Book Blast - In All Things by John Neufield

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotins. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The issue of control is a central question of life. At work, in family, community clubs and schools, with the economy or international politics, the question is, "Is anyone in charge here?" Dr. John Neufeld demonstrates the Bible teaching of God's providence. We are assured that God's Hand is upon everything and everyone, without exception. Dr. John explores God's sustaining grip through the natural world and human endeavor, in pivotal matters or the seemingly trivial, the things we welcome and those we shun. He teaches the impact of God's sovereign rule upon our hearts, minds, work, worship, homes, and nation. We can live in the confidence that God is unfolding His purpose for time and eternity.

What people are saying about Dr. John Neufeld's teaching:

"This is such an important message for us today. Thank you, Dr. John, for your encouragement to view what is presently concerning us in the world from the perspective of God and His providence. That should take a huge weight off our shoulders!"

Read an Excerpt

Jesus controls the atoms that make up your body, the ground under your feet, the air you breathe, the world upon which you stand and the universe in which you live. All of it is held together and directed by the Son of God. Furthermore, if Jesus were not constantly, moment by moment, sustaining all these things, the forces that hold the atoms in place would fly apart and all things would cease to be. Everything that exists—past, present and future—does so by His will and permission. Everything that goes on does so under His direction. That’s what we mean when we talk about meticulous sovereignty.

About the Author:Dr. John Neufeld, Bible teacher of Back to the Bible Canada, is well known both nationally and internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching. Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God's Word to life across Canada and beyond.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BacktotheBibleCanada
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BTTBCanada
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/BTTBC
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/backtothebible.ca
Website: http://www.backtothebible.ca

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/All-Things-Gods-Providence-ebook/dp/B0CP8J2Y77/ref=sr_1_1

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Picasso's Lovers by Jeanne Mackin

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jeanne Mackin will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

You know Pablo Picasso. Now meet the women behind the masterpieces. The women of Picasso's life are glamorous and elusive, existing in the shadow of his fame - until, in the 1950's, aspiring journalist Alana Olsen determines to bring one into the light and discovers a past complicated by secrets and intrique.

Read an Excerpt

People used to say of my lover that he lived only for art, that women and politics did not matter to him the way his art mattered. But people change. When Franco and Hitler destroyed that Spanish town, Guernica, Pablo Picasso changed. You cannot look at that painting, at the screaming mothers and violence and think, this is a man who does not care about people and politics.

I have seen how his face changes when he speaks of Francoise, the woman who is leaving him.

“I think it will be a fine day,” I said. “But come back to bed, Pablo. It is still early.” I smoothed and pattered the rumpled sheet that was still damp from our little bacchanal…

Pablo returns his gaze to his own image in the mirror and studies it, drawing the razor through the white foam on his cheek and making a curve, olive flesh showing through a white background. Another work of art…

He throws a towel at me. “Get up. The car will be here soon.”

“Lisen to you, my love. A car. A chauffeur. I remember when you had holes in your boots, when you were my young love.”

“That was long ago.”

About the Author:

Jeanne Mackin is the author of several historical novels, including The Last Collection, which has been translated into five languages, and The Beautiful American, which won a CNY award for fiction. She has taught in the MFA Creative Writing program at Goddard College and won journalism awards, and is currently at work on her next novel.

Website: http://www.jeannemackin.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeanneMackinAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JeanneMackin1
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/JeanneMackinAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Picassos-Lovers-Jeanne-Mackin-ebook/dp/B0C3C2J4FH/ref=sr_1_1

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VBT - The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy

 Come check out The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy. You'll want to stick around. Why? There are prizes to be won. Like? Patricia Leavy will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. How cool is that? Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2023/09/name-before-masses-location-shoot-by.html

The Location Shoot

by Patricia Leavy

Controversial filmmaker Jean Mercier is shooting a film on location in Sweden. While spending the summer creating his latest work of cinematic art, he lives in a nearby inn with his lead actors: Albie Hughes, British veteran of stage and screen; Charlotte Reed, British indie film queen; Michael Hennesey, American TV heartthrob; Willow Barnes, fallen former teen star looking to make a comeback; and Finn Forrester, legendary Hollywood movie star. Mercier invites his friend Ella Sinclair—a beautiful, bohemian-spirited American philosopher known for her provocative writing—to stay with them for the summer. When Ella arrives, Finn is instantly enchanted by her, and soon they fall madly in love. Finn wants to plan a life together, but Ella harbors fears and convinces him to wait until the film wraps to decide their future. In a case of life imitating art, the film they are creating explores “the big questions” and prompts the stars to reflect on the crossroads they face in their own lives. How will their experiences on location affect them when they return home? The answers won’t come until months later, when the cast and crew reconvene on the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival—but their revelation will make for one unforgettable night.

Now for an Excerpt: 

Soon they were soaking in the tub, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight. Ella leaned against Finn and sighed contentedly as he wrapped his strong arms around her.

“I thought about you all day today,” he said.

“You did?”

“I couldn’t get the image of you with those kids out of my head. You were such a natural with them.”

“I’m crazy for tiny humans, always have been. I love their curiosity, big imaginations, big emotions. When a toddler is overjoyed, it’s infectious. They can’t contain it and it just oozes out of them. They feel everything so fully, so honestly, with their whole selves.”

“Do you want to have children of your own?”

“Finn…”

He squeezed her waist and said, “Have you ever thought about it?”

“Have you?” she asked, turning to face him.

“Ella, I would love to have a family with you someday, when we’re ready. Do you want to have a family with me?”

“Well, yes, but…”

“But what, baby?”

“I would want to have children with you, but I wouldn’t want to have them without you.”

“What do you mean?”

“The way I grew up, it just made me not want to do it on my own.”

“You wouldn’t be. We’d be together. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Finn, there’s more than one way to be alone. You spend your life flying around the world to shoot movies and attend film festivals. Where would that leave me? Alone.”

“Sweetheart, if we choose to have a family someday, some things would obviously change. I’ve been thinking about this since we met, but I didn’t want to bring it up and scare you away by asking too much too soon. But after I saw you today, I thought we could at least talk about it. It’s just a conversation.”

“You’ve been thinking about it all this time?”

“Yes,” he said, gently running his fingers down her arm.

“What have you been thinking about?”

“Well, we could take some time to be alone together, to travel. If we had a child, you would both travel with me to film sets. I can get the studio to rent us a house. We’d hire a nanny and any other kind of help we want so you could write, I could work, and we could all be together. When our oldest is school aged, I would only take jobs in LA, except maybe in the summers when we could all still travel as a family. We could show them the world. Being a husband and father would be my priority. You wouldn’t go to so much as a single doctor’s appointment alone unless you wanted to. If I had to give up acting and be a stay-at-home dad, that’s fine too.”

“Wow. You’ve really thought about this.”

“Well, yeah. I can’t help it. Our future spilled out before me when you told me you love me. But it’s just a fantasy. Sweetheart, there’s no pressure. Until today, I didn’t even know if children were a possibility. If we live our lives together, just the two of us, I’d be perfectly happy.” He planted a soft kiss in her hair.

“Just a fantasy?” she asked.

“Yeah, for now. Do you ever fantasize about our future?”

She nodded.

“Tell me.”

“Well, I always imagined that I’d keep working, but less than I do now. I’d want to spend time with my babies.”

“Babies?” he asked. “How many?”

“Three. Two girls and then a boy. I don’t care about gender, it’s just what I imagine.”

He rubbed her shoulder. “Tell me more.”

“They’d all look like you,” she said.

“Oh, see, in my mind each one of them looks just like you.”

She smiled and he kissed the tip of her nose.

“Keep going,” he said.

“Well, I like your idea of traveling together. I imagined that…”

“What, baby?”

“It’s silly.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“Well, it’s just a fantasy, but I can picture us buying a little house in the French countryside for summers and holidays. You know, one of those old stone houses with wooden beams on the ceilings and a wood-burning stove, with plenty of room outside for the kids to roll around in the grass and a space for me to write.” She crinkled her nose and shook her head. “I told you, it’s silly.”

“Not to me. I think it sounds perfect,” he said, kissing her. “So, two girls and a boy, huh? I should warn you, I’ve always liked traditional names, like Emily and Sarah. I’m guessing you gravitate toward more free-spirited names like Lula Belle or Blue Moon. I’m prepared to fight you on this.” He playfully put up his dukes, but she grabbed one of his hands and kissed it.

She laughed. “Actually, I was thinking if we had a girl, maybe we’d call her Betty. It’s completely traditional, but modern too. I don’t know. It’s just a thought.”

“Betty, huh? I love it. And you know what else? I love you.” He stopped to stroke the side of her face. “I love you so much, Ella. There’s no fantasy we can’t make a reality if we choose to. Come on, sweetheart. Let’s dry off and slip into bed. I want to show you exactly how I feel about you.”

Now for an Interview!!

1. Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, shy, compassionate.

2. Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.

I could see Kiefer Sutherland from a decade ago in the role of Finn Forrester. He’s got the whole dreamy Hollywood thing, and he has incredible range. He veers toward action, but I could see him in a romance. A younger Rebecca Gayheart could play Ella Sinclair. She’s got the perfect spiral curls and charisma.

3. What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?

The love scene in Titanic is sort of a classic. At the time, I was obsessed.

4. What’s your wildest fantasy?

Read my novels to find out! Honestly, I think romance writers put all our fantasies into our books. I do love a little wish fulfillment with a movie star who falls in love with an average—not so average—gal. There’s a lot of that in my books.

5. If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why?

Smell. Let’s face it, there’s a lot of gross stuff to smell. My husband has a terrible sense of smell and sometimes I think he’s lucky.

6. What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?

When I was in high school my bestie and I skipped school with a couple of guys and drove to a big, local park. To our utter shock, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry from Aerosmith were there filming something. Apparently, the park had an antique car garage or something, which they were using. No one else was there, except the film crew. We met both guys and they were really kind to us. I can’t say I regret skipping school that day!

 

About the Author:

Patricia Leavy, PhD, is an award-winning, best-selling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chairperson of Sociology & Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College. She has published more than forty books; her work has been translated into many languages, and she has received more than forty book honors. Her last novel, Hollyland, was featured on She Reads in “The Most Anticipated Romances of Spring 2023” and was the 2023 Firebird Book Awards 1st Place Winner in Pop Culture Fiction and 1st Place Winner in Summer/Beach Read. Patricia has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.” Patricia lives in Maine. In addition to writing, she enjoys art, reading, and travel.

https://www.amazon.com/Location-Shoot-Novel-Patricia-Leavy/dp/1647425670

https://www.amazon.com/Hollyland-Novel-Patricia-Leavy/dp/1647422965

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Belega by Dianne Hartsock

 It's a blog tour and I'm featuring an exclusive excerpt for Belega by Dianne Hartsock. If you haven't checked this out, you should. There are prizes up for grabs. Like? Dianne Hartsock will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/02/excerpt-tour-belega-by-dianne-hartsock.html 

Belega

by Dianne Hartsock

  

The Karthagans have regained their ancient powers of manipulating nature, but at the price of madness. In their lust for control, they've destroyed their island and most of their race. They come now to Belega, where one of them, Camron, seeks domination over the known world. The Mage has come from the northern continent of Sennia to bring peace but finding his strength no match for the coming struggle, he passes his abilities on to Natan, who only desires a simple life.

 Now only Natan has the ability to stop Camron, but the personal cost is more than he imagines. It is only with the combined strength of his friends, his Karthagan lover, Kavi, and his deep desire to bring lasting peace to the earth, that he finds the courage to overcome Camron and restore balance to the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Now for an Excerpt!

 A sudden smile lit his face. He felt alive! Power tingled through him. He held Kavi’s pale face in his dark hands and searched his features. Flawless olive skin washed almost white with pain, lids closed tight on almond eyes, his dark hair was matted with sweat, grime, and streaks of blood.

 Gregor closed his eyes once again to look deeper. The bones of Kavi’s face were fine and thin, and he trailed fingers along the thickness of his temple. He bent his will and could feel the structure of the bone, its smoothness beneath his touch. He walked his fingers gently over Kavi’s scalp, feather-light on the swelling at the back of his head. Skin gave way to blood and swollen tissue. There, the tiniest of fractures in the bone. And beyond that…

 His mind screamed at a pressure that would burst his skull. No, not his skull, Kavi’s, the swollen matter pushing against the bone and out the tiny crack that had bruised it. Gregor concentrated on that small fissure and then he was inside, his thoughts touching Kavi’s mind, healing the tiny wounds.

 All at once, the pressure that stopped Kavi’s ears and pounded in his temples eased. Gregor withdrew, his spirit crashing back into his own body in a rush. He blinked several times but couldn’t focus. With a deep sigh, he toppled beside Kavi as his strength gave out.

 He floated, weightless, for a long while, but awoke sometime in the night. Taking a deep breath, he let it out slowly, felt the hard earth beneath his body and a warm blanket over him. The soft breathing of the others floated on the air. He felt weary to his very bones, his thoughts sluggish. He couldn’t remember when he’d last experienced such utter exhaustion.

 Reluctantly, he opened his eyes. Kavi lay sleeping on his back close by, and he knew he should check on him to make sure he was healing properly. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it, not yet. He turned on his back and looked in misery at the tree branches and moonlit sky overhead. He didn’t know why circumstances had brought him to Belega in the middle of a war. Why wasn’t he allowed to go home?

 He closed his eyes and tears slipped down cheeks grown hollow in the last few weeks. He’d already given so much of himself, and he could feel the suffering of those nearby who needed more of him.

 He wondered if his mother still lit a candle in the small front window at home for him. Had Elsa forgiven him? What of his children? His heart twisted at the thought of his beautiful ones. But he’d been unable to stay in Sennia, even for them. The people like him, the ones with power, were being hunted. But all he longed to do was return home.

 He took a deep breath and willed himself back into forgetful sleep, knowing the pain of the world would still be there when he awoke.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

About the Author:

 Dianne grew up in one of the older homes in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. A house where ghosts lurk in the basement and the faces in the paintings watch you walk up the front stairs. Rooms where you keep the closet doors closed tight at night. It’s where her love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne is the author of m/m romance, paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, the occasional thriller, and anything else that comes to mind.

 She now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her incredibly patient husband, who puts up with the endless hours she spends hunched over the keyboard letting her characters play. Dianne says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house with a fire crackling on the hearth and a cup of hot coffee in her hands, which kindles her imagination.

 Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

 

Blog: https://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

 FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsock

 FaceBook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/diannehartsockbooks/?show_switched_toast=1&show_switched_tooltip=0&show_podcast_settings=0

 Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4850270.Dianne_Hartsock

 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diannehartsock/

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