black Death, among them Alice atte Wode’s beloved husband and Eleanor Titherige’s widowed father. Even the family of the manor’s lord and his wife, Margaret de Bohun, has not entirely escaped.

But, now the plague has passed, the people of Meonbridge must work together to rebuild their lives. However, tensions mount between the de Bohuns and their tenants, as the workers realise their new scarceness means they can demand higher wages and dictate their own lives.

When the tensions deepen into violence and disorder, and the men – lord and villagers alike – seem unable to find any resolution, the women – Alice, Eleanor and Margaret – must step forward to find a way out of the conflict that is tearing Meonbridge apart.

Audioclip link: https://soundcloud.com/cathie-dunn/fortunes-wheel-eleanor-by-carolyn-hughes

Buy Links:

This title / series is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3LL1d1

Audible Links:

UK : https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Fortunes-Wheel-Livre-Audio/B0D2FKPQN4  

US : https://www.audible.com/pd/Fortunes-Wheel-Audiobook/B0D2FMT3QG

Author Bio:

Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers.

Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity!

Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she could learn more about the medieval past and interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel, was under way.

Six published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way…

Author Links:

Website: https://carolynhughesauthor.com

Twitter: www.x.com/writingcalliope

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarolynHughesAuthor

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/carolynhughes.bsky.social

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carolyn-hughes

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Carolyn-Hughes/author/B01MG5TWH1 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16048212.Carolyn_Hughes

This entry was posted on July 30, 2024. 3 Comments

Hotel Obscure

Jul27

Book Link:

From Amazon:

In a run-down neighborhood in an unnamed city, people live and die in “the Obscure.” Whether anyone remembers the real name of the derelict establishment is a mystery. In this six-story building, most who occupy the rooms are long-term residents, though some stay for as little as an hour.

The patronage is an eclectic group: musicians, writers, addicts, hookers, lonely people, poor people, rich people, once-well-off people, and those who have reason to hide from their former lives or to escape the demands of a disapproving and punishing society.

As shabby as the Obscure is, as long as its walls keep out the wind and the rain, it remains a shelter, a hideaway, and a home for the many bewildered souls. Hotel Obscure is a collection of seventeen short stories that all take place in or around the “the Obscure.”

While the stories stand alone, they are to be read in order. Some characters appear in multiple stories, and sometimes, a story will continue in an unexpected way. The Obscure is life. It is death. In the blink of an eye, it may appear supernatural. It is a place we all visit … whether metaphorically or physically, at least once in our time on Earth.

REVIEW from NY Times best-selling author Jonathan Maberry: “Absolutely riveting. Lisette Brodey spins magic with HOTEL OBSCURE. Each story gives us a peek into the life of a collection of disparate characters. It’s the kind of storytelling that would appeal to Tom Waits, Charles Bukowski, or Leonard Cohen. It would also make one heck of a good anthology TV series. Brava!”

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I write characters as I hear them speak to me. Some of these stories contain non-gratuitous expletives and sexual references. If this is not to your liking, please don’t read this book. Thank you.

My Review:


Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Obscure yet not quite obscure Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024

Verified Purchase

If you’ve read other books by this author, you must read this one. Please note: If you can not handle cursing and such, then don’t read it. If you’re okay with that, you will read a book full of twists and turns as you read each story in order, and I highly recommend this five-star read! Honestly, on the first story, I was not sure about what I was reading. By the end, I knew I was hooked. Do read each story in order. I write that because each successive story builds upon the one before it, yet you wouldn’t know how until you immerse yourself into each story. Hotel Obscure is riveting and emotional at the same time. I don’t like giving away too much of a book, but I’m compelled to remark about one aspect. That is identity theft and stalking. I could relate to this as I recently had a stalker who left me more than 700 notifications in a 12 hour span overnight. Stalkers are always a bad thing, and they can hurt a person easily if they speak with you in person and know where you live. I was anxious as I read about the stalker in Hotel Obscure, and I worried about the woman being stalked and having her identity stolen right before her eyes.

Even Only Besides

Jul27

Book Link:

From Amazon:

Imagine taking a deep breath and letting the cool breeze wash over you. Watch the waves crash against the shore and feel your worries melt away. The salty air is invigorating and refreshing.

Be transported on a peaceful and rejuvenating journey through EVEN ONLY BESIDES. Look at the amazing seashell photographs and let them inspire you. Believe in yourself and your power to heal and grow.

Positive affirmations and self-belief can tremendously impact our mental and physical well-being. We all have the potential for growth and healing; the beach is the perfect place to start that journey because the sea brings a sense of tranquility that’s hard to find anywhere else.

My Review:


Mary Schmidt

5.0 out of 5 stars Sea glass and love Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2024

Verified Purchase

I found the poems herein to be so beautiful and inspiring. I admit, I looked up sea glass to see how it qualifies as such, and I was surprised. Actual broken glass with sharp edges surf tumble for 20 or more years before landing on a beach. The action on the glass shard makes the sea glass come alive. I’m getting to my review, so please bear with me. Sea glass is not in abundance everywhere, but Fort Brag has the largest cache of sea glass, and, no, you can not collect from there. The poetry herein is a symphony of verbiage that is gentle on the sound and extremely wealthy in the love felt by the author’s. I’m amazed at the beauty of each verse. I’m not really a poet, but I can make words rhyme. I tried to make out the cadence or beat of the verses, and I failed. I counted syllables and lines, ‘and I still can’t make sense of the poetry style used. But the beauty of the verbiage is heavenly.