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Back in the 80s, I worked for a developmental center for the developmentally disabled. It was there that I decided to become an Emergency Medical Technician. For several years I worked in the clinic and did transports. During this time, I also joined the volunteers at my local ambulance company. We see on television the excitement of responding to traumas. I remember my first accident call, my first stabbing, my first OD. Memories of my chief at the time pushing down the helmet visor as I watched in awe of the first Medavac take off. But what is ingrained in me are the other calls. Comforting family and friends. Holding the husband who lost his wife. Not knowing what to say or do for the parent whose child was lost in an accident. There were regulars like Millie in my short story 911 What’s Your Emergency. The lonely souls who just needed human contact. There were times I rolled my eyes when we received the call and responded to false alarms. There were times I was humbled when, on the second, seventh, or seventeenth response, there was an actual emergency. And don’t forget, like in my second short story, A Very Special Valentine, that the responders are also human beings with real lives, problems, joys, and sorrows. I hope you enjoy these peeks behind the curtain.  911 What's Your Emergency
by D. V. Stone https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DSG2MBHQ Small town/ First Responder/ Romance If you ever wondered about the life of a First Responder, D. V. Stone pulls back the curtain. Two short stories follow the life of Shay McDowell Story One Making a Difference In Northeastern Pennsylvania, EMT Shea McDowell faces a long night. One emergency follows another until she and her partner Joanna can finally call it quits. Yet, the sense of accomplishment from a job well done always triumphs over exhaustion. A Very Special Valentine After a bitter divorce, Shay wonders if she will ever grow old with someone. So climb aboard for some romance. These short stories are a part of the Impact Series, which includes Rock House Grill and Jazz House, a contemporary romantic suspense series. The original story appeared in Australia Burns but has been edited.
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 Welcome to my fire, Mickey! Thanks for having me today, D.V. Many blessings to you. Thank you. Why don't you tell us about yourself? Where did you grow up? I grew up in Passaic and Clifton, New Jersey. My father had a florist shop on Dayton Avenue in Passaic, right up the street from the famous Botany Mills. The street was very busy and we lived in an apartment behind the store. When I was eight, my father moved his shop one block up to Dayton Avenue in Clifton. Many of the other businesses made the move, too, so my neighbors were the same! We lived behind the shop in an apartment there as well. In fact, I didn’t live in a house until my third year of college, which was in a suburban area. I grew up accustomed to the sounds of trucks and traffic, so living in the stillness of a quiet town was a big adjustment. Well we were nearly neighbors. I was born in Brooklyn but then we moved to Whitehouse Station NJ. What was your first car? How old were you when you got it? Was it a gift or did you buy it yourself? My first car was a revved up black Mercury that didn’t have heat. One of my older cousins was a car racer. He rebuilt the engine, which accelerated very fast like the beast it was meant to be. This was the early 1970s and my parents paid well under a hundred dollars for it. I was eighteen at the time, so I had my own wheels to go back and forth to college. That one was a gift. The first car I bought myself in 1974 was a mint-green Gremlin. Yes. You heard me right. It looked like chocolate chip mint ice cream with brown strips down the sides. Mwa! I had a 72 Pinto wagon with wood sides. Do you have pets? Who was your “heart” pet? We’ve had many wonderful pets through the years, including a truly lovable mutt named Chopin, Pucky, a sweet whippet and Betty, a very comical basset hound. Currently, I have a 25-pound rescued Maine Coon. I call him Sweetie Pie, even though he’s such a big-boy man-cat. He is the most affectionate and cuddly cat I’ve ever had, and the current pet of my heart. So much so that I gave him a spot in one of my novels. (I've added his picture below. He's adorable.) What’s your favorite way to relax and unwind? If it has a window what would you look out on? The way I like to relax and unwind is by reading or doing a huge jigsaw puzzle. I love puzzles. I also find relaxation in watching old movies. The place I unwind is at the back of my home in a three-season room that overlooks a forest. It is also where I write all my novels. The forest is tranquil and inspiring—as well as stunning. With windows facing the backyard, I’ve seen only one bear in all the years I’ve lived here. Besides a variety of birds, I’ve had deer and buck, a very old groundhog, rabbits and raccoons, as well as fox and beaver come to visit. It sounds lovely. Do you like to bake or cook? What is your specialty dish? Who taught you to cook? I like to do both! My pasta sauce has been a favorite among family and friends, especially the way I make the meatballs. Through the years, my children often skipped the pasta part and used a nice chunk of Italian bread to sop up the sauce with meatballs in a bowl. Although I watched my mother cook, I taught myself to make sauce, stews and soups. And I love to bake! There was a time when holiday baking included twelve different types of cookies and, of course, a gingerbread house. My nephews still fight over the cream puffs I bring to holiday celebrations. Now, besides the cream puffs, a creamy cheesecake, Italian Christmas cookies, and nut crescents are my specialties. My sister won’t let me into her home at the holidays if one or two of the above are not with me. I'm coming to your next Christmas. It sounds delish! Mickey thanks for spending some time around the fire with me. I'd love it if you'd tell us a little about your latest book.  Sweetie Pie! Isn't he a handsome fellow!  Night of the Crescent Moon by M. Flagg Paranormal/Romance/Suspense Some wounds never heal. Martine, a good witch and ER nurse must enlist Lukas, a mystical warrior to save her patient who is under the spell of a dark witch from the Second Realm. But Martine pushed Lukas out of her life years ago, and he is the only person who can help save her patient. Martine is torn when Lukas agrees to return to the realm that holds terrifying memories for him. Even though many assist Lukas, Martine’s ask is complicated and dangerous. Can he save her patient from a fate worse than death? More importantly, can Martine open her heart to Lukas, or this time, shut him out forever? Amazon Kindle: https://amzn.to/495RZ4J Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3Z9X3Rg Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/night-of-the-crescent-moon/id6569253813 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-of-the-crescent-moon-m-flagg/1145982465 More About Mickey Flagg
Mickey Flagg’s imaginative world is full of mystical warriors, witches, not-so-normal vampires and teenage ghosts. She writes paranormal fiction with a twist of fate. With seven novels in the genre, spinning tales about the paradox of love is a passion. She is a contributor in a book on urban music education and has published a piece in Still Standing, a web-magazine about loss and healing. M. Flagg is a life-long New Jersey resident, a member of Liberty States Fiction Writers, NJ Author’s Network, and NJRW. Find out more about Mickey’s novels at www.mflagg-author.com Follow the Author Website info: http://mflagg-author.com Facebook: (1) M. Flagg | Facebook Twitter: Michele Flagg (@flagg_michele) / Twitter https://twitter.com/flagg_michele Instagram: Instagram (Mickey Flagg) Goodreads: Night of the Crescent Moon by M. Flagg | Goodreads Amazon Author Page: Amazon.com: M. Flagg: books, biography, latest update  Happy New Year to you and yours. This past year has been a whirlwind for me. It had its ups and downs, but here we are in 2025, and it's a time of new beginnings. In Forest Gump, was it Long Leg Lenore or Cunning Carla who said, "Don't you just love New Year's? You get to start all over. Everybody gets a second chance." I believe every day we get a second chance to be as Benjamin Franklin said.  Board Games are big with us especially around the Holidays. Do you know the top ten games?
 I'm truly humbled at the reception to A Christmas Storm. The reviews have been wonderful and some even made me cry.
 Do you live in the tri-state area? Yes? Then, join me and other authors at BrookHollow Winery. The winter is really rocking and rolling this week into next. It was 60 degrees a few days ago and now we are on the look out for some snow. The midwest and south need to keep their head down too- or at least wear a hat. Until next month.  Today is release day for A Christmas Storm. Instead of telling you more about the story, I thought I'd fill out my own Around the Fire interview. I've taken ten questions and a bonus one that I offer to others to choose from and give you some insight into me for a little meet and greet.
What would be one lie and two truths about yourself?
A Christmas Storm ~ A Contemporary rural family tale of coming home.
by D. V. Stone books2read.com/u/47B1NE In the spirit of Dickens, a delightfully sweet holiday story about family love and the opportunity for second chances. An early storm is brewing in Upstate New York, and military wife Lacey Prescott is caught unprepared when it turns into a blizzard. Defeated by her own lack of preparation and the recall of her husband’s Christmas holiday leave, her joy in the season is replaced by bitterness and anger. In an unexpected turn of events, Lieutenant Matthew Prescott’s leave is reinstated. But the journey home is not an easy one since a Nor’easter stands between him and his family. Amidst the storm’s fury, Lacey gets a glimpse of the past, present, and possible future, while Matt gets assistance from a mysterious stranger. In a heartwarming story of determination, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unexpected kindness of strangers, the possibility of a Christmas reunion brings a sense of hope with a message of love and support from friends and family that embodies the true spirit of Christmas. Thanks for stopping by.  Cherry Red by Darlene Fredette A contemporary firefighter romance. Overstepping the platonic-only rule is as dangerous as fire and ice swirling into steamy combustion. This summer, Carly Redd focuses on expanding her ice cream business. Coerced into attending her ex's engagement party with firefighter, Noah Harding, posing as her fake boyfriend stirs up a fiery combination, especially when his warm charm melts the ice guarding her heart. The fire chief’s daughter should wear a Do Not Touch sign, but Noah's interest burned the moment he first saw Carly. Masquerading as her boyfriend is a no-brainer, but convincing Carly to trust him with her heart proves harder than extinguishing a wildfire. Cherry Red Review “A feel-good romance with lots of witty banter and fun.” Get your copy https://www.amazon.ca/Cherry-Red-Darlene-Fredette-ebook/dp/B0CYNY67XN  About the author Darlene Fredette is a multi-published author of contemporary women's fiction novels filled with elements of heart, sweetness, humor, a little cozy mystery, and falling in love. She resides on the Atlantic Coast of Canada, where the summers are too short and the winters are too long, with her husband, daughter, and two very large dogs. Follow Darlene http://www.darlenefredette.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darlenefredette1/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/darlenefredette.bsky.social Blog: http://findingthewritewords.blogspot.com/ Art Blog: https://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@darlenefredette Around the Fire is back with indepth interviews with authors. I've done a little revamping and am so happy to get a peek behind the curtain. Today, please welcome Joie Lesin. What did you dream of becoming as a child? I’ve always wanted to be a writer. From the moment that I understood the concept of “being” something when I grew up, I wanted to write and share stories. Writing to me is a calling and reading is a family pastime. My mother encouraged all of us to read and my oldest brother was already a writer by the time I was four. Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to learn? Did you attain it? If not, what stopped you? I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar. I’ve tried, though, and found I couldn’t get the hang of it when all the guides I used were written for righthanded people. Now, I have a ukelele and it’s strung for my southpaw. Yet, the learning is going slow because I need to be consistent with it. Perhaps one day I’ll actually be able to play a song. What is your fantasy place to visit? This could be real or imaginary. The Madeira Islands in Portugal. I’d consider it paradise to split my time discovering one of the many hiking trails one day and walking along the ocean under blue sky the next. Do you like to bake or cook? What is your specialty dish? Who taught you to cook? I like to do both but if I had to choose one it would be baking. There was a time when I was in between careers that I considered going to school to be a pastry chef. In the end, I didn’t and a few years after I decided against it, I found out I needed to be gluten free. For me, baking (and at times cooking) is a creative outlet. I’d gotten to the point of making bread, cakes, and everything in between without a recipe. I’d memorized which ingredient to mix together. Once, I went gluten free I baked less and am now just getting back to it years later. Every year, however, for Christmas and Thanksgiving, I bake sweet potato pies like my mother used to—only gluten free. I’m listening to Big Band music. What are you listening to? Right now? I’m listening to music from the Sixties. It sets the stage for the book I’m working on now: a historical fantasy that takes place in 1968. Currently playing: Sunshine Superman by Donovan. Tell us about your book  The Passenger by Joie Lesin Paranormal Fantasy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Review https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R20PNO4AL2QM3N/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl Ms. Lesin's novel, The Passenger, kept me hooked to the end. Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home. Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her? Grab your copy today! Amazon (E-book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9/ Amazon (Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Joie-Lesin/dp/1509256644 Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie- lesin/1008401528 Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982 The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/  About the author Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and the author of The Passenger. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including ghosts. She loves to write a good ghost story—especially when it includes a touch of romance. Originally from Massachusetts, at six years old, Joie moved to her mother’s birthplace, Minnesota. By eight, Joie lost her New England accent, however, it's gradually returning as the years go by. She grew up in Minneapolis but now resides in St. Paul with her husband and their blended family—which includes a rambunctious grand-corgi. Joie misses the ocean, but she often finds herself walking by one of Minnesota’s many lakes and travels to one of the coasts as often as she can. In fact, she considers California her home away from home. When she’s not writing, reading, or walking, you can find her listening to music. She absolutely loves music—especially live—and songs have sparked most of her story ideas. Where to find out more. Website: https://www.jlesin.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/joielesin Book Page: https://www.jlesin.com/thepassenger Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/authorjoielesin Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2899613.Joie_Lesin Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoieLesin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoieLesin  I was going to post about our latest camping adventure. Notice the was. With Pete back on his feet for the most part, we did a September camp in Lancaster. Then this past weekend we were to go to the Poconos for a long weekend with the grandkids. Did you ever notice how you fix one thing and then there's a trickle down? Yeah? Me too. My DH and his friend Larry changed the brakes on the camper. Everything was hunky dory until the test drive where the brakes didn't work. One kind of needs those. Some sort of electric issue has reared its ugly head so camp was canceled and we're waiting for the expert to come. Was I disappointed? Sure. But instead my family came down and Sunday afternoon we played a game of UNO NO MERCY. Only one game you ask? The game played for a very long time. We ignored the rule if you have more than 25 cards you're out. Instead we just kept going. I laughed so hard I was exhausted by the end. The game was so much fun. We'll play again, maybe with a double deck. I know, I'm just asking for trouble. Anyway I reccomend UNO No Mercy. The Musing. So, when I was sad about not camping, struggling with my asthma, and generall feeling down I found this parable about a butterfly and wanted to share it with you. In my upcoming A Christmas Storm, Lacy is flat on her back, staring into the sky and crying out, "Why me?" I know I've been there at points in my life. I'll bet you have too. The parable A man finds a butterfly struggling to hatch from its cocoon and decides to help by cutting a slit in the cocoon with scissors. The butterfly emerges, but it has a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man expects the butterfly's wings to enlarge and support its body, but the butterfly is unable to fly and spends the rest of its life crawling. The moral The moral of the story is that struggles in life help us develop strength and that it's important to tackle challenges on our own. The cocoon and the struggle to get through it are nature's way of forcing fluid from the butterfly's body into its wings, preparing it for flight. What else is happening around my house? (Pictures below). Well, Hali is getting older, and like a lot of us, her hair is thinning. The girl is chilly, especially her undercarriage, which has always been nearly non-existent. Hoodie to the rescue. Despite her face, she really likes it. I'm trying my hand at wood burning, and of course, it has to be owls. What do you think? I also found a bread recipe that we like. It's soft, so good for sandwiches. I have a stand mixer with a dough hook. Basically, it's 2 cups of water 1.5 tablespoons of yeast 2/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup oil 1 tablespoon of salt 3 cups of all-purpose flour 3 cups of whole wheat Let it rise in a bowl covered until it doubles in size. Then, dump it on the counter, split it in two, and shape the loaves. I make a rectangle and roll it up. I let it rise again for about an hour. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.  Thank you for stopping by. It's been a busy fall for me. There have been several inperson signings, One book release. One upcoming release. A wedding. A camping trip to Lancaster PA. Check out my cover for A Christmas Storm on my Lake Unami Stories page. I get a breather then I'll be at two places in November. One in Vernon NJ and one in Lafayette. Stay tuned for further information. Now on to today's spotlight.  The Cowboy's Last Chance by Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy October 21, 2024 Cowboy Romance www.amazon.com/Cowboys-Last-Chance-Sontheimer-Murphy-ebook/dp/B0DCZWNZCQ When Vivian Blackburn, recently returned to Southwest Missouri sets out to shoot pictures at a rodeo, she's not looking for a cowboy but when she meets bull rider Calhoun Kelly, she's found one. They have an instant attraction and rapport. They're compatible in every way but one – he has a strong Christian faith and she lost hers after her parents died. When Vivian experiences strange dreams that seem to warn Calhoun of upcoming danger, she doesn't know what to think. Calhoun decides to hang up his spurs at the end of the season but before he does, he and Vivian are married. They decide they'll settle at her grandmother's old farmhouse but not until he rides his last rodeo. When he's critically injured, his life hangs in the balance. Will Vivian find her faith and pray? It's a close call but time will tell.  About the author
From an early age, Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy scribbled stories, inspired by the books she read, the family tales she heard, and even the conversations she overheard at the beauty shop where her grandmother had a weekly standing appointment. She was the little girl who sat at the feet of the elders and listened. As an author, she has published more than fifty novels and novellas writing as both Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy and as Patrice Wayne for historical fiction. She is also the author of a new Faery Folk series from Evernight Publishing writing as Liathán O'Murchadha. Her books are found in many places, online and in brick and mortar stores including some in both Ireland and Australia. As of October 2022, she currently has six upcoming titles from World Castle Publishing, Evernight Publishing and The Wild Rose Press. She spent her early career in broadcast radio, interviewing everyone from politicians to major league baseball players and writing ad copy. In those radio years she began to write short stories and articles, some of which found publication. In 1994 she married Roy Murphy and they had three children, all now grown-up. She was widowed in 2019. Lee Ann spent years in the newspaper field as both a journalist and editor and was widowed in 2019. In late 2020, she hung up her editor’s hat to return to writing fiction. A native of St. Joseph, Missouri, she lives and works in the rugged, mysterious, and beautiful Missouri Ozarks. leeannsontheimer.blogspot.com/  Periphery by AA Dasliva Coming from The Wild Rose Press November 20, 2024. Science Fiction Romance Military Romance About the Book Charlotte barely survived the accident that killed her husband four years ago. Resuscitated a savant, she struggles to find meaning in her survival. When she meets Simon, a mysteriously familiar stranger, they are drawn to each other with undeniable magnetism. But Simon is contracted to a black-ops agency. With the agency on her heels, and Simon claiming her heart, Charlotte's past and future collide when she's offered a chance to reconnect with her late husband. As secrets are revealed, motives uncovered, and alliances are formed, Charlotte must choose...between the fate of the world and the fate of her heart. D.V.'s Review 🦉🦉🦉🦉🦉
Periphery by AA DaSilva is an edge-of-your-seat read. From the opening scenes, where a crash changes Charlotte’s life, to the final OMG, I was caught up in the story of a woman who is putting her life back together after the tragedy. Building a career as a nurse, dealing with post-traumatic, previously unknown brilliance in physics, and finding love, Charlotte is coming to terms with her new reality. Until her past appears and the implausible becomes reality. Twists and turns of who is really who and what Charlotte should believe take place in a world where secret technology has implications not only in this dimension but also in others. Who are the good guys? Who can’t be trusted? At times, I alternately shouted No! Or Yes! out loud. The bad guys had me wanting to enter into the story and get them myself. This military, sci-fi romance had me thinking of Michael Crichton and Robin Cook. I can’t wait for more from this author and highly recommend you read this book. |
Your Host D.V. StoneAward winning multi-genre author and blogger. Fantasy, romance, mid-grade. Nothing better than a campfire, book, and glass of wine. Okay maybe there is.📚 Follow Me!
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January 2025
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