Wednesday, August 31, 2022

 

A Light Beam for Faith : The Making of A Restorer by Author Name
 GENRE: Science Fiction 





 BLURB: She's not waiting for a hero to come save her; instead, she becomes her own heroine. Hazel's world comes crashing in front of her in an instant during a family trip to Mont-Tremblant. What she doesn't know is that she is from the stars, and so it's no wonder she must return in order to find the answers she seeks. She embarks on a trek aboard the Imperial Bona Fides, the mothership of the Alpha Cygnians people. With the help of her best friend Zita, and the others she will meet along the way, she will journey to places she never knew existed. Hazel will learn to tame her fears and become the woman she wants to be. This is the story of different worlds that must learn to co-exist. They must all put their differences aside, and with a bit of faith they will all witness a new dawn. We are all compelled to be inspired when faith is with us. This story is for anyone who enjoys what we look for when we wish to get away in a sci-fi fantasy book. You will live vicariously through the energetic characters as they go on through their incredible first trek. There is a sense of youthfulness and coming of age in this story that makes it a great read and appealing to a wide audience with the implemented strong characters and exciting action. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ EXCERPTS (Please choose only ONE to use with your post): Excerpt One: We opened a door at the bottom of the stairs and arrived outside where a completely unexpected scenery awaited us. We rubbed our eyes with disbelief and were stunned to see a large spaceship that was almost see-through, as if it were trying to be translucent and there were weird glyphs written on it. Somehow, no one else were around to witness this spectacle. There were three women dressed in clothes fashioned in a way we aren’t accustomed to seeing here on Earth. They wore grey, black, and dark purple one-piece suits, and their boots had flashing lights on them. Their hair was black and pulled slick back inside their hoods. One had dreadlocks sticking out of a hole at the back of her hood. Their faces were ornated with a style of makeup that we would consider different here on Earth. They had different skin tones, ranging from dark to very light brown. They were strong, robust like men, and were doing some type of mind control on the twins. The scariest one of them had eyes coloured purple and orange as she was emitting her powers, rushing the twins to enter the spaceship. She seemed like she was the strongest of the two. The other one was holding a device that was emitting waves that were pulling the girls toward them. The girls seemed like they were putting a little effort in fighting what was happening to them, but eventually they gave in. Mom was running with all her might toward the UFO and screaming: “Please don’t take my children! Stop it! Those are my girls! Help! Help! Someone please help us!”. Excerpt Two: The plan was that Dad would be coming to Earth to meet us in three days exactly. The coordinates he gave me were outside the city in a field off Highway 416 West. I had to gather myself and be a big girl because this situation was becoming unbelievable. Zita looked at me and started to cry with happiness. Oh yeah, she is an ugly crier, too. It was almost like she could not contain all her emotions, and she let them out like an avalanche. I said to her jokingly, “How can such a gorgeous girl like you have such an ugly cry?!” She hugged me and held me tight for a minute. “Thank you, Zita. I love you. Thank you for being my friend and not abandoning me,” I said to her. She replied to me with a big kiss on the cheek: “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, but here with you,” she said. She was truly a gift in my life; a sister I chose myself. I didn’t know where to begin, but I knew that if we had any chance at fixing this ordeal, my dad was our single hope. We had two days to prepare ourselves for whatever was to come. We continued to live life as usual and remained lowkey and avoided interacting with the neighbors. We parked the car inside the garage to avoid attention. Of course, my aunt would have questions if she suspected our presence so we avoided her as well, but by then, Dad would have arrived. Dad had given me a list of things to bring with me and told me how to handle myself. I had no choice but to follow his orders. Excerpt Three: ZITA AND I LOOKED AT THE EARTH for one last time as we were at the edge of our home, the only solar system we had ever known. We looked back at her because we were leaving and didn’t know when we would see her again. We had embarked on our first trek. We travelled passed the shiny moon, the other planets, then came the asteroid belt, and then; on our way we were. Humanity had taken the first big step into outer space with Yuri Gagarin on April 12, 1961. Then Neil Armstrong and his team walked on the moon in 1969. No known record exists of a person from Earth having achieved space travel with such depth into space as that achieved by the Alpha Cygnians or Alnitaians and other civilizations alike. Humanity had tried in vain to reach out to the rest of the universe, but it seemed now that they were being ignored by most. With the help of such projects like SETI (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence), The Green Bank formula, the Drake equation, and the Kepler Space telescope, the official word was that we had yet to hear back from anyone. But that was not true. The Alpha Cygnians, and others responded. It’s just that the government had kept it to themselves. We had come a long way in our search for alien life in the universe, but as far as the regular joes were concerned, nothing had been discovered yet. The truth is that they found us many times, but most kept going with their voyage once they came by to visit and examine planet Earth up close. They visited to monitor and assess Earth’s nuclear technological advancements, and in case of catastrophe they would maybe help. That is when alien spaceships became more visible in Earth’s skies —when we began to advance more in nuclear technology. We were that uninteresting to the other alien civilizations out there prior to that. In fact, there are perhaps millions of Earth-like planets in the Milky Way alone. It only makes sense that we were hoping that there was life out there. Life was found in meteors travelling through our Milky Way, so the hope was high. It wasn’t we that found life in the immensity of space; rather, life out there found us. We were experiencing something that we have never heard of before. We thought that by now we would have been coexisting with various alien species on Earth, but it’s the opposite. They seemed to not want to have anything to do with us, until now that the Alnitaians are kidnapping children of Earth. 
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                                                                       REVIEW
This story takes place in 2334. The government has secrets Alien secrets and is keeping a tight lid on things. Two planets that are rivals wanting control and power. Only to start a war and ends in light.
The story has amazing characters such as Hazel.
Her whole world was turned upside down on a family trip. She watches her mother get injected and her sisters abducted. She was such a strong person and a fighter. This was one interesting and thrilling story that will take you on one wild journey.

 AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

E.K. Highland is a Haitian-Canadian first-time author who enjoys sci-fi and fantasy stories. The problem is, she wants to see more diversity in those genres. While growing up in Ottawa, Canada, she felt that books and television lacked representation of more Black characters.

 

Now she wants more characters who resemble her likeness as a Black woman in the science fiction and fantasy genre, as there are increasingly more Black authors who are writing science fiction and including characters of different color and ethnicity.

 

 After attending the University of Ottawa in hopes of understanding English literature better, she decided to finally write her own sci-fi fantasy novel. And, you guessed it, the lead character resembles her because representation matters.

 

CONNECT WITH E.K. Highland

 

WEBSITE - E.K. Highland (ekhighland.com)

 

FACEBOOK - E. K. Highland Author | Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/EKHighlandAuthor/

 

INSTAGRAM - E. K. Highland (@e.k.highland_author) • Instagram photos and videos - https://www.instagram.com/e.k.highland_author/

 

TWITTER - E.K. Highland (@ek_highland1) / Twitter - https://twitter.com/ek_highland1

 

TIKTOK - EK Highland (@ekhighlandauthor) TikTok | Watch EK Highland's Newest TikTok Videos - https://www.tiktok.com/@ekhighlandauthor

 

GOODREADS - E.K. Highland (Author of A Light Beam for Faith) | Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22326168.E_K_Highland






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Sunday, August 21, 2022

Release Date: August 16


From USA Today best-selling authors W Winters and Amelia Wilde comes a sinful romance with a touch of dark and angst that will keep you gripping the edge of your seat. 

I should have known when I couldn’t keep my eyes off her that this would be a mistake.

I was hired to protect her, this woman who’s lost everything yet there’s an obvious fire that blazes behind her beautiful gaze. She stares back, daring and tempting me. It calls to a side of me that’s darker and longs to tame her.

We both have secrets, we both have a past we’re not ready to face. More than that, we both want to get lost in each other, falling into a forbidden game of control and power. Of submission and dominance.

The moment she agrees to my terms, I know I’ve crossed a line. One of many rules I’m willing to break. No one can know, not a soul, but secrets in the life I lead never last for long.

"From beginning to end my eyes were glued to the pages, the words took ahold of me and wouldn't let go. These authors put together something that is suspenseful, emotionally charged, passionate, mildly dark... and so easy to get wrapped up in." - Misty, (Reds Romance Reviews)

Secrets & Submissions is the complete Love the Way You trilogy in one. One couple and one happily ever after

REVIEW 
Such a great collection and amazing writing duo:

Kiss me- Ella & Zander...
Zander works at "The Firm" with his brother. The Firm is a private security service for high profile clients.
Ella is released into their custody from a psychiatric clinic. Zander must keep her safe since she is a danger to herself. She needs time to heal & recover in order to find out what happened to her.
He has only one problem, he is attracted to her and can't stop imagining what he wants to do to her. Can he keep her safe and will he be able to not cross the line.

Ella although she is going through something and is weak, yet she is strong as well. Zander is the right man to protect and help her and I thought these two really complimented one another. The story was complex, filled with drama, and some pretty intense moments. Loved this one!

Hold Me- Zander & Ella...

Zander is let go from The Firm because of the inappropriate relationship with Ella.
Poor Ella she has some issues and she is attracted Zander. Zander is the perfect man for Ella and helps her heal and discover what she wants. Their story was exciting with some twist and turns and secrets. This was one amazing story that really is full of emotions and intensity. Loved this one!

Love Me- Ella & Zander
These two pick up right from where they left off in the last story and it was incredible. Ella's past creeps up on her and how is Zander going to handle it all. Their story was filled with drama, excitement, intensity and passion . Never a dull moment. Look forward to more from the author!

Grab Your Copy Here!
Meet W. Winters


I started writing after having my little girl, Evie, December of 2015. All during my pregnancy with her I read. I only wanted to read romance novels and I read everything I could get my hands on. I would read a book a day — sometimes two. In January I was staying up late with her and just thinking of all these stories. They came to me constantly. I finally sat down and just started writing. I always wanted to do it so I figured, why not?

I never thought I would reach this point of success to be honest. It’s insane to me that I have connected with so many readers. 


And I love each and every one of them for all of their support. I’ll be honest, some days are HARD. I have my littles during the day and I write at night. Some days are just simply exhausting and then I hear from a reader and it motivates me to push through and keep writing.  I couldn’t be more grateful for this wonderful career.


To learn more about W. Winters and her books, visit here!

Meet Amelia Wilde


Amelia Wilde is a USA TODAY bestselling author of steamy contemporary romance and loves it a little too much. 

She lives in Michigan with her husband and daughters. 

She spends most of her time typing furiously on an iPad and appreciating the natural splendor of her home state from where she likes it best: inside.


To learn more about Amelia Wilde and her books, visit here



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Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Release Date: October 25

From Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author M. Robinson comes a friends to lovers, enemies to lovers second chance standalone romance.

 

You never forget your first love…

 

And I hadn’t. 

Not her kiss. 

Not her touch.

 

Or the way she looked at me when I told her I had to go.

 

We were friends once. 

Best friends. 

Until being lovers made us enemies. 

 

The timing had never been right— but I’d been waiting all this time to prove her wrong. 

 

That time is now.

Now she’s mine… 

 

In this office I’m in charge, and I’m going to show her just how bossy I can be.


Pre-Order Your Copy Here!

Add to your Goodreads TBR List!

Meet M. Robinson

M. Robinson is the Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author crowned as the "Queen of Angst" by readers around the world. 

Dive into her visionary world that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and leave you wanting more. 

She writes everything from contemporary to suspense romance and is best known for her novel, El Diablo.

When M isn't in the cave writing her next epic love story, you will find her shopping and living on a boat in Florida with her real life pirate, her lobster, her husband Bossman. Sipping on Starbucks and hanging out with their two dogs, a German shepherd mix and a gordito Wheaten Terrier reading a good book. Or spending time with her family, who she is extremely close with.

Above all, M loves her readers more than anything and loves to connect with them! She is on all social media platforms but you will find her in her happy place the most. Her VIP Reader Group on Facebook or her second favorite happy place, Instagram.

Connect with M. Robinson
Website |Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube Channel 
Reader Group | TikTok

Hosted By:

Sunday, August 14, 2022


The Seraphim's Song

by Barbara Casey

 

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GENRE: Fiction/Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

When a powerful ancient artifact – a key - falls into the wrong hands and disaster begins to strike around the globe, the F.I.G.s must find the artifact and return it to its rightful home.  With odds stacked against them, and only their unique intellectual gifts to rely on, they are in a race against time to save the world.

 

Join the F.I.G.s - females of intellectual genius - as they solve mysteries of historic and universal proportions.  Dara Roux with her mastery of foreign, ancient, and obsolete languages; Mackenzie Yarborough with her ability to solve complicated math formulations; and Jennifer Torres with her talents in musical composition and painting are all recent graduates of Wood Rose Orphanage and Academy for Young Women.  As the F.I.G.s embark on their own personal journeys, their bond with each other becomes unbreakable in the knowledge that Wood Rose will always be their home.  Included in that bond is Carolina Lovell, the young teacher with a gypsy heritage who was tasked with supervising the F.I.G.s their senior year at Wood Rose. Because of her love and understanding, she will always be like a big sister to the three girls. 

 

As the F.I.G.s travel to different countries around the world exploring some of history’s greatest mysteries, they begin to understand the reason for their uniqueness, accept why they are so different, and learn how to use their intellectual genius in this world and beyond.

 


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 Excerpt:

As she usually did in the early, pre-dawn hours, Lyuba was digging roots, in the dark of the crescent moon, and every so often replanting a good piece of a root to grow next year.  The day before she had picked herbs, during that time when the essential oils are at their strongest, before they could get evaporated by the midday sun.  Where she searched was her favorite place, the place where the energies were strongest.  Surprisingly, it was the old church graveyard built on a slight mound just outside of the rural Italian village of Frascati, which is why the other gypsy women stayed away.  Unlike Lyuba, they feared being so near the dead. They believed that being near death would hasten their own, therefore they refused to go there. Lyuba, however, saw death as the natural and necessary progression of life, in another form, in a different dimension. She found comfort and solace in its nearness.

 

A creek ran nearby, and a tall, unkempt yew tree grew near the entrance to the graveyard, poisonous, but giving off positive energies.  It was a place Lyuba knew well, having discovered it from earlier times when the travelers came this way. It was there where she found peace.

 

She would prepare her potions from the roots, bark, and hard seeds she gathered and make decoctions by soaking them overnight and boiling them the next day.  Some of the decoctions she would add honey or sugar to; others she would thicken into syrup or add lard to make ointments and salves.  The freshest herbs she saved for her oils.

 

Once her potions were ready, she would take them into the village to sell.  Coughs or colds, rheumatism, cuts and bruises, burns—it didn't matter.  She knew what remedy was necessary to relieve pain, create lustrous hair, revive the impotent, whiten teeth, cure constipation, or simply heal the broken spirit.  Unlike others who only pretended, she had the gift.

 

As she scraped pieces of root and bark, and gently picked the seeds from the plants she revered, she suddenly paused, aware of something different in the air around her—an unseen potent force. She stood up and, closing her eyes, listened quietly as she sniffed the air. There was an unfamiliar strangeness surrounding her. She felt the slight tremor of the earth and somewhere very far away, she heard the low-pitched hum.

 

It was a sound she knew well for it had been given to every civilization from the beginning of time. Used in all of the major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Zoroastrianism and Christianity—it was the sacred universal sound.  A single sustained note, a mantra, it was the melody of the angel that acted as the means of communication between the gods in the heavens and the humans on earth. It was the seraphim’s song.

 

But something was wrong; the single note was slightly off-key. The pitch wasn’t quite right. Then, because she was a choovihni and had the knowledge of the universe coursing through her veins, a cosmic consciousness that had been passed down to her from her mother, her grandmother, and her great grandmothers through all time, she sensed darkness and evil.

 ~~~






REVIEW


This story is a standalone story you don't have to read any others, but I would recommend it. The author really did the work and took her time with research for this one. The history alone in the story I found so exciting and interesting. Caroline was a great and strong character. I found this one to be exciting, intense, page turner with mysteries all around. I strongly suggest if you are looking for something amazing then this story is for you!


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Originally from Carrollton, Illinois, author/agent/publisher Barbara Casey attended the University of North Carolina, N.C. State University, and N.C. Wesleyan College where she received a BA degree, summa cum laude, with a double major in English and history.  In 1978 she left her position as Director of Public Relations and Vice President of Development at North Carolina Wesleyan College to write full time and develop her own manuscript evaluation and editorial service.  In 1995 she established the Barbara Casey Agency and since that time has represented authors from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Japan. In 2014, she became a partner with Strategic Media Books, an independent nonfiction publisher of true crime, where she oversees acquisitions, day-to-day operations, and book production.

 

Barbara has written over a dozen award-winning books of fiction and nonfiction for both young adults and adults. The awards include the National Association of University Women Literary Award, the Sir Walter Raleigh Literary Award, the Independent Publisher Book Award, the Dana Award for Outstanding Novel, the IP Best Book for Regional Fiction, among others. Several of her books have been optioned for major films and television.

 

 

Her award-winning articles, short stories, and poetry for adults have appeared in both national and international publications including the North Carolina Christian Advocate Magazine, The New East Magazine, the Raleigh (N.C.) News and Observer, the Rocky Mount (N.C.) Sunday Telegram, Dog Fancy, ByLine, The Christian Record, Skirt! Magazine, and True Story.  A thirty-minute television special which Barbara wrote and coordinated was broadcast on WRAL, Channel 5, in Raleigh, North Carolina.  She also received special recognition for her editorial work on the English translations of Albanian children’s stories. Her award-winning science fiction short stories for adults are featured in The Cosmic Unicorn and CrossTime science fiction anthologies.  Barbara’s essays and other works appear in The Chrysalis Reader, the international literary journal of the Swedenborg Foundation, 221 One-Minute Monologues from Literature (Smith and Kraus Publishers), and A Cup of Comfort (Adams Media Corporation).

 

 

Barbara is a former director of BookFest of the Palm Beaches, Florida, where she served as guest author and panelist.  She has served as judge for the Pathfinder Literary Awards in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida, and was the Florida Regional Advisor for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators from 1991 through 2003.  In 2018 Barbara received the prestigious Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award and Top Professional Award for her extensive experience and notable accomplishments in the field of publishing and other areas. She makes her home on the top of a mountain in northwest Georgia with three cats who adopted her, Homer – a Southern coon cat, Reese – a black cat, and Earl Gray – a gray cat and Reese’s best friend.

 

www.barbaracaseyauthor.com   

www.barbaracaseyagency.com

https://www.amazon.com/Seraphims-F-I-G-Mysteries-Barbara-Casey/dp/1942314841  

 

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Thursday, August 11, 2022


 



BRINGING UP MOTHER

by Beverley Johnson

 

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GENRE:  Religious Memoir

 

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BLURB:

 

Beverley learns about God in Kindergarten and invites Him to come to Jamaica and give her her own Bible story. She goes home each day and waits at her gate for Him to show up. Will He show up, and will she be ready for her story if and when He does?

 

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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT

 

My experiences—frightful, terrifying, confusing, and, ultimately, joyous and wonderful—brought me along the road to the Truth. All the pieces of my life were coming together to reveal a most beautiful picture. The Holy Spirit was the glue that connected all the pieces.

 

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you” (John 14:26; 16:13 NLT). Bit by bit, pieces of memory started coming back to me and began to knit together. The puzzle that was my life began to make sense to me. Knowing for sure that God was involved in the burnings, or the “fire shut up in my bones,” as Ezekiel so aptly described his burnings, answered many questions but also raised a few unanswered ones.

 

I used to say that if I ever truly had God’s attention, I would ask Him a whole lot of questions about why my life and the world in general were so messed up. Yet, when I stood in His presence, I could only savour the peace and beauty of His world. I asked myself, why, of all the questions God could’ve asked me, did He ask how I liked His world? Then I recalled myself as a little girl constantly complaining, sometimes stomping my feet and yelling, “God, I hate this stinking world.”

 

A smile spread across my face as I remembered sitting on the verandah at Top Yard one night, literally crying, “God, I hate this stinking world. I don’t care if I sound like a weakling, but I’ve just about had enough with the people down here. The adults are always yelling at me, and the children call me all kinds of names because I’m so skinny.”

 

I looked up to Heaven with tears running down my face. My tears seemed to cause a moonbeam to connect to me. I held on to the moonbeam for as long as I could, saying, “God, I know it’s hard for you to spot me in this crowd of people on Earth, so please follow this moonbeam and find me, because I don’t like it here. I don’t like this world.”

 

I was thinking that just as the Jamaica Public Service company went around changing the light bulbs on the streetlights, God must also, from time to time, check on the moon to see if its bulb had gone out and needed to be replaced with a new one. I hoped, with all my heart, that He was checking on the moon that night. “See my moonbeam, and follow it to me,” I prayed. That’s why I used the tears in my eyes to hold on to the moonbeam for as long as I could, asking God to please, please, follow the moonbeam and come help me.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Beverley was born and raised in the rural parish of Clarendon, Jamaica, where she attended the Content United Brethren Church and its Basic (Kindergarten) school, better known as Sister Betty's school. Growing up, she attended York Town Primary and Denbigh Junior Secondary school, now Denbigh High School. She migrated to Toronto, Canada, as a young adult. A graduate of the University of Toronto and OISE, she is an Elementary teacher by profession, and also a Sunday school teacher. She enjoys reading, writing, travelling and working with children.

 

 

CONNECT WITH Beverley Johnson

 

WEBSITE - Beverley Johnson – Author

 

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/Beverley-Johnson-Author-112083488170185

 

GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22483917.Beverley_Johnson

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS Bringing Up Mother                  

 

AMAZON.COM - https://amazon.com/dp/022886853X

 

AMAZON.CA - https://amazon.ca/dp/022886853X

 

AMAZON KINDLE - https://amazon.com/dp/B09XZ6S1RF

 

INDIGO CHAPTERS - https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/bringing-up-mother/9780228868514-item.html

 

BARNES & NOBLE - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bringing-up-mother-beverley-johnson/1141360581

 

BOOK DEPOSITORY - https://www.bookdepository.com/Bringing-up-Mother-Beverley-Johnson/9780228868538

 

APPLE IBOOKS - https://books.apple.com/us/book/bringing-up-mother/id1619561366

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

The author will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn host.

 


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Tuesday, August 9, 2022



Walks by Big Alex's Pond

by Henry Van Berkel

 

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GENRE: Autobiography (Nature)


BLURB:

 

Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.

 

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EXCERPTS (Exclusive Excerpt):

 

The doughty adventurers would have had a tent, a pot for cooking, tin cups for drinks, some staples, some canned food, matches, knives, and guns for self-defence and hunting, and blankets. They probably had no clothing other than what they wore: undershorts and long johns, an undershirt, mackinaws, a tough pair of trousers, woollen socks, mitts, a cap with earflaps, and sturdy boots. They would have had to carry some basic equipment as well: tools to build a sturdy craft to navigate the lakes and the treacherous river and tools to dig and pan for gold.

 

As they travelled, Alex kept a sharp lookout for quartz, and seeing some positive signs around Indian Creek, wished to stop there to explore the mineral prospects. His companions, however, wanted to press on to Forty-Mile; “being of accommodating disposition,” he yielded to their wishes. That they arrived, without loss of life or major mishap, suggests that they were hardy and resourceful, and already familiar with the extreme demands of a northern environment. The route claimed fourteen outfits and the lives of six men that summer: a small harbinger of what was to come.

 

Alex found work with the Alaska Commercial Company as a buyer of prospective mining properties, a job for which he had the aptitude and experience. He was working with the company on promising claims near Miller Creek in the summer of 1896 when the electrifying news of a fabulous gold strike on the Klondike reached the camp.

 

On August 16 of that year, George Washington Carmack, the California son of a Forty-Niner who had come North as much for solitude as for gold, together with his wife Kate and two Indian brothers-in-law, Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie, were camped by a tributary of the Klondike River, called Rabbit Creek, when Charlie spotted a thumb-size gold nugget gleaming at the bottom of the stream where he was cleaning their dishes. Some quick digging revealed other nuggets of various sizes. Amazed and excited by what they saw, they whooped and danced with glee and in ecstasy immediately staked their find. George hurried downriver to Forty- Mile to register his claim and the claims of his companions. They did not tell fellow prospector Robert Henderson, whom they had met on the trail just days earlier and who had suggested they try their luck on Rabbit Creek—and who was encamped less than two miles away—of their incredible find. It was a common and expected courtesy in the territory to inform nearby prospectors, and they had promised Henderson they’d let him know if they found gold. But Henderson had insulted George’s in-laws and had refused to sell them tobacco; they were beyond angry at him. Henderson’s insulting and surly behaviour almost certainly deprived him of a fortune.

 

 

 

 

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REVIEW

This story reflects a man's life in later years. Starting from a childhood filled with war and then moving to Nova Scotia where there is so much more peace and tranquility. The pond holds so many memories and how content he was!

This is a new author for me. When I read the blurb I was so excited to read this one. The story did not disappoint. So much reflection and so much emotion. A truly amazing story.  I look forward to reading much more. 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Ten years after Big Alex MacDonald leaves his home in Ashdale, Nova Scotia, in the 1880's to find his fortune, he amasses fabulous wealth almost overnight in the Yukon and becomes known as "the King of the Klondike". At his death a decade later, there is not enough money in his estate to cover expenses. What happened to his immense riches? A century after Alex's departure from Nova Scotia, the author purchases "Big Alex's" family land and finds his own El Dorado amongst the riches of friends, neighbours and family, and the endless fascinations of nature. On hikes along the roads of the historic property he muses about the drama of his own past, and the life journeys of his family members and those of his neighbours.

 

 

Connect with Henry Van Berkel

 

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/walksbybigalexspond/

 

GOODREADS https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50277404-walks-by-big-alex-s-pond

 

 

Get a copy of Walk by Big Alex's Pond        

 

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