Tuesday, July 30, 2019

The Three Kitties That Saved My Life by Michael Meyer



The Three Kitties That Saved My Life

"This is like drinking tea and honey on a cold day." When tragedy struck, I thought for sure that my own life was at an end. I was wrong. This is the true story of how two stray rescue cats and a woman named Kitty, whom I finally met after a wild ride of internet dating, brought love, romance, and laughter back into my life.

Love was then.
Love is now.
Love is forever.

WINNER of the 2018 Stephen Memorial Award
FINALIST for the 2014 RONE AWARD
A True Romance Memoir

If you love reading feel-good memoirs, then don't miss THE THREE KITTIES THAT SAVED MY LIFE, where "Mike Meyer pens a tender tale of love, loss, and renewal. The depth of emotion is palpable...The Three Kitties will tug at readers' heartstrings, as they ride through the emotional highs and lows of Mike Meyer's remarkable story." - InD'tale Magazine



Should you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!



About Michael Meyer

As a recent retiree from a forty-year career as a professor of writing, he now lives in Southern California wine country with his wife, Kitty, and their two adorable rescue cats.








I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Monday, July 29, 2019

Read an exclusive excerpt from One of Two by S.R. Cronin


Welcome to the excerpt tour for One of Two by S.R. Cronin! I have an exclusive excerpt for you to check out today. And then if you follow the tour, you'll have the chance to read even more of them. Be sure to let the author know what you think in the comments section. And remember to enter the giveaway!


One of Two

Telepathy creates as many problems as it solves, as everyone in the secret organization x0 would admit. When new member Lola discovers another group of telepaths with a totally different approach, those problems multiply at the speed of thought.

Soon, Lola’s family and friends are in danger. Lucky for her, she’s not your average budding psychic. Each person she is close to has a special gift of their own. That’s good, because it’s going to take every power they possess to stop these others from tearing apart x0.


Read an exclusive excerpt:
Maurice woke up in the trunk of a car. He’d always been a positive sort of guy, so he made himself focus on what was good about the situation. Well, it was a large trunk. It was probably a luxury car. Could have been worse. And, he was the only person in it. Plenty of space and no unpleasant dead bodies lying next to him. He’d seen this sort of thing in movies, and no dead bodies was always good.

His hands were bound loosely behind his back, but he could wiggle his legs around for comfort and there was no duct tape over his mouth, so breathing was easier. Better yet, it felt like he’d been drugged, presumably in his sleep. The lingering effects were effusing him with such a nice sense of serenity.

On the down side, the wall that x0 was holding around him was as impermeable as ever. And he was in the trunk of a car. That was definitely a minus. He drifted back to sleep.

Available on Amazon


About S. R. Cronin


Sherrie Roth grew up in Western Kansas thinking there was no place in the universe more fascinating than outer space. After her mother vetoed astronaut as a career ambition, she went on to study journalism and physics in hopes of becoming a science writer.

She published her first science fiction short story and then waited a lot of tables while she looked for inspiration for the next tale. When it finally came, it declared to her it had to be a whole book, nothing less. One night, while digesting this disturbing piece of news, she drank way too many shots of ouzo with her boyfriend. She woke up thirty-one years later demanding to know what was going on.

The boyfriend, who she had apparently long since married, asked her to calm down. He explained that, in a fit of practicality, she had gone back to school and gotten a degree in geophysics and had spent the last 28 years interpreting seismic data in the oil industry. The good news, according to Mr. Cronin, was she found it at least mildly entertaining and ridiculously well-paying. The bad news was the two of them had still managed to spend almost all of the money.

Apparently she was now Mrs. Cronin, and the further good news was they had produced three wonderful children whom they loved dearly, even though to be honest that is where a lot of the money had gone. Even better news was that Mr. Cronin turned out to be a warm-hearted, encouraging sort who was happy to see her awake and ready to write. "It's about time," were his exact words.

Sherrie Cronin discovered that over the ensuing decades Sally Ride had already managed to become the first woman in space and done a fine job of it. No one, however, had written the book that had been in Sherrie's head for decades. The only problem was the book informed her it had grown into a six book collection. Sherrie decided she better start writing before it got any longer. She's been wide awake ever since, and writing away.

Author Social Media Links

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cinnabar01

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Number46Ascending

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5805814.Sherrie_Cronin

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sherrie-Cronin/e/B007FRMO9Q

Blogs:

46 Ascending - https://46ascending.org/

Face Painting for World Peace - http://tothepowerofzero.org/

Fire Dancing for Fun and Profit - http://ytothepowerof1.org/

Treasure Hunting for a Good Time - http://zsquaredblog.org/

Leaving the Nest to Touch the Sky - http://ctothepowerofthree.org/

Touching the Sky to Save the World - http://dtothepowerof4.org/

Email me at lola.zeitman@gmail.com



S.R. Cronin will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC and a kindle copy of another book from the 46. Ascending collection (winner’s choice) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, July 28, 2019

Book Tour Grand Finale Love's Remains by Jacqueline Simon Gunn

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Love's Remains
By Jacqueline Simon Gunn

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What do you hope readers take with them after they’ve read it?

I hope that readers will find something of themselves, something relatable within each character that will offer insight into their own relationships and choices and/or the possibility to think about their relationships differently. So many people find themselves in difficult relationships, holding on when it’s painful, staying when they want to go, being pulled toward the wrong people, not loving those who love them. The answers to these questions are complicated and not the same for everyone. That’s why I chose a fictional format as opposed to non-fiction. Instead of telling readers what they should do or advising, I wanted to give them the opportunity to see various relationship situations in action and then show “why,” show the motivation for the characters’ actions. I hoped by revealing the psychology through the characters, readers would find their own answers upon reflection. But the book is filled with drama and tension and like any other fiction writer, I hope my readers will enjoy the story.

underneath the covers - Guest Post

What does Alex learn from moving on?

Sometimes when we love we give so much of ourselves that when the relationship isn’t working it’s very hard to let go; our sense of self is invested and embedded in the relationship. We create illusions and hold on to them to make staying make sense. We create narratives to excuse behavior towards us that makes us feel bad. . .

E-Romance News - Excerpt

I pulled her against me as we walked. We had taken our shoes off and were strolling along the edge of the ocean, the water washing in and out splashing against our feet. She loved the ocean at night, same as I do.

“Let’s go in,” she said.

“We are a little overdressed.” I raised my brow. She was always full of surprises. As self-conscious as she said she felt, she did things that reflected her freedom or her desire for it. Just like me. It was intoxicating to be with a woman who I didn’t feel like I’d be tied down by. Someone I could want to be with all the time, not feel like I had to be with.

Colorimetry - Guest Post

Do we love people forever?

Since Love’s Remains explores what’s left between two people after the relationship is gone, people have written in and asked me if I think we ever truly get over someone. Love’s Remains addresses this theme in both romantic and non-romantic relationships. So, for example, Will has an estranged relationship with his father and new issues arise for him in the context of this relationship. The story shows that although he barely talks to his dad, there are ‘remains’ of that relationship within him that affect him in ways that he might not have even realized until he’s confronted with the unresolved emotions. . .


Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s), story or the idea for the novel?

Jacqueline : Before I even begin writing a book, I usually have a vague sense of the story and the underlying themes I’d like to explore. When I actually start pounding the keyboard, I begin with the development of my main characters, holding the story in the back of my mind, but letting the characters sort of take over the direction. It’s like being a passenger. I’m there, but I’m not driving once we get going.

Wishful Endings - Guest Post

Why do we love, love stories?

If you think about any movie or book, even those that aren’t in the romance genre, there’s often a subplot that involves a romance or teases us with the possibility of one. When people come into therapy, no matter what the presenting complaint is, relationships inevitably become a central topic. . .

Paulette's Papers - Guest Post

Why do you usually write from multiple points of view?

Most of my fiction books have at least three points of view. I do this because I want to understand what’s motivating each character, and I want my readers to see that choices do not happen in a vacuum. Every decision made has an impact on those close to us and then those close to them and so on. In this way, there are always webs between groups of people even when the connections are not obvious and/or the relationships are remote. . .

I'm All About Books - Guest Post

What does the relationship between Alex and Cecilia reveal?

The unfolding of the friendship between Alex and Cecilia was unexpected. At first, Cecilia was meant to be a secondary character, but the deeper I got into the story the more fascinated I became with her psychological make-up, her background and her decisions. Her unpredictability had me captivated. . .


“You’ve ruined my life.”

“I thought we were waaaay past this.”

“That’s easy for you to say. I didn’t hurt you over and over and over.”

“I hurt myself by hurting you.” His face wore a look of compassion. I hated that look, because it reminded me that he was a good person, that he had tried over and over to apologize. He unwittingly brought out the part of me that I hated, and I projected that hate onto him, because it was easier to hate someone else than to hate myself. Tears poured out of my eyes. And he wrapped his arms around me, holding me as wept.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven't already...


Love's Remains


(Where You'll Land #2)
By Jacqueline Simon Gunn
Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 250 Pages
June 4th 2019

The second year of graduate school started out as a new beginning. I felt stronger. My heart had stitched itself up. I had finally healed enough on the inside to let love flourish once again. But an ever-present ex-boyfriend made the unresolved emotions between us impossible to ignore.

Then new complications emerged: Said ex-boyfriend began dating Cecilia, who just happened to be the ex-girlfriend of my new love interest. I should have hated her. I wanted to hate her. But, I have to admit, I liked her.

As the semester progressed, the tangled web between us deepened in ways I never could have anticipated, and it spread to those closest to us. We had the same classes, the same friends, the same interests. Then, of course, there were all the secrets, some of which could ruin the love I believed I wanted, I deserved.

Once again, I got pulled into the dizzying vortex of all that remained unfinished. And doubt crept in. Had I really healed enough to make myself vulnerable again? Had I made the right choices?

But the big question is: Can we ever really leave past relationships behind?

This is the second book in the Where You'll Land series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

GoodreadsLibraryThingAmazon
Should you make a purchase through any of my affiliate links, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!

Other Books in the Series

Where You'll Land
(Where You'll Land #1)
By Jacqueline Simon Gunn
Women’s Fiction, Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 408 Pages
January 8th 2019

After a bad breakup, I packed up my life and moved to Miami to study for my doctorate in psychology. I made one promise to myself: Do not get romantically involved while I was in school. I needed to heal. And then Will Easton came into my life. He was warm and sweet and intelligent. And he got me. What I didn’t know was that Will was running from a tragedy of his own.

When you try to escape your past without confronting your emotions, you repeat those same past patterns over and over. And that’s just what happened to Will and me, along with a few others who got swept up into the storm that was our relationship. Then came the awful secret. The one that changed everything.

Sometimes the most painful relationships are the ones that help us grow into who we are and to find the love we had been searching for all along.

Which begs the question: Can we choose who we love?


About the Author

Jacqueline Simon Gunn is a Manhattan-based clinical psychologist and writer. She has authored two non-fiction books, and co-authored two others. She has published many articles, both scholarly and mainstream, and currently works as a freelance writer. With her academic and clinical experience in psychology, Gunn is now writing psychological fiction. Her Close Enough to Kill series, explores the delicate line between passion and obsession, love and hate, and offers readers an elaborate look into the mind of a murderer.

In addition to her clinical work and writing, Gunn is an avid runner and reader. She is currently working on multiple writing projects, including three romance novels.


Tour Giveaway


One winner will receive:
  • A Kindle Copy of Where You'll Land
  • A Kindle Copy of Love's Remains
  • A $10 Amazon Gift Card
Open to Kindle users
Ends July 31, 2019

Grab Our Button!

Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Earthquake: How the Ever-shifting Healthcare Model Victimizes Americans by Brian H Casull MD, MPA


Earthquake: How the Ever-shifting Healthcare Model Victimizes Americans


Healthcare in America is littered with confusing rules and unclear systems. The discussion is oft centered on misconstrued facts and downright lies. Some politicians claim that nobody ever died from lack of access, that the Affordable Care Act is unnecessary and American healthcare isn't cost-prohibitive. Some claim no one has lost Medicare or Medicaid coverage and pre-existing conditions don't threaten coverage.

One thing that can't be denied about American healthcare is how often the average consumer is left confused. Earthquake: How the Ever-shifting Healthcare Model Victimizes Americans uses an easy-to-understand metaphor that equates the ever-shifting healthcare system with tectonic plates: just as earthquakes create victims with every shift of tectonic plates, so does the unstable American healthcare system.


Available on Amazon
Yes, this is my affiliate link. Should you make a purchase through it, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!

About Brian H. Casull

Brian H. Casull, MD, MPA has been in healthcare for almost 50 years as a practicing physician and physician executive. His 21 years in the U.S. Army and time spent as Chief of Staff for a Cigna Staff Model, Medical Director for United Healthcare for Southern California, and AVP for a Pharmacy Benefit Manager were based on serving the patient and improving the interface between our healthcare system and those whom it serves. He currently consults on healthcare matters and serves as the Medical Director for the Government Contractor awarded the Medicare Beneficiary and Family Centered Care (BFCC) Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) initiative.



I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Thursday, July 18, 2019

Cover Reveal Blackbriar Cove by Jennifer Silverwood #BlackCoveCR

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for
Blackbriar Cove
By Jennifer Silverwood

Coming in 2020...



(Borderlands Saga #2)


Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Paperback & ebook
2020 by SilverWoodSketches

In a single night of madness, Amie won the battle, and lost the two people she loved most. As she struggles to be the queen her people need, her family band together against the hidden threat at their borders.

Haunted by the ghosts of her past, Amie strikes a pact with an ancient being called The Storyteller. In order to see Emrys again, they must put aside their blood feud, and cross the veil to a place of spirits and monsters.

Blackbriar Cove is a land where superstition and chaos reign, and spirits plague dreams. A dark curse has twisted the Unseelie who once lived in the home the Blackbriar twins vowed never to return. But death is not the end in Silver Hollow, and the war for the Borderlands has only begun.



Other Books in the Series

Silver Hollow
(Borderlands Saga #1)
By Jennifer Silverwood
Contemporary Fantasy, Magical Realism
Paperback & ebook, 429 Pages
May 31st 2018 by SilverWoodSketches

Amie Wentworth trusts books more than people. After her parents' deaths ten years before, she writes fiction to escape reality. A timely invitation from her long-lost uncle arrives, but she's used to ignoring the mysterious surrounding her life.

Until she is stabbed in an alley and brought back to life by a handsome stranger. Soon Amie is dragged into the very sort of tale she is used to selling. To make matters worse, the man who saved her life keeps turning up and her would-be-murderer is still at large.

After crossing the Atlantic to her father’s homeland, she discovers a world beyond imagining. Silver Hollow is a place of ancient traditions and supernatural dangers, where everything is the opposite of what it seems and few escape sane. Faced with an impossible choice, Amie is forced to confront a deadly family legacy while remembering a life she soon wishes to forget.

GoodreadsAmazonBarnes & NobleBook Depository
Should you make a purchase through my affiliate link, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!


About the Author

Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time, she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it's the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador, or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of three series--Heaven's Edge, Wylder Tales and the Borderlands Saga--and the stand-alone titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight. She recently released her first serialized Urban Fantasy, Angel Blue in August 2018.


Cover Reveal Giveaway


- 1 winner will receive a $30 Amazon Gift Card plus a digital copy of Silver Hollow (open internationally)
1 winner will receive a signed hard copy of Silver Hollow plus swag (US only)
- Ends July 19, 2019

Review of Christmas in Evergreen: Letters to Santa by Nancy Naigle

Today we have the blog tour for CHRISTMAS IN EVERGREEN: LETTERS TO SANTA by Nancy Naigle! Check out this sweet new Hallmark holiday romance, enjoy my review, and grab your copy today!

Title: CHRISTMAS IN EVERGREEN: LETTERS TO SANTA

Author: Nancy Naigle

Genre: Holiday Romance

Publisher: Hallmark & Crown Media

About Christmas In Evergreen: Letters to Santa:

Return to Evergreen, the town where Christmas wishes come true… But only if you know what your heart really wants.   When Lisa takes a last-minute Christmas trip to her hometown of Evergreen, she finds that the historic general store has closed. The place was a beloved local tradition, and she decides to use her skills as a professional retail designer to bring it back to its former glory. She charms a local contractor, Kevin, into working with her, and the pair find themselves facing one surprise after another.   One of the biggest surprises of all is finding the mysterious 25-year-old letter to Santa that never made it to the North Pole. Who really wrote it, and will its request come true at last? And will Lisa and Kevin figure out what they’re truly wishing for?   This sweet small-town romance includes a free Hallmark original recipe for Incredible Apple Dumplings.  


Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Walmart



**My thoughts*
This book reads like a Hallmark Movie. But hey, guess what!? It's supposed to! This book, as well as others by the author, has been turned into a Hallmark Movie. And that's okay, because I still loved it.

It takes place in Evergreen, Vermont, which is said to be so far north that you can see the North Pole on a clear night. 

Lisa and her business partner Oliver make a living staging stories. Lisa heads to Evergreen when they finish their latest job, because she just feels like touching base in her former home. There's a slight role reversal upon her arrival, as she ends up helping a man in distress with a broken down truck.

This story has all of the cliches that are required in these stories, and I love every single one of them. It's deliciously formulaic. The best parts, which are completely necessary, are the concept of saving the store, a snow globe that grants wishes, and the letters to Santa. I loved every moment of it and can't wait to see it on my screen.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily giving my honest review.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began writing while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Her many books include The Secret Ingredient, Christmas in Evergreen, and Christmas Joy and Hope for Christmas, which were adapted into Hallmark movies. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, horseback riding, and enjoying the occasional spa day. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home.


Connect with Nancy:

Facebook | Website | Twitter


Enter Nancy’s Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Sweet Home Alaska by Beth Carpenter Grand Finale

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Sweet Home Alaska
By Beth Carpenter

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Welcome to the tour for SWEET HOME ALASKA. If you read AN ALASKA PROPOSAL, you might remember Volta, Leith’s sister. This is her story. Although part of the Northern Lights series, all the books are stand-alone, so feel free to jump in anywhere. . .


"I loved this book. A sweet, clean read at it's best!! . . . I truly enjoyed this author's story and her writing is wonderful!! I love trying out new authors and this wasn't disappointing. . . . I strongly recommend this book for people who want a sweet and clean read. . ."


Volta headed toward the exam room, but before she reached the door, another voice drifted out, reassuring and calm. “Good job, Lori. Not much longer now. Try to relax for a minute. Slow, easy breaths.”

Volta stopped in her tracks. She knew that voice, deep and smooth, with just a bit of drawl. But it couldn’t be. The owner of the voice she knew was working on the other side of the world. No doubt this was some other baritone-voiced doctor from Texas. The voice continued, “You’re at a ten. Doing great. Next contraction, you’ll be able to push.”


"In Sweet Home Alaska, Beth Carpenter delivers another wonderfully entertaining clean romance in the Northern Lights series. . . . Sweet Home Alaska is the complete package – a sweet romance filled with rich characters and depth. I enjoyed the chemistry between Scott and Volta, and learned a lot about the needs of people in rural Alaska. Here’s hoping for more stories in this engaging series!"


A surgical mask covered most of the doctor’s face, but he stared at Volta, his eyes wide in shock. Familiar brown eyes. It had been eleven years, but she remembered every detail. She knew if she got closer, she would be able to distinguish the little flecks of green sprinkled through the brown. What in the world was Scott Willingham doing in Sparks, Alaska?

From somewhere far away, Daniel’s voice made itself heard. “Dr. Willingham, Volta Morgan, flight paramedic.” Scott tugged the surgical mask from his face. “Volta?”


He’d tried to forget her. After all, Scott was the one who broke it off. Few marriages survived the sort of life he’d chosen, and with his background, he was a particularly bad risk. Just like his father, Scott was the sort of man who focused on a job and forgot to eat and sleep and spend time with his family. Volta deserved so much better than that. Once he realized their relationship was beginning to feel serious, he’d pulled the plug, and he’d never seen Volta again.

Scott’s life had turned out exactly the way he’d planned. He’d been with DEMA for ten years now, one of only a handful of full-time doctors ready to go wherever and whenever he was needed. Most of their medical staff consisted of volunteers who took a week or two off from their regular practices to volunteer with DEMA, but Scott worked year-round delivering babies and performing surgeries. And yet, even after all this time, Volta still appeared in his dreams.


"Sweet Home Alaska by Beth Carpenter was a delightful read. . . . The story takes place in Alaska which is like a different world for me, a Texas girl. I don’t like snow, but reading about the unique beauty of Alaska and the adventures makes me want to travel there. . . . It’s a clean romance with heart pumping moments. Enjoy reading Sweet Home Alaska."

E-Romance News - Excerpt

“Yeah, she had a mommy and a daddy and a horse. They’re a real family.”

That nagging sense of inadequacy pricked at Volta. “Real families come in all shapes and sizes, Emma. Just because your daddy died doesn’t mean we’re not a real family.”

“Well.” Emma peeked up from beneath her eyelashes. “If I can’t have a daddy, I should at least get a horse.”


"Such a fun story with Emma, who is Volta daughter. I would have never thought of horseback riding in Alaska."

Hallie Reads - Review

"I love to fictionally visit Alaska, and Beth Carpenter bring the state to life with her stories—when I pick up one of her books, it’s a trip I know I’ll enjoy taking. . . . A sweet, sweet story dealing with family drama, forgiveness, and the challenges of life in Alaska, Sweet Home Alaska is a treat. I enjoyed it, and if you like contemporary (Alaskan) romance, I think you will, too."


"Sweet Home Alaska will leave you with a warm heart and a smile on your face … and maybe travel plans to the gorgeous setting. Scott, Volta, and Emma are smartly-drawn characters with gentle but strong spirits who will quickly take up residence in your heart. You’ll feel the emotions of the story along with them, and you’ll cheer them on from that surprise reunion in the delivery room to the satisfying conclusion. (You may want to purse whomp Scott on occasion but stick with him. I promise.) If you love a gorgeous setting, great characters, and a little bit of adventure mixed in with your romance, this series – and Sweet Home Alaska – is for you!"

EmpowerMoms - Review

"I loved reading this sweet, heartwarming love story! . . . Clean romance, great characters, and interesting story line. Easy and fun to read-highly recommend!"


Emma skipped away. Her grandmother looked at Scott and then at Volta. When neither of them answered her unspoken question, she said, “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Scott. I’m going to go watch Emma and give you and Volta a minute to talk about...whatever it is you’re here to talk about. Excuse me, please.” 

“Nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Jordan,” Scott said quickly. 

As soon as she’d stepped away, Volta grabbed Scott’s elbow and dragged him to the far corner of the barn, away from everyone. “Once again. Why are you here?” 


"I definitely will be seeking out the rest of this Northern Lights series as I liked the pacing and the presentation of how Carpenter implores us to want to know more about this world she's created for us to find! She hugs us so close to the hearts of her characters, it is easy to feel what they're feeling and live a period of time in their shoes rather than our own. In essence, I love that this is another small towne series focused on family, hearth, home an a wicked dollop of romance! Best of all, she gave me a new reason to venture back to Alaska and that was the icing on the cake!"

Harlie's Books - Excerpt & Review

“Why was he dropping you off?” 

“I left my keys— It doesn’t matter. The point is, I’m eleven years older now, and I hope wiser. Scott is doing important work with this study and I can contribute. He doesn’t know Alaska, and I do. After I introduced Scott, the people we interviewed yesterday opened up and gave him valuable information.” 

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” 

“I think I’m mature enough to work alongside a man without falling in love with him. Besides, it’s only for a couple of weeks.” Volta laughed. “What could go wrong?”

"If I had to give out my best book of the year award right now, it would be this book. It is that good. This isn’t my first book by Ms. Carpent[e]r and she never disappoints. . . . This is a great second chance romance from the heart. . . . Peeps, you really need to read Ms. Carpentar and this series. She brings emotional depth, humor, great characters, and a setting to die for. I recommend Ms. Carpentar to anyone that will listen to me. And yes, this is a series but each book stands alone."


"Beth Carpenter has such a gentle way of building a story. Her books are easy to fall into and I always feel like I'm on a journey that will take me somewhere satisfying. . . . it was a good journey and I really enjoyed it. I could see this book becoming a TV series or a Hallmark movie."

Splashesofjoy - Review

"Sweet Home Alaska is a sweet heartwarming read. I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I think this one is fine as a stand alone. Author Beth Carpenter does a wonderful job of writing detailed scenes of Alaska throughout the story, and even though I’ve never been there, I felt as though I was in the middle of this story. . . . All in all, this is a wonderful, sweet and clean romance that will give you hours of enjoyment."


"I would give Sweet Home Alaska one hundred stars if I could. I highly recommend this book for readers who love a sweet, clean, and heartwarming story of second chances, forgiveness and redemption. I have got to read the other books in this series."


"This is a fun tale of a man looking for the love he walked away from so many years ago, in hope he could somehow rekindle that love.

It was somewhat predictable, but with a couple of "twists" and was so well-written. . ."

Remembrancy - Review

"Carpenter takes readers to these places, sharing the majesty and beauty of Alaska while highlighting a few of the difficulties involved with living in these remote areas, specifically prenatal care. Oh, but the author doesn’t stop there. There’s a second chance romance you can’t help but root for, a sweet little horse-loving girl, and a bit of family drama.

In fact, there was so much to love about this book, I can’t pinpoint what I enjoyed the most."


"Sweet Home Alaska is a wonderful book about two people getting a second chance at love. I really appreciated the fact that Volta and Scott already knew each other and had been in love before, so the romance that builds between them again doesn’t feel forced or rushed. . . . All of these characters really deliver and make this such an enjoyable book to read.

Of course, I love the Alaskan setting, and the story is fantastic. But I’ll leave it up to you to read this and find out just how great Sweet Home Alaska really is! Enjoy!"


As the story started to unfold, I grew more attached to finding out how this second chance romance was going to play out.


Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven't already...

Sweet Home Alaska
(Northern Lights #5)

By Beth Carpenter
Contemporary Romance
Mass Market Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
July 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Some sparks last forever.

But once burned…

World traveler Dr. Scott Willingham is known for being calm and levelheaded—except where Volta Morgan is concerned. In the ten years since they parted, Scott still can’t forget her. Now he’s come to Alaska to find Volta and finally let her go, only to find their attraction is stronger than ever. Can Scott leave her behind one last time…or has he truly found a place to call home?


Other Books in the Series


About the Author

Once upon a time ...

when Beth Carpenter was a little girl, she read everything she could get her hands on, and entertained herself on the school bus by making up stories in her head. Not a lot has changed. She's still consuming books like M&Ms, and spends her days creating happily-ever-afters for her imaginary friends.

She lives in Alaska and Arizona with her husband and an aggressively affectionate fifty-pound lap dog. She loves to hear from readers.

Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive:
- A copy of AN ALASKAN PROPOSAL
- A neoprene pansy-print lunch tote
- A $20 Amazon gift card

Please note: International entries welcome, but if the winner has no US mailing address, the substitute prize will be AN ALASKAN PROPOSAL and ALASKAN HIDEAWAY ebooks, plus a $20 Amazon gift card.

Ends July 17, 2019


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Monday, July 15, 2019

The Social Baby: Understanding Babies' Communication from Birth by Lynne Murray & Liz Andrews


The Social Baby

Every baby is a unique individual from the moment of birth, with their own likes and dislikes, strengths and sensitivities. One baby might find it hard to settle to sleep, another may fall asleep easily, but might find being undressed distressing. Similarly, babies differ in what they find soothing and comforting. Only by being finely tuned to a baby’s unique communications can an adult fully understand that baby and provide appropriate care.

The Social Baby is based on evidence about the development of communication in infants collected in research institutes around the world. By using picture sequences from video footage, this book provides captivating illustrations of key aspects of infant experience. Together with an accessible text, these illustrations provide a window into the rich and complex social world of babies. The knowledge and understanding gained from The Social Baby will help all those concerned with the care of young infants to relate more sensitively and responsively to the babies who depend on them. It will also enrich their own experience and enhance their enjoyment.



Take a peek inside:






Buy links
Amazon US / Amazon UK / iBooks / iBooks Interactive (includes video)
Yes, includes affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one, I may earn a few pennies at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting my websites!



About the authors:

Lynne Murray, FBA, is Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Reading, Honorary Senior Fellow in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Cambridge, and 2000/1 Chair of the Marce Society. She is also co-director of the Winnicott Research Unit. She has been working as a researcher in the area of infant development since 1973. This has included the study of infant social development, individual infant differences, the impact of parenting practices on child development, and the development of NHS treatment programmes to support parents. In July 2017, Murray was elected a Fellow of the British Academy (FBA), the United Kingdom's national academy for the humanities and social sciences. She has more than 200 academic papers to her name.

She has three sons and a stepson.


Liz Andrews is a Health Visitor and counsellor. She has worked in the NHS for more than 20 years and as a research Health Visitor in the Winnicott Research Unit in the University of Reading.

She has a daughter and a son.



I was compensated via Fiverr for sharing this post. I only share those books that I feel will be of interest to my readers.

Metrofloat New York by William Quincy Belle


Welcome to the blurb blitz tour for Metrofloat New York, a post-apocalyptic sci-fi thriller from William Quincy Belle. I have an excerpt for you to enjoy before you download your own copy. And then of course you can follow the tour for more excerpts and reviews. Be sure to leave comments and questions along the way!


Metrofloat New York


A Post-apocalyptic Sci-Fi thriller.

Several hundred years in the future, Earth is a different planet. Antigravity has been invented and “flying” has given way to “floating”: giant platforms with cities remain above the growing surface temperatures as enclaves of the privileged. A global pandemic has wiped out 80% of those on the ground, and a virulent, flesh-eating disease, necrofasc, has left most with artificial body parts. Insects are the main food staple. A utopia for some, a dystopia for others.

Metrofloat New York, a futuristic city of thirty million, is run by an oligarchy of five rich and powerful people. An unknown assassin, working from within the system, attempts to seize control and declare himself dictator by methodically removing all rivals. Detective Matthew Heart of the Metropolitan Police must deal with his partner, a cyborg policewoman, his unofficial family, a transgender woman and her one-legged daughter, and a mysterious assailant bent on taking over the world by killing anyone who stands in his way.


Read an excerpt:
Alan and Terry were skinny enough to slip through the security perimeter into the antigravity zone. Already, they heard the pounding of the AG machines. Workers in the area often wore ear protection, as the constant noise could damage their hearing, but when one is young and foolish, protection is for wimps. They climbed down to the lowest scaffolding and looked out over the panorama below. The ground was a good kilometer down, speckled with the twinkling lights of the settlement. Each light was a potential target for a jump-and-grab, so tonight looked to be an excellent opportunity.

Rumors had been circulating around the high school for over a year about thrill seekers doing the unthinkable: bungee jumping from the metrofloat. Alan and Terry had pooled their money and bought the latest in equipment, including a controllable elasticized cable, a double-safety ankle harness, and a precision-positioning system with automatic height detection. The flexible anchor allowed them to set up the bungee in any location in record time, so they could get in, jump, and get out before the authorities knew they were violating restricted areas.

Alan would make the first attempt. He had decked himself with various tools attached to his belt and a helmet with a lamp. He had double-checked his ankle connectors and made sure the safety harness was in place. Terry gave him the once-over, enumerating each item out loud so they both knew they had checked everything. Alan climbed over the railing and held on as Terry fed out the cable so it was free and clear of the scaffolding.

Quivering with excitement, Alan looked over at his friend. Terry grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. Alan turned back to the open space, took a deep breath, and spread his arms out. He bent his knees and pushed off into a swan dive.

Alan had ten seconds of free fall before the cable slowed his descent — ten seconds of weightlessness as the wind whistled by his head. It was peaceful. And surreal. It wasn’t every day somebody jumped from a height of a thousand meters.

Looking toward the ground when he jumped, Alan twisted as he now fell, upside down, and brought his head up to look off into the distance. The light from his helmet flashed on something. He swept his head back and forth until the object was visible again. There was a human body three meters from him, free-falling at the same rate. It tumbled in the air. Judging by the looseness of the limbs, Alan guessed the person was unconscious. Or dead. Wouldn’t somebody falling to their death be thrashing about?

Available on Amazon


About William Quincy Belle

William Quincy Belle is just a guy. Nobody famous; nobody rich; just some guy who likes to periodically add his two cents worth with the hope, accounting for inflation, that $0.02 is not over evaluating his contribution. He claims that at the heart of the writing process is some sort of (psychotic) urge to put it down on paper and likes to recite the following, which so far he hasn't been able to attribute to anyone: "A writer is an egomaniac with low self-esteem." You will find Mr. Belle's unbridled stream of consciousness floating around in cyberspace.

Web site  http://www.williamquincybelle.com

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

Twitter  https://twitter.com/wqbelle

Amazon author page  https://www.amazon.com/William-Quincy-Belle/e/B01M1IQ69G



William Quincy Belle will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC or PayPal cash to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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