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Arizona Authors Association
Thursday, May 22, 2025
New Book Release: 100 Western Women: The Bold, Brave, Gutsy Women of Arizona's Past - by Jan Cleere
Monday, May 19, 2025
New Book Release: Operation Tollbooth - by Kip Cassino
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There were plans for using nuclear weapons in Vietnam, and soldiers were actually trained for the mission. “Operation Tollbooth” depicts a nuclear strike on the Ho Chi Minh Trail that might have taken place, through the eyes of a young Army lieutenant caught up in the event.
About the author:
Kip Cassino has worked construction, been a soldier, written for newspapers, performed market research, and accurately forecasted the future of several industries. His articles have appeared in publications as diverse as The New Times, Smithsonian Air & Space, Entrepreneur, and Ad Week. He has been interviewed by Meet the Press, BBC, and VICE. He has written science fiction for Analog and numerous marketing and political spending analyses. He was awarded the Research Award of Merit by the Newspaper Association of America in 2008.
Friday, May 16, 2025
New Book Release: In The Line of Fire - by Michelle D. Bates
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Life in Chicago is turning out to be fantastic for Marie. She has a great job, a new close friend, and an exciting new relationship with David. As she enjoys her new life, all her past problems seem to disappear. Everything is going smoothly until a visiting attorney turns out to be her abusive ex-fiancé. Marie's world could be turned upside down in the blink of an eye. Will she manage to avoid him, or will she finally come face to face with her past?
About the author:
Michelle D. Bates is a freelance writer, fiction e-book author, and member of the Arizona Authors Association. The knowledge she has gained from the creative and fiction writing classes taken at Rio Salado College has helped her complete her first fiction novel. Her fiction e-book, Hidden Appearances, is published by On-Demand Publishing LLC (CreateSpace). Her second novel, In the Line of Fire, the second installment to Hidden Appearances, was published in 2015 and is now available on Amazon. Her latest project is in the works and will be released in Spring 2025.
Michelle is a native Chicagoan but currently resides in Arizona. She is a driven and motivated writer with a vivid imagination who believes in taking her readers on a journey through the characters of her book. She firmly believes that reading is a way of escaping the things around you and succumbing to the fantasy or other world that a story can create. Michelle has always turned to her dreams to escape times of sadness, frustration, and even boredom. She would always tell her friends and family that she has more fun and excitement in her dreams than in her actual life. It was that very sentiment that led her to writing her first fiction novel.
Michelle is an author that writes with passion and has the ability to paint a vivid picture with her words that draws the readers into her stories. The characters in her stories are ones that everyone can relate to in some form or fashion. Being able to write stories that not only thoroughly entertain readers but cause readers to totally immerse themselves in her stories is an on-going goal that she plans to continually accomplish.
Thursday, May 15, 2025
New Book Release: Hidden Appearances - by Michelle Bates
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After years of dealing with a bad situation, Marie Mason has finally found a way out. New to the Chicagoland area, she seeks to find peace of mind and maybe even love. The job she has landed at the prestigious law firm of Phillips Winston & Gavens has given her a new lease on life. Marie is enjoying living in Chicago and has even made a good friend. For once, she is finally happy, but how long will her happiness last before her past comes back to haunt her?
Michelle D. Bates is a freelance writer, fiction e-book author, and member of the Arizona Authors Association. The knowledge she has gained from the creative and fiction writing classes taken at Rio Salado College has helped her complete her first fiction novel. Her fiction e-book, Hidden Appearances, is published by On-Demand Publishing LLC (CreateSpace). Her second novel, In the Line of Fire, the second installment to Hidden Appearances, was published in 2015 and is now available on Amazon. Her latest project is in the works and will be released in Spring 2025.
Michelle is a native Chicagoan but currently resides in Arizona. She is a driven and motivated writer with a vivid imagination who believes in taking her readers on a journey through the characters of her book. She firmly believes that reading is a way of escaping the things around you and succumbing to the fantasy or other world that a story can create. Michelle has always turned to her dreams to escape times of sadness, frustration, and even boredom. She would always tell her friends and family that she has more fun and excitement in her dreams than in her actual life. It was that very sentiment that led her to writing her first fiction novel.
Michelle is an author that writes with passion and has the ability to paint a vivid picture with her words that draws the readers into her stories. The characters in her stories are ones that everyone can relate to in some form or fashion. Being able to write stories that not only thoroughly entertain readers but cause readers to totally immerse themselves in her stories is an on-going goal that she plans to continually accomplish.
Monday, May 12, 2025
AI - Where is the intelligence? by Vijaya Schartz
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This award-winning novel deals with an AI character. Find it on my author page on amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo |
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AI-generated royalty-free image |
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Royalty-free AI generated image |
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amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo |
Thursday, May 8, 2025
New Book Release: The Merchant of Texas - by Harald Lutz Bruckner
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Find it on Amazon HERE |
Monday, May 5, 2025
New Book Release: Valentine’s Dinner at Wren and Wolf by Mary Specker Stone
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Valentine's Dinner at Wren & Wolf is a story of love: naĂŻve and stubborn, stumbling, unforgiving, passionate, and, at times, disconsolate. Maddening love between neurodiverse partners who long to understand one another. Frayed love between divorced spouses trying to raise children amicably. Parental love, where generational wounds threaten to become dams that block life's fluid possibilities. Self-love is here, too, the spiritual labors of aligning heart and mind, and, love for the feverish world. Valentine's Dinner at Wren & Wolf is an off-road sojourn through landscapes and moments in one woman's life as she learns what love has to teach her.
About the Author
Monday, April 28, 2025
New Book Release: Whispers in the Canyon by Gifford MacShane
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Damaged almost beyond hope, a young woman is offered safety—by the man who killed her brother.
1880s Arizona Territory: Shunned by the village for her outlaw brother's deeds, Jesse is not sorry to hear he's been killed while robbing a bank.
Strangely enough it's Adam Donovan, the man who shot him, who brings her the news. Even more strange is this newcomer's offer to help put her ranch back on solid footing.
Traumatized by years of abuse, Jesse doubts she can trust any man—especially this Irish immigrant with his volatile temper and gunfighter's reputation. But a profound love for her canyon home outweighs her trepidation, and she accepts his assistance.
As they work together to improve her ranch, Jesse comes to believe that Adam's true nature is far removed from his notoriety. She feels the first stirrings of love―an emotion she's never known before.
But her nascent dreams of romance turn to nightmares when she discovers that not all of her brother's evil deeds died with him.
Deceptively simple and poetic, this heartfelt western historical romance will tug at your emotions, make you laugh, cry, and even get a little angry, as it handles difficult topics with a sensitive touch.
Finalist: The Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Romance of the Year, 2019: "An emotionally evocative story... brilliantly written and fabulously executed."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Singing almost before she could talk, MacShane has always loved folk music, whether it be Irish, Appalachian, spirituals, or the songs of the cowboys. Her love of the Old West goes back to childhood, when herfather introduced her to the works of Zane Grey. Later she became interested in the Irish diaspora, having realized her father's family must have lived through An Gorta Mor,the Great Irish Potato Famine of the mid-1800s. Writing allows her to combine her three great interests into a series of family stories, each including romance, traditional song lyrics, and a dash of Celtic mysticism. Having grown up in a large & often boisterous Irish-American family, she is intimately acquainted with the workings of such a clan and uses those experiences to good purpose (though no names will be named!)
Thursday, April 24, 2025
New Book Release: Just a Little Off ... by Rose Garlasco
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A Memoir: Growing Up First Generation American in an Ethnic German Family
A must-read for all first-generation Americans!
What happens when the pieces of the puzzle don't fit or are missing altogether?
Despite being loved by her family, Rose spent much of her childhood and adolescence feeling disconnected from them. Something was missing, but what was it?
In her ethnic German family, Rose was the first to be born in the United States. Her family immigrated from Yugoslavia and Romania after World War II, leaving behind their home, family and friends. They kept silent about the trauma they endured, desperately protecting themselves and her form their past.
At age nine, Rose discovered a wedding picture of her much younger mother. This was not the framed wedding picture of her parents on their bedroom dresser. The moment gave rise to a wave of questions, not only about her mother, but also the rest of the family. Who were they and how did she fit in?
These short stories offer glimpses into Rose's youth, capturing her struggles, conflicts, and moments of confusion. They weave threads that connect her to her family members despite their lack of shared history. Her stories reveal not only the emotional turmoil she faced, but also the fierce protection, love and support her family provided.
Monday, April 21, 2025
New Book Release: Reunion in the Desert by L.A. Keller
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About the author:
L. A. Keller used her experience in the restaurant business, and love of the Arizona desert, to create the characters for her cozy mysteries.
"Murder is a serious topic so my books blend in humor, toss in a few surprises and bake up a good mystery."
Menu for Murder, the escapades of Jayne Stanford, the less-than-stellar server at the Wild Bronco Steakhouse has received the Readers' Favorite Five Star Review, as well as five-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Cocktails at Sunset continues Jayne's story and was also a Five Star Readers' Favorite recipient.
L. A. spends her limited free time hiking in the desert (when the temperatures in Arizona are below 110), savoring wine (regardless of the temperature) and spending time with family, friends and other writers. As a breast cancer survivor, she volunteers for EBeauty, a non-profit organization created to support women undergoing treatment for cancer.
Friday, April 18, 2025
New Book Release: Finding Zachariah In a Community Garden by Nancy Hicks Marshall
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About the author
Nancy Marshall has been a resident of Phoenix, Arizona for 35 years and an active member of the community of social justice. Her work and writing have covered a span of social issues related to women’s sexuality and rights, as well as extensive involvement in the juvenile courts system. Nancy continues to advocate through her writing and participation in the peace and justice community.
Nancy has volunteered in two community gardens. She has learned up close to learn what makes a garden work. First, all who participate learn skills and provide nutritious food for families. Even more important, she has witnessed the rich bonds of friendship that form among the humans - and their companions - who make the community garden an integral part of their lives.
She has been an active member of book groups through the years, as well as teaching all ages.
Her passions include gardening, hiking, competitive squash and cookies. She is married, with two children, two very large dogs and a cat.
Monday, April 14, 2025
Breathe happy for energy and inspiration - by Vijaya Schartz
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Find these books on amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo |
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amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo |
Thursday, April 10, 2025
New Book Release: The Alchemist of Aleppo by Marie K Savage
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We were young. You were dying. And I was desperate. So, I rearranged the world.
When Michael Samaan and Kat Musgrave meet by the display case of a fourteenth century glass goblet at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, they know immediately that they are deeply connected—to each other and to the goblet. But neither one understands what that connection means. Through a series of uncovered books and recovered memories, Michael, a British art historian, and Kat, an American geneticist, work together to peel back the layers of history—and their past lives—to find answers. Ultimately, they discover that the goblet’s mysterious maker, known in the past as the Alchemist of Aleppo, infused the glass with the essence of his and his dying wife’s souls and with the magical promise of love renewed at some future date. But the two scholars aren’t the only ones enthralled by the museum piece and the goblet isn’t the only magical object created in the alchemist’s furnace.
Spanning centuries, THE ALCHEMIST OF ALEPPO bends the space-time continuum of souls forever bound together and embodies our fascination with what science can’t explain and money can’t buy.
About the author
Marie K. Savage is Kristina Makansi’s pen name. It’s her middle name, first initial, and her paternal great-grandmother’s maiden name. She grew up a Blank (her maiden name), but always wanted to be a Savage.
She is the author of ORACLES OF DELPHI (under the name Marie Savage, no K), as well as a co-author—along with her daughters Amira and Elena—of THE SEEDS TRILOGY, including THE SOWING, THE REAPING, and THE HARVEST, all written under the K. Makansi name.
She is a long-time editor and book interior and cover designer who has worked on 160+ book projects, many of which garnered awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and the Independent Publisher Book Awards, among others. She is co-founder of Blank Slate Press, now an imprint of Amphorae Publishing Group, and has served as chief editor and designer since 2012.
Monday, April 7, 2025
New Book Release: The Trouble with Roommates by Kristina Makansi
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WHEN YOUR WORST ENEMY BECOMES YOUR PANDEMIC ROOMMATE
Three years after the kiss of a lifetime in a public parking lot followed by months of online and in-real-life stalking and misogynistic bullying from tech bro Gabriel Landon's fan boys, journalist Aria Turner returns home from a year abroad in London just as the world starts to shut down due to Covid-19. Problem is, her condo has been subleased to her arch nemesis: Gabriel Landon. And just when Gabriel is getting his feet back under him, mending fences with his sister, and starting a new business in New York City, a new unwanted roommate for his subleased condo shows up: Aria Turner.
So, the man who almost ruined Aria's life and the woman who nearly destroyed Gabriel's career are stuck together in a shared condo, watching in horror as the Covid-19 pandemic unfolds around them. But amidst the escalating case numbers and death tolls and despite the deep-rooted animosity, the connection between them only grows stronger leading both to re-evaluate their beliefs about love at first sight, the gift of second chances, and the power of forgiveness.
CONTENT WARNING: This is an adult contemporary romance in which characters express strong, politically charged opinions regarding responses to the Covid-19 pandemic and how the world was changing around them. It also includes subject matter related to online bullying, doxing, sexual assault, and suicide.
About the author: Marie K. Savage is Kristina Makansi’s pen name. It’s her middle name, first initial, and her paternal great-grandmother’s maiden name. She grew up a Blank (her maiden name), but always wanted to be a Savage.
She is the author of ORACLES OF DELPHI (under the name Marie Savage, no K), as well as a co-author—along with her daughters Amira and Elena—of THE SEEDS TRILOGY, including THE SOWING, THE REAPING, and THE HARVEST, all written under the K. Makansi name.
She is a long-time editor and book interior and cover designer who has worked on 160+ book projects, many of which garnered awards from the Independent Book Publishers Association and the Independent Publisher Book Awards, among others. She is co-founder of Blank Slate Press, now an imprint of Amphorae Publishing Group, and has served as chief editor and designer since 2012.
Friday, April 4, 2025
New Book Release: The Preacher Goes to Babylon by Jan V Bear
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About the author
Jan Bear is a writer, editor, and book designer. She writes novels and nonfiction and helps people on their path to publication, both nonfiction and fiction.
Monday, March 31, 2025
New Book Release: Misfá´‰ts Abroad by Martine Robinson Beachboard
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Experiences are unique. Responses are universal.
About the author:
Martine Robinson Beachboard has loved words since she first learned about them. This occurred when, at the age of 2, she spent a week with her older brother in the hot, sticky backseat of the green Ford her parents drove from Washington, D.C. to Phoenix. She studied enough words to win a citywide spelling bee in seventh grade. Next thing you know, she was a newspaper editor in Arizona. Her weekly personal column developed a loyal following and evoked a range of reader responses and emotions.
When she moved to Europe she continued writing. She has lived or traveled in 40 countries, most recently serving as a Fulbright Scholar in Kosovo.
She was awarded first place in column writing from the Arizona Press Club. Her editing has been recognized with four first-place awards by Arizona Press Women. A Penney-Missouri Newspaper Awards competition named her a finalist in single-story reporting. A former professor, she is currently a teacher of English as a Second Language.
Early in her journalism career, she learned that everyone has a story. With increased interviewing experience, she realized that everyone is a story.
Thursday, March 27, 2025
New Book Release: Your Undercover Brother by J. Salvatore Domino
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Able Body, the private investigator with the funny name, operates a small suburban detective agency. Struggling to make ends meet in a shady line of work, he pays his bills following cheating spouses and catching small-time criminals.
While he waits for his big score, Able lives an unglamorous lifestyle consisting of late-night stakeouts, cold coffee, and stale donuts.
His life takes a perilous turn when his former girlfriend, the wife of a prominent lawyer, and a woman he has tried for ten years to forget, asks him to help find her husband’s murderer. Against his better judgment, he takes the case and sets out to find the killer.
The investigation catapults him into a tangled web of deceit and intrigue that almost costs him his life. Warned by a hot-headed police detective to stay out of the investigation, Able walks a tightrope in his quest to solve the crime before the police arrest the wrong person.
Discovering the truth behind the killing destroys his naivety, forcing him to take a hard look at his life and his chosen profession. It sets him on a new course, leaving him to wonder if he can return to his former unpretentious self.
About the author
His journey from technical writing to the boundless realm of writing fiction is a testament to the power of transformation.
Demonstrating his storytelling prowess, he captivates the reader, inviting them into a world where the lines between the imagined and the real are artfully blurred. His tales span a spectrum from comforting to thrilling, while his characters are crafted to evoke strong reactions, mirroring the complexities of real-life individuals.
Whether your choice is a brief escape or an extended adventure you’re sure to enjoy a captivating reading experience. Why not join him for a few minutes or several hours of enjoyable leisure?