Eighteen Months To Live by Rachele Baker - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Eighteen Months To Live 

by Rachele Baker 

Kindle Edition, 149 pages

Published November 30th 2012 by Rachele Baker 

Book Description: 

In the spring of 1990, Midge Rylander rushes to the hospital because of a persistent cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. She believes she has pneumonia but her diagnosis turns out to be much worse. Malignant pleural mesothelioma. Lung cancer from prior exposure to asbestos.

Midge’s doctors advise her that she has less than eighteen months left to live. While recuperating at home, Midge begins a daily journal to document her experiences during her final months. Eighteen Months To Live is the transcription of Midge’s handwritten journal as well as letters that Midge wrote to her daughter Rachele during that time. Midge writes about her emotional struggles, her physical pain, and her search for answers.

After reading Eighteen Months To Live, E.D. Brady wrote in her review on Goodreads that this true story “shows a woman who handled herself with grace, poise, and dignity, as she tells of her daily trials and tribulations, her refusal to go down without a fight, and finally, her acceptance of the inevitable. It highlights the beauty of the human spirit, the vulnerability of life, and the need to remember that every day is precious. I found myself quickly bonding with Midge and commend Ms. Baker for putting this beautiful book out in the world for those who may be facing similar struggles. One word of advice: have a tissue or two ready for the epilogue.”

For more information about Eighteen Months To Live, including the story behind Rachele's writing the book and interviews with Rachele revealing information not found in the book, please visit Rachele Baker, Veterinarian and Author.

Click here to read the first ten percent of Eighteen Months To Live on Amazon and to read reviews by other readers.

About the Author

Dr. Rachele Baker is a veterinarian and author living in California. She published Eighteen Months To Live in 2012. Eighteen Months To Live is the real life story of Rachele's mother, Midge Rylander, in Midge's final months of life. Eighteen Months To Live contains the daily journal Midge kept as well as letters she wrote to Rachele after her diagnosis with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Rachele wrote the heartfelt prologue, epilogue, and narration. It is a heart-wrenching yet heart-warming and inspirational story.

Author Links

  

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What Gifts She Carried by Lindsey R. Loucks - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

What Gifts She Carried

(The Grave Winner #2)

Book Description

Leigh Baxton just wants to pick up the pieces of her life—if you could call it that—but someone keeps resurrecting the dead. These new zombies have a knack for spilling Leigh’s precious blood, something she was warned about by a certain pair of undead sorceresses.

Desperate to find out why they’re here so Leigh can put the nightmares behind her, she must learn more about the gifts she carries. With Tram’s training sessions and clues from her mom’s past, Leigh begins to piece together what she’s capable of.

Too bad there isn’t a Cliff’s Notes version to saving the world.

The zombies have teamed up with followers of the darkest sorceress who ever lived, and they’ll play a wicked game until she’s freed from her prison inside the earth. When the battle to the death begins, Leigh must rely on friends, crushes, and even her enemies to win the war, but not the grave.

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Excerpt

Jo slammed the door behind me, which made me jump a little, then waved. They backed out and rode off, leaving me all alone. Well, almost all alone.

I watched them go for a second, but the shadow above lanced the top of my head like only an angry dad’s stare could. 

The puddles in the cracked pavement rippled with the moon’s reflection, and I hopped over them on my way up the iron staircase. Time to face the music, or in this case really loud shouting. Every step upward vibrated doom, doom, doom. I gave it the middle finger for the friendly reminder and rounded the corner.

As soon as I reached the top step, the shadow unplugged the pen light from his mouth and shined it in my face. I turned my head away from the spots dotting my vision and took my final steps toward him. The green paint on the walls and doors had peeled and crumbled to the walkway like little piles of broken dragon scales. My boots crunched over them. Welcome to Krapper’s finest and friendliest Crumbly Motel.

“Why didn’t you call?” Dad asked in a low voice. He sounded as tired as I felt. And way pissed.

“I’m sorry.” I blocked the light with my hand and tried to look him in the face. “I lost track of time.”

“Were you really working on a school project?”

The truth was loony-bin crazy, and I’d already lied before. Might as well play it up. “Yes, I was. And we finished the pirate project. The pirates have sailed on to loot and pillage their hearts out. I’m really sorry I’m late, Dad.”

He stood, his book tucked under his elbow, the pen light still aimed at my eyes. “Do you have any idea—”

A loud thud came from inside the motel room. Both our heads whipped towards the door. 

My heartbeat skipped. Too many bizarre things had happened. Too many weird sounds would haunt me forever, and this one didn’t feel right at all. I lunged for the doorknob, but it was locked. 

“Darby?” I shouted and pounded on the door.

“Leigh, quiet down. I’ve got the key.” Dad pulled the card from his pocket and stuck it in the slot. When the light flashed green, I tore through the door. I had to wait for my eyes to adjust to the dim overhead light before I saw her. Directly across from us. Outside on the balcony. Leaning over the railing so far I could barely see her upper half.

Her purple mermaid nightgown fluttered around her legs. A sudden sharp breeze tossed the hair around her shoulders and unsteadied her grip on the rail for half a second. That half second shot me across the room.

Once I reached the balcony door, I grabbed her foot and pulled. “Darby, what are you—?” Something trickled from my nose. I brushed it away, and blood smeared my hand. A pinprick of dread punctured the small amount of hope I clung to. Hope that all the nightmares in my life could be done. That hope left me deflated when Darby turned around.

Blood seeped from her nose, too. Her hands were covered with it. Terror blazed bright behind her glasses. “You’re…you’re bleeding.”

“You are, too.” The hairs along my arms lifted. Both of us had nose bleeds and both of us were Trammeler sorceressi. One and Two had warned me not to waste my precious blood, but now it flowed down both our fronts for everyone to see. For what? I swallowed. So we could be hunted down? With the balcony and front doors still open, I felt very exposed. “What are you doing out here, Darby?”

Blood settled above the curve of her upper lip. “I—I thought I heard something.”

Dad, hovering in the doorway, raked his hands through his hair. “What on Earth is going on with you girls?” He took Darby by the shoulder and guided her to the bathroom. “Leigh, get the doors and then let’s get you both cleaned up.”

I reached for the handle while holding a sleeve up to my nose. As I slid the door closed, a small, bloody handprint smudged the streetlights behind it. Darby’s. She was bleeding more than me.

A slow but steady doom, doom, doom of footsteps echoed up the stairs outside the still open front door. Someone was coming. And with them came the stink of nasty meat floating in a sewer. Even with all the blood gushing a river out my nose, I could still smell it. Death. Coming closer.

Guest Post

One of my best friends in high school and I no longer speak to each other. I was dumb enough to let a boy come between us, and that was the end. Poof. Five years of friendship gone. My Facebook friend requests to her are ignored. The end.

So I guess I did what any creative type of person would do to deal with this situation and created a lovable character known as Jo in The Grave Winner series. She’s my main character Leigh’s best friend, and she shares many similarities with my lost friend. They share the same bright red hair that comes from a box and the same devotion to saving the planet. Neither of them have any interest in hiding their quirky personalities from judgment. I suppose that’s why I love Jo so much and why friendship plays such a central theme in the books.

My friend and I used to spend a lot of time in thrift stores, and Whaty-Whats, the thrift store in the books, is based on a real location. We perused the racks together, the smell of moth balls, cedar, and gently used clothing solidifying all those times into happy memories. I purposefully made that a special place for Leigh and Jo, a place neither of them would ever forget for lots of different reasons, some horrific and some pleasant.

I have a lot of happy memories of my lost best friend, like the time she wedged herself underneath a chair and couldn’t escape, or the hundreds of times we stalked our crushes. Do I blame her for breaking up with me? No. Do I miss her? Of course I do, but I have those memories of us, and now I can relive our friendship through Jo and Leigh. For now, that will do.

About The Grave Winner (Book #1)

Book Description

Leigh Baxton is terrified her mom will come back from the dead — just like the prom queen did.

While the town goes beehive over the news, Leigh bikes to the local cemetery and buries some of her mom’s things in her grave to keep her there. When the hot and mysterious caretaker warns her not to give gifts to the dead, Leigh cranks up her punk music and keeps digging.

She should have listened.

Two dead sorceresses evicted the prom queen from her grave to bury someone who offered certain gifts. Bury them alive, that is, then resurrect them to create a trio of undead powerful enough to free the darkest sorceress ever from her prison inside the earth.

With help from the caretaker and the dead prom queen, Leigh must find out what’s so special about the gifts she gave, and why the sorceresses are stalking her and her little sister. If she doesn’t, she’ll either lose another loved one or have to give the ultimate gift to the dead – herself.

Amazon US – Amazon UK

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*OFFER VALID FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY*

Lindsey R. Loucks

Lindsey R. Loucks works as a school librarian in rural Kansas. When she’s not discussing books with anyone who will listen, she’s dreaming up her own stories. Eventually her brain gives out, and she’ll play hide and seek with her cat, put herself in a chocolate induced coma, or watch scary movies alone in the dark to reenergize. She’s been with her significant other for almost two decades.

Website/Blog – Twitter – Facebook

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Torrent by Gemma James - Review Tour

Torrent

(Condemned #1)

Book Description:

I’ve been obsessed with Rafe Mason since I was thirteen. The twisted part of this story is that I still want him, even now.

Now that he’s holding me captive on an island.

Rafe has his reasons for doing what he’s doing, and if I’m honest, I can’t blame him. I’m the girl who sent him to prison for a heinous crime he didn’t commit.

But now he’s free and the tables have turned…now he’s the one driven by obsession.

TORRENT is a new adult dark romance with disturbing themes and explicit content that includes sexual situations and violence. Intended for adult readers 18+ only. Part one of the CONDEMNED series. This is not a stand-alone read.

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My Review:

Torrent (Condemned #1) by Gemma James
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gemma James has written a fantastic dark romance novel, what is the difference between Love & Hate!

The author's writing sucked me in right from chapter 1, it is full of hatred, guilt, shame, secrets, love and revenge.

Alex who has lived a horrible life, her stepbrother is beyond evil and she has no idea how to escape the life she is forced to live. Regret, shame and caught in a dark web of lies has Alex feeling like there is no way out and wanting to escape doesn't seem possible.

Rafe who has spent 8 years in prison and is now coming back for revenge, and Alex has no idea what she is going to do.

Torrent is a fast paced read it is one of those stories you won't put down, I even felt a bit guilty at the time for enjoying it so much.

The twist and turns made Torrent a fantastic read, I cannot wait to read book two in this series. I would recommend this book and have rated it a 4 star read.

I definitely will be looking at the other books written by Gemma James as her writing had me fully engaged and left me wanting more. So go grab yourself a copy if you love a dark romance story.

About the Author - Gemma James

Gemma James (a pseudonym for Christina Jean Michaels) loves to explore the darker side of sex in her fiction. She’s morbidly curious about anything dark and edgy and enjoys exploring the deviant side of human nature. Her stories have been described as being “not for the faint of heart.” She lives with her husband and their four children—three rambunctious UFC/wrestling-loving boys and one girl who steals everyone’s attention. Sign up for her newsletter so you don’t miss out on future releases!

Authors Contact Info

Blog – Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads

Darkest Embrace by Robyn Pierce - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Darkest Embrace

Dark Fantasy

Book Description:

While running away to escape the actions of her deceased father, Elyssa Smith is caught in the worst storm that Lanistter Isle has ever seen, forcing her to seek shelter in the only place nearby -- Lanistter Castle. Soon, however, it's made clear that the inhabitants of the castle are the ones she's running away from in the first place.

Zeke Lanistter is the head of the European Lanistter branch -- and a sadist through and through. He has bloody plans for Elyssa, and will stop at nothing to get rid of her.

Reid Lanistter is known by many for his womanizing. But when Elyssa enters the castle, he does all he can to protect her from Zeke, unexpectedly morphing into a one-woman man.

In a sinister turn of events, Reid becomes the danger to Elyssa's life, and it’s Zeke who finds himself doing whatever he can to protect Elyssa...

About the Author - Robyn M. Pierce

Robyn M. Pierce is an author from Las Vegas, where the night is never-ending. She has two white cats that lure her into taking catnaps more often than not and can be terrorists when it’s dinnertime.

The Lanistter Chronicles has been her primary focus since 2006, when she started writing stories of her own. (She used to be a fan fiction writer!)

While on her journey with the Lanistter family, she has come up with enough book ideas to fill a shelf, and there are still more to come.

Authors Contact Info

Website
Email Robyn

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Amazon

Where to Purchase:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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Tested by Janelle Stalder - Release Day Blitz & Giveaway!

Book Description

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.

Faced with the scariest decision of her life, Missy is going behind enemy lines to save the rebel that seems to haunt her every dream. Finding courage is one of the hardest things she’s ever done, especially when she comes face-to-face with a terrifying reality. The green eyes that have fascinated her, no longer gleam with recognition. Now Missy must find a way to not only get them out alive, but to save the mind of the man who is quickly capturing her heart. And she must do it all without getting caught. Put to the test, will Missy be able to rise above her fears and find love, or watch it all blow up in smoke?

*This book is for mature audiences due to sexual situations, violence and strong language.

Purchase Links:

Amazon 

Smashwords

Barnes and Noble 

About the Author

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in a small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

 Authors Contact Information:

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Twitter
Website
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The Lover's Secret (No Exceptions #1) by J.C. Reed - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

The Lover's Secret (No Exceptions #1)

by J.C. Reed

Genre: Mature New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance

Recommended for ages 18 and up.

Book Description

When a sexy encounter comes like a dream...

Brooke Stewart thinks she's finally safe and can move on from her past. But after one night at the Trio Hotel and meeting the sexy stranger with the green eyes that can steal one's soul, her life is changed forever. Passions run deep. The fun is supposed to be for one night with no strings attached.

Sexy millionaire Jett Mayfield can have any woman he wants, but the night he sees Brooke, he knows what he has to do. Brooke has something Jett desperately wants, something he can't admit to the woman he tries to get to surrender. He has a secret so deep it would upend her life if she found out too soon. He's almost reached his goal, and then she gets a letter she was not meant to read. Suddenly, secrets get a completely new meaning.

When two hearts collide, at least one is bound to shatter.

A man who takes what he wants
A woman who's ready to give him one night
One bet that turns into a game of seduction
But Mr. Sexy drives in the fast lane. And he has a secret that could destroy her

Available now:  worldwide, print and ebook

Links

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

iTunes

Barnes & Noble

Connect with Author

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

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Romantic Ruckus - An Anthology by Kara Leigh Miller - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Book Description:

Every girl dreams of her knight in shining armor riding in on a white horse, sweeping her off her feet, and living happily ever after. But what happens when prince charming is actually a nerd wrapped in tin foil whose horse is a rusty Camaro? 

Welcome to the world of Romantic Ruckus, where happily ever after isn't so happy after all.

Authors like:

Airika Sneve -Anne E. Johnson - B. T. Petro - B. Tanton

Cathy Douglas - Christine Edwards - Dayna Ingram - Dina Lyuber

Gerri Leen - Giovanni Valentino - John H. Dromey - John Julius

Jonathan Todd Riley - Leo Norman - Lisa McCormack - Melissa Osburn

Melodie Corrigall - Ross Baxter - Ryan Priest - Sandra J. Kachurek 

Shannon Brisson - Tim Jeffreys - Tom Jolly - Tyson West

Goodreaders Link  

For the month of August, the ebook of our first anthology Alternate Hilarities will be 99 cents.

Amazon

Smashword

About KARA LEIGH MILLER

Kara is a multi-published author who isn't afraid to push the boundaries. All of Kara's books can be found on her Website. Kara is a member of The Romance Writers of America, the CNY Romance Writers, and the CNY Writers Haven. Writing is her passion and she spends countless hours reading, writing, and studying the craft of young adult writing. In addition to her contributions here at Strange Musings Press, she's the Managing Editor for Anaiah Press, a Christian fiction press. 

You connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. 

Strange Musings Press

We are a small publisher founded and run by two authors with a variety of skills and talents. Visit our Staff page for more information about who we are. 

Currently, Strange Musings Press is strictly an e-publisher of anthologies: Alternate Hilarities , Romantic Ruckus, and Alternate Hilarities 2 - Vampires Suck .  We are now reading for Alternate Hilarities 3: Hysterical Realms

We DO NOT accept or publish stand alone stories, novels, or novellas at this time so please don't query us for those. We'll send you a humorous and snarky rejection letter. 

The goal of these anthologies is to help aspiring authors get published and to have fun. Everything we do here is in the spirit of humor. If we offend you in any way, well, we probably don't care =) 

Take a moment to look around and submit a story or two if you'd like. Got questions? Got a joke you want to tell us? Want to tell us how awesome we are? Stand in line and send us an email at: strangemusings.editor@verizon.net.

Website

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Here is a list of some of the stories in Romantic Ruckus.

First Love by Ross Baxter

Dating can be a heartbreaking learning experience at the best of times. We’ve all been let down at one time or another, but add alcohol, science and telepathy to the mix and the results can be a true education.

A Mouse of a Different Color by Tyson West

Her daughter was having a princess birthday party and milf Chastity, no longer a princess, chanced on her own private Beauty and the Beast party. However, she learned you can’t always tell a beast by its cover.

Anything for You, Baby by Tyson West

Why did Clyde turn Bonnie on?  

Why do good girls do bad guys? 

Hybristophilia 

Benign by Dayna Ingram

Benign traces the single moment - brief as the flame of a struck match yet twice as scorching - in the life of a woman when she simultaneously discovers, obtains, and, in obtaining, loses everything she never knew she desired, embodied in the dermatological abnormality of a passing stranger.

Bullets and Blackbirds by Lisa McCormack

When Kelly’s Secret Santa gifts become sinister, she turns to her gorgeous sexy boyfriend for comfort. But Secret Santa knows more than he’s telling. The darkest gift is yet to come.

Dead Party by Fred Jolly

If you got invited to a zombie party, would you wear your cutest top? See what happens when you mix smart cars, hot women, and barbeque sauce together at this year’s weirdest get-together. And find out why the words “zombie” and “lust” just don’t go together that well.

Hot Flashes by John H. Dromey

This fore-“word”-play is a verbal tease,

An intro to prose that aims to please.

Wanna join the Smile High Club? Read on.

If At First You Don’t Succeed By Gerri Leen

Gorgeous gowns, dancing, and a handsome prince: what girl wouldn’t want to attend a ball at the castle and find true love? This not terribly experienced Fairy Godmother is about to meet Cinderella, who doesn't want to go and has to be compelled, by means fair … and not so.

That Girl with the Wicked Long Hair by Gerri Leen

Rapunzel is a pretty strange story no matter how you tell it. Even so, the Brothers Grimm might be a little surprised at this narrator's technique. But finally we get the real scoop on Rapunzel, her wacky hijinks, and of course, her wicked long hair.

The Good Whiskey Made Me Do It by CHRISTINE EDWARDS

What really happens when the common man comes into money? Jeff inherits not only wealth, but also wisdom, and his wife doesn’t approve of the latter. His problems don’t end there, and he blames it all on the good whiskey.

Wireless Love Triangle by Jason Graff

Man loves his wireless devices. They make life more convenient How best to show our appreciation? What thoughts are worth sharing? And, what do we do when they love us back?

Young Zombies in Love by John H. Dromey

What should women do if men are attracted by their beauty and ignore their brains completely? That is the question. Is dating a zombie the answer?

The Murano Glass Cat by John Julius

Finn is a bad guy. After his girl catches him out, he decides to become a nice guy. He changes his routine, his hobbies and even his job. Can Finn switch up his game and treat his girl the way she deserves? Or will he be tempted again?

The Story So Far By B. Tanton

Danger!  Beware!!  Before reading The Story so Far, are you a sexually broad-minded adult?   If not, proceed with the utmost caution.

Lingering By Melissa Osburn

After being widowed for two years, Gabe decides to start dating again. Her dead husband doesn't think it's such a great idea though.

Eye to Eye by Melodie Corrigal

A young man’s platonic passion for, and persistent loyalty to, his first love—spuds—creates friction in his later sexual dalliances. His innocent affection transforms initially loving mates into intolerant and unforgiving ex-partners. 

The Love Gun by Anne E. Johnson

Professor Malik Jonas designed an ingenious weapon that could disintegrate the enemy. He never imagined that a simple smile could disintegrate his heart.

An Eye for Love by Dina Lyuber

What’s worse than spending Valentine’s Day alone? A lot of things, as Candace finds out after her best friend Pam drags her out for drinks. 

Migration by Sandra J. Kachurek

Tom dreams of being a big-time photographer instead of a data entry man. His dream takes him to the roof of his office building in hopes of snapping a few shots of butterflies. What develops is a surprising lesson about nature, human nature.

Big Screen Romance by Sandra J. Kachurek

Trudi's got a plan to get her boyfriend back, whether he wants her or not. Her scheme unrolls on Halloween night. When she realizes she can't have him, then she'll take whatever he's got, which may be even better.

Samantha and the Queen by Cathy Douglas

You might think finding fairy-tale love would be easy when you're the most powerful woman in the world, and you have the help of a professional Relationship Scientist and her high-tech matchmaker. But beware, for the (alternate) universe is full of gold diggers!

Change of Tastes by Ryan Priest

In every city there’s an area or a street, written down nowhere but known to all. A place where the traditional lines blur and even the most taboo debauchery can be bought…for a price.

The Angry Automaton by Tim Jeffreys

I used to lie awake at night, laughing to myself, imagining him slipping her the hose.  Tweaking her dials.  Pushing his pipe into her socket.

A Blind Date to Die for by Giovanni Valentino

Dating is difficult but it shouldn’t be hazardous to your health. Unless she’s the one.

1st prize:   $25 Amazon Gift Card

2nd prize: 3 digital copy of Death of a Waterfall by Kara Leigh Miller

3rd prize: 3 digital copies of Alternate Hilarities

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Now It Begins by Gary Markwick - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Title: Now it begins

Author: Gary Markwick

Genre: Mind/Body/Spirit

Book Description:

“When we are able to free ourselves from the restrictions of our past, we are open to receiving all things that are possible. When we connect with the universe we create the power within.”

Blurb: Do you sometimes feel like you have lost control of your life? Has the transformative power of choice seemingly slipped away and left you wishing it would return?

If so you are not alone. Many people live out their days trapped in a cycle of negativity, hearing the 'can not’s but ignoring the 'can dos'.

As someone who has helped thousands of people take control of their destiny, Gary Markwick knows that the only thing truly holding us back is ourselves. 

In this inspiring new book, qualified Hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner Gary provides an easy-to-follow 10-step plan to rediscovering your true, unique, purpose in life.

If you are tired of being weighed down by worries and doubt; want to cut through the illusions that only distract; and are ready to tap into a deeper reality and resurface in a more balanced and positive place, then prepare yourself because Now it Begins...

Synopsis: Now it Begins is a self-help book that draws upon personal testimony, professional guidance and the best of New Age thinking to enable readers to take control of their lives.

Split into 10 distinct “phases”, or steps, it tackles some of life's biggest and yet most personal questions about identity and interconnectivity, love and fear, and choice and destiny. Author and respected life coach Gary Markwick, is there every step of the way to provide a clear and accessible path through the clutter of negative thoughts and day-to-day distractions, to the end goal of self-realisation.

At the heart of the title is the simple assertion that once you can let go of illusion and draw upon a deeper, universal source of motivation, then you will reconnect with your true purpose on earth.

Illustrated throughout with ancient learning and stories that gently bring home the important points being made, Now it Begins will consistently inspire and encourage people on their exciting journey to freedom and fulfilment.

Page Count/Word Count: 101 pages/48,371 words

Buy the Book:

Amazon UK - Paperback version

Amazon UK - Kindle version

Amazon USA Kindle

Waterstones 

(please ask the shop assistant to order the book in - if you have problems please email me: gary@palmistryinhand.com)

WHSmith

Add to your Goodreads Shelf:  

 

About the Author - Gary Markwick:

With qualifications in Palmistry, Reiki, Clinical Hypnotherapy and NLP, Gary Markwick is much sought after by people wishing to transform their lives for the better. He regularly holds group and corporate workshops on breaking out of negative modes of thinking and taking charge of destiny. 

Gary enjoys international fame as a palmist and spiritual healer and during a 20-year career, has made numerous appearances in the national media, including Sky TV and the News of the World. He has read the palms of celebrities including comedian Phil Jupitus on BBC's ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ and, most notably, President Barack Obama before his 2004 electoral campaign. 

Gary says his aim is to “help and show people how to find the positive resources and intentions, by using one’s own skills in obtaining the full potentiality that exists within our life”. 

Now it Begins is his first book but Gary has previous writing experience including penning a well-respected course on the Laws of Attraction. He is based in Camden, London.

Author Contacts: 

Gary Markwick

Tel: 020 8445 7279

Email: gary@palmistryinhand.com 

Website: www.palmistryinhand.com 

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Compass North by Stephanie Joyce Cole - Blog Tour & Giveaway!

Title: COMPASS NORTH 

Author: Stephanie Joyce Cole 

Genre: Women’s Fiction; Romantic Suspense 

Release Date: December1st, 2013 (digital) April 1st, 2014 (print) 

Pages: 224 pages 

Publisher: Champagne Book Group 

Format: Digital eBook, Trade Paperback 

ISBN: 978-1-77155-008-6 

Book Description:

Reeling from the shock of a suddenly shattered marriage, Meredith flees as far from her home in Florida as she can get without a passport: to Alaska. After a freak accident leaves her presumed dead, she stumbles into a new identity and a new life in a quirky small town. Her friendship with a fiery and temperamental artist and her growing worry for her elderly, cranky landlady pull at the fabric of her carefully guarded secret. When a romance with a local fisherman unexpectedly blossoms, Meredith struggles to find a way to meld her past and present so that she can move into the future she craves. But someone is looking for her, someone who will threaten Meredith’s dream of a reinvented life.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

 In Stephanie Joyce Cole’s COMPASS NORTH, a desperately unhappy woman is thrust into a new life and a new identity in a small town in Alaska when she is presumed dead in a freak accident. She discovers that it takes more than a change of venue to reinvent a life. 

“Compass North is a must read book for today's generation of women (and men), defining their role in a complex and fast changing world.” – Grady, Goodreads.


Find out more about COMPASS NORTH in this exclusive interview with Stephanie Joyce Cole!

Excerpt:

This morning, when Meredith had woken, bleary-eyed and her throat dry, she buried her head in the soft pillow. Going home. She probed the thought gently, thinking about opening the townhouse door, sensing the silent whispers. Was it even home anymore?

On their way to the Fairbanks airport, someone yelped, “Look, a bear!”

Even though it was the last day of the tour, the bus still shuddered to a stop when anyone shouted out a sighting. Meredith had rushed with everyone else to the left side of the bus to squint at the distant-moving speck on the rain-drenched green expanse in Denali National Park, all the time thinking, Will he be at the airport? No, of course not. I didn’t even tell him my flight information. But he could ask Ellen. But no, he won’t be there. Unless he wants to talk about the divorce right away...

“Wow, look at those fall colors!”

At a scenic viewpoint, they all huddled together against the whistling wind and stared at the rolling tundra outside of Fairbanks, with its late summer greens, scarlets, and browns pocketed by hundreds of tiny lakes shining a deep navy blue in the weak afternoon sunlight. The stiff breeze carried the scent of trampled evergreens, wet earth, and the suggestion of still, boggy water. The bite of the wind made her eyes water and blurred her vision. She murmured some words of admiration, but her thoughts were far away. What will I do next? How could Michael do this to me after fifteen years?

Meredith had found her fellow travelers to be a contented and congenial group, solicitous and moderately interested in their only single, and rather withdrawn, slightly nervous fellow traveler. They must have found her odd, she realized, her slender frame swaddled in layers of Florida cotton, while they had prepared for this trip for months, fortifying themselves in down parkas and carrying brightly colored backpacks. She was at least two decades younger than most of them. But they had been kind to her, and after the first few days they realized she preferred to be left alone.

It was one of the last tours of the season, and though the sun often offered a bit of pleasant warmth midday, the nights drew in sharp and bitter. On the road to Fairbanks, they had driven through vistas splashed with streaks of red and gold stretching to a far horizon, and could see a fine new layer of snow had already dusted the lower slopes of distant, craggy peaks. The brief Alaska autumn had arrived, and winter already announced its intentions. But Meredith might as well have been traveling in the vast expanse of some flat, monotonous desert, for all the magnificence of the country registered with her.

And now, as she exited the airport and stepped onto the curb, her travel bag held tight under her arm, her lungs breathing in the cool, crisp air, the bus looming ahead of her, the sound of a plane deafeningly roaring, coming closer…

Later, she would wonder if she had seen the plane crash into the waiting bus. She didn’t think so. All she remembered was the noise, the terrible boom, then the fiery mass where the bus should have been.

Screams erupted then, and voices wailing. Meredith couldn’t absorb it at first, that the bus heading back to Anchorage—the bus she should be on—had just exploded at the far end of the airport parking lot.

She dropped hard onto the concrete curb in terror, sprawled into a sitting position with her legs awkwardly splayed in front of her. She watched in confusion as people streamed out of the terminal. The crowd pushed a few feet ahead, shouting and pointing and holding their hands to faces that wore masks of shock and horror, but the heat and flames kept them at a distance.

Oh my God, that’s our bus, everyone is on board, everyone is there...

Jonas and Angela were right behind me. And Carrie and John were across the aisle...

Oh my God. I should be on that bus. I should be dead.

But I’m not.

 Author Bio:

Stephanie Joyce Cole lived for decades in Alaska. She and her husband recently relocated to Seattle, where they reside with a predatory but lovable Manx cat named Bruno. Stephanie has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. When she's not writing, she's hiking, creating ceramics, practicing yoga, traveling, volunteering and discovering new ways to have fun--and oh yes, reading, reading, reading.

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Free Her by A.M Hargrove - Release Day Launch & Giveaway!

About Freeing Her • This novel contains mature content and it not intended for younger readers.

This is the beginning of a story... the story of two people who were meant to be together. Why? Because unknown to them, they shared terrifying pasts and the cruel circumstances of their births doomed both of them to a life of hell.

Two strangers ... one night ... one accidental meeting that changed their lives forever. 

Gabriella Martinelli, Manhattan psychiatrist had only one goal in life—to help abuse victims avoid the horrors she’d experienced herself. She worked late, volunteered, and donated her services to anyone who needed them. Life was good ... until her nightmare resurfaced. He found her, and began stalking her, and she knew he wouldn’t stop until he destroyed every ragged piece of her.

Kolson Hart, Manhattan’s most eligible bachelor, was ruled by his dark past. He liked control, from the boardroom to the bedroom and didn’t care to be involved with someone whose life was just as screwed up as his was. But one look at Gabriella short-circuited everything. Want ... desire ... need ... will sometimes drive a man to do things he swore he never would.

He freed her from a life of fear ... When he couldn’t even save himself.

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AM Hargrove Bio: One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove's career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include Kissing Fire, Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge, the series the Guardians of Vesturon (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, Beginnings and reEmergent), Dark Waltz, Tragically Flawed, Tragic Desires, and Exquisite Betrayal.

Other than being in love with being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

(If you're wondering, it didn't happen EXACTLY that way, but….)

You can also find her on Goodreads as Emerson St. Clair. Her novella series, Dirty Nights, is available and those are a little dark, a little erotic and a lot sexy!

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Today we're bringing you the release day launch of A.M. Hargrove's new novel, Freeing Her!!

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