Tuesday, May 12, 2026

#BookReview ~ Rumours, Romance & Rhubarb Crumble by Rosie Green ~ #ContemporaryRomance ~ @Rosie_Green88 @rararesources


Rumours, Romance & Rhubarb Crumble


About the Book:

When Gertie buys a run-down house 'by accident', she considers it the latest fail in a series of disasters! Her job at the Little Duck Pond Café and the friends she's made there are a big comfort – especially as temporary boss Alice seems to be going out of her way to make her life difficult. But then Gertie meets the handsome Rafe – and her life takes a turn she definitely wasn't expecting . . .

My Review:

Rumours, Romance and Rhubarb is the 45th story in the Little Duck Pond Cafe series. Each story in this series is fresh, interesting, and entertaining. The reader will be engaged from the start.

Gertie has had a challenging past few months. Cheating boyfriend, accidental home purchase, a new boss that is cold as ice. When she meets a handsome stranger in a parking lot and they click, she hopes things are going to start looking up. 

I loved coming back to this world, visiting with old characters, and meeting new ones. Rumours, Romance and Rhubarb isn't just a contemporary romance. Gertie finds herself amid some dark situations that are written with care and compassion by the author. The realism of Rosie's stories will evoke intense emotional responses. 

The author crafted a wonderful world and continues to build it and grow the characters. I enjoyed the writing style, pacing, and vivid imagery. The characters are written with depth, emotion, and realism.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:



Purchase Links:




Meet the Author:


Rosie Green is the author of the popular Little Duck Pond Café series, set in the fictional village of Sunnybrook. Watch out for lots more café drama and romance in 2026, including ‘A Cornish Escape’ (out in May) and ‘The Secrets of Midsummer Cottage’, which will be published in July 2026.

Follow Rosie on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rosie_Green88



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A Proof of Love by Merida Johns ~ #WomensFiction @GoddessFish


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
About the Book:

A fictional story with a memoir overlay as narrator Katie Blake reflects on life in small town America and the principles, influences, and big personalities she wants you to never forget.

It’s Memorial Day weekend, 2009, and the town gossips have their shorts in a twist about a mysterious newcomer who wears tie-dye, colorful headbands, clunky necklaces, and rings on every finger.“Who installs a ceiling fan on a Victorian porch?” cries Ned Boomer, Woodburg’s grumpiest man, and the town gossips concur, “She must be a hippie, witch, or maybe worse . . . a socialist.”

Hell-bent on preventing a neighborhood blow-up, precocious, nine-year-old Katie Blake launches a covert investigation to gather the truth about the enigmatic Rose. But when she discovers a decades-old secret binding her, Rose, and bad-tempered Ned Boomer, her world takes a turn.

Penning a memoir sixteen years later, Katie is forced to reconsider whether the real proof of love was in preventing a neighborhood war or finding friendship and comfort among three unlikely grief-stricken souls who should never be forgotten.

Purchase Link:


Genre:

Women's Fiction

Read an Excerpt:

Gram taught me to be independent, manage my anxieties, and have confidence in myself, showing me how to use my imagination to wiggle out of a jam or face the “grim crossroads” when confused or sad.

The first time I cried and lost it over a complicated computer problem, she said, “Be inventive, Katie! What can you do to calm down and think things through?”

We put our heads together to come up with ideas. Gram said she brewed herself a cup of tea when needing a break. Mom worked on crossword puzzles. Dad played solitaire. My one decadent delight was a FatBoy ice cream, and that’s how Gram and I hatched the plan of taking two ice cream sandwiches and hiding them under the frozen vegetables to create my private emergency stash.

“Close your eyes, breathe, take a bite, and replace the leftovers. No one will suspect anything. Our little secret. . .”

About the Author:
At heart, I am a storyteller who writes women’s fiction and stories of courage and discovery, showcasing the protagonist’s journey toward a more fulfilled self.

My passion is writing women’s fiction and exploring the human experience—how ordinary people tackle challenges, endure sorrow and betrayal, wrestle with doubt, and act on their aspirations to achieve flourishing lives. My insight into the power of fiction came during a conference call in late 2017 with a group of fellow life coaches. “What would it be like to help women and men achieve a flourishing life through storytelling?” I asked them.

After that phone call, I got started answering that question. The result was my debut novel titled Blackhorse Road, a compelling story of womanhood and the power of choice, gratitude, and forgiveness, published July 21, 2020, by Coffee Cup Press, followed by Flower Girl (2022), Flawless Witness (2023), and now A Proof of Love (2026)

Before embracing writing fiction, I was the author of health informatics and leadership textbooks. Later, I put my leadership experience to use as a leadership coach, focusing on supporting others to fulfill their leadership and economic potential. My range of nonfiction is available on my Amazon Author Page.

Substack: https://meridajohns.substack.com/
Facebook: https://meridajohns.substack.com/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/MeridaJohns
Website: https://www.MeridaJohnsAuthor.com


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Monday, May 11, 2026

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early ~ #CozyMystery

 

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial by Jessica Fletcher and Barbara Early

About Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial:

 

Murder, She Wrote: Murder Most Trivial

Cozy Mystery

63rd in Series

Setting - Starts in Cabot Cove, Maine, but most of it takes place in and around Los Angeles.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley

Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 12, 2026

Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages

Hardcover ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593952901

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593952900

Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593952924

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FM7785KS

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The newest delightful entry in the USA Today bestselling Murder, She Wrote series, featuring mystery novelist Jessica Fletcher. Jessica Fletcher and friends Seth Hazlitt and Maureen and Mort Metzger team up for pub trivia and crush the competition, then are stunned to learn that the prize is a chance to appear in a five-day trivia tournament filming in LA. No one expects life-or-death stakes! But on day one of the tournament, a crew member is murdered. Who would benefit from derailing the show? Jessica has to come up with the ultimate answer. In a metafictional twist, the investigation takes Jessica and the gang to the filming locations of their favorite mystery shows, where they discuss how Columbo, Monk, or Jim Rockford might go about solving the case.

About the Authors:

Jessica Fletcher is a bestselling mystery writer who has a knack for stumbling upon real-life mysteries in her various travels. Barbara Early coauthors this volume.

Barbara Early earned an engineering degree, but after four years of doing nothing but math, developed a sudden allergy to the subject and decided to choose another occupation.

Before she settled on murdering fictional people, she was a secretary, a schoolteacher, a pastor’s wife, and an amateur puppeteer. She lives in Western New York State (Go Bills!), where she enjoys cooking, crafts, classic movies and campy seventies television, board games, and spending time with her granddaughters.

Before teaming up with Jessica Fletcher, she previously wrote the Vintage Toyshop Mystery series and the Bridal Bouquet Shop Mysteries (as Beverly Allen).

Author Links:


Purchase Links:

Amazon - B&N - Kobo - Bookshop.org - Penguin Random House

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

May 8 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

May 8 – Sarandipity's – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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May 10 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

May 11 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW

May 11 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews - SPOTLIGHT

May 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

May 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

May 13 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

May 14 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW

May 14 – Salty Inspirations -AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 15 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

May 15 – Books to the Ceiling – REVIEW*

May 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

May 17 – Boys' Mom Reads! -SPOTLIGHT

May 18 – Caboodle of Cozies – CHARACTER GUEST POST

May 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Saturday, May 9, 2026

Human Trafficking Exposed by Maxwell Matewere ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #HumanTraffickingExposed #MaxwellMatewere #Nonfiction


Human Trafficking Exposed by Maxwell Matewere

Stories of Exploitation and Survival


Nonfiction / Human Rights

Date Published: January 8, 2026



About the Book:

Human Trafficking Exposed rips the mask off human trafficking and throws it at your feet without sugarcoating the truth. The book drags you straight into the underground world where children disappear, women are broken, and men are reduced to disposable labour—all while society pretends not to see.

Drawing from more than 25 years on the frontlines, award‑winning human trafficking buster Maxwell Matewere delivers an unfiltered, boots‑on‑the‑ground investigation into one of the world’s fastest‑growing criminal enterprises worse than slavery.

This is not second‑hand reporting. It is not theory. It is truth wrestled directly from survivors, traffickers, migration routes, brothels, recruitment networks, fake job agencies, and the silent corridors where victims are bought and sold like livestock.

Inside this book, you will encounter:

• Real cases of children trafficked across borders under the guise of “education.”

• Young girls promised opportunity but delivered into prostitution and violent sexual captivity.

• Men trapped in forced labour, stripped of pay, papers, and hope.

• Criminal networks operating like corporations—efficient, ruthless, and invisible.

• Powerful insights into how traffickers weaponize poverty, trust, promises, and psychological manipulation.

• The myths Americans believe about trafficking—and the uncomfortable truths no one talks about.

• How victims become “assets,” broken down and exploited until nothing remains.

This book exposes the global machinery of exploitation—recruiters, transporters, corrupt officials, fake pastors, greedy relatives, organised syndicates, migration scammers, and sexual predators—all working together to turn human suffering into profit. 

About the Author:


Maxwell Matewere is an internationally recognized legal and crime prevention expert with 27 years of vast experiences in the areas of human trafficking and child protection. He is the founder of Eye of the Child, a child rights organisation in Malawi, and Malawi Network Against Trafficking (MNAT). In 2020, the US Department of State recognised him as a Global Hero for championing national responses against human trafficking and successful rescue and rehabilitation of victims. His expertise specializes in law reform, advocacy, training, research and designing responses against transnational organized crimes including supporting victims of human trafficking in Malawi and their families. Maxwell has committed his professional life to challenge those who benefit from the exploitation of victims around the world and is dedicated to ensuring survivors live in freedom.


Contact Links:

Website

Facebook

Instagram

TikTok

LinkedIn

YouTube


Purchase Links:

Amazon

B&N


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Friday, May 8, 2026

Arranged Marriage to a K-Pop Idol by Bianca Rowena ~ Dystopian, Romance, Young Adult

Arranged Marriage to a K-Pop Idol
Bianca Rowena
Publication date: April 28th 2026
Genres: Dystopian, Romance, Young Adult

He who controls the media, controls the world.

In a world where a young woman only has two choices, marry by age 18 and procreate naturally, or be thrown into a fertility prison, AnAn finds herself in an arranged marriage to K-Pop Idol Taejung, who is running from the paparazzi and his government.

Can Taejung and AnAn stop the One World Nation’s plot to use K-pop concerts and fans, to win the world election, or will Taejung be pulled back into the K-pop world he left behind, and AnAn lose her first love?

Add to Goodreads 

Purchase from Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

Read an Excerpt:

Taejung studied her silently from his corner of the room and AnAn’s face flushed. She looked away, but her eyes kept returning to him even as the Building Families Official continued to talk. He looked like he’d just walked off the set of a Hear4U music video.

“AnAn, let me be direct,” the Official said. “Your arrangement to Taylor here is a unique situation. Building Families is expanding its repopulation efforts, globally.” The lady gave her a forced smile.

AnAn’s reporter instincts told her this was far from the truth. Taejung didn’t look like he even wanted to be here, let alone volunteer to repopulate the West, with her.

Meet the Author:

Bianca Rowena was born in Romania, Transylvania and has enjoyed writing from a young age. She now lives in Canada, which is the setting and inspiration for her novels. Bianca studied Cinema/Television/Stage/Radio at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology.

Website / Facebook / Instagram




GIVEAWAY!

Arranged Marriage to a K-Pop Idol Blitz


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Fueled By Pain by Patrick Simglai ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #FueledByPain #PatrickSimiglai #Memoir


Fueled By Pain by Patrick Simglai

Nonfiction / Self-Esteem / Memoir

Date Published: January 15, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media

About the Book:

What if your pain wasn’t holding you back… but pushing you forward?

From abuse and neglect to crime, addiction, prison, and crushing debt—Patrick Simiglai’s story is not just about survival. It’s about transformation.

In Fueled By Pain, ultra-endurance athlete and mental performance coach Patrick Simiglai shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up using discipline, resilience, and 23 powerful mental techniques designed to help you do the same.

This is not a motivational quick fix.
This is a blueprint for real, lasting change.

Inspired by elite forces like the Danish Frogman Corps, Patrick pushed himself through extreme physical challenges—ultramarathons, rope climbs, and marathon swims—discovering that the real battle isn’t in the body… it’s in the mind.

Inside this powerful book, you’ll discover how to:
• Master your inner dialogue and stop self-sabotage
• Build discipline that lasts beyond motivation
• Develop unshakable mental resilience under pressure
• Break free from addiction, fear, and limiting beliefs
• Turn pain, discomfort, and resistance into your greatest advantage
• Create long-term success through integrity and self-trust

Patrick’s journey—from chaos to clarity—proves that no matter where you start, you can rebuild your life. Today, he is a successful entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and mentor helping others unlock their potential and take control of their lives.

His message is simple—but powerful:

You don’t need a new life. You need a new relationship with yourself.

Pain, resistance, and discomfort are not signs that you’re on the wrong path. Often, they are proof that you’re walking in the direction of growth. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to show up honestly and keep your word to yourself—especially on the days when no one is watching.

Watch:


About the Author:

Patrick Simiglai is a Danish ultra-endurance athlete, mental performance coach, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals transform their lives through discipline, resilience, and powerful inner dialogue. As the author of Fueled By Pain, Patrick shares a raw and deeply personal journey of overcoming adversity and building mental strength from the inside out.

Competing in some of the world’s most grueling ultra-endurance races—including 200- and 300-mile events across deserts, mountains, and extreme terrain—Patrick has developed a unique approach to mental toughness rooted in real-world experience. His work bridges the gap between extreme physical performance and everyday personal growth, offering practical tools for leaders, athletes, and teams to perform under pressure with integrity and consistency.

Patrick’s path to success was anything but conventional. Growing up in a childhood marked by abuse and later struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, he understands firsthand the challenges of feeling trapped by your own thoughts. His transformation—from chaos and self-destruction to purpose-driven achievement—forms the foundation of his coaching, speaking, and writing.

Through his work, Patrick emphasizes that true growth begins with mastering your inner dialogue. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: you don’t need a new life—you need a new relationship with yourself. By embracing discomfort, taking responsibility, and committing to disciplined action, he teaches others how to unlock their full potential and create lasting change.

Originally written in Danish and later rewritten in English as a personal challenge, Fueled By Pain reflects Patrick’s belief that growth comes from stepping outside your comfort zone and committing to the process, even when it’s difficult. Drawing from years of journaling, coaching, and extreme endurance experiences, the book delivers 23 mental techniques designed to help readers build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and achieve long-term success.

Today, Patrick Simiglai works with individuals and organizations worldwide, inspiring others to confront their limits, strengthen their mindset, and turn pain into purpose.

"Challenges fuel growth. Courage creates opportunities."
Book a talk or coaching: https://calendly.com/patricksimiglai/30-min-gratis-afklaringssamtale


Contact Links:

Website

Instagram: @patricksimiglai

LinkedIn

YouTube

Facebook


Purchase Link:

Amazon


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Thursday, May 7, 2026

The Writing Journey by Eva Legre Zigre, Author of RJ’s Adventures in Temecula ~ #ChildrensBook #Children #BoardBook @GoddessFish

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Eva Legre Zigre will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Please welcome author Eva Legre Zigre to the blog today!

This Writing Journey 

I’ve known for some time that I wanted to write a book. I wonder if that is common, that a book forms in your mind over years instead of hours. For me, it’s been years, and even after formulating, researching, and observing people and places I considered useful for my manuscript, it went a totally different way from the inspirational nonfiction book I was plotting. 

I was prepared to begin my publishing career after my marriage; instead, more than a year later, I was deeply inspired by the bundle of joy we were blessed to bear. So instead of an inspirational non-fiction, I wrote a children’s adventure book about traveling to different cities. 

From the first organized thoughts on the book to holding a hard copy in my hands took the better part of a year. Since the book is set in Temecula, I had to get permission to use the likenesses of the places I featured. The community is very close and hands-on, which means emails get passed up for phone calls, and phone calls are not preferred over handshakes and lunch meetings. The progress was slow but meaningful and the relationships I built are ones I wouldn’t give up quickly.

Even as agreements were signed and photos were taken of the sites to be used as reference material for the illustrator, I hoped and prayed that this was the right path, that all of the work would be fruitful.

It wasn’t until the illustrations were done and the story drafted on the pages that I felt I was getting closer to the finish line. Then those pages left for the printer and came back as the finished book, ‘RJ’s Adventures in Temecula which has made story time full of the question, “Mommy, Daddy, can we go there?” 

I took a week to breathe it in before starting all over again with RJ’s Adventures because in a few weeks, RJ will be going to Murietta.

What a ride.

 

About the Book:

If you've had a chance to visit Temecula, California, you'd be one of many who have had the privilege of watching hot air balloons take flight during sunrise and descend at sunset, walking the grounds of one of the most beautiful rose gardens in California, and visiting a rare and noble tree that looks to have stood the test of time. You will find some of the most popular and heavily visited sights in Temecula, beautifully illustrated and captured in child-like conversation.

RJ’s Adventures in Temecula is a vibrantly colored board book featuring thirteen of Temecula’s most visited attractions. The illustrations jump off the page, offering children fun images to look at while learning more about Temecula, California’s historic sights.

Beware. Your child may ask to visit some of the attractions presented in this 20-page book, such as Professor Pennypickles' Workshop or the Sugarplum Zoo and Chocolates. Come visit for a week, but first, do your research and take this adventure around Temecula, California with RJ.

Genre:

Children's Book

Read an Excerpt:

Hello Friend!

My name is RJ.

Welcome to the beautiful and sunny city of Temecula. Today is a great day to show you around!

Are you ready for an exciting tour?

About the Author:
Eva Legre-Zigre is a children's book author passionate about writing stories that reflect the beauty of communities. Inspired by years of experience as a nanny and a volunteer teacher, she crafts engaging stories that encourage creativity and wonderment in children. Her passion for community, culture, and finding beautiful differences in various states throughout the country gives her the desire to share those unique and exciting places with children.

A resident of Temecula, California, known for its wineries, Mrs. Legre-Zigre was inspired by her own child to find and highlight family- and child-friendly attractions in her city. Some of these attractions are featured in her debut book.

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/authorevalegre
Website: http://www.rjsadventures.com


Cover Reveal ~ No Straight Lines to the Stars by Ken Kisco ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #NoStraightLinestotheStars #KenKisco #Nonfiction


An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad

 

Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational

Date Published: August 4th, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing


About the Book:

No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.

On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of reaching the stars.

Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.

Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.

 

About the Author:


At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.

As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing, he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.

Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's beaches, where they live.


Contact Links:

Website

Instagram: @Kennasaman

 

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The Secret of the Smiling Rock Man by Joe Cappello ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #TheSecretoftheSmilingRockMan #JoeCappello #Fiction


The Secret of the Smiling Rock Man by Joe Cappello


Short Story Collection / Fiction

Date Published: 05-15-2026

Publisher: RMK Publications



About the Book:

In his first collection of short stories Joe Cappello presents an array of characters whom he describes as having “rocks in their heads.” Instead of accepting the hand life has dealt them, they pursue more outlandish solutions to its problems. The reader witnesses firsthand the zany antics these characters employ to cope with the situations they encounter in each story: Mortality…daring to know death’s secret and determined to face it without fear and dread; Workplace… seeking an environment that is based on teamwork and respect, rather than fear and intimidation; Family…taking extraordinary steps to unite an estranged family and to bring another closer together; Language…re-establishing the sacred role of words in our lives as a unifier of people and a conveyor of truth. All told with a healthy dose of humor and a belief that life can be joyful, hopeful and a down-right hoot.


Read an Excerpt:

Lucy wasn’t smiling like she used to when she folded her letter, slipped it into the envelope, sealed it with a kiss, and applied the three-cent stamp. Even the spring in her step lacked the zeal she typically exhibited during her walk to the post office. The words on the paper were true to her commitment. They spoke of the news from the home front, stories that helped Stan’s morale, and made sure her underlying message was being proud, supportive, and encouraging. The words wandering around in Lucy’s thoughts, however, were in stark contrast to this messaging.

Ever since Stan was assigned to the navy radar training school, Lucy had become more and more unsure in her belief that things would be okay. His work as an Aviation Machinists Mate stateside meant he was safe. And Minneapolis was relatively close to home. Being trained as a radarman for shipboard duties meant it was more likely he would be sent overseas into a combat zone. This caused a higher level of worry. Like everything else this war has put in short supply, her ration of optimism was slowly being depleted, and the resources for replenishing that reservoir were becoming scarce.

Her quandary was not letting Stan know about this foreboding, even though he was normally her most trusted sounding board. She tried to talk about this with her sister Millie. But Millie’s approach to these heartfelt struggles was to fix them, make them go away, or advise Lucy, “Try not to think about it.” This was not the type of support Lucy needed.

During her alone time, sitting staring out the window, the overwhelming emotion that prevailed over all others was that she really missed her husband. She now knew what being heartbroken felt like. 

About the Author:


Joe Cappello’s creative life began when he accepted a minor speaking role in a play, walked on stage for the first time, and came to the terrifying realization that, “Oh, no, they sold tickets!”

Fortunately, he overcame his initial stage fright and began accepting roles in community theatre, the parts of Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple” and Ivan Lomov in “The Proposal” among his favorites. He studied acting in New York City and performed in a couple of Off-Off Broadway productions including Sam Shepherd’s “Buried Child,” where he played the crotchety, whiney patriarch, Dodge (a part for which his wife felt he was uniquely suited).

He wrote and produced plays for children, awarding roles to his sons and other kids in his neighborhood (earning the gratitude of their parents who considered rehearsals free babysitting). He started writing adult plays and received a number of accolades including an honorable mention in the 2020 Bridge Award contest sponsored by Arts in the Armed Forces (AIAF) for his full-length play, “The Stars of Orion” and selection as the winner of the 2022 Susan Hansell Drama Award for his one act play, “Monarch.”

But the logistics of staging plays proved too time consuming. In his early 30's he started writing short stories and flash fiction pieces and submitting them for publication. Many of the stories presented in this collection have been published in online magazines and anthologies, and some have achieved recognition, most notably, “The Secret of the Smiling Rock Man,” First Place, National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest (2022); “They Only Showed Elvis from the Waist Up,” First Place, Southwest Writers Writing Contest (2023); and “Running Errands,” Finalist, Hemingway Shorts Competition, sponsored by the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park (2023).

Joe invites you to read more of his work and follow his anything-but-straight-line career at joecappelloauthor.com.


Contact Links:

Website

Goodreads


Preorder Today:


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Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Taken by the Alien by Megan Slayer ~ @MeganSlayer @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #TakenbytheAlien #MeganSlayer #Paranormal #PWF


Taken by the Alien by Megan Slayer


(Taken, Book 13)


A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel

Date Published: May 8, 2026

Publisher: Changeling Press



About the Book:

She’s got magic she’s never tapped into. He’s from another galaxy. Together, they’re just right.

Lindsey Knepper-Lare just wants to belong. As far back as she can remember, she’s felt different. She’s convinced she’ll always been damaged goods. Then she’s abducted by an alien and spirited to a planet with a name she can’t even pronounce. Then Ronan walks into her life. He’s everything she wants, but has never had the courage to go after. Too bad he’ll never pay her any mind.

Ronan Miir wasn’t planning on visiting the diner on ERAEMA, but the second he spots Lindsey, he knows he has to save her. The metallic aliens on the planet want nothing good for to her. Not Ronan. He wants to kiss, touch, and protect her. Good thing he knows a thing or two about aliens, rescue, and getting back to Eerie. He’s ready to make their pairing into a forever romance… if she’ll give him a chance.

 


Read an Excerpt:


All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2026 Megan Slayer

She blinked back tears and her stomach lurched again. She’d been taken from her home against her will, was being used for something she never wanted to take part in, and had been dumped in a place she didn’t even know to work for a being who claimed to own her. And she had no idea how to get home.

Lovely.

“Oh, and if you try to rip the comm off your body, it will alert P482 and he’ll destroy you.” T181 threw a rag in her direction. “Get to cleaning. These tables won’t sanitize themselves.”

She held onto the rag, then wondered what she was supposed to clean with the rag. Instead of asking questions, she moved to the first table and wiped it down. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to cry. If she’d been able to be strong so far, she could keep doing it. She had no choice.

She wasn’t about to let anyone see her crack. She’d dissociate from herself and pretend she wasn’t here. Again. She wasn’t anyone’s slave. She didn’t have to act like she was happy in her surroundings.

“A few rules. Don’t talk to the clients. You’re here to clean, not flirt. They won’t take you out of here, so don’t ask. Understood?” T181 asked. “If they want food, they’ll let you know, but you simply deliver. You clean, you keep your mouth shut, and you give in to P482 if you want freedom from here.”

A man walked into the diner and said something she couldn’t quite hear to T181. Lindsey moved to the second table and watched the man. So far, she’d only seen beings that resembled satellites, like T181 and P482. This was the first being she’d encountered, even at a glance, who sort of resembled a human.

She watched him and her heart ached. Not only because she missed her home, but because she missed being held. Missed being touched. Missed other humans. Hell, she wasn’t even sure anyone would want to look for her. No one probably missed her.

Still, that didn’t mean she couldn’t drool over this being. She swept her gaze over him. Dark hair, a bit wavy and just long enough to need a little product. Icy blue eyes that seemed to pierce through her the longer she looked at him. He had a slight dimple when he smiled and dazzling white teeth. He even had nice hands. The suit fit tight to his body, like it was tailored precisely for him. He oozed sex. No, not just sex, but power and confidence as well.

Not that this man would ever look her way. Good gracious. She was like Cinderella, but on a whole different planet. Even back on Earth men like him didn’t pay her any mind. She faded into the background -- just like she would here.

T181 moved between her and the man. “He’s mine. He’s got money, he’s free to move about the planet, and won’t bed you.”

She almost asked, “Bed him?” She hadn’t even thought of that. “Sure.”

She glanced over at him while she cleaned the third table. He had nice lips. Just full enough for a good kiss. She’d bet he was skilled at kissing, too. Not that she’d ever know. She was stuck.

She’d been taken to breed and given a bullshit answer for how to get home. A lie. Her heart hurt. This was so silly. Impossible, really. This man, no matter how sexy he was, probably had obscene amounts of money or credits or whatever. She wasn’t even sure how he’d been able to come to the planet. Was he a prisoner, too?

 

About the Author:

Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on various e-tailer sites.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.


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Navigate Cancer by Teresa Ferreiro-Vilarino ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #NavigateCancer #TeresaFerreiroVilariño #SelfHelp


Navigate Cancer by Teresa Ferreiro-Vilarino


Coaching for Resilience

 

Leadership / Self-Help / Health / Business

Date Published: April 29. 2026

Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing, Arizona, USA

 


About the Book:

This empowering book launches the new Cancer Compass; an essential self-leadership resource for people facing cancer. It extends its reach to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering meaningful support to anyone in their workforce dealing with cancer. It encourages us to see cancer not solely as a medical challenge, but as a profound moment to honour the resilience of our human spirit, embrace growth, and reclaim control of our lives for a brighter future.

Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño challenges her readers to shift their perspective, prioritising personal empowerment, connection and purposeful living. Her insights about resilience coaching and each person’s human potential are uplifting. Her book is deeply rooted in practical application, including thoughtful exercises and tools that prompt us to access our inner resources, engage in self-discovery and cultivate our secure bases. These unique gifts guide us to align our decisions with our values and goals, helping us chart a path forward with choice, clarity and confidence.

 

About the Author:


Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño is the Founder and CEO of Kimberlite (https://www.kimberlite.es), an innovative organisation dedicated to providing comprehensive support to people navigating cancer—particularly within corporate settings—through professional coaching. A Master Certified Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Teresa brings more than 20 years of experience working with leaders and organisations worldwide.

At the age of 36, a breast cancer diagnosis marked a turning point in her life, redirecting her focus toward empowering people living with cancer. In the years that followed, she authored her first book, I Have Breast Cancer–What Now?, recognised for its inspirational and practical guidance, embraced motherhood, and founded a charitable initiative supporting young women navigating motherhood after cancer. She later earned a PhD focused on applying professional coaching methodologies to the specific needs of people facing serious health challenges. In recognition of her commitment to patient advocacy, she was honoured with the European Patient Champion Award by EyeforPharma in 2019.

Teresa is also an executive coach and coaches across multiple programs at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, including the flagship High-Performance Leadership (HPL) Program, supporting leaders in developing resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance.

 

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