About aw36

I am the author of the Dragonian Series. The first novel of this four book deal will come out in November. I'm also a reader and reviewer. I've created this blog to get more spotlight on new and upcomming authors. Please follow as huge things are going to happen on this blog.

Silver Dagger Tours Presents: The 4Ever Series by Isabella White blog tour

 
 
 
Imperfect Love
The 4ever Series Book 1
by Isabella White
Genre: Contemporary Romance
 
 
Two people begrudgingly perfect for each other, creates the ideal recipe for imperfect love.
 
At 24 years old, Holly Scallanger has the perfect life. Everything a girl could want; a beautiful man, a stunning home, as well as being in the midst of preparing for the wedding of her dreams. This all vanishes the night she catches her fiancé, Brandon Morgan, in bed with her worst nightmare, Donna Sinclair, just a week before Holly is set to walk down the aisle.
 
Attempting to recover from his betrayal, Holly swears off the affections of men in order to pick up the pieces of her crumbling life. Unfortunately, meeting Jake ‘Hooligan’ Peters is not part of her plan. The tall, dark-haired and handsome as hell med student, sweeps Holly away from the pain of her past and reveals to her the bright future that lies ahead. That is, until she falls pregnant just as Jake begins his internship at P&E; his family’s hospital.
 
Will this love at first sight lead her to the fairytale she has always craved? Or, will she fall victim to a betrayal of the heart yet again?
 
**Get it FREE!! **
 
 
 
Secret Love
The 4ever Series Book 2
 
 
Guarding a secret and playing with fire has never been a good combination.
 
Four years ago, Holly Scallenger embarked on the most difficult journey of her life. As if being a single parent isn’t already stressful enough, Holly also attended med-school, in hopes of helping other pregnant women in a way she wasn’t helped. But things don’t look so good as she has to embark on a new journey – a journey that would take her back to Boston, back to the man who broke her heart and discarded her and her babies.
 
Sworn to never fall for him again, Holy is put to the test once more when a chance encounter reunites them.
 
Secret Love is the second novel in the 4Ever series by Isabella White
 
 
 
 
 
Endless Love
The 4ever Series Book 3
 
 
Death comes to us all, but true love conquers all?
 
For once, Holly Scallanger has it all. After more than her fair share of ups and downs, fate intervened and changed her life the day she bumped back into Jake Peters’ life. Now her Now her future seems brighter than ever before.
She’s training at the best hospital in Zurich, she shares a love with the man of her dreams—the type of love most women only ever dream of—and her little girl has everything her heart desires. But fate has other plans. When an old acquaintance crashes back into Holly’s life causing havoc at every turn, Holly’s perfect existence falls to pieces around her.
Will the couple survive the turmoil entering the lives, or will their happily ever after come to an end?
 
It’s the third and final part in the 4Ever series by Isabella White
Make sure to watch out for the What If novellas, alternative endings and stories happening in the 4Ever series.
 
 
 
 
 
The 4ever Series Box Set
 
 
The 4ever Series is now available in a boxset (Digital).
Two people begrudgingly perfect for each other creates the ideal recipe for imperfect love.
At 24 years old, Holly Scallanger has a perfect life. Everything a girl could want; a beautiful man, a stunning home, as well as being in the midst of preparing for the wedding of her dreams. This all vanishes the night she catches her fiancé, Brandon Morgan, in bed with her worst nightmare, Donna Sinclair, just a week before Holly is set to walk down the aisle.
Attempting to recover from his betrayal, Holly swears off the affections of men in order to pick up the pieces of her crumbling life. Unfortunately, meeting Jake ‘Hooligan’ Peters is not part of her plan. The tall, dark-haired and handsome as hell med student, sweeps Holly away from the pain of her past and reveals to her the bright future that lies ahead. That is, until she falls pregnant just as Jake begins his internship at P&E; his family’s hospital.
Will this love, at first sight, lead her to the fairytale she has always craved? Or, will she fall victim to a betrayal of the heart yet again?
 
Get it exclusively at Firequill Publishing!
 
 
 
 
What If Series BoxSet
Alternate Endings to the 4ever Series
 
 
The What If Series is now available in a boxset (Digital).
 
What if Holly phoned Jake?
With a broken heart 24-year-old, Holly Scallanger gave birth to Romalie and Jamie Bernice. But things don’t look good.
Romalia is weak, and the little one finally lost the battle.
Her rage and fury blinded her and she made that one phone call, scolding Jake and voicing her hatred to him?
Just a small change, but everything would’ve been so much different.
 
 
Get it exclusively at Firequill Publishing!
 
 
 
Isabella White is a USA Today Bestselling author.
She published her first novel Imperfect Love in 2015, which is finally available in audio now, with Secret Love following two years later. Endless Love the third and final part was published in 2018.
When she isn’t writing she is listening to audios as her time is limited and found a new way of reading books. Or she spends it with her family and pets, enjoying the journey that life takes them on.
 
 
 
 
 
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
 
 
 
Enter to win a Swag Pack!
 
 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Jan 19

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours

BookishKelly2020  

I’m All About Books 

Jan 20

Nina Soden #TheRedheadedAuthor – GUEST POST

Kelly P’s Blog 

Jan 21

Book Lovers 4Ever 

Craving Lovely Books   

Jan 22

What Is That Book About 

Midnight Book Reader 

Jan 25

Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed 

Scrupulous Dreams 

Jan 26

SSLY 

Writing Dreams 

Jan 27

A Pinch of Bookdust 

The Book Dragon 

Jan 28

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog 

Why I Can’t Stop Reading   

Jan 29

Literary Gold 

Books, Authors, Blogs   

Jan 31 

Maggie Blackbird  – GUEST POST

M. Mendes Bookstagram – GUEST POST

Feb 1

The Book Junkie Reads . . .  

IndiePowerd by No Sweat Graphics 

Feb 2

Drako’s Den 

The Bookshelf Fairy 

Feb 3

Books a Plenty Book Reviews 

Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read   

Feb 4

Books all things paranormal and romance 

Eclectic Unicorn’s Book Reviews  

Feb 5

Girl with Pen 

Sylv.net  

Feb 8

Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST

Feb 9

The Sexy Nerd ‘Revue’ 

Feb 10

Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’       

Feb 11

The Faerie Review 

Feb 12

eBook Addicts 

Feb 15

Insane Books 

Twisted Book Ramblings 

Feb 16

Bedazzled By Books 

Chapters through life 

Feb 17

A Wonderful World of Words   – GUEST POST

Musings From An Addicted Reader  

Feb 18

nanasbookreviews 

Teatime and Books  

Feb 19

Books A-Brewin’ – GUEST POST

Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author 

Chimera and Devil’s Doorway by Lea Cherry

NEW YEAR, NEW RELEASES
Have you wondered, as the time ticked down and a new year was announced “What am I going to do now?”

Well I decided, why not celebrate with two great releases that will surely have you on your toes!
CHIMERA
Chimera:

Camping in a haunted forest on Halloween sounded like a great idea until Raven’s friends start disappearing one by one, kidnapped by a creature who won’t stop until they’re all gone.
A snippet from the book
 
“Chad! What happened? Where the fuck is my brother?” she yelled, stepping closer to Chad. The fear and sadness clouded his eyes as he took another swig of the bottle.

***“There, hiding in the tree line, watching us like a leopard getting ready to pounce was a creature I had never seen before. Hell, I didn’t even think such things existed until now. It was humanoid in its built but the movements it made was too animalistic to be anything like us. It was white-ish gray in shade. Arms and legs elongated to be confused with a stilt walker. But the creepiest part wasn’t how it looked, or its movements, no. It was the eyes. They were black as night. Soulless and hollow, but almost looking straight into your every being. Like it knew your deepest, darkest fears and shoving it back into your face like a memory.”
 
Devil’s Doorway
 
Taylor thought that returning home would be the start of a new life…
That was until she starts experiencing things that should not be normal.

Things that should not exist.

Things that are not of this world.

Her experiences lead her to wonder if moving back was the right choice and if she can uncover the secrets that lurk inside the house before she is claimed through…

The Devil’s Doorway.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lea Cherry can be seen as a dual identity of her true form Leandri Geldenhuys. Even though Lea Cherry is an alter ego, she still managed to write her novel The Rose of Cavendish, which was published in 2011, and presented in 2012 to Hollywood Producers in the Author Solutions Book-to-screen Pitchfest. She also Co-authored “The Journal of Blake Leaf” with fellow author Adrienne Woods which was the poetry journal to accompany The Dragonian Series. She has a few series lined up to write and publish, but that has to take a back seat when she’s working full time as a Designer, Mom, Wife and studying for a degree in Language and Literature. When Lea is not writing or working full time, she enjoys listening to music such as Rock and Alternative, while she paints and does drawings. Lea believes that the written word can heal and help and encourages people to follows their dreams and lends an ear to those that want to pursue writing. Other personalities also include Leandri Geldenhuys (Lumin Finds the Lighthouse – Mom’s Choice Award Winner)

Cover Reveal: A Beast So Beautiful by Carlyle Labuschagne

I’m honored to be part of a the cover reveal of A Beast So Beautiful written by USA Today Bestselling Author Carlyle Labuschagne.

This is is available for pre-order and is going to be published by CHBB publishing in April 2021. Have a look.

Title: A Beast So Beautiful
Author: Carlyle Labuschagne
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
Publishers: CHBB Publishers
Release Date: 20th April 2021

Description: A darkness falls over the land when the Queen of Rurith dies. Consumed with grief, King Ivar blames their son, Prince Leif, for her demise, and locks him away in the castle.
The Prince is left in total despair, until a girl, with hair the colour of a red sunset and green eyes shows him mercy.
For six years she visits him in secret, giving him hope where none existed before.
But Ruith hides many treacherous things that threaten to bring the Kingdom to its knees.

Until the Prince and his beastly curse are released.

PRE-ORDER LINK:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: I don’t limit myself to just one calling. I am in love with life and extremely grateful  to be human. We are all capable of greatness, we just have to choose it. I am a writer, a leader,  a dream chaser. I love to travel, because life is all about experiencing what we have been gifted. I thrive on helping others. I shine because I want everyone to shine with me. Befriend me and together we can make a difference. Trees are miracle creatures – save them, love them, grow them – they are our saving grace. Being Impulsive and indecisive can be chaotic and messy, but to me it means being lead by my heart. Mistakes and failures are great achievements that lead to growth and strength. Gratitude is your magic ticket to life.

Follow Carlyle on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Bookbub

Silver Dagger Blog tours: Royal Mages tour for Kristin Ping.

 
 
 
First Sight
The Royal Mages Book 1
by Kristin Ping
Genre: Paranormal Romance
 
 
 
Young, French, and working in the USA, Danielle Laurant has it all—including the love of heartthrob Marick Young.
However, there’s something sinister brewing underneath their love.
Secrets can make or break any relationship—but especially when it’s one that goes against the grain of otherworldly laws.
Marick is the prince of warlocks and his father refuses to allow his son to love a human girl and Marick refuses to let her go.
Marick introduces Danielle to a world she didn’t know existed. But she needs to end their relationship or force him to lose his crown. And if it isn’t done soon, it won’t matter anyway. She’ll be put to death.
In this exciting, fast paced, introduction to the Royal Mages series by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Ping, prepare for a forbidden romance like no other.
 
 
**Get it FREE!!**
 
 
 
Forever Part I
The Royal Mages Book 2
 
 
Danielle Laurant has been struggling to be accepted behind the vail where witches and other supernatural roams free. But she is fighting for that chance, for her half witch/human unborn babies to live in the world where they belong, and juggling her new duties is a lot harder than what she is used to.
Marick Young, the prince of the mages, had to abdicate his throne in order to have the love of his life Danielle by his side. Still, it’s a hard struggle to be truly accepted as it’s forbidden to love a human.
Still, secrets can make or break any situation—especially when it’s one that goes against the grain of otherworldly laws. And Danielle is stuck right in the middle.
In this exciting, fast paced, second part of the Royal Mages series by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Ping, prepare for a forbidden romance like no other.
 
 
 
 
 
Forever Part II
The Royal Mages Book 3
 
 
Forever Part II is the final book in the Royal Mages trilogy.
A deadly and forbidden potion has back fired badly on Danielle’s life where she forgets Marick and her life as the wife of a royal mage.
She is stuck with a terrifying memory fed to her and finds herself living in a dark and unforgiving world.
Is her love for Marick strong enough to find him again? and what secrets is she going to unvail this time?
In this exciting, fast paced, third part to the Royal Mages trilogy by USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Ping, prepare for a forbidden romance like no other.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kristin resides in South Africa, East side of Johannesburg with her husband and two beautiful little girls. Writing has always been a passion of hers and she’s living the dream, being able to write every day. ” I love life, cherish every special second of it and live my dream.” She has recently started her own Publishing company – Fire Quill Publishing in South Africa – http://www.firequillpublishing.com/
 
 
 
 
 
 
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
 
$10 Amazon
 
 
 
TOUR SCHEDULE

Jan 19

kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours

BookishKelly2020  

Jan 20

A Reader’s Book Corner  

Indie Author Book Reviews  

Jan 21

Sydney Winward Romance – GUEST POST

bookblogarama – GUEST POST

Jan 22

Sadie’s Spotlight  

Kayden McLeod, Author  

Jan 23

The Faerie Review  

Jan 24

A Wonderful World of Words – GUEST POST

Jan 25

Westveil Publishing   

Always Love Me Some Books Blog  

Jan 26

Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed 

Bedazzled By Books  

Jan 27

I Smell Sheep – GUEST POST

Nina Soden #TheRedheadedAuthor – GUEST POST

Jan 28

Writing Dreams 

Craving Lovely Books   

Jan 29

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog 

Midnight Book Reader  

Jan 30

Musings From An Addicted Reader  

Feb 1

Kelly P’s Blog 

Literary Gold  

Feb 2

Character Madness and Musings  

IndiePowerd by No Sweat Graphics  

Feb 3

Drako’s Den 

The Book Dragon  

Feb 4

Books a Plenty Book Reviews 

The Bookshelf Fairy  

Feb 5

Book Lovers 4Ever  

The Book Junkie Reads . . .  – REVIEW

Feb 6

Girl with Pen  

Feb 7

Why I Can’t Stop Reading   

Feb 8

Books all things paranormal and romance 

Books, Authors, Blogs  

Feb 9

Inside the Insanity – GUEST POST 

Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read  

Feb 10

The Sexy Nerd ‘Revue’  

Eclectic Unicorn’s Book Reviews  

Feb 11

Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’    

Sylv.net  

   

Feb 12

A Pinch of Bookdust 

Scrupulous Dreams  

Feb 13

Twisted Book Ramblings  

Feb 14

4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼  – GUEST POST

Feb 15

The Purple Booker 

❧Defining Ways❧ 

Feb 16

ⒾⓃⓉⓇⓄⓈⓅⒺⒸⓉⒾⓋⒺ ⓅⓇⒺⓈⓈ 

eBook Addicts  

Feb 17

I’m All About Books 

Chapters through life  

Feb 18

Teatime and Books  

Insane Books  

Feb 19

Books A-Brewin’  – GUEST POST
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author 

Darkbeam Part IV release day Blitz

I am so excited that DARKBEAM by Adrienne Woods is available now and that I get to share the news!
If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below. 
This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, Adrienne Woods. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

About The Book:

Title: DARKBEAM Part IV: A Dragonian Series Novel: The Rubicon’s Story (The Beam Series Book 5)
Author: Adrienne Woods
Pub. Date: December 22, 2020
Publisher: Fire Quill Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 562
Find it: GoodreadsAmazon, B&N,

Book Description:
Please note that this is not for YA Audience like
the Dragonian Series. 
The 4th Part in the Rubicon’s Story. Blake Leaf is experiencing all sorts of new feelings after the Dent, and because of his past, the princess of Paegeia isn’t making it easy to trust him. Only time and breaking through her layers will show
her that he has changed. Then maybe their bond will heal and they will be find
the missing ingredient in order to kill the Saadedine and free the people of
Etan.
Now all he can do is to hope and pray that his
secrets and past isn’t going to come back and mess up his his progress.

Darkbeam Part IV is about the events happening in
Starlight, book 5, in the Dragonian series.

Grab the whole The Beam Series!

Excerpt:

I couldn’t sleep at all after I fetched the blankets and the pillows from the roof.
I started to experiment with my Crown Tail gift. To show Elena one day what her parents were like. Practicing with this ability drained me mentally, so I took a break, and I played PlayStation.
George wasn’t in the room, and I knew the lucky bastard was sleeping right next to Becky.
For twelve years, Elena didn’t see me, and now…
My lips curved for no reason.
The old Blake would’ve been seriously pissed off at whoever I became, but I didn’t give a second scale. 
Elena put a smile on my face permanently.
I couldn’t wait to see her again.
I’d never felt like this before.
I got a small inkling of it in the Dent, but I was invisible then, and the feeling was linked with sadness and frustration.
Right now, the feeling was magical.
I was messed up again, but this time it was a different kind of messed up.
I got invested in the game, and when George came back, I realized that the sun was already up.
Shit.
He took a shower as I made myself a cup of coffee.
When he walked out of the bathroom, I slipped in.
Elena must be in the cafeteria already.
When I finally walked in, I found them all sitting at a table.
Elena rested her head on her hand as I walked over.
I bent slightly over and saw her eyes closed. “She’s sleeping?”

About Adrienne:

Adrienne is a USA Today Bestselling author. She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.
That dream happened ten years ago and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, was released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stopped since. Now she almost has 15 novels under her belt, and it doesn’t look like she is going to stop soon.

Go to her books to discover her series and those that still need to come. 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

GIVEAWAY 1
1 lucky winner will win a $10 Amazon Gift Card, International.
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GIVEAWAY 2

Stand a chance to win a swag box from Adrienne Woods

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Release Day Blitz for Stolen by the Wind Dragon Prince

I am so excited that STOLEN BY THE WIND
DRAGON PRINCE
by Aria Winter & Jade Waltz is available now and that I
get to share the news!

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the
details below.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, Aria, & Jade. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

About The Book:

Title: STOLEN BY THE WIND
DRAGON PRINCE (Elemental Dragon Warriors #2)

Author: Aria Winter & Jade Waltz

Pub. Date: December 11, 2020

Publisher: Purple Fall Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 161

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

Our colonization ship crashed, stranding us on a strange new world.
To make matters worse, my best friend disappeared while scouting the area near our crash site.
In my search to find her, I’m stolen by a dragon—a creature straight out of every fairy tale book I’d ever read as a child.
He takes me back to his kingdom and I’m shocked when he shifts into a man—a fierce Drakarian warrior. He claims that I am his fated one—his Linaya.
Despite my protests, he refuses to let me go—and I cannot deny that I’m drawn to him in ways I do not understand.
The more time we spend together, I begin to wonder: what would it be like to be fated to a dragon?



Grab book 1!

Claimed by the Fire Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 1)

 

Pre-order the rest of the series now!

Rescued by the Water Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 3) ,
Releasing January 22, 2021

Healed by the Earth Dragon Prince: Dragon Shifter Romance (Elemental Dragon Warriors Book 4) ,
Releasing February 19, 2021

Teasers:

 

 

About Aria:

Aria Winter loves to write romance. Especially
science fiction and fantasy since that’s pretty much all she reads. She lives
with her husband, 2 cats and 1 dog near Ft. Worth, TX.

In addition to reading and writing, she loves
biking, travel, and sitting on the deck drinking coffee or tea when it rains.

 

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads

 

 

About Jade:

Jade Waltz lives in Illinois with her husband, two
sons, and her three crazy cats. She loves knitting, playing video games, and
watching Esports. Jade’s passions include the arts, green tea and mints — all
while writing and teaching marching band drill in the fall.

Jade has always been an avid reader of the fantasy,
paranormal and sci-fi genres and wanted to create worlds she always wanted to
read.

She writes character driven romances within detailed
universes, where happily-ever-afters happen for those who dare love the
abnormal and the unknown. Their love may not be easy—but it is well worth it in
the end.

 Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

1 lucky winner will win a $10 Amazon
Gift Card, International.

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I am here now by Barbara Bottner

I Am Here Now
Barbara Bottner
Published by: Macmillan
Publication date: August 4th 2020
Genres: Coming of Age, Young Adult

Set in the 1960s, Barbara Bottner’s I Am Here Now is a beautiful novel in verse about one artist’s coming of age. It’s a heartbreaking, powerful and inspiring depiction of what it’s like to shatter your life—and piece it all back together.

You can’t trust Life to give you decent parents, or beautiful eyes, a fine French accent or an outstanding flair for fashion. No, Life does what it wants. It’s sneaky as a thief.

Maisie’s first day of High school should be exciting, but all she wants is to escape.

Her world is lonely and chaotic, with an abusive mother and a father who’s rarely there to help.

So when Maisie, who finds refuge in her art, meets the spirited Rachel and her mother, a painter, she catches a glimpse of a very different world—one full of life, creativity, and love—and latches on.

But as she discovers her strengths through Rachel’s family, Maisie, increasingly desperate, finds herself risking new friendships, and the very future she’s searching for.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

THE CITY

The tiny fire escape is our private spot.

My dad says he’s sorry he’s gone so often.

Do I remember when I was six

and he took me into the city?

I wore a red coat, red shoes,

and perfect white leather gloves

embroidered with tiny blue buds.

I recall watching the road into New York:

billboards, telephone lines, bridges,

muddy sky.

The parking garage man said,

“So you’re the boss man’s little lady

I’ve heard so much about?”

The elevator man, Jimmy,

knew my name!

My dad’s corner office had the most windows,

the biggest desk, too.

My father bragged, “Your daddy runs this joint!”

From his window, as it got dark,

we could see Manhattan laid out in front of us

like a glittering tablecloth.

How could I not remember?

It was a perfect day,

until he turned the key in our front door.

Mother was waiting.

We were in for it.

A breeze pushes the fumes against my face.

He snuffs out a butt, then lights another,

says, “Look, kid, smoking’s a dirty habit.

I’m going to quit soon.”

“Teach me to smoke!” I say.

His eyebrows meet above his nose,

and as the tip of the cigarette burns,

it sends smoke into the clear night

like a signal.

Maybe, across the Harlem River

someone will see it,

realize we are signaling: Help!

“Let me try it, please? I want to be like you!”

“No, you don’t! Not now, not ever.”

“But, Dad, at least I should know

what I’ll be missing for the rest of my life.”

He smiles so wide, I can see his molars.

“Well, you’ll never know about the future,”

he says, ominously.

I grab his arm.

“Tell me the truth.

Are you thinking of leaving?”

“Leaving what?”

“Dad!”

“What?”

“Us! Please! Please don’t leave!

You can’t. I mean it!

She hates me.”

“Calm down, Maisie,” he says.

My voice crackles.

“I’m just telling you, if you go,

she’ll put me in the ground.”

He ruffles my hair

as if I am being amusing.

I want to scream.

“You think I’m a rotten kid, too?”

“You’re a great kid, Maisie.”

“I’m trying to reform, Dad.”

“Maisie, honey,

I like you exactly the way you are:

spirited, smart, your own person.”

“Being my own person

is treacherous,” I say.

He turns to me.

“Are you working me over?” he asks.

I know not to answer.

“Okay, you poor kid, one puff.

I’ll give you one shot at it

but you have to do exactly what I say.

You have to learn how to inhale, okay?”

I do have to learn how to inhale.

How to breathe,

as if I belong here on the earth.

I look at his face,

think how I’m glad that he breaks the rules.

He says we’re alike.

That must be why I’m the way I am,

as my grandma likes to say,

always flirting with disaster,

as if disaster were my middle name.

“When you smoke,

you take in the deepest breath

as if you have to last underwater

without air.

Then, you keep it in

as long as you possibly can.”

“But you don’t do that, Dad.”

“I’ve been smoking a long time, kid.

Ready?” he says, and lights a fresh one.

I sit up tall under the stars,

put my feet on the bench,

straighten my back

so I can always remember

this moment, me and my dad,

on the same wavelength.

Me, trying to figure out

if he wants to protect me

while he’s teaching me to smoke.

How about telling me about school?”

He sighs, offers the cigarette.

“It has its moments,” I say,

and close my lips around the tobacco,

inhale really, really deeply.

I am about to show him the bruises

I still have on my arm,

but then the smoke curls in my chest,

which immediately wants to explode.

“Hold it in,” he commands.

“Don’t let it out.”

Finally my mouth opens

because I’m coughing and gasping.

It feels like some kind of torture.

The taste is nasty.

“It’s awful!” I cough.

“It tastes horrible, feels horrible.”

I’m practically crying.

“So disgusting! How could you?!”

My dad laughs.

“Well, now you never have to do it again!”

I dash inside, refuse to speak to him

for the rest of the night.

“I’m done with you, Dad!”

He laughs!

Later he knocks on my door,

takes my hand.

“Between you and me,

if anything ever happened—

not that it will—in the leaving department,

wherever I’d go,

you’d be coming with me, kid.

I promise.”

I throw my arms around him.

Later I will drift off wondering

how much warning he’d give me.

And what about my brother?


Author Bio:

Barbara Bottner has written about 50 books for children of all ages. In May, her first YA novel in free verse, I Am Here Now is coming out from Macmillan (Imprint) She’s written a NY Times Bestseller, as well as staffed prime time sit-com, sold screenplays, published essays and short stories in both national and literary magazines and reviewed children’s books for both the NY and LA Sunday Book Review. Many of her works have been multiply translated and animated, and adapted for short plays. When she was an animator, she won “Best Film For TV” from the Annecy International Animation Festival. When very young, she briefly appeared on stage and in Europe with La Mama Plexus and in television movies. She teaches writing for children privately but won The Distinguished University Teaching Award from The New School For Social Research. Her papers are collected in the Arne Nixon Center for Children’s Literature at Fresno State.

Former students include: Lane Smith, Robin Preiss Glaser, Peggy Rathmann, Bruce Degen, Barney Saltsburg and Antoinette Portis.

She feels blessed to have a passion that seems to stick with her no matter how the larger world goes out of control.

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August Fog by A.L Goulden

August Fog
A.L. Goulden
(August Fog, #1)
Publication date: August 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Monica Waters has 31 days to choose between the love of her life or her soulmate. Juggling an unglamorous Hollywood career and a clumsy injury with an endless cocktail of antidepressants and dull daily routines, Monica moves through her thirties in a fog, avoiding the pain of her damaged marriage, broken body, and fragile mind.

Until he comes along.

When emerging artist Quinn Matthews moves next door, just coping with the downward spiral of life is no longer feasible. Their powerful connection ignites a relationship that will tip the boundaries of their perfectly balanced lives, sparking a mutual obsession and life-altering affair.

Monica tosses her prescriptions, striving to be free of their control, but with each passing summer day, dangerous secrets seep into their quiet suburban life, inching toward disaster. Sometimes the truth is hidden for a reason.

“This is a contemporary tale of a woman’s struggle to navigate love and mental illness, while defining where and how she will land on her own feet.” –Independent Reader

“A raw and honest look at the ugly secrets behind a flawed marriage and the stigmas of depression.”

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

They meet

Fusion can happen when two objects reach an extreme heat. When the blood boils, the same can be said of hearts. The connection can excite and ache and torment, yet the demise of will goes unnoticed when the thrill renders an addictive high. Monica Waters once loved getting high, both literally and figuratively, but outgrew the juvenile practice of artistic inspiration. She had responsibilities now, like a mortgage and an admirable career… and a husband.

Antidepressants helped too.

When Los Angeles soared past eighty-five degrees in April the unsettling promise of perpetual summer ignited tension across freeways. Monica shielded anxiety with music and a fun car. Bob Marley had eased an hour-long commute, also known as Thursday, delivering her to the sanctuary of home until she slammed the brakes.

A yellow Nissan blocked the driveway with no owner in sight. Her best friend owned the same vehicle but not with New York plates so she glared next door. Sharing a driveway with Rebecca’s bohemian flophouse had reached its limit.

Monica wedged her BMW into an ivy-covered carport at an awkward angle and pried herself out, trying not to scratch her paint against the fence. She mumbled a few obscenities when she couldn’t get leverage to slam the door but squeezed past the filthy SUV, smoothing her long chestnut hair. The tall Japanese-style gate that led to her bonsai garden greeted with Zen and wafts of jasmine.

That’s when she saw him.

On the wooden staircase that wound up to Rebecca’s converted attic was a man that shifted everything into slow motion. A man, that for a second at least, she would follow anywhere. Her reaction defied rational explanation. The guy wearing jeans and t-shirt carried a box but even his muscular build was common in this town. Still, he had a gentle force of gravity tugging like a current.

The back of his shaved head lacked noticeable character, but his climb was hypnotic. She stopped breathing while her heart pounded at an alarming speed. A beautiful tattoo engulfed his entire right arm with gnarled branches and scattered leaves of an old tree. It rooted around the box and swayed like a breeze as he moved.

When the gate slipped from her fingers, the slam jolted her from the daze and he turned. She inspected her purse and fumbled with her keys even when he paused near the top of the stairs, waiting for attention. She rushed to her back door but couldn’t resist the draw of his stare.

His eyes were crystal blue and pensive under a low-slung heavy brow. He stood confident like carved hardwood left unpolished with ample lips, a strong jaw, and a rugged nose, but didn’t come off as arrogant or boring. Her stomach twisted at his asymmetrical smile.

He was beautiful.

Flushed, she returned a tight grin and nod before barreling into her laundry room. “Who’s the guy next door?” she asked, dropping her stuff on the counter next to the deep sink.

Alex, still sweaty from work, gave her a quick kiss, which was followed by the smacks of a powerful dog tail to her thigh. Her husband’s own shaved head and brawny build still resembled an action hero but his gray eyes lacked the dangerous edge that once made him magnetic.

“You mean the Kelly Slater look-alike?” He laughed. “Rebecca’s renting out the upstairs to some artist. She says he’s bi-coastal… whatever that means. Pretty sure he’s gay.”

“What makes you say that?”

“Did you see what he drives?”

She cocked her head. “So.”

“So? That’s what Robin drives.” He flashed his hands.

“That might be the dumbest thing ever said. Did he look at you too long or something?” “Hey, I’ve got no problem if he’s gay. He can look all he wants. I’m just saying.” Alex flexed his arms and inspected himself.

“Just because Rebecca’s a lesbian doesn’t mean everyone she’s around is gay.” Monica reached to pet their rambunctious Lab Pointer mix, Lacey. “I just hate that she and Julie split. I miss her.”

“Me too. I wish she won the house but Rebecca could afford it.”

“Then why’s she renting out rooms?” Her words had that petulant tone she hated with an unwarranted volume.

“I don’t know,” he said, flicking the counter. “It’s not like we have control over our neighbors.” He shuffled towards the bathroom, stripping for his shower along the way. She watched, remembering when that used to send her running after him, but now he hopped around in his socks and underwear looking more child-like than sexy.

In her ballerina flats, Monica was two inches shy of six feet and two years shy of forty. Her curvy size fourteen worked in Hollywood, the land of size zeros. Sometimes she resented being a giant next to tiny, beautiful people because it equated invisibility, but she faked smiles in the back of every crew photo despite the obscurity of an editing career.

She bent to give Lacey attention and propped the back door open while Mr. Bi-coastal moved from his vehicle to the yard. The redwood fence obscured his face but a childhood crush on Yul Brynner embedded an allure to a nice shaved head. Staring like a lech though erased dignity, so she mustered the nerve to make an introduction.

She stepped outside but an eruption of vicious barking made her yelp. Two enormous Rottweilers flanked the middle landing on the staircase, flinging drool over the fence. Lacey ducked behind Monica in fear.

“No. No barking!” Mr. Bi-coastal bounded up the stairs. “I’m so sorry,” he said, setting another box down. “I promise I’ll keep them quiet. They’re friendly, I swear.” He drew an X over his heart like a seven-year-old but his intense expression was all grown-ass-man.

“It’s alright.” She swallowed hard. “My husband had lovable Rotts growing up.” Spitting out her marital status made her fidget but his shoulders relaxed. “My name’s Monica.”

“I’m Quinn.” He leaned against the railing that hovered above as if to shake her hand. “Did you guys just drive across the country?”

“Yeah.” He squatted to pet them and she noticed his left arm didn’t have visible tattoos.

“This is Sadie and Max. Once they know you, they’ll stop barking.”

She moved closer, pretending to care about this new pet relationship despite growls with

each step. “They’re just protective of you.” “Lucky me.”

She tried not to stare at the unicorn but artists wore gangly and pale with pride, escaping food and sun for months. This man nurtured his body.

“Beautiful dogs.”

Alex stood behind her, wet from the shower in just basketball shorts, but the lack of a Q-tip or something equally inappropriate was boggling.

Quinn straightened. “I was just telling your wife they’re friendly.”

Alex climbed the fence to engage their slobbery faces up-close and flaunt an arm tattoo of a Rott named Bosco. Monica was new to living with dogs but presumed they couldn’t recognize the image of devotion in permanent ink. This king-of-the-castle act was for Quinn.

“Nice tat,” he said, squatting for a closer look.

An immediate tit-for-tat and subtle competition developed between them but Monica found herself comparing odd qualities while they bonded over dogs. The pitch of their voices aligned and laughter became punctuation. Their attributes mimicked one another but Alex’s head was larger while Quinn ate leaner and worked out. They could pass as brothers but something about Quinn upset her.

He was too close.

The two historical homes sat less than seven feet apart, thanks to the lack of building restrictions in the 1920s. That proximity, which had sparked numerous noise complaints, didn’t seem to bother Alex now, tickling those beefy dog faces.

“Rebecca said you’re only here part-time.” Alex stepped off the fence and crossed his arms.

“I’m just starting to show my work here.” He hesitated as if he wasn’t sure he wanted to share more. “My agent thought it was wise, so I’ll be back and forth a lot.”

She hated the two adorable little creases that formed next to his eyes when he smiled. They were marks of experience. Marks of a life lived.

“We should let you get settled,” Alex said, motioning towards the box still sitting on the landing.

Quinn nodded. “It was nice meeting you guys.”

“Absolutely.” She cringed at her valley-girl tone and bizarre wave given to dogs with inherently sad eyes. She beelined for their bedroom hoping to erase that weird encounter from memory.


Author Bio:

Author of the “most realistic, often hilarious, and wonderfully romantic” (Rosie Malezer, international best- selling author) Chasing Swells returns with another emotionally charged and complicated love story about a Hollywood editor struggling with depression who meets her soulmate while she’s married to her high-school sweetheart. This unique trilogy takes you through one woman’s mid-life crisis as she stumbles and falls apart before realizing she’s the only one who can put her pieces back together.

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The Pain They Feel by Lynda Throsby

The Pain they Feel
Lynda Throsby
(The Pain Series, #1)
Publication date: August 12th 2020
Genres: Adult, Psychological, Romance, Thriller

Blaine has never stopped thinking about her. All those years ago when he saved her life, they had a connection. He didn’t know as a ten-year-old what that was, but those blue eyes of hers have helped him throughout his life, coming to mind during his darkest moments. He only hoped he would one day see her again.

He knew he wasn’t normal, whatever normal was. Though he didn’t physically feel pain, he suffered years of abuse with his mama telling him he was a freak. This made him think about pain to the point of obsession.

Needing to understand the pain they feel.

Primrose has never stopped thinking about the boy with the greenest eyes and the messiest black hair. Her knight in shining armor, the boy who saved her life when she was young.

She’d suffered two major losses in her life before she was eight years old. Living with a sister who hated her and made her life hell, the only solace she found was when she was sketching and painting the boy with the greenest eyes.

She knew they had a connection but didn’t understand it. She hoped she would one day see him again.

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Author Bio:

Lynda lives in Cheshire in the UK. She runs a successful financial business with her husband.

As a young teenager Lynda used to read horror books with a love for everything Stephen King and James Herbert. She has always wanted to write and even wrote horror stories at age 13/14. A little later she started reading Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper and has always had a love of books. This then exploded with Twilight and Fifty Shades as it did with most people, oh, and the introduction of E-Readers.

In her spare time, she has a season ticket for Manchester City Football Club and goes to all the home games. Loves going to concerts and the theatre. She goes to the cinema at least once a week. Then when the weather is nice you can see her gliding down the road on her Harley Davidson 1200T motorbike.

Travelling is also high on the agenda and her dream is to visit every state in the USA.

She would love to hear from you.

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Trust by Aphra Wilson

Trust
Aphra Wilson
Publication date: August 1st 2020
Genres: Crime, Young Adult

Anna spends her life longing to escape her home town.

After her latest plan goes wrong, she’s forced to navigate a world of danger, drugs and violence alone.

She must make enough money to pay a debt and get her ticket out of there.

She has a week to do it. No big deal, right?

Her simple plan becomes complicated as she quickly accumulates trouble. A violent drug dealer, a Police Detective with a hunch, and an unwelcome admirer with something to offer are among the many hurdles Anna encounters.

As she faces up to her own past and the growing danger she’s in, she learns what the people around her are capable of.

Everyone wants something, but how far will they go to get it?

A story of friendship and sacrifice in the face of adversity.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Smashwords / Google Play

EXCERPT:

As the car slowed at the bottom of Clarie’s street, Anna reached for the door handle before it stopped. Shaun spotted her motion and popped the locks down from his side.

“Woah now. What’s the hurry?” The car stopped, and he turned to face her.

“Thanks for the lift, much appreciated. I better go though.” She flashed a fake smile to cover the fear taking over her face. He reached over to her knee and squeezed her with his huge hand.

“You could try and show me your appreciation.” His hand moved a little further up onto her thigh. Anna’s heart rate doubled, a bead of sweat collected on her top lip. How the hell did she end up in this position?

“Sorry, thanks a lot, I mean. I’m just in a hurry now, that’s all.”

He leaned further over. His mouth was closing in on her face, his hand sliding further up her inner thigh. She pulled back, her face turned away from his. His breath whistled through his nose. A scream was bubbling up inside her, but it couldn’t escape. Her breath was held, she closed her eyes tightly as if the darkness could save her. Her jaws clamped shut, and her lips sealed painfully tight. Her fists clenched around the seat belt as if it offered any safety. His hand moved, off her leg, it brushed over her breasts. Anna braced every muscle anticipating his next move.

Then click. He pulled the lock up from the door beside her shoulder. The heat and weight of his presence lifted as she opened her eyes, and he reclined into the driving position.

He was smiling, more than smiling, he was smoldering. He was drunk on her fear, his cheeks were burgundy, and he breathed through open lips. Still tense, she remained in the same position, her eyes wide now, taking in this horrible scene. He dragged his hand across his chest and down over his huge round gut.

“Any time you want a lift, you know where I am.”

Anna took a sharp breath to bring herself back into her body, she grabbed the door handle and scrambled out onto the pavement. She slammed the door, swung her bag onto her shoulder and walked away without looking back. The car started, engine revving, calling for attention, but she wouldn’t turn around. It was moving slowly, just behind her, then sped up to the corner, he turned at the end of the road, back towards her, she was almost at Clarie’s, he slowed to a funeral pace. His window open, his shapeless arm resting on the frame as he passed, shouting;

“Remember, I’ve enough money to solve all your problems, just waiting for you to say the word.”


Author Bio:

Aphra Wilson is a mother of three, a tattoo artist by day and a writer in the middle of the night.

She lives in Scotland with her husband and children, and enjoys reading and writing women’s fiction. Her work is influenced by her passion for strong female characters, finding strength in adversity and finding comedy in hard situations.

You can get in touch with her here, http://www.aphrawilson.com

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