Meet Author Diane Lauer Hallman

 Nurturing Wisdom

Nurturing Wisdom with the S.I.M.P.L.E. System offers an empowering blueprint for anyone looking to live a life filled with abundance and purpose. This book will take you on a step-by-step journey to reclaim your vitality, transform your mindset, and create a thriving, aligned life—all within a practical, easy-to-follow framework.

Each chapter blends thought-provoking journaling exercises, guided meditations, and empowering activities to help you explore your inner world, overcome obstacles, and unlock your potential. You’ll be invited to dive deep into the parts of you that are ready for transformation and growth.

https://simplesystemsforthriving.com/

Diane's book

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Discover What Lasts, Releasing What Fades, and Flourishing

Are you ready to release what no longer serves you and embrace the life you were meant to live?

Nurturing Wisdom is a compassionate guide for women in midlife who are navigating change, seeking clarity, and longing for renewal. With warmth and practical structure, this book helps you discern what truly lasts, let go of what is fleeting, and step confidently into a season of flourishing.

Through reflective prompts, empowering practices, and the proven S.I.M.P.L.E. System, you’ll learn how to:

Release outdated patterns, expectations, and disappointments

Reclaim your resilience, clarity, and inner wisdom

Realign your choices with your deepest values and vision

Flourish with renewed energy, purpose, and joy

Each chapter blends thought-provoking journaling exercises, guided meditations, and empowering activities to help you explore your inner world, overcome obstacles, and unlock your potential. You’ll be invited to dive deep into the parts of you that are ready for transformation and growth.

Through each stage—Self Discovery & Shine, Insight & Integrity, Mindfulness, Meditation, & Mindset, Potential & Pathways, Love, Liveliness, & Legacy, and Envision & Embolden—the S.I.M.P.L.E. System guides you toward a life of clarity, empowerment, and transformation.

The S.I.M.P.L.E. System integrates mindfulness, self-reflection, and intentional action. You are guided through:

Self-Discovery & Shine: Uncover your true self and embrace your unique brilliance by releasing limiting beliefs and uncovering the power within.

Insight & Integrity: Ignite your confidence and trust your inner wisdom, enabling you to step boldly into your authentic identity and personal power.

Mindfulness, Meditation, & Mindset: Cultivate a mindful mindset through practices that promote inner peace, presence, and emotional resilience, so you can lead with clarity and purpose.

Potential & Pathways: Unlock your full potential by identifying new opportunities and pathways that align with your passions, values, and desires.

Love, Liveliness, & Legacy: Build meaningful relationships and cultivate a life of love and vitality that leaves a lasting impact, honoring both yourself and others.

Envision & Embolden: Clarify your vision for the future, boldly stepping into the life you’ve always imagined by taking intentional action toward your dreams and aspirations.

If you’re ready to rise above the noise, find strength in life’s transitions, and create grounded new beginnings, this book will guide you every step of the way.

It’s time to nurture your wisdom—and flourish in the life that’s waiting for you.

More about the author

Is mind-reading real?

Meet Author J.F. Howard

 The first book in the #ScandalSaga series

Author Bios | Provoco Publishing & Publicity

John, J.F. Howard, is a family man who enjoyed from an early age, and enjoyed writing stories and reading, although the former started to grow stronger than the latter.

With a background that more focused on article writing, mostly in the fields of sport, charity and mental health, John always harboured the desire to pen a novel... one that combined his love of history, sport all being meshed with his interest in human emotion.

And so A Scandal of Secrets went from mind to paper!

John's book

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The first in the #ScandalSaga focusing on the lives of the Crawford family, and in particular Anthony, a bored and lazy young man thrown into the hedonistic society of England in the 1920s, thanks to his mother's second marriage to the highly successful and respectful Philip. 

But Anthony does not get on with his stepfather and is resentful of those around him, until he meets Cecile, a beautiful but dangerous married lady who wants Anthony as her next plaything. 

What unfolds is a tale of deceit and intrigue as Anthony begins to release that he is out of his depth.

But with a Christmas soiree that will be the envy of the societal circle leading to murder, will he be able to escape the unravelling nightmare, or does he become a victim of A Scandal of Secrets?

More about the author

Driving vs writing

Meet Author Gina LoBiondo

 Grew up loving faerie tales

Born in 1960, author Gina LoBiondo grew up loving faerie tales. Not surprisingly, Cinderella was her favourite. She began writing stories of her own when she was 13 and continues to do so today whenever time and ideas allow. In 2008 she formed Nephthys Publications and in 2011 published her first book Pegasus – A Dragon’s Tale, an eleven-time book award winner.  Other books by her include Button Nose the Sad Little Bear (winner of seven awards), Cinderella – A Play in Two Acts and Pegasus – Another Dragon’s Tale (to be released soon).  Gina enjoys reading, writing, listening to old- time radio programmes and watching classic silent films.

Gina's book

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Cinderella – A Love Story is told here with a fanciful new twist.  It is a fully illustrated retelling of the beloved faerie tale set circa mid-16th century.  Younger readers will love the borrowed magic that enables Ella to attend the ball, while older readers – including adults – will connect with the inseparable bond between mother and child; a bond that transcends time and space and even death itself.

Ella’s parents are young and in love and the family is happy until Marie suddenly dies.  Her father remarries, hoping to give his beloved child a mother’s love and care.  But Charles’s new wife is a cruel, unaffectionate woman, who cares only for her own two very backward daughters and turns her step-daughter into a servant.  Ten years later, when the King throws a ball in honour of his son, Ella’s only chance at happiness comes from a most unexpected source.

"Lush, magical, and deeply heartfelt, Cinderella -- A Love Story reimagines the beloved fairy tale with rich historical detail and emotional depth, weaving a timeless story of love, loss, and the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter."

Book trailer

More about the author

Tutorial by Erika - eBook formatting

Meet Author Emma Finlayson-Palmer

A lover of nature and art 

Emma Finlayson-Palmer is a working class, autistic author and artist who lives in the West Midlands, UK, with her husband and a multitude of children and cats. She runs #ukteenchat, a writing themed chat on Twitter; mentors for #WriteMentor and is one half of Word Witches, an editing and mentoring business. A lover of nature and art, and wandering around graveyards.

Emma's book

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Grimogen “Immi” Darkstar is not your typical grim reaper. While her family thrives on doom and gloom, she dreams of rescuing animals and befriending creatures most wouldn’t dare go near. But proving she’s responsible enough for her first pet is harder than it seems.

When escaped Gremlins, a rampaging Elephant Moth and a shiny-obsessed Bat-Cat turn an open day at Howler’s Rescue Centre into chaos, Immi feels like she’s blown her big chance. Can she convince everyone she’s ready to care for her very own magical pet?

With the help of her friends, a moonfruit and a little magic, Immi’s adventure leads to a surprising twist and a bond that might just last a lifetime…

Filled with quirky humour, gothic charm and a sprinkle of moonlit mischief, Grimogen Darkstar: Bat-Cat-Tastrophe is a tale of courage, friendship and finding your true calling.

More about the author

Are you sure it's a dog?

Meet Author Eva Pasco

 Contemporary fiction writer

Eva Pasco accelerated along her writing journey after retiring from a teaching career inside the third-grade trenches. Her award-winning Contemporary Fiction is distinguished for its realism and character-driven plots featuring resilient female protagonists propelled by the nuances of their human condition. Eva’s stories unfold in her native state of Rhode Island where historic events, geographic landmarks, and regional culture blur the lines of demarcation between fact and fiction. 

One of Eva's books

ON AMAZON

Overlooking Horseshoe Point at the end of Sea Lea Avenue in a quaint village of Charlestown, Rhode Island, you’ll find Aileen’s Guesthouse, where a smattering of locals and lodgers cross paths in the 1970s. Whether through cultivated connection or random encounter, these folks have more in common than first meets the eye for their unintentional culpability in jeopardizing the life of an immediate family member. 

Cross the threshold into a home away from home, a refuge for healing, and a retreat for cultivating hopes and dreams. Eavesdrop on those who survive the ravages of a guilt-wracked conscience and struggle to find meaning in the suffering they’ve caused. Mind you, dinner is served at six o’clock sharp.

More about the author

Is she becoming too masculine?

Meet Author Holly May Cormier

Writes with emotional depth with gripping suspense

Holly May Cormier is a Canadian author and lifelong storyteller based in Toronto. A former actress and songwriter, her work blends emotional depth with gripping suspense. Through her writing and online platform, she advocates for survivors of abuse, exploring the power of stories to heal and empower. Visit HollyMayCormier.com for more books, true crime insights, wellness tips, and behind-the-scenes content.

Holly's book

Memphis | Universal Book Links Help You Find Books at Your Favorite Store!

A woman on the run. A family with secrets. A past that refuses to let go. After ten years of violence and control, Memphis Monroe escapes her abusive husband with their young son and a tank full of fear. Behind the wheel of his prized Mustang, she flees across the country—chasing safety, truth, and a future of her own making. But family secrets don't die easy, and when her past catches up to her in Los Angeles, Memphis must choose between survival and silence one last time.

A gripping story of motherhood, resilience, and the reckoning that comes with reclaiming your voice.

More about the author

Why do we like to read short stories?

Meet Author Carla McBeath

 Opens pathways to distinguish reality from propaganda

Carla McBeath’s second book breaks through an insidious obstacle: manipulative influences all around us, molding and shaping our choices outside our conscious awareness.  In this book, Carla presents insights gained over her lifetime and opens pathways to distinguish reality from propaganda. Your Will and Your Win: Rescuing Your Human Will from Popular Culture and Finding Your Win (Vertigo Interactive LLC, 2024). Carla lives in New York City with her husband and, other than writing, loves baroque music, learning world languages and cooking. Carla is creating a You Tube channel based on the book, and is working on an epic fantasy book, Book One of a series, based on a short story she wrote years ago. She can be reached through the publisher at support@vertigoint.com

Carla's book

https://www.amazon.com/Your-Will-Win-Rescuing-Popular/dp/B0F1KHDFYP

What are the influences all around you that stop you from thinking and doing what you want?

What powerful force do you have at hand and how can you use it?

The world has changed. Working “hard”, eight hours a day, to lead to a better life no longer is effective. Why do we keep pursuing a lifestyle that no longer works for us?

Discover the truth about:

• Work

• Business Networks

• Our culture

• Money

• Ourselves

Carla McBeath is the author of How to Find and Love Your Small Space, Outfit Your Small Gourmet Kitchen, Furnish Your Amazing Space with Wellness Colors and Store All Your Stuff (Small Space Life Publishing, 2001), a small book written to confront and overcome a crisis of housing affordability in our time, by teaching how to find and create a comfortable, healing, inspiring small house or studio apartment.

More about the author

The Dunning-Kruger effect on social media

 

Meet Author Joni Kerr

The beautiful diversity that makes our world so unique. 

I am a retired American educator with a rewarding 38-year career dedicated to teaching. The last 29 years were focused on international education, a journey that greatly enriched my worldview and deepened my passion for fostering global understanding. Beyond my work within the school systems of Florida and Texas, I had the extraordinary opportunity to teach in ten different schools across seven countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, China, Luxembourg, Tunisia, and Malaysia.

Since retiring, I’ve pursued my lifelong dream of becoming a published author. My goal is to share my diverse experiences to help others view the world through different lenses and cultivate a greater appreciation of global cultures. I firmly believe in the interconnectedness of all people and hope that my stories will inspire others to travel, explore, and forge meaningful connections across cultures. Through my work, I aim to ignite curiosity, empathy, and admiration for the beautiful diversity that makes our world so unique.

The inspiration behind my "Friendship & Farewell"  nook stems from my firsthand experiences working in international schools, where I constantly witnessed the heartfelt pain of students having to part ways due to their parents’ careers taking them to new countries. The four girls in my story are inspired by actual former students of mine, and I wanted to tell their stories from their perspective. It’s a tribute to the bittersweet moments of friendship, growth, and farewell that define the international school experience.

Joni's latest book

ON AMAZON

"A magical journey celebrating Christmas traditions around the world."

Join Molly and her enchanting guide, Jingle, on an extraordinary magical Christmas adventure around the world! From Germany’s intricate nutcrackers to Mexico’s glowing lanterns, from Australia’s sun-kissed beaches to Finland’s peaceful snowy villages, Molly explores the diverse ways families celebrate the holiday season across the globe. With each new friend she encounters, Molly discovers that while traditions may differ, the true spirit of Christmas—love, joy, and the warmth of family—is universal.

Perfect for children and families alike, this heartwarming story brings the wonder and magic of global holiday traditions into your home. It’s a delightful reminder that Christmas belongs to everyone, everywhere, fostering understanding, curiosity, and the joy of shared traditions across cultures.

More about the author

When a child reads

Meet Author Q.M. Gatlin

 Poetry that blend emotion with visual storytelling

https://payhip.com/authorqmgatlin

Q.M. Gatlin, born and raised in California, grew up moving often, sparking a habit of creating vivid mental portraits as a personal refuge. Exposure to diverse environments shaped a wide range perspective and an eclectic love for books, music, and art.

Inspired Independent Authors Q.M. began crafting stories and poetry that blend emotion with visual storytelling, much like lyrical art. Writing became both solace and purpose, rooted in a passion for inspiring change.

Q.M. Gatlin's book

https://a.co/d/3EIx0Mi

A collection of introspective free verse poetry exploring emotions and experiences, guiding readers through personal reflection and self-discovery through thoughtful imagery.

Soul-stirring poetry that invites reflection and inner awakening with deep introspection.

Vivid imagery that tugs at your heart and paints feeling into every page.

Guided journaling prompts that help you transform emotion into personal insight; each journaling journey reflects and grows with each chapter.

Every piece is a doorway to something deeper, drawing from the life's most untamed moments grief, joy, longing, love & more. Let these words be your mirror, your muse, and your map as you journey inward. Beautiful Chaos isn’t just a book, it’s an experience of feeling fully, growing bravely, and embracing the art of being beautifully undone.

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Who are you?

Meet Author Christina Weigand

 Christian fantasy novels

Christina Weigand’s a writer, wife, and mother of four grown children. She is also Nana to five grandchildren. She lives with her husband in Pennsylvania. She has three published YA Christian Fantasy novels.

Christina's book

ON AMAZON

The Peace Summit was in shambles, the prince kidnapped.

When the rival king realizes he kidnapped the wrong prince, hostilities escalate. Loyalties to each other and country are tested for the twin princes of Crato, Joachim and Brandan.

Joachim, captive of King Waldrom, faces deception and betrayal as he struggles to find his way home. Brandan, at home with a father focused on rescuing Joachim, wrestles with his own demons as he searches for his place in the world and the favor of his father.

Torn from the safety and peace of their childhood, they are thrust into a world where bonds of family, brotherhood and roles as heirs to Crato are tested. Through war, spiritual journeys, death and marriage, will they choose the path of good or evil? Who can be trusted, as the world they know slips into a whirlpool of chaos?

Enchanted pages

Meet Author Heather Russell-Kay

There’s always room for wonder. 

Heather is a storyteller who believes that even in the hardest chapters, there’s room for wonder. Blending the magic of fairy tales with the truth of chronic illness, she writes to remind readers that every journey, no matter how heavy, holds hope, courage, and a touch of light. When she’s not writing, you can usually find her daydreaming about new worlds and dragons, finding quiet moments of peace in her own, and connecting with readers who believe that even the darkest stories can hold a little light.

Heather's book

ON AMAZON

What if the fairy tales you thought you knew were hiding secrets? In this collection, classic tales are twisted into stories of magic, shadow, and resilience. From kingdoms where hope must be fought for to forests where danger lurks around every corner, these stories explore the pain, the humour, and the unexpected strength that comes with living with chronic illness. Dark, whimsical, and heartfelt, this anthology will make you shiver, smile, and see happily-ever-after in an entirely new light.

All proceeds from this book are being donated to the MS Society, the MS Trust and Shift. MS, to help support those living with MS.

Magic, shadows, and the strength to endure.

Each tale carries its own magic — whimsical adventures, honest emotional journeys, and life lessons that resonate deeply. These magical short story collections are crafted to inspire, comfort, and help readers understand what life is like for someone living with chronic illness.

Whether you’re seeking uplifting fairy tales, stories about chronic illness, or inspirational fantasy stories, this collection blends fantasy and reality in a way that touches the heart. These short stories for adults with chronic illnesses celebrate courage, imagination, and the little miracles that make life meaningful, even in the most difficult times.

Perfect for readers who want to enjoy stories about coping with illness, heartwarming tales, and gain insight into the experiences of those living with chronic conditions. This book is a treasure for anyone looking to feel seen, inspired, and a little magical.

More about the author

Echoes of something wicked

 

Meet Author Erika M Szabo

A  prolific writer 

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com

Erika M Szabo, a prolific and talented author with a fierce intellect and a penchant for exploring uncharted territories, is a woman of many skills and passions. She is known for her diverse range of writings that span historical fantasy, magical realism, cozy mysteries, sweet romance, and children's literature. Her writing style is both evocative and visceral, transporting readers into the depths of the characters' emotions with a few deft strokes of her pen.

Born in a small town nestled among the rolling hills of Hungary, Erika grew up with a deep love for literature and storytelling. She devoured books from a young age and soon began creating her own intricate worlds and characters. Her gift for storytelling is evident to all those who know her, and she is encouraged to pursue her passion.

As she grew older, Erika's thirst for adventure and new experiences led her to travel the world. She lived in various countries, soaking up their cultures and traditions, and incorporating them into her writing. Her travels also allowed her to meet a diverse array of people, whose stories and perspectives she wove into her novels.

Despite her literary success and acclaim, Erika remains a humble and down-to-earth person. She often speaks of her belief in the power of words to connect and heal, and her writing reflects this deep empathy and understanding of human experience.

One of Erika's novel series

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com/the-ancestors-secrets.html

“Centuries of vengeance awaken—and one woman’s secret power is the only defense.”

Ilona never asked for prophecy. Yet when visions haunt her and enemies rise from shadows, she discovers she was born into a clan bound by ancient secrets. Her gift, the Chameleon ability, could heal or destroy, and her choices will decide the fate of generations.

Across centuries, from windswept nomadic plains to the castles of the 14th century, Ilona confronts Mora, a vengeful woman sustained by rage for over 1600 years. Guided by the enigmatic Destiny Box, Ilona must protect the birth of the Chosen Child and face the ultimate question: will her powers serve absolute good, or absolute evil?

Blending alternate history, magical realism, and epic fantasy, The Ancestors’ Secrets is a sweeping saga of love, betrayal, and destiny. Erika M Szabo weaves a tale where past and future collide, and one woman’s courage may save them all.

Listen to part of the audiobook

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More about Erika

 

December #MeetNewAuthors #FindNewBooks Event

 #meetnewauthors #findnewbooks

The winter months are a form of quiet blessing, a rare permission from the world to draw inwards, become small, and enjoy a hibernation of spirit. 

The evenings are dark, the streetlights outside jaundiced and unreal, and cold air rides in on every gust. We build our own warmth, pieced together from the pleasures of thick socks, a hot mug of chocolate with whipped cream, and the familiar weight of a hardcover book resting on our knees. 

There is an art in this ritual of stacking blankets just so, the deliberate choosing of which unread novel to begin, and the slow, luxurious collapse onto the couch. 

When the radiators groan to life, and the city’s background noise dulls beneath the snow, these are the most cherished hours, finding in them a small but vital resistance to the disorder of the outside world.

We draw the blanket over our legs, inhale the unmistakable scent of a new book, and then exhale slowly, and open the book to its first page.

Starting December 1st, every day a new author and one of their books will be introduced to you. Bookmark this blog, you might find a few gems to last you for the long winter months. Happy reading!

The featured authors in December

 December 1 Erika M Szabo

December 2 heather Russell-Kay

 December 3 Christina Weigand

 December 4 Q.M. Gatlin

 December 5 Joni Kerr

 December 6 Carla McBeath

 December 7 Holly May Cormier

 December 8 Eva Pasco

 December 9 Emma Finlayson

 December 10 Gina LoBiondo

 December 11 J.F. Howard

 December 12 Diane Lauer Hallman

 December 13 Katie Vandrilla

 December 14 Miriam Tedesco

 December 15 David James

 December 16 Lulu Smyles

 December 17 Darla Hall

 December 18 MaryEllen Whitton

 December 19 Maureen Cummins

The event is organised and presented by

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com

Save The Last Slice

 Grandma June's Thanksgiving advice

Mary stared at the empty chair at the head of the table, where Grandma June always sat. She adjusted the centerpiece, the same pinecones and dried berries arrangement Grandma had made every year, and she sighed.

The smell of cinnamon and cloves hung in the air, mingling with the lavender that still clung to the curtains Grandma had washed last spring. The wooden spoon Mary clutched had a hairline crack down its handle, smooth from years of Grandma's thumb rubbing the same spot.

​Mary's fingers trembled slightly as she unfolded the recipe card for cranberry-orange relish, the corner stained with something that might have been butter from 1997. She squinted at the measurements, trying to decipher whether that was a one-third or one-half cup, while the marshmallows for the sweet potato casserole sat unopened beside her, each one the size of a golf ball. When she rolled out the pie crust, it tore. Why did I say I’ll cook Thanksgiving dinner? It’s going to be a disaster! I wish Grandma were still here. She made everything look so easy. She mumbled.

Mary watched her mother take a bite of turkey and reach for her water glass a little too quickly. Across the table, Aunt Deb chewed a green bean longer than seemed necessary. The silence stretched until Uncle Joe cleared his throat and launched into the same story about his golf tournament that he'd told at Easter. Three different forced laughs followed, none reaching their eyes. The empty chair at the head of the table seemed to grow larger.

After dinner, Mary slipped away from the halfhearted card game in the living room. In the kitchen, the last slice of pumpkin pie sat on Grandma's blue plate, the one with painted violets around the rim. The whipped cream had collapsed, trickling down into the filling like tears. Mary's finger traced the plate's edge, remembering Grandma's hands lifting the last slice of pumpkin pie, passing it to Cousin Emma, who'd just failed her nursing exam. The year before: Uncle Joe got the last slice, right after the layoffs. And once, to Mary herself, when she'd arrived with puffy eyes and no boyfriend, Grandma's weathered hand covering hers as she whispered, "Sweet things help mend tender things."

Mary's gaze drifted across the kitchen until it landed on Lily. Her niece sat on the linoleum, one hand buried in Rusty's golden fur, the other tracing invisible patterns on the floor. No humming. No fidgeting. Just those wide brown eyes staring at nothing.

Mary lifted the blue plate and grabbed two forks from the drawer. "Scoot over," she whispered, lowering herself beside Lily.

Lily's fork hovered, then dipped. Their shoulders touched as they ate, the only sounds Rusty's gentle panting and metal occasionally scraping ceramic. “I’ve been struggling at school. I have a hard time keeping up,” Lily confessed, sobbing. “It’s just too much! I’m never going to be a doctor.”

“There, there,” Mary patted the young woman’s hand. “The first year is the hardest. Once you develop your study routine and you remain consistent, it will get easier.”

“Do you think so?” Lily asked with a slight hope in her voice.

“I’m sure,” Mary laughed. “Remember? I’ve been there and done it. It wasn’t easy, but hard work and dedication always pay off.”

That night, while returning Grandma's recipe cards to their box, Mary's fingers brushed against an envelope. Inside: a yellowed index card with loops and swirls she'd recognize. The ink had faded to the color of light purple.

Mary traced the handwriting with her fingertip, leaving a smudge where a teardrop fell and heard her grandmother's voice in her mind.

Remember how I saved the last slice for those who needed it? Keep the tradition. There's always someone at the table who needs to be seen and heard.

Happy Thanksgiving!

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com

My Most Viewed Short Videos

 I'm not popular, my videos don't have thousands of views and I don't have many subscribers. My videos are all about my stories and books. But it still makes me happy when people watch my videos and read my books. My YouTube channel

Enjoy my stories

https://www.authorerikamszabo.com

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