A Proof of Love by Merida Johns (VNBtM, guest post, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

A Proof of Love

by 

Merida Johns

 

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GENRE:  Women’s Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

A fictional story with a memoir overlay as narrator Katie Blake reflects on life in small town America and the principles, influences, and big personalities she wants you to never forget.

 

It’s Memorial Day weekend, 2009, and the town gossips have their shorts in a twist about a mysterious newcomer who wears tie-dye, colorful headbands, clunky necklaces, and rings on every finger. “Who installs a ceiling fan on a Victorian porch?” cries Ned Boomer, Woodburg’s grumpiest man, and the town gossips concur, “She must be a hippie, witch, or maybe worse . . . a socialist.”

 

Hell-bent on preventing a neighborhood blow-up, precocious, nine-year-old Katie Blake launches a covert investigation to gather the truth about the enigmatic Rose. But when she discovers a decades-old secret binding her, Rose, and bad-tempered Ned Boomer, her world takes a turn.

 

Penning a memoir sixteen years later, Katie is forced to reconsider whether the real proof of love was in preventing a neighborhood war or finding friendship and comfort among three unlikely grief-stricken souls who should never be forgotten.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Gram taught me to be independent, manage my anxieties, and have confidence in myself, showing me

how to use my imagination to wiggle out of a jam or face the “grim crossroads” when confused or sad.

 

The first time I cried and lost it over a complicated computer problem, she said, “Be inventive, Katie! What can you do to calm down and think things through?”

 

We put our heads together to come up with ideas. Gram said she brewed herself a cup of tea when needing a break. Mom worked on crossword puzzles. Dad played solitaire. My one decadent delight was a FatBoy ice cream, and that’s how Gram and I hatched the plan of taking two ice cream sandwiches and hiding them under the frozen vegetables to create my private emergency stash.

 

“Close your eyes, breathe, take a bite, and replace the leftovers. No one will suspect anything. Our little secret. . .”

 

Amazon link

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Guest post:

Book Cover Design of A Proof of Love

We're all familiar with the idiom, "Don't judge a book by its cover."  While the metaphor is useful for withholding judgment about the value of something or someone based on outward appearance, it couldn’t be farther from the truth when it comes to books. A recent research study showed “that book covers are more than decorative; they play a key role in shaping book perception and consumption.”I

Given that I wholeheartedly agree with the above researcher that a book cover’s sole purpose is to be judged, let me share the process I used to create A Proof of Love. 

My priorities when it came to the cover design

I wanted the cover to fill three roles. First, the cover should reflect the inciting incident that disrupts the protagonist's life and sets the plot in motion, or it should represent the point of truth in the story, called the climax. Second, I wanted a visual narrative that would attract readers' attention and interest, and third, a reference point—a cover—that would propel them into the simulation as they read.

The choice—the inciting incident or the climax?

Well, I had a little help from 64 of my Substack and other social media followers.

I developed seven cover prototypes using a popular software program. Secretly, I had a preference, but I wanted to know what my anticipated reader audience preferred. I needed to learn which design was most attractive to readers who enjoyed my novels' content. To accomplish this, I asked my social media followers for volunteers to evaluate the seven prototypes.

Sixty-four followers participated and assessed designs based on both the inciting incident and the climax. Using a variety of statistical techniques to analyze the responses, the current cover representing the inciting incident received the most positive comments.

How does the porch represent the inciting incident and other cover priorities?

From the book's blurb, prospective readers can surmise that the inciting incident that raises the neighborhood’s blood pressure into the danger zone is the placement of a fan on the ceiling of a Victorian front porch by the newcomer to town, whose manner and dress don't jive with the stereotypical village citizen. The white ceiling fan that sparks the hubbub is prominently featured on the book cover.

The porch scene gives a visual narrative of hospitality, friendship, refuge, and trust. A place for conversation and sharing. As a reference point for readers, cover elements—from the Boston terrier, lemonade, cookies, comfy white wicker furniture, to hanging flower baskets—each have a home within the novel's pages that readers will recognize (and revisit) as they move through the story simulation.  

Final Cover Design

While I developed the seven prototype covers using a popular software platform (Canva), I’m no designer. With the input from my 64 reviewers, the chosen cover was handed off to my professional cover designer, Ruth Miller. Ruth designed the award-winning cover for my novel Flower Girl and has a spectacular eye for detail, color palette, composition, typography, and layout. She adjusted elements of the prototype to conform to graphic design principles. I couldn't be more thrilled with the result for my fourth novel, inviting readers to come sit on the porch and enjoy a good read about Katie, Rose, and Ned, and the summer when their lives are reshaped by a secret that binds them. 

Final Thoughts

I’d be pleased if you’d drop me an email to let me know your reaction to the cover and the emotions it raises for you.

  

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

At heart, I am a storyteller who writes women’s fiction and stories of courage and discovery, showcasing the protagonist’s journey toward a more fulfilled self.

           

My passion is writing women’s fiction and exploring the human experience—how ordinary people tackle challenges, endure sorrow and betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and act on their aspirations to achieve flourishing lives.

My insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with a group of fellow life coaches. “What would it be like to help women and men achieve a flourishing life through storytelling?” I asked them.

 

After that phone call, I got started answering that question. The result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a compelling story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness, published July 21, 2020, by Coffee Cup Press, followed by Flower Girl (2022), Flawless Witness (2023), and now A Proof of Love (2026)

 

Before embracing writing fiction, I was the author of health informatics and leadership textbooks. Later, I put my leadership experience to use as a leadership coach, focusing on supporting others to fulfill their leadership and economic potential. My range of nonfiction is available on my Amazon Author Page.

 

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Flawless Witness by Merida Johns (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 

Flawless Witness

Flower Girl Novella sequel

by 

Merida Johns

 

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GENRE:   women's fiction, women's domestic suspense fiction, women's psychological fiction, domestic abuse

 

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BLURB:

 

Suzanna Jordan suppressed the memories of Jonathan’s abuse for thirty-six years, but when a tell-all journal surfaces after his death, a legacy of cruelty haunts her from beyond the grave. But will Jonathan’s darkness, bared for all to see, drag Suzanna into despair, or will these revelations free her soul to bear witness to his abuse and finally offer her the closure she so desperately seeks?

 

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EXCERPT 

“Are you Suzanna Jordan, my father’s previous wife?” he asks.

 

The slight nasal tone and clipped cadence of his voice are too familiar. It is one thing to know Jonathan is dead—another to have his rebirth materialize before my eyes. Sweat bubbles in the creases of my palms and under my arms. The priest casts his eyes downward and says nothing. The air turns into a block of ice, and the birdsong stops as if the feathered creatures in the trees sensetrouble brewing.

 

“Yes, I was Jonathan Spencer’s first wife. The death notice didn’t mention a son named Jonathan. Who are you?”

 

The priest offers me the envelope. “I want to give you this. You deserve to see what’s in here.”

 

I reach for the ordinary office packet. The words “Trojan Horse” burst into my head as I read the white address label on the package, typed with my name.

 

Amazon buy link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Merida Johns writes about the human experience—which often is messy. She shows how ordinary people tackle challenges, live through sorrow and betrayal, and struggle with doubt. But despite this, they gather the strength to act on their aspirations and achieve flourishing lives.

“My insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with fellow life coaches when I asked, ‘What would it be like to help people achieve a flourishing life through storytelling instead of another self-help book?’

After that phone call, I got started answering that question. Five years later, the result is the publication of my debut novel Blackhorse Road and a second novel, Flower Girl. Both works are women’s fiction, and the driving force of the stories is the protagonist’s journey toward a flourishing life.

Now, I’m thrilled about the recent release of Flawless Witness—a story of a woman who has suppressed the memories of her ex-husband’s abuse for three decades. But when a tell-all journal surfaces after his death, a legacy of cruelty haunts her from beyond the grave.

Before writing fiction, I was a professor, author of health informatics and leadership textbooks, and leadership coach focusing on helping women break the glass ceiling and fulfill their leadership and economic potential. 

My husband and I reside in the beautiful Midwest countryside. This is where I find the serenity and space for bringing to life the stories of everyday people who face and overcome extraordinary challenges by finding and following their North Star.

Website

Twitter:  @MLJohnsAuthor

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Goodreads  

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GIVEAWAY

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My review:

 

3.5 of 5 stars

 

“Flawless Witness: Flower Girl Sequel” by Merida Johns is a sequel to the domestic thriller novel, “Flower Girl”. It gives insight to the chain of events that shaped Suzanna Jordan’s life and forces her to face unpalatable truths and explore the strength that has made her into the woman she is now, only if she has the courage to examine the evidence that has come to light.

 

This psychological fiction novella is both chilling and inspiring. I was a bit challenged by its evocation of distasteful past history, even though I have thankfully never experienced the horrors that the heroine has, and at first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue reading. Those who have triggers about domestic abuse should use caution about reading this story, although glimpses of Suzanna’s present circumstances underscore that she has travelled through her dark times and found happiness. Some things were a little clunky for me, but that may be partially because I’ve never been a fan of reading constant flashbacks, and partly because I haven’t read the companion novel that this story is designed to clarify.

 

I think that this tale would probably serve as a great teaching tool for those who are connected to someone who has experienced domestic abuse. I feel it might be a challenge for those who have already dealt with that heartbreak and betrayal of trust unless it helps provide a catharsis and not a reminder of all they’ve endured. The author does a good job of evoking the horrors sometimes experienced by victims and reminds us that there is not necessarily public justice for some actions but private victories that are the best reward for surviving and overcoming negative experiences.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review

A School of Daughters by Kate Rene MacKenzie (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

A SCHOOL OF DAUGHTERS

by 

Kate René MacKenzie

 

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GENRE:   Literary Women’s Fiction

 

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BLURB:

It’s funny how things sneak up on you…

 

Kate Willoughby is a champion for throwaways—discarded dogs and cats, abandoned horses bound for slaughter, and all creatures great and small. But now it's Kate who's alone in a hostile world like a dog dumped by the side of a road. Is there a champion for Kate?

 

After 22 years of marriage, Kate loves her husband, Brian, with an even greater passion than when she spoke her vows. “My world spins on his axis,” she often says. But when Kate finds a love letter to Brian from Micky, she’s torn between proving Brian’s innocence and nailing him to the wall with his guilt.

 

Throughout her marriage, Kate has been trusting and trustworthy —to a fault, friends have said. Now, she steals into Brian’s emails and accesses his credit card accounts, phone records, bank statements, friends and activities, discovering the metaphoric iceberg beneath Brian’s affair.

 

Turning to the one constant in her life, Kate is guided by her family of animals: shelter dog Molly; Premarin horse Quinn; packrat Winston; owls Albert & Victoria; Stubby, the chipmunk; rattlesnake Cassandra; and Phineas, the determined grosbeak. These wise and wonderful teachers, along with a wild menagerie on her Arizona ranch, deliver lessons on life, love, and letting go. But it’s Molly, in a heartbreaking act of courage, who leads Kate back to her true self, before she became lost in love with Brian.

 

Shining a light on the childhood events and adult choices that, like steppingstones, brought her to this moment, Kate illuminates a familiar and well-worn path. Narrating her story with equal doses of heartache and humor, Kate comes to understand that nothing sneaks up on you that isn't already here. Learning from Phineas, the determined grosbeak, Kate realizes that even after a devastating injury, you can soar again.

 

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EXCERPT

 

I get through the rest of the day. I feed the horses, wash their faces, brush their coats, pick up poop, then walk Molly, fill the bird feeders, clean the litter box. In between, I hug an old teddy bear. Actually, it’s more than a hug. I cleave to my bear like a life preserver keeping me afloat against the waves of despair that threaten to drown me.

 

And…finally…I cry.

 

Sometimes I just stop what I’m doing, slump to the ground, and wail. It is the most awful, primitive sound and I can’t believe it’s pouring from me.

 

Molly comes to me, tail wagging, ears back, offering the comfort of her warm, soft tongue. I reassure her that it’s okay, that I’m okay, and I climb up from the ground and soldier on.

 

Then there are merciful respites where the pain still exists but I’m too drained to express it. But the best moments are when numbness takes over and I simply exist. It feels like the aftermath of a funeral, when the anguish of death has subsided and all that’s left are soft, graveside tears.

 

Brian and I have shared seven family funerals. Is Micky Brian’s attempt to postpone the inevitable? Does she make him feel young and new while I remind him of death?

 

We’ve also shared the birth of seven grandchildren. Does each new life add to his making him seem that much closer to the grave?

 

I want so much to understand why he is doing this. I want to forgive him. But what I want most is to pretend it all away.

Amazon buy link

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Kate Rene’ MacKenzie is the women’s fiction alter ego of romance novelist and Golden Heart nominee Maggie McConnell (Spooning Daisy). Kate (and Maggie) spent her childhood overseas, the daughter of US diplomats. Attending college in Illinois, she volunteered at the local humane shelter, eventually becoming director. While earning a BA in Art and then an MBA, Kate worked at various jobs including go-go girl, bartender, and teaching assistant. At 26, she sold her 280Z and packed her dog and cat into a Ford truck and drove the Alcan Highway to Alaska where she spent 23 years exploring The Last Frontier in a single-engine Cessna. Her next adventure was in Arizona on a no-kill ranch at the end of the road. A vegan and animal rights advocate, Kate provides a sanctuary for all creatures great and small, but her immediate family includes horses Quinn and Hershey, and cat Noelle.

 

 Websites:

 

Kate Rene MacKenzie

Maggie McConnell

 

Facebook

 

Amazon buy link for Maggie McConnell's Spooning Daisy   

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here

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My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

“A School of Daughters” by Kate Rene MacKenzie follows Kate Willoughby as she navigates the painful journey of discovery that results from a card addressed to her husband of twenty-two years. Navigating between the blind trust she’s always had in his love and support and the unpalatable realization that she needs to rediscover herself and her self-reliance, Kate relies on the unstinting love that she’s shown all those around her, including her rescued animals, to bring her through her darkest days.

 

This women’s fiction story is somewhat depressing to read, especially at this time of the year, but it is a compelling story that is leavened by the interludes of vivid description of the beauty of nature and the valuable lessons and gifts that come from interacting with various rescue animals. I am sorry to admit that I identify with many of the heroine’s feelings of betrayal and sadness, having watched my mom practice her own version of deliberate blindness to my father’s indiscretions, just as Kate has done. It is frustrating to watch the seesawing of Kate’s emotions and actions as she reveals episodes she’s suppressed or ignored, even though I can understand her reluctance to see the enormity of betrayal that has been perpetrated.

 

The author paints wonderful word-portraits of life in two very different states, contrasting the dangers of bears and moose in Alaska with the smaller life-threatening creatures such as snakes and scorpions in Arizona. Her artful descriptions of the various animals she interacts with brings them to life, and I will be thinking about Winston the packrat and Albert and Victoria for quite some time.

 

I think this is a story that should be approached with caution by those with triggers about infidelity, but one should be reassured and inspired by this woman’s journey and ultimate resilience. Part cautionary tale, part travelogue, and part inspirational tale in support of adopting strays, this story is well worth reading, even if you’re an incurable fan of happy ever afters like me.

 

A copy was provided for review

Eat Your Heart Out by Shirley Goldberg (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Eat Your Heart Out

by

Shirley Goldberg

When a tyrant in stilettos replaces her beloved boss, and her ex snags her coveted job, teacher Dana Narvana discovers there are worse things than getting dumped on Facebook. Time for the BFF advice squad. Alex—hunky colleague, quipster, and cooking pal extraordinaire is Dana’s staunchest ally. So what’s with the smooching after hours? And why won’t this grown man make up his mind?

Actor turned teacher Alex Bethany craves a family of his own. Newly hotified, he’s now got the confidence to try online dating. Meanwhile he’s sending Dana mixed messages in the kissing department. After a surprising event rocks his world, Alex panics, certain he’s blown his chances with his special person. Funny and bittersweet, Dana and Alex’s story will have you rooting for them all the way to dessert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

Alex trotted inside to pay. Dana stood in the aisle ahead of him, drinking coffee from a Smiley’s container, her back to him.

What the hell, he’d give it a whirl. “Hey Dana, nice to see you.”

She turned. Her expectant look morphed into confusion.

Why hadn’t he changed after his trip to the mall? He pulled the T-shirt tighter by stuffing it into the back waistband of his shorts and leaned an elbow on the counter. The casual look. “I thought I saw you fondling the peaches. With Sunny and Noelle. One minute you’re there, next you’re gone.”

Irritation crossed her face. She checked her watch.

“You don’t have a clue about who I am, do you?” She’ll recognize me. I’ll make her see me. The stubborn gene from his grandmother.

“Let me give you a hint.” He cleared his throat and bounced on his heels as if limbering up for a sprint. “Cha-cha-cha changes,” he sang like a demented fool. Then repeated the refrain.

Heat rose in her face and he watched, fascinated as a drop of sweat slid down her neck into the V of her blouse. He stopped as suddenly as he’d begun. What the hell are you doing?

“Look, I’ve got to run.”

She was gone before he could explain, apologize…or cover his face with a paper bag.

Purchase Links

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Apple

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About the Author:

 

Shirley Goldberg is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at living single. Her books FINISH THIS and dating in mid life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. Eat Your Heart Out is the second book in the series Starting Over. Middle Ageish, the first, is available now. Her characters believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and Shirley agrees.

 

 

 

Contact Links:

Website/blog
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BookBub

Purchase Links for Middle Ageish, 1st book in series


Amazon
Apple
Barnes and Noble
Google
Kobo

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

The tour dates can be found here

 

The Brothers' Band by Liza Malloy (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT ADULT title

The Brothers' Band

ADULT title

by 

Liza Malloy

Bookworm Lily Mitchell vowed never to date another musician, but Dylan Parker is nothing like the stereotype. Sure, he’s mysterious and sexy, with a flashy car and serious bedroom skills, but he’s also smart, hardworking, and humble. He shares Lily’s passion for classic literature and constantly surprises her with romantic gestures. Their steamy relationship moves at whirlwind pace, and Lily has never been happier.

It’s all so perfect that at first, Lily wills herself to ignore the emerging red flags. As her worries about Dylan increase, she finds friendship and comfort in his brother and bandmate, Thomas. But Lily soon discovers that as much as Thomas cares for his brother, he’s also fallen hard for her.

As Dylan spirals further out of control, Lily must decide what she really wants, and whom she is willing to hurt.

Excerpt

I sensed Dylan behind me and turned quickly. He offered a mug of tea to me and I accepted. “Five guitars?”

“You’d be surprised how often strings break.”

“I thought musicians were supposed to be superstitious. Don’t you have a lucky guitar you have to use each time?”

He kissed the side of my head, inhaling the scent of my hair. I hoped it still smelled like vanilla and lavender and not like hotdogs and carnies. “And just when I hoped you’d stop generalizing about us musicians,” he said. He ambled across the room and began opening each of the guitar cases.

“They’re identical,” I observed. He nodded.

I gestured to the piano. “Do you play?”

He sat at the bench. “What do you want to hear?”

“Surprise me.”

Without pause, he started into a beautiful song. I’d heard it before and suspected it was Chopin, but couldn’t be certain. His fingers moved effortlessly across the ivory keys, his eyes staring straight ahead, closing for long periods. There was something so peaceful about the way he played, and yet so unnerving all at the same time. Dylan was a rocker; he wasn’t supposed to know classical music, let alone to feel it so deeply.

I stepped closer, set my tea on the table beside his, and slipped onto his lap facing him. He smiled, and his hands fell away from the keys only briefly before resuming the song. I smiled at his impressive trick, playing without any visual on the piano, and he leaned in for a kiss. 


Amazon link

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About the Author

 

Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance, women's fiction, suspense romance, and fantasy. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where the heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. 


When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in Hamilton County with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming. 

Her books Sixty Days for Love, For Love and Italian , and Forbidden Ink  are available in paperback and ebook, and can be found on Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo. 

More updates and fun bonus content available on her website.



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Links to other books on Amazon:

Sixty Days for Love
For Love and Italian
Forbidden Ink 





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GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway



The tour dates can be found here

The Invisibles by Rachel Dacus (VBT, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

The Invisibles

by

Rachel Dacus

Sisters Saffron and Elinor inherit a cottage on the Italian coast from their father, along with its resident ghost and a secret manuscript. Their rivalry explodes through a struggle for control of the inheritance.

Saffron has a genius for creative living, but ever since her judgmental older sister interfered in her love life, Saffron and Elinor haven’t spoken. When death brings them together at their father’s funeral in Rome, the battle re-ignites. It continues as they travel up the Italian coast to take possession of their cottage. Both secretly wish to mend fences, but they have opposite views about the best way to live.

Saffron has always sensed the “Invisibles”, people lingering after their demise. When the spirit who lives in the house predicts one sister might die, she takes it seriously, but can’t convince her practical-minded sister.

As they prepare the house for sale, Italy infuses its magic in food, festivals, and local love interests -- until a shocking night changes everything for the sisters and their friends.

A tale of sisterhood and the supernatural, perfect for fans of Mary Ellen Taylor and Barbara O'Neal.

PRAISE FOR THE INVISIBLES

Author Dacus does a superb job bringing the village of Lerici to life, from the smells of the sea to the pungency of the local olive oil, and showing how the Italian way of life changes both women. An enjoyable, romantic read. -- Suanne Schafer, author of HUNTING THE DEVIL

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Excerpt

Michael pulled her down the street. They turned right at the bottom of the hill and onto the beach promenade. Walking alongside the water, today full of white curlicues, Saffron looked up at the green hills. In the clear light, they looked fresh-minted.

The pressure of his hand intensified. “The hidden beach is wild and perfect, he said. “Like you."

Dazzled by this compliment, she walked along, more aware of Michael’s hand than of the wide swath of beach, dotted with beach chairs. The benches were nearly empty, the wind driving everyone indoors.

“Just a bit farther,” he said, tugging her along.

Their speed throbbed in Saffron’s pulse. The hidden cove, they both knew, was a pretext and a preamble—a pre-amble. Excitement tightened her throat, making her breath catch as she trotted beside him. He was so tall and his hand never loosened its grip.

She was going to have an adventure in Italy. His hand kept her locked into it, any doubt falling away.

They came to a sign: “Beach Behind Castle.” A few more signs directed them to a marble arch over a tunnel beneath the building. They darted into the darkness holding hands, the path level, though impossible to see under- foot. They came out at a small, brilliantly white beach. The surf seemed higher now, pounding the shore steadily with dark, frilled swells. “Do people swim here? I mean, when it’s not so windy?”

“They do. No one’s here yet, but by afternoon I bet the beach will be full. People who know the secret of this place love it.”

They took off their shoes and walked closer to the surf. Saffron scooped up a shell and put it in her pocket. “A souvenir.” Of more than the beach.

On the way back, Michael stopped at a corner and pointed up a steep cobblestone street. “My little castle’s up there. I bring home all the goddesses I meet. Would you care to visit?”

The rash compliment went to her head like a quickly quaffed glass of champagne. “Sure.” This was it. The real adventure, not the hidden beach.

“Come, my Artemis,” he said.

They climbed a short distance and turned down an even narrower alley. He stopped at a turquoise wooden door with a lintel low enough that he had to duck his head entering.

“The gate to my modest tower.”

Saffron paused long enough to wonder if she was stepping into another mess with someone she hardly knew. But if she stopped now, she’d never find out what it was like to be a goddess.

When they were inside the doorway, he hesitated, but didn’t kiss her. What would his lips feel like? Instead, he led her up narrow stairs that turned on a landing with a small window. She glimpsed the hills, and then they went up the last few steps.


Amazon


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About the Author:

Rachel Dacus is the author of The Invisibles, a novel of sisterhood with a touch of the supernatural. “An enjoyable, romantic read.” 

The Renaissance Club is a time travel love story featuring the great 17th century Italian sculptor Gianlorenzo Bernini, who meets and falls for his superfan from future time. “Enchanting, rich and romantic.” 

Dacus has written four poetry collections: Arabesque, Gods of Water and Air (poetry, prose, and drama), Earth Lessons and Femme au Chapeau. 

She lives in Northern California with her husband and Silky Terrier. When not writing, she raises funds for good causes.






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 GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here
 

Bella Toscana by Nanette Littlestone (VBT, guest post, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

I have the pleasure of sharing a guest post by author Nanette Littlestone, who muses on...

How Bad Can It Get?

  by 

Nanette Littlestone

   

         I was forty-one when my writing muse (aka Spirit) first whispered to me and I was also single and a little desperate. Where was that knight in shining armor? When was I going to get rescued and carried off into the sunset? How long did I have to wait?

            When you don’t have romance in your life, you make do with second best. Books about romance. I devoured them, all kinds, and fantasized about that perfect man. So when I started to write, of course I wanted to write romance. It seemed simple. Boy meets girl, boy gets girl, boy loses girl over some ridiculous misunderstanding, then they make up and, in the end, boy gets girl once again.

But it wasn’t as easy as I thought. Just because I read romance didn’t mean I could write it. My story lines were too simplistic and my characters were weak, flimsy, unambitious, and unmotivated. All they cared about was eating, sleeping, and falling in love. Sadly, there’s a lot more to it than that.

Help came in the form of an online class on plotting. The teacher gave us a GMC chart (Goal, Motivation, and Conflict) and told us to fill it out. We had to define our character’s role, their default behavior, inner motivation, outer goal, inner goal, outer conflict, and inner conflict. As a bonus she added a column for “what would the character never do.” So I filled out my chart but I didn’t feel any closer to creating strong characters and/or a strong story line. When I asked for help the teacher said, “Use the character’s default behavior to create conflict.” Say what? I knew my two main characters would fall in love, but I didn’t know how to get them there or what happened after the fact.

Throughout the class I pondered the statement about using the character’s default to create conflict. I so wanted to understand but I just didn’t get it. The last day of the class another student raised the same question I had and the teacher gave the same response. But this time the lightning bolt struck and illuminated my brain. Eureka, I understood!

So who were my characters and what did they want? Toscana has a comfortable marriage with a good, kind man. But her heart longs for more. In her dreams and with Flynn she feels the possibilities of that desire grow into something tangible, something exciting, something breathtaking. But to follow her heart means taking risks, suffering consequences, possibly hurting the people she loves. How can she do that?

Suddenly conflict blossomed and spread throughout my story. The characters deepened and carried emotional flaws. Their choices created far-reaching consequences that not only had the potential to harm them but also harm others.

Since that class, GMC has become the powerhouse behind every story line. With GMC I identify not only the exterior goal and conflict (usually the villain) but also the emotional heart of the characters—their needs and fears. The basic beliefs and patterns that we all share. We may live under different conditions, some in luxury, some in poverty, some with education, some without. But we all feel heartache and joy, longing and desire, the need to love and be loved. These universal emotions unite everyone around the planet, and it is those emotions that make for great storytelling.

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Bella Toscana

by 

Nanette Littlestone

GENRE: Women's Fiction

BLURB:

An explosive yearning that can’t be denied.

Disturbing visions from an ancient past.

A mysterious stranger that somehow feels familiar.

On the night of her fiftieth birthday, the comfortable ride of Toscana’s life takes an alarming plunge. Haunted by seductive visions, she tries to push aside the desire and focus on the husband who adores her. Then she falls for Flynn, a younger man with an eye for adventure and a heart full of romance, who leaves her doubting everything she’s believed about love and passion.

In Atlanta, Rome, and the lush scenery of Tuscany, Toscana searches for answers to the mysteries of her life while she faces her biggest question. If she listens to her feelings will she lose everything she holds dear, or does her heart hold the key to love and joy?

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EXCERPT

I loved him before I knew him.

Some people talk of synchronicity. The rhythm of life. I know of rhythm, in the lyricism of words, in music, in the ebb and flow of the ocean, in the monthly cycles of plants and trees. A beautiful orchestration exists in the simplest of nature. But my world operates on logic, practicality, reason. I do not believe in a grand plan. I do not believe in God.

And then he came.

Before him, I had a well-ordered life. Habit and routine carried me through the day, warmth and comfort eased me through the night. There were disappointments. Longings. Not all was perfect. But such is life. If there was no great passion, so be it. Peace is preferable to something wild that soars then fizzles and leaves you with an aching heart. I had a different kind of love—security, respect, admiration, friendship.

He showed me my lies in a slow creep of warmth that grew and teased and eventually began to burn. The thought of him burrowed deep inside me until I could think of nothing but him.

To this day I don’t think he knew what would happen. How do you know what fate has in store for you? They say man has free will to act, to choose, to create whatever he desires. But what of other people’s actions, choices, desires? What if those choices conflict with your own? We tried to resist the seemingly magnetic pull. We did our best to act rationally, to behave with honor and dignity. To be selfless. But love is not selfless.

Love is selfish. Love craves attention. Love needs to be heard, to be felt. Love is a natural disaster.

You may think this is nothing new. We all know stories of love. But this story is different. This story spans over two thousand years. This story began in ancient Rome.

So I beg you, for as long as it takes to read this story, to put aside your beliefs. Something took hold of me, pulled me along. Was it fate? Destiny? Divine intervention?

Look to your own heart for the answers.

Book Buy Links:

Amazon Kindle

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Books-A-Million

Powell’sBooks

Alibris

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Nanette Littlestone never knew she wanted to be a writer until she was over forty. But once she began, the ideas didn’t stop. Her fascination with relationships, history, and the spiritual path has opened her writing to women's fiction, historical fiction, and inspirational nonfiction.

A native Californian, Nanette lives in Atlanta, Georgia, far from the beach (which she loves) but a place that’s warm with spectacular scenery. On the professional side, she helps entrepreneurial women write and get published with Words of Passion. On the fun side, she takes walks with her husband, cooks, plays with graphic design, and makes origami butterflies. She loves to travel, but she’s waiting for the teleportation machine to whisk her off to Greece or Asia. In the meantime, she’s happy with dark chocolate and romantic movies that make her cry.

Author links:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Amazon author page

Goodreads author page

Goodreads book page

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E-mail

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