Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Happy Holidays

 I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a safe, healthy, and Happy Holidays!
 
I don't have another post scheduled until next year so I'm going to take a short break from posting (unless something unexpected comes up last minute). I hope to get around to everyone's site to extend Season's Greetings but if I don't make it please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
 
I know this year has been a tough one in so many ways we never imaged. Here's to hoping the new year brings healing and happiness to us all.
 
As always, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support of this blog and for your friendship. Y'all are the Best!
 
No matter where you live, no matter what holiday you're celebrating (or not), I'm sending best wishes, healing thoughts, and the love of friendship to each and every one of you.
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Monday, December 21, 2020

Incandescent Visions by Lee Hudspeth

I’ve always been a fan of just about all genres of books, including poetry. Today I’d like to welcome a new-to-me author and tell you a bit about his newly published poetry book.
 

INCANDESCENT VISIONS     

By Lee Hudspeth
*Format: Paperback, Hardcover, eBook, Audio
*Pages: 64
*ISBN: 978-1-7334364-1-0 (Paperback)
*Publication Date: December 2019
*Genre: Inspirational & Religious Poetry, Haiku Poetry, Nature Poetry
*Publisher: Self-published

Having written numerous works of nonfiction, this is Lee Hudspeth’s debut book of poetry. Incandescent Visions explores the meaning of the human experience, as the author encourages his readers to ponder the universe and their place within it, and to catalyze their own creative potential.

From the sublime shores of the Mediterranean to the majestic expansiveness of deep space, this book contemplates nostalgia, perspective and the gift of love. Through five short yet powerful, thought-provoking chapters of contemporary poems—and a dash of elegant, evocative haiku—Hudspeth takes his readers on a journey across the inner landscape of struggle, triumph, self-realization and imagination.

Here is one of Lee’s poems for your reading pleasure.

“The Point of Four Winds”

 

One is Day, to remember

Two is Night, to caress
Three is Rain, to bless
Four is Cosmology, to engender
 

Bringing me tolerance

The four winds encourage clarity
Resist the hubris of me
Upend my elitist poverty
Reject the paralysis of incuriosity
 

Missing the point altogether

With my own tempest
I am guilty
So I work to be kinder
The six breaths and all the rest
Let it go, fratello
 

INCANDESCENT VISIONS is available to purchase at the following sites:

*Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1733436405

*Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/incandescent-visions-lee-hudspeth/1135488733?ean=9781733436410

*Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/incandescent-visions/id1491993139

*Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/incandescent-visions-1

 

Meet the Author

 

Lee Hudspeth is a poet, writer, musician and fellow human being. Incandescent Visions is his first book of poetry.

He is the co-author of ten nonfiction books in the field of Information Technology. He has written articles for professional journals like PC Computing and Office Computing. He is the author of over one hundred articles in the online magazine The Naked PC, which he co-founded and co-published.

He lives in Southern California with his wife, two sons and their cat.

For more on Lee, his music, and his writing, you can connect with him on the following sites:

Website: https://leehudspeth.com/

Blog: https://leehudspeth.com/blog/

Email: lee@leehudspeth.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leehuds

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

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-hudspeth-44538512

Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/author/leehudspeth

Goodreads Author: https://www.goodreads.com/leehudspeth

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do you enjoy poetry? Have you ever tried your hand at writing poetry? Doesn’t poetry just touch you in so many ways?

Friday, December 18, 2020

Fireflies at 3 am (+ Giveaway)

Fireflies at 3 am
By Danni Thomas
* Publication date: December 12th, 2020
* Genres: Poetry

‘Fireflies at 3 am’ brings a landmark new genre to the world of literature. It’s a book with the flow of poetry but the ebb of short stories – rightfully called “Shoetry”.

This creation takes you to the roots of humanity – stripping back the veneers of life, society and interaction to see people and their ways in an entirely new light.

Goodreads / Amazon


Meet the Author

As a child, he was known to cook up stories to save his little ass or to pass his exams. Then he grew up a bit, only in age and size, and went to college. There, he wrote plays, won a few awards and was told to try his luck in advertising. Some kind soul, who had limited knowledge about advertising, told him that this field was all about wearing jeans to work and late-night parties. He needed no further persuasion, and without losing any more time, got into advertising.

Over the last 18 years, he worked at some of the biggest advertising agencies in the world, made some memorable ads, won international recognition for his work, and learned how to manage acid reflux. Life was OK, but he decided to complicate it by writing a book.

People nowadays avoid him like the plague lest he ask them to review his work. His children have started studying harder and his wife has taken up baking so that they can escape his nagging requests, every now and then, to read what he’s written. But all said and done, none of that has dampened his spirits. Currently, he is looking forward to selling over a million copies and is busy convincing each of his friends to buy more than 3 copies of the book. Sucker.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Poetry can touch your soul. Doesn't that last poem just break your heart and it's so true?

GIVEAWAY!
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Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Ain't She Sweet (+ Giveaway)

Ain’t She Sweet
By Whitney Dineen
* (Seven Brides for Seven Mothers #2)
* Publication date: December 15th, 2020
* Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Tara Heinz began her modeling career at the tender age of twelve. After spending fifteen years drooling over forbidden foods, she does the unthinkable. She enrolls in culinary school and becomes a pastry chef.

After a nasty breakup with her rock star boyfriend that leads to tabloid war, Tara takes a job at a rural lodge in Oregon to escape the spotlight she no longer desires.

James Cavanaugh is a farmer in Oregon. His days are spent building his business and his nights are spent sleeping, so he can get up at four in the morning.

Ruby Cavanaugh has plans for her son that involve her new pastry chef. Of course, neither James nor Tara know what’s going on until it’s too late.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

After arranging an assortment of gourds on her newspaper-covered dining room table, Ruby picks up her telephone to call her oldest son, Brogan. “How are you and Addie doing?” she wants to know. As the first recipients of her matchmaking endeavor, the success of their union is integral to her confidence in setting up her younger son, James, with her new pastry chef.

“She’s great. We’re great. New York is beautiful in the fall.”

Whoever said glitter was the herpes of the crafting world never fully appreciated its hypnotic effects, Ruby thinks while spraying gold glitter paint. “I knew you two were meant to be.”

“I don’t know how you decided that, but I’m glad you did. For a while there I thought you were trying to set Addison up with James. Speaking of which, how are things going between him and Tara?”

“What do you mean?” Ruby asks, trying—and failing—to sound innocent.

“Don’t try to tell me you haven’t set your sights on her for my little brother.”

After several moments, Ruby dejectedly confesses, “It’s been hard finding ways to throw them together now that James’s farmstand is mostly closed for the season. I’ve had to resort to hiring your brother to put in a garden here at the lodge.”

“Interesting. I’m not sure I should offer, but let me know if I can do anything to help.”

“You and Addie are still coming home for Christmas, right?”

“Yes, ma’am. We arrive the second week of December and are planning on staying until the first week of March. I’ll be working on my new novel and Addie is going to commute to a hotel she’s redesigning in Portland.”

Ruby walks around the table, eyeing her decorative fall creation before firing off a final burst of sparkle. “I might need your help then. In the meantime, don’t bring up Tara’s name when you talk to James. I don’t want him to guess what I’m up to until it’s too late.”

“You make me nervous, Mom, but you did such a great job for me that I promise not to interfere in your latest project.”

“Good. Now, I’ve got to go. Your brother will be here any minute to meet with Tara about the dessert portion of the garden.”

“Does he know he’s meeting with her?” Brogan asks.

“Of course not. What fun would that be? Bye!” Ruby hangs up on her son before he has a chance to reply. After refreshing her lipstick and picking invisible lint from her sweater, she’s off to make another love connection.

Meet the Author

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Doesn't this sound like a fun story -a model turns pastry chef, not to mention the romance angle? Doesn't that cover just make you smile?

GIVEAWAY!
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Friday, December 11, 2020

A Deadly Edition (+ Giveaway)

It’s a pleasure to be a part of author Victoria Gilbert’s Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for her latest release, A DEADLY EDITION, the fifth installment in her Blue Ridge Library Mystery.

A Deadly Edition
By Victoria Gilbert

*Cozy Mystery
*5th in Series: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery
*Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (December 8, 2020)
*Hardcover: 368 pages
*ISBN-13: 978-1643854762
*Kindle ASIN: B085N3KN7L

'Til death do us part" could be closer than the bride realizes in Victoria Gilbert's tantalizing fifth Blue Ridge Library mystery."

The pursuit to acquire a rare illustrated book turns deadly, and on the eve of her upcoming wedding, library director Amy Webber is drawn into a web of treachery and betrayal that could derail her happy day--and maybe just claim her life.

Planning a wedding can be murder--sometimes literally. At a party celebrating their upcoming nuptials, Taylorsford, Virginia library director Amy Webber and her fiancé Richard Muir discover the body of art dealer Oscar Selvaggio--a bitter rival of their host, Kurt Kendrick.

Both had been in a heated battle to purchase a rare illustrated volume created by William Morris's Kelmscott Press, so suspicion immediately falls upon Kurt. Amy knows that Kurt has a closet-full of skeletons from his past--but she can't believe he's guilty of murder.

Amidst an avalanche of wedding preparations, Amy begins an investigation with the help of her aunt Lydia Talbot and the new mayor of Taylorsford, Sunshine "Sunny" Fields. Much to Lydia's dismay, her boyfriend, art expert Hugh Chen, becomes convinced of Kurt's guilt and launches an investigation of his own. As the case hits painfully close to home, the stakes become impossibly high--and the danger all too real.


A DEADLY EDITION
can be purchased at the following sites: Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound

Meet the Author

Raised in a historic small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria Gilbert turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian.

Victoria writes the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Booklover’s B&B series, and the upcoming Hunter and Clewe traditional mystery series for Crooked Lane Books. She has also published fantasy with Snowy Wings Publishing.

A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime, Victoria is represented by Frances Black at Literary Counsel. She lives near Winston-Salem, NC with her husband, son, and some very spoiled cats.

For more on Victoria, you can connect with her on the following links:

Website (includes blog): http://victoriagilbertmysteries.com/

FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaGilbertMysteryAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VGilbertauthor

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Gilbert/e/B071ZQZN1P

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16912697.Victoria_Gilbert

The Blue Ridge Library Mystery series includes:

A MURDER FOR THE BOOKS: http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/titles/a-murder-for-the-books/

SHELVED UNDER MURDER: http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/titles/shelved-under-murder/

PAST DUE FOR MURDER: http://www.crookedlanebooks.com/titles/past-due-for-murder/

BOUND FOR MURDER: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612101/bound-for-murder-by-victoria-gilbert/

A DEADLY EDITION: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647523/a-deadly-edition-by-victoria-gilbert/9781643854762/

The Booklover’s B&B series includes:

BOOKED FOR DEATH: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622813/booked-for-death-by-victoria-gilbert/

RESERVED FOR MURDER (preorder): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/659504/reserved-for-murder-by-victoria-gilbert/

For even more about Victoria and her writing, you can follow along on her tour by visiting the blogs below. Be sure to enter the giveaway. If the Rafflecopter widget doesn’t show up, you can still enter by clicking HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Don’t you love a book featuring libraries? How would you like to search for a rare book or have you already?

December 6 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

December 6 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – The Book Diva's Reads – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – CelticLady Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Dee-Scoveries – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 8 – The Bookwyrm's Hoard – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 9 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW

December 9 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

December 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW  

December 11 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

December 11 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

December 12 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 13 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT

 
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Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Erin’s Children (+ Giveaway)

I’m delighted today to be a part of the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for author Eileen O’Finlan’s latest release, ERIN’S CHILDREN, a sequel to KELEGEEN.

Erin’s Children
By Eileen O’Finlan

*Historical Fiction
*The Sequel to Kelegeen
*BWL Publishing, Inc. (December 1, 2020)
*Paperback: 412 pages
*ISBN-10: 0228616212
*ISBN-13: 978-0228616214
*Digital ASIN: B08MTLXR4Z

In 1851 Irish Famine survivor, Meg O'Connor, buys passage to America for her younger sister, Kathleen, and arranges employment for her as a maid. Kathleen's feisty spirit soon puts her at odds with her employers, the bigoted and predatory Pratts. Driven from their home, Kathleen ends up on a wild adventure taking her to places she could never have imagined.

As a domestic servant in the Worcester, Massachusetts home of the kindly Claprood family, Meg enjoys a life beyond her wildest imaginings. Yet she must keep her marriage to Rory Quinn a secret. Rory, still in Ireland, eagerly awaits the day he will join her. But as the only jobs open to Irish men pay poorly, Rory's imminent arrival threatens to plunge her back into dire poverty.

On the eve of the Civil War, while America is being rent asunder by the fight over slavery, Irish Catholics wage their own war with the growing anti-immigrant Know Nothing party. Through grave doubts, dangers, and turmoil, Meg and Kathleen must rely on their faith and the resilient bonds of sisterhood to survive and claim their destinies in a new and often hostile land.


ERIN’S CHILDREN
is available to purchase at the following links: Amazon - B&N

Meet the Author

Eileen O’Finlan writes historical fiction, telling the stories on history’s margins, the things rarely taught in the classroom. For her, that’s where history really gets fun. Her promise to her readers is to craft stories that will thoroughly immerse them in another time and place.

Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, her family moved to Worcester when she was two.  Four years later they moved to Holden where Eileen grew up and where she now resides.

Eileen holds a Bachelor’s degree in history and a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry.  She works full time for the Diocese of Worcester and teaches online courses in Catholic studies for the University of Dayton, Ohio. 

Erin's Children is her second novel and the sequel to her debut novel, Kelegeen.

For more on Eileen and her writing, you can connect with her on the following sites:

Webpage:  https://eileenofinlan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eileenofinlanauthor/ ;

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17762333.Eileen_O_Finlan ;

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/eileenofinlan ;

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnoxfrZpgvtHbAH74qM_vEQ ;

BWL Publishing, Inc. Author Page:  http://bookswelove.com/o-finlan-eileen/

Also, for more on Eileen and her writing, follow along with her tour by visiting the blogs below. Be sure to enter the giveaway. If the Rafflecopter widget doesn’t appear, you can still enter by clicking HERE.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Doesn’t this sound like an intriguing story with a strong, determined female protagonist? Sounds like some difficult times for the sisters, what do you think?

December 7 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

December 9 – Baroness' Book Trove - SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

December 12 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

December 12 – My Journey Back – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 13 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 14 – eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – Diane Reviews Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 15 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW  

December 16 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 16 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

 
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