Category Archives: Uncategorized
Book Blast – DOC CEDARWOOD
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Can an accident and a rim job lead to lasting love?
Aiden Connor isn’t looking for a date. Sure, he wants one, but relationships seem to be too difficult to maintain. He’s an ER doctor and doesn’t have time for commitment…that is, until he runs over a curb and needs a new rim for his sports car. The mechanic isn’t anything like he expects, but could be the one man he needs if he’s willing to open his mind and heart.
Matt Phillips equates dating with disaster, but sees himself as an eternal optimist. When he catches sight of Aiden, he wants to give relationships a try. Every cell in his body screams to get the sexy doctor naked and in his bed. But Matt has demons and addictions he’s still working through. Will he fall prey to his past or learn and move forward with the hot doctor?
Read an Excerpt
“Do you have a tow truck?”
“We do. What happened? Usually people come here in a vehicle. You seem to be without one.” The man smiled. The five o’clock shadow darkened his cheeks and his blue eyes sparkled. He’d combed his hair into a short mohawk and the inch-long spikes glimmered in the pink light of the neon sign.
Aiden read the man’s name tag. Matt. Funny, the guy didn’t strike him as a Matt. More like a Roscoe or a Boss. He smoothed his palms over his thighs. Blood rushed through his body and his nerve endings tingled. Each time he swept his gaze over Matt, his pulse reacted. Either he needed a date and sex, or he’d lost his mind from sleep deprivation. He straightened his shoulders. He wasn’t there for a date. “I ran over the curb down the road. I ruined my tire and probably more.”
“If you hit the curb on Walker Road, then you jacked up more than a tire. If the rim isn’t a mess, I’d be shocked.” Matt disappeared into the garage bay, then stepped back out again without the rag. He snorted. “Most rims are a mess and if you did one hell of a job on it…” He whistled, then grinned. “Nice.”
Aiden swayed on his feet. Go figure, he’d found the one mechanic in town to make a lewd joke about rim jobs. “Can you fix it?”
“I’ll get the truck. I doubt I’ll be able to get to it today because I need to find the right rim to fit your car. That’ll take me at least a couple of hours tomorrow to locate. The tire will be easy—unless you did more damage. I won’t know that until I get a look at the car.” Matt tugged a set of keys from his overalls. “Where did you leave it?”
“Where I collided with the curb.” He pointed down the road. “You’re sure it’ll take that long?”
Matt narrowed his eyes. “Guessing from your outfit, you’re late. For a date or your wedding?”
©Megan Slayer, 2020, All Rights Reserved
About the Author:
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj
Website: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm
Blog: https://wendizwaduk.wordpress.com/
Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/wendizwaduk.meganslayer
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Megan-Slayer/e/B008BJCFSC
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/megan-slayer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendizwaduk/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5330530.Megan_Slayer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/MeganSlayer
Buy Links:
https://www.firstforromance.com/book/doc-cedarwood
https://books2read.com/u/bank56
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08587JDBS/
https://books.apple.com/us/book/doc-cedarwood/id1500804906
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/doc-cedarwood-megan-slayer/1126488306
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/doc-cedarwood-2
https://www.amazon.ca/Doc-Cedarwood-Pride-Megan-Slayer-ebook/dp/B08587JDBS/
Megan Slayer will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
https://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js
VBT – MERLIN RAJ AND THE SANTA ALGORITHM
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter. Click the link to see the other stops on the tour.
My name is Merlin Raj. Usually, I only have to worry about being the best service dog. I help my boy, Matthew, walk at school. But when my human Mom has to go away for winter break, getting ready for the holiday becomes a mess. I might be a super-smart golden retriever who wears glasses, but could I help my best friend with more than a disability?
Gulp.
Will a class on algorithms get me barking up the right Christmas tree?
***
Merlin Raj, The Santa Algorithm is the first installment in the Merlin Raj, Computer Science Service Dog chapter-book series. With a Computer Science degree and a passion for preparing kids for the future, author D. G. Priya blends technology with animal stories to stimulate a desire to read. Each book in the series introduces a new programming skill, complete with study guides for educators. If you or your child like delightful dog tales, practical examples, and accessible learning tools, then you’ll love D. G. Priya’s tail-wagging adventure.
Read an Excerpt
First snow brushed the ground with white. I loved winter. My fur kept me nice and warm on most days. For freezing cold days, my human mother, Mom Raj, had bought me a bright, thermal rain slicker. It was sky blue with a service-animal label.
Blue best matched my golden fur, which I liked to keep well brushed at all times.
Even my glasses were on a stylish athletic band, and they matched Matthew’s glasses. My nose twitched from the cold.
About the Author:
D.G. Priya is the pen name of Bestselling Author Priya Ardis. She obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, #6 in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2014) and #8 (US News, 2020) in Computer Science. Her advocacy of early education in computing and the challenges of childhood disabilities come from her experience as a parent and volunteer. Her love of dog stories comes from the antics of her own golden retriever.
Talk to me!
Website: http://www.dgpriya.com
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/dgpriya
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dgpriya
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/priyaardis
Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/priya_ardis
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/priyaardis
D. G. Priya will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Toru: Wayfarer Returns
Toru: Wayfarer Returns
by Stephanie R. Sorensen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Steampunk Fiction
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
A nation encircled by enemies
A noblewoman with everything to lose
A fisherman with everything to prove and a nation to save.
In Japan of 1852, the peace imposed by the Tokugawa Shoguns has lasted 250 years. Peace has turned to stagnation, however, as commoners grow impoverished and their lords restless. Swords rust. Martial values decay. Foreign barbarians circle the island nation’s closed borders like vultures.
Tōru, a shipwrecked young fisherman rescued by traders and taken to America, defies the Shogun’s ban on returning to Japan, determined to save his homeland from foreign invasion. Can he rouse his countrymen in time? Or will the cruel Shogun carry out his vow to execute all who set foot in Japan after traveling abroad? Armed only with his will, a few books, dirigible plans and dangerous ideas, Tōru must transform the Emperor’s realm before the Black Ships come.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
“Omae wa dare da? Who are you? Whose ship is that? Why are you here?”
They forced Tōru to his knees.
He bowed down to the sand and spoke in the rough unhewn Japanese of a fisherman.
“Noble sirs, I am Tōru, of the village Iwamatsu, some days’ travel north of here. I was fishing with my father. A terrible storm destroyed our boat and cast us all into the sea. My father gave me a piece of wreckage to cling to as everything sank.”
Tōru struggled a moment, the words and flow of his native language catching on his lips after more than two years without a soul to speak with in Japanese. The memory of the storm and his last memory of his father that night rose up before him.
He steadied himself as the men listened intently, their swords never wavering from his throat, nor their gaze from his face.
He chose his next words carefully.
“That night was the last I saw my father. I was picked up by an American ship and taken to America.”
He bowed down to the sand again, easing between the blades.
“This night I am returning, to look after my mother. She has no other child to care for her, and no husband to feed her. The Americans brought me home, so I might do my duty by my mother and my people. I beg you, forgive me any crimes I may have committed by landing on your lord’s shore, and allow me please to return to my home.”
As he looked up into their eyes, he saw they would permit no such thing.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Stephanie is a writer based in the Victorian mining town of Leadville, Colorado, where she lives at 10,251 feet with her husband, five chickens, two bantam English game hens and one Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. After a former life in big cities-New York City, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Boston, Mexico City, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Santa Fe-she now enjoys the birdsong and quiet writing time she finds in Leadville. Her first novel draws on her experience living and working in Japan; her next historical novel is set in Mexico where she also lived for several years. As a Leadville local, she likes her Victorian attire spiced with a little neo-Victorian futurism and the biggest bustle possible.
Recognition for “Toru: Wayfarer Returns”
— Finalist, Fantasy category, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
— Bronze Medal Award, Multicultural Fiction category, 2016 eLit Book Awards
LINKS:
Author website http://stephaniersorensen.com/
Author Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100011148014463
Publisher website http://palantirpress.com/
Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/people/Sassa-Margot/100010457895534
Publisher Twitter https://twitter.com/SassaMargot
Sell sheet PDF http://palantirpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Toru-Sell-Sheet.pdf
Kirkus review https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/stephanie-r-sorensen/toru/
Historical Novel Society review https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/toru-wayfarer-returns-sakura-steam-series-book-1/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toru-stephanie-r-sorensen/1123110310?ean=9780996932318
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
2013 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2013 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 2,100 times in 2013. If it were a cable car, it would take about 35 trips to carry that many people.
2012 AFL Premiership Match
Sydney has captured the 2012 premiership, outlasting Hawthorn by 10 points at the MCG.
In one of the toughest, tightest grand finals, the Swans kicked the last four goals of the game to clinch victory, 14.7 (91) to 11.15 (81).
The Hawks jumped out to an early lead with a couple of quick goals to end the first quarter.
Congratulations Sydney Swans on winning the 2012 AFL Premiership.
Funny letter from Ronald Reagan
This is hilarious…
An amusing letter from former President Ronald Reagan in response to a 13-year-old boy’s request for disaster relief funds to clean up his room is making the rounds again on social media, thanks to a blog writer.
Shaun Usher of Letters of Note tweeted the classic correspondence. Seventh-grader Andy Smith from Irmo, South Carolina, wrote Reagan in 1984: “Today my mother declared my bedroom a disaster area. I would like to request federal funds to hire a crew to clean up my room.”
Reagan’s reply:
Dear Andy:
I’m sorry to be so late in answering your letter but as you know I’ve been in China and found your letter here upon my return.
Your application for disaster relief has been duly noted but I must point out one technical problem; the authority declaring the disaster is supposed to make the request. In this case your mother.
However setting that aside I’ll have to point out the larger problem of available funds. This has been a year of disasters, 539 hurricanes as of May 4th and several more since, numerous floods, forest fires, drought in Texas and a number of earthquakes. What I’m getting at is that funds are dangerously low.
May I make a suggestion? This administration, believing that government has done many things that could better be done by volunteers at the local level, has sponsored a Private Sector Initiative program, calling upon people to practice voluntarism in the solving of a number of local problems.
Your situation appears to be a natural. I’m sure your mother was fully justified in proclaiming your room a disaster. Therefore you are in an excellent position to launch another volunteer program to go along with the more than 3,000 already underway in our nation—congratulations.
Give my best regards to your mother.
Sincerely, Ronald Reagan
—From Reagan: A Life in Letters
The tweet has been viewed 189,500 times in the past few days. It is unknown if the letter remedied the situation.
2011 a year that was…
2011 … the final trumpet of 2011 is about to ring out loud and clear and with that we will herald in 2012.
This year has been memorable for many of us on different levels. For some it was met with success, for others it just plain sucked 🙂
Rather than mention a long list of reflections as I have done in past years, I think I will make a list of what 2012 can expect out of me 🙂
1. I may or may not follow the hysteria of the 2012 doomsday. I do have my own theory though on the whole “doomsday thing” and I predict that on December 22nd I will awake very much alive in my bed, (or the bed of someone else, depending on what trouble I get into the night before lmao). It will be sunny or it may be raining, all depending on what the weather forecast predicted, and maybe the lawn will need mowed. 🙂 I will make my coffee like I do every morning in my extra large coffee cup (actually it’s a former soup cup, but I aint one for soup anyway. Coffee tastes better than soup anyday), I will turn on my laptop, and most likely play Evil Genius while the coffee gets my brain functioning 🙂 I will probably wonder if there is any last minute shopping I have to do for Christmas, as knowing me there would have been someone I forgot 🙂
2. I will try not to spend too much time on facebook 🙂
3. I will watch more British TV shows (much to the annoyance of some) lol
4. I think I will travel to the UK later in the year.
Some may be wondering though about the big questions that have been left unanswered, so I will answer them now
1. Will I stop smoking? Probably not. Infact I may also take up smoking cigars 🙂
2. Will I start drinking again? That depends on how much people try to stress me out lol
3. Will I find new comedy material? You know what they say, the oldies are still goodies 🙂
4. Will I make any new resolutions? Ah, nope. Resolutions are better off in the dark recesses of my mind. If I make any, you wont know until I did it and say “Told ya so” lol
5. Will I drink less coffee? My answer to that is: Yeah, okay, when hell freezes over I may 🙂
6. Whatever became of …. : Yada, Yada, Yada
Whatever you all decide to do on NYE and whatever you plan for 2012, make it the best year that you can….
Til 2012 ………
C.A. Milson 