Tag: Christmas

Posted in mystery, Novella, Reviews

Review of The Christmas Guest by Peter Swanson

Posted on by Debbie

***3 Stars

This wasn’t your typical Christmas romance or holiday story. It was more of a dark ghost story that took place at Christmas time. The majority of this novella is told through diary entries read by an unreliable narrator. A young woman is invited by a new friend, Emma, to spend Christmas at her family’s manor in the English countryside. During her visit, she learns of a murder that took place in the area and which her friend’s brother, a man she’s become attracted to, was suspected of committing. The diary mentions the girl seeing a man wearing a mask in the woods by the house. Then Emma also sees this man. The diary ends when Emma asks her friend to go out to meet her brother and a friend at a local pub.

After the diary entries are finished, readers learn of the main twist in the story. I felt the ending could be interpreted in different ways. It was an interesting story but, unfortunately, not one I think would appeal to many readers for the holidays.

Posted in Blog Tour, holidays

Blog Tour and Giveaway for The Great Tree: A Christmas Fable by Able Barrett

Posted on by Debbie

Andrew and his older brother Nicholas were separated as children.

Nicholas had been snatched away by the Prince of Darkness, and Andrew had all but given up hope, but now their mother is ill, and he’s determined to reunite them before she passes – despite her objections.

With his dog Jenny by his side, Andrew sets out on an epic and perilous crusade well beyond his wildest imagination, facing evil protectors, giant wolves, dark magic, Sorcerers, Goblins, and even the Prince of Darkness himself.

Then there’s The Great Tree.

It’s enormous, with a presence that’s nearly impossible to describe…

And it’s clearly the heart of the kingdom of the wicked Sorcerer.

This is the setting for the adventure story that changed Christmas forever!

Young people and adults of all ages will enjoy this thrilling fable in the same way we’ve enjoyed other great Christmas stories of the past.

Jenny the dog is based on a very real Jenny, the author’s vision of a true warrior – who has her own inspiring story that he’s happy to share with anyone who asks.

EXCERPT

The room at the inn had a window that faced the Great Tree with the castle by its side. As Andrew gazed through the window at the castle, his mind wandered back to his mother, who was at home sick with the deadly fever. Although she wanted to see her lost son one more time before she passed, she insisted that Andrew not look for him, for it was much too dangerous. She made Andrew promise that he would not venture off and search for his brother. Andrew agreed not to.

Andrew was now looking for his brother, Nicholas, in defiance of his mother’s wishes. He had made up his mind that he could not live with himself if he did not try. He understood his mother’s concern, but he felt he had to do what he thought was right. He lied to his mother out of love for her and because he did not want her worrying about him on his quest. Right or wrong, it was the way he felt about it. Nicholas had been abducted by an evil Sorcerer, an evil wizard of sorts, when they were both very young. Nicholas was his older brother. Andrew had been searching for Nicholas for weeks; he was now at a small mountain village where he had hoped to find Nicholas and bring him back to his mother before she died.

With Jenny at his side, Andrew, weary from his lengthy travels, fell soundly asleep while gazing at the castle in the distance.

All proceeds from the sale of The Great Tree go to The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary to rescue unadoptable dogs, cats, and horses, an approved 501 (c)(3) Animal Public Welfare Charity that greatly appreciates the ongoing support of readers like you!Author Bio:

Able Barrett is a former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney and U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Strike Force Prosecutor who shamelessly admits he loves animals more than most people, and he’s the manager of The Last Road Dog Animal Sanctuary.

Author Links:

Website:  www.thelastroaddog.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TLRDSANCTUARY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blkdogr4/

Purchase and Review Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BGK2ZNJF

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60553311-the-great-tree

CONTEST

For a chance to win these great giveaways, comment on this blog how an animal has been important in your life. The deadline for the contest is Thursday, December 1.

  • A signed copy of the book
  • Donation of $50 to The Last Road dog Animal Sanctuary in the winner’s name or a friend or family they wish give it in as a gift
  • The short video “The Journey” download
  • TLRD Water Bottle
  • Pet backpack carrier

Posted in Freebies and Special Offers

Holiday Showcase with December Sales and Author News

Posted on by Debbie

HOLIDAY SHOWCASE

If eBooks aren’t your thing or you’re looking for print copies to give as gifts this season, I have a dozen suggestions. Some of these books are available in large print and hardcover, as well as paperback. I’ve included a short description of each with purchase links to Amazon and Bookshop.org that supports Indie Bookstores. Bookshop.org also has free shipping through Monday, November 29.

Cobble Cove Cozy Mystery Series: A Stone’s Throw, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Written in Stone, Love on the Rocks,, and No Gravestone Unturned.

Follow the adventures of Alicia, the librarian and Sneaky the library cat in the small, fictional upstate New York town of Cobble Cove, New York.

Amazon Purchase Link: mybook.to/CCseries

Individual titles are also available on Bookshop.org

My romance novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, makes a thoughtful gift for those who enjoy love stories featuring jewel thieves, a scavenger hunt, and a cat.

Amazon Purchase Link:  mybook.to/Jackpaper

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3I2ggec

Cloudy Rainbow is a paranormal romance featuring a virtual world, a clairvoyant, and reincarnation.

Amazon Purchase Link: mybook.to/CRpaper

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3D2siQO

Reason to Die is my mystery thriller with cozy elements. It features a female detective, a serial killer of handicapped people in a small town, and a parrot.

Amazon Purchase Link: mybook.to/RTDpap

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3nVbPcZ

My psychological mystery, Sea Scope, has won several awards, including a silver medal from Readers’ Favorites. It involves a murder near a lighthouse, family secrets, and features alternating timelines.

Amazon Purchas Link: http://mybook.to/seascopetp

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3D23f0v

Memory Makers involves the clinical trial of a new memory drug and the woman who volunteers for it hoping to recall the face of the man who killed her sister.

Amazon Purchase Link: mybook.to/MMpbk

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3E4NuXK

Time’s Relative is a time-travel tale that takes place in 1998. The main character is a librarian who accepts a job that turns out to allow her to travel to the past and future where she encounters Y2K, 9/11, and the COVID pandemic.

Amazon Purchase Link: http://mybook.to/timesrelative

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3FLKUXg

Meows and Purrs is a collection of cat poems that were inspired by the felines I’ve known and loved all my life. Some poems are funny; some are sad, but they all capture the beauty and intelligence of these creatures. A great gift for cat and poetry lovers.

Amazon Purchase Link: mybook.to/catpoemspaper

Bookshop.org Purchase Link: https://bit.ly/3EgHwn3

SALES

I have three books on sale this December. My award-winning eBook, Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery and Celebrating Christmas with My Characters, the first Cobble Cove story are both free on Amazon from December 3 through December 6.

Sneaky’s Christmas Mystery purchase link: mybook.to/sneakyxmas

Celebrating Christmas with My Characters purchase link: mybook.to/XmasCharacters

Also on sale for 99 cents rom December 17-21 is the eBook of my time-travel mystery, Time’s Relative. Please note that the sale for this book may not be posted until noon EST on the first day of the sale.

Purchase Link: http://mybook.to/timesrelative

AUTHOR NEWS

I’m proud to announce that my publisher, Next Chapter, will be reprinting my self-published cat book, Pet Posts: The Cat Chats. This book will soon be available in paperback, hardcover, large print, eBook, and on audio.

Also, in case you missed it, I appeared on Stephanie Larkin’s TV show, Between the Covers, with two other authors. I talk about my latest releases and read two poems from my collection of cat poetry.

In January, I’ll be sharing my writing and publishing plans for 2022. There will be a survey regarding this in my December newsletter, which will be emailed on December 1. Those who complete the survey will be eligible for a $10 gift card. If you’re not already a subscriber, you can sign up at https://debbiedelouise.com. Even if you don’t win the survey contest, I select a winner each month for a surprise gift from my active subscribers.

Posted in holidays, New Year's, Solstice Publishing

The Best Gifts are the Ones Given from the Heart

Posted on by Debbie

Holidays are a time to be thankful for all the gifts, both physical and emotional, that our family and friends bestow on us. I’m very lucky to have made so many friends of fellow authors and readers this year. Many of them are online, but some are local. They have all enriched my knowledge, experience, and life in their special way.

This year was not the best for me. I lost my beloved cat, Oliver, on whom my character Sneaky, the library cat in my Cobble Cove cozy mystery series is based. There was also some stress regarding a family issue that continues but is hopefully moving in the right direction; and, despite several weeks of physical therapy and visits to the orthopedic, my left arm which has bothered me since April still has restricted movement and pain when turned in certain directions.

However,  many positive things also happened in 2017. Besides meeting so many new author and reader friends. I published two books in my series as well as a romantic comedy novella and several short stories. I also wrote three books that I hope to publish in 2018, one of which has already been signed for by Solstice Publishing. I still work full-time at the library where I am fulfilled by my work ordering new books for our fiction and mystery collection and assisting patrons in finding their next great read.

I am proud of my daughter Holly who, at 13, is smart and beautiful. My husband, Anthony, supports my writing by helping at home and has recently begun preparing delicious meals as he continues to work full-time at a community college. I’m also happy that my cat Stripey has become closer to me now that Oliver is gone. While Stripey can never replace Oliver, he has his own special way and is a comfort for me as I still grieve for his brother.

Another uplifting event that happened this year is that I began visiting a new church and attending services regularly. The welcome I received by the pastor and congregation have made me rekindle my faith in God and the community.

So I count the blessings I had this year and look forward to the ones I’ll be “gifted” with next year. More importantly, I look for ways I can “gift” others with my writing, my presence, my love.

Wishing you all the happiest and healthiest of holidays and the most wonderful gifts in 2018.

Posted in Cozy Mysteries, Freebies and Special Offers

Tis the Season for Gifts and Parties – Check out my Holiday Specials for This Week

Posted on by Debbie

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, the next few weeks online and in stores will be devoted to sales, special offers, and holiday events including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and #givingTuesday. Authors such as myself seek to make their books appealing as gifts and to attract readers by sponsoring giveaways and other special holiday deals. This week I am hosting an Amazon giveaway, a 99 cent deal on each book of my Cobble Cove mystery series, and a Facebook holiday party with 12 other authors at which books and other gifts will be won by guests. I am also taking over at another Facebook party where I’ll be offering some additional prizes. Read on for all my specials.

My latest Cobble Cove mystery, Written in Stone, is part of an Amazon giveaway for a free paperback edition. US residents only. To participate in the giveaway, follow the instructions in this link. https://giveaway.amazon.com/p/3c142ec83149825a

Alicia McKinney is confused . . . .

Was the strange email her husband received from the fictional detective in their mystery series a threat? Did the killer mistake the woman shot in the library for Alicia or the victim’s twin sister?

Cat vs. Dog . . .

After Sneaky goes missing from the library, will he turn up before a young girl becomes ill with worry over his disappearance? And will he return in time to outsmart Fido by being first to find the perpetrator’s smoking gun?

Alicia is worried . . .

While waiting for the killer’s next move, Alicia has other concerns. An old flame of John’s is in town and her friend, Gilly, has adopted the role of Miss Marple to aid her sheriff boyfriend in his investigation.

When all clues point to one of her co-workers, Alicia joins Gilly in searching for the answers to the mystery.

Will they survive . . . .

or is their ending written in stone?

I am offering all 3 ebooks of my Cobble Cove mystery series for 99 cents each (Less than $3 for all 3). Offer good only on December 1, 2, and 3.

myBook.to/Stonesthrow2 myBook.to/CobbleCove2 myBook.to/CC3ebook

On Friday, December 1, my character cat, Sneaky and I along with 12 other authors are hosting a Cozy Holiday Paw-ty on Facebook from 2 to 9 pm EST. For information and to RSVP, visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/937992293019499/.

On Saturday, December 2, I will be taking over at the 12 Slays of Christmas Boxed Set Extravaganza from 7 to 8 pm EST.  Check out this event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/122185258461170/

I hope you all enjoy the holiday season and take advantage of my special offers. Thank you for your interest in my books. I am busy working on several new titles for the New Year.