Tag Archives: Women’s Fiction

Guest Release–No More Secrets by Joanne Guidoccio

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Angelica Delfino takes a special interest in the lives of her three nieces, whom she affectionately calls the daughters of her heart. Sensing that each woman is harboring a troubling, possibly even toxic secret, Angelica decides to share her secrets—secrets she had planned to take to the grave. Spellbound, the nieces listen as Angelica travels back six decades to reveal an incredulous tale of forbidden love, tragic loss, and reinvention. It is the classic immigrant story upended: an Italian widow’s transformative journey amid the most unlikely of circumstances.

BUY LINKS

  Amazon (US) –  https://www.amazon.com/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX

Amazon (CA) – https://www.amazon.ca/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX

Amazon (UK) – https://www.amazon.co.uk/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX

Amazon (AU) – https://www.amazon.com.au/No-More-Secrets-Joanne-Guidoccio-ebook/dp/B08CVTYWWX/

EXCERPT

Peck. Peck. Peck. It was unnerving to watch Bellastrega attempting to type on a computer keyboard. But if Angelica were to make any comment, the younger woman would pause and smile her enigmatic smile. Or she might rise and make her way to the kitchen where she would brew one of her green teas. Nothing—at least nothing Angelica had observed in the past eight weeks—upset Bellastrega.

When the tall, striking blonde with the smallest of suitcases had knocked at her door, Angelica had known they would get along. And like everything else she had orchestrated in her life; Angelica had not been wrong. Within days of arriving, Bellastrega had reorganized the household, implemented a healthy eating regimen, and given the octogenarian peace of mind.

At last week’s checkup, the specialist oncologist had frowned as flickers of uncertainty appeared in eyes that rarely showed emotion. Taking off his glasses, he had fumbled for words. The rogue cells had not magically disappeared, but there was a reprieve of sorts. Or at least, that’s what Angelica had gathered from the inarticulate sentences and the incredulous look on his face.

Time, that was all Angelica needed. Time to tie up all the straggling bits that remained. But if Bellastrega didn’t finish typing the letter, the process could stall indefinitely.

“It’s done.” Bellastrega pressed print and watched as the two-page letter emerged.

Angelica breathed a sigh of relief as she rose and walked toward the desk. Two months ago, she could barely get out of bed and needed a cane or walker to move about. At first wary, Angelica had listened and followed Bellastrega’s advice. Espressos had given way to green teas, and the white devils—flour, sugar, and bread—had been replaced with whole grain alternatives. Affirmations and morning stretches had improved Angelica’s mood and strengthened her legs. On milder days, the two women took short walks around the neighborhood. Had Bellastrega arrived six months earlier, she could have reversed the diagnosis and given Angelica years—possibly even a decade—of extra life.

Angelica’s sisters resented the newcomer and refused to give credit where credit was due. Instead, they came up with an alternative truth: Angelica had hired a strega, a witch who would betray her employer, steal her valuables, and leave in the dead of night.

When Angelica tried to reassure them, they raised several questions. What normal person decides to move to Northern Ontario in January and show up on a stranger’s doorstep? Who was this woman? Did she have a husband or children? Who were her people?

Who were her people? Angelica tried not to laugh at this last question, one that Italians of her generation often asked when strangers appeared in their lives. It was as if an imaginary bubble existed around each family, and very few people were allowed to infiltrate it. But most of all, the whispers of strega annoyed Angelica. When she had shared this information with her companion, the younger woman laughed and admitted to possessing psychic powers.

Taken aback, Angelica struggled with this tantalizing morsel she would not dream of sharing with her sisters. In their minds, psychic would be translated into witch, and the suggestions that Angelica terminate Bellastrega’s employment would increase in number. Instead, Angelica decided to embrace the younger woman’s gifts. And so Bellastrega—beautiful witch—was born as Lynn Miller faded into obscurity.

A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Joanne Guidoccio writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational literature from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.

 

WEB CONTACTS

Website – https://joanneguidoccio.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/joanneguidoccio

Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7277706.Joanne_Guidoccio

Pinterest – https://www.pinterest.ca/jguidoccio/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/authorjoanneguidoccio

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanneguidoccio/

Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/Joanne-Guidoccio/e/B00FAWJGCG/

Be Mine Bookish Giveaway

Having a hard time choosing what to read in 2021? While there’re so many wonderful authors and books available, it’s imperative to have a dependable and responsible place that can help you choose what to read. It’s even better when you get a chance to win free books, audiobook codes, bookish prizes and gift cards! Every month, you can win free books and other prizes from multiple authors hosted by N. N. Light’s Book Heaven. Numerous authors are offering their books in this collaborative group entitled Literary Giveaway Portal. The best part is they’re all screened and approved by N. N. Light, a top reviewer.

Be Mine Bookish Giveaway: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db775096

Literary Giveaway Portal:  https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/literary-giveaway-portal

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My prize for the month is a copy of Cowboy Kisses, an anthology of 8 historical romances Print (US only) or ebook (International) containing my story titled When My Heart Knew.

Guest Release Promotion–Fill the Stadium by K.M. Daughters

Fill The Stadium

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Nikki Lambert’s husband purposely stalls his truck in the path of the midnight freight on the same day her eldest son, Jack, is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder.

Injured NFL quarterback, Ramsey Delaney, is benched from his starting position, leaving him ample time for more hands-on involvement in The Good Sports Club, a community center he established where Nikki’s sons, Jack and Rocky, are enrolled.

Jack’s deteriorating motor skills concern Ram’s employees who bar Jack from attending the club without Ram’s knowledge. Nikki wants nothing but normalcy for Jack, and she heatedly confronts Ram for depriving her son of a beloved activity. Ram immediately reinstates Jack, forging the fateful bond between Nikki and her boys’ number-one sports hero. Ram is instantly attracted to Nikki. He wants to win her heart more than he’s ever wanted to win a game. But after her husband’s terrible abandonment, will Nikki trust Ram’s motives and open her heart to love again?

Amazon buy link

EXCERPT

“It’s not funny Ram. How dare you hire people to tear up my house without my knowledge? What the hell were you thinking?”

Shrugging his shoulders he replied, “I don’t know. That I’m helping you?”

She dragged her fingers through her hair.

His stomach tightened. He yearned to thread his fingers through her silky hair, too. In the next second he questioned his motives once more, something he had done repeatedly since she had stormed his office the first time. Ram still remained satisfied that he wasn’t trying to buy or to manipulate her affections. Whether or not she’d ever see him the way that he saw her, Ram had to help Jack. The compulsion had become near obsession. He’d spend his last dime and would have fought anyone who had tried to stop him, including Nikki.

Nikki pinned him with a penetrating glare, tense and unsmiling.

“Say something,” he said.

“I can take care of my son.”

“I never said you couldn’t. No one could give Jack better care than you. I just want you to let me help you.”

She wagged her head, no. “It’s too much Ram. I can’t accept it.”

“I think it might be a little late to refuse.” He smiled but the dark stare she gave him had him back stepping, “Look,” he said, holding his palms up in supplication, “Let’s be honest. I have been paid an obscene amount of money to play football. More than I will ever need. I have the money to fix up your house for Jack, and you don’t have money to spare. It’s nothing. It’s what friends do for each other.”

“You’re out of your mind. It’s too much.” Her chest heaved. She sighed and he detected a slight softening in her eyes and a minuscule slackening of her shoulders.

Encouraged Ram paced a step closer. “What can I say? I’m just a dumb jock.”

WEB CONTACTS

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Guest Release–Circles of Fate by Pamela S. Thibodeaux

Circles of Fate

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Set at the tail end of the Vietnam War era, Circles of Fate takes the reader from Fort Benning, Georgia to Thibodaux, Louisiana. A romantic saga, this gripping novel covers nearly twenty years in the lives of Shaunna Chatman and Todd Jameson. Constantly thrown together and torn apart by fate, the two are repeatedly forced to choose between love and duty, right and wrong, standing on faith or succumbing to the world’s viewpoint on life, love, marriage and fidelity. With intriguing twists and turns, fate brings together a cast of characters whose lives will forever be entwined. Through it all is the hand of God as He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Purchase Links:

Kindle

Amazon Print

Create Space

Nook 

B&N Print

Smashwords

EXCERPT

“Todd…”

He sensed her intentions and silenced her declarations of love with a kiss. “Don’t,” he whispered and shook his head. His lips brushed hers in a tender caress with each back-and-forth movement of his head.

“I love you!” She choked out the words when he buried her face into his shoulder.

She’d said it, and Todd’s heart ached with bittersweet pain. Knowing the grief they would cause, he hadn’t wanted to hear those words. He held her and stroked her hair, but never returned the declaration with one of his own.

His orders were to report to Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington two days hence, and Todd did not want to encourage her with the fact that he loved her too—more than he’d ever thought possible. Chances were he might not see her again, at least for the next four years. Then there was the war… Knowing Shaunna, if he told her he loved her, she would spend the next four years waiting and even longer grieving if he went to war and didn‘t survive. She was too young for that.

So he didn’t tell her how he felt. He just held her. When her shoulders started to shake, he rocked her in his arms.

“Don’t cry. Oh, baby, you promised,” he groaned and fought back tears of his own.

“I’m sorry, but- but…I don’t want you to go!” she wailed. Shudders wracked her slender body.

“I have to go, sweetie…” He crushed her to him and buried his lips against her soft mouth to hush her ragged sobs.

Shaunna whimpered as he pulled her against him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her body against his. With supreme effort, Todd moved her out of his arms, careful to be gentle.

“Shaunna, we have to stop this,” he urged, his voice thick.

“Why?” He could tell she had no idea of the precariousness of the situation.

He stroked her hair off her face. “Because if we don’t…” His words lingered and he wondered if she understood what might happen between them. Not likely. He kissed her again, but kept a tight rein on his emotions. “Because it’s time for me to get you home.”

She shook her head. “Please, not yet.”

Todd took a full moment to consider what might transpire if he honored her request. “Yes, now.” He pulled her close for one more kiss.

“Will you write to me?” She pleaded, and choked back a sob.

“I’ll try,” he said with a shrug. He didn’t want to appear uncaring or callous. God only knew how much this situation tore at his heart. But he didn’t want to tie her down either.

His heart clenched like a tight fist when hurt clouded her eyes. “I don’t know what they have in store for me,” he explained.

She nodded and bit back another sob. “I’ll never forget you.”

He smiled and caressed her face. No doubt he’d never forget her either. But four years is a long time when you’re sixteen. “Maybe not, but you will get on with your life. Be happy, Shaun, and promise you’ll take care.”

With a soft sigh, she nodded and moved away so he could start the car.

Todd didn’t take his arm from around her when he drove her home, grateful for each moment he had her by his side. He walked with her to the door and pulled her into his arms. With one last tender touch, he kissed her then turned away. His heart broke into a million pieces at her soft cries, but he did not look back. Instead he utilized every ounce of strength he possessed and walked out of her life.

Pamela S Thibodeaux publicity photo

Award-winning author, Pamela S. Thibodeaux is the Co-Founder and a lifetime member of Bayou Writers Group in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Multi-published in romantic fiction as well as creative non-fiction, her writing has been tagged as, “Inspirational with an Edge!” ™ and reviewed as “steamier and grittier than the typical Christian novel without decreasing the message.”

 

Links:

Website address: http://www.pamelathibodeaux.com

Blog: http://pamswildroseblog.blogspot.com

Face Book: http://facebook.com/pamelasthibodeaux

Twitter: http://twitter.com/psthib @psthib

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/pamelasthibodea/

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1jUVcdU

Guest promotion–The Widow’s Gallery by Marilyn Baron

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part of the Lobster Cove series, published by The Wild Rose Press

Blurb:

Childless heiress Abigail Adams Longley and three other widows bond over a Renaissance masterpiece in Florence, Italy, and find love, friendship and joy in their joint venture to open an art gallery at the Longley mansion in Lobster Cove, Maine.

Since the death of her husband, Abigail has been lonely and drifting in a house that’s too big and a town that’s too small. When she literally runs into sexy widower and whale-watching excursion captain Tack Garrity on the dock, she’s entranced by his adorable five-year-old daughter. But will Tack, who has harbored a secret crush on Abigail for almost two decades, be able to capture her heart?

Excerpt:

Abigail Adams Longley looked aroundat the three women flanking her in Hall 10/14 of the Uffizi Gallery. They were all staring at The Birth of Venus like wide-eyed art students. Admittedly, the painting was as compelling as when the Medici family originally commissioned the tempera on canvas in the fifteenth century. But for Abigail, seeing the painting again wasn’t cathartic. It was beautiful, but that wasn’t the feeling she was going for. Peace. Why couldn’t she get some goddamned peace in this life?

 

Abigail glanced at the square-cut, four-carat diamond on her finger, gazed at the sparkle of the ring she hadn’t removed since the day Louis had proposed. And now, a whole year after his death, she still hadn’t taken it off. Conventional wisdom dictated that you weren’t supposed to make any major life decisions until a year after a spouse’s death. Well, it had been a year already, and she hadn’t wanted to make even one decision—major or minor—about where to live, where to go, or what to do. Whoever said money can’t buy happiness had devised another dead-on axiom. She had all the money in the world—in fact Louis had left her a big chunk of the globe. He’d left her set for life, monetarily. But she would have traded every cent for the chance to be with him again. Louis was gone, and the sooner she faced the fact that she was alone on this planet, the better off she’d be.

BUY LINKS

All Romance ebooks

Amazon ebook

Amazon print

The Wild Rose Press

Marilyn Baron

Marilyn Baron is a public relations consultant in Atlanta. She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and Georgia Romance Writers (GRW), recipient of the GRW 2009 Chapter Service Award and winner or finalist in writing awards in single title, suspense romance, novel with strong romantic elements and paranormal romance. To find out more about Marilyn’s books and stories, visit www.marilynbaron.com.

 Web contacts:

Twitter — https://twitter.com/MarilynBaron

Facebook— https://www.facebook.com/pages/Marilyn-Baron/28680771466674

Blog Link—Marilyn blogs with Savvy Authors on the 22nd of each month at http://savvyauthors.com/blog/

Website—http://www.marilynbaron.com/

Goodreads Author Page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4722647.Marilyn_Baron

Guest Debut Novel–Generational Curse

Today I’m highlighting indie author Tracy Reed and her debut novel, Generational Curse, that will be releasing soon.

Kyla-Cover-Slide-Image

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What happens when a celibate Christian Man befriends a woman involved with a married man? Will he run in the other direction or continue the relationship?  Or will he abandon his Christian beliefs for a taste of the forbidden?  Or will she learn being with a married man isn’t the fantasy life the generations of women in her family made it appear?

Sean Prescott and Kyla James are business associates playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse, hoping the other will give in.  But in this high stakes game is there really a winner or will both be losers.

EXCERPT [PART OF CHAPTER ONE]

Kyla promised herself she would never be like the other women in her family, dating a married man and settling for the pennies he doled out.

She’d always felt she was worth more. She met Eric at a fundraiser. He smiled, she smiled and after the cocktail hour, they found themselves seated next to each other. During dinner they talked and flirted and once the evening was over, he asked for her number. She declined and while getting ready for bed, she reached into her bag for her phone and noticed that she also had someone else’s phone.

She called the last number dialed and a vaguely familiar voice said, “I’ve been waiting for your call. So what time do you want to meet for breakfast so I can get my phone?”They both laughed.

They agreed to meet the following morning for breakfast. Two days later, they met again and included an extra slot for “therapy.”

Making love in the morning seemed so decadent. She didn’t think anything of it until she received her first black envelope a month later.

Eric said, “I’m tired of hotels. Rent a place and fix it up for us and keep whatever is left.”

“I’m not a hooker.”

“I didn’t mean any disrespect. I want to keep seeing you, but my neighbors are nosey.”

“Oh, you’re married.”

“No, I’m not. I just like my privacy. I like being with you, but—”

“I understand.”She dropped her head and quickly began getting dressed. “I don’t think this is—”

He noticed the change in her behavior and rushed to reassure her. “I don’t want you to think I’m ashamed of you, but I also don’t want you to think I’m monopolizing your time. You need your space and so do I. When we get together, it should be on neutral, comfortable ground and not some cold hotel room or a place filled with memories of past lovers.”

He wrapped his arms around her pulling her to him, gently stroking her hair, inhaling her neck and gently placing a kiss on her soft shoulder. She turned around trying to read the expression on his face. Looking into his eyes, she wondered how many more love nests he had scattered around the city. She pulled his face close to hers and covering his mouth with hers, kissed him passionately. She slipped her hands inside the front of his pants while sliding her tongue inside his mouth, exciting him to the point of arousal.

She pulled back and whispered, “Once more before we have to go?”

He couldn’t resist her. The soft seductive tone of her voice and the gentle touch of her hand, made him weak and willing to do anything she asked. Kyla knew if there were anyone else, they would have a hard time competing with her.

She got her education in how to manipulate a man by eavesdropping on her aunts’conversations. They were all experts when it came to being with and manipulating married men. She learned how to kiss from her high school boyfriend. And her college boyfriend, her biology professor, schooled her in anatomy and how to physically please a man.

Before getting involved with Eric, she had dated, but she only had two other semi serious relationships. Neither was fulfilling. The first was Thomas Smith. He was cute, but he lacked the drive to satisfy her physically. When they were together she found herself fantasizing about other men. Intellectually he was a genius, but no one really makes love to a person’s brain. It was the other part of his body that needed more educating and she knew she wasn’t a school teacher.

Then there was Alister Humphrey. The name alone intrigued her. She had never met a black man with such a stuffy name. In the beginning he seemed like the complete package. Model good looks, intelligence and his skills in bed were unbelievable. The first time they made love, the intensity of his being inside her brought tears to her eyes. Not because it was painful, but because she had never felt such pleasure. Alister knew exactly how to read her body. A skill that was the result of his blindness. What he lacked in vision, he more than compensated for in his other senses. But, he was a man and as they all do, he began making demands and that’s when she called it quits. Mind blowing sex aside, Kyla was gone.

Her aunts always said, “Don’t allow a man to make demands on you. You make the demands on him. Use what you have and any man can be controlled with the sway of your hips and the wink of your eye. And, showing a little cleavage wouldn’t hurt either.”

If she were going to marry, it would be to Eric. He was everything she wanted. Handsome, well educated, focused, rich and eager to please in and out of bed. But she also learned from her aunts, the wife always got the leftovers and Kyla didn’t like leftovers or sloppy seconds. When Eric suggested the apartment, at first she thought, he was ashamed of her. But Eric’s response to her kiss and touch convinced her, she was his priority.

She knew she was in charge. She eased her hand further down his pants pleading, “Baby, please make me sing again before sending me off to start the day.”

She kissed his neck before dropping the sheet that was caressing her body and walked into the bathroom. He stood still contemplating the repercussions of being late to the office, when he heard the shower running. He looked at his watch and texted his assistant he would be late. He put his phone on the desk, striped, walked into the steam filled bathroom and opened the shower door to a wet and soapy Kyla, smiling.

Tracy Reed

BIO

I’m a single Christian Woman who loves God, Fashion and Cute Guys. I live in California, but consider myself a partial New Yorker because of the two and half years I lived there. I own www.thepinkduchess.com, a lingerie site for curvy women. GENERATIONAL CURSE is my debut novel.

WEB CONTACTS

Website: www.readtracyreed.com

Blog: readtracyreed.blogspot.com

Facebook: facebook.com/readtracyreed

Tumblr: writertracy.tumblr.com

Pinterest: pinterest.com/readtracyreed

Twitter: twitter.com/readtracyreed