Reviews!

I am still having a difficult time concentrating on reading a book, I hope to get back into it at some point. Still doing book promotions just not reviews Thank you for your understanding during this difficult time. I appreciate all of you. Kathleen Kelly July 2024

11 December 2024

The Moldy Orange Bandage: Playbooks and Short Stories by Lirio Blanco Show Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours#TheMoldyOrangeBandage @lirioblancoshow

 

As much as we may love our families and friends, they possess the ability to drive us crazy!

The Moldy Orange Bandage:

Playbooks and Short Stories

by Lirio Blanco Show

Genre

 Literary Fiction

As much as we may love our families and friends, they possess the ability to drive us crazy!

In this pair of theatrical playbooks (with a few short stories as an added bonus), two family-friendly plays for tweens and up showcase two different dramas.

In The Moldy Oranges, married life between an American husband and his Latin immigrant wife never proves dull . . . especially when the mother-in-law lives under the same roof. And then, when their trusted neighbor requests a mysterious brown bag be hidden in their closet, it provides the trigger for family secrets, suspicion, and intrigue. What is in the brown bag? A diary? Stolen jewelry? A secret detonator for a kitchen stove, perhaps?

Based on the events of Atlanta's 2014 ice storm, a group of middle school girls are trapped in their after-school classroom, seemingly abandoned by the last faculty member, who flees to protect her own family during the crisis. Three girls and the class bully must learn to cooperate for survival until help arrives in The Box of Bandages.

From architect/author Lirio Blanco Show, these stories provide a peek into family life with an in-law, stranded girls struggling to cope with a bully, as well as a handful of short animal stories . . . some based on true events, some completely fiction. Who dares to say which is which?

The answers lie within...

Amazon * BookLogix * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads


Terry the Chipmunk


Terry the Chipmunk was running through the mead-

ow when he caught a glance of beautiful acorns in 

the distance. He was hypnotized by their beauty. The 

acorns were fat and shiny. They captivated Terry’s 

eyes. He did not waste time to run and start filling his 

cheeks with these attractive acorns.

His two cheeks were so puffy, and they got puffier, 

puffier, and puffier, until they both looked like a pair 

of furry water balloons.

However, Terry wanted these acorns all for him-

self. . . So he started to plan how to conceal them inside 

his cave. Realizing his neighbors would return soon, 

he became frantic, his eyes swelling with the emotion 

of owning these marvelous acorns.

Venus, one of his friends, approached him and he 

tried to run and hide from her. Curious, she chased 

him for some time until she cornered him against a 

tree root.

Terry was so afraid to share his nuts that he pressed 

his teeth together protectively to hide them . . . tighter, 

tighter, and tighter until—Snap! Crack! Ping!

Tiny pieces of his teeth began to chip off.

Hearing a desperate yelp from Terry, Venus tried 

to get a better look. Somehow, she convinced him to 

open his mouth. Not only did the shiny acorns fall to 

the cavern floor, but tiny pieces of pearly white inci-

sors, the two front teeth Terry had been so proud of, 

tumbled all over the ground.

Terry kneeled down in disbelief and cried and cried 

and cried in his distress, sobbing “What a pain, oh, 

what a pain!”

Feeling compassion for her friend, despite his 

greedy behavior, Venus tried to calm Terry down. 

Terry couldn’t stop crying until, suddenly, he realized 

among the spilled acorns, he saw all that was left of his 

beloved incisors. He held his head with his two paws 

in disbelief and scrambled to rapidly retrieve his trea-

sures. This time Venus clutched a few in her own paws to 

challenge his attention.

She held one paw out, and Terry hesitated. Venus smiled

at him warmly, and 

when Terry saw her teeth reflecting the radiant sun-

light, he remembered his own lost teeth. Terry dropped 

the few acorns in his grasp and his fingers touched his 

naked gums with the realization that he had lost some-

thing far more precious than a few acorns . . . 

He had lost his teeth.

Venus explained that, had he not been so greedy by 

trying to hide the extra acorns—more than he could 

have ever eaten all winter—he would never have bro-

ken his teeth.

“But don’t worry, Terry,” she continued soothingly, 

patting his quivering paw with her own, “Dr. Drill, the 

Chipmunk dentist, will fix your teeth.”

Terry replied, now calm, “Thanks Venus . . . but will 

you take me to him?”

“Of course,” Venus said. “But next time, Terry, you 

have to remember—when we give to someone, we are 

entitled to receive as well.”



 


Albalis Vargas-Smith, a.k.a. Lirio Blanco Show, is an architect, painter, muralist, and writer from

Panama. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from

Universidad Autonoma de Centroamerica in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition, she received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Auburn University, Montgomery. She has more than twenty years of experience in architecture, having worked both in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Atlanta area. She has done theatrical scene and set design as volunteer work for community theatre groups. Back in July 2016, Albalis went solo as an entrepreneur, architect, and painter, founding the Vargas-Smith Studio. The reason? To spend more time with her daughter. In 2020, she decided to finish a series of backburner short stories and theatrical plays. One of the theatrical plays is presented in this book. Currently, Albalis lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her daughter, husband, her dog, Toni, and a precious bird, Ruperta. 

Website * X * Instagram * TikTok * Etsy * Goodreads

#LiteraryFiction #playbook #contemporaryfiction #shortstories #yabooks #animalbooks #anthology #funnystories #diversebooks #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead #Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway

When Stars Fall by Wendy Million Release Tour! @indie_pen_pr #authorwendymillion #wendymillion

 #newrelease #whenstarsfall #hollywoodromance #celebrityromance #secondchanceromance #forcedproximity #secretchild #itsalwaysbeenyou #pastnarrative #presentnarrative #tbr #mustread #buynow #oneclick 


When I got my first big break, I was thrilled to be co-starring with Wyatt Burgess and thought I could handle life with him. But, when his best friend overdoses outside a nightclub, Wyatt spirals deeper into his addictions. 

After ten years of heartache, I’m content with the life I created and the last thing I expected was to see Wyatt on TV, telling the world his biggest regret is losing me. Readers who love second-chance romances will consume When Stars Fall by Wendy Million, a forced proximity, celebrity romance.

Read Now!

 

Read Now! 

Amazon https://amzn.to/3Njt8jR 

He's the most famous movie star in the world, and now he's on my doorstep begging for a second chance.

When I got my first big break, I was thrilled to be co-starring with the Wyatt Burgess–former childhood star, charismatic, sexy as hell–and heavily dependent on drugs and alcohol. 

I thought I could handle life with him, and I did for a while. But after his best friend overdosed outside a nightclub, he spiraled deeper into his addictions. Desperate, I gave him an ultimatum: the lifestyle or me.

After ten years of heartache, I’ve carved out a life that makes me feel stable and content. The last thing I expect is Wyatt Burgess on my television screen, telling the whole world his biggest regret is losing me. 

Now he’s standing in front of me, forcing me to choose between the comfortable life I’ve created and the passionate whirlwind that allowing him back into my life could bring.

But I wasn’t one hundred percent honest when I left, and I fear he’ll never forgive me.  

Add to Goodreads!


Goodreads https://tinyurl.com/dydtu5yv



Wyatt

Present Day

I’m sweating. Profusely. It’s disgusting. I tug at the collar of my freshly pressed shirt and loosen my tie. I’ll tighten it before I go on set.

Leaning forward on the couch, I grab my water from the coffee table. Bottles of alcohol line the bar to the right. A sign encourages everyone to help themselves. There is nothing worse than wanting a drink, being surrounded by alcohol, and not being able to have any. I need to be sober for this interview. Ellie will see it.

I grab some candy off the table and pop it into my mouth, chewing slowly. The greenroom is a weird shade of lime. Whenever I’m in a green waiting area, I’m always disappointed. We’re in a creative business—lime isn’t creative; it’s just hard on my eyes. Jackson Billows, the host of the late-night program, probably thinks the color is hilarious.

I wiggle my back along the too-stiff couch. Maybe I’ve been doing this whole scene too long. Few things in the entertainment business surprise me anymore. Of course, having this big a stage, a platform for my announcement, is helpful. Surprises may be few and far between for me personally, but I can still deliver a couple.

“You’re on in five, Mr. Burgess.” A dark-haired man pops his head into the room.

I nod. Say nothing. Check my phone again. The few people who understand my plan are reluctantly on board. A last-minute Break a leg text rolls in. I turn off my ringer, readjust my tie and collar. My suit jacket is stifling, but she used to like me suited and booted. Every advantage is necessary. I’m about to blow up her life.

For ten years, Ellie has been coordinating her projects and schedule to avoid me. We’ve developed an unspoken agreement to keep each other and Isaac, my best friend, out of the press. The weight of his death has remained ours to carry.

Jackson enters from the hidden side door. “You all right, buddy?” He perches on a chair across from me.

“Sweating like a pig.”

“It’s been ten years, man. This will be great television, don’t get me wrong, but Ellie is going to eat your nuts for breakfast tomorrow.”

“I picked you for a reason, Jack. Don’t let me down.” I drain the rest of my water and wish the liquid was something much stronger.

“We could have booked you both on the show. Left you here in the greenroom to sort out your issues in private.” Jackson stands.

“She’d have canceled. Whenever she’s gotten wind I’m in the area, her cavalry rides to the rescue. I even flew to Bermuda and not one person—not one,” I say, holding up a finger, “would tell me where she lived.”

“What makes you think she’s going to take any notice of you this time?” he asks.

“She’ll have no choice.” Certainty washes over me, and I point to my phone. “Finally got her address. I’m headed to the airport as soon as we’re done.”

“Ten years and you’re just going to show up on her doorstep? Do you need the public spectacle first?”

He has a point, but if I go without the spectacle, she’ll slam the door in my face. “I’m trying to make it impossible for her to say no.”

“I hope that doesn’t make it hard for her to say yes later.” Jack arches his eyebrows.

Truthfully, I haven’t thought that far in advance. All I’ve done is organize Operation Get Her to Talk to Me. The rest will fall into place. A long time ago, I was her kryptonite. God knows she’s always been mine.

The doors split as we walk toward the set. Jack heads to the stage and I stand in the wings, waiting to make my entrance.

By midnight tonight, she’ll realize I’m done with our unspoken truce.

I’m coming for you, Ellie.

Jackson gives his rambling introduction, then I strut onto the set. The crowd goes wild, and I drop into my seat. I adjust my jacket and wave to the audience as the screams die down.

Jackson’s right about one thing: Ellie will not take this well.


About Wendy Million

Wendy Million is an award-winning author whose contemporary romances about strong women and troubled men have captivated her loyal readers. She is the author of the contemporary second-chance romances, When Stars Fall and Miss Matched. 

Writing as W. Million, she is the author of the Bellerive Royals series, the Tucker Billionaires series, and the Little Falls series. When not writing, Wendy enjoys spending time in or around the water. 

She lives in Ontario, Canada with two beautiful daughters, two cute pooches, and one handsome husband (who is grateful she doesn’t need two of those).

Follow: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | BookBub | Newsletter | Amazon

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

10 December 2024

Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir Virtual Book Tour!



Princess Sophie and the Magic Elixir is the story of a young girl who loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic...

Title: Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir

Author: Mike Martin

Publication Date: October 15, 2024

Pages: 24

Genre: Mezzo Publications

Princess Sophie and the Magic Elixir is the story of a young girl who loves Christmas. When she sees that the people of Melodica are losing their Christmas spirit, she sets out to help them rekindle their magic. At the end she finds that all we really need is to believe in the power of love.

Princess Sophie and the Magic Elixir is available at Amazon.

 

Princess Sophie lived in the tiny kingdom of Melodica with her father King Olav and her mother Queen Bianca. She loved her friends who were the birds and the rabbits and the squirrels who lived in the nearby forest. Princess Sophie especially loved Christmas. In fact, she loved everything about Christmas.

She loved the jingles and jangles. She loved the horns and the hooters. She loved the lights, the wrapping, the singing and clapping. She loved everything about Christmas. What she liked most was that warm, comfy feeling that you got just before Christmas. That something really good was going to happen. That feeling lasted for 12 whole days while Christmas went on in Melodica.

But this year something was just not right. There were still sparkles and sprinkles and lights all around. There was even a giant Christmas tree in the middle of the town square. Yet, Princess Sophie did not have that feeling, that special Christmas feeling. In fact, it felt a bit sad. She asked her mother, her father and her teacher but nobody knew what had happened. Worst of all, no one knew how to fix it.

“Oh, no,” said Princess Sophie to her favourite rabbit friend, Hopper. “We have to do something. We can’t have Christmas without that special Christmas feeling. What can we do?”

Well, Hopper was a great friend, but he couldn’t speak human. So, he started hopping instead. He hopped and hopped and hopped until Princess Sophie got tired of all the hopping and asked him to stop. But the hopping somehow had given her an idea.

“When I am sick, nurse gives me special medicine to help me feel better,” she said. “Maybe we can find a medicine that brings back the Christmas spirit. But where we would find a medicine like that? Princess Sophie asked her mother, her father and the nurse but nobody had ever heard of a medicine like that.

Now Princess Sophie was getting sad herself. “There must be somebody who can help us, but who? Hoppy didn’t have that answer so he hopped and hopped and hopped until Princess Sophie finally told him to stop hopping. “Your hopping has given me another idea,” she said. Christmas is magical, so the Christmas spirit must be magical, too. Who should we talk to about magic?” The rabbit just looked at her.

“A magician, of course,” said Princess Sophie. She asked her father who was the best magician in Melodica. 

“Why, it’s Lady Ariana,” said King Olav. “She is absolutely the best.”

– Excerpted from Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir by Mike Martin, Mike Martin, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

 More Children's Books by Mike Martin
 


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 author of the best-selling Sgt. Windflower Mystery series, set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 15 books in this light mystery series with the 2024 publication of Too Close for Comfort

He is also the author of 3 Chldren’s Christmas books. The Christmas Beaver, A Friend for Christmas and now Princess Sophie and the Christmas Elixir.

Let’s Connect!

X https://www.x.com/mike54martin 

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552604938333 

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220363612-princess-sophie-and-the-christmas-elixir

 

Sponsored By:


Chasing Love Clumsy Little Hearts Trilogy Book 3 by Julie Navickas Book Tour! @SilverDaggerBookTours #ChasingLove #ClumsyLittleHearts @AuthorulieNavickas @julienavickas

Sometimes when the right man finds the right woman, things still aren’t quite right. 

Can a piece of paper fix it, or ruin it?

Chasing Love

Clumsy Little Hearts Trilogy Book 3

by Julie Navickas

Genre

 Contemporary Romance 

Sometimes when the right man finds the right woman, things still aren’t quite right. Can a piece of paper fix it, or ruin it?

When Cole Johnson was eight-years-old, he married Rose Prescott. Never mind that the aisle was made of holiday table runners, she wore an old lace curtain, and her brother performed the ceremony in a musty basement.

Twenty-four years later, Cole is more in love than ever and ready to wed Rose for real. This time, it’ll be at an exquisite wedding venue and the minister will know how to read. But that’s not all. He wants to give Rose the life he’s always dreamed of: a big house with a picket fence, twin boys, a family dog, and a rock-solid 401K. 

But Rose doesn’t seem to want any of it—not even a little. Because it’s not at all the future she covets. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. The thought of a hefty mortgage payment and a minivan full of children isn’t just suffocating… it’s insufferable. 

As the wedding approaches, Cole grows uneasy and can’t help but feel like Rose is hiding something. Despite his suspicions, the day of their wedding arrives without a hitch. The question is, how will the day end? 

Pick up your copy of Chasing Love, the epic conclusion to the Clumsy Little Hearts trilogy. While each story can be read as a standalone, common characters are woven throughout each book. Julie Navickas’ stories leave no shortage of heart-stopping plot twists, competing emotions, and soul-crushing decisions. Get your copy today!

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

**Don’t miss the other books in the trilogy!**

Trusting Love

Clumsy Little Hearts Trilogy Book 1

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads  

Finding Love

Clumsy Little Hearts Trilogy Book 2

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads



Julie Navickas is a best-selling and award-winning, nationally recognized contemporary romance novelist, known for her keen ability to tell heart-wrenching, second-chance love stories through relatable characters with humility, humor, and heroism. 
She is also an award-winning university instructor in the School of Communication at Illinois State University. Julie earned master’s degrees in both organizational communication and English studies with an emphasis in book history, as well as a bachelor’s degree in public relations, graduating cum laude from Illinois State University. 
She is a mom of three and has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for twelve years.

Excerpt

“I’ve always liked watching you cook.” He smiled and willed her gaze to meet his, but her stare didn’t break from the potato in her hand. 

“I’m not really cooking,” she grumbled and scratched her nose. 

“You know what I mean.” Reaching across the counter, he selected a few pieces of onion and tossed them in his mouth. 

A scowl consumed her face. “You did not just eat raw onions.” 

Cole chomped on the veggies and grinned. “What’s it to you if I did?” 

Rose feigned a gag and shuddered. 

The potential of the moment spoke to him. Like a child, Cole seized the opportunity to play and circled the island. He leaned into her and pressed a kiss on her cheek. 

She recoiled and swatted him away. “Ew, Cole! Stop it!” With a giggle, she pinched her nose. 

“What?” He grinned and popped another piece in his mouth. “Are you saying you don’t like my kisses?” Cole leaned in and again she darted away with laughter on her lips. “Ring around the rosie?” He chased her around the counter. Her sweet snickers settled in his heart, beat for beat, seeping into his soul. 

“Ugh, your breath!” she whined as he caught her around the middle and squeezed, holding her prisoner in her own kitchen. “And you’re all sweaty!” 

He pressed another exaggerated kiss on her cheek and gripped her arms, pinning her in place. 

“Cole!” she roared through laughter. 

“I’ll make a deal with you,” he offered and guided her body back to where she stood peeling potatoes. “I’ll shower and brush my teeth if we can have sex right here.” He tapped the granite and pinched her bottom. 

#romancebooks #contemporaryromance #smalltownromance #secondchanceromance #books #readers #reading #booklovers #BookTour #Giveaway #bookbuzz #bookboost #bookrecommendations #BookBlogger #Bookstagram #bookish #bookclub #MustRead #Writersofinstagram #AmReading #BookPromo #AuthorPromo #writingcommunity #readerscommunity 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

View My Stats!

View My Stats

Pageviews past week

SNIPPET_HTML_V2.TXT
Tweet