Archive for December, 2014

i Read Book Tour Logo Medium

I’m always in for a good mystery.

E.J. Simon has a couple of winners in Death Never Sleeps and Death Logs In.

For today, I’ll be sharing my review of Death Never Sleeps.

Make sure to stop back by Thursday, the 11th, for my review of Death Logs In.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Death Never Sleeps (Book One)
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My Review
His well ordered life is about to change. Michael Cross is a corporate CEO with a wonderful wife and a successful career.
Then his brother, Alex, gets gunned down and he’s drawn into the underbelly of loan sharks and illegal betting.
As Michael digs to discover his brothers murderer, he becomes involved in his brothers business, with all of the ugliness and danger it entails.
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A mysterious message has him wondering.
Is his brother really dead? Has to be. He saw the body, saw him buried. The author took me for a spin into the question of life after death, both philisophical and technical.
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Other weird things happen and people are out to get him, even threatening the life of his wife. Now the race is on to solve the murder before everything he values is eliminated.
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One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was Michael. His character rang true. The author shared his thoughts, which made his decisions and actions genuine and understandable.
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I could see where the allure of the dark side of business would captivate Michael. He’s bored with his uptight legal career. Kind of like an early mid life crisis.
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And keeping his brother distant in his life, trying to keep his brothers chosen life from tainting his, has left him feeling guilty.
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Things took an interesting turn when Michael started getting messages. Messages from his dead brother, Alex. The author had me very intrigued and I wondered if Alex was really dead. As the story developed, I wondered even more. And wished he were alive. His character was very prominent even though he was dead. Very good mystery there.
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From his brothers many ex wives to his right hand men, brothers Skinny and Fat Lester, a couple of characters more for show than for muscle, to the villains, of which there were some creepy ones, what you’d expect from the illegal side of money exchange, the characters were plenty and and entertaining, to say the least.
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One thing I  felt was lacking was more about Michael’s wife, Sofia. I felt that she needed to play a more prominent role in the story. What I did read about her had me liking her mojo.  I hope to read more about her in the next book.
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I zipped through this book quickly. The short chapters kept the pace flying. The characters were diverse and likeable, or not, and the suspense and mystery were developed well, keeping me interested and on my toes.
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4 Stars
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Synopsis

The problem with Alex Nicholas is that he won’t stay dead. Alex Nicholas was the consummate Queens bookie: fast cars and even faster women, and friends in all the wrong places. As an illegal sports betting and loan shark king in New York City, Alex was fearless-until the night his luck ran out and someone leveled the silver barrel of an automatic on him and pulled the trigger.

Michael Nicholas was everything his brother Alex was not: a powerful, married straight-arrow corporate CEO living the American Dream. Their two worlds collide when Michael discovers his brother’s secret laptop.

As Michael crosses the globe to find his brother’s murder, can he avoid his brother’s fate? And can the information contained in the laptop help Alex reach out to help Michael-from beyond the grave.

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Death Logs In (Book Two)
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Death Logs In.
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Some of the most powerful people in the world want to kill Michael Nicholas. Only his brother, Alex can save him – the problem is that Alex is dead.It’s been almost a year since Alex Nicholas, a Queens based underworld Boss, was gunned down. After Alex’s brutal murder, Michael inherited not only his brother’s business – but his enemies. Michael is now a key player in a world he once feared. By day, he is the head of a Fortune 500 company by night, the CEO of Tartarus, one of the worlds largest illegal gambling operations.

Before his death, Alex invested heavily in breakthrough artificial intelligence software so that he could live forever. It worked. In his virtual form, Alex can communicate with Michael and monitor information – and people – in ways the NSA would envy.

It is Alex who discovers Michael’s life is in danger. He detects plots that reach from the darkest corners of Queens, to the highest officials in the Vatican – and they all want Michael dead.

Michael is now in a race to save his life, but he is never alone – Alex is there to help him navigate through this maze of life and death. Also protecting Michael from the forces closing in around him is Sindy Steele, a beautiful – and lethal bodyguard.

How far is Michael willing to go to save his own life – and that of his family? Guided only by a familiar face on a computer screen, will the information Alex discovers allow Michael to go from being the hunted to the hunter?

Author’s Bio:

death logs in E.J. Simon

E.J. Simon was the CEO of GMAC Global Relocation Services (a division of GM) and the Managing Director of Douglas Elliman, the largest real estate company in NY.

He is a consultant to many leading private equity firms and has held senior level positions at prominent financial services companies.

He is a world traveler, food enthusiast and lives in Connecticut. Death Never Sleeps is his first novel. His second novel, Death Logs In, will be available in October 2014.

Connect with him:  Website  ~  Facebook  ~  Twitter

Where to buy the book:

AmazonBarnes and Noble ~Chapters Indigo

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Trailer

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour for more fun stops!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

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The Bravest Squirrel Drives a Race Car by Sara Shafer

Title: The Bravest Squirrel Drives a Race Car | Author: Sara Shafer | Publication Date: November 7, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 96 | Recommended Ages: 5 to 12

Book Summary:

When his baby cousin Zander runs away, Chaz finally has a chance to live his dream of rescuing someone and proving his bravery. But Zander doesn’t want to be rescued, and he certainly doesn’t listen.

When the little squirrel crawls into a race car, Chaz follows him, expecting they will hide from the humans until the race is over. But Zander doesn’t stay hidden, wanting to try everything the humans do.
When the race car spins out of control, Chaz is the only one who can save them. If he’s not brave enough, not only will they crash, he’ll lose Zander forever.
The Bravest Squirrel Series:
1. The Bravest Squirrel Ever
2. The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest
3. The Bravest Squirrel in School
4. The Bravest Squirrel Drives a Race Car

Amazon * CreateSpace

Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

The Bravest Squirrel series by Sara Shafer

 The Buzz About The Series

“Totally awesome book!! You are brave to be an author!” ~ reader Valerie D., age 9

A wonderful children’s book. I am passing mine on to my youngest grandson. He will enjoy this story.” ~ Susie, Amazon

“I liked how the squirrels act. They were funny. It was a really good book. I think other kids that are reading chapter books should read this.” ~ Gaea, 12 year old reader

About Author Sara Shafer

 

Sara ShaferWhen two squirrels moved into Sara Shafer’s attic, she went on a quest to figure out what they were doing. She knocked on the ceiling, and they scratched back. Imagining what they thought and felt, she wrote The Bravest Squirrel Ever and then continued their adventures with The Bravest Squirrel in the Forest, The Bravest Squirrel in School, and The Bravest Squirrel Drives a Race Car.

Although her attic is currently vacant, the squirrels outnumber the humans in her neighborhood and could decide to take over at any moment. She watches for signs of invasion as she plots more stories of squirrel bravery.

Website | Newsletter | Twitter

Facebook | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

The Bravest Squirrel Series logo

$25 Book Blast Giveaway

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: December 22, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Sara Shafer and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MDBR Book Promotion Services

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

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

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

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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

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I had this great idea for a topic to discuss and Forgot it! LOL

I can’t believe it. I was lying in bed, and this great idea came to me. I practically wrote it in my head. Thinking, surely I won’t forget this, I didn’t bother to jot down any notes. Now, it’s been several days, and I still can’t remember what the idea was!

Have you ever had that happen? I’ve had it happen while reading a book. I have this great thought to put in a review and then don’t write it down. Wake up in the morning and no clue what I was thinking the night before. So now I keep a notepad and pen by my bed. I even keep pen and paper handy in my car, just in case I think of something awesome.

But did I use it the other night when I had my epiphany? Nope! And it’s driving me nuts. LOL

Not much new has happened this week. I do have a lot of new books to share with you.

So here ya go!

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Here are my new books for review.

You can click the covers to check them out on Goodreads.

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And the ARC of Racing The Storm, Jay’s upcoming new release in this series.

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New ones just for me!

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And here are some freebies for ya!

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

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And Anthony Renfro is making all of his stories available as free downloads this month!

Click HERE to check them out!

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Books I reviewed this week.

Click on the covers for my reviews.

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Books I’ll be reviewing next week.

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Interesting posts from around the web.

Lola has an interesting post on her blog Lola’s Reviews about book blurbs.

Roger Colby’s post ~ 10 Worst Cliches in Fiction Writing

Check out Kat Kennedy’s post ~ How to name your blog

Donna Ansari talks about Endings and her Vampire in the City Series

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What I won.

Nothing new this week.

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Other Posts this week.

Bewitching Brews and Devilish Desserts Holiday Giveaway

A year in the Secret Garden ~ Blasy and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesdays #90 ~ Come Along With Me

Christmas Capers ~ Holiday Book Blitz

The Mystic Princesses and the Whirlpool ~ Blast Giveaway

A witching we will go…Rehab is for Witches ~ My Review

Two new books by David Estes! Slip and Grip ~ Blitz Giveaway

4 for Friday December Giveaway Blitz

Justice Jackson P.I. ~ Free short story from Tamaria Soana

The Claus Box Set Tour ~ Journey of a Snowman Excerpt and Giveaway

The Nancy Cat by M R Shields ~ Blast and Giveaway

Bash and Lucy Fetch jealousy ~ Blast Giveaway

Merry Christmas from Anthony Renfro! All of his stories will be free!

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For all of my 2014 reviews go HERE

For a list of free books go HERE

For all of my giveaways go HERE

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So, what did you get to read this week?

Got any recommendations?

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

Wishing You A Merry Southern Christmas!

I’m so excited!

Anthony Renfro is going to have all of his books available as free downloads!

I’ve read his Zombie Holiday Trilogy and I’m reviewing each story to coincide with each holiday.

You can find the link to my A Zombie Thanksgiving review further into this post.

And I’ll be reviewing A Zombie Christmas on the 18th so be sure to stop back by! There will be another short story surprise review also.

So check out the dates, mark your calendar or save this post, and get your books FREE!

Here’s what Anthony Renfro has to say!

I plan to start running my stories for free over the next couple of weeks. This is what I hope will be an attempt to capture some readers who need something to read over the holidays and capture readers eager to snatch up free stories for the ebook readers they get as gifts. Most of my stories are thriller and suspense like horror stories. I hope to also capture readers who are a bit run down with all the Christmas stuff and want to read something just a bit different this holiday season.

If want to you can re-blog this on to your site, like it on Facebook, Tweet it out, Google Plus it, whatever. Just get the word out for me if you can.

Feel free to drop your links to your free stories into the comment section below. I will have this post stuck to the front page of my blog for a couple of weeks, so feel free to come by anytime and leave me a link to your stories. Maybe together we can generate some buzz about the writing we so love to share with the world, and if something grabs my attention I might just put up a post about it.

Click on this link to connect with Anthony.

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Click on the covers to see the books on Amazon and get your free copies on the specified dates.

Here is the schedule.

December 7 – 8

Killer Treads

 

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December 9 – 10

A Haunted House Tale

A short story about five students on Halloween night who discover the secrets and terrors of the town's most infamous haunted house.

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December 11 – 12

Daylight Vampires and Sunrise Werewolves

A Western short story about a town called Saltwater Junction besieged by creatures of the night who now do their stalking in the bright light of day.

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December 13 – 14

Terror Ride

A short story about the evil that consumes two guys who decide to steal a car and take a joyride late one night.

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December 15 – 16

Evil Beach

A short story about two boys who discover a hidden beach and the evil deadly secrets that lie within its soft white grains of sand.

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Here’s the schedule for when my Zombie Holiday Stories will be free.

A Zombie Thanksgiving: December 9 – 13

You can read my review HERE.

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A Zombie Christmas: December 17 – 18

Catch my review on December 18th also.

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A Zombie New Year: December 12 and December 20 – 21

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A Zombie Holiday Trilogy: December 19th

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Author Anthony Renfro

Anthony Renfro

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

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

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

Find him on:

Amazon ~ Goodreads

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Merry Christmas!

For all of my giveaways click on Zombie Santa below.

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Meet Lisa and Michael Cohn, a Mother-Son writing team who created “Bash and Lucy” to help (then) 4 year-old Michael cope with the death of their family dog, Lucy. They have become media darlings, including being featured in The Daily Mail in the U.K. and making an appearance on The Today Show! “Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy” is their latest release.

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Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy Cover

Title: Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy | Authors: Lisa Cohn & Michael Cohn | Illustrator: Heather Nichols | Publication Date: December 6, 2014 | Publisher: Canines and Kids Publishing | Pages: 39 | Recommended Ages: 3 to 8

Book Summary

From an award-winning Mom-Son team featured on the Today Show, Bash and Lucy Fetch Jealousy is a contemporary boy-and-dog book. Bash’s dog, Lucy, helps coach his soccer team, and Lucy leads the team to the championships. But Bash is overcome with jealousy when Lucy enchants a team of Special Olympics kids who say they want her to coach their team. Can Bash overcome his jealousy and learn to share Lucy with kids who say they need her? This is Book Two in the Bash and Lucy series, following Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence, a Mom’s Choice Silver Award winner and finalist, USA Best Book Awards. Co-uthor Michael Cohn, age 6, has appeared on the Today Show, on SiriusXM Radio, in Disney’s Babble, in The Oregonian and other media.

Amazon * Goodreads

 

Early Buzz About the Book

“This is a sweet story that teaches young readers not only about dealing with jealousy, but how dogs help kids with special needs. In the book, Bash, the boy who is the main character, learns how to help others, in spite of feeling jealous. Beautiful, expressive illustrations!” ~ 5 Star Review, Kristi H., Amazon

 

About the Authors: Lisa Cohn and Michael Cohn

Lisa Cohn and Michael CohnWriter Lisa Cohn and her 6-year-old son, Michael Cohn, have appeared on the Today Show, SiriusXM Radio, AM Northwest and Disney’s Babble, in addition to the Oregonian and other media. Their first book, “Bash and Lucy Fetch Confidence,” received a Mom’s Choice Silver Award and was a 2013 USA Best Book Award finalist. Lisa and Michael’s aim is to share with children their love of dogs, books and writing! Learn about their school visits, dog blog and book reviews by Michael and friends by visiting www.BashAndLucy.com

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Website | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook

Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads

 

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* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: December 21, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author Lisa Cohn and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MDBR Book Promotion Services

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

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The Nancy Cat by M.R. Shields

Title: The Nancy Cat | Author: M.R. Shields | Illustrator: Martin Paterson | Publication Date: November 15, 2014 | Publisher: Independent | Pages: 140 | Recommended Ages: 8+

Book Description

Agent Rose is a secret Agent and the best in the business. Everyday he has to deal with the dangerously impossible, the risky and improbable. When tasked with infiltrating a super maximum security vault, Agent Rose calls upon help from an unusual source..

The Nancy cat!

A fantastic little story for children aged 8+.

Amazon * Goodreads

About Author M.R. Shields

M.R. Shields

M R Shields is a Children’s and Young Adult fiction writer from Perth, Scotland. He is best known for his ‘Chronicles of Astoria‘ Young Adult series and loves creating stories that make children smile or laugh, and not necessarily in that order.

Google+ | Goodreads

 

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

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* $25 Book Blast Giveaway *

Amazon 25 gift card

Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal cash (winner’s choice)

Contest ends: December 20, 11:59 pm, 2014

Open: Internationally

How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.

Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author M.R. Shields and is hosted and managed by Renee from Mother Daughter Book Reviews. If you have any additional questions – feel free to send an email to Renee(at)MotherDaughterBookReviews(dot)com.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MDBR Book Promotion Services

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

christmas sleigh photo: Christmas abulb22.gif

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A themed tour through Prism Book Tours.

The Claus Box Set

Now you can purchase all three books in the Claus Series together!

AmazonBarnes & Noble

More About the Series

Claus: Legend of the Fat Man
(Claus #1)
by Tony Bertauski
YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 326 Pages
June 19th 2012

The Christmas story you never heard.

In the early 1800s, Nicholas, Jessica and Jon Santa attempt the first human trek to the North Pole and stumble upon an ancient race of people left over from the Ice Age. They are short, fat and hairy. They slide across the ice on scaly soles and carve their homes in the ice that floats on the Arctic Ocean. The elven are adapted to life in the extreme cold. They are as wise as they are ancient.

Their scientific advancements have yielded great inventions — time-stopping devices and gravitational spheres that build living snowmen and genetically-modified reindeer that leap great distances. They’ve even unlocked the secrets to aging. For 40,000 years, they have lived in peace.

Until now.

An elven known as The Cold One has divided his people. He’s tired of their seclusion and wants to conquer the world. Only one elven stands between The Cold

One and total chaos. He’s white-bearded and red-coated. The Santa family will help him stop The Cold One. They will come to the aid of a legendary elven

known as…Claus.

AmazonBarnes & Noble

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Jack: The Tale of Frost
(Claus #2)
by Tony Bertauski
YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 290 Pages
October 17th 2013

Sura is sixteen years old when she meets Mr. Frost. He’s very short and very fat and he likes his room very, very cold. Some might say inhumanly cold. His first name isn’t Jack, she’s told. And that’s all she needed to know.

Mr. Frost’s love for Christmas is over-the-top and slightly psychotic. And why not? He’s made billions of dollars off the holiday he invented. Or so he claims. Rumor is he’s an elven, but that’s silly. Elven aren’t real. And if they were, they wouldn’t live in South Carolina. They wouldn’t hide in a tower and go to the basement to make…things.

Nonetheless, Sura will work for this odd little recluse. Frost Plantation is where she’ll meet the love of her life. It’s where she’ll finally feel like she belongs somewhere. And it’s where she’ll meet someone fatter, balder and stranger than Mr. Frost. It’s where she’ll meet Jack.

Jack hates Christmas.

AmazonBarnes & Noble

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Flury: Journey of a Snowman
(Claus #3)
by Tony Bertauski
YA Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Holiday
Paperback & ebook, 300 Pages
November 15th 2014

Life hasn’t been kind to Oliver Toye.

As if juvenile diabetes isn’t enough, he’s forced to live with his tyrannical grandmother in a snow-bound house. He spends his days doing chores and the nights listening to the forest rumble.

But when he discovers the first leather-bound journal, the family secrets begin to surface. The mystery of his great-grandfather’s voyage to the North Pole is revealed. That’s when the snowman appears.

Magical and mysterious, the snowman will save Oliver more than once. But when the time comes for Oliver to discover the truth, will he have the courage? When Flury needs him, will he have the strength? When believing isn’t enough, will he save the snowman from melting away?

Because sometimes even magic needs a little help.

Enjoy this glimpse inside Flury

“You have grown.”

She doesn’t let go while looking him over: his hair, the stray whiskers on his chin, the insufficient winter clothing. She stares at the floor. His socks are loose at the ends of his frozen toes, specks of snow clinging to the fabric. Small puddles begin to bead on the polished floor.

“And how old are you?”

“Fifteen.”

She purses her lips like he just lied. “And your health?”

“Good.” That time he did. His blood sugar still isn’t right. “I’ll get the luggage.”

“Nonsense. It’s not going anywhere. You will come in and eat. Diabetics need a balanced meal.”

If his memory is correct, she’s called him “diabetic” more than she’s called him “grandson.”

She holds her hand out. Mom offers her elbow, and Grandmother takes it. They walk down the dim hallway. She’s wearing big, puffy boots but doesn’t slide them over the floor. Instead, her steps are carefully measured and silent. Dead silent.

Like outside.

Oliver quickly knocks the snow crystals off his feet and mops the water with his socks before following. The dim hallway feels like the house is swallowing him. Just past the stairway on the left is a doorway leading to the family room. A large picture window offers a panoramic view of the property. On the right side of the hallway, there’s a long table with three table settings, including a teapot.

Grandmother opens a drawer in a small table against the wall and takes out a towel. “You may join us once your mess is cleaned up, Olivah.”

His mom makes a silent apology as she guides Grandmother toward the dining table. He takes the towel to the front door and wipes up the little streaks of water. A gust of wind pushes against the door. A draft sneaks through the bottom. Oliver looks through the decorative pane of glass and sees the last wisps of snow swirling on the sidewalk.

A mess of twigs are scattered over the pavement.

He opens the door. The trees are still, and the silence is perfect. Not even the icicles hanging from the gutters are dripping.

“Close the door, Olivah. Come along.”

With damp towel in hand, he returns to the dining room for bitter tea and dry muffins in the place he’ll call home.

Temporary home.

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AmazonBarnes & Noble

About Tony Bertauski

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During the day, I’m a horticulturist. While I’ve spent much of my career designing landscapes or diagnosing dying plants, I’ve always been a storyteller. My writing career began with magazine columns, landscape design textbooks, and a gardening column at the Post and Courier (Charleston, SC). However, I’ve always fancied fiction.

And I’m a big fan of plot twists.

WebsiteGoodreadsFacebook

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Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon gift card and the Claus Box Set ebook
Open internationally
Ends December 21st

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow the Tour!
1 – Launch
14 – Grand Finale

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

christmas sleigh photo: Christmas abulb22.gif

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Justice Jackson P.I.
by Tamaria Soana
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https://dwtr67e3ikfml.cloudfront.net/bookCovers/f736309130b3b1e6499352309b2a199496f55543

Genre: Romance

Sultry waitress Andrea Bloome serves cocktails at The Lounge, the hottest jazz club in Chicago. When her life is in danger, she turns to charismatic P.I. Justice Jackson for help.

Can he save her from the people who are meant to protect her? Or will he be blinded by the overwhelming attraction between them?

Set in the 1940’s.

This is a free short story.

~Excerpt~

“Please try and relax, Ms. Bloome.” I handed her the martini.

“Call me Andrea,” she replied in a timid tone.

I smiled. “Well, Andrea, you can call me Justice.”

“Justice, do you always bring your work home?” she asked.

I laughed. “No, but I don’t want anything to happen to you. I feel this deep need to protect you.”

She looked frightened. “Won’t helping me put you in danger?”

“I’m a P.I., my life is always in danger.”

She pondered what I said.

Her hazel eyes met mine. I felt frozen. Her timid but inquiring voice brought me back to the present. “Why did you choose to become a P.I.?”

“What else was I going to do with a name like Justice Jackson?”

She let out a giggle and a look of concerned quickly crossed her face.

“What’s going to happen when I don’t show up for work tonight?” she asked in a shaky voice.

“They’ll most likely go looking for you. That’s why you’re here safe with me. I promise I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Justice, this could be very dangerous for you.”

“It may be, but I’m just careful and trust very few people.” I answered in a comforting tone . I didn’t want her to worry about me.

“How do you know you can trust me?” she asked full of curiosity.

“Are you concealing a weapon, Ms. Bloome?” I raised an eyebrow at her. I wanted to lighten the mood. She took a deep breath, her body relaxing. She smiled and stepped closer to me.

“I may be. Do you want to frisk me?” she replied jokingly.

Our eyes met and the earth moved around me. I was taken by her. I needed to concentrate on saving her life, not her amazing lips. Oh, did I mention her incredible legs that seemed to be a mile long even though she may have been all of five foot three? So, yes, Ms. Bloome, I do want to frisk you. Needing to put some distance between us and focus on the issue at hand, I pushed away my attraction to her and cleared my throat. “Please excuse me. I need to call my sister Julia. She is about your size and she can get you the things you need. Please make yourself at home.”

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~Watch the Trailer~



~About the Author~





Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels her life has begun. She writes sexy contemporary romance stories that always end with a ‘happily ever after’. Growing up she loved to read and make up new places in her head to escape to. In her late teens she began writing short stories and poetry; it wasn’t until her late thirties before she began to spin a full story. She’s married and a stay-at-home-mom of two beautiful young girls, they reside in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw is her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights.

4-for-Friday-Dec-Banner

Welcome to the 4 for Friday Blitz for A Murder of Magpies by Sarah Bromley, Shadows Fall Away by Kit Forbes, Call Me Grim by Elizabeth Holloway, and Daughter of Chaos by Jen McConnel, presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post.

A-Murder-of-Magpies-Cover

 

 

Winter in Black Orchard, Wisconsin, is long and dark, and sixteen-year-old Vayda Silver prays the snow will keep the truth and secrecy of the last two years buried. Hiding from the past with her father and twin brother, Vayda knows the rules: never return to the town of her mother’s murder, and never work a Mind Game where someone might see.

No one can know the toll emotions take on Vayda, how emotion becomes energy in her hands, or how she can’t control the destruction she causes. But it’s not long before her powers can no longer be contained. The truth is dangerously close to being exposed, placing Vayda and her family at risk.
Until someone quiets the chaos inside her.

Unwanted. That’s all Ward Ravenscroft has ever been. To cope, he numbs the pain of rejection by denying himself emotions of any kind. Yet Vayda stirs something in him. He can’t explain the hold she has on him–inspiring him with both hope and fear. He claims not to scare easily, except he doesn’t know what her powers can do. Yet.

Just as Vadya and Ward draw closer, she finds the past isn’t so easily buried. And when it follows the Silvers to Black Orchard, it has murder in mind.

add to goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | IndieBound

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

Sarah Bromley

Sarah Bromley lives near St. Louis with her husband, three children, and two dogs. She likes the quiet hours of morning when she can drink coffee in peace, stare into the woods behind her house, and wonder what monsters live there. When she’s not writing or wrangling small children, she can be found volunteering at a stable for disabled riders.

 

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Shadows-Fall-Away-Cover

Mark Stewart is one incident away from becoming a juvenile delinquent, and his parents have had enough. They ship Mark off to London England to stay with his eccentric aunt Agatha who is obsessed with all things Jack the Ripper. After a strange twist of luck, Mark is struck by lightning, and he wakes to find himself in 1888 Victorian London.

His interest in a string of murders Scotland Yard has yet to solve make him a likely suspect. After all, why would a young boy like Mark know so much about the murders? Could he be the ripper they’ve been searching for? Convinced the only way to get back home is to solve the murders, Mark dives headfirst into uncovering the truth.

Mark’s only distraction comes in the form of the beautiful Genie Trembly, a girl who is totally out of his league and who may have already caught the attention of the infamous ripper. To save her, he’ll endanger both their lives, and risk being trapped in the past forever.

add to goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

Kit Forbes

Kit Forbes has been a lover of books, history, and all things paranormal for as long as she can remember. She lives in Western Pennsylvania with her youngest daughter and an assortment of cats who give new meaning to the world bizarre.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Call-Me-Grim-Cover

The truck should have turned Libbi Piper into a Libbi Pancake — and it would have, too, if Aaron hadn’t shown up and saved her life. The problem? Aaron’s the local Grim Reaper… and he only saved Libbi’s life because he needs someone to take over his job. Now, Libbi has two days to choose between dying like she was supposed to, or living a lonely life as Death Incarnate. Talk about a rock and a hard place.

And the choice goes from hard to sucktastic when her best friend shows up marked: condemned as a future murderer. Libbi could have an extra week to stop the murder and fix the mark… but only if she accepts Aaron’s job as Reaper, trapping herself in her crappy town forever, invisible and inaudible to everyone except the newly dead. But, if she refuses? Her best friend is headed straight for Hell.

add to goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Chapters Indigo! | TBD | iBooks

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

Elizabeth Holloway

Elizabeth Holloway is a registered nurse living in Southern Pennsylvania with her two teen children, Bam-bam the dog, and Tinkerbell the cat. CALL ME GRIM is her first novel.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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There comes a time in every witch’s life when she must choose her path. Darlena’s friends have already chosen, so why is it so hard for her to make up her mind? Now, Darlena is out of time. Under pressure from Hecate, the Queen of all witches, Darlena makes a rash decision to choose Red magic, a path no witch in her right mind would dare take. As a Red witch, she will be responsible for chaos and mayhem, drawing her deep into darkness. Will the power of Red magic prove too much for Darlena, or will she learn to control it before it’s too late?

DAUGHTER OF CHAOS is the first in the RED MAGIC paranormal YA trilogy.

add to goodreads

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository | IndieBound

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author

Jen McConnel

Jen McConnel now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches writing composition at a community college. Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.

 

Author Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway

Three winners will receive all four eBooks!

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

christmas sleigh photo: Christmas abulb22.gif

slip banner.
This is my stop during the book blitz for Slip (Slip #1) and Grip (Slip #2) by David Estes. This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours.

The book blitz runs from 1 till 5 December, you can view the complete blitz schedule on

the website of Lola’s Blog Tours.

I’m tellin ya, David is putting out books left and right. I can’t keep up with his new releases. This is one series I have to read and I can’t wait for you to check out the descriptions for Slip and Grip. You’ll be as giddy as me to get your hands on these, and they are available now.

Go get em!

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Slip coverSlip (Slip #1)
By David Estes

Genre: Dystopia
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 1 December, 2014

Blurb:
Someone must die before another can be born…

As sea levels rise and livable landmasses shrink, the Reorganized United States of America has instituted population control measures to ensure there are sufficient resources and food to sustain the growing population. Birth authorization must be paid for and obtained prior to having a child. Someone must die before another can be born, keeping the country in a population neutral position at what experts consider to be the optimal population. The new laws are enforced by a ruthless government organization known as Pop Con, responsible for terminating any children resulting from unauthorized births, and any illegals who manage to survive past their second birthday, at which point they are designated a national security threat and given the name Slip.

But what if one child slipped through the cracks? What if someone knew all the loopholes and how to exploit them? Would it change anything? Would the delicate resource balance be thrown into a tailspin, threatening the lives of everyone?

And how far would the government go to find and terminate the Slip?

In a gripping story of a family torn apart by a single choice, Slip is a reminder of the sanctity of a single life and the value of the lives we so often take for granted.

You can find Slip on Goodreads

You can buy Slip here:
Amazon

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Grip coverGrip (Slip #2)
By David Estes

Genre: Dystopia
Age category: Young Adult
Release Date: 1 December, 2014

In a tumultuous world of population control, one illegal child has slipped through the cracks. Now, as a teenager, Benson Kelly has escaped certain deaths at the hands of the Department of Population Control, only to find himself the symbol of a rebellion, something he never intended.

While trying to survive one day at a time, Benson seeks to unravel the tangled knot of secrets left behind when his father died, the key to which has something to do with his mother, Janice Kelly, recently escaped from the insane asylum.

As the rebel group known as the Lifers continue to use brute force to send a message to the government, Benson’s twin, Harrison Kelly, seeks to exploit a loophole that could be the key to freedom for his brother. All that’s required is a simple act of murder.

Meanwhile, Population Control’s attack dog, a sadistic cyborg known as The Destroyer, closes in on Benson and his family. His directive: Kill them all.

Faith, family and love will be pushed to the limits in the GRIPping sequel to Slip.

You can find Grip on Goodreads

You can buy Grip here:
Amazon

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Author Photo - David EstesAbout the Author:


Author of popular YA dystopian series, the Dwellers Saga and the Country Saga. Voted books to read if you enjoyed the Hunger Games on Buzzfeed and Listopia.

Join 2,400+ David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite in David Estes’ official fan group at:
http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/70863-david-estes-fans-and-ya-book-lovers-unite

David Estes was born in El Paso, Texas but moved to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when he was very young. David grew up in Pittsburgh and then went to Penn State for college. Eventually he moved to Sydney, Australia where he met his wife. They now live together in their dream location, Hawaii. A reader all his life, he began writing novels for the children’s and YA markets in 2010, and started writing full time in June 2012. Now he travels the world writing with his wife, Adele. David’s a writer with OCD, a love of dancing and singing (but only when no one is looking or listening), a mad-skilled ping-pong player, and prefers writing at the swimming pool to writing at a table.

You can find and contact David here:
WebsiteFacebook ~TwitterGoodreads

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Slip.

These are the prizes you can win:

– Winners choice of book to the value of $15.00 U.S. from The Book Depository
– A signed copy of SLIP plus bonus swag- U.S. entrants only
– A signed copy of BREW plus bonus swag- U.S. entrants only
– 3 ebook packs with three David Estes ebooks of your choice
– 4 signed packs of bookmarks

You can enter the blitz wide giveaway here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Lola's Blog Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For all of my giveaways click on the  Southern Christmas Charm below.

christmas sleigh photo: Christmas abulb22.gif