Friday, December 2, 2022

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway: Sophia Freeman Series by T.X. Troan

Welcome to my stop on the blurb blitz for the Sophia Freeman series by T.X. Troan. This blitz was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the first book in the series. There's also the blitz wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the blitz for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain
Series: Sophia Freeman #1
Author: T.X. Troan
Publisher: Rise Publishers
Publication Date: January 7th 2019
Print Length: 150 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure
~
EARTH AWAKENED ... SEED PLANTED ... PATH REVEALED.

What begins as a special trip for eleven-year-old Sophia Freeman and her father, leaves her trapped on a mysterious island with a tree boy and fantastical creatures. Later, she learns she is dying from an eternal curse and the only way to prolong her life is to drink the island’s sacred water. Can Sophia and her companions reach the fountain and defeat the guardian before time runs out?

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EXCERPT:
Another flaming whip slashed between Sophia and Tim, and they swiftly dodged it. Who could possibly be using Dark Art spells? They looked over and saw Allen’s smoking wand in one hand and Sophia’s scroll in the other.

“S-sorry, guys—I got curious,” said Allen, trembling.

Tim roared, “Curious? You’re not supposed to—”

Sophia raised her hand like Dad did to her, to silence him.

“Allen, can I have my scroll back?” she asked calmly, easing toward him.

Staring at it, he said, “Um … yeah,” and handed it to her.

“Did you hurt yourself?” Sophia asked. “Do you feel any different?”

“I’m fine—actually, I feel good,” said Allen, with a tiny grin.

“Interesting—could you show us how you did that spell?”

Allen gave her a puzzled look. “You mean I’m not in deep trouble? Uh … sure.” He shifted into the attack position and shut his eyes.

“Sophia, I don’t understand—why are you wasting our time?” Tim demanded.

“Shh … Mona was right—you should really work on your temper.” She kept staring at Allen without blinking. “Just watch.”

A moment later, a strong gust howled past them as his wand lit up.

“Allen, break that tall boulder with roots wrapped around it!” Sophia shouted.

He struck with an aggressive roar. “HELLFIRE LASH!” The third flaming whip was unleashed, and it was much bigger than the previous two. It struck directly at the target.
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Title: Sophia Freeman and the Gate of Jade
Series: Sophia Freeman #2
Author: T.X. Troan
Publisher: Rise Publishers
Publication Date: May 7th 2021
Print Length: 186 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure
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THEY MUST RISK IT ALL TO REGAIN THEIR FREEDOM ... OR BE SEALED AWAY FOREVER.

Sophia Freeman and her best friend, Tim Charnal, must beat all contestants in a three-round Beyond Event organized by the mighty arbiters to free him from the penalty of murder and gain the islanders' trust. Entering the hologram and surviving environments filled with everything from hammer-throwing cave giants to a slimy tentacled sea monster, they will need all their courage, wits, and skills. But how are they going to win when magic is forbidden?

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Title: Sophia Freeman and the Era of Darkness
Series: Sophia Freeman #3
Author: T.X. Troan
Publisher: Rise Publishers
Publication Date: July 1st 2022
Print Length: 172 pages
Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure
~
EVIL RISING ... ISLANDERS MISSING ... AND FRIENDS BETRAYING.

With the increase in deaths of Pandilone Islanders, the arbiters devise a strategy to free the god demon within five days to lift the Eternal Curse. All goes as planned until iron-masked creatures kidnap magic users, weakening the army. To gain reinforcements, Sophia Freeman, Tim Charnal, and rescued Allen Chan must gather all six items to cast the Dream Spell, connecting them with Sophia’s father and his air force. But how can the trio succeed in time while surrounded by enemies and traitors aiming to stop them at any cost?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Thuan Doan was born in Indonesia, and grew up in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

Thuan has been fascinated by art from a young age, especially fantasy. He would wake up hours before school, sit outside the classroom, and scribble in his sketch book.

After college, he worked on a series of jobs, including: an advergaming association as a storyboard/concept artist, gaming company as lead concept artist, and graphic designer for various clients.

Thuan conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet. 4 years later, the story is complete. While book 1, 2 and 3 are being shared with the world, he's writing and illustrating book 4 of the Sophia Freeman series.

Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents' names.

“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”

T.X. Troan married Sarah, his original fan and longtime love, in 2016. They live in Enderby with their pack dogs and school of fish!

AWARDS
★ Entrada Publishing Incipere Award, 2020
★ Readers' Favorite 5 star Badge, 2019, 2021 and 2022
★ Literary Titan Badge, 2020

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GIVEAWAY:
T.X. Troan will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

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Book Blitz and Giveaway: A Valentine for Christmas (Valentine Vineyards #1) by Reese Ryan

Title: A Valentine for Christmas
Series: Valentine Vineyards #1
Author: Reese Ryan
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
Publication Date: November 29th 2022
Print Length: 224 pages
Genre: Holiday Contemporary Romance
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Opposites do more than attract when an older woman falls for a younger man in Reese Ryan’s brand-new Harlequin Desire series, Valentine Vineyards!

A red-hot romance between a career-focused woman and a determined younger man?

Doctor’s orders!

Dr. Julian Brandon is too charming, too sexy and too young for Chandra Valentine. But after the successful bachelor rescues her—twice—she owes him. Still reeling from life-changing family revelations, Chandra somehow agrees to pose as Julian’s girlfriend. And now the irresistible Julian has plans that start with seduction under the mistletoe and end with their fake relationship erupting into a scorching affair. Now Chandra’s questioning everything she believed about love…

From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.

You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Valentine Vineyards series:

Book 1: A Valentine for Christmas

Goodreads * Amazon *
Barnes & Noble * iBooks * Kobo
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EXCERPT:
“Isn’t there some rule about doctors and their patients—”

“Having lunch?” Julian shrugged, barely able to hold back a grin. “None that I recall.”

“You know what I mean, Doogie Howser.” Chandra pointed a finger. “You must be all of...what? Twenty-five?”

“Et tu, Chandra?” He’d been in town a few days and had heard his fair share of references to the fictional child doctor. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known who Doogie Howser was. “I’m thirty. Thirty-one on my birthday in a few months. Besides, I’ve dated women older than you.” He shrugged. “The age difference doesn’t bother me. As for your question about the doctor-patient relationship... If we’d met in my exam room, I wouldn’t be sitting here. But our relationship clearly predates any doctor-patient connection.”

“I wasn’t aware we had a relationship.” Chandra leaned forward, her elbow on the table and her chin propped on the fist of her uninjured hand. Her rich brown eyes studied him.

“Well, you did hold my hand on the plane,” he reminded her. “In some cultures, that’s practically a marriage proposal.”

“True. But neither of us is from such a culture.” Her full lips curved in a reluctant smile.

Julian had the sudden urge to glide his fingers into the nape of Chandra’s neck and tug her forward, so he could sample the berry-tinted gloss on her lips.

“Then there’s that hug you gave me,” he continued.

“That was a show of gratitude. You saved my life.”

“I’m just saying...after the thirty-second mark, I’m pretty sure the hug went from gratitude to something...more.” Julian chuckled when she huffed indignantly. “What? Is it so terrible to admit you’re attracted to me?”

“No. I mean...yes.” Chandra looked adorably flustered. “Maybe I was attracted to you. But—”

“Great. Because the attraction is mutual.” Julian leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. “The Universe keeps throwing us together, Chandra. Seems like a glaring sign it’s best not to ignore.”

“So now our meeting was destiny or something?” Chandra furrowed her brows.

“Or something.” He grinned.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Reese Ryan writes sexy, deeply emotional romances with family drama, surprising secrets, and unexpected twists.

Past president of her local Romance Writers of America chapter and a panelist at the 2017 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Reese is an advocate for the romance genre and diversity in fiction.

Website * Goodreads * Facebook *
Twitter * Instagram * Youtube * Bookbub
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GIVEAWAY:
Win a $25 Amazon gift card and a Valentine Vineyards prize pack with book-themed and wine-themed goodies - open worldwide!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prizes. Xpresso Book Tours and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

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Thursday, December 1, 2022

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway - The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Cases One and Two: The Riveting First Two Murder Mysteries and Origins of Sherlock Holmes by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Welcome to my stop on the blurb blitz for The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Cases One and Two: The Riveting First Two Murder Mysteries and Origins of Sherlock Holmes by Liese Sherwood-Fabre. This blitz was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book. There's also the blitz wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon, Apple, or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the blitz for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes, Cases One and Two: The Riveting First Two Murder Mysteries and Origins of Sherlock Holmes
Author: Liese Sherwood-Fabre
Publisher: Little Elm Press
Publication Date: July 19th 2022
Print Length: 554 pages
Genre: Historical Mystery
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A murdered midwife. A body in the stable. At the age of thirteen, Sherlock Holmes is thrust into his first two cases. At stake: the lives of his own family.

Before Sherlock Holmes met Dr. Watson in 1895, he had already developed his skills as the world's most famous consulting detective. Arthur Conan Doyle provided little information about his detective's formative years or how he created his singular profession. These first two books in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes series reveal how Sherlock's past shaped the sleuth he became.

Faced with the possibility of losing his mother to the gallows for a murder she did not commit, Sherlock must uncover the true killer before she hangs in The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife.

In Case Two, unexpected guests and a murder arrive in time for the family's Christmas celebrations. For the safety of his family, Sherlock is compelled once again to bring the perpetrator to justice in The Adventure of the Murdered Gypsy.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes and traditional historical British detective mysteries will love The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes as a welcomed addition to the originals.

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EXCERPT:
They told me the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton, and I knew I should have been honored to be at the institution; but at age thirteen, I hated it. The whole bloody place. I remained only because my parents’ disappointment would have been too great a disgrace to bear.

My aversion culminated about a month after my arrival when I was forced into a boxing match on the school’s verdant side lawn. I had just landed a blow to Charles Fitzsimmons’s nose, causing blood to pour from both nostrils, when the boys crowding around us parted. One of the six-form prefects joined us in the circle’s center.

After glancing first at Fitzsimmons, he said to me, “Sherlock Holmes, you’re wanted in the Head Master’s office. Come along.”

Even though I’d been at the school only a few weeks, I knew no one was called to the director’s office unless something was terribly wrong. I hesitated, blinking at the young man in his stiff collar and black suit. He flapped his arms to mark his impatience at my delay and spun about on his heel, marching toward the college’s main building. I gulped, gathered my things, and followed him at a pace that left me puffing to keep up.

I had no idea what caused such a summons. If it had been the fight, surely Charles would have accompanied me. I hadn’t experienced any controversies in any of my classes, even with my mathematics instructor. True, earlier in the day I’d corrected him, but surely it made sense to point out his mistake? For the most part, the masters seemed pleased with my answers when they called on me.

I did have problems, however, with most of my classmates—Charles Fitzsimmons was just one example. Except he was the one who’d called me out. Surely, that couldn’t be the basis of this summons?

Once inside, my sight adjusted slowly to the dark, cool interior, and I could distinguish the stern-faced portraits of past college administrators, masters, and students lining the hallway. As I passed them, I could feel their judgmental stares bearing down on me, and so I focused on the prefect’s back, glancing neither right nor left at these long-dead critics. A cold sweat beaded on my upper lip as I felt certain something very grave had occurred, with me at the center of the catastrophe. Reaching the Head Master’s office, I found myself unable to work the door’s latch, and with an exasperated sigh, the prefect opened it for me and left me to enter on a pair of rather shaky knees.

My agitation deepened when I entered and found the director examining a letter with my father’s seal clearly visible. He glanced up from the paper with the same severe expression I’d observed in his predecessors’ portraits. Dismissing his appraisal, I concentrated on the details I gathered from the missive in his hand.

Taking a position on an expansive oriental carpet in front of his massive wooden desk, I drew in my breath and asked, “What happened to my mother?”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Liese Sherwood-Fabre knew she was destined to write when she got an A+ in the second grade for her story about Dick, Jane, and Sally’s ruined picnic. After obtaining her PhD, she joined the federal government and worked and lived abroad for more than fifteen years. Returning to the states, she seriously pursued her writing career, garnering such awards as a finalist in RWA’s Golden Heart contest and a Pushcart Prize nomination.
 
A recognized Sherlockian scholar, her essays have appeared in scion newsletters, the Baker Street Journal, and Canadian Holmes. These have been gathered into The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes essay collection series. She has recently turned this passion into an origin story series on Sherlock Holmes. The Adventure of the Murdered Midwife, the first book in The Early Case Files of Sherlock Holmes series, was the CIBA Mystery and Mayhem 2020 winner.

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GIVEAWAY:
Liese Sherwood-Fabre will be awarding a $15 Amazon, Apple, or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

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Book Blitz and Giveaway: Love Report by Shellee Marie

Title: Love Report
Author: Shellee Marie
Publication Date: December 19th 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Professional baseball player Dan Pelameno struck out with the woman of his dreams. So, when she calls to set up an exclusive television interview with him, he jumps at the second chance to set things right. He let her slip away once, but he won’t make the same mistake.

Celebrity news reporter Kendra Star thought she had moved on from her ex, Dan until she had to see him again for a work assignment. When the encounter lands him a gig at her job, she promises to keep her distance from him and his charming ways. But the more she has to work with him, the harder he is to resist.

Goodreads
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EXCERPT:
“Kendra!”

I jolted my head up to Jay, and he eyed me warily. “As I was saying, now that the whole fiasco with Melanie is over, CEN needs a new direction...a new angle. We want to listen to the viewers. We want to be more positive with our programming,” he said, standing up from his perched position on his desk.

He ran his hands over his mouth and jolted his eyes at the massive coffee stain on my dress. “You missed your mouth?”

“Ah, you could say that,” I said.

He walked over to the cabinet in the corner of his office and pulled out a handkerchief. “Here, take this,” he said.

I took the handkerchief and motioned to wipe my dress. “Thank you so much! I didn’t have any napkins in my office.”

Jay raised his arms, stopping me. “No, no, no. Don’t wipe the stain with it. Put it under yourself, so you won’t mess up my leather chair.”

“Oh,” I said, raising my backside slightly and placing it underneath me.

Once my embarrassment eased, I ruminated over the words he’d said earlier, “new direction.” I’d heard them before. Only last time, that direction hadn’t included me, but my replacement, celebrity slayer Melanie. She’d damaged so many of CEN’s celebrity relationships it was difficult to imagine a positive comeback.

Although, somehow, I’d managed to come back in more ways than one. During my prolonged stint of unemployment, my bill collectors started to call me more than my relatives. I couldn’t have that happen again. I shook my head and focused on Jay’s words as he dropped his hand from his mouth.

He hovered over his desk, then placed his palms down onto the surface as if steadying himself in front of me. I shifted in my chair under his gaze. “Someone reached out to the director of programming and suggested we do an apology tour. So, now upper management wants us to repair the relationships that Melanie damaged,” he said.

“Apology tour?”

“Yep, a series of intimate, heartfelt, sit-down interviews with each of the celebrities harmed to show them in a better light. But at the same time, it could also show CEN in a better light. In addition to fixing the relationships, of course. A second chance do-over of sorts.”

I nodded without hesitation or shame. I was a damn good interviewer, and I knew heartfelt. I wasn’t perfect, but I threw my heart into everything I did. “I can do that,” I said.

Jay smiled at me like a proud father and pointed in my direction. “I know you can. And there’s no one else I would’ve trusted to do it. We have to show everyone we’re still the same ole CEN.”

Moments like this were rare with Jay. They always made me think that if I worked harder, maybe I could have more of them. I mentally repeated his next statement in his hint of a New York accent because I knew it by heart.

“CEN is that old friend you can rely on to keep you up to date on trends,” he said. But, then, “Only now we keep you up to date on our friends.”

Hmm, that last part was new.

I nodded at his cringeworthy new phrase, attempting to detour him from the inevitable tangent that usually followed his “profound” statements. “So, who’s first on our apology tour?” I asked brightly.

“Well, the caller suggested Dan Pelameno.” He shook his head, then said, “The way we screwed over that guy’s marriage, I’d say I agree.”

I froze. Did he say, Dan Pelameno?

I stuttered, searching for my next words. “I — I think I read somewhere that Dan and his w-wife… ex-wife…are on good terms. So, it would probably be way more harmful to him to potentially rehash things with an interview.”

“Nonsense, it’ll be great. Our fans love Dan, and Dan loves the spotlight. So, just avoid harsh questions, and it’ll be fine.”

“But —"

Jay raised his hand and closed his eyes before narrowing them on me intensely. “This is a crucial opportunity for this company and, quite frankly, for you as well. Show the execs why you were worth that raise. Get Pelameno’s number and schedule the interview with him personally. We can’t mess this up. The network took a hit with that Melanie bullsh*t. We need this. You need this.”

I nodded and rose from my seat. “Yes, Jay. Thank you for the opportunity.”

Defeated, I headed for the door, but Jay stopped me to say, “And Kendra?”

“Yes?” I asked.

“Welcome back.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shellee Marie holds a Master of Arts degree in Political Science and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. She also has two minors in Women’s Studies and Political Science.

Shellee is an avid reader, and in her spare time, she can frequently be found curled up with a good book. She loves a wide variety of formats and genres. She also enjoys spending time with her brilliant daughter, Trinity, and her favorite pups, Myla and Chino.

Website * Goodreads * Instagram * TikTok
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GIVEAWAY:
Win a $25 Amazon gift card!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Xpresso Book Tours and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

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Wednesday, November 30, 2022

NBTM Virtual Book Tour and Giveaway: Glossolalia by e rathke

Welcome to my stop on the NBTM virtual book tour for Glossolalia by e rathke. This book tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt from the book as well as an interesting guest post from the author. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more content. Enjoy!
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Title: Glossolalia
Author: e rathke
Publisher: Wolf Publishing
Publication Date: September 23rd 2022
Print Length: 205 pages
Genre: Dark Fantasy Horror
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“My name is Ineluki. I come from past the mountains and ice. It took me many days to reach here. All I know are dead. Will you take me in?”

And so begins a calamitous year at the edge of the world.

Chief for the year, Aukul's life has never been better. His people respect him, he spends his nights with the love of his life, and his skills as a butcher and chef improve every day. Then Ineluki, a young stranger, wanders into town with nothing but an empty book. He begins telling stories of the world beyond the one they know. His stories challenge their reality and lead to a summer of unprecedented disasters.

One by one, the villagers begin dancing. Dancing tirelessly, as if in a trance, until they die. Believing Ineluki is to blame, Aukul confronts him on the worst night of his life.

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EXCERPT:
I

Umok was the first to see the boy. There was nothing special about the boy except that he wasn’t one of us and didn’t seem to be an Uummanuq. Not that anyone really knew, then, what the Uummanuq looked like. Not really. But he was too tall to be one of them and much too short to be one of us. Maybe strangest of all, he was dressed as a woman. One of ours, not the Uummanuq women, assuming anyone knew, then, what the Uummanuq looked like when they weren’t smashing our homes down. But he wore a loose, open vest, his trousers tight and reaching just past his knees. In his hands, a hidebound book.

It was a clear day, just past spring, and though the edge of the world is known for its deathly cold, our summers are quite warm. Warm enough to wade out into the sea and gather crabs or lobster. Or even to swim out to where the leviathans burst through the water, spraying the skies with their misted breath.

Umok was so distracted by the boy that she dropped her arm, accidentally flinging her gyrfalcon, Feo, to the ground. When Feo shrieked the way she does, the boy turned to Umok and smiled a big toothy grin. To hear Umok tell it later, the boy had fangs like a wolf and eyes that glowed with menace.

We’re not prone to superstition, but much changed that summer and especially come winter, when the days last barely a blink and the nameless ones call out to us in the long night, and mothers wake to missing children, never to be seen again.

But the boy didn’t stop when he saw Umok. It was like he had a set destination. Like he knew where we were. And maybe that’s the most shocking of all. That he just wandered out from the dark green summer mountains and walked right to our little village at the edge of the world with nothing but the clothes he was wearing, an empty book, and a mouthful of words that would change the shape of all our lives.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
e rathke writes about books and games on his website. A finalist for the 2022 Baen Fantasy Adventure Award, he is the author of Glossolalia and several other forthcoming novellas. His short fiction will appear in Queer Tales of Monumental Invention, Mysterion Magazine, and elsewhere.

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GUEST POST:
- In what ways are you and your main character alike? Different?

The similarities between Aukul and me are few and far between. I’ve never been one for autobiography or even confessional writing, so I’ve never had the inclination or interest to write books about me or even an idealized version of myself.

I spend all day every day being me! I use my imagination to wander away from myself. Granted, few make a habit of getting far away from themselves, but I have always found it the most fun way to write.

However, there are some similarities. Aukul is only seventeen years old during the novel. Like many young men—myself included, when I was a young man—Aukul dreams of a life grander than the one he sees before him. He dreams of change. He longs to leave his own mark on the world. To be remembered. To be loved. To be appreciated. He is a man, like many men.

The ways we differ are many, but the one that comes easiest to mind is that I was a much more scattered person than Aukul. I had no singular vision of what I wanted out of life. I had no occupation or even dreamt of occupation that felt as if it would satisfy me. I had no vision of my own future. I longed for unnamable things, unnamable versions of a life I hoped to stumble into.

Now as a much older man than I was when I was Aukul’s age, I still find his singular focus interesting, for it has always escaped me. I am a person of diverse interests and constant distraction. I tinker in dozens of different hobbies and interests at all times, wandering this way and then that, but rarely do I remain devoted to a single topic.

That being said, I do love cooking. Aukul, for all his other hopes and dreams of change, is devoted to cooking and the preparation of food. His art is one of scent and taste. A transient yet beautiful art meant to be shared. Instantly recognizable and experienced. Whereas I tinker with words and stories that take hour upon hour to create and then at least a few hours to experience.

Our similarities are few but I do have great affection for Aukul. I gave him some of the tools he would need to achieve his dreams, yet kept back some that would have made all the difference.

So it goes.
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GIVEAWAY:
e rathke will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

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Excerpt Tour and Giveaway - Light, Dark, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum: A Look at Everything Light, Associated Phenomena, Uses of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and the History and Types of Illumination by Scott Benjamin Gracie

Welcome to my stop on the excerpt tour for Light, Dark, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum: A Look at Everything Light, Associated Phenomena, Uses of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and the History and Types of Illumination by Scott Benjamin Gracie. This tour was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an exclusive excerpt from the book. There's also the tour wide giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card. Be sure to visit the other stops on the tour for more exclusive excerpts. Enjoy!
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Title: Light, Dark, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum: A Look at Everything Light, Associated Phenomena, Uses of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and the History and Types of Illumination
Author: Scott Benjamin Gracie
Publisher: Tellwell
Publication Date: April 11th 2022
Print Length: 358 pages
Genre: Science & Physics Non-Fiction
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Since the dawn of time, electromagnetic energy has permeated through the universe, surrounding and interacting with everything it touches, illuminating, destroying and giving life.

The colourful section of the electromagnetic spectrum we see in the form of visible light, rainbows and other phenomena is tiny when compared to its vast entirety. Using many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum have become common everyday occurrence for the majority of people on Earth, as it's been integrated into our lives in ways that we don't even think twice about it.

This book illuminates many parts of the electromagnetic spectrum and its effects, the endless ways we have harnessed its energy, and how we interact and live with its influence.

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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:
Why Things Appear Coloured

When white light hits a surface, some of the wavelengths of light are absorbed and some are reflected. The colour wavelength that gets reflected does so because the surface is the colour of that wavelength. For example, a red apple will absorb all the colours of white except for red, which it reflects. A green apple will absorb all the colours of white except for green, which it reflects. Objects will appear black under white light because they absorb all the colours of light.

This is a main reason why manufacturing good quality light sources is so important. Lighting manufacturers put the colours into the artificial light source and if one of the colours is slightly wrong, an object of that particular colour will not get its true colour reflected and will appear a different shade of the colour.

This reflection and absorption reaction of electromagnetic energy is the reason why darker coloured objects can appear hotter, as they are absorbing more electromagnetic energy rather than reflecting it away.

(Click photo to enlarge.)
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Scott Benjamin Gracie's passion for light and the electromagnetic spectrum began in his early teens while tinkering with electronics as a hobby. He was formally introduced to the lighting industry while studying Electrical and Electronics in Sydney, Australia, and in 1998 he started his career making custom light fittings and lamps in his dad's garage. Formal lighting design qualifications expanded his opportunity to help project-manage and design on many industry levels.

Twenty-two years on, and Scott has worked on many major infrastructure, commercial and architectural lighting projects. He is a member of the Illuminating Engineering Society of Australia & New Zealand, the Colour Society of Australia, the International Dark Sky Association and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

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GIVEAWAY:
Scott Benjamin Gracie will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Good luck!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Goddess Fish Promotions and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Book Blitz and Giveaway: The Daredevil (WaterFyre Rising #2)

Title: The Daredevil
Series: WaterFyre Rising #2
Author: Nadia Han
Publisher: Prose and Concepts LLC
Publication Date: November 30th 2022
Print Length: 414 pages
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Loving her is his biggest risk . . . and also his biggest reward.

Daring, clever, and gorgeous, Royce Viktorsson is a volcanologist who lives life on the edge between the thrill and the pulsing calm before the storm. His unsteady lifestyle masks the man who is seeking to heal the hole in his heart. Nothing has offered him resolve . . . until her.

The lightning that illuminates his soul.
The thunder that stirs his heart.
The lava that ignites his blood.

Thoughtful, alluring, and guarded, travel blogger Michelle Yates is emotionally unavailable thanks to the monster in her closet. Traveling allows her to see the beauty in the world, making her forget the ugliness in her life. One man yanks on that closet door and helps her claim back her self-worth.

The friend who becomes her lover.
The hero who defeats her monster.
The savior who defines her destiny.

As their romance churns, danger erupts, whipping out secrets that demand the truth, but the daredevil is willing to risk everything to defend those important to him.

The Daredevil is a friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, forced proximity, destined moments, billionaire hero, and a suspenseful contemporary romance. It is Book Two in the WaterFyre Rising series but can be read as a standalone.

Goodreads * Amazon
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EXCERPT:
“You’re driving me crazy, Michelle. What game are we playing now? How to seduce Royce?”

How had he known? A wild guess? It didn’t matter.

His eyes had darkened to a gorgeous mossy color. “Seduce away, angel. You know how to turn me on.”

Royce swallowed, and the movement of his Adam’s apple increased the need in me. I’d always considered a man’s shoulders to be the feature I couldn’t resist, but right now, his Adam’s apple became the switch that lit me up.

I pressed my lips to the masculine bump on his throat and kissed it.

He crooned. “I’ll accept this defeat.”

“Willingly? You had no choice. You lost.” My voice vibrated against his throat.

He veered back, creating a slight distance between my lips. “I love that you wanted to win so badly.”

I needed to win because I wanted to know what he feared. That desire trumped everything else. “I like to win.”
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nadia Han is a dreamer, a visionary, and a believer in karma and kindness. She lives in New England with her family and spends most of her time crafting stories. When she’s not writing, she practices yoga, reads, explores nature, and eats all kinds of foods.





Website * Goodreads * Facebook *
Instagram * Youtube * Amazon *
TikTok * Pinterest
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GIVEAWAY:
Win an eBook of The Daredevil by Nadia Han!

(All the Ups and Downs is not responsible for this giveaway, its entries, or the prize. Xpresso Book Tours and the author assume all responsibility over this giveaway.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
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