Steel Buttlerflies

 

 

Steel Butterflies

by Elizabeth B. Splaine

Genre: YA/ Women's Historical WWII Fiction

Deadly secrets & destructive, unintended consequences are unearthed in this coming-of-(s)age story of an unlikely friendship between a teenage girl and a former WWII spy.

Some truths are best left unspoken.

Ebony Dobbs has problems: unruly hair, not fitting in with the popular kids, figuring out how to pay for college…and a secret she’s buried so deeply even she doesn’t know the truth. A kick-butt best friend Connor Leibovitz, uses his computer genius to dig into a new secret...

Ebony reluctantly accompanies her mother on a home health visit, meeting Madame Celeste DeWit, a 97-year-old with a closet full of skeletons from WWII. As Ebony learns the truth about Madame’s wartime exploits, she comes to terms with her own past, realizing she and Madame share more than they differ.

When Connor uncovers information that implicates Madame’s estate manager in a plot to steal the old woman’s fortune, the teenagers launch a campaign to protect her, even as Madame’s past barrels into the present, threatening to destroy everything in its path.

Inspired by real people and places, Steel Butterflies will have you marveling at the beautiful simplicity of true friendship, as well as the courage of women who come face-to-face with determining their future.

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**Also by the author in the same genre**

Swan Song

by Elizabeth B. Splaine

Genre: YA/ Women's Historical WWII Fiction

Ursula Becker's operatic star is on the rise in Nazi Berlin...until she discovers that she is one-quarter Jewish, a mischling of the second degree. Although Hitler is aware of her lineage, her popularity and exquisite voice protect her and her family from persecution. As Ursula's violin-prodigy half-sister comes of age, she comes to the attention of the Führer, who welcomes the awestruck teenager into his elite, private circle.

When William Patrick Hitler arrives in Germany and is offered employment by his doting Uncle Adolf, a chance encounter with Ursula leads to a romantic relationship that further shields the young diva from mistreatment. But for how long?

Restrictions on Hitler's perceived enemies tighten, and Ursula is ordered to sing at Hitler's Berghof estate. There she throws down a gauntlet that unleashes the wrath of the vindictive megalomaniacal leader. Fearing for her life, Ursula and Willy decide to emigrate to England. But as the ship is about to sail, Ursula disappears. Desperately hoping that Ursula is still alive, Willy crosses the globe in an effort to find her, even as his obsessive uncle taunts him, relishing in the horror of the murderous cat-and-mouse game.

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Elizabeth B. Splaine wrote the Dr. Julian Stryker series of “Blind” thrillers (Blind Order and Blind Knowledge), as well as Devil’s Grace, the winner of the When Words Count writing competition, released through Greenwriters Press. Her most recent book, Swan Song, an historical fiction novel, was released in October 2021 through Woodhall Press.

Prior to writing, Elizabeth earned an AB in Psychology from Duke University and an MHA from University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She spent eleven years working in health care before switching careers to become a professional opera singer and voice teacher.

When not writing, Elizabeth teaches classical voice in Rhode Island where she lives with her husband, sons, and dogs.

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Shadows Abyss

 

 

Shadows Abyss

by L.N. Frost

Genre: Dark Fantasy Poetry 

When the nights grow longer, and we spend time curled up by the fire we seek out protection from the unknown. Seeking out times of merriment and joy, yet there is always darkness in the light. Embark on a journey into a collection of urban dark poetry portraying areas of the paranormal, afflictions of the heart and mind, and questions we all face in life. There are also tales of death, love, and the reaper of death himself.

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Luna Nyx Frost (Nicole) is a native to Baltimore, MD and has been writing for the last twenty years. She is a blind author and writes poetry, urban fantasy, and paranormal. Her debut novel HUNTED: The Immortal’s Kiss cowritten with Emberly Lily Summers is available on Amazon. After publishing her poetry book. Shadow Abyss: A Book of Poetry, she has had other poems featured in anthologies such as Maryland's Best Emerging Poets by Z Publishing and in Fae Thee Well by Dreampunk Press. Her passion for writing and reading doesn’t stop at sonnets and novels. Her inspiration mostly comes from nature, ancient history, and classic literature. Luna has also looked up to the magnificent work of poets such as Edgar Allen Poe and Emily Dickens. She has also read many works by Shakespeare and fables by The Brothers Grimm. Luna has also been intrigued by the great ancient civilizations

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Newsletters are the Frosting on the Reader’s Cake

 

Newsletters are the Frosting on the Reader’s Cake

Dear Qwerty,

Do I really need a newsletter? They’re so time consuming.

 

Creating a newsletter that keeps readers engaged is a challenge to everyone, especially if you’re an author who only has books coming out once or twice a year. What do you write? Do you have to come up with something once a week? Or, goodness help us, more than once a week?

No, you don’t. You do need the promotional use of newsletters. They are a great writer tool. It’s another form of advertising. You’re connecting with readers, and that is huge!

Once a month is fine.

Or, pay to use someone else’s newsletter to promote yourself, and your book(s). There are plenty out there who can help. Rates are $10 and up, depending on how many readers they have on their list.

So, how do you create a newsletter that keeps a reader engaged and interacting with you? Come up with a list of subjects that interest you. (Don’t forget your book launches) And go! Write away, that’s what you’re good at.

Keep it simple, don’t get into long, drawn out articles. You’ll lose your reader and you definitely don’t want to do that. For example, in one newsletter write about something you experienced recently. Try to keep it positive, negative newsletter are emotionally draining. You don’t want to do that to your readers. Or, a favorite recipe? A vacation you fully enjoyed? A movie? Or, what? Even a book you read from another author. Want more suggestions? How about a book event you attended? The little free library you discovered…

Not coming up with an idea? How about helping out an author friend who’s releasing a book? Get her to guest write for you newsletter, or make it an announcement newsletter.

Think about it. Someone has given you their explicit permission to contact them directly through their e-mail. That’s huge, and not a privilege that you want to lose.

Whether you have tens of followers or hundreds, they want you to keep it short and sweet.

Then, of course, promote it. What? Yes, promote what you’ve written in the newsletter. That will get you more readers, or at least more readers to your page.

How? Okay, you’ve twisted my arm enough. I’ll tell you. Let’s say you wrote about visiting a winky-dink town in Texas. It had three residents (sort-of joking) and a huge taxidermy museum. You write about the museum, hopefully with pictures.

Then you tweet it, post on Facebook, add a dash of the story to your blog, and then promote it on Facebook and Twitter. Don’t put it all on your blog, otherwise, why bother to sign up for the newsletters?

@TaxidermyMuseumName had some fantastic animals on display. Come see which one was my favorite and tell me which one you liked best. Subscribe to my newsletter www.mynewlettercontactinfo.com

Always try to keep it interactive, ask questions to them. It may have started out about you, and what you’ve experienced, but to make it interactive, it has to be about the reader, about what also interests them. If you don’t grab their interest, they won’t want to interact. Remember, you’re trying to entertain them.

Another thing you can do is find out what they like, what their interests are, and how you can expand on their needs and desires. Give them what they want.

You want them to feel important. The biggest thing that authors tend to forget, it’s not about you, it’s about the reader. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Follow back! They’re what’s important to you, by following back, you’re showing them how important they are to you.

Keep it them and you.

Now, you don’t need to buy a program, or even a newsletter service. Unless, of course, you want to because it’s easier for you. You can make it super simple. “Email me mynewsletter@myname.com” to join my newsletter. And keep a simple email list on a saved document.

If you prefer a newsletter service, get some suggestions from other authors, set up your list, templates, sign-up form, and off you go.

 Either way, once you get started it’s easy to keep up with the format of the emails and addresses.

All in all, newsletters help find readers and increase book sales. Bonus? You get to meet some awesome readers!

Do you have a subject you’d like Dear Qwerty, to cover? Let us know, DearQwerty@adcmagazine.com

Want a jump on marketing and advertising?

This book’s for you. My whole point of writing it is to help all authors. I’ve had many established authors, aspiring authors, and WIP authors ask me a multitude of questions and I was more than happy to help. (WIP-work in progress) I took the most commonly asked questions and solutions and put them in a nifty, absolutely priceless book.

What you’ll find in Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING:

Social Media Marketing and AdvertiZING for Books or Any Business

Becoming a Bestseller

Saying NO and Being the Bad Guy

How to Write Incredible Click Enticing Promotions

Promoting Your Book With or Without a Publisher

How Much is That Advertisement in the Window?

Self-publishing Doesn’t Have to be a Disaster

How to Make Your Website Awesome

Taking the Plunge into Publishing Audio Books

How to Make More Sales at Book Signings

The Uniform of Success

 

Purchase Be More Successful with Marketing and AdvertiZING at your favorite bookstore or on Amazon.

E-Book $4.99

Paperback $9.99

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

You can find me:

PamelaAckerson.net

PamAckerson@AdCMagazine.com

Twitter.com/PamAckerson

Facebook.com/pam.ackerson.7

Amazon.com/Pamela-Ackerson/e/B00QY1ARI4

 

Wondering what my qualifications are? Don't want to get any advice from someone who doesn't know what they're talking about? I understand! There are too many people out there giving bad advice. 

The first thing I'm going to tell you is that the book industry is constantly changing and even the "experts" have to keep their ears to the ground to stay in the game!

Okay, so...Here goes.

I'm President of Marketing and Advertising for AdC Magazine. Affaire de Coeur Book Review Magazine has been in business since 1980. No small potatoes there! We've managed to survive all the ups and downs in the industry. www.adcmagazine.com

I'm an award-winning, Wall Street Journal, Amazon and Barnes and Noble bestselling author. I've been a published author since 1972. Yup, you read that right. My 10th grade high school teacher entered my sci-fi short story in the Science Fiction Reader's Digest Contest and I took first place. I continued to write and publish short stories for several years after that. 

A short break--which felt like forever--in 1996 I finished my first novel. I was picked up by a publisher two years later and I haven't stopped since.

Reaper

 

Reaper

War Brothers MC Book 1

by Bianca Lee Ward

Genre: Slow Burn MC Romance

I let her go once because she wasn’t mine. This time, I’ll die before I give her up…

I want her.

That smile… those curves.

But Ava doesn’t belong to me.

Then she arrives in my clubhouse, seeking refuge. My gut churns at the sight of the bruises on her face, the fear in her eyes.

Before I was the president of the War Brothers Motorcycle Club, I was a special forces sniper who hunted down evil men like her husband. Now I avoid relationships because the wounds I have are more than skin deep.

But Ava’s different, and when I find her in the wrong bedroom—my bedroom—one night, what happens next changes everything.

I let her go once because she was married, but I won’t make the same mistake twice.

I’ll die before I let her dangerous husband, the jealous women in our club, or the enemy our club didn’t see coming lay a finger on her.

Because this time around, Ava is mine.

For fans of Autumn Jones Lake, Lani Lynn Vale, and Chantel Fernando, get ready to fall in love with the protective alpha men of the War Brothers Motorcycle Club. Each standalone book promises emotionally captivating small-town romance with a deliciously dark twist.

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Bianca is an Australian romance author with a love of culinary adventures and a playlist for every mood. She enjoys exploring themes of identity, personal growth, and resilience in her work—with a little spice on the side. When she isn’t lost in storytelling or absorbed in her latest read, Bianca can be found watching true crime stories and documentaries.

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The Fixer Series

 

 

The Naked Man

The Fixer – Katerina Mills Book 1

by Jill Amy Rosenblatt

Genre: Crime Suspense Fiction 

Silver Medal Winner - Suspense Fiction - 2017 Global Ebook Awards

"...fun and fast-paced...Packed with thrills and fun characters..." Ashton, Beauty, Books & Babble

“Katerina—I need some help. Be a good girl and come over here and I’ll make it worth your while.”

It’s an offer NYC college student Katerina Mills should refuse. But how can she?

A desperate situation....

After ditching her cheating lover (and boss), she’s stuck in dead end temp jobs. Her dad just ditched her mom and his promise to pay Kat's college tuition bill. She has two weeks to come up with $14,000 or she's out of her apartment, out of school, and out of luck.

A dangerous world....

Katerina falls into a job as a "fixer” for New York City's wealthy and privileged men. They have problems they need “fixed,” quick and on the QT, and they’re willing to pay. The rules are simple: collect the money, use your contacts, fix the problem.

Kat's first job is easy: tail a shopaholic socialite wife. But who’s tailing Kat? Kat’s second job is not so easy: steal a VHS tape hidden in an antique chest. She can’t do it alone. To be a thief, she needs a thief: handsome, reclusive Alexander Winter to be exact.

Kat soon learns the real rules for a fixer: there are no rules, there are no refunds. Get in. Get results. Get gone. As every step brings her closer to her goal and closer to danger, there’s one rule left for Katerina Mills to learn: once you’re in, there’s no getting out.

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The Killing Kind

The Fixer – Katerina Mills Book 2

Silver Medal Winner - Thriller Fiction - 2017 Global Ebook Awards

"The Fixer: The Killing Kind (The Fixer - Katerina Mills Book 2) by Jill Amy Rosenblatt is every bit as good, if not better, than the first book in the series. Even more action is packed into this edge-of-your-seat tale as Kat leads us on another thrilling journey."
Readers' Favorite Book Reviews

Kat’s back and in over her head with cops, criminals... and killers.

Christmas is around the corner but professional “fixer” Katerina Mills isn't feeling the holiday spirit, juggling college classes, a lovesick cop, and demanding clients.

Obnoxious hedge fund manager Simon Marcus wants Kat to get his prized Porsche back from his vengeful wife—but Simon isn’t the only one after the car.

Rock star writer Paul Patel needs something “special” to finish his next bestseller—something that will send Katerina straight to prison if she gets caught.

And what about mysterious Thomas Gallagher? His jobs are simple and easy. Is he just a bored billionaire, or is he watching Kat’s every move, making his own plans for her?

Katerina needs help. Enter handsome, elusive thief Alexander Winter. He’s back, tutoring Kat in all things criminal. But is that all he’s going to teach her?

Katerina Mills is still haunted by her first assignment...and her first assignment is about to come back to haunt her...a deadly enemy who’s closer than she thinks...

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The Last Romanov

The Fixer – Katerina Mills Book 3

Kat's back for the third installment in the suspense thriller series that's been called "a rollercoaster ride of an adventure." (Jennie Reads)

"My name is Katerina Mills. Make sure I disappear."

Katerina Mills is getting out . . .

Desperate to escape a psychotic former client, a vengeful mobster, and a dirty DEA agent, professional "fixer" Kat Mills is ready to drop out and disappear.

She doesn't trust her employer, the shadowy MJM Consulting, but Katerina can't say no to one last job for the biggest score yet, enough money to get lost for good . . . until the client asks the impossible . . .

Dmitry Zilinsky claims he is a direct descendant of Russia's last Tsar, Nicholas II, and he demands Katerina steal the item that will prove it.

Kat must get the job done or she can't make her escape. But when professional thief Alexander Winter reappears in her life, Katerina Mills faces a new choice: go it alone or risk everything to be with the one person she doesn't want to live without?

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Jill Amy Rosenblatt is the author of Project Jennifer and For Better or Worse, published by Kensington Press.

She received her master’s degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Burlington College.

The Fixer crime/suspense series is Jill’s first adventure in self-publishing. The Naked Man, The Killing Kind, and The Last Romanov are available wherever eBooks and paperbacks are sold.

She is currently editing the fourth book in the series, The Good Criminal.

She lives on Long Island.

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Obedience

 

 

Obedience

Ties That Bind Book 1

by Liza Snow

Genre: Romantic Suspense 

Cassandra

Growing up, I was mesmerized by a man soaring the skies.

The greatest silk aerialist in the world, Chandler Moreau.

The day before my parents died, they took me to see his circus, and it was then I knew my fate was sealed.

I would do everything in my power to perform with them one day.

To perform with him.

Little did I realize, he would be far more than I’d ever imagined him being.

Far more than just a mentor.

He was a man I didn’t want to live without.

And someone I wanted to keep safe from a past that seemed to keep following me.

Chandler

My entire career, I’d been waiting for the right student to take under my wing.

A protégé with whom I could share my lifelong journey in the circus.

Little did I know it would be Cassandra Blackstone.

A woman who'd grown up admiring me from afar.

I never intended to fall in love with the student I was supposed to protect—from myself and the demons that lurked in my shadows.

But sometimes fate has other plans.

My grandfather's taunting words still linger.

Mieux vaut plier que rompre.

Adapt and survive.

They weren’t just his adage but also unmistakably true.

A reminder that Cassandra and my shared history seemed to intertwine us more than the silks we’d spent our lives mastering ever could…

More to Love:
In addition to the paperback, Obedience is also available in a full-cast narrated audiobook, starring Daniel Zbel and Rapunzaroo, along with a cast of additional voiceover actresses. Brought to life in the way the story is meant to be told, and it will be the best audiobook you listen to this year—possibly for a very long time. You’ll love listening to the two voices of these iconic characters. And don’t forget to read along with them and enjoy a fantastic, immersive experience. You’ll need the paperback copy to fan yourself off from some of the narration!

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A bestselling independent author from Florida, Liza has been putting romance books into her readers hands for over a half decade, and has loved every minute of it.

Liza lives with her husband, her two dogs and her cat, ten minutes from the beach. When she isn't writing, you can often find her walking and enjoying outside, with a coffee and a book in hand.

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Swag Pack with t-shirt, mug, magnet, ribbon bookmark ,

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Roaring Rogues

 

 

Ensnared By Innocence

Roaring Rogues Book 1

by Larissa Lyons

Genre: Paranormal Regency Romance 

2022 Maggie Award of Excellence Finalist

Changing into a lion isn’t all fur and games.

A Regency lord battles his inner beast while helping an innocent miss, never dreaming how he’ll come to care for the chit—nor how being near his world will deliver danger right to her doorstep.

If Darcy possessed a roaring libido and grappled with feline curses…

Lady Francine Montfort may have led a sheltered life till her parents’ untimely demise but that doesn’t mean she’s ignorant. Neither is she blind to the conniving ways of her persistent aunt, who’s determined to marry Francine off for her own selfish gain. Forced to drastic measures to avoid the wretched woman’s scheming, Francine concocts her own masterful plan.

She might need to beg a favor from Lord Blakely—the sinfully alluring marquis who inspires all manner of illicit thoughts—but she’s determined to help him as well. To ease those mysterious, haunting secrets that torment him so…

When Lady Francine, the epitome of innocence, requests he pose as her betrothed, Blakely knows he should handily refuse. He’s baffled when unfamiliar, protective urges make themselves known, tempting him to agree while danger stalks ever closer.

Alas, it’s fast approaching the season when Blakely loses all control. Either Francine satisfies his sexual appetites or he’ll be forced to reveal his beastly side. And that will never do. Not now that he’s come to care for the intrepid miss.

Standalone ~ HEA ~ 80,000 word Novel

Note to Readers: This love story between two people contains a lot of sizzle, including one partial ménage scene that gets rather…growly.

A much shorter version of Ensnared by Innocence was previously published; this second edition is three times as long and freshly rewritten.

**On Sale for a limited time!**

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Deceived By Desire

Roaring Rogues Book 2

Meet a Shakespeare-quoting shapeshifter who wants nothing to do with love…

Cursed into the form of a lion without nightly sex, Lord Nash Hammond wants only two things—his liquor strong and smooth, and his wenches wild and willing. What he doesn’t need is a virgin!

Nash senses the man across from him in the cramped stagecoach is trouble, a danger to the veiled woman accompanying her lofty “protector”. Nash knows he’s no hero, yet she keeps asking for his help. And how is it the vexing female knows so much about his secrets? Ones that could rip her apart if she only knew it…

And the spunky “lady” from the streets who masquerades as another man’s mistress…

Blessed with the second-sight—or cursed, depending upon which relative she believes—Laney sees her two possible futures: bleak and a soon-deceased victim (ack!) or frolicking with her fellow stagecoach passenger: a golden-eyed, tawny-haired gentleman—who’s anything but.

The miserable rip who’s already stepped on her dress, who keeps staring…

Nash is surly and rude and resistant to her every effort to speak with him. When they stop for the night and she overhears him order a “strumpet” to bed, Laney takes the doxy’s place, convinced she can pretend well enough. After all, she’s pretended to be a mistress for years. She’ll satisfy his needs, but refuse his money—demand he listen and help her instead. Then she’ll be safe.

Until, along with her body, Nash starts to claim her heart as well.

Reader Advisory: While Deceived by Desire is laugh-out-loud funny in places, it contains a short *vision* of violence and brief references to past abuse. Beyond that, expect a fun and sexy good time because…

Changing into a lion is all fun and growls—until it isn’t.

HEA ~ Book 2 - Roaring Rogues Regency Shifters ~ 97,000 words

A shorter version of Deceived by Desire was previously published; this second edition contains several new chapters characters, and is freshly rewritten.

Book 1 - Ensnared by Innocence, FINALIST - Maggie Award of Excellence 2022

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A lifelong Texan, Larissa writes steamy regencies and sexy contemporaries, blending heartfelt emotion with doses of laugh-out-loud humor. Her heroes are strong men with a weakness for the right woman.

Avoiding housework one word at a time ;-), Larissa adores brownies, James Bond, and all things feline. She’s been a clown, a tax analyst, and a pig castrator (!) but nothing satisfies quite like seeing the entertaining voices in her head come to life on the page.

Writing around some health challenges and computer limitations, it’s a while between releases, but stick with her…she’s working on the next one.

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$10 Gift Card of Choice from

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