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Showing posts with label #swagpack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #swagpack. Show all posts

Monday, February 23, 2026

Stone of Destiny by Margaret Izard - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Margaret Izard will be awarding a Stone of Destiny Swag Box to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Bound by destiny, torn by fate—their love stood unbroken, victorious over all.

Kat MacArthur still feels the loss of her brother to another time. Seeking solace, she stumbles upon Ceallach, a Fae warrior, she’s had feelings for ever since she met him. The emotion grows stronger whenever they are together. Yet he warns her to stay away from the upcoming gathering for the Iona Stones. Kat refuses—she needs to be there to help her family and Ceallach.

Ceallach is torn between duty, magic, and the ache for mortal love. His Fae soul is sworn to protect the Iona Stones during the Gathering, but his heart is lost to Kat. With the prophecy looming, he cannot promise her forever—no matter how much he longs to. The maiden of the Iona Stones now faces sacrifice, and he fears if his beloved gets too close, he cannot save her.

When dark forces rise to take the Iona Stones along with their powers, Ceallach is forced into an impossible decision—to defy destiny or surrender to love?

EXCERPT ONE:


Still wearing a grin, he strode forward with confidence, and a sensuality Kat had not forgotten. The man still took her breath away with one look. Ceallach arrived before her, a smile playing on his lips. As his eyes swept across her face, the expression faltered. His brows knitted together in a frown, shadowing the sudden tension in his gaze. Reaching with his finger, he lifted a tear from her cheek, gripped his fist hard, and when opened, a small, clear teardrop-shaped gemstone sat in his palm.

“Dry yer tears, sweet Kat. Yer face is much prettier without them.” He took her hand and, with his other placed the gemstone in her palm. “When ye hold the gem, yer tears will fade, and happy thoughts shall fill yer heart.” When the stone touched her skin, her mind cleared, and a sense of ease washed over her.

Ceallach released her hand and strode past her to the doors.

Kat turned, calling after him. “Wait, why are ye here?”

The attractive Fae stopped and turned. “Dagda sent me. I’ve come to meet with the guardian of the stones. All the stones have returned. The gathering and battle of good vs evil is upon us. The gods have called, and we must answer.”

He opened the heavy oak doors without effort and strode through. The doors weight closed them, leaving Kat in the shadows again. She blinked, almost not believing her eyes and the truth before her. Her secret love had just casually strolled back into her life. Gripping the gem, he’d shaped from her tears, warmth washed over her. Ceallach was here. A smile crossed her face.

Ceallach was here.


GUEST POST:



Some of My Favorite Items in My Office


Before I get into my writing space, I need to give a little backstory on how and why—because it’s deeply personal to me.

When I began writing seriously, as in deciding this would be my full-time focus and not something I simply tinkered with, we were just coming out of the pandemic. The only dedicated office space in our home was—and still is—my husband’s office. My “office” at the time consisted of the main chair in the great room, otherwise known as Grand Central Station for our household. Peace and quiet were not exactly on the menu.

After several failed attempts at sharing an office with my husband, we started looking for another solution. The idea finally clicked after a vacation rental where I spent a lot of time working in a small office nook. Inspired, we decided to convert an ugly 1990s wet bar in the game room into a study and beverage nook—and just like that, my creative space became reality.

The space has its staples. A coffee maker for brewing coffee and Scots tea. A mini fridge stocked with cold water and snacks. A dedicated snack station filled with chips and cookies, because creativity runs on carbs.

Buddy, our dog, keeps me company in the game room, planted in front of the window where he judges everyone who dares walk past the house. Daisy the cat curls up under the other chair. But my all-time favorite companion is my Dammit Doll.

Years ago, I saw Betty White holding one in a social media post. After looking into what they were for, I ordered one myself, pink with white polka dots. If you’re unfamiliar, they’re weighted dolls designed specifically for slamming against a table when frustration strikes. I relied on her heavily when the triplets were in school. When they graduated, I packed her away, convinced her job was done.

During a recent clean-out, I found her again. Now she sits beside me while I write, on hand, doing her part to keep me sane.

AUTHOR BIO & LINKS:



Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. Her latest awards are 2024 Reader’s Favorite Honorable Mention for Stone of Love and 2024 Spring BookFest Silver Award for the same title. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her desire for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets.

Website:


Link Tree:

AMAZON BUY LINKS:



Amazon US Kindle eBook:

Amazon US Paperback:

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

Amazon CA Paperback:


GIVEAWAY:


Friday, July 19, 2019

Bittersweet Alliance by Kathleen Rowland - Blurb Blitz - Reviews - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hey, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Kathleen Rowland and her new book, “Bittersweet Alliance”!  For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post – except the Available at Amazon picture, which takes you directly to the Amazon Book Sale Page.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win ONE of TEN fabulous Gift Bags that each contain exciting prizes like a shell necklace, chocolates, and a flower pen!!!  That’s right – there will be TEN lucky winners!!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Kathleen and to increase your chances of winning!

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


Bittersweet Alliance
by Kathleen Rowland

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GENRE: Romantic Suspense

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BLURB:

Will a snap decision change their lives forever?

Bizarre kidnappings stun the Big Island of Hawaii, pulling Danker Donahue back into the game and forcing him to partner with Jolene Kualoha, the woman who left him seven years ago when his DNA showed up in paternity lawsuit. The prejudice-motivated hate crimes are the wildest anyone has ever seen. Victims are being poisoned then released once the ransoms are paid, many losing their lives.

In the shadow of Jolene's success as a helicopter pilot, a troubled woman develops a fixation on Jolene and imitates her appearance. Matters turn dark when the copycat is shot dead. Was Jolene the target? Threats mount when she barely survives an accident after her brake cables are severed.

When these crimes threaten her sanity, Jolene is forced to trust the one person she thought she’d lost forever, Danker. Instantly, sparks fly between them, and as much as she wants to rekindle their relationship, she must protect her heart.

An old enemy, Seamus McGinn, breaks out of a maximum-security prison and invites Danker to a meet-up. Surprisingly, the kidnapper joins forces with McGinn along with his sick fans. McGinn trumpets his ‘murders by ice pick’, and it’s up to Danker to stop him. The whole island is on edge with a live feed from the maniac’s website.

In a stolen moment, Jolene shows him hope, and he makes a snap decision that will change their lives forever. Will he make it back to show her?

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EXCERPT ONE:

Seven years since their breakup, Jolene Kualoha spotted Danker Donahue, ambling from the parking lot toward the store. She recognized him by his height and long gait. Wind from the north ruffled his hair and brought a bone-biting chill to her heart. Nuts, here he was, ducking his head to miss the bell overhead. It tinkled, and a strange twisting sensation hit her in the stomach.

This happened at the Kalua-Kona Food Emporium on a Sunday morning in July. She stared from where she stood near the avocados. His dangerous edge drew her in, but she turned her back to him. Her body reverberated like when her cellphone was on vibrate in her pocket. Stunned with minor electric shock, she froze.  Maybe he wouldn’t see her.  Wouldn’t recognize the back of her head or the once familiar shape of her ass.

Was someone waiting for him in the parking lot? Someone like Louella, the baby’s momma who’d summoned him for an immediate DNA test? For a split second, she craned her head around but didn’t see her with him.

She and Danker were a couple when the test confirmed his fatherhood. Her heart ached at the memory. Love hurt, but that wasn’t all. Loneliness hurt. Losing someone hurt. Decision-making hurt when you force yourself to do the right thing.

She’d pulled away, giving him space to work on his previous relationship for the sake of their child. The most shameful thing a woman can do is take parents away from a baby, and this began her year of stubborn steadfastness.

I did the breakup rituals. Got the dramatic haircut. Engraved a piece of jewelry he got me with a new message. Deleted the photos that made me cry.

To have been his woman was like living where the air flowered with jasmine, and the weather day after day was flawless, but the forecast was a hurricane.

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REVIEWS:

What Reviewers Say About Kathleen Rowland:

~From The Romance Studio~

Windward Whisperings – Kathleen Rowland spins a creative story with romance, passion and suspense making it an adventure hard to put down. The banter she creates between the two lovers is spine-tingling robust in this keeper of a read.

~From Midwest Book Review~

Deeds of Deceit – Circled by the bloodthirsty and untrusting, you learn to appreciate the few allies you have. Deeds of Deceit is an excellent addition to any thriller assortment.

~From Long and Short Reviews~

A Key to all That Glitters – Is a mesmerizing love story that vibrates with love and suspense.

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AUTHOR BIO:


Book Buyers Best finalist Kathleen Rowland is devoted to giving her readers fast-paced, high-stakes suspense with a sizzling love story sure to melt their hearts. Kathleen used to write computer programs but now writes novels. She grew up in Iowa where she caught lightning bugs, ran barefoot, and raced her sailboat on Lake Okoboji. Now she wears flip-flops and sails with her husband, Gerry, on Newport Harbor but wishes there were lightning bugs in California.

Kathleen exists happily with her witty CPA husband, Gerry, in their 70’s poolside retreat in Southern California where she adores time spent with visiting grandchildren, dogs, one bunny, and noisy neighbors. While proud of their five children who’ve flown the coop, she appreciates the luxury of time to write!

Kathleen is an in-house author at Tirgearr Publishing. Her Irish-American Donahue Cousins series includes Deadly Alliance, Unholy Alliance, and another, Bittersweet Alliance is in the works. One Night in Havana (in the City Nights series) has a release date of January 31, 2018.

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CONNECT WITH KATHLEEN:

Website:

Blog #1:

Blog #2:

Newsletter:

Email:
kathleenrowland10@gmail.com

Facebook Fan Page:

Facebook Personal Page:

Twitter:

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

Goodreads Author Page:

Goodreads Book Page:

Amazon Author Page:

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINK:



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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Kathleen will be awarding ten gift bags each containing a shell necklace, chocolates, and a flower pen to randomly drawn winners via Rafflecopter during the tour.



**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 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, July 24, 2018

The Bridesmaid's Checklist Series by K.T. Castle - Book Tour - Book Sale - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hey lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host K.T. Castle and her new book series, “The Bridesmaid's Checklist Series”!  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 $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card, autographed copies of BOTH featured books, AND some swag (stickers and bookmarks) to TWO lucky winners!!  Also, come back daily to interact with K.T. and to increase your chances of winning!

Both featured books are on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99 each!!!  See below for more details.

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

Please note that this giveaway is only available to US residents.  Sorry INTL – please check out other giveaways on this blog.

 

The Bridesmaid's Checklist Series
by K.T. Castle

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

BCL is a Contemporary New Adult Romance that tells Kassandra's story.

Kassie is a single, independent woman that finds herself questioning her lifestyle after all of her best friend get married and settle down.

Even if she’s the only unmarried girl in the pack she isn’t single anymore. Now that all her friends are married and all the wedding planning is over, she has a chance to concentrate in her relationship with Josh. Or so she thought, since her friends keep visiting her with a major life changing crisis.

Helping her friends plan their wedding was no problemdealing with unexpected personal situations is a whole other thing.

You can read how she helps Laura and Marisol to plan their weddings.

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EXCERPT ONE:


Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. I’d heard that saying more than once now. And I was about to hear it once again.

“Kassie! Kassie, wake up! I’m getting married,” a high-pitched voice squealed at me at 3:00 a.m.

Who the hell is this? I had picked up the phone without even looking at the caller ID. Oh, Laura. Great.

“Kassandra, are you listening? I’m engaged!” Laura screamed from the other side of the phone.

“Yeah, wow,” I said. “Congratulations.”

“I can’t believe you, Kassie. You should be more excited. You’ll get to be my bridesmaid!” The volume of her voice kept rising.

“I’m happy for you, Laura.” I really didn’t know at the moment how I felt. I was trying to look around to see exactly where I was. “Believe me. It’s just…it’s three o’clock, and I was sleeping.”

After looking at my surroundings, I remembered I was in my own house. I had a minor headache, probably from all the drinking the night before, and my body ached a bit. I looked beside me and found the reason for my hurt.

Next to me I found the silhouette of a beautiful man. The memories of the few hours before my abrupt awakening came back at me:

A bar. A blond. My home. Some sex...in that order.

“I know it’s late, but I had to give you the good news.”

“And news it is.” She was the last of my best friends who was single; not so long ago we roamed all the bars in town together, looking for men to hook up with, and suddenly she was engaged.



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GUEST POST:

~!~Guide to Grow as a Writer~!~

**Develop the Idea**

So, you have an idea to write a book??

Put in on paper!

I’m sure you’re familiar with brainstorming, there is no better way to shape your idea. Write everything down on paper. Later on, if you wish to get better organized, you can do so by defining the following elements: story, point of view, characters, setting, genre, conflict, theme, tone, and plot. As you work on these, you’ll find yourself feeling more confident about your idea and soon to be book.


**Know Your Characters**

Sometimes we get to know our characters as we write, now that I’m a little more organized I try to get to know them a bit sooner.

First, I need to find an image that talks to me, the person I believe my characters look like. Later on, I start working on specifics like: name, age, dob, occupation, physical characteristics, and favorite things (elements that might come to be while I develop the idea). You’ll find that you know your characters a lot more than you thought you did, and that knowledge will help you develop the story further. And even if you start with the basics and decide to move on with the story and start writing, I highly recommend that you keep track of all these things, since you might need it later on for consistency (specially if you plan on writing a series).

Want to go a step further??

Don’t stop with characteristics and favorites, think of their Intellectual, mental and personality attributes and attitudes, their emotional and spiritual characteristics, and most importantly, their role in the story and with other characters.


**Get Organized**

This is when things get interesting. I totally respect authors that start writing a story from beginning to end with no notes or guide… I did that for a couple of books. It’s fun and it works for a lot of people. And if that’s your style, go for it. Don’t overthink it and do it.

Now, if you’re a planner and like to be organized. Here’ my recommendation.
Go back to your brainstorm, but now go ahead and start placing events in order. What happened first, second third? Think of the different scenes that you have pictured of your idea and evaluate if there’s something that needs to happen before and after, if there’s important information that you have to give your readers at a certain time and pace. This will help you create an outline of your story, and with it you’ll have a guide of what you should concentrate when writing.


**Start Writing**

Well, duh! But, yeah… write.

Create a schedule that works for you and keep it.

You can only write for 30 minutes a day? Maybe you can do it a couple of nights a week?? It isn’t much, but it’s what you have to work with. Even if you’re one of those lucky people that have several hours a day to write, you still have to keep a schedule and I recommend that you keep a record of how much you write. This will motivate to keep your goal in mind and reach it.


**Be Open to Feedback**

Writing should be something you enjoy, something you’re passionate about. I find that it’s difficult to share what you write with others because writing is personal. You don’t have to write about you or your life to feel as if you’re sharing with the world a deep secret. I believe that partly it is because we all want to be accepted, and finding that someone doesn’t like (or reject) what we do is hard.

So, if you’re writing for yourself, keep doing it and enjoy it. You can share it with someone if and when you’re ready. If you write because you want others to read your work, then be open to feedback… and lots of it.

Feedback is going to “affect” you as much as you let it. Believe me, your family and friends are going to love what you write, and they’re going to try to give you the best advice they can. But there’s always going to be someone that doesn’t like it, and that’s okay too. We all have different tastes and therefore read different things, try to be objective with what they tell you and put it in perspective; turn it around and find a way to use the feedback in a positive way.

You can do it!


**Give Improvement a Place**

We’re always learning.

Every single day we’re learning something new. A feature we didn’t know our phone had, a way to program our TV, the origin of something we use everyday… the possibilities are endless because there’s infinite things out there. The same happens to writing. As you write, you’re going to learn something new with every hour you work, with every new project. Even if it’s something simple to more complex things. How to use the Oxford comma, how to capitalize the title of a song, how to make a better description of a scene, how to show and not to tell… Surround yourself by people that help you reach better writing skills and value their knowledge. It doesn’t mean that you’re going to do everything that your friend, editor or beta reader say, it means that you’ll think about it, consider it, maybe research about it, and finally make a decision.

You should always look for ways to improve your writing, for your sake and those of your readers. That’s how you keep growing and pushing yourself to be the best writer you can be. So read other books, take a writing course, join a beta group, etc. There’s many ways to do it, and that’s how you’ll feel proud of yourself and your work. Be the best writer you can be.



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AUTHOR BIO:


K.T. Castle is an author/artist on a quest to find the words, forms, and colors to materialize the worlds and people of her imagination.  She never saw herself as an incurable romantic, but lately, that's what she finds herself musing about.  Love is found everywhere, regardless if it comes from a nice person, an ass — mundane or even vampire.  When she's not busy with work, in front of a computer placing many thoughts in order, she makes her best to be creative or relax with a good book and a snack.  Some of her favorite characters are Sookie, Rule and Shaw, Bella, Edward, Clary, Jace, Wrath, Hollywood, Blaire, Woods, Ethan, the Sleeping Beauty, and Ariel.

Get to know her more on her social media pages.

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CONNECT WITH K.T.:

Website:

Blog:

Mailing List:
http://eepurl.com/b8WO99

Email:
ktbook00001@gmail.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

Pinterest:

Instagram:

Google+:

WattPad:

Goodreads Author Page:

Goodreads Book Page – Laura’s Wedding – Book One:

Goodreads Book Page – Marisol’s Wedding – Book Two:

Amazon Author Page:

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BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO – LAURA’S WEDDING – BOOK ONE:


**Laura’s Wedding is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!**

Amazon Kindle:

Amazon Paperback:

Amazon UK:

Amazon CA:

Amazon AU:

Amazon MX:

Barnes and Noble:

Kobo:

The Book Depository:

BAM! Books-A-Million:

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BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO – MARISOL’S WEDDING – BOOK TWO:


**Marisol’s Wedding is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!**

Amazon Kindle:

Amazon Paperback:

Amazon UK:

Amazon CA:

Amazon AU:

Amazon MX:

Barnes and Noble:

Kobo:

The Book Depository:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

K.T. will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC and autographed copies of both books and some swag (stickers and bookmarks) (US only) to two randomly drawn winners via Rafflecopter during the tour.


**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase 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 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.