Owl and Pussycat Promotions
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 "Our kids, my, my, Gracie, where did we go wrong? One marries God, another a Jew, and the last one, the devil!" Texas, 1951. The Wolanskys—Grace, Bud and their three grown children—are a close-knit clan, deeply rooted in their rural community and traditional faith. On their orderly farm, life seems good and tomorrow always holds promise. But under the surface, it’s a different story. Grace is beset by dark memories and nameless fears that she keeps secret even from Bud. Their son Andy has said no to becoming a farmer like his dad and, worse, fallen in love with a big-city Jewish girl. Youngest child Regina is trapped in a loveless marriage to an abusive, alcoholic husband. Even “perfect” daughter Angela’s decision to become a nun takes an unforeseen turn. And then Ceil Dollard breezes into town. Ceil—wealthy, sophisticated, irrepressible—is like a visitor from Mars. She’s a modern woman. She drives a car and wears pants. She blows away tradition and certainty, forcing Grace to face her fears and brave a changing world. Through Ceil, Grace learns about courage and freedom—but at the risk of losing Bud. Barbara Frances’ sparkling, richly human novel takes you back to a time when Ike was president and life was slower, but people were the same as now. You’ll encounter a cast of characters storm-tossed by change, held together by love. Written with compassion, humor and suspense, Like I Used to Dance will charm you, warm you and even squeeze a few tears, from it opening number to the last waltz.  Hashtagtruebeliever What an all around great read! From the moment I began reading I ... What an all around great read! From the moment I began reading I was captured by the family dynamic, and fell in love with the characters. This is a great summer read, beach read, rainy day anytime read, having all the elements of human emotions, trials, tribulations, and joy that living one's life entails. Just about anything you can imagine happening within a family saga, happens within these pages. Very enjoyable! Looking forward to my next book from Barbara Frances. And I swear my mother had a dress just like the one on this cover that she wore with her peep toes.  M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet 5.0 out of 5 stars WILL SURELY BECOME ONE OF THE CLASSICS IN LITERATURE Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2020 It is easy to see how Like I Used To Dance by Barbara Frances won awards. It is a novel that should easily find its way into classic literature. It is not just the story of the Wolanskys, who live in a small farming town in the nineteen-fifty’s, but the story of life, and how even generations of family issues can affect each new generation unless something happens to break the cycle. Ms. Frances paints a picture of each character, their weaknesses, as well as the strength in their character. From Grace, and Bud, their three grown children, to neighbors, and friends, each is drawn with a fine pencil, fully formed, and genuine, some are people you wish you knew, and others you would like to string up. Yet, each is so well crafted as to be able to see them in your life, or town. Whether she is painting the generous nature of Bud, to the horror of Billy Ray, Ms. Frances brings us a full picture of life as it was, and life as it still is. Many things may have changed in our world, underneath there is still an underbelly of both the beauty and ugliness of human nature. Like I Used To Dance was not a book that I could easily put down, but sat up till the wee hours of the morning reading. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
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 Prepare to be spellbound. Barbara Frances' long-awaited third novel is available NOW! Shadow's Way, takes you to the coastal, deep South, where the past and the present mingle in a gothic tale of insanity, murder, and sexual intrigue. You'll meet the beautiful Elaine Chauvier, former actress and proprietor of Shadow's Way, her family's antebellum home; the esteemed Archbishop Andre Figurant and his fallen identical twin, Bastien; newly arrived Ophelia and Rudy, here to explore their Chauvier roots and their ties to Shadow's Way; and the mysterious Madame Claudine. Under a veneer of piety and graciousness, i.e., the questions: What is good? What is evil? What is reality? Two of the historic forces that still shape American culture, ante-bellum southern ideology and the catholic church, are brought into fascinating and disturbing juxtaposition in this novel. Barbara Frances lays bare traditions that while often enough exposed as decadent in some measure, still retain strong elements of venerability through the usual telling of their stories. Not here. Nothing is embellished or disguised. At its core, like a Russell Lee camera lens, this work shows us marginalized people seeking growth and redemption without filters or touch-up. With all their blemishes, in their stumbling nakedness they emerge as utterly noble. David Wiener M. M. Bishop Award-winning author and poet 5.0 out of 5 stars I LOVED THIS SOUTHERN GOTHIC HORROR MYSTERY. Ms. Francis’ novel Shadow’s Way, had me enthralled from page one, it kept me reading until so late into the night that I used a flashlight in order not to wake my husband. I’ve always enjoyed reading gothic tales, but this one went beyond most that I had read. The synopsis was correct, past and present mingled and left me on the edge of my seat. Was G – G – Daddy a real paranormal experience or a figment of Elaine Chauvier’s imagination, which got worse as she sunk deeper into insanity? I loved the various characters that Ms. Francis brought into play as needed to heighten the story. They were well rounded and interconnected in ways that one has to keep reading to get the full picture.  A Man Goes Up in Flames.Was it an accident or murder? Gwynn Reznick returns as a rookie private investigator… …to find the truth. Placed in an accounting role to watch the key players up close, she uncovers financial irregularities while delving into clues that lead her into dangerous situations. To obtain information, she becomes entangled with a tough crew of oil field workers. Their interpersonal jealousies and mysterious pasts intersect to obscure the truth. Unraveling connecting threads that link to multiple disappearances, Gwynn discovers she’s pitted against polished criminal professionals and finds herself in the center of a devious scheme. Money shortages and illicit affairs… …point to several suspects. Will her sleuthing blow her cover before her backup team arrives?</p Any reader who enjoys action, adventure, murder mysteries, or just a plain good read will love Burning Water, the third book in the Gwynn Reznick series.  Susan Ricci
5.0 out of 5 stars Sizzling Mystery at its Finest! Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2021 Verified Purchase Burning Water: A Gwynn Reznick Mystery by talented mystery author Inge-Lise Goss, is a masterpiece of suspense with twists and turns galore. The action packs a wallop as a horrific murder occurs at the onset of the story and kept this reader intensely curious to learn how the murderer was going to be caught – with Gwynn Reznick in the persona of Diane, playing a part-time accountant for the H&E Oil Company where the ‘accident’ took place. She takes another case for the benefit of a company attorney, although her longtime employer and love interest Rubin from R.D.’s Investigation Company, cautions her to tread lightly. Gwynn is staying at the local hotel owned by her aunt and uncle, coincidentally where other employees of H&E Oil live. The locals are having issues with livestock, and with a slew of other investigators/attorneys on all these semi-related cases – nothing is as it seems in this riveting story, as well as the rest of the unsavory characters this reader found totally wary of trust.  Five Flowers is the story of five women who find themselves drawn together through several lifetimes. The challenges they face deal with love, betrayal and finding their way to personal independence. What is the strange attraction they feel toward the sinister man around whom they orbit like satellites? Which of them will break free, and which will fall victim to him again and again? Franki deMerle has rapidly become one of my favorite authors. I love her character portrayal and the depth she is able to pull out of each of them. It fascinates me to follow each character through lifetime after lifetime as their souls attempt to learn the lessons they failed at in the past. This is one of my favorites for it takes one through some of the most fascinating and devilish periods of history. In her book Five Flowers we follow six characters, five of them women from the court of Henry the VIII through encounters with Jack the Ripper and finally to a Charles Manson like scenario. It is a book I could not put down as it drew me deeper and deeper into the lives, hearts, minds, and souls of the story. The writing is rich in detail, the characters deep, and the plot well research and brilliantly depicted. I highly recommend this book. I was swept away while reading Five Flowers into the court of Henry III, and then on to the horrors of Jack the Ripper, and the Manson Family. As I followed the lives of five women who reincarnated through these times, I wondered who would finally break the cycle, and who would not. Highly recommend this well researched novel with deep character development and brilliantly depicted by Ms. deMerle.  To walk with another person can be as mundane as putting on one's socks and shoes, or it can be a twisting, turning, life-changing journey into unknown territory. It can also be everything in between. My walk with Virginia was life-changing. It was unexpected. It was challenging. It was frustrating and confusing. We had highs, and we had lows. Thankfully, it was also awe-inspiring and extraordinary. Have you ever been a caregiver for a family member or a friend? Is it, perhaps, on the horizon of your life? Or maybe you cannot yet see the horizon. Make no mistake, it is not a question of love, whether to provide much needed and potentially long-term care. It is a question of necessity. Love, and devotion born out of love, are the firmly rooted footings on which you stand when providing this necessary care. Humor is the grab bar you grip tightly when the ground below you begins to shake or shift. Patience is paramount. I survived it, and you can, too. I believe I am a better person having had the experience. My story is a true account of my caregiving experience with my mother-in-law. It lasted only a few short years and, in that time, carved such deep and permanent remembrances too good not to share. Some would ask, "why share something so personal?", and my reply would be, "why not?". Life is so much sweeter when shared with others. I hope you find comfort, a little guidance perhaps, enjoy a few laughs, and chew on some 'food for thought' as you journey with Virginia and I through the blessings and blunders of Caregiving! Robert W Collins
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book! A great read! Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021 Verified Purchase If you are a caregiver or just want a little inside look into how one person handled that difficult position with love and created great memories A Walk With Virginia is the book for you!  Three short stories of the paranormal and the unknown, to delight, chill, and make you wonder. This book contains The Hollowers, The Other Side, and The Night of the Fairies, published under single stories and now together. The Hollowers is a strange tale of Jerry's discovery of an old box. Jerry is a man who has chosen to do as little as possible to get by. He lives in a pretend world where the main character is himself, until he finds the mysterious box. The Other Side is the story of Ed and Isle. Ed is a successful businessman until one day under the most unusual circumstances he discovers a new world. A world that holds the woman of his dreams, but can he live there or will his learned behavior keep them apart? The Night of the Fairies, takes us into the realm of a young girl, who was adopted into the tribe, but never fit in. She sees fairies, which no one else can see and has a horror of becoming the wife of one of the tribe, she is changing you see, but into what? Cover Art by R. Jade Lazlow Viv Drewa
5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous short stories! Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2020 Verified Purchase I love the way Bishop's imagination can weave such odd, and entertaining stories. The Night of the Fairies shows us if we wait we will become whom we want to be. The Other Side was just as fascinating! A man finally finds the woman of his dreams, but is he willing to make the sacrifice of a successful life? The Hollowers was a bit more disturbing but fantastic. A lazy man, living in an imaginary world, finds a box that gives him the ultimate reward if you want to call it that. I highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to see outcomes in different situations.  Garrett Duex Sabres is handsome, wealthy, brilliant and a demon with a split personality feeding on the living energy of humans. However, unlike others of his kind, Garrett chooses not to feed off pain and misery, he’s discovered a more palatable and just as potent source—sexual energy. Exploiting his charms, Garrett spends many evenings moving from one “dinner-date” to the next siphoning off small amounts from willing playmates. When Kay walks into Garrett’s life, his entire world is flipped around.Kay Piper Jordan had once been held captive by a demon leaving her scarred in body, mind and spirit. Now, nine years after her escape, she is homeless, hunted, and still wondering exactly what the demon, Border, had intended for her. When Garrett rescues her from Border’s servant she finds herself conflicted. Garrett isn’t at all like the other demon, in fact he seems to be highly over protective of her—even form his other, darker, personality Taledrin. Taledrin lives less than a half-life. For just one week a month his other side gives him control. Unlike Garrett, Taledrin likes a little pain with his pleasure and cruses the seeder clubs for his “dinner dates”; or fights whoever he can just for the thrill. But once Kay enters the picture he finds himself curbing his natural tendencies. He begins to care, even vying for her attention. No matter who wins the battle for Kays heart one thing is clear, both Garrett and Taledrin must work together to keep her safe and out of Borders hands. Garrett Duex Sabres is handsome, wealthy, brilliant and a demon with a split personality feeding on the living energy of humans. However, unlike others of his kind, Garrett chooses not to feed off pain and misery, he’s discovered a more palatable and just as potent source—sexual energy. Exploiting his charms, Garrett spends many evenings moving from one “dinner-date” to the next siphoning off small amounts from willing playmates. When Kay walks into Garrett’s life, his entire world is flipped around.Kay Piper Jordan had once been held captive by a demon leaving her scarred in body, mind and spirit. Now, nine years after her escape, she is homeless, hunted, and still wondering exactly what the demon, Border, had intended for her. When Garrett rescues her from Border’s servant she finds herself conflicted. Garrett isn’t at all like the other demon, in fact he seems to be highly over protective of her—even form his other, darker, personality Taledrin.Taledrin lives less than a half-life. For just one week a month his other side gives him control. Unlike Garrett, Taledrin likes a little pain with his pleasure and cruses the seeder clubs for his “dinner dates”; or fights whoever he can just for the thrill. But once Kay enters the picture he finds himself curbing his natural tendencies. He begins to care, even vying for her attention. No matter who wins the battle for Kays heart one thing is clear, both Garrett and Taledrin must work together to keep her safe and out of Borders hands.
 They took her lover. Getting him back could be the last thing she ever does…High-powered Atlanta attorney Sydney Jones never backs down from a case. So when her bodyguard and boyfriend is accused of murder, she’s determined to fight for him in court. Instead, the charges are suddenly dismissed, and he vanishes without a trace… Suspecting CIA involvement, Sydney takes on a lawsuit with Chinese Black Society ties and finds a startling connection to her missing man. But as she digs deeper, she discovers that someone may kill to keep the secret. Will this dangerous cat-and-mouse game reveal the truth or put a bullet in Sydney’s head? Chance is the second book in the Sydney Jones psychological thriller trilogy. If you like fearless heroines, page-turning action, and shocking twists, then you’ll love Carolyn Bowen’s gripping story. Kimberly of My Bookish Bliss
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Crime Novel! Chance is the second novel in the Sidney Jones series. Carolyn Bowen takes her readers on adventures all around the world, and the settings are fabulous! I will fully admit that I did not read the first novel in the series, Primed for Revenge, and I feel that I should have read it before reading Chance. I am confident that I missed a lot from the first novel that may have made me feel better about Chance. Now, that is not to say that I didn’t enjoy Chance. On the contrary, I thought it was a great novel. Bowen has a way with words that make you feel like you are there with the characters sitting on a Barbados white sand beach. Unfortunately, without having the background on Sidney and Walker’s relationship, I was incredibly upset at the way he behaved through the novel. A guy as smart as Walker could have arranged any number of situations where he could have made a difference. Instead, he went in a direction that made me perpetually mad at him. I won’t let that shadow my rating, though, because the writing is fantastic. My anger at the characters does not take away from the phenomenal writing and how well Bowen describes her world to us. So, with that in mind, I award Chance a full 5 out of 5 stars. I do recommend that you read the novels in order, as Chance was not a standalone novel, nor is it meant to be. I will be going back and reading Primed for Revenge to up my knowledge before the third novel is released.  In a world where the Gods walk and their spirits commune with mankind, there must be those trained while in a trance to intercede with them, for the good of the tribe. Mondoani, a young woman, is chosen by the Gods to take the place of the Old Mother upon her passing. Is this frail young woman strong enough to carry the spirits of the Gods? Can she learn quickly enough to save her people from possible famine and death? For it will be her responsibility to carry the memories of all those who have passed from this life and to help protect and lead her people across the dead lands and snowy plains to a place they can safely spend the winter. But before she can accomplish that she must choose an apprentice from among the young girls and women, someone who can take her place should she fall. Will Mondoani’s youth and inexperience condemn the tribe to death or will she rise above it and with the help of the magical world choose correctly? Leyla Atke
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful fiction which will take you immediately into another mysterious world! The Choosing by Marta Moran Bishop is an amazing fiction describing the ancient culture and customs of a fictional tribe. The main character is a young woman named Mondoani elected by gods to be an apprentice of Old Mother, who was the memory keeper of the tribe. Foreseeing the imminent end, Old Mother hurry to make Mondoani the new memory keeper, who will protect the tribe and provide it with a safe and happy existence. To do this, they go into a long and arduous journey together with the tribe to implement the transfer of power ceremony at the designated location. The story takes place on the background of beautiful descriptions of ancient customs and culture of the tribe, which worships many gods. Upon arrival at the designated place, Old Mother falls into a trance to make the transfer of the power to Mondoani. Unfortunately, Old Mother will never come out of this trance, which became the last one in her deserved life. Mondoani becomes the new memory keeper of the tribe, who should lead it and protect against adversity, asking gods about welfare. Becoming the new memory keeper, Mondoani herself begins to worry about how to find a new apprentice. Looking for a new apprentice, Mondoani regrettably realizes that she will take away the daughter from her mother, and deprive her of happiness to have children and normal life. She also understands perfectly the state of the unfortunate mother. Mondoani begins to bother when she realizes that the choice could fall on beautiful Ashtra, daughter of Naomi. When it comes to action, Sky Spirit and Spider Woman do much unexpected choice: they choose Towandiaka on the one hand, and on the other Ashtra. Then they bring them together and announce them bonded in holy matrimony not only in this life, but also in the next! This will of course allow them to have children and be happy parents. This moment, emotionally described by Marta, made me so happy that I felt radiating myself. The gods then chose not one but two young women who have become Mondoani's apprentices. The book gave me a great pleasure not only because of perfect plot, but also because of wonderful and realistic description of the culture and customs of the ancient tribe. I had the feeling that Marta may witness it herself in some mysterious way. It will remain a mystery to me forever. Reading the book, I felt I'm where. The Choosing by Marta Moran Bishop is a special tribute to the culture and traditions of our ancestors, it teaches us to live in peace and harmony with nature and respect each other. Highly recommended!  Soulless and exiled from Heaven the Dark Knights have spent millennia protecting humanity from Lucifer and his demons. But the longer they live the closer they come to joining Lucifer’s ranks in Hell. Their only hope is to find their soul keepers, and love. After an attack by a demon left her injured and weak Amber Fitzpatrick welcomed the attention and caring of her rescuer Jacob—until he turned into an abusive monster. The night Amber flees the possessive, extraordinarily toxic relationship Jacob reveals his true demonic nature. Zach has more than Lucifer’s minions to contend with. Each day brings him closer to Hell. For fifty years he’s walked the thin line between sanity and giving in to his dark urges. Urges that go against his calling as a healer and a teacher. Every battle drives him closer to the edge, feeds his inner demon and pushes him to find a permanent solution to death. When Zach meets Amber he sees a chance for salvation. But Amber’s experience with Jacob makes her afraid to start any kind of relationship with Zach, especially discovering he’s not that different then the man she walked away from. Can she set her fear aside and save Zach before she loses him to the darkness forever? A. Bock
5.0 out of 5 stars Great addition to the overall storyline/universe Verified Purchase Another great installment in the Dark Knights of Heaven. While the book could stand on its own, I strongly recommend reading it after the previous two. It really does help put all of the pieces of the puzzle in the right places since there are a lot of plot points that tie to the previous books. It’s one of the traits of the series I love. Everything ties together. No characters ever really leave once they’ve had their chance to shine. Overall, this is my favorite Knight by far. I am a sucker for a tortured soul and the fact that Zach is also incredibly smart, caring and wears glasses just makes him even more lovable. I spent a good part of the book wanting to do nothing but hug him. Amber is a fantastic heroine. The way she’s introduced to everything and how she reacts is that of a new reader to the series. To me, it seems like Amber is the woman I’d be if in that same situation. She’s strong, caring and stubborn. She refuses to be left out of her own life any longer. Love a strong female lead and you’ll love her. |
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