With the help of our own MJ, I entered Amazon’s new universe Kindle Vella with three stories. I created covers for the stories on Canva, but they were the wrong size. Creating the covers was the limit of my knowledge, so MJ kindly resized them for me. She also, in steps as I ventured into the waters, answered my questions and offered extremely beneficial assistance! I posted Denouement, Haunted Summer and Gypsy Ribbons. Short descriptions:
Gypsy Ribbons – Lady Victoria Darby escapes London society as a spoiled brat. A moonlight ride on the moor and an encounter with a notorious highwayman will forever change the way she lives…and the way she dies.
Denouement – Ellen Tracy has lost her faith in the City of Angels until the Seraph Iofiel appears to rescue her from Armageddon, but she soon learns she has a starring role in the sequel to the end…
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rose Mackie will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Clkick on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
*The planet Falosia has an excess of females. The planet Verit has a surplus of males. The best of each have been put forward to start a new colony and find mates, in a last desperate attempt to save both worlds. A scorchingly hot sci fi, alien romance. *
Denara barely survived her disastrous first attempt at marriage; for years she threw herself into her research, giving herself time to heal. When the opportunity arises to take up a position on the colony, she decides to take a risk for the chance to live, and love, again. Lucius has spent his life under the heel of the ruthless Matriarchs of Verit. Tasked with leading the males of the new colony, he reluctantly accepts the assignment. The last thing he wants is to tie himself to a scheming female through mating, but nothing could have prepared him for meeting Denara. Sparks fly, but can they overcome their pasts to find love? With the political machinations of two planets vying for control over the colony, perhaps together, they can bridge the gap between their worlds.
What to expect: Glorious world building, spicy alien romance, friends to lovers, enthusiastic consent. Recommended 18+ due to sexual content.
Read an Excerpt
“Would you like to see a trick?” He blinked in surprise. “What?”
“A trick? Something that Falosians don’t often show outsiders?” Not waiting for his reply, she stood up and walked to a nearby bush that bore large buds. “I have been analysing some of the flora that the bio teams have been bringing in, and if I’m not mistaken, this is a fruiting plant.”
She reached her hands out to cup one of the buds, and bent to place her lips next to it, whispering, bathing the bud in her breath. Lucius moved next to her, staring in rapt interest. He reminded her again of a huge jungle cat, eyes bright with curiosity. A few moments passed, and she opened her hands to show a peach-coloured fruit, covered in fuzzy blue hairs. She plucked the fruit, pulled her laser knife out, and sliced a section away to reveal the dark blue pearls within.
Lucius leaned in to sniff, his eyes flicking to hers at the sweet smell.
“Go on, it’s perfectly edible. They will start appearing on our normal food rotation soon, now that we’ve confirmed they are suitable for our digestion.”
He took the offered fruit and scooped out some of the pearls, dropping them into his mouth and popping them with his teeth. As he did, his mouth was flooded with a sweet, slightly spicy juice. “I suspect they will be very popular. This would make an excellent fermented spirit.”
Denara laughed. “I will start mixing hangover cures.”
“How did you do that?”
Denara smiled archly. “I said I’d show you a trick, not that I’d show you how I did it. You can’t expect me to show you all my secrets at once.”
About the Author:
Rose Mackie (she/her) is an Australian author who writes and loves sci-fi romance, paranormal romance and fantasy romance. Born in Scotland and living in Perth, Western Australia for the past 15 years, Rose loves nothing more than to hang out with her family and rescue cat, and create magical worlds of imagination.
All Rose Mackie books have an element of spice, kick-ass heroines, enthusiastic consent and happy endings. Rose has been writing for as long as she can remember, but has recently published her first book, Heart Fire. It still spins her out that people are reading the weird stories she makes up in her head!
Rose has fallen in love with writing, and loves seeing audiences connect with her work and characters, and hopes you’ll love them too!
Thank you so much, Linda, for hosting me on your blog today. For this post, I decided to interview Abby, the heroine of my latest contemporary romance, Unlock My Heart. I hope you enjoy getting to know her.
What is your occupation?
I just started a new job at Endicott Security as a computer programmer. It’s my dream job—the firm is the best in the business, and I’ve wanted to work here forever. It’s a small company, so I’ll get lots of hands-on experience and can show off my skills. Plus, the company culture is very laid back and casual, which is nice.
What is your motto?
I don’t know if you’d say it was a motto per se, but I value financial independence more than almost anything. I never want to have to depend on someone else for my livelihood.
How would you describe your childhood?
It was tough. I was raised by a single mom who had to—and wanted to—depend on men for everything. When I wasn’t at school, I was hanging out in the bars where my mom worked or in local arcades waiting for her to finish. We moved around a lot, especially when the men she fell for no longer wanted her. There wasn’t a lot of stability, although she definitely loves me.
When and where were you happiest?
When I was about ten or eleven, I went to the local boys and girls club and took a free class on computer coding. I was hooked. I loved every minute of it. My mom wasn’t a fan of it, but I knew that computer coding and programming was what I wanted to do in life. It would give me the financial independence I craved.
What do you consider the most important event in your life so far?
As part of the Endicott team, I get to go to a major technology conference in New York City. I’ve never been to either the city or the tech conference, so I’m really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to take the workshops, attend the presentations, and just be surrounded by all of the leaders in the industry.
What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is losing my source of income and having to depend on someone else to support me.
Who is the person you respect the most and why?
That would be Ted Endicott, the CEO and founder of Endicott Security. He’s brilliant and talented. He’s overcome obstacles, too—he’s hard of hearing, but he doesn’t let that stop him. And when you get to know him, he’s funny and kind.
Have you ever been in love?
Ha. Um, I used to say I don’t believe in love. It’s not part of my future goals. But lately, I’ve been spending a lot of time with Ted and…let’s just say I could see why some people are fond of it. I don’t want to fall in love with my boss, since when the relationship fails, I’ll be the one to lose my job. But I’m definitely closer to falling than I’d like to be.
What goal do you most want to achieve in life?
Financial independence and maybe, someone who values me for my intelligence and ability, in addition to my feminine assets.
~*~Unlock My Heart~*~
Blurb
Abby Marlow, computer security expert, lands a job at the best IT security firm in the country. Her sole focus is financial independence so she never has to rely on others again, especially a man. But why does her boss make her wires short circuit?
Ted Endicott, CEO and founder of the IT security firm, is hard of hearing. Although an expert in his field, he’s still uncomfortable admitting his difficulty hearing to his clients or employees. So why is he willing to accept Abby’s help?
As Ted and Abby work together, barriers fall away, and soon the lines blur between colleagues and lovers. But a security glitch in a client’s system indicates one of his employees is the hacker, and all signs point to Abby. Can they get past the suspicion and find a future together?
Excerpt:
Ted grasped Abby as she started to topple. Pulling her tight against him, he skated them to the rail and leaned against it, giving her time to get her feet back under her. Greg was right; Ted shouldn’t hold her like this, but no one was around and with Abby everything felt right.
And he was enjoying her body against his. He stifled a groan. Soft breasts, delicate bones, strawberry-scented hair. He wanted her, more than he’d ever wanted another woman.
She’d bragged about his success to her mother? For a man who’d grown up with a dad who called him stupid, Abby’s brag was more of an aphrodisiac than any sexy model ever could be.
He hugged her to him on the pretense of making sure she remained upright and waited for her to pull away.
Her lips moved, and he studied them, unable to hear her with the background music, the whoosh of air as they glided, the voices of the skaters, and traffic noise. He thought she said “thanks,” and he nodded. When she started to speak again, he took his finger and placed it over her lips. They were velvety soft and pink, and he would have given anything to kiss them.
Instead, he shook his head. “I can’t hear you. And lip reading is exhausting.”
He expected the usual shame to creep in. Maybe because she was out of her element here on the ice and relied on him. She clutched his hand as he guided them slowly over the ice. Maybe it was because he saw no pity. In fact, desire flashed. She blinked, and it was gone. But he’d seen it.
He could spend their entire time together wondering what conversations he missed. He could worry about what she thought, or about whether or not the CEO of the company should skate this close to his employee.
Or he could skate.
He held her close again, and they circled the rink. The cold air reddened her cheeks and nose. His hands should have been cold without gloves, but they weren’t. Holding Abby, melding their bodies together, created a furnace between them. He was surprised the ice beneath their blades didn’t melt.
They circled the rink once, twice, three times, and on their fourth turn, snowflakes fell. The sky glowed from the reflection of the lights on the clouds, which were so low, it seemed as if the tops of the buildings supported them. Abby shivered. He drew her close again as he stopped at the railing.
“Cold?” he asked.
She shook her head no.
If she wasn’t cold…he leaned toward her, and her eyes darkened. Her lips parted, and his heart thumped in his chest. He wanted to kiss her more than he wanted to be able to hear the sound of his name on her lips.
She reached out and traced her finger across his cheekbone. When she pulled back, there was liquid from a melting snowflake on the tip, and a blaze of heat across his cheek.
“…never…snow…”
He caught the gist, and his shock at her comment broke the spell. “You’ve never seen snow?”
She shook her head. He wanted to ask her where she’d grown up, but this wasn’t the place because of the noise of the tourists. Besides, it was late, and if he weren’t careful, he’d do something he shouldn’t.
Like kiss her next to the golden statue in Rockefeller Center.
He steered them toward the exit, and they returned their skates. Moving away from the noise of the rink, Ted took a deep breath when he could hear again.
“You want to walk in the snow or cab it?” he asked.
The look of joy on her face was contagious as she held her hands out to collect snowflakes. He’d grown up in Ohio. Snow was nothing new to him, although he remembered how much he’d loved to play in it. He’d built huge forts in the snowdrifts, where sound was muted and light filtered through the flakes. The snowy walls offered a natural barrier and allowed him to dream of days when he’d be far away.
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Pretty soon, her head was filled with these stories and the characters that populated them. Even as an adult, she thinks about the characters and stories at night before she falls asleep or walking the dog. Eventually, she started writing them down. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
Jennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The Literary Lobbyist will be awarding one $25 and one $50 Amazon or B/N GC to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Award-winning freelance journalist Javacia Harris Bowser is convinced that writing is a superpower. She sees her life as proof of it since writing has helped her navigate marriage, crisis of faith and body image issues. It also helped her to beat cancer.
As a Black woman from the South, Javacia has used the written word to explore issues of gender and race as well as religion. Find Your Way Back is a collection of essays that demonstrate how Javacia has used writing to achieve some of her wildest dreams such as being a public speaker, having her own column, and being her own boss. The book also explores how writing, self-love, and faith helped her overcome her worst nightmare: a cancer diagnosis in 2020. Javacia’s goal is to show readers how writing can transform their lives as well. The book includes prompts throughout to help readers start their own writing journey.
This book is for the woman who has wanted to write since she was a girl but struggles to find the time or the courage to put her words on paper. Find Your Way Back, shows that instead of putting writing on the back burner when life gets turned upside down, we should turn to it to help life make sense again.
Read an Excerpt
– from “Write Like a Girl”
On my eleventh birthday, I declared I was a woman. I have no idea why. My budding boobs barely filled my training bra, and I wouldn’t get my period for another year. But it was as if turning eleven declared I was number one and said it again for good measure, and I believed it.
I can’t recall exactly what I decided to wear on this special day, but I do remember slouch socks were involved. I also remember that I didn’t want a party because birthday parties were for children. A woman–especially one who at the time fancied herself a poet–should spend her birthday having a quiet evening at home writing in her journal, reflecting on her past, and making plans for the years to come.
What I’m trying to say is eleven-year-old me was ridiculous. But I think about this girl often. Sometimes to become the woman you’re meant to be, you must remember the girl you used to be. Sometimes you must write like a girl.
When you write for a living, it can be hard to remember how to do this. When you write for a living, you can easily forget to write for yourself. You can forget to write simply for the love of words, for the joy of stringing together sentences. It can be hard to remember what it felt like to write with no regard for readers or a deadline, but that’s what writing like a girl is all about.
Sometimes I think back to that eleven-year-old girl–who thought she was a woman–and I challenge myself–just for a few moments–to forget about building a brand or pitching publications and just write. Yes, I can get back to business later, but right now, just write.
About the Author
Javacia Harris Bowser is an award-winning essayist and journalist and the founder of See Jane Write. A proud graduate of the journalism programs at the University of Alabama and the University of California at Berkeley, Javacia has written for USA Today, HerMoney.com, and Good Grit magazine. Named one of Birmingham’s Top 40 Under 40, she believes we can all write our way to the life of our dreams.
It will soon be available in print if you’d like to hold an actual book. With the handsome cowboy on the cover, an actual book would look pretty nice, right?
The Texas Cowboy will also have a sequel soon. I’m currently working on The Cowboy Duke. Can a Duchess make a cowboy’s spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle? Book II will tell.
When someone tries to kill her sister, it’s time for Julie Cavallo to don her sleuthing cap!
The Provence sweet shop owner rushes to the home of her twin sister in Paris. Julie’s main question is: Who would want Cat, a professional medium, dead? Unfortunately, Cat doesn’t have a clue. But since when has the absence of clues deterred Julie?
Soon enough, she uncovers a suspicious death, unsolved disappearances, and a spiritual community with a dark secret to protect. By the time Julie realizes she opened a big can of worms, she’s in too deep. And her life is in danger.
Cue the handsome captain Gabriel Adinian, Julie’s longtime crush. Why is he in Paris? Probably on assignment for the Gendarmerie Nationale. Or maybe a private matter unrelated to Julie. But what if he’s taken leave to watch over her? Then, Julie hopes he’ll do a little more than watch—professionally and… otherwise.
Can Julie, with the help of her friends, solve the far-reaching case and cheat death once again?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Enjoy an excerpt:
As always when I try to meditate, I grow sleepy. Just as I begin to nod off, someone near me farts.
It’s a whale of a fart, silent but deadly. In terms of impact, it’s closer to a biochemical attack than to an “oops, sorry” mishap. Incidentally, no one says “oops, sorry.”
I open my eyes and look around. Several other students do the same. Everyone shifts uncomfortably and turns their faces away from the source of the effluvium.
The woman on my left appears to be the culprit. Her cheeks, ears and neck are flaming red.
Oh my God, she’s the raw food eater!
The many health benefits of the uncooked peas and cabbage do come at a price. There’s no such thing as free lunch until proven otherwise. Like Faust signing a deal with Mephistopheles, one must give something to get something. Like Anakin Skywalker transforming into the powerful Darth Vader, one must join the dark side of the Fork.
I stifle a smile.
The raw eater half opens her left eye and looks around, as if trying to assess the damage she’s inflicted. When she catches me looking at her, she shuts her left eye… and immediately opens the right one to check if anyone besides me saw her looking and getting caught.
I crack up.
A deep belly laugh gushes out of me, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. I’m roaring and shaking. My face muscles hurt. Tears stream down my cheeks. I haven’t laughed like this in an awfully long time.
Perhaps not since childhood.
Maybe never.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Ana T. Drew is the evil mastermind behind the recent series of murders in the fictional French town of Beldoc. When she is not writing cozy mysteries or doing mom-and-wife things, she can be found watching “The Rookie” to help her get over “Castle”. She lives in Paris but her heart is in Provence. >>> Visit ana-drew.com for a free cookbook and a game!
When people speak of horse racing, most would immediately say the horses were thoroughbreds. So, we have thoroughbred racing, but did you know that, over short distances, there is a horse that has been clocked faster than the thoroughbred? Over a straight course of a quarter mile (hence the name). the American Quarter Horse has been clocked at 55 mph. We can easily imagine that speed in our car, but a horse has no windshield. Races of 550 yards or less are run on straight courses; one or part of one turn may be used in the lengthier (“hook”) races.
Are Quarter Horses really faster than Thoroughbreds?
Quarter Horses averaged faster speeds than Thoroughbreds even when Thoroughbreds were raced at a distance (402 m) similar to Quarter Horse races. … In short races, both breeds accelerate throughout the race. Arabians, despite being known for endurance, had slowed by the end of the race.
They are races in which the purse consists of nomination, and/or starting fees, plus money added by the track or sponsor.
These races generally attract the highest quality horses and are abbreviated by the name of the stakes. For example: Allamerfut 1 meaning All American Futurity (G1).
Graded races are the premier stakes races, whereby a Grade 1 (G1), Grade 2 (G2) or Grade 3 (G3), designate the class of horses participating.
The size of purse, amount of added money and the historical significance of the race also are determining factors in the grade status.
Grade 1 (G1) is the highest designation.
Some stakes races are restricted to horses bred in a particular state or to horses by participating stallions.
Some restricted races are graded, whereby a restricted Grade 1 (RG1), restricted Grade 2 (RG2) or restricted Grade 3 (RG3) designate the class of horses participating.
Handicap Races
These races feature better-quality horses to which the racing secretary or track handicapper assigns weights designed to equalize the winning chances of entrants.
The better horses get higher weights to enable a horse with a lesser record to have a chance at winning. The designation HDCP is utilized.
Claiming Races
Claiming races are the most common, constituting approximately 70 percent of all races run.
In these races, horses are entered for a specific price and can be purchased or “claimed” by any licensed owner at the track for that price.
This tends to equalize the class or competition in these races.
An owner who has a $25,000 horse is not going to put him in a race with a field of $5,000 claimers for fear that someone would claim his horse at a greatly reduced value.
These races are designated by the claiming price (5000). A “C” in front of the claiming price in the past performance line means the horse was claimed in that race.
Allowance Races
An allowance race is a non-claiming race for better quality or more lightly raced horses.
These races generally offer higher purses than claiming races.
Eligibility requirements and conditions are similar to those of claiming races, and weight allowances are given based on winnings and/or number or type of wins in a given time.
These races are designated by ALW plus the purse (ALW12500).
Maiden Races
Maiden (MDN) races are limited to horses that have never won a race.
There are two types of maiden races: “Maiden Special Weights” for better horses and “Maiden Claiming,” which is designated by the claiming price (MD5000).
Trial
A trial (TRL) race is designed to determine the qualifiers for a final, based on the fastest qualifying times or order of finish.
A TRL might be run as a purse race, or it might be run without a purse.
The Triple Crown of Quarter-Horse Racing is a series held at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico. The series includes the Kansas Futurity (June), Rainbow Futurity (July), and All-American futurity – where purses are worth up to $1 million.
In The Texas Cowboy, Ash (the hero) returns to Texas after being raised in England. He finds that his father has been breeding racing Quarter Horses. Trish (the heroine) is passionately devoted to these horses, and she’s afraid that Ash will sell the quarter horses and bring his thoroughbreds from England. Speaking as a horsewoman, I know what a big conflict this is, but I’m not sure people who aren’t devoted to them will see it. Do you think that this is a big deal between a woman and a man?
When Ash Colter was twelve, his mother divorced his cattle baron father and whisked him away to raise in her native England. Sixteen years later, when his father dies, he inherits Marathon Ranch. Running a 1,000-acre spread famous for the best Black Angus cattle in the great state of Texas is the biggest challenge he’s ever faced…until he meets a pert, pretty, and sassy ranch hand who seems to have her own agenda for his ranch. Unfortunately, she makes his spurs go jingle-jangle-jingle like no one else ever has!
Trish Owens is a real cowgirl, a loner, and, though she’d never admit it, a little lonely. When the “English Cowboy” appears on the scene, her entire way of life is threatened, not only her job, but her beloved Quarter horses. She’s sure he plans to import his thoroughbreds from England. Worst of all is the chemistry sizzling between them. He makes feelings she thought long dead awaken.
Can these two unwilling allies set aside their differences to put Marathon Ranch in the Winner’s Circle…and to fall in love?
His ex-girlfriend shrugged, a coy smile toying with her lips. His mobile buzzed for a text. As he typed in his code, her arms locked around his neck, every inch of her welded against him. Hot and wet, her mouth closed over his. Her tongue teased until his lips parted, then slipped into him. She rubbed her lush breasts on his chest.“Ash,” she moaned, her hands probing beneath his t-shirt. “I’ve missed you.”
He found himself comparing Trish’s kiss to Dorothy’s. An unbidden image of his cowgirl’s small breasts, the taste of them, the exciting feel of them, flashed in his mind. He broke away, backed into a filigreed screen, and sent it humming. Struggling for control, he sucked in a deep breath, straightened his shirt, and crossed his arms over the silver Marathon logo.
“Ash.” Eyes hooded, she leveled a hot gaze at him. “I want you.”
A Cardinal hopped across the window ledge. Danita said if you saw a red bird, make a wish. If he’d flown by the time you opened your eyes, your wish would come true. A gecko darted across the window. He closed his eyes. Downstairs a clock chimed seven. When he opened his eyes, the red bird had flown. His wish would come true. Not for a month, for sure.
“You want the man I used to be.” He took her face in his hands. “I’m not that man anymore.”
“You are. What’s wrong with you?” She stroked his back in long, fluid strokes.
“I’ve changed.” He broke away, lifting a case to the bed. “That’s all.”
Her bold hand caressed his equipment. A very wicked, very suggestive smile parted her lips. By action and word, she’d left no doubt what she wanted. Was it because she was jealous of Trish? Did she think where there’s smoke, there’s fire? Dorothy was determined to seduce him. He was as set that she would not.
He caught her groping hand. “I do not wish to return to work with an erection.”
“It’s that girl.” A zipper on the case screeched as she jerked the tabs.
“What girl?” He flung an exasperated gesture. “It has nothing to do with a woman. I have a ranch to run.”
“Ash, I’m hurt.” She pouted a trembling lip. “You can’t tell me you work every hour of every day. Am I going to be alone my entire stay?”
“Dorothy, don’t be hurt.” He stroked a hand down her arm. “You won’t be alone the entire visit. Let’s take this slow, shall we? We’ve been apart for a long time now.”
“Only a month and two days. Not that I’m counting.” Tears sparkled in her blue eyes. “It is that girl. You’ve been shagging her, and I’m no longer welcome.”
He wouldn’t lie and deny his feelings for Trish, so he told a half-truth. “It’s not like that at all. Trish works here.”
She nodded, turning away. “She was too rude and crude to me for it ‘not to be like that’. I’ve never seen the doxy, and she attacked me.”
“She did not. She was ill.”
“Yeah right.” She whipped around to glare at him, her hands fisted for a temper tantrum.
He dreaded the tears. June was going to be a long, tedious month. And perhaps require a cold shower or two, resisting Dorothy’s brand of flirting.
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Exhaustively. I realize this is fiction, and authors have license to say virtually anything, but for me, accuracy means authenticity. Particularly in historical fiction. I think we have obligation to get our facts straight, as best we can, when we’re employing real people and real events from the past.
How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?
Truthfully, minimal. I can point to a dozen influences, and that’s not one of them.
Why do you think what you do matters?
I’ve always considered writing as the art of persuasion. I don’t care whether you are trying to convince readers to buy into your politics, the lifestyle you might be promoting, or the fictional characters and story you’ve crafted. That’s some power there if you can pull it off. My second book was a novel, based on real events, and an attempt to draw attention to the plight of World War II combat veterans who suffered psychological trauma. If I accomplished that, then what I wrote mattered.
Have you ever found true love?
Yes, to my great fortune. My wife and I have been together for 23 years now. She is my rock.
How many times a day do you think about death?
I’ve lost my 80-year-old father, 50-year-old brother, and 5-year-old nephew in recent years, I miss them all terribly, so I think about death quite a bit. At the same time, it’s nothing I dwell on, or allow to consume me. Life is too short, and I have too many good things around me that can’t be taken for granted.
BLURB:
Honorable Profession: A Novel of American Politics is a compelling, hopeful story of a cynical former Secret Service agent and his idealistic daughter as they follow a longshot candidate into the perilous arena of presidential politics.
After resigning from his agency under an ethical cloud, 46-year-old Dan Cahill commits himself to rebuilding his relationship with Megan, the college-aged daughter in Las Vegas he has long neglected. She persuades a reluctant Cahill to join the student-led campaign of a popular professor competing in the Nevada presidential primary against impossible odds. As they face powerful forces conspiring to clear the field, Cahill’s deep-seated disdain for electoral politics collides with Megan’s higher ideals. Each of their faiths are tested by political allies and adversaries, all desperate for victory, no matter the costs.
Crafted by award-winning author Andy Kutler, Honorable Profession is an absorbing, modern-day political drama filled with authentic and indelible characters, each struggling with their own loyalties and principles as they duel with unscrupulous rivals and the meaning of public service.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
A waiter removed the unfinished salads and set down their main courses. Tilapia for him, penne pasta in arrabbiata sauce for her. Neither reached for a fork, and Anna sat expressionless, her eyes burning into him. Finally, she moved her plate aside and rested her chin again on her folded hands.
“Forty minutes now, we’ve known each other. Every political instinct in my body is telling me to laugh off your question. Tell you you’re misreading things and assure you I’m going to Washington because I believe I can do more good there, and better serve the people of my state.”
It was like he hit a nerve. “I didn’t mean to suggest you don’t care about people. You have—”
“I’m far from perfect, Dan, and I have my share of shortcomings. But dishonesty isn’t one of them. I’m going to Washington because I believe I can do far more good there, and for far more people.”
She paused, taking a long sip from her wine as she contemplated her next words.
“And yes, you’re right, there’s more to the story. But sharing that with a stranger would be more than reckless. Just like it’s unwise, if not self-destructive, to continue this conversation.”
“And yet we’re still talking.”
“And yet we’re still talking.”
“Vic is a phone call away.”
Anna leaned forward again, her eyes exploring his. “What is this between you and me? Or do you not have any idea what I’m talking about?”
He knew exactly what she was talking about. “I – I don’t know.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Andy Kutler is a writer and author of two award-winning novels, The Batter’s Box and The Other Side of Life. Andy has also written extensively for The Huffington Post and The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Over a 28-year professional career, he has worked in the United States Senate, the U.S. Secret Service, and the national security community. A Wisconsin native, Andy lives with his wife and two children in Arlington, Virginia.
All he wants is to live in peace, away from the ignorance of his village, to outrun the raging ghost which haunts him.
But a hidden evil seeks to harness his fury.
Accused of murder, hunted by ruthless soldiers, Brohr delves the way of the Skald, unlocking forbidden blood magic as he unearths terrible family secrets.
When the red moon is broken, and all is lost, it’s up to Brohr to lead a rebellion, or face the end of the world!
An epic blend of norse fantasy and grimdark sci-fi!
Praise for the Dreadbound Ode…
“Rich in detail, bringing his tale to life with a foreboding atmosphere and characters that are intense. Good dialogue, rapid-fire action scenes, explosive magic and wicked political machinations.” -Tome Tender
“This is extremely well-written grimdark and if you like your fantasy and sci-fi gritty…this is a book you should pick up.” -Booknest
“The Weeping Sigil never stops. It has a relentless forward motion. It’s painful, and its glorious, and there are twists and turns that I never saw coming. It made my heart pound and yes, there was even a tear or two.” – Sarah Chorn, author of Seraphina’s Lament
“Perfect for grimdark fans.” -Grimdark Magazine
“[The Weeping Sigil] took everything that I had loved from The Skald’s Black Verse and lifted it to a whole other level, and I for one can’t wait to see what Jordan Loyal Short will do next. This is a fantastic book, great for anyone who enjoys a delectable mix of fantasy and science fiction, with a good dash of grimdark.” – Beneath a Thousand Skies
“I love the cultures, the magic system, the spaceships and the interplanetary communication. There’s lots of action and peril. It’s a great book! I’d very much recommend it.” – Lee Conley, author of the Dead Sagas
Adrift in the void, Henrik’s rescue is only a prelude to slavery.
But his new life on Tyria is not at all what he expected. When the illustrious House of Quoll purchases him, Henrik finds himself living in the home of his old enemy, Prefect Brasca Quoll. Desperate to hide the truth of his last days on Heimir, Henrik dives into the murderous game of Tyrianite politics. Devastated by the catastrophe on the Norn homeworld, the Federation teeters on the brink of civil war.
While the Shining Ones maneuver their champions for the final confrontation, Henrik’s fevered visions unveil the scope of Moriigo’s nightmarish rebellion.
Aboard a stolen voidcraft, Brohr and Lyssa hurtle into the depths of the starry abyss, on a desperate exodus in search of safe haven. But the outer reaches of the system are full of strange worlds, haunted ruins, and bizarre cults.
As anarchy grips the streets of Tyria, Henrik vows to reveal the true peril facing the Federation: Moriigo’s return! While rival electors, assassins, and federal inquisitors plot the downfall of House Quoll, Henrik must bind himself to the future of his onetime enemies, lest the horrors of his prophetic visions come to pass!
Lyssa is going to the Dead Place and everyone she killed will be waiting.
As the Hidden One’s twisted plan to resurrect the Deep Gods unfolds, the only way to stop him is a secret buried in the land of death.
But Lyssa has not given up. If the Deep Gods can return, so can she.
Can Lyssa find a way back? Can she delve into hell’s darkest corners and emerge with the lore to stop the Deep Gods’ rise? Or will she become a lost soul, like so many of those she loved in life?
Ancient horrors will wake. Skalds will sing. And a blind seer will see the shadows gather.
Lyssa Pedersten has tasted poison, and hell had best beware.
Jordan Loyal Short is an author of epic fantasy. His first novel, The Skald’s Black Verse, is a dark and beautiful story about families, cultures, and beliefs at war with themselves. The protagonist, Brohr, must navigate the tangled loyalties and unforgiving biases of a planet conquered by invaders from another world. Using black magic, and the bizarre bond he shares with his stillborn brother’s spirit, Brohr unravels the truth about himself and an eon spanning war that has reached its end game.
Jordan has worked in a variety of industries, as a web developer, bartender, copywriter and more. He lives in Washington state with his wife where he is currently daydreaming about the end of the world.
Linda Nightingale 