Thursday, April 17, 2025

Nonfiction Review: The Author's AI Tool Kit: From Concept to Publication by Hank Quense

This morning, I have a new book for authors in our book review spotlight! We all are becoming quickly aware that AI is around to stay--and learning to better use the tools of AI is on the to-do list for many of us. Today, I have a new book from author Hank Quense that takes a big step toward helping authors open the doors to using AI in the writing and publishing processes. Check out The Author's AI Tool Kit, learn about author Hank Quense, read my thoughts on the book & enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


 

Book Title:  The Author's AI Toolkit: From Concept to Publication by Hank Quense
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction, 83 pages
GenreNon-fiction-Reference-writing, research and publishing guides ​
Publisher:  Strange Worlds Publishing
Release date:  March 1, 2025
Content Rating: G: It contains only technical information of interest to authors and writers

 

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About the Book


This groundbreaking resource offers a wealth of practical AI applications, expertly crafted to elevate every aspect of your craft. From brainstorming and drafting to publishing and marketing, discover how AI can revolutionize your workflow and amplify your creative voice. With clear examples and actionable strategies, this comprehensive guide empowers you to navigate the digital landscape with confidence.

Unlock the power of AI in your writing journey with "The Author's AI Tool
​Whether you're a seasoned author or an aspiring wordsmith, harness the potential of AI to streamline your process, overcome challenges, and take your writing career to new heights.
 
My Review

​The Author's AI Tool Kit is a wonderful introduction to the power of AI.
The author does a wonderful job taking the reader through the various tasks an author may encounter in both writing and navigating the business side of being an author while giving AI-usage ideas for every step.  The author offers sample prompts, or queries, that can be used for each step--and gives sample AI responses for each step. The author focuses consistently on the prompts/responses for one AI model--but the process is similar no matter which AI model you choose to use. I often work with Anthropic's Claude--but, others work well with ChatGPT or Gemini. The prompt writing format is similar; you just may find the responses a little different from model to model. This book is perfect for authors interested in adding AI to their workflow. The author provides many examples of simple starting points for crafting prompts. Once you become used to the basics, you'll be able to add follow-up prompts and learn to fine-tune your questions to yield better, more relevant AI responses.
Expect to Learn A Lot from the Pages of the Book.  I love the structure and easy-to-follow organization of this book. The author clearly notes that the intention is not for the AI to write your book; the intention is to use the AI to help you create a better book, become a better author and be better able to accomplish the tasks necessary in the business of writing. This is the perfect book for authors first exploring AI--or for authors wondering how to use AI in their processes. 
Would I Recommend The Author's AI Tool Kit: From Concept to Publication by Hank Quense. This is a great introduction to AI for writers. If you are wondering what you can do with AI as a writer--or looking to grow as a writer or access resources to help you run the marketing or business sides of your career--this book is a simple introduction that is packed with ideas to get you started with AI. I would definitely recommend it. It's a quick, easy read that will give you several starting points to boost your confidence to launch your first prompt and explore AI for your writing career.
 
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Meet the Author

Hank Quense has self-published his books for over 12 years.  

His fiction works include the Gundarland series, the Princess Moxie series and the soon-to-be-published Zaftan series.

His non-fiction books cover fiction writing (Creating Stories), self-publishing (How to Self-publish and Market a Book, Self-publish a Book in 10 Steps), marketing (Book Marketing Fundamentals) and author business (Business Basics for Authors) and Creating Your First Novel.

Connect with the Author: Website X ~ Facebook Pinterest YouTube ~ BookBub ~ Goodreads

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Historical Fiction Spotlight: In Harm's Way by Thomas M. Wing

This morning, we are entering the compelling world of Thomas M. Wing's latest novel, where themes of courage and resilience take center stage in a narrative that explores the complexities of human nature and the strength found in adversity. Check out In Harm's Way, learn about author Thomas M. Wing and enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.


Book 1 of The Sea Hawkes Chronicles


Historical Fiction/Nautical Fiction

Date Published: April 10, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing


 

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About the Book

 

The man who fights for his family is far more dangerous than the one who fights for his king.

Colonial sea captain Jonas Hawke returns home to Norfolk after a year-long voyage only to have his ship and its valuable cargo seized by the British Royal Navy. As the royal governor further tightens the noose on trade, Jonas is thrust into the chaos of a growing rebellion. Desperate to support his family, he sets out to find work. When he is denied a commission with the newly formed Continental Navy, he outfits his own vessel as a private ship-of-war and voyages to the Caribbean in search of enemy merchant ships he can capture and friends he can trust.

But dangers multiply on the unforgiving sea. The Royal Navy reacts mercilessly to the threat posed by privateers like Jonas. How will Jonas fare now that he has boldly defied the King of Britain to preserve his family? And what will happen to his loved ones while he is away, engulfed in a war to oppose tyranny in the name of freedom?

 

 


About the Author

Naval Academy and Naval War College graduate Thomas M. Wing retired after thirty-two years as a Navy Surface Warfare officer. He served more than ten years at sea and twenty-two years ashore in increasingly important tactical and operational billets. A dedicated sailor for half a century, he created the Continental Navy Foundation, served as its executive director, and commanded its brigantine, Megan D. 

He wrote In Harm’s Way from a desire to explore the topic of America’s early sea warriors and how they struck fear into the hearts of British shippers around the globe. Thomas’s award-winning first novel, Against All Enemies, was released in 2023 by Acorn Publishing. He resides in San Diego with his wife and daughter and a cat and a dog. Whatever free time he has is spent on the water.


Connect with the Author

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Twitter: @thomasmwing1

Goodreads

Instagram 


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Contemporary Fiction Book Blitz Spotlight: The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Cafe by Dan Chabot

Immerse yourself in the heartwarming world of Dan Chabot's latest contemporary fiction novel, where the power of human connection takes center stage. Check out The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Cafe and learn about the author!


Contemporary Fiction

Date Published: April 1, 2025

 

 

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About the Book

 

In a time when too much emphasis is on our past sins, instead of our many celebrated successes, The Pot of Gold at the Rainbow Café is a breath of fresh air. It's a story that looks at what’s right with America, its big heart, and its kind and generous people. It is an inspiring, touching, humorous story about main-street America, still the land of opportunity and exceptionalism, where fairy-tale endings are still common. It’s a place where neighbors look out for each other, help each other, then pay it forward, pass their good fortune along. Just look around you. It still happens every day.

 

About the Author

  

Dan Chabot is a retired newspaper editor and columnist for a major metro daily, the Milwaukee Journal (now the Journal-Sentinel). For many years he presided over the paper’s most popular section, the Green Sheet, a daily compendium of entertaining feature stories, nostalgia, history, humor and whimsy. He is the author of several other novels and now lives in Florida.


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Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Military Romance Spotlight: The General's Princess by Caryn Hacker-Buechel

This morning, I wanted to share a military romance with you! Check out The General's Daughter, read a quick excerpt from the book, and learn about author Caryn Hacker-Buechel.


 

Military Romance

Date Published: January 23, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media


 

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About the Book

 

Cara is almost fifty, and nearly penniless. She needs a fresh start and when a unique job falls in her lap, she moves to Saudi Arabia to work for the royal family, never dreaming the change would quickly spiral into a nightmare. Cara is alone and powerless, trapped in the crosshairs of a human trafficking ring.

 

Meanwhile, the kidnapping of a young, American female triggers a risky military rescue with General Sam Kennedy leading the Special Forces team into Riyadh, throwing Cara and Sam into the same chaos. Cara is now enmeshed in the spinning wheels of this deadly conflict, managed from the White House Situation Room, and exploding in real time within the opulent Royal palace.

 

Unravel the threads of survival, courage, and unexpected love in this gripping tale of resilience against the odds.



About the Author

Caryn Hacker-Buechel keeps her computer nearby, often writing in coffee shops, on beaches, and in her own Naples, Florida, backyard. After thirty years as a master-degreed psychotherapist and relationship expert in the public and private sector, she finally retired and turned her attention to completing the novel she had worked on for ten years.

The General's Princess is her debut novel and second book. The award-winning first book, A Bully Grows Up: Erik Meets the Wizard, was written for children. In both, Caryn creates characters rich in dramatic, realistic traits, portraying psychological and behavioral depth, utilizing the knowledge she gained as an observer of human behavior and emotional trauma. The concepts will touch your life.

Her journey through love, marriage, children, divorce, travel, stepchildren, and grandchildren is reflected in her writing. The adventure can be intense but also emotionally healing. She hopes you enjoy the ride.

 

Read an Excerpt

P r ol o g u e

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
January 3, 2005

“MISS HART,” THE DRIVER BEGAN, speaking slowly, rubbing his chin with one hand and
shifting the car into park with the other. “Mr. Assad say you no have burka. I bring for you.” The man stared, face for-ward, while he spoke although he pointed over his shoulder to the limo’s back seat. “Put it on.”


Sitting behind and to the driver’s right, Cara watched his muscles move at the hollow of his
cheek. “Excuse me,” she said gently. “Mr. Tawfik? I don’t understand. What do you want me to do? Put what on?” She heard him huff in response. “Anyway, why have we stopped?” Her
anxiety was growing, along with uncertainty regarding her decision to travel so far from home.


She looked out the sedan’s window to an enormous building, a sidewalk leading to a glass
revolving door. Then she twisted toward a busy road on her left, searching for an escape route,
and shook her head, hearing the warnings from her adult children, Nick and Vicki, plead-ing with her to stay in Florida and not take that job in Saudi Arabia. “Crazy,” they called it. “Dangerous.” Cara swallowed hard and forcefully exhaled. She remembered her excitement when she signed the employ-ment contract, packed her clothes, and finally boarded the plane. The driver muttered in Arabic. Cara heard disgust on his tongue, and she breathed slowly to steady herself.


Forty minutes ago, Mr. Tawfik quickly introduced himself at the Riyadh International Airport. “I drive for the royal family,” he had said, tucking the sign with her name on it into a folder. “Mr. Assad sent me.


This way, please.” Tawfik took the handles of her two suitcases and pointed toward the exit with his bearded chin. She followed behind, struggling to catch up. Her athletic shoes shushed
against the tile, sounding as if she were jogging.


The man was slender, perhaps twenty years old, like Nick, Cara thought, remembering the tiny
apartment she had shared with her son out of necessity in Florida. At that moment, Cara
questioned why she had left her children—again.


Tawfik harrumphed, and she looked at the man behind the steering wheel, head covered in
white cotton, a black circular band securing the cascading fabric. Cara leaned slightly forward.
“Please tell me again what you want me to do. I’ve never worn a burka.”


“Cover yourself.”


Cara’s eyes grew wide. Her open hand floated to the front of her black short-sleeved
top. Carumba! I’m here an hour, and already in trouble! She thought of the women at the airport coffee shop and how they were confined under black burkas, their heads completely covered except for their eyes. She pressed her lips together and chastised herself, remember-ing the athletic jacket in her handbag, which she forgot to put on while hurrying through the crowds to find her luggage. After reading that New York Times article which described Riyadh as a modern bustling city that welcomed Westerners, she presumed yoga pants, a t-shirt, and sneakers would be fine. How foolish of me. Her initial excitement faded, and she began to second-guess every decision that led to this trip.


“I am sorry if I upset you,” she said. “I can put on a jacket. I have one in my handbag. Could you make the air conditioning colder?”


When he didn’t answer, Cara sighed, lifted both hands and pushed her long, dark hair behind
her ears. She looked out the window to the bustling sidewalk filled with pedestrians in white
robes, headdresses, and black burkas. Only rarely did someone in Western clothes walk past
the sedan.


She surveyed several of the massive storefront windows. The clos-est displayed mannequins of both sexes in exquisite robes, their hands positioned toward each other as if in conversation.
The signage stated: Harvey Nichols Department Store, and next to that was Louis Vuitton, and
then the Saudi Fragrance House. Cara remembered a short snip of an article about this famous
shop, which opened in 1932 and knownfor its exotic blends. She silently promised to pay it a
visit at some point. But then wondered why they had stopped here now? This isn’t where I’m
supposed to go! “Mr. Tawfik,” Cara began as her heartbeat quickened. “I wonder…”


“No!” he bellowed, interrupting her. “Air is cold.”


“Um, Mr. Assad said I would go directly to the palace.”


Tawfik muttered under his breath. “Next to you. Burka and scarf are in bag.” This time, he glanced into the rearview mirror. “Cover your arms and hair. Put on now! We wait.”


Cara shook her head and glanced at the seat to her left. She picked up the waiting leather tote
and peeked inside. Her trembling fingers reached in and pulled an array of black wrinkled fabric into the light. She caught a glimpse of the driver’s dark eyes, still focused on her from the rearview mirror above a small bouquet of hanging white flowers.


Raising the clumped material so the driver would see that she intended to follow his instructions, Cara paused, letting the fabric lay on her thighs. In response, the man turned his body and reached his arm over the seatback, startling her.


Tawfik shoved a piece of folded ivory paper toward Cara. Repeatedly, he waved the note close
to her sweat-moistened face. The tiny waft of air caused by the driver’s frenzied movements
pushed two seconds of relief toward Cara’s perspiration-covered and exposed arms and
shoulders. There was barely any air conditioning in the vehicle, and despite the perfumed
flowers hanging from the rearview mirror, a stench floated on the air.


Week-old cheese and BO, she thought, then tried to force her face to relax, remembering he
was staring at her. She did not want to offend, not any more than she already had.


“Madam,” his tone was flat and cautionary. “Take letter. It is from boss, Mr. Assad.”


Through pursed lips, Cara took a stabilizing breath. She reached her bare arm toward Tawfik,
took the stationery, and unfolded the note with trembling fingers. Seeing the royal family’s raised crest, crossed palm trees, and swords calmed her. She read every word, satisfied that the note was authentic, and stuffed it into her purse.

Cara moved the burka to the leather backseat and laid the scarf beside it. Following Mr. Assad’s letter and instructions, she unzipped the front.


“Everything will be fine,” Assad had promised in the note. “Follow my requests, and I will see
you later.”  


Cara pulled one black placket behind her back and slid her hands into the sleeves before pulling the fabric onto her shoulders. The connect-ing length of material clung to the perspiration that ran down her spine and dotted her shoulders. The remainder of the cloth pooled on the seat behind her. She tugged at the two front panels until they met between her breasts, and her fitted top and yoga pants disappeared under yards of black. Dragging the matching scarf over her hair, she looked out the car’s window for possible instruction.


Spotting several women on the sidewalk, she pulled the scarf against her head, mimicking the
passersby whose hair was covered. Then Cara shrugged, grabbed both fabric ends, wrapped
them under her chin and around her neck, tied them together at the back, and let the rest fall.
She offered a half-smile to the driver, hoping for reassurance, but only saw the back of his
covered head.


Lifting her bottom from the leather seat, Cara pulled the burka into place. She hoped the long
‘zip’ would signify she was adequately concealed. Following the sound, the driver glanced at her again from the rearview mirror, his dark eyes still radiating heavy disapproval.


“Lady, tuck in hair,” he huffed. “Only show eyes, nothing else. It is haram. Forbidden.”
Cara batted away tears while adjusting the gathered fabric under her chin until only a tiny fabric-less window surrounded her eyes.


“Now, my job done,” Tawfik said flatly.


Connect with the Author

 

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Cover Reveal Spotlight: Fate of the Storm by Valerie Storm

This morning, we are sharing a young adult fantasy novel in our cover reveal spotlight! Check out the cover for Fate of the Storm, learn about the book and the Demon Storm series and author Valerie Storm. Be sure to pre-order the book, or catch up on the series, at the end of this post!

 

Demon Storm, Book Eight


Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: 05-13-2025

Publisher: Shadow Spark Publishing


 

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About the Book

 

hadows have retreated with Raven's downfall, but darkness still curls at the edges of the world. For a moment, though, Kari and Ari have a moment of peace. There is a glimmer of light that threatens to wash away the darkness as they finally bind their fates together in a formal ceremony.

 

But Raven hasn't given up, and there's an older, crueler foe who hasn't forgotten Kari - the Lord of Demons, the very one who crafted the Catalyst which Raven sought to control, still trapped in an ancient Tree.

 

Kari's moment of joy comes to a halt as the world shakes and Taris is ripped apart.

 

Velthas has risen.


About the Author

Valerie Storm was raised in Tucson, Arizona. Growing up, she fell in love with everything fantasy. When she wasn’t playing video games, she was writing. By age ten, she began to write her own stories as a way to escape reality. When these stories became a full-length series, she considered the path to sharing with other children & children-at/heart looking for a place to call home.


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Dark Fantasy PreOrder Blitz: Earth's Passion by Emily Carrington

Today, I have a dark fantasy with an LGBTQ theme. Check out Earth's Passion and learn about author Emily Carrington. 


LGBTQ, Dark Fantasy, Steamy

Date Published: April 18, 2025


 

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About the Book

 

As their need for each other grows, so does the danger.

 

Kailee and Tom are falling for each other, but their secrets continue to come between them. Kailee’s afraid to show her physical scars, while Tom dreads his lover will discover the power those he still calls Master and Mistress hold over him.

 

Dragon and werewolf must join together in every way to defeat those who would dominate Tom and kill Kailee.


  

About the Author

 

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her website.

 

Connect with the Author

Author’s Website

Emily on Facebook

Emily on Twitter


Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

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Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Action Adventure Release Blitz: Warpath by Bill Runner

This morning, I have an action thriller to share. Check out Warpath and learn about author Bill Runner in book release spotlight. 



An Axel Blaze Crime Action Thriller

 

Action Adventure; Military thrillers; Vigilante justice

Date Published: April 10, 2025

 

 

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About the Book

 

A cartel kingpin. A botched raid. A blood-soaked vendetta.

 

When Mexico’s deadliest cartel, La Manada, spills blood on American soil, Delta Force Captain Axel Blaze gets the call. His mission: capture cartel boss Javier Salazar and crush his empire. No red tape. No half-measures.

 

But when an ambush forces Blaze to pull back stateside, the cartel takes the fight across the border—hitting civilians, targeting officials, daring him to respond.

 

Now, it’s personal. This time, it’s not about taking prisoners—it’s about ending threats. Blaze is coming for Salazar, and he won’t stop until La Manada is nothing but a smoldering memory.


 


About the Author

Bill Runner cut his teeth as an investigative journalist, plunging into the gritty underbelly of crime, before turning to writing edge-of-your-seat thrillers. Raised on a steady diet of westerns and lone ranger sagas, Bill’s real-life encounters with rogues and heroes shaped his electrifying protagonist, Axel Blaze. An adrenaline junkie at heart, Bill is a seasoned mountain climber and paraglider, and also a lifelong student of martial arts. Working the crime beat and studying the art of fighting honed his skills to craft pulse-pounding thrillers, renowned for their razor-sharp action sequences. You can find out more about Bill at his FB profile under the name Bill Runner Author.


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