New Book Release: Reunion in the Desert - by Leslie Rager

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

Quinn Goode, returns to her family’s ranch in Wickenburg, Arizona, seeking refuge after a broken heart derails the life she thought she wanted. Back on the ranch, Quinn hopes the familiar rhythms of hard work, wide skies, and her grandmother’s steady presence will help her mend. What she doesn’t expect is to come face-to-face with the boy who once held her heart—and now threatens to claim it again in ways she never imagined.

Colton Carson was once a world champion rodeo rider, a man whose life revolved around grit, glory, and the roar of the crowd. One reckless decision, however, cost him everything—his career, his confidence, his family, and his sense of self. Left physically and emotionally scarred, and working to overcome an addiction, Colton retreats from the spotlight and lands at the Goode ranch, carrying his regrets as heavily as his injuries.

As Quinn and Colton reconnect, their shared history ignites a powerful attraction neither can ignore. But desire alone isn’t enough. Both must confront their pasts—Quinn’s lingering heartbreak and insecurities, and Colton’s shame and self doubt—if they hope to build something lasting. Set amid dusty corrals, open pastures, and quiet desert nights, the novel captures the intimacy of small-town life and the fast-burning intensity of love earned, not given.

About the author:

Leslie Rager draws on her restaurant industry background and sharp sense of humor to create engaging cozy mysteries. Her Jayne Stanford series, Menu for Murder, Cocktails at Sunset, and No Reservations, has earned five-star reviews from Readers’ Favorites, Amazon, and Goodreads. The series follows an imperfect restaurant server who stumbles into murder investigations. Reunion in the Desert marks Leslie’s first romance novel. Set in historic Wickenburg, Arizona, it tells the story of two childhood friends reunited on a struggling family ranch. Leslie is active in her community, volunteering with nonprofits like EBeauty Community and teaching free writing courses.

New Book Release: King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper - by Richard A. Noble

 

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King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper is the third entry in the series of historical fiction novels involving the exploits of Jack Bailey, the irresistible scoundrel that charmed his way through the Civil War, helped himself to a share of the Confederate Treasury, distilled bourbon with John Beam (Jim's uncle), helped establish the Old Chisolm Trail, and witnessed some of the earliest gunfights and train robberies in the Old West. A friend to Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Allan Pinkerton, George Armstrong Custer, Calamity Jane, Buffalo Bill Cody, and other famous figures of the era, Bailey is back and as is so often the case, he becomes embroiled in some of the most notable events of the late 1800's.

Jack & the Ripper begins as Bailey reunites with Wild Bill Hickok, now a marshal in Kansas. He later finds himself an unwilling participant in Cuba's Ten Years War for independence, involved in the circus business, consulting on the Treaty of Washington, hosting Queen Victoria and the future King Edward VII at Buffalo Bill's Wild West show, and patrolling the squalid streets of Whitechapel in 1888, hot on the trail of Jack the Ripper. Predictably, our hero never lacks for female companionship along the way, or for the occasional (and inadvertent) confrontation with deadly characters like Frank and Jesse James and John Wesley Hardin.

As it was in the first two books, people, timelines, and events in Jack & the Ripper are depicted accurately, and corroborated with footnotes, photographs, and newspaper accounts. Bailey's role is fictional. Those first two books in the trilogy have been awarded 5 stars by Reader Views and Readers' Favorite(R) and more than 90% of the reviews on Amazon are also 5 star.

About the author:

Richard A. Noble enjoyed a long career in publishing before retiring in 2022. He became interested in the Civil War while living in Kentucky. His oldest daughter was born there, and her first restaurant meal was at The Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown. Bardstown plays important roles in King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold. Rick's wife was born in Kansas, where a lot of the action in King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold and King Cotton III: Jack & the Ripper takes place, in part in tribute to her. The King Cotton series overall is a tribute to the history of America and the American West.

Authors should qualify for all the Oscars categories - by Vijaya Schartz

 

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As I watched the announcements of the 2026 Oscar nominees recently, I realized how many categories are now rewarded. Each year they add new categories. The latest one this year recognizes casting directors.

When writing a novel, the author has to be an expert in all the categories. Whether we write fiction or true events, we are responsible, not only for the overall story, the script (dialogue), but also for creating (casting) our characters (defining who they are, what makes them tick, and what they look like). We have to decide what they wear (especially for period pieces), the setting (movie set design), the special effects (I have many in my sci-fi books), action scenes, the actors’ direction, the secondary characters, the subplots, the narrative…

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Authors are not required to write music, of course, but we do create an atmosphere by describing the sounds, the smells, the touch, and the feelings, as well as the thoughts surrounding the novel.

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Maybe authors should also get awards for Historical Accuracy. Nowadays most period films are accurate, as movie makers and authors conduct intensive research before filming or writing. But I remember a time when Hollywood was taking big liberties with history, and was later criticized for it. I still cringe when I watch old films of ancient Egypt.

Research is a must, something green authors do not always understand. The wrong detail can spoil the entire novel and ruin the author’s credibility for the reader. Personally, I love doing research. Many unexpected plot ideas often come from researching settings and local lore, legends, and little-known history.

I’ve often been told that reading my books was like watching a movie. Thank you. I take it as a compliment. Please, go ahead and suggest my books to Hollywood!

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Actually, there is a good reason for that. As I write, I see the movie unfolding in my head on a big screen. I love movies. It’s not unusual for me to memorize the lines of my favorite films as I watch them over and over. It’s also why my books are fast reads. Like in movies, I believe in telling a story as succinctly as possible. Why write a paragraph when one word says it all?

I hope you enjoy my books. And if you do, please leave a review on the book page. Thank you in advance.

Happy Reading!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

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New Book Release: Styled by Scripture: A Faith-Fueled Guide to Building a Bankable Presence - by DeAnna Dupree

Find it on Amazon HERE

You don’t need another confidence quote — you need a divine reminder of who you are.

In Styled by Scripture, Visibility, and Success Coach The Fabulous DeAnna DuPree takes you beyond surface-level style and into a Spirit-led journey of identity, influence, and impact. This is where faith meets finesse — and where your reflection becomes revelation.

Through powerful storytelling, biblical truth, and actionable strategy, you’ll learn how to:

Stop hiding behind shame, comparison, and saboteurs.

Show up with purpose, polish, and presence — in life, business, and leadership.

Build a bankable presence that attracts opportunity and honors God.

Activate your influence with confidence, charisma, and conviction.

Every chapter closes with “Styled by Scripture” devotionals and “Now Walk It Out” activations — so you’re not just inspired, you’re ignited.

Styled by Scripture isn’t just a read — it’s a revelation. A blueprint for women of faith who are ready to be seen, shine boldly, and walk in divine alignment with their assignment.

If you’re ready to stop shrinking and start shining — your moment is here.

About the author:

DeAnna DuPree, affectionately known as The Fabulous DeAnna DuPree, is an Author, Business Coach, Image Consultant, and Marketing Director for NAWBO Phoenix. With a career rooted in branding, presence, and influence, she helps women entrepreneurs elevate their visibility, messaging, and leadership. As Founder of Impeccable Style LLC, DeAnna blends image strategy with business acumen, teaching that how you show up impacts trust and income. She is the author of Styled by Scripture and creator of Confidently Unleashed and YOU Are the Brand™, empowering women to lead with clarity, confidence, and values aligned purpose.

New Book Release: Dream of a Murder - by VC Williams

 

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Kris and Rob Lawter are excited to be traveling the world on a small luxury ship, their dream vacation. Retired from a high-stress career in government, Kris and her husband, a recently retired airline pilot, hope their good marriage will catch fire without alarm clocks in the way. But when Rob sees their neighbor tossed overboard in the dead of night, they have no choice but to get involved. Then their friend gets beaten up in Cádiz, and only the Lawters see the deadly connection. Unless Kris finds the key to a cipher she found in the dead man's cabin, the Lawters might be next.

About the author:

VC Williams has a strong background in technical writing and is delighted to devote her life now to writing fiction. She previously worked in administrative and accounting roles in retail, government, manufacturing, and non-profits. She also served twelve years as a business administrator/minister for a large church in El Paso. Texas. VC is a second-generation Arizonan and a history enthusiast. She is married with two sons and two grandchildren. She has been blessed with opportunities to travel and has visited many beautiful places here and around the world. She is a member of the Historical Novel Society, the Arizona Authors Association, and the Arizona Territorial Society.

New Book Release: Dog Soldier - by Roland Rick Church

 

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A young native American man is trained to assassinate political targets in major U.S. cities and is financially supported through a network of shell companies. Ironically his false identity is that of an attorney for the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. His only problem is that he is the nephew of Noel Two Horses, a native American ex-cop, private Investigator who is digging deep to find out what this young guy is up to. Dog Soldier is the seventh story in the Noel Two Horses series of stories about this private investigator who runs his investigative agency out of a mystery book shop in Prescott, Arizona in the heart of Yavapai Apache territory.

About the author:

Roland Rick Church is an enrolled member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation and is a former Tribal Council member as well as a Director of Public Safety for his tribe. After retiring he was appointed as a Tribal Police and Fire Commissioner. He is a decorated Marine Corps Vietnam combat veteran and had a 26-yearlaw enforcement career as a State Trooper, Police Patrol Sergeant, Special Investigator and a Fraud Unit Supervisor. He is a graduate of the FBI Academy Command College Quantico. His private investigative work included criminal defense work in both Wisconsin and Arizona as well as the Federal court system. Rick has a Master's degree in Forensic Psychology and has taught Criminal justice courses for both undergraduate and graduate level students

New Book Release: Bird's Eye View of Baseball - by Rodo Sofranac

 

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Robin Finch, nicknamed Bird, is learning all about baseball from his sister Maria. As she uses expressions to describe baseball actions, he visualizes what they mean--literally.

This book is a great aid for language acquisition. It is also useful for understanding the game of baseball, especially idioms and other expressions.

About the author:

Rodo Sofranac spent the first few years of his life in a small village called Rijeka Crnojevića,  in Montenegro (former lya part of Yugoslavia). The next few years he lived in Salzburg, Austria. His family then immigrated to the United States. This diversity of cultures and languages has inspired Rodo to read, write, and have fun with words, especially telling stories. Currently, Rodo lives the larger village of Phoenix, Arizona with his loving wife, Susan, and some of the kids—who all constantly help him with his English.

Cat-whipped - My cat believes I have superpowers - by Vijaya Schartz

 

Find it at BWL HERE
Find it at your favorite online store HERE

Each holiday season, setting up the tree becomes more challenging. My cat, Pasha, is obsessed with it. After the tree is up, each day, he finds new ways to defeat my safeguards around the table where the tree stands. But I’m not worried about the ornaments I find on the carpet in the morning. No. I’m worried about the fact that he likes to chew on the branches.

Mind you, my tree is small, white, and made of recycled plastic. So, why is he so obsessed with chewing the branches? A while back, I had to get rid of fake spiky plants on my balcony… for the same reason. He liked to chew on them.

Before you judge me about the fake plants, I should mention that I live in Arizona, that all the natural plants on my balcony die each year in the heat, except for one Aloe Vera.

This is how the battle usually starts.

The cat stares at the tree, ready to jump.

I say “No!”

He glances at me then leaps anyway.

But due to my martial arts training, I happen to have quick reflexes. So, I catch the cat in midair and deposit him gently on the couch. The first time I did it, the shocked expression on his little furry face and in his rounded blue eyes was priceless. As if he’d landed in a different time zone, or through a portal to a parallel universe.

I repeated the maneuver a few times, when he wasn’t aware of my close proximity. So now, my cat thinks I have superpowers.

But this practice created a monster. Quickly, it turned into a game. Whenever Pasha wants attention… and he requires lots of it, he dares me, ready to jump on the tree table. When I catch him, he purrs loudly and gives me head bumps, and revels in my embrace.

How am I supposed to resist that? This cat is my weakness. So, he gets kisses and cuddles. Just what he wanted. I am officially cat-whipped.

If you like novels with cats and/or martial arts, with kick-butt heroines and a little romance, check out my novels at your favorite online store.

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HAPPY READING!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Kick-butt Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats, romance

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New Book Release: Shadows to Sunshine - by Diane Sleger

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

This Salem Lineage pertains to the descendants of those accused in the Salem witch trials of 1692. This encompasses the accused, the witches, the accusers, and the court magistrates. The Salem Witchcraft Trials were a distressing sequence of events in which those who were innocent and defenseless were wrongfully blamed, endured torment, were incarcerated, and even faced execution. Alongside individuals who were wrongly or fairly prosecuted as witches.

I found an extended Salem lineage through my paternal grandmother's maiden surname, Leffingwell.

As we discover our shadows, we hope they can transform into sunshine.

About the author:

 Diane Sleger is a published author of historical non-fiction novels, with a focus on the Shadows to Sunshine series. She holds a B.S.W., an A.A.S. in Graphic Design and a certificate in Web Design. Her digital designs include photo montages and book cover designs. Her membership and volunteer experience through the Saguaro Chapter NSDAR, as VIS Chair: Webmaster, since 2022, the Society of Mayflower Descendants of Arizona, since 2022, the Signal Hill Chapter, NSDAR, member since 2017, and ILDAR/National Standing Committee/State VIS Co-Chair of Website Compliance/2019-2021. Diane is dedicated to sharing veterans’ military memories and honoring their service and heroism. Portfolio: www.dianesleger.com

New Book Release: Saanvi's Bad Day - by Sheena Sharma

 

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2025 Literary Titan Book Award Winner

After having a terrible day at school, Saanvi returns home frustrated and mad. All she wants to do is sulk in her room until she has an eye-opening conversation with her dad. During their talk, she learns how grown-ups have bad days too. Grownups and kids are more similar than she originally thought!

Join Saanvi as she learns the different ways to turn her bad days around. When Saanvi has another bad day at school the next week, will she be able to tackle her unhappiness in a positive way?

About the author:

Sheena Sharma is a pediatric nephrologist in Phoenix, Arizona, and has dreamed of writing since she was a young girl. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, and eventually moved throughout the Northeast to New York and Philadelphia before settling in Phoenix. Sheena loves spending time with her husband and two young children, who are her constant source of inspiration. Her first book, Saanvi’s Family Tree, navigates the difficult subject of familial estrangement with honesty and love.

New Book Release: The Cezanne Chihuahua - by D.R. Ransdell

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

Who wouldn’t want to vacation in the French Riviera?

American artist Remy Valente and his wife Vero are delighted to spend the summer along the Côte d’Azur, drawing inspiration from every bend in the coastline. When his friend and art dealer requests a painting of his Chihuahua in the style of his beloved Cézanne, Remy is happy to comply. Late that night, Remy visits his friend’s flat to start the sketch. He takes it home, intending to finish the next morning.

Instead, he’s waylaid by a detective. Soon after Remy leaves, the Chihuahua wakes the neighbors because his master has been murdered! Remy is the first suspect. He clears his name, but a family member might be the next suspect! Remy has to identify the real killer before the wrong person lands in jail. Join the artist and his friends along the French coast for a humorous, artful crime.

About the author:

D.R. Ransdell is a writer, a traveler, and a musician. She's also a night owl--how else could she get any writing done? Although she's a native of Illinois, after a lovely stint in Mexico, she moved to Tucson, Arizona, where the sun is strong and the pools are inviting. By day she's a writing instructor at the University of Arizona.

New Book Release: Concerted Assault - by J. Michael King

 

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Tim and Jessica’s enjoyable evening at a Shakira concert with their friend Rafael is crushed when they witness an assault in a parking garage in downtown Phoenix. They videorecord two male assailants and a female victim before fleeing the garage and returning to their home near Tucson.

Through amateur detective work by Tim and using Jessica’s network of friends, they manage to find the assault victim, Lupe Aguilar, a 17-year-old high school senior who lives with her undocumented single mother, Juana. Lupe uses her memory of the assault and her extraordinary drawing talents to create mug shots, which the Phoenix Police use to identify and arrest the suspects, two of their own police officers.

Out of fear of retaliation by the Phoenix Police, Lupe and Juana relocate to Tucson, where disaster strikes again. Juana is detained by La Migra, US Immigration, shattering Lupe’s world. Lupe calls on Tim and Jessica to help her free Juana. They, along with friends, organize peaceful, grassroots college protests and social media blitz campaigns, with Lupe as the figurehead, in an attempt to force powerful politicians up for reelection to release Juana.

Will the effort be enough to free Juana? Will Lupe become stronger from the horrific experiences so early in life, or will she fall into a deep depression? What will Lupe’s team learn from the experience?

About the author:

The author earned Engineering degrees from North Dakota State University (NDSU) and the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). He was employed by a large US manufacturer of diesel engines, holding various positions. He worked and lived in Spain for eight years, traveling throughout western Europe. He also worked in numerous Latin American Spanish-speaking countries, including Mexico, Colombia, Panama, Chile, Peru, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic.

The author resides in southern Arizona, USA, and enjoys traveling, learning, hiking, practicing Spanish, wine tasting, and attending concerts.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Joyous Saturnalia, Happy Kwanza, Be Happy on this special time of year

 

Whatever you are celebrating this holiday season,

may you find peace, joy, and warmth.

New Book Release: The Spirit of Christmas - by Terrilyn M. Trejo

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

Embark on a magical Christmas

adventure with Nacho and Lola!

Join the lovable pups as they journey through the enchanting

landscapes of Arizona in search of the true spirit of Christmas. From

twinkling lights at the Phoenix Zoo, to the festive charm of Prescott’s

Christmas town, and the snowy wonderland of Flagstaff, Nacho and

Lola discover that the essence of Christmas is not in decorations or

gifts, but in the joyous moments shared with family and friends.

About the author: 

Terrilyn M. Trejo is a retired special education teacher and the author of I Love America Because… and The Traveling Tales of Nacho & Lola series, including The Grand Canyon, Touring Tombstone, Día de los Muertos Celebration, and The Spirit of Christmas. She lives in Arizona with her husband Vidal and draws inspiration from their travels and her Chihuahuas, Nacho and Lola.

New Book Release: Situational Meditation Journal - by Dr. Estella Chavous

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

The Situational Meditation Journal is a companion to the Situational Meditation book, designed to support and deepen your meditation practice. It helps cultivate a lifestyle of presence, where individuals remain fully engaged in the moment-regardless of their physical, emotional, or social environment. With an emphasis on appreciation and openness, this journal encourages a limitless approach to mindfulness wherever life finds you.

About the author:

Dr. Estella Chavous is a renowned meditation trainer, speaker, and published author with a strong educational background in sales and marketing. She has held strategic leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies, but her true passion lies in guiding individuals and organizations toward transformative wellbeing practices.

As a certified meditation trainer, Estella specializes in mindful meditation and contemplative prayer. She offers personalized training, workshops, and consultancy services for individuals, families, and corporations. Her areas of expertise include mindful meditation, emotional intelligence and resilience, transformation processes, personal growth, corporate wellbeing, and team development.

Estella has authored and co-authored several books, including *Situational Meditation Theory & Practice* and *Emotional Intelligence in Christ*. She is also a co-host of the *SL Mindful Media* show and the *Edge God In* podcast, and she has developed a range of courses on empowering topics.

Through her consultancy, Strategic Ladies, Estella provides personalized meditation training, corporate wellbeing programs, workshops, family and relationship coaching, and course development on various topics.coaching, and course development on various topics.

New Book Release: Chico Bello, A Wagging Tale - by Harald Lutz Bruckner

Find it on Amazon HERE

I’ve led a dog's life, and I want to tell you about it. Though people think I can only express myself with "Woof, Woof," I have a lot more to say. Born with good breeding in wintry Wisconsin, my first name was Baron Maximilian von Ox IV. Of course, that was far too fancy a handle for a cute pup like me. After being caged and buried in the guts of a giant plane, I made the acquaintance of my parents in Florida. Since I arrived on Valentine's Day, Mom wanted to name me Valentino. Dad didn't accept calling me such a sissy name. I became Chico. This is the tale of my adventurous life during the next twelve years. Sadly, I didn't live to be quite an octogenarian. I wished people would learn to appreciate my codes of communication. C’est la vie. But, this is my story, and I’m sticking to it!

About the Author

Harald Lutz Bruckner was born in Germany during turbulent times and ventured to the New World where he spent most of his adult life. His work and educational adventures have taken him from merchandising/retailing, the teaching of German and world literature, to an academic career in audiology and the challenges of working with hard-of-hearing and deaf children and adults. Among his favorite academic subjects to teach were offerings in sign language. In 1981, he discovered the magic of painting in transparent watercolors and has never stopped painting. Moving to sunny Arizona from the high country of Colorado in 2003 caused a major shift in his subject matter. He changed from a primarily realistic orientation to one of total abstraction. Since retiring from academia, he has pursued his passions for travel, art, music, and the enjoyment of writing. Chico Bello: A Wagging Tale is his fourteenth novel. 

What is the Chi? Is there an unseen force pervading the entire universe? - by Vijaya Schartz

  

“Schartz has splendidly blended fact, fiction, and fantasy into an enthralling,

fast-paced story that I could not put down.”

Find it at your favorite retailer HERE

Find all my other books at: amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo

Many sci-fi fantasy novels and movies claim there is a pervasive force animating the entire universe… like the “Force” in StarWars. But these imaginative writers didn’t make it up entirely. It happens to be a widely recognized concept throughout India (Shakti), Japan (Ki), continental Asia (Chi), and the Pacific Islands (Mana). Native tribes of the Americas, Australia, and other cultures believe that through meditation and purification you can get in spiritual contact with ancestors, divine teachers, or with other entities of the universe… or a parallel universe.

Many geniuses throughout history claimed to have been in contact with such entities who taught them mathematics, engineering, wisdom, etc. Leonardo Da Vinci disappeared into a cave to meditate for months at a time. Albert Einstein said he meditated each day and found inspiration in messages from beyond. Indian mathematics genius Srinivasa Ramanujan claimed his insights came from visions of divine inspiration.

Modern physicists are now considering the possibility of a universal pervasive energy, as it offers a logical explanation for many inexplicable phenomena like split cells separated and still resonating as one, even at a great distance (prick one and the other reacts to the pain). It would also explain the positive results of studies involving remote viewing, mind-reading, premonitory dreams and visions, clairvoyance, mind-to-mind communication over great distances, etc.

It can explain how a mother can lift a car to pull her child from under the wheel. Or how someone survives something unsurvivable. In case of supreme emergency, the brain sometimes remembers how to use this universal energy.

The universal symbol of the Chi energy is the Yin-Yang

In my new series, THE PROTECTORS, I call this energy the Chi, which is the recognized term throughout Asia. Most martial artists are familiar with the concept and practice meditation. It takes training and discipline to learn how to gather and focus the Chi. It’s not the hand that breaks the pile of bricks, but the amount of energy generated by the strike. Some masters can strike from across the room, sending their attacker flying, without ever touching him.

The Chi is not good or evil. It is a dynamic natural force. It takes many years of meditation, hard work, and dedication to master this energy, so most of those who know how to use it are monks with pure intentions. Wielding it as a weapon for selfish or evil purposes, however, only reveals the flawed or imperfect nature of the person using it.

Knowledge of the Chi can also be used to heal. Acupuncture is a testament to its efficiency. Nowadays, many westerners practice Tai-Chi and Chi-Kong for good health, especially in old age. These techniques have been proven beneficial by reputable medical studies (Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai-Chi).

In case you were wondering, I have been a Tai-Chi practitioner for many years, and I am now a Tai-Chi instructor in Arizona.

Front and center, Christmas 2022,
with a few of my students from the Glendale Adult Center

I hope you like Anila, my Chi Warrior.

Anila, peaceful warrior woman, trained all her life in the desert, at the monastery of the Celestial Gate, to take the vows of the mighty Protectors. That’s all she’s ever known, all she ever wanted. But a cloud of black wings haunts her nightmares.

When a barbarian horde invades from the north, Bayor Khan seems unstoppable, determined to destroy everything in his path. Rumors of his cruelty make the most powerful princes tremble in their stone fortresses.

Anila is pulled into the inevitable clash as a prophecy unfolds, blurring the lines between good and evil, testing her resolve. Nothing is as it seems… An ancient enemy rises in the shadows, and the falling darkness threatens to engulf Anila and everyone she loves.

EDITORIAL REVIEW by Victoria Chatham

If you like strong female characters, then you will not be disappointed with Anila, the protagonist in Vijaya Schartz's latest book. Anila is in training at a monastery under the watchful gaze of Master Wang. She diligently practices her Tai-Chi routines and perfects her weapons training as her dearest wish is to join the ranks of the mysterious Protectors. However, she cannot escape the promise and prophecy of her destiny and is drawn into conflicts not of her making. In discovering how she overcomes those who would use her, we see her grow into a formidable but fair potential leader.

Schartz has splendidly blended fact, fiction, and fantasy into an enthralling, fast-paced story that I could not put down. Fans of this genre and Schartz in particular will not be disappointed.

Happy Reading.

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats

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New Book Release: Widowhood: The Next Chapter - by Bobbie Bennett

Find it on Amazon HERE

 

The personal narrative begins in the dark world of organized crime, where the author’s first husband brings a sense of danger into their lives. Dinner guests are asked to check their firearms at the door. She then stepped into an unexpected relationship with a younger man whose charm proved timeless, even if his ID was still getting doublechecked.

Through three marriages, two funerals, and one divorce, she discovers that love comes in the most unexpected forms, including a methodical engineer who fell head-over-heels for a free-spirited former go-go dancer.

This raw, candid memoir transforms heartbreak into hope, offering both laughter and practical wisdom for anyone rebuilding after loss. But make no mistake, these aren’t your typical fresh starts. Bobbie has rebooted her life from places most people wouldn’t dare enter, making her perspective not just credible, but hard-earned. More than a love story, it’s a survival guide for life’s most unpredictable chapters. She believes if you can’t be a good example, you might as well be a colorful one. Her stories offer humor, heart, and the kind of wisdom you only earn the hard way.