Birthdays: Leonard Bacon (1887), Antonia Forest (1915), Edward Whittemore (1933), Sheila Greenwald (1934), Carol O’Connell (1947), Alan Hollinghurst (1954), Simon Armitage (1963), Caitlin Kiernan (1964)
Leonard Bacon won the 1940 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for “Sunderland Capture”.
Quote: “You’re learning to write a book every time you sit down to do it. I know that sounds a little strange, but in every book you’re presented with new possibilities, new environment, different people, new story lines. You’re learning how to do it all over again.” – Carol O’Connell
“I cannot allow your ignorance, however great, to take precedence over my knowledge, however small.” ― Leonard Bacon
Tip: Don’t use the names of real people for a character unless there’s a strong reason to do so. You could open yourself up to a lawsuit.
Jumpstart: You’ve found a magic mirror. It will tell you one truth about the future. What do you ask it?
A destroyed career, a rundown ranch, and a beautiful horse whisperer come together to jumpstart Hayden Wilcoyt’s dream of using wild Mustangs to create a new breed of horses. His job becomes doubly dangerous after someone starts sabotaging work on the ranch. Complicating things is his relationship with Ginny Hampton, the Native American woman he inherited along with the ranch. As a fourteen-year-old runaway, Ginny was offered refuge by Hayden’s great-grandfather. Having devoted her life to Wilcoyt Ranch, she considers it hers by right if not by bloodline. The tragedy of an abusive past overshadows how Ginny deals with people now and she must learn to overcome her fears before she and Hayden have any chance for a lasting relationship.
Sydney Thomas doesn’t believe in romantic love. She moved to Zen, Ohio with her young daughter following a dismal marriage and disastrous divorce. Her new boss says he’s a wizard who helps people fall in love by casting spells over jelly beans. The last thing she needs is to get entangled in a relationship. Why can’t she stop thinking about him?Wyatt Ginn is spellbound by the woman he met at the post office when he rear-ends her car. Not a great first impression. When he discovers she’s the social media director hired for his publishing company, the second and third impressions aren’t much better. And she doesn’t believe in magic. So why is he attracted to her?There’s no way they can live happily ever after. Is there?
Title: Only the Brightest Stars Author: Andrew Grey Series: Currently a Standalone Genre: M/M
Contemporary Romance/Law Enforcement Release Date: April 11, 2023 Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print Blurb/Synopsis:
The problem with being an actor on top of the world is that
you have a long way to fall.
Logan Steele is miserable. Hollywood life is dragging him
down. Drugs, men, and booze are all too easy. Pulling himself out of his
self-destructive spiral, not so much.
Brit Stimple does whatever he can to pay the bills. Right now,
that means editing porn. But Brit knows he has the talent to make it big, and
he gets his break one night when Logan sees him perform on stage.
When Logan arranges for an opportunity for Brit to prove his
talent, Brit’s whole life turns around. Brit’s talent shines brightly for all
to see, and he brings joy and love to Logan’s life and stability to his
out-of-control lifestyle. Unfortunately, not everyone is happy for Logan, and
as Brit’s star rises, Logan’s demons marshal forces to try to tear the new
lovers apart.
Andrew grew up in western Michigan with a father who loved to tell stories and a mother who loved to read them. Since then, he has lived throughout the country and traveled throughout the world. He has a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and works in information systems for a large corporation.
Andrew’s hobbies include collecting antiques, gardening, and leaving his dirty dishes anywhere but in the sink (particularly when writing) He considers himself blessed with an accepting family, fantastic friends, and the world’s most supportive and loving partner. Andrew currently lives in beautiful, historic Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
Hello Vicky! Thank you for hosting me on your wonderful blog today. What an epic adventure since I signed my first contract ten years ago for Dragon Knight’s Sword (Order of the Dragon Knights, Book 1).
I’ve often been asked this question, “Why Medieval romance? Why not Regency, Victorian, or Western?” In truth, I love them all, but my heart belongs to one. It started when my fingers opened a book about the great Irish King, Brian Boru (941-1014A.D.). His story is legendary, especially with the people of Ireland. King Brian led the Irish to the peak of their Golden Age—from poetry, arts, saints, and scholars. A spark ignited within my soul for more.
I sought out tales of knights in shining armor and folk heroes, delving into a life teeming with richness, though at times harsh and violent. Yet it wasn’t until I devoured the history of Brian Boru that I became immersed in medieval life. From there, I treasured tales of life in castles, traveling on horseback, and studying foods and herbs.
The spark of inspiration and time-period for the Dragon Knights developed years ago. So it made perfect sense to place these knights in a medieval setting. Let me start from the beginning with a land that called out to me…
My love affair with Scotland and Ireland began decades ago. I blame it on my own bloodline—a yearning to return to the land of my ancestors. The land called out to me within the stories of Irish mythology and Scottish history. I’d close my eyes and pretend I was there. When I finally took my first trip to Scotland twenty-two years ago, the birth of a series—the Dragon Knights were born. I was sitting on a boulder in the misty Highlands surrounded by the magic and beauty of the landscape. However, on the second half of my trip, I visited Ireland. As I wandered the soft rolling hills in various shades of green, the land spoke to my soul and urged me to place the Dragon Knights here, too. It would take several years before I decided on both countries—Scotland and Ireland as an essential part of my stories. A perfect solution to a problem I had been debating on for the Dragon Knights.
Of course, there must be a castle in a medieval story, right? I’ve always been drawn to Urquhart Castle, so this was the home I envisioned for my knights. It’s ancient, mystical, and where the Loch Ness Monster dwells within the loch. This site first appeared in historical records in the 6th century. Yet in researching the ownership of the castle, I eventually chose a time when there was a “gray” area of possession—the early 13th century. In June 2017, I spent hours at the ruins of Urquhart Castle and surrounding landscape. I finally made it home to the Dragon Knights. And when I touched the ancient stones, I heard the whispers of these knights telling me I’m not done with their stories.
Order of the Dragon Knights ~
They were an ancient order, descended from the great Tuatha Dé Danann, the Sidhe, or in simpler terms: the Fae. Half-human and half-fae, each knight blessed with mystical powers. Given to them were holy relics from the Fae and guardianship over their Dragons.
They were known as the Dragon Knights.
However, some believed the Order had too much power and they tried to possess it for themselves. They were evil and twisted, and their plan succeeded one fateful night. The brothers of the Clan MacKay—Dragon Knights, fought a battle. Blood spilled onto holy ground, bringing forth the wrath of the Fae. Their relics were taken, and the Order was banished—each name stricken from the hallowed halls of the Fae.
The Clan MacKay is no longer.
The Dragon Knights have scattered across the land.
Yet out of the darkness, they will each fight for redemption, and the women they love.
For a limited time, Dragon Knight’s Sword is on sale for 99¢ from Amazon. Grab your copy today or collect them all! Sale dates: 5.11.23 – 6.02.23
Multi award-winning romance author, Mary Morgan resides in Northern California with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return.
Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. Inspired by her love for history and ancient Celtic and Norse mythology, her tales are filled with powerful warriors, brave women, magic, and romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.
If you enjoy history, tortured heroes, and a wee bit of fantasy, then travel back in time within the pages of her books.
Keira longed to do something amazing with her life. When offered a chance to join a time travel program, she didn’t hesitate. With her soulmate by her side, nothing could be more perfect.Grayson never believed happiness would find him until he met Keira. Lightning struck twice when both got accepted into The Jelly Bean Jump Project, a time travel experiment. Only a handful of applicants made the cut each year.One of the requirements—no family ties. Keira and Grayson were alone in the world except for each other. An adventure of a lifetime awaited, until a glitch in the system threatened to tear them apart. Would they walk away from their fantasy or surrender their hearts in exchange?
Birthdays: Honoré de Balzac (1799), Hector Malot (1830), Sigrid Undset (1882), Allan Nevins (1890), Margery Allingham (1904), Justin Cartwright (1943), Mary Pope Osborne (1949), Michele Roberts (1949), Walter Isaacson (1952), Douglas Preston (1956), Christopher Sorrentino (1963), Jon Meacham (1969)
Sigrid Undset won the 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature
Allan Nevins won the 1933 Pulitzer for his biography of Grover Cleveland
Mary Pope Osborne is most well known for her “Magic Tree House” series
Jon Meacham won the 2009 Pulitzer in Biography for “American Lion: Andrew Johnson in the White House”
Quote: “You can’t believe anything that’s written in an historical novel, and yet the author’s job is always to create a believable world that readers can enter. It’s especially so, I think, for writers of historical fiction.” – Justin Cartwright
“I love teaching. It’s a job that lasts forever. Whatever you teach children today travels with them far into the future.”― Mary Pope Osborne, Twister on Tuesday
Tip: When looking over a contract, if you are doing it yourself, be sure you are aware of the rights you are assigning to the publisher and the length of time they have the right to your work. These can include electronic, audio, translations, reprint, other editions, and more. Learn what they are so you can make informed decisions concerning your work.
Jumpstart: What is your character’s dream car? Describe it in detail. How will s/he get one?
Blurb: A movie production brings drama―and murder―to a close-knit New England village, forcing Riley Rhodes to scoop out the suspects. Former CIA librarian and amateur sleuth Riley Rhodes is loving her fresh start as the manager of the Udderly Delicious Ice Cream Shop. The leaves are turning, tourists are leaf-peeping, and Penniman, Connecticut is putting the finishing touches on the weekend long Halloween Happening. But the village is also buzzing. Former child star Cooper Collins is overseeing the production of a romantic comedy that’s filming on the town green and his domineering socialite mother, Diantha, is planning her lavish Halloween themed wedding at her Inn on the Green. Her fiancé has run the Inn’s kitchen for years, ably aided by his recent ex-wife, chef Mary Ann Dumas. An old friend of Riley’s, Mary Ann, turns to her when the bride requests a spooky ice cream wedding cake. But the weekend takes a frightful turn when Diantha is found dead and suspicion falls on Mary Ann. The cast of potential suspects is long―each wedding guest had a chilling motive to kill the vicious heiress. Can Riley unmask the murderer before another guest ends up on ice?
Thoughts: This was an interesting, slightly macabre Halloween cozy mystery. I’d have found the Halloweenish type décor for a wedding strange if I hadn’t had a friend who did this (with the addition of zombies). That made everything fun for me. When the bride-to-be ends up dead, there are a lot of suspects to choose from. And Riley is a great amateur sleuth for the job.
What I liked: Riley being a CIA librarian gives her a background in research but not necessarily chasing down the suspects. I loved the description of the wedding cake and all the decorations around town and at the big house. Throw in a TV crew doing a shoot and you have all the mayhem you need for a good mystery.
What I didn’t like: I got a little confused sometimes trying to keep everyone and everything straight and their relationships. But that was minor at best.
Recommendation: Recommended.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC. Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Blurb: Ashes to Ashes, Crust to Crust is the second book in Mindy Quigley’s delectable Deep Dish Mystery series, set in a Wisconsin pizzeria. Newly single pizzeria owner Delilah O’Leary is determined to keep her restaurant afloat in the picturesque resort town of Geneva Bay, Wisconsin. To boost her bottom line, she sets her sights on winning the hefty cash prize in the town’s annual “Taste of Wisconsin” culinary contest. In her corner, she’s got her strong-willed, “big-boned” cat Butterball, her wisecracking BFF, her cantankerous great-aunt, and a nearly -flawless recipe for Pretzel Crust Deep-Dish Bratwurst Pizza. But while Delilah and her team have been focused on pumping out perfect pizza pies, her ex-fiancé has cozied up to a new squeeze, juice bar owner Jordan Watts―Delilah’s contest rival. When one of Jordan’s juice bar customers is poisoned by a tainted smoothie, Delilah lands deep in the sauce. Accusations fly, suspects abound, and a menacing stranger turns up with a beef over some missing dough. Between kale-juicing hipsters and grudge-bearing celebrity chefs, Delilah must act quickly before another one bites the crust.
Thoughts: This is the second book in the Deep Dish Pizza series and is a fun read – and a surprisingly quick read considering the number of pages. In the series, two friends – Delilah and Sonya (Son) – open a pizzeria in a small Wisconsin town. They each bring different aspects to the shop and work well with each other, even given Delilah’s penchant for figuring out who the latest killer is and her definite OCD tendencies.
What I liked: My favorite character has to be Delilah’s cat Butterball (whom she shares with her ex). Delilah’s aunt Biz is also a favorite. Biz knows almost everyone in town having taught most of them at one time or another. The relationship between Delilah and her ex is… interesting. There’s no animosity and they seem to continue to care for each other even though they are no longer together. Favorite quote: “My perfectionism came with a built-in megaphone and surround sound.” (from Delilah) and it does judging by the way she goes after things. I also loved the conclusion of the little side-mystery of who’s wrecking the kitchen and stealing the bratwurst. So funny! And there are some great recipes included in the back.
What I didn’t like: Very little. This is a good follow-up to the first book and the end was…a surprise, but satisfying.
Recommendation: Recommended (but read the first book first to get an idea of who the characters are. This is a stand-alone, but it will make more sense if you take them in order.)
Disclaimer: Disclosure of Material: I received a final and/or advanced reader copy of this book with the hope that I will leave my unbiased opinion. I was not required to leave a review, positive or otherwise, and my opinions are just that… My Opinions. I am posting this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Diana Gendarme has spent her life doing for others, so when she moves into her dream cottage, she’s ready for some “me” time. But the cottage is shabby and her new neighbors quite close. One of them makes a din in his blacksmith’s forge all day long yet has the nerve to complain about her beagle’s yodeling. He’s the last sort of man who should attract Diana. So why can’t she resist the absurd dares he persists in issuing?Reg Coltsfoot doesn’t plan on falling for his neighbor. A lifelong charmer, he’s used to women falling for him instead. There’s just something about Diana that has him longing to draw her out of her staid life and into his. Maybe it’s the magic of spring, but Reg will do all he can to persuade Diana she needs his laughter and his love to light her days.
Sparkling Book Reviews 