Thursday, November 21, 2024

Book Blitz ~ The Moldavian Gamit - A Novel Inspired By Actual Events by Brad M. Meslin

 


Spies & Politics, Espionage, Terrorism

 

A taut, fast-paced, geopolitical techno-thriller set in the dying days of the Soviet Union.  The Moldavia Gambit will appeal to lovers of complex espionage, terrorism and political thrillers by authors like Tom Clancy, Daniel Silva and Mark Greaney.

Inspired by actual events and filled with authentic technical detail, the gripping tale races between Moscow, Moldavia, Paris, Washington, the skies over Eastern Europe, and geostationary orbit 22,000 miles above the Earth.

 

 


About the Author

Brad Meslin has spent more than 35 years working at the intersection of the aerospace and defense industry, private equity and national security.

Meslin founded and manages a leading advisory firm that performs diligence on aerospace, defense and government services contractors active in the defense, space, aviation and intelligence sectors in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and elsewhere.  Advising on hundreds of transactions over more than three decades, Meslin has gained a deep understanding of the national security programs and missions these companies support, and the capabilities and systems they help to develop and operate.

Dr. Meslin earned a Master’s degree in law and diplomacy and a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School at Tufts University, with a focus on international security.

 

Contact Link

LinkedIn


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Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Book Tour ~ Airmail & Chocolate Pie - Back to Boonetown by Bobby Evers

 



Back to Boonetown


Memoir


 

Airmail and Chocolate Pie: Back to Boonetown is a heartwarming and nostalgic journey of unexpected discovery. One moment, Bobby Evers had no plans to write another book; the next, a phone call and an old duffle bag changed everything. The bag, belonging to his father, contained letters from his mother during his father's military service. These letters rekindled Bobby’s passion for storytelling and sparked a deeply emotional connection with his late parents.

Through these letters, Bobby found himself transported to another time, filling the pages with stories rooted in love, family, and history. This compelling book is not just a collection of memories, but a testament to how life’s surprises can lead us back to our passions. With each letter, Bobby connects to the past, shaping a narrative that’s as personal as it is universal.

Join Bobby on this touching adventure, where past and present intertwine, and see how the discovery of his parents' letters inspired him to create something truly special. Whether you’re a fan of heartfelt stories or historical reflections, Airmail and Chocolate Pie: Back to Boonetown will resonate deeply with anyone who cherishes the power of family and the written word.


Introduction

 

Things change.

One day you think you are settled in for a while, with plans to write a new play. People occasionally asked me if a new book was in the works, and I’d say, “No, not anytime soon.” I’d written a few stories that I liked, but I just wasn’t feeling the desire to work on another book. I wanted to try something different. At least that’s what I was thinking.

Then, out of the blue, my nephew got a phone call, and picked up a bag someone found in an old shed: a seventy-year-old duffle bag of my dad’s. You wouldn’t think that would change any of my immediate plans, but it did.

Suddenly, I was reading letters. Lots of letters. Letters sent from my mom to my dad when he was in the military. And a story was forming in my head as quickly as I could digest the words on the pages.

Suddenly, I was writing stories I felt a strong emotional connection to, stories I wanted to publish.

It felt very much as if I were getting a kick in the pants from my parents, urging me to keep writing.

They both died long before I wrote anything, so I always wondered what they might think about my books. Would they be proud? Offended? Shocked?

That very unexpected discovery sent me on a writing journey, with renewed enthusiasm for the practice of storytelling. It fueled my desire to publish this book, and it re-connected me with my mom and dad in a new way.

 So, yes, things do change. Sometimes in the most unexpected way. And then your mind changes, your focus changes and, suddenly, you have a new book to share.

 It’s a book I am proud to share. I hope you enjoy.

About the Author

Bobby Evers is a life-long Tennessean, a theater enthusiast, and avid traveler. Being a keen people-watcher, he has always been a storyteller, and now he brings those stories to the page in his first book. He has worked in the construction business, and as an interior designer and architectural consultant for over thirty-five years.

 

Contact Links

Website

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


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Book Tour ~ Wine Explained by Fabrizio De Rienzo

 



Nonfiction

Date Published: June 4, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media


 

"Wine Explained - The Answer to all your Wine Questions" is the ultimate guide for wine lovers who want to expand their knowledge and appreciation of wine. This book, written by Fabrizio Di Rienzo, a highly experienced professional in the field, covers in a question-and-answer format all the essential topics, from wine production to tasting techniques, interesting facts, and many other tips and tricks related to wine.

Fabrizio's impressive qualifications as an Advanced Sommelier, Italian Wine Specialist, and more, combined with his practical experience, shine through in the book. It offers easy-to-follow explanations, making wine accessible to both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts. Whether you're looking to learn the basics or refresh your knowledge, "Wine Explained" provides expert insights and practical tips to navigate the world of wine like a pro

This Must-Have book equips you with the necessary knowledge and skills to enjoy wine confidently. Fabrizio's passion and expertise make "Wine Explained" an invaluable guide for anyone eager to delve into the fascinating world of wine."

 

FOREWARD

 

As a celebrity chef and lover of all things culinary, I am constantly searching for ways to enhance my craft and deepen my knowledge of the culinary arts. For years, I have turned to my friend and colleague, Fabrizio Di Rienzo, for guidance and inspiration when it comes to the world of wine.

In his new book, Fabrizio has compiled a wealth of knowledge and expertise about wine that is truly impressive. From the basics of viticulture to the subtleties of wine tasting, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the world of wine that is both informative and engaging. The book’s question-and-answer format is engaging and encourages the reader to continue reading. Additionally, it functions as a convenient manual for quick reference when seeking information about specific questions or wine pairings.

What sets Fabrizio apart from other wine experts is his unique ability to make even the most complex topics accessible and relatable. Whether you are a seasoned sommelier or a novice wine enthusiast, you will find something of value in these pages. Fabrizio’s passion for wine is contagious, and his insights and recommendations will undoubtedly enhance your appreciation and enjoyment of this timeless beverage.

As I read through this book, I was struck by the depth of Fabrizio’s knowledge and the sincerity of his voice. It is clear that he is not just an expert in his field, but also a true lover of wine and all that it represents. His enthusiasm is infectious, and I have no doubt that readers will come away from this book with a newfound appreciation for the world of wine.

It is my honor to write this foreword for Fabrizio Di Rienzo’s book and to commend him for his dedication to his craft and his passion for sharing his knowledge with others. I have no doubt that this book will become a valuable resource for wine enthusiasts and industry professionals alike, and I look forward to raising a glass to Fabrizio’s continued success in the years to come. Cheers!

– Fabio Viviani

About the Author

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble



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Pre-Order Blitz ~ WildCard by Angela Knight

 

 

Sci-Fi Romance, BDSM

Date Published: November 22, 2024

 

 

 

Passion’s the pot when Rowan Kerr draws the Wildcard.

 

Though she lives in a world of Beyonce and iPhones, Indra Fox thinks she may be an alien. She’s too strong, too fast, and heals too quickly to be merely human. But she doesn’t know for sure, because her parents refused to tell her. Nor would they explain why she -- and her equally superhuman best friend, Diana Newman -- were raised to be warriors.

When their families are murdered, Indra and Diana seek revenge on their killers, Satan’s Horsemen. Then Diana is kidnapped, and Indra goes undercover at a strip club the gang owns to discover where her friend has been taken.

But when Rowan Kerr walks into the club, Indra realizes he’s even more powerful than she is. Rowan says he knows who she really is and what she was created to do, but she must go with him to learn the truth.

Indra will do anything to save Diana. Including embracing her destiny as something more than human.

Rowan thinks Indra could be the teammate -- and lover -- he dreams of. But she’s mad as hell about being kept in ignorance, and she’s convinced that she’s been betrayed by the woman he works for. What’s worse, she’s not wrong. Can he convince her to take a chance on him? And can Indra and Rowan defeat the very real aliens who are behind Diana’s abduction?

 

They’d better, or humanity will pay the price for their failure.

 

 

 



EXCERPT


Rowan

I eyed the long, low stucco building as I got out of the car.

Pink neon depicted the outline of a writhing nude woman with a tail and cat ears wrapped around a purple neon stripper pole. More neon read “Pole Katz Gentleman’s Club,” in red.

You sure this is the right address? I asked my computer implant.

Qubit’s silky female voice replied, Her nanos ping from this location, and have been doing so for five hours a night for thirty-eight days. There’s a 93.8 percent chance she’s working here.

Why? She sure doesn’t need the money. I frowned at the neon stripper. Has to be hunting.

Odds are running at 87.6, Qubit agreed.

Indra Fox was going to be about as happy to see me as a serial killer finding cops at the door. And for the same reason.

I headed for the purple awning over the club’s entrance. Even without enhanced senses, I’d have been able to hear the music -- Beyonce purring about getting frisky in a limo.

Qubit displayed results from sensor scans and web searches along the periphery of my visual field, flashing the club’s layout and the number of people inside -- one hundred and fifty-three patrons and staff. Of those, one hundred and fifty-two were Nats -- natural humans. There was only one who wasn’t. Indra Fox.

Double doors led into a narrow, black-walled foyer vibrating with music just short of deafening. To my left stood a cashier’s window where a bored-looking woman in a bare-midriff Pole Katz T manned a Square station. A sign over the window informed me of the twenty-dollar cover charge.

“Hi, there,” the cashier purred, giving me an approving once-over.

Pulling out my wallet, I peeled off a twenty and handed it over.

“Thanks,” she said. “Enjoy.”

“I’m sure I will.” I turned to find a narrow-eyed bouncer glowering by the curtained entry to the main room. He wore black chinos and a black T that said SECURITY in all caps. He looked the part, too -- six-foot-three, 232.8 pounds, per Qubit’s sensors -- with skin the color of teak, a shaved head, and full-sleeve tats on massive arms. Judging from his expression, he didn’t like the looks of me. Probably because big as he was, I was bigger. I suspected he was also trying to figure out if I was a cop. Or worse, if I’d get drunk and disorderly, and if he could handle me if I did.

Dude, you wouldn’t have a prayer.

“Don’t touch the girls,” he warned. “Be a gentleman.”

“I’m never anything but.”

He looked dubious, but I gave him a twenty-dollar tip, and he relaxed as if reassured. Which might be a bit premature, depending on what happened with Fox.

I stepped past him through the curtained doorway into an eye-searing storm of thumping music and colored light. The club’s dark walls were covered with neon silhouettes of women in erotic poses, and the floor was scuffed dark wood. A curving translucent bar glowed to the right, edged in yet more neon.

You need to buy a drink first, Qubit told me. There’s an etiquette to patronizing these places, and you don’t want to draw attention.

Yeah, I’d hate to be conspicuous. I was six and a half feet tall. Conspicuous was pretty much baked into the cake. Snorting, I headed to the bar to collect an overpriced Scotch, then turned to work my way through the crowd as Qubit scanned for our target.

The focus of the room was an oval stage with a pair of sturdy chrome poles, a set of four steps at one end. A ring of plump chairs in red velvet surrounded it, occupied by rapt patrons. Additional groupings of chairs and tables clustered around that, mostly men, with a few couples scattered here and there.

A blonde Nat girl worked one of the poles to the cheers and hoots of the customers. I headed for the chairs around the stage.

If you sit there, you’ll be expected to tip every dancer, Qubit warned as I dropped into the sole unoccupied seat.

Money not being a problem -- one of the perks of working for Mama -- I shrugged. Fine. If Fox is dancing, I want to make eye contact. According to her file, the only one of us Indra had ever met was Diana Newman. I wanted to see how she’d react to me.

The blonde dancer bounced upward, grabbed the pole hand over hand and swung her way around it, arching her leanly muscled body into a seductive curve. She was down to a G-string and pasties, so she must be most of the way through her act.

I would have been interested, but I could smell her. Not that she smelled bad -- fresh sweat, some kind of floral shampoo and citrus body wash, a hint of mint from her mouthwash. But underneath that, she smelled Nat. So no, not my type, though she had the kind of lean grace you get from swinging around a pole for hours a day.

Frowning, I watched her spin and grind. Why hadn’t Mama ordered Indra Fox and Diana Newman picked up when their parents were murdered? Or if not then, once it became clear they were stalking the killers?

Instead, Mama had let the two run. Now Newman was offline too, and Fox was still killing assholes.

The blonde finished her routine. Absently, I held up a ten. The Nat sauntered over and knelt so I could tuck it into her G-string. Giving me a dazzling smile, she winked. “Want a lap dance?”

I smiled and shook my head. Looking disappointed, she stood and headed for the next bill. The guy who waved it looked a lot more enthusiastic.

This whole fucking thing is weird. Fox has capped four men in the past year. Why not pick her up before now? Mama doesn’t approve of merking people, even actual mercs.

It was a rhetorical question, but Qubit answered anyway. She didn’t share her reasoning.

There’s a shock.

Not that I was shedding any tears for Fox’s victims. According to the police files Qubit had hacked, they’d been members of Satan’s Horsemen, a mercenary gang suspected in a slew of illegal shit -- drug trafficking, prostitution, gun running, murder for hire. No wonder the cops didn’t care they’d ended up room temperature. Though judging by the crime scene pics, Fox’s temper was almost as nasty as mine.

The local po-po also suspected Pole Katz was run by the Horsemen, though a couple of raids had turned up jack in the way of evidence. All they’d managed to do was charge two girls with allowing a little too much groping during lap dances.

Any of the gang present?

 

 

About the Author

New York Times best-selling author Angela Knight has written and published more than sixty novels, novellas, and ebooks, including the Mageverse and Merlin’s Legacy series. With a career spanning more than two decades, Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine has awarded her their Career Achievement award in Paranormal Romance, as well as two Reviewers’ Choice awards for Best Erotic Romance and Best Werewolf Romance.

Angela is currently a writer, editor, and cover artist for Changeling Press LLC. She also teaches online writing courses. Besides her fiction work, Angela’s writing career includes a decade as an award-winning South Carolina newspaper reporter. She lives in South Carolina with her husband, Michael, a thirty-year police veteran and detective with a local police department.

 

Author Links

Author’s Website

Author on Facebook

Author on Twitter


 Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today

 



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Book Blitz ~ The Start-Up Puzzle by Robert Van Pappelendam

 


Nonfiction / Business

 

There’s a lot of over-promises and incorrect advice being given online on starting a successful enterprise. This wrong advice could cost someone their life savings and importantly ruin their life ambition and dream. Therefore, in partnership with the Erasmus University Rotterdam, we decided to pull together a practical how-to guide explaining the process successful start-ups go through: The Start-up Puzzle. It explains the different steps by using real-life examples and has an academic section explaining the theory behind these steps, all augmented by interviews with experts in the field of start- and scale-ups. What makes this guide unique? Real-life examples and expert interviews augmented with a birds-eye overview of the academic theory create a practical guide that is both understandable, practical, and implementable.

 


About The Author

RvP is known as the go-to person to simplify & break down complex business challenges into understandable questions you can deal with. He has a remarkable 30+ year track record as both a senior leader in a Fortune 50 company in operational regional and local jobs, global marketing and strategy roles, innovation and external ventures jobs - world of abundance of resources, shortage of  entrepreneurship. On the other hand, he was closely involved as an entrepreneur and advisor to many start & scale-ups in FMCG, Luxury, and MedTech, a world that is often dominated by scarcity, and thus the only way to survive is by taking risk, and coming up with creative out of the box solutions that have never been done before. Currently, he is active as a senior consultant, advisor to start & scale-ups, an avid (public) speaker, a University lecturer, and a high-altitude tour skier, Robert strives to make a difference in the lives of those who aspire to be involved in creating new ventures, in starting enterprises as well as big Corporates that want to be inspired by the creativity that a culture of scarcity breeds.

 

Contact Link

Website



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Release Blitz ~ Pilgrimage through the Storm by Bindiya B. Chanrai

 

 

Poetry / Prayer

Date Published: Nov 20, 2024

Publisher:  Serapis Bey Publishing



“One does not become enlightened by imagining oneself as a figure of light but by making the darkness conscious.” 

Carl Jung (1875 – 1961)

 

A deeper level of consciousness can only be birthed from a space of darkness, the void of all possibility, as all of life has arisen from nothingness. Such is the paradox of awakening. When you find yourself held in suspension, and when you are catapulted out of everything you know to be true, it is easy to forget the truth of who you really are.

However, no matter the outer experiences, your innermost essence is unchangeable.

A sense of isolation and separation are undoubtedly facets of the dark night, but in reality you are never alone. Many people have walked this path before you, there are those who are currently engulfed in its midst and those who will follow.

The pieces in this book landed as my own journey through the wilderness. Each fragment is a lived experience, and each lived experience is a mentor.

I offer you these words as your companion while you transition through your own inner shadows…may they provide comfort as you move through the deepest levels of release and find your way home, to a self-compassion you never knew existed.


Purchase Your Copy Today


 

 

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Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Book Tour ~ Wicked Wish - Darkest Wishes Series by Alex Gordon

 



 Wicked Wish

Darkest Wishes Series – Book 1

By

Alex Gordon

 

About the Book:

Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: July 5, 2023

 

When 18-year-old Regan accidentally kills her father, she discovers some startling truths.

First, she has the power of mind control.

Second, she must use it for evil or else suffer one of two fates: insanity or death. Her solution is
vigilante justice.

To atone for her sins, she vows to protect her classmates from The Three Musketcheers, a vicious
gang of cheerleaders who use lies, brute force, and blackmail as weapons in their quest to
dominate the school.

Unfortunately, every time Regan uses her gift, it develops a persona of its own—one she has
trouble controlling—leaving her to question whether she can save them without destroying
herself.

 

Purchase Links:


Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Amazon Audible

Goodreads

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

 

Excerpt:



I found a spot in the back corner of the room and hunkered down with crossed arms. I’d made it through my first day unscathed. Then in walked the dark-haired pretty boy, who, for some reason, didn’t seem to like me. Which was fine with me. He pulled a plastic bag out of the pocket of his unbuttoned, gray and black flannel shirt and tossed it on Mr. Clark’s desk. He smiled and said something in a deep, quiet voice, but I didn’t catch it. The teacher’s worn face lit up. Pretty boy stopped and surveyed all the empty spaces. He inhaled, his nostrils flaring, and exhaled for a long time before he strolled nonchalantly over to me. He swung the plastic chair around, its metal legs grating the floor, then straddled it. He stared at my profile, his gaze traveling slowly over me. It was as if I could physically feel his eyes caress my skin. The desire to reach up and brush the foreign feeling from my cheeks was strong. Instead, I concentrated on the paintings hanging above Mr. Clark’s desk. Abstracts. My favorite. I liked the way they invoked emotion without telling what it should be. 

After a full minute of this discomfort, I tilted my head toward him and said, “What?” The overpowering lights matted his bronze skin, but it wasn’t unflattering. He looked like he’d been carved from stone. His eyelashes were so thick and dark I couldn’t tell if he was wearing eyeliner to go with his black nail polish or not. Tiny silver hoop earrings hung from both his earlobes. His silence made me twitchy. I turned my chair so it was facing him. I crossed my legs and folded my hands on my lap, mimicking my previous therapist. “And Johnny? What do you think about this new girl? The one that seems to irritate you?” I blinked my long eyelashes rapidly. He fiddled with a polished arrowhead that hung from a braided leather rope around his neck. “It’s Jude actually,” he said in a deep, smoky voice. I already knew that having had four classes out of seven with him. All advanced placement classes and art. Jude’s eyes were so black that, even in this bright light, I couldn’t differentiate his pupils from his irises. He swiveled his head, trying to see what was behind me, which was weird because the only thing there was a wall. “And I think there’s something wrong with the new girl.”

 

About the Author:

Alex Gordon is a bit of a wanderer, having lived in Washington, Montana, Germany, Alaska, and Tennessee where she currently resides with her husband and two rescued German Shepherds. When not writing, you can probably find her hiking, or if she's lucky--fishing, though she's not opposed to camping out on the couch with dessert and bingeing murder mysteries.

 

Contact Links:

Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C4Z658BX/about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761429.Alex_Gordon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088926625113

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

Tick Tock: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgordonauthor

 

Giveaways:

First Giveaway


One Paperback Copy of Wicked Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open to US Only

 

Second Giveaway


One eBook Copy of Wicked Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open Internationally

 

Hosted By:


Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

 

 

 

 

Book Tour ~ A Reckoning of Souls by Harrison Edwards

 


Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Date Published: 09-18-2024

Publisher: Bright Communications


 

WOULD YOU SACRIFICE AN ENTIRE CITY TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE?

A massive explosion rips through the outdoor seating area of a popular restaurant in downtown Trondheim. Two days later, fourteen people are found dead in a church along a remote section of coastline. The souls of the victims have been ripped from their bodies. Moments later a spirit from the Otherworlds steps through the Black Void to find the ancient relic that killed them.

On a secluded island in the Arctic Circle, a troubled man sees a world that has lost its way and feels compelled to change that. He plans to wield the formidable power of a mysterious artifact to reshape the moral fabric of eight billion unsuspecting souls—knowing that his actions will wipe out the inhabitants of an entire city.

David Skye and Jade “Epiphany” Hendrix set out to stop him and save the lives that would be lost if he were to succeed. Their efforts to do that are complicated by Kari Salversen, a dedicated police detective with the Norwegian Police Service. She believes David and Epiphany are involved in a recent string of deadly attacks and is determined to apprehend them.

A reckoning of souls is quickly approaching, as the battle for humanity unfolds in the snowy, arctic fjords of Norway, and the vast spirit realms of the Otherworlds. The possibility of a peaceful future for billions of souls and the lives of tens of thousands of innocent people are both at stake. In a clash that pits two opposing sides against each other, which one is on the more righteous path?

 



Anders noticed a big man with a beard and long hair enter the café. He looked like some kind of lumberjack. The guy had a backpack slung over his shoulder and was walking toward the booth in which Anders was sitting. The lumberjack stopped next to his booth. His physical size and muscular build presented an imposing figure. When the man sat down across the table from Anders, it surprised the hell out of him. There was something about his dark, penetrating eyes, the way they locked onto his. Anders tried to look away, to break the stare, but he couldn’t.

“We have important things to discuss, Anders,” the man said.

“How do you know my name?” Anders asked curtly. He leaned forward and whispered, “Are you with the Brotherhood?”

“I knew you’d be here this morning, and I also know the police have a warrant for your arrest. They don’t like what you and your Brotherhood stand for.”

“Who are you? What do you want from me?” Anders asked gruffly.

“My name is Asgeir. I have a mission for you—one that will raise your standing within the ranks of your Brotherhood. You do something for me, and I’ll keep the police away from you.” Asgeir reached his right hand across the table.

Anders felt the warmth of the man’s hand as it gripped his left forearm. But no, it wasn’t warmth. It was something different, like electricity almost, a sensation that flowed into the base of his skull and permeated his thoughts. It felt as if the inside of his head was charged with a pulsing electrical current. A normal Anders Gustason would never have allowed a complete stranger to get this familiar, to invade his personal space, to make physical contact. Ever! He wanted to do something about it. His blood was beginning to boil. The muscles in his arms tensed. But all he could manage was to sit there—quiet, motionless.

The electric sensation at the base of Anders’s skull intensified. His thoughts were slowly blanketed in a silky haze. The noise in the café—the sound of espresso machines, clanking coffee cups, people’s idle chatter—became a dull blur of indiscernible background noise. Anders stared into the eyes of the man sitting across the table from him. Never once did the man move his lips, yet Anders heard the man’s words inside his head loudly and clearly.

“I have a mission for you. Two people will come in here later today. They represent the things you hate the most about the direction this country is taking. I am giving you the chance to stand up and take your country back from the hands of people like this, Anders. This is your chance to be a hero, to be the spear of the Gods.” A deluge of hatred and violence flooded the inner reaches of Anders’s mind like a tidal surge, latching on to his darkest of thoughts, the kind that are buried deep, never to be entertained.

Anders slowly came out of the fog that had clouded his mind. He looked down at the table. Various nicks, scratches, and coffee stains all blurred into an obscure collage. The words that had filled his head stayed with him for a moment. They were all he could focus on, resonant, deep, and so very clear. The cloudy rumble of background noise came whooshing back to crystal clarity, the clanking of coffee cups, the sound of espresso machines, the idle chatter. The miasma that had clouded his thoughts receded. Anders looked up. The seat across from him was empty. He didn’t remember seeing the big man leave. What was his name? He couldn’t remember it. The electric hum that filled his head had dissipated.

Anders looked at the backpack on the seat next to him. The man had left it for him with specific instructions on what to do with it. Anders stood, hefted the backpack over his right shoulder, and exited the coffee shop. He paused to breathe in the cold morning air. The names and images of the two people he’d come back for were etched into his brain. Anders Gustason had clarity. He knew exactly what he needed to do.

About the Author 

Harrison Edwards lives in eastern Pennsylvania with his wife and their black Lab, Deacon. Harrison’s writing is a blend of science fiction and urban fantasy. Subject matter for his stories comes from deep interests in science, technology, and mythology. When he’s not compiling and developing ideas for future novels, you can find him composing original works of contemporary instrumental music for his next CD release.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

Youtube

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

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Book Blitz ~ Step One - Indigo Ballet Series by Grier Cooper

 

Step One
Grier Cooper
(Indigo Ballet Series)
Publication date: November 15th 2024
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

When Indigo lands a role in Ballet Russia’s touring production of The Nutcracker, it’s a dream come true…. Or is it? Her arch nemesis is also part of the production. So is dashing Russian viral video superstar Dimitri Volkov, who’s playing some kind of game she doesn’t quite understand.

As Indigo dances alongside the rising stars of Ballet Russia she struggles to rise above constant criticism from Ballet Russia’s Director, Yuri Kanofsky. But first she’ll have to dig deep and silence the doubts running through her mind if she wants to rise to their level and drive her ballet career forward.

When unexpected events turn Indigo’s world upside down overnight she’s forced to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get there.

And one innocent mistake just might cost her everything.

Goodreads / Amazon

 https://amzn.to/4hLH1Fq

EXCERPT:

“You.” The single word from Yuri yanks me out of my reverie. “Indigo, is it?” I nod numbly. “Come here, please.” Yuri points at the center of the floor then folds his arms and waits. I take my position there standing still.

“We begin like this,” he says, posing as I remember from the video of Irina. He shows me the first counts of eight for my solo and I mark the steps as I watch. I’ve memorized them after the second time he walks them through; thankfully I’ve always been quick to pick up choreography.

“You have it?” he demands gruffly. I nod. “Show me.” he steps back and leans on the barre at the front of the room, watching me intently, like a cat tracking a careless bird.

I spread my feet wide and bend forward at the waist, imagining the pose as I remember Irina did it. Aside from Yuri’s counting, the room is silent and still; I feel the others watching. But I can’t think about that. I must only think about the counts and where my body is going, one second ahead so I am there when I am supposed to be–

“No!” he claps loudly. “Let me see position again.” I recreate the pose I was in before he interrupted. “No.” he shakes his head vigorously. “It is like this.”

He strikes the pose. “You see?”

I don’t understand the difference but I don’t dare say anything. I nod.

“More energy in fingertips,” he suggests. I try again, this time I imagine sparks shooting out of my fingertips. This seems to work, since he lets me continue. I rise en pointe, bringing one leg into passé retiré, the toes touching the side of my standing leg near the knee.

“Stop.” More clapping. He marches over to me again. “Make me passé,” he says. I rise back into the position, more forcefully this time, but still he shakes his head. “It is impossible,” he states. “This is not passé. It must be in front of knee, like this,” he says, demonstrating.

Miss Roberta would frown on this placement, I think. Another example of how different ballet technique is from one company to the next, from one country to the next.

Still, I comply. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing to learn slight variations, to have more translations in my pocket. You never know when they might come in handy in the future. Another passé, then close in fifth position, and pirouette from fifth–

“No again.” He clenches his hands into fists this time and stomps over to Skinny Snow White. I catch the first word, “Olgachkova” and then get lost inthe flurry of words that follow, none of which I understand. When he falls silent,

Skinny Snow White nods in assent and replies, “Da.”

Skinny Snow White removes the plastic warmup pants she was wearing and makes her way over to me. Yuri flaps a hand at me impatiently, indicating I should step aside. “Olga will show,” he says, turning to her with an enormous smile of beatitude.

I edge out of her way, trying not to feel crushed. I know that having Olga dance in my place is meant to be a teaching tool, something to help me ultimately, but it still stings.

That feeling intensifies as she moves gracefully through the choreography, flowing smoothly through the passés and turns as effortlessly as a fish swirls through water. I try to focus on what she’s doing so I can learn. I’d like to figure out exactly what it is that Yuri’s looking for, that I haven’t got. Yet. But it’s almost impossible to ignore that this woman is one of the most exquisite dancers

I’ve ever watched.

I’ve told myself oodles of time I must never ever, under any circumstances, make comparisons–because comparison is always a losing game. But how not to when the glaring differences are practically smacking me in the face?

Yuri claps again. “Enough. Khorosho, blagodaryu vas, Olga. We will break. Return in twenty minutes.”

I stand paralyzed, mute with a flurry of thoughts pirouetting in my mind.

After watching Olga dance I don’t know how I will ever measure up. I want to, but it seems like an impossible task. Where to even begin? Who can help? Can anyone? What do I need to do to reach that same level of precision and perfection?

All I can think is that even if I were to sneak from my bed and dance all night long, wearing out pair after pair of pointe shoes every night up until our performances, like the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale, I’m not sure even that would be enough.

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Author Bio:

Grier left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.

Her work has been praised as "poignant and honest" with "emotional hooks that penetrate deeply." She writes and blogs about dance and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography. Grier's work has also appeared in Conscious Dancer, Discovery Girls, Skipping Stones, and Dance Advantage, among others.

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Teaser Tuesday ~ Falcon - Grim Road MC: Book 7 by Marteeka Karland

 

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: November 22, 2024

 


It’s all fun and games until my ex shows up from the dead.

 

Gina: For over a year I’ve lived in fear, a monster terrorizing me within the gates of the Grim Road MC compound. The club took care of the physical problem, but demons still ride me hard. I’ve learned to trust the people I interact with on a daily basis, I’m still too anxious to explore the compound unless I’m with one of the old ladies or Lemon. Or Falcon… He always seems to be there when the fear threatens to swallow me whole. He’s protective and caring, and he takes me for rides on his Harley. Which he had painted pink because he found out I wanted to ride a pink bike. How many men in a motorcycle club did that?

Falcon: What happened to Gina at the hands Grim Road, myself included, is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life. My only chance at redemption is to help her heal and feel safe again. I’m too old for her, but I can’t seem to care. I want to protect her, but I’m watching her to an unhealthy degree, waiting for the times she needs someone to bring her back to reality and assure her she’s safe. Until the day she invites me inside her sanctuary without a chaperone. I’d never take advantage of Gina. Not intentionally. Then again, I never expected my ex fiancé to come back from the dead.

 



EXCERPT


Falcon

The soft cry coming from Gina’s bedroom window damned near broke my heart. She did fine most days, when she had the girls to distract her. But at night, when she was alone in that house, nightmares visited her regularly. Those nightmares were partly my fault and that was why I couldn’t let go of this need to see she was safe. Which is why I was currently sitting underneath her open window outside her house. At one in the morning.

Yeah. That wasn’t creepy or anything. Thank God she still stayed in the compound. I knew she wasn’t really comfortable here, but she had nowhere else to go. Though she typically stayed in her house or in the fenced-in backyard, she would very occasionally leave the compound to grocery shop or whatever. She never went anywhere inside the compound by herself other than to drive from her house to the main gate and back.

Another soft cry followed by a small sob echoed in the night. It was a scared, lonely sound, much like that of a child lost from its parents in a crowd. Among the myriad night noises in the wildlife reserve where our compound was nestled, she sounded like a caged animal too scared to fight.

With a shake of my head, I dug my phone out from my back pocket and moved away from the window slightly behind a shrub and called her. When I heard her phone play a trilling notification, I moved farther away so she couldn’t hear me speaking through her open window. She answered on the fourth ring.

“H-hello?”

“Hey, Gina. I hope I didn’t wake you up.”

“I -- no. You didn’t. Falcon?”

“Yeah. Probably shoulda led with that, huh?” I tried to make fun of myself to distract her. I knew from months of watching over her and listening to her nightmares she was always shaken when she woke.

“Sorry. I should have checked to see who was calling before I answered.” She sounded a little more awake and even managed a small laugh.

“I’m really sorry. I thought I saw your light on and thought something might be wrong. About the time you answered, I realized it was Rocket and Lemon’s place.”

There was a short pause and I thought I heard her shuffling around. Maybe sliding the covers from her body so she could sit on the edge of the bed. And, Goddamn, that image needed to stay the fuck outta my head!

“You were… checking on me?”

“Well, yeah.” I hoped I sounded sheepish and embarrassed but I wasn’t that great an actor. But if it pulled her out of her nightmares, I’d suffer through it. Gladly. “I guess I was.”

She took in a shuddering breath before speaking again. “Because of what happened?”

I had to be careful about my answer here. I didn’t want her thinking I felt obligated to look after her, but I didn’t want to scare her either. God knew she had plenty of reasons to be scared of me.

“Because you need someone looking after you and I kind of enjoy the job.”

“You don’t have to, you know. I’ll be fine.”

“I know you will. You’re strong. You need time to heal and to learn to trust yourself again.”

“I didn’t expect you to say that.”

“Why not? What should I have said?” I kept my voice neutral and conversational. I wanted her to keep talking so she could settle her mind. I always managed to find a way to get through to her when she had a nightmare. I don’t know if she suspected I was watching her or not, but whenever I’d hear her crying or calling out in fear, I’d send a text. Or knock on her door. Or call. If she’d noticed the timing, she hadn’t said anything. Positive or negative.

“I thought you’d tell me I’d have to learn to trust you. Why would you think I didn’t trust myself?”

I had to smile. I’d led her straight where I wanted her to go and she’d done so without hesitation. “Because you already trust everyone in this club. What you don’t trust is your own judgment telling you to trust us.”

She was silent so long I thought I might have overplayed my hand. Then her soft voice asked, “How do you know I trust you?”

“Because, when Rocket and Lemon said the club would pay for a place outside the compound if you wanted to get away from us, you declined.”

“Yeah,” she said on a sigh. “I suppose you’re right. I just couldn’t stand the thought of being out on my own again. I was obviously not very good on my own the first time.”

“That wasn’t your fault, Gina. Once he got you back here, it was easy for him to make you feel like you didn’t have a choice. You know better now and you choose to stay.”

“I never really thought about it that way. I couldn’t get past having to be on my own. And Lemon… well…”

“What about her? You know she’s solidly in your corner. Right?”

“That’s just it, Falcon. I do know. She didn’t make excuses for anyone. She didn’t doubt anything I told her. She believed everything and I was quick to tell her you guys thought I was willing when… you know… when you…” Even now she couldn’t say it, and I wanted to claw out my own heart.

“Yeah, honey. I know. We’re all ashamed of that, even if we didn’t know. We could have taken the time to talk to you more. Or at all, really.” I gave a self-deprecating snort of laughter. “More importantly, we could have made sure you knew you weren’t in danger from any of us. All you had to do was tell someone you wanted away from Hammer and we’d have removed you from the situation and asked questions later. We didn’t make it clear so that’s on us.”

“I guess,” she said softly. “Seems like both of us were victims of Hammer’s deception.”

“I’d say that’s a fair statement.”

I heard sounds on her end as she moved from her bedroom. I heard a door open, then close. Moments later, the light in her living room came on.

“You said you saw a light. That you thought it was mine.” She sounded better now. More herself. Though I hated that she’d donned the air of indifference she hid behind, I was glad that, at least subconsciously, she’d trusted me enough to tell me what she had.

“Yeah. I did.”

“Are you close by, then?”

“Yeah. Just outside.” Not a lie.

“Um, would you, uh…” She cleared her throat. “Would you like some coffee?”

“You good with me being in your space without one of the women nearby?”

“I think so.” Her voice said she was trying to convince herself she could do this and wasn’t doing a very good job. “You’d leave if I got overwhelmed. Right?”

“Absolutely. In fact, why don’t we sit outside on the porch? That way you can keep the door between us if you want to.”

There was a pause, then a sniffle before she spoke again. “You’d do that? Just to make sure I was comfortable?”

“Gina, honey. Of course. I like bein’ around you. I like talkin’ to you and just wavin’ at you as I drive by. I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure you always want to spend that kind of time with me.” God, could I sound any more pathetic? Did I fucking care?

“Come over, Falcon. I’ve unlocked the door and am making coffee. Let yourself in. We can sit and chat for a while.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice, honey.”

I chuckled as I took my time walking up her driveway. I knocked loudly before opening the door. Even though she was expecting me, I wanted to make sure she was well aware of where I was in her home.

“Hey.” Her smile was small, but so beautiful it made my heart ache. How anyone could have hurt this woman was beyond me. She carried a tray with two mugs, a pot of black coffee, cream and sugar. That was something else about Gina. She was always prepared with a way to entertain guests. I got the feeling at least some of that came from the need to have something to concentrate on besides being scared all the time. The other was a desire to make people comfortable and welcome. The way she dealt with all the children the club had recently acquired seemed to fulfill that side of her as well. Which gave her an added distraction from her fear. “I have some caramel sauce in the fridge if you’d rather.”

“Black’s fine for me. Thank you, Gina.”

She fixed hers with a liberal amount of cream and sugar before blowing gently over the liquid and taking a careful sip. I watched her as I took a sip of my own coffee, letting the silence stretch. I’d follow her lead.

“Um, I should thank you. I actually had dozed off and was having a nightmare when you called.” One hand cupped her mug while she ran her other hand up and down her arm.

 

About the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts (which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.

 

Contact Links

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

 

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