Monday, December 09, 2024

#BookReview: The Rumble and the Glory (Sacred Trinity #1) by @JAHuss



Collin Creed is a killer. But he's Lowyn's killer. And after a twelve-year separation, she wants him back.

Deep in the hills of West Virginia, three small towns have found a way to flourish in the face of extreme poverty. Disciple runs a side-show tent revival that brings in millions of dollars a year. Bishop flaunts traditional ways in the vein of Colonial Williamsburg, luring weary city people to the slow-living lifestyle. And Revenant offers them an experience of sin filled with tattooed bikers and live-music dive bars.

It’s a sacred trinity that worships the almighty dollar and everyone plays their role like a well-trained Broadway actor.

But these hills have secrets, and so do the people.

Twelve years ago, when he was just eighteen and dreaming of a future with his high school sweetheart, Collin Creed learned something about himself. Something so disturbing he left Disciple to join the Marines and didn’t once look back. But all that came to a screeching halt with the congressional hearings, forcing Collin to return home and rebuild his black-ops empire brick by brick.

Lowyn McBride’s heart broke when Collin shut her out and left town without an explanation just as they were getting ready to start their adult lives together. The death of her mother the following year was a make-or-break moment and Lowyn rose to the occasion, giving up her university education to parent her younger sister while building an empire of her own as a specialty antiques dealer.

Anger and desire, guilt and shame—the return of the enigmatic Collin Creed ignites the town and sparks an explosion of emotions inside Lowyn. But he’s not the only one with a secret in his past.

Lowyn has always played the good girl to Collin’s bad-boy reputation. But it turns out—she’s just like everyone else up in these hills—not as wholesome and pure as she looks.

The Rumble and the Glory is a cinematic and spicy small-town secret, second-chance romance wrapped up in a cloak of mystery and suspense. It honors the themes of found family, redemptive anti-hero, and is filled with bigger-than-life, morally-grey characters against a backdrop of deceit and deception.

TROPES:
Small Town Secrets
Touch Her and Die
He Falls First
Enemies to Lovers
Morally Grey
Found Family
Second Chance
Childhood Sweethearts
Anti-Hero



#BookReview: Beyond the Ruby Veil (Beyond the Ruby Veil, #1) by Mara Fitzgerald



A dark, queer YA fantasy that's perfect for fans of the Three Dark Crowns series. After Emanuela Ragno kills the one person in Occhia who can create water, she must find a way to save her city from dying of thirst.

Cunning and unapologetic, Emanuela Ragno is a socialite who plays by her own rules. In her most ambitious move yet, she’s about to marry Alessandro Morandi, her childhood best friend and the heir to the wealthiest house in Occhia. Emanuela doesn’t care that she and her groom are both gay, because she doesn’t want a love match. She wants power, and through Ale, she’ll have it all.

But Emanuela has a secret that could shatter her plans. In her city of Occhia, the only source of water is the watercrea, a mysterious being who uses magic to make water from blood. When their first bruise-like omen appears on their skin, all Occhians must surrender themselves to the watercrea to be drained of life. Everyone throughout history has obeyed this law for the greater good. Everyone except Emanuela. She’s kept the tiny omen on her hip out of sight for years.

When the watercrea exposes Emanuela during her wedding ceremony and takes her to be sacrificed, Emanuela fights back…and kills her. Before everyone in Occhia dies of thirst, Emanuela and Ale must travel through the mysterious, blood-red veil that surrounds their city to uncover the source of the watercrea’s power and save their people—no matter what it takes.



#BookBlitz: A Funny Thing Happened Walking Lost on the Camino De Santiago by Gary Tutty @RABTBookTours


 

Thoughts Along the Way of Saint James

 

Memoir

Date Published: November 6, 2024


 

The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, The Way of Saint James, is centuries old and has seen an explosion of interest in recent years. In A Funny Thing Happened Walking Lost on the Camino de Santiago: Thoughts Along the Way of Saint James, the author takes you along on his ups and downs of the thirty-six day journey from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, on the Camino Frances trail. He shares not only the physical and mental challenges of the five-hundred mile walk for someone in their seventies, but his thoughts along "The Way." Among those thoughts, uninterrupted by any news, music, podcasts, or other technological distractions, are his struggles with his Church and Catholic faith. He describes his times being lost both geographically and spiritually and introduces you to the wonderful people from all over the world, including some Camino Angels, who made his journey special. Tutty takes a serious look at the life-changing potential of the Camino pilgrimage but with a more humorous, self-deprecating approach to himself as a pilgrim.

For those considering walking the Camino de Santiago or just interested in learning more about it, the author shares what led him to his pilgrimage, his initial concerns, the preparation and experiences while walking, the time and financial investment, and his reflections after the walk. He offers a look at the Camino journey that begins before you take your first step and does not end even after your last.


#BookBlitz: Dear Starving Artist, Get Something to Eat by Ransford Doherty @RABTBookTours


 

Memoir, Personal Development, Entertainment

 

 

For every dreamer who’s ever been told it’s impossible—this one’s for you.

In Dear Starving Artist, Get Something to Eat, Ransford Doherty shares an honest, humorous, and deeply inspiring journey from aspiring dreamer to working actor. Born into a family with high expectations shaped by a rich Sierra Leonean heritage, Ransford felt the pressure to pursue stability over passion. From a pivotal decision to switch his college major to theatre to the audacious leap of moving to Los Angeles, this memoir chronicles his trials and triumphs in the pursuit of his artistic dreams.

Ransford reflects on the challenges of breaking into the entertainment industry. He navigates financial struggles, moments of self-doubt, and the delicate balance between staying true to his vision and meeting life's practical demands. With wit and candor, he introduces readers to the mentors, friends, and serendipitous encounters that shaped his path, offering valuable lessons for anyone daring to follow an unconventional dream.

With a blend of resilience and relatability, Dear Starving Artist, Get Something to Eat is a call to action for dreamers everywhere. Whether you're an artist, entrepreneur, or someone seeking inspiration to take a leap of faith, this book is a testament to the courage it takes to embrace your true self and persevere against all odds.

When the world says 'be practical,' Ransford Doherty says 'be bold.'

 

Get inspired to pursue your passion with grit and determination—grab your copy of Dear Starving Artist, Get Something to Eat today and start writing your own success story!


#BookTour: Morpho Amathonte by Victoria Arnette & Dennis Arnette @RABTBookTours




Supernatural / Fantasy

Date Published: July 2, 2024

Publisher: Mindstir Media



This fictional tale tells the story featuring otherworldly guardians battling malevolent creatures that manipulate the human mind. These guardians are on a quest to save Earth, embarking on an adventure-filled journey that explores the eternal struggle between good and evil, reflecting aspects of human nature. The exciting thing about our book is that it uncovers the existence of mysterious creatures living among us, who profit from human dreams while we sleep and secretly manipulate our desires, fears, and actions. These creatures weave a complex web of intrigue, leaving our readers questioning not only the nature of their dreams but the forces behind their own existence. We hope this reflection inspires our readers to replace those forces with more positive ones. 

The main message of our book to our readers is to cherish the gift of life, nurture it, and understand that your talents can only be utilized through the goodwill of your hearts. Love one another and sincerely wish each other well – we are all one big family! Protect this beautiful planet; it is our only home!