Archive for July, 2015

Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from

Fudging The Books

A Cookbook Nook Mystery

by Daryl Wood Gerber

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My 56

I no longer read literary novels. Now I devour mysteries and thrillers. In my preteen years, I discovered Agatha Christie: Appointment with Death, Murder on the Orient Express, Ten Little Indians. I swear, after reading all of her books, I imagined myself as an amateur sleuth. In addition, I am also a cookbook fiend. But nonfiction? About fishing lures? Bleh.

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Synopsis

The Agatha Award–winning author of Stirring the Plot returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, California, where February brings Pirate Week, National Chocolate Month—and bitter murder…

Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.

Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…

INCLUDES RECIPES!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

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Today I’m excited to share the cover of On Thin Icing by Ellie Alexander!
This is the third book in the Bakeshop Mystery series and releases December 29th, 2015.
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About the Book:

Welcome to Torte-a small-town family bakeshop where the treats are killer good.

It’s the dead of winter in the sleepy town of Ashland, which means no tourists-and fewer customers-for Jules Capshaw and her bakery. But when she’s asked to cater an off-season retreat for the directors of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, business starts heating up…until Jules finds a dead body in the freezer.

“An intriguing new series.”-Reader to Reader

Someone at the retreat has apparently iced the bartender, a well-known flirt with a legendary temper-that is, before a killer beat him to the punch. Then, from out of nowhere, Jules’s own ex-husband shows up at the shop-and soon becomes a suspect. With accusations piling up higher than the snow-and thicker than a chocolate mousse cake-Jules has to think outside the (recipe) box to find the real culprit…and make sure he gets his just desserts.

“A delectable tale of murder and intrigue.”-Portland Book Review on Meet Your Baker

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Don’t miss out on the first two books!
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About the Author:

Ellie Alexander is a Pacific Northwest native who spends ample time testing pastry recipes in her home kitchen or at one of the many famed coffeehouses nearby. When she’s not coated in flour, you’ll find her outside exploring hiking trails and trying to burn off calories consumed in the name of research. Follow her on Facebook or Twitter to learn more.

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Giveaway:
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Signed copies of Meet Your Baker and A Batter of Life and Death
A signed cover flat of On Thin Icing
Gourmet Hot Chocolates
Tea Assortment
Pound of Coffee
US only
Ends Aug. 10th
Prizing provided by the author, bloggers are in no way responsible.
GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

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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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HungryAsAWolf banner

Welcome to the Cover Reveal and Book Blast for Hungry As A Wolf by Elizabeth Einspanier.

I was very lucky to get my hands on the ARC of this scary good tale and will be sharing my review.

There’s also a fun excerpt.

And a giveaway, so don’t forget to enter.

Hungry As A Wolf

Tales of the Half-Breed #2

by Author Elizabeth Einspanier

HungryAsAWolf book cover

My Review

I’ve seen many movies about skinwalkers but this is one of only a few books I’ve read featuring them.

Wolf is a half-breed. Half native american and half skinwalker, but he keeps that to himself. He gets enough grief for being an indian. People would fear him, perhaps hunt him down and kill him, if they knew the truth.

Or perhaps not. Mayor Twohill has a major problem in Goldwater, located in the Black Hills. All but one of the men working his mine in the mountains failed to return after wintering there.  Upon his return, the man attacked and ate part of  the doctor who attended him. They’ve been keeping him locked up in the jail.

The poor man has gone completely around the bend. He hasn’t eaten in a month, and should be dead. This is beyond the towns capabilities and the Mayor sends a posse to fetch Wolf, placing a large bounty on his head to ensure they’ll bring him back alive.

 Wolf awakens with a rifle pointed in his face. The fools think they’re in control. Wolf’s quiet nonchalance lends an aura of menace that begs to differ. He calmly agrees to go along with them.

He’s not one to turn his back on the strange. That’s what he does. Hunts down and takes care of the things most people don’t even believe exist.

What he observes and encounters in Goldtown is something new. He’s not sure what he’s dealing with.

I loved the partnership between Wolf and his demon steed, Lucifer. He acquired the massive animal after taking care of a vampire problem.  Lucifer reminds me of the horse from Sleepy Hollow. The one the Headless Horseman rode. Huge, black, red eyes. A scary yet magnificent animal. And the only kind of horse that would allow Wolf near it.

Partially eaten bodies are being discovered around Goldtown. After Wolf tracks down whatever is stalking the town, the next step is a trip up to the mine to face whatever dwells in it’s dark depths.

Zombies, werewolves, shifters, wendigo. Whatever you want to call the creatures in these pages, they aren’t your normal ones. The author has changed them up a bit. Added some ancient lore, some intelligence, some new tics. As if these things weren’t bad enough already. Be prepared for some fun new creations.

Let’s talk setting. The author chose the Black Hills in the year 1865. I love western settings. And adding a supernatural element makes the atmosphere even more interesting. Some of the characters in this book didn’t find it too hard to believe in the beings they encountered. Perhaps they understood the lands once belonged to something else.

The author’s choice of having his characters speak in a western vernacular was great. I could almost hear their voices, their accents. Made them much more genuine and easy to visualize and connect with.

I talked about the creatures already, so lets meet Wolf. He’s part human, part skinwalker. He’s got the wolf in him and knows when to let it loose. He’s a loner, uncomfortable in crowds, and has some serious baggage. The loss of his true love, and how he lost her, haunts his every step.

When a very determined young lady crosses paths with Wolf, it’s blushes and confusion on both sides. I wasn’t sure if these two would develop a love interest, but I kind of had my fingers crossed. Finding someone new to love might heal Wolf. Let him drop his burden of guilt.

This is the second book in the series but don’t let that stop you from reading this. I jumped into it here and had no trouble getting into the story. The author slipped in some back story in just the right places so the story didn’t slow down and you could follow what was happening.

It appears to me each story will be about Wolf hunting down another strange creature and that sounds fun to me.

I wish I could have seen Mayor Twohill’s face at the conclusion to this book. There is an ending, no huge cliff hanger, and the author leads you towards another book to come.

Bring it on!

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Wolf Cowrie is back in his second adventure! In the Black Hills of the Dakota Territory in 1865, tensions run high between white settlers looking for gold and the Sioux people who consider this region their holy ground. When Wolf is hired to find out what happened to the workers of a mining outpost in the area, the general theory in Goldwater is that they were slaughtered by the Sioux. Wolf discovers something far more sinister lurking in the Black Hills, an ancient evil whose unending hunger drives sane men to ghoulish extremes.

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Enjoy this excerpt!

It was a young woman of perhaps nineteen years of age, with auburn hair and brown eyes. She was well-dressed in a white blouse with leg-of-mutton sleeves and a narrow column of ruffles down the front. A dark blue skirt respectably covered her ankles and black boots, and her hair was pulled back in a style he could not readily see from this angle, with wisps curling delicately around her face. She was a pretty little thing as well, and Wolf wished he could have made her acquaintance under better circumstances—like, say, fully-clothed, rather than stark naked with only his hat to conceal his shame.

The two of them stared at each other for maybe half a minute—him in a state of poker-faced, heart-pounding embarrassment, her in open-mouthed shock. Wolf’s heart and his stomach had lurched in opposite directions when he saw her—his heart upwards to lodge in his throat, his stomach downwards to gurgle in low panic somewhere around his knees. He swallowed hard to try to clear the lump of nerves behind his larynx. Somehow, Wolf was the first to find his voice.

“Ordinarily, miss, I’d be the first to tip my hat to a lovely young lady like yourself,” he said as politely as he could manage, with a glance down at the hat in question. “But I don’t think either of us wants that right now.”

She blushed bright scarlet and whirled out of the bathroom without a word, revealing the bun that secured her hair and slamming the door behind her. Wolf put his free hand over his face.

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Author Elizabeth Einspanier

HungryAsAWolf author

Elizabeth Einspanier is the self-published author of the Weird Western novella Sheep’s Clothing and the upcoming sci-fi romance novel Heart of Steel. Her short stories have been published in Down in the Dirt and Dark Fire Fiction. She is a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild and an associate member of the Horror Writers of America. She lives in St. Louis, but frequently spends extended periods in worlds of her own creation.

Links

Website / Blog / Google + / Twitter / Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour and comment.

The more you comment, the more chances to win!

Goddess Fish Promotions

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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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Angels Angels Everywhere banner

Title: Angels, Angels, Everywhere
Author: Michelle Beber
Publisher: Balboa Press
Pages: 30

Genre: Juvenile Fiction/Children’s Picture Book
Format: Paperback/Kindle/Nook

Angels Angels Everywhere cover

My Review

Such a joy to read.

There were several things I enjoyed about this book.

Size, for one. The print book is as large, if not larger, than a magazine. So easy to read.

It also allows you to view the fabulous illustrations. As you turn the pages, you’ll have these wonderful full sized and vivid illustrations and on the opposite page, in bold text, will be an inspirational rhyme.

I’m fascinated by angels. Yes, I do believe in them and that they walk among us.

While this is directed towards parents to read to their young ones and for early readers, adults can enjoy it for themselves too.

I keep it on my work table and occasionally open it up to read again. I enjoy the way the content is written as rhymes, and have memorized many of them. I’m inspired and encouraged just like children would be.

Brings a smile to my face. And I’m sure parents and their children will be smiling too after reading this book.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Angels, Angels, Everywhere is a non-denominational, multiracial book written in delightful rhythm and accompanied by charming illustrations. The themes of constant support and unconditional love are designed to help children deal with everyday experiences in life.

By developing children’s faith in knowing that they are not alone and building their trust that they are consistently watched over, cared for, and loved, children will become empowered to deal with life’s challenges. The book also lets children know that angels are there in good times as well, sharing in their joy.

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Enjoy this short excerpt.

When things go wrong,

Just stop and pray,

And angels come

To save the day.

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For More Information

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About the Author

Michelle Beber

Michelle Beber has certifications as an Angel Intuitive and Angel Oracle Card Reader from renowned “angel lady,” Doreen Virtue, as well as certifications as a Spiritual Teacher and Archangel Life Coach from Doreen’s son, Charles Virtue.

In 2008, Michelle’s life changed when she attended a spiritual retreat and learned about angels and how they communicate through repetitive number sequences known as “angel numbers.” Little did she know that this insight would lead her on an amazing spiritual journey that would directly connect her with angels and result in the discovery of her life purpose.

Always grateful for the spiritual guidance she has received, Michelle looks forward to sharing the knowledge she has gained to inspire others, especially children. Michelle is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Her latest book is the juvenile fiction/children’s picture book, Angels, Angels, Everywhere.

For More Information

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Until the next time….

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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An Officer and a Mermaid
by Blaire Edens
Series: Falling In Deep
Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy RomanceCover Designer: Quirky Bird
Release Date: July 21, 2015

 

 

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When a slave uprising threatens the life of Syreena, the daughter of an eighteenth century plantation owner, a servant uses voodoo to transform her into a mermaid. The spell will be only broken when she returns to the beach where it was cast. After three hundred years of swimming, she’s ready to trade fins for legs.  The only problem is she can’t find her way home.

Dylan, a twenty-first century Coast Guard Officer, has sworn off love for the sea. When a wave throws him overboard, Syreena uses her amulet to ward off the sharks and save his life.

With Syreena and Dylan stranded on a remote cay, Dylan has the know-how to build a raft and navigate but his near-drowning has made him terrified of the water. Syrenna will use every charm she has to convince Dylan to take her home.

Even if it means falling in love. . .

 

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It was a small amulet, about the size of a small Manonsillo fruit, painted with the image of Mami Wata, a mermaid-like deity venerated by the slaves. She was carefully painted, from the curls in her ebony hair to the scales of the snake wrapped around her neck.

Guilliame said, “Mami will show you the way.” He held up a leather pouch and threaded onto the thin leather strap that held the amulet. “Do not lose be without these until you are sure you don’t need them.”

“How will I know?”

“There will be no question. You will be safe.” The lyrical sounds of West Africa were heavy in his voice. “Do not be afraid, mademoiselle. Your papa and I are doing this because it is all we can do. When it is time,” Guilliame said, “you must return here, to this very spot. Do you understand?” His eyes were serious. “You must complete the circle.”

“I understand,” she replied in a whisper.

Guilliame stood behind her. He placed the necklace over her head. The leather pouch hung right above her breasts. She touched it with her finger. It felt warm, alive.

“Keep your fingers on it,” Guilliame said. He touched her shoulders, a familiarity unimagined only minutes ago.  “Good luck.”

His bass voice was hypnotic, drifting between the patois of the island and the stranger, foreign sounds of West Africa. Her eyelids became heavy; she was falling into a deep sleep.

The sounds of the beach became louder and Guilliame’s voice became more distant.

The last thing she heard was, “She will swim alone until the man who is her true equal comes to her.”

She whirled into a vortex of color, sound and wind. Her body felt lighter and lighter, weightless.

Then there was nothing but blue.

 

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Blaire Edens lives in mountains of North Carolina. She grew up on a farm that’s been in her family since 1790. Of Scottish descent, her most famous ancestor, John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Guardian of Scotland, was murdered by Robert the Bruce on the altar of the Greyfriars Church at Dumfries.

She has a degree in Horticulture from Clemson University. She’s held a myriad of jobs including television reporter, GPS map creator, and personal assistant to a fellow who was rich enough to pay someone to pick up the dry cleaning. When she’s not plotting, she’s busy knitting, running, or listening to the Blues.

Blaire loves iced tea with mint, hand-stitched quilts, and yarn stores. She refuses to eat anything that mixes chocolate and peanut butter or apple and cinnamon. She’s generally nice to her mother, tries to remember not to smack her bubble gum, and only speeds when no one’s looking.

She’s the past president of South Carolina Writers Workshop and an active member of Romance Writers of America.

 

 

 

 

 

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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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On Tour with Prism Book Tours.

Fall in love in Swallow’s Fall with

The Turnaround Treasure Shop
by bestselling Australian romance author Jennie Jones!

Introduction and Exclusive Excerpt

By Author Jennie Jones
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Synopsis
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Looking for a delightful, warm story about family and second-chance love? The Turnaround Treasure Shop follows the adventures of the heart for Lily Johnson. Everyone has the right to at least one dream coming true, and Lily is determined to achieve her goal on her own. But things are tough on the financial front and if she doesn’t take the chance offered to her by ex-Navy Captain Nick Barton, she might find that “one day” never comes.

The Turnaround Treasure Shop is book #4 in the bestselling Swallow’s Fall series. But each book in the series can be read alone and frequently are – Jennie’s had plenty of readers buy book #3 and then go back for books #1 and #2.

Jennie’s fictional town of Swallow’s Fall is set in a remote country area in the Australian Snowy Mountains and boasts 100 residents. Lots of them falling in love, some of them longing for dreams to come true, some of them scheming or creating mayhem with their matchmaking plans – but all of them leaving a mark on this small country town.

Jennie has a great rapport with her readers all over the world and recently asked them if they’d read a new series: Daughters of Swallow’s Fall – and the resounding answer was – Yes! But before that, the next book in this series (#5) The House at the End of the Street is releasing on July 27th.

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Read on for the excerpt…

“Good morning.” Lily Johnson didn’t look at Nicholas Barton, instead skimming her smile in the direction of the top of his head and off it again as fast as politely possible. Not that he noticed.

“Morning, Lily,” he said, dark head bowed to the breakfast plate she’d put on the table in front of him.

He wore a dark green crewneck with a white T-shirt beneath, the sleeves of his sweater pushed up his arms, the way they always were. How he got through the Snowy Mountains climate without a coat, Lily didn’t know. Even summers weren’t exactly drenched in heat in this part of Australia, and autumn always had a nip in the air. He was hardly ever out of dark green or bark-brown colours. A throw-back to his armed-forces days, probably. The strong silent type — but not mean or standoffish — just reserved. Which suggested a caring nature, Lily had always thought.

She moved to an empty table next to him and picked up a cruet set and a tomato sauce bottle, reminding herself to tell the young girl who’d worked Saturday night’s restaurant shift that she needed to make sure every table was set for the next day before leaving work.

“There.” She fussed with the salt and pepper, and straightened the napkin holder. “Enjoy,” she said, wiping her hands onto her white apron and hoping the salutation sounded the way it did when she said it to every customer she served breakfast.

“Thanks,” he said, in the same low-toned, unruffled manner he’d used to thank her for his weekend breakfasts for the last year.

He picked up his knife and fork. His forearms were thick and toughened with muscle. Those muscles wouldn’t stop at his elbows, they’d go right up his arms to support his heavy-duty shoulders. It was all that muscle which probably kept his body temperature warmed.

He looked up, his hooded leaf-green eyes holding an enquiry. “Everything all right?”

Lily stumbled over her laugh. “Sorry. Daydreaming.” Ouch. Daydreaming about Nick was taboo, and she didn’t want him knowing any of her taboo thoughts.

She turned for the kitchen of Kookaburra’s Hotel, and fanned her blazing face. Nicholas Barton made her tremble. He’d been making her tremble for 12 months and no matter how hard she tried to put the moment behind her, the recollection of the awkward position she’d put him in at last years’ Easter Bunny Ball fried her brain every time she saw him. Like a splash of hot oil on the scalp.

This year’s Ball was happening in two weeks’ time. Would he remember last year’s and stay clear? Or had he wiped the incident from his memory the way she wiped her hands on her apron? He was too much of a gentleman to have referred to it since, but sometimes Lily had the sense that behind his unflappable exterior, there was a zing of anticipation in the air between them. That was the bit that made Lily tremble.

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The Turnaround Treasure Shop
(Swallows Fall, #4)
by Jennie Jones
Adult Contemporary Romance
Ebook, 142 pages
May 22nd 2015 by Harlequin MIRA

Fatalistic, long divorced and doing her best to give her children a good life, Lily Johnson works two jobs in her hometown of Swallow’s Fall, saving every spare cent for the day she can lease the empty corner shop on Main Street. She longs to open it as Turnaround Treasures, a second-hand shop bursting with rescued country curios — but there aren’t enough spare cents and Lily’s dream is slipping away.

Ex-Navy diver Nick Barton arrived in Swallow’s Fall a year ago to quietly reunite himself with civvy life. Recognising an instant attraction to Lily, Nick backed away fast. Given his track record of an unhappy ex-wife and the baggage that comes with a Special Forces career, Nick doesn’t think he stands a chance with shy, reserved Lily. He can’t be with her – but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t see her.

Lily has spent her whole life cheerfully giving to others. When Nick offers her the ultimate chance for a turnaround, will Lily’s fear of being ‘second hand’ ruin the opportunity of forever love for both of them?

Amazon – Barnes & NobleiTunesKobo

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Book Trailer

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Other Books in the Series

Find at GoodreadsAmazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Bestselling author Jennie Jones loves writing rich, warm-hearted and refreshing stories of adventures of the heart. She’s a self-confessed would-be small town country girl and longs for the day when she and her family can set up home in a cute country cottage in the middle of a huge field. Until then, Jennie is enjoying life a five minute walk from the beach. She can hear the ocean as she types her stories.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebookTwitter – Pinterest

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Tour Giveaway

$10 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash and a Kindle copy of The Turnaround Treasure Shop
Open internationally (as long as you can receive winnings)
Ends July 26th

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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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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This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

Another fun way to share your book news and enjoy others is The Sunday Post hosted by

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Head on over and leave a link to your Sunday Post and hop around to visits others.

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Some chit chat.

I’ve been MIA for the last couple of weeks. Sorry I missed your Sunday Posts.

My brother came down from Michigan and a bunch of us went over to Pensacola to stay at my sister and brother-in law’s place.

Went to Windcreek Casino and had a great dinner brunch and did some gambling. My brother, who doesn’t even like gambling, was the last to quit, and he won! LOL

Went out to eat, a lot.

Had Margarita’s and Bloody Mary’s and ice cold beers.

Swam a lot! It’s so hot and humid. Heat index has us at well over a hundred.

Went to watch the Blue Wahoos play some baseball. They won. Enjoyed the dogs and beer, but it was so sticky hot.

More swimming!

More eating.

More drinking.

Good times!

Now I’m back and have a lot to share with you about books!

I’ll be hopping over to check out your Sunday posts so be sure to leave me your link!

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Here are my new books for review.

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Three Days To Forever and Kill and Run by Lauren Carr.

Hair of the Dog by Susan Slater.

Sabotage by Dale Wiley.

Flesh and Blood by Patricia Cornwell.

Below The Water Line by Lisa Karlin

Ella, The Slayer by A.W. Exley.

Grey Daze by Michael Allan Scott.

Be My Banshee, a brand new series by Jim and Joyce Lavene.

Threads Of Evidence by Lea Wait.

I know! I went a bit crazy. But these are spread out through to September.

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And here are some freebies for ya!

Click on the covers to get yours and remember to make sure they’re still free before you click that buy button.

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Something weird is going with my blog. When I add the buy links to the covers in each row, all of the links change to the last book? Too weird.

So for these free books below, I’m adding the titles underneath. Click on them to get the books.

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The Road To Hell / Carnivores /  Until The End Of The World

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Broken Heart Syndrome / Death Pays A Visit / Mind If I Come In

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Stolen Daisy / When No One Is Watching / Quick

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Books I reviewed the past couple of  weeks. Click on the covers for my reviews.

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25625764  Birthright by E.J. Stevens Ivy Granger urban fantasy series

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Books I’ll be reviewing next week.

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And I’m doing the cover reveal and a review for Hungry As A Wolf

by Elizabeth Einspanier on Wednesday, July 22nd.

Plus some Monday Minis Reviews and one other for my Freakin Fridays post. Haven’t decided which ones yet.

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What I won.

eBooks

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Print books

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Audible books

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Huge thanks to the blog hosts, authors, and tour organizers for these wonderful prizes

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Other Posts on my blog this week.

Teaser Tuesdays #122 ~ Below The Water Line

Birthright ~ An Ivy Granger Psychic Detective Novel ~ Release Day Giveaway and Review

Brand New Cover Reveal ~ A Vampire At Christmas by Anthony Renfro

But can she let herself sing….Madison’s Song ~ My Review and a Giveaway

The Malevolent Twin by Mary Sage Nguyen ~ Tour Review and Giveaway

#T4T ~ The Looking Glass and Of Breakable Things ~ Blitz Giveaway

Death stalks the night….Shaytan ~ A Journey Into Evil by David S. Arthur ~ My Review

The Friday 56 #69 ~ Grey Daze by Michael Allan Scott

A YA Paranormal Horror ~ Spinner by Michael J. Bowler ~ Tour Review and Giveaway

New Cover Reveal and Freebie ~ The Living Sand by Anthony Renfro

On Sale Now for 99 Pennies! Kristine Mason’s C.O.R.E. Shadow trilogy Box Set

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Have you joined TSU yet?

Click on the widget to friend and follow me!

tsu-logo

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Fora list of my reviews go HERE

For a list of free books updated daily go HERE

For all of my giveaways go HERE

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So, what did you get to read this week?

Got any recommendations?

I’d love to know and thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew.

Have I got some great news for you!

Kristine Mason has a fantastic sale going on starting today.

All three books in her CORE Shadow Trilogy in a box set for only 99 pennies!

How cool is that?!

Come on in and check out these books.

Gaze on her awesome covers.

Closer….

Closer…

And click on the links provided in the post to get yours now!

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C.O.R.E. SHADOW TRILOGY

by Kristine Mason

CORE Shadow BoxSet-Amazon

 

For a limited time…three romantic suspense novels—now for one low price!

 

SHADOW OF DANGER — Book 1

She sees too much…

Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through her psychic visions. Called in by the local sheriff to help stop the killer, John Kain, former FBI agent turned investigator for the private agency, CORE, has no use for psychics. But as more dead bodies are discovered, the criminalist reluctantly turns to Celeste for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

My Reveiw

There’s nothing like a good suspense thriller to get the old endorphins pumping and Kristine delivers. I read this some time ago and recently realized I’d not written a review. I reread this in one night and it’s just as exciting the second time around.

Celeste Risinski is a clairvoyant. It’s not something she wants. It just is. She’d be perfectly happy to skip the horrific visions and nightmares that jolt her, screaming, from her sleep.

She senses something different about these dreams. A deeper, more personal connection.

The sheriff calls on an old friend from CORE,  a private investigation agency, to assist and apprehend the killer before he kills again. Ian, as owner, distances himself from Celeste because of a mysterious family history, and sends John Kain, an FBI agent, to help with the investigation.

That’s about all I can tell you without spoilers.

Let’s get to the good stuff.

The characters. The two main ones are Celeste and John.

John is wounded and bitter. He needs this case to get him back in the game. What he doesn’t need is some chick who thinks she has visions.

Celeste is learning to better control her visions. To interpret and use them more efficiently. This also paints a target on her back. What she doesn’t need is some sexy know it all FBI guy scoffing at her. Brushing aside her visions as ridiculous.

So you see what’s coming, don’t ya? Yep. These two meet. Sparks ignite. Even though they don’t much care about each other when they first meet, the chemistry is firing on both burners.

I had as much fun following this reluctant yet burning romance as I did with the murder investigation.

About that. Kristine leaves a trail of breadcrumbs for you to follow. The opening scenes are about a murder. But that doesn’t reveal who’s doing it or why.

Trying to solve the crime is like following a trail. It moves forward, sidesteps, backtracks to cover it’s steps, and jumps forward again.

There are some strong secondary characters that I’m sure will have larger roles in other books in this series. And there are some surprises and a huge secret that will be revealed.

Looking for something to keep you up into the wee hours, reluctant to stop until you reach the end? This oughta do it!

5 Stars

*****

SHADOW OF PERCEPTION — Book 2

What happens when negligent plastic surgeons get a taste of their own medicine…?

When investigative reporter Eden Risk receives an unmarked envelope containing a postcard ordering her to watch the enclosed DVD or someone else dies, she turns to CORE for help. But that help comes with a catch. Her former lover Hudson Patterson is assigned to the case. And as more DVDs arrive, they not only find themselves knee-deep in a twisted investigation, but forced to deal with their past and the love they’d tried to deny.

*****

SHADOW OF VENGEANCE — Book 3

Welcome to Hell Week. You have seven days to find him…

At Wexman University male students will do anything to join a top fraternity. They’ll prove their worth during Hell Week by participating in a variety of pranks. But those shenanigans aren’t so funny when pledges start disappearing. CORE agents Rachel Davis and Owen Malcolm are on the hunt for a killer who’s kidnapping and murdering pledges. Time is ticking. They have only seven days to find the latest missing pledge and catch a killer. Seven days before the body count rises with another victim. Seven days to fight their attraction for each other before one of them ends up hurt.

C.O.R.E. — Criminal Observance Resolution Evidence

When having the best is a matter of life and death…

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This is a wicked good deal for a killer series!

Click on your preferred link below to get yours now!

Amazon / Nook / iBooks / Kobo / Google

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Author Kristine Mason

Kristine Mason

Kristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies C.O.R.E. Shadow and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next trilogy, C.O.R.E. Above the Law, along with a series of Psychic C.O.R.E. novellas—all to be released in 2015.

Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.

Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!

Connect with Kristine on Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads. Or sign up for her newsletter at www.kristinemason.net.

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Thanks so much for this wonderful sale Kristine.

I got mine!

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Until the next time….

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Those of you who follow my blog know of my love of horror stories.

You’ve also seen Author Anthony Renfro featured here many times.

Anthony has  a new cover to share with you and he’s also got The Living Sand up for free downloads on Amazon.

Check it out!

And don’t forget to click on the link included in this post to get your copy now.

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My Review

This is written as a story in a story.

The author opens with an old man sitting in his rocking chair sharing a story with his two grandsons. A story about two young boys and an evil beach.

Seth and Junior stumble upon a cave, and being boys, they dare each other to enter. Inside, it is dark and creepy, but as they continue further into the cave they see light and step through to an isolated strip of pristine beach.

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At first, they are thrilled to have their own secret beach but when they turn around, something written on the rocks invites and warns them. It’s almost like a dare, so of course the boys attempt to do what it says, building something in the sand.

What seemed like a lark became their worst nightmare and and soon they had to return to the cave and the beach, pursued by something out of their nightmares.

I’m very much into character driven stories and am amazed at how well the author developed his in so few words. The old man and grandsons didn’t even have names, yet I could see them sitting on that porch, the boys rapt as their grandfather spun his tale.

And Seth and Junior, the two boys in the tale, reacted just like you’d expect them too. They believe they are invincible and grow up fast when they discover they aren’t.

A well written short story that captured me from beginning, to middle, to end.

The author ‘pulled my leg’ with his twist at the end, tying the two tales together.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

A Short Story about two boys who discover a hidden beach and the evil secrets that it holds.

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Links for The Living Sand on Amazon:

US / UK / AU / CA

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Author Anthony Renfro

Anthony Renfro

Anthony Renfro lives in Apex, North Carolina. He is a reader, writer, runner, husband, father, and stay at home dad – one of the toughest jobs anyone could ever do. He was born in Bristol, Tennessee, and is a graduate of UNC-Greensboro.

You can find him at many spots on the web, but if you really need to find his center in the social media storm it would be at his blog, apoetryjourney.wordpress.com.

Now reach out, just beyond the light, right into that big black space, and let him take your hand on a journey into cold dark places. You will be scared, and you may even be terrified, but in the end you might just find you liked the ride.

Find him on:

Blog ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads

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Until the next time….

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

Welcome to my stop on the tour!

I have an awesome book to share with you.

Let’s get to it!

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

SPINNER

by Michael J Bowler

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YA Horror/Paranormal

Published on August 5th, 2015

My Review

I felt an instant connection to Alex. Not because he was in a wheelchair. But because he and his gang of friends were are all deemed worthless. Each of them had a tic, a disability that landed them in the neverland of Special Ed.

I have a son with a social disabiilty. I can’t think of anything harder to deal with. Everything we do is social, is interaction with others. My heart broke one day. I was at the school to pick up my son and saw this boy coming down the hall. He was hunched into himself, trying to disappear, and there was no one else even in the hall. What crushed me was I realized it was my son. I couldn’t imagine how his days must be.

Alex and his friends endure bullying on a daily basis. They have each others back, the strong defending the weaker. And Alex and Roy have a special bond. It goes beyond friendship. It’s love. Love for a fellow human being. It’s unbreakable. I loved it.

Something that sets Alex apart is he’s a spinner. He can heal others, take away their pain. He can’t do it to himself, only to others. Some powerful people know about his ability. They want it. They want him. And they are coming.

I enjoyed how there were several different plots going at the same time.

The boys had to deal with the bullies. And Alex had to come to grips with a chance at young love.

Then there was the deadly hooded figure and the giant cat. Alex thought they were only in his dreams. But they almost kill him and Roy, and also go after his friends.

Mustn’t forget their new Special Ed teacher. Somethings hinky about her. Not sure who she’s working with, but she’s giving off some creepy vibes. The boys aren’t falling for it either.

Lots of surprises in this book too.  I think I was as surprised as Alex when he uncovered a secret from his past. A secret revealed by his deceased mother. Alex has endured 10 foster homes and now Jane, his current abusive foster mother. The one who kept the package from him.  She’s got plans for Alex.

So much is happening that the plot flies. It may sound confusing, but it’s not. Everything flows smoothly.

An unlikely band of heroes, these kids have a lot going on. Those who brush them off as dummies will think twice when these guys spring into action.

My son is reading this now. He got tired of me calling him out of his room to read excerpts to him. Told me to hurry up and finish so he could read it himself. Now, he’s coming out of his room to read parts of this book to me. Too funny.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Fifteen-year-old Alex is a “spinner.” His friends are “dummies.” Two clandestine groups of humans want his power. And an ancient evil is stalking him. If people weren’t being murdered, Alex might laugh at how his life turned into a horror movie overnight.

In a wheelchair since birth, his freakish ability has gotten him kicked out of ten foster homes since the age of four. Now saddled with a sadistic housemother who uses his spinning to heal the kids she physically abuses, Alex and his misfit group of learning disabled classmates are the only ones who can solve the mystery of his birth before more people meet a gruesome end.

They need to find out who murdered their beloved teacher, and why the hot young substitute acts like she’s flirting with them. Then there’s the mysterious medallion that seems to have unleashed something malevolent, and an ancient prophecy suggesting Alex has the power to destroy humanity.

The boys break into homes, dig up graves, elude kidnappers, fight for their lives against feral cats, and ultimately confront an evil as old as humankind. Friendships are tested, secrets uncovered, love spoken, and destiny revealed.

The kid who’s always been a loner will finally learn the value of friends, family, and loyalty.

If he survives…

Amazon

goodreads-badge-add-plus for awaken

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael J. Bowler is an award-winning author of eight novels–A Boy and His Dragon, A Matter of Time (Silver Medalist from Reader’s Favorite), and The Knight Cycle, comprised of five books: Children of the Knight (Gold Award Winner in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards), Running Through A Dark Place, There Is No Fear, And The Children Shall Lead, Once Upon A Time In America, and Spinner. His horror screenplay, “Healer,” was a Semi-Finalist, and his urban fantasy script, “Like A Hero,” was a Finalist in the Shriekfest Film Festival and Screenplay Competition. He grew up in San Rafael, California, and majored in English and Theatre at Santa Clara University. He went on to earn a master’s in film production from Loyola Marymount University, a teaching credential in English from LMU, and another master’s in Special Education from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. He partnered with two friends as producer, writer, and/or director on several ultra-low-budget horror films, including “Fatal Images,” “Club Dead,” and “Things II,” the reviews of which are much more fun than the actual movies. He taught high school in Hawthorne, California for twenty-five years, both in general education and to students with learning disabilities, in subjects ranging from English and Strength Training to Algebra, Biology, and Yearbook. He has also been a volunteer Big Brother to eight different boys with the Catholic Big Brothers Big Sisters program and a thirty-year volunteer within the juvenile justice system in Los Angeles. He has been honored as Probation Volunteer of the Year, YMCA Volunteer of the Year, California Big Brother of the Year, and 2000 National Big Brother of the Year. The “National” honor allowed him and three of his Little Brothers to visit the White House and meet the president in the Oval Office. He is currently working on a sequel to Spinner. His goal as a YA author is for teens to experience empowerment and hope; to see themselves in his diverse characters; to read about kids who face real-life challenges; and to see how kids like them can remain decent people in an indecent world.

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