07 December 2022

Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair by M.K.Wiseman Book Birthday Blitz!

 


Sherlock Holmes & the Singular Affair

Before Baker Street, there was Montague.

Before partnership with a former army doctor recently returned from Afghanistan, Sherlock Holmes had but the quiet company of his own great intellect. Solitary he might be but, living as he did for the thrill of the chase, it was enough.

For a little while, at the least, it was enough. 

That is, until a client arrives at his door with a desperate plea and an invitation into a world of societal scandal and stage door dandies. Thrust deep in an all-consuming role and charged with the safe keeping of another, Holmes must own to his limits or risk danger to others besides himself in this the case of the aluminium crutch. 

Amazon UK:





M. K. Wiseman has degrees in Interarts & Technology and Library & Information Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her office, therefore, is a curious mix of storyboards and reference materials. Both help immensely in the writing of historical novels. She currently resides in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.

http://mkwisemanauthor.com

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https://www.instagram.com/faublesfables/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7073540.M_K_Wiseman




06 December 2022

Across the Great Divide: Book 3 The Founding by Michael L. Ross Blog Tour! : @MichaelLRoss7 @cathiedunn #historicalfiction #biographicalfiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

 


Book Title: The Founding

Series: Across the Great Divide: Book 3

Author: Michael L. Ross

Publication Date: 12/6/2022

Publisher: HistoricalNovelsRUS

Page Length: 480 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction / Biographical Fiction


Two men, two dreams, two new towns on the plains, and a railroad that will determine whether the towns—one black, one white—live or die. 


Will Crump has survived the Civil War, Red Cloud’s War, and the loss of his love, but the search for peace and belonging still eludes him. From Colorado, famed Texas Ranger Charlie Goodnight lures Will to Texas, where he finds new love, but can a Civil War sharpshooter and a Quaker find a compromise to let their love survive? When Will has a chance to join in the founding of a new town, he risks everything—his savings, his family, and his life—but it will all be for nothing if the new railroad passes them by.


Luther has escaped slavery in Kentucky through Albinia, Will’s sister, only to find prejudice rearing its ugly head in Indiana. When the Black Codes are passed, he’s forced to leave and begin a new odyssey. Where can he and his family go to be truly free? Can they start a town owned by blacks, run by blacks, with no one to answer to? But their success will be dependent on the almighty railroad and overcoming bigotry to prove their town deserves the chance to thrive.


Will’s eldest sister, Julia, and her husband, Hiram, are watching the demise of their steamboat business and jump into railroads, but there’s a long black shadow in the form of Jay Gould, the robber baron who ruthlessly swallows any business he considers competition. Can Julia fight the rules against women in business, dodge Gould, and hold her marriage together?


The Founding tells the little-known story of the Exodusters and Nicodemus, the black town on the plains of Kansas, and the parallel story of Will’s founding of Lubbock, Texas, against the background of railroad expansion in America. A family reunited, new love discovered, the quest for freedom, the rise of two towns. In the end, can they reach Across the Great Divide? The Founding is the exciting conclusion to the series.



 

Praise for The Founding:

 

“Michael is an excellent storyteller and has done a wonderful job depicting Luther, and the other black characters in this book.  He has done his homework and depicts many historical facts about Nicodemus in a most enlightening and creative way.  It has been a pleasure working with someone who has made a concerted effort to get things right.  

 

~ Angela Bates

Nicodemus Descendant/Historian

Executive Director

The Nicodemus Historical Society and Museum


Buy Links:


Universal Link: https://books2read.com/u/3yVJVn 


Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BL9438XP/ 


Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BL9438XP/ 


Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BL9438XP/ 


Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0BL9438XP/



Michael Ross is a lover of history and great stories.


He’s a retired software engineer turned author, with three children, and five grandchildren, living in Newton, Kansas with his wife of 39 years. Michael graduated from Rice University and Portland State University with degrees in German and software engineering. He was part of an MBA program at Boston University. 


Michael was born in Lubbock, Texas, and still loves Texas. He’s written short stories and technical articles in the past, as well as articles for the Texas Historical Society. 


Across the Great Divide now has three novels in the series, "The Clouds of War", and "The Search", and the conclusion, "The Founding".  "The Clouds of War" was an honorable mention for Coffee Pot Book of the Year in 2019, and an Amazon #1 best seller in three categories, along with making the Amazon top 100 paid, reviewed in Publisher's Weekly. "The Search" won Coffee Pot Cover of the Year in 2020, and Coffee Pot Silver Medal for Book of the Year in 2020, as well as short listed for the Chanticleer International Book Laramie Award. 


Website: HistoricalNovelsRUS.com 

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/michaellross7

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ross-87505026/ 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/HistoricalNovelsRUs 

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/michael-l-ross

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michael-Ross/e/B07PTB7WMK/ 

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19005014.Michael_L_Ross


Blog Tour Schedule page: 





Holiday Grand Prize Giveaway!

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Sponsored By: National Geographic Kids

Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy

Winner Will Receive: 

This holiday collection of 7 National Geographic Kids books, worth $116 RV!

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Giveaway Dates ~ 12/6 9:00AM EST through 1/3 11:59PM EST


Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson Book Tour!

 

Monica Z. Photography 2015

When a day at the races reveals sabotage and subterfuge, Elizabeth Miles must use every ounce of her craftiness to even the score in this all-new Counterfeit Lady novel from USA Today bestselling author Victoria Thompson.

Wealthy but uncouth Sebastian Nolan has invited his lawyer, Gideon Bates, and his lovely new wife, Elizabeth, to attend the famous Belmont Stakes. Nolan is anxious for Gideon and Elizabeth to help his daughter, Irene, acquire a bit of polish, now that his venture into thoroughbred racing has allowed them entry into society. He is also hoping to find her a rich potential suitor. Elizabeth is not exactly the society girl Nolan believes her to be, but she is eager to attend the races. Her con artist family has made a lot of money at racetracks, although not from betting on the horses, and she enjoys the excitement of the track.

Irene Nolan seems more interested in horses than husbands, and she jumps at the chance to show Elizabeth her horse, Trench, and introduce her to his rider, Cal Regan. Elizabeth soon realizes there is more than just a working relationship between Irene and Cal. But she also knows that Irene’s father would never allow his only daughter to marry a jockey. When Cal takes a terrible tumble injuring both himself and Irene’s beloved Trench, Elizabeth and Gideon learn that the mishap was not simply bad luck—the horse and rider are victims of sabotage.  

It turns out that Sebastian Nolan has more than a few skeletons in his closet, and someone is out to get their long sought-after revenge. Elizabeth knows that to help Irene and Cal, she is going to need some help in creating the quintessential con. With the ever-honest Gideon at her side, she enlists those closest to her to come up with a scheme that will either ensure young Irene and Cal a first-place finish or have disastrous consequences.


Excerpt!


The ladies recognized the yellow silks Cal Regan wore and they made all the appropriate remarks about how beautiful Trench was.  He was indeed.  A dark gray with white stockings and a white blaze on his face, he stood out from the all the other horses and not just because of his unusual coloring. He seemed taller and larger and gave the impression of being carved from living stone. Gideon had no trouble at all understanding why Nolan had placed all his hopes on this animal. 

Irene had hurried on ahead and she was already beside Trench, in earnest conversation with Mr. Quaid and Cal Regan.

“I can’t find a thing wrong with him, Miss Nolan, and neither could the vet,” Quaid was saying.

“He worked out fine this morning,” Regan confirmed, obviously anxious to put her mind at ease. 

Irene reached up and gently stroked the enormous stallion’s face as if he were a lap dog. “I just have this feeling…”

“Females and their feelings,” Mr. Nolan said in an attempt to lighten the mood, but Irene scowled.  “Quaid knows what he’s doing, Irene, and so does Cal.  If they say he’s good to go, then we have to trust them.”

“It’ll be all right,” Regan said softly. “I’m going to win this one for you.”

Irene gave him what she might have thought was a grateful look in return, but even Gideon could see she felt more than gratitude for the jockey.  She might tower over him, but she obviously cared for him, and he undoubtedly returned her feelings. 

Could the two of them be in love? 

Gideon glanced at Nolan to see if he had noticed, but he was too busy looking over his horse. What would Nolan say if he thought his daughter was in love with a jockey? Probably what any wealthy father would say if his daughter was in love with the chauffer. Jockeys as good a Regan earned a generous salary, but their careers were too often cut short by injury or simply by the bad luck of losing too many races. Nolan would want much more security than that for his only child. Irene would know that, of course, and she couldn’t possibly be seriously involved with Regan.

The call came.  “Riders up!”

“We need to get back to our box so we can see the race,” Nolan said.  “Come on, Irene.  Cal will take it from here.”

Irene cast the jockey one last longing look and then followed the rest of them as they made their way back.  Gideon was glad to see his mother link arms with Irene as they strolled.  She would do her best to calm the girl. Gideon gave Elizabeth his arm.

“Do you think there’s something wrong with the horse?” she asked him quietly so Irene wouldn’t hear.

“I have no idea, but surely the trainer wouldn’t let him race if there was.”

“Racehorses are such delicate creatures, for all their strength. So many things can go wrong with them.”

“Let’s hope it’s just pre-race jitters on Irene’s part.”

The horses were parading by the time they found their places again. They watched as each one reached the barrier.  It seemed to take an age for them all to line up, although it was probably no more than a minute or two.  The remaining crowd yelled, “They’re off!” as the barrier flew up and the horses darted forward. It was a slow start, and Regan kept Trench from taking the lead, allowing the speedsters to charge ahead and wear themselves out. They had just rounded the first turn when he gave Trench his head.  The stallion started to pull away from the pack when something happened. 

They were all on their feet immediately, trying to see, but the horses were on the far side of the track and the rail was in the way.  One thing was for certain:  Six horses had come out of the first turn, but only five were entering the final turn.  None of those five jockeys wore the Nolan yellow silks.

“What happened?” Irene cried.  “Where are they?”

Then they saw Trench.  He had risen and staggered away from the rail, and to their horror they saw he was dragging Cal Regan whose foot was caught in a stirrup. 

Irene screamed, and she was running away from the box and down to the track before anyone could stop her.  Nolan ran after her without a word. 


Excerpted from City of Fortune by Victoria Thompson Copyright © 2022 by Victoria Thompson. Excerpted by permission of Berkley. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.



Victoria Thompson is the Edgar® and Agatha award-nominated author of the Gaslight Mysteries including Murder on Pleasant Avenue, and the Counterfeit Lady Mysteries including City of Scoundrels. Learn more online at victoriathompson.com.

 


Secret Santa Claus Club by Jeff Janke Book Spotlight!

 


Secret Santa Claus Club is a book about a little girl looking back at each Christmas and remembering the magic of the holiday. Toward the end of the book, she starts to doubt Santa Claus, but she isn't ready to learn the truth just yet. The next year she's ready to know, and her parents invite her to be part of the Secret Santa Claus Club. She learns that even though Santa Claus isn't a real person, the magic of Christmas still exists through giving and creating magic. She realizes that her parents were Santa Claus the whole time, and how much work they did to make her holiday special. The very end of the book has rules of the Club, which include keeping the secret and helping spread the magic to believers.


Why do we spend so much time and effort creating a fairytale world for our children, just to take it away from them? Author Jeff Janke faced that dilemma three years ago when his daughter started questioning her belief in Santa Claus. Like most parents, he had two problems to solve--how to gently teach his child the true meaning of Christmas, and how to prevent her from spoiling the fairytale for other children. Out of this problem, Secret Santa Claus Club was born.



Secret Santa Claus Club is a beautifully illustrated story about a little girl thinking back on the magic of each Christmas. She remembers meeting Santa at the mall and seeing her first bike under the tree on Christmas morning. As time goes on, she starts to wonder if it's all real. When she decides she's ready to know the truth--her parents help guide her to the true meaning of the holiday.

Secret Santa Claus Club was written to be a tool for parents during these challenging moments. Combined with love, patience, and compassion, SSCC will help transition the reader from believing to becoming. At the end of the story, your child will be invited to join Secret Santa Claus Club. They'll understand the importance of keeping the secret, creating the magic for believers, and helping other members of the club.


 

Jeff Janke is a single dad who considers himself more of a problem solver than an author. When his daughter started questioning Santa, he wrote a book to help guide her from a world of believing in Santa to a community of truly becoming Santa. When his daughter wanted to invite other friends into the club (after they learned the secret), and after lots of encouragement from friends and family who have faced the same dilemma, he decided to publish Secret Santa Claus Club to help other parents and children too!


Visit Jeff at his website: https://www.secretsantaclausclub.com/


https://www.instagram.com/secretsantaclausclub/


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