Posted in Book Release, coming of age, Magic, Young Adult on February 12, 2024

 

 

 

AMETHYST, THE SHALLOWS

 

The Companion Novel to

 

The Aquamarine Surfboard

 

By Kelley Abernathy

 

 

 

Young Adult / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Atmosphere Press

296 pages

February 6, 2024

NEW RELEASE!

 

 

 

 

“This is a night for being brave.”

In the aftermath of a devastating sickness that shatters their close-knit beach town, six lonely kids are drawn together during the unpredictable autumn equinox. Among them are fourteen-year-old Lorelei, who yearns to be an oceanographer, and her peculiar younger brother, Tad, who possesses an otherworldly curiosity.

When Lorelei has a strange and almost deadly encounter in a sea cave, her loyal boyfriend, Casey, cannot reconcile her fantastical experience with the rational world. Condi, Lorelei’s best friend, understands ocean magic but isn’t free to share what she knows. Kait, a girl from Ireland, regrets her impulsive move to America-all because of an odd occurrence involving her deceased boyfriend’s lost surfboard. When tides turn and the moon shifts, Isaac, the new kid in town who despises the ocean, is forced to face the truth-a profound and powerful magic lives in the deep.

Guided by a wise surf master, mystical old women known as the Beachlings, and an open-hearted grandmother, six kids embark on transformative adventures that challenge their beliefs about possibilities and the intense nature of love.

Amethyst, The Shallows is the brand-new companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

 

 

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Praise

 

Amethyst, The Shallows’ sensitive and potent prose stirs the reader, leaving a lasting impression. Although this novel is the second installment in a series, it stands strong independently, welcoming newcomers and returning readers alike.” Literary Titan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kellye Abernathy’s passions are writing and serving trauma survivors as a yoga teacher and practical life skills advocate. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary English Education from the University of Kansas. Her home is in land-locked Plano, Texas—where she’s dreaming of her next trip to the sea!

 

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And don’t miss the Lone Star Book Blog Tours Pop-Up Blog-Hop,

 

Starting March 25, 2024, for book reviews, special features, and a giveaway!

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Cozy, excerpt, Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery on February 11, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

Hammers and Homicide (A Hometown Hardware Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Oregon
Crooked Lane Books (January 16, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 280 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Perfect for fans of Kate Carlisle and Victoria Gilbert, when a body is found in a hardware store, will Dawna Carpenter’s sleuthing measure up to find the killer?

Recent sexagenarian widow Dawna Carpenter thought running her own hardware store after the death of her husband was hard enough. With her adult daughter, April, moving back into town, and Darlene, the annoying boutique owner next door to her shop poking around, Dawna has her hands full. But when she finds a dead man in the bathroom of her store, with a framing hammer by his side, she’s in way over her head.

The victim, Warren Highcastle, was a land developer who was looking to purchase the old theater in town to build a new hotel. Dawna and April, worried about the implications of the crime scene at the hardware store, put themselves on the case. They soon learn that Warren had made quite a few enemies in his short amount of time in town. As the suspect list starts growing, so too do the threats against Dawna and April. Can Dawna and April nail the killer before they strike again?

 

 

Amazon * B&NKoboBookshop * Penguin

 

 

Guest Post

 

Hello! I’m Dawna Carpenter, owner of Carpenter’s Corner Hardware in Pine Bluff, Oregon. What? You’ve never heard of Pine Bluff. I can’t say I’m surprised. When people think of Oregon, they envision Portland or the coast, but they don’t realize what a diverse state Oregon is. If you left Portland to drive here, you’re going to leave behind the lush rainforest feel of Western Oregon, then drive nearly four hours through the Columbia River Gorge and the plains before finally climbing into the Blue Mountains and meandering your way to our picturesque valley.

Wait a minute. Excuse me for a second.

Sorry, I’m back now. My author person rudely interrupted to inform me that Pine Bluff is a fictional town. That’s nonsense and I’m not going to listen to her negativity. Either way, real or imagined, Pine Bluff is a charming small town. My family moved here when I was only eight and it’s never crossed my mind to live anywhere else. Maybe that’s small minded of me, but I love my quirky little town. Bob, my late husband, and I raised our three children here, built two businesses and had a wonderful life. After Bob died, my oldest daughter wanted me to move in with her family over on the coast. But no, my roots are as firmly planted here as that big Elm tree in the front yard.

Besides the fact, I’m beginning to think Bob is still hanging around inside our big brick home. I can’t tell you how often his signature scent of sawdust and coffee swirl around the room, and I swear to you, occasionally he kisses me on the cheek. Plus, there’s Lilac. That sweet kitty crossed the rainbow bridge ages ago, but she’s been sleeping on my bed every night now for two weeks. If a cat spirit can comfort me with her presence, why not Bob?

And boy do I need comforting right now! Not that I can’t take care of myself. I can, for sure, but the other day a man was killed in the bathroom of my store. How crazy is that? I found his body, but better me than one of my customers. Now I’m worried that people will be too freaked out to shop in my store, and with that big box home improvement store that recently opened in the next town over, things could get dicey.

My daughter April and I are going to figure out who killed the poor man, though, and try to get things as back to normal as possible. I hate to point a finger, but there’s several Pine Bluffians I’m suspicious might’ve had something to do with the man’s demise. Oh, there’s April now. We have some snooping to do. I don’t want to keep her waiting, so I’ll cut this off and talk with you again soon.

 

 

Excerpt

 

I ended the call then reached into the cupboard for a glass and filled it with infused cucumber water from a pitcher in the refrigerator.

“See her where?” April filled another glass with cucumber water. “What’s going on?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know? Join the Women’s Service Club, and I’ll tell you all about it.”

I’d been trying to get April to join the organization ever since she’d taken over the decorating and furniture restoration side of my business, but so far, she’d refused.

“Whatever, Mom. I’m not ready to wear polyester pants and go to a meddling women’s meeting.” My daughter rolled her eyes and tapped her wrist like she was checking a watch. “At least not for another…oh, let’s see…twenty years.”

I threw my hands in the air and looked down at the pink-and-white striped T-shirt, cotton shorts, and denim shoes I wore. “Do you see polyester pants here? Don’t think so, missy.”

“No, but your meddling is showing. Better get it tucked back in.”

The two of us cracked up like a pair of cackling hens.

“Anyway, Evonne called an emergency meeting tonight. Without a feasible buyer for The Emery, we need to regroup and double our efforts to save the theater for Pine Bluff.”

“See? I knew I wouldn’t have to join your stuffy old ladies club to get the scoop. You can’t keep from talking about it.” April grinned. “But, seriously, it’s a good idea. What time’s your meeting?”

“Seven. Why? Are you coming with me?”

“Nope, not going with you. Will you stop, please?”

I laughed. “Never.”

“I think I’m going to head to the workshop and finish the dresser I’ve been working on. Maybe I’ll work until your meeting is over. It should give me a few hours to paint.”

Workshop was an overreaching word for the storage unit where April refinished and stored the pieces of furniture that were the heart of her business, Carriage House Designs.

“Do you think it’s wise to be there alone right now? You could stay here and bake those cupcakes you promised J.T.”

“It’s too hot to bake. I’ll do it tomorrow morning while it’s still cool. I’ll be as safe at my workshop as I’d be here by myself. Don’t worry. I’ll text J.T. to let him know where I’m at, okay? You need to do the same thing when you leave the house, and then text me when you’re heading back home from your meeting. Plus drive your Jeep. No walking tonight.”

“Deal, bossy cow.”

April and I pinky swore. There was no going back on our deal now. With a pinky swear, it was completely unbreakable.

“The meeting isn’t for several more hours, though. I have all afternoon to kill. Think I’ll turn on the air-conditioning unit in the sunroom and read for a bit after I start a load of laundry. It’s too hot to work in the garden right now.”

“Sounds perfect. And don’t say kill.” April glowered at me in jest before she turned to head outside.

I grabbed the dishtowel hanging on the stove doorhandle and snapped my daughter on the rear end before she made it outside.

“Oh, lady, you’re going to be mighty sorry you did that.” April let the screen door bang behind her for good measure. “Lock the door,” she called over her shoulder.

 

 

About the Author

 

When Paula Charles isn’t writing under the towering trees of the Pacific Northwest, she can be found in the garden with her hands in the dirt or sitting on her front porch with a good book and a glass of iced tea. She has a love for small towns, ghost stories, and pie. Paula lives on a small farm in Southwestern Washington with her patient husband and a handful of furry and feathered critters. Paula also writes cozy mysteries under the pen name of Janna Rollins.

 

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Giveaway

 

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Posted in excerpt, romance on February 10, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Mr. Darcy’s 21st-century alter ego, Presser, is struggling in real life. Not only is he at odds with the job search, but he is also grappling with marriage. Although he would fight for his son, Noah, who shared custody, they did not design for him. Thanks to an unfortunate attempt to approach her, he also loses the girl who stuck by him the whole time. Finally, the stone of remembrance sinks into the river, which with its white color becomes a symbol of forgiveness.

On Mr. Darcy’s Sofa is a compelling novel about love, loss, and heartbreak. Covering a range of delicate topics from death to infertility, the reader is taken on an emotive journey following a range of well-developed and interesting characters as they navigate their way through life’s ups and downs.

There are elements of humor that work well alongside the hard-hitting narrative and the references and comparisons to Jane Austen and Mr. Darcy throughout are very well done and will, no doubt, captivate readers.

On Mr. Darcy’s Sofa is an intriguing women’s fiction novel set in Hungary, which is informed by the author’s own experiences. With many parallels drawn between beloved Austen characters in the present day, fans of Austen will enjoy reading another novel inspired by her romances.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

ON THE ROAD

 

“No friend is as true as a book.”

Hemingway

 

– Get a grip, honey. Hurry or you’ll miss your flight!

Daddy’s urging made me anxious. Of course, I took it well when he got to the airport. The rain poured down. The city commute on public transport wouldn’t have been a pleasant experience. I couldn’t have any hand to hold the umbrella because of my luggage. I chose not to respond, ignored my ancestor’s warning, and maintained my speed. Whenever I’m in a hurry, I leave something important at home. Something that causes pain when separated for two weeks.

While a fortnight isn’t an eternity, there are specific things I cannot exist without. For instance, I concealed Dorian’s photo in the interior pocket of my denim jacket. My hand is on my heart. The object emits a pleasant warmth that heats my palms. My favorite book is also among the essential things. When I can’t sleep, I read a few chapters of it in the evening. The Old Man and the Sea by Hemingway lay beside my bed this time. Despite its brevity, I was curious why I still didn’t finish reading it. I had a hard time empathizing with Santiago’s suffering, which left me feeling frustrated. I sensed the story was about the unlimited potential of the human soul, but I didn’t feel eager when I opened the book that evening.

Come on, come on, you’ll end up staying at home! – I had to obey my father’s urging, while I glanced in the mirror, he grabbed my suitcase and headed towards the door. Mom waved me out of the kitchen. Her farewell was simple, with no hugs or forehead kisses. Later, she’ll cry thinking about how much she misses me while I’m away. Now it’s simpler this way for both of The chill in our relationship is nothing new to us. I waved her back in and we finally walked out. Dad stood at the bottom of the stairs. I remained at the top; I called for the elevator. We easily caught up. He loaded my things into the trunk and gave me the option to sit in the front.

At twelve, I reached the height by pulling myself out. I first sat beside him in my life and I first watched Pride and Prejudice then on TV. Just two years later read it. When the cops came, my dad told me, “Just pull yourself out, pull yourself out, honey,” and I didn’t understand what was going on. Looking back, I now realize he was concerned for my safety. Now I didn’t have to keep my spine straight at all costs. I grew already much taller than I had been before.

But buckle up! Despite the car beeping, I was so lost in thought that I couldn’t hear the sound, so he warned me not to ignore it. “Okay,” I replied, and he stepped on the gas pedal, and we made our way to the airport.

 

 

About the Author

 

My name is Zita Murányi (1982, Budapest). I am a Hungarian writer and poet. I graduated from the University of Szeged with a degree in communication. My first novel, entitled Tükörpalota, was published in 2003, for which I received the Sandor Bródy Prize in 2004. They awarded this prize to the best debut authors.

I have had three books of poems and three novels published in Hungarian so far.

On Mr. Darcy’s sofa is my debut novel in English, published by Inovie Books.

 

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Posted in excerpt, Historical, Thriller on February 9, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Lest you think I have started writing erotica, I should explain that the title comes from an actual CIA operation of the same name. Operation Midnight Climax was a subset of the better-known MK Ultra project that tried to use psychedelic drugs as a form of mind control. Midnight Climax involved two CIA-run brothels, one in New York City and the other in San Francisco, from the mid-1950s into the 1960s that used prostitutes to lure unsuspecting ‘clients’ in and then dosed them with psychedelic drugs to study their effects. I first learned about this strange tidbit of San Francisco history from a column my friend, Gary Kamiya, wrote several years ago in the San Francisco Chronicle. When I first read it, I thought oh my god, there is a story here! You can find Gary’s original piece here!

Now, here’s what MIDNIGHT CLIMAX is about–

Kats, Molly, and Shig return in an all-new adventure set in 1959, some 15 months following the events of HUNTERS POINT. We find Kats and Molly happily together, though they will be facing some questions about their relationship. Molly has become the entertainment manager at Ann’s 440, and Shig, of course, remains a fixture at City Lights Bookstore.

This story will expand on Kats’ past as we learn what happened to him after the Battle of Vosges, where he was injured. His connection to that time during the war will come full circle as elements from that past find him in his present-day San Francisco.

As with Hunters Point, there are several historic figures that play important parts in the story. As a writer, I find those elements super exciting to craft.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

Excerpt

 

Kats moved slowly toward Epps. “I’m not with them,” he gestured to the men scattered on the ground. “I’m a friend of Dr. Turier. Do you remember Dr. Turier?” he said in his most calming voice. “I want to take you to him. We can make everything OK.” Kats wasn’t sure if the words were even registering, but the man didn’t move to attack or retreat. He was about to take another step forward when he heard a siren echo from up the street.

At the sound, Epps’ face twisted, and he surged forward toward Kats. Even though he was ready, Kats was shocked at how fast the man was. He pivoted to the side, like a matador with a charging bull, and as Epps passed by, Kats fired a fist into the man’s lower back, straight into the kidney. The strike should have disabled the man, but Epps barely grunted and whipped around with such speed and ferocity that Kats was immediately on the defensive. Epps shot his right fist toward Kat’s head. Instinctively, he raised his left arm to block the blow, saving himself at the cost of his arm. He rocked back, feeling like he’d been hit with a baseball bat, and his arm fell to the side, numb and lifeless. Kats had fought men who were stronger than he was. He’d also fought men who were faster. But he’d never fought someone stronger and faster. He dropped to one knee trying to gather himself as Epps turned again and charged.

As the wild-eyed man came at him, Kats knew his only chance was to redirect that savage energy, so as Epps raced forward, he welcomed him in and rolled backward, using his good arm to pull the man over him, actually accelerating his charge into the concrete wall behind him. The man met the wall with an audible grunt, and Kats had a moment to gather himself, but only a moment. Within seconds, Epps was again on his feet, facing Kats, seeming to seethe with power. Then from the garage entrance a flashing red light appeared, and a siren echoed up the walls. Epps spun toward the light and, seeing the approaching police car, bolted toward the open wall. Reaching the second-floor wall, he leaped over it in one smooth motion. Kats raced forward in time to see that Epps had landed safely and was already running down the alley toward a chain-link fence. Reaching the ten-foot fence, he appeared to run up the barrier in one long step and then was over and gone in one swift, near superhuman move. As Kats stood there, his chest heaving and his arm throbbing and hanging uselessly at his side, he wondered how he could possibly stop this living science experiment.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Peter Kageyama is a third-generation Japanese American. He is a former Senior Fellow with the Alliance for Innovation and the author of four nonfiction books on cities and urban development. Peter was a finalist for the 2023 Roy Peter Clark Literary Award. He lives in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, with his wife, award-winning architect Lisa Wannemacher, and their dog, Dobby.

 

 

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Posted in fiction, Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery on February 8, 2024

 

 

 

 

Synopsis

 

“If you want to find me, search within these pages.”

Bestselling author Richard Debden is missing. The only clue: a copy of his unpublished final novel delivered to his ex-girlfriend, Amy. When those closest to Richard reunite for his memorial, Amy turns to Chris, his former best friend, to help unravel the mystery. Could Richard still be alive and in need of their help?

Richard’s manuscript tells of two abandoned children in wartime Britain, instructed by a shadowy Postmaster to deliver letters to ghosts and release them from their torment. As Chris and Amy delve into the text, they identify parallels between fiction and reality; clues to a trail that leads across the country and – they hope – to Richard.

But they are not the only interested party. A mysterious society is following them, their motives unclear. Can Chris and Amy unlock the secrets of Dead Letters, or will more sinister forces get there first?

Dead Letters is the captivating second novel by P.J. Murphy, author of Troubleshot.

 

 

Amazon

 

Read for Free via Kindle Unlimited

 

 

Guest Post

 

In defense of audiobooks

 

Imagine being able to read a book while walking the dog, doing the housework, or completing any number of chores that occupy our hands but leave our minds free. Well, now we have the technology! (Actually, we’ve had it for a very long time, but I have only recently dipped my toes into the world of audiobooks).

I’ve read that if you don’t publish your novel as an audiobook, you’re missing out on a vast swathe of potential audience. I can absolutely see how that could be true. But it takes work to record a novel.  At the time of writing, I am in the final stages of preparing an audiobook version of my second novel, Dead Letters. It has been a huge learning experience. Here are some of the key considerations:

Who’s going to read it? Many top books are narrated by celebrities. I knew I was unlikely to get George Clooney to narrate my book. Another option often chosen is for the author to narrate. I could see the attraction of this, but recording a ten-hour book requires time and the right technology. Most importantly, it would have required me to listen to and edit recordings of my own voice. I can’t stand hearing myself speak. Decision made.

How do you choose a professional narrator? ACX is an audiobook exchange for indie writers. It includes a marketplace where you can upload an extract of your book and invite auditions. I received 26 auditions, and it was tricky to sift through them and make a final selection. I was aided by Dead Letters being written in the first-person, so my narrator’s voice had to match the character.

How do you deal with character voices? Honestly, this had not occurred to me beforehand. When you read from the page, the paragraph breaks make it clear who is talking. You don’t have those cues when listening. So, we had to consider how to differentiate the characters. The narrator I’m working with does this by picturing them as different well-known actors. This helps him to adapt the way he talks. We also played around with accents. One of the key characters in Dead Letters is a girl called Imogen, a Welsh name, so we tried giving her a Welsh accent. It was awful. And it made me realise that I pictured her like Hermione from the Happy Potter series, so that’s the direction we took in the end.

It has been interesting to see how different narrators approach voicing characters of another gender. I sought a male narrator, but they needed to voice female characters. Some of the auditions I received saw men increasing the pitch of their voices. It didn’t sound great. The narrator I chose just softened his voice a little. That was enough to differentiate the characters; that was all he needed to do. The magic happens inside the listener’s head.

I’m looking forward to seeing how the audiobook of Dead Letters is received, and I’m sure I’ll blog about it. Until then, you can read more about my audiobook journey at www.pjmurphywriter.com. Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

P.J. Murphy writes novels that introduce unusual and humorous twists to classic genres. If you pick up one of his books, you’re in for an interesting read that never loses its sense of fun. As a writer, P.J. tries to stick to the adage ‘write what you know,’ although with the addition, ‘just make sure you exaggerate and distort it beyond all recognition.’ He is planning to write a novel about taking a road trip with a parrot. He has never owned a parrot.

 

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Giveaway

 

$15 Starbuck Gift Card, courtesy of the author of DEAD LETTERS

(one winner) (internationally)

(ends Feb 16)

 

 

Dead Letters by P.J. Murphy Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

 

 

 

Posted in Cozy, Giveaway, Guest Post, mystery on February 7, 2024

 

 

 

 

 

A Killer Romance (A Beach Reads Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – North Carolina
Crooked Lane Books (February 6, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages

 

Synopsis

 

Love and murder are in the air this Valentine’s day in Maggie Blackburn’s third Beach Reads mystery, perfect for fans of Eva Gates and Miranda James.

When Beach Reads bookshop hosts a Valentine’s Day event, “Romance by the Sea,” bookseller Summer Merriweather has no idea that the guest author is under investigation for her own husband’s murder. When that same author is found dead at the local bed and breakfast, nobody assumes it’s natural causes–there were plenty of people who wanted her dead.

As Summer searches for the truth about the author’s stranger-than-fiction life, Summer finds suspicious indications of shady behavior in the author’s belongings. But the casual sleuthing is quickly derailed when Summer’s friend Glads gets hauled in for the murder, and they launch a full-blown investigation to clear her name.

As Summer and company pick through the scant clues to solve the case, they may find more treachery and heartbreak than they bargained for.

 

 

Amazon * B&NBookshop

 

 

Guest Post

 

Glads

 

I can’t explain what it feels like to be accused of murder. My name is Gladys Solomon, and folks just call me Glads. I’ve lived here on St. Brigids Island most of my life, and my best friend was Hildy Merriweather, who was murdered a few years back. I will never get over that. Now, her daughter, Summer, has taken over the bookstore and is doing a great job with it. I just know Hildy would be proud and maybe a little surprised, given that Summer always despised the shop. Not so anymore.

Summer is not Ms. Popularity like her mother was. She tries—and with each passing day, she becomes, I don’t know, a little softer, a little more likable. All I know is she’s a person you want on your side. And if a murder accusation will surely show you who is on your side—and who is not.

I have no idea who killed the uppity romance author who visited Beach Reads Books for the “Romance by the Sea” Valentine’s Day event. All I know is it wasn’t me. Sure, I handed her the poisoned tea. But I didn’t place the poison in it. But honestly, I can see why the police thought I may have poisoned her, though I swear I did not do it.

And like I said, Summer is a woman you’d want on your side. She just won’t rest until they find the real killer. Neither will I. I’ve taken this very personally. Of course, I have. I’ve lived here my whole life. How could anybody think I’d commit such a heinous act?

 

 

About the Author

 

Maggie Blackburn is the pen name for bestselling mystery author Mollie Cox Bryan, who writes cozy mysteries with edge. She’s the author of several bestselling mystery series Her books have been selected as finalists for an Agatha Award and a Daphne du Maurier Award and as a Top 10 Beach Reads by Woman’s World. She has also been short-listed for the Virginia Library People’s Choice Award.  She’s also penned a historical mystery under the name of Mollie Ann Cox. She lives in Crozet, Va. and is the mother of two grown, nearly perfect daughters.

 

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Giveaway

 

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Posted in 5 paws, Book Release, Journal, Spotlight, Young Adult on February 6, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Bold statements, compelling quotes, and thoughtful prompts lead young Black girls on a journey of ancestral wisdom and self-discovery in this beautifully illustrated guided journal.

I AM a voice for my people.  I CAN create my own opportunities.  I WILL live with hope.

These and other powerful mantras will enlighten, engage, and empower young Black girls to embrace their connection to a long, unbroken line of historical and contemporary Black women who have inspired people through the centuries and across continents. The courage, integrity, humanity, passion, and intellect that flows through the lives of these foremothers is each girl’s to discover, inherit, and enhance with her own accomplishments.

Meaningful quotes and biographies provide real-life examples of how readers can implement what they learn in their own lives. And guided questions and prompts lead girls through a process of self-reflection that acknowledges their own potential to inspire and lead.

 

 

Amazon * B&N * Bookshop

 

 

Review

 

I was sent an online version of the book to look through, and I wanted to share my thoughts on what I saw in the book.

This book combines a journal and the history of various influential and historical African American women. There are actors, scientists, astronauts, businesswomen, and more. There are journal prompts after each individual asking probing questions on how one might achieve the same as these women, what fears one might have, why you love yourself, and more. I appreciated that the women portrayed in this book covered a wide range of ages, including younger women who have made their mark in this world. I have to admit, I started to feel old when I saw some born around the time I was finishing high school!

While the target audience is young black women, I think any young woman would benefit from the history within the pages and the journal prompts. I learned about many women I had not heard of and their contributions to society and the world through their efforts. The journal prompts gave me a moment to reflect and wonder how I might answer the questions when I was younger and how the answers might change today as I am older.

This book is worthy of many young readers, and we give it 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

About the Authors

 

Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter works in philanthropy at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. She is the author of the National Geographic books Africana Woman: Her Story Through Time and Freedom in My Heart: Voices from the National Slavery Museum, which was nominated by the NAACP Image Awards for Best Literary Work. Cynthia’s gift for storytelling brings alive the Black female experience for women of all ages. Having six granddaughters helps inspire her to celebrate young women. Holding a doctorate in educational leadership and a master’s degree in international education from George Washington University, Cynthia has connected especially with young women as an instructor and lecturer in Africana Women’s studies at GW and Georgetown Universities. While working in philanthropy at Howard University, she was curator for the exhibition “Women of the African Diaspora,” which toured the White House, the World Bank, and George Washington and Georgetown Universities. Cynthia serves with several local and national organizations and their boards, including The Links, Incorporated. As a development officer she has grown philanthropic programs at Africare, the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, and at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where she founded the Harriet Tubman Legacy Society.

 

 

Ruth Chamblee is a publishing and marketing professional who leads the Content Marketing Strategy & Promotion team for National Geographic Kids Books. Her early career included brand management marketing at Richardson-Vicks, a division of Procter and Gamble, and membership marketing for the Smithsonian Institution Books and Recordings divisions. For more than three decades she has designed and carried out multifaceted strategic marketing initiatives for countless National Geographic books, and her guidance has helped bring new voices to and fill key niches in the children’s book market. She is a board member of the Children’s Book Council and Chairman of the Board for Every Child a Reader. Her vision for I Am, I Can, I Will arose from her realization that knowing and honoring our ancestors can contribute to self-awareness, self-empowerment, and self-love for her, her daughter, and all little Black girls.

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Posted in fiction, Historical, Literary, Political on February 6, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Perestroika overthrows communist regimes in Europe.

In the People’s Republic of Slavia, the former leaders are trying to survive the new times while their victims seek revenge.

Former President Alfred Ionescu is placed in an asylum he himself built. Zut Zdanov, the head of culture, is confronted with his child abuse. Helena Yava, responsible for education, wants to avenge her lover’s death. Igor Olin, responsible for the economy, fights for his disabled son to have a dignified life. Art historian Silvia Lenka wants to know who her parents are. Lia Kirchner, the daughter of a painter who died in a re-education camp, wants to know the truth.

Having as a binding element Pilate’s question to Jesus, “What is truth?” Perestroika is a novel of revenge, redemption, and catharsis inspired by recent European history.

 

Winner of the 2023 Historical Fiction Company Book of the Year
Bronze Medal in the 2023 Latino Book Awards
Finalist in the 2021 Eyland Awards
Finalist in the 2021 Fiction Factory
Excerpt nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2023

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Introduction

 

Slavia is a country with an area of 40,000 square kilometres, situated between Poland, the German Democratic Republic, the Federal Republic of Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Austria. Its capital is Tiers. It has four million inhabitants, and its main resources are natural gas, copper, and timber. Founded in the thirteenth century, it was ruled by a succession of monarchs until 1940, when the Nazis invaded it. After its liberation in 1945, Slavia became part of the Eastern Bloc dominated by the Soviet Union.

Since 1950, on the death of the former president, Alfred Ionescu has governed Slavia. His most important cabinet ministers are Pietr Schwartz, the Chief of the Secret Police, Igor Olin, the People’s Commissar for the Economy, Zut Zdanhov, the People’s Commissar for Culture and Propaganda, and Helena Yava, the People’s Commissar for Education.

The regime controls the economy, the courts, and the forces of law and order. It uses social media, cinema, theatre, art, and sport as propaganda tools for its citizens’ indoctrination. The regime banned religion and closed the churches. Elections are not free, and neither freedom of expression nor any individual initiative is permitted, nor even the publication of books and newspapers unless a committee of censors has approved them. Citizens receive ration cards with which they can purchase goods in the shops, and they need a visa for permission to leave the country. Dissidents are persecuted and sent to labour camps for re-education, turning them into enslaved people.

 

 

About the Author

 

João Cerqueira holds a PhD in Art History from the University of Porto.

He is the author of nine books, which have been published in eight countries: Portugal, Spain, Italy, France, England, the United States, Brazil, and Argentina.

He won the 2020 Indie Reader Awards, the 2014 Global ebook Awards, and the 2013 USA Best Book Awards.

 

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Posted in excerpt, mystery on February 5, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

Whidbey Island’s peaceful, bucolic lifestyle is invaded by a deranged psychopath intent on poisoning a significant portion of the population.

The O’Malleys join Deputy Roger Wilkie, world-renowned microbiologist Dr. Andie Saunders, and friends from past episodes in a battle of wits with a dangerously clever adversary.

With unpredictable twists and turns, the challenge of apprehending the evildoer is thwarted by the storm of the century, further challenging the amateur sleuths as they match wits against the formidable villain.

It’s another tongue-in-cheek adventure featuring the retired designers and their faithful German Shepherd.

 

 

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Praise for previous books in this series

 

“Adventures with Kevin and Jenne are always riveting and this one is no different. The story is told through so many characters and their perspectives. You think you know the whole story but the way it is written keeps you reading just one more chapter. It is a very enjoyable read.” – Maynana (Amazon reviewer), on Punch Down

“Little Dirt Road is a fast-paced story that will leave you with loose ends but by the end of the book Ted ties everything together. It was a great read and Ted is a very talented author.” – Alicia’s Forever Booked (Amazon Reviewer)

“This was a great read, and Ted Mulcahey did an excellent job in developing his characters. I really appreciated the banter between the O’Malleys. Made me smile. Whidbey Island is my home, as well, so I thoroughly enjoyed the way Mr. Mulcahey included so many of our island locations, and wove them into his story. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a light, well written book.” –Island Gal (Amazon reviewer), on Juiced

 

 

Excerpt

 

One

 

He waited until the Duke Water treatment truck backed down the gravel road that served the concrete reservoir. It was five p.m. on April 20th on Whidbey Island, and he still had to wait three hours until it would be dark enough.

Concealment was not an issue here in the thick pine and fir forest, and his excitement trumped any boredom that might have crept in. With clear skies, the temperature fell quickly, even at this time of year; he was glad he’d worn his jacket.

After intermittently watching the tank for almost a month, he’d gotten used to the routine of the monitoring company. They came once a week, on Tuesdays, and always between four and five p.m. Sometimes, she would be there for half an hour and sometimes only ten minutes. Today, it took longer, so he had to wait behind the deadfall from one of the fierce winter storms.

At a shade under five-ten, his slight build and unremarkable features were excellent attributes for a man who preferred to remain overlooked. A closer inspection would reveal very dark eyes that were perhaps just a smidge too close together and a thin-lipped mouth with a perpetual cruel smirk leaking from the right corner. Wispy brownish hair of medium length was concealed by a generic ballcap absent of any logo.

As dusk turned to twilight, he made his way to the access ladder at the rear of the 35,000-gallon reservoir. He thought it comical that the drinking water for a hundred or more homes had little or no security, but hey, tough shit for them, he figured.

With his Mini Maglite between his teeth, he climbed the rusty steel ladder twenty feet to the top, where the vent pipe and the access port were located. He would be here all night if he had to remove the rusted bolts from the cover; fortunately, the vent pipe was all he needed.

Keeping his gloves on, he removed his backpack, still securing the LED light with his teeth, and removed the tools he needed to complete his task: A saw, a PVC fitting and cement, his respirator, and three quarts of a unique blend he’d been working on.

He used the saw to cut off the three-inch “U” at the vent termination and stuffed it in his pack. Next, after taking the flashlight from his mouth and placing it on the concrete surface, he securely fastened his mask and dumped the contents of the quart bottles into the tank via the vent. After placing the empty bottles in his pack with the sawn-off fitting, he swabbed the vent pipe and fitting he’d brought with PVC cement and immediately twisted them together.

Standing back to admire his handiwork, he removed the mask. The risk of airborne transmission was remote, but the virulence of his creation made the additional precaution necessary. The vent stack was now several inches shorter, but no one would ever notice. Making sure nothing was left behind, he climbed back down and walked to East Harbor Road. Traffic was sparse; even so, he took care to avoid any cars. Several passed by during the time it took to get back to the truck, which he’d parked at a seldom-used trailhead, but he avoided them by stepping into the brush long before their headlights reached him.

Getting back inside his ten-year-old Toyota Tacoma pickup with the heater cranked up felt good. Now, all he had to do was wait a few days. He was confident of his calculations, and soon, there would be illness in the small community on the east side of Holmes Harbor. He relaxed and listened to the reggae sounds of Bob Marley on the twenty-minute drive back to his home.

 

 

About the Author

 

Ted Mulcahey has lived throughout the US, the past 35 years in the Pacific Northwest. He’s an Army vet, sales and marketing VP, entrepreneur, business owner, avid reader, one of nine children, former caddie, and lover of dogs and golf. The last twenty-five years were spent in partnership with his wife Patte, as the owners of a highly respected and published hospitality interior design firm in the Seattle Area. They’re now living on Whidbey Island and enjoying its rural bliss.

Ted writes about things he’s seen and places he’s been. He tries to incorporate personality traits of people he’s known into his fictional characters, although none of them exist in reality. Many of the locations are real but the names have been changed.

 

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Posted in Book Release, Science on February 4, 2024

 

 

Synopsis

 

This book, in a comprehensive manner, provides an overview of the challenges of increasing crop or agricultural productivity to meet the demands of a growing population, linking descriptions of physiological, ecological, biochemical and molecular activity in plants with their tolerance and adaptation to natural environments. In the case of plants, a stress is an adverse condition or substance that affects or blocks a plant’s metabolism, growth, or development.

The threat to productivity in crops and agriculture due to these stresses cannot be overstated, nor overlooked, especially in light of climate change.

The information covered in this book will be helpful in building strategies to counter the impact of stress on plants. The book also provides an overview of the essential disciplines required for sustainable crop and agricultural production for policymakers, scientists, academics, and students of plant science, agricultural science, environmental science, biochemistry, biotechnology, and related areas.

 

 

Amazon * Amazon UK * Cambridge Scholars

 

 

About the Author

 

Rishikesh Upadhyay was born, grew up, and lives in a small Nepali’ hamlet, Bhanjang Basti (erstwhile Bhanjyang Basti) via Mahadev Tilla, at Haflong, the district headquarters of North Cachar Hills (now Dima Hasao), India. He has an MSc in Plant Biochemistry, MPhil, and PhD in Stress Biology from the University of Assam, India, and a BSc in Botany from Haflong Government College, Assam University. He writes about plants, nature, and their environments and has spent the past decade working and teaching stress biology, biochemistry, eco-physiology, botany, and environmental sciences of plants. His works have appeared, been quoted, and cited in several international journals and books of repute.

 

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