Category Archives: BOOKS

Red Kingdom Tour

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Fairy Tale Retellings, Book Two (standalone)

Historical Romance (Medieval)

Date Published: 04-10-2024

 

 

Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.

Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart
her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she
made to her grandmother on her deathbed.

Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the
capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at
his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.

United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette
embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled
with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.

Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and
spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?

Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a
passionate historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the
longing for a world at harmony.

*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined classic
fairy tales. Due to adult content and themes, it is not intended for readers
under the age of 18. 

 

What you can expect from Red Kingdom… 

Dark, Medieval Setting

Enemies to Lovers

Slow Burn

Broken Alpha Hero

Strong Heroine

Wolf Companion

He Falls First

Redemption

Warring Kingdoms

Red Kingdom tablet

EXCERPT

Blanchette spots the Black Wolf during the siege

 

Death at her feet. Death in her home. Death in the air. 

Death screamed in every corner of her mind. 

Then she saw him. 

Rowan Dietrich, the fabled Black Wolf of Norland, strode through her castle like a waking nightmare. His armor was crudely made, black as the surrounding night, the helm’s dark metal twisted into the shape of a wolf’s snarling head. But the most striking thing about him was his height. He towered above the other fighters and battled with a chilling methodicalness. How he moved and fought frightened Blanchette the greatest. 

He looked collected. Even mildly amused. As if this were nothing more than a game. Blood soaked his sword as the blade whirled, whipped, slashed, and claimed lives in a macabre dance of death. And that wolf clung to his heels, its muzzle wet with blood, snarling and leaping at any man who dared come close to its master. 

Monster. Demons.

The Black Wolf of Norland had always had a mist of legend around him. She remembered the stories her mother and governess had often whispered after the feasts and in the dark of the night. 

“To me,” the Black Wolf called to a soldier a few yards away, his deep voice effortlessly carrying above the tumult. He didn’t need to yell, not even over the mayhem. The force of his tone was enough. 

One of her father’s guards raised his blade, but too slowly. Rowan Dietrich’s longsword cut his head off, then came flashing back in a terrible two-handed slash that took another soldier in the leg. 

With quivering anger, she realized that this man—this wolf, this beast—was the reason the sky was falling on her family. She clutched the dagger, wishing she could stand a chance against him. How good and right it would feel to plunge the blade deep into his heart and avenge what would likely be the end of her family’s dynasty. 

Of course, she’d never survive him or his demon wolf. And if she was ever to avenge her family, if she was to keep her promise, survival meant everything.

About the Author

Rachel L Demeter

I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance
novels every day!

Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I
physically learned how to write, I’d narrate stories to my mom, and she’d
record them for me.

I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the
feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but
this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true
calling.

In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s
weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.

I’m passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human
and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face
of adversity.

 

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The Gnome and the Threat to the Forest Virtual Book Tour

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Illustrator: Angel Neha

Children’s Book

Date Published: February 27, 2024

Publisher: Mindstir Media

 

 

This short story is about a mother wanting her children to enjoy the
outdoors. The story takes Nathan, Iris, and Mommy on another trip to the
national park. Nathan and Iris are extremely excited to visit with their new
friend, Gob the Gnome again. Gob takes Nathan, Iris, and Mommy on a short
tour of park and Nathan sees a large empty area of the park. Gob explains to
Nathan, Iris, and their mom the unfortunate realities of what happens in
some parks due to human interference and natural occurrences. Gob also
introduces the family to some of the animals and explains how they suffer
through deforestation, tornados, and storms. In this story Iris comes to age
by using what she learns from Gob to defend the forest.

Since the 1400s, folklore has described gnomes as guardians of treasure and
the protectors of Earth. Gnomes represent stability, growth, and good luck.
This is the second book of the six-book series about Gob the Gnome. The six
books in this series all revolve around Gob, the protector of a local
forest, who becomes friends with Nathan and Iris and helps to educate them
on the importance of caring for the environment.

The Gnome and the Threat to the Forest tablet

The Gnome and the Threat to the Forest excerpt

 

About the Author

Marilyn Slaughter

 Marilyn Slaughter is an educator with experience teaching second through
fifth grades, middle school science, and social studies. She now spends time
authoring books for children and adults for engagement, learning, and
entertainment. Marilyn’s first six books are a set with the theme of
children, with their families enjoying the outdoors; and with teachers and
classmates learning about the environment. The children are introduced to a
magical and mythical being in the forest and they work to save the local
forest. Her goal is to provide a fun read with an entertaining way for
children to learn about science.

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It Just Had To Be You Blitz

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Second Chances, Book 1

Romance

 

 

Scott Carter is a bully. Scott Carter is a racist. Scott Carter is the most
arrogant douche I have ever met. This man-whore charms the pants off all the
girls, but not me – the Latina from the wrong side of town – I see none of
that charm. I get the worst of him. He has made my life a living hell,
tormenting me for years with no reprieve.

Just when I’m at breaking point, Scott Carter steps in and makes
everything ten times worse. My whole life is turned upside down in an
instant. And now, after he’s messed up everything, that’s when
he decides that maybe we should try to be friends. He wants to reconcile and
put the past behind us.

Ugh! No! He can go to hell. I want nothing from Scott Carter…but
it’s starting to look like he wants something from me.

Dear Reader,

Although this is definitely not a ‘dark romance’, please take note that
this book contains many triggers that may be offensive such as suicide
(before the book begins) and bullying. In particular, there are some racial
slurs. As a woman of color myself, I fully understand how hurtful these
words can be. I am no stranger to them either. However, I did not want to
tiptoe around this issue or sugarcoat the severity of it. I wanted to
highlight how damaging such slurs (or any kind of name-calling for that
matter) can be to the person on the receiving end. It also contains strong
language and sexual content and is not recommended for readers under 18
years of age or sensitive readers.

 

The Second Chances series:

 

It Just Had To Be You tablet

It Just Had to be You

Second Chances, Book 1

 

My Debacle with De Lorenzo

Second Chances, Book 2

My Infatuation with Isabella

Second Chances, Book 3

 

It Should Have Been Me

Second Chances, Book 4

It Should Have Been Me

Second Chances, Book 5 

 

Amazon

About the Author

Jacqueline Francis

 Number cruncher by day, raging romance novelist by night;
Jacqueline’s creative inspiration stems from romance and all its
literary and rom-com depictions. Matters of the heart are what fascinates
her, because ultimately, what makes a life out of – what would ordinarily be
a typical existence – is Love

 

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Bone (& Body) Lessons Virtual Book Tour

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Culture, Measurement, and Language

 

Nonfiction / Language and Physiology

Date Published: December 6, 2023

Publisher: Mindstir Media

 

 

One way to understand self is through the skeletal frame. Skeletal bones
hold many secrets which can be unlocked to tell stories of humankind; they
become lessons for life. This book provides four perspectives on bone:
culture, measurement of bones and body postures, grammar, and bone names.
Word roots and definitions related to bone vocabulary allow the reader to
gain insight. A major theme is to know oneself-to develop self-awareness.
What can a person learn about self from bones? This book accompanies each
person on their quest to know themselves, whether or not on a conscious or
subconscious level. The current popularity of DNA kits that are being sold
today-as well as the many websites offering assistance to people delving
into their ancestry-validate this. Whether it is to delve into possible
hereditary health conditions or to locate relatives and forge a
connectedness to others in the world around them, people want to learn more
about themselves. Bones provide such framework, for body and self.

Bone (& Body) Lessons tablet

EXCERPT

INTRODUCTION

 

Words in this book are methodically explored with their etymologies and definitions to reveal the fundamental nature of the skeletal structure. See Method of Word Exploration below. 

Before exploring bone names culture, bone as symbol, correlations in grammar and sentence structure, and measurements and growth of the skeletal frame are presented. This book has four parts. The first part discusses bone as symbol and as an integral part of cultural beliefs and practices. The second part introduces the relationship of language and grammar to bone names. The third part shows how everyday language is related to measurement of bone. The last part presents an exploration of the meaning of the names of bones in the body. The four parts of this book are like sets of skeletal keys that can be used to develop body awareness. Each set of keys opens up a greater understanding of self. 

The quest to “Know Self” is just one of several wisdom precepts integral to understanding the “Lessons” presented in this book. Knowing self is key to promoting wisdom. Another precept, “Know thy measure,” is related to passages that state man is made in the image of God. St. Bernard of Clairvaux (circa 1090-1153), founder of the Cistercian order sates, “What is God? He is length, width, height, and depth.” Knowing self through measurement is a way to, at least, begin to understand the Creator.

 Humankind, in many world paradigms, is made in the image of the Creator, and therefore is him/her self a Temple, a Holy and Sacred body. The human can recognize measurement as an attempt to know self, compared to other. Pythagoras, the 6th cent. BCE Grk philosopher and mathematician states that all is number. Geometry is part of the field of mathematics. Since geometry can be defined as a measure of the Earth and the heavens, and humans are of the Earth, geometry also applies to the “measure of Man.” Geometry as fixed measures also reveal implied continuous motion of angles and dimensions. There are standards of measurements that are recognized as criteria for normal development. Bone growth development of an individual as measured in height and body proportions has recognized standards. Measurement of growth of the skeletal structure is vital data as part of cultural values including medical evaluations. Words related to human posture are explored. This represents one’s stance in life at any given time. 

How does a person measure him/her self? What standards are applied to self or other? What is my capacity to judge something? What constitutes my ruler? When is it wrong to measure through comparisons? Am I competent to measure? The answers to these questions are part of the quest to know self, down to the very bones in the body.

About the Author

Lois Liggett

Lois Liggett is a retired physical therapist and a world traveler. She
worked in Japan in 1990 as a geriatric rehabilitation consultant. She has an
M.A. in gerontology and a B.S. in physical therapy from Russell Sage
College. She has an avid interest in the interface of language with
mythology, religion, and spirituality. She developed a method she calls
“spiritual linguistics” to find common and essential meanings of
a nomenclature using word roots and definitions. Her first book, Decoding
Norse Myths with Pet Ravens, published by Mindstir Media, LLC in 2021,
reflects this linguistic method, as does this book, Bone (& Body)
Lessons.

 

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Social media @rootedtongue

 

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Soft Lies & Hard Truths Virtual Book Tour

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California Heart Series, Book 3

 

Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 04-17-2024

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

 

 

Heartbroken and mortified by mean-spirited taunts and social media pictures
of her looking like a hot mess at her ex-boyfriend’s wedding, Leah
James decides to accept her friend, Miguel Montoya’s, offer to take a
road trip to their hometown of Santa Lorena.

Miguel, ex-Marine turned fitness trainer, is done pretending that he
doesn’t have strong feelings for Leah. From the moment he laid eyes on
her, he knew she was the one, and now this trip provides the perfect
opportunity to take their relationship to the next level.

Will shocking lies, deceits, and half-truths dampen the fiery sparks of
passion that ignite when Leah and Miguel are forced to share a cozy
honeymoon cottage, or will they overcome their fears and build a brighter
future based on honesty and love?

Soft Lies & Hard Truths tablet

EXCERPT

Chapter 9

Leah

That was an eye opener. I didn’t know Miguel had someone in Santa Lorena. What had the woman said? Something about him not having any clothes on. I’m happy for him, even if I’m disappointed that he can’t come get me. 

As soon as the cocky stranger retreats outside, I hop off the couch, grab my clothes, then run to the bathroom to throw on my clothes. The more I think about it, the more I’m certain that I over reacted. The guy has got to be doing some construction work on the house, hence the tool belt and the key to let himself inside. 

A pink t-shirt and my powder-blue jeans are perfect for hanging out around here. Since Miguel is busy with his girlfriend, I have got to talk to someone now. While heading into the kitchen, I call Jenny.

“So, what’s the skinny?” Jenny asks as soon as she picks up the phone. “Did you talk to your dad to find out what he’s doing with the student?”

“Jenny,” I say, exasperated. “You really have to control your imagination. That is absolutely not what’s going on here.” I open a few cabinets, looking for the cereal, which I find in the pantry between containers of flour and sugar.

“Oh.” She sounds disappointed. “I guess I was wrong then. So, your father said there was no hanky-panky, huh?”

“I didn’t ask him.” Opening the refrigerator, I find some almond milk and decide it will do fine for my bowl of cereal. “They were gone when I woke up.”

“What?” Sighing loudly, she continues, “Are you saying you didn’t talk to him about the woman in his house?” 

I can imagine her shaking her head. “She is not a woman.” I pour the granola in a bowl. “She’s a girl.”

“Do you know how crazy that sounds?” Her signature loud laugh echoes through the phone. “You said she’s in her mid-twenties.”

“At the most. Maybe younger.”

“Well, in any case, being in her twenties qualifies her for adulthood. Stop fooling yourself. We aren’t that much older that you don’t remember what it was like to have a crush on one of our handsome professors.”

“I remember no such thing.” I should have known Jenny would refuse to see logic, what with her magic incantations and spells. “There’s no hocus-pocus going on here.”

“No. I’d say not.” She chuckles. “If you don’t want to remember Professor Larsen, our very bohemian art history teacher, well, good for you. Even I was attracted to him, and that’s saying something.”

“Okay.” Of course, I remember him, but I’m not about to share that with her so she can gloat in satisfaction. My father is nothing like Professor Larsen, who had loads of sex appeal. He’d probably been in his late thirties or early forties, tall and rangy-looking, with a slightly disheveled look, messy hair, and crumpled clothes that looked like they’d been purchased at a secondhand store. He’d consistently appeared excited to discover he was teaching art to an excited group of students who he may or may not have noticed were mostly female. “I didn’t ask my father about the living situation because, by the time I came back in the house, they were in bed.”

“Together?” 

“Jenny!” After choking on my cereal, I wipe my mouth with a napkin. “No.” Although, really… how would I know? But the thought is too ridiculous to seriously consider.

“Go check now,” she orders. “See if it looks like she’s using the second bedroom and he’s using the other one.” Jenny can be very bossy. 

Normally, I admire her directness, but not so much right now. “I’m not going to snoop around my father’s house.” I chew on a mixture of crushed almonds, coconut shreds, and pumpkin seeds. Obviously, this cereal is eaten for the health benefits, not the flavor.

“Don’t be silly,” she says impatiently. “That’s exactly why you can snoop. All kids wait until their parents leave the house before they embark on a treasure hunt to discover what bounty they can unearth—candy bars, love letters, perfume samples, etc. You apparently missed out on some of those important developmental milestones. Go now and call me back when you’re done.”

“I’m not sure,” I say hesitantly, while the idea begins to make sense. After all, they aren’t here, and it will just take a minute. 

Taking my bowl to the sink, I quickly wash it, then set it on the drying rack. “Okay, you’re blowing this whole thing out of proportion. You’ll see I’m right.”

“Want to bet?” she asks eagerly.

“Not really.” Now that I’ve decided to check out the rooms, I’m eager to get off the phone, so I can prove my point.

“If I win—or perhaps I should say when you see that they are sharing a room—you owe me a crystal of my choice.”

“Fine. And you owe me one when you find out that she’s renting a room.”

After disconnecting, I set my phone on the table and walk to the back of the house. My father’s room is the first door on the right. 

I twist the nob and look inside. Same teakwood headboard on his double bed that is clearly unsuitable for two people. The beige curtains cover two windows, and the oblong brown-and-beige rug is on the floor at the foot of the bed. 

Stepping inside, I make my way to the dresser where there’s one bottle of expensive designer cologne. My hand shakes as I pick up the bottle, looking for an indication if it’s for a male or female—but there’s no designation either way. Maybe I should check in the closet. If the girl’s sleeping in this room, she’ll have to have some clothes in the closet.

Just as I’m about to slide open the door panels, a deep voice behind me says, “What do you think you’re doing?” 

It’s the construction guy, a drill in one calloused hand, and a stern expression on his lean face.

“Hey.” Startled, I jerk away from the closet door and hit my hip against the sharp corner of the dresser. “Ow.” I rub the spot where the wood jutted out. “I’m looking for something.” Women’s clothes to be exact, but he does not need to know that. “I could ask you the same question. What are you doing here?” I feel guilty but also apprehensive since I’m alone with a stranger. Truth is, he probably does know what’s going on here, even if I don’t. 

“I’m working on the other room.” He tilts his head across the hall. “I didn’t mean to startle you this morning.” He looks at me sheepishly, a grin beginning to spread on his face. “I’m Aaron and you’re a friend of the professor?”

My face grows warm and I look down as I remember the short pajamas I was wearing earlier. No need to think about that, not when I have things that are more important on my mind. Maybe I should befriend him since he’s apparently harmless and knows more about my father’s situation than I do.

“You’re not…” His brown eyes are filled with questions. “… an acquaintance or should say friend of the professor, are you?”

“No, I’m not.” My response is quick since I’m unsure of the direction he’s heading. Obviously, Jenny’s gotten into my head with her overactive imagination. Not knowing when Melissa or my father will return home, I am now eager to leave the room. 

Edging my way past him, I can’t help but notice how he smells—like a combination of sweat and musk, a strangely appealing mix on him. “I’m Leah Ann.”

“Nice to meet you, Leah Ann.” Grinning, he follows me out of the room into the hall. “Is that one word or two?”

“Two.” I’m on a mission and not in the mood for small talk, even if Aaron appears to be a decent guy. “Don’t let me stop you from doing your job.” Glancing past him, I focus on the second bedroom door that he’s blocking. I feel like reaching around and grabbing the handle. And why shouldn’t I? It’s my father’s house after all—the place that I spent time in during school breaks. It doesn’t matter if I had fun or not. 

“What, with the other room being taken, I guess you had to sleep on the sofa.” Scrunching his nose, he makes a face. “Doesn’t look that comfortable.”

“It was okay,” I lie, remembering how uncomfortable I’d been.

“Here.” He slips a hand into his back pocket, pulls out a business card, then hands it to me. “At your service. My number’s there if you need me.”

I take a minute to read the card. Aaron Wong. Construction. His name is in bold, blue print, with a picture of a red crane in the background. A phone number, website, and a contractor’s license number are listed. “I won’t be needing this, but thanks anyway. I’ve got no plans to remodel anything. I’m just visiting my dad for a couple of days.” Feeling awkward about entering the other room now with him looking on, I saunter past the closed door.

“Really?” Following me down the hall, he adds, “I didn’t know the professor had a daughter.” He nods, looking at me appreciatively. “You must be excited.”

“I am,” I say confidently, having no idea what he’s talking about, but I don’t want Aaron to know how little I know about what’s going on in my father’s life. “Very,” I say emphatically. I’m eager for him to go so I can finish my snooping. What am I supposed to be excited about? It would be too weird for me to ask him what he means. After all, we are talking about my father. “Don’t let me hold you up.” I wave a hand. “I know construction runs on deadlines.”

“We’re just getting started.” He lays a hand on his tool belt. “I’ve been working for the professor for a while.” He shrugs. “I do odd jobs here and there, although this is a bigger project. Anyway, it’s nice meeting you.”

“Nice meeting you, too.” I wave my hand again, before shoving the door closed.

After he leaves, I rush to the other room. As I’m about to enter the bedroom, I hear someone at the front door. Impatient, I rush back down the hall to see who’s here now.

“I thought of something.” Aaron’s hands are jammed in his pockets as he stands on the porch, a sheepish expression on his face.

“Yes?” How am I supposed to inspect the other room if Aaron keeps distracting me? I slowly uncurl my fingers from where they clutch the door handle. It’s too early for either Melissa or my father to be returning any time soon—or… is it? What if he has only one class to teach today and Melissa’s running an errand that takes a short time to complete? “Did you forget something?”

“You’re here to spend some time with your father, right?”

“Correct.” Now I’m puzzled. He now wants to talk about how I’m going to spend my time? I glance at my watch.

“Probably Melissa, too, am I right?”

“Hmm.” Saying no could be construed as rude, so I murmur something unintelligible. Why is this man assuming that I’d want to spend time with one of my father’s students? Strange.

“I know you said you’re only going to be around for a couple of days, but there is a new Italian restaurant in town.” With a grin, he holds out a hand. “Do you like Italian?”

“I do.” He has a great smile and his tattoos are sexy, but I’m not interested in going out with anyone at this time—even someone as ruggedly attractive as Aaron.

“Great. Want to get a bite to eat later? How about six? I can pick you up or we could meet in town.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I’m good.” This guy works fast. Maybe if I lived here, I’d take a chance since Raymond has someone and so does Miguel. But I need to stop hanging onto the past and move forward. “I’ll be gone in a couple of days, so…” 

“Say no more. It’s cool. You have my number.” 

As he walks out the door, I hear him call out, “Call me if you change your mind. You have to eat while you are here.” 

 

 

About the Author

Dalia Dupris

Dalia Dupris has been a book lover as long as she can remember.
Dalia’s BA in English Literature from UCLA and Master’s degree
in Social Work, from the University of Southern California, in addition to
years of experience as a licensed psychotherapist, contribute to her
creation of relatable and complex characters.

In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding along the California coast with
her husband, and hiking with her daughter. She loves hearing from her
readers. Their words of encouragement inspire her to continue creating
memorable characters, who will make you laugh and cry and keep rooting for
them until the very last page. Subscribe to her website for a chance to
learn more about Dalia and her books.

 

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