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Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts
Showing posts with label giveaway. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

Guest Post by Peter Wilson Author of Family Trust (#Adult Fiction 18+, #contests- Win An Author signed copy of the Book, #ireadbooktours)

 


Book Details:

Book Title: Family Trust by Peter Wilson
Category Adult Fiction (18 +), 211 pages
Genrethriller / family drama / strong female protagonists
Publisher:  Peter Wilson
Release Date: April 26, 2024
Content Rating: PG-13. There are F words as one character in particular has a potty mouth. Not sexually explicit swearing. There's quite a few murders in the book, but not graphic. A bit of romance, but nothing beyond PG activity.


A well-written, smartly plotted drama with strong, memorable characters and a good dollop of humour. Very enjoyable! - The Wishing Shelf

Book Description:

Mel is having a bad day. Her would be assassin is dead on a hotel floor and she doesn’t know who to turn to. Her ex David, is the love of her life, but wouldn’t understand that the attempt on her life was just another chapter to add to her family’s dark past.
Family Trust is a fast paced journey through the generations of a wealthy Australian family, who play by a different rule book.
Buy the Book
Amazon

add to goodreads
 
Guest Post 

Is there a Sequel to Family Trust Coming?

Yes! I am writing another novel, picking up a year after the wedding in the first novel. I wasn’t initially planning on it, but I’ve had enough people ask what happened next. I’ve started writing it and it’s already looking to be a similar weave between the past and present.

I really liked writing for Henry and Maggie, so going back into the past allows me to do this and show what they were like in their ‘hey day’. I also want to further delve into the relationships of the other characters – while also solving another crises that has struck the family.

I also want to explore a few of the fringe characters from the first book more as well. Rodney the tailor, as well as James and Maggie. While I’m not certain they will get their own POV chapters, I do want to spend more time with them and let readers know what makes them tick.

Meet the Author:

Peter Wilson is an award-winning writer based in Sydney Australia. His first novel, Jack Gregson & the Forgotten Portal has won awards internationally, in both the USA and United Kingdom, and quickly became a favourite with young readers.

Peter recently published a thriller / family drama novel directed at adults and looks forward to pursing further novels in the future.
 Connect With The Author:

Tour Schedule:
FAMILY TRUST by Peter Wilson Book Tour Giveaway



Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Cover Reveal of Tangled Darkness by MM Desch(#Contests- Enter to win a AMAZON GIFT CARD.)

TANGLED DARKNESS

by MM Desch

December 3, 2024 Cover Reveal

Synopsis:

Tangled Darkness by MM Desch

In a twisted web of lies, she's either the spider or the fly.

When a psychiatric clinic assistant turns up dead, Dr. Leslie Schoen finds herself a suspect in the case—and facing allegations which could destroy her career.

As Detective Davis works the investigation, Leslie launches her own inquiries. She soon uncovers deception and illegal schemes involving stolen prescription opioids at her clinic. It seems everyone around her is hiding something, and as she gets closer to the truth, the threats against her escalate. She struggles with keeping dangerous information from her pregnant wife, Izzy, and knows she needs to confront traumatic demons from her own past. But as she delves deeper into a web of lies, one thing becomes clear: someone will do anything to keep their criminal plans in the shadows.

With her family and even her life on the line, Leslie must outwit those who want her silenced before it’s too late. No one’s motives are what they seem, and the killer may be closer than anyone thinks.

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Published by: Rowan Prose Publishing
Publication Date: July 15, 2025
Number of Pages: 339
ISBN: 9798227130914
Book Links: Amazon | Kobo | Apple | BookBub | Goodreads | Books2Read

 

Author Bio:

MM Desch

Mary Desch, writing under the pen name MM Desch, brings a wealth of psychiatric expertise to her gripping psychological thrillers. Drawing from her extensive career as a general and addiction psychiatrist across multiple states, she crafts relatable characters facing intense psychological and physical dangers. Her deep understanding of human motivations, conflicts, and trauma recovery infuses her writing with authenticity and suspense.

A lifelong mystery enthusiast, Mary's passion for the genre evolved from childhood fascination with Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine to a deep appreciation for detective fiction in college. This enduring love for suspenseful storytelling naturally led her to write psychological thrillers.

When not delving into the intricacies of her next novel or novella, Mary enjoys hiking, long walks with her wife and their spirited mini schnauzer, exploring local food scenes, golfing, and following women's professional basketball.

Mary's debut thriller, Tangled Darkness, marks the beginning of a promising foray into psychological suspense fiction.

 

Tour Participants: 

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

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Sunday, December 1, 2024

Book Blitz of Dreams That Bind Us by Irene Lawless(#Contests- Win An AMAZON GIFT CARD)

Dreams That Bind Us
Irene Lawless
(Romancing The Keys, #3)
Publication date: November 26th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

What does it mean when you’re tormented by sensual dreams night after night? When you wake aching for your lover’s touch?

Anna Kingsley spends her days crafting custom furniture for Key West’s top galleries and hiding from her psychic talents. Tortured on a nightly basis, she is visited by a mystery man who invades her dreams and sends her soaring to new heights with his touch.

James Armstrong, a billionaire real estate mogul, arrives in Key West to fulfill his deceased mother’s life-long dream. He left New York to open a five-star resort in her memory. But he never expects to be haunted by dreams of a beauty with turquoise eyes.

When Anna and James crash into one another at a local coffee shop, they realize their dream lovers are real. But when Anna runs, James becomes obsessed with tracking her down. He’ll stop at nothing to possess her and make their dreams a reality.

Goodreads / Purchase

EXCERPT:

James jack-knifed in the bed, his hands reaching for the woman who always seemed to hover just out of his reach. He found nothing but air.

Sucking in a deep breath, he slumped against his pillow and groaned, grinding his palms into his eyes. It happened every night now: an amazingly erotic dream of a mystery woman with curly, blonde hair and eyes the shade of mesmerizing teal, similar to the waters surrounding the island. He could barely see her face, as if she were standing in a fog. But it was the silky locks and hypnotic gaze that always drew him in.

His hand wrapped around his rock-hard cock and squeezed, hissing at the sensation. The dreams had started when he’d moved to Key West months ago, yanking him awake and leaving him aching for more. Hell, he hadn’t been this horny since he was eighteen years old, and it was for a woman who didn’t exist.

He padded to the bathroom and braced against the cool porcelain counter, staring at his reflection. There were dark circles under his eyes now, probably from the lack of sleep, and he really needed to shave. He ran a hand over his bristly chin and grimaced. He’d grown lazy since he left New York.

If she were alive, his mother wouldn’t be pleased. She would remind him that, “you never get a second chance to make a first impression.” A pang of heartache hit at the thought. It had been six months and it still wasn’t any easier. She’d passed quickly from a stroke in her sleep, so she hadn’t suffered. Now the misery was all his because he never had a chance to say goodbye.

If only he had made the time.

He huffed out a sigh and drummed his fingers on the sink. It was time to get his life back in order and somehow figure out how to get that intoxicating figment of a woman out of his head.

If that was even possible.

Author Bio:

I fell in love with the romance genre in my teens and truly enjoy developing well-rounded romance stories that tug at the heart. When I'm not writing, I'm usually out on a hike or have a coffee and book in hand.

You can sign up for my newsletter or reach me at my website www.irenelawless.com

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub


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Saturday, November 30, 2024

Book Buz of Forever We Fall by Meg Everly- Book 2 in the series (#Contests- Win a Copy of the Book Look Don't Touch- Book 1)

Forever We Fall: A Dark MM Romance
Meg Everly
(Pieces of Us, #2)
Publication date: November 26th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Dark Romance, LGBTQ+, Romance

A love worth dying for.

Hotaru Kido

Leaving Japan was bad. Leaving sh*tty London is worse. Why? My destination. Willoughby Ridge Boarding School.

It smells as old as it is. No one can find the place on a map. And it’s boys only. Did you hear that last bit? No. F*cking. Girls.

Even the teachers. Male. The only pair of t*ts for kilometers belong to the headmaster’s hot little secretary. That’s why I got myself in trouble and am sitting in the office when he walks in.

This guy is new. He’s gaunt and terrified of the big man behind him. No one seems to notice the wince when he sits or the way he catalogs the guy’s every move. I do.

If I’d stayed in class that day, my life would have been a billion times easier. If given the chance, would I have chosen to keep it simple or put myself between him and his tormentor?

Arlo Judge

When your parents and brother die in a freak accident, you certainly think that’s the worst that could happen. It’s not. I’ve seen the depth of h*ll. Felt the burn. Lived the agony.

When I’m deposited in the middle of nowhere boarding school, I’m relieved for the first time in a long time. Only my suitemate sees too much. He gives me hope when I know there is none.

In him, I find comfort and friendship that can’t last. My tormentor won’t allow it.

With his care and kindness, I see a way out. I have to finish my journey through h*ll to get there. I don’t know what will be left of me, of us, when I get to the other side.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“To the headmaster’s office.”

“Thank you.” I stand and reach for my bag.

“Thank you?” he scoffs. “Why on earth are you thanking me for that?”

One day, he’ll learn not to speak to me in front of the class. If he has any semblance of a brain, it’ll be today.

I sling my bag over my shoulder and head for the door. When I’m on his level and standing several inches taller than him, I grin.

“It will give us, Bridgeport and me, a chance to discuss your subpar teaching skills and your nightly visits to a certain student’s room.” The class gasps. “Plus, the headmaster’s office has to be more interesting than this class.”

Before he can formulate a response, I’m out the door and headed for the main office. The classroom erupts into chaos behind me.

I’m smiling for the first time since I arrived at this awful place.

Have I actually seen him visiting another student’s room? No. But he doesn’t know that. And I like to fuck with people. They’re pretty easy to manipulate. I don’t know why, but people always have been. Easy to read. Easy to influence. Puppets, most of them.

No one is in the hallways. All the tenth through thirteenth years are in class. They separate us from the first through fifth, sixth through ninth, and then the rest of us. I haven’t seen the whole school come together, but I heard they do for the beginning and end of the year celebrations.

Can’t wait.

I exit our building, head across campus, and shove through the main office entrance. The place is bustling. A lady behind the desk is on the phone. Or should I say the lady, as in the only one? I sit in the waiting area, put my backpack on the chair beside me, and drink her in.

Blond hair pulled back at the nape. Glasses sit on the bridge of her nose. A cardigan hugs her shoulders and meets with little buttons at the center of her chest. Her breasts aren’t large, but they’re the biggest in these parts. They’re big enough to fill my mouth and tempt my tongue.

She clocks me and automatically gives me the hold-on-a-minute finger. Then her gaze meets mine.

Her pink lips part. Her throat works on a big swallow. She turns in her seat and faces the wall. A blush creeps up the side of her neck, and she fidgets with her hair.

Yeah, she remembers me. I chatted her up real good while my father signed my life away. She made things bearable. She can make things better than bearable. Just the warm, wet spot I need to forget about this horrid place for a bit.

My smile is back.

It’s a good day.

The door opens, and Headmaster Bridgeport enters. He holds the door for a big man with wide shoulders and a civil smile on his lips. A smile that I don’t buy. Not for one pence and not for one second.

There’s evil behind his gaze.

Now I’m the one swallowing. Gulping really. The hairs on the back of my neck go up. My pulse thrums in my stomach.

“Sit there.” The man’s fat index finger points toward me. I fight the urge to squirm, and I don’t fucking squirm for anyone. “I’ll speak with the headmaster.”

Threat coats the man’s words. No one else seems to pick up on it, though. Not the secretary. Not the young office workers in the back. Not the dumb-as-dirt headmaster. His dog, that ugly motherfucker, diverts from his master’s office to cower behind Miss Booth’s desk. The only smart one of the lot. He can sense the bad coming from that guy and gets the hell out of Dodge.

While the two men continue to the headmaster’s office, a guy materializes from behind the nightmarish man.

His spine is ramrod straight, and his chin is high. He looks strong and regal and also scared out of his fucking mind. No one else could probably tell, but I’m sneaky and stupidly good at reading people. It’s a gift…and a curse.

His eyes are intent on the man, hyper-focused, even as he sits with perfect posture. He releases a small bag gently on the floor. It’s a ratty duffel the size of a carry-on. There’s a wince as his ass meets the chair two away from mine. He favors his right side as though sporting an injury on his left. His hands are fists, and his jaw is screwed so tight it looks like he’s about to crack a molar.

The door closes, and the evil man disappears.

It’s as if the guy next to me takes his first breath of the entire day. It practically shakes the damn room. He blinks as though just taking in the world around him. He clocks the secretary first but doesn’t really see her and all she has to offer. Maybe he doesn’t yet know that she’s the only slice for miles.

Looks like he’ll learn soon enough.

This is for sure the new kid everyone’s buzzing about. He’s wearing a bespoke suit that’s two sizes too big for him instead of the school uniform.

If I’d seen him before, I’d remember.

His isn’t a face I’ll forget.

Author Bio:

Meg Everly writes stories with sentiment, smut, and love with no bounds.

 

 

 

 

Website / Goodreads / TikTok / Instagram / Booksirens


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Thursday, November 28, 2024

Book Blitz of Serpentina by Faith Consiglio(Get a free copy of the book during the blitz-#contests- Win An Amazon gift card and a Copy of the Book)

SERPENTINA
Faith Consiglio
Publication date: June 27th 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Driven to find a cure for her brother’s illness, Emma embarks on a research trip to the island of Crete, a land brimming with tales of the gods. There, she is drawn to the myth of Medusa, a beautiful priestess turned monster, cursed at the hands of a jealous Athena.

Her exploration leads to a dangerous encounter with a mysterious serpent in the forest, and after the snake’s venom nearly kills her, Emma slips even deeper into the myth, her own fate intertwining with the woman at its heart.

She returns home, eyes set on attending Columbia University after graduation, but it isn’t long before she notices changes to her body and mind… changes that are nothing short of serpentine.

As she pulses through Medusa’s memory, she unlocks an unexpected truth that alters her world. She discovers the scope of her new abilities, including her blood’s power to cure illness, but with a cost. When Emma is betrayed by those closest to her, she finds herself hunted by an enemy hungry for her blood. And she is not the only one in danger; a horrifying plan unfurls as young girls disappear from the streets.

Emma must embrace what she has become to fight an enemy more ancient and evil than she imagined, for the chance to heal her brother, save the girls, and avenge the mythical source of her power.

 GET A FREE COPY OF THE BOOK DURING THE BLITZ!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

EXCERPT:

“Dark leaves rustled in the forest, their dried tips rubbing against each other like the slow rattle of a snake. Emma paused, a warning echoing in her mind. Since her arrival to the reptile research base on Crete, she had ventured into the palm forest alone each afternoon, wandering deeper each time.

Never enter the forest alone. It was the rule her research mentor emphasized most during orientation. But there was nothing truly dangerous on the island. Hercules had cleared away all the deadly creatures to honor Zeus’s birthplace. She smiled, recounting the myth the airport taxi driver had told them. Emma knew, out of all the snakes there, only the cat snake had venom, and it was too mild to hurt a human.

Still, if Dr. Belken discovered her sneaking out at dusk, she might as well kiss a Columbia University recommendation letter goodbye. Yet the forest called her in, beckoning her to explore its ancient grounds.

She stepped over sandy soil, glancing over her shoulder at the wooden stairs and scanning to see if anyone was watching before turning into the trees. She savored a breath. The air was dry and the heat tame, with an endless breeze carrying wisps of sea salt and the spice of wild herbs through the dancing shadows of leaves.

A rustling halted her steps.

Her eyes darted to catch a beige, reptilian tail slipping into the nearby shrubs.

She held her breath and crept toward it, afraid to scare it off. It would sense the vibration of even her lightest step.

She peered through a thicket of narrow, glossy leaves and clustered pink flowers. Her heart pounded, instincts heightened, but she reminded herself that even a bite couldn’t kill her.

At first, she didn’t see anything. Then scales materialized among the leaves on a thick, coiled body. Only now they were green and pink. She squinted. Was it a different snake, or had it changed?

Its serpentine head emerged through the leaves, forked tongue flickering. She froze.

This was not a cat snake.”

Author Bio:

Faith grew up in Sloatsburg, NY, and finished medical school in Stony Brook to become a psychiatrist, with a passion for storytelling. When she's not writing or seeing patients, Faith enjoys traveling, taking her cat for walks, trying different types of green tea, and seeing how many plants she can fit in her apartment.

Website / Goodread / X / Instagram


 

 

 

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Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Book Blitz of Love at Last Series by A.S. Kelly(#contests- WIN AN AMAZON GIFT CARD, #Romance, #Adult)

Last Call
A.S. Kelly

(Love At Last #1)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Niall Kerry. I’m almost forty years old, and I’m drowning in something that begins with ‘S – ’it doesn’t quite seem appropriate to write it down here.

After a lifetime out on a sports field, living as a champion – as someone who never had to ask for anything – I’ve suddenly found myself starting from scratch. I’m living in the middle of nowhere with my parents, I’m jobless, and I have a teenage daughter who hates me. Oh, and I have to try and regain the trust of everyone I know.

It’s not easy to convince people that, deep down, you’re not so bad; that you’re no longer that troublesome kid they once knew. It’s not easy to work my way into the heart of my favourite headmistress, Jordan.
It’s especially difficult when she wants nothing to do with me.

But you know what? I’m not the kind of guy who just sits back and accepts defeat, or who stops at the small print at the bottom of the page. I’m someone who plays right until the final whistle.
And when her heart is on the line, I’m ready to make my strict, sexy headmistress an offer she can’t refuse.

Each book in the Love At Last Series is standalone:

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Last Call, Love At Last #1

“Please, Jordan. Tell me there won’t be any more contracts to sign.”
I slowly open my eyes and turn my head a little.
“As long as you tell me there’ll be no need for them.”
“Do you really need me to say it?”
“I just want you to be honest.”
“About what?”
I gather my courage. “About us.”
His eyes widen, his hands moving onto my hips.
“Skylar is in the other room,” I remind him. “She might see us.”
“You’re lucky she’s here,” he teases, “or no one could save you from me.”
“I’m not scared of you.”
He grins smugly. “I like that you’re not scared of me. And I like that you used that word.”
“What word?”
“Us.”
“It’s actually more accurate to call it a personal pronoun.”
“Don’t make me close that mouth for you.”
My body shivers at the thought of his mouth on mine.
“Even though something tells me you’d like it.”
I part my lips instinctively, as he gazes at my mouth.
“I know you’d like it, Headmistress.”
“Oh, shut up,” I manage, miraculously.
“Or what?” he teases, pressing his chest against mine. “Will you put me in detention?”

Author Bio:

A. S. Kelly writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.
Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / X / Instagram / Bookbub / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
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Thursday, November 21, 2024

Interview of Deedee Cummings author of How to Dream: A Motivational Guide to a Life of Hope Success and Freedom (#Interview, #Contest- Enter to win a signed copy of the Book)

 
Book Title: How to Dream: A Motivational Guide to a Life of Hope Success and Freedom
by Deedee Cummings
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+) , 150 pages
Genre:  Inspirational/ Self-Help
Publisher:  Make A Way Media
Content Rating: PG.Just a couple words you can't say in school- no f-bombs

 

 

 About the Book:

 How do you dream in a world that actively crushes dreams?

Everything you’ve been told about dreams is wrong. Our dreams have been hijacked. Dreams aren’t just fanciful thoughts; dreams are the very reason we’re here. Yet, we’re constantly told they’re impractical, a waste of time. How to Dream, by best-selling author, therapist, and entrepreneur Deedee Cummings, is your guide to reclaiming the power of your dreams.

In this inspiring and practical book, Deedee uses her expertise and the art of storytelling to help you turn your dreams into reality. Whether you're just getting started or are well on your way, How to Dream offers doable steps and momentous mindset shifts that will make you unstoppable.

Drawing from her own journey and years of experience helping others achieve their goals, you will learn:


  • Practical strategies to overcome self-doubt in a world filled with rampant negativity
  • Powerful affirmations to fuel your success
  • Actionable steps to put your dreams in motion
  • Techniques to develop a growth mindset and become unstoppable


Packed with affirmations, strategies, and practical advice, How to Dream is the essential toolkit for anyone ready to take their life to the next level. If you're struggling to find direction, seeking to reignite your ambition, or need encouragement to stay the course, this book will inspire you to dream bigger, push harder, find freedom, and create the life you've always imagined.

​Don't let another day pass without pursuing your true potential. It's time to make your dreams a reality—starting now.

 INTERVIEW

How did you do research for your book?

My entire career as a therapist and working with families helped me write this book. Every day I sit in the chair in my office and I help one person at a time. I felt an urge to help more people, and I knew I needed to get the message out. This Summer I sat still and finally put everything I talk about as a therapist in a book! I am so hopeful that it will help more than one person in my office at a time.

What made you write a book about dreams?

Working with people every day, you have a front row seat to how easy it is to give up on yourself. On how easy it is to give up on life. My goal in writing this book was to inspire people to believe in themselves and in their dreams. Without a dream you have no purpose, and with out a purpose you might become filled with despair. Your dream is the reason why you are here.

There are many books on the topic of self-help. What makes your book different?

Several things. First, the book is my life’s work. This is actually what I do every day. I pour this information in to people so they will have hope and clarity in their lives. Secondly, the conversational tone of the book is much like being in an actual therapy session with me. The book is so easy to read because you can hear a clear voice and instantly you can feel that this voice has a message that needs to be shared with the world. I also made sure that the steps given in the book were practical. Real things that any reader can do. Dreams don’t happen overnight, but this book demonstrates the power of taking action, even in small steps.

Michelle @ Divas with a Purpose

What advice would you give to budding writers?

Write. Write now. Just start writing. You wouldn’t believe how many people want to write a book and just never do it. Stop thinking about it and get words on paper. If you are still struggling with that join a group that pours confidence into you like my Make A Way Mindset group. You need encouragement and accountability to make it happen if you are unable to get moving on your own. Stop thinking. Start writing. Get words on paper!

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for ten years solidly. I wanted to write for years, which is why I gave the advice I did to just get a story down on paper. I did not publish my first book until I was 44 years old.

Where do you write?

This might seem like a silly or frivolous question, but it is not. IT is very important to have a space where your mind can be free. You can’t write at a desk crowded with bills. You can’t write where people will continually interrupt you. You need an area where your mind can be free. I write on my back deck. I am the most productive as a writer in the Summer.

Gina @ Gina Rae Mitchell

What is your next project?

The feedback from How to Dream has been great! I have a workbook coming out in November and a course around the beginning of the year to help dreamers plan their next steps. I am excited about my new Make A Way Mindset group. I have helped therapy clients one on one for years and now I can help thousands.

What is the most courageous thing you’ve ever done?

Writing a book by far. Writing a book and putting it out into the world for others to scrutinize and pick apart. By far. That is the most courageous thing I have ever done.

If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

That I am not the overachiever that people think I am. That I got a slow start in life and feel like I wasted the first 20 years of my life. I spent the rest of my life making up for that and tried to take advantage of as many things in life as I could. My mom died in her 50’s. At the time she passed, I was young, and I thought she was old. Now I am that age and now I know that she was in her prime. I live my life like I will die in my 50’s. Life is like a big amusement park. I want to ride every ride.

 

About the Author:

Deedee Cummings is a professional dreamer. She is also an author of eighteen books, therapist, attorney, and mom from Louisville, Kentucky.

Cummings founded Make A Way Media in 2014 after struggling to find books with characters who looked like her own children and an extreme lack of stories that reflected their life experiences. Books published by Make A Way focus on hope, diversity, social justice, and therapeutic skills for children and adults. Her work has been featured in HuffPost, Forbes, NPR, USA Today, Essence Magazine, Psych Central, Well+Good, and The EveryGirl, among other media outlets.

In 2021, she was appointed to the Kentucky Early Childhood Advisory Council by
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear acknowledging her decades long service to the children and families of Kentucky.

Deedee is also the founder of The Louisville Book Festival which celebrates its fifth year in 2024 and hosts over 150 authors and presenters from all over the country. She was inspired to work to highlight and celebrate a culture of reading in her community after working as an in-home therapist and visiting homes of children who had no books.

Cummings believes literacy is a fundamental human right. Her work highlights inspiring messages that remind us all it is never too late to begin again. She is currently working to adapt her latest children’s series inspired by the life of her daughter, Kayla Pecchioni (a Broadway actress) to a Broadway musical. Deedee recently founded the Make A Way Mindset program to teach the unshakable mindset she has developed as an
entrepreneur of thirty years.

connect with the author:  website  ~ make a way media  ~ facebook  ~  facebook ~ pinterest ~ instagram ~ instagram ~ goodreads 

Buy the Book:  
Amazon
B&N ~ BAM
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HOW TO DREAM Book Tour Giveaway

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Sunday, November 17, 2024

Book Blitz of Step One Indigo Ballet Series(#Contests- Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card.)

Step One
Grier Cooper

(Indigo Ballet Series)
Publication date: November 15th 2024
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

When Indigo lands a role in Ballet Russia’s touring production of The Nutcracker, it’s a dream come true…. Or is it? Her arch nemesis is also part of the production. So is dashing Russian viral video superstar Dimitri Volkov, who’s playing some kind of game she doesn’t quite understand.

As Indigo dances alongside the rising stars of Ballet Russia she struggles to rise above constant criticism from Ballet Russia’s Director, Yuri Kanofsky. But first she’ll have to dig deep and silence the doubts running through her mind if she wants to rise to their level and drive her ballet career forward.

When unexpected events turn Indigo’s world upside down overnight she’s forced to decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get there.

And one innocent mistake just might cost her everything.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“You.” The single word from Yuri yanks me out of my reverie. “Indigo, is it?” I nod numbly. “Come here, please.” Yuri points at the center of the floor then folds his arms and waits. I take my position there standing still.

“We begin like this,” he says, posing as I remember from the video of Irina. He shows me the first counts of eight for my solo and I mark the steps as I watch. I’ve memorized them after the second time he walks them through; thankfully I’ve always been quick to pick up choreography.

“You have it?” he demands gruffly. I nod. “Show me.” he steps back and leans on the barre at the front of the room, watching me intently, like a cat tracking a careless bird.

I spread my feet wide and bend forward at the waist, imagining the pose as I remember Irina did it. Aside from Yuri’s counting, the room is silent and still; I feel the others watching. But I can’t think about that. I must only think about the counts and where my body is going, one second ahead so I am there when I am supposed to be–

“No!” he claps loudly. “Let me see position again.” I recreate the pose I was in before he interrupted. “No.” he shakes his head vigorously. “It is like this.”

He strikes the pose. “You see?”

I don’t understand the difference but I don’t dare say anything. I nod.

“More energy in fingertips,” he suggests. I try again, this time I imagine sparks shooting out of my fingertips. This seems to work, since he lets me continue. I rise en pointe, bringing one leg into passé retiré, the toes touching the side of my standing leg near the knee.

“Stop.” More clapping. He marches over to me again. “Make me passé,” he says. I rise back into the position, more forcefully this time, but still he shakes his head. “It is impossible,” he states. “This is not passé. It must be in front of knee, like this,” he says, demonstrating.

Miss Roberta would frown on this placement, I think. Another example of how different ballet technique is from one company to the next, from one country to the next.

Still, I comply. Maybe it’s not such a bad thing to learn slight variations, to have more translations in my pocket. You never know when they might come in handy in the future. Another passé, then close in fifth position, and pirouette from fifth–

“No again.” He clenches his hands into fists this time and stomps over to Skinny Snow White. I catch the first word, “Olgachkova” and then get lost inthe flurry of words that follow, none of which I understand. When he falls silent,

Skinny Snow White nods in assent and replies, “Da.”

Skinny Snow White removes the plastic warmup pants she was wearing and makes her way over to me. Yuri flaps a hand at me impatiently, indicating I should step aside. “Olga will show,” he says, turning to her with an enormous smile of beatitude.

I edge out of her way, trying not to feel crushed. I know that having Olga dance in my place is meant to be a teaching tool, something to help me ultimately, but it still stings.

That feeling intensifies as she moves gracefully through the choreography, flowing smoothly through the passés and turns as effortlessly as a fish swirls through water. I try to focus on what she’s doing so I can learn. I’d like to figure out exactly what it is that Yuri’s looking for, that I haven’t got. Yet. But it’s almost impossible to ignore that this woman is one of the most exquisite dancers

I’ve ever watched.

I’ve told myself oodles of time I must never ever, under any circumstances, make comparisons–because comparison is always a losing game. But how not to when the glaring differences are practically smacking me in the face?

Yuri claps again. “Enough. Khorosho, blagodaryu vas, Olga. We will break. Return in twenty minutes.”

I stand paralyzed, mute with a flurry of thoughts pirouetting in my mind.

After watching Olga dance I don’t know how I will ever measure up. I want to, but it seems like an impossible task. Where to even begin? Who can help? Can anyone? What do I need to do to reach that same level of precision and perfection?

All I can think is that even if I were to sneak from my bed and dance all night long, wearing out pair after pair of pointe shoes every night up until our performances, like the Twelve Dancing Princesses fairytale, I’m not sure even that would be enough.

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Author Bio:

Grier left home at fourteen to study at the School of American Ballet in New York. She has performed on three out of seven continents with companies such as San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and Pacific Northwest Ballet, totaling more than thirty years of experience as a dancer, teacher and performer.

Her work has been praised as "poignant and honest" with "emotional hooks that penetrate deeply." She writes and blogs about dance and has interviewed and photographed a diverse collection dancers and performers including Clive Owen, Nicole Kidman, Glen Allen Sims and Jessica Sutta. She is the author of Build a Ballerina Body and The Daily Book of Photography. Grier's work has also appeared in Conscious Dancer, Discovery Girls, Skipping Stones, and Dance Advantage, among others.

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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Guest Post by Ellen Kirschman Author of Call Me Carmela-A Dot Meyerhoff Mystery (#contests- Enter to win a Bookshop.org Gift Card-2 winners)

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CALL ME CARMELA

by Ellen Kirschman

November 11 - December 6, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

A Dot Meyerhoff Mystery

 

Call Me Carmela by Ellen KirschmanPolice therapist Dot Meyerhoff helps a young woman find her birth parents and unburies dark family secrets in this psychological thriller.

Police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff’s caseload is usually filled with cops—which is why she’s hesitant to help an adopted teenager locate her birth parents. But the teen’s godmother is Dot’s dear friend Fran and a police widow to boot. How could Dot possibly say no?

Once Dot starts digging into the case, though, she’s drawn into a murky world of illegal adoptions and the choices a young pregnant woman might make as a last resort. Soon there’s only one thing Dot knows for sure: the painful truth of what happened all those years ago might heal one family—but it’s certain to destroy another.

Genre: Psychological/Domestic Suspense
Published by: Open Road Media
Publication Date: November 26, 2024
Number of Pages: 292
ISBN: 9781504095754 (ISBN10: 1504095758)
Series: A Dot Meyerhoff Mystery, #5
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Open Road Media

Guest Post:

I write the Dot Meyerhoff mystery series. Dot (after my mother), Meyerhoff (after my maternal grandmother), is a police psychologist. So am I. You could call my books semi-autobiographical, although Dot is younger and thinner than I am. And when it comes to helping her cop clients, she takes way more risks.

Readers often ask me, “Did you really do what Dot did? My answer is always “Of course, not. I would have lost my license.”

Dot solves most crimes using her brain and her training as a psychologist. But when more is called for she’ll do whatever it takes. Just so you know, I would never have impersonated a public official, broken into my ex’s office, hit someone over the head with a wine bottle, or tried to run anyone down with my car.

I write in first person. Dot’s voice is mine. So are some of the challenges she faces in every book. I’ve tangled with a lot of badge heavy cops like Eddie Rimbauer. I’ve helped rookies like Ben Gomez (Burying Ben) and Randy Spelling (The Right Wrong Thing) get their bearings in a job that is filled with challenge and tragedy. I’ve helped veteran officers manage the wear and tear of the job on family life (The Fifth Reflection). And I’ve struggled to maintain the belief that what I do as a psychologist helps people change for the better (The Answer to His Prayers).

Like most writers, I mine my personal life and family for material. With his permission, I plagiarized much of my husband Steve’s life for Dot’s love interest, Frank. I turn the tables on incompetent psychologists, bumbling police

chiefs, social unrest, as well as my own tendencies to overwork and never give up on anyone, no matter how bad they are. My struggles to build trust with cop clients and get administrators to appreciate my services, show up in every book.

Call Me Carmela, my most recent book (available now for pre-order) took me in a new direction. Ripped from the headlines in a British newspaper, it has all the same quirky secondary characters shaking their heads as Dot helps the adopted teenage god daughter of KPD’s only police widow find her birth parents. It was refreshing to look beyond my own experience and take a deep dive into the complicated and emotion-filled world of adoptions.

Thanks for reading. I hope you find my books to be informative and enjoyable. Happy reading.

 

Read an excerpt:

 

 

 

Author Bio:

Ellen Kirschman

Ellen Kirschman, Ph.D. is a police psychologist. and clinician at the First Responders Support Network. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, The American Psychological Association, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Public Safety Writers Association. She is the recipient of the California Psychological Association’s award for distinguished contribution to psychology as well as the American Psychological Association’s award for outstanding contribution to the practice of police and public safety psychology. Ellen brings her expertise and decades-long experience to both fiction and non-fiction. She is the author of three non-fiction books and a five-book mystery series featuring police psychologist Dot Meyerhoff.

Catch Up With Ellen Kirschman:
EllenKirschman.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @EllenKirschman
Instagram - @ellen.kirschman.copdoc
Facebook - @ellen.kirschman

 

 

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