Monthly Archives: May 2018
VBT – RUBY
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Emily will be awarding digital copies of books one and two in the Smoky Blues series, Mist and Smoke to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Forty years ago Lexi Barstow and Collins Wentworth thought they had made the biggest mistakes of their lives. Heartbreaking choices and bitter tears cemented a pact that would shape who they were and what they would be. But now so much has changed…except the passion they share and the differences between them. But some things are fixable, and with forever staring them hard in the face, they learn all their decisions brought them to this place…an ever after filled with love.
Read an excerpt:
The club was even more crowded than it had been earlier and the audience was lively for a Sunday evening, clapping and stomping and answering Lonnie’s quips with boos and catcalls. There was electricity in the air. They were a fun crowd tonight.
Lexi’s eyes danced as they sang their first song. She was in her element.
They were about halfway through their second set when the front door opened and a familiar figure stepped into the club. The hostess’s eyes widened and the bartender did a double take. It wasn’t all that often a United States Senator darkened their doors.
Lexi’s curiosity burned as the flustered hostess showed Collins to the last vacant table by the front window. There was a bit of a stir as a good percentage of the audience recognized the man who had joined them, and then realized Lexi was performing for her old lover.
Whatever was he doing here tonight? This wasn’t his kind of club. It wasn’t even his kind of music anymore. She’d overheard him tell Danny he loved listening to him and his mother on their dulcimers, but that given the choice he was fonder of the classical music Chessie and Isabel played.
Had he come to hear Lexi sing? Had he come to repeat his invitation to join him on an evening out?
The thought sent chills up her spine.
She tore her eyes away from him. No way could she concentrate on her singing if all her attention was on Collins. Ever the professional, she didn’t miss a beat in the song they were singing, or the next, or the one after that. If anything, her voice became sultrier and her smile wider. Collins had come to hear her sing. She wanted him to know that she still had it, and she wanted to rub in what he’d missed all these years.
About the Author:
The author of over thirty romance novels, Emily Mims combined her writing career with a career in public education until leaving the classroom to write full time. The mother of two sons, she and her husband split their time between central Texas, eastern Tennessee, and Georgia visiting their kids and grandchildren. For relaxation Emily plays the piano, organ, dulcimer, and ukulele for two different performing groups, and even sings a little. She says, “I love to write romances because I believe in them. Romance happened to me and it can happen to any woman—if she’ll just let it.”
website: http://www.emilymims.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/emily.mims.756
twitter: http://twitter.com/emilymimsauthor
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mims_emily
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Emily-Mims/e/B00FQQ247K/ref=sr_tc_2_0
Emily will be awarding digital copies of books one and two in the Smoky Blues series, Mist and Smoke to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
VBT – BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS
Biblical Proportions
by Natashia Brewer
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GENRE: Fiction
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BLURB
Edward and James Shaw are twins who are successful executives at Rock Star Records. The company that was started and operated by their father, Irvin, who is a well-known hip hop artist. Edward has a great love for music and is focused on ensuring the success of the business, just like his dad. James on the other hand has a great love for women and power.
Unfortunately, they were blindsided by the challenges of life which were of biblical proportions. Edward found himself in the struggle of his life to save his marriage and his career after there had been some horrible choices made, while James found himself fighting for his freedom.
The only way for them to find their way through the drama, infidelity, damaged trust, addiction, meaningless sex, and betrayal was to build a solid relationship with God. When Edward and James hit rock bottom mentally and emotionally, they found out who they were and what the Lord called them to do. They both began to walk into their purpose realizing that although the storms came one after another, after another and almost took them out; they survived through the grace of God…
Take this journey with Edward and James and the rest of the Shaw family as they endure the many trials and tribulations of this life.
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EXCERPT
Cynthia could not resist that man of hers. So, she grabbed his hands and stood in front of him. He pulled her close, embraced her, and placed his forehead upon hers. He began to pray over him and his wife.
“Dear Lord, hear my pleas. I lift my heart to you today. I ask that you give Cynthia and me strength to make the right decisions. I ask that you show me how to love her through the pain that I have inflicted upon her. I ask that you open her heart to receive and forgive. I ask that you heal the deep wounds that have been created because of poor choices. I decree and declare that our marriage will be made whole again. I ask these things in Jesus name. Amen!” Edward prayed.
Cynthia was full of emotions as Edward gently lifted her face and kissed her quivering lips. The peck quickly turned into something that neither of them thought it would be.
Life Lesson Two: Ignoring an issue will not make it disappear. You must become grounded in the word so that you will have the strength to endure the storm.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
Natashia Brewer is the established Resonation Entertainment Group in 2014. Since the launch of her company, she has released many motivating and inspiring musical and literary projects, like: The Infinite Love EP; Love Song the book; and Biblical Proportions. When she isn’t creating music for upcoming projects, writing books, conducting interviews, or writing blog post, Natashia is a contributing songwriter for the charity Songs of Love, creating personalized songs for sick children.
In addition to being a published author, songwriter, and music producer, Natashia is a speaker who’s objective is to use her life’s testimony to uplift and inspire others. Letting people know that they can change their lives if they change their minds.
Natashia is currently married with two children, she resides in Maryland.
Website: www.itstashiab.com
Twitter: @itstashiab
Instagram: @itstashiab
Facebook: @itstashiab
Blog: www.thatthingcalledlife.com
Company Website: www.resonationentertainment.com
Buy Links:
Love Song – http://www.lulu.com/shop/natashia-brewer/love-song/paperback/product-23184363.html
Biblical Proportions – http://www.lulu.com/shop/natashia-brewer/biblical-proportions/paperback/product-23552977.html
Pink Monsters – http://www.lulu.com/shop/natashia-brewer-and-nakaiya-rogers/pink-monsters/paperback/product-23166723.html
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Natashia Brewer will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour
Enter to win the Biblical Proportions soundtrack – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q&A With….
Tell us about you as a person.
I am a very laidback person. I don’t hang out much. I work constantly, daily, to improve something in my life. An unknown fact about me is that when I was in my early twenties I study to be an Emergency Medial Technician. However, that didn’t work out as you can see.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
If I could hand out with one famous person for one day, I would hang out with Common. He is a very dope artist and he is constantly striving to help others. I would love to speak with him about how he creates his art and pick his brain about making a bigger impact on the world through positive and inspirational messages
What’s the story behind your latest book?
What is the meaning of Biblical Proportions? Biblical Proportions describes situations in our lives that have a substantial impact. It does not matter if it is a good situation or a bad situation, either way there will be consequences and how you deal with said consequences is very important. This idea of writing the book Biblical Proportions was dropped in my spirit as I was reading the Bible and recognized that the situations we are dealing with today are already written. At that moment I recognized that stories needed to be told to: one to bring awareness to how relatable the Bible is; two show the readers how important developing a relationship with the Lord is; and three share an overall message. Biblical Proportions is a story about twin brothers who are music executives in their family business, the dynamics of this book was inspired by the story of Esau and Jacob from the Bible. James and Edward are polar opposites, but they find themselves in the battle of a lifetime. These two gentlemen where fighting the consequences of some bad choices and the only way out was to strengthen their faith and surrender to the will of the Lord. They found their strength, peace, and their purpose along the way.
What is your writing process?
My writing process is very simple. I am in my bed and have music playing. I typically listen to music with a message; it can be from any genre. Once I have the area around me situated, I document my chapters. Meaning, I identify everything I want to happen in chapter before I start to write anything else. I feel like that allow for the words to just flow effortlessly.
Tell us about your main character:
Biblical Proportions has two main characters – Edward and James Shaw. They are twins, who are not close at all. They have always had a rivalry and the split between them grew until it was almost beyond repair. The brother, individually, found themselves in the fight for their lives after making some bad choices. They both worked hard to develop a relationship with the Lord, who strengthened them to endure the storm. At the end, they had a stronger faith and walked into their purpose.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role and why.
Since they are twins, I would need someone with great diversity, depth, and complexity. I think there could be a couple of great actors who could do justice to playing Edward and James Shaw; like – Michael Ealy, Lance Gross, Kofi Siriboe. If I had to choose, then I am going with Michael B. Jordan. He has such depth and range.
What are you working on next?
I am working on my next book which is titled – There Was Power in the Pain, From the Pit to the Palace. This is the story of my life.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their book?
My advice is to be vigilant and consistent. Get in front of as many people as possible and talk about your book as often as possible. Constantly tell people why they should read your book.
What is your favorite book on your shelf right now?
The People Factor by Van Moody. This book helped me to recognize how important being intentional with your relationship is. When you are connected to the wrong people, it can be taxing on you. It also helped me realize that people who were once close to you, may need to be moved out of your inner circle. That was a hard pill to swallow, but making the necessary changes was so worth it.
Do you have any special/extraordinary talents?
I believe that all talents are special/extraordinary. It is the impact that makes people feel like others are better than others.
You are given the choice of one super power. What super power would you have and why?
If I had a super power, I would choose speed. If I had super speed, I could get more things done in a day.
List 5 things on your bucket list:
- Travel around the world
- Build a home from plan to finishings
- Become a best-selling author
- Turn my books into movies or TV series
- Work with some amazingly talented people (music, literature, movies/TV)
Where can readers find you on the web?
Biblical Proportions is now available for purchase, visit – bit.ly/purchasebp today. If you want to learn more about me, here are all the ways that you can stay connected: social media, @itstashiab (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Periscope, YouTube); websites, www.itstashiab.com or www.resonationentertainment.com.
Any final thoughts?
On final thought/statement, I believe that if you change your mind, you can change your life. If you are ready to do something different and change your life, join the Renew Your Mind Challenge Facebook group. Thank you. Peace and blessings.
Cover Reveal – To Know A Killer
About the Book
Title: To Know A Killer
Author: Natalia Hale
Genre: Thriller / Suspense
It takes one to know one still rings true.
For years Luna Lis has been at the forefront of every trend in fashion, deciding what’s in style and what’s out. Cold, calculating, and downright manipulative, Luna fought her way to the top of the tower at the international fashion magazine L&L and is now editor in chief. She’s been written up as one of the most influential women of the world, and nobody is about to knock her off her pedestal. That is until a phone call from a detective makes her realize that there’s more to journalism than what’s hot or not on the runway.
Notorious serial killer Hannah Best has been in jail for over a year, but that hasn’t stopped her from influencing the world. Half a dozen reports have come out with perpetrators claiming they have killed for her. She wasn’t willing to speak out about it, but now she wants a tell-all book written about her life and the real story told. And she knows exactly who she wants to write it.
Luna Lis.
Author Bio
Natalia Hale is a journalism graduate with very little interest in writing news articles of any kind. A reader of the mysterious and morbid, she decided that it was time to start her publishing journey in 2015 with her novella It Takes a Killer. Focusing on short fiction, her stories delve into the disturbing tales that toe the line between acceptable to read in public and “if this is what you think about maybe you should talk to someone” (semi-joking advice from a friend). She is not as dark a person as her writing, but tends to get lost in existential thoughts.
Links
It Takes A Killer, the first book in the series, will be free on Amazon from May 23 to May 25.
Website: www.nataliahale.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/halebooks
Twitter: www.twitter.com/natalia_writes
Giveaway
Win an ebook copy of “It Takes A Killer”, the first book in the duology.
VBT – WELCOME TO THE APOCALYPSE
Welcome to the Apocalypse
by D L Richardson
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GENRE: Science Fiction/Apocalyptic
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BLURB:
“Players. Welcome to the apocalypse”
Book One – Pandora
The Apocalypse Games is a state of the art virtual game, yet when it traps over 100 players inside, there’s reason to worry – their simulation pods are designed to last 3 days and the artificial intelligence is taking over.
Book Two – CyberNexis
When rescue finally arrives, the players are transported to an offsite facility to recover from cyber sickness. Not all the players survived and not all is what it seems. What is CyberNexis hiding out in the desert?
Book Three – Primal Scream
The disaster known as The Event has plunged the world into icy darkness. Humans can’t survive but a group of mutants can. All signs lead back to the simulation pods. What were they really designed for?
Join these characters on an emotional and fast-paced journey to explore what it really means to survive.
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EXCERPT
Excerpt from Book One:
Jack Minnow grabbed a brochure off the rack and his eyes scanned the back page. “It says here that rule breakers are ten times more likely to survive an apocalypse. They’re adaptable and they rely on cunning and instinct.”
Jack was five-foot-eight, and the woman behind the counter, called an operator, was easily six-feet tall. Looking at her was like looking at a marble statue atop a pedestal. All white – her hair, her tight-fitting jump suit, her face, neck, and hands, painted to resemble a computer generated character. He allowed himself to imagine that the stage make-up covered places he couldn’t see.
She smiled at him. “It also says that rule breakers are ten times more likely to die within the first hour. They’re reckless and often act without thinking.”
She pushed a plastic tray towards him, the kind handed out at airports to slip under x-ray machines. Jack dropped his wallet, phone, and car keys into the tray.
“So it’s a win/win day for a guy with a superhero complex,” he said.
Superman, his mother had called him after he’d brought home a stray dog for the fifth time.
“Can’t help but save things,” she’d told the dog ranger. Even as a boy, Jack knew what happened to the mutts who were handed over to the ranger, but he still brought dogs home for one last night of fun. His superhero complex was the reason he’d entered The Apocalypse Games. Save everyone. Save the world. Nobody dies. Not for real anyway.
The operator removed the tray and he stood there waiting for a voucher. None came. A warning flared up into his brain. What did he really know about this operation?
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
D L Richardson writes speculative fiction. She is currently a self-published author of three YA novels “The Bird with the Broken Wing“, “Resident Spy“, and “One Little Spell“. She is also the creator of the apocalyptic/sci-fi series “Welcome to the Apocalypse“, and the novella series inspired by Tales from the Crypt, “The Shivers Novellas“.
A former singer and musician, she credits this stage experience for her ease of public speaking, conducting writing workshops, and appearing on panels. Her books don’t feature the usual tropes and this has earned her many loyal readers.
When she’s not writing she enjoys playing music, watching Netflix, reading, gardening, and walking the dog.
Website
http://www.dlrichardson.com
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/DLRichardsonAuthor/
Twitter
https://twitter.com/DLRichardson1
Google +
https://plus.google.com/u/0/112189215156085425271
Blog
http://dlrichardsonwrites.blogspot.com.au
Book 1: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N01QFTQ/
Book 2: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XQRGG82
Book 3: https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Apocalypse-Primal-Scream-Book-ebook/dp/B079NYBQDH
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
D L Richardson will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2018/04/blurb-blitz-welcome-to-apocalypse.html
VBT – My Name is Nelson
About the Book
Title: My Name is Nelson
Author: Dylan Fairchild
Genre: Thriller
President Andrew MacIntyre was having a pretty good first year in the Oval Office. Suddenly, during what should have been a peaceful Christmas season, he’s facing one of the worst national security crises in American history. And it’s being masterminded out of a sleazy, New Mexico strip joint? What the hell?
Is this a political thriller? Or is it science fiction? A zany comedy? Perhaps it’s a love story. Whatever it is, it’s a riveting page-turner with a little sex appeal, and a lot of laughs. If “Doctor Strangelove” can find the humor in nuclear war, then surely there’s a little bit of laughter lurking in unmanned aviation, as well as some serious, heartfelt moments.
It’s little wonder White House National Security Advisor Chet Addington* said this was, “Pretty much the best novel ever.”**
* Absolutely, positively, not a real person
** He’s been known to be wrong about stuff
Author Bio
Dylan Fairchild is the pen name of a Virginia-based indie author. He usually lurks in a different genre.
“My Name is Nelson” is the author’s first thriller. It’s a genre-busting blend of humor, action, political-military intrigue, romance, and science fiction. “The Indie View” awarded it “five-plus” stars and said “in terms of sheer storytelling mastery, it’s one of the best books we’ve seen in a while.” The book is dedicated to “all the men and women who work so tirelessly to protect our nation.”
The author can be found on Goodreads.com, and he is happy to reply to any questions, comments, or witty ridicule of his photo.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17762343.Dylan_Fairchild
Buy from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/My-Name-Nelson-Pretty-Novel-ebook/dp/B07B4KCTYR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1526230345&sr=8-1&keywords=my+name+is+nelson
Giveaway
Win a $25 amazon gift card during the tour.
VBT – Waking to Black
Waking to Black
by V.H. Luis
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GENRE: Erotic Romance
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BLURB
He shattered my defenses, and I was fragile to begin with…
The first time I saw Adam Black, I was between the arms of a criminal, a gun to my throat and even then, I knew I was staring at the most dangerous man in the room.
Maybe it was his confident, cerulean eyes, or the sex appeal radiating from his pores like heat waves on a scorching day, but by proximity alone he made my vision blur and my heart stammer.
The day I was nearly killed in a bank hold-up, I began to live—because of him.
Now, I’m praying for the first time in years, hoping the scars of my past, the secrets I keep, don’t interfere with my future…
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EXCERPT
I close my eyes and bend my knees—or at least I think I am. I’m finding it hard to breathe, and the room is spinning. I must not be moving fast enough because the next thing I know, the man with the big gun grabs me and shoves the cold tip of the barrel against my neck.
This is how it ends? A pang of regret stabs deep within my belly. I wonder who will feed my cat when I’m gone, and the pathetic nature of that last thought is sobering. I haven’t accomplished much in the last twenty-four years. My eyes begin to water, and my vision clouds.
“Hey, take it easy,” a much calmer voice calls out from behind me.
I try to focus on the deep tenor of this stranger, who to my shock is defying a man with a gun, but my senses aren’t cooperating.
Using me as a shield, my captor spins me and I get a blurry first look at my would-be hero. Through pooling tears, I see he’s dressed in an expensive black suit, a crisp white shirt, and a solid black tie. He has hair the color of dark coffee, and because he defies the order to hug the floor, I notice he’s tall. His sapphire eyes lock on mine, urging me to breathe, and for a split-second I forget I’m in the arms of a lunatic because it’s this stranger’s gaze holding me hostage.
Though his hands are in the air, like everyone else’s, he seems to be humoring the robber rather than obeying him out of fear. And while not armed, his calm demeanor is more threatening than the creep jamming a gun against my throat. It’s as if under the façade of composure something dark and dangerous lingers—the insight makes me tremble.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links
V.H. Luis is the author of the Black Series, an erotic romance trilogy that follows the love affair of Evelyn Snowe and Adam Black. Her debut book WAKING to Black, will be released in 2018, and the subsequent sequels FADING to Black, and SURRENDERING to Black, will follow shortly thereafter.
Welcome to my internet haven!
I’m a born and bred Miami Girl—and proud of it! I would wear shorts and flip-flops everyday of the week if I could. Growing up in Miami, surrounded by my parent’s heritage has made me proud of my Cuban ancestry. Cafecito and a guava pastry for breakfast? Yes, please! Salsa music while I tidy the house? Of course.
If I’m not busy scribbling notes about the story pounding out of my head, I’m painting, listening to music, or spending time with the love of my life—my son. If I decide to travel, I bring the whole family (in-laws included), or at least I try to, because life is too short not to spend it with family; one of the many lessons my father taught me.
My website: https://vhluis.com/
My Twitter: https://twitter.com/VH_Luis_
My book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Waking-Black-Uninhibited-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07C9CBV67/
The book will be free during the tour.
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
V.H. Luis will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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What inspires a SCENE, an EMOTION, a CHARACTER worth remembering?
Guest Post by V.H. Luis, author of Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1)
Writers are constantly being asked what inspired them to write. What were you thinking about while working on that steamy-scene? How did you come up with this character? What were you feeling as you wrote this story? The list goes on-and-on.
I can’t speak for others but often enough for me it’s a song or a picture that inspires me. Take the gorgeous flower above. To some it may be a simple flower but the contrast of colors, the way the beautiful hues of red are being overrun and consumed by darkness is fascinating. I mean is it a rose? It looks like one but at the same time something makes it unique and mysterious. It’s almost as if this flower is holding on to a secret—one I’m dying to learn more about.
Evelyn Snowe, the heroine of my debut novel Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), is like this flower. The moment you think you finally understand her, she does something which makes her more complex. She’s beautiful and yet darkness looms around her—at times it’s hard to imagine she can rise above the tragedies which haunt her every step. She’s an artist, a woman with many layers and imperfections and yet she is a character you want to root for. You want her to rise above everything that holds her back.
In Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1), Evelyn paints a flower like this for real-estate mogul Adam Black, and he immediately sees it’s more than just a painting… It’s a glimpse into who she is, it’s a glimpse into her soul.
EXCERPT
“This is truly…” He pauses for a moment before completing his statement. “Stunning. The duality is what impresses me. The sharp contrast between the flower and its dark background is enchanting. While working, what exactly were you thinking about?”
The question takes me by surprise. Most of the time when I’m painting, my mind is racing, a hundred thoughts consuming my focus. However, while I worked on this mural I was oddly at peace.
“To be honest, I don’t believe I thought of anything in particular. I’m sorry to disappoint you, but there is no definitive underlying message in this painting.”
“Evelyn.” He speaks my name softly. “There’s always an underlying message in the things we do. People are just too scared of confessing their true motives, even to themselves.”
This man consistently makes me question my actions and beliefs. He leaves me bewildered and grasping at straws. I try to form cohesive thoughts, and I settle on angry ones.
“Is that your subtle way of implying I’m hiding something from myself?”
The tenderness in his eyes has been replaced with arrogance. “I didn’t think I was being subtle. Yes, I think you’re hiding something from yourself.”
He takes a deep breath and shifts his gaze away from me, back to the painting. “This flower is being consumed by the shadows.” He speaks as if that simple statement proves his point.
“It’s just a painting.” I fidget with the hem of my tank, unsure of what else to say.
“Maybe.” He steps close, his eyes narrowed and his penetrating stare so pervading a shudder runs down my spine. “But my guess is that it’s something much more. And that intrigues the hell out of me.”
***Thank you so much for having me today. If you haven’t already, I hope you all will take a chance on Waking to Black (Uninhibited #1).
XOXO
V.H. Luis
VBT – OFF SEASON
Off Season: A Novel of Healing
by E.S. Ruete
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GENRE: Fiction
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BLURB:
Dottie woke up wondering where she was and why she was so cold. The first thing she noticed was that she must be outside – she was lying on cold ground and snow was hitting her in unusual places. That’s when she noticed the second thing. Her skirt was pulled up past her waist and her panties were gone. Damn those bastards. It started to come back to her.
Dottie is now on an odyssey; a journey not of her choosing; a journey of healing, integration, and reconciliation that will involve her partner, her friends, her enemies, her church, her whole community. And her rapists. As she fights her way through social stereotypes about rape and rape victims, she also finds the strength to overcome society’s messages of who she should be and lays claim her true self. But the memories, the loss, the anger – and the fears – never go away. No woman chooses to be raped. I asked Dottie why she chose to tell me a story of rape. She said that millions of women, hundreds every day, have stories of rape that never get told. She told her story because she could. Because she had to. Because maybe people would hear in a work of fiction a Truth that they could not hear in any other way.
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EXCERPT
Mostly what Dottie remembered is that they kept giving her choices. Blood or vaginal exam first. Left or right arm for the blood draw. Keep her clothes or change into the comfortable, impersonal sweats the SACC counselor had brought. Should they call her church. She tried to appreciate what they were trying to do. But I’m so tired, she thought, and still a little cold and god my headache is getting worse. And all these decisions don’t help. Didn’t I hear something on NPR about decision fatigue? Or something like that.
She remembered a book from her youth. The Captain. The new skipper of an ocean-going tugboat couldn’t handle all the arbitrary decisions, so he just alternated “yes” and “no” answers. It seemed to work for him. She tried it.
“Do you want soup?”
“Yes.”
“Do you want coffee?”
“No.”
“Do you want us to call someone at your church?”
“Yes.” Damn!! Did I just say that? I love those judgmental bitches, but they’re the last people I need to see right now.
She wasn’t doing much better when Mandy showed up and said all the wrong things. How could this happen? Why weren’t you more careful? Are you sure you weren’t at some level asking for it?
“NO! Why the hell would I ask for this? I don’t even like men!” SHIT! shit shit shit shit shit shit shit. She just outed herself to her church. She had a feeling the rape was going to start all over again.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
E.S “Ned” Ruete is an author, speaker, group facilitator, women’s rights activist, LGBTQIPA+ ally, lay preacher, guitar picker, and business analyst. He is the author of Seeking God: Finding God’s both/and in an either/or world and Lead Your Group to Success: A Meeting Leader’s Primer.
Now retired, Ned lives in Niantic, Connecticut with his second wife. He continues to offer pro bono group facilitation and facilitation training to schools, churches, community groups and not-for-profit organizations. He has led strategic planning retreats for United Action Connecticut (UACT), Fiddleheads Food Co-op, and ReNew London. He is actively involved in LGBTQIPA+ advocacy and annually attends and presents sessions at the True Colors Conference. He is a member of the International Association of Facilitators (IAF) formerly served on the Association Coordinating Team (ACT, the IAF Board of Directors). He was associate editor of Group Facilitation: A Research and Applications Journal and has contributed articles to Group Facilitation, The Facilitator, and other publications on group facilitation and management consulting.
Off Season is Mr. Ruete’s first fiction work
See his consulting products at MakingSpaceConsulting.com
and his books at MakingSpaceConsulting.com/Publish: (The book is $0.99 during the tour)
https://twitter.com/edwardruete
https://www.facebook.com/esrueteauthor
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XCZN2LM/ref=x_gr_w_glide_ku
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VBT – The Banished Lands
About the Author
Benjamin Mester is native of San Diego but can often be found wandering the woods of northern Minnesota. He fell in love with language at an early age – the eloquence of poetry or the grandeur of an epic story. Fantasy is his favorite genre, crafting new and magical places of heroism and adventure. When he isn’t writing, he’s often taking long walks through nature or wondering about his place in the wide world.
Benjamin is the author of The Banished Lands series.
You can visit him on Goodreads.
About the Book:
Title: THE BANISHED LANDS (BOOK ONE)
Author: Benjamin Mester
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 384
Genre: Fantasy
BOOK BLURB:
A kingdom in danger. A prophecy that will change everything. But will they understand it in time? The old world is gone, and barely even histories remain. But something from that time is returning. The closing lines of a farewell poem, written centuries ago by the last great king of the age to his slain wife, might be more than just a poem:
The world and all its light shall fade,
I’ll stay with her beneath the shade
And wait until the world’s remade…
Join us in this epic fantasy adventure as three friends plunge into the great mystery of their age, twelve centuries in the making. A mysterious fog blankets the forest just outside the sleepy town of Suriya. A dark plot unfolds as Durian and his friends discover ties between a strange wanderer and the warlike barbarian kingdom far to the north. Are the mysterious things happening in the forest a prelude to invasion? What happens next will propel Durian and his curious friends into the middle of the oldest riddle in the history of their kingdom, a dozen centuries old.
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Book Excerpt:
Dismissing hours as they pass
Soft upon the windswept grass.
The hopes of men have come to naught.
Nothing fair for eyes or thought.
For Sheyla lies on golden plain,
Of Cavanah, the fairest slain;
Who met her last and final day
When all was brought to disarray.
Of gladful things now nevermore –
Now bitter wind, now salty shore.
The peaceful world bound to unrest
And darkness looming in the west.
The world and all its light shall fade.
I’ll stay with her beneath the shade
And wait until the world’s remade…
Suriya
The town of Suriya awoke in usual fashion, with thin bands of smoke appearing one by one over the scattered chimney tops, rising to a dawn still flecked with starlight. Few were stirring this early hour, in this small town in the corner of the kingdom, at the edge of the known world. An autumn wind picked up, pulling at the gray smoke and signaling the discovery of each hidden crevice in the stone cottages with a shriek of cold.
Durian woke to the whistling wind, but his mind was still full of the dream of a woman lying slain in a field. He thought she was only sleeping, but something kept him from drawing near her. A rider approached, dismounted, and took her into his arms. The figure pressed her head against his chest, and even from a distance his despair was evident. Then carrying her to his horse, they rode for the horizon. He’d had this dream once before, and every detail was the same: the woman, the rider, the lingering stab of loss when he woke.
Sleep had almost found him when he snapped back awake – a promise to his best friend, Baron, in mind. Groaning, Durian pushed himself from bed. Baron was competing in the Sea Games this morning. Though why was beyond him. This was the worst time of year as far as Durian was concerned, with no reprieve from the roving wind that swept up from the south. With winter at least came snow, piled like a warm blanket against the drafty cottages. But the first heavy snows hadn’t yet fallen and the wind moved as it willed.
Durian ambled to his fireplace and blew slow, hopeful breaths. But clouds of ash were all that greeted him in return. Reaching for the woodpile beside him, he seized some kindling but hesitated, knowing he’d soon be leaving. Thob Forest, a two day’s walk westbound, was Suriya’s only source for timber. Abundant as trees were, strange things had been happening there that were keeping the woodsmen at bay.
It brought images of the dream back to mind. The first time he’d had the dream was just before things in the forest started changing. Every morning for the last three months, a fog had gathered, remaining throughout the day. And in the mist were faint hints of perfume and smoke. None knew what caused it.
He glanced to the book lying idle on the mantle, one he’d rummaged through his room to find when the fog first arrived. Titled Tales of the Prosperous Age, among its grand histories and stories, it contained the farewell poem of King Euthor to his wife, Sheyla – a poem that always touched him. He’d been struck then, how similar his dream was to the poem and how vivid the images were. It felt connected to the happenings of the forest, but he didn’t know how that could be.
He took the book in hand, remembering fondly how the stories had consumed his imagination as a boy. All he had wanted then was to go to the capital city, Eulsiphion; wander the great hall and visit the archives to learn whatever he could of the old world.
C.A. Milson 