Wanna know what's coming up for you in July? You can trust this face! I pull the cards from the sinister Cthulhu's Vault deck. See the video description to buy your own if you are so inclined.
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026
His Sacrifice Week Blast #rabtbooktours
Secret Society Romance
Date Published: 01-22-2026
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
In a city ruled by a secretive Coalition, the gap between rich and poor is
evident. When the leader dies, a fierce competition arises. James Roarke
believes he’s destined to lead. To secure his place, he chooses Kleya
Dane as his wife, drawn to her kindness for all, regardless of wealth.
Together,
they form an unbreakable bond, but power comes at a price. As the competition
intensifies, James learns that to claim leadership, he must make an
unimaginable sacrifice: Kleya's life. Can love survive when ambition demands
the ultimate cost?
About the Author
I’m passionate about weaving tales of romance and connection, inviting readers into worlds where love conquers all. Crafting heartfelt stories and steamy scenes that make the pulse race, as well as taking readers on swoon-worthy adventures. I try to weave emotions into my stories that punch you in the gut because I love stories that break your heart before putting it back together. I try to write characters who aren't cookie cutters and push myself to write complicated situations that I have no idea how to resolve, forcing me to think outside the box. I strive to create characters who are complex and full of flaws. Deep passion romance between heroes and heroines who find redemption through love.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
Thursday, July 2, 2026
Insecure Writers Support Group July 2026 Meets Full Throttle Day One
Image by Emslichter from Pixabay
July 1 question - Is there anything you'd like to see changed, added, and/or rearranged about the book publishing industry?
Yes. I would like for there to be continued easier access for independent authors to publish and sell their own works.
Today, however, I'm here to talk about a course I'm taking through AutoCrit to perhaps help me start being able to finish things again.
The course is called Full Throttle. It's a 30-day immersive drafting course.
The following is my answer to today's check-in question.
I already knew I was a plantser, but I took the quiz anyway.
I’ve opted to do a fairytale retelling to hopefully get myself back into regularly finishing projects. I write prolifically, but I rarely finish any of my fiction projects at this point. I have realized that the way I was writing before was akin to John Bradshaw’s “Body By Bondo” analogy. Bondo is a substance used in auto bodywork. Amateur auto enthusiasts without a lot of resources at their disposal use it to make repairs and cross their fingers that it holds. Consequently, that’s how I was managing every area of my life. My entire existence in this life, perhaps most especially my psychological state, is a Body By Bondo project.
Rather than seeing this as an endeavor that I will of course fail because I suck at everything, I’m trying to see it as a way to learn skills that will hopefully make not only my writing life but my life in general more manageable. Making impossible demands of myself and then beating myself up for failing to meet these demands is not working anymore, not that it ever really worked. I was just younger and able to beat myself up harder without immediate consequences in the past.
Ornery Owl Has Spoken
Free Use Image from Open Clipart Vectors
If you'd like to learn more about AutoCrit, follow this link.
If you would actually like to buy Bondo, you can check it out here.
If you'd like to buy John Bradshaw's book Healing the Shame That Binds You, click here.
I will earn a small commission for any purchases made through the above links.
Burned Out Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Non-Fiction, Self-help
Date Published: May 29, 2026
Publisher: Manhattan Book Group
Burned Out evolved from
conversations I had with a friend who had been a firefighter for 30 years. He
shared stories about traumas he and his fellow firefighters experienced while
on the job. We discussed universal challenges that first responders face in
terms of not knowing what to do with this trauma, recognizing its
symptoms, and the impact it had on family members and loved ones. I
interviewed male and female paramedics, firefighters, and Emergency Medical
Technicians (EMT's) around the country to get their candid personal stories
and experiences. I also interviewed family members. We all shared the
goal of wanting to. help fellow first responders and family members understand
the dynamics of trauma, its impact, and how they can get support to cope with
its consequences with renewed understanding and resilience.
Key
themes of book:
1. What types of trauma do first responders
experience on the job?
2. How does it impact them physically and
emotionally?
3. How does it affect their relationships with family
members and loved ones?
4. How can first responders and family
members understand and cope with these traumas?
5. What ways
can they effectively communicate and understand the ramifications of
trauma?
6. Where can they go for help to deal with the trauma and
learn to heal from it?
Message for readers: My hope for those
who read this book is that you will have a greater understanding and
appreciation for the sacrifices our first responders and their families make
in the service of others. I believe reading these personal accounts in
combination with the information, support, and resources provided will be
invaluable to all who take the time to read Burned Out. I hope you will share
it with others you believe might find it beneficial.
About the Author
Iris Waichler has been a well known patient
advocate and licensed clinical social worker for the last 40 years. She began
her career working with geriatric patients who experienced catastrophic
illness and counseled them and their families about adapting to these medical
problems. She helped them understand their medical condition helping them to
cope with the disease and its impact on their lives.
She is an award
winning author. In addition she is a prominent speaker presenting on topics
related to infertility and caregiving. She has been featured in Redbook,
Parade, MindBodygreen.com., Forbes Magazine and Next Avenue Magazine. She also
has done many radio shows and podcasts.
Iris has taught and supervised
social work students, medical students, interns, residents, and nurses about
patient rights, ethics.
Ms. Waichler found herself in the role of a
patient when she battled infertility for many years. The feelings of loss and
helplessness she personally experienced were profound. She promised herself if
she was successful in having a child she would do everything she could to help
other people fighting infertility.
She authored a second award winning book, RIDING THE INFERTILITY ROLLER
COASTER, A GUIDE TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE. This book won 4 awards including 2
best book of the year awards. The response was so great she began doing
individual and group counseling with people who had infertility. She
volunteered for RESOLVE, a national infertility group, and went on to do a
series of radio interviews, magazine articles, workshops, and speeches on
infertility topics.
Her book, ROLE REVERSAL, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF
AND YOUR AGING PARENTS, has won 8 major book awards. Her experience in caring
for her beloved father, who died at age 97, triggered her passion in reaching
out to others who suddenly find themselves in a caregiver role and are
uncertain about what to do or where to go for help. In this book she shares
her father’s inspiring story and her personal and professional
experience in assuming the challenges that come with being a caregiver for an
aging loved one.
Iris has been doing freelance writing for the last 18
years. The focus of her work has been on health related topics. She also does
workshops and speeches offering caregiving tips for caregiver family members
and educating healthcare professionals.
Electric Boy Teaser #rabtbooktours
LGBTQ Romance, Romantic Comedy
Date Published: July 3, 2026
In ‘80s London, the fantastical Julian Collier is a charismatic punk rock band frontman. Everyone is drawn to him, including Rahul, his best friend and bandmate, who has loved him for years.
When a mysterious upper-class stranger suddenly inserts himself into their lives, it becomes clear Julian isn’t entirely straight, and the two men struggle for Julian’s affections. But the best man might not win this fight.
EXCERPT
Hoxton, London, UK
November 1987
The Barber & Pony was a poor excuse for a pub, as far as Rahul was concerned. The ancient booths held grime older than Rahul himself. The watery draught was just this side of unpleasantly warm. The air was so thick with smoke he could have cut it with a blunt butter knife and spread it on the pub’s stale pork scratchings. Even an oblivious bystander could have told you that Rahul Chaand detested The Barber & Pony; yet he had patronised the pub every single week since he had moved back to London three years ago. Sometimes more than once a week. Three, four times even. He came because of him.
He was at the bar tonight, as he was most nights, with his skinny elbows propped on the pockmarked mahogany, and head hanging between the sharp hillocks of his shoulders. Rahul came to The Barber & Pony because it was his boozer. Rahul would have followed him to the ends of the Earth, let alone a crummy pub in Hoxton. He knew it was pitiful. There was hardly anything about their relationship that didn’t paint Rahul in a distinctly desperate shade of pathetic. He’d come to terms with that long ago. It didn’t matter to him anymore. All that mattered to Rahul was that Julian Collier was upset. And he needed to be here for him, just as he always was.
“What’s this I hear about a row?” he said in a light, unthreatening tone as he slid onto the stool beside Julian.
“What’re you on about?” He was already slurring. That wasn’t a good sign.
Julian was, by nature, a sunshiny young man with few troubles to cloud his unburdened mind. He wasn’t a rich man. He wasn’t famous. He didn’t have a particularly successful relationship and his friend group was distressingly small. But he was beautiful, fashionable, and well loved. He was passionate about music, and the fact that he both sold records and played in a band did much to nourish his simple soul. But Rahul suspected the main reason that Julian was a happy person was because he was simply born that way. He came into the world with a sunny disposition that life and circumstance had often endeavoured to strip from him.
On occasion, however, a mood as heavy and dark as a storm cloud would settle upon his narrow shoulders, usually brought on by the emotional vampire he liked to call a girlfriend. Thankfully, these sulks tended to be mercifully short, and Rahul found himself to be adept at pulling his best friend out of them even quicker.
Having gotten word from Leroy about the positively massive row that Julian and his girlfriend had engaged in, Rahul had come as soon as he was able.
“He’ll cost me customers,” Leroy, the bartender, had told him after repeating some of the choice words that had been screamed. By the time Rahul had arrived, Aisling, the “girlfriend,” seemed to be long gone, though Julian remained at the bar, sullen and unmoveable as he sank deeper and deeper into his cups. Time for the ol’ Rahul-man to shine, eh? He fancied himself the Julian Whisperer. And it stood to reason. After all, no two people knew each other as well or as deeply as they.
“C’mon, small fry,” he began with the familiar nickname, one that was his alone to use. Julian, being of average height, was short to Rahul only, who at any given moment was the tallest man in the room. “I know you and Aisling have had it out again. What’s she think you’ve done this time? Ruined the economy? Started the Cold War?”
“Can’t do anything right, as far as she’s concerned,” he pouted self- indulgently.
“Tell me about it. It’s practically every other week she’s picking a fight. I’ll never understand why you put up with her and her nagging.”
“She’s not a nag, all right?” Julian contradicted. “She’s just got a point of view. She’s a modern woman.”
“All right, all right,” Rahul backed off, sensing they had not yet arrived at the well-worn territory of slagging off his girlfriend before they inevitably made up again. “A modern woman, sure. Do you want to talk about it? What happened? Maybe talk about it back at your flat?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he continued to pout, planting himself more firmly at the bar just as Leroy passed both Rahul and Julian fresh glasses of beer. Rahul shot the bartender an incredulous look to which Leroy only shrugged helplessly and retreated.
Rahul sighed and tried again. “Fine. We’ll stay right here. As long as we talk. You’re good at talking, Julesy. That’s what draws people to you. The Talker Extraordinaire, that’s what they call you. Silver-tongued. Couldn’t shut you up if I tried.”
“Wouldn’t let you try. I’d be too busy talking.” A smile threatened to break free, like the sun peeking out behind clouds. “You’d try to get a word in edgewise and bam, there I’d be, gabbing away.”
“Gabby Gabber. Gabriel Gabber to your friends.”
Just as Julian seemed ready to add another rung in the ladder of nonsense, his smile disintegrated like a sandcastle in the surf and the dark mood retook him. “She hates it when I talk like this, you know? Says it’s stupid. Maybe she’s right. I really am quite stupid.” His long, pale fingers fumbled out a cigarette, and, failing to find a lighter, let it hang limply from his lips.
Rahul sipped at his beer to cover his profound disappointment. He’d been so close to lifting his friend out of this funk. His fight with Aisling must have cut him deeper than he’d realised. They fought frequently, breaking up every other week only to make up again, but the fights seemed to Rahul to always be superficial things -- who left the toilet seat up and who used whose hair spray -- and the rows were just as easy to overcome as a result. Rahul blamed Aisling, mainly. Julian was as amiable as a fluttering butterfly unless he was provoked.
“She never did,” Rahul exclaimed, aghast. “Did she really say that?” And, in a softer, more serious tone, “You’re not, you know. Stupid.”
“Must be. Else why would I keep making her mad?”
Rahul took pity on him and finally extricated his own lighter from his jacket pocket, lighting Julian’s cigarette for him.
“Because she’s horrendous,” Rahul answered the rhetorical question. “And nothing could ever make her happy. Even you. Now why don’t you tell me what really happened, eh?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know.”
“Sorry?” Rahul’s face scrunched in confusion, pausing with the glass halfway to his lips.
“S’your fault, innit?” Julian grumbled, pulling his own lukewarm pint closer. “Me and Ash falling out. She was right. It’s always your fault.”
Rahul knew he shouldn’t take it personally. These were the aftershocks of his row with Aisling. But he couldn’t help the curiosity that welled within him. “How is it my fault exactly?”
“Aisling and me’d be married already if it weren’t for you being all… third-wheel. Always getting in the way.”
The words hit him hard and sharp in the chest, threatening to puncture his heart. He doesn’t mean it, he tried to convince himself. He’s smashed. Aisling’s upset him. He’s just having a bit of a tantrum, that’s all. It was with great effort that Rahul trampled the well of emotion threatening to bubble over and plastered on a placid smile beneath his moustache.
“You don’t mean that.”
“Do too. I use up all the good part of me on you, and then I’ve got none left for her.”
“You’re talking nonsense, Jules. Obviously you’re upset. I can see that. Let’s just get you home and we’ll talk about it like adults.” He wrapped his fingers around Julian’s upper arm, but the shorter man shook him off, swaying dangerously on his stool as he did so. He turned eyes on Rahul that burned blue as an electrical fire.
“That’s just it. You’re always trying to control me. You think you’re so much better than me, don’t you? Just ‘cause you went to your fancy uni and I stayed back here. Just cause your dad owned shops and I never even had a dad.”
“How could you think that I…” Rahul trailed off, shocked into silence. He had never, since he’d met Julian as a child, thought himself better than him. They both came from nothing. It was one of the founding principles of their friendship. And they still had nothing. Nothing but each other. Julian knew this, consciously. This wasn’t him talking, it was the booze, and Rahul had to keep that in focus before he lost his temper.
“Look,” he began slowly, carefully metering out his words. “You’ve had a long day, yeah? I know I’m around a bit more than I ought to be sometimes, but that’s because I’m taking care of you. You know that. Mel knows that. She asks me to take care of you. I’m sorry that Aisling has a problem with it, but that can hardly be helped. Next time you see her, tell her I’m sorry. Now. Why don’t you come with me and we can forget all about it, yeah?”
He reached for Julian again but this time Julian’s hand struck first, finger extended into a sharp point that thrust into Rahul’s chest like a very entitled dart. He poked him. “No. No no no. You listen to me,” Julian slurred. His blue eyes that had once burned were now melted back into glassy puddles that couldn’t quite focus on Rahul. “You don’t come in here like a… a… a jumped-up ponce with an anaemic caterpillar on his lip and tell me what to do, yeah? I’ll leave when I wanna leave. And you don’t control me, like Ash says. I’m my own man. I do what I want.”
Rahul flinched from the poke as if he’d been pushed. Anger surged in him like an ungrounded electric current. He chugged the remainder of his pint to keep his ire from boiling over and slammed the empty glass down on the counter. The resentment from years of Julian taking their friendship for granted began to rise to the surface. It was with monumental effort -- a deeper tribute to his love for Julian than Julian would ever know -- that he reined that rage into a dull simmer, something that would burn but wouldn’t scald. But even the bravest of wounded animals still lash out.
“You do what you want, eh?” Rahul snapped. “Or you do what Aisling tells you?” It wasn’t fair, of course, but hurt people hurt people, or so they say.
“Least I have somebody who tells me what to do.”
Rahul’s chest tightened. Julian clearly wasn’t playing fair either.
“I’d rather be alone than shackled to that girlfriend of yours,” he ground out.
“Or you’re just jealous.”
“Or you’re just an entitled little twat that can’t tell when someone’s trying to help him.”
“Trying to help me? Some help. Who asked you?”
“No one. You know what? Absolutely no one.” Rahul threw up his hands and stood, his heart pounding in his ear. He and Julian hadn’t fought like this in… he could scarcely remember when. They hadn’t even fought like this back when they’d… Well. Back then. Pulse thundering, he donned his coat and took off for the cold, drizzly London streets, not stopping to check if Julian was following him.
He still felt himself choke with guilt, however, when he made it halfway down the street and realised his friend had stayed behind. He would be fine. Right? Surely he would be fine. He’d been drunker than this on his own and made it home all right. He’d be fine… Wouldn’t he?
No, it wasn’t Rahul’s problem. If Julian wouldn’t let him help, then there was nothing for it. He couldn’t help someone who refused to be helped. Until he begged Rahul’s forgiveness and of course Rahul buckled like a flaccid accordion. Like he always did. Because it was Julian. And he was Rahul. And that’s how they worked. Or didn’t.
About the Author
As a queer, nonbinary, person of color, Nicky Silber has made it their mission to bring diversity into all of their creative outlets. Born in New York, raised in Mexico, they studied fine art in San Francisco and have worked in the video game industry since 2012. They currently live in the wilds of North Carolina with their young son and too many pets. Their only two goals in life are to continue to tell queer love stories and, to a lesser extent, finally knit their own sweater.
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
Nana Claus and the Thank You Notes Release Blitz #rabtbooktours
Children's Picture Book
Date Published: 07-02-2026
Publisher: Solander Press
Gratitude is important to Nana Claus. Even the smallest act of kindness
spreads joy, like sending thank-you notes. Nana Claus helps some special
friends learn to write thank-you notes to thank others for what they do for
them. Nana and her friends learn about ways to say thank you using short
notes.
About the Author
Kelly Reddin is an award-winning writer and author of the Celebrating
Family Series, which highlights healthy relationships between children and the
Nana Claus Series, focusing on kindness and friendship. Her short stories and
essays have won numerous awards from writing organizations including the
Joplin Writers Guild and the Ozark Writers League.
Kelly is a former elementary, middle grade and college educator. Her work at LEGO Education spanned two decades in a variety of positions from Curriculum Specialist to Global Master Trainer. Kelly loves to travel, meet new people, and learn about the world around her. She is active in her community, serving on several non-profit boards.
Join her email list to get updates on her latest releases and her monthly newsletter.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
https://mybook.to/NanaClausThankYouNotes
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Her Only Chance Teaser #rabtbooktours
The Chance Romance Series Novel, Book 1
Contemporary Romance
Date Published: 07-07-2026
Publisher: Dream Weaver Press
Strong-willed Elaine Hart is determined to save her family's California
orange groves. After the recent ending of a turbulent relationship, she vows
to keep her professional and personal life separate, even though she's
attracted to the man who holds her family's fate in the palm of his hands.
Serious-minded banker, David Cole, has two goals- collecting on the delinquent
ranch account and resisting his attraction to the unpredictable and beautiful
Elaine Cole. When a series of circumstances brings them together, they must
decide if they will continue to suppress their emotions or succumb to passion
and take a chance on a forever love.
This captivating tale is a stirring blend of romance, suspense, and family drama, perfect for readers who crave richly drawn characters, heartfelt emotion, and the tension of real-world stakes. Will Elaine secure the future of Hartland Orchards, or will the challenges she faces prove insurmountable? Dive into a story of ambition, loyalty, and love, and experience a journey where every decision carries weight, every relationship matters, and every secret has the potential to change everything.
Excerpt
“If I have to wait until Monday for him to repair the car, I’ll
need to find a hotel.”
“There’s one inn and one bed and breakfast in town and they’re both completely booked months in advance.” His eyes twinkle and he laughs the deep, echoing laugh that I’m starting to get use to. “I’m not making this up. You can call and check for yourself, if you don’t believe me. Strawberry Festival is a big deal and people travel from out of town to come and enjoy the festivities. You’ll have to spend the night with me.”
The last thing I need right now is to spend the night with David. With the undeniable attraction between the two of us, I know exactly what will happen. My vow to not mix work and my social life has completely gone haywire, because here I am sitting in the cozy intimacy of his car. Betsy is on the way to the mechanic’s garage and I’m stuck in a remote little town that I never knew existed until a week ago. On top of that I’m with the most magnetic man I’ve ever met, who manages to make me feel emotions that are simultaneously new, exciting and frightening.
“I’m okay with that.” He’s the kind of man that I can trust. It’s me I’m more worried about. If we are going to be in close proximity, I’m not certain that I can keep my hands to myself. “Do you have a two-bedroom apartment in Littleton?’ I try to sound nonchalant.
“No, I don’t.” He has a twinkle in his eyes. “I have a one bedroom.”
“Oh,” I sigh, resigned to the fact that this is going to be a super challenging weekend. “We’ll have to make the best of it then, won’t we?”
He throws his head back and lets out a deep, robust laugh.
“What’s so funny?” Here I am getting all sweaty, nervous and yes, even a little aroused, thinking about the possibility of sharing a bed with him and he’s laughing like its a joke.
“Okay.” He gains control of himself—finally, casting a more serious expression in my direction. “You should have seen the look on your face. As if it would be torture to have to share a bed with me.”
“That’s what’s so funny?” I glare at his remarkably even features. If only he knew that I was wondering what kind of underwear he wore, boxers, briefs or God forbid, that the man slept in the nude. “Better that you don’t try to read my mind. Although, I’m glad to see that you have a good sense of humor.”
“Of course I do.” He gives me an odd look, and his words are slightly defensive. “Who doesn’t have a sense of humor?”
“Can we stick to the subject?” I tap my fingers on my leg and l glance at him inquisitively. “So…we’ll be sharing a room, is basically what you’re saying?”
About the Author
Dalia Dupris is a recipient of the RWA Spectrum Award and is a two-time EMMA Award winning author. She has BA in English Literature and Master’s degree in Social Work. In her spare time, she enjoys bike riding along the California coast with her husband and hiking with her daughter. She loves hearing from her readers. Their words of encouragement inspire her to continue creating memorable characters and compelling stories. Subscribe to her website for a chance to learn more about Dalia and her books at www.daliadupris.com.
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Pinterest: @daliadupris
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