This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Melinda Longtin will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Collecting seashells
Off the sands of time,
I race to Grandfather Clock.
Barter,
Burden,
Broken,
Bought.
My broken shells are gone.
The beach is empty.
I
Have
Nothing
But salt and canvas.
What new life
Can I create?
Enjoy an Excerpt
Blood is Wine
I wish I was a canary Trapped in a cage, But I’m not. That suggests elegance-Some beauty left.
But there isn’t. Reality. Hysteria.
I am in a prison. Metal rusted. Bars bent. Buried in a pit.
He turned my hands To slugs, My feet to spiders.
Drenched in his deeds, I am weighed down. Tainted by venom. All of my company Is a snake, So starving, It devoured me And itself.
Chewed and shed itself whole. The only remains In this awful pit, Are raw and honest. Bones and skins. Hollowed eyes, And bloody goblets Of wine he drinks While he chuckles Amused by his work.
About the AuthorMelinda Longtin is the founder of inspirwing, a professional development blog focused on helping people pursue their dreams. Inspired by her own recovery as a survivor of domestic abuse, Metaphoria started out as a private attempt to organize her emotions. However, it quickly evolved into drastic personal growth as well as her passion for assisting others. A previously published poet and successful educator, Melinda lives life to the fullest in the American Northeast with her soulmate and their cat. Chase your dreams too.
Join Us for this Tour from February 10 - February 28!
BOOK DETAILS:
Book Title: All's Well in Jingle Valley (A Happily Ever After Series Book 3) by Martha Reynolds Category: AdultFiction (18+) Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance Publisher: Martha Reynolds Release date: October 2019 Tour dates: February 10 to February 28, 2020 Content Rating: PG + M: I use this rating because there
may be a little profanity (although I tend not to be explicit - there
might be a 'shit' in there somewhere). Adults being adults, a hint at
adultery, but nothing explicit in language or with sexual content.
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
It's been three years since Julie Tate and her business partner Freddy
saved the farm at Jingle Valley and set up their boutique wedding
business. After much hard work, and some challenging clients, it finally
looks like they're well on their way to success. Newly single, Julie's
trying not to envy the happiness enjoyed by her wedding clients. But
it's difficult to keep her mind on the job when her days are filled with
other people's romances. And when a door she thought was closed appears
to open again, her confusion deepens.
Second-chance couple April and Bill clearly adore each other, and they
love the idea of getting married at Jingle Valley. But with each
bringing complicated histories to their relationship, will their pasts
interfere with them tying the knot?
As autumn softens into winter at the beautiful Massachusetts farm, Julie
resolves to do everything she can to ensure a happy ending for her
clients. But despite her best efforts, will there be fewer weddings than
planned at Jingle Valley this year? Or could there be more?
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Martha Reynolds was raised in Rhode Island, spent a
year of college in Switzerland, and is always planning a return visit.
She completed an accomplished career as a fraud investigator and decided
it was time to do something she really liked.
She now writes full-time and has set a personal goal of releasing a book
a year until she dies. Her writing has appeared in Magnificat magazine
and her very short poem was read by journalist Connie Schultz during
NPR's Tell Me More poetry challenge.
Her novel VILLA DEL SOL won the 2018 Book Award in Literary Fiction by the Independent Publishers of New England.
What did she think? Caitlyn held her breath. Every nerve ending in her body readied for command of either fight or flight. She inhaled through her nose and caught a whiff of recently cleaned carpet and woodsy cologne. From her peripheral vision, she surveyed the gleaming baby grand piano.
After discovering the elevator in the faux smokestack on the top deck, she boarded and rode up one floor. The elevator opened to another elegantly appointed Art Deco vestibule and an open doorway. Not spotting any off-limits signs, she entered the room and spotted the piano. Resistance to the beautiful instrument was futile. At her sides, she twitched her fingers against her thighs, remembering the delicate touch of the keys and the momentary balm for her nerves. His invitation was her nightmare. Clasping his hands behind his back, Greg leaned closer. She couldn’t reply through her thick throat. He wanted her opinion? Crazy sprung to Caitlyn’s mind and quick on the heels came terror. The idea of a private room tempted her. If she was a member of crew, could she add Steph to the manifest? Could her sister fly to one of the upcoming ports and join her for at least a few days of the trip? She pressed her tongue against the roof of her mouth and stilled her agreement. An itch tickled her palms, and she rubbed the clammy hands against her pants. The mere idea of performing for a crowd caused physical stress. If she sat behind a piano as the headliner, she’d black out from fright. She hadn’t played for anyone besides family since her fingers slipped off the keys in front of an audience of one hundred and fifty at the Poduch Concert Hall in Milwaukee.
About the Author
I write contemporary romance novels filled with heart and hope. I believe love and laughter can change lives and every story needs a happily ever after.
Check out my blog for updates on my current projects. My published stories are listed by series name on the menu at the top.
"Steps up several
levels into an exciting category all its own. It's thriller, cold case,
mystery suspense, and police procedural, all rolled into one exciting
novel. Set amidst the political drama that comes with Washington DC and
the Pentagon, a current multiple murder becomes a search years in the
past. With a young, hot lieutenant assigned to NCIS, and his beautiful
new wife, you have all the makings of a bestseller. Nicely done, Ms.
Carr!" - Review by Merry Citarella, Mystery Suspense Reviews
The Latest Best-Selling Thorny Rose Mystery Available Now!
Get Your Copy Today!
Join us for this tour from Jan 20to Feb 28, 2020!
Book Details:
Book Title: The Nutcracker Conspiracy(A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 388 pages Genre: Mystery Publisher: Acorn Book Services Release date: January 30, 2020 Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries,
so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on
stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some
mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the
United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two
dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after
numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue
that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every
federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander
Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up
at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to
bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest
work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist
who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:
"The plot was original, fresh and fast paced in spite of the
"traditional elements" employed which can normally be found in any other
thriller of this genre. The USP of this story would be its
unpredictability. When you think you have it all guessed up, the plot
would change its course keeping you hooked. There were a lot of suspense
twists and turns that kept the momentum up. Needless to say, the
writing was simply perfect. One thing that writer needs to be lauded for
is the humor she inculcated in the book. Minus those humorous parts,
the book would have been one serious read." - Reviewer: Book and Ink
Book Description:
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered
in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions
surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers
together only to be killed.
Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton,
USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims,
then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the
victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron
Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a
Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night
shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in
Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift
through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the
Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning
killer?
"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their
lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the
answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental
Book Description:
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton
are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in
their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle
of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep
secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out
at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her
latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may
have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the
winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims,
Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker,
a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a
community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an
end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to
escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and
love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into
the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
Book Description:
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica
Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night.
The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a
couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned
by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and
business.
When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose
detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to
discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
Lauren Carr is the international
best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson
Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across
three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike
rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include
mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and
humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also
the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead
Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German
Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Recently, a book blogger sent an email which read, “Lauren, you have been averaging two to three murder mysteries a year—all of them best-sellers! This year, you have released three books. Do you ever get writer’s book?
Actually, I have had writer’s block while writing my third book. Between drafts of It’s Murder, My Son, the first Mac Faraday Mystery, I spent a year staring at my laptop. I was completely frozen.
At that time, I had left my publisher because they did not have a paperback division. It is very hard to sell a $26 hardback when you’re an unknown. Ebooks were still being discovered back in 2010. Getting rejection after rejection, my search for a publisher specializing in mass paperbacks was going nowhere.
After a full year of staring at my laptop, I threw up my hands and walked away. I actually announced to my family that I was giving up writing for good. I spent the next month doing volunteer work, going to lunch, and working out at the gym.
Suddenly, I was back at the laptop rewriting It’s Murder, My Son. Notably, this draft included the beloved canine character of Gnarly (my most popular character), who had not been included in the previous drafts.
Of course, my family reminded me that I had said I was giving up writing for good, to which I responded that I was going to return to writing, but this time, I was going to self-publish. If my books sold—fine. If not, that was okay because I was going to write what I wanted to write and for no one else.
Ironically, a month later I received an offer from a traditional publisher. I turned them down. It’s Murder, My Son made it to #1 in mysteries on Amazon.
Since that time, I have never had any trouble writing—except for that time Gnarly drooled all over my laptop and it shorted out. As a matter of fact, I literally finish one book and go right into the next one. Last week, Killer Deadline, my first installment in the Nikki Bryant Cozy Mysteries, was released and I am already a quarter of the way through the first draft of Came Upon a Midnight Murder, the next Mac Faraday Mystery. Mentally, I’m already working on the plot for the next Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery. That’s the Geezer Squad, in case you don’t know.
What was the secret to getting over writer’s block?
American poet William Stafford offers this advice to poets who suffer from Writer's Block: "There is no such thing as writer's block for writers whose standards are low enough."
This sounds terrible at first. "What? I'm supposed to write junk? I need to write the great American Novel! I'm better than that!" No, Stafford is not encouraging writers to produce garbage. He is suggesting, however, that it's easy to take yourself too seriously.
When I walked away, when I stopped trying to impress literary agents and publishers and decided to write what I want for myself, my writer’s block went away, and I am now the happiest writer in the world.
Now, almost thirty books later, I am still writing for myself. Yes, I do check out reviews and I love to read emails from readers about how they love Gnarly and how much they enjoy Nikki Bryant, or asking what is next for Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad.
When that rare reader takes offense by a certain turn I have taken in a plot or how they perceived a certain character, or an unintended message written between the lines, I may listen to their opinion, but in the end I make the final decision based on what I want to write, because—
I write for myself.
When teaching a class about writing, I open and close with a warning to the writers not to give into the temptation to rewrite the latest best seller in hopes of cashing in on the latest trend—like all those zombie books that have hit the market in the last few years.
As tempting as it may be, even if you self-publish, then once again, you find yourself writing for someone other than yourself—stretching and straining to meet someone else’s standards.
The truth is … gradually readers have been discovering the previously undiscovered treasures produced by independent authors. It’s a huge library in cyberspace. So, even when an author’s writings don’t meet the desires of the most popular marketing demographic, he or she can still find a niche audience who will appreciate his or her story on his or her own terms.
Believe me, it is much more fun writing what you want and love to write.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy is the fourth and latest installment to Lauren Carr’s Thorny Rose Mysteries. I have read the previous books in the series and this one does not disappoint. It is by far my favorite of the series. I love how Miss Carr is able to throw in humor in addition to her murder mysteries. I love trying to figure out “who done it” and every time, she throws me off. I hardly every predict how it all ends. That is what is so great about her books. She is so clever coming up with these mysteries.
The Nutcracker Conspiracy catches up the perfect couple and investigative team, Murphy and Jessie. Murphy starts investigating the cold case murder of the Vice President’s wife. Witnesses of the murder have, also, have died mysteriously. Murphy teams up with Dean, a writer, to find out the truth behind these deaths before more become victims. There were so many twists and turns within the pages that I would never had seen coming. Mixed in the suspense, there were some sprinkles of humor that kept me reading. I had no problem to continue reading from front to back in one sitting. It is so very good.
I am giving The Nutcracker Conspiracy a very well deserved five plus stars. I am hoping there will be another release from the Thorny Rose Mysteries in the near future. I am ready to give up these fun characters. I highly recommend this one for readers who enjoy a good suspense filled cozy mystery.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
No Chance Meeting (No Chance Love #1) By Jaye Elliot
Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 393 Pages
February 11th 2020 by Living Sword Publishing
Alex Jennings is done with life. After losing her brother in Afghanistan, everything has collapsed around her. Getting laid off from her day job and failing in her art career, she has nowhere left to turn. She once had faith to believe that all things would work together for good, but that faith died with her brother. Now she just wants the pain to end.
Riley Conrad served thirteen years in the military until three bullets sent him home. After a year and a half of physical therapy and scraping together a living, all he wants is to live a simple life and perhaps even open the coffee shop he dreams about. However, the weight of failing his parents’ expectations doesn’t make it easy, and working as a bartender isn’t getting him anywhere fast.
Could a “chance” meeting between Alex and Riley set them both on the path God always intended?
Had Alex received the text two weeks ago, she would have ignored it for a few days, hoping Mindy just thought she was busy and forgot to call. She tapped on Mindy’s name to bring up her contact information and stared at the call button. She would have to be honest about how she had been lately. Mindy would know just by her voice if she tried to conceal her struggles. Did she really want to delve into it? However, today had become about making things right. She hit call. The phone rang twice before Mindy’s voice filled her ear.
“Alex! I’m so glad you called!”
“Hey, Mindy,” she said through a smile.
“It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“Yours too.” Really, her friend’s bubbly enthusiasm was like a balm. She should never have avoided calling.
“How are you? I’ve been worried. I haven’t heard from you in ages.”
“I’m okay.” Alex paused for a moment. This would probably turn into a three-hour call. But that was okay. She needed this, hard as it might be. “Well, I’m okay right now. Things were pretty bad a couple of weeks ago.”
“What happened? Are you sure you’re okay?”
Alex nodded, even though Mindy couldn’t see her. “Yeah, I am. I lost my job at the post office.”
“Oh, Alex.” She could just imagine Mindy’s delicate face scrunching up to commiserate. “Will you be able to afford rent? I can send money. Don’t hesitate to ask. Any luck finding another job?”
Her friend’s rapid-fire questions drew a quiet laugh from Alex. “Thank you for the offer, but yes, I’m working again.”
She paused once more. So far, no one else knew about the recent developments in her life. She wasn’t exactly scared to tell Mindy about her job, but hesitancy lingered.
“So where at?” Mindy asked when her silence stretched out.
“Well, um, I’m bartending.”
One heartbeat of silence.
“Huh. Well that’s interesting.”
Alex detected the surprise in Mindy’s voice but no judgment. “It’s not quite like it sounds. I mean, the job is, but the circumstances are a little out of the ordinary.”
“Do tell,” Mindy replied, now all interest.
About the Author
Jaye Elliot is an award-winning author, country girl, and hopeless romantic at heart. She loves a good hero and will always sigh happily during the lights scene in Tangled. She writes from her home in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, which she shares with three cats she considers her kids. When not writing romance novels, she pens fantasy and adventure stories as Jaye L. Knight.
