Shadow's Keep Book Spotlight and Giveaway

This morning, I have a crime thriller in my book spotlight!  Check out Shadow's Keep, learn about the author and enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Shadow's Keep

by Meghan O'Flynn

Genre: Crime Thriller

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF FAMISHED

”Dark and intense, with an M. Night Shyamalan-level twist.”

~Kristen Mae, bestselling author of the Conch Garden series

OLD SINS. NEW BLOOD.

Deputy Sheriff William Shannahan doesn’t feel like a detective, at least not like the ones he admires on TV. Not that he needs to be; the small town of Graybel, Mississippi, is a peaceful place, with acres of farmland, neighbors who always take care of their own, and noise from the outside world muted by a hundred miles of forest.

That silence is about to be broken.

When a child is found dead in the woods, the medical examiner deems it a dog attack. But the paw prints belong to something far larger than any creature in the Mississippi forests, and what animal would remove the victim’s eyes? Though no one believes him, William can’t shake the feeling that a human killer lurks in the shadowed woods.

And his girlfriend, Cassie, has a son the same age as the victim.

Cassie Parker was raised amid horrors she’s long pushed from her mind, but her scars won’t let her forget. Nor do the hallucinations, dreams so vivid she can feel and smell and taste them. And no one is more terrified than Cassie when another victim is found mauled to death—because this body has been drained of blood. She knows exactly what type of person would sacrifice a child, and why they’re after hers. But how can she explain it to William?

This is William’s chance to act like a detective, to protect the woman and child he’s desperate to save. Pushing back against prejudice and presumption, he uncovers a trail of cruelty that spans decades, but each clue brings him closer to a truth more horrifying than killer beasts in the forest. For concealed beneath small-town politics is knowledge that will shatter everything he knows to be true about his town—and the people in it.

A compulsively readable thriller in the vein of Cujo, The Girl on the Train, and M. Night Shyamalan’s The Village, Shadow’s Keep is a mind-bending exploration of obsession, desperation, and how far we’ll go to protect those we love.

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Meghan O'Flynn is a clinical therapist, writer, artist, wife, and mom. She adores her amazing little boys, dark chocolate, tea, dirty jokes, and back rubs with no strings attached, in that order. Meghan is the bestselling author of The Jilted, Shadow's Keep, and the Ash Park series--which includes Famished, Conviction, Repressed, Hidden and Redemption--and has penned a number of short stories including "Crimson Snow" and "Alien Landscape." She is frankly amazed that her wonderful husband still agrees to live with her after reading them and even more shocked that he seems to sleep soundly.

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Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

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Book Spotlight & Giveaway for Don't Write a Crappy Book by James M. Ranson

This morning, I have a book for authors in my book spotlight--especially for those of you writing about business and self-publishing.  Check out Don't Write a Crappy Book, learn about the author & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Book Title: Don't Write a Crappy Book by James M. Ranson

Category: Adult Non- Fiction, 210 pages

Genre: Business, Authorpreneurship

About the Book

A great book can launch your business into the stratosphere. Unfortunately, most self-published business books rank somewhere between “meh” and “flaming pile of crap.” But your book doesn’t have to suck!

In “Don’t Write a Crappy Book,” editor and entrepreneur James Ranson unpacks the most common–and toxic–mistakes that first-time nonfiction authors make. Peppered with wisdom from a panel of industry experts, this book debunks the dangerous myths that can torpedo your text and offers clear, practical guidance for writing a book you’re proud of. This is the resource for the aspiring authorpreneur who wants to write and publish a book with minimum hassle and maximum results.

This book will teach you:

- How a self-published book can make or break your business (and the THREE factors that determine which it does)
- The biggest blind spots no one tells authors about (and how to look for them BEFORE it's too late)
- How to write a first book that will get positive reviews on Amazon (and why that’s a better goal than becoming a bestseller)
- When writing a business book is the right move for you (and when you should NEVER write one)
- How to self-publish on Amazon to actually get good results for your business (a lot of it happens before you even start writing!)
- What NOT to do when you’re looking for an editor (and how to find a great one)
- Why trying to write and publish a book in 90 days or less is a recipe for disaster (and why no one tells you that!)
- How to avoid do-overs, sunk costs, and other self-publishing headaches (and how to get out of them if they sneak up on you)

Stay out of the crap pile! Discover the secrets to creating a highly valuable book that will expand your influence and grow your business for years to come.

To read interviews and guest posts, please visit James M. Ranson's page on iRead Book Tours.

​

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Meet the Author

James Ranson, The Master Wordsmith(TM), is a Wall-Street-Journal-bestselling editor, ghostwriter and book coach who has helped over 200 consultants, coaches, speakers and other thought leaders create high-quality books. Clients of his have gone on to sell thousands of books, receive book deals from publishing houses, and be featured in regional and national media outlets. In addition to his own clients, James is a writer and book doctor for Thanet House Books, and is on recommended professional lists for Scribe Media(formerly Book in a Box), My Word Publishing, BrightFlame Books and Authors Unite. His second book, Don’t Write A Crappy Book!, will be published on October 1, 2018. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, James lives in Atlanta, GA, with his fiancée and a very needy cat.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook

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Ends Nov 7, 2018

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Gravedigger Book Spotlight & $10 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This morning, I have a romantic suspense novel in my book spotlight!  Check out Gravedigger, the first book in Ceeree Fields' The Rayburn Mysteries series!  Learn about the book and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Gravedigger

The Rayburn Mysteries Book 1

by Ceeree Fields

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Hunting a killer is easy. Learning to love is hard. 

Josephine 'Jo' Rayburn has no luck with love. Between the demands of her job as a homicide detective, finding the perfect yarn for her knitting projects, and her nosy family, she doesn't have time to find her happily ever after, nor does she really believe it exists. Until she's assigned to the Gravedigger task force where she meets Rhysian 'Rhys' Harrison, the sexy Coroner's assistant.

Rhys Harrison thought he had found love with the perfect woman. But his parents' deaths forced him to choose between his fiancée and caring for his brother, he chose his brother. His only regret, the medical degree he abandoned to work in the Coroner's office. When the Gravedigger leaves his latest victim at the gates of a cemetery, Rhys and Jo are thrown together, her prickly personality interests him, but it's her deeply hidden romantic side that captivates him.

After one of the task force members is shot, Rhys's fears of losing Jo, like he's lost so much already, threaten to rip them apart. Can she convince him that love is worth having no matter the risk? Or will he play it safe, leaving before his heart becomes too attached?

Goodreads *Amazon

CeeRee Fields currently lives in Groningen, the Netherlands with her husband and cat. Since she was born in Alabama and moved to the Netherlands, Dutch is not her first language which gets her into mischief in various stores around town when she tries to speak it.

She loves writing, building worlds that her characters can explore and break if they feel the need.

 Action, adventure and love are her favorite things. And when stuff gets blown up who says the guy is 

the only one who gets to do it?

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Pinterest * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

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Updating a Nightstand in a Small Bedroom with a Brightech Maxwell Floor Lamp: A Product Review

We moved into our house 16 years ago.  We brought with us a hodgepodge of family "hand-me-downs" as these two college kids got married and moved into their first "grown up" space. My mom gave me an old end table from 1975--and I moved it into our bedroom as a nightstand.  We were never home anyway--and we just needed something to hold up the lamp for late night working and reading!  *Sigh*  Life happened.  Kids happened.  Health issues happened.  That sad, dated end table lived in our bedroom for 16 years because it just wasn't a priority to replace it.  I recently had the opportunity to review a product from Brightech--and the Maxwell Floor Lamp could update my poor old 40 year old nightstand, add some much needed vertical storage space in our small bedroom--and offer modern lighting to the space. What did we think of the Maxwell Floor Lamp from Brightech?

Brightech Maxwell Floor Lamp

The Product Delivery.  The Maxwell Floor Lamp arrived packaged very securely with all of the pieces ready for assembly.  The package contained all of the pieces noted on the assembly instructions--and there were no quality issues or flaws in any of the pieces received.

 

 
Was the Brightech Maxwell Floor Lamp easy to assemble? 

While some of the pieces were not labeled with letters to correspond to the instructions--it was easy enough to figure out which pieces were which.  I would recommend lying the lamp down and assembling it on its side for easier assembly.  I would also recommend making sure that every corner is straight and tightened securely so that the lamp shade panels fit securely.  It probably took only about 20 minutes for me to assemble it by myself--and the finished lamp was very sturdy and well balanced.

What do we think of the appearance of the Maxwell Floor Lamp from Brightech? I love the clean, simple appearance of the floor lamp--and it works perfectly as a nightstand to offer both light and vertical storage in a small bedroom.  I have placed items on the shelves and move things frequently since the bottom shelves hold books and items that I use nightly.  The lamp offers a surprising amount of light and the pull chain turns the lamp on and off with ease.  It is easy to dust and keep clean and the power cord is held tightly to the lamp with properly colored clips that match the lamp supports.

 
Would I recommend the Brightech Maxwell Floor Lamp?  I love this floor lamp--and will likely be buying another one for my youngest daughter's bedroom since she also needs to take advantage of some vertical bedside storage space!  The lamp is functional, sturdy, and provides a clean, modern look to the room.  My husband rarely expresses opinions about home decor--but, he has even commented that he really likes the lamp.  I have a matching table lamp in mind for additional lighting in the room as well!  These would make great additions to college dorms or small apartments too! 

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Is A Cat The Right Pet For Your Family?

Cats are a popular pet for families across America. 41.1% of U.S households own a cat, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, the ASPCA reports that 3.2 million felines enter animal shelters each year, as a result of families being unprepared for the cost, responsibility and lifestyle changes that a pet cat brings. The good news is that introducing a furry friend into your home is beneficial to children. But, it’s important you consider these factors first.

Photo by Callum Wale on Unsplash

Introducing a new addition
One key factor to consider before introducing a cat into your household is the age of your children. Younger children need more of your time than older ones and this can result in you having less time to dedicate to your new pet. Your child will also need to be of an age where they understand boundaries so that you can explain to them when to leave your cat alone to eat and sleep. Similarly, you also need to think about the age of the cat you get. Kittens typically need a lot more attention and care than older cats. Therefore, if you’ve got little ones at home, it’s wise to opt for a fully trained cat who has previously lived with children.

Caring for your cat
General cat care can be a time-consuming task, so you need to ensure that all family members are prepared to pitch in and help. The ASPCA suggests that cats are brushed once or twice a week to keep their fur and skin in optimum condition. You also need to regularly clean your cat’s teeth to prevent periodontal disease, trim their nails and actively fight and treat fleas and ticks with a topical treatment or oral medication. Additionally, providing human company is a must to prevent boredom and destructive behaviors.

The financial impact 
Veterinary care cost pet owners $16.6 billion last year. Therefore, when you first get your cat, you should look to obtain pet insurance so that your cat is covered for any medical expenses. Meanwhile, one-off expenses you can expect to pay out for upon getting your pet, include a litter box, scratching post and carry crate. There will also be ongoing costs to factor into your family’s household expenses, such as cat food, litter and treats. Owners typically spend $92.98 a month on their feline friends, according to Business Insider, so ensure you can afford this expense before taking on a cat.

Cats can bring significant joy to families. However, before you introduce a new cat into your family home, it’s essential that you’re prepared for the the time and cash you’ll need to invest in your new pet.

Live on TV 3: Palm Springs Book Spotlight & Book Tour Giveaway

This morning, I have a mystery in our book spotlight!  Check out Live on TV 3, the second book in The Broadcast Murder thriller series by Bill Evans!  Learn about the book and the author--and be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post!

Live on TV3: Palm Springs

The Broadcast Murder Series Book 2

by Bill Evans

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

California’s Palm Springs was a hotbed for movie stars, big money and high crime, making it a great town to be a TV news reporter and police detective in the '80s and '90s. There, we see the explosive Sonny Bono rise to mayor before he becomes a US Congressman, we meet Frank Sinatra and his wife at exclusive dinner parties, and journey with a hard-nosed cast of police and newsroom personalities mingling among the stars while trying to solve a pyramid scheme and murders. Evans provides a candid insider's view of newsroom operations and scheming TV personalities who will do anything to get ahead.

Palm Springs is the prequel to Evan's first novel, Murder at Broadcast Park. Learn how Stewart, Lisa, and the ever unsuspecting Dugan built a broadcasting empire.

Goodreads * Amazon

Bill Evans is a 45 year broadcast veteran who has turned writer. His first novel, Murder at Broadcast Park, was released in October, 2017 by Koehler Books. His second book in the Broadcast Murder series will be released in the summer of 2018. Both books are being considered for TV Movies. Bill writes with a lot of dialogue and in the words of his publisher, "doesn't use a lot of word calories." 

With his experience and insight of what goes on behind the scenes in the broadcast world, Bill's novel is able to paint a vivid picture of what really happens when the cameras are off. Leaving you on the edge of your seat, you will not want to put "Murder at Broadcast Park" down. The story is fiction with so much non-fiction thrown in you might not know the difference by the time you finish.

Currently Bill resides on California's beautiful Central Coast. He continues to have a passion in the broadcast world and working in local media. Bill has developed a love of writing and is excited about the launching of his writing career.

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Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

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