MAGICAL ELEMENTS OF THE PERIODIC TABLE

 

PRESENTED ALPHABETICALLY

 

BY THE ELEMENTAL DRAGONS

 

Magical Elements of the Periodic Table, Book 2

 

By Sybrina Durant

 

Children’s Picture Book / STEM / Chemistry

Publisher: Sybrina Publishing

Page Count: 44

Publication Date: March 9, 2024

 

 

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In this unique alphabet book, members of the Elemental Dragon Clan present 26 Magical Elements of the Periodic Table in alphabetical order. Each member of the clan has an element tipped tail. They also have magical powers based on the properties of their metals. There are no more perfect groups than unicorns and dragons to familiarize yourself with elements from the Periodic Table. Their theme is: “No Metal — No Magic. . .and No Technology.”

In this book, Antz starts out the book by introducing the very necessary metal, Antimony on his element page. Zora rounds out the alphabet by presenting scientific facts and other fun information about the metal, Zirconium, on her elemental page. In all, readers will get some great insight into the properties of 26 elements from the periodic table. Each page is full of amazing facts and tons of FUN. There’s a Magical Elemental themed periodic table, too!

This unique book will help tweens, teens and anyone else quickly absorb the elements of the Periodic Table.

REMEMBER. . .
No Metal,
No Magic…
And No Technology.
It’s Techno-Magical!

 

 

Paperback │ eBook │Hardcover

 

 

 

 

Much like the first book with the unicorns, this book is filled with facts relayed in a fun way and on a level that any younger child could understand. I loved learning all of these facts and could have used a book like this while taking chemistry. Ok, it might be geared toward younger children, but the facts, the atomic structure, and the uses are information that anyone could put to use.

Like the Unicorn Elemental book, I read through this book with my sister, the teacher. She had the same feelings as she did with the unicorn book, that it was well laid out, easy to read, and could be understood by younger children.

The book is colorful and filled with fun images to make learning about the elements fun. Here are some of my favorite facts about the different elements:

Europium is used in Euro banknotes to make them harder to fake.

Only 4 women have discovered elements on the periodic table. Francium is one of those elements.

Indium is included in a list made by the US Government of the 35 most important minerals.

 

I have a hard time choosing between the two books as to which might be my favorite. I really don’t think I can choose!

This book is one my great-nephew would love just for the dragons! Plus, he would learn a little bit about the elements, too. He may only be 5, but that is never too young to start learning!

We give this book 5 paws up and recommend it to any young budding scientist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sybrina Durant is a unicorn author and entrepreneur. In addition to books, she offers unicorn-themed activities, t-shirts, and more. Plus, she has pulled together a collection of nearly all the unicorn books available today from hundreds of authors. They are categorized on her website by Little Kid, Middle Kid, and Teen Unicorn Books.

 

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A Lighthouse Snapshot: A Secret Identity, Opposites Attract Romance (The Turner Family of Bluestar Island)
Small Town Romance
4th in Series
Setting – Bluestar Island (a fictional island off the coast of Massachusetts)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lazy Dazy Press (April 15, 2024)
Number of Pages – 269 pages

 

Synopsis

 

As tulips bloom and the sun warms the air, the Bluestar ferry delivers a special visitor to the island whose search for the past leads her directly in the path of her future.

With Spring Fling the next event on Bluestar’s busy calendar, the residents decide to use it to play another round of matchmaking. Travel blogger Elaine “Lainey” Devereaux is led to the island by a cryptic entry in her late mother’s journal. With the weight of grief driving Lainey onward, she searches for a long-buried secret but before she can uncover the truth there’s a tragic accident.

Graphic artist Jack Turner is on top of the world as he anticipates a big promotion and a move to the Big Apple. He’s minding his own business when the most beautiful woman rushes into the roadway, right in front of his cart. With no time to stop, the collision leaves both of them stunned. As circumstances conspire to draw them together, they soon find themselves helping each other to come to terms with the past while exploring an unexpected love.

Includes a recipe for Elegant Whoopie Pies!

Bluestar Island series:
Book 1 – Love Blooms (Hannah & Ethan)
Book 2 – Harvest Dance (Aster & Sam)
Book 3 – A Lighthouse Café Christmas (Darla & Will)
Book 4 – Rising Star (Emma & Noah)
Book 5 – Summer by the Beach (Summer & Greg)
Book 6 – Brass Anchor Inn (Josie & Lane)
Book 7 – Summer Refresh (Sara & Kent)
Book 8 – A Seaside Bookshop Christmas (Melinda & Liam)
Book 9 – A Lighthouse Snapshot (Lainey & Jack)
Book 10 – Inheriting Her Island House (Brianna & Grant)

 

 

 

Amazon * Books2Read

 

 

 

Excerpt

 

Lainey gazed up at the large blue Victorian looking building. The sign in the front yard said it was the Brass Anchor Inn. Charming was the first word that came to mind.

They stepped out of the cart and made their way up the sidewalk. While Jack rushed up the two steps and moved swiftly to the white French doors, she took her time. She took in the wide porch that was lined with white rocking chairs. There were small tables between them for drinks and a potted plant. Once again, the word charming came to mind.

“Hey.” Jack held the open door for her. “Are you coming?”

She hurried her steps. Once inside the spacious lobby, it took a moment for her eyes to adjust after being out in the bright sunshine. She took in the gray wood tile floors with a royal blue runner that led from the door to the check-in desk. Her gaze meandered around the room, admiring the new furnishing that portrayed a sense of coziness.

She paused and glanced off to the side, taking in the display cases with lots of seafaring memorabilia. On the walls was a collection of framed photographs. She wanted to meander over to check it all out but Jack was already at the check-in desk waiting for her.

She moved to his side. There was no one working the desk. Noticing a brass Victorian style bell. She tapped her fingers on it. Ding.

“Coming,” a male voice called out from the office behind the desk. A moment later, an older man stepped out of the office. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Welcome to the Brass Anchor Inn. How may I help you?”

The man wore a dark blue polo shirt with the inn’s logo embroidered with white thread and a gold pin with the name Harvey Coleman. His snow-white hair was kept short. He had a close-trimmed mustache and beard. Immediately the thought of Santa Claus came to mind.

“We need a room,” Jack said.

Lainey couldn’t believe he’d just said that. She lightly elbowed him aside. “What he meant to say is I need a room.”

Jack frowned at her but remained quiet.

Harvey’s gaze moved between the two of them. A smile played at the corners of his mouth. “It doesn’t matter which of you needs the room. We don’t have any available.”

“What?” Jack’s dark brows drew together. “Are you sure?”

“I’m absolutely positive.” Harvey’s tone was firm.

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances. With more than a million books sold, she is internationally published with books translated into more than a dozen languages and her work has been optioned for film. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers’ Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards.

Now living her dream, she resides with her very patient husband and two spoiled cats. When she’s not plotting out her next romance, you can find her curled up with a mug of tea and a book.

 

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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

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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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Two winners receive $20 Amazon gift cards;

 

Two winners receive eBook copies of A Beggar’s Bargain

 

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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

 

 

 

 

 

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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

 

 

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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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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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Synopsis

 

Four friends, one city. Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel navigate life, careers, and love in Boston. Each woman is newly single and looking for a fresh start. As their work lives start to look up, they each meet a new man who may be “the one”—or may not. The bond the four women share helps them make better sense of their lives, but at times their friendship causes more issues than it solves. New couples form, and one of them is headed for the altar. But which of the women is about to be a bride?

All along the way, Grace, Piper, Sydney and Rachel are each other’s biggest fans and cheerleaders. The Wedding explores the bond women share and the love they seek.

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review

 

Four friends. Four relationships. Love and loss, but friendship endures.

This novel follows four friends, their careers, and the relationships that they form. Some are good, some not so good, but at least these women know who they can count on at the end of the day. Some of the relationships are trainwrecks waiting to happen. You know something isn’t right, but you don’t know what until the truth is revealed.

There is a wedding being planned between the chapters, but you have no idea which friend or couple it is until the end. I had my thoughts on who it should be, but I was wrong. You’ll have to read the book to find out who the mystery couple is.

As the book progresses, we learn about each woman’s past relationships, why they failed, and where their life is going. We saw them enter the dating world, whether they were ready for a relationship or not. But sometimes, you just have to get out there and see what happens.

I appreciated that once the mystery couple was revealed, the last chapter and the wedding shared with us what happened to the other three women in the group. I had a few ideas but wasn’t 100% sure what happened to each couple. Also, the last chapter seems to be a few years into the future. This gave a satisfying conclusion to this story.

My only complaint has nothing to do with the story but the eBook. The font is TINY. All ebooks usually load just fine for me, but this one was unreadable on my e-reader, and I had to read it on a larger tablet.

Overall, this is a fun read, and we give it 4 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

About the Author

 

Kelly Smith, a three-time published author, first came on the scene with her debut novel, Signs in the Rearview Mirror Leaving a Toxic Relationship Behind. After healing from her toxic relationships, she soon realized dating after a toxic relationship was difficult, which then led her to write Out of the Darkness. Out of the Darkness, her sophomore book is about her experiences with healing after abuse, dating, and finding love again. Sunny Day Publishing published all of her books.

Smith, an award-winning writer, writes for Elephant Journal and HuffPost. Smith is a dating expert for the online relationship and dating magazine, GoDates.

Smith is a certified relationship and dating coach who works with clients who are trying to rebuild their lives after an abusive relationship ends, or after a long-term relationship ends.

Smith is a Boston native who moved to the Austin, TX, area in July 2003 with her three sons.

Media Expertise Kelly can speak on topics including domestic violence in teen dating, narcissism and toxic relationships, women as the abusers, recovering from an abusive relationship, dating again after an abusive relationship, narcissism in both men and women and living as an adult child with a narcissistic parent.

 

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Amethyst, The Shallows

 

by

 

Kellye Abernathy

 

YA / Magical Realism / Coming of Age

Publisher: Atmosphere Press

Page Count: 296 pages

Publication Date: February 6, 2024

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“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 companion novel to The Aquamarine Surfboard.

 

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This novel is the follow-up to The Aquamarine Surfboard, which makes me happy because we see the return of Condi, Grand Ella, the Beachlings, and other familiar characters. However, one of the main characters in this novel is Lorelei. As with the first book, this is a coming-of-age story that brings in some of the mysticism from the first book and some unique characters with various personalities. Because many of the characters are teens, I feel like the author understands the issues and quirks of the young mind, especially when they have been isolated due to The Sickness. This mimics a certain event we saw happen in our world.

Another main character is Isaac. At first, I didn’t like him. He was sullen and angry at the world, but with time, he managed to redeem himself after experiencing a few life-changing events. Sometimes, it just takes a little time and experience to change a person.

Tad is another character that will capture your heart. He sees his emotions in colors and knows when he needs a calming color to feel safe. He is also a budding scientist who is passionate about the various sea creatures. He may be young, but he is mighty and learns to overcome some of his fears.

There are two animals that are integral to this story – Figament, an octopus, and Guardian, a parrot. Both animals bridge the gap between different characters and bring hope to the story.

There is love and loss, too. My heart hurt at the loss, and rejoiced for the love.

This book is probably geared more toward YA than middle-grade age readers due to some of the topics, but it will be enjoyed by those who care to delve into this mystical story.

We give this book 5 paws up and hope for another book in this series to continue the magic of the ocean and this band of friends.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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SHAHRAZAD’S GIFT

 

by

 

Gretchen McCullough

 

Contemporary Fiction / Linked Short Stories / Humor

Publisher: Cune Press

Date of Publication: February 20, 2024

Number of Pages: 198 pages

 

 

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Shahrazad’s Gift is a collection of linked short stories set in contemporary Cairo—magical, absurd and humorous. The author focuses on the off-beat, little-known stories, far from CNN news: a Swedish belly dancer who taps into the Oriental fantasies of her clientele; a Japanese woman studying Arabic, driven mad by the noise and chaos of the city; a frustrated Egyptian housewife who becomes obsessed by the activities of her Western gay neighbor; an American journalist who covered the civil war in Beirut who finds friendship with her Egyptian dentist. We also meet the two protagonists of McCullough’s Confessions of a Knight Errant, before their escapades in that story.

These stories are told in the tradition of A Thousand and One Nights.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

 

Inspiration for writing Shahrazad’s Gift – And more!

 

By Gretchen McCullough

 

The stories in Shahrazad’s Gift were written after about five years living in Cairo. I was inspired by the flamboyant, colorful characters in my building and in the city. I actually met a woman who made costumes for belly dancers—and she told me marvelous stories about her experiences!

Cairo is a congested city. My building was only separated by a tiny alley to another building. You could actually see into the apartments of your neighbors. One of our Egyptian neighbors became obsessed by the sexual activities of one of my American neighbors. That story became “Taken Hostage by the Ugly Duck.” I wrote the story from the point-of-view of the Egyptian woman who was entranced.

“On the Run: Part II” was inspired by my experiences in the 2011 uprising. We didn’t sleep for days. We heard about many foreigners who fled and abandoned their pets. In “Part II” Gary and Kharalombos end up taking care of pets, even a diabetic cat!

“Part II” of Shahrazad’s Gift became the first section of my novel, Confessions of a Knight Errant. I was having so much fun with the characters, I wondered what would happen to them if they went to Texas. They were on the run from the authorities and end up working in a posh girls’ camp in central Texas. Kharalombos is a Greek-Egyptian ballroom dancing teacher, who doesn’t adjust well to a strict schedule. He becomes homesick for Cairo. Gary, the American professor who is accused of being a cyber-terrorist completely fails as the handyman, especially when they face a plumbing disaster!

 

 

 

 

 

Gretchen McCullough was raised in Harlingen Texas. After graduating from Brown University in 1984, she taught in Egypt, Turkey, and Japan. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alabama and was awarded a teaching Fulbright to Syria from 1997-1999. Her stories, essays and reviews have appeared in The Barcelona Review, Archipelago, National Public Radio, Story South, Guernica, The Common, The Millions, and the LA Review of Books. Translations in English and Arabic have been published in: Nizwa, Banipal, Brooklyn Rail in Translation, World Literature Today and Washington Square Review with Mohamed Metwalli. Her bi-lingual book of short stories in English and Arabic, Three Stories From Cairo, translated with Mohamed Metwalli, was published in July 2011 by AFAQ Publishing House, Cairo. A collection of short stories about expatriate life in Cairo, Shahrazad’s Tooth, was also published by AFAQ in 2013. Currently, she is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric and Composition at the American University in Cairo.

 

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04/02/24	Rox Burkey Blog	Excerpt
04/02/24	Hall Ways Blog	Notable Quotables
04/03/24	StoreyBook Reviews	Guest Post
04/03/24	LSBBT Blog	BONUS Stop
04/04/24	Boys’ Mom Reads	Review
04/05/24	Bibliotica	Review
04/06/24	Rebecca R. Cahill, Author	Author Interview
04/07/24	The Page Unbound	Review
04/08/24	The Plain-Spoken Pen	Review
04/09/24	It’s Not All Gravy	Excerpt
04/10/24	Carpe Diem Chronicles	Review
04/11/24	The Real World According to Sam	Review

 

 

 

 

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TO RESCUE A WITCH

 

by

 

Lisa A. Traugott

 

 

Historical Fiction / Action & Adventure / Witch Trials

Page Count: 398 pages

Publication Date: March 1, 2024

 

 

 

 

It’s 1739. An abused girl accused of witchcraft must be defended by a man married to an actual witch.

William MacLeod, a fierce Scottish lawyer with a kind heart, takes on a daunting task—rescue young Annaliese from the clutches of her tormentors in the untamed wilds of Virginia colony and deliver her safely to her aristocratic father in London. But lurking in the shadows are enemies eager to expose MacLeod’s own wife, Fiona, as a witch with a dark secret.

Their perilous journey takes an unexpected turn when their ship wrecks, and Annaliese’s haunting nightmares and unexplained “Devil marks” trigger suspicion among the crew. Tension peaks when MacLeod must become Annaliese’s unwavering protector in a witch trial, where Fiona’s clairvoyance and a murder are unveiled.

To Rescue a Witch navigates themes of betrayal and redemption, in a spellbinding narrative that blends history, magic and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit.

 

 

 

Amazon

 

 

 

 

Historical novels teach us so much about how people acted, the places they lived, and what the landscape looked like at that time. In this novel, we experience 1730s London, Scotland, and the American Colonies. We also see this time through the eyes of several characters – Annaliese, MacLeod, Fiona, and Margaret.

This story is filled with lies, deceit, remorse, redemption, and love. While most characters experience some of these emotions, they don’t necessarily experience them all. It is quite intriguing to watch the scheming of some characters end in disaster while others become victorious.

While we see this story through several different eyes, Annaliese is the main character that the story surrounds, and she has quite the tale to tell. She may only be nine but has endured much in those few years. It takes a lot for her to learn to trust others, but watching her grow is beautiful. I’m not saying she is perfect by the end of the book, but she comes quite a long way from the beginning. My heart hurt for the abuse she endured at the hands of her stepfather. He is not a nice man, but then, many men in this century took women for granted and expected little or nothing from them. I appreciated the strength of these women and seeking something better for themselves and their families.

William MacLeod seems to have lost his way in prioritizing what is really important to him. There are a few incidents that lead up to this moment, but reflection and conversations help him to realize where he needs to be in this world. I liked that he was able to reflect on his past and change the trajectory of his future.

There are quite a few different threads in this book, but all are woven together to create a story with many facets that create a world we can feel a part of by the end of the book. Anyone who reads this book might root for different characters and will be satisfied with the conclusion. Although, I would have liked it to go on just a little longer.

We enjoyed this story, the setting, the characters, and the various outcomes and give the book 5 paws up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa A. Traugott is an award-winning author and World Championship public speaker semifinalist — who also spoke five lines on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She lives in Austin with her husband, two kids, and English bulldog, Bruno.

 

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FROWNS AND GOWNS

 

The Mischief Series, Book 5

 

By Amanda M. Thrasher

 

 

Children’s Chapter Book / Fantasy / Fairies

Publisher: Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

Page Count: 236

Publication Date: September 12, 2023

 

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Embark on a Magical Adventure with Lilly, Boris, and Jack!

Get ready to join Lilly, Boris, and Jack on an unforgettable journey filled with excitement, laughter, and a touch of mayhem. Brace yourself for a whirlwind of mishaps as these three fairies plan a magnificent magical ball, only to encounter an unforeseen disaster! Experience the magic of friendship with Lilly, the quick-witted and resourceful fairy, Boris, the mischievous fairy with a heart of gold, and Jack, the troublemaker with a curious, adventurous spirit on their latest adventure.

Throughout, Lilly, Boris, and Jack teach the true meaning of friendship and teamwork. Together with their friends, they’ll overcome challenges, learn valuable lessons, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Don’t miss out on this enchanting tale!

 

 

 

 

Progressive Rising Phoenix Press

 

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Award-winning author Amanda M. Thrasher was born in England and moved to Texas, where she lives with her family. She writes YA, general fiction, middle grade, early reader chapter, and picture books. She is the founder and CEO of Progressive Rising Phoenix Press.

 

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Receive autographed, paperback sets

 

of all five books in The Mischief Series

 

+ $25 Starbucks gift card

 

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