GRANDMA’S And GRANDPA’S WORDS Of WISDOM Helping Us To Live Happy Lives 🍂 🍁 By Award-Winning Author Elizabeth Upton
ABOUT THE BOOK:
From the award-winning author Elizabeth Upton comes a special book of sage advice and healing wisdom from grandma and grandpa…
As children, we were taught to “respect and listen to our wise elders.” This valuable advice has been passed down through generations by many grandparents, and it’s the focus of this delightful old-fashioned book. As we become adults, life can present challenges on our journey, but the simple, common-sense stories in this delightful book can guide us and help us lead happy lives in today’s world.
SNEAK PEEK EXCERPTS – Delightful Collection Of Short Stories
WISDOM – HOW RARE THOU ART
Grandma said that if you’re lucky you will meet someone deep and wise, who will teach you the secrets for happiness. She said that wisdom is greater than education, wealth, power or position, and that a life well-lived and strongly felt can make you wise in time.
Wisdom comes from all human experience, from suffering and joy. It comes from love and sharing, from humility and delight. Wisdom makes a lasting connection with your heart and with those you share it with. People blessed with wisdom are those who are able to embrace the world in love with kindness, generosity, and with natural grace. Children are wise, and they speak from innocence, simplicity, and honesty. They look into your eyes with the wisdom that comes from pure hearts. We need the wisdom of children and elders so that in time, with a life well-lived, we too will grow wise.
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FROM THE AUTHOR
Once upon a time, as little children, we knew how to listen from our hearts to those who had lived long years and learned from their experience. In today’s hurry, stress, and worry, we wonder how we could have forgotten so much good common-sense advice, intended to make our lives easier and happier. I feel that if most of us had remembered their wisdom, we would be making more music, dancing in the wind, singing with the birds, and kissing more roses.
Each page offers tasty bits of smart old-fashioned wisdom, reminding us that our lives don’t have to be as difficult as we make it. It’s a matter of slowing down for inner listening and pondering. Wise elders speak from caring hearts. It’s their special way of encouraging us to stay true to ourselves through life’s ups and downs.
Emotionally, we need to be connected to what makes good sense. The insight of elders offers us courage to move forward instead of backward and to keep our heads up rather than down. I have discovered that when we reverence their wisdom, we have a lot more fun in life.
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MORE BOOKS BY ELIZABETH UPTON
NONFICTION Secrets of a Nun: My Own Story
You Are a Sovereign Woman of Strength, Love, and Grace: Embrace Your Journey
The Silver Woman of Fire: Gather Your Nerve and Live
The Mystery of Time Is Who You Are: Answers for Life
The Comfort Prayer Book: A Gift For Your Heart
Become Great Through Love, Forgiveness, & Happiness: Be Brave, Be Bold, This is Your Moment
FICTION Murders in the Lonely Graveyard
The Shaman and The Mafia
The John Callahan Series At Home Among Sinners
The Web of Darkness and Light
Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge
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I invite all my readers to visit and follow Elizabeth Upton on her Amazon Author page and see all her fantastic books…
Having grown up in Fairburn, Kim Carter moved to Newnan with her husband, Julius,seven years ago.
Her writing room is adorned with signed photographs and movie memorabilia from Angela Lansbury and actor Ari Lehman, the original young Jason from “Friday the 13th,” among the multitude of macabre decor. A life-size Michael Myers mannequin leers at Carter from one corner of the room while One-Eyed Willie, the skeleton from the Goonies, sits on an opposite wall, keeping an eye on her writing.
“This is something that my husband had done before he passed away, and I know it’s probably rather creepy to the average person, but there’s a lot of really cool stuff in here. I don’t write horror – I’m not a Stephen King or a Dean Koontz,” she explains. “I just love to collect all the cool things. I have a sound machine, and I’ll cut the lights off, and it’s really inspiring.”
“I think writers are very eclectic, we’re weird people,” she adds. “We write because it’s who we are. It’s what leads us to start fifteen projects at once, even though they may not ever get completed, or even see the light of day.” Carter started writing in 1999. “It was when an illness left me homebound that I turned to writing as a form of therapy,” she says. What started with a sentence, a paragraph, and then a couple of pages turned into a book. “It was my story; it was the beginning of finding myself and retrieving my health,” says Carter.
Friends and neighbors read her first manuscript, which came to them rolled up and held together with rubber bands, and became fully invested in the story and characters. This encouraged her to keep writing. “We all have a story in us. We’re actually living one every day,” she explains.
For her second book, Carter says, “My faithful group came through again and read the book in small sections, rolled up with rubber bands. I had garnered more support by then, especially from my husband, Julius, who was convinced they needed to be published. I’d love to flippantly say, ‘That’s when we were off to the races. But nothing goes as planned. That is one thing of which I’m certain.”
Four books and two publishers later, Carter says her writing career stagnated. “The people who read them seemed to like them, but I wasn’t within reach of a broad audience.”
Losing confidence, writing for deadlines and not for fun, Carter also began experiencing more health problems. “I left several projects incomplete, turned the computer off, and closed my office door. It was no longer therapeutic but too challenging. I was done with writing.” Slipping into depression, Carter says she received a wakeup call from her best friend, Kelly Keylon. Says Carter, “Kelly says, ‘You’re too good, you’re not going to quit – if I have to get these books out there myself, I’ll do it.’ And he did!”
They revisited her older novels and updated them. Re-inspired, Carter says her hands were soon tap-dancing across the keys once again. “My publicist, Catherine Lyon, worked day and night for meager wages, and we secured the talented Keith Saunders as a cover designer,” she says.
Her seventh release, “Dark Secrets of the Bayou,” was released in late November 2020, with over 160+ Amazon reviews. Kim Carter says her eighth book, ” The Root Of All Evil, ” was released as part of the ‘Clara and Iris’ trilogy titled “The Root Of All Evil,” released on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024. Carter’s new release in the ‘Clara and Iris ‘ trilogy will be available from Amazon on November 1st, 2025, making it a total of nine novel releases to her literary credit.
“Every month, my girl Cat (Townsend-Lyon) calls to tell me where my books have been sold, reaching places I’ve never even visited, the U.K., Canada, Australia, and even Japan and Spain, while also being featured in ‘The New Post!” Carter, who has always loved murder mysteries, goes back to her high school days when she watched “Murder She Wrote” with her family. Reading various mystery authors helped her develop her own writing style.
Previous educator and close friend Juli Simpson has also been instrumental in helping Carter with her writing and ideas. “So many times I will paint myself into a corner and then I’m like, how am I feasibly going to get out of this where it’s believable?”
Kim Carter never knows what will inspire her with an idea for a book.
“It may be a place that’s both beautiful and creepy, or it may be just something that a person says that triggers me,” she says. “I’ve been to the morgue, the medical examiner’s office, cemeteries in the middle of the night, just all kinds of places that inspire me.
Actor Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson, and I became extraordinary pen pals when he was in a supermax (prison) in Florence, Colorado.” She also reaches out to people at the GBI, the Atlanta police department, and various homicide departments, which may inspire a new storyline.
Kim Carter advises up-and-coming writers: “I think the key is having your own place to write, surrounded by things that inspire you. Having your own space to write, where you can close it off, is truly instrumental.”
(Interview/image courtesy of writer Jennifer Dziedzic of of the AJC & Newnan-Cowets Magazine) ********************
ABOUT THE NOVELISTKIM CARTER
Novelist Kim Carter is a multi-award-winning author and critically acclaimed writer of gripping suspense, chilling thrillers, and haunting historical mysteries.
Ms. Carter is widely recognized for her vibrant characters in her ‘A Clara and Iris Mystery’ series, which features two overly curious widows who become private investigators. These humorous women are inspired by Kim’s mother and her mother’s best friend. The series now includes books one through four. Book two of this series, Murder Among The Tombstones, was chosen as a Finalist for the 2018 Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award and a recipient of the 2017 TCK Publishers’ Readers’ Choice Award.
Her Mysteries and literary works include Sweet Dreams, Baby Belle, When Dawn Never Comes, Deadly Odds (chosen Editor’s Pick in Books Shelf Magazine in 2022), No Second Chances, ‘And The Forecast Called For Rain,’ and ‘Dark Secrets of the Bayou, ‘The Root Of All Evil, in 2024, and her newest ‘A Clara and Iris’ mystery’ Time Did Not Forget’ in Nov. 2025.
“Dark Secrets of The Bayou” has been awarded a Reader’s Favorite Editorial 5-Star Review, also chosen #1 Finalist for Best Historical Mystery from Reader’s Favorite 2021 book awards, and was awarded a 2021 Killer Nashville Finalist for The Silver Falchion Awards. In 2022, “Bayou” was chosen by The Author Shout book awards as a ‘Recommended Read.’
Kim’s writing career started after she suffered an illness that made her housebound for a couple of years. An avid reader of mystery novels herself, she embarked on writing to fill her time. Kim’s health struggles and successes have been chronicled on Lifetime Television in early 2000, The Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Women’s Day Magazine, and Guidepost.
Now, with nine thrilling mystery titles to her credit, Kim worked in many different capacities in county government. Still, her job as a correctional officer ultimately offered her opportunities to talk and interact with a diverse group of people. Her experience runs the gamut from inspiring success stories to tragic endings as she writes within her mysteries.
Kim began networking and connected with numerous homicide detectives, medical examiners, and prison officials. Her research has taken her to many places, including morgues, death row, and the occasional midnight visit to cemeteries to gain material for her novels. She is a Saint Leo University college graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
When she is not writing, she enjoys gardening, is an avid reader, and is a proud mother of four beautiful grown children; she resides and shares her time in Biloxi and Atlanta.
Welcome, Friends & Readers Elizabeth Is Happy to Share Some Updates With You As She Continues Celebrating The 40th Year of “Secrets Of A Nun: My Own Story,” her First Published Book!
I am delighted to share the photo above, which features my book showcased in the wonderful Montecito Journal newspaper at the end of June 2025! It is a wonderful newspaper in my local area of Santa Barbara and Montecito, California. There are many exciting happenings for both “Secrets of a Nun” and my romantic thriller, “The Shaman and The Mafia.
Right now, “Secrets” is featured in a wonderful readers’ magazine for August and September called “First Chapter Plus” by Reader Views. As the rest of the year goes on, I have several more events set for my book! The new issue is now out; you can subscribe to it FREE! CLICK HERE >> https://firstchapterpus.com/subscribe/
In early autumn, both “Secrets of a Nun” and “The Shaman and The Mafia” will be featured in Shelf Unbound magazine. Additionally, they will be displayed in a glossy catalog at the Hamptons International Film Festival, which runs from October 3rd to October 13th, 2025.
Here is some fantastic news and updates for readers and friends who have supported my books. To show my appreciation, I am offering three of my Kindle books for FREE this week, from August 7th to August 10th, 2025. Then, beginning August 11th, through September 20th, 2025, all my Kindles will stay priced at $3.99 to close out ‘Summertime Reading!’
Elizabeth Upton is an American Author and an influential writer of fiction and nonfiction spiritual self-discovery books.
Her best-selling books, ‘Secrets of a Nun: My Story,’ ‘The Silver Woman of Fire,’ and ‘The Shaman and The Mafia,’ helped set Elizabeth Upton firmly on the world’s literary map. With many novels to her credit, she released a new book in June 2022 titled ‘Lovers’ Secrets and Revenge, which is book three of ‘The John Callahan novel series.’
Elizabeth’s favorite she enjoyed writing was ‘The Shaman and The Mafia,’ as she shares, “The creation of this story has been an exciting journey. If possible, I would love to meet all of the characters in this book in real life.” Elizabeth’s books and novels are available on Amazon online and Barnes & Noble and featured on fine literary book sites.
Elizabeth was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA., until the age of sixteen, when she entered a New York State Convent and became a nun for twenty years, but she yearned for a more authentic spiritual life. Elizabeth left the convent and chose to attend and receive her B.A. from Syracuse University.
Returning to her native state of California, she attended and received her M.A. in psychology from Chapman University. The Author began working for over thirty years in family counseling as a social worker and probation officer, working with troubled teens and abused children. She is a speaker, spiritual mentor, and advisor.
Elizabeth is happily married and enjoys writing books for her readership around the world. When the Author is not writing, she works out with a personal trainer to stay fit and healthy; she loves spending time on long walks on the beach with her husband and dog. Her favorite colors are blue, green, and gold. She enjoys reading good books by some of her favorite authors like Geraldine Brooks, Hanh, Jerry Archer, Joseph Murphy, and Michael Connelly. Elizabeth, her husband, and her pup reside in Santa Barbara,CA.
The Definitive Guide to Amazon Keyword Research for Books (Courtesy of Lakshmi Padmanaban )
As an author, nothing is more important than getting your book discovered by readers. While a well-written story and polished production values are table stakes, they only take you so far if potential buyers can’t easily find your book. This is where optimizing your book’s ranking on Amazon becomes crucial.
In this blog, let’s look at specific strategies that can boost your book’s visibility — from leveraging search suggestions to analyzing top competitors in your genre.
Whether you’re a debut indie author or a seasoned pro, the keyword tactics outlined here can help you understand how Amazon’s algorithms work and give your book the best chance to rank. By the end, you’ll have an action plan to start implementing immediate improvements. So let’s start taking your Amazon book ranking to the next level through data-driven keyword optimization.
5 Keyword Research Strategies to Boost Your Amazon Ranking
1. Select High-Volume Keywords
When optimizing your book on Amazon, focus on selecting high-volume keywords that have a substantial search volume. This will help increase your book’s visibility and potential for sales. To identify these keywords, utilize keyword research tools created specifically for Amazon, like Ahrefs Amazon Keyword Tool, Sellesta or Sellzone. These platforms will provide you with data on search volume and related keywords to better inform your decisions. Experiment with different platforms and identify the tools that work best for your needs. Remember to regularly update your research and stay informed about trends and changes in keyword performance — and, most importantly, to monitor your keywords’ performance and adjust your selections.
2. Long-Tail vs. Short-Tail Keywords
There are two types of keywords to consider when optimizing your book on Amazon: long-tail and short-tail keywords. Short-tail keywords consist of one or two more generalized words with higher search volumes. Long-tail keywords, on the other hand, are longer phrases with more specific intent and lower search volumes.
While it’s tempting to focus solely on short-tail keywords, balancing both long-tail and short-tail keywords is essential. This combination will help you reach both a larger audience as well as a more niche demographic. Incorporate both types of keywords into your Amazon book listing to achieve the best results for discoverability and sales.
3. Analyze Top-Selling Competitors
One of the best places to start keyword research is by analyzing your top-selling competitors. Look at the keywords in their product titles, descriptions, and bullet points. List the most frequently used keywords by successful competitors in your niche. These are likely to be highly searched terms that can drive sales.
When choosing keywords from competitors, look for long-tail keywords that are more specific than just generic brand or product terms. Long-tail keywords tend to have lower search volumes but are easier to rank for. You’ll want a mix of both high and low search volume keywords. Also, consider keywords related to your unique selling points that competitors may not be targeting.
Once you have a list, plug the keywords into the Amazon search bar to check the search volume and the number of related products listed. Focus on mid-range keywords that have monthly searches in the hundreds or low thousands. Highly competitive keywords with tens of thousands of searches may be too challenging to rank for initially.
4. Use the “Customers Also Searched For” Section
When viewing a book detail page on Amazon, a “Customers Also Searched For” section lists related keywords. These suggestions are based on the search patterns of customers who viewed that product. Add these related keywords to your list, as they are queries Amazon has identified as relevant.
For added context on search volume and competition, you can analyze these keywords like those from competitors. The “Customers Also Searched For” section on top-selling listings provides a wealth of relevant keyword ideas already validated by Amazon search data.
5. Research Questions in Your Book Category
Another source of potential keywords is to brainstorm common questions customers may ask about your book category. For example, in the gardening niche, you could come up with queries like “how to grow tomatoes” or “best fertilizer for roses.”
To validate these question-style keywords, enter them into the Amazon search bar preceded by “how to” or “what is” to see if auto-complete suggestions populate. If so, those queries indicate actual customer searches. You can then check search volume and competition. Question keywords tend to be longer-tail but can perform well if you have comprehensive answers in your listing.
How to Enhance Your Book’s Visibility With the Right Keywords?
Since Amazon has tons of books available at the click of a button, it’s crucial for authors to optimize their book descriptions, categories, and keywords for better visibility. Let’s focus on the best ways to enhance your book’s visibility through the effective use of keywords.
Incorporating Keywords in Book Titles
When choosing your book’s title and subtitle, consider relevant keywords that readers might use to search for your book. Including these keywords in your title and/or subtitle can help improve your book’s discoverability on Amazon. For example, if your book is about vegan cooking, you might choose a title like “The Vegan Kitchen: Quick, Easy, and Delicious Plant-based Recipes.”
Similarly, add your best keywords in the title, but at the same time, make sure that it’s utterly relevant to your book topic. Keep the title keywords very specific and close to the book title — preferably something that’s descriptive and gives a teeny-tiny insight into what your book is. Otherwise, your keyword inclusion will look forced and can actually drive readers away.
Incorporating Keywords in Book Description
After you’ve included the best and title-closest keywords to the book title, the next place to include them is in your book description. This is one of the places that Amazon considers when ranking your book. So from the list of keywords you’ve obtained from one of the keyword research tools, choose a few best ones that are very specific to what your book is about — and the keywords your target audience will use to search for books like yours.
Sprinkle those keywords all around your book description, making them sound natural and an organic part of the description instead of being forced. Add as many keywords as possible and repeat the primary keywords more than once. This is one of the best ways to get your book noticed by the Amazon search engine and increase its visibility in the search results.
Optimizing Author Pages with Keywords
Your Amazon Author Central page is another crucial place to include relevant keywords. By incorporating keywords into your author bio, book descriptions, and editorial review sections, you can boost your page’s SEO.
For instance, mentioning specific book genres you write in (‘romance’ or ‘crime thriller’) and adding a few writing-related qualifications with keywords like ‘award-winning author’ or ‘writing workshops’ can improve your Amazon Author Central page’s search visibility.
Wrapping Up
Implementing a comprehensive keyword strategy is one of the most impactful ways for authors to boost their book’s visibility and sales on Amazon. By thoroughly researching high-volume keywords, analyzing top competitors, and leveraging Amazon’s own search data suggestions, you can identify the most effective keywords to target. However, it’s important to regularly evaluate keyword performance and be willing to adjust your approach over time as search trends and algorithms change.
The techniques covered here, such as balancing long-tail and short-tail keywords, optimizing your book description and author page, and understanding the differences between Amazon and Google optimization, can help increase your book’s discoverability by more readers if implemented strategically. While ranking highly takes ongoing effort, focusing your efforts on keywords that are relevant, descriptive, and specific to your book topic and genre will give your book the best chance to succeed on Amazon.
With data-driven keyword research and optimization, you can start taking control of your book’s Amazon performance. Use the actionable tactics discussed in this post to analyze your book’s discoverability gaps and prioritize improvements. By leveraging the power of keywords, you’ll be able to enhance your book’s visibility, outshine competitors, and connect with more of the readers looking for your exact book. The time invested in optimizing keywords will pay off in increased readership and sales on Amazon for many books to come.
About Book Three – ‘The Board Extraction’ – ‘The Other Shoes of Larry Martin’ Series of Novels.
“Larry Martin lives two very different lives, in two different worlds. In Book Three, his personal journey continues in what is now a 2023 PenCraft Book Award First Runner Up winner of ‘Realistic Dramatic Fiction.’ Additionally, Book Three: The Board Extraction was awarded a 2023 5-Star Book Review by Reader’s Favorite and by K.C. Finn.”
As Larry’s saga continues in Atlanta, GA, he is known as Laurie Roberts, the adopted son of a famous architect, Sherman Roberts. Laurie is President of Operations in his father’s international firm.
While Laurie grapples with corruption and theft in the Hong Kong office, he learns that Sherman’s life is threatened by an unseen but highly dangerous business consortium. Managing this threat puts both their lives in danger.
In Manhattan, NY, Laurie is an influential progressive journalist. He writes for The Political Standard, a massive digital newspaper using his pen name, Larry Martin. Peter Bennett is the Director of the paper and Larry’s dearest friend. Trouble comes for Larry. The Political Standard’s board of directors is extremely upset with him.
Larry is forced to fend off another journalist’s unscrupulous intent to destroy him if he doesn’t give her what she wants. And when Peter Bennett is physically assaulted, Larry jumps into high gear and quick thinking to negotiate a delicate situation that is personal to him. The Board Extraction moves swiftly through a nonstop series of events. And through it all, Larry remains highly tactical, metaphysical, calm, kind, and immensely brilliant. . .
About “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin” Award-Winning Series of Novels
******* Emerging Writer and Award-Winning Author Pavane Ravel tells a gripping and unforgettable story in this novel series, which reminds us of the gravity of each decision we make in life. This is a story of self-examination and growth. It is relevant for readers of all political beliefs and backgrounds.
“Larry Martin is a young man – the only child of an abusive father – who was unwittingly indoctrinated into the belief system of the Alt-Right. Larry begins his journalism career writing for a right-wing website. After disaster strikes and he becomes homeless and unemployed, he finds the way forward to a prosperous, ethical, and enlightened future by profoundly changing all that he was. During Larry’s turbulent fight for survival, he comes to the conclusion that he must undergo a drastic transformation to find peace and personal success. He resolves to make significant changes and become a completely different person.
While only a few short months after being homeless, jobless, and friendless, Larry has acquired a family and friends. He’s fallen in love with a brilliant and beautiful woman who loves him in return. With Larry now the most important journalist for a major liberal website in New York City, he has taken on a second full-time position at a prestigious architectural firm in Atlanta.
Yet, despite all his good fortune, this kind, talented, and giving young man is soon to face insidious lies, outrageous betrayal, and horrific danger…
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For immediate release: The author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome!
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Drama book “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin: Book Three: The Board Extraction” by Pavane Ravel, currently available athttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0F9V6J885.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper-Collins and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
“The Board Extraction” is a work of fiction that falls within the political suspense drama, slice-of-life, and sociocultural writing subgenres. It is the third installment of the ongoing saga titled “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin,” which chronicles his life and personal journey.
The work is best suited for adult readers with its complex themes, and was penned by author Pavane Ravel. The author continues to deliver a thought-provoking and immersive narrative centered around the formerly indoctrinated Larry and his new liberal ethos in life. As the narrative unfolds, Larry Martin’s character evolves, and he grapples with the consequences of his decisions. The story goes beyond mere entertainment as it delves into self-examination, personal growth, and the weight of one’s choices. Author Pavane Ravel’s writing is adroitly beautiful, blending political and social issues with drama and romance together seamlessly into Larry’s ongoing life journey to find himself.
I was thrilled to be back in his world and see what happened next in his interpersonal relationships. This multifaceted installment offers new elements of romance, humor, and drama that play out in perfect balance against the more topical issues of political and business power plays. Larry’s unexpected detour into modeling was one of my favorite sections, as it’s always so relatable to see him be such a fish out of water.
What struck me most was how much this series resonates with readers from diverse backgrounds and beliefs because it’s Larry’s open-mindedness and sense of discovery that bonds us to his cause. It’s a reminder that our decisions, big or small, carry consequences and shape our paths, and the information we build those decisions on is never foolproof.
Overall, readers seeking a resonant series that encourages introspection and contemplation about our own choices need look no further than The Other Shoes of Larry Martin for everything they need. I’d particularly recommend The Board Extraction for a unique blend of entertainment and reflection, which offers valuable insights into life’s complexities.“
You can learn more about Pavane Ravel and “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin: Book Three: The Board Extraction” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/the-other-shoes-of-larry-martin/2, where you can read reviews and the author’s biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
Readers’ Favorite LLC PR Media Relations Louisville, KY 40202
Pavane has a great sense of humor and loves to engage and connect with readers. While the author resides and divides her time between Manhattan, NY, and Georgia. She welcomes readers’ thoughts and comments through her website and by connecting on social media.
Now introducing “The Arduous Quest Western Adventure” Novel Series by author B. S. Daniels. Book One, titled “Trail of Fate,” is a knee-slapping captivating tribute to the action-packed adventures of the wild, wild west, and a must-read for fans and buffs of the old classic Westerns!
The Fantastic Intro To “Trail of Fate” ~ B. S. Daniels
Reg is a man of honor, but his quest for justice may result in bloodshed. Will the fate he faces prove to be a turning point in his life? Justice or despair? ******
From The Author: “This book isdedicated to all thosewho have crossed my path.In one way or another, they helpedcreate who and what I am today.” ~B. S. Daniels
“If there is no will,There is no way. If there is the will,There is always a way.“
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PROLOGUE
THE TRAIL OF FATE ******
The sun rises. Is it fate?
The moon rises. Is it fate?
The people we meet and the placeswhere we travel.
Is it fate?
All the many roads, twists, and turns, the peoplewho come and go in our lives.
Fate … What does it have in store for you?
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First Sneak Peek Of Trail of Fate~And so it begins!
LATE 1800s – COLORADO FOOTHILLS
REG
The air was crisp and cool, carrying a hint of sage and the constant feel of prairie dust. I slept as all men on horseback do, using their well-worn saddle as a pillow and the stars as trail companions. The morning light began to show in a cloudless blue sky.
The small fire I built helped keep the morning chill at bay, and the smell of wood smoke and fresh coffee was a pleasant aroma.
I had a hundred memories of times gone by sitting around a fire with a pot of hot coffee, enjoying the fire by myself or with companions. New or old timers, ones from just over the hill or miles away in this vast country, we all had a story to share.
The one thing we had in common was the stories. We kept a few to ourselves, but there were others we gladly shared. Coffee and a campfire were the best ways to gather information, or maybe just by listening to a tall tale that would be passed on for many years. It was the cowboy way to keep a person’s memory and legacy alive.
All my senses snapped into full alert when I heard the report of a gunshot in the distance. Another shot rang out as I strained to look through the early morning’s dim light. Instantly, I determined it was shots from two separate guns.
Every gun carried a specific tune; some were short and snappy, while others played a smoother ring. The shots split the air only seconds apart and rang from what seemed south of my location. I figured the shots echoed up from the valley floor below me, and with the sound traveling uphill, I estimated it to be about two miles down the adjacent draw.
The air and the surrounding area were now as ghostly quiet as a graveyard. I thought about why the shots had occurred. I was in the middle of no man’s land. . .
*****
WHO IS Novelist B. S. Daniels?
B. S. Daniels is an American writer, novelist, and former professional bull rider from Gunnison, CO.
Daniels will soon release his first book in The Arduous Quest – Adventurous Western Novel Series and aims to revive the popularity of the classic “Spaghetti Westerns” for a new generation of readers with “Trail of Fate,” which will be book one of the series and will be available in late summer 2024 from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and featured in various online magazines and book sites in paperback and Kindle formats.
Raised in Colorado, Daniels has been a successful business owner and creative entrepreneur for 40+ years. Now, bitten by the writing bug, he plans to write and publish several novels in his Arduous Quest series after the release of Trail of Fate. When Daniels is not writing, he enjoys spending time with his cattle dog in the great outdoors while still working on entrepreneurial endeavors.
He has raised four wonderful children and now delights in spending time with his “little posse” of grandkids, teaching them to appreciate the simple things in life. The author and novelist currently resides in Wyoming, USA.
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(Western Photos Courtesy of Freepic)
~ Now Another Special Sneak Peek Excerpt Read Of Trial of Fate ~ Enjoy! 🌵🐎🌵📚🤠
Just as the bounty hunters left town, the stagecoach filled with passengers and luggage rolled to a stop directly in front of the ladies. The make-shift station inside the café was the regular drop-off point in Two Forks.
A clean-cut gentleman stepped out of the coach, waving away the road dust, and greeted the proprietor.
“Hello, I would like to introduce myself, my dear lady. My name is Mr. Asher Lionel,” he said as he leaned on a black walking stick topped by a cut glass knob.
“My charges and I are passing through, and I hope to find a suitable establishment to settle in and rest our weary bones for a few days. Would you be kind enough to direct me and point out a fine eatery, as well?”
“Uncle, have we finally arrived after being delayed an extra day? And for a baby, no less!” said a young lady inside the coach. “I am parched and disheveled from riding in this awful conveyance.”
“That would be my niece, Jaida,” he said. “Well, then, alight and enjoy nature’s bounty.”
Mr. Asher put his hand forward to help Jaida out of the carriage. The teenage lass wore finery that suggested she was on her way to the debutant’s ball in New York City. She flapped her arms and flounced her dress, fussing over the dust on her delicate slipper shoes.
Jetta covered her mouth so the girl wouldn’t see her giggle while Sara poked her in the ribs.
“Oh, my goodness,” Sara whispered.
“Uncle, may I get out of this cage, also?” said a boy looking out of the side window of the coach. “I don’t want to miss watching a cowboy in a gunfight while stuck inside this box.”
“And that voice belongs to her younger brother and my nephew, Chase,” said the impeccable Mr. Asher.
And out of the carriage shot a young boy in a beige linen traveling suit smeared with sweat-dried dust around the collar and handprints on the trousers.
“Nephew, a bath for you before we dine!”
“Welcome to Two Forks,” Maggie said. “My goodness, the dust is thick today,” she continued, blaming her choking voice on the ever-present street dust. “Please step up onto the boardwalk and out of the street.”
“Street? You call this a street?” said Jaida in the most sarcastic tone. “This looks more like a back alley in the slums.”
“Jaida, your manners!”
Maggie stepped off the boardwalk to glance inside the coach to unload the baby, but no one seemed willing to help. Baby, what baby? I thought I heard her say they were delayed because of a baby.
Wanting to assure herself that it was empty, she glanced again and stepped away from the coach, wide-eyed but saying nothing.
She recognized the famous Mr. Scott sitting inside and thought it best to keep quiet until he revealed his presence.
* * * * * *
“Watch yourselves! This here stuff ain’t gonna unload its own self. Dern! Whacha totin’ in them bags, rocks? Look out under me,” said Bailey, Zeke’s newly hired driver, as luggage pieces rained down off the coach.
“Missy, you best get ya some boots for stompin’ here abouts. Ya getting’ me, ya heah me? Rattlers and such bite mitey hard.”
“My carpetbags are ruined!” Jaida moaned as she saw one had landed in a horse’s road apple.
Interrupting the grumbling, Maggie welcomed the newcomers again and invited them inside the café for a meal.
Sara served Zeke and Bailey a glass of lemonade before they scrambled out the door to hit the trail.
“Ready to giddyap, Zeke?” Bailey asked.
“I believe I am ready to leave these city slickers in our dust, Bailey,” replied Zeke with a shake of his head.
“Well, don’t leave me here with this bunch,” grumbled the unknown man from inside the coach, who obviously preferred to remain unidentified. “I will take my chances to unload elsewhere if you don’t mind.”
“Hiya, you girls! Giddyap, there!” Bailey called to the team.
Sara stood in the corner, gaping at the three sitting in the dining room. She had never witnessed people act like this anywhere, especially in Two Forks.
Gazing through the oversized café windows, Jaida’smouth worked like a guppy gasping for air as she watched Bailey’s hat fly off her head, landing on her shoulders. Luckily, Bailey wore a rawhide tie on her hat, or she would have lost it in her rush to get the team away from the depot.
“Why, Uncle, that was a girl who drove our stagecoach. How utterly uncivilized,” remarked Jaida.
“What? A girl! Now this I gotta see,” echoed Chase, knowing if this were true, he would have the first of many stories to tell his friends when they returned home.
“Looks like the town could have some excitement coming our way in the near future,” Maggie said, nodding her head with a spring in her step.
No sooner were those words out of Maggie’s mouth than Jaida became even more astonished.
“Here comes some sort of wagon with another girl driving it. Surely you DO NOT expect me to learn the ways of the dust-eating, uneducated, backwoods mountain girls while we are staying here?” she yelped while Maggie’s customers stared in awe.
Maggie looked out the window and said, “Oh, look. It’s Nancy back with the girls, and she let Caty drive. I wonder if they have any news from the ranch?”
******** *******
CAT knows that for all my readers who enjoy reading Western action and adventures with splashes of Western humor, you will want to read B. S. Daniels’ new novel “Trail of Fate” and “The Arduous Quest” series! The Cat had heard a rumor that he was hard at work writing book two of the series.
I hope you enjoyed meeting B. S. and the sneak peek excerpts. Book one will be released sometime next month. So Y’all come back as I will be sharing a cover reveal and more! 📚🌵🤠🐎 🪢🌵
