Category: Book Release

In the Trees Shadow by D. L. Finn #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 100 Comments

Today, I am happy to welcome fellow Story Empire contributor and blogging buddy D.L. Finn to Fiction Favorites. She has a new collection of stories to tell you about, and if these are like her others, this will be an enjoyable collection to own and enjoy.

 

Thank you for having me visit today, John, to share my short story collection, In the Tree’s Shadow.

“Lyrical Dragon” has an interesting beginning. While commenting on one of John’s posts, I forget what the post was about now, but words from the blog, lyrical dragon, inspired me. I mentioned in the comment that I’d like to write a story about those words. With John’s encouragement, that is just what I did. The blog became my muse.

At first, I wasn’t sure how the dragon would be lyrical. I knew lyrical meant a way to express emotions or thoughts. Dancers, artists, and writers can express themselves lyrically, but how would a dragon? Then it came to me, poetically. What if the dragon spoke in haikus? Although the story doesn’t center on that fact, it creates a creative way to get the dragon’s point across to the young girl, Janine, in the story. I know poetry can tell stories, but my stories haven’t included poetry. This was the perfect way to combine two things I love: storytelling and poetry.

John’s note: I was interested in which post the Lyrical Dragon was mentioned, so I looked it up. It was one with Lucy and Twiggy, where they tried on sweaters as possible dragon costumes in preparation for Halloween. Lucy declared herself a Lyrical Dragon since her sweater didn’t fit.

BLURB

A collection of short stories where dreams and nightmares coexist.

Nestled inside these pages, you’ll meet a couple in their golden years who take a trip with an unexpected detour, a boy desperate to give his brother the Christmas gift he asked for, a girl with a small glass dragon who is at the mercy of her cruel uncles, and a young mother who has a recurring dream about murder. You’ll be introduced to worlds where people get second chances and monsters might be allowed their desires, while angels and dragons try to help. Happy endings occur, but perspective can blur the line between good and evil in these twenty-seven tales. Since the stories vary between 99 and 12,000 words, whether you have only five minutes or an entire evening to settle into reading, there is something that will suit your time and taste.

 

EXCERPT:

The walk home from the general store was hot and dusty on the red dirt road. Sweat poured down Janie’s face as she labored to carry the burlap sack of provisions her uncles had sent her to get. Because of their poor farming skills, almost everything had to be bought, and what extra money they’d had in the past disappeared when her mother did. Her uncles wouldn’t comment on where her mother had gone, but Janie had her suspicions. The town’s rumor mill, overheard on one of her shopping trips, decided her mother had run off with a man. Janie knew her mother wouldn’t leave her only child behind with these lazy, no-good men.

“They will pay for whatever they did to my mother. I promise you that, Lyrical Dragon.”

Heat radiated from the tiny green dragon charm that bounced against what Uncle Barry called her flat-boy chest. The necklace was the only thing Janie had left from her mother, so she hid it well around her greedy relatives. They’d sell anything of value so they didn’t have to work. With her mother gone, she was the only one left to provide food. The rains had stopped, and the garden was withering in the scorching sun. Water was limited, and everything was fading away except her fat uncles.

AMAZON PURCHASE LINK

 

FUN FINN FACTS:

  1. I try to write poetry in new places, including the back of the Harley.
  2. I like to be surrounded by color and rarely tolerate a white or tan wall.

 

BIO:

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, a unique autobiography, and poetry. She continues on her adventure with an open invitation to all readers to join her.

 

D.L. Finn Links:

Twitter

Bookbub

Facebook

Instagram

Pinterest

D.L. Finn blog

Amazon Page

 

Guest Post – Gwen Plano – #newbook – Redemption – A Father’s Fatal Decision

~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

Today I am happy to host Gwen Plano, who has a new release to discuss. The post is all yours, Gwen.

Thank you, John, for inviting me to your site today. It would be fun to hop on the Lakeway bus and get a tour of your beautiful area. Maybe someday! Though not as exciting as a Texas whirl around your community, I’ll share a bit about my new release.

Redemption, A Father’s Fatal Decision takes place in the Southeast corner of New York state, in the towns of New Rochelle and Cortlandt. The characters journey to Old Lyme, Connecticut, on occasion, but for the most part, the drama is in New York. Having spent about twenty years in and around that area, it was exciting to visit as a writer.

The book tackles themes of forgiveness, redemption, and absolution through a psychological thriller. We accompany the son and daughter of the deceased as they try to uncover the reason for their father’s murder. What they discover prompts them to ask if they even knew their father.

Sometimes complicated situations help us see our own challenges in a different light. That is my hope for this book. Most of us won’t experience threats like those of my characters, but pain is pain, just as joy is joy. One may be more obvious than the other—but not less impactful.

In the excerpt below, the protagonists, Lisa and Trace Holmes, discover that their father had another life. Accompanied by their friend, Ryan, they stumble upon a war room.

 

BLURB

Family secrets can be deadly. When Lisa Holmes visits her parents one fateful Saturday morning, she hugs her father and walks to her childhood bedroom. The doorbell rings. Her father opens the door, and one minute later, he lies dead on the floor—three bullets to the chest.

The Holmes family lives on a quiet street, but no one really knows Eric Holmes. He travels for business and comes home a few days each month. Unbeknown to all, Eric has multiple lives.

In this fast-paced psychological thriller, Lisa and her brother, Trace, embark on a quest to solve the mystery involving the murder of their father. The journey takes them into a secret world where nothing is as it seems. As the puzzle pieces begin to coalesce, they discover the meaning of Redemption. 

EXCERPT:

Lisa shouts from the back seat, “I see it. There, on the left side. The log cabin.”

Hardly detectable from the road, the lone hovel has knee-high weeds and untrimmed bushes. Barbed-wire fencing stretches around the property, and tree limbs hang at the entrance threateningly.

“I’ll pull in. Eh, on second thought, I’ll back up close to the shack in case we need to race out of here. This looks a little too much like a late-night thriller.”

Trace exits the jeep first and says to Lisa, “Over there on the right, is that the rock you saw?”

“I doubt it. I remember it being big.”

“Yeah, and you were a tiny kid. It won’t hurt to check it out. Come over and help me.” Trace pushes the rock upward while Lisa searches underneath.

“I see a little metal pillbox. That must be it.” She nabs it just before Trace lets the rock fall.

“I can’t get the lid off.”

Trace takes the box from her and jerks the lid open. Inside lies a strip of numbers. “This must be the combination number for a safe. Why else would he hide it?” He puts the paper strip into his pocket.

Ryan swats a mosquito on his arm and shoos a couple of annoying flies. “We’re definitely in the woods.”

Lisa approaches the front door and struggles to open the lock. “This can’t be the key.”

“Let me try.” Trace takes the key, forces it in, and applies pressure to get the lock to turn. With multiple shoves, the door swings open.

A musty, unused-for-a-long-time stench hits them. Lisa stands at the doorway, taking it all in and trying to order her memories. Impatient, Trace and Ryan rush past her.

Lisa mutters, “What the heck, guys?”

“No time for daydreaming, Lisa,” Trace snaps.

Reclaimed wood paneling stretches throughout the cabin. Maps of Europe, Russia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and the United States cover most of the paneling. In the center of the room, looking at the maps and the boxes on the floor, Trace says, “This is a war room. Dad must have plotted his trips here.”

CONTACT INFORMATION:

BookBub: bit.ly/3Y26EI5

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3XIe6Yu

Story Empire: https://storyempire.com/gwen-m-plano

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gmplano

Blog: www.gwenplano.com/blog-reflections

 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3RebK0W

Amazon Purchase Page: https://amzn.to/3XKiLJn

Barnes and Noble: bit.ly/3JGgdbl

 

 

 

 

Joan Hall Guesting Today to Talk About Her #newbook – Menagerie

~ John W. Howell ~ 82 Comments

I am so happy to have Joan Hall visit today. Joan is a fellow member of Story Empire, and she has a new book that sounds fascinating. Come on in, Joan, and tell us about your latest.

The Homecoming

Thanks so much for hosting me today, John. It’s a pleasure to visit you and to share news about my latest release, Menagerie. It’s a mixed-genre compilation of thirteen short stories. Each tour stop features a different story and what inspired me to write it. Today, I’d like to talk about The Homecoming, a contemporary fiction story about a military family.

I have a deep respect for the men and women who serve and have served in the military. While I’m grateful to all the generations who have served, I have a special place in my heart for those who served in Vietnam. I had two cousins who served during that time—one in the Navy, the other Army.

In 2019, I first heard the story of Colonel Roy Knight, an Air Force pilot whose plane was shot down over Laos in 1967. He was listed as missing in action for many years before being declared killed in action. In February 2019, fifty-two years after being shot down, his remains were identified. That same August, his remains were flown home to Texas, his final resting place.

The story itself is touching, but what made it even more of a tearjerker is the fact his son, a pilot for Southwest Airlines, flew the plane with his father’s casket into Dallas Love Field Airport. The same airport then five-year-old Bryan and other members of his family last saw him as he departed Texas for what proved to be his final tour of duty.

I shed a few tears when watching the video and still do each time I see it. Colonel Knight’s story inspired me to write The Homecoming.

It’s the story of the Atwood family. Four generations have served in the Navy—except for the youngest son. Brady Atwood decided against a military career, which didn’t make his father happy. Brady reluctantly joins his family when his grandfather’s remains are returned from Vietnam a half-century after he went missing.

Told from four different points of view—Brady, his father Bruce, his mother Cindy, and his brother Chris, The Homecoming is story of family dynamics, mending relationships, and most of all honoring a fallen hero.

Excerpt:

I had long given up hope of this day ever happening. Now that it’s here, it seems surreal. I was six years old on that February morning in 1968 when we saw my father off at this same airport for what proved to be his final tour of duty. As the youngest child, it was hard for me to grasp what was happening. Growing up in a military family, I was accustomed to him leaving from time to time. It was all part of life, but Dad would always come back.

Vietnam was on the other side of the world. I’d seen clips of the war on television but never expected it to change our lives forever.

It’s funny how my memories of that day are as plain as if they’d happened last week. Dad was a handsome man with dark hair, twinkling blue eyes, and a smile that would light up any room. Mom said his smile was what she first noticed about him. It’s also what I remember most. He’d started up the jet bridge when he turned back. He waved and flashed a grin at us then continued toward the plane. It was the last time we saw him alive.

Blurb:

King’s. The Tower of London. Glass. What do these have in common?

Each is a famous menagerie.

While this Menagerie doesn’t focus on exotic animals, it does contain a collection of stories that explore various trials people face and how their reactions shape their worlds.

Survivors of a haunted bridge. Women who wait while their husbands fight a war. Former partners reuniting to solve a cold-case murder.

These are just three of the thirteen stories in this compendium, encompassing past and present, natural and supernatural, legend and reality. The genres and timelines are varied, but there’s a little something for everyone who enjoys reading about simpler times and small-town life.

Purchase Link: https://books2read.com/jh-menagerie  

About the Author

Social Media Links

Website   |   Blog   |   BookBub   |   Goodreads

 

The Last Drive – Sequel to Eternal Road – is Now Available on Amazon #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 114 Comments

I’m pleased to say The Last Drive is now available on Amazon in paper and Kindle formats. I have a full tour beginning on January 4th, but to prepare, it was necessary to secure the links by publishing. I didn’t want to do a pre-order, so I went live. Also, this means that the tour hosts will be getting the material within a week.

I am thrilled that twenty-two bloggers will be participating and consider them a grateful abundance of attention for this book. I will be using my blog space to announce the locations. Normal posts will be on hold until after the tour, so your inbox won’t suffer. I hope you will support the tour with visits since each post will be unique and carry a different excerpt.

Blurb

In the sequel to Eternal Road – The final stop, Sam and James are reunited to look for two souls, Ryan and Eddie. Ryan was killed in Afghanistan, trying to avoid a schoolyard with his crippled plane. Eddie Rickenbacker, Ryan’s hero, is to guide Ryan to his Eternal Home, and now both are missing.

The higher-ups believe that there has been some interference in Ryan and Eddie’s journey by Lucifer, so Sam and James have the task of finding Ryan and Eddie to get them back on the road despite the evil interference. Unfortunately, the machinations designed to prevent Ryan and Eddy from completing their journey takes the pair to horrifying testing grounds. The places visited represent the best work of the Devil. They are the trenches of World War I in France, gladiators at the Roman Coliseum, the sinking Titanic in 1912, Hiroshima 45 minutes before the bomb, and the Auschwitz concentration camp in 1943.

This book is for you if you like plenty of action, strong characters, time travel, and a touch of spiritual and historical fiction. So, join Sam and James as they try to find the missing souls while staying one step ahead of the Prince of Darkness, who is determined to destroy all that is good.

Purchase Links

Kindle on sale for the launch period at 99¢

Universal Kindle https://mybook.to/FYmkKr

Universal Paper https://mybook.to/BCsWV

Trailer

 

Guest Post – Harmony Kent – #newbook Sorrowful Soul

~ John W. Howell ~ 104 Comments

Today I am very happy to host a fellow Story Empire contributor and friend, Harmony Kent. She is here to share information about her latest book of poetry. So please welcome Harmony to Fiction Favorites

Thanks so much, John for hosting me today. It’s always wonderful to visit with you.

Here’s a little bit I’d love to share about my latest book of poetry, Sorrowful Soul. Full of freestyle poems, which provide company and compassion through the devastating journey of grief and loss and onward, this heartfelt collection shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone.

Since Elizabeth Kubler-Ross’s excellent book on the stages of grief, we now have an established set of seven stages to the grieving process. Although these stages are non-linear and can be revisited at any time, it’s helpful to have a rough idea of what we might expect during this difficult period of transition. The third stage is commonly known as Guilt.

Here’s an extract from the opening lines to a poem about guilt and shame …

From Part 3: Guilt

(Extract From Penance)

You set fire to the rain

Drenched me in pain

Our last words burn

While the world ceases to turn

You took every last bit of me

And now I don’t know how to be

I am lost with nowhere to belong

Weak and wearied now you’re gone

Maybe it’s all my fault

I deserve this thunderbolt

And tho’ I did my best

I cannot lay this to rest

Is it possible to make this right

To end this deep dark night

Of a wounded soul?

Have you ever found yourself trapped within layers of guilt and shame over an unexpected change or loss? Chat with me in the comments. I hope you enjoyed this poetic excerpt and would love to know what you think. Thanks for reading 😊

PRE-ORDER NOW: https://mybook.to/SorrowfulSoul

About the Book:

If we’re lucky, we meet twilight at the front door and old age creeps in on the night breeze.

Even if we make it to our twilight years, the more we age, the more loss we must endure as part of the cycle of life. Many of these poems lament death, but they also relate to broken relationships, severed friendships, and the loss of youth. This book of grief poetry is as much about saying goodbye and working through loss as it is about death and love split asunder.

This heartfelt collection provides company and compassion through the devastating journey of loss and shows us we do not travel this lonely road alone. Within these pages we share shock, numbness and denial, catapult into anger, bargaining, depression, loneliness, and guilt, and—eventually—make the seismic shift into testing the possibility of a new normal and finding acceptance.

Trailer

Universal Sales Link:

https://mybook.to/SorrowfulSoul

About the Author

Harmony Kent spent 13 years in a Zen Buddhist monastery, where she faced her demons and overcame devastating low self-esteem and found freedom. After a life-changing injury, Harmony returned to the world at the tender age of 40, and her life as a writer began.

Harmony is an award winning multi-genre author, and her publications include:

The Battle for Brisingamen (Fantasy Fiction) AIA approved

The Glade (Mystery/Thriller) AIA Approved/BRAG Medallion Honouree/New Apple Literary Awards Official Selection Honours 2015

Polish Your Prose: Essential Editing Tips for Authors (Writing/Editing) New Apple Literary Awards Top Medallist Honours 2015

Finding Katie (Women’s Fiction)

Slices of Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 1)

Life and Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 2)

Sorrowful Soul (Soul Poetry Series: Book 3)

Interludes (Erotic Short Stories)

Interludes 2 (Erotic Short Stories)

Moments (Short Stories and Poetry)

Jewel in the Mud (Zen Musings)

Polish Your Prose (How to Self-Edit)

Creative Solutions (Creative Writing Inspiration)

Backstage (Erotic Romance and Thriller)

FALLOUT (Post-Apocalyptic Dystopia) BRAG Medallion Honouree

The Vanished Boy (Psychological Thriller)

As well as being an avid reader and writer, Harmony also offers reviews and supports her fellow authors. Harmony is always on the lookout for talent and excellence, and will freely promote any authors or books who she feels have these attributes.

Harmony’s Website

twitter: @harmony_kent

Goodreads: Harmony Kent

BookBub: Harmony Kent

Story Empire (co-authored blog): Harmony Kent

Harmony’s Amazon Author Page: author.to/HarmonysBooks

 

 

 

 

Guest Post – Jacquie Biggar – Letting Go The Defiant Sisters book 1 #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 106 Comments

 

I’m so happy to have Jacquie Biggar as a guest on Fiction Favorites. Jacquie is a Romance author who writes stories and characters in such a way that even an old crusty like me can enjoy them. She is here to talk about her latest book, Letting Go – The Defiant Sisters Book 1. The post is yours, Jacquie.

Many thanks, John, for inviting me to visit today. And yes, Lucy and Twiggy, I’ve brought kibble treats 😊

Before then though, I’d like to talk a bit about the backstory that gave me the inspiration to write about two sisters torn apart by their father’s suicide. I know, tough topic. But if we don’t talk about it, we can’t help or heal each other, and we need to listen more than anything.

A few years ago, one of my regular customers at the café began dating a nice, caring man. She’d lost her first husband not long after giving birth to her second son which shattered the family. The newcomer, we’ll call him Sam, picked her up for lunch most days and brought her to see us, just up the street from her job at the bank. It was so sweet to watch them fall in love. He was great with her kids, and her mom, too- in a word, perfect. That is until he went into their backyard one morning as she was getting the kids ready for school and blew his head off. No one saw it coming. We were all shocked and horrified for the family, and for Sam. What drove him to do such a thing? Why didn’t we see the signs?

Fast forward a couple of years; I moved to Vancouver Island with my husband and started a new career in writing. An opportunity opened to join a writer’s group—people focused on working together to better their place in the market. Though there are more than thirty of us, we’re very close, and we regularly chat in our Facebook group and through emails. We’re friends, so it was particularly devastating to learn that one of the writer’s sons had committed suicide. He was in his mid-thirties, happily married, successful, and had three beautiful daughters. Why?

I couldn’t begin to comprehend the turbulent emotions those families had to traverse; the guilt they may have felt, the overwhelming anger, sadness—loss.

When I saw this beautiful cover created by Teagan Geneviene, I felt the story of two sisters who had gone through a terrible loss, losing each other along the way, begin to develop. Letting Go is the beginning of their journey to forgiveness.

Letting Go- The Defiant Sisters Book 1

A coming-of-age novel about the pain of misconceptions and learning from them.

When life gives you lemons…

Izzy

Mom is barely in the grave and the prodigal child is here to pick the bones clean.

I don’t want her here. My sister’s defection is a wound that won’t heal and her return simply rubs at the scabs covering my heart.

I’ve managed just fine without her. She can go back to her fancy college and forget about us- that’s what she does best anyway.

If only I didn’t need her help. Or miss her so much.

Renée

The day my dad committed suicide I ran. I’ve been running ever since.

Going home is supposed to be the answer. Instead, it makes me question every thoughtless decision I’ve made.

My sister hates me. My little brother barely knows me. And Simon… is engaged.

None of it matters- or so I tell myself. I’m here to make amends and face a past haunted by regret.

As long as I can convince myself to stay.

Letting Go is a young adult romance dealing with tragedy, restitution, and love in all its aspects. The story relates to sensitive topics that may be triggering for some readers.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3R41NWF

International: https://books2read.com/Letting-Go-Defiant-Sisters

TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61269995-letting-go–the-defiant-sisters-book-1

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/letting-go-the-defiant-sisters-book1-the-defiant-sisters-duet-by-jacquie-biggar

Bio

JACQUIE BIGGAR  is a USA Today bestselling author of Romance who writes about smart, sassy females and tough, alpha males who learn the true power is love. Free reads, excerpts, author news, and contests can be found on her website:

http://jacqbiggar.com

You can follow her at http://Facebook.com/jacqbiggar, http://Twitter.com/jacqbiggar

Or email her via her website. Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!

You can also join her street team on Facebook: Biggar’s Book Buddies

Or her exclusive Review Crew: https://jacqbiggar.com/join-my-review-crew/

And sign up for her newsletter-

http://www.subscribepage.com/jacqbiggar

 

Guest Post with D Wallace Peach and The Necromancer’s Daughter #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 254 Comments

I am so pleased to welcome a fellow Story Empire participant and fabulous writer Diana Peach to Fiction Favorites. She is here to tell you about her latest book The Necromancer’s Daughter.

Diana the post is yours.

Greetings John. Thanks for hosting me today at your blog. I thought I’d do a spin-off of one of your features—Views of the Neighborhood. But instead of a Texan tour, we’re going to tour the fantasy world of The Necromancer’s Daughter.

You always start your tours with a gourmet meal. We’re starting this one with soup. My main characters usually don’t have much in the way of resources, and they have to cook on a fire. The soup of the day is a vegetable fish soup seasoned with garden parsley.

The “neighborhood” spans two kingdoms: the lush seaside lowlands of Verdane and the cold mountains of Blackrock. Verdane has a wealth of croplands and harbors. Blackrock has none of those, but they do have dragons and those scary, hungry beasts guarantee a lot of leverage.

Between them, flanked on both sides by palisade walls, is the wilderness known as Catticut, the Forest of Silvern Cats. It’s a place of huge trees, white panthers, and tribes of warriors. In a world dominated by men, the Catticut chiefs are all women, and they’re as tough as their weathered skin. There’s only one road through the untamed forest, and it makes for a risky trek.

One of the first things I do as I start to write is create a map. That way I have a good “view of the neighborhood.” Here’s the map of the world in The Necromancer’s Daughter. All aboard for what I hope is a fantastical ride!

***

Blurb:

A healer and dabbler in the dark arts of life and death, Barus is as gnarled as an ancient tree. Forgotten in the chaos of the dying queen’s chamber, he spirits away her stillborn infant, and in a hovel at the meadow’s edge, he breathes life into the wisp of a child. He names her Aster for the lea’s white flowers. Raised as his daughter, she learns to heal death.

Then the day arrives when the widowed king, his own life nearing its end, defies the Red Order’s warning. He summons the necromancer’s daughter, his only heir, and for his boldness, he falls to an assassin’s blade.

While Barus hides from the Order’s soldiers, Aster leads their masters beyond the wall into the Forest of Silvern Cats, a land of dragons and barbarian tribes. She seeks her mother’s people, the powerful rulers of Blackrock, uncertain whether she will find sanctuary or face a gallows’ noose.

Unprepared for a world rife with danger, a world divided by those who practice magic and those who hunt them, she must choose whether to trust the one man offering her aid, the one man most likely to betray her—her enemy’s son.

A healer with the talent to unravel death, a child reborn, a father lusting for vengeance, and a son torn between justice, faith, and love. Caught in a chase spanning kingdoms, each must decide the nature of good and evil, the lengths they will go to survive, and what they are willing to lose.

***

This is John again.

I just finished The Necromancer’s Daughter last night. I will be posting a review, but for now, I have to say that this is one of the best fantasy books I have read. The story is compelling and the characters are extremely well-developed. Diana has a unique way of writing that compels the reader to go forth until the very end. Speaking of end this tale ends exactly where I wanted it to end. No spoilers here but after spending time with these characters I needed a surprise ending exactly the way Diana crafted it. Needless to say, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes beautiful world-building, action, adventure, moving scenes, and an escape from the real world.

Bio:

A long-time reader, best-selling author D. Wallace Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.

In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.

Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Links

The Necromancer’s Daughter Links:

Amazon Global Link http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0B92G7QZX

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-necromancers-daughter-d-wallce-peach/1142003172

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-necromancer-s-daughter-1

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-necromancers-daughter/id6443278849

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1160370

Guest Post – Lisa Burton Talking About The Midnight Rambler by Craig Boyack #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 87 Comments

I am very pleased to welcome Lisa Burton-Robot Spokesperson back to Fiction Favorites. Craig Boyack her boss, has a hit series featuring Lizzie and her sidekick The Hat. This is book six in the series. I have read and enjoyed the first three and have the latest three on my Kindle. Craig’s books never fail to deliver in the story’s uniqueness and the quality of characterizations. I also found each book, although part of the series, can be read as a standalone. I know I better get busy before I get further behind. Enough of my blather. I want to welcome Lisa, who will tell us about The Midnight Rambler

I’m sooo excited to be here, John. This is because I got a cameo in this story. Kind of. If you look at it just right. It’s actually one of my old calendars that appeared on a new character’s wall. What Craig calls an Easter Egg. I didn’t get any dialog or action out of the deal, but it seems like I influenced this person’s life.

Ray C. Adair is the result of an experiment. A witch named Professor Lagomorph built him out of… let’s call them spare parts. These parts are kind of multi-ethnic and it makes it hard for Ray to fit in anywhere. He’s kind of a loner. More about him in the blurb.

Let’s talk about me for a change. This is one of my old calendar pages where I was posing as a biker girl. Kind of classic stuff, but it really influenced Ray. Those who want are welcome to share it on Pinterest, various social media, or even use it as wallpaper for their various devices.

 

 

Ray became a biker dude, and I’d like to think I had something to do with that. His motorcycle is even a bagger, similar the one in the poster.

Lizzie has a deeper conversation with Ray about what it means to be human, and even uses me as an example. Squee! I’m so excited about that my processors are heating up. This all works, because I was a player in this series at one time. It would be nice if Craig remembered that once in a while. I mean, robot girls are handy, I could help Lizzie and the hat again someday.

Back to the book before us. This is one of The Hat Series, and any of them can be read as solo projects. This one involves an ancient enemy of the hat, coming back to even up the score. People die, monsters roam the streets. There’s music and mayhem, and all the snark hat fans have come to expect. It’s Halloween season and these short novels can be read in an afternoon. Cuddle up with some hot cider and a blanket. Crack this one open and get your mad science on. It’s robot girl approved.

 

Blurb:

Something evil is after the hat. The ageless enemies have battled many times, but this time Lizzie is wearing the hat. She’s also up against a ticking clock, in that if she can’t find the maker of her new friend’s medicine he will die.

The Rambler has kidnapped the only witch capable of making Ray’s medicine in an attempt to make the hat sloppy in his efforts. He’s also flooded the streets with deadly minions to impede any progress our heroes might make.

As if that weren’t enough, Lizzie is facing more of life’s struggles, both financially and mechanically. This all goes down in the middle of a huge flood event that she’s ill equipped to handle.

Join Lizzie and the hat as they battle the elements, the paranormal, and a being of pure evil. Lizzie might be battling some personal demons along the way as she and Ray grow closer.

Get your copy here: https://mybook.to/TheMidnightRambler

 

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Guest Post – Marlena Smith – The Power of Love #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 56 Comments

I am delighted to welcome a long-time friend to Fiction Favorites. She writes under the pen name Marlena Smith. She is here today to tell us all about herself and give you some perspective on her new book, The Power of Love. So welcome, Marlena, and the post is yours.

Hello and welcome to Day 3 of my tour! I’m so glad you’ve joined us, and hope you’ll share your thoughts on today’s post. Also, please help me in thanking John for sharing his site with us!

Today, we’re having a little Q&A fun!

Q1:  How would you describe your ideal writing space?

I would love to have an office dedicated to my writing. An organized desk with the best writing utensils and my stack of notebooks and guides. Of course, ideal doesn’t always happen, so as long as I have either a notebook or a laptop, I can make it work! Because, let’s be honest, most of the time, I’m writing from the comfort of my couch.

Q2:  Do you have a specific process to your writing?

In a sense. For the most part, when inspiration comes, I let the words flow. If I create an outline, it’s after the first draft. This is a great tool to show me the big picture in its briefest form. I can see plot holes, timing issues, and so on. After the first draft comes the editing. And that’s always my most tedious task. There are countless rewrites and revisions until I finally send my manuscript to my editor. This is usually when I have grown tired of the whole story.

Q3:  Most writers have do’s and don’ts for their writing. Are there any guidelines you follow?

Yes, definitely. My father was a preacher during a large part of my upbringing, and I think that has a lot to do with how I choose to write now. My romance scenes are always mild, and I limit the use of curse words. Honestly, just thinking about steamy scenes makes me uncomfortable. (For clarification, I have read books with adult scenes. And some amazing books, by the way. I simply choose carefully.) I grew up as a goodie-goodie, and guess that’s still who I am today on many levels. Also, I have a bonus daughter that’s only 12, so it’s important to me that she’s able to read my work. She always shares in my excitement, and it would feel unfair to not include her in every way.

Q4:  Writing often involves research. Is this something you enjoy?

Absolutely! I love falling victim to the research rabbit hole and can easily get lost on just about any subject. I will often irritate my husband with my newfound knowledge, so it’s a win-win!!

Q5:  Your stories often take place in a small town. Are you from one yourself?

I am and have lived here my whole life. I actually live on what was once my grandmother’s property, and my dad is my neighbor. I love living in the country, away from city lights and traffic. There’s this beautiful sense of community. Plus, I’m only twenty minutes from Wal-Mart and an hour from some of Alabama’s major cities and attractions.

Q6: What’s one word you would use to describe The Power of Love?

Determination

I don’t want to share any spoilers, but I will say that determination plays a big part for multiple characters. It’s what drives a lot of their actions.

Q7:  Were your characters created from anyone specific in your life?

Yes and no. One character is usually several people combined. A little piece of many. For Scarlet, I’ve known a few people that have gone through something similar to what she has. Even I’ve been there, just not quite as severe. These are the stories that really pull at my heartstrings, and I think that’s why I became so emotional while writing. And the same can be said for all of my characters. I include pieces of people from my own life. Someone with a genuine heart, like Lucas. Someone that has a special adoration for military stories, like Mr. Anthony. Someone that never meets a stranger, like Mama Hazel. I couldn’t imagine creating my characters any other way.

Q8:  What are your favorite marketing tactics?

As an indie author, marketing isn’t always easy. Social media, of course, is a huge platform. From Facebook to Instagram to Twitter. These are great tools for connecting to readers. But, my favorite “tool” is the writing community–the writers I’ve known for several years. The community is all about supporting one another, and it’s amazing. And my writing community grows daily thanks to the social media platform.

Q9: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a writer?

If it’s your passion, stick to it. Don’t worry about word counts or how many finished products you have. Just write. At the end of the day, it’s about doing what you love.

Q10:  When you aren’t creating tales, what can you be found doing?

I’m such a homebody! I love relaxing at home, watching the family play video games, or reading a book. When we do venture out, we’re usually taking the boat to the lake.

Q11: What’s something unique about you that many don’t know?

I created a website that focuses on all things related to crime, history, and paranormal. I’ve always had a weird fascination. Add in my love of research, and I figured, why not? It just kinda felt right to do. And in case you’re interested, it’s called Lore & Curiosities. I try to post a few times a month.

Q12:  What can we expect next?

Your guess is as good as mine! I tend to go where the inspiration leads. Whichever story idea my mind becomes obsessed with. I have several projects in the works. I think many of them could work as short stories, so perhaps an anthology will be coming soon. I also have a cookbook and a YA novel in process.

Book Blurb:

She only wants a fresh start and a life away from the big city.

Scarlet finds herself in the small town of Belmont, Montana. It’s a quiet town with a lot of charm. One she didn’t expect to fall in love with, but it offers something magical.

Will her past catch up to her? Will she be forced back into the life she hates? Will she risk everything for a chance at love?

Purchase Links:

About the Author:

Marlena Smith is a multi-genre author that uses her own small-town life experiences to create stories of the same. Her publications include:

Marlena grew up in Alabama with a love of words and creativity. She still lives with her family in that small town today and has never lost that passion. She spends her days working with churches to help them grow and her nights creating tales.

Three Random Facts  (I stole this idea from fellow writer D.L. Finn!)

  1. I started singing in church at a very early age. I had a deal with my grandmother that anytime she asked for me to perform a special, I wasn’t allowed to say no. Ever since she passed away, though, I actually find it difficult to say yes.
  2. I’ve had a significant amount of paranormal experiences throughout my life. My earliest memory is around the age of 13. I’ve rarely feared whatever it was that surrounded me. I also try to debunk whatever it is. I try to rationalize it. More often than not, though, there is no explanation.
  3. I love thunderstorms. I find them calming. Unless I’m not at home, and in that case, I will have major anxiety.

If you’d like to connect with Marlena, you can find her online:

Today wraps up the blog tour and launch of my book. Thank you for continuing the journey with us! I’m so excited to share The Power of Love with you. I hope you enjoy the story as much as I enjoyed creating it.

A special thank you to the hosts–Harmony, D.L., and John. I can’t thank you guys enough.  ❤️

Guest Post – Jaye Marie – Ghost of a Chance #newbook

~ John W. Howell ~ 80 Comments

Today I am pleased to have Jaye Marie with me on Fiction Favorites. She has a new book titled Ghost of a Chance now available on amazon. So, Jaye, the post is yours.

Thank you, John. Let’s get right into an excerpt that will give your readers an idea of what they can expect.

Excerpt: The Showdown

A faint whisper of flowers greeted me when I opened the front door, but I thought nothing of it at the time. Jane’s perfume still lingered, even after her departure.

My mind was busy, wanting to check out some estate agents. I decided to make coffee before switching on my iPad. I filled the kettle and noticed somebody had moved the rubbish bin. I lifted the lid and found it empty but didn’t recall doing it. I probably had, but my brain was nothing like reliable these days.

Back in the living room, I was about to sit down when I thought I heard a noise upstairs. It sounded like someone closing the wardrobe door.

My detective alarm system had been dormant for so long, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to do. Was there someone upstairs, or did I imagine it? Perhaps it was coming from next door?

Then a floorboard creaked. It was the one by the bedroom door, and I knew I had a visitor.

I made my way to the bottom of the stairs and listened. The silence was deafening, made more so by my straining to hear something. I heard nothing to suggest there was anyone up there. I made my way up the stairs, pausing on the landing. Which room should I check first?

Seconds before I made that decision, the spare room door opened. My breathing slowed as I waited to see what would happen next. It did occur to me that I should have just stormed in, the element of surprise. But it turned out to be me who was surprised.

The look on my wife’s face was a picture when she walked through the door and found me standing with my mouth hanging open.

‘What are you doing here, David?’

Not a terrific way to start, I thought, annoyance raising its head at the sheer affrontery. ‘I do still live here, you know. More to the point, what are you doing here?’

We stood on the landing, several feet apart. Neither of us was happy to see the remains of our once beautiful relationship.

‘None of your business…’ she said, passing me on the way to the stairs.

I watched as she tried her best to stomp down the stairs with attitude, but the large suitcase she dragged behind her spoiled the effect.

I wanted to say so much, so what do you think came out of my mouth?

Mr. Nasty, that’s who.

‘Before you go, Jane, leave your keys on the hall table; I am selling this place.’

She looked up at me, an unreadable expression on her face. ‘You enjoyed that, didn’t you?’

I had already regretted it, so I decided to be honest. It wouldn’t hurt, especially now. ‘No, actually, I didn’t.’

‘Then why say it? Or were you trying to hurt me?’

So, it had hurt. I had given up trying to reason with Ms. Hard as Nails, convinced she couldn’t care less about anything, especially me.

‘In a way, I suppose I was trying to hurt you. A vain attempt to make you feel as bad as I do.’

Neither of us spoke. We stared at each other with a mixture of frustration and desperation (mine)

‘Get down here, David, and put the kettle on. We need to talk…’

~~~~~

Blurb

A damaged detective, out of a job

A relationship on the rocks

What does the future hold for David Snow?

Just when he thought life couldn’t get any worse

A ghost with a grudge adds to his pain

A ghost hell-bent on stopping him from rebuilding his life…

~~~~~

Biography

I came to writing rather late but have always loved reading books. For someone who loathes computers with a passion, and I suspect this is mutual, I have managed to master the beast well enough to publish our own books.

I enjoy reading many different genres, so was very surprised to discover a passion for detective thrillers. I have written four of them to date, with more to follow.

I also enjoy running a joint website/blog with my writer sister, Anita Dawes, and meeting all the lovely people who drop in to say hello!

My other love is bonsai, and my small trees demand a lot of attention in the growing season, or they will die. Sometimes, it is just like having children!

~~~~~

Jaye Marie’s LINKS:

Email:       jayemarie01@btinternet.com

Website:  https://jenanita01.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jaydawes2

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doubletrouble44/

Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/author/show/8638857.Jaye_Marie

Amazon Author page:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jaye-Marie/e/B00O2ZUFOK

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/anitajaydawes

Ghost of a Chance Pre-Order Links:

UK:    amzn.to/3QGfg2f

US:    amzn.to/3xpFWh3

~~~~~

Thanks, Jaye, and best wishes on your tour