The Avid Reader

Book Blitz: The Wakeful Seed by Evelyn Tormos @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

A Philosophy and Guide to Discovering Your True Power

Self-Help

Date Published: May 7, 2025

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group

In life there is often a question that continuously surfaces. That question is, "who am I?"

This thought further provokes the question: "Who am I beneath the layers of conditioning?" The truth is you were born great. We all were. You still are.

Through social conditioning and societal expectations, many have lost the connection with their true power and nature. This power holds the truth of the soul, and allows us to explore change and rise to our highest potential. Each person has an offering. A seed of power they were born with. Once cultivated, amazing things begin to happen. You shift.

The Wakeful Seed not only invites introspection in, but also provides you with tools and philosophies to help you gain perspective and clarity. Various topics and philosophies are explored through storytelling and self explorations the author calls "Moment of Effort." If you've been curious about hypnosis, past lives, life and death, navigating fear, how to become more authentic, or how to connect with your power, this book is for you.

About the Author

Evelyn Tormos is devoted to the exploration of the soul. She is a spiritual teacher, certified reiki master, intuitive healer, and certified hypnotherapist. She is the owner and founder of Wakeful Seed, LLC in Overland Park, Kansas where she supports others in self discovery and development. Her specialties include therapeutic imagery, past life regression, future progression and enhanced awareness and change using hypnotherapy. She currently offers clinic hours at Very Well KC, plans retreats, and is in the process of writing a new book. A proud veteran, native of New York, and now Kansan, she continues to seek the richness of each experience she is offered.

Contact Links

Purchase Links

Book Blitz + #Giveaway: Little Did We Know by Cara Dee @caradeewrites @XpressoTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Sat, 12 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Little Did We Know
Cara Dee
(The Mclean Tales, #1)
Publication date: July 11th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

The Mclean Tales #1 • BDSM • Friendship • Found Family • Humor • Origin Story

At Mclean House, everyone knows about the eight founding members. If you need help with anything in the community, you send them a message or approach them at the house. Lucas is the kind Daddy Dom with patience for days, Macklin the funny switch who sure knows how to switch sides as well, and Greer is the primal Master with a huge heart and a devil on his shoulder. Colt has that devil on his shoulder too, actually. Lucian, another Master, is into high protocol and creative punishments. Penelope loves to host events and runs a tight ship. Last but definitely not least, the men who came up with the idea to start a community. River and Reese are the scary, sadistic twin brothers—until you get to know them and see the sweethearts under the ink, of course.

The eight founders find their happily ever afters in the Game Series, but this book isn’t about that. It’s about what happened before. The story very few know so far. How they met, how they became friends, and how they started exploring together.

So let’s go back to the beginning. It’s a cold night in Baltimore, and Lucas is about to catch the scowl of someone at an event where he feels completely out of place.

Author’s note: Are you new to the Game Series? This is the perfect book to jump right in and get to know the main characters.

Disclaimer: No fighter pilots or Marines were injured by each other’s insults in the making of this book, River apologizes in advance if he offended any vampires or people from Chicago, and Lucian solemnly swears that his cleaning service didn’t find anything embarrassing at his place after the night they all remember, except possibly something that belongs to Greer.

Disclaimer two: Sorry for lying. River isn’t apologizing for anything.

Goodreads / Amazon / All Retailers / Direct from Cara

—

EXCERPT:

“I’m dominant,” I felt the need to say.

Reese’s smile widened. “Even better. A Dom who needs to get fucked? Do you struggle with that bit?”

I narrowed my eyes. “Only if the other guy—or guys—think they can boss me around. And for the record, Doms can be bottoms too.”

He chuckled and leaned back in his seat. “I know.” He lifted his gaze to something behind me—or someone, rather—and it was River returning with two bottles of beer. Reese scooted farther in, and River sat down next to him. “Lucas West here is a Dom who occasionally needs to get fucked like a savage.”

For chrissakes!

“Really.” River hitched his brows at me and took a swig of his beer. “Does he beg?”

Okay, that one got me. Annoyance tore through me, and I instantly considered calling it a night. I could still drive after two beers, and I hadn’t finished this one anyway. My plan had been to nurse it for a while. My actual plan—and the whole reason I’d chosen to drive—was because I’d thought I’d be in Baltimore.

“He fucking does not,” I stated. “He’s not that interested either.”

*
“Hey, gorgeous. Did you get your asshole prettied up for us?”

I stopped short, and it felt like he’d dumped a bucket of cold water over me. Water or embarrassment. Or defiance—or anger!

Who the fuck was this guy?!

I made eye contact with River. “Is he always like this?”

He shrugged a little and took a swig of whatever drink he’d mixed. “More or less. It’s how he digs for information. It ain’t subtle, but it’s effective.”

Information about what? And how exactly? Through shock value?

“If there’s information you want about me, you could start a conversation and ask,” I pointed out. “It’s how normal people get to know each other.”

River chuckled quietly. “Not sure we know what’s normal.”

“Fuck normal,” Reese said bluntly.

Author Bio:

Romance Across the Spectrum.

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

~Cara.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
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—

Review: The Flower Once Wilted (The Girl Once Known #4) by R.M. Demeester @rmdemeester

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

The Flower Once Wilted

The Girl Once Known #4

by R.M. Demeester

Published: July 11, 2025

Genre: Fiction, Psychological Thrillers, Thriller, Women's Fiction

Blurb:

Lotus Oliver learned early that survival meant pretending.

Lie when you're scared. Smile when you're cornered. Trust no one, and never let your guard down. Because wanting something only meant one thing: losing it.

Then she met Joseph “Jo” Oliver. He didn’t just see her. He unraveled her, layer by layer, until there was nothing left to hide. And somehow, she gave him everything. Her fire. Her fight. Her heart. A marriage. A family. But the voice inside her never went quiet. The one that said she wasn’t safe. That everything could slip away.

And one day, it did. And this time, she had nowhere left to run.

This is a bonus origin story from The Girl Once Known trilogy.

Goodreads ~ Amazon

My Review:

The Flower Once Wilted is a story about a girl named Lotus. It tells of her home life, featuring a mother who seems to meet her soulmate in every man she is with and a father who prefers drinking and doing drugs more than her, or at least that is how Lotus perceives it.

Lotus learns to lie at an early age, telling everyone what they want to hear to keep them happy and leave her alone. Her thinking is that if they are happy, they won't interfere with her life, and she won't get hurt in the long run.

That is until she meets Jo, a kind and compassionate guy who came from a better life than she has experienced, or so she believes. No one fully knows what goes on behind closed doors, as people only show others what they want them to see, always hiding their true selves from the outside world.

Jo loved Lotus for who she was, and he kept probing her until he discovered the genuine Lotus. Jo was a warm and compassionate individual who wanted to help her. Lotus only wanted to make him happy, and his goal was to do the same for her.

When Jo’s mother, Jody, entered the picture and attempted to dominate their lives, it made things more difficult for him. Mothers always believe that they know what's best, even if it's not always the case.

Lotus' story forced me to reconsider why individuals might lie or feel the need to do so, even though I have never been one to tell lies. I still don't approve of lying, but I believe I have a better understanding of it. Maybe Lotus simply wanted—or perhaps needed—someone to adore her and make her feel like she was important to them.

With its numerous twists and turns, The Flower Once Wilted is a very fascinating and educational story that will have you hooked from beginning to end. I enjoyed getting to know more about Lotus, Jo, Joey, Jody, Robert, Gayle, and Ted.

Their story will prompt you to pause and reflect on your own life. I must confess that I tend to make assumptions about people more often than I would like. However, it helped me to be more inquisitive about others.

I suggest The Flower Once Wilted and each story in The Girl Once Known. For a riveting experience, consider obtaining a copy of each one now.

Check out all the books in The Girl Once Known

The Girl Once Known #1

The Bond Once Broken #2

The Name Once Erased #3

The Flower Once Wilted #4

Connect with R.M. Demeester

Facebook ~ Twitter/X ~ Instagram ~ TikTok

Review: Buried Truths (A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery #4) by Tessa Aura

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Buried Truths

A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery #4

by Tessa Aura

Published: July 11, 2025

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Cozy Mystery

Blurb:

A new apartment, a new career and a dead ex colleague. And I’m suspect number one.

My return to the city was supposed to be a fresh start—my cozy apartment, my dog Biscuit, and a new detective partnership with Harper. Not a deadly reminder of the past.

But when a forgotten file resurfaces and Jordan turns up dead, I’m pulled into a web of secrets I thought I’d left behind.

Worse? I was Jordan’s last call. Now I’m the prime suspect.

Harper and I dive into the mystery, and the clues only get darker: files are scrubbed, Callum’s story unravels, Lara’s key card puts her near the crime scene—and the trail leads to a string of murders that tie back to closed cases.

With Biscuit’s keen nose and Harper’s sharp instincts, we chase a conspiracy someone’s desperate to keep buried.

It’s evident the truth is near as threatening warnings arrive, and a fire triggers my fears.

Someone’s watching me—and they’ll stop at nothing to silence the truth.

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ BookBub

My Review:

Maggie’s past comes back to haunt her when a friend from the past is found dead. Maggie was the last person he called before his death, and now she’s the primary suspect.

With her new partner, Harper, and her loyal dog, Biscuit, Maggie investigates Jordan’s death. She fears she may be responsible. A case from her past has resurfaced to torment her. Jordan was still trying to solve the case, uncovering secrets that someone wants to keep hidden.

If someone killed Jordan because of what he discovered, who's to say Maggie isn’t next? She must find out what happened to Jordan before she becomes the next victim.

Fortunately, Maggie has plenty of help to crack the case. Their investigation uncovers many suspects and clues that keep appearing mysteriously. Who is leaving these clues, and why? Why don’t they come forward? Perhaps they’re afraid that revealing the truth could make them the next victim.

Buried Truths kept me glued to the pages as I tried to help Maggie and Harper uncover the truth, each secret revealed gradually. The mystery and suspense alone kept me turning pages, eager to find out what was happening.

I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery series. That said, I highly recommend getting all the books in this series—you won’t want to miss a moment with Maggie, Biscuit, or Harper as they solve more mysteries.

Check out all the books in the A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery Series

Fatal Check-In #1

Secrets in the Pines #2

Murder and Memories #3

Buried Truths #4

BookBub

Connect with Tessa Aura

Book Blitz: The Perfect Ten by John Iredale @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Fiction / Drama

Date Published: May 22, 2025

The Perfect Ten is a gripping tale of friendship, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to when pushed to the edge.

When three high school friends witness a disturbing event, they make a pact to never speak of it again. Twenty-five years later, their high school reunion reignites not only memories—but a dangerous new alliance. Two of the men are facing personal crises: one is drowning in debt, the other desperate to save his wife from a rare cancer. Their third friend, connected to a powerful mafia family, may hold the key to their salvation—but at what cost?

As the trio ventures into the high-stakes world of counterfeiting, an unexpected fourth member joins their scheme—a once-forgotten classmate whose transformation is as stunning as it is surprising.

Spanning the coal mines of Pennsylvania to the glittering heights of Manhattan’s finance and fashion districts, The Perfect Ten takes readers on an international journey filled with twists, secrets, and moral gray areas. With characters you’ll root for and a pace that never lets up, this smart, fast-moving thriller asks: How far would you go for the people you love?

About the Author

John R. Iredale was born in Woodstock, Ontario, Canada, and earned his doctorate in podiatric medicine in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1967. He went on to practice podiatry for nearly five decades in Durham, North Carolina. Known by friends, family, and patients as a natural-born storyteller, John often found inspiration in the lives of those around him. His deep curiosity and attentive ear uncovered stories that spanned generations, cultures, and communities.

In retirement, John finally turned to the page, sharing the vivid tales that have been living in his memory and imagination for years. The Perfect Ten is his debut novel—a suspenseful blend of crime, loyalty, and the power of old friends with unfinished business.

Purchase Links

B&N

Blurb Blitz + #Giveaway: Words to Think. or to Sing. by Intensia @GoddessFish

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Words to Think. or to Sing.

Intensia

GENRE: Modern Poetry

BLURB:

Have you ever wondered how your favorite songs really began?

Not with the words, not with the melody, but with a feeling.

Becoming a vision, becoming lines, becoming a complete piece of sonorous truth meant to be shared to unite people who resonate with it.

A mystical, fascinating process you can now be part of.

INTENSIA, a new heartfelt, poetic singer songwriter likely to belong with your favorite pop music companions, is turning the traditional release model upside down, inviting you to look into her soul and mind before anyone else.

Be among the first to witness this spark before her distinctive voice echoes through the world. This unique approach offers an unprecedented glimpse into evolving art, so you can feel and enjoy the essence of her songs before they are even complete.

Dive into this curated collection of lyric excerpts and emotional snapshots from pop songs in progress. Each piece stands on its own as a modern, poetic message, paired with brief reflections about the meaning or emotions behind the words.

It is more than something to read. It is a space to pause, reflect, and connect, with room for your thoughts and reflections too. Write what moves you, what you feel, what you dream. This book and its songs to be are meant to accompany you wherever you go.

For even more space to express yourself, the companion notebook PLACE TO THINK. OR TO WRITE. (ISBN 978-3-911445-02-3) is available as a dedicated space.

WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING. out 26 June 2025 on Amazon. Paperback (ISBN 978-3-911445-00-9), eBook (ISBN 978-3-911445-01-6).

Join INTENSIA’s free Intense Inside Club at www.intensia.music and discover this special music developing experience as it unfolds, where connection begins as songs come to life.

Purchase Word to Think. or to Sing. on Amazon

Excerpt:

S T A I R C A S E

I saw red while you held my hand

on that hill in a castle of sand

being nice, coming out of the blue

you were losing me, undeniably true

I was just another trophy for your shelf

overloaded by the further rusty twelve

Dissociating from this charming place

you are a mess inside, I know it’s the case

this romance had better leave no trace

but at sunset we sat here on the staircase

THE HIGHER THE STAIRCASE, THE CLEARER THE VIEW.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

From Munich’s vibrant core, Intensia is sparking a poetic, tuneful movement with a unique glimpse into her evolving pop songs-to-be book, “WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING.”. It combines lyric snippets with heartfelt reflections, inviting readers to discover her art in progress in a new and unexpected way.

INTENSIA’s story began in childhood with a simple radio cassette recorder, a portal to a mesmerizing world where her voice became a powerful way to explore emotions and transform them into melodies.

Her lyrics delve into self-reflection, personal growth, relationships, and empowerment. Themes that reflect the vision of her boutique flagship label, Intensia Music International, which is also dedicated to inspiring others to explore their creative side.

With a high art, down-to-earth attitude, INTENSIA stands for emotional pop tunes that feel like after a meaningful conversation with a good friend. Step into her world at www.intensia.music and you will find a new sonorous companion for life.

Connect with Intensia

Author Amazon Page ~ Goodreads

Artist Website ~ Publisher Website/Music Label

Giveaway:

$20 Amazon/BN GC

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Virtual Book Tour: LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA by Richard I. Levine @Your_In8_Power @pumpupyourbook

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Title: LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA

Author: Richard Levine

Pages: 396

Format: Paperback, Kindle

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Like Driftwood is available at Amazon.

Book Excerpt

Jess gently and methodically caressed the fly rod and sent her hand-tied lure through the air with confidence and grace. Back and forth it sailed with effortless rhythm, as if it were a weightless feather being carried on a breeze. It was as if she had been a world-renowned conductor leading a philharmonic as the gentle sounds of woodwinds and strings flowed through her ear buds, no different than the crystal-clear water of the river as it flowed over a path that for time immemorial had been orchestrated by all that had come before it. Over the years she had mastered the art, not so much for the sport of teasing a steelhead or a rainbow trout onto the end of her line, but rather from the repetition of returning to the same little spot on the Clearwater, her favorite refuge. This was the very place where Mitch had introduced her to the melodic seduction of his most private collection of music. It was a playlist he had long guarded, a playlist that betrayed the commanding presence of his large muscular frame, his athletic prowess, and the simple way he had always looked at life.

Having first brought Jess to this place a month after the September 11th attacks, Mitch had arranged the weekend getaway after he had been presented with a no- win dare from his father to be as patriotic as Alex. When she’d learned of his enlistment, it had caught her off- guard. When he’d said basic training was twenty-four hundred miles away at Parris Island, she’d been speechless. But when he’d told her he was leaving in less than ten days, she’d struggled to catch her breath. As far as she had been concerned, South Carolina might as well have been another planet somewhere far beyond the stars that blanketed the black velvet nights of this pristine wilderness.
She had been overcome with emotion during that trip to the Clearwater River in Idaho. The crispness of the morning mountain air, mixed with the sounds of the crackling campfire and the rushing water just a few feet from their tent, had been a confluence of ingredients no master chef could have ever conceived. Jess had enjoyed every second of the experience until the sting of the news he was leaving was more numbing than the water itself. And while they both lost interest in the river’s offerings, the hours spent on the drive home were filled with tears, promises of fidelity, never-ending love, and a long life together tending to the small farm of their dreams. It was a dream they had carefully crafted during long secluded walks when even the innocent world of San Juan Island disappeared, and time seemed as if it would stop long enough for all the pieces to float seamlessly into place. Again, she drew back and set the custom-tied fly to flight and followed its arc before it kissed the water’s surface. In her mind, the only thing that ever landed more softly or with equal intent was the brush of Mitch’s lips across the back of her neck on those long summer evenings when counting fireflies had sparked dreams of the perfect life together.
Over the years, the river had become the special place where Jess could escape the pressures of the successful life she had carefully carved. Just being there enabled her to decompress, and to relive the weekend where she had surrendered to her long-suppressed desires, seducing the love of her life while simultaneously absolving him of any responsibility for having complied, albeit with little resistance. During their high school years there had been plenty of times he had taken her just short of that point of no return. And while his conscience would inevitably get the better of him, she had always hoped he would have forgotten that he was a gentleman. What she hadn’t realized at the time, was that their dreams and those promises would never come to fruition. What she could never let go of, however, was her need to make the yearly return to this place to resurrect that moment, as if continuing to do so would somehow or in some way ease her pain by keeping the possibility of that unfulfilled fantasy alive.
As she cast her line once more, she looked past the riverbank toward her tent, hoping as always that she could be transported back to the time when Mitch emerges from the warmth of their sleeping bag to watch how prolific she had become at his favorite recreational pastime. And just as she fell a little deeper into the warmth of his smile and his embrace, just as she placed her head against the memory of his chest and felt his heart beating strong and fast, she was abruptly pulled back to reality when her rod jerked with equal intensity, nearly being pulled from her hands just as the line snapped.

– Excerpted from Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard Levine, KDP, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor.

A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts. In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ http://www.docrichlevine.com

X ➜ https://www.twitter.com/Your_In8_Power

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/RichardLevineAuthor/

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/rilevinedc

Book Tour: Dangerous Times by William Kinsolving @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Fiction

Date Published: May 1, 2025

Publisher: Manhattan Book Group

This book's background is the prophetic but overlooked decade of American history, 1846 to 1856, from the Mexican War to the presidential election of James Buchanan. The decade was a foreshadowing of our national cataclysm. Underlying every social aspect was the nation's fatal flaw, slavery, that perverted the Constitution on which the Enlightenment ideals of a "United States" were based. And on every day, similarities to the distortions of the present decade are obvious.

I chose a Southern ethos, finding an unexpected woman to suffer and survive the decade; and three brothers, each of whom carves a unique path through it, one as a fugitive unjustly accused of murder and slave-stealing, one as an enigmatic operative across the jagged spectrum of antebellum party politics, and the eldest who inherits his family's storied tobacco plantation as its lands burn out.

The story is told chronologically, the fiction adhering to the history. Should a question arise as to which is which, any event of historical significance - no matter how bizarre or implausible -- did indeed happen.

The novel echoes ethnic truths as they were at the time. I write of intimacies as well as horrors found in historical records. Both public and private relations were often infused with their own destruction -- as were the expanding "United States" in that decade, and I fear in this one.

About the Author

After a questionable academic career at Stanford (I mean, how practical is a double major in Drama and Far Eastern Theology?), Kinsolving fled to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival to play Richard II. He then attended The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art for polish. Returning to New York, he appeared as an actor under-, off- and on Broadway, as well as a saloon singer in foul Greenwich Village nightclubs. For creative diversion during these years, he acted and/or directed back in Oregon, at the Stratford (CT) Shakespeare Theater, Harvard, Dartmouth, Café La Mama, then went out and won the Best Actor of the Year award from the San Francisco Chronicle for performing at the Berkeley Rep.

Ineluctably transitioning to a second career, Kinsolving wrote a play with 84 speaking roles, was awarded a Ford Foundation Playwriting Grant, and had the play produced by the Stratford Ontario Shakespeare Festival. This led to the first of some 54 films on which he worked for every major studio (and several distinctly minor ones) in Los Angeles, London and Rome (ask him about Zeffirelli sometime) as screenwriter and script doctor. Suspecting that such a life was leading to the utter corruption of his soul (not to dare mention his body), he retreated to Carmel to write the first of five novels (a NY Times best-seller, a couple of Literary Guild Main Selections, he adds humbly, but only if asked).

While serving on the Board of Trustees of the California Institute of the Arts, he regressed happily to nightclub and fundraising performances, accompanied by the likes of Peter Duchin and Emmanuel Ax, singing at the Algonquin Hotel’s late lamented Oak Room and for one of the late Brooke Astor’s better birthday parties among many other less name-dropping venues.

Last year, he directed a musical for which he wrote the book and lyrics in the nave of San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral about Johann Sebastian Bach and his family. Bach provided all the music, and proved to be very easy to work with. THAT WEEK WITH THE BACHS had the best voices in the Bay Area, including the ineffable Frederica von Stade.

He began work on the historical novel DANGEROUS TIMES between the diversions above. He knew the history, but even so, was startled by how constant the similarities are in that destructive time to what’s going on in this one.

Contact Link

Website

Purchase Links

https://mybook.to/PlanesAtlantaAssassin

Barnes & Noble

Release Blitz + #Giveaway: Airplanes, Atlanta & an Assassin by Mary Seifert @mary_seifert @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Katie & Maverick Cozy Mysteries, Book #10

Cozy Mystery

Date Published: 07-10-2025

Publisher: Secret Staircase Books

A National Competition and a Deadly Detour

High school teacher Katie Wilk is thrilled when her students qualify for Mock Trial America, a prestigious courtroom competition in Atlanta. Alongside her best friend and fellow teacher Jane Mackey, a team of eager teens, and a crew of devoted chaperones, Katie boards a flight from Minnesota—ready for a week of intellectual showdowns and Southern hospitality. But things go sideways before the plane is even off the ground.

With canceled flights, endless delays, and one particularly obnoxious passenger stirring up trouble, the trip turns into a logistical, almost deadly, nightmare. When that same rude traveler turns up later in Atlanta, the chaos takes a deadly turn—and suspicion lands squarely on the Mackey family.

As Katie digs deeper, she uncovers a web of secrets: stolen documents, corporate espionage, dangerous toxins, and enough motive to make her question everything. Can she untangle the truth before the killer strikes again?

Luckily, she’s got help—from Maverick, her sharp-nosed, loyal Labrador retriever and trained search-and-rescue dog, who’s always ready to sniff out danger.

Smart, suspenseful, and full of heart, this latest installment in Mary Seifert’s charming cozy mystery series delivers Southern intrigue, tricky puzzles, and the kind of dogged determination only a Lab (and a resolute teacher) can provide.

About the Author

Mary Seifert is the author of the Katie and Maverick Cozy Mysteries 2024 International IMPACT Award winner for books in a series, a collection of fun and thrilling tales that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Her books, including the 2023 American Fiction Award finalist Maverick, Movies & Murder and the 2024 Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem finalist Santa, Snowflakes & Strychnine, are must-reads for cozy mystery fans who enjoy a good puzzle wrapped in a heartwarming story.

Set in the charming landscapes of West Central Minnesota, where the lakes begin and the criminals are caught, Mary’s stories transport readers to a world of intrigue, humor, and small-town charm. Each book is a delightful mix of suspense and warmth, featuring memorable characters, ingenious puzzles, and clever twists that keep you guessing until the very end.

Busy crafting her next mystery, Mary indulges in her love of research, currently studying the flora and fauna of the Nantahala National Forest and the magnetic call of Atlanta for the upcoming installment of her series. She believes that every great mystery starts with a curious mind and a love for uncovering the truth, but scrupulously scrubs her browsers history of any hint of crime.

Join Mary on her literary journey, where a good story is always paired with a cozy blanket, a glass of wine, and a touch of mischief!

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter "X": @mary_seifert

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram: @maryseifertauthor

Threads: @maryseifertauthor

LinkedIn: Mary KG Seifert

BlueSky: @mkgsei.bsky.social

Purchase Links

Release Blitz: Journey Beyond the Yellow Brick Road by Dr. Eboni Ivory Green @DrEboni @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:30:00 +0000

Finding Your Emotional Home as a Caregiver

Self-help, Caregiving

Date Published: July 10, 2025

This subtly crafted book entwines the enchanting narrative of "Oz" with the foundational principles of caregiving and personal growth. Using anecdotes and scenes drawn from the classic tale and its various modern re-imaginings, each chapter provides a fresh perspective on navigating life's challenges and offers strategies for dealing with complex emotions and situations.

Taking her readers on a journey of self-discovery, of resilience, and of deeper reflection on their caregiving roles and experiences, Dr. Eboni Green gently nudges us to embrace self-love and acceptance, while also highlighting the importance of finding joy in the midst of adversity. This is more than a mere guide, it's an empathetic companion for those seeking to balance caregiving responsibilities with personal well-being.

With Dorothy and Toto in tow, Journey Beyond the Yellow Brick Road stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, encouraging readers to find their own path to emotional fulfillment and inner peace, much like the journey to the Emerald City.

About the Author

Dr. Eboni Green is an inspirational author, Registered Nurse, and passionate advocate for caregivers whose insightful books have become essential resources for those navigating the complex journey of caregiving. With a career spanning over 30 years in the healthcare field, Dr. Green's work has been instrumental in illuminating the challenges and triumphs faced by caregivers in a society that often overlooks their crucial role.

Her journey began as a nursing assistant, where she worked closely with top professionals and immersed herself in the intricacies of care systems. It was through these experiences that Dr. Green witnessed firsthand the pivotal role of caregiving and the profound challenges faced by caregivers and families alike. Recognizing a glaring gap in resources and education for both parties, she found her true calling: to champion the needs of not only those in need of care but also those who care for them.

Driven by a desire to make a difference, Dr. Green has authored several transformative books. Her notable works, "Caregiving: Things You Need to Know," "Reflections from the Soul," and "The 7 Pillars of Successful Caregiving," serve as valuable tools, guiding caregivers through their journey with wisdom and empathy.

Beyond her writing, Dr. Green co-founded Caregiver Support Services with her husband to offer training to caregivers and support their mental health. Her impact extends to academia, where she shares her knowledge and passion as a college professor, further influencing the next generation of healthcare professionals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and gardening.

Through her comprehensive efforts, Dr. Eboni Green remains a beacon of hope and a pillar of support for caregivers worldwide, advocating tirelessly for their recognition and well-being.

Contact Links

Author Website

Facebook

Purchase Link

Book Blast + #Giveaway: THEIRS UNTIL ALWAYS by Mae K. Knight @GoddessFish

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mae K. Knight will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Adam:

Men like me don’t get happy endings.
When my demons talk to me, I talk back.
I heeded their call when they demanded my parents’ death.
I even listened when they ordered my own.
And they nearly won.
Until her.
One night changed my life. Then I lost it all. I lost her.
Now, I’ll do anything to get my sunshine back.
But can a sinner like me be willing to share after learning I’m not the only one craving her light?

Jordyn:

When a man shows you his red flags, run.
But running from Adam is easier said than done.
When he re-enters my life, my world implodes with the secrets he’s keeping.
Can I forgive him and learn to live in his shadows? To be the light he thinks I am?
Or will his darkness consume me?

Abel:

Witnessing your twin nearly die, hardens something in you.
I’ll do whatever it takes to keep Adam breathing.
As kids, he’d protected me, even though that was my job as the older brother.
Now, it’s my turn to protect him.
You can run little sunshine, but you won’t get far.
If Jordyn’s what my brother needs to keep his demons at bay, then I’ll claim her for us.
She’ll be ours, always.

Read an Excerpt

This place really does serve a mean cup of Joe.

I lift the delicate-looking porcelain cup to my lips, letting my lashes flutter against my cheeks as I take another hearty sip of my mocha latte. Licking my lips, I glance around the bustling coffee shop, sunlight bathing my fellow caffeine fiends, kissing the glass enclosure showcasing treats and the checkered tile flooring. Behind the green counter, four uniformed bodies move in sync to crank out orders as people filter in and out of the building.

I wait, settling back into the booth I’d snagged early, only moments after the shop opened. I know Jordyn will be strutting her bubbly self through the frosted glass doors at any moment and there’s not a damn thing Adam can do about me intercepting her, unwilling as he is to blow our cover.

But I am fixing this, dammit.

I’ve wiled the hours away on my phone, gathering intel on the next assignment I plan to take as soon as things are cleared up here.

A vacation with your twin and girlfriend wouldn’t be a bad idea.

I freeze, sucking back air as the woman in question strolls in, oblivious to my position at the back of the shop and at the turn of my own thoughts.

My girlfriend?

No. Jordyn is Adam’s. He’s said so, and I’ve respected that, chalking up my moments with her to brotherly duties. My twin needed me and… God, look at the way that dress rises and falls from the delicious jiggle of her ass. I swipe at my mouth in the event drool slipped past my lips.

About the Author

Mae K. Knight is a self-published author based in Louisiana, who enjoys writing “trauma boys” as her readers coined them, BIPOC FMCs that look like her and fast, smutty stories that leave you craving for more. When not writing, she’s reading monster romances penned by her fellow indie authors, studying for her nursing degree, or lifting heavy weights in the gym to feel like a bad bitch on a competition platform.

If you want to read more of her work, check out her website, buy signed paperbacks directly from her or go directly to her Amazon page for her KU titles.

Follow her on Facebook, Goodreads, Threads , and TikTok

Giveaway:

$10 Amazon/BN GC

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Cover Reveal: The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox by Katrina Kwan @XpressoTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

The Legend of the Nine-Tailed Fox
Katrina Kwan
Publication date: February 24th 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

From the author of The Last Dragon of the East comes a sweeping fantasy adventure with a dash of romance between a nine-tailed fox and the demon-hunter who captures her, banished to the underworld together and forced to form a reluctant alliance in order to escape the circles of Hell.

Yue may be the last of her kind. At night, she stalks the streets of the capital city of Longhao, luring in unsuspecting victims with the mask of a beautiful woman, then consuming them in her true form of the nine-tailed fox.

When she is captured by a powerful demon hunter named Sonam and banished to Hell, she manages one final act of revenge: dragging him—and two of his subordinates—down with her.

Now trapped in an abyss with unimaginable terrors, they’ll need each other’s help to navigate Hell and bypass the gods who preside over each circle, each of whom presents the group with a unique and deadly challenge. Forced to depend on one another as they claw their way out of the underworld, both demon and demon hunter discover that there might be more to the other than meets the eye.

Goodreads

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PRE-ORDER:

USA:

Barnes & Noble (Premium Members get 25% off with code: PREORDER25 between July 8-11th!!!)

Bookshop.org (7% off, supports independent bookstores!)

Canada:

UK:

Author Bio:

Katrina Kwan is a Vancouver-based fantasy and contemporary romance author. Her debut contemporary romcom, Knives, Seasoning, and A Dash of Love, and her debut adult fantasy, The Last Dragon of the East, released in 2024. Both were Indigo bestsellers!

Website / Goodreads

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Book Tour: Anticipation Day by Jeff Michelson @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

Science Fiction

Date Published: December 3, 2024

2025 Book Excellence Awards Finalist in Science Fiction

“A musing science fiction novel about the future of AI, Anticipation Day follows a group of friends as they try to improve their lives through government-sanctioned fantasies." —Foreword Clarion Reviews

“A boundary-pushing plunge into a vividly imagined future, Anticipation Day poses powerful questions about identity, the human experience, and our digital destiny as a species, resulting in a provocative mixture of Black Mirror and The Surge.” —The Independent Review of Books

In the summer of 2026, amidst the sights and sounds of one of the oldest pubs in London, Dr. Joshua Lee receives a call that will alter his life for the foreseeable future—he’s asked to work on a clandestine project that will transform every American’s way of life.

Six years later, amidst the steel and glass canyons of the Denver suburbs, a group of friends assemble for dinner the night before their first escape into Anticipation Day, an immersive simulated experience that is promised to be an annual respite from the daily grind.

Amongst this group of friends are Alexandra, Eric, Patrick, Mike and MaryAnne, each at inflection points in their lives and each with their own life scars and unrealized dreams. As they prepare to plug into the simulation, they are forced to confront their own fears and desires, all while interfacing with their chosen simulated experience, blurring the lines between reality and the artificial dreamscape.

These experiences force the group to confront their deepest fears, chase exclusive happiness, and unlock truths buried within their souls. As they delve deeper into the algorithmic labyrinth, more truths about their existence are fully revealed.

However, the question begs: Will their journey lead to salvation, or will it unravel the very fabric of their existence?

Join this eclectic band of suburbanites as they look for meaning amidst the chaos of the digital age. Anticipation Day beckons, but not everything is as is seems in this electrifying tale of urban futurism.

About the Author

Jeff Michelson is a Certified Public Accountant by trade, a deli owner on the weekends and a first time author. Jeff lives in the NJ suburbs with his family, including their dog Maggie and lots of koi fish!

As a first time author, Jeff really enjoyed the creative process of writing this book and hopes others enjoy reading the story as much as he enjoyed writing it!

Contact Links

Purchase Link

Review: Becoming a Bolder Lana (Timeline Retreats #2) by Daisy Landish @daisy_landish

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Becoming a Bolder Lana

Timeline Retreats #2

by Daisy Landish

Published: July 9, 2025

Publisher: Beaches and Trails Publishing

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy, Short Stories, Time Travel Romance, Romance, Romantic Comedy

Blurb:

She watched everyone else live big. Now it’s her turn.

Lana Moreno has made a career out of keeping things running behind the scenes. Weddings, baby showers, fundraisers—you name it, she’s quietly managing the snacks and the spreadsheets. But when she’s offered a one-week escape to a version of her life where she finally said yes to herself?

She wakes up loud, bold, and... accidentally famous.

In this new timeline, Lana is a viral podcast host with statement lipstick, a personal brand, and a not-so-subtle glow-up. The biggest shock of all? Her best friend’s older brother—the one she’s secretly crushed on for years—is not just noticing her… he’s her ex.

As Lana navigates viral fame, forgotten friendships, and emotional fallout, she begins to wonder: is confidence something you fake until you feel it? Or is it something you quietly claim for yourself?

Heartfelt, funny, and full of second chances, Becoming a Bolder Lana is a clean romantic comedy about learning to speak up, show up, and take up space—even if your voice shakes.

For fans of:
✨ Best friend’s sibling romance
✨ Alternate life glow-ups
✨ Soft girl turns bold
✨ Clean, cozy love stories with emotional depth

Visit Daisy's website to find out about upcoming releases or to join her newsletter at daisylandishromance dot com.

My Review:

Lana has the opportunity to transform herself into a more assertive and confident version of who she is. Instead of always playing a supporting role and prioritizing others, she can now pursue her own desires and ambitions.

Imagine how her life would change if she could finally act on her long-held secret crush. Would she become the person she's always wanted to be, or would this new chapter alter her in unexpected ways?

Even if she doesn't take that leap, the lessons she learns could still have a profound impact on her old life. Would she ever be the same after this transformative experience? Ultimately, which version of Lana is the true her - the familiar self or the bolder, reimagined persona?

So many unanswered questions, questions that can only be answered by reading Becoming a Bolder Lana, the second story in Daisy Landish's Timeline Retreats series. Trust me, you won't want to miss out on this captivating journey. Grab your copy today and dive into Lana's world to discover what happens.

Check out all the books in the Timeline Retreats Series I’ve read

Borrowing a Better Mara #1

Becoming a Bolder Lana #2

Connect with Daisy Landish

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter/X ~ Instagram

Release Blitz + #Giveaway: Just What the Doctor Hired by Amanda Nelson & Lisa-Marie Potter @AnelsonLMPotter @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Sweet romance, romance, romcom, contemporary romance, closed door romance, clean romance

Date Published: July 9, 2025

Student Autumn Haze’s motto is: no men until she completes her bachelor of nursing degree. Years before, Autumn learned the hard way men are just a distraction she can’t afford until she’s established her career and what she wants. While moonlighting as a Plus One companion pays the bills, she struggles to follow her rules after meeting her newest contract. Pediatric Hospitalist Jensen Edwards is still recovering from a bad breakup that left him the talk of the hospital. Now he’s receiving a best doctor’s award, but after he hires Autumn as his plus one, Jensen is on edge. If word gets out that he hired a companion, rumors are bound to circulate, making work unbearable—again. Their chemistry as a fake couple is undeniable, but can a chance at a real relationship override their fear of commitment?

About the Author

Amanda and Lisa-Marie are an award-winning, co-writing team of best friends who share imaginary worlds, including Men In Books Aren't Better (September 29, 2024), Just What the Doctor Hired (July 9, 2025), and a short story, Shivers, published in Moments Between (February 28, 2022). Lisa-Marie Potter (BIPOC) is a mom of four who grew up in Nottingham, England, and now resides in Alaska with her husband and golden retriever. Amanda Nelson grew up in Maryland and moved to Arizona, where she attended ASU and currently lives with her husband and four kids. Both women are hopeless romantics, but Lisa-Marie also enjoys suspense novels, while Amanda's second go-to genre is romancy. The duo review books on their socials, hike the Olympic National Park, and fight over the same fictional crushes.

Contact Links

Purchase Links

Release Blitz: Daughter of Starlight by Molly M. Hammond @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:30:00 +0000

YA Fantasy, Fantasy

Date Published: July 9, 2025

Luma was six years old when she was found wandering alone with no memory of a family or how she got the strange scars that crisscross her palms. Now, twelve years later, Luma is summoned across a magical bridge to another world: a world where the decimated population of elves suffer under the ruthless wizard army.

Luma’s appearance is a ray of hope for the elves, who believe she is their prophesied “Daughter of Starlight”, the only one whose powerful magic can heal their broken defenses. Luma just wants to get back home, but the wizards discover her, and soon Luma is in the fight of her life. As she flees a mighty adversary, Luma struggles with hints of a strange power from deep within, a power that she can neither control nor deny any longer.

Desperate for answers, Luma joins a group of elf resistance fighters on a perilous journey in search of the exiled elf mage. Along the way, Luma begins to realize there could be more truth to this prophecy than she first thought, and that just maybe, she has a family after all.

About the Author

Molly M. Hammond is an award-winning author whose love of language and writing has been lifelong. She earned a degree in English and Communication and then went on to earn a second degree in American Sign Language Interpreting. An avid runner, Molly often gets her best story ideas while running and remains outraged that those ideas do not then present themselves, fully formed, on the page. When she’s not running, writing, or interpreting, Molly can often be found taking an excessive number of photos of her dog, Bungee, and her two cats, Rose, and Clover. Molly lives in the beautiful St. Croix River Valley of Minnesota with her husband and two sons, who bring her joy every day.

Contact Links

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Blurb Blitz + #Giveaway: A Whisper In The Trees by Susan Dalessandro @GoddessFish

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A WHISPER IN THE TREES

Susan Dalessandro

GENRE: YA Romance with Paranormal Elements

BLURB:

For Gabby Patterson, a dedicated, but sometimes obsessive, cross-country runner, junior year is her time to shine. She has to start thinking about tomorrow: the future college recruiters and scholarship offers. But today means beating her impossibly skinny rivals any way she can.

Then eerie encounters in the woods and a cute secretive guy with the same quirky musical tastes interfere in Gabby’s plans. Sweet CJ is connected to the forest mystery… and to what’s happening to Gabby. But hard truths aren’t that easy to run from…

Purchase A WHISPER IN THE TREES on Books2Read

Excerpt:

I shoulder my way through the crowd and circle around to the last aisle, perusing the stack of CDs under the ‘Just In’ banner. A nineties’ grunge tune hums from the store’s speakers. Leaning against the bins, I draw out a nineties’ alternative rock CD—I can’t believe Larry got this in—and flip it over in my hand.

Someone starts to hum a familiar tune, but not just a familiar tune, one of my favorite from the sixties and uncharacteristically, I start to sing along. Out loud. I mean, it’s one of my favorites. Asha and I have done karaoke to this countless times at Angelo’s. In an empty room. Well, if you don’t count Liam. But I can’t help myself and soon I’m into it.

The person stops humming and starts to sing with me.

My heart pounds. Clamping my lips together, I grip the CD in my hand and peek through my lashes.

Across the table, a guy in a faded blue t-shirt and khaki shorts sings as he nods his head from side to side, his thick mane of blond hair concealing his face. A few inches shorter than me, he lifts his chin and pushes the hair out of his eyes. A smile plays across his lips. “Aww, why’d you stop? You were awesome. We make a great duet.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

I’m a lifelong lover of books and storytelling and hold an M.A. In Applied Math, a subject which finds its way into many of my stories.

I live in Bucks County, Pennsylvania with my husband, two sons and two dogs. I gather story ideas as I run in the early mornings with my dogs. Running is the perfect environment for me to think and create.

My debut novel, Complex Solutions, a YA coming of age thriller, released March 16, 2021. Strong Enough, a YA novel, part of the Play Like A Girl series, came out on August 8, 2023. My latest novel, A Whisper In The Trees, a YA romance with paranormal elements, releases on June 30, 2025 with The Wild Rose Press.

Connect with Susan Dalessandro

Instagram ~ Bluesky

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon/BN GC

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

Cover Reveal: A Criminal’s Game by Daria White @XpressoTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 07:30:00 +0000

A Criminal’s Game
Daria White
(A Bianca Wallace Mystery, #5)
Publication date: August 5th 2025
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

Love is just a swipe away… until it turns deadly.

Bianca Wallace has finally found her rhythm—her business is booming, her daughter is back home, and Detective Lamar Sims might just be ready to take the next step. But when the police receive a chilling set of photos—images of a murdered woman—her sense of security vanishes. The victim? Alana Rivera, a former college friend Bianca never expected to see again… especially not like this.

The investigation leads straight to SoulSync, the hottest dating app, promising love but delivering something far more sinister. As Detective Sims peels back layers of deception, Bianca is drawn deeper into a deadly web of secrets, lies, and betrayal. Someone is watching. Someone is waiting. And if Bianca gets too close to the truth—she’ll be next.

Murder isn’t a game, but someone is playing to win. If you love gripping cozy mysteries with twists that keep you guessing, A Criminal’s Game is your next must-read. Perfect for fans of small-town secrets and amateur sleuths!

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

Daria has lived in Texas for most of her life. She never liked reading as a kid. In fact, she almost hated it. However, as she grew up that all changed. Though she received her degree in healthcare management, Daria kept her writing as a hobby. She meant it to be private and her own way of expressing herself. It never crossed her mind to publish until she was in college. So, she took a chance and self published. It worked! Starting off as a sweet romance writer first, Daria branched out in 2020 with books in cozy mystery and Christian fiction. She even has nonfiction titles in the works, reflecting her Christian faith and work in ministry. She currently lives in New York with her husband.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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Book Tour: Improbable and Extraordinary by Saul & Erika Horwitz @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

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.

Contact Links

Purchase Links

Teaser Tuesday: Burn by Mychael Black @RABTBookTours @changelingpress

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

Gay Dark Fantasy, MPreg, Vampire Romance

Date Published: July 11, 2025

Humans and vamps were never meant to be mates, but an accidental meeting changes everything.

Cam Sharpe is just trying to make ends meet. Living in the city can easily break the bank, but that’s where the jobs are. It’s also where crime runs rampant. One night, he finds himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, putting him in the crosshairs of the city’s ruling vampire coven.

Nikolai Hart loves his job -- maybe a little too much. When hunting a rogue proves to be a pain in the ass, he’s the one House Saridan brings in to find the unfortunate soul. The latest job, however, has hit a snag: a mortal has witnessed everything.

EXCERPT

Cameron

I hated living in the city. There were too many people, most of whom couldn’t drive worth a damn. I barely managed to dodge a car that threatened to sideswipe me. I thought the asshole driver shouted something, but I just tossed the man a one-fingered salute. Rain pelted the city, which made deliveries a bit more complicated, especially on a bicycle. Still, the bike afforded me the chance to make it into tight spots a car could not. Traffic was a bitch, but that was city life. I’d been here for three years now and had managed to escape the need for a car. The exercise was good, at any rate.

I reached the towering apartment building and secured my bike to a lamppost. The expressionless doorman stood at the front. Dressed in a black tux, complete with white gloves, he fit right in with the building’s occupants.

Once inside, I flashed my badge hanging on its lanyard to the guard behind the desk and continued toward the elevators. A few well-dressed residents gave me a bit of the good ol’ side-eye, but I ignored them. Hell, I’d probably delivered dinner to them half a million times.

The elevator doors opened, and I held it for the others. When they didn’t move to enter, I shrugged and stepped inside, letting the doors close before they could change their haughty minds. I watched the display tick through the floor numbers until it reached the seventh floor. As soon as I exited, I heard music.

Down the hall, an apartment door opened, and a half-naked man waved. I met him and handed over the food.

“Wanna join?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Thanks, man, but I can’t. Still a few more hours before I can officially ‘clock out’ for the night.”

“You clock out?”

“Not really. I set my own hours, but this pays the bills, so, yeah, set times and all.”

“Ah.”

Shouts from inside cut the chat short. “Well, thanks!” the guy said, holding up the bag.

“No problem.”

Alone in the hall, I went back to the elevators. Thank the gods the tips were included in the app when ordering.

Back down on the street, I sighed. I wished I could stop for the night. I was tired, utterly sick of the damn rain, and hadn’t eaten in several hours. The sun had already set enough to make the streetlights come on along the sidewalks. I rolled the bike a few feet away from the lingering crowd and headed off to my next pick-up.

People swarmed the streets, most of them club hoppers. I’d done that years ago but had outgrown it. Random hook-ups in dark corners no longer satisfied me, but in a city this big, I wasn’t sure I’d ever find anyone who would. Most of the people I’d met so far were superficial and vain, perfectly content to spend a night getting laid by one person before moving on to the next.

An order came in, and the GPS piped up to let me know there was a shortcut to the restaurant. Happy to avoid the crowd, I turned down the alley the GPS designated. I ignored the few slumped figures along both sides. I’d learned the hard way a couple of years ago after a mugging not to carry cash. Now I only carried my ID, keys, phone, and a trusty can of mace.

The end of the alley branched left and right. The GPS told me to go left. Just as I started that way, commotion to the right startled me.

A tall, black-clad figure landed feet-first onto the wet pavement and grabbed a man from the ground. The man choked and struggled as the stranger spoke, voice low enough that I couldn’t hear what was said. Whatever it was, though, seemed to terrify the man he held captive.

The stranger growled -- literally growled -- and tore the man’s throat wide open with his fucking teeth.

I nearly wrecked the bike trying to get away. I pedaled as fast as my legs could, and the burn was almost too much. I reached the Chinese restaurant and stuck as close to the building as possible. After a few seconds of struggling to catch my breath, I locked my bike to a lamppost before heading inside.

I had zero doubt that I’d just seen a vampire executing someone. Vamps weren’t unknown, but they tended to keep to themselves. They also weren’t anything like what stories and movies portrayed them to be. Real vampires weren’t undead; they were an entirely different species. Stronger, faster, and far more deadly than any human could ever dream of being.

Safe in the restaurant, I shot a quick glance back out the door. Whatever I’d just witnessed wasn’t my business. Not like cops would do shit anyway. Vamps governed themselves, and the police were scared shitless of them.

Pushing it out of my mind for now, I shuddered and headed to the counter. Ten minutes later, I was on my way to the drop-off point. Despite needing the money, I ended my shift after handing over the food. Just before I left the area, though, I caught sight of the stranger from the alley. Those eyes locked onto mine.

Hopping onto the bike, I made a beeline for my tiny efficiency apartment. It wasn’t much, but it had a wonderfully huge deadbolt on the door.

I leaned back against the door as soon as I locked it. Eyes closed, I tried to get rid of the images from the alley. It wasn’t the first crime I’d seen in this damned city, but it was definitely the first time a vampire had been involved. At least that I knew of, at any rate.

“Get a grip, Cam,” I muttered. “Not the first, won’t be the last.”

I pushed off the door and tossed my keys onto the narrow bar separating the kitchenette from the living area. I couldn’t even call it an actual room, really. The only true room was the bathroom, and even that was about the size of a small walk-in closet. Overall, the place wasn’t much, but it was home and, to be honest, all I could afford.

Before I could contemplate dinner or a shower, my grumbling stomach made up its own mind. A quick glance in the fridge, and then the freezer, reminded me that I needed to hit the store down the block sooner rather than later. I didn’t cook, despite knowing how to, since it was just me here. Most of my meals tended to be sandwiches or frozen dinners, or, if money allowed, something quick while I was working. Tonight, though, peanut butter and jelly would have to do.

A few minutes later, I settled onto the futon that doubled as my bed and watched the news on my only splurge: a smart TV. I nibbled on my meager dinner as one report after another went on. I popped the last bite into my mouth, only to nearly choke on it.

The same dark-clad figure I’d seen in the alley was positioned behind one of the head vamps in the city during a news conference that, according to the info at the bottom of the screen, occurred earlier today. The muscle-bound watchdog stood ready to spring to action at the slightest hint of trouble.

Pitch black hair hung over broad shoulders, and the man’s five-o’clock shadow covered a stern, tight jawline. Eyes that looked almost as black as his hair seemed to scan the entire room. Though he kept his hands behind him, I could imagine those strong arms tensing. And he was tall. Jesus, he was fucking tall. Even more than the vampire in front of him. A morbid desire to stare up into those insanely dark eyes swept through me.

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Bad thoughts. Bad thoughts. Vamps are fucking trouble.”

I changed the channel and found a nature documentary instead. Maybe watching meerkats would cleanse my brain of insane ideas like wanting to unwrap all those muscles.

Gods, I was nuts.

About the Author

Mychael Black has been writing professionally since 2005. He writes gay romance and erotica, but also het romance as Carys Seraphine and queer fantasy as Katherine Cook.

He's an avid PC gamer with a love for RPGs, a horror fanatic, and a fantasy nut. He also has a weakness for anything relating to skulls, dogs, and Spongebob Squarepants.

Mychael lives on the Eastern Shore of the US with his family. He loves to hear from readers, be it via email or Facebook.

Author on Facebook

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

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Release Blitz + #Giveaway: six to carry the casket and one to say the mass by Bill Hulseman @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

reflections on life, identity, and moving forward

LGBTQ+

Date Published: July 8, 2025

Publisher: Peanut Butter Publishing

Six to carry the casket and one to say the mass: reflections on life, identity, and moving forward offers the unique opportunity for its readers to start a new dialogue, take an active hand in creating culture and reshaping the world, and think about making meaning from formative experiences and relationships. From family dynamics and professional challenges that bolstered and battered him to the TV shows, films, books, and people who impacted his queer identity, Bill deconstructs the world that he inherited and begins to reconstruct the person he wants to become through short, poignant, thought-provoking, and frequently hilarious essays. The post-2020 world revealed to Bill that social transformation only comes with individual choices. If he wanted the world to change, he had to truthfully and compassionately understand how choices made long ago brought him to this moment and how the choices he makes now shape the future.

This book is not didactic or instructional; not self-help or psychology; not academic philosophy or cultural criticism. It is an exercise in honesty and a portrait of Bill, his family, and how we construct multiple identities—sexual, religious, philosophical, political, familial, relational—without reducing them to a monolithic whole, without being argumentative.

For anyone looking to make meaning out of their lives and the world around them, this book offers a model.

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Blurb Blitz + #Giveaway: Mad Season: Elles Garity's Story by Gregory Armstrong @GoddessFish

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 08:00:00 +0000

MAD SEASON: ELLES GARITY'S STORY

Gregory Armstrong

GENRE: Literary Fiction

BLURB:

Fifteen years ago, Elles Garity’s world came crashing down, in more ways than one. Now in her mid-twenties, long since removed from the small island town that she grew up in and never dealing with the pain of her loss, life is calling her back home. In the affirmant of recent unfortunate events Elles finds herself at a turning point once more. This time though, she’ll be forced to confront both her unresolved grief and the people and places she left behind. It won’t be easy. Along the way Elles will learn the truth behind a new friend’s dark connection to her tragic past and be the last to uncover unthinkable family secrets that will unravel everything she ever knew about the family she thought she lost.

Excerpt:

Now, I was questioning all of it. I didn’t deal with things well. I didn’t allow anyone to help me deal with things. My life, the road I was on, the lane I had shifted into when I took the wheel, to put it quite figuratively, looked dark and dismal. I was solely responsible for switching my life into cruise control before ever giving myself a chance to learn to drive the damn car.

All these things ran through my head. I didn’t speak to Loyal about any of it. Where would I start? How could she possibly understand my position? Not that I gave her a fighting chance. Time sort of stood still as I sat there frozen, empty. I started this. I made this mess. I had no fucking clue how to fix it. I closed my eyes for a while, and when I opened them, it hit me like a slap to the head. The answer was staring me in the face. Where it all went wrong is where it needed to begin again.

“Grace, I’m worried about you.”

She had never said those words to me before. Ironic, though, how it came across, how I took it—her spotting the wreckage and expressing concern to the very person who was entangled in the heap. Out of upheaval, I took solace in a clouded idea to uproot myself once more. I emerged partially from my funk, oddly enough,

with a wayward smile and slightly brighter outlook. I turned to Loyal, sincere. “Everyone must think I’m horrible.”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, and a Connecticut native all my life, my family eventually moved to Norwich in 1977, where I grew up. I attended and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1991. It was there, in my final two years, where I acquired a passion for writing. At the time, the school provided a writing center, a classroom filled with computers, designated as a creative writing outlet for the students, and overseen by the now accomplished author Wally Lamb. Here, we were free to use our time working on our own projects, developing, learning, and sharpening our writing skills. Each class, we would gather in a circle to show and share our work with Mr. Lamb and the rest of the class by either reading or having our material read aloud, and hearing feedback from our peers.

Mr. Lamb’s writing center instilled a desire in me to one day write a book and become an author, just as he was doing, putting the final touches on his debut novel, She’s Come Undone. Unfortunately, for me, that is when that dream of mine became a struggle that would last decades. At the age of three, I contracted meningitis, which caused me to go completely blind and left me hospitalized for several weeks. Despite doctors believing my vision would never return, it did, slowly and to a certain degree, although my optic nerve had sustained too much damage and I was declared legally blind.

Growing up was a struggle. Socially, I was quiet, shy, uncomfortable knowing I was different from all of the other kids, because of my physical limitations and lack in self-confidence. Reading was also a challenge. Even though I soon got my first pair of glasses, which made my vision clearer, being able to see the print on a page was still a major issue. For those reasons, I have never been much of a reader, and how does someone who doesn’t read, who doesn’t study the art of literature through books, because it was a strenuous activity on my eyes, learn how to write?

The fact that I found myself stuck, without the necessary tools and unsure of my own talents and abilities to be a quality writer, all the other insecurities of my childhood at play, I gave it up for a time. My active imagination for storytelling did not. As I got older, and into my teenage years I started listening to more music to fill a void. The more I listened, the more I began to broaden my tastes in artists, groups and genres, and the more I heard stories in the songs. Music, along with television and movies, were combining to strengthen my inspiration to be an aspiring author.

One such movie, which mirrored many of my own self-imposed hurdles, was Eddie and the Cruisers. The character of Eddie Wilson, lead singer of a fictional rock and roll band, was consumed by the notion that his music was never good enough, that if they were going to be a band, they had to be great, if they were going to release an album, it had to be great as well. I had obviously grown-up learning and hearing about the great authors and novelists of all time, the great classic books. I had always put that pressure on myself, the same way Eddie Wilson did. I was convinced that I didn’t know how to write, and even if I did, would it be good enough? I had been told, taught by teachers and others, that there were rules to the writing game, including creating a story outline, character development, a whole assortment of proper steps to follow and processes before the writing even began.

Over the years, I started a novel a time or two, hating it, and giving up again. I met my future wife, got married, started a family, and quit my average job to become a stay-at-home dad. Through all of it, thirty-plus years, that ever-present need to write gnawing at me, the urge still there, my vivid imagination still running wild—I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I had to let that creativity out and give it a real and focused purpose. With the rough idea of a plot in mind, I sat down at the computer and finally let all of those insecurities go. With a shot of determination and a relaxed mind, I slowly but surely discovered my own writing style, and found my storytelling voice.

To hell with all the rules, the unrealistic expectations I placed upon myself, the result—a deeply, emotionally charged story of tragedy, personal reflection, and redemption, that is Mad Season.

Connect with Gregory Armstrong

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$25 Amazon/BN GC

https://mybook.to/ElmerKelton

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Book Tour + #Giveaway: Elmer Kelton’s The Familiar Stranger by John Bradshaw @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 10:00:00 +0000

A Hewey Calloway Adventure, Book 5

Western Adventure

Date Published: 12-03-2024

Publisher: Forge Books

Elmer Kelton’s Hewey Calloway, one of the best-loved cowboys in all of Western fiction, returns in this novel of his middling years, as he looks for work―but not too much work―in 1904 West Texas.Hewey Calloway had intended to pass straight through Durango, Colorado, en route to visit a friend several miles northeast of the city. He had left his home range about a year before, with a herd of young horses. It was supposed to be a relatively straightforward affair; deliver the horses, collect the payment, and return home with the money. Things got out of hand, however, and there he was in Durango a year later with plans to go north rather than south. Oh, well, he thought, he had always wanted to see new country.

It isn't long before his travels lead him to a cabin on a rainy night. There he meets a young man, sick as a dog, who weakly tries to send him off. And for good reason: the man has smallpox, and soon enough, Hewey catches the deadly disease. The man cares for him in turn, and it's just as he is feeling better that the man disappears. The next morning a Pinkerton detective turns up with posse, looking for a wanted bank robber.

As he travels north, Hewey seems to run in with both the young man who tended to him, as well as the detective. But something seems off about the Pinkerton detective, and Hewey keeps his mouth shut. When he reuinites with his friend Hanley, they do everything they can to get to the bottom of the mystery that threatens both theirs and this young man's life.

Interview with John Bradshaw

What is your favorite part of the book?

I can narrow it down to two. The first is the scene in which Hewey helps the old horseshoer shoe two difficult mules. Hewey isn’t much of a horseshoer, and the old man teases him mercilessly. The other is the showdown toward the end of the book. Hewey, Hanley and Bob finally end things with the supposed Pinkerton detective and the crooked banker.

Does your book have a lesson? Moral?

I don’t know that it’s necessarily a lesson or moral, but Hewey is a footloose cowboy with no desire for responsibility, any of which makes him feel tied down. He believes others are slaves to their possessions, and in his mind, his greatest possession is his freedom.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

Hewey Calloway, the main character, was created by Elmer Kelton many years ago. Hanley Baker, another central character, was created by Steve Kelton in book two of the series. I came up with several new characters in The Familiar Stranger. Most came entirely from my imagination, although I did take traits from real people and sprinkle them in. I named the old horseshoer, Harold Thomas, after an aging horseshoer I knew in New Mexico. The character’s personality, though, was concocted.

Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

Although Hewey Calloway was created by Elmer Kelton, I’d have to say he’s my favorite. I studied Hewey, in both Elmer’s and Steve’s books, and while writing The Familiar Stranger and later The Blessing, Hewey came alive in my mind, to a surreal level. It was as if I’d known Hewey my entire life, like we were friends. I have since created several characters I really enjoy, but Hewey will always be at the top of my list.

What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?

In The Familiar Stranger, Hewey meets a man named Kelly, who is a brash, boastful bully. Hewey couldn’t stand him. I invented that character after meeting a similar person, so I know for certain I wouldn’t have got along with Kelly.

What would the main character in your book have to say about you?

I’d hope that Hewey Calloway would say he likes what I’ve done with his character, that I kept him true to Elmer’s and then Steve’s vision. But knowing Hewey, he’d probably tell me not to take myself so seriously and just have some fun.

Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

I had the honor of co-writing the fifth and sixth books in the Hewey Calloway series, so that’s certainly a body of work. I have since written most of a contemporary western and already have plans for a prequel and sequel to it, so it’s following the same pattern. And like Elmer Kelton, I apparently don’t like to write them in chronological order.

About the Author

John Bradshaw is a native of the small town of Abernathy, Texas. He is an award-winning journalist with well over a thousand published stories. Elmer Kelton’s The Familiar Stranger, co-authored with Steve Kelton, is his first book.

Bradshaw attended South Plains College followed by Texas Tech University. He spent several years shoeing horses for a living as his writing career progressed.

While the desire to write books was always there, Bradshaw first pursued a career in journalism. He wrote numerous stories for ranching, horse and horseshoeing magazines.

Growing up, Livestock Weekly came in the mail once a week, as it does for most in the livestock industry. Writing for Livestock Weekly was always a goal, and in 2005 Bradshaw’s first story was published. It was a profile of Brownie Metzgar, a humorous cowboy still working in a feedlot while in his late 80s.

In 2007 Bradshaw accepted a fulltime position with Livestock Weekly. While with the paper he had over a thousand stories published, as well as enough market reports to give him permanent nightmares.

Horses have always played an important role in his life. The son of a horseshoer, he has spent a significant amount of time either on or under a horse. He still shows in both ranch horse and reined cow horse competitions.

He and his wife, Sara, live outside Abernathy. Sara owns an architecture firm, SK Architecture Group, and they raise Spanish goats, hair sheep and cattle.

In 2013 the couple had a stillborn son, Fox Joaquin Bradshaw. After several years of heartbreak they adopted an infant boy, whom they named Julian Boone Bradshaw. Boone died in his dad’s arms following an accident at the barn five days before his sixth birthday.

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Teaser: Your Aging Body by Bruce Carlson @RABTBookTours

noreply@blogger.com (The Avid Reader) — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 09:30:00 +0000

and how to care for it

Nonfiction / Aging / Self-Help

Date Published: 06-12-2025

Publisher: The Woodtick Press

Written in understandable language, this book describes the ways in which our body changes with age and outlines some practical ways to counter many of these changes. It begins by discussing the aging process in general terms and why some people seem much younger than others of the same chronological age. After a presentation of general characteristics of the aging body, subsequent chapters focus on what lies behind the aging of specific parts of the body and how the reader can counteract or slow down the aging process through lifestyle changes. The text illustrates how some seemingly quite different aging changes, for example skin wrinkles and high blood pressure, are due to very similar underlying mechanisms. Although not focusing on disease, the book deals with a number of conditions, e.g., hypertension, arthritis, Type II diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, which affect many older adults. A concluding chapter pulls together many of the details presented earlier in the book and offers some practical advice for navigating the aging process.

As both a professional anatomist and a gerontologist, the author is well qualified to write a book on the aging body. Forty years as a professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, he served as Chairman of the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and also Director of the Institute of Gerontology. For several decades he conducted research on the aging of muscle. He is a past-president of the American Association of Anatomists and of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology and Neurobiology Chairpersons.

Excerpt

How Do We Keep Our Balance?

Our body is never completely stable. Even while standing still, our body sways ever so slightly. Usually we don't even notice it. The main reason is that we constantly make tiny un-noticed corrections to our stance that keep our body in a stable upright condition. If we are walking and our foot hits a snag of some sort, one of our legs automatically kicks out and our arms spread to counteract the forward lurching of our body. If we are lucky, that action is enough to correct the stumble and we continue walking. If we are unlucky, we fall.

Keeping our balance involves a complex dance among several systems in our body. Most important are 1) a component of our inner ear, called the vestibular system; 2) our visual system; and 3) a large batch of sensory nerves that make up what is called the proprioceptive system. These three systems all send messages to the brain, which sorts them out and then sends appropriate messages to a variety of muscles throughout the body, telling them to adjust their individual contractions in a manner that keeps our body in a stable position.

About the Author

Bruce Carlson has had a long and varied career in a number of fields. As an undergraduate student at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, he majored in biology, languages and chemistry. As a prelude to becoming a fish biologist, he worked for the Minnesota Conservation Department (now DNR) as an aquatic biologist during summers except for one when he conducted research at the University of Georgia Marine Laboratory on Sapelo Island, Georgia. He entered a program in ichthyology at Cornell University, but became fascinated with the phenomenon of regeneration. After receiving an MS from Cornell, he entered the MD-PhD program at the University of Minnesota where he conducted research on limb regeneration in salamanders.

In 1966 he joined the faculty of the Department of Anatomy at the University of Michigan Medical School and became Chairman of the Department and later, Director of the Institute of Gerontology. He taught microscopic anatomy and human embryology and received several major awards for his teaching. His research on regeneration, embryology and muscle biology led him to live for extended periods in five countries – The USSR, Czechoslovakia, the Netherlands, Finland and New Zealand. A prolific writer, he has written over 200 articles and chapters in scientific publications, has edited 15 symposium articles and translations, and he has written twenty books on a variety of topics.

Bruce is an avid fisherman, who is on the water well over 100 days per year, either night-fishing for walleyes or fly fishing for smallmouth bass in northern Minnesota. He has also taken many trips to New Zealand, his favorite country, to fish for trout in a remote lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. For many years he wrote articles for several national fishing magazines. The main theme was that the more you understand the biology of the fish you are trying tocatch, the better will be your results.

Since retirement in 2006, Bruce has reverted to his scientific childhood and has again taken up work on fish and lake biology. In addition to weekly collections of data about the lake by his cabin, he has directed a ten-year study on the growth of northern pike on a nearby lake and has spent hundreds of hours taking underwater videos in northern lakes. This activity has led to his writing two popular books on lake biology and one on aquatic invasive species.

In addition to his outdoor work, Bruce has maintained an active professional writing schedule, with seven editions of his book “Human Embryology and Developmental Biology” and other books on regeneration, the human body and muscle biology. His work in the area of embryology has led him into expert witness work in that area and writing a new book on the abortion controversy – “The Abortion Controversy – An Embryologist’s Perspective.” His background in anatomy and the biology of aging has him thinking about writing a new book on understanding the aging body.

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