Category: Book Release

Guest Post – Esther Chilton- Myths and Magic Book II in the Saffy’s Secret Quest Series

~ John W. Howell ~ 58 Comments

 

My thanks go to John, who has kindly agreed to take part in my blog tour. I’ve said before, but without people like John, it’s so hard to get news of your book out there. So I’m truly thankful.

Today, I’m on stop seven of the tour! So, what is my book about? Well, it’s for 5-7-year-old children, and it’s got a dragon in it, as well as an ogre, a fairy, and there’s plenty of magic. The lead character is a young girl called Saffy. Here’s a little bit more about Myths and Magic, book two in the Saffy’s Secret Quest Series:

The Blurb:

Saffy has solved the first clue in her quest to save the magical world of Mandoreum from danger. Now it’s time to find the second. 

She isn’t alone. Her new friend, Lily, a dragon from Mandoreum, wants to help. Together they take a trip and uncover special stories and unexpected surprises.

But Saffy soon learns that first appearances are not always what they seem. And plotting in the background is a witch who will do everything she can to stop them…

Extract:

Lily thumped her stump of a tail on the dressing table. Saffy knew her tail had once been long and elegant, so she could steer herself gracefully through the air, but that was before Narla’s spell. She looked at her new friend, feeling her frustration. The little dragon had been so excited when they worked out the first clue. Poor Lily’s skin had been covered in bald patches and her scales were hanging down. When they found the necklaces, the scales all came back, and shone once more. And the cracks in Mandoreum’s castle walls mended.

But Lily still had fluffy white balls of cotton wool instead of claws. She didn’t have any teeth, her wings were broken and she couldn’t even breathe the tiniest flame. Of course, she also had that tiny tail – all because of Narla.

If they couldn’t find the book, Mandoreum would remain dull. There wouldn’t be any

flowers, trees or green grass. But, worse than that, Lily, and everyone in Mandoreum, would be the way Narla had left them. Forever.

Lily sniffed.

“Don’t worry. I’m not about to give up. Even if I have to go round every single bookshop there is, I’m going to find that book,” Saffy said. “And there’s the library. It’s packed full of wonderful books. There must be hundreds of them, so they’re bound to have lots with dragons in. We’ll find the right book.”

“Thank you.” Lily dabbed her tears with one of the cotton wool balls.

“You really like that dragon, don’t you?”

Saffy’s head snapped round.

It was her mum. She hoped Mum hadn’t heard her talking to Lily – and Lily talking back. Mum thought the dragon was an ornament.

“Those scales look lovely. You must have given them a good scrub,” Mum said, coming further into the room.

Saffy laughed as Lily wrinkled her nose. She clearly didn’t like the sound of ‘a good scrub’. “Keep still!” Saffy whispered. “Otherwise Mum’ll see you.”

“It’s still raining,” Mum said, looking out the window. “I think it’s going to rain for the rest of your school holiday at this rate. Harry’s bored, so I thought we could take a trip to the museum this afternoon. They’ve got a new section which only opened this week.”

Saffy’s shoulders slumped. The museum was very interesting and she would like to see the new section. But she needed to find the book.

Author bio:

Esther has been a freelance writer for over twenty-five years, regularly writing articles and short stories for magazines and newspapers such as Writers’ Forum, Writing Magazine, The Guardian, Best of British, The Cat, This England, Yours and The People’s Friend.  

Winner of several competitions, including those run by Writing Magazine and The Global Short Story Contest, she has also had the privilege of judging writing competitions and relished being given the role of head judge of the Writers’ Forum monthly short story competition.

Esther loves writing but equally enjoys helping others, which she achieves in her role as a tutor for The Writers Bureau. Always on the lookout for a new challenge, she is taking the distance learning college over at the end of July.

She has had two how-to books on writing published, with a third due out later this year, as well as two collections of short stories. Her second children’s book is coming out in May, where she writes under the name of Esther Moonstomp.

Blogs: https://estherchilton.co.uk

https://esthermoonstomp.co.uk

Buying links:

Amazon UK:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myths-Magic-Saffys-Secret-Quest/dp/1806342103

E-book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GX6T5C6R

Amazon.com

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX6T5C6R

 

 

A New Book By Sally Cronin – Tales from the Irish Garden – The Missing Pieces

~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

 

I am pleased to help announce Sally Cronin’s newest book, Tales from the Irish Garden – The Missing Pieces. As you know, Sally is a large supporter of Indie authors and an author in her own right. So when she launches a book, it is an honor to help spread the word.

About the book

In the Irish Garden, there is fantasy, magic, friendship, and love to be found in this green and welcoming haven. For some of those who find their way to the garden, there is a renewal and an awakening of the spirit and special gifts lost through tragedy. For others, it is the end of a long and arduous journey to find their soulmate.

The Irish garden has been a sanctuary for centuries for those escaping persecution, invaders, and grief. Its guardian is the storyteller, a man who has lived for hundreds of years and who is part of a network of guardians around the world, offering a safe haven to those worthy of their protection.

It is not only humans who travel from afar to this garden, but also animals that are hurt or lost. One creature in particular has traveled across time following the elusive melody remembered from its time in an ancient civilization, a cat who has reached its ninth life.

You are welcome to join the storyteller, Finn, Lilah, Ramon, Michael, Bebechat, and Flaco in the garden to enjoy their company, discover their stories, and be amused at some of the antics they get up to as they finally find a peaceful home to call their own.

Head over to buy the book: Amazon UK – And: Amazon US

An early review

Alex Craigie Goodreads 22nd April 2026

I’m writing this review in April 2026 at a time when the world feels increasingly perilous and beset by greed, violence and intolerance. Never has there been a better time for this book by Sally Cronin to appear – an antidote to the horror we see and hear on the news, and a celebration of the goodness that resides in the hearts of the majority of people.

The second Tales from an Irish Garden ended with the ancient storyteller saying goodbye to Queen Filigree and her royal court as they moved back to a warmer climate. This book picks up the threads 200 years later. The storyteller is feeling lonely and missing the lively company he had so enjoyed. He comes across Finn, an Irishman who has suffered a terrible tragedy and he brings him back to the garden where he becomes his friend and handyman. Soon, an injured crow joins the sanctuary and comes in useful spotting troubling things from afar.

Lilah, a young healer fleeing for her life, is brought to the sanctuary by a friend of the storyteller and she rescues an orphaned, maltreated young boy who moves in with her and her mystery cat Bebechat. This small group flourishes and helps the wider village beyond the magical sanctuary.

As time passes, others are welcomed into the Irish Garden and fall under its spell. All is not perfect beyond the boundary, however, and a decision is made to stand against a serious threat from outside.

I love this book. It’s filled with hope, love, gentle humour and an appreciation of the earth in which we live and all the living things that inhabit it. Each character is different, adding something precious to the mix. Those who arrive in fear and despair form part of a healing environment that enriches them all.

This woven tapestry of tales shows how we may not be able to prevent all the evils in the world, but we can all do our part to make life kinder and safer for those around us and have a positive effect that may carry further than we can imagine.

Highly recommended. 

About Sally in Her Words

I have enjoyed a nomadic existence living in eight countries including Sri Lanka, Malta, South Africa, USA and Spain, before settling back here in Ireland. My work, and a desire to see some of the most beautiful parts of the world in the last forty years, has taken me to many more incredible destinations around Europe and Canada, and across the oceans to New Zealand and Hawaii. All those experiences and the people that I have met, provide a rich source of inspiration for my stories.

After a career in customer facing roles in the hospitality, retail, advertising and telecommunications industry, I wrote and published my first book in 1999 called Size Matters, about my weight loss journey, losing 154lbs in 18 months. This has been followed by 17 further fiction and non-fiction books, including a number of short story collections.

You can connect with her on her blog: Smorgasbord Blog Magazine Twitter: @sgc58 – Facebook: Sally Cronin – LinkedIn: Sally Cronin – Bluesky: @sallycronin.bsky.social

Sally’s Books

Congratulations, Sally. Wishing you all the best.

 

Guest Post – Jan Sikes Talks about Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 81 Comments

I have known Jan just about as long as I have been writing and blogging and am pleased to have her visit on the fourth stop on her tour. Her stories are always intriguing and very difficult to put down. Jan is here today to talk about her latest, so I will get out of the way and turn the post over to Jan.

Thank you, John, for allowing me to take over your blog and talk about my new book, Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics.

We all know stories can come from anywhere. There are things that happen in everyday life which can spark the imagination. That being said, some of the stories in this collection are loosely based on actual events. This excerpt is from a story inspired by one of those real moments. I hope it sparks your interest.

TAKING ANOTHER RIDE WITH CLYDE

Taylor Malone rested his tall, lean frame against the kitchen counter and shuffled through the most recent stack of unpaid bills, while his golden-haired wife brewed morning coffee. Maybe by day’s end, things would have a better outlook for them. With a new computer, he could complete the online real estate classes and get started making some real money.

JoAnne Malone shot him a worried look.

“I know, sugar.” He pulled her into an embrace and rested his chin on top of her head. “He’s been up drinking all night. But as soon as we get the new computer bought and set up, he’ll head back to Texas.”

JoAnne nodded. “Maybe you should offer him some breakfast and coffee.”

“Sure, babe.”

Taylor walked to the back door of the mobile home and called out. “Morning, Clyde. JoAnne’s making breakfast, and coffee’s on.”

Clyde Baker turned bleary eyes in his direction. “Thanks. I’ll take a cup of coffee.”

He stumbled when he reached the top step, and Taylor resisted the urge to steady him.

Under his breath, Clyde mumbled. “Damned uneven steps. You oughta’ get ‘em fixed.”

“I’ll add that to my list,” Taylor said.

“Mornin’ Clyde,” JoAnne chimed when they walked into the kitchen.

“Jo.” He planted a kiss on her cheek. “I’m gonna get that damned computer today or die tryin’, sweetheart,” he slurred.

“I’m sure you will. Taylor and I thank you so much for helping us. Can I talk you into some eggs and bacon?”

“Nah.” With coffee in a trembling hand, Clyde headed out the door. “Need a smoke.”

Once the back door slammed, Taylor faced his wife. “Sweetheart, try not to worry. I’ll insist on driving. He’s taking his time and money to help us out, and Lord knows we need it.”

“I know, and I appreciate it. I just wish he could control his drinking. It’s a narrow road into Tulsa.”

“Like I said, I’ll drive.” He kissed JoAnne and patted her bottom. “We’ll be here with a shiny new computer when you get off work.”

JoAnne laughed. “I just want you back here in one piece. That’s more important to me than anything.”

***

BOOK BLURB:

At the edge of the world, and the center of the heart, you’ll find stories that linger.

Fringes explores dystopian futures where survival is uncertain and hope is fragile. In  A Foreign World, The Forgotten, and Yearning for Paradise, humanity is pushed to its limits.

Heartstrings turns toward the warmth of love, resilience, and second chances. Stories such as A Promise Broken – A Promise Kept, She Dances with a Memory, and When Love Isn’t Enough remind us that the human spirit endures.

Lyrics captures life in poetry—moments of longing, faith, and reflection in pieces like Comes the Dawn, Society, and The Blind Man in the Night.

From chilling possibilities to comforting truths, Fringes, Heartstrings & Lyrics is a genre-blending collection of short fiction and poetry that will make you think, feel, and return again and again.

PURCHASE LINK: https://www.amazon.com/Fringes-Heartstrings-Lyrics-Jan-Sikes-ebook/dp/B0GRWQC3SH/

BIO:

Jan Sikes is a multi-award-winning author who writes compelling and creative stories from the heart.

She openly admits that she never set out in life to be an author, although she’s been an avid reader all her life. But she had a story to tell—Not just any story, but a true story to rival any fiction creation. She brought the powerful true story to life through fictitious characters in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books, accompanying music CDs, and a book of poetry and art.

And now, this author can’t put down the pen. She continues to write fiction in a variety of genres and has published many award-winning short stories and novels. She is an active blogger, a member of the Story Empire group, loves to support indie artists (both literary and musical) and is the grandmother of five beautiful souls. Find out more at http://www.jansikes.com.

JAN’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

http://www.jansikes.com

https://www.jansikes.com/blog

https://x.com/JanSikes3

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJanSikesBooks

https://bsky.app/profile/jksikes-author.bsky.social

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jan-sikes

http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00CS9K8DK  (Author Page)

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7095856.Jan_Sikes

All the best on Fringes, Heartstrings, and Lyrics, Jan

 

 

 

 

Guest Post – Luanne Castle’s New Release – Scrap Salvaging a Family

~ John W. Howell ~ 76 Comments

I am pleased to introduce you to Luanne Castle’s latest book – Scrap Salvaging a Family. Luanne writes beautiful, award-winning poetry and has now taken the step to write a fascinating book about her family

Scrap: Salvaging a Family explores the stain of childhood fear and anxiety on the adult spirit and the experience of reconciling with an aging or dying parent. A daughter has grown up in a household with an angry and abusive father. He keeps the secret of his own biological father’s identity from his daughter for decades. Can this family be salvaged?

ORDER on AMAZON

Excerpt

This excerpt is from the first of three sections in Scrap: Salvaging a Family. I’ve enjoyed my father’s workshop in the basement of our house, but now the workshop is replaced by a sign of the Cold War.

Daddy moves his workbench to the garage by hoisting the heavy counter up the stairs on a dolly. He lets me carry a leg, but when I stumble, he says I should just watch. He removes all the tools, the scrap wood, even the army sleeping bags from the basement. The space heater in the garage makes the new workshop too dangerous for me. The elves abandon us. Daddy drives home a truckload of cement blocks and carries each brick down the stairs by himself. Each brick holds a secret that I can’t share with anyone. He stacks the blocks in a quadrant-shaped domino pattern, building walls two bricks deep. Without mortar, the bricks resemble my wooden blocks. Rosemary Clooney croons for us to come to her house. My mother tells me we have grown a bomb shelter in our basement. She stocks it with bedding, Spam, and camping gear for three. She sets my fake Raggedy Ann doll on the blankets inside the footlocker and closes the lid on her. Daddy stores a baseball bat and a single-shot rifle and box of ammo in the room. I think those might be to defend our tiny room from outsiders. When I start my imagination train, a giant crab crawls aboard and into my tummy. The bomb I know about. It’s been on TV and the radio, people talking. But this place doesn’t feel like protection to me. Not like the forts I build with our bleached sheets. This shelter turns my stomach and tightens my chest.

What others say about Luanne’s book

Borne of shame and trauma, the secrets uncovered in Luanne Castle’s hybrid memoir reveal her father’s complicated childhood and the impact it had on their relationship. Told in brief, strikingly vivid fragments, and through various perspectives and forms, the book as a whole presents a deeply moving and unforgettable account. We readers are privileged to bear witness to this emotional excavation, one that ultimately reminds us that love is powerful even when it’s painful and that forgiveness is the only way forward. Scrap: Salvaging a Family is a gorgeous and brilliantly original collection. I highly recommend it. ~Kathy Fish, author of Wild Life: Collected Works

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The vignettes in Castle’s Scrap are beautifully rendered. With house as vessel, we are voyeurs through her domesticity, the skilled lens of speaker Luanne’s traumas and perseverance as she navigates the rawness and fragility of youth. The book is both powerful and arresting–Castle is a deft miniaturist–each story etched with a fine blade, yet a delicate touch. Scrap is a collection of constellations of the ordinary. ~Robert Vaughan, Editor-in-Chief of Bending Genres, author of ASKEW.

 ###

Luanne Castle’s Scrap is a memoir in flash. In flashes might be a more accurate term. This is a family story told in bursts of memory and image, puzzle pieces waiting to connect. It’s a young girl’s coming of age, navigating a path to womanhood out of hand-sewn dresses, gym class movies shown behind closed doors, stacks of moldering girlie magazines discovered at the dump. A girl living in the shadow of her father’s anger, violent and unpredictable as the tornadoes her family hides from. Behind the father’s anger, a missing piece. A hole where a father should be, a “space of unknowingness” both child and father must try to fill. This lyrical, beautifully imagistic work is both an exploration of the long roots of generational trauma and identity erasure and a vivid look back at growing up female in mid-century America. ~Kathryn Kulpa, author of A Map of Lost Places

ORDER on AMAZON

About the Author

Luanne Castle’s poetry and prose have appeared in Copper Nickel, River Teeth, Your Impossible Voice, JMWW, Grist, Fourteen Hills, Verse Daily, Disappointed Housewife, Lunch Ticket, Saranac Review, Pleiades, Cleaver, Moon City, Moon Park, Anti-Heroin Chic, Bending Genres, BULL, The Mackinaw, The Ekphrastic Review, Phoebe, MacQueen’s Quinterly, Gone Lawn, Burningword, Superstition Review, One Art, Roi Fainéant, Dribble Drabble, Flash Boulevard, O:JA&L, Sheila-Na-Gig, Thimble, Antigonish Review, Longridge, Paragraph Planet, Six Sentences, Gooseberry Pie, Switch, and Ginosko. Her story, “Garden Seasons,” was selected for Best Microfiction 2026. She has published four award-winning poetry collections, and her ekphrastic flash and poetry collection Hunting the Cosmos is forthcoming from Shanti Arts in fall 2026. Luanne has been a Fellow at the Center for Ideas and Society at the University of California, Riverside. She studied English and Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside (PhD); Western Michigan University (MFA); and Stanford University (Certificate). Luanne lives with her husband and four cats in Arizona along a wash that wildlife use as a thoroughfare.

Where to contact Luanne

https://www.luannecastle.com

https://x.com/writersitetweet

https://www.instagram.com/catpoems/

https://www.facebook.com/luanne.castle

https://bsky.app/profile/luannecastle.bsky.social

https://writersite.org/

Guest Post – Michele Lee Sefton – Jade’s Broken Bridge – #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 48 Comments

 

I am very happy to host Michele on my blog to introduce her new book, Jade’s Broken Bridge. So without any chin music from me let’s get to it.

Excerpt (Jade is reflecting on her choices)

”If only I could have seen a bright future for myself—without the help of a fickle goddess. If only I had been strong enough

to rise above the shadow’s darkness. If only I could have understood that beyond the vapor of those fallen stars,

resides an entire universe brimming with magnificence. For dreamers to cast dreams into. Not just one ‘star light, star

bright,’ but an entire brilliant universe waiting to nurture fragile dreams.”

Synopsis:

Jade’s Broken Bridge, by Michele Lee Sefton, is a raw and poignant story of survival, self-destruction, and hope. The narrative follows Jade, a young woman navigating a tumultuous life shaped by family fractures, addiction, and the pursuit of financial stability in the shadows of the adult entertainment industry. The story unfolds as she reflects on her past, particularly her experiences as an Arizona native, working as a topless dancer in Fairbanks, Alaska, and the personal struggles that led her there. Jade’s journey is a deeply introspective exploration of self-worth, desperation, and the relentless search for escape — whether through drugs, relationships, or a false sense of empowerment gained in strip clubs.

Inspired by true events, the book delves into Jade’s complex family dynamics, particularly the impact of her parents’ divorce, and the financial hardships that drove her to make life-altering choices. Through vivid and unfiltered prose set in the late1980s, Sefton paints a picture of a woman torn between who she was meant to be and who she has become. As she battles addiction and shame, Jade ultimately confronts the truth about her past and her desire to reclaim her life.

In her debut novel, Sefton offers a sobering account of self-destructive life choices and the painful consequences that follow. The story does not romanticize the struggles of survival but instead offers an honest portrayal of resilience and the possibility of change.

Key Themes from the Book:

• Survival vs. Self-Destruction: Jade’s choices are driven by the need to survive, but her means of doing so often lead her further into self-destruction. Her work in strip clubs, substance abuse, and avoidance of emotional pain highlight the paradox of trying to escape while simultaneously sinking deeper.

• Family and Fractured Relationships: The book examines the lasting wounds of a broken home, particularly how parental neglect shapes self-worth and decision-making in adulthood.

• The Illusion of Empowerment: Through her experiences in the adult entertainment industry, Jade grapples with the false sense of power and control that comes with her work. While the money offers financial independence, it also entraps her in a world that feeds on vulnerability.

My review

This is a story that lingers long after the last page. It gets under your skin not through shock or spectacle, but by drawing you deeply into the life of its protagonist, Jade. From the beginning, her voice and her struggle are so engaging that you can’t help but care what happens to her. You want her to succeed, to overcome the obstacles that weigh heavily on her—but the stark reality she faces often makes that hope feel like a fragile fantasy she clings to in order to survive.
The author paints Jade’s world with a vividness that makes you feel as though you are living her life alongside her. The grit and hardship are described so clearly that empathy becomes unavoidable. At times, I found myself wishing I could step into the pages to comfort her or offer solutions, only to realize I could do nothing but read on and hope. Without giving away spoilers, I can say that Jade’s challenges are both raw and moving, and the uncertainty of her path kept me invested until the very end.

What makes this book truly stand out is Michele’s exceptional prose. Written in the first person, the narrative combines stream of consciousness with lyrical, almost poetic phrasing. This style not only brings Jade’s thoughts and emotions into sharp focus but also elevates ordinary experiences into something extraordinary. One passage that struck me describes a simple trip to the grocery store in Alaska: “Like the four of us, everyone was padded and bundled. Like stuffed sleeping bags, characters slumbered their way down the aisles. I had found ground zero for a zombie apocalypse. These people actually live like this, I thought. Not just for eight weeks, but they choose to stay here. God, please let me make it back to the valley of the sun, I prayed fervently while standing between the shampoo and tampons.” Moments like these showcase Michele’s gift for transforming the mundane into scenes that shimmer with insight, wit, and emotion.

At its heart, this is the story of a woman confronting life’s toughest challenges alone, and though a happy ending is never guaranteed, the journey itself is filled with resilience, raw honesty, and a quiet but persistent hope. I highly recommend this book to readers who appreciate powerful writing, a deeply immersive voice, and a story that stays with you long after you close the cover.

Buy links

Amazon, Barnes & Noble, available to order through any bookseller, or direct through Michele.

Jade’s Broken Bridge

by Michele Lee Sefton

Publisher: Tumbleweed Spirit Press

Publication Date: Oct. 10, 2025

ISBN: 979-8-9991506-0-8

Print Length: 256 pages

Genre: New Adult

Formats: Paperback, Kindle, audio book

Further Praise for Jade’s Broken Bridge:

– Kirkus Reviews

“Sefton offers a gritty and introspective chronicle of one woman’s descent into addiction and sex work in 1980s America. The author invites readers into a visceral, memory-laden interior landscape. Chapters move fluidly between present-tense narration and past recollections. Vivid descriptions of frozen sidewalks, smoky clubs, sticky bar floors, and the ache of unspoken shame create an immersive reading experience. While the tone can be emotionally heavy, the work rarely veers into melodrama; the author maintains control over the narrative voice, even as Jade loses control over her life. A harrowing yet beautifully rendered chronicle of loss, self-destruction, and the long road to self-acceptance.”

– BookLife

“Sefton carves out one woman’s fight for survival in this moving debut, following Arizona teenager Jade, whose desperate need for money propels her into “a life of despair and addiction.” …What makes her journey unique is Sefton’s skill at crafting her gradual transformation: visceral disgust at this new world, followed by a begrudging appreciation of the strength and community she discovers there, to the final wild, drugged mess it turns her into… Sefton triumphs with this riveting portrait of a broken girl desperate for the light…” Read the full review. 

– San Francisco Book Review

“What stands out in Sefton’s writing is her ability to let readers into the story without weighing them down. Despite the subject matter, including addiction, grief, and exploitation, there’s an undercurrent of hope and a desire for something more… It’s a coming-of-age memoir for readers who appreciate storytelling that doesn’t flinch. With its engaging voice and heartfelt honesty, this memoir is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the strength it takes to rebuild. A heavy story, yes, but told with just enough wit and heart to keep readers turning the page.”

– Sandra Marinella, The Story You Need to Tell

“Author Michele Sefton uses vivid and poetic imagery to tell the story of Jade’s descent into a world filled with loud music, flashing lights, and parties laced with “liquid courage” and an overabundance of cocaine. Jade takes the reader on a journey through her inner demons as well as her inner goddess who is trying hard to pull her life forward.” 

– Ginger Scott, USA Today, Wall Street Journal and Amazon bestselling author

“In a masterful debut, Michele Lee Sefton carries readers through a woman’s journey of self-discovery, unflinchingly guiding her main character from feelings of loss and, perhaps, resentment to strength and independence. Jade’s path through the adult dancing world offers readers a glimpse into the shadows and a raw and honest portrait of the opportunities as well as the risks that lie there. Sefton has created a character to root for… it is impossible not to feel her struggles in your bones as you read. A deep, thoughtful and immersive read that will stay with you long after the final sentence.”

Bio

A bit about me… I am a veteran English teacher who left the classroom in 2019 to develop my own writing voice. A writer of poetry and poetic prose, I’ve since been published in various anthologies and platforms, including Piper Poetry Month Anthology through the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at Arizona State University and Wounds I Healed: The Poetry of Strong Women (Poetry Anthology).

Collaborating with my artist daughter during the pandemic, I published a series of illustrated poetry chapbooks, Being a Woman: Overcoming, Being a Woman: Becoming, and Being a Woman: Forthcoming. In 2020, I published a collection of poems to celebrate my one-year blog anniversary, My Inspired Life: A Poetic Journey. My titles, Her Coastal Cottage: Where Truth & Love Rise and Honeysuckle Heat, offer readers vivid poetic prose in novella length.

I enjoy sharing and connecting with readers and creatives on my writing and photography blog, TumbleweedSpirit, dancing with expressive women, and working with Sandra Marinella, the author of The Story You Need to Tell, co-facilitating narrative therapy workshops. My undergrad is in English with a Secondary Endorsement, and I hold a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University, and a Graduate Certificate in Composition Studies from Indiana University.

 

For More Information:• Visit the author at msefton.com

• Follow the author: @mlsefton on Instagram

• Media inquiries: Kim Cecere | kim@onpointbrand.com

Friday JohnKu _ AKA -TGIF – Good News/Fri-Yay -The Weight of Snow and Regret Blog Tour with Elizabeth Gauffreauwith Elizabeth Gauffreau

~ John W. Howell ~ 145 Comments

I am very happy to welcome Elizabeth Gauffreau here on Good News Friday. She has a new book and it is good news for sure.  So without any delay. Here is Liz to talk about her book.

Introduction

Thank you for hosting me on my blog tour for The Weight of Snow and Regret, John! For today’s tour stop, I’m giving a brief overview of the historical context of the poor farm system in Vermont. But first, here’s what The Weight of Snow and Regret is all about.

Description

For over 100 years, no one wanted to be sent to the Sheldon Poor Farm. By 1968, no one wanted to leave. Amid the social turmoil of 1968, the last poor farm in Vermont is slated for closure. By the end of the year, the twelve destitute residents remaining will be dispatched to whatever institutions will take them, their personal stories lost forever.

Hazel Morgan and her husband Paul have been matron and manager at the Sheldon Poor Farm for the past 20 years. Unlike her husband, Hazel refuses to believe the impending closure will happen. She believes that if she just cares deeply enough and works hard enough, the Sheldon Poor Farm will continue to be a safe haven for those in need, herself and Paul included.

On a frigid January afternoon, the overseer of the poor and the town constable from a nearby town deliver a stranger to the poor farm for an emergency stay. She refuses to tell them her name, where she came from, or what her story is. It soon becomes apparent to Hazel that whatever the woman’s story is, she is deeply ashamed of it.

Hazel fights to keep the stranger with them until she is strong enough to face, then resume, her life—while Hazel must face the tragedies of her own past that still haunt her.

Told with compassion and humor, The Weight of Snow & Regret tells the poignant story of what it means to care for others in a rapidly changing world.

Historical Context for the Weight of Snow and Regret

The approach I took to writing the novel (and the reason I’m eager for people to read it) is to honor the history of the Sheldon Poor Farm and the people who lived, worked, and died there by creating characters that readers would come to understand and care about. The job of fiction, in other words! 

The Poor Farm System: 19th Century

I researched the history of the poor farm system in Vermont, which was inherited from 17th-century Elizabethan poor laws.

The Poor Farm System: 20th Century

In the 20th-century, the historical context was a transition from specific localities’ being responsible for the poor to the federal government’s assuming responsibility for the social safety net, with the states responsible for administering the federal benefits programs. (Two of the characters in the book are adamantly opposed to the state’s taking over.) The road sign in the image is for the road to Sheldon Poor Farm. It’s easy to find similar poor farm road signs in Vermont and New Hampshire, particularly on the back roads

The Poor Farm Residents

The next image outlines the two categories of poor farm residents, temporary and permanent, and the primary reasons people would have been sent there.

Conditions at the Sheldon Poor House

I was surprised at how much information about the living conditions I was able to find simply by reading local newspapers. I was also surprised at the range of conditions. As the timeline below indicates, living conditions for the residents were either exemplary or appalling. (The 1931 abuse allegations included a straightjacket for unruly residents and one room used as a jail. I couldn’t find anything further about whether the allegations were actually addressed.)

 

Books2Read Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/WeightofSnow

 

Author Biography

Elizabeth Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. Her work has been widely published in literary magazines, as well as several themed anthologies. Her short story “Henrietta’s Saving Grace” was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg  prize for fiction by Choeofpleirn Press.

She has previously published a novel, Telling Sonny: The Story of a Girl Who Once Loved the Vaudeville Show, and two collections of photopoetry, Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance and Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right.

Liz’s professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire with her husband. Find her online at https://lizgauffreau.

Click/tap to follow blog tour: https://lizgauffreau.com/the-weight-of-snow-and-regret-blog-tour-2/

Also more good news Eternal Road – The last stop is free on Amazon US today through Sunday. Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GL135KQ

The good news here is that Liz has a new book.  Today’s JohnKu talks about books. I hope you have a super weekend.

Books by John W. Howell © 2025

New ones are published,

We greet them like new neighbors . . .

Go and check them out.

 

 

Guest Post – D.L.Finn – Miracles & Ghosts Past – A Christmas Collection Two #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 127 Comments

 

I am very happy to have as a guest, Denise Finn. As most of you know Denise is a prolific writer of children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She has a new book just in time for the holidays and she’s going to tell us all about it.

 

Thank you, John, for having me on your amazing blog to kick off the release and blog tour of Ghosts & Miracles Past: A Christmas Collection Two. I’m so grateful for your support!

I started a train story for another short story collection, but never finished it. Giving it another look, I decided to bring it into the Christmas season, and immediately found Rita’s story. I’ve been wanting to write a train story because I’ve been a fan since I was a little girl. I’ve been on many trains and plan to make this ride Rita took to Reno in the winter. I’ve watched that train cross over the summit many times from the overlook over Donner Lake. I have not only wondered about the view from the train, but also the history it carries. Now, I don’t know if they’ve ever made a murder mystery ride, but it sounded fun to me and became my idea for the story. I also like to use local settings when I can, and “The Christmas Train Mystery” was perfect for that. I almost ended it at one point where it would have been a short story, but that turned out not to be the end when a ghost and an angel got involved.

BLURB:

Miracles saturate the sweet-scented Christmas season—a reminder we aren’t alone.

Miracles & Ghosts Past: A Christmas Collection brings eight stories from past holidays. Rita buys train tickets for her and Morris’s 30th anniversary in the novelette, “The Christmas Train Mystery.” She’s convinced this trip will bring her and Morris closer—if he can find the time. A murder mystery excursion will change Rita’s life in more ways than one, but will she go with her workaholic husband or by herself? In the first short story, “Christmas Rescue,” Opal trusts the wrong man and loses her mother in the same year, leaving her feeling lost. On a mission to get candles for the dinner table, she makes an unexpected find. “Is There a Santa?” goes back to the 1920s, where a widower is desperate to hold on to his farm and children. He doesn’t want charity, just a bit of luck or a miracle. In the final stories, you’ll meet an eleven-year-old who’s home alone, a family living in the aftermath of war, a girl who gets some shocking news, a widow with a warning from beyond, and a woman trapped on an elevator with Santa. Hope underlies these stories; it endures even in the direst of circumstances. Whether help comes from a ghost, Santa, or an angel, miracles are just within reach.

 

EXCERPT FROM: The Christmas Mystery Train, 1986

Rita smiled as she tucked the train tickets in her purse.

The woman in the small booth grinned. “Happy thirtieth wedding anniversary to you and your husband. You’re going to have a great time!”

“Thank you, Patty. I’ve always wanted to go on the murder mystery ride and can’t believe they added in a special holiday one.”

“This is the first one, and it’s almost sold out. Enjoy!” Patty waved as her phone rang. She shut her window and answered the phone.

Rita unlocked her husband’s new red BMW M3. Her sensible gray, six-year-old Mercedes-Benz 300D was in the shop getting a tune-up. Their son, Kevin, picked up his dad to take him to work in his fancy blue Corvette that morning. The men in her life loved their cars, and she loved them, even though they weren’t always easy to deal with.

Rita was careful backing up. Morris wouldn’t be happy if his baby got scratched. She hurried to her salon appointment to get her hair highlighted with blond and red streaks, as Morris liked. Next on her list was to have his car washed and vacuumed, and finally grocery shopping. She made sure to park at the far end of the parking lot so no one would scratch the car. She had learned her lesson when someone had taken a key to her door at the mall last week. Her fault or not, she was blamed.

“No point in getting you a new car with how you care for this one.” He’d folded his arms.

“I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”

“I hope so. We have an image now to keep up, but I suppose they can fix this when it’s in the shop for maintenance. It helps Kevin, too, as he moves up the ladder. Soon he’ll be a partner like me.” He pointed to his puffed-out chest.

“Yes, he is exactly like you.” Rita plastered a smile on her face.

He beamed like he was a lawyer lighthouse. “Yes, I’m very proud of my boy. Plus, he is marrying into one of San Francisco’s prominent families. Think of how that will help our firm.”

“I’m sure it will.” Rita hid her misgivings.

The girl was a delicate beauty but aloof and rude to people beneath her. A habit her husband had developed lately too. It was ironic because he would have been one of those people as a child. He grew up in a poor but loving family. Fifteen years ago, when his parents died two years apart, Morris blamed their poverty, not the cancer or heart attack. From that day forward, his focus was on making sure he didn’t end up like them. He stopped responding to his brother’s calls and put all his energy into work. It was like none of them or that life had ever existed, no matter how many times Rita tried to remind him. She sighed loudly and pulled into the Fabulous Forties, where the wealthy lived.

Universal Purchase Link

 

FUN FINN FACTS

  1. I’m a big fan of train rides and have been on amazing ones like the Skunk train out of Fort Bragg, CA. Many more to explore!
  2. Must-watch Christmas movies and shows for me are: It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, White Christmas, A Nightmare Before Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, The Grinch, and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

 

D. L. Finn is an independent California local who encourages everyone to embrace their inner child. She was born and raised in the foggy Bay Area, but in 1990 she relocated with her husband, kids, dogs, and cats to Nevada City, in the Sierra foothills. She immersed herself in reading all types of books but especially loved romance, horror, and fantasy. She always treasured creating her own reality on paper. Finally, surrounded by towering pines, oaks, and cedars, her creativity was nurtured until it bloomed. Her creations include children’s books, adult fiction, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

YouTube
Amazon Page
D.L. Finn blog
Pinterest
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Facebook
Bookbub
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D. L. Finn’s Gratitude Store

 

To celebrate the release, I will be giving away three Amazon Gift Cards: $5, $10, and $15. At the end of the tour, I will randomly pick the three winners from those who leave comments during the blog tour. Good Luck!

Guest Post – Jan Sikes and Linda Broday Book Launch – A Bold Bargain and Cade’s Quest

~ John W. Howell ~ 84 Comments

 

 

I am very pleased to welcome Jan Sikes and Linda Broday to Fiction Favorites. They are launching their exciting books at the same time and are here to tell us about them. So, Jan and Linda the post is yours.

We are deeply grateful to you, John, for allowing us to take over your wonderful blog site today!

When we decided to launch our new books together on the same day, Linda and I wanted to make it something special. It feels like we are making publishing history, and perhaps we are.

For this blog tour, we’ve chosen questions and answers designed to give the readers a deeper look into who we are, our background, and how we ended up where we are today, launching books together.

Question: How is it that both of you sisters became writers? Did your parents encourage writing or is it in the genes?

Jan:  It’s interesting that neither of our parents were educated. Our dad only went to the third grade, and Mom the seventh. When they married, Daddy could not read nor write. Mom taught him, and one of his favorite things to do every day was read the newspaper from front to back. He especially liked the funnies. Another quirky thing about him was that he loved to make up limericks. As far as I know, no one ever wrote them down, but they always made us giggle. So, is it in the genes? I have no idea.

Linda: John, our mother was such an avid reader. Once we finished with a library book, she would read it. As Jan said, our parents received very little education, and Daddy was illiterate when he and Mom married. But Daddy would sit and think for a little bit, then out would come this funny limerick. One was, “Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat.” He had a bunch but that’s all I can remember at the moment. Mom really encouraged us, and she always said that the sky was the limit and to be all we could be. But, she really got upset with us for reading in bed with the flashlight when we were supposed to be asleep. We got a scolding. It was that way on any given night.

Question: Besides reading, what in your growing-up years had the most influence on how you write today?

Jan:  As we’ve mentioned before, we grew up without a TV. So, we had to entertain ourselves, and one thing we loved to do and could spend hours getting lost in, was playing with paper dolls. We designed settings, clothing, gave our characters names, and then created drama storylines for them. It was a great exercise in using our imaginations. We like to think that helped us later on with writing.

Linda: We were always making up stories, as Jan said. In addition to paper dolls, we loved to line the kitchen chairs up in the hallway and pretend it was a train. One year I remember one of us getting a toy cash register so we played store a lot, taking turns being the checker. Also, because we had to attend church so much, we sometimes played that, making up sermons and songs. Kids today don’t get a lot of chances to use their imaginations, which is crucial for a writer. Looking back, I can only remember a handful of times when we got crossways. There weren’t many. Jan has always been my best friend.

Question:  What other authors are you friends with and how have they helped you become a better writer?

Jan:  I have met so many amazing authors through the years, and lots of them helped influence and shape me in the craft of writing. I love attending book festivals to chat with other authors in person. Some who I can honestly say influenced me, encouraged me, and helped me become a better writer are you, John (yes, you, sir), Mae Clair, Parris Afton Bond, D.L. Finn, Staci Troilo, Beem Weeks, Wendy Scott, D. Wallace Peach, and Joy York. That’s just a few. There are so many! Starting this writing journey after my husband’s passing opened up an entirely new world for me.

Linda: I became friends with Jodi Thomas in 1993, and our friendship has deepened over the years. I recently celebrated the release of her Ransom Canyon series on Netflix. We visit back and forth and have attended so many writing conferences together. And there are so many other writers that I share a close relationship. I Zoom most every Friday with author Dee Burks up in Amarillo, and we go over whatever section I send her. I need that kind of sharing of ideas that always sparks creativity.

Question:  Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?

Jan: I do read my reviews. I learn from them. If a reviewer mentions something in the book that didn’t make sense to them, or could have been better, I take that to heart. When Harmony Kent read my first book and left an honest review, it helped me immensely. She mentioned head-hopping. Until that moment, I’d never heard of it and didn’t know what it was. But that single statement in the review sent me on a learning expedition, and I revised the book because of it. So, I definitely can learn from honest reviews. I ignore bad reviews that hold no merit.

Linda: I read some, but not a whole lot unless I know the person. I once got a horrible review from a reader in Australia who told me the book would’ve been good except for the romance part that ruined it. I just laughed. She knew it was a romance when she bought it. I have no time for craziness like that. One time, I had two readers get into an argument on a book review site. That was uncomfortable. This is such a crazy business.

PURCHASE LINKS:

CADE’S QUEST: https://www.amazon.com/Cades-Quest-Western-Romance-McIntyres-ebook/dp/B0FD7X4H5D/

 A BOLD BARGAIN: https://www.amazon.com/Bold-Bargain-Bargainer-Book-ebook/dp/B0FD7VSY68/

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

WEBSITE:  https://www.jansikes.com

FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/authorjansikesbooks

TWITTER:  HTTPS://WWW.TWITTER.COM/JANSIKES3

BLUESKY:  https://bsky.app/profile/jksikes-author.bsky.social

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jan-Sikes/author/B00CS9K8DK?ccs_id=8185cb63-9ad0-4d7b-85ad-c2d64ce37812

 

WEBSITE:  https://www.lindabroday.com

FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/lindabrodayauthor

BLUESKY:  https://bsky.app/profile/lindabroday.bsky.social

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Linda-Broday/author/B001JRXWB2?ccs_id=4a2c44df-2076-43cd-8bf8-f15b530ea92f

 

 

 

 

Guest Post – Andrew Joyce and His New Book – Wicked – The men of Wicked Tuna.

~ John W. Howell ~ 69 Comments

 

I am very pleased to welcome Andrew Joyce to Fiction Favorites. He has a new book and it look like it is going to be a good one.

Here’s the blurb.

The town of Gloucester—America’s first fishing village—has a rich history of “men who go down to the sea in ships.” From that tradition, from that fearless and audacious heritage, came forth a breed of men who are the embodiment of the Gloucester fishermen.

The highly rated television show, Wicked Tuna, captivated the world with the exploits of the men who spend their lives hunting the giant bluefin tuna. In Wicked: The Men of Wicked Tuna, author Andrew Joyce delves into their lives—before, during, and after the show’s end.

For those who were thrilled by the never-ending excitement of Wicked Tuna, this book is for you.

Purchase link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FLQN9CNL

A little about Andrew

Andrew Joyce left home at seventeen to hitchhike throughout the US, Canada, and Mexico. He wouldn’t return from his journey until years later when he decided to become a writer. Joyce has written seven books and 143 short stories. One of which won the Writing Spirit Award for best short story of 2011. His first novel, “Redemption: The Further Adventures of Huck Finn and Tom Sawyer,” was awarded the Editors’ Choice Award for Best Western of 2013. A subsequent novel, “Yellow Hair,” received the Book of the Year award from Just Reviews and Best Historical Fiction of 2016 from Colleen’s Book Reviews.

Joyce now lives in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

 

Guest Post – Esther Chilton – The Secret Dragon – Pre-Order Launch – #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 85 Comments

 

I want to welcome Esther Chilton to Fiction Favorites. Most of you know Esther as a fun blogger who puts up some interesting prompts. She also blogs about the places she has visited. You may not know that Esther is an accomplished author, writing tutor, and editor. She has many awards, and her work can be found in newspapers, periodicals, and commercial materials. Today, Esther talks about her latest book The Secret Dragon. So, without more chin music from me, here is Esther.

It’s a pleasure to be featured on John’s blog today, with news of my new children’s book for 5-7-year-olds. It’s called The Secret Dragon and is the first in the Saffy’s Secret Quest series. Publication day is 28th July, but the book is available for pre-order. Here’s a little bit more about it:

The blurb

 When Saffy discovers a dragon statue at the bottom of her garden, her boring summer holiday becomes full of excitement.

The statue is a real dragon called Lily. She’s from the magical world of Mandoreum, a place that’s in danger and in need of Saffy’s help.

 There are clues to solve, a wicked witch to battle, and secrets to be kept at all costs. Will Saffy be able to save Mandoreum before it’s too late?

 Extract:

 Saffy walked over to the bench and sank down onto the seat.

“Ow!” she cried, jumping up immediately. She had sat on something sharp. She turned round and looked down.

It was a statue of a dragon. Though it wasn’t a very pretty dragon, if dragons could ever be called pretty. Most of the dragons she had seen in books and films were ugly, fierce, fire-breathing monsters.

This one had bald patches all over its skin and scales hanging down. There were fluffy cotton wool balls where claws should have been and a silly little stump of a tail instead of a long one.

The dragon didn’t appear to have any teeth, and its wings were broken. Saffy was sure it wouldn’t be very good at breathing fire, either. In fact, the dragon looked very sorry for itself indeed and not even the tiniest bit fierce.

She wondered who it belonged to. Perhaps someone hadn’t wanted it anymore and had thrown it over the fence. No one would want a statue like that.

Saffy gasped. A tear was rolling down the dragon’s cheek. Something very strange was going on.

She thought about running back indoors. It was going to start raining again soon anyway. But something was forcing her forward. Unable to stop herself, her hand reached out and she clasped the statue.

A cackle filled the air, followed by a howl of anguish. Thunder clashed overhead, and a flash of lightning lit the sky, sending down a shower of sparkling stars. One by one, they fell on the statue.

“I’m sorry about that,” the statue said, “but I had to get you to pick me up. Well, that’s it. The last little bit of Mandoreum’s magic has gone. Did you hear Narla? That was her cackling. Awful, wasn’t it?”

It began to swell, growing bigger and bigger and bigger. Saffy dropped it and scrambled to get out the way. Too late – splash! Over she went, right into the middle of a murky, muddy puddle.

Saffy looked up at the statue – at its huge, cotton wool feet, up to its mighty scales dangling down and up into its face and row of red gums, which were looming closer and closer as the dragon bent towards her.

Suddenly, the dragon looked very fierce indeed.

Author bio:

Esther has been a freelance writer for over twenty years, regularly writing articles and short stories for magazines and newspapers such as Writers’ Forum, Writing Magazine, The Guardian, Best of British, The Cat, This England, Yours and The People’s Friend.  

Winner of several competitions, including those run by Writing Magazine and The Global Short Story Contest, she has also had the privilege of judging writing competitions and relished being given the role of head judge of the Writers’ Forum monthly short story competition.

Esther loves writing but equally enjoys helping others, which she achieves in her role as a tutor for The Writers Bureau. She also runs their monthly writing club, Let’s Write.

She has had two how-to books on writing published as well as two collections of short stories. Her first children’s book is coming out in July, where she writes under the name of Esther Moonstomp.

Blogs: https://estherchilton.co.uk

https://esthermoonstomp.co.uk

Buying links:

Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Secret-Dragon-Saffys-Quest/dp/1836283881

Ebook: UK  https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FCMZ6LMW

EBook: US https://www.amazon.com/Secret-Dragon-Saffys-Quest-Book-ebook/dp/B0FCMZ6LMW

Thank you for hosting me, John.

Always a pleasure, Esther. Wishing you much success on The Secret Dragon