Silver Dagger Book Tours
  • Welcome!
  • Current Tours
    • Book Tours
  • Book a Tour
  • Open Sign Ups
  • Contact
  • About
  • Welcome!
  • Current Tours
    • Book Tours
  • Book a Tour
  • Open Sign Ups
  • Contact
  • About
Silver Dagger Book Tours

 

Squared Away - Book Tour and Giveaway

7/2/2019

31 Comments

 
Picture
Picture

Squared Away
by Alicia Dill
Genre: Thriller 

Picture
Almost two years after she left the army and her best friend, Concepcion Chapa, Joells McCoy receives a cryptic voicemail from an Iraqi contact looking for Concepcion. When Joelle can't reach her “battle buddy”, she's told Concepcion died in a car accident, while working for the FBI.

But Joelle has questions and those questions launch her into the arms of an FBI agent – one of Concepcion's former colleagues – and a search for her friend that will bring her from small town Missouri, to Miami, and then on to Kosovo.

Over the course of a year, Joelle will search for her friend, with the help of Concepcion's former FBI colleagues, and try to come to terms with what their battle-tested friendship really means in her life. And why Concepcion would disappear without so much as a goodbye.

“Absolutely amazing! It felt like I was back in country! Alicia captured the essence of what it is to be a female Soldier and the everlasting bond we develop with our sisters-in-arms! “
-First Sgt. Sara Maniscalco, Army Veteran, National Guard


Goodreads * Amazon ​

​
Picture
Check out Alicia Dill's podcast interview with NPR!
On this hour of Talk of Iowa, Host Charity Nebbe and Dill discuss "Squared Away," Dill's first novel, which is inspired by her time in the military.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/strong-military-sisterhood-at-the-center-of-new-novel/id636025604?i=1000441852124


The author will also send a hand written post card to the first 10 people to show proof of purchase of Squared Away! Please email jess@mindbuckmedia.com !


Picture
Picture
​Prologue

September 7, 2007


“What am I doing here?” I whispered, but saying the words aloud didn’t give me any further insight. The seconds ticked by. The hourglass of my life sifted away from me, one grain of sand at a time. Being deployed in one of the most dangerous places on planet Earth, I considered my mortality far too often. How long did I have left? How would I spend it? Two questions a twenty-six-year-old should not be asking.
It was my last guard duty, on my last deployment. Military life was not for me. After six years serving, I knew it, and the Army knew it. When I had explained my job as a military journalist to my family, it had all sounded so much more exciting than it turned out to be. I couldn’t stomach the idea of another year of soldiering. Being assigned to guard duty instead of working on the camp magazine was like sticking a fork in me—I was done. Instead of writing stories and using my degree, I was trying not to fall asleep on my M16. It was loaded, after all. Sure, the money was great, but as an investment in my own sanity, I was getting out.
“McCoy, it’s quitting time, you lucky…” The voice of Private First Class Jacob Glass trailed off as he yelled up the steps of the guard tower. He thankfully stopped himself before he said something degrading. This was the new world order where educated, empowered women were also stuck on watch.
I briefed Glass on the day’s inactivity and cleared my weapon in a nearby container. I packed my gear in the small pockets of my Camelbak and headed down the ancient steps of the station. No one had to tell me twice.
As I walked to the dining facility, I tried to make my meal options sound appealing. A hot meal was never a possibility when working a shift that ended just before midnight. The second shift guards received bottom-of-the-barrel leftovers after the local cooks stopped serving at eight p.m. My only hope was for a stocked salad bar and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
After I assembled a chicken salad for dinner, I added the sun-dried tomato salad dressing my little sister had sent me from home. I was a foodie at heart. I valued my slim hips, so I had to be creative with my meals.
I grabbed a Styrofoam container at the beginning of the line and took my dinner to go.
On the walk to my room, I took a good look around. The way the endless black sky continued was beautiful. I thought about my family far away. I considered my grandma smoking her nightly cigarette on the porch in her southern Missouri home. They were under this sky, too, in some other time.
As I entered the cramped living quarters, I saw my roommate and best friend of six years, Sergeant Concepcion Chapa. I owed her my life literally and figuratively after an amateur move on my part. It had happened when we were running near the base; she ran ahead and tripped me. I fell to my knees, and she pulled my T-shirt, dragging me back toward her. I pulled my headphones out , “Why’d you trip me?”
She pointed ahead on the path where a horned viper head peeked out while its body was burrowed under the sand. With a combat boot, snakes were less threatening, but with tennis shoes and bare calves, hemorrhagic bleeding wasn’t how I wanted to go out. I never let her run ahead again.
She was watching a pirated copy of one of the latest popular movies back in the States. With her headphones on, she didn’t hear me come in. I set my food down and jumped on the bed, where her tiny frame was sprawled out in front of my MacBook Pro.
“Dammit, McCoy, you ruined the sexy mood I was creating in my head. This is the best part,” she said. A very naked eighteen-year-old muscular man was having fake sex with a plastic surgeon’s golden ticket, a forty-something blonde cougar.
“Monkey puke, monkey puke,” I lifted her earphones off her head. The phrase monkey puke was something my dad sang when the brief sex scenes of movies raced by my young eyes. He was too lazy to fast-forward, and movie night was too sacred of a time to put my sisters and me to bed early. I later decided this was the reason I became shy during all nude and kissing scenes. Concepcion knew about my aversion to nudity and used it against me whenever possible.
After I riled my battle buddy, I walked to the communal bathroom to get ready for the night. Searching the mirror, I smiled at my reflection, an old habit for applying makeup. At five feet nine inches, I was taller than many other female soldiers, but less elegant or sophisticated than the rest of the women in my family. Instead of waif-thin, I was lean and athletic, my coffee-colored long hair pulled back, making my features look harsh in the halogen lights. I considered how soon it would be until I would be able to wear my hair down for good. The strands were breaking off after being in a tight bun throughout the years.
I examined my pores up close and thanked my expensive and rigorous skincare regimen. My time there was showing on my face, and no amount of miracle cream could fix my sunken eyes perpetually looking tired. They were supposed to be my best feature, according to Concepcion. They changed in intensity, from shades of green to hazel, as often as my mood. As a Gemini, I was a different person depending on the day. I would pay for these years of stress on my body.
I heard the door of the bathroom open and close while I had my face pressed up to the mirror. In another world, I would be able to obsess in private, but not in the Army. Before I could see who it was, a hand slapped my toweled behind. Concepcion. Payback was sooner than I imagined.
“Get out of your head, girl. You’ll get another migraine.”
I turned around and shook my head. I didn’t respond. What she said was true. My migraine diagnosis was another check in the “con” category for staying in the service.
I listened as the water turned on. I hoped Concepcion hadn’t moved my stuff away from the good shower. I needed hot water to release some of the tension in my shoulders from holding up a gun all day. The good shower meant temperature control was possible. I looked in the mirror to see her taking the shower next to mine. Good girl.
“Are you ready to be out of this sandbox?” The noise of the shower between us. “Can I get a hell yeah, Sergeant?”
“What are you saying?” She didn’t hear me.
Showers here were mostly private, but I was feeling giddy about leaving this place. As much as I bitched, we were lucky we had running water. It was worse in Afghanistan.
Concepcion sang out louder so I could hear. She did a great Cher impression, and I could tell she was also in a good mood for our last night.
I peeked outside the shower stall to see if anyone else had come in since I’d entered. I wasn’t ready to entertain the whole camp.
I screamed out the next verse while I rubbed some remaining sand into my skin, exfoliating the sweat as best I could. Her energy was infectious. She was as excited as I was to get back home. I was going to miss our Cher-in-the-shower time.
Concepcion’s voice was stronger than mine, but that was okay with me. My stomach dropped a bit when I considered leaving her at the airport. Like the Army, she was a constant in my life. She’d saved me from myself more than a few times. I was going to miss my friend.  


​
Picture
Picture
ALICIA DILL spent six years as an Army soldier and globally published print journalist. She remains involved with many service members who continue to put their lives in harm's way throughout the world. It's because of that bond, the Missouri native wrote her debut novel in a series of untold stories of sisters in uniform. She joined the Army National Guard at the age of seventeen and received her degree in journalism and international studies at the University of Iowa. After her service, she was published by several weekly newspapers in Iowa, Missouri, and Illinois with over 75,000 readers. She continues writing in Iowa City, Iowa and enjoys traveling the world with her next book in mind.


Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads ​

​
Picture
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

July 2
kickoff at Silver Dagger Book Tours
Scrupulous Dreams
Luv Saving Money
Book Corner News and Reviews

July 3
The Sexy Nerd 'Revue'
Twisted Book Ramblings
Craving Lovely Books
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!

July 4
nanasbookreviews
Maiden of the Pages
Midnight Book Reader
Bedazzled By Books

July 5
Readeropolis
Dragon's Den
Drako's Den
A Pinch of Bookdust

July 6
Book-Lover
A Wonderful World of Words
Girl with Pen

July 7
The Magic Of Wor(l)ds
2 chicks and a book
Yearwood La Novela

July 8
Java John Z's
Literary Gold
Educated Book Freak

July 9
b for bookreview
Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed
The Book Dragon

July 10
Always Love Me Some Books Blog
Reviews and Promos by Nyx
raeblake.com

July 11
Authors From Everywhere
Valerie Ullmer | Romance Author
The Bookshelf Fairy
Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'

July 12
Tome Tender
Sylv.net
Paranormal Romance Trance
Better Read Than Undead

July 13
Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
Paranormal Palace of Pleasures
books are love

July 14
T's Stuff
Books, Authors, Blogs
Books all things paranormal and romance

July 15
eBook Addicts
Breanna Hayse Romance
Books a Plenty Book Reviews

July 16
Authors & Readers Book Corner
Teatime and Books
Inside the Insanity


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Picture
31 Comments
Bea LaRocca
7/2/2019 03:21:18 am

I have the utmost respect for women who have served and are serving in any branch of the military. This book sounds like an exceptionally well-written, emotional and thrilling story.

Reply
Alicia Dill link
7/19/2019 08:06:42 pm

Thank you for supporting my book and my service! A labor of love

Reply
James Robert
7/2/2019 04:34:08 am

Thank you so much for taking time to bring to our attention another great read. I enjoy these tours and finding out about many terrific books.

Reply
Janet W.
7/2/2019 07:55:56 am

Great cover!! Sounds like an exciting and thrilling read!

Reply
Rita Wray
7/2/2019 10:01:08 am

I liked the excerpt, thank you.

Reply
Calvin
7/2/2019 12:56:13 pm

Best army cover I've seen in a while.
Nice theme too. Cool tour.

Reply
Victoria
7/2/2019 02:21:52 pm

I'm looking forward to checking this one out!

Reply
heather
7/2/2019 02:29:07 pm

This is so my kind of book and I love the cover and the title is perfect.

Reply
Alicia Dill link
7/19/2019 08:08:12 pm

Awesome! I have two more in this series.

Reply
Debbie P
7/2/2019 04:31:39 pm

This sounds like an awesome and very intriguing read.

Reply
wendy hutton
7/2/2019 05:27:09 pm

thanks the excerpt sounds very interesting

Reply
Amy F
7/2/2019 06:55:02 pm

Great cover design!

Reply
Mood Reader
7/2/2019 10:06:04 pm

Looks great! :)

Reply
Corey Hutton
7/3/2019 06:15:57 pm

Good luck with the book and Thanks for the giveaway.

Reply
Angela Saver
7/3/2019 10:41:01 pm

This sounds like a great thriller! I really enjoyed the excerpt!

Reply
Dale Wilken
7/3/2019 11:01:58 pm

The book sounds really great.

Reply
Bridgett Wilbur
7/5/2019 11:19:00 am

I just love the cover.

Reply
LYNN CLAYTON
7/7/2019 12:37:01 pm

LOVE THE COVER LOOKS LIKE A FANTASTIC READ THANK YOU

Reply
Carole D
7/8/2019 12:29:22 am

The book sounds amazing! The prologue is so good! I love the cover!

Reply
Marcy Meyer
7/8/2019 05:00:25 pm

The cover has an eerie feeling about it. It looks great for a thriller. Sounds good too.

Reply
Mary Cloud
7/8/2019 07:33:52 pm

No questions - the cover is nice

Reply
Kelly Nicholson
7/9/2019 03:15:51 am

What do you think of the book or the cover?

aint nothing like a little war huh?

Reply
Heather
7/10/2019 04:15:10 pm

If I was in a book store the cover would catch my eye.

Reply
Kathy Cozzarelli
7/10/2019 11:09:14 pm

I'm glad the lead character seems to be a determined and brave woman.

Reply
Daniel M
7/11/2019 07:02:02 pm

like the cover

Reply
Emmaline
7/13/2019 01:37:09 am

It's cool you were able to combine your experience in the army and as a print journalist to write this book!

Reply
Alicia Dill
7/19/2019 08:09:36 pm

I couldn’t find stories like mine, so I wrote it myself. Thank you for supporting my book!

Reply
Sarah L
7/14/2019 06:47:37 pm

Looks like an interesting book.
Thanks for the contest. 

Reply
TAMMY HUDSON
7/15/2019 10:53:49 pm

This sounds like a great read. I love the cover. Thanks for the chance.

Tighefan42 atgmaildotcom

Reply
Jennifer Alaggio
7/16/2019 10:59:36 pm

I think the cover art is beautiful and it piqued my curiosity about the story within. I looked into it further and I really want to read this book. Thank you for your service!

Reply
Jerry Marquardt
7/16/2019 11:29:54 pm

I would like to give thanks for all your really great writings, including Squared Away, and wishing the best in keeping up the good work in the future.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Action
    Activity Book
    Adventure
    African American
    Alt History
    Anthology
    Apocalyptic
    Audiobook
    Australian
    Bdsm
    Billionaire Romance
    Biography
    Chick Lit
    Childrens
    Christian
    Coloring Book
    Comedy
    Coming Of Age
    Contemporary Fiction
    Contemporaryromance
    Contemporary Romance
    Cookbook
    Cozymystery
    Cozy Mystery
    Crime
    Cyberpunk
    Dark
    Dark Romance
    Drama
    Dystopian
    Educational
    Eroticromance
    Erotic Romance
    Fairytale
    Fantasy
    Financial
    Giveaway-hop
    Gothic
    Health-and-wellness
    Historical
    Historicalromance
    Historical-romance
    Holiday
    Horror
    Humorous
    Inspirational
    Legal-thriller
    Lgbtq
    Literaryfiction
    Mafiaromance
    Mafia-romance
    Magicrealism
    Magic-realism
    Mcromance
    Mc-romance
    Memoir
    Menage
    Middlegrade
    Middle-grade
    Military
    Mystery
    Newadult
    New Adult
    Nonfiction
    Paranormal
    Paranormalromance
    Paranormal Romance
    Parenting
    Pets
    Poetry
    Postapocalyptic
    Pulp-fiction
    Reverseharemromance
    Reverse-harem-romance
    Rockstarromance
    Rockstar-romance
    Romance
    Romanticcomedy
    Romantic Comedy
    Romanticsuspense
    Romantic Suspense
    Satirical
    Sciencefiction
    Science Fiction
    Scifi
    Scifiromance
    Scifi Romance
    Selfhelp
    Shortstories
    Short-stories
    Speculativefiction
    Speculative Fiction
    Sportsromance
    Steampunk
    Supernatural
    Suspense
    Sweetromance
    Thriller
    Timetravel
    Time-travel
    Urban
    Urbanfantasy
    Urban Fantasy
    Western
    Womensfiction
    Womens Fiction
    Ya
    Youngadult
    Young-adult
    Youngadultya
    Young Adult Ya

    Picture

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016

© 2021 Silver Dagger Book Tours