Guest Post & Giveaway: Delia Hayward, Author of From Turmoil to Peace

 

Delia Hayward, one of eight children, grew up during the Hippie Era in a dysfunctional family, for whom emotional and physical abuse was a normal occurrence of her childhood.

Her marriage further deteriorated what little self-esteem she retained from her childhood. Perhaps these torments are what made her desperately seek God and a personal relationship with Him.

When her marriage fell apart, she rose to the challenge of raising three sons alone. With the help of God and sheer determination, Delia managed to instill positive self-esteem and a love for God into the hearts of the next generation.

As you read this book, may you also find hope in the midst of your storm, and may God bring you from turmoil to peace.

GUEST POST:

Title: When Pain Meets Purpose — Sharing My Story and God's Grace

 

Writing my story felt like standing at the edge of a cliff and trusting God to carry me across the canyon. It was terrifying, exhilarating, and deeply healing. Putting your life on paper—especially the parts marked by trauma, heartbreak, and spiritual transformation—is no easy task. You're laying your soul bare for strangers to read. But for me, the thought that my story could help someone feel less alone, or guide them toward hope, made it all worth it. I’ve received messages from readers saying they couldn’t put the book down—and that alone has been one of the greatest confirmations that the risk of vulnerability was not in vain.

The journey from journaling my experiences to publishing a book was never a straight path. God planted the seed in my heart long before I could see the fruit. I always had the sense that my story wasn’t just mine to keep—it was meant to be shared. But it wasn’t until I was laid off from work in 2014 that the vision truly came into focus. I had started writing while working full-time, but progress was slow and sporadic. When the job fell away and doors didn’t open elsewhere, I felt a clear nudge from God: “This is the time. Finish it.” What felt like a loss of career turned out to be a divine invitation to create something lasting.  Throughout the process, my faith anchored me. I trusted that if God called me to write this book, He would also equip me to finish it. And He did—but not without patience. It took eleven years of starts and stops, before it finally came to life in printed form. I had to learn to wait, to be okay with God's timing, which rarely matched my own.

 

The most helpful companion in this journey, without question, was my relationship with God. In moments when self-doubt crept in or the words wouldn’t flow, I leaned on Him. I also had friends and family who encouraged me along the way, reminding me that the pain I endured had purpose, and that sharing it could bring healing—not just to me, but to others.  This book isn’t just a testimony—it’s a love letter to anyone walking through the fire, wondering if there's a way out. 

 Read sample here.

From Turmoil to Peace is available at Amazon and Barnes&Noble.

Delia Hayward is a proud mother of three wonderful sons, a beautiful granddaughter and a precious grandson. God put it on her heart to write this book "From Turmoil to Peace" so that people could benefit from her life experiences. She has been blessed and hopes her book blesses others.

You can visit her website at https://deliahayward.name/ and follow her at Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/delia.hayward.14. 

Giveaway Details:

Delia E. Hayward is giving away TWO $25 Amazon Gift Cards!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

• Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card.

• This giveaway starts August 18 and ends on September 18.

• Winner will be contacted via email on September 18.

• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck,

everyone!

ENTER TO WIN!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with Patricia Leavy, PhD, Author of Shooting Stars Above

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Recently, her novel The Location Shoot was featured in Ms. Career Girl's “10 Perfect Books to Get Your Fall Reading List Started” and She Reads in “Novels to Read if You Love Classic Movies” and was the 2024 Best Book Awards First Place Winner in Women’s Fiction. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine and serves on the board of the London Arts-Based Research Centre. In addition to writing, she enjoys movies, art, reading, and travel.

Website: https://patricialeavy.com

Order the book on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hzcJVe

Where did you grow up? 

Brookline, Massachusetts.

When did you begin writing? 

I’ve loved writing more than anything else for as long as I can remember. When I was little, I would orally recite stories for an adult to type. Then I would title and illustrate them, and then I would bind them with old wallpaper, glue, or staples. My mother saved a few of my earliest “books.” I have one in a plastic storage bag in my desk. It says I was six years old when I made it.

Do you write during the day, at night or whenever you can sneak a few moments? 

I write during the day. I write every single day—weekends, holidays, vacations. I don’t write all day every day, but I do write every day. On vacations I get up early just to have time to write in the hotel room and I often find coffee shops or museum cafés where I can sit and write.

What is this book about? 

It’s a love story. Really, it’s about the power of love to help us heal our visible and invisible wounds, and the struggle to balance darkness and light in our lives. The story follows world-famous inspirational novelist Tess Lee and counterterrorism agent Jack Miller. Both have given so much to others, but haunted by past violence, neither has been able to find personal happiness. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story.

What inspired you to write it? 

When I was ten years old, I tried to write a novel. I don’t remember all the details, but it was a love story about two people who help each other heal. I wasn’t able to finish it at the time. I think the seed lived inside of me my entire life. One night several years ago, I stepped out onto the balcony of my home office and looked up at the stars. Like a bolt, Shooting Stars Above came to, as a complete book. I wrote the first draft in only ten days. It was magical. I believe Shooting Stars Above is the book I tried to write when I was ten. There’s a saying that “hurt people hurt people.” Sometimes that isn’t true. Sometimes people in pain are able to love others in extraordinary ways. That’s the core inspiration behind the book.

Was the road to publication smooth sailing or a bumpy ride?

It was mostly smooth sailing because it’s my fourth novel with this publisher. I absolutely love working with them and have learned their processes pretty well at this point. The one difficult thing is that I’ve dealt with several major personal challenges in the months leading up to the release—several deaths including my mentor and my beloved dog who I had for fifteen and a half years. It’s really hard to get into a promotion mindset when you’re experiencing deep grief and loss.

Where can readers purchase a copy of your book?

It's available everywhere books are sold. Readers ordering online can look at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, or they can visit the She Writes Press or Simon & Schuster webpages for the book to see a range of options. You can always try your local independent bookstore too, and if they don’t carry it, they can order it.

What is one piece of advice you would like to share with aspiring authors everywhere? 

Develop a relationship with your work that is not dependent on anything external—positive or negative.

What is up next for you? 

I fell so deeply in love with the characters in Shooting Stars Above that it became a series called The Celestial Bodies Romances. There are six books written to date and I genuinely love each more than the one before. We’ll be releasing one each spring. Shooting Stars Above includes the first chapter of the next book, Twinkle of Doubt. Each novel takes place a year after the last and follows the same characters, although some fun new characters are introduced across the series too. Each series title explores love and a different theme. The first book is about love and healing. Other topics include doubt, intimacy, trust, commitment, and faith. While there are different kinds of dramatic events that happen in each book, I can promise you each is filled with love, a few laughs, and hopefully a bit of inspiration. While each novel is a contained stand-alone book, and there are no cliffhangers, if you read the entire series there is also a larger narrative arc. Really, the series is about learning to balance lightness and darkness in our lives so that we may live in full color. Before the next series book comes out, I’m releasing a different novel called Cinematic Destinies on September 2, which is already available for preorder. It’s a romance with multiple love stories and a fun film shoot in Iceland. It’s a total feel-good for readers who enjoy Hollywood love stories with heart. I loved writing it.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Shooting Stars Above has held my hand and wrapped me in the warmest embrace for quite some time. I hope it does the same for readers. I hope it brings a sense of hope and love, and a reminder that kindness matters. Including be kind to ourselves.

Patricia Leavy will be awarding

a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman

 

Calypso Blue, the second book in the Len Buonfiglio Mystery Series by Brian Silverman, is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours. 

BLURB: In Calypso Blue, Brian Silverman crafts a gripping tale of mystery, revenge, and redemption set against the backdrop of New York and the Caribbean. The novel follows John Saint John, a man torn between his faith, past, and responsibilities as a father, as he grapples with a life-altering decision driven by a desire for justice. As his story unfolds in the shadow of a significant historical event, another narrative emerges—one centered on Leonard Buonfiglio, an American expatriate running a bar on the island of St. Pierre. When a legendary calypso singer, Lord Ram, dies under suspicious circumstances, Leonard is reluctantly pulled into an investigation at the behest of the island’s police superintendent.

Blending elements of crime, culture, and personal reckoning, Calypso Blue explores themes of loss, second chances, and the ghosts of the past that refuse to be forgotten. With vivid storytelling and rich atmospheric detail, Silverman transports readers into a world where music, memory, and mystery intertwine.

COVER: What's not to like about this cover? Its colors work with the title, the picture captures the setting, and the cold, dark feel of the water hints at the icy secrets about to unfold. 

FIRST CHAPTER: The day starts out as a normal one for Len, as he drives down to the dock for his latest alcohol shipment for the bar he opened in St. Pierre when he moved from New York. That's when he hears about Lord Ram being in the hospital. His day goes from bad to worse once he arrives at the bar and his best friend, Tubby, tells him he better expect a busy time because rumor on the island is his bar, Sporting Place, will be hosting the fete to pray for Lord Ram. After a long day entertaining what is likely the entire island, the bad news comes: the Lord is dead.

KEEP READING: My, oh my! What a ride this first chapter is. Calypso Blue opens with two prefaces--one with John St. John in New York, and the other in St. Pierre, where Len is plagued once again by a recurring dream. Silverman wastes no time bringing the reader to the day of the fete. Filled with numerous characters, including Tubby, who we met in the first book, Freedom Drop, and Superintendent Keith McWilliams of the St. Pierre Police Department, who Len has a complicated friendship with, considering he kind of gets pulled into investigations from time to time. Through the eyes of Tubby, the reader also gets a glimpse of the islanders' distrust for the local police. While I felt the first chapter of Calypso Blue overloaded my brain with new characters, this appears like it will be just as wonderfully told as the first book. I will definitely continue.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F2S5TPW8
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Down & Out Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 277 pages
• Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled 

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery
Published by: June 30, 2025 by Down & Out Books

Read an excerpt from CALYPSO BLUE:

I received a copy of this book from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. 

Tour Participants:

Ready to visit the caribbean? Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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First Chapter Review & Giveaway: Freedom Drop by Brian Silverman

 

Freedom Drop, the first book in the Len Buonfiglio Caribbean Mystery Series, is on tour with Partners in Crime Tours. 

BLURB:  Len Buonfiglio is a former New York bar owner and family man. He has the perfect life until he yearns for more—for something he knows will destroy everything he had, but something he can’t resist. He makes his choice and that, along with a traumatic event, shatters his world. His life and what he had now broken, his only choice is to leave the city and his family. His flight takes him to the remote Caribbean island of St. Pierre where he opens a sports bar that he runs with his friend and partner, a young local islander named Tubby Levett.

In Freedom Drop, a genial tour guide, Rawle “Big Tree” Johns is a suspect in an American woman’s fall from a cliff and held in custody. John’s mother enlists Buonfiglio to help free her son and to prove that he had nothing to do with the woman’s death. Conflicted by the need to spend time with his sixteen-year-old daughter who he hasn’t seen in two years, Mr. Len as he’s known on the island, reluctantly agrees to help.

Buonfiglio’s search for the truth reveals that there are other, much more powerful forces involved in the woman’s death that threaten both his life and his family. In the course of his investigation, he confronts a high-ranking island politician, the local superintendent of police, the dead girl’s mother, and, ultimately, a shady yet powerful outsider investor. Was the girl’s death an accident or did Johns cause that accident? Or was she murdered? The lack of clarity—the mystery of what really happened to the girl—he realizes, reflects the enigma that is St. Pierre. It’s a riddle that, despite living on the island for several years, he still cannot solve.

COVER: What a beautiful cover! Love the colors, the texture, and the deep blue sky with the moon adding a hint of mystery. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Len and his best friend on the island, Tubby, are driving to the airport. Numerous people descend the ladder as they make their way across the landing strip, but Len's eyes are on only one person.

KEEP READING: After a suspenseful and intense prologue that takes place in the past and sometime in the present, the reader finds Len and Tubby headed down the dangerous roads of St. Pierre to the airport. Silverman provides just the right amount of description to keep the reader engaged, without bogging them down with what they don't need to know yet. The friendly banter between Len and Tubby helps to lighten the emotions of the trip. The reader must wonder at this point how many, if any, of these other new arrivals to the island will play a bigger role, but the one Len has been waiting for will certainly be part of the story. I'm eager to see what happens next!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DTJ8TSMW
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Down & Out Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled 
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 301 pages 
• Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled 

Read an excerpt from FREEDOM DROP:  

I received a copy of this book from the author. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Tour Participants:

Ready to visit the caribbean? Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brian Silverman. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here! 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

Book Blast & Giveaway: In Search of Recognition by Jim McAllister

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

In Search of Recognition: The Story of Search and Rescue in British Columbia provides background on why and how organized volunteer search and rescue became a reality in the province, and how search and rescue evolved over many years to meet the increasing demands of finding lost people and rescuing those injured outdoors. The primary focus of the thousands of volunteers is to save the lives of persons lost or injured outdoors; training and fundraising for equipment and other costs also require time and energy. Through personal involvement and references, the author provides insights into how funding and other support for the volunteer service was achieved, through government, responsible agencies, organizations and individuals working together to find ways to assist those who strive "so others may live."

Read an Excerpt

Civil defence continued to be the focus of all levels of government in BC during the 1960s. The cold war standoff between the Soviet Union and the United States and its allies continued to escalate as nuclear capabilities grew. Air raid siren tests were common along with drills in schools in BC. Citizens in Comox were treated to the sights and sounds of Voodoo fighter jets launching to intercept Russian long-distance bombers. The RCAF remained the lead for air and marine search and rescue, from their base on Sea Island. Searches for missing aircraft and vessels in distress were numerous, as technology such as tracking and alerting systems were yet to be developed or in their infancy.

About the Author: Jim McAllister has been involved in search and rescue for over 45 years, starting as a volunteer member in the Rocky Mountains in 1977 with Golden and District SAR and then Cranbrook SAR. He became the SAR specialist for the Province of B.C. in 2002. In 2008, Jim retired from the provincial government as a director with Emergency Management British Columbia and became a volunteer director for special projects with the British Columbia Search and Rescue Association. Jim has been involved with many major projects: the establishment of Avalanche Canada, the updating of volunteer reimbursement rates, the establishment of health and safety guidelines, the formation of a joint health and safety committee, Swiftwater Rescue standards, sustainable funding for search and rescue and the establishment of the British Columbia Search and Rescue Volunteer Memorial. Jim wrote a book on the last project, titled A Monument to Remember, and one on incidents, titled One Week in August: Stories from Search and Rescue in British Columbia.

Amazon: https://amazon.com/dp/1779627394
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/519145.Jim_McAllister

Jim McAllister will be awarding a

$10 Amazon/BN gift card to

a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Blurb Blitz & Giveaway: Cowboy Watch by Petie McCarty

 

 

The Watchers Series—Fallen angels cast out of heaven by the archangel Michael for coercing with Satan to gain control. Some of these conspirators—duped late in the game by Satan’s lies—doubled back to seek redemption for their unwitting betrayal. Offered parole in exchange for penance, these Watchers are given the toughest bodyguard missions with little leeway for success. 

One last chance.

These are their stories . . . 

Cowboy Watch: 

Someone—or something—wants Kellen out of town . . . 

Kellen Brand’s inheritance comes as a monumental shock—a rundown farm she doesn’t want and one paroled Watcher all her own. Kellen’s eccentric mother believed Watchers to be fallen angels seeking penance by guarding individuals who had lost their way. Seriously? A Watcher? Only her mother . . . 

Since Kellen vows no sane woman would choose to live in Riverside, she’s on a mission to dump the old farm fast and to the first buyer who comes along. Unfortunately for her, the only buyer is a resort developer, spurned by a townful of objectors and one handsome cowboy—her neighbor, Luke Thornton. Luke must block Kellen’s farm sale or risk exposure of his own family’s secrets. He can ill afford his immediate and compelling attraction to his new neighbor. 

Someone is watching Kellen, but not who she thinks. Someone deadly and intent on scaring her out of town. Or worse. Luke has a hellish choice to make—step in and rescue Kellen from her threats, or to protect his family, stand by and watch . . .

EXCERPT

A familiar aroma wafted up from the river, a combination of humus, plant material, microscopic plankton, and a touch of fish. Unable to stop the smile slowly stretching across her face, she untied her sneakers, rolled up her jeans, and slipped into the icy water. She immediately gasped and felt her smile deepen to a grin. Remaining in the soothing current for a long time, she absorbed her surroundings as trout darted in and around the submerged rocks to grab their plankton lunch. 

A horse suddenly whickered behind her, followed by the telltale creak of a saddle. Too close for comfort. The back of her neck prickled. Ankle deep in the water, she couldn’t make a decent sprint for the car, and Kellen regretted her impulse to visit this deserted stretch of riverbank. 

Easing around, she spied the towering silhouette of a powerfully built man astride a huge black stallion no more than ten yards away. The rider’s face lay shadowed beneath a wide-brimmed Stetson. The cowboy made an impressive and, at this moment, intimidating sight—a throwback from the frontier days of the Wild West. 

The horse whickered again and sidestepped away from the edge of the embankment, forcing the cowboy to twist around to keep her in sight. She could feel his dark eyes scanning every inch of her. The intensity in his gaze raised goose bumps on her arms, and a tiny shiver edged up her spine. Trapped here along the edge of the river, she felt vulnerable yet strangely unafraid. Would he come any closer? 

A horn blared up on the highway, and she jumped with a yelp. The big horse reared at the sound of her cry, and Kellen caught a brief glimpse of the cowboy’s dark eyes, eyes that could stare right through to a girl’s soul. She scrunched her own eyes shut and forced herself to breathe. When she opened them, the rider was gone. Had she imagined him? Another mild shiver rifled up her spine. No, the fearsome rider was definitely real.

PURCHASE FROM:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/petie-mccarty

http://www.amazon.com/author/petiemccarty

Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The  Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time.

These days Petie spends her time writing new Cinderella series tales, her new The Watchers series, sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and more contemporary romance standalones to go along with her two previous releases—Any Fin For Love and Ambush in the Everglades.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who will make a cameo appearance in the upcoming Book 2 of The Watchers, Christmas Watch. 

Visit Petie's website online at http://www.petiemccarty.com or her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty. 

Other Links:

https://x.com/authorpetie

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094579.Petie_McCarty

Petie McCarty will be awarding

a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to 

a randomly drawn winner. 

  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review & Giveaway: Side Launch by Brock Martin

 

Immerse yourself in the history of the Canadian Navy's involvement in World War II and The Battle of the Atlantic with Side Launch by Brock Martin.

Lieutenant Ian Thompson is skeptical as the mass produced, mid-sized warship the Corvette is rolled out. But Canada is determined to help Great Britain against Germany in the conflict. 

Kate, also known as the daughter of S.D. Andrews, is close with Ian, a friend of her brother, Robbie. And Ian's correspondence acknowledges their close friendship. As their friendship blossoms into something deeper, the wartime stakes increase, and for Kate, working in a field where her gender is seen as a disadvantage, the stakes could be even higher.

If you enjoy a well-researched historical, Side Launch is definitely that. It has a level of detail that one expects from a Tom Clancy novel. Leaning on personal experience and knowledge, Martin crafts a novel steeped in specific military and technical accuracy. The hint of romance softens some of those rougher sides of this type of novel. The characters are interesting and engaging, and I came away with a feeling of what the conflict looked like for someone outside of the United States.

Where I struggled as a reader was with the extensive narration and abundance of backstory. I'm a drop me into the middle of the action and sprinkle the backstory in as you go along kind of person. Side Launch simply isn't that kind of story. It's not categorized as a thriller, so the slow and steady pace isn't an issue. It's just that I felt distanced from the characters because of the paragraphs and paragraphs of narration and backstory. That doesn't mean it isn't a good story. It's just not told in a way that I came away breathless and eager for more. 

If you enjoy Tom Clancy, then Side Launch should be right up your alley.

Excerpt:

There was a collective sigh as the Collingwood entered St. John’s port, even the ship relaxed with calm waters. The crew knew there was work to do but the pressure of performance was eased. The stress of the war was left outside the harbour or that’s how it felt. The HMCS Collingwood arrived at night and the entrance was as the Chief had explained. The access to the harbor was intimidating, much like trying to go through a hole in the wall. They had to navigate a narrow passage between rock walls, until they could relax at the opening of the bay. It was easy to imagine pirates entering the port hundreds of years ago. 

The relaxed atmosphere didn’t last long. The next day in the officers’ wardroom Ian could hear what he imagined was the beginning of a fierce argument. Ian was focused on writing a letter to his father so he kept his head down and tried his best to stay out of it. The wardroom was a lively place and arguments and banter could, and often did, break out over any topic. Ian was reluctant to pull rank in this setting, and preferred to let it ride. This was the place where his officers should be able to feel free to express any concerns. He liked and respected all his officers and most of the time any conflict was good-spirited and he felt confident they could work it out. It was most often Davies who would stir the pot. He had a gift of pulling the right levers, getting Kendrick and Plasket going. At times, Ian found it entertaining and the banter reminded him of his college days with Robert and the many useless arguments they would have for the sake of arguing.

• Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0228860180

  Chapters Indigo: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/side-launch/9780228860181-item.html

  BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/side-launch-brock-martin/1141317544

• 
  
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09WZK4XND
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tellwell Talent (March 30, 2022)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 30, 2022
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 4423 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 316 pages
• 
  

GIVEAWAY!!!!

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a digital copy from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Long and Short Reviews 17th Anniversary Party & Giveaway!!!

Like books? No matter the genre, we have a great place for you to find your next favorite read!

Long and Short Reviews is celebrating their 17th (wow!) anniversary, but you get the gifts. They're featuring more than 50 books in all genres from romance to science fiction, young adult to poetry... no matter your reading preferences, you can find something to enjoy!

What could possibly be better than that? 

How about a chance to win one of two $100 Amazon GCs, of course! Think of how many books you could buy... 

Once you're arrived at the Long and Short Reviews site, simply read through the book posts each day and answer a simple question (or follow authors on their social media accounts) and you're entered to win. New chances to enter every day! So, go visit and enter and don't forget to tell a friend or two. Good luck!

Contest runs from August 19-23, 2024.

First Chapter Review and Giveaway: Truth and Dare by Ann M. Trader

 

I received a digital copy of this first chapter from Goddess Fish Promotions. Read all the way through to learn more about this book tour's giveaway. 

BLURB: A bright and talented environmental engineer, Goldie Vreeland understands facts and figures, but Max Corda, her secret office obsession, remains a puzzle. On the eve of a business trip to a coastal island, fate intervenes, pairing her with her sexy crush. As she thinks about sharing the same space with Max for a week, her world veers dangerously off course.

Fueled by success as engineer and president of his family’s firm, recently divorced Max needs to jumpstart his life. When his father unexpectedly assigns him to Goldie’s project, his closely guarded attraction to her comes front and center. Thoughts of spending a week alone with this beautiful intelligent woman make his internal compass glitch.

Romance stirs with the island breeze, so simple when they’re hundreds of miles away from normal. But as Goldie and Max return to reality, will they discover real love is more than a game?

COVER: Clever and quirky. Takes into account the characters' occupations. A bit plain for my tastes, but the simplicity, the compass, and the bold color work. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Max, still smarting from his divorce, is cornered by his father and brother into closing a deal on a coastal island. He is already irritated, but once he finds out Goldie Vreeland is joining him, he would rather do anything than spend time on the Shembery Isle project. 

KEEP READING: Definite yes! The reader only meets Max, his father, and brother in the opening chapter, but Goldie is mentioned. This story opens in Max's point of view, so the reader gets insight into his coping mechanisms, his family dynamic, and his attraction to Goldie. Trader's strong opening chapter creates a desire to learn more about Max and Goldie, who will take over the point of view in the next chapter. The witty family banter is entertaining and relatable. I'm eager to read more!

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wild Rose Press (July 15, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 250 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1509255796
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509255795

EXCERPT:

A trio of knocks interrupted my thoughts, and I glanced at my watch. Right on time. My shoes—timeless black Italian leather pumps worth every dollar I doled out on them—clicked on the parquet tile as I approached the door…and opened it to him. 

Max’s muscular frame filled the doorway, a mesmerizing vision, sexy as hell and completely effortless on his part. He had the lean, sculpted torso and long legs of a runway model, but none of the cushy edges. I leaned on the door, imagining his physique was every tailored suit’s dream. Every woman’s, too. I swallowed a tiny sigh, convinced God must’ve cashed in all His chips when He created Max Corda. 

 I straightened, holding my purse in my hands. “Hi.” 

 “Hello,” Max said, smiling. 

 I caught myself gazing at his lips a little too long, and looked away, praying I wasn’t wearing a blush to match my heated cheeks. 

 “You look lovely.” He crossed his arms, the move accentuating the breadth of his chest. “I know we’re here on business.” His gaze skimmed up and down my body. “But when you come to the door looking like this, Shembery’s integrated water management strategies are the last thing on my mind.” 

 My breath hitched, awestruck his thoughts mirrored mine. I’d studied Max to distraction for seventeen weeks, four days—no, make that three—and I liked him. Very much.

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I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This First Chapter Review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Ann M. Trader will award a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. 

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