Spotlight and Giveaway: Priscilla Speaks by Kirk Ward Robison

Priscilla Speaks by Kirk Ward Robinson will be released on June 17, 2025


NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Priscilla Speaks, the latest novel by award-winning writer Kirk Ward Robinson, will be released in June. Priscilla Speaks (HighlandHome Publishing) will be published in trade paper (ISBN: 979-8-9886815-3-3, 284 pages, $16.99) and eBook ($6.99) editions and available wherever fine books are sold on June 17, 2025.


In a sun baked Southern town near the famous Appalachian Trail, years of poverty, drug abuse, and entrenched secrets have left their legacy on a fractured family. Against this punishing and unforgiving backdrop, award-winning novelist Kirk Ward Robinson begins Book Four of The Speaks Saga, a moving, mesmerizing, and masterful tale centered on Priscilla Speaks.


About Priscilla Speaks: Born during the worst of her mother’s addiction, Priscilla, Blaize’s second daughter, begins at an early age to count the years until she can escape the drudgery and boredom of her dismal, impoverished life, all the while watching as her older siblings leave one by one.


Cast out on her own at the age of sixteen, Priscilla ventures forth in search of an uncertain future while grappling with her sexuality and the phenomenal capacity of her mind. Using the Appalachian Trail as a means of escape, distracted from her obsessive nature by the day-to-day trials of the wilderness, Priscilla’s journey thrusts her into the company of diverse people who steer her toward a fuller understanding of the complexities of life and relationships.


Through confounding emotions, heartache, and moments of grace, she is forced to confront mortality, love, and loss, all pointing her toward a staggering awareness of space and time.


With deliberate cunning, Priscilla does battle on her own terms, calling forth the hardened legacy of her family as she fights against the abuses she encounters in society.


In an advance review, Feathered Quill Book Reviews lavishes high praise on Priscilla Speaks:


“Priscilla Speaks is impressive…[Priscilla] is a witty and captivating protagonist. With language that keeps the reading fascinating and flowing, this is a thought-provoking work that can be read as a stand-alone novel, but will undoubtedly pique the reader’s curiosity of the series’ predecessors.”


A remarkably poignant coming-of-age story that unfolds against a harsh and unrelenting backdrop, Priscilla Speaks is extraordinary. In this confident and captivating novel, novelist Kirk Ward Robison has created a protagonist who is far more than unforgettable: Priscilla Speaks is the type of character who will burrow into a reader’s soul. With its quiet commentary on how hope can spring from a seemingly hopeless environment, and how human decency can prevail despite horrific circumstances, Priscilla Speaks is thoughtful and thought-provoking. Bold, brave, and brilliantly rendered, Priscilla Speaks is an unmistakably real, unapologetically raw, undeniably remarkable story of how one young woman plumbs her family’s dismal legacy to find strength, tenacity, and courage.

Kirk Ward Robinson, a four-time Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, was born and raised in south Texas and has since lived in every continental American time zone. He is an inveterate hiker and cyclist, which is how he prefers to travel and explore the world. Robinson’s wide-ranging career has included roles as a chief operating officer, bookstore manager, stagehand, bicycle mechanic, and executive director of an educational non-profit organization in cooperation with the National Park Service. Robinson is the author of sixteen novels and memoirs. He lives on an ancestral farm in middle Tennessee.
HIghlandHome Publishing is an independent book publisher based in Nashville, Tennessee. Members of the news media wishing to request additional information about Kirk Ward Robinson or Priscilla Speaks are kindly asked to contact Maryglenn M. Warnock by email: maryglenn@maryglenn.com

Book Blast and Giveaway: A New Life by L J Ambrosio

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L.J. Ambrosio will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

From America to the streets of Paris, A New Life follows two friends as they navigate grief, love, and self-discovery in a city filled with history and hope.

A New Life is a story that lingers long after the last page.

Read an Excerpt

They spent the rest of the trip talking about Rhonda and how great she was, from the fight where she tried to protect Ron to the National Cemetery where she was left behind by accident at dusk, not found until midnight.

Louie and Ron had a chuckle over how Rhonda refused to walk on the sidewalks in Paris because of all the cigarette butts on the ground; she had to be pushed around in a baby carriage, because she did not want to burn her paws.

Louie started crying, and Ron comforted him, assuring him that the pain was fine; he needed to accept it.

“Rhonda was so smart,” Louie said proudly. "Some people don’t know the relationship between an owner and their pet. It is so special, so unconditional. Rhonda will always be a part of me. It was nice to bury her here in America, her home country.”

A while later, Ron and Louie arrived at their motel. Ron said to him, "Let’s get the luggage and go to bed. Hey, I was thinking when we get back to Paris, you should move in me with me and stop sleeping in the bookstore.”

Louie could not believe what he heard. Sharing more time with Ron would be special; he was excited to have that time together.

About the Author:

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Reflections-Michael-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B0F9YPJZQ3/ref=sr_1_1

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Blurb Blitz Tour and Giveaway: Align Your Business With the Real You by Jennifer Musser

 

ALIGN YOUR BUSINESS WITH THE REAL YOU

Jennifer Musser

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GENRE:  Nonfiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Is the exhilaration of entrepreneurship tainted with exhaustion? Discover more for your business and yourself.

 

Do you feel like your professional and personal lives are out of sync? Maxed out trying to juggle work and family? Are you unsure where you belong or how to create a roadmap to get there? Global business consultant and passionate creative Jennifer Musser has spent decades helping high-functioning corporations solve complex puzzles, reduce risk, and increase profit. And now she’s here to show you how to refresh your perspective and fuel the future you want.

 

Align Your Business with the Real You: Connect with Yourself, Create What Matters Most, and Define Your Success is a groundbreaking paradigm shift for anyone interested in running a company. Well aware of common concerns and struggles faced by every founder, Musser delves into finding your true goals with help from practical exercises, empathetic stories, and easy-to-apply insights. And as you use her ego-free blueprint, you’ll delight in a bounty of unique takeaways that let you stay grounded no matter the situation.

 

In Align Your Business with the Real You, you’ll discover:

- Strategies for staying honest with yourself that keep you on the right track

- Tips for writing your own definition of success, so your personal and professional life is fulfilling

- Ways to healthily engage with your emotions and feel good about your everyday

- How to remember that you're the boss and permit yourself to funnel time and money toward your ultimate objectives

- Tools that you can instantly put to use, ideas for renewing your commitment, and much, much more!

 

Align Your Business with the Real You is a fresh and candid guidebook for entrepreneurs. If you like relatable teachers, down-to-earth chats, and heartfelt advice, then you’ll adore Jennifer Musser’s straightforward approach.

 

Read Align Your Business with the Real You to start getting results right now!

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Do you feel connected with yourself? Do you feel in sync with your business and your life?

 

Your ability to connect with yourself and others is an asset, and the most valuable connection you can make is with yourself. It is never too late to connect with yourself. In Chapter 1, you’ll learn how connecting with yourself allows you to find where you belong in life and business. In Chapter 2, you’ll discover how knowing where you belong positions you to connect with like-minded others and conquer the right opportunities. As worthwhile experiences flow, the clouds begin to part. You feel engaged and at peace.

 

Let’s connect.” 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

JENNIFER MUSSER shines a light on the financial operations of businesses where it is needed most to raise profit, solidify processes, save time, optimize talent, reduce risk, and help business leaders achieve meaningful growth with results they can see—and feel.

 

Jennifer knows how to lead businesses. She holds over twenty years of experience in global consulting, corporate finance, and entrepreneurship. Jennifer is the founder of JLM & Associates Consulting, LLC, where she applies her big company expertise to steer high-achieving business leaders with financial and operational tools and support for growth with less stress.

 

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Villanova University, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certification, and multiple certifications in business strategy, Jennifer is committed to helping small businesses succeed.

 

She loves life (and coffee) with her family and two dogs, Penny and Rockie, in New Jersey.

 

Website: JLMAConsulting.com

Blog: https://jlmaconsulting.com/enlightened-leadership-blog/

Instagram: @jlmaconsulting

LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/JenniferLMusser

Email: JenniferMusser@JLMAConsulting.com

 

Book Buy Links:

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/align-your-business-with-the-real-you-jennifer-musser/1146760437?ean=9798991544221

Amazon: https://a.co/d/a9jsCzf

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Jennifer Musser will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Tamari Island by Joy Allyson

 

TAMARI ISLAND

Joy Allyson

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BLURB:

 

Emmie Prescott, the smart, pretty granddaughter of a United States senator, leaps at an offer to work on Tamari Island, a remote South Pacific island after a disastrous family exposé crushed her dream job aspirations. Her first day on the island sparks fly when she meets handsome Jack Manderly, a reporter who works on ambiguous stories for the same paper that sabotaged her career hopes. Once serious problems emerge in her new role at the designer silk plant, Emmie chooses to ignore the man whose very presence leaves her breathless.

 

Jack harbors a bitter sense of betrayal against Washington politicians who pressured his editor to exile him to Tamari after he linked stories of Emmie’s grandfather’s alleged activities while posted in D.C. His new assignment, tracking rumors in Southeast Asia years after the Vietnam ceasefire, is increasingly perilous. Embroiled in a dangerous mission where love and sacrifice can’t coexist, Jack strives to erase Emmie from his mind.

 

Despite their intentions and forced proximity, Emmie and Jack’s attraction deepen as alarming incidents occur around the island. Amidst the swirling chaos, Tamari Island deals her own hand. Will Emmie leverage her fashion connections and escape to Paris or go home and grow her political roots? And will she ever forget the man who makes her body and soul sing?

 

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EXCERPT:

Another wave crashed onto the shore, touching the tips of her running shoes. A crab scampered sideways into the water. She breathed in again. Unblinking, she stared over the sapphire-blue Pacific waters. No, these gentle waves weren’t the ones she hoped to experience in the Caribbean weeks ago.

 

She kicked her foot in the sand. That dream shattered. What did it matter if you were the math brain of the family? Qualifications be damned if your own mother wanted to join the delegation for a goodwill commission. Two members from the same family on the auditing team would reek of nepotism. Saltwater spray splashed her face; she wiped the droplets from her eyes. Instead of serving on a humanitarian mission in Central America, she was here, bringing her mathematical gifts to tiny Tamari Island thousands of miles away from anywhere. A minuscule dot on the map of the Marianna Islands chain in the South Pacific.

 

She dug one heel into the shoreline. A second opportunity arose on this island, and she was determined to seize it. She breathed in deeply. Not what I planned, definitely challenging, but…I like problems I can solve.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

As the daughter of a United States military officer, Joy Allyson grew up with a deep appreciation of history and a love of travel. A former teacher-turned-writer, she has an unquenchable thirst for historical romances in her reading choices and loves inserting historical nuggets in all her romances. Her favorite characters–are rebel heroines and salvageable scoundrels. She believes the best romances are the ones you want to read over and over again.

 

Whiskey Love, her debut novel, was selected as a 2023 Killer Nashville Best Historical Silver Falchion Award Finalist. Whiskey Secrets was chosen as a Top Pick for the 2024 Silver Falchion Awards. She has just published her third novel, Tamari Island, which has a South Pacific Island setting, and is currently writing another story to complete her Whiskey Love Trilogy.

 

 

 

Joy loves classic movies, chocolate, coffee, cards, and carbs. She and her husband call the beautiful hills of Tennessee home, and her two daughters and six grandchildren are nearby.

 

Website: https://www.joyallyson.com/

 

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Tamari-Island-Joy-Allyson-ebook/dp/B0DFQKF1FG/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

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GIVEAWAY:

Joy Allyson will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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Spotlight: The Light Runner by Ally Walker

Synopsis:

Things aren't as they appear to be at Bainbridge Psychiatric Hospital. Decorated war hero and politician Captain Oliver Haskell has voluntarily committed himself following the murder of his wife, scientist Hannah Haskell, in the parking lot of her workplace, Wellglad Pharmaceuticals. His case is assigned to Dr. Ella Kramer, a young psychiatrist just out of her residency with a troubled past of her own. After interviewing the captain, Ella starts to listen to her other patients at Bainbridge, who seem to be operating in another reality altogether. But it is when their reality bleeds into Captain Haskell's that Ella is forced to choose between the two worlds and learns to trust her gut about what really happened to Hannah Haskell that night. Detective Paul Moran who is investigating the murder smells a rat-or, perhaps, in this case, a rabbit-as he attempts to unravel what has taken place and its strange connection to the hospital's patients.

The Light Runner, the first installment in the Realities series from debut author Ally Walker, is an edge-of-your-seat metaphysical thriller that will mesmerize and haunt you from the first page to its shocking end.

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Spotlight Book Tour and Giveaway: Pei's Pineapple Cakes by Crystal Z Lee

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Pei's Pineapple Cakes by Crystal Z. Lee
Category: Children's Fiction (Ages 3-7), 38 pages
Genre: Children's Picture Book
Publisher: Balestier Press
​Publication Date: May 10, 2025.
Tour dates: June 9 to June 27
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

While visiting her grandmother in central Taiwan, Pei finds herself in the middle of a mystery. The pineapple cakes from her grandmother's bakery have disappeared! Soon Pei is collecting clues as she embarks on a quest to find the missing pineapple cakes.

From traditional Taiwanese artisan craftsmanship to picturesque villages of central Taiwan, Pei discovers the beauty of her grandmother's hometown. This is a charming story of courage, adventure, and the love between grandchildren and grandparents.

Pei's Pineapple Cakes is an elaborately illustrated picture book that makes an ideal gift:

• -Real locations from central Taiwan make for an inspiring geographical, historical and cultural reading experience
• -Storyline sparks dialogue around kindness, empathy, courage, and resilience
• -Exquisite illustrations of Taiwanese artisans' craftsmanship foster appreciation for heritage and traditions
• -Bilingual text in English and Mandarin encourages learning in both languages

BUY THE BOOK:
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Meet the Author:

Crystal Z. Lee is a bilingual writer who divides her time between the U.S. and Asia. Crystal grew up in Taipei and later returned to live there in her adult years. Some of Crystal's fondest memories in Taiwan include boating at Sun Moon Lake, chasing butterflies in Maolin, making pineapple cakes and eating her way through night markets with her family. Besides children's books, Crystal's other published works include poetry and a novel. Her other book about Taiwan is titled Kai the Dancing Butterfly. She is also the author of Mei's Mermaid Mission, A Unicorn Named Rin, and Love and Other Moods.

​connect with the author: website ~  instagram ~ goodreads

Author Interview:

Q&A for Amy @ Locks Hooks and Books: Author interview with Crystal Z. Lee

-Pei's Pineapple Cakes features a myriad of traditional folk arts. What was your thinking behind that?

My children are currently elementary school aged. Their generation is bombarded with devices and the pursuit of the latest technological applications that it sometimes seems like they've forgotten the beauty in traditional, slower-paced endeavors. It takes patience to bake, to make a specialized tea, to learn craftsmanship such as weaving. It's my hope that through this book, young readers can develop an appreciation for traditional artistry and handmade goods, versus just things that are machine made. 

-Your first book was published five years ago. What are some of the major changes in your life from the past five years? 

Five years and five books ago I was a younger mom who was juggling mothering, writing and pitching while dreaming and praying for a career in writing. All I wanted to do was to write good stories with the hope that someone out there, some reader would be moved. But I'm the one that's been moved by many! I've received letters and messages from children, parents, educators all over the globe about how my books have inspired or affected them. I've been asked to read at schools, festivals and birthday parties. Truly I feel blessed all the time to be able to connect with people through the love of literature.

-At what age did you aspire to become an author?

I was around thirteen years old when I moved internationally and had to contend with a complete change in environment, school, friends, and everything I was familiar with. It was a volatile time for me and my escape was in books and libraries. I think that's when I first became interested in writing and in literature.

-Out of all the characters in your children's stories, including non-human ones, which is your favorite?

Pei's Amah in Pei's Pineapple Cakes is a favorite because I wrote this character as a composite of my own grandmas and mom. I'm also fond of the pirate in Mei's Mermaid Mission because he's a teachable character. It's my hope that children can learn that it's okay to make mistakes, even if they are hurtful ones, as long as one can admit to it and be committed to change. 

-Many of your children's books seem to be travel-themed. Why is that? 

Our planet is vast with wonderful, varied cultures. I hope to raise global citizens and to teach my children empathy, respect and appreciation for all people.  

-Do you gain input from your own children when writing kid lit?

Yes, my kids are my first readers! Their opinions and reviews often shape the direction of my stories.

-All of your children’s books have names in the titles, such as Pei, Mei, Rin and Kai. How do you come up with the character names in your books?

I try to be culturally authentic when choosing names for the characters. For example, in the story of Mei’s Mermaid Mission there are characters from Cambodia, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, etc., so their names are authentic to their cultural heritage. I remember receiving some criticism that some of these names were hard to pronounce. While that may be the case for some, I still think it’s a teachable moment. When we teach our children to learn names authentic to a certain culture, we are imparting virtues of empathy and respect. In this way, we also help our kids to cultivate an international worldview. 

-How can your children's books be utilized in a classroom or educational setting?

In Pei's Pineapple Cakes, readers are introduced to some Taiwanese folk arts, so this book can be utilized for Asian cultural studies. Kai the Dancing Butterfly is about the Taiwanese butterfly migration, so it may be useful for a science and geography curriculum. Ocean conservation and animal habitat protection is a primary theme in Mei's Mermaid Mission, so this book is great for marine science and ecological studies. A Unicorn Named Rin takes place in the Tang dynasty so this story can be utilized in history class!

-What do you hope readers will pick up from the story in Pei's Pineapple Cakes?

This is a story of empathy, kindness and courage. It's also an ode to time-honored artisans and traditional craftsmanship. These days, children sometimes exalt modern technological devices above all else, forgetting nature and the beauty in simple, handcrafted goods. I hope this story can spark a discussion surrounding these topics.

Meet the Illustrator:

Allie Su grew up in Yunlin county, Taiwan. She often finds her illustration inspiration from the great outdoors. One of her favorite places to hike in Taiwan is Sun-Link-Sea Forest in Nantou. She adores Taiwanese cuisine and night market foods, such as stinky tofu, vegetarian noodles and taro pastries from Taichung. Allie also illustrated Mei's Mermaid Mission and Kai the Dancing Butterfly.

Enter the Giveaway:

PEI'S PINEAPPLE CAKES by Crystal Z Lee Book Tour Giveaway

Book Blast and Giveaway: Perfect Vengeance by Tee O'Fallon

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tee O'Fallon will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Trusting him could save her...or destroy her.

Robin Hood meets the Sopranos…an insanely dangerous scheme Gina Perot and her friends hatched to steal from the mob and donate the loot to a worthy cause. Successful Wall Street investment banker by day, cat burglar by night, Gina leads a double life. But she's never forgotten how the mob and the FBI destroyed her family and ripped her life apart. Now it's time for payback. Charity and revenge all rolled into one. Perfect. Until Gina's scheme sends her crashing headfirst into a major FBI investigation and facing heavy-duty federal obstruction charges. And, the hottest, most frustrating man she's ever met.

Stop stealing from the mob or else…is the order FBI Strike Force Special Agent Jack Gates gives Gina. But Jack quickly learns he can no sooner control a force of nature like Gina than he can control where a tornado sets down. Facing a court-ordered deadline, Jack needs Gina's cat burglar skills to help him bring down a powerful Mafioso. He makes her an offer she can't refuse: go to jail or work for him as an FBI cooperator. When the mob learns Gina's been ripping them off, Jack is determined to keep her safe at all costs. Even if that means confessing his terrible secret and losing her forever.

Read an Excerpt

“I didn’t break my word to you, I swear it. I only went back into the kitchen to get my penlight, and I found the cash on the floor. I couldn’t very well open that freezer door again, could I?” Tension from everything that had transpired over the last week slammed into her like a two-ton safe. “Fine. Don’t believe me. Throw me in jail, but keep my friends out of this.”

Leaving him standing in the living room, she spun and dashed into the kitchen. She whipped open the pantry doors and grabbed a bar of 80% Brazilian chocolate. She tore off the wrapper and broke off a chunk, about to shove it into her mouth when Jack ripped it from her hand.

“Did you eat any of that stuff yet?” He threw the chocolate bar to the floor. The look on his face was ten shades past furious. It was...dangerous. “Did you?”

“No, not that it’s any of your bus—”

He pulled her into his arms and covered her mouth with his. For a microsecond, she resisted, shoving her hands against his iron-hard chest. When she opened her mouth to tell him precisely what she thought of his manhandling her, he took full advantage and slipped his tongue between her lips.

Any resistance on her part died then and there. She melted into his warm body, absorbing his heat, his very breath, as he kissed her deeper. His big hands threaded through her hair, and he groaned into her mouth. The kiss became feral, all-consuming. Her mind went totally blank, but every square inch of her skin shimmered with sparks igniting simultaneously. In one split second, Jack had accomplished what no man ever had.

Gina felt alive in the arms of a man. Really alive.

About the Author:

Tee O'Fallon is the bestselling, award-winning author of the K-9 Special Ops, Federal K-9, NYPD Blue & Gold Series, and FBI Strike Force Series. Tee spent twenty-three years as a federal agent conducting complex, long- and short-term criminal investigations, including undercover operations, across many agencies at the federal level, and four years conducting multi-state investigations as a police investigator. It felt only natural to combine her hands-on experience in the field with her love of romantic suspense. Tee has lived in New York State most of her life with a five-year stop in Colorado. When not writing, Tee enjoys cooking, gardening, chocolate, lychee martinis, and all creatures canine.

Buy Link: https://teeofallon.com/perfect-vengeance/

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