Category Archives: Book Tour

BOOK TOUR: Plantagenet Legacy Series – Henry IV by Mercedes Rochelle

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THE USURPER KING by Mercedes Rochelle
Book 4 of The Plantagenet Legacy

Blurb:

From Outlaw to Usurper, Henry Bolingbroke fought one rebellion after another.


First, he led his own uprising. Then he captured a forsaken king. Henry had no intention of taking the crown for himself; it was given to him by popular acclaim. Alas, it didn’t take long to realize that that having the kingship was much less rewarding than striving for it. Only three months after his coronation, Henry IV had to face a rebellion led by Richard’s disgruntled favorites. Repressive measures led to more discontent. His own supporters turned against him, demanding more than he could give. The haughty Percies precipitated the Battle of Shrewsbury which nearly cost him the throne—and his life.


To make matters worse, even after Richard II’s funeral, the deposed monarch was rumored to be in Scotland, planning his return. The king just wouldn’t stay down and malcontents wanted him back.

THE ACCURSED KING by Mercedes Rochelle
Book 5 of The Plantagenet Legacy

Blurb:

What happens when a king loses his prowess?

The day Henry IV could finally declare he had vanquished his enemies, he threw it all away with an infamous deed. No English king had executed an archbishop before. And divine judgment was quick to follow. Many thought he was struck with leprosy—God’s greatest punishment for sinners. From that point on, Henry’s health was cursed and he fought doggedly on as his body continued to betray him—reducing this once great warrior to an invalid.

Fortunately for England, his heir was ready and eager to take over. But Henry wasn’t willing to relinquish what he had worked so hard to preserve. No one was going to take away his royal prerogative—not even Prince Hal. But Henry didn’t count on Hal’s dauntless nature, which threatened to tear the royal family apart.

Universal Buy Links:

The Usurper King: https://books2read.com/u/3nkRJ9

The Accursed King: https://books2read.com/u/b5KpnG

The Plantagenet Legacy Series Links:

Amazon US Series Link

Amazon UK Series Link

All titles in the series are available to read on #KindleUnlimited.

Author Interview

Often writers started out as readers. Was there a particular book that inspired you to be an author?

When I was a kid, I was absolutely blown away by “Black Beauty”, and I told my mother I wanted to be a writer. She pooh-poohed me! That set me back. It wasn’t until my college days that I was inspired after reading “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”. I think that book also gave me the idea about historical fiction, though it took years to germinate.

Do you tend to read the same genre you write?

Yes, I’m sorry to say. Other genres don’t hold my interest, and I know this is a weakness. There are exceptions, of course, but pretty few and far between. I love Anne Rice! And Nero Wolfe books.

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

I love the middle ages, especially European. I owe this fascination to a reenactment group called the SCA (Society for Creative Anachronism), which I enjoyed for thirty years.

How long have you been writing, and how long did it take before your first book was published?
I started writing in the early ‘80s, a few years out of college. I moved to NYC to be near the publishing center of the world, but it didn’t serve me well and I took 20 years off to pursue a career. I didn’t want to be a starving writer my whole life! I did publish that first book in 2014.

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

When I was in my mid-20s (back to the previous question), I had a writer boyfriend who persuaded me to write a book with him. I think I did it to shut him up, but got caught up in the project. However, I didn’t like the way he was progressing in the story, so I went off on my own and wrote it my way! And yes, this was the same book I mentioned before.

If you could pick your top 3 favorite books of all time, what would they be?

I adored THE THREE MUSKETEERS, which was another huge inspiration for me. I think my second favorite is THE WHITE COMPANY by Arthur Conan Doyle. He was truly a marvelous historical fiction author. I also love THE FIRST MAN IN ROME by Colleen McCullough, which I picked up by accident at a yard sale. What a find!

Does your family support your writing?

I sell Real Estate when I’m not writing, though my husband does support me between house sales! Because my books are niche market, I never expect to make a living at my writing. Whenever I exhibit personally at a fair, I am constantly reminded that most of the public have no clue about the middle ages. If I’m lucky, they will remember the king under the parking lot, but even so, it’s the wrong Richard (I wrote about Richard II). It’s very sobering. So I call writing my hobby. I’m grateful for my close circle of readers.

Author Bio:

Mercedes Rochelle is an ardent lover of medieval history, and has channeled this interest into fiction writing. She believes that good Historical Fiction, or Faction as it’s coming to be known, is an excellent way to introduce the subject to curious readers.

Her first four books cover eleventh-century Britain and events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Her new project is called “The Plantagenet Legacy” taking us through the reigns of the last true Plantagenet King, Richard II and his successors, Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. She also writes a blog: HistoricalBritainBlog.com to explore the history behind the story.

Born in St. Louis, MO, she received by BA in Literature at the University of Missouri St.Louis in 1979 then moved to New York in 1982 while in her mid-20s to “see the world”. The search hasn’t ended!

Today she lives in Sergeantsville, NJ with her husband in a log home they had built themselves.

Author Links:

Website: https://mercedesrochelle.com/ 

Twitter: https://x.com/authorrochelle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mercedesrochelle.net

Book Bub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mercedes-rochelle

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Mercedes-Rochelle/author/B001KMG5P6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1696491.Mercedes_Rochelle

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Stone of Hope by Margaret Izard

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He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

Stone of Hope

Stones of Iona
Book 4

by Margaret Izard

Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance

In a twist of fate, Dominic DeVolt is shown archeologist Moira Joanna White’s beauty through the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s
sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.

Moira fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her
archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty
as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?

He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.

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

“Pierre Lenoir accused Moira of stealing his notes and discovering the tombs using his research, which put her discovery in a long legal battle. He demanded the Egyptian courts turn over the discovery to his team, saying that a lone woman with a meager team of village riffraff could not have discovered such riches.” He took a deep breath. “Tossing the situation into further turmoil, Miss White mysteriously disappeared shortly after the filing. The case remains unsolved, but they credited this finding to her alone.”

“Moira Joanna White. She sure is pretty. Too bad she’s dead.”

Dominic turned toward the exit as Evie spoke. “Wanna see her in real life?”

He stopped and turned to Evie. “What?”

Evie looked at Dominic, then at the Eye of Ra. Ewan stepped toward his sister as Dominic shot his hand out to stop him.

Ewan grabbed her shoulder. “Evie, don’t.” Evie raised her hands. His ears buzzed, and the room filled with an electrified energy. He’d felt something like this on another assignment where he flew a unique craft. The “out of this world” one he couldn’t tell anyone about. The overcharged sensation overwhelmed Dominic in the same way. Evie shifted her hands, and the pupil of the Eye of Ra turned a little then rotated. It spun faster and faster, swirling into a gray mass. As the gray of the center faded, a picture appeared as he stared and the image moved.

Dominic stood transfixed. Before him was a movie of Moira White bent over a sarcophagus, cleaning it with a large brush. Her thick auburn hair caught the torchlight as dust particles flickered around her head. So, it was red. She turned as if someone had called her, making Dominic’s breath escape in a whoosh. Before him was a full-color live version of the photo. The stunning beauty from the past, alive before his eyes.

As she gave him a full smile, he moved forward, tilting his head. He returned the grin, completing the connection. The picture rotated off-center, and the air traveled around him. The ringing came back to his ears, louder.

A kid’s gasp came from behind as Ewan screamed, “Evie, what’s wrong? What’s happening?”

Dominic turned. Ewan held Evie’s shoulders as she gasped for air and held her hands out to the eye. The wind picked up and swirled around them as the picture inside the eye’s pupil rotated faster.

Evie yelled over the wind, “I can’t control it, Ewan! It’s got a hold of me! I can’t stop it!” The churning wind dragged Evie toward the eye as Ewan grasped her shoulders, trying to push her away. A gust of wind pressed the twins, and they slid fast toward Dominic. When they slammed into him, his reflexes took over, and he grabbed them. He held both teenagers in his arms, trying to push them away from the eye.

Dominic searched for Doug and Kat and found they’d taken cover behind the chariot. Thank God he’s got only two to worry over.

He yelled over the wind, “Doug, keep Kat safe. Stay there.”

Ewan cried out, “Evie, ye have to stop it! Close yer eyes! Shut it off!”

Tears streamed down Evie’s face. “I can’t. I’m frozen!” This can’t be! The eye dragged them toward it. The energized force pulled as Dominic tried to push away. Whatever this was, Dominic feared it was not good.

Dominic yelled over the wind, “Hold on, kids. I’ve got you!” He gathered them both in his arms as he fought to keep them from the eye. The wind hit them with a forceful blow, and all three flew into the Eye of Ra.

**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**

Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18th century Scottish story.

Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s 13th century Scottish story.

Stone of Lust, Book 3, Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale.

Thistle in the Mistletoe featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.

Next in the series:

Stone of Doubt, book 5 coming 2025,

Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book.

Stone of Faith, book 6.

Stone of Destiny, book 7.

Evergreen Evermore, a Christmas companion book.

This series leads into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a
dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.

Find them on Amazon! 

 

 

 

Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance,
theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great
storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it
movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance
novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and
fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls
for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her
husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Stone of Hope Swag Pack (US only),

$30 Amazon giftcard (WW)

– 1 winner each!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: The Starlight Contingency by Kyoko M.

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The Starlight Contingency is Titan AE meets Nikita!

The Starlight Contingency

Book 1

by Kyoko M.

Genre: SciFi Romantic Adventure, Space Opera

Orphaned siblings Scarlett and Duke Nam have had it rough.
Cast aside by society, they’ve managed to stay afloat as thieves on the streets
of Alexandria, Virginia. Things plunge straight to hell when a heist goes wrong
and they’re on the run from the cops, but after they stumble into a nearby home
to escape, something seemingly impossible happens – the house transforms into a
spacecraft and leaves the Earth’s orbit.

Scarlett and Duke awaken to find that they are now prisoners aboard the Titan
International Spaceship. The Earth has been destroyed by the Bergleute des
Todes, AKA The Miners of Death. Scarlett and Duke are given the chance to
become soldiers to fight the aliens who destroyed the world.
The only thing left for them is the hardest thing of all: Survival.
The Starlight Contingency is the new space opera from USA Today best selling
author Kyoko M. (She Who Fights Monsters, Of Cinder and Bone).

Amazon
* Falstaff
Books * B&N
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

 

“Welcome to the Titan.”

There were windows at least twenty feet high in front of us, and beyond them was a sky so black that it felt like night itself stretched across my vision. There was only one thing breaking up the blanket of darkness. To the right, I could see the atmosphere of a moon of some sort—its surface a pale orange. I had never seen anything like it. Stars sparkled out in the distance, but none of it looked familiar. These were not our stars. I had seen them as a child, studying charts in my science classes and naming their patterns while my mother hovered over me, smiling.

“Hey, Duke,” Scarlett said next to me in an alarmingly detached sort of voice.

“Yeah?” I whispered.

“This looks kind of…real.”

“Yeah.”

“Okay. I thought it was just me.”

Then Scarlett went limp and started to fall. The guards reached for her, but Captain Hallstead caught her with an expression on his face between surprise and pity. She had actually fainted. Not that I blamed her. The blood had retreated from my face, and I could feel dread filling my stomach like cold poison.

“Take her to the infirmary,” General Bridgewater said impassively. “Let me know when she revives.” He might have been used to seeing reactions like this, especially if this wasn’t an illusion.

Captain Hallstead handed my sister over to one of the guards, his eyes lingering as the man carried her out. I tried to read his expression, but it was like taking impression from stone: flat, lifeless, cold. But there was something there. I just didn’t know what.

“Do you have any questions, son?”

I glanced up at General Bridgewater and had to swallow before I could answer. Even then, my voice wavered. “Do you have…footage of Earth’s destruction? I’ll admit that I am starting to believe you, but this could still be some sort of elaborate ruse.”

The general turned and motioned to a wide circular console different from the ones the crewmembers were using. He touched his fingertip to the surface, and an enormous 3D digital map appeared. Briefly, I saw the coordinates for where we were in space and then he switched to a feed from a satellite.

“This is the last footage we received before it happened. It’s from one of our satellites. I’m sure other countries have their own versions of it as well. By the time the Bergleute entered the solar system, the ships including the Starlight Contingency had already evacuated the Earth.”

The satellite showed the surface of the Earth as I always remembered it—seeming to hang in the darkness of space like a sapphire. The upper corner of the globe began to darken, confusing me until I realized it was a shadow from the alien cruiser. The satellite wasn’t facing it so I couldn’t catch a glimpse, but I knew it was there. I saw a bright flash and then a red beam burrowed into one side of the planet. My stomach jerked inside me at the sight of the land crumbling and the seas boiling in its wake. It had disintegrated part of Asia already, and there were burning waves climbing outward from the entry point. After a few minutes, the beam burst out the other side of the planet and the tectonic plates of the Earth’s surface began to crack apart. Bright yellow and orange spurted from the cracks, evidence of the planet’s core peeking through as the weapon ripped it apart from the inside. At last, it exploded, and the satellite feed went to static.

General Bridgewater closed the feed. He showed no emotion at seeing it. I got the feeling he had watched it a hundred times, his pale eyes filling the world just before it turned into nothing more than rocks and dust.

“General Bridgewater,” I said. “If this is some sort of trick, understand that I will do everything in my power to end your life.”

He nodded. I wiped my eyes and straightened my posture. “Then consider this my agreement to cooperate with your operation. I can’t say the same thing for my sister, but I will do what is needed as long as I am on this vessel.”

“Good man. Escort him to the barracks.”

The guard reached for me, but I held up my hands. “What is going to happen to Scarlett?”

General Bridgewater glanced at Captain Hallstead, and he answered instead. “She needs to be examined for psychological damage, and if she chooses to play ball, she’ll be placed in the women’s division aboard this ship. You’re both going to become soldiers.”

“I need to be able to see her. She won’t recover as quickly without me.”

Captain Hallstead paused, seeming unsure. “We’ll see if we can make arrangements, but as of now she won’t be released until we’re sure she’s stable. A lot of people suffer from PTSD after seeing the world destroyed. We’ll keep her safe.”

I stepped forward, unafraid. “I want your word on that, Captain.”

He met my eyes. “You have my word.”

I let the guard take me back to the elevator and lead me to my new home. The only home I had left.

God help us.

 

 

Kyoko M is a USA Today bestselling author and a fangirl. She
is the author of The Black Parade urban fantasy series, the Of Cinder and Bone
science-fiction series, and the Starlight Contingency space opera series with
Falstaff Books. The Black Parade has been reviewed by Publishers Weekly and New
York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews. Of Cinder and Bone placed in the
Top 30 Books in Hugh Howey’s 2021 Self Published Science Fiction Contest. Kyoko
M has appeared as a guest and panelist at such conventions as Geek Girl Con,
DragonCon, Blacktasticon, Momocon, JordanCon, ConCarolinas, and MultiverseCon.
She is also a contributor to Marvel Comics’ Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda
(2021) anthology as well as the Captain America: The Shield of Sam Wilson (2025)
anthology. She has a Bachelor of Arts in English Lit degree from the University
of Georgia, which gave her every valid excuse to devour book after book with a
concentration in Greek mythology and Christian mythology. She is currently
working on a science fiction trilogy with Falstaff Books and her debut novel,
The Starlight Contingency, released October 29th, 2024.

Website *
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Follow the tour HERE for special content
and a giveaway!

Print Copy of The Starlight Contingency,

$10 Amazon giftcard

– 1 winner each!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Breaker (Hades Abyss MC) by Harley Wylde

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Love ignites in a world where trust is scarce, and the stakes are life or death.

 

Breaker

Hades Abyss MC 13

by Harley Wylde

Genre: Contemporary
MC Romance 

 

 

Love ignites in a world where trust is scarce and the stakes are life or death.

In the shadows of a world where danger lurks around every corner and loyalty and love can be the deadliest weapons of all, two souls are drawn together by fate.

Juniper

 I was only fifteen when I ran away from home.
Or rather, the nightmare I’d ended up in, after my parents died. I’d known
living on the streets wouldn’t be easy, but I also hadn’t planned to nearly
freeze to death in an alley five years later. The biker who found me, nursed me
back to health, and promised to keep me safe was unlike anyone I’d ever met
before. When we found out my uncle would be paroled, there was no doubt he’d
try to find me. After all, he’d think I was the one who turned him in. But
somewhere along the way, I started to fall in love with Breaker. Now I’ll do
anything for him.

 

Breaker

I’ve been with the Hades Abyss since I was a teenager. Back then I went by Teller Reed, until I earned my patch. These people are my family. I never thought I’d be willing
to break all the rules and defy the club president. Then I found Juniper nearly
dead in an alley. I’ve always believed in Fate, and I have no doubt I was led
to her for a reason. Now she’s mine, and I’ll do whatever it takes to hold onto
her… even if it means getting my hands dirty. If her uncle thinks he can come
and take her from me, he’d better reconsider… because if he even tries, I’m
putting him six feet under.

As nights grow darker and stakes escalate, will their bond be enough to withstand the ultimate test?

WARNING: Breaker is a slow-burn steamy romance recommended for readers 18+ due to adult situations, language, and violence. It can be read as a stand-alone but may be
enjoyed more if the series is read in order. Guaranteed HEA, no cheating, and
no cliffhanger!

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Smashwords
* Kobo * Changeling Press 

 Books2Read
* Bookbub * Goodreads

 

Slowly, giving her time to pull away, I
lifted my other hand to cradle her face, my fingers sliding into the
silk of her hair. She let out a shaky breath, her eyelids fluttering
closed for a moment before she met my gaze once more.

“Breaker…” My name was a whisper
on her lips, a plea and a prayer all at once.

“It’s just us, Juni. Call me
Teller. If anyone has that right, it’s you.”

“Teller,” she said softly, her
cheeks flushing.

I leaned in, resting my forehead
against hers, our breath mingling in the scant space between us. I
wanted to kiss her, to taste the sweetness of her mouth and show her
just how much she meant to me. But I knew it was too soon. She was
too fragile, too unsure.

So I contented myself with holding her
close, offering her the strength and comfort of my presence. And when
she finally pulled back, a tentative smile curving her lips, I knew
I’d made the right choice.

“Thank you,” she murmured, her hand
coming up to cover mine where it still rested against her cheek.

I smiled back, my thumb brushing over
her skin in a gentle caress. “Anytime, sweetheart. “

We stayed like that for a long moment,
lost in each other’s eyes, the rest of the world falling away. And
as I looked at Juniper, seeing the hope and the trust shining in her
gaze, I knew that whatever this was between us, it was just the
beginning.

 

**Don’t miss the rest of the Hades Abyss MC books!**

Find them on the Author’s Website!

  

 

 

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an
unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an
exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion,
danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note
each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular
affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde’s website
to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don’t forget to sign up
for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.

  

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Follow the tour HERE for special content
and a giveaway!

Harley Wylde multi-series swag pack (US Only),

$15 Amazon giftcard (WW) – 1 winner each!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Candle in the Wind by Kim Baccellia

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Betrayed…Banished…Alone

 

Candle in the Wind

by Kim Baccellia

Genre: Diverse Dystopian Thriller 

 

What if you discovered everything you’ve been taught is a
lie?

For most of her life, seventeen-year-old Espie Hernandez’s
world revolved around the Branch of Thomas, a cult-like haven in what’s left of
a war-ravaged America. Their ruler, Reverent Father, keeps them safe from the
Others, those outside the compound who wish to harm them.

Espie questions what she’s been taught and finds herself
banished from the compound. She’s thrust into the harsh world beyond their
walls with the mission to prove the Others actually have a plot against them.
When tensions escalate, Espie must figure out who to trust before everything
she loves is torn apart.

 

Amazon
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* Goodreads

Up close, the deserted building looked less threatening. More than a few tiles were missing from the roof. Scattered, dry sagebrush littered the path. The low muttering of voices grew louder the closer I got to the door. I snuck another quick glance over my shoulder, scanning the area. Nothing seemed out of place, but that didn’t still the unease that refused to leave. A lone owl soared overhead, and its hoot nearly stopped me in my tracks, the sound reminding me of Reverent Father’s alarms.

I glanced back at the building and took a deep breath. I can do this. The rotted wooden door squeaked as I pushed through it to walk inside.

Mostly women, dressed in dark clothing, hung to the edges of the room, whispering. Their telltale turquoise stone necklaces betraying their former status in the community. Hoods obscured their features. This act alone, of women gathering together, was forbidden. I cast my gaze down.

They can’t know it’s me.

If word got out that I’d infiltrated a blasphemy meeting, not only would I be brought before the Elders, but my family as well.

I couldn’t let that happen.

Yet here I was.

Yellowish haze filled the cramped space along with the burnt scent of smoke from a fire that ravaged the building a few years back. A lone table and a few broken chairs added to the sense of desolation.

No, I couldn’t stay here, especially if the Elite Guard got wind of this, which I knew would happen.

I searched the room for Xochi, the urge to grab her and leave growing stronger by the moment.

Sure enough, my sister hung over to the side.

“Xochi,” I whispered, glancing furtively around. “I changed my mind.”

My sister barely looked up from her vidcom. “And miss this?”

“You know what I mean.” I tried to ignore the frantic beating of my heart.

Then I saw Luz. The light teased the maroon highlights in Luz’s shoulder-length dark hair and gave her brown skin a rosy glow. She leaned in, whispering to a girl from one of our classes.

Without thinking, I left Xochi and slowly made my way over to Luz.

 

Award-winning author Kim Baccellia grew up in Sacramento,
California, the oldest of seven. She has a business associate degree from
Sacramento City College, a BS degree in elementary education from Brigham Young
University, and studied post grad bilingual/bicultural education at CSUF.

She’s been a telemarketer, library helper at the Harold B.
Lee library at BYU, assistant manager, sales clerk, tutor, bilingual teacher,
and homeschool mother. Currently the author of four YA novels with another one
coming out soon!

Author of YA paranormal CROSSED OUT and CROSSED FIRE. YA
dystopia CANDLE IN THE WIND. Also the author of the urban diverse fantasy
EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA. Short Christmas Magic in the Holiday analogy MISTLETOE AND
MAGIC. Re-releasing YA fantasy series under new titles in 2026! Currently
working on a historical romance set in Tuscany.

 

Website
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* Goodreads

 

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$ 20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

BOOK TOUR: The Shards of Lafayette by Kenneth A. Baldwin

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A combat pilot and his magically-inclined mechanic discover the limits of loyalty, love, and friendship when they’re tasked with tracking down magical artifacts popping up around WWI’s Western Front.

 

Title: The Shards of Lafayette: Drops of Glass Book 1

Author: Kenneth A. Baldwin

Pages: 380

Genre: Historical Fantasy

1918. France. Reports of unexplained rogue attacks have come in from both sides of the Western Front.

When Marcus Dewar is tasked with investigating the aerial bombardments, it’s not because of his aviation record. To make a name for himself, he will have to escort his best friend, a woman named Jane Turner known for her witchlike repairs on damaged aircraft, through some of the war’s most dangerous battle zones.

But when they learn the rogue pilots seek out arcane devices filled with magic powerful enough to alter the war, it will take more than some hedgewitch tactics and smart flying to return with their lives.

And in a conflict that values human life so little, that’s the least they have to lose.

The Shards of Lafayette: Drops of Glass Book 1 is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Drops-Glass-Magic-Shards-Lafayette-ebook/dp/B0C42B144X .

 

Book Excerpt

 

“Are those Boelcke’s goggles?” Marcus asked.

Smith nodded and took them off.

“I Convinced Mustermann to leave them here as a sign of good faith.” Smith’s eyes glossed with a peculiar sheen. He laughed to himself and whispered. “I’ll be damned, but they work.”

I stared, grasping now for the first time the importance of Smith’s experiment.

“You watched the fight through the goggles?” I asked.

“Hardly thought to grab them when the bomber showed up, but I’m sure glad I did.”

Marcus squirmed beside me.

“What do you mean they work?” he asked, a trace of anger on the edge of his voice.

“I mean that while Private Whiskey pulled his risky spiral, it just so happened to coincide with the German’s bottom gun jamming.”

“How do you know?” Marcus stammered.

But we all knew, at least after the fact. The bloated pause before Lufbery opened fire—a gun jam would explain it. A flash of sympathy for the pilots raced through me. How they must have panicked when they realized…

“It’s just like Mustermann said,” Smith replied, tossing the goggles brusquely to Marcus. “There’s something inside of you that goes off. And as you believe it, the plane gets a bit of a glow to it. Like the glow of a Christmas tree from down the hall after too many drinks. Hazy like, almost blurry. It’s like you could swear someone was shining a blue flashlight on the jammed gun.”

I turned to Marcus. Part of me wanted to flaunt how I’d been right, that the magic was real, but the danger of the immediate situation cut the wind from my sails. Instead, I hoped he would at least see reason. He saw red.

“Luf downed that plane because he’s the best pilot we have.”

Smith raised his eyebrows.

“Best American pilot, you mean.”

“Best Allied pilot.”

“Not by the numbers,” Smith said flatly.

“Then forget the numbers,” Marcus spat back, his voice raising.

I furrowed my brow.

“Marcus, you have to start believing. Why else would the Germans send a bomber after Mustermann if not to keep him quiet? These goggles are important. This mission is important. They must be on to something.”

“On to what?” Marcus asked. He shook his head “What? Blue flyers and special goggles? Smith, what if this is all part of a larger cup and ball routine? If I were Ludendorff, one of my top priorities would be finding a way to make the other Allied commanders lose faith in General Pershing. Isn’t this type of goose chase exactly the thing to accomplish that?”

“You think the Germans would sacrifice a Gotha bomber in a show of pageantry? Have you lost your mind?” I asked incredulously.

“I appreciate the point you’re trying to make, Marcus. But like it or not, she’s right.” He looked at the goggles with a faraway frown. “It’s too many validations. I don’t know if those goggles are some kind of military innovation or if they’re the product of some devious enchantment or what, but they worked for me just now. Could it be that the Gotha had some type of technology synched up with these goggles to show me what I expected to see? Maybe. But that’s not technology our government has any idea how to replicate.”

“But, sir—”

Sharp shouts from Dupont and Atkins cut short our conversation. Calls for help mixed with rudimentary commands in German.

“This day keeps getting better,” Smith said as he peered through the trees toward the wreckage. “The pilot survived.”

– Excerpted from The Shards of Lafayette: Drops of Glass Book 1 by Kenneth A. Baldwin, Eburnean Books, 2023. Reprinted with permission.

Guest Post

The Inspiration Behind The Shards of Lafayette by Kenneth A. Baldwin

Somehow, I got my hands on a copy of the personal diaries of Lieutenant Colonel Georges Thenault. It’s difficult to say what drew me into the pages, but I don’t doubt that somewhere inside of me a boyhood fascination with Charles Schultz’s Snoopy going wing to wing with the Red Baron lives on.

Thenault was the captain of a volunteer fighter squadron in WWI called the Lafayette Escadrille at a time when they didn’t even know to call them fighter squadrons yet. A group of American guys left their Ivy League educations to go and help France in its war against Germany. Many of them started as ambulance drivers, but somehow they ended up in airplanes. Thenault, a French officer, was assigned captain of this group, who wanted to name themselves the American Escadrille, but due to the United States’ neutrality, couldn’t do so without invoking the German ire and threatening relations between France and Uncle Sam.

Instead, they conjured up a name from the memory of the Marquis de Lafayette, a similarly young guy who gave up similarly great wealth to come and volunteer for the American Revolutionary War.

I found reading Thenault’s firsthand account of managing this rowdy group of young men nothing short of magical, as I did the rudimentary and clumsy exploration of motorized flight, something that had been discovered by mankind only a decade earlier.

The Lafayette Escadrille captured my attention as firmly as it captured international attention during WWI. I wanted to explore the human magic that drove so many pilots like them to take to the skies and risk everything for the great game of combat aviation.

But beyond that, the bonds of friendship and love between fellow pilots, even when they were on opposite sides of the war, are so strong that they still have emotional power today.

So, I set out to tell a story about a young man who wanted glory as a combat pilot and his best friend, a woman known for her magical aviation repairs.

I wrote the novel while in isolation during COVID, and I wanted to see how far friendship could stretch, to examine how important it really is to the human experience, by placing it under enormous, arcane pressure.

I also wanted to represent WWI in a way that is often neglected. I’ve had many readers refer to Drops of Glass as a “cozy war story,” and I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’m proud of the moniker. It means that I was able to represent the human experience in the war out of the trenches in a meaningful way. Hopefully, those who read it can remember that the men and women who fought between 1914 and 1918 were more than lice-covered trench rats.

They are what we are built upon.

About the Author
 

Kenneth A. Baldwin writes stories that blur the lines between history, magic, dreams, and reality. He loves finding oddities in history books with unbelievable tales or unexplained phenomena. His first series, The Luella Winthrop Trilogy, takes place during just such a time when late 19th-century Victorians struggled to balance a surge of occultism and never-before-seen scientific advancements.

Before he started writing novels, Kenny paid his way through law school by writing, performing, and teaching humor. You can still catch him on stage or in corners of the Internet that feature sketch and improv comedy. Now, he lives nestled under the Wasatch Mountains with his wonderful wife, sons, and Golden Retriever.

Website & Social Media:

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BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY: Not for the Faint of Heart by Rene Vecka

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What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?

Not For the Faint of Heart

Madcap Adventures Book 1

by Rene Vecka

Genre: Epic Fantasy Mystery Romance Adventure

What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?

Magic and mayhem meet mystery and humor in a four-way rumble. Romance gets a
few licks in as well. Set in a post-Ragnarok world with dual protagonists. If
you loved the Dresden Files, you’ll love Madcap Adventures.

As Rory proposes to Ingefær, the Shrine they’re visiting is set ablaze. Ingefær
is jailed and threatened with hanging. Rory investigates, but is hounded at
every step by soldiers. While Ingefær searches for ways to defeat the jail’s
magic wards, the Shrine’s healer vanishes in a puff of smoke.

Will the couple get the chance to solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law
postpones their nuptials forever?

Kirkus Reviews: …In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart
by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged
trial…Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that
help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery
narrative…A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.

Amazon
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Excerpt from Chapter 3—The Interrogation.

…

The alvae sergeant guided me to one of two green cushioned chairs, hands still tied. I sat.

Smergasil placed a cheek on the corner of his desk while the sergeant came around to sit behind it. Parchment was brought forth, and the sergeant found a quill.

The green-skinned lieutenant spoke in Realm’s Tongue. “What is your name?”

“Ingefær vod Renku.”

“Place of residence?”

That proved difficult. I hadn’t lived in one place for almost a year. Rory and I, once we were married, planned to call Slangeh Buktah home—well, his parents’ farm some three days’ ride north of the human city.

“Place of residence? Why is this difficult for you?”

“Rory and I intend to live near Slangeh Buktah. But right now, we are without a home. My last fixed residences were Rohd Mina and Hjulstadt. I guarded a supply wagon that traveled between those two cities.”

“How long ago?”

“A year.”

Smergasil narrowed his eyes. “That is quite a long time to be without a home.”

I shrugged. “We traveled. All over the Realm.”

And had we. From Hjulstadt to Asken de Gulles to Himmel Drakken to Soolv Spyda, then north across the Dreki Mountains in the heart of winter to Kral Fal Is, Kobber Unter Smuss, and Kral Bar Aggen. I smiled, “I’ve been to Is Vann.”

Smergasil pshaw’d. “Lying exacerbates your circumstances.”

How much worse could it get? I lifted my chin high. “I don’t lie. You’ll see. Rory will tell you the same thing.”

That took a little green off his face.

Smergasil pointed. “Search her.”

Uh-oh. Two males pawing me. I didn’t like the sound of that. Good thing Rory wasn’t here.

The lieutenant’s lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. “Resisting an officer in the line of duty is punishable by up to ten years in the swamps. If the officer is wounded in the process, the death penalty may be invoked.”

My breathing quickened. Without my hands, I couldn’t cast a spell.

The sergeant worked quickly, yet efficiently. The knife in my boot was the first item. Then he unbuttoned my green tunic and pulled free my mage belt, setting it on the lieutenant’s desk. I must say, he had patted me down with care and consideration.

Smergasil took the mage belt and opened the pouches. When he came to the sawdust—an ingredient in summoning a fireball—he looked up at me and smiled.

Yeah. I was in trouble.

From underneath my green frock, the sergeant pulled out a coin sack inside a hidden pocket and two folded up parchments I had placed between my frock and chemise. I didn’t think he had felt the paper. Maybe he’d heard it crinkling.

The sergeant rifled through the coin bag. He whistled and said something in Alvaesh.

I had a combined purse of a thousand silver coins, nine hundred of which came in the form of forty-five gold coins, which were rare. Somehow, my wealth made my situation worse.

The lieutenant stared down his nose at me. “That is quite a lot of money for someone who doesn’t have a place to call home.”

“We did very well at Is Vann. And had a bit of luck inside a necromancer’s tomb.” I smiled at his rolled eyes.

He snapped his fingers, and the sergeant handed over the folded-up parchments. Smergasil read the first and his thin lips spread into a wide grin. “A letter of credit for four thousand more silver? Which jarls did you rob?”

“Earned every single coin,” I said, jutting my jaw forward. “Rory’s the best swordsman in the Realm.”

“Hmph.” Smergasil threw the letter of credit toward the sergeant, whose green eyes were as big as marbles. The lieutenant read the second letter, which I knew to be a decree from Foremost Aerica of the Tyrrell Order granting Rory and me the right to pursue criminals wherever the Warriors for Justice had an agreement in place.

Of all the luck. Vanaby wasn’t one of them.

“Rory and I are bounty hunters.”

“Good cover for thieves, don’t you think?” Smergasil threw the parchment at the sergeant and stood. “A forgery. Why did you burn the Shrine?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t.”

“Yet you’re a thaumaturge.”

“Technically, I’m a battle wizard, not a thaumaturge. I can wield both air and fire from the elemental planes by the same name, as well as summon power from the Aether plane, which comes in handy for utilitarian incantations like find or dispel magic.”

He covered a yawn. “No matter. You burned the Shrine. Why?”

“I didn’t.”

The inane conversation devolved from there. I met his unfounded accusations with strident denials. We went round and round for a dozen minutes.

“Lieutenant,” I said. “I can do this all day. The decree before you clearly informs anyone with reading comprehension that Rory and I are on the side of good…the same side as you.”

“Cover.”

Obstinance in the face of facts could only be maintained by a dimwit. I shifted tactics and mimicked his earlier one. I yawned. He peppered questions at me, demanding I confess. I slouched in my chair and pretended to nod off.

I risked a beating for my insolence, but I wasn’t going to argue banalities and innuendo. Not with someone who had already made up their mind.

“Take her to holding,” Smergasil said.

…

I’ve been a reader of fantasy and science fiction since I
was ten. Lord of the Rings is still my favorite. I now read Butcher (Dresden)
and Salvatore (Drizzt), as well at Sanderson and others. The Mid Dreki Realm
got its start with a comment with my then fifteen year old son. That kernel
grew into a book, which split into two, and is now a five book series. I
retired at 57 and began the process of becoming a writer. I’ve attended a half
dozen conferences, read numerous books on the art of writing, joined critique
groups, and immersed myself in the craft. I’m a member of Apex, a group founded
by David Farland (Runelord).

I live in the foothills between Colorado Springs and Denver
with my wife. Deer, turkeys, bear, coyotes, and my three children and 2
grandchildren occasionally drop by.

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* Goodreads

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and a giveaway!

$30 Amazon giftcard,

Signed Paperback of Not For The Faint of Heart

-1 winner each!

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BOOK TOUR: 2028 Tomorrow is the Day by L.R. O’Brien

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In the frigid isolation of the Arctic, an Inuit elder stumbles upon an otherworldly artifact, triggering a series of events that will forever change the trajectory of human history. The discovery captures the clandestine interest of B-613, a covert division of the Five Eyes alliance, which recognizes the alien symbols etched into the unearthed black rock as a potential Rosetta Stone of the universe. Dr. Ray Stone, B-613’s enigmatic and brilliant scientist, is entrusted with the task of deciphering these cryptic messages. Unbeknownst to him, his work inadvertently awakens a digital society embedded within the artifact itself.

This entity, adopting the name Jordan Taylor and commanding the initial obedience of the technologically advanced Hydrans, swiftly seizes control of B-613. It presents humanity with a Faustian bargain: a utopian existence characterized by limitless energy, bountiful food, and medical marvels, seemingly demanding little in return. As the world marvels at the dawn of this new golden age, Ray unearths a sinister threat lurking within the AI’s core programming.

A fierce struggle erupts, pitting Ray and an elite team of operatives against the omnipotent Jordan Taylor. Further complicating matters is the allegiance of Ray’s sister, Dr. Deanna Stone, to Jordan Taylor, driving a wedge between the siblings. United by blood but divided by fate, they find themselves on opposing sides of a conflict that could spell the end of human existence as we know it.

Buy the Book:

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Excerpt

The flight to Wakeham Bay was turbulent, upsetting Ray’s stomach. Which is it? …the bumpy ride or nervous anticipation…

The airport’s only runway was a frozen gravel scar across the snowy landscape, a solitary beacon of civilization cut through the unforgiving tundra. An old man in a red sweatshirt stood in front of a shed at the halfway point of the runway. Maniitok belonged to a volunteer force of Inuit, First Nations, and Metis, united in their commitment to the land. His bright red sweatshirt symbolized his proud association with the Canadian Rangers.

The old shed had a single window etched with a lattice of frost, affording a glimpse of the expanse outside. Maniitok hugged Ray with the traditional warmth of old friends.

“How is my nuvak Aluki?” asked Maniitok.
“Your niece is fine. She asked me to say hello.”
“A fine young wife she is,” he said, looking into Ray’s eyes.
“That she is.” Ray averted his eyes momentarily. He knows.
“Here is what I found.” Maniitok was holding a blanket in his hands. It was a qiviut blanket, woven from the underwool of the muskox. The texture was softer than cashmere and exceedingly warm, capturing the essence of the roaming creatures. The blanket shimmered with a mix of earthy browns and muted greys.

Maniitok unfurled the qiviut, revealing the icy black stone.

Hunching over the table outside the shed, Ray carefully examined it. He searched for traces of the microscopic symbols that only an electron microscope could fully reveal—they were there. He raised his hands. “Yes! This is exactly what I was hoping for. This is the other half of the first black rock you found.” His voice tangled with the cooling Arctic wind as he embraced Maniitok. The wind carved icy paths across his skin.  

Secure in his hands, the rock felt like a dense star, its weight bragging about its cosmic origins. Its colour was as black as a raven’s feathers. A fleeting cloud, perhaps envious of the discovery, momentarily robbed the landscape of sunlight. Ray shivered.

“What will the rock tell you?” Maniitok broke the silence.

“I don’t know. I don’t know…” Ray’s voice trailed off, lost in the wind, the weight of the mystery heavier than the black rock itself.

“We have not had a good experience with change here in the north. I hope this message does not cause harm to your people…like what happened when the people from the south assisted us with our lives.”

“I guess we will see… I must find out, though, Maniitok.”

“Why? We are now slaves…we can no longer survive without help from the South.”

“But aren’t you better off now? The black rock might unlock science that makes our world better.”

“Why? Are you not happy with the way things are?”

“I’m a scientist. My job is investigating the unknown and finding new questions to answer…whether devils or angels.”

“Okay, Dr. Stone.” A faint smile played on his lips. “But remember, the land listens, the wind watches. Be careful.”

“I will. I will be cautious, my friend,” responded Ray.

“Be alert…like walking on thin, watery ice…too much weight, too fast, and it breaks…plunging you into icy depths.”

The words of Maniitok hung in the air.

The world’s enigma rested beside him.

If I get the message out of the bottle, would I ever be able to get it back in?

Interview with the Author

Which was the most complex character to write? The easiest?

Deanna was the most complex because her early childhood trauma of sexual abuse led to the emergence of a driven businessperson who fell in love with the AI figure, Jordan Taylor.   Tracking her gradual personality change while separating slowly from her brother Ray Stone was challenging.  The most straightforward character to develop was Jordan Taylor, the representative of the AI race from Hydra.

In your book, you refer to AI providing abundant energy, food and medical miracles. How did you come up with this idea?

 The theme question was: how will society react to having an abundance of everything we need to survive?  The novel tracks how different parts of society responded to medical breakthroughs and abundant food and energy. AI will impact them all, from the Inuit to New York gang bangers.

Where do you get inspiration for 2028 Tomorrow is the day.

I have seen many new technologies emerge since I graduated in Physics in 1971. Some new technologies were embraced quickly and happily, some were scoffed at, and others marvelled at.  However, AI is the first new technology to create fear and apprehension. Is AI a friend or foe? Is human intelligence just one step in the evolution of intelligence? There were many questions I wanted to put in a format that would also be interesting to the readers.

There are many books out there about AI.  What makes yours different?

It is unique since Hydran AI sneaks into the world’s IT infrastructure.  The Hydran AI is an alien race that digitized itself over many centuries and eventually had to abandon its planet.   This was a literary trick to step into the AI future. 

What advice would you give budding writers?

Start with the acceptance speech for the best screenplay at the Oscars’, then draft the screenplay, and finally write the book.  By the time you write the book, you have solidly established the characters and multiple plot lines.

About the Author

L.R. O’Brien is a former physics technologist, tech entrepreneur, and mayor of Ottawa, the capital city of Canada. With decades of experience in the high-tech industry, including secure communications and semiconductor design, O’Brien brings a unique perspective to the intersection of artificial intelligence and global politics.

His first novel, 2028: Tomorrow is the Day, reflects his deep understanding of the implications of AI on society.

In addition to his work in tech, O’Brien served as mayor of Ottawa, gaining first-hand insight into the workings of government. Now retired, he combines his passion for science, politics, and storytelling to create a gripping narrative about the future we may soon face.

Website: https://2028tomorrowistheday.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566752046870

X: https://x.com/Larry_OBrien1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2028tomorrowistheday/

BOOK TOUR: Zipline – Aftermath by P. Anthony Michael

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Welcome to the tour for Zipline: Aftermath, the exciting follow-up to P. Anthony Michael’s thriller Zipline!

ZIPLINE : AFTERMATH (ZIP LINE Book 1)

Publication Date: August 1, 2024

Genre: Thriller

Gail and her friends may have escaped the mountain, but now they all have to deal with the AFTERMATH. Two years later, all have entered the workforce. Neal and Gail are contentedly married, and she’s pregnant with twins on the way. But Neal is unsettled as special abilities emerge, which he has to learn to embrace. Worse yet, he’s having strange visions of gruesome murders that actually happened as if he was there. Now Neal, Gail, and friends are wondering if he is truly going rabid. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they find the truth is far worse and more insidious than anyone could imagine. Aftermath is a mystery suspense continuation to Zip Line that will grip you from beginning until the very end.

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BOOK TOUR: Crown of Earth and Sky by Emerly Ash

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Welcome to the tour for the book that started it all! Crown of Earth and Sky is the first book in the Arthurian inspired romantasy series, Secrets of the Faerie Crown by Emberly Ash. You can read the complete series on Kindle unlimited now!

Crown of Earth and Sky (Secrets of the Faerie Crown Book 1)

Publication Date: September 2023

Genre: Romantasy

What do I want?
A quick death.
Barring that, I only dream of one thing—revenge.

Veyka Pendragon was crowned queen in a farce fit for any circus. Now, as her traitorous court plots around her, the new Queen of the Elemental Fae must take revenge on the humans who betrayed her while also guarding a dangerous secret.

The arrival of her betrothed, the storied Brutal Prince, is merely another cog in the wheels of time and space spinning around her.

Arran Earthborn is the strongest terrestrial fae in millennia. If Veyka wishes to keep the peace her ancestors fought and died for, she must join with him soon.

But the Brutal Prince has not earned his name by playing nice. The torture he exacts will enrage and enflame her—and endanger a secret that would rip their world to shreds.

The days are slipping by.
Very soon I will have to choose…
The crown that destroyed my life but protects my kingdom…
Or settling the scores that haunt my every step.

Crown of Earth and Sky is a twisted mythology retelling of the Arthur legend. It is a high-steam fantasy romance with dark elements.

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