Category: Book Events

Blog Tour: You Can Save Me by R.L. Merrill

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book EventsLeave a comment

The Playlist

For those of you who are just meeting me, hi! I’m Ro, I’m a huge music fanatic and I love to write stories inspired by the music I love. You Can Save Me is a departure of sorts from my typical hard rock/heavy metal musical vibes. It’s full of folk music, a lot of which I hadn’t listened to prior to writing this book. I’ve always been a big fan of Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young, and I knew a lot of the hits, but I did a huge deep dive into The Mamas and Papas, including Cass Elliot’s solo music. I fell hard for Gram Parsons and The Flying Burrito Brothers. I also became a huge fan of Love, the band that would have been all the rage like their label mates The Doors if their label had been willing to market them like they did The Doors. The folk singer Melanie also passed away while I was writing this book, and I did a dive into her catalogue. I discovered so much more music to love and even bonded over a lot of the music with my son, who has very discerning tastes when it comes to music. 

Besides the Laurel Canyon documentary, I also watched Rolling Thunder Revue, which was directed by Martin Scorsese and follows Dylan and company on the road just as the US was readying to celebrate their bicentennial. Fascinating stories in that film and it gave me a greater appreciation for his music. It just so happens that Bob Dylan is coming to the Bay in August, so I’m going to see him with Willie Nelson, John Cougar Mellencamp, and a fantastic country artist, Brittney Spencer. Super excited. But I digress. There are some great songs on this list as well as some obscure ones. 

I definitely had a voice in mind when I wrote Dane’s character. I hear Jackson Browne when I think of Dane. Browne’s early career is also how I saw Dane’s. He is a brilliant songwriter and he was quite young when he joined the second wave of Laurel Canyon folk singers. He wrote the beginning of “Take It Easy” and then gave the song to Glenn Frey and Don Henley to finish for the Eagles to record. 

And just as You Can Do Magic had a theme song, I found one for this book… I’ll See You Again is a song by Noel Coward, which came out in 1929 and became a standard. The words can be interpreted as sweet…but it also has a very creepy vibe, which fit the story perfectly. 

I hope you enjoy immersing yourself in the music of You Can Save Me! Stay Tuned for more…

You Can Save Me - R.L. Merrill

R.L. Merrill has a new MM paranormal romance in the Carnival of Mysteries series, the sequel to You Can Do Magic: You Can Save Me.

Sixties folk singer Dane Donovan vanished from a desolate highway rest area in 1979. Forty years later, he’s found hitchhiking in the California desert on a cold winter’s night. He hasn’t aged a day, but the roadmap of scars he wears tells a chilling tale.

Veteran detective Walter Muse took over the case twenty years ago, but his haunting connection to Dane Donovan goes back to a peculiar run-in as a child with The Troubadour and his Talking Board at a traveling carnival. He receives a late-night call with Dane’s whereabouts and races to Laurel Canyon to see for himself whether Dane is real — or a ghost. Walter’s carefully honed detective instincts are thrown out the window when his obsession with the case turns into an undeniable attraction to the mysterious singer.

Dane is on a mission to stop a new killer hell-bent on picking up where Dane’s kidnapper left off, and Walter is determined to protect him, no matter the personal and psychological cost. They’ll have to rely on new friends and trusted colleagues as well as the power of a mystical spirit board to stop the killing, and have a chance at a real future together.

Warnings: discussion of suicide, serial killer attempted murder

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Excerpt

You Can Save Me meme - R.L. Merrill

On a dark desert highway somewhere in California, I walked alone on the dusty shoulder with a borrowed acoustic guitar strapped to my back and my sole possession tucked under my arm in a brown paper bag. I shivered as though evil was breathing down my neck, when in reality, I was the one in pursuit. The sky had a purplish hue with some storm clouds off to the north but directly above me, the stars flickered in a surreal dance.

I walked with purpose, and it was a very important one.

I’m the only one who can stop him.

I passed a sign that said Highway 58 to Mojave, and I pulled my salvaged coat tighter around my scrawny self. The ground was warm beneath my tattered boots, but the air bit into my skin like an icy monster gnashing its teeth, hungry.

I turned to look behind me and spotted headlights coming my way. It had been at least an hour since another car had passed. I stuck out my thumb, hoping they’d stop. The boots I wore were also borrowed, as were my clothes and hat. I chose them because they were the only ones in the carnival storage that were the right size and fit.

I had only one memory from before I’d started working with the traveling carnival, and it was awful enough to make your blood run cold.

The lights hurt my eyes, and my energy flagged, but I kept my thumb out. I had something important to do, and if this car didn’t slow down, I’d keep going until the next one came. Someone had to stop. How else did people get anywhere if not for thumb power?

The headlights grew nearer and were impossibly bright. I had to cover my eyes briefly as I was nearly blinded. I heard the crunch of gravel as the vehicle pulled over and coughed at the cloud of dust that rose. A door opened and a male voice called out.

“Hey, man. What are you doing out here?”<

The bright lights faded and only a set of yellow ones down low on the front of the…pickup truck were left on. It was a massive thing, jacked up high, with big tires and a shiny chrome grill.

What does it look like I’m doing? The large concrete sign with the strange name loomed in my consciousness, and though every cell in my body struggled against my purpose, I stood tall and called back, “Need a ride. To Buttonwillow.”

The truck door closed, and I saw the man’s shape pass in front of the dim lights. What was he doing getting out of his ride? I backed up a step, trying to play it cool. He wasn’t the person I was worried about.

Then the passenger door opened, and a much larger man got out.

“Ryan, don’t.”

There were two of them. I didn’t like my odds, but I had no choice. I had to get there. I had to stop…

“Forget it man, I’ll walk.”

“Wait, come back. You can’t walk that far. That’s, like, almost a hundred miles away.”

The driver came closer, but the big man stepped in between us. I reached for the guitar on my back. Maybe I could whack him with it and run away. I was pretty fast.

“Do you have any weapons?” Then the passenger barked an order at me. “Let me see under your jacket.”

“Come on, man. I just need a ride. I don’t have anything.”

The driver pushed past him. “Kal, it’s okay. Hey, kid, what’s your name?”

“Dee Dee.”

The driver held his hand out, and I shook it. “Dee Dee, I’m Ryan, and this is my husband, Kal. Damn,” he said, letting go of my hand and slapping his together, the loud crack making me jump. “I love saying that.” He turned and smiled at the large man, whose scowl seemed to lessen the slightest bit. “We just got married in Vegas.” He held up a hand and the light flashed off of his wedding band.

“Congratulations?” It came out like the question it was. How were they married? Two men? Guess they really do let anything happen in Las Vegas.

“Where’d you come from?” Kal asked, standing next to Ryan as if to protect him from me. Not sure I’d ever been seen as a threat to anyone, but I didn’t blame him for being cautious. Wish I’d had someone to look after me like that.

“Back that way. Was working at a carnival, and I needed to—”

Ryan put a hand on my chest and his eyes went wide. “Did you say carnival? Like, ‘Welcome, Traveler’ carnival?”

“How’d you know?” I tried to step back and my heel caught on a rock. I was about to go down, but Kal caught me—and then I was caught up in his gaze.

“I came from there, too,” Kal said.

And then I heard it. In my mind. Calliope music.

I’d never gone to see it. I hadn’t done much exploring. I’d only gone from my trailer to my booth and back for however long I’d been employed there. Didn’t seem long, but then, time did weird things at the carnival.

>“The Troubadour’s Talking Board,” Kal said. He gripped my arm a little tighter as he brought me back up to standing. “The booth in the arcade. I know you.”

“That’s right. That’s me. Well, it was. I left. Got something I gotta do.”

Ryan grabbed Kal’s arm. “The promise. Babe, we have to help him.”

Kal continued to stare down at me, and though he seemed good—the big man oozed honor from his pores—he was a scary guy. His hand could have wrapped around my bicep twice. Or my throat. He looked from Ryan to me, and then he let go of my arm.

“We shall help you along your path.”

Seemed like a strange way of saying “sure, we’ll give you a ride,” but I’d take it.

“Thank you.”

Ryan gestured to the truck. “Hop in.”

Kal remained at my side and when we reached the cab, he opened the front of two doors. I’d never seen a pickup with two sets of doors before. This thing was unreal.

“You ride up here,” Kal said, taking the guitar from me. “I’ll be right behind you. If you hurt my husband, I will hurt you.”

“God, Kal. That’s hot, but babe, don’t scare the kid. We promised we’d help him.”

“Promised who?” I asked as I climbed into the tall pickup. “And I’m not a kid.”

Kal shut my door after I sat, and then he climbed in. I turned my back to the door. I didn’t like having him behind me. Didn’t like anyone at my back, especially after what had happened to land me at the carnival in the first place.

“I think you know,” Kal said as Ryan started the pickup. “Ryan and I are married because someone else made a promise to help us on our path. Ryan made a promise to Mr. Ame. Now we will do the same for you.”

I’d known cats who lived together, maybe even called themselves husbands, but marriage couldn’t happen between homosexuals. This was all too much. It was like I’d left one odd place and wound up in another.

But what he said about promises put my purpose front and center in my mind.

I sighed and turned just a bit, still able to see Kal out of the corner of my eye as he sat in the middle of the backseat. He rested a hand on the seat behind Ryan’s shoulder, his fingers tangling in the man’s shoulder-length copper hair.

“Thank you for stopping,” I said before I let my eyes drift closed. I needed to rest. I would need my strength when we arrived.

“What’s in Buttonwillow?” I heard Kal ask Ryan.

“All I know about it is there’s a pair of rest stops on either side of the highway. Creepy-ass place. Every time I stop there, I’m sure a murderer is going to jump out of the bushes.”

You don’t know how right you are.

Author Bio

R.L. Merrill

Whether she’s writing contemporary romance featuring quirky and relatable characters or diving deep into the paranormal and supernatural to give readers a shiver, R.L. Merrill loves creating compelling, diverse, and inclusive stories that will stay with readers long after. Winner of the Kathryn Hayes “When Sparks Fly” Best Contemporary award for Hurricane Reese, Paranormal Romance Guild’s Best Rockstar Romance for You Can Do Magic, and Daphne DuMaurier finalist for Connection, Ro spends every spare moment improving her writing craft and striving to find that perfect balance between real-life and happily ever after.

You can find her connecting with readers on social media, advocating for America’s youth, cruising around town with Great Dane Velma, cuddling with twin black cat familiars Frankenstein and Dracula, or headbanging at a rock show near her home in the San Francisco Bay Area! Stay Tuned for more…

Author Website: https://www.rlmerrillauthor.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/rochellerlmerrill/

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rlmerrillauthor

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9828914.R_L_Merrill

Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/r-l-merrill/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/R.L.-Merrill/author/B00PI6Q1LI

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Journey of Seven Circles by Russell Pike Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, reviewsLeave a comment

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A powerful wizard must complete a monumental spell that could cost him his life in author Russell Pike’s “Journey of Seven Circles”.

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The Synopsis

In a world chained by ancient lies, one man holds the key to its salvation — at the cost of his own life.

Kryn Darien, a wizard of unparalleled ability, stands poised to unleash a spell of unimaginable magnitude, a desperate gambit to reshape the very fabric of existence. Centuries of preparation have honed his skills and forged tools of devastating arcane might. Yet, as the moment approaches, doubt gnaws at him.

Will his sacrifices, his relentless pursuit of power, prove futile in the face of such overwhelming odds?

Once a humble priest, Kryn never sought such profound responsibility. His aspirations were simple — to serve and protect those he held dear. But fate thrusts him into a maelstrom of war, treachery, and ancient mysteries that challenge his resolve. Every step forward demands a toll more exorbitant than he ever imagined.

Across treacherous battlefields and against foes wielding deadly magic, Kryn’s journey unveils a conspiracy older than memory itself.

Amidst adversaries wielding godlike powers, he must navigate a labyrinth of impossible choices.

Yet, his unwavering commitment to aid the helpless propels him ever forward, even as the cost escalates to encompass all he holds dear.

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The Review

The author did such an incredible job of world-building in this narrative. From the book’s first chapter, readers are already immersed in this story of intrigue and magic, giving readers a glimpse at the road the protagonist will travel. The world itself was very well developed, as readers were treated to a narrative perfectly laced with imagery in the author’s writing to bring these pivotal moments and this fantastic world to life.

The protagonist’s evolution throughout the many centuries of his life and the physical and emotional toll that his experiences take on him is something the reader feels greatly throughout this novel. The scale of the story captures the essence of a great epic fantasy, and the bond and emotional connection with Kryn’s brother Adro or the line of morality and philosophy that separates Kryn from the Seraphs and Andromia all showcase the tension and conflict that drives Kryn towards his ultimate destiny.

70% OFF Sale on selected styles + Free shipping at Happy Socks! No code needed at checkout!

The Verdict

Fantastic, heartfelt, and entertaining author Russell Pike’s “Journey of Seven Circles” is a must-read epic fantasy novel. The protagonist’s emotional and grandiose journey leaves the reader enthralled and moved by the scale and world-building the author poured into this narrative. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

A child of the eighties, my mother gave me a copy of Robert Jordan’s Eye of the World when I was twelve, thereby introducing me to the world of epic fantasy and dooming me to countless sublime hours sojourning in worlds other than my own.

Since that first fateful day I’ve also read Anne McCaffrey, Tad Williams, Brandon Sanderson, Jim Butcher, Steven Erikson, Frank Herbert, David Farland, and more. The trouble was, I loved reading so much I decided to try my hand at writing as well.

That in and of itself wasn’t a problem, at least not until I got hooked. I realized just how dire my situation was one fall evening when my family invited me over to watch a movie. Truth be told, I can’t even recall what the movie was, only that I didn’t especially like it. However, I distinctly remember an annoyed feeling as the credits rolled, not because I hadn’t liked the film, but because I could have edited half a chapter in the time I’d wasted.

That was, perhaps, one of the most chilling moments of my life, as I realized just how deep I’d been bitten by the writing bug. But there was nothing for it but to press on. So I set to work.

Over the next ten years, I gave up on TV, movies, and all too often sleep, wringing every hour of writing I could from my schedule. During that time, it was my pleasure to meet a host of fantastic writers, editors, and artists, including David Farland, whom it was my great privilege to work with. Of course, I’d be remiss not to thank my family, who were ever supportive while I climbed this peak.

When I’m not writing, I love a good camping hike (so long as there’s enough trees to hang my hammock). I also volunteer as a sled dog handler, and I have a long standing love affair with fast cars and lonely mountain roads.

Website: http://russellpikebooks.com

Twitter: @RPikeBooks

Instagram: @russellpikebooks

Amazon: http://amzn.to/3L92IQW

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214871606-journey-of-seven-circles

Blog Tour: Take Some Tahini: Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat Book 6 by Karenna Colcroft + Excerpt

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book EventsLeave a comment
Take Some Tahini - Karenna Colcroft

Karenna Colcroft has a new MM paranormal romance out, Real Werewolves Don’t Eat Meat book six: Tahe Some Tahini. And there’s a giveaway.

Tobias Rogan never wanted to be a leader. But here he is, the Anax of the United States, ruler of all werewolves in the country. Only two weeks after winning the rank in a challenge fight against his senile predecessor, Tobias and his mate Kyle are still adjusting to their new reality when a frantic call alerts Tobias to the massacre of nearly half the wolves in a pack in North Dakota–including the pack’s Alpha and Beta.

An investigation reveals that the wolves responsible for the attack are from Canada. Tobias reaches out to Silas Creighton, Anax of Canada, and finds someone like-minded in wanting peace between the wolves of the two countries. At Silas’s invitation, Tobias and his mate Kyle, along with their new guard Quinn Boucher, sole survivor of the North Dakota massacre, travel to Nova Scotia to put an end to the conflict between the American and Canadian werewolves. But not all wolves are interested in peace–and not all want Tobias to survive the trip.

Warnings: violence, gun violence, discussion of past sexual abuse, homophobia

About the Series

Kyle Slidell didn’t move to Boston expecting to be changed into a werewolf. But that’s what happened. He can’t control whether he shifts at the full moon, but he can damn sure continue being vegan–even in wolf form.

Tobias Rogan, Alpha of Boston North Pack, never expected to fall in love with anyone, let alone a man. A male Alpha is not supposed to have a male partner. But when he meets Kyle, he’s immediately attracted. And after Kyle is changed, Tobias realizes the truth: Kyle is not only his partner, but his mate.

The werewolf world isn’t a simple place, and Kyle and Tobias are thrown into the middle of conflict within and among the packs of the United States–a conflict that extends all the way to the top of the werewolf hierarchy. Can they and their love survive what they face?

Amazon

Giveaway

Karenna is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:

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Excerpt

I debated knocking and decided to just try the doorknob. Kyle had better hearing than the rest of us. He knew I was here. If he didn’t want me to enter the apartment, he would have locked the door.

He hadn’t. The knob turned easily, and I pushed the door open and entered the living room that had been mine for decades.

The light in the room was off, but the kitchen light was on. I set down my bag and walked slowly into the other room. And there, I found my mate.

Seeing Kyle sitting there, at the same table in the same apartment where our relationship had grown, felt like a knife in my heart. I’d found him. But the way he looked at me almost made me wish I hadn’t. I’d never seen such pain and anger in his eyes.

His eyes mirrored my own emotions. Pain at how he’d left me, not a word to me, not even speaking to me when I reached out. Rage at being abandoned by the one person who had sworn never to do that.

I didn’t know whether to hug him or beat the shit out of him. I did neither, just stood in the doorway, fists clenched, waiting for him to fucking say something so I could.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.” I went toward the other chair but stopped. If I got too close to him, I might lunge across the table and strangle him. I closed my eyes just long enough to let an image of the ocean form. It didn’t calm me as much as usual, but at least it washed away the urge to hurt Kyle for hurting me. Which was good. I would never hurt Kyle.

I had before. I hadn’t meant to, but I had. And I’d sworn I never would again.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. “You’re here.”

“And the sky is blue, grass is green, and werewolves have fur.” He folded his arms. “You found me. Now what?”

His tone was completely flat. No anger, which would have been a good sign if he’d shown any other emotion. But there was nothing. He didn’t want me there. I could feel that through our bond, which was actually a good sign. The bond was still intact. But the way he spoke, the way he looked at me, sent my temper on the upswing again. How fucking dare he be a sarcastic asshole after what he’d done to me?

I gritted my teeth and forced another long, slow breath. “We talk. You tell me why you left, and we decide if we can fix it.”

“And if we can’t?”

“Then at least we talked to each other!” My voice rose, and I didn’t give a shit, even though Kirk could hear and probably everyone in the other two buildings could as well. “You just took off, Kyle. You didn’t say a damn thing, just took off. I was worried.” My eyes watered, and I blinked a few times as my anger ebbed. “I love you.”

“You have a weird way of showing it.” He sighed. “Sit down, would you? Unless you’re trying some Anax intimidation tactic on me.”

“I’m not.” I sat and leaned my elbows on the table. “How could you do that? How could you just leave without saying a fucking word?”

“I didn’t know what to say. You would have told me not to go. And I wouldn’t have gone. And I would have kept dealing with all that shit.”

“What shit?”

“You know.” He waved. “I’m a weakness for you. I shouldn’t exist or whatever. Those assholes back in California.”

“So you fucking walked out on me because of them?” I was so furious I was shaking. “You left as soon as I was gone. You knew you were going. You were gone by the time I called you, and you didn’t say a goddamn word. How could you do that?”

“I should have.” This time, emotion filled his tone. “I’m sorry, Tobias. I just…I needed to get the fuck out of there. And I knew you would have told me not to go. I didn’t want to do this.”

“Do what?”

“This.” He gestured toward me. “Argue. Process our feelings. I just wanted to get away from the homophobes and the memories. Living in that house…I’m guessing you have some decent memories of the place. You went there for years for the national gatherings. A couple weeks ago was my first time being there, and I spent most of the gathering in a goddamn cage, Tobias.”

I felt like he had jammed a blade into my heart. Involuntarily, I took a step back. How had I not realized? I knew all too well what trauma could do, but I hadn’t even considered how Kyle must feel waking up every single day in the place where he’d been dragged away from me and locked in a tiny basement cell.

Author Bio

Karenna Colcroft

Karenna Colcroft lives just north of Boston, Massachusetts, and has been in love with the city since childhood, though she has yet to encounter any werewolves, vampires, or other paranormal beings in her travels. At least none that she knows of.

Karenna is a polyamorous, nonbinary human who lives in Massachusetts with her husband. She also has two adult children and three “bonus” kids, four grandchildren, and two and a half cats. (Half in terms of time the cat lives with her, not in terms of the cat itself…)

Author Website: https://karennacolcroft.com

Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/kimramseywinkler

Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/karennacolcroft

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Karenna-Colcroft/author/B0031HAOUK

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EXCERPT

I debated knocking and decided to just try the doorknob. Kyle had better hearing than the rest of us. He knew I was here. If he didn’t want me to enter the apartment, he would have locked the door.

He hadn’t. The knob turned easily, and I pushed the door open and entered the living room that had been mine for decades.

The light in the room was off, but the kitchen light was on. I set down my bag and walked slowly into the other room. And there, I found my mate.

Seeing Kyle sitting there, at the same table in the same apartment where our relationship had grown, felt like a knife in my heart. I’d found him. But the way he looked at me almost made me wish I hadn’t. I’d never seen such pain and anger in his eyes.

His eyes mirrored my own emotions. Pain at how he’d left me, not a word to me, not even speaking to me when I reached out. Rage at being abandoned by the one person who had sworn never to do that.

I didn’t know whether to hug him or beat the shit out of him. I did neither, just stood in the doorway, fists clenched, waiting for him to fucking say something so I could.

“Hey,” he said.

“Hey.” I went toward the other chair but stopped. If I got too close to him, I might lunge across the table and strangle him. I closed my eyes just long enough to let an image of the ocean form. It didn’t calm me as much as usual, but at least it washed away the urge to hurt Kyle for hurting me. Which was good. I would never hurt Kyle.

I had before. I hadn’t meant to, but I had. And I’d sworn I never would again.

I took a deep breath and opened my eyes. “You’re here.”

“And the sky is blue, grass is green, and werewolves have fur.” He folded his arms. “You found me. Now what?”

His tone was completely flat. No anger, which would have been a good sign if he’d shown any other emotion. But there was nothing. He didn’t want me there. I could feel that through our bond, which was actually a good sign. The bond was still intact. But the way he spoke, the way he looked at me, sent my temper on the upswing again. How fucking dare he be so disrespectful after what he’d done to me?

I gritted my teeth and forced another long, slow breath. “We talk. You tell me why you left, and we decide if we can fix it.”

“And if we can’t?”

“Then at least we talked to each other!” My voice rose, and I didn’t give a shit, even though Kirk could hear and probably everyone in the other two buildings could as well. “You just took off, Kyle. You didn’t say a damn thing, just took off. I was worried.” My eyes watered, and I blinked a few times as my anger ebbed. “I love you.”

“You have a weird way of showing it.” He sighed. “Sit down, would you? Unless you’re trying some Anax intimidation tactic on me.”

“I’m not.” I sat and leaned my elbows on the table. “How could you do that? How could you just leave without saying a fucking word?”

“I didn’t know what to say. You would have told me not to go. And I wouldn’t have gone. And I would have kept dealing with all that shit.”

“What shit?”

“You know.” He waved. “I’m a weakness for you. I shouldn’t exist or whatever. Those fucknuggets back in California.”

“So you fucking walked out on me because of them?” I was so furious I was shaking. “You left as soon as I was gone. You knew you were going. You were gone by the time I called you, and you didn’t say a goddamn word. How could you do that?”

“I should have.” This time, emotion filled his tone. “I’m sorry, Tobias. I just…I needed to get the fuck out of there. And I knew you would have told me not to go. I didn’t want to do this.”

“Do what?”

“This.” He gestured toward me. “Argue. Process our feelings. I just wanted to get away from the homophobes and the memories. Living in that house…I’m guessing you have some decent memories of the place. You went there for years for the national gatherings. A couple weeks ago was my first time being there, and I spent most of the gathering in a goddamn cage, Tobias.”

Guest Blog Post: What Inspires Me by Anoop Judge

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Guest PostLeave a comment

Inspiration is a fascinating phenomenon. It strikes at unexpected moments, often when I least expect it, (sometimes even in the shower) and transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary.

1. The Power of Stories

Every story holds a universe within it. From classic literature to contemporary novels, the power of storytelling has always captivated me. I remember being enchanted by the stories written by Enid Blyton and Nancy Drew I read as a child in New Delhi, India. These stories sparked my imagination and planted the seeds for my own writing journey. Whether it’s a book, a movie, or a personal anecdote, stories inspire me to create narratives that resonate with others.

2. Cooking

This might be an odd one, but hear me out. Cooking a dish or a meal has serious similarities to writing. You need to have a plan. If you don’t, you need to figure one out, either through experience (like burned curries) or through a template or a recipe. You’ve got to prep your ingredients. Sometimes making other side dishes, sauces, or seasonings. Then you have to put it in the oven and cook it just right. That same creative space that allows you to cook also bakes your creative ideas. Yum. “What’s for dinner?” “How about a little drama with a side of cliffhanger sauce?”

3. The World Around Me

Nature, with its boundless beauty and unpredictability, is a constant muse. A walk in the park, the sound of the ocean, or the changing seasons can ignite a spark of creativity. Similarly, urban landscapes, with their vibrant energy and diverse cultures, offer endless inspiration.

4. Art and Music

    Art and music are powerful sources of inspiration. A painting can evoke a multitude of emotions, while a song can transport me to a different time and place. They provide a sensory experience that often translates into my writing. The works of great artists and musicians remind me of the limitless possibilities of creative expression. The old cliché that a picture is worth a thousand words is amplified tenfold. Imagine the wraparound stories of some of the greatest paintings and sculptures. Imagining these can be a great exercise. On the flip side? Drawing, painting, and sculpting again access a creative part of the brain that also can contain our writing thoughts. If you think of your mind like a muscle, it’s good to flex this area in other disciplines, as well, because they’re all ultimately connected

    5. Teaching and Mentorship

      Teaching creative writing has been incredibly inspiring. Whether at The Writers Grotto in San Francisco, Stanford University, or at Book Passage, interacting with students and seeing their growth and passion for writing has been a profound source of motivation. Mentorship programs, like The Write Team Mentorship, have also reinforced my belief in the power of guidance and community in fostering creativity.

      6. My Cultural Heritage

        My cultural heritage is a cornerstone of my inspiration. The rich traditions, languages, and history of India provide a deep well of material for my writing. My novels, such as ‘The Awakening of Meena Rawat’ and ‘Mercy and Grace,’ often draw from my cultural roots, blending them with contemporary themes to create stories that are both unique and universal.

        Inspiration is everywhere if we choose to see it. It’s in the stories we hear, the experiences we live, and the people we meet. For me, it’s a continuous journey of discovery, one that I cherish deeply as I navigate the world of writing.

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        Book Summary


        Lena Sharma is a successful San Francisco restaurateur. An immigrant, she’s cultivated an image of
        conservatism and tradition in her close-knit Indian community. But when Lena’s carefully constructed
        world begins to crumble, her ties to her daughter, Maya, and son, Sameer—raised in thoroughly modern
        California—slip further away.


        Maya, divorced once, becomes engaged to a man twelve years her junior: Veer Kapoor, the son of
        Lena’s longtime friend. Immediately, Maya feels her mother’s disgrace and the judgment of an insular
        society she was born into but never chose, while Lena’s cherished friendship frays. Meanwhile, Maya’s
        younger brother, Sameer, struggles with an addiction that reaches a devastating and very public turning
        point, upending his already tenuous future.


        As the mother, daughter, and son are compromised by tragedy, secrets, and misconceptions, they each
        must determine what it will take to rebuild their bonds and salvage what’s left of their family.

        Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
        Print length: 335 pages

        Purchase a copy of No Ordinary Thursday on
        Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/No-Ordinary-Thursday-Anoop-Judge/dp/1542037751/
        Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/no-ordinary-thursday-anoop-judge/1140485124.
        Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/p/books/no-ordinary-thursday-anoop-judge/17746161

        You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list
        https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61214404-no-ordinary-thursday

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        About the Author

        Screenshot

        Born and raised in New Delhi, Anoop is the author of four novels, The Rummy Club which won the
        2015 Beverly Hills Book Award, The Awakening of Meena Rawat, an excerpt of which was nominated for
        the 2019 Pushcart Prize, No Ordinary Thursday, and Mercy and Grace.


        Her essays and short stories have appeared in Green Hills Literary Lantern, Rigorous Journal, Lumiere
        Review, DoubleBack Review, and the Ornament anthology, among others.


        Anoop calls herself a “recovering litigator”—she worked in state and federal courts for many years
        before she replaced legal briefs with fictional tales. She holds an MFA from St. Mary’s College of
        California and was the recipient of the 2021 Advisory Board Award and the 2023 Alumni Scholarship.
        She lives in Pleasanton, California, with her husband, and is the mother of two admirable young adults.

        You can follow the author at:
        Website: https://anoopjudge.com/
        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/judgeanoop/?hl=en
        Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anoop-ahuja-judge-94396743/

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        Blog Tour Calendar


        June 17th @ The Muffin
        Join us as we celebrate the launch of Anoop Judge’s book No Ordinary Thursday. Read an interview with
        the author and enter to win a copy of her book.
        https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

        June 19th @ Writer Advice
        Novelist Anoop Judge stops by with a guest post about Ways To Begin a Story.
        https://www.writeradvice.com

        June 21st @ A Wonderful World of Words
        Let’s have some fun with a book giveaway and a guest post from Anoop Judge tracing her journey
        through four novels.
        https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

        June 22nd @ A Storybook World

        Make an addition to your TBR pile with this spotlight on No Ordinary Thursday.
        https://www.astorybookworld.com/

        June 24th @ My Beauty My Books
        Author Anoop Judge visits with advice to her twenty year old self and a chance to win a copy of her
        novel No Ordinary Thursday.
        mybeautymybooks.com

        June 25th @ Words by Webb
        Read a review of No Ordinary Thursday at Words by Webb/
        https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

        June 28th @ What Is this Book About
        Stop by for a spotlight on a new book for a new month: No Ordinary Thursday by Anoop
        Judge.
        http://www.whatisthatbookabout.com

        June 30th @ Choices
        Anoop Judges gives readers a peek at her writing life with today’s guest post.
        http://madelinesharples.com

        July 2nd @ Boys’ Mom Reads
        Karen shares her review of No Ordinary Thursday, a novel of love, friendship and family.
        karensiddall.wordpress.com

        July 3rd @ The Faerie Review
        Want to enjoy the July 4th holiday with a great book? The Faerie Review is spotlighting No Ordinary
        Thursday by Anoop Judge.
        https://www.thefaeriereview.com/

        July 5th @ StoreyBook Reviews
        Anoop Judge shares her thoughts on Crafting Dialogue: How Can You Best Give Voice to Your
        Characters?
        https://www.storeybookreviews.com

        July 9th @ Word Magic
        Fiona welcomes novelist Anoop Judge sharing a few things you didn’t know about her.
        https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/

        July 11th @ Knotty Needle
        Read a review of No Ordinary Thursday, a novel about family and friendship.
        http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/

        July 12th @ Author Anthony Avina
        Pop by the blog of Author Anthony Avina for a guest post about what inspires Anoop Judge.
        https://authoranthonyavinablog.wordpress.com/

        July 17th @ Chapter Break
        Ready to head for the hammock (or your favorite reading spot) with an engrossing summer read? Learn
        more about No Ordinary Thursday and author Anoop Judge.
        https://chapterbreak.net/

        July 20th @ Seaside Book Nook
        Jilleen shares her thoughts on No Ordinary Thursday and a guest post on first memories from the author
        Anoop Judge.
        http://www.seasidebooknook.com/

        Song of Howls (Sisters of Song 2) by M.D. Grimm Interview + Blog Tour

        On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, InterviewsLeave a comment

        Good day lovely readers! I’m M.D. Grimm, and I want to thank you for joining me to promote my newest release, Song of Howls (Sisters of Song 2). This is the second and final book in a duology about two sisters, their adventures, growth, and romances with magical beings. This story is about Alaiya, the younger sister, and her unexpected romance with Talla, a she-wolf alpha. This is my first FF romance, and I really enjoyed writing a very woman-centered story. I’ve spoken before about my concern that there aren’t enough positive depictions of relationships between women, whether that be friendship, romance, mentorship, or all of the above. Due to that, it was a treat that the real movers-and-shakers in this story are three women.

        So, let’s get to the questions, shall we?

        Q1: How long have you been writing?

        A1: I hit my ten-year pubiversary in 2022, so going on 12 years now. I am incredibly thankful and amazed that I’ve managed to continue this crazy ride. Although only now do I feel like I’ve hit my stride. I’m focusing more on single titles and moving away from series. It’s interesting that my muse has shifted since she started off so darn insistent on turning everything into a series.

        Q2: Are there underrepresented groups or ideas featured in your book? If so, discuss them.

        A2: The main protagonists featured in the duology are Black sisters. Venya’s story was in Song of Flames, and Alaiya’s is in Song of Howls. There isn’t enough representation of non-white folks in speculative fiction books, and I wanted to do my part in changing that. Also, Alaiya is a lesbian, and finds her HEA with Talla, her she-wolf alpha mate. I firmly believe in portraying all the different ways love can manifest and blossom between individuals. Venya ended up with two dragons, who could be considered bisexual or maybe even pansexual, if we label them with human terms. I’m really proud of what I managed to accomplish with these two stories, and I might do similar projects in the future. We shall see.

        Q3: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

        A3: Prepare to spend more than half your time as an author marketing your books. Oh, and maybe don’t bite off so much with all those series! Spread them out and think single titles. Also, don’t put all your eggs in one basket when it comes to publishers. Not everyone can be trusted to follow their own contracts. Ugh… and one other thing! Don’t expect your books to pay for themselves, you will spend more money than you make… because good cover artists and editors aren’t cheap.

        Q4: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?

        A4: With both this book and Song of Flames, I wanted to depict a healthy and loving relationship between sisters. They are friends and confidants, and they rely on each other for safety and emotional support since, in their early years, Venya and Alaiya only had each other due to their parents’ emotional abuse. The core of these stories is their friendship as they navigate new relationships and the new chapter in their lives. Along with this is Song of Howls being a very women-centered story, which was not a conscious decision, but a happy result of strong women leads.

        Q5: What was the hardest part of writing this book?

        A5: While Venya’s story came to me fully formed, Alaiya’s took a bit more time to simmer. Her struggles are different, and her personality is markedly different from her sister’s. Couple that with this being my first FF romance, and the dynamics I’m accustomed to were no longer available. But I enjoyed watching her and Talla find each other, and the more time I spent with the story, the more I molded and shaped it into something really special. So, the hardest part? All of it. But worth every second.

        So if you want two fantasy stories involving two strong, fierce, vulnerable, loving, and nurturing Black women who define their own world, please check out Song of Flames and Song of Howls!

        If you want more shifter action, please check out my on-going series “The Shifter Chronicles” (contemporary shifters, linked stories but with a different couple each book), as well as On Wings of Passion and On Wings of Thunder (for more dragon and angel spice!).

        If fantasy is your jam, please consider “The Stones of Power” on-going series, about an angsty, anti-hero mage and his supportive, long-suffering mate. I also have A Priest, a Plague, and a Prophecy, a single title about Elias, an ace temple priest, and Gurrkk, the fierce, cinnamon-role orc who adores him. My trilogy “A Warrior’s Redemption” also packs a punch with action, danger, love, friendship, and a feisty horse that keeps everyone in line (seriously, Brutus is a gem!).

        As for current and future projects, I’m still working on the next “The Stones of Power” book, Opal: Master and Puppet, and I’m almost finished with a single title MMF fantasy story. Later this year I hope to write On Wings of Shadow, and a short story collection from the “A Warrior’s Redemption” universe (yes, there will be a story from Brutus’s POV).

        Until next time. May dragons guard your dreams,

        M.D. Grimm

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        Song of Howls - M.D. Grimm

        M.D. Grimm has a new FF fantasy romance out, Sisters of Song book 2: Song of Howls. And there’s a giveaway!

        As Alaiya reclaims her life, she never intended to capture the heart of a she-wolf.

        Alaiya was trained by her parents to be the perfect wife. Due to her beauty, they knew they could entice a wealthy man to wed her and raise their status. She was a trophy, a prize, brought out to entertain like an obedient dog. Their efforts were rewarded when Lord Salazem claimed her to become his next wife, intent on adding her to his harem. But when two mighty dragons and her sister save her, Alaiya is given a new chance at life.

        Determined to stand on her own and discover who she truly is, Alaiya has little interest in relationships. Even when she meets the silver-haired Talla, Alaiya pushes down her desire, unwilling to be caged again.

        Talla is the alpha of her large wolf pack in the Firestar Mountains and knows Alaiya is her mate. She is entranced by Alaiya’s strength, courage, and loyalty, and is determined to prove herself as a worthy mate. But first she must overcome Alaiya’s barriers, which might prove to be her greatest challenge.

        As Alaiya and her sister adjust to their new lives, they must secure their home from those who would take it from them. Including their parents. As Alaiya struggles to stand on her own, she learns that true strength lies in letting others stand beside her.

        ABOUT THE SERIES

        Venya and Alaiya are sisters born to greedy and selfish parents. One is neglected and the other exploited. Despite this–or because of it–they cling to each other, best friends as well as family. They find freedom in the mountain range beyond their city of birth… as well as unexpected chances at love with extraordinary beings.

        Forging a new future is never easy, but with their unbreakable bond, and lovers and allies at their side, the impossible just might be attainable.

        Universal Buy Link

        Giveaway

        M.D. is giving away a $10 Amazon gift card with this tour:

        a Rafflecopter giveawayhttps://widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js

        Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b60e8d47312/?

        Excerpt

        Song of Howls - M.D. Grimm

        For a moment, Alaiya forgot her own troubles and lived in the moment. She’d seen many such beautiful places in the Firestar Mountains but this one beat them all.

        Wolves watched them descend, and Alaiya tried not to cower under their piercing stares. The valley was filled with adults, adolescents, and pups. No one approached them, and she had a feeling something significant was happening. Though she couldn’t determine what it was.

        The mask she’d learned to wear as a child, that of societal pleasantries, slipped on as they stepped off the trail. Alaiya slid off Talla’s back and inclined her head to those nearby.

        “Good evening. I am Alaiya. Thank you for watching over my sister, and for welcoming us into your home. We are in your debt.”

        A few of the pups ran up as several adults approached. Tails were tucked, heads were down. Talla stayed beside her, watching them but also glancing at her. If Alaiya allowed herself to indulge in fantasy, she would have sworn she saw pride in Talla’s bright gaze.

        Of course she stroked the puppies and offered the adults her hands to sniff. Feeling welcomed and trying not to be overwhelmed, Alaiya resisted reliving the recent dangers again. This was an extraordinary moment that shouldn’t be tarnished by the past. If spending her entire life under the thumb of her parents had taught her anything, it was to savor the good and beautiful for as long as possible.

        When Alaiya’s stomach grumbled, Talla nudged the others away and jerked her head, wanting her to follow. Clearly, she was the alpha. Or one of the alphas. Didn’t wolf packs usually have a male and a female leader?

        Alaiya tried to decipher if any of the others gave off the alpha vibe but she didn’t sense anything. Talla took her to a pile of fruit that appeared to have been recently picked and washed. There were apples, oranges, and grapes. When she hesitated, Talla nudged her forward lightly. She took a grape, and Talla’s mouth dropped open in a lupine grin.

        Alaiya couldn’t resist smiling a little. “Thank you.”

        Talla huffed and trotted off. Alaiya sat next to the fruit and munched. She curled into herself, feeling a bit chilled. Her clothes had seen better days, they were dirty and torn. She mourned the state of them. They were ones she’d found in the palace, and she liked the style. She was grateful for the variety of clothing for ladies in the palace, and since she was handy with needle and thread, it was a simple thing to make modifications as needed to fit her, and her sister’s, shapes better. Her parents had insisted she be adept at all manner of womanly tasks and pursuits, including how to sew her own clothing. She’d needed to be a prize catch after all.

        She scowled at the memories.

        The adult wolves left her alone, though a few pups crept closer, curious. She coaxed them nearer and ended up with four pups draped over her lap and cuddled at her sides. Their fluffy, warm bodies and playful squeaks calmed her. But despite her best efforts, recent events wouldn’t let her settle.

        “What disturbs you?”

        She jerked and looked up. Talla stood there, naked, hair like silver silk draped over her. Alaiya quickly turned away and cleared her throat. She flushed hot when Talla sat beside her. Though she didn’t touch her or draw closer, Alaiya felt her gaze like a touch. It itched. It burned.

        “I… I’ve been through a lot.”

        “I gathered that from what Venya said. Do you wish to speak about it?”

        “No.”

        Talla nodded and when one of the pups nuzzled her hand, she plucked him up and rubbed her face against his. Alaiya softened at the adoration.

        “Is he yours?”

        Talla smiled. “No. All my pups are grown with pups of their own. I have no desire for more.”

        Alaiya frowned. “How old…? Never mind.”

        Rude. Very rude question. All those weeks away from society had made her social skills rusty. She used to be far better at small talk and charming all she met.

        Talla chuckled. The sound danced pleasantly along Alaiya’s skin. Damn.

        “We age differently than humans. Though I can still have children, I have chosen to stop. Let the younger, stronger of my pack produce the next generations. This way, I get to enjoy the pups with little burden.”

        So saying, she rubbed the pup’s tummy, and he wiggled with delight.

        Alaiya grinned.

        “Make sure to drink the water from the falls. It will cleanse you and heal you of any injuries or discomforts.”

        “How?”

        “This place was blessed by the gods long ago. A hint of their divinity remains.”

        Their gazes met and held. Alaiya was struck with the directness of Talla’s stare. She exuded calm and confidence, a steadfastness that encouraged trust and dependency.

        And that was a problem. Alaiya needed to stand on her own. She’d obeyed her parents for most of her life. Then she’d depended on Venya to rescue her. But now she had the freedom to be whoever she wanted to be. And she had no clue who that was. So she needed to find out and having a liaison with anyone—even this sexy she-wolf—was not part of the plan.

        “That’s amazing. I wouldn’t have believed that a month ago. But after meeting the dragons and… This is a good place to live.”

        “Yes. These mountains are sacred and must be protected.”

        Alaiya sighed. “And our presence brings danger. If my parents hadn’t sold me to that no good—”

        “‘Sold’?” Talla’s voice turned low and menacing.

        Author Bio

        M.D. Grimm Logo

        M.D. Grimm has wanted to write stories since second grade (kind of young to make life decisions, but whatever) and nothing has changed since then (well, plenty of things actually, but not that!). Thankfully, she has indulgent parents who let her dream, but also made sure she understood she’d need a steady job to pay the bills (they never let her forget it!).

        After graduating from the University of Oregon and majoring in English, (let’s be honest: useless degree, what else was she going to do with it?) she started on her writing career and couldn’t be happier. Working by day and writing by night (or any spare time she can carve out), she enjoys embarking on romantic quests and daring adventures (living vicariously, you could say) and creating characters that always triumph against the villain, (or else what’s the point?) finding their soul mate in the process.

        Author Website: https://www.mdgrimmwrites.com

        Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/mdgrimmwrites

        Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdgrimmwrites

        Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4574220.M_D_Grimm

        Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

        Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/m-d-grimm/

        Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/M.D.-Grimm/e/B00I0KZMY6/

        Other Worlds Ink logo

        Guest Post: LGBTQIA+ Pride and publishing by Dr. Angela Yarber

        On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, Guest PostLeave a comment

        The queer poet, Sappho, renowned for dubbing the term “lesbian” since she was from the island of Lesbos, is remembered for saying, “Someday, someone will remember us.”

        A lot has transpired for queer folx in the two thousand years since Sappho dreamed our possible realities. And with 500 proposed bills against LGBTQ+ rights awaiting rulings across the United States, the world has never needed our wisdom more.

        Did you know that LGBTQ+ authors only account for only 16% of published books?

        As a queer woman, this isn’t simply a statistic, but my lived reality. And after I had my first seven books published with four different presses, it dawned on me that it didn’t have to be this way. I didn’t have to be the only one my publishers represented, or the one who made it to the final round with a publishing company only for them to respond, “We really believe in this book, but we don’t know how to market to queer audiences.”

        I was sick and tired of seeing straight, white men thrive with mediocre books because their advances, royalties, and stories had an advantage from the very start, because when they looked around at the presses that represented their books, they saw a bunch of other straight, white cis dudes staring back at them. What about our queer dreams?

        The world was missing out on the precise perspectives and stories we need most.

        In writing and publishing Queering the American Dream, I was able to create and imagine a different world, a world where women, queer folx, and BIPOC have equitable access to publishing, to fulfilling our dreams.

        Queering the American Dreambegins the day the Supreme Court ruled our marriage legal, my queer little family traversing the American landscape for two years in a camper named Freya, following in the footsteps of revolutionary women from history and myth. Amid our wanderings, I grappled with the loss of faith, addiction, death, and what it means to reimagine the so-called dream promised to so many. With unapologetic grief, humor, and radical imagination, I created a new dream, not just for myself, but for all marginalized people living in America.

        One of my favorite writers, Gloria Anzaldúa, inspired this dream. This queer Chicana feminist claimed: “The world I create in my writing compensates for what the real world does not give me.” 

        The “real world” has given us, on the whole, an old-school, white, male, predatory publishing industry that, at best, doesn’t understand the nuances of queer and feminist writing, and at worst, preys upon us for capital gain. So, I created Tehom Center Publishing to compensate for what the real world has not given us. Tehom Center Publishing is a press publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers.

        Publishing Queering the American Dreamwith my own press was not only empowering, but it also galvanized me to coach other marginalized authors in the power of living the authorpreneur dream. Yes, Tehom Center publishes authors at absolutely no cost, but we also offer just and equitable coaching programs empowering authors in creating entire businesses aligned with their books, thereby sustaining a financially abundant life.

        Traveling throughout the country with my queer little family taught me that the world not only needs queer authors to be published, but we deserve to live abundant lives. This is our iteration of the American dream.

        *****

        To join us in queering the American dream and stay connected with book and publishing events, visit www.tehomcenter.org/booktour

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        Book Summary

        Beginning the day the Supreme Court ruled her marriage legal, Angela Yarber’s queer little family traversed the American landscape for two years in a camper named Freya, following in the footsteps of revolutionary women from history and myth. Amid her wanderings, this queer clergywoman grapples with the loss of faith, addiction, death, parenting, and what it means to reimagine the so-called dream promised to so many. With unapologetic grief, humor, and radical imagination, she creates a new dream, not just for herself, but for all marginalized people living in America.

        Publisher: Parson’s Porch

        ISBN-10: 195558141X

        ISBN-13: 978-1955581417

        Print Length: 188 pages

        Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add it to your list on Goodreads.

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        About the Author

        Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber is an award-winning author of eight books and a highly sought public speaker. She is the Founder of Tehom Center Publishing, an imprint publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion and over a decade serving as a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, five of her books were listed in QSpirit’s Top LGBTQ Religion Books. Her work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPo, Ms. Magazine, Tiny House Nation, and more at https://angelayarber.org

        You can find her online at:

        www.angelayarber.org

        www.tehomcenter.org

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.yarber

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tehomcenter

        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tehomcenter/?hl=en

        Blog Tour Calendar

        June 3rd @ The Muffin

        Join us at WOW’s blog The Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Dr. Angela Yarber’s memoir Queering the American Dream. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

        https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

        June 5th @ Speaking of Spirit

        Visit Linda’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream. You can also win a copy of the book!

        https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com

        June 7th @ One Writer’s Journey

        Visit Sue’s blog for a review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://suebe.wordpress.com

        June 10th @ Choices

        Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about how publishing a book can transform your business and life.

        https://www.madelinesharples.com

        June 12th @ Speaking of Spirit

        Join Linda for a guest post by Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber about the importance of publishing marginalized authors.

        https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com

        June 14th @ One Writer’s Journey

        Visit Sue’s blog again for an interview with author Dr. Angela Yarber about her memoir.

        https://suebe.wordpress.com

        June 15th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion

        Visit Linda’s blog for an in-depth interview with Dr. Angela Yarber. 

        https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

        June 18th @ Writer Advice

        Visit B. Lynn Goodwin’s site for a helpful guest post from Dr. Angela Yarber on the importance of mental health care in launching a book.

        https://writeradvice.com

        June 21st @ The Faerie Review

        Visit Lily’s blog for a review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://www.thefaeriereview.com

        June 23rd @ A Wonderful World of Words

        Visit Joy’s blog for a spotlight of Queering the American Dream. You can also win a copy of the book!

        https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com

        June 25th @ Editor 911

        Visit Margo’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://editor-911.com

        June 28th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

        Visit Anthony’s blog for his review of  Queering the American Dream.

        https://atomic-temporary-124910902.wpcomstaging.com/

        July 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

        Join Anthony for a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about LGBTQIA+ Pride and publishing.

        https://atomic-temporary-124910902.wpcomstaging.com/

        July 3rd @ Michelle Cornish’ blog

        Visit Michelle’s blog for an interview with Dr. Angela Yarber about her memoir.

        https://www.michellecornish.com

        July 6th @ Coffee & Ink

        You can visit Jan’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream. Plus read a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about disenfranchised grief, particularly as it pertains to losing someone to addiction.

        https://coffeeandinkbooks.wordpress.com

        COVER REVEAL: The Death Bringer (Tharassas Cycle Book 4) by J. Scott Coatsworth

        On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, book cover reveal, Book Events, Book PromotionLeave a comment
        The Death Bringer - J. Scott Coatsworth

        J. Scott Coatsworth has a new queer sci-fantasy book coming out in September, The Tharassas Cycle book four, and we have the cover reveal: The Death Bringer.

        AIK WILL NEVER BE THE SAME… AND NEITHER WILL HIS WORLD

        War is coming. Aik has become the Progenitor, and the Seed Mother has released him to transform the world for her alien brood. Silya and Raven, Aik’s former friends, are the only ones who can save him and the world. But what if the cure is worse than the invasion?

        As Silya rushes to prepare Gullton for the battle to come, she’s determined to save as many people as she can. But new crises emerge that demand her attention.

        Raven has his own hands full, keeping the dragon-like verent in line, while helping Silya to save the world. But what if the only way to do so is to sacrifice Aik, the man that he loves?

        It’s the end of the world … or could it be the start of something new?

        Note: Advance paperback copies will be available at BayCon in Santa Clara in early July.

        About the Series:

        The Tharassas Cycle is a four book sci-fantasy series set on the recently colonized world of Tharassas. When humans first arrived on planet, they thought they were alone until the hencha mind made itself known. But now a new threat has arisen to challenge both humankind and their new allies on this alien world.

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        Excerpt

        The Death Bringer meme

        Chapter One

        Regroup

        He floated, weightless and naked, surrounded by a reddish light and suspended in fluid. Something connected to his mouth and wrapped around his head, like a lover’s embrace.

        He used to have a name. He searched his mind for some clue to his identity. I exist, so I must be someone. Or something.

        That made sense, but got him no closer to an answer. He blinked. Who am I?

        There was no immediate reply.

        He lifted his hand. It was encased in metal. The gauntlet. That much he remembered, though it meant nothing to him. Except… it seemed different, somehow. Thinner.

        He moved his arms in the liquid, and it sparkled around him where his shifting disturbed it. The metal extended down his wrist and along his forearm, like before, but now it went farther, around his elbow and up his bicep. He touched it with his free hand.

        I can feel it. It was as if the metal had become a part of him, his nerves growing through it. He held out his metallic hand and flexed his fingers. What is it?

        We call it uurcaa. It’s a sacred metal—it will protect you, and if your host dies, it will collect and save your soul.He could feel the emotions she held back from him. It is the last of its kind from our homeworld. Like us.

        He blinked. Then what am I?

        You are my son, Iihil. The progenitor, the one who has come before and the first of many more like you. The voice was deep and comforting.

        Mother. Warmth infused him at her voice, and an eagerness to please her.

        Still, something wasn’t right. He was more than that. He searched his mind, running up against that stubborn blankness. Somewhere beyond it were the answers he needed.

        He’d been someone else. Before.

        Who was I? Memories of a face—dark hair, intense eyes that nevertheless twinkled at him. Raven.

        It came flooding back to him. His mother. His life in Gullton. Training to be a guard and meeting Raven for the first time. My name is Aik.

        He reached for the mask that covered his face. It was suffocating. Something was stuck in his throat, and he coughed hard, trying to force it out, whipping around and causing the liquid around him to flash red in alarm.

        Calm yourself. The voice was as thick and heavy as an ix hide, and just as soft and warm.

        Aik pushed back. What are you doing to me? I don’t want this! Let me out! He thrashed about, trying to force his way through the suffocating liquid. The metal crept up his shoulder. If it covered all of him, he would be lost.

        Calm yourself! It was more insistent this time.

        Aik stiffened as an enforced lethargy settled over him. He lost control of his limbs, falling still in his floating prison. The voice pressed against his mind. You’re safe. Be calm, my little one.

        He closed his eyes and thought of Raven, trying to stay fixed on that face. I can’t let myself forget again.

        Then the world around him dissolved, and he was swept up in a torrent of memories that weren’t his own.

        Author Bio

        J. Scott Coatsworth

        Scott lives with his husband Mark in a yellow bungalow in Sacramento. He was indoctrinated into fantasy and sci fi by his mother at the tender age of nine. He devoured her library, but as he grew up, he wondered where all the people like him were.

        He decided that if there weren’t queer characters in his favorite genres, he would remake them to his own ends.

        A Rainbow Award winning author, he runs Queer Sci Fi, QueeRomance Ink, Liminal Fiction, and Other Worlds Ink with Mark, sites that celebrate fiction reflecting queer reality, and was the committee chair for the Indie Authors Committee at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) for almost three years.

        Author Website: https://www.jscottcoatsworth.com

        Author Facebook (Personal): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworth/

        Author Facebook (Author Page): https://www.facebook.com/jscottcoatsworthauthor

        Author Mastodon: https://mastodon.otherworldsink.com/@jscottcoatsworth

        Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jscottcoatsworth/

        Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8392709.J_Scott_Coatsworth

        Author Liminal Fiction (LimFic.com): https://www.limfic.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

        Author QueeRomance Ink: https://www.queeromanceink.com/mbm-book-author/j-scott-coatsworth/

        Author Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/J.-Scott-Coatsworth/e/B011AFO4OQ

        Other Worlds Ink logo

        Queering the American Dream by Angela Yarber Review

        On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book Events, reviewsLeave a comment

        I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

        Author Angela Yarber seeks to redefine what the American Dream means to marginalized people and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole in the book “Queering the American Dream”.

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        The Synopsis

        Beginning the day the Supreme Court ruled her marriage legal, Angela Yarber’s queer little family traversed the American landscape for two years in a camper named Freya, following in the footsteps of revolutionary women from history and myth. Amid her wanderings, this queer clergywoman grapples with the loss of faith, addiction, death, parenting, and what it means to reimagine the so-called dream promised to so many. With unapologetic grief, humor, and radical imagination, she creates a new dream, not just for herself, but for all marginalized people living in America.

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        The Review

        What a compelling and thoughtful read. The author did a fantastic job of highlighting the personal struggles and obstacles she faced in going on this personal journey to find herself and her family in the process while also acknowledging the privilege she was born into, helping to shine a light on other marginalized groups aside from her own, from people of color to people who identify as different genders and so much more. The author’s balance of personal and professional writing in this book allowed the reader to connect with her experiences much deeper.

        The heart of this narrative rested in the author’s path that she found herself on. In our current landscape, the need to “define” things like family, love, and society has become a centralized debate worldwide. The reader can see no clear-cut definition of family through the author’s story. Instead, family and love can look like anyone and anything, with white picket fences being equal to living on the road in an RV or having an apartment overlooking a major metropolitan city, as well as a mother and father being equal to two mothers or two fathers. The personal nature of the author’s other struggles, from loved ones struggling with addiction to feelings of self-doubt and more, really kept the reader engaged.

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        The Verdict

        Memorable, heartfelt, and thoughtful in its delivery, author Angela Yarber’s “Queering the American Dream” is a must-read LGBTQ-driven nonfiction book that readers won’t be able to put down. The book’s relatability for so many LGBTQ readers looking to find their family in this world and the dedication to representing and giving voice to many different cultures and viewpoints allowed for a well-rounded discussion and heartfelt dive into what family truly means. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!

        Rating: 10/10

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        About the Author

        Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber is an award-winning author of eight books and a highly sought public speaker. She is the Founder of Tehom Center Publishing, an imprint publishing feminist and queer authors, with a commitment to elevate BIPOC writers. With a Ph.D. in Art and Religion and over a decade serving as a Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, five of her books were listed in QSpirit’s Top LGBTQ Religion Books. Her work has been featured in Forbes, HuffPo, Ms. Magazine, Tiny House Nation, and more at https://angelayarber.org

        You can find her online at:

        www.angelayarber.org

        www.tehomcenter.org

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.yarber

        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tehomcenter

        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tehomcenter/?hl=en

        Purchase a copy of the book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You can also add it to your list on Goodreads.

        Blog Tour Calendar

        June 3rd @ The Muffin

        Join us at WOW’s blog The Muffin as we celebrate the launch of Dr. Angela Yarber’s memoir Queering the American Dream. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

        https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

        June 5th @ Speaking of Spirit

        Visit Linda’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream. You can also win a copy of the book!

        https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com

        June 7th @ One Writer’s Journey

        Visit Sue’s blog for a review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://suebe.wordpress.com

        June 10th @ Choices

        Visit Madeline’s blog for a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about how publishing a book can transform your business and life.

        https://www.madelinesharples.com

        June 12th @ Speaking of Spirit

        Join Linda for a guest post by Rev. Dr. Angela Yarber about the importance of publishing marginalized authors.

        https://interfaithmoments.blogspot.com

        June 14th @ One Writer’s Journey

        Visit Sue’s blog again for an interview with author Dr. Angela Yarber about her memoir.

        https://suebe.wordpress.com

        June 15th @ Boots, Shoes, and Fashion

        Visit Linda’s blog for an in-depth interview with Dr. Angela Yarber. 

        https://bootsshoesandfashion.com

        June 18th @ Writer Advice

        Visit B. Lynn Goodwin’s site for a helpful guest post from Dr. Angela Yarber on the importance of mental health care in launching a book.

        https://writeradvice.com

        June 21st @ The Faerie Review

        Visit Lily’s blog for a review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://www.thefaeriereview.com

        June 23rd @ A Wonderful World of Words

        Visit Joy’s blog for a spotlight of Queering the American Dream. You can also win a copy of the book!

        https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com

        June 25th @ Editor 911

        Visit Margo’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream.

        https://editor-911.com

        June 28th @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

        Visit Anthony’s blog for his review of  Queering the American Dream.

        https://atomic-temporary-124910902.wpcomstaging.com/

        July 2nd @ Author Anthony Avina’s blog

        Join Anthony for a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about LGBTQIA+ Pride and publishing.

        https://atomic-temporary-124910902.wpcomstaging.com/

        July 3rd @ Michelle Cornish’ blog

        Visit Michelle’s blog for an interview with Dr. Angela Yarber about her memoir.

        https://www.michellecornish.com

        July 6th @ Coffee & Ink

        You can visit Jan’s blog for her review of Queering the American Dream. Plus read a guest post by Dr. Angela Yarber about disenfranchised grief, particularly as it pertains to losing someone to addiction.

        https://coffeeandinkbooks.wordpress.com

        Blog Tour: This Exquisite Loneliness by Richard Deming

        On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Blog Tours, Book EventsLeave a comment

        The Synopsis

        At an unprecedented rate, loneliness is moving around the globe—from self-isolating technology and political division to community decay and social fragmentation—and yet it is not a feeling to which we readily admit. It is stigmatized, freighted with shame and fear, and easy to dismiss as mere emotional neediness. But what if instead of shying away from loneliness, we embraced it as something we can learn from and as something that will draw us closer to one another?

        In This Exquisite Loneliness, Richard Deming turns an eye toward that unwelcome feeling, both in his own experiences and the lives of six groundbreaking figures, to find the context of loneliness and to see what some people have done to navigate this profound sense of discomfort. Within the back stories to Melanie Klein’s contributions to psychoanalysis, Zora Neale Hurston’s literary and ethnographic writing, the philosophical essays of Walter Benjamin, Walker Evans’s photography of urban alienation, Egon Schiele’s revolutionary artwork and Rod Serling’s uncanny narratives in The Twilight Zone, Deming explores how loneliness has served as fuel for an intense creative desire that has forged some of the most original and innovative art and writing of the twentieth century.

        This singular meditation on loneliness reveals how we might transform the pain of emotional isolation and become more connected to others and more at home with our often unquiet selves.

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        About the Author

        Richard Deming’s first collection of poems, LET’S NOT CALL IT CONSEQUENCE (Shearsman Books, 2008), won the Norma Farber Award from the Poetry Society of America and was a finalist for the Connecticut Book Award. He is also the author of Listening on All Sides: Towards an Emersonian Ethics of Reading. In 2012, he was awarded the Berlin Prize by the American Academy in Berlin. He is currently Director of Creative Writing at Yale University.

        Visit Richard at his website: https://www.richarddemingbooks.com/

        Amazon: http://amzn.to/3KjjgFd

        Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75665889-this-exquisite-loneliness

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        EXCERPT

        From Chapter Four: The Art of Being Invisible

        During the worst period of my active addiction, I was a black-out drinker because I wanted to make myself disappear. The loneliness that I have wrestled with since I was a little kid stood at the core of my substance abuse. Where Zora Neale Hurston found visions as a means to navigate the pain of loneliness, I found instead drugs and alcohol. Even before the drinking, I had come to feel that I was a ghost haunting my own life. Looking into a mirror was like seeing a shadowy figure pass by an empty window at midnight, and the drinking and the drugs were a way to either propel myself through that emptiness or to slip inside it, as if stepping into that mirror. 

        Many nights during some of my worst, most vulnerable times, I roamed the streets of Boston with a flask of Jack Daniels tucked in my coat sleeve, asking random strangers what time it was. I never asked more than that, never tried to prompt a conversation—it was a form of existential sonar. I sent out waves that people bounced back to me, proving, at least provisionally, that I did exist. Other nights I might sit in the apartment and call random phone numbers.

         “Is Paul there?” I would ask, pleasantly, my tongue slushing the last word around in my mouth like a sloppy peppermint. I didn’t actually know anyone named Paul, but, of course, that wasn’t the point. 

        “There’s no one by that name here,” or, more pointedly, “fuck off,” the voice that answered would explain.  Sometimes a Paul would in fact come on the line and I would have to sputter out that I must have had the wrong name. No call lasted more than thirty seconds. I would repeat this process several times in succession, and then I would drink myself into oblivion. 

        The pattern was clear: a need for connection, no matter how anemic; a frustration with the transience of that unsatisfying connection; a retreat into a state of radical, profound disconnection between myself and a world that I thought had no interest in me, i.e. blackout drunkenness. That, as became clear to me, as I am reminded all the time, was not sustainable. In the years of my sobriety, I’ve sought out new methods for understanding and reframing that recurring feeling of being outside-it-all.  If I had to live with loneliness, I wanted to, needed to discover what it had to teach me. 

        What I have learned about loneliness from Walter Benjamin is, in part, that it can actually heighten one’s sense of attention. Feeling outside of things can offer a widened perspective on what surrounds us all the time. If we try to burrow into the hidden lives of things, for instance, rather than hide out, or pretend to be asleep, or get drunk or high, there’s a chance of uncovering a sheer volume of meaningfulness. That insight can create some sense of connection between a person and his or her or their surroundings, a tether to hold onto, even when it feels like we’re hurtling ever outward. If loneliness is ultimately an affliction of perception, then the task is to find ways to work with perspective. 

        +++

         During my nightly journeying across Berlin, from time to time came rushing back to me those evenings years before when, drunk and high, I had stumbled through the streets of Boston, milling around the then shabby (and now stringently gentrified) Kenmore Square, lying in the shadow of Fenway. I’d slip (without ID) into the Rat, the rough-hewn punk/new wave club, hustle past the homeless encampment under the Bowker Overpass, maybe pausing to score some pills or hash, then head up to Tower Records. There were clear differences between these experiences of loneliness, however. In Berlin, later in life, after years of sobriety, I could still feel that keen pang of wanting to belong as I drifted along, but instead of dulled and blurred, objects and people became distinct, vivid, even in their distance.  I felt as if I was seeing the city—the lights, the cars, the people using small spoons to make tight circles in their espresso cups.  It appeared to me with sudden acuity, as if everything was a vehicle for meaningfulness not despite but because of its ordinariness.

        Once, just past 1 AM on a brisk night at the end of March, I sat in a fairly empty subway train barreling through the heart of Berlin.  There were small pockets of people, but mostly, here and there, solo riders such as myself. I looked to my left and saw a nattily dressed businessman asleep, his left eye half-open and lolling up and down. The light on the roof of the car flickered and I turned toward a young woman wearing combat boots, her face covered in piercings, talking to a small brown dog at her feet. 

        “Blumen, Blumen,” she was saying to the terrier mix, the word for “flowers,” as she dipped her head and stroked the animal’s chin. For a moment, I imagined calling out women’s names, one after another, until she turned her head in acknowledgment. At a stop in Kreuzberg, the more bohemian part of the city, I got off and passed a ground-floor apartment with its wide window opened onto the street. On a table inside sat lemons sitting in a bowl full of water and wafts of cigarette smoke drifting into the folds of the curtains. A few blocks on, in an American-style diner, sat two gray-haired women eating toast and jam, a neon sign trembling above them.

        I had no specific place to go, so I just kept walking, and looking. It was while walking the streets of that same city that Walter Benjamin arrived at the conclusion: “Solitude appeared to me as the only fit state of man.” Berlin, Boston, Columbus, London, Buffalo, Cuernavaca, New York, Singapore:  I think of all the cities I have walked deep into the night, all by myself. At night, in the corners, there’s the same thrum of loneliness. Perhaps it isn’t that urban spaces, when empty, create a feeling of palpable absence, but rather, when they are empty, we can catch the hum of the feelings of abandonment and isolation that crisscross like power lines below the paved surfaces and concrete. 

        In the mid-1970s, Robert Weiss, a sociologist then on the faculty of Harvard’s Medical School, posited that there are six key social needs that, if unmet, in part or altogether, can lead to feelings of loneliness.  They are attachment; nurturance; a sense of ongoing, dependable relationships; counsel in intense, emotional situations; and a reassurance of one’s value or worth. If we combine what Benjamin and Weiss have said, perhaps the key to navigating loneliness is to look at spaces, and people, the way an artist does—not as beautiful, but as rewarding attention with significance.  The path to that feeling of a sense of worth can come from this: being the one who sees the everyday meaningfulness in that which is perpetually overlooked due to the intensity and buzz of life in a city, no matter its size.