Archive for the ‘thriller’ Category

 

Welcome to the book tour for Zipline by P. Anthony Michael. Read on for my review!

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Zipline

Publication Date: June 2022

Genre: Thriller/ Suspense

If Gail knew Uncle Perkins’ stories were true, she wouldn’t have taken her friends up that mountain.

The plan was simple. Hike, camp, and ride the zipline back down the mountain. But Uncle Perkins’ stories are true, and the horrors are real. Now the simple plan is the only plan they have to get off that mountain or disappear, remaining there forever.

Zipline is an immediately gripping, fast-paced, unique story that will keep you entertained until the last sent

Available on Amazon

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MY REVIEW

I have a bucket list and taking a ride on a zipline is on the list. After reading this book, I’m sure I’ll be imaging what scary things I’m rushing past as I zip along above the tree canopy.

Coming in at just 82 pages in my paperback copy, Zipline packs an eerie punch. The author managed to flesh out his characters too, and that’s no mean feat with so few pages.

There’s something strange happening at Finch Mountain. Nicknamed BEASTLY, that tag and an old man’s warning should have been enough to deter Gail and her friends. That old saying, “Curiosity Killed The Cat” turns out to be oh so true as they venture into the dark forest. And the second part of that saying, “Satisfaction Brought Them Back” proves not so true.

The action begins almost immediately and the story “zips” along. Will they get off the mountain? Who survives? Anyone? My curiosity was answered and what fun it was finding out.

4 STARS

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About the Author

Michael received a creative writing certificate from the University of West Virginia in the late 90s. He’s been running a successful writer’s group called For The Love Of Words for almost two decades. When he has time, he teaches in the local library Story 101 – How to create a story. He has won in every category over a five-year period in a state-funded wordsmith competition in Poetry, Essay, Short Story, and One-Act Play.

P. Anthony Michael

Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Button

R&R Book Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Devil Within by James L’Etoile Banner

Devil Within
by James L’Etoile
July 24 – August 18, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

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Synopsis:

The border is a hostile place with searing heat and venomous serpents. Yet the deadliest predator targets the innocent.

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A sniper strikes in the Valley of the Sun and Detective Nathan Parker soon finds a connection between the victims—each of them had a role in an organization founded to help undocumented migrants make the dangerous crossing. Parker discovers no one is exactly who they seem. There’s the devil you know and then there’s the devil within—when the two collide, no one is safe.

Devil Within is the sequel to the Anthony and Lefty Award nominated Dead Drop.

Book Details:

Genre: Procedural/Thriller

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: July 2023 Number of Pages: 310 Series: The Nathan Parker Detective Series, Book 2

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Enjoy this peek inside:

Chapter One

Nia Saldana didn’t think today would be the day she died. Why would she? She was careful and avoided situations which drew too much attention. She never wanted to be noticed. When you got noticed, it only led to trouble, or worse. She cursed herself for snooping around her employer’s office as she tidied up. The big man wasn’t who he pretended to be. If others knew what she saw… Nia fought off anxiety driving home after another twelve-hour day cleaning homes on Camelback Mountain, the upscale enclave in Central Phoenix. Commuter traffic on this section of the 101 loop was a field of brake lights and her hands gripped the wheel, knowing she’d be home after her two girls were asleep. Her sister Sofia never complained when she watched the girls and loved them as if they were her own. Nia regretted every minute away from them, and the envelope of cash on the seat next to her meant she could stop and pick up a little pink box of day-old Mexican pastries for the girls as a sweet surprise. A job that didn’t require hours away from her girls was a dream. She didn’t dare look for a better-paying job. There was too much at risk for a single, undocumented mother. One wrong move, like getting caught in her employer’s office, and she would join her deported husband in Hermosillo. What would happen to the girls then? She pushed a worn stuffed animal away from her leg when she caught a sudden blur from the right. A familiar black SUV cut across her path, nearly clipping the front end of her Nissan Sentra. She knew her boss was furious; in a way she’d never seen before. But to chase her on the freeway because of what she’d discovered? Reckless. A pop caught her attention. Seconds later, the heavy SUV lurched and bumped Nia’s sedan into the left lane, pushing her into the gravel median. A second pop sounded moments before the wheel wrenched from Nia’s hands sending the Sentra into a hard spin to the left until it faced back into the oncoming traffic. Rubber barked on the asphalt as a semi-truck slammed on its brakes and the trailer jackknifed, a wall of metal rushing toward Nia’s windshield. The Sentra crumpled from the impact of the heavy eighteen-wheeler. The thin metal roof folded in pinning her against the seat. The steering wheel crushed against the driver’s seat, and Nia with it. The pressure against her chest made breathing impossible. If her brother-in-law hadn’t sold the airbag for a few dollars…. Nia glanced at the blood-spattered stuffed animal and pulled it close to her. Inside her broken passenger side window, Nia watched as the SUV plowed into the metal rails in the center divider without slowing down. The driver slumped over the wheel after his vehicle came to rest. Why? Why did he? The grip on the stuffed animal loosened as she grew cold. The faces of her two young girls were the last images she held while she slipped away.

Chapter Two

Detective Sergeant Nathan Parker weaved his way through the snarl of traffic on the freeway. Phoenix dwellers took it in stride because commute hours meant a sludge across the valley with a daily multi-car pile-up, or a disabled vehicle in the tunnel. None of the usual reasons for traffic meltdowns would justify a Major Crimes detective call out. Parker’s Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Ford Explorer was unmarked, but the antenna bristling on the roof and the flashing red and blue lights in the grill gave it away. As he approached, he wasn’t certain what warranted a major crimes investigator. Parker spotted the vehicles spun out in the median, the front end of a compact sedan crumpled under a big rig trailer. No one would survive this one. Fire engines stopped traffic in the two lanes near the accident. A single lane of cars bled through the remaining gap in the freeway, going slow enough to glimpse the gruesome wreckage. Deputy Marcus Stone called Parker on his cell phone rather than make the call over the department radio frequency. The call was quick on detail, other than Deputy Stone needed Parker at the scene. Parker’s mind shuffled through the possibilities as he pulled his Explorer to the far left median. He spotted the wrecked SUV on the center divider, twenty yards from the jackknifed semi-truck. A high-profile victim, or an influential Phoenix power player caught in a deadly drunk driving crash? Maybe. Politics was king, even in the desert. The twisted remains of the Nissan underneath the big rig, however, didn’t scream of valley nobility. Parker spotted deputy Stone near the rear of the Phoenix Metro Fire Department engine. Stone looked gray. “Marcus.” Stone didn’t take his gaze from the fire crew using an air powered extraction device, sometimes called the Jaws of Life, to peel back the exposed left front quarter panel of the gutted Nissan Sentra . “We’ve got two deceased.” Stone jutted his square jaw at the Nissan. “A young woman. In the SUV against the guardrail, our second victim, a middleaged white male.” “Looks nasty. Any statements from witnesses about how it happened. Why’d you call me out, anyway? Traffic accidents aren’t usually our thing.” Stone started toward the SUV. “Come with me.” Stone didn’t wait for Parker and made a path around the littered wreckage toward the black SUV. Parker noticed the driver slumped over the wheel after the fire department opened the driver’s door and left him in place. From experience, Parker knew fire crews extracted accident victims from the vehicles and tried to administer lifesaving treatment. The driver’s razor cut gray hair lay matted in crimson. His skull disappeared in a jagged mess of blood and bone behind his ear. “He’s been shot. Dammit, this makes three in a month,” Parker said. “That’s why I called you.” Instinctively, Parker glanced at his surroundings. The freeway sat in the bottom of a wash, with city streets twenty feet above on both sides. An unnatural valley, but a natural killing ground for the Sun Valley Sniper. “Get any ID on this guy?” Stone held a plastic evidence bag in his hand. Parker hadn’t noticed the deputy gripping the plastic envelope since his arrival. “Roger Jessup. Local attorney, according to the Arizona Bar card in his wallet.” “Can’t say I’ve heard of him before. Gives us an angle to look at—you know, the whole disgruntled client thing.” They both turned at the sound of ripping metal pulled from the Nissan Sentra. Two fire fighters crouched into the passenger compartment, cut the seatbelt, and pulled the driver from the car. They placed her gently on a yellow tarp spread on the gravel shoulder. “I take it she wasn’t a shooting victim?” Parker said. “No. The collision with the SUV spun her out and then the big rig finished it. Wrong place, wrong time, poor thing.” “You call in the Medical Examiner?” Stone shook his head. “Didn’t know how you would handle it.” “No problem. While I call the M.E., could you ask the fire crews to set up some tarps to give our victims a bit of respect?” “On it.” Stone strode off to the closest fire fighter and started pointing at the scene. Parker approached the Nissan as the fire department crew draped a tarp over the dead woman. Parker saw she was olive skinned, young, perhaps in her early thirties, with dark black hair pulled back in a ponytail. She was attractive, but even in death, she carried signs of stress, lines creasing her forehead, and dark bags under her eyes. Parker dropped to one knee and scanned the passenger compartment. The driver was crushed. If it wasn’t bad enough, Parker spotted a well-loved stuffed animal on the seat. “Oh man. She’s got kids.” He reached for her purse and pulled the inexpensive plastic and cardboard handbag from the floorboard. Parker had seen these knockoff items before, carried by women coming over the border. He fished through the purse for a wallet and ID. Nothing. No driver’s license, insurance cards, or credit cards. When he stood, he spotted a blood-stained envelope. When he lifted it from the seat, it held one hundred dollars. No note or message in with the five twenty-dollar bills. The face of the envelope bore a simple inscription: “Nia.” “Nia, what happened?” Parker thought deputy Stone might be right. He was about to write it off as another case of a random victim until he found the bullet hole in the Nissan’s front tire. The tire exploded outward on the opposite side of the path of entry. Likely sending the compact sedan into an uncontrolled skid, careening off any vehicles in the next lane. What were the chances of two cars being shot at in evening commuter traffic? *** Excerpt from Devil Within by James L’Etoile. Copyright 2023 by James L’Etoile. Reproduced with permission from James L’Etoile. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author James L’Etoile:
James L'Etoile

James L’Etoile uses his twenty-nine years behind bars as an influence in his award-winning novel, short stories, and screenplays. He is a former associate warden in a maximum-security prison, a hostage negotiator, and director of California’s state parole system. Black Label earned the Silver Falchion for Best Book by an Attending Author at Killer Nashville and he was nominated for The Bill Crider Award for short fiction. His most recent novel is the Anthony and Lefty Award nominated Dead Drop. Look for Devil Within and Face of Greed, both coming in 2023.

You can find out more at: www.JamesLEtoile.com Goodreads BookBub – @crimewriter Instagram – @authorjamesletoile Twitter – @JamesLEtoile Facebook – @AuthorJamesLetoile

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

 

 

Join In for a Chance to WIN!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for James L’Etoile. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Long Dark Road organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Author Joan Hall Hovey will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A Long Dark Road

by Joan Hall Hovey

 

https://i2.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzWowjuXcd7AIxiMzqftLF-YK54dcEUCjDV-ABaTaaQqqUgjtuk6jbArY4o3xrjTa3xsVExpCHRSb1dBqwW5KbKzkX7EWAViAvNQqcoPKWeNdSnSf-yVzdQwJM1-Qg4NCNQiYvsxQQSMpQb7lL-SwOW3jLG2BmdPSC-ptrsU1zmoRJlCxl2BAI6mOUNns/s1842/BookCover_ALongDarkRoad.jpg?ssl=1

 

Genre: Thriller

Synopsis

Selected Tales of Suspense containing 5 short stories and a novella

“Joan Hall Hovey knows suspense. She keeps it simmering in every scene she writes and knows just the right moments to turn up the heat. She also knows character creating richly layered people to populate her stories, sometimes with no more than a single sentence stocked with perfectly chosen description words or phrases… terrific suspense .”James Hankins, author of Brothers and Bones

“Taut plotting, great characters, and chilling suspense. Abook you can’t put down, exhibits a master’s touch. Alfred Hitchcock would be smiling. – Book Pleasures Review, Steve Moore

 

 

 
 

Enjoy this peek inside “Tragic Spawn” (novella) :

 

Hearing the closing of the front door, her thoughts scattered and she turned around. The faint fall of footsteps was headed in her direction. A smile broke from Melanie. Francie. “Francie, I’m in the bedroom,” she called out. Oh, I’m so glad you’re here. I know I said I’d call you when I was being released from the hospital, but I wanted … she stopped. The footsteps halted in her bedroom doorway, came no farther. Frowning, she thought: No, not Francie standing there. Not her father, either. She would know if it was him. He would speak. A shot of adrenaline shot through her. Someone was there. Someone had followed her into the house. How could she have been so stupid as to forget to lock the back door behind her? What was the matter with her? And then she saw movement in that milky whiteness at the corner of her eye. Felt a shifting of air in front of her. Don’t show fear, came the warning voice inside her mind. Don’t show fear. Stay calm.

“Who is it?”

No answer. The fine hairs prickled on the back of her neck and it was hard to breathe, let alone speak. “Can I help you? Have you come to the wrong house?” She heard the tremor in her voice. Receiving no answer, alarm quickly turned to panic, a reaction that both angered and frightened her.

“Who are you? Instantly, the bit of whiteness at the corner of her eye went dark as a hand touched her cheek and it was as if spider webs were draped over her face and she was suddenly screaming screaming, hands flailing like a mad woman.

About Author Joan Hall Hovey:

I’ve always been drawn to the dark side of our human psyche, and devoured everything from Edgar Allan Poe to Shirley Jackson growing up and later Ruth Rendell and Stephen King and so many more wonderful writers than I could list here. It was my dream to become a published writer for as long as I can remember, and have written eight novels. My latest book is ‘A Long Dark Road’. My love of reading seemed to go hand-in-hand with the writing.

I grew up in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada’s oldest incorporated city, situated on the Bay of Fundy. I married young and had four incredible children, three boys and a girl. My eldest son passed away in 2018, of ALS, which was the moment I knew I was in control of nothing. Nothing at all. And how it feels to have your heart shredded, slowly. But still, we must be grateful for what we have.

When the children were still small we moved to Gondola Point, where we lived in a modest home my husband built, overlooking the Kennebecasis River. Lots of lovely tall pine trees and bird song. It was country then, but no more. We lived there happily with various beloved pets over the years. People often remarked that the view must be inspiring, and it was, but the truth is when I was at my computer, my back was to the river, my head already filled with characters and scenes as I lived in a world of the imagination.

My husband is gone now, my children grown with children of their own and I moved back to the city to escape the loneliness. I live in a pleasant apartment in a historical part of the city with my sweet calico cat, Bella. From my window, I can see a beautiful old church with the steeple jutting into the sky, and a clock that competes with the moon. It is Sunday morning and the church bells are ringing as I type this.

I hope you enjoy my books!

Author Links: Goodreads / Facebook / Website

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the DOOR to DOOR, NIGHT by NIGHT Vol. 1 by Cullen Bunn & Sally Cantirino Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

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Check out my Review and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

DOOR TO DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT Vol. 1
: A World Full Of Monsters

By Cullen Bunn
& Sally Cantirino (Illustrations)

 

 

Pub. Date: July 25, 2023

Publisher: Vault Comics

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 128

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Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/DOOR-to-DOOR-NIGHT-by-NIGHT-Vol-1

 

A supernatural horror thriller
splattered with dark humor in the vein of Grady Hendrix (My Best Friend’s
Exorcism
), Stranger Things, Welcome to Night Vale, Supernatural, and
the Midnight, Texas series (Charlaine Harris), DOOR TO
DOOR, NIGHT BY NIGHT Vol. 1: A World Full of Monsters 
tells the tale
of a traveling sales team who find that once certain doors open, they are
impossible to close.

SALES PEOPLE BY DAY. MONSTER HUNTERS BY NIGHT.

It’s 1987, and the Heritage Mills sales team travels from town to town,
knocking on doors. They’re the best at what they do… which also means they’re
the worst. They’re broken, each and every one of them, haunted by closets so
full of skeletons, they’re bursting. When they discover a terrible secret
behind one fateful door, it opens their eyes to a world full of real monsters
hidden in every small town.

Knock, knock. What’s there? Open the door if you dare…

From all-star creators, writer Cullen Bunn (Harrow County, The Last Book
You’ll Ever Read
) and artist Sally Cantirino (I Walk With Monsters,
Human Remains
) comes the story of a motley crew going to battle against
supernatural evil throughout the American South.

For fans of the devilishly delicious blend of nostalgic horror and dark humor,
small town secrets, moonlight fright, Stranger Things, Welcome to Night
Vale,
 My Best Friend’s Exorcism, IT, Summer of Night, The
Pallbearer’s Club, The Autumnal, Proctor Valley Road, Gideon Falls, The Boys,
B.P.R.D.,
 and Something Is Killing the Children.

Volume 1 collects issues #1-4 of the smash 12-issue series!

“It’s all kinds of demon-hunting, low-life fun!” — Cavan Scott
(Comic writer, screenwriter & New York Times bestselling
author. STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC; TITANS UNITED; SHADOW SERVICE;
THE WARD; DEAD SEAS
).

“Bunn and Cantirino, as a collaborative team, create a unique, beautiful, and
terrifying world filled with monsters we could not imagine.” – Gatecrashers

“…this kind of horror storytelling … delivers across the board.” – The Fandom
Post

“A beautiful example of the merging of humor and horror.” – Gatecrashers

“…delivers on its promise …This is absolutely worth picking up.” – Comicon.com

“…supernatural horror at its best.” – Capes and Tights

 

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MY REVIEW

Supernatural horror. I’m in for that. And there’s plenty of it in this book. Along with a cast of nice and not so nice characters. And it’s filled with action displayed in colorful, awesome graphics.

A group of door to door sales people find so much more than just some customers who slam doors in their face. They discover that monsters are real. And this is where the story takes off. You know that scene where there’s a creepy house and you know they shouldn’t go near it? Well, this group of individuals don’t take the missing person’s posters plastered all over it seriously and they enter. Normally this would have me screaming, “Don’t you watch horror movies, guys?” But nope, I was all for finding out what was inside myself. And boy did they, and me. From then on it’s bloody good fun.

Do I want to read about these characters again? Yes. And the good news is there is more coming. Can’t wait.

4 STARS

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About Cullen Bunn:

 

Cullen Bunn is a New
York Times
 bestselling author and prolific writer of
horror/supernatural comics series and graphic novels including THE
SIXTH GUN, HARROW COUNTY, BONE PARISH, THE DAMNED, THE EMPTY MAN, THE GHOUL
NEXT DOOR, BASILISK, SHADOWMAN
, and many other titles including The
Last Book You’ll Ever Read 
for Vault Comics. He has fought for his
life against mountain lions and performed on stage as the World’s Youngest Hypnotist.

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads |
Amazon  | BookBub

 

 

 

 

 

About Sally Cantirino:

Sally Cantirino is
a comic artist and illustrator currently based in New Jersey. She has been
self-publishing comics and zines since she was a teenager. Her recent
comics work includes I Walk With Monsters and Human
Remains
 for Vault Comics,  “The Final Girls”, “Last Song”,
and “We Have To Go Back”. She has also done artwork for World Champ Game Co and
bands like La Dispute and Murder By Death.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads

 

 

 

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2 winners will receive a finished copy of DOOR to DOOR, NIGHT by NIGHT Vol. 1, US Only.

Ends August 15th, midnight EST.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

7/17/2023

Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

Review/IG Post

7/18/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

7/19/2023

Character Madness and Musings

Interview

7/20/2023

The Book Countess

Review/IG Post

7/21/2023

Fieldstone_lfl

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic

7/22/2023

Tara’s Book Addiction

IG Post

Week Two:

7/23/2023

Sadie’s
Spotlight

Interview

7/24/2023

A Dream Within A Dream

Excerpt

7/25/2023

Writer of Wrongs

Excerpt

7/26/2023

Locks, Hooks and Books

Review

7/27/2023

Brandi Danielle Davis

Review/IG Post

7/28/2023

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Excerpt/IG Post

7/29/2023

@by_hckilgour

IG Review

Week Three:

7/30/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Review/LFL Drop Pic/TikTok Post

7/31/2023

Bookish In Bed

Review/IG Post

8/1/2023

Books With a Chance

Review/IG Post

8/2/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

8/3/2023

Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers

Review/IG Post

8/4/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

8/5/2023

celiamcmahonreads

Review/IG Post

Week Four:

8/6/2023

@bookish_aly_cat

IG Review

8/7/2023

@My.Bookish.Mind

Review/IG Post

8/8/2023

FUONLYKNEW

Review

8/9/2023

Jaime_of_gryffindor

IG Review

8/10/2023

@enthuse_reader

IG Review/TikTok Post

8/11/2023

Two Points of Interest

Review

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Saving Piper Moonlight

by Joann Keder

 

(Piney Falls Mysteries, #2)
Publication date: July 13th 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Piper has lived her entire childhood on the run. She’s about to uncover the deadly reason why…

In the second book of the Piney Falls Mysteries series, Piper Moonlight is tired of constantly looking over her shoulder, afraid of the remaining Fallen Branch cult members. She decides the best place to land is in Piney Falls, Oregon, where the cult originated. At least everyone there knows her story and she’ll be safe.

When she arrives, she finds employment under the watchful eye of Cosmo Hill, also a former Fallen Branch member, at his bakery. Cosmo doesn’t trust Piper or her story. He enlists the help of his fiancé , marketing wonder and super sleuth Lanie Anders to uncover the truth of Piper’s past.

Lanie and Cosmo soon discover there are still shocking secrets buried within the layers of the former cult. As those secrets come to light, those who keep them will stop at nothing to stay hidden. The ugly truth of Fallen Branch will force Lanie, Cosmo and Piper to make unthinkable choices to save themselves and the life they know in Piney Falls.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Can I ask–did you ever love me?”

There is laughter from the other room and a chill runs down his spine.

“I assumed we’d already discussed the uselessness of emotions. They get in the way. Imagine if I let that interfere during the last two decades. We wouldn’t be where we are, on schedule for the metamorphosis.”

“YOU wouldn’t be on schedule. The rest of us–well, me–would be fine. You don’t remember those times we were gardening at Fallen Branch, talking about the future? You said then you couldn’t picture anyone else by your side.”

“I couldn’t. That didn’t mean I loved you, though. You were the perfect partner…for a time. As you’ve said: you didn’t have control of your emotions and I could direct you easily. I gave you a list. You accomplished every bullet point.” The Killer stalks closer. “Is there anything you want them to know? I’m giving you this gift that we never gave the others. A thank you for your service. Let’s call it my ‘emotion’ for today.”

“Tell them I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough to continue by your side and I wasn’t smart enough to survive on my own.”

“That’s not at all what I thought you would say.”

“What did you expect? A lengthy speech? I’ve always left those to you.”

“I thought you might want them to know you were a brave soldier in our war. Kind of make them proud, at least.”

He throws his hands in the air. “I give up. You’ll make it your own story no matter what. I learned long ago that it’s impossible to please you. They’ll learn that soon enough.”

“I hope not.”

“Tell them…I tried. Just get on with it now. I can’t bear to think about it anymore.”

His killer hands him a cup. “Cheers, my friend. It was a good ride while it lasted.”

His hand brushes his killer’s and without looking up, he lifts it to his lips.

 

About Author Joann Keder:

USA TODAY bestselling author, Joann Keder spent most of her years in the Midwest, growing up and raising a family on the Great Plains of Nebraska. She worked for sixteen years as a piano teacher before returning to school to receive a master’s degree in creative writing. A mid-life move to the Pacific Northwest led her to re-examine her priorities. She now creates stories about life and relationships in small towns while her ever-patient husband encourages her on.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

 

 

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Watch Your Back

by Stacy Claflin

 

(Ariana Jones, #1)
Publication date: May 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Even perfect neighborhoods have deadly secrets.

Ariana and Damon moved to the gated neighborhood of Rosy Hills to leave behind their traumatic pasts. Now they have their dream jobs and are part of a tight group of friends. All of that crumbles when their neighbor Rita disappears without a trace.

Now it looks like one of their own could be a killer. Ariana and Damon must figure out who it is, or they risk never finding Rita alive. If they don’t reach her in time, they could all end up dead…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Rita, where are you?” he called.

She readied herself to run again.

His footsteps sounded close. “Ready or not, here I come.”

She held her breath. Waited.

Had to get the shoes off.

“Rita…”

A shiver shot down her spine.

“You can’t hide forever,” he said, now sounding farther away.

Stomach lurching, she peeked around the corner.

He neared the swings, his back to her.

She loosened the buckle on her right pump. It stuck. Resisted.

Footsteps grew closer.

Now he was heading her way.

She froze. Tried to fix her buckle. Fumbled.

“There you are!”

Heart nearly giving out, she turned.

He stood halfway between the playground and her.

Rita leaped to her feet and ran. Her right shoe clung to her foot loosely, the buckle not fully undone. Made it hard to remain steady. She kicked, trying to free herself from it.

Finally lost it as she darted between bushes. Rough bark dug into her bare foot. Then concrete as she reached the sidewalk. Her hips protested the three-inch difference between her two feet, one shoed and the other not.

“Gotcha!” His arms wrapped around her middle. He squeezed.

She struggled and kicked, barely able to breathe. “Help! I’m being—”

He covered her mouth.

She bit his finger.

He swore at her. Didn’t let go. Pulled her back toward the park.

Rita squirmed and flailed. Scratched at him.

She wasn’t going down without a fight.

They flew to the ground.

She landed with a hard thud.

He crashed on top of her.

She pushed and strained to get out from under him.

“This could’ve all been avoided,” he grunted. “I only wanted to talk.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She tried to push him off.

“Don’t you see we’re meant for each other?”

Rita almost laughed at the irony of his words. “This is your way of winning me back?”

“You have to see the obvious.”

The truth was clearer now than before. But pointing that out wouldn’t do any good. Just needed to get away. Get her phone back and call the cops.

Had to think fast.

“You think we can work things out?” she asked, and stopped resisting.

“If you’re willing to change.” He loosened his hold.

She bit back a sarcastic retort. Needed to get him to move off her. “What do you want me to do?”

“You have to stop flirting with guys at the bar, for starters,” he said, giving her more space.

Not enough to run.

“Let’s talk about that,” she said.

He rolled off her and started to say something.

Rita jumped up and ran.

He called after her.

She raced to the park. Through it.

He screamed profanities at her, getting closer.

She yelled for help. For all the good that would do.

Her restaurant came into view.

All she needed was to get to her car. Her fingerprint would start it. Thank God for technology. She’d lost her keys and purse somewhere along the way. Hadn’t even noticed when.

She reached her property.

Something hard struck the back of her head.

Rita flew forward. Landed hard on the ground, her car just out of reach.

Another hit to the head.

Everything went black.

About Author Stacy Claflin

Stacy Claflin is a USA Today bestselling thriller author who has published more than 75 novels, including Girl in Trouble and The Perfect Death. She has always been curious about the human mind, and in her quest to learn more, she earned a degree in Psychology. Her favorite course was Abnormal Behavior, which has been useful in writing fiction.

Her love for thrillers goes back to her early childhood when she fell in love with Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Wanted. When Stacy was five, she got mad at a babysitter who wouldn’t let her watch the evening news. These days, she spends her free time listening to true crime podcasts or watching documentaries on the subject.

She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, and as child would often get into trouble for trying to convince friends her wild tales were true. Now she puts her creativity to better use by writing page-turning stories that leave readers begging for more.

Stacy occasionally dabbles in other genres, so as you peruse her library of works, you’ll find some romance and paranormal tales, all with strong suspense elements.

Join Stacy’s newsletter to get three free novels: https://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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The Ghost Circus

An Onyx Webb Supernatural Thriller

by Diandra Archer 

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Genre:  Supernatural Thriller

Synopsis

A stand-alone, “spin-off” novel from Diandra Archer’s ten-book, Onyx Webb series, this twisted, dark, ghost-suspense thriller begins with a ragtag traveling circus operating outside a small California town. 200 miles north, the legend of Onyx Webb, a murderous ghost, is “alive and well” in the seaside hamlet of Crimson Cove, Oregon. After mysterious deaths occur in both places, the FBI gets involved. Serial killer hunter, Agent Newt Drystad however, is also dealing with a major screw-up of his own making. And when two young people are found dead under mysterious circumstances at the local drive-in, the circus is forced to move on. By the time they travel up to Crimson Cove and set up, the little town is starting to unravel as well. The FBI is spread thin and desperately trying to keep a lid on the truth. It’s one thing to stop people from committing crimes, but how do you stop ghosts? Perfect for people who also love to watch series like Bates Motel, Stranger Things, Castle Rock, and American Horror Story. Scroll up and get entwined today!

Amazon

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I added this back in October 2022.

I love this series. Got to get the print book to go with the rest that I have!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.


ASIN: B0C7DQ18TW
Publisher: Dropship Publishing (July 11, 2023)
Publication Date: July 11, 2023
Language: English

 

Blade Runner meets Judge Dread and The Running Man in this no-holds-barred cyberpunk thriller from Dragon Award Nominee Stu Jones. Start this neon-soaked thrill ride today!

In a tech-addicted dystopia, a young cop struggling to survive is forced into a high-octane gladiatorial grudge match, where sinister corporate overlords pull the strings and humanity’s fate hangs in the balance.

ONE WAY IN. NO WAY OUT

In the super-city of Neo Terminus, millions of tech-addicted fans surround a walled-off inner-city wasteland to watch nano-boosted gladiators called Enforcers fight to the death in the Conglomerate-controlled event known as The Zone. Enforcers are promised wealth and celebrity—if they survive.

Officer Chance Griffin fights to clean up the mean streets of Neo Terminus, and scrape together enough money for his infant son’s vital surgery. Driven by his family’s need, Chance signs on as an Enforcer for The Conglomerate.

As Chance rises to the top of the Enforcer ranks, The Glom’s mysterious Founders coerce him into competing in the greatest Zone trial ever conceived. Chance knows he’s the favorite to win. He believes his family is safe. He believes his son will get the medical care he urgently needs.

Chance is wrong.

Too late, he uncovers a plot by The Glom to rig the trial and enslave the citizens of Neo Terminus, ensuring obedience—forever.

Blinded by fame and fortune, and used as a pawn by the corporate machine, Chance resists. But he is about to discover that every deal with the devil has its price…

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MY REVIEW

The tagline is correct. The first thing that came to my mind was Judge Dredd. I really liked the 1995 release with Sylvester Stallone and loved the 2012 release with Karl Urban. Yum. And the plot had me thinking of Hunger Games. Gabriel Kess reminded me of Seneca Crane, organizing the players and the game play. And The Fifth Element with Bruce Willis helped me visualize the city of Neo Terminus.

Of course, being an Enforcer and fighting in The Zone is filled with danger. Death is a threat at any given moment.  Officer Chance Griffin has a personal reason for becoming an Enforcer for The Conglomerate. He has to live. His family needs him. This added to the suspense as I’d really come to care for the family.

Being a sci-fi, action thriller, The Zone was everything I’d hoped for and more. Fleshed out characters that I loved, liked and loathed. Action from the get go. And danger, fighting, death and triumph. At 436 pages, I was surprised how quickly I finished the book and could happily have read more….. and more.

5 STARS

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You can purchaseThe Zone at the following Retailers:
       
Photo Content from Stu Jones

A veteran law enforcement officer, Stu Jones has served in patrol, narcotics, criminal investigations, as an instructor of firearms and police defensive tactics and as a team leader of a multi-jurisdictional SWAT team. He is trained and qualified as a law enforcement SWAT sniper, as well as in hostage rescue and high-risk entry tactics. Recently, Jones served for three years with a U.S. Marshal’s Regional Fugitive Task Force – hunting the worst of the worst.​

A Dragon Award Nominee, Jones is the author of multiple sci-fi/action/thriller novels, including the multi-award-winning It Takes Death To Reach A Star duology and Condition Black, written with co-author Gareth Worthington (Children of the Fifth Sun, A Time for Monsters).

Known for his infectious storytelling and blistering action, Jones strives to create thought-provoking reading experiences that challenge the status quo. When he’s not chasing bad guys or writing epic stories, he can be found planning his next adventure to some remote or exotic place.

Jones is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain literary. He lives in Alabama with his wife, two children, and a golden-doodle who thinks he’s human.

       
WEEK ONE
JULY 10th MONDAY Cover2CoverBlog EXCERPT
JULY 11th TUESDAY JeanBookNerd EXCERPT
JULY 12th WEDNESDAY A Bronx Latina Reads REVIEW
JULY 13th THURSDAY fundinmental REVIEW
JULY 14th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW
WEEK TWO
JULY 17th MONDAY TTC Books and More REVIEW
JULY 18th TUESDAY FUONLYKNEW REVIEW
JULY 19th WEDNESDAY Rajiv’s Reviews REVIEW
JULY 20th THURSDAY Crossroad Reviews REVIEW
JULY 21st FRIDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
WEEK THREE
JULY 24th MONDAY Movies, Shows, & Books REVIEW
JULY 25th TUESDAY Laura’s Bookish Life REVIEW
JULY 26th WEDNESDAY #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee REVIEW
JULY 27th THURSDAY Living in a Bookworld EXCERPT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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The Wild Inside

by Jamey Bradbury

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Genre: Psychological Thriller / Horror

Synopsis

A promising talent makes her electrifying debut with this unforgettable novel, set in the Alaskan wilderness, that is a fusion of psychological thriller and coming-of-age tale in the vein of Jennifer McMahon, Chris Bohjalian, and Mary Kubica.

A natural born trapper and hunter raised in the Alaskan wilderness, Tracy Petrikoff spends her days tracking animals and running with her dogs in the remote forests surrounding her family’s home. Though she feels safe in this untamed land, Tracy still follows her late mother’s rules: Never Lose Sight of the House. Never Come Home with Dirty Hands. And, above all else, Never Make a Person Bleed.

But these precautions aren’t enough to protect Tracy when a stranger attacks her in the woods and knocks her unconscious. The next day, she glimpses an eerily familiar man emerge from the tree line, gravely injured from a vicious knife wound—a wound from a hunting knife similar to the one she carries in her pocket. Was this the man who attacked her and did she almost kill him? With her memories of the events jumbled, Tracy can’t be sure.

Helping her father cope with her mother’s death and prepare for the approaching Iditarod, she doesn’t have time to think about what she may have done. Then a mysterious wanderer appears, looking for a job. Tracy senses that Jesse Goodwin is hiding something, but she can’t warn her father without explaining about the attack—or why she’s kept it to herself.

It soon becomes clear that something dangerous is going on . . . the way Jesse has wormed his way into the family . . . the threatening face of the stranger in a crowd . . . the boot-prints she finds at the forest’s edge.

Her family is in trouble. Will uncovering the truth protect them—or is the threat closer than Tracy suspects?

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I added this back in March 2018.

This has my kind of read written all over it!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Carolina Variant
by Brooke L. French
July 11, 2023 Book Blast

 

 

Synopsis:
Tess Oliver’s memory is a killer.

When the lead that could save her law practice is destroyed in a suspicious fire, only her recollection of it remains. Tess can relive memories, but her gift comes at a cost. The last time she used it, she nearly died. This time, she only takes a peek. A single moment spent in her memory of the defendant’s encoded document gives her a brutal migraine and a phone number. Luke Broussard answers her call from the wreckage of his downed plane. His charter passenger is dead. And a mutated virus seeps from the man’s broken cargo, making Luke an unknowing carrier. When rescuers take Luke to an Atlanta hospital, the virus comes with him. Tess follows her lead to Luke’s bedside, where she finds an instant connection. As they try to outrun a psychopath who’ll stop at nothing to retrieve the document, the city falls apart around them. The code hidden in Tess’s mind may be the only thing that can keep the outbreak contained, but using her gift to decipher it could kill her. If the virus — or whoever engineered it — doesn’t get to her first.

Praise for The Carolina Variant:

“Filled with compelling characters fighting not only for their lives, but humanity itself, you won’t be able to put it down.” ~ Jeffrey Jay Levin, author of Watching, Volume 1, The Garden Museum Heist

The Carolina Variant is a taut thriller that terrifies with a too damned frightenedly plausible story about what happens when a deadly virus escapes. It’s the kind of book that makes you afraid to turn the page, but you will. You definitely will.” ~ Christopher Amato, author of Shadow Investigation and A Letter from Sicily

“What a ride! The Carolina Variant is Blake Crouch’s Upgrade with the pacing of Fox’s 24.” ~ Cam Torrens, author of STABLE

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Medical and Conspiracy

Published by: Black Rose Writing Publication Date: June 2023 Number of Pages: 347 ISBN: 9781685132187 (ISBN10: 1685132189)

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Prologue:

September 13, 2018
The girl on the video monitor stared up at the ceiling as blood trickled from her eyes and nose. Her only movement an occasional spasm of coughing. Nothing unexpected, given the progression of the disease. Dr. Edmund Haley shut off the overhead fluorescent lights and let himself adjust to the dim glow of the screens lining the back wall of the office. Only the girl’s monitor still played a live feed, but it lit the room well enough. And, either way, darkness suited him fine. He’d spent so much time stuck in this tiny godforsaken place, he could’ve found the desk and computer with his eyes closed. Haley dropped into a chair and adjusted his glasses, trying to ignore the sharp tang of antimicrobial soap that clung to his hands. It smelled like life in the hospital. Like the servitude of medical practice. He hated it as much now as he had before he’d lost his license. But at least this time, he’d be well paid for his efforts. And soon, it would be over. He refocused on the girl’s image. The only question was when. Light sliced into the room behind him as Margaret bumbled inside. He made no move to acknowledge the nurse, even as she pulled up a chair beside his. As idiotic as she otherwise seemed to be, she’d know by now not to bother him. He shifted his attention from the video monitor to the computer, where he pulled up the patient’s chart. Patient: Octavia MILLS, 18 yo, Af-Am, F, #4 Vitals: 5’5”, 110 lb. updated (9-10) 108.8 lb. updated (9-11) 106 lb. updated (9-12) 104.1 lb. Provider Notes: Click to open He scrolled to the section for his notes and, after a click of the mouse, entered the details of that day’s exam. “9-13-18; Liver and kidney function both continue to decline. Discrete purpuric patches expanding from face and trunk now merging. BSA involvement approximately 80%. Note third spacing.” The third spacing, a condition where the skin separated from the tissue beneath and filled with blood, was something new. Margaret’s report of it had been the primary reason he’d put himself through the nightmare of protective gear and protocol it’d taken to do a physical exam himself. He wasn’t going to let it be said that he hadn’t been thorough. Haley glanced back up at the monitor in time to see a bubble of blood form between Octavia’s lips. The thing grew with each shallow breath. When it reached the size of a small orange, it burst, splattering more droplets of blood onto her face and neck. Octavia made no move to wipe them away. He’d given her enough morphine. She would be long past caring. And, more importantly, the extra dosage meant she’d finally quit staring out at him with that awful, confused look on her face. He didn’t care. Not really. Except that it had been distracting, and he needed to focus. Needed to understand why was she still alive. What had he missed? Perhaps another round of blood work would— The blare of an alarm sounded over the video feed and, more faintly, from the hall. Three more followed. Octavia’s body spasmed, convulsing again and again as she vomited up a grainy black-red mix of blood and tissue. The progression was as repulsive as it was now familiar. The vomit mixed with the brighter red flowing from her eyes and nose as the virus moved into its final stage. Blood, still unable to clot, flowed until it covered her face and chest. Until the bedsheets were saturated and no longer white. Octavia’s muscles tensed, seizing all at once before releasing. Her body too gruesome to look peaceful, even as she finally came to rest. Neither he nor Margaret moved from their chairs. The alarms echoed unanswered down the empty hall. Haley clicked off the monitor and most of the noise with it. “That’s better.” God knew it had taken long enough. He turned back to the computer, closed Octavia’s chart, and opened another document saved to the desktop as “Subject Outcomes.” He scrolled down, missing Octavia’s name the first time, then tapped the cursor back up until he found it. She’d been number four of twenty-five subjects, and hers was the last empty field in the column marked TPOI for Total Period of Infection. From the time she had been exposed, it had taken four days for the disease to take its course. At least a full day longer than any other subject. “About fucking time.” He spoke under his breath as he typed the final entry in with one finger. He still didn’t know why the girl had survived so long, but it was no matter. By any measure, his work there had been an overwhelming success. Haley pulled off his glasses and tapped them against Margaret’s shoulder. “Get me a copy of the subject files, including all of the relevant video footage.” Margaret flinched away from him. “Yes, doctor.” She pulled a thumb drive from a desk drawer and plugged it into the video system. The system — which had been his idea — had not only allowed them to observe the patients from a safe distance but also recorded the progress of the disease in each subject. Having such an accurate, time-stamped record of their experiments would be invaluable to his employer. As he had been. Haley cleaned the lenses of his glasses with the edge of his lab coat. Knowing what was coming, it didn’t hurt to have insurance. Which was why he had contingency plans stashed in safe deposit boxes across the city. It was a point he would be sure to make when he and his employer spoke. No matter what, he wouldn’t end up like the others. He pointed to Margaret as she collected the files. “Once you’re done, wipe the system clean.” She looked at him, her eyes a question. What happens now? He didn’t bother responding. Some part of her had to know already. Stupid. The kind of people who would hire her to do what she’d done weren’t the type to assume money would be enough to keep her quiet. She was a loose end who — unlike him — had no continuing value. Not that what happened to her mattered. And if she hadn’t been smart enough to see that going in… Well, she’d as much as made her bed, hadn’t she? He put a layer of steel in his voice. “Do it.” Margaret’s gaze flicked away. She pressed a few buttons on the keyboard and waited for the computer to comply, removed the thumb drive, and dropped it into his waiting hand. He turned the small device over in his palm. Amazing that so many lives could be held in such a small device. But then, these lives weren’t the kind anyone cared about. Nobodies and throw-aways. The kind of people who would volunteer for a drug trial for pennies and not be missed when they didn’t come back. He’d done the world a service, really. Haley slipped the thumb drive into a padded envelope, scrawled the address he had memorized at the outset of the project on the front, checked twice to make sure he’d stuck on enough postage, then slid the envelope into his briefcase. “Take care of that, won’t you?” He tilted his head toward the hallway leading to the patient rooms, where the girl’s body lay waiting. Margaret didn’t look up from the computer. “Of course, sir. Same as with the others.” Haley tucked the briefcase under his arm, whistling as he left the facility for the last time. With his part done, the rest could finally could begin. *** Excerpt from The Carolina Variant by Brooke L. French. Copyright 2023 by Brooke L. French. Reproduced with permission from Brooke L. French. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Brooke L. French:
Brooke L. French

Brooke L. French is a recovering lawyer turned author. Her debut novel, Inhuman Acts, came out in 2022, and her second thriller, The Carolina Variant, came out on June, 22 2023. Brooke lives between Atlanta and Carmel, California with her husband and sons.

Catch Up With Brooke L. French: BrookeLFrench.com Goodreads BookBub – @brookelfrench Instagram – @brookelewisfrench Facebook – @brooke.l.french

 

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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