This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rachel Pfennig Hales will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
It’s show night. You’ve bought tickets and are waiting with your friends. The lights drop. The darkness swells in anticipation. A collective cheer grows. A breath of silence. Then, that first chord screams from the > speakers. Lights flash to flood the stage, radiating as the concert comes to life.
We are there, too, in the dark under the show, behind it, and above it. > Each prop or cool trick, every costume or scene change requires the hidden help of someone behind the scenes. In a few hours, you will have gone home, but we will still be here, tearing it all down. We will pack up the gear, load up more than a dozen tractor trailers, and head out to the next city. Tomorrow, we will build the production again in a new building. We’ll greet another audience. We’ll put on another show.
From load in to load out, watch a production build toward show time. Hear true stories from the rock and roll roadies who’ve helped create the world’s biggest concert tours with interviews from dozens of touring technicians.
Read an Excerpt
Everyone wants to hear the crazy stories. They want to hear about the celebrities, their flaws and their weird, fabulous quirks. They want to know about drugs and sex, and surprisingly little about rock and roll. They want to hear about the late nights, the VIP parties, the swag. Maybe they’ll listen to accounts of long hours and grueling conditions. Maybe they’ll ask about the technology. But really, they want to hear the tabloid version of backstage. That part does exist, of course. I once saw Tom Cruise sing karaoke at some afterparty in Malaysia, and then again in Vancouver. I’ve helped Santana move a couch and babysat Slash’s kid during a show. I’ve toasted with Dom Perignon, even though I couldn’t pronounce it. Once—and only once—I walked into a hotel room and saw a literal mound of cocaine. I’ve been to the Grammys twice, as well as the American Music Awards, and stood in the back parking lot at something for MTV. Admittedly, I’ve always used the stage door and never once walked a red carpet. I stood on the field at the World Cup in South Africa. I’ve rocked out with Ryan Seacrest for New Year’s. I’ve flown charter. I’ve missed a few commercial flights. I have visited five of the seven continents, and in 2010, I ran out of passport pages. I’ve worked shows at Madison Square Garden, the United Center, the Staples Center, the Grand Ole Opry, and the O2 arenas in London, Berlin, and Dublin. I’ve worked four shows in old Italian castles and one at a Target.
About the Author:
Rachel Pfennig Hales has always loved show business. From theater as a child, to a brief stint in television production, she found her niche in live event production. Rachel was able to start her career touring around the world with the Black Eyed Peas, and then with Lynyrd Skynyrd. Now, she is the Client and Community Development Manager at Rock Lititz, helping with various touring rehearsals and building up the live event culture on campus. Rachel also does a lot of writing, within the live event industry and beyond. She has BAs from DePauw University, an MA in English Studies from National University, and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Goucher College.
June 13th 2021 was my fifth blogiversary. I realize that was a Sunday. So why not have this week's topic be the blogiversary? I really did not think I would still be posting blog entries for this long. Here's to another five blogiversaries!
Post Rewind
📌 May 21st = Release Blitz: Takeover
📌 25th = Release Tour: Takeover
📌 June 1st = Release Tour: Savannah's Salvation
📌 8th = Release Tour: The Changeup
📌 9th = Book Blast: Smart Bitches Buy Bitcoin
📌 16th = Book Blast: Making Christmas / Santa Baby
📌 22nd = Release Tour: The Fastball
Head's Up
🔼 June 30th = Book Blast: Tour Book
Goodreads
📚 One Dangerous Desire (by: Christy Carlyle) = moved to "read" shelf
Currently Reading
📖 Blame It on the Duke (by: Lenora Bell) = page 45
📖 The Court of Secrets (by Rebecca L. Garcia) = 46%
*** If you don't have anything to say about this week's topic, you can comment on any other part of the post or just say "hi".
*** I am always having to edit many of my posts. If I made any grammar mistakes, I will eventually fix them.
Who says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas? The last thing Callie expected was to wake up married to Derek. He’s all in, but she’s running scared. Can Derek convince Callie to take a chance or will they end up another Las Vegas statistic? Fans of The Play Hard Series by K. Bromberg will devour The Changeup by A.M. Williams, a secret marriage romance.
Derek Nichols is the first guy I can see myself sticking with for more than one night. He’s nice, easy to talk to, and excellent in bed.
There’s just one problem. He breaks my one rule of relationships: no baseball players.
Only after spending a passionate night together, I’m considering breaking that cardinal rule for one more chance with him.
Derek
Callie Jacobs is the full package when it comes to the women I like. Funny, charismatic, gorgeous, and the list goes on.
After one night together, I know I want more and I have no problem going after what I want. But Callie doesn’t feel the same. She’s happy to call it done.
Then we end up in Vegas with friends and things get a little heated.
We wake up married with no memory of the event, just matching rings as a reminder of our vows to each other.
I’m all in. I’m ready to give this a shot. But Callie is running scared, even though she’s admitted she wants me too.
Each time I see her, I want to hold her close. Each time she pushes me away, I want to reel her back in.
We have to decide if this is what we want or if we’ll just become another Vegas statistic.
The Fastball is the second book in A.M. Williams Boys of Summer baseball romance series. It’s a secret Vegas wedding romance with a man who knows what he wants and a woman who fights her attraction.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as Dirty Pitch. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
I froze when Derek started moving. I turned around slowly, watching as he sat up and rubbed his eyes. Maybe if I didn’t move, he wouldn’t see me.
I wasn’t that lucky as his gaze moved to me.
“How much did I drink last night?” he asked, blinking blearily at me.
“Enough.” My voice was flat and he narrowed his eyes at me.
He stretched. “Why are you in here?”
I cocked a brow and waited. I saw the moment he realized he was wearing a ring on his left hand.He was running his hands through his hair and paused before bringing his hand in front of his face. His eyes widened and met mine. “Is this what I think it is?”
I couldn’t say anything, only nodded, and I held up my hand, wiggling my fingers.
Derek swallowed noticeably, looking from his hand to me and back again. “What the fuck?”
“What the fuck is right,” I returned.
Silence stretched between us. I shifted my weight and realized I needed to get going. I had to pee, wanted a shower, and to crawl back into bed.
Maybe if I went to sleep, I’d wake up only to realize this was a really bizarre dream and that I wasn’t actually married to Derek?
He opened his mouth to say something, but I didn’t care to hear his thoughts. There was too much going on to try to talk this out right then. I slipped my shoes on and started toward the door, snagging my clutch from the bench as I went by.
“Callie! Where are you going?” Derek called out from behind me.
“To my room,” I called over my shoulder. I didn’t wait to hear a response, if he had one. I had to be gone. I couldn’t stay in that room one more moment.
I knew Derek had questions—I had some, too—but I seriously needed a little bit of time to myself to try to remember last night and figure out what I was going to do. Though, I guessed it should be us figuring out what we were going to do.
I rubbed a hand over my face as Derek’s hotel room door banged shut behind me.
This absolutely couldn’t be happening. I did not just become a statistic and have a quickie wedding in Vegas where me and my groom were so drunk, we didn’t remember it happening. That didn’t happen. Right?
About A.M. Williams
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess
Fish Promotions. Nancy Fraser and Peggy Jaeger will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a
randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops
on the tour.
Welcome to our 1980’s Dickens Christmas stories!
Two sweet vintage romances set in the New England town of Dickens where small town charm is on full,
holiday display.
Both stories are prequels to stories found in last year’s holiday anthology, Christmas Comes to Dickens.
Beginning October 18th, the Ladies of Dickens will release six brand-new, full-length Dickens holiday
romances (one per week) to celebrate the season.
In the meantime, we hope you’ll enjoy Making Christmas by Author Nancy Fraser and Santa Baby by
Author Peggy Jaeger. Both are guaranteed to whet your holiday appetites for what’s to come!
*****
Making Christmas by Nancy Fraser
It’s been five years since William Barrett returned to Dickens to take over as CEO of Wil-Bar Toys. He’s
spent these past years helping build Wil-Bar into a leader in creative, handmade toys. His work ethic and
drive has left him little time for a personal life. Or, perhaps he’s still pining for the one who got away.
Catherine Gates moved away from Dickens six years earlier. Now a staff reporter for a woman’s
magazine, she’s returning to Dickens to do a story on Wil-Bar Toys new production methods and get the
scoop on their upcoming holiday line.
When Will and Cat meet up again for the first time in years, it’s as if they’ve never been apart.
Rekindling their friendship, and attraction, becomes more important than Cat’s article, or even the
secrecy of the new toy lines.
Can these two childhood friends make up for lost time and pursue the romance they missed out on
years earlier? Or, will Cat’s story expose too much and put them at odds with one another?
***
Santa Baby by Peggy Jaeger
It’s Christmas Eve morning in the tiny New
England town of Dickens.
Santa’s arrival is imminent, and a hint of snow is in the air.
Amy Dorrit is just about to open her popular diner for the b
A 1980s Vintage Romance ...
Amy knows she should call the authorities and turn the infant over to them, but she just can’t. Thoughts
of her own abandonment as a baby flood through her and she wants to keep the little one out of the
hands of the authorities until the mother – hopefully –returns.
But will the mom come back? And if she doesn’t, what is Amy prepared to do about the baby who has,
already, claimed her heart?
Read an Excerpt from Santa Baby
“What in the name of all that’s holy are you holding, Amy Dorrit?”
Willie Jackson stood at her office door, a lit cigarette dangling from a corner of his mouth, his leather
jacket hanging open and his eyes as big and round as his county-famous blueberry pancakes.
“What does it look like?” Amy dug around in the carrier searching for a bottle, pacifier, something, to
soothe the baby’s cries. “Lose the cigarette. It’s a baby and I’m pretty sure it’s hungry.”
He lifted those shocked eyes to Amy’s face. “Girl, you been keeping secrets from ol’ Willie?”
“Oh for Pete’s sake. Are you nuts, William Jefferson Jackson? It’s not my baby. I found it at the back door
when I came downstairs.”
“Whose is it?”
“No idea.”
“What is it?”
Holding the small bundle like a football in one arm, she shoved the piece of paper she’d found at him.
“Same answer. I haven’t looked yet. Here, read this. I found it tucked inside the blanket.” Once he had it,
Amy placed her pinky finger over the baby’s lips. It immediately rooted, then latched on to suck.
“I knew it. It’s starving.”
“‘I’m sorry,” he read aloud, ‘but I can’t take care of her—’ well, we know it’s a girl –‘I have no job and no
way to hold on to one with a baby. Please forgive me for leaving her like this, but I saw how kind you
were yesterday and I know you’ll take care of her like I can’t.’” Willie scratched his head. “Well, shit. We
got us a real abandoned baby, here, Ames ol’ girl.”
“Don’t curse in front of her.” She shot him an annoyed glare, her left eyebrow inching up her forehead
to her hairline.
“It ain’t like she can understand me. She’s a baby, fer Chri-” Her other eyebrow followed its twin. “Er,
pity’s sake.”
“I need something to feed her with.” She glanced around her office. “Can you get me one of the cake
decorating bottles? The ones with the plastic tip? I think that’ll work.”
“What’a’ya gonna feed her? Frosting? You ain’t got no mother’s milk and you can’t feed her coffee
creamer.”
“Dam-I mean, drat. You’re right. I can give her a little water to hold her over until I can run out and get
her some formula.”
“Shouldn’t you call the police? I mean, she’s been abandoned, ain’t she? You can’t just keep her.”
About the Authors:
NANCY FRASER—Jumping Across Romance Genres
with Gleeful Abandon—is an Amazon Top 100 and Award-Winning author who can’t seem to decide
which romance genre suits her best. So, she writes them all.
Like most authors, Nancy began writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven
forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English teacher’s pet which, of
course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it was worth it.
Nancy has published over forty books in full-length, novella, and short format. When not writing (which
is almost never), Nancy dotes on her five wonderful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling and
reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys the relaxed pace and
colorful people.
Peggy Jaeger is a
contemporary romance writer who writes Romantic Comedies about strong women, the families who
support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If she can make you cry on one page and bring
you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, she’s done her job as a writer!
Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a
family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are
as real as they are loving, she brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry,
illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of
divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter
what came their way. Through her books, she’s created the families she wanted as that lonely child.
When she’s not writing Peggy is usually painting, crafting, scrapbooking or decoupaging old steamer
trunks she finds at rummage stores and garage sales.
As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com
where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go "What??!"
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess
Fish Promotions. Branden LaNette will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn
winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
It seems like everyone’s talking about Bitcoin these days.
Still, a lot of people just don’t get it. Or they assume Bitcoin is just for tech-savvy millennial guys or rich
investors like Elon Musk.
As for women, many of us didn't get a great financial education. Some of us shy away from
conversations about money and investing especially if it has to do with the crazy world of
cryptocurrencies.
What to do? Start with this brand new short, fun, and easy read,"Smart Bitches Buy Bitcoin: A Simple
Guide for Women Who Want to Learn the Truth About Bitcoin and Control Their Financial Future.”
The book is designed to help women understand the current financial situation, why Bitcoin could be
the life raft they need, and how to get started investing in it. Don’t leave your economic future to
chance just because it seems scary or confusing and this is the perfect book to get you
started.
Read an Excerpt
Maybe the only thing that says “cool” more than celebrity endorsements are celebrity investments.
Besides Elon Musk and Jack Dorsey, there are some big-name celebrities who have made the leap into
crypto, including:
Snoop Dog, Mark Cuban, Kanye West, Hugh Laurie, Floyd Mayweather, Bill Gates, Jamie Foxx, Richard
Branson, Ashton Kutcher, and Drew Carey.
Notice anything about this incredible list of leaders, celebrities, and generally smart people? You got it.
They’re all guys.
According to one brokerage study released in early 2021, women make up only 15 percent of Bitcoin
traders. This must change, bitches, which is why we wrote this book.
The good news is things are starting to turn. Crypto buying platforms are reporting that investments by
women are skyrocketing by double and triple-digit percentages.
And just as we were editing this manuscript, Paris Hilton was asked if she was invested in Bitcoin and
she said, “Yes, I’m very, very excited about it, it’s definitely the future.”
Bitcoin as an investment was once thought of as a contrarian idea. It is fast becoming a consensus
position.
And if you don’t think being invested Bitcoin is a good idea after reading this section, there’s nothing
more we can do to help. As the saying goes, we can explain Bitcoin to you, but we can’t understand it for
you.
About the Author:
Branden LaNette
doesn’t look like a typical author but she has long ignored what she “should” do, say and look like. On her own at a very young age, Branden eventually found herself with the wrong guy, the wrong job, and a
bleak future. The fairytale she was promised as a child never materialized.
Finally, Branden decided that she wanted something different for her life, and realized no one was going
to do it for her. Prince charming wasn’t coming to save her—she’d have to save herself.
Step by step, decision by decision, through major trials and tribulations that would stop most people in
their tracks, Branden learned how to turn heartbreak into happiness and self-judgement into inner joy.
Today, Branden LaNette is an entrepreneur, coach, speaker, wife, and stay-at-home Mom to six C-
section babies (ages 1-16) and way too many f-ing pets. Somehow, however, she manages to juggle all
of this effortlessly (a blatant lie) while pushing her way through the kinds of fear and self-doubts that
whisper within all of us (totally true) to achieve her goals. Her most recent dream come true is this book,
one that is destined to have a major impact on millions of women across the globe (or at least nine
people in Michigan.)
Through it all, she has found her happiness, her joy, and more importantly, her voice.
For Savannah Fraiser, her one-night stand with billionaire Michael Asara
changed her life forever. But becoming a family will be harder than expected when fighting for
those you love are threatened by power and greed. Readers will devour this billionaire blackmail
romance featuring one sexy reluctant dad. Fall in love with your next book boyfriend with
Savannah’s Salvation by Louise Lennox, the first book in the Single Dad’s Romance
series.
For one night, I had the one man that millions of women worldwide fantasize about.
My time with the French billionaire Michael Asara shouldn't matter, but it does. Because one
night left me with so much more than a good time.
Except, he has no idea that he left me with more than a smile on my face, because I fled
without a good-bye. And planned to never look back.
Until I'm forced to tell Michael about the product of our one-night stand while on assignment
a year later in Paris.
Already a devoted dad to a little girl who was abandoned by her gold-digging mother,
Michael isn't looking to get burned twice.
Unless that fire is between the sheets, where our chemistry is off the charts. Reconnecting
and proving to him that I'm not like everyone else quickly has Michael staking his claim on me
and our son.
For a moment, we're almost like a real family.
But when a blackmailer comes along and threatens to take what belongs to him, he vows to
do anything to protect us...even if that means letting us go
My daughter is my entire world, but my father views her birth as a blemish on my record. He
loves Gabrielle and treats her like spun silk. But whenever I talk of taking over the family
business, he mentions the circumstances of her birth and accuses me of poor judgement. And
because I still wet my wick more often than my father likes, he thinks I haven’t
changed.
I need to prove to him I am more than a pretty face for the cameras and women to love. I
can run the business. Closing this deal in America will show him that.
However, coming to SAX Lounge before I head home and being loudly called an asshole by
one of the most beautifully ballsy women I’ve ever seen will not.
She is breathtaking... whoever she is.
She’s taller than most women, but still at least a full foot shorter than me. Her legs went on
forever in that dress and her skin is the color of browned butter. It looked smooth and touchable.
She wore little make-up and when she spoke to me, her full lips begged me for a
kiss.
I almost obliged them. But I can’t take chances like that. I’m in America, but that kiss could
end up all over the French tabloids before I landed back home. Plus, I don’t know her angle.
She could be just as predatory and traitorous as Gabrielle’s mother, Eve.
I need to feel her out; to get her close and away from the crowd… on the dance floor.
I didn’t notice her at first, which is probably a good thing. If I had, I would have charmed her
until I talked her right out of what I imagine being very sexy panties. Instead, I was accosted by
one of the many groupies I tried to shake off when I entered the bar. I can’t believe women over
here even know who I am, but I should have known better.
Gold diggers do their research.
But the feisty woman at the bar doesn’t strike me as a groupie. Everything about her
screamed refinement and respect.</
She looked moved like she commands any room she enters.
Her eyes were an intense chocolate brown with specks of gold that demanded my
attention.
Her ebony hair swung confidently down her back as she walked away. And that ass… C’est
manifique!
Meeting her made my decision to get my own drinks for the night a worthy one.
When our drinks got mixed up, I wanted to play with her. I knew she was there first; I should
have given her the drinks, but I wanted a reason to talk to her. Plus, I didn’t like her answer
when I asked a favor.
I really needed to go. Leaving my cousin Kwame alone too long in a place like this is not a
good idea. He’s a magnet for mischief and trouble. Her defiance made my dick throb, but it also
made me want to discipline her. I can’t be told what to do and when she begs me to fuck her,
because she will, she will learn she can’t boss me around.
Which is what I’m sure she does to everyone else in her life.
So instead of getting on my plane, I am planning how to get her into my bed.
Another night in D.C. won’t be bad at all if I have her shapely legs wrapped around my
waist. Gabrielle is at Disneyland Paris with her maternal grandmother for the week, so I can
spend an extra day here to have some fun with the mystery woman.
When she called me a fucking asshole, I wanted to take her pretty mouth and cleanse it of
those filthy words. But I held myself, which is a feat. I usually take what I want. No one speaks
to me with such disrespectful words. But if I have my way, she will apologize through multiple
orgasms.
When I reach the booth Kwame secured for us, I slide his drink to him, but he barely
registers my presence. He’s wrangled three women, and they are all practically naked and
chomping at his rich bit. I do not have time for this. One woman licks her lips and gives me a
look that says I can do anything I want to her... for the right price. But that’s not what I’m looking
for.
Tonight, I want the woman who I’m pretty sure won’t do whatever I want without being
perfectly persuaded. I want the woman who had the gall to call me an asshole.
“You all look cozy.” I shoot Kwame a look, and he squirms. My plan was to keep a low
profile, and this is the exact opposite. “If I knew we were having company, I would have ordered
more drinks.”
The women smile, and Kwame laughs nervously.
“No worries, cousin, this is VIP. Bottle service will start soon. Why don’t you sit down and
join us? The ladies were just telling me about their favorite places to visit in D.C.”
“Yes.” The lip-licker purrs while patting a space beside her. “Why don’t you come and take a
seat next to me.”
I conjure up the best smile I can. “No, I don’t think so. I’m actually looking for a friend.” Her
face drops, and I can see the flash of annoyance in her eyes. She’s used to men just falling
face-first into her fake cleavage. But I am not most men.
“Kwame, I will check on you later.”
He doesn’t protest, but I know he’s annoyed. I doubt he will keep those ladies interested
without the major cash cow in the booth. But that’s his problem. And so is drinking.
Kwame drinks and gambles way too much. He boasts about power and money that he does
not have. And he’s always dragging me into foolishness. I’m practically his babysitter, but
tonight I have other plans. I have a woman to find.
I stop by the bar to grab another drink. Hennessey neat. I scan the lounge, and it doesn’t
take me long to find her. She is sitting in a booth on the opposite side of the bar, holding court
with two women.
She looks even more beautiful, relaxed and with her girls. The two women with her are also
beautiful but can’t hold a candle next to her. She reminds me of a young Diahann Carroll. Her
deep golden skin shimmers under the lights, making her beauty stand front and center. They
are celebrating something. I hear her table scream congratulations as they toast their
glasses.
Now is as good a time as any to introduce myself.
About Louise Lennox
Contemporary romance Author Louise Lennox is a hopeful romantic writing steamy
romances full of heart and healing.
A Spelman College and Georgetown University graduate, Louise provides women with
diverse and meaningful representation in romance novel pages. Not seeing enough women like
herself headlining positive love stories, she launched #HappyBlackRomance; a community of
readers and writers committed to the creation and sharing of positive romance stories featuring
Black heroines.
Louise Lennox plots highlight the joys of Black relationships across the diaspora; pushing
readers from all cultural backgrounds to admire them for their strength and downright
sexiness. In her novels sparks always fly; the sex amazes; and the characters
always leave the world better than they found it through their love.
When she’s not writing, Louise is enjoying her work as a school leader, wife, and mother of
the two cutest dragons to ever walk the earth!
To learn more about #HappyBlackRomance and to score a free book or two, check out her
website www.lovelouiselennox.com .
Seven single dads, all from different walks of life and doing the best they can to raise their
children - are ready to make you fall in love.
From the celebrity dad just trying to protect the ones he loves from the spotlight...to the
silver fox who's out to prove it's never too late to have a family of your own - this single dads
collection guarantees to bring you a whole lot of love and of course, a happily ever
after.
Look no further, your next book boyfriend is here!
