 For decades, I knew I had stories from the South Pacific that demanded to be told, stories so compelling listeners suggested they belonged on the big screen. Yet, the journey to share these tales began with a serendipitous meeting on a Thai riverboat in 1993, where a friend shared them with an English author intrigued by the South Pacific. This encounter led him to suggest I should be the one to write the stories. Embracing the challenge, I realized writing was akin to gourmet cooking: I needed the perfect recipe, the finest ingredients, and the right guests to appreciate the final dish. This realization sparked a thirty-year odyssey across the globe, gathering old letters, diaries, and firsthand accounts to infuse authenticity and depth into my narratives. In 1994, armed with determination and replacing an old typewriter with a word processor for efficiency, I began my writing journey. After eight years and countless hours, I had completed two novels but faced the daunting world of publishing as a novice. Initial attempts in 2002 to publish met with interest but also proposals to change my "recipe," leading to a pause in my quest. However, the pandemic in 2020 provided an unexpected catalyst. Secluded and reflective, I dusted off my manuscripts, feeling an urgent need to finally share my stories. Two revisions and nine months later, I reached out to a literary agent friend who knew just the right publisher. On my 80th birthday in 2021, I received the call that would change everything: my stories, written entirely by myself, were to be published. In Search of the Cannibal King and Cannibal King were released to the world in 2021, marking the beginning of a new chapter in my life and offering a testament to the power of perseverance and the fulfillment of a dream long-held. Please let my story be a reminder: never give up on your dreams, no matter how long it takes to realize them. Nanine Case Join Nanine in her adventures; jump into In Search of the Cannibal King FREE!!!! Then, buckle in for stories steeped in history, action, adventure, and even a hint of romance!   Connect with Nanine to stay up-to-date on New Releases and Specials!
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 Immerse yourself in a story of resilience, hope, and unexpected love with our featured novel, Lonely Heart by M.J. Kane. As Kaitlyn Rodgers navigates the challenges of impending motherhood, a new job, and a rebellious sister all on her own, her life seems far from the fairytale she once dreamed of. Enter Antonio Rodriguez, an auto mechanic with a heart as large as his reluctance to repeat his father's solitary path. Their chance encounter sparks a friendship that promises a hint of joy in their tumultuous lives. But when the past returns, offering Kaitlyn a different future, she stands at a crossroads between the life she thought she wanted and the possibility of something more. Critics and readers alike have lauded this novel for its deep dive into the complexities of modern relationships, marking it as a journey through every conceivable emotion. It's a tale not of simple romances, but of the messy, beautiful, and sometimes painful reality of love. Celebrate this Valentine's Day by joining Kaitlyn and Antonio on their heartfelt journey, a testament to the power of love in all its forms. Read all the books in the Butterfly Memoirs Free with Kindle Unlimited!  Connect with MJ via her Newsletter or Author Pages!
Crafting Modern Fairy Tales: Love, Trials, and Triumphs in Entangled Dreams by Carmen DeSousa!2/8/2024  In our world, the elusive "happily ever after" seems more a fairy tale fantasy than reality. Yet, ironically, the fairy tales of our youth weren't brimming with joy. They narrated tales of hardship, loss, and resilience—themes I explore in my modern-day fairy tales. In Entangled Dreams, I delve into these very trials, believing they make the joy of overcoming them all the sweeter. The notion that a knight in shining armor (or sometimes a frog in disguise) can complete us is charming, yet life teaches us that happiness is often a solo journey, enriched by those we choose to share it with. Through trials, we seek support, grow in gratitude, and, ultimately, appreciate the beauty of the present. In Entangled Dreams, my characters endure their own trials, embodying the struggles and triumphs we all face. They remind us that it's not about finding someone who completes us but rather someone who complements our growth. My stories are about flawed individuals who learn to trust, love, and forgive, navigating their paths to peace and fulfillment. This narrative mirrors my own life story with my husband. We've made each other better, filling gaps and strengthening weaknesses. Together, we craft our version of "happily ever after." If tales of growth, love, and redemption resonate with you, Entangled Dreams offers a modern spin on the fairy tale journey, celebrating the beauty of finding love, overcoming adversity, and the power of forgiveness. Read the entire series FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
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 Whenever I give a talk about being an author, the aspect the audience seems to enjoy most is knowing the inside tidbits about a book and how it came about. My friends often tell me how much fun it is to see bits of my life in my books. Whether you've read any of these books are not, I hope you'll enjoy this "behind the scenes" look.  Until I Die Again was my first published book! The idea of someone dying and coming back in someone else’s body quite literally popped into my head. I loved the way it could play out, whether the heroine tells the truth or keeps it a secret. Either way, it’s quite a dicey situation, and putting characters into these sorts of spaces make the most fun books. [evil chuckle] After this book came out, someone wrote to ask me how I knew about walk-ins. Apparently this is a thing! The truth is, at least for me, there are so many odd things that happen in our world, and anything is possible. I merely played with those possibilities in several of my books. The lizard in the book, Greenpeace, was based on a lizard that was hanging around our back porch for a couple of years and in particular, during the time I was writing this story. I, like Chris, used to talk to the lizard because, hey, I’m odd–I admit it. I think the green anoles are the coolest lizards, very sly and wary. The monkey I totally made up, but he seemed so real to me. Chris’s dogs, well, one of them anyway, is based on my real dog, Phoenix. He was a special guy who blessed my life for 14 years. By the way, if you haven't read Until I Die Again, it's available free at most major book retailers. Grab Until I Die Again on Amazon.com or find links to all retailers on BookBub.com.  Silas, a character who appeared to me in full clarity of being, and Katie, inspired by an old photograph of a runway model, anchor this tale. Their lives intersect with the animal world in ways that are both heartbreaking and transformative. The catalyst for this story was my own visceral reaction to animal cruelty, a theme that threads through the narrative, revealing the complex tapestry of human-animal relationships. Writing about the losses within this book was a profound challenge. The departure of cherished animal characters was not just a narrative necessity but a journey through grief, both for the characters and for me. These moments of loss, though difficult to pen, became crucial turning points in the story, offering a space for reflection on the nature of compassion and companionship. This book also pays tribute to those quiet, often unnoticed moments of connection between humans and animals. Drawing from my own poignant memories of loss and companionship, it seeks to capture the essence of that unspoken bond. As I merged fiction with fragments of my life, the story unfolded into a realm where joy and sorrow, humanity and animal kinship, are inextricably intertwined, inviting readers to navigate the bittersweet landscape of our shared existence. Find Unforgivable on Amazon.com or find links to all retailers on BookBub.com.  Chloe Samms is probably the heroine most like me. I didn’t do it on purpose. A writer can’t really mold a character the way they want, anyway. A character becomes real and asserts him or herself. And that’s what Chloe did. Compassionate to all creatures, sometimes to the point of ridiculousness—I once made my husband pull off a busy road because there was a lizard clinging to the windshield. Chloe hangs bats from her roof to keep birds from flying into the glass. My husband wouldn’t let me do this, so I bought those decals that are supposed to look like a hawk’s shadow. Unfortunately, they don’t work all the time. I even save bugs, and so does Chloe. Her cat, Gypsy, is my cat, Gypsy. Her aunt Stella is a loose version of my mom, and her dog is actually my mom’s dog, Rascal. All of the silly things Stella does for her dog…yep, all real. Okay, she doesn’t have an actual bed for Rascal, but he does sleep on a pillow. She covers him with a towel and then if she gets up during the night, she makes sure he’s covered. Around our area we have a lot of waterways. There was an old man who lived on his pontoon boat, and he ended up in the story. Or at least his likeness. :') Find A Trick of the Light on Amazon.com or find links to all retailers on BookBub.com. I hope you enjoyed this brief behind the scene of a few of my favorite books If there's a book you're wondering about, please reply to this email, and I'll try to add it in my next look beyond the book! Cheers! Tina  Follow Tina to stay up-to-date on New Releases and Specials!
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