She’s got magic she’s never tapped into. He’s from
another galaxy. Together, they’re just right.
Lindsey Knepper-Lare just wants to belong. As far back as she can remember,
she’s felt different. She’s convinced she’ll always been
damaged goods. Then she’s abducted by an alien and spirited to a planet
with a name she can’t even pronounce. Then Ronan walks into her life.
He’s everything she wants, but has never had the courage to go after.
Too bad he’ll never pay her any mind.
Ronan Miir wasn’t planning on visiting the diner on ERAEMA, but the
second he spots Lindsey, he knows he has to save her. The metallic aliens on
the planet want nothing good for to her. Not Ronan. He wants to kiss, touch,
and protect her. Good thing he knows a thing or two about aliens, rescue, and
getting back to Eerie. He’s ready to make their pairing into a forever
romance… if she’ll give him a chance.
She blinked back tears and her stomach lurched again. She’d been taken
from her home against her will, was being used for something she never wanted
to take part in, and had been dumped in a place she didn’t even know to
work for a being who claimed to own her. And she had no idea how to get home.
Lovely.
“Oh, and if you try to rip the comm off your body, it will alert P482
and he’ll destroy you.” T181 threw a rag in her direction.
“Get to cleaning. These tables won’t sanitize themselves.”
She held onto the rag, then wondered what she was supposed to clean with the
rag. Instead of asking questions, she moved to the first table and wiped it
down. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to cry. If she’d been
able to be strong so far, she could keep doing it. She had no choice.
She wasn’t about to let anyone see her crack. She’d dissociate
from herself and pretend she wasn’t here. Again. She wasn’t
anyone’s slave. She didn’t have to act like she was happy in her
surroundings.
“A few rules. Don’t talk to the clients. You’re here to
clean, not flirt. They won’t take you out of here, so don’t ask.
Understood?” T181 asked. “If they want food, they’ll let you
know, but you simply deliver. You clean, you keep your mouth shut, and you
give in to P482 if you want freedom from here.”
A man walked into the diner and said something she couldn’t quite hear
to T181. Lindsey moved to the second table and watched the man. So far,
she’d only seen beings that resembled satellites, like T181 and P482.
This was the first being she’d encountered, even at a glance, who sort
of resembled a human.
She watched him and her heart ached. Not only because she missed her home, but
because she missed being held. Missed being touched. Missed other humans.
Hell, she wasn’t even sure anyone would want to look for her. No one
probably missed her.
Still, that didn’t mean she couldn’t drool over this being. She
swept her gaze over him. Dark hair, a bit wavy and just long enough to need a
little product. Icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her the longer she
looked at him. He had a slight dimple when he smiled and dazzling white teeth.
He even had nice hands. The suit fit tight to his body, like it was tailored
precisely for him. He oozed sex. No, not just sex, but power and confidence as
well.
Not that this man would ever look her way. Good gracious. She was like
Cinderella, but on a whole different planet. Even back on Earth men like him
didn’t pay her any mind. She faded into the background -- just like she
would here.
T181 moved between her and the man. “He’s mine. He’s got
money, he’s free to move about the planet, and won’t bed
you.”
She almost asked, “Bed him?” She hadn’t even thought of
that. “Sure.”
She glanced over at him while she cleaned the third table. He had nice lips.
Just full enough for a good kiss. She’d bet he was skilled at kissing,
too. Not that she’d ever know. She was stuck.
She’d been taken to breed and given a bullshit answer for how to get
home. A lie. Her heart hurt. This was so silly. Impossible, really. This man,
no matter how sexy he was, probably had obscene amounts of money or credits or
whatever. She wasn’t even sure how he’d been able to come to the
planet. Was he a prisoner, too?
About the Author
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of
more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since
2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and
paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works
are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a
second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at
the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and
Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on various
e-tailer sites.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as
well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but
football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends
of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
This empowering book launches the new Cancer Compass; an essential
self-leadership resource for people facing cancer. It extends its reach to
caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering
meaningful support to anyone in their workforce dealing with cancer. It
encourages us to see cancer not solely as a medical challenge, but as a
profound moment to honour the resilience of our human spirit, embrace growth,
and reclaim control of our lives for a brighter future.
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño challenges her readers to shift their
perspective, prioritising personal empowerment, connection and purposeful
living. Her insights about resilience coaching and each person’s human
potential are uplifting. Her book is deeply rooted in practical application,
including thoughtful exercises and tools that prompt us to access our inner
resources, engage in self-discovery and cultivate our secure bases. These
unique gifts guide us to align our decisions with our values and goals,
helping us chart a path forward with choice, clarity and confidence.
About the Author
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño is the Founder and CEO of Kimberlite
(https://www.kimberlite.es), an innovative organisation dedicated to providing
comprehensive support to people navigating cancer—particularly within
corporate settings—through professional coaching. A Master Certified
Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Teresa
brings more than 20 years of experience working with leaders and organisations
worldwide.
At the age of 36, a breast cancer diagnosis marked a turning point in her
life, redirecting her focus toward empowering people living with cancer. In
the years that followed, she authored her first book, I Have Breast
Cancer–What Now?, recognised for its inspirational and practical
guidance, embraced motherhood, and founded a charitable initiative supporting
young women navigating motherhood after cancer. She later earned a PhD focused
on applying professional coaching methodologies to the specific needs of
people facing serious health challenges. In recognition of her commitment to
patient advocacy, she was honoured with the European Patient Champion Award by
EyeforPharma in 2019.
Teresa is also an executive coach and coaches across multiple programs at IMD
Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, including the flagship
High-Performance Leadership (HPL) Program, supporting leaders in developing
resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance.
IN 1939, A DEADLY CONFRONTATION IN THE CANADIAN WILDERNESS shatters
young Albert Pingree's life and leaves him the keeper of a truth so staggering
it could tear apart mankind's understanding of itself. Sixty years later, his
granddaughter Mallory - a small-town veterinarian in rural New Hampshire,
inherits more than his fortune; she inherits his secret. When Albert is found
dead behind his remote British Columbia cabin, Mallory is drawn into a world
of deception, lost identity, and scientific obsession. Inside a locked candle
box, she uncovers a horrific relic - a severed hand too large to be human -
and a note that beckons her toward the impossible.
Mallory recruits Dr. George Avery, the world's leading field zoologist to help
her identify what she has found. At first, he is reluctant, unaware of the
magnitude of what she has brought to him. As the puzzle begins to take shape,
he is confronted by what the answers they find, reveal.
Exploring deeper, their growing affection ignites a sense of purpose, even as
they face the shadows of the past and the dangers of their pursuit. In the
haunting wilds of the Pacific Northwest, nature's grandeur and brutality are
ever-present. Tangled forests and untamed rivers, bears, wolves, and the
ancient reverence of Indigenous traditions surround them, blurring the lines
between myth and reality. Their quest becomes a journey not only to solve a
mystery, but to reconcile love, loneliness, and the immortal question of our
place in a world still ruled by secrets.
Maxim Langstaff is a Grammy-and Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and
author whose creative and editorial work has reached millions of people
worldwide. He is recognized for his innovative vision and exceptional
versatility and reach, crafting narratives that reflect powerful insight into
the natural world and our relationship to it.
His debut novel, SASQ’ET will be released on April 7, 2026.
Max holds an honorary doctorate from Connecticut College and a degree in
Anthropology. He is a member of The Writer’s Guild and past participant
at the Breadloaf Writer’s Conference. His editorial and creative writing
has been published by The New York Times, Philadelphia Enquirer, Gannett,
Wildlife Conservation Magazine, PBS, Disney, and the Wildlife Conservation
Society.
Max produced the multi-media Making of Sgt. Pepper with Sir George Martin,
featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and Phil Collins.
He wrote and produced the most complete filmed history of the Beatles through
the eyes of Sir George who signed them, produced their work, and played on
many of their recordings. A part Max’s film became the award-winning PBS
series Soundbreaking.
Many of the greatest pop culture icons of the 20th century have collaborated
with Max on projects he has created, written, and produced including Herbie
Hancock, Brian Wilson, Elton John, Joni Mitchell, B.B. King, Tony Bennett,
Vince Gill, Burt Bacharach, Bonnie Raitt, Mark Knopfler, Michael Tilson
Thomas, Gordon Lightfoot, Smokey Robinson, Jack White, Dave Grohl, Run-DMC,
and Willie Nelson. A more complete listing of artists he has worked with can
be found at: www.maximlangstaff.com
Known for his work with John Denver, Max created and produced the acclaimed
television event, the Wildlife Concert, spawning the highest rated music
program in cable TV history upon broadcast, two multi-platinum CD sets, and
one of the best-selling music video programs ever released by SONY.
Working with the Wildlife Conservation Society, Max helped lead the largest
fundraising effort ($100mm) ever undertaken for wildlife conservation, seeding
the first integrated global conservation initiative to save endangered tigers.
On any given day you will likely find him on a wilderness river or mountain
trail. A three-time Boston Marathoner, he lives in North Carolina.
SASQ’ET is his first novel.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. H.C. Turk will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops at the tour.
In order to save her family, an 18th-century witch entertains suicide, thereby entering a coma-like trance that lasts 300 years. In this magical state, she reaches into the future to guide other people who long for redemption.
England, 1710. Young Alba knows she is a witch, but the term means nothing until her mother is executed for witchcraft. Then Alba enters a trance that causes everyone around her debilitating emotions, just like Alba’s. The trance, which is Alba’s magic, does not appear again until years later when her mentor is arrested and sentenced to death. Panicked, Alba stabs herself in the heart. Instead of dying, she enters a “false sleep” (coma), a state of spiritual consciousness. Hoping to find peace for others, she seeks similar souls in the future.
Germany, 1942: An American soldier is mortally wounded. In his final moment, he experiences the glory of a beautiful life, if only in his dreams. He enters a spiritual realm filled with warm family adventures, metaphysical escapades that are alternately hilarious and horrific, yet always lead away from anguish. Directed by Alba’s unseen influence, Andrew fights for solace, and wins.
Indonesia, 2003: A young American woman on a Western Pacific island must relive an ancient, tortuous journey through a primitive environment in order to redeem the foreigners in the country. Influenced by a power she can only sense in her heart (Alba), Connie seeks a solution of acceptance instead of rejection.
Told with humor and compassion, the heart of the book is the longing to find peace despite haunting failure, and finding joy in helping others achieve the same.
Read an Excerpt
When I was alive, I could not tell you what a train is, or would be. Now, I cannot tell you how I feel about transportation of this nature, a line of connected metal carriages driven by mechanisms like clockwork from beyond; and is that not the source of the future? When I was alive, I could not tell you what a train is, or would be. Now, I cannot tell you how I feel about transportation of this nature, a line of connected metal carriages driven by mechanisms like clockwork from beyond; and is that not the source of the future?
Neither can I tell you the nature of my testimony, though I praise the Deity that I can wield my influence into the lives of other people who deserve liberation. Unlike salvation, which comes from God, redemption comes from the heart.
“Liberation” is a goal of the associated horror ensconcing this era: “warfare,” the particular involved here not local, but global, the second of its kind, though not the last.
1945. How bigoted would I be to say that no witch is good at numbers? Germany. Once I was accused of being of that nationality, and now I virtually live there, with my virtual life.
In the distance, snowy, irregular mountain tops, not the Cambrian Mountains, but the Alps. Some brief words can be so fine.
An American draftee rides in a German Diesel locomotive with other stragglers. (Time is coming for me to absorb the meaning of these new terms and the ideas they represent without delineating their specifics: a nation that did not exist when I was alive, the massive machines, the murderous weapons. Beyond that, how close must one be to a person and their living in order to become a participant, not merely an observer?)
Neither can I tell you the nature of my testimony, though I praise the Deity that I can wield my influence into the lives of other people who deserve liberation. Unlike salvation, which comes from God, redemption comes from the heart.
“Liberation” is a goal of the associated horror ensconcing this era: “warfare,” the particular involved here not local, but global, the second of its kind, though not the last.
1945. How bigoted would I be to say that no witch is good at numbers? Germany. Once I was accused of being of that nationality, and now I virtually live there, with my virtual life.
In the distance, snowy, irregular mountain tops, not the Cambrian Mountains, but the Alps. Some brief words can be so fine.
An American draftee rides in a German Diesel locomotive with other stragglers. (Time is coming for me to absorb the meaning of these new terms and the ideas they represent without delineating their specifics: a nation that did not exist when I was alive, the massive machines, the murderous weapons. Beyond that, how close must one be to a person and their living in order to become a participant, not merely an observer?)
About the Author
H. C. Turk is a writer, sound artist, and visual artist. His novels have been published by Villard and Tor. His short fiction, sound pieces, movies, and visual art have appeared in numerous magazines, websites, podcasts, and film festivals. He used to paint houses (not as an art form.)
Manipulation has become a method of warfare. Gaslighting, triangulation, and psychological pressure are now tools of control. This book teaches how to recognize them and remain composed under attack. Written in the style of Sun Tzu’s original work, this book carries the discipline of ancient strategy into the unseen arena of psychological conflict. War has changed its form, not its nature. It no longer arrives only with force, but with influence, distortion, and control. Shuai-jan Change preserves the structure of the original Art of War while directing its essence toward these modern forms of conflict. This work is grounded in lived experience as well as study. Having endured emotional and psychological abuse, the author chose not to be defined by it. Through discipline and deliberate effort, that experience was transformed into survivorship and self-command. Strategy is not used to dominate, but to prevent defeat before it occurs. The aim is to recognize manipulation without surrendering principle, and to maintain control where others seek to take it. This is not a book of open war. It is a practical guide for those who encounter manipulation without warning and intend to remain steady, aware, and unbroken.
Also by Shuai-jan Change
The Art of War: Two Traditions: The Original Text by Sun Tzu and a Modern Rendering for Psychological Combat
Manipulation has become a method of warfare. Gaslighting, triangulation, and psychological pressure are now tools of control. This volume teaches how to recognize them and remain composed under attack. This edition presents The Art of War in two forms. The first is the original text attributed to Sun Tzu, translated by Lionel Giles and preserved in its classical structure. The second is a modern rendering by Shuai-jan Change, written in the same disciplined style and directed toward the realities of contemporary psychological conflict. War has changed its form, not its nature. It no longer arrives only with force, but with influence, distortion, and control. These days, the adversary advances with toxic thinking, employing tactics such as gaslighting, triangulation, love bombing, character assassination, and calculated victimhood. The modern rendering is grounded in lived experience as well as study. Having endured emotional and psychological abuse, the author chose not to be defined by it. Through discipline and deliberate effort, that experience was transformed into survivorship and self-command. Across both works, the principles of strategy remain constant, but the terrain has shifted. The structure is preserved. The discipline remains. The interpretation adapts. These are not books of aggression. They are studies in recognition, restraint, and self-command. To understand strategy in one age is to recognize it in all others.
My name is Shuai-jan Change. I am the author of The Art of War: Rewritten and Modernized for Psychological Combat, a contemporary rendering of Sun Tzu’s classic focused on the unseen arenas of manipulation, coercion, and mental conflict.
Drawing from the style and structure of the original text, this work reframes ancient strategies for use in modern environments, where conflict unfolds not only through open confrontation but through distortion, pressure, and control of perception. This work is not written from theory alone. It is informed by lived experience. Having endured psychological and emotional abuse, I undertook a process of inner discipline to avoid adopting the same patterns of distortion, blame, and control. The objective was not to remain a victim; it was to avoid becoming what was opposed, to establish self-command, and to transform victimhood into survivorship. These writings are intended for those who seek to maintain composure under pressure, recognize manipulative tactics, and preserve their peace of mind without surrendering principle. The objective is not domination, but self-command. My literary work centers on psychological combat as it unfolds across professional, personal, and digital arenas, offering a disciplined approach to strategy, boundaries, and internal stability in an age of dysfunction and constant chaos.
Why Traditional Estate Planning Has Failed Us and What To Do About It
Nonfiction, Self-Help
Date Published: December 9, 2025
Publisher: Elite Online Publishing
What do the ultra-wealthy know about protecting their fortunes that most
people never learn?
In Trust Issues, veteran estate planning attorney Rick Durfee pulls back the
curtain on the legal tools and legacy strategies the affluent quietly use to
safeguard their assets, slash taxes, and keep wealth in the family for
generations, with control, clarity, and confidence.
This isn’t theory. It’s a field-tested playbook built from decades
of helping high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and family offices
create dynasty plans that actually work in the real world.
Whether you're a successful entrepreneur, investor, or professional advisor,
you’ll discover how to:
Use trusts to avoid probate and dictate how wealth is used, even long after
you’re gone.
Set up business entities (like LLCs and FLPs) that shield assets from lawsuits
and creditors.
Build a dynasty trust designed to preserve family wealth for 100+ years.
Legally minimize estate and gift taxes.
Sidestep the most common (and costly) estate planning mistakes.
Empower your children and grandchildren with wealth, without fueling
entitlement or dependency.
Durfee’s approach is ethical, practical, and grounded in a simple
belief: wealth should serve your family’s deepest values, not just their
lifestyle.
If you’re serious about protecting what you’ve built, Trust Issues
is your roadmap to a lasting legacy, on your terms.
About the Author
Rick Durfee is the founder and senior attorney at Durfee Law Group PLLC, based
in Mesa, Arizona. Practicing law since 1988, Rick is nationally recognized for
his expertise in estate planning, asset protection, and multi-generational
wealth preservation. His firm serves clients across the United States, helping
families “Live Well, Leave a Legacy™” through comprehensive
and enduring legal strategies.
A frequent speaker at national events and author of Trust Issues: Why
Traditional Estate Planning is Failing and What to Do About It, Rick combines
deep legal knowledge with a family-centered philosophy rooted in his
background as a former professor of world religions. He and his wife are the
proud parents of eight children and seventeen grandchildren.
Lexa never really knew what it meant to live until she was condemned to
die.
Framed for a crime she’d never even contemplated, Lexa Mercer’s
doing thirty days or death on the Intergalactic Broadcasting Channel’s
hit reality show Nariasma. She owes her life to one of the show’s
hottest contestants -- and a ghost of a man no one is supposed to know exists.
Roan of the Northlands is a man made famous by enduring his sentence on the
space station Nariasma. Lexa has seen the rugged hunk on television, but she
never imagined he’d be rescuing her from hunters who’ve paid to
kill criminals.
Roan’s strange companion Jenner is convinced Lexa is the key to their
freedom. Surviving and keeping her alive is just part of the challenge. Now
Roan has more to lose than his future. He’s made the mistake of falling
in love with Lexa, and that makes him the one thing he’s never been on
Nariasma -- vulnerable.
Roan and Jenner will give all they’ve got to protect Lexa.
Jenner’s convinced she’s the only one who can save them. But does
she have the strength to change their reality?
Lexa's mouth felt dry. She tasted a bitter metallic tang on her tongue. For a
few seconds she lay, hurting, with her eyes closed. Her head ached as she sat
up. She didn't remember much at first, but then the horror of Dom's death and
her sham of a trial came rushing back in a torrent.
She groaned and opened her eyes. The room was small. Bright light shone down
from a single fixture in the ceiling. She was dressed in a dark brown leather
corset and matching -- too tight -- leather pants. She ran her hands over her
backside. The horrible pants weren't ass-less, and she was glad of that, at
least. There was a black nylon utility vest over her shoulders. A row of
silver and gold sequins sparkled on the hem of the vest. The combination of
style and material was strange. Glam survivalist?
She closed her eyes and rubbed the bridge of her nose in an attempt to clear
her foggy mind. Her stomach rolled. Someone had seen her naked when she'd been
at her most vulnerable. Shivering, she forced herself to stop thinking about
how dirty having been stripped made her feel. Pushing herself up, using the
wall, she managed to get to her feet.
The door slid open with a whoosh. Whoever designed the room had hidden the
door so well she'd never even noticed it until it opened. A tall woman watched
her mutely.
Lexa flinched under the scrutiny. "Why are you here? What's happening to me?"
Lexa screamed the questions at the woman as her hysteria rose.
"You'll have a ten second head start. Go right to avoid the desert. Get to the
trees, and you'll have a better chance. Here is your pack. It's all any of the
contestants start out with. Inside you'll find a utility knife, canteen and
matches. Millions of fans will be watching you. Take solace in knowing you
won't die alone." The woman spoke without any hint of emotion or remorse.
"I don't plan to die at all," Lexa said. She hated how this woman had written
her off. She wasn't doomed. She wasn't going to give up. Just because wealthy
men had paid for a license to hunt her didn't mean she was automatically
condemned. "I'm going to serve my time and return home."
Sympathy flickered across the woman's features, but she quickly covered the
expression with a scowl. "Few have lived long enough to serve their time. No
woman has left this place alive. Many find it easier just to walk out and wait
for the end."
"I've never been good at taking the easy way out. I'll take my chances with
the woods. Why are you giving me advice?"
"It's been a long time since we've had a woman as young as you on the show.
I'd like to make the most of your time." The tall stranger's words held the
ring of truth.
Lexa shrugged. "I'll do my best to outlast my sentence. I'd hate it if
Interplanetary Broadcasting lost ratings due to my untimely demise. How bad
can a month be?" Lexa spoke as sarcastically as possible. She didn't know if
the cameras were already watching her, but she had a feeling they might be.
Hatred for the mindless people watching her injustice boiled in her core.
Until now, she'd been just like them.
The reality of how meaningless human life was hit her with shocking force.
The woman's eyes darkened. "May the enlightenment of justice guide your path."
Her sentence had begun. The cameras were watching. The woman's use of words
made that clear. "Um, thanks, I'll make my own light. I've had a taste of
justice, and it wasn't for me." Her new reality was a terrifying example of
how deep a lie could burrow to masquerade as truth. She glared at the woman.
No matter how afraid she felt she refused to let her fear show.
The emotionless expression taking over the woman's face made her shiver. "What
happens now?" Lexa asked.
"Now you survive, or not. Either way, it'll be good TV."
Lexa's eyes widened as the woman shoved her out the door.
She ended up on an elevator and not in a hallway as she'd expected. As her
brain kicked in, she realized it was now or never. With shaking hands, she
took the items from the pack and shoved them in the few pockets her thin vest
offered. She'd seen this show a few times -- enough to know the bright orange
backpack was a good way to die.
Now she wished she'd watched more often. Her mother hated the show and always
said it was low class and not what her daughter should watch.
Just as she put the last item into a secure place and dropped the bright bag,
the elevator stopped. Her heart raced. Her heavy breathing was the only sound
she could hear.
The doors opened and bright sunlight flooded the dark space to blind her. She
took a shaky step and saw trees in the distance. She took the woman's advice
and ran toward them.
In her mind, she started to count. One... two... three... The ten seconds
would be over long before she reached the trees. She didn't look back, afraid
of what she'd see. They'd be waiting. Men had paid for the privilege of
killing her for the entertainment of bored television viewers back home.
A breeze ruffled her hair. Everything felt so real here, but it wasn't a
planet. It was a space station. Terror hit her in the stomach so hard she
stumbled. Horrified, she watched the ground coming at her face as she fell
forward. She was giving her life to those bastards too easily. Her eager
executioners would be upon her in seconds.
Eight... nine... ouch. She landed as her ten seconds ended. Rolling to her
back, she sat up only to see three well-armed men wearing body armor aiming
old-fashioned high-powered automatic rifles at her.
Death. She wasn't ready. Hands grabbed her roughly. The brutality of their
grip caused her shock to turn into terror. She didn't scream or struggle. The
raw panic kept her still. She was standing because those large hands hand
pulled her to her feet.
"Run!"
She spun around and her breath hitched in her throat. He was glorious.
Roan of the Northlands, one of the sexiest men on TV, was rescuing her. He
grabbed her wrist and pulled her forward just as the first shot rang out. Dirt
erupted next to her foot. "Go!"
About the Author
Ashlynn Monroe is a busy working mom. She loves her kids and family. Her
greatest joy is creating stories to entertain others, and she hopes they bring
a little more romance into the world. She's been writing since her teens for
her own enjoyment but decided in her thirties to share her imagination with
readers. Ashlynn enjoys biking, camping, reading, video games, and filling her
home and life with love. If she's not working or chasing children, you can
find her daydreaming up her next tale of romance.
Her sixteenth birthday looming, Seattle urbanite Charley Kensey
recklessly invites herself to her Pap’s West Texas sheep ranch—a
man she’s never met, a man her mother has always distanced her from. If
her dad were still around, he could’ve stopped her. Her mom can’t.
Pap is a hard and difficult man, and the Llano Estacado—the Texas Staked
Plains—is every bit as hostile. Charley would turn right around and go
home except for the mysterious horse that shows up on the ranch. Things
quickly spiral out of control when Pap vows to shoot the blind animal she
believes came to the ranch to be hers. Now she can’t
leave—who’s going to stand in the way of Pap’s bullet?
Against his orders, Charley turns to local veterinarian Dr. Ben for
information about the horse, but his harmless reminiscing over her mom
dismantles everything Charley thought she knew of her family when he portrays
a mother she doesn’t even recognize, and innocently exposes the secret
that split her family apart. Charley is the only clueless party:
“Everybody in this little town of Quitaque knows your mother’s
business,” affirms veterinarian summer assistant, cowboy-crush Brett
Littleton. Except for Brett, the summer would be lost.
When Pap’s savage anger turns violent, Charley and her horse bolt for
the open plains and flee for the very place she’s been warned not to go.
Nightflower of Comanche Mound is a contemporary action-adventure thriller
steeped in conflict, tension, and family dysfunction between three
generations.
2025 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist – Young Adult Novel
2022 Writers League of Texas Manuscript Finalist – Young Adult
Action-Adventure Thriller
Excerpt
The plane touched down in Lubbock a little after three in the afternoon.
Jet engines shut down immediately so I felt the scorching afternoon heat
before I ever stepped onto the Staked Plains. The passengers had all filed
off, but I sat rigid in the upright seat, a cynical thought sweeping over me,
not for the first time: I’d made a colossal mistake.
The flight attendant was eye-balling me. I checked my hair in a mirror, dotted
on faint-pink lipstick Mom had warned me against bringing. Drawing a deep
breath, I held it in, thinking it would help settle my jitters. Time to get
this show on the road. Pap will be waiting. Or he won’t. Either way, I
had nobody to blame but myself.
* * *
I spotted him through the glass barrier, hands clasped casually over an ample
belly. We locked eyes as I rolled through the revolving door. Did he have a
picture of me? My grip tightened on the cheap ten-dollar flute Mom had given
me to practice; she was proud I took an interest in music, and wanted me to
keep my lips stuck to a version of flute that was less to lose. It suddenly
felt more a lifeline than a companion.
It’s not true that all people shrink when they get old. Pap stood
straight and tall under a light-colored, broad-brimmed hat that rested low on
his forehead just above white, bushy brows. Deep grooves ran around his mouth
and down a chin he hadn’t bothered to shave.
I didn’t exactly expect a warm snuggle from him—Mom had prepared
me for that. Still, deep down I couldn’t help thinking she might be
wrong. I had imagined I would run and throw my arms around him and all my
doubts would fly away when he pulled me into a tight squeeze.
Instead, we squared off and studied one another, eyes never wavering.
I stuck out my hand. “I’m Charley.”
Weight lifted from my shoulder as he took hold of my backpack. “Heck of
a name for a girl.” With a quick nod to the long cement aisle, he said,
“Go that way.”
I’d like to think he held out hope that he’d passed inspection, as
did I.
About the Author
Katlyn Bates writes contemporary fiction for young adults. Her debut
novel, Nightflower of Comanche Mound was named a 2025 Spur Finalist by Western
Writers of America (WWA) in the Juvenile-Young Adult Fiction category. The
recognition, along with multiple 5-Star book reviews from Readers’
Favorite, encouraged her to dust off old stuff she wrote just for fun, and
look at them with fresh eyes.
Drawn to action and adventure that is grounded in real life, Katlyn finds
inspiration in the wildness of the world around us. “Nature
doesn’t care what we think. It’s wild and ferocious and
unpredictable—a good reminder not to take ourselves too seriously. The
downright ridiculous seems to call for a twist of humor. What I can’t
see, I can imagine.”
Juggling family, work, and life, over the years Katlyn grasped whatever time
she had available for a writing class when she could—poetry, creative, a
bit of journalism. What she discovered was that stories come from deep within
us…a moment. A memory. An experience or impression or dream. Only when
they surface, can you add texture and color.
A late-bloomer by her own description, Katlyn’s writing kicked off when
she joined Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
(SCBWI), a community of like-minded people who selflessly share, uplift, and
guide, one meeting at a time. “There’s so much to learn, just for
the listening. Other writers energize me, challenge me to ‘say it
better’. Everyone has a natural style, and it always amazes me how many
ways there are to tell a story. From SCBWI to the Writers’ League of
Texas (WLT)—where Nightflower of Comanche Mound was a 2022
Thriller/Action-Adventure Finalist in the Manuscript Contest—on to
Western Writers of America and Women Writing the West (WWW), Katlyn has found
that it’s networks of writers that encourage her “No matter what
stage of writing skill, anyone, at any age, with a yearning to write should
seek out others who love what you love. Don’t wait.”
A native Texan, Katlyn Bates lives near Dallas, TX, outside a small town
that—like so many inter-connected communities, is quickly becoming
absorbed by the sprawl. “As for me, it’s open skies and nature and
landscape that frame a plot, and lend power to a story.”
The mountain stood tall, daring anyone to conquer its peak.
Julia Archibald Holmes was not one to back down from a challenge, especially
when it meant fighting for justice. Her journey to the top of Pikes Peak was
just the beginning of her many adventures. In the mid-1800s, amidst the rugged
terrain of the Rocky Mountains, Julia Archibald Holmes set out to make a name
for herself. Her life was a series of daring escapades, all in the name of
justice. Her involvement in the Underground Railroad, a perilous journey
fraught with risk, was a testament to her unwavering commitment. Her later
advocacy for Women’s voting rights was a continuation of this fearless
spirit.
However, as Julia's diary reveals, her journey was not without its challenges.
From facing dangerous obstacles to overcoming personal setbacks, her
unwavering commitment to justice would be tested. Julia’s story provides
a powerful message of determination, courage, and resilience that will leave a
lasting impact on readers.
Bloomers on Pikes Peak won a Will Rogers Medallion Award and was the finalist
for the Women Writing the West Willa Award.
About the Author
Clarissa Willis is an award-winning author, consultant, and professional
developmental specialist. She provides workshops, keynote addresses, and
customized professional development both nationally and internationally. She
writes early childhood curricula, teacher resource books, and books for
children.
A revolutionary medical breakthrough. A technology, so advanced, people will kill to prevent its discovery. Dr. Taylor Abrahms, rising above his troubled past, is an expert in the burgeoning field of Medical Virtual Reality. A gifted researcher, he's created an experimental fusion of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and microsurgery that will revolutionize the way surgery is performed. With the Virtual Heart Project (VHP), Taylor can enter a virtual recreation of his patient's beating heart and perform critical, life-saving surgery entirely within the realm of virtual reality. But in the political war zone of San Francisco University Medical Center, not everyone is thrilled.
With a health care crisis threatening to bankrupt the nation, advanced biotechnology is a flashpoint in health care reform. Taylor's research is scapegoated and he finds himself caught between warring factions in medicine and politics that will do anything to shut his project down, a battle that rages all the way to an upcoming Presidential election. Soon, Taylor finds himself the target of nonstop attacks: the destruction of his career, scientific sabotage, and murder, as those associated with the Virtual Heart Project are killed, one by one.
Fighting for his medical career and eventually his life, Deadly Vision tells the tale of Taylor's battle against overwhelming odds, political machinations, sabotage and murder, to bring this modern technology to reality and save the life of someone he loves.
Praise for Deadly Vision:
"Severin’s debut novel follows a doctor whose cutting-edge research gets him entangled in a conspiracy involving artificial intelligence, an upcoming presidential election, and the use of virtual reality... the greatest strength of the book is in the author’s deep character development. Abrahms isn’t merely a cardboard hero with unbreakable ideals—his traumatic childhood, during which he dealt with his mother’s death from heart disease, an alcoholic and abusive father, and his younger brother’s suicide, make him a character that readers will understand, identify with, and root for. The book’s subtle political commentary as it tackles timely issues is a clear plus, as well. An up-to-the-minute thriller that entertains and enlightens." ~ Kirkus Reviews
"Deadly Vision is a gripping novel of suspense ingeniously plotted. Dr. Severin writes with an expert’s hand in virtual reality and medicine, creating a unique, intriguing and intelligent medical/techno thriller that blew me away from its opening page." ~ Robert Dugoni, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Jury Master and The Tracy Crosswhite Series.
"Deadly Vision is a unique and fast-paced read where political intrigue combines with compelling family drama, techno-thriller vibes, and a smattering of medical fiction. This is an unparalleled reading experience." ~ Independent Book Review
"If you have the Michael Crichton itch, T. D. Severin is your new favorite author." ~ Terrance Layhew, author and host of the Suit Up! Podcast
"Half fast-paced action adventure, half thoughtful look at the world we live in, Deadly Vision reviews the complex ethical, financial, and political considerations that impact the medical community and the advancement of medicine through the lens of a taut thriller. The focus of the novel remains clear throughout, despite taking the reader down many different paths. A highly recommended read for any fan of a good thriller with plenty of added bonuses for those with interests in medicine, technology, and political intrigue." ~ Best Sellers World
DEADLY VISION Trailer:
Book Details:
Genre: Medical Thriller, Cyber Thriller, Psychological Thriller Published by: Penmore Press LLC Publication Date: March 6, 2025 Number of Pages: 466 pbk ISBN: 9781957851945 (ISBN10: 1957851945) Book Links:Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Penmore Press
Read an excerpt:
Prologue
Thursday, October 12 4:59 p.m.
Robert Chan froze in place, staring at the shadows in his hallway.
From the bedroom where he stood, Chan couldn’t see the shadows’ origin, just the elliptical darkness, spreading across the walls, creeping down the hall. As the sun descended beyond the distant Golden Gate Bridge, a chill seized the air, but Chan didn't feel it. His eyes were fixed on the hallway, studying the growing shadows, searching for signs of movement, or a flicker.
A sign they came from something alive.
Shadows had always terrified Chan. As a child, long after his parents had gone to sleep, he’d lie motionless in bed, his face half-hidden by the blankets, staring at the ceiling. Moonlight, filtering through the branches scratching outside his window, cast a dance of light and darkness above him. Lurking within this specter of shadows, he’d see the spirits of his grandmother’s tales, the kuei-shen -- the phantoms of the deceased trapped between the world of the living and the dead. Too frightened to move, he’d lay immobilized, watching as the shape-shifting kuei transformed, taking the forms of lions and dragons. He’d see the kuei-shen as they descended upon him, feel them as they entered his flesh, melting into his soul. The chill of their deathly presence within.
He’d carried those visions throughout his adult life.
Still, no number of childhood nightmares could prepare him for what he faced now.
Chan’s eyes shot from the hallway to the suitcase lying upon his bed, lid propped half-open, socks and underwear dangling over the edge. He rushed to the case, stuffed in two pairs of grey slacks, then dashed back to the closet. Glancing at the rows of cotton shirts, he shoved the stripes aside and grabbed the white Oxfords. Less eye catching, he thought, more anonymous.
Anonymity had never been one of Chan’s concerns before. As a young and hungry engineer in the Medical Applications Division of CyberTech Systems, he’d done everything in his power to avoid it. In the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley, anonymity in the corporate workplace was the high-tech kiss of death. In order to advance to the high-paying executive levels, Chan had to stand out, be noticed. And he did. Clocking in a string of over fifty consecutive 80-hour weeks, his work habits routinely drew the notice of the upper levels of CTS management. His ascent through the ranks of engineers was unprecedented.
But that was before he found the files.
Now, all he hoped for was to get out alive.
Shoving the Oxfords into the suitcase, Chan glared at the manila envelope on his bed. His stomach tightened. The envelope looked so mundane, so ordinary, like it contained any number of IKEA catalogs or Publisher’s Clearing House winner entries. There were no outward clues as to what it contained. The deception. The hidden discovery that was causing his once carved-in-granite life to crumble around his ears.
He wanted to grab that envelope and rip it to pieces, shred it; pretend he’d never found the files; get back to his life of deadlines and coding assignments, his twice daily visit to Starbucks with Elizabeth, his routine afternoon stop at the Porsche dealer where he’d been eyeing the new Boxster, dreaming of himself behind the wheel.
But it was too late for that. He’d been working on AI programing for a team of researchers at San Francisco University Medical Center, a special project assigned to him by the CEO himself, Reginald Erickson. All the engineers knew he was working on this assignment. His cyber-trail through the CTS database easily traceable. Every keystroke monitored and replicated. Each step readily apparent to someone who knew where to look.
The ringing of the phone snapped Chan to attention. He jerked from the bed, his eyes darting to the receiver then beyond to the digital clock on the far wall.
It was 5:00 P.M.
Panic seized him. No one should be trying to reach him at this hour. Not here. Normally, he'd still be at CyberTech logging in another eighteen-hour day pounding out code. No one should know he was home.
The phone rang again. Chan winced. His eyes shot to the envelope. He had to get out of there. Get the files to the Federal Building; get the evidence into the hands of the Justice Department or the FBI or whoever, get filtered into the witness protection program and hope to start a new life as an elementary school teacher in Wichita or Amarillo or someplace else he'd never heard of. Let the Attorney General, the world, see what he’d discovered before it was too late. Maybe they could put a stop to this.
But how do you stop a Presidential election?
The phone rang a third time. Chan ignored it, shoved the folder deep into the suitcase, covered it with a sweatshirt and slammed the lid closed. Yanking the suitcase off the bed, he rushed to the front door.
At the doorway, he paused, for just a second, turning to take one last glance at his apartment, his home for the last six years. The delicate Chinese watercolors, the bonsai he’d trimmed each morning, the wooden crucifix above his bed for his daily prayer. It all seemed like such a waste of time now. His plans to become a chief engineer, create his own start-up, propose to Elizabeth next Valentine’s Day were worthless. Vanished like rain drops that never reached the ground.
He swallowed hard and ran into the hall.
He didn't get more than two steps before the first shot rocked him. The force of the gunfire lifted him off the ground and sent him hurling backwards through the open doorway. He collapsed onto his back, his vision dimming, descending into a miasma of swirling reds and greys. Pain, like fire, ripped across his belly. A metallic smell filled his nostrils followed by the coppery taste of his own blood.
Chan tried to swallow the blood bubbling into his mouth, but couldn’t. He became vaguely aware of the gaping hole that now occupied his lower abdomen. Warmth flooded down his flank, collecting at the small of his back. Pools of blood gathered on the white carpet. His eyes half-focused, Chan watched, as each crimson pool began to morph into vague shapes, like clouds taking patterns. In the blood, he saw the faces of his mother and his father, both dead for years. He saw the face of a long-lost uncle, and his childhood friend, Wong, who’d died in a car accident. He saw Elizabeth.
The pain sank deeper into his belly. He fought for breath. With the last of his strength, he craned his head towards the door where he could just make out the silhouette of a lone figure, a bald man, standing over him. He concentrated hard, trying to cement the image, and slowly, a vision came into form. His eyes locked on the muzzle of the silenced 40 caliber H&K pistol now aimed at his chest.
Chan sighed and allowed his head to fall back. Around him, the bloody pools gathered into new shapes, like the shadows of his youth, forming lions and dragons.
Despite himself, Chan smiled. He closed his eyes and allowed the darkness to seep into his veins, bringing with it a quiet peace, the realization that he wouldn't have to run anymore.
The kuei-shen had arrived.
***
Excerpt from Deadly Vision by T.D. Severin. Copyright 2025 by T.D. Severin. Reproduced with permission from T.D. Severin. All rights reserved.
Author Bio:
T.D. SEVERIN. MD., is a physician/surgeon and the author of the award-winning medical thriller, DEADLY VISON.
T.D. Severin, is an internationally renowned professor of medicine, who has been publishing both fiction and non-fiction since 1994. His writing has appeared in national and regional magazines/journals around the world, while his first novel, Deadly Vision, was the winner of the 2025 American Fiction Award, and The 2025 International Impact Book Award, and is a Finalist for the Clive Cussler Adventure Writers Award, the 2025 Global Book Award for Fiction, and was an award winner at the SEAK National Medical Fiction Writing Competition.
T.D. Severin has been named one of the Nation’s Best Ophthalmologists by Newsweek Magazine, and has been honored to receive the prestigious Telly Award, the Oscars of public access television, for his work on medical television programming.
T.D. has trekked across Tibet, scaled Mt. Everest, scuba dove the Great Barrier reef, white water rafted through the Australian Rain Forest, and delved into the mysterious ancient history of Malta, Istanbul, and the lost kingdom of Siam, all of which makes it's way into his writing.
T.D. lives with his wife and two pups in the San Francisco Bay Area and Florida, where he is currently at work on his next medical thriller. A former radio disc jockey, he also runs the heavy rock record label Ripple Music: www.ripple-music.com.
