Friday, December 31, 2021

Letting Go For Love


                                                           Letting Go For Love

by Kris Francoeur

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Dot Murphy is not living the life she had planned.

Married at eighteen to her first love, her life had seemed perfect until the only man she had ever loved was killed in a tragic car accident, leaving her alone to raise their two young boys.

Years later, Dot meets the one man to get under her skin emotionally and hormonally, Sebastian Boone. Boone falls hard for the auburn-haired mom and artist, but she is hesitant to do anything that will take her total focus off her boys.

Can Dot trust Boone enough to allow him to fully be part of her world? Can she love him, body and soul, and still be the mom she wants to be? Is their love strong enough to survive?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT


 

Dot… That bright auburn hair, worn in a simple bob, sometimes pulled back in a barrette. Those hazel eyes, the sprinkling of freckles on her nose. Damn, she was attractive as hell, and the fact that she seemed unaware of it made her even more desirable. He knew she had curves that could drive a man insane under those simple clothes she usually wore. Seeing her in jeans and that winter hat today made him want to grab her by the hand and run off to find a campfire where he could sit and hear her entire life story.

    

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

My name is Kris Francoeur, and I am an author, educator, speaker, wife, mom, grandmother, and farmer living in Vermont.  I love to spend time with my family, travel, hike, kayak, knit, spin (fiber), garden, cook, and love time with my bees, alpacas and chickens.

Currently, I have published three romance novels with Solstice Publishing, and have one that will be released by Willow River Press in January 2020. My first three romances are written under the pen name of Anna Belle Rose, and they can be purchased in paperback format through my Book Store page on this website, or in e-book or paperback on Amazon.

www.authorkfrancoeur.com

https://www.amazon.com/Kris-Francoeur/e/B07HP7ZGWD

Twitter: @KFAnnaBelleRose

Instagram: author_krisfrancoeur_aka_abr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18490380.Kris_Francoeur

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorkfrancoeur

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Kris Francoeur will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 


 

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Thursday, December 30, 2021

Haunted Water

 

Haunted Water

by Jo A. Hiestand

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: British mystery

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

Cameron Rutter drowned two months ago in a lake on a Cheshire moor. Some say a morgen—a spirit who drags men to a watery grave—was responsible. Others say it was the phantom Grey Lady. The police say Gareth Gynne was the guilty one. Whoever—or whatever—killed Cameron needs to be sorted out. And ex-police detective Michael McLaren is asked to do just that.

 

McLaren’s not keen on delving into the mystery. The accused is the nephew of McLaren’s nemesis, Charlie Harvester. And if there’s one thing McLaren doesn’t want to do is to associate with another Harvester, no matter what generation he is.

 

Suspects and motives are as tangled as the mere grass. Did a villager kill Cameron, opposed to his crusade to keep the moor in its pristine state? Or did someone previously arrested by Cameron kill him in revenge?

 

Or was the morgen really responsible?

 

Can McLaren discover the killer, or will he too become a victim of the haunted water?

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

NOTE: The book is on sale for $0.99.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 


 

McLaren glanced through the large windows consuming the front wall of the shop. “The mere’s where Cameron was found, correct?”

 

“Yes. Dwfn Mere.” He angled his head slightly, his eyebrow raised. “How’s your Welsh? You know what dwfn mere means?”

 

“Mere is pool or lake. Well, some small body of water like that. Dwfn throws me, I’ll admit.”

 

“Dwfn means deep.”

 

McLaren nodded. “Sounds intimidating. Deep pool.”

 

“At least the early residents thought so. But even if it’s not deep, it’s supposed to be haunted, which might be worse.”

 

“It does change the feelings, I agree. Haunted water versus deep water.” He eyed Gareth and his forehead wrinkled slightly. “Haunted by what?”

 

“A morgen.” Gareth screwed up the corner of his mouth, frowning. “I’ve always wondered if the villagers named the water first and then the morgen came along to live there, or if they encountered the morgen first and then figured she had to live in a deep lake to avoid scrutiny.” He seemed to force a smile, but McLaren detected a serious look in Gareth’s eyes.

 

“This is the first I’ve heard of the morgen. I didn’t know Heywood Heath was thought to have one.”

 

“Your knowledge of Welsh extends to morgens, then.”

 

“The female water spirit who drowns men.”

 

Gareth nodded. “I know how it sounds, but there are many people around here who swear the water is haunted. They won’t go near it.” The little remaining humor had gone from his face and voice. “Sometimes I think they’re right. I could almost swear she killed Cameron because I sure as hell didn’t.”


 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Jo A. Hiestand grew up on regular doses of music, books, and Girl Scout camping. She gravitated toward writing in her post-high school years and finally did something sensible about it, graduating from Webster University with a BA degree in English and departmental honors. She writes two British mystery series—of which two books have garnered the prestigious N.N. Light’s Book Heaven ‘Best Mystery Novel’ two years straight. She also writes two Missouri-based mystery series that are grounded in places associated with her camping haunts. The camping is a thing of the past, for the most part, but the music stayed with her in the form of playing guitar and harpsichord, and singing in a folk group. Jo carves jack o’ lanterns badly; sings loudly; and loves barbecue sauce and ice cream (separately, not together), kilts (especially if men wear them), clouds and stormy skies, and the music of G.F. Handel. You can usually find her pulling mystery plots out of scenery—whether from photographs or the real thing.

 

https://www.johiestand.com/ 
https://www.amazon.com/Jo-A.-Hiestand/e/B0057SO7VI

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/haunted-water-jo-a-hiestand/1140381857

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Jo A. Hiestand will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 


 



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Chandelier

 


                                                                                 Chandelier

by Michael Leon 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: Sci-fi/ Fantasy Romance

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

CHANDELIER is the genre-bending sci-fi/fantasy-romance novel follow up of Michael Leon’s 2019 fantasy-romance book, PHANTOMS. A century has passed since the fabled Phantom ruled the Garnier Opera House. Technology has advanced, and AI has evolved beyond human knowledge. They reside in a virtual Earth, free from the ravages of an environmentally damaged Earth where humans and post-humans live under AI’s qualified governance. CHANDELIER follows one AI sentient’s journey, Benny, whose loyalty for a famous opera singer, Madame D’Arenberg, sets him on a dangerous course, entangling him in The Phantom of the Opera’s deadly web.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT:

 


 

A human whistling sound, distant but growing louder permeated the chill of the room. An unearthly chilled breath wafted over his face. He opened his eyes and looked up to its source, but he was alone, until light formed on the wall behind Gaston's bed. Shapeless light swirled as if blown by that same breeze. The foggy disturbance slowed, allowing the swirling shape to take form. It was human but completely covered in black, bar the shape of a smooth ghost-like face. As the contours sharpened he realised it was a mask. Was he looking at the phantom? If he was, Gaston's stories had all been real! 

 

Fear gripped him to the seat. He wanted to flee but dared not move. Before the apparition suddenly looked Flynn's way, turning his fear to terror. 

 

"Who are you?" He asked feebly, but the apparition remained silent.

 

Flynn went to stand but a second shape appeared from behind him. A man dressed in white walked toward Gaston's bed, making no sound as it glided across the room. Both apparitions studied the body for a time, ignoring Flynn before vanishing through the bedroom wall, leaving Flynn alone. He immediately stood and left the room, fearful they may return, not daring to look back. Whatever he witnessed, he didn't wish to see again. Flynn was a scientist who staunchly refuted Gaston's ramblings about ghosts as the product of a vivid imagination. They had spent many years arguing over their existence. Perhaps this was his friend's final wish, to show him that everything he had written and said was true.


 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Michael Leon is an explorer, writer and author of the new novel, Sentient. Professionally trained in international trade, Michael has spent the last decade reading and writing SFF novels about new worlds to be explored in the future. His latest work, Sentient, imagines Earth in the year 2120. His next novel, Chandelier, will be released in 2022. Michael has travelled extensively around Europe, walking the paths of his characters, from the famous European opera houses in Phantoms to the mountain tops of Switzerland in Emissary.

 

Website: https://www.michaelleon.com.au

Twitter: https://twitter.com/michaelleon0433

Blogger: https://michaelleoncommentspage.blogspot.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5369984.Michael_Leon

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Michael-Leon/e/B01LNQALBW%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 


 


 



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Princes & Kings


 Princes & Kings

A Rose in a Thorn Bush

by Sydney Williams

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: Historical Fantasy

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

In the year 1240 AD, the land of Gwynedd Wales found themselves without a leader when their king, Llywelyn the Great, died at a ripe old age. The natural successor to the king was his son Dafydd, who took on the job of ruler after his death. Soon after taking on the job he was forced to sign a treaty with the king of England and send his brother Gruffudd and his nephew Owain to England to be imprisoned in the Tower of London in exchange for keeping his land and title. His other nephew, Llywelyn, became the new head warrior after his father's imprisonment, travelling the country and patrolling the borders to the north and the south. After four years imprisonment in the Tower of London, Gruffudd died while attempting to escape from his tower cell, and his son Owain was released by the king himself. He wanted Owain to help him start a civil war in Gwynedd. Meanwhile, after finding out about his brother's death from a letter sent by his nephew Owain, Dafydd declared war on England, prompting Owain to escape Winchester Castle, where he had been recovering from his time in prison to find his brother Llywelyn and help him in the war between England and Gwynedd. During the course of the war, Dafydd was killed in battle, leaving the Welsh army without a leader. Being the brave and noble man that he was, Llywelyn called the men to him and, with his leadership, they managed to send the English packing. With the new weight of responsibility thrust upon his shoulders, Llywelyn rode home at the head of the army to find that his world had changed. Now not only was his father gone but his mother as well, and the land of Gwynedd was once again without a leader. It became clear that the best man for the job was Llywelyn himself, and he decided that there was nothing else to do but become the new ruler. He would do anything to keep his people safe, even if that meant taking on a responsibility that he felt he was too young for. He would never abandon his people for anything and let the English take everything from him.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 


 

Chapter 1: A Funeral to Remember 

 

The town of Aberfraw Castle in the Valley of Clwyd Snowdonia, Gwynedd, Wales in the year 1240 AD 

 

It was a cold, damp afternoon. In the town of Aberfraw Castle, all of Gwynedd wails as a procession of finely dressed nobles carried the coffin of the late King of Gwynedd, Llywelyn, the Great, through the streets. From all over the land, Gwynedd’s subjects arrived: they came to look upon the face of their dead King and to mourn his passing. The cobbles, slippery from a powerful rainstorm the night before, hampered the procession of nobles as they prepared to lay him to rest. The sky was still overcast with clouds that promised more rain as if nature was mourning for the great man. Filthy street urchins roughly shoved through the crowds of people, trying to catch a glimpse of the nobles while more fortunate children sat upon the shoulders of their father to see the royal party in their fine outfits. 

 

Leading the royal procession were the King’s two sons, Dafydd ap Llywelyn and Gruffudd ap Llywelyn. Gruffudd, the King’s younger and illegitimate son, had no claim to the throne. He didn’t mind; he had never wanted to be a ruler. Gruffudd preferred being the head warrior of the royal army, protecting the people of the land in that way. It gave him a sense of freedom somehow that he felt being ruler would not. He was resplendently dressed as any noble should be in a thick green wool tunic, wool leggings tucked at the knee with high leather boots. His height and physique gave him an air of command and respect, both on the battlefield and off it, and gained him a lot of respect with the people of the land. 

 

Gruffudd’s wise gray eyes turned towards his wife, Senana, who walked beside him with her head held high, giving her an air of great confidence. She felt him looking at her and caught his eye with a loving smile. Smiling back, he felt blessed to have such a woman by his side. From the moment they first met, he had known that she was the woman he would marry. Her light brown hair fell in the way that he liked, in a single braid that snaked down the back of her dress. Her dark-green silk skirt complimented his tunic and set off her deep blue eyes nicely. Such eyes any man in love could easily get lost in. 

 

The heavy air wasn’t helping his somber mood. Instead, Gruffudd felt like it weighed heavily down on his heart, finding it hard to breathe. He had loved his father very much and would miss him terribly. He felt the loss of his father like a dagger to the heart. But he would not cry. He told himself that he had to stay strong for his children who must also be feeling the loss of their grandfather. He felt blessed that he had at least been able to say goodbye to him.



A Word With the Author



Did you always want to be an author? 

Ever since I was a child I have always loved writing. As I grew older and began to read more books I started to dream of being a published author one day and now I have made that dream come true. 

 

Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

Princes and Kings is my first novel. It took almost two years to write and edit to the point where it was ready for publication. But the wait was worth it. I found a great publishing company that helps authors self-publish their work and they made the process of publishing feel so seamless and simple. It almost felt unreal as I was guided through the different steps of publishing. But once the book was out and I saw it start to sell it finely felt real to me and it was very exciting to see all my hard work paying off.

 

Besides yourself, who is your favourite author in the genre you write in? 

I would have to say that my favourite historical fiction author would have to be Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlanderseries. 

 

What’s the best part of being an author? The worst? 

The best part of being an author for me is the chance to delve into other worlds and bring historical figures back to life both on paper and in the minds of those who read my book.

 

What are you working on now? 

I am working on the second book in the series I am writing about the last king of Wales. Princes and Kings was only the beginning of the story. 

 

  

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Sydney has a big imagination and has been writing and performing from a young age. After going blind from Leukemia at the age of three, she found release from the medical part of her life through her music and her writing. In high school she excelled in English and history and after she left school she continued to write and to create her music. She formed her band, The Undercurrents with her best friend and drummer, Alex Nacci at the age of 22 and has been playing music with the band ever since.

 

Her book, Princes and Kings, is her first professional novel and it is book one of the historical fiction series she is writing titled, A Rose in A Thorn Bush about the last king of Wales. She was introduced to her main character in high school and with the encouragement of her Business Abilities coach she finely decided to write his story. Splitting the story into three books. Sydney has always enjoyed reading historical fiction and has found it an interesting genre to write in. After her series is finished she plans to continue writing about different historical British characters for as long as she can. Being Welsh on her father's side and Scottish and English on her mother's Britain is a place that interests her greatly and she has enjoyed writing about one of its characters. Giving her a chance to explore her heritage in a fun and exciting way and she looks forward to sharing her passion for the genre and the history of the British Isles with the world.

 

CONNECT WITH SYDNEY

 

 

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21888149.Sydney_Williams

Website: http://sydwilliamsauthor.com/

 

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/princes-and-kings-sydney-williams/1140023042

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CMYGZKW/ref=dp-kindle-redirect

 

PURCHASE LINKS    

 

            

AMAZON.COM 

https://amazon.com/dp/0228863457

KINDLE

https://amazon.com/dp/B09CMYGZKW

INDIGO CHAPTERS

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/princes-and-kings/9780228863472-item.html

BOOK DEPOSITORY

https://www.bookdepository.com/Princes-and-Kings-Sydney-Williams/9780228863458

RAKUTEN KOBO

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/princes-and-kings         

SMASHWORDS 

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1099246

APPLE BOOKS

https://books.apple.com/us/book/princes-and-kings/id1581434633

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Sydney Williams will be awarding $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Beyond the Book: My Publication Story

My love affair with books began when my parents read Little Golden Books to me.  I remember one that especially impressed me.  I wish I could remember the title, but it’s long gone.  It was about a family of pigs who were so messy no one would go to see them.  After they finally cleaned up their house, they had tons of visitors.  I also remember a book about Woody Woodpecker.  After my mother read that one to me, I wrote my first story which I dictated to my father who wrote it in pencil on a piece of notebook paper.  I was every bit of five years old then.  

Later, after I learned to read, my mother made a treat out going to the library each week.  The minute she got home from work she’d take my sister and me to the library.  Afterward, we’d go to eat hot dogs at the local diner.  It wasn’t anything special, but at an early age we learned to associate reading with good times.  

Having learned to love reading, I was never without a good book close by.  I read so many good ones!  Black Beauty, Little Women, Anne of Green Gables, The Sherwood Ring, the Trixie Belden mysteries, My Friend Flicka, the Black Stallion series, the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew, and so many more!  I wish I could remember them all. 

I was content to be a reader until about twenty years ago.  I had gone through a period where nothing special caught my fancy.  At the same time my son wrote a book.  I decided to give it a try too.  To my surprise, it totally captivated me.  I spent long hours before the computer writing the kind of story I wanted to read and couldn’t find.  I became totally addicted to writing.  I even took my computer with me on vacation so I wouldn’t miss a single day writing.

Shortly after I finished my book I learned about a publisher called Oak Tree Press. Each year they sponsored The Timeless Love contest. The prize was publication of your book At the last minute, I decided to submit my book in the contest. Then, I basically forgot about it. At least I did until the publisher called me and told me I was the winner! I’ve seldom been as thrilled as I was that night. And as promised A New Leaf was published in 2004. The publisher died so the book is out of print now. I’ve often thought of editing the story and trying to get it published again, but the new things I’m writing get in the way so I probably won’t do it.

Did I stop reading because I was now an author?  No indeed.  If you’ll check my Goodreads page you’ll find a sample of the things I’ve read in the recent past, and it’s just a sample. I’ve read a whole lot that never made the Goodreads page. 

Whenever I need an escape from my reality, books are always there to provide it.  My life is richer today because of all the wonderful things I’ve read in the past, and I know my future will be filled with many more happy hours reading.  Parents, read in front of your kids.  Teach them to love books.  Their lives will be richer for it. 

A Day in the Life of Larry and Roger, A Pair of Diabetic Feet


A Day in the Life of Larry and Roger, A Pair of Diabetic Feet

by Vicki Myhre

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GENRE: Non-fiction, Self-help, Self-improvement

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

BLURB:

 

"When we get to the end of our day, we want to sit back and reflect on everything we did, and we want to know in our hearts that we did a good job being good diabetics for another day."

 

A book for all ages, and whether you are diabetic or live with some one who is, this book is a valuable and educational read for everyone.

 

Larry the left foot and Roger the right foot are sure to delight and amuse you as they take you through a typical day in their lives. They show you how they strive to be the very best diabetics that they can be by living a healthy lifestyle every single day. As a result of dedication to their plan, they are certain that they will live longer, happier lives full of enjoyment and fun.

 

This is a multidimensional book featuring a short illustrated story that portrays a day in the life of a diabetic. On a whole different level, each page is full of great information for those who wish to dig a bit deeper into the whys and hows of simplifying diabetic life. It also includes many references, in a system that is built to help in teaching you how to find the answers to any questions that you may have.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

EXCERPT

 

 

On the top of our list of things to remember is medications. Forgetting this routine, even occasionally, can have devastating effects in the short and long term. Because of this, Roger and I take this part of our duties very seriously. Today is the day we check and sort our medications and insulin for the upcoming week.

 

“You count and sort all our pills into the pillbox for the week, and I’ll do the paperwork,” says Roger.

 

“You’re being a bit bossy, Roger,” I say with a wink. Then I snicker, because we both know data recording is Roger’s thing, not mine.

 

Planning is the golden rule when it comes to medications. We always know what we are taking, when we need to take them, and how much we need to take, thanks to Roger. He has a diary that he uses for all this information. He tracks what we’re doing and when so that we can refresh our memory when we need to share it with our doctor and other health care professionals.

 

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Vicki Myhre is a dedicated and experienced Certified Podologist who has specialized in diabetic foot care, with a focus on helping diabetics weave their way through a sea of information.

 

Vicki's mission is to use simplified and well-balanced information to help preserve the freedom of mobility, and improve quality of life for as many diabetics worldwide as possible. She has evolved from more than ten years of offering hands-on diabetic foot care and counselling, to advocating and reaching out to share her expertise.

 

After five years of sharing Larry and Roger's adventures in a column in the local magazine, Vicki decided it was time to take these characters to a broader audience, in an attempt to help even more diabetics continue to lead a healthy life, one STEP at a time, regardless of age or diabetic history.

 

Vicki's goal is to provide the reader with information that is simple to comprehend and is a positive addition to anyone's diabetic lifestyle.

 

She hopes you will visit her on her website, where her five years of columns full of fun, facts, recipes and information will remain posted so that you can enjoy them for free. While you are visiting there, please drop a line or comment, and she will always respond personally to you. You will also find access to all of her social media platforms through the website: www.vickimyhre.ca

 

 

CONNECT WITH VICKI MYHRE

 

WEBSITE - https://vickimyhre.ca

 

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/VickiLMyhre

 

INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/vicki_myhre

 

TWITTER - https://twitter.com/VickiMyhre

 

LINKEDIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-myhre-b49a0360/

 

PINTEREST - https://www.pinterest.ca/vickimyhre/_created/

 

GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21642023.Vicki_Lea_Myhre

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS A DAY IN THE LIFE OF LARRY AND ROGER, A PAIR OF DIABETIC FEET    

 

AMAZON.COM - https://amazon.com/dp/0228817897 

 

AMAZON.CA - https://amazon.ca/dp/0228817897 

 

AMAZON KINDLE - https://amazon.com/dp/B09798162G 

 

BARNES & NOBLE - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/a-day-in-the-life-of-larry-and-roger-a-pair-of-diabetic-feet-vicki-lea-myhre/1139762479

 

BOOK DEPOSITORY - https://www.bookdepository.com/Day-in-the-Life-of-Larry-and-Roger-Pair-of-Diabetic-Feet-Vicki-Lea-Myhre/9780228817895

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

 

Vicki Myhre will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 


 





a Rafflecopter giveaway