Blurb Blitz: Ever Since the Ball

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GENRE: Historical Romance

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BLURB:

Miranda Harlake's only chance to escape the detestable match her parents are arranging is a sham betrothal to her best friend, Peter, who proposes solely to save her from a loveless marriage. She gratefully accepts, though both know they'll never wed.

Piqued by her parents' scheming, Miranda secretly attends a masked ball and dances with a fascinating stranger all night. Upon discovering her partner was the insufferable George Rockford, she tries to forget the romantic evening they shared.

George, lonely despite his popularity and roguish ways, is intrigued by Miranda but she's apparently immune to his charms.

Miranda must listen to her heart and find courage to be honest with everyone—especially herself—if for once she's going to fulfill her own dreams.

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EXCERPTS (Please choose only ONE to use with your post):

Excerpt One:

Miranda fidgeted with her fan as she and Peter made their slow way up the Rockfords’ torchlit drive. Ahead, costumed guests climbed the stairs and disappeared into the elegant manor.

When they at last came to a halt, Peter opened the door and helped Miranda out.

“I’ll meet you inside after I settle the horses,” he said.

Miranda clutched his arm. “No, we’re supposed to go in together.”

“I need to see to the carriage. I forgot about that when I devised this plan.”

“But—”

“You’ll be fine. Arriving alone will give you an even greater air of mystery.”

Not seeing any other option, she reluctantly let go of his sleeve. “Don’t be long.”

“I won’t.” He jumped into the driver’s seat and gave her a wave before driving away.

Miranda hesitated at the foot of the long staircase, debating about whether or not to just step onto the lawn to wait for Peter. But then she realized she was blocking the way for people behind her. Mustering her nerve, she climbed the stairs with the chattering crowd.

Once inside, she looked for a place to wait for Peter. Miranda didn’t want to go too far into the house, as it would be easy to miss each other in the throng. She found an alcove off to the side of the front doors with a window affording a good view of the drive.

Miranda had just turned to look out the window again when she felt someone step into the alcove behind her.

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AUTHOR:

Kate Ellington grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

After graduating from college with an art degree she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

Website

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Kate Ellington will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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TMST #32: How Do You Read?

 

Wow! It has actually been a while since I last participated in Tell Me Something Tuesday. Just under 10 months in fact. I am here again.

This week's topic: 

Paper, electronic, audio... How do you read? Has it changed in recent years?

I started with hard / paper back. As for audio and electronic, those two kind of started at the same time. I stuck with those two formats, I guess, of the convenience. 

Not only are ebooks and audio books easier to buy, but easier to read in bed. I am willing to bet that in bed in where many people read.

It is just late in May that I started with paperback again.

Hopefully I will post the same time next week.

Have a great day and an even better week.

*** Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by That's What I'm Talking About

Sunday Post #118: Past Scrapbook Entries

Welcome to the last week of May. 

Happy Memorial Day (weekend) to those in the U.S.A!

 Here are some of my past scrapbook entries.

Post Rewind 

📌 May 8th= Book Blast: God and Petroleum 

📌 9th = Book Blast: In Search of Recognition

📌 21st = Book Blast: Only in September 

📌 22nd = Book Blast: The Atrocities of Hope

Goodreads 

📚 A Dilemma for the Duke (by: Ruth A. Cassie) = moved to read shelf 

Currently Reading 

📖 Crave (by: Tracy Wolff) = page 25

*** 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.

*** Supplies used in the scrapbook entries are from CoraCreaCrafts

*** The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Book Blast: The Atrocities of Hope

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Michael Olukayode will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Nigeria is dealing with a level of disorderliness that is neither compatible with functionality nor with long life. Our problems did not start today; they have been with us for as long as we have existed as a country. But just like a disorder left untreated, our problem has incapacitated us, and the rate of deterioration is currently becoming alarming.

The long-term survival of our country is no longer as assured as it used to be. We are on a slippery slope with nothing to hold on to.

This book attempts to answer the 'what', 'why', 'who', and 'what is next' of our problems. As is always the case when truths are discussed, be ready to be offended.

But if you are open-minded enough to be offended and not switch off and open-minded enough to be offended and keep reading – you might learn one or two things at the end of this book.

Read an Excerpt

We live in a disordered world. However, each society presents with different types of disorders and varying levels of disorderliness. And just like in individuals, some disorders are compatible with functionality and life, while some are neither compatible with functionality nor with life. Caution: If you are not a Nigerian—before you read beyond the title, the book’s table of contents, and this introduction to the preface above— beware that this is an analysis of a country.

This is like a clinic letter, like a psychological evaluation of an individual, solely addressed to that individual: You can still drop this book right away and not read it or you can proceed and read it. After reading this, you might feel happy and think you now have points to use against Nigerians, or you could be a smart person and reflect on how these apply to your own country and all its inadequacies.

Nigeria (and, to be honest, like most of the other sub-Saharan countries of Africa) is dealing with a level of disorderliness incompatible with functionality and long life. Our problems did not start today; they have been with us for as long as we have existed as a country. But just like a disorder left untreated, our problem has festered, and it has incapacitated us. The rate of deterioration is currently alarming.

And the long-term survival of our country is no longer as assured as it used to be. We are on a slippery slope with nothing to hold onto, with nothing to pull us up, and each day, we are sliding closer to the edge of oblivion. The leaders are in denial of reality as they feed fat on the commonwealth, while the majority of their followers are distracted by frivolities and immaterial innuendoes. Even the followers—who yesterday seemed in touch with reality and were crying aloud about hardship—have forgotten how to think the moment they have the opportunity to sit at the table where decisions are being made.

This book is an attempt to draw our attention to the what, the who, the why . . . and the what is next of our problems. My hope is that this book will open eyes and stimulate conversations on the causes of our problems and the possible ways to get ourselves out of our current predicaments.

About the Author:

Michael, a self-described realist with a touch of cynicism, is a UK-based, Nigerian-trained psychiatrist and the author of The Atrocities of Hope: An Analysis of the 'Nigeria Problem.'

Michael's lived experience in Nigeria, his inquisitive mind, and his ability to pull back and observe despite being involved combine well with his skills as a mental health expert to create this work.

Michael is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians, the Faculty of Psychiatry, and is an affiliate member of the Royal College of Psychiatry. He plies his trade as a psychiatrist in the Northwest of England. He describes himself as a member of a speciality that helps you in the fight against your worst enemy: yourself.

Michael is a husband, a father, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a neighbour, a member of the public, a lover of music, and a lover of movies and books.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/drkay18
Twitter: http://www.instagram.com/drkay18
Theads: https://www.threads.com/@drkay18

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779626762
Better World Books: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/9781779626769
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/9781779626769

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Book Blast: Only in September

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GENRE: Women's Fiction

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BLURB:

When Jacqueline follows her trusty Labrador Bailey down a hidden path to the beach, she's unaware that her vacation plans on a small island off the New England coast has already taken her life in a new direction. Running into an unassuming local beach comber stirs new thoughts, desires, and a self-determination she never knew she possessed. Jacqueline will need to trust her instincts and make the most of what fate has in store if she wants the future that, until now, she has only dared to dream of.

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Excerpt:

With the sun barely over the horizon, Jacqueline awoke to Bailey licking her face and the best morning smell ever. Michael had the coffee pot simmering over the fire pit.

Jacqueline wasn’t ready to give up the warmth of her sleeping bag, so she managed to sit up while still inside it.

“Looks like you’re in a cocoon. Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Surprisingly, yes. I was snug as a bug,” she said with a yawn.

“Well, one of the other reasons for camping out is to see the first rays of the sunrise, so let’s get you up so you don’t miss it.” He helped Jacqueline to her feet while she was still inside the sleeping bag. To remain steady, Michael had to hold her. She was all right with that.

I hope this sunrise viewing lasts a while.

Consumed by the beauty of the moment, Jacqueline felt a swelling from inside that took her nearly to the brink of tears as she looked out at the bright yellow rays that made the ocean glisten.

“We have a few clouds, which is a good thing,” he said. “It helps make the sunrise a bit more dramatic.”

“I bet you’ve seen lots of these,” Jacqueline replied while trying to compose herself.

“Yes, but I never get tired of it. It’s like seeing it for the first time every time,” he shared.

They both grew silent and took in the beauty of the early morning sky, and the warm connection of being so physically close to one another.

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AUTHOR:

Cynthia Flowers, a recently retired advertising professional, now grant writer, resides with her husband and four-year old Labrador named Eddie, at their “sanctuary” in Upstate New York, Although previously published, this is Cynthia's first book of fiction. Early on in grade school, Cynthia looked forward to creative writing class and enjoyed reading her stories aloud to her eager classmates.

Amazon

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GIVEAWAY 

Cynthia Flowers will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

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