Archive for January 15, 2014

DON'T CRY OVER KILLED MILK Large banner

I immediately became engrossed in this story and couldn’t put my Kindle down. ~Socrates Cozy Cafe/ Socrates Book Reviews

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Don’t you just love the catchy title? I couldn’t resist this cozy mystery.

Get comfortable and enjoy my review.

And remember to enter the giveaway. You can win your own print copy!

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Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk: A Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective Mystery

Cozy Mystery

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Cozy Cat Press (August 28, 2013)

ISBN-13: 978-1939816184 E-Book File Size: 697 KB  ASIN: B00EV45NAS

Synopsis

Jeremiah Milk lived a life filled with emotional extremes. Amniotic band syndrome—a congenital condition—left his fingers and toes malformed. Ridiculed as a child, he became an adolescent hermit. As an adult, Jeremiah’s wounds healed when he landed a position as a park ranger and married a woman who loved him despite his physical appearance. But fate ripped his life to shreds when his wife and infant son died on the same night in separate calamities. Shortly thereafter, the tides turned once more as an act of Jeremiah’s ostensible benevolence translates into a financial boon. The book on Jeremiah’s life closes without mercy when he’s found murdered at Tripping Falls State Park.

Damon Lassard—Hollydale’s loveable civic leader, amateur sleuth, and Jeremiah’s neighbor—springs into action. He’s obstructed by a prickly lieutenant, but wriggles information unknown to the police from a colorful bevy of suspects. Aided by his best friend Rebecca and his reluctant ally Detective Gerry Sloman, Damon engineers a deep dive into Jeremiah’s past to solve the crime. Along the way, Damon strengthens his relationship with the breathtaking Bethany Krims, cracks a local horticultural mystery, and tries in vain to tame his wickedly sarcastic mother.

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My Review

There’s not one mystery to be solved in this book, there’s two.

Something is killing the crepe myrtles. People are treating their trees to get rid of bug infestations, but within a few days, the bugs re-infest the trees.

And someone killed Jeremiah Milk.

The author does a superb job of leading you through these two mysteries, keeping you following the clues, but not confusing you.  And I was just as eager to find out who was killing the crepe myrtles as I was about who killed Jeremiah Milk.

There are lots of clues, false trails, and some bumbling by Damon Lassard.

Damon kind of made me think of Columbo but not as shabbily dressed. He appeared amateurish, but had a keen mind and lots of curiosity.

This isn’t the first time he’s dabbled in a mystery and he’s got an enemy in Lieutenant Margaret Hobbes, but an inside source in Detective Gerry Sloman.

Damon helped Gerry solve a previous case but Hobbes wants him to keep out of police matters. These two bump into each now and then and Hobbes makes no bones about how she feels. I could just see her glaring, face all red, as she bellows at Damon. Good for a few laughs.

I was so engrossed in solving these mysteries, I never stopped reading until I had to. I had reached the end.

The writing is excellent, going from one mystery to the other with no awkwardness, flowing easily. You follow the bread crumbs from one false trail to the next, finally reaching each pot of gold.

You don”t need to have read the first Damon Lassard mystery to enjoy this one. The author does a quick recap a little ways into this one, giving you a bit of background without spilling the beans from the first mystery.

Once you’ve read Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk, you’ll want to read It Takes Two To Strangle .

I look forward to going back to the beginning.

4 Stars

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About The Author

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STEPHEN KAMINSKI is the author of the Damon Lassard Dabbling Detective series published by Cozy Cat Press. The first two cozy mysteries in the series are “It Takes Two to Strangle” (2012) and “Don’t Cry Over Killed Milk” (2013). Stephen is the winner of the 2012 Reader Views Literary Award for the Mid-Atlantic Region.  He’s a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and Harvard Law School, has practiced law for over a decade, and currently serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel to a national non-profit organization. Stephen is a lifelong lover of all types of mysteries and lives with his wife and daughter in Arlington, Virginia.

Author Links:

Blog / Goodreads / Facebook

Purchase Links:

Amazon B&N

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I have one print copy to give away.

US Only. Sorry to my International friends.

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win, and answer this question:

“Have you ever done some sleuthing?”

Giveaway ends 1/25

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Tour Participants

January 13 –Socrates Book Reviews/ Socrates Cozy Café – Review, Giveaway

January 14 – Kelly P’s Blog – Interview

January 15 – fuonlyknew – Review, Giveaway

January 16 – readalot blog – Review

January 17 – My Devotional Thoughts – Review, Guest Post, Giveaway

January 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Interview

January 20 – A Year of Jubilee Reviews – Review

January 21 – Shelley’s Book Case– Review, Interview

January 22 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Giveaway

January 23 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

January 24 – Omnimystery News – Guest Post

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Ink Slinger Button

I’m so excited!

A.M. Hargrove has a new book to reveal!

Check out this cover art.

What do you think? Pretty eyes and…..!

I’ve read every one of Hargrove’s books and can’t wait to read this soon.

Read on to learn more and enter the giveaway!

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Tragic Desires  BN Kobo

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TRAGIC DESIRES by A.M. Hargrove

February 2014

Cover by Sarah Hansen at Okay Creations
Photo by Scott Hoover Photography

Cover Model Emmanuel Delcour

BOOK SUMMARY:

My name is Gemini Sheridan. At least that’s what I thought it was for 23 years. Then one day a slight adjustment on the wheel of my mountain bike set into motion a series of catastrophic events that changed my life forever. Now I’m running from the headaches that threaten to destroy me… from the assassins that threaten to kill me… from the truth that exposes who I really am… and from the man that wants to save me. Because he now owns my heart and I fear him above all others.

My name is Drexel Wolfe and I’m a private investigator. Nothing ever stands in the way of what I want because when I see something I just take it. All of that changed the night my life collided with Gemini Sheridan’s and now everything is one hot damn mess. And the worst part of it all is that I’m trying to save her ass and I don’t know why the hell I’m even bothering. Well, that’s not exactly true. Fact is, I can’t stop thinking about her. She’s crawled into every thought I own, asleep or awake. I have serious plans for her that include making her mine. What she doesn’t know is that when I play, I play for keeps. Nothing and no one will get in my way or stop me… not even Gemini Sheridan herself.

Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00071]

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A.M. Hargrove

A.M. Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window.  She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss and quit her job.  Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a YA/NA and Adult Romance writer. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent and Beginnings); Dark Waltz and Tragically Flawed.

Other than being in love with writing about being in love, she loves chocolate, ice cream and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Author Links:

Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Author Goodreads

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Giveaway

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Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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I’ve read the first two books in The Blooming Goddess Trilogy, My Ex From Hell and My Date From Hell, and was so thrilled to hear about this new novella!

This should tide me over until My Life From Hell is released.

Check out A Date Of Godlike Proportions and then enter the giveaway to win a copy!

Godlike

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A Date of Godlike Proportions by Tellulah Darling
(The Blooming Goddess Trilogy #2.5)
Publication date: December 20th 2013
Genres: Comedy, Mythology, Young Adult
Synopsis:

There’s bound to be pressure when it takes 2500 years to get to a second date. Which is exactly why Theo Rockman, a.k.a. Prometheus, would rather not go. With his best friend gravely injured and the fate of humanity still on the line, Theo has all sorts of creative excuses to avoid dating swoon-worthy god and love of his life, Hephaestus.
YA romantic comedy gets an epic mythological twist in the free (at select retailers) short story A Date of Godlike Proportions (The Blooming Goddess Trilogy Book 2.5). Being human hasn’t killed Theo, but this date just might.

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Purchase:
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About Tellulah Darling
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my Ex 1Author
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Tellulah Darling noun
1. YA Novelist
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter and instructor
3. Sassy minx
Geeks out over: cool tech.
Squees for: great storytelling. Delights in: fabulous conversation.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.
Author Links:
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I have one e-book copy to give away!

Just leave an email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question –

“What god would you like to date?”

Giveaway ends 1/19

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Destined for love Banner

Another one from Melissa Foster and her The Bradens Series

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Synopsis

You met Rex Braden in Lovers at Heart, Book One of the The Bradens (Love in Bloom Series). Jade Johnson is about to turn his comfortable rancher’s life upside down. Don’t miss this powerful love story.

DESTINED FOR LOVE is a hot contemporary romance with alpha male heroes and sexy, empowered women. They’re flawed, funny, passionate, and very relatable for readers who enjoy adult romance, contemporary romance, and women’s fiction.

Rex Braden is wealthy, hard working, and fiercely loyal. Sweat at his brow, he works the family ranch by day, then kicks back at night with part time lovers who require nothing more than his physical presence a few times each week. But that was before. Before Jade Johnson, the daughter of the man his father has been feuding with for over forty years, moves back into town.

After ditching a horrific relationship—and her veterinary practice in the process—Jade Johnson returns to the safety of her small hometown and finally finds her footing. That is…until her horse is injured and Rex Braden comes to her rescue. The last thing she needs is a bull-headed, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Braden complicating her life.

Despite the angry family history, sparks fly between Rex and Jade, and attitudes follow. Fifteen years of stifled, forbidden love stirs a surge of passion too strong for either to deny—and the rebel in each of them rears its powerful head. Loyalties are tested, and relationships are strained. Rex and Jade are about to find out if true love really can conquer all.

Watch for the full LOVE IN BLOOM series:
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White
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THE BRADENS

Lovers at Heart

Destined for Love

Friendship on Fire

Sea of Love

Bursting with Love

Hearts at Play
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Image of Melissa Foster

Melissa Foster is the award-winning author of four International bestselling novels. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown Magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on  Fostering Success. Melissa is also a community builder for the Alliance for Independent Authors. She has been published in Calgary’s Child Magazine, the Huffington Post, and Women Business Owners magazine.

Melissa hosts an annual Aspiring Authors contest for children and has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Melissa lives in Maryland with her family.

Visit Melissa on The Women’s Nest, Fostering Success, or World Lit Cafe. Join Melissa and the YaYa Writer Girls at their annual in-person event. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups, and welcomes an invitation to your event.

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Enter for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card
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Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.
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 Giveaway is open to US Only. | Must be 13+ to Enter
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Join The Dauntless Authors for a giveaway for 2 $25 Amazon Giftcards during the week of January 13. Throughout the week they’ll also be giving away TONS of ebooks at their Facebook Party!


Team Dauntless:
Kate Avery Ellison 


Nancy S Thompson


Wendy Knight
Amber Argyle


RaShelle Workman
Elle Strauss
Megg Jensen
Angela Corbett
Cindy Hogan
Christy Dorrity
Rachel Morgan
Shantal Hiatt

Click on the rafflecopter below to enter.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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