Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Excerpt Tour and Giveaway: The Salty Rose by Beth M Caruso

The Salty Rose

by Beth M. Caruso

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GENRE: Historical Fiction

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BLURB:

Marie du Trieux, a tavern keeper with a salty tongue and a heart of gold, struggles as she navigates love and loss, Native wars, and possible banishment by authorities in the unruly trading port of New Amsterdam, an outpost of the Dutch West India Company.

In New England, John Tinker, merchant and assistant to a renowned alchemist and eventual leader of Connecticut Colony, must come to terms with a family tragedy of dark proportions, all the while supporting his mentor’s secret quest to find the Northwest Passage, a desired trading route purported to mystically unite the East with the West.

As the lives of Marie and John become intertwined through friendship and trade, a search for justice of a Dutch woman accused of witchcraft in Hartford puts them on a collision course affecting not only their own destinies but also the fate of colonial America.

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EXCERPT:

Chapter 5

“Help me to understand,” said Tinker. “Are you saying that finding the Passage, a trading route to connect the East to the West, has a much deeper meaning? That it will also bring with it the spiritual goals of the Rosy Cross to bring unity and peace? To foreshadow the ultimate spiritual purification by finding the Philosopher’s Stone? To bring total transformation to the world?” asked Tinker in awe.

“Aye, ‘tis that important. For our part of it, we must focus on the location of our endeavor. A settlement at Pequot as the location of our alchemical center is vital to our work. It is closest to New Amsterdam at the boundary of English colonial territory on the edge of a great eastern sea. It is to the west of it and closer to New Amsterdam that we may discover the great sea to the west that will ultimately lead to the Northwest Passage. Eventually, the Dutch land must give way to the English who are more suited to do this great spiritual work,” pronounced Winthrop.

“But it must not be left to just any Englishman, sir. This you know. It must be done peacefully and in secret with the cooperation of the Natives and the peaceful surrender of Dutch lands along the North River— Hudson’s River. This is possible but only through alchemical means. You must accomplish this worthy aim, sir. Howes is correct,” Tinker said.

He paused, looking Winthrop in the eye.

“Only you, ‘the Sagamore of Agawam’ as Howes calls you, can do this. You must lead this important endeavor that will ultimately bring light and peace to the world. It will be the decisive transmutation of the world. Below to be as is the world Above. And as a result, the Philosopher’s Stone will be found, and all will be ready for the spiritual coming of Christ. We shall also prosper, and the entire world will benefit for the increased trade and riches of the Orient,” Tinker emphasized.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Award-winning author, Beth M. Caruso, is passionate to discover and convey important and interesting stories of women from earlier times. She recently won the literary prize in Genre Fiction (2020) from IPNE (Independent Publishers of New England) for her most recent novel The Salty Rose: Alchemists, Witches & A Tapper In New Amsterdam (2019). The Salty Rose is Beth’s second historical novel and explores alchemy in early colonial times, an insider’s view of the takeover of the Dutch colony of New Netherland, and the Hartford Witch Panic with information she gathered from previous and ongoing research. Beth’s first historical novel is One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America’s First Witch Hanging (2015), a novel that tells the tale of Alice ‘Alse’ Young and the beginnings of the colonial witch trials. She based the story on original research she did by exploring early primary sources such as early Windsor land records, vital statistics, and other documents. She lives in Connecticut with her family. Beth kayaks and gardens to unwind.

Website: www.oneofwindsor.com

Email: oneofwindsor@yahoo.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/oneofwindsor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bethmcaruso/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Salty-Rose-Alchemists-Witches-Amsterdam/dp/1733373802

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-salty-rose-beth-m-caruso/1133991342

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GIVEAWAY:

Beth M. Caruso will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: The Entitled by Nancy Boyarsky

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nancy Boyarsky will be awarding a $20 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.

A deceptively complicated retrieval throws Nicole into London's criminal underworld

Travel to London and retrieve Abigail Fletcher, a 17-year-old in a study abroad program at the prestigious King’s College in London. The assignment sounds simple enough.

But Abigail’s return is put on indeﬁnite hold when she’s charged with the murder of her boyfriend, a former student at King’s. Nicole believes Abigail has been framed, but the victim’s tight- knit circle of friends and relatives are most unwilling to talk to an American detective. Further complicating the case, is Abigail’s deﬁant and uncooperative demeanor.

As evidence stacks up against Abigail, Nicole discovers that she herself has become the next target. Nicole’s ﬁrst solo case abroad as a private detective has just turned a lot deadlier than she ever anticipated.

Read an Excerpt

The Abigail who emerged looked different from the cool, self-confident young woman who’d walked into the pub the night before. Her left eye was swollen shut and beginning to turn purple. Even more horrifying, dull red stains were splattered down the front of her white coat, unmistakably half-dried blood. Her face was dirty and streaked with tears. Her hair stuck out on one side and was flat on the other. No wonder the desk clerk hesitated to send her up.

“Oh, my God,” Nicole said. “What happened? Who did this to you?”

Abigail gulped and tried to speak, but no words came out. Instead she put her hands over her face and began to sob.

About the Author:

Nancy Boyarsky is the bestselling author of the award-winning Nicole Graves Mysteries.

Reviews compared The Swap to the mysteries of Mary Higgins Clark and praised Nancy for contributing to the "women-driven mystery field with panache" (Foreword Reviews) as well as for their "hold-onto-the-bar roller coaster" plots (RT Book Reviews). Kirkus had special praise for The Bequest, concluding, "Boyarsky's weightless complications expertly combine menace with bling, making the heroine's adventures both nightmarish and dreamy." Her most recent mystery, The Entitled, fifth in the series, received praise from Foreword Reviews for "vibrant street scenes, swift pacing, and Nicole's steely nerve." It was chosen by Apple Books as one of the most anticipated books of the fall.

Before turning to mysteries, Nancy coauthored Backroom Politics, a New York Times notable book, with her husband, Bill Boyarsky. She has written several textbooks on the justice system as well as articles for publications including the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and McCall's. She also contributed to political anthologies, including In the Running, about women's political campaigns. In addition to her writing career, she was communications director for political affairs for ARCO.

The first book in the series, The Swap, won a gold medal Erik Hoffer Book Award. In response to the controversial and incendiary themes explored in the third Nicole Graves mystery, Liar Liar, Nancy Boyarsky was invited to present at the American Library Association Annual Conference in 2018 on "Women-Driven Mysteries in a Post #MeToo World."

Each book of the Nicole Graves mystery series can be read as a stand alone. Readers are invited to connect with Nancy through her website.

Website: http://www.nancyboyarsky.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Entitled-Nicole-Graves-Mystery-Mysteries/dp/1611533244
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-entitled-nancy-boyarsky/1136434135

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 28, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: A Voice within the Flame by Henry O Arnold

About the Book

Book: A Voice within the Flame

Author: Henry O. Arnold

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Release Date: December 1, 2020

A son of the vow…a voice for a nation

For many long years, Hannah prayed for a son; a son finally granted to her only when she promised him back to God. Samuel, son of the vow, grows up in the Tabernacle, his childhood spent in the company of priests and Levites, in service to a God who was always silent. Samuel watches in dismay as the sons of the High Priest flaunt their wicked behavior, yet he knows that Yahweh will eventually have a reckoning. It is not until he hears a Voice call to him from within the flames of the altar that he realizes he has a part to play in this drama.

This young man hears another voice from a maiden who captures his heart, and he begins to dream of a future beyond the confines of the Tabernacle. But when Israel’s enemies threaten to destroy his world, it appears as though everything Samuel ever held dear may come tumbling down around him.

Not even a great prophet, whose words never fall to the ground, can keep Israel from crying out for a king. The Lord calls upon Samuel to guide the nation and her new king through the years of turmoil they must face.

In this tale of triumph and scorn, deepest love and burning rivalries, the new epoch is given a voice…and it is a Song of Prophets and Kings.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Henry O. Arnold has co-authored a work of fiction, Hometown Favorite, with Bill Barton, and nonfiction, KABUL24, with Ben Pearson. He also co-wrote and produced with Steve Taylor (director) and Ben Pearson the film The Second Chance starring Michael W. Smith, the screenplay for the authorized film documentary on evangelist Billy Graham, God’s Ambassador, and the documentary film KABUL24, based on the book which is the story of western and Afghani hostages held captive by the Taliban for 105 days. He lives on a farm in Tennessee with his lovely wife Kay. They have two beautiful daughters married to two handsome men with three above-average grandchildren. For more information please visit: www.henryoarnold.com

More from Henry

So many people have asked me why I became a writer. I usually respond with a one-word answer: unemployment. I know, not very inspirational or romantic, but it was a reality-based choice. I had (and still am) been a professional actor for about ten years. Received a lot of diplomas affirming my professional choice and gotten a lot of gigs that convinced me that I was employable. Then I hit a dry-spell. The theatre company I had helped to found went belly-up. I also had recently gotten married. So I was feeling the mixture of joy and dejection at the same time. It was then that I chose to begin writing a series of one-man shows on biblical characters. I was able to combine my passion for the theatre and my love of Scripture in one artistic form.

After the golden age of theatre in the Greek and Roman times, the theatre went dark, very dark as in Dark Ages, and for centuries it was thus. But it was the church that brought the theatre back to life by staging passion plays on biblical subjects. Since most people could not read at the time, it was a great way to tell the folks some Bible stories. It was my desire to do the same thing with my one-man shows. The third of my one-man plays was on the character of King David. I wrote it while shooting a film. For an actor in a film there is a lot of “hurry up and wait.” So I used my “wait” time to write. Within a year I was showcasing the play to some select audiences before I begin to get some regular jobs out of this show and the two others I had previously written.

Then I decided to write what I thought would be a trilogy of the first three kings of Israel. These would be full-length plays for a multiple cast. The first installment was entitled “The Mighty Have Fallen,” and the focus was on King Saul. My father was the head of the theatre department at a university, and he was kind enough to produce and direct the show with his students. It was a success, and after an extensive rewrite, I sent a copy to Academy Award winner, F. Murray Abraham, thinking he would be the perfect King Saul. He wrote a terse and unambiguous response, “Not my cup of tea, but thanks.”

I knew then that my artistic dream might be more of an uphill climb than I had anticipated, and I settled into scheduling the one-man shows around all the other theatre and film work I was doing. But the dream of writing an historical fiction series on the first three kings and the first three major prophets of Israel never left me. I called the series, A Song of Prophets and Kings, and it simmered on the back-burner until about five years ago when I sat down in earnest and began to write a first draft of what has now become A Voice Within the Flame. It was totally liberating to write this first volume in the form of a novel. I did not have to worry about budgets or too many characters or too many big scenes. I could just tell a story.

It took a long to find the right home for this story, but I am excited to welcome into the literary landscape my dream of presenting the first installment of my historical fiction series to all readers who love the drama found in these great biblical stories.

Blog Stops

For the Love of Literature, December 16

Through the Fire Blogs, December 17

Mary Hake, December 17

Texas Book-aholic, December 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19

Inklings and notions, December 20

For Him and My Family, December 21

deb’s Book Review, December 22

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 23

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 24 (Author Interview)

Our Whiskey Lullaby, December 24

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 25

Artistic Nobody, December 26 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 27

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 28

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 29

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, Henry is giving away the grand prize package of a signed copy of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/10500/a-voice-within-the-flame-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

A Voice within the Flame is the first installment from The Song of Prophets and Kings series. It is, also, the first book I have read by Henry O. Arnold. I thought it was a good introduction for me. I loved how he used vivid details to make me feel as though I was right there with Hannah and Samuel. I enjoyed his vision of how they lived. It was as if I was transported back in time. Such a beautiful story of faith and inspiration.

A Voice within the Flame is getting four and a half stars from me. I look forward to the second addition to The Song of Prophets and Kings series. I am curious as to what happens next. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy clean historical and Biblical fiction.

I received A Voice within the Flame from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Mishaps off the Mainland by Tabitha Bouldin

About the Book

Book: Mishaps off the Mainland

Author: Tabitha Bouldin

Genre: Christian fiction, contemporary romance

Release Date: November 24, 2020

All Mel wants is to run the business of her dreams.

Melody Carmichael’s mobile pet grooming business might sink before it can sail when a favorite pet escapes her care. Doggie escape-artist, Daphne, got a taste of freedom, and the Afghan hound refuses to be found.

Enter Zeke Solomon. Desperate to bring the dog home for his grandmother, Zeke steps in to save the day.

And working together with Zeke would be a snap—if he would just stop blaming Mel for Daphne making a break for it.

Zeke is desperate to prove himself worthy of the Solomon name and step out from his father’s shadow. With his father breathing down his neck and demanding he return to the company business, Zeke must decide whether confronting the man he admires most is worth the risk of alienation.

Everything’s falling apart, and Mel’s dream transforms into a nightmare. She thought this was what God wanted for her life, but can you blame her for second-guessing everything?

Was it all just a mistake?

Mishaps off the Mainland is the fifth “Merriweather book” in a new series featuring five islands, six authors, and a boatload of happily-ever-afters.

The Independence Island Series: beach reads aren’t just for summer anymore.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Tabitha Bouldin is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and an avid reader. When she’s not busy homeschooling her two boys, you’ll find her buried in a book.

More from Tabitha

Why mobile pet grooming?

I get this question a lot when I bring up Mishaps off the Mainland.

I mean, I could have chosen any occupation as long as it could be mobile. Anything from a mobile doctor office to a bug specialist. The world was wide open for ideas.

After just completing a rather serious series, I wanted to write something lighter, funnier, but with that same depth and heart that I love to read. I also needed something that fit my character, and Mel had some pretty strong opinions right out of the gate.

You see, Mel is one of those characters who spoke to me right away. She loves animals. All animals but especially dogs. They’re her happy place. Mel is also a giver. She will drop everything to help someone else.

When I asked her what her dream job would be, she answered me faster than any character ever has. Pet groomer! (Yes, I talk to my characters.)

And I thought, why not a mobile pet groomer? She gets to spend all her time with animals (which is a bonus for me as the author), and Mel’s character traits can shine through her actions and reveal her giving heart.

Once the job was decided, I knew there needed to be some drama. What would be the underlying fear of a pet groomer? I didn’t want to injure an animal, so I went for what felt like second most traumatic, an escaped animal.

While Daphne’s escape is serious and causes Mel no end of sleepless nights, it also provides some comedic relief for Mel and Zeke while they work through their own personal battles. I like to think of Mishaps off the Mainland as a mixture of quirky fun and serious truth. The story was a joy to write, and I hope you fall in love with Mel and Zeke.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 18

Livin’ Lit, December 18

Texas Book-aholic, December 19

21st Century Keeper at Home, December 19

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 20

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 20

Connect in Fiction, December 20

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 21

deb’s Book Review, December 21

Inklings and notions, December 22

The Collaborative Press, December 22

For Him and My Family, December 23

lakesidelivingsite, December 23

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 23

Joanne Markey, December 24

Reviewingbooksplusmore, December 24

Batya’s Bits, December 25

Daysong Reflections, December 25

She Lives To Read, December 26

Rebekah Reads, December 26

Splashes of Joy, December 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 27

Blossoms and Blessings, December 27

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 28

Captive Dreams Window, December 28

Artistic Nobody, December 29 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Simple Harvest Reads, December 29 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Aryn the Libraryan, December 30

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, December 30

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 30

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 31

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 31

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tabitha is giving away the grand prize package a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/104fd/mishaps-off-the-mainland-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

Mishaps Off the Mainland is the fifth installment from the Merriweather and Independence Islands series by various authors. I have had the pleasure of reading and enjoying previous books by Tabitha Bouldin. I was not disappointed with this one. I found it to be a delightful read. It was so entertaining meeting Melody and Zeke. They were such a fun duo that made me keep reading the whole book in one sitting. I enjoyed their story from start to finish. They were such a fun duo. I really liked this book.

Mishaps Off the Mainland will be getting four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who enjoy quick and clean contemporary romance set on a beautiful island. It is most definitely worth a read and not to be missed.

I received Mishaps Off the Mainland from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Plan B by Erin Stevenson

About the Book

Book: Plan B

Author: Erin Stevenson

Genre: Inspirational romance

Release Date: August 1, 2018

Landon St. Clair, an up and coming partner in one of St. Louis’ most prestigious law firms, was left at the altar on New Year’s Day at the city’s social event of the season. He wants nothing more than to lick his wounds in solitude and figure out a Plan B, and intends to keep his reservation at the St. Jardin Honeymoon Resort, even without a bride. With the owners’ reluctant approval, Landon takes on an assumed identity and cuts all ties to home for the week.

Kelsea Anderson is a jilted bride with nothing left but a battered heart and a plane ticket to the Caribbean. The only part of her doomed wedding that she had any say in was the honeymoon. She paid for it, and there’s no reason she can’t come to the romantic resort alone, so Kelsea jumps on a plane the day after New Year’s to escape the icy St. Louis winter and come up with a Plan B for the rest of her life.

Lottery winners Rose and Ike Goldman, married for 53 years, never looked back when they left Brooklyn, NY for the Caribbean where they bought a honeymoon resort three years ago. Rose was something of a matchmaker in Brooklyn, and once she meets Kelsea and “Brandon,” she knows she has her work cut out for her. She has only a week to convince them that sometimes, Plan B is the best plan of all.

Take a quick getaway to St. Jardin! Plan B is your ticket to a tropical paradise filled with beautiful gardens, merriment, and romance.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Erin was raised in Illinois and has lived in many places in the U.S., including on both coasts, but is a Midwest girl at heart. She spent many years as an educator from pre-school through college levels, and currently works in training and internal communications for a global corporation.

When she’s not writing, Erin loves spending time with her family and playing in the garden (which equates to mostly pulling weeds) at her central Iowa home. Her secret indulgence is plain M&Ms.

More from Erin

A Lucky License Plate

In November 2017, I was driving to the library to pick up a book I had ordered (when I’m not writing, I’m reading) and a car passed me on the highway. I looked over and its personalized license plate said NO PLAN B. All of a sudden a story popped into my mind about a jilted bride. She’s left at the altar and has to come up with a plan B for the rest of her life. When I got to the library, I had the story arc. It just came pouring out. My mother always told me to have a Plan B. That advice has served me well through the years, and I passed that important life lesson on to my daughter.

I wrote Plan B in about a month, the first in my three-book St. Clair Family series, which follows the main characters and their extended family in their quest to find the life and the love meant for them. All three books were published by Happy Jack Publishing and launched over a six-month period.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 16

Labor Not in Vain, December 16

Reflections From My bookshelves, December 17

deb’s Book Review, December 18

Inklings and notions, December 19

For Him and My Family, December 20

Artistic Nobody, December 21 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Texas Book-aholic, December 22

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 23

Spoken from the Heart, December 24

Cultivating Us, December 25

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 26

Pause for Tales, December 27

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 27

CarpeDiem, December 28

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erin is giving away the grand prize package $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

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

https://promosimple.com/ps/104b2/plan-b-celebration-tour-giveaway

My Review

Plan B is the first book I have had the pleasure reading by Erin Stevenson. It is, also, the first installment from St. Clair Family series. I thought it was good. I enjoyed getting to know Kelsea and Landon. The story was some what predictable but still an entertaining read. I loved the beautiful setting of St. Jardin. Who wouldn’t want to spend time in that place? It was such a gorgeous and romantic place. I thought it was a perfect addition of the couple of Rose and Ike. They were a pure delight to meet.

I am giving Plan B four stars. I look forward to reading the next book from the St. Clair Family series, Home to You. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy reading clean and inspiring romance.

I received Plan B from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Clean Romance for Christmas and Giveaway: Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse into these clean contemporary romances and grabbed some for yourself or as gifts for other romance lovers! If you missed any of the stops, you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below. And don't forget to enter the giveaway below...

December 8th: Launch

December 9th: Krystal M. Anderson - Love's Sweet Return

Follow the Author: Website | Goodreads | BookBub | Facebook
Find the Book: Goodreads | Amazon

Snippet from the Excerpt (find the full post here):

Oregon, December 1869

Charlotte Pullard opened her eyes to the gray of dawn, blinking slowly. Gradually, a beamed ceiling came into focus… but it wasn’t her ceiling. Whose ceiling was it? She closed her eyes again, thinking.

She’d kissed her mother goodbye. Something about that felt sad, wrong somehow. Maybe she hadn’t wanted to leave. And her father… her father…

December 10th: Julie Coulter Bellon - The Marquess Meets His Match