NO CAR CHASES, NO FLYING BROOMS, JUST A KIDNAPPED BOY WHO IS SAVED BY A YOUNG GIRL - AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BARBARA FRANCES WROTE A FABULOUS CHAPTER BOOK IN LOTTIE'S ADVENTURE: FACING THE MONSTER!

 

Lottie's Adventure: Facing The Monster, is an action-packed children's book written especially for ages 8 through 14. Children will enjoy this exciting read while also improving their reading skills. Twenty-nine chapters filled with twists and turns keep kids reading to discover the outcome.

Lottie, a lively ten-year old Hispanic girl, longs for something new and different in her life. Her summers up to this point have all been, more or less, the same. Then the arrival of a magical letter and a TV newscast transforms her vacation time in a high adventure.

Her great adventure includes trying to relate to a cold, estranged, and rich grandmother, freeing a kidnapped ten-year-old African American boy from a locked room, hiding him in a safe place, and then fleeing with him from a kidnapper who is always just a step or two behind.

What a refreshing plot. All of the characters are so believable. Lottie seems like someone that you have known who lives across town, down the street, or maybe even your next door neighbor. We need more stories like this one that show just how important family connections are. The older and younger generations connect in such a loving way as Lottie showed so much compassion for someone not of her race or gender. How awesome! There are lots of readers, young and old, who will find this and intriguing tale.

Wanda Hasley, Retired Teacher

While reading Barbara Frances’ chapter book Lottie’s Adventure: Facing the Monster, I was swept back to the books of my childhood. A place where tweens helped each other and became heroes without the use of make-believe or magic brooms. Just plain old smarts, ingenuity, and integrity.

I was engrossed in the story of Lottie, a Hispanic girl, as she helped Charles Ray a black boy, who had been kidnapped escape and confront the bad guy, outsmarting him, while facing their own fears. The friendship that grew between the two was a lesson in how people all want the same things out of life regardless of their upbringing, race, or nationality.

It is a compelling and wonderful tale that I’d recommend to both adults and the tween alike.

AMAZON

SHADOW'S WAY A NOVEL BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BARBARA FRANCES WILL KEEP YOU GUESSING - WHAT IS REAL, WHAT IS INSANE, WHAT IS EVIL!! AS THE SPIRITS OF THE PAST HAUNT ELAINE CHAUVIER - A SOUTHERN GOTHIC PARANORMAL MYSTERY!

 

Prepare to be spellbound. Barbara Frances' long-awaited third novel, “Shadow's Way,” takes you to the coastal, deep South, where the past and the present mingle in a gothic tale of insanity, murder, and sexual intrigue.

You'll meet the beautiful Elaine Chauvier, former actress and proprietor of Shadow's Way, her family's antebellum home; the esteemed Archbishop Andre Figurant and his fallen identical twin, Bastien; newly arrived Ophelia and Rudy, here to explore their Chauvier roots and their ties to Shadow's Way; and the mysterious Madame Claudine. Under a veneer of piety and graciousness, i.e., the questions: What is good? What is evil? What is reality?

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Shadow’s Way is a work of gothic intrigue and Southern mystery penned by author Barbara Frances. In this sweeping narrative of interpersonal drama, intended for mature readers, we meet Elaine Chauvier at the novel’s titular home, where she runs a bed and breakfast. Elaine is keen to hang on to Shadow’s Way, so when her half-sister Ophelia and cousin Rudy show up to visit, trouble ensues. Combining this with a mysterious Archbishop, his housekeeper and obscure identical twin, the novel progresses swiftly into a creepy and intriguing mystery as a massive hurricane approaches the Gulf Coast. A superbly haunted time awaits its readers.

Fans of Agatha Christie and her enormous ensemble casts will find many enjoyable parallels in the work and structure of author Barbara Frances. I particularly enjoyed the setting for this tale, playing on the traditional tropes of the Southern gothic genre, but also adding many flairs and twists from ghost stories, fables and psychological horror works. Both the characters and plot are multi-faceted, giving readers a lot to follow, but also a lot to gain from paying close attention to each clue and motivation. The mystery itself sometimes takes a back seat when the (often literal) ghosts and shadows take over, playing with the characters’ sensibilities and forcing them to ask much deeper questions of themselves and others. What results is an emotive but also thoughtful, spooky mystery novel. I would highly recommend Shadow’s Way to mystery and gothic fiction fans looking for something new, unique and really well crafted.

 

Ms. Francis’ novel Shadow’s Way, had me enthralled from page one, it kept me reading until so late into the night that I used a flashlight in order not to wake my husband.

I’ve always enjoyed reading gothic tales, but this one went beyond most that I had read. The synopsis was correct, past and present mingled and left me on the edge of my seat. Was G – G – Daddy a real paranormal experience or a figment of Elaine Chauvier’s imagination, which got worse as she sunk deeper into insanity?

I loved the various characters that Ms. Francis brought into play as needed to heighten the story. They were well rounded and interconnected in ways that one has to keep reading to get the full picture.

AMAZON

OIL IS VANISHING FROM THE CISCO FIELD AND REVEALING IT BECOMES A DEATH SENTENCE!!! USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR INGE-LISE GOSS HAS DONE IT AGAIN! READERS FAVORITE - (BOOK 2 OF THE GWYNN RESNICK SERIES) CISCO BANDITS

 

Oil Is Vanishing From The Cisco Field And Revealing It Becomes A Death Sentence

Newly trained and ready to rock her first assignment, Gwynn Reznick goes undercover posing as an accountant for the Prudell Energy Company. After fending off the unwanted advances of a company executive, she stumbles on a murder scene staged to look as an accident. Then she learns another employee died in a suspicious oil well accident and a large quantity of oil is missing from the Cisco field.

˃˃˃ A Wild Mix Of Action, Adventure And Mystery All In One Fast-Paced Thrill-Ride!

Her boss (and boyfriend) Ruben calls and warns Gwynn not to go poking her nose where it doesn’t belong and to wait for his directions. She promptly ignores his orders and sets out to solve the case, which quickly spirals out of her control as she ends up on the perpetrators’ hit list. Will Gwynn be able to maintain her cover” "or risk everything to crack the case?

˃˃˃ This One Will Have You On The Edge Of Your Seat Until The Very End!

Any reader who enjoys action, adventure, murder mysteries, or just a plain good read will love Cisco Bandits: A Gwynn Reznick Mystery.

AA Pearce

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and Suspenseful Thriller

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I love thrillers, but the one thing I’m always missing is a story with a strong female in the lead role. And that’s exactly what this book has. Gwynn Reznick is a resourceful young woman, who knows her stuff when it comes to stealthy, undercover operations, and she uses all her skills and charms to get the job done. The one thing I really loved about this book is how the author managed to portray Gwynn as a skilled undercover operative, or PI, in a world of high stakes business without sacrificing her femininity, or having her do her job using seduction, etc. which seems to be the stereotypical role of women in thrillers.

Overall, the book is very well written and well paced. The author has a clear and concise writing style and I had no trouble picturing the scenes in the book as they unfolded. The twists and turns will keep you guessing right up to the end, and, believe me, you’ll be glued to the page for the duration. I know I was!

Highly recommended for all thriller fans!

​M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars 
A THRILL A MINUTE - ENGROSSING, AND BRILLIANTLY WRITTEN
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I thought that The Cost of Crude was fabulous, but little did I know that Ms. Goss would take the Gwynn Resnick series five steps higher in Cisco Bandits. It was/is a book that is a thrill a minute, leaving you guessing from the beginning to the last page just who, what, and why so many people were dying (supposedly) by accident.
I adore the characters, each one is fully formed, and you feel as if you’d love to know some of them, and yes, work for Ruben, except of course that danger is usually best read about.
The twists and turns of the plot keep you reading far into the night. Why I even had to plug my kindle in to finish reading, as I couldn’t put it down and the book was way to engrossing to stop for the night.
Ms. Goss has a rare talent for pulling the reader into the story and making it so real you feel as if you are there.
I highly recommend this series, now on to Burning Water, as I must see what happens to Gwynn Resnick on her next assignment.

AMAZON

DAPHNE AWOKE FROM A VIVID DREAM. SHE DREAMT SHE WAS IN SCOTLAND AND HAD JUST BEEN WIDOWED. HER HUSBAND HAD BEEN MURDERED. IT WAS SOME DISTANT TIME IN THE PAST!!! DRAGONFLY DREAMS (A REINCARNATION NOVEL) BY FRANKI DEMERLE

 

Daphne Robin is ecstatic. She has just married Richard, the most wonderful man she's ever met, and they will honeymoon in Scotland. But on the eve of their departure, Daphne has a terrifying nightmare about Richard that leaves her shaken. The dream turns into reality when Richard begins abusing her in Scotland. Several months later, following his brutal attack, when Daphne announces she has become pregnant, he brutally attacks her--and then she suffers a miscarriage. The only place Daphne can find refuge from her wrecked life is within her dream world. She often dreams of a warm-hearted, tender man who comforts her and provides for her every need. Daphne retreats from reality more and more, and soon, as the years pass by, she becomes a shell of the woman she once was. Eventually, however, she reaches her breaking point; Daphne gathers the strength to escape her husband's clutches. She heads to her sister's place in Washington and meets Major Ursa-Barrios, a retired army officer who has pledged to help her. The two fall deeply in love, and Daphne wonders if this kind, generous man can possibly be her salvation. Although the Major is retired, Daphne's sister is still in service. When the sisters seek to explore their dreams through past life regression techniques, they discover secrets about their pasts that could reveal the purpose of their current lives..

Martha A. Cheves

 

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars How many lives do we have

Reviewed in the United States on June 25, 2011

`Shortly before 2:30 AM, Daphne awoke from a vivid dream. She dreamt she was in Scotland and had just been widowed. Her husband had been murdered. It was some distant time in the past, and she was dressed in a long black gown with a stiff white headdress She could feel the tightness of her corset contrast the softness of her gown's material on her skin. Richard was there, but other people in the dream were saying he was responsible for her late husband's murder. She was confused and didn't know what to believe. She had thought she could trust Richard, but a voice in the dream announced, "During the Protestant Reformation, these sides were divided." As she wondered what that meant, Richard captured her and took her against her will to a castle, where he raped her. Then, when he left her alone with a woman companion to look after her, the two women escaped. They disguised themselves as men and used bed linens to climb through a window and down the castle wall. She was terrified. She and her companion rode across the nearby border to England, where they thought they would be safe. At first, when they told their story of what had happened, they were given sanctuary by kind people. But after about a week or so, word came to the household from the authorities that she was to be held as a prisoner again. She did not understand why. Then she was told that Richard had also fled Scotland and was also imprisoned, but in another country.'

Daphne Robin and her sister Deandra were both accustomed to strange dreams. Deandra has dreamed, since childhood, that she was a soldier with lots of brothers. In her dream she was a man and someone was beating her face in. Daphne's dream about Scotland came shortly after her marriage to Richard Gatorman, owner of a construction company as well as Daphne's boss. Scotland was a place Daphne had always wanted to go to so when the dream coincided with Richard announcing that they would be honeymooning in Scotland, she let her excitement override the possibility of a warning. But, Richard had always been the perfect mate. He was loving, caring and offered her everything she could ever want...so she thought. The honeymoon would turn out to be the beginning of her seeing the true Richard she had married. A marriage that she soon realized had been a big mistake. The only out for Daphne becomes sleep in which her dreams have her flying the skies with a handsome man. If it weren't for her dream time she would probably give up on life itself.

Deandra, being an officer in the Army, enlists the help of her friend Major Ursa-Barrios to help Daphne escape the abuse being inflicted by Richard. Major, as he likes to be called, has had his own dreams over the years. In his dreams he would help a young lady and falls in love with her. Could Daphne possibly be the woman in his dream? Could Major possibly be the man in Daphne's dreams?

As Deandra, Daphne and Major come together, they start searching for the answers to their dreams. Deandra wanting to know who the person getting their face bashed in is and who are the brothers. Daphne wants to know who the woman in Scotland could be as well as who she soars the skies with. And Major wants to meet the lady from his dreams.

Franki deMerle has done it again with a book of mystery, love and a certain air of suspense. The more I read, the more I wanted answers to the character's dreams but I wasn't really expecting what the dreams actually turned out to be.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars POSSIBILITIES

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As a woman who is curious about nearly everything, I picked up Dragonfly Dreams looking for a sense of possibilities. I found that and more. Franki deMerle is a masterful story teller, combining the dream state with possible reality.

What is reality and what is truth. Have we lived before? Do we dream our way into a better future? Are all these possibilities just a magnificent story?

I loved this book. Ms. deMerle wrote characters that were captivating and three dimensional, whether they were reliving a past life or living in the present. Definitely a book to be read and enjoyed, and it left me with more than a good read. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in reincarnation or just a great story.

AMAZON

A WALK WITH VIRGINIA (A MEMOIR) BY JILL ZAPATA IS A GEM!!! IT WILL MAKE YOU WEEP, LAUGH, AND MOST OF ALL CARE!

To walk with another person can be as mundane as putting on one's socks and shoes, or it can be a twisting, turning, life-changing journey into unknown territory. It can also be everything in between. My walk with Virginia was life changing. It was unexpected. It was challenging. It was frustrating and confusing. We had highs, and we had lows. Thankfully, it was also awe-inspiring and extraordinary.

Have you ever been a caregiver for a family member or a friend? Is it, perhaps, on the horizon of your life? Or maybe you cannot yet see the horizon. Make no mistake, it is not a question of love, whether to provide much needed and potentially long-term care. It is a question of necessity. Love, and devotion born out of love, are the firmly rooted footings on which you stand when providing this necessary care. Humor is the grab bar you grip tightly when the ground below you begins to shake or shift. Patience is paramount. I survived it, and you can, too. I believe I am a better person having had the experience.

My story is a true account of my caregiving experience with my mother-in-law. It lasted only a few short years and, in that time, carved such deep and permanent remembrances too good not to share. Some would ask, "why share something so personal?", and my reply would be, "why not?". Life is so much sweeter when shared with others. I hope you find comfort, a little guidance perhaps, enjoy a few laughs, and chew on some 'food for thought' as you journey with Virginia and I through the blessings and blunders of Caregiving!

The Great Grocery Store Adventure

“She was full throttle and produce was flying in all directions.  It was like a bumper car nightmare.  And, of course, she was laughing.  I, however, broke out in a full sweat, trying to catch oranges, apples, onions, and tomatoes, knowing full-well someone, somewhere was watching all this chaos on security cameras.  I was sure we would be escorted out the door within minutes.  I guess security personnel were off that day because no one seemed to raise an eyebrow at our antics, not even other nearby shoppers.  Or maybe they did, but how would I have noticed?  I was too busy bobbing for apples!”

AMAZON

IS ALTORI INSANE? WAS HELEN REAL? WHAT IS THE VOID? A PARANORMAL STORY TO CHILL & MAKE YOU WONDER - THE VOID BY MARTA MORAN BISHOP

 

"The Void", the first true paranormal short story written by Marta Moran Bishop, is reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock or The Twilight Zone of later days. It will take you deep into the mind and heart of someone either living through a serious mental illness, or something mysterious and dangerous residing in the void.

Many years earlier, Altori and her sister Helen moved into the village. Last year, during the night of no moon, Helen went out into the void and nearly died. A terrible disease spread through her body. She ran away to escape the possibility of death at the hands of the frightened villagers.

Will Altori survive the void and find her sister? Did Helen ever exist, or is Altori suffering from mental illness?

Sammy Sutton Author

4.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Mind-Bending Story
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Does Altori suffer from a multitude of mental illnesses or is something stranger lurking in the darkness? Her affliction could certainly be described as delusional paranoid schizophrenia with a tendency to inflict wounds upon herself.
The author takes a great deal of time and effort into stimulating the reader's senses, but ultimately where is she leading us in this short prequel? Ultimately, "Brigadoon" and then "The Knowing" came to mind, but the again are we just eaves dropping into the mind of a mental patient?

The Void is an absolutely brilliant mind-bending story that will keep you guessing!\

AMAZON

DO THE SPIRITS OF THE PAST HAUNT ELAINE CHAUVIER AT SHADOW'S WAY? OR IS IT INSANITY. AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BARBARA FRANCES WILL HAVE YOU WONDERING WHAT IS REAL, WHAT IS EVIL, WHAT IS INSANITY!

 

Prepare to be spellbound. Barbara Frances' long-awaited third novel, “Shadow's Way,” takes you to the coastal, deep South, where the past and the present mingle in a gothic tale of insanity, murder, and sexual intrigue.

You'll meet the beautiful Elaine Chauvier, former actress and proprietor of Shadow's Way, her family's antebellum home; the esteemed Archbishop Andre Figurant and his fallen identical twin, Bastien; newly arrived Ophelia and Rudy, here to explore their Chauvier roots and their ties to Shadow's Way; and the mysterious Madame Claudine. Under a veneer of piety and graciousness, i.e., the questions: What is good? What is evil? What is reality? 

VINE VOICE

5.0 out of 5 stars

Different, keeps you reading

 This was a different type of read for me, and I wasn’t sure when I started reading if I would enjoy it, but very quickly I found myself getting pulled into the story. The cast of characters is very colorful, not just the ex-actress Elaine Chauvier. The author does such a good job with descriptions, you can see the characters in your mind, hear the southern drawl, and even smell and taste the coffee as you read. It doesn’t take long to find yourself wondering what’s really going on in each character’s mind the author isn’t giving you yet, and the suspense just builds through the book. If you love southern culture, this book is full of it, so that will be another thing to draw you in.

Ms. Francis’ novel Shadow’s Way, had me enthralled from page one, it kept me reading until so late into the night that I used a flashlight in order not to wake my husband.

I’ve always enjoyed reading gothic tales, but this one went beyond most that I had read. The synopsis was correct, past and present mingled and left me on the edge of my seat. Was G – G – Daddy a real paranormal experience or a figment of Elaine Chauvier’s imagination, which got worse as she sunk deeper into insanity?

I loved the various characters that Ms. Francis brought into play as needed to heighten the story. They were well rounded and interconnected in ways that one has to keep reading to get the full picture.

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AMAZON

LOTTIE'S ADVENTURE: FACING THE MONSTER BY AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR BARBARA FRANCES IS AN AMAZINGLY SUSPENSE-FILLED ADVENTURE CHAPTER BOOK FOR ALL AGES!

Lottie's Adventure: Facing The Monster, is an action-packed children's book written especially for ages 8 through 14. Children will enjoy this exciting read while also improving their reading skills. Twenty-nine chapters filled with twists and turns keep kids reading to discover the outcome.

Lottie, a lively ten-year old Hispanic girl, longs for something new and different in her life. Her summers up to this point have all been, more or less, the same. Then the arrival of a magical letter and a TV newscast transforms her vacation time in a high adventure.

Her great adventure includes trying to relate to a cold, estranged, and rich grandmother, freeing a kidnapped ten-year-old African American boy from a locked room, hiding him in a safe place, and then fleeing with him from a kidnapper who is always just a step or two behind.

Lottie's Adventure is a vibrant chapter book mystery for preteens that emphasizes the importance of intergenerational communication and love as well as the immense value of thinking beyond cultural stereotypes. To develop a new moral code or vision, both these elements are crucial. Perhaps the most striking quality of "Lottie's Adventure: Facing The Monster" is its powerful positive energy. Featuring a spunky 10-year-old Hispanic heroine, "Lottie's Adventure" keeps interest high and pages turning with exciting plot twists and turns and believable cliffhangers that just keep evolving. The author allows her characters to develop very naturally, with total authenticity. There are many excellent ideas embedded in the story, not the least of which is that people, even wise adults, can learn to admit they are wrong. "Lottie's Adventure" goes a long way towards building a viable alternative to prejudice, and for that and many other reasons, it is highly recommended juvenile reading for kids age 10 and up.

(Review from The Midwest Book Review)

​While reading Barbara Frances’ chapter book Lottie’s Adventure: Facing the Monster, I was swept back to the books of my childhood. A place where tweens helped each other and became heroes without the use of make-believe or magic brooms. Just plain old smarts, ingenuity, and integrity.
I was engrossed in the story of Lottie, a Hispanic girl, as she helped Charles Ray a black boy, who had been kidnapped escape and confront the bad guy, outsmarting him, while facing their own fears. The friendship that grew between the two was a lesson in how people all want the same things out of life regardless of their upbringing, race, or nationality.
It is a compelling and wonderful tale that I’d recommend to both adults and the tween alike.

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AMAZON

THE STORY IS AN INTRIGUING SPIN ON FALLEN ANGELS AND DEMONS ~ HIS SOUL TO HOLD (DARK KNIGHTS OF HEAVEN BOOK 2) BY TW KNIGHT

Soulless and exiled from Heaven the Dark Knights have not abandoned their duty. For millennia they’ve battled demons, protecting human kind from Lucifer’s servants. Less than a year ago hundreds of demons escaped Hell world-wide, stretching the Knights resources to their limits. Now they face the greatest challenge of all—discovering love.

Breanna Thorn spent the last ten years fighting demons with her twin brother Sam, and she’s damn good at it. But at twenty three all she really wants is a normal life with dating, college and quiet. To balance the life she wants and the life she has, Bree studies demons and other supernatural creatures in hopes of better understanding the enemy. When she meets fallen angel Bass, Bree encounters a complication she never saw coming—love.
Bass’ persona of hedonism begins to crumble when he meets Breanna. She’s beautiful, intelligent, a kick ass fighter and the vessel for his immortal soul. He knows he’s no good for her but no matter how hard he tries to make Bree hate him; she keeps finding a way into his heart. He’ll do anything to keep her safe even if it means giving up everything he is.
After their parents are killed by monsters, demons, Sam Thorn focuses his life on protecting his sister and hunting the creatures that changed their lives. Now he finds himself swept up in a world where he’s surrounded by monsters and at risk of losing his sister—something he cannot, will not allow. When the rage burning inside him breaks free Sam finds he is a greater danger than the monsters he fears.
Hogart once walked the halls of Heaven, now he battles with voices in his head driving him further and further into madness. Being taken in by his fellow fallen angels, The Dark Knights, is both a blessing and a curse. Their energy quiets the demon within him but now he is permanently housed with the twins Sam and Breanna. The voices insist he kill them; his heart says otherwise.

Soulless and exiled from Heaven the Dark Knights have not abandoned their duty. For millennia they’ve battled demons, protecting humankind from Lucifer’s servants. Less than a year ago hundreds of demons escaped Hell world-wide, stretching the Knights resources to their limits. Now they face the greatest challenge of all—discovering love.

Breanna Thorn spent the last ten years fighting demons with her twin brother Sam, and she’s damn good at it. But at twenty-three all she really wants is a normal life with dating, college and quiet. To balance the life, she wants and the life she has, Bree studies demons and other supernatural creatures in hopes of better understanding the enemy. When she meets fallen angel Bass, Bree encounters a complication she never saw coming love.

Bass’ persona of hedonism begins to crumble when he meets Breanna. She’s beautiful, intelligent, a kick ass fighter and the vessel for his immortal soul. He knows he’s no good for her but no matter how hard he tries to make Bree hate him; she keeps finding a way into his heart. He’ll do anything to keep her safe even if it means giving up everything he is.

After their parents are killed by monsters, demons, Sam Thorn focuses his life on protecting his sister and hunting the creatures that changed their lives. Now he finds himself swept up in a world where he’s surrounded by monsters and at risk of losing his sister—something he cannot, will not allow. When the rage burning inside him breaks free Sam finds he is a greater danger than the monsters he fears.

Hogart once walked the halls of Heaven, now he battles with voices in his head driving him further and further into madness. Being taken in by his fellow fallen angels, The Dark Knights, is both a blessing and a curse. Their energy quiets the demon within him but now he is permanently housed with the twins Sam and Breanna. The voices insist he kill them; his heart says otherwise.

I am an avid reader of paranormal and I would certainly recommend this book. The story is an intriguing spin on fallen angels and demons. I can’t wait to see where the author takes these fallen angels and their soul-keepers. Along with Bass' soul-keeper Bree we are introduced to Bree's brother Sam and a new fallen angel, Hogart. The character development is handled well and a little more complicated in this book as the characters are faced with self-doubt, PTSD and questions about their own future. More secrets and complications are revealed creating more questions and another mystery.

5 Star Review

GET YOUR COPY AT AMAZON

AMAZON

"WOW, WHAT AN ADVENTURE!" ~ CROSS-TIES BY CAROLYN BOWEN

Leah was a rebel. She chose to live her life outside the constraints of 19th century English society. She rebuked any parental control and chose to decide her own fate. From England to the Caribbean and then frontier America, she was loved by family and friends yet still had enemies. Sailing the seas with pirates lurking about helped chisel her character as she created a life of her own near the sea.

Explore the scenic countries with Leah and learn of the native cultures and taste their delicacies. As a mixed-race female, she placed prejudices under her feet and learned to recognize and accept love even if it was against the law.

Wow, what an adventure! Admittedly, I’m usually not a big fan of these kinds of books (I tend to stick to the sci-fi and romance genres) but I decided to give “Cross-Ties” a chance and go into the read with an open mind, and I must say that it turned out to be a great decision. I could see early on, within the first few chapters, that the author is truly talented when it comes to weaving words into stories. The prose flows in a very smooth manner while conveying everything in very vivid way – I personally found it easy to visualize many of the scenes and also empathize and understand the feelings of Leah, the protagonist. I highly recommend ‘Cross-Ties’ to readers looking for a genuinely immersive and adventurous read. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future releases by Carolyn M. Bowen.

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AMAZON

YOU’LL ENCOUNTER A CAST OF CHARACTERS STORM-TOSSED BY CHANGE, HELD TOGETHER BY LOVE. WRITTEN WITH COMPASSION, HUMOR AND SUSPENSE, LIKE I USED TO DANCE AN AWARD-WINNING NOVEL BY BARBARA FRANCES WILL CHARM YOU, WARM YOU AND EVEN SQUEEZE A FEW TEARS!

"Our kids, my, my, Gracie, where did we go wrong? One marries God, another a Jew, and the last one, the devil!"

Texas, 1951. The Wolanskys—Grace, Bud and their three grown children—are a close-knit clan, deeply rooted in their rural community and traditional faith. On their orderly farm, life seems good and tomorrow always holds promise.
But under the surface, it’s a different story. Grace is beset by dark memories and nameless fears that she keeps secret even from Bud. Their son Andy has said no to becoming a farmer like his dad and, worse, fallen in love with a big-city Jewish girl. Youngest child Regina is trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive, alcoholic husband. Even “perfect” daughter Angela’s decision to become a nun takes an unforeseen turn.

And then Ceil Dollard breezes into town.

Ceil—wealthy, sophisticated, irrepressible—is like a visitor from Mars. She’s a modern woman. She drives a car and wears pants. She blows away tradition and certainty, forcing Grace to face her fears and brave a changing world. Through Ceil, Grace learns about courage and freedom—but at the risk of losing Bud.

Barbara Frances’ sparkling, richly human novel takes you back to a time when Ike was president and life was slower, but people were the same as now. You’ll encounter a cast of characters storm-tossed by change, held together by love. Written with compassion, humor and suspense, Like I Used to Dance will charm you, warm you and even squeeze a few tears, from it opening number to the last waltz.

Vanna Karenina

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Be Hooked on This Book

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After only a few pages I was hooked by Like I Used to Dance and Barbara Frances' gifts as a storyteller. She creates multidimensional characters who are so real that I found myself thinking about them in between sessions with the book, and she weaves a plot that is by turns suspenseful, funny, touching and gripping. Set in a rural Texas community more than sixty years ago, the book explores social, racial and family themes -- many of which continue to resonate today. But above all, it's a great read! It will take you places where you've never been, from a KKK meeting that is both sinister and pathetic, to a heartbroken man's encounter with a mystical fox. Barbara Frances writes with insight, compassion, full knowledge of the human heart, and lots of twists, turns and surprises. Highly recommended.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars WILL SURELY BECOME ONE OF THE CLASSICS IN LITERATURE
Ms. Frances paints a picture of each character, their weaknesses, as well as the strength in their character. From Grace, and Bud, their three grown children, to neighbors, and friends, each is drawn with a fine pencil, fully formed, and genuine, some are people you wish you knew, and others you would like to string up. Yet, each is so well crafted as to be able to see them in your life, or town.
Whether she is painting the generous nature of Bud, to the horror of Billy Ray, Ms. Frances brings us a full picture of life as it was, and life as it still is. Many things may have changed in our world, underneath there is still an underbelly of both the beauty and ugliness of human nature.
Like I Used To Dance was not a book that I could easily put down, but sat up till the wee hours of the morning reading.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

It is easy to see how Like I Used To Dance by Barbara Frances won awards. It is a novel that should easily find its way into classic literature. It is not just the story of the Wolanskys, who live in a small farming town in the nineteen-fifty’s, but the story of life, and how even generations of family issues can affect each new generation unless something happens to break the cycle.

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AFTER THE FIRST BLUSH OF ROMANCE, WHERE DOES YOUR RELATIONSHIP GO? IT'S UP TO YOU, AND PERHAPS YOU CAN FIND SOME WISDOM IN A. WILLIAM BENITEZ' BOOK RELATIONSHIP!!!

When I decided to write this book on relationship, my wife Barbara was surprised and cautioned me by saying that she would not dare write such a book because it was such a varied topic with so many nuances. That scared me because she is certainly more qualified to write about relationship than I am. I hesitated for a while.

Most of my writing had been on housing, business, woodworking, even publishing, but nothing on relationship. It's an expansive topic and I wasn't sure if my information would be of real value. I considered that all my books are based on first hand experience and realized that even though I'm not an expert, I have a life time of experience in relationship. Based on that I felt able to contribute something helpful to some readers and I feel good about this book.

Jackie Paulson

5.0 out of 5 stars Relationships that last a lifetime

Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2014

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Relationships are not about competition between partners. It should be about giving and taking.
By A Benitez
Relationship: Notes On Love, Mutual Respect, Boundaries, Marriage, and Divorce by A William Benitez explores the subject of intimate relationship and probes how one can be in a wonderful relationship. This book contains ten insightful chapters:
-What Is Love
-What is a Good Relationship
-Fostering and Nourishing Relationships
-Harming Relationships
-Mutual Respect
-Boundaries
-Marriage
-Breakups and Divorce
-Helpful Tips
-Final Thoughts

The author did a fantastic job writing this book. In the first chapter he defines love, "a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person." If you have ever been in one then you know that it is a give and take in order to survive. Compromising is so important. It all depends on which stage of the game you are in. I am in my 40's so my experiences are different than those who are teenagers, whom could benefit from reading this book. They say that those that experienced it can give advice and tips of what they have learned to help you avoid tender mistakes. I especially liked the harmful relationships, mutual respect and boundaries chapters as I need to learn all of them once again. As a codependent it helps to keep me on track in my current relationships even if they are not love related, which includes friend, family and coworkers. Anyone could benefit from the helpful book with tips and thoughts of a personal experienced writer.

M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet

5.0 out of 5 stars IT MADE ME THINK AND TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT MY OWN ACTIONS
What part do I play in the issues that arise in our marriage on a daily basis?
I found this book extremely helpful and insightful too.

Mr. Benitez’s book RELATIONSHIP helped me take a long hard look at what I could do better in all my relationships and in particular those with my husband.

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