Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: The Ignoble Lie (Of God & Men, #1) by Matthew Peters

The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters Banner

THE IGNOBLE LIE

by Matthew Peters

July 7 - August 1, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters

Of Gods & Men Series

 

What if the Ark of the Covenant isn’t a reference to the chest containing the Ten Commandments God revealed to Moses atop Mount Sinai?

What if it refers to the tomb of an Egyptian pharaoh whose contents would revolutionize religious history?

As ex-Jesuit Scott Larson and adventuress Zady Jones learn, such a discovery can be deadly.

A terrorist attack on the Great Pyramid of Giza ratchets up the tension in Washington, D.C., where President John Jenkins has been impeached for an order declaring the U.S. a Judeo-Christian nation. The terrorists threaten more attacks in Egypt and the U.S. unless their demand is met—and it’s something only Larson and Jones can give them. When the efforts to meet the terrorists’ demand goes awry and Zady’s sister is kidnapped, Larson and Jones race to save her. Along the way, they receive a series of mysterious clues that point to the existence of a shocking historical secret, one that could not only topple Jenkins’ presidency but upend Judeo-Christianity.

Praise for The Ignoble Lie:

"This fast-paced religious thriller will especially appeal to fans of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Unlike that book, though, The Ignoble Lie digs deep into Biblical lore and ancient history, back to the origins of the historical Moses in ancient Egypt. If you like your thrillers seasoned with Church conspiracies, Egyptian archaeology, and murderous mercenaries, look no further. You won't be able to put it down."
~ Chris

"The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters is a sophisticated geopolitical thriller that intertwines religious history, political intrigue, and clandestine warfare... I loved the characters in The Ignoble Lie — believable and thoroughly explored. The prose, the sparkling dialogue, and the deft plotting are the elements that captivated me, together with the suspenseful storytelling. 5 Stars"
~ Christian Sia for Readers’ Favorite

Book Details:

Genre: Political/Religious thriller
Published by: Mélange Books
Publication Date: May 12, 2025
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 979-8886533712 (print)
Series: Of Gods & Men, Book 1
Book Links: Amazon | Apple Books | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Mélange Books

Read an excerpt:

SUNDAY

Chapter 1

Under a spring sunset, the pyramids of Giza stood like pointed stone islands in a timeless sea of desert sand. At the northeast corner of the plateau, several armed guards perched atop camels at the base of the Great Pyramid of Khufu. The leader of the security force nodded as three lean bearded men garbed in long, white robes and carrying cameras and other electronic equipment approached. The trio formed a loose line and then trudged up the massive beige limestone blocks to the main entrance on the north face of the pyramid.

When they stepped inside, the cool air moved slightly like a palm frond breeze fanned by ancient servants. The men could still hear the hum of the generator outside as they made their way down a long, sloping, cramped corridor in the pale glow of the electric lighting. Following the metal conduit from the generator, they began climbing a longer passage. Their stated job was simple: set up the cameras needed to film the contents of the recently discovered room behind the west wall of the King’s Chamber, one of only two known chambers in the vast structure. Official filming by an international team would commence in the morning and the world would soon learn of the contents.

An hour later, one of the men burst out of the pyramid’s entrance covered in blood. Sweat drenched his brow as he bent over, his hands on his knees, trying desperately to suck oxygen into his lungs. Fortunately, the guards were not in sight. After a few moments, he raised himself to a fully standing position and wiped blood from his hands onto his dove-colored djellaba. He looked up at the sky beseechingly. The setting sun was glorious: red, orange, bronze. The scene was somehow new and final: the first sunset and the last. The celestial canvas suddenly looked like an unfolding scroll and for one fleeting moment on that scroll he saw painted what he’d glimpsed in the hidden room.

A golden rectangular chest with two winged lions with human heads on a peaked, shiny lid. Four gold rings were set into the bottom four feet, through which golden poles were placed for carrying. It was—

No, it couldn’t be...

Could it?

It was almost impossible to believe, but what if it was? After all, it looked exactly as it was described in the Torah, though that source couldn’t entirely be trusted.

But if there was even a chance that it was, no matter how small...

At least, that’s what they’d told him. And in the end, that was all that really mattered: what they had told him. Because the money that would go to his family was more than he could ever make in a whole lifetime.

With shaky hands, he fumbled for his cell phone and punched the #1 button.

“Yes?” a voice said after one ring.

“It’s as you feared.”

“Now is the time,” the voice responded.

“Allahu Akbar,” the man whispered and ended the call.

He took a deep breath, the kind a long jumper takes just before the approach, then punched the code on his phone.

He held his breath until the explosive detonated.

Then there was nothing but blackness that stretched into forever.

***

Excerpt from The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters. Copyright 2025 by Matthew Peters. Reproduced with permission from Matthew Peters. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Matthew Peters

Matthew Peters has a B.A. from Vassar College and an M.A., and Ph.D. from Duke University. He is a member of International Thriller Writers and currently resides in North Carolina. He is passionate about exploring religious, political, and socioeconomic issues from a variety of different perspectives and especially values the views put forth by marginalized groups or people. His writing involves a good deal of research, and he is committed to writing plausible novels, in the hope of giving readers food for thought.

Catch Up With Matthew Peters:

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Amazon Author Profile
Goodreads
BookBub - @matthewpeters
Instagram - @matthewpetersbooks
BlueSky - @matthewpetersitw.bsky.social

 

 

Review:

4 stars!

Exciting, history-laden religio-political thriller. 

The Ignoble Lie by Matthew Peters is the first book in his new political thriller series, Of Gods and Men, and the story truly hits the ground running, with the bombing of the iconic pyramids of Giza by terrorists. Former Jesuit Scott Larson and his friend, Zady Jones, the niece of a powerful security consultant, race against the clock to rescue her abducted sister and prevent further acts of terror, both internationally and on U.S. soil. 

I enjoyed the main characters from the start. Their high energy, easy camaraderie, and intriguing past history were nice as they worked together to stop those behind the terroristic blackmail. An eventful backstory is woven into the early narrative, but rather than just building context for the characters, I felt like I must have missed a prior book, and the tantalizing glimpse into Larson’s past seems to warrant one. 

The story moves quickly; a lot is packed into the single week’s timeframe. I was hooked by the creative plot revolving around the Ark of the Covenant. The suspense builds as the American president faces an impeachment process. At the same time, a number of politically high-placed figures stir the pot, offering unbidden advice, assistance, or conducting mysterious behind-the-scenes manipulations dealing with the ISIS demands. I didn’t know for certain who the main characters could trust, as everyone seemed to have hidden motives and something to gain. While the pacing may have been a little uneven at times, I found the pages almost flew by. I look forward to the next installment in the series. 

I recommend THE IGNOBLE LIE to readers of political intrigue and thrillers.


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Book Review: Magelight by Kacey Ezell

MagelightMagelight by Kacey Ezell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent quest story in the traditional sense, but with an unconventional twist.

Magelight by Kacey Ezell is an exciting and absorbing fantasy romance presented in a traditional quest format, but with an unconventional reverse harem setup that avoids venturing into intimate territory. The romance is clean and slow-burning, with the main characters invested more in the success of their mission.

Aelys of Brionne, the heiress to one of the 20 ruling families in this matriarchal society, is graduating from her training as a mage despite her feeble reserve of power, when the man she expects to bond with and join the Imperial Battlemage Corps chooses another. Devastated, she heads to her distant home only to be waylaid by bandits just as she reaches the inn where she’d planned to stop.

Romick, Daen, and Vil had been inseparable boyhood friends before tragedy had orphaned them and scattered them in different directions. Twenty years later, they finally reunite and plan to form a partnership, offering the special skills they had acquired while apart for hire to those who are willing to pay the price. When a young woman is attacked outside the inn where they had met, they leap to her defense. Aelys immediately hires the three to escort her the rest of her way home. But when the bandits return later with reinforcements and try to burn the inn down around the new companions, Aelys tries to save them using her meager power. While successful, in the process, she pulls energy through her new protectors and binds the men to her as well. Now the foursome must make their way to Aelys’s home and confer with her aunt, the most gifted mage of the day, to see if there is a way to dissolve the bond and set the men free.

I enjoyed this book so much! Her horrible family has emotionally beaten down Aelys, and her treatment at the hands of her instructors and fellow students at school has been no better. She starts the story as a pretty pathetic creature and is like a magnet for bad luck. (But there’s more to what’s going on than is initially apparent.) Thankfully, she gradually grows into a more confident young woman over the course of the story.

The author creates interesting and diverse backstories for the three men and skillfully weaves them into the story without overwhelming the reader or diverting significant time from the main plot. All three experienced hardships after they separated as boys, all heartbreaking at times and even shocking. All three struggle with their feelings after they are inadvertently bonded to Aelys, and frequently, those feelings threaten to overcome their bond of brotherhood.

The plot moves at a fast pace, and the lively, interesting multi-viewpoint narrative makes the pages fly by. Several twists in the storyline were really surprising and what they discovered when they finally arrived at Aelys’s home was unexpected. The ending delightfully opens the door for a sequel.

I recommend MAGELIGHT to readers of fantasy, romantic fantasy, and fans of quests.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.


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Tuesday, July 22, 2025

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Inverted Reality by Fran Lewis

Inverted Reality by Fran Lewis Banner

INVERTED REALITY

by Fran Lewis

July 21-25, 2025 Book Blast

Synopsis:

Inverted Reality by Fran Lewis

Inverted Reality is a compilation of five books that teach people, through the characters involved, the consequences of doing harmful, dangerous or mean things to others. The person will face in some cases the “mirror” that will replay their wrongdoing and then ask if they will repent. If not, the mirror will decide their fate for them.

Each story has different characters who have done something wrong or evil to someone else. Some of the stories have voices that have been silenced and can no longer be heard. One story describes someone who was wrongly accused. The last part “The Third Choice” is Fran’s favorite. It tells a story about people who do not repent, and fate or consequences will be inflicted, but she won’t tell you how.

Some of the stories are fiction while others are true and factual. You, the reader, will decide whether the story is true or false as you enter the world of Inverted Reality. You can decide what your own definition of the title means, and how you would react if you had to face the mirror or the third choice for what you might have done. You decide if it really happened and how you would react.

It’s good vs. evil, and consciousness vs. unconscionable.

Praise for Inverted Reality:

"Actions Have Consequences! Inverted Reality by Fran Lewis is a chilling look at bad people committing horrific deeds."
~ Irma Fritz, author of novels and short stories

Book Details:

Genre: Horror, Short Stories, Suspense and Thrillers
Published by: Just Reviews
Publication Date: May 13, 2025
Number of Pages: 219
ISBN: May 13, 2025
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

 

Author Bio:

Fran Lewis

Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's Who of America's Executives from Cambridge.‬‬‬

Fran is the author of more than 14 titles including three children's books. She has written several books on Alzheimer's disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. These include Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s Story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain?. She also wrote A Daughter’s Promise about her walk through the disease with her mother. ‪Fran is the author of the Faces Behind the Stones series, a middle school series featuring stories growing up in the Bronx with her sister and MJ magazine. Voices from Beyond is her latest book which was preceded by Mirror Image, What If?, Population Zero, and Accusations.‬

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Instagram - @ferndine49
X - @franellena
YouTube - @franlewis8

 

 

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Monday, July 21, 2025

Book Tour & Giveaway: 108 by Dheepa R. Maturi


Can one woman stop a chemical magnate from destroying life on Earth?


108

by Dheepa R. Maturi

Genre: Eco-Thriller



Can one woman stop a chemical magnate from destroying life on Earth?

While working the night shift at a San Francisco news agency, Bayla Jeevan has a shocking out-of-body experience. Her consciousness is transported deep into an Indian forest, where she witnesses a noxious liquid spreading through the soil. At the same time, she receives a message from her father, presumed dead for fifteen years, warning her of imminent danger. Coincidence? Unlikely.

Halfway around the world, agrochemical corporation ZedChem-led by billionaire Krakun Zed-tests its latest innovation, a product heralded as the solution to topsoil erosion. But the data reveals something else entirely.

As Bayla sets out looking for answers, she learns more about her past-and her family's connections to a secret organization with ancient roots and to Zed himself. Will Bayla be able to stop the corporation from ruining global agriculture and devastating human existence forever?

In this action-packed eco-thriller, the bonds of family-and the power to save Earth-are put to the test.

 

**On Sale for Only .99 cents!**

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Dheepa R. Maturi is a New York–born, Midwest-raised Indian-American writer who explores the intersection of identity, culture, and ecology, especially through hope in the face of ecological grief. She has been nominated twice for the Pushcart Prize, and her essays and poetry have appeared in numerous literary journals and anthologies. She lives with her family in the Indianapolis area.

 

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Sunday, July 20, 2025

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine Banner

LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA

by Richard I Levine

July 14 - August 22, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine

A story of undying love, forgiveness, and second chances...

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable...until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Praise for Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea:

"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is a powerful, emotional rollercoaster that captures readers from the beginning and takes them on a journey of love, loss, and redemption. This may only be author Richard I. Levine’s second foray into the romance genre, but he has a remarkable talent for evoking story arcs and emotional dramas that will tug at readers’ heartstrings... I love discovering talented authors, and I will definitely be checking out more of this author’s work. This is a fantastic read and one I highly recommend."
~ Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers’ Favorite ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-STARS!

"It isn’t easy to edit when you’re crying, let me tell you! But I’m not complaining! This was so beautiful and emotional. It really struck a deep chord in me. It’s an impressive book, and I truly enjoyed it. Thank you so much for the opportunity (to have been your editor)"
~ Bryn Donovan

"Richard I. Levine’s Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea is a romance that goes way beyond the usual stuff and really hits you right in the heart. Forget just another small-town love tale—this one dives deep into fate, sacrifice, and how first love sticks with you forever. Levine’s writing is so spot-on that San Juan Island feels alive; you can practically smell the salty ocean air and soak in that Pacific Northwest vibe."
~ Piaras, Amazon Review

"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I. Levine is well-written and engaging right from the start. It's descriptive and pulls you in. It isn’t just a love story—it’s a contemplation on memory, time, and the resilience of the human heart."
~ V.E., Amazon Review

"Poignant, powerful, and tender. Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is more than a romance, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling. Mitch & Jessica will say with you long after the final page."
~ Tae Keller on X

Book Details:

Genre: Romance, Literary Fiction
Published by: Indie
Publication Date: June 1, 2025
Number of Pages: 396
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

1

Seattle, Autumn 2021

Mitch watched the I-5 traffic stream by like duty-bound ants marching in neat columns on their way to another conquest. He had wanted to open the window, covered with many months of dirt and grime, but it would have taken a half-dozen requisitions and just as many months before the maintenance department would have tended to it. He didn’t care about gaining a better view of the endless procession of late afternoon commuters; he was hoping to get a better view of the sun setting over the Olympic Mountains from the vantage point of the eleventh floor doctor’s office downtown.

Whether it was from an office building or from the decks of a ferry plying the waters of Puget Sound, it didn’t matter to him. Simply seeing the sun wash over the evergreens once again eased his anxiety faster than the strongest pharmaceutical he’d ever been prescribed. And over the course of the past few years, he’d been prescribed more pills for more reasons than he cared to count. But he wasn’t concerned about any of that now. He was focused on finally getting home.

At times, he questioned the life-altering choices he had made or the ghosts he had been avoiding for so long. At times, he even wondered why they had that much power over his better judgement, or if, in the end, he had avoided them at all.

It had been many years since he had last visited Seattle. The city seemed so foreign to him now. The places he enjoyed on his rare visits: a University District music store he had loved for their extensive inventory of compact discs, a Pioneer Square sports bar within walking distance of the football stadium, and a waterfront seafood restaurant he had listed among his favorite places, were all long gone. Except for the Space Needle, the skyline was not how he had remembered. A decade or more of gentrification that had given birth to a collection of glittering glass-on-steel architectural masterpieces, could only distantly hide the once-vibrant intersection of First Avenue and Pike Street. No longer decorated with flower baskets filled with a colorful bounty, or teaming with hungry buskers distracting eager tourists heading toward the Pike Place Market, this, as with other downtown boulevards once bursting with a vibrance representative of all the city had been known for, now seemed soulless. Empty paper coffee cups danced across the pavement like tumbleweeds, while lifeless eyes peered from wind-tattered tents that shared the sidewalks with empty storefronts and growing mounds of trash. Save for a recollection of a few clandestine excursions, Mitch no longer had any interest in this place. He wanted to conclude his business and be on his way back to a world that was also nothing more than a distant memory: a world filled with blackberry, apple, and pumpkin pies cooling on windowsills in the warmth of a late summer morning, the Memorial Day parades led by a high school band, the volunteer fire department, and a collection of potbellied members from the local VFW, and the potpourri of Fourth of July barbecues, sack races, and firework displays lighting up the skies over a Rockwell-esque Friday Harbor. It was a place he had wrapped around his insecurities as if it were a goose-down comforter used to keep warm during a snow-driven winter storm, and it was the place he had avoided. Maybe going back and facing the ghosts of his past would be more painful and life-threatening than the physical wounds and emotional scars he’d sustained during his multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet here he was, as if a few more tests and one more opinion might have produced the silver bullet that would have magically reversed every bad decision he made over the past twenty years during a self-inflicted exile.

For the tenth time in as many minutes, he glanced at his watch, then up at the wall clock for confirmation. He’s late again, he thought before becoming aware of the clock’s relentless ticking and noticing the long shadows cast upon the opposite wall. To him, those shadows resembled a life slipping away—a life he felt no more able to grasp and hold on to no more than he could grab and hold on to any one of those shadows—and it abruptly reminded him of one of the last times he saw Alex.

* * *

Iraq 2004

“Is that who I think it is?”

Mitch reflexively cringed then turned toward the sound of the familiar voice. “Alex! I mean, Captain,” he quickly corrected himself, in front of the squad of men in his charge.

“Holy cow, Mitch, what the hell! What brings you to Baghdad?”

“Besides an all-expense paid luxury vacation, courtesy of Uncle Sam?” He forced a smile, then dismissed his men before continuing. “My unit was moved over here in oh-three from Afghanistan…for the invasion. We’ve been doing a lot of probing for, you know,” he lowered his voice, “retaking Fallujah. I don’t suppose you have anything to do with planning that, sir?”

Alex surveyed his immediate surroundings before responding. “No one’s within earshot now. Even if they were, you can drop the captain and the sir nonsense.”

“I’ll take that as a yes…sir.”

“C’mon, Mitch, let’s not do this here.”

“Fair enough, Alex. You were saying.”

“I pulled a few strings to get some of the best recon units for a little fun I’ve got planned before we launch the main operation. And yes,” he winked and attempted a little levity, “I even asked for you.”

“Very funny. Let it be known that even over here, you’re trying to get me to do your heavy lifting. When are you ever gonna admit that if it wasn’t for my size, speed, and blocking ability, you would’ve never scored all those touchdowns in high school?”

“That was you?” He smirked. “I did pretty well in college without you by the way.”

“Yes, I’ve heard…constantly. No offers from the pros, huh?”

“I had more important business to attend to.” Alex patted his sidearm.

“Yes, I’m well aware of that too.”

“What, you think you’re the only patriot?”

“So, that’s what you call it!”

“Mitch, please. There’s a lot you need to know. There’s a lot we really need to discuss. Not here, though. This isn’t the time or the place.”

“I’ll give you that. So, moving right along, when did you get here?”

“I’ve been in country for about two months now.”

Mitch smiled. “That’s hardly enough time to get your utilities dirty.”

Alex ignored the dig. “Truth be told, it seems like I’ve been here forever. Anyway, I’ve been here long enough to have that kid over there waiting to do errands for me every day.” He laughed and pointed to a ten-year-old Iraqi boy waiting nervously at his tent. “Showed up one day outta nowhere and now he’s like my shadow. You’ve been up to your neck in this for how long now?”

“Since summer of oh-two. Afghanistan and now here. So, who is this kid, like your food taster or your house boy?” He studied the child with suspicion.

“Food taster?” Alex laughed. “He cleans up the tent, does my laundry…provides a little intel now and then. I pay him in MREs, which I’m sure he sells on the black market.”

“Smart little guy. Just don’t eat anything he brings you,” Mitch warned. “I don’t trust the locals.”

“You don’t trust anyone, especially me.”

“Well, it’s not as if you didn’t earn it.”

“I guess in your mind, at least until we have a chance to talk, I deserve that.”

“You do, but I’m serious about not trusting the locals, Alex. You never know who’s an insurgent or who’s been compromised.”

“Don’t worry, I checked him out. He’s a good kid.”

“Famous last words. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. Well, anyway, you’re an intelligence officer, so I guess you know what you’re doing. After all, you made it through ROTC and all that other fancy training with your boyish good looks intact. I’ll bet the folks back home are proud of you as you rise through the ranks like a rocket.”

“Jealous?”

“Not one bit.” Mitch said defensively.

“Keep this to yourself…the real damage is on the inside.” Alex pointed to his head.

“I had heard that about you intel officers.”

“And look at you! Three stripes! That didn’t take you as long as I thought it would, Marine. At the rate you’re going—”

“Not me, brother. Except for burn-pit duty and having to get all those booster shots, I was happy just being a grunt. Only now I’ve got responsibilities like leading a squad on patrols. And on top of everything, I’ve got these guys who are just a couple years younger than us calling me ‘Pops,’ of all things.”

“Burn-pit duty, huh? I didn’t know they gave out Purple Hearts for sucking down toxic smoke. Does that stuff really get you stoned?”

“I almost wish it did. Sometimes that stuff made me puke up my guts like there was no tomorrow. I should’ve gotten those medals for that instead of playing dodgeball with bullets.”

“Yeah, I’m told everybody heard about that…front page of the paper back home.”

“Didn’t mean to steal your thunder.”

Again, Alex ignored the dig. “Next time you should duck and dodge a little faster.”

“Honestly, it was nothing. A couple grazed me, is all. Here...” He pointed. “Here, and over here. It’s no big deal. Anyway, how’d you hear about it?”

“It was in Jess’s last letter. She included the article. I hear you two have been corresponding.” Alex said, then looked for a reaction from Mitch. There was none.

“She wrote once. It was the first time I had heard from her since…anyway, she didn’t have much to say other than you were on your way over here. She asked if I could keep an eye out for you. It was only right that I respond. I told her I would. Nothing more.”

“That’s all anyone could expect.”

“Uh huh…by the way, how’s your little boy? Mateo, isn’t it? He must be getting big.”

“Like I said, we’ll talk…anyway, Mitch, I had already read up on your exploits.”

“You’ve been reviewing my personnel file? If I didn’t know any better, Alex, I’d say you really do have something planned and you’re gonna want me to carry it out for you.”

* * *

Doctor Lenkovich’s Office
The Present

“Did you hear me, Mitch? Mitch? Master Gunnery Sergeant Brody?”

Startled, Mitch hadn’t heard the doctor enter the room. “Sorry, doc, it’s been a long day…it’s been a long week.”

“Not a problem.” The doctor took a seat. “When I came in, you were talking to yourself. Can I ask what you were thinking about?”

“Nothing really…actually, that’s not true. I was thinking about everything you guys put me through the past couple months. Not just you or this place, but you know, all the tests, the paperwork, going through the process. I was thinking about getting out of here and finally getting back home.”

“How long has it been?”

“Far too long. I would’ve been there several weeks ago if I hadn’t been detoured to Bethesda and then Pendleton before ending up here.”

“You do know it was a suggestion to come here, right? A strong suggestion, perhaps, but it wasn’t an order. After all, your retirement came through and you were discharged. Don’t forget, you’re a civilian now, and I think it’s important for you to get established with a doc. It just makes sense, considering.”

“I know. Everybody here keeps reminding me. Did I tell you it wasn’t my choice to retire?”

“No, you didn’t. Was separating hard for you?” the doctor asked.

“Nah. I’ve had more than my share. It was time…I’m just trying to get used to it…” Mitch trailed off as the wall shadows once again stole his thoughts.

“Anyway,” Doctor Lenkovich said, “it’s just the corps’ way of taking care of one of its highly decorated heroes.”

“By forcing me out?” He snapped back as the flip of a light switch washed away the distraction. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…anyway, I don’t think of myself as a hero.”

“Forcing you out? Come on, it’s a medical discharge. What choice did they have? Anyway, you’ll be happy to know they finally sent the rest of your medical records. You’d think that after all these years I’d be used to the red tape and inefficiency that’s inherent…I’m rambling, sorry. All those tests we ended up duplicating since you arrived here…let’s just say, in case there was any doubt…well, let’s just think of the whole thing as one more confirmation. Which is what you wanted, and what you rightfully deserved. I hope the past week with us hadn’t been an inconvenience.”

“An inconvenience?” He chuckled. “From being constantly poked and prodded, or having the unwanted attention because I’m some highly decorated…?”

“Both. Are you saying you didn’t want all that special attention?”

“Don’t get me wrong, I appreciated the above-and-beyond from you and the staff. Even got a couple of names and numbers of some very nice nurses. Even so, I’ve never been one for medals, parades, accolades, etcetera. No, not me. That was Alex’s thing. In all honesty, I hate the attention. It’s embarrassing and it makes me uncomfortable. Especially when so many others here don’t get half of what they deserve.”

Their eyes locked in an uncomfortable moment of silence.

“Luckily for you,” Doctor Lenkovich continued while jotting Alex’s name in Mitch’s chart, “there may be one more parade and then you can pack the uniforms, the medals, and hopefully the bad memories, and put them all into mothballs.”

“What?” Mitch looked confused.

“Mothballs…I guess people don’t use those anymore.”

“I know what mothballs are. What parade?” Mitch asked. “Whaddya talking about?”

“Didn’t anyone from your hometown contact you?”

“I didn’t tell anybody I was coming…well, that’s not totally true. I left a voicemail for one guy to meet me, but he knows not to say anything to anyone. So, I’m in the dark here, Doc.”

“Hold on a sec.” He skimmed through Mitch’s file. “Where’s that note? Here it is. Someone from the San Juan Island VFW post contacted the Pendleton base commander right after the news ran a story on you.”

“Recently?”

“Several weeks back. They mentioned that you were coming home and that you were being considered for the Congressional Medal. Is that true?”

“It’s news to me.”

“Anyway, they want to throw you a homecoming parade…wanted to do it the day you got back there. So, I guess that’s why this guy wanted a heads up on an exact day. I’ve got a number right here. Do you want to call them?”

“No…no, I can’t.” He shook his head. “And they can’t do anything if they don’t know when I’m coming. They don’t know I’m coming, right? You didn’t call them?”

“Why would I? It’s not my responsibility. Although if you ask me, a welcome home like that might be good for you.”

“It’s been a long twenty years, Doc, and I’m tired in more ways than one. I don’t want the attention. And before you ask, I don’t wanna talk about why, and I don’t wanna talk to the shrink about it. I’ve talked to enough shrinks. Hell, I don’t even wanna think about it.”

“Understood.” He continued to flip through the chart, stopping to review one page. “Mitch, if I may…I’m still curious. I suspect you weren’t thinking about home just now when I walked in because I overheard some of what you were saying. The duty nurse told me you had another restless night. You were talking in your sleep again. What were you really thinking about? If not home, then what? Who? Your friend?”

“My friend?”

“Alex? You’ve mentioned him a number of times.”

“Who, Alex? My friend? He wasn’t my…no, I wasn’t thinking about him.” Remembering the shadows, Mitch stared back at the wall. “Why?”

“Because I’m told you’ve had conversations with him, with this ‘Alex,’ when you’re alone, and you’ve yelled out his name in your sleep more than a few times, and…and I’m told one night it was as if you were trying to warn him about something. Mitch, I heard you mumble his name just now when I walked into the room. It’s okay to admit you were thinking about him.”

“Just as long as I don’t think he’s sitting right here?” Mitch winked and smiled at the empty chair next to him to see the doctor’s reaction.

“I did see that in your file too. It says here you’ve been told PTSD manifests in many ways. I do know from experience with other patients, any deep-seated guilt over the death of a friend can make a person believe the deceased continues to hang around. So, tell me,” the doctor looked up from the file, “has that been happening? Are you seeing him? Talking to him? You can tell me.”

“I was only joking, Doc…no, it hasn’t happened, and it never did happen, and it’s not happening now, so, I don’t know what the duty nurse thought she heard. And for the record, I was joking with the doc at Bethesda too. That was my mistake. She was one of those uptight types. I was only trying to give her a rise, lighten the mood. I can’t believe she put that in my chart.”

“A couple of times. I wouldn’t worry about it, though. If you say it didn’t happen—”

“It didn’t!”

“I’ll make a note of that. Okay, moving right along...”

“Yes, let’s. About those last few tests…you said there’s nothing new to report, right?” Mitch asked.

“Do you have anything new to report to me? Headaches the same?”

“No better, no worse.”

“Any more episodes of nausea?”

“Just the one time this past week. I think it was from the sausages. They smelled a little funny, now that I think of it. I actually thought I saw one move. Other than that, the food here is pretty decent.”

“You’re joking, of course, yes?” Lenkovich asked

“About it being pretty decent?”

“Moving on…any confusion? Memory loss?”

“No confusion. However, I do have some memories I’d like to get rid of.”

“Any visual disturbances, slurring of speech, issues with balance or muscle weakness?”

“No, no, no, and no.” Mitch said.

“Okay, then. The latest tests show everything’s the same: the blood work, the scans, your sense of humor, no changes…for now, anyway. However, if you start to notice anything different, like if you actually become funny, you let me know.”

“So…then…we’re all good, right? We’re all done then.”

“Mitch, we could do more here, you know? The rate that this thing…it’s unpredictable. There’s a procedure we can do, it’s relatively new and—”

“I know, Doc, you’ve told me already. I’m not interested, sorry.”

“Look, I can arrange—”

“Thanks, but I think we’re all done here. Trust me, I’ll continue to take all my meds as directed, I’ll call when I need refills. I’ll call you if anything changes, I promise.”

“In that case, please do me a favor? After you get home, after you get unpacked and settled in, had some time to yourself, looked up old friends, I’d like to have you come back here in a couple months and—”

He shook his head. “Not gonna happen. I’m really not interested.”

“Listen Mitch—”

“Please, Doc, I’m finished listening. It’s nothing against you. You’ve actually been the most understanding, the easiest person to work with. I just don’t wanna do any more...I can’t do any more. All my years in the Corps I’ve had people telling me how to live my life, when to get out of bed, when to eat, who and how many to kill, I’m finished with all of it. I’ve got a small farm and a small hardware store waiting for me up on San Juan Island. For far too long now, I’ve been…I’ve been dreaming about waking up to a rooster’s cry, frying up bacon and some fresh-laid eggs in a cast iron skillet for breakfast, and topping off my coffee with warm milk straight from the teat before heading in to town to help some poor do-it-yourselfer find an odd sized doohickey for his hot water heater; all the things I detested growing up, which I’ve been missing for more days than I can count. I wanna get my hair cut at Freddie’s barbershop on Spring Street, where old men in suspenders still read newspapers, smoke cigars, and solve the world’s problems over a game of checkers.”

“Sounds wonderful.”

“Wanna know what’s really wonderful? Sitting by the big stone fireplace in Jentzen’s Café on a winter afternoon, drinking Irish coffee with a hunk of hot beer bread slathered in strawberry jam. And all the while, breathing in the heavy scent of fresh cut spruce and fir draped all across the windows as snow flurries dust the sidewalks and people rush by to get their Christmas packages to the post office before closing time. Now, that’s wonderful.”

“It sounds like a wonderful life in Bedford Falls.” Doctor Lenkovich quipped in his best George Bailey imitation.

“What?”

“Bedford Falls? It’s a Wonderful Life? The movie…never mind. It sounds like a wonderful life, Mitch, and I can see I’ll have a hard time convincing you to come back here for any follow-ups.”

“I was away for a long time, a lifetime, and now time is my enemy. So, once I set foot off that ferry I am not coming back to Seattle.”

***

Excerpt from Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea by Richard I Levine. Copyright 2025 by Richard I Levine. Reproduced with permission from Richard I Levine. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Richard I Levine

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor. A twenty-five-year cancer survivor, he’s a strong advocate for the natural healing arts.

In 2006 he wrote, produced, and was on-air personality of The Dr. Rich Levine Show on Seattle’s KKNW 1150AM and after a twenty-five-year chiropractic practice in Bellevue, Washington, he closed up shop at the end of 2016 and moved to Oahu to pursue a dream of acting and being on Hawaii 5-O.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii. Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

Catch Up With Richard I Levine:

www.DocRichLevine.com
Amazon Author Profile
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BookBub - @rlevinedc
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Threads - @rlevinedc
Facebook - @RichardLevineAuthor

 

 

Review:

5 stars!

An emotional and satisfying second chance at the love of a lifetime. 

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Richard I. Levine’s wonderfully emotional and satisfying story of heartbreak, healing, and a second chance at the love of a lifetime. Veteran Mitch Brody, medically retired from the Marines after a long and decorated career, returns to his small Pacific Northwest hometown of Roche Harbor, a village in the San Juan Islands of Washington state, uncertain as to what and whom he will find there. Twenty years had passed since he left to enlist in the Marines after 9/11, and his parents and only siblings were long gone; only his brother’s widow, perhaps, still remaining on the family farm. Jess, his first and only love, had married his brother while he was away. 

Mitch’s story is heartbreaking and emotional as he finally confronts his past. His is a wonderful tale of another chance at the romance he missed out on the first time around but the plot also explores so much more: the emotional and physical healing he undergoes after being wounded, the guilt and pain of losing not only his brother but his mother while he was deployed, his unhappy relationship with his father, and his complicated feelings for his accomplished and adored brother, Alex. The book also presents the story from Jess’s point of view: her side of their relationship, the aftermath, and the choices that needed to be made, as well as her experiences as an outsider coming into the close-knit island community as a child and life as a Puerto Rican immigrant. 

The author’s descriptions of the settings create a vivid atmosphere in which the story unfolds, and the past feels very much alive. Mitch is somewhat shocked to discover how much has changed and how much he has missed out on while away. The change in his family farm felt absolutely shocking. Misunderstandings, hurt, and pride all play a role in keeping him from coming home on leave, making the story even more tragic. Tender-hearted readers may want to ensure they have adequate tissues on hand before diving into this story. 

I recommend LIKE DRIFTWOOD ON THE SALISH SEA to romance readers, especially those who like a small-town setting, military service member characters, and wounded heroes returning home.




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Saturday, July 19, 2025

Book Blitz: Rachel's Deadly Inheritance (The Rachel Remington Saga) by Jean-Pierre Blackwood


Rachel's Deadly Inheritance
The Rachel Remington Saga
by
Jean-Pierre Blackwood


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Mystery / Romance
Date Published: April 18, 2025
Page count: 238 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Rachel’s Past

In a city plagued by hidden crime, Rachel Remington is a solitary investigator haunted by her family’s tragic past—her mother’s murder and her father’s assassination. At 26, her obsession with finding their killers drives her into a dangerous confrontation with a shadowy underworld of illicit drug trafficking.

Will Rachel Get Her Revenge?

As hope emerges through the enigmatic Detective Trent, Rachel's life spirals into chaos. As they join forces, she discovers hidden agendas and dark secrets threatening to consume her.


Games, Betrayals, and Love

Caught in a perilous game of trust and betrayal, Rachel must uncover her family’s past while evading those determined to silence her. In a thrilling tale of revenge and unexpected alliances, will Rachel uncover the truth, seize her chance for redemption, find love, or will the shadows of her past cost her everything?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


It’s never too late to make my dreams come true. I was lucky to be born on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically in Alexandria. My summers were spent on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, the original surfboards/paddle boards, and the game of sand pickleball before it even made it to the US.

Not having TVs, I read many books, especially wartime ones, Ian Flemings’s early James Bond novels, John Le Carre, Agatha Christie, Maurice LeBlanc (Arsene Lupin), and other detective/mystery-type books. For school, we had to read all the French Classics. I was always intrigued by how the characters always managed to resolve their problems.

At the Age of 19, I came to California as a foreign student. After graduating with an engineering degree, I was able to obtain my permanent residency. I never looked back. My mother was able to join me, but unfortunately, my father passed away.

Once I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree, I joined an International Engineering and Construction Company and spent all my working time with them. What was great is that the company moved me to many work projects around the world, where I spent an average of a couple of years on each. My wife joined me on some of these assignments.

But my love for writing was always with me. During my stay abroad, I wrote a philosophical book and many articles for local newspapers and the Laguna Beach weekly issues, comparing life in Laguna Beach with life in Indonesia. I wrote articles for the company’s monthly newsletter, as well as for other publications.

I recently decided to use a “nom de plume”/pseudonym for my writings. My real name is Jean-Pierre Zacaropoulos. Having a last name starting with a “Z” had me called upon in classes either as one of the last ones or one of the first one. It was always a guessing game. But usually having an A or B will push you to the top (Ha! Ha!). So I decided to choose a “B”

Now, I have a little bit more time, so I decided to make my long-time desire come true. I wrote my mystery/romance novel, which will be followed shortly after by a sequel.

 

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Friday, July 18, 2025

Book Review: Close Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti

Close Enough to BurnClose Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Engaging character-driven young adult story of personal ambition, determination, and maturing romance.

Close Enough to Burn by Daniela R. Morassutti is an engaging, character-driven young adult story of personal ambition, determination, and the singular focus to achieve one’s dreams. At the same time, a sweet childhood attraction grows into mature adult love, all set in the exciting world of formula car racing. A sister and a brother, along with their two lifelong friends, compete against each other at the entry level of the California F4 racing circuit, hoping to attract sponsors and an invitation to one of the European F3 training teams. But as they focus on achieving their goals, romantic entanglements threaten to derail one racer’s dream.

High school junior Isabella Rossi has wanted to be a Formula One racer like her father since her race against her brother and their friend, Marco. That desire has kept her on course ever since. She has also secretly longed to be more than just a friend to Marco. While never articulating her romantic yearning, her best friend and fellow racer, Matias, probably knows, as he seems to understand Isabella better than she does herself. However, Marco has always had his eyes on his future in racing and had a relationship with another girl, until the tension between him and Isabella became too great to ignore. When the smoldering feelings between Marco and Isabella finally ignite, their romance is sweet but fast-burning.

Morassutti’s young adult characters are intensely motivated, whether it is for racing success or, as in Matias’s case, acceptance into the college of his dreams: Caltech. However, Matias is more balanced and patient in his pursuits than either Marco or Isabella. The three main characters are able to analyze their feelings and actions well enough to follow up after conflicts appropriately; in fact, they are better at it than most adults. As a result, the story progresses with just the right amount of tension and angst without becoming bogged down in overly lengthy drama.

The story is more novella-length than novel, so the plot moves quickly. The racing scenes were thrilling and well-choreographed, especially the final Las Vegas race. I did encounter a little confusion at the beginning of the story when the characters were being introduced and their relationships established due to mixed up pronouns (i.e., Rocco is referred to as “his brother” rather than “her’ brother) and later when the name Matias is used when Marco was actually correct. Perhaps, this was an unconscious projection of Matias always being there for Isabella rather than Marco.

With its engaging, reflective young characters and unique formula racing setting, I recommend CLOSE ENOUGH TO BURN to readers of young adult fiction, especially those who enjoy stories of romance or have an interest in racecar driving.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from Reedsy Discovery.


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Thursday, July 17, 2025

Children's Book Review: Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter

Elvira Vance and the Monster MysteryElvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Suspenseful and fun middle-grade adventure where young supernatural sleuths investigate the disappearance of some of their monster neighbors.

Elvira Vance and the Monster Mystery by Kacy Ritter is a fun and exciting paranormal middle-school novel about a team of young investigators looking into the disappearance of a number of monsters from their community right before the annual Marfa Monster Festival, the biggest event of the year. Half-siren Elvira Vance is the daughter of the owners of Vince Vance’s Vintage Trailer Park Inn for Monsters and a budding detective. When some of her monster neighbors begin to go missing, she and her two best friends, Mari, a chupacabra, and Emilio, a human and photography enthusiast, jump at the chance to investigate, especially when the official detective, a human from the local town of Marfa, Texas, shows up to take over the case.

In the years since monsters of all kinds came out into the open, there had been an uneasy truce between them and the humans. However, the local mayor, Guff McCoy, had been doing his level best to stir up fear and hate in the human community. With tensions between the species about to boil over, and finders from both camps pointing at the other, Elvira, Mari, and Emilio know they must get to the bottom of the disappearances before things explode.

What a delightful children’s/middle-grade story of monsters and mystery, unknowns and underdogs! Elvira is a confident character, certain that she and her team can crack the case before the adult human can, and they do uncover clues that Detective Ace Price has no way of obtaining. I enjoyed the trio’s investigations and their questioning of a variety of mythical beings in the process. While Elvira, Mari, and Emilio frequently disobey their parents, they seem to generally believe they have no choice and accept their punishments, when caught, without complaining. However, they readily continue to break those same rules without ever fully explaining what they’re involved in with their parents, and perhaps avoiding some of their problems. As they gather their clues and build their case, twists in the plot rule out a couple of major suspects. The eventual reveal is a surprise, and the action leading up to the resolution is shocking and exciting.

I recommend ELVIRA VANCE AND THE MONSTER MYSTERY to readers of middle-grade paranormal fiction, action, and adventure. However, not only will middle-grade readers enjoy the adventure, but the book will also work well as a read-aloud selection for younger children.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.




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