Thursday, April 3, 2025

Blog Tour: SHOOTING STARS ABOVE by Patricia Leavy

 

SHOOTING STARS ABOVE

Patricia Leavy

 

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GENRE
:  Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

For fans of Colleen Hoover comes an emotionally charged contemporary romance about a internationally best-selling novelist and a federal agent fighting to heal past wounds.

Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.

The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?

 

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Excerpt Three:

 

When the unmistakable opening piano notes of “All of Me” came on, Tess looked up at Jack. “It’s our song, baby.”

 

“That’s my cue,” he said to the group.

 

He led her onto the dance floor. She put one hand on his shoulder, and he slipped one around her waist to the small of her back. They started to sway, staring at each other as if they were the only people in the world. As the song progressed, she moved her hand down his arm to pull him closer, and he ran his fingers through her hair. They were pressed tightly together, in slow movement. Everyone at their table watched, smiles across their faces.

 

“Whoa,” Bobby mumbled.

 

“They are really in love. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Joe said.

 

Clay put his arm around Omar and said, “Look at them.”

 

“If I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I’d never believe it. My sweet Butterfly is truly happy.”

 

When the song was over, Jack whispered, “Let’s go to your place.”

 

At the end of the evening, they all bundled up and stumbled out of the bar.

 

A homeless man standing on the sidewalk asked, “Can you please spare anything?”

 

The group stood around awkwardly, but Tess walked right up to him. “Hi. I’m Tess, this is Jack, and these are our friends.”

 

Jack stepped directly behind Tess in a protective stance.

 

“What’s your name?” Tess gently asked the man.

 

“Henry,” he replied.

 

She smiled, pulled a twenty-dollar bill out of her pocket, and handed it to him. When he took the money, she held his hand. Surprised, he looked at her and said, “You’re very kind. Thank you.”

 

“Getting kind of cold out,” she remarked, still holding his hand.

 

“Sure is.”

 

She took off her cashmere scarf and held it out. “Here, please take this and try to stay warm.”

 

“Wow,” Joe muttered.

 

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Henry said.

 

“Please, I insist.”

 

“Thank you,” he said, taking the scarf. “Someone must have taught you to do unto others.”

 

“No, someone taught me there are no others. Good night, Henry.”

 

She turned to her friends, their mouths agape.

 

Henry looked at Jack, who hadn’t moved, and quietly asked, “Is she some kind of angel?”

 

“Yeah, something like that,” he muttered.

 

Tess walked over to Omar and hugged him. “Our usual breakfast on Thursday?”

 

“Yes, Butterfly.”

 

“Good night, guys,” she said to her friends.

 

They all said goodbye. Jack took Tess’s hand and walked her to his car. He opened her door and she got in. When he closed the door, he looked back at Henry, who was wrapping the scarf around his neck and smiling.

 

 

 

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 Topic: Please describe one of your favorite scenes in this book and why it's your favorite.

I absolutely adore all the scenes between Tess and Jack. Their love is so deep and affectionate, I feel wrapped in a hug by them. But I don’t want to give anything away about the plot and many scenes with Tess and Jack contain spoilers, so I’ll tell you a little about another favorite. Tess and Jack have a closeknit group of friends—chosen family—and I love scenes between them all. They’re the kind of fun and supportive people we all should have in our lives. These scenes often take place at Shelby’s Bar, their Friday night hangout spot. In my favorite one, Omar, Tess’s sarcastic and all-around fabulous bestie tells a hilarious story about Tess and a famous rock star. I love that scene for two reasons. It makes me laugh out loud. It also shows the beautiful bonds of friendship between Tess and Omar and between the entire friendship group. It was great fun to write.




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than fifty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than one hundred book honors. Recently, her novel The Location Shoot was featured in Ms. Career Girl's “10 Perfect Books to Get Your Fall Reading List Started” and She Reads in “Novels to Read if You Love Classic Movies” and was the 2024 Best Book Awards First Place Winner in Women’s Fiction. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine and serves on the board of the London Arts-Based Research Centre. In addition to writing, she enjoys movies, art, reading, and travel.

 

Website: https://patricialeavy.com/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shooting-Stars-Above-Celestial-Romances-ebook/dp/B0CYJ76ZXK/ref=sr_1_1

 

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Patricia Leavy will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Blog Tour: LINES WE SHOULDN'T CROSS by Harper Reynolds


Sometimes the road to a fresh start has a few detours



Lines We Shouldn’t Cross

The Innocence Series Book 1

by Harper Reynolds

Genre: Contemporary Romance 



When they first meet, sparks fly…but not the romantic kind…

Ella Westhoff is a marketing genius. But romance? Not her strong suit. So, while she’s prepared to return to her small hometown and help her grandmother successfully reopen her B&B, she will not fall for the grumpy landscaper on the job—the one who so thoroughly annoyed her at first sight. That was the plan, anyway…

Cooper Daniels isn’t cut out for love, either. His bitter divorce certainly taught him that. One-night stands are all he’s willing to commit to these days. Which means that even though he enjoys bantering with the brilliant Ella, he knows he can’t be the kind of guy she deserves. No matter how much she makes him wish he could be…

Somewhere between fresh starts and past hurts, business and pleasure, Ella and Cooper might be able to claim a happily ever after. But only if they’re willing to cross some lines along the way…

Lines We Shouldn’t Cross, book 1 in the Innocence series, is a sweet and spicy, emotional contemporary romance. Download today and get ready to fall for Ella and Cooper.

 

**Releases March 20th!! Get it for On Sale for a limited time!**

Amazon * Apple * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads





I write the kind of romance novels that blend sweet and spicy into something deliciously real - stories that'll warm your heart one minute and make you reach for a fan the next. My characters are flawed souls who stumble their way to love with enough emotional baggage to fill a cargo plane, but they're worth every messy moment.

Life handed me my own romance novel when I fell for an American military man while living in Germany. Now I'm living my happily-ever-after in a cozy Kentucky town, where my European roots tangle perfectly with Southern charm. You'll find me powered by excessive amounts of coffee, testing ice cream flavors (strictly for research purposes), and soaking up cuddles from my golden retrievers, Dakota and Tucker.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * TikTok * Amazon



Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon




Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Blog Tour: THEIR MENDED HEARTS by Angie Cole

 


A second chance at love… if they’re brave enough to take it.


Their Mended Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 2

by Angie Cole

Genre: Sweet Small-Town Contemporary Second-Chance Romance



He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.

Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.

Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.

As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.

Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?

 

**Get it FREE March 28th – 30th!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Their Shattered Hearts

Cardinal Creek Book 1



He’s a firefighter with a broken heart. She is a nurse with a hidden secret and a heart that has been broken. Can love give them the strength to heal?

Will Deluca, a firefighter and ranch owner, hides his pain behind a rugged exterior. After the tragic loss of his wife, his days on the Rockin' D Ranch are filled with hard work, caring for his two children, and carrying the heavy burden of unfulfilled promises. In the quiet hills of Texas, his world feels as empty as the vast plains.

When Anna Samuels, a compassionate nurse with a heart for healing, arrives in Cardinal Creek, she’s seeking a fresh start. Leaving behind heartbreak, Anna’s journey brings her to the ranch, where Will’s piercing blue eyes and quiet strength draw her in. Together, they find a spark of hope—something neither thought they’d feel again.

As their connection deepens, Will dreams of honoring his late wife’s wish to create a sanctuary for children with autism, blending his cowboy roots with a mission of healing. But his lingering guilt threatens to pull him back into darkness, jeopardizing their fragile bond.

Anna sees Will’s strength and kindness, but her secret—casts doubt over their growing love. Will her secret be the ultimate test of their love?

Set in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Their Shattered Hearts is a heartfelt story of second chances, featuring relatable characters, small-town charm, and the unyielding spirit of love. This western ranch romance will captivate readers who adore cowboy romance books with emotional depth and a loving MMC.

Will they find the courage to confront their demons and embrace the love they both deserve or will the ghosts of their pasts keep their hearts shattered forever?

 

**Get it for Only .99cents March 28th – 30th!**

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My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.

My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.

As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it's a very personal experience and isn't the same for every person.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 Amazon giveaway!



Monday, March 31, 2025

Blog Tour: THE MATRIARCH MESSIAH by Maxime Trencavel

 

THE MATRIARCH MESSIAH

Maxime Trencavel

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GENRE
:  SciFi

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BLURB:

 

Zara Khatum, a woman haunted by ancient visions, finds herself drawn deeper into the heart of a perilous quest. Guided by a mysterious voice, she seeks to fulfill an ancient prophecy and find the cavern of blue light - a sanctuary rumored to hold the key to saving humanity. But the path to salvation is fraught with danger, and Zara is torn between her destiny and her heart.

 

A shadowy organization, known as NiQihs, seeks to exploit the power of the legendary black object, the source of Zara's visions, for their own sinister ends. They are not alone. The world's superpowers, driven by greed and ambition, race to control the artifact, threatening to unleash unimaginable devastation.

 

Joining Zara in this dangerous pursuit is Rachel Capsali, a brilliant Israeli archaeologist driven by a personal quest to uncover evidence of Asherah, a forgotten goddess who held a pivotal place in ancient Israelite faith. Unbeknownst to them, both women are bound by a shared destiny - a prophecy foretelling the cavern of blue light and a final, heartbreaking truth: two women will fight to the death, and only one will save us all.

 

Adding to the complexity, a passionate triangle forms as Rachel vies for Peter Gollinger's affection, a man deeply entangled in the ancient mystery. Zara, torn between fulfilling her destiny and her own feelings for Peter, finds herself caught in a web of conflicting desires.

 

As Zara and Rachel navigate a treacherous landscape of hidden agendas, betrayal, and relentless pursuit, their rivalry for Peter's affections intensifies. Can love survive the forces that threaten to tear them apart? Will the quest for salvation lead to a heart-wrenching sacrifice?

 

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Excerpt Two:

 

"So, what's so special about some random legend?" says Rachel. "My safta raba Ariella said, 'She said one day Nearat and her daughter will return. Humanity will wane and wobble. And the woman who will save humanity will bring peace from the blue light. But to return, one must overcome one's fear of death. Two women will fight so that one will die. For only in the death of life as one knows it can she be in the light. Until then, Inanna awaits.'""

 

With a light chuckle, Mei combs through ground-penetrating radiation scans as she says, "Be thankful you only had to memorize seven sentences. That guy from California with the Kurdish woman had to memorize four times that much. His grandfather made him say it backwards, even. As random as your safta raba's saying may seem, it isn't to Murometz, and even Jean-Paul, who's aggregating oral traditions like yours with thousands of others he's collected, including those from the Vatican archives. They are far from random now."

 

Slowly walking in concentric circles from the black box MoxWorld loaned her, Rachel views the real-time scan images as she says, "I wish I could have met Mr. Murometz when you and Jean-Paul screened me. Not that I didn't relish our time together."

 

"Come on, Rach. You wouldn't wear that dress I made for you, much less the vamp shoes and makeup we designed," says Mei.

 

"I didn't mean to meet him in 'that' way," says Rachel as she runs her hand along her braids. "If I'm not worthy enough minus my lady bits, then he isn't worthy enough for my time, I say."

 

"I never said you had to wear those simply ravishing clothes for him," says Mei.

 

"Well, certainly it wasn't for Father Sobiros, I assumed. And you said Murometz was fascinated that my safta raba's words included a reference to a Sumerian goddess whose priestesses were known for prostitution. I only assumed he was hinting he wanted the same out of me, as all the rumors would suggest," jests Rachel. "Wait. Do you see what I see?"

 

"Hold on, Rach. I have an incoming call from the president of China."

 

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Topic: What do you like best and what do you like least about being a writer?

   

Back in the day when Romance Writers of America regional multiday in-person meetings were abundant and prolific, inevitably a keynote speaker, with multiple NY Times and USA Today bestselling novels, would take the banquet podium. After singing praises for the audience's appreciation, these best-selling authors would all drop into tears describing the depth of despair, of loneliness, of bad review fear in their writing process. Will everyone hate what I am writing? The entire room would fill up with tears, with no life rafts or preservers to be seen.

 

I suppose the moral of these confessions, aside from emotional bonding with the audience expanding their support groups, is the enormity of the inner barriers a writer faces. More reasons not to write can overcome the will power to continue writing. But only when one perseveres can one achieve positive outcomes.

 

Like least about being a writer: Fear of trauma, of drama.

 

In my rst book, I received positive feedback from my alpha readers which encouraged me to keep writing. But after the candid, no punches pulled beta reader feedback, I slumped in my chair taking a week off to process the implications. After many rounds of editing, editor influenced revisions, more rounds of beta readers, The Matriarch Matrix finally launched. Then came the reviews.

 

Reader reviews are the lifeblood for a novel's success or ignominy. Reading them is like receiving 360-review feedback that some companies perform on their management team. Truth hurts. But if taken constructively can help make you better. (Note, the book averages four stars on Amazon)

 

Like most about being a writer: The opportunity to grow and learn to inspire.

 

Reviews can be inspirational as well. One reviewer had been an anonymous beta reader and commented how authors normally ignore their advice and publish without regard. This beta reader gave praises for the changes made based on her comments. Some reviewers found the book inspiring, appreciating how much dierent from most commercial literature both the writing style and thought-provoking content.

 

Thus, in the sequel's creation, The Matriarch Messiah, I ventured through these same journeys again. Dread of what reviewers would say. Finding inspiration from positive comments by alpha readers and editors. And so far, the first three reader reviews and one editorial review have been positive reflecting the ways in this second book has been both entertaining and inspirational.



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Maxime has been scribbling stories since grade school, from adventure epics to morality plays. Blessed with living in multicultural pluralistic settings and having earned degrees in science and marketing, Maxime has worked in business and sports, traveling to countries across five continents and learning about cultures, traditions, and the importance of tolerance and understanding. Maxime's second novel, The Matriarch Messiah, was conceived, outlined, written, and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in various islands of the Caribbean, in Colombia, in Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Spain, London, UK, and on the two coasts of the United States.

 

Book and author website: https://tailofthebird.com/

Author Blog: https://tailofthebird.com/blog

https://www.facebook.com/MaximeTrencavel/

https://www.instagram.com/maximetrencavel/

 

 

Links to The Matriarch Messiah pre-sale at $0.99 intro pricing (release date March 17, 2025):

https://amzn.to/4bubPb8

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/series/mystery-of-the-matriarchs

https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-matriarch-messiah/id6742783963

https://books.google.com/books/about/The_Matriarch_Messiah.html?id=I_9LEQAAQBAJ

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY 

The author will be awarding $20 Amazon/BN gift cards to two randomly drawn winners.