My 1 year dreadlock update!! đđđ I finally made it to 1 year. One thing I can say is I learned a lot about not only my hair but myself and just how much not attached to it as I was many years ago. I think dreadlocks are a great style for a person who is always busy and wants a more less maintenance hairstyle for everyday.
#blogtour Purebeck Mysteries by Gillian Calvin Thomas
The Dorset coast holds its
secrets tightâ
and the dead wonât stay quiet.
Vex Not Her Ghost
The Purebeck Mysteries Book 1
by Gill Calvin Thomas
Genre: Paranormal Mystery
A quirky detective tackles a haunting family mystery.
Caitlin was four years old when her mother died in
mysterious circumstances. Thirty years later she comes into possession of her
family home in Dorset. As she slowly recovers memories of her past, she becomes
convinced that her motherâs ghost is warning her of impending disaster.
Aided by Charlie Bond, a private investigator, an enthralling story of deceit
and deception unfolds as Caitlin and her friends expose the ultimate truth.
Sister Olive Wouldn’t
Hurt a Fly
The Purebeck Mysteries Book 2
Fleeing to Dorset traps a mother and son between a cult
and a killer waiting in the shadowsâŠ
If this whole saga was a fight between good and evil, then
who had won? As far as Miriam could work out, neither good nor evil had
triumphed yet. Now she was having to confront the grim consequences of Willâs
behaviour, and she was mortally afraid. Maybe he and his darkness would win
after all.
The tragic suicide of a young student starts a shocking chain of events for
William Marshall, his wife Miriam and their son, Ollie. As Will descends into
madness, a ghostly presence appears in their old house to protect Ollie.
However, when two strangers threaten Miriam and an attempt is made to snatch
Ollie, mother and son are forced to flee.
Amidst ever-present danger, they shake off pursuers to seek sanctuary in Rock
House in Dorset, where they meet Caitlin and her friends. Twenty years have
passed since Charlie Bond helped Caitlin solve the mystery of her motherâs
death. Now, it is the turn of Charlieâs sidekick, Sam Haskell, to investigate a
mysterious cult and unmask a killer.
Gill Calvin
Thomas is a retired academic who lives with her husband in Swanage , UK. She finds inspiration in the landscape around
her â the Isle of Purbeck has a spectacular coastline and beautiful beaches,
and it is whilst walking here, that Gill develops characters and plots the
twists and turns you will find in her books.
Gillâs life
experiences have informed her writing.
For example, her motherâs death when she was a small child, influenced
her first book, Vex Not Her Ghost, where the heroine has to delve into the past
to uncover the real circumstances of her motherâs death, the cover up and the
ongoing corruption. Her experiences as a
social work academic governs the plot of her second book, Sister Olive Wouldnât
Hurt a Fly. In this book the fatal
combination of a researcher’s mental collapse and a sociopathic opportunist
give rise to a cliffhanging finale.
Reviewers
have said that Gill writes the sort of books in which you find yourself racing
to the end, whilst not wanting to finish.
Her characters are compelling, well-drawn and sensitively portrayed. In her books bad people get what they
deserve, but it is never quite what it seems.
She is
currently writing her third book.
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the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
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#blogtour The Lesitha Veil Tales by CM Dawson
Every choice echoes across worlds.
Freedom or Chaos;
Stability or Control?
The Edge of Oblivion
The Lesitha Veil Tales Book 1
by CM Dawson
Genre: Epic SciFi Fantasy Adventure
“We were younger than we realised and equally
naĂŻve.”
Dive into The Edge of Oblivion â a comingâofâage fantasy of secret mapâbooks, a
dying storytellerâs last wish, and a crystal key that reveals tears in reality.
Discover a richly imagined world, fastâpaced adventure, and a hero who must
choose between duty and destiny â buy now and step over the Veil.
The veil is weakening and shreds between the worlds are becoming more frequent.
Darkness is spreading. A new Rysyn is sought to replace the Torsoma before itâs
too late and the veil fails, releasing chaos across the facet worlds.
Bex Gartan has no desire to follow her father into the Grinders Guild â or die
of stone lung like he did. A rebellious 17-year-old, just weeks before her
Liberation Day, a brutal encounter shatters her world. In a shadowy alley, she
faces a tragedy and finds her destiny.
Bex’s determination to find the truth pulls her into a conflict that spans
multiple worlds. She becomes the target of assassins, the pawn of questionable
advisors, and now the unlikely successor to the leader of the Facet worlds. Bex
must learn to temper her impulsive nature and trust her instincts if sheâs to
save her friends, and the Facet worlds.
Will she be the saviour they seek or the herald of chaos?
Amazon * Direct from Author * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads
Chapter 16 Excerpt:
Then there was the Great Xan Janal, who claimed to
have gone over the Edge and slayed a mighty beast to save a village. He boasted
that there were many worlds, all separated by the Veil. There were people of
different races who spoke weird languages. Some were tall and fair with long,
flowing, silver hair. Others were short, squat, covered in fur and grunted a
lot. Those stories always made me laugh. My eyes blurred as tears welled up,
thinking of him. Whether they were real or figments of his imagination, Xan had
given his life to sharing his stories of adventure. And I wasnât about to let
him down.
As I crawled on, I wondered which world I would find
on the other side of the Veil. Would it be a world of thick jungles, filled
with loud, screaming creatures jumping from one towering tree to the next? Or
would it be a crystalline world overflowing with unimaginable colours? I
was hoping for the water world, for Muutâs sake, except for the whole swimming
thing. That scared me.
I looked back again and then beyond Muut. I scanned
the horizon and watched as the heat rippled off the scorched ground. The only
things that stood as high as a man here were the boulders that dotted the
landscape. There was no lush green foliage, and the rivers were more often dry
more than filled with water. I dreamed of seeing the leaves of a plant that was
as big as me. I fantasised about dipping my fingers into a cool running stream
and carrying the refreshing water to my lips; skipping stones across its
surface and seeing splashes instead of puffs of dust.
I didnât know if Xanâs stories were real or made-up
fantasies to impress the ladies. But what I knew was that I didnât want to die
without at least attempting to find out. I owed him that much. So I turned back
and faced the Edge. I checked the straps that held my knives tucked against my
wrists. I placed my right hand out in front of me and then my right knee, then
my left hand, left knee. I slowly crawled to the Edge.
The fingers on my left hand reached it first. I
stopped and looked at my hand. The tips of my fingers curved over an edge. My
breath caught in my throat. I moved my right hand up to match my left and
swallowed deeply as the tips of both hands were now bent joyously over the Edge
of our world. I slowly lowered myself down to the rough ground and felt the
sharp rocks poking me in my chest and belly.
Carefully, I pulled my body up to the Edge and peered
over. The air coalesced into a swirling mist of obscurity, roiling and bulging,
causing my vision to slide and refocus as I tried to peer through it.
I pulled myself up to the Edge, raising onto my elbows
and stretching my neck as far as I could. The grey mist swirled around my head
forming dewdrops on my cheeks. I blew into it, watching as it whirled madly
away from me, quickly folding back in on itself. I extended my arm and felt a cool
dampness cover me like a second skin. The further I extended it, the less I
could see of it.
I pulled myself up and swivelled around to sit on the Edge
with my legs now dangling freely. My feet disappeared into the swirling mist
that roiled below me. Then I leaned out as far as I could and swished my arms
back and forth, trying to clear a view through the grey wall.
I either leaned too far or whipped my arms too wildly,
because I tumbled off the ledge into the mist. My heart leapt as I felt myself
sliding down the edge of the world. Suddenly, I jerked to a stop when the rope
tied to my ankle caught me tight. My breath gushed from my lungs and my heart
pounded my ribs.
I heard Muut calling to me, his cries distant,
muffled.
I hung for a moment, dangling upside down against the
edge of the world. I released my fear as I pushed myself up away from the rough
rock face. Curling my knees beneath me, I crouched for a moment, waiting to see
if I would fall. Nothing happened. The cool mist swirled around me; my head
swooned with the mesmerising movement.
I filled my lungs with the moist air and stood. Fully
expecting to topple over, I stretched my arms wide to catch myself when I did.
I stood there as rigid as a boulder with my arms spread, knees locked, breath
held, eyes tightly closed.
Nothing.
I slowly opened my left eye, peeking, face scrunched tight,
awaiting the imagined impact. Both eyes sprang open, and the air exploded out
of my lungs. A breathtaking view assaulted my eyes.
Dark Side of the Veil
The Lesitha Veil Tales Book 2
When Bexlin Gartan is kidnapped into a world of metal and
gears, the impulsive daughter of a storyteller must reclaim a stolen Lesitha
Crystal and learn why her blood marks her as the next Rysynâbefore a tyrant
uses her power to shred the Veil and destroy everything.
Bex crossed the veil for adventure – now she may never return home, may never
see her ma again or laugh with her friends. Stranded in a dark Facet, ruled by
a tyrant set on seeking revenge and using her to fulfil his vengeance, she must
decide whether she will become his pawn or fight to save all she loves.
Separated from her friends, she convinces the strange mechanically augmented
half-lifes to help her find them and to return home, but not before she tries
to stop the demented ruler, Urbo’Krk. Uncertain who to trust or what the rising
energy building within her means, she must learn to control her impetuous ways
and calm her mind. Only then can she face the truth of her destiny – saviour or
destroyer.
Will she bring stability or usher in chaos?
**On Sale for Only .99cents on Amazon & Kobo!**
Amazon * Direct From Author * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads
Chapter 13 Excerpt:
âCome,â the ânaut commanded.
I turned my attention back to the
wall where a trickle of moisture ran down a groove, around a rivet, and
disappeared behind the bench.
The white-hot tearing of my scalp
ripped a scream from my chest as the ânaut yanked me to my feet by my braid. He
held me, dangling in the air for a moment before releasing me. My hands went to
my head and returned covered in blood.
âCome or be dragged.â
The warmth of the blood running
down my back held me for a moment. Then Tar was at my side, gripping my elbow
to guide me.
âWalk,â he commanded.
My legs felt like they were full of
sand, but I made them move as he guided me out of the cell and we followed the
ânaut through the maze of passages. âWhere are you taking me now?â I
whispered.
Tar ignored my question, but I felt
a tightening on my elbow.
âWhy are you helping someone like
him?â
Again, no response, but this time
there was a tug on my elbow. âOkay, at least tell me where youâre taking me?â
The massive head of the ânaut
glanced back at us. âNo speak. Walk.â
We rode up out of the cells in an
open lift. The fresh air felt good against my sweaty face. I studied the
bleak world of Vrellum as we rose and wondered if my friends were somewhere
lost in the labyrinthine maze of metal gantries and yellow haze.
The platform stopped and the ânaut
led us out into brighter, well-lit passages. We were back in the fortress of
UrboâKrk. We werenât led to the main assembly chamber. This time the ânaut led
me past the big wooden doors with the familiar motifs etched on them. Instead,
I was taken to a smaller chamber. As we entered, a light came on above a large
metal chair that sat in the centre of the room. There were straps on the arms
and the footrest. I stopped short, making Tar bump into me.
The ânaut pointed. âSit.â
I threw my head back, catching Tar
off guard and smashing his face, just missing his already flattened nose. My
elbow connected with his ribs, and I heard a satisfying grunt. Turning to run,
I wasnât quick enough. The one-eyed Omaj blocked my exit, and the ânaut grabbed
my shoulder, pinching me, and I screamed at the crushing of my bones. He threw
me into the chair, slamming my head against the upper backrest. I left a bloody
imprint from his earlier threat of dragging me. I tried to get up but felt pressure
on my chest. It forced me back into the chair.
âEnough.â UrboâKrk stepped out of
the shadows with Cog at his side. Heâd removed his cape and the silver
breastplate. He now wore a black vest that allowed him to display his
mechanical arms. Beneath the close-fitting fabric, I could see that his neck and
chest were flesh. There was a seam where the augmented arms attached to his
shoulders. The join was smooth and had a natural appearance as if the black
mesh were just another type of skin.
He leaned over me. His presence
felt heavy. The pressure built on my chest, and I tried to take a deeper
breath, but could only sip the air. I turned away and refused to acknowledge
him.
âAh yes, you feel my strength.â He
stood and pointed at Tar. His energy pushed against me, pressing me into the
metal seat. Tar remained standing against the wall and motioned for Omaj to
strap my wrists and ankles to the chair.
âI wish to examine you.â He spoke
calmly as he turned and walked to a table that ran the length of one wall. âIt
isnât every day a Rysyn passes through my world.â
My teeth felt like they might pop
out as I spoke through my clenched jaw. âIâve never heard of a Rysyn and donât
know why you think Iâm one. I was only looking for the truth.â
I glared at Tar as I spoke my
defiant words. His stoic face drew tight as he stared at me and shook his head.
Cog had stepped further into the room and now sat at my side. His quizzically
tilted head indicating his attention.
UrboâKrkâs broad back hunched over
the table now straightened as he slowly turned back to look at me. âI will
learn what makes you a Rysyn,â his eyes flicked to Cog, âor Iâll make the cog
suffer for your defiance.â
Cog tilted his head as he gazed
from me to his master. I couldnât be certain if he understood the threat that
UrboâKrk had made, but I also wouldnât be the reason that he suffered any
further abuse under this monster.
My jaw remained clenched as I
slumped defeated into the chair. Tears welled in my eyes as UrboâKrk came
toward me carrying a mesh of wires.
âThatâs better. Now sit still; this will hardly hurt.â
CM Dawson is an indie fantasy author and the founder of
Crystal Path Publishing, writing multi-world adventure fiction from the rolling
green hills of Wiltshire, England. Her debut series, The Lesitha Tales, follows
Bex Gartan â a headstrong, impulsive 17-year-old who finds herself thrust into
a power struggle that spans multiple worlds. Compared to Samantha Shannon,
Brandon Sanderson, and Suzanne Collins, the series blends fast-paced action,
vivid world-building, and a fierce coming-of-age heart. She crafts immersive
multiverse fantasy filled with emotional stakes, dark magic, and lore rich
worldbuilding. The first two books â The Edge of Oblivion and Dark Side of the
Veil â are available now. A space opera trilogy, a short story collection, and
a dystopian novel are all in development. When she is not writing, she can be
found gardening, editing the local parish magazine, playing skittles, or being
bossed around by her two English Bulldogs, Sage and Bubba.
#blogtour Goodbye Demons by JJ Harrigan
Suspense, Historical Fiction
Date Published: 04-24-2026
Publisher: Salty Books Publishing Company, LLC
When injuries cut short the figure skating career of Angie Fernandez
Parnell, she joins the Peace Corps. She is assigned to Tunis where she finds
her soulmate, U.S. diplomat James Whitcomb. At the conclusion of their tours
of duty, they marry, and within weeks of the wedding, he is taken captive in
the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-81.
Parnell, she joins the Peace Corps. She is assigned to Tunis where she finds
her soulmate, U.S. diplomat James Whitcomb. At the conclusion of their tours
of duty, they marry, and within weeks of the wedding, he is taken captive in
the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979-81.
James, held hostage at the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, endures the same demons
that afflicted the real-life hostages during the actual crisis 45 years ago.
Deprivation, bad treatment, political manipulation, and above all the
uncertainty of whether or when it would all end.
Angie, biting her nails at home, endures her own demons. How can she support
him? Should she join efforts that pressure the president to negotiate a
release? Or even a rescue? A take-charge person by nature, she follows a path
that will reap huge benefits if it works. Or destroy her life if it fails.
Goodbye Demons is a visceral, emotionally charged exploration of resilience in
the face of adversity. It is the story of a man and a woman struggling to
overcome demons beyond their control.
Excerpt
This was the chance of a lifetime, and Angie swore she wouldnât
blow it. She did elaborate stretching exercises and weight training. She
followed a dieticianâs meal plan and skated five days a week under the
guidance of her coach. Angie concocted a brilliant plan to capture the Gold at
Nationals and guarantee her a slot on the Olympic team.
Her coach objected. âNo woman has ever done a triple axel, and
youâre not ready.â
âI did it in practice. You saw me.â
âYou fell. A perfect double axel that youâre capable of doing
trumps a triple axel that you screw up.â
Angie was determined to do the triple without falling. She doubled down on her
training regime. Bruising falls came each day. It wasnât until a week
before the competitions that she completed a triple. She grinned triumphantly
at her surprised coach. Then on the next try she took a nasty fall that left
her limping when she rose from the ice. Her coach sped over to her. After
making sure Angie had broken no bones, she again warned her to stop trying the
triple axel.
âYouâre not ready. Itâs a riverboat gamble.â
âI have to take the gamble when Iâve got the chance.â
âYouâll have a chance next year. Youâll be stronger and more
experienced. Thatâll be the time to do it.â
âIn the meantime, some other girl might do it first, and nobody will
ever hear about me. Even if I do one the next day. Can you tell me who was the
second woman to fly across the Atlantic?â
About the Author
Historical thriller author JJ Harrigan is a former US Service Officer
and political science professor. He scribbles his tales of intrigue on the
banks of the St. Croix River in Minnesota, where he lives with his wife,
Sandy.
and political science professor. He scribbles his tales of intrigue on the
banks of the St. Croix River in Minnesota, where he lives with his wife,
Sandy.
Contact Links
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#blogtour You Are Not From Around Here Are You by Clarissa Willis
Children’s Book
Date Published: 06-13-2026
Publisher: Solander Press
Ever gazed at the twinkling night sky and wondered, what might be up
there? Mack jets off from Texas to the stunning red rocks of Sedona, Arizona,
ready for a camping adventure with his family. But when his furry sidekick
bolts into the night, Mack sprints after him and stumbles upon a surprise
guest.
there? Mack jets off from Texas to the stunning red rocks of Sedona, Arizona,
ready for a camping adventure with his family. But when his furry sidekick
bolts into the night, Mack sprints after him and stumbles upon a surprise
guest.
This new buddy isnât your run-of-the-mill earthling! Mack soon discovers
the stellar delight of making a truly out-of-this-world friend.
In this galactic adventure, award-winning author Clarissa Willis introduces
two characters who learn that no matter who you are, or where you are from,
friendship is all about having a blast together.
About the Author
Clarissa Willis is the author of 8 picture books and a captivating chapter
book! Carrie Ingalls The Forgotten Sister won the Western Writers of America
SPUR Award for best juvenile nonfiction and a Will Rogers Medallion Finalist
(2026). Her tale, Bloomers on Pikeâs Peak (2024), is the biography of
the unstoppable Julia Archibald Holmes, the first woman to climb Pikes Peak.
It won a Will Rogers Medallion and was the finalist for the Women Writing the
West 2025 WILLA Literary Award. Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony
Express Rider (2022) galloped away with a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. Then,
there’s The Three Little Pigs and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, putting a fresh
spin on a classic yarn. Get ready for her upcoming book, Not from Around Here,
a whimsical picture book about sharing and quirky friendships set to take off
in early summer 2026!
Contact Links
Purchase Link
#blogtour Illusionist by Laurie Buchanan
A Sean McPherson Novel, Book 5
Mystery & Suspense
Date Published: 04-15-2025
Publisher: SparkPress
For fans of Louise Penny and Robert Dugoni, Illusionist is a
contemporary crime thriller where PI McPherson must choose between killing an
author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest or letting a college
student die.
contemporary crime thriller where PI McPherson must choose between killing an
author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest or letting a college
student die.
When an illusionist joins the Pines & Quill writing retreat, one of the
owners vanishes without a trace in the middle of everyone, but the surrounding
would-be witnesses donât see or hear a thing. Thatâs when crime
boss Georgio Gambino makes a checkmate move against his nemesis, Sean
McPherson. He forces a writer in residence to kill another writer and frame
McPherson. In a video call, Gambino warns the writer, âIf you
donât follow orders, your daughter will die.â Then, he pans the
camera to prove access to her college dorm room.
McPherson discovers that Carmine Fiore, Gambinoâs second in command,
covets his boss role and is staging a coup. As Gambinoâs soldiers
traffic drugs, weapons, and humans, Fiore plants incriminating evidence
against the notorious Sureños gang. Can McPherson leverage that
knowledge for a temporary truce and the gangâs help?
The writers in residenceâa former NASCAR driver, a professional
triathlete, an architect turned house flipper, and a world-renowned magician
who may not be who she appears to beâband together with McPherson to
create the illusion of a lifetime.
Excerpt
Gambino picks up his cell phone and makes another call. His heart races with
anticipation. When the recipient answers, he says, âIf you hang up,
Iâll kill your child. Do you understand?â
“Is this some kind of sick joke?â
“I assure you this is no joke. When I disconnect, youâll receive a video
call from my associate. Heâs visiting your child’s classâMarket
Power in the New Economy. If you donât do what I say, it will cost the
life of the person you love most.â
“Who is this? What do you want from me?â
“Iâm the person whoâs going to kill your child if you donât
do what I say. In two days, youâre heading to Pines & Quill writing
retreat. While there, you will frame Sean McPherson for murder.â
“Frame someone for murder? What do you mean?â
“No, not just someone. Youâre going to frame Sean McPherson.
Youâre going to kill one of the other writers in residence. I
donât care which one, nor do I care how you do it. Youâre a crime
writer. Figure it out. You arrive at Pines & Quill on October first and
leave on the twenty-first. You have three weeks to accomplish the task.â
About the Author
A blend of Dr. Doolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Laurie
Buchanan is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention,
reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, red licorice aficionado, and
lover of the Oxford comma.
Buchanan is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention,
reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, red licorice aficionado, and
lover of the Oxford comma.
As a novelist, photographer, and voracious reader, she never travels without
three essentialsâa laptop, a camera, and a book.
Growing up, she dreamed of being a magician, an international spy, and a mad
scientist. Thereâs still time!
Her writing studio is the hayloft of a historic carriage house in the Pacific
Northwest, where creativity thrives. Her husband, Len, a private pilot, and
Henry, their not-so-standard Standard Poodle, join her on daily walks. She
always carries a camera because sometimes, the best word choice is a picture.
A journey that left an indelible imprint on her was a 20-day, 211-mile trek
across the majestic landscapes of Scotland. She, her husband, and their son
hiked from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, with the pinnacle being the
climb of Ben Nevis at the midpoint of their adventure, the highest point in
the British Isles.
“My writing goal is simple: to leave you wanting more.” âLaurie Buchanan
Contact Links
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