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©2024 V.J. Allison Art. All Rights Reserved. NO USE PERIOD!
©2025 V.J. Allison Art. No use without written permission from designer.
Showing posts with label Matawapit Family Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matawapit Family Series. Show all posts

Monday, September 23, 2019

Tour Stop: SANCTIFIED by Maggie Blackbird

Good morning! I am excited to be helping Silver Dagger Book Tours kick off my friend and fellow eXtasy Books author Maggie Blackbird's tour for her third book, SANCTIFIED, which is Book 3 of the Matawapit Family Series. It was just released on Friday, September 20, 2019. 

CONGRATS MAGGIE!




Sanctified
The
Matawapit Family Series Book 3
by
Maggie Blackbird


Genre:
Inspirational Contemporary Romance 

In
the midst of a battle for leadership at their Ojibway community, two
enemies of opposing families fall in love…

After suffering a
humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic Jude Matawapit bolts to his
family’s Ojibway community to begin a new job—but finds himself
thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law’s campaign
manager. The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about
traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the
leadership position and rid the reserve of Western culture and its
religion once and for all, which threatens not only the
non-traditional people of the community, but Jude’s chance at a
brand-new life he’s creating for his children.
Recovering addict Raven
Kabatay will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older
siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addiction that
brought shame and anger to her family. Not only does she have the
opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother’s campaign
manager for chief—if he wins, she’ll have the reserve’s backing
to purchase the gold-mine diner where she works, finally making
something of herself. But falling in love with the family’s sworn
enemy—the deacon’s eldest son, Jude—will not just betray the
Kabatay clan. It could destroy everything Raven believes in and has
worked so hard for.







Redeemed
The
Matawapit Family Series Book 2

Genre:
Contemporary Inspirational Romance

A
single woman battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled
father—a dangerous man she used to love.
Bridget
Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon,
and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the
ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her
love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is
determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.


Adam
Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled.
Through counselling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and
twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s
worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle
he’d previously corked. He can't escape the damage he caused so
many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit
of forgiveness and a second chance. There's nothing he isn't willing
to do to win back his son--and Bridget.

When an old cell
mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care,
Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight
of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting
herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried
feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by
falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this
time.







Blessed
The
Matawapit Family Series Book 1

Genre:
Contemporary M/M Inspirational Romance

It’s
been ten years since Emery Matawapit sinned, having succumbed to
temptation for the one thing in his life that felt right, another
man. In six months he’ll make a life-changing decision that will
bar him from sexual relationships for the rest of his life.


Darryl
Keejik has a decade-long chip on his shoulder, and he holds Emery’s
father, the church deacon, responsible for what he’s suffered: the
loss of his family and a chance at true love with Emery. No longer a
powerless kid, Darryl has influence within the community—maybe more
than the deacon. Darryl intends on using his power to destroy Deacon
Matawapit and his church.

Hoping
to save the church, Emery races home. But stopping Darryl is harder
than expected when their sizzling chemistry threatens to consume
Emery. Now he is faced with the toughest decision of his life: please
his devout parents and fulfill his call to the priesthood, or remain
true to his heart and marry the man created for him.

This
is a very erotic book about a spiritual journey.







An
Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with
her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.
When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the
flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush,
teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye,
or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful
memories with the people she loves most.






Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!




Monday, August 26, 2019

Cover Reveal: Sanctified by Maggie Blackbird

Good morning book lovers! Today, my dear friend and fellow eXtasy Books author, Maggie Blackbird, drops by to show off the gorgeous cover for the third book in her Matawapit Family series, SANCTIFIED. She also shares what inspired her to write the book.

Enjoy!

* * * *


The inspiration for Sanctified, book three in the Matawapit Family Series, came from book one, Blessed, starring younger brother Emery and Emery’s former lover Darryl Keejik.  Raven Kabatay (heroine for Sanctified) is mentioned briefly at the beginning of the novel during a scene where Darryl’s at the diner having coffee with Raven’s brother Clayton.  I loved the Kabatay family and wanted to explore their experience with the Indian Residential School and how it impacted the siblings and mother.  What is motivating them to abhor the Matawapit family, why do they loathe the Catholic church on their reserve, why are they determined to see the community practise only traditional ways.

Jude (Emery’s older brother) also makes an appearance in Blessed during one scene.  I liked Jude.  And I wanted to explore the shades of grey in the religion Jude participates in:  how does a Catholic handle divorce.

I also wanted to use Sanctified to further explore the “feud” between the Kabatays and the Matawapits.  What would happen if two people from the opposing families fell in love, which of course is Jude and Raven?

There is one more book in the series, Renewed.  I’m on my second round of self-edits, and my fingers are crossed I’ll have this book out by the end 2019.

Cover for Sanctified. Artwork by Martine Jardin.


Logline:  In the midst of a battle for leadership at their Oijbway community, two enemies of opposing families fall in love…

Blurb:  After suffering a humiliating divorce, infuriated Catholic, Jude Matawapit, bolts to his family’s Ojibway community to begin a new job—but finds himself thrown into a battle for chief as his brother-in-law’s campaign manager.  The radical Kabatay clan, with their extreme ideas about traditional Ojibway life, will stop at nothing to claim the leadership position, and rid the reserve of Western culture and its religion once and for all, which not only threatens the non-traditional people of the community, but Jude’s chance at a brand-new life he’s creating for his children.

Recording addict, Raven Kabatay, will do anything to win the respect and trust of her older siblings and mother after falling deep into drug addiction that brought shame and anger to her family.  Not only does she have the opportunity to redeem herself by becoming her brother’s campaign manager for chief, if he wins, she’ll have the reserve’s backing to purchase the gold-mine diner where she works—finally making something of herself.  But falling in love with the family’s sworn enemy–the deacon’s eldest son, Jude–will not only betray the Kabatay clan but everything Raven believes in and has worked so hard for.



About the Author:  An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

Find Maggie:

Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Maggie-Blackbird/e/B07KQP1FFG

Monday, May 6, 2019

The Matawapit Family Series - REDEEMED - By Maggie Blackbird - GUEST SPOT!

Good morning everyone! Today, my second Silver Daggers Tour guest spot features MAGGIE BLACKBIRD! 

* * * *



Redeemed
The Matawapit Family Series Book 2
by
Maggie Blackbird

Genre:
Contemporary Inspirational Romance

A single woman battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled
father—a dangerous man she used to love.
Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon,
and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the
ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her
love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is
determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.


Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled.
Through counselling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and
twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s
worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle
he’d previously corked. He can't escape the damage he caused so
many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit
of forgiveness and a second chance. There's nothing he isn't willing
to do to win back his son--and Bridget.

When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care,
Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight
of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting
herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried
feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by
falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this
time.






Blessed
The Matawapit Family Series Book 1

Genre: Contemporary M/M Inspirational Romance

It’s been ten years since Emery Matawapit sinned, having succumbed to
temptation for the one thing in his life that felt right, another
man. In six months he’ll make a life-changing decision that will
bar him from sexual relationships for the rest of his life.


Darryl Keejik has a decade-long chip on his shoulder, and he holds Emery’s
father, the church deacon, responsible for what he’s suffered: the
loss of his family and a chance at true love with Emery. No longer a
powerless kid, Darryl has influence within the community—maybe more
than the deacon. Darryl intends on using his power to destroy Deacon
Matawapit and his church.

Hoping to save the church, Emery races home. But stopping Darryl is harder
than expected when their sizzling chemistry threatens to consume
Emery. Now he is faced with the toughest decision of his life: please
his devout parents and fulfill his call to the priesthood, or remain
true to his heart and marry the man created for him.

This is very erotic book about a spiritual journey.






An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with
her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.
When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the
flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush,
teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye,
or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful
memories with the people she loves most.



Follow
the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!










Monday, February 25, 2019

COVER REVEAL: Redeemed By Maggie Blackbird


Today, I’m hosting my friend and fellow eXtasy Books author, Maggie Blackbird. Maggie is of the Ojibway Nation, from northern Ontario. Her first book, “Blessed” has made an impact across the romance genre, as well as Canadian books in general.

I am honored to be doing the cover reveal for her second book, “Redeemed”, which is Book 2 of the Matawapit family series. The heroine, Bridget is the older sister of one of the heroes of “Blessed”, Emery, and “Redeemed” chronicles her journey with her former lover, Adam.

* * * *

VJ: Welcome Maggie. Thanks for being here.

“Blessed” is an amazing story, and quite ambitious for a first novel because although it deals with issues like sexuality and the church, it shows them in a whole new light.

Do you think “Redeemed” will have the same punch as its predecessor?

Maggie:   I hope so.  Redeemed addresses Indigenous children in foster care, aboriginal street gangs, and The Indian Residential Schools.  The residential schools, of course, carry throughout the series.

VJ: What were some of the difficulties you faced while writing the Matawapit Family series?

Maggie:   I can’t think of any difficulties I faced, other than Emery’s character in Blessed, which I’ll address in the next question.

VJ: Which of the three installments was the most difficult to write?

Maggie:   Blessed.  Emery was a difficult character, and I mean this in a good way.  He’s a very private man, so getting him to share his thoughts, beliefs, and sexuality on paper wasn’t easy.  His character is bashful and quite modest.  If he had his way, he would’ve continued to live in my head, and not out in the publishing world.  I even called on the help of a developmental editor because he was being that difficult.  He’s not a difficult character as an individual, but difficult because he doesn’t want readers invading his privacy.  And if I address what else his problem was, I’ll be spoiling the plot for those who haven’t read the book.  This “problem” was why I had to contact a developmental editor for advice.

VJ: Which of the three stories was the easiest to do?

Maggie:  Sanctified.  Jude and Raven are go-getters and very assertive.  They each know what they want.  Neither is shy about starring in a romance novel.  I’ll admit finishing the last 15% of the novel has been rough, and it’s not Raven and Jude’s fault. It’s my fault because I’m tired LOL.  I started Sanctified for my NaNo project.  I wrote 60K in November.  I had to take a break through December and January to edit Redeemed.  So I had to tweak quite a few drafted chapters for Sanctified at the beginning of February because of Jude.  Now I’m back on track, determined to finish this draft.

VJ: What’s in store for Bridget and Adam on their journey?

Maggie:  The blurb doesn’t mention Mrs. Dale, a social worker for the fictional Children and Family Services.  Her role isn’t big, but it’s big enough to impact Bridget and Adam’s budding relationship, and why if Bridget follows her heart, she risks losing Kyle.

VJ: Did you ever expect to have this much impact and popularity after only one novel?

Maggie:  I’ll be honest.  I’m clueless about this impact and popularity hahaha  Never knew it existed.  Someone forgot to send me the memo!

VJ: What influenced you to write this series?

Maggie:   Blessed started out as a short story, and it grew from there.  I always had the setting, the two main characters (Emery and Darryl), but their story was different in the original short draft.  The two felt it wasn’t enough for them, so the short story expanded into a novel.  While writing the novel, Bridget and Jude (Emery’s older brother and sister) decided they also wanted a story.  I liked their backstories enough to say, “Okay, I’ll make this a series and give them each a novel.”

VJ: You have a third book almost finished, “Sanctified”. Will we be seeing Bridget, Emery and their husbands in it?

Maggie:   The adult children appear in all three novels.  Along with Norman (the deacon and patriarch of the family) and Maria (wife of the deacon and mother to Emery, Bridget, and Jude).  So do the Kabatay family, enemy of the Matawapit family.  Each book is a stand-alone.  You don’t need to read all three, but I do encourage it because the Kabatays have an arc that carries through the three novels.

VJ: What are your plans for future books?

Maggie:   I’ve been hemming and hawing whether to write a fourth book for the Matawapit Family series, but we’ll see.  Right now, a trilogy has my interest and has been waiting patiently (read: impatiently) in the background.  I already have sixteen chapters written.  It’ll take place at the fictional Thunder Mountain First Nation located beside Thunder Bay during the “grunge/alt. music” era.

This is the logline that is subject to change for the new trilogy:  A drug-dealing punk and the chief’s haughty, privileged son, fall for each other, even though they stand on opposing sides of a raging political conflict that could tear apart their Ojibway community, and their newfound love.

Thanks for dropping by Maggie. It was fun, as always!

Don’t forget, Maggie’s first book, “Blessed” is available on eXtasy Books’ website in a variety of formats. “Redeemed” will be out sometime soon, I will update when I find out!




A single woman battles to keep her foster child from his newly-paroled father—a dangerous man she used to love.

Blurb:  Bridget Matawapit is an Indigenous activist, daughter of a Catholic deacon, and foster mother to Kyle, the son of an Ojibway father—the ex-fiancé she kicked to the curb after he chose alcohol over her love. With Adam out on parole and back in Thunder Bay, she is determined to stop him from obtaining custody of Kyle.

Adam Guimond is a recovering alcoholic and ex-gangbanger newly-paroled. Through counselling, reconnecting with his Ojibway culture and twelve-step meetings while in prison, Adam now understands he’s worthy of the love that frightened him enough to pick up the bottle he’d previously corked. He can’t escape the damage he caused so many others, but he longs to rise like a true warrior in the pursuit of forgiveness and a second chance. There’s nothing he isn’t willing to do to win back his son–and Bridget.

When an old cell mate’s daughter dies under mysterious circumstances in foster care, Adam begs Bridget to help him uncover the truth. Bound to the plight of the Indigenous children in care, Bridget agrees. But putting herself in contact with Adam threatens to resurrect her long-buried feelings for him, and even worse, she risks losing care of Kyle, by falling for a man who might destroy her faith in love completely this time.



About the Author:  An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

Find Maggie: