Sunday, May 17, 2026
Eliza Waite Week Blast #rabtbooktours
Historical Fiction
Date Published: 05-16-2016
Publisher: She Writes Press
Celebrating the 10th Anniversary
After the tragic death of her husband and son on a remote island in Washington’s San Juan Islands, Eliza Waite joins the throng of miners, fortune hunters, business owners, con men, and prostitutes traveling north to the Klondike in the spring of 1898. When Eliza arrives in Skagway, Alaska, she has less than fifty dollars to her name and not a friend in the world—but with some savvy, and with the help of some unsavory characters, Eliza opens a successful bakery on Skagway’s main street and befriends a madam at a neighboring bordello. Occupying this space—a place somewhere between traditional and nontraditional feminine roles—Eliza awakens emotionally and sexually. But when an unprincipled man from her past turns up in Skagway, Eliza is fearful that she will be unable to conceal her identity and move forward with her new life. Using Gold Rush history, diary entries, and authentic pioneer recipes, Eliza Waite transports readers to the sights sounds, smells, and tastes of a raucous and fleeting era of American history.
Excerpt
September 1, 1896
Cloudy, first fall chill. Deer in garden again. Need to
mend fences.
“Good fences make good neighbors,”
her aunt used to say.
Eliza examines her muddied property and stifles a
snort. There are no neighbors, no cheery hellos or help at harvest time, no
shared secrets or meals offered at the door when grief steals joy clean away.
No, her neighbors are all gone from this windswept island plagued with
relentless autumn rains that close in on the coming darkness.
Eliza
removes her nightclothes and rushes into her undergarments, woolen skirt,
muslin blouse, and thick socks. She gathers up her skirt, and pushes out
through the cabin’s rickety door, inhaling wood smoke and counting her
memories, both blessings and curses.
I do not know if I can endure
another winter here, especially after what happened last year.
Before the
epidemic there had been a store, and a post office, and a cannery, and a
school. And—of course—a church. On those long ago Sundays, Eliza
had squirmed each time Jacob mounted the stairs to the simple wooden pulpit at
First Methodist on tiny Cypress Island, his pompousness preceding him. Eliza
sat stiffly in the front pew with Jonathan close beside her. Jonathan’s
delicate hands held hers and his small brown leather boots dangled over the
front lip of the wooden bench. If she tries hard enough, Eliza can still hear
Jonathan’s warbling voice stumbling over the words of the ancient
hymns.
After Sunday services, Eliza and Ida
Lawson had poured weak coffee into china cups at opposite ends of the
cloth-covered table in the basement of the church. They adjusted the china
cups, filling in spaces when others were served. They checked the sugar bowls.
They rearranged the teaspoons, and placed them symmetrically. They exchanged
glances and shared private conversations in between parishioners.
Did you
hear the foreman killed a Chinaman over at Atlas Cannery?
Another
parishioner would interrupt. Pleasantries. Then another interruption. More
pleasantries.
Did you see Sly Chapman walking Adelaide Winters home from
school on Wednesday?
There was always scuttlebutt about the townsfolk, or
the trappers, or the fishermen, or the loggers. And always about the Chinamen.
In the kitchen, Eliza and Ida would mimic the Chinamen, taking small steps and
bowing to each other. They stifled their laughter. Only once had they had an
awkward and guarded conversation about the intimacies of marriage.
IDA’S
COFFEE CAKE
This is one of the best of plain cakes, and is very easily
made.
Take one teacup of strong coffee infusion, one teacup molasses, one
teacup sugar, one-half teacup butter, one egg, and one teaspoonful saleratus.
Add pinch of salt.
Add spice and raisins to suit the taste, and enough
flour to make a reasonably thick batter.
Bake rather slowly in tin pans
lined with buttered paper. Tops with cinnamon sugar and serve warm.
About the Author
Multi award-winning author Ashley E. Sweeney’s fourth novel, The Irish Girl, released December 2024. Her previous novels, Eliza Waite, Answer Creek, and Hardland, have won a total of 20 awards, including the Nancy Pearl Book Award, Independent Press Award, WILLA Literary Award, and New Mexico-Arizona Book Award. Sweeney, a native New Yorker and graduate of Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, spends winters in Tucson and summers in the Pacific Northwest.
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Saturday, May 16, 2026
Rathuun King of the Prairie Teaser #rabtbooktours
Frontier & Pioneer Western Fiction; US Historical Fiction; Action/Adventure
Date Published: March 20, 2026
With all the swagger of a classic western, a legendary buffalo claims his rightful place among the genre's most iconic heroes.
Meet Rathuun. Born in an idyllic canyon, tragedy strikes on his first day. A grizzly bear scatters the herd, devours his twin, and leaves him to shiver and die. But the buffalo calf with a white spot on his chin survives.
The plains are changing fast. Wagons roll west in endless streams. Telegraph wires stretch across the horizon. Locomotives scream down polished rails, slicing through the earth. Extinction
seems imminent when everyone wants to kill the biggest buffalo on the prairie. Native people shoot arrows and drive herds over cliffs. Hide hunters slaughter millions. An obsessed buffalo assassin is determined to wipe them all out and change the world forever. There's an army of barking rifles, and they're all pointed at Rathuun.
Will the hunters take Rathuun's head and leave his carcass to rot on the prairie?
This sweeping epic thunders across the American West, taking listeners
to unforgettable western landmarks. If you like classic westerns, thrilling
action, and high-stakes historical adventures, grab your copy by the horns.
Welcome to the prairie!
Excerpt
Rathuun heard a fierce roar that rattled between his ears.
He had just finished nursing for the first time since he was born a
thrum, hours earlier. His mother’s warm breath had tickled his flank
just moments ago.
It was a peaceful morning on the prairie, but in a flash, everything had
changed.
The thunderous roar boomed again. The entire brum was on the move.
In his haste to lead his followers away from danger, Drumm sounded the
alarm and leapt forward. The old bull crashed into Rathuun, sending the thrum
sprawling.
Rathuun’s legs wobbled as he tried to stand. It was a miracle that
the collision hadn’t broken him. There was an instinctive pull to follow
the brum, and it was centered beneath his chin, between his front legs.
He blinked rapidly, whipping his head from side to side, searching for
his mother. Moments ago, she had been beside him. “Hathah!” he
bleated, searching for the young cow who was his whole world.
But he knew she was gone. Gone with all the others. Why had she left him
behind?
He shivered at the realization that he was all alone. His heart throbbed
against his ribs. It was a struggle to make sense of what had happened.
Everything turned upside down and sideways. The panicked brum quickly
vanished as the plains swallowed the pounding hooves and flashing tails,
leaving nothing but a faint echo of their distant bellows.
It was eerily silent in the wake of the wild scatter of the
buffalos’ frenzied exodus. Rathuun took a tentative step forward, not
knowing what to do or which way to go.
Dust choked the air. His third, translucent eyelid swept sideways across
his eye, clearing away the grit kicked up by the fleeing brum. He stood, dazed
and completely alone.
Or so he thought. The silence quickly gave way to horrible sounds.
Rathuun turned his head. Twenty feet away, something moved. A dark,
hulking monster hunched over something. Rathuun’s blood pounded with
fear. There was a heavy thump in his chest. Then he saw the creature.
It was a rumbler.
About the Author
David Fitz-Gerald writes frontier and pioneer western fiction from the
wilds of western Vermont—about as far west as you can get without
slipping into New York.
Though he’s never wrangled beeves to market, Dave was a top hand on his grandfather’s dude ranch in the Adirondack Mountains… before he turned ten. He’s lived most of his life on dirt roads. Whenever he gets the chance, he travels west to recharge his spirit on the windswept prairies.
He’s an Adirondack 46’er which means that he’s hiked to the top of every mountain in the park. In 2018, Dave completed the 1960s fitness craze by hiking 50 miles in one day. That’s one heck of a long walk, but not nearly as grueling as the iconic trails that he chases in his fiction.
Even after all these years, Dave still has his head in the clouds like Ken from MY FRIEND FLICKA, and a quiet, self-reliant spirit like Sam from THE TRUMPET OF THE SWAN. That blend of wonder, heart, and spirit runs through the characters he portrays. His editor states he is “exceptionally good at creating real moments between characters”—and readers seem to agree.
Dave’s breakthrough series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail won Chanticleer’s Grand Prize for Book Series. He’s now the author of nearly twenty novels and counting, and as long as there’s coffee in the kitchen, Dave will be plotting one adventurous story after another.
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https://mybook.to/RathuunKingofPrairie
Friday, May 15, 2026
Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Children's Book
Date Published: 05-12-2024
Publisher: Soalnder Press
Are you ready for a heartwarming story? Step into the neighborhood,
where Gabriel awaits the start of a special Memorial Day celebration. Despite
the pouring rain, he's eager to see what Mr. Wayne has planned. As the rain
finally clears, Gabriel sets off with a special gift in tow, ready to show his
appreciation for Mr. Wayne's efforts.
What is the surprise Gabriel has in store? Will it be enough to bring a smile to Mr. Wayne's face?
Find out in this touching tale of community and friendship
About the Author
Sherry Roberts is an award-winning children’s book author. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisville. She has written multiple award-winning fiction picture books such as ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas…A First for Gus, Hello, Can I Bug You?, Gabriel and the Special Memorial Day, What’s Wrong with Barnaby, and The Best Reading Buddy. She also has written two non-fiction award-winning picture books, Sonnet, Sonnet, What’s in Your Bonnet? and A Visit Through the Wetlands. These two were illustrated with her photography. Sherry’s newest picture book, Amica Helps Zoe, was featured in Kirkus e-newsletter June 2025 as Indie Pick and received a Get It: Recommend review.
As a former middle school teacher, Dr. Roberts decided to write her first middle-grade novel (ages 8-13). Her debut novel, The Galaxy According to CeCe, is the first book in a three-book series. It was officially released on February 24, 2024. Book two, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Mysterious Dr. Pruitt, was released August 2024. Book three, The Galaxy According to Cece: The Stars Align, released February 2025.
Sherry’s next venture is a chapter book series (ages 6-8). The first book, Just Call Me Pardner, was released August 1, 2025. The series is about a young boy in the 1930s on a small farm in Northeastern Oklahoma and is inspired by stories of her father’s childhood in the 1930s. Book 2, Just Look at Those Boots, launches in early 2026, with Book 3, Just Don’t Give a Girl a Frog, launching in November 2026.
Dr. Roberts has also written many articles that appear in various academic journals, along with three textbooks. Personal Financial Literacy is in its fourth edition (Pearson). She is an associate professor of Marketing in Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University.
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The Secret of the Smiling Rock Man Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Short Story Collection / Fiction
Date Published: 05-15-2026
Publisher: RMK Publications
In his first collection of short stories Joe Cappello presents an array
of characters whom he describes as having “rocks in their heads.”
Instead of accepting the hand life has dealt them, they pursue more outlandish
solutions to its problems. The reader witnesses firsthand the zany antics
these characters employ to cope with the situations they encounter in each
story: Mortality…daring to know death’s secret and determined to
face it without fear and dread; Workplace… seeking an environment that
is based on teamwork and respect, rather than fear and intimidation;
Family…taking extraordinary steps to unite an estranged family and to
bring another closer together; Language…re-establishing the sacred role
of words in our lives as a unifier of people and a conveyor of truth. All told
with a healthy dose of humor and a belief that life can be joyful, hopeful and
a down-right hoot.
About the Author
Joe Cappello’s creative life began when he accepted a minor
speaking role in a play, walked on stage for the first time, and came to the
terrifying realization that, “Oh, no, they sold tickets!”
Fortunately, he overcame his initial stage fright and began accepting roles in community theatre, the parts of Oscar Madison in “The Odd Couple” and Ivan Lomov in “The Proposal” among his favorites. He studied acting in New York City and performed in a couple of Off-Off Broadway productions including Sam Shepherd’s “Buried Child,” where he played the crotchety, whiney patriarch, Dodge (a part for which his wife felt he was uniquely suited).
He wrote and produced plays for children, awarding roles to his sons and other kids in his neighborhood (earning the gratitude of their parents who considered rehearsals free babysitting). He started writing adult plays and received a number of accolades including an honorable mention in the 2020 Bridge Award contest sponsored by Arts in the Armed Forces (AIAF) for his full-length play, “The Stars of Orion” and selection as the winner of the 2022 Susan Hansell Drama Award for his one act play, “Monarch.”
But the logistics of staging plays proved too time consuming. In his early 30's he started writing short stories and flash fiction pieces and submitting them for publication. Many of the stories presented in this collection have been published in online magazines and anthologies, and some have achieved recognition, most notably, “The Secret of the Smiling Rock Man,” First Place, National Federation of Press Women’s Communications Contest (2022); “They Only Showed Elvis from the Waist Up,” First Place, Southwest Writers Writing Contest (2023); and “Running Errands,” Finalist, Hemingway Shorts Competition, sponsored by the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park (2023).
Joe invites you to read more of his work and follow his anything-but-straight-line career at joecappelloauthor.com.
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Thursday, May 14, 2026
A Fragile Utopia Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Escaping the Elaborate Facade of Alcoholic Bliss
Self-Help
For most of Nick's life, drinking was an integral part of family,
friendships, and even professional success. Alcohol was celebrated among his
elder millennial peers. Abstinence was not. However, there were breadcrumbs
scattered across several decades that a lifestyle in alcoholic bliss was not
sustainable. Reckless behavior, relationship woes, declining health, personal
tragedy, and dreams unrealized began to fester. Eventually, a life in sobriety
became the only option if Nick was to live a life full of meaning and love.
A Fragile Utopia is a turbulent and honest journey into the depths of alcoholism and the path to finding hope and purpose in recovery. The good news is, when we look inward, there is light. If we own our flaws, there can be redemption.
This memoir is a playbook for navigating early sobriety: how it will feel, obstacles encountered, how loved ones will react, insight into treatment, how AA and other fellowship recovery programs work, and examples of how most people fail in early attempts at sobriety.
About the Author
Nick Hanson is a passionate recovery enthusiast and advocate for people who are suffering from substance abuse and addiction. He lives in Minnesota with his wife and three children. He enjoys the outdoors, pop culture, reading, music, sports, fitness, cooking and is always up for learning something new.
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Navigate Cancer Teaser #rabtbooktours
Coaching for Resilience
Leadership / Self-Help / Health / Business
Date Published: April 29. 2026
Publisher: Serapis Bey Publishing, Arizona, USA
This empowering book launches the new Cancer Compass; an essential self-leadership resource for people facing cancer. It extends its reach to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering meaningful support to anyone in their workforce dealing with cancer. It encourages us to see cancer not solely as a medical challenge, but as a profound moment to honour the resilience of our human spirit, embrace growth, and reclaim control of our lives for a brighter future.
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño challenges her readers to shift their perspective, prioritising personal empowerment, connection and purposeful living. Her insights about resilience coaching and each person’s human potential are uplifting. Her book is deeply rooted in practical application, including thoughtful exercises and tools that prompt us to access our inner resources, engage in self-discovery and cultivate our secure bases. These unique gifts guide us to align our decisions with our values and goals, helping us chart a path forward with choice, clarity and confidence.
Excerpt
Navigate Cancer – Coaching for Resilience is an essential self-leadership resource for people facing cancer. Its reach extends to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering meaningful support to anyone in their workforce living with cancer.
The book invites us to see cancer beyond a purely medical challenge—to honour the resilience of the human spirit, embrace growth, and reclaim a sense of control, shaping the cancer experience from a place of agency and choice.
The Cancer Compass, which the book introduces, offers orientation: a way to move forward without denying fear, to reclaim agency without resisting reality, and to live—not just survive—while walking through illness. Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño challenges readers to shift their perspective, prioritising personal empowerment, meaningful connection, and purposeful living.
Grounded in resilience coaching and a deep belief in human potential, the book is both inspiring and practical. It includes thoughtful exercises and tools that invite self-discovery, strengthen inner resources, and cultivate secure bases. These elements guide readers to align their decisions with their values and goals, helping them chart a path forward with choice, clarity, and confidence.
About the Author
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño is the Founder and CEO of Kimberlite
(https://www.kimberlite.es), an innovative organisation dedicated to providing
comprehensive support to people navigating cancer—particularly within
corporate settings—through professional coaching. A Master Certified
Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Teresa
brings more than 20 years of experience working with leaders and organisations
worldwide.
At the age of 36, a breast cancer diagnosis marked a turning point in her life, redirecting her focus toward empowering people living with cancer. In the years that followed, she authored her first book, I Have Breast Cancer–What Now?, recognised for its inspirational and practical guidance, embraced motherhood, and founded a charitable initiative supporting young women navigating motherhood after cancer. She later earned a PhD focused on applying professional coaching methodologies to the specific needs of people facing serious health challenges. In recognition of her commitment to patient advocacy, she was honoured with the European Patient Champion Award by EyeforPharma in 2019.
Teresa is also an executive coach and coaches across multiple programs at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, including the flagship High-Performance Leadership (HPL) Program, supporting leaders in developing resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance.
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