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The Chemical Attraction #SeriesSale #RomanticSuspense #FreeEBook with @48fourteen

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Eva, Taylor, and Joe are siblings by choice. They believe you don’t have to be related to be a family. Their mantra is tested throughout the series.

Meet the characters:

TAYLOR VALENTINE, a kindhearted empath, embraces her vanilla tendencies. Her plan for her life reinforces those traits. She doesn’t apologize for giving people the benefit of the doubt. She focuses on college graduation and a career—romance in the far distant future.

As a history professor and former Marine, STUART MORGAN, a blond, blue-eyed war hero, battles his inner demons. Although he longs for mental peace from an understanding woman, his rigid rules prevent it.

EVA O’SULLIVAN, a petite Irish spitfire, has big opinions and you know them whether you want to or not. Masking her vulnerability, she wears her willfulness like armor.

Officer MATT CONNOR recovers from a gunshot wound obtained while on duty. As a single parent, he pushes any romantic life aside and concentrates on raising his eight-year-old son, DAVID, who desperately wants a mother and sets his sights on Eva.

His charisma hiding his loneliness, FBI Agent JOE ROBERTS is searching for an instant chemistry with his soulmate, the one person who will love him for his faults, not in spite of them.

Dr. MADELINE PIERCE, a dedicated scientist, has pain in her heart from an abusive relationship.  With her Ice Queen persona set, she hides within the realm of her research.

For a limited time, The Chemical Attraction Series is on SALE!

THEIR RIGID RULES (book one) is FREE

THE KINDRED CODE (book two) is $0.99

CHEMICAL ATTRACTION (book three) is $0.99

CHEMICAL REACTION (book four) is $0.99

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It all happened within minutes. For some, it would last a lifetime.

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In Memory of Dad

Dear Dad,

Happy Veterans Day.  Thank you for your sacrifice.  I didn’t understand until recently how much the Korean War affected you.  It had taken your innocence leaving your emotions hardened from the horrors. Would our relationship have been better had I known your torment? 

After reading your letters to your parents during the war, I felt the love you had for them, which is why I used my favorite picture of you, your mother, and your dad on the cover.  That’s how I want to remember you.  I will cherish those rare times when you had let your guard down—laughing with a lightened heart.  I forgive you, and I miss you more than I ever had.

With Love,

Christina

Dearest Mother and Dad

Corpsman Orrin Connor’s faithful letters with a touching twist shield his parents from the horrors of war. His buddy Rawley Armstrong’s poignant letters give his sister the harrowing truths. Throughout their dangerous assignments during the Korean War, they debate the consequences of their choices. Orrin gains comfort in downplaying his experiences while Rawley feels a healing purge. As they get to know the Marines in their charge, the corpsmen gather a variety of opinions. Although Orrin and Rawley disagree, their friendship remains true until the bitter end.

“It all happened within minutes. For some, it would last a lifetime.”

Based on her father’s letters to his parents throughout the Forgotten War, author Christina Thompson has produced this work of historical fiction to pay tribute to Navy corpsmen by remembering their service to their brothers and their country. Imagining her father had guarded his parents from the carnage of war, Christina elaborates on what could have happened while staying true to the dates and experiences her father shared in his actual letters.

My dad is in the front row far right.

Review: Mythic Maiden Series by C.K. Brooke #YoungAdultNovels #RomanceNovels

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The retelling of these myths and legends is woman power at its finest. I bought the first three novels for my sixteen-year-old niece. She graciously let me read them first. I know she’s going to love them. It’ll also solidify my status as her favorite aunt.

Secrets of Artemis

In Ancient Greece, the goddess Artemis was venerated as a maiden huntress, swift with her bow and arrows, and eternally chaste. But could there be more to her story? Perhaps Lady Artemis had envisioned quite a different destiny than the one her father, Zeus, had chosen for her. What if she hadn’t merely pined after the giant huntsman, Orion, but had secretly partaken of a forbidden romance with him?

My Review

A creative way to bring mythology to life in the retelling of the Greek Goddess Artemis. An entertaining story perfect for the young adult reader.

I, Guinevere

On the winter solstice, a mysterious sword appears in a stone. Not even the mightiest of the village men can remove it, until fifteen-year-old Guinevere gives a try. The sword heeds the unsuspecting maiden, proclaiming the unthinkable: She is the blood of Pendrakon, heir to the vacant throne of Camylot.

Guinevere never dreamed she was royalty. Now, between apprenticing an eccentric old wizard, swordplay lessons with a boy called Lance, and clandestine meetings with the formidable High Priestess of Avalon, Guinevere is swept up in a whirlwind of training and preparation for her monumental new role as future queen. But invasions by barbarians and visitations from mysterious, dark forces loom overhead. Can Guinevere defend her kingdom against darkness and deception? Despite sinister forces working against her, can she harness the power to wield Exkalibur and rule the realm? Or is Camylot already destined to fall?

My Review

Equal parts romance, suspense, and mystery in the retelling of the King Arthur legend. Another wonderful story for the young adult reader.

Marian, Princess Thief

Lady Marian, once the beloved Princess of Sherwood, was only sixteen when her father rode off to fight in the Crusades, leaving his kingdom under the despotic rule of his brother, Prince John. The night her uncle sends an assassin upon her, Marian flees to Sherwood Forest, where she meets and forges an unbreakable bond with six other outlawed young women.

Now, the nineteen-year-old princess-in-exile and her Merry Maidens gallivant through the greenwood, cloaked under the aliases of Rob-in-Hood and his Merry Men. Together, they uphold their vendetta of mischief, undermining the Prince at every turn, robbing the rich and giving to the poor—all while outrunning their sworn nemesis, the odious Sheriff of Nottingham. After a scheme takes an unexpected turn and Marian’s only recourse is to abduct the Sheriff, the lady brigands find themselves in over their heads, stuck with an unrelenting and formidable captive. But, as Marian is about to discover, sometimes people aren’t what they seem… After all, she would know.

My Review

A fast-paced retelling of the Robin Hood legend with fun distinct characters. I see why it was awarded the 2020 Best Indie Book Award in Young Adult Fiction. This is my favorite of the three.

Mythic Maiden Series by C.K. Brooke

Review: Games Psychics Play by Kass Hillard

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Kass Hillard has created the ultimate book and manual to help you develop your unique gifts of the Spirit and so much more. She’s funny, serious, kind, and strict. All the traits you would want your mentor to be and that’s what Kass has done with this book FOR YOU.

~ Clear step-by-step instructions for over 100 solo, partner, and group exercises and activities to assist you in awakening, developing, and enhancing your intuition and psychic abilities

~ Identify your dominant psychic senses, and learn how to strengthen them

~ Prompts to assist you in unleashing your intuitive and psychic superpowers

~ Discover practical ways to use your intuitive skills and psychic gifts

~ Learn how to create development circles

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kass is a retired certified reflexologist, hypnotist, and Reiki Master, and owned a holistic healing center and practice in southwest Michigan for many years. She now enjoys traveling and teaching reflexology, past life regression, and psychic development.

Her story, “The Final Gift” is featured in the #1 international best-selling book, “The Last Breath,” published by Franklin Rose Publishing. Her piece, “Woman, Rise Up,” is included in the Audie nominated audiobook, “Nevertheless, We Persisted,” by Blunder Woman Productions.

Kass is currently working on the companion book “Games Psychics Play Workbook,” and “Journal of Intuitive and Psychic Discovery,” a book of journaling prompts.

Kass currently resides in northwest Ohio with her husband, and two goofy dogs. You will rarely find her without a cup of coffee, working on an art project, or taking a class to learn something new. She is still trying to figure it all out.

MY REVIEW

The informational introduction gave me an open-minded perspective leading into the psychic games. I loved the variety of games, focusing on spirit guides, remote viewing, our chakras and more. As a novice, I found some exercises were fun and easy. Others were difficult, confirming I need to practice, practice, practice. I highly recommend Games Psychics Play. Five Stars.

Games Psychics Play on AMAZON

Chemical Reaction #Audiobook Release Day

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FBI Agent Joe Roberts and Dr. Madeline Pierce must track down a rage-producing nano-drug before it devastates the nation.

Staying in Detroit with the FBI, Madeline works to develop an antidote from the confiscated journals. She clashes with the women from Joe’s past. In West Michigan, Joe hunts for the bio-weapon. With a history as a player, he’s worried his relationship with Madeline is at risk. Working apart, they attempt to focus on the threat.

Before Joe returns, agents are killed, Madeline is abducted, and the deadly nano-drug is put on the market. While she plays a dangerous game of deceit, Joe struggles to put his fears of losing her aside to find the weapon first. Her life, their future, and the nation’s security are in jeopardy. Joe must now choose between his personal desire and his professional integrity. Can he live with the consequences?

Chemical Reaction on AMAZON

Chemical Reaction on AUDIBLE

A Labor of Love and Forgiveness

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My historical fiction, Dearest Mother and Dad, is a labor of love, and now it’s available as an AUDIOBOOK.  Just in time for Memorial Day!

After reading through the letters my dad wrote to his parents during the Korean War about his experiences, I finally understood why he was hard and emotionally absent.  It took me two years to write the story.  Then, it took me another year to turn the novel into an audiobook.  There was only one narrator for this job—Gary Bennett.

Gary had narrated my romantic thriller Chemical Attraction through 48fourteen Publishing.  He did an incredible job, and my mom fell in love with his voice.  So, for us, this was a no-brainer.  We were not disappointed.

Gary’s narration gave Orrin and Rawley’s friendship the perfect amount of emotion.  In fact, as I listened I cried.  Then, at the last line of the story, I sobbed.  It hit me hard.  I miss my dad and all of his gruff.

I am so proud of this collaboration.  I think my dad—who was a fan of books on tape—would have loved it, too.  Thank you, Gary.

The AUDIOBOOK for Dearest Mother and Dad is NOW available on AUDIBLE

To learn more about Narrator Gary Bennett and his other amazing projects, visit GaryBennettReads.com

Thankful For This Family of Dorks

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My mom, my siblings, and I have been sorting through boxes of old pictures.  We haven’t made any progress because we’re too busy mocking each other.  I love this one taken in 1978.  That’s me on the left in the back row.

So much weird in one picture!

My youngest brother looks like he has his shirt on backward. He said it was the style of shirts back then, but I have my doubts.  My other brother has his eyes crossed.  What a goof!   He’s still a goof.  My sister is hiding her face.  “Yeah, sis, I should have, too.”

My dad’s whole ensemble is quite the fashion statement from his red socks to his crazy shorts.  He always had his pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket or rolled up in his sleeve.  He gave up smoking cold turkey in the late 80s.  We were banned from giving encouragement or talking about his decision to quit.  (I guess we all grieve in our own way.)

My mom has on her iconic 50s cat eye glasses. She didn’t change that look until the 90s when she went with the round owl style…similar to mine in this pic. Apparently, I was a trendsetter.  (Correction: I wasn’t a trendsetter. My siblings laughed too hard at that comment.)  Standing in front of our beast of a car, we had the makings of a 70s sitcom or as my brother put it, “A 70s horror story.”

We’re a family of nerds, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.  Is it any wonder I grew up to be a writer? Embrace your Weird!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photographs by Margaret Dugan #poetry #poem

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My fifteen-year-old niece wrote this poem and agreed to let me share it with you. I’m proud of her creativity.

Photographs by Margaret Dugan

We hang up happy pictures.

Those are the only ones you see.

All the sad and ugly ones are hidden from you and me.

If you want to find them, dig up the past.

Here’s a list of things to do to help you find them fast.

Lift up the carpet, making sure there is nothing in you view.

Move the floor boards one by one, making sure each nail is removed.

Now you have to dig, deep beneath the earth.

Making tons of piles made from dirt.

All your hard work is coming to an end.

You hold in your hands, a box so dear.

You open it to find nothing in its keep.

Then you realize those photos have been burned years ago because…

We only hang the good ones.

The Butterfly

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The Butterfly emerges

from its silken shell-

Reborn, it arises,

no longer bound to earth.

Free at last, the butterfly glides

to heights unknown before.

So do our loved ones find

a beautiful release

as, earthbound no more,

they leave our sight and joyfully rise

to a garden of matchless beauty,

a place of light and peace.

by Evelyn Phillips

 

I miss you, Kimberly Ann.