The Best of No Small Thing- On-Going Reviews Wanted
Hi, I am working on a fun Book Tour and even had the chance to read this fantastic book myself! Book Tour in January
We are looking for readers who are interested in self-improvement, gratitude, helping others, self-help etc... If this sounds like you, sign up now, limited books are available. No perfect time like the present to learn about mindfulness. Tour date coming soon.
Goodreads
The Best of No Small Thing – Mindful Meditations (NoSmallThing.net) was launched in 2010 with the intention of reflecting on experiences that generated feelings of gratitude in order to create a positive mood and orientation to life. As of fall of 2019, over 500 reflections (mindful meditations) have been published along with over 100 tips that can be employed in a gratitude practice.
This mindfulness process is detailed in a companion book, Practice Gratitude: Transform Your Life. It emphasizes the creation of personal gratitude themes, one’s Grateful Dozen, which can help a person see things that spark grateful feelings in new situations. This is a collection of favorite blog posts that came out of this process.
Amazon Product details
- ASIN : B082ZRFP5Y
- Publisher : Gatekeeper Press (December 21, 2019)
- Publication date : December 21, 2019
- Language : English
About the Author
Returning to her hometown in 2008, after nearly one year spent, unsuccessfully, trying to create a new career in a new town, Deborah Hawkins found herself fighting depression and struggling to maintain solvency. In her early fifties, looking for financial help from her family was especially hard. A car accident, caused by an uninsured driver, kept her off her feet for months. She felt cursed. She began blogging on gratitude in 2010 as a way to focus on positives and elevate her mood. Inspired by Eckhart Tolle's words, "Acknowledging the good that is already in your life is the foundation for all abundance," she developed a mindfulness orientation for her own gratitude practice. This practice led her to post weekly over the last decade; around 500 posts. Beyond traditional gratitude journals and lists, Deborah's approach focuses on understanding things that sparked gratitude in past experiences and using this understanding to identify similar qualities in new situations. She attributes her gratitude practice with bringing a sense of empowerment and contentment to her life. Deborah has a BA from Knox College and lives in Chicago
In addition to her two books, she offers a two-session, zoom enabled program (“Be Positive on Purpose: Let Gratitude be Your Guide” and “Practice Gratitude.”)
Fun facts:
Lived in mainland China 1979-1980.
Her first “story,” written in grade school, was about how the toucan got his colorful beak.
Loves jazz, traveling, and has had the same best friend since she was ten.
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Prisoner of Paradise- 3/28-4/8
A man on the brink of insanity traverses present-day and Renaissance Venice to save his soul mate from eternal purgatory.
The world’s largest oil painting. A 400-year-old murder. A disembodied whisper: “Amore mio.” My love.
Nick and Julia O’Connor’s dream trip to Venice collapses when a haunting voice reaches out to Nick from Tintoretto’s Paradise, a monumental depiction of Heaven. Convinced his delusions are the result of a concussion, Julia insists her husband see a doctor, though Nick is adamant the voice was real.
Blacking out in the museum, Nick flashes back to a life as a 16th century Venetian peasant swordsman. He recalls precisely who the voice belongs to: Isabella Scalfini, a married aristocrat he was tasked to seduce but with whom he instead found true love. A love stolen from them hundreds of years prior.
She implores Nick to liberate her from a powerful order of religious vigilantes who judge and sentence souls to the canvas for eternity. Releasing Isabella also means unleashing thousands of other imprisoned souls, all of which the order claims are evil.
As infatuation with a possible hallucination clouds his commitment to a present-day wife, Nick’s past self takes over. Wracked with guilt, he can no longer allow Isabella to remain tormented, despite the consequences. He must right an age-old wrong – destroy the painting and free his soul mate. But the order will eradicate anyone who threatens their ethereal prison and their control over Venice. (Amazon)
Praise for The Prisoner of Paradise
“Samborn writes vivid, cinematic prose, deftly penning scenes of Venice that feel so alive you might start speaking Italian while sipping espresso. This spectacular thriller will capture you - heart and soul!” - Avanti Centrae, international bestselling author of the VANOPS thriller series
"A tale of ill-fated lovers that transcends time, THE PRISONER OF PARADISE never fails to impress. The intriguing mix of history, scheming cults, and the high art of Venice blend together, creating a gripping story that will leave readers hungry for more." - D.W. Gillespie, author of ONE BY ONE and THE TOY THIEF
“Rob Samborn’s imaginative thriller, THE PRISONER OF PARADISE, masterfully immerses the reader in Venice’s classical art world, from a high-society black-tie gala in the Doge’s Palace to a fascinating artist’s studio. I breathlessly followed the young American couple as they discovered that, as in Tintoretto’s monumental painting “Paradise,” political power, spirituality and beauty are not constrained by Earthly boundaries, not even by time.” - Ed Protzel, author of THE ANTIQUITIES DEALER and THE DARKHORSE TRILOGY
“Not to be out shadowed by the historical and conspiracy thriller writing luminaries of our time, Rob Samborn shines as a brilliant debut novelist to watch for. Immediately catapulted out of 1589 Renaissance Venice in The Prisoner of Paradise, you hit the ground running with Nick O’Connor as he navigates both present and past with orders to release imprisoned souls, including his own soul mate." - Ruthie Marlenée, Author of AGAVE BLUES
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Marika's Best Laid Plan- 5/2-5/6
About the Book
Marika is a social worker trying to heal her drug addict clients, but she can't seem to mend her damaged self. She avoids love because love sits too close to death. Her choices have left her carefully ordered life a lonely, disconnected one. Everything is about to change. Big-hearted, quirky, emotionally walled-off Marika embarks on a plan that ultimately forces her to confront the very thing she's spent her life avoiding: love. Marika's Best Laid Plan is story about the power of connection and hope, the things without which life is unbearable.
Nighthawkers- 5/9-5/20
Archaeologist Pauline Marsh is convinced she's an unlovable freak. Who else in the world shares her ability to locate ancient artifacts without a map, hear their stories, and commune with long-dead artisans? But all that changes when handsome, charismatic Grey Henley persuades her she's the girl of his dreams. For Pauline, Grey is the family she never knew. And for Grey, Pauline's treasure-finding skills will make him immensely rich. But the lovers are keeping secrets from one another that push their relationship to the breaking point. Grey is in league with a criminal relative and Pauline is visited by an other-worldly stranger with a message that will alter the course of her life. The Nighthawkers is like Echo In Time meets Empire of Secrets {Books about archaeology-based romances}. Nighthawkers is soulful, a love story with lots of twists and turns, has a lyrical, whimsical streak, deals in the magic of deep time, and has plenty of hot sex. About the author: Amy L. Bernstein writes for the page, the stage, and the forms in between. Her literary preoccupations include rooting for the underdog and putting ordinary people in difficult situations to see how they wriggle out. Amy is an award-winning journalist and speechwriter as well as a playwright. When she’s not writing about romance or dystopian futures, she loves listening to jazz and classical music, drinking wine with friends, and prowling around Baltimore’s glorious waterfront. On the web: https://amywrites.live / On Twitter & Instagram: /amylbernstein / On Facebook: facebook.com/AmyLBernsteinAuthor
From the Ashes by Danielle Orsino- 5/16-5/20
About the Book
Queen Aurora and King Jarvok are finding that there is a thin line between love, hate, and Oblivion. The war between the Court of Light and Dark has finally ended, and peace reigns. The Court of Light continued advising the human monarchs of Europe while the Court of Dark kept to themselves, intervening only to act as the humans Dark Gods and Goddesses. The two Courts were both upholding their respective duties as written by the Treaty of Bodhicitta, until Queen Mary the first of England reneges on a Changeling contract with the Court of Light. This unfortunate act puts events in motion which led to the last Fire Drake, Bishop Awynn, making the ultimate sacrifice. Awynn loses his light while saving The Dark Fae King during a tense standoff with Queen Aurora. Queen Aurora swears revenge upon Mary for Awynn's death and issues the same warning she gave her Father, King Henry the Eighth, so many years ago. However, King Jarvok had his own point of view on Queen Aurora's vengeance and pays Aurora a visit to deliver his critique of her technique, leading to a knock-down drag-out fight between the two Fae monarchs. Both Leaders refuse to bow even if it means certain Oblivion...
(https://www.amazon.com/Ashes-Birth-Fae-Book-ebook/dp/B09N99GLVL)
Kingdom Come By Danielle Orsino- 5/20 (Cover Reveal)
About the Book
What would you do for love? How much would you sacrifice? All is peaceful in the Veil, which is usually when everything falls apart... After centuries of conflict and mistrust, the Court of Light and the Court of Dark are about to unite as the Court of the Fae. Queen Aurora of the Court of Light and King Jarvok of the Court of Dark have fallen in love despite all odds. A relationship of political convenience has turned into something real and tangible for the two monarchs. But not every Fae is happy about an impending union. Queen Aurora's bishops, her most trusted advisors, have never lost touch with their old Angelic ways. They still believe that Virtues and Power Angels were never meant to mix. They feel Queen Aurora is no longer suitable to rule the Court of Light. The bishops mount a complex coup d'état to grasp the throne. Then a new player enters the game, and no one ever saw them coming. The foundation of peace between the Light and Dark Fae crumbles with one last act of betrayal. Was it all an illusion? Was it an act of duplicity or the ultimate act of love? King Jarvok is about to learn Kyanite armor cannot protect a warrior from a broken heart, but he has been keeping secrets of his own.
Thine Eyes of Mercy- Closed
If you haven't read locked Out of Heaven (Birth of The Fae Book 1), no worries, because now you have a chance to read Danielle Orsino's newest book, Thine Eyes of Mercy (Birth of The Fae Book 2) and participate in the Cover Reveal Tour. We are hoping you will be able to participate in both Tours, but its okay if you are unable. This is a Book Tour not to be missed! Sign Up in "contact us" area and mention book title and tour type: Cover Reveal Tour and/or Book Tour
Cover Reveal December 13th and Book Tour April 28th.
Goodreads
Queen Aurora, of the Court of Light Fae, and King Jarvok, of the Court of Dark Fae, are exhausted and battle-worn after centuries of fighting. The attrition has taken its toll upon their kin and power bases.
What happens when you have to give in to your enemy?
All wars eventually end, even magical ones. The Dark and Light Fae have set their elemental magick and weapons down, but, all is not quiet in the Veil...
King Jarvok was confident his army could win the war, but at what cost? It was time to act like a King, not a power hungry megalomaniac. That was his Creator's role, not his. He reaches out to Queen Aurora, and the Treaty of Bodhicitta is signed.
The treaty promises the Fae will never spill each other's blood again. Rules for their human worshippers are put into place. The Court of Dark must not interfere with humans in a malignant way, but they can act as gods and goddesses of atonement. The Court of Light can return to acting as advisors to the European royal families, as they have done for centuries.
However, Queen Aurora and King Jarvok will learn that while they were playing war games, their humans have changed and moved away from the old ways.
The two monarchs face unknown challenges in a world where Christianity, not paganism, is the new power.
Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you do not.
Amazon Product Details
- ASIN : B09LLKHHPY
- Publisher : 4 Horsemen Publications (December 1, 2021)
- Publication date : December 1, 2021
- Language : English
- Print length : 201 pages
About The Author
Danielle M. Orsino was working as a nurse and treating a patient who needed some distraction during long I.V. treatment sessions. So, Orsino decided to tell a story. Little did she know the seed would grow into a fantastically epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and rebirth — the Birth of Fae Series. Drawing from her passion for comic books, Cosplay and fantasy along with her expert martial arts expertise, Orsino brings forth an electric and hopeful series.
The much awaited follow up to her acclaimed debut Birth of the Fae: Locked out of Heaven is here Birth of the Fae: Thine Eyes of Mercy, Book Two.
Expanding her love of writing, comics and exploring the world of fantasy novels, Danielle retold the origin of the fairies with a refreshing take in Birth of the Fae: Locked out of Heaven, now the Fae have fought a bloody war and Danielle is tackling another well known topic from a new unique perspective-Tudor England. However, this isn't just any Tudor drama, this is the realm of the Fae, King Henry the eighth and a queen few authors have dared to tackle in fantasy- Queen Mary the first of England. The two Fae monarchs face unknown challenges in a world where Christianity not paganism is the new power. Sometimes the devil you know is better than the one you do not.
Orsino has a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology and Exercise science and is an LPN with a special interest in Lyme disease research. Orsino has been widely recognized from her influence and experience in martial arts realm, training for over 20 years and with over 500 tournament wins, and accumulating national and world titles. She has performed for former President of the United States Bill Clinton and has been featured on “Soap Talk, Fox Five news CBS, TLC and E! With this experience, she worked as a Fight Choreographer on ”Wonder Woman: Balance of Power” and has worked with the likes of martial arts legend Vincent Lyn and WWE marvel and action star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Nothing Danielle ever does is simple, look at what NY times Bestselling author Clete Barrett Smith has to say about her debut endeavor: “After summoning this world into existence through an imaginative force of will, Danielle has scoured every inch of the landscape several times over. Critics often praise a story’s world building by saying that it feels “lived in.” Well, the world of the Fae certainly seems like that because Danielle herself has happily lived there for years as she worked to put all of this together...My favorite part of this story is that it is gloriously depicted in vibrant images."
Danielle has garnered an underground cult following of literary fans, dubbing her the "new queen of the Fae." See what the hype is all about in the Birth of the Fae series published by 4Horsemen publications.
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Champagne Widows- Closed
Champagne Widows by Rebecca Rosenberg Book Tour March 1-7, 2022
Amazon:
"This effervescent historical novel paints a richly detailed portrait of the enterprising Veuve Clicquot. The twinned plots of Clicquot and Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise and fall are filled with detail that give life to this far-off time. Rosenberg's prose is light, yet detailed, and peppered with moments of wry humor. At times, some anachronistic expressions take the reader out of the period. This novel gives an enterprising woman a place within the historical fiction canon. Although Rosenberg's characterization of Napoleon is rudimentary, there are well-crafted moments where his character is given new life. Clicquot's character is charming, and readers will love getting to know her. Rosenberg has a superb eye for blending humor with drama."
— Publisher's Weekly BookLife Prize
Does't this book sound wonderful!!
We are looking for Bloggers and Bookstagramers to read and review this fantastic book. If you are interested, please go to "contact us" and mention the book title.
Book Blurb From Amazon::
New Veuve Clicquot Novel Reveals how Pandemic, War, and Sexism
Nearly Derailed the Champagne Industry
CHAMPAGNEWIDOWS tells the remarkable story of the women who defied Napoleon
to build a champagne empire.
(Sonoma, CA, September 1, 2021) In a story that could be pulled from today's headlines, the determination and audacity of a young widow during a pandemic birthed one of the world's greatest champagne empires. Champagne Widows, new historical fiction by Rebecca Rosenberg, tells of twenty-five-year-old Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, a young widow and founder o Veuve Clicquot champagne.
In the early 1800s, Barbe-Nicole and her husband struggled to perfect the early art of making champagne, hampered by archaic techniques, crude equipment, and fragile hand-blown bottles. Then, to complicate their plight, worldwide pandemics of typhoid fever, typhus, smallpox, cholera, and yellow fever ravaged Europe. All this, while Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte waged fifteen years of war to control Europe, destroying the economy for champagne sales. When the pandemic claimed her husband, the widow (Veuve) Clicquot forged ahead on her own.
If disease and war were not enough to battle, Barbe-Nicole could not own a business as a married woman. According to the Napoleon Code and the custom of coverture, a married woman's identity was 'covered' by her husband's, and she had no legal or financial rights.
"I was shocked to discover women could not own businesses in the nineteenth century," said Rebecca Rosenberg, award-winning author of CHAMPAGNE WIDOWS. "But I was fascinated to discover the 'widow' loophole and why widows refused to remarry after their husbands died."
When Barbe-Nicole's husband died of Typhoid fever, she was allowed to own her vineyards and business as a widow. Other 'Champagne Widows' remained single to keep their wineries. Most notable are the widows Clicquot, Pommery, Bollinger, Laurent-Perrier, and Roederer, who built the world's leading champagne brands.
"The first women of champagne making must not have realized how strong they were until they had to learn and do it all to survive for themselves and their wineries! It makes it even more of an honor to learn a craft still dominated by men," said Penny Gadd-Coster, Executive Director of Winemaking, Rack & Riddle, a thirty-year veteran of méthode champenoise, the traditional method of making champagne.
Rebecca Rosenberg is a triple-gold award-winning author, champagne geek, and lavender farmer in Sonoma County, California. Her other books include Lavender Fields of America, The Secret Life of Mrs. London, and Gold Digger, the Remarkable Baby Doe Tabor.
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