new release

COMING SOON: “House of Songs”

/ Diane / 1 Comment

When Genge Toutant and his twin sister Ginger set off on a hike to Cape Split, they never dreamt only one of them would return. Little did they know, demons had set a trap to capture the life essence of unsuspecting victims.

House of Songs is a novella written by John D. Grant of Nova Scotia. It is scheduled for release near the end of October.

We are in the middle of designing a cover for House of Songs. Here are a few we’ve come up with. Which one grabs your attention? They are only mock-ups for now. So ignore any lines around the edges.

Top (left to right): 1, 2, 3, 4

Middle (left to right) 5, 6, 7

Bottom (left to right): 8, 9, 10, 11

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Coming October 25th

/ Diane

We’ve signed a new author. His name is John D. Grant, not to be confused with non-fiction author John N. Grant. John D. Grant writes fantasy. We’ve accepted his novella. We’ll share more about the story soon.

Release Date: October 25, 2022

Book Launch: “Fluid of Life”

/ Diane

Today is launch day! Fluid of Life – What doctors never told me about my blood by Diana Tibert is now available.

If you’ve ever felt tired for no reason and are otherwise healthy, this book may unlock the mystery behind your lack of energy. It’s a quick read, packed with wisdom gained by suffering for almost 20 years from exhaustion that translated into irritability, depression and weight gain. If you want to change your life, you’ll love Diana Tibert’s insight to women’s health.

Fluid of Life is Diana’s journey to learn about anemia and how it affected her body. The book contains information on blood health every woman in mid-life needs. Diana shares the pieces of the puzzle that empowered her to regain control of her life, to disperse the fog and start living. These were key pieces not given during her many doctor visits.

In Fluid of Life, you’ll discover:

  • which blood tests accurately measure blood levels
  • which foods help and hinder the health of your blood
  • what you can do today to start feeling better
  • the symptoms of low iron
  • how to improve your health by monitoring iron levels, and much more

Get your copy today.

Available Formats

Paperback (ISBN: 978-1-927625-75-0; 72 pages; 8.5×5.5 inches) available at Amazon

eBook (ISBN: 978-1-927625-74-3; 16,703 words) available at Amazon

This title is available to Kindle Unlimited Members.

Reviews for “The One We Forgot to Love”

/ Diane

Author Sandy Totten has received many reviews for her first novel, The One We Forgot to Love. She’d like to share a few that have been sent to her personally.

Kerry: I sat down tonight and read your book cover to cover. Such a powerful, relatable, insightful novel. So very well done. This is a must read, far and wide. Brilliant job!

Natalie: I couldn’t put it down. I was always an avid reader my whole life but this is the first book I’ve read in over 15 years. Life got too busy. I really enjoyed the book.

Tammy: I loved your book. I laughed, I cried; I felt every emotion under the sun. The different perspectives from each person in the family gave such insight to how we all handle and see/feel situations differently, and the lines at the end, “You can’t have the wonderful moments without the pain. We learn from the harder moments, don’t we? I learned I need to see the beauty in times of grief.” is perfect. Love, love, love your book.

Stephanie: I just finished it. I laughed, I cried, I got mad, I laughed and cried some more. What a beautiful story. It was so touching. You can feel the love they all have for each other. I felt in some ways I could relate to parts of the book not just as an adult and parent but also as a child growing up and as a wife just trying to get through. The emotion in the pages is so raw and so real. I can’t say enough good things.

Kendra: Your book was amazing.

Where to Buy the Book

“Fluid of Life” by Diana Tibert

/ Diane / Leave a comment

COMING SOON: Diana Tibert’s Fluid of Life. A little book that may change your life.

For almost 40 years, Diana has struggled with low iron. It wasn’t a problem when she was younger and before she had children but shortly after her second child was born, she felt drained. Doctors and blood tests found nothing wrong; she was only borderline anemic.

During hospital visits to give birth to three children and to remove her gallbladder, she found nuggets of wisdom that helped her live with anemia. It wasn’t until a friend suffered a life-threatening health issue with her blood, that Diana found the true source of her problem. Once identified, the battle began.

Fluid of Life is Diana’s journey to learn about anemia and how it affected her body. The book contains information on blood health every woman in mid-life needs. Diana shares the pieces of the puzzle that empowered her to regain control of her life, to disperse the fog and start living. These were key pieces not given during her many doctor visits.

Continue reading →

Meet Author Sandy Totten

/ Diane / 4 Comments

A few days ago, The One We Forgot to Love by Sandy Totten was launched. During all the final reads, tweaking of covers and final design changes, I had a chance to talk with Sandy about her book. Like every new author holding their first book in their hands, she was overjoyed.

I asked her what had inspired her to write The One We Forgot to Love, and she said what I heard many writers say: “I have always wanted to write a novel.”

Saying that and doing it are two very different things. If I had a dollar for every time I heard someone proclaim, “I’m going to write a book,” I’d have oodles of cash.

However, Sandy did write the book.

Continue reading →

From the “Fluid of Life” by Diana Tibert

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Fluid of Life – What doctors never told me about my blood tells the story of Diana Tibert’s experience of living with anemia. Here’s a clip from the first chapter.

My First Blood Test

I was a healthy child and teen, so my parents saw no need to take me to the doctor’s office for a check-up. We didn’t go unless there was a problem. After all, it cost money to visit a doctor back then, and we were poor. The two dollar-service fee could buy a lot of food in the 60s and 70s and with 12 mouths to feed, every penny was needed.

I was in grade 11 or 12 when I had my first blood test, which really wasn’t a blood test at all. The organisation in Nova Scotia that did blood drives in the early 80s came to our high school and set up a blood-donor clinic in our gymnasium. I heard the rumour that if we gave blood, we could skip class. What teen doesn’t want to miss class?

Continue reading →

NEW RELEASE: “A December Knight” Coming Soon

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Quarter Castle Publishing is proud to present A December Knight by Diane McGyver. This is our first Christmas novel and is part of our Romance Collection.

Description

When Santa fails to deliver, a knight gives the perfect gift.

It’s two weeks until Christmas, and all Jan Cooper can think about is surviving the rush of holiday shoppers. As the manager of a camera shop, she’s obligated to put on a happy face and wish her customers a Merry Christmas. What the single mother wants to do is curl up in a warm chair with a cup of hot cocoa, read a book and let the season pass without her. When a handsome customer crashes into her well-organised life, she discovers what she really wants for Christmas.

Stay tuned to learn more.

What are readers saying about “Natural Selection”?

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Over the summer, several people read an advanced copy of Natural Selection by Diane McGyver. Here is what a few said about the young adult dystopian novel.

It was an unexpected tale that could have taken place centuries ago if not for the derelict vehicles. ~ Julia

A gentle love story I’d let my 14-year-old granddaughter read. ~ Ruby

Eloise was my favourite character. She was funny, and I liked that she used a staff to protect herself. ~ Miranda

Continue reading →

Author Interview: Diane McGyver

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Quarter Castle Publishing sat down with author Diane McGyver and asked her about her latest novel, Natural Selection. Here is what she had to say.

QCP: When did you decide to become a writer?

I knew I wanted to a writer in my mid-teens. That’s when I started writing a lot. By the time I was 17, I had written my first novel. However, I didn’t start writing professionally until I became a mom in 1997.

QCP: Do you write every day? If not, how many days do you dedicate to writing?

I write for at least an hour every day. On average, I write for three hours.

QCP: Do you use an outline or do you write free style?

I’ve heard many writers have success with outlines, but I’m not one of them. I’ve tried and failed. I write best when I’m writing free style.

Continue reading →

Book Launch: “Natural Selection” by Diane McGyver

/ Diane / 2 Comments

Quarter Castle Publishing is proud to announce the release of Diane McGyver’s first dystopian novel Natural Selection.

The Details

The book is 111,000 words in length. The paperback with standard print measures 6 inches wide by 9 inches tall and contains 402 pages.

Genre

It’s classified as a dystopian novel laced with light romance. The year is 2051, 28 years after The Devastation that destroyed all technology in the world. Life has returned to the 1800s, and only those who survived the environmental disaster remember the lost technology and tell fascinating stories about it to those born since.

Continue reading →

“Natural Selection” – a young adult novel

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“I hadn’t set out to write a novel young adults could read,” said author Diane McGyver when asked about Natural Selection. “Yet, after reading the first draft, I realised it was suitable for someone as young as 14 years old.”

Natural Selection doesn’t contain harsh curse words (no f-bombs), there is no graphic violence and no sex scenes. A few scenes of conflict result in death, but the injuries are not described in detail. Characters kiss, but it goes no further, and their thoughts are not on intimate activities.

“My stories choose their own path,” said McGyver. “And Natural Selection spoke to me in a simple, mild manner. While I’m certain curse words used today in society will be around in 30 years time, they would add nothing to this dystopian novel.

“Many readers don’t mind reading stories riddled with f-bombs,” she added, “but many other readers don’t want this word in their books. I see negative comments about harsh language in reviews.”

Look for Natural Selection‘s release later this month.

Cover Reveal: “Natural Selection”

/ Diane / 4 Comments

Diane McGyver’s first dystopian novel is set for release this month. Natural Selection takes place in 2051 in North America after the Devastation sets the world back two hundred years. It’s about starting over again but not from the beginning. Those who survived remember the old ways, and many want to reinvent that which was lost.

The cover for Natural Selection reveals many hints of the story within. It’s about a young girl peering into an unknown world. It’s about seeds. It’s about a crafty owl. It’s about the darkness that dwells in the heart of mankind, and those who hold the light to bring hope to the world.

Description

The year is 2051. Almost three decades have passed since the Devastation destroyed civilization. Only the strong and wise survived; the weak and intellects perished. New societies emerged, forging a future with skills from the distant past.

In Green Wood, Eloise has lived in seclusion with her uncle for 12 years. While they receive visitors to Larkspur Cottage, the number of friends they have can be counted on one hand. When strangers arrive and capture her uncle, she is forced to run, but who can she turn to when she doesn’t know the land outside Green Wood or where those friends live?

“Mary Kaulbach’s Normal School Diary 1892-1893”

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Melanie Ballard and John N. Grant released their book Mary Kaulbach’s Normal School Diary 1892-1893 earlier this spring. Copies are available through John N. Grant (contact him through email: jgrant@stfx.ca) and the Little White Schoolhouse Museum in Truro, Nova Scotia. Contact the museum through their contact page. While the book has yet to be added to their website, they have copies on hand to be purchased in person or through the mail.

Learn more about the book on our website here: Mary Kaulbach’s Normal School Diary 1892 – 1893.

99-cent Countdown Sale

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Scarlett and her friends were caring women, who enjoyed each other’s company. Their regular visits to the tavern were innocent and good for the soul. She would go again, and she would wear the burgundy dress she had bought at work. She’d also get her hair cut. The other women used getting out together as an excuse to dress up, and she would, too. As Sonya said, Nowadays, the only time we dress up is to attend a wedding or a funeral. We deserve more than that. Mary agreed.

Nodding off to sleep, she thought about the women around the table. Combined, they’d lived more than four hundred years. That was a lot living, loving and laughing. She smiled and allowed sleep to take her away.

From the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes by Diane McGyver.

From now until Friday November 27th, the Salvation of Mary Lola Barnes is on sale for 99 cents in the United States and United Kingdom.

Grab your copy today.