Sunday, March 17, 2024

Book Blast - In All Things by John Neufield

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotins. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The issue of control is a central question of life. At work, in family, community clubs and schools, with the economy or international politics, the question is, "Is anyone in charge here?" Dr. John Neufeld demonstrates the Bible teaching of God's providence. We are assured that God's Hand is upon everything and everyone, without exception. Dr. John explores God's sustaining grip through the natural world and human endeavor, in pivotal matters or the seemingly trivial, the things we welcome and those we shun. He teaches the impact of God's sovereign rule upon our hearts, minds, work, worship, homes, and nation. We can live in the confidence that God is unfolding His purpose for time and eternity.

What people are saying about Dr. John Neufeld's teaching:

"This is such an important message for us today. Thank you, Dr. John, for your encouragement to view what is presently concerning us in the world from the perspective of God and His providence. That should take a huge weight off our shoulders!"


Read an Excerpt

Jesus controls the atoms that make up your body, the ground under your feet, the air you breathe, the world upon which you stand and the universe in which you live. All of it is held together and directed by the Son of God. Furthermore, if Jesus were not constantly, moment by moment, sustaining all these things, the forces that hold the atoms in place would fly apart and all things would cease to be. Everything that exists—past, present and future—does so by His will and permission. Everything that goes on does so under His direction. That’s what we mean when we talk about meticulous sovereignty.

About the Author:Dr. John Neufeld, Bible teacher of Back to the Bible Canada, is well known both nationally and internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching. Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God's Word to life across Canada and beyond.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BacktotheBibleCanada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BTTBCanada
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BTTBC
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/backtothebible.ca
Website: http://www.backtothebible.ca

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/All-Things-Gods-Providence-ebook/dp/B0CP8J2Y77/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, March 14, 2024

Picasso's Lovers by Jeanne Mackin

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.






You know Pablo Picasso. Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso's life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame - until, in the 1950's, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrique.




Read an Excerpt

People used to say of my lover that he lived only for art, that women and politics did not matter to him the way his art mattered. But people change. When Franco and Hitler destroyed that Spanish town, Guernica, Pablo Picasso changed. You cannot look at that painting, at the screaming mothers and violence and think, this is a man who does not care about people and politics.

I have seen how his face changes when he speaks of Francoise, the woman who is leaving him.

“I think it will be a fine day,” I said. “But come back to bed, Pablo. It is still early.” I smoothed and pattered the rumpled sheet that was still damp from our little bacchanal…

Pablo returns his gaze to his own image in the mirror and studies it, drawing the razor through the white foam on his cheek and making a curve, olive flesh showing through a white background. Another work of art…

He throws a towel at me. “Get up. The car will be here soon.”

“Lisen to you, my love. A car. A chauffeur. I remember when you had holes in your boots, when you were my young love.”

“That was long ago.”

About the Author:
Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

Website: http://www.jeannemackin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneMackinAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeanneMackin1
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Picassos-Lovers-Jeanne-Mackin-ebook/dp/B0C3C2J4FH/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

VBT - The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy

 Come check out The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy. You'll want to stick around. Why? There are prizes to be won. Like? Patricia Leavy will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. How cool is that? Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/09/name-before-masses-location-shoot-by.html


The Location Shoot

by Patricia Leavy



Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film on location in Sweden. While spending the summer creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead actors: Albie Hughes, British veteran of stage and screen; Charlotte Reed, British indie film queen; Michael Hennesey, American TV heartthrob; Willow Barnes, fallen former teen star looking to make a comeback; and Finn Forrester, legendary Hollywood movie star. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair—a beautiful, bohemian-spirited American philosopher known for her provocative writing—to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Finn is instantly enchanted by her, and soon they fall madly in love. Finn wants to plan a life together, but Ella harbors fears and convinces him to wait until the film wraps to decide their future. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating explores “the big questions” and prompts the stars to reflect on the crossroads they face in their own lives. How will their experiences on location affect them when they return home? The answers won’t come until months later, when the cast and crew reconvene on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival—but their revelation will make for one unforgettable night.



Now for an Excerpt: 

Soon they were soaking in the tub, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Ella leaned against Finn and sighed contentedly as he wrapped his strong arms around her.


“I thought about you all day today,” he said.


“You did?”


“I couldn’t get the image of you with those kids out of my head. You were such a natural with them.”


“I’m crazy for tiny humans, always have been. I love their curiosity, big imaginations, big emotions. When a toddler is overjoyed, it’s infectious. They can’t contain it and it just oozes out of them. They feel everything so fully, so honestly, with their whole selves.”


“Do you want to have children of your own?”


“Finn…”


He squeezed her waist and said, “Have you ever thought about it?”


“Have you?” she asked, turning to face him.


“Ella, I would love to have a family with you someday, when we’re ready. Do you want to have a family with me?”


“Well, yes, but…”


“But what, baby?”


“I would want to have children with you, but I wouldn’t want to have them without you.”


“What do you mean?”


“The way I grew up, it just made me not want to do it on my own.”


“You wouldn’t be. We’d be together. I’m not going anywhere.”


“Finn, there’s more than one way to be alone. You spend your life flying around the world to shoot movies and attend film festivals. Where would that leave me? Alone.”


“Sweetheart, if we choose to have a family someday, some things would obviously change. I’ve been thinking about this since we met, but I didn’t want to bring it up and scare you away by asking too much too soon. But after I saw you today, I thought we could at least talk about it. It’s just a conversation.”


“You’ve been thinking about it all this time?”


“Yes,” he said, gently running his fingers down her arm.


“What have you been thinking about?”


“Well, we could take some time to be alone together, to travel. If we had a child, you would both travel with me to film sets. I can get the studio to rent us a house. We’d hire a nanny and any other kind of help we want so you could write, I could work, and we could all be together. When our oldest is school aged, I would only take jobs in LA, except maybe in the summers when we could all still travel as a family. We could show them the world. Being a husband and father would be my priority. You wouldn’t go to so much as a single doctor’s appointment alone unless you wanted to. If I had to give up acting and be a stay-at-home dad, that’s fine too.”


“Wow. You’ve really thought about this.”


“Well, yeah. I can’t help it. Our future spilled out before me when you told me you love me. But it’s just a fantasy. Sweetheart, there’s no pressure. Until today, I didn’t even know if children were a possibility. If we live our lives together, just the two of us, I’d be perfectly happy.” He planted a soft kiss in her hair.


“Just a fantasy?” she asked.


“Yeah, for now. Do you ever fantasize about our future?”


She nodded.


“Tell me.”


“Well, I always imagined that I’d keep working, but less than I do now. I’d want to spend time with my babies.”


“Babies?” he asked. “How many?”


“Three. Two girls and then a boy. I don’t care about gender, it’s just what I imagine.”


He rubbed her shoulder. “Tell me more.”


“They’d all look like you,” she said.


“Oh, see, in my mind each one of them looks just like you.”


She smiled and he kissed the tip of her nose.


“Keep going,” he said.


“Well, I like your idea of traveling together. I imagined that…”


“What, baby?”


“It’s silly.”


“Tell me anyway.”


“Well, it’s just a fantasy, but I can picture us buying a little house in the French countryside for summers and holidays. You know, one of those old stone houses with wooden beams on the ceilings and a wood-burning stove, with plenty of room outside for the kids to roll around in the grass and a space for me to write.” She crinkled her nose and shook her head. “I told you, it’s silly.”


“Not to me. I think it sounds perfect,” he said, kissing her. “So, two girls and a boy, huh? I should warn you, I’ve always liked traditional names, like Emily and Sarah. I’m guessing you gravitate toward more free-spirited names like Lula Belle or Blue Moon. I’m prepared to fight you on this.” He playfully put up his dukes, but she grabbed one of his hands and kissed it.


She laughed. “Actually, I was thinking if we had a girl, maybe we’d call her Betty. It’s completely traditional, but modern too. I don’t know. It’s just a thought.”


“Betty, huh? I love it. And you know what else? I love you.” He stopped to stroke the side of her face. “I love you so much, Ella. There’s no fantasy we can’t make a reality if we choose to. Come on, sweetheart. Let’s dry off and slip into bed. I want to show you exactly how I feel about you.”



Now for an Interview!!

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, shy, compassionate.

2. Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.

I could see Kiefer Sutherland from a decade ago in the role of Finn Forrester. He’s got the whole dreamy Hollywood thing, and he has incredible range. He veers toward action, but I could see him in a romance. A younger Rebecca Gayheart could play Ella Sinclair. She’s got the perfect spiral curls and charisma.

3. What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?

The love scene in Titanic is sort of a classic. At the time, I was obsessed.

4. What’s your wildest fantasy?

Read my novels to find out! Honestly, I think romance writers put all our fantasies into our books. I do love a little wish fulfillment with a movie star who falls in love with an average—not so average—gal. There’s a lot of that in my books.

5. If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why?

Smell. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of gross stuff to smell. My husband has a terrible sense of smell and sometimes I think he’s lucky.

6. What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?

When I was in high school my bestie and I skipped school with a couple of guys and drove to a big, local park. To our utter shock, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith were there filming something. Apparently, the park had an antique car garage or something, which they were using. No one else was there, except the film crew. We met both guys and they were really kind to us. I can’t say I regret skipping school that day!

 

About the Author:

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. Her last novel, Hollyland, was featured on She Reads in “The Most Anticipated Romances of Spring 2023” and was the 2023 Firebird Book Awards 1st Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction and 1st Place Winner in Summer/Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

https://www.amazon.com/Location-Shoot-Novel-Patricia-Leavy/dp/1647425670

https://www.amazon.com/Hollyland-Novel-Patricia-Leavy/dp/1647422965









a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

Belega by Dianne Hartsock

 It's a blog tour and I'm featuring an exclusive excerpt for Belega by Dianne Hartsock. If you haven't checked this out, you should. There are prizes up for grabs. Like? Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/02/excerpt-tour-belega-by-dianne-hartsock.html 



Belega

by Dianne Hartsock

  

The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulating nature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they've destroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, where one of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has come from the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strength no match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who only desires a simple life.

 Now only Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more than he imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, his Karthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth, that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.

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

 

Now for an Excerpt!

 A sudden smile lit his face. He felt alive! Power tingled through him. He held Kavi’s pale face in his dark hands and searched his features. Flawless olive skin washed almost white with pain, lids closed tight on almond eyes, his dark hair was matted with sweat, grime, and streaks of blood.

 Gregor closed his eyes once again to look deeper. The bones of Kavi’s face were fine and thin, and he trailed fingers along the thickness of his temple. He bent his will and could feel the structure of the bone, its smoothness beneath his touch. He walked his fingers gently over Kavi’s scalp, feather-light on the swelling at the back of his head. Skin gave way to blood and swollen tissue. There, the tiniest of fractures in the bone. And beyond that…

 His mind screamed at a pressure that would burst his skull. No, not his skull, Kavi’s, the swollen matter pushing against the bone and out the tiny crack that had bruised it. Gregor concentrated on that small fissure and then he was inside, his thoughts touching Kavi’s mind, healing the tiny wounds.

 All at once, the pressure that stopped Kavi’s ears and pounded in his temples eased. Gregor withdrew, his spirit crashing back into his own body in a rush. He blinked several times but couldn’t focus. With a deep sigh, he toppled beside Kavi as his strength gave out.

 He floated, weightless, for a long while, but awoke sometime in the night. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly, felt the hard earth beneath his body and a warm blanket over him. The soft breathing of the others floated on the air. He felt weary to his very bones, his thoughts sluggish. He couldn’t remember when he’d last experienced such utter exhaustion.

 Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. Kavi lay sleeping on his back close by, and he knew he should check on him to make sure he was healing properly. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not yet. He turned on his back and looked in misery at the tree branches and moonlit sky overhead. He didn’t know why circumstances had brought him to Belega in the middle of a war. Why wasn’t he allowed to go home?

 He closed his eyes and tears slipped down cheeks grown hollow in the last few weeks. He’d already given so much of himself, and he could feel the suffering of those nearby who needed more of him.

 He wondered if his mother still lit a candle in the small front window at home for him. Had Elsa forgiven him? What of his children? His heart twisted at the thought of his beautiful ones. But he’d been unable to stay in Sennia, even for them. The people like him, the ones with power, were being hunted. But all he longed to do was return home.

 He took a deep breath and willed himself back into forgetful sleep, knowing the pain of the world would still be there when he awoke.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

About the Author:

 Dianne grew up in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in the basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs. Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where her love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/m romance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind.

 She now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in her hands, which kindles her imagination.

 Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

 

Blog: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

 FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock

 FaceBook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsockbooks/?show_switched_toast=1&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/

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






a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

Book Blast - Happy Harry by Barbara Lampert



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In her dog memoir Happy Harry: A Magical Golden, psychotherapist Barbara Lampert, a lifelong dog lover, tells the story of her beloved Golden Retriever, Harry. Like her first dog memoir, Harry's story comes from her mostly uncensored daily journal and takes place in Malibu, California.

Harry was a genuinely free spirit - wild, and very wolf-like. Did all this contribute to his being exceptionally happy? Perhaps.

Harry was not only the happiest being Barbara's ever known, happy to the very core of him, but also the bravest. More than once in his life, Harry had to face true adversity, and each time, Barbara would look at him in wonder, not fully understanding how a being could be so brave and at the same time continue to be so happy.

Harry literally pranced through life, with a joyous attitude that made being around him like magic. Barbara fell in love with Harry. And as you immerse yourself in Harry's story, it's likely you will too! Happy Harry is unforgettable!


Read an Excerpt

Harry had a girlfriend for a while when he was about four or five years old. Probably for a couple of years. Oh he didn’t see her every day, but for that two year-or-so stretch maybe once or twice a week. …

Roxie, a one-year-old Yellow Lab – the taller, leaner hunting type – was beautiful, energetic, and happy. Just like Harry. Roxie lived a few miles from our house, on the Point in Malibu. …

When Harry knew he was going to see Roxie, he would get so excited. He would pant, start running around, tail up, and on the ride over he would stand or pace in the back seat the whole time. So eager, such joy. And when we got there, he would literally go flying out of the car, with David at the other end of the leash. Tail up, full steam ahead. And Roxie, being just a year old and still quite a playful puppy, would go equally berserk when she saw Harry. They would sniff and kiss each other through the openings in the fence. …

Sometimes they would chase each other or run together, with the fence between them. David would run with them, since he had Harry on the leash. A few times Roxie’s owner came out and opened the gate to let Harry and Roxie be together. More kissing, chasing, tails up, sniffing. Both not believing their good luck. Both always bursting with joy the whole time they were together. Such a sight. …

Barney didn’t get nearly as excited as Harry about Roxie and didn’t interfere in their relationship. This was Harry’s territory. And it appeared Roxie only had eyes for Harry. …

It was always difficult to leave, because the whole time we were there Harry and Roxie were inseparable. Whenever Roxie’s owner would come out, we’d talk and laugh about the two lovebirds. It was wonderful seeing Harry and Roxie so happy. How he loved her…

About the Author:
My passion is dogs! I’ve had dogs most of my life and hope to have at least one by my side always. Dog energy is the best!

I’m the author of two dog memoirs: Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and before that Charlie: A Love Story. Each about one of my Golden Retrievers. (I told you dogs are my passion!)

I’m a psychotherapist, licensed for over thirty years, specializing in relationships.

I was a flight attendant for nine years. And taught sociology at several universities. I have two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

Gardening is another love – not as much as dogs, but right up there! I see my garden as a work of art and garden as much as possible in my free time. I love being in nature.

I live in Malibu, California with my husband David and, you guessed it, our two wonderful Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Henry.

https://www.happyharryamagicalgolden.com/happy-harry-a-magical-golden
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMTXK538
https://www.facebook.com/barbara.lampert.50/
https://www.facebook.com/barbaralampertauthor
https://www.tiktok.com/@barbara.lampert5
https://www.instagram.com/barbaralampert1/
https://www.pinterest.com/drbarbaralampert/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, February 23, 2024

Blurb Blitz - Mamacadabra by Carrie Monroe O'Keefe



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Starting her third year of marriage, Carrie Monroe O’Keefe had already been on the roller coaster of extreme highs and lows of a newly blended family. Thinking she could do a better job of navigating marriage, stepmotherhood, working full time, and all of the things, she embarked on a year of “what if.”

Settling into her role as wife and mom, she tried to find ways to do things better, see things differently, and reframe her thinking to create a better home for her family and to feel more at home herself. With humor, unwavering honesty, vulnerability, and sarcasm, Carrie finds her way through the year and to her true self.






Read an Excerpt

From Chapter: This House is Not a Home (Currently)

It’s a bright Saturday morning and I’m looking around my kitchen wondering when, exactly, I let it get THIS bad. The dishwasher has been run, but nobody has bothered to unload it, resulting in piles of dirty dishes in and around the sink. There are empty cereal boxes lined up, I assume, so I can cut out the Box Tops for Education labels…because I’m the only one who can what…use scissors? Break down the boxes for recycling? Throw away the empty bag inside the boxes that once held cereal?

Speaking of recycling, there’s a bag of recycling on a stool waiting to be taken out on our “next trip” out of the house. It’s been there for three days and we have, in fact, left the house several times in those three days.

The clincher, though, is the kitchen table. Our puppy has a best friend that lives next door. He comes over to our back deck door and barks for Sullivan to come out to play. They wrestle, run around, investigate, bark at each other, bark at passersby, lay down to rest, and then start over. When they’re out and I’m working or writing, I bring my laptop up to the kitchen table so I can check on the dogs from time to time.

At this very moment, I’m sitting at my kitchen table and surrounding my laptop are:

•One little girl’s black shoe.
•One little girl’s gold shoe.
•One little girl’s pink slipper.
•The Nancy Drew book we’re currently reading.
•Large bag of colored pencils.
•Pair of my husband’s dirty socks.
•Empty napkin holder on its side.
•The art project brought home by my littlest little girl.
•Pad of paper with my work notes scribbled on it.
•Three place mats (one was a casualty of yesterday’s juice fiasco).
•One black marker.
•Work documents of my husband’s.
•A partially completed drawing.

My kitchen table isn’t even big! How, or perhaps a better question is WHY, is there so much sh*t sitting on it?!! And does anybody else find it a teensy bit disconcerting that there are two shoes, a slipper, and dirty socks on the table at which we EAT OUR MEALS? Anyone???

About the Author:
Carrie Monroe O’Keefe started blogging about her life by sharing stories of marriage, stepmotherhood, and how to navigate it all on mamacadabra.com in 2012. People said they loved reading the posts, so she kept writing. In addition to blogging, she released her middle-grade fiction book, The Whole Truth, in 2019.

Carrie lives outside of Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and dog Finlay.

Website: http://www.mamacadabra.com
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/monroeokeefe

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1144367657
Amazon: www.amazon.com/Mamacadabra-Poof-Youre-mom-now/dp/1733629939/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, February 22, 2024

VBT - THE BABEL APOCALYPSE AUDIOBOOK by Vyvyan Evans


This is virtual tour and there are prizes to be won. Stick around for the interview, too. What's up for grabs? The author will award a randomly drawn winner a copy of the audiobook. Follow the tour for more chances. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/12/vbt-babel-apocalypse-audiobook-by.html


THE BABEL APOCALYPSE AUDIOBOOK

by Vyvyan Evans





Language is no longer learned, but streamed to neural implants regulated by lang-laws. Those who can’t afford monthly language streaming services are feral, living on the fringes of society. Big tech corporations control language, the world’s most valuable commodity.

But when a massive cyberattack causes a global language outage, catastrophe looms.

Europol detective Emyr Morgan is assigned to the case. Suspect number one is Professor Ebba Black, the last native speaker of language in the automated world, and leader of the Babel cyberterrorist organization. But Emyr soon learns that in a world of corporate power, where those who control language control everything, all is not as it seems. After all, if the mysterious Ebba Black is to blame, why is the Russian Federation being framed for an outage it claims no responsibility for? And why is Ebba now a target for assassination?


As he and Ebba collide, Emyr faces an existential dilemma between loyalty and betrayal, when everything he once believed in is called into question. To prevent the imminent collapse of civilization and a deadly war between the great federations, he must figure out friend from foe—his life depends on it.

And with the odds stacked against him, he must find a way to stop the Babel Apocalypse.

Now for an Interview with the Author:

1. Describe yourself in three words.


Passionate, brave, loyal

2. Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.

Krysten Ritter (to play Ebba Black), Henry Cavill to play Emyr Morgan.

3. What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?


The whole scope of the love story between Yuri Zhivago and Lara Antipova in the 1965 movie Dr. Zhivago (based on Boris Pasternak’s book published in 1957), tinged with sadness and regret, and with conflicting loyalties, is one of the most moving in cinematic depictions of doomed love.

4. What’s your wildest fantasy?

To go into space and explore new planets beyond our solar system.

5. If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why?

Sense of smell—this sense seems to me to be the one that would cause least suffering and deprivation.

6. What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?

I took a job as newspaper delivery boy at the age of ten against my parents wishes, to earn pocket money. As they wouldn’t agree, I took the job anyway with the local newsagent, lying that I was older than I was. I would then sneak out of the house early each morning and take my bicycle to deliver newspapers. When my mother found out, she went to see the newsagent and told him I was too young for the role. And I was subsequently grounded.

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

Now for An Excerpt:


As I was about to glance back at the voices, a light flickered in my peripheral vision, drawing my gaze upward to the night sky. A soft white glow, high up in the dark. At first it was indistinguishable from the airway lights. But it persisted, the size of a small disk at first, before shifting to red-orange, getting larger. At that point I realized it definitely couldn’t be a hover car. This was farther up, probably low Earth orbit, which explained the initial white. But the shift in coloration—that meant a detonation, producing nitrogen dioxide, which turned deep orange when mixed with air. A gaseous cloud has reached the atmosphere, I thought. I was witnessing a chemical explosion in space large enough to be visible to the naked eye. But what was exploding?

As I continued looking up, the orange grew in intensity until it flared across the skyline, illuminating the entire landscape around me with an eerie red-orange. It was only then that I became aware of the newly hushed silence of the drunken revelers nearby. And the silhouettes of other people too, who had also stopped and peppered the pedestrian corridor. We were all now strange red creatures, watching transfixed in rapt silence as the night sky was on fire. And just as suddenly as it had appeared, it was gone; the orange light faded back into a deep well of pitch black.

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

About the Author:




Dr. Vyvyan Evans is a native of Chester, England. He holds a PhD in linguistics from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., and is a Professor of Linguistics. He has published numerous acclaimed popular science and technical books on language and linguistics. His popular science essays and articles have appeared in numerous venues including 'The Guardian', 'Psychology Today', 'New York Post', 'New Scientist', 'Newsweek' and 'The New Republic'. His award-winning writing focuses, in one way or another, on the nature of language and mind, the impact of technology on language, and the future of communication. His science fiction work explores the status of language and digital communication technology as potential weapons of mass destruction.

Book website (including ‘Buy’ links): http://www.songs-of-the-sage.com

Author website: https://www.vyvevans.net/

Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@vyvevans

Twitter: https://twitter.com/VyvEvans

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vyvyan.Evans.Author

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nephilim_publishing/



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Blurb Blitz - THE SPINSTER, THE REBEL, AND THE GOVERNOR by Charlene Bell Dietz

This is a blurb blitz and there are prizes to be won. You'll want to check it all out. What's up for grabs? The author will award a randomly chosen winner a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. How cool is that? Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/02/blurb-blitz-spinster-rebel-and-governor.html




The Spinster, the Rebel & the Governor

by Charlene Bell Dietz


Move over Susan B. Anthony. There’s an unsung woman asking for the vote 224 years before you, and murderous rebels and bigoted gentlemen can’t prevent spinster Lady Margaret Brent from wielding her power to defend Maryland settlers from plunder and obliteration.


Lady Margaret Brent, compelled to right wrongs, risks her life by illegally educating English women, placing her family at risk. She fights to have a voice, yet her father and brothers exclude her from discussions. Worried the kings’ men may know of her illegal activities, she flees to the New World where she can enjoy religious tolerance and own land, believing she will be allowed a voice. Once in Maryland, she presents cases in provincial court where she’s hired as the first American woman attorney, but there she uncovers perilous actions, prompting her to build a fort to shield those within from being murdered. Can Margaret Brent’s integrity and ingenuity protect Maryland from being destroyed?


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


Now for an excerpt:


The Wells girl covered her eyes with both hands. Margaret, ignoring the buzzing of flies and the damp heat of the morning sun, worked to untangle the girl’s words in her mind.


“If the river doesn’t take me, then I shall have my baby alone and will have to live with Master Cole, and I shall never see my dear Tom again.” With that, she burst into tears.


“You do not look like you are about to have a baby. Why do you say your time is up?”


“Master Cole brought me here four years ago. He said after I had worked for him for four years, I wouldn’t owe him a tad more, and now he says I can’t leave, and so I might as well marry him. Lady Brent. I worked hard from early morning until after dark every day, and my time is up. Even the devil would say this isn’t right.” She sniffed and looked away.


Margaret set her jaw. “Heaven help us if other masters here in Maryland treat their servants in this manner.”


“There’s nothing I can do.” She bit her lip. “I thought maybe the next time you talked with Governor Calvert you might say something on my behalf, and I pray my request is not one of cheekiness.”


“Mary.” Margaret called sharply across to the soap making group. “Would you please come here?”


When Mary finished saying something, she trotted over to the garden. “Hello, Carrie. Are you not feeling well—your face seems flushed?”


“So, you are acquainted with Carrie Wells?” Margaret studied her sister, slipped the basket from Carrie, and moved it into Mary’s hands. “She brought these for us and herbs to scent your soap.”


“Sometimes on Sundays after church Carrie walks with me in the woods and shows me barks, roots, and herbs that heal.” She glanced at the basket. “Why, these are lovely.” She glanced at the young woman, then put her hand on Carrie’s arm. “Are you still having trouble with Jacob Cole?”


“Jacob Cole is about to have troubles with her. Has Giles returned from Kent for Assembly today? Will both our brothers be at the meeting?” Margaret’s frogs roiled inside her. 


How dare these men take advantage of their servants? 


“I saw him and Fulke along with some other men heading to Lewger’s home earlier.”


“Come, Carrie Wells. We shall also attend Assembly.”


“But—Margaret,” Mary grabbed her arm. “Certainly, women would not be allowed—”


Margaret shrugged Mary away, snatched Carrie Wells by her hand, and stomped off down the path.


“Sister,” Mary called after her, “you must take off that filthy apron. You’re covered in soil.”


Margaret jerked it untied and slung it. “There is a difference between God’s soil and men’s dirt. Carrie Wells and I are about to sort this very thing out with all those fine gentlemen of Assembly.”



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


About the Author:


Charlene Bell Dietz lives in the central mountains of New Mexico. She taught kindergarten through high school, served as a school administrator, and an adjunct instructor for the College of Santa Fe. After retirement she traveled the United States providing instruction for school staff and administrators. Her writing includes published articles, children’s stories, short stories, and mystery and historical novels


Email: chardietzpen@gmail.com  

Website: https://inkydancestudios.com/

 Char Bell Dietz @CharBellDietz  

Purchase: http://apbooks.net/srg.html


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





a Rafflecopter giveaway