This Week’s Author: None Scheduled

This is why I need help! I have two segments going on. One is this one and the other is Reading with Star. My Reading With Star segment is scheduled all the way until September. The last one scheduled posted last Friday. I would love for anybody to nominate any Author they feel needs some more spotlights. Either comment with a link where I can contact them or send them this link. Or share this link and my email and have any author who would love to participate in this contact time! Thank you in advance for your time. My goal here is for us to get to know the authors. They work so hard at putting wonderful books into our hands. The least we can do is let them know how wonderful we think they are and get to know who they are behind the books.

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This Week’s Author: Michelle Murray

I became acquainted with this author a couple of years back on social media. At an online event if I remember correctly. She’s one of the authors who I feel just don’t get enough attention on their books.

About the Author

Michelle is a married working mother of two fine young men (her children). She lives in Wisconsin. When not writing, she enjoys reading especially science fiction/fantasy and classics.

Her favorite authors include Shakespeare, Mark Twain, Margaret Weiss, and Colleen Houck.

She also enjoys doing painting and crafts, and spending time with her family. She enjoys going for walks, and swimming. She has been known to jump in Lake Michigan with no life jacket!

She has been writing since high school. Michelle took a break from writing to concentrate on raising her children.

She has an app on her IPad that gives her a word of the day and poem of the day.

Michelle has had many poems and short stories published in anthologies. She has been featured in Whos Who Among American Poets.

https://amzn.to/3MIh6Qo

Dream Walker Land of Mystica Series features Miranda as she learns to harness her Dream Walker magic.
Travel to Mystica with Miranda as she searches for the trapped white wizards.
Magic, Dragons, Dreams, and adventure await you in the fun, family friendly fantasy series.

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Michelle Murray. I fully encourage you to check out her books!

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This Week’s Author: Heather Frost

Note: Photos taken from Amazon and author’s page.

I can’t remember exactly how I came across Heather Frost. What I can say is that I knew from the moment I saw Royal Decoy that I would absolutely love the book. I managed to get a copy it and Royal Spy for both myself and my mother. I’m so glad I did. I’m also so glad I discovered the author. She’s so very talented. Even if she leaves us infuriated with the intense cliffhangers! I can’t wait to see her upcoming works!

From The Author:

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved stories. I told stories to my younger siblings, I was drawing stories in notebooks before I learned how to write, and I devoured books. By the time I was 12, I’d read just about everything I could in my small town library. I was desperate for something new to read, but it wasn’t even close to my birthday or Christmas, so I knew I wouldn’t be getting anything new anytime soon. Then it hit me; I knew everything I loved in a story, so I could write my own.
I found a second-hand crystal necklace sitting in my jewelry box, and it wasn’t long before I had a story idea. There was magic, dragons, a girl with a sword, and a rebel who needs help—even if he doesn’t want to admit it. Betrayal, romance, danger—it was all in there, and I loved every second of writing it. It was all I wanted to do; I’d go to bed thinking about the story, and I’d spend all day longing for the moment when I’d be able to start typing again.
When I finished the book, my dad asked if I wanted to print it. He balked a little when he learned it was over 200 single-spaced pages, but I still have that printed copy sitting on a bookshelf in my office. Writing that first book ignited a passion inside me. A passion that had always been there, I think, but now it had been given wings. I moved onto the next story, and then the next. Every birthday wish was that I would be published someday. Every spare moment I had was spent writing. And when I couldn’t write, I was thinking about writing.

By the time I graduated high school I’d finished 7 novels and I’d started about 20 others, with many more ideas in the back of my mind. I got my first rejection letter when I was 18, and I kept writing. I don’t know how many of those early books will ever get fixed up and published, but I learned so much from the act of writing them.
In 2010, I had an idea fall into my head. It was all about a girl who can see immortal guardians and demons, and her Irish guardian protector. I was on my summer break, so I wrote almost constantly. And in 2011, SEERS was published.
That’s when my birthday wishes changed—now I wished that I could be able to be a full-time author. I couldn’t imagine anything better than being able to make my living from the written word I loved so much. In 2020, I published ROYAL DECOY, the first in my Fate of Eyrinthia series. The story about a kitchen maid forced to become a decoy became so much more than I ever imagined when I started writing, and this series has changed my entire life. In 2021, I started writing full-time.
There’s a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that I have framed on my bedroom wall. “Dare to live the life you have dreamed for yourself. Go forward and make your dreams come true.” This quote has inspired me through some hard times. Being an author requires a lot of tenacity and hard work. It means facing rejection, and choosing to go forward anyway. At the risk of sounding like a cheesy inspirational poster, I truly do believe that you can accomplish anything you set your heart on, as long as you’re willing to work for it.
So my advice to aspiring authors (or anyone with a goal in mind) is to never give up. If there’s something you want to do, do it. If there’s a dream you have, dare to make it come true. Believe in yourself. You have the power to live the life you’ve dreamed for yourself.
All you have to do is dare.

Links
Royal Decoy (Fantasy Romance)
https://mybook.to/lvabZJ

Seers (Paranormal Romance)
https://mybook.to/6ScMv3

Esperance (Fantasy Romance)
https://mybook.to/wMAbfpE

To learn more about Heather’s books, check out her website:
https://www.heatherfrost.com/

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Heather Frost. I fully encourage you to check out her books!

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This Week’s Author: Marie Long

Note: Photos taken from Amazon and author’s page.

I met Marie Long at the LLS convention I attend during the summer. She’s very sweet and very talented. I’m a very socially awkward person, but I always felt at ease talking to her. I can’t explain it. She just puts off a soothing presence. She’s very talented as well. I’m glad that I met her and watch her growth as an artist. I can’t wait to see the great things she has in store for us from here forward!

From The Author:

Hey there! I’m Marie. I’m not your typical author, in that I am all over the place when it comes to my writing! I write in various genres under various pen names, which means I might have a book to suit your fancy! I love meeting new readers and nerding out on all things books!

Writing has been something I always loved to do since I was first able to write as a kid. I love telling imaginative stories and sharing them with the world. Now that I am a published author, I’ve made that dream into a reality!

I got serious with my publishing back in 2011 when I released my gothic fantasy novella, The Necromancer’s Apprentice by R.M. Prioleau. I was so nervous when I published that book for the first time on Amazon, Smashwords and all the other big platforms. I knew there was no turning back, and after that moment, I was even more hooked on writing.

In addition to writing, I am a huge gaming and manga/anime nerd. I love all things video games, D&D, and manga. Prior to publishing books, I also had a few of my own manga published. I really want to return to my art in full again, but there is only so much time in a day!

Other lifestyle activities I am involved in martial arts, basketball, and tennis. Health and fitness is a huge part of my life, and I think it’s important for all authors to practice good health and self-care, especially when most of us sit at a desk for long periods of time.

My current obsession has been returning to my publishing roots of where it all began. I’m writing a fantasy story for my patrons on Patreon and sharing the progress as I go. It’s the first time I’m doing this, but I have been enjoying it so far. I hope my readers have, also! Fantasy has been my most favorite genre to write, because of my nerdy background and crazy imagination. But I’ve found that readers have been falling in love with almost all of my characters, no matter what book I write, and that’s what matters to me the most.

I hope in my large collection of books, you will find a series that you will enjoy. That is what my company, Chikara Press is all about–Falling in love with your next great story.

I have three new releases planned for 2023. My paranormal romance, Pinstripes will debut at Spacecoast Booklovers Convention in June. I also have a surprise Urban Fantasy release coming to the Literary Love Savannah Convention in August. Then, later in the year, I am hoping to have the third book of my Plainclothes Tootsie mystery series released. Lots of stuff is happening, and I can’t wait to share it with my readers!

Support me on patreon: www.pateron.com/chikarapress

Discover your next great story at Chikara Press: www.chikarapress.com

I hope you enjoyed getting to know Marie Long. I’m looking forward to seeing her at LLS this year. I fully encourage you to check out her books!

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This Week’s Author: Roux Cantrell

Note: Photos taken from author’s profile and Amazon.

I discovered this author due to a review group I’m in. I fell in love with her Gypsy King series. I’ve since read a couple of other books by her outside of the series. They are just as good. She has an amazing writing style. I can’t wait to read other works by her. I am also going to have the honor of meeting her in person at two events in August and September. You better believe I will be fangirling hard!

From the Author:

I got into writing when I was in junior high by journaling to navigate my emotions and just kept doing that until one day I was writing stories. What am I passionate about: my family and friends. My beliefs. My Harley lol Hobbies: I make Halloween costumes, I love to make swag out of damaged book pages. Something about me that readers should know: thinking hard in this one lol Probably that I’m very approachable. I love meeting people And talking with them.

Author Websites:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16068762.Roux_Cantrell

https://amzn.to/3IJ24se

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/c/roux-cantrell/

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRouxCantrell/

https://www.instagram.com/rouxcantrell/?hl=en

https://www.fictiondb.com/author/roux-cantrell~637128.htm

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/roux-cantrell

I hope you enjoyed getting to know more about Roux Cantrell. I fully encourage you to check out her and her fantastic books.

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

Note: The author scheduled this week was not able to participate. Rather than cancel the blog, I decided to feature an author this week instead. In honor of her new release, I have chosen K.M. Frost.

I met this author through an author who I’ve been working with for awhile. I’m so glad I did. I read and fell in love with her new release No Matter What. I’ve also become aware of a trilogy she’s written that I will be getting my hands on the moment I can. She’s talented and has a very wonderful writing style.

I’m going to share some teasers for No Matter What here so you can see just how amazing this book is.

Congrats on your new release, K.M. Frost! I can’t wait to see the other wonderful books you come out with!

Follow the author!

Website:
https://www.kmfrost.com/

Facebook:
K.M. Frost
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100027309353631

Instagram:
@KM.Frost.Author
https://www.instagram.com/km.frost.author/

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6306719.K_M_Frost

Book Bub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/k-m-frost

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This week’s author: Thetta James

I’ve only read a couple of Thetta James’ work currently, but I absolutely love her writing style. She’s talented. It’s incredible how well she incorporates steamy with thought-provoking moments in her writing. I’m looking forward to reading other books by her. I know I will love them!

From Thetta James:

Hello everyone! I’m Author Thetta James and before I get started, I want to say thank you to Nicole for the spotlight and the support! What’s unique about me, and I’m sure other authors do this as well, is I don’t have a particular genre that I write. There are tons of story ideas in my head and I write whichever story presents itself. I’ve self-published 6 books and I’m working on book 7 right now.

It is true that an author’s characters talk to them. I couldn’t wrap my head around that before I started my author journey, but it is in fact true! While I love most genres, I love a good romance with dark elements and lots of spice. Whether the trope is BDSM, MC, Friends-to-Lovers, etc., as long as it’s a mixture of spicy and dark, I’m in.

My husband encouraged me to start writing. Before this journey, I was a blogger and my blog, The Erotic Book Review, was very successful. During my blogging days, I started writing short stories filled with lust and love. I’m a very passionate woman and I felt like that was missing in some of the books I read, so I wrote the words I wanted to see. My husband has always been my biggest cheerleader and felt like I had what it takes to write a full-length novel. I’ve been hooked ever since.

When I’m not writing, I love to read, binge watch tv shows, and sing. Music has been a part of my life since I was a little girl and most of the women in my family can sing. Fun fact, my mother was a background singer for Tina Turner a very long time ago. She was too young to go on tour so she was replaced, but what an experience that was for her!

I’ve been married to the love of my life for 30 years and we have 5 adult children. Grandbaby #11 is due in September and it’s a girl. I’m very excited about that. I recently retired from truck driving with my husband for personal reasons. One of those reasons is my health (the wear and tear on my body was brutal) and I also want to give my author journey a chance to flourish. I spent 9 years traveling the country, seeing every state (except Hawaii and Alaska) and I can’t say enough about how beautiful the USA is. My hubby and I are planning to RV across the US when he retires. People are amazed that I drove a big rig since I’m only 5’2, however, let me assure you that it is indeed possible. Another fun fact, I drive the rig better than my SUV!

All in all my goal is to write stories that readers will enjoy, let them escape, and leave them begging for more. I hope you enjoyed learning a little about me and again, thank you Nicole for this spotlight. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Author Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThettaJamesAuthor/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThettaJ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thettajamesauthor/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/thetta-james

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Thetta-James/e/B08F7ZLFXP

Website: authorthettajames.com 

Some books by Thetta James:

https://amzn.to/40HWEUQ

Crystal Stephens is living the perfect life. She has everything she ever wanted except a man that will fulfill all her sexual wants and needs. She desires pain with her pleasure, and no one has come close to satisfying her. Now, she’s starting to give up hope of finding him.

Jackson Barnes needs a fresh start. Back on the job after a leave of absence, his focus is on his new undercover assignment at the new club, Pure Sin. He has sworn off love after his latest breakup until the perfect woman falls at his feet.

As Crystal and Jackson explore their newfound passion, Jackson’s past collides with their present, and they soon find out that love can cost you everything.

***WARNING*** Love Hurts is an Erotic Suspense novel with graphic sexual scenes that may offend some readers. This book contains sexually explicit language, adult themes, use of sex toys/equipment and violence. This book contains content that is not suitable for readers under the age of 18. Please read with caution.

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This week’s author: Cara/September/Echo North

This author is one incredible author. She’s witty. She’s funny. She’s incredibly talented. She’s also fierce and tough. She’s incredibly loyal and humble. I’m incredibly thankful I met her and get to experience her work. Seriously check her out!

From Cara/September/Echo North:

I want to talk about mature teens. It seems like everyone wants to pretend that a thirteen year old doesn’t know anything about sex. I was a freshman in high school when I was thirteen. I dated a senior and I knew about sex. Not just from health class. I knew about it before my boyfriend and conscent. So, when people talk about  books with adult themes, I get it. Some kids get to remain kids. My books probably are too much for them, but for the kids who have to grow up fast, kids who have to step in to do adult jobs, and make descisions that also impact the family, yeah, they need books like the ones I write because I could have used more fictional characters that reflected some idealistic versions of some of the absolute (expelitive) ish I had to deal with growing up. I don’t wish that kind of life on anyone and my characters will come through eventually. Some have it easier than others. Some cope and learn faster than others. Like real life. My characters have a common thread of a love for music, but their backgrounds vary. Gen 2, the concluding series of the Drummonds has the most variety yet, so…don’t miss it.

https://amzn.to/41OBipw

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This week’s author: Sofia Ann Hoffman

This is another wonderful author I met at LLS. She’s witty and fun. It shows in her writing. She’s an incredibly talented person. Aside from being an author, she makes some amazing things. She also edits for other authors as well.

https://amzn.to/3o0ryKd
https://www.facebook.com/groups/961001147391813

From Sofia Ann Hoffman:

Hello everyone,

My name is Michelle Hoffman and I write under the pen name Sofia Ann Hoffman. I’m a native Texan and a Navy brat, so I have traveled around some on the mainland, though I spent most of my upbringing years in Corpus Christi, Texas—hometown of the Whataburger!

I’ve been reading, or have been read to, as long as I can remember. My parents were both readers and passed the love for it on to me and my sisters. I also have been making up stories since I was small, though I didn’t really start writing them out until I hit high school and my first publicized work—a poem from the viewpoint of a dying leaf—appeared in my high school magazine.

I’m a very quiet person, even when I’m hanging out with people that I consider my friends. It tends to bug people who aren’t familiar with me because they think I’m angry over something. I’m not, I’m just taking everything in. I have been told that I have stealth powers and tend to accidentally sneak up on people without meaning to.

Most of the time, you will find me with a piece of plastic canvas, yarn, and a needle because that’s one of my favorite hobbies. Another pastime of mine is listening to 80s music and, as of a few months ago, audiobooks.

After many years of taking care of my mother and helping raise five nieces and nephews, I decided I had done my duty and would never marry or have children of my own. Instead, I am a dog mom. My current fur babies are Daisy and Minnie. (I didn’t name either one of them and I got them at separate times, so it’s just a coincidence they are both named after Disney characters.) I usually have a dog—or a creature that acts like a dog—in each of my stories.

Speaking of stories, you are probably wondering where I get the ideas from. Pretty much everywhere, to be honest. The most prevalent place is from dreams, however. I see the stories in my head as if I am watching a movie and the viewpoints can change. Sometimes, I am a main character, sometimes, I am a director. Many dreams have me just as an omnipotent observer. They can be wild or even based off of things in my real life but mixed together. I do have one book which is called Steven With a V and is based off of my real-life crush that I had on a coworker. In real life, I was too chicken to let him know, so in the story, I have the main character admit her feelings and they work on developing a relationship.

Most of my stories are paranormal because…magic! I love the idea of being able to get out of a sticky spot with the use of magic or with some sort of shifter abilities that a person may have. One of my current works in progress is expanding Draggin’ Decision in which sixteen-year-old Vizhadi (a silver dragon) must decide if he will remain on Earth and always hidden from prying humans or go to another planet that is dragon friendly.

If you want to hang out with me, the best place is my reader group on Facebook, where any talk of books, pics of baby animals and/or sexy people(within FB guidelines!) are welcome. https://www.facebook.com/groups/961001147391813

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com

This week’s author: Krys Fenner

Krys Fenner is such a talented author. I had the pleasure of meeting her at an event called Literary Love of Savannah. I fell in love with the covers of her books first. They were an impulse buy that I do not regret at all. I didn’t read them right away because I have so many books that I have to read and I keep buying more. When I finally did, I became hooked. I can’t wait for the next book in the Dark Road series to be released. I do need to read more books from her, I know that I will love them. She has this wonderful writing style. She also has the ability to captivate your attention and hit many emotions all at once.

Website: kbfennerrose.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KrysFenner

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@krysfenner

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FennerKrys

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romance_brigit_rose/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/krysfenner3/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/krysandbrigit

From Krys Fenner:

When I first started writing in high school and I dreamed about becoming an author, I never could’ve imagined the journey it would take me on. That’s strange to say, given some stuff I’ve created. Yet, it’s true. Back then, all the stories I wrote comprised fantasy. As I was into things like Dungeons & Dragons, White Wolf, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, it made sense. I loved the paranormal world. Something that hasn’t changed over the years. For the most part, anyway.
It wasn’t until my junior year of high school that someone challenged me to think bigger and broaden my imagination. Mr. Pierce had given us a short story assignment in my creative writing class. Nothing unusual about that. What made this time different was that he pulled me aside and asked me to write something other than fantasy. How could I do that? Fantasy was my getaway. I lived for it. No matter how hard I tried, my brain pushed back. It refused to give me anything. So, I talked to my friends about the assignment. They gave me a variety of ideas.
One of which sparked something inside of me. I wrote a short story about a female whose father had molested her growing up. Though she hadn’t seen him in years, his death brought her back, where she visited his gravesite and forgave the man who’d hurt her. It was the best story I’d ever written. Something I was extremely proud of. For years, I’d kept those two sheets of notebook paper, front and back, with that story. Unfortunately, it’s got lost somewhere along the way, but I never forgot it.
That story, that moment, altered me as a writer. It shaped me in a way that when I took the plunge and published a story of my own, I started with what has become the “Dark Road Series.”
But so did high school. It’s why I write these books, why I work on a series that addresses the darker part of life for teenagers. Because we as a society think, “You’re a teenager. How hard can your life be?”
Trauma doesn’t discriminate against age, race, or gender. It doesn’t give a shit if you’ve only lived for a few years or eighty. I wanted to write these books because I want people to talk. So the world can change.
I imagine for some, that doesn’t make a lick of sense. Let me explain it like this.
High school was tough for me. I was as much a geek back then as I am now. (I totally feel like Dustin just pointed that out.) People often bullied me. My self-confidence was low, and I dealt with depression. While I had a few friends, I didn’t always know how to talk to them. Not about real-life stuff. After I graduated from high school, things didn’t get better. Someone assaulted me and the friend I confided in, it turned out he wasn’t really a friend.
Life taught me not to trust people. That they would only use you and spit you out when they were finished.
As a teenager, I didn’t know how to handle any of this. It took years for me to overcome the trauma I’d experienced. Part of that results from writing the “Dark Road Series.” Although Bella’s trauma is her own, some of her emotions come from me.
I ultimately hope that by sharing this fictional story, people will see the house isn’t always made of glass. But that doesn’t mean it has to be that way.

Books by Krys Fenner:

Addicted: https://readerlinks.com/l/2701439

Damaged: https://readerlinks.com/l/2701745

Avenged: https://readerlinks.com/l/2701835

Burned: https://readerlinks.com/l/2701349

Twisted: https://readerlinks.com/l/2731232

Got an author you feel should be spotlighted? Comment their info here or email me at nikkiereads@starsbooksandtea.com