I’m happy to welcome author M.H. Cali. Today, she shares her new release, Balancing Entropy

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Blurb

When life catches up with young and brilliant investment banker Lucas Blake in the form of anonymous threats, his existence is exactly what he always wished it could be.

Or is it really?

He can barely remember what his true aspirations looked like a decade ago. All he knows now is that everything he worked so hard to build could crash down in a split second if whoever is blackmailing him decides to act on it.

To make matters more complicated, the team he ends up hiring to silently find the culprit of those menaces includes Raven Collins. A woman Lucas lost touch with, but who he still can’t get out of his head completely even years after having met her.

As the race to keep him out of harm’s ways unfolds, he enters a journey of self-discovery that might very well make him question the core of his life choices.

When greed, power, and old ideals pair together within a perfect storm is it possible to come out of it unscathed?

Can one’s principles thrive in a system that seems to bend even the strongest minded to its will?

Lucas and Raven are about to find out for themselves.

Excerpt

“Some people do tend to become other versions of themselves when they are away from home.” He presses their foreheads together while dropping his tone to a murmur. “I don’t do that. What you saw is all me.”

She doesn’t miss a beat. “Likewise.”

“We could’ve been a phenomenal match, Rae.”

A breath catches in her throat. His voice is laced with sincerity. It sends her mind spinning.

He dangerously feels as if he could fit in her routine. His personality is magnificently complex, and strangely both fits with and complements her own. She hasn’t had that sentiment toward anyone in her life up to this point.

But she’s only in her early twenties. She has her whole life in front of her. Her future is actively being written. Whatever happened between them here was definitely a fling.

A beautifully intense, and delightfully intoxicating fling.

She has to remember their pledge. This is insignificant.

She relishes in the cool seaside breeze and Lucas’ applying entrancing pressure on her lower back vertebrae for a moment.

Existence is full of fleeting instants and inconsequential events while some others open doors to infinite possibilities. She willingly classified this hook up in the former category as soon as they first kissed.

They’ll go back to their occupations, to their social circles, and to constructing their destinies. This ephemeral liaison will become a distant memory. It was solely a bridge between phases of their respective purposes.

This is what counts.

This is what she has to keep in mind.

However, she still can’t shake the thought that they could’ve been legendary together totally out of her brain, so she offers him the closest truth she can think of.

“Maybe in another life, Luke,” she whispers against his lips.

Author Bio and Links

M.H. Cali is my pen name. From as long as I can remember, writing has been my biggest creative outlet. There are tales that take hold in my brain, and I have to write them. Which means that when it happens, I sit down and do just that.

The world is complex and flawed, and so are the characters inhabiting the universes I build. In my fiction novels, I thrive fleshing out stories that explore multiple themes within. If you ever read any of my works, you’ll notice that I love writing layered characters, having a diverse cast, and that to me quiet moments are just as important—if not more—than action-packed ones.

Storytelling is all about balance in the emotions and events throughout the narrative. It’s my motto.

If I manage to make you feel what the characters are going through, live the events with them, and wonder what is going to happen, then I succeeded.

If you ever give my stories a chance, I hope you enjoy!

Master Link | Website | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Books2Read | Instagram | Twitter | Bluesky

Giveaway

M.H. Cali will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC plus a special edition paperback copy of the book (which includes a physical copy of the novel, an exclusive signed and numbered bookplate, an original sketch inside the book by Laurie Ya, the artist who made the cover, and drew the interior illustrations, and assorted merchandise including coasters, stickers, a tote bag, and more) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour (INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY). Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome author Katie Groom. Today, Katie shares interesting facts about her creative journey and new release, Gibbous Moon.

Interview

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

I love music. I’m a clarinet player, though I do admit that I’ve been a little far removed from playing for a bit. I miss it. But I do plan to learn how to play the viola starting in 2024.

I also enjoy collecting teddy bears. I have so many unique ones — even one that is a one-of-a-kind from a small shop in Paisley, Scotland.

Additionally, I love pretending that I’m a good cook (I’m not, but it’s edible); painting (stick figures don’t even look good when I draw them); and doing onewoman-shows of my favorite movies (I should let the actors do their jobs, instead of speaking over them, but I do all the voices).

Any advice for aspiring writers?

I get this question a lot from friends, and my advice is always the same: Do it! The more you write, the more you will improve your craft. One of my favorite things to do is watch Bob Ross, and he always says that more than the tools or the paint, what really will help anyone improve is practice. He says that anyone can paint; they just need to practice. I believe that anyone can write; they just need to practice.

What is your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is actually a song lyric. It’s from “Saturday” by Fall Out Boy. “I read about the afterlife but I never really lived.” It just reminds me to just live my life on my own terms instead of comparing myself to others and trying to get to their own goals instead of mine.

Which authors have inspired you?

I’m inspired by soooo many authors. I would particularly like to give a shout out to Rebecca Crunden. She writes incredible stories — and she’s constantly writing. On top of that, she’s always supporting other indie authors and artists. Like ALWAYS. I’ve never seen anyone more supportive than her. And, on top of that, she really stands against bullies. I appreciate that in a person.

What are you working on next?

I’m currently working on the third book of the Cardinal Moon Saga’s main trilogy. I’m in the editing phase of that. Afterwards, I will start working on the duology that Cade will star in.

Blurb

Werewolf and professor of literature Hugh spent nearly 200 years to find his soulmate, Zoie, but others betrayed him, working with rivals to take her away in only an instant. Revenge was swift and unsatisfying. More people need to pay for what was stolen from Hugh.

Zoie’s death had been orchestrated by powerful beings in the supernatural world. Exacting revenge will require precision and planning.

Biding his time before acting, Hugh reverts to the patterns that finding true love had disrupted. Walking through life in a fog, he does his best to appear as if he is moving forward, though nothing feels the same.

As Hugh tries to start the next chapter in his life with Rosalie, he is haunted by the memory of Zoie. The literature professor cringes every time he’s reminded that Rosalie doesn’t like to read, but he tells himself that opposites should attract. That Rosalie can patch the hole left in his heart when Zoie died. His revenge will take time, and wallowing in grief won’t help.

Just as Hugh is still focused on revenge, his enemies are still plotting to harm Hugh further. It’s dangerous to oppose a bereaved werewolf, but even werewolves can be hurt.

Excerpt

Zoie quickly flew down closer, taking in everything that was going on around her. Hugh had a death grip on her body, and a terrified crowd of hotel employees had gathered in the lobby. One of them was on the phone—undoubtedly calling for emergency help. Not only was it obvious to Zoie that she was dead, but Hugh had literally crashed through a wall of glass to get to her. One police car was not going to cover this.

Stevie and Hugh’s best friend Cade were trying to convince Hugh to leave. They tried to plea from every angle—any excuse to get him to comply. “No!” Zoie cried. “Don’t leave me.” She couldn’t imagine that Hugh would even consider leaving her there.

“You need to leave her, and you need to go,” Cayden stated as they knelt down in front of Hugh. Their face was so full of genuine concern. It became obvious to Zoie that this was the best choice.

Zoie placed her feet on the pool deck and walked over to Hugh—despite everything going on, she noticed that her shoes didn’t make that strange squelching sound that they should have. So her guess was right, then; she was dead.

Hugh ignored Cade’s pleas, but Zoie inched closer and put her hand on his shoulder. She lied, “It’s okay, Hugh. Go.” It was in his best interest and in the best interest of their world for Hugh to leave.

Author Bio and Links

Katie Groom grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Business Management from PITT and her master’s in Employment and Labor Relations from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. In 2016, she decided to move to Alabama in order to avoid as much snow as possible (and to advance her career in Human Resources).

When she isn’t working, Katie enjoys reading, writing, jokingly critiquing movies and TV, and campaigning that the plural of moose should be meese. She also loves to take in live music (especially Hanson) and traveling, with the goal of reaching each of the continents. Katie’s favorite pastime, however, is spending time with her beloved Shih tzu, Delta.

Website | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Amazon Buy Link

Giveaway

Katie Groom will be awarding a $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome author Eden Monroe. Today, Eden shares interesting facts about her creative journey and her new release, Who Buried Sarah.

Interview

What was your inspiration for this book?

My inspiration for any project is to change things up a bit. That’s why I decided on Who Buried Sarah, not who killed Sarah. The loss of a beautiful young woman always makes for a gripping story and in this case I thought it would be interesting to have three young men besotted with her. I love a good romantic twist so that’s also part of the inspiration – stir things up a little because Sarah, a newly-minted schoolteacher and the daughter of a prominent local pastor, is no shrinking violet.

What is the best part of being an author?

I love getting lost in a story, carried away to somewhere else – always somewhere better. It’s an opportunity to let my imagination soar, feel the story, wear it, hang out with my characters – cry with them, laugh with them, let them draw me into their world. In my opinion it’s the best possible feeling. Sometimes their reality is just better. The latter has been especially true during the past year. In August of 2022 I found the body of my spouse, too late to revive him. During the long months that followed, my writing allowed me to escape to another world – even for a little while. It has helped me deal with the crushing agony of that loss.

The worst?

People automatically assume you’re incredibly wealthy as soon as you put pen to paper, and also that writing a book is the easiest job in the world. The truth is, from start to finish it is actually very labour intensive.

Which authors have inspired you?

Oh so many! Lucy Maud Montgomery had an enormous effect on me, as did Farley Mowat. Authors that make a writer want to write. Amy Tan, Michael Anderson Bradley, James A. Michener, Stephen King, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Elizabeth Hay, David Adams Richards. So many superb storytellers, and it’s not just what they’ve written, but what they have to say about the craft of writing. Their attitude, what drives them … how they reach back, remembering those who are coming behind them. Suspense novelist Joan Hall Hovey never ceases to inspire me in more ways than just what she writes; Charles Dickens, Janet Dailey. Like I said, so many….

What is your favourite quote?

In Who Buried Sarah, it’s “Her gaze shifted to the muddy boots sitting on the floor by her chair. She would no doubt be scolded for any dirt that had shaken free onto the carpet because Cranston insisted on a spotless home. It was as if suddenly those boots had become the metaphor for what was wrong with their marriage, had always been wrong with it. Her job would always be to clean his boots.”

That paragraph stirs emotion within me because it is an epiphanal moment for Sarah’s mother, Maude Estey – an awakening that gives her the courage to finally leave her abusive husband.

In general it would have to be a quote from Anne of Green Gables: “In the other corner was the aforesaid three-corner table adorned with a fat, red velvet pin-cushion hard enough to turn the point of the most adventurous pin.”

I’ve never forgotten that quote because it’s so deliciously descriptive. Lucy Maud Montgomery made me care about a pincushion. She also made me to want to write.

Any advice for aspiring writers?

My advice is to not be afraid to write those first words. I’ve been asked so many times by aspiring writers – how should I start? You start by starting. It’s as simple as that. Just start writing. Don’t expect it to be profound – just write something. When you first read it back there’s a pretty good chance you won’t like it, but don’t delete it … at least not right away. Walk away for a while and when you read it again, later, you’ll probably be surprised that what you thought was horrible is not so bad after all. It just needs work, but you can’t build on or improve something that’s not been written yet. There has to be a starting point.

Also, a good editor will be your best friend, because at the end of the day you both want the same thing – a great manuscript. Don’t think that everything you write is divinely sent and should not be tampered with. You cannot grow that way, you must be open to editorial criticism and suggestions. It’s also important to learn your craft, study it. Actually you should never stop learning. And finally, don’t let rejection discourage you. It happens. When it does, it’s okay to cry, throw something non-breakable … whatever, then get back to work.

What are you working on next?

My next project is another romantic suspense trilogy, The McClures. It’s about an American mother and her children who immigrate to New Brunswick, Canada in the 1800’s in a desperate flight for their lives. But there are challenges waiting on this side of the border too. Emma McClure finds the solitude she sought for her and her family, but their storms are far from over.

Blurb

Sarah, the only child of Rev. and Mrs. Cranston Estey, was betrothed to Connor McLagen of the affluent McLagen family. The McLagens were socially revered, although there were rumours of nefarious underpinnings to their substantial wealth, and the God-fearing Esteys were not in favour of the marriage.

Three days before the June 1927 wedding, Sarah disappeared. Her note said she’d changed her mind and decided to leave town.

A week later she was found, buried in a rose garden, the gruesome and sensational discovery knocking New Brunswick prohibition wars out of the headlines.

There were many with secrets to keep…

Excerpt

“Then stop playing with fire. Look, I like it that you want to … go further … but not now, darling. We have to wait for the right time and I promise to live up to your expectations. There will be nothing holding us back then, but I promise I will be gentle.”

Shifting away from him slightly, she gazed out across the river. “I understand that. I’m not exactly inexperienced about such things, Connor.”

Had she really just said that aloud? She was aghast that the secret she knew she had to share with him at some point had spontaneously bubbled to the surface. This was probably the worst time for such a revelation, but there was no turning back now.

There was silence as she waited for the fallout from the bomb she’d just dropped, not daring to look at him.

“Excuse me?” he asked after a moment, his voice gone hard. “What did you mean by that, Sarah?”

Apparently this had unexpectedly become the time for truth telling. She was as surprised as he was it was happening, but she loved him too much not to be completely honest. She’d just thought it would somehow be easier to do. “What I mean is … I’ve … ahhh … been with a man before.”

He was deadly calm. “In what way?”

Author Bio and Links

Eden Monroe writes about real life, real issues and struggles, and triumphing against all odds. A proud east coast Canadian, she enjoys a variety of outdoor activities and a good book.

Website | Facebook

Giveaway

The author will award a $20 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome Dr. Nancy-Angel Doetzel. Today,Dr. Doetzel shares her new release, An Eye for the Highest and Best.

Blurb

Living in this world of such disruption and uncertainty can result in us facing despair. How can we attune to the rainbow after a storm, and create hope and happiness? How do we develop an eye for the Highest and Best, when faced with what appears to be the worst? What steps should we take to reconnect with our ability to be resilient?

In this book, Dr. Doetzel shares some important insights gained from her own experiences of teaching university, battling cancer, being a journalist, travelling worldwide, dealing with grief, and facing the global pandemic. Along the way, she introduces her readers to fresh ways of viewing their lives, by applying an Appreciative Inquiry lens that inspires the practice of a more conscious way of living, resulting in discovering serenity.

Readers may start to re-examine their own challenges, while discovering their own gems that warrant gratitude. The reflective questions and stories suggest ways of removing blocks to happiness and constructing healthier relationships.

The book is also an ideal tool for educators to apply to teaching Appreciative Inquiry as a qualitative research methodology.

Excerpt

While attending a church service in a Mexican Cathedral, Angel’s phone had fallen out of her purse. Reaching for it later, intending to make a call, she suddenly notices it was missing. Frantically, she rushed to the hotel front desk to inquire how she could contact the Cathedral. When she arrived, the hotel clerk was holding her golden cell phone, while still looking for an identification on it.

After identifying her cell phone, the clerk told her the story of the person who had turned it in. The lady had picked up the phone in the Cathedral, under a bench. She then noticed a hotel key in the phone case slot, which matched her own hotel key. So, when she returned to the hotel after mass, she gave the cell phone to the front desk attendant.

Angel believed having her cell phone returned by someone staying at the same hotel and attending a common church service, was a miracle in action, and she was tempted to share the story with the police officer, after he checked for her phone.

Author Bio and Links

Dr. Nancy-Angel Doetzel has been teaching in the Sociology Faculty of Mount Royal University since 2006, and as a seasonal sessional instructor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Calgary since 2005.

An award-winning scholar, journalist, and musician, she won a Distinguished Dissertation Award for her doctorate dissertation, leading to the publication of her two books: Cultivating Spirituality in Education: Synergizing Heart and Mind and Old Heart Child’s Eyes: A Diary of Miracles.

In 2017, her students at Mount Royal University honoured her with a Teaching Excellence Award. In 2018 her students also acknowledged her for promoting wellbeing and good health within the classroom, and for being a good mentor. She received her MA, HBA, HBSW, and BA degrees from Lakehead University.

She received her PhD from the University of Calgary in 2004. She studied Intuitive Medicine in Vancouver and received a professional certification (I.C.A.D.C) from the Canadian Council of Professional Certification. She also was awarded a Broadcasting Radio and Television diploma from Confederation College. She encourages her students to examine the world through different lenses, exercising altruism, promoting social justice, and learning to be a good sociologist.

Her Mount Royal University blog is titled, Debunking Deceptive Myths. In addition to her recently published books, she has also authored and published eight scholarly articles in her field.

In February 2020, the Calgary Herald, rated one of her books (a pre-amble to this one) as a local best seller. She is currently conducting research about complementary medicine and continuing to teach at Mount Royal University.

Aside from teaching and conducting research, Dr. Doetzel has hosted a radio show “From the Heart,” airing on AM 1140 High River, for the past 10 years. She has recorded four albums of her own original songs.

Website | Instagram | Amazon Buy Link

Giveaway

Dr. Nancy-Angel Doetzel will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

Follow Dr. Doetzel on the rest of her Goddess Fish tour here.

I’m happy to welcome poet Alysha Potente. Today, Alysha shares her new release, Mind Expressions.

Blurb

This poetry book has a total of over 130 poems, and most feature alongside: beautiful photography art. All of the poems are different from the next, in meaning and technique.

Analytical in nature, each poem dives into various topics. With this are also syllable counts, where the number of syllables per line are counted and arranged. This brings forward a technical side to poetry writing, where it is precise and balanced.

It is a skill that requires practice, where you hear the word for what it is, using mathematics while rhyming words together. All of the poetry features different rhyming forms.

Excerpt

THIS SHAPE IS THAT OF A TRIANGLE.

This shape is that of a triangle..
Three times a 90 degree angle..
A trio side that makes it acute..
One 90 degree makes it obtuse..
These pyramid’s that are in Egypt..
Are written in a hieratic script..
The tip of the point reaches quite high..
A standout in the desert that’s dry..
Created these centuries ago..
Constructed by the Pharoah Khufu..
The biggest that’s built is in Giza..
Jump on a plane, paid with your Visa..
One of Seven Wonders of the World..
According to statistics it’s earned..
Explore the inside of it with tombs..
There’s many built in separate rooms..
It’s a triangle made of strong stone..
How they were truly built is unknown..
Three sides that form all these pyramids..
These people back then weren’t primitives..
It’s amazing to think how they’re built..
No cranes to help them being instilled..
Go visit them to see their beauty..
Egypt itself is stunning truly..
A desert of dreams upon hot sand..
Spacious with history on the land..

Syllables: 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9, 9= perfect patterns.

Every two lines rhyme together.

Purchase Links

Amazon US | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Author Bio and Links

Alysha has been a self- taught creative writer, since the age of 16, in her hometown of Perth, Australia. Her passion for it developed on its own, the need to express herself in a different way other than verbally, was what motivated her to keep up this passion. The use of words was captivating for expression and the love of rhymes was also heard by ear.

Alysha’s first poetry book that she read was actually in Primary School and it was called ‘Revolting rhymes’, which was a retake on nursery rhymes but in a humorous way. This book started this creative side in her at a young age, that, and also her love for art in general.

In 2015 she studied a short course at Berklee, where she was introduced to the notion of syllable counts. In fact, though she had actually been doing syllable counts unconsciously with her poetry in general. By using the same measurement of lines going off of sight, had in turn created similar syllable counts/patterns in her work.

Her book ‘Mind Expressions’ is a technical side of poetry writing that’s come to life. It’s the use of mathematics, along with creative writing. She wanted to give the reader a breakdown of each poem within, in order for them to delve into each poem further and analyse it using a different set of eyes. The poems are analytical in nature, along with syllable counts (some perfect) and perfect rhymes. This really showcases poetry at the highest skill.

Alysha is multi-talented in Art itself and is also a perfectionist. For where her passion lies in different artforms, is where she crafts her skills to a perfection standpoint.

Website | Facebook | Instagram

Giveaway

Alysha Potente will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Find out more here.

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

I’m happy to welcome author Mackenzie Lee. Today, Mackenzie shares her new release, And Then I Met You.

Blurb

Have you ever wondered whether your beloved watches over you from their heavenly post? Have you often had the feeling that your loved one has remained right by your side, even after the final goodbyes? And Then I Met You is the true story of a love so enduring and eternal, it transcends the barriers of time, space, and life itself.

In these pages, you will meet two people whose love is challenged at every turn. The countless barriers that stand between them and true togetherness seem endless. And then the unthinkable happens–and all the barriers vanish in the most unexpected and miraculous of ways.

This epic love story will linger in your thoughts long after the last page, and remain as a twinkle in the sky and a smile in your heart. Who knows? You may even look at life, love, and death in a whole new light.

Excerpt

“Have you heard from Mike for your birthday?” asked my friend Angie.

It was late October of 2018, a full month after my birthday. We were sitting at Willie’s Steak House at the time, having a belated celebratory dinner.

“No, I haven’t…and it’s been too long. Even for him.”

Mike and I always managed a phone conversation on or near our birthdays, no matter how far apart we might be, geographically speaking. He wasn’t usually able to call me on my actual birthday or his, but he always snuck in under the wire and called me sometime in my birthday month (and his).

Close enough. As long as he got the month right, that was good enough for me. After all, we were separated by many miles now, with me being up north and him down south.

Circumstances were such that I couldn’t call and had to wait for him to call me. First, July—Mike’s birthday month—came and went and I didn’t hear from him. When September—my birthday month—rolled around, and I still hadn’t heard from him, I felt a little uneasy. But I hadn’t paid any attention to the vague emptiness I felt until I heard Angie’s question.

“What’s his full name?” she asked, pulling out her phone and going onto Google. “Oh, no, is that him?”

I looked at her phone and saw the website of a funeral home. “Oh, dear God. It can’t be him…but it is.” All I could think was, Oh, Mike, don’t let me down.

Don’t let me down…I’m in love for the first time, Don’t you know it’s gonna last, It’s a love that lasts forever, It’s a love that had no past… (The Beatles)

“…He died peacefully at his home,” read the death announcement. Mike had died on May 18th, 2018, five months earlier. Photos of him, along with words that had been written about his passing, stared back at me.

Author Bio and Link

Mackenzie Lee is an aspiring author known for her ability to weave heartwarming tales that touch the soul. Her book, “And Then I Met You,” is a poignant and uplifting true story that explores the depths of enduring love and its ability to transcend the boundaries of time and space.

Amazon Buy Link – https://www.amazon.com/Then-Met-You-Unbelievable-Story/dp/0228887739

Giveaway

The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Find out more here.

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