Author Archives: Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez

About Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez

My Niece and Nephew joke that I could open a used book store with all the books that I own. I love to read, that is my addiction. I can't go a week without going to a book store. I love crocheting. I love to write stories and poetry. I also love my family, even though they make me crazy at times. I am a huge Donald Duck Fan.

Domestic Silence Virtual Book Tour

Domestic Silence banner
Domestic Silence cover

 

Poetry

 

good reads button

 

Domestic Silence by Tut Yashar is a powerful poetry collection that
gives voice to the quiet battles many endure but rarely share. Written over
the span of 18 months, these poems weave a deeply personal yet universal
journey of survival and resilience in seek of liberation.

Through raw honesty and lyrical rhythm, Tut Yashar explores themes of love,
loss, injustice, silence and happiness. At its heart, this book reflects the
emotional reality of abuse—not only the pain itself but also the
loneliness, judgment, and shame that often follow. Each poem is both
confession and release, inviting readers to feel seen, validated, and less
alone in their own struggles.


Domestic Silence
is not just about one story—it is about many. It speaks
to anyone who has felt trapped, silenced, or invisible, whether by
circumstances, relationships, or society. It reminds us that healing is
possible, that freedom can be reclaimed, and that our voices deserve to be
heard.

Whether you are a survivor, an ally, or someone seeking deeper understanding
of the human condition, this book offers hope, comfort, courage, and
connection.

 

Domestic Silence tablet

EXCERPT

“Your abuse is an explosive nucleus in my core.“

 

“I am far from free,

And my mind is free.”

 

“My voice is a bell not rung.”

 

“I know there are eighteen holes altogether

And that people play in any weather.”

 

“It’s hard to hide when I need to feel empowered.

I can’t be a coward.

It’s all up to me.”

 

“It’s not enough to simply survive

Even more than before, I want to thrive!”

 

“I so need a break,

And a big piece of cake.

Yet I’m not in the mood for a cake: 

I have an ongoing ache.”

 

“I have no regret.”

 

“When things seem quieter, fear rises;

I tend to think it’s a bait.”

 

“I’m one out of three.

Nothing special about me.

It’s a new reality.”

 

“It’s hard to hear my own voice,

People have so many things to say.”

 

“I had big plans, to be on stage.

Now I have to spend my time in a cage.

I have dreams from which I refuse to disengage!”

 

“I can’t be merciful or frail.

I can’t break and I can’t fail.

I have to be strong and prevail,”

 

“Mercy and logic are at war.

I’m confused as to what is the score.”

 

“The plot unfolds as time passes by.

I’ve suffered enough and I’m ready to fly.”

 

“I don’t want to fight

And I don’t want to die.”

 

“There are no needs in my life,

I have learned to live near death.

Every day, I choose life.”

 

“I lost an abuser

And gained my life.”

 

“It’s me and my baby and a Hurricane.

I’m not concerned.

I can protect my child.

Look what I survived.”

 

“Now,

I am the protector

Of our home.”

 

“Words are not enough

For this poet.”

 

“I wanted his protection,

But he hurt me the most.”

 

“The abyss between us is deeper than his love.”

 

“I think I have had enough.

My life doesn’t need to be rough.

Yes, I am very tough,

But I’m here on this earth to laugh.”

 

“I love my life, and I want to live.

Therefore, I always try to forgive,

Yet sometimes I must be combative

So that I can continue to grow.”

 

“I’m tired and I’m afraid to drain.

I don’t mean to complain,

Just to explain.”

 

“I feel this passive tension,

Like my heart is under oppression.”

 

“Can poems even deliver

The wounds of a loving giver?”

 

“I hear in paradise,

There is no ice.”

 

“I am battling for my freedom.”

 

“Where do the bees hide when it rains?

The wind blows hard as I pick my brain.”

 

“Being a good leader requires the ability to intricately balance between multiple elements.

One must accept analytical concepts, and also sentiments.”

 

“Fear doesn’t stop me.

I have cruise control.”

 

“People who don’t acknowledge equality

Never feel peace and are bound to destroy.”

 

“From time to time,

I panic within.

I remember what

Happened

To me.”

 

“I want my voice to be heard!

Word for word.

Severe expressions, not slurred.”

 

“My heart loudly sings my story of violence.

No power on earth can keep me in silence.”

 

“I feel quietude admiring

What I cannot possess.”

 

“It’s a sunny day,

And I want to be out.

But I’m not okay,

Can’t go about.”

 

“The horror I’ve been through isn’t visible.

I believe I seem somewhat invincible.”

 

“Shame, shame, I feel shame.

My heart drips tears, and it’s also in flames.”

 

“… forgiveness becomes

The Achilles heel

Of a fool.”

 

“When you’re away,

I love you freely.”

 

“My pain

Is private.”

 

“To keep myself safe, I felt had no choice

But to remain in silence and nullify my voice.”

 

“I want to be safe from harm, free of his torture.

I want to feel I have the time to self-nurture.”

 

“I represent good, 

But still, I am at war. 

So, am I good?”

 

“Anger eats through the body like rust through steel.”

 

“I watch the birds dancing in the sky.

Oh, to be so joyous.”

 

“A predator

Is chasing me”

 

“I have a story to tell. 

I want to tell it well. 

In strangers, I am confiding.”

 

“I’m alone under a threat.

I have no outlet.”

 

“God is at my side, and I can tell, 

Even through hell, I acknowledge well 

How blessed I am.”

 

“Here, after hours 

I’m building towers.”

 

“Teddy bears in my living room.

A memory of a woman diva.

Makeup rots in beautiful containers.“

 

“If sorrow had a face,

It would be mine.

I pretend to be,

But I am not fine.”

 

“I miss so many people

Who are here.”

 

“Background music reminds me of my alienation.”

 

“No selfies for the selfless”

 

“No one is here to protect me

I can only rely on God

And be thankful to be alive.”

 

“Can beauty coexist with terror?

I don’t know when I look in the mirror.”

 

About the Author

 Tut Yashar

 Tut Yashar is a poet and advocate for self-fulfillment whose words shine a
light on the hidden corners of the human experience. With a background in law,
finance and operations, she blends analytical precision with raw emotional
honesty to create poetry that resonates deeply with readers. Writing has been
her lifelong companion, a source of healing, and a way to transform pain into
strength.

Her work explores themes of freedom, resilience, love, and the silent
struggles we often carry alone. Tut’s poetry speaks to anyone who has
ever felt unseen, unheard, or silenced—reminding them that they are not
alone and that healing is possible. Domestic Silence is her debut published
collection, and she is also the author of two forthcoming poetry books.
Through her writing, Tut strives to inspire readers to embrace their voice,
reclaim their power, and discover self-fulfillment in the face of life’s
challenges.

 

Contact Links

 

Website

Instagram

LinkedIn

 

Purchase Links

 

Amazon


B&N

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

Leave a Comment

Filed under Book Tour

Book of Me Virtual Book Tour

Book of Me banner
Book of Me cover

 

The Life and Times of Kevin Hipes, the New York Forrest Gump

 

Memoir

 

Date Published: July 24, 2025

 

good reads button

 

From the streets of Queens to the deck of an oil tanker in the
Caribbean—meet Kevin Hipes, the real-life New York Forrest Gump.


Book of Me
is not your average memoir. It’s a laugh-out-loud,
tear-in-your-eye, one-of-a-kind true story collection from a man who has lived
more lives than most of us can imagine. Factory worker. Hippie. Banker.
Entrepreneur. Rockstar (sort of). Preacher. Politician. Oil tanker owner.
Cancer survivor. Bipolar truth-teller. Kevin Hipes has worn all these
hats—and more.

Told with warmth, humor, and heart, Kevin’s stories come alive in this
unconventional autobiography. Originally recorded as a series of YouTube
episodes on his channel Planet Hipes, these 66 episodes have been transformed
into a compelling, easy-to-read book that invites you to laugh, cry, reflect,
and recognize a bit of yourself along the way.

What you’ll find inside:
✅ Hilarious tales from childhood in Queens
✅ Life lessons learned the hard way—and the funny way
✅ Private struggles and surprising triumphs
✅ A faith-driven journey of self-discovery and humility
✅ A reminder that we’re all “special” in our own unique way

Whether you’re looking for a good laugh, a touch of inspiration, or a wildly
entertaining ride through 70 years of true-life adventures, Book of Me will
leave you smiling, thinking, and maybe even saying, “Hey, I’ve got
a story like that too.”

📺 BONUS: After reading the book, head to Kevin’s YouTube channel Planet
Hipes and experience the stories told by Kevin himself—animated, real,
and unforgettable.


Because life’s not about the destination—it’s about the
journey. And Kevin Hipes has one hell of a story to tell.

 

Book of Me tablet

EXCERPT

We Used to love Harry‘s press conferences when he was going to build the tallest tower in the world in Newark, New Jersey with a monorail connection to Manhattan. The reporters said, “Mr. Grant how did you decide to make the tower 121 stories?” Harry said, “Because 21 is a lucky number, blackjack!

 

 

About the Author

 

 Kevin Hipes

 Kevin Hipes is a born storyteller, lifelong entrepreneur, and proud New Yorker
with a personality as big as the adventures he’s lived. Often called
“the New York Forrest Gump,” Kevin’s life has taken him from
the streets of Queens to the pulpit, to business boardrooms, and even to the
deck of his very own oil tanker in the Caribbean. As Kevin often says
“Forrest owned a shrimp boat, but I owned an Oil Tanker and my story is
true!”

With no formal writing background, Kevin still managed to turn a lifetime of
unbelievable experiences into a heartfelt, hilarious, and deeply human
book—Book of Me. Rather than writing in the traditional sense, Kevin
recorded over 100 personal episodes for his YouTube channel, Planet Hipes,
then compiled them into a unique memoir filled with wit, wisdom,determination,
and raw truth.

As an uneducated street kid from Queens, Kevin has lived many lives from
factory worker to Hippie, to rockstar (almost), banker, preacher,
restaurateur, politician and more. He shares not just the ups and downs of a
seven-decade journey but speaks intimately about being a cancer survivor who
also struggled through and dealt with a bipolar disorder, keeping the high
energy manic side while overcoming the devastating depressions that plagued
him through most of his life. You will find Kevin’s faith in God,
unrelenting positive mindset and sense of humor make for a powerful story
boldly told in his own words.

Kevin currently lives in Orlando, Florida, where he owns and runs HCB Real
Estate, a retail commercial brokerage and development firm. Book of Me is his
debut memoir and a testament to the power of authenticity, faith, and
self-deprecating humor.

Follow Kevin’s stories on YouTube: Planet Hipes and experience the
animated storyteller in action.

Contact Links

Website

YouTube

TikTok

 

Purchase Link

 

Amazon

RABT Book Tours & PR

Leave a Comment

Filed under Book Tour

Under the Paris Moon Blitz

Under the Paris Moon banner
Under the Paris Moon cover

 

Whirlwind Romances, Book 1

 

Contemporary Romance

 

Date Published: November 20, 2025

good reads button

 

 

A fifty-something divorcee, an aging movie star, and a ruse worthy of a
romcom.

Eleanor Marshall is the worst kind of cliché—a fifty-something
divorcee thrown over for a younger woman. Her best friend thinks it’s
time for a reset, and she has just the thing. She enters Eleanor in a contest
to win a dream date in Paris with a real life romcom heartthrob.

Aging actor, Geoffrey Harrison, is struggling to resuscitate his flagging
romcom movie career—turns out romantic heroes are only getting younger.
So, when his agent cooks up a social media contest, Geoffrey agrees to a
romantic dinner with the winner . . . the unexpectedly attractive Eleanor.

When the publicity stunt blows up the internet, Geoffrey talks Eleanor into a
ten-day fake romance, complete with handholding, candlelight dinners, and, of
course, kissing. It’s like something straight out of one of his movies.
And just like in the movies, it isn’t long before their fake romance is
anything but. However, before Eleanor can admit her feelings for Geoffrey, her
fragile trust is shattered.

Can Geoffrey script a Hollywood ending and win Eleanor back? Or will she deny
herself a second chance at her own happily-ever-after?

 

 

About the Author

Rebecca Heflin

 I’ve dreamed of writing romantic fiction since I was fifteen and my older
sister sneaked a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss’ Shanna to me and told me to read
it. Now I write women’s fiction and contemporary romance under the name
Rebecca Heflin.

In case you’re wondering, Rebecca Heflin is an abbreviated version of my
great-great grandmother’s name: Sarah Anne Rebecca Heflin Apple Smith. Whew!
And you wondered why I shortened it.

I’m a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), Florida Romance Writers, RWA
Contemporary Romance, RWA Aged to Perfection Seasoned Romance Writers, and
Florida Writers Association. My mountain-climbing husband and I recently
located to central Virginia.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

BookBuzz

Purchase Links

Amazon


Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Apple Books

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

Leave a Comment

Filed under BOOK BLITZ

Seven Point Eight: Virago Reveal

Seven Point Eight: Virago cover

 

Science-Fiction / Fantasy

Date Published: 11th December 2025

 

good reads button

The Price of Salvation

The OOBE Project reached its shocking finale, leaving Tahra’s friends
trapped in worlds they were never meant to enter.

Haunted by the mission’s catastrophic end, Tahra must put aside her own
trauma and use her expanding abilities to stage a dangerous rescue. But as
Paul faces the political consequences of failure, the manipulative Max seeks
to weaponize Tahra’s unique power for his own agenda.

To bring her friends home, Tahra must walk the fine line between salvation and
madness. Can she resist the dark temptation Max offers without compromising
her soul, or will the very act of saving her friends destroy them all?

Written in the style of a TV series, Seven Point Eight has a twist of sci-fi
intrigue which appeals to readers who love Stranger Things, Fringe, the X
Files, and other paranormal thrillers with deeper layers.

 

About the Author

K.M. Gruchelska is a speculative fiction writer who travels extensively,
having lived in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Her career has been
varied and exciting, from a stint as a fitness instructor, to working abroad
teaching English as a Foreign Language in schools and universities. She is
currently based in Uzbekistan, where she coordinates a centre for academic
writing.

She is a child of the world, full of conjecture and imagination, and she
regards herself as a global citizen. Her characters and situations reflect the
diversity and wonder that she experiences during her travels, combined with a
philosophical flavour and human drama.

In everyday terms, she enjoys different cuisines and making bougie tea, and
has a cat that she adopted from Saudi Arabia. She considers the cat to be her
soul animal because she hates water but loves tuna. Her secret dream is to own
a pancake bar and an English school.

Pre-Order Today

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

Leave a Comment

Filed under COVER REVEAL

The Well-Tempered Violinist Virtual Book Tour

The Well-Tempered Violinist cover

 

Book 1 of The Gift

 

Historical Fiction

Date to be Published: November 5, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Marthe Adler dreams of making history as a great violinist. But in 1905
Germany, tradition and deep-seated prejudice against women musicians stand in
her way. To make matters worse, her beloved father’s sudden death
shatters her family’s comfortable life, pushing them to the edge of
poverty.

But the violin Marthe’s father left her is a constant reminder of the
profound bond between them, and it gives her the strength to begin healing.
When the Köln Conservatory offers her an unexpected scholarship, she
seizes her chance to reach for excellence.

Under the rigorous tutelage of Professorin Wolff, and subjected to predatory
harassment by a fellow student determined to destroy both her self-worth and
her chances of success, Marthe quickly learns she will need more than
motivation and talent to rise to the top.

Filled with heart, wit, and music, The Well-Tempered Violinist is an enduring
coming-of-age tale about an artist striving for greatness against enormous
odds.

 

The Well-Tempered Violinist tablet

EXCERPT

FEBRUARY 1949, HEIDELBERG

In the very beginning was the sound, bright and rich, with an edge of darkness. 

I knew it before birth, my mother said, for whenever my father played, I became still in her womb, as if I were mesmerized.

In the sitting room of our house in Eberlinstrasse, I became the audience, propped with pillows before I could sit up, listening to my father and his friends play string quartets on Saturday nights—for love, he said, not money, for he was a banker, though as a young man he had studied with the famous Schradieck in Hamburg. Later, he told me I never fussed, never had to be removed, but remained transfixed, no matter how rough the music nor how often they repeated it. So perhaps my mother was right.

***

The second beginning was my fourth birthday, when my baby sister Anni stuck her fist into my birthday cake when no one was looking and my grandparents gave me a music box that played “Papageno’s Magic Bells” from The Magic Flute, which I listened to until everyone but me was sick of it. Best of all, my father gave me my own small violin and began to teach me its mysteries. First, the names of the strings and their personalities: A, sensible and even-tempered; D, cheerful and impetuous; down to G, serious and thoughtful; up to E, nervous and temperamental, with a tendency to squeak. How to tune them, how to find the notes and make them pure instead of scratchy. He turned exercises and drills into games and improvised harmony to my children’s songs, something different every time. Alle Meine Entchen, All My Ducklings. Bruder Jakob, a round. Kleines Mädchen, Little Girl—my favorite, because it was about me

I practiced every afternoon for my evening lesson. Occasionally, with nerves like caterpillars in my stomach, I played for the applause and praise of my father’s friends. I might have thought all children were as docile as myself, if not for Anni. Anni’s temper tantrums, Anni thundering up and down the stairs, Anni meddling with my toys and often breaking them. I couldn’t imagine where my parents had found her, or why. Someday, I thought—preferably soon—she would run off to become a pirate and leave us in peace. 

The pirate would surely come to no good. But I dreamed I would become a famous violinist and lead an exotic and sophisticated life on the concert stages of the world. 

***

When I outgrew my first violin, Anni inherited it and my father began to teach her—at least, he tried. Anni never practiced and she hated lessons of all kinds. The experiment was short-lived and a spectacular failure. 

I felt horribly smug for weeks.

My father and I shared a secret language, a world full of treasures where Anni couldn’t stick in her fat little fist and grab anything and where my mother didn’t care to go. A bond grew between us as between two fibers of the same tree, pure and deep. . .

***

 

MARCH 1906, KÖLN

Both of these beginnings came before the real one, like the prologue in fiction.

The third beginning, the real one, is now: a cold March morning a month past my eighteenth birthday, before the grand front door of one of the grandest houses in Köln. Herr Dietrich keeps a firm grip on my elbow, probably to keep me from running away. In my other hand, I carry my violin in its case. This house, on Leopoldstrasse in the heart of the Lindenthal district, belongs to Herr Ferdinand Kurtz, president of the Bank of Köln. My father’s bank.

Yes. It begins here. 

The violin I carry is my father’s, because he is dead.

 

About the Author
Barbara Thornburgh Carlton
Retired architect Barbara Thornburgh Carlton is an author of fiction,
nonfiction, and poetry. Though not a musician, she remains music-adjacent as a
volunteer for the San Diego Opera and the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival
in Washington. The mother of two grown children who are remarkably considerate
about keeping in touch, she lives in San Diego, California, with her
photographer husband, Barry.

The Well-Tempered Violinist, Book 1 of The Gift series, is her first novel.

Contact Links

Facebook: Barbara Thornburgh Carlton, Writer

Instagram: @btcarlton_writer

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

 

 

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

1 Comment

Filed under Book Tour