Beyond the Books (2024)

In good times and bad, resilience is one of the major keys to success – including career success. Dr. Helen Ofosu believes this applies to employees and entrepreneurs, individual contributors, subject matter experts, leaders, and executives.

That’s why her approach to career and executive coaching is to help people get ahead in a way that insulates them from future setbacks – or recover if things have gone sideways. This is also why, as a consultant, she helps organizations become stronger and more resilient, so they are ready for both the anticipated and the unexpected challenges that all organizations face at some point.

Part of what sets her apart from many career and executive coaches is her experience on the inside, as an HR and professional development professional, within large corporate workplaces and her intimate knowledge of typical HR processes and systems.

Clients come to her when the stakes are high. They can count on her to share insights and customized services that few others can deliver. They love that she has developed countless hiring tools and helped to resolve many HR problems over the years.

Her “insider” experience gives her clients an edge in getting hired and promoted in the public (and private) sector, and in managing their careers as they progress.

And as an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist (her field is more commonly known as Work and Business Psychology), she takes an evidence-based approach by using the latest research and best practices to increase the odds of her clients’ success.

Author Links

Website | Brainz Magazine | Podcast Interviews | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

For readers who don’t know you yet, who is Dr. Helen Ofosu?

I studied Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology, also known as Work and Business Psychology. My specialties include assessing and developing leadership skills, inclusive recruitment, corporate mentorship, and navigating the complex issues of workplace bullying, harassment, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Part of what sets me apart from many career and executive coaches is my experience on the inside, as an HR and professional development expert, within large corporate workplaces. I have intimate knowledge of typical HR processes and systems.

In 2012, I left the safety and security of a job in the Canadian federal government to launch my own practice. I am proud that my practice reached the ten-year mark in 2022.

I am also an Adjunct Professor of Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, where I deliver occasional guest lectures and enjoy mentoring aspiring psychologists.

Your tagline is “More than career coaching; it’s career psychology®.” What is Career Psychology? Is it the same as Therapy?

Since I’m a psychologist, potential clients sometimes worry they’d be signing on for months of treatment or therapy. But unlike the patients of Clinical psychologists, most of my clients aren’t coming to me for help with deep-rooted personal problems that require months or years to work through. Most of my clients are professionals or recent graduates who need guidance to get ahead in their careers or navigate difficult work-related situations.

Over the years, I’ve become a highly skilled Career Psychologist, so it is possible to achieve meaningful results quickly.

I understand you wrote a book on many of the challenges of the modern workplace.

Yes, I wrote, How to be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work, which Routledge will publish in February 2023. Here’s a 30-second video overview.

From what I’ve seen up close, the modern workplace is complicated and sometimes quite difficult – for employees, leaders, and HR professionals.

I also appreciate how hectic life can get, so when I started planning this book, I wanted to make sure readers would get a concise, easy-to-read resource that covers ten of the most common challenges and setbacks that I regularly tackle with my private coaching clients (e.g., underemployment, harassment/bullying, being part of an underrepresented group, toxic workplaces, etc.)

Who will benefit most from reading this book?

This book will benefit employees who are skilled and competent at their jobs and want to avoid certain problematic situations at work. And if they find themselves dealing with these challenges, this book will be a helpful guide to help them bounce back more quickly and completely.

When my clients suffer from some of the problems addressed in this book, I sometimes connect them with Clinical Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Counselors, or Social Workers. Many mental health professionals have limited experience working in typical corporate workplaces. These professionals will find this book to be an excellent resource. This book will also be a helpful guide for career coaches and executive coaches who are building awareness of the nuances I address for members of underrepresented groups and HR matters.

Why were you the right person to write this book?

I have a unique perspective based on my deep understanding of careers, leadership, the psychology of work and business, the modern workplace, and the realities and practicalities of equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and anti-racism.

Most career and executive coaches do not have the HR experience I have. Likewise, most HR professionals don’t have the coaching experience I have.

Adding my foundation in psychology to the mix creates a complete and compelling package.

How is this book different from other books on career advice?

I have never found a book written by someone with a background in work psychology, HR, coaching, EDI, and leadership that addresses the common problems high-performing professionals face. This book fills the gap left by most online searches too since certain problems are too big and high stakes to rely on online searches.

I think I’d like to order your book. Where can I preview some of the content?

Here’s a 30-second book trailer/video overview of How to be Resilient in Your Career: Facing Up to Barriers at Work.

You can also look at the Table of Contents and some endorsem*nts/testimonials.

Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn,andTwitter,and visit mywebsiteto find more ways to become more resilient in your career.

– Reprinted from Brainz Magazine

I Will Ruin You: The Twisted Truth Behind the Kit Martin Murder Trial

Emilio Corsetti III

420 pp.

True Crime

Moments before boardinga passenger flight on 11 May 2019 as the first officer, pilot Christian “Kit” Martin, a former army ranger, was arrested by a swarm of heavily armed officers for the murders of three of his neighbors. The arrest captured global attention as Martin’s mugshot, clad in a pilot’s uniform, spread across the internet, sparking a media firestorm with headlines such as “Monster in the co*ckpit.”

A combat helicopter pilot, Kit Martin had seen his life unravel after seeking a divorce. His wife’s threatening words, “If you leave me, I will ruin your life …,” overheard by his daughter, seemed to have become a grim reality, escalating to a court-martial and culminating in a high-stakes murder trial at which he was convicted.

I WILL RUIN YOU:The Twisted Truth Behind the Kit Martin Murder Trialdelves into the complex circ*mstances behind Martin’s story. It looks beyond the sensational headlines and legal turmoil into the heart of this controversial case.

You can purchase I Will Ruin You: The Twisted Truth Behind the Kit Martin Murder Trial at Amazon.

The tension had been building for months. The date was September 5, 2012. By this time, Kit and Joan had been married for nearly eight years. They had experienced the same ups and downs as any other married couple. There were arguments. They argued about finances. They argued about Kit’s ex-wife and her frequent calls to Kit. The arguments between the two, however, had grown more frequent after the move to Pembroke, Kentucky. Kit, an army major with the 101st Airborne Division, had been assigned to nearby Fort Campbell a year earlier.

It was a Wednesday night. Everyone living in the house on South Main at the time was home. It was a mixed family with kids from previous marriages residing under the same roof. Joan’s son Elijah, sixteen, was in the kitchen. Kit’s daughter McKenzie was in the downstairs bathroom, helping Joan’s nine-year-old daughter Essie dry her hair and paint her nails. McKenzie had moved into the house in Pembroke several weeks earlier after transferring to Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. She was nineteen. Joan’s oldest daughter Alma, eleven, was in her upstairs bedroom doing her homework, using her bed as her desk.

This night’s argument had to do with what Joan felt was a personal slight. She had learned that Kit and McKenzie had been planning a lunch date that didn’t include her. Joan confronted Kit in the backyard, where he fed the few farm animals they kept. She complained about Kit’s lack of communication. Kit tried his best to separate himself from Joan. He entered the house and took off his boots in the mudroom. All he wanted to do was take a shower and relax. The fighting, however, continued. Joan wanted to know why Kit didn’t treat her better. They hadn’t been anywhere as a couple in months.

Kit grew angry. He complained about her spending, especially money spent on astrology, psychics, and an anti-religious organization called Nouveau Tech. Joan also had a habit of starting expensive construction projects on the house without consulting him. He pointed his finger at her and repeated a story he had heard from his ex-wife about how Joan had been saying bad things about him around the neighborhood.

“I thought you two only talked about the kids,” Joan said sarcastically. “Why are you doing this? Why is she saying this to you?” Joan would later claim that Kit had struck her in the temple with his finger and on the sides of her head with his fists.

Kit claims he only flicked her hair.

Kit went upstairs and took a shower. Later, when he entered the TV room to relax, Joan started arguing again. It was at this point that Kit decided that he had had enough. He told Joan he wanted a divorce.

What happened next would have implications for the two of them over the ensuing years.

“If you divorce me, I will ruin your career,” Joan snarled. “I will ruin your life, and I know how to do it.” She added that she would tell Kit’s superiors that he had abused her.

Kit knew that an accusation of abuse could cause him grief, even if it weren’t true. “If you think you’ve been abused,” he said, “you should call the police.”

To prove that he wasn’t bluffing about calling the police, Kit decided to call the police himself. If she wanted to make a false accusation against him, she would have to do it in front of a police officer, where it would be on record.

Shocked by the move, Joan walked to the kitchen where Elijah was and used her phone to dial 911 to report that her husband had assaulted her.

911 Operator: What’s going on, ma’am?

Joan: My, uh… domestic abuse… my husband.

911 Operator: What’s he doing to you?

Joan: Poking me in the head, screaming in my face, and threatening me.

After the phone call, she had a discussion with Elijah. There is some dispute over what Joan said to her son. McKenzie, who was in a room downstairs, close enough to hear the conversation, claims that Joan asked Elijah to say that Kit had hit her. Joan denies ever saying that. Later, before the police arrived, McKenzie would get Elijah alone and tell him not to lie to the police. Joan would later claim that McKenzie had cornered her son and told him to say to the police that he didn’t see anything. Either way, sides were being taken.

Joan left the house and waited in the front yard for the police to arrive. Kit waited in the driveway where the cars were parked. The kids retreated to their separate rooms. They had witnessed fights before, but this one was worse than any they could remember. The two young girls fought back tears. Someone turned off the interior lights. The house grew dark and quiet.

Emilio Corsetti III is a retired airline pilot and the author of the bestselling nonfiction books 35 Miles From Shore and Scapegoat. Emilio is a graduate of St. Louis University Parks College of Aviation. He and his wife, Lynn, reside in Dallas, Texas.

Author Links

Website | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

Thomas White began his career as an actor. Several years later he found himself as an Artistic Director for a theatre in Los Angeles and the winner of several Drama-Logue and Critics awards for directing. As Tom’s career grew, he directed and co-produced the world tour of “The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Coming Out Of Their Shells”. The show toured for over two years, was translated into seven different languages and seen by close to a million children. Tom served as President and Creative Director for Maiden Lane Entertainment for 24 years and worked on many large-scale corporate event productions that included Harley Davidson, Microsoft, Medtronic Diabetes, and dozens of others. The Edison Enigma is Tom’s third novel following up Justice Rules which was nominated as a finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association 2010 Literary contest, and The Siren’s Scream.

Author Links

Website | X (Twitter) | Facebook 1 | Facebook 2 | Goodreads

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Thomas. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

Hello all and it’s good to be back at Beyond The Books. Obviously, since I’ve done this tour before this is not my first publication. I am proud to say that I have published 3 novels up to this point. Justice Rules, The Siren’s scream, and now The Edison Enigma. All available on Amazon! (Shameless plug)

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

For Justice Rules, I tried to go the traditional route. I sent out queries, received about 100 rejection letters and finally decided to self-publish. It went well, although it was 12 years ago and a very different game. I sold about 3,000 copies and for an unknown author’s first book, I was pretty pleased. I then decided to go back to the traditional route once again and received comments like, “If you had sold 10,000 then we’d be interested. It made me laugh, If I was selling 10,000 copies on my own, why would I need them? With The Siren’s Scream and The Edison Enigma I went directly to self-publishing. There was a 12 year gap between Justice Rules and The Siren’s Scream ( I can’t be accused of cranking them out) and the game changed a lot. I didn’t do nearly as well as far as sales. The Edison Enigma has just been released so time will tell.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

I never signed a contract.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

My goal, at least deep in my heart, was to see my book on the shelf of a bookstore. I accomplished that with Justice Rules. A small chain in Spokane WA sold it on commission. I did a reading and signing and had a pretty great time.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

The most surprising is what a closed shop it is. Getting your stuff to a person who can say ‘yes’ is nearly impossible. I hate the idea that some hourly paid person is skimming your work and deciding whether to pass it on or not.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

I have a creative soul. I’ve been in the theatre my whole life, mostly as a director, and creating is what I do. I am constantly thinking of innovative ways to produce entertainment. Currently, it is writing. I get a lot of satisfaction from producing a novel, seeing it on Amazon etc, and knowing that I created it. I get even more satisfaction when someone reads it and likes it.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

It’s right out there, all you have to do is grab it. My words of wisdom are simple, write all the time, re-write when you need to, and before you publish hire an editor to help you. It will increase the quality of your work ten-fold. Self-publishing is great because so many authors who deserve to be published , can be. But it also means that anyone who writes sixty pages about their summer vacation can also publish. Your work must stand out of that crowd and be able to stand next to any publishing house product.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I wish the best for all of you!

We’re thrilled to have here today Arthur from Evy Journey’s new novel, The Golden Manuscripts: A Novel. In his late teens, Arthur is an undergraduate student living in Berkeley, California. It is a pleasure to have him with us today at Beyond the Books!

Thank you so much for this interview, Arthur. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?

The image of me projected to readers comes from my sister Clarissa’s POV so, of course, it’s biased in my favor. But I don’t think I’m as put together as my sister says.

Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?

I’m just as unsure of myself as my sister is, but since the author decided to tell her story in Clarissa’s POV, readers don’t know how I perceive myself. I would have liked the author to show my own journey finding myself, but this book is primarily Clarissa’s story, not mine.

What do you believe is your strongest trait?

Openness about my feelings.

Worse trait?

Indecisiveness.

If you could choose someone in the television or movie industry to play your part if your book was made into a movie, who would that be?

I sincerely wouldn’t know since I’m not aware of any biracial television or film actors of Asian-Caucasian extraction, particularly one with green eyes.

Do you have a love interest in the book?

Three by the time the novel ends although only two get to be present in this story. The third may be somewhat surprising to some readers, but I had matured a lot the third time I fell in love.

At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?

About a third into the book, when it became apparent to me that I’m not the main male character in the story despite my sister’s attachment and frequent mention of me.

If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?

My father. He’s loving and responsible, but he’s from another world. I think he’s out of touch.

How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?

I like how the story ends for my sister and Nathan. I was rooting for them to be together, but they both had hang-ups they needed to overcome.

What words of wisdom would you give your author if he decided to write another book with you in it?

In the unlikely event a sequel follows this novel, I think an intriguing angle might be how my love interest changes from two guys to a young woman who’s kinda like my sister. Did I mature or am I bisexual?

Thank you for this interview, Helena. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?

Most likely not. I’m in the sixth and final standalone installment of Ms. Journey’s Between Two Worlds series. But who knows?

/////////////////

About the Author:

Evy Journey writes. Stories and blog posts. Novels that tend to cross genres. She’s also a wannabe artist, and a flâneuse. Evy studied psychology (M.A., University of Hawaii; Ph.D. University of Illinois). So her fiction spins tales about nuanced characters dealing with contemporary life issues and problems. She believes in love and its many faces. Her one ungranted wish: To live in Paris where art is everywhere and people have honed aimless roaming to an art form. She has visited and stayed a few months at a time.

Author Links

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

About the book:

A young woman of Asian/American parentage has lived in seven different countries and is anxious to find a place she could call home. An unusual sale of rare medieval manuscripts sends her and Nathan—an art journalist who moonlights as a doctor—on a quest into the dark world of stolen art. For Clarissa, these ancient manuscripts elicit cherished memories of children’s picture books her mother read to her, nourishing a passion for art. When their earnest search for clues whisper of old thieves and lead to the unexpected, they raise more questions about an esoteric sometimes unscrupulous art world that defy easy answers. Will this quest reward Clarissa with the sense of home she longs for? This cross-genre literary tale of self-discovery, art mystery, travel, and love is based on the actual theft by an American soldier of illuminated manuscripts during World War II.

Buy Links:

Amazon | B&N | Apple Books

Giveaway!

Evy Journey will be giving away nine $25 Amazon Gift Cards & 9 boxed sets of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds! This is the way it works. Evy is touring for six months. At the end of each 2 month period, she will be giving away 3 $25 Amazon Gift Cards and 3 boxed sets of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds. You will have a chance to win 3 times during her tour!

Terms & Conditions:

• By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
• Nine winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a boxed set of the last 3 books in the series, Between Two Worlds.
• This giveaway starts February 5 and ends July 30.
• Winners will be contacted via email on March 28, May 31 and July 30.
• Winner has 48 hours to reply.

Good luck everyone!

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Chris Wallace is a creative source.

As an actor, he was a regular on the hit daytime drama, All My Children, created the role of The Half-Percenter in Joe Papp’s production, Mondongo, appeared in countless television programs, including The Incredible Hulk, The Mary Tyler Moore Hour and had a starring role in the holiday horror classic film, New Year’s Evil.

He earned the Silver Award at the New York International Film and Television Festival for In the Balance, a film that advocated sustainability and common sense in wildlife management. It was also singled out by the Department of the Interior as one of the best films of its kind. Chris wrote, narrated and wrote the musical score for that film.

He performed on several children’s television programs in New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington D.C. and Jacksonville, singing his original children’s songs. In Hollywood, he performed them for all denominations of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. He created a musical, A Special Thing to Be, at the Los Angeles Children’s Museum that featured his kids’ songs and the museum’s children’s chorus.

He wrote the songs for two children’s theatre productions in Hollywood, Hooray, Here Comes the Circus and Sleeping Beauty; wrote and performed the songs on Strong Kids, Safe Kids, a video produced by Henry Winkler for Paramount that dealt with the protection of children from sexual molestation and exploitation. He created his first musical revue, Greatest Hits, in Hollywood, which played several venues, including Carlos ‘n’ Charlie’s on Sunset Strip and The Backlot in West Hollywood.

Upon relocating to Australia, he produced A Helping Hand at the Victorian Arts Centre, a benefit for Quadriplegic Hand Foundation; wrote book, music and lyrics for Nothing to Wear, a musical based on “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” also produced at the Victorian Arts Centre. He created a one-man show, A Thing of Shreds & Patches, for the Melbourne Fringe Festival; created another one-man show, The Mark Twain You Don’t Know, which toured Australia, then Pacific Palisades, California, and played in New York City on the 100^th anniversary of Mark Twain’s death. He created several cabaret shows for The Butterfly Club in Melbourne, most notable of which was Les Femmes which featured an all female cast. He wrote, produced and performed in Huckleberry: A Musical Adventure which premiered in Melbourne.

Which brings us to The Dreaming Team. This is his second book. The first, Hollywood Mosaic is written under the pen name, Pete Joseph.

You can visit his website at www.olentangymusic.com.

Q: Welcome to Beyond the Books, Chris. Can we start out by telling us whether you are published for the first time or are you multi-published?

The Dreaming Team is the second book I’ve written. The first was Hollywood Mosaic.

Q: When you were published for the first time, which route did you go – mainstream, small press, vanity published or self-published and why or how did you choose this route?

The truth is that when I wrote Hollywood Mosaic, I didn’t even look for a publisher. I self-published and uploaded it to Amazon just to see something I’d written out there in the world.

Q: How long did it take you to get published once you signed the contract?

With The Dreaming Team, I did try to find some publishing interest without success. I felt the story was so important that it would find its audience, so I self-published once again. To answer the question, I didn’t sign any contract.

Q: How did it make you feel to become published for the first time and how did you celebrate?

Since I did the publishing myself, I didn’t have that moment of euphoria that I expect you’d have at a time like that. And although I can’t recall exactly how I celebrated, if I was true to form, I just looked at it on Amazon with a satisfied smile on my face.

Q: Since you’ve been published, how have you grown as a writer and now a published author?

Writing is something I’ve employed as a craft through most of my creative career. It’s part of my DNA. I think that every time I write anything new, no matter what the subject matter, growth is part of the process.

Q: What has surprised or amazed you about the publishing industry as a whole?

The publishing industry, per se, isn’t on my radar. I suppose it goes without saying that because I’ve written books, I’m part of it in a larger sense. But Random House and Harper and whoever else and I aren’t in active communication, let’s put it that way. So, nothing has surprised or amazed me.

Q: What is the most rewarding thing about being a published author?

Definitely the most rewarding thing is hearing how people react to the story and what their take is on certain scenes or characters or social situations. I put a couple of things in the book that I knew would provoke a reaction. It’s great to hear how people took them. So, reaction and response rate high up there with me.

Q: Any final words for writers who dream of being published one day?

I don’t claim to be any kind of teacher or advisor on writing, but I do know that if there’s something you feel you need to do in Life, whether it’s write or sing or act or sculpt or repair clocks or whittle wood, you don’t ask anyone; you just plunge ahead, putting one foot in front of the other until you arrive someplace.

Title: Going There: Tales from the Riviera and Beyond
Author: Donna Fletcher Crow
Publisher: Verity Press
Publication Date: December 3, 2023
Pages: 152
Genre: Travel Memoir/Short Story Collection

In the summer of 2021 my daughter-in-law and I slipped through a brief window of sanity in a world driven mad by the Covid pandemic. Our purpose was to see my granddaughter Jane to a summer program in Monaco, then back to her ballet school in Switzerland. In spite of restrictions, protests, and nail-biting worries, the result was a marvelous experience. I invited characters from my mystery series to join me in my imagination and have their own adventures in each setting. Their encounters are: Nice: “The Crime of Passion”; St Tropez: “The Mother Decrees”; Villefrance-sur-de-mer: “The Ghost Boy”; Monaco: “Fracas in Monaco”; The Loire Valley: “The Old Winemaker”; Saint Gallen: “Whispers of Legend”. The final coda is “Home Another Way” As 2 years later I return from quite a different trip aboard the Queen Mary 2 and my characters join in the celebrations as worlds coincide. More information on the book GOING THERE: TALES FROM THE RIVIERA AND BEYOND can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Going-There-Tales-Riviera-Beyond-ebook/dp/B0CPHBRVJH?ref_=ast_author_mpb.

Book Excerpt:

Le Garcon Fantome

(The Ghost Boy)

The taxi stopped on the gravel driveway before the pink and white confection of Villa Ephrussi and Elizabeth clapped on her wide-brimmed straw hat as she scrambled out into the bright sunshine while Richard paid their driver. The scene was stunning every direction she looked with gardens extending from the chateau before them on to glimpses of the shining blue Mediterranean beyond their mountain perch.

“Oh, Richard, this is…” her voice trailed off. Richard had already crunched past her toward the entrance to the villa. She sighed and followed.

The rooms, filled with antique furniture and art treasures, followed one another in a square around the central patio of Verona marble where Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild had welcomed her guests. Each room was a mini museum of elegance. Their fellow tourists followed the same path, exclaiming over each new display of the eighteenth century opulence in rooms designed for luxurious entertainments: The grand salon with tables for the games Beatrice loved to play; the small salon, designed for after-dinner conversation.

Regardless of the grandeur around her, though, part of Elizabeth’s mind held back. Should they have come on this trip? It had seemed such a good idea when they planned it a few months ago: Time away together from Richard’s responsibilities at the boys’ school in Oxford, a chance for her to do some research for her articles on literary figures…Somehow, it didn’t seem to be working out.

Richard strode up the staircase to the first floor and Elizabeth followed. Here were the rooms for the baroness’ guests. Elizabeth paused at the blue bedroom, admiring the delicate scrollwork of the panels adorning the walls. She smiled at the tiny porcelain bird set amid the flowers of the Meissen chandelier. Elizabeth’s guide sheet told her that Beatrice had placed it there with her own hands.

She pointed it out to Richard. “Isn’t it charming that she took such personal interest herself?”

“Mmm,” he said and moved on to the tapestry room.

Elizabeth followed, but her mind was not on the priceless Gobelins depicting romantic scenes by Boucher. Richard’s curtness still stung. How long had he been like that? What had happened to the closeness, the sense of teamwork they had always shared? What had happened to him? Where had the twinkle in his eye gone? His playfulness, even?

The beauty began to blur in Elizabeth’s mind by the time they descended to The Apartments of Beatrice, surely fit for Marie Antionette herself. Bedroom, dressing room, bathroom…escritoire, tables, settees…

It was in the boudoir that Elizabeth focused on two small pieces of furniture set apart from all the rest. A pair of elegant child-sized chairs. She gazed at them in silence for some time. Were they just interesting objet d’art the baroness picked up on a whim somewhere in her world travels? Their central placement in her own, personal space, seemed to say otherwise. Had she purchased them after her marriage – the square-shaped one for a son she hoped to have; the one with rounded back and curving arms for a longed-for daughter?

Elizabeth scanned the brochure she held, making quick calculations. Beatrice had married at 19, was married to Maurice for 21 years, divorced at the age of 40 – when perhaps all hope of child-bearing was over? Three years later she threw herself into the grand building project Elizabeth saw all around her. And lived her alone, in spite of the lavish parties she threw. Elizabeth shivered.

About the Author

Donna Fletcher Crow, Novelist of British History, is an award-winning author who has published some 50 books in a career spanning more than 40 years. Her best-known work is Glastonbury, The Novel of Christian England, a grail search epic depicting 1500 years of British history. The Celtic Cross is a 10-book series covering the history of Scotland and England from the 6th to the 20th century. Crow writes 3 mystery series: The Monastery Murders, contemporary clerical mysteries with clues hidden deep in the past; Lord Danvers Investigates, Victorian true-crime stories within a fictional setting; and The Elizabeth and Richard literary suspense series, featuring various literary figures. Where There is Love is a 6-book biographical novel series of leaders of the early Evangelical Anglican movement. The Daughters of Courage is a semi-autobiographical trilogy family saga of Idaho pioneers. Reviewers routinely praise the quality of her writing and the depth of her research. Crow says she tries never to write about a place she hasn’t visited and one of her goals in writing is to give her readers a you-are-there experience. Donna and her husband of 60 years live in Boise, Idaho. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren, and she is an avid gardener.

Author Links

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

We’re thrilled to announce the release of Ashley Fontainne & Janelle Taylor’s Operation DFC today! To help celebrate, we are asking our readers if you can please pretty please pick up a copy atAmazonand come back and tell us how you liked it or leave a review at Amazon? And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the bottom of this page. Good luck!

Congratulations, Ashley & Janelle, on your espionage military thriller new release, Operation DFC!

Arriving in Thailand for my first black-op, Operation DFC, as part of an elite team ready to act on recent intel that over a thousand men and/or their remains are still behind enemy lines, Bangkok is our last stopping point before slipping into Vietnam and extracting as many American prisoners as possible.

For me, this is personal. From 1971 to 1973, I was a POW; and now, ten years later, I work for the CIA under the fake identity of John Sims, Field Expert for Crop World, an international firm run by the agency.

While in my hotel room, the unthinkable happens. Bangkok may end up being my greatest challenge as my courage, patriotism, and honor are on the line, and I find myself in the toughest physical and mental battle of my life, wondering if Operation DFC will be my first, and last, covert mission.

Release Date: December 10, 2022

Publisher: Georgia Girl Press

Paperback: ‎ 979-8366909396; 360 pages; $15.99; Kindle $5.99

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3BKSodF You can also purchase at these retailers: https://books2read.com/u/mg1pBqBook Excerpt:

Rescuing American soldiers out of grimy pits in Vietnam is my life’s mission, yet I’m fully aware it is also a sensitive issue for both governments. Bartering for their return costs money, and the source of the rescue funds and the intent of the mission are both unknown to the American public. They will remain a secret until someone with a higher paygrade releases the information.

No one wants to endanger this crucial operation with loose talk or create an uprising against the VC that could lead to another invasion. If anyone outside the circle of trusted players learns what we are attempting, it will create a stink bigger than Watergate or the Pentagon Papers. Worse, leaked knowledge of our covert op could blast the whole deal to smithereens, and those brave, broken men might never taste freedom again. They would vanish permanently, just as I could have a decade ago if someone hadn’t risked his life to liberate me.

I will not let that happen.

The soldiers, and their loved ones, deserve better.

Pulling out the next piece of paper, irritation rushes over me as I read the typewritten words:

When WM meets with RL and supplies the code, RL will then give LAT/LONG coordinates to the exchange location near Paracel Islands to WM, who will return to BK and page team leader, RD, at 202-555-1717, and send LAT/LONG intel. Ocean transport of the rescued cargo will begin the journey, and the cargo ship, Triumph, which contains the physical funds, will head to location. Exchange of cargo and funds will take place on board.

“What the hell? Now we’re giving these monsters cash? Why did they tattoo the banking code on me? Why did the plan suddenly change this late in the game? I’m bypassing Carter and giving info straight to RedDog? I don’t like this. Not at all.”

On instinct, I re-read it twice, imprinting RedDog’s pager number before flicking the lighter. The ashes flutter to the floor. Rubbing the remains out with my foot, irritation morphs into anger at this last-minute shift of important details.

Reaching inside the bag again, my fingers touch a familiar object—the grip of a pistol. Before I can make sense of why a firearm was provided and how I can sneak it on the plane without getting arrested, burning pain shoots up from my palm and straight to my brain. Dropping the gun, I look at my hand, noticing several tiny needle pricks in the palm milliseconds before my vision blurs.

The room spins as my throat locks up.

Collapsing to my knees, I gasp for air, wondering what kind of poison courses through my veins as a vortex of dizziness overtakes my mind, followed by ebony darkness.

About the Authors

Award-winning and International bestselling author, Ashley Fontainne, has written over 25 books, including the short thriller, Number Seventy-Five, which took home the BRONZE medal in fiction/suspense at the 2013 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards. The paranormal thriller entitled The Lie won the GOLD medal in the 2013 Illumination Book Awards for fiction/suspense. An indie film based on this book, entitled Foreseen, is currently available on video-on-demand. Ruined Wings is about a young woman’s descent into drug addiction and is currently a short film. The movie is free to watch and share with others in hopes of starting a positive dialogue regarding addiction. https://ruinedwings.com/Fatal Agreements won the 2019 Independent Audio Awards for best female narrator, Andrea Emmes. Connect with Ashley to learn more about all her works: Website: https://ashleyfontainne.net Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashley.fontainne/

Janelle Taylor has 9 NY Times Bestsellers and many awards along with over 65 million copies in print worldwide, plus ebooks. She is known as one of the “pioneers of the romance industry,” and one of the “legends of romance.” She is also listed on the Top 100 most famous Georgians. She has won many awards for her books.Follow Janelle on Twitter @TaylorJanelle6 and Facebook. Check her out on Amazon Author Pages: https://www.amazon.com/author/janelletaylor Make sure to visit her official website https://www.janelletaylor.com/ to learn more about all her amazing titles!

Ashley Fontainne and Janelle Taylor are giving away two Kindle copies of Operation DFC!

Terms & Conditions:

By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.

Two winners will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one copy of Operation DFC.

This giveaway ends midnight December 15.

Winner will be contacted via email on December 16.

Winner has 48 hours to reply.Good luck everyone!

ENTER TO WIN! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Name of Character: Helena Montgomery

Book Title: The Lapone Sisters

Age: 28ish

Profession: Full-time bank teller, part-time blues singer

City and State: Nashville, Tennessee

We’re thrilled to have here today Helena Montgomery from Barry Wilker’s new coming-of-age and thought-provoking novel, The Lapone Sisters. In her late twenties, Helena is an acquaintance of the sisters working full-time as a bank teller and moonlighting at a local club two nights a week singing the blues. Like the sisters, she has lived in Nashville, Tennessee her entire life.

It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Beyond the Books!

Thank you so much for this interview, Helena. Now that the book has been written, do you feel you were fairly portrayed or would you like to set anything straight with your readers?

Barry did a spectacular job envisioning my image and personality and all my interactions with the different characters. From my debut appearance to my final curtain, he described perfectly my life and metamorphosis over the six months of the novel. Let’s just say when you first meet me, I am a hot mess. Without giving anything away, by the end of his story, you will know the real me. Once you see me in action you’ll understand completely.

Do you feel the author did a good job colorizing your personality? If not, how would you like to have been portrayed differently?

Listen, if he gave me any more color I’d be one of those giant billboards on Sunset Boulevard. Portrayed any differently I definitely wouldn’t be the Helena you’ll want to meet and befriend.

What do you believe is your strongest trait?

The ability to learn the strength and empowerment I now own.

Worse trait?

For sure it’s the Helena you first meet. Nobody was a hotter mess than that girl.

If you could choose someone in the television or movie industry to play your part if your book was made into a movie, who would that be (and you can’t say yourself!)?

That’s hard. I would have loved it to be a young Raquel Welch. Somebody current? With the right make-up, Ana de Armas, for sure.

Do you have a love interest in the book?

Positively! YES! Johnny. I love that man more than I can say. He’s handsome, kind, way smart, thoughtful . . . stop, right? I’ll make somebody gag.

At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?

There’s a cataclysmic situation that jettisons the storyline and all of our lives. It turns into possibly the worst and the best of times for me. Oh, I wish I could tell you the details without spoiling the entire story! But I can’t. You’ll have to see for yourself.

If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?

I think it would have to be Tanya Simplestone. She’s too perfect. Okay, without giving too much away, she bested me at a certain point. There’s not one thing I’ve liked about her since then. It’s her fault I . . . oh, let’s not get into that. Next question?

How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?

I love the ending. I honestly wish it could continue into a sequel. I want to find out more about my life and what happens in the lives of all my friends.

What words of wisdom would you give your author if he decided to write another book with you in it?

Keep me the way I am. I love my life just the way he made it this time.

Thank you for this interview, Helena. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?

I sincerely hope we will meet again. Thank you for this opportunity!

/////////////////

About the Author:

Barry Wilker spent forty-three years working as an interior designer for a myriad of clients across the United States. Retirement has provided him time to assemble all the fragments of wild imagination into this, his first novel. He lived for a number of years in the Los Angeles area and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.

www.TheLaponeSisters.com

About the book:

Celebrated Interior designer and Nashville native Barry Wilker enters the ranks of published novelists with the release of his debut novel, The Lapone Sisters. Published by Simon and Schuster publishing partner Archway Publishing, The Lapone Sisters is now available nationwide.

A smart, seamless coming-of-age novel centered on the lives of three sisters. The Lapone Sisters is a thoughtful and thought-provoking tale that unfolds against a backdrop of a simpler time and place. In The Lapone Sisters, Wilker introduces the dazzling-and decidedly different-Lapone Sisters. Schmellda, Sorina and Esmerelda. Wildly disparate, wholly entertaining, and mesmerizingly comical, these three sisters are swept up in a whirlwind of adventure when each begins to chart a course towards discovering purpose, meaning, and direction.

About The Lapone Sisters: In the summer of 1976, three exceedingly different sisters launch a journey like no other when each begins the task of uncovering her individual course in the world. Schmellda, the eldest daughter, is a frumpy, self-appointed mother hen cautiously setting out on her own for the first time in her life. Middle sister Sorina, is a stunning – and – stuttering – beauty tentatively venturing out in search of her dreams. Bold youngest sister Esmerelda is an outspoken, sharp-tongued, unfiltered fireball ready to catapult for the nest.

Born to loving parents who provided a safe and nurturing environment, Schmellda, Sorina, and Esmerelda could not be more different – but when the sisters are swept up in an unimaginable spiral of events that will change their lives forever, they’ll discover more about themselves, and each other, than they ever dreamed possible.

The girls compete and commiserate. They take road trips and take chances. They get makeovers and they make waves. They grow and bloom and blossom. They change and yet they stay the same. They follow their hearts. They even fall in love. Over the months of the fateful, yet blissful summer, the sisters cross paths, cross wits, and come across an unbelievable menagerie of misfits, loners, losers and dreamers, making for an adventure like no other. For these three sisters, life will never be the same.

A smart, sweeping, and sensational story, The Lapone Sisters invites readers to come along on an unforgettable journey. Novelist Barry Wilker delivers a confident and captivating debut novel that delivers a powerful – and powerfully hopeful – message about following one’s heart without fear. Much more that a tale of three sisters, The Lapone Sisters is a beautifully rendered tale that celebrates taking chances, embracing individuality, innocence, redemption, and the unmistakable power of love. Resplendent with charm, peppered with wry humor, and replete with a richly drawn cast of characters destined to stay with readers long after the final page is turned, The Lapone Sisters is delightful.

The Lapone Sisters is available for purchase at Amazon.com and all other online retailers.

Grand Bank beckons you to another great story in theSgt. Windflower Mystery Series.

Book Information

Release Date: April 30, 2022

Publisher: Ottawa Press and Publishing

Soft Cover: ISBN: 978-1988437828; 288 pages; $16.95; eBook $4.99: FREE Kindle Unlimited

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3RczNNA

About the Author

Mike Martin was born in St. John’s, NL on the east coast of Canada and now lives and works in Ottawa, Ontario. He is a long-time freelance writer and his articles and essays have appeared in newspapers, magazines and online across Canada as well as in the United States and New Zealand.

He is the author of the award-winning Sgt. Windflower Mystery series set in beautiful Grand Bank. There are now 12 books in this light mystery series with the publication ofDangerous Waters. A Tangled Webwas shortlisted in 2017 for the best light mystery of the year, andDarkest Before the Dawnwon the 2019 Bony Blithe Light Mystery Award.Mike has also publishedChristmas in Newfoundland: Memories and Mysteries,a Sgt. Windflower Book of Christmas past and present.

Some Sgt. Windflower Mysteries are now available as audiobooks and the latest A Long Ways from Home was released as an audiobook in 2022. All audiobooks are available from Audible in Canada and around the world.

Mike is Past Chair of the Board of Crime Writers of Canada, a national organization promoting Canadian crime and mystery writers and a member of the Newfoundland Writers’ Guild and Ottawa Independent Writers and Capital Crime Writers.

His latest book is the mystery, Dangerous Waters.

You can visit his website at https://SgtWindflowerMysteries.com/ or connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.

Title: THE URBAN BOYS: DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES BOOK 1
Author: K.N. Smith
Publisher: Two Petals Publishing
Pages: 340
Genre: YA Action Adventure / YA Thriller / Urban Fantasy / Mystery / Thriller

BOOK BLURB:

Welcome or unwelcome. Fate has arrived.

“A captivating and poetic tale of mystery, fantasy, and reality tied together by action!” 5-stars, Lars Jackson, Amazon Customer

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story — an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature readers alike.

“Brilliantly crafted and written!” –Megan King, Indie Book Reviewers

“An energetic adventure debut with stellar action sequences. Smith’s writing is intelligent and often lyrical. Her exuberant prose never fails to dazzle.” –Kirkus Media

“Author K.N. Smith uses her mastery of the written word to weave an entrancing, yet powerful tale of adventure that keeps you turning pages in an unquenchable desire to find out what happens next.” –Publishers Daily Reviews

Book Information

Release Date:September 29, 2015

Publisher:Two Petals Publishing

Soft Cover:ISBN: 978-0989474757; 340 pages; $12.95; E-Book, $2.99

Available for Purchase in Paperback & Kindle atwww.books2read.com/knsmith.

Twenty Years Later

THE COMMUNITY OF DANVILLE HEIGHTS offersthe scenic route to a carefully crafted universe. Casts of shadows cool and soothe, beckoningthe weary, comforting their plight. Explosions of colorcaptivate, blanketing the land. A peaceful valley filled with families disinterested in city life, its combination ofnatural resources and quaint charm enchant thosefortunate enough to dwell within.

Nature expressed itself always, as seen in a swirlingbutterfly as it dipped toward a crimson landing pad. It meandered along clean streets where comfortable homes with large porches seemed to have beenplucked from the pages of a country interiors magazine.

Sunlight showered a dwelling with pale mint and creamy white paint, warming the sun porch and a shallow saucer of water left for visiting birds.

The butterfly swooped to examine embellished mailboxes, flapping its orange wings as though it were clapping for the winner. One of the mailboxes read: Parker Residence.

A bike lay sideways in the yard.

In this town, folks enjoy ripe tomatoes, fragrant peaches, and loads of neighborly warmth. People were glad to see each other, or at least they understood the politeness of saying hello. After all, a warm smile that’s always on the menu is reassuring indeed.

Across the way, the morning sun seeped into the bedroom of Kinsu Yamada, an athletic teenager named after an uncle from Japan.I’m so tired. It’s time to get up, but I’d rather be dreaming about what’s her name from sixth period. The girl with the short hair. Dang, what is her name anyway?

Getting up now offered a downside, like chancing a nap in the middle of class. Because his sore muscles needed a stretch, the option of dreaming quickly disappeared, so he reached for the headphones on his nightstand.

“Let’s see, how did that beat go?” He sifted through rhythms floating in his mind, like the masterpiece he had laid down yesterday.One, two, dat, boom. Yeah, that’s it right there! Only the beat master could do that.

He pushed the blankets aside, then reached across his bed.Where’s my tablet?He felt around until his fingers slid across cool metal. “In you go, headphones.”

He fired up one of his own tracks. The pulse of the beat brought him to life, but it wasn’t complete. New sounds were destined to mingle with the melody.I love this software.“Alright, FastBeats, let’s go.”

Kinsu opened the dashboard. Black and white keys made interesting noises. He wove drum and guitar effects into his tracks, dragging and dropping them into perfect position.Ooh, nice!

With the track finished, a quick scroll through a beat making contest announcement boosted his confidence.I’m sure I can win this one. When is it? A few weeks from now? No problem. I got this!

Time was moving. He plugged the headphones into his phone. A shuffled playlist spilled into his ears. Kinsu rolled out of bed to look outside. The beat throbbed in his head. A bird flew by the window as the blinds sliced through the view of a picture-perfect morning in Danville Heights.

A solid rocking chair made of real wood stood in thecorner of the porch. It had beautiful grain and curves, just the way Mrs. Perkins remembered from herchildhood. At seventy-five, she rocked almost daily,usually late at night, and like today, early in themorning before the sun peeked through sprawlingtrees.

She moved across her porch to adjust the hanging pots lined with moss, swaying in the soft wind. “Don’t you look lovely?” Mrs. Perkins stroked the dark purple geraniums, gifted to her by an acquaintance. “Such a rare color. So beautiful.”

She reached up to untangle a stubborn chain on one of the pots, which had caused it to lean sideways.Much better,she thought, after a few yanks.

A quiet town near the small city of Sandry Lake, Danville Heights was just the kind of place she liked. Small community feel. Occasions to get to know residents. Moments to find out their business. Just the way she liked it.

As she admired her flowers, something special met the morning. When the sun had appeared, sparkling dew evaporated from tall blades of grass, retracting the moisture so refreshing to the blades. Drying out right before her eyes, each blade had a story to tell emerging into the new day. So many stories. Much like the ones Mrs. Perkins had in memory.

She knew a lot about the history of Danville Heights. But it was clear to her—some secrets were not to be revealed. The trick? Imitating the blades’ mastery of secrecy throughout the decades.

She gripped the arms of the rocking chair, lowering herself, landing on a striped pillow.So comfortable. So nice and quiet.

She looked to the sky and smiled.

The motion of the rocking chair was part of the puzzle of the day’s awakening. Boys were slowly rolling out of bed, and the coffee was on, the rich aroma wafting through the houses. All of it made for a smooth transition from night to day without interruption of normal events.

A few streets over, Chase Freeman, a junior at Danville Heights High School, had fallen in love with his pillow. But he could hear Diane, his older sister, moving around the house. She had been raising him since their single mother passed away two years ago from breast cancer. They were doing their best to make it from semester to semester.

Diane was definitely in charge. She kept the house in order doing what her mother would have done. “Lasagna tonight, loaded baked potatoes tomorr—” She saw her reflection in the computer monitor as she zoomed around a corner. “Let me check my grades on the portal.”

She removed a small laundry basket from beneath her arm, setting it on the floor. With her knee on the desk chair, she logged-in to her online college courses to review the rankings. “B+? I was hoping for an A.” She searched for the message icon and tapped the keys.Dear Professor, I’d like to discuss this assignment during office hours…

As Chase entered his junior year, she gave her all to keep him focused. A challenging job for a young woman, but it appeared to be working so far.

Chase loved to sleep, but it wasn’t meant to be this morning. If he was going to catch a ride with Diane, he had to get up… now.

With her grades reviewed, she was on the move. Diane passed his room while putting away the laundry. “Chase, you must not want a ride today.” She could sense his fancy for feet dragging.

Chase jumped to the floor, suspending his covers in one hand. “Okay, okay, I’m up, see?” Tossing the blankets aside, he grabbed a silver bat from the corner of his room. Step up to the plate.He perfected his swing in the mirror.Nothing can stop this player. One more season after this year, then I’ll be an outfielder in college.

Diane was still in the hallway. “No, I don’tseeanything. Get moving. I have to work at the café this morning.”

Chase swung one more time. “Iamup.”

He bid farewell to his warm sanctuary. His deep brown skin glistened in the sunlight. A banner above the door with a quote from Babe Ruth caught his eye— ‘Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.’

Often amused with her brother, Diane smiled as she gave her final warning, “You’d better be, or you’re walking, mister.”

There was no sign of the sun in the not so distant town of Sandry Lake. Considering the height of the east side buildings which should have received a golden kiss by now, this seemed odd.

Didn’t the rooftops feel lonely awaiting the moment to greet the sun’s fresh rays?

Usually, there was plenty of action on the road, buttoday the mood was low. A dark contrast to the bonds being made in Danville Heights, where the sun appeared to believe it had a multitude of friends on which to rely for the next stretch of time.

K.N. Smith, winner of the “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards, is an author and passionate advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant. Reading is still her foremost hobby. K.N. inspires people of all ages to reach their highest potential in their creative, educational, and life pursuits.

Her latest book is the YA Action Adventure/YA Thriller/Urban Fantasy/Mystery/Thriller DISCOVERY OF THE FIVE SENSES (The Urban Boys Book 1).

You can visit her website atwww.KNSmith.comor connect with her onFacebook.