Friday, March 15, 2024

Picasso's Lovers by Jean Mackin

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.






You know Pablo Picasso. Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso's life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame - until, in the 1950's, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrique.




Read an Excerpt

Gazes from Pablo Picasso are like brushstrokes. Some are long, lingering, full of texture and pigment. Some are short, shallow, even accidental. His gaze on me now falls somewhere between the two.

Once, his gaze would have found enough for an entire painting. He would have seen flesh, and the bone and muscle under the flesh, the question or certainty of the eyes. He would have seen past, present, and future and painted them in a way that made time irrelevant.

Yes, that was how he pained me. Everything and at once, all the angles and geometry of the body, and he made of me something eternal and always beautiful. That is what an artists can do for a woman. When most men looked at me, all I saw in their faces was desire, the urge to possess. When Pablo looked at me, his face filled with wonder waiting to be translated to lines and brushstrokes.

Spring. The second year of the Great War. I wasn’t twenty yet, and had returned from cold, starving Moscow, where a loaf of bread coast as much as a silk dress…Back to Paris for me!

When Pablo first saw me, I was sitting on the rim of the Wallace Fountain in Place Emile, face turned up to the sun like a basking cat, enjoying the fine day and wondering what adventure I might find…It was early summer. I had stolen a bunch of cherries at Les Halles and a roll, but my stomach rattled.

About the Author:
Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

Website: http://www.jeannemackin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneMackinAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeanneMackin1
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Picassos-Lovers-Jeanne-Mackin-ebook/dp/B0C3C2J4FH/ref=sr_1_1

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Toothbrush Animal Hunt by Carleen Dehaney

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Carleen Dehaney will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Embark on a delightful adventure with Toothbrush Animal Hunt, the perfect children's book to encourage daily toothbrushing habits in a playful and enjoyable way.

From a clapping sea lion at the beach to a cheeky squirrel in the forest, children will be fascinated as they learn about toothbrushing through the actions and antics of these charming creatures. And don't forget to spot the toothbrushes hidden throughout the pages, making this hunt, a delightful game of discovery.

Say goodbye to toothbrushing struggles and let the adventure begin!

Enjoy an Excerpt



About the Author: Meet the author, Carleen Dehaney! Carleen is a mother and wife. She hails from the UK but now calls Canada home. This enchanting book draws inspiration from a tenacious 2-year-old in need of some toothbrushing magic. Carleen embarked on a whimsical journey, incorporating playful animal sounds into her daughter's brushing routine, and thus, the idea for this captivating book was conceived. Today, her little one, who has since outgrown her toddler years, recites this tale back to Carleen, forging cherished moments between them.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Toothbrush-Animal-Hunt-Carleen-Dehaney/dp/0228877024/ref=sr_1_1

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Friday, February 2, 2024

I SURVIVED by Celisha J

 I SURVIVED

by Celisha J

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Memoir


~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

In “I Survived” the author’s journey through a life marked by hardship, pain and resilience. From

the devastating loss of a mother at a young age to abusive relationships and a harrowing

escape, this gripping memoir unveils the story of survival, redemption, and the enduring

strength of the human spirit. With unwavering determination, the author overcomes the shadows

of her past to forge a path toward self-discovery, healing, and hope.

I Survived is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering belief that no

matter the obstacles, one can triumph over adversity and ultimately thrive.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:

Introduction


My name is Celisha J. I have been through a lot, learned, and am better because of it. I am a

firm believer that every lesson is a blessing. God has saved me so many times. I know he did

this because he has something bigger planned for me.

My prayer for this book is that it helps women and children who have gone through the same or

similar situations to know that they don’t have to allow the traumas of their past to keep them

from being successful. I believe that God has a plan for our life, but we did something to alter

that plan along the way. He did not intend for us to struggle or have a hard life. He allows us to

choose the path we want to go on. The good thing is he is that he is Always there to pick us up

when we fall. We were born for greatness.


Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and forgive yourself and those who hurt you.

Forgiveness is for you. I want people to know you can be the best you that you allow. No one

says it will be easy, but the main thing to remember is that you are responsible for you. I believe

that the only person you can truly believe in life, who won’t let you down, is God and yourself. In

order for you to crawl out of the slump of being abused, hurt, let down, controlled, and battered

is, your faith in God and the belief that he has better for you. He does not want us to live in our

past. He intended for us to learn from it and allow our past to help other people gain strength,

but if we tell our stories and we have not grown from what happened to us, then who can we

really help?

I have done some things in my past that I am not proud of, and this book tells you my story and

how I remember it. No, it is not everything, but the book will tell you the things that stood out the

most to me. I have learned a lot and grown from my mistakes, and I have decided not to allow

the embarrassment, pain, and struggles from my past to hold me back, so I am releasing it in

this book.

This is my Ugly Truth!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Born in Michigan now living in Atlanta, Celisha J. is an Actress and Author all in one, landing a

role in a movie and a lead role on a TV Series.

She currently has a book entitled “I Survived”. It is a chilling story about her life from losing her

mom at an early age and all the things that she has endured in her life, that should have broken

her but she uses her pain as motivation to continue on her journey to following her dreams of

being an actress, author and motivational speaker. She is currently pursuing more roles in

acting.

Website: http://www.Celishaj.com

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Celishaj_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Celishajtheactress

Amazon Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/celishaj

Available on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/I-SURVIVED-Celisha-J-

ebook/dp/B0CL9K719D

YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/Qzi7NXoPXbs?si=SIVr-OVo5Nv01dro

Embed code: <iframe width="560" height="315"

src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qzi7NXoPXbs?si=CkY2RcoNW7I63sRZ" title="YouTube

video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-

media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER 

One randomly drawn winner will win a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.  

Author Interview: 

Hello Celisha, and welcome to my blog !  I have some questions for you to help readers get to know you better. 

What is something you’ve lied about?

I may have lied about something when I was a younger only to get out of trouble. Currently, I

fear God too much to lie.

Who is the last person you hugged?

My near and dear ones – my children, my co-workers, people who I care for and who care for

me in return.

What are you reading now?

I am currently reading the stories and scripts of the television shows in which I play a part as

an actor.

How do you come up with the titles to your books?

I think about what I want to convey in my book, I ask my friends and family, at times, I seek

professional advice from some trustworthy people that I know.

Share your dream cast for your book.

My dream cast for my book would be me as the lead actor, supported by my colleagues and

family members playing crucial roles.

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Rocketship Ride by Franco D'Auria

 


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


 

Come for a journey through the minds of two loving brothers as they explore the world around them using their imagination!

Join them in their rocketship as they barrel through space, meet with remarkable aliens, get in and out of extraordinary situations, and find the time to enjoy the company of amazing friends and family.

Let them take you on this incredible journey, and hopefully they inspire you to have your fantastic adventures too!




About the Author: Franco D'Auria discovered a passion for writing and world-building through his long career as a game designer for HitGrab Labs. Lending his voice to the game MouseHunt and its whimsical fantasy world of Gnawnia, his imagination was bursting for new creative outlets.

What started as an innocent request from his children to sing a bedtime song about rocketships gradually evolved into this book. It celebrates the boys' love of books, their special relationship as brothers, their adventures with family, and the spark of imagination that they share.

Buy Link: https://amazon.com/dp/1779412479

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Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Poetry from My Heart by Paul Guerin




This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Paul Guerin will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

"Poetry: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm."

"Poetry: a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm."

Poetry means different things to different people. For me, it is all about feelings. If it captures the emotions of the reader, a poem will resonate and fill the soul. It can mean everything to one person and not much at all to another. The mood of the reader, and no one else, determines the outcome.

For example, love poems are wonderful when you are in love, and their passion is amazing. If you are facing adversity, however, love poems likely will just annoy you.

In this second book, Poetry from my Heart: The Journey Continues, I have again divided the poems into categories which will fit your mood no matter what you are experiencing at the time you choose to explore them. There should be something for everyone, whether you are in love, out of love, hurt, lonely, angry, abandoned, or facing other challenges in your life.

Poetry has a healing power that nurtures the soul and quietens the mind and so I hope that whatever your situation is in life, you have found something here that helped you safely on your own journey.


Read an Excerpt



The green hills of Ireland

The green hills of Ireland are calling to me
I hear their soft whisper wherever I roam
No matter whether on land or on sea
The green hills of Ireland keep calling me home

I lived in old Ireland as a young lad you see
And I left my heart there on some mossy hillside
Now I yearn to go back to set my heart free
And awaken a dream I can no longer hide

For I love your high mountains and windy seashore
Your hills and your streams rolling down to the sea
And I long to go home to my lost land of yore
And return to the Irish that’s deep within me

Now sheep in the pastures are calling to me
From the craggy rock walls that keep them inside
While the streams that run down from the mountains so free
Speak sparkling with hope and a joy they can’t hide

I long for the ocean on the Wild Atlantic Way
And the crazy coast road that winds in and out
And the sea breeze that whispers I hope you will stay
And the people all happily wandering about

I remember the old priory standing in ruins
Near Castletownroche with its bridge and its mill
I recall all the pubs with their loud Irish tunes
And my mind wanders back where my soul lingers still

I miss all the people so friendly and kind
With their musical language and soft Irish smiles
How they welcomed me home with a grace so refined
That I felt their great love from thousands of miles

The green hills of Ireland keep calling to me
Come home now we’re waiting to see you once more
For you know in your heart it’s the place you must be
So return again Irish to your green land of yore

About the Author:
Paul Guerin is an Irishman. He was born in September 1946 in Castletownroche, a small townland village in County Cork, Eire.

It was there in Castletownroche that his romantic imagination was sparked as he came to love and appreciate the magic of his surroundings. Those early experiences were the genesis of his poetry that emerged in later life.

As a young adult, Paul lived in London, England, where he became a chartered accountant.

At age 25, restless for adventure, Paul moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he still resides today.

Paul is happily married and is a proud father and grandfather.

Paul writes poetry as the inspiration comes to him. As long as his mind, body and soul are willing companions and his spark of inspiration remains alive, he will continue to write.

This book is Paul's second publication in his Willing Heart series. His first book was published in the Spring of 2022 and is called Poetry from My Heart: A Journey through Feelings. The book reached #1 on Amazon’s Kindle chart in British Poetry and #2 in Poetry Anthologies November 2023.

For more information visit http://www.paulguerinpoems.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60876796-poetry-from-my-heart
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paulguerinpoems

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Poetry-My-Heart-Journey-Feelings-ebook/dp/B09XFFQ5GW/ref=sr_1_4

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Monday, December 11, 2023

 

The Joy of Spirit: Spiritual Living to Discover Wonderful You

by Tania Kiaizadeh

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GENRE: BODY, MIND & SPIRIT / Inspiration & Personal Growth

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BLURB:

Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul."
Walt Whitman

Care to reclaim your authentic, pure self?
This book will show you how to find your inner balance in life, by connecting to mindful moments to reclaim your true nature.

This book:
- is transformative in nature,
-will teach you to depend on yourself, as you hold a wealth of magic,
-will teach you how to shift perspective,
-is riddled with warm anecdotes to inspire you,
-will teach you how to live mindfully outside of yoga and meditation,
-will remind you that intention setting is key,
-will help you connect to your own spirit guides and the Angelic realm regardless of religious beliefs,
-will show you how to connect to your multidimensional self,
-will remind you that belief is at the core of spiritual realm,
-will have you connect to the frequency of love where actual magic begins.

In essence, shift your perspective to tap into this spiritual realm while on earth.


Quotes

Becoming your own number one choice in life is walking the spiritual path successfully.

It is time to trim your existence from all the self-imposed drama. Your perception plays an important role in releasing yourself from all this commotion.

You are divinity in motion.

Walking this earth with a curious mind, willing to learn, to be challenged and to grow is the purpose of every soul...


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Excerpt :



The higher self, some believe it sits a few inches above your mind, while others, refer to it as the third eye. It has been my experience that it does not sit in one place but hovers around you. Your higher self is your all-knowing self. It holds the secrets of your existence in this life and the many lives before you and the many after you. Your higher self is the one constant that wraps around you. There is a reason we are being invited to meditate. With mental illness on the rise, meditation anchors one down. Mindful practices connect you with your heart’s centre, the magical gateway to your consciousness. Meditate, sit in silence, to connect to this wonder, this brilliance that has all the answers we seek, sitting quietly within. Start consulting with yourself. Start connecting with your inner wisdom. Quiet your mind long enough to hear this voice, this intelligent exchange, this insightful chat that will finally awaken the truth you seek.


While I continued using my journal to further discover this new endeavour, a few days later, I discovered my boardroom of helpers, who follow me around throughout this lifetime and assist when necessary. Imagine a boardroom of consultants looking after you, working 24/7 throughout each entire life. That is their assignment, to follow you as you navigate life’s trials and tribulations. My boardroom of helpers or councillors consisted of four. This varies for some. I continue to visualize them sitting around this oval table and looking at me, face to face. Their eyes are on me, as are the eyes of your very personal team of guides. Yes, they see you naked too, and everything in between! It took me a while to get over this one.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Tania Kiaizadeh (Kia) was born in Teheran, Iran but in 1977, at the age of nine, she moved to Montreal with her family in order to avoid the political rumblings which gave way to the Iranian Coup d’état. With new beginnings in Montreal, adaptations to be made, she carved a life in North America. She received her Bachelor and Master of Education in Educational and Counselling Psychology, at McGill University. Since 1991, she has been working with her students in classrooms and in private practice, teaching them French as a second language, literature, history, as well executive functioning skills, while reminding them that they are limitless beings with gifts and capabilities that extend far beyond their imagination. It all starts with setting an intention and implicitly believing in yourself. Education, knowledge, self-improvement and self-empowerment paired with curiosity and her favourite aphorism, “leave no stone unturned,” define the fabric of her life. With Spirit nestled in stereo, she now has access to a crisp means of learning, which involves a great deal of hands-on, experiential learning.

She began writing her debut, prescriptive non-fiction, a spiritual self-help, after delving into the study of transformation, spirituality, intuition and manifestation. When she is not busy editing her second novel, a narrative memoir, she can be found walking in nature, connecting to her students, embracing her limitations in yoga, deeply breathing, having insightful exchanges with her family and friends, and just being. Since the summer of 2021, she has been sending free, monthly, distant energy healing to those in need, especially during this worldwide pandemic, where people are suffering in many different ways. Even with energy medicine, she proves to be most effective helping children. She continues to live in Montreal, Canada, and she can be found sharing her insight on Instagram @tania.kiaizadeh.


Website: https://taniakiaizadeh.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tania.kiaizadeh/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090621264804

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniakia/



Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Spirit-Spiritual-Discover-Wonderful-ebook/dp/B0C15XJLCC/

This book will be on sale for only $0.99.

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE:


Tania Kiaizadeh will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wednesday, November 29, 2023

The Legacy of Evil by James Peyton

 



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A banished detective. A body drained of blood. Mexico’s vampires are all too human.

After graduating from Harvard, Artemas Salcido is determined to transform Mexico’s justice system and joins the federal police. He begins solving crimes committed by the rich and powerful and is banished to the village of Bustamante.

On a college field trip to Bustamante’s nearby caverns, the daughter of a US senator is brutally murdered. The FBI, the international media, and a Mexican hit squad tasked with making the problem go away descend on the village. When Mexico’s attorney general tells Artemas his career depends on his cooperation, Artemas realizes his life is at stake.

As other grisly murders occur, Artemas’s investigation uncovers an ancient blood cult connected to a powerful financial cabal that stretches from mediaeval Europe to Mexico's most influential politicians and businessmen. When he disputes his violent colleagues’ bogus solution to the crime, Artemas is marked for death.

Can Artemas’s determination to bring fairness to Mexico’s justice system prevail against the overwhelming power of his government—or will it prove fatal …?


Read an Excerpt

The National Security Council meeting was breaking up when a White House aide approached the president and handed him a note. He scanned it, read it again, and his jaw muscles began to clench and twitch.

Those remaining in the room noticed the telltale signs of fury and quit their banter and paper shuffling. The president's eyes left the slip of paper and focused on Jonathan Sharp, Director of the FBI. "I'm glad you're still here Jonathan. I just learned that Senator Conners’ daughter has been murdered in Mexico—someplace called Bustamante—and quite gruesomely. It seems all the blood was drained from her body." He handed over the note.

"See what you can find out, then get some agents down there. Ask the attorney general to coordinate with the Mexicans. Tell him I said not to take ‘No’ for an answer.” He focused his gaze on the Secretary of State who instantly decided this was neither the time nor the place to voice his objections.

About the Author:
Award-winning author James Peyton’s intriguing settings and memorable characters in his thrillers come from his years of international work and travel. The first two editions of his four-part thriller Artemas Salcido series are now available on Amazon; Legacy of Evil and Terror Crossing, to be followed by La Buchona and Not For Sale. Peyton’s stand-alone adventure thriller, The Royal Fifth, was released in 2022. James has had five acclaimed books published on Mexican cooking, history, and culture. Peyton's writing reflects a depth of understanding and a unique perspective that sets his work apart.

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/216986.James_W_Peyton
http://www.jameswpeyton.com/

Buy the book for only $0.99.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Evil-James-Peyton-ebook/dp/B0CMK71YNM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Picasso's Lovers by Jean Mackin

  This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions . Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Am...