As much as we may love our families and friends, they
possess the ability to drive us crazy!
The Moldy Orange Bandage:
Playbooks and Short Stories
by Lirio Blanco Show
Genre: Literary Fiction
As much as we may love our families
and friends, they
possess the ability to drive us crazy!
In this pair of theatrical playbooks (with a few short
stories as an added bonus), two family-friendly plays for tweens and up
showcase two different dramas.
In The Moldy Oranges, married life between an
American husband and his Latin immigrant wife never proves dull . . .
especially when the mother-in-law lives under the same roof. And then, when
their trusted neighbor requests a mysterious brown bag be hidden in their
closet, it provides the trigger for family secrets, suspicion, and intrigue.
What is in the brown bag? A diary? Stolen jewelry? A secret detonator for a
kitchen stove, perhaps?
Based on the events of Atlanta's 2014 ice storm, a group of
middle school girls are trapped in their after-school classroom, seemingly
abandoned by the last faculty member, who flees to protect her own family
during the crisis. Three girls and the class bully must learn to cooperate for
survival until help arrives in The Box of Bandages.
From architect/author Lirio Blanco Show, these
stories
provide a peek into family life with an in-law, stranded girls struggling to
cope with a bully, as well as a handful of short animal stories . . . some
based on true events, some completely fiction. Who dares to say which is which?
Albalis Vargas-Smith, a.k.a. Lirio Blanco Show, is an architect,
painter,
muralist, and writer from Panama. She received her undergraduate and graduate
degrees in architecture from Universidad Autonoma de Centroamerica in San Jose,
Costa Rica. In addition, she received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from
Auburn University, Montgomery. She has more than twenty years of experience in
architecture, having worked both in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Atlanta area.
She has done theatrical scene and set design as volunteer work for community
theatre groups. Back in July 2016, Albalis went solo as an entrepreneur,
architect, and painter, founding the Vargas-Smith Studio. The reason? To spend
more time with her daughter. In 2020, she decided to finish a series of backburner
short stories and theatrical plays. One of the theatrical plays is presented in
this book. Currently, Albalis lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her daughter,
husband, her dog, Toni, and a precious bird, Ruperta.
In a world where
fate decides, love is never simple.
Forewarned
Fated Love Book 1
By Chantal
Fernando
Genre: Romantasy, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
The fae spend their entire lives searching for their true
mate.
But me? I know who mine is.
And I don't want him.
My name is Astrid. I'm a fae, a seer and a healer.
Not much scares me. But him?
That's the darkness I'm never going to let catch me.
“Chantal takes Romantasy, and hand delivers you a masterpiece set in an
evocative world of fated mates and enemies to lovers. I was entrapped from the
very first page, and didn’t want to leave after closing the last. Enthralling,
addicting, and so damn hot.” - Amo Jones (USA Today & Wall Street Journal
Bestselling Author)
"Fast-paced and all-consuming, Chantal Fernando doesn't just try her hand
at Romantasy... she reigns supreme! Somebody just hand her a crown,
already." - Belle Aurora
Forewarned is book one in the new gripping, sexy, romantic fantasy series by
Chantal Fernando.
What do you do when the person you are bonded to eternally
has betrayed you?
Simple.
You make his life hell.
As the Shadow Prince’s secrets finally unravel, I’m left scrambling to pick up
the pieces.
Hiding in another kingdom might fix all my problems, right?
My mate will be left in the darkness this time.
I hope those shadows choke him.
Let the games begin.
FORETOLD is book 2 in the FATED LOVE Series
“Chantal takes Romantasy, and hand delivers you a masterpiece set in an
evocative world of fated mates and enemies to lovers. I was entrapped from the
very first page, and didn’t want to leave after closing the last. Enthralling,
addicting, and so damn hot.” - Amo Jones (USA Today & Wall Street Journal
Bestselling Author)
"Fast-paced and all-consuming, Chantal Fernando doesn't just try her hand
at Romantasy... she reigns supreme! Somebody just hand her a crown,
already." - Belle Aurora
They say that messing with fate is a dangerous game.
But I chose to play it.
When I find out that my fated mate is the warrior that hates me and my kind, I
make a decision; I hide the bond.
Big mistake.
Now I have to watch as he gives himself to everyone.
Everyone except me.
And when the truth comes out, will our worlds ever be the same again?
Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created
the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the
night.
Dark Maiden
by Ian
Conner
Genre: Historical Dark Fantasy
Haunting and horrifying, the tale
keeps readers engaged all
the way to the shocking end. Intertwined with Native American lore Dark Maiden
weaves a seducing chilling tale. Dark Maiden grabs you at the first page the
story sets us up in 16th century Maine, Onata Village. Conner gave readers a
tale of a beautiful bewitching Maiden seen by the lake by four sisters under
the moonlight. Dark Maiden takes you from past to present to past to tell this
horrifying curse tale. Readers need to pay attention during the time
transitions, but readers will be engrossed with fantastic writing you cannot
put down.
Dark Maiden has taken a Native American
legend and created the most intense
story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.
Although a somber tone permeates the book, there is a recurring theme of
loyalty and resilience. Each character exhibits self-determination, fortitude,
and resourcefulness until the conclusion. You grow to love each person as if
you belong to the fight against evil forces. Full of surprises and character
growth readers will love the tale.
Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a
Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. A hundred percent disabled veteran after
multiple head and other injuries, he is part of a growing number of vets
classified as “neuro-diverse”, an MST survivor and have several issues such
regarding comprehension, concentration, and vision issues that he has OVERCOME
to write several novels. After witnessing a lifetime of destruction, the
thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal.
He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in
his eyes and in the eyes of others. Writing for fun, Ian has completed seven
novels with an eighth near done with two more ideas in the scribble/chapter
phase. He has written across four genres Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction and
Horror.
He uses ProWritingAid, Beta Readers and
professional editors
keep the product readable, he has recently began querying in search of a
professional agent and publisher.
Now living near San
Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a
cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days
fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating
worlds on the page.
Ian's inspiration for Dark Maiden comes from a Native American legend.
Among the Wabanaki,this blight occurs when an evil sorcerer refuses to stay dead.
Descendants of the Wabanaki still survive in Maine, which was one of the reasons
why I set the story in the locale of Nollesemic. I felt the characters were solid enough
to appeal to a large swath of readers without offending anyone. LGBTQ characters fill
in the modern twists that would not have been accepted even a few years ago.
Similarly, my vampire novel Cardinals is a new take on the Stoker legend with a large dose
of actual historical events. Fictional additions and twists on biblical and historical occurrences,
keep the story interesting, the reader engaged. I have always been a fan of the 70's vampire films
and wrote Cardinals with that in mind. I can totally see Ingrid Pitt as Asherah. I have taken a bit of
guff over casting a scandalous shadow over the catholic church, but they have given me plenty of ammunition. The faith fills in a good part of the story and fanaticism at both ends of the spectrum also gave me much to work with.
I love casting women in strong roles and minimizing the male influence. Sadly, reality has not caught up with that idea. Amy Radigan, Lilly Pham, Kellena Donnachaid, Cassie Wells, all epitomize women I have known and respect.
After being medically retired from the military in 2010, writing became a new identity for me. I take my time writing. The Long Game, for instance, took 3 years to write. Pulling from current events as I went along. Relations with China are now tenser than ever and the conflict in the south China sea is actually occurring almost following the theme of my story. I consider my readers intelligent enough to follow the multiple plot lines. I tend to keep the thrillers within the realm of possibility. Sometimes it might be a reach but nothing I write is impossible. Headlines are a big help. The saying is "You couldn't write this stuff". Well actually I can!
The political thriller is cathardic to write. Solaris is coming out in December, complicated story lines will keep the readers guessing. Horror is a fun genre for me and I have two ideas on paper that need filled out. I have dabbled with Science Fiction and Fantasy.
Cooper's Ridge was another labor of love and quite fun to write. I love space travel, aliens and first contact. Throw in some dystopian end of the world themes with a huge dose of multiple conspiracies and walah you have a novel. I am a huge Star Trek fan. I love Roddenberry's approach to everyday issues with technological spins. Solving the barriers to space travel with reverse engineering seemed obvious enough to me. The genius teenager as the underdog with a cadre of friends to help fight the faceless government what can go wrong.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
While investigating a viral internet game, 17 year old Thea
Riggs stumbles upon a series of unsolved murders and the global crime syndicate
that orchestrated them. Can she alone bring down a secret crime syndicate, or
is the cost of justice too high?
Specimen
by Lisa
Towles
Genre: YA Psychological Thriller,
Suspense
Thea Riggs is shocked by a dead body in
the empty house she
was summoned to. It feels like a setup, like she’s being framed for murder. By
the time she discovers a connection between the body and the internet game
everyone’s playing, it’s too late. They know she’s onto them. Now she’s their
next target.
Lured to
an underground San Francisco lab, she pieces
together the hidden agenda behind what she’s seen – scientific experiments, a
secret society of operatives, a labyrinth of lies hiding a decades-old cold
case. She’s in deep and knows too much, but now they’ve threatened her mother.
Can she alone bring down a secret crime syndicate, or is the cost of justice
too high?
Specimen is an
action-packed, Young Adult contemporary thriller. Fans of Blake
Crouch and James Rollins will love Lisa Towles’ technical thrill ride. Join
Thea’s quest for the truth and Buy Specimen today.
A razor sharp, edge of your seat thriller"
- The Prairies Book Review
"A sharp, thought-provoking examination of
technology's dark side and the
elusive nature of truth"
- BookView
Reviews
"A rollercoaster ride of a story that readers will find exhilarating and
heart stopping"
- San Francisco Book
Review
"A gripping thriller for readers who love mystery, suspense, ambition,
betrayal, and intrigue"
Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime
novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity,
and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has 11 crime novels in print with her newest
title Specimen freshly released in November 2024. The first two books of her
E&A Investigations Series (Hot House and Salt Island) were both #1 Amazon
Kindle Bestsellers. Lisa also writes standalone thrillers, such as her 2022
political thriller, The Ridders, which won an American Fiction Award. Lisa is
an active member and frequent panelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America,
Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT
Management and works full-time in the tech industry.
Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story standalone in
the bestselling Hawthorne University Witch Series.
Candy Crone
The
Hawthorne University Witch Series Book 8
By A.L. Hawke
Genre: Paranormal Holiday
Fantasy
Candy Crone is a Christmas Short Story
standalone following Shadow
Cast in the Hawthorne University Witch Series.
While I’m enjoying a
spicy caramel apple surprise at our local ice cream
parlor, an old lady in rags rambles nonsense about candy canes to children
waiting for Santa. That distracts me from prepping my young friend Cat for her
college interview at Hawthorne University.
Christmas turns into
creepy Halloween when all the local children, including
Cat, disappear in the woods. Bryce and I search our forest but become
spellbound. All this voracious casting heralds the arrival of a new witch in
town. The Candy Crone.
As the Hawthorne
Witch, I hold great power, but with my unborn baby kicking,
the witch exploits my sins and vices through gluttony. Am I nothing more than
my appetites and power as the Hawthorne Witch? Or can I accomplish something
greater? If I can’t sort my stuff out, Cat, my unborn baby, Chandra, and all
these innocent kids living in Hawthorne are toast.
Cadence Hawthorne returns in this Christmas novella
taking place after
Shadow Cast, book 6, in The Hawthorne University Witch Series. Candy Crone
is a complete self-contained novella not ending in cliffhangers. Some spoilers
cannot be avoided, but the story is a STANDALONE book that can be enjoyed
without reading the preceding novels.
A.L. Hawke is the author of the bestselling Hawthorne
University Witch series. The author lives in Southern California torching the
midnight candle over lovers against a backdrop of machines, nymphs, magic,
spice and mayhem. A.L. Hawke writes fantasy and romance spanning four thousand
years, from pre-civilization to contemporary and beyond.
Twilight, Dune, Catcher in the Rye, Carrie, Childhood’s End, Shining
How long have you been writing?
10 years, publishing for 6
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
It’s gradual, they’re all coming alive as I tell the story.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
Never before starting to write. I research during novel writing. And it’s not always book research. Sometimes it’s watching similar movies or checking out youtube videos.
Do you see writing as a career?
Yes.
What do you think about the current publishing market?
It’s tough and constantly being transformed. There’s so many changes coming with AI. It remains to be seen what impact computers will have on the industry. I think AI is as significant a change as the invention of the ebook. It’s going to transform everything.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I read what I write. Paranormal fantasy, romance, science fiction.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
That depends. Sometimes I write in the dark. Sometimes in a coffee house. Sometimes with music. There’s no exact “ritual” anymore.
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
Blurb: An ambitious civil engineer desperately wants to protect her baby girls in the shadow of China’s tumultuous mid-20th century.
Despite tragedies in her childhood, Jun crafts a stable life by changing her name twice to fit in a male-dominated and politically charged society. Ambitious and high-achieving in her career, she seeks help from her in-laws to care for the girls.
But when the Red Guards threaten the young family because of their association with in-laws' capitalist class, Jun worries their very existence is in jeopardy.
With their safety frequently compromised, will Jun triumph over the grave danger she encounters and successfully protect and maintain a stable life for her young family?”
If you like strong female protagonists facing mountainous challenges and are interested in people's lives in 1930s to 1960s China, you will find Jun's life journey fascinating yet relatable.
Apple An is a professor at Syracuse University. She was a historian in her profession and a founding editor-in-chief. Over almost 30 years, she has published 200+ academic articles and three books. Her research has been cited 016,000+ times by scholars from many disciplines. She has been recognized 23 times for teaching, research, and service.
Apple started her literary journey in 2017. In 2023, she published her debut memoir, Las Crosses: An Unwavering Journey to a New Life in America. The book has been among Amazon's best sellers in several categories including Biographies & Memoirs of Asian & Asian Americans, History of China, Asian American Demographic Studies, and Biographies of Educators. It is selected as the finalist for the 2023 Annual IAN Book of the Year Awards for two categories: Women’s Non-Fiction and Multicultural Non-Fiction.
In December 2024, Apple will publish her first historical fiction, Mother of Red Mountains.
Mattie was living her best life, wife by day and paranormal thief by night. She loved her life, and she loved Chicago.Things were perfect.
Then one night a man sat down at her restaurant table, and it changed everything.
The Master of the City of Chicago sought her out to ask for help. It seemed something was killing vampires, and she needed Emma Crane’s help. If it were only vampires being killed, she would have said no, but it was starting to attack other creatures as well. She couldn’t let innocents be harmed.
Small problem. While she was hunting the creature, an old enemy was hunting her—Lorivander. The god who wanted her dead.
And to make things worse, the Council of Elders came to Chicago. They were the oldest living master vampires in creation, and they’d taken a decided interest in her and her gifts.
Now she had to contend with hunting down a creature who could kill a vampire, Lorivander, and the Council. Why was her life so complicated? For once, she’d love to have a normal life and enjoy being married without all the death threats coming at her six ways to Sunday.
One question remained. Could she navigate the playing field without getting killed before the Council decided she was too dangerous to leave alive?
Well, I’m the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn’t love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep.
Now, I live in a small town in West Virginia where I entertain my niece and nephew and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce…lol.
I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories.
