D.V. Stone
  • D. V. Stone Author
  • The Mortar & Pestle Series
  • The Shield-Mates Fantasy Series.
  • Lake Unami Stories
  • Impact Series Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
  • Agent Sam Carter Mid-Grade Paranormal Mysteries
  • Around the Fire Blog
  • Insider Looks
  • D. V.'s Reviews
  • Around the Fire Video Reviews
  • D. V. Stone Author
  • The Mortar & Pestle Series
  • The Shield-Mates Fantasy Series.
  • Lake Unami Stories
  • Impact Series Contemporary Romantic Suspense.
  • Agent Sam Carter Mid-Grade Paranormal Mysteries
  • Around the Fire Blog
  • Insider Looks
  • D. V.'s Reviews
  • Around the Fire Video Reviews
Picture
Picture
Around the Fire News

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Virginia'dele Smith

1/30/2023

 
Picture
​She’s always feared abandonment.
​Is she about to face it again or find happily ever after?
 

M’Kenzee Davenport knows love doesn’t last. So despite marrying her high school crush on a whim in Vegas, the gritty photojournalist never believed the union was real. But when her husband-in-name-only goes missing on a mission for the FBI, she’s stunned to receive his effects as next-of-kin. 
Poring through his childhood journals, M’Kenzee discovers to her amazement that the handsome G-man has loved her forever. And with no news about his fate, the tormented loner worries he’s lost for good just as she discovers she doesn’t want to live without him. 
Will M’Kenzee be reunited with the man of her dreams? 
Three Times to Make Sure is the emotional third book in the Green Hills romance series. If you like endearing characters, family drama, and wholesome matches, then you’ll adore Virginia’dele Smith’s captivating story.
 
What others are saying
Must read 
This book with lovable characters broke my heart, mended it, broke it again, and made me cry like a baby!
Reedsy Discovery Review:  https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/three-times-to-make-sure-virginia-dele-smith#review

Buy Three Times to Make Sure to learn the heart’s buried truths today!
Get your copy here
⤵️
 ​https://ashlimontgomery.com/products/three-times-to-make-sure
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL257TFJ
https://amzn.to/3Fybs16


The inspiration behind the story
What a treat to cozy up around the campfire with new friends! I love to chat, I love to share, and I love love stories.
My books take place in Green Hills, a fictitious small town that could exist just off the Indian Nation Turnpike in southeast Oklahoma. Hidden among lush green trees, Green Hills has mystical qualities of unity and encouragement. The community is designed and depicted how I wish the world would be: uplifting, supportive, helpful, and kind. There are all types of people in Green Hills, with all types of backgrounds and careers, and I look forward to sharing each of their stories for as long as the words keep flowing.
We are often advised to “write what you know,” so while I have a healthy, overactive, and dramatic imagination, I expect the fine folks of Green Hills will love many of the jobs and hobbies that I love: quilting, sewing, reading, writing, cooking, baking, book stores, libraries, tea rooms, hair salons, dress shops, boutiques, antique malls, crafts, fabric shops, home decor, architecture, real estate, teaching, and singing. There will be a lot of football, and other sports like baseball, dance, and yoga. There will be doctors and nurses, firefighters and EMTs. There will be police and mayors and civil servants.
There will be tragedy and loss. There will be challenges and struggles. There will be a theme of facing Alzheimer's disease and the fight to end it.
There will be love — heartfelt and wholesome love, sweet love, deep and emotional love. Lots and lots of love!
While these common threads will be woven within the stories, each one is unique and engaging on its own. Each one is an opportunity to escape to Green Hills for a few hours, visit friends, discover love, and enjoy a happy ending.
Welcome to Green Hills ~ I’m thrilled you’ve come to visit!

Heat level: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested. Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children Think of movies like Narnia, LOTR, and National Treasure.)

Picture
Ashli Montgomery is a wife, a momma, and an author whose passion is sharing love stories, books, quilts, yoga, recipes, and her favorite things in life. She is quilting to mend the mind by spearheading and educating a community of quilters through Quilt 2 End ALZ, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit she launched to use her quilting hobby as a platform to advocate for an end to Alzheimer's disease.
Ashli writes wholesome and heartfelt, small-town romance under the pen name Virginia’dele Smith to honor Syble Virginia Tidwell, Adele Gertrude Baylin, and Etta Jean Smith. These three cherished grandmothers were beautiful role models, teaching Ashli to love without judgment and to always put family first. Through Grandma Syble’s journals and appetite for books, through Momadele’s priceless cards and handwritten letters, and through many, many hours of visiting over fabric at Mema’s kitchen island, Ashli also learned to treasure words.
You are invited to join Ashli in Green Hills and learn more about Virginia’dele Smith and the many hats she enjoys wearing by subscribing to Ashli’s newsletter, The Gazette, at AshliMontgomery.com.

January 26th, 2023

1/26/2023

 
Picture
Happy New Year! I can say that, right? It's still January. I'm chatting with you from Northern Florida. It's a little chilly but I've got sun, a hoodie, and a cup of one of my favorite afternoon beverages, Lady Grey tea. One of my fellow campers just popped over and share one of his birthday cupcakes with me. Thanks, Bill and happy birthday.  🥳️
As I was heading to my winter home in Florida (I’m retired from my paying job) thoughts about what to talk about this month. Then my phone dinged while sitting in a gas station off US 95. My book Felice hit number 5 on Amazon in the Romantic/Fantasy category. Not only did I try to do the happy dance in the truck, but the light bulb went off, and blogging about writing while traveling was born.
Back in 2017, hubby and I began talking about how we would spend our retirement. Going south was definitely in the plan. No more snow and ice. Pete previously slipped on ice and suffered major trauma to his leg, requiring surgery and months in a leg brace. To this day, he walks with a limp.
We have many friends in Florida. Okay, we had a general idea. But how? We couldn’t afford a second home, and we do love Northern New Jersey for the rest of the year.
A camper! That’s the ticket.
But I needed an office.
Okay, a big camper!
That’s what we did. After looking at between 50 and 60 rigs, we settled on 2HOOTs. She has a bunk house that doubles as an office and guest room.
During our sojourn to the Sunshine State last year, I not only finished Jazz House but also wrote and contracted for Sophia’s Magic Beans (releases 4/10/23). Then I began a multi-author series called The Mortar & Pestle (Sea Hunter releases 3/16/23). So, for me, traveling is conducive to writing.
Over the summer, we continued to travel for research. Maine and Massachusetts are full of naval history, and visiting places is immersive. Talking to people and standing on the shores where so much history happened was amazing.
Here’s my list of what I need to be a traveling author.
1. Internet access. (This is not guaranteed even in campgrounds that claim they have it.) We have one carrier for our phones, so I can hotspot another carrier for the truck. I’ve often been spotted wandering aimlessly around with my phone held high over my head searching. Emails, marketing, and zoom meetings are all a part of my life, and I need the connections.
2. I invested in a lap desk. It was inexpensive and comfortable (I’m using it now.)
3. The ability to focus. Writing is a full-time job for me, and I treat it as such. I get up and get ready like I’m still going to the office.
4. Know when enough is enough. Especially when I’m deep in research or editing, I can forget the time. Having a dog helps. She needs to go for walks, and so do I.
The lifestyle is not for everyone, but I’ve found my place. Inspiration, ideas, and research are around every bend in the road. If you haven’t yet, I hope this year you, too, find your place. If you have, then enjoy it.
What items can you not travel without? Where is your happy place?
Picture
I'm so excited and hope you are too! The Mortar & Pestle seven-author book series will release beginning in March. Aren't the covers stunning? (They were done by Sydney Winward).  But you don't have to wait. We have put together a FREE sample book for you. Head over to Bookfunnel and download your free copy today at
https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

And here's the link to the pre-order sale on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Kerry Blaisdell.

1/23/2023

 
Picture

 
Burying the Dead
by 
Kerry Blaisdell

Released 
January 16, 2023
Paranormal Romance

Sometimes the only way to stop the world from going to Hell is by working with Demons. Hyacinth Finch has one goal: Save her nephew Geordi from the Hell Demon who kidnapped him. But to succeed, she'll have to work with his demon Mafia relatives, which she swore she'd never do. Worse, she'll have to make another deal with the High Demons who murdered her. But Geordi's life is worth it, even if she loses her own humanity in the process. Meanwhile, Hyacinth's ghost boyfriend Eric is wasting away, after being ejected from his "borrowed" body. While digging in his past for something to make him fight for survival, she uncovers secrets that could destroy their relationship. Moreover, her feelings for Geordi's demon cousin Jason are stronger than ever, though every morally impossible choice she makes drives him farther away. Can she save Eric and Geordi, without losing herself-and Jason-forever?

Amazon Review 
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1L36HJGC6AEEN
A threaded, layered Urban Fantasy packed full of unexpected twists and turns. There were mysteries and plot twists I didn't expect, at all. How this author keeps it all straight is amazing in itself. What a great plot!!!

Get your copy today
https://books2read.com/BuryingTheDead​

Picture
Kerry Blaisdell is the bestselling and award-winning author of the acclaimed Dead Series, including DEBRIEFING THE DEAD and its sequels, which InD’tale Magazine recommends for “fans of shows like ‘Constantine’ or ‘Supernatural.’” She also writes award-winning Romantic Suspense (PUBLISH OR PERISH, a Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize Quarterfinalist) and Historical Mystery. She has a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley in Comparative Literature (French/Medieval English), and a Master’s in Teaching English and Advanced Mathematics from University of Portland. Kerry lives in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest with her family, assorted animals, and more hot pepper plants than anyone could reasonably consume.
To connect with Kerry online, join her Facebook Reader Group, or subscribe to her Very Occasional Mailing List and get TWO free downloads!

Around the Fire Welcome Martha O'Sullivan.

1/18/2023

 
Hello, Everyone! Thanks for joining me and my guest today. Martha is new to my blog and I look forward to getting to know her. Before we get started a bit of housekeeping. Did you take advantage of the free sample copy of The Mortar & Pestle? No, well here's the link 
Link to free sample of series https://dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
And here's the link to the pre-order sale on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
And Sea Hunter's Linkhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1
Picture
  • Martha, thank you for being my guest today. Now, while I pour us some coffee, why don't your introduce yourself? 
  • I’m a swimmer! I am fortunate enough to live in Florida and have a pool and swim laps most afternoons. It’s a win-win; exercise and mindfulness. 

  • That's wonderful! I'm in Florida too. Northern where it's still a bit chilly for a swim but soon. What interests besides writing do you enjoy? For instance, what do you read or hobbies you have? 
  • I was home raising my children for two decades which I really enjoyed, but I didn’t make much time for hobbies other than writing in their teenage years. Now they are grown and I can focus on writing full-time.
So I’d have to say exercising and decorating. 

Who is your network or support system? 
My husband has been very supportive of my writing over the years. It can be a lot of work and investment with little reward. My girls are proud of me and that means the world to me. My friends and extended family have also been great. I’ve learned so much from online author groups. Authors are incredibly generous and patient. 

So, true. When people ask what I do and I tell them I'm an author, may think I'm rolling in the dough, and not think about the hours of work involved in each book to sell for pennies on the dollar. But I do love writing, so here we are talking about our passion. Who or what books or authors lit your passion and inspired you?
The first romance novel I ever read was Heartbeat by Danielle Steel. I still have it. I used to check out her paperbacks at the library when I was in high school. Her books definitely got me thinking about writing romance. But Nora Roberts is my all-time favorite author.  She’s an incredible storyteller. 
 
I'm listening to Nora Roberts Awakening  currently. It's very good. Do you have any fun or outrageous talent? 
Honestly, no! 

What is your neighborhood like? Are there any places you frequent? What makes them special?
As I mentioned, I’m a midwestern transplant who lives in Florida and sometimes I still pinch myself even after all these years. It’s such a beautiful place to live. I love the weather and the lifestyle. Too many favorites to choose!   

Does writing energize or exhaust you? 
Both. It’s all-consuming, satisfying and electrifying all at once. Some days I’m so mentally and physically drained and other days I can’t stop. It’s also fickle and unpredictable. I’ve had to adjust to that. 

I hear you. Yesterday I pulled up a chair next to my neighbor and said, "I can't look at the computer for one more minute." Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book? 
My first book, Second Chance, took on a mind of its own and became a trilogy-Second Chance, Chance Encounter and Last Chance. All three books are standalones but each features a couple with the other two couples as supporting characters so everyone gets a happily ever after ending. Christmas in Tahoe is not part of the Chances Trilogy but mentions one of the characters in passing. All my books are set in Lake Tahoe. 

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be? 
This is going to one of the most draining yet most rewarding things you’ve ever done. Second only to motherhood. And it’s going to take a lot longer than you think. Bring your moxie and grow some thicker skin.
 

I hope someone reading this understands that. Many say, "Oh, I should write a book." And maybe they should, but not think it's a piece of cake, and should be aware of the time and angst. How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have? 
None. I know that’s unusual. I have some ideas in my head if that counts.
 
What is your favorite childhood book? 
Charlotte’s Web 

How long on average does it take you to write a book? 
Christmas in Tahoe, which came out in December 2022, took me just under a year.

Years ago, there was a commercial that talked about a “Kodak Moment.” It’s a moment in time you catch in a picture. One you never want to forget. What is yours? 
The first time we went to Lake Tahoe on vacation. My girls were five and three. I was immediately smitten. Thus, the setting for all my books. 

It's been a pleasure getting to meet you, Martha. I wish you the best with all your books. Before you head out to the pool for laps could you leave us with some information about your latest book and where to get more information about it and you?

Picture
Last Chance
by 
Martha O'Sullivan

Moira Brody knows Paul Webster better than he knows himself. But neither one of them know that he is as desperately in love with her as she is with him. Still, she isn't going to wait around forever, especially on Valentine's Day. When Paul learns that the hard way, he has no choice but to take matters into his own hands. He can't lose her. Or let the past dictate the future. These friends turned lovers will have to look at each other with fresh eyes and brave hearts. But not everybody is on their side. And Paul will have to choose between following his head and listening to his heart. Or risk losing Moira forever.
  
https://books2read.com/marthaosullivanlastchance
 
 
About the Author
Martha O'Sullivan has loved reading romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing her own books is the realization of a lifelong dream. She is a graduate of Illinois State University where she wrote for the school newspaper and was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. She is also a former Acquisitions Editor at MacMillan Computer Publishing. Martha writes contemporary romances with M/F couples and happy endings. A native Chicagoan, she lives her own happy ending in Florida with her husband and two daughters.

Find out more by following Martha at
https://www.marthaosullivan.com/ 
https://www.instagram.com/authormarthaosullivan/ 
http://twitter.com/@m_osullivan26

Around the Fire Announces an Exciting New Series Release!

1/16/2023

 

From the Cover

A wisp of smoke, a swirl of promise, a breath of destiny…a message within the Mortar & Pestle for those who want to believe.
Throughout time people have sought their heart’s desire. But true love is often elusive.
Carved with ancient Norse runes, the Mortar & Pestle shows paths to happily-ever-afters.

Once you capture the Mortar & Pestle’s scent of magic, you’ll want to read all seven individual romances.
About the Series
Go on the adventure of The Mortar & Pestle series with international authors of different genres and vast backgrounds who came together and offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world traveling, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors and award winners there’s something for everyone in this series.
Get a Free Sampling of all the stories at dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq

A bit about all the stories
 
Selkie
By
Sydney Winward
No one has ever managed to capture a selkie. Until now…
On their wedding day, Klaus Lovik’s bride is stolen by an enemy chieftain. He will travel to the ends of the earth to find her, and in desperation, he captures a selkie and uses her as a bartering piece. But the selkie’s magic is powerful enough to drown entire islands, and if he’s not careful, he might find himself in a watery grave.
Mayla Brior is gifted with the power to shed her seal skin, enabling her to walk on land. But when a man robs her of the pelt, she is forced to follow his commands, endangering her skin, and preventing her return to the sea.
Venturing into enemy territory, Klaus and Mayla bond, escalating their relationship into more than adversaries. He realizes his pending nuptials are a dreadful mistake. But it might be too late to choose another path, especially when he knows he has to eventually let her go.
 
Seeker
By
Jean M. Grant
Nock, draw, release. Her bow is always ready, and if her arrow hits its mark, she will secure her destined soulmate.
 
Aileana Montgomerie’s bloodline holds valuable gifts of foresight and healing, but with each honor comes a curse. Even though she is descended from the mystical isles’ folk, she lacks the ability of the Scottish Ancients and wonders if she belongs in a magical family. Aileana just wants a purpose. What good is her bow and arrow if she is denied the right to fight for her clan?
Brodie MacDougall is ordained to be the next war chieftain of his clan. The title is a privilege as long as his brother, the future laird, doesn’t expect him to lift a sword and charge into battle. Chronic pain and nervous vapors force him to spend his days alone. Can his strategic skills keep him one step ahead of his conspiring brother?
Through a magical Mortar & Pestle, Brodie finds his heart’s desire. But there’s a catch. The seat on his brother’s council is no longer dependent upon his health…but on Aileana’s strength. With rumblings of unrest among their clans, will their love foster an alliance or be a step toward war?
 
Quartermaster
By
Marilyn Barr
Can the love of a pirate heal the wounds inflicted by a gentleman?
Catalina
He violated me. Don Rodrigo took my family’s business, home, and titles, but he will never own me. I’m on the run. He’s threatened to expose my secret. My last hope is to intercept the ship carrying my dowry before our match is permanent. Trusting pirates to give me a fair share is foolish but not as much as staying on the same island as my attacker…
Chub
The letter from our arch-nemesis was written in feminine calligraphy but our nutmeg Captain Teeth didn’t notice. Blimey that because the author of the letter is my lady love. I’d bet my last doubloon. If only she didn’t shrink away from my touch… Killing every scoundrel who dared to hurt her isn’t helping…but it cools the rage I hold inside.
Can Chub teach Catalina to assemble her shattered fragments into the strong woman she wants to be or is she too broken to believe in herself? Will she accept a pirate’s promise of true love or was the Mortar & Pestle’s message too late for lonely Chub to claim his lady love?
https://www.amazon.com/Quartermaster-Marilyn-Barr-ebook/dp/B0BRWRPDBF
 
Sea Hunter
By
D.V. Stone
On the turbulent high seas, an archeologist must protect a historic shipwreck from treasure hunters—not fall for one.
Zahra Corbyn
As the professor of antiquities, nothing snaps my cap more than treasure hunters and looters. They smash and grab and then are gone with the wind. And there are two after Sea Wraith. But fate is a funny thing. Thanks to an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not only am I in cahoots with one of them but he’s also fired up my heart, turning me into a khaki-wacky.
Captain Jack Alexander
I’ve been told women on a ship are unlucky, but this dame has the two pieces of the map I need to finally claim Sea Wraith. Now, I find myself in a lousy deal that makes me one-third partner with her and a known scalawag. It’s either that or bupkis. After all these years of chasing down my dream of finding the shipwreck, my obsession is cooling off and heating up toward a bird who’s way above my pay grade.
Can the two unlikely allies work together while safeguarding their hearts against the power of the Mortar & Pestle?
If you like Lara Croft and Indiana Jones, you’ll love Zahra Corbyn and Jack Alexander.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRYJLLW1
or grab a sample
dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
 
Revamped
By
Shirley Goldberg
An energy vampire hungry for love meets the wisecracking woman of his parents’ nightmares.
Vampire Dante Allegretti hates his sucky life. Born into a family of energy siphoners, he’s desperate to reinvent himself as a fun-loving normal guy rather than a crowdsourcing parasite. To stop the draining urges, Dante resorts to grinding alternative meds in an ancient Mortar & Pestle, not knowing it contains magical properties.
Enter wisecracking thirty-year-old Sophie Arley, who lives with her clingy parents. Working three jobs and craving independence, she’s come back strong after a breakdown crashed her cozy world. So when the weird, hot guy she just met-cute asks Sophie to the movies, she agrees.
Sophie won’t spoil their magical connection by mentioning her heartbreak. And Dante dreads telling Sophie about his dark side. Will the power from the Mortar & Pestle guide them to their happily ever after despite the secrets and lies?
 
Trickster
By
Darlene Fredette
Can she heal the trickster before he breaks her heart?
Working for a top modeling agency is Jade Parsons’s dream job until her boss suffers a heart attack, and his son temporarily fills his position. Eric’s push-pull approach fuels her frustration. While anticipating the troublemaker’s imminent departure, Jade’s destiny is revealed through a magical Mortar & Pestle, leaving her heart tormented by whispers of a different fate.
World-renowned photographer Eric Martini returns home to restore his relationship with his estranged father, but wounds from the past haunt him. Enchanted by his father’s feisty assistant, he masks his heart and refuses to give in to desire. Convinced his destined future is already written in the stars—and doesn’t include Jade, Eric’s only choice is to walk away.
Will Jade and Eric find the courage to trust the mythical and smokey signs before their paths are severed forever?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS1PD9W2/
 
Artist
By
Ginny Frost
Stuck at a retreat with her ex, Lexi is torn between reviving her art and rekindling an old romance.
Lexi Pintari is stuck in a dead-end cubicle job that is slowly killing her. She tucked away her passion for art when the love of her life ghosted her after college. Witnessing her lack of motivation, Lexi’s best friend drags her to an art retreat for much-needed reflection and inspiration. Though knowing her ex-boyfriend is an artist-in-residence there, Lexi agrees to go. Unfortunately, her metal-goth style and enthusiasm for graphic comics clash with the pastel-scarf-wearing, tea-sipping participants, making her ex the least of her problems. 
Cole MacDougall is blocked. His rise to the top of the modern art scene is crushed by a missing muse. He is desperate to paint again, but the canvas remains blank. Due to the shortage of patronage revenue, he is forced to put up with the groupie-students. Until he sees a woman standing out like a sore thumb in ripped jeans and a leather jacket. Lexi. Hope blooms that he can renew his passion through her. 
For two weeks, Lexi and Cole work together, discovering what they’ve lost professionally and personally. Will a magical Mortar & Pestle show them how to connect the broken lines and seal their destiny?
Book Funnel Free Sample ⤵️
dl.bookfunnel.com/b1ytv2r7nq
Link to Series ⤵️
https://www.amazon.com/Mortar-Pestle-6-book-series/dp/B0BS42PKHZ
 
About the Series
Go on the adventure of The Mortar & Pestle series with international authors of different genres and a vast backgrounds who came together and offer this exciting, often humorous series. From world traveling, teachers, bloggers, magazine editors and award winners there’s something for everyone in this series.

Click Here for special .99 cent pre-order
Click Her For FREE Sample of all the stories
Picture
On sale for a limited pre-order time, so, grab Your Copy Today!
About the Authors
Sydney Winward
Is a fantasy and paranormal romance author who dabbles in the occasional historical fiction. She loves building complex worlds filled with magic, strong characters, and emotional stories that can make you laugh and cry.
Sydney is the author of The Bloodborn Series and the Sunlight and Shadows Series. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, thinking about stories, or going on adventures with her children. She lives in Utah with her husband and three amazing kids.
https://sydneywinward.com/
 
Jean Grant
Jean has a penchant for misunderstood creatures, be it sharks, microbes, or wounded characters. A scientist by training, she now spends her days as an author and champion for her children. She writes historical and contemporary romance and women’s fiction. Two of her books won InD’tale RONE awards.
A nature enthusiast, Jean also writes for family-oriented travel magazines and websites. When not writing, she enjoys gardening, tackling the biggest mountains in New England, and going on adventures near and far with her family. If she were stuck on a desert island, her three essentials (besides family, food, water, and shelter) would be coffee, lip balm, and the Rock Dwayne Johnson.
https://www.jeanmgrant.com/
 
Marilyn Barr
I have a diverse background containing experiences as a child prodigy turned medical school reject, published microbiologist, special education/inclusion science teacher, homeschool mother of a savant and advocate for the autistic community. This puts me in the position to bring tales containing heroes who are regular people with different ability levels and body types, in a light where they are powerful, lovable, and appreciated.
I currently reside in the wilds of Kentucky with my husband and son. When I’m engaging with the real world, I’m collecting characters, empty coffee cups, and unused homeschool curricula. I love to read paranormal romance as much as I love to write it. Connect with me on Goodreads to find out what I am reading.
https://www.marilynbarr.com/
 
D. V. Stone
Is an award-winning author of both independent and traditionally published works. She hosts a popular book and author blog, Around the Fire. She is a contributing writer for Still Moments Magazine, Dishing With D.V.
A Brooklyn, NY native, D.V. Stone has lived in many places, though she’s called New Jersey home for the past twenty-eight years.
Retired, she considers herself a full-time author, and she travels with her husband Pete, dog Hali, in a 41ft 5th Wheel.
https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/
 
Shirley Goldberg
Is a writer, novelist, and former ESL and French teacher who’s lived in Paris, Crete, and Casablanca. She writes about men and women of a certain age starting over. Her website http://midagedating.com offers a humorous look at dating in mid-life, and her friends like to guess which stories are true. A Little Bit of Lust is her third book in the series Starting Over, although all her books are standalone. Shirley’s characters all believe you should never leave home without your sense of humor and she agrees. 
Shirley Goldberg.com
 
Darlene Fredette
I write stories about falling in love and happy-ever-after. I grew up with my nose in a book and daydreaming. Writing stories is an escape and I can’t imagine a better way to spend my day.
The Artist In Me... The title of ‘artist’ is huge, and I’m not sure my work is deserving of the title, but my family definitely says it is. While I do many styles of art, my favourites are pencil drawings and paintings. Every week, I pencil sketch a new drawing for my daughter.
I have always loved painting, from ceramics to canvas painting, but I recently discovered fluid art painting and I love it!
http://darlenefredette.blogspot.com/
 
Ginny Frost
Writes contemporary romance with a sexy, funny kick. In her down time, she plays clerk at the local library—the perfect job to feed her reading addiction.
She lives in upstate NY with her very own kindhearted ogre, their two smart and sassy daughters and an evil cat named Flash.
www.ginnyfrost.com
Picture

A Special Friday the 13th New Release Spotlight.

1/13/2023

 
PG-13 for violence this is a horror story.
Picture
Avenging Angel
by

Michelle Godard-Richer
Releases Friday, January 13, 2023

​A Friday the 13th Short Story: 13 authors ~ 13 suspenseful stories. Murder and mayhem on Friday the 13th...Find each story in the series on Amazon.

On Friday the 13th, sweet college student and barista, Maya Pendleton, leaves Rowena’s Coffee to walk home alone. The streets of Gideon’s Hollow are empty. The locals believe the spirits of the witches from nearby Salem roam on this cursed night, seeking revenge on the descendants of those who burnt them at the stake.
Maya’s lonely footsteps echo through the empty street in a steady rhythm until they’re interrupted by another pair. They belong to Rand Roosevelt⎯an evil man with murder on his mind. But he picks the wrong night, the wrong victim, and he messes with the wrong witch.

Get your copy here
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLCZ8W66
 https://books2read.com/AvengingAngel

​Excerpt
The witch removed her athame from her satchel, sliced open the meaty part of her palm, and coated the blade with her blood. She held it to the sky as she moved to stand beside the girl in the center of the circle. “As above,” she buried the ritual knife into the Earth beside Maya’s waist, “so below.”

She lifted her arms to the clear sky where the orange harvest moon held reign over the night, letting the power of the elements fill her. The tendrils of darkness hung in the air nearby, waiting for her to harness their energy. “Dark God. An act most foul, the murder of an innocent, has been committed upon this sacred land. Lend us your strength to right the wrong.”
The black candles on either side of Maya’s head burst into flame, melting the wax into two small nubs. 
“Yes, my lord. Yes.” The witch smiled. “Dark Lord, lend Maya Pendleton your power. Resurrect her from the land of the dead, so she may bring vengeance upon Rand Roosevelt, the one who wronged her, to restore balance to this sacred land.”
A bolt of lightning forked down from the sky into Maya’s chest. The wound on the girl’s hand closed, and her eyes popped open.
The witch outstretched her palms over the girl, who was no longer human, but rather an immortal slave bound to the witch. “Arise, my avenging angel.”
Heat level: none but the violence would put it at a PG13

Picture
About the Author

Michelle Godard-Richer is an award-winning thriller and romance author living in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada. With her degree in Criminology, she writes edge-of-your-seat, suspenseful stories with strong protagonists and diabolical villains.

Follow Michelle
www.michellegodardricherauthor.com
Goodreads: Michelle Godard-Richer
Twitter: @MGodardRicher
Facebook: Michelle Godard-Richer Author
Instagram: michellegodardricherauthor
TikTok: @mgodardricher


Around the Fire New Release Book Spotlight with Judythe Morgan

1/9/2023

 
Picture
When Love Comes Home. The Fitzpatrick Family series
by
Judythe Morgan
Released: December 18, 2022
Rated ~G~


Sometimes your heart knows what’s best.

Sammy Fitzpatrick and Tiffany Fischer eloped on prom night. The next day her father forced them to sign annulment papers then whisked her off to art school. Sammy and Tiffany made secret plans to go to Guatemala with a mission group.
Then she and her parents disappear without a trace. Resigned to a life alone, Sammy heads to the mission field missing a chunk of his heart.
Ten years later, he learns the annulment papers were never filed. Tiffany is still legally his wife, but she doesn’t know it and she's engaged to someone else. His heart has never let him forget. But is he too late?
As secrets unravel, will they be able to find the love they once shared again?

Get your copy today
https://amazon.com/When-Love-Come-Home-Fitzpatrick-ebook/dp/B0BQLGYWMP/

Judythe's inspiration for the story
The release of When Love Comes Home is bittersweet because Sammy’s story is the last of The Fitzpatrick Family series. I’m going to miss all the Fitzpatricks. I’ve loved finding soulmates for all the brothers and sisters. They’ve kinda been like a pretend family as I’ve crafted their stories. Like my real family, Sammy has heartache and disappointment, tragedy and trial, but in the end faith and love lead him to happiness.
I chose preacher kids as my main characters because I’m married to a PK (preacher’s kid), and I have a preacher son who has six children. That means I’ve watched a lot of PKs. Their romances are not that different from the rest of the world. Plus, I found lots of inspiration. 
Sammy’s story plot is a twist on the Sweet Home Alabama movie. I hope you enjoy When Love Comes Home as much as I did writing it.          
Picture
​I’m a native Texan whose roots called her home after years of roaming as an Air Force daughter and then Army wife. Now, I write award-winning fiction from a Christian worldview that’s filled with strong characters tackling real-life situations. Besides fiction, I blog weekly at www.judythewriter.com​

Do you know about Shepherd?

1/6/2023

 
Picture
​​Shepherd is about the celebration of reading, books, and the authors who make it all possible. As a reader, its' not hard to find books. But sometimes it's hard to find books you want to read. It's like going to the store and the only thing you find is what the store wants to sell. This is why local boutiques and crafters are so important. Amazon owns Goodreads so they are going to list the products they want to sell first. On Bookbub you can get seen by readers--for a price. 
This is why I was happy to discover Shepherd and now I am part of it. Ben says this, "I love walking around the bookstore and browsing until something grabs my attention. I want to bring that experience online. I want to help readers bump into books they would otherwise not find and give them ways to follow their curiosity between topics and concepts."
I now have a profile and share about the books that not only live with me as a reader but inspire me as a writer. Check it out.
shepherd.com/best-books/with-a-war-between-humans-and-shifter
Here you'll find programs for both readers and authors. 

Around the Fire New Release Spotlight with Mary Morgan

1/2/2023

 
Picture
WISHES UNDER A HIGHLAND STAR
(A Tale from the Order of the Dragon Knights)
By
Mary Morgan
The stars collide when a half-Fae lass captures a Highland chieftain.
About
As chieftain for his clan, Alex MacFhearguis struggles with the burden of an unwanted responsibility. With the midwinter feast approaching, he flees his castle to find comfort and solitude within the forest. Yet on his quest, Alex stumbles into a world filled with magic, mysteries, and a woman with beguiling eyes who could capture his heart.
When half-Fae Aine Fraser makes a powerful wish, her simple request unlocks the magic she possesses and brings forth a Highlander into her world. Though the man has lost all his memories, she finds her attraction growing for this brooding warrior with each passing day. Unable to deny her feelings, Aine risks everything when she confesses her greatest secret.
Can a beauty who wished for a champion tame the beast of Leòmhann Castle?

Release date: December 5, 2022

Historical Scottish Fantasy Romance

Picture

​A look inside

Sounds of the smithy beckoned him forward. As his steps led him closer, Alex halted at the vision before him. Poised over the anvil, Aine leveled the hammer against the metal with strength that stunned Alex. For one so small, she wielded the hammer with fierceness. Beads of sweat trickled down her cheek, smudged with the grime of her work. She gave no regard to her appearance, or him, while she continued. Studying her profile, he fought the urge to pick up a cloth and wipe away the moisture along with the dirt from her ivory skin. Her honeyed hair was woven into two braids and wrapped around her head like a crown of silken jewels.

Leaning against an oak tree, Alex regarded her in fascination. The smithy stood as a place reserved for men. This he knew. Then why would a woman accept a position in the castle fashioning weapons?
Aine blew out a curse, and he smiled in response.
The woman was mesmerizing. Captivating. He folded his arms over his chest, content to remain hidden and watch her in secret. When something nudged his thigh, Alex quickly moved to the side. “By the hounds,” he hissed out in surprise at the sudden appearance of the wolfhound. “I thought I left ye by the warm fire.”
“Etain has taken to ye,” announced Aine while inspecting the blade in front of her. She darted him a glance.
Alex straightened his tunic and stepped forward.
“She moves silently for one so large. Are ye sure she does not belong to the Fae?”
The blade slipped from Aine’s fingers onto the anvil with a large clang. Her eyes grew wide as she turned away from Alex. “’Tis folly. She is only a dog,” she mumbled, quickly retrieving the blade and disappearing from his view.
Concerned, Alex followed her. Once he entered inside the forge, his eyes adjusted to the dimly lit enclosure. He observed the other blades of various sizes strewn out on a wooden table along with horseshoes. A glint of light at the end of the table drew his attention. He steadily made his way to the stunning circular brooches. Their gilded edges were carved with delicate knotwork. Tracing his finger along the smooth surface of one, he marveled at the craftmanship. Surely she had assistance.
He lifted his gaze to the woman.
While Aine kept her back to him, Alex noted her rigid stance. Unsure on what to do, he clasped his hands behind his back. “Did ye make all of these?”
Clenching her fists, she turned around. Wariness reflected back at him within those lavender eyes. “Does it matter?”
“’Tis a simple question,” he remarked.
Her eyes narrowed. “Because I am a woman, aye?”
Alex’s gaze roamed over her face and traveled down the length of her. “Most assuredly.” He took a step forward. “But that is not why I asked the question.”
Bright splotches appeared on her cheeks. She swallowed but kept her gaze locked with his. “Aye. ’Tis all my work. Mine alone.”
“Who has taught ye this skill?”
She lifted her chin. “My father and Gordon. I now share the forge with Gordon since my father’s death.”
Arching a brow, Alex reached around her, inhaling the woman’s scent. As his fingers touched the cool surface of a blade, he brought forth the small dirk and lifted it up to the candlelight. “Incredible craftmanship.”
Aine’s eyes widened in shock. “Ye approve of my work?” Her question barely a whisper.
“Why would I not?”
“Because I should be learning how to sew, tending to the gardens, and making a simple bannock,” she grumbled, glancing beyond him.
“I favor bread over any bannock,” he chided.
Returning her attention to him, she grabbed his arm. “Ye can recall something from your past? Is there more?”
Her smile beamed like starlight on a winter’s night, and Alex became entranced. Why had he become fascinated with this woman? His gut clenched and his mouth dried whenever he entered her presence. Had he not spent much time around women? Or worse, married to one? He quickly banished the thought. Alex could not dwell on what he was unable to remember.
Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/31DeYa

What others are saying.
"I loved everything about this story – the plot, the beautiful scenery, the holiday theme, the chemistry between Alex and Aine, as well as the full cast of characters. Would I highly recommend this masterfully written book…Aye!" -Still Moments Magazine 

"The author has taken her knowledge of the Irish legends of fairies or fae along with the Scottish legends of dragons and used them well in creating this wonderful story. This light-hearted romance catches the reader's imagination from the first page to the last page and will have them smiling and even crying in places." -Readers' Favorite

"Glued to the tale from page one, readers will be dying to know what happens to the Chieftain who doesn’t suffer fools gladly... "Wishes Under a Highland Star” is a great addition to the autumn book list!" November Issue of InD’tale Magazine
Picture

​About the Author: 

Multi award-winning paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary's passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.
Connect with Mary here ~
https://www.marymorganauthor.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Mary-Morgan/e/B00KPE3NWI/
https://www.facebook.com/MaryMorganAuthor/
​http://twitter.com/m_morganauthor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8271002.Mary_Morgan
www.pinterest.com/marymorgan50/
https://www.instagram.com/marymorgan2/
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/mary-morgan
https://www.audible.com/author/Mary-Morgan/B00KPE3NWI
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-morgan-2634a77a/  

    Your Host D.V. Stone

    Award 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!
    Facebook         
    Twitter            
    Instagram
    Pinterest          
    Bookbub         
    Goodreads       
    Newsletter
    Amazon Author Page

    ​tiktok.com/@dvstoneauthor

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021

Contact me