Synopsis

 

 

“I’ll find you again.”

That was my husband Jesse’s dying promise, a vow I’m certain he’ll keep. This wasn’t the first lifetime Jesse and I shared, and since love never dies, we knew, someday, we would be reunited.
After he passed away, I thought I’d never experience a love like that again—not in this lifetime anyway—and I accepted that.

But fate had other plans for me…

I met Dev Abramson when his white German shepherd plowed into me in Central Park, knocking me flat on my back, then slathering my face with her effervescent kisses. I was instantly drawn to Dev’s calm, centered presence and to his dog, Sheba, who welcomed me like a long-lost friend.

Dev gave me his card, but I failed to follow up, something I deeply regretted. So, when our paths crossed a second time, I wasn’t about to let him slip away again. I needed to know more about
the handsome jazz pianist.

I never expected to fall in love with Dev, but now that I have—I’m afraid if I tell him that I was married to Jesse, one of the most famous rock stars in the world, and that we have shared previous lifetimes—I’ll lose him.

But my connection with Dev was instantaneous and so deep—as if I’d known him forever.
And I can’t help but wonder, maybe I have…

 

THIS BOOK IS THE SEQUEL TO LOVE ON THE EDGE OF TIME WHICH MUST BE READ FIRST.
THIS BOOK IS NOT A STANDALONE, IT IS A SEQUEL.

 

 

 

 

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Excerpt

 

We are both in deep. So deep that the capacity to maim one another is real and I don’t think either one of us ever expected to be this emotionally vulnerable. Losing him over this would devastate me, and what I’m seeing in him is the exact same fear. Dev is truly afraid of losing me over this. Not because he’s not been part of my soul journey, but that there is the possibility of my crossing paths, just like I did with him, with another person who has been, and if that time comes, he fears I will be powerless in fighting my fate, destiny trouncing free will.

This is f*ed up.

I know I need to cut him a break and realize that this is not a thing couples have to deal with—usually, ever—and he’s being tasked with dealing with it. I have always seen him as so centered and secure, that I expected he would. Flawlessly. But he’s just a man. A mortal man. And he’s right, I did set him up with my expectations. I need to take responsibility in this situation, too.

As we stand a mere three feet apart, I fear the chasm between us will continue to expand not only in distance, but also in depth. Like tectonic plates shifting, there’s no going back once a quake has occurred.

I can’t let it get there.

Not over this.

“Dev…” My heart hurts and I can feel my mouth going dry. “I apologize for being so insensitive and for getting angry. I’m expecting you to just deal with something that 99.9999% of people will never be asked to deal with. And for it to be like no big deal. Even though it’s a very big deal in my life.” God, I feel like shit. “But baby, it’s not a dealbreaker. Not for me. I’m not looking for anyone else. I don’t want to find someone else.” Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. “I just want you. I just want you.” The words catch in my throat.

“I just want to know, Kylie. I don’t want it always hanging there, lingering, ready to pounce and blow our world apart when we least expect it. When I least expect it.”

“I’m in too deep for that to happen. Don’t you know that? Please tell me you know that?” How can he not? How could he ever doubt what we have? “And by the way, you are my White Knight, whether you want to be or not. I owe my heart coming back to life to you. Please tell me you know that.” I’m not doing a good job of keeping the pain and fear out of my voice.

Please don’t take your love away from me.

“I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop.”

Shaking my head vigorously, I try to reassure him. “They’ve both dropped. There are no more shoes.” I smile, trying to insert a millimeter of slack into the tension. “Except for in my closet, and as you already know, there’s an insane amount of them in there.”

That elicits a smile and a head shake.

“Okay, so if you don’t want to be my White Knight, then I’m just going to think of you as my Ten of Cups.” Jesse was my King of Hearts. Dev my Ten of Cups.

Apropos.

“I don’t even know what that means.”

“Google it. It’s a compliment. I think you’ll like what you learn.”

 

EXCERPT FROM LOVE ON THE EDGE OF FOREVER © 2024 Julie A. Richman

 

 

About the Author

 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. With an insatiable wanderlust and love of nature, Julie can often be found behind the lens of a camera in between writing books.

 

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Synopsis

 

He doesn’t want to be her enemy. She doesn’t want to be his friend. But when their paths keep crossing, can a change of heart lead to a chance at love?

In the Kingdom of Kalopsia, Dahlia has grown tired of the cloying perfumes and swirling silks of ballrooms. Her reality is to do the bidding of her social-climbing father, biting her tongue and being a perfect lady of society. But in her heart, she dreams of change—to escape to the beautiful land of Orphia. A land where she’d find freedom, and perhaps find herself as well.

For Xanth, the fisherman’s son, his dream is much more literal. Ever since a chance encounter at a ball, he hasn’t been able to stop thinking of the nameless beauty most nights. But with his father wanting him to take on more of the family business, he has no time to waste on the mystery lady. Equipped with a jest and a smile, he hides his insecurity at the prospect pretty well. But considering most of his endeavors end in disaster, he’s convinced he’ll just disappoint everyone he loves.

When their worlds collide, the line between dream and nightmare is blurred. Dahlia is a welcome distraction, but Xanth can’t understand why she warmly welcomes the friendship of others but spurns him at every opportunity. To Dahlia, Xanth’s carefree attitude seems like every other egotistical man that hurt her. But as they’re continually thrown into one another’s company, their perception of the other begins to change. When the unexpected upends their lives, Dahlia and Xanth must confront the most astonishing, terrifying change of all—that of falling in love.

Return to Orphia in this third, stand-alone installment of the “Fallen Stars” series. Blending historical fiction with a fantasy land absent of magic, this clean and wholesome story of natural beauty, found family, humorous mishaps, and enemies-turned-friends romance is sure to delight the hearts of readers young and old.

 

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Review

 

I did not realize that this was the third book in the series. I read the first book but not the second. However, it is not necessary to read these books in order, you just might miss out on some of the minor character’s relationship and how they came to be in this installment.

That aside, this was a fun read. It is a clean fairytale romance set in a kingdom similar to one you would see in England or another European country. Dahlia is being forced to marry someone she doesn’t love. She is gun-shy already, but her father is forcing this marriage. So she does what any wise woman would do: run away! It is in the town of Orphia that she finds herself and love. While Dahlia may be 19, she is still young and immature. Being on her own, forced to make a living, she discovers more about herself and what she can do. I enjoyed watching her character mature and become a more confident woman.

Xanth is a young man without a path. He has done what he thinks his family expects, even at a cost to him. He reminds me of many young people who are floundering, trying to determine their future. There are some great conversations with him regarding this situation. I don’t want to spoil anything but know that all of the characters in this book care about one another and each person’s happiness. I like that he is awkward, especially around Dahlia. I think this helps to ease possible tensions, even when situations are misunderstood.

There are some interesting twists near the end of the book regarding Dahlia and her brother, Daniel.

I enjoyed most of the minor characters. Some are from previous books, and others are new. Xanth’s siblings are precious!

There is one analogy that I really liked. Dahlia asks Xanth how he can forgive so easily. He likens it to holding a handful of glass shards. He can hold onto the resentment and hurt himself, or release the anger and forgive the person and lift the weight off of his shoulders and the glass from his hands. It really makes you think about how you handle forgiveness.

We give this book 5 paws up!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Madison grew up in a small town in Florida, surrounded by her loving family. She has always enjoyed getting lost in the fictional worlds of movies, literature, and her own imagination. Her favorite stories are clean and sweet with happily ever afters. She enjoys traveling, drawing, going to the beach, spending time with her friends and family, and playing with her dog, Sprinkles.

 

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Synopsis

 

In this sweeping second chance romance from debut author Myah Ariel, the unexpected spark of two former flames may force them to choose between their dreams and each other.

Kaliya Wilson has paid her dues. But all the years behind the reception desk at a flashy film studio have only pushed her movie-making dreams further out of reach. That is, until a surprise reunion presents an opportunity that could make her career, or break her heart…a second time.

It’s been seven years since Kaliya’s whirlwind college romance with Danny Prescott went up in flames. While her passions have stalled, his career is taking off. So when the hot shot director reappears to offer her a job on his next production, it’s a shock to the system. Working with Danny may recapture the intensity of their film school days, but trusting him again won’t come as easily.

As the pair allows themselves the openness and vulnerability to entrust their deepest truths to each other, the possibility of a true connection draws ever closer. But when Hollywood politics and scandal threaten to sink the production and her career, Kaliya may have to risk everything to do what’s right—even if it means letting go of the second chance love of a lifetime.

 

 

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About the Author

 

Myah Ariel is the author of debut contemporary romance WHEN I THINK OF YOU (Berkley ’24). Her early love of movies led her from Arkansas to New York City where she earned a BA in cinema studies from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts. She also holds an MA in specialized journalism for the arts from USC Annenberg. For several years Myah worked across multiple roles in the film and entertainment industry before pivoting to work in academia. As a medical mom and a hopeless romantic, Myah is passionate about inclusive love stories.

 

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Synopsis

 

The San Ramos High students are busy rehearsing their performance of Our Town when the school and the surrounding towns are rocked by a 7.1 earthquake. As a series of unusual aftershocks disrupt the town further, their school is deemed unsafe, and the show is postponed indefinitely unless they can find a way to turn that bad luck around. Dealing with their own personal difficulties and led by the stage manager, Sandee, who is working her way through the loss of her brother, they attempt to bring the community together, make the performance a success, and do their share to raise funds to rebuild. Both the show and life must go on!

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Taming Fear

 

A writer’s fears often manifest in questions:

• What if my story is rejected?
• What if I get a publisher, get bad reviews, and my writing career is over?
• What if my writing offends my relatives?
• What if my writing will never be good enough?
• What if no one ever reads my work?

 

I can catastrophize with the best of them, but a better strategy when these questions come up is to jump right into solutions.

You’re probably not writing for the fabulous income or for fame and fortune, though you may have that fantasy on a back burner. Even so it’s difficult not to let fear dampen or stifle some promising instincts. So here are some tips for rising above the fears that most writers, including good ones and even famous ones, face when they sit down at their computer.

1. Take a deep breath.
2. Read a line or two of praise from a reader or critique partner. Remind yourself of your motivation. What do you want to tell the world? What, specifically, are you afraid of? Why? Who could it help? Why are you the right person to share it?
3. Try writing about your fears. Explain the problem. Ask yourself why you’re holding on to the fear? Ask yourself what you have to lose, and what you would do if you lost it?
4. Then brainstorm solutions. Pick your favorite and act on it today.
5. How many words did you write as you wrote that out? Congratulate yourself. You’re priming the pump and getting ready to write the big stuff.
6. Next, let your protagonist ask you why you’re afraid to tell your story. Write your answer. Keep going. Dig deeper. As soon as ideas for your story pop up, get back into it.

Fear is the opposite of faith, love, and courage. You don’t want it to win the battle you’re engaged in, do you?

You believe in your story, don’t you?

Is it something that others might gain insight from? Then get back into it. Write your heart out. You can edit later—and you will—but you must have material on the paper before you edit.

Trust yourself, trust your story, ask for help when you need it, and know that no one can tell your story but you. Lean into the positive and let the negative fears slide out of the picture. If fear rears its ugly head again, beat it back with the same tools. Burn it out and let your story rise from the ashes.

Answers to the questions at the top of the article may be beyond your control, but your actions aren’t. Take the actions needed to tell, show, and share your story.

 

 

About the Author

 

B. Lynn Goodwin is the owner of Writer Advice.

Talent was short-listed for a Literary Lightbox Award and won a bronze medal in the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards and was a finalist for a Sarton Women’s Book Award. A second edition came out on November 1, 2020, from Koehler Books. She also wrote You Want Me to Do WHAT? Journaling for Caregivers.

Her memoir, Never Too Late: From Wannabe to Wife at 62, won a National Indie Excellence Award, a Human Relations Indie Book Awards Winner, a Dragonfly Book Award, a Next Generation Indie Book Award, Best Book Awards Finalist & NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award Winner.

Her next book, Disrupted, will be out on January 25th.

Goodwin’s work has appeared in Voices of Caregivers, Hip Mama, Dramatics Magazine, Inspire Me Today, The Sun, Good Housekeeping.com, Purple Clover.com, and elsewhere. She is a reviewer and teacher at Story Circle Network, and she is a manuscript coach at Writer Advice. She always has time to write guest blog posts and answer questions. She loves working one on one, troubleshooting, and helping writers find what works. Contact her to see how she can help you.

 

 

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Facebook – Author * Instagram * Books

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

He likes whiskey and wild women
She likes Ben & Jerry’s
He’s about to get kicked out of his own band
She ate her way off the Miss America pageant circuit
What could these two possibly have in common?

A psychiatrist
A lot of unresolved issues
A whole bunch of shared lifetimes
And a love that is never-ending

As bad boy rocker, Jesse Winslow, and former pageant queen, Kylie Martin, each fight the demons screwing up their lives, the one person who holds the key to healing their ills and reuniting two souls that have searched for one another, lifetime after lifetime, is the only one who knows the whole truth.

And keeping that truth from them may just be in preeminent psychiatrist Dr. Claire Stoddard’s best interests.

Claire has committed the ultimate sin in the medical world.
She’s fallen for the one man she’s forbidden to love. Her patient, Jesse Winslow.

And she’s not about to lose him to Kylie Martin… Again.

 

 

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**Look for the sequel to this book to be released on April 18th, 2024! I will be sharing an excerpt later this week.**

 

 

About the Author

 

USA TODAY Bestselling author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. With an insatiable wanderlust and love of nature, Julie can often be found behind the lens of a camera in between writing books.

 

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A BEGGAR’S BARGAIN

 

The Bargainer Series, Book One

 

by

 

Jan Sikes

 

Historical Fiction / Literary Fiction

Publisher: Fresh Ink Group

Date of Publication: March 12, 2024

Number of Pages: 324 pages

 

 

Scroll down for Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

A shocking proposal that changes everything

Desperate to honor his father’s dying wish, Layken Martin vows to do whatever it takes to save the family farm.

Once the Army discharges him following World War II, Layken returns to Missouri to find his legacy in shambles and in jeopardy. A foreclosure notice from the bank doubles the threat. He appeals to the local banker for more time—a chance to rebuild, plant, and harvest crops and for time to heal far away from the noise of bombs and gunfire.

But the banker firmly denies his request. Now what?

Then, the banker makes an alternative proposition—marry his unwanted daughter, Sara Beth, in exchange for a two-year extension. Out of options, money, and time, Layken agrees to the bargain.

Now, he has two years to make a living off the land while he shares his life with a stranger.

If he fails at either, he’ll lose it all.

 

 

Click to Purchase

 

 

 

 

Sara Beth’s Top Ten Weird or Different List

Sara Beth is the female protagonist in this story. She has some unusual quirks I thought would be fun to share.

1. She has a pet rabbit named Cuddles, and she takes the bunny everywhere she goes.
2. She plays a thumb piano. Ever seen one of those?

3. Sara Beth learned to read Tarot cards from her deceased mother.

4. Sara Beth has gypsy blood in her from her mother’s bloodline.

5. She’s always suspected Homer Williams isn’t her real father. How could such a hateful, arrogant man sire her?

6. She loves music. When she arrives at Layken’s farmhouse, one of the first things she spots is a cabinet radio typical for the 1940s. She’s never listened to a radio.

7. Sara Beth has never taken a drink of liquor, but when a man offers her and Layken some apple pie moonshine at a street fair, she gets her first taste.

8. Sara Beth has soft, gentle ways, and this helps when she finds a terrified little boy living in a treehouse in the woods behind the farmhouse.

9. Sara Beth had never tasted a Coca Cola until a shopping trip into town with Layken.

10. Sara Beth has a loyal guardian, Uncle Seymour, who had promised her dying mother he would always look out for Sara Beth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jan Sikes writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell. Not just any story, but a true story that rivals any fiction creation. She brought the entertaining true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels.

Jan is an active blogger, a member of Story Empire, a devoted fan of Texas music, and a grandmother of five. She resides in North Texas.

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

 

FOUR WINNERS:

 

Two winners receive $20 Amazon gift cards;

 

Two winners receive eBook copies of A Beggar’s Bargain

 

(US only; ends midnight, CDT, 4/19/24)

 

 

 

 

Enter the Rafflecopter giveaway
 

 

 

 

Visit the Lone Star Literary Life Tour Page

 

For direct links to each post on this tour, updated daily,

 

or visit the blogs directly:

 

 

04/09/24	Forgotten Winds	Guest Post
04/09/24	Hall Ways Blog	Book Trailer
04/10/24	The Clueless Gent	Review
04/10/24	LSBBT Blog	Excerpt
04/11/24	The Book’s Delight	Review
04/12/24	The Page Unbound	Author Interview
04/13/24	Bibliotica	Review
04/14/24	StoreyBook Reviews	Top Ten List
04/15/24	It’s Not All Gravy	Review
04/16/24	The Real World According to Sam	Excerpt
04/17/24	Rox Burkey Blog	Review
04/18/24	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review

 

 

 

 

 

blog tour services provided by

 

 

 

 

 

Paint Can Kill: Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series
Cozy Mystery
9th in Series
Setting – Hobe Sound, FL
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spot On Publishing (December 15, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 252 pages

 

Synopsis

 

It’s raining outside, and it’s raining inside. Hey, that’s Florida. But as sassy entrepreneur Cara Mia Delgatto watches a van full of Highwayman paintings walk out the front door of The Treasure Chest–because the collection’s owner is taking them back–she’s crying on the inside all the way to the bank. There will be no quick fix for this. Instead Cara focuses on an outstanding bill. When she visits the wealthy woman who has stiffed her, Cara stumbles over another stiff, a dead body. With multiple crisises in her business life, Cara grieves the loss of her live-in love and her rescue Chihuahua. The man and the dog have left a huge hole in her heart. Will Cara survive all these losses?

• Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series is a clean read
• Features a female amateur sleuth and her friends
• Includes Florida lore and history
• Shares ideas for upcycling, recycling, and repurposing
• Celebrates friends, family, and fur babies

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Guest Post

 

Recently, I took a “strengths” test, a free online questionnaire designed to help me see where I’m strongest. The point being, make use of your strengths. Play to them. Okay, I’ll admit I’m a sucker for silly tests that purport to tell me about myself. Are you? So, I answered the questions and learned I’m classified as a “problem-solver.”

That fits me to a tee. I love writing and crafting because I love solving problems. When you think about it, that’s what the two activities have in common: problems. When I write a book, I start with a group of general ideas. I might not even know who dies. I might not know whodunnit. Or I might change my mind about whodunnit. But I know enough that I’m curious. I want to put my characters in a tough situation and see what they do. Some authors call this “discovery” writing.

Writing this way means that each day, I sit down and discover stuff I didn’t know and definitely didn’t plan for. Does that mean I don’t use an outline? I use an outline. I’m not a slave to it, but I use one. I use a variety of tools. I keep a list of character names, a calendar for the actions, and often a map. I’ll scribble on scraps of paper, jotting down ideas as they come to me. Then, I’ll spread them out, bunch them into categories, and create links or bridges from one idea to another. I’ll also draw a Venn diagram showing how the friction occurs among characters. Eventually, I’ll find a theme for the book. It might not be readily apparent until I’m a good way along.

Do I get stuck? Occasionally, but actually not that often. When I do, it’s time for a break. Typically, I leave my desk and go to my rowing machine. Fifteen minutes later, my mind is clear. I can write this way because I believe, in my heart of hearts, that there’s an answer for every question. I just need to knuckle down and find it.

 

 

About the Author

 

Joanna is a New York Times Bestselling, USA Today Bestselling, and Amazon Bestselling author, as well as a woman prone to frequent bursts of crafting frenzy, leaving her with burns from her hot glue gun and paint on her clothes. And the mess? Let’s not even go there.

Otherwise, Joanna’s a productive author with more than 80 written projects to her credit. Her non-fiction work includes how to books, a college textbook for public speakers, and books of personal essays (think Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Currently, she writes six fiction series: The Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series (Agatha Award Finalist, contemporary, St. Louis setting, crafting), the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series (contemporary, Florida setting, DIY, and recycling), the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award Winner, 1830s England, based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic), the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy Thrillers (late 1800s, based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s books), the Tai Chi Mystery Series (featuring a mature female amateur sleuth!) and the Friday Night Mystery Series (set in Decatur, IL in 1986 with a spunky female heroine.)

A former TV talk show host, college teacher, and public relations specialist, Joanna was one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors. She won a Silver Anvil for her work on the original FarmAid concert to benefit farmers.

In her ongoing quest never to see snow again, Joanna lives with her husband and their Havanese puppy, Jax, on an island off the coast of Florida.

 

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Giveaway

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The Jammed Judges: Doro Banyon Historical Mysteries
Historical Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Ohio
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Debra Sue Lang (April 2, 2024)
Number of Pages – Approx. 310

 

Synopsis

 

Journey back to the Roaring Twenties in small-town America and join Doro Banyon, college librarian and armchair detective, as she confronts another mystery.

Spring in the air, and Doro is looking forward to her hometown’s May Day celebration. When her friend Aggie wins the baking contest, their celebration is short-lived because the two local lawmen—judges for the competition—fall ill after consuming extra portions of Aggie’s jam roll. Rumors run rampant, especially when the town doctor pinpoints the cause as arsenic poisoning.

With the constabulary down for the count, the two friends must unravel the mystery. As they study possibilities, Doro and Aggie find plenty of dangling threads and likely suspects. Is someone trying to make Aggie look bad or get even with her? Or do area bootleggers want the police out of their way while a big load of illegal liquor is transported through the area? Doro resolves to crack the case before more trouble hits town.

 

 

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Guest Post

 

Hello! I’m Dorothea Banyon, but I go by Doro, and I am an amateur sleuth and college librarian in small-town Ohio during the Roaring Twenties. Things don’t roar all that much in my hometown, but there’s been an unusual number of crimes! Last year, I helped bring two killers to justice.

I love mysteries, and teach a course on whodunits, so going from armchair detective to amateur sleuth has been exciting. Ev Mallow, one of our local lawmen, gave me the promotion, after I helped him with an investigation.

My latest case, The Jammed Judges, sidelines two of my usual team members: Wade Lammers, the town constable, and Ev, the campus security officer and deputy constable. That leaves my best friend and sister professor, Agatha Darwine, and me to investigate.

How and why were the local lawmen put out of commission? That’s at the heart of the mystery. I’ll say this much, poisoning is not pretty, but it isn’t fatal in their cases, either. Since they’re able to talk, Aggie and I consult with them as we pursue the culprit. Although a threatening note ups the ante, we won’t stop sleuthing because the guilty party might strike again.

 

 

About the Author

 

D.S. Lang is a former teacher, tutor, mentor, and program manager. As an only child, she often created stories to entertain herself when she didn’t have her nose in a book. She is still making up stories, but now she puts them in writing.

She writes historical mysteries set in small-town America during the Roaring Twenties. Her books feature women amateur sleuths dedicated to solving crimes, along with a team of colorful characters—often including a local lawman.

 

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Giveaway

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

 

Synosis

 

Twelve-year-old James Rhyder is being hunted by people from a hidden world he never knew existed. Unlike most people his age, James doesn’t dream at night of becoming a hero. Rather, his dreams are filled with shadowy figures and cryptic warnings about the end of the world.

As these strange dreams begin to make James question if he’s going crazy like his mother, a quirky girl named Rheyna Anwen whisks him away into an unseen world where psychics, druids, and magic are real.

At first the enchanted cabins and unusual summer camp where new psions, known as psychics to the outside world, are trained feels unbelievable, like one of his mystifying dreams. However, James soon discovers a secret about himself which threatens to turn this new life into a nightmare: his dreams are a dangerous and illegal talent known as dreamwalking. When a mysterious man in blue -who’d been stalking James all summer- kidnaps one of his cabinmates, his strange dreams may be the only way he can save his comrade.

Now, James must learn to trust his new friends, control his illegal psion talent, and put aside his insecurities. If he can’t, much more could be at stake than just one missing camper.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Review

 

While fantasy is not a normal genre for me, this story about a teen boy finding his place in this world was entertaining. The author does a great job of world-building, introducing us to other mythical beings and letting us wonder, “What if.”

James has some special abilities he isn’t even aware of until he is brought into a special summer camp to learn more about these abilities. There are those who want to see him succeed and others who want to harness his abilities for themselves. Each character in the book is unique and brings something different to the table. This creates a well-rounded novel for the reader.

I really love how James spends a lot of time in the library. He is my hero! His passion for books helps him find his path in life…or at least a path to start down. Perhaps with a little nudging from the friendly older librarian.

The camp is unique, which shouldn’t be surprising since it has magical abilities too. The cabin for all of the newbies is a wonder and the stories it could tell from past and future campers.

There is something about Rheyna that is endearing. Perhaps because she befriends James. I think that they are both looking for something and find it in their friendship.

It would be easy to give away plot spoilers, so I won’t. Just know that this could easily start a series with their adventures or the adventures of those who come to the camp. Only time will tell if the author has more in store for us.

We give this book 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

David Brooks is the author of over 100 middle-grade and young adult fantasy novels, only two of which have been written and released. That is to say, he is an author with an entire notebook bursting with ideas, and never enough time to get everything written. James Rhyder and the Cave of Dreams was his debut novel.

 

 

Synopsis

 

Journey into 1910 Iowa: Where Mystery, Adventure & Destiny Collide in Fred Schmidt’s Pursuit of Life’s True Purpose in The Search.

In rural Iowa, 1910, Fred Schmidt faces life’s pivotal question: How should he live his life? This compelling historical fiction transports readers into a world bursting with real and mystical characters. Teamed up with Artie Holberg, the ambitious son of a renowned horse trader, Fred embarks on an enthralling adventure-from a daring scheme in Minnesota to a treacherous escapade in pre-World War I Europe. Encounters with enigmatic figures like Count Von Drathen and the beautifully captivating Baroness Van Essen weave a tapestry of suspense, mystery, and revelation.

Dewayne Rahe, inspired by the rich background of his cultural heritage and history, masterfully blends history, destiny, and adventure in The Search. A tale about finding oneself amid life’s mysteries, this riveting narrative beautifully encapsulates the universal struggle of choosing one’s own path.

A must-read for fans of historical fiction, journey with Fred as he navigates the intricate map of destiny, love, and intrigue. Will the mystical voice guiding him reveal the truth he seeks? Dive in to uncover the thrilling conclusion. Don’t just read a story, experience the search for destiny.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

From Chapter 16  The  Encounter

 

It was late afternoon and the sun’s final rays were fading from the western sky when the three men rode up the tree lined lane that was the entrance to the Van Essen Estate. The manor house was in the center of the courtyard, flanked on one side by servant’s quarters and on the far side by extensive stables and barns. The men dismounted and paused for a moment to take in the scene, marveling at the grandeur of the buildings and the grounds.

“Count Hugo, tell us again how you know this family. Did you really meet them in an army hospital?” asked Artie.

“Yes, strange as that may seem. It was during the war with France in 1871. The father Hans was in the bed next to mine recovering from his wounds. The nurse Anna, that cared for us was like an angel sent from heaven. She and Hans decided to marry after he recovered from his wounds.  Sadly, both of my old friends have now passed. Their daughter, the Baroness Van Essen has remained a close friend and confidant. I try to stop and visit her whenever I am in this part of the state of Westphalia. She often seeks my advice on the management of the estate,” proudly stated the Count.

“Frederick, Artie why don’t you take these poor, exhausted horses into the stables and get them bedded down for the night. I’ll go up to the manor house and make our arrival known. Come up to the house when you’re finished. They’ll be ready for you then.”

The old man had a spring in his step as he sauntered up the graveled driveway towards the manor’s front door. The boys led the three horses into a large but empty stable. Finding no one available to ask for permission, they took the three closest stalls. They unsaddled their mounts and began to feed and water them when the unmistakable cry of a nearby stallion filled the air. Artie worked at quieting their horses, while Fred left the stable to find the stallion.

He entered a stone barn a short distance away and there in a box stall stood the most beautiful black stallion he had ever seen. The young man and the horse stared at each other, as if each was taking the measure of the other. Fred noticed the beast’s long black mane and tail that someone had taken great pains to curry comb and braid. The horse reared on his hind legs as if to show that he was indeed the ruler of the stable. It was at that moment that a huge pile of loose, dusty hay came raining down on Fred from a shaft in the upstairs hayloft. The stallion pranced and snorted as if he was amused by the spectacle of the young man being completely covered in dusty hay.

“Hey, watch where you’re throwing that hay,” shouted Fred, quickly realizing that whoever was pushing down the hay probably didn’t speak English. It was then that a stable hand slid down from the loft on a rope and turned to face the dust covered young man. The youth had a cap pulled tight over their head and a bandana tied over their face to keep out the dust, revealing only their eyes. Fred stared into the bluest eyes he had ever seen and was momentarily mesmerized by them. Then brushing the dust from his hair and clothes he tried to converse in his inadequate German.

“Guten tag, Ich bin Frederick Schmidt from Amerika. Ich bin kaufen pferde. I’m here to buy horses,” Fred tried to inform the stable hand in both languages.

The young person stood transfixed and stared at Fred in disbelief. Muttering a barely audible, “Oh mein Gott,” the stable hand pushed past Fred and ran frantically from the barn. Fred was left standing in the stall covered with hay dust and chaff. It was then that Artie poked his head in the barn door and surveyed the comical situation.

 

 

About the Author

 

Dewayne Rahe, a retired Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and author of Last of the Wild, resides near Dyersville, Iowa. Influenced by his rich cultural heritage and history, Dewayne writes captivating stories, seeking to share wisdom and guidance, especially for his ten beloved grandchildren. His books are highlighted with illustrations by his artist wife, Krystal. Beyond writing, Dewayne enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, biking, and traveling to his grandchildren’s numerous athletic events.