Monday, September 1, 2025

Heroes, Villains, and the Stories We Tell Ourselves -- #PoliticalThriller #HistoricalFiction #Giveaway

Crimson Mirage tour banner

By Babujee (Guest Blogger)

If one does a Shakespearean character analysis of the protagonist of my novel, Crimson Mirage, and looks for the ‘seed’ of his destruction, it was hero worship and role models. Manush wanted to follow the footsteps of his idols and got it horribly wrong. How can one go astray following the role models?

Let’s talk about heroes. We grow up surrounded by them—those larger-than-life figures who inspire us with their bravery, truthfulness, or incredible moral compass. As kids, we’re fed stories about these shining beacons of humanity, and we’re told to aspire to be just like them. But let’s dig a little deeper—how does this “hero culture” play out?

Take George Washington and the famous cherry tree story. You know, the one where little George confesses, “I cannot tell a lie,” after chopping down a tree? It’s a great tale, but spoiler alert: it probably never happened. The point wasn’t historical accuracy; it was about presenting truthfulness as an American ideal. The irony, of course, is that plenty of people in real life do lie. Still, the story stuck because it symbolized what Americans hoped to be.

And it’s not just the U.S. Ancient Rome had its own hero figures, like Cincinnatus, the farmer who reluctantly saved the Republic and then went back to his plow. Noble, right? But in reality, Rome was famous for politics, power struggles, and shameless self-promotion. Cultures create these stories not just to make us better people, but to justify bigger things—wars, colonization, or even just the way things are. Heroes and villains, the flip side of the heroes, become tools to explain why one country gets to invade another or why one group claims superiority.

Take the British Empire, for example. To justify looting India (then called Bharat), they dehumanized the locals, calling them “savages” or “uncivilized.” That narrative made it easier to plunder resources and call it progress. It’s an uncomfortable truth, but history is filled with examples like this.

What’s fascinating is how heroes and villains can flip depending on the perspective. George Washington, beloved American hero, was seen as a treasonous troublemaker by Britain’s King George III. It’s all about where you’re standing. Sometimes, though, the whole hero-villain thing is completely arbitrary. Remember Sophocles’ drama Antigone? The king, Kreon, declares one brother, Eteocles, a hero and the other, Polynices, a traitor. Antigone begs to give Polynices a proper burial, but Kreon refuses, only to let slip a secret: the brothers’ mangled bodies were so indistinguishable that they just divided the remains and gave one portion a hero’s funeral and left the rest to rot outside the city. Kreon himself didn’t know which body was honored or condemned. All he needed was a hero and a villain.

So, how does this play out in our lives? As children, we idolize these heroic figures, imagining ourselves brave, truthful, and noble. But as we grow up, life throws reality at us—money, power, and comfort often take precedence over ideals. If someone clings to their childhood hero worship and refuses to compromise with the real world, like our protagonist Manush, they might feel alienated. Worse, they might turn extreme in their beliefs, unwilling to let go of the purity they see in their role models.

When analyzed, many of the heroes we idolize didn’t achieve their glory through gentle means. They were violent, fought battles, spilled blood, and outmaneuvered their rivals. Could celebrating these figures plant the seeds of aggression or extremism in some? Is the relentless pursuit of “heroic” ideals driving people to unhealthy extremes?

Hero role model?

 

It’s worth asking whether this hero-villain obsession is healthy. Sure, it gives us figures to look up to, but it also glosses over the complexity of real life. People aren’t just heroes or villains—they’re a messy mix of good and bad, driven by circumstance and opportunity. Most of the Greek “heroes” were not good or congenial persons; you won’t invite them for a cup of coffee!.

Just condemning evil acts as something “other people” do lets us off the hook too easily. It’s more uncomfortable, but more honest, to admit that anyone—even you or me could be capable of terrible things under the right (or wrong) circumstances. The scary part isn’t just the existence of evil—it’s realizing that it could just as easily be us.

Maybe it’s time to rethink the stories we tell about heroes and villains. They shape how we see the world, ourselves, and each other. Maybe the real heroism is recognizing our flaws and striving to be better, not for glory or applause, but simply because it’s the right thing to do.

Crimson Mirage cover image

Blurb

Naïve. Passionate. Dangerous.

Manush is all of these—and more. Caught between the heat of first love and the fire of revolution, he confuses desire with destiny and activism with annihilation. What begins with tender hope ends in blood-soaked betrayal.

Set against the turbulent backdrop of Calcutta’s Naxalite uprising, this haunting debut novel unravels the journey of a boy-turned-assassin—his convictions twisted, his soul scarred, his story unforgettable.

The author grew up in the heart of this upheaval, witnessing firsthand how political fervor tore through families and futures. Crimson Mirage is not just fiction—it’s a reckoning. A meditation on blind love, brutal reprisals, and the elusive promise of freedom.

Excerpt

WASH YOUR HANDS!” the ice-cold voice cut through the stillness of the crisp mountain air and broke through his zombie state.

Manush didn’t remember how long he had been sitting on the rock!

The sun had slid slowly, silently below the horizon of the San Bernardino Mountains. The wind was freshening. The clouds riding the salty air of the Pacific Ocean were changing shade, from angry yellow to flaming crimson, in the harsh, upward glare of a late sunset hour. Venus was still the brightest speck in the sky in the midst of the orange-gold scatter of softly gathering twilight.

From not too far off, a mountain goat with cloven hooves—browsing brush and low-growing shrubs—sidled up to him, fixing its malevolent, yellow gaze on him. Far overhead, a homebound chickadee went ‘chickadee-dee-dee’ as it traced its solitary path eastwards.

To the northwest, the cliffs fell sheer to the ravine below, their surface unbroken. The shadows were lengthening across the vast valley lying snugly among the hills. And now, there were blotches of darkness slowly eating away the green. But the full umbra of the sun’s retirement was yet to descend upon the sprawling, rugged landscape.

Wash your hands!” the voice was insistent in its urgency.

Manush sat upright with a start. He convulsed—first in astonishment, then with fear—as he looked incredulously at Jeevan.

Jeevan was smiling… his usual shy, reassured smile. He had not aged at all! His thick black hair swept back from his forehead, the creaseless, unblemished young skin on his face a contrast to the light growth of hair on his chin. Jeevan looked just like the post-mortem photograph the police had shown him.

Crimson Mirage alt cover

About the Author

The author is a professional who grew up in Kolkata during the turbulent times that serve as the backdrop of this novel. He has written short stories and articles. This is his debut novel. More of his writing at https://babujee.substack.com/archive

Website: https://mailchi.mp/996745dceee3/crimson-mirage

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crimson-Mirage-Red-Road-Romance-ebook/dp/B0FNKXKRFD/ref=sr_1_1

Babujee will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

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Sunday, August 31, 2025

Charity Sunday Times Two: The Mountain Lion Foundation - #wildlife #ecology #CharitySunday

Charity Sunday Banner

Today is Charity Sunday. As it happens it is also the 31st of the month, which is my allocated day over at the Sweet 'n Sexy Divas blog. This gives me the opportunity to publish two Charity Sunday posts. Both of them shine the spotlight on organizations working to protect our environment and the earth.

Here at Beyond Romance, I am focusing on The Mountain Lion Foundation. This non-profit, located in California, is dedicated to research, advocacy and education to help save North America’s critically endangered big cats. MLF works with communities to reduce conflicts between people and lions; with scientists to study the behavior and ecological dynamics of the species; with legislators to craft laws and regulations that protect mountain lions, their habitat, and their human neighbors.

MLF Logo

Of course, anyone who has hung around my blog for any length of time knows I am a huge ailurophile. I love felines, large and small. But that’s not the most important reason to donate to MLF. Mountain lions are apex predators who play a huge role in maintaining the health and integrity of ecological systems in which they live. Furthermore, recent policies introduced by the Trump administration have greatly increased the risks for this already threatened species.

Hence, I will donate $2 to MLF for each comment I receive on this post, between now and the next Charity Sunday.

I don’t have a story about big cats. However, my Elemental Passions series features characters who have the power to control different forces in nature. So here’s a bit from Book 1, Hot Spell.

Excerpt

She reached the trailhead about five. Sunlight slanted between the towering trees like gold bars. She locked her car, then shouldered her pack and set out at a brisk pace for the campsite, about three miles up the path. She’d camped in these woods before, when she’d been in college. It seemed like a hundred years ago.

Alice and Jill had been appalled when she’d told them her plans. “Alone? In the middle of the wilderness?” Jill’s perfectly shaped eyebrows had knit in a frown. “What if something happens?”

What could happen?” she’d laughed, guessing that neither of her friends had ever taken a hike or slept under the star—or would ever consider doing so.

Wild animals! Bears. Mountain lions. Or you might fall, break a leg and be stranded. You could starve to death.”

And what about murderers or rapists?” Alice had rapped her fingernails against her desk. Her turquoise enamel matched her outfit. “You never know who you’ll meet out there in the woods.”

I’ll have my phone,” she’d reassured them, although she’d known there’d likely be no signal. “Animals are shy. They won’t bother me if I don’t bother them. And I took a self-defense course last year. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. Anyway, you’ll know where I am. If I’m not back on Tuesday, send out the National Guard.”

She strode along the trail, swinging her arms and filling her lungs with the fragrant mountain air. Sweat pooled in her armpits and under her breasts. The weather was still unseasonably warm, but a fresh breeze played amongst the trees, hinting at the coolness to come wherever it touched her damp skin. As dusk shrouded the forest, her senses grew keener. An owl perched on an overhanging branch—she caught the yellow glint of its eyes. Some furred creature skittered through the underbrush and the mournful call of a loon reached her from the direction of Crystal Lake, miles away. A spicy hint of crushed fennel tickled her nose, triggering a pang of hunger. Sylvie smiled, remembering the chunks of salmon marinating in a Ziplock bag in her backpack. She’d brought a half bottle of wine, too, for her first dinner in the wild. Somehow, she’d felt like celebrating.

Full night had fallen by the time she reached the campsite, perched on a ridge above the steep banks of Sandman Creek. As she piled fallen branches inside the ring of blackened stones and kindled them into a merry blaze, she could hear the stream singing to itself…or maybe welcoming her back where she belonged.

Her meal was every bit as tasty and satisfying as she’d anticipated. Afterwards, she sat for what seemed like hours, her back against the rough bark of a huge spruce, tasting the residual sweetness of her wine, watching the fire burn down to a clutch of glowing embers. The cinders shone from within like some dragon’s precious cache—ruby, gold, an occasional flash of emerald. The play of light fascinated her.

Her muscles ached from the strenuous hike. Her hair was in knots and a sticky film of perspiration coated her skin. None of that mattered. Peace enfolded her, along with a profound sense of well-being. The breeze whispered to her. The creek babbled and laughed.

Water. A bath. Relaxed, lazy and sated though she was, the notion still held an irresistible appeal. Sylvie checked the remains of the fire to assure herself that there was no chance it would escape the rocks encircling it. Then she dug a towel out of her pack and headed down the forested slope to the creek.

The gurgle of water tumbling over stone grew louder as she approached. The very sound was refreshing. A few feet from the edge, she stripped off her clothes, draping them and her towel over a convenient boulder. She was about to step out of the woods when an unexpected movement caught her eye.

There was something splashing in the creek a bit downstream from where she stood—something…or someone. Sylvie shrank back into the shadow of the trees.

Directly opposite her, the stream rushed over river-polished rocks, flecked with white froth. To her right, though, it widened into a calm pool, black as the sky above. The unexpected noise came from there.

She peered into the night. All she could see at first was a round, furry mass that seemed to float upon the surface. Ripples stirred as a figure rose from the water. At the same time, the half moon climbed above the crest of the trees. Its pale rays revealed the form of a naked man.

Hot Spell book cover

Find the buy links for Hot Spell at https://www.lisabetsarai.com/hotspellbook.html

Meanwhile, I hope you’ll leave a comment. Every message from you means two dollars devoted to saving North America’s great cats.

Be sure to visit the other bloggers participating in today’s Charity Sunday. In particular, go leave a comment on my other post at Sweet n’ Sexy Divas. I’m featuring a different charity and have a different excerpt!



Thursday, August 28, 2025

How to Build a World – #EpicFantasy #Imagination #Inspiration

The Chronicles of Ordi tour banner

By Alex Zenk (Guest Blogger)

World-building is a dynamic process, and my approach blends structure with creative freedom, adapting to the story’s needs. I don’t rely on a rigid “bible” upfront, but I do maintain a mental or loose digital framework that evolves as I write. Here’s how it works:

Initially, I focused on core elements: geography, culture, history, and systems (magic, technology, politics). I sketch these broadly, say, a coastal city with a rigid caste system or a desert with sentient storms, drawing from inspirations like faith, landscapes, or literature. These act as anchors, ensuring consistency without boxing me in. For example, a faith-based society might have rituals tied to mining the gems, which I work out as I write the various scenes dealing with the gems.

As I draft, inspiration drives details. A character’s dialogue might reveal a cultural taboo, or a setting description might spark a historical event. I let these organic moments shape the world, keeping notes on key details (e.g., names, rules, timelines) in a lightweight document, more a living sketch than a formal “bible.” This avoids overplanning, which can stifle spontaneity.

If the project grows complex, I’ll organize notes into categories, geography, factions, and lore, referencing them to maintain coherence. Tools like Notion or a simple text file work fine. The goal is flexibility: I build enough to ground the story but leave room for inspiration to shift the world’s edges.

Blurb

In a world where ancient magic is fading and darkness grows, one dwarf mage stands between his realm and destruction.

Ordi, a gifted mage with the rare ability to command all elemental magic, is summoned by his king on a perilous quest. Accompanied by his loyal posh hound Mira and his warrior brother Verdun, Ordi must recover the legendary Otthroite Gems—powerful artifacts thought lost to time.

As they journey through forbidden forests, abandoned dwarven cities, and haunted valleys, they discover these gems are the only hope against the rising threat of the long-banished Dark Lord. With each step, they uncover secrets of ancient magic and face betrayals that test the bonds of brotherhood.

Rich in world-building and filled with magical encounters, The Chronicles of Ordi blends classic fantasy elements with fresh perspectives on courage, loyalty, and the price of power.

The Chronicles of Ordi book cover

Excerpt

A hellhound emerged from the swirling smoke, its eyes burning with an evil fire. Two towering demons flanked the beast, their twisted forms radiating dark energy. Accompanying them was a horde of monstrous spiders, their grotesque legs and mandibles glistening in the dim light. Ordi's heart pounded in his chest; he hated spiders—no, he was terrified of them. These were no ordinary arachnids; they ranged from five to eight feet tall, their massive forms looming menacingly. The challenge before him was immense. Hellhounds could withstand most mortal magic, and the demons posed a threat he had only read about in the academy's ancient tomes. Desperately cycling through spells in his mind, Ordi cursed under his breath, doubting whether any would suffice against such formidable adversaries.

About the Author

Alex Zenk brings a fresh voice to the world of epic quests and magical realms. Born and raised in the midwest, Alex's love for fantasy was kindled early by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and nurtured through years of immersive role-playing games. As a pastor by day and a storyteller by night, Alex brings a unique perspective to his writing, weaving themes of morality, redemption, and the complexities of good and evil into his narratives.

Drawing inspiration from his experiences in World of Warcraft, Alex has crafted a rich and immersive world in his debut series, The Chronicles of Ordi. His background in theology and his deep understanding of human nature inform the complex characters and intricate plot lines.

When not writing or tending to his pastoral duties, Alex can be found exploring the natural beauty of Iowa with his family, using these adventures to fuel his imagination and inspire new fantastic landscapes. With plans for multiple books set in the world of Asheros, Alex Zenk is poised to make a significant impact on the fantasy genre, offering readers a blend of classic epic fantasy with a modern, thoughtful twist.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apzenk/

Amazon: https://a.co/d/g00TgiA

Website: https://apzenk.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565462734987

Alex Zenk will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

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Wednesday, August 27, 2025

The die is cast – #Steampunk #EroticRomance #MFRWHooks

The Master's Mark book cover

It’s Wednesday again, time for another whirlwind tour of Romancelandia provided by members of the Marketing for Romance Writers group. 

By the way, if you write any sort of romance, you should consider joining us, for emotional support, practical advice and promo opportunities. Just go here to sign up for groups.io. Then go to https://marketingforromancewriters.groups.io/g/main, scroll down, and click on “Join this group”. Be sure to introduce yourself, once you’re part of the email conversation.

For my MFRW Books Hooks post today, I’m moving to the third novel in my Toymakers Guild series, The Master’s Mark. Rafe and Gillian’s relationship has progressed and strengthened. But in this book, they face new challenges.

Blurb

How do you train a steampunk sexbot?

Gillian Smith’s promotion to journeyman proves she’s ready to lead the Toymakers in producing astonishing new erotic artifacts. Creative, brilliant, and debauched, she’ll stretch her capabilities to the limit as she juggles a talent shortage and a pair of jealous rivals. Then there’s the challenge of their latest commission—a life-sized programmable sex doll intended to replace a client’s deceased paramour.

Normally she would consult the enigmatic Master Toymaker, but he seems preoccupied with his own concerns. Though her lusty crew of sexual renegades can offer technical and carnal assistance, Gillian is ultimately responsible for delivering the promised, near-impossible technology.

It’s fortunate she’s not one to give up—not even when events threaten the Guild’s very survival.

The Hook (Rated R)

With a rustle of silk, the director swept out of the room. The two older men followed close behind.

Springing up from his seat, Rafe grabbed Gillian and pulled her into a wet, lingering kiss. “So,” he said, “you’re off to the Continent. Without me!” Despite his accusation, he did not seem upset in the least.

Are you jealous?”

Only that you’re going to Paris. You’re going to have such fun!” He ran his fingers through her auburn tangles. “I know you’ll come back to me.”

I will. My life is here, at Randerley.” She planted another kiss on his smiling lips. “You’re a big part of that life.”

He nodded. “Meanwhile, I want you to enjoy yourself.”

I’ve never been to France,” she added.

You’ll love it, Jill.” Seizing her by the hips, he pulled her body against his. His delicious hardness prodded her belly. “It’s your kind of place,” he murmured, nuzzling her throat and palming her buttocks.

With a sigh of pleasure, Gillian melted into his arms.

Rafe?” The office door opened unexpectedly and Amelia stepped inside.

For a long moment, Rafe ignored her, persisting in his delightful caresses.

Mr. Wystock! The Master has an assignment for you.”

With obvious reluctance, the dark-haired journeyman released Gillian from his embrace. “Yes, ma’am?”

You’re to go to London, first thing tomorrow. The Master has some important business at one of the banks. He’s waiting for you now, in his chamber, to give you detailed instructions.”

So, thought Gillian as Rafe and Amelia hurried out. The die is cast.

Excitement bubbled through her. Rafe’s attentions, the novelty of her upcoming trip to France, the prospect of seeing Sébastien again – everything combined to raise her pulse and dampen her nether regions.

Not to mention the challenge of building an anatomically-correct sexual playmate for the mysterious Count Volk. That might have been the most thrilling notion of all.

 

The Master's Mark book cover

Find all the buy links here: https://www.lisabetsarai.com/mastersmarkbook.html

Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book Hooks!



Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Join us for Charity Saturday, 31 August 2025 #CharitySundaySignup #Altruism #Marketing

late summer field of wheat

Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay

Since 2017, I’ve been devoting the last Sunday in each month to a post which features some worthy cause. Often, other bloggers join me in this effort, turning the event into a blog hop. This month’s Charity Sunday blog hop will take place this coming Sunday, the 31st of August.

Charity Sunday is a meme designed to give authors and bloggers a chance to give back to the world, as well as to attract new readers.

How does it work? Each participant selects a favorite charity. Before
the date, you should prepare a blog post that: 1) talks about the charity and why you support it; 2) provides a link to the charity; 3) includes an excerpt from one of your books; 4) includes the code to show links to other participating blogs.

It’s fun if you can make the excerpt relate somehow to your chosen charity, but this isn’t required.

For every comment left on your post, you commit to giving some amount to the relevant charity. The specific charity and the amount to donate are up to you. You can set an upper limit to your donation if you want.

If you’d like to participate in the next Charity Sunday
on August 31st, sign up using the Linky List below. Please be sure that the link you enter will lead directly to your Charity Sunday post, not just to the home page of your blog.

Please download the new Charity Sunday banner for 2025!

https://www.lisabetsarai.com/2025CharitySundayBanner.jpg

For an example post, check out this link from my last Charity Sunday:

https://lisabetsarai.blogspot.com/2025/07/charity-sunday-education-means-hope.html



Friday, August 22, 2025

She’s a 1940s ghost whisperer… #HistoricalFantasy #Paranormal #Giveaway

The Passenger tour banner

Blurb

Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home.

He’s the son of a ghost.

Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction.

Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?

The Passenger, a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country, tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found.

Excerpt

Elizabeth sat bolt upright in bed. She gathered the hand-knit blanket up around her shoulders to fend off the cold hovering around her. “Is someone there?” she whispered. The hairs on her arms stood on end. “I-I know there is, but I can’t help you.”

A presence vibrated within the room as if the air contained a beating heart. While no sound met her ears, Elizabeth sensed one building, and she braced herself for a shriek.

She glanced around the room, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. Nothing appeared and the room remained silent.

Throwing back the covers, she swung her feet to the floor. The softest touch brushed her shoulder, sending chills scoring up her spine. Elizabeth bit back her own cry. She stood up and fumbled at the foot of the bed until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed her soft, cotton robe and threw it over her shoulders.

I can’t help you.” Her voice trembled.

This wasn’t Paolo. He didn’t terrify her. She’d known from the start he wouldn’t bring her harm. He was her friend. This apparition frightened her down to her core.

I can’t help you,” she said again and edged toward the door. “So leave me in peace and don’t come to me again.”

The air grew arid, and electricity sizzled through her. Visits like these terrified her as a child. They weren’t all like Paolo.

About the Author

Joie Lesin author image

Award-winning Minnesota-based author Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She is most recently the author of The Passenger (The Wild Rose Press, 2024) and her work is also featured in Scribeworth Magazine. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.

Social Media Links

Website: https://www.jlesin.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joielesin.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin

Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger

 

The Passenger book cover

 

Buy Links for The Passenger

The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-lesin/1008401528?ean=2940185717905

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-passenger-48

Joie Lesin will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

What could she possibly say? #MFRWHooks #SteamPunk #AltVictorian

Journeyman's Trial teaser

Welcome to this week’s MFRW Book Hooks blog hop! My snippet from The Journeyman’s Trial seemed pretty popular last week, so I thought I’d share another excerpt from later in the story, after Gillian and Rafe have become lovers. Enjoy!

Blurb

If she builds it, will they come?

Technically brilliant and thoroughly wanton, Gillian Smith has found her vocation: designing innovative erotic devices for the Toymakers Guild. Lust is a lubricant to creativity at Randerley Hall. But what happens when two Toymakers fall in love?

The Guild’s tribe of talented, uninhibited engineers has embraced Gillian as one of their own. Edward Thorne, the perverse genius who founded the Guild, undertakes to train her in the skills she’ll need as a journeyman, from practical mind-reading to transcendental orgasms.

As Gillian labours to impress the charismatic Master, her enigmatic fellow journeyman Rafe both entices and frustrates her. Their passion seems to go beyond mere appetite, but in Randerley’s promiscuous and permissive environment, does love make any sense?

When the Toymakers receive a commission to equip London’s most exclusive brothel with the latest sexual technology, Gillian has the chance to demonstrate her formidable abilities as well as to help Rafe exorcise the demons of his past. She doesn’t realize she’ll be forced to choose between Rafe and her future in the Guild.

If you like intelligent, lusty women and kinky steam punk sex toys, pick up a copy of The Journeyman’s Trial.

The Hook

Why did you play with me for so long, making me believe the Master had enjoined our abstinence? I’ll agree, I’m not the most patient woman in the Empire, but what about you? I sometimes worried that you didn’t want me.”

Self-discipline has intrinsic value.” His voice was unexpectedly solemn. “It’s a dark world, Jill, dark and cruel. To survive, you’ve got to rein in your passions and sharpen your intellect. I’m training myself for the future.”

Surely you have a bright future as a member of the Guild.”

He ran his fingers through her auburn tangles, then planted a tender kiss on her lips, but she felt a distance grow between them. “That may not be my destiny.”

Gillian remembered the Master’s story about Rafe’s background. Losing his parents under such horrific circumstances could not help but burden his spirit. “Put the past behind you,” she murmured, holding him tighter. “You’re not responsible.”

The past?” He extricated himself from her arms so he could search her face. “What are you talking about?”

The Master – hmm – he told me about your mother – and your father...”

My father was framed!” Pushing her away, he threw off the quilt and bolted upright on the bed. “My cursed uncle engineered the entire charade because my mother refused his advances!”

What?” Gathering the bedcover around her shoulders, she sat up beside him. She huddled closer, offering him her warmth.

My father’s brother – the devil himself – lusted after my mother for years. Derrick is a wealthy barrister, influential and outwardly respectable, but my mother chose his younger brother, a lowly chemist, instead. Derrick never forgave either of them, and never gave up pursuing the woman he wanted. Long after I was born, the bastard continued to hound her. I’ve seen some of his disgustingly lewd letters. They served as evidence during the trial.”

Your father’s trial?”

Rafe nodded. “The official story was that master chemist Peter Wystock discovered his wife’s infidelity and concocted a cunning poison to punish her for her indiscretions. In fact, my uncle stole the poison from my father’s laboratory, making sure that the labelled bottle would be found after Mama’s death.”

Gillian struggled to make sense of the story. “Didn’t anyone suspect your uncle’s involvement? From the letters, I mean?”

He used a pseudonym, obviously. Mama knew who sent them, though.”

But modern graphology—”

And wrote with his non-dominant hand. He clearly spent years planning the crime, even as he continued to work at seducing my mother. Mama discarded the offensive missives, but Derrick bribed one of the servants to retrieve the most recent ones from the rubbish and plant them in her bedroom after her death.”

That’s horrible. But how do you know—?”

The filthy wretch told me himself, after the hanging. Gloating, he was, positively jubilant at the success of his scheme. You see, I was only sixteen. He’d been appointed my guardian. He loved seeing me suffer – hammering more nails into my parents’ coffins.”

Gillian seized his hands. “Oh my God, Rafe!” His face twisted with pain; he seemed a stranger. She wanted to comfort him, but what could she possibly say? Her own sorrows, the loss of her parents and her aunt’s shabby treatment, seemed trivial by comparison to this tragedy – this vicious crime!

The Journeyman's Trial book cover

Find all the buy links at https://www.lisabetsarai.com/journeymanstrialbook.html

Be sure to visit the other authors participating in today’s Book Hooks!



Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Review Tuesday: A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern -- #Memoir #Leadership #ReviewTuesday

A Different Kind of Power cover

A Different Kind of Power by Jacinda Ardern

Crown Publishing Group, 2025

On the day that thirty-seven-year-old Jacinda Ardern learned that she was going to be the fortieth Prime Minister of New Zealand, she also discovered she was pregnant.

During the formal opening of Parliament a few weeks later she was so ill with morning sickness that she barely made it through the ceremony without rushing to the bathroom. She met that challenge, though, just as she did the many others of her premiership—most notably the vicious 2019 terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques and the Covid pandemic. Through a combination of intelligence, stubbornness and compassion, along with a leader’s skill for recognizing and relying on the abilities of her team, she made significant progress in implementing her Labour Party’s liberal policies and unifying her country behind her.

In A Different Kind of Power, Ms. Ardern offers a very personal history, sharing her experiences, her doubts, her mistakes, her vision and her accomplishments with an honesty and humility that’s rare among public figures.

I almost never buy hard cover books. After encountering an interview with the author in my local newspaper, though, I knew I had to read this memoir, as soon as possible. Right now, I need hope. I think many of us do. A Different Kind of Power reminded me that human values matter and that a committed individual can make a real difference.

I’d admired the author when she was PM. I’m not ashamed to say that my political and philosophical views align quite closely with hers. However, I didn’t know anything about her background or her rather unexpected rise to prominence. She grew up in a rural community, in a close-knit family of devout Mormons. When she later left the Mormon church because she disagreed with its views about sexual orientation, her parents and siblings continued to support her. From a young age, she had passionate convictions about many social issues, but she didn’t choose politics. Rather, other people recognized her strengths and encouraged her to use them for the good of her country.

Some readers might find this book boring or trivial, with its accounts of the daily conflicts between the demands of her public role and the pressures of her private life. I found this remarkably ego-free presentation refreshing. So many of today’s leaders are narcissistic to the point of megalomania. The memoir’s title is very apt. While Jacinda Ardern clearly understood the need to present herself as strong, competent and in control, she never succumbed to the illusion that she was some sort of super-woman—even though the media sometimes presented her that way. She wielded her power in softer, more subtle, but perhaps more effective ways than the ranting, self-aggrandizing leaders who currently dominate the world stage.

When Ms. Ardern was in power, her government accomplished remarkable things, including the implementation of widely supported laws that banned assault weapons within ten days of the Christchurch attack. Although she has been castigated in some quarters over her strict Covid policies, the New Zealand fatality rate was one of the lowest in the world, well below 0.1 percent of the population, more than four times lower than the U.S. She increased the availability of education, reduced urban and rural poverty and introduced policies that cut suicides dramatically.

The day she was sworn in as PM, a veteran journalist asked her “What to you want to do?”

Her reply sums up the whole book for me: “I want this government to feel different. I want people to feel that it’s open, that it’s listening and that it’s going to bring kindness back.”

Naive and overly optimistic? Maybe, but she and her team largely accomplished this during their tenure, without a lot of posturing or fanfare.

For me, that’s an inspiration.


Thursday, August 14, 2025

Welcome back to Trapper’s Cove... #BeachRomance #PTSD #ChocolateLab

kieran's light banner


Sadira Stone has a steamy new contemporary romance—with just a hint of Halloween magic—set in her atmospheric Pacific Northwest beach town, Trapper’s Cove. Grab your copy today!

Blurb

A ghostly encounter transforms a Halloween fling into a life-changing about-face.

Battle-scarred Army surgeon Addy Connor faces an agonizing choice. Will she continue her military career despite unrelenting PTSD, or return to her stifling hometown to care for her venomous mother—or dare to reinvent her life?

After surviving an oil rig disaster, Kieran Gallagher has finally found peace as Trappers Cove’s lighthouse keeper. But the nightmares are returning, triggered by his passion for a beautiful military doctor whose struggles are so like his own.

Together, they confront haunting memories and a legendary ghost. Can these two wounded birds learn to fly again, or is their fiery fling doomed to crash?

Come to Trappers Cove for a midlife romance with passion, mystery, second chances, and an adorable retired military K-9 named Snoot!

Buy Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F1DW4B6F

Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/kierans-light/id6746349792

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kierans-light-sadira-stone/1147462722?ean=2940184606828

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/kieran-s-light

Smashwords: https://books.apple.com/us/book/kierans-light/id6746349792

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7WxfEQAAQBAJ&pli=1

UBL: https://books2read.com/kieranslight

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/kieran-s-light-a-midlife-beach-town-halloween-romance-trappers-cove-romance-book-6-by-sadira-stone

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/229115516-kieran-s-light

Kiernan's Light cover

Excerpt

She sighed. “When I tell people what I do for a living, they tend to ask a lot of questions. Sometimes, it’s nice to be anonymous, you know?”

Was she some kind of spy or special ops assassin? Images of sexy, bad-ass movie heroines dazzled his imagination, but he tamped down his curiosity. “Sure, of course. Everyone’s entitled to a few secrets.”

And keeping his ugly secret from her was his only chance to enjoy her company a little longer. Once women found out about the disaster and its aftermath, they inevitably bailed.

Thanks for understanding.” She crossed the narrow room and sat beside him on the squeaky cot. Sandwiched between them, the dog thumped the mattress with his tail and laid his head on her lap, eyeing Addy with heart-melting adoration. She absently stroked his fur and stared off into the distance.

Most people wouldn’t thrive in this kind of isolation.” She nudged his shoulder with hers. “Do you?”

Ah, who’s asking questions now?” he teased.

Sorry, that was too personal, wasn’t it?” Her gaze dropped. “This is my week for asking hard questions, I guess. I find myself at a turning point, and there’s a lot I need to figure out pretty quickly.”

Like whether you enjoy isolation?”

Sort of. And whether I could thrive in a small town.”

Small like Bumfuck, or like Trappers Cove?”

Are they that different?”

Very much so.” He slapped his thighs and pushed to his feet. “Well, Ms. Mystery, are you ready to go up topside?”

Lead on, Lighthouse Keeper.”

At the top of the final staircase, Kieran opened the heavy metal door while Addy clipped the dog’s leash to his collar. “Heel, Snoot.”

Unlike many visitors, this beauty displayed not the least hesitation stepping onto the platform. And like the well-trained soldier he was, the dog glued himself to her side, calm despite the swooping seagulls overhead, and contented himself with sniffing the wind that lifted his mistress’s hair.

It was always interesting to see how people reacted to the view up here. Some plastered themselves to the sturdy wall, jaws tight, lips bloodless. Some giggled, made giddy by the height. Some winced at the wind’s power. But not secretive Addy. She rested her hands lightly on the railing and slowly scanned the horizon.

Wow,” she said at last, “I was about to turn back when Snoot tugged me toward this place. It’s…” She sighed through a misty smile. “What an amazing view. Makes me feel like I’m above it all, you know? All the petty day-to-day bullshit, the complications, the…” She trailed off, spread her arms wide, and closed her eyes. “The wind blows it all away.”

Kieran stepped up beside her, awed by how perfectly she expressed the comfort he felt up here. “It’s an excellent place to have a think.”

She gifted him a brilliant smile. “You’re a lucky man, Kieran Gallagher.”

I am today,” he agreed, drinking in the sight of her—jade eyes shining, dark hair whipping in the wind.

She tossed off a laugh. “Are you flirting with me, sir?”

Just a wee bit, ma’am. Do you mind?”

Her gaze held a playful twinkle. “I suppose not. What happens at the beach stays at the beach, right?”

About the Author

 

Author Image

Award-winning contemporary romance author Sadira Stone spins steamy, smoochy tales set in the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Her stories highlight found family, friendship, and the sizzling chemistry that pulls unlikely partners together. When she emerges from her writing cave in Las Vegas, Nevada (which she seldom does), she can be found shaking her hips in dance class, playing her guitar (badly, but getting better), exploring the Western U.S. with her charming husband, cooking up a storm, and gobbling all the romance books. For a guaranteed HEA (and no cliffhangers!) visit Sadira at https://sadirastone.com

Visit Sadira on All the Socials!

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