I'm Shelf-ish: May 2023

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Book Excerpt: Crossing a Fine Line by W.L. Brooks #CrossingAFineLine

Fletcher J. McKay has been shot, driven insane, and tortured by a madman, so what's one more psycho coming after her?

Title: Crossing a Fine Line: The McKay Series Book Five
Author: W.L. Brooks
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 314
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Fletcher J. McKay has been shot, driven insane, and tortured by a madman, so what’s one more psycho coming after her? But this foe’s disturbing attempts to extinguish Fletch’s light leave her shaken. Running out of options, she must consort with the enemy.

Fletcher is undoubtedly Sheriff Noah Reed’s nemesis. Their discord began with an irrevocable outcome of an unforeseeable trauma, but duty demands he keeps her safe. The closer he gets, the more his loathing turns to lust.

Devastated by loss, Fletcher agrees to go into Noah’s protective custody. Passion takes them across the boundaries of their animosity, but is their tentative bond enough? Or is the line between love and hate, as with life and death, fixed.

Pre-order eBook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TD6x4a

Amazon (paperback): https://amzn.to/3FJd33G

Book Excerpt

Noah walked barefoot to his office and poured himself a scotch. He closed his eyes as the liquid traced a molten path to his stomach. Shaking it off, he sat at his desk and flicked on the TV for background noise. On top of his stack of mail was a letter with his name on it, one that hadn’t been there before.

Opening the drawer to his left, he pulled out a pair of latex gloves. Using every precaution, he unsealed the envelope and dumped out the contents.

He picked it up with his thumb and forefinger and unfolded the paper.

Reed around the rosy

Someone’s too damn nosy

Ashes to embers

Make sure he remembers

Ashes take flight

Someone dies tonight

What the hell? Someone had been in his house. He squeezed his eyes shut. She’d broken in before. Hadn’t she?

Damn it; this had gone too far. He got a plastic baggy from the kitchen, put the note inside, slipped on his loafers, and grabbed his keys. So much for getting any sleep tonight.

More...

About the Author

W.L. Brooks was born with an active imagination. When characters come into her mind, she has to give them a life- a chance to tell their stories. With a coffee cup in her hand and a cat by her side, she spends her days letting the ideas flow onto paper. A voracious reader, she draws her inspiration from mystery, romance, suspense and a dash of the paranormal.

A native of Virginia Beach, she is currently living in Western North Carolina. Pick up her latest novel, Unearthing the Past - available now!

Website: www.wlbrooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorwlbrooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200243.W_L_Brooks

Sponsored By:

Title: Fateful Connections
Author: Karen Charles
Publisher: BookBaby
Pages: 91
Genre: Thriller

Fateful Connections tells the story of four people brought together by the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States. These four individuals were attending a conference in Seattle, Washington, and found it nearly impossible to make it back to their homes, which were scattered across the country. They decide to rent a car and drive together, as they cannot get any flights home. As rental cars are also impossible to come upon, they find a friend who has access to a repossessed car, which he is willing to rent out. Unbeknownst to the friends, the rightful owner of the car wants his car back, and as they find out, hidden inside the car are drugs and guns. What ensues is a dangerous journey which impacts the four friends’ lives forever. The story follows them on their harrowing journey home, then one and two years later as they meet up for an annual reunion.

The strengths of this story are the easy-to-read narrative and compelling plot. The author introduces four intriguing main characters, as well as a number of antagonists, who hunt down the friends and engage in dangerous and illegal plans to not only recapture their guns and drugs, but also kill the friends so there are no witnesses to their illegal activities. The reader is instantly drawn into the storyline, and moves along with the characters as they experience fear, joy, love, and relief. The plot is compelling, and the reader cannot help but become invested in the lives of these four main characters.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41WDECT

Book Excerpt

President Bush was making another announcement. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued the first national ground stop in US history, prohibiting departures for all civilian aircraft. After the third hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, all aircraft were ordered to land at the nearest airport. Three and a half hours after the first plane hit, all US airspace was clear.
Suddenly, Ethan, who had been unusually quiet, jumped to his feet. “Our flights!” he yelled. “We don’t have any way to get home!”
The room was silent. “Maybe we could rent a car,” Harper suggested.
Henry sprang into action, calling every car rental agency in Seattle. Nothing was available. Dismayed, he sank into his chair. “What are we going to do now?”
After thoughtful silence, Owen spoke up. “I have a friend over on Yesler Way who repossesses cars. Maybe he might have an idea what we could do.”
Everyone agreed, hoping for a solution to their transportation dilemma. Ethan had to get home to San Jose, California; Owen to Santa Clarita, California; Harper to Phoenix, Arizona; and Henry to Austin, Texas. All of them, industry-leading CEOs of No. 1 ranked companies, had flown in to attend this elite executive conference.
Owen interrupted a conversation about the ramifications of air travel being halted. “My friend Jimmy says he has a car we can use. They don’t usually rent them, but in these unusual circumstances, he doesn’t see any problem. It was repossessed a while ago, so the guy has had lots of time to make up his payments. Jimmy said we can pick it up anytime.”
“Wait a minute,” objected Ethan. “Are you sure it’s legal?”
“We don’t have any other options,” confirmed Owen.
“Let’s pack, get some sleep, and leave in the morning,” instructed Henry, always the leader.
Jimmy had the car ready for them early the next day.
“What happens if that guy gets the money and comes back for his car?” asked Ethan, still worried about this being a smart idea.
“He’s probably got another set of wheels by now,” answered Jimmy. “Don’t think we’ll ever see his ugly face again!”

About the Author

Karen Charles is a children’s book author and educator. She lives with her husband on a beautiful bay in Washington State. Her latest book is the thriller, Fateful Connections.

Website: https://karenrabe18.wixsite.com/my-site-2

Twitter: https://twitter.com/karenra24229683

Sponsored By:

Book Excerpt: Coping and Thriving with a Chronic Condition by Carla Cobbs

My book is about coming to terms with yourself with your life with a chronic condition and eventually thriving…

Title: Coping and Thriving With a Chronic Condition
Author: Carla Cobbs
Publisher: Carla Cobbs
Pages: 88
Genre: Nonfiction

No single soul on this planet is fortunate enough to have smooth sailing when it comes to dealing with life challenges. Everyone has to go through the twists and turns of life while keeping their sanity intact and growing as a person. However, the journey becomes much more challenging if you have to cope with health complications as well.

Coping and Thriving with a Chronic Condition is a guidebook for people who are suffering from a chronic disease. This book not only discusses the difficulties such patients face to assure them that they are not alone in their journey but also presents ways to ease their suffering and eventually thrive while living with a chronic condition. It also aims to help those without a chronic condition learn more about the challenges of living with a life-long health condition so they can empathize with such patients.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3lbaVux

Book Excerpt

What Is a Chronic Disease?

When a certain disease or a medical condition is persistent or usually lasts for more than three months, it can be categorized as a chronic disease. The symptoms or effects usually stay for a long time and might worsen with the passage of time. For instance, diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, arthritis, and hypertension can usually be controlled but not cured, so the patients are left with no option but to adapt to the changes such diseases enforce in their lifestyles. Chronic disease is different from a terminal illness as it allows the patients to live while managing their symptoms. Terminal illness, on the other hand, ends with a person’s death.

Chronic diseases usually target different areas of the body. For instance, having a cardiovascular disorder might affect the functioning of the lungs as well. Although there are treatments available to help ease the pain and suffering of the person affected by chronic conditions, such diseases are not fully responsive to treatments. People with chronic diseases may also experience a relapse period where the symptoms go away temporarily and reappear after some time. Chronic diseases are usually regarded as “non-communicable” diseases due to their non-contagious nature or non-infectious causes. However, a few chronic diseases, like HIV or COVID, are an exception that can be caused by transmissible infections. Regardless of the root cause, chronic diseases are one of the most common types of medical conditions affecting millions of people worldwide. A person can suffer from more than one chronic disease simultaneously. In fact, having one kind of chronic disease makes you more prone to others. It is estimated that 40% of adults in the United States have at least two chronic conditions.[2]

The effects of chronic illness on the human body can range from mild to severe. For instance, a cardiac arrest or a stroke might be immediately life-threatening. In contrast, diabetes can be long-lasting and is usually not fatal if its symptoms are managed properly. Most chronic diseases, such as arthritis, persist throughout the person’s life without risking death.

About the Author

Carla Cobbs was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis that affects all limbs, especially legs. She uses an electric wheelchair for mobility. Despite her chronic condition she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science (BS) from Bowie State University then pharmacy school at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. After being offered employment in Texas post graduation, she lived there for most of her career. She worked as a pharmacist for about a decade educating the public about medications, side effects, diseases, and the healthcare system. Additionally, she recognized the number of people that were struggling with coping, thriving and accepting themselves and chronic illness. Currently, she is retired but continues to educate the public by writing the book Her hobbies include movies, jazz, music, aquatic aerobics, swimming, festivals, art, photography, card games, sport events. Carla is devoted to her faith and spirituality.

You can visit her website at www.CarlaCobbsCreates.com.

Fletcher J. McKay has been shot, driven insane, and tortured by a madman, so what's one more psycho coming after her?

Title: Crossing a Fine Line: The McKay Series Book Five
Author: W.L. Brooks
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Pages: 314
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Pre-order eBook on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TD6x4a

Amazon (paperback): https://amzn.to/3FJd33G

Book Excerpt

Noah walked barefoot to his office and poured himself a scotch. He closed his eyes as the liquid traced a molten path to his stomach. Shaking it off, he sat at his desk and flicked on the TV for background noise. On top of his stack of mail was a letter with his name on it, one that hadn’t been there before.

Opening the drawer to his left, he pulled out a pair of latex gloves. Using every precaution, he unsealed the envelope and dumped out the contents.

He picked it up with his thumb and forefinger and unfolded the paper.

Reed around the rosy

Someone’s too damn nosy

Ashes to embers

Make sure he remembers

Ashes take flight

Someone dies tonight

What the hell? Someone had been in his house. He squeezed his eyes shut. She’d broken in before. Hadn’t she?

Damn it; this had gone too far. He got a plastic baggy from the kitchen, put the note inside, slipped on his loafers, and grabbed his keys. So much for getting any sleep tonight.

More...

About the Author

A native of Virginia Beach, she is currently living in Western North Carolina. Pick up her latest novel, Unearthing the Past - available now!

Website: www.wlbrooks.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorwlbrooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16200243.W_L_Brooks

Sponsored By:

It's Here! Announcing All That Glitters Cover Reveal!

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It is our pleasure to announce Mike Martin's ALL THAT GLITTERS Cover Reveal! Isn't that one beautiful cover!

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Title: ALL THAT GLITTERS
Author: Mike Martin
Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing
Pages: 282
Genre: Mystery

Sergeant Winston Windflower is moving on to a new chapter of his life, no longer an RCMP officer but now a Community Safety Officer in his home of Grand Bank, Newfoundland.

But when a body is found in the bed and breakfast he co-owns, diamonds are found in the body’s digestive system, and then Windflower’s friend Dr. Sanjay, who was given the diamonds for safekeeping, is kidnapped, it’s clear that crime has returned once more to Grand Bank.

Windflower finds himself back in the thick of it, helping his newly promoted friend, RCMP Corporal Eddie Tizzard, track down a ruthless diamond smuggler who will stop at nothing — kidnapping, even murder — to pull off his dirty business.

This is another finely spun Windflower mystery that contrasts suspense and tension with the joys of friendship, family, and gratitude.

Ottawa Press and Publishing | Amazon U.S. | Amazon CAN

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the award-winning and best-selling author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 13 books in this light mystery series with the publication of All That Glitters.

A Tangled Web was shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, and Darkest Before the Dawn won the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest A Tangled Web was released as an audiobook in 2023. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Capital Crime Writers.

Website: https://sgtwindflowermysteries.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/mike54martin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheWalkerOnTheCapeReviewsAndMore

Sponsored By:

Book Excerpt: What Did Jesus Say by Terry Allan Christian

What Did Jesus Say: The Seven Messages From the Master

Rev. Terry Allan Christian
Divine Publication
157 pages

Christian / Gospel

Imagine you’re walking down the beach, and you come across a crowd waiting for Jesus to appear and teach them. What would he say? Would he talk about current religious and political conflicts, or would he speak about Love, Light, and Truth? Join us as we go for a walk with Jesus, and listen to his words as he shares with us the Seven Messages from the Master. Each spiritual message reveals His teachings that will strengthen and guide you to a most peaceful life in Christ.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/404q0fA

Audible: https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Terry+Allan+Christian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/13827563

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3KseiWj

Book Excerpt

The Christ
It’s early morning and the sun is rising over the water.
You can see a crowd gathering at the water’s edge, waiting for Jesus to appear, and teach them.
As everyone begins to quiet, a deep silence falls and the only sound to be heard are the birds flying above.
Then Jesus suddenly appears and says...

About the Author

Since dedicating his life to Jesus at the age of 23, Terry Allan Christian has been reading the red lettered version of the 4 Gospels as recorded in the KJV Bible. Even though Terry reads the whole Bible, his primary focus is on the words of Jesus and the example of His actions.

Terry grew up in a violent dysfunctional family where he quit school at 16 and left home. He stuttered so bad he could only say 3-5 words in a row. His family and friends mocked him and that caused much stress in his early life.

At the age of 23, he had a near death experience and in which he had a dream. In this dream, he was told that one day he would be a teacher for Jesus. Needless to say, he was scared at first because of his stuttering and lack of structured education however, he always had a child-like faith and trust in Jesus as Lord.

After the dream, he was soon hired by the Dale Carnegie Organization and trained in sales and public speaking, where he met a man who taught him how to visually read. During the next few years Terry read several hundred books on the subject of personal growth.

At the age of 30, Terry became a professional Motivational Speaker and Executive Trainer and over the next 20 years he would deliver more than 2,500 presentations to private and public audiences across America and Canada.

Several years ago, Terry retired as a public speaker after feeling the Holy Spirit redirecting his life. He was led to do what Jesus told him many years earlier. After researching the 4 Gospels he composed the book What Did Jesus Say: The Seven Messages from the Master, using only the Words spoken by Jesus as recorded in the 4 Gospels, without adding any personal comments or opinions.

As in all God called missions it took longer, cost more and challenged him to the edge of his faith. He would later say, he had to read the Book of Job just to understand why this was happening to him and was he being tested or penalized. In the end, he was being tested and by the grace of God, he prevailed.

Now after 12 years of study, obedience, difficulty and struggle, this book is now available in Paperback, eBook, Audio Book and Kindle.

Today, Author, Teacher and Counselor, Rev. Terry Christian is founder of Foundations for Life ‘Online’ Ministries and he presently lives Negril Jamaica where he does local missionary work in schools and churches while counseling Christians worldwide online thru his program Christian Helping Christians.

Negril, Jamaica is where Rev. Christian went to fast & pray while seeking divine healing for Bladder Cancer. His doctors gave him 3yrs to live so he created a healing sabbatical and after fasting & praying, and walking the beach for 21 days, he returned to his Doctors and they released him ‘cancer free’.

Terry calls this program: The Life Walk –aka- The Miracle Walk and now offers this ‘restoration’ program online or in Negril, for Christians seeking Life, Health or Marriage Restoration.

Rev. Christian believes: WITH GOD, all things are possible, all the time, wherever we live and at every given moment, when we pray, believing.

Website: WWW.WDJBOOK.COM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RevTChristian

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/revchristian

Book Website: www.whatdidjesussay.world