Blurb Blitz: Helluland

I’m happy to feature C.R. Lindström’s debut novel, Helluland.

Blurb

A GIFT AWAKENING. A LEGEND REVEALED.

In a remote corner of the Arctic, unexplained phenomenon haunt an isolated community. Several people have disappeared, and somehow young Erika Holstrom knows why. Still reeling from the loss of her mother, she escapes to university, only to be followed by unsettling visions of the future.

When a Russian submarine vanishes in the far North, Erika’s nightmares suggest the answers lay buried deep in her family history. Now, just as the melting polar ice releases its sinister secrets, Erika and her friends are in a race against time to convince the skeptical authorities what is really happening in her Arctic homeland, before it’s too late.

Will they succeed, or is the frozen North lost forever…

Excerpt

Katherine was staring down the Russian defence attaché when her intelligence officer burst in the room. Realising Katherine was not alone, the J2 covered his mouth while whispering to her. “General, the USS Samuel Ronaldson is reporting they’ve lost contact with their helo.”

Damn.

“Colonel Borishov,” she breathed, “you’ll have to excuse me for a moment.”

The attaché started to protest before Katherine closed the door behind her, leaving the Russian with her chief of staff.

The Arctic headquarters in Pond Inlet’s community centre was already alive with activity. Katherine took her position at the head of a series of flat screens and looked to her J3 operations officer. “Report, please.”

“Ma’am, at approximately 20:44 Zulu, the USS Samuel Ronaldson, operating in the south-western search zone, dispatched one of its helos to act as overwatch due to deteriorating sea ice conditions.” The J3 pointed to the electronic map to his front. Katherine mentally deducted five hours from the reported time, since Zulu was based on Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT in England. The operations officer continued. “General, roughly thirty minutes later the Russian frigate Nikolay Khabalov entered the Ronaldson’s search area from the south and dispatched its own helo.”

Katherine’s face was tense. She could tell where this was leading, but hoped she was wrong. The J3 pressed on.

“Though there was considerable electronic interference at the time, at roughly 21:20 Zulu, radar contact was lost with the Khabalov and Ronaldson helos. From what we gather, they were both within the same grid square when this occurred. Ma’am, at this point we are assuming a midair collision between the helicopters. The Ronaldson has undertaken its search and rescue procedures, and we believe the Khabalov is doing the same.”

Katherine looked about the room. All eyes were on her.

“Any survivors, J3?” she asked quietly.

“Unknown at this time, ma’am, though no emergency beacons have been detected.”

Katherine pulled a notepad from the right cargo pocket of her pants and scribbled down several points before directing the operations officer.

“Engage the search and rescue protocols if not already done, and request SAR aircraft to support us from Goose Bay and Thule. Open up a secure line to both Ottawa and Washington.”

The headquarters staff started carrying out her orders when Katherine glanced grudgingly at her closed office door.

“J3, please ask Colonel Borishov to join me. He deserves to know what has happened.”

Author Bio and Buy Link

C.R. Lindström is a debut author with a passion for lore and history.

https://books2read.com/helluland

Giveaway

The author will award a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

Follow the author on the rest of the Goddess Fish tour here.

Book Blast: Picasso’s Lovers

I’m happy to welcome award-winning author Jeanne Mackin. Today, Jeanne shares her new release, Picasso’s Lovers.

Blurb

You know Pablo Picasso. Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso’s life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame – until, in the 1950’s, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrique.

Excerpt

People used to say of my lover that he lived only for art, that women and politics did not matter to him the way his art mattered. But people change. When Franco and Hitler destroyed that Spanish town, Guernica, Pablo Picasso changed. You cannot look at that painting, at the screaming mothers and violence and think, this is a man who does not care about people and politics.

I have seen how his face changes when he speaks of Francoise, the woman who is leaving him.

“I think it will be a fine day,” I said. “But come back to bed, Pablo. It is still early.” I smoothed and pattered the rumpled sheet that was still damp from our little bacchanal…

Pablo returns his gaze to his own image in the mirror and studies it, drawing the razor through the white foam on his cheek and making a curve, olive flesh showing through a white background. Another work of art…

He throws a towel at me. “Get up. The car will be here soon.”

“Lisen to you, my love. A car. A chauffeur. I remember when you had holes in your boots, when you were my young love.”

“That was long ago.”

Author Bio and Links

Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon Buy Link

Giveaway

Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card. Find out more here.

Follow Jeanne on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

Blurb Blitz: A Twist of Hate

I’m happy to welcome author TE Lorenzo. Today, he shares his debut novel,
A Twist of Hate.

Blurb

They love to hate each other…

Natalia is content with hating her co-worker, Adrian. The two can hardly stand being in the same room, despite having worked together for several months. When Natalia agrees to a trip out of town with a friend, little does she know that Adrian will be there, too. This is the time to crank up the hate, right?

The trip is not what Natalia thought it would be. Forced to spend time with her enemy, she finds there is more to Adrian than meets the eye. Will Natalia push aside her hatred and see the true Adrian?

With a twist of hate, just maybe…

Excerpt

All Natalia could think about was another opportunity to get Adrian to speak to her before they wandered around the desert together. She thought the odds might be in her favor, considering she had overheard Denver mention that he and Adrian would leave for the airport immediately after their shift ended today. Vegas would be at the forefront of Adrian’s mind. Surely he would clear the tension that had grown so awkward and heavy between them before he left.

Further playing into her hands was the special seating arrangement drawn up for the day. Lopez assigned both Adrian and Natalia to desks on the suite level, and they’d be in the same row, four seats apart.

Once she saw this seating chart posted on Friday, Natalia knew she had to crank up the heat for the big day. She dressed in a form-fitting pencil skirt that cut off just above the knees, revealing the Speedy Gonzales tattoo just above her ankle. She had even shaved—in the winter—to make sure her legs were as appealing as possible.

Natalia also wore a blouse that revealed the slightest glimpse of cleavage. She questioned herself as she dressed earlier this morning, wondering why she was putting in so much effort into her appearance to get Adrian’s attention. She hated him, after all.

It’s not for Adrian. It’s for me. I’m freshly single, going to Vegas in two days, and life is good. I can get sexy all for myself if I want to.

Author Bio and Links

TE Lorenzo is the debut author of A Twist of Hate. Having lived through his own enemies-to-lovers story, he believes love can come from the most unexpected of places. When he’s not writing, TE is likely chasing his kids around, playing baseball, or relaxing with a good book. He is currently living out his happily-ever-after with his wife and three kids in their hometown of Denver, CO.

Website | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | Google Play

Giveaway

The author will award a $15 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

Follow the author on the rest of his Goddess Fish tour here.

Spotlight on Brighter Than Her Fears

I’m happy to welcome author Lisa Ard. Today, Lisa shares her new release, Brighter Than Her Fears, based on her great-great-grandmother’s experience in 19th century North Carolina.

Blurb

The 19th century women’s rights movement and the rise of public education intertwine with one woman’s story of struggle, perseverance, and love.

When her father dies and the family inn falls to ruin in 1882, western North Carolina, thirty-year-old Alice Harris is compelled to marry Jasper Carter, a Civil War veteran twice her age. Far from home and a stranger in a new family, Alice remakes herself. She learns to farm tobacco, mothers her stepson, and comes to love her husband.

However, Alice uncovers pending trouble with the family’s land holdings, which threatens their livelihood on the farm. The growth in Asheville promises a different future—one of manufacturing, transportation, tourism, and wealth. Alice believes this future demands an education and she rebels against the limited rural instruction. She joins forces with other women campaigning for Asheville’s first public schools. Her actions spark the rebuke of the Carter men.

Tragedy strikes and Alice’s newfound security is ripped away. The family challenges her property rights and files for guardianship of her stepson. Battered but determined, Alice turns to the law—and a friendly court clerk—to fight for her independence. Will Alice lose everything? Not if she can help it.

Lisa Ard’s debut historical fiction novel will resonate with readers for its parallels, between then and now, on women’s rights, inequality, and racism.

Excerpt

The dressmaker probably saw every kind of bride—joyful, nervous, excited, even frightened, yet rarely two sisters on the same day and seldom ones of our advanced age. At thirty years old, I’d long since abandoned the idea of marriage. The War had ended when I was thirteen and with battlefields turned to cemeteries, the marriage prospects in the South had dimmed considerably. I didn’t favor the title spinster, but I valued my independence. Especially now, as it slipped from my grasp.

“Shorter, Miss Harris?” Miss Shackton asked. “You might wear it after the wedding.”

“Yes, thank you. It’ll make a fine church dress.” My cheeks warmed at the suggestion for thrift. My thoughts thundered over my family’s losses. A hastily arranged marriage to a man I barely knew was my only option.

While Miss Shackton circled to pin the dress’s hem, my eyes swept the neatly kept shop. It was narrow, not two wagons’ breadth across with a front counter crafted from a rich, dark slab of wood laid on top of postmaster shelving. The many nooks and crannies held the dressmaker’s tools of the trade: threads, spools, pin cushions, bolts of fabric, scissors, and more. The orderliness soothed me.

“I’m almost finished here. Be with you in a minute,” Miss Shackton announced to my sister.

Jennie slumped on a faded settee and dabbed her eyes with a damp handkerchief. She’d always been delicate and our rushed marriages, and that of our two sisters, Louise and Ina, didn’t help.”

Author Bio and Links

Lisa Ard is the author of the new historical fiction novel Brighter Than Her Fears, which is based on her great-great-grandmother’s experience in 19th century western North Carolina. Her previously published children’s books include Fright Flight, Dream Team, and the Kay Snow award finalist Saving Halloween. When not writing, Lisa enjoys reading, hiking, golfing and sharing her love of history as a bike tour docent with the Palm Springs Historical Society. She and her husband live (and golf) in both Palm Springs and Portland, Oregon.

Website | Shepherd | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Giveaway

Lisa Ard will award a $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

Follow Lisa on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

Ms. Ard has crafted a powerful novel set against the backdrop of the post-Civil War period in western North Carolina.

Thirty-year-old Alice Harris (the author’s great-great-grandmother) faces an uncertain future after the sudden death of her father and the family’s subsequent financial ruin. She enters a marriage with Jasper Carter, a Civil War veteran who is twice her age, with low expectations. To her astonishment, she survives and thrives as she learns to farm tobacco, love her husband, and raise her stepson. When tragedy strikes, she is forced to reinvent herself once more and fight for her independence and property rights.

Told in the first person, we are privy to Alice’s innermost thoughts and feelings. The use of letters between Alice, her sister, and her friends further advances the plot and provides insights into the lives and motivations of the secondary characters.

If you enjoy reading historical fiction about women who persevere despite their circumstances, you will love this book.

Interview with D. W. Brooks

I’m happy to welcome author D.W. Brooks. Today, she is sharing interesting facts about her creative journey and new release, Homecoming Chaos.

What was your inspiration for this book?

I was part of the inspiration for the main character. I came up with her based on some experiences I had in my life. I am a physician by training. Once I finished my residency in ophthalmology, I went to business school because I realized that I didn’t want to practice medicine for the rest of my life. My family was not very excited about me quitting medicine. I wanted to write a story about that situation. However, I didn’t want to write it right then, and when I got back to it years later, I didn’t want THAT to be the actual story anymore.

I kept the backstory and shifted the story to the fallout after a return home. There was going to be some significant family drama after her return, based on how she left town. I added a murder mystery and a romantic entanglement into the mix. These are the main three elements of Homecoming Chaos.

What is the best part of being an author? The worst?

I enjoy the creative aspects of writing. I enjoy forming a character from scratch or generating a story about the characters I created. It’s fun to figure out plot points and whether what you want to do in the story makes sense or would it strain credulity. I find the process to be very exciting.

The worst part so far has to be the marketing process. It can be difficult to put yourself and your product out for people to make a judgement on. And knowing that judgement is part of the process doesn’t always make it any easier! However you publish your book, at the end of the day, the marketing and promotion responsibility falls on the author. There are so many ways that you can try to get the word out about your book or get your book in the hands of your readers and what works one time may not work the next time. My husband says that you can always spend more money, if you are not careful, on marketing your books. I have to juggle between paid marketing sources and unpaid public relations. It is a lot of work and tends to move slowly.

If you had a superpower, what would it be?

I would want to be able to manipulate time. I would be able to make more time, so I could get more things done. You can also reverse time or move time forward. But, being able to manipulate time also causes you to not be affected by time. I could pick my favorite age (age 33) and remain that age forever. I was the healthiest that I ever was, my kidneys were still functioning normally, and I had muscles. Come to think of it, I would like to freeze fashion at that time too. I really like the clothes that were popular in 2000.

Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

Other hobbies that I enjoy are cooking, traveling, and sports.

I have so many cookbooks and cooking magazines. If you saw them, you might expect that I was a stellar cook. But don’t let the shelves of Cooking Light and Bon Appetit magazines fool you. Before we had children, I would spend the weekend cooking for the week, trying out different recipes I found in my magazines; my husband was a willing taste tester. Once I got pregnant, cooking became a necessity and not the enjoyable task it once was. Now I find recipes on special occasions, and I now have three semi-willing taste testers.

I enjoy traveling, but with kids and my health issues, I didn’t get to travel as much as I wanted to in the past. Now that our youngest in 18, we are making a few more plans – like potentially going back to Kenya next summer so our kids can meet some of their family.

And finally, I am a big sports fan: pro and college football, basketball, tennis, the Olympics, and more. This year has already been a sports bonanza for me because my college team was in the college football playoffs, my pro football team overachieved this year, and the Olympics are coming up! With all the sports options plus the WIPs that I want to finish, I have my year mapped out for me!

Any advice for aspiring authors?

Continue to practice your craft because you are still a writer, even if you don’t have anything published. And if you decide to publish, there are many different ways to get that done. Don’t let anyone put you down for picking the path that works for you, but if you decide your chosen path isn’t for you, it is never too late to change. Try to build a community of other authors—many are interested in offering advice or their experience to help you on your journey.

What are you working on next?

For 2024, I am working on two novellas—one that will be a holiday novella—and Book 2 in the Model MD/Chaos series. I have other ideas dancing around in my head, but I am not sure how much I can get written in one year!

Blurb

A dead body in the parking lot of her family’s business, a killer on the loose, and a handsome detective asking a lot of questions…

Jamie Scott’s life fell apart four years ago when she broke off her engagement, turned down a dream job, and went overseas to run away from her life. Now she’s back, but the reunion is not without problems. She arrives home just in time to attend the soiree her mother planned, but she’s not prepared for what she finds—a dead employee in the parking lot.

Detective Nick Marshall is assigned to the murder case at the forensics lab owned by Jamie’s family. He meets the headstrong Jamie, but he has a job to do. And his attraction to her… well, he’s a professional.

Jamie knows the stakes are high. She has to face the past and save her parents’ business while dealing with her family drama and an uncertain future. She also has to deal with Nick, who wants her out of the way of his investigation. But fate keeps throwing them in one another’s paths… and into chaos that they both want to avoid, but neither can seem to escape.

Excerpt

Jamie entered the simply appointed room decorated in blue, white, and seafoam green. The attached bathroom incorporated blue and white colors. Jamie sat on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. Since she never lived here, the room didn’t hold many personal touches, as did Jon’s and Jillian’s rooms. There were plenty of pillows, a complete set of cherry wood bedroom furniture, and a mid- sized flat-screen TV above the chest of drawers. It represented a fitting guest room since she was now a guest—a nervous guest at that. What if her mother verbally eviscerated her again? Could she deal? Jamie realized she was delaying her meeting with her mom for as long as possible. What else could she do to kill time?

She peeked in the closet to see if she had left any clothes behind from four years ago. Unfortunately, she found nothing that would be appropriate for what would be a formal event on Sunday night.

She went into the bathroom and removed her baseball cap to inspect the state of her hair in the mirror. It was fine for a quiet home visit, but not for a dressy affair. Jamie had let her relaxer grow out while she was out of the country. She typically flat-twisted her natural hair to emphasize the wave pattern. Before this trip, she had only washed, conditioned, and air-dried her hair, thinking that she would have some time after her arrival to moisturize and comb it. Now, it was just squashed down by her hat. Ugh. Since she wouldn’t be able to prep before talking to her mother, she would have to atone by looking her best for the party. For such a formal affair, she would have to visit a salon for a trim and style.

There was a knock on the bedroom door. “Come in!” Jamie yelled as she tucked her cap back onto her head and came out of the bathroom. Jon placed her bags inside her door. “Mother is waiting for you downstairs. I’m going to my room to avoid the tearful reunion.” He didn’t live there anymore but still called his childhood room “his room”.

Jamie sighed. Time to woman up. “OK. Let me wash my face, and I’ll be down. Where is she, exactly?” she inquired.

“Still in the study. Good luck.”

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Apple | Google | Kobo | Autographed Copy

Author Bio and Links

The author is a doctor and editor who lives in Texas with her husband and children. She enjoys trying to stay in shape, sporadically cooking, reading (still), writing, and working on her blog. She is eternally grateful to the woman who donated a kidney to her over 5 years ago and continues to advocate for organ donation as much as she can.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Giveaway

D.W. Brooks will award a randomly drawn winner a $15 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card. Find out more here.

Follow the author on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

Blurb Blitz: Mamacadabra

I’m happy to welcome author Carrie Monroe O’Keefe. Today, Carrie shares her new release, Mamacadabra.

Blurb

Starting her third year of marriage, Carrie Monroe O’Keefe had already been on the roller coaster of extreme highs and lows of a newly blended family. Thinking she could do a better job of navigating marriage, stepmotherhood, working full time, and all of the things, she embarked on a year of “what if.”

Settling into her role as wife and mom, she tried to find ways to do things better, see things differently, and reframe her thinking to create a better home for her family and to feel more at home herself. With humor, unwavering honesty, vulnerability, and sarcasm, Carrie finds her way through the year and to her true self.

Excerpt

From Chapter: A Real Mom After All

No one can fully prepare you for the journey of being a stepmom. In the early days, I doubted myself daily, suffered from depression, considered divorce, and constantly questioned the meaning and viability of our relationship. My relationship with my little girls that is.

I had to look at the kind of mom I wanted to be and the kind of mom I actually was. Because we only have our little girls half the time, I was consumed with worry about what their life was like when they weren’t with us. However, this only led to me being too uptight, too rigid, and too crabby. When they came home, the worry subsided but then I turned into a crazy mom, constantly trying to have everything work perfectly. Which, obviously, isn’t a thing.

It took a while, but eventually everything just kind of fell into place. I stopped worrying what people thought about how I parent. I stopped caring whether others viewed me as one of the little girls’ moms. Most importantly, I stopped trying to compare myself to someone else. Finally, I decided I was one of their parents and I do, in fact, matter. I’m playing an important part in how these little girls will grow up, how they’ll turn out and who they’ll become. I am one of their moms.

Author Bio and Links

Carrie Monroe O’Keefe started blogging about her life by sharing stories of marriage, stepmotherhood, and how to navigate it all on mamacadabra.com in 2012. People said they loved reading the posts, so she kept writing. In addition to blogging, she released her middle-grade fiction book, The Whole Truth, in 2019.

Carrie lives outside of Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and dog Finlay.

Website | Instagram | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Giveaway

The author will award a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn commenter. Find out more here.

Follow Carrie on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

Interview with Bernadette Marie

I’m happy to welcome romance author Bernadette Marie. Today, Bernadette shares interesting facts about her creative journey and her new release,
Secret Admirer Pact.

Here’s Bernadette!

What is the best part of being an author? The worst?

The best part of being an author is spinning stories. As a romance author, I love getting to fall in love over and over again. The worst part about being an author is having to be an influencer just to sell your books. I miss the good ole days in 2013 when your book would sell the moment you mentioned it.

Describe your writing space.

The world is my writing space, and I mean that sincerely. I don’t have just one place that I write. I have my laptop and I will, and do travel. I’m not distracted with the happenings around me.

Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?

I am a third degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, as well as a certified instructor. So, when I’m not writing, or running my publishing company, I’m doing martial arts.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Get involved in a writing community. Be willing to learn. And never, ever, stop writing!

What are you working on next?

I currently have two rom coms in the works, as well as a romantic women’s fiction that is 50+.

Blurb

When Will seeks to rekindle a flame with his ex-girlfriend, his best friend Monique reluctantly suggests a plan involving secret admirer notes to divert his ex’s attention. In a surprising turn, Monique finds herself infatuated with her new boss, prompting Will to reciprocate with anonymous tokens of affection. However, as the deceptive game unfolds, both Monique and Will come to realize that the heartfelt sentiments expressed in the secret admirer notes were their own true feelings. So, what happens if the plan works? What happens if it doesn’t?

Excerpt

First, I need coffee. I push back from my desk and pick up my coffee cup. The coffee in it is cold, so I head out of my office to refill it. As I turn the corner to the break room, I wave at Val who catches my attention, and then I crash into a hard body. Coffee splashes up and out of my cup. It’s cold against my chest as it soaks through my blouse. But there are drops of hot coffee too, and I notice as my new boss jumps back. He’s holding his coffee mug out to the side, but wincing because his hand is covered in hot liquid.

“Oh my god!” I shout as our bodies separate.

My blouse is soaked. His tie and shirt are wet as well, and there’s coffee on his suit jacket.

“I’m so sorry,” he says as he turns back into the break room. He sets his coffee on the counter, turns on the cold water at the sink, and runs his hand under it.

“Are you hurt?” I ask, following him.

“Stings a little. I’m okay,” he says turning off the water and examining his hand.

I set down my mug and reach for the roll of paper towel at the same time he does. Our hands actually slap together, and we each jump back.
I’m not sure which one of us laughed first, because from there, it just became more funny.

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

Author Bio and Links

Bestselling Author Bernadette Marie writes contemporary romances and believes in Happily Ever After. The married mother of five believes in love at first sight, quick love, and second chances. An avid martial artist, Bernadette Marie is a certified instructor and holds a third degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. She loves Tai Chi, traveling to Disney parks, and having lunch with friends. When not writing, or running her own publishing house, Bernadette is probably immersed in a Rom Com, from which she will often quote one-liners.

Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website | 5 Prince Books | Email

Giveaway

Bernadette Marie will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

Follow Bernadette on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

Excerpt Tour: If the Duke Dares

I’m happy to welcome USA Today bestselling author Darcy Burke. Today, Darcy shares her new release, If the Duke Dares.

Blurb

Incorrigible flirt Acton Loxley, Duke of Wellesbourne is in need of a duchess. En route to greet a potential bride, he encounters a most intriguing and captivating widow who completely distracts him from his task. However, she disappears before he can deepen their acquaintance. Acton begrudgingly goes to meet his bride, unaware she and the widow are one and the same.

When Persephone Barclay’s younger sister is compromised, Persephone must wed before the scandal spreads. Her parents scramble to present her to the Duke of Wellesbourne; except he’s precisely the kind of rogue she has now vowed to avoid. Taking flight to avoid a match, Persephone runs straight into her would-be betrothed and pretends to be someone else. But dash it all, the duke proves to be irresistibly charming! If she remains in his company, she’ll end up in the wicked scoundrel’s clutches.

Even worse, her second attempt at escape lands her in increasingly poor circumstances. With nowhere to turn and her safety at risk, she may have to accept help from the one man who threatens her resolve—and her reputation.

Excerpt

Because she hadn’t been paying attention and had arrived at the corner of the High Street, she smacked directly into someone else.

“Careful there.” Hands gently clasped her upper arms to hold her steady.

That voice…

Persephone snapped her head up and gasped. It couldn’t be. Why was he here?

His dark brown eyes fixed on her, and the edge of his mouth ticked up. “I know you,” he said, smiling more widely.

And she knew him—the bloody Duke of Wellesbourne.

“You do not,” she said sharply, pulling away from his grasp.

“But I do, Miss Barclay.”

Persephone gasped even louder, then slapped her hand to her gaping mouth. How on earth did he know who she was? And why wasn’t he at Loxley Court meeting her parents?

“We’ve much to discuss,” he said, one of his dark brows arching with…was that amusement? Of course he would find her situation a matter of humor.

“We’ve nothing to discuss. Please excuse me.” Heart thundering, Persephone tried to move past him.

The duke gripped her forearm—not painfully, but firmly.

Swinging around to face him, Persephone glared at his hand and then at his face with its superior I am a duke, and you will do as I say expression.

His eyes narrowed, and he didn’t let go, despite her trying to pull her arm away. “You’ve a great many things to explain, Miss Barclay. And I am not letting you leave until you do.”

Buy Links

Amazon | Apple | Barnes & Noble | Google Play | Kobo

Author Bio and Links

Darcy Burke is the USA Today Bestselling Author of over sixty captivating, compelling historical and contemporary romance. Darcy wrote her first book at age 11, a happily ever after about a swan addicted to magic and the female swan who loved him, with exceedingly poor illustrations. Her novels have been translated into five languages and are also available as audio books. Join her Reader Club at https://www.darcyburke.com/join.

A native Oregonian, Darcy lives on the edge of wine country with her guitar-strumming, teacher husband, artist daughter, and writer (yes!) son. They’re a crazy cat family with two Bengal cats, a small, fame-seeking cat named after a fruit, a rescue Maine Coon with attitude to spare, an adorable former stray who wandered onto their deck and into their hearts, and two bonded boys who used to belong to (separate) neighbors but chose them instead. You can find Darcy in her comfy writing chair, folding laundry (which she loves), or enjoying game night with the family.

Author Website | Duke Dares Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

Giveaway

Darcy Burke will award a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card + swag to a randomly drawn winner (swag US/Canada only). Find out more here.

Follow Darcy on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

10 Interesting Questions About Justice in New France, 1734

I’m happy to welcome author donalee Moulton. Today, donalee shares her new release, Conflagration! and addresses interesting questions about justice in New France in 1734.

Here’s donalee!

My latest mystery book took me back in time and out of my comfort zone. Conflagration! is a historical mystery set in Montreal in 1734. It raises issues about slavery in Canada – and introduces us to a justice system that is distinctly different from 2024.

I posed 10 questions to the book’s main character Philippe Archambeau, a court clerk assigned specifically to document the case of Marie-Joseph Angélique almost three centuries ago. Here are his answers. (Hint: You can also find them in the book.)

Are lawyers a cornerstone of the justice system in New France?

Witnesses are a cornerstone of the French judicial system. We do this without lawyers. We do not allow lawyers to practice in New France. We are not English.

Is evidence critical to a conviction?

I turned to the Criminal Ordinance of 1670 and other legal documents for this question. It does not take me long to find what I am looking for. Rumor alone constitutes legal grounds for accusing, arresting, and convicting an individual.

Does the accused get to face their accusers?

Confrontation is part of the judicial process. It enables the accused to deny accusations directly. It gives witnesses the opportunity to rethink, perhaps to revise, their earlier testimony.

Is torture an acceptable punishment?

The Criminal Ordinance permits torture for serious crimes. There are reasons for this. Torture can help extract a confession. This is important to get to the truth of a matter. There is also the issue of accomplices. Torture can help to draw out names that would otherwise die on an accused’s lips.

What are brodequins?

The brodequins are very effective. Misleadingly and accurately called laced boots or tight boots, this particular form of torture involves packing a person’s legs between narrow boards tightly bound. Wooden wedges are then pounded between board and human flesh. Bone breaks. Boards do not.

Are individuals presumed innocent until proven guilty?

French law says all accused are presumed guilty. The accused must prove their innocence.

What is the punishment for a capital crime like arson?

The punishment: death, torture, or banishment. Or some combination of those. Being found guilty will mean an end to the life someone knows regardless of the punishment.

What is the Code Noir?

The Code Noir explicitly states how slaves are to be treated in New France. It discusses punishment and freedom of movement, or more accurately, lack of movement. The Code also requires all slaves convert to Catholicism. It is an owner’s responsibility to ensure this happens. Sooner rather than later.

Is there an appeal process?

Mais oui! The appeal judgment would be rendered by the Conseil Supérieur in Québec. It is the foremost judicial body in New France. Their decision will be final.

Does Montreal have its own prison? Is there a jailer?

There is a prison, of course. It is attached to the courthouse – and it is where the jailer lives.

Blurb

On a warm spring day in April 1734, a fire raged through the merchants’ quarter in Montréal. When the flames finally died, 46 buildings – including the Hôtel-Dieu convent and hospital – had been destroyed. Within hours, rumors ran rampant that Marie-Joseph Angélique, an enslaved Black woman fighting for her freedom, had started the fire with her white lover. Less than a day later, Angélique sat in prison, her lover nowhere to be found. Though she denied the charges, witnesses claimed Angélique was the arsonist even though no one saw her set the fire.

Philippe Archambeau, a court clerk assigned specifically to document her case, believes Angelique might just be telling the truth. Or not. A reticent servant, a boisterous jailer, and three fire-scorched shingles prove indispensable in his quest to uncover what really happened.

Angélique’s time is running out as Archambeau searches for answers. Will the determined court clerk discover what really happened the night Montreal burned to the ground before it’s too late?

Excerpt

Chapter 6

Accused

Wednesday, April 14, 1734

Today I will focus on the de Franchevilles. Madame will play a key role in the trial. She accused Angélique of arson shortly after the fire started and before the town crier made the accusation public. There is a reason for her assurance, and it will come out in her testimony although it is clear this belief about Angélique’s guilt and Madame’s animosity are rooted in the relationship between owner and slave.

I would like to know more about that relationship, and I will start by learning more about the slave owner. As always, there are many documents to help me in my quest.

Thérèse de Couagne was born on January 19, 1697, in Montréal. This is her home. She belongs here. I wonder if that makes the loss of her house now all the more heart wrenching. As I read, I discover Madame de Francheville has suffered more losses in her life than wood and stone.

The first great loss was likely her father, Charles de Couagne, who died in 1706. Thérèse de Couagne would only have been nine years old, a child. Admittedly, a child of wealth. Charles de Couagne had been one of the richest merchants in Montréal. His daughter would have grown up in the lap of luxury, and in 1718, when she was twenty-one, she married François Poulin de Francheville an ambitious young merchant. Her dowry was 2,500 livres.

They would be married for fifteen years. The ambitious young merchant Thérèse de Couagne wed was a very wealthy man in his own right when he died in 1733. I check the death records. No cause of death is given, but we have been ravaged by pox in New France. No one is immune.

I am sure her husband’s death devastated Madame de Francheville, but as I read through the records of her life I wonder if there wasn’t a greater devastation. The de Franchevilles had a child. The child died after only a few weeks. I sit and stare at the record of death. I know, in part, this numbness I feel is because I am about to become a father. Madeleine will shortly give birth. I continue to stare at the record of death.

The child’s name was Marie-Angélique.

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Virtual Book Tour: I Survived

I’m happy to welcome actress, author and motivational speaker Celisha J. Today, Celisha shares her new release, I Survived.

Blurb

In “I Survived” the author’s journey through a life marked by hardship, pain and resilience. From the devastating loss of a mother at a young age to abusive relationships and a harrowing escape, this gripping memoir unveils the story of survival, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With unwavering determination, the author overcomes the shadows of her past to forge a path toward self-discovery, healing, and hope.

I Survived is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering belief that no matter the obstacles, one can triumph over adversity and ultimately thrive.

Excerpt

Introduction

My name is Celisha J. I have been through a lot, learned, and am better because of it. I am a firm believer that every lesson is a blessing. God has saved me so many times. I know he did this because he has something bigger planned for me.

My prayer for this book is that it helps women and children who have gone through the same or similar situations to know that they don’t have to allow the traumas of their past to keep them from being successful. I believe that God has a plan for our life, but we did something to alter that plan along the way. He did not intend for us to struggle or have a hard life. He allows us to choose the path we want to go on. The good thing is he is that he is Always there to pick us up when we fall. We were born for greatness.

Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and forgive yourself and those who hurt you. Forgiveness is for you. I want people to know you can be the best you that you allow. No one says it will be easy, but the main thing to remember is that you are responsible for you. I believe that the only person you can truly believe in life, who won’t let you down, is God and yourself. In order for you to crawl out of the slump of being abused, hurt, let down, controlled, and battered is, your faith in God and the belief that he has better for you. He does not want us to live in our past. He intended for us to learn from it and allow our past to help other people gain strength, but if we tell our stories and we have not grown from what happened to us, then who can we really help?

I have done some things in my past that I am not proud of, and this book tells you my story and how I remember it. No, it is not everything, but the book will tell you the things that stood out the most to me. I have learned a lot and grown from my mistakes, and I have decided not to allow the embarrassment, pain, and struggles from my past to hold me back, so I am releasing it in this book.

This is my Ugly Truth!

Author Bio and Links

Born in Michigan now living in Atlanta Celisha J. is an Actress and Author all in one, landing a role in a movie and a lead role on a TV Series.

She currently has a book entitled “I Survived”. It is a chilling story about her life from losing her mom at an early age and all the things that she has endured in her life, that should have broken her but she uses her pain as motivation to continue on her journey to following her dreams of being an actress, author and motivational speaker. She is currently pursuing more roles in acting.

Website | Instagram | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | Amazon Buy Link | YouTube Video

Giveaway

One randomly drawn winner will win a $25 Amazon/Barns & Noble gift card. Find out more here.

Follow Celisha J on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.