Straight Chatting from the Library: Henrik Wilenius

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award the winner's choice of an audiobook set via Spotify or a digital book set of THE RISE UP TRILOGY. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

At the age of twelve I stumbled upon Siddhartha by Herman Hesse. It takes place about two thousand five hundred years ago during the time of Siddhartha Gautama, aka Buddha, the namesake of the protagonist. There are a lot of similarities between this fictional character and Buddha, at least enough to get me fascinated with Buddhism. I became aware of the spiritual world and the need to explore it further, and to do that, I needed to train my self-discipline, which I began by quitting candy and chocolate for year. I have continued this exercise in one form or the other all throughout my life. It also had a huge impact how I look at the world. I realized that it’s not important how different I am from the other people, but what I have in common with them. This new-born curiosity made me delve into different cultures and religions since my early teens and all the understanding I gained over the years through people I met was what turned me into a writer in my thirties.

Tell us about your current book in 10 words.

A coming-of-age story about three best friends fighting for better future.

What are you reading right now?

Here are the five books I’m reading now:

The Golden Road by William Dalrymple about how Ancient India transformed the world. It discusses the ways in which India's ideas and influences spread throughout and shaped Eurasia
Leto v Pionerskom Galstuke by Silvanova Katerina and Malisova Elena. It’s a Russian language coming of age series that takes place in a youth camp in Ukraine during the soviet times.
Yo soy una senora by Jaime Bayly. It’s a Spanish language collection of short stories by Jaime Bayly.
Secret City: The Hidden history of Gay Washington by James Kirchick.
Him by Sarina Bowen. A new adult series about two gay ice hockey players.

E-Reader or print? and why?

Before the Rise Up Trilogy came out, I decided to try out the kindle reader, and to my surprise, I really liked it. I travel a lot, and it becomes really handy. I usually read about five books at the same time, and now with the kindle, I can travel a lot lighter. Also with Kindle, I don’t need a reading lamp which makes life easier. And the greatest advantage is the immediate delivery. Of course, it also saves resources, but from time to time, I still indulge in print copies.

One book at a time or multiples?

I do multiples. I like to visit different universes during the day and read in different languages as it helps me to keep up my language skills. Also, this habit feeds my curiosity which is insatiable. I’m a part-time hermit. I meet up with people only on weekends, and it allows me to have a ongoing conversation with diverse people (the writers) every day. For me, reading is a form of conversation with the author.

When do you do most of your reading?

I do most of my reading after meals as I like to lay down with a book to rest, and of course, I love to read before going to sleep.

Favorite place to read?

To sit in the balcony in the small Spanish town we spent our winters, overlooking cobble-stone alley leading to the sea promenade.

Keep books or give them away?

I like to give away books that I read for my pleasure, but all the books I use for research I keep. However, now that I’ve switched mainly to eBooks, I can only give away very few.

READ THE BLURB

The Rise up trilogy is a coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam, three best friends on the threshold of adulthood. Before they can find their place in this world, they must come to terms with their past and learn to confide in each other as they are confronted by intolerance, ignorance, and corporate greed that threaten to rob them of their future. Inspirational, harrowing,intense and deeply moving, this trilogy presents a ray of hope amidst terrible hardship,misfortune and loss.

Book One: Catch You if You Fall

High school best friends Hashim, Alex, and Maryam must confront real-life issues that loom for Gen-Z today, including the climate crisis, corrupt politics, and racial and gender equity.

When Hashim turns eighteen, he receives a grant from his Mosque that will send him to an Ivy League in New York. His devout Muslim family couldn’t be more proud. And to support their young son on his journey, they arrange a wife for him. There’s only one problem: Hashim is gay.

Hashim’s best friend Alex is struggling with a difficult home life, a non-present father, and financial issues that prove particularly painful when all his friends are planning to go off to college and leave him behind.

Standing confidently alongside these two boys is Maryam, a headstrong Muslim girl who bucks her traditional roots by becoming a vegan activist.

It doesn’t take long until certain evil forces start to draw these three even closer, as their futures and the wellbeing of their community and the world is threatened. They are called to act.

Book Two: Merry Farm

In the second installment of the Rise Up Trilogy, best friends Hashi, Alex, and Maryam stumble upon a huge government coverup. When more people get sicker and sicker, and nothing about the outbreak makes news, it becomes clear the corruption goes up high.

As the three attempt to expose and stop a tragedy that could kill thousands, they end up framed as the bioterrorists responsible for this exact crime, and a team of hitmen is dispatched to hunt them down. As they grapple with their own growing pains, Hashi, Alex, and Maryam hurry to outrun the disaster, prove that they are innocent, and do what they feel is right.

Book Three: Collusion

Now a well-known activist, Maryam, along with her two best friends Hashim and Alex, is chosen by the President of the United States to draw up a proposal to help fight climate change, mere weeks before superstorm Roxanne makes landfall in the Northeast.

After the President’s Future Rescue Advisory Board hears their climate proposal to set heavy taxes on meat, dairy and carbon emissions, and someone leaks it to the press, chaos spreads across party lines. A few months since they stopped a deadly virus in its tracks, the three uncover a conspiracy on the highest level of the legislative branch.

While the deadly hurricane wreaks havoc along the eastern seaboard, destroying the U.S. Naval Command in Norfolk, Virginia, and hitting New York City with devastating force, Maryam, Hashim, and Alex grapple with forces beyond their control in the government.

How will their stories unravel? What do their futures hold as they mature into adults in a world that may not accept them? Find out in this last book in the Rise Up Trilogy.

READ AN EXCERPT From MERRY FARM

A high fence surrounded a vast, sparsely lit compound with dozens of long, windowless buildings. A worn-out sign board stood on a barren ground facing the road. It pictured a traditional country house next to a wooden barn and free-gazing hens on sloping meadows. On the top of the illustration ‘Merry Farm” was printed in an old-fashioned font with slogan: ‘Even chickens recommend us.’

The door to one of the low buildings cracked open. The eerie, silent night was broken by the screeching cries of thousands of hens inside. A young, dark-skinned man in dirty overalls stepped out. He wiped sweat from his beardless face and threw glances left and right.

The door wouldn’t close. With mounting desperation, the worker yanked the handle up, but it wouldn’t hold and the shrieking noise only got louder and louder.

A broad-shouldered man watched the worker from the shadows. As he ground his teeth, a scar that ran from his right earlobe to his Adam’s apple shifted back and forth. He pulled on a pair of surgical gloves and zeroed his cold, deep-set eyes on the target.

As if sensing the danger, the farm worker slammed his body against the door and this time it stayed shut. It was quiet for a moment until he started coughing hard and soon it turned into choking. After covering his mouth with his hand, there was blood on his palm.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Henrik Wilenius is the author of the Rise Up Trilogy, a young adult coming-of-age story about Hashim, Alex and Maryam confronting real-life issues like climate change, corrupt politics, animal cruelty and racial and gender equity.

The Rise Up Trilogy is now available also as an audiobook and a weekly serialized audiobook podcast on all the major platforms.

Previously, Henrik as published two books (an autobiographical coming of age book and a YA novel) by a major publisher (WSOY) in Finland before switching to English and self-publishing. The Rise Up Trilogy was inspired by his fifteen-year stint as a volunteer in a Red Cross Youth Shelter and by his vegan activism.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BVJ1TNFG
Buzz Sprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2264640
Website: http://www.henrikwilenius.com
TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/henrikwileniusauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/@henrikwileniusauthor

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Straight Chatting from the Library: Petie McCarty

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

READ THE INTERVIEW

Can you read in the car?

I am so very lucky that I can indeed read while in the car. My DH and I travel quite a bit, and he likes to do the driving (he claims there are more jackasses on the road when I’m driving than when he’s driving), which gives me chore-free, guilt-free reading time, and there is nothing greater than that. At home, there is always some chore to do and you either give up reading and go do it, or you say “screw it” and finish that amazing book you started a day or two before but feel somewhat overshadowed by guilt over what you are not doing.

What makes you love a book?

When it surprises me. Most authors can guess a plot or plot direction by virtue of their own creative processes. Those carefully honed writing processes make it easier to guess where another author is going with their story, and it’s fun to discover you were right. But the best feeling is when you get an “OMG, I totally missed that! I never would have guessed that!” moment. That is a book that will stick with you forever. Can you say M. Night Shyamalan? (Signs, The Sixth Sense, and my all-time favorite, The Village)

What will inspire you to recommend a book?

If the book makes me laugh out loud, shed a tear, or makes my heartbeat or breath come faster, then that is a recommendable book. Or if I ignore my precious WIP, laundry, chores, and grocery shopping to finish the book then that definitely becomes a recommendable book.

How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?

I don’t do them. If I think the book deserves a one- or two-star review, I keep it to myself. If I don’t, I risk hurting another author’s feelings or worse, risk being the straw that breaks the camel’s back and makes them want to quit—if only for a short while. Besides, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder—or in this case the reader—and what I find boring or annoying, some other readers may find awesome.

The longest I’ve gone without reading.

Approximately twelve hours. LOL It’s my treat at the end of the day or anytime I can squeeze it in.

What distracts you easily when you’re reading?

The TV if it’s running in the background can distract me, although I have become fairly adept at keeping an eye on a movie on the TV and still read and pay attention to my book.

The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?

Probably close to $60 because I had a Christmas or Birthday gift card to the bookstore. I always exceed my gift cards.

How often do you skim a book before reading it?

Almost never unless I hated it and wanted the suffering to end. I have been known to sneak a peak at the end to see if a secondary character I love is gonna bite the dust before the end of the book so I can be prepared.

Do you like to keep your books organized?

Heavens yes! Paperbacks shelved by author. My Kindle Fire has 91 Collections for my 826 titles.
Did I mention I LOVE to read?

Your favorite fictional hero/heroine/villain/etc.

I LOVED Archer Hale in the Mia Sheridan book, Archer’s Voice. My favorite all-time book too.

READ THE BLURB

The Cinderella Romances...Fall in love with the fairy tale all over again.

Modern-day Cinderella stories that provide unlimited opportunities to retell the classic fairy tale, happily with returning characters to share in these adventures.

Cinderella Busted

Once upon a time, in Jupiter Island, Florida . . .

Billionaire developer, Rhett Buchanan, is forced to inspect a shipment of priceless trees and meets the girl of his dreams instead. A bit jaded where women are concerned—since most are gold diggers—Rhett falls head over heels for the Jupiter Island socialite who only wants him, not his money. Except she isn't the glamorous socialite she appears to be.

She's the gardener . . .

Betting on Cinderella

Once upon a time in Biloxi, Mississippi . . .

Garrett Tucker inherits his grandfather's casino empire and steps into the reclusive billionaire's shoes as the new "Prince of Vegas." Discovering embezzlement in his newly purchased casino in Biloxi, Garrett goes in undercover. His prime suspect? The new finance supervisor . . . a feisty brunette who stole his heart at first sight.

Andi Ryan moves to Biloxi to care for her godmother. Taking a job as finance supervisor for the renovated Bayou Princess casino, she discovers someone is skimming from the till. Andi starts her own investigation, worried she will be blamed for the theft when the handsome new owner discovers her godmother likes to gamble.

Industrial espionage is afoot at the Bayou Princess, and Garrett and Andi are soon forced to work as a team to prove her innocence and save the casino before it’s too late.

This swoonworthy modern-day fairy tale joins the other stories in the Cinderella Romances series. Each provides a new opportunity to retell the classic fairy tale, happily with returning characters to share in these adventures.

Par for Cinderella

Once upon a time in Cedar Key, Florida . . .

Golf resort developer Aidan Cross is at loose ends. Something feels missing from his life, but that something isn't women. He has too many women chasing him now. To confuse things even more, his yacht breaks down off-shore of his next project site in Florida, and Aidan falls for his only competition in the small town—a woman who wants nothing to do with him or his rakish charm.

Casey Stuart is stuck living in Cypress Key, unwilling to abandon her uncle or the golf course they manage together. She doesn't quite trust the stranger Aidan who shows up in town looking for work, and she vows to steer clear of him and the danger their intense chemistry provokes. Aidan’s stay is temporary, and falling for him promises only heartbreak.

But Casey needs Aidan’s help when she discovers Cypress Key’s mayor is making underhanded business deals, and she ends up on the wrong side of the powerful crook. Aidan steps in to rescue her, but secrets from his past threaten to bogey their new-found affair.

This swoonworthy modern-day fairy tale joins the other Cinderella stories in the series. Each provides a new opportunity to retell the classic fairy tale, happily with returning characters to share in these adventures.

READ AN EXCERPT from Book Two: Betting on Cinderella

“I want to make love to you.”

Andi stilled.

Garrett mentally kicked himself. He had gone and scared her.

Too much. Too soon.

But he couldn’t make himself move. He could lie here forever with Andi in his arms.

She wriggled from his grasp to sit up. “Um . . .”

“What?”

She looked too uncertain.

Not good.

He was okay with, “Not now, but maybe later.”

“I can’t,” she whispered.

Good thing he was sitting down. The jangle of fear that hit him could have knocked his knees out from under him.

“Can’t or won’t?” he forced out. No maybes on this one.

“Both.”

What the hell? Can’t and won’t?

All his uncertainties flooded back. Flora had said Andi and Peters were just friends. Was that friends with benefits? And what about that damn Drakos pawing her last week? No, he wouldn’t let those doubts crowd them here on the couch.

“Too soon?” he tried.

“Partly.” She looked away, and his heart sank amongst the growing heap of doubts.

“There’s someone else,” he said flatly, working to keep his expression blank and the hurt at bay.

She met his gaze square on then, no doubt trying to muscle her courage. “There’s something I should tell you.”

Damn.

“I’m—” She exhaled hard. “—no good at it.”

What? Is that all?

He fought back a grin of pure joy. “I’ll give you lessons.” He pulled her back for another kiss.

She shoved at his chest. “No. I don’t think I should.”

She flinched at his expression, and he worked to smooth his scowl.

“Go ahead. Spit it out.” Even he didn’t like his tone. “You’re sleeping with someone else, right?”

He should have done his homework before he went off half-cocked with all the flowers and balloons, trying to woo her.

“No, and I should slap you for that, suggesting I’m loose enough to go out with you while sleeping with someone else.”

“Then what the hell is it?” he shouted, forgetting all about Flora at the back of the house.

“I’ve never done it before!” she shouted back.

“What? Slapped someone?”

“No, you jerk. Slept with someone.” This, she didn’t shout.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her cozy-mystery-with-romantic-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in No Angels for Christmas.

Website: http://www.petiemccarty.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petie.mccarty
Twitter: https://x.com/authorpetie
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6094579.Petie_McCarty
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/petie-mccarty
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/petiemccarty

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDHXJCWQ

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Straight Chatting from the Library: The Cat Who Chased Ghosts by Nic Minnella

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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In a sleepy little town, an ordinary-looking cat hides an extraordinary secret that will transform his owners' lives forever.

When the Thompson family inherits a dilapidated old house, their overprotected son Timmy forms a strong bond with Whiskers—a chronically lazy tabby who's not what he seems.

As Timmy explores the house's mysteries, a chilling discovery puts his courage to the test. With the help of Whiskers and some newfound friends, he must face supernatural forces beyond his imagination and rescue a soul in peril.

The Cat Who Chased Ghosts is a spine-tingling tale about bravery, loyalty, and the magical power of friendship (human and feline) that will thrill readers of all ages, reminding us that sometimes the most extraordinary heroes come in the most unlikely packages.

READ AN EXCERPT

He stood at the foot of the stairs for a good minute before summoning the courage to climb them. Pausing on the landing, he looked up. The light in the attic had gone off.

But the lightbulb was broken, he remembered. Someone left it on, and now it’s flickering, he told himself.

He knew he could not go to sleep until he saw for himself that he was right, so with a deep breath, he pushed himself to keep climbing. By the time he reached the top, the light was on again.

A cold sweat broke out along his hairline.

He walked inside. The room was large and monstrously cluttered, full of old furniture belonging to Aunt Willie, and scores of boxes the Thompsons had not had time to unpack yet. He glanced around the place, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

He stood still for a bit, listening intently. Finally, he heard something; soft, yet insistent tapping.

Bats, he remembered. But bats don’t tap. Do they?

“Is someone here?” he asked. He meant to sound calm, but his voice trembled.

At that very moment, to his horror, he heard it; a low, drawn-out whisper.

“Welcome.” A faint echo lingered in the air.

“Mom! Dad!” Timmy tried calling; all he could produce was a hoarse murmur.

“Come to me,” the breathy voice sighed, closer to his ear. He spun around, expecting to see someone, but only his own reflection stared back at him from the window.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Nic Minnella has worked in journalism for twenty-plus years. She's also a part-time translator and a full-time cat enthusiast. When she's not occupied with any of the above activities, she's often traveling to faraway places or daydreaming about them.

"The Cat Who Chased Ghosts" is her first published work of fiction, a middle grade supernatural mystery tale where a boy and his cat must confront ghosts and spirits to save their loved ones from the clutches of darkness.

Twitter: https://x.com/nicminnella
FREE TO READ ON KINDLE UNLIMITED: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D7PS7Y4W

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Straight Chatting from the Library: Character Interview with Nate from THE NEPHILIM'S FATE by Eliza Hampstead

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

ENJOY A CHARACTER INTERVIEW

Thank you so much for having me as a guest! I’m thrilled to share an interview with Nate, the Nephilim warrior and male lead character from The Nephilim’s Fate.

Nate, thanks for taking the time to chat with us. You've spent your life fighting for the Nephilim and following orders without question. What changed when you met Alissia?

Nate: Meeting Alissia was like waking up from a dream I didn’t know I was having. I always thought I was doing the right thing by following orders, protecting our world from threats. But Alissia made me realise there’s more to life than just obeying commands. She made me question things, like why we accept the hierarchy and why we’re kept apart from those we love. With her, I started thinking for myself—and that changed everything.

How do you feel about your Nephilim heritage? Is there anything you struggle with regarding your nature?

Nate: I’m proud of who I am. Being a Nephilim means strength, the power to protect, to fight, and to heal. I love the feeling of flying, of being connected to something greater than myself. But there’s also a sadness in it. We can’t have children, and as much as I want a family with Alissia, that’s something I can’t give her. It’s a constant reminder that there are things even my powers can’t fix.

Alissia is a witch, and according to the old laws, love between you two is impossible. How did you feel when you realised she was the woman of your dreams?

Nate: It was like seeing my destiny unfold right before my eyes. I knew she was off-limits, that loving her could have serious consequences, but I also knew I couldn’t walk away. She’s my fate, and I believe we were meant to find each other. That’s why I can’t just follow orders anymore—I have to protect her, no matter the cost.

The magical world you live in is full of tension. How do you view the relationships between Nephilim, witches, fae, vampires, and demons?

Nate: It’s complicated, to say the least. Nephilim have always been seen as lower than witches, but higher than fae and vampires. There’s this delicate balance of power, but it’s fragile, always on the edge of breaking. I used to just do what I was told, without caring about the bigger picture. But now, I want to see a world where we can all live together peacefully. That’s why I’m working on forming alliances—with witches, fae, even angels. We need to stand united if we’re going to face what’s coming.

Speaking of what’s coming, Victorija, the leader of the vampires, is a significant threat. How far are you willing to go to protect Alissia and ensure a peaceful future?

Nate: As far as it takes. Victorija is dangerous, and if we don’t stop her, she’ll tear everything apart. I’m willing to risk everything—my life, my loyalty to my kind, even my place in the magical world—to protect Alissia and secure a future where we can all live without fear. If that means defying ancient laws or going against my own kind, so be it. Love and family come first.

You seem to value family above all else. How has your relationship with Yael, the young Nephilim you mentor, influenced your views on family?

Nate: Yael’s like a little brother to me. He’s lost so much, like many Nephilim children who are separated from their mothers. I hate that part of our culture—the idea that we have to grow up without knowing where we come from. It’s made me more determined to build a family of my own, to give Yael and others like him a better future where they can know love, not just duty.

What do you see for your future with Alissia? What’s your vision for the magical community?

Nate: I want a world where Alissia and I can live without fear, where we can build a family together—even if it’s not in the traditional sense. I envision a magical community where no one is superior to the other, where peace is possible, and where beings like us can follow our hearts without being punished for it. But to get there, we have to deal with Victorija and those who thrive on chaos. It won’t be easy, but it’s worth fighting for.

You mentioned that you had a conversation with your angelic father in Heaven. What was that experience like, both meeting him and being in Heaven?

Nate: Meeting my father was surreal. For so long, I was angry at him for abandoning my mother and me. But when I finally saw him, I realised that the answers I sought weren’t as simple as I thought. Heaven itself… it’s vast, almost overwhelmingly so. Everything is white, bright, and beautiful, but there’s a sadness to it, too. There are so few angels left, and the emptiness makes it feel lonely. It’s not the comforting place I imagined—it’s more like a reminder of what’s been lost.

How did your father explain his decision to leave you and your mother? Did that conversation bring you any peace?

Nate: He told me that his role as an angel wasn’t compatible with staying in the human world. He didn’t abandon us out of a lack of love but because he believed it was his duty to return to Heaven. If he stayed with my mother she would have perished from her blind love for him as she wouldn’t eat or drink or sleep when she was with him. He wanted to protect us from afar, in ways I couldn’t understand back then. Hearing his side of the story did bring me some peace, but it doesn’t erase the pain of growing up without him. Still, I’ve come to accept it, and we’ve made our peace with each other.

After visiting Heaven and speaking with your father, did your perspective on being a Nephilim or your role in the magical world change?

Nate: It did. Seeing Heaven, understanding its emptiness, and hearing my father’s reasons gave me a new perspective on my own life. I realised that being a Nephilim isn’t just about power or duty—it’s about connection. We’re the bridge between Heaven and Earth, and it’s up to us to decide how to use that role. My time in Heaven reinforced my belief that our world—our community—needs to come together, not be divided by fear or ancient laws. It’s made me more determined to fight for a future where beings like me, and those I love, can choose their own paths.

I've got to ask, what's your favourite book?

Nate (chuckling): You know, Alissia is the one who's always got her nose in a book. She's got that thirst for knowledge, and I admire it. But me? I'm not much of an avid reader. If I’m honest, when I do read for pleasure, it’s not novels or anything like that. I like to unwind with motorcycle magazines. I run a repair shop for motorcycles, so it’s not just a passion but part of my life. I like keeping up with the latest models, tech, and custom builds. So yeah, that’s my kind of reading.

You’ve found your love with Alissia, but what about your close friends like Mike, Azariel, and Raph? How do you see their futures unfolding?

Nate: I’m incredibly lucky to have found Alissia, and I want the same happiness for my friends. Mike has Charlie, and they seem to balance each other out perfectly, even with all the chaos that comes with being close to us. As for Azariel and Raph, I believe they’ll find the same kind of love I have with Alissia. They’ve been through so much, and they deserve it. Maybe we’ll see their stories unfold in the future—I have a feeling that their journeys are just beginning.

READ THE BLURB

She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.

If you crave the intensity of Shadowhunters with an added dose of spice, don't miss out on this spellbinding series!

READ AN EXCERPT

My thoughts drifted from one topic to another. Eventually, a verger told the visitors that they would close in ten minutes and left. Everyone flowed out of the chapter house except me. Waiting until it was empty, I closed the door silently. I took off my leather jacket and my black t-shirt and placed them on one of the many seats built into the canopies. The air was chilling in the octagonal room. I walked to the middle of the room, spreading my dark wings open as wide as I could and looked up at the vast ceiling window made of beautiful stained glass. Pivoting eastwards, I closed my eyes, reverently expanding my arms. Suddenly, I was overcome by a wave of power that surged through me like a raging river, and with each passing second, it grew stronger and stronger. I felt the portal to Heaven on the east facade pulsing faintly. It was strongest in the morning when the sun’s rays guided the way from the huge east window upwards. It was calling for me, an intense energy that wanted me to ascend to my ancestors and hasten my destiny. Empowered by this realisation, a warmth filled me with a newfound fortitude. When I opened my eyes again, I discovered I had levitated fifteen feet into the air without so much as batting my wings! Just as the pull of the portal abated, I heard a soothing voice in my head promising ‘soon’. Confident of the future ahead, I returned to the ground.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Falling from the Nest

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Spring 1946--Following four years of war on the heels of the decade-long Great Depression, Americans are finally feeling a sense of hope that begins sweeping the nation…

Jo-Jo Anderson feels that optimism too. Slipping the reins of her Iowa farming town, Jo leaves to make her mark on the entertainment scene in Manhattan. Audiences are clamoring for new musicals on Broadway, nightclubs are flourishing, and NYC is the beating heart of the radio networks. After arriving, Jo-Jo quickly realizes that thousands of would-be stars are following her same ambitions, making opportunities scarce, but her luck begins to turn when she hears about Talent Jackpot.

Her twin, Sarah, finds success with her studies as a scholarship student at the University of Iowa. But Sarah is adrift socially, finding it difficult to forge friendships. Her perfectly planned life is upended when her hometown boyfriend announces he’s suddenly joined the navy. Sarah’s top grades draw the attention of a crusty biology professor and after accepting his offer of a lab position, her rigid lifestyle gets a lot more complicated.

This novel tells a story of unexpected change. The twins make their way through multiple challenges with humor, ambition, and heartbreak but remain tied together by the bonds of sisterhood, winding their way through the seedier backdoors of the entertainment business, and into college dorm life and love nest apartments.

With the historical backdrop of the post WW2 era, Falling From The Nest, reads as a stand-alone story but also serves as a sequel to author Bobbie Candas’ previous novel, The Lost and Found of Green Tree.

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The last of the audition line moved forward and I was suddenly thrust up on the stage of the Imperial Theater. There were three lines of ten on stage, filled with nervous male and female hopefuls auditioning for chorus line spots for a new Irving Berlin musical, Annie Get Your Gun. I could smell my fear as it branched out within me in tingling connections from my frozen face down to my feet. Feet that now felt like dead weights attached to heeled dance shoes whose soles were glued to the floor. I’d arrived late and was in the last group of an open-call audition and purposely nudged myself into the center of the middle line, hoping for a hiding spot. But hiding is hard when you’re a leggy, five-foot-nine, pale blonde female in a string of short, muscular dancers. Kinda like a spotted giraffe among the lions.

After lining up, our executioner and choreographer took about sixty seconds to show us a dozen linking steps to an opening dance sequence. His arrogant face, slim body, and searching eyes leaned back appraising the lines. “OK, boys and girls, this one’s simple. Think you got it?” Everyone around me anxiously nodded yes.

No, I wanted to shout. Repeat please!

The orchestra in the pit began cranking out a tune, as the choreographer yelled out…”And a one, and a two--knee up, kick left, circle back, hop, hop, knee up, kick right…” Then he motioned for the music to stop.

An exasperated expression covered his face. “Ladies and gentlemen, these are the basics, the easy connections. Let’s start again on three. And a one, and a two--knee up, kick left, circle back, hop, hop…” He stuck his arm out, motioning again for the music to stop.

“Alright, first cuts.” His long arm and dismissive finger pointed to the guilty dancers. “Tall blonde, center middle row, thank you. You…guy on the end, first row, that will be all. Back row, green sweater, left side, you may leave.”

He sighed deeply, clapped his hands, and said. “Let’s go again, cue music…repeat.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

I'm a Texas girl: grew up in San Antonio, went to school at UT in Austin where I earned my degree in journalism, and settled in Dallas where I raised a husband, two kids and a few cats. My husband, Mehmet, and the cats will probably disagree on who raised who, but I'm a sucker for a robust discussion.

For years I was involved in retail management, but in 2014 I refocused on my writing, taking deep dives into the lives of my characters. When you can pry my fingers off the keyboard, I enjoy entertaining, sharing food and drink with friends and family. I enjoy shopping, usually on the hunt for apparel, with a special weakness for shoes, and will frequently jump at the opportunity of an unexpected trip to a far-away place.

And I always make time for reading. I keep a stack of novels ready and waiting on my night stand, with a few tapping their toe in my Kindle. I bounce around genres, and I’m always ready for a good recommendation.

Facebook: Author Bobbie Candas: https://www.facebook.com/bobbiecandasauthor
Good Reads author link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8292457.Bobbie.Candas
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/Books-Bobbie-Candas/s?3A283155%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ABobbie+Candas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobbiecandas
Website: http://www.bobbiecandas.com

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Straight Chatting fom the Library: Simon Yeats

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn winner will be awarded a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. Please click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

Oh, I am torn between the ability to have my whole body ignite like a flame and having X-ray vision. Any man that doesn’t have X-ray vision in their top two is a liar. We were all 15 years of age once with a hot female substitute teacher. Any females offended by that remark can stop commenting on the volleyball scene in Top Gun or how handsome Hugh Jackman is.

What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn about you?

That I have made 40 completely paralyzed people regain the ability to walk. That will make the head explode of all the people who bristled at me saying that every 15 year old boy dreams of X-ray vision for only one reason. Yep, even miracle workers have a dark side.

When writing descriptions of your hero/ine, what feature do you start with?

I start with their astrological sign. Better to get that out of the way as quickly as possible as it means bugger all to anything in my stories, but there will always be one astrology weirdo who thinks it is important and I don’t want to upset them. Then I like to fully round out my characters by letting readers know their favorite shape, preferred adjectives, and which side of the Manchester City/Manchester United divide they sit on. That was all sarcasm. I have never given this idea any thought. Why? Because I am the main character in all my memoirs. I do not think I described myself at all in any of my books. For those playing at home, I am 6’2” (188 cms if you know metric) handsome, but not Mel Gibson handsome, and my favorite hobby is helping old ladies across the road. Did I mention handsome?

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I had this question on another interview questionnaire and I did not know what either of those things are. I am not ashamed to say that 3 months later I still do not know. I cannot shake it from my head that it refers to a person being an avid gardener or someone that runs up behind a person and pulls their pants down.

Did you learn anything from writing this book? If so, what?

I learned an enormous amount about what it takes to shape an existence through the lens of remembering every moment in life as being both memorable AND enjoyable. If a person is not doing that they are in for a good 80 years of misery on this planet. Many of my friends always ask me how is it that I remember all these moments from my life with such clarity, and my response is always, ‘If I didn’t remember all these moments in life so clearly, what would be the point?’

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The Lesser Known Travel Tips memoirs are a hilarious series of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection by Australian author Simon Yeats, who from an early age learned that the best way to approach the misfortunes of this world is to laugh about them.

Simon shares his comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living life as an Aussie ex-pat and having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as the Spanish Flu in 1918 or hordes of Mongols in 12th Century.

From how to keep yourself entertained when unwittingly forced to watch 11 hours of live sumo wrestling in Japan, to surviving heartbreak in India at the hands of a French flight attendant, to 48 hours spent in Nepal that qualify as the funniest most gut wrenching travel experience since Captain Bligh was set adrift in the Pacific, to his unsuccessful attempts at avoiding going to a brothel in Thailand. From what to do when several people converge to rob you after midnight on a deserted Copacabana Beach, to how to save the Sierra Mountain Range from a wildfire outbreak due to a lack of quality toilet paper, to where not to go in Tijuana when trying to locate the origins to stories of the city’s mythical adult entertainment, to how to save yourself from drowning when caught in a storm while sailing off the California coast. From how to outwit the Italian police while trying to find parking in downtown Genoa, to how to negotiate exploring the Roman ruins of Plovdiv, Bulgaria while on crutches, to how to impress the German Mafia with 80s dance moves, to how to leave a lasting impression on a crowded bar in Gothenburg, Sweden after combining alcohol and antibiotics.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to break a leg, contract Dengue fever, or rupture a pancreas.

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Excerpt from How to Start a Riot in a Brothel in Thailand by Ordering a Beer and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips

At any airport in the world, a person can always observe the two types of people present. The difference between the two groups is stark. Which means you do not have to be David Attenborough to identify them. One group is the heading off on a trip bunch. These people are giddy, excited, and expectant. The type of people happy to overspend on items at the airport newsstand because they are all cashed up. This group is also the most susceptible to purchasing a neck pillow.

Then there is the arriving home set. Easily identified as being the more exhausted, hollowed out, downcast individuals who are no longer talking with the other family members, or loved ones, traveling with them. No plastic bags with bottles of duty-free booze with this lot. They are broke. Or worse than broke, having spent the last week charging everything to their credit card. As they badly under budgeted for the trip away.

I see both groups regularly; I have been part of both groups.

Just to be clear, I am not talking about the arrival lounge here. These are the people milling about at the departure gate. At arrivals, there are two distinct types of people, and it does not matter which of the departing groups they started off in. The thank God the flight is over, happy to have landed mob. And the thank God the flight is over, now I can have a cigarette crowd.

The greatest thing about living overseas is that no matter which way I am flying, returning home-home, or returning to my home-away-from-home, I always consider myself in the being excited clique. Flying home still feels like I am going off on vacation. I am excited to see family again and catch up with old friends. Flying away, I am thrilled to be continuing once again with the traveling adventure that has been my life. The ultimate win/win scenario. It is like being able to maintain a meth habit, and a job.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNQLSPW/about
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoryeats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryeats/

Book One: https://www.amazon.com/Brothel-Thailand-Ordering-Lesser-Travel-ebook/dp/B0CLDBSXGX/ref=sr_1_3
Book Two: https://www.amazon.com/Getting-Mugged-Janeiro-Singing-Police-ebook/dp/B0CPCBMD1N/ref=sr_1_4
Book Three: https://www.amazon.com/Survive-Yourself-Dancing-Bavarian-Nightclub-ebook/dp/B0CR6GDDXR/ref=sr_1_2

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Spirience

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science is a unique and comprehensive look at the importance of spirituality and science to guide our day-to-day living at a personal level, and to achieve peace and prosperity at a global. The term 'spirience' is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix "spiri-," and the domain of science in its suffix "-ence".

The importance of such a work lies in the challenges faced by the world today, conflicts between nations and ideologies at the global level and the explosion of mental health issues at a personal level. The book will first set the scene to understand the challenges faced by humanity today and the tools that we have to overcome them. An in-depth look at the treasure trove of texts from India's Vedic past, highlighting the spiritual as well as scientific aspects, will be complemented by a study of the evolution of mankind over the past millennia, changes in the way of life and the current levels of extreme discontinuity brought on by an onrush of technological innovations.

Recommendations for going forward will be presented for the readers to ponder and hopefully incorporate in their personal, professional and social lives. The book will be of great value to anyone interested in or active in personal well-being and global peace and prosperity.

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Spirience: A Fusion of Experiences

Early Human Development Through the Ages

The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.
Leo Tolstoy

One of the defining characteristics of human beings, as opposed to other creations, is their fascination with history. From the earliest known human beings, they have made conscious efforts to record evidence of their existence, lifestyle, and beliefs for future generations. Or as time progressed, dug deep into the past for such records and made attempts to ensure that the records were discovered, understood, and shared.

Of course, through ravages of time as well as human conflicts and natural disasters, various elements of the continuum of human civilization were either destroyed, buried, forgotten, and even consciously erased, revised, or have had their ownership reassigned. We will be detailing some examples elsewhere in the book, but it is worthwhile to highlight one example of the reassignment of ownership.

Most historians have by now come to accept that what had been conventionally classified as the Arabic numeral system was really of Indian origin. It was acquired later by traders and invaders from the Arab world, who made it their own, before letting the Europeans have access to the knowledge. It must be admitted that the recent resurgence in the rediscovery of history’s civilizational roots and branches owes much to modern scholarship. Although that admission must be tempered with the recognition that not all rediscovery and scholarship were altruistic and non-partisan. The purpose of this first section of the book, however, is not to revisit historical controversies but rather to present an open-minded survey of many scientific developments throughout the ages and the challenges that have accompanied them. Although highlighting all the diverse views on the history of science would be exceedingly difficult to accomplish in this work, for convenience, we will attempt to integrate various key narratives to present more inclusive perspectives on such development.

Although many historians delimit the origins of Vedic thought and its texts, and practices, Vedic revelation defies such attempts. Foundationally, the Vedas are understood as apaurusheya (uncreated) and accepted as eternal. With every iteration of creation, they are re-revealed and proliferated once again. Despite their antiquity, they are as relevant now as they have ever been. The unfortunate historical events of the past millennium, reflected in the sustained invasions of India by external forces and the eventual conquest and destruction of much of its physical and intellectual wealth, have still not been able to dent the relevance of the everlasting.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami

An esteemed Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Head of the BAPS Research Institute in New Delhi, Bhadreshdas Swami’s scholarly work Svāminārāyaṇabhāṣya is a profound Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthānatrayī. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and multiple honorary degrees, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.

V. I. Lakshmanan, O.C., Ph.D.

Co-founder of Process Research ORTECH and a leader in sustainable technology, Lakshmanan holds numerous patents and has published over 150 scientific works. His accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.

S. Kalyanasundaram

With 25 years of experience in advanced technologies for telecommunication networks and serving as the former Executive Director of the Canada India Foundation, Kalyanasundaram enriches the book’s exploration of the synergy between ancient knowledge and modern science.

Spirience is available through major retailers. Discover how this book’s unique integration of spirituality and science can guide you toward a more peaceful and prosperous life.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirience-Experiencing-Prosperity-through-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B0DG17QF5S/ref=sr_1_1

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