July 2025 - A Life Through Books

Thursday, July 31, 2025

Book Blitz: Sword Brethren by Jon Byrne #historical #adventure #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Book 1 of the Northern Crusader Chronicles


Historical Adventure

Date Published: 11-28-2024

Publisher: The Book Guild



1242. Wounded and captured after the Battle on the Ice, English knight Richard Fitz Simon becomes the unlikely guest of Prince Alexander Nevsky of Novgorod. Curious about his prisoner, Alexander commands his scholar to record Richard’s tale.

Richard’s story begins in 1203, when betrayal shatters his path to knighthood and drives him from England to the merchant city of Lübeck. There, entangled in an illicit affair and the cutthroat salt trade, he finds only temporary refuge. Fleeing once again, he joins the Livonian Brothers of the Sword—a militant order sworn to spread Christendom across the pagan Baltic.

Amid the cold austerity of Riga’s commandery and the looming threat of enemy tribes, Richard must battle not just for survival, but for meaning in a life shaped by violence, doubt, and fractured loyalties. When a pagan army threatens to overrun their outpost, he faces a final reckoning—one that will test his faith, his honor, and the limits of his courage.

 


About the Author


Jon Byrne, originally from London, now lives with his German family by a lake in Bavaria with stunning views of the Alps. As well as writing, he works as a translator for a local IT company and occasionally as a lumberjack. He has always been fascinated by history and has studied the Medieval world for over twenty years, building up a comprehensive library of books. Sword Brethren (formerly Brothers of the Sword) made it to the shortlist of the Yeovil Literary Prize 2022 and the longlist of the prestigious Grindstone International Novel Prize 2022. It is the first book in The Northern Crusader Chronicles.


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RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:
Virtual Book Tour: The Irish Girl by Ashley E. Sweeney #audiobook #historical #comingofage #fiction #interview #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Coming of Age/ Fiction/ Historical Fiction

Date Published: December 10, 2024 (Paperback) / March 11, 2025 (Audiobook)

Publisher: She Writes Press/Tantor Media

Narrator: Aoife McMahon

Run Time: 9 hours and 39 minutes



From multi-award-winning historical fiction author Ashley E. Sweeney comes a family saga about the Irish immigrant experience spanning New York, Chicago, and Colorado so compelling that, USA Today best-selling author Kelli Estes says, “I read this story in one sitting.”

Thirteen-year-old Mary Agnes Coyne, forced from her home in rural Ireland in 1886 after being accused of incest, endures a treacherous voyage across the Atlantic alone to an unknown life in America. From the tenements of New York to the rough alleys of Chicago, Mary Agnes suffers the bitter taste of prejudice for the crime of being poor and Irish.

After moving west to Colorado, Mary Agnes again faces hardships and grapples with heritage, religion, and matters of the heart. Will she ever find a home to call her own? Where?



Interview




What is the hardest part of writing your books?

The middle! Before I begin a novel, I know the beginning and the ending. As a “pantser,” one who writes without an outline, the middle unfolds in curious ways. Of course, I have a general idea of the plot arc and character arc, but I allow the writing to flow organically. Also, I do not write chronologically. Instead, I rely on emotions to guide my writing. If I am angry, I channel that anger on the page in whatever scene demands it. If I am excited, I use that energy on the page in a different scene, and so on, depending on my mental and emotional state. This technique leaves the possibility of holes in a narrative, so I am conscious to weave all elements together in the third draft.

But I never have writer’s block, which plagues so many authors. My mind is always in overdrive, so words spill onto the page at a rate far slower than my mind!




What are your most played songs?

For each of my novels, I create playlists to invoke the mood of the novels as I write, mostly instrumental music, both classical and contemporary. But I shy away from music with words; words of songs compete with words in my head and words on the page.

Below are a couple of items on each of my playlists:

For The Irish Girl: Braveheart Soundtrack, James Horner; Outlander Soundtrack, Bear McCreary

For Hardland: Dancing with Wolves Soundtrack, John Barry; Legends of the Fall Soundtrack, James Horner

For Answer Creek: Before Barbed Wire, George Winston; In Reverence, David Tolk

For Eliza Waite: December (full album), George Winston; Impressions (full album), David Tolk




Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

Both. Since spring 2020, I have met monthly with three critique partners, Gretchen Cherington (Poetic License; The Butcher, the Embezzler, and the Fall Guy), Shelley Blanton-Stroud (Copy Boy; Tom Boy; Poster Girl), and Debra Thomas (Luz; Josie and Vic). We read each other’s work monthly and offer feedback. Since 2020, we have published 10 novels collectively!

Re: beta readers, for every novel, I send my second draft to a set of 6-8 beta readers for feedback. Only two beta readers remain the same each time. I rely on these readers to tell me what works, what doesn’t work, who/what they’d like to see more (or less) of, scenes they’d like deleted or added, etc. Their feedback is invaluable and I use many of their suggestions.


The following is a template I use for each novel:


Opening/Ending

Q: Did story start at the right place? End at the right place?



Conflict

Q: Are there too few and/or too many internal/external conflicts within character?

—Consider love, hate, lust, fear, self-doubt, anger, pressure, drive, disappointment,

revenge, naivety, failure, moral dilemmas, etc.



Plot

Q: Were characters’ problems clearly defined near the beginning of the novel? By

the end of the novel, did you feel they were resolved adequately?

Q: Are there scenes that do not further the plot? Which one(s)? Or scenes you wish

had been added? Where? With whom?

Q: Could the novel be improved by more subplots? Again, where? With whom?



Pacing

Q: Did narrative move along at an adequate pace? Did it bog down? If so, where?

Q: Are there too many/too few flashbacks?



Characterization

Q: Were some characters hard to keep track of? If so, who?

Q: Do you wish for more character development for any main or secondary

character? Again, if so, who?

—Consider physical descriptions, flaws, reputations, beliefs, preferences, habits,

talents, abilities, relationships, etc.



Setting

Q: As a reader, were you transported to the time and place of the novel?

—Consider geographic location, historical period, weather, culture, attire, language,

role of women, occupations, transportation, etc.



Language:

Q: Is narrative written clearly? If not, comment.



Dialogue

Q: Is dialogue consistent with characters’ personalities? If not, comment.




What book are you reading now?

I usually read three books at a time, one fiction, one nonfiction, and one inspirational. I’m nearing the end of Claire Leslie Hall’s Broken Country (gutting); halfway through Finding Beauty in a Broken World by Terry Tempest Williams (interesting/thought-provoking); and devouring Pope Leo XIV: Restless Heart, Faithful Shepherd (enlightening).

Like many readers, my TBR stack is chest high and no, I can’t help myself buying new books every month. In January, I buy one new book; in February, two, etc., ending in December when I treat myself to 12 new books.

In a given year, I read upward of 100 books, not counting books for research.
 

How did you start your writing career?

My whole life has been framed by reading and writing. My father read to me before I could I read, and from the age of five, I have never been without a book.

My first published piece was in my junior high newspaper, and since then, I’ve worked on junior high, high school, and college newspapers, literary magazines, and yearbooks. I began writing poetry in my early teens and have never stopped (after reading over a raft of teen poems lately, I’ve improved greatly over the years!)

After graduation from college, and a one-year-stint as a VISTA volunteer, I worked as a small-town newspaper journalist, as well as writing free-lance articles for various parenting magazines, before turning my attention to education.

I began novel writing in earnest in my 50s. Since then, I have published four novels: Eliza Waite (2016); Answer Creek: A Novel of the Donner Party (2020); Hardland (2022); and The Irish Girl (2024).



Tell us about your next release.

Deep into my next novel, set at an elite prep school for girls in Tucson in the 1930s, tentatively titled, The Desert School for Girls. Told from a braided point of view, the novel hinges on a lie that upends that affects three young women as they come of age. With luck, I’ll find representation in early 2026. I’m confident it will make a great book club book!



About the Author


A native New Yorker, Ashley E. Sweeney is the multi-award-winning author of four novels, The Irish Girl, Hardland, Answer Creek: A Novel of The Donner Party, and Eliza Waite. She graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. with a degree in American Literature and American History and spent her career as a journalist and educator before turning to writing full-time. When she is not chained to her writing desk, Sweeney is an avid gardener, art quilter, and mosaic artist. She lives in the Pacific Northwest and Tucson.

 

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Reading Time:

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Preorder Blitz: The Lovelace Protocols by Mikala Ash #preorder #comingsoon #excerpt #steampunk #romance #rabtbooktours @ash_mikala @changelingpress @RABTBookTours
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Steampunk Romance

Date Published: August 1, 2025



Lust in space!

Automaton engineers Clara Wheeler and Edmund Blake, groundbreaking developers of the first robot program, the Lovelace Protocols, are sent by Queen Victoria to the moon on a mission of vital importance to the Empire. They are to help Mon Ilson, the Lunarian Emperor of Space, conduct experiments on their bedroom automatons: Jack and Jill.

There is a darker aspect to the experiments. Spiritualist Cordelia Warrington, her automaton lover Adam, and Harry Kincaid of the Home Office are there to do the unthinkable: transfer a human soul into an automaton’s body.

Supervised by the beautiful Lunarians Pamela Fyfe and Burton Sobel, the group pass the three days of the journey with card games, dancing, and a wild weightless orgy. To her horror, Clara discovers that her machines have more than sex actuating their cogs and pistons. Death is also on the program.

 


EXCERPT

 

Clara Wheeler, Automaton Engineer

1868 -- A Royal Command

Edmund says composing riddles is childish, but I find them to be so much fun. Even while working.

Knowledge, he has, But never ideas.

Skills, he has, But never control.

No children has he, Nor can ever be.

Dependent souls has he, But master he can never be.

What is he?

“Slower,” I commanded.

JN32’s response was sluggish.

“Stop.”

“I saw,” Edmund muttered, and took his trusty turnscrew to JN32’s exposed innards.

I gave my aching thighs a stretch before resting my ankles on JN32’s broad shoulders. The automaton had not yet been given a face, so I was looking at the brass framework from which distinctly inhuman oculi stared down at me with mechanical indifference.

“Hurry up. I’m getting cold.”

“Just a jiffy.”

The certification room never seemed to be at the right temperature. One would think being rogered for two hours without pause ought to have raised my body temperature enough to boil water, and that may have been true in the first thirty minutes where I usually achieved several climaxes. But when it came time to make final adjustments, my level of passion had declined markedly. So far JN32 had performed to a standard which, by human standards, was spectacular.

Edmund began to whistle a music hall tune he’d picked up during his last weekend pass. He had been deliberately torturing me with “Champagne Charlie” ever since.

“This does not qualify as a jiffy,” I complained.

“Nearly there.” He finally stepped back and gave me that quirky smile of his. “When you’re ready.”

“Resume,” I commanded, and JN32 began moving his hips. Slowly at first, following the appropriate Lovelace Protocol, one of several thousand which governed all the behaviours the automaton could express. This particular set ensured that the pace and magnitude of his strokes built up gently so as not to injure the customer with a sudden assault. A half minute later when he’d concluded the sequence of graduated steps, I commanded him to go faster. His response was also to specifications, and his thrusts accelerated. Automaton cocks, if not restrained, are like the pistons of a locomotive, and the resulting friction could be discomforting and downright dangerous.

“Lubricate.”

The rim of JN32’s cockhead immediately released a measured amount of specially blended synthetic oils that matched the average viscosity of vaginal fluid, and I felt the improvement almost at once.

“Again.”

“What?” Edmund asked, looking at me over the top of his notebook.

“I was just getting a little dry,” I replied.

He raised a quizzical orange eyebrow. “That’s not like you.”

I returned what he unkindly termed my Medusa glower. “Faster, JN32.”

I was rewarded with an immediate quickening. My body shook with each thrust so that my breasts jiggled and swayed. Now came the test of Edmund’s adjustment.

“Slower.”

This time JN32’s response was immediate, and the protocol smoothly reduced stroke speed by a quarter, then a half.

“Faster.”

JN32 complied.

“Slower.”

“That’s good,” Edmund muttered. “No lag that I could see.”

“Nor I,” I responded between gasps. A pleasant pair of climaxes had surprised me.

“He found the spot, did he?” Edmund quipped.

Another series of small climaxes overtook me. “Never… you… mind…” I replied as waves of pleasure pulsed through my body, radiating from quim to chest in gusts of white-hot flame. “Stop.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I just need a moment.”

Edmund’s gaze travelled from my eyes to my heaving breasts and to my quivering belly to where my body joined with JN32’s. My gaze dropped to the decided bulge in Edmund’s trousers. I pushed away the readily evoked images of his thick ten inches ploughing the artificial sheath of a female automaton. After a few moments I had collected myself enough to resume the test.

I took JN32 through the advanced routine where his cock would vibrate at variable speeds sequentially from the head down to the base of his shaft. Then with the “wiggle” command the top half of his shaft moved up and down and then side to side as his cock moved inside me.

This is my favourite part of the test, one which gave me exquisite pleasure, particularly on the outstroke where the movement stimulated my swollen nub. I must admit it made me squirm every time. I peeked through my eyelashes to note that Edmund had seen my response. The bulge had doubled in size. Served him right for inflicting me with one of Charlie’s song lines: “Come and join me in a spree.”

 

About the Author

Aussie Mikala Ash used to be a mild-mannered training & development consultant by day, and a wild sci-fi and paranormal adventure writer by night. Now she is a brazen full-time writer and nature photographer who is concentrating on having among other things, “… bags, and bags of fun!” Mikala can be found on Facebook and on Twitter.


Author Links

Author on Facebook

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Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

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RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:
Virtual Book Tour: Bolo the Brave by Jim Jones #childrensbook #giveaway #interview #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Kids Western Adventure

Date Published: 04-17-2025

Publisher: Speaking Volumes


 

 

You can learn a lot from a dog . . .

 

Meet Charlie Spears, a 10-year-old boy living on the High Plains of Texas in the late 1800s. Charlie lives with his Grandpa Will, who runs a chuckwagon, feeding all the adventurous folks traveling West in wagon trains. After losing his parents to illness, Charlie is often lonely and longs for a true friend. One day, by a stroke of luck and a big wag of a tail, Charlie meets a funny-looking dog named Bolo, who is also looking for a friend. Together, they embark on a journey where Charlie learns important life lessons.

 

In the first story: Bolo the Brave, Charlie discovers the meaning of courage and how to face challenges when a friend is in danger.

 

In the second story: True Friend, Charlie gains valuable insight—not to judge people by their limitations, but rather by their actions and character.

 

In the third story: Outcast, Charlie and his friends learn the importance of getting to know someone instead of passing judgment based on their appearance.

 

Together, Charlie and Bolo make new friends, confront dangers, and grow through valuable life lessons. As the story reminds us, you can learn a lot from a dog. 

 



Interview


What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Probably the most challenging part of writing the books is doing the research to ensure that it is historically accurate. The other thing that takes a good bit of my attention is finding a balance between writing in a manner that is consistent with a typical elementary school reading comprehension level without “talking down” to children. Kids are generally pretty savvy and they don’t appreciate it when adults treat them as if they can’t understand complex ideas.



What are your most played songs?

Probably my three most played songs are “It’s a Cowboy I Will Be” (song about Scottish drovers coming to America), “Rustler’s Moon” (the song that inspired my first Western novel) and “Long May You Ride” (my tribute to all my real cowboy friends)



Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

I’m really fortunate to have a number of friends who are authors. We help each other out on a regular basis with proof-reading, critiques, and feedback. It makes a tremendous difference.



What book are you reading now?

I’m a big fan of mysteries- John Sandford, Carl Hiaasen, Karen Slaughter, for example. I just finished reading an earlier book from the Reacher series by Lee Childs which I really enjoyed. Now, I’m just starting Beasts of the Earth, a Spur winning novel by James Wade from 2023 and I’m excited to see where it goes.



How did you start your writing career?

Back in the mid-2000s, I was driving home from Colorado through northern New Mexico. I was enjoying the beautiful scenery when I thought of one of my songs, “Rustler’s Moon,” which I mentioned above. I remember thinking that there was more to the story than the song divulged and that the song should be set up there in northern New Mexico. I remember with crystal clarity having the incredibly naïve thought, “I’ve never written a book, how hard could it be?” Of course, it turns out that it’s really hard but by the time I figured that out, I was pretty far down the road to becoming an author.


Tell us about your next release.

Along with my children’s book, Bolo the Brave, I just released my latest Western novel, Hunter’s Moon which is the fifth and last book in my Jared Delaney/Moon series. Now, I’m pondering my next steps and thinking about moving in a different direction. I’ve got an idea for a mystery and also an idea for a middle grade children’s book. In addition, I’m working on a pilot for a streaming series based on my first novel, Rustlers Moon, AND I’m working with some colleagues to finish a documentary based on another one of the songs I mentioned above, “It’s a Cowboy I Will Be.” I’m also working on a way to clone myself because there aren’t enough hours in the day for me to get everything done that I want to do.

About the Author


Jim Jones is a native Texan who lives in Rio Rancho, NM. In addition to being a Western novelist, he is also an award-winning Western singer/songwriter (International Western Music Association 2014 Male Performer of the Year; IWMA Song of the Year Award, 2019; Western Writers of America Spur Award, 2013, 2017 & 2021 for Western Song of the Year) who performs at festivals, coffeehouses and other venues throughout the West. Rustler's Moon, Jim's first novel, was a finalist in two categories for the 2009 New Mexico Book Awards, Best Historical Fiction and Best First Book. His novel, Colorado Moon, 2011, is the second in the Jared Delaney Series and it won the Western Music Association's 2011 Award for Outstanding Western Book. The third book in the series, Waning Moon, was published in 2013 and was also a New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards Finalist for Best Historical Fiction. The Big Empty, a spinoff series, was published in 2016 by Five Star Publishing and it, too, was a NM/AZ Book Awards Finalist in the Best Historical Fiction category. The second book in the spinoff series, The Lights of Cimarron, was published by Five Star in early 2019. The fourth book in the Jared Delaney Series, Halo Moon, was released in November, 2022 and won the 2023 AZ/NM Book Award for the Best in Adventure category. Jim creates gripping Old West characters about whom readers in the 21st century can care deeply. They struggle with tough economic times and corrupt government officials...wait, that's going on right now! Guess what, it was happening then, too. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Jim is a proud member of both the Western Writers of America and the Western Music Association. Although he writes about cattle rustling, Jim has never rustled cattle.


Contact Links

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Purchase Link

https://mybook.to/BolotheBrave

Amazon



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Tuesday, July 29, 2025

Preorder Blitz: Memphis Heat by Marteeka Karland #preorder #comingsoon #paranormal #Romance #rabtbooktours @changelingpress @RABTBookTours
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Paranormal Romance

Date Published: August 1, 2025

Publisher: Changeling Press

 


Memphis, Tennessee. The Russian mob has declared war on the MPD, leaving a team of dead cops in their wake, and the city of Memphis caught in their crossfire.

Stakeout (Memphis Heat 1)
Jarod took a bullet to the chest. But he didn’t die. While he was bleeding out, he was bitten. By a werewolf. Now he can smell his partner’s attraction, but his bite didn’t exactly come with instructions. Two partners who always have each other’s backs share everything -- but the one thing they need to share the most.

Streetwise (Memphis Heat 2)
When Officer Butch Carson and his rookie trainee, Regan “Sundance” O’Malley, are caught between the MPD and the Russians, they have no one they can turn to but each other. The more they learn about being werewolves, the tighter their own bond becomes. And the more determined they are to stop the assassins who nearly added them to the growing list of victims.

Strikeforce (Memphis Heat 3)
Lt. Jamie Callahan’s convinced there’s a mole in their pack, and he and his new partner must figure out who set them up -- and who’s responsible for the deaths of their former lieutenants.

Takedown (Memphis Heat 4)
Two packs fight for the heart of the city. The Russian mob and the MPD stand at odds, the city of Memphis caught in the middle. The new Alphas plan to leave their enemies in the dust. But it’s their friends they should be watching out for.

When the final takedown comes, there will only be one Alpha standing.



Excerpt


All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2025 Marteeka Karland & Shelby Morgen


Excerpt from Stakeout

"You're a real asshole, you know that, don't you?"

"Yes, dear," Jarod answered with a suppressed chuckle in his tone.

She was going to smack him any moment now. "That. That right there. That's the reason you're paying alimony to two ex-wives. Fuck you and your yes, dear. I've had shorter dry spells between engagements. I. Need. To. Fuck. Now!"

"You're just bored."

Belle squirmed in her chair, practically grinding her pussy against the worn upholstery. "No shit. What gave it away?"

"Told you not to come. ADD and stakeouts don't go well together."

She pointed the butt of her service revolver at him, resisting the urge to throw it. "Somebody has to watch your back. Besides. You used to be better at keeping me distracted."

A sideways grin quirked his face. "We used to have... interesting... ways of keeping ourselves entertained, didn't we? Not exactly professional, but..."

"Used to being the operative phrase here. What the hell is wrong with you, anyway?"

"Wrong with me? I got shot, remember?"

As if she could forget. "Yeah. And by all reports you should have died. But you didn't. And ever since you've been treating me like..."

"I'm trying to act like a professional. I've been treating you like a cop. Like my partner."

He attempted to look offended at that. Nearly pulled it off. Professional, my ass. "We were a hell of a lot more than just partners, Jarod. You can't deny that."

"Yeah, well, maybe if I'd been acting a little more like a cop and a lot less like your lover, we wouldn't have been in a position where you could have gotten killed." The bitterness in his tone surprised her.

She kept her voice low and steady, bottling up the frustrated anger that threatened to overwhelm her. "I wasn't the one who got shot, Jarod."

"Could have. Could have been you first up that alley, just as easy as me. And it would have been my fault."

This argument was getting them nowhere. Damn it, she was horny as hell and he was right there! "Shut up and fuck me --" she reached for her police baton -- "Or I'll do it myself."

Binoculars focused on the dilapidated warehouse across the street, he didn't even glance her way. "Go ahead."

Did he think she wouldn't? Staring at Jarod's lovely backside, Belle unzipped her jeans and shimmied them down her hips enough to give herself access to her pussy lips. It was his own fault. He was tall, handsome, built and reasonably single, if you didn't count the excess baggage, but she still might have resisted -- if he didn't smell like liquid sex poured into a cop suit. She wanted to reach over, undo his belt, and suck his cock right down to the root. Then they'd see how professional he could be. Fuckhead.

With that thought Belle kicked the jeans the rest of the way off and switched the baton around so the handle lined up with her pussy. With one thrust she impaled herself right down to the crossbar.

Fucker. If he didn't get off on that, he was gay.

"Shit, Belle! What the hell are you doing?"

"We're undercover. Normal people do not sit in sleazy, run-down motels next to vacant buildings for hours at a time and stare at locked doors. Only reason to be here is to fuck."

As if he'd suddenly gotten into the spirit of things, Jarod reached out and grabbed her shoulders, throwing her against the window. His mouth found the juncture of her neck and shoulder, and he bit down with more aggression that she was used to from him, but she was so horny, she didn't give a shit.

He yanked her head back, and his mouth found hers in a jaw-breaking kiss before he broke away, pushing her back. "You wanna play? Fine. Your turn to watch the Russians." He pulled her closer and spun her around. She braced her hands on the dirty plate glass window...

 

About the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts (which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.

 

Author Links

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

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RABT Book Tours & PR
Reading Time:

Monday, July 28, 2025

Release Blitz :Secret Keeper by Victoria Pinder #giveaway #newbooks #releaseday #romance #contemporary #rabtbooktours @victoriapinder @RABTBookTours
10:30 PM0 Comments

 

House of Morgan


Contemporary Romance

Date Published: 07-29-2025

Publisher: Love in a book




Anthony Morgan is the last man I should ever work for.
Too bad I don’t have a choice.

It started with an email from Jennifer Gonzales.
It ended with me walking into a boardroom face-to-face with the man who once loved her.
The same man who looks at me like I’m a threat to everything he built.

And maybe I am.

He’s cold. Controlled.
Italian billionaire in an Armani suit, hiding bruises behind bank accounts.
He thinks I’m still loyal to my former best friend—the woman who broke his brother’s heart and stole something she should’ve never touched.

But I’m not here for Belle.
I’m here to do a job.

Security.
Protection.
No distractions.

Except Anthony Morgan is a distraction.

His eyes strip me bare.
His voice is a seduction I never saw coming.
And every time we fight, it feels like foreplay.

Getting too close to him is a mistake.
Falling for him?
Dangerous.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from war zones and heartbreak…
It’s that the most forbidden fire burns the hottest.

And Anthony Morgan is pure flame.

 


About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston before moving to the Miami sun though she left that for a while to live in New Orleans, Denver and now Pittsburgh. She started single but the husband and then children joined in on the fun. She’s worked in engineering, then lawyer, then teacher, and finally novelist. She refused to one day turn 50 and realize she had nothing but her career and hours at a desk.

During all this time and travel, she always wrote stories to entertain herself or calm down. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, and Victoria spent too many years living other people’s expectations, but when she sat down to see what skill she had that matched what she enjoyed doing, writing became so obvious. The middle school year book when someone wrote in it that one day she’d be a writer made sense when she turned thirty.

She’s always been amazing, adventurous and assured. It’s what gets her through the day.

Her website is www.victoriapinder.com where you can get a free read NOW. Please write as she loves writing back to her fans.


Contact Links

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Twitter: @victoriapinder



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Reading Time:
Release Blitz: The Plight of Pudgy by Tammy Waldoch #releaseday #newbooks #giveaway #nutrition #health #nonficton #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
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Health & Fitness Diet & Nutrition / Weight Loss Humorous Memoir

Date Published: 07-29-2025

Publisher: BookBaby



Studies have shown that laughter and music are proven ways to facilitate healing. Author Tammy Waldoch uses this potent secret sauce in her book Plight of the Pudgy: Stories, Inspirations, and Preposterous Parodies for the Slim at Heart. From weight loss drugs, chronic diets, and toxic body shame, the book is an open invitation to connect authentically with someone who deeply understands the plight. Her own pilgrimage to finding self-love and a place to "fit in" includes a near-death car accident, a bipolar diagnosis that turned her life upside down, and a lifelong struggle with poor body image.

Waldoch authentically pours her heart and soul into sharing raw stories and songs filled with deep faith, side-splitting humor, and a resounding message that we are all perfectly made in God's eyes.

Tammy writes this book not only as a testimony of her faith but also to share her private path of redemption and healing.

Among the pages, readers will also enjoy fiction stories designed to encourage laughter and reflection, along with some preposterous (and creative!) parodies that provide a backdrop of humor to lighten the burdens of The Slim at Heart.



Early Review

Heart Felt And Honest - This book will make you laugh and cry. The lament of women who struggle with body image applies to a good majority of women.



About the Author


Tammy Waldoch is an imaginative author/singer/songwriter/painter with a degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Wisconsin, Lacrosse, emphasizing Aesthetic Education—teaching using the creative arts. She did just that in The Plight of the Pudgy, combining musical parodies with literature to teach others how to overcome obstacles and rise above adversity. She is actively involved with the Writer’s Well at the White Bear Center for the Arts and gathers with other inspiring writers of all ages to explore their creativity. She also consults with the Springboard Center for the Arts in St. Paul, MN for further resources.

She and her husband of 38 years share a dynamic love for better for worse, in sickness and in health, that has endured all things.

She is also a proud parent of two sons and has two beautiful daughters-in-law who share life’s joys and challenges. Her faith is at the heart of everything she does, and this book is a testimony of her Lord and Savior’s incredible loving kindness toward her. Gilda Radner once said, “Life is full of delicious ambiguities.”

Tammy invites everyone to share those ambiguities with her!


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Dadisms, The Wisdom and Wit of Dad


Nonfiction, Feel Good, Memoir

Date Published: July 29, 2025

Publisher: Elite Online Publishing



If you liked “Chicken Soup for the Soul” or “Tuesdays with Morrie,” you will love this book.

 

You Make My Heart Giggle: Dadisms, The Wisdom and Wit of Dad is the perfect book for anyone who cherishes the timeless wisdom of fathers and the lessons they impart, often disguised as quirky sayings. Whether you're seeking inspiration, laughter, or a heartfelt reminder of life's most cherished values, this book is for you.


Inside, you’ll discover:

Time-tested Dadisms, each packed with wisdom to inspire courage, persistence, and optimism—so you can tackle life's challenges with confidence.

Historical insights and personal stories, showing how these simple sayings align with some of history’s greatest moments, giving you a new appreciation for their deeper meanings.

A heartfelt tribute to fatherhood, reminding you of the love, humor, and guidance that shape our lives, so you can cherish and pass these lessons down to generations.

 

This book is authentic, inspiring, and proven to make you laugh, reflect, and appreciate the impact of a father’s words in ways you never imagined.

Don't wait, grab your copy today and relive the wisdom, laughter, and love that only a dad can provide!



Excerpt

 

A little about my dad


Little Johnny as my father was known spent his early childhood in cache valley a beautiful mountain setting in northern Utah. The valley was lush and green in summer with horses and cows grazing peacefully in fields framed by homemade log and wire fences. The severe winters were in stark contrast to the mild summers. bitterly cold but beautiful. Each morning the sun would stream through the trees causing the hoar frost (which had settled on the branches during the night) to sparkle like a thousand little gems. Against a cobalt blue sky, the contrast was stunning. cache valley was a wonderful place for an active young boy to grow up in. pine covered mountains to climb, clear running rivers to fish and plenty of places to explore. cache valley got its name from the mountain men and trappers who traveled the Rockies in search of valuable furs, fox, beaver and bear, beaver pelts were in high demand in the east because top hats were all the rage and a beaver top hat signaled wealth and class. Jim Bridger, and Jedediah Smith were a few of those who roamed the high mountains in the 1820’s. Jedediah was born and raised in Boston, Jim hailed from Chicago These young men had left the comforts of eastern cities for the lonely and rugged life in the west. it was a solitary existence always working the trap lines by themselves. Each spring around the first week in May, these intrepid young men would assemble together (to retrieve their hidden furs “caches” that they had created during the winter months,) in what was for them the high social event of the year It was called the rendezvous.

Dads father Rube was slight of build. He had come from humble circumstances. raised on a small farm that managed to put food on the table but little else. Rube would spend his entire life raising livestock and living off the land the same as his father and his grandfather before him had done. Dads mother Charlotte was the daughter of John Anderson. A tall man, and rather quiet and soft spoken. He was impeccable in appearance. altogether a rather handsome man. He had amassed a small fortune in real estate, as president of the Logan First National Bank and the proprietor of the ZCMI Mercantile Store on main street. in 1864 as a young boy He had walked from St Louis to the Rocky Mountains to homestead with his family in the northern Utah Territory. it was said of charlotte that she could have any man in the valley but settled on a quiet country boy. As a cattleman Rube was hardly ever home. He was demanding of his children but in a kind sort of way.

My father (little Johnny) was a very active and outgoing young boy with little fear of anything, always towering over his fellow schoolmates. Despite his size, he was a kind and gentle child. As an adult, he was larger than life not only physically, but he was also large intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. At 6’ 6” 320 pounds, size 16 shoes, coat size 56, everyone quit calling him little Johnny and he simply became known as Big John.

He had an unwavering love for his country. He was part of what Tom Brokaw called “the Greatest Generation“ serving in world war II in the south pacific. He was involved in the battles at Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, Leyte, Philippines, and Okinawa. along with being part of one of the first contingencies to enter Hiroshima after the Atomic Bomb was dropped.

He loved golf, he loved to travel, he never held public office but was deeply involved in local caucuses, state conventions, and campaigning for candidates he believed in. As far as singing, he could not carry a tune, but he loved music and the arts and saw to it that we often attended the Utah Symphony, plays at the Promised Valley Play House, and excursions to the local galleries so we could appreciate fine art. We could decide for ourselves as to whether or not we wanted to play sports, but we had no such freedom when it came to learning how to play a musical instrument. To dad it was non-negotiable, He said simply. “You will”

I knew he loved me not only by what he said but by what he actually did. One night in late August of1968, my father came home from work and asked me if I could visit with him for a few minutes. My first though was “Oh no what have I done now. I soon realized that his tone was very different from past visits. He said, “Son I have been offered the job to be the principle of your high school, and I need to know if that would bother you in any way”? I then asked him “what he would do if the answer was yes”, His response surprised me, he said “Son, you are far more important than any job could ever be, and if it would cause you even the slightest worry or concern, I will turn the job down” I knew that he really wanted that job but I also knew he really meant what he said. My answer to him was that it would be fine and for the next 3 years we had what many would call a rather unique experience together.

I hope the stories I tell here will be of some interest, but more importantly I hope it will awaken in each reader the realization of the lessons that each has learned from those who have been their source of inspiration and learning. Those who have truly made a difference in their lives.

 

 

About the Author

Brent was a product of the fascinating and turbulent decades of the 60’s and 70’s. He came from a very average middle-class family. Growing up, he would be labeled by society’s standards as almost invisible. He was surrounded by incredible role models that greatly influenced his life, including teachers, friends, and most importantly, family. Brent was an Eagle Scout and served a two-year mission for his church in Northern England.

He met his future bride in a geology class at the University of Utah and graduated with a BS degree in History. Putting himself through school, he worked for First Security State Bank. Brent taught students with reading disabilities at Union Jr High School and History at Alta High School before leaving education to work for Pfizer Pharmaceutical. Eventually, he started his own highly successful construction company, which now includes three of his sons as part of the family business. He also owns 3 companies involved in real estate development and acquisition.

Brent's greatest joy comes from his family. He is a proud father to 2 daughters and 5 sons, and a contented grandpa to 30 grandchildren, with one great-grandchild on the way. He loves sports, photography, travel, especially in France, England, Holland, and the inside passage of Alaska and being in the outdoors; he cherishes time at their cabin in the Manti Lasal mountains or their condo in the red rock country of southern Utah. He enjoys hiking and rappelling slot canyons in the southwest and river running, especially the mighty Colorado River. Brent also started the Metra Learning Center and On-line productions. He played the clarinet in the University of Utah marching and pep bands and remarkably built his first home with no prior construction experience, which still stands 45 years later.

Throughout his life, Brent has been driven by the undeniable influence one person can have on generations untold and the profound lessons taught by a father to his sons and daughters. His life reflects the deep and enduring relationship between a father and his children.


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Young Adult Cozy Mystery

Date Published: 6/23/25

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press



College student Sara Donovan is in the homestretch of graduating when a mysterious package arrives with an invitation to an exclusive contest. One that will drastically change the winner’s life. Included are unsettling photographs from forgettable chapters in her life and a threatening note strongly suggesting she participate.

With no good options, Sara enters the contest and finds herself at a fabulous mansion up against eight formidable opponents, each with a dark secret and all racing to solve seven levels of riddles and puzzles.

After a contestant’s body is discovered, Sara contemplates dropping out when another package arrives, its chilling contents making clear she’s at the center of a dangerous game with deadly consequences if she quits. But what it doesn’t say is—what happens if she wins?

 



Interview


What is the hardest part of writing your books?

Laying out the plot. I’m a hardcore plotter. I began as a pantser, but after too many dead ends, I switched to detailed plotting. My process starts with weeks of brainstorming and research—sometimes months—then I create a detailed “blueprint” with plot points, subplots, characters, and turning points mapped out to the percentage. I also build a chapter layout and calendar timeline. The blueprint can run 50 pages before I write a single word of the manuscript. Once the structure is in place, I write quickly—sometimes up to 3,500 words a day. But at the beginning, I am envisioning in detail the entire book. Definitely the hardest part of the process.



What are your most played songs?

I have a very eclectic taste in music. With that said, some of my most played songs are: “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Freebird” (anything from Skynyrd), “Back in Black” and “Highway to Hell” (anything from AC/DC), “One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer” (anything from Thorogood), “Show Me How To Live” and “Like a Stone” (anything from Audioslave), “Piano Man” (most of Billy Joel’s stuff), and “Jump Jive An’ Wail” and “You’re the Boss” (Brian Setzer Orchestra).



Do you have critique partners or beta readers?

Yes, I use beta readers, and I am always looking for more! In my latest book, Lucky Secrets, I give a shoutout to one of my awesome beta readers, Giselle Palmer, because she really gave me tremendous input.



What book are you reading now?

Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall and Kitchen Confidential (the annotated version) by Anthony Bourdain.



How did you start your writing career?

In a nutshell, my writing career was hatched somewhere along Interstate 81 in Virginia as I was driving with my wife, Mary, on our way from Chattanooga to Washington, D.C. to attend our son’s graduation from medical school. It’s also a long story, like that drive was, and too long for here, but if you’re interested, I have a blog post with all the details. It’s a fun story, although not as fun as the one about where I met my future wife. Yeah, we met in a closet back in high school. That always gets people’s attention. Maybe I’ll write about it one day.



Tell us about your next release.

Lucky Secrets was released on June 23, 2025. The book is very multilayered, a mystery within a mystery, and is my most ambitious and complicated plot yet. As Kirkus Reviews noted in its review (“Our Verdict – Get It.”), the book is “An enjoyable, complexly plotted series installment that promises more mysteries and thrills to come.”

The story, set outside Birmingham, Alabama, at an extravagant estate called El Sueño, pits college student and amateur sleuth, Sara Donovan, up against eight formidable opponents with questionable pasts in an exclusive two-week contest. As the contestants quickly find out, hidden throughout El Sueño are seven levels of challenges complete with cryptic riddles that must all be solved to win. The stakes are high because the winner-take-all contest promises a mind-boggling payout that will drastically change the winner’s life for the good. However, when a contestant’s body turns up, suspicions and urgency explode as the remaining contestants race to solve the puzzles without getting themselves dead.

I also have several projects under different stages of development. One is a YA book for boys that an agent has expressed an interest in if I write a compelling story. Another is me spinning off my favorite character in the Mauzzy & Me Mystery Series, Mrs. Majelski, into her own mystery series. She’s a blast to write. Think of Elizabeth of Richard Osman’s The Thursday Murder Club series, and then amp up her energy level. That’s Mrs. M. I’m also working on Sara’s next adventure, which will have her hanging out a shingle as a private investigator and opening a whole new world of fun, laughs, and mysteries!


About the Author

 


 B.T. Polcari is a graduate of Rutgers College of Rutgers University, an award-winning mystery author, and a proud father of two wonderful children. He’s a champion of rescue pups (Mauzzy is a rescue), craves watching football and basketball, and, of course, loves reading mysteries. Among his favorite authors are Richard Osman, D.P. Lyle, Frederick Forsyth, and Michael Connelly. He is also an unapologetic fantasy football addict. He lives with his wife in scenic Chattanooga, Tennessee.



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Memoir

Date Published: April 21, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media

 

 


Winner of the 2025 Literary-Titan Book Award (Memoir)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Addiction and Recovery)!

Winner of the 2025 Firebird book award (Mental Health)!

Finalist, 2024 Literary Global Book Awards and American Writing Book Awards!

 

I believe Improbable and Extraordinary will be an extremely influential book - it's rare to see such a personal and raw account of mental illness, and then the continuous (and in this case, unique) process of overcoming it. Overall, an outstanding and moving manuscript...The flow is excellent and engaging and the voice is very strong. A true accomplishment!

Megan Patiry, author of The Alice Effect.

 

Escaping the torment of depression, anxiety, mania and addiction: Saúl's memoir is a powerful testament to the strength of the human spirit, showing how even when it seems unattainable, transformation is possible. Once tormented by the crushing grip of bipolar disorder, depression, severe anxiety, anger, and addiction, Saúl shares the raw, unflinching truth of his battle with mental illness and trauma.

Through a profound exploration of love, not as a romantic ideal but as a fundamental force, and by adopting practical, yet challenging principles, the author discovers a path to inner peace and freedom. Saúl's candid reflections on overcoming a deep, persistent darkness reveal the possibility of peace, freedom, and personal growth.

This memoir doesn't just chronicle survival; it celebrates the power of transformation. Saúl's path through addiction and mental illness reveals that true peace and freedom are within reach, even for those who have lost everything.

By sharing his experience, Saúl aims to inspire understanding and hope, and communicate that healing is not just possible but transformative. This book is a beacon of hope for anyone wanting to find hope for themselves or someone they love.

 

From co-author, Dr. Erika Horwitz, Licensed Psychologist:

As Saul's sister, I witnessed his torments and struggles and his amazing transformation! As a psychologist, I understood the enormity of what he achieved-moving from a place of deep mental illness to stability, inner peace and wisdom. His story is inspiring and a testament to the amazing ability of human beings to transform. It's a story that offers hope to anyone facing mental health challenges and their loved ones. I knew it was essential for Saul to share his story, and I believe it will resonate with anyone who believes in the power of transformation."

 

 


  About the Authors


Saúl Horwitz

Saúl Horwitz is an addictions expert and counsellor for people in rehabilitation and recovery. From an early age he had to struggle with his personality due to suffering from bipolar disorder. Suicide attempts, suicidal crises, depression, euphoria, and other drastic changes in his personality prevented him from leading a normal life like that of others. After receiving help from a non-traditional AA group, El Despertar, not only did he transform many of these symptoms, but he also became a skilled counsellor to those afflicted by addiction and mental illness.

 

Erika Horwitz, Ph.D.

Erika is a Licenced Psychologist working in private practice in Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.  In addition, she is an author, public speaker, university lecturer, and certified Mindfulness Teacher.  She was the former Director of Counselling Services at Simon Fraser University.  She is currently the President of the Board of Directors at the British Columbia Psychological Association, the Vice-Chair at the Council of Professional Associations of Psychology and a council member at the American Psychological Association.  She wrote Through the Maze of Motherhood: Empowered Mothers Speak.  In her leisure time she loves meditation, reading, movies, working out, and spending time with her amazing husband, her family, and friends.

 

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