Book Spotlight of The Cadieux Murders by R.J. Koreto (#Contests- Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card)

THE CADIEUX MURDERS

by R.J. Koreto

November 4-29, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The ink is still wet on the contract, but Wren Fontaine is already running into trouble as she renovates Cadieux House, a modernist masterpiece on Long Island's exclusive Gold Coast. The home's architect was the brilliant and eccentric Marius Cadieux, her father's mentor, and Ezra doesn't want Wren to change as much as a doorknob.

And the home itself comes with a dark past: In 1955, it was the site of the never-solved murder of its owner, Dennis Blaine. Cadieux himself was alleged to be having an affair with Dennis's wife, the stunningly beautiful Rebecca. It seems like yesterday's headlines, but then someone starts killing people with a connection to the house. The home's new owner—bestselling novelist Bronwyn Merrick—may be using the house to launch a fictionalized account of the 1955 crime. But someone may not want to her to. Just how far will Bronwyn's armed bodyguard go to protect her?

As Wren untangles the threads, she finds they all lead back to the house. Rebecca apparently inspired the strange, yet alluring residence, and both the home and its mistress may have caused uncontrolled emotions that led to tragedy. Wren uses all her architectural skills to decipher the hidden message Cadieux cunningly wove into the home's design. She must think back 20 years to when, as a little girl, she met Cadieux. Deeply impressed with Wren, he gave her a clue about the house—and his unusual friendship with Rebecca. With her girlfriend Hadley at her side, Wren eventually solves the mysteries of the home and the people who lived there, develops a grudging respect for modernist architecture—and learns something about the difference between love and obsession.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Published by: Level Best Books
Publication Date: October 15, 2024
Number of Pages: 237
Series: The Historic Homes Mysteries, 3
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Audible | Goodreads | Level Best Books

Read an excerpt:

From Chapter 1

Wren stood on the shore and stared, trying to sort out her feelings about the ineffable house in front of her. She was only vaguely aware that while she looked at the house, her companion looked at her.

"So, Ms. Architect—what say you?" Bronwyn finally asked. Wren saw her wry smile. She knew she'd have to answer, and Bronwyn would expect it to be clever.

"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness," Wren said.

"Is that an original observation?" asked Bronwyn.

Wren laughed. "You flatter me. It's the great modernist architect Frank Gehry. This house is very much of its time and place. Look at the white stucco walls, the glass and steel, the absolute cleanliness of lines. The geometric arrangement of the layers is mathematically perfect."

"Why do I sense a 'but' coming?" asked the woman, arching an eyebrow.

Wren knew there could be no softening the message. "I don't find it welcoming. There is something very self-aware about modernist homes. A look-at-me arrogance about them, as if they are doing you a favor of letting you inside." She paused, wondering if she had gone too far. "But maybe I'm being unfair. I haven't been inside it yet. And there's no doubt that it's stunning." She looked at Bronwyn, waiting for her reaction.

"Are you saying I may have made a mistake buying it?" asked Bronwyn. Wren heard the teasing in her voice.

"No. Nobody ever made a mistake buying a house that spoke to them." Yes, even if they spent $30 million for it. "If you are honest with yourself about what you want, you will be happy here. And if you are honest with me, I guarantee I can give you what you want with the renovation."

"Fair enough," said Bronwyn. "Was that Frank Gehry again?"

"No, that was entirely me."

"Ah. But as Gehry said, it should yearn for timeliness. Has this succeeded in that?"

"We'll need to give it another century."

Bronwyn nodded. "Maybe it's because I'm a writer. I become obsessed in making sure my books, the plots and subplots, are exciting. This house looks exciting. I was happy in my nice, simple co-op, and then my financial advisor told me I could do better. Much better. I fell in love with this right away. The more I walked through it, the more I liked it, the idea that I will be able to stay in it a long time, and keep finding something new about it."

"Then you absolutely did the right thing. Indeed, that is the very purpose of a house like this," said Wren. She mulled over her next statement. "When I was a girl, however, I wanted to live in a Victorian manor house, with a great hall with a huge hearth and handmade wooden furniture. I'd wear long dresses and be attended to by maids in starched uniforms." Did I just sound silly?

"That's very romantic," said Bronwyn, and Wren wondered if that was a criticism, a put-down for a flighty young girl. "But then again, I feel romantic about this, about men in classic tuxedos and women in Chanel dresses, with cigarettes and dry martinis and Dave Brubeck playing in the background. I guess we're both emotional that way, so despite our differences about favorite eras, I'm thinking hiring you is going to turn out to be a good decision as well."

Wren felt relief wash over her. She felt confident building houses but closing a deal—that involved people. She still didn’t trust her abilities when people were involved. Of course, there was still one more feature of the house they needed to discuss: The "tragedy." That's how the papers had described it.

But Wren wasn't going to bring it up first.

Bronwyn hugged her leather jacket. "It's a great view, but it's getting cold. Let's go inside."

Yes. Wren always looked over the outside first, but she was especially excited about seeing the interior. Until Bronwyn had bought it a few weeks ago, no one had been inside the house since the 1950s, except for the caretaker staff.

The house overwhelmed Wren despite herself. Oh yes, she thought, Marius Cadieux knew it would. He would be so amused. So very proud. No—smug. Even if it wasn't to her taste, there was no denying what Cadieux had achieved here: the soaring ceiling, the clever use of windows filling the house with light even on a dreary day, the unexpected curves and angles, the steel staircase, which also served as a sculpture. Wren just stared. There really was nothing to compare it to—a Cadieux house was always unique. She could see him standing over her, "Very nice, isn't it, little one? And of course, your client is overwhelmed by it, as she should be."

"I'm glad I bought a house that even knocks the socks off another architect," said Bronwyn, grinning.

"It certainly does," said Wren. "I've seen pictures, but they're not the same as really being inside it." Wren took in Bronwyn, with her attractive, angular face and the matching pixie haircut. Did the author indeed have a modernist personality, a match for this home, a connection with Cadieux? Indeed, did Bronwyn know how perfect she looked in her new house?

Wren walked among the rooms, taking note of the artful ways Cadieux had divided the house—very few true walls and doors, just a series of levels and passages, rectangular pillars clad in stone. Cadieux loved granite and marble, quartzite and sandstone, and merged them with oak and walnut, teak and lyptus. Wren saw Bronwyn marveling over it, even though she had already visited her new home several times. That was the thing about a Cadieux home, that Bronwyn had already realized: You could live there 40 years and marvel over it every day for the rest of your life.

"I'd like to see upstairs." Wren smiled. "But as you no doubt noticed, 'upstairs' is relative in a Cadieux house, with its intersecting layers. It just flows. That was a hallmark of Cadieux, but none I've seen are quite as…" She let her voice trail off.

"You can't find the word?" said Bronwyn.

"You're the writer—can you? Architectural journalists struggled to describe him. But here we go…'intriguing.' No other Cadieux house is as intriguing as this one. It may take me a while to figure it out."

"You mean, how it's put together?" asked Bronwyn.

"Oh no. That's easy. I meant what is its personality? Marius Cadieux stamped a personality on this house. It has a reason, and I will find out what that is. For now, we look at it: See the extraordinary flow of the house, the ways the rooms are separate and yet merge into each other, the way the light plays along the floors and walls. The materials blend into each other, and Cadieux is taught in every architecture school—as if you could teach this."

"It sounds like you studied him," said Bronwyn. "It sounds like you knew him. Did you?" She fixed her eyes on Wren, who gave that question some thought.

She didn't want to go there, not yet.

***

Excerpt from The Cadieux Murders by R.J. Koreto. Copyright 2024 by R.J. Koreto. Reproduced with permission from R.J. Koreto. All rights reserved.

 

Don't Miss The Previous Historic Homes Mysteries

The Greenleaf Murders

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

The Turnbull Murders

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

 

Author Bio:

Over the years, R.J. Koreto has been a magazine writer, website manager, textbook editor, novelist and merchant seaman. He was born and raised in New York City, graduated from Vassar College, and has wanted to be a writer since reading The Naked and the Dead. In addition to his novels, he has published short stories in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, the 2020 Bouchercon Anthology and Paranoia Blues: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Paul Simon. His current series features Wren Fontaine, an architect who finds mysteries in the historic homes she renovates. He and his wife have two grown daughters, and they divide their time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Catch Up With R.J. Koreto:
www.RJKoreto.com
Goodreads
BookBub - @rkoreto1
Instagram - @RJKoreto
Threads - @RJKoreto
Twitter/X - @RJKoreto
Facebook - @RJKoreto

Tour Participants:

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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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Interview by Hans Peter Bech Author of Tumult in Mecca (#contests- Enter to win a Starbucks Gift Card, #ireadbooktours)

 

Book Details:

Book Title:  Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer: Henrik Bertelsen's Unexpected Journey by Hans Peter Bech
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 276 pages
Genre:  Literature & Fiction, Historical Fiction, World Literature European/Scandinavian, Coming of Age
Publisher:  BOOX 
Release date:   August 2024
Content Rating:  G: There is no language, sex scenes, etc. 

Book Description:

Tumult in Mecca: From Civil Servant to Global Business Adventurer transports readers to 1979, a year of upheaval and change.

Henrik Bertelsen, a Danish civil servant and baby boomer, is dedicated to his stable life in Copenhagen. Alongside his English wife, Sammy, they are building a co-housing community and navigating the complex adoption of a child from Indonesia. Henrik longs for peace and stability to secure his career.

But life takes an unexpected turn when he is offered the chance to renovate hospital kitchens in Saudi Arabia. His adventurer's spirit is awakened, and Henrik plunges into a world far removed from the predictable corridors of Danish bureaucracy.

As the project escalates, Henrik finds himself caught in the Mecca conflict—an armed religious uprising that places him in grave danger. Trapped between rebels and police in one of the holiest cities in the world, he must rely on his instincts to survive.

Escape brings him more than safety—it opens the door to a lucrative job offer from an American tech company, setting his life on an entirely new path. Tumult in Mecca masterfully weaves Henrik’s personal quest for fulfilment with the global turbulence of 1979, capturing the tension between career and adventure, ambition and family, security and risk.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ B&N 
add to Goodreads

INTERVIEW:

Question:

The title *Tumult in Mecca* suggests it’s about Islam. Is it a book about religion?

Answer:

Religion plays a significant role in the story. The protagonist, Henrik Bertelsen, is an atheist, while his wife, Samantha, is Catholic. When they apply to adopt a child from Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, the adoption agency advises them to align their religious affiliation, as atheism might not be well-received in the donor country.

Henrik, an economist working for the Danish government, later becomes involved in a business project in Saudi Arabia, a country deeply influenced by religion. There, he has to navigate a culture where the dominant religious values often conflict with his own moral beliefs.

Henrik’s journey reflects a challenge many people face—balancing the pursuit of personal happiness and success while coexisting with others who hold vastly different worldviews. It raises important questions about how much we’re willing to compromise our principles and how flexible we can be in such situations.

Curious and adventurous, Henrik embraces new experiences and approaches these cultural differences with an open mind. In 1979, he finds himself immersed in Saudi Arabia's business environment, a country governed by Sharia law and undergoing a controversial modernization effort, which faces opposition from religious authorities.

Henrik faces a moral dilemma. On one hand, he worries that his work may support a regime that oppresses its citizens, particularly women. On the other hand, he hopes his involvement might help push the country toward a more modern and free society. Although he’s unfamiliar with the Quran and struggles to understand Sharia law, the business opportunities and financial rewards keep him engaged.

Henrik’s story in Saudi Arabia reflects broader dilemmas we all face—balancing personal gain with ethical concerns while navigating different cultures and belief systems.

Question:

You’re a Danish author. Are your books relevant to an American audience?

Answer:

Most of my books sell well in the USA, which is by far my largest market. However, those books are nonfiction, covering topics like international business development in the

software industry. I also wrote a business biography about Navision, Microsoft’s first billion-dollar acquisition outside the USA.

As for *The Henrik Bertelsen Saga*, of which *Tumult in Mecca* is the first book, it likely appeals most to Americans interested in business, international affairs, and exploring different cultures.

Henrik is a husband, father of two adopted children, a musician in a rock band, and an international businessman in the rapidly changing computer industry. Balancing these roles is challenging, especially with external events constantly disrupting his plans.

Having worked with American companies, travelled extensively in the U.S., and having relatives in several states, I believe many Americans can relate to Henrik and his wife, Samantha. The pursuit of happiness and well-being is never straightforward, and finding peace of mind in a constantly changing world is a challenge most people face, especially those striving to reach the top of Maslow’s pyramid.

Question:

Your nonfiction writing has been successful. Why did you start writing fiction?

Answer:

I have stories to tell, and I love telling them. Plus, I’m good at it.

Writing books allows me to create rich, nuanced stories. Readers expect to spend hours immersing themselves in the world I unfold, and I enjoy fulfilling that expectation.

I’m also at a point in my life where I want to control my own time and destiny. Being an author and publisher offers me the ultimate freedom. I can write what I want, when I want, and wherever I want. It fits perfectly with my love of travel.

That said, I don’t write just for myself. I’m ambitious about reaching a broad audience, which is why I do interviews like this.

Question:

Do your books convey messages, and if so, what are they?

Answer:

Indirectly, yes, they carry several messages.

Henrik and Samantha both pursue full-time careers while raising two adopted children. Anyone with kids will recognize the challenges of managing that balance. They make some fundamental life choices that make it possible—you’ll have to read the book to find out what those are!

Henrik takes significant financial risks, and many of his ventures fail. But living in Denmark, these failures never threaten the family’s well-being. The Scandinavian

model, with its universal healthcare, free education, and strong social security, helps him bounce back.

A key message throughout the books is that taking responsibility for your failures is crucial to learning and personal growth. This idea aligns with Stoicism, a philosophy I strongly support.

I also designed Samantha as Henrik’s wife and life coach. At the same time, Henrik encourages Samantha to pursue her professional potential, even when they could afford for her not to work. He does this partly for selfish reasons—he wants a life partner who shares as many of his experiences as possible, including work-related ones.

Question:

There are countless books out there. What makes yours stand out?

Answer:

“The Henrik Bertelsen Saga” is unique. “Tumult in Mecca” and the seven books that follow are the only novels written by me, so they naturally stand out in that sense!

More seriously, I believe they’re different because the universe I create touches on many aspects of life.

Initially, I referred to them as business novels because they focus on Henrik’s professional life. I’ve since stopped using that label because it confused people—some thought they were textbooks!

Publishers often categorize books in ways that don’t resonate with readers. I prefer to compare my work to that of well-known authors with similar themes. If you enjoy Ken Follett, Jan Guillou, Jeffrey Archer, Ken Kesey, or Wilbur Smith, you’ll likely enjoy *Tumult in Mecca*. It’s also a good fit for fans of biographies and contemporary history.

And yes, it’s based on a true story—as they say.

Question:

“Tumult in Mecca” was originally written in Danish, and much of it takes place in Denmark. How does the English version differ from the Danish?

Answer:

I had to rewrite certain parts for an international audience. Coming from a small country, there are places, institutions, and historical references that only locals would understand. Other than that, the foreign language versions are essentially identical.

Question:

The story in “Tumult in Mecca” feels very realistic. Is it autobiographical?

Answer:

The short answer is no.

The book falls under the genre of autofiction. This means it’s based on autobiographical elements, but the events, institutions, and characters may be fictional.

Readers will find the historical framework to be as accurate as possible, but within that framework, the characters move through fictional events. Still, nothing in the book is beyond the realm of possibility.

Question:

Can you give a brief summary of the book?

Answer:

“Tumult in Mecca” takes place in the second half of 1979.

The protagonist, Henrik Bertelsen, is a civil servant in the Ministry of Labour in Copenhagen, dealing with Denmark’s major economic issues. During a slow summer period, Henrik gets involved in a business venture in Saudi Arabia with his older brother, Jakob. They’re mistakenly invited to bid on a project to renovate and run five hospital kitchens near Mecca for 10 years.

Although neither knows much about hospital kitchens, they successfully complete the project, impressing the Saudis and getting invited to work on more ventures. Drawn by the money and adventure, they continue, but soon realize that the cultural and business conditions in Saudi Arabia are very different from Denmark. With their full-time jobs back home, they decide to step back from the projects—but it’s not that simple.

Meanwhile, as Denmark prepares for an election, Henrik is offered a job at a major American computer company. The role doesn’t fit his career plans, but the salary increase is tempting, especially as he and his wife, Samantha, are in the process of adopting a child from Indonesia.

On a later trip to Saudi Arabia, Henrik and Jakob are invited to bid on a project at the University of Mecca. However, as non-Muslims, they’re not allowed to enter the city. After some negotiations, this issue is resolved, and on an early November morning in 1979, just before sunrise, they stand on a hill outside the Grand Mosque, waiting for the morning prayer to begin. It’s the first day of the 14th century in the Muslim calendar, and excitement is in the air.

Then, all hell breaks loose.

I won’t say what then happens, but it’s quite an adventure!

Meet the Author:

Hans Peter Bech is a bestselling author and a frequent blogger on how to make information technology companies global market leaders. He has produced numerous books, papers, podcasts and videos on business development in the software industry. Hans Peter is also a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and an advisor for governments and companies. He holds an M.Sc. in macroeconomics and political science from the University of Copenhagen.
Connect with the author:  website ~ X/Twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

Enter the Giveaway:

Tumult in Mecca: by Hans Peter Bech Book Tour Giveaway

Book Blitz and Contest of A Vampire's Star by Marie-Claude Bourque (#contests-$25 Amazon gift card + Vampire Series Boxset)

A Vampire’s Star
Marie-Claude Bourque
(The Order of the Black Oak – Vampires, #5)
Publication date: November 19th 2024
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

A VAMPIRE’S STAR: An Unexpected Pregnancy Slow-Burn Paranormal Romance

When music producer and banshee Tilly Davenport learns that her pregnancy puts her and her child at risk from evil sorcerers who would use her as sacrifice to unleash powerful magic, she has no choice but appear at her powerful vampire baby daddy’s concert to ask for his protection.

Easy-going Montreal immortal and rock star Cass St-Amand is shocked when his one-night flame shows up heavily pregnant with his child, disturbing his carefree lifestyle. But panic gets the best of him when a mysterious prophecy threatens the life of his expected child, and he vows to protect mother and baby at any cost.

If you love loyal tough guys with hearts, steadfast heroines and satisfying slow-burn paranormal romance, the Black Oak World is for you.

Goodreads / Purchase

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EXCERPT:

Bell Center, Montreal, Québec
October, Present Time

Mathilda Ethel Davenport! Come on, girl. Tilly chided herself in the chilly, autumn night as she cradled her pregnant belly under the stark streetlights behind the Montreal Bell Center. It’s his child. He’s the only one who can keep you safe.

She rallied the courage she needed to dive into the horde of Cass St-Amand’s adoring fans waiting outside to catch a peek at their favorite rock star after his show.

The midnight air was crisp around her, the wind picking up a few dead maple leaves littering the concrete sidewalk. Yet the fall breeze did little to dilute the mixed scent of cheap perfume and body odor emanating from the boisterous mob awaiting their idol to exit the concert venue.

Standing amidst the downtown glass skyscrapers and centuries-old stone buildings, most of Cass’s superfans were not yet twenty-five, sporting jeans, leather jackets, or bodycon dresses under tiny coats.

Tilly winced and rubbed her belly once more. Her little munchkin was his baby alright. Conceived in the middle of a frigid winter, exactly thirty-six weeks ago today.

Would he believe it was his? Vampires, even immortal ones, did not father children.

Except that Cass had chosen to spend those few fateful nights not with just any woman, but a supernatural one—Tilly was a banshee.

One who walked with Death. Everything was possible.

She bit the inside of her mouth at the task ahead of her.

He had no idea she was pregnant with his child. How would he react?

He would have to acknowledge he was the father. But she’d cross that bridge when she’d get there. For now, she just had to reach him.

Author Bio:

Marie-Claude Bourque is a Montreal-born Seattle-based author of slow-burn paranormal romance and the winner of the American Title V award with her first novel ANCIENT WHISPERS.

Her writing features modern-day fantasy skillfully weaved into infinitely romantic supernatural stories between smart strong women and complex passionate heroes.

Happily Ever After always absolutely guaranteed!

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Book Blitz of Forced by Kink Key (#contests- Enter to Win An Ecopy of the Book)

Forced
Kink Key
Publication date: November 18th 2024
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance

Today is my eighteenth birthday and I’m finally going to be free from my abusive father’s clutches… or so I hoped.

I knew something was wrong when he calls me to his office while gathering his men. Five men who look at me with hungry eyes that promise pain and misery.

Will they take mercy on me when I tell them I’m a virgin, or will that only feed into their violent nature?

***This book is a short DARK romance with many triggers. Find a complete list inside the book***

Goodreads / Amazon

—

 

 

EXCERPT:

“Now the real fun can begin.” My father claps his hands. “Dante, you’re up next.”

“Fu(k yes,” Dante groans as he takes Lucca’s place behind me.

My whole body goes stiff when he grabs onto my hips with bruising force. I feel the head of his co(k between my folds but unlike Lucca, he doesn’t tease me; he doesn’t go slow, he simply thrusts his fat co(k inside of me with such force that I fall forwards onto my father’s desk.

The sound of laughter fills the room and anger fills my veins. I prop myself up on my elbows and brace for the pounding.

Dante isn’t gentle about fu(king me. He drives himself deeper with each thrust, making my thighs bang against the edge of the desk.

My pu$$y is already sore and I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through the night without bleeding or at the very least bruised.

I try to think about anything besides the man behind me, using me like a fu(k toy for his pleasure. I try to think happy thoughts like how Lucca and I are going to be free after this. It’s going to be worth it. A few hours of agony for a lifetime of freedom.

Author Bio:

Kink Key is a male/female author duo who writes short and spicy books.

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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 

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