31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #6 ~ Killing Sadie By Rachel Peterson

Posted: October 6, 2026 in Mystery/Thriller, reviews, YA
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2026! I’m so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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 Killing Sadie

By Rachel Peterson

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Genre: YA / Thriller / Mystery

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MY REVIEW

We start out knowing Sadie was murdered. We know that her boyfriend, Ben, killed Mason, the guy who stabbed her to death. And we know that her twin sister, Jayne, and her best friend, Liz, witnessed it. What we don’t know is why.

I didn’t mind when the story started after the fact. I enjoyed the flashbacks of the before, night of, and the day after. And I enjoyed the multiple points of view from the witnesses. It all worked very well for me. I easily visualized the scenes, like watching a limited TV series. Usually I can determine the why fairly early. I thought I had. But then I thought, nope, it can’t be that obvious. So, I settled in and just let things reveal themselves.

My favorite thing was the investigator. She was much more clever than I’d at first thought. She knew what questions to ask and when to ask them.

And I enjoyed the way the story was laid out, shifting between the day before the murder, the day of the murder and the day after. The author did it well, keeping the story flowing smoothly. She did it just as well when shifting between characters.

This was very much a character driven story for me. As the acts unfolded I learned, through the different points of view, who the witnesses really were. Lots of insecurity disguised as toughness. Many secrets and lies. And, what was hidden. What made them defensive.

The ending was good, though I still had questions. That’s often a good thing and keeps me watching for the author’s next book.

4 STARS

Thanks so much to Simon Pulse and the author for a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

Perfect for fans of How to Survive Your Murder and Dead Girls Can’t Tell Secrets, this young adult thriller unspools the truth behind a tragic murder through multiple unreliable narrators who all have secrets to keep.

Here’s what we do know: there was another infamous barn party at the McClain family farm last night, and things went horribly wrong. By the end of the night, there were two dead bodies in the old barn: seventeen-year-old Sadie Cooper and her killer, Mason Vreeland. The murder was heartbreakingly witnessed by Sadie’s twin sister, Jayne, and Sadie died in her arms. Mason was killed by Sadie’s boyfriend, Ben, in an attempt to save Sadie.

Aside from figuring out Mason’s motive, it should be an open and shut case.

But it’s not.

The story unfolds just after the murders, and Jayne, Ben, and Sadie’s best friend, Liz, are telling the cops what transpired at the party and the events leading up to it. But little details don’t match. And those little details start to add up to big discrepancies. But who’s lying, and why?

The shocking truth is revealed in the third act, when the POV shifts to victim Sadie herself, in the days leading up to the party. Witness exactly what happened—and see if you can piece it all together. Because poor Sadie totally missed what was right in front of her.

Amazon /  B&N

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Rachel Peterson

RACHEL PETERSON graduated from Miami University of Ohio with a degree in English and
creative writing. Born and raised in Ohio, she started her career in advertising before
spending nearly a decade in New York City as a marketing executive for technology
companies. An avid traveler, Rachel now splits her time between Manhattan and the
Midwest, where she lives with her husband Ken, their dog Olive, and horse Hope.

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Jingle Bells, Wedding Vows By Paula Dombrowiak

Posted: October 6, 2026 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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Jingle Bells, Wedding Vows

By Paula Dombrowiak

 

(Hollow Reign, #3)
Publication date: October 6th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

He’s the uptight rockstar directing the music for my burlesque Christmas show, and driving the grumpy maestro to throw his sheet music is my favorite hobby.

Then we wake up married, and he can’t remember a single thing about our night together.

Theo Mercer is an arrogant control freak in rolled-up sleeves and glasses who thinks he can tame my headlining act. But on my stage, I call the shots. Beneath the falling stage snow, the friction between us is hot enough to burn the theater down.

When our accidental Vegas wedding explodes across the tabloids, Theo swallows his pride and drops to one knee to propose a holiday charade: play blissfully wedded—which means moving my insufferable new husband into my cramped studio apartment.

Forced proximity beneath the mistletoe turns our backstage feud into breathless passion, and behind closed doors, our fake marriage starts to feel dangerously real.

Except our vows have an expiration date. When the tinsel comes down on New Year’s, Theo has to leave.

He swears he’s coming back.

But I stopped believing in Christmas miracles a long time ago, after a string of men who never kept their word. If I let down my walls only to get burned by my fake husband… I won’t survive the fall.

Jingle Bells, Wedding Vows is Book 3 in the Hollow Reign Christmas Novellas, a series of interconnected, steamy holiday romances. Each book can be read as a standalone and features a guaranteed happily ever after.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

In sleep, she looks almost angelic.

Which would be a lot more convincing if I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing she’s a complete and utter menace in sequins and red lipstick who has spent the last couple of weeks driving me insane. The star of the Christmas show who argues with me about every note I wrote for her number. The woman who loves to push my buttons like no one I’ve ever met before.

Mara Delaney.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Do not tell me I did what I think I did.

My stomach drops as I lift the edge of the sheet and look down. Finding myself still in my boxers should be reassuring, but the relief is fleeting, swallowed almost immediately by a deeper sense of dread.

I turn my head toward Mara. The sheet has slipped just enough to expose the curve of her bare shoulder. I pinch the edge of the sheet to lift it.

Please don’t let her be naked. Please don’t let her be naked.

Fuck, she’s naked.

I don’t remember how I got here. Last night is a haze of disconnected pieces, and everything that matters is missing.

I ease out of bed with the stealth of a military operative trying not to set off a bomb. My shirt is draped over a velvet armchair, and I pull it on before anything else because I need at least one layer of dignity between me and whatever the hell happened last night. One of my Vans sits near the bathroom door. I shove my foot into it and search for the other, getting a good look at Mara’s apartment in the process.

I run a hand through my hair and pull it back to stare at it before my brain catches up to what I’m seeing.

There’s a gold band on my ring finger. Not the kind that comes out of a gumball machine.

What the actual fuck?

My gaze snaps to Mara.

I lean over the bed to see Mara’s hand curled loosely around the sheet, dark red polish chipped at the edges.

The ring on her finger matches mine.

This has to be a joke. Some elaborate, deeply unfunny prank, and when I find Casey, I’m going to kill him slowly, because somehow he’s responsible.

There’s a marriage certificate on the nightstand next to my phone.

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About Author Paula Dombrowiak:

Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. She is a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys, and the tragically flawed. Music inspires her storytelling.

For more ways to learn about Paula and her books, check out her website: @www.pauladombrowiak.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Bookbub / TikTok / Newsletter

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Jingle Bells, Wedding Vows Blitz

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Love And Other Cures For The Recently Undead By H.J. Ramsay ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 6, 2026 in apocalypse, Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult
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Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead

By H.J. Ramsay

 

Publication date: October 6th 2026
Genres: New Adult, Post-Apocalyptic, Romance

CeCe Campbell wakes on the asphalt of a mall parking lot with two missing years and a body that no longer feels like her own. Infected with the Kill Virus on her 18th birthday, she’s among the first to be cured.

Rehabilitation teaches CeCe how to walk, how to speak, how to exist in a world rebuilding itself, but it cannot return what she lost. Her mother is dead. Her brother is missing. And the last memory before the dark is a bite she cannot escape.

When CeCe unexpectedly meets Derrick—the boy who infected her—she’s torn between anger and a strange, undeniable connection. Derrick doesn’t remember what he did. CeCe does, and the truth of that moment is something he’ll never get. Not when he already took everything from her.

But if there’s to be life after the cure, CeCe will have to unwind the past, face what happened the night that bound them together, and decide if love and forgiveness can heal wounds deeper than the ones left by the undead.

Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead is a haunting post-apocalyptic love story about guilt, survival, and choosing connection in a world where nothing can be undone.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

CeCe opens her mouth to ask for a ride, but by the time she gets the words out, Savannah is already jumping into the van. Her aunt pulls away from the curb.

Derrick looks toward the van and then at CeCe. He smiles. It’s probably meant to be charming, but she finds nothing about him appealing.

He steps toward her.

Why did she insist on walking home? If her dad was here, she’d already be in his car. Now she has to find a way around Derrick. Or maybe she doesn’t. She could wait him out. He’ll have to leave eventually.

CeCe turns back to the school. Just as she’s about to reach for the door, it swings open and Olivia slithers out. They’re so close that CeCe can see every strand of Olivia’s bangs—and something underneath. A scar? Does that mean Olivia isn’t a Survivor? She’ll have to think about that later. Not now.

Olivia inches to the side. The moment she’s out of the way, CeCe lunges for the handle, but it shuts before she can grab it. She yanks. It doesn’t budge. The damn thing’s on auto-lock.

CeCe presses her forehead against the locked door. Did Olivia do that on purpose? Knowing it would leave her trapped out here? She senses Olivia’s stare crawling over her—and Derrick’s.

She can’t deal with this. Can’t deal with them. Her hand clamps around the latch, unable to move. She just wants to go home.

“Hi again,” she hears Derrick say from behind her.

She groans. “Are you going to be here every day?”

“Ah, she speaks. I wasn’t sure if, you know, there was something wrong with your voice.”

“I speak,” she snaps as she turns, half expecting to see Olivia standing beside him, but she’s already down the stairs, heading toward the same rumbling truck. At least that’s one problem solved.

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About Author HJ Ramsay:

HJ Ramsay holds an MFA in Creative Writing and is an award-winning author. She is the Editor-in-Chief of Gold Man Review, a West Coast literary journal, and has a background in Psychology and Criminal Justice with dual bachelor’s degrees. Passionate about storytelling that explores the human experience, she crafts narratives that blend emotion, imagination, and depth. When she’s not writing or editing, she enjoys diving into the worlds of speculative fiction and literary fiction alike.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

 

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Love and Other Cures for the Recently Undead Blitz

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Stormy Night By May Wynn ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 6, 2026 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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Stormy Night

By May Wynn

 

Publication date: March 20th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A spicy Novella! A short read, sensual seduction & second chance romance!

One explosive kiss!

Tripping over her own two feet at the restaurant and falling into the arms of a handsome blue-eyed stranger was the last thing on Marena’s plans for the evening.

She’s balancing single life, career, and family. Working on her laptop at the bar turns into a night of excitement when she meets sexy Hayden.

This was Hayden’s first night in town, new to the area for a business project.
A workaholic, he planned to focus on work, after stopping at the bar for a couple of drinks.

Rescuing a klutz from a fall was unexpected, but this gorgeous woman was a distraction he didn’t see coming.

Sitting at the bar an hour later; wine, flirting and laughing, had them both giddy, feeling like teenagers. They were taken aback at their instant chemistry.

A spontaneous kiss leaves his jaw wide open and his world rocked!

One big problem!

As Marena rode home, the lingering smile on her face slowly disappeared. She came to the sober realization that she didn’t know his name or phone number!!

What just happened?
This woman came into his life only a few hours ago, but the passion between them had rocked his world with just one kiss! Then it dawned on him, in horror, he didn’t know her name!

He couldn’t forget their explosive chemistry; How was he ever going to find this woman?

Would fate intervene and bring them together?
Will a stormy night of passion be in their future?
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*Perfect for readers who love a short read, sensual seduction & second chance romance!
Tropes:
Spicy Novella
Sensual Seduction
Second Chance at Love
Workplace Romance
Stormy Night Romance
Quick Romantic Read

Goodreads / Purchase

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Leaving the restroom, the loud ring of her cell phone made Marena jump. She pulled the phone out of her jean pocket. It was Rose. As she swung the restroom door open, she was looking down at her phone… not paying attention, she tripped over her own two feet. Her cell phone went flying and Marena felt herself stumbling… her body lunged forward and she was headed for a face-first fall to the floor.

Out of nowhere, a muscular arm from behind reached forward, wrapping across Marena’s stomach and waistline to prevent her from falling. Slowly she looked up at the stranger with an expression of relief and horror, as she realized she had a solid grip on his forearm. He easily held her weight and steadied her.

“Um, thank you. I’m so sorry,” she blubbered, as her face blushed with embarrassment.

“Are you alright?” The stranger looked down at her face and was startled to see striking green eyes staring back at him. Neither moved for a second, as she held his gaze.

“Yes, I’m just a klutz. My daughter was calling and I wasn’t paying attention to my footing,” she replied, as she looked into a pair of beautiful light blue eyes.

The man who had come to her aid stood about six feet tall, with a medium build. He was ruggedly handsome. His thick mane of dark brown hair, mixed with slight graying, had a messy look, the kind she’d love to run her hands through. The shadow of a brown-graying beard gave him a distinguished, sexy look. She guessed that he was approximately her age.

“Yes, you need to be more careful,” he said, as he looked around the floor and spotted her cell phone. His eyes took in the woman before him. She was a pretty woman, definitely easy on the eyes, but damn, what a klutz. Their eyes met briefly again, but she blinked and looked away, still blushing and embarrassed.

“And,” he paused slightly. “You’re welcome,” he said, with a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, as he handed her the phone. He had an air of confidence about him that she found very attractive.

Her face flushed a warm pink, knowing he was amused. Their eyes locked again, but this time she held his gaze steadily, challenging him, with a slight tug of a smile. He held his breath and his pulse raced…he saw raw emotions in those gorgeous bright green eyes. It halted him in his tracks, mesmerized. The electricity between them sizzled in the air.

The sound of her cell phone rang loud, breaking the special moment between them. She shrugged apologetically and glanced at her phone.

He smiled wryly. In a flash, he was gone off to the men’s restroom.

Marena walked back to the bar, cell phone in hand.

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About Author May Wynn:

May Wynn writes contemporary romance novels known for their emotional depth, engaging characters, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. A lifelong reader, her passion for storytelling began early, inspired by a close mentor who introduced her to a wide range of authors and genres. Together, they shared their own version of a book club before book clubs were even a trend.

After a successful career in the corporate world, May turned her focus to writing, bringing her love of romance to the page. She is an enthusiastic world traveler. She and her husband share a love of culture, history, and adventure, having traveled to more than 60 countries together. She draws inspiration from the places she has visited, weaving them into the stories she creates.

May lives in Florida with her family, where she enjoys writing on her lanai with a latte in hand, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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Stormy Night Blitz

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31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #05 ~ The Underwearwolf By Gideon Sterer

Posted: October 5, 2026 in Children's books, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2026! I’m so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

.

Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

~~~~~

 The Underwearwolf

By Gideon Sterer

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Genre: Children’s Book / Halloween

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

MY REVIEW

A young boy’s love of underwear gets hairy. Gifted by his uncle, they come with a warning. Do not wear them during the full moon. He makes a mistake, puts them on, and it’s a mad dash as he transforms and skedaddles through the neighborhood.

The author offered an adorable story and the illustrator delivered incredible illustrations.

Don’t you love it when a book makes you snort? Yep, I snorted and chuckled my way through The Underwearwolf.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Perfect for fans of Creepy Pair of Underwear, this wolfish picture book romp follows a kid who finds himself in a hairy situation when he dons a pair of not-so-normal undies under the light of the full moon.

Do not, under any circumstances,
Or for any reason,
Wear this underwear under the full moon.

Do you understand?

Get ready to howl with laughter as one rule-breaking, underwear-loving kid transforms into a—gasp!—UNDERWEARWOLF! Now he’s on an unforgettable nighttime adventure that may or may not include furry paws, sharp claws, uncomfortable wedgies, and an honest-to-goodness wild wolfpack! No butts about it—this is one read-aloud that’ll blow your undies off!

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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A Healing Heart By Freda Ann ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 5, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Holidays, Romance
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A Healing Heart in Twinkle Falls

By Freda Ann

 

 

(A Twinkle Falls Novel, #7)
Publication date: October 1st 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Nicole Holburg

After my military career with the Air Force’s Communications Squadron comes to a tragic ending, I head home to Twinkle Falls hoping to put my life back together.

With a failed relationship behind me, I won’t allow another man in my life since the last one nearly ended it.

Nick Rodriguez

I had my future planned out when I graduated from The Culinary Arts Academy in Switzerland. I’ll settle down with my childhood sweetheart in our home state of Hawaii, if she’d have me after years of lost communication.

As fate would have it, the only girl I’ve loved had married someone else.

When my best friend asks me to be his head chef at a prestigious inn in Twinkle Falls, I accept the offer. Building a new life in the small town where I went to high school leaves me feeling fulfilled.

Once my son comes to live with me, I’m soon reminded of what’s missing from this idyllic life… that one person who leaves me feeling complete. The problem is I have yet to meet her in this small town I’ve grown fond of.

Will these two have as much faith as the pastor does when he nudges Nicole to help Nick at the soup kitchen? Can the town busy bodies, who swoon over the man known as Jason Momoa’s doppelgänger, push Nick in the direction of his potential soulmate?

(Though this book is part of an ongoing series you should have no problem following Nicole and Nick’s storyline. If you’ve already read books 5 and 6 of the series, you’re more than likely familiar with this couple.)

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Wincing, I struggle to raise my puffy eyelids while feeling something cold beneath me. Rolling my head to the side I try taking in my surroundings. That’s when I get a glimpse of blood on the concrete under my twisted body.

Ahhh, what— I draw a ragged breath while trying to figure out what’s happening, but that’s when my world turns black.

The next thing I remember is waking up in a white sterile room full of machinery emitting various tones and a window with the blinds half closed. With fuzzy eyes I notice silver rails on each side of the bed I’m lying in. While blinking, glimpses of a nurse taking my vitals comes into view. When finished, she moves to the foot of the bed to type on a computer.

“Where… am I?” I ask attempting to focus on the room. I struggle to fully open my eyes, but only manage to see pieces of my surroundings.

Pain shoots through me as I try lifting my hand to my swollen eyes. Unable to bear the pain rushing through me, my arm drops on top of my right leg as tears sting my eyes.

“Try not to move, Nicole.” A mature and soothing voice approaches me from the foot of my bed. “You’re in the hospital on base. I’m told you were also here a few weeks ago. Can you tell me what happened this time?” The nurse inquires.

My brain feels jumbled, like I’m trying to put together a puzzle without all the pieces, as I attempt to recall what could have put me in here.

Gently I shake my head staring at her while sobbing. “Why—” Unable to put words together I pause.

Breathing deep to calm myself isn’t easy, though I manage to take a few breaths before speaking slowly and softly. “Why can’t I… remember?”

“Oh, honey don’t be so hard on yourself.” She pats my arm. “In your condition you should thank God for being alive. If that knot on your head had been an inch closer to your temple, you wouldn’t be here.

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About Author Freda Ann:

Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.

She writes relatable, faith and family based love stories which include kids and adorable dogs. Her writing style appeals to people of all ages. Her books will take you on an emotional journey with likable characters, and dreamy settings you’ll wish you could visit.

After retiring from a career in the law enforcement field, Freda feels blessed to be able to write and self-publish her stories for everyone to read. She adores her large family, 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and hosts monthly family gatherings.

To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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A Healing Heart in Twinkle Falls Blitz

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Branko ~ Smoke Jumper Extraordinaire By Alexandra Arneri

Posted: October 5, 2026 in Book Promos, Children's books
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Children’s Book

Date Published: March 30, 2026

Publisher: Trela Mela Press

 

A brave little dragon. A forest in danger. A powerful story about
friendship, courage, and protecting the world we share.

 

Little Branko lives high above Dragonville in Zmajograd, a city of dragons
controlled by rules – the Dragons’ Code. Under this code, dragons cannot
put out fires and dragons cannot be friends with humans. But Branko has never
understood why. Unlike the other dragons, he does not want to start
fires—he wants to put them out.

When Branko questions the Dragons’ Code in school, he is told to
“learn” and not “think”. When he persists, he is
banished from his community. Determined to follow his heart, he travels to the
human town below and dreams of becoming a firefighter. But the humans are
afraid of him, too. Caught between two worlds that refuse to accept him,
Branko must decide whether to give up—or keep believing that kindness
can change everything.

When a dangerous wildfire threatens the forest shared by humans and dragons,
Branko finally gets his chance to prove that courage is not about following
old rules. It is about doing what is right.


Branko: Smokejumper Extraordinaire is a heartwarming children’s picture
book about friendship, bravery, community, environmental responsibility, and
the importance of questioning division. With themes of inclusion, cooperation,
wildfire awareness, and respect for firefighters, this inspiring story
encourages young readers to look beyond fear, challenge unfair rules, and
discover the extraordinary power of helping others.

Perfect for children who love stories about dragons, firefighters, friendship,
nature, and unlikely heroes, this meaningful book is ideal for family reading,
classrooms, libraries, and conversations about courage, compassion, and caring
for our planet.

Great for readers interested in:

• Dragon picture books
• Firefighter books for kids
•
Children’s books about friendship and acceptance
• Stories
about courage, kindness, and standing up for what is right
•
Environmental books for children
• Climate books for children
• Wildfire awareness and forest
protection
• Social-emotional learning and community-building
stories

A beautifully imaginative tale for young readers who believe even the smallest
voice can spark big change.

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About Author Alexandra Arneri

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Alexandra Arneri is an author, attorney, producer, and human rights
advocate whose stories explore courage, connection, and the power of
questioning the rules that keep people apart.

Born in Belgrade, raised in Belgrade and Sydney, and shaped by formative years
in New York City, Alexandra brings a global perspective to her work. Her
writing often features unlikely characters—from mushrooms and fax
machines to thunder, lightning, flowers, Beeps, Honks, and dragons—who
discover that difference does not have to mean division.

Her debut children’s book, Branko: Smokejumper Extraordinaire,
introduces young readers to a brave little dragon who challenges tradition,
reaches across fear, and helps unite humans and dragons in the face of an
unprecedented and fierce wildfire. Inspired by themes of friendship,
environmental responsibility, community, and courage, the story reflects
Alexandra’s belief in the importance of compassion, cooperation, and
protecting the world we share.

Beyond children’s literature, Alexandra’s creative work spans
genres and platforms, including Gravity FM, a deep dive podcast exploring
planetary health and human rights, the satirical Degenerate Carrot cartoons,
and impactful storytelling through Apocryphal Pictures. She is also a
practicing attorney at Cittone Demers & Arneri LLP, where she maintains a
robust human rights practice, and serves as President of the Global Witness
Foundation.

Alexandra lives in San Francisco with her family. When she is not writing,
practicing law, producing stories, or advocating for human rights, she enjoys
painting, yoga, and creating imaginative tales about the courage it takes to
reach across what divides us.

 

 

Contact Links

 

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

TikTok

 

Purchase Links

 

Amazon


B&N

B-A-M

Walmart

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

A Peek Inside The Tally By Christian Kay

Posted: October 5, 2026 in Dystopian, Excerpt, YA
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The Tally

By Christian Kay

 

(The Tally Trilogy, #1)
Publication date: October 1st 2026
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Every soul is born with a hundred. Spend it, and you’re worth nothing.

In the sealed city of Galcyon, a number on your wrist is the measure of your soul. It buys your food, your shelter, your right to exist. When it hits zero, the iron cuff goes on, and the city works you until the Reckoning, the holy day when the worthless are executed in front of everyone and it’s called an act of mercy.

Micah has spent eighteen years believing the number is fair. He has to believe it, because it’s the only thing keeping his twin brother safe.

Then the city takes Milo.

To get him back, Micah goes down into the dark beneath Galcyon, past the labor pits and the people the Tally has already thrown away, and finds the one thing the regime can’t survive: proof that the number was never real. Saving his brother means tearing down the lie the whole city is built on, and it will cost him far more than points.

For readers who love dystopia with a beating heart, The Tally is the first book in a faith-driven trilogy about worth, sacrifice, and a love that refuses to be counted.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I’m steering Milo toward the dry-goods stalls when the market goes quiet in the far corner. The silence spreads like spilled ink. It originates near a man I know by sight, an old cobbler who fixes boots at a little stand near the east structural posts. I’ve walked past him a thousand times without ever learning his name. Right now, he’s standing frozen beside his workbench, staring down at his own wrist.

His band is dead dark.

Two enforcers are already on him. These aren’t the guys in the soft gray uniforms who handle the census. These are the other kind. The ones in the heavy, matte-black armor that every kid down here learns never to stand near. They move with no rush at all, because a man at zero has nowhere left to run.

I’ve never watched it happen this close. I know how the mechanics work, everyone does, but knowing the math of a thing and watching it happen five feet away are two different beasts. His number just ran out. Maybe it was the automated market toll the city skims off every trader just for standing here. Maybe it was a rent hike, a water tax, or just one more ordinary day stacked on top of too many others. It doesn’t matter. The system took the last fraction of what he had for the crime of existing, and a band at zero is finished.

The enforcer unclips an iron cuff from his tactical belt. It’s thick, dark, and heavy, a band with the light permanently choked out of it. He locks it around the old man’s wrist with a mechanical clack that I feel in my back teeth. Then he unkeys the gold band the man has worn his whole life and slides it off. Just like that, the old guy isn’t a person the Tally bothers to calculate anymore. He’s a piece of state property. The entire transformation took the space of a single breath.

He doesn’t fight. He just asks one question, his voice so quiet that it only carries because the market has gone breathless.

“Can I keep my tools?”

The enforcer tells him calmly that the stand and everything on it is immediately forfeit. He says the old man should be grateful, because asset forfeiture is the merciful route, and the alternative is far worse. He speaks with an eerie, practiced politeness that makes my stomach turn.

Then they march the old man toward the freight elevators that drop deep beneath the market floor, down into the Undercount where they bury everyone who falls. The crowd immediately closes the gap where his workbench stood, erasing him as if he were nothing but wind.

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About Author Christian Kay:

Christian Kay writes young adult and new adult speculative fiction that blends gripping adventure with themes of courage, sacrifice, redemption, and faith. Through immersive worlds, unforgettable characters, and thought-provoking stories, Christian explores what happens when ordinary people are forced to choose between comfort and truth.

Website / Instagram / Facebook

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #4 ~ Night Struck By Jenna Black

Posted: October 4, 2026 in horror, reviews, urban fantasy
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2026! I’m so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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 Nightstruck

By Jenna Black

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Genre: Horror / Urban Fantasy / Supernatural

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MY REVIEW

They say you can’t judge a book by it’s cover. I believe that, but….. this is a killer cover and right from first glance had me leaning in to see everything. Then, I read the synopsis and was sold.

Imagine. You’re walking down the street at night. The same street you always walk on. And something catches your eye. You stop, trying to figure out what’s different. It’s not obvious, but you notice the decorative iron fence has changed. Then, you cut through the park and something about the trash can raises the hairs all over your body. You give it a wide berth, chalking it up to your imagination. Not long after you’re being chased by said trash can.

Becket hadn’t mean for it to happen. She thought she was rescuing an abandoned baby. That’s not what it was though. Now, the city that looks normal during the day has turned into a deadly otherworldly domain at night. This book was right up my alley. I ate it up hook, line and sinker. I remember when I watched Stephen King’s IT. Never walked by another sewer drain without moving across the road again. And now I no longer casually walk across a manhole cover. You never know…….

I’d love for this made into a movie. Some of the scenes would be out of this world to see. Just look at the cover!

5 STARS

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Synopsis

It starts with a cry in the night.

Becket, walking her dog one winter evening, fears it’s an abandoned baby left out in the cold. But it is something else—something evil—and it tricks Becket into opening a doorway to another realm, letting a darkness into our world, a corruption that begins transforming Philadelphia into a sinister and menacing version of itself…but only at night.

The changes are subtle at first, causing Becket to doubt her senses and her sanity. But soon the nightmarish truth is impossible to deny: By day, the city is just a city, but at night it literally comes alive with malevolent purpose. Brick and steel become bone, streetlights turn into gallows, and hungry alleys wait to snare mortal victims. Terrified citizens huddle indoors after dusk, as others succumb to the siren song of the night, letting their darker sides run wild.

Once, Becket’s biggest problems were living up to her police commissioner father’s high expectations and a secret crush on her best friend’s boyfriend. Now she must find a way to survive and protect her loved ones…before the darkness takes her as well.

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Angelica Under Glass ~ A Green Witch And Thorn Mystery By C.L. Roman

Posted: October 4, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy
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Angelica Under Glass (A Green Witch and Thorn Mystery)
by C L Roman


Angelica Under Glass (A Green Witch and Thorn Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Hawthorne, Florida, USA
Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : August 28, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 204 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8235384866
Digital
ISBN-13 : ‏: 9798235844025
ASIN : B0HBD58WTR

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When the main sponsor of a regional potions competition is found dead in her hotel suite, the evidence is almost too neat: a rare allergy, a suspicious vial, and Lena Knox’s best friend standing over the body.

Faye didn’t do it. But someone went to a lot of trouble to make it look like she did.

Lena – green witch and reluctant amateur sleuth – isn’t about to let her best friend take the fall. Not when the killer is still in the hotel, the suspect list includes half the potions industry, and the motive turns out to be tangled up in a family secret Faye didn’t even know she had.

With her familiar, Thorn, offering opinions she didn’t ask for, and her ex-boyfriend inconveniently working the case, Lena is going to need more than potions to untangle this one.

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About Author C L Roman

C.L. Roman (aka Cheri) writes fantasy across multiple subgenres — this cozy paranormal mystery marks her first foray into crime-solving witches. She lives in Northeast Florida with her ever-patient husband and their spirited mini-menagerie: Jack E. Boy, the super Chihuahua; Bennie the Jet; Pyewacket (Pye), the frequently invisible cat and possible space alien; and Lilly, all grown up now and every bit as imperious as she always intended to be. Find Cheri online at clroman.com and on Facebook under C.L.’s Novel Bunch.

Author Links: Website/Blog / Facebook / Instagram

 BlueSky / Amazon / Brass Rag Press / Threads

Purchase Links: Books2Read   Amazon   Bookshop.org   B&N

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GIVEAWAY

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

September 30 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

October 1 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 3 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 5 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 6 – Romance Novel Giveaways – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 7 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT

October 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

October 8 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

October 8 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

October 9 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 9 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

October 10 – Baseball, Books, and Banter: A podcast – REVIEW

October 11 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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