Guest: Deniz Bevan DRUID'S MOON #NewRelease

 I'm happy to participate in celebrating Deniz Bevan's new release, Druid's Moon. Deniz is a fellow member of the Insecure Writers Support Group. Take it away, Deniz

Druid’s Moon
By Deniz Bevan

Beauty to his Beast…

Lyne Vanlith, an archaeologist who seeks a logical explanation to any mystery, discovers an ancient Druidic curse on her first dig. When the signs foretold by the curse descend on her, Lyne can’t find a reasonable interpretation.

And that’s even before a Beast rescues her from a monstrous sea-creature. She drops a grateful kiss on the snout of the Beast, who transforms into a man, Frederick Cunnick, Baron of Lansladron. Lyne is meant to be Beauty to his Beast—and break the curse forever.

Now both spellkeeper and monster are targeting Lyne. She must take up her legendary role, to defeat the curse and save Frederick—and herself. Instead of logic, for the first time, Lyne must trust her heart.

Release date – September 20, 2022
$14.95, 6x9 trade paperback, 226 pages
Fantasy – Romance (FIC009090) / Paranormal (FIC009050) / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology (FIC010000)
Print ISBN 9781939844866 / EBook ISBN 9781939844873
$4.99 EBook available in all formats

About the Author

A firm believer in burning the candle at both ends, Deniz Bevan is generally writing a new novel while editing another and blogging about her reading and research adventures. Other days, she tries to stay off the web altogether, as she delves into the history, mystery, and romance of her characters’ lives. http://thegirdleofmelian.blogspot.com/

Links:
Apple - https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1588920227
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HRDWJZ8
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/2940165040276
Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=9781939844873
Scribd - https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844873&language=0
Amazon UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09HRDWJZ8
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59360035-druid-s-moon

Guest: Nick Wilford RECKONING #NewRelease #YA

Today, I'm happy to help Nick Wilford celebrate the release of his newest book, Reckoning. I read the first two books in this series, so I've been anxiously waiting for this story. Here's Nick to tell you about Reckoning.

Today I’m going to talk a bit about genre-bending, genre-mashing, or whatever else you want to call it. When done well, it brings two genres together in a way that creates something new. Reckoning revolves in large part around the trial of the Reformers’ government, who are accused of conspiring to keep the country of Loretania in a state of disease and deprivation, so that their own nation, Harmonia, could remain spotless. It was really fun to blend the atmosphere and intrigue of a courtroom drama with the dystopian, sci-fi setting.

Of course I used the traditional elements of a trial – the jury, the prosecution, the defence – but after that I was free to invent a lot of things. After all, this is set in a future society where not only was there an existing order with its own very stringent rules, but that order has now been torn down by my young protagonists who are trying to impose a fairer way of doing things. They can make up their own procedures, but at the same time they want to make sure they do things properly – there hasn’t actually been a trial in this world for centuries because under the Reformers, there was no crime (being a so-called “perfect” society). So Ez, my MC Welles’s partner and co-leader of the new government, being a bookworm, spends a lot of time researching old-Earth legal texts. That’s interesting because there’s a real blend of old and new. For example, there’s a jury but no judge, because no one is qualified for such a role.

Of course, things don’t quite go as smoothly as planned for Welles and Ez – the Reformers aren’t quite done yet with their underhand tricks. That’s what creates the tension in the story, but you’ll need to read the book to find out more about that!

 

 

Title: Reckoning

Author: Nick Wilford

Genre: YA dystopian
Series: Black & White
Series #: 3 of 3

Release date: 20th September 2022

Publisher: Superstar Peanut Publishing

 

Blurb:

 The time has come for those who perpetrated wrongdoing and suffering on the land of Loretania to face their judgement. Lord Histender and the other members of the deposed Reformers’ Government are in jail awaiting trial for keeping that country in a state of disease-ridden deprivation, alongside other heinous crimes.

Wellesbury Noon and Ezmerelda Dontible, the kind and benevolent new rulers of Harmonia, are looking forward to seeing justice finally being done. But nothing is that simple. Lunkin, the psychotic former Chief Scientist, has one more trick up his sleeve and is wreaking havoc even from behind bars. Soon, Loretanians who have come to make a new life in Harmonia are falling victim to hate crimes and brutal attacks. And things take a turn for the desperate when Wellesbury himself becomes compromised.

Can Welles and Ez turn the tide of public opinion and secure justice for the people of Loretania before it’s too late?

 

Purchase Links:

 Amazon US / Amazon UK / Smashwords / Barnes & Noble / Kobo 

 Add it on Goodreads

 

Author bio:

Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those early morning times when the house is quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and formatting thrown in. When not working he can usually be found spending time with his family or wrangling his six adorable dogs. His first traditionally published novel, a YA sci-fi adventure entitled The Becalmer, will release from Creative James Media in August 2023. His other books include the Black & White trilogy, a YA dystopian series, and A Change of Mind and Other Stories, a collection featuring a novella and five short stories, four of which were previously published in Writer’s Muse magazine. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew.

Linktree

 

 

 

#IWSG: & Book Tour - First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts

Happy Insecure Writer's Support Group Day. IWSG is the brainchild of Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh.

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! Thanks, Alex, for starting this group and keeping it going. We are rockin' the neurotic writing world!

The awesome co-hosts for the September 7 posting of the IWSG are Kim Lajevardi, Cathrina Constantine, Natalie Aguirre, Olga Godim, Michelle Wallace, and Louise - Fundy Blue

Instead of the optional question this month, I'm happy to present First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts. This anthology is the result of the Insecure Writers Support Group's contest. You're getting the best of the best. I love the title! Even better, the authors are here to tell you why they wrote their book in this terrific anthology. 

I wrote my story, Marmalade Sunset, after a glorious 2-hour visit to the town of Oia on the drop-dead gorgeous jewel of a Greek Island, Santorini. Oia is set high in the hills and has a huge caldera and caves hidden in the cliffs. During the German occupation, many Greeks hid in the caves and often starved. So, much of my story relates my version of historical events juxtaposed with my real-life experience. – Denise Covey

 

People often ask why I write. The simplest answer is because "I have to". More specifically, I'm an avid reader of all genres. I love reading about relationships, interactions, and adventures. By extension I must write about them as well. Stories help us figure out who we are and offers a chance to connect in a unique way. In her writing-life memoir Bird by Bird, Anne Lamont says: "[Our writing matters] because of the spirit, I say. Because of the heart. Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life: they feed the soul." That's why I write. – Sylvia Ney

 

This short story was inspired by my first ride share experience. While it wasn't romantic, it was memorable (with a whole secret father and inheritance discussion going on). Beyond the original inspiration, I wrote this story as a way to express the desire to present a perfect life, even with those closest to you, and to therefore miss out on true relationship. If we're not vulnerable with those we love, we're missing out on the most important part. – Sammi Spizziri

 
In "The Art of Making Doughnuts," the main character is working on a
puzzle depicting Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party. Originally, I
threw that in as a sentimental nod to my all-time favorite painting,
but, as so often happens in writing, I was delighted to find that the
puzzle/painting grew to became a key piece of the story as the plot
developed. I hope readers enjoy reading about it as much as I enjoyed
writing it! – Linda Budzinski

 

My kids were in an 80’s rock phase when I wrote “Clyde and Coalesce.” Eye of the Tiger was their favorite, so we listened to it on repeat. My story is as much inspired by music as it is inspired by Pride and Prejudice. – Kim Elliott

 

I typically write full-length novels, and I don’t write insta-love romance. To squeeze an entire, believable romance into a short story, I had to choose a mail-order bride plot with MCs already wed by proxy. It was a challenge, to say the least. – Melissa Maygrove

 

I like this question… What surprised me the most: writing this story in a genre different from my previous works. Pushing ourselves as writers can lead to many surprising and wonderful outcomes. For me, this story is my first publication, and has given me insight to challenge myself further by finding other venues to publish my work. – Michael Di Gesu

 

I based my story on a writing prompt (handsome neighbor comes to girl’s rescue when her ex shows up at her house), and it surprised me when Harrison pulled out his acting/improv skills to disarm the ex. That moment took me all the way to “the end” and even gave me my title. I love when my characters surprise me. – Katie Klein

*  *  *

First Love: The Art of Making Doughnuts
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology

The sweetness of first love…

Could a fiercely independent cop’s heart be stolen by the guy who makes her favorite doughnuts? Will a maid who used deceit to snare a mail-order husband get a dose of her own medicine? Can her handsome neighbor rescue a modern-day “princess” from a tenacious ex-boyfriend? Can two strangers in a rideshare be honest enough to fall in love for real? Can you remember your first love? How about your second? Third? Fourth?

Featuring the talents of Linda Budzinski, Melissa Maygrove, Michael Di Gesu, Sylvia Ney, Katie Klein, Kim Elliott, Templeton Moss, S.E. White, Denise Covey, and Sammi Spizziri. Hand-picked by a panel of agents and authors, these ten tales will touch your heart and rekindle lost feelings. Prepare to return to that first love…

Release date: September 6, 2022
Print ISBN – 9781939844880, $14.95
eBook ISBN – 9781939844897, $4.99
Romance - Clean & Wholesome (FIC027270) / Contemporary (FIC027020) / Historical (FIC027050)
186 pages, Freedom Fox Press, an imprint of Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.

Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh and a Writer’s Digest Top Sites for Writers, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Links:
Amazon https://www.amazon.com/First-Love-Art-Making-Doughnuts-ebook/dp/B09QH3Z28P/
Barnes & Noble https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-love-insecure-writers-support-group/1140884369?ean=2940165751301
iTunes https://books.apple.com/us/book/x/id1605240999
Kobo https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/first-love-the-art-of-making-doughnuts
Scribed - https://www.scribd.com/search?query=9781939844897&language=0
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60198262-first-love

Congratulations to all the authors. I'm excited to read this anthology. I hope you are, too.

Click here to find others on the Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop. Or go to IWSG on Facebook to see who’s blogging today.