To is the last day of the WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour, and you can join us over at Poetry by Mich with a reading of the meet cute; an important element in any romance. I love what author B.T. Clearwater has done with this one. Check it out, and don’t forget to comment so we will know you were there. You could win a free digital copy of Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater.
It’s Day 4 of the WordCrafter “Smothered” Book Blog Tour and we’re back here, on Writing to be Read with a reading from Chapter 10, by Jeff Bowles. In this reading, we’re hearing the p.o.v. of the ghost of Annie’s mother, Mary, who has been causing all kinds of havoc trying to express her disapproval of Annie’s relationship with Mike, or any man, really.
About Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater
Annie Brown’s life could use some renovation. She’s in trouble at work, her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, and she’s just inherited a dilapidated Victorian home from her late mother, who hasn’t quite moved out yet. The last thing Annie needs in her life is a man, but when handyman Mike Tolbert comes to fix her dishwasher, she lets him demo her doubt.
Mike doesn’t need the distraction of a relationship either. An Iraq War combat veteran and divorcee, Mike suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is dealing with a manipulative ex. Yet, something about Annie snags his heart and he finds he cannot walk away from her.
Annie’s mother doesn’t approve of their relationship, and she’s willing to cross from the realm of death to that of the living to control her daughter. With the ghost of her mother haunting them, Mike and Annie face his PTSD, her troubles at work, and a deadly plot to steal her childhood home, all while fighting to keep their love alive.
Excerpt Reading: “Ghostly Appearance by Mother” (Chap. 10)
About B.T. Clearwater
B.T. Clearwater grew up writing stories, winning Literary Student of the Year for Lake George Central High School in 1984. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Western State Colorado University, graduating both Summa Cum Laude, and is a two-time alum of the Superstars Writing Seminars run by Kevin J. Anderson. B.T. routinely judges the Zebulon writing contest for Pike’s Peak Writers, and has published fiction under the science fiction, fantasy, romance, western, horror, and crime genres under different pen names. B.T. Clearwater lives in Colorado Springs with a dog, a cat, and a cast of fictional characters for company.
The Giveaway
Leave a comment at each stop to let us know you were here
and get an entry for a chance at one of three digitals copies
to given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour.
This wraps up today’s tour stop on the WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour. You can visit the other stops and get in on the giveaway through the links in the tour schedule below, for more readings and an interview with author B.T. Clearwater.
Tomorrow, you can find us on three separate blog sites with host, Michelle Ayon Navajas: Poetry by Mich, Hotel by Masticadores, and Masticadores Phillipines with the last reading, from chapter 5, where Mike and Annie first meet. Join us in the final send off for Smothered, and don’t forget to leave a comment so we know you were there.
It’s Day 3 of the WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour, and we’re over at Undawnted, with host DL Mullan and an interview with author B.T. Clearwater. Won’t you join us and help send this paranormal romance off right? This is one you won’t want to miss.
Undawnted does not take comments, so please click the link below to catch the interview, but leave your comments here for the giveaway entries or to start a conversation.
It’s Day 2 of the WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour and we’re over at Roberta Writes with another reading, and a great giveaway. Join us in sending off the re-release of this twisted paranormal romance by B.T. Clearwater.
It’s the opening day for the WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour, here on Writing to be Read, and we’re celebrating the re-release tomorrow, of a fabulous paranormal romance by B.T. Clearwater, Smothered. For this tour, we’ll have readings at each stop rather than guest posts, and an author interview with host, Kay Castanada, over on Book Places, scheduled on Day 3. Once you get a taste of this ghostly romance story, I know you’ll want to come back for more, so please visit each tour stop and listen to the excerpt readings. Tell us your opinion in the comments and enter the giveaway for one of three digital copies of Smothered. (But, be kind, as I do the reading for two of the excerpts, and I’m not a professional narrator, although I’ve always been good at reading aloud.)
The Giveaway
Leave a comment at each stop to let us know you were here
and get an entry for a chance at one of three digitals copies
to given away in a random drawing at the end of the tour.
This complex paranormal romance was first published in 2017, by Permuted Press. You can read my review of the first edition here. But, let’s start of with a description and short trailer to tell you about this second edition, revised, with a gorgeous new cover. And then, I invite you to click on my excerpt reading from Chapter 1, of “Annie’s Opening Scene”, where we get our first glimpse of our heroine, Annie, and the story is set into motion.
About Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater
Annie Brown’s life could use some renovation. She’s in trouble at work, her ex-boyfriend is stalking her, and she’s just inherited a dilapidated Victorian home from her late mother, who hasn’t quite moved out yet. The last thing Annie needs in her life is a man, but when handyman Mike Tolbert comes to fix her dishwasher, she lets him demo her doubt.
Mike doesn’t need the distraction of a relationship either. An Iraq War combat veteran and divorcee, Mike suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is dealing with a manipulative ex. Yet, something about Annie snags his heart and he finds he cannot walk away from her.
Annie’s mother doesn’t approve of their relationship, and she’s willing to cross from the realm of death to that of the living to control her daughter. With the ghost of her mother haunting them, Mike and Annie face his PTSD, her troubles at work, and a deadly plot to steal her childhood home, all while fighting to keep their love alive.
Excerpt Reading: Annie’s Opening Scene (Chapter 1)
About B.T. Clearwater
B.T. Clearwater grew up writing stories, winning Literary Student of the Year for Lake George Central High School in 1984. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Western State Colorado University, graduating both Summa Cum Laude, and is a two-time alum of the Superstars Writing Seminars run by Kevin J. Anderson. B.T. routinely judges the Zebulon writing contest for Pike’s Peak Writers, and has published fiction under the science fiction, fantasy, romance, western, horror, and crime genres under different pen names. B.T. Clearwater lives in Colorado Springs with a dog, a cat, and a cast of fictional characters for company.
That about wraps things up for today. I want to thank you all for stopping in and I hope we piqued your interest enough that you’ll follow the tour to learn more. The links are in the schedule below, but remember, they won’t work until each tour stop goes live. Remember to leave your comments to get in on the giveaway.
Tour Schedule – June 1 – 5
Mon. 6/1: Writing to be Read – Reading: Annie’s Opening Scene (Chap. 1)
Tues. 6/2: Roberta Writes – Reading: Mike’s Flashback (Chap. 11)
Wed. 6/3: Undawnted– B.T. Clearwater Interview with DL Mullan
Thurs. 6/4: Writing to be Read – Reading: A Ghostly Appearance by Mother Mary (Chap. 10)
The Winner of the 2026 WordCrafter Dark Fiction Contest
Congratulations are in order for Mark W. Milstead, for writing the winning story, “The Mist on the Moors”. His story will be featured in this year’s dark fiction anthology, Midnight Madness: A Carnival of Nightmares, alongside myself and WordCrafter authors such as Zack Ellefy, Joseph Carrabis, Chris Barili, C.R. Johansson, Rebecca M. Senese, Abe Margel, Robb T. White, and Paul Martz. I also want to welcome runners up Lindsey Martin-Bowen and Christian de Mateo to the WordCrafter short fiction tribe with their stories in this anthology. I look forward to this next volume of the Midnight Series anthologies. It promises to be a good one.
WordCrafter’s Sizzling Hot Summer Deals
First, stir up some wild western women’s adventures in June with WordCrafter’s Women in the West Adventure Series and a Digital Doubles Deal in June. Get books 1 & 2, Delilah & Sarah, both for one low price of $10. Only available on the WordCrafter Women in the West Adventure Series page.
Then, in July, heat things up with another Digital Doubles Deal and get the WordCrafter Time Travel Adventure Series, The Rock Star & The Outlaw, books 1 & 2, both for one low price of $10. Only available on the WordCrafter Time Travel Adventure Series page.
And swelter through August with three paranormal gems from the Narrating the Paranormal Anthology Series in a Triple Digital Deal and get all three for only $6. Only Available on the WordCrafter Narrating the Paranormal Series page
Re-release of Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater
Smothered, by B.T. Clearwater is scheduled for re-release October 14, 2025. I’m excited that WordCrafter Press is re-releasing this paranormal romance by B.T. Clearwater, because it is such an entertaining story that keeps you turning pages to see what could possibly happen next. I reviewed the first edition by Winlock Press back in 2017. You can read that review here: https://writingtoberead.com/2017/07/21/smothered-an-all-around-enjoyable-read/
Smothered has a female protagonist, who is an emotional mess. Annie Brown inherits the house she’s been trying her whole life to escape. Fleeing a toxic relationship, she’s cautious of men and not looking for romance. That is, until Mike, an equally flawed veteran and handyman with his own baggage shows up to fix her dishwasher. Amid all of it, the spirit of Annie’s mother watches over the house and tries to control Annie’s decisions. Smothered will be released on June 2, 2026.
Mike doesn’t exactly need the distraction of a relationship himself. An Iraq War combat veteran, Mike suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. His wife took their daughter and left him to struggle with making ends meet. Yet something about Annie snags his heart and he finds he cannot walk away from her.
As Mike and Annie get to know one another, they discover Annie’s mother doesn’t approve of their relationship, and she’s willing to cross from the realm of death to that of the living to control her daughter. With the ghost of her mother haunting them, Mike and Annie face his PTSD, her troubles at work, and a deadly plot to steal her childhood home, all while fighting to keep their love alive.
The WordCrafter Smothered Book Blog Tour will run from October 13 – 17, 2025. We’ll be launching this paranormal romance with readings and guest posts from the author, B.T. Clearwater, and a giveaway you can enter just by commenting. Drop in and join us as we send off this re-release in style.
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This segment of “WordCrafter News” is sponsored by WordCrafter Press and The Ones Who Stayed With Me, by Nurse Sammy
Chronicles of the journey into the medical field as a young nurse and beyond, told with raw sensitivity and compassion. The Ones Who Stayed with Me offers small glimpses into the world of an L.P.N. put in difficult, often touching or humorous, situations—and Nurse Sammy’s courage, vulnerability, and insight are a gift to us all. In these pages, Nurse Sammy tells her story and that of those she met along the way.
Thank you all for joining us for the final stop on the WordCrafter The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder Book Blog Tour, where we’re celebrating the release of this zany rom-com, by Lindsey Martin-Bowen. Today, the author shares a post about “The Dark Horse”, the blue-eyed black stallion which makes multiple appearances in the adventures of divorcee, Charli Erickson.
Tour Schedule
Mon. 5/11 – “Inspirational backgrounds for The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder”
Thurs. 5/14 – “Phase Fourteen – Let Me Know the Way” Reading –Patty’s Worlds
Fri. 5/15 – “About the Dark Horse (the black stallion with blue eyes)” Post – Writing to be Read
The Giveaway
We’re giving away three digital copies of
The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder
In a random giveaway.
Leave a comment to enter.
Opportunity for an entry at every stop.
Short Book Trailer
Check out the short trailer for the book and don’t forget to Like, Share, or Subcribe.
About The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder
Recently divorced Charli Erickson arrives in Boulder, Colorado during the 1970s—a wild time for that city—where she hopes to develop her “rock poet” talent and find the perfect mate. Instead, she links up with the imperfect Ched Lyons, a Boulder native who leads her in a multitude of adventures, including scaling a mountain and a 1,200-mile motorcycle ride to southeastern Utah. While she intermittently envisions a black stallion with blue eyes, who puzzles and enchants her, she also strives to make sense of its appearance.
Through Charli’s snarky humor recounting her tales, readers will enjoy this Rom-Com doubling as a woman’s adventure story and may relate to scenes from the wild, zany era that followed the serious, revolutionary 1960s.
About the Dark Horse(the black stallion with blue eyes)
I didn’t create the elusive—perhaps imaginary Black Stallion until this year. After reading and reviewing numerous “other worldly” short-story collections, I considered interweaving an image within this tale that would serve as one more metaphor. Initially, the title included “Dark Horse” as an allusion to the stereotypical racehorse who appears to be a loser—but then takes first place at the end of the run.
Thus, might the Dark Horse be an image of the Boulder environment in the late 1970s? At that time, the city had grown from the college town hosting many 1960s demonstrations, some violent, wherein radicals damaged stores on The Hill. Yet a decade later, this once “dark” town had grown and progressed into a winning environment. (It continues to do so. Last year (2025), it was voted by a majority as the most desirable location to live in the U.S.)
Further, the novel’s characters gather regularly at The Horse, a bar that’s more a three-story entertainment center than the standard western bar. The Horse is especially Ched’s hangout. Because Charli leaves the small city before Ched does, he could be the Dark Horse waiting in Boulder.
Then, the fantasy (or is it?) of the Black, blue-eyed Stallion adds another level of meaning—Charli’s vision of a world beyond our material reality. It’s significant, too, that Ched, like many persons, doesn’t believe blue-eyed stallions exit. O but they do—albeit rarely. And considering that Charli sees herself as a loser of a wife at the novel's onset—then later in her relationship with Ched, might she be the Dark Horse who wins in the end?
About Author Lindsey Martin-Bowen
On Halloween 2023, redbat books released Lindsey Martin-Bowen’s 7th poetry collection, CASHING CHECKS with Jim Morrison. Her 4 th collection, Where Water Meets the Rock, was nominated for a Pulitzer; her 3rd, CROSSING KANSAS with Jim Morrison was a finalist in the QuillsEdge Press 2015-2016 Contest. In 2017, it won the Kansas Writers Assn award, “Looks Like a Million.” Writer’s Digest gave her “Vegetable Linguistics” an Honorable Mention in its 85th Annual (2017) Contest. Her Inside Virgil’s Garage (Chatter House Press 2013) was a runner-up in the 2015 Nelson Poetry Book Award. McClatchy Newspapers named her Standing on the Edge of the World (Woodley Press/Washburn University) was one of the Ten Top Poetry Books of 2008. It was nominated for a Pen Award.
That wraps up today’s stop and the WordCrafter The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder Book Blog Tour. You can follow the tour schedule above and leave comments at each stop for additional chances to win in the giveaway. The winners will be posted in a separate post on Sunday, so watch for it to see if you are one of three lucky winners of a digital copy of this wild women’s adventure.
It’s Day 4 of the WordCrafter “The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder” Book Blog Tour, and we’re over at Patty’s Worlds, where author Lindsey Martin-Bowen shares an excerpt reading from the book. Join us in sending off this fantastic new RomCom Adventure and get in on the giveaway for a free digital copy.
It’s Day 3 of the WordCrafter The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder Book Blog Tour. Today, we’re over at Carla Loves to Read, where author, Lindsey Martin-Bowen shares a guest post about the main character, Charlie Erickson, and Carla shares a lovely review of the book. Join us in sending this new rom-com women’s adventure off and get in on the giveaway, for one of three free digital copies of the book.
Join us over at Roberta Writes for Day 2 of The WordCrafter The Dark Horse Waits in Boulder Book Blog Tour, where we have a reading by author Lindsey Martin-Bowen. It’s release day! Help us celebrate and send this zany new rom-com women’s adventure off right.
