Guest Authors
Book and Stories ReleasesFeatured Guest Authors
Author
Anita Rodgers
In Loving Memory
Early on, Anita said to me, “Call me Annie,” and so I did. She was my friend before I knew she was a writer, but in 2003, she and I discovered we were doing the same copywriting course. After that, our friendship took on a deeper dimension. I shared copywriting work opportunities with her. When I spent a lot of time caring for my father, who had dementia, she suggested I write a journal about my dad, which I did.
She had written a number of novels and encouraged me to become a fiction writer too. You see, Annie wrote in her bio, “I believe that everyone has a story to tell. Whether that story is meant for the world at large or a small special audience doesn’t matter. Somewhere there is someone who needs that story. There is someone for whom the story will ring true. So I try to encourage everyone to release their story.”
I’d never dreamed of writing a novel but took the plunge and in 2017 sent her the first iteration of what became my Nova Series. She donned her developmental editor hat and told me there was way too much storyline and suggested I turn it into three novels. She sent articles on fleshing out content and unpacking details. Her guidance was spot on. She was a wonderful mentor, and I got busy writing three novels instead of one.
It’s now nine years later, and the three novels have since gone through lots of developmental editing and many beta readers. I posted each chapter for feedback, one week at a time, in a writers’ forum and received valuable insights from other authors regarding my story. I made countless changes, and engaged in endless copy editing–or at least it felt that way. I planned to publish the series this year, and Annie remained a go-to author and friend, my initial source of inspiration. After getting mired down in more editing, I reached out to Annie about my series near the end of June.
She sent me this advice: “It’s never going to be perfect; somebody will always find something that can be improved or changed, and you just have to release it into the wild and let it fly. You will feel such a sense of release when you do. Yeah, it’s scary but also very liberating. And besides, don’t you have other stories you want to write?” (Blue font emails. I loved that— so signature.)
Her suggestion rang true for me, and I decided to forge ahead with the release.
However, as I worked on the final versions, recurring thoughts passed through my mind. I need to buckle down, wrap up my novels, and publish them while I am still alive. I don’t want to pass away without sending them out into the world. Such strange thoughts to be having; I don’t have threatening physical issues that make the idea reasonable.
Annie dedicated her last book she published to me, and that was very touching. I also dedicated my series to her (along with my two children Brad and Ericka.)
I was about to tell Annie I’d set my series release date when a mutual friend of ours called me at the end of August. She told me Annie had just passed away. It was very unexpected. She got sick with pneumonia and was gone within a couple days.
I realized the thoughts about passing on before I published my novel were not mine. Annie and I were close in that kind of way. So often, one of us would reach out and the other would say, “I was just thinking about you.”
Annie, my dear friend, you are deeply missed.
I loved reading her novels, and if you like a good mystery or crime thriller, I bet you will too. Her last novel was Murder in Regal Reef.
It’s not listed with her novels on Amazon, nor easy to find. Not sure why, so I’ve posted it here.
Read About Anita Rodgers. (One of the most moving bios I’ve ever read.)
Author
M MacKinnon
HECTOR
Echoes in Time Book 5
M MacKinnon and DartFrogPlus announce the fifth novel in the Echoes in Time series—HECTOR—a paranormal historical romance thriller.
This is what you’ve been waiting for. Don’t let her go, or you’ll regret it for the rest of your life!
From the moment Liam and Iseabail meet in Nova Scotia, they are drawn together by a connection neither can understand. For their love began centuries earlier aboard the Hector — and the evil that haunted their ancestors across the Atlantic has found them once again.
Available on Amazon and other online platforms, this novel has something for everyone: history, eternal love, humor, murder, and conspiracy. Subscribe to M MacKinnon’s website:https://mmackinnonwriter.com for more fun!
Author
M MacKinnon
WITCH
Echoes in Time Book 4
M MacKinnon and DartFrogPlus announce the fourth novel in the Echoes in Time series—WITCH—a paranormal historical romance set in the magical Scottish Highlands. Note: WITCH can be a stand alone, but it is best to read the books in order.
I curse th’ one who stops my heart, t’ burn in agony afore his time—that each generation suffer the flames lit here t’night. Only death can stop it!
Superstition, prejudice, jealousy…a lethal combination that saw hundreds of innocent women burned as witches in the Scottish Highlands. Adam MacArthur lives under the curse of those desperate words uttered in 1727. They have pursued him to the present, and only the strange healing power of a young woman in a mysterious bookshop offers hope. Is the past doomed to repeat itself, or will love find a way?
Available on Amazon and other online platforms, this novel has something for everyone: history, eternal love, humor, murder, and conspiracy. Subscribe to M MacKinnon’s website:https://mmackinnonwriter.com for more fun!
Author
L’Michelle Bleu L’Eau
Short story appearing in the Summer anthology Summer—When Doors Open by Transcendent Authors
“Unlikely Friends”
Author
M MacKinnon
Glencoe
Echoes in Time Book 2
M MacKinnon and DartFrogPlus announce the second novel in the Echoes in Time series—GLENCOE—a paranormal romance set in the magical Scottish Highlands. Available on Amazon and other online platforms, this novel has something for everyone: history, eternal love, humor, murder, and conspiracy! Subscribe to M MacKinnon’s website: mmackinnonwriter.com for more fun!
Release date May 1, 2023
Author
L’Michelle Bleu L’Eau
Short story appearing in the upcoming anthology by Transcendent Authors
“The Yellow Pajamas”
Master of the Arena
By J.D. Edwin
Nasmi Kol was born a slave. Now, she’s a champion.
But though she won the seventh game of Headspace, Nasmi has little to celebrate, for her new life may be an even greater challenge. Cast out by her family and world, she has no choice but to take refuge in the orb and become part of the game she hates, traveling from planet to planet to put other alien races through the same gruesome trials she faced.
As she reluctantly sows chaos on other worlds, Nasmi—now Seven—finds a strange camaraderie among the other champions, each an outcast in their own right. Yet a cruel fate awaits them all, and the orb is full of secrets, hidden even from those who inhabit it.
To protect her family of champions from the whims of the arena master, Seven must take matters into her own hands and change the course of the games forever. But what is the true cost of power and control?
The second book in the Headspace series reveals the real story of the arena. Walk the winding halls of the black orb and ask—to what lengths would you go to save the children you love?
Release date July 12, 2022
Dependence
Book 2 The Bellator Chronicles
By Clare Littlemore
A bitter betrayal. An unwilling hostage. An impossible choice.
Kidnapped in the aftermath of the explosion which rocked Bellator, Faith is a prisoner in the rebel community of Eremus. As she plots her next move, she struggles to come to terms with Noah’s betrayal. He proved what she was always taught – men can’t be trusted.
But in this harsh environment, Noah may be her only ally. Bitterly regretting his actions, he does everything he can to regain Faith’s trust. And when he defends her from the ruthless rebel leader, she finds herself falling for him.
Then Faith learns that Bellator wants her back – for all the wrong reasons. Caught in the middle, she doesn’t know where to turn. As the reckless actions of the leaders on both sides endanger someone she loves, Faith realises she has become a pawn in a much bigger game.
Can she save her best friend without playing into the enemy’s hands? And, if she succeeds, will it mean leaving Noah behind?
The second book in the Bellator Chronicles, Dependence is filled with intense drama, gripping action, and a pair of star-crossed lovers you’ll be rooting for long after lights out. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Noughts and Crosses, and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Release date May 27, 2022
Compliance
Book 1 The Bellator Chronicles
By Clare Littlemore
A gender experiment. An exiled community. A forbidden love.
Sixteen-year-old Faith is proud to attend Danforth Academy, a cutting-edge school in the all-female province of Bellator. But when tragedy strikes a fellow student, she suspects there is a darker side to the prestigious institution. Determined to protect herself and her friends, she goes looking for answers.
Her investigation brings her face-to-face with Noah, a boy from Eremus: a community the Bellator authorities claim they destroyed years ago.
Faith has been taught that all men are monsters. She knows she should turn Noah in. But she is drawn to the intriguing stranger and his unfamiliar way of life. As she learns more about him, she begins to question everything she’s ever known.
When a vicious attack involving both communities rocks the city, Faith finds herself at the centre of a web of lies.
Can she count on Noah for help? Or will he turn out to be the monster she’s always feared?
Read Compliance for intense drama, gripping action, and a pair of star-crossed lovers you’ll be rooting for long after lights out. Perfect for fans of The Selection, Noughts and Crosses and The Handmaid’s Tale.
Release date January 30, 2022
Flow Series Box Set
Books 1-4
By Clare Littlemore
Dive into the complete Flow Series box set. 4 novels with over 1000 pages of intriguing characters, thrilling action and slow-burn romance.
A drowned planet. A terrible secret. A girl desperate for answers.
If you love The Hunger Games, Divergent and The Giver, this gripping dystopian series will keep you up all night.
Release date September 1, 2021
Drumossie
Echoes in Time Book I
By M MacKinnon
M MacKinnon and DartFrogPlus announce the first novel in the Echoes in Time series—DRUMOSSIE—a paranormal romance set in the magical Scottish Highlands. Available on Amazon and other online platforms as well as selected bookstores, this novel has something for everyone: history, eternal love, humor, murder, and conspiracy! Subscribe to M MacKinnon’s website: mmackinnonwriter.com for more fun!
Watch the YouTube trailer for Drumossie.
Release date August 17, 2021
Healer’s Legacy
By M MacKinnon
Out on all online vendors April 1, in bookstores August 1.2020