Category: bookrelease

Painting Christmas by @jansikes #newrelease #preorder #writingcommunity #christmasreading

I’m thrilled to share that friend and fellow author, Jan Sikes, has a new Christmas book available to preorder. I picked up my copy and can’t wait to read it!


Painting Christmas

He came to escape a shattered life — Christmas had other ideas.

Jacob Hawke had everything an artist could dream of until a single devastating moment ripped it all away.
Drowning in grief and guilt he can’t outrun, he drifts through small Kentucky towns, painting Christmas scenes on storefront windows. Each brushstroke conveys a bit of beauty to strangers, while doing nothing to fill the hollow space inside him.

His wanderings bring him to Sutter’s Gap, where sisters Darcy and Beth hire him to bring Christmas to Briscoe’s Tavern, the bar they’ve inherited from their grandfather. Jacob’s quiet presence coats their lives like a wash of soft color, revealing parts of themselves they’d long since painted over.

What begins as a tenuous friendship leads to uncovering buried secrets and unexpected discoveries, adding new hues to the palette. Choices loom that will change the picture for all of them.

Often that which is believed to be lost for good may simply be slow in finding its way home.
And the only way to see the future is to paint over the past.

PREORDER PURCHASE LINK

About the author

I’ve been an avid reader all my life. There’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a story.

Oddly enough, I had no ambition to be a writer. But I wound up in mid-life with a story that begged to be told. Not just any story, but a true story that rivaled any fiction creation. Through fictitious characters, the tale came to life in an intricately woven tale that encompasses four books. Not satisfied to stop with the books, I released music CDs of original music matching the time period of each story segment. In conclusion, to bring the story full circle, I published a book of poetry and art. I was done.

Wrong!

The story ideas keep coming, and I don’t intend to turn off the creative fountain. I have now written numerous short stories, a series of paranormal romances and a series of historical fiction.

I love all things metaphysical and often include those aspects in my stories.

I am an dedicated fan of Texas music and grandmother of five beautiful souls. I reside in North Texas.

Embrace your inner child by reading a holiday book! Denise

When There’s Only a Christmas Wish Preorder! #writingcommunity #upcomingrelease #preorder #Christmas #secondchances

Happy Fall! I’m excited to share that my new Christmas story comes out on November 1st, and it’s now available for preorder.

When There’s Only a Christmas Wish

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Can a Christmas wish—and the kindness of strangers—save Ana from a past that refuses to let her go?

Ana Castle stopped believing in Christmas wishes long ago, but desperation drives the young widow to make one by a store’s festive twinkling tree. After barely escaping a fire meant to kill her and losing her parents, best friend, and husband, all Ana wants is the opportunity to start over. Instead, sickness forces her to miss work, and her next paycheck will barely cover the rent. She must make the long, cold walk to a local food bank. There, an unexpected act of kindness from a grandmotherly volunteer named Carla gives Ana her first glimmer of hope in a long time. But that hope quickly fades when a black SUV begins appearing wherever she goes. Ana fears her late husband’s criminal past has caught up with her. To add to her worries, she must break some rules to follow her heart, and that decision changes her life. Anna soon learns surviving will take more than just a Christmas wish. She’ll need to accept a dash of trust, friendship, and love before the past takes away her last chance at a future.

NOTE: Looking for a few hosts this November to help me celebrate my release! If interested, please email me at d.l.finn.author@gmail.com with a date in November that will work for you. I won’t be doing any posts Thanksgiving weekend 🙂
The newsletter came out yesterday. If you subscribe, it’s in your email.
Embrace your inner child by reading a holiday tale! Denise

#NewRelease! “Silverhills’ Rescue” by #SandraCox #writingcommunity #whattoread #mustread

I’m thrilled to have Sandra Cox here today to share her latest book, “Silverhills’ Rescue!” It’s an amazing addition to the Silverhills stories, and my review is included.

Blurb

A marker is called in.

Brandon comes home from a trail drive to find his wife on her way to Mexico to help the mission folk that took her in. Putting herself in danger. Crossing perilous terrain, where not only the weather kills, but Comancheros and bandoleros as well. He climbs back into the saddle and heads out after her. Both of them now embarked on separate journeys that involves killers, flooded arroyos and narrow divides where one misstep means a plunge to certain death. And, if that’s not enough to challenge them, at journey’s end they’ll face the most dangerous situation of all.“This book contains plenty of grit and gunfire, but no graphic violence or explicit scenes.”

Excerpt

July, 1874

The sun hit a blood-red horizon and shot upward in a crown of tangerine brilliance, hurting the eyes, lighting the trail from the top of the canyon to the ranch house like a beacon thrown across the sea.

The early July morning a warm one.

Dust rose as a horse trotted up. Jonas, a young cowhand, reined in his sorrel gelding beside the woman who stood on the veranda. “Rider coming.”

“Is it Brandon?” Hand over her eyes, Alexandria O’Malley Wade strained to make out the narrow trail at the top of the foothill that her husband and their men would come galloping over when they returned from the trail drive. Her tan split-skirt rustled as she leaned against the smooth white-painted railing, trying to get a better view.

Jonas pushed up in his stirrups. Worn leather boots peeping from canvas chaps. “Can’t tell.”

The speck at the top of the canyon grew as it came tumbling down the trail. Her heart thumped and her breath lodged in her throat. Her fingers tingled, her excitement rose.

The speck shifted into a rider.

Anticipation heightened.

Then shriveled. It wasn’t her husband.

The horse was a pinto not the big roan Brandon rode. And even from this distance, she’d know her husband with every fiber of her being.

She heaved a deep breath and waited.

As the rider trotted closer, she slid her hand to the worn wooden handle of her 4.75-inch barrel, single-action, six-cylinder Peacemaker.

Jonas did the same.

She frowned. The pinto looked familiar, but it wasn’t one of theirs.  And instead of a cowboy hat and chaps, the rider wore a sombrero along with a brightly-colored poncho.

Spying her, he yanked the sombrero off his head and waved it.

She recognized the rider and the horse at the same time. Her breath caught then whished out on a mile-wide smile.

“It’s okay, Jonas. I know him.”

Now sure there was no trouble brewing, he nodded, raised his hand to the approaching rider, and putting heels to his horse’s ribs, galloped off.

“Manuel.” She jumped off the porch and ran toward the boy who’d went in search of Brandon when she’d holed up at the mission awaiting the birth of the twins.

He leaped off his horse and grabbed her in a bearhug.

The term boy no longer applied. He was muscled and lean. A man.  A young man, but still a man.

“What are you doing here? Is your family well? Sisters Sarah and Marie? Father Jon?” The questions tumbled over each other.

The smile on his face fell away.

Something was wrong. Dreadfully wrong. Stomach knotting, she took a step back and waited, dread seeping through her pores.

My Five-Star Review
I have loved the Silverhills series and was excited to see a new story. All the familiar characters are back. When someone from the past arrives seeking help, Alexandra is ready to jump in and assist. Brandon is still away tending cattle, but there are many to watch their twins. She sets out with Manuel and a hand, Charlie, to help the people at the mission who helped her. It’s a long journey, and it doesn’t always go smoothly. I love these characters, and especially Alex. She is strong, kind, stubborn, and willing to put her life on the line for those she cares for. The setting is so beautifully described that it makes me feel like I’m riding along with them. The pace is fast as they go from one situation to another. There was more than once when I thought: Oh no, how will they survive this? Plus, there was a lovesick horse and a desperate puma in the mix. This well-written western was hard to put down, and I can highly recommend it.

Amazon Purchase Link

Author Bio

Sandra, who writes as both S. Cox and Sandra Cox, is an animal lover and avid gardener. She spent a number of years in the Midwest chasing down good Southern BBQ. By the time she moved to North Carolina where Southern BBQ is practically a staple, she’d become a vegetarian.

She and her husband are ruled by four cats and a dog. An award-winning author, her stories consist of all things Western and more.

Sandra can be found at http://www.sandracoxwriter.com

OR http://www.cowboytrivia.blogspot.com

OR https://sandracox.blogspot.com

OR https://www.pinterest.com/scoxauthor/

OR https://www.bsky.app @scoxauthor

OR Amazon.com: Sandra Cox: books, biography, latest update

Miracles & Ghosts Blog Tour Day Ten #ColleenMChesebro #writingcommunity #newrelease

Today is the last day of the Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour!  I’m thrilled to share the final stop with Colleen M. Chesebro. She is not only a fantastic poet but a very active and supportive mentor to many learning about symbolic poetry. I have always been interested in haikus, and through her blog, I learned what they were and many other types, including tankas and a favorite of mine, haibuns. She has several poetry collections that, if you love poetry and haven’t read them,  you should! Here’s a favorite of mine and my five-star review:

My five-star review:

I read and loved “Fairies, Myths, & Magic Book 1” and was eager to read the second book. This dips into a darker side of fairies and magic but also offers the coming light. Told through beautiful poetry and short stories with the addition of the history of the feminine lore of different cultures. I could learn as I was entertained. Although I love my forest, I have a healthy appreciation of it and the magic it holds. This collection brought to life our past and present, leaving the promise of the future or its consequences. A perfect read for a cold fall or winter night that inspired me to bring a few new traditions into our house.

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Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour Day Nine #NoelleGranger #writingcommunity #newrelease

Today is the ninth day of the Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour. We are visiting the supportive and talented Noelle A. Granger. She has a catalog that includes historical fiction and mysteries. I went back and forth between two books to share here today. The Last Pilgrim is amazing and a must-read, but the first book I read by Noelle was Death by Pumpkin. This is the one I’m going to share today, as it introduced me to her great writing. Who could pass up a title like that? So before we move on to today’s post, here’s my review.

NOTE: I am having a technical issue on my end with today’s blog post stop. I can’t directly respond to comments; I can only leave a general comment. I apologize and have tried three different browsers. I did respond, but as a general comment, and I appreciate all comments. So you won’t be notified of my response, but it’s there separately 🙂 Sorry for any issues, but do stop by and visit. Noelle has really rolled out the red carpet!

Death by Pumpkin: A Rhe Brewster Mystery (Rhe Brewster Mysteries Book 3) 

My five-star review:

“Death by Pumpkin” is the third in the Rhe Brewster Books. Although this is the first I’ve read of this series, I found it very easy to follow along and get to know the characters. Rhe is a nurse and works for the police department while being a widowed mom. The story starts out with an unusual death and Rhe involved in the investigation. Soon it becomes apparent there is more to this and an unknown danger lurking. While Rhe struggles with being a mom, nurse and working to be an investigator, she questions her love life and feelings. There are many exciting parts and twists, including an airplane ride where it was obvious there was a lot of research put into it. I love Rhe’s character and her caring but inquisitive side while being a protective mother to her son and good friend and relative. She focused on not only solving a crime but protecting her brother-in-law and friend Sam’s job. This is a wonderfully written cozy whodunit that weaves in relationships, making it a page turner. I will definitely be reading more Rhe Brewster stories and can easily recommend this one.

TODAY’S BLOG POST LINK

 

Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour Day Eight #RobbieCheadle #writingcommunity #newrelease

Today is day eight of the Miracle & Ghosts Past Blog Tour. We are visiting the hardest-working author I know, Robbie Cheadle. She not only bakes and creates amazing fondant cakes for her children’s books that are written with her son, Michael, but also has novels, poetry collections, and draws and paints. Additionally, she is involved in creating poetry anthologies and is a big supporter of other authors. Have you had the pleasure of reading any of her books? If not, you should. Before we head over to the post, I want to share a favorite book of hers and my five-star review.

My five-star review:

“Lion Scream” is a creative collection of poetry, photos, information, links, and a short story. The poetry tells a story of the wildlife in South Africa. It is not always a pleasant narrative with the loss of their habitat or cruel hunters maiming for profit. I learned a lot about the animals and found all the poems fascinating on many different levels. Ms. Cheadle discusses the Sixth Mass Extinction and Climate Change effect on animal life through her visits to wildlife reserves and personal interaction. She shares extra reading through links to learn more, which I appreciated. This was a meaningful way to bring the plight of animals to people’s attention. The short story, at the end, tackled another important subject of our youth’s mental health and the medication used. I won’t pick out my favorites because the message is too important. A book not to be missed by those who love animals and the world we share with them.

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Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour Day Seven #DWallacePeach #writingcommunity #newrelease

Welcome to day seven of the Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour. Today, we visit Diana Wallace Peach. Having been in two groups with her, I’ve found her to be very supportive of fellow authors, including her extensive reading and reviews. I find many great reads from those reviews. Plus, we share the love of nature. If you haven’t read any of her fantasy books, you should! Before we head to her stop, I want to share a review from one of my favorite books by Diana.

Version 1.0.0

My five-star review:

“Liars and Thieves” is a fantasy with Elves, Goblins, and Changelings living in an uneasy truce with crystals as their energy. The theme of greed and need felt current to me, and the world was brilliantly written in beautifully described images. My favorite character is Talin, who is a spy with a heart, and Alue is a close second as an Elf who has more sense of justice and temper than most. I enjoy the interactions between them in any form. Naj, the half-Elf and half-Goblin, approaches things more logically but is a solid leading character with a charming relationship with the Goblin he loves. I like what binds the three together. Then, there’s a lack of trust and blame between the three groups that felt very real to me as well as some misplaced loyalties. The unexplained disappearances and earthquakes threw in some chaos. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens. If you love fantasies, you will want to read this.

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Miracles & Ghosts Blog Tour Day Five #LaurenScott #newrelease #writingcommunity

Today I’m visiting Lauren Scott for Day Five of the Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour. I met Lauren through the poetry community. After reading one of her collections, I found we had the same love for nature, animals, and family. We both have a soft spot for the redwoods. She is supportive of other writers and enjoys reading print books.  If you haven’t read anything by her, which includes poetry and a children’s book— you are definitely missing out. Before you go to the post, check out one of my favorite books and its review.

My five-star review:

“Ever So Gently” is a beautiful collection of free verse and symbolic poetry. It is broken into three sections that cover nature, life’s moments, and some author insights. I love nature and I’m drawn to vivid images, but the emotions and insights explored in our shared experiences were equally intriguing. There was a peace within these pages that allowed me to drift off into a poetic slumber when I was done reading. Although I enjoyed the entire collection, here are a few lines that captured my heart. “Fresh raindrops/gently landed/on their wilted spirit/as I witnessed them lifting…”—Wilted Spirits, “You stowed dreams in the clouds,/imaginings rose higher than the heavens…”—First Breath, “Their presence graced my universe beautifully like an endless ceiling of bright blue sky. Then they were gone.”—Friendships Gone, and “Its glow will grow ever so gently/into a bright beacon of hope/rising with the golden sun/bringing clarity to our vision.”—Ever So Gently. A collection that I will be enjoying again and can highly recommend.

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#NewRelease “Whispers of a Southern Moon” by #PriscillaBettis #shortstories #poetry #faith #writingcommunity #mustread

I’m excited to have Priscilla Bettis here today to share her latest release, “Whispers of a Southern Moon.”

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An artistic, new collection of inspirational fiction and poetry by Priscilla Bettis.

Includes the award-winning story “Fix Your Face,” a “wonderful Southern Gothic piece akin to the work of Flannery O’Conner!”—Brooke Dreger, Editor, Solid Food Press

A simple man in rural Alabama risks his sanity to keep his sister alive. Lines of poetry celebrate the symphony of a Southern night. A sentient house deep in Virginia’s Great Dismal Swamp lures those it seeks to protect.

In Whispers of a Southern Moon, Priscilla Bettis intertwines short stories and poetry to create an inspirational collection of literary fiction and verse. Bettis explores questions about faith, love, and our perceptions of reality, and she does so with an elegant but fierce grip on the reader. This collection spans everything from Southern Gothic prose to Biblically inspired haiku. By the end of the collection, readers will be encouraged that even in the most twisted circumstances, God is present, and we are loved.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

My Review

“Whispers of a Southern Moon” is a beautiful faith-based collection of short stories and poetry. The stories take the reader on a journey where the message is that one is never alone, even in the darkest circumstances. It’s a well-balanced combination of entertainment and Christian reading. The poetry is lush and full of imagery and emotion connected to the stories. Many subjects are covered, like aging, inner beauty, addiction, relationships, reality, and Alzheimer’s, which offered a truth I could relate to. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but “Whispers of a Southern Moon” was a beautiful tale of an ex-dancer who never got over the loss of her family. The house felt like a character within the story. What made this more special was the author’s sharing of her personal journey of how she found and grew in her Christian faith. I can easily recommend this collection.

 

Author Bio

Priscilla Bettis is an avid reader and a joyful writer. Priscilla lives in small-town Texas with her two-legged and four-legged family members. She is a former secular horror author who now writes Christian short stories and poetry inspired by her awe of God and love for fellow human beings.

Find Priscilla on X (at PriscillaBettis) where she chats with others about life and writing.

Amazon Author Page

Twitter

 

Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour Day Four #JanSikes #writingcommunity #newrelease

Today is day four of the Miracles & Ghosts Past Blog Tour, and I’m visiting the very supportive Jan Sikes. I was first introduced to Jan right after I published my first book, and I found that she is one of the first to jump in to help.  The beautiful image she sent me of an angel and a bear is my screensaver, and a story is still to come from it. If you haven’t read her memoirs, short stories, or novels, you are missing out. Before you head over to the blog post, I’d like to share one of my favorites of Jan here.

by Jan Sikes 

My 5-star review:

Layken returns from fighting in World War ll and finds that his family’s farm is about to be foreclosed. After the bank turns down his loan extension request, Layken is presented with another option – to marry the unwanted and badly treated daughter of the bank man to get two years to catch up on the loan. At first, Layken refuses but then sees that he has no choice if he is to honor his parents and family that has lived on the land. A quick wedding leaves two strangers living together. This beautifully written story offers hope and second chances in grim situations. What shines through is the friendships that are developed and honored, especially between Sara Beth and Layken. I had a soft spot for Sara Beth’s bunny and the person who borrowed food from them. In the middle of selfishness, greed, and cruelty, we are reminded of the goodness in people too, including when neighbors show up to lend a helping hand. When things seem hopeless, there is always a small glimmer of light. The setting on the farm is lush. I could picture living there and smell that blackberry pie cooking. The story skillfully incorporated tarot card reading and music in a natural way that I love. I am eager to continue the story of the inhabitants of this small farm. I highly recommend this heartwarming story!

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