Virtual Book Tour: The Lady and her Champion by Sara R. Turnquist

 Good morning everyone! Please welcome author Sara R. Turnquist to Full Moon Dreaming! She is here to tell us about her new release, The Lady and her Champion. Sara will be awarding a $40 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

The Lady and Her Champion

by Sara R. Turnquist

 

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GENRE: Clean Historical Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

She needs someone to fight for her. He needs to be rescued.

 

Karin and Pavel have become separated by war and the destruction of his family's home. When Pavel hears of Karin's predicament, he rushes to his beloved. But what will he find? Will the pull to remain by her side be stronger than the tug to return to the front lines?

 

Zdenek and Eva are blissfully happy after finding one another. Then his father summons him home. It is a reunion Zdenek dreads. How will his father react to Zdenek's involvement with a merchant's daughter? More...what will Zdenek do if the man does not accept her?

 

Radek, who has recently defected, finds himself caught between two worlds. He stumbles upon a Hussite captive in the Royalist camp in dire need of a champion. Can he defy yet another army? Ostracize himself and limp back to the Hussites for the sake of a woman he owes nothing to?

 

While the Hussites maintain a tenuous hold on their lands, will internal conflict prove their undoing?

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

Scooting closer to him, Karin placed her hands on his shoulders and leaned against his back. “What troubles you?”

 

He turned, his features in profile betraying his turmoil.

 

“Pavel?” What could it be? Was he so disturbed?

 

“It is nothing to concern yourself with, my love.” He raised an arm to press her head to his shoulder. “I did not wish to waken you.”

 

“Nor do I wish that you lose sleep.” She pushed against his hand, turning so she sat beside him. “Tell me. What keeps you from your rest?”

 

He dropped his head.

 

What could be so terrible that he did not wish to share it with her? Her heart beat faster. Was something amiss between them? Was he hiding something?

 

“Pavel, please…” She drew her hands to herself, clasping the front of her chemise. “I must know.”

 

He shifted to face her and placed hands over hers. “It’s nothing that should cause you fear.”

 

Her breathing calmed. “Then what?”

 

His eyes glistened in the flickering flame. They were serious. She could no longer see any hint of laughter.

 

It drew her back to that first meeting. When his eyes so captivated her. And the way his smile lit the intense blue such that she lost herself in his gaze. Now those orbs were darkened. Like the sky when a storm was coming…muted, near gray. One more thing that had been lost to this war?

 

 

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

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Sara is a coffee lovin', word slinging, clean Historical Romance author whose super power is converting caffeine into novels. She loves those odd little tidbits of history that are stranger than fiction. That's what inspires her. Well, that and a good love story.

 

But of all the love stories she knows, hers is her favorite. She lives happily with her own Prince Charming and their gaggle of minions. Three to be exact. They sure know how to distract a writer! But, alas, the stories must be written, even if it must happen in the wee hours of the morning.

 

Sara is an avid reader and also enjoys reading clean Historical Romance when she’s not traveling. Her books range from the Czech lands to the American Wild West and from ancient Egypt to the early 1900s. Some of her titles include The Lady Bornekova, Hope in Cripple Creek, The General’s Wife, Trail of Fears, and the Convenient Risk Series.

 

Happy Reading!

 

Links:

 

Website: http://saraturnquist.com/

Twitter: @sarat1701    https://twitter.com/sarat1701

Facebook Author Page: @authorsararturnquist  https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/

 

Instagram:  @sarat0103   https://www.instagram.com/sarat0103/

Pinterest:   @saravturnquist  

https://www.pinterest.com/saravturnquist/

YouTube:  Sara Turnquist     https://bit.ly/sara-youtube

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #55 (13.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts. 

Chan is worried that things are strained between him and Evan, but he isn't sure what he can do to change that. He feels torn between wanting to be there for his lover and also for his siblings. It's tearing him apart. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Super Trooper #55 (13.1)

Chan had meant to carry the children to their own beds, once they fell asleep. He didn’t think there’d be any harm in their sleeping with him until then. It had all started when he heard Madhu crying. He was just about to go to bed when he heard the whimpers coming from the room she shared with Laksha. Alarmed, he’d hurried to the door and gently opened it.

Laksha was pushing back her blankets, about to get out of bed to tend to her sister.

“I’ve got her,” Chan whispered, scooping Madhu up from her bed. She wound her arms around his neck and burrowed her face into his chest. He could still hear her soft moans. “Go back to sleep, please.” For a moment, he thought Laksha might argue with him. Instead, she lay back down and rolled over, obviously too sleepy for anything else.

Taking his younger sister to his room, Chan had rocked Madhu until he felt her quiet in his arms. He laid her in his bed, then lay beside her and watched her sleep. His heart ached for her, longed to take away her pain. But he just didn’t know how to do that. Not more than a few minutes later, Kamal padded into the room and climbed up into Chan’s bed without so much as a by your leave.

I’ll move them before Evan comes home.

Not until Chan’s alarm went off and he opened his eyes to the new day did he realize that his siblings were still there. Alarm bells began to go off in his head, until he smelled something cooking. He took an appreciative sniff. Bacon. Evan must be making breakfast.

Which meant he must have slept in the guest room.

A pang of guilt raced through Chan. He hoped Evan wasn’t angry with him. On the other hand, how mad could he be if he was willing to cook for them?

Carefully, he extricated himself from the sleeping children.  He’d wake them when breakfast was ready. Truth be told, he wanted at least a few minutes alone with Evan.  He slipped into his robe and cinched it as he made his way down the hall to the kitchen. Pausing in the doorway, he admired the sight before him. Evan, in a pair of sleep shorts and T-shirt, was quite a delectable sight. Just looking at him filled Chan’s heart to bursting with love for this wonderful man.

He softly crept up behind Evan and wrapped his arms around his waist, laying his head against his warm back. “Good morning, love,” he murmured.

“Morning,” Evan murmured in return. They stood together without speaking for a long moment before Evan placed the skillet he was cooking in on a back burner and turned off the heat.

Chan peeked from behind him to see what else he’d done, and was greeted by the sight of a second skillet, heaped with fried potatoes. Everything looked and smelled amazing.

“I missed you last night,” Chan confessed as Evan turned to face him. “I’m sorry you had to sleep in the guest room.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you all,” he replied. “You looked so comfortable.”

“But that’s not the point. That’s your bed, and I meant to take them back to theirs. I must have fallen asleep.” Chan felt very guilty, even though he knew he’d had good intentions.

“No worries.” Evan kissed him softly. “How was dinner? Everything go all right?”

“Everything was fine.” Chan nodded. “How was work?”

“It was fine.”

Chan thought he detected something in Evan’s voice, but maybe he was reading into things too much. His mother had always said he had a tendency to worry when there was no need to do so. He thought for a moment before saying, “You aren’t upset with us, are you?”

Evan started to say something then closed his mouth abruptly as a timer went off. He reached for the oven door. Chan backed out of the way so he could open it, as he pulled out a sheet of biscuits. He set them on the stove and closed the door before turning back toward Chan. A slight frown marred his forehead.

“Maybe a little, I won’t lie,” he finally said.

“About what?” Chan asked, distraught, a knot forming in his stomach. He told himself to calm down and let the man speak. He’d rather hear the truth than some pretty lie.

“It just felt to me as if you were rewarding Kamal’s behavior… and… well, what he said. I know you didn’t mean it that way. I shouldn’t have said anything.” He reached into a nearby cabinet and pulled out a plate, covered it with paper towels, and then scooped out the bacon onto the plate so the grease could drain.

“No, I always want to know what you think,” Chan said. “He shouldn’t have said that, and I’m sure he didn’t really mean it. Please, don’t be upset.” He laid his hand on Evan’s arm, his breath catching at the idea that he hurt the man he loved. Sometimes he felt as though he was talking a tightrope between Evan on one side and his brother and sisters on the other. He was afraid something might actually break, and he prayed it wasn’t their relationship. He didn’t know what he’d do without Evan.

Evan enveloped him into a warm hug, holding him tightly while Chan struggled not to cry. “I love you, Chan,” he said softly. “Please don’t push me away.”

Chan tried to protest that he never would but their moment was interrupted by Kamal’s cries of “Bacon!  Mmmm, I’m starved.”

Evan released him and he turned reluctantly away to set the breakfast table.

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!

Cia Nordwell

J Alan Veerkamp

J Ray Lamb

Book Review: Bleach, Vol 29 by Tite Kubo

 

Bleach, Vol 29      

Author: Tite Kubo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: December 1, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/208 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Renji finds himself being followed by Dondochakka, who thought he was following Nel, while Ichigo squares off against an Arrancar named Dordoni. Dordoni’s appearance is devilishly rakish, and he tries to persuade Ichigo to release his bankai . Ichigo has other ideas, though. He’s saving that move for higher level opponents, as Dordoni is only 103, which makes him low on the totem pole. However, Ichigo is not aware of what his number really means. So a disappointed Dordoni decides to release a Cero, but is surprised when Nel intervenes on Ichigo’s behalf.

Aizen is following the exploits of Ichigo and his friends with interest. One thing he does wonder about is who sent the Exequias after Ichigo? Szayelaporro confesses it was him and prepares to accept Aizen’s punishment. Gin accuses Aizen of having too much fun with the current situation.

Uryu’s first opponent is Cirucci Sanderwicci, Arrancar #105, and her weapon, Golondrina. When she spins Golondrina, she is able to deflect Uryu’s spirit arrows. But Uryu is more than a one trick pony. However, when Pesche puts in an unexpected appearance, will he be a help or a hindrance? And what the heck is Infinite Slick?

Chad is battling Arrancar #107, Gantenbainne Mosqueda, a huge Afro’d man, who think he’ll make short work of Chad. But Chad is a lot stronger than he appears to be. And since Chad’s arrival in Hueco Mundo, he has discovered abilities he wasn’t aware he possessed.

Right now, Bleach is all about the battles against the three digit Arrancars, whom we learn were once Espadas but who have lost their ranks. Doesn’t mean they’re necessarily weak, though. Nel and Pesche and Dondochakka add humor to these battles, as well as assistance which may or may not be helpful. It’s a foregone conclusion that somehow Ichigo and the others will win their respective battles, continuing onward until they reach Aizen, right? We can only hope that they will then be able to put down the renegade Soul Reaper once for all.

Oh who am I kidding? Is it ever that easy? Always something, right?

In a bonus at the end of the book, we get to see the first seaside art competition, which is hilarious! There are also some concept sketches from the anime. Another great volume, can’t wait for the next one!

Book Review: Bleach, Vol 28 by Tite Kubo

 

Bleach, Vol 28       

Author: Tite Kubo

Publisher: Viz Media

American release date: September 1, 2009

Format/Genre/Length: Paperback/Manga/Supernatural/200 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

Having arrived in Hueco Mundo, Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad find themselves in the middle of a huge desert, facing Los Noches, Aizen’s residence/fortress. But the structure is farther away than it looks, as they find after running toward it for a long time, seemingly drawing no closer. Ah, the illusions of the desert! Meanwhile, Aizen  has gathered his Espada in order to discuss current events. He tells them they have been invaded and not to underestimate the Ryoku, particularly Ichigo. Grimmjow doesn’t seem to be listening to his commander, and wants to head off to dispatch Ichigo immediately, and has to be reminded of his place.

As Ichigo et al take a break in the desert, a strange worm-like creature emerges from the said, with two other odd creatures on its back. It seems to be in pursuit of a small being, who screams in terror. Of course Ichigo can’t sit by and do nothing, so engages the pursuers, only to learn it’s just a game of Eternal Tag (because there is little to do in Hueco Mundo) and the person being pursued is just having fun. She turns out to be a little girl named Nel, who introduces her companions—Pesche and Dondochakka, all three of whom are Hollows. Nel takes an instant shine to Ichigo. Things seem to be going well until the Guardian of the White Sand appears to take down the Hollows for offering aid and comfort to the enemy.

Renji and Rukia appear unexpectedly, to Ichigo’s surprise. Rukia is angry with him for having left the World of the Living before they came back, saying he should have realized they would return to help. Coming to a crossroads, they decide to separate, in order to cover the different paths, promising to meet up afterward. Although Ichigo goes off on his own, Nel is soon running after him, crying. Dondo and Pesche want to follow Nel, but they confusedly end up going down the wrong paths, separating from each other in the process.

Aizen sends for Orihime and sends the others away in order speak with her privately, producing jealousy in two of his female followers, arousing their hatred for the innocent Orihime. Aizen shows off the Hogyuku to her, so now she knows exactly where it is as he tells her he needs her help. Now Orihime knows what she must do. Meanwhile, the battles with the Espadas begin.

Ichigo is determined to rescue Orihime at any cost… it’s what he does. He faces the challenge with the same relentless determination he showed in saving Rukia from being executed. He just does not know the meaning of failure. There is a lot being set up in this volume, sowing the seeds for what is to come. It’s interesting to note that Ulquiorra believes Orihime is one of them, having given her word to help. Those of us who know and have followed her from the start of the series know this can’t be true… can it? We know how honest she is, to a fault. But she is also timid. Is she going along because she gave her word or because she is afraid? Or does she truly have something else in mind?

Ulquiorra is an interesting character, obviously intelligent, and not insensitive to Orihime’s beauty and charms. At the same time, he is a hardened Espada. An interesting dichotomy indeed. I can find nothing redeeming to say about Aizen, though. Nel is also an interesting character, the sort of helpless innocent that Ichigo tends to attract, and whom he automatically defends.

Another great volume of Bleach, can’t wait to see the battles as they unfold.

Book Review: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Author: Kim Michele Richardson

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

American release date: May 7, 2019

Format/Genre/Length: Hardback/Historical Fiction/320 pages

Overall Personal Rating: ★★★★★

 

In the 1930s, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s WPA program created jobs for people so they could work and have money during a difficult time in American history, namely the Great Depression. Instead of just handing money out, they allowed people to work for it, adding to their self-worth as wage earners. One part of that program was the Pack Horse librarians of rural Kentucky. Mostly women, they rode horses/mules/donkeys, traveled on foot or sometimes by boat, through the mountains and across rivers and creeks,  to bring books to people in remote areas of the state.

Cussy Mary is a Pack Librarian, and very happy to be one. She lives with her father Elijah, who is a miner, and she loves the patrons on her route. These are poor people who are barely surviving, much less able to buy books, so the librarians are lights in their lives. Cussy is well loved by her patrons as well, and doesn’t mind reading to those who cannot read themselves. She worries about them, especially the children, who are sick and starving. But there is little she can do, as she and her father are barely subsisting themselves.

There are those who look down on Cussy and her father, because they are different from them. They are, in fact, blue-skinned people, and as such are considered to be colored abnormal because of the tint of their skin. The local doctor finds Cussy’s condition very interesting and wants to take her somewhere so people can study her. She’s reluctant, until circumstances cause her to reconsider her stance since doing so will benefit the people she cares about. All she wants is to be treated like other people, and to enjoy life a little, especially her precious books and patrons. But some people can’t see past the blue shade of her skin to the beautiful soul beneath. Not until she meets a most unusual man.

I fell in love with this book quickly. I have a soft spot for books and librarians, as my daughter is one, and I could see some of her in the spunky yet soft-spoken Cussy. I knew nothing about the Pack Horse Librarians, or about blue-skinned people, and was very interested in learning about them.

I love the way the author writes. You feel like you’re there, experiencing what Cussy goes through – her pain, her joy, her sorrows. And you can’t help but love Cussy yourself. This is a very colorful novel about being who you are and not judging people simply by the color of their skin, something many people in the US still have problems with. The historical information at the end of the book is just icing on the cake.

I liked this book so much, I bought copies for my daughters and my daughters-in-law, and one for myself, since I read a library copy originally. I know I will read this book over, more than once. This book is about life, about love, overcoming hardships, and making the most of what you have, as well as sharing that with the people around you. I hope you all love this book as much as I did.

Virtual Book Tour: Into the Fire by J B Glazer

 Good morning everyone! Please welcome author J B Glazer to Full Moon Dreaming! She is here to tell us about her new release, Into the Fire. J B will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!

 

Into the Fire

by J B Glazer

 

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GENRE:   Contemporary Romance

 

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

 

BLURB:

 

I have been hiding my whole life. Doing what’s expected has become who I am. Until I met Rob Ashford. With just one look into his stormy blue eyes, I knew I was lost. I’ve come to realize he gets what he wants. And what he wants right now is me. As much as I want to succumb to what he’s offering, I’m not sure if I’ll lose myselfꟷor find who I was meant to be. I’m not strong enough to refuse him. I give him everything, and even though he’s given me nothing in return, I still love him. He ignites a fire and passion that burns so bright I fear I’ll combust. The thought of leaving him terrifies me, but I know more than anyone that when you play with fire, someone always gets burned.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

Rob

 

Veronica is the first woman I’ve met since Eva and I ended our relationship who has stirred something inside me. And now that’s it’s been awoken, it’s taken on a life of its own. With every touch, every taste of her skin I crave more. When she yells my name as she goes over the edge it only fans the flames. Each time is a new challenge that I welcome. I want to take her higher and farther than before. Like a wildfire, this insatiable need is spreading and taking down anything in its path. It’s becoming harder to control.

 

I have this fierce need to possess her.

 

To mark her.

 

To own her pleasure.

 

I want to push her limits.

 

To test her.

 

To take her to the brink and back.

 

To go where no man has gone before.

 

I want to break her so no man will measure up afterward.

 

I want her to only need me.

 

As I said, I’m a selfish bastard. I could claim it’s all for her pleasure. But that would be a lie. Because her agreeing to our arrangement and putting her blind trust in me to unleash her passion reaps the greater reward. And while I know our time together is finite, I’ll be damned if I don’t make her mine. 

 

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

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

J B Glazer is a Chick Lit and Romance author who writes fun and flirty books with a little bit of heat and a whole lot of heart. She believes in creating characters that are aspirational yet relatable and that a daily dose of chocolate is one of life’s necessities. She’s also a wife, mom, blogger, chauffeur, referee, short-order cook, maid, chocoholic, shopaholic, and multitasker extraordinaire. J B has a thing for big, dramatic endings because that’s the fun of getting to happily ever after.

 

Visit www.jbglazer.com for random musings and other inspiration. You can also connect with J B in most of the usual places.

 

Twitter @JBGlazer

Facebook.com/jbglazer

Instagram.com/jbglazer

Authorjbglazer@gmail.com

 

Into the Fire Universal Buy Link:

books2read.com/IntotheFireJBGlazer

 

The book will be on sale for only $0.99.

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Into-Fire-Elements-Book-Millionaire-ebook/dp/B08L4LYF5M/

 

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Wednesday Briefs: Super Trooper #54 (12.5)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts. 

Evan stopped by Partners on the way home from a late shift to unwind a little, knowing Chan would be long asleep. He hoped to see Roy, but that didn't happen. And being propositioned didn't exactly make his night. See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Super Trooper #54 (12.5)

Damn, that was something he hadn’t expected. It had been a while since anybody had hit on him. At least not that he’d noticed. Since he had met Chan, he just didn’t notice that kind of thing anymore. He didn’t know if he was more angry or disgusted at the stranger’s blatant overtures. Either way, he was definitely not interested.

Well, going to Partners for a nightcap hadn’t worked out anywhere near the way he’d hoped it would. Roy hadn’t been there, and Evan certainly didn’t feel any more relaxed. If anything, he felt guilty for being at a bar by himself, when Chan was waiting for him at home. Asleep or not.

Climbing into his cruiser, he adjusted the mirror, staring at his reflection for a long moment before pulling out of the lot and heading back up the road, toward home. Toward Chan. Nothing else mattered at that moment.

Okay, so things weren’t exactly running smoothly since they accepted the responsibility of Chan’s siblings. Some of that was their fault, sure. But they were kids. And there no guarantees in life. Bad things happened to good people. Didn’t mean you had to fall apart over it. Figure out what to do and move on. Be a man.

Evan had had to be strong for as long as he could remember. Strong enough to endure the abuse his parents had given out up until the time they kicked him out of the house. They’d never seemed to care what happened to him, never tried to put up a façade or pretended to be the loving parents other children had. They were honest in their dislike of him and the cramp he put into their self-indulgent lifestyle. Whether that was them or the drugs and alcohol talking, Evan would never know. They were dead shortly after he was on his own. To be honest, he’d never mourned their loss in his life.

He’d liked Chan’s parents, for the short time he had known them. They’d always been kind and welcoming to him. He knew Chan and his siblings were hurting at their cruel removal. He wished he could help in some way, but he just didn’t know how.

When he reached the house, he found it to be dark and silent. Not surprising considering the lateness of the hour. He’d expected nothing less. He parked the cruiser besides Chan’s compact car and headed inside, careful not to make any noise.

Evan removed his shoes just inside the front door and carried them in one hand. The idea of a shower was a tempting one, but he didn’t want to wake anyone. He’d just get up a little early in the morning and take one then. Right now, all he wanted was to climb into bed beside Chan and snuggle up against his warm body. Even asleep, Chan was the solution to everything. Everything else could wait. Life would look a lot better in the morning, he was sure.

But when he softly pushed open the door to their bedroom, and his eyes adjusted to the light that filtered through the partially open blinds, he was met with the sight of not one body in the bed, but three—Chan, Madhu, and Kamal. The children lay, one on either side of Chan. Madhu was snuggled against his front while Kamal had taken the other side, one arm partially thrown over Chan.

A possessive gesture if ever he saw one.

Evan felt all his hopes and plans dissolve into nothingness. Accepting the situation, he pulled the door closed and headed to the guest room.

to be continued

Now go see what's up with the other Briefers!

Cia Nordwell

J Alan Veerkamp