Book Watch: HIS KILT DROPPED HERE by Kathleen Shaputis #bookwatch

 Rogue Bruce enjoys running a Scottish bed-and-breakfast with her Aunt Baillie from America. They specialize in hosting romantic Elizabethan-themed weddings, complete with resident ghost, Lord Kai. But love is something Rogue is not the least bit interested in…

By Kathleen Shaputis

Title: HIS KILT DROPPED HERE: A MAGICAL REALISM SCOTTISH ROMANCE
Author: Kathleen Shaputis
Publisher: Clutter Fairy Publishing
Pages: 170
Genre: Magic Realism Scottish Romance

Rogue Bruce enjoys running a Scottish castle turned bed-and-breakfast with her Aunt Baillie from America. They specialize in hosting romantic Elizabethan-themed weddings, complete with resident ghost, Lord Kai. But love is something Rogue is not the least bit interested in. Content with her work, she requires no male accompaniment for happiness.

A new delivery service brings Bruce MacKenzie, a Thor look-alike in plaid and denim, fetching more than the usual number of groceries from town, while Jonathan Olson, a snobbish, dark, Rhett Butler type, arrives at the castle to administer a writing seminar for aspiring authors. With two men after the heart she’d thought safely locked away, Rogue is flattered and confused. But when things start to take a sinister turn, danger befalls Rogue and those dear to her. The musical soundtrack of Rogue’s life flares from complacent, to dizzyingly romantic, to heart-thumping scary in this sizzling triangle.

 

Tucking her feet under her skirts, Rogue noticed a delicious waft of sugar and cinnamon in the air before a stuttered clink of china announced someone bringing a tea tray toward her. Good lord. It was Bruce. She straightened herself suddenly, undecided on where to put her hands. Of all the sneaky tricks Putney could pull, sending the hot delivery guy in with tea was a bit much. Hiding a smile behind her hand, she watched the young man strain to keep everything balanced. A twinge of pain in her side from masking the laughter sobered her. She took a deep breath.

“A wee different from carrying a box of groceries?” Rogue patted the carved wooden table in front of her. “I’m sure a lady would have no trouble handling a tea tray herself now, would she?”

Stray blond strands hung down over his emerald eyes as he focused on getting the tray to the table without spilling, but Rogue noticed a tension in his lips. Served him right, being all chauvinist before.

“I see Putney has been playing matchmaker again.” Her voice clipped sharply on the last word. “Thank you for coddling the old woman’s visions.”

His face flushed; he squinted his eyes and had difficulty swallowing. 

Amazon → https://amzn.to/3oSL72D 

Kathleen Shaputis, author/ghostwriter, lives in the glorious Pacific Northwest with her husband, Bob, a clowder of cats, two pompously protective Pomeranians with little social aptitude, Brugh and Miss Jazzy, and an overgrown adolescent blue tick coon hound, Juno.

If not writing during her lifestyle in an acre of forest, she keeps busy reading from her never-ending, to-be-read pile and watching romantic comedies. Her hygge in the woods.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA

Website:  http://www.kathleenshaputis.com

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/NWAuthor

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/KathleenShaputisAuthor

HER GHOST WEARS KILTS

THEIR WITCH WEARS PLAID

SORRY, YOU CAN’T ENTER HEAVEN

THE CROWDED NEST SYNDROME

CHANGES IN ATTITUDE

50 FABULOUS PLACES TO RAISE YOUR FAMILY

Book Watch: ORANGE CITY by Lee Matthew Goldberg #bookwatch

1984 meets LOST in this Sci-Fi/Dystopian nightmare…

By Lee Matthew Goldberg

Title: ORANGE CITY
Author: Lee Matthew Goldberg
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Pages: 259
Genre: Sci-fi / Dystopian

BOOK BLURB:

Imagine a secret, hidden City that gives a second chance at life for those selected to come: felons, deformed outcasts, those on the fringe of the Outside World. Everyone gets a job, a place to live; but you are bound to the City forever. You can never leave. 

Its citizens are ruled by a monstrous figure called the "Man" who resembles a giant demented spider from the lifelike robotic limbs attached to his body. Everyone follows the Man blindly, working hard to make their Promised Land stronger, too scared to defy him and be discarded to the Empty Zones. 

After ten years as an advertising executive, Graham Weatherend receives an order to test a new client, Pow Sodas. After one sip of the orange flavor, he becomes addicted, the sodas causing wild mood swings that finally wake him up to the prison he calls reality.

A dynamic mash-up of 1984 meets LOST, Orange City is a lurid, dystopian first book in a series that will continue with the explosive sequel Lemonworld.

"In his compelling novel, ORANGE CITY, novelist LEE MATTHEW GOLDBERG, has crafted a unique dystopian thriller that manages to reveal our greatest fears about emerging technology and our anxieties at what the future holds." - Raymond A. Villareal, Author of A People's History of the Vampire Uprising.

“Lee Matthew Goldberg's brutal, fast-paced thriller is a compelling reminder of how our society is always a few small steps away from a dystopia." -- Robert Repino, Author of Mort(e) and the "War with No Name" series.

"An ambitious dystopian series debut, this hair-raising science fiction novel is perfect for fans of layered conspiracies, altered realities, and eerie dystopias."-- Publishers Weekly, BookLife.

"Imagine Man in the High Tower (with a Stalin slant) mixed with Terry Gilliam's Brazil and Max Barry's Syrup. That's pretty much what Mr. Goldberg deftly delivers in Orange City." -- 23rd Legion 

 

At six on the dot, the gloved cellular let out a piercing ring. A timer turned on, ticking down with each buzz. E wouldn’t have long to remain idle. The entire pod apartment vibrated, and his capsule bed slid open. The white ceiling drew his attention, the walls devoid of color, a minimalist’s fantasy—nothing like a home.

Shades of the dream from last night still lingered. His knuckles painted with blood as he beat a shadow. The voice of the shadow belonging to a ten-year-old boy. The boy’s cries stabbing E’s ears. He shook that dream away.

He removed the intravenous tube that connected him to his bed and switched off the cooling mist which allowed him to slumber for days. He stretched his old bones, his hair standing up in a state of white shock like it had since he was a young man. Swinging his thick legs over the side of the bed, he yawned at the morning before finally answering his cell.

“I’ll be right there,” he coughed into the digital eye on his gloved palm.

He removed the glove and pushed a button on the side of the bed. Doors opening along the wall revealed a sliver of a kitchen with a piping pot of subpar and gritty coffee brewing on the counter— the best offered to the Scouts— and two sizzling poached eggs from a suspect source. He scarfed down the eggs and pushed another button to raise the shades along the lone wall facing east. The heart of The City hovered in the near distance, its new buildings staggering on one end like giant colorful stalagmites. Sipping his black coffee, he watched it in motion as he did every morning.

Between the Scouts and the rest of The City lay a half a mile of ice water. The City was made up of many Regions, his situated on the outskirts. Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to fall into those frosty waters and drift off to wherever it might choose to take him, no longer having to shuttle between The City and the faraway Outside World anymore. But instead of a dramatic suicide, he suited up and headed through the tunnel with a suitcase in hand like he had for twenty years. He’d convinced himself long ago that living here was better than rotting in prison like he would’ve been if they hadn’t selected him. At least he was still able to get lost in a bottle of whiskey or feel the sun against his cheek during the few instances it was allowed to peek through the chronic clouds. Even though The City was far from ideal, the Outside World remained definitely worse. It reminded him too often of the man he used to be and of the terrible sins he’d committed. These thoughts returned at the beginning of every week while he geared up for another one, as he wondered if one day the Man in the Eye might give him a promotion and he wouldn’t have to be a Scout anymore.

That way, he’d never have to return to the Outside World.

Then, he could possibly be at peace, like all The City’s inhabitants wished.

 

Amazon → https://amzn.to/2MX29i8  

BookShop.org → https://bit.ly/36MnAcI   

Check out my book at Goodreads!

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of the novels THE ANCESTOR, THE MENTOR, THE DESIRE CARD and SLOW DOWN. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the Prix du Polar. His first YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN is forthcoming in 2021 along with a sci-fi novel ORANGE CITY. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others. He is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Fringe, dedicated to publishing fiction that’s outside-of-the-box. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City.

Website: http://www.leematthewgoldberg.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/LeeMatthewG

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

THE MENTOR

SLOW DOWN

THE ANCESTOR

MORE…

Character Q&A: Anonymous of Fenyx Blue's BATTLE OF THE BULLIES

It's Character Interview Day! 

Today's guest is Anonymous from inside the pages of BATTLE OF THE BULLIES by Fenyx Blue.  It is a pleasure to have her/him with us at The Literary Nook!

What is your name? I can’t tell you...I am anonymous in the book.

What do you look like? Where are you today and what are you doing? I am doing research on the Robertson triplets to see if they have any weaknesses.  I’ve been trying to collect dirt on them that I can spread on social media.

Describe the outside of your home.  I have a beautiful view of the Chicago skyline from my home.  Most of my neighbors have dogs.  You can see everything from bulldogs and poodles to labradors and shih tzus if you decide to walk the busy streets on your way to the lake. 

You come face to face with your worst enemy. How do you react?  I come in contact with my worst enemies daily, but I smile since they don’t know I am secretly bullying them.  It brings me joy to know that they are clueless to who is tormenting them.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?  I am a morning person.  I am the first to arrive at school.  I love school.  I often beat the teachers and the administration to the building. 

A police officer stops you for a minor violation. What violation is that and how do you react?  I would never be stopped by the police because I don’t get caught.  No one would ever suspect me of committing a crime.

What is your favorite piece of clothing? I enjoy leggings because I like to be comfortable at school.  They allow me to be in many places quickly and discreetly.  Plus, Everyone at school is wearing them right now so I like to fit in with the trends.

Do you have any phobias? What are they and how intense are they? How have they impacted your life?  My only fear would be someone discovering my only fear.  I know other people’s phobias.  I pride myself on making sure that no one knows my fears.  Even those people who believe they know me.

Open your wallet, purse, or briefcase. What do you find? I have a list in my purse of my current targets, but now that you have asked that question, I will remove that piece of evidence against me and my fellow bullies.  What was I thinking?

You move into a new home. What's the first thing you buy for it? A safe because I have a few secrets that no one can know.  I have documents and valuables that can never get into the wrong hands.

How would your parents describe you? My parents would not have time to describe me.  They are very busy, successful, perfect parents.

Who is your best friend?  People misuse those words.  I would say I have associates and partners.  The best one is the most useful one at that time.

Are you faith-oriented?  Nope. 

Are you married or in a relationship?  I don’t have time for a relationship.  I am on my way to college soon.  Who has time for grades, activities, work, and bullying if you have to worry about dating someone?

Where is your favorite hangout? Home.  I can reach anyone through my phone, and I do most of that from home or school.  A phone can link you to anyone in the world.  I love how easy it is to reach anyone and to reach them anonymously.

You are at the zoo. What is your favorite animal? The lion is my favorite animal because it rules the jungle.  Animals rarely dare to challenge the lion.  They know their place.  I guess if they all joined together they could conquer the lion, but like real life, they don’t do that.

You just woke up to find that war has been declared. What’s the first thing you would do? Celebrate.  My side will win.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I was naive as a child so I wanted to be a doctor and save lives.

If there was one thing you could change about yourself, what would that be? Nothing.  I am flawless.  You can’t improve perfection.  I have receipts to prove that I am #1.

 

About the Book   

Ebony, Eris, and Emani Robertson have been through so much more than most high school freshmen. When they were younger, they survived a school shooting that killed their friend and left their oldest sister unable to speak. After giving homeschooling a try, they enroll in a promising new academy, hoping for the best.

The Robertson triplets soon discover, however, that their new classmates are anything but kind. A mysterious group of bullies known as the Dimes rules the hallways and spreads fear everywhere they go. All three sisters end up being targets of the gang and have to find a way to defend themselves. Can they bring down the Dimes while trying to make it through the ninth grade?

 

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About the Author 

Bold, Loving, Unapologetic, and Evolving are words to describe Fenyx Blue.

Ms. Blue is an author, Youtuber (FENYX BLUE INK), speaker, ministry leader, mentor, instructional coach  and her school district’s former “Those Who Excel” Teacher of the Year.

Ms. Blue is a soldier in the Blue Fenyx movement encouraging every phoenix in the world to rise up.  Blue’s mission is to inspire, motivate and educate.  Blue speaks to audiences about their purpose and power and works to coach other authors through their journey to become published. Her novels are tools for teachers while being candy for students.

Fenyx Blue has penned four books in her poetic collection in which she shares true life tales and lessons:  Her first Young Adult novel entitled Who Failed Johnny? (Book 1 of The Triplet Trilogy), second YA novel Battle of the Bullies, a Children’s book called Worth the Weight: A Rare Gem, and a Poetry Book by the name of The Blue Ink Movement. With the help of her extended family and friends network, her self-published books will touch many lives this year.   Fenyx wants to paint the whole world BLUE.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website: https://fenyxblueink.wixsite.com/website

Twitter: @FenyxBlueInk

Facebook: Fenyx Blue Ink: Blue Writers Block https://www.facebook.com/fenyxblueink/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/fenyxblueink

 

Other Books by Fenyx Blue

The Blue Ink Movement

Worth the Weight: A Rare Jem

Who Failed Johnny?