Category Archives: BOOKS

Big Tex Virtual Book Tour

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Adult Picture Book

Date Published: July 22, 2024

 

 

This satirical tale disguised as a children’s book follows an aspiring drag
queen with dreams of dazzling stages and glittered wigs eager to shine in a
world determined to hold him back.

Convinced that the tough buckaroos in the neighboring town of Ruff Ridge,
known for their rugged cowboy way of life and home to the clothing brand
Ruff Ryder, will hinder his glamorous ambitions, he devises an ingenious
plan to win their acceptance. With courage, creativity, and a pair of chaps,
he embarks on a journey to turn his dreams into reality.

Inspired by real events, this clever, funny, and heartwarming tale explores
identity, ambition, and community. The story celebrates individuality,
courage, and the transformative power of being true to oneself, all while
providing a thought-provoking reflection on the politics of our times.

Big Tex tablet

EXCERPT

Quotes/Oneliners

“The MAGA-era politics of drag performance distilled to a clever, funny, and entertaining tale.” — BookLife 

…If Jim’s clothes made the news… 

There were some, shall we say, loose-screwed buckaroos, 

Who would say that such clothes made him less of a man. 

And that made Jim angry! He was manly! MORE THAN! 

“If those tough buckaroos don’t think I can be tough, 

“They oughta try dancing in spandex!” he’d huff. 

Jim didn’t know why his drag clothes were taboo, 

But if they were discovered, he knew what they’d do. 

Every tough buckaroo in their checked shirts and all 

Would ride into town and surround the town hall 

And they’d holler and cry, “Our corn prices will fall!” 

And then tough Mayor Buck even louder would shout, 

“Those big glittered wigs are to blame for our drought!” 

That’s the first thing they’d do 

If they ever found out. 

Then they’d pass some strict laws 

And put up some state signs, 

Restricting cross-dressers

From crossing state lines. 

And they’d shout, “These BIG WIGGERS 

must pay for their crimes!” 

And the fines! 

Oh, the fines! 

Try a thousand ten times! 

About the Author

Roger Rittenhouse

Roger Rittenhouse is a former stand-up comedian originally from Denver,
Colorado who began his career in the 80s, appearing on The Arsenio Hall
Show, The Dennis Miller Show, and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Notable writing credits
include Bill Maher’s Politically Incorrect and the Comedy Central Roasts. An
armchair cartoonist turned author and illustrator, (after finding a digital
drawing tablet on Craigslist) Roger brings his comedic antics to picture
books intended for big boys and girls.

 

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Death By Blood Blitz

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Paranormal Romance

Date Published: January 26, 2023

 

 

Shawna Davies, a relentless South Beach narcotics detective, is hell-bent
on taking down a sinister drug lord infiltrating the club scene with a
lethal designer drug, La Petit Mort. Tormented by an insatiable longing for
something more in her existence, she grapples with the maddening absence of
a vital piece of her soul. Unsure of how to escape the void in her life, a
flicker of hope emerges with his arrival.

Eric Black, a formidable vampire enforcer serving the council of elder
vampires who govern the paranormal realm, is assigned to assist Shawna in
her treacherous quest. However, Eric faces his own agonizing demons and
dreads the prospect of a partner in his shadowy world. As fate intertwines
Eric and Shawna’s destinies, he must confront the possibility of entrusting
her with his darkest secrets while attempting to resist an undeniable, fiery
attraction. Unbeknownst to him, Shawna harbors concealed mysteries of her
own.

Bound together under dire circumstances, an intense passion ignites between
them. But as their entwined worlds unravel further, Eric’s cryptic past
threatens to obliterate any chance of love. Can they overcome the dangers
lurking behind hidden truths, or will their buried secrets ultimately
consume them both?

Kerrie Biehl

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Hard White Blitz

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Literary / Historical Fiction

Date Published: 09-25-2202

Publisher: Woodpecker Lane Press

 

 

In this vividly-rendered novel, Melanie Dugan reimagines the life of Alice
Neel, a groundbreaking American painter who revolutionized the art of the
portrait in the twentieth century. Born in 1900 into a straitlaced
middle-class family, Neel charted her own unconventional path. Her lifetime
spanned World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, women winning the right to vote,
the Great Depression, World War II, the McCarthy Era, the Civil Rights Era,
and second-wave feminism. She worked for decades in obscurity, wrestling
with depression, poverty, and misogyny, loving the wrong men, fighting to
live life on her own terms, and above all to paint.

About the Author

Melanie Dugan

Melanie Dugan is the author of Bee Summers (“a carefully wrought
portrayal of the way we carry trauma with us through life.” Brenda
Schmidt, Quill & Quire), Dead Beautiful (“the writing is
gorgeous,” A Soul Unsung), Revising Romance (“heartwarming,
amusing and…downright sexy,” Midwest Book Review), and Sometime
Daughter (“Stunning debut,” Kingston Whig-Standard). Her short
stories have been shortlisted for several awards, including the CBC Literary
award. She lives in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

 

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The Apple of Erin’s Eye Virtual Book Tour

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The Apple of Erin's Eye cover

Contemporary Romance (Clean)

Date Published: 10-12-2024

 

 

Erin has planned her life down to alphabetizing her spice cabinet, so when
she is stood up on the wedding day she’s dreamed of since she was a little
girl, her ordered life spirals out of control. When her best friend, and
maybe something more, Aaron, challenges her to step outside of her
small-town life and explore the world, Erin makes a monumental decision that
will take her from teaching middle schoolers in rural Ohio to her dream job
as a governess in New York City. Determined to start fresh, to eat meat
again, and to ditch her planner, Erin embraces her novel life, but teaching
loveable Jessica isn’t the only new facet. Her employer, millionaire Daniel
Goldstein, is as closed off as the books lining the shelves in his penthouse
library where Erin and he spend their evenings sharing their love of books,
wine, and perhaps each other. But as Erin opens her heart to new
possibilities and loving again, she can’t ignore the growing mystery that
Daniel is hiding something…or someone.

In this small-town, big-city contemporary romance, Erin learns that no
matter where she goes, she takes herself with her. Does that mean finally
finding love in the Big Apple, or was it waiting for her in her hometown all
along?

 

 

The Apple of Erin's Eye tablet

EXCERPT

Erin scowled at her reflection in the courthouse bathroom mirror. She ran her fingers through her dark brown hair, untangling an imaginary knot. The knots in her stomach remained. 

She moved close enough to almost kiss the mirror, a gesture she should’ve been doing with Brian. 

Does my eyeliner look even? She shifted her eyes for the third time in as many minutes, swearing the left side was thicker than the right. She sighed.

“Darn mascara,” she muttered, dabbing at the small black smudges under her eyes. “At least it’s not from crying. Stupid humidity.” She frowned at the premature crow’s feet competing for attention.

She stepped out of the bathroom, blamed her overactive bladder for the trip to the toilet, and glanced around the lobby.

Where is he? She pulled her phone out of her purse to check the time for the fifth time in ten minutes.

No sign of Brian. She moved to the front doors and looked outside, hoping his beat-up, muddy Wrangler would be flying into the parking lot.

She huffed and dropped onto the bench near the doors, then smoothed down the front of her off-white maxi dress and set the bouquet of daisies next to her. She wouldn’t be the girl who texted or called, demanding to know why her fiancé wasn’t there. Brian hated that. Nor would she act the part of the hopeless damsel in distress whose prince needed to rescue her.  

Still, Erin’s mind drifted to her dreams. Dreams that weren’t coming true. The dress was white, but there would be no church bells, no father walking her down the aisle, no organ music, and apparently no groom on her wedding day.

Her phone beeped. Her heart sped up as she snatched it from her lap.

We need 2 talk.

Her stomach dropped.      

Where are you? Her fingers moved quickly over the screen, so much so that she had to retype the question three times before getting it right.

Come 2 McD’s next door. Got us sum burgers n fries.

Erin’s mouth hung open. 

How romantic, Brian.       

Babe just come.

Tears prickled, but Erin blinked them away. She stood, grabbed her purse, and went to the window where the receptionist sat. The middle-aged woman was on the phone and gave Erin a “just a minute” sign by holding up her index finger.  

“Tell Judge Valentino there won’t be a wedding today.” Erin’s voice broke by the end of the sentence. The judge might as well be sentencing me to a life of unhappiness.

 

 

About the Author

Cynthia Hilston

Bestselling author of the Lorna & Tristan series, Cynthia Hilston is a
stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married, and lives in the
Cleveland, Ohio, area. Writing has always been like another child to her.
After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she stepped away
to do her debut dance with original works of fiction, although she still
dabbles in fan fiction.

In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books,
shamelessly watches Hallmark movies and When Calls the Heart, pets her
orange and black kitties, looks at the stars, drinks wine or coffee with
good friends, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.

 

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Gay AF Virtual Book Tour

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The Military Career of a Georgia Drag Queen

Biography / LGBTQ

Date Published: February 13, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media

 

Meet Jay Claypool, and his alter ego Dixie Crystal. On his own from an
early age, and embracing his sexuality and the performance art of drag, Jay
recounts his early years as a nightclub performer, the 9-11 tragedy; and how
it propelled him into a 20 plus years military career in the United States
Air Force. A collection of stories that are hilarious, heartbreaking; and at
times surreal, Gay AF is the autobiography of an entertainer who has
persevered through the often-changing legal landscape and demanding service
reorganizations within the DoD. Jay finds himself working within some of the
most elite Air Force organizations, planning and executing unique no-fail
missions; and Dixie Crystal is always along for the adventure.

 

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About the Author

James Claypool

Jay Claypool is a 20+ year United States Veteran, and freshman author
originally from Augusta Georgia. As a young drag performer, and frequent
night club fixture, Jay strives to be a source of inspiration to anyone
which wild ambition, who also may be doubting their sexuality, individuality
and artistic freedom, specifically within the ranks of the military. He
currently lives in DC with his husband Douglas, a veteran Navy
Corpman.

 

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Instagram: @dc_dixie & @juzjayc

Facebook: James Claypool

 

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