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Wednesday, May 31, 2023

The Charterhouse of Evil by Janice Tremayne - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Janice Tremayne will be awarding an Audiobook of “The Infants Spirits,” (Book 4) Haunting Clarisse Series to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Bound to life old and new, the sins of the departed still haunt her. When wickedness infects the innocent, can she see the curse undone?

Western Australia. Clarisse Garcia is ready to return stronger than ever. With her husband by her side, the plucky spirit hunter is back on familiar territory with an assignment for Benedictine monks. And now she’s out to vanquish whatever evil is plaguing the monastic village that caused orphans to mysteriously die.

With what could be a voracious demon on her hands, Clarisse partners up with a man who grew up in the local orphanage to investigate suspicious activities. And as they dig through the monastery’s shrouded history, she discovers that some of these servants of God might not be as benign as they claim… and she may be their next quarry.

Can this driven woman end the impiety before more lives are sent to the grave?

The Charterhouse of Evil is the shocking fifth book in the Haunting Clarisse supernatural horror series. If you like bold characters, adrenaline-spiking investigations, and jaw-dropping twists and turns, then you’ll love Janice Tremayne’s malevolent tale.

EXCERPT TWO:

Clarisse heard the creak of her door opening slightly and unaided. She had no way of knowing who was behind the door, as the room was dark, and only a speck of light filtered through the window from a solitary lamppost outside, barely enough to recognize the possible intruder.

She heard the moans from the breath of death as though someone was suffocating. She had heard it all before and knew what the end of life sounded like.

An unwelcoming sound of a dead spirit roamed the guesthouse corridors that had not crossed over—not an uncommon encounter in haunted places frequented with the souls of those long gone.

As the spirit raised the tempo of its moaning repertoire, she heard rapid footsteps outside the room, as though someone was running up and down the hallway, chasing shadows. A child perhaps? It made her think there was more than one spirit wanting to contact her.

While the evil chasm was invading her private space, the wind blew outside as a storm ravaged the monastic village. Rain droplets, the size of golf balls, pelted her window as the gust of wind tried to force its way inside. The clap of thunder in the distance only added to the surreal ambiance.

Although most people would have been terrified, Clarisse was not. She had seen it all before. It was how demons announced themselves, thinking they could get your attention through fear and take the upper hand. But not Clarisse; she knew their tactics and didn’t overreact to any spiritual encounter.

There was a scratching sound on the door, of metal and fingernails, which she considered unusual for a wooden frame. It was followed by the breath of the dark spirit forming its words. It echoed throughout her room, followed by a sigh. The spirit entity was trying to communicate with her.

Clarisse sat upright in bed, placing the European-style pillow on the bedside frame, and said, “I hear you, demon. What is it you want?”

“Your catharsis awaits you,” the demon replied. It took a deep shallow breath then repeated, “Catharsis ….”

AUTHOR BIO:
Janice Tremayne is an award-winning supernatural horror writer from Australia. Her acclaimed novel, Haunting Hartley, was a finalist in the Readers' Favorite 2020 International Book Awards in fiction-supernatural and was awarded the distinguished favorite prize for paranormal horror at the New York City Big Book Awards. She was recently awarded the silver medal at the IPPY Awards 2021 Australia/New Zealand/Pacific Rim – Best Regional Fiction and the Wishing Shelf Independent Book Awards 2020 Bronze Award in Adult Fiction.

Janice is an emerging Australian author who lives with her family in Melbourne. The Haunting Clarisse series has regularly reached number one in the Amazon kindle rankings for Occult Supernatural, Ghosts and Haunted Houses, and British Horror for hot new releases/bestsellers. Janice is well-versed in her cultural superstitions and how they influence daily life and customs. She grew up in a family with a cultural heritage where religious taboos and superstitions were entrenched into their way of life. This fascinated her as she was growing up and laid the foundations for developing a passion and style for writing supernatural horror novels for adult readers.

Writing the Haunting Clarisse series was spawned over a cup of coffee many years ago when she finally decided to put pen to paper, and she has never looked back. Her books contain heart-thumping, bone-chilling, and thought-provoking paranormal experiences that deliver a new twist to every tale to the delight of her readers worldwide.


CONNECT WITH JANICE:

Website
Facebook
YouTube


AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:


**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Choosing Love Over Pride: New Beginnings Vol. 2 by Marielle de Vassoigne - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Marielle de Vassoigne and her new book, “Choosing Love Over Pride: New Beginnings Vol. 2,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Marielle de Vassoigne and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

Choosing Love Over Pride

New Beginnings Vol. 2

by Marielle de Vassoigne

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GENRE:   Fiction

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BOOK BLURB:

"Max, do you remember the proposal-gate?"

"How could I ever forget, sweetie? You made sure no one would. Why do you ask?"

"Was it worth it? I mean, I recall being a fierce advocate for the 'I do.' But when I think of how much Dad and you have suffered because of love I wonder. Was it worth it?"

Maxime's stepdaughter refers to her father's legendary attempt to propose in New Beginning in Vancouver, the prequel to this book. This new stage of Maxime's life navigates us through a rollercoaster of emotions while she must face new joys and challenges.

I hope you will enjoy, laugh and cry reading their story as much as I did when I wrote it. I offer you an opportunity to complete the experience of reading this novel appealing to all senses with a soundtrack, available on my author website: marielledevassoigneauthor.com.

Finally, as I identify as a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ ally, this book reflects once again my core belief: a rich life is filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration, as well as values of diversity and inclusion.

Enjoy!

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EXCERPT ONE:

I wake up the next morning and smile with my eyes still shut. I know Gabriel is scrutinizing my face—well, probably not just my face.

“Good morning wife.”

“Hmm. Good morning husband. Promise me again that every morning will be like today, whatever the circumstance or experiences life may hold for us,” I beg paraphrasing our wedding vows. Is this insistence of mine a premonition of what is to come?

“I do Max. I do my love. I want this sight of you smiling as you regain consciousness to start each of my mornings until we meet our angels.”

We both believe our respective angels, including Gabriel’s late parents, have brought us together.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GUEST POST:

Create a Playlist

I have created not one but five playlists as a soundtrack to “Choosing Love Over Pride”. And I had five more for its prequel “New Beginning in Vancouver”. They are all accessible from my author website www.marielledevassoigneauthor.com.

As an organic, indie author, I wanted my novels to be a sensorial and sensual experience for the reader. I strived to appeal to all five senses, and even the sixth sense when it comes to Maxime’s (the lead character) intuition and her “butterfly mind”. A mind that forages thousands of erratic thoughts a second, attentive to people non-verbal.

The story is scattered with musical references I have grouped by themes and added to playlists referring to Maxime. The playlists related to “Choosing Love Over Pride” are:

  Max's Evening at the Explorer's (her Music & Spirit Lounge)

  Max's Latin Jazz Selection

  Max's Angry Workout

  Max's - Leonard, Edith, Nina (for Leonard Cohen, Edith Piaf, and Nina Simone), and

  Vee Sunday Mourning

I have selected the music on those playlists either because it would fit the mood in a scene, or sometimes because the lyrics inspired me a scene when I was so stuck, that even the characters could no longer guide me in their world.

If I was to choose one song as the soundtrack to “Choosing Love Over Pride”, it would be “Flava” from DJ Black Coffee – featuring Una Rams and Tellaman. For “New Beginning in Vancouver” the prequel, in my mind it was “Sonate Pacifique” from the French group: L’ImpĂ©ratice. I will let you appreciate the nuance.

As for the other senses, I rely on Maxime’s nature, activity, and journey.  You will imagine the tastes and smells offered by Maxime at the Salon Blossom – Flowers & Teas. The sights are stimulated by the main location of the story: Vancouver, in the beautiful British Columbia, but also in Martinique, a French Caribbean Island, and in France due to her background. And finally, Maxime’s essence is made of sensuality. And you will therefore, feel the touch, the textures and all the feels.

Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO:

After spending half her life in Montréal, Marielle de Vassoigne moved to Vancouver during the pandemic in January of 2021.

Just like her main character Maxime, she was born in France and grew up in Martinique, a French Caribbean Island, before moving in Canada.

An organic writer, she's publishing her first novel, which is an outcome from her many experiences. The story has been influenced by her core belief—that a rich life is filled with kindness, curiosity, and exploration—as well as values of diversity and inclusion.

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CONNECT WITH MARIELLE DE VASSOIGNE:

Website:

https://www.marielledevassoigneauthor.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/marielledevassoigneauthor

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/marielledevassoigneauthor

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marielle-de-vassoigne

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/choosing-love-over-pride-the-sequel-to-new-beginning-in-vancouver-by-marielle-de-vassoigne

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22338041.Marielle_de_Vassoigne

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123169353-choosing-love-over-pride

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/45w3792

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3IIV4vB

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3IESM0K

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Choosing-Love-Over-Pride-Beginning-ebook/dp/B0BV4SWRQV

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Choosing-Love-Over-Pride-Beginning/dp/0228883989

Apple iBooks eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/choosing-love-over-pride-the-sequel-to-new-beginning/id6445731289

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-love-over-pride-marielle-de-vassoigne/1143060418?ean=2940166015310

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/choosing-love-over-pride-marielle-de-vassoigne/1143060418?ean=9780228883982

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/choosing-love-over-pride

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/choosing-love-over-pride

Smashwords eBook:

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1338396

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Marielle de Vassoigne will be awarding a $15 Amazon Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

The Warlord's Stormy Skye by Gail Koger - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Gail Koger and her new book, “The Warlord's Stormy Skye,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Gail and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

The Warlord's Stormy Skye

Coletti Warlord Book Series

Book 17

by Gail Koger

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Sci-Fi Romance Comedy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BLURB:

My name is Skye McAllister, I’m a psychic witch and a healer. My life is a rollercoaster ride of craziness. My unique electrical powers have a bunch of alien males eyeing me like I’m prime rib at an all-you-can-eat banquet.

If that wasn’t bad enough, a crazy old witch transformed herself into a half-human Kotsor spider and is trying to kill me with hexes, magical bombs, and her zillion hatchlings.  Have you ever tried to disarm an enchanted bomb with space Neanderthals trying to claim you as their mate?  It’s a good way to die.

To keep me alive, Zarek, the Coletti Overlord, assigned me a partner.  Vorian is a badass War Commander who is used to people obeying him immediately.  Like that’s going to happen.  I will admit he’s sex on two legs, and so damn pretty. But if I let my hormones dictate my actions, we’d be bound for life. Not happening.

Once we rid the galaxy of Mallox and the evil spider lady, I’m ditching his fine ass.

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EXCERPT TWO:

“This is a battle zone. Why are you not wearing your helmet?” Vorian demanded.

I sighed. Ever since Ella rescued me from Domagal, my life had been in a freefall. Zarek had made it very clear I belonged to the Coletti Empire now and Vorian was my partner aka jailer. The first chance I got I was ditching the bossy War Commander. “Because I’m listening for the boom,” I snapped.

“What boom?”

My eyes popped opened when I realized nothing had exploded. “I’ll be damned! We’re alive!”

“Was there some doubt?” Vorian retracted his helmet.

A slightly hysterical laugh escaped me. “You could say that, but hey, my luck held.”

There was a short disbelieving silence, then Vorian drawled ominously, “You do know how to disarm magical bombs?”

“Sorta.” If I told him I was winging it, he’d probably freak.”

Vorian’s eyebrows shot up. “What kind of answer is sorta?”

“You can’t handle the truth.”

“Try me,” Vorian growled.

“Okay. I’ve never deactivated bombs before.”

The War Commander stared at me for a long moment. “I see. Has Ella ever defused a magical bomb?”

“Nope. We’ve never had a witch go rogue either.”

“How many booby traps are left?”

“Four.” I rolled my shoulders, trying to ease my tense muscles. “And to make things even more exciting, these suckers are tricky little devils to disarm.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO:

I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONNECT WITH GAIL:

Website:

www.gailkoger.com

Email:

gkoger58@q.com

Facebook Personal Page:

https://www.facebook.com/gail.koger.3

Facebook Fan Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Colettiwarlordbooks

Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/Askole

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/gkoger58

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/gail-koger

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-warlord-s-stormy-skye-coletti-warlord-series-book-17-by-gail-koger

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1598719.Gail_Koger

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/79313414-the-warlord-s-stormy-skye

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2tpb5SP

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/428Nh13

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Warlords-Stormy-Skye-Coletti-Warlord-ebook/dp/B0BSJCG1YF

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-warlords-stormy-skye-gail-koger/1142974624

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-warlord-s-stormy-skye

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-warlord-s-stormy-skye

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Gail will be awarding a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Until I'm Safe in Your Arms by Jenna Jaxon - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jenna Jaxon will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour, Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Can a wager to find a wife turn into a true love match?

Entered into a wager that he can wed within a week, Captain Alex Bancroft pursues the first pretty woman he meets: Miss Emma Washer. Their courtship proceeds at a furious pace, including a dalliance that might ruin them both. Before it can, Alex proposes and is stunned when Emma agrees to marry him. Alex desperately tries to keep word of the wager from his new wife, not knowing Emma has secrets of her own to keep.

As passion erupts between the newly wed pair, the circumstances of Emma’s past threaten to tear them asunder. Alex’s regiment is directed to sail to a place Emma dares not go.

She refuses to accompany him, leaving Alex with a devastating choice: leave England to fulfil duty to Queen and country or stay and revel in his newfound love for his wife?

EXCERPT TWO:

As soon as they reached the flowered arbor, Emma ducked into its shadowy depths. Its coolness came as a welcomed surprise and the perfume of the overhanging blooms made her head spin with the heavy scent. Alex held the swing and she sank onto it gratefully. Between the heat without, the sudden coolness within, the intense sweetness of the flowers, and Alex’s presence, her head had begun to spin. She glanced up at him and patted the seat by her. “Will you sit beside me?”

“In a moment, perhaps.” He strode to the edge of the bower and peered down the path they’d just taken. His head moved back and forth as he scanned the garden, then apparently satisfied with what he saw, Alex turned back to her. “Good. It seems we are very much alone.”

Emma’s eyes widened and her breath caught in her throat as he dropped gracefully to one knee and took her hand.

“We have known one another for only a matter of days, Emma, but I believe you to be the loveliest woman of my acquaintance. Sweet, kind, beautiful…” He grinned. “And the tiniest bit naughty, making you the perfect woman for me.”

Gazing into his deep blue eyes staring so intently at her, Emma could scarcely breathe beyond little hitching gasps. Was this real? Was she about to hear the question she’d longed to answer ever since seeing him…was it only three days ago? Her hands trembled in his grip. Dear God, don’t let her faint.

AUTHOR BIO:

Jenna Jaxon is a best-selling author of historical romance, writing in a variety of time periods because she believes that passion is timeless. She has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager. A romantic herself, Jenna has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise. She tries to incorporate all these elements into her own stories.

 She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets--including Olive, an almost silent cat, Earl Grey, a very curious bunny, and a Shar-pei mix named Frenchie.


CONNECT WITH JENNA:

Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok


AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Monday, May 29, 2023

The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste by Luki Belle - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hello, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Luki Belle and her new book, “The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste,” here on FAB!!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Luki and to increase your chances of winning!!

Thanks for stopping by!!  Wishing you all lots of good luck in this fabulous giveaway!!

The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste

by Luki Belle

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE:   Adult Fiction, Gothic Fiction, Paranormal Suspense, Military Thriller

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BOOK BLURB:

The setting: two fictitious nations, Hastan and Llehstanz, in a past imaginary era of colonization.

The Llehstanz Monarchy won its final battle over Hastan to colonize the nation after years of war. The battlefield charge was led by a reputable, young, ruthless, and handsome Colonel Valstohl Baquiste. Highly skilled but equally arrogant, he holds a prejudice against the people of Hastan. Tragically, Colonel Baquiste was unexpectedly attacked during the last battle leaving him physically disabled. Realizing his military life is over, the embittered Colonel Baquiste awaits his dismissal to return to Llehstanz. However, he is offered a second chance for victory.

Colonel Baquiste is called back to military duty on a secret mission. He must go alone in disguise to capture elusive thugs terrorizing the Llehstanzite regiment. In accepting the mission, Baquiste realizes he is no longer fighting an enemy on a battleground when he travels to stay at the palace of renowned Southern Hastana landowner, Sir Bojeshnomaan Yervaan. Yervaans’ sinister nature ensnares Baquiste while the delicate assignment compels him to confront his tragic past and his prejudice against Hastanas. If the ambitious Colonel wants victory, it will require him to use not just his grit but also his heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT ONE:

I would take your place if you ordered me Valstohl. You still have five hours to get on that ship and go home. Let Masim clean up this mess on his own reputation, this is not your problem. And if you fail then he will just find another officer and keep trying. Your life is not worth this! Go home, start a family, you are the only Baquiste heir. Don’t take this mission!

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GUEST POST:

Describe Your Book Cover and How It Came About

Awesome subject matter!! :)

The front cover of The Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste (TDACB) depicts a sunset scene upon the dangerous Ganis River, in Hastan, where on a rowboat you see the male protagonist, Colonel Valstohl Baquiste dressed in disguise of naturalist Gulaan Dasmire, looking at an elderly boatman who is focused on steering the boat because of the powerful river currents. In the backdrop is the intense setting sun over densely populated forests. In the foreground, above the scene, are a pair of delicate silver anklets and below, a pair of vector-crossed swords with regal hilts, the blade of the left sword dripping with blood.

The front cover is packed with meaning and themes that are prevalent in the book!

“Delicate Affair” is the term that was used by Ambassador General Masim Tropart to describe the mission which he literally demanded Colonel Valstohl Baquiste to accept. When one reads TDACB one will realize that these two words could also be used to describe the factors that led to the profound change that came upon the Colonel, in his heart and mind, compelling him to reconcile his tragic past and nudging him gently into self-discovery and self-healing. However, this came at a painful cost to the Colonel, starting with his attack, at the last colonization battle against Hastan, that led to his permanent disability.

The anklets and swords are both symbolic and metaphorical in the sense that they speak to the delicate and harsh elements that impact Valstohl while the objects are also part of the story; there is a reason the blood is on the left sword’s tip (when you read TDACB you will probably guess why!). Besides the symbolism, the two objects also represent male and female essences in the novel. I use these attributions quite a lot because it is part of Valstohl’s self-discovery journey, through Gulaan Dasmire, whilst knowing that both are the same person whose duty is ultimately to serve the Llehstanz Monarchy as Colonel.

If we look at the center scene of the imagery on the front cover, one tends to feel the essence of an intense sunset and the quiet silhouetted figures on the boat. Unlike sunrise that lightens the sky, a sunset turns to night which to me represents veiling, hiding or concealing or disguising, danger or threat, and heightened anticipation. All things which have meaning in TDACB, especially the influence of a veil and the outcomes of being in disguise. The concept of seeing things in silhouette intrigued me when writing TDACB because only in disguise could the persona of the Colonel see the shadows of Valstohl and Gulaan, to begin to reconcile one with the other as a subconscious journey to self-discovery and self-healing. Dusk is also the time when the roads leading to Daikalin city and to the Yervaan palace become treacherous for travel because of the danger of attacks from the Hastana thugs. The sky colors of dusk tend to be vibrant, harsh, striking, hot, dynamic, and energetic, all the characteristics that apply to the overall mood of Southern Hastan where Daikalin city and the Yervaan palace are located. It is the place where Valstohl must go under the disguise of naturalist Gulaan Dasmire.

When you look at the two characters on the front cover’s scene, you will see Colonel Valstohl Baquiste not in his Llehstanzite military uniform, rather he is in the disguise of naturalist Gulaan Dasmire. Gulaan is quietly observing the elderly Hastana boatman. Observation is a key element that repeatedly shows up throughout TDACB and is the trigger of key events. I use it to show that when one observes, it not only impacts oneself but also the person being observed. People observe the Colonel (Valstohl) and the naturalist (Gulaan) while he too observes others as both Colonel and naturalist. Most importantly the Colonel is able to observe himself as Valstohl and Gulaan which has its own impact.

The boatman is an elderly man being shown focused intently on navigating the vessel through the dangerous river Ganis. He is not however detached from his passenger (Gulaan) even though the boatman is focused on his task at hand. Elderly men play an important role in the Colonel’s life as described in TDACB, men who are strictly duty bound to the Llehstanz Monarchy while having lasting impact on Valstohl Baquiste.

The river journey scene that is ultimately depicted on the cover is the initial place of identity change and identity collision for the Colonel as he begins to embody the persona of the naturalist while recalling his tragic past. The dangerous rapids on the river Ganis threatens the life of Valstohl but he is reassured of his safety by the gentle, elderly Hastana boatman, and this reminds the Colonel of his father. It is at this point that Valstohl looks back at his life, for the very first time since coming to Hastan to fight the colonization battle for the Monarchy of Llehstanz. This scene in the Delicate Affair of Colonel Baquiste is the first moment of a silent transformation in the Colonel, consciously and subconsciously!

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AUTHOR BIO:

Luki Belle works in the media industry. Storytelling was a fixture from childhood when she would listen to stories told by her grandparents, parents, sisters, and cousins who would read to her from diverse cultural fiction books. Growing up, Luki was fortunate to live in various parts of the world and experience beautiful cultures. During this time, she embraced and appreciated diversity among people while recognizing through love, overcoming pain, or grief, one can truly bond with others leading to unimaginable positive outcomes.

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CONNECT WITH LUKI:

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/people/Luki-Belle/100090188427853

Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/lukibelleauthor

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lukibelletheauthor

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/luki-belle

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste-by-luki-belle

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29703323.Luki_Belle

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123095819-the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3OBvE6O

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/43n4KE6

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/434U4Ku

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Delicate-Affair-Colonel-Baquiste-ebook/dp/B0BWLFTW6R

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Delicate-Affair-Colonel-Baquiste/dp/166293534X

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste-luki-belle/1143104792?ean=2940186593621

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste-luki-belle/1143104792?ean=9781662935343

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/the-delicate-affair-of-colonel-baquiste

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Luki will be awarding a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

AhHa...Guide to the Golden Age: How to Prepare for Very Big Changes on Our Very Tiny Planet by D N D - Book Tour - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

AhHa...Guide to the Golden Age:

How to Prepare for Very Big Changes on Our Very Tiny Planet

by D N D

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GENRE:   Body, Mind & Spirit / Inspiration & Personal Growth

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BOOK BLURB:

This Ahha...Guide to the Golden Age with the secondary title How to Prepare for Very Big Changes on our Very Tiny Planet is a mythic journey and a joy ride of discovery based on its foundational 3 Law and 10 Step vertical structure, with each level describing a rising level of consciousness. It’s actually exactly what the two titles express. Like any good story (though it’s a non fiction, it still remains the unfolding story of the universe and Us...here on mother Earth), it has its ‘good guys and bad guys’ and naturally ascends to its climax, with its minor 'AhHa' moments as well as major ‘AhHa’ moments, leading to perhaps scintillating insights and even an epiphany or two (depending on the prevailing winds), along with quite few very bad jokes and anecdotes, triggering mild chuckles or even more serious laughter on its journey...”To The Stars”….

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EXCERPT ONE:

“Maybe the whales would be ok staying in the water”

How to begin? Since this is only my second book I can only guarantee one thing, it will definitely not hit the NY Times best seller list anytime soon,(ok let's not jinx it just in case). In fact I don’t know if this will even make it into a bookstore, but it should do well in the streets and the flea markets and the alleys, well maybe not there. I have no clue where it will end up. But it doesn’t matter. After my life of 70 years this is my legacy, good, bad, ugly or indifferent. I also have no highly respected, eloquent and world known personality to write this forward for me. I’m stuck with me. And I’m still not sure how to begin it. Maybe I’m experiencing ‘writer’s block’ or maybe I just can’t write. That’s it, I'm not a writer. What do you expect? I'm only a hippy philosopher. Thank God I got that off my chest.

So let's try again. Let this be my guiding thought as I work my way through this thing.... that I will call a book.(who reads books anymore anyways?) Truth is I am a nobody. Yes I have been a hippy/artist most of my adult life, maybe at times even a hipster, but that’s just merely a very hip hippy. I have not accomplished a lot in life, in fact I haven’t accomplished anything, and may not succeed in finishing this book either. But though I am a nobody, I am definitely beginning to realize that this ‘nobody’ is really everybody. Everybody means every being, like “everything...all of it”, and I know no one will believe me, but I’m saying it anyway, so there. Some people call it the universe. I don’t think I have a big enough ego to compare myself to the universe. Then again the truth is, that’s exactly what I am, and this includes you all too. Some people even use that dreaded... G.. word. My tiny little individual self is all selves, as significant and insignificant as every other being in the world. This is the whole premise of this writing. All us little beings from the tiniest quarks and leprechauns (whoops leptons) to humans and super galaxies are all One Vast Being.... Us...Now... Here. So yes I am, in reality indeed the universe, and I should have an ego the same size in order to believe it. It’s called the Law of One which I will get into in Chapter 1. I am still stuck in this forward and it kind of feels like I am going more backwards, then forward, but never mind, forwards or backwards we keep on keeping on.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Deva Neall Depodesta has been a student of life and the arts for many decades. Born in 1949 in Montreal, Quebec he has been on a life journey of the arts from initial studies at Concordia University - BA communication arts, courses in music, 2 years. further studies in music, acting, theatre and production. This was followed  over the years with  further studies in music, video/film production, media, education, music technology at Capilano College,Vancouver Community College,Institute of Communication Arts.There was also ongoing personal study  in many aspects of music, theory, harmony, composition, instruments/voice. He has worked in the following arts :, music, performing, acting, theatre, film, radio and video/film.in many different roles as performer, composer, writer, actor, voiceover .This web site is basically his  more integral vision of life as understood at this time in his life   2017. It includes his many interests in the arts  specifically music, acting, theatre, video etc. acting promos,  written  music etc and video/photos in various  productions .But it is the integral vision perspective that he is most focused on. It is explained  in the three blogs he has written and will add to in the near future.

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CONNECT WITH D N D:

Website:

https://starship7oneness.com

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/guidetothegoldenage

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22758837.Deva_Neil_Dee_Podesta

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62234237-ahha-guide-to-the-golden-age

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/426dk8W

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/43GbYmT

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Ahha-Guide-Golden-Age-Prepare-ebook/dp/B0BQ5B6Q64

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Ahha-Guide-Golden-Age-Prepare/dp/0228874726

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ahha-guide-to-the-golden-age-dnd/1142113541

Indigo Chapters CA Paperback:

https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/ahha-guide-to-the-golden/9780228874720-item.html

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

D N D will be awarding a $15 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog.  This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those fabulous community outreach projects and awesome giveaways on here**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions.  Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.