Posts Tagged ‘interview’

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Book Details:
Book Title:  Squirrels In Antarctica​ by Sari Karplus
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 34 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Tip Top Story Shop
Release date:   Mar 2024
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

This fantastical book of animals in unusual places will tickle your brain, leading readers of all ages imagining their own silly combos. You’ll see a skiing seal in Switzerland, a pufferfish piloting an airplane, a sloth who runs a marathon (but isn’t ever done), and so much more! With fun illustrations and an educational twist, this book encourages readers to embrace their limitless imagination, explore the world, and experience animals big and small in their not-so-natural habitats. Perfect for bedtime reading or as a classroom favorite, Squirrels in Antarctica sparks boundless imagination. So, come along on this epic journey and “Let your thoughts fly limitless like snails on shooting stars.” Is it a book? Is it a word game? Can it be both?!

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MY REVIEW

I had such fun reading this book. If I had to choose what was my favorite part I’d be hard pressed. The tongue twisting descriptions written in rhyme. The delightful, silly animals doing insane things. Or the funny, adorable illustrations of those critters, even bugs, doing those silly things. Even the title promised silliness and fun.

If I got so much enjoyment from this book, I’m sure young ones would too. Whether read aloud to them, read together, or reading it on their own, the fun to be discovered is endless. I recommend you grab a copy and join the fun.

5 STARS

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Interview With Author Sari Karplus:
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Your book has a number of worldwide locations featured. Have you traveled to any of these places?

I love to travel internationally, but I have only gotten to see a few of these spots so far: New York, Hollywood, and Spain. I have yet to visit Antarctica, Greenland, Peru, Berlin, Switzerland, or Cabo. This may surprise you to hear, but I’ve also never been to Saturn. 🙂

Are there combos that you wrote for this book that didn’t make the final cut?

So many actually! With more than thirty combos in this book, there were dozens that didn’t make it in. The reasons vary, too. Some of my early animal choices were too obscure where even the adult readers were getting tripped up. This is why the tardigrade, who many folks hadn’t heard of, got replaced by a zooplankton. Some others didn’t make the cut because the rhyme didn’t really pair nicely with any others. Here are a few of the combos that were early cuts: A yak visiting his grandma in South Palm Beach, a shark on the Acropolis, a tick in Timbuktu, and a cricket at a cricket match.

What authors are you most inspired by?

If you know my body of work at all, you would know that I am big into rhyming. As such, I’m particularly inspired by Shel Silverstein and Dr. Seuss. Their books were some of my favorites as a kid, and they remain favorites for me to read to my kids. I love that both of these authors’ works make you think and smile and sometimes laugh, which is exactly the space I’d like my books to occupy.

You are a mom as well. Do your kids take an interest in your books?

So far my kids are some of my biggest fans. I’ll be bummed when they fully outgrow being my in-house beta readers. But for now, I delight in how they share my excitement when my books arrive and repeat back lines from my stories. It’s the best!

Your book is a wild mix of animals and places. Any page that’s your spirit animal?

The page I can most relate to is the snails on shooting stars. When it comes to dreaming big, I never shy away from making a cool book or film project or performing standup comedy. The sky’s the limit! But much like the snail that looks terrified by being hurled through the universe, sometimes I’m white knuckling it through the unknown.

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Meet the Author:

Sari Karplus got her storytelling start as a comedian and filmmaker in Los Angeles. But when an improvised bedtime story to her three young children inspired her first kids’ book, she officially joined the ranks of the book writing world. Sari loves to create stories with fun journeys and teachable moments… with a healthy side of humor. Sari has written all 3 books of the Robotastic! series. “Sari” rhymes with “Mary.” Sari loves rhyming.

connect with author: website ~ instagram 

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Squirrels in Antarctica by Sari Karplus Book Tour 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.

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Dead Letters by P.J. Murphy

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Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 349 pages
Genre:  Mystery, Literary Fiction
Publisher:  P.J. Murphy
Release date:   May 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M. The book is not violent, and swearing is infrequent. There are a number of references to ghosts, but the atmosphere is more gothic than scary (with one exception). However, it is a book aimed squarely at adults, with references to depression and mental illness.

Book Description:

“If you want to find me, search within these pages.”

Bestselling author Richard Debden is missing. The only clue: a copy of his unpublished final novel delivered to his ex-girlfriend, Amy. When those closest to Richard reunite for his memorial, Amy turns to Chris, his former best friend, to help unravel the mystery. Could Richard still be alive and in need of their help?

Richard’s manuscript tells of two abandoned children in wartime Britain, instructed by a shadowy Postmaster to deliver letters to ghosts and release them from their torment. As Chris and Amy delve into the text, they identify parallels between fiction and reality; clues to a trail that leads across the country and – they hope – to Richard.

But they are not the only interested party. A mysterious society is following them, their motives unclear. Can Chris and Amy unlock the secrets of Dead Letters, or will more sinister forces get there first?

Dead Letters is the captivating second novel by P.J. Murphy, author of Troubleshot.

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Interview with Author P. J. Murphy
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  • Where did you get the idea for Dead Letters?

Dead Letters resulted from two ideas coming together. The first was my desire to write a gothic ghost story – not scary but depicting ghosts in unusual situations and considering them as memories of people and events. The second was the idea of puzzling apart the truth behind a novel. After reading my previous novels, some people told me they could guess the real-life inspiration behind certain characters and events. I thought, ‘There’s a novel in that!’ Put the two together, and you have Dead Letters.

  • What other writers do you admire?

I try to read wide and avoid limiting myself to particular genres. Saying that, the author I have read the most is probably Terry Pratchett. The wisdom and humour that’s packed into his books is really quite staggering. The Vimes ones have some pretty good mystery plots, too. I also enjoy the work of Jeffrey Eugenides. His style of writing is very evocative and, at times, jaw-droppingly beautiful.

  • Which format do you prefer reading in: paperback or ebook?

Hmm, that’s a tricky one! I never thought I would get into ebooks until I received an e-reader as a gift ten years ago. I was hooked! They are so easy to carry around, and you don’t need to find shelf space for all your books at home. On the other hand, there is something special about having a physical copy of a book, particularly if it’s one of your favourites. I guess that’s why there’s such a market for special editions these days.

  • Have you had any of your books made into audiobooks? If so, what are the challenges of producing an audiobook?

I have recently ventured into the wonderful world of audiobooks. An audiobook version of Dead Letters should go live around when this interview is published. The main challenge for me was finding a reader with the right voice. Most of Dead Letters is narrated in the first person, so the narrator’s voice had to match our protagonist’s. I was lucky enough to receive many excellent auditions, making choosing difficult. Ultimately, I went with a narrator who hit the beats as I had written them, and I’m very excited to hear the final version.

If you’re interested in reading more, I have blogged about my experiences commissioning an audiobook on my website www.pjmurphywriter.com

  • What is your next project?

I have a few ideas on the go, including a road trip and an unusual take on a spy novel. The one closest to finishing, though, is the sequel to my satirical novel, Troubleshot. This will be set in Geneva, where I now live, and should be amusing to anyone who’s lived or worked internationally. I’m also releasing one of my older novels, Yesterday’s Shadow, in February. It’s a coming-of-age tale about homelessness and the dark side of faith. Believe it or not, it also contains plenty of humour!

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Meet the Author:


P.J. Murphy writes novels that introduce unusual and humorous twists to classic genres. If you pick up one of his books, you’re in for an interesting read that never loses its sense of fun. As a writer, P.J. tries to stick to the adage ‘write what you know’, although with the addition, ‘just make sure you exaggerate and distort it beyond all recognition’. He is planning to write a novel about taking a road trip with a parrot. He has never owned a parrot.

connect with author: website facebook goodreads

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DEAD LETTERS by P.J. Murphy Spotlight Book Tour 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.

 

 The Legend Of Rachel Petersen

by J.T. Baroni

Genre: Horror / Paranormal

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MY REVIEW

I love it when a story, especially a horror story, makes me wonder what if? What if something like what happened to the main character, Christian, had happened to me. Not the part where he’s passed over for a promotion or quits his job to write a book. It’s the part where he stumbles upon an old, forgotten grave in the woods. I used to go on hikes all the time. And there was a cabin we spent our summer vacations at that nestled right up against a huge woods. I’d walk for hours, pick berries and follow many faint trails made by the wildlife that lived there. During one of my walks I came upon a clearing with this huge mound of dirt in the center. Being young, I climbed to the top and sat there. I had so many questions about what it was. To this day I never found out. I’ve watched so many horror movies. The New Daughter with Kevin Costner comes to mind when I think about that mysterious mound. That movie made the hairs stand up all over my body. And that’s saying something as not much can do that anymore. That said, the sometimes funny, sometimes sad and very scary tale of Rachel Peterson made those hairs stand up. It probably didn’t help that I read this book at night. And that’s why I did. I wanted the quiet and the dark to help me immerse myself. Not that I really needed it, turns out. The author did a fine job of pulling me.

This was told in more than one time line and was still easy to follow. It added depth to the characters and the story. I could have easily enjoyed each story all by itself. And just look at that cover. If that doesn’t creep you out……..

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Did his book raise the dead? Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, thirty-nine year old sports writer, Christian Kane quits and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve year old girl lying beneath the weathered tombstone. His book becomes a Best Seller; then Hollywood makes it in to a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous, but only to have Rachel rise from the grave to seek revenge on him for slandering her name!

Amazon

One line review excerpts

 

This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites. Jessica Barbosa -Readers’Favorite 

The Legend of Rachel Petersen is a terrifying, unsettling story you will not be able to put down.                                                             

                                                                                                     Lisa Leone-Campbell – Lisascubby

The account is beautifully written, and the twist at the end was a big surprise.

                                                                                                      Alma Boucher – Readers’Favorite

There is a story within the story that is fascinating.                        Pikasho Deka – Readers’Favorite

This book deserves the rating of Five out of Five Stars. JT Baroni is unrivaled when it comes to crafting a compelling plot!                         Juliet Blessing Official Reviewer – Onlinebookclub.com

 

Winner of Five Gold Stars! Wow! What an epic ride! Anyone searching for a gripping read in the paranormal, mystery, and fast-paced action will find this one a new favorite!

                                                                                              Alex Ndirangu – Readers’Favorite.com

 

I totally recommend this book if you are fond of the horror and paranormal genres, and you want a reading that will keep you thrilled and glued to its pages!                          Raven – ravennonest.com

 

This two-in-one treasure has now become one of my favorites! 

                                                                                                  Jessica Barbosa – Readers’Favorite    

 

While there is definitely the scare factor in this story, the author actually weaves in humor, mystery and a thrilling story that will keep you mesmerized until the final page!

                                                                                                         Brenda Casto – Reader’sFavorite

The best part of this novel is how Baroni transforms a simple drama into the kind of thriller that will give the reader chills as they connect the dots. The Legend of Rachel Petersen is in a class of its own.

                                                                                                        Essien Asian – Readers’Favorite

So fasten your seatbelts and welcome to Christian Kane’s twilight zone. Highly recommended for die-hard fans of the paranormal genre.                                      Carmen Tenorio – Reader’sFavorite

Baroni’s narrative mastery is on full display, leaving readers with a lingering sense of wonder long after they’ve turned the last page.                                                       Demetria Head-GPBookreview

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Interview With Author J.T. Baroni

What is the book about?

   Here’s the blurb:

      Outraged when The Post Gazette overlooks him for a promotion, 43-year-old Sportswriter Christian Kane quits the Paper and moves to the country to write fiction. Inspiration flows from a grave he stumbles upon in the woods. He compiles The Legend of Rachel Petersen, a fascinating story revolving around the dead twelve-year-old girl laid to rest beneath the weathered tombstone. His book quickly tops the Best Seller Lists; then Hollywood adapts it into a blockbuster movie. Kane becomes rich and famous. But then! Does an enraged Rachel become more than a figment of the writer’s imagination? Did she rise from her grave? Is she seeking revenge on him for slandering her name?

When did you start writing the book?

    I originally wrote this book in 2012. In the first half of 2023, I revised it by adding 165 pages and a new ending chapter. My story is now more descriptive, has more detail, and the final chapter comes out of left field and smacks you upside the head!

How long did it take you to write it?

    Between holding down a job as a transformer repairman, and life in general, I wrote the original book in two years.

Where did you get the idea from?

    Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature. While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.
​​​​​​​    Waiting patiently for any deer to cross my path gave me plenty of time to think about that lone grave’s inhabitant and ponder her story, which I was then driven to write.

    Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

   Chapter One had originally started with the Yoder boys hunkered down under a pine tree on the opening day of buck season in Western Pennsylvania, then I focused on them to the end. This made for a very short read of only 80 pages. After much, much, thought, I finally conjured up Christian Kane the disgruntled sportswriter, and had him write the “Legend of Rachel Petersen”, which doubled the page count and made for one very interesting read. This story is actually a story within a story, spanning 3 time periods. That original Chapter One in the rough draft became Chapter Five in the finished story.

What came easily?

   The characters, their individual voices, and dialogue.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

   I loosely based the Kanes, a happily married couple, on mine and my wife’s relationship; mainly how they supported each other’s dreams and ambitions. My wife gave me the inspiration and determination to write, and finish this book. Also, since the Yoder boys were hunters, and grew up on a farm, they resemble me as a young boy.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

   Harold Robbins, Mark Twain, and Jack London. I’m telling my age with that answer, but I enjoyed their books because they wrote captivating stories that held my interest to the last page.

Do you have a target reader? 

   For this book, I’m targeting any readers who enjoy paranormal, spooky ghost tales. Readers who relish Stephen King’s novels will be captivated by my Revised Edition of The Legend Of Rachel Petersen.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so, can you please describe it?

   I simply write when it’s raining, or the urge hits, or when I think of a good scene. Sometimes the rough draft got shelved for a month or longer, then I was able to pull it back out and look at it from a fresh perspective.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

   Only after ten or more chapters when I get lost, do I start an outline.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

   I edit as I write. After writing the first chapter, I’ll edit it; then, after writing the second chapter, I’ll start with Chapter one and edit both chapters and so forth… Now that I think about that, my editing process is similar to a Ponzi scheme.

Did you hire a professional editor? (May skip if being published by a small press rather than self-publishing)

   The first edition was published by Damnation Books. Their editor, April Duncan, was wonderful and gave me great ideas on improving my writing. The Revised Edition was edited by myself and my son, Skyler, who is a grammar fanatic.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

   Sometimes I tell Alexa to play Santa Esmeralda, Supertramp, The Stones, INXS, or the Golden Oldies. Other times, the news is on the tube.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

   I did with the original, but none would take on an unknown writer. Then I contacted publishers until Damnation signed me.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process? 

   I decided to self-publish mainly because that process cuts out the ‘middleman’. Again, my son, who is very computer savvy, helped me achieve that.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

   The cover was professionally designed by Dawn Dominique, a very talented artist with Damnation Books. I listed her and April Duncan on the credits and copyright page of my revised edition. My wife added the “Revised Edition” to the cover.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

   I have no social platforms, not even Facebook. I have been targeting bloggers, I’ve advertised locally; and again, Skyler is getting the word out there on TikTok and other social platforms. I’m trying to get this revision to go virile. I’ve been scrutinizing national advertising agencies that pinpoint consumers on their likes, then promote those annoying pop up ads.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors? 

   If you, a friend, or family member excel with today’s technology, definitely consider self-publishing. We used Draft2Digital Publishing and we are extremely pleased with their whole process, and their POD paperbacks. If you are going to take the traditional route, watch out for those so-called Vanity Publishers.

Where did you grow up?

   Johnstown, PA

Where do you live now?

   I wish I could say Key West, but I’m ten miles from where I grew up; I still have a Johnstown address.

What would you like readers to know about you?

   I like to fish; if you have a boat, call me!

What are you working on now?

   I’m 32 chapters into a psychological thriller where a psychologist and an attorney are planning to rule the world. They both share a secret, but one of them has an ulterior motive. Three more chapters should finish it. Then edit, edit, edit…

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About Author J.T. Baroni:

Living in Western Pennsylvania all my life, I’ve been an avid Whitetail hunter since old enough to tote a rifle, which is also about as long as I’ve had a fondness for word games and literature.

While hunting one year, I actually did stumble upon a weathered tombstone in the middle of the woods.

          While waiting patiently for that big buck to cross my path, I had plenty of time to ponder the dead girl’s fate, which I was then driven to write.

Eerily enough, this is the premise of The Legend of Rachel Petersen, my first novel published in 2012, which I recently revised.

A newly retired transformer repairman, I refer to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, a small town outside of Pittsburgh, as home.

My wife Becky and I share our abode with two retrievers – Piper, and Remmy.

Links: Books2Read / Goodreads

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The author is giving away one eBook and one Print copy.

US Only.

Easy to enter!

Just leave a comment.

Giveaway ends January 9th.

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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.

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Welcome to the 𝖂𝖊𝖘𝖙𝖜𝖔𝖔𝖉 𝕻𝖆𝖈𝖐… Where the fire burns h҉o҉t҉ … The water is as c҉o҉l҉d҉❄️ as Canadian winters… And a day of [̲̅p][̲̅e][̲̅a][̲̅c][̲̅e] just never seems to come.

If you love Alpha males who are both s♥w♥e♥e♥t and 𝕘𝕣𝕠𝕨𝕝𝕪 and watching women discover the power lurking just beneath the surface, then you’ve come to the right place.

The Westwood Pack Series follows the members of the Westwood Pack on their journey to find their mates. We have shifters 🐺, witches 🪄, fae🧝‍♂️, vampires 🧛and even a dragon 🐉or two..

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Rise of the Phoenix

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The Westwood Pack Book 1

by F.D. Fair

Genre: Paranormal Romance

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On “The Best Wolf Shifters of Romance” list on Goodreads!

He promised me forever. But when he shows his true colors, I have no choice but to run…

Alaric

I found my mate. It should be the happiest day of my life, right?
Wrong.
The problem?
She’s human and already has a family.
When her husband turns out to be a dangerous race once thought extinct, it becomes even more complicated…

Phoebe

I’m living the dream: A big house, a good job, a good-looking husband, and two beautiful kids.
I start to question everything when my husband shows his true colors.
Who is this man I’m married to?
As if it’s fate, I meet a stranger who sets my body ablaze and offers me protection.
But my husband won’t let me go that easily…

And now Alaric is risking everything to get me free.

Rise of the Phoenix is Book One of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is a fated mate, rescued by the alpha romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Second Moon

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The Westwood Pack Book 2

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He rejected me, and then he realized he made a mistake. Sucks to be him…

Skarlyt

My mate left me rejected and broken on the bathroom floor.
I’m going to make him pay.
Once I pick myself up and dust myself off, I’ll come back stronger than he ever could have imagined.
But when he realizes the mistake he made, how far will he go to get what he wants most?
Especially when he finds out about the hot new wolf shifter who says he’s my second chance mate…

Lennox

Rejected at first glance, she didn’t even know my name.
But when my sisters join a new pack, it offers me a chance to start over fresh.
No way could I turn that down.
I’m glad I didn’t…
Meeting a sexy witch isn’t something I had ever expected, but you know what they say – the moment you stop looking for a mate is the moment they appear.
This one comes with more than just a killer body and a scent that drives me absolutely wild.
She also has a past that comes back to haunt her with a fury.

But I’ll be damned if he ever gets his hands on her again…

Second Moon is Book Two of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series,
The Westwood Pack, and is a rejected mate, second chance paranormal romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Twin Flames

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The Westwood Pack Book 3

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One sacrificial lamb for the freedom of a mate…

Sophia

I’ve been their captive and slave for as many years as I’ve been on this earth.
I never dared to dream or hope for a better life.
But when these mages decide to turn me into a baby maker…things change.
I will not let them force me to bring their spawn into the world.
So, along with the help a friend, I run.
Running away turned out to be the best thing that ever happened.
I’ve finally found where I belong – with the Westwood Pack. It’s a family I didn’t know ever existed.
But it’s not long before the mages track me down…
And use my mate as bait to get me back.

Darren

Sophia being liberated from her cage and joining our family was the happiest day of my life.
The mages finding her and using me as bait to get her back was the worst.
But if they think that my family will trade one member for another, they’re in for a rude awakening.
We never give up on each other.

Even if we have to die in the process…

Twin Flames is Book Three of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is a fated mate romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Magical Mate

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The Westwood Pack Book 4

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Running from my father is a necessity. But can I trust the man who is offering me protection?

Sarah

Being raised by a single father was hard enough, add in that he’s an evil man who only cares about himself and the coven, and my life is a recipe for disaster.
Now he’s forcing me to marry someone even worse than him.
If I escape and he finds me, it will only be worse.
Now, another man is promising me the world, trying to convince me he’s different and is offering me protection.
But I don’t know if I can ever learn to open myself up again…

Sebastyn

I’m happiest when traveling the world, learning many kinds of magic that were lost throughout the centuries.
When my sister is kidnapped, I rush home, planning to stay long enough to rescue her.
Then she shows up…
She consumes my thoughts both day and night. Being anywhere else but here no longer appeals to me.
I know she’s attracted to me, though she’s hesitant.
How can I convince her I’m different from all she’s known? That I will keep her safe?
I can be patient…
I have to be.
She’s worth it.

Though I think my mom has been holding onto a secret…

Magical Mate is Book Four of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series,The Westwood Pack, and is a fated mate paranormal romance.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR F.D. FAIR

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? 

I have always loved reading paranormal romance books. Specifically true mate books, and over the years, I found myself thinking up new stories in my head, wishing that I could find those books but couldn’t so I decided to write them myself.

What are some of your pet peeves? 

As strange as it is, open cupboards, toilet paper rolled under and not over are two of my biggest pet peeves.

How to find time to write as a parent? 

Writing as a parent is challenging, that’s for sure. I make it work though. I write while sitting in the parking lot of my son’s wrestling practice, in the mornings before school and work and after they go to bed.

What can we expect from you in the future? 

This series is set to have 13 books in total, though that number has already increased by 1 so chances are it could again. I have also been working on a spin-off series for the Westwood Pack and will hopefully be publishing the first one in 2024.

I’m also dipping my toe into my second favorite book genre, Paranormal Cozy Mysteries and hope to release the first of a long series in 2024 as well.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? Convince us why you feel your book is a must read. 

This is a hard question to answer because I would love to say that I plot out all my books (which I do) and stick to it, but the truth is that I plot out the books by chapter and 99% of the time it doesn’t work that way. It’s as if my characters take on a life of their own through me and hijack the story completely. I am usually able to end up where I wanted to be and have everything in there that I wanted to happen, just sometimes they take the long way there.

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? 

I read constantly, except when I’m writing. In fact, it’s so much that my husband has joked about limiting my reading to one book a month because I can usually read a book in 1 day but for that entire day, I do nothing but read. I get sucked into the book and NEED to know what happens next. It’s one of the things I strive to do with my own writing. I want to be one of those authors that can grip you from the start of page one and you can’t put the book down until you find out what happens. It’s also one of the reasons that I write interconnected stand-alones. As much as I love-hate cliffhangers, I wanted to write each story to its conclusion. But to keep the readers wanting more, there is an epilogue in each book with a preview of what’s to come. To keep them wanting more.

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Hunter’s Heart

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The Westwood Pack Book 5

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Hunters have been tasked with eradicating my kind from the earth. The woman I want just so happens to be one of them…

Rayne

I am the descendant of Ullr, the Norse God of the Hunt.
I’ve hunted supernaturals all my life, always questioning if it was the right thing to do.
A woman on fire saved me during a battle, and now I can’t stop questioning my entire life.
So, I run to find out for myself.
And I run right into the supernatural world…
Which should have scared me, but instead I’ve found my home.
The supernaturals my father taught me to hate are more family to me than he ever was.
So, naturally, complications are sure to follow.
My complication is a tall, blonde, sexy-as-sin vampire, who’s also the biggest dick I’ve ever met.
But my real problem is that I can’t find the strength to deny him…

Drake

I’ve never wanted a mate.
I could never fathom how anyone could be tethered to a single person their entire life.
Then I met her. She’s gorgeous, strong willed, everything I could ever imagine in a mate.
She also happens to drive me certifiably insane.
The real problem? She’s a hunter.
And my kind are usually the ones in her crosshairs…

Can enemies truly turn to lovers, or will she betray us all at the first opportunity?

Hunter’s Heart is Book Five of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is an enemies to lovers paranormal romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Dragon’s Destiny

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The Westwood Pack Book 6

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A thousand years ago a prophecy was told of a love that would transcend time. Some things are worth the wait…

Drusilla

Severe PTSD? Check.
Low self-esteem? Double check.
Terrified to leave my home? Triple check.
I’m a vampire.
I was taken captive and tortured by a group of hunters when I was young.
Ever since I returned home, I haven’t left. I’m still being held captive by the scars they left.
Now, with my friend’s help, I’m learning to live again.
And I’m longing for a mate of my own…
When Andres confirms what my body already seems to know – that he’s my mate. It terrifies me.
I know I can’t love another until I can love myself again. I just hope he’ll be able to wait…

Andres

I’ve waited a thousand years for her, and I’d wait a thousand more.
She’s perfect and everything I’ve ever wished for–caring, beautiful, and a heart of gold.
The last great seer told me she wouldn’t be ready right away, and she would need time and understanding.
I’ve been preparing myself for that and thought I was ready.
But it’s so hard…
Every second of every day my dragon is riding me to claim our mate, and I’m not sure how much longer I can keep him under control…

Maybe unleashing him on the ones who held her captive would help.

Dragon’s Destiny is Book Six of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is a fated mates romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Bound By Fate

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The Westwood Pack Book 7

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I was given the gift of two identical twin mates…and then one of them rejects me. Now our souls can never be complete.

Opal

Meeting my mate was the best day of my life…
Until he rejected me seconds after giving me the best birthday present a girl could ask for.
I then ran and reinvented myself into someone who didn’t care.
But when he steps back in my life, I’m forced right back to where I started.
Though not for long…
Fate is a bitch and decided one man wasn’t enough to handle me, so she gave me two.
I’m not sure what was going through the goddess’ mind when she gave me identical twins—the one who rejected me and the one who promises me the world.
The problem?
Our souls will never be complete with one of them left out.
How do I trust these men after one has already ripped out my heart?

Zeke

Hunters murdered my father.
I left home to seek retribution and take revenge.
When I returned home one last time to say goodbye to my twin, I ran into the last thing I ever wanted…
My mate. But the only thing I can give her right now is death…
So, I do the unthinkable. I reject her.

Axel

I’m livid with my twin.
Not because of why he was banished, but because of his rejection of my mate.
Now I need to convince her I’m different from him…

Because there is no life for me without her.

Bound by Fate is Book Seven of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is a rejected mate romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Blood Magic

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The Westwood Pack Book 8

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Two choices, both impossible. One means death for my family, the other death for my soul…

Breanne

A puppet. That’s what I am. When the hunters offer me a choice between the death of my family or my soul, I choose my soul and I would do it again. Every. Single. Time. But now that means I am helping them hunt and kill my own kind.

When the sexiest man I’ve ever met gives me a chance at freedom, literally breaking the bonds that hold me captive, I jump. But it comes with a cost.

Only I’m not the one who will have to pay…

Matt

I take down the bad guys. The hunters. It’s what I do. But when I meet one of them, a sexy vixen who is both sinner and saint, and I learn she’s their captive who was forced into a life of slavery…I question if what I’ve been doing is right. How many of them have I punished for something they were manipulated into?

She thinks she’s broken, damaged. But she’s neither of those things. So, I use my magic to break the collar that her puppet master uses to control her and try my best to give her what she needs to heal.

But it’s not long before he comes to collect his missing pet.

And it’s over my dead body that he’ll ever touch a hair on her head again…

Blood Magic is Book Eight of the hot and steamy werewolf shifter series, The Westwood Pack, and is a fated mate vampire romance.

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Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Embrace your weirdness. It makes you unique, it sets you apart, and makes life more interesting.

F.D. Fair is married to the love of her life and a mother to three amazing boys. In their house, being weird is an accomplishment. They love everything strange and unnatural.

It was this love that prompted her to start writing…

Website * Facebook * FB Group * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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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.

 

Books Details:

​Book Title:  Finding Ruby Draker, Shadows in the Aftermath, Reinhardt, and Underneath the Fireflies by Marianne Scott
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+)
Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Publisher:  Crowe Creations
Release dates:  Re-release 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13. Occasional colloquial language is used in dialog. Nothing that would offend the most discerning reader/s.

 

 

If you loved Catnip, Toilet Paper, and Lasers, this new collection of cat poems will tickle your whiskers and your funny bone.

 

 

 

Title: Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips: Cat Poetry: The Art of Being Feline

Author: M.G. Rorai

Publication Date: September 30, 2023

Pages: 178

Genre: Poetry/Cats



goodreads add to

 

Ever wonder why there are “mews” in “amewzing”?

 

‘This collection of cat poems will tickle your whiskers and your funny bone. They’re the purr-fect way to brighten your day and celebrate the furry friends in your life.

 

Prepare to laugh out loud as you read about cat adventures with magnets, candles, strawberry milkshakes, and plush balls—but don’t let me ruin the surprise, you’ll have to read to find out! 

 

Get ready to laugh your tail off!

 

Buy Links:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Apple | Scribd | Smashwords

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Interview With Author M.G. Rorai

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I’m excited to find out all about your new book, Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips!
Can you tell us about the main characters (the kitties!)?

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Most of the kitties are just anonymous cats, reaching out to tell their tales of mischief and being
annoyed by their human (doesn’t every toilet paper roll need a good shredding??), but the
consistent narrators of the book are my two kitties, Socks and Elsa.
They are a sibling pair, and I’ve had them for about three years now. When my husband and I
were looking into getting our next cat, we checked the local shelters and came across Socks. He
was cute and adorable; at the time his sister was absent, as she was getting spayed. We took him
home, fell in love, and immediately went back for Elsa.
And they are a sleepy playful pair. If Elsa’s on the cardboard, Socks must have it. If Socks is on
top of the cat tree, Elsa must shove him off. The sleepy part comes in when they’ve spent their
energy and curl up together on said cat tree, cardboard, or even my futon couch, as if their little
spats were just passing clouds of fray.
So of course their antics are woven throughout this book, along with the previous one, Catnip,
Toilet Paper, and Lasers. You can see Elsa’s obsession with food and Socks’ infatuation with
cardboard. And I couldn’t leave out the battle with the auto litter box.

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I know you get this asked many times, but why poetry? Have you been writing
poetry all your life?

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I’ve always been a busy person, so short stories and poetry made time for me. I like being able to
see the beginning, middle, and end of a project instead of something that forecasts further ahead.
But as I progressed in my writing career, more poems collected together, and my stories
occasionally got longer.
With poetry, the rhyming felt like a puzzle putting the words together. A relaxing puzzle. This
and prose helped me throughout my academic career, balancing out hectic schedules with a
stress reliever.
Poetry is also a form of painting with words. It allows my thoughts to paint unique
images in a way different from my stories. Some people think in words; others in
images. I mostly think in images and love the artwork my brain creates when I put words
to paper. I hope some of that passes on to readers when they read my books.
Poetry’s just always been there, poking through occasionally between stories. While I
may not have written poetry all the time throughout the years, I’ve mostly been writing in
some form or fashion, whether it be poetry, books, blog posts, copywriting, or something
else that let my creative side bust a move from my very logical and analytical job.

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Do you have a “real” job other than writing, and if so, what is it? What are some
other jobs you’ve had in your life?

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My main job over the years has been as a teacher. I started out as a college Biology instructor,
working part-time at sometimes up to four different colleges in a semester. This was my living
for about four years. Then I became a full-time high school science teacher, but still taught
college at night. After about six years of high school, I was offered a full-time job as a
professor at the college I had adjuncted at since 2010, and I took it. I still work there.

Other jobs? I think grad school is a job, as I pretty much breathed school and lab 24/7. It was a
pretty stressful time. But other than that, I’ve worked as an Internet researcher at a recruiting
firm before stepping into the world of teaching. You could say I was a career student who briefly
stepped out into the world for some job experience before dipping back into academia. But
through all of this I wrote, not necessarily poetry, but mostly prose. I started taking poetry
seriously again during the pandemic, and my old poems spoke to me like flower petals
pressed in the pages of a favorite book.

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Does a big ego help or hurt an author?

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I think it depends on what that big ego is used for. Imposter syndrome is a big problem among
authors, and probably many fields—people just don’t think they are doing well and give up when
they aren’t succeeding fast enough. Or they see their work as subpar that will never go
anywhere. If ego is used to combat that low self-esteem, then yes, definitely it can be a big help
to motivate the author to keep going.
Where ego hurts is when it inflates the author to the point that their work is above all reproach.
Their words are golden and not even their readers’ or editors’ opinions matter. I once heard the
story of an author so full of themself that they refused editorial services for their latest book
when they’d had editing for the past ten or so books. And guess what? Their next release was
riddled with mistakes, and fans definitely complained.
But I can’t speak much to the effects of inflated ego as I lie more in the former category.

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As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?

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Definitely a werewolf. The power and control they have in shapeshifting, but also keeping
animal abilities in human form, to me speaks of perseverance and motivation. I think they strive
for their goals, and meet their goals (not the wild brainless type, but the ones with human
intelligence), and that dedication and discipline to stay the course resonates with me. It says
when you’re down, you finish. When you want to quit, you keep going, because the
werewolf always gets their goal. They are strong and they use that strategically. It may
sound silly, I know, but it’s motivating to me.
Personally though, I’d rather choose a werecat, because cats are more awesome than dogs, but I
grew up on werewolf movies and comics, so the werewolf imagery is stuck in my mind, and
that’s what I associate strength with. But one of my favorite weekend house shirts has a
werecat drawing on it.
I would like to add a disclaimer and say that I am not a furry, I just appreciate the
characteristics of the werewolf/werecat. Also, I would like to add that I am aware that
weres are fictional – this question didn’t specify real animals only.

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What advice would you give a writer working on their first book?

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After the honeymoon period of, “Wow! I’ve written a book!” has ended, don’t expect your
book to immediately go viral and fly off the digital shelves. You may think your book is
awesome, and it may be, but there are tons of other books being published right alongside yours,
so you’ll need to figure out a clever way to get your book noticed by the masses.

Also, if you self-publish, not everything has to be high cost. Publishing on digital platforms,
such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, Kobo, etc., is free, and editors and covers don’t
have to break the bank. The issue isn’t cost, it’s quality. You need to find services that will get
your book polished and noticed.

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What would you like to say to your readers and fans?

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Meow!
Laughing aside, I hope you enjoy my books and more to come. Just know that I write
when I can as my day job keeps me uber busy, so it’s mostly writing on weekends and
sometimes in the mornings before work. I generally publish when I can, but usually a
month or two apart from each release. I do try to stay active on my blog though to keep
everyone updated on changes/releases—you can find it here at
www.WrathofKitties.com.
Also, life is too short not to enjoy things. Go pet a cat, read a good book, and remember
that you won’t get this chance again. May you have many moments of mews, mirth, and
mischief.

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Book Excerpt  

 

The magnets are so cute

that I must knock them off

but get yelled at for this,

so the new approach is soft.

 

I sit by the fridge

staring at those squares

and when Human isn’t looking

I lick with tongue hairs.

 

All was going good

until one was quite sticky

leaving a bad taste,

and I’m not so picky.

 

I bite at the air

to get rid of the taste

then knock down that magnet;

good riddance, post-haste.**

 

 

 

 

About the Author
 

 

M.G. Rorai enjoys hanging with her cats and annoying her husband. Her latest book is Catnip, Plushie Balls, and Q-Tips.

Author Links  

Website | Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

Sponsored By:

 

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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.

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Book Details:

A Dress the Color of the Moon

 by Jennifer Irwin

Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  360 pages
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publisher:  Glass Spider Publishing
Release date:  October 30, 2021
Content Rating:  PG-13 +M: Though this book deals with sexual addiction, it does not contained explicit sex scenes and the language is tame. The book’s focus is on the protagonist’s path toward recovery from an addiction.

Book Description:

Prudence Aldrich is a sex addict. Five weeks ago, she checked into the Serenity Hills rehab center to prevent that addiction from ruining every important relationship in her life. Now Prue must face the trail of destruction she left behind, including mending the broken bond with her teenage son, finalizing the divorce from her husband, Nick, and using a newly learned set of skills to ward off her insatiable cravings for male attention-a compulsion that puts her friendship with lifelong pal Lily to the test.

​Adding ever further complications to the hurdles in her path is the arrival into town of Alistair Prescott, her in-rehab romantic obsession, and the one person in the world most capable of throwing Prue off her recovery. Meanwhile, Serenity Hills counselor Mike Sullivan is undergoing a crisis of his own-one that will drive him to the rediscovery of a lifelong passion . . . and causing him to cross paths again with Prue, his former patient.

A Dress the Color of the Moon tracks the rocky and sometimes disastrous path to recovery-a recovery that will require Prudence and her friends to face down the demons of their pasts while learning to accept the fearful uncertainty that comes with living life on your own two feet.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon B&N
Powells ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads
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Interview with Jennifer Irwin
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In your book you make a reference to the fairytale Donkeyskin. How did you come up with this idea?

The fairytale Donkeyskin refers to a father wanting to marry his daughter which is of course, completely unnatural. The DRESS series is about one woman’s journey to heal from her childhood trauma, and I felt the two stories were thematically quite similar. This is also how I came up with the titles for my books as referenced in the fairytale.

Where do you get inspirations for your stories?

Most of my inspiration comes from personal experience which I then expand from there. I’m also fascinated by people’s perception of others and the idea that nothing is ever as it seems.

What advice would you give budding writers?

Try to write every day and don’t get too worried about your writing being perfect. Also, connect with other writers and maybe join a writing group. I also recommend getting involved with NANOWRIMO.

What is your next project?

I’m currently pitching my third novel The Ad Agency to agents at the Kauai Writer’s Conference. This is an unlikely love story between two people who work at an ad agency. The story takes place in NYC in 1987.

What is the last great book you’ve read?

A Little Life

What is your writing schedule?

I write every day after I finish my other job at 3:00pm and stop writing at 6pm which is when I work out.

Where do you write?

I’m very sensitive to my environment so I make sure that I find my writing place to be aesthetically appealing and comfortable for me to really focus. I have a beautiful office in my house which has a sliver of an ocean view and a cabinet with some of my favorite family heirlooms and framed photos of my favorite humans.

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Meet the Author:

Jennifer Irwin’s debut novel, A Dress the Color of the Sky, was published in 2017 and has received rave reviews, won seven book awards, and was optioned for a feature film. Jennifer’s short stories have appeared in numerous literary publications including California’s Emerging Writers: An Anthology of Fiction. Jennifer is represented by Prentis Literary and currently resides in Los Angeles.

connect with the  author: website facebook twitter instagram ~ youtube bookbub goodreads
 
 
 
Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template
 

DRESS THE COLOR OF THE MOON Book Tour 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.

Burning Secret tour banner
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Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for Burning Secret by R J Lloyd. Burning Secret blurs the line between fact and fiction, a retelling of the extraordinary life of Harry Mason – deceit, violence, power and wealth.

This blog tour is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours and the tour runs from 19 September till 9 October. You can see the tour schedule here.

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Burning Secret

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By R J Lloyd

 

Burning Secret book cover

Genre: Historical Fiction
Age category: Adult
Release Date: 28 June 2022

Burning Secret is a dramatic and compelling tale of ambition, lies, and betrayal inspired by actual events.

Born in the slums of Bristol in 1844, Enoch Price seems destined for a life of poverty and hardship—but he’s determined not to accept his lot.

Enoch becomes a bare-knuckle fighter in London’s criminal underworld. But in a city where there’s no place for honest dealing, he is cheated by a cruel loan shark, leaving him penniless and facing imprisonment.

Undaunted, he escapes to a new life in America and embarks on a series of audacious exploits. But even as he helps shape history, Enoch is not content. Tormented by his past and the life he left behind, he soon becomes entangled in a web of lies and secrets.

Will he ever break free and find the happiness he craves?

• • • • •

Influenced by real people and events, Enoch’s remarkable story is one of adventure, daring, political power and, in the end, his search for redemption.

Links:
Goodreads
Bookbub
Amazon
Amazon UK
B&N
Kobo
Troubador
Foyles

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Interview with Author R J Lloyd

 

Tell us about your book:

Burning Secret – It’s a true story. Well, almost, at least in my imagination. Burning Secret blurs the lines between fact and fiction as it reconstructs the real-life of Harry Mason, and is a story that many of us can relate to in our own families. It begins with Enoch Price, my great-great-grandfather, being born into the poverty of the Bristol slums of 1844, but he was determined not to follow his father to a brutal and early death.

An ambitious youth, Enoch becomes a bare-knuckle fighter amongst London’s underworld. But when misfortune befalls him and, facing ruin and imprisonment, he abandons his wife and daughters and flees to Florida. It’s here that Enoch becomes Harry Mason.

An opportunist by nature, Harry embarks on a series of risky escapades, playing an important role in the development and history of Jacksonville, building an extraordinary new life of wealth and power.

Enjoying popular success, Harry is elected to the city council and, in 1903, to the Florida State House of Representatives with the prospect of becoming State Governor. However, success brings neither happiness nor contentment. Seeking redemption for his many misdeeds, Harry plans to return home – but life is rarely that simple, especially as Harry harbours a secret that burns deep inside him.

I think the story operates on several levels; as a fast-paced thriller with plenty of derring-do, a morality tale of good vs greed, and how life can easily corrupt the pursuit of happiness.

 

In a nutshell, tell us what your readers should know about you: 

After retiring as a senior police officer, I turned my detective skills to genealogy, tracing my family history to the 16th century. However, after 15 years of extensive research, I couldn’t track down my great-great-grandfather, Enoch Price, whose wife, Eliza, had, in living memory, helped raise my mother.

It was my cousin Gillian who, after several more dead-ends, called one day to say that she had found him through a fluke encounter. Susan Sperry from California, who had recently retired, decided to explore the box of documents given to her thirty years before by her mother, which she had never opened. In the box, she found some references to her great grandfather, Harry Mason, a wealthy hotel owner from Florida who had died in 1919. It soon transpired that Susan’s great grandfather, Harry Mason, was, in fact, Enoch Price. From this single thread, the extraordinary story of Harry Mason began to unravel, leading me to visit the States to meet my American cousins, and it was Susan Sperry and Kimberly Mason, direct descendants, who persuaded me to write the book.

I graduated from Warwick with a joint in Philosophy and Psychology and a Masters in Marketing from UWE. Since leaving a thirty-year career in policing, I’ve been a non-executive director with the NHS, social housing, and other charities. I live with my wife in Bristol, spending my time travelling, writing and producing delicious plum jam from the trees on my award-winning allotment.

 

What topic or subject have you found it most challenging to write about?

I found the main character’s most inner thoughts and tormented emotions in Burning Secret were the most challenging. Describing the objective world of sights and sounds pose challenges, but conveying the emotions and heartache concealed deep inside, where often there are no overt behaviours, is made doubly worse by the writer’s advice of ‘show don’t tell.’

In my book, the main character must maintain a double life while burdened by the guilt that tortures him. Finding the words to describe his feelings as he struggles to resolve his dilemma was not easy, but these feelings play an important role in shedding light on the motives for what he has done.

 

What would you like to achieve with the publication of your book?

At the very least, I’d like to inspire others to wonder about their family history. Tracing ancestors has never been more popular or accessible, and what if these lost relatives turn out to be far more intriguing or extraordinary than one might have ever guessed – fact stranger than fiction?

Throughout my professional life, I’ve written; evidence to put before the courts and then, more latterly, reports to various statutory bodies seeking additional funding. You soon find out if your product is any good by the outcomes. So now I want to know if my novel and storytelling have merit, and it’ll be the readers who will decide through their reviews, recommendations and book sales.

 

What do you most enjoy about writing?

My first passion is gardening. There is so much pleasure when the blooms are in full blush during the warmth of a summer’s afternoon, and the vegetables swell and flourish. But this pleasure doesn’t come without pain and disappointments, and not everything you plant will grow or be good enough to reach the judges’ show table.

And perhaps writing is similar. Writing is not always enjoyable. Sometimes it can be frustrating, tedious and difficult when the ideas won’t fly, or the words won’t join into sentences. But like gardening, it’s creative. You create your version of the world, sharing your views and opinions with others and, like any conversation or standing on the box at Speaker’s Corner, not everyone will like what you have to say – but at least you’ve said it.

No two gardens are the same, which is true of authors and books, but the pride and joy of creating is.

 

How have you found your journey to publication?

Burning Secret arose from a conversation in 2012 with my two American cousins, Susan and Kimberley, who encouraged me to tell the extraordinary story of our shared ancestor, Harry Mason. It’s a massive disappointment that neither are with us today to witness its publication. And, as you’ll see, I’ve dedicated the book to their memory.

After many attempts at navigating the labyrinth of the query system, I realised that literary agents and publishers didn’t see me as a commercial prospect. At 70 years of age, I couldn’t waste time going down the traditional route. It wasn’t a career as an author I wanted; it was to fulfil a promise I’d made to Susan and Kim.

So, after reading an inspirational article by the best selling self-published author, Paige Weaver (Promise me darkness) and discovering that in 2017, over one million books were published in the United States, and two-thirds of them were self-published, the way forward was clear – and Matador, an imprint of Troubadour, was the obvious choice.

I liked the open and responsive team at Matador, who put me at the centre of decision-making and worked hard to meet their authors’ expectations to produce a book indistinguishable from a traditional publisher.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Well, I’m going to dodge this question. There’s never one piece of advice and too many what-ifs in life. I have one huge regret for not asking my parents about their lives and the history they lived through; two world wars, the Great Depression, rationing, the swinging sixties, and the roaring twenties. None of which they ever spoke about.

 

What do you think makes a good story?

This is the million-dollar question. There are plenty of creative writing courses that list the essentials of a good story. Some say there are three key elements, while others list ten; structure, character, plot, tension, and so on. I tend to go with the W. Somerset Maugham school of thought, “There are three rules for writing a novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”

But more seriously, a story that grabs and holds my interest must be authentic, relevant, and real to my experiences and imagination. Most of which depends on the storytelling and the flow of the language. I’m impatient, so a plot must race along to keep me turning the pages, and I want a main character that I can keep rooting for, even if they’re a bit iffy. And I like a book that keeps me thinking long after I’ve come to its end.

 

Do you have any tips for other budding authors?

Tell your story in your own voice, write from the heart and persevere, despite the naysayers – of which there will be many. Writing can sometimes be a slog, but you’ve got to keep going. If you’re going to publish, then invest in a good cover and quality production. Money spent on editing and proofreading is never wasted. There’s little point in going through the wringer to publish if no one is going to read it, so give it your best shot with marketing, and these days that means social media. Marketing is enormously important, but it’s tough, and most writers I meet wince at having to traipse around selling their cherished work. Still, the sad truth is, no one else is going to do it for you, not even in traditional publishing – but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.

 

Do you have a set writing routine and where do you like to write?

I’d like to tell you I write on my verandah overlooking the tropical Caribbean Sea, like Fleming at Goldeneye or Hemingway at his Lookout Farm in Cuba, but I can’t. I write from a small bedroom office.

One thing I like to do is to have a routine. My background, I suppose, has instilled the need to plan and schedule. Most of my productive writing occurs between 8 am and midday, but that’s not when I do my best thinking. That’s during the afternoons pottering in the garden or on the allotment. But clarity of thought, when all the ideas gel together, seems to arrive just as I’m about to nod off to sleep. And from bitter experience, I’ve learnt that I must wake myself and make notes because, by morning, every recollection will have deserted me.

 

Whats next in the writing pipeline for you?

I’m currently working on a couple of projects. The first is about another one of my close ancestors, Frederick Henry Seddon, who was hanged at HMP Pentonville for murder in 1912. His story has been told before, but never, as far as I know, from the family’s perspective. Another project involves a recently discovered family connection with two brothers, Peter and Veniamin Timkov, from the Russian village of Mukhouderovka, where Stalin’s secret police executed them both.

 

Is there anything else youd like to add?

When one starts writing, it’s difficult to identify yourself as an author. But you only have to look at Twitter or Facebook to see how social media has democratised writing and has given a voice to so many aspiring authors – so please, have a go.

I’ve learnt such a lot from being involved in the process of publication. Next time I’ll be much better prepared, thinking about the title and book cover long before writing the opening paragraph.

I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone at Matador for their hard work and tremendous talent, and patience in bringing Burning Secret to the market.

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R J Lloyd author picture

About the Author:
Roger is the great-great-grandson of the main character, Enoch Price. A former senior police officer and detective, he has used his investigative skills to fashion this dramatised account of his ancestor’s extraordinary life. Fifteen years of genealogical research and interviews support the various factual strands of this pacy novel.

Roger graduated from both Warwick and UWE and has been a non-executive director with the NHS, social housing, and other charities.

He is retired and lives in Bristol with his wife. He travels, writes and produces delicious plum jam from the trees on his award-winning allotment.

Author links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter

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Join Us for This Tour:  July 5 to July 25

Book Details:

​Book Title: LIES AT HER DOOR (A Psychological Thriller) by A.A. Abbott
Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 220 pages
GenreMystery, Psychological Thriller, Domestic Thriller
Publisher:  Perfect City Press
Release Date: July 5, 2022
Content Rating:  PG + M: The book has references to adultery (not explicit), kissing and drugs. It features mild blasphemy and profanity.

Book Description:

She forgot about her childhood friend… until his body is found under her
garden. Can she prove she didn’t commit the decades-old murder?

 Lucy Freeman struggles to find satisfaction in life. Trapped in the shadow of her rock star brother, the thirty-two-year-old craves more than her
days at home caring for her terminally ill mother. But her routine takes a turn for the horrifying when a giant sinkhole collapses the earth outside their house and reveals a skeleton.

 Shocked to discover the bones belong to a former member of her sibling’s band, Lucy’s worst nightmare comes alive when police suspect her of the killing. And as she turns to her dying parent’s diaries in a desperate search for vindication, she’s entangled in a dark and complicated truth.

Will unearthing long-buried wrongs prove lethal?

Lies at Her Door is a heavy-hitting psychological thriller novel. If you like strong character growth, overcoming dysfunctional relationships, and revealing unexpected secrets, then you’ll love AA Abbott’s chilling whodunnit.

BUY THE BOOK:
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The Wrong Victim : A Novel 

by Allison Brennan

On Sale Date: April 26, 2022

9780778312307

Hardcover

$26.99 USD

464 pages

 

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A bomb explodes on a sunset charter cruise out of Friday Harbor at the height of tourist season and kills everyone on board. Now this fishing and boating community is in shock and asking who would commit such a heinous crime—the largest act of mass murder in the history of the San Juan Islands.

 

Was the explosion an act of domestic terrorism, or was one of the dead the primary target? That is the first question Special Agent Matt Costa, Detective Kara Quinn, and the rest of the FBI team need to answer, but they have few clues and no witnesses.

 

Accused of putting profits before people after leaking fuel endangered an environmentally sensitive preserve, the West End Charter company may itself have been the target. As Matt and his team get closer to answers, they find one of their own caught in the crosshairs of a determined killer.

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

CHAPTER ONE

A killer walked among the peaceful community of Friday Harbor and retired FBI Agent Neil Devereaux couldn’t do one damn thing about it because he had no evidence.

Most cops had at least one case that haunted them long after the day they turned in their badge and retired. For Neil, that obsession was a cold case that his former law enforcement colleagues believed was closed. Not only closed, but not a double homicide at all—simply a tragic accident.

Neil knew they’d got it wrong; he just couldn’t prove it. He hadn’t been able to prove it thirteen years ago, and he couldn’t prove it now.

But he was close.

He knew that the two college boys didn’t drown “by accident;” they were murdered. He had a suspect and he’d even figured out why the boys had been targeted.

Knowing who and why meant nothing. He needed hard evidence. Hell, he’d settle for any evidence. All his theory got him was the FBI file on the deaths sent by an old friend, and the ear of a detective on the mainland who would be willing to investigate if Neil found more.

“I can’t open a closed death investigation without evidence, buddy.”

He would have said the same thing if he was in the same position.

Confronting the suspected killer would be dangerous, even for an experienced investigator like him. This wasn’t an Agatha Christie novel like his mother used to read, where he could bring the suspect and others into a room and run through the facts—only to have the killer jump up and confess.

Neil couldn’t stand to think that anyone might get away with such a brazen murder spree, sparked by revenge and deep bitterness. It’s why he couldn’t let it go, and why he felt for the first time that he was close…close to hard evidence that would compel a new investigation.

He was tired of being placated by the people he used to work with.

He’d spent so long following dead ends that he’d lost valuable time—and with time, the detailed memories of those who might still remember something about that fateful weekend. It was only the last year that Neil had turned his attention to other students at the university and realized the most likely suspect was living here, on San Juan Island, right under his nose.

All this was on his mind when he boarded the Water Lily, his favorite yacht in the West End Charter fleet. He went through his safety checklist, wondering why Cal McKinnon, the deckhand assigned to this sunset cruise, wasn’t already there.

If he wasn’t preoccupied with murder and irritated at Cal, Neil may have noticed the small hole in the bow of the ship, right above the water line, with fishing line coming out of it, taut in the water.

*

“I’m sorry. It’s last minute, I know,” Cal said to Kyle Richards in the clubhouse of West End Charter. “But I really need to talk to Jamie right away.”

“It’s that serious?” asked his longtime friend Kyle.

“I cannot lose her over this. I just can’t. I love her. We’re getting married.”

At least he hoped they were still getting married. Two months ago Jamie finally set a wedding date for the last Saturday in September—the fifth anniversary of their first date. And now this whole thing was a mess, and if Cal didn’t fix it now, he’d never be able to fix it.

You already blew it. You blew it five years ago. You should have told her the truth then!

“Alright then, go,” Kyle said. “I’ll take the cruise. I need the extra money, anyway. But you owe me—it’s Friday night. I had a date.”

Cal clapped Kyle on the back. “I definitely owe you, I’ll take your next crappy shift.”

“Better, give me your next corporate party boat.” Corporate parties on the largest yacht in their fleet had automatic eighteen percent tips added to the bill, which was split between a typical four-man crew in addition to salary. Plus, high-end parties often paid extra. Drunk rich people could become very generous with their pocket cash.

“You got it—it’s next Saturday night, the Fourth of July—so we good?”

Kyle gave him a high five, then left for the dock.

Cal clocked out and started for home. He passed a group of sign-carrying protesters and rolled his eyes.

West End Charter: Profit Over Protection

Protect Fish Not Profits!

Hey Hey Ho Ho Ted Colfax has to go!

Jeez, when would these people just stop? West End Charter had done nearly everything they wanted over the last two years—and then some—but it was never good enough.

Fortunately, the large crowds of protesters that started after the West End accident had dwindled over the last two years from hundreds to a half dozen. Maybe because they got bored, or maybe because West End fixed the problem with their older fleet, Cal didn’t know. But these few remaining were truly radical, and Cal hoped they didn’t cause any problems for the company over the lucrative Fourth of July holiday weekend.

He drove around them and headed home. He had more important things to deal with than this group of misfits.

Cal lived just outside of Friday Harbor with Jamie and their daughter. It was a small house, but all his, his savings covering the down payment after he left the Coast Guard six years ago. But it was Jamie who made the two-bedroom cottage a real home. She’d made curtains for the windows; put up cheery pictures that brightened even the grayest Washington day; and most recently, she’d framed some of Hazel’s colorful artwork for the kitchen nook he’d added on with Kyle’s help last summer.

He’d wanted to put Jamie on the deed when she moved in with him, but she wanted to go slower than that. He wanted to marry her, but she’d had a bad breakup with her longtime boyfriend before they met and was still struggling with the mind games her ex used to play on her. If that bastard ever set foot back on the island, Cal would beat him senseless.

But the ex was far out of the picture, living down in California, and Cal loved Jamie, so he respected her wishes not to pressure her into marriage. When she found out she was pregnant, he asked her to marry him again—she said yes but wanted to wait.

“There’s no rush. I love you, Cal, but I don’t want to get married just because I’m pregnant.”

He would move heaven and earth for Jamie and Hazel—why didn’t she know that?

That’s why when she finally settled on a date, confirmed it with invitations and an announcement in the San Juan Island newspaper, that he thought it would be smooth sailing.

And then she left.

As soon as he got home, he packed an overnight bag while trying to reach Jamie. She didn’t answer her cell phone. More than likely, there was no reception. Service was sketchy on the west side of the island.

He left another message.

“Jamie, we need to talk. I’m sorry, believe me I’m sorry. I love you. I love Hazel. I just want to talk and work this out. I’m coming to see you tonight, okay? Please call me.”

He was so frustrated. Not at Jamie—well, maybe a little because she’d taken off this morning for her dad’s place without even telling him. Just left him a note on the bathroom mirror.

Cal,

I need time to think. Give me a couple days, okay? I love you, but right now I just need a little perspective.

Jamie.

Cal didn’t like the “but” part. What was there to think about? He loved her. They had a life together. Jamie and their little girl Hazel meant everything to him. They were getting married in three months!

He’d given her all day to think and now they needed to talk. Jamie had a bad habit of remaining silent when she was upset, thanks to that prick she’d dated before Cal. Cal much preferred her to get angry, to yell at him, to say exactly how she felt, then they could move on.

He jumped in his old pickup truck and headed west, praying he could salvage his family, the only thing he truly cared about. Failure was not an option.

*

That night Kyle clocked in and told the staff supervisor, Gloria, that Cal was sick, and he was taking the sunset cruise for him.

“Are you lying to me?” Gloria asked, looking over the top of her glasses at him.

“No, well, I mean, he’s not sick sick.” Dammit, Kyle had always been a piss-poor liar. “But he and Jamie had a fight, I guess, and he wants to fix it.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Cal tomorrow. Don’t you go lying for him.”

“Don’t get him in trouble, Gloria.”

She sighed, took off her large glasses and cleaned them on her cotton shirt. “I like Cal as much as everyone, I’m not going to jam him up, but he should have come to me. I’ll bet he gave you his slot on the Fourth, didn’t he?”

Kyle grinned. Gloria had worked for West End longer than Kyle had been alive. They couldn’t operate without her.

“Eight people total. A party of four and two parties of two.” Gloria handed him the clipboard with the information of those who had registered for tonight’s sunset cruise. “Four bottles of champagne, a case of water, and cheese and fruit trays are onboard. You have one minute.”

“Thanks Gloria!” He ran down the dock to the Water Lily. He texted his boyfriend as he ran.

Hey, taking Cal’s shift, docking at 10—want to meet up then?

He sent the message and almost ran into a group who were already standing at the docks. Two men, two women, drinks in hand from the West End Club bar, in to-go cups.

“Can we board?” the tallest of the four asked.

“Give me one minute. What group are you with?”

“Nava Software.”

Kyle looked at his watch. Technically boarding started in five minutes; they’d be pushing off in twenty.

“I need to get approval from the captain.” He smiled and jumped over the gate. He found Neil Devereaux on the bridge, reading weather reports.

“You’re late,” Neil said without looking up.

“Sorry, Skipper. Cal called in sick.”

Neil looked at him. “Oh, Kyle, I didn’t know it was you. I was expecting Cal.”

“He called out. Everything okay?” Neil didn’t look like his usual chipper self.

“I had a rough day.”

Rough day? Neil was a retired federal agent and got to pick any shift he wanted. Everyone liked him. If he didn’t want to work, he didn’t. He had a pension and didn’t even have to work but said once that he’d be bored if he didn’t have something to do. He spent most of his free time fishing or hanging out at the Fish & Brew. Kyle thought he was pretty cool for a Boomer.

“Your kids okay?” he asked.

Neil looked surprised at the question. “Yes, of course. Why?”

“You said you had a rough day—I just remember you talking about how one of your kids was deployed or something.”

He nodded with a half smile. “Good memory. Jill is doing great. She’s on base in Japan, a mechanic. She loves it. And Eric is good, just works too much at the hospital. Thanks for asking.”

“Four guests are waiting to board—is it okay?”

“There’s always someone early, isn’t there?”

“Better early than late,” Kyle said, parroting something that Neil often said to the crew.

Neil laughed, and Kyle was glad he was able to take the skipper’s mind off whatever was bothering him.

“Go ahead, let them on—rear deck only. Check the lines, supplies, and emergency gear, okay? No food or drink until we pass the marker.”

“Got it.”

Kyle slid down the ladder as his phone vibrated. It was Adam.

 

F&B only place open that late—meet at the club and we’ll walk over, k?

 

He responded with a thumbs-up emoji and a heart, then smiled at the group of four. “Come aboard!”

*

Madelyn Jeffries sat on the toilet—not because she had to pee, but because she didn’t want to go on this cruise, not even for only three hours. She didn’t want to smile and play nice with Tina Marshall just because Pierce wanted to discuss business with Tina’s husband Vince.

She hated Tina. That woman would do anything to make her miserable. All because Pierce had fallen in love with her, Madelyn Cordell, a smart girl from the wrong side of the tracks in Tacoma.

Pierce didn’t understand. He tried, God bless him, but he didn’t. He was from another generation. He understood sex and chivalry and generosity and respect. He was the sweetest man she’d ever met. But he didn’t understand female interactions.

“I know you and Tina had somewhat of a rivalry when we met. But sweetheart, I fell in love with you. There’s no reason for you to be insecure.”

She wasn’t insecure. She and Pierce had something special, something that no one else could understand. Even she didn’t completely understand how she fell so head over heels for a man older than her deadbeat father. Oh, there was probably some psychologist out there who had any number of theories, but all Madelyn knew was that she and Pierce were right.

But Tina made her see red.

Tina, on top of this pregnancy—a pregnancy Madelyn had wanted to keep quiet, between her and Pierce, until she was showing. But somehow Pierce’s kids had found out last week, and they went ballistic.

They were the reason she and Pierce decided to get away for a long weekend. Last night had been wonderful and romantic and exactly what she needed. Then at brunch this morning they ran into Tina and Vince who were on a “vacation” after their honeymoon.

Madelyn didn’t doubt that Tina had found out she was here and planned this. There was no doubt in her mind that Tina had come to put a wedge between her and Pierce. After five years, why couldn’t she just leave her alone?

Just seeing Tina brought back the fearful, insecure girl Madelyn used to be, and she didn’t want that. She loved her life, she loved her husband, and above all she loved the baby inside her.

She flushed the toilet and stepped out of the stall.

Tina stood there by the sink, lips freshly coated with bloodred.

Madelyn stepped around her and washed her hands.

“Vince took me to Paris for our honeymoon for two glorious weeks,” said Tina.

Madelyn didn’t respond.

“I heard that you went to Montana.” Tina giggled a fake, frivolous laugh.

It was true. They’d spent a month in the Centennial Valley for their honeymoon, in a beautiful lodge owned by Pierce. They went horseback riding, hiking, had picnics, and she even learned how to fish—Pierce wanted to teach her, and she found that she enjoyed it. Fishing was relaxing and wholesome, something she’d never considered before. It had been the best month of her life.

But she wasn’t sharing that with Madelyn. Her time with Pierce was private. It was sacred.

She dried her hands and said, “Excuse me.”

“You think you’ve changed, but you haven’t. You’re still the little bug-eyed girl who followed me around for years. I taught you how to walk, I taught you how to attract men, I taught you how to dress and talk and act like you were somebody. If it wasn’t for me, you would never have met Pierce Jeffries. And you took him from me.”

“The boat leaves in five minutes.” Madelyn desperately wanted to get away from Tina.

“Vince and Pierce are going into business together. We’ll be spending a lot of time together, you and me. You would do well to drop the holier-than-thou act and accept the fact that I am back in your life and I’m not going anywhere.”

Madelyn stared at Tina. Once she’d been in awe of the girl, a year older than she was, who always seemed to get what she wanted. Tina was bold, she was beautiful, she was driven.

But she would never be satisfied. Did she even love Vince Marshall? Or had she married him because of the money and status he could give her?

Madelyn hated that when she first met Pierce she had thought he was her ticket out of poverty and menial jobs. She hated that she had followed Tina’s advice on how to seduce an older man.

Madelyn had fallen in love with Pierce, not because he was rich or powerful or for what he could give her. She loved him because he was kind and compassionate. She loved him because he saw her as she was and loved her anyway. But when he proposed to her, she’d fallen apart. She’d told him that she loved him, but she could never marry him because everything she was had been built on a lie—how she got her job at the country club, now they first met, how she had targeted him because he was wealthy and single. She would never forgive herself; how could he? His marriage proposal had been romantic and beautiful—he’d taken her to the bench where they first had a conversation, along the water of Puget Sound. But she ran away, ashamed.

He’d found her, she’d told him everything, the entire truth about who she was—a poor girl from a poor neighborhood who pretended to be worldly and sophisticated to attract men.

He said he loved her even more.

“I knew, Madelyn, from the beginning. But more, I see you, inside and out, and that’s the woman I love.”

Madelyn stared at her onetime friend. “Tina, you would do well to mind your p’s and q’s, because if I tell Pierce to back off, he’ll back off.”

She sounded a lot more confident than she felt. When it came to business, Pierce would listen to her, but he deferred to his oldest son, who worked closely with him. And Madelyn had never given him an ultimatum. She’d never told him what to do about business. She’d never have considered it, except for Tina.

Tina scowled.

Madelyn passed by her, then snipped, “By the way, nice boob job.”

She left, the confrontation draining her. She didn’t want to do this cruise. She didn’t want to go head-to-head with Tina for the next three hours.

She didn’t want to use the baby as an excuse…but desperate times and all that.

Pierce was waiting for her on the dock, talking to Vince Marshall.

“Would you excuse us for one moment, Vince?” she said politely.

“Of course, I’ll catch up with Tina and meet you on the boat.”

She smiled and nodded as he walked back to the harbormaster’s building.

“What is it, love?” Concerned, worried, about her.

“I thought morning sickness was only in the morning. I’m sorry—I fear if I get on that boat, I’ll be ill again. I don’t want to embarrass you.”

“Nonsense,” he said. He took her hand, kissed it. “You will never embarrass me.” He put their joined hands on her stomach. The warmth and affection in his eyes made her fall in love with him again. She felt like she loved Pierce a little more every day. “I can meet with Vince tomorrow. I’ll go back to the house with you.”

“This business meeting is important to you, isn’t it?”

“It might be.”

“Then go. Enjoy it. I can get home myself. Isn’t that what Ubers are for?”

“A sunset is not as pretty without the woman I love holding my hand.”

She wanted him home with her, but this was best. They had separate lives, at least in business; she didn’t want to pressure him in any way, just because she detested Tina. “I will wait up for you.”

He leaned over and kissed her. Gently. As if she would break. “Take good care of the woman I love, Bump,” he said to her stomach.

She melted, kissed him again, then turned and walked back down the dock, fighting an overwhelming urge to go back and ask Pierce to come home with her.

But she wouldn’t do it. It was silly and childish. Instead, she would go home, read a good book, and prepare a light meal for when Pierce came home. Then she would make love to her husband and put her past—and that hideous leech Tina Marshall—firmly out of her mind.

*

Jamie already regretted leaving Friday Harbor.

She listened to Cal’s message twice, then deleted it and cleaned up after dinner. Hazel was watching her half hour of PAW Patrol before bath, books, and bed.

Her dad’s remote house near Rogue Harbor was on the opposite side of the island from where they lived. Peaceful, quiet, what she thought she needed, especially since her dad wasn’t here. He was an airline pilot and had a condo in Seattle that he lived in more often than not, coming up here only when he had more than two days off in a row.

She left because she was hurt. She had every right to be hurt, dammit! But now that she was here, she wondered if she’d made a mistake.

Cal hadn’t technically cheated on her. But he also hadn’t told her that his ex-girlfriend was living on the island, not until the woman befriended her. She wouldn’t have thought twice about it except for the fact that Cal had hidden it from her.

She had a bad habit of running away from any hint of approaching drama. She hated conflict and would avoid it at all costs. Her mother was drama personified. How many times had young Jamie run to her dad’s house to get away from her mother’s bullshit? Finally when she was fifteen she permanently moved in with her dad, changed schools, and her mother didn’t say squat.

“You should have stayed and talked it out,” she mumbled to herself as she dried the dishes. The only bad thing about her dad’s place was that there was no dishwasher.

But Cal was coming to see her tonight. He didn’t run away from conflict. She wanted to fix this but didn’t know how because she was hurt. But he had to work, so she figured she had a few hours to think everything through. To know the right thing to do.

“Just tell him. Tell him how you feel.”

Her phone buzzed and at first she thought it was an Amber Alert, because it was an odd sound.

Instead, it was an emergency alert from the San Juan Island Sheriff’s Office.

 

19:07 SJSO ALERT! VESSEL EXPLOSION ONE MILE OUT FROM FRIDAY HARBOR, INJURIES UNKNOWN. ALL VESSELS AVOID FRIDAY HARBOR UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Her stomach flipped and she grabbed the counter when a wave of dizziness washed over her.

She turned on the small television in the kitchen and switched to the local news. She watched in horror as the news anchor reported that a West End Charter yacht had exploded after leaving for a sunset cruise. He confirmed that it was the Water Lily and did not know at this time if there were survivors. Search and rescue crews were already out on the water, and authorities advised all vessels to dock immediately.

Cal had been scheduled to work the Water Lily tonight.

Hazel laughed at something silly on PAW Patrol. Jamie caught her breath, then suddenly tears fell. How could—? No. Not Cal. She loved him and even if they had problems, he loved Hazel more than anything in the world. He was the best father she could have hoped for. Hazel wasn’t planned, but she was loved so much, and Cal had made it clear that he was sticking, from the very beginning. How could she forget that? How could she have forgotten that Cal had never made her feel inadequate, he’d never hurt her, he always told her she could do anything she wanted? He was always there for her…when she was bedridden with Hazel for two months. When she broke her wrist and Hazel was still nursing, he held the baby to her breast every four hours. Changed every diaper. He sang to Hazel, read her books, giggled with her in makeshift blanket forts when thunder scared her.

And now he was gone.

There could be survivors. You have to go.

She couldn’t bring Hazel to the dock. The search, the sirens, the fear that filled the town. It would terrify the three-year-old.

But she couldn’t stay here. Cal needed her—injured or not, he needed her and she loved him. It was as simple as that. Rena would watch Hazel so Jamie could find Cal, make sure he was okay.

“Hazel, we’re going home.”

“I wanna sleep at Grandpa’s!”

“I forgot to feed Tabby.” Tabby was a stray cat who had adopted their carport on cold or rainy nights. He wouldn’t come into the house, and only on rare occasions would let Jamie pet him, but she’d started feeding him. Hazel had of course named him after a cat on her favorite show.

“Oh, Mommy! We gotta go rescue Tabby!”

And just like that, Hazel was ready.

Please, God, please please please please make Cal okay.

*

Ashley Dunlap didn’t like lying to her sister, but Whitney couldn’t keep a secret to save her life, and if Whitney said one word to their dad about Ashley’s involvement with Island Protectors, she’d be grounded until she graduated—and maybe even longer.

“We’re going to be late,” Whitney said.

“Dad will understand,” Ashley said, looking through the long lens of her camera at the West End Charter boat leaving port. She snapped a couple pictures, though they were too far away to see anything.

She was just one of several monitors who were keeping close tabs on West End boats in the hopes that they would catch them breaking the law. West End may have been able to convince most people in town that they had cleaned up their act, and some even believed their claims that the leakage two years ago was an accident, but as the founder of IP Donna Bell said time and time again, companies always put profit over people. And just because they hadn’t caught them breaking the law didn’t mean that they weren’t breaking the law. It was IP who documented the faulty fuel tanks two years ago that leaked their nasty fuel all over the coast. Who knows how many fish died because of their crimes? How long it would take the ecosystem to recover?

“Ash, Dad said not a minute past eight, and it’s already seven thirty. It’s going to take us thirty minutes just to dock and secure the boat.”

“It’s a beautiful evening,” Ashley said, turning her camera away from the Water Lily and toward the shore. Another boat was preparing to leave, but the largest yacht in the fleet—The Tempest—was already out with a group of fifty whale watching west of the island in the Haro Strait. Bobby and his brother were out that way, monitoring The Tempest.

Ashley was frustrated. They just didn’t have people who cared enough to take the time to monitor West End. There were only about eight or nine of them who were willing to spend all their free time standing up to West End, tracking their boats, making sure they were obeying the rules.

Everyone else just took West End’s word for it.

Whitney sighed. “I could tell Dad the sail snagged.”

“You can’t lie to save your life, sis,” Ashley said. “We’ll just tell him the truth. It’s a beautiful night and we got distracted by the beauty of the islands.”

Whitney laughed, then smiled. “It is pretty, isn’t it? Think those pictures are going to turn out? It’s getting a little choppy.”

“Some of them might,” she said.

Ashley turned her camera back to the Water Lily. The charter was still going only five knots as they left the harbor. She snapped a few pictures, saw that Neil Devereaux was piloting today. She liked Neil—he spent a lot of time at the Fish & Brew talking to her dad and anyone else who came in. He’d only lived here for a couple years, but he seemed like a native of the small community. She’d talked to him about the pollution problem from West End, and he kept saying that West End fixed the problem with the old tanks and he’d seen nothing to suggest that they had other problems or cut corners on the repairs. He told her he would look around, and if anything was wrong, he’d bring it to the Colfax family’s attention.

But could she believe him? Did he really care or was he just trying to get her to go away and leave West End alone?

Neil looked over at their sailboat, and both she and Whitney waved. He blew the horn and waved back.

A breeze rattled the sail, and Whitney grabbed the beam. “Shit!” she said.

Ashley put her camera back in its case and caught the rope dangling from the mast. “You good, Whit?”

“Yeah, it just slipped. Beautiful scenery is distracting. I got it.”

Whitney bent down to secure the line, and Ashley turned back toward the Water Lily as it passed the one-mile marker and picked up speed.

The bow shook so hard she thought they might have hit something, then a fireball erupted, shot into the air along with wood and—oh, God, people!—bright orange, then black smoke billowed from the Water Lily. The stern kept moving forward, the boat in two pieces—the front destroyed, the back collapsing.

Whitney screamed and Ashley stared. She saw a body in the water among the debris. The flames went out almost immediately, but the smoke filled the area.

“We have to help them,” Ashley said. “Whitney—”

Then a second explosion sent a shock wave toward their sailboat and it was all they could do to keep from going under themselves. Sirens on the shore sounded the alarm, and Ashley and Whitney headed back to the harbor as the sheriff’s rescue boats went toward the disaster.

Taking a final look back, Ashley pulled out her camera and took more pictures. If West End was to blame for this, Ashley would make sure they paid. Neil was a friend, a good man, like a grandfather to her. He…he couldn’t have survived. Could he?

She stared at the smoking boat, split in two.

No. She didn’t see how anyone survived that.

Tears streamed down her face and as soon as she and Whitney were docked, she hugged her sister tight.

I’ll get them, Neil. I promise you, I’ll prove that West End cut corners and killed you and everyone else.

Excerpted from The Wrong Victim by Allison Brennan, Copyright © 2022 by Allison Brennan. Published by MIRA Books. 

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Q&A with Allison Brennan

1.What type of research do you do when thinking of and writing your novel? The Wrong Victim uses both the FBI and local police department, do you speak with individuals who actually work in these fields?

I love research. It started long before I published my first book — I read true crime, watched true crime documentaries, read about current events. Once I was published, I found experts willing to talk to me! In 2008, I participated in the FBI Citizens Academy, and to this day the Public Information Officer (now retired) is happy to answer my questions. I’ve toured Quantico, visited the morgue (twice!) and viewed an autopsy, been on several ride-alongs with local police and sheriff, and have several people across all areas of law enforcement to ask questions. In fact, my oldest daughter is now a police officer, and she’s working on getting me a ride along in a specific precinct where I plan to set a future book. She also connected me with a K-9 officer when I was writing a short story about a retired K-9.

For THE WRONG VICTIM, I reached out to a writer friend of mine who is a retired ATF agent — he was instrumental in helping me with the explosives.

I write fiction and take a lot of liberties with the information I learn. However, I want to be as realistic as possible. To me, as long as what I’m writing is plausible, then I’ll go with it. I write to entertain first and foremost, and sometimes too many forensic details or investigative facts can slow down a story. I’m always seeking to find the right balance.

  1. How do you decide where to base your story? This book is based in the San Juan islands and I know Matt Costa’s special team travels.

The premise of the Quinn & Costa mobile response team series is that they are a well-trained group of FBI agents who travel to small, rural, and underserved communities — places where local police may not have the resources to handle a complex investigation such as a serial killer or, in the case of THE WRONG VICTIM, an explosion. So I look for places where setting fits the story. For this book, I had the idea first — a charter boat explodes, who was the intended victim? So that told me I needed a remote, water-based community and looked on a map. The San Juan Islands immediately drew me in, and after reading about the area, I quickly made the decision. I had planned to visit before I wrote the book, but alas, 2020 was not a year for travel, and so I relied on interviews and the internet for information.

  1. Do you travel or visit the places you write about first?

If I can, but unfortunately, sometimes that isn’t possible. That’s when research and interviews come in handy!

One of my earlier books, I thought I had researched very well — even talking to people who lived in the region (Seattle) and looking extensively on maps. But I made a mistake about how to get from Point A to Point B and a reader pointed it out. Now I take much more care in making sure I get these details right if I’m writing about a place I don’t know well.

I had wanted to visit the San Juan Islands before writing THE WRONG VICTIM — not just for the book, but because I’d always wanted to go there. Unfortunately, 2020 happened and that wasn’t possible. The book I recently finished writing, the currently untitled fourth Quinn & Costa book, takes place in the bayou in Louisiana. I’ve been to Louisiana many times, and my best friend lives there. While I created a fictional town, I drew upon my personal knowledge and the help of my bestie!

  1. How did you come up with your idea for a loaned LA officer who cannot return due to her undercover work?

When I was writing the first Quinn & Costa book, Kara Quinn — the Los Angeles detective on leave — wasn’t going to be a series character. She was going to be a catalyst of sorts for Matt Costa, the team leader. So creating her character, I thought it would be fun to have her as an undercover detective, someone has a unique skill set that would be valuable in Matt’s current investigation.

Well, by the time I finished writing the book, I knew Kara had to return. I just loved her character and felt she had the most growth to do in the series, plus would provide a different perspective to the crimes because of her background. I didn’t know even after I finished writing the book how or why she was going to be on loan to the FBI, I had to sit on that for a few days until I worked out something that made sense to me.

  1. How do you decide which books become a series versus a stand alone story?

This is a great question!

For me, all stories — stand alone or series — start with character. Without compelling, interesting, and complex characters, the story falls flat.

In a series, the characters must be interesting enough that readers will want to revisit them and see them in different situations. This is why police procedurals and amateur sleuths truly lend themselves to series books. You like the world, the characters, how they grow over time and want to revisit them over and over and see what’s going on in that world. The same way, I think, television viewers like favorite shows. The plots are interesting and often twisty, but readers (or viewers) really return to find out what happens to the people we’ve grown to love and hate and worry about.

So when I have an idea that is predominately character based — a team of FBI agents, for example — I focus on making those people as real and authentic as possible with an eye toward how they are going to grow and develop over multiple stories. I still want to have a strong plot — so I put them in situations or solving cases that are dangerous or interesting. By the end of the book, I want my characters to learn something about the team or themselves, to grow in some way, however small it might be. I want the series books to stand alone — so new readers can find the books in the middle of the series — while also giving regular readers a character growth arc from book to book.

For a stand alone, while characters are ALWAYS going to be important, they are there for one story only. They need to have a complete character arc from beginning to end so that the reader is fully satisfied at the story conclusion. Plot is important in both types of stories, but in a stand alone the situation/plot provides a stronger framework and backbone than in a series. There is often a universal theme that resonates, that is in some ways bigger than the story itself. Stand alones, at least for me, are about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances — so readers wouldn’t expect those characters to return in a different story.

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ABOUT AUTHOR ALLISON BRENNAN:

ALLISON BRENNAN is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over thirty novels. She has been nominated for Best Paperback Original Thriller by International Thriller Writers and the Daphne du Maurier Award. A former consultant in the California State Legislature, Allison lives in Arizona with her husband, five kids and assorted pets.

 

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