Freebies!
The excellent first two books in the Arbitratus Trilogy by Jess and Keith Flaherty are available for free on Amazon Kindle from 30th July to 3rd August! Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity!! Click here! Click here!
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The Greatest Race by Ali Lawati
“Gul, a young Afghan Tortoise in Yosemite Park, who impulsively accepts a challenge to race from the Cottontail Clan of rabbits. The rabbits, who are distant cousins of the hares, have been twitching for a rematch ever since the legendary race where the tortoise outsmarted the hare. Set in the harsh yet rich landscape of Yosemite, this fun to read adventure story teaches children about collaboration and fostering relationships while raising awareness about illegal poaching.One cold winter day in Yosemite, Baba Meerza, an afghan tortoise elder taken from his home in Margalla National Park in Pakistan along with his Horsfieldii…
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The LEO Personality
Leo is the fifth sign of the zodiac.. Here, the dominant need is to develop man’s creative urge. Creativity is not entirely an emotional urge in Leo; it is also an expression of ego. The mind and heart are united in this sign to represent man’s ultimate individuality. When their egos are turned inward, Leos become self-centred and tyrannical. Seeking to gain attention (consciously or subconsciously), they love to play the hero. At times this gesture is indeed noble, but feeling they already know what is best, they often neglect to learn what assistance is actually wanted and their misguided…
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Words to Make You Think
Don’t be impressed by wealth and social status, but by how people treat others. #CrimsonCloakPublishing #Wealth #SocialStatus #TreatOthers
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House of Pain by Denna Holm
Maggie Shelbador is a half-breed succubus with a heart. Though raised inside one of the worst whorehouses in the world, all she wants is to find one man who will love her despite what she is. She dreams of one day being free of her nightmarish life but fears no man will ever truly trust her. The year is 3515 and most of the world has been destroyed by a combination of natural disasters and man’s neglect. The whole human race faces extinction. To survive, the leaders of the day approach demons for help, not understanding the high price they…
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Words to Make You Think
Hoping for an easy life won’t achieve anything. Seek the strength to face a harder one.
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A 38 Day Education by John Guzzardo
For one student, college is about to become the education of a lifetime. When Jay Ferragamo becomes Editor of The Scope, South Central College’s campus newspaper, he quickly learns the financial disaster he’s been handed. Rather than giving up, Jay embarks on a mission to secure the needed funds to revive the newspaper, and receives a lesson in both campus and small-town politics. Complicating matters, Jay learns the source of The Scope’s financial travails; thievery by a former staffer who belongs to one of the college’s most generous families. Calling this person to account will mean not only exposing one…
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Icarian by Rick Stepp-Bolling
Ka, half raptor and half man, must undertake three tests to become a member of the elite Icarian Squadron, flyers who dedicate themselves to the destruction of Summia and to an alliance with Imperiana. In order for him to succeed, he must first overcome his own fears, but in the process, he discovers how Imperiana has manipulated the trials and Ka’s own emotional needs. Captain Harriman, under Imperial command, is ordered to make sure the fledgling flyers bow to Imperiana’s control. Will Ka be able to survive the trials and become an Icarian as his father was in the first…
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The Trafficking Murders by Brian O’Hare
Lin Hui and Cheung Mingzhu win scholarships to study at Queen’s University in Belfast. Alina Balauru departs a poor farm in Romania for well paid work in Northern Ireland. Three lives harbouring long-cherished dreams. Three lives headed for tragedy. Sheehan and his Serious Crimes Unit discover the body of one of the young women in the garden of an upmarket residence. Confronted with violent Chinese racketeers, brutal human-traffickers and a fiendishly clever killer called The Shadow, they are baffled by a case that seems to lead in two entirely different directions. Can they find out who The Shadow is in…
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10 Things Dogs and Cats Think About.
TEN THINGS A DOG THINKS ABOUT 1) Wonder why they keep putting the lid down on the big water bowl? 2) Why do they insist on rubbing my nose in it? I know what it is. It’s mine! 3) I’ll never understand humans. They tell me off for licking my butt, so I wipe it on the floor instead. And are they happy? 4) He only tells me to stop doing that, because he can’t, and he’s jealous. 5) Oh Boy! Another smell! 6) I am a dog, so I am expected to bark, a lot. Especially in the dead of…
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The Amber Trap by Ellen Read
Murder on the High Seas. Thomas Thornton reads the newspaper article. Can the murder of a young German man, fatally stabbed during a voyage out of London to Melbourne, have anything to do with the Thorntons? Alexandra’s curiosity is piqued when a Prussian Count, who travelled on the same ship, shows up at Thornton Antiques in search of a rare amber postage stamp. Alexandra Thornton and Benedict Archer have been married for one year. Benedict is estranged from his family, who own a vineyard in the Barossa Valley in South Australia. Alexandra urges him to try to heal the breach….
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A Spade and a Bottle of Port by Tam Meijer
Grace realizes hiding your husband’s body in the backyard is one thing, to ensure it remains hidden is a whole different matter. Add to that a line-up of mistresses looking for their lover-slash-Grace’s cheating-ass husband, a wedding reception, a mother with a fondness for smoking herbal cigarettes, and the task seems almost impossible. Luckily, she can count on Nat and Debs, her two best friends, to help out. But even with creative thinking and seizing opportunities when they present themselves, can Grace get away with murder? A funny, light-hearted, and somewhat outrageous story about the struggles in relationships and the…
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Garson and You by Bill Hunt
Have you ever wanted to be a protector of dragons? Garson is a different kind of dragon. He’s as small as a cat, mischievous, and lots of fun. This is a rhyming book based on the popular “Guardian” series by the same author. Your children will love hearing and seeing what Garson can do, and how they, too, can become a protector of dragons. Buy on Amazon here Buy on Barnes and Noble here
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The Ape is Dead by Nkosi Ife Bandele
“Soup” doesn’t wanna be a “soft brother” hooked up with a white girl, but damn his white girlfriend is cool, and fine! His so-called liberal college is politicized to the extreme, with a variety of interested parties insisting that he color-coordinate-date, and so he punks out and dumps his girl, and in the process learns about love, life, and the choices we make. Insightful and funny, an excellent read. Buy from Amazon here Buy from Barnes and Noble here
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Buzzbee in a Can by Patsy and Tom Allen
Buzzbee is a little duckling who is just finding out about his environment and the world around him. He and his friends just want to play all day, but sometimes it’s dangerous out there. They want to be good and helpful, but it’s hard to know what to do when you are only little. Buy from Amazon here Buy from Barnes and Noble here
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Wit, Wisdom and Heart by Rodney Page
Wit, Wisdom and Heart is an anthology of thirteen eclectic short stories about Southerners that will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. A smart aleck ghost on North Carolina’s Outer Banks will have you laughing at his journey to the hereafter…and back. You’ll experience the pain of lost loved ones as a widow and widower try to overcome the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. An aging baby boomer fighting severe depression asks an eternal question: Is life worth living? Do evil people get what they deserve? And, do nosy small town busybodies ever receive their just comeuppance? The horror of…
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Children’s picture books can teach important life lessons
Did you know that at six months of age, children are already interested in objects? They see colours and shapes, and reach out for their favourite ones, already developing observational skills. By the age of eleven months they can respond to a growing number of words, so what better way to increase children’s learning even at the earliest ages than by seeing images of what is being read to them? They are never too young to be introduced to the simplest picture books. We all lead busy lives and none more so than parents. In the midst of the hustle…
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The Little Book About Self-Hypnosis by Chuck Kelly
Tap into your Inner Power for Greater Self-Worth Learn to Hypnotize Yourself Lose Weight for Better Health Stop Smoking When Alcohol is not Your Friend Overcome Fears Face Pre-and Post Surgeries Control Anger Challenging COPD And more… Special Chapter: “Weight Loss” by Dr. Jim Driscoll “In essence this little book is a quick reference offering simple techniques through self-hypnosis to help you find a resolution to some of your problems and make you a healthy and happier person. This little book is the spirit, the very core of some of my hypnotherapy sessions. Included is informative text plus self-hypnosis procedures…
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Kosmic and Raven by Melanie Jeyakkumar
Kosmic and Raven are two cats with wings who had never met until one eventful day when an escape attempt goes horribly wrong. One must rescue the other, but he needs to learn how to fly first! Will Spirit the unicorn help? Can Kosmic save his new friend in time? Will Viper, the evil green dragon seek his revenge? Whatever happens, Kosmic and Raven will surely become kitty best friends forever! Buy from Amazon here Buy from Barnes and Noble here
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Award Winner!
Story Monsters Ink have announced the 2021 Purple Dragonfly Award winners and Cindi Goodeaux’ ebook ‘Grandpa Moon’ won first place under the Family Matters category!!! Cindi and Sanghamitra (illustrator) are over the moon! “Montana is Grandpa’s princess. They loved spending time together going for walks in the park or quietly sitting on the porch reading her favorite book. When grandpa becomes sick, and doesn’t come home from the hospital, Montana’s mom tries to help her understand why. A sweet and gentle way to look at death, for children ten and under. If your family has had to make this hard…
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Claimed by Seraphym by Denna Holm
Samantha was only sixteen when her sister Abby took her on an exciting journey through space to live on a new planet. She couldn’t be happier, until her eighteenth birthday, when the king declares she must accept the claim of a Raiden warrior. No one will stand up for her right to choose a mate for herself, not even Abby, until a magnificent dragon shifter drops out of the sky, offering Sam sanctuary with his clan. When Seraphym’s niece is abducted and claimed against her will by a sadistic Raiden prince, he vows to one day take vengeance against the…
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Edo Blood: Book II, Part One, by Don McCann.
Warrior. Ruler. Warlord. Vampire. For over 300 years Sung has ruled the Qin Dao province of China. He has fought for his land, he has fought for his power, and finally, he has fought for his privacy. At this point in his un-life, all he wants is to be left alone. His present goal is the study of the creature he has become. But, with the arrival of Mitsui he now has a different area of study. And a new battle to wage. But, despite his formidable powers, this is a battle he may not be able to win. This…
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Where Rivers Meet by Paula Roscoe
Abigail Lloyd is a talented, grief-stricken young artist who returns to the Welsh village where she had spent many happy years with her beloved Nan. A home where she had always felt loved and safe. A place she hoped to begin her life again and find her own destiny; but on her return, she finds secrets that were long forgotten locked away in an old suitcase. Secrets from her childhood that will push her beliefs to the limit.Cain is in love with a woman he knows he can never possess. He has watched her grow into a beautiful young woman,…
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Celebrating Birthdays (whenever yours may be!)
History tells us that this came about because as Ancient people began to learn about the world’s cycles, calendars were developed. Birthdays were some of the first special events people recorded in them. Now ancient people try to ignore their Birthdays, but their friends just won’t let them… Birthday Party It was believed that people were more susceptible to good and evil spirits on their Birthday’s. When they had a Birthday therefore, friends and relatives gathered around to protect them. Birthday Parties involve a lot of spirits these days too. They’re usually considered good on the…
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Guardian of the Gulch by Chuck Morris
Muley Gentry has spent the last six months searching for information on the murder of his parents. His quest brings him to the Golden Nugget Saloon in Helena, Montana where he meets Kicks A Burks. Muley should know better than to make fun of a cowpoke’s name, but the resulting fistfight is the start to a close friendship between the two. Muley and Kicks quickly make enemies of the sheriff and his deputies. When they learn Sheriff Tidwell might be involved with the death of Muley’s parents, which they eventually connect to the Last Chance Gold Mine, Kicks travels to…
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The Bunnys’ Go to the Circus by Patrick Shanahan.
After listening to Mother Bunny talk about the circus, her children Bunny, Honey, and Cutie Pie were filled with excitement and anticipation. Vivid images of performers wearing colorful costumes and exotic circus animals filled their minds. When she spoke of the endless treats that the audience dropped under the grandstands and around the Big Top they barely heard her warnings about the dangers. The following day after creeping under the canvas in the main tent Bunny, always looking out for his younger sisters, was again challenged when Cute Pie set out on her own to find adventure. Instead she found…
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Independence Day 4th July
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day, has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. When the initial battles broke out in April 1775, few colonists desired complete independence from Great Britain, and those who did were considered radical. By the middle of the following year, however, many more colonists had come to favor independence, thanks to growing hostility against Britain and the spread of revolutionary sentiments. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence,…
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Amazing Adventures in Shelby’s Shoes
Playing dress-up in her mother’s shoes, Shelby’s imagination takes her all over the world. But she comes to realize that she has the power to make her own dreams come true .With a chapter of information on achieving Girl Power, for parents to share, this is a lighthearted book of empowerment for children.“Amazing Adventures in Shelby’s Shoes” is a sweet and funny story that offers a valuable life lesson to any child: Believe in yourself; you can be anything you want to be. As Shelby instantly transforms herself by changing her shoes, children feel it’s okay to ‘try on’ different…
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You’re a Gemini by Lynne North
One of a series of astrology books for children. “You’re a Gemini” is the third in a series of astrology books for children. There will be one for each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. They are written and illustrated to educate, amuse, and entertain children while letting them know about their own personal zodiac sign. You will read about your personality, the friends you choose, the things you love to do, and the things you avoid whenever you can! Would you like to read a book that tells you all about yourself? Well, if you are a Gemini,…
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Before The Dawn by Jess and Keith Flaherty
When Mal Sinclair first learned she was the child of an angeland a Divine bloodline, named in a prophecy of Biblicalproportions, she thought it was the end of the world.She had no idea that only months later she’d need to knowthe plural of apocalypse. Mal had always believed good and evil were pretty black andwhite until Ben Brody, the love of her life and one of the bestpeople she’s ever known, turned out to be a demon. Learning more about the Emerald Hill Prophecy and thelines being drawn Above and Below, greys her worldvieweven further. Heaven and Hell both want…
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The CANCER Personality
Cancer is the fourth sign of the zodiac. In Cancer the need is not one of individual survival as it was in the first three signs. Here, it is eternal survival through perpetuation of the species. It is the sign of fertility and nurture, and Cancerians have strong identification with these matters in one form or another. It doesn’t mean all of them are good cooks or efficient housekeepers, but they all want to feel part of a family. They enjoy feeding others as much as they enjoy feeding themselves. They are also ready to supply emotional nurturing by “mothering”…
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Jumping Jonny by Glennyce Eckersley
Interior illustrations by Patsy Allen and Gill Smith bring this book of children’s poems to life. Ages five and older will find the pictures and poems amusing, fun, and quirky. They are sure to engage children’s imagination and make them smile and laugh.A delightful look into the world of make-believe, it is sure to bring joy and curious questions to every reader. Buy from Amazon here Buy from Barnes and Noble here
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If Only You Knew
Have you checked out the witty, romantic novel by Louise Mercer yet? Perfect summer reading! Following the untimely passing of her godmother, Laura finds herself the benefactor of a picturesque seaside B&B. She’s soon plunged into the life of hospitality, catering for the needs of her eclectic guests, with help from her vibrant and fun-loving friend, Amy. However, the cosy seaside lifestyle she hopes for is soon dominated by her mischievous pup, an unwelcome ex-boyfriend, seaside storms and the search for long-lost family. If her new life isn’t challenging enough, she also has a battle on her hands against her…
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Murder of a Chinese Girl by Brian O’Hare
Get your free copy of this incredible story by Brian O’Hare by clicking here! www.crimsoncloakpublishing.com/get-murder-of-a-chinese-girl-free Chen Li, a student from Shenzhen University in China, wins a dream scholarship to Queen’s University in Belfast. Cleverly groomed by a young, handsome lecturer, she finds herself trapped in a high-end escort service that caters for wealthy and prominent personnel. Unable to endure the increasingly prurient demands of the clientele she is forced to entertain, she flees from her apartment and tries to hide in cheap lodgings on the outskirts of the city. She is easily located by agents of The Shadow, a dark,…
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Blog Email Issues
Hello all. We’ve been having some trouble with the blog e-mailing out posts, and today I was looking around the website, and I think I have fixed it. It has still been posting to the website, so if you want to see what you’ve missed, please do! Starting now, if you are receiving this, you are still subscribed, and you will receive the next one automatically. Happy Summer!
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The GEMINI Personality
Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac. Gemini goes beyond the Aries need for the raw energy of survival and the Taurus need to physically touch and experience the material world. In Gemini, it is the intellect that man needs to develop in order to understand the universe. This stage is concerned primarily with information-gathering and Geminis never seem to stop collecting it. They need to express ideas and share information with others, but what they do with their information is another matter. The mature Gemini becomes a serious scholar and careful researcher. The immature Gemini turns into a…
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What Do YOU think?
Hello readers, and thank you for being here. I have decided to turn this week’s blog into what hopefully could be a communication exercise. Each week I write your blog, with no real idea about which you like, or even hate! Do you enjoy my blogs in general, and find them interesting, or would you prefer different topics? If possible, let me know which you enjoy, which not so much. Do you enjoy the factual ones, humour, astrology, origins of days we celebrate often without knowing why? Useful sites and tips for writers? Or even if there are any topics…
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The Human Survival Guide to Travelling with your Pet
Here is some light entertainment for those who share their lives with cats or dogs. 1) Preparing your Dog: He will be happy to travel anywhere with you, as long as you use the magic word “Ta ta’s” Preparing your Cat: Your cat DOES NOT like to travel, and will only do so in a box, or in an utter state of turmoil (or both). 2) Getting Your Dog in: He will joyfully jump into your car because he trusts you. Doesn’t that make you feel guilty since last time he was in the car you…
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Why do adults read children’s books?
And yes, they definitely do. In some cases it might be parents or grandparents reading to their children, but certainly not always. I, and many other adults it seems, simply love to read children’s books. There must be a reason. In my case as a children’s writer, part of the reason might be to check out other children’s authors out there, what they write about, how they carry the story through, and how the best sellers make it. That much is true, but my need to read children’s books runs much deeper. So, what compels us to return to the…
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The TAURUS Personality
Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac, representative of the physical senses. What man can see, touch, and physically hold represents the reality of his position. It is why the celestial heritage of Taureans is to conserve physical resources and possessively cling to people whom they regard as their own. Their strongest desire is for personal security. Broken promises or the betrayal of others are threats to this security. Their reaction to such personal affronts is likely to be bitter, and those who inflict such abuses will not be given another chance. Disappointed Taureans can behave in a manner…
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Mother’s Day in the USA
Mother’s Day is celebrated across the world in more than 50 countries, though not all countries celebrate it on the same day. Countries that celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, i.e. Sun 9th May in 2021, include the USA, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Turkey and Belgium. Anna Maria Jarvis (May 1, 1864 – November 24, 1948) was the founder of Mother’s Day in the United States. Her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis had frequently expressed a desire for the establishment of such a holiday, and she helped start “Mothers’ Day Work Clubs” to teach local women how…
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May Day Traditions
The first day of May is known as May Day, a time of year when warmer weather brings newly grown flowers and blossoms to the trees. A lovely month of the year, it is the time when people’s thoughts move from winter to the coming summer. Even though summer only officially begins in June, May opens the door; and May Day has had a rich history in England for over 2,000 years. Floralia The Romans celebrated the cycle of life at the festival of Floralia from the end of April until the early days of May. Flora was the Goddess…
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Book Reviews
Book Reviews are a vital part of promoting books for authors. The top authors need them and depend on them, and even more so the lesser known authors. Book reviews are long or short written views about an author’s book, often submitted to Amazon or GoodReads etc. They tend to be based on personal opinions from the reader of the book. Did they enjoy the story, were the characters likeable, would they like to read more by the same author? It is important therefore that each book has as many reviews as possible. A book that some might rate as…
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How children relate to positive role models in fantasy books
All good books contain role models that the reader strives to be like, and this is especially the case in children’s books. Children are like sponges who soak up everything around them, and when it comes to books they don’t just read them, they live them. They like to read about characters who have to face hard tasks, make difficult decisions, and who contribute greatly to achieving necessary aims. This is never more so than in fantasy books where worlds depend on the achieving of key tasks by brave adventurers. These characters usually have traits that the children already admire,…
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Kizoa Movie Maker
Do you like the thought of making your own videos, to promote your books or to capture family moments or events? Check out Kizoa, a free online Video Editor, Movie Maker and Slideshow Creator making it easy to create videos for your work and your life. www.Kizoa.com The free version is easy to use. You will soon be producing videos that are better and better. Fun to do and great for you to show. Enjoy!
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The ARIES Personality
As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries represents the raw energy of life itself, which is the first step in being part of the universe. Babies think of themselves as the centre of everyone else’s universe. As they grow older, they learn they are not the centre but part of a family group. It is the karmic responsibility of the Aries-born to accept the idea that they are not the centre of the universe but part of the larger social order of all men. Aries personalities who do not develop this kind of maturity are demanding and infantile in…
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EASTER LORE
Easter is called a moveable feast because the date changes every year. Easter Sunday can fall on any date from 22 March to 25 April. The reason for this variation in the date of Easter is based on the lunar calendar (moon) rather than our more well-known solar one. Easter always falls on the first Sunday following the full Moon after the 21st March. In 2021 Good Friday is on 2nd April and Easter Sunday on 4th April. Symbolism has always played an important part in festivals and celebrations, and Easter is no exception to this rule. Before Christianity…
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TUMBLR
Tumblr is a microblogging platform and social networking website. The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users’ blogs, as well as make their own. Much of the website’s features are accessed from the “dashboard” interface, where the option to post content and posts of followed blogs appear. This site provides a good opportunity for promotion, and interests for non-authors too! https://www.tumblr.com/login
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St Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day is officially observed on March 17 each year, which is believed to have been the date St Patrick died in the 5th Century. Strange as it may seem, the man who would become St. Patrick was born in Britain (part of the Roman Empire at the time) as Maewyn Succat in the late 4th century. His family were Christians, but it’s said that Maewyn himself was an atheist until he reached 16 years of age. His life changed at that point when he was kidnapped by pirates and taken to Ireland. After 6 years in captivity herding…
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Mother’s Day-UK
This year, Mother’s Day in the UK will be celebrated on the 14th March. As with most of our celebrations, Mother’s Day can be traced back to Greek and Roman times. The Greeks used their annual spring festival to honour Rhea, the wife of Cronus and the mother of many heroes of Greek myth. The Roman Spring festival of Hilaria was held to celebrate Cybele, a mother goddess. Offerings, games and parades began on the Ides of March and lasted for three days. Those Romans knew how to celebrate… In early Christianity, the fourth Sunday of Lent was chosen to…
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Pinterest is an online bulletin board – mostly for collecting images of whatever you want your viewers to see. It is popular to make your own boards, and to look at other people’s ideas. All authors especially should consider making a Pinterest page based on each of their books! It is free to join and easy to use, and you can also post your pins to Twitter. You can post to Twitter as you repin or pin images, or you can post images when you view them. You can tweet images on a pin-by-pin basis rather than potentially overwhelming your…
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2021 Year of the Ox or Buffalo.
Ox Years: 1901, 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009, 2021 This is for people born in any of the above years! Born under the sign of the Ox (also known as the Buffalo) you will be diffident, slow, precise, methodical and balanced, hiding an original and intelligent nature behind a homely façade. You have the gift of inspiring others with confidence. You like to be alone to think, and can be rather self-centred which you will be criticised for at some time in your life. Despite your tranquil appearance, you are prone to intense (and fortunately rare)…
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CHINESE NEW YEAR!
According to legend, the Lord Buddha summoned all the animals to come to him before he departed from Earth. Only 12 animals came to bid him farewell. As a reward he named a year after each one in the order they arrived. First came the Rat, then the Ox, the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. These animals represent the 12 signs we have today. The Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in China. In 2021, Chinese New Year began on February 12th and is the Year of the Ox (also known as…
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The Origins of Valentine’s Day
St Valentine’s Day has its origins in a number of different legends that have been passed down to us through the ages. One of the earliest popular symbols of Valentine’s Day is Cupid, the Roman god of love, represented by a young boy with a bow and arrow. One of the first mentions of ‘Valentine’ was in Ancient Roman times when everyone was expected to worship the many Roman Gods. Valentine, a Christian priest, was thrown into prison because of his beliefs. On February 14th he was put to death, not only for his Christianity, but because he was said…
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If only you knew Amy Sharples.
By Louise Mercer, author of ‘If Only You Knew’ Amy is the best friend any girl can have! When Laura finds herself in a new village, running a business she has no experience of and battling an unpleasant ex-boyfriend as well as her attraction to an extremely bad tempered but gorgeous looking vet, Amy becomes her rock. Fiercely loyal with a vulnerability that makes your heart melt, Amy Sharples very quickly became one of my favourite characters. Ask me for my inspiration behind her? Well, I can’t do it justice without an explanation about myself. Like so many people I…
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Calling all Beta Readers
Calling All Beta Readers!
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Witch Stones
Witch stones, stones with natural holes through them, have many magical qualities. They have been referred to by a variety of names over the years, Witch Stones, Adder Stones, Snake Eggs, Hex Stones, Fairy Stones, Holey Stones and Eye Stones, to name but a few! Whatever you prefer to call them, it is said that to have power, the stone must be found by the person who will use it. To be given a witch stone, or to buy one, is not the same. True believers insist that people don’t find stones, the stones find people… Legends tell us they…
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The Nielsen Book database
All formats of our books are available on Nielsen. Who are Nielsen, you might ask? About Nielsen “Nielsen Book Discovery range of search and discovery services are used by booksellers, libraries and publishers in over 100 countries worldwide. We collect bibliographic metadata from publishers in over 70 countries (including the UK, Ireland, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa) and work closely with the leading data providers in the US to ensure we have the most consistent and comprehensive global database of title records available. The Nielsen Book database, which now holds over 30 million title records, is available to booksellers, libraries and publishers worldwide to inform…
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National Human Trafficking Awareness Day is observed every year on January 11.
In 2011 President Barack Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation, designating each January to be National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. The anniversary of this proclamation became known as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. Slavery was officially abolished in the USA by the Thirteenth Amendment in December 1865 however human trafficking grows at an alarming rate and despite the USA being a first world country, human trafficking has become a lucrative business for some members of society. The victims affected and forced into modern day slavery are often of foreign nationalities but could be anyone. They are all subjected to…
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Twelfth Night
Christmas has certainly been a different one this year, through no fault of our own! It will have been what you made it, and based on what you were able to do. However it passed for you, we are now faced with the task of taking all the decorations down again. Which brings with it the usual question of, when? Maybe some of you have already moved everything away hoping for a better Christmas next year, but for those of you still surrounded by the trimmings, when should they officially come down? We have all had enough bad luck in…
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The New Year
Customs in celebration of the New Year take place the world over. Strangely enough in Europe, the New Year was celebrated in the past at different times varying from Christmas to March, and the official celebration on 1st January is comparatively new in the scheme of things. Until the introduction of the Gregorian calendar in 1752, the official New Year in Britain began in March! As far as the common people were concerned however, it has always been celebrated on 1st January. Many of the customs associated with this turning point combine the elements of death and rebirth. The…
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Origins of Boxing Day
There are several theories as to the origin of Boxing Day, but in general the tradition has long included the wealthy giving money and other gifts to the poor. The European tradition dates to the Middle Ages, but some claim it dates back even farther to the late Roman/early Christian era when metal boxes were placed outside churches to collect special offerings connected to the Feast of Saint Stephen. A reference to Boxing Day’s origins appears in the Christmas Carol, “Good King Wenceslas.” Wenceslas, who was Duke of Bohemia in the early 10th century, saw a poor man gathering wood…
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Father Christmas and Christmas gifts.
The giving of gifts at Christmas probably originated with St Nicholas, who actually lived in the 4th century AD and was the Patron Saint of children and travellers by sea; known by his red cape, flowing white beard, and bishop’s mitre. He was a kind and generous man who gave gifts of money and assistance in times of need. The giving of gifts used to be carried out on 6th December in memory of the Saint, for on his feast day people gained the habit of being particularly nice to children and placing small gifts in their shoes to…
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The Winter Solstice – 21st December.
In the northern latitudes, midwinter’s day has been an important time for celebration throughout the ages. The Winter Solstice occurs exactly when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest away from the sun. On this shortest day of the year, and longest night, the sun is at its lowest and weakest; a pivotal turning point of the year from which the light will grow stronger and brighter. The Romans called it Dies Natalis Invicti Solis, the Birthday of the Unconquered Sun. The seasonal significance of the Winter Solstice is in the reversal of the gradual lengthening of nights and shortening of…
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Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe
The Holly and the Ivy are as much a part of a traditional Christmas as are Christmas trees and presents. Both are very hardy plants, and an old belief was that if they could survive harsh winters, so could the households that displayed them. The holly was sacred to the Roman god, Saturn, and the Romans gave each other holly wreaths to deck their homes. Ivy was the plant most associated with the Roman God, Bacchus, who wore a crown of it to symbolize his immortality. Bacchus, the God of wine and frivolity, and his followers believed their crowns of…
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Yule Log
The Ancient Druids began the tradition of the Yule log, though they probably didn’t expect it to become a chocolate one after the passage of time…The name ‘Druid’ has been said to stem from the word ‘Duir’, or ‘oak’, which gave rise to the assumption that the Druids were priests of the sacred oak groves believed to have once spread across Britain and Ireland.They worshipped trees as symbols of the Gods, chanting to them and making offerings. The custom of ‘wassailing’ (meaning to wish good health to) is descended from the Druidic worship of these powerful trees. The Yule log…
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Some Truth
by #FRIPPTOPIA aka William Fripp III Here’s some truth for your day… …right now, in this country, MILLIONS of people who HAVEN’T BEEN TESTED have CORONAVIRUS… …they’re STOCKING SHELVES, working the DRIVE THROUGH, DOING YOUR TAXES, or, if you’re from Charlotte, DEFENDING YOU IN COURT… …in OTHER WORDS, the CHANCES ARE GOOD that YOU ‘GON GET THE ‘RONA… …whether you KNOW IT or NOT.You’ll think back and say, “You knowww, I DID have the cruds for week in April…: …coughing, wheezing, fever, food tasted like what you would imagine s**t would taste like had you a point of reference… …and…
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Origins of the Christmas Tree
The use of greenery and lights at Christmas goes back to the celebration of the Kalends of January in ancient Rome. Kalends was a celebration of the Roman New Year when people gave each other gifts of green boughs, honey treats, lamps for light and warmth, and silver and gold objects (The latter probably being the most popular.) They also trimmed trees with trinkets and toys during Saturnalia, and put candles on them to indicate the sun’s return to earth. The Druids honoured Odin by tying golden apples and other offerings to tree branches, and set lighted candles on…
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The First Christmas Card.
Have you written all your Christmas cards yet? No, neither have I. We all will be soon though won’t we, but why? Where and how did this tradition begin? The first Christmas card designed for sale was by London artist John Calcott Horsley and commissioned by Sir Henry Cole, a wealthy British businessman of the 1800’s, who found himself too busy in the festive season to send individual messages to all his friends. Yes, I know the feeling. Being a man who liked to be prepared therefore, in the summer of 1843 Sir Henry commissioned Horsley to design an impressive…
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Avoid the Slush Pile (#1)
Learn from professional Crimson Cloak Publishing executive editor Denna Holm (and prolific writer) on how to best avoid the dreaded slush pile upon submitting to publishers.
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Christmas origins…
So, it is almost Christmas again, and time for the mad panic that it always causes as we rush around for cards and presents. That means it’s time too for my first Christmas blog, all about the origins of the special day. The word ‘Christmas’ comes from the Old English term ‘Cristes Mæsse’, meaning the ‘Mass of Christ’. The story of Christmas, as we all know, begins with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem. Many believe that Christ was born on the 25th, although the exact month is unknown. December could well have been chosen so the Catholic Church…
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Thanksgiving Nov 26th 2020
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on varied dates of the year in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modelled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. The Pilgrims travelled from Europe to the New World, a continent they had never known before, in hopes of creating a community free to worship God away from the strict rules of their old government. For many hard months they journeyed across the Atlantic Ocean enduring vicious…
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Amazon Author Central
It is hard to believe that some authors do not complete their Amazon Author Central Page to use in their promotional work. So many readers tend to use Amazon to look at an author’s complete list of books, so by making the most of your Author Central page you’ll find that you could bring in more returning readers than ever before. If you are a reader, don’t miss this easy opportunity to check out your favourite author’s other books! Simply click on their name under the title of any of their books to take you to their Author Central page….
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‘Unlucky’ 13
Friday the 13th has long been considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. The day occurs when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. This happens at least once a year and sometimes up to three times in the same year. Very little is known for sure about the origins of the day’s ill omens. Some historians say the superstition began in the late 19th century. The first documented mention of the day can be found in a biography of the Italian composer Rossini, who died on Friday the 13th. Many reasons have been suggested for why…
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A light-hearted history of Bonfire Night
The historic origins of Bonfire Night date to the conflict between virtually outlawed Catholics and the Protestant establishment of the 16th and early 17th century. On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes (the real one, not the stuffed variety) and a group of Catholic conspirators who felt badly treated by the King put 36 barrels of gunpowder in a cellar underneath the Houses of Parliament. (Not a bad idea, do I hear you say?) Some of those involved in the plot however, realised that innocent people would be killed in the explosion. One plotter wrote a letter warning his friend to…
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A Personal View
by Paul White Ex Libris The book was old and covered in worn, cracked, scratched leather. It must have in existence for almost forever, during which time it was used and abused, thumbed through again and again. Its pages turned countless times, corners bent, folded and straightened once more. The gilt worn from the edges of those pages and, what little was left, was no longer bright and shiny but aged to an antique bronze. The blood-red silk ribbon, the page marker, was frayed. Long strands of silk thread dangled scruffily over the page. Each of those pages slowly yellowing…
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Kindle Unlimited
If you already pay the monthly subscription for Amazon Kindle Unlimited, do you also know that ALL Crimson Cloak Publishing’s books are available on Kindle Unlimited? That means that if you would like to check out any of our authors and their books, you could do so for free! We cover so many genres from children’s books to Sci Fi, Fantasy, horror, romance, westerns, YA, crime, murder, suspense and more, there is something for everyone! Why not check out what is available on our website, then nip over to Amazon and choose your free kindle unlimited books? If you are…
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HALLOWEEN
It will soon be Halloween everyone. I’m sure my character ‘Gertie’ will enjoy this important day in all witches calendars! Though we celebrate Halloween on 31st October each year, do you know why? Well, here is a brief explanation! Halloween seems to have its roots in the Celtic celebration of Samhain, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Samhain was a Pagan harvest festival celebrated by huge sacred bonfires in honour of the dead, marking the end of the Celtic year and the beginning of a new one. Fire often symbolised the power of the sun, or…
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Rise of a Warrior
by Denna Holm Want a free eBook of Rise of a Warrior? This is the newest book in Denna Holm’s Immortal Warrior’s Series. Simply go here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/313266 Read below for a excerpt of the book: Carla Trystan is a half-breed vampire who has spent her entire life running from powerful Hunters—aliens from another world. She is also plagued by nightmares, hearing the same deep, dark voice say night after night, ‘If you wish to live, child, take my hand.’ When she finally meets the man behind the terrifying voice, it is to discover he is one of the aliens she…
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You’re an Aries
Just to show that not all children’s books are necessarily meant only for children! Many thanks to Madeline Dow for sending us this lovely blog post and photo! “Thanks to our very capable marketing director and fellow writer, Lynne North for her hot off the press first in the series, astrological signs book for children. I gave a copy of You’re An Aries to my grown up son, who is now a HS chemistry and physics teacher, to remind him of his Aries roots!“ Madeline Dow
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The Trafficking Murders at special introductory price of $1.99/1.99 GBP/EUR by Author Brian O’Hare
Get The Trafficking Murder (just released) for a special price, and get The Doom Murders (book 1 in the series) for $0.99. All books are in Kindle Unlimited as well!
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Dedications
Does anyone read dedications in books, I wonder? I always do, because it took me some time to try to get mine right in just a few words. How can you sum up the importance of the person you are dedicating your book to in so few lines? My first two published books are dedicated to my Mum, who I lost to a stroke very suddenly in 1997. I wish she could have seen them published, as she always believed it would happen. In my way, the dedication keeps her memory alive forever. So, when you skip by…
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An Authors Tale to writing ‘If Only You Knew’
by Louise Mercer Ever since being a little girl, I have always wrote short stories. More to humour myself than anything else. Despite reading large quantities of Enid Blyton and as I got older, romantic fiction, I never found the ‘perfect book’ for me. Back then, I couldn’t quantify what my perfect book would be either, but at bed times, particularly during the colder months when my feet were snuggled around a hot water bottle and the rain blew hard against my window, I would imagine myself in another world, somewhere safe, warm, cosy, and of course….with the ‘perfect…
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You Cannot Buy What’s Not for Sale
by Peter D. Capen Author of Random Reflections on American Society, Politics and the Human Condition, a book of Aphorisms. I have often wondered in a culture where everything is treated as having a price, including “human beings”, what if there was something that was “without a price”, no matter how much was offered for it? Where would someone draw the line and not be seduced by money? It is often said that one cannot buy love. Are there other things that are priceless as well? I, for one, believe some things, be they tangible or not, and no matter…
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Marketing in Challenging Times
Written by Elizabeth Crocket Author of books: A Path to the Lake, Full of Grace, The Smell of Roses and a children’s haiku book Happy Haiku (illustrated by Jack Foster) Like many authors and poets, I am constantly looking for ways to promote and share my work. But during this time of struggle for so many people, in so many ways, I have to admit I’ve struggled with a ‘look at me, look at my work’ approach to marketing. I remind myself writing and creating is what I do, and so I carry on posting my latest review or poem…
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Discount Book – A Light in the Darkness
It is my pleasure to bring you a discount for the book A Light in the Darkness by Lisa Sniderman aka Aoede. On Monday, September 21st – September 26th, it will be on sale through Kindle. Get it here: http://mybook.to/ALightintheDarkness Here’s a short description and some applause: What can we do when we struggle with an illness that doesn’t go away? An inspirational story of the healing power of music, creativity, following your dreams and finding your true purpose. In 2008, singer-songwriter Lisa Sniderman was living the dream in California. As Aoede, the Muse of Song, her star as a…
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Blog Posts on Page
Yes, 3rd test post. This is really fun, I tell you. Ever try to mess with technology and programming after not having a good night’s sleep? Yeah, not a good combination. Gotta love little sleep, no coffee and technology.
