Blog Archives
THE LEGEND OF THE MICK
THE LEGEND OF THE MICK
by Jonathan Weeks
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GENRE: Sports Biography
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BLURB:
In the 1950s, America entered the television age. And Mickey Mantle, a country boy from Commerce, Oklahoma, was made for the moment. Signed by the New York Yankees as a teenager, he made his major league debut in 1951 as a right fielder alongside Joe DiMaggio. When DiMaggio retired at the end of the season, Mantle inherited not only Joltin’ Joe’s position in centerfield but also his stature as the face of the franchise. His boyish good looks, breathtaking power from both sides of the plate, and blazing speed on the basepaths made him an instant superstar. He won league MVP three times, came in second three times, was a 16-time All-Star, a Triple Crown winner in 1956, and a seven-time World Series champion.
Mickey Mantle’s career was the stuff of legend and in this book, Jonathan Weeks tells us why. Mantle’s extraordinary (and at times incredible) tales carry readers on an enthralling journey through the life of one of the most celebrated sports figures of the twentieth century.
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EXCERPT
THE SPOOK LIGHT
For more than a century, residents of the Tri-State Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas area have talked about a paranormal phenomenon known as the “Spook Light.” The light has been described by witnesses as an orb of fire about the size of a baseball or basketball. It flickers, dances, and spins—typically in an east to west pattern—while hovering above the treetops. When observers attempt to walk or drive toward it, it disappears.
According to popular legend, the “Spook Light” was first observed by Native Americans along the infamous “Trail of Tears” in 1836. Since then, a number of ghostly stories have circulated regarding its origin. One of the oldest tales centers around a Quapaw Indian maiden and her lover, who leaped to their deaths after the girl’s father forbade them from marrying. Another oft-told yarn involves the spirit of an Osage tribal chief who lost his head in battle and continues to search for it by lantern-light.
The “Spook Light” is commonly seen along a desolate stretch of road near the town of Quapaw, which is located just six miles from Mantle’s hometown of Commerce. The Yankee slugger grew up with these campfire tales and, like many teenagers of the era, enjoyed the associated benefits. By the time he was in high school, the deserted route known as Spooklight Road (or “The Devil’s Promenade” to some) had become a popular make-out spot. In his 1985 autobiography, Mantle remarked, “If you happened to be waiting at the Spook Light and you happened to have a girl with you, it was a pretty good place for necking.” Mantle’s first social outing with his future wife, Merlyn, was a triple date to Spooklight Road. The youngsters piled into Mantle’s 1947 Fleetline Chevy, which he had purchased with his Yankee signing bonus. Though Mantle was paired with another girl that night, he ended up asking Merlyn out on a date after he “struck out” with her friend.
The “Spook Light” continues to be an enduring legend despite scientific research conducted during Mantle’s teen years. In 1945, it was proposed that the phenomenon was caused by the refraction of vehicle headlights over a range of western hills. The following year, an Army Major named Thomas Sheard stationed a vehicle in the region he believed the so-called “Spook Light” was emanating from. He instructed the driver to flash the vehicle’s headlights at a designated time after dark. Observers in the vicinity of Spook Light Road were able to see the flashes. In 1965, Popular Mechanics magazine recruited professors from the University of Arkansas to investigate even further. They confirmed that distant headlights on Route 66 were being distorted by waves of heat, producing the phenomenon.
Those who still cling to paranormal explanations maintain that the “Spook Light” was seen long before the invention of automobiles and is, therefore, an unrelated phenomenon. The first verified written account of the eerie spectacle didn’t appear until 1935. Multiple sources have claimed that a booklet on the topic was released in the 1880s, but concrete evidence of it has not been uncovered. Detailed information about the ethereal orb—complete with driving directions to Spook Light Road—appear on the Joplin, Missouri official website.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jonathan Weeks spent most of his life in the Capital District region of New York State. He earned a degree in psychology from SUNY Albany and currently works in the mental health field. He has written several sports biographies and two novels, one of which was a posthumous collaboration with his father.
BLOG: www.jonathanweeks.blogspot.com
GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/5862273.Jonathan_Weeks
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jonathan-Weeks/author/B00DXL3JM4
Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Legend-Mick-Mickey-Mantle-Stories/dp/1493070177/ref=sr_1_1
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
The author will be giving away a $25 Amazon/BN Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner.
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q &A With Jonathan Weeks
Tell us about you as a person.
I guess one of the first things to know about me is that I’ve never really been comfortable talking about myself. I’ve made a habit of dodging the spotlight for most of my life. Growing up in the Capital District Region of New York State, my father was a popular radio personality. I always admired the way he was so fluid around people. Whenever his listeners greeted him in public (which was pretty often), he was always gracious and accommodating. I’ve never felt completely comfortable around people I don’t know. I’m kind of shy at first. I avoided public speaking in high school and college. Maybe that’s why I turned to writing to find my voice.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Last year, I published a Babe Ruth biography. It was the first installment of a New York Yankee trilogy that I’m still working on. Having researched the lives of Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio, I think it would be most enjoyable to hang out with the Babe if I had a choice among the three. He really was a down to earth, fun-loving sort of guy. He was more or less abandoned as a child and always felt he owed something to his fans. He could be crude and boisterous, but he was very generous with his time and money. I completely understand why people loved him so much and still do.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
The Legend of the Mick is the second installment in my Yankee trilogy. If I had to pick a favorite player from the 1950s and ‘60s, it would definitely be Mantle. He lived such a fascinating life. And there was a dichotomy to him. He could be approachable and genial at times, but downright rude when he wasn’t in the mood to socialize with fans or reporters. He came to the majors with very high expectations. There was tremendous pressure on him to perform. When he fell into slumps, fans sometimes booed him. He even got occasional death threats. On the surface, Mantle exuded confidence, but deep down he was insecure. He was a complex guy.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Well, I’m no marketing expert, but I’m a big proponent of virtual book tours. They help you reach a lot more potential readers than any book signing at a brick-and-mortar store. Not that book signings aren’t a good way to connect with readers… I’ve done them myself. You just get a lot more exposure by creating an online presence. Social media is the way to go.
List 5 things on your bucket list.
Ooh, I love this question!
–Attend a World Series game at Yankee Stadium
–Attend a Stanley Cup Finals game in Boston
–Visit Europe (particularly London and Rome)
–Write another novel
–Live long enough to see both of my daughters graduate from college and have children of their own
Any final thoughts?
I guess I should probably plug my books again. I’d love it if people would pick up a copy of The Legend of the Mick. If you enjoy reading about the all-time Yankee greats, you should grab a copy of The Lore of the Bambino while you’re at it. All the popular legends and myths are covered along with tons of lesser-known anecdotes. Be on the lookout for the third book in my trilogy: Tales of the Yankee Clipper, which explores the life and times of Joe DiMaggio.
THE PHANTOM GLARE OF DAY
The Phantom Glare of Day
by M. Laszlo
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GENRE: Historical (Metaphysical) Fiction / Coming of Age Fiction
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BLURB:
In this trio of novellas, three game young ladies enter into dangerous liaisons that test each one’s limits and force them to confront the most heartrending issues facing society in the early twentieth century. The Phantom Glare of Day tells of Sophie, a young lady who has lived a sheltered life and consequently has no idea how cruel public-school bullying can be. When she meets Jarvis, a young man obsessed with avenging all those students who delight in his daily debasement, she resolves to intervene before tragedy unfolds. Mouvements Perpétuels tells of Cäcilia, a young lady shunned by her birth father. She longs for the approval of an older man, so when her ice-skating instructor attempts to take advantage of her, she cannot resist. Not a month later, she realizes that she is pregnant and must decide whether or not to get an abortion. Passion Bearer tells of Manon, a young lady who falls in love with a beautiful actress after taking a post as a script girl for a film company—and is subsequently confronted with the pettiest kinds of homophobia.
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EXCERPT
London, 29 September, 1917.
Sophie paused beside a stock-brick building, and she listened for the unnerving rumble of an airship’s engine car. How long has it been since the last bombardment? Sometime before, as she had stood in this very spot, she had heard the Zeppelin clearly enough.
At that point, a Royal-Navy carbide flare had streaked heavenward. Then, from the neighboring rooftops, fifty or more pom-pom guns had opened fire–and the night air had filled with the odor of something like petroleum coke.
Yes, I remember. Now she braced herself for a salvo of fire.
No deafening tumult rang out. Neither did any sickening, stenchful fumes envelope her person.
No, it’s just my nerves. She glanced at the sky, and she whispered a simple prayer of thanksgiving.
From around the corner, an omnibus approached.
She climbed aboard and rode the way to Mayfair Tearoom.
The establishment had never looked so inviting as it did that night. By now, the proprietress had decorated the tables with Michaelmas daisies the color of amethyst, and she had adorned the china cabinet with ornamental cabbage. Moreover, how appetizing the scent of the fresh Eccles cakes.
The tearoom had attracted quite a crowd, too, the young ladies all decked out in silken gowns.
I wonder why. Sophie removed her coat, and she suddenly felt underdressed—for she had not worn anything too fancy that evening, just a puffed blouse and a fluted skirt. At once, she sat down at one of the last available dinette tables.
An eclipse of moths fluttered through the transom, meanwhile, and even they looked better than she did. What beauty the creatures’ wings—a fine royal purple.
Don’t look at them. Alas, when she turned her attention to the doorsill, a dull ache radiated up and down her left arm.
Not a moment later, a tall, gaunt lad, his eyes a shade of whiskey brown, entered the tearoom.
For a time, he glared at the patrons—as if at any moment he might remove a musketoon from beneath his frock coat and shoot everyone.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
M. Laszlo is the pseudonym of a reclusive author living in Bath, Ohio. According to rumor, he based the pen name on the name of the Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, Victor Laszlo. M. Laszlo has lived and worked all over the world, and he has kept exhaustive journals and idea books corresponding to each location and post.
It is said that the maniacal habit began in childhood during summer vacations—when his family began renting out Robert Lowell’s family home in Castine, Maine.
The habit continued in 1985 when, as an adolescent, he spent the summer in London, England. In recent years, he revisited that journal/idea book and based his first work, The Phantom Glare of Day, on the characters, topics, and themes contained within the youthful writings. In crafting the narrative arcs, he decided to divide the work into three interrelated novellas and to set each one in the WW-I era so as to make the work as timeless as possible.
M. Laszlo has lived and worked in New York City, East Jerusalem, and several other cities around the world. While living in the Middle East, he worked for Harvard University’s Semitic Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an M.F.A. in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.
His next work is forthcoming from SparkPress in 2024. There are whispers that the work purports to be a genuine attempt at positing an explanation for the riddle of the universe and is based on journals and idea books made while completing his M.F.A at Sarah Lawrence College.
NOTE: THIS BOOK WILL BE $0.99 DURING THE TOUR.
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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INTERVIEW
What is the sweetest thing someone has done for you?
In my childhood, my mother always comforted and consoled me whenever the world had me feeling overwhelmed.
How would you spend ten thousand bucks?
The money would probably not get spent. Instead, it would end up in some or other bank account. That way, the money would provide a measure of security. In a sense, that bank account would become roughly equivalent to the security blanket that Linus always carried around with him.
Where do you get your best ideas?
The best ideas come from simply living one’s best life. The catch is that you’ve got to be observant enough and sensitive enough to assimilate the idea when it crosses your path. Here’s another thing that writers ought to remember: if you experience people gawking at or judging or expressing repulsion at someone, that’s an instance where you, the writer, must seek to understand that person receiving all that abuse and negative judgment. The task of understanding the unpopular always leads to great ideas.
What comes first, the plot or characters?
It’s impossible to say. Sometimes plot comes first, and sometimes a character or two comes first. At times, the character and his or her problem come simultaneously. All the more complicated, sometimes a story begins with some other craft element—perhaps a setting, a snippet of dialogue, or a desire to write something that experiments with the movement of time itself. Sometimes, tone itself may precede all. If a writer wishes to write something in a certain loving tone, for example, it could very well be that the appeal of the tone itself serves as the seed for an entire novel. Anything’s possible.
What does your main character do that makes him/her special?
My characters have the power to teach the reader something paramount. This is because my characters want to understand the meaning of things; moreover, my characters want to share what they have learned.
MY DEAD TRUE LOVE
My Dead True Love
by Kim Pierce
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GENRE: Women’s literature
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BLURB:
When a newspaper reporter’s fiancé dies abruptly, she questions how he could just cease to be.
Dogged by unbidden thoughts, odd coincidences and unexplained phenomena, Ann Stewart becomes obsessed with finding out what really happens after we die and whether her beloved Gregory is still out there. She finds her answer, which takes her and a close-knit coterie of women to the edge of the cosmos—and the core of their own hearts.
Based on a true story.
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EXCERPT
“It was definitely Gregory,” Connie declared, forcing herself to return to the vision. “As clear as if he were standing next to me. Smiling.”
“If you saw him”—and I still wasn’t believing—“did he see you? Did he see me?”
It made no sense, but I had to know more.
“I don’t know. I tried to un-see him. I really did,” she said, turning to me, something akin to terror twisting her face. “This ‘seeing’ is a part of me that triggers so much shame—and reactivates the trauma. Like shell shock.” Red mottling crept up Connie’s neck and onto her cheeks.
She saw him. The words slid off my brain as if she were speaking in tongues. What did that mean?
“Could it have been your imagination?” I offered wanly, not wanting that to be the case.
“Yes, I suppose it could.”
Neither of us believed it.
I waited.
“What would it mean for you to ‘see’ him?” I pressed.
Tell me. Even if it makes no sense.
“That there’s something wrong with me,” came her acrid reply. “Deeply, terribly wrong. At least that’s what my father would say. And a lot of other people who make judgments about what I can do.” She slammed the car into park a little too aggressively.
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I said, getting out of the car.
Connie shut down.
“I need to go home for a while,” she said.
Tell. Me. More.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Kim Pierce is a former Dallas Morning News writer and editor who completed the Writer’s Path fiction program at Southern Methodist University. My Dead True Love is her first novel, inspired by events surrounding the death of her fiancé in 1998. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her partner and three cats.
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
A randomly drawn winner will receive a $50 Amazon/BN GC.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Interview With …
Have you ever had an imaginary friend?
I have not.
Do you have any phobias?
I really dislike high places with narrow ledges. Do not make me look down. I also have an irrational fear of being trapped inside a car that’s under water.
Do you listen to music when you’re writing?
After years of writing in a noisy newsroom—I can write with three TV stations blaring at once—I prefer to write in the silence in my home office. One exception: When I was writing my grief journal after the real-life Gregory died, I listened incessantly to Celtic music with a little Kitaro mixed in.
Do you ever read your stories out loud?
Oh yes. This is true of news stories as well as fiction. Reading out loud helps you feel the rhythm and cadence of your words and whether the narrative flows. The worst editor I ever had would keep hijacking the cadence of my news stories so they sounded stilted and jerky.
Tell us about your main character and who inspired him/her.
Ann is an accomplished journalist who loses her fiancé abruptly and becomes obsessed with finding out what really happens after we die. Dogged by unbidden thoughts, odd coincidences and unexplained phenomena, she persists in her search even though it challenges her “just the facts ma’am” mindset. While My Dead True Love is based on my story, the book is truly Ann’s story.
REBIRTH OF A SAGE
Rebirth of a Sage
by Lani Gonzales
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GENRE: Spirituality/Self Help/Memoir
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BLURB:
A TRANSFORMATIONAL MEMOIR OF LOVE AND LIGHT.
In Lani Gonzales’ intimate self-help debut, Rebirth of a Sage, readers meet the woman she was when she discovered ayahuasca and commenced her journey toward spiritual rejuvenation. Panicked, fearful, and drained, she hoped for an escape for both her and the lonely little girl she’d buried inside. Guided by the Shamans and supported by friends she made along the way, her cleanse progressed one ceremony at a time, culminating in a state of pure spiritual refinement.
Through eleven soul-stirring chapters enriched with enlightenment and healing, readers experience a kaleidoscope of emotions as they journey with Lani. A heartwarming chronicle ensues, traversing the blissful highs and devastating lows she faced along her way to rebirth. Unburying her darkest demons, she inspires us to do the same, gradually weaving threads of transformation and encouraging us to reconnect and reignite the divine flame within our souls.
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EXCERPT
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is yours to carry, and not my own.
When my innocent eyes looked to you,
You took your life, and I slowly lost my own.
But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is yours to carry, and not my own.
You taught me that life was worthless,
Something that easily comes and goes.
But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.
You trespassed on my innocence, the pureness of my soul.
But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is yours to carry, and not my own.
You told me to be silent. You told me to be still.
But something inside me rotted; something inside me grew cold.
But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is yours to carry, and not my own.
You violated my body, using it for the needs of your own.
But that is your sin to carry, and your sin alone.
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is yours to carry, and not my own.
The weight I’ve tried to shed.
The weight I’ve tried to purge.
Deceived into believing it should be shed from my body, the vessel for my soul.
But the weight that should be lost is that of your original sin, your sin, and yours alone.
I will not carry the weight of your sin.
It is not mine to carry.
It is yours and yours alone.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Born in the Philippines, Lani Gonzales immigrated to Virginia, USA, with her family when she was only two years old. Determined to emulate her parents’ discipline and ambition, Lani worked through college and law school and is now a practicing partner in a successful law firm in Tampa, Florida. A world-traveling, volunteering, energy-healing, aspiring hypnotherapist, Lani is committed to using her light as a beacon to help others find theirs.
Lanigonzales.com
Amazon buy link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rebirth-Sage-Lani-Gonzales/dp/B0BGNF1M3B/
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Lani Gonzales will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $20 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q & A With …
Tell us about you as a person.
I was born in the Philippines, and my family immigrated to the United States when I was two years old. Growing up, I witnessed how my parents’ perseverance and work ethic created a new, beautiful life in America. I worked through college and law school and am now a practicing partner in a law firm in Tampa, Florida. I’ve travelled the world solo and have fallen deeply in love with so many cultures and countries.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
I would spend the day with Jesus. I’m not particularly religious. However, there are so many interpretations of the Bible and Christianity, and I would be curious to see what Jesus thinks about today’s religions.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Our secrets keep us sick. Rebirth of a Sage shares the story of how I learned to unbury the traumas of my past and find true healing. After participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, I learned that I am greater than any grief. I wrote Rebirth of a Sage to honor the little girl that I once was who suffered in silence and shame. I wrote Rebirth of a Sage as an offering of my love and my light to those still searching in the darkness.
What is your writing process?
I meditate every day and I strive to stay connected to my intuition. This ritual allows me to tap into inspiration. When I write, I allow words to flow without judgment or hesitation.
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
Rebirth of a Sage shares the story, my story, of a first generation Asian American. I would love for Lucy Liu to be the star of the movie. She is an empowered, poised and confident Asian American woman.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Social media is a necessary evil than can be used for good. Social media is a great way to share your story and promote your book.
List 5 things on your bucket list.
- Hike through Patagonia
- Start a hypnotherapy and intuitive healing business
- Create a volunteer program to teach children mindfulness and meditation
- Travel to Antarctica
- Find my forever life and adventure partner
In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
The pandemic slowed down our lives and allowed time for introspection and reflection: tools for shaping a story and writing a beautiful book. For me, the time to reflect on my own life inspired me to publish my first book.
Any final thoughts?
Trust your intuition, honor your truth and let your story flow from a place of love and authenticity.
LEATHER & LACE
Leather & Lace
by Lauren Sevier & A. Smith
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GENRE: Dystopian/Western Romance
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BLURB:
Three years wandering the desert is enough to drive anyone insane, and the limits of Bonnie and Jesse’s minds and hearts will be put to the ultimate test.
A deadly showdown with a murderous outlaw ripped Bonnie away from the relative peace and ragtag family she’d built at the end of Guns & Smoke. In the thrilling next chapter in The Fool’s Adventure series, we finally get the answer to the biggest question: What happened to Bonnie?
After three years of fighting to get her back, literally, Jesse James finds her in the most unlikely of places– New Orleans high society. With the help of his rival-turned-friend Will Ellis, and a sassy staff member, Jesse’s tasked with infiltrating the house of the man he believes was responsible for killing his parents in order to get her back. Jesse’s biggest challenge yet will be learning to fight for Bonnie in a way he never expected before: by fitting in.
Mired in high society politics and scheming, Bonnie is at the epicenter of one of the most ruthless gangs in the world. Years trapped in a gilded cage of wealth and lies has irrevocably changed her from a crass outlaw into a southern debutante. Gone is the dangerous glint in her eyes, replaced with suspicion when the devilishly handsome street fighter named Montana suddenly joins her father’s staff.
Can Jesse remind Bonnie of who she really is in time to keep her from giving her heart and hand away or will he discover that the wild, beautiful outlaw he fell in love with is truly gone?
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EXCERPT
Staring at her now, knowing that I’d desperately fallen for her all over again sent a stark jolt through me. This feeling between us wasn’t some average infatuation. Most people could live a lifetime and never experience the raging, all-consuming need to be close to another person, no matter whether you knew why.
My soul called out, and hers answered.
Everything that I’d lost three years ago was suddenly before me. In the span of a breath, I closed the distance. I clutched her hips, a smile curling over my lips at the little gasp she let out as her back met the steel door and my mouth covered hers. I reached behind her, flicking the lock. Too many times we’d been interrupted. I’d be damned if I let it happen now. Not when she loved me again.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lauren Sevier and A. Smith are longtime friends and co-authors from southern Louisiana. Guns and Smoke, their first joint publication, began as a “short” story after having too much wine on girl’s night. Nine years later it is now the first novel in a Dystopian/Western Romance series. The duo has plans to publish several series together in the future. A. Smith spends her time with her two rescue dogs and rescue cat surrounding herself with books and Labyrinth paraphernalia. Lauren Sevier collects antique tea cups and tries to stay sane, though as the mother of a toddler she fails brilliantly most days. She also has a growing collection of crowns and tiaras and likes to act silly on Tiktok. Look for more thrilling novels from The Fools Adventure series in the future!
https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Lace-Fools-Adventure-Book-ebook/dp/B09X1ZRYMS/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58767973-leather-lace
https://www.laurensevier.com/
https://www.laurensevier.com/newsletter
https://www.youtube.com/c/laurensevier
https://www.instagram.com/laurensevier
https://www.facebook.com/authorlaurensevier
https://www.twitter.com/laurensevier
https://www.tiktok.com/@lsevier
http://abbielynnsmith.com/
https://www.abbielynnsmith.com/newsletter
https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B08RW7R82G
https://www.facebook.com/abbielynnsmith
https://www.twitter.com/abbiewritesx
https://www.instagram.com/abbiewritesx
http://www.tiktok.com/@abbiewritesx
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Lauren Sevier and A. Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q & A With …
Tell us about you as a person.
Abbie: One of the biggest things to know about me is that I am a huge dog person. I recently interviewed for a job and when they asked me what motivated me, the first thing I said was my dogs, and the second was being an author. My entire life, I’ve always imagined up stories, and I knew that what I wanted to do was tell those stories to the world.
Lauren: Starting with the hard-hitting questions, I see. LOL! There’s not much to know about me honestly. I’m a simple person from a small town. I like growing my own food, cooking, spending time with my family and friends. I have a husband that I’m crazy about, a son who reminds me every day to enjoy the little moments, and some of the best friend’s a girl could ask for. Namely, Abbie. I’m not hugely successful, wealthy, or well-known. But in many ways I think my life is richer for that. There is a quiet nobility in living a full and happy life and learning to be present in the moment. I dream about other worlds and characters with lives that are important and interesting, but I don’t aspire to have those kinds of adventures myself. Who am I as a person? I’m a neighbor. The parent who goes on field trips and volunteers at the book fair. The friend who brings over medicine and a can of campbell’s chicken noodle soup when you’re sick. The sister at the family get together who’ll hold a sleeping baby until they’re ready to wake up. A daughter who’ll work in the garden next to you. That’s me, in a nutshell.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
Abbie: Probably Sarah J. Maas. I adore the ACOTAR series and I would love to be able to pick her brain about being an author and how she plots her stories because she is truly a fantastic author.
Lauren: Good question, I had to think long and hard about this one. I would have to say probably… Michael Chricton. Not only was he a brilliant author, but an intimidatingly intelligent man. I’ve only read one or two of his books throughout the years but he also happened to be my father’s favorite author. When he passed away, my dad was upset that he’d never get to read anything new. My father was the driving force behind fostering my love of reading, and I’d probably ask Mr. Chricton if we could (in however limited our time was) mottle together a short story for my dad. To pay him back for all the books he’s shared with me over the years.
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Abbie: Leather & Lace is the sequel to last summer’s Guns & Smoke. Previously, it was a YA series, and we wrote books one and two. When we decided to publish the series and make it more of an adult romance, we revisited that early draft and decided to cut the plot into two novels. That being said, this book takes place in a city near and dear to my heart: New Orleans. We wanted to explore what the city would be like in a near dystopian future heavily inspired by the old west. Mix that with the mystery of the world ending and steaming hot romance, and you’ve got Leather & Lace.
Lauren: Abbie is always so concise and thorough it’s hard to add anything about the release. But if I delve further into the themes of the book, I think this book is about the everlasting nature of love. And about reconciling your past in order to have a better future. It’s about a lot of things, really, but mostly it’s about weathering hardships and learning to recognize that your own worth doesn’t come from the approval of others or any outside force. That when you learn to love and accept yourself as you are, then and only then can you be truly loved in return.
What is your writing process?
Abbie: I don’t have a process, per se. I struggle sometimes, because I am not one of those “write everyday” type of authors. There are times when I don’t write. I find that if I try to push myself into writing something that I’m not feeling at the moment, all I’m going to do is not write and subsequently beat myself up. So, I really hone in on what’s inspiring me, and when I am, I write. There are times that I have to be reined in by deadlines and such, which I can make work, but I’m much more of a write as inspiration strikes type of person.
Lauren: I’ve often likened it to trying to catch a ferret hopped up on methamphetamines. In other words, absolute chaos. Abbie is actually the more diligent of the two of us and has to rein me in more often than not. At times I feel a bit like Bonnie at the beginning of this book whenever I talk about my writing process. Drafting is absolutely the worst. It’s hard for me to stick to an outline, to finish anything really. My executive dysfunction hits an all time record whenever I sit down to write on the number of ways I can distract myself from the task at hand. Editing however, is another story. Once the zero draft is done… it’s like I have a completely different brain. I’m hyper-organized and know exactly how to fix all the problems I wrote into the draft and tighten up the plot and give the writing a real narrative voice. So, writing… terrible. Editing… priceless. LOL!
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
Abbie: Oh gosh, this is difficult. I’ll leave Will and Bonnie to Lauren, since she wrote their characters. I think that Jessica Lucas (The Covenant, The Resident) would be a fantastic Savannah. She’s witty and beautiful, with a quiet inner strength that I think would be perfect for our sassy friend. For Jesse, I have always struggled when it came to casting him. There are a plethora of male actors that could play him, but I think Taylor John Smith (Where the Crawdads Sing) is probably the closest I could think of to cast.
Lauren: You know, this question has been asked a lot and my answer is very different than it was back in 2012 when we initially drafted the story. Something I love about the world we built in this series is how naturally diverse it is. Almost all of the main characters are POC characters, or bi-racial. The post-apocalyptic society we created isn’t worried about labels the way we are today. Race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, no one bats an eye at those things. The society we built is Darwinistic at its core, the weak vs the strong. That’s the only label that matters. Because Bonnie is known to be half-Korean, I’d love it if an unknown or debut Korean or Korean-American woman were to play her. Similarly, I’d really love to see a Latin actor play Will, someone who perhaps hasn’t been seen yet in the US. To be able to give a vehicle to actors and actresses who may not have many unique character role opportunities would be really great. And they could do, in my opinion, wonders for the authenticity of the characters they’d be portraying.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Abbie: Marketing is hard, y’all. When you have a small backlist, it can be really difficult. I think finding people that have read your book and enjoy it, and enlisting them to help in promotion is probably one of the best things you could do. We did a lot of stuff prepping for Guns & Smoke last year, and the things that really worked were finding our readers!
Lauren: Good luck! And hire Goddess Fish Promotions for your virtual book tour! LOL! Honestly, just talk to people. Not just about your book but about the books they like too. Share your passion for things with them and the right people will find your books. At least, that’s my belief. But hey, I’m still pretty new at this too.
List 5 things on your bucket list.
Abbie:
- Spend the entire holiday season in a cottage in the UK.
- Fall madly in love.
- Rescue as many pitbulls as I can.
- Build enough of a readership that I can quit my day job.
- End up in a nursing home having wheelchair races with Lauren when we’re old.
Lauren:
- Travel. Widely, and often.
- Eat well. As often as I possibly can.
- Keep sharing my stories with the world and inspiring others to do the same.
- Help my son to grow into a kind, responsible person.
- End up in a nursing home having wheelchair races with Abbie when we’re old.
In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
Abbie: I think the biggest change is how digital everything has gone. I’ve seen it in my every day jobs, in my relationships with others, and in how people market their books.
Lauren: The first huge shift I saw in publishing was around 2014, when Amazon made it so easy to self-publish novels through their platform. It took away a lot of the fear of rejection and gatekeeping that traditional publishing had instilled in aspiring authors to that point. The pandemic seemed to just break that shift wide open in my opinion. Authors began to realize that through social media they could effectively market their own work and network. It made self-publishing become even more competitive because the standards for the published content became the same standards (or very near) to traditionally published novels. We’ve seen in recent times how the big six became the big five, and tried to become the big four with large publishing houses trying to acquire each other. As well as Barnes and Noble hiring a new CEO and now shifting their store policies and practices. To be more inviting, have less returned books, fewer hardcovers, etc. As Abbie said, we’re increasingly digital. But I also think this makes sense, as there may be less waste overall. Customers getting the content they want without stores having to overstock in order to provide it. Instant gratification with the click of a button. It also brings the authors and the readers closer together. Closer than I think they’ve ever been. Which could be good or bad depending on the context. I don’t think the changes have stopped or slowed down either, so it’s hard to say the long-term effects of the pandemic just yet. But, I do believe the best is yet to come.
Any final thoughts?
Abbie: I am incredibly proud of Leather & Lace. This book was a hard one to finish (there’s always that dreaded second book syndrome, but I am really excited to get this book into reader’s hands!
Lauren: Parroting Abbie, I’m really proud of this novel. It was personal in ways I didn’t expect and though I was riddled with imposter syndrome the whole time… seeing the final product… It feels a bit like a fairytale. I didn’t realize I could write something that felt so true. Or so dear to my heart. And I just really hope that readers feel that too. Thank you so much for having us on your blog!
BEGINNING OF ARROGANCE
Beginning of Arrogance
by Bryan Cole
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GENRE: Fantasy
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BLURB:
Paladins are nothing but trouble. Stories about paladins are everywhere, noble warriors riding magic steeds into battle against terrible foes. Champions of their gods. Heroes to everyone, except those who already have everything. Paladins are notorious for upsetting the balance of power, to the detriment of any who don’t worship their deity.
So when Krell is called to service by the capricious god of the seas and skies, ReckNor, those with wealth and power can’t help but be concerned. ReckNor hasn’t called a paladin in years, and his nature is ever-changing and erratic. The fact that Krell is also an uneducated nobody with a stubborn streak as wide as the sea turns their concerns into fear.
All of which matters less than the threat clawing its way from the waves, ready to turn the ocean red with spilled blood…
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EXCERPT
Krell’s sword struck the pell.
His heavy breathing couldn’t disguise the dull thunk from the blade as it hit, bits of wood breaking off. Krell twisted his wrist and pulled, disengaging the blade. He struck again, the blade sliding along the wood, leaving a fresh scar. Once again, he failed to cut through the post.
Krell recovered his stance, his shield raised as Olgar taught him while his sword moved back into proper striking position. His next strike was high and carved another sliver of wood. Without waiting, Krell swung again. The sword hit lower than Krell wanted. He pulled back into the proper stance, and his next strike was on target, carving deep into the wood.
“All right, lad, I think we’ve seen enough,” a voice said from somewhere ahead of him.
Krell took a step back from the pell. An unsteady step, he was forced to admit. The sun was still high in the sky. Sweat ran into his blue eyes, causing him to blink in irritation. He glared at the wooden post. No more than halfway through. His chain mail armor was heavy on his shoulders.
He looked over at the town council, seated at a long table under an awning. They had comfortable chairs for the most part, and were sipping on what looked like cool drinks in the shade. Krell wondered how much attention they were actually paying to this test.
Amra Thort was the leader of the town council, and owner of one of the largest fishing fleets in Watford. She was a formidable- looking woman with steel gray hair, whose hands bore the signs of hard work done many years ago. People in the town respected her, Olgar had told him.
Seated next to her was Daylan Plintform, a wealthy merchant who owned many trading and fishing vessels. His long face was handsome, but he always looked irritated, even when he wasn’t. Olgar detested him, but refused to explain why. He was popular in town, since he paid for numerous festivals and banquets when the catch was good.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Bryan Cole is the author of the Paladin’s Journey series. New to the writing world, he spent years working in the enterprise software space, focused on quality assurance and delivery of software applications. Which is weird, because that has nothing to do with writing fiction.
For that, we need to go back – way back – to his first experience with Dungeons & Dragons. His friend Chris brought over the box set for Myth Drannor, eager to play. Together, they realized they had no idea what they were doing, because neither of them owned a copy of the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, or the Monster Manual.
From those incredibly awkward beginnings, a lifelong passion for epic science fiction and high fantasy adventure was born. Everything from his grade 4 teacher letting him stay after school to play a video game where you were the wizard on a quest, defeating monsters by answering math problems, to some truly memorable movies like Willow that showed him a world bigger and more exciting than the real one.
Of course, Star Wars and Star Trek have had a major influence on him. Want to get in good with Bryan? Lead with a Star Wars meme. From one of the good movies. Otherwise, your plan will backfire.
Bryan is also an avid gamer, and enjoys video games, board games, and tabletop roleplaying games.
These days, he lives in Toronto with his wife and daughter, and his adorable cat.
CONNECT WITH BRYAN COLE
WEBSITE: https://fatpaladin.ca/
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/FatPaladin
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/fatpaladinbooks/
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22517522.Bryan_Cole
PURCHASE LINKS BEGINNING OF ARROGANCE
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RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
Bryan Cole will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Enter to win a $15 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Q & A With …
Tell us about you as a person.
I would say that I am a pessimistic optimist. I believe that people tend to make short-term decisions without thinking through the consequences of their actions, and that can be sometimes indirectly harmful. Yet at our core, I believe we all never want to cause harm, that we’re all in this together and are willing to help others. I try to be a good person as much as I can. In terms of interests, I’m a stereotypical nerd through and through, with a love for board games, video games, anime, science fiction, and – of course – fantasy.
If you could hang out with one famous person for one day, who would it be and why?
This is a tough question, and the nerd in me immediately wants to know the constraints. Alive or dead? If dead, am I time travelling back to see them, or are they coming forward to spend a day with me? Will the remember any of the information I share with them? What can I bring with me (for instance, supporting media and historical documents)? If there is an opportunity to warn someone of a calamity, then I might pick individuals like Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It would be extremely selfish to squander the opportunity to mitigate global catastrophes but do so in a way that hopefully leads to the same outcomes.
But, if I’m being selfish, I’d pick René Descartes. The father of modern philosophy, a mathematician who founded the Cartesian coordinate system and is known as the father of analytic geometry, he is one of the key figures in the birth of the modern world. I think we’d have an amazing conversation!
What’s the story behind your latest book?
Beginning of Arrogance is a story about what it means to be called as a paladin, and the consequences that flow from that. Paladins are rare but are not random. They are called for a specific purpose, to make manifest the will of their god on the world. The implications of that are myriad. For those in positions of power, unless they are devoted followers of that particular god, paladins represent an indirect threat that they need to plan for and counter. For everyone else, when a paladin appears – especially among a group of followers – that means that something awful is about to happen. Krell is there to keep that from happening, with mixed results.
What is your writing process?
I spend time writing when I can, and when I am in the correct frame of mind. I still have a full-time job and a family, so carving the solitude out of my day to write can be challenging at times. Sometimes when I go to write, my mindset is wrong, and instead I will do research or just goof off! However, when I sit down to write, I’ll spend three to four hours enmeshed in the story as I type it out. I then review it to see whether the characters diverged from the plot beats I outlined, and if it is better to adjust them back on course or adjust the story so they can remain who they are. It’s tremendously rewarding and fun for me when everything comes together!
If your book was to be turned into a movie, who would play the lead role(s) and why.
This is a really hard question for me! Both because I’m only generally aware of what is happening in the up and coming actor and actresses world, but also because there are so many characters in Beginning of Arrogance. For Krell, I would pick someone like Timothée Chalamet. He blew me away with his portrayal of Paul Atredies in Dune and has the right sort of wiry strength that I imagine Krell would have. Olgar would be well served by someone like Stellan Skarsgaard, while Captain Gijwolf would be Idris Elba. Maybe someone like Tanner Buchanan for Tristan, who has a major narrative role as the lancer to Krell, our protagonist.
What advice do you have for other writers who want to get the word out about their latest book?
Marketing is as hard or harder than writing the book (at least for me!). Seek assistance and be prepared to devote substantial amounts of time toward getting the word out. We all have our own definitions of success (just holding my own copy of Beginning of Arrogance in my hand was such a thrill for me!), but unless you let people know about your book, you’re not going to get readers. I’d also advise you to not wait as I did – begin the marketing campaign earlier with advanced reader copies, instead of waiting until the book is published. I’ve learned a lot about Facebook marketing, Instagram marketing, author tours, and website design, but there is still so much more to learn and know!
List 5 things on your bucket list.
- See the Aurora Borealis in person (the northern lights).
- Visit the Bay of Fundy.
- Visit Italy, to view Roman and Renaissance history.
- Visit Greece, to view Greek history
- Space travel would be amazing, but probably not in my budget.
In what way do you think that this current pandemic has changed the book & publishing industry?
The push to online book buying has certainly accelerated as a result of the pandemic. I think the technology platforms like Amazon are allowing more and more people, combined with their enforced free time at home, to access the self-publishing world. At the same time, recent court documents released in the Random House merger that stated roughly fifty percent of all traditionally published books sell less than one dozen (that is, less than 12) copies ever has certainly opened some eyes. Already I’ve sold way more than twelve copies of Beginning of Arrogance, and the rise of self-publishing will only continue to accelerate.
Any final thoughts?
Everyone has a story to tell, and with ready access to the internet, not only is it easy to find and read amazing stories, but increasingly easy to write your own. I had no idea before I began writing that I would enjoy it as much as I have, and I would encourage everyone to give it a try and see if you enjoy it as much as I have!
GRADY WHILL AND THE TEMPLETON CODEX
Grady Whill and the Templeton Codex
by Carole P. Roman
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GENRE: YA adventure
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BLURB:
Templeton Academy- the superhero high school is finally open!
The prestigious academy is recruiting the best of the best to enroll in its student body.
The school is as mysterious as it is exclusive.
Grady Whill thinks there is nothing special about him to make the grade.
However, his best friend, Aarush Patel has been selected and thinks Grady has the right stuff.
Even school bully Elwood Bledsoe is attending.
If Grady is fortunate enough to be picked, his guardian has forbidden him to attend.
Will a family secret prevent Grady from becoming the superhero he was destined to be?
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EXCERPT
There Whill Be Blood
A barely cooled lump of lava hardened under my feet. One of my sneakers was stuck between two small rocks in the solidifying mess. I stared at my foot in disbelief. Instinct told me I should be a human torch, my legs nothing more than toasted stumps. I glanced up, my heart beating wildly. We were trapped on the side of the mountain facing our school, separated by a burning sea of molten rocks.
The world around me steamed, the lava staining the sky burnt orange. Trees swallowed by molten rock looked like skeletal hands emerging from a grave that glowed beneath the blackened crust. I saw heat waves shimmering from the earth but felt none of its intensity. I pulled fiercely, feeling my ankle twist. Aarush steadied me as I nearly toppled over. He was shirtless, his back slick with sweat and covered with scrapes. His fingers worked feverishly to free my foot.
Overhead two helicopter-sized pterodactyls circled the craggy summit. The wind from their leathery wings buffeted the two of us. I think the air they circulated stopped the patches of lava from cooking us alive, but what do I know?
“We better get moving, Grady. Leave your sneaker. We are risking getting burned by staying too long in one spot.” The ever-practical Aarush reasoned as he pulled the velcro releasing my foot. I wobbled, then fell to one knee.
“Do you think they’re real?” I hollered to my friend over the noise, pointing upward.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Carole P. Roman is the award-winning author of over fifty children’s books. Whether it’s pirates, princesses, spies, or discovering the world around us, her books have enchanted educators, parents, and her diverse audience of children of all ages.
Her best-selling book, The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: 800+ Jokes! has reached number one on Amazon in March of 2020 and has remained in the top 200 books since then.
She published Mindfulness for Kids with J. Robin Albertson-Wren.
Carole has co-authored two self-help books. Navigating Indieworld: A Beginners Guide to Self-Publishing and Marketing with Julie A. Gerber, and Marketing Indieworld with both Julie A. Gerber and Angela Hausman.
Roman is the CEO of a global transportation company, as well as a practicing medium.
She also writes adult fiction under the name Brit Lunden and has created an anthology of the mythical town of Bulwark, Georgia with a group of indie authors.
Writing is her passion and one of her favorite pastimes. Roman reinvents herself frequently, and her family calls her the ‘mother of reinvention.’ She resides on Long Island, near her children and grandchildren.
http://www.caroleproman.com/
https://www.facebook.com/CarolePRomanAwardWinningAuthorAndBooks/
https://twitter.com/caroleproman
http://caroleproman.blogspot.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Carole-P-Roman/e/B008ZOXI0W
Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4T6PWPH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview With …
What is something you’ve lied about?
I lied to my kids about eating carbs. I love bagels. What can I say?
Who is the last person you hugged?
My kids and grandkids, today at dinner. OMG, they’re delicious.
What are you reading now?
Sally Christie’s The Rivals of Versailles. It’s brilliant.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
I make a list and find the one that describes the book best.
Share your dream cast for your book.
- Grady Whills – Finn Wolfhard
- Aarush Patel – a young Aziz Ansari
- Pari Patel – a young Priyanka Chopra
- Elwood Bledsoe – a young and American Tom Felton
- Valencia Templeton – Cate Blanchette
- Miss Parker – Reese Witherspoon
- Dr. Templeton – Liam Neeson
Grayality
Grayality
By Carey PW
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GENRE: LGBTQIA Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
Love knows no gender.
Pate Boone, a twenty-six-year-old transgender man, embarks on a new adventure when his childhood best friend, and yes, ex-lover, Oakley Ogden, convinces him to escape their hometown in hopes for something new.
They land in Cloverleaf, a tiny rural town in Montana, so that Oakley can care for his granny who is battling breast cancer. She pressures the two young men to enroll in a nearby college. Pate immediately becomes enthralled with Maybelle, a young, vivacious freshman to whom he fears revealing his transgender identity. Still, he finds it impossible to resist Maybelle, even after he meets her ex, Bullet, a large, violent man determined to keep Pate away from “his girl.”
But there are others who accept Pate immediately, like Stormy. An outdoorsy, rugged freshman, Stormy warns Pate away from Maybelle and Bullet, but Pate’s too infatuated to heed these warnings.
Oakley tries to support his friend’s new love but finds himself entangled in his own emotional calamity when he unintentionally falls for Jody, a gay and ostentatiously confident drag queen. This new relationship awakens deep internal conflicts in Oakley as he struggles to accept his bisexuality, lashing out at Pate and causing friction between him and Jody.
Oakley must decide if he can overcome his insecurities so he doesn’t lose the love of his life. And Pate must discover if the love between him and Maybelle is strong enough for her to accept him as a transgender man, or if she will break his heart.
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EXCERPT
Pate held up his hand to stop me. “You didn’t pull away when he held your hand. Even he noticed that. You didn’t pull away from his kiss. You think he’s never hit on straight guys before? I think he’d know by now that straight guys pull away—”
“And gay guys don’t?” I asked.
“They don’t if they are interested. Oakley, sexuality is not either/or. Maybe you have some attraction to him. Maybe not toward just any man, but toward him.”
I had been so busy trying to analyze my repulsion toward guys that it had never dawned on me to consider what made Jody attractive to me. His emerald-green eyes alone were enough to mesmerize anyone. His skin was silky and soft like a woman. His frame was small and delicate. But thinking on it, it wasn’t so much those physical traits as it was his confidence and free spirit. I had never seen a girl perform and light up a room as if she owned it the way Jody had dominated the club in Billings. When he realized that I thought he was a girl when I made the date, his response was calm. He didn’t get offended or even embarrassed. Jody was going to keep being Jody. I hadn’t found that certainty for myself yet.
“It wouldn’t mean anything different than me preferring to stay a feminine guy,” Pate replied, shrugging his shoulder. “It’s not about girl or boy. It’s about the feminine and the masculine that’s in all of us.”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Carey PW (he/they) is a debut author, college instructor, and mental health counselor. Carey is currently completing his next manuscript, Acing the Game.
Carey lives in Montana, and identifies as nonbinary, transmasculine (AFAB) and panromantic asexual. Due to the lack of resources in rural communities, Carey has discovered that writing about his lived experiences is a therapeutic outlet for him and hopes that his readers relate to his own personal struggles and triumphs shared through his characters’ narratives. Carey is particularly interested in exploring relationship conflicts around sexuality and gender differences. He has also worked as a high school writing instructor and college writing instructor, earning a B.A. in English Literature, a M.Ed. in English Education, and Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education all from the University of Georgia. In 2020, Carey earned his second M.Ed. in Counselor Education and works as a licensed clinical professional counselor, LCPC. He has a strong passion for working with the unique mental health issues of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Readers can learn more about Carey from his blog, http://www.careypw.com. When he is not writing, Carey is busy training for marathons, parenting his six cats, sharing his culinary talents on social media, serving on the board for the nonprofit Center for Studies of the Person (CSP) and learning photography.
Carey PW loves to hear from readers. You can find his contact information, website and author biography at http://www.pride-publishing.com.
Other links:
Author Blog: www.careypw.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/careypatrickwertz/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CareyPW2
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.p.singer/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY
One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.
Enter to win a $50 Amazon/BN GC – a Rafflecopter giveaway
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Interview With …
What are your favorite TV shows?
I’m a sucker for reality TV over scripted shows. I watch 90 Day Fiancé, Teen Mom, MTV’s The Challenge, The Amazing Race, Survivor, Big Brother, My Big Fat Fabulous Life, Little People, Big World, Fear Thy Neighbor, Bar Rescue, and more. It is something that I can sit down in front of and not think too much about. However, my husband and I tend to get rather analytical when we watch them! They induce good conversations on human behavior.
What is your favorite meal?
It’s hard to say that one meal is my favorite, especially since my husband and I cook so much good food! I’ll share some interesting meals that perhaps others haven’t considered. I’m an organ meat lover! I love tongue, liver, heart, you name it! My husband makes beef tongue by boiling it with veggies for hours until it’s super tender. Then he drains the broth into a pan and simmers it until it thickens and serves the tongue in the sauce. It’s good with some spicy zucchini noodles made with peanut butter, soy sauce, fresh ginger, siracha, and rice wine vinegar. For dessert, maybe some Irish cream boozy cookies!
If you were to write a series of novels, what would it be about?
I’m actually working on my first series now. It’s about LGBTQIA people who develop special powers on their twenty-first birthday. Their powers are all connected to different animals in the animal kingdom, such as mammals, rodents, and birds. Some use their powers for good and others for evil. Members of the LGBTQIA community have different abilities. For example, transgender people have certain powers, and asexuals have different powers. It’s a dark fantasy romance with some elements of horror. I’ve wanted to write horror without necessarily making it my key theme. It’s way different than this novel, but I’m stoked about it.
Is there a writer you idolize? If so who?
I can name people, but really, it’s broader. I idolize writers who have made it big like Stephen King. That’s really impressive. I also idolize writers who have a fan base that keeps their career going. I admire writers who take risks and write about controversial topics and themes. I admire writers whose works have remained popular over hundreds of years. I would also say that I idolize writers who write one really good novel and nothing else. It takes a lot to produce an impactful work.
How did you come up for the title of this book?
Grayality is playing on the words gray and sexuality. It’s about the gray areas of sexuality. Too often, I think people put themselves in a category, then are not open to exploring other kinds of relationships. But they may be more open than they think, especially for the right person. My husband was adamant that he could not be with a man when I wanted to transition. Now, he’s attraction to me, including sexual attraction, has not changed a bit, yet he originally saw it as impossible. He was a big inspiration for the book.
C.A. Milson 