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What We Were Making Virtual Book Tour

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Adult Coming of Age / Romance

Date Published: February 23, 2023

 

 

A #1 Amazon Bestseller, Peter Cloutier’s “What We Were Making” is
a must-read for those who love ocean adventures, political thrillers,
romance, or coming-of-age stories!

 

When the lives of two expatriates intersect at the edge of civilization,
opportunity, duty and deception collide. Jane is a budding ambassador of
heightened motivation, insight, and curiosity. Relentless in her pursuit of
justice, ethics, and the common good, her life lacks love. Enter Bill, an
adrenaline-fueled waterman who lives breath to breath, wave to wave, and
fish to fish. A schoolteacher by day, he embodies the island life but
without partnership. When catastrophe unfolds, the two must respond to those
in need while attempting to dismantle the deeper collusion around them. In
the end, the only winners are those who have the resilience to stand.

 

What others have to say about Peter Cloutier’s “What We Were
Making”:

 

“A masterful blend of two contrasting worlds, political and natural,
Peter Cloutier’s What We Were Making is a sensational and evocative journey
into the lives of two lovers suffering the greatest challenge of all:
meaning. With a new layer of domesticity, romanticism, policy, and reality
in each chapter, it is as multidimensional as it is tragic, and a must-read
in any event.”
– JJ Hebert, USA Today, WSJ and #1 Amazon best-selling
author

 

“A tremendous homage to the worlds of land and sea, of beautiful
conflicts of interest, and I hope that all readers may find the same grace,
eloquence, and courage that I found in…”
Mariel Hemingway,
Oscar-nominated actress and author, granddaughter of Nobel Prize-winning
novelist Ernest Hemingway

What We Were Making paperback

EXCERPT

FOREWORD

As my grandfather once wrote, “Courage is grace under pressure.” No quote in the literary world better encapsulates the characters, motivations, and essence of Peter Cloutier’s triumphant novel, What We Were Making than this one. Raised in the company of not only great writers but great fishermen, I learned from an early age that a writer’s relationship with character or a fisherman’s relationship with, well, fish, comes down to just that: courage. Like many of my grandfather’s great works, this novel and its delightful characters stand for something and do so with the courage to make that something count. 

Ultimately, fishing was Papa’s greatest escape, not in competition with his writing, but in harmony. Bill, one half of our narrator duo and an avid waterman, and Jane, a justice-seeking professional and our other narratorial half, will soon arrive at a not-so-very-different crossroads, where their priorities and values are tested. And it is not then a question of which course Bill and Jane will choose between two extremely different lives, as it never seemed to be for Papa when it came to choosing between writing and fishing, but how they will build something together and something greater than themselves. 

Peter’s book is a harbor for courage: courageous characters, courageous writing, courageous causes. I thank him for this tremendous homage to the worlds of land and sea, of beautiful conflicts of interest, and I hope that all readers may find the same grace, eloquence, and courage that I found in What We Were Making. 

—Mariel Hemingway

About the Author

Peter Cloutier

Peter is a waterman with over twenty years working in the South Pacific,
Southeast Asia and Southern Africa. He has enjoyed working with countries
and communities in the development of greater marine conservation and access
to justice, more resilient water, sanitation and hygiene systems, and better
maternal-child health and control against infectious diseases. He is married
and a proud father of two children. He is disabled after suffered a
traumatic brain injury while working in Afghanistan and has pledged to
donate a significant portion of the revenue from his writing to charitable
groups located in the countries where he has worked. Learn more about Peter
and his family on social media and www.seatheworld.org.

 

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KidVenture: Through the Maze Virtual Book Tour

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KidVenture Vol. 3

Middle Grade Fiction

Date Published: 03-30-2023

 

 

Chance, Addie and Sophie launch a new venture when they get lost in the
country and stumble on the idea of starting a corn maze business. They
quickly discover that while it’s easy to rush into a maze, finding
your way out is hard. They will need to convince an investor to fund the
venture, persuade a reluctant farmer to let them build their maze on his
corn field, and figure out a way to work with his headstrong nephew. Along
the way they will realize just how little they know about planting corn,
designing mazes and writing business plans. Through many twists and turns
—and dead ends— they will learn how to keep a partnership
together and what the true job of a leader is. There’s only one thing
harder than finding your way out of a maze: creating a maze people want to
get lost in.

KidVenture: Through the Maze tablet

 

EXCERPT

When I get really lost, usually I ask for help. This time
though, I was feeling so disoriented, I didn’t even think to
ask for help. Fortunately, help came to me.
I went for a walk right after lunch and my blow-up with
Cody. I told my sisters I just needed to clear my head and
I’d be right back. I like going on walks when there’s too
much to think about. The walking makes me feel like I’m
making progress, even if the thoughts are still stuck in me
and unorganized.
I must have been walking longer than I thought. I had
drifted off Farmer Tannenbaum’s property and was walking
on the dirt road, back to town.
I was almost at the alpaca farm when a car stopped and
asked if I needed a ride.
“Dad?” I was surprised to see him. “What are you doing
here?”
“Hop in, Son.”
I opened the door and complied.
“Where are we going?”
“Fire department.”
“What?”
“Working on getting a permit from the Fire Marshall,” my
dad said. “Why don’t you come with me?”
“How did you know I was on the road?”
“I didn’t,” my dad chuckled. “I’m just as surprised as you
are.”
“Oh.” And here I thought my dad knew I was in trouble and
came to fetch me. I kind of liked that idea.
“I just came by to get some signatures from Brock,” my dad
explained. “And ask him about water sources and fire
prevention measures.”
“I see.”
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“Let me tell you, dealing with the county is a lot easier than
dealing with the city.”
“Did you see Addie and Sophie?”
“Yeah.”
“How are they doing?”
“Oh they’re fine,” my dad said nonchalantly. “Cody put
them to work clearing what will become the parking area.”
“Oh.”
I didn’t know whether to be mad that Cody was making
decisions without me again, or relieved that Cody was still
on board and the maze project was still moving forward.
“You ok?” My dad peered over at me as he turned onto a
new road. “I was surprised not to see you there.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I just needed to clear my head.”
“How’s it going, working with Cody?”
“It’s alright, I guess.” I looked out the window.
“Really?” My dad wasn’t satisfied with my answer. “There
seemed to be some tension between you the other day.”
“I just got annoyed because he wanted to take credit for
my idea.”
“What was your idea?”
“I said we should move the bridge so it’s easier to see from
the road.”
“That is a good idea.”
“I know!” I suddenly got animated. “It is a good idea, and it
was my idea, but then he wanted to take credit for it.”
“Why is it important you get the credit?” my dad asked.
I hadn’t thought about the reason why. It seemed too
obvious to think about.
“Because — I came up with the idea,” I probably sounded
a little annoyed. “So I should get the credit.”
“What’s more important to you, that you have a successful
business, or that you get credit for your ideas?”
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“Well, both.”
“Pick one.”
“Why do I have to pick one?”
“Just pick one.”
“To have a successful business.”
“That’s right,” my dad said, turning onto yet another road.
At this point, I didn’t know if the fire station was really far
away, if we were lost, or if my dad was driving in circles so
we could keep talking. It didn’t matter to me. “I made you
pick one because more often than not, that’s how it works.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Your job is to make sure the corn maze business is
successful, right?”
“Right.”
“You’re the leader.”
“Um…” I wasn’t sure what to say.
“Are you the leader?”
I still wasn’t sure what to say.
“This whole idea, this venture, came together because of
you,” my dad said. “So let me ask you again, are you the
leader?”
“Yes,” I said unevenly. “Even though Cody doesn’t act like I
am.”
“That’s because you’re training him to act like you’re not
the leader.”
“What?” I almost shouted. “How can you say that?”
“Well let’s break it down,” my dad said. “Why did you
suggest moving the bridge closer to the road?”
“Because, that way, more people will see it as they drive
by,” I sat up in my seat as if I were in court and giving a
sworn statement in my defense. “And if more people see it,
more people will want to come to the maze. It’s free
advertising.”
“Yes, it is. So you suggested it because it’s what was best
for the business, getting more people to the maze. Right?”
“Right.”
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“Or did you suggest it just so Cody could be impressed by
your acute business sense and strategic acumen?”
“Come on, Dad,” I said. “You don’t need to mock me.”
“Fair enough,” he said. “Did Cody agree to move it?”
“Yes.”
“Because he saw it was a good idea. In other words, it was
something that would help the business.”
“Yes.”
“So there’s your credit right there,” my dad said. “Cody
moved the bridge after you suggested it.”
“Yeah but—”
My dad cut me off. “So at that moment, you were the
leader. You had an idea, Cody saw the merit of the idea, he
followed your lead, and moved the bridge, right?”
“Right.”
“So why is it important that he also give you credit
publicly?” My dad lingered over the word also.
“Because then he tried to pass it off as his own idea,” I
protested. “And that’s not fair.”
“Do you want things to be fair, or do you want to have a
successful business?”
My dad turned to look at me. It was a good thing we were
on a deserted country road and there were barely any
other cars around.
“Pick one.”
“Successful business,” I muttered.
“I wish things were always fair, and we always got the
recognition we deserve,” my dad said, not unkindly.
I just grumbled.
“Why do you think Cody tried to take credit?”
“I don’t know.”
“Think about it.”
My dad pulled into the fire station and parked. He kept the
motor running so we could keep talking.
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“Did Cody take credit because he wanted to hurt you?”
“Um….” I hadn’t really thought about it. “I don’t think so.”
“Maybe he was excited,” my dad said. “Maybe he was
excited and wanted to share the idea. Or maybe he just
wanted to impress his uncle.”
“His uncle?”
“Yes, Brock is his uncle.”
“Oh.”
“You didn’t know that?”
“I think I forgot.”
“Yeah, he’s his uncle. I’m sure Cody wanted to impress
him, just like you wanted to impress me.”
I gulped. I really hadn’t thought about it, but now that my
dad said it, I recognized the truth in what he was saying. I
did want to impress my dad. I had a great idea and I
wanted my dad to know it. Especially after feeling helpless
all day hauling wood and being Cody’s glorified assistant.
“Son, I know it was your idea.” He patted me on the back. I
mean he literally patted me on the back. “And I know it was
a good idea.”
“Thanks.” It did feel good to hear that. I needed the boost.
“Think about it, maybe Cody just wanted his uncle to think
he had a good idea.”
“But…”
“I know. It’s not fair,” my dad agreed. “But try to imagine a
different way.”
“A different way?”
“What if you had let Cody take the credit?”
“Um…”
“What if Cody got a chance to impress his uncle, and be
excited about building the bridge? How would Cody feel?”
“Good, I supposed.”
“Would he be more or less excited to work on the business
and help make it successful?”
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“More.”
“Would he be more or less likely to want to offer ideas after
that?”
“More.”
“And Cody knows it was your idea. But letting him take
credit, would that make him more or less likely to want to
follow your lead next time?”
Suddenly I didn’t feel so good. “More.”
“Instead…” my dad continued —I was grimacing at this
point— “instead, what has he learned from this
interaction?”
“That it’s a competition.”
“Exactly,” my dad said. “You’re training him to think it’s a
competition, only one person can get credit, so you’d better
guard your ideas carefully and only express them where
everyone can see that they’re yours.”
I sighed loudly. “I see that now.”
“You’re training him to see you as an adversary and not as
a leader. For him to win, you must lose.”
“That’s terrible,” I said. “I did that?”
My dad nodded seriously.
“But all I said is that it was my idea.”
“Yes,” my dad said sympathetically. “But saying that is also
saying all these other things.”
“What can I do?”
“You’re the leader, Chance,” my dad said. “Keep your eyes
on the prize.”
“The prize?”
“Growing the business,” my dad said. “Do that, and you’ll
get lots of credit.”
“I will?”
“First time you hear a family say they’re at your maze
because they saw the bridge…well that’s credit enough.”
“True,” I agreed. Sort of. It wasn’t that easy. “But Cody
doesn’t respect me.”
“How do you know that?”
I was silent.
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“He moved the bridge, didn’t he?”
I nodded.
“That’s respect.”
I nodded again.
“Listen Chance, if you want to be a successful leader, you
need to treat people how you want them to be, not how
they are.”
“What do you mean?”
“How do you want Cody to be? Do you want him to be
someone excited to work on the business, eager to share
ideas, someone who gets to go home every day and brag
to his uncle how many great ideas he had?” my dad held
up his hands and used air quotes when he said he. “Or do
you want him to be someone resentful, who doesn’t share
ideas, who’s not excited to work on the business, someone
who believes the only way he can get recognition is if you
don’t?”
“The first, obviously.”
“Then treat him like the first, even when he’s acting like the
second.”
I looked at my dad skeptically.
“Try it,” he said. “I can’t guarantee it will work, but I can
definitely guarantee the second approach will not work.”
www.kidventurebook.com
KidVenture Vol 3: Through The Maize – Long Excerpt
“I see that already.”
“We train people how to treat us by how we react to them,”
my dad said. “You’re training Cody to act like your
adversary because that’s how you’re reacting to him. Like
an adversary.”
“But it really does feel like he’s my adversary.”
“So stop treating him like one.”
“What should I do instead?”
“Treat him like someone who’s a really valuable member of
your team.”
“Like a partner.”
“Like a partner,” my dad said. “And partners let partners
take credit.”
I still didn’t like that part.
“And you know what?”
“What?” I answered.
“If you’re the kind of leader that lets other people take
credit for your ideas, most of those people are going to
love following you.”
“They will?”
“Sure they will,” my dad turned the engine off. “Because
they get to be heroes in their own story.”

 

About the Author

Steve Searfoss

KidVenture stories are business adventures where kids figure out how to
market their company, understand risk, and negotiate. Each chapter ends with
a challenge, including business decisions, ethical dilemmas and
interpersonal conflict for young readers to wrestle with. As the story
progresses, the characters track revenue, costs, profit margin, and other
key metrics which are explained in simple, fun ways that tie into the
story.

 

 

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Dark Goddess Blitz

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Thriller

Date Published: November 16, 2023

 

 

January 2009. In the midst of the financial crisis, a mysterious figure,
Satoshi Nakamoto, publishes the Bitcoin code. The disruptive power of this

digital currency is enormous, as it has been designed so that it cannot be
controlled by any banking or government authority and allows for completely
anonymous transactions. Special Agent Harris is assigned to find out who is
hiding behind that identity. Meanwhile, a powerful cybercriminal
organization is also searching for Nakamoto and will stop at nothing. Ada, a
young prodigy studying in Barcelona, and L30n, an elusive hacker, will be
swept up in this pursuit.

Reality and fiction intertwine in this techno-thriller that weaves a tense
plot exploring the power of money and technology.

About the Author

J. Raventós

J. Raventós is an engineer and serial entrepreneur. After working in
Silicon Valley, he founded several tech startups in the fields of Artificial
Intelligence, 5G, and telecommunications networks. He is currently working
on a new AI and data security startup. He also serves as a technology
advisor for a venture capital fund.

 

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The Torch: Rising Darkness Virtual Book Tour

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Young Adult – Sci-Fi / Fantasy

Date Published: September 18, 2022

 

 

“He wanted more power, and more control. When I was with him, that
seemed to be his main goal.”

“What other power was there?”

“Oh, more than you could ever know.”

 

 

The Torch: Rising Darkness tablet

EXCERPT

PROLOGUE

 

The man sat patiently upon his throne-like chair—formidable to all who dared enter into his dark splendor. The throne, as he called it, was supported by a raised platform, several stairs leading up to it. Shrouded in pitch black robes, he appeared only a silhouette—his red eyes striking fear into anyone who was brave enough to peer into them. The circular room had no windows. Massive clusters of blood diamonds gleamed furiously on the walls, glistening in their geometric designs. Two doors stood in front of him, though they were merely vague outlines in the darkness. 

Any minute now, he thought. 

Just then, the doors in front of him swung open, revealing his most trusted assistant. The assistant reached the stairs to the throne and bowed. 

“Arise,” spoke the voice upon the throne, gazing down upon the man. 

“My Lord,” said the assistant. “They are ready.” 

“Excellent,” said the man upon the throne. 

His voice was a deathly calm, almost as if a cat was purring just before it devoured a bird. The assistant knew this, and he knew what the cat’s true temper looked like—and he knew to avoid it with his life. 

“Bring me my hunters,” said the man on the throne. 

He gleamed at his assistant, drilling him with a red stare of menace as the assistant arose and left the room hastily, not speaking a word—not daring to stoke the fire of a temper that would burn him alive—the stalking cat that would pounce out of the shadows

About the Author

Bertrand Coruscare’s first novel, Rising Darkness, is the beginning of the
epic “The Torch series.” Lover of the mysterious, the heroic, and
the refined, he fills his days with dark stories, warm drinks, and a touch
of sarcasm.

Bertrand resides in the Pacific Northwest, where he is pursuing a degree in
English. He often wanders the ancient forests of imagination, guided by
ambition, that azure flame.

 

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Oakley Mostly Good Virtual Book Tour

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Illustrated by Sophie Barlow

Children’s Book

Date Published: December 14, 2023

Publisher: MindStir Media

 

 

Nothing’s been the same ever since Oakley came to live at Mavis’ house.
Change can be hard, but change can bring good things too.

 

Oakley Mostly Good paperback

Kristen Grainger

About the Author

Kristen Grainger is a poet, author and performing songwriter who loves
books. She lives with her husband in the Pacific Northwest not far from
their grown children who also love books.

 

 

Sophie Barlow

About the Illustrator

Sophie Barlow is an Illustrator and designer born and raised in Oregon and
the Pacific North West.

Sophie earned her degree from the University of Oregon in Art and
Technology but has enjoyed working in a range of mediums from digital to
physical in her artist practice. In addition to creating art, Sophie loves
to hike, bake, and travel whenever she can.

 

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