Category Archives: Book Tour

BOOK TOUR: Friends are Forever by Mike Martin

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Readers new to the Windflower mysteries and those returning will experience the joys of a close-knit community that thrives on the simpler things in life…

 

Author: Mike Martin

Pages: 318

Format: Paperback, eBook, Free on Kindle Unlimited

Genre: Mystery

As Winston Windflower, his police colleagues and their families gather in Marystown, Newfoundland, to celebrate those being promoted up the RCMP ranks, a sophisticated heist by international mobsters and local biker gangs unfolds in multiple cities and towns throughout the province, robbing banks and businesses of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Mounties soon realize more than money is being lost.

In this, the sixteenth novel in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, author Mike Martin continues to craft intrigue in the cultural and geographical setting unique to Newfoundland and Labrador. Readers new to the Windflower mysteries and those returning will experience the joys of a close-knit community that thrives on the simpler things in life: por’ cakes, a lighthouse in serious need of a facelift, TV movie nights and the warmth of get-togethers with family and friends. 

Friends are Forever is available at Amazon.

Book Excerpt

Sergeant Winston Windflower couldn’t be happier for his friend and colleague Eddie Tizzard. On Windflower’s recommendation and with the approval of the big boss, Superintendent Ron Quigley, Tizzard was being promoted to sergeant in the Mounties, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. But in terms of being proud, Windflower might have to stand in line because in the crowd that was gathered at RCMP Headquarters in Marystown, Newfoundland, were Tizzard’s partner, Carrie Evanchuk, and his dad, Richard Tizzard. Both were beaming from ear to ear as they juggled Eddie and Carrie’s two children in their arms.

Carrie had the easier task as little Sophie had been fed and was now snoozing in milk heaven. Hughie, on the other hand, would try and make a break for it every now and then, so Richard had to hang on tightly. He finally gave in and handed the little boy over to his Aunt Brenda, who was sitting farther back in the audience with the rest of Tizzard’s extended family.

Eddie looked down over the assembled RCMP officers and his family and smiled when he saw Hughie trying to get up closer towards him. He could also hear Hughie yelling “Daddy, Daddy” whenever the little boy got pulled back into the crowd. He smiled again as his superintendent called him to the podium and asked him to take off his corporal’s uniform jacket. Ron Quigley then handed him his new jacket with three chevrons pointing down and a crown on top on the right sleeve of his dress uniform, the RCMP’s famous red serge.

There were no speeches. That wasn’t the RCMP’s style. So, the two men shook hands, and Tizzard walked back to his place to thunderous applause from his fellow officers and family. Next on the agenda was the promotion of Windflower’s assistant in Grand Bank, Constable Samira Gupta, to corporal. This time Windflower did the honours, and Gupta exchanged her old uniform for one with two chevrons pointing down that indicated her new rank. She didn’t have any family in the crowd but was very popular with the troops, given the nice round of applause that she also received.

Some of those were special cheers from Windflower’s wife, Sheila Hillier, and his daughters, Stella and Amelia Louise, who had come over from Grand Bank for the occasion. All three loved Sam Gupta. They loved Eddie Tizzard, too. But they all had also made a strong connection with Windflower’s new sidekick and now brand new corporal.

There was a small reception afterwards with coffee and a large cake with the RCMP insignia on it. Both girls had a large piece of cake while Windflower and Sheila visited with Richard Tizzard and Carrie. It was a great celebration day for the Force, as the members called it, and there was plenty of good cheer all around.

But while the Mounties and their families were celebrating, something far more sinister was happening a short distance from the hotel where they were eating their cake.

A group of men had ambushed an armoured truck, and two of them had managed to somehow get inside and now had both armed guards hostage. They ordered the guards to undress, took them to another vehicle, a large panel van, and shoved them inside. As someone else drove them off, the first two men stripped and put on the security guards’ uniforms.

As the reception continued at the hotel, the fake security guards resumed the route that the real guards had been on and made stops at a number of local businesses before making one last visit to the bank in the shopping mall. They looked like the real deal as they walked into the branch. But instead of making their usual stop at one of the tellers, they asked to speak to the manager. A few minutes later the manager was left tied and muffled in the safe, and the false security officers walked out through the bank’s main doors with bags of loot from their efforts.

By the time the alarms were sounded and the bank manager released from the safe, the robbers were long gone. Gone from the bank and gone from Marystown. The real security guards were found out on the highway where they had walked to after being dumped in a deserted area. The day after, when the police started looking for suspects, they were not only off the Burin Peninsula, but they were waiting for a flight at the airport in Gander to take them completely out of the province. Of course, none of that would be known for days as the investigation into the boldest crime in Marystown history began.

– Excerpted from Friends Are Forever by Mike Martin, Ottawa Press and Publishing, 2025. Reprinted with permission. 

Guest Post

You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover, But it Does Give You a Peek Inside

With the publication of Friends are Forever there are now 16 books in the Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. I know that sounds like a lot, but the series started in 2012. The old writer’s joke is: How do you get to be an older, established writer? Keep writing and don’t die!

That means we have had to come up with 16 somewhat different covers that all fit within the general theme of what might be a Sgt. Windflower Mystery. And while you certainly can’t judge a book by its cover, it should give the reader a hint of what’s inside. Over that time we’ve done many different things. But everything we hope, has led readers back to Grand Bank and to that most beautiful corner of Canada. This has included ice bergs and boats and fishing stages and sheds. And lighthouses, of course. But the most touching covers, I believe have come from pictures. Particularly ones that we and our family have taken while visiting Newfoundland.

We are fortunate indeed to be able to visit Newfoundland every year for most of the month of August. That means we get to enjoy the people and the scenery that make this place so special. And of course, we get to eat. A lot. Homemade raisin bread toast almost every morning. Fish every meal we can. Jiggs Dinner at the wonderful Garnish Bakeapple Festival. Cheesecake of all types, including Sgt. Windflower’s favourite chocolate peanut butter at Sharon’s Nook and Tea Room aka the Mug-Up.

To try and compensate for this orgy of eating we walk when we are in Newfoundland. A lot. We do hikes in Gros Morne National Park, to the shipwreck site in St. Lawrence and up to the top of the hill at Cook’s Lookout in Burin. Of course, we do tons of walking in Grand Bank. On the hiking trail up to the lookout and up to the Cape on every fine day. But some of the best walks are after supper when we and the dog try and stroll off some of the extra calories that we’ve consumed during the day.

It is also a calm and peaceful way to end another glorious day in Grand Bank. That is exactly what we were trying to show you in the cover for Friends are Forever. Looking out over the Atlantic Ocean as the sun slides away into the horizon. Wouldn’t you like to be there? You may not be able to get there right away but you can get a taste of what it might be like by reading the book.

A great cover should invite you in and in the case of a series welcome you to take a peek inside. So come in, sit down. You’re among friends again. We’re happy to see you.

Mike Martin is the author of the Award-Winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series. The latest book is Friends are Forever. Available from Amazon and where all fine books are sold.

About the Author

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL
on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario.
He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have
appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in
the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning author of the
best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand
Bank. There are now 16 books in this light mystery series with the
publication of Friends are Forever. 

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award. All That Glitters was shortlisted for the LOLA 2024 Must Read Book of the year award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest Darkest Before the Dawn was released as an audiobook in 2024. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of
Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian
crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’
Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜  https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com/ 

Twitter ➜ https://www.x.com/mike54martin 

Facebook ➜  https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

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BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Rose Island by Zander Hatch

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Uncover the Secrets. Survive the Island.

Rose Island

A Team Novel #1

by Zander Hatch

Genre: Military Action Thriller

Uncover the Secrets.
Survive the Island.

In the high-octane realm of military thrillers,Rose Island stands
out with its masterful blend of espionage and covert warfare. Set against the
backdrop of a forgotten Cold War bastion that harbors earth-shattering secrets,
former Marine turned clandestine operator Jake Harper is drawn back into action
when a top-secret rescue mission calls him to an island erased from every map—a
place steeped in mystery and guarded by deadly forces.

Charged with leading a special operations team amidst the threat of a looming
hurricane, Harper and his team, with their unwavering courage and resilience,
must navigate the treacherous mysteries of Rose Island. As they unearth hidden
bunkers and tangled alliances, each revelation plunges them deeper into a
whirlpool of political intrigue and betrayal. The island, a forgotten relic of
Cold War experiments, holds secrets that some will kill to protect.
Their mission escalates in complexity when they cross paths with a renegade
unit of mercenaries with connections to enigmatic international powers. These
well-trained, heavily armed adversaries are resolute in their intent to exploit
the island’s secrets for their own sinister ends.

With time running out, their mission evolves from a covert infiltration to a
desperate fight for survival. Harper’s resolve is tested as past emotional
entanglements with a team member add layers of complexity to his leadership. As
the storm bears down, they face the natural elements and a formidable enemy in
a climactic showdown that promises to blend their fates with the island’s dark
history.

Dive into Rose Island, where survival clashes with the ghosts of
history, crafting a narrative so tense and gripping that it will leave readers
breathless until the last page is turned.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Zander Hatch, a US Marine veteran, blends his extensive
military experience with a talent for storytelling to create thrilling,
authentic narratives. Drawing from global deployments, Hatch’s writing in Rose
Island offers an immersive experience in tactical expertise and unyielding
suspense. Dive into his books for a gripping journey through the realms of
action and adventure, where courage meets the climax of military strategy.

Website * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers by Jacqui Dempster

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When PJ and his team of Paranormal Pursuers unearth the
sinister secrets of the Scottish village of Pittenweem’s witch-hunting past,
they must confront the malevolent spirit of a young boy to save the villagers
from chaos and terror.

 

The Phantoms of
Pittenweem

PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 2

by Jacqui Dempster

Genre: YA, Teen Paranormal Adventure

 

 

After moving from New York to Edinburgh to live with his
aunt, PJ very quickly discovered the parallel worlds of the living and the dead
when he was forced to battle the evil Mackenzie Poltergeist at Greyfriars
Kirkyard.

Now, PJ and his fellow ghost-hunting friends are invited to
stay in the picturesque fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife, a place which,
unbeknown to them, has haunting echoes of its witch-hunting past.

However, their holiday promises to be anything but peaceful,
as witchcraft and superstition threatens to bring terror and chaos to the
villagers and the Paranormal Pursuers must face off with the malevolent spirit
of a young boy, Patrick Morton. Can they find a way to prevent him from
reviving the dark and sinister past of Pittenweem before it’s too late?

 

Amazon * B&N * Waterstones * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

 
 
 

The Mackenzie
Poltergeist

PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 1

 

 

After his mom dies, PJ reluctantly leaves his New York home
and everyone he loves, to live with his Aunt Katie in Edinburgh. A series of
strange events begin when his aunt’s elderly neighbour and her cat Azrael
convince him that his mom, weirdly, is still very much with him.

At a bereavement counselling group, PJ makes a new group of
friends, all of whom have lost loved ones. Drawn together by their shared
experiences, they soon discover they have something else in common; an interest
in the supernatural. Freya is the daughter of a white witch, Sunny has a
scientific and enquiring mind and Shuggie, a superfan of ghost hunting
programmes. Led by PJ, they try to prove that there is life after death and
that their loved ones are still with them. The team receives strange messages leading
them to investigate Greyfriars Kirkyard where they experience terrifying
paranormal activity and PJ is drawn into the clutches of the evil Mackenzie
Poltergeist after reciting a famous rhyme that invites the restless spirit to
draw back the bolt of his scary mausoleum to allow him entry. There, he finds
himself in a fight of good against evil with the ghost of Sir George Mackenzie.


“If you are, or know someone who is a teenager with a newfound interest in the
supernatural and paranormal, this is the book for you.” The Courier and Advertiser (Fife Edition)

“PJ and his friends make a great group of characters, and there’s lots of
laughter to be had as well as scares, while ‘auld reekie’ provides the perfect
backdrop for these ghostly goings-on.” LoveReading4Kids & LoveReading4Schools

“This is a terrific story for teen readers to devour on a spooky autumn
evening.” The School Librarian
(TSL)

 

Amazon * B&N * Waterstones * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Who are the Dogs on the Cover of PJ and The Paranormal Pursuers – The Phantoms of Pittenweem?

Well, the small white dog, who appeared on the cover of my first PJ book, The Mackenzie Poltergeist, was designed from a photograph of my beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge. Sadly, at the time the first book went to print, Smudge, who was almost 17 had been terribly ill for a while. The book has a dedication to him but he went to the Rainbow Bridge before publication and I wanted his memory to live on. He does so as ‘Dug,’ Shuggie’s JRT in the book and as the motif on the covers. The other dog, added for the Phantoms of Pittenweem is modelled on Gus, another family dog. He was a Schnauzer who was also a lovely soul. When he wasn’t freshly groomed, he was a shaggy dog on whom I modelled Buddy, PJ’s dog. Gus had also travelled the Rainbow Bridge by the time the new book was published and he joins Smudge on the cover of my second book.

As many people will understand, the grief of losing a pet, who is very much a family member, friend and companion is hard – often just as hard as losing a human. I was devastated at the loss of Smudge and resolved never to have another dog of my own because the pain and trauma was too great. I know that many people say that you should offer another dog a happy home and believe me, I have been tempted – until that wave of grief crashes over me and reminds me of what we went through. I have written about Smudge extensively on my blog; one part (For the Love of Smudge) telling his story and the second part (I’m only talking to my dog today) which explains the strange events after his death which convinced me he was still around and sending messages to say he was OK. These can be found here: Jacqueline Dempster – Medium. I hope that the articles help those of you who find themselves grief stricken after the loss of a beloved pet.

My days of doggy love are not over, however. Although we don’t have any of our own, we did join an organisation called ‘Borrow my Doggy,’ which offers just what it says on the tin! For a small annual fee, you can offer to borrow other people’s doggies when they need company during the week or a place to stay when their people want to go on holiday. It’s worked out brilliantly for us and we’ve had the joy of looking after Winnie, a Jack Russell Terrier (who looks remarkably like Smudge) and Arlo who is a very cheeky little JRT/Shih Tzu cross. We also look after our grandpups, Willow (guess what – a JRT whose arrival as a pup was accurately predicted by one of the animal psychics I consulted after we lost Smudge) and Pepper, a Poodle/Bichon Frise cross. We have a new boy, Joe, (JRT) coming to visit and stay for holidays very soon! I am certain that Smudge knows that we’ll never replace him but has a hand in bringing all these perfect friends into our lives. It is very strange how all of the borrowed doggies who’ve arrived on our doorstep have been JRTs and I am certain our boy has a hand in it. To be honest, I love each one of them dearly and while they are not our dogs, the grief of losing any of them will be hard. I can console myself, however, knowing that we’ve been able to give them a welcome and the comfort of a loving home from home whenever their mums and dads need a holiday, or just to stop them getting lonely while their people are working. They return the love in spades and I wouldn’t be without them. They’ve also been very willing to read my books as
 
 

 

 

Jacqui Dempster
qualified as a solicitor in 1999 but now works as a malpractice investigator
for an education and qualifications organisation. She lives in Dunfermline,
Fife, with partner, Andrew, and various ‘borrowed’ doggies who visit regularly.
Jacqui loves dogs, especially Jack Russell Terriers and thinks if they ruled
the world, it would be a better place! The doggy motifs on the cover of her
books represent Dug and Buddy who belong to the characters, Shuggie and PJ. Dug
is based on Jacqui’s own beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, and her
grandpup, Gus, both of whom have sadly passed over the Rainbow Bridge.

Jacqui loves
theatre and ran performing arts schools for young people in Fife. She produced
and directed various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. When not either working or
writing, she loves to paint and crochet, and of course, read books.

Her first
children’s book in this series, PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers– The Mackenzie
Poltergeist, was published by The Book Guild in 2021.

Jacqui explains:
“The supernatural has featured in my life since I was young, with a grandfather
who saw ghosts regularly and other members of the family, on my Welsh side,
having strange experiences and even dabbling in magic! I studied on the
Edinburgh University Koestler Parapsychology course to learn about the science
of the Paranormal. I have also been on a few ghost investigations with mixed
results.

I live in Fife
nowadays and often visit the beautiful towns and villages within the county.
Fife was one of the famous areas where ‘witches’ were persecuted, and the story
of the Pitteweem Witches is particularly well known. In my book, the story is
told for a younger reader involving a contemporary allegory about one of the
young characters, Freya, who is a Wiccan. The subject of Scotland’s witches
came up in 2022, when an apology was issued by the then First Minister of
Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon to those persecuted, tortured and executed, and MSPs
were invited to consider legislation to pardon them.

I enjoy writing
about various places we’ve visited, and especially about any with spooky
stories attached on my Medium Daily Digest blog.”

Jacqui loves
history and enjoys embracing fact with fiction in her books which she hopes
encourages not only a love of reading in young people but also the desire to
learn about events of the past which often influence the present and the
future.

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * TikTok * Goodreads

 

 

Follow the tour HERE for
special content and a $20 giveaway!

 

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BOOK TOUR: The Finding by Jane Hunt

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Book Title: The Finding
Author: Jane Hunt
Publication Date:  January 7th, 2025
Publisher:  Historium Press
Pages:  85
Genre:  Historical Fiction

This poignant novella is a tale of forbidden love, resilience, and the human cost of war.

In the quiet fields of Wiltshire during World War II, Eveline, a sheltered young woman, stumbles upon a life-altering discovery: a German Luftwaffe pilot, Fritz, has crash-landed near her home. Against the backdrop of war and suspicion, her family takes the injured man in, nursing him back to health. Beneath his reserved demeanor and burned body, Eveline senses a mystery—and something stirs an unfamiliar longing within her.

As Eveline’s infatuation deepens, she faces a storm of challenges: her overbearing mother’s rigid rules, a zealous preacher’s warnings, and the scrutiny of the town’s gossips. Despite Fritz’s attempts to keep her at arm’s length Eveline’s heart defies reason, falling for the man branded as her enemy.

But Fritz harbors secrets that could shatter Eveline’s fragile world. When the truths of war and the weight of loyalty collide, Eveline must confront the reality of loving someone forbidden.

Will their bond endure the hostility of a nation at war? Or will the scars of betrayal and loss prove impossible to heal?

Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/3JAedg


Born in Reading UK, Jane grew up with a love of reading. She remembers taking Enid Blyton books to bed and reading them under the covers when she should have been asleep! Her love of the written word extended into the classroom where the teachers commented on her vivid imagination and length of stories—probably accompanied with a few sights when they realized the amount of time the reading would take!

On leaving school Jane spent a brief spell at college before finding employment as a Dental Nurse where she spent many happy years meeting lots of wonderful people and mixing lots of fillings. After meeting her husband, she later went on to have three children and found work as a Teaching Assistant.

Alongside a busy life, she completed a comprehensive writing course, which saw her having non-fiction work published in newspapers and magazines. But the desire to do something ‘creative’ burned ever brightly. Having recently undertaken a lot of research into her family tree, a desire to find out what life was really like for her ancestors took hold, and she developed a fascination with World War II. Heeding the advice of her late parents to ‘put pen to paper’, she decided to get a story that had been buzzing in her head for quit some time written.

The result of her endeavour was a very ‘raw’ manuscript: The Finding. With some professional help—thank you, Dee, the story evolved into a book—something she still can’t quite believe!

Author Links:
Publisher’s Author Page: https://www.historiumpress.com/jane-hunt
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jane-Hunt/author/B0DRJ7KNHK 

BOOK TOUR: Only in September by Cynthia Flowers

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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.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Only-September-Cynthia-Flowers-ebook/dp/B0DWT79L6N/ref=sr_1_1

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BOOK TOUR: White Feathers by Susan Lanigan

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Book Title: White Feathers
Series: White Feathers, Book #1
Author: Susan Lanigan
Publication Date: 21/3/2025
Publisher: Idée Fixe Press
Pages: 398
Genre: Historical Fiction

“Anti-war and anti-patriarchy without ever saying so – a bravura performance of effortless elegance” – Irish Echo in Australia

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ROMANTIC NOVEL OF THE YEAR AWARD 2015

In 1913, Irish emigrée Eva Downey receives a bequest from an elderly suffragette to attend a finishing school. There she finds friendship and, eventually, love. But when war looms and he refuses to enlist, Eva is under family and social pressure to give the man she loves a white feather of cowardice. The decision she eventually makes will have lasting consequences for her and everyone around her.

Journey with Eva as she battles through a hostile social order and endeavours to resist it at every turn.

Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4APnB0

Author Interview:

Do you have a favorite time period to write about? If so, why?

Well, all my books are set in or around WWI to the 1920s. I think it was a time of great change and the instigator of a lot of the conflict we are seeing today. I recently had a flash fiction piece published which was set in Gaza and was a timeslip narrative where the souls of the dead in the Gaza War Cemetery were released from the bodies after a 2024 Israeli bombing raid. There were three battles in Gaza during WWI so it has a history of being attacked, though never to the extent that it is now.

I like that period of change and flux, where the old social norms were beginning to crumble but there were no conventions to take their place. The values held in society then were inflexible, but they crumbled under the reality of the war, with millions of men dead or shell-shocked, unable to “pull themselves together” and women out working in factories and white collar locations. The White Feather movement is an attempt to hark back to that era, but while it worked in 1914, it would probably never do so again.

Writers sometimes have furry, feathered, or scaled helpers. Do you have a writing companion?

I have recently bought myself an emotional support plant, a variety of cactus, which I sometimes bring into the office when working at my day job or on the windowsill when writing. I had the plant and a lit candle the day after Donald Trump got elected and I still found it hard to concentrate!

Do you have a routine you follow when you’re working on a book? A certain time of day when you write, or a snack you keep nearby?

In 2023 I was off work due to cancer treatment (I have made a full recovery since) and I discovered London Writers Salon. Four times a day, they hold Zoom sessions for writers in different time zones where you have 50 minutes to write. The routine really helped me during a time when the normal rhythms of life changed. At the moment I am trying to get books either traditionally published or self-published so my output is slowing down as there is a backlog of books to get out the door!

Did anyone give you writing advice when you were first getting started? Do you think it helped?

I honestly think you learn by doing. That’s how I’ve learned everything I’ve mastered to any degree. I remember reading Elective Affinities by Goethe, which was a German romantic Novelle, a very strict form of the novel. I saw how Goethe organised the plot and introduced new characters, very unsubtly. I also read a lot of Maeve Binchy and was really impressed by how she handles dramatic dialogue and ends scenes and chapters.

What is the scariest thing you face as a writer? How do you handle it?

I’ve already faced it. In 2014, White Feathers got (unfairly, in my view) trashed in a national newspaper. It was my debut novel, and I got stigmatised in the writing community as a result. Authors will murder their granny to avoid getting bad reviews and don’t believe anything you hear to the contrary. And proximity to public bad reviews is pretty much like review covid. People don’t want to be linked to you. As for the reviewer, she eventually launched her own successful career as a novelist.

One thing I’m loving about the second time around is that even though the sales are negligible, the reviews are absolutely beautiful and confirm that releasing this novel now, at a time of great turmoil (like WWI) is heart-work and spiritually important.

I suppose my second great fear arises from my first one. I’ve seen many, many writers who have crashed and burned on their first novel and never got the opportunity to make a second approach to the publishing world, no matter how much and how well they wrote. But I had to come to terms with that possibility, as corrosive resentment is not something I wish to hold in my body after the rigours of chemo and radiotherapy. Over the last year I’ve found a lot of peace and freedom after a turbulent time, and I choose joy. Even here and now.  

What do you think is the most important thing to remember when following your dreams?

That if the dream goes sour, you need allies and comforters. My advice is have a good therapist on stand-by and a day job. And endeavour to separate the joy of completing the work from the grief that might come from publishing world failure. I’ve grieved a lot over writing failure. But that part of my life is now over.

Does your family support your writing?

Yes, but I don’t need too much in terms of support. I have the hour in the morning to write during school run, which is very much appreciated. I work full-time in the IT department of a large logistics company and so I do not have any financial anxiety tied to writing.

Author Bio:

Susan Lanigan’s first novel White Feathers, a tale of passion, betrayal and war, was selected as one of the final ten in the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2013, and published in 2014 by Brandon Books. The book won critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the UK Romantic Novel of the Year Award in 2015. This edition is a reissue with a new cover and foreword.

Her second novel, Lucia’s War, also concerning WWI as well as race, music and motherhood, was published in June 2020 and has been named as the Coffee Pot Book Club Honourable Mention in the Modern Historical Book of the Year Award.

Susan lives by the sea near Cork, Ireland, with her family.

Author Links:

Website: https://susanlanigan.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100028262426042
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susanlanigan_books/
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@susan_lanigan
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/susanlanigan.bsky.social
Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/susan-lanigan
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/author/B00MTKLNLO
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4181196.Susan_Lanigan

BOOK TOUR: The Tudor Queens’ Midwife by Brigitte Barnard

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Book: The Tudor Queens’ Midwife 
Series: The Tudor Queens’ Midwife, Book 1
Author: Brigitte Barnard
Publication Date: January 3rd, 2025
Publisher: independently published
Pages: 299
Genre: Historical Fiction / Tudor Fiction

In the glamorous, glittering and dangerous court of king Henry VIII and his queen Katherine of Aragon, the desperate desire for a healthy male heir overshadows all. Plagued by a series of miscarriages the queen is left grappling with the weight of her singular duty to provide a son for the Crown. Amidst this turmoil the queen turns to Sarah Menendez, the most highly skilled midwife in England. Sarah, exiled from her homeland and concealing her true identity must serve the queen and battle her deepest fears. As Sarah strives to save the queen from the perils of childbirth, the specter of her own past threatens to unravel the carefully crafted identity Sarah has created for herself and her young daughter.

  In a world where power, politics and religion collide, Sarah finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue and deadly danger. The fate of the queen’s unborn child, the survival of the midwife and her daughter, and the stability of the kingdom hang in the balance. Sarah Menendez must employ all of her skills, cunning and courage to protect those she holds dear as well as the life of the queen and her unborn child.

The Tudor Queens’ Midwife is a gripping tale of secrecy, sacrifice and religious turmoil amongst the most opulent court the world has ever seen. 

Buy Link:
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4jzxyk

Author Interview:

Do you tend to read the same genre you write?
I definitely read the same genre that I write, but not exclusively.

Do you have a favorite time period to write about? If so, why?
My favorite time period is the Tudor era, which is why I am also writing about it.

Writers sometimes have furry, feathered, or scaled helpers. Do you have a writing companion?
My writing companions are my dogs. They are Cavalier King Charles spaniels and extremely attached to me. They are draped across my lap and I am surrounded on all sides by them! It makes getting up very challenging.

How long have you been writing, and how long did it take before your first book was published?
I have been writing only a couple of years. I am very happy to have made many fans and have received a book contract with Pen and Sword Publishing. My first published book was in January 2025.

Do you have a routine you follow when you’re working on a book? A certain time of day when you write, or a snack you keep nearby?
I am pretty disciplined about my writing. I write every day, for as long as possible. Some days I might write eight hours and some days maybe only a couple, it depends on what else is happening in my life on any particular day.

If you could pick your top 3 favorite books of all time, what would they be?
My favorite books are all by Colette. The first is my favorite and it is called Sido / My Mother’s House. Second choice is actually a trilogy called Claudine.

Author Bio:

Brigitte Barnard is an amateur historian of Renaissance English history and an author of the trilogy The Tudor Queens’ Midwife, of which the first book in the series is available. She is currently writing a non-fiction book about Tudor midwifery for Pen and Sword publishing house.

Brigitte is a former homebirth midwife, and she lives at home with her husband and four children. She also raises Cavalier King Charles spaniels.

Author Links:
Website: http://thetudormidwife.com/
Twitter: https://x.com/TheTudorMidwife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetudormidwife

BOOK TOUR: Raising the Dead by Jayne Lisbeth

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Raising the Dead is the journey of a naive young woman who grows to maturity through the love and mentoring of friends, both living and dead…

 


Title: Raising the Dead

Author: Jayne Lisbeth

Pages: 330

Genre: Coming of Age/Ghost Fiction/Mystery/Supernatural/Women’s Friendship

Jayne Lisbeth’s second novel, Raising the Dead,  is a coming of age book which delves into the importance of friendship between women and men, strangers and spirits. 

Raising the Dead, bookmarked in the year 1979, is the exploration of a young bride’s struggle towards maturity and overcoming the depths of grief.  Ms. Lisbeth’s beautiful, poetic prose weaves history, love, friendship, reading,  culinary arts, crafts and the beauty of nature into the development of Emeline, the protagonist of this remarkable work. 

Synopsis: 

 Emeline, a new bride, has been  transported from her beloved home in the California Delta by her husband with their move to his mother’s home city, Charles Town, in Virginia.  Marooned in grief after the deaths of her beloved parents. a mysterious elderly woman, Felicity, befriends her. Through Felicity Emeline learns to love reading, cooking. She also becomes confident enough to reach out to others and form new friendships. Felicity teaches Emeline the craft of chair caning, which becomes a lucrative enterprise which further assists Emeline in her search for independence and maturity. When Emeline is most dependent on Felicity her friend mysteriously disappears. With the assistance of her new-found friends Emeline searches and discovers for her lost friend. Through the love of  friendship, her husband and her friends assist Emeline in her search for Felicity, Emeline’s mentor and “other mother,”  Emeline discovers a frightening spiritual reality which uplifts her in unimaginable ways. Through friendship she learns the value of love and the enduring spirit of those who have touched her life, even if they are no longer among the living.

Raising the Dead is a mystery to be unearthed by the reader in these poetic pages.  Loveable and quirky characters, both living and dead, entrance and entertain. Reviewers of Raising the Dead  “can’t put this book down” until they discover how and where Emeline finds her dear friend. Emeline’s  friendships, the development of her relationship with her husband and her search for Felicity help this young bride to move into her future. Emeline is a beloved heroine worthy of the most sophisticated and avid readers.

Raising the Dead is available at Amazon.

 

Book Excerpt

Em breathed in the scent of fresh towels. “Smells like the delta, doesn’t it? Remember how pretty our farm was?” The look that Randy dreaded returned to her eyes.

“It’s going to be alright, Em. I promise. This is a new life for us. This was a good move. We’ll be happy here, you’ll see.” He stepped over the cats and left the little bathroom to retrieve more boxes from the truck.

At the moment, the large obstacle in his mind was not just Em’s continuing sorrow and lack of enthusiasm, but her meeting with Margret. He knew his mother could be difficult and her overwhelming love of Randy could be territorial. Randy hoped his mom would see past Em’s timidity which could make her seem standoffish and cold. He hoped his mom wouldn’t take Em’s timidity the wrong way. On the other hand, he hoped Em wouldn’t blow up over some off-hand innocent remark his mom might make. He had a vague feeling of unease, knowing the two most important women in his life could change in a heartbeat from sweet to sour. He wanted everyone to see Em the way he did: his pretty little bride of two years, with blond curls, violet eyes, curvy body and sweet demeanor. He wished Em could see the good in herself, the essence of who she was, rather than the ignorant delta girl she believed herself to be.

This is a good move, definitely, he reminded himself with each box he unloaded. What could go wrong? They had everything they needed. They had each other. The future looked as bright as any dream he had hoped for in his life with Emeline.

– Excerpted from Raising the Dead by Jayne Lisbeth, Austin Macauley, London, UK, 2023. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author
 

Jayne Lisbeth was born in NYC and continued her life’s journey from Long Island, to New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont, California and Tampa, all places featured prominently in her writing.  Her first book, a memoir, Writing In Wet Cement has been published internationally by London based publisher, Austin Macauley. Jayne’s second book, Raising the Dead, a work of historical fiction, mystery, friendship and the supernatural, was published in 2023, also by Austin Macauley.  Ms. Lisbeth publishes monthly “Food for Thought” blogs on her website, Jaynelisbeth.com. Her “Food for Thought” blogs are based on her reflections of  life, friendship, love, and topical subjects of interest. Ms. Lisbeth’s non-fiction, poetry, and short stories have been published from Vermont to California to Tampa, Florida where she has received awards at the local level. She has been published locally in Pages of Our Life, volumes I and II which is currently part of the USF, Tampa, Geriartic Studies Programs. Ms. Lisbeth’s short stories have been published in the LEC Phoenix Anthologies, 2015-2023. Jayne’s interests include writing, reading, exploring, traveling, calligraphy, gravestone rubbing, entertaining and cooking.  Jayne’s author’s website is Jaynelisbeth.com. Ms. Lisbeth and her artist husband, Tim Gibbons, are the owners and founders of Funky As A Monkey Art Studio, providing art in public places and launching new and emerging artists in exhibiting their art.

Author Links  

Website | Amazon Website | Publisher’s Website | Facebook | Instagram

Sponsored By:

BOOK TOUR: Ghost Encounters – The Lingering Spirits of North Devon by Helen Hollick and Kathy Hollick

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Book: Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon
Author: Helen Hollick with Kathy Hollick
Publication Date: 27th February 2025
Publisher: Taw River Press
Pages: 201
Genre: Non-Fiction (with a bonus of two short stories)

Everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile. Actually, most of them are not.

You either believe in ghosts or you don’t. It depends on whether you’ve encountered something supernatural or not. But when you share a home with several companionable spirits, or discover benign ghosts in public places who appear as real as any living person, scepticism is abandoned and the myth that ghosts are to be feared is realised as nonsense.

It is a matter for individual consideration whether you believe in ghosts or not, but for those who have the gift to see, hear or be aware of people from the past, meeting with them in today’s environment can generate a connection to years gone by. Kathy and Helen Hollick have come across several such departed souls in and around North Devon and at their 18th-century home, which they share with several ‘past residents’.

In GHOST ENCOUNTERS: The Lingering Spirits Of North Devon, mother and daughter share their personal experiences, dispelling the belief that spirits are to be feared.

Ghost Encounters will fascinate all who enjoy this beautiful region of rural South-West England, as well as interest those who wish to discover more about its history… and a few of its ghosts.

(Includes a bonus of two short stories and photographs connected to North Devon)

cover design: Avalon Graphics
cover artwork: Chris Collingwood

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: https://mybook.to/GhostEncounter
This title is available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Excerpt:

Almost everyone assumes that ghosts are hostile and frightening. An assumption perpetuated by intentionally scary stories, religious taboo, movies and TV docu-drama ‘haunted house’ shows. Non-believers – in many cases, correctly – maintain that supernatural experiences are caused by hallucinations of various kinds, the brain visualising something odd into something explainable. But there does not seem to be any explanation for the same ‘ghosts’ being seen in the same place at different times by different people. And actually, the majority of souls that are encountered by genuine Mediums and Spiritualists are not nasty spooks out to scare us. It’s about time that the Hallowe’en image of fear and superstition was firmly set aside. Most ghosts are non-threatening, friendly and indifferent to our presence – or even as unaware of us as most of us are of them.

Kathy was nine when she first mentioned ‘something odd’. We were at a re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings at the English Heritage site of Battle Abbey in Sussex where I was researching the history of 1066 for my novel. (Harold the King UK title / I Am The Chosen King US title.) She asked why one of the men was not getting up like the other re-enactors, and when would they remove the dead horse? I made some non-committal answer, but began to wonder when she made the same comments, pointing to the same spots at events in successive years, one of which had no horses in the organised display. As an adult Kathy saw the same ‘bodies’ on our last visit in 2012. She knows exactly where King Harold II fell. (English Heritage have got it wrong.)

Find out more – and meet a few ghosts – in Ghost Encounters: The Lingering Spirits of North Devon

About the Authors:

ABOUT HELEN HOLLICK

Known for her captivating storytelling and rich attention to historical detail, Helen might not see ghosts herself, but her nautical adventure series, and some of her short stories, skilfully blend the past with the supernatural, inviting readers to step into worlds where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur.

In addition to her historical fiction, Helen has written several short stories, further exploring themes of historical adventure or the supernatural with her signature style. Whether dealing with the echoes of the past or the weight of lost souls, her stories are as compelling as they are convincing. Through her work, she invites readers into a world where the past never truly lets us go.

Helen started writing as a teenager, but after discovering a passion for history, was published in the UK with her Arthurian Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy and two Anglo-Saxon novels about the events that led to the 1066 Battle of Hastings, one of which, The Forever Queen (USA title – A Hollow Crown in the UK) became a USA Today best-seller. Her Sea Witch Voyages are nautical-based adventures inspired by the Golden Age of Piracy. She also writes the Jan Christopher cosy mystery series set during the 1970s, and based around her, sometimes hilarious, years of working as a North London library assistant.

Helen, husband Ron and daughter Kathy moved from London to Devon in January 2013 after a Lottery win on the opening night of the London Olympics, 2012. She spends her time glowering at the overgrown garden and orchard, fending off the geese, helping with the horses and, when she gets a moment, writing the next book…

ABOUT KATHY HOLLICK

Diagnosed as severely dyslexic when she was ten, Helen pulled Kathy out of school at fifteen to concentrate on everything equine.

When not encountering friendly ghosts, Kathy’s passion is horses and mental well-being. She started riding at the age of three, had her own Welsh pony at thirteen, and discovered showjumping soon after. Kathy now runs her own Taw River Equine Events, and coaches riders of any age or experience, specialising in positive mindset and overcoming confidence issues via her Centre10 accreditation and Emotional Freedom Technique training. EFT, or ‘tapping’, uses the body’s pressure points to aid calm relaxation and to promote gentle healing around emotional, mental or physical issues.

Kathy lives with her farmer partner, Andrew, in their flat adjoining the main farmhouse. She regularly competes at affiliated British Showjumping, and rides side-saddle (‘aside’) when she has the opportunity. She produces her own horses, several from home-bred foals.

She also has a fun diploma in Dragons and Dragon Energy, which was something amusing to study during the Covid lockdown.

Authors’ Links:

Helen:

Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenHollick

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.hollick

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/helenhollick.bsky.social

Amazon Author Page: https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/helenhollick

Blog: supporting authors & their books https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

Monthly ‘newsletter’: Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse.

https://thoughtsfromadevonshirefarmhouse.blogspot.com

Kathy:

Website: https://www.white-owl.co.uk/

Facebook: North Devon – Taw River Equine Events https://www.facebook.com/groups/1491518561152309

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Call Forth the Moonlight by Z.M. Celestaire

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Standing up for magíq means the
world stands against you.

 

Call Forth the Moonlight:

A Magíqon’s Guide to Gryphon Liberation

by Z.M. Celestaire

Genre: LGBTQ Ecopunk Fantasy Romance

 

 
 

Deubrise is a land blessed by the breath of the slumbering gods. Magíq
lives within nature, powerful and beautiful. Few else can harness it besides
the gryphons that reside in the mountains near Nico De Falco’s home, and the
rare magíqon like Nico’s little sister. But magíqon are shunned and feared by
modern society.

 

To protect himself from such treatment, Dr. Ackerleigh Sebring keeps
his magíq a secret. Yet his “radical” teachings of magíqal history
gets him fired from Ravensbourne University. Desperate, he finds a gamekeeper
job caring for an imprisoned gryphon. Finally, he can be his whole self.

 

That is, until Nico follows a misguided impulse and frees the gryphon,
injuring Ackerleigh accidentally.

 

Their fates—and feelings—become entangled in their determination to
protect the sacred magíq of the gryphon. Ackerleigh and Nico will stop at
nothing for the sake of liberation.

 

 

**Order direct from the author and get
extra goodies!**

Author’s Site

Apple
* Kobo
* Smashwords * Books2Read * Goodreads

 

 
 

Z.M. (they/them) is a writer,
artist, and therapist. Writing and art have been a hobby for some twenty years
now since they were a goofy little middle schooler. Z.M. grew up devouring
urban fantasy authors like Charles De Lint, Holly Black, and Patricia C. Wrede.
Z.M. lives in Saint Paul with their spouse, human child, and fur children.

 

Website * Instagram * Bluesky * Amazon
* Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Enter to win a Swag Pack Tote with goodies! (US only), 

Or a $10 Amazon Giftcard (WW) – 1 winner
each! 

 

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