Book Details:
It’s a Zin to Tell a Lie (Love in Wine Country) by Pamela Gibson Publication date: February 3rd 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance Synopsis: Emma Bradford, world class pianist, is tired of living out of suitcases and wants to change her career. When she returns to Napa to consider her options and play for a friend’s wedding, she discovers a nasty surprise. The man who called off their engagement two years ago will also be there and there’s no way to avoid him. Antonio Reynoso is a dissolute playboy living on a Caribbean island. At least that’s what he’s let his family believe. He’s purposely stayed away so he won’t be tempted to break a promise and try to win back the only woman he’s ever loved. But when he and Emma are unexpectedly thrown together during a violent storm, Antonio’s resolve begins to weaken and he wonders if leaving her had been a mistake. His wine country family says yes, and with a little well-intentioned meddling, he and Emma might just get a second chance. Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N ~iBooks ~ Kobo ~ 
AUTHOR BIO:
Author of eight books on California history and fifteen romance novels, Pamela Gibson is a former City Manager who lives in the Nevada desert. Having spent the last three years messing about in boats, a hobby that included a five-thousand-mile trip in a 32-foot Nordic Tug, she now spends most of her time indoors happily reading, writing, cooking and keeping up with the antics of Ralph, the Rescue Cat. If you want to learn more about her activities go to Website and sign up for her quarterly newsletter and occasional blog. Or follow her in these places: Author links: Facebook ~ BookBub ~Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Blitz-wide giveaway (INT)
1 Comment
Book Details:
Love and Other Moods by Crystal Z. Lee Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 18 yrs +, 322 pages Genre: New Adult, Own Voices, Multicultural Romance Publisher: Balestier ~ Release date: December 2020 Tour dates: Feb 24 to Mar 10, 2021 Content Rating: PG + M for drugs (only two pages), suggested sex scenes (nothing explicit), some triggers (assault) Book Description: Love and Other Moods is a coming-of-age story set in contemporary China, about falling in love, learning to adult, discovering strength and finding one's place in the world. Naomi Kita-Fan uproots her life from New York to China when her fiancé's company transfers him to Shanghai. After a disastrous turn of events, Naomi finds herself with no job, no boyfriend, and nowhere to live in a foreign country. Amidst the backdrop of Shanghai welcoming millions of workers and visitors to the 2010 World Expo, we meet a tapestry of characters through Naomi: Joss Kong, a Shanghai socialite who leads an enviable life, but must harbor the secrets of her husband, Tay Kai Tang. Logan Hayden, a womanizing restaurateur looking for love in all the wrong places. Pan Jinsung and Ouyang Zhangjie, a silver-aged couple struggling with adapting to the ever-changing faces of their city. Dante Ouyang, who had just returned to China after spending years overseas, must choose between being filial and being in love. All their dreams and aspirations interweave within the sprawling web of Shanghai. This multilayered novel explores a kaleidoscope of shifting relationships --- familial friction, amorous entanglements, volatile friendships --- in one of the most dynamic metropolises of the twenty-first century. Purchase Links: Booktopia ~ Waterstones ~ Amazon ~ Book Depository ~ B&N ~ IndieBound 
Meet the Author:
Crystal Z. Lee is a Taiwanese American bilingual writer. She has called many places home, including Taipei, New York, Shanghai, and the San Francisco Bay Area. She was formerly a public relations executive who had worked with brands in the fashion, beauty, technology, and automotive industries. 'Love and Other Moods' is her debut novel. connect with the author: amazon ~ instagram 
Giveaway Details:
Win 1 of 3 print LOVE AND OTHER MOODS (3 winners) (USA only) (ends Mar 17) Enter the Giveaway with the Rafflecopter below. 
 The Counselor (A Travis Call Mystery Book 1) by Curtis Taylor Published by Aspen Books ~ Release date: 10/5/2020 Pages - 401 Book Synopsis: By a #1 New York Times best-selling writer. Travis Call, a financial counselor and a counselor in a bishopric, faces life in prison when his wife’s body is found in a shallow grave. He pleads his innocence, but many don’t believe him. With his best friend, Ross Keller, he begins the search for the real killer, only to find that true evil may be closer than he suspects. The Counselor establishes a new series in Latter-Day Saint fiction. Buy Link - Aspen Books ~ Amazon ~  REVIEW by LAWonder10: WOW! This is one outstanding book! When I began this mystery/crime drama, I was certain it was a quite "lame" story because within the first few chapters, I knew who the "culprit" was... Or so i thought! The more I read the more unsure I became. This indecision continued throughout the tale until the last few chapters. The story was about a young man, active in the Church f Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with a famous wife and an adorable set of adopted twins. When returning from a business trip he discovered his wife was missing. After months of worry, implications and investigation, she is found. This only escalates the forthcoming events. Who is friend and who is foe? The writing was superb, and the story-line was captivating. The characters were, mostly, endearing and the scenes were easily visualized. The action was continual as new events and questions unfolded. I literally had a very difficult time ptting the book down for even a short time! I could relate to the main guy character in the book because I have dealt with similar health issues through the years, except, the healers are "stumped" and still are searching for a diagnosis. None of the symptoms fit the various scenarios of health issues. I can really appreciate many of his challenges and feel connected to his character.. In any case, the story is an amazing and inspiring one for anyone -a "believer" or not! This is a clean fiction, most individuals will surely enjoy. I look forward to reading more books by this very talented writers books. The Title and Image are both appealing and "fitting'. I offer a solid Five Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no pressure, whatsoever, to post a positive review. This is my honest review.  About Curtis Taylor Curtis Taylor is a writer of fiction, nonfiction, and screenplays. His fiction includes "A Grand Conspiracy," "The Counselor," "American Grace," "The Dinner Club" (revised as "Rolling Home"), and "The Invisible Saint" (revised as "The Invisible Saint Revisited"). His nonfiction includes "Embraced By The Light" (co-authored with Betty J. Eadie), and "The Burning Within (co-authored with Ranelle Wallace). His most recent screenplay is "The Review," a story set loosely on "American Grace." He and his wife, Janet, live in Modesto, California. Some life events: --All-state football in California --BYU track athlete (hurdles) --Mission to Tokyo, Japan --Married to Janet Scott --Graduated from BYU (English) --Janet and he raised seven children --Managing editor for Aspen Books and Gold Leaf Press --Currently full-time writer  More About Aspen Books: Aspen Books is presenting to you Both this outstanding new book - The Counselor - ad this exciting new game - Missionary Impossible - wich ar highlighted in this weeks Blog postings. Over its illustrious history, Aspen Books and its sister company, Gold Leaf Press, have published over 100 authors, including Pulitzer-prize winner Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, and New York Times best-selling authors Orson Scott Card and Betty J. Eadie. It has sold millions of copies in nearly 40 languages. Now, after a decade of dormancy, the celebrated publisher of such well-known bestsellers as “Embraced by the Light,” “The Burning Within,” and “The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” has been reconstituted and is publishing new works. Aspen Books is being relaunched by Curtis Taylor, one of the original founders. The imprint is committed to publishing works from new and well-known authors for the general market as well as titles specifically for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since its relaunch, Aspen Books has published three new works: “The Counselor” and “A Grand Conspiracy” both by #1 New York Times best-selling author, Curtis Taylor, and the popular family game, Missionary: Impossible. This Tour has been made possible by Covenant Communications, Inc. Publishing
Book Details:
Eternally Artemisia—some loves, like some women, are timeless by Melissa Muldoon Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 305 pages Genre: Historical Fiction, General Fiction ~ Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 26, 2021 Publisher: Matta Press ~ Release date: March 2019 Content Rating: PG-13 + M. includes mature themes (suicide, adultery, sexual relations, murder) Book Description: They say some loves travel through time and are fated to meet over and over again. For Maddie, an art therapist, who wrestles with the “peculiar feeling” she has lived previous lives and is being called to Italy by voices that have left imprints on her soul, this idea is intriguing. Despite her best efforts, however, proof of this has always eluded her. That is, until one illuminating summer in Italy when Maddie’s previous existences start to bleed through into her current reality. When she is introduced to the Crociani family—a noble clan with ties to the seventeenth-century Medici court that boasts of ancestors with colorful pasts—she finally meets the loves of her life. One is a romantic love, and another is a special kind of passion that only women share, strong amongst those who have suffered greatly yet have triumphed despite it. As Maddie's relationship develops with Artemisia Gentileschi—an artist who in a time when it was unheard of to denounce a man for the crime of rape, did just that—Maddie discovers a kindred spirit and a role model, and just what women are capable of when united together. In a journey that arcs back to biblical days and moves forward in time, Maddie encounters artists, dukes, designers, and movie stars as well as baser and ignoble men. With Artemisia never far from her side, she proves that when we dare to take control of our lives and find the “thing” we are most passionate about, we are limitless and can touch the stars. Buy the Book: B&N ~ Bookshop ~ BookBub ~Autographed from Author ~ Add to Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ Audible 
REVIEW by LAWonder10:
While Maddie is educated and reasonably successful, she is continually conflicted with images and thoughts of what appears to be her past lives. Her educated mind tells her this is impossible. Her fantasy "self" thinks it could be real. After visiting a fortune teller, Maddie decides to go to Italy and discover more about the flashbacks she is receivin. Is here any credence to these incidences? This is about a woman possessed to find more about certain artwork and the people who created them. It is the final book in a for book series which ties them all together. Although well-written, this last book is slightly mind-boggling to me. There are too many generations involved to keep them straight. When switching scenes, it wasn't clear to me who and when the interchanging characters and events occurred. There were a lot of good points in presenting the concepts that women are stronger than others, even themselves, realize. It, also, emphasizes the importance of women as individuals and that women need to realize their importance and individual rights. I listened to the audio book. Katherine Madrona does a very good job in her narration. The various "voices" she uses to differentiate between characters, is consistent and well chosen. Her presentation is also well done. I offer a Four Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no pressure fr a positive review. This is my honest review.
Meet the Author:
Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future for themselves. Melissa is also the author of the Studentessa Matta website, where she promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog written in Italian and English (studentessamatta.com). Studentessa Matta means the “crazy linguist” and has grown to include a podcast, Tutti Matti per l’Italiano and the Studentessa Matta, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram feed. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs, which she co-leads with Italian schools in Italy to learn Italian in Italy. Through her website, she also offers the opportunities to live and study in Italy through Homestay programs. Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history, and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence. She is an artist, designer, and illustrated the cover art for all four of her books. Melissa is the managing director of Matta Press Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads 
Giveaway Details:
Print copy of THE SECRET LIFE OF SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA, plus, 1 audiobook (USA only) (3 winners)) (ends Mar 5) Enter by filling in the Rafflecopter below. 
Book Details:
Waking Isabella—because beauty can't sleep forever by Melissa Muldoon Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 271 pages Genre: Historical Fiction, General Fiction Publisher: Matta Press ~ Release date: November 2018 Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 26, 2021 Content Rating: PG-13 + M. includes mature themes (suicide, adultery, sexual relations, murder) Book Description: Waking Isabella is a story about uncovering hidden beauty that, over time, has been lost, erased, or suppressed. It also weaves together several love stories as well as a few mysteries. Nora, an assistant researcher, is a catalyst for resolving the puzzle of a painting that has been missing for decades. Set in Arezzo, a small Tuscan town, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of the city’s antique trade and the fanfare and pageantry of its medieval jousting festival. While filming a documentary about Isabella de’ Medici—the Renaissance princess who was murdered by her husband—Nora begins to connect with the lives of two remarkable women from the past. Unraveling the stories of Isabella, the daughter of a fifteenth-century Tuscan duke, and Margherita, a young girl trying to survive the war in Nazi-occupied Italy, Nora begins to question the choices that have shaped her own life up to this point. As she does, hidden beauty is awakened deep inside of her, and she discovers the keys to her creativity and happiness. It is a story of love and deceit, forgeries and masterpieces—all held together by the allure and intrigue of a beautiful Tuscan ghost. Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Audible B&N ~ Bookshop ~ BookBub ~ Autographed from Author ~ Add to Goodreads 
REVIEW by LAWonder10:
Isabella was more disappointed, rather than brokenhearted, when her marriage ended in divorce. Her marriage had been failing for years and now she was feeling numb and at a loss what to do with her situation. She had been working for over a year on a documentary to be filmed. Why not return to the place it evolves to...Italy. There she can complete the task and return to California with a clearer idea of what to do with her life after divorce. This is a story about a woman's search for more meaning in her life and what direction her path should take. She is excited to reconcile with an old friend, plus, create new, various types of friendships. It is also a story of discoveries and mysteries. This is an ideal book, especially, for those interested in history and genealogy. It is intriguing, captivating and romantic, too. There is plenty of evolving action and suspense. The characters are all very believable and the reader can easily feel a part of the story. Although this is very well-written, based on factual events, it is also slightly controversial. At first I had a slightly difficult time in "getting into" the story. There were lot of phrases in Italian, then repeated in English. However, it only took a portion of an hour before it all became clear. The Narrator, Amy Gorden, did an excellent job in both narration and in performance. It was easy for the listener to "live" the tale through her performance, and she was consistent in the use of the various "voices" of which she chose well. I offer a Four and a Half Stars rating. *This audio was gifted me with no pressure to post a positive review. This is my honest review.
OTHER BOOKS in the SERIES:
Meet the Author:
Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future for themselves. Melissa is also the author of the Studentessa Matta website, where she promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog written in Italian and English (studentessamatta.com). Studentessa Matta means the “crazy linguist” and has grown to include a podcast, Tutti Matti per l’Italiano and the Studentessa Matta, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram feed. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs, which she co-leads with Italian schools in Italy to learn Italian in Italy. Through her website, she also offers the opportunities to live and study in Italy through Homestay programs. Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history, and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence. She is an artist, designer, and illustrated the cover art for all four of her books. Melissa is the managing director of Matta Press Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads
Giveaway Details:
Print copy of THE SECRET LIFE OF SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA plus 1 audiobook (USA only) (3 winners)) (ends Mar 5) 
Sunder of Time (The Mason Timeline #1) By Kristin McTiernan Time Travel/Alternate History ~ Paperback & ebook, 380 Pages May 12, 2015 SYNOPSIS: Isabella Jaramillo is accustomed to getting what she wants. Living a comfortable life as the daughter of the world’s sole time travel magnate, Isabella has never suffered the irritation of being told no. Only now she has gone too far and her soon-to-be ex-husband tells her no in the most vengeful way possible—by sabotaging her trip to the past, sending her to a distant land where the locals do not speak her language and are far from impressed by her haughty demeanor. Now a slave, Isabella makes some surprising allies and discovers the truth behind her father’s rise to power and the terrible price the entire world paid for it. Somehow, she must break free and find a way home, not only to save herself, but to restore history to its rightful direction. (Affiliate links included.) Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Bookshop
“Have you ever heard of Coronado University in Miami?” she asked hopefully.
“No, but I’m from forty years before you,” Selwyn shrugged. “Coronado has been the premiere post-secondary institution in the Republic of Columbia for more than two hundred years. Everyone knows it.” Selwyn’s brow darted. “You’re Columbian? In South America?” “North America,” she rasped out. “From the Mississippi River to the Atlantic.” Realization lit up Selwyn’s eyes, changing his expression from one of disgust at Isabella’s perceived stupidity to one of surprise and worry. “Warner University is located in Kansas City, near the Missouri river. It was established in 2035 after GE became the sole proprietor of time travel technology. Does any of that sound familiar?” he asked cautiously. Isabella allowed the silence to sit between them as she shook her head. One of the primary tenets of time travel was there were not multiple co-existing timelines. Every legitimate scientific mind had come to that conclusion. If a change was made in the past, then the future you returned to would be different. Everything you had known would be erased. There were not multiple strands of time—there was only one. Given that Selwyn had departed from an earlier year than she had, it stood to reason her timeline had somehow supplanted his. “I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t planning on going back,” Selwyn muttered.
OTHER BOOKS in the SERIES:
TOUR SCHEDULE: February 8th: Adventures Of a Travelers Wife - Review February 9th: Letters from Annie Douglass Lima - Excerpt February 10th: Andi's Book Reviews - Excerpt E-Romance News - Excerpt February 11th: Christy's Cozy Corners - Excerpt February 12th: Jayne Townsley - Excerpt February 15th: QuirkyBookReads - Review I'm All About Books - Excerpt February 16th: Bookworm Lisa - Review February 17th: Rockin' Book Reviews - Excerpt Becky on Books - Excerpt February 18th: Rincon de Joss - Excerpt February 19th: Wishful Endings - Excerpt Sadie's Spotlight – Excerpt 
About the Author
Kristin McTiernan was born the daughter of a career military man and spent her childhood bouncing from one country to another. Her love of writing surfaced early, and upon discovering the double threat of comic books and Star Trek in middle school, Kristin spent the majority of her spare time creating new worlds and interesting people to populate them. Following in her parents' footsteps, Kristin enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17 and, upon her discharge three years later, settled into a life pursuing her love of words. She achieved her bachelor's degree in English from Emporia State University in her home state of Kansas and works as an editor to support her writing addiction. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and dog. Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
One winner will win a Kindle gifted copy (gifted directly through Amazon) of Kristin McTiernan's supernatural mystery trilogy: Black Magic Omnibus: Books 1 - 3 of the Siren Song Series (US only) Ends February 24, 2021 Enter by completing the Rafflecopter below 
Book Details:
The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola - the most famous woman you've never heard of by Melissa Muldoon Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 345 pages Genre: Historical Fiction, General Fiction Publisher: Matta Press ~ Release date: December 2020 Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 26, 2021 Content Rating: PG-13 + M. includes mature themes (suicide, adultery, non-explicit sexual relations, murder) Book Description: Set in the sixteenth-century, The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola tells the story of a woman’s passion for painting and adventure. In a world where women painters had little to no acknowledgme nt, she was singled out by Michelangelo and Vasari who recognized and praised her talent. Gaining the Milanese elite’s acclaim, she went on to become court painter to Spanish King Philip II and taught his queen to paint. One can’t live such an extraordinary life without having stories to tell, and tell them Sofonisba does to Sir Anthony Van Dyke, who comes to visit her toward the end of her life. During their meeting, she agrees to reveal her secrets but first challenges the younger painter to find the one lie hidden in her tale. In a saga filled with intrigue, jealousy, buried treasure, unrequited love , espionage, and murder, Sofonisba’s story is played out against the backdrop of Italy, Spain, and Sicily. Throughout her life, she encounters talented artists, authoritative dukes, mad princes, religious kings, spying queens, vivacious viscounts, and dashing sea captains—even a Barbary pirate. But of all the people who fell in love with Sofonisba, only one captured her heart. The painter may have many secrets but the truth of her life is crystal clear from the beginning. Always a strong, passionate woman with a dream, she was an intelligent artist who knew her self-worth and in the end, as Michelangelo had done for her, Sofonisba passed her brush to a new generation. Buy the Book:Amazon ~ B&N ~ Bookshop Autographed from Author ~ Add to Goodreads 
BOOK REVIEW By LAWonder10:
This captivating tale, based on actual facts, was very well-written. It begins as a wistful tale by n elderly woman, but immediately reverts back into history with an actual story. There is one catch, the young painter it is being told to, has to determine which part is the one lie in so many adventures. The Secret Life of Sofonisba, is a fast moving, interesting, bittersweet story about a real person in history. I have somewhat studied art, yet I never remember hearing about this historical female figure who was actually tutored by Michelangelo fur a short period of time. The characters were well-defined and the scenes very vivid. I absolutely loved the Cover image which depicted the "meat" of the tale, so well. The Title was a perfect "fit". I offer a Five Stars rating. *This book was gifted me with no pressure to offer a positive review. This is my honest review.
I am excited to be reviewing "The OTHER BOOKS in the SERIES",
next week!
What was your heroine Sofonisba Anguissola famous for and what part of the book did you enjoy writing the most? Sofonisba Anguissola is most famous for being one of the first critically acclaimed female portrait painters of the sixteenth century. It was highly unusual for a woman to be recognized professionally in male-dominated art circles. But due to her father’s encouragement, Sofonisba received a classical education and apprenticeships with local painting masters in her hometown of Cremona, near Milan. Her early training helped hone her sharp mind and level the playing field. Aided by her father’s social connections and his desire to see his daughter succeed, Sofonisba was introduced to Michelangelo in her early twenties. Delighted by one of her sketches, Michelangelo took her under his wing, offering to critique her work and offer advice. Il Maestro then introduced her to his friend Giorgio Vasari who was so impressed with her paintings that he included her in his book, highlighting the most influential artists of the 16th-century. Sofonisba, who traveled throughout Italy in her youth, became a celebrated portrait artist in Milan and later the court painter for Philip II of Spain, where she taught his queen, Catherine de’ Medici’s daughter, to paint. I enjoyed exploring all of Sofonisba’s life from a young girl to an old woman. Still, I confess I enjoyed writing the book’s middle section, which takes place in Madrid during Sofonisba’s days as court painter in Spain. Very little is known about the time the artist spent at the Spanish court, other than the fact that she spent several years there, became a lady-in-waiting and confidant to Queen Elisabeth of Valois, and taught her to paint. As I was doing my research, I was fortunate to happen upon a compilation of Queen Elisabeth’s original diary entries put together by Martha Walker. It opened my eyes to the antics of court life and Philip’s son Don Carlos's disturbing character. As it is well-documented that Sofonisba painted a portrait of the “mad” prince, I knew full well she would have been privy to Don Carlo’s troubling behavior. It also pleased me to incorporate a bit of spy-craft into the plot, as espionage and intelligence gathering were very much a part of covert court life during the sixteenth century. The premise of spying, coverups, and unconventional lifestyles fit nicely into the theme “the secret life” of Sofonisba and untangling the true story of her life. What surprised me the most about Sofonisba’s story is that I discovered, late in her life, she fell in love with a sea captain named Orazio, five years her junior, during transport from Sicily on her way home to Cremona. When I learned they married against the wishes of her brother and went on to live happily together for over forty years and that Orazio inscribed the most beautiful and romantic epitaph upon her gravestone, I instinctively knew there was a remarkable love story to be told—not only Sofonisba’s love for art but her love for the man who captured her heart. Note from Melissa. Thank you for this interview! Thanks also to those who will read my novel or have read my previous ones. I hope the adventures of my heroines, and especially those of Sofonisba, will keep you entertained. I sincerely appreciate each moment you spend turning the pages and getting to know all my characters. When you finish the novel, please consider leaving a review on Amazon and Goodreads. I check Find more on Melissa at melissamuldoon.com and studentessamata.com Connect with Melissa on all her Social Media Platforms (Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Youtube, LinkedIn, etc.) on Linktree: https://linktr.ee/MelissaMuldoon Discover Melissa’s books on Amazon in print, epub, and audiobook: https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Muldoon/e/B01LYC716 
Meet the Author:
Melissa Muldoon is the author of four novels set in Italy: Dreaming Sophia, Waking Isabella, Eternally Artemisia, and The Secret Life of Sofonisba Anguissola. All four books tell the stories of women and their journeys of self-discovery to find love, uncover hidden truths, and follow their destinies to shape a better future for themselves. Melissa is also the author of the Studentessa Matta website, where she promotes the study of Italian language and culture through her dual-language blog written in Italian and English (studentessamatta.com). Studentessa Matta means the “crazy linguist” and has grown to include a podcast, Tutti Matti per l’Italiano and the Studentessa Matta, YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram feed. Melissa also created Matta Italian Language Immersion Programs, which she co-leads with Italian schools in Italy to learn Italian in Italy. Through her website, she also offers the opportunities to live and study in Italy through Homestay programs. Melissa has a B.A. in fine arts, art history, and European history from Knox College, a liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, as well as a master’s degree in art history from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She has also studied painting and art history in Florence. She is an artist, designer, and illustrated the cover art for all four of her books. Melissa is the managing director of Matta Press Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Instagram ~ Pinterest ~ Goodreads 
Giveaway Details:
Print copy of THE SECRET LIFE OF SOFONISBA ANGUISSOLA plus 1 audiobook (USA only) (3 winners)) (ends Mar 5) To enter, fill-in the Rafflecopter below! 
*2020 Cygnus Book Award for Science Fiction Long List* 
Book Details:
A Flood of Posies by Tiffany Meuret Publication date: February 9th 2021 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Science Fiction Synopsis: It’s 2025. Sisters, Doris and Thea, exist worlds apart, despite living within a few miles of one another. Doris with her regular home and regular husband and regular job, and Thea slinking along the edges of society, solitary and invisible. When a storm of biblical proportions strikes, the wayward sisters are begrudgingly forced together as the rain waters rise, each attempting to survive both the flood and each other. One year later, Thea—now calling herself Sestra—floats throughout a ravaged, flood soaked world. Her former life drowned beneath metric tons of water, she and her only compa nion, Robert, battle starvation, heatstroke, and the monstrous creatures called Posies that appeared alongside the flood. When they run across what they assume to be an abandoned tugboat, their journey takes a new turn, and the truth about the flood and the monsters seems more intricately linked to Thea’s past than she may realize. Goodreads ~ Purchase: Amazon ~ B&N ~ iBooks ~ Kobo ~ Google Play 
AUTHOR BIO:
Tiffany Meuret is a writer of monsters and twisted fairy tales. Her publications include Shoreline of Infinity, Luna Station Quarterly, Ellipsis Zine, and others. When not reading or writing, she is usually binge watching comfortable sitcoms from her childhood or telling her kids to put on their shoes for the tenth time. She lives in sunny Arizona with her husband, two kids, two chihuahuas, gecko, and tortoise. Author links: Website ~ Instagram ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads 
GIVEAWAY DETAILS:
Blitz-wide giveaway (US only)
This grand prize giveaway - ends Feb 18th: Enter by completing the Rafflecopter below. 
Book Details:
A Rendezvous to Remember: A Memoir of Joy and Heartache at the Dawn of the Sixties by Terry Marshall, Ann Garretson Marshall Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18 +), 378 pages Genre: Memoir, Romance ~ Tour dates: Feb 9 to Mar 1, 2021 Publisher: Sandra Jonas Publishing ~ Release date: Feb 2021 Content Rating: R. This memoir contains mature themes, explicit sex scenes, one f-word, and occasional profanity. Book Description: In June 1964, Ann Garretson skips her college commencement to tour Europe with Lieutenant Jack Sigg, a tank commander on the German-Czech border, with the hope of returning as his fiancée. A month into their rendezvous, her best friend, Terry, proposes marriage—by mail—throwing all their lives into turmoil. Jack offers the military life Ann grew up with. Terry, a conscientious objector, will leave for the Peace Corps at the end of the summer—unless the draft board intervenes and sends him to jail. Her dilemma: she loves them both. Caught between the old mores and winds of change, Ann must make an agonizing choice. In alternating voices, A Rendezvous to Remember presents firsthand accounts by the two who eventually married, enriched by letters from the rival, whose path led him elsewhere. Provocative and delightfully uncensored, this coming-of-age memoir, anchored in the tumult of the sixties, is a tribute to the enduring power of love and family. Buy the Book: Amazon ~ BAM ~ B&N ~ IndieBound ~ add to Goodreads
The (Unexpected) Joys of Research: The French Lieutenant During our research for A Rendezvous to Remember, Ann found a 1963 article on the internet from the military newspaper Stars and Stripes. It featured two French lieutenants relating their experiences in guarding the Czech-German border in conjunction with American soldiers. Ann’s boyfriend, Lieutenant Jack Sigg, had mentioned in his letters to her that the saving grace of those lonely stints on duty at the border was the chance to visit with his French counterparts because they knew so much about history and politics and were great conversationalists. She wondered if the two soldiers had met Jack or her brother, who was also stationed there. Lo and behold she found a Facebook address for one of them. She wrote him. He answered. She asked him about Jack and her brother. He wrote back and said he had pictures, but he couldn’t remember names. He scanned a couple of pages from his photo album and sent them to her. Among the snapshots were several labeled “Lt. Sigg” and “Lt. Garretson.” Yes, indeed, he had met them. More than once. Two years later, as the draft of our book matured, Ann and I traveled through Europe for seven weeks redoing (researching) the trip she and Jack took in 1964. One of the highlights of our 2014 trip: a delightful afternoon in the country home in the fields near Tours, France, of French Lieutenant Jacques D’Achon and his family, including four grandchildren straight out of The Sound of Music. Jacques’ wife, Anne, served up a homecooked, seven-course meal with fresh veggies from their expansive garden, complete with wine pairings provided by one of their grown sons who owns a vineyard and a plate heaped with cheeses from a dozen different French provinces. After dining, we spent the rest of the afternoon journeying through Jacques’ photo albums—a trip well-lubricated with other varieties of French wines. Remember those thick black photo album pages with the black corner mounts? Yep, they have them in France. Fortunately, we’d come to Tours via train from Paris—no driving that day. We made it back to our little family hotel on the Left Bank with ease. The lesson of the day: Solid research is the key to a good story. But equally, solid research can lead to experiences you’ll treasure for life.—Terry Marshall, coauthor, A Rendezvous to Remember. 
Meet the Authors:
Terry Marshall and Ann Garretson Marshall taught English in the Philippines as Peace Corps volunteers and later served as Peace Corps country co-directors in the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, and Tuvalu. Back in the States, they worked side by side as community organizers and activists in Colorado. Terry went on to write fiction and nonfiction works on discrimination, poverty, rural development, and intercultural conflict. Ann has thirty years of experience as a writer, editor, and community-government go-between for issues related to nuclear and hazardous waste cleanup. Always seeking adventure, Terry and Ann have traveled to forty-three countries. They live in Las Vegas, Nevada. connect with the authors: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram 
Giveaway Details:
Win 1 of 2 print (USA only) or 1 of 3 ebook (international) of A RENDEZVOUS TO REMEMBER (5 winners) (ends Mar 8) Enter by completing the Rafflecopter below. 
Book Details:
The Winter Song (a novel) by Saurav Dutt Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 170 pages Genre: Romance ~ Tour dates: January 25 to February 12, 2021 Publisher: Amazon Publishing | Release date: December, 2020 Content Rating: PG-13. In a few places there is some moderate bad language. Book Description: From the acclaimed Author of 'The Butterfly Room' comes a powerful afterlife drama conveying how great gifts can be hidden in death and how they can bear fruit in our lives if we have the faith to let them unfold. Somewhere between the mountains and the mist in North India, a widower must reconcile himself to the loss and grief that haunts him after the recent death of his wife. Unhinged by grief, anger, and guilt, John Perera has set off on a journey, a journey to honour the love of his life and to fulfill the promise he made to her to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of their son. It is a journey of extraordinary self-discovery that will take him to the extremities of his soul and question all he believes about life, death, and faith. Buy the Book:Amazon ~ Amazon.uk
What Challenges does a Writer, getting published, face?
Staying true to your own voice as a writer is a challenge in itself, especially when you want to do the right thing by your readers and give them the keys to unlock a journey that will provide the escapism they need within your pages. But the publishing industry doesn’t always march to the same drum-they go with what’s topical, what they deem to be high money rollers, and the truth is that art and commerce are distant cousins at best. What that means is that the reader is often deprived of the stories that really matter, and it’s a problem I’ve often had to grapple with. My debut novel was about domestic abuse and violence towards women, but in the year that it was pitched to publishers they said it was too depressing, too much of an outlier and that nobody would read it. Then a horrific and disgusting gang rape occurred in India and gripped headlines around the world. Suddenly my manuscript wasn’t depressing or uninteresting enough to attract readers and publishers wanted a piece of it. The same problem may crop up again with ‘The Winter Song’ but I trust my readers because I know that its universal themes-love, loss, depression, loneliness-are elements of the human condition that have haunted the writers of the past and will continue to linger in stories hundreds of years from now. That’s what I’ve always gravitated towards-stories of aberration, human frailty, and in better understanding the complexities of the human mind. It has led to some dark and painful soul searching as I wonder if I should step on that path again, but there is always a sense of consolation in knowing a reader is experiencing what I am experiencing and that together we can share that uncertain journey for a few hours, and come out the wiser for it. Over the hundreds of books that I’ve read in my life, a few remain embedded in my memory because they made me FEEL a certain away; they had characters that stayed with me, resonated with me, and reminded me of myself or someone I knew. I wanted to see what happened to them and I think amidst the turmoil and tragedy of ‘The Winter Song’ that you’ll find out a little more about yourself—how you deal with grief, whether you understand the true essence of love, whether you can truly say you no longer life a life of regret. These are the questions that haunt us as human beings, and as readers and writers, we’re just a bit more sensitive and beguiling than those that don’t walk those uncertain journeys every time they pick up a book. I hope you’ll learn something about yourself when reading ‘The Winter Song’ maybe even see a little bit of yourself in the characters, their hopes, their tears, their tribulations. Thank you for reading and taking the journey with me. 
Meet the Author:
Saurav Dutt is an Author, Political Columnist and Human Rights Campaigner. A journalist in three continents, his acclaimed debut novel 'The Butterfly Room' explored issues of domestic violence and homophobia within South Asian communities and has been showcased alongside leading political figures and human rights campaigners. His work for human rights and charity campaign work has taken Dutt to speaking engagements at the WEF, IKWRO, IWN, Houses of Parliament and TEDx. After exploring the issue of psychological abuse and domestic violence in 'There Is A Light That Never Goes Out' Dutt was commissioned by a major Hollywood production house to pen the official novelization of the major motion picture 'Tiger' (starring Golden Globe winning and Academy Award nominated actor Mickey Rourke) and he commemorated the centenary of the infamous Amritsar Massacre in India with 'Garden of Bullets: Massacre at Jallianwala Bagh' which was featured in TIME magazine. TIGER is the biographical account of Parminder Singh Nagra, a trailblazing Sikh boxer who fought successfully for the right to compete in the ring with his beard, an essential part of his faith. A syndicated political columnist, Dutt writes for the International Business Times, The Times of Israel, Human Events, and American Herald Tribune. He has featured on CNN, GQ, Huffington Post, BBC television and radio, RT (Russia Today), Press TV, Sky News and more. He resides in the United Kingdom, Los Angeles, and India. connect with author: amazon ~ twitter ~ facebook 
Giveaway Details:
Win an ebook of THE WINTER SONG (1 winner) (open internationally) (ends Feb 19) Enter by using the Rafflecopter Below. 
Book Details:
Twinkle by Patricia Leavy Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 161 pages Genre: Women's Fiction ~ Tour dates: Jan 25 to Feb 19, 2021 Publisher: Brill/Sense ~ Release date: December 1, 2020 Content Rating: Rated R. A few sex scenes (not explicit) and discussion of sexual assault in the protagonist's childhood Book Description: Twinkle follows Tess Lee and Jack Miller after two years of marriage. Tess is a wildly successful and world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore our innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack is a federal agent. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. As they both heal from past trauma, their epic love, fostered by their ability to truly see one another, has brought them true happiness. However, when an anonymous threat is made against Tess’s life, everything changes. Will they learn to lean on each other, or will they fall apart into the darkness? Their friends are along for the ride: Omar, Tess’s sarcastic best friend, who calls her Butterfly; the female president of the United States, who Tess visits regularly to discuss politics and bake cookies; Joe, Jack’s friend from the Bureau, who understands the sacrifices he’s made; and Bobby, Jack’s younger friend, who never fails to lend a calming presence. Twinkle is a novel about the nature of doubt, the struggle to feel worthy of love, the relationship of the small part to the greater whole, and the ways in which love – from lovers, friends, or the art we experience – can help us move from trauma to healing and redemption. Written as unfolding action, Twinkle is a poignant novel that moves fluidly between melancholy, humor, and joy. Buy the Book:Amazon 
Book Details:
Shooting Stars by Patricia Leavy Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 137 pages Genre: Women's Fiction ~ Tour dates: Jan 25 to Feb 19, 2021 Publisher: Brill/Sense - Rele~ase date: June 15, 2020 Content Rating: Rated R. A few sex scenes (not explicit) and discussion of sexual assault in the protagonist's childhood Book Description: Tess Lee is a novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself. The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story that asks the questions: What happens when people truly see each other? Can unconditional love change the way we see ourselves? Their friends are along for the ride: Omar, Tess’s sarcastic best friend who mysteriously calls her Butterfly; Joe, Jack’s friend from the Bureau who understands the sacrifices he’s made; and Bobby, Jack’s younger friend who never fails to lighten the mood. Shooting Stars is a novel about walking through our past traumas, moving from darkness to light, and the ways in which love – from lovers, friends, or the art we experience – heals us. Written as unfolding action, Shooting Stars is a poignant novel that moves fluidly between melancholy, humor, and joy. Buy the Book: Amazon ~ B&N Add toGoodreads
What I’ve Learned from my Protagonist, Tess Lee. Writing fiction is a process of discovery. You learn so much—about your characters, the world, and yourself. My novels center on female protagonists, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. In some ways they have become my guides. As I’ve watched their struggles and triumphs, felt their pain and joy, I’ve learned about others and myself. It would be fair to say that over the years my characters have been among my greatest teachers. Out of all my characters, I’ve learned the most from Tess Lee, her beloved Jack Miller, and their incredible friends. Tess is my masterpiece, not because of what anyone else may or may not think of her, but because of the once-in-a-lifetime joy I’ve had writing her story over a series of novels, and all she’s given me. Tess is a wildly successful, world-famous novelist and philanthropist. Despite her extraordinary success, she struggles to overcome the pain of childhood abuse and the loss of her family. Tess sees and cares about everyone, perhaps except herself. While she’s had a beautiful friendship with Omar, for over twenty years, since they met orientation day of college, she’s been unable to find lasting romantic love and truly give herself to someone until she meets Jack. Jack is a federal agent who has worked undercover in counter-terrorism and suffered the death of his four-year old daughter, Jack has also experienced enormous darkness in his life, and until Tess, he’s been unable to love. These are two people that have suffered great loss, grief, and loneliness. They’ve lived in the dark. Yet, they never hurt each other. Rather, Tess and Jack are able to love each other in extraordinary ways, modeling what love looks like in action. They show us how to “do” love—how to treat those near to us with gentle grace. They show us how to move through trauma, without widening the circle of pain. Tess believes that there is only darkness and light and love is the bridge between them, and she enacts this love in innumerable ways. Most notably, she uses her writing to address human suffering, offer a sense of hope, and ultimately transform darkness into light. I’ve especially loved writing excerpts from Tess’s novels, which really get at the heart of the character and what she is putting out into the world. Twinkle, the second novel which was just released, explores love and doubt (and each book can be read as a standalone). It includes the following excerpt from one of Tess’s books: “She looked up at the night sky, bursting with stars. One twinkling star caught her eye. It drew her gaze as if it were the light at the end of the proverbial dark tunnel. The twinkle pulsed like her heartbeat. Mesmerized, she blocked out all the others and watched her lone star twinkle. Was it a lifeline, an anchor, or a distraction? She wondered: If she could lasso that one star and pull it to her, would the entire sky crumple like a piece of paper? Would it give her a paper cut that would then be all she felt? Overwhelmed, she squeezed her eyelids shut and opened them again. This time, she saw all the stars lighting up the sky. She inhaled deeply, oxygen filling her lungs. Breathe, she told herself, just breathe.” From Tess I’ve learned so much: compassion and empathy; the importance of being someone who gives without expecting anything in return; and, how to deal with toxic males that lurk in the shadows. I’ve also learned what love in action looks like and feels like—how we should treat those we hold dear, what grace looks like. Perhaps the most important thing I’ve learned is simply this: Breathe. Just breathe. 
Meet the Author:
Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a bestselling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chair of Sociology and Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. She has published over thirty books, earning commercial and critical success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages. She is also series creator and editor for ten book series with Oxford University Press, Guilford Press, and Brill/Sense, including the ground-breaking Social Fictions series. Patricia has received dozens of accolades for her books. Recently, her novel Film won the 2020 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction, her 3-novel set Candy Floss Collection won the 2020 American Fiction Award for Anthologies, and her novel Spark won the 2019 American Fiction Award for Inspirational Fiction and the 2019 Living Now Book Award for Adventure Fiction. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2016 Mogul, a global women’s empowerment network, named her an “Influencer.” In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” She has residences in Maine and Massachusetts where she lives with her husband, daughter (when she’s not away at college), and her dog. Patricia loves writing, reading, watching films, and traveling. connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram
Giveaway Details:
Win signed copies of TWINKLE and SHOOTING STARS (1 winner) (USA only) (ends Feb 26) To Enter, Complete the Rafflecopter Below. 
Book Details:
STOP STRESS FAST : 12 Quick, Proven Stress Relief Techniques to Help You Feel Good Everyday by Gregory Landsman Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18 yrs +), 110 pages Genre: Stress Management Self Help; Happiness Self Help; Self Help ~ Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 19, 2021 Publisher: Hill of Content Publishing, Release date: June 2020 Content Rating: G. BOOK BLURB: STRESS MANAGEMENT TO SUPPORT MINDFULNESS Best selling author and wellness educator Gregory Landsman shares his quick, simple and proven method to STOP STRESS FAST and re-boot your energy. The bite sized chapters will reveal: • The ground breaking GL DE-STRESS & AGE LESS™ Breathing Technique that everyone can use to Stop Stress Fast (sometimes in less than 2 minutes). • The secrets to lowering stress levels everyday with foods that support you to look younger and healthier at the same time. • The 5-Day GL DE-STRESS & AGE LESS™ diet. • How to counteract the wrinkle causing hormone and look younger and more vital. “Stop Stress Fast is a highly digestible, real world guide that brings tangible benefits to the reader very quickly. It helps us understand the science behind the approach, and it reads so easily that anyone could pick it up and within a few minutes be well on the way to implementing a number of practical and effective stress management tools.” - Psychiatrist Dr Doug Blomeley Buy the Book: Amazon ~ Walmart ~ B&N ~ Book Depository ~ BAM ~ IndieBound ~ Add to Goodreads
CAN STRESS CAN BE MANAGED?
The good news is stress can be managed. The truth is that stress is a ‘toothy beast’, that untamed will eat you up on a dayto-day basis. Yet making small changes to reduce your stress levels can make a big difference over the long term. It can support you to overcome anxiety, overwhelm, and take years off the look of your face and your skin. But we need to be proactive. It is important to make a commitment each day to take small steps that will not only reduce your stress levels, but will support you to improve your state of mind, your mood and feelings of well being. The first step is understanding and identifying our stress triggers, whether dealing with work-place stress in the form of a challenging co-worker, impossible deadlines, meeting targets, a difficult manager or a toxic work place culture. Or perhaps the source of stress is closer to home in the form of a relationship with a family member, loved one or friend. Regardless of where the stress originates, once you know your own ‘stress danger zones’, you can prepare your body to deal with the stress before, during and after the situation. The sooner you can identify what sets your stress levels soaring, the quicker you can start to deal with it. The impact of stress should never be down played. So many of the things that raise our adrenaline, contributing to a state of chronic stress, seem to be in play in our lives on a regular basis. Breathing and stress are inseparable. When we understand how to use our breath we can manage stress, improve our quality of life, feel less fear, feel more joy and find an internal sense of peace in a very short time. Gregory Landsman To receive a free copy of Gregory’s e-book, STOP SKIN AGING PREMATURELY, which includes a list of the most powerful cortisol lowering foods that help reduce stress and wrinkles go to: https://gregorylandsman.com/ 
Check Out Gregory Landsman's The 10 Years Younger Series, also on tour!
The complete solution to PREMATURE AGING. The simple, effective, science-based methods in these three books give everyone the opportunity to achieve younger, healthier looking skin at any age…for next to nothing!
“With knowledge and know how we can counteract and prevent premature aging, as small changes make a big difference to the way we age over time.” Gregory Landsman 
Meet the Author:
Gregory Landsman is one of the most noted global beauty and wellness experts in the world, a best selling author of nine books, and a TV host who specializes in using food to take years off the face naturally. Having worked in the beauty industry for 30+ years Gregory believes that how we age is 100% controllable. His natural methods are used globally by models, shown in universities and recommended by doctors. The key to his success can be found in his authentic approach to delivering science-based and accessible solutions to reduce stress (de-stress) and look younger (age less) at any age. His latest book, Stop Stress Fast, reveals how to use the power of stress reducing foods and your own breath to lower stress quickly and naturally, while removing the aging impacts of stress from the face. Often referred to as ‘The Beauty Advisor’, Gregory’s books and global TV program Face Lifting Food show viewers how to create quick skin-boosting meals and powerful skin treatments using everyday foods to achieve younger, healthier looking skin at any age. Gregory is a strong voice for inclusion. His book, Faith Lifting Prayers is a celebration of humanity and captures his journey of extremes; from Apartheid South Africa to working at the height of the fashion industry, and his fundamental discovery that regardless of what we do, how we look cannot be separated from how we feel. This is why all of his books, even those about looking younger, all feature his own quotes and philosophy about the importance of feeling good in our skin. His book A Lifetime of BEAUTY also shares messages for early teens and middle years about embracing our differences and our individuality; finding happiness; and standing strong in a world that often judges us for the way we look. This book is endorsed for inclusion in the education system. connect with the author: website ~ podcast ~ goodreads 
Giveaway Details:
Win all 8 Gregory Landsman books valued at $190.00 including his latest book Stop Stress Fast (ends Feb 28) Enter by Filling in the Rafflecopter below.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
January 2022
Categories |
RSS Feed
