Maz, Origin by T.L. Ford

 Please welcome T.L. Ford author of Maz, Origin

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

Maz, Origin

by T.L. Ford

 

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GENRE: Sci-fi/Science Fiction

 

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INTERVIEW:

What are four things you can’t live without?

Shelter, water, fire, and food.  Things that would hurt me to be without: my husband, my cats, my extended family, my friends, my computer.

What is your favorite television show?

Babylon 5 with Gilmore Girls coming in at a close second.

If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be? Why?

Definitely a sci-fi character because I'd like the more advanced tech and the ability travel to other planets and meet sentient aliens, but I'm having a hard time saying which one.  I'd like love and family and friends, tech, enough resources to live comfortably, health, and wisdom and youth, for the best possible life for as long as possible.

What have you got coming soon for us to look out for?

Artwork, probably.  I usually play a bit with that while writing another story.  Readers read a lot faster than writers write.  "Soon" can be a bit challenging.

What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

This is a hard one.  I read so many different things and I tend to pick up the writing style of whoever I've been reading.  I have to be careful to get my own style back when I'm writing.  Sometimes I look at how particularly good paragraphs are written or how a book's plot was designed and assembled and ponder how I might do something similar.

BLURB:

 

Entering the witness relocation program after lawfully escaping a massive walled-in prison, teenage Merrill tries to fit into our society. Her background and decisions may not let her.

 

Maz, Origin is a story of growth and love, guilt and innocence, and changing goals. What is morally right and what is legally right? What's legal for humans may not be for aliens...

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

I heard shots being fired from below.  They were aiming at the helicopter or the guy that landed on the scaffolding above me.  The sign offered some level of protection, but they'd move into position directly below shortly.  "It's ok, miss, we'll have you out of here in a jiff.  Are you hurt?"  The man began to wiggle through the bars, which was no small feat because he was wearing some sort of heavy armor.

 

He reached down toward me, and I hesitated, terrified of grabbing that hand and leaving my life behind.  He clenched his teeth in frustration and urged me, "Come on, miss!  Just take my hand."

 

Gunfire from below decided for me.  I lifted my good arm, and he latched onto me.  As he jerked me upwards, pain shot through my shoulder and abdomen.  I gave up life and slipped into darkness.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

T. L. Ford is a programmer, writer, and artist. She spent most of her professional career supporting the Patuxent River Naval Air Station in southern Maryland.  Her science fiction novels imagine possibilities while focusing on society and personal relationships and decisions.  Her fantasy novels are heavily influenced by Dungeons & Dragons and are light "weekend reads".  She's also created two art books, a thriller novella, and an interactive math iBook.  She enjoys sailing, hiking, and spending time with her family.

 

 

https://cattail.nu/books/maz_origin/

https://www.Cattail.Nu

https://www.facebook.com/theresa.ford.52

https://www.instagram.com/theresa.ford/

https://www.amazon.com/T.-L.-Ford/e/B0034Q6Q2S

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Maz-Origin-T-L-Ford-ebook/dp/B0BBBXXC2J/ref=sr_1_1c

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon/BN.com gift card.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4366

A Particle of You: Love Poetry by Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis

 Please welcome Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis authors of  A Particle of You: Love Poetry

Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis will be awarding an ePub copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

A Particle of You: Love Poetry

by Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis

 

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GENRE:   Romantic Poetry

 

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BLURB:

 

In this new collection from well-established authors Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis, enjoy a series of love poems delicately crafted to stimulate emotional and endearing aspects of our deep connections with each other.

Cendrine and David have selected poems for this volume that perfectly capture feelings and nuances relating to romantic notions. They explore how love can fundamentally shape and change you, how it can feed your innermost muses/desires and ultimately how it can define you as a person, if you fully embrace it with every fibre of your being.

Love need not be scary or complicated. This collection shows us that even the simplest of intimate gestures can mean more to us when speaking from the heart and soul.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Loving You 

 

Loving you is easy. 


Your heart beats like 


The midnight breeze, 


Caressing the strings of my essence. 


 

Loving you is easy. 


Your smile tenderly 


Invites reveries, 


Exposing the chords of my mind. 



 

Loving you is easy. 


Your voice is like 


Music to my inner ear, 

And honey to my soul. 


 

Loving you means completeness. 

You answer the questions 

Of my inner interactions. 

You bless the seasons 


Of my secret divinity. 


God sent you to enlighten 

The epiphany of my pen, 


So that I can describe beauty 


In words and thoughts, 

And open the door to invisible realities.


 

Loving you makes me aware 

Of my purpose in life. 


 

Loving you brings me peace. 

 

Loving you… 


 

Loving you… 



 

Is easy.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Cendrine Marrouat is a poet, photographer, author, and creator of literary forms. She has released more than 40 books, including Tree Reflections (2022), In Her Own Words: A Collection of Short Stories & Flashku (2022), After the Fires of Day: Haiku Inspired by Kahlil Gibran & Alphonse de Lamartine (2021), Songs in Our Paths: Haiku & Photography (2020-2021), and In the Silence of Words: A Three-Act Play (2018). 

Cendrine's work has appeared in many publications. She is the creator of the Sixku, Flashku, Sepigram, Vardhaku, and Reminigram.

David Ellis is a poet, multi-genre writer/author and co-creator of literary forms, with a fondness for found poetry. 

He has released several poetry collections including Life, Sex & Death (which won an Inspirational Poetry Award), Soul Music the Colour of Magic, Lemons, Vinegar & Unvarnished Truths, See A Dream Within (based on the entire collected poetic works of Edgar Allan Poe), along with a Fifty Shades of Grey parody 50 Shapes of Cakes. 

Think of him like a thriller novel - fast paced, relentless and impossible to put down!

Cendrine and David are the founders of Auroras & Blossoms, a platform dedicated to positive and inspirational creativity. Its flagship publication, the PoArtMo Anthology has given a voice to artists ages 13 and over from around the world for the last three years. 

Cendrine and David have co-authored many books together, including Seizing the Bygone Light: A Tribute to Early Photography (2021) and Rhythm Flourishing: A Collection of Kindku and Sixku (2020). They have also created several poetry forms: the Kindku, the Pareiku, and the Hemingku.

 

Website: https://abpositiveart.com  

Email: info@abpositiveart.com 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ab_positiveart  


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abpositiveart

-  Formats available: Softcover, eBook, PDF 


-  Website: https://abpositiveart.com/particle-you  


-  Purchase link: https://books2read.com/particle-you 


-  Video trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9UddIcF60

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:

 

Cendrine Marrouat and David Ellis will be awarding an ePub copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4373

SHINING BRIGHTLY by Howard Brown

 Please welcome Howard Brown author of SHINING BRIGHTLY

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.

SHINING BRIGHTLY

by Howard Brown

 

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GENRE:  Memoir

 

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing? In today’s world of conflict where selfishness is often celebrated as a winning strategy—I’m sharing with the world a potent antidote to that dangerous message.

 

 

2. What elements are necessary components for this genre? Honesty, accuracy and balance. In the three years I wrote and edited my memoir, I checked countless details and often found that elements of stories I wanted to tell were slightly different than I remembered them. More than once, this opened up remarkable new stories I could share. I discovered, for example, that one grandfather who served in World War II also was a regular correspondent to a small newspaper back home. That turned out to be quite an inspiring story of resiliency during the traumas of World War II, when he wound up injured in one leg and kept going with the U.S. Army in Italy and his correspondence to the local newspaper.

 

 

3. How did you come up with your idea for your book?

Shining Brightly everyday does make the world a better place.

 

 

4. What expertise did you bring to your writing? My book rests on three major areas of my life where I have spoken to groups and led workshops nationwide: Cancer survivorship (I’m a two-time survivor of stage IV cancer), mentorship and entrepreneurial spirit (I was one of the early Silicon Valley pioneers), and interfaith peacemaking (my behind-the-scenes work has helped to promote peace both in the U.S. and around the world).

 

 

5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? I am a twin to my sister CJ Brown Gingras

 

 

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? Already, I’m crisscrossing the United States, in person, to speak to groups about the messages of hope and resiliency in my book. I plan to continue as a speaker, consultant, workshop leader and will continue to write both online and in a future book.

 

7. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?In October 2019 and through Covid, we recorded via zoom 200+ meetings and I invited family, friends, mentors, camp counselors, doctors and other influential people in my life to record with me and my editor David Crumm.

 

 

8. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? Worst advice from a friend: Write a book; it’s easy.

Best advice from my editor David Crumm at Front Edge Publishing: He told me there are hundreds of steps in writing and publishing a book, so don’t get discouraged or let any one step prevent you from finishing. I thought it would take 1 year and it has taken 3

 

 

9. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

We outlined this book in our first meetings and then adapted that outline as we went.

 

 

 

10. How do you maintain your creativity?

As a 2 time stage IV cancer survivor – I am blessed, grateful and lucky to be alive. My purpose now is to motivate, educate and inspire.

 

BLURB:

 

In Shining Brightly, Silicon Valley pioneer, cancer survivor and interfaith peacemaker Howard Brown shares keys to resilience for successful entrepreneurs, patient advocates and community leaders. He shows us how to reach out through our families, our communities and around the world to form truly supportive connections and friendships. From Howard’s career as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, to his conquering metastatic stage IV cancer twice, to his compassionate outreach as a peacemaker, to his love of sports—this ultimately is not one man’s story. Shining Brightly is a story shared by countless men and women—and may wind up changing your life as well. With each true story he tells in the pages, Howard invites readers to picture how they might join him in shining more light in our world.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Sprinkled through all the adventures in this book—some of them ordinary, heartwarming family stories and some of them so remarkable you will be tempted to call them miraculous—there are truths like this one Bubby Bertha was trying to explain that morning on the sidewalk in Worcester, Massachusetts. There are more to come, but here are four of these truths as we set out on our journey together in these pages: 

 

• Each of us has our own special light. 

 

• We shine more brightly when we share our light with others. 

 

• True resiliency—the kind that is strong enough to overcome trauma at seemingly impossible odds—      rests on letting in the light of others. 

 

• As our light circles the world, we illuminate and celebrate our diversity. 

 

I’m sharing these truths right away so that perhaps you’ll turn down the corner of this page and flip back to it from time to time. This is your book as much as it is mine, after all, and I wrote it with the intention that you will mark it up and return to its pages occasionally for inspiration. Plus, as you read through these chapters, you’ll find lots of ideas for fun and inspiring things you can do to shine your light in the world.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Howard Brown is an author, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, interfaith peacemaker, two-time stage IV cancer survivor and healthcare advocate. For more than three decades, Howard’s business innovations, leadership principles, mentoring and his resilience in beating cancer against long odds have made him a sought-after speaker and consultant for businesses, nonprofits, congregations, and community groups. In his business career, Howard was a pioneer in helping to launch a series of technology startups before he co-founded two social networks that were the first to connect religious communities around the world. He served his alma matter—Babson College, ranked by US News as the nation’s top college for entrepreneurship—as a trustee and president of Babson’s worldwide alumni network. His hard-earned wisdom about resilience after beating cancer twice has led him to become a nationally known patient advocate and “cancer whisperer” to many families. Visit Howard at ShiningBrightly.com to learn more about his ongoing work and contact him. Through that website, you also will find resources to help you shine brightly in your own corner of the world. Howard, his wife Lisa and daughter Emily currently reside in Michigan.

 

http://www.shiningbrightly.com 

 

Link to buy: 

https://www.amazon.com/Shining-Brightly-resilience-entrepreneur-interfaith/dp/1641801476/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4371

Bentley by Megan Slayer

 Please welcome Megan Slayer author of Bentley

The author will be awarding prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner.

Bentley

by Megan Slayer

 

GENRE:  Contemporary Erotic Paranormal Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

I call on the fates to bring my love to me. As I will it, so mote it be…

 

Natalie Harvey wants a guy who not only understands baseball, but supports her love of the game. When she meets bad-boy first baseman for the Cougars, Bentley Turner, she can’t help but fall for him. He’s sexy, strong, athletic and irresistible. He’s her perfect man, but what if he’s not interested? The spark is there, and she decides to invoke the spell. Why not?

 

She’s ready to summon her very own bad boy and try her luck with love.

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

“How about instead of going to the game, you come to the bar with us?” Sarah asked.

 

“I already have tickets, and I’m not wasting them.” At least not wasting one of them.

 

Sarah rolled her eyes. “You get tickets for free because of your job.”

 

“So?” That didn’t mean she should waste the chance to go. “I do have to keep tabs on the players.”

 

“Would you happen to be looking to hook up with one of those players?” Sarah folded her arms. “Some of those soccer players are pretty hot.”

 

“Baseball players are, too.” She shouldn’t have said that. “But they’re like other guys. They find out I’m a sportscaster and want things from me that I can’t give them. I don’t seem to find any decent guys. I meet athletes who want to get noticed and drunks who spill things and also want to get noticed.” She’d been kissed three times because she’d been caught on the kiss camera. Why did the person running the camera insist on putting her on the spot? The guys who’d kissed her weren’t attractive and none had her permission.

 

“I need to find someone for you for the spell,” Sarah said. “There has to be someone.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com. 

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj 

Website, Blog, Fan Page, Amazon Author Page, Bookbub, Instagram, Goodreads, and Twitter

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

The author will be awarding prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner.

 

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4363

Never Play Fair by Leah Cupps

 Please welcome Leah Cupps author of Never Play Fair

Leah Cupps will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Never Play Fair

by Leah Cupps

 

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GENRE: Mystery Thriller

 

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INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing?

I took a Masterclass by James Patterson. It was a gift from my father for my 40^th birthday. Taking his class really inspired me!

2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?

The necessary components for any good thriller are engaging characters, intense pressuer and lots of action.

3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?

Never Play Fair is a continuation of Sydney Evans story. After I finished my first novel What Lies in Paradise, my readers had so many questions about what happens next! This book is my answer to those readers.

4. What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I have a background in marketing, so I really gravitate towards quick and snappy copy. Every word matters!

5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?

I am a serial entrepreneur and have built and sold five companies since 2014.

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

I am dying to write a psychological thriller. This is my personal genre of choice to read right now. 

7. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?

Probably Alex Birch! I’d love to know what it’s like to be in the FBI.

8. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?

Alex isn’t the only character who has been kidnapped…

9. Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder your writing?

I use beta readers on every book to help me refine the story.

10. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?

I am a self published author.

11. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)

Write what you know. My philosophy is write what you want to know. Research is a fun part of the process!

13. How do you maintain your creativity? I try to take breaks and watch movies, and read for fun.

14. Who is your favorite character in the book? Can you tell us why? Sydney is my favorite character because she perseveres through the story.

BLURB:

 

Can Sydney find her boyfriend in time, or will they both sink to the bottom of the Caribbean Sea?

 

Instagram Influencer Sydney Evans finds herself entangled in a criminal operation, orchestrated by the Department of Defense in order to bring down an online casino crime ring.

 

But she only has one motivation: find her FBI boyfriend Alex before he becomes collateral damage.

 

Sydney must navigate her way through an exclusive Casino yacht party in the middle of the Caribbean sea put on by none other than the notorious Costa Rican gangster, Vincente Estavez.

 

Never Play Fair is a fast-paced standalone thriller. If you like real-world issues, lavish socialite parties, and electrifying twists and turns, then you’ll love Leah Cupps’ provocative cozy mystery.

 

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NOTE: The book is on sale for only $0.99.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Just two boats were left now, one already sidled up to the side of the ship, guests boarding one by one. Another waited about fifty feet away, giving the ship wide berth. 

 

A woman with long blonde hair and a tight-fitting black cocktail waited anxiously with the others.

 

 

A few moments ago, she had noticed a drop in temperature, a few darker clouds and a rumbling in the distance.

 

There was a storm coming.

 

She moved closer to the man who was standing beside her. His cell phone had been taken from him at some point, as had hers. So, they both had little to do but stand and wait. Talking about what had just happened might give them away. And they were so close.

 

The last passenger boarded the boat in front of them. She was an older woman with white hair that was slicked back against her skull. The last lights from the yacht reflected on her sequined gown, the sparkles glimmering in the dark. Sydney watched her as if hypnotized.

 

After she had landed clumsily in her seat, the boat pulled away, and the last idling boat took its place. Sydney gripped the hand of the broad shouldered man next to her. Despite his size, his grip was weak. 

 

They exchanged a quick look. His eyes were clouded, but she could see the relief softening his features.

 

Almost there.

 

As they moved forward to board, she noticed the sudden silence in the air. The fire alarm had stopped. A jolt of fear ripped through her stomach. 

 

They must have put out the fire down below. Sydney looked around wildly.

 

Will the evacuation stop?

 

She pulled his hand towards the idling boat. They would be the first to board. The crew member on the boat gave her companion an odd look when he noticed his bloodied, swollen face.

 

“He fell on the steps,” she said, trying to assuage his alarm. The man simply nodded and gestured for him to move forward. The waves had gained strength in the last few minutes and the ropes from the boat stretched to their full length. The crew struggled to keep the smaller boat under control.

 

Another rope was tethered to the cleat alongside the massive yacht. A crew member reached for Sydney’s hand.

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Leah Cupps is an entrepreneur and author. She writes Middle Grade Mystery Adventure Books as well as Thriller, Mystery, Suspense for Adults.

 

Leah’s novels are fast-paced mysteries that will keep you up at night as you can’t wait to see what happens in the next chapter.

 

Leah lives in Indiana with her husband, three young children and three dogs. When she isn’t losing sleep writing her next novel or scaling her next business, she enjoys reading, golfing working out and spending time with her family.

 

Connect with Leah Online:

http://www.facebook.com/leahcuppsauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17178076.Leah_Cupps

 

Sign up for Leah’s VIP email list, and you'll automatically be notified as soon as her next book is released:

www.leahcupps.com

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Leah Cupps will be awarding a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

RAFFLECOPTER:

 

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f4358