Dig Into The Nighthawkers

 

The Nighthawkers

By Amy L. Bernstein

Archaeologist Pauline Marsh may be haunted by the past. She's hearing paranormal voices in her head, that other people don't. These voices want something. They're looking to reconnect with love, and they are reaching out to Pauline for help. Why Pauline? With the difficult, lonely childhood Pauline emerged from, she feels completely unlovable and certainly unable to help others. Yet, these voices persist. Mysterious, physical seizures surge within Pauline with no warning. She dreads these episodes which she calls the pulse. What are these forces bearing down upon her?

There is hope on Pauline's horizon, and his name is Grey Henley. He's a handsome and charismatic man, and they seem to share a hot connection. These lovers plan a future together, treasure seeking for an immensely rich lifestyle. What impact does ambition have on love? And can true love survive the secrets they keep from each other, including those voices speaking to Pauline?

At Carthage University, it's graduation day full of ceremony, speeches, celebrations, and receptions. Dean Nojes praises Pauline, who is the recipient of Carthage's most coveted academic prize. Pauline feels unworthy of it, but she is obligated to show up at the Dean's reception. She meets the most charming, Grey Henley with his appealing, crooked grin and his sweet talk. That night they share an out-of-body experience, and are thrilled with the adventure of it. They want this fantastic escapade to last a lifetime. Grey thinks he's found the girl of his dreams, and Pauline feels Grey is the family life she's never known and always longed for.

Ambition is a powerful emotion, and it can saturate a person's spirit. This dynamic couple together pursue archaeological finds, but in time their nighthawking turns darkly to profiteering. Despite Pauline's reluctance, they partner with a man Grey knows to sell their discoveries. There's something odd about this new partner, Tyrone Lake. Although the trio start out successfully as a team, fate, or something, steps in with an unexpected twist.

This book is a thought provoking journey into the powers that lie within a person, and where empowerment, once triggered can lead a person. There is more than one way for Pauline to achieve what she wants more than anything in this world, but can she find her way? The characters in this story are fascinating, and the wordly as well as paranormal hurdles they must leap are emotionally challenging. The Nighthawkers push the boundaries as they delve into the riches of the past, and readers are treated to the excitement of their finds.

Amy Bernstein writes stories that let readers feel, while asking them to think. Her literary preoccupations include rooting for the underdog and putting ordinary people in difficult situations to see how they wriggle out. Amy is an award-winning journalist, playwright, and certified nonfiction book coach. When she’s not writing about romance, including explicit romance novels, or dystopian futures, she loves listening to jazz and classical music, drinking wine with friends, and prowling around Baltimore’s waterfront.

Frankenstein Diaries - Iconic Horror & More

 

Secret Memoirs of Mary Shelley:

Frankenstein Diaries “The Romantics”

By Michael January and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

The title alone is intriguing. Who wouldn’t love to spy on the diary of the women that brought us one of the most iconic creatures of horror, but this story is so much more. The tale takes us on a magical and sometimes jarring trip across Europe, with Mrs. Shelley providing us with the color commentary and narration.

Mary flees her home and England with poet and married man, Percy Shelley, and her step-sister, Jane, no Claire, no Clara, - she used whatever name suited her temperament at the time. Mary’s stepmother tracks them to France to confront the scoundrel and bring her underage daughter home. Through differing social standards, Mary, Claire, and Percy remain in France. Thus begins our adventure.

The trio face trials from the weather, the financial demands of travel, and an infatuated younger sibling. As they venture from city to city and country to country, the mercurial nature of nineteenth-century mores provided intrigue, and demands on the trio’s wits. From attending high society fetes to sleeping in abandoned barns, and encounters with soldiers, these travelers had to stay on their toes.

This collaboration between nineteenth century and twenty-first-century authors provides readers with seamless accounts of the real trip through Europe and fanciful speculation of what could have happened. The story is amazing and the writing is seamlessly beautiful. A must read for lovers of Frankenstein, his monster, Mary Shelley, or the nineteenth-century.

Michael January is a writer for film and television, as well as a travel writer, photographer, and novelist. He is a California native but has lived on the U.S. East Coast and in London. His travels have taken him all over and especially across Europe. His “Favorite Castles” book series is up to 5 volumes. His films have shown on HBO and Showtime.

Guest Reviewer - Carl W Lee

Carl Lee lives in the rolling farmlands of southern Illinois. This fertile ground sprouted his imagination at a young age. A deep love of classic myths coupled with an attraction to the macabre horror movie genre grew into his love of paranormal fiction. He has been a member of the Pacific Northwest Writers Association for more than a dozen years, an active member of the Flamingo Writers Group, and Co-host of the YouTube podcast, A Novel Talk

Welcome To The Far Side Of Heaven

 

The Far Side of Heaven

By D. L. Gardner

What a memorable Christmas novella. It's a tale you'll treasure long after relishing your read of the last page. These touching characters exhibit tremendous courage against trying times. It's so easy to get embroiled in your own troubles and miss seeing the lives of others. These characters learn that finding ways to help other people, their own lives are touched in a positive way. Although life's hurdles and difficulties differ for each of us, in the end we are all in this life together. There's mystery in the ways we can connect, and kindness is the clue. When the long, deep darkness of the winter surrounds us, it's hope that pushes us to switch on the beautiful Christmas tree lights.

Charlene survived a deadly fire that swept through her small mountain town, but her ranch home was destroyed. Her parents made the heart wrenching decision to move away after the devastation. Charlene continues on as best she can on her own, fighting to regain her spirit after a bitter divorce, running the family gift shop, living above it, and struggling to pay bills and survive. The town's small population are not much of a customer base, and there is little tourist traffic, especially right now as a treacherous winter storm blows in and closes the roads. Desperation is bubbling within Charlene. If only she can rekindle a feeling of hope.

Caught in the midst of the road closure, an entrepreneur named Dallas, and his partner are stuck in a place that appears in the snowy swirl to be the middle of nowhere. Stranded for now in this small town of Meritville, they're looking for coffee and shelter. It wasn't his intention to aggravate the owner of the gift shop. She seemed quite charming, until he got on her wrong side. As Dallas learns more about Charlene and others in this town, he's drawn to their stories, and finds himself thrown into the whirlwind.

Cuddle up with a tender, Christmas love story of town neighbors, and of a very special couple of people who were total strangers and found the life and spirit of hope in each other. This author creates a vivid setting, and characters who are carved from its rugged landscape. You'll be hanging onto every word, searching for hope. It's a surprising twist in the end, for Charlene and Dallas, and the reader.

Author D. L. Gardner is an author and screenwriter. She creates many fiction novels, novellas, and short stories. You can learn more at her website gardnersart.com.

A Butter Brickle Debacle - Yum!

A Butter Brickle Debacle

By Sonja N. Griffing

Eris McMillan is the embodiment of walking chaos, rushing from instantaneous disorder to unexpected mayhem, sometimes in the flash of her honey-brown eyes. She's a marketing genius, yet odd circumstances created by her ex-boyfriend Coop had lost her the job she treasured. Why does she attract disaster? As hard as she tries, why can't she find a life of perfect happiness? Treat Rogers has lived in his same hometown his whole life. He is the charismatic owner of the town's ice cream shop, a family business. After his wife left one day vowing never to return, Treat became a single parent raising his mischievous eleven year old son Robbie. He has drawn deep within himself, applied himself to fathering and working, and buried his dream of sharing all he had with the love of his life. Then Eris burst into his shop one day, and their worlds collided.

When she lost her job, Eris turned to her sister for solace, and a place to stay for awhile. A small town, Treat's small town. Although she has little experience caring for kids, Eris helps with her nieces. With only the best of intentions in mind, Eris confronts Treat in defense of her eleven year old niece. Turns out she doesn't have all the facts of the situation quite right. Well, that's one way to meet such an appealing ice cream man. Turns out the attraction is mutual. These two dynamic personalities spark fireworks together, beautiful and explosive results. And, when they get together, very close together, it's steamy. What they're both looking for is so different though, they're sure they'll go their separate ways after a hot summer together.

Eris is followed to town by her ex boyfriend, who's having second thoughts about the end of their relationship. He's bringing his corporate ice cream chain to town to run Treat out of business. Coop thinks this is the way to win his girl, Eris back, and his way to win. Eris is devastated that she's now inflicted her crazy life on dear Treat. Now she wants to use her marketing skills to help Treat to prevail. Together they end up with A Butter Brickle Debacle unique solution.

Author Sonja N. Griffing has created a truly laugh aloud, clever, sexy, romantic romp that delights. The family themes really hit home in readers' hearts through characters who seek joy in life, often finding it in the most unlikely places. This story truly shows how fabulous a sense of humor is to quality of life. You don't always get what you think you want in life, and sometimes it's those surprises that are what you really wanted all along.

Slain Over Spumoni - A Delicious Mystery

 

Slain Over Spumoni

By Tessa Floreano

Mamma mia! Here's a mystery treat for readers to savor. Delight in vivid sights and sounds of old Italy of 1920, review a line up of suspects rivaling the luscious variety of gelato flavors at the gelateria, and even possible discover amore. It's shortly after World War I in Grado, Italy and Violetta Pelicani helps her favorite uncle run his iconic, flavorful gelatos. The world is looking hopeful as the War ends, then Violetta's dear uncle is found dead, under very troubling circumstances. Violetta investigates and discovers if you go looking for trouble, it may find you. Now she's concerned about the police accusing her of the murder, as a result of her sleuthing. Throw into the mix a handsome visiting American attracted to Violetta, but with secrets of his own. Now you see the mysterious allure to read Slain Over Spumoni.

Violetta is a massage therapist working at a spa. Her uncle, Zio Fabri is poisoned after visiting the spa. Once alerted, the police cast a wide net, and she is in it too. As she struggles to prove her innocence, she meets John Baxter who is visiting from America. There is an aura of mystery about him, and he is vague about why he is in Italy. One thing is clear though, he is smitten from the moment he meets Violetta. Feelings are mutual, but does he have ulterior motives? Time will tell.

If you savor a mystery, this one sizzles with extra garlic. The romantic duo are hot on the trail of clues, analyzing motives, and deliberating on suspects' alibis. They're hopping all over town, and never seem to have the time to introduce John to the renowned spumoni from the gelateria. The promise of a savory dish of spumoni, and of a sweet romance swirl around the mystery of who poisoned Uncle Zio. And what will happen if Violetta discovers John's secret?

Author Tessa Floreano has created an engaging, exciting mystery with characters you'll love. Woven into their intense situation is such a wonderful humor that absolutely delights. The sweet romance brings a beautiful accent of amore, and an added dimension to this tight plot. The historical setting is so well researched by the author, it leaps off the pages as facts are skillfully woven into the story so seamlessly. Pacing of the plot is artful, and the final reveal is very well written. Will the visiting American ever get the chance to indulge in the amazing spumoni, and share a dish with the love of his life? There's more than one way to be Slain Over Spumoni.

Strawberry Sundae Afternoon Is Delectable

Strawberry Sundae Afternoon

By L. M. Gonzalez

Nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. School teacher, Ally is a single mother of an adorable seven year old, Jimmy. On the surface, their plans for the summer seem delightful. They are visiting Ally's hometown, staying with Ally's mother, and looking forward to sharing the fun of where his mother grew up and the memories she treasures. So why the reluctance to make this trip? Ally is returning to help her ill mother, but their relationship has always been rocky. Will they get along now? At least her ex had moved away after that one incredible summer together. At least she'd heard he'd moved. After an intense, romantic summer seven years ago he had never responded to her attempts to contact him. But if Henry had moved away, what was he doing right there at the park selling ice cream for his family's business? With her broken heart, how can she face him now? And, will he recognize his likeness in Jimmy, his son?

It's spellbinding and inspiring to read all that Ally faces, and her difficult choices. Her actions are not always the best, but her motives are pure and she is persistent about addressing consequences. She's a fascinating personality, and at the heart of all she does is what's best for her son. Jimmy is so wonderfully innocent and warms a reader's heart. Ally's beloved Henry has his own side to this story too, skillfully revealed by this author.

As this summer goes on, the memories of their past summer season together heat up emotions on both sides. They spar, and yet they're both drawn to each other. Those tender feelings surface, and even spark a graphic interlude, but then bitter tensions also simmer, and erupt. And standing before them, holding his mother's hand, and enjoying ice cream man Henry's company is Jimmy, who personifies a deep secret.

Author L. M. Gonzalez has created an enthralling situation and artfully entwined compelling characters.. You'll hope these characters can find their way to become a family. You'll cheer for them to overcome the hurdles thrown in their way, and the miscommunications that tear them apart. Can the summer season create its magic once again? Will the sweetness of the Strawberry Sundae Afternoon cool their divisions and captivate their hearts with what the future could be?

We're With The Band Hits A High Note

 

We're With The Band

By Johanna Flynn

Her name is Lark, and she says she's dead ended with nowhere to go. Relationship ended, job non-inspiring, and the perception that her options are few and pathetic. That's just the kind of attitude that can lead to taking a chance and ending up on a wild adventure. You never know where destiny will send you, just when you least expect it. A night out with her best friend Bev, a musician stranded on the road ahead of them, followed by an invitation to enjoy the music scene. Before they know it, Lark and Bev are on stage singing. They're a hit. Suddenly Lark and Bev decide We're With The Band. It's a band that's in need of singers for their new road trip, from Oregon to Ireland. Added benefit, Lark knows Ireland well, since she's from there. Here's an opportunity to visit her mom and her home, but can you go home again? And, in the mists of Ireland there lies in wait a mystery to be solved. Not all is as it appears.

Rhett is the unpredictable leader of this rag tag motley band of characters who play to a different drummer. This eclectic group get themselves into the funniest, most outrageous situations. Their actions will keep you laughing, and wondering how they'll ever get back on track, or if they ever will. Driving their rented bus all over Ireland to different locations for their performance bookings generates plenty of time for mutual suspicions and romances to simmer, and in time boil over. The drummer, Jeremy and the third singer, Candi come and go as they apparently fall in and out of love with each other, or in and out of something. Each musician has their own eccentricities.

In the meantime, there's been a disappearance of treasured antiquities of Irish history from the museum. How could this diabolical theft have been executed so secretly and so successfully? Who could have pulled this off? It could be anyone. Lark has her suspicions and theories, and recruits her friend Bev to investigate with her. Their efforts are rewarded by threats of danger, encroaching and waiting to pounce.

This book is such a treat to read. It sweeps you away to Ireland and immerses you in the beautiful landscape, people, and culture. There is so much fun humor throughout this adventure, and the characters are intriguing, yet in many ways you feel like you know them so well. The mystery will tickle your curiosity, and Lark's energetic personality will delight as she interacts with friends, family, exes, musicians, pub and bar owners, audiences. She has some big surprises of her own to reveal, and a best friend to try and save. They're in this together. After all, We're With The Band.

Award winning author Johanna Flynn's debut novel is Hidden Pictures. She is a contributing author in the NIWA Anthology, Escape. She lives in Western Washington and you can learn more about her at her website johannaflynn.com.