Monday, July 14, 2025

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Mad Season: Elles Garity's Story by Gregory Armstrong

 


MAD SEASON: ELLES GARITY'S STORY

Gregory Armstrong




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GENRE:  Literary Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Fifteen years ago, Elles Garity’s world came crashing down, in more ways than one. Now in her mid-twenties, long since removed from the small island town that she grew up in and never dealing with the pain of her loss, life is calling her back home. In the affirmant of recent unfortunate events Elles finds herself at a turning point once more. This time though, she’ll be forced to confront both her unresolved grief and the people and places she left behind. It won’t be easy. Along the way Elles will learn the truth behind a new friend’s dark connection to her tragic past and be the last to uncover unthinkable family secrets that will unravel everything she ever knew about the family she thought she lost.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Now, I was questioning all of it. I didn’t deal with things well. I didn’t allow anyone to help me deal with things. My life, the road I was on, the lane I had shifted into when I took the wheel, to put it quite figuratively, looked dark and dismal. I was solely responsible for switching my life into cruise control before ever giving myself a chance to learn to drive the damn car.

 

All these things ran through my head. I didn’t speak to Loyal about any of it. Where would I start? How could she possibly understand my position? Not that I gave her a fighting chance. Time sort of stood still as I sat there frozen, empty. I started this. I made this mess. I had no fucking clue how to fix it. I closed my eyes for a while, and when I opened them, it hit me like a slap to the head. The answer was staring me in the face. Where it all went wrong is where it needed to begin again.

 

“Grace, I’m worried about you.”

 

She had never said those words to me before. Ironic, though, how it came across, how I took it—her spotting the wreckage and expressing concern to the very person who was entangled in the heap. Out of upheaval, I took solace in a clouded idea to uproot myself once more. I emerged partially from my funk, oddly enough,

 

with a wayward smile and slightly brighter outlook. I turned to Loyal, sincere. “Everyone must think I’m horrible.”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, and a Connecticut native all my life, my family eventually moved to Norwich in 1977, where I grew up. I attended and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1991. It was there, in my final two years, where I acquired a passion for writing. At the time, the school provided a writing center, a classroom filled with computers, designated as a creative writing outlet for the students, and overseen by the now accomplished author Wally Lamb. Here, we were free to use our time working on our own projects, developing, learning, and sharpening our writing skills. Each class, we would gather in a circle to show and share our work with Mr. Lamb and the rest of the class by either reading or having our material read aloud, and hearing feedback from our peers.

 

Mr. Lamb’s writing center instilled a desire in me to one day write a book and become an author, just as he was doing, putting the final touches on his debut novel, She’s Come Undone. Unfortunately, for me, that is when that dream of mine became a struggle that would last decades. At the age of three, I contracted meningitis, which caused me to go completely blind and left me hospitalized for several weeks. Despite doctors believing my vision would never return, it did, slowly and to a certain degree, although my optic nerve had sustained too much damage and I was declared legally blind.

 

Growing up was a struggle. Socially, I was quiet, shy, uncomfortable knowing I was different from all of the other kids, because of my physical limitations and lack in self-confidence. Reading was also a challenge. Even though I soon got my first pair of glasses, which made my vision clearer, being able to see the print on a page was still a major issue. For those reasons, I have never been much of a reader, and how does someone who doesn’t read, who doesn’t study the art of literature through books, because it was a strenuous activity on my eyes, learn how to write?

 

The fact that I found myself stuck, without the necessary tools and unsure of my own talents and abilities to be a quality writer, all the other insecurities of my childhood at play, I gave it up for a time. My active imagination for storytelling did not. As I got older, and into my teenage years I started listening to more music to fill a void. The more I listened, the more I began to broaden my tastes in artists, groups and genres, and the more I heard stories in the songs. Music, along with television and movies, were combining to strengthen my inspiration to be an aspiring author.

 

One such movie, which mirrored many of my own self-imposed hurdles, was Eddie and the Cruisers. The character of Eddie Wilson, lead singer of a fictional rock and roll band, was consumed by the notion that his music was never good enough, that if they were going to be a band, they had to be great, if they were going to release an album, it had to be great as well. I had obviously grown-up learning and hearing about the great authors and novelists of all time, the great classic books. I had always put that pressure on myself, the same way Eddie Wilson did. I was convinced that I didn’t know how to write, and even if I did, would it be good enough? I had been told, taught by teachers and others, that there were rules to the writing game, including creating a story outline, character development, a whole assortment of proper steps to follow and processes before the writing even began.

 

Over the years, I started a novel a time or two, hating it, and giving up again. I met my future wife, got married, started a family, and quit my average job to become a stay-at-home dad. Through all of it, thirty-plus years, that ever-present need to write gnawing at me, the urge still there, my vivid imagination still running wild—I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I had to let that creativity out and give it a real and focused purpose. With the rough idea of a plot in mind, I sat down at the computer and finally let all of those insecurities go. With a shot of determination and a relaxed mind, I slowly but surely discovered my own writing style, and found my storytelling voice. To hell with all the rules, the unrealistic expectations I placed upon myself, the result—a deeply, emotionally charged story of tragedy, personal reflection, and redemption, that is Mad Season.

 

https://gregoryarmstrongbooks.com

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61561749654997

 

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GIVEAWAY:

 

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

 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, July 11, 2025

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Living Scriptures+ Summer Deal

 


Streaming with purpose for 50 years and counting

Living Scriptures+ vividly brings God's Words to life through a safe & fun channel growing faith and inspiring hearts. 


Living Scriptures+ is a faith-based streaming platform offering a rich and growing library of wholesome, inspiring entertainment for all ages. With over 5,000 titles and new content added weekly, it’s designed to uplift families through storytelling that aligns with eternal values. Whether you're looking for meaningful content for kids, teens, or adults, Living Scriptures+ brings together animated favorites, original productions, documentaries, and family films— all carefully selected to promote integrity, compassion, courage, and faith.


A 50-Year Legacy of Uplifting Media 

With roots dating back to 1974, Living Scriptures has spent five decades creating and curating content that strengthens families through meaningful storytelling. 


Streaming You Can Trust 

Living Scriptures+ offers a safe, uplifting streaming experience centered on timeless values like faith, family, integrity, and compassion. 


Over 5,000 Titles and Growing 

From animated stories for kids to inspiring films for adults, the platform adds new content weekly to meet the needs of all ages. 


Perfect for Family Movie Night 

Living Scriptures+ makes it easy to enjoy meaningful screen time together, with wholesome options you can trust every family member will love. 


Exclusive Originals You Can’t Watch Anywhere Else 

LS+ is now producing its own original short films, giving creators a platform to share powerful, purpose driven stories. 


Animated Classics That Teach Core Values 

Kids can enjoy engaging animation while learning important lessons about kindness, honesty, courage, and faith. 


Living Scriptures+ is a faith-based streaming platform offering a rich and growing library of wholesome, inspiring entertainment for all ages. With over 5,000 titles and new content added weekly, it’s designed to uplift families through storytelling that aligns with eternal values. Whether you're looking for meaningful content for kids, teens, or adults, Living Scriptures+ brings together animated favorites, original productions, documentaries, and family films—all carefully selected to promote integrity, compassion, courage, and faith.

Sign up for Living Scriptures+ and take advantage of their summer deal today! If you’re a new subscriber, you’ll get your first 2 months for only $0.99/month!






My Review:


It is always a struggle to find streaming services that are perfect for my family. It's not easy to find something that is appropriate for my kids to watch without worrying about what they are viewing. I was honestly skeptical about what would be provided on Living Scriptures+ at first. I was surprised and excited to find so many shows and movies that we can all watch together. I was not expecting the amount that is available to us. There is a huge variety of animations, comedies, historicals, dramas, etc available. I have a growing number of them on my wish list right now and plan on viewing them on our weekly family movie nights. It is nice to find a streaming service that will cleanly entertain and inspire my family. I am giving Living Scriptures+ five stars. I highly recommend it.

I received a short term subscription to preview Living Scriptures+ streaming service, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.  


Disclosure:

Many thanks to Living Scriptures+ for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.


Giveaway: 


$10 Amazon giftcard AND 3-month subscription to Living Scriptures+

Leave a more than a three word completed sentence telling me what content you are most excited about with Living Scriptures+. Don’t forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win. Winner’s name will be drawn on July 16, 2025.



Giveaway Rules:   

Giveaway is limited to US winners only.        

Three or less word comments will be deleted and will not be entered into the giveaway.

Chosen winner/s will be contacted by email to verify information needed to give to the appropriate channels to get the prize to you. 

Winner/s MUST reply to this email within 24 hours

If no response, a new winner’s name will be drawn and you forfeit the prize.

Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible for lack of response from the chosen winner. 

Winners from previous Momentum campaigns within 90 days will be disqualified. 

Please note: Locks, Hooks and Books is NOT responsible in sending the prize.

Thursday, July 10, 2025

Book Tour and Giveaway: Big Sisters by Gordon Jensen

 


Book Details:
Book Title:  Big Sisters by Gordon Jensen
Category: Children's Non-Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre:  Children's Non-Fiction 
Publisher:  Printopya
Release date:  November 2024
Content Rating:  G - The book is about the special relationship between sisters. ​
Book Description:

Winner of the Independent Book Award for the Novelty & Gift category and the Purple Dragonfly Honorable Mention for the Children's Non-Fiction, Growing Pains, Picture Book - 5 Years and Younger, and Poetry categories, Big Sisters is a beautifully illustrated book that discusses the unique nature of the relationship between sisters.
Buy the Book
 Amazon 
add to Goodreads
Meet the Author:

Gordon Jensen holds an MBA from University of Rochester, New York, Simon School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working in finance In New York for several years, Jensen went back to Minnesota to run the family business. He retired after selling the the business and is now fulfilling a number of life-long dreams, including writing a novel series.
Enter the Giveaway:
BIG SISTERS Book Tour Giveaway


My Review:
Big Sisters is a sweet book about the special bond between sisters by the talented Gordon Jensen. It starts off with the beginning of the oldest and when the youngest comes along - from the mothers tummy to birth. From there the relationship continues to grow into mature adulthood. I thought it was heartwarming to see the unconditional love shown. I loved the rhyming lines that made me smile and, at times, laugh out loud. Even though, I do not have an older or younger sister myself, I still enjoyed it very much. An overall, charming and entertaining book to read.


I loved the illustrations all throughout Big Sisters. The pictures follow along with the printed words on the pages and were visually appealing. I thought they were perfect to add to the book and helpful for the youngest of readers to hold their attention.


I highly recommend Big Sisters for readers between the ages of three and eight years of age, particularly for those who are a bigger sister, or anticipating the arrival of a younger one soon. I believe it would make a great placement on shelves of public libraries, elementary school classrooms, and even at a pediatrician's waiting room. I would love to read more books like this one from Gordon Jensen in the future.


I received a hard cover copy of Gordon Jensen's Big Sisters from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion. 



Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Not Lucille by Mike Steele

 


NOT LUCILLE

Mike Steele



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GENRE:  Middle Grade Historical

 

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BLURB:

 

Ten-year-old Lucy Contento can't help but be seen and heard. And she's always in trouble for it. She talks too much. She's impulsive. She writes with the wrong hand. Her parents would be mad enough knowing she routinely earns afterschool detentions. They'd be furious if they found out she's been sneaking onto the campus of the nearby Trenton Academy for the Deaf. But there, Lucy has met Florence, a lonely and profoundly deaf girl her own age. Florence doesn't mind Lucy's flaws. Though Florence can't speak, she has a unique way of communicating. If Lucy can figure out how to learn Florence's special language, the two could be friends.

 

Lucy devises a plan, but it's going to cost a whopping $7.98-more money than she's got. She can't tell her parents why she wants the funds without revealing she's been visiting Florence. Besides, her parents don't have a penny to spare. Her father has been out of work for months. And nobody else in the Contento family has an income. Or do they ...? Lucy soon discovers she's not the only member of her family hiding something. Can she get the money she needs while keeping everyone's secrets? Or will her scheming land her in the biggest trouble of her life?

 

In this story of friendship and belonging, a young girl navigates prejudice, punishment, and identity while establishing her voice in a world that often tries to keep her silent.

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“Lucy! Lucy, Lucy! Oh, no, no, no!” Her best friend, Ann Salvatore, burst through the back of the crowd and barreled down the walkway toward her. Ann was normally thrilled to have a chance to wear her green party dress with puffed sleeves. This morning, however, she looked panicked, like she’d witnessed some horrible accident. “No, no, no, no, no!” Sweat pooled on her cheeks as she contorted her face in agony.

 

“What’s wrong?” Lucy suddenly feared the worst. “Don’t tell me the fifth graders got moved down to the fourth floor.”

 

“Worse than that. We’re in Miss Gillingham’s class.”

 

It wasn’t worse, but it wasn’t good news. Miss Gillingham had a reputation for being the strictest teacher at Robbins Elementary, the type to stand in the hall before and after class so she could yell at troublemakers who weren’t even on her roster. Miss Gillingham always taught sixth grade, though. Lucy hadn’t expected the teacher would be a concern for another year.

 

“She’s on the fifth-grade list,” Ann explained. “Classroom 5A. We’re both in it. She’s going to torture us.”

 

Lucy rolled her eyes, something she found herself doing often around her best friend. Ann seemed to feel emotions in extremes. She was either ecstatic or devastated, laughing or sobbing, rarely anything in between. Miss Gillingham may not have been Lucy’s top-choice teacher, but she couldn’t be that bad, not bad enough to torture students.

 

“She’s awful to the good kids,” Ann said. “Imagine what you’re in for.”

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Mike Steele is an elementary school librarian and former fourth and fifth grade classroom teacher. He has eight plays that are published and licensed for production in the school play market. Not Lucille is his debut middle-grade novel. Whether writing plays or novels, he enjoys creating characters and situations that make kids laugh. In his spare time, he likes to attend plays and musicals, create mixed-media artwork, and win prizes from claw machines. He lives at the Jersey Shore with his rescue tabby cats, Karen and Sox. If you spot him in the wild, he usually has a bubble tea in one of his hands.

 


Facebook link:  http://www.facebook.com/msteelewrites

Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/msteelewrites/

Website link: http://www.mikesteeleonline.com

Buy Link : https://books2read.com/u/4Arye0

 

 

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GIVEAWAY:


Mike Steele will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Spotlight and Giveaway: Capturing You by Robin Patchen

 

About the Book



Book: Capturing You

Author: Robin Patchen

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

Release Date: June 24, 2025

In a town shrouded by secrets, a photographer and the reclusive heir of the Ballentine fortune join forces to unravel a deadly conspiracy.

Brooklynn Wright must win a photography contest to save her gallery, and the perfect sunrise shot at a remote inlet north of town is her best hope. But when she witnesses a smuggling operation at a hidden dock and is chased by armed men, her dreams of artistic glory become a nightmare flight for survival. Rescued by a mysterious stranger, Brooklynn is forced to take refuge with him in an abandoned mansion the townspeople claim is cursed—afraid to trust her grumpy protector but with no other choice.

Billionaire Forbes Ballentine returned to Shadow Cove for answers, not distractions. Haunted by the unsolved murder of his family twenty years ago, he’s spent his life in the shadows, hunting for the truth. He believes the network Brooklynn stumbled upon is tied to his family’s deaths, but protecting the cheerful photographer means jeopardizing the investigation he’s been chasing for decades. Especially when her presence stirs feelings he’s not prepared to face.

As Brooklynn and Forbes grow closer, so do the network’s ruthless enforcers. With everyone in town hiding something, they must navigate lies, betrayal, and deadly truths. When the network closes in, they’ll have to trust each other completely—or lose everything.

Dive into this gripping romantic suspense full of mystery, secrets, and danger, where two broken souls must uncover the truth while battling the enemies outside—and the wounds within.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Robin Patchen is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of Christian romantic suspense. She grew up in a small town in New Hampshire, the setting of her Coventry Saga books, and then headed to Boston to earn a journalism degree. Working in marketing, she discovered how much she loathed the nine-to-five ball and chain. After relocating to the Southwest, she started writing her first novel while homeschooling her three children. The novel was dreadful, but her passion for storytelling didn’t wane. Thankfully, as her children grew, so did her writing ability. Now that her kids are adults, she has more time to play with the lives of fictional heroes and heroines, wreaking havoc and working magic to give her characters happy endings. When she’s not writing, she’s editing or reading, proving that most of her life revolves around the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. Visit robinpatchen.com/subscribe to receive a free book and stay informed about Robin’s latest projects.


More from Robin

A Mansion on the Maine Coast: The Perfect Setting for Capturing You

There’s something about old mansions that gets my imagination racing. Maybe it’s the grandeur, or the hint that secrets hide behind their towering windows. Or maybe it’s knowing that, once upon a time, entire lives were lived there.

When I first envisioned Capturing You, I knew the story needed a setting as breathtaking—and as mysterious—as the characters themselves. So I plucked inspiration from my visits to the coast of New Hampshire. I can’t help but admire the stunning mansions overlooking the Atlantic between Hampton Beach—a touristy strip filled with arcades and restaurants—and Rye, a quiet coastal community. I love to imagine the lives lived inside those walls and the histories written into their very foundations.

Naturally, when it came time to write Brooklynn and Forbes’s story, I borrowed from those daydreams.

In Capturing You, the eighteenth-century cliffside mansion functions as more than just a setting. It’s a character in its own right. Crumbling a bit with age, it stands guard over a small, secluded cove on the coast of Maine. The old home is a place of secret hiding places, bittersweet memories, and…because, you know, it’s a Robin Patchen novel…more than its share of danger. The Ballentine Mansion is the perfect backdrop for a story about a photographer who accidentally stumbles onto something she shouldn’t have seen—and a brooding recluse determined to keep her safe.

In the story, I hope you hear the waves pounding against the rocky shore, smell the salt in the air, and feel the ancient wood floors creaking beneath your feet. I hope you’ll find wonder in the whimsical spaces created by the original architect. And I hope you’ll experience nostalgia in a home that hasn’t had a family fill its halls with laughter in a generation.

Step right into that world with me—a world of danger and romance, courage and redemption, all wrapped up in a mansion that’s seen more than its share of joy and heartache. And maybe a little healing too.

I can’t wait for you to explore all its secrets with Brooklynn and Forbes.

Capturing You is available now. Immerse yourself in a fascinating mansion—and a suspenseful romance that’ll keep you reading all night long.

Blog Stops


Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Robin is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Protecting You!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54253

Monday, July 7, 2025

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Angel from the East by Barbara A Curtis



About the Book



Book: Angel from the East

Author: Barbara A. Curtis

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 24, 2025

His path to redemption lies in the hands of the citified newcomer who believes the worst of him.

Caleb Morgan has had everything stolen from him—his strength, the job he loved, even his good name. He’s determined to even the score with the man responsible, until he meets the captivating new owner of the Double E Ranch. Though he’s drawn to her compassion, he fears she may never see beyond his supposed wrongdoings, unless he can prove his innocence and reclaim his honor.

Eliza Roberts is a teacher, not a rancher. But if she has any hope of selling the ranch she inherited from her grandfather and continuing on to her new life in California, she needs to restore it to some semblance of order. If only the man her grandfather advised her to trust wasn’t refusing to help her.

When an offer of courtship arises from the current foreman, Eliza sees the practicality in the offer. So why does her heart keep wandering back to Caleb? And why can’t she shake the feeling that something’s not right at the Double E Ranch? Will she have the courage to follow the clues behind the strange mishaps at the Double E—and possibly embrace a different life than she imagined?

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Barbara A. Curtis lives in Connecticut with her husband, and they have one grown son, a blessing to their hearts. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and NovelAcademy.

 

 

 




 

More from Barbara

Though Elizabeth Rose Roberts, the matriarch of the Double E Ranch, has passed before the Blooms of the Bitterbrush series begins, each story reflects the legacy she left for the generations to come. May the journey of these four descendants be an encouragement to your heart as you follow the struggles, love, and joy of Elizabeth’s family through the years.

In Angel from the East, Nellie loves baking pies and had a special request from one of the little Billings girls.

“I love pie! I hope it’s pum-kin tomorrow!” Virginia shouted.

Hopefully, Nellie had prior experience making a pumpkin pie or possessed a later recipe with detailed instructions, as this early recipe from an 1876 cookbook might not have helped much:

Peel and cut your pumpkin into small pieces and put into a kettle with a very little water; cook from six to eight hours, stirring frequently to prevent burning. When done, rub through a colander. One quart of pumpkin, five pints of rich milk, four eggs, three cups of sugar, one scant teaspoon of ginger and 4 tsp of cinnamon.

I hope you enjoy the stories—and perhaps a piece of pumpkin pie to go with them!

Blessings!

Barbara

Blog Stops

lakesidelivingsite, June 28

Devoted To Hope, June 29

Vicky Sluiter, June 30

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 2

Pause for Tales, July 2

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, July 3

Book Looks by Lisa, July 3

Simple Harvest Reads, July 4 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 5

For Him and My Family, July 6

Cover Lover Book Review, July 7

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, July 8

Texas Book-aholic, July 9

Stories By Gina, July 10 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 10

Holly’s Book Corner, July 11

Giveaway



To celebrate her tour, Barbara is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54250

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Spotlight and Giveaway: Flight of Fate (The Clockwork Chronicles Book Two) by Tricia Goyer & Nathan Goyer



About the Book



Book: Flight of Fate (The Clockwork Chronicles Book Two)

Authors: Tricia Goyer & Nathan Goyer

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction with a Steampunk Twist

Release Date: June 10, 2025

When destined for destruction, fate must be challenged.

Curator Dante Ramono must remove the priceless Farnese Cup from its hidden vault in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli to protect it from Allied bombing. A swift betrayal places the cup in Nazi hands, but not before it reveals its mystical powers. To recover the cup, Dante must join forces with cunning Theodora. Can he trust her, or will he be deceived once more?

In Prague, KateÅ™ina Dubová works to care for the Jews she’s hidden. In her hour of greatest need, her trusted friend, Josef, has seemingly vanished. Danger closes in, yet an unseen protector steps in again and again. Could it be Josef, hidden in the shadows?

The clock is ticking. Is the future set in stone, or can courage and faith change history? Together, these four unlikely guardians must defy the odds to stop the Germans’ dark ambitions or risk their very souls.

Betrayal, sacrifice, and destiny collide as unlikely heroes race to save a world at war from the power of a mystical relic.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Authors

Tricia Goyer is a celebrated writer, speaker, and co-host of the Daily Bible Podcast. Author of 80 books, Tricia has won four Golden Scrolls, two Carols, and a Christian Book Award. In addition to Christy and Gold Medallion nominations, her book sales exceed 4 million copies. Tricia is a highly sought-after conference speaker, sharing on writing, parenting, and purposeful living. Tricia’s most recent work, The Clockwork Chronicles, is a historical steampunk fantasy trilogy co-authored with her son, Nathan Goyer.

Nathan Goyer is an upstart designer and science fiction author who has been writing since he was young. He has written the novel Bask: City of Shadows and solo-developed the mobile RPG game Heedless, which has surpassed 30,000 downloads. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas Little Rock, he is now pushing forward with new endeavors, starting with his latest series, The Clockwork Chronicles, co-authored with his mother, Tricia Goyer.

More from Tricia and Nathan

Mafia in World War II? This One Fact Changed the Plot of Our Book

By Tricia Goyer and Nathan Goyer

Some discoveries in research are expected. You dig, and you find what you’re looking for. Others? Well, they blindside you. Sort of like a speeding Vespa on a crowded Italian street.

That’s what happened when Nathan and I were deep in research for Flight of Fate. I was already thrilled about weaving real history into our novel—especially the story of the Naples Museum during World War II and the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. (Yes, the very volcano that buried Pompeii in AD 79.) Turns out, this volcano wasn’t done causing trouble.) But what I didn’t expect was how one innocent question would change our entire book.

The Question That Changed Everything

I had been gathering all sorts of juicy details from my online friend Raffael Romano. Raffaele is an expert on Naples history, and he runs his own tour company. (If you ever want to explore Italy without leaving your couch, check out Naples Grand Tour—you won’t regret it!)

After an information-packed interview, I asked, “So, is there anything we didn’t ask about that we should?”

Raffaele paused. Then, as casually as if he were offering me an extra scoop of gelato, he said:

“You haven’t asked about the mafia.”

Excuse me, what?!

Yes, the Mafia Had a Secret Role in WWII

Up until that moment, I had been focused on mystical artifacts, Nazi theft, stolen artwork, and volcanic chaos. But suddenly, my brain was spinning in a whole new direction.

Because, yes—while American and British forces were battling the Axis in Italy, there was another power at play in the shadows.

The Sicilian Mafia (known as Cosa Nostra) had been suppressed under Mussolini’s fascist rule in the 1920s and ’30s. However, when Allied forces invaded Sicily in 1943, something surprising happened: the Mafia made a comeback. And not just any comeback—a strategic, calculated one.

The U.S. military, scrambling for allies on the ground, reportedly turned to some rather unusual sources for help. Enter Mafia boss Charles “Lucky” Luciano—yes, the American Mafia kingpin, who was conveniently in a New York prison at the time. In exchange for some leniency, he allegedly used his underworld connections to help Allied intelligence secure Sicily.

Meanwhile, in Naples—where part of our story takes place—the Mafia was alive and well. And they weren’t just smuggling black-market goods or running gambling rings—they were also influencing who had control of their country. (Hint: the Germans may got the boot outta the Boot!)

And Just Like That, A Different Story Emerged!

With this new information, our fictional world suddenly cracked wide open. How could we tie the Mafia into the world of ancient legends and steampunk warfare? Are they good? Evil? Somewhere in-between? We could twist those scenarios into tales of sacrifice and duty we had already explored in Breath of Bones. There were lots of directions we could go, and boy did we go!

This is Why We Love History

This is what we love about writing historical fiction. It’s like stepping into a time machine and realizing that real history is so much bigger than we imagined. Stories we think we know—like the Allied liberation of Italy—have so many hidden layers. Layers of ordinary people making impossible choices. Layers of forgotten heroes … and unexpected villains.

And, sometimes, layers of the Mafia.

So, the next time you watch a WWII movie and wonder, could the Mafia really have played a role in this?—the answer might just be yes. (And don’t worry. We’re not giving away too much of the plot by sharing this!)

Now, I’m curious—have you ever learned a historical fact that completely surprised you? Drop a comment, and let’s chat! And if you love history as much as I do, be sure to check out Naples Grand Tour for a deep dive into Italy’s incredible past! Tell Raffelo that Nathan and I send you and said, “Chao!” Also, be sure to check out Book One, Breath of Bones!

Blog Stops

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, June 30

Simple Harvest Reads, July 1 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, July 1

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 2

Texas Book-aholic, July 3

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 4 (Spotlight)

For Him and My Family, July 5

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 6

The Lofty Pages, July 7

Blossoms and Blessings, July 8

Book Looks by Lisa, July 9

Artistic Nobody, July 10 (Author Interview)

Wishful Endings, July 10

Lily’s Corner, July 11

Bizwings Book Blog, July 12

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 13

Giveaway



To celebrate their tour, Nathan and Tricia are giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of Breath of Bones and Flight of Fate!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54251