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.
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.
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Jim McAllister 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.
In
Search of Recognition: The Story of Search and Rescue in British Columbia
provides background on why and how organized volunteer search and rescue became
a reality in the province, and how search and rescue evolved over many years to
meet the increasing demands of finding lost people and rescuing those injured
outdoors. The primary focus of the thousands of volunteers is to save the lives
of persons lost or injured outdoors; training and fundraising for equipment and
other costs also require time and energy. Through personal involvement and
references, the author provides insights into how funding and other support for
the volunteer service was achieved, through government, responsible agencies,
organizations and individuals working together to find ways to assist those who
strive "so others may live."
Read an Excerpt
The 1980s were also an era of leading-edge development in
search and rescue equipment and techniques, in British Columbia and elsewhere.
Arnor Larson, a mountain guide in Invermere BC, was a leader in developing and
testing rope rescue gear and systems. He established Rigging for Rescue in
1986. In addition to providing rescue training, he would test equipment in his
facility using drop test towers. Arnor would attend the annual Wildland Rescue
Symposium in the US, along with leading workshops in BC testing equipment and
systems in local conditions and terrain. Arnor also taught rope rescue to some
SAR groups under the PEP banner. As a member of Golden and District Search and
Rescue at the time, we were fortunate to have Arnor instruct us.
About the Author: Jim McAllister has been
involved in search and rescue for over 45 years, starting as a volunteer member
in the Rocky Mountains in 1977 with Golden and District SAR and then Cranbrook
SAR. He became the SAR specialist for the Province of B.C. in 2002. In 2008,
Jim retired from the provincial government as a director with Emergency
Management British Columbia and became a volunteer director for special
projects with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Jim has been
involved with many major projects: the establishment of Avalanche Canada, the
updating of volunteer reimbursement rates, the establishment of health and
safety guidelines, the formation of a joint health and safety committee,
Swiftwater Rescue standards, sustainable funding for search and rescue and the
establishment of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial. Jim
wrote a book on the last project, titled A Monument to Remember, and one on
incidents, titled One Week in August: Stories from Search and Rescue in British
Columbia.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Roberto Aguilera will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift
card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
It's been many years since
God planted in my heart the idea to author this book. To do so I relied on
science and engineering, looking deep into the earth a few thousand feet,
dreaming of petroleum reservoirs I could not see, and evaluated them using
mostly indirect sources of information. Petroleum hydrocarbons in earth are of
organic origin (they form from dead plants and animals) and are intimately
related with water. I also had to look to a different scale deep into the
universe when it was created 13.77 billion years ago to try to understand the
origin of hydrogen, the birth of the first hydrogen star (the seed star), its
explosion in a supernova, and the repetitive births and explosions of subsequent
stars that led eventually to the formation of elements such as carbon and iron
and to hydrocarbons in the universe. These are hydrocarbons of inorganic
origin.
Then I moved into the micrometer scale of human cells and to
top research informing us that we are very close to chimpanzees, and a very
persuasive discussion about evolution that I agree with. The book of Genesis
tells us that God created man and woman in the sixth day, and that he formed
man in the seventh day of the dust of the earth and woman of the rib of man. At
first glance all of this seems contradictory, but it is not. This book shows
that available science supports Genesis' seven days very well. They do not
contradict each other.
Read an Excerpt
Following Monsignor Georges Lemaître’s mathematical
demonstration showing that the universe has expanded since the Big Bang, many
scientists have produced data from the Hubble telescope corroborating the
expansion. The observations by Hubble in 1929, proving galaxies are moving away
from the earth at speeds proportional to their distance, has traditionally been
known as Hubble law.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) voted in 2018 to
recommend amending the name from Hubble law to the Hubble-Lemaître law, and in
fact, this is how it is called now by the IAU. This is a recognition of the
contributions of both Hubble and Monsignor Lemaître to the development of
modern cosmology. The amendment recommendation stemmed from the fact Lemaître
was the first to come up with the idea of an expanding universe in 1927,
previous to Hubble’s contributions in 1929. Although Lemaître was first, his
ideas received little attention at the time.
The galaxies outside of our solar system are moving away
from us. One theory indicates that the farthest the galaxies are away from us, the faster they move (Library
of Congress, 2019). Another theory based on data collected by the Planck
satellite indicates that the cosmos is expanding at a slightly slower rate than
was thought, making the universe around 13.82 billion years old rather than the
13.77 billion years formerly given for the age of the universe (Siegel, 2018).
For the purpose of this book there is a slight difference.
About the Author: Roberto Aguilera is
professor of petroleum engineering at the University of Calgary (Canada) and
president of Servipetrol Ltd. He specializes in the evaluation of naturally
fractured, tight and shale petroleum reservoirs worldwide. He has authored and
co-authored six books dealing with petroleum engineering subjects and over 300 technical papers. He
has rendered training and/or consulting services in over 40 countries
worldwide. This is his first book linking God, His creation, and the benefits
of petroleum to humanity while debunking alarming claims about its use.
Jenna Mitchell has spent her adult life under the control of her husband, her dreams of owning her own bakery pushed aside. But at twenty-eight, she's finally ready to reclaim her life and pursue her passion. Well… almost.
With the unwavering support of the Sensational Six—her close-knit group of friends—Jenna can finally envision a day where she is in charge of her own destiny, a big step forward for her. As she works at her friend’s café, Jenna begins to discover the strength and courage she needs to break free from her past and begin focusing on her future.
But can she quiet the echoes that keep finding their way back to her? Will the doubts they’ve created make it impossible for her to see—and trust—the path forward before her chance at a better life slips through her flour-dusted fingers?
Fans of Rachel Hanna will enjoy this warm and uplifting story about self-discovery, finding the courage to start anew, and the unbreakable bonds of chosen family.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
I was sifting powdered sugar over a just-cooled apple strudel when my husband called from county jail. Leaning over the tiny kitchen table in my tiny new apartment above the café where I worked, I was imagining myself with my apron-covered hip propped against a gleaming stainless steel table, putting the finishing touches on a last-minute order that had come in through my bakery’s website. Back and forth with the sifter… downy, white flakes danced around each other as they floated and settled into their resting places.
B-r-r-r-r-r-t
The rumble of the phone against the white laminate broke me from my time-worn daydream. I reached up to adjust the white baker’s cap that existed only in my mind, pressed pause on my dream, and shook my head to clear it. When I read the caller ID, my stomach folded in on itself.
‘Collect call’
Craig.
I took a deep breath that settled in my chest and refused to return. I set the sifter down on a nearby dish and picked up my phone. For a moment, just a moment, I held it in my hand and considered letting him go to voicemail. But a lifetime of experience told me that ignoring a man who will not be ignored would only delay the inevitable.
"Hello?" I said, forcing the air from my lungs.
My husband’s out-of-touch politician's voice poured through the phone. “Jenna, sweetheart. Are you busy?” Without waiting for me to answer, he continued. “I need you to do me a favor, baby. Can you please come down here and bail me out? I can’t sit here for one more day.”
I shifted the phone to my other ear and wrapped my free arm around my waist as I paced the twenty steps it took to reach the other end of my apartment and back. He wasn’t going to like my reply. "Craig, I just don't think I can do that. I don't have the money for it right now. I'm sorry."
This was apparently not the answer he was expecting, because, as expected, his demeanor slipped from the fake, sticky sweetness of corn syrup to hot, burning rage faster than a falling soufflé. "You're sorry? You're sorry? Be sorry that you haven't already come down here to get me. I'm your husband, Jenna. Remember the vows you took? Love, honor, and obey?"
Recognizing the opening line to the endless refrain of our marriage, I pulled a chair away from my kitchen table and willed my shaky legs to deposit me safely into it.
"Yes, I do remember, Craig. But I still can't afford to come and bail you out right now. I have expenses I need to think about."
The sound of what I could only assume was the phone bashing against a hard surface assaulted my eardrum. "You have expenses because you decided to leave our home and go live above that — that woman's café."
"That woman is my boss, and my friend," I reminded him, "and she’s been nice enough to let me stay here."
"You don't need to stay there," Craig argued back. "What you need to do is come and get me so we can go home together where we belong.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR:
Jess Ames is knocking on the door of fifty, but has the sense of humor of a twelve year old and the body of a fifty-four-year-old (according to her fitness app).
She is “mama” to nine, “mimi” to four, “friend” to all, an adequate wife, and living the dream of the little girl who wanted to be a writer when she grew up.
They are both still waiting for that moment, so she’s writing in the meantime.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Christopher Kaufman will be awarding $45 worth of digital
products from his website to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner
to see the other stops on the tour.
A young civilization is turning the corner into the
future, but first they must face a terrible enemy from their deepest past - The
Vorm..
The main characters are a young man named Harl’ut and his
lifelong companion Vispushin - who is a perIanth, a kind of telepathic pegasus.
Join them on this epic adventure as they lead a group of young warriors into
the heart of the Vorm Hive.
Book One: Battle In The Sky is the first of five books which
comprise the opening series of this epic tale. Here, Harl’ut and Vispushin and
The Princess Bryn’lynn, engage in desperate battle over the southern plain with
savage Vorm warriors. You will be uplifted by the passionate and thrilling
conclusion of the first installment of this fantasy adventure.
Book Two: Descent Into The Abyss, Harl’ut recovers from his
harrowing adventure from Book One: Battle In The Sky. He walks through the
streets of The Ocean City, visits the Sculpture Garden and his friend, Elá, the
bard, and engages in exciting training games with warrior/mentor, Calanctus.
Then the story takes you down the throat of the vast volcano, Pla’than’taa,
once worshipped as a god, where Harl’ut enacts a deadly initiation ritual,
confronts the barbaric past of his people and battles a terrifying monster.
Read an Excerpt
Next to the eerie bulk of the WarChief alit the most
impressive of all Perianths, the silver-maned stallion, Zhi’ga’fra. On his back
was a man, lean and tall, his skin a deep burnt-orange color. Light green armor
adorned his body. Whitish hair sprouted from under a simple gold helm. A mystical
spray of light refracted from a bright green diamond prism in place of his left
eye.
Verden, the ancient warrior who served as war-leader of
Pla’than’taa, should such be needed, dismounted Zhi’ga’fra and pulled from the
hideous bulk his green lance. He cleaned it on the tall grass next to the lake
and looked about him. The WarChief’s remains were now collapsed in a heap, but
Verdin noticed movement.
He went to it, kicked around, he saw the bulbous antennae on
the WarChief’s head pulsing like a beacon. He drew a green coral blade from his
sash, cut out the grotesque tentacle and tossed it, now lifeless, beside the
wrack.
He felt a crushing weight of sadness fall upon him. He
looked over to see Zhi’ga’fra, standing over the body of Zhii’gla, his son.
Verdin sighed, “I am so sorry dear friend... he was a great
being... and died a tremendous warrior...” in response he felt from Zhi’ga’fra
only a complex wave of grief, almost beyond even his ability to translate in
his mind...“There will be more strife Zhi'ga'fra... I see war ahead.“
“Yes...as do I,” echoed the great creature, “These...
things...Perianth’s have fought them before...long ago... an age past...I
believe your race has encountered them as well...” Imagery now streamed in
Verdin’s inner eye as he glimpsed the scenes flowing in Zhi’ga’fra’s mind.
“We thought they were all destroyed...we call them... the
VORM...they are hideous and evil...and incredibly dangerous if their hive is
reformed.”
About the Author:
Christopher Kaufman is an author, composer,
presenter, illustrative artist and performer. He started imaginative fantasy
books with illustrative art at the age of nine. During high school years he
found music and attended The New Orleans Center for The Creative Arts and went
on to major in music composition in college. He finished his schooling - earning
his DMA in music composition at Cornell University where he studied with
Pulitzer Prize Winning composers who prize his abilities as a composer.
Christopher is the type of person who needs imaginative
fantasy scenarios to get to sleep. Therefore, he emerged from Cornell, not only
with his degrees in music, but with the full event structure for his classic
epic fantasy series Tales Of The Ocean City in his mind.
He began writing the story down in the early 2000’s, but it
did not really come to life until he developed his home music ‘laboratory’ and
started creating the music and text at the same time. Thus books one and two of
TOC came about simultaneously as both graphically illustrated pages and
effulgent audio albums filled with cinematic epic symphonic music.
They exist now as physical books and audio albums (that go
together) and the new Video Book version. He performs live tours with the music
pouring through speakers, live narration and the colorful pages streaming on
screen -a true immersive multi-media experience.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions to celebrate the release day of ONLY IN SEPTEMBER by
Cynthia Flowers. Cynthia 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.
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.
Read an Excerpt
The ferry was taking its sweet time making its way to Block
Island.
Time is the ultimate dictator. Where did I hear that? I
couldn’t have just come up with that one on my own.
Jacqueline French grabbed one of the last outside seats on
the Block Island Ferry. It had only left Point Judith, RI, ten minutes ago, but
for her, it seemed like ten hours ago. This would be her fourth September
visiting this tiny tear drop-shaped island nestled between the south coast of
Rhode Island and Montauk Point, located at the eastern tip of the south fork of
Long Island, New York.
She always preferred visiting Block Island this time of
year, after many of the Labor Day vacation stragglers dispersed and the kids
were back at school. Although there were still a fair number of visitors, the
din of racing mopeds was confined mostly to the weekends. Thanks to Michael,
who she met on her first trip to Block Island, she came to know virtually every
back road and trail on this seven-mile-long by three-mile-wide island. Beyond
its beauty, Jacqueline’s deeper connection with the island was its shape. She
shed many tears lately over the fate of her marriage and the direction her life
had taken.
She always brought Bailey, her chocolate Labrador retriever,
on her September sojourns to Block Island. Bailey enjoyed seeing the seals
every year, and they seemed curious about her. But Bailey had become too
arthritic to make the trip this year.
About the 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.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Joanie Olson 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.
Searching for an answer to a question you haven't
asked yet? You are not alone. One small realization and a whole world
unravels.
Woven through these pages are a series of my most
significant life events relating to narcissistic victim/survivor syndrome.
Inside are keys unlocking mysteries of complex PTSD, compounded through various
forms of abuse.
A journey of highs, like the Freedom Convoy, and the lows of
a failed longtime marriage. With spiritual forces at work behind the scenes,
could a Christian home have so many secrets? The smoke will clear to reveal our
true mirrored self.
Read an Excerpt
I was paralyzed, not just by fear but by dread and over
exhaustion. It felt as though given the opportunity I could sleep for days, yet
struggled to find rest. I relied on prescribed meds, and the morning was
showing the outcome of dependence. Irish cream was a favorite to put in my
first cups of coffee for added motivation. As nice as this hotel was, there was
no minibar to ease the angst.
I was immobilized, unable to move, begging God to take me.
How can I do this? How can I manage the full brunt of this day without any of
the vices that helped me survive for some time?
I turned on the TV, made some hotel room coffee and laid
there motionless, praying for the Lord to take me home. A text came in from my
office manager, Sharon, a reserved woman who I had a sincere bond with. She
encouraged me daily, and I valued her advice.
“Hey girlie, how are you doing over there?”
My response was as she suspected. She knew how hard the
meetings were for me. She was my closest confidant, a friend that sticks closer
than a brother. Such a blessing to me, she was gifted with an ear to listen,
non-judgmental and caring. She loved me and I loved her right back.
I told her about forgetting my pills and couldn’t get out of
bed. I couldn’t do anything. Her response was comforting. She said, “Then
don’t, don’t go. Do what you need to do. Take care of yourself and don’t worry
about the rest.” Her approval in this seemed to sooth my soul. She made me
self-aware that I DID have the power to not go if I didn’t want to. I could
just say I wasn’t feeling well, but something inside me won’t give up. I can’t
give in to negative, intrusive thoughts just waiting for my demise.
About the Author: Joanie was raised on a
farm in Saskatchewan, Canada. Life revolved around chores, school and church.
Six older siblings and all the nieces and nephews added up to a large family.
Strong in doctrine and armed with a passion for truth, she's
walked the walk of faith, facing challenges to overcome. She was married at 19,
became a mother to a stepdaughter, and later birthed two children. Following
years of turmoil in her marriage, she hit the inevitable breaking point.
Starting life over, she attended broadcasting college, going
on to anchor morning news for the airwaves. Feeling isolated and rejected, her
drive to help others who have gone through similar circumstances inspired this
book. Through the Refiners fire, she's ready to share tools required to escape
the fake and embrace the truth.
To celebrate A Dilemma for the
Duke's release, I'm thrilled to join the
A Marriage to the Marquess
book tour. USA Bestselling author Ruth A. Casie combines regency romance with
suspense, swoon-worthy heros and smart heroines. Check out an excerpt below and
be sure to take advantage of pre-release pricing for book two.
In a world of secrets,
love, and ticking clocks, their alliance of convenience may just become a
marriage of the heart.
Ewan,
the Marquess of Glenraven, finds himself returning to his home in Belgrave
Square, summoned back to London by his former commanding officer, Lord
Barrington. Ewan’s been entrusted with the task of unraveling a deceitful
gambling scheme and uncovering the truth behind the mysterious deaths tied to
it. He is also faced with a pressing personal ultimatum: either secure his
trust by marrying by his 30th birthday, five weeks hence, or risk losing it
all.
In Cavendish Square, a mile north of Belgravia,
Lady Juliet Hayward carries the heavy burden of her late brother, Bradley’s
gambling debts. Her own future teeters on the brink of destitution. Determined
to confront the man who has her brother’s vowels and control of her survival,
she’s determined to find him and negotiate a solution.
As Ewan and Juliet are drawn together, they conceal their true intentions,
not knowing they both seek the one person who holds the cards. However, time is
not on their side. In a bold move, they confess to each other and devise a
plan—a marriage of convenience, a calculated business arrangement—to simultaneously
fulfill Ewan’s inheritance requirement, settle Juliet’s brother’s debts, and
expose the scheming ringleader As they dig deeper, they uncover a far-reaching
conspiracy, orchestrated by a clandestine organization manipulating events from
behind the scenes. Yet, a single kiss on their wedding day unleashes a deluge
of conflicting emotions within each of them, shattering their carefully
constructed façade.
This is a
breathtaking Regency tale of love, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human
spirit.
“Oh, sir, could you help us, please?” A neatly
dressed man called out to him from the puppet stage.
The crowd, which he realized had gathered waiting
for the puppet show, turned their attention toward him.
Glenraven scanned the area, unsure if the gentleman
was calling out to him. He glanced back at the man.
“Yes, sir, you. You look like a man who would help
a lady in distress.” A soft chuckle rippled through the onlookers. “It is a
simple script that needs to be read.”
“Forgive me. I would gladly help a lady in
distress.” Glenraven glanced at the crowd. “I see some lovely ladies.” He
nodded to several ladies not too far from him. “But I do not see any ladies in
distress.”
The man operating the puppet stage peeked under the
curtain. “My lady. Are you in distress?” he called out.
“Yes, my lord,” came a voice from behind the
curtain. As the puppet master opened the curtain, a female puppet was revealed.
“I have no Punch.”
Glenraven checked his watch. It was ten minutes
past one. “Ne’er let it be said that I didn’t come to a lady’s aid.”
Glenraven made his way to the stage to the crowd’s
chuckling and applauding.
“Thank you, my lord. Thank you.” the puppet master
whispered to him before turning to address the audience.
“Kind people. I am the puppet master, Percival
Thimbleby. You’ve already met Miss Juliet Hayward, who will be our Judy. She
has taken her place. This is,” the puppet master turned to Glenraven and
waited. He coughed and waited a bit more. “And this is?” He raised his eyebrows
at his Punch.
With a good natured smile, he slightly bowed to the
audience. “Lord Glenraven at your service.”
“My lord.” The puppet master doffed his cap and
bowed to him. “Ladies and Gents, we have a real hero,” he added with a playful
eye roll, making everyone laugh. “Lord Glenraven will be playing our Punch. We
are fortunate to have found two willing people to help us today. They do not
know what has happened in the story so far. It will be very telling how they
portray this scene. Be gentle with my actors, my friends. I dare say they are
new to this trade. We want to encourage them. Who knows, you may witness the
beginning of a most enchanting partnership.”
The puppet master turned to Glenraven. “This way,
my lord. While you and your Judy say your lines, I will manage the
puppets.”
He guided Glenraven to his spot, handed him his
script, and then returned to address the audience.
Glenraven glanced at the paper and burst into
laughter, the sound echoing for all to hear.
“Are you all right, my lord?” the puppet master
called out.
“Quite. I see you are also a magician. For us
mortals, the script is blank.”
The audience laughed along with him, clearly in on
the jest.
“Well, my lord. I am a poor puppet master. I only
had one script and, as a gallant puppet master, gave it to your Judy as I know
you would want me to. After all, you are a gallant hero.”
“Yes, I am.” Glenraven chuckled. “I accept the
challenge. You, my friend, may have to suffer the consequences.”
“Very well, my lord. I am certain your quick wit
and heroism will come to the fore.” Again, the audience chuckled.
The puppet master turned to the audience.
“I will set the stage. Punch has brought back a
treasure and must convince his Judy to let him keep it.” The puppet master
paused. “Punch. You can begin whenever you are ready.”
Glenraven took a moment, cleared his throat, and
began with a theatrical flair.
“Oh, Judy, my love.” Glenraven’s voice, a warm
whiskey baritone, rang out. “I have fought hard and long. I’ve brought back a
treasure. It must be protected at all costs.” He paused a heartbeat and
continued, his voice a bit lower, “I won’t let anyone take it from
us!”
“But Punch, dear, we must be careful.” His Judy’s
voice was sweet and slightly breathless. “There are those who covet what we
have.”
“Fear not, my sweet Judy.” Glenraven’s Punch
declared with theatrical bravado. “I’ll stand against them all, even if it
means facing the darkest of contenders.”
He imagined Judy gazing at Punch as she went on,
her voice sweet and a touch unsteady, “Then let us be strong together, my
Punch. Our love will guide us through.”
Glenraven stared at the curtain separating him from
his Judy and put the papers down. He focused all his attention on his unseen
partner.
“And when the storm clouds gather,” Punch
continued, his tone filled with anticipation, “and the world around us seems
uncertain...” A dramatic pause lingered. “We’ll find shelter in each other’s
arms, and our hearts will be our fortress. But, Judy, my love,” Punch’s voice
softened, “there’s one thing you must know. Our journey won’t always be
easy.”
The puppet master skillfully moved Punch to Judy’s
side, his puppet arm around her.
“I understand, Punch. I’m prepared to face whatever
challenges lie ahead.”
“Then, my dear Judy, let us embark on this
adventure together, hand in hand.” The puppet master had Punch take Judy’s
hand.
“Together, we’ll find the strength to conquer all,”
Judy declared.
“And as we travel through life’s mysterious twists
and turns...” Punch turned his head and looked around. “We’ll uncover the
secrets hidden in the shadows, and they shall not hold us back. Judy, my love,”
Punch’s tone deepened with passion, “desire burns within me like an
unquenchable fire.”
Judy delicately touched Punch’s face. “And what of
commitment, Punch? Will your flames endure, or will they be snuffed
out?”
“Fear not, dear Judy,” Even the audience could hear
the smile in Punch’s voice, “for desire may kindle our passion, but it’s a
commitment that fuels our eternal flame.”
“Then let our love burn brighter than the stars,
Punch, for we are bound by both desire and commitment.”
This little game excited Glenraven in ways he
hadn’t anticipated. The essence of sincerity he heard in ‘Judy’s’ voice warmed
him. The more he spoke, the more the line between him and his Punch
blurred.
Absurd. He gave himself a mental shake. This puppet
performance is only a game. Judy isn’t the only one capable of playing a
believable game.
“So, my love,” Punch said tenderly, “let us dance
through the pages and write our own story, bound by fate and love.”
“Forever entwined, together we’ll craft our own
destiny. It awaits, Punch, my dearest.” There was a pause. “Forever,” was
Judy’s breathless reply.
RUTH A. CASIE is a USA
Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and
contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories
feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She
lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of
incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a
speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer,
and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/marketing
manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now-writing romance. She
hopes her stories become your favorite adventures.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Geoffrey R. Jonas 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.
A young woman dies alone in a hotel room, her
fentanyl-poisoned cocaine still on the desk. She had been missing for nearly 2
weeks. Social Services had been trying to find a place for her to live with her
3-year-old son, whom she had left with her parents. Six months later her father
fights for his life in intensive care, but succumbs to his illness because of a
lifelong use of alcohol and tobacco. A month after his death her mother is
assessed by doctors to be unable to care for herself because of her Alzheimer's
and mental health issues brought on by benzodiazepine and alcohol
addiction.
The son, brother, stepson is the only one left to pick up
the pieces. He begins a journey of the self and finds out the truth of his
family. After going over letters, notes, emails, videos, and text messages, he
uncovers a disturbing picture of the abuse his sister suffered at the hands of
their parents. He also begins to better understand his own struggles with
mental health and substance addiction because of the trauma and abuse he also
suffered from their parents.
Follow the son as he looks through his family history to
discover the generational abuse that trickled down through the years. Learn
about how parents who suffer from narcissistic personality disorder emotionally
abuse and manipulate their children. See how the abuse and trauma becomes
mental illness in the abused, and how they fall into vicious traps of
addiction, eating disorders, self-harm, and complex post-traumatic stress
disorder. Witness the transformational change of the son as he works on the recovery
of his inner child and tries to become the man he was meant to
be.
Read an Excerpt
Part 1 - In the beginning…
What Came Before... – Part 1 Maternal Family
History
My mother had a difficult upbringing. My mother’s mother was
continually pregnant for 16 years, producing 4 boys (Robert, Edward, Charles,
Shane) and 3 girls (R – my mother, Lorraine, Claire)2. She would later die of
cancer while the children were young. My mother’s father led a jazz orchestra,
resembling the ones in movies from the early 20th century that didn’t fit
neatly into the category of a symphony or a standard band. He had even played
for the queen.
However, the Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) of my grandfather
became overwhelming, and the authorities of that time deemed him unfit to care
for the children. They split the children up and put them into foster care. The
foster care system back then did not have the safety systems we have in place
to protect the children today, and I would not be surprised if some of the
children were further emotionally or physically abused in foster
care.
About the Author: Geoffrey is a
first-time author. He lives peacefully by a lake, spending his time writing,
painting, gardening, and woodworking. His recovery is ongoing, and he enjoys
his privacy and seclusion.
It's been a while since I posted for this meme. So, here is this week's topic:
Are you satisfied with your blog?
"Satisfied" maybe too strong of a word for me.
I started in the middle of 2016 and completely expected to just abandon the whole thing . I am, of course, happy that wasn't the case. I'll just go with I am enjoying the process/journey.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish
Promotions. Farid Yaghini 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.
Farid Yaghini's
unforgettable memoir takes you on a journey from escaping persecution in Iran
to rebuilding a life in Canada and serving on the frontlines with the Canadian
military. Filled with humour, heart, and unflinching honesty, his story of
resilience, redemption, and the founding of Camp Aftermath will inspire you to
believe in the power of hope and human connection.
Read an Excerpt
Sitting on the floor of my two-bedroom apartment, surrounded
by half-assembled IKEA furniture and that damn Allen key, I wondered, What the
hell have I done?
Callie, my three-year-old daughter, sat happily among the
chaos, blissfully unaware of the weight of the decisions that had led us here.
Cindy and I had split, and although it was amicable, I knew that simply
clocking in for a nine-to-five job and coasting through life wasn’t going to
cut it—not for me, not for her. I needed to be better. I needed to be someone
she could look up to. But how?
As I wrestled with my own demons, I kept seeing news about
veterans taking their own lives—men and women who had faced the same wars, same
losses, same struggles as me. What if I could do something? What if I could
take all my lessons, my pain, and turn it into something meaningful?
That idea turned into an obsession. My bedroom became an ops
room, plastered with notes, ideas connected by strings like a tactical plan.
Then it hit me—Camp Aftermath. A way to help veterans and first responders heal
through volunteerism, to find purpose, to rewrite their stories.
I had no funding. No roadmap. Just a promise to my daughter
that I would become the kind of man she could be proud of.
And once I made that promise, failure wasn’t an option.
About the Author
Farid
Yaghini was born in Iran and fled to Pakistan with his family to escape
religious persecution following the Islamic Revolution of 1979. At the age of
nine, he immigrated to Canada as a refugee, navigating the confusion and
frustration of adapting to a new way of life. Through it all, he carried a deep
sense of resilience, hope, and an irrepressible knack for finding humour, even
in the most challenging moments.
