31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #9 ~ Horror Library, Volume 9

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Anthology, horror, reviews
Tags: , ,
0

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

.

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!

~~~~~

 Horror Library, Volume 9

Editor Eric J. Guignard

.

Genre: Horror / Adult

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

MY REVIEW

I was so lucky to be introduced to this Horror Library back at the beginning. Appreciating how difficult it must be to tell a story in fewer words, put you in that story, develop characters and move the plot quickly has made me a huge fan.

I also love finding new authors in genres I love. I’ve sure found so many, and including new ones in this volume. And there are some familiar names in the lineup too.

With 30 stories it would take up so much space to review them individually.  So, while I’m not one to mention favorites, I’m making an exception. Here are my top five in no particular order. Found You, Before His Time, Third Floor Windows, The Drowning Kind and I don’t Wanna Go To Mexico No More, More, horror,More.

So many stories. So much individuality. So many chills and thrills. Fans of the unexpected and fearful will enjoy these sips of the known and unknown. I sure did.

5 STARS

~~~~~

Synopsis

The +Horror Library+ anthologies are internationally praised as a groundbreaking source of contemporary horror short fiction stories–relevant to the moment and stunning in impact–from leading authors of the macabre and darkly imaginative.

Filled with Fears and Fantasy. Death and Dark Dreams. Monsters and Mayhem. Literary Vision and Wonder. Each volume of the +Horror Library+ series is packed with heart-pounding thrills and creepy contemplations as to what truly lurks among the shadows of the world(s) we live in.

Containing 30 all-original stories, read Volume 9 in this ongoing anthology series, and then continue with the other volumes.

Shamble no longer through the banal humdrum of normalcy, but ENTER THE HORROR LIBRARY!

Included within Volume 9:

–  In “Head Over Heels,” a sentient unicycle enacts long-sought revenge against those who have wronged it.

–  In “Eyes Without Their Lids,” a couple with no memory of their prior lives, awaken in a doorless room and in full sight of a camera that watches all they do.

–  In “False Witness,” a man whose life was saved by a mysterious voice finds himself in the midst of a worse fate.

–  . . . and more!

–  Also including a special guest-artist’s gallery of Michael A. Livolsi!

Amazon

~~~~~

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Charred By G.P. Gottlieb ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: , ,
0

 

Charred by GP Gottlieb Banner

.
CHARRED
by G.P. Gottlieb
October 5 – 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
A WHIPPED & SIPPED MYSTERY

  Alene Baron is already juggling frustrated employees, closed schools, and a beggar who harasses customers outside her café. Then two dead bodies are discovered in the charred remains of buildings owned by the husband of her pastry chef, Ruthie Rosin. The mystery deepens when both victims are found wearing jackets stamped with the name, “Rosin,” and crumbled in the pockets are the Whipped & Sipped café’s distinctive wrappers. As if that weren’t enough, Alene’s uncle, a convicted felon who vanished 22 years ago, suddenly appears in Chicago. With suspicion and chaos mounting, it’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped & Sipped Café.

.

Praise for Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery:

,

“Peopled with tons of quirky characters and loaded with family drama, Charred is so much more than the average cozy culinary mystery.” ~ Donna Thompson “The Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series is a delectable treat.” ~ Julie Ditton “Gottlieb packs a lot into this third book Charred… murder, arson, identity theft, gambling, kidnapping, destruction of property, tax evasion, uncovering a hidden basement under the cafe with tins with treasures in them, family drama, secrets, the pandemic, trying to stay healthy, learning how to live a new life in semi-quarantine….” ~ Missi Martin (Stockwell) Charred “had just enough flavor to make it delicious, and just enough mystery to keep me guessing the whole way through!” ~ Bettybee306 “This series is right up my alley, and if you love cozy mysteries with a little romance and baked goods, it will be right up your alley, too! … This is a five-star book in a very neat little package!” ~ Suzie Mumba

 

.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery

Published by: Anamcara Press Publication Date: May 30, 2026 Number of Pages: 260 pages, Paperback ISBN: 9781960462824 (ISBN10: 1960462822) Series: A Whipped & Sipped Mystery, Book 3

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press

.

The Whipped & Sipped Mystery Series

.

Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery, 2
Battered
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press		   Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery, 2
Smothered
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press		  

.

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

It was warming up inside the car. Alene searched for Kacey and Kofi through the car window and the construction fence, but there was a jungle of trees and bushes lining the sidewalk. The post-fire building site was probably soggy and disgusting. If only she’d thought of bringing an old blanket to protect the back seat from burnt wood. Kacey startled Alene by opening the passenger door and jumping back in. “He doesn’t need my help,” Kacey said as she used her shirt to clean her glasses. “We were looking for a way to get into the site and my glasses got too smudged for me to see. I’ll stay in here with you.” Kofi had probably circled the tall fence surrounding piles of wet, muddy, and burned wood, trying to get inside. Moments later, they heard an owl hoot, and Kacey whispered it was Kofi letting them know that he’d gotten past the fence. What if tromping through the remains of the fire exposed Kofi to toxic materials? He wore gloves and a mask, but it wasn’t an N95 with protection against particulates. If paper masks didn’t protect against airborne particulates, how could they protect against a cunning virus? The sun had risen, but a scrim of humidity diffused the light. Alene thought she saw Kofi alternating between moving and crouching. She figured he was trying to be invisible. He was lanky, his legs bulging with muscles from years of riding his bicycle for miles through and around the city. They both lost sight of him for about ten minutes, but suddenly he rushed back to the car and jumped into the back seat. He hadn’t taken a single piece of wood. “How was it?” Kacey asked. Alene heard Kofi’s jagged breathing and turned around to watch him pull off his gloves and hat. “It was, um, weird and chilly,” he said, haltingly. “And there wasn’t anything I could use.” His focus was sideways, out the window, and he seemed tense. Alene turned away, imagining one of Frank’s police friends driving by and stopping to ask what she was doing. They drove home in silence and trudged to the elevators. Kofi, usually cheerful after an expedition to find materials, was unreadable and oddly stone-faced as he thanked Alene for the ride. Kacey mouthed her thanks as she unlocked her door, and Alene held her hand to her ear in a sign for Kacey to call later. Alene unlocked her own door, wondering why Kofi hadn’t found even one usable piece of wood. Before she could take off her jacket, her phone rang. “Kofi wants you to promise not to tell Frank about this morning,” Kacey said in a whisper. It seemed unnecessary; it wasn’t as if Kofi had started the fire, and Frank was a homicide detective, not a cop on the lookout for arsonists. “I can’t promise that. We tell each other everything,” said Alene, “But there’s nothing to tell, because Kofi came up empty.” “He’s worried that someone saw us there and the police will get him for trespassing,” said Kacey. Alene could hear her sniffling. Alene had already frittered away forty-five minutes driving them over there and waiting for Kofi to hunt for wood. “Come on, Kacey,” she said. “We didn’t see anyone, and no one saw us.” “But are you going to tell Frank that we were there?” Kacey asked. “Kacey, Frank would never do anything to hurt me or the people I love.” Being with Kacey had always required patience. “And I’m driving the getaway car, so if we were committing a crime, I’d be just as guilty.” Kacey said, “I hope you’re right.” She sounded more than a little paranoid. *** Excerpt from Charred by GP Gottlieb. Copyright 2026 by GP Gottlieb. Reproduced with permission from GP Gottlieb. All rights reserved.

 

 

,

About Author G.P. Gottlieb:

,

GP Gottlieb

G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Whipped & Sipped Mysteries (Battered, Smothered, and Charred, Anamcara Press). She is on the board of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a member of SinC Colorado, MWA, and Blackbird Writers. As host of New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network, she has interviewed over 280 authors.

Catch Up With G.P. Gottlieb:

gpgottlieb.com Substack Amazon Author Profile Goodreads – G.P. Gottlieb BookBub – @gpgottlieb Instagram – @whippedsipped Threads – @whippedsipped X – @GottliebGp BlueSky – @gpgottlieb.bsky.social Facebook – @authorgottlieb

 

.

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Take a Whisk and Enter!
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Charred. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

.

CHARRED by GP Gottlieb | Gift Card Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

.

~~~~~

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.

The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor By Michael Mizov ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, horror
Tags: , ,
2

 

.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Suthor Michael Mizov will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

.

The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor

By Michael Mizov

.

Genre: Gothic Psychological Horror

Synopsis

The Last Heir of Bradbury Manor is an atmospheric gothic horror novel of haunted inheritance, family curses, and the terrifying secrets buried beneath a crumbling Yorkshire estate.

Lottie Bradbury has not set foot in Bradbury Manor for twelve years. Sent away as a child following her mother’s tragic death, she is summoned home in 1919 by the estranged father she barely knows. The once-great estate is failing, burdened by debt, decay, and generations of neglect. Her return comes with a price: an arranged marriage intended to save what remains of the Bradbury legacy.

But Bradbury Manor is not merely old.

At night, the house makes itself known. Strange sounds echo through the corridors. Rooms refuse to stay still. Moments slip out of place. The past refuses to remain buried.

As Lottie is drawn deeper into her family’s history, she uncovers a pattern stretching back centuries, one marked by unexplained deaths, buried betrayals, and a curse that never truly ends. It simply passes from one generation to the next. Everyone expects her to take her place. To continue what came before.

Caught between the expectations of her father, the promise of a future beyond the estate, and the growing realization that something is terribly wrong within Bradbury Manor, Lottie must decide how much of the truth she is willing to uncover and what it may cost her when she does. The closer she gets to the answers, the harder it becomes to tell whether she is exposing the darkness surrounding her family or being led deeper into it.

Perfect for readers of Mexican Gothic, The Silent Companions, and Rebecca, The Last Heir of Bradbury Manor blends haunted houses, family secrets, supernatural mystery, psychological tension, and the enduring power of the past.

.

Enjoy this peek inside:

She didn’t remember falling asleep, only waking to the creak of floorboards outside her door.

For a strange moment, she felt as though she had surfaced from deep water, everything out of focus, too loud, the world arriving a heartbeat later than it should. The curtains were drawn. No moonlight. True dark.

The rumbling of her stomach reminded her that dinner was promised, but the footsteps continued down the hall. Her father, perhaps, finally going to bed.

The footsteps stopped. Turned. Marched back to her door. Was he coming to check on her?

She waited.

No knock. No motion. Stillness. She waited until waiting felt worse than opening the door. Creeping toward it, she listened.

Silence.

Lottie opened it.

No one. The hallway stretched empty in both directions.

“Father?” she called into the hallway, so softly she could barely hear herself.

No reply. But she was certain someone had been standing outside. She told herself it was the wind. Or the floor settling. But she didn’t believe it. The hairs on her neck rose. She slammed the door harder than she meant to.

Footsteps approached the moment it shut. Clapping a hand over her mouth, she stifled a scream.

The silence was worse than the steps. Something on the other side was listening too. Backing away from the door, she bumped into a serving cart she hadn’t seen. The silver lid of a covered dish fell to the floor with a crash. The tea beside it was still steaming.

Heart pounding, she turned on the light. The clock read half past one.

Morning was a long way off. She wasn’t sure what frightened her more: that the hallway had been empty, or that it hadn’t.

.

About Author Michael Mizov:

Michael writes dark fiction that explores psychological breakdowns, fractured identity, and the strange absurdities of life. When not writing, he works in B2B marketing, renovates a possibly haunted Victorian house, and wrangles twin daughters with his wife in New Jersey.

Accolades:
2025 Top 100: Cheshire Novel Prize National Flash Fiction Day 2025: FlashFlood: Debut Flash: ‘Nobody’s Home’ by Michael Mizov Festivals: Michael Mizov – Awards – IMDb

Website / Instagram / Twitter / BlueSky / TikTok / Goodreads

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

.

~~~~~

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.

Lunar Seductions Limited Edition ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
Tags: , , ,
3

 

.

When the moon rises, desire follows.

.

.

Lunar Seductions

A Limited-Edition Collection of Paranormal and Fantasy
Romance Stories

Including stories by:

Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author

Charmaine Louise Shelton

Nadine D. Price

Danika LaRue

Kiera Rose

Peyton Lawson

Celia Breslin

Ravyn Wilde

Ryan L Reeve

When the moon rises,
desire follows.

Some lovers are chosen.

Some are destined.

And some are the kind you should run from, but where would be the fun
in that?

Lunar Seductions brings together nine steamy tales of supernatural
desire, dangerous attraction, and romance that refuses to play by mortal rules.

Lose yourself among shifters, monsters, psychics, goddesses, and other
creatures of the night. Meet lovers bound by fate, trapped by circumstance,
divided by old grudges, or drawn together despite every reason to stay apart.

There are secrets to uncover, enemies to tempt, boundaries to cross,
and more than a few teeth and claws waiting in the dark.

Give in to temptation.

The moon won’t tell.

Including stories by:

Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author

Charmaine Louise Shelton

Nadine D. Price

Danika LaRue

Kiera Rose

Peyton Lawson

Celia Breslin

Ravyn Wilde

Ryan L Reeve

 

Amazon
* Apple
* Google
* Kobo
* Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

.

 

 

.
.

Diamond Moon Rising

by Celia Breslin

(included in Lunar Seductions anthology)

 

Her wolf wants him. Her human side wants out.

After her last shift nearly kills her, human-wolf hybrid Darci has had
enough—it’s time to stop shifting once and for all. Armed with a cryptic note
from her dead shifter dad, she sets out in search of his mythical hometown in
the wilds of Rogue Valley, Oregon, hoping Dad is right, and the shifters there
might help.

As a dominant beta and pack protector, Ross is never taken by
surprise…until a half-wolf half-human pixie with the biggest green eyes he’s
ever seen lands on his doorstep. It’s rare for strangers to venture into their
world—rarer still for a fated mate to literally fall into your arms. But she
did, and he recognizes her immediately as his one and only.

Darci isn’t sure about the whole mate business. She just wants a normal
human life, free from shifting. Ross won’t give up on her wolf and tries to
help her accept her true nature and their mate bond. But the Full Moon is three
days away, threatening Darci with a potentially deadly shift, and certain pack
members would rather kill a human than help one. Darci might not survive long
enough to trust Ross with her heart.

.

A thump from outside on his deck,
heavier than the staccato taps of the hail, halted him in his foyer. More
offbeat thuds sounded near the front door.

Company
in this weather?

No
one would venture up his private road uninvited…

He
stalked to his door and released a bit of power in warning. If they were a
shifter, they would likely take the hint. And if they didn’t… Well, he was a
dominant wolf, a Beta, and one of the alpha’s enforcers.

They
don’t stand a chance.

The
feedback froze his fingers on the doorknob.

Female.

He
inhaled. Damn, she smells good.

Human.
Wolf.

Wait…both?

The
copper tang of blood hit his nose. She’s injured.

He
flung open the door and caught his visitor off guard, one small, white fist
raised to knock. The woman startled then fell forward. Ross caught her in his
arms then pulled her inside, kicking the door shut with one booted foot.

The
petite female sagged against him, a shivering bundle of sopping wet woman.
Underneath the dampness, her scent drop-kicked his gut.

Fresh
and sweet, like apples dipped in cinnamon and honey.

His
body perked up, taking extreme notice. A growl of possession threatened to tear
out of his throat, and an ancient, primal energy stirred to life inside him,
accelerating his pulse.

Holy
hell, she’s my potential mate.

The
scent of her blood spurred him into action. He lowered her gently to the floor.
“Are you okay?”

His
instincts urged him to check her for wounds everywhere, but he was a stranger
and didn’t want to spook her. But goddamn, he wanted to touch her. Peel off her
wet clothes. To see all of her and warm her with his body.

With
a jacket covering her torso, baggy jeans hiding her legs, and a ball cap pulled
low over her face, all he could see so far was her quivering pale chin, full
red lips, and delicate, trembling fingers peeking out from her coat sleeves.

“S-s-sorry,
d-dripping all ov-v-ver your f-f-floor,” she said, her teeth chattering.

Her
snow-white fingers curled into fists, her arms trembling with the effort to
keep herself upright. Blood droplets dotted the floor plank near her hip.

To
hell with propriety.
“You’re injured. Let me help you.” He pulled up her cap and damn near swallowed
his tongue.

Big
green eyes blinked up at him from a face so pale it made him think of
moonlight. Drenched, short black hair lay plastered to her head, the ends
framing features reminiscent of the fairies his sister loved to draw.

Ethereal
beauty. Want her to be my beauty.

She
flinched and batted his hand away. “Stop,” she rasped before listing to her
side, her body trembling.

With
the cold or fear?

He
desperately didn’t want her to be afraid. “Sorry. Please, let me help you. I’m
Ross. You’re safe here. I promise.”

.

 

 

 

.

.

Celia Breslin lives in San Francisco, California, USA, with
her family, including three feisty felines who like to stalk across her
keyboard while she’s hard at work crafting urban fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal
romances. When not glued to her laptop, Celia likes to work out, read books (of
course!), hang with her family, and binge-watch sci-fi and fantasy TV shows and
movies. Matcha lattes keep her fueled for All The Life Stuff!

Website * Facebook *Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon
* Goodreads

.

Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a giveaway!

 

.

.

.

~~~~~

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.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #8 ~ Don’t Go To Sleep By Bryce Moore

Posted: October 8, 2026 in Historical, horror, Mystery/Thriller, YA
Tags: , , , ,
0

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

.

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!

~~~~~

 Don’t Go To Sleep

By Bryce Moore

.

Genre: YA / Horror / Historical / Mystery

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

MY REVIEW

I’m a big fan of true crime. Whether reading about it or watching documentaries. Though this book is fiction, The Axeman Of New Orleans was very real.

I enjoy historical mysteries. Especially those with a horror and supernatural element to them. The setting for this story is New Orleans during the Spanish Flu epidemic. I could relate after Covid. A serial killer is adding to his victim count and he has a specific type. Italians and Italian Americans. That doesn’t mean he’ll stick to the criteria and fear spreads.

I wasn’t expecting a supernatural twist and it didn’t quite hit for me. The main characters were interesting but for some reason I couldn’t get that anxious feeling for them that I should have. I did find the epidemic intriguing. And I was very curious about the killings. Enough to do some googling of my own.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and would try more from this author.

3 STARS

~~~~~

Synopsis

A seventeen-year old girl goes up against the notorious axeman murderer in 1918 in this suspenseful historical fiction story from the author of The Perfect Place to Die.

Gianna is the average seventeen-year-old girl living in 1918 New Orleans. She worries about her family’s store, the great war, and a mysterious illness that’s about to take hold of the city she loves.

It doesn’t help that there also appears to be a mad man on the loose in her neighborhood. The attacks started as burglaries but soon escalate to cold blooded murder. There’s a killer out there, and the police can’t seem to figure out how to stop him.

Gianna enlists the help of her friend Enzo to investigate. And as they study the crimes, they see a common link between the victims, and Gianna can’t help but wonder if it’s the same man who attacked her family years before.

As Gianna gets closer to the killer, she discovers a connection between them that she never would have suspected.

Amazon /  B&N

~~~~~

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Resurrection Of Evania James By Jaime Jo Wright ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 8, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, suspense
Tags: , , , ,
1

 

The Resurrection of Evania James by Jaime Jo Wright Banner

,
THE RESURRECTION OF EVANIA JAMES
By Jaime Jo Wright
October 5 – 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
If walls could talk, what nightmare might they expose?
1879

When Eloise James’s sister, Evania, goes missing after being admitted to an asylum, Eloise is determined to find her sibling but instead discovers evidence of dying patients and missing remains. Wannabe journalist Silas Dobbs has his own suspicions that something more nefarious is at work, and that black market sales may originate at the asylum. Together, they are intent on learning whether Evania is alive, or if her body has also been stolen. But unraveling a web of underground resurrectionists proves daunting, and the dead cannot share their secrets.

Present Day

Tilly Thompson is horrified to find historical human remains entombed in a wall of the Gothic mansion her grandfather just purchased, launching her into an investigation of the original owners’ questionable past. The James family legacy harbors a darkness tightly woven through decades of secrets, but the past refuses to remain ensnared by silence. Will revealing the truth resurrect dangers best kept buried forever?

Jaime Jo Wright masterfully weaves a dual-timeline gothic suspense novel that brings together a haunting historical tale and a shadowy modern-day mystery. For fans of atmospheric thrillers, spooky reads, the Victorian era, creepy mansions, and dark family secrets.

,

Book Details:

Genre: Gothic Fiction; Christian Mystery & Suspense

Published by: Bethany House Publishers Publication Date: October 27, 2026 Number of Pages: 336 Pbk ISBN: 9780764246258 (ISBN10: 0764246259)

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Baker Book House

,

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

 

 

.

About Author Jaime Jo Wright:

,

Jaime Jo Wright

Jaime Jo Wright is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of more than eighteen novels and three novellas, including Christy Award-winner and ECPA bestseller The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, Christy Award and Daphne du Maurier Award-winner The House on Foster Hill, Christy Award-winner Night Falls on Predicament Avenue, and Carol Award-winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She lives in Wisconsin with her family and fabulous felines.

Learn more at

JaimeWrightBooks.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @JaimeJoWright Instagram – @jaimejowright Threads – @jaimejowright YouTube – @madlitmusings Spotify – MadLit Musings Facebook – @JaimeJoWright

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Don’t Make a Grave Mistake… Enter to Win
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for The Resurrection of Evania James. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

, The Resurrection of Evania James by Jaime Jo Wright | Paperback + Gift Card

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

,

~~~~~

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.

Breakfast At Bernie’s ~ A Small Town Mystery By D. L. Norris

Posted: October 8, 2026 in Book Promos, Mystery
Tags:
0

 

.

.

 

Waffles and Wisdom

 

Small Town Mystery

 

Date Published: September 6, 2026

.

In the heart of historic Columbus, Wisconsin, Bernie’s Café
is more than a place for waffles, bacon, and hot coffee. It is a morning
refuge where old friends gather at the same window table to trade jokes, argue
over faith and politics, remember the people they have loved, and carry one
another through the ordinary aches of aging. Ed Johnson, a Norwegian
storyteller with a talent for embellishment, Bill Welcher, a widowed
hardware-store owner with more opinions than patience, Grant Belmont, a
retired dentist facing fragile health, and Leo Gibson, a minister emeritus
whose quiet wisdom steadies them all, have built a brotherhood out of
breakfast. Watching over them are Lou, the sharp-tongued waitress whose fierce
loyalty hides a difficult past, Marlene, steady and observant, and Bernie
himself, the café owner who understands that food can be a form of
mercy.

Their familiar routine shifts when newcomer Myra Davis walks through the door.
Polished, watchful, and impossible to ignore, Myra brings new energy to the
café—and new questions. She charms Bill, unsettles Lou, and
begins asking about River Road, old land records, and the reclusive Deakins
sisters whose estate may hold secrets the town has tried to forget. As
Bill’s loneliness makes him vulnerable to the possibility of a second
chance, Lou’s instincts tell her Myra’s interest in Columbus is no
accident. What begins as small-town curiosity becomes a search through
courthouse files, faded maps, family rumors, and memories preserved beneath
pantry floorboards and long forgotten ledgers.

While Grant confronts a medical crisis that may pull him toward his daughter
in Madison, Bill risks his heart on a woman he barely knows, and Lou must
decide whether her suspicion is wisdom, jealousy, or an old wound warning her
too loudly.

As Myra’s connection to the Deakins estate becomes clearer, another
force emerges: preservationist Charles Pritchard, a man determined to protect
history even if protecting it means controlling who gets to claim it.


Warm, humorous, and gently suspenseful, Breakfast at Bernie’s: Waffles
and Wisdom is a story about friendship in the later seasons of life, the cost
of loving deeply, and the danger of secrets left too long in the dark. Set
against the comforting rhythms of a small-town café, it blends tender
character drama with a mystery rooted in family history, land, memory, and
belonging. At Bernie’s, every cup of coffee carries a story, every
argument hides affection, and every person at the table must decide what is
worth protecting—and what must finally be brought into the light.

,

About Author D. L. Norris

.

.

 Award-winning New England author, D. L. Norris is widely recognized for her
insightful contributions to literature and personal development. With a
prolific career spanning several decades, Norris has explored themes of
health, emotional wellness, family dynamics, and cultural history, earning her
a devoted readership. Her acclaimed novels, “The Long Way Home,” “Where the
Heart Is,” “Old Books and Faded Dreams: Collector’s Edition,” “Field of
Memories: A Tapestry of Heartwarming Short Stories,” The Intercessors: They
Walk Among Us,” and “Voyagers: Homeland to Heartland”—are celebrated for
their vibrant, oft-humorous stories and authentic portrayal of real-life
events and mindsets inspired by her beloved Scandinavian heritage. Norris’s
writing is characterized by its warmth, wit, and ability to capture the
complexities of human relationships, drawing from her own experiences and
family traditions. Through her work, she invites readers to reflect on the
importance of resilience, hope, and unconditional love, weaving together
narratives that resonate across generations. She and her husband, Quincy,
reside in the picturesque city of Hartford, Connecticut, where they continue
to inspire others through their commitment to storytelling and community
engagement.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

BookBuzz

 

Purchase Link

 

Amazon

B&N

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

.

~~~~~

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 #7 ~ Night Of Madness By Ryan Douglass

Posted: October 7, 2026 in horror, reviews, thriller, YA
Tags: , , , ,
0

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

.

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!

~~~~~

 Night Of Madness

By Ryan Douglass

.

Genre: YA / Horror / Thriller

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

MY REVIEW

For slasher horror themed books, this one is right up my alley. Sure, it’s YA, but don’t let that fool you. The danger and mayhem real and intense.

The plot may not sound like a new one. Just you wait. Young influencers are selected to survive an overnight contest taking place on the set of a horror movie. Whoever lasts until morning wins a bunch of money. You expect things to go wrong, and they do. Very wrong.

What’s my bread and butter is the character driven story. You put several strangers together, place then in a life or death situation, and wait to see who survives. I enjoy trying to guess who steps up, who cracks under pressure and who is the first to lose. I sorted out who I wanted to win. But…… this is a horror thriller and nothing is guaranteed. There are no rules. And the person running the show likes that idea.

I really liked Night Of Madness. Ryan Douglas is now on my author’s list to keep an eye on.

4 STARS

~~~~~

Synopsis

Teen influencers compete in a horror movie–themed overnight competition, only to realize the real test is staying alive in this chilling, blood-soaked horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Taking of Jake Livingston and the production company behind Clown in a Cornfield.

Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support and gained a cult following, but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum, his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers will be invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins a hundred thousand dollars.

Stuck in a dead-end job, Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer, but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother and best friend, Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma and lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity.

When Mara and the other contestants arrive on set, it’s a horror fan’s dream being immersed in the asylum setting, but as the night wears on, they realize the danger is more than movie magic… They’re not there to win or lose but to live or die. As Mara fights to survive, she discovers an inner ruthlessness she didn’t know she had. Just how far will she go to see the sunrise—and will she still recognize herself by the end?

Amazon / B&N

~~~~~

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Candidate For Murder By Lauren Carr ~ Guest Post And Review

Posted: October 7, 2026 in Guest Post, Mystery, reviews
Tags: ,
0

 

.

,

 

Book Details:

Candidate for Murder

By Lauren Carr

Series:  A Mac Faraday Mystery (Volume 12)
Category:  Adult fiction (18+), 410 pages
Genre:  Murder Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:  June 16, 2016
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

“OMG! Carr is over the top and giving us an easy “10”  with her latest, Candidate for Murder!…Don’t just sit there thinking that this might be the book to try for Lauren Carr! I’m telling you right now it’s a must-read for daring, adventure, crime-busting, high-level government criminal elimination.” – reviewer by Glenda Bixler, Book Readers Heaven

“OMG!!! The best Mac Faraday…yet. Lauren Carr is a master storyteller who combines the humor of Janet Evanovich and the investigative skills of Patricia Cornwell. She is always at the top of my reading list.” – review by Sherry Fundin, Fundinmental, As Eye See It

Book Description:

When the candidate is a dog, the election gets deadly.

It’s election time in Spencer, Maryland, and the race for mayor is anything but civil.

When the two major parties offer up a pair of thoroughly unpleasant candidates, Police Chief David O’Callaghan decides to make a statement — by nominating Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s brilliant and mischievous German Shepherd, to run for mayor.

What begins as a hilarious joke quickly turns deadly serious when Gnarly becomes the front-runner overnight. Suddenly, the campaign gets ugly. One of the human candidates ends up murdered, and all signs point to the canine contender.

With the entire town watching and political enemies circling, Mac Faraday and the gang must dive headfirst into a dirty election filled with long-buried secrets, dirty tricks, and at least one very determined killer.

Can they clear Gnarly’s name before the votes are counted — or will this be one election that ends in murder?
​
A witty, fast-paced Mac Faraday Mystery packed with small-town charm, sharp humor, and a German Shepherd who just might be smarter than the voters.

​Buy the Book:  
 Audible ~ Amazon
B&N ~ BookBub
Add to Goodreads
.
.
MY REVIEW
.

I’ve read several books in the Mac Faraday Mystery series and was so excited after reading the synopsis for this newest one.

Gnarly, Mac Faraday’s german shepherd and my favorite four-legged friend, is running for Mayor of Spencer. Most folks in town don’t care for either of the candidates running on the ballot. Sound familiar? They jump on board to vote Gnarly in. Of course, the other nominees aren’t taking this lying down, and they dig for the dirt. I don’t think they’ll find anything. After all, Gnarly is man’s best friend. Well, except for the thing about the disappearing food. His partner in crime, Storm, knows all about that, and she’s not talking.

What started as a lark snowballs, and the fun begins. Can you imagine Gnarly debating the other candidates? How about kissing babies and shaking hands? Gnarly is on the campaign fast track. I wonder if his four-legged companions will be allowed to vote.

In between all of the crazy political scheming, the gang is working a cold case. Secrets are uncovered and the town of Spencer might not survive the fallout.

I love that Lauren’s characters are all animal lovers and their pets go wherever they go. And they are just as individual in personality as the humans. It’s a load of laughs to see what they get into.

When an author can spin a good mystery and keep me in stitches at the same time, it’s all good. I loved this book and it’s now one of my favorites in the series.

.
5 STARS
.
.

GUEST POST by Lauren Carr

You Nominate a Dog as a Joke. Then He Wins.

I have started a lot of books with a joke that was only supposed to last a page.

In Candidate for Murder, the joke is an election. Spencer, Maryland, is being offered two mayoral candidates who could not sell water at the lake. Police Chief David O’Callaghan, who is Mac Faraday’s half-brother and occasionally his common sense, decides the town should see what it is being handed. He nominates Gnarly.

Gnarly is a German shepherd. He has been thrown out of the Army. He has opinions about sandwiches, wedding rings, and furniture. He does not have a platform. David does not think he needs one. The point is the insult.

Spencer misses the point.

Overnight the dog is the front-runner. Someone prints signs. Someone writes ads. A campaign manager appears, which is how you know a bit has escaped the outline and is now paying rent. The human candidates, who were happy to sneer at a stunt, stop sneering when the poll numbers move. If you are behind, you dig up dirt. If the front-runner is a dog, the dirt is whatever you can find in a military file.

That is where the book stops being a comedy sketch. The opposition does not only want Gnarly embarrassed. Somebody wants a body in the race. Mac is not even supposed to be running this circus. He comes home to a town that has elected itself a problem, and a rumor that his dog killed the soldier who handled him.

I did not outline “dog for mayor” as a thirteen-chapter bit. I outlined a fed-up police chief and a bad ballot. The rest is what happens when a small town is funnier, and meaner, than the author.

If you have met Gnarly before, you already know he will not apologize. If you have not, you can start here. The race is on the front page. The murder is not a civics lesson. Bring a pencil if you like guessing. Leave it in the drawer if you came for the dog. He does not share.

.
.
Meet Author Lauren Carr:

​Lauren Carr is the author of over thirty acclaimed mystery novels, with more than half a million copies sold worldwide. Her fast-paced series—the Mac Faraday Mysteries, Chris Matheson Cold Case Mysteries, and more—blend twists, suspense, humor, and unforgettable characters (including clever German shepherds!).
 
It’s Murder, My Son organically hit #1 in Mystery on Amazon, and her books consistently rank in the Top 20 Police Procedurals in the US and international markets.
 
A popular speaker and publishing consultant, Lauren lives on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV, with her husband and three spoiled rotten German shepherds.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ X/twitter ~ pinterest ~ goodreads

 

 

~~~~~

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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Look What You Made Me Do By Summer Atkinson

Posted: October 7, 2026 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways, YA
Tags: , ,
1

 

Look What You Made Me Do

By Summer Atkinson

 

Publication date: September 15th 2026
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

“An absorbing novel that personalizes the psychological twists and turns of abuse.”
—Kirkus Reviews

How far would you go to break a cycle before it breaks you?

Margot is no stranger to suffering. Such darkness feels familiar when you have a violent drunk for a dad and a single mom working multiple jobs just to stay afloat. But Margot yearns for more than these bleak circumstances.

When she falls for the golden boy of her small New England town, she thinks he will be her escape. But she is unprepared for how ugly twisted love can become. Breaking free isn’t easy, but unconditional friendship and untainted love spark a defiant hope that cannot be dimmed.

As the line between love and abuse blurs, Margot must face the stories she’s told herself about who she is and who she is becoming.

“Look What You Made Me Do is an emotionally unforgettable story that captures both the devastating impact of trauma and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. With authenticity and compassion, it explores the profound complexities of survival and the difficult choices trauma can demand. A powerful, deeply human novel that will stay with readers long after the final page.” —Elizabeth May, LCSW, Psychotherapist

“Look What You Made Me Do carefully examines the vast interior world of a young woman growing up around addiction and loss. From childlike observations on men and their power to the desires that come with budding adulthood, this book explores how we can experience trauma, survive it, change, and still find and connect deeply with others.” —Chole Williams, ChloeinLetters newsletter, Substack, and Instagram

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

I had forgotten how charming Old Port could be or had never noticed it amidst all my drama. Not the people, but the place itself. The centuries-worn stone walls that somehow still stood in the woods. The sound of the ocean in the distance. All the quiet comforts of a hometown and its nostalgic beauty that haunts you long after you’ve left.

I watched from the sidelines as the people I once considered peers repeated the same old circular paths, not noticing the furrows they were making in the process. I’d been one of them once, and I wanted to warn them but couldn’t find the words. Not that they would have listened.

There is something about those born on the coast. Those who grow up knowing the closest path to walk to the ocean and who do not know the feel of fresh air without the taste of salt that lingers in its wake. For them, summer is endless, if not in season, then in mentality.

Every day contained possibility, promising to be the one that wouldn’t end. That would change everything. That would make up for the threat of winter hanging in the storm clouds on a humid afternoon. I heard it in the lingering laughter and casual conversation of Old Port’s residents and thought that this easy enjoyment of the ordinary was possible for me too. But I also saw how those same people became too entangled in their comfortable lives, familiar relationships, and unquestioned world views to be willing, or perhaps even able, to consider what might be possible beyond the sheltered confines of Old Port.

So even as I began to appreciate the pleasure of simple enjoyments, I also felt the stir of what was possible for me in life, and I didn’t want to be lulled into complacency.

.

About Author Summer Atkinson:

Summer Atkinson grew up in Connecticut and now lives in beautiful Colorado with her husband, Jackson, their dog, Bilbo Waggins, and cats Mr. Whiskers and Mosey. She has a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience and a master’s degree in public health, which she uses in her day job as a life science consultant. Her professional career has been particularly devoted to women’s health and reproductive justice. When not writing, she can often be found in the mountains, either hiking, backpacking, or snowboarding. Passionate about travel and the great outdoors, she catalogs her adventures on a travel blog and Instagram titled Out There Travels. Connect with Summer online via @summeratkinsonbooks on socials.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

.

GIVEAWAY

.

Look What You Made Me Do Blitz

.

~~~~~

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.

Older Entries