New political thriller from Robb Grindstaff

 

Bones of Dead Man’s Bluff
Robb Grindstaff
Evolved Publishing, August 2024
Fiction, 260 pp
$5.99 ebook, $16.99 print

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About the Book
Even the most powerful men can't prevent dark secrets of the past from washing ashore.

Worth Sullivan is the celebrity pastor of the globally renowned Harvest Fields megachurch. Kirk Madison is an esteemed former US Army general and popular US senator. Both men came from humble beginnings in the Ozarks, but today are highly successful beacons of hope and leadership in a nation torn apart by political and social divisions. Then Kirk announces he's running for president.

Decades earlier, Worth and Kirk witnessed the death of a young girl and agreed to never speak of it. While Kirk seems to have made his peace, Worth still dreams of the dead girl every night. The deep forensics of presidential campaigns makes it likely this indiscretion will soon come to light—taking down Kirk's campaign, destroying Worth's life, and possibly pushing the nation into full-blown civil war. Can Worth set things right, or will the dead girl seek justice on her own?
 
 
My Review
Two men locked in a death spiral of counterpoint ambition must face up to their past to find and accept forgiveness.
 
A reluctant “America’s Pastor,” Worth has never wanted to be in a position to endorse political candidates. He’s already got enough on his plate feeding the souls of thousands in his surprising international mega-ministry. The secret he’s kept for his entire adult life eats away at his soul, and he’s sure of facing hell. His “good friend,” the counterpart in a triad of tragedy, has carefully nurtured his public military and subsequent political career to the point he has a good chance at serving in the world’s highest governmental office. For Kirk, the cherry on top is getting more than the “support” of the most influential faith-based person in America. But Worth isn’t playing that game and in fact is desperate to keep Kirk and their terrible, haunting ghosts from destroying their families and themselves.
 
Kirk can’t outrun himself, however, and winning an election competes with staying alive. Worth’s spiritual battles within himself and with his cohorts often drive the story. Grindstaff delves deeply into matters of faith with intriguing intentionality, not preachiness.
 
Grindstaff has written a political thriller for the present audience, where a bombshell is always waiting to go off in our national reality. Bones of Dead Man’s Bluff is a dual message of examining the truths that divide us and forgiveness, the frailties of humanity, and our need to be honest and overcome our lesser nature. Readers of political thrillers with a side of faith-based food for thought will enjoy this story, told in a nonlinear timeframe from two perspectives and a twist from the past.
 
 
About the Author
In addition to a career as a journalist, newspaper editor, publisher and media executive, Robb Grindstaff has written fiction most of his life. The newspaper biz has taken him from Phoenix, Arizona, to small towns in North Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin, from seven years in Washington, D.C., to five years in Asia. Born and raised a small-town kid, he’s as comfortable in Tokyo or Tuna, Texas. The variety of places he’s lived serve as settings for the characters who invade his head. His novels are best classified as contemporary southern lit. Evolved Publishing has also released June Bug Gothic: Tales from the South, a collection of eighteen of Robb's short stories, including the award-winning horror "Desert Rain."

​Robb currently resides the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks region of Missouri, where he writes, edits, and coaches writers full-time.
 

Purposeful Poetry with Thomas McRae

                                         

LYRICAL REVELATIONS
Thomas McRae
Poetry
March 9, 2024, Thomas McRae Publisher, 22 pp.
Buy paperback, $7.50

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About the Book

Join Thomas on a profound journey through the pages of his poetry book, where he eloquently explores themes of love, civil rights, religion, and more. Each poem is intentional, diving deep into the depths of the human heart and societal issues with poignant insight and heartfelt expression. From the tender verses about love to the powerful reflections on civil rights struggles, Thomas's words will captivate your soul and inspire reflection on the complexities of life. This poetry collection is a testament to the enduring power of words to illuminate the human experience and provoke thought on the world around us.

My Review

Lyrical Revelations by Thomas McRae is a tight read of 29 poems divided into 4 categories: Love, Religion, Politics, and Miscellaneous.

From two-line heartfelt poems, “you are my eternal forever,” to no longer than 13 lines in “America’s Truth,” “I'm calling out the Democrat and the Republican slime,” McRae’s mostly prose or rhythmic, sometimes wrenched rhyme odes are straight from the gut.

The love poems open with a deeply personal statement of faith in “Congratulations”: “Congratulations on love because everyone needs to believe,” and the beautiful pulsating beat of “I Believe”: I believe in love because love is so precious/ I believe people should love and stop being reckless./ When you open your heart, you connect with someone's soul/ Because love is a journey that will never grow old.”

It’s not much of a stretch to shift into Religious Poems. “Fear” advises McRae’s readers to “Thank God for His glory and ignore all the phonies.” He calls upon the believers to ride on the devil, tell the truth and unite in other poems. The final poem in Religious section, “Rest in Peace to Me” with its refrain of ready for death and flatlining segues into Political Poems where McRae calls out specific perpetrators of unrest, discord, along with a tribute to victims of senseless fear and hate. I am saddened to read “I pledge my allegiance to the African flag because America and Europe hate every black man” in the poem “Uganda” and want to reassure the author to the best of my ability that this American woman does not hate every Black man.

Miscellaneous poems include shout-outs to the author’s parents (“You taught me morals and self respect”); thankfulness for poetry and role models. McRae ends with a call to action, a challenge to respect ourselves and our partners and responsibility for the results of our choices in “Sperm Donor.”

Those who love poetry with purpose will find their own thought-provoking call to choose to rise above in Thomas McRae’s Lyrical Revelations.

About the Author

Hello my name is Thomas McRae I'm a poet author and writer I have several poetry books available online Amazon and other online book stores. Two short fiction movies. I've done numerous interviews and gotten several reviews. Newspaper interview with The Wave paper location Far Rockaway Queens NY. I'm working on another poetry book I'll keep you posted. I bought my co-op working hard talking care of funny looking forward to starting my own family. Contact me on Facebook or email quietthomas41@gmail.com McRae’s other work includes Poetry 4 the Soul, The Soul of a Poet, and Pimp in the Pulpit, and several others. He’s also developing merchandise to go along with the messages in his work.

Wayne Turmel and last Johnny Lycan book

 

Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder, book 3 of the Werewolf PI series

By Wayne Turmel

Black Rose Writing, May 2024, 228 pp/253pp print.

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 Ebook $4.99

Paperback $21.95

 

About the Book

A mysterious figure stalks Chicago’s Paranormal community, and the only person who can stop it is Johnny Lupul, the Werewolf PI.

First, he must cope with a 400-year-old witchfinder, rampaging demons, and a journalist threatening to reveal Johnnys dark, hairy secret.

As if that's not enough, his boss has been kidnapped and the clock is ticking.

Packed with non-stop action, humor and twists, Johnny Lycan & the Last Witchfinder will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Don't miss the heart-stopping conclusion to the Werewolf PI series.

 

My Review

Opening with our hero Johhny Lupul dealing with a nasty Wendigo on the Oneida Reservation in Wisconsin, the third, and I’m told, sadly, final Werewolf PI book, shows us just what a Lycan, aka werewolf, can do. Tasked with taking care of this nasty cannibal zombie-like creature by his boss-client in exchange for a powerful spiritual relic, Johnny takes care of business and delivers another item to the mysterious Mr. Cromwell’s vast collection of unusual artifacts.

Mr. Cromwell’s got some trouble back home with hand-written threats to his collection, while a hotshot paranormal podcaster and monster magazine reporter gets up in Johnny’s fangs after putting vintage video werewolf-in-action footage together and questioning reality. It’s enough to make a werewolf go full-moon-maniac all the time. Johnny’s new assignment is to figure out who made sand out of Cromwell’s newest antique purchase. The clue is the author of the threatening note, which Johnny learns belongs to a 500-year-old legendary witch hunter, Matthew Hopkins, who, back in his day, went on idol smashing rampages. Besides a great name for a rock band, it’s way too much of a coincidence, right? But not since the Sons of Hopkins have become a modern-day movement with every intention of welcoming their true leader and his minions back to cleanse the planet of “evil” with such helpful declarations as, “Witches and idolaters be on notice. Good people won’t be silent anymore. We don’t need them in this city, and we’re leading the purge.”

With the support of his housemates Meaghan, a rescued girl who picks up tarot card reading, along with Bill and Gramma, who took him in as a troubled teen, Johnny is learning to control his alter-ego inner werewolf he’s named Shaggy. Shaggy tends to get riled pretty easily, and it’s Johnny’s business to use him judiciously when things come down to a dogfight, though a lot depends on the phases of the moon; e.g.: “This low in the lunar cycle I wouldn’t have Shaggy’s help, but I didn’t need it.” For those unaware, Johnny explains, “Not all Lycans go full werewolf. Some just have violent reactions to the top of the lunar cycle. That’s what she meant when she said some men couldn’t handle the full moon. … Even when they don’t completely turn, they’re unpredictable and dangerous. The average human’s bite can be toxic if it gets deep enough and these guys bite plenty hard.”

In this third adventure, Johnny researches the Sons of Hopkins. Cromwell, after admitting he owns a particularly nasty antique book on demonology of consummate interest to the creepy master of the Sons of Hopkins, goes missing. The bad guys are after the book in particular, and Johnny and anyone else with unnatural tendencies in general. Johnny must decide to stay a “lone wolf” or learn to depend on his friends, new and old, to reclaim his boss and save his world.

Even if this is the first book by Turmel you pick up, you’ll be able to settle in quickly. It’s an interesting not-so-clear good vs. evil story set in Chicago with the obligatory Cubs mention, where you meet all kinds of creatures, some of whom bite. One little bothersome point in the plot about Johnny’s ability to keep information from Hopkins had me scratching my head, but all in all, the story unfolded para-naturally with a lot of high action energy. Told in Johnny’s first person voice, with chapters noting the moon cycles, readers of urban fantasy will enjoy Turmel’s sense of humor in an issue-charged environment.

About the Author

Wayne Turmel is a former standup comedian, car salesman and corporate drone who writes to save what’s left of his sanity. Originally from Canada, he writes and lives in Las Vegas with his bride, The Duchess. www.wayneturmel.com

New devotional from Kimberley Payne

                                       

Still Learning: Reflections from the Life of a Believer

Meeting Faith Devotional Series, book 5

Kimberley Payne
Self-improvement
Inspirational Living
April 27, 2024, 240 pp

$5.99 ebook

$12.99 Print
Buy on Amazon

About the Book

Do you want wisdom and encouragement in your spiritual journey? Discover these devotions that can bring you into a deeper understanding of living the Christian life.

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the Bible? Do you have specific theological questions? Are you looking for encouragement and a boost in your faith? Kimberley Payne is a down-to-earth writer who is passionate and curious and offers a refreshing perspective to enhance your spiritual growth and devotion.

Still Learning is a collection of 100 devotions with questions about salvation, grace, suffering, and the very essence of God's nature, presented through the lens of everyday encounters and heartfelt contemplations. By reading these reflections you’ll be feeling encouraged and strengthened in your faith.

In Still Learning you’ll discover:

Theological questions in the Bible through the unique lens of a non-theologian

Personal insights, real-life experiences, and profound reflections with scriptural inquiry

Reminders of teachings from the Bible without being preachy

An accessible exploration of the Bible's theological questions

A diverse array of topics

Still Learning is an authentic and inspirational devotional that will resonate with both seasoned believers and those on the quest for spiritual understanding.

If you like stories that celebrate the beauty of faith and inquiry, then you’ll love this book as a supplement to theological studies.

My Review
In her new book, Payne sets out to expound with sincere simple kindness many of the questions and sometimes their answers regarding what makes the Bible so fascinating.

Often using examples of three, easy to remember, the author begins by sharing why and how to read the Bible, why it’s trustworthy, and why the Old and New Testaments work together.

Along the way the author uses examples from her own family about teaching and living the doubts we all have about faith, God, morality, and history. Why should we follow any of the Biblical “rules” if they no longer make sense? This is the topic of the segment “Should We Follow All the Laws in the Bible Today?”

Payne, a prolific author, shares in these lovely essays examples of how and life are deeply woven, no matter what you believe. The joy of finding lost ones; what about baptism, prayer—to whom, when, keeping a journal, what to do with your doubts, and even how to know if you’ve committed the unforgiveable sin of blasphemy. I appreciate the author’s candidness, the ways she shares how she came to understand what she believes, and even the learning curve. For example, learning about prophetic utterances had some unintended consequences. Payne took the time to learn more about her experience with a pastor she trusted, and realized there were better ways to share messages in faith.

Still Learning sets out to do what it promises: celebrate the beauty of faith and inquiry. Most topics include scriptural references, but are not set up in traditional devotional ways. Most of these 100 topics are a couple of pages long and easy to read and ponder. Recommended for inspirational readers teen and up who enjoy exploring matters of Christianity.

About the Author
Kimberley Payne is a Jesus follower, Oma, and an eclectic author. She combines her teaching experience and love of writing to create books for parents and children about family, fitness, science, and faith. Her books and teachings help you boost your belief, face difficult challenges, and draw closer to God. https://www.kimberleypayne.com

Jason Tanamor and Contemporary Filipino fiction

 

Love, Dance, and Egg Rolls

Jason Tanamor

YA Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2022, Ooligan Press

Paper: $18

Ebook: $6.49

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About the Book:

Filipino folk dancing is a huge part of Jamie's life, but so is high school and his two best friends. When these two worlds collide, Jamie must decide who he truly wants to be.

Jamie Santiago is just an ordinary high school teenager—he has a huge crush on a girl from school, he watches a ton of sitcoms, and he is constantly trying to keep his dad from feeding egg rolls to his white friends. Not to mention he also aspires to be the next Tinikling folk dance master. Okay, maybe he’s not so ordinary.
It's hard enough balancing the demands of high school, but when the last ever Asian Folk Festival falls on the same day as Homecoming, it feels like Jamie's world comes crashing down. He is forced to make an important decision between honoring his heritage and salvaging what's left of his social life. With a racist bully at school and rising protests in Portland, Jamie sometimes wonders if it would be easier to forget his Filipino side entirely instead of trying to embrace it.

[Play the catchy sitcom music]

[Cue the laugh track to numb the serious stuff]

If only life were so perfect.

Tensions will rise in Love, Dance & Egg Rolls as Jamie decides whether it's more important to remain hidden in plain sight or step directly into the spotlight. Jamie will not only come face-to-face with a bully, but also with this thing called cultural identity.

My Review:

This book is a gem on many levels.

America is an uneasy melting pot, stirred by influencers from the top up who chose divisive means to bully and harass. They don’t support a union, and the animosity has always trickled down to those who celebrate their heritage within the greater American society.

In Oregon, Filipinos are one segment of a varied group of Asian Americans who bond through celebrating their heritage in sharing food and traditions of dress and storytelling and dance. Our hero, Jamie, is a first-generation highschooler, caught between embracing and being embarrassed by his racial identity. He’s a typical young man, hanging out with friends, wondering who he is, enduring flagrant bullying while discovering the ups and downs of first love. He’s also very good at his cultural dances, practicing with his greater family for friendly competition at the community center. But just like so many organizations today, participation is dying out, and Jamie is facing the end of a very important part of his social life. Enter one special young woman facing ostracism in her own world. Jamie faces choices among friends and family, standing up for what he believes, and remaining true to himself.

The story features many elements that will resonate with readers, from comical asides and references to pop culture, in learning how to see between the lines and vibes and real dilemmas of teens in contemporary society. Highly recommended.

 About the author

Jason Tanamor (tan-uh-more) is a Filipino-American writer and author.

Named as one of the "5 Best Modern Filipino Writers" by Pinas Global Newspaper, Tanamor enjoys writing in different genres. He is the critically acclaimed author of the supernatural/folklore novel Vampires of Portlandia and the YA #ownvoices novel called Love, Dance & Egg Rolls.

Tanamor also spent a decade as an entertainment writer and interviewer, interviewing the likes of author Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club); comedians Demetri Martin, Jim Breuer (SNL, Half Baked), Aisha Tyler (Talk Soup, The Ghost Whisperer), Dane Cook, and Gabriel Iglesias; musicians Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins), Ann Wilson (Heart), Taylor Momsen (The Pretty Reckless and Gossip Girl), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction), and Henry Rollins (Black Flag); and baseball legend Pete Rose.

He has covered everyone from Steve Martin to Jerry Seinfeld and from Evanescence to President Obama.

Tanamor is married, has one son, and has a family of fur children. He currently lives and works in the Portland, Oregon area.

Finish March with a good Read and Gift card drawing

 

While you’re waiting for spring to arrive,

head over to @N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s latest book festival

to win a $35 Amazon gift card and books to read to beat the winter doldrums:

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/shake-off-winter-doldrums

#bookish #entertowin #reading 

I'm excited to be part of this Collection of Authors

My crime novel UNDERCUT

is featured TODAY MARCH 28!

Enter to win a $35 Amazon giftcard below:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db7750256

Open internationally.

Runs March 1 – 31, 2024

Drawing will be held on April 1, 2024. 

Battle the winter blues at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Shake Off Winter Doldrums Book Festival. 35 books, 27 authors, a giveaway plus sure-fire ways to combat your winter melancholy! #NNLBH.

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/shake-off-winter-doldrums

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Shake off Winter with a Giveaway and a Good Book

 

#GiveawayAlert: N. N. Light’s Book Heaven’s Shake Off Winter Doldrums

has 35 books, 27 authors, a giveaway plus fun ways to combat your winter melancholy! https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/shake-off-winter-doldrums #booklovers #winterdoldrums #giveaway

I'm excited to be part of this Collection of Authors

My thriller Requiem for the Innocents

is featured TODAY MARCH 22!

Enter to win a $35 Amazon giftcard below:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/92db7750256

Open internationally.

Runs March 1 – 31, 2024

Drawing will be held on April 1, 2024. 

Battle the winter blues at N. N. Light’s Book Heaven Shake Off Winter Doldrums Book Festival. 35 books, 27 authors, a giveaway plus sure-fire ways to combat your winter melancholy! #NNLBH.

https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/shake-off-winter-doldrums

a Rafflecopter giveaway