Sadie's Spotlight

February 16, 2022February 16, 2022

Spotlight: Ashes To Ink + Giveaway

Join us for this tour from Feb 1 to Feb 21, 2022!

Book Title: ASHES TO INK: A Memoir by Lisa Lucca
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 267 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: JuJu House Publishing
Release date: October 2021
Tour dates: Feb 1 to Feb 21, 2022
Content Rating: PG-13. There is some bad language (several f-words), sexual scenes (not explicit), and cigarette and marijuana smoking.

Book Description:

Acceptance struggles to emerge from a cocoon of family secrets . . .

After her parents’ divorce in 1974, Lisa Lucca’s idyllic Midwestern childhood is shattered when she learns her father is gay. Sworn to secrecy, she begins carrying the emotions of her family like a cracked bucket, making a mess as she embarks on a life of rebellious choices.

Decades later, faced with the aftermath of her father’s death, Lisa revisits the complicated relationship she had with him, delving deeper into the stories she’s held about love, sexuality, and the family she comes from with a shimmering clarity that arises from her grief.

A story of heartache and the power of forgiveness, Ashes to Ink shines a light on the challenges of living true to who we are, especially for single parents.

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indiebound ~ Target

Praise:

“Lisa Lucca weaves the past and present into a vividly written and important story with many layers: family secrets, fathers and daughters, love and sexuality, and at the core, forgiveness. What touched me most was the call to action to become the love of your own life. Read, learn, and become!” — Laura Munson, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats.

“In this raw and gripping memoir, Lisa Lucca has perfectly captured the unique ripple effects of life with a gay parent. With little representation in popular media, people who grow up with (or find out about) LGBTQ+ parents/caregivers are often left to wonder if there’s anyone else who really understands. Ashes to Ink is proof we are not alone, and that love truly does win.” — Jordan Budd, Executive Director of COLAGE, National LGBTQ+ family organization

“Fresh, warm, sassy, and smart… Lisa’s voice is a delight! I was enchanted by this book.” — Alexia La Fortune, Author of Sex, Love, and Spirit“Ashes to Ink

… a power punch of a book written by the glorious Lisa Lucca. Filled with rage and anger and sorrow and more unleashed anger…and much humor and love…human emotion in each chapter. Lisa’s memoir is all about LOVE, the wanting, the needing, the longing, the acceptance, the fear of love, the need for love. From a parent whose lifestyle flattens her to the seeking of love with men who challenge her (unconsciously) to finding the right one. This is a memoir about family – the down and dirty – about love, about searching… and forgiveness. This book is filled with so much truth, so many untamed feelings, so much rawness… a memoir that gives you ample time to hold your breath and exhale. Read it, devour it, allow yourself to creep into the uncomfortableness. Life is filled with discomfort and unease – Lisa gives us all the rare opportunity to see ourselves in the dazzling, and magnificent mirror she holds up for us.” — Amy Ferris, Marrying George Clooney, Confessions from a Midlife Crisis

Meet the Author:

Lisa Lucca’s work has been published in several publications and anthologies, most recently in Crone Rising. She is the co-author of the epistolary memoir, You Are Loved, with her partner, Mark Mathias, a love story she will continue telling in her next book.

She shares a home with Mark in the high desert of southern New Mexico where she continues her work as a life coach, and hosts a weekly public radio show, Live True, bringing insightful and engaging interviews to her listeners. The show streams globally at lccommunityradio.org where the shows are available in the archives.

website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodread

Tour Schedule:

Feb 1 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 2 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 2 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 3 – Olio by Marilyn – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 4 – Books are a Blessing – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 4 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Feb 7 – Lamon Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 8 – @booking.with.janelle – book spotlight
Feb 8 – @twilight_reader – book spotlight
Feb 9 – Jazzy Book Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 10 – Gold Dust Editing & Book Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 10 – Westveil Publishing – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 11 – fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 14 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – zoebooknotes – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – Sefina Hawke’s Books – book spotlight
Feb 16 – Sadie’s Spotlight – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 17 – Kam’s Place – book spotlight
Feb 18 – 411 ON BOOKS, AUTHORS, AND PUBLISHING NEWS – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 18 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / giveaway

Enter the Giveaway:

ASHES TO INK by Lisa Lucca Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

February 16, 2022February 16, 2022

Spotlight & Guest Post: The Magician + Giveaway

tales from the deck - tha magician - banner

The Magician

Tales From the Deck Book 1

by Shiloh Faustine Terrance

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Paranormal

A Tarot card reading propels a disheartened musician, Michael, into a vortex of arcane magic, esoterism and prophecies. Perplexed but intrigued by the mysterious Shiloh’s predictions, Michael abandons all reservations and follows Shiloh into the realms of her mysterious world. As Michael learns to embrace the powerful energies of the Magician, he plunges into the depths of his own mystery to become the architect of his destiny.

Goodreads * Amazon

talesfromthedeck - guest post

My Dear Reader

Your heart is strong and free, so follow its song wherever it leads you. Do not fear walking alone on this path for you are your greatest company.

The Magician, my first novel was inspired by the wisdom I have gathered over the years as I learned to dance with the energies of the Tarot. Together, we have leapt into passionate flamencos, sometimes slow burning tangos. But no matter the tempo or the dance, I have always felt inspired, humbled and filled with wonderment at the scope of this divine system. In its language, I have found a powerful ally for self-discovery. And, as I have navigated through tough times, like many of us have. When I needed to hold my heart and my head together to weather my storm, the Tarot has always guided me safely across the tumultuous waters of my life. It is a magical system after all, a system holding an ancient wisdom that transcends our blossoming understanding of consciousness.

At a time when the unequivocal rising of an enlightened consciousness is being manifested all around the world, in spite of the growing chaos, the Magician reminds each one of us that within ourselves, the power is alive.
Magic is all around you.

Shiloh

Shiloh Faustine Terrance grew up in a small town in the heart of the French Alps. It was there that she developed a lasting fascination for the Hermetic teachings and the ancient wisdom of the Tarot and the Kabbalah, an interest she has pursued to the present day. The Magician is the first novel from her Tales From The Deck series.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

February 16, 2022September 18, 2022

Spotlight & Excerpt: Veles + Giveaway

Welcome to the book tour for P.J. Marie’s Veles. Read on for details and a chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

Veles
Publication Date: December 23rd, 2021
Genre: Dystopian/ Dystopian Sci-Fi

I was the land. I was the air. I was the sea. I was all of it – everywhere – and as I inhaled then let the tormented sorrow screech from my lungs, the world buckled and broke beneath my feet.

I was burning alive…

And the world would burn with me.

A century after the Great Destruction that devastated civilization, Mizuki Altherr lives within a small village struggling to survive beneath the shadow of a great mountain. The Elders teach that it is home to Veles, god of the earth, who keeps them safe – but demands penance for humanity’s past indiscretions.

It’s a Gifting year…

The previous sacrifice tore Mizuki’s family apart and forever changed her world. Now she must face the terrible tradition again as her closest friend, Aiden, and his family are chosen to provide the next offering. In a desperate bid to end the cycle of violence and defy the Elders’ iron rule, Mizuki and Aiden set forth on a daring journey into the Wild – where together they discover a secret that shatters their understanding of the village and reveals the truth behind the horrors that left the world in ruin.

Add to Goodreads

Excerpt

“Don’t move.”

She froze at the sound of Aiden’s voice, her brain instantly making sense of everything surrounding them as all the pieces and memories from the last two days fell into place. She had fallen asleep in Aiden’s arms, but he had not woken her up for night watch, and now he was sitting rigidly behind her and gripping her tight. She blinked again, her eyes rapidly searching the small space under the overhang and peering out into the darkness that lay beyond their small shelter. Only the faintest hint of light was visible; the sky was dark, with a grey drizzle still lingering from the storm the night before. She instinctively knew that something was wrong from the tense way he was holding her, but no matter how hard she squinted, she couldn’t see anything.

“What is it?” Mizuki whispered, her voice so low it was scarcely audible as she forced herself to remain still against Aiden’s frame.

“I heard something,” Aiden whispered, his hand leaving her side and slowly shifting to point off to the left just outside the shelter. “There.”

She looked to where he pointed but again saw nothing. She could barely make out the nearest trees and the thin trail of smoke coming from the remains of their fire. So she craned her head forward and listened. She could hear the wind as it shifted through the trees, faint and weak compared to the force of the gales the night before. She could hear the slow drips of water that fell to the ground off the shelter and the soft patter of light rain that continued to fall, but what struck her more than anything was the lack of other sounds.

“No birds,” she whispered faintly, feeling Aiden nod behind her. They both remained seated and still, their breaths puffing like little clouds in the cool morning air. She had woken up enough times after a storm to know that the birds always sang, even if it continued to rain. She could feel her heart starting to race, her panic starting to grow as she swallowed hard and willed her eyes to see into the dark. “What do we do?”

“We need to pack up,” Aiden whispered, his hands moving once again as he unwrapped his arm from around her waist and gently leaned forward to reach his calf. “Quietly – but as quickly as you can. Take this.”

She could see from the bottom of her gaze that he was undoing one of his knife holsters and transferring it to her leg, but she kept her eyes firmly locked to the place where Aiden had heard the noise. She remained entirely still as he worked until she felt the leather pull tight, and Aiden patted her calf twice to let her know he was done. Then they both shifted, Aiden sliding back and silently crawling to the small hole where they had stored their packs while Mizuki tentatively stood and began taking down their damp but no longer drenched clothes. Her tired legs ached beneath her as she carefully rolled each item and handed it to Aiden, who had moved back to her side. He stuffed everything into his pack, not caring what was what and keeping his eyes fixed on the darkness as the wind shuffled through the trees.

Her skin started to prickle with the distinct feeling of being watched as she slipped on her pack and glanced over to Aiden. He already had his pack on, and he was holding his bow ready with an arrow nocked. He glanced at her, his eyes gesturing down to the knife on her leg before he looked back out into the dark, grey drizzle. She reached down and took out the knife without question and tried not to think about how much it shook in her hand. She had to remind herself to breathe as Aiden shifted and motioned for her to follow. She held the blade near her hip, moving toward him and standing so close next to his side that there was barely an inch of space between them.

She followed him out from their cover, inching soundlessly to the edge of the overhang as her eyes rapidly scanned the darkness for movement. They had just stepped out into the misty rain when suddenly Aiden was shouting, and her heart was constricting in terror.

“GET BEHIND ME!” Aiden yelled, unleashing his arrow at the dark and silent form that lunged from the treeline on the left.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Engineer by trade, P. J. Marie has always been a storyteller at heart. Inspired by the captivating tales that her Ukrainian grandfather used to tell about settling the Canadian prairies, P. J. has always looked at life through a narrative lens.

An avid creator, P. J. loves the design process from start to finish and is always working on projects that meld the structured world of engineering with her creative passions. Whether through world-building, crafting cosplays, or building custom bookshelves for her ever-growing collection of novels, manga, and terrible monster movies, P. J. is always working on something.

In her spare time, she enjoys collecting new skills, drinking copious amounts of tea, and spending time with her family and adorable doggo.

P.J. Marie | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

International Giveaway:

$20 USD Amazon e-Gift Card!
a Rafflecopter giveaway