Archive for February, 2019

The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

Posted: February 12, 2019 in giveaways, Historical
Tags: ,
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​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time.
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The Chef's Secret by Crystal King

The Chef’s Secret

by Crystal King

Category: Adult fiction,  352 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Atria/Simon & Schuster
Release date: Feb 12, 2019
Tour dates: Feb 11 to 28, 2019
Content Rating: R (for a couple of explicit, but loving, sex scenes (no abuse or rape) and minor curse words)

Synopsis

​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncle’s secrets—including the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate—properties, money, and his position—to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi’s dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni’s life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle’s secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi’s journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder—all to protect an illicit love affair.

As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi’s past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces—his brother Cesare and Scappi’s former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef’s recipes.

With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chef’s Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indiebound
Books-a-Million ~ Kobo ~ iTunes
Google Play ~ Book Depository
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Add to Goodreads

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Enjoy the interview with author Crystal King

What did you like most about writing The Chef’s Secret?

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I love writing about food and Bartolomeo Scappi was one of the most fascinating culinary characters I could have chosen. I loved exploring the cookbook he wrote in 1570 and learning all the regional food traditions. The Renaissance is also such a fun time in history to research–there are so many colorful, artistic characters that lived during that time whom my main character may have known. I loved that I could add famous artists like Benvenuto Cellini and Michelangelo as characters–it’s very probably that Bartolomeo had cooked them a meal at some point in his life.

Do you ever cook any of the recipes described in your book?

Yes! That’s one of the most exciting things to me about exploring the lives of Italian culinary heroes. I think to really know my characters I have to cook the foods that they would have cooked or at least make a grand attempt to. The recipes aren’t always easy to decipher, and many of the ingredients are not as familiar today to a modern palate. Or they are things we just don’t eat any more. For example, peacock, crane, calves eyeballs, hedgehog, or porcupine. But there are many things.There are many things in the 1570 cookbook that Bartolomeo Scappi wrote that we would find delicious, including apple crostata, braised beef, mushroom soup, fritters, and so much more. I include many of these recipes in The Chef’s Secret Companion cookbook, which can be found here. And if you are interested in ancient Roman food, check out my page all about the cuisine of that time, and you can also download the Feast of Sorrow companion cookbook too.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

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This is hard because I don’t think of myself like my characters. Maybe Stella, Bartolomeo’s great love. Although, it’s funny, when I wrote Feast of Sorrow, my husband said, “oh you are  just like Thrasius,” who was one of the main characters in that book. I was floored, because I think I’m nothing like him, but apparently my subconscious is! When I finished The Chef’s Secret, I asked him if I was like Giovanni and he said absolutely not, so I think I might have successfully taken myself out of the book which is good.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

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I do. I work as a social media professor for a technology company. I develop video lessons on how to use all the social media platforms. Eventually I hope that I am only writing books, but it’s hard for authors to make a living today. Until I’m able to do that, I am lucky to have a day job that I also really love.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

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I don’t. If anything, I get stopped by not having enough time or I don’t feel motivated–which is different than being blocked. I don’t think I would ever be somebody who could suffer from writer’s block–knock on wood. I went to school for my M.A. in critical and creative thinking, and as part of my thesis, I developed writing exercises for authors in progress– authors who are stuck with parts of their plot. And if I ever feel stuck, I go to one of those exercises to unstick myself. I also spend a lot of time talking to myself and working through plot problems. This sounds funny but it’s super helpful for me. I’m the person that you might be next to at a stoplight in your car, and you look over and that woman is just talking away to herself. That would be me asking myself questions. What if this happened? How do I get this character to do that? And I just explore all those ideas and questions out loud. It’s amazing how often answers will come to me when I’m talking to myself.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

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This is a hard question because I have studied several different time periods, and while I would love to go back and be a fly on the wall in them, I think it would be difficult to want to live in those time frames, particularly as a woman. If I had to say, I would like to visit ancient Rome and see it in all of its beautiful splendor, and I would, of course, love to see Rome in the Renaissance, but well after the sack of Rome.

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Crystal King

About Author Crystal King

​Crystal King is an author, culinary enthusiast, and marketing expert. Her writing is fueled by a love of history and a passion for the food, language, and culture of Italy. She has taught classes in writing, creativity, and social media at several universities including Harvard Extension School and Boston University, as well as at GrubStreet, one of the leading creative writing centers in the US.

A Pushcart Prize–nominated poet and former co-editor of the online literary arts journal Plum Ruby Review, Crystal received her MA in critical and creative thinking from UMass Boston, where she developed a series of exercises and writing prompts to help fiction writers in medias res. She resides in Boston but considers Italy her next great love after her husband, Joe, and their two cats, Nero and Merlin. She is the author of Feast of Sorrow.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Spotlight Tour Schedule

Feb 11 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 11 – Essentially Italian – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 12 – Viviana MacKade – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – A Fountain of Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – FUONLYKNEW – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 13 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – 100 Pages A Day – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 14 – Falling Into A Good Book – book spotlight
Feb 14 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 14 – Lukten av trykksverte – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – Paulette’s Papers – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – It’s All About the Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 15 – Cat’s Corner – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 15 – Amy’s Booket List – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Haddie’s Haven – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Just One More Chapter – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 19 – Icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 19 – A Madison Mom – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 20 – A Holland Reads – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 21 – Rainy Day Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – The Book Girl – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 25 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Lisa-Queen of Random – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Corinne Rodrigues – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 26 – Laura Reading – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 26 – Within The Pages Of A Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – My Devotional Thoughts – book spotlight / author interview
Feb 28 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Feb 28 – Dab of Darkness Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Two Witches And A Whiskey ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: February 11, 2019 in giveaways, New Adult, urban fantasy
Tags: , , ,
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Two WitchesAndAWhiskeyBlitzBanner-1

Two Witches and a Whiskey
by Annette Marie
(The Guild Codex: Spellbound, #3)
Publication date: February 8th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
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Two Witches cover
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Synopsis:
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Three months ago, I landed a job as a bartender. But not at a bar—at a guild. Yeah, the magic kind.

I’m not a badass mage like my three smokin’ hot best friends. I’m not a sorcerer or an alchemist, or even a wussy witch. I’m just a human, slinging drinks like a pro and keeping my non-magical nose out of mythic business. Seriously, I know my limits.

So why am I currently standing in a black-magic ritual circle across from a fae lord?

Somewhere behind me, my three mage friends are battling for their lives. Somewhere near my feet is the rogue witch I just knocked out with a stolen spell. And I have about five seconds to convince this very angry sea god not to shmoosh me like a bug.

I’m pretty sure this wasn’t part of the job description.

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THE GUILD CODEX: SPELLBOUND
Three Mages and a Margarita (#1)
Dark Arts and a Daiquiri (#2)
Two Witches and a Whiskey (#3)

Purchase: Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Shouts burst from Aaron’s table in a mix of triumph and dejection. Half the table lifted their shot glasses and tossed them back, Aaron included. He slammed his glass down and growled.
“That one wasn’t fair,” he complained. “Lyndon, your turn.”
Surveying the gathering, I counted most of our top combat mythics—from mages like Aaron, Kai, and Laetitia, to sorcerers like Andrew, Lyndon, Gwen, and Zora. Even Girard, the first officer, had joined in. This was the elite faction of the guild—the ones who claimed the toughest jobs and took on the deadliest opponents.
Ezra was part of the circle too, but he’d slid his chair back and didn’t have a glass. He never drank much, stopping long before he got tipsy.
Whiskey bottle in hand, I leaned against his chair. “What’s going on?”
“Drinking game,” Ezra replied with a grin. “Going around the circle, each person shares something they’ve done or experienced on a job. Anyone who hasn’t had a similar experience has to drink.”
“Since Darius covered it so thoroughly,” Lyndon declared, “I want to know. Who’s been bitten by a vamp? If you haven’t, cheers!”
Groaning, Aaron downed his refilled glass. Wasn’t he happy to be vamp-bite-free? Or maybe he was so many shots in that he’d prefer pointy fangs over more liquor. Laetitia, Gwen, Andrew, and two others drank as well, but Kai didn’t.
Zora pushed her sleeve up and displayed an ugly half-circle scar on her forearm. “The bastard nearly ripped a chunk out of me. It happened back at my old guild and their healer wasn’t top- notch.”
As various mythics whistled appreciatively, Lyndon pulled his shirt collar aside. A similar scar marked the spot where his neck and shoulder joined. “She drained a solid pint before my team caught up. I don’t normally relish a kill, but that one didn’t bother me.”
They passed the whiskey around, refilling their shot glasses.
Andrew, a skilled defensive sorcerer and frequent team leader, leaned back in his chair. “I want to see who hasn’t tripped and fallen on their face in the middle of a fight. And when you drink, we’ll all know you for the liar you are.”
As everyone laughed, Kai alone lifted his shot and downed it. Smacking it on the table, he raised his chin in challenge. “Who’s calling me a liar?”
I snickered when no one said a word. If there was ever a mythic who hadn’t wiped out in a battle, it was super-ninja Kai.
Girard stroked his beard. “My turn, isn’t it?”
Aaron and Kai exchanged despairing glances.
Smirking, Ezra half-whispered to me, “Girard will try to make everyone drink.”
The officer shot him a grin, then lifted his glass in a mocking toast. “Not to get too macabre, but Lyndon brought up kills, so. If you haven’t seen at least six bodies in one place, drink.”
“What?” Gwen pointed accusingly. “What kind of horrific shit have you been sticking your greasy beard in, Girard? Who stumbles across six piss-reeking corpses?”
Ah, Gwen. Every time she opened her foul mouth, I had to fight the urge to laugh. With her sleek blond ponytail and penchant for designer business attire, she looked like a high-end executive— an impression she ruined whenever she spoke.
Girard wagged a finger. “Drink, Gwen.”
Scowling, she tossed back her shot. Everyone else lifted theirs—except Aaron and Kai. Their smiles had vanished, their expressions grim as they stared at their shots like they wished they could drink too.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the table, then Zora grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of Ezra’s chair. “Tori, you do one!”
“Uh, me?”
His drunken grin back in full force, Aaron took my replacement whiskey bottle and stuffed a full shot into my hand in its place. “Give us a good one, Tori!”
I blinked around the table, packed with the guild’s best warriors. What could little ol’ human me say? What had I done that none of them had? Well, there were a few contenders. Flown with a dragon? Made a darkfae scream like a sissy girl? Punched a rogue druid in the nose? Problem was, I couldn’t talk about any of that.
My gaze dropped to Aaron. “Who here has thrown a drink on three mages at once?”
Laughing groans circled the table. Even Girard had to take a shot.
“Wait!” Laetitia lowered her whiskey. “I spilled a coffee across Darius, Tabitha, and myself once. Does that count?”
The table debated, then decided it counted. Zora gave me a commiserating slap on the hip, making me stumble backward into Ezra, still seated in his chair. He steadied me with a hand on my waist.
“Good try!” Zora exclaimed. “You almost had it, but no one’s managed to make everyone drink yet.”
“Tori could have,” Kai interjected. “All she had to do was say ‘kissed Aaron.’ Then we all would have lost.”
The guys howled with laughter and Aaron snorted.
Zora turned to Alistair, an older man I knew only as the most powerful mage in the guild. He was rarely here, too busy hunting the scariest bad guys both in the city and outside it.
“Last round, Alistair,” she said. “I can’t handle any more whiskey, so this is your final chance to claim ultimate victory. Go big or go home.”
Alistair tugged thoughtfully on his snow-white beard. Deeply tanned and weathered, with full- sleeve tattoos on his sinewy arms, he oozed badass-ness. I leaned forward, eager to hear his challenge.
“Hmm. All right, this is mine: Who among us has fought the ultimate opponent?” His dark stare roved around the table. “Who’s fought a demon mage?”
No one moved. A wordless ripple passed among the mythics as they assessed their comrades’ reactions. Cold, tangible fear crawled through the eerie silence. Then, in near perfect unison, they lifted their shots and drank.

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Author Annette Marie

Annette withces

Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

Author links:  Website /  Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Grand Slam Murders by R.J. Lee ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Posted: February 11, 2019 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Grand Slam Murders

A Bridge To Death Mystery

by R. J. Lee

40179509

Grand Slam Murders (A Bridge to Death Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (January 29, 2019)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 149671914X
ISBN-13: 978-1496719140
Digital ASIN: B07CWF82MH

After four bridge players are poisoned, newspaper reporter Wendy Winchester sets out to catch a killer who’s not playing with a full deck . . .

When the four wealthy widows who make up the venerable Rosalie Bridge Club never get up from their card table, this quiet Mississippi town has its first quadruple homicide. Who put cyanide in their sugar bowl? An aspiring member and kibitzer with the exclusive club, Wendy takes a personal interest in finding justice for the ladies.

She also has a professional motivation. A frustrated society columnist for the Rosalie Citizen, she’s ready to deal herself a better hand as an investigative reporter. This could be her big break. Plus, she has a card or two up her sleeve: her sometimes boyfriend is a detective and her dad is the local chief of police.

Partnering up with the men in her life, Wendy starts shuffling through suspects and turning over secrets long held close to the chest by the ladies. But when a wild card tries to take her out of the game, Wendy decides it’s time to up the ante before she’s the next one to go down . . .

Author R.J. Lee

R. J. Lee follows in the mystery-writing footsteps of his father, R. Keene Lee, who wrote fighter pilot and detective stories for Fiction House, publishers of WINGS Magazine and other ‘pulp fiction’ periodicals in the late ’40’s and ’50’s. Lee was born and grew up in the Mississippi River port of Natchez but also spent thirty years living in the Crescent City of New Orleans. A graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee) where he studied creative writing under Sewanee Review editor, Andrew Lytle, Lee now resides in Oxford, Mississippi.

Author Link – Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon  –  B&N – Google Play –  IndieBound  – Kobo

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 4 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

February 4 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 5 – Here’s How It Happened – GUEST POST

February 6 – Christa Reads & Writes – REVIEW

February 6 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 7 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 8 – Jody’s Book Reviews, Book Tours & Giveaways – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 8 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

February 10 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – Laura`s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 13 – Valerie’s Musings – GUEST POST

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #299 and The Sunday Post

Posted: February 10, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
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This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

The weather was so nice this week. Warm and… warm. LOL It did take a dip back to cold on Friday. But Saturday I got up to sunny skies and it warmed up quite nicely around lunch time. Supposed to stay high sixties to seventy all next week. Spring is in the air and I can’t wait!

Nothing much else to report. So I’ll just say……..

Have a lovely Sunday.

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My new books this week.

My Hungry Friend by [Barnett, Daniel]  Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors by [Griffith, Kathryn Meyer]

Murder Between the Pages (The Nina Foster Mystery Series Book 1) by [Lee, Linda Hope]  Into the Darkness: A Taine McKenna Adventure (Taine McKenna Adventures) by [Murray, Lee]

Traveler in the Dark (Ex Situ Book 1) by [Gould, Deirdre]  Isle of Savages by [Briar, T.]

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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

His Hand In the Storm: Gray James Detective Murder Mystery and Suspense (Chief Inspector Gray James Detective Murder Mystery Series Book 1) by [Sethi, Ritu]  The Last Call (The Bill Travis Mysteries Book 1) by [Wier, George]

Morning Glory Murder: A Pleasant View Estates Mystery by [Randall, Jessica L.]  The Ruth Valley Missing (Jameson Quinn Mysteries Book 1) by [West, Amber]

SHADOW PACK: An Urban Fantasy Mystery (Michael Biörn Book 1) by [Daniel, Marc]  Messenger (The Shifter War Book 1) by [Ness, K K]

Broken Doll (Broken Doll Series Book 1) by [Blake, Zoe]  Grave Girl by [Cross, Amy]

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Click on the covers for this week’s reviews.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Are You Ready For …… The Novel Art Of Murder ~ Tour and Giveaway

Slime Spewing Vampire Velociraptors & Flying Mutant Zombie Rats ~ Reviews and Giveaway

Imani Unraveled ~ Release Day Blitz and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #251 ~ Moses & Mac

Mars Wars ~ Detonation Event ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Murder, She Meowed ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Ghosts Of Thores-Cross ~ Series Tour and Giveaway

The Friday 56 #198 ~ My Hungry Friend

Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway for Winning The Cowboy’s Heart

Who will survive the Night Shift

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Who survives the Night Shift

Posted: February 9, 2019 in reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: ,
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Got a chilly one for you today. Thanks to Flame Tree Press I received this beautiful paperback ARC of Night Shift by Robin Triggs and I’m happy to share my review with you.

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 Night Shift

  by Robin Triggs

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Genre: Science Fiction

 My  Review

I was really wanting to love this. Stories that are set in Antarctica are a big draw for me. The harshness of frigid temps and the isolation from society. It brings group dynamics into play. Another favorite aspect for me.

It was fascinating to see how this group of miners would handle the challenges that were thrown at them. The long night is coming. A new Chief of Security, Anders Norvekdt, arrives. The crew lacks confidence in his abilities as the winter over starts. His own self doubt is evident and when the commander’s body is found frozen outside and communication with the outside world goes down, he’s the likely suspect. But, trust is in short supply, and the crew also turn their suspicions on each other.

Who would fall to the hunger, fear and isolation and who would rise to lead was the best part of this story. I can’t say it was the character’s personalities. I didn’t warm up to any of them. And I was disappointed in the world building. I gathered it was in the near future as the mining operation was a last ditch hope to discover a new energy source to keep society alive. But it was never really explained. You’re left to draw your own conclusions.

The last quarter of the book was pretty thrilling. As the last remaining crew members have to rely on each other to survive, despite their mistrust, their situation gets more dire. Lack of food and water and a way to stay warm force them into smaller and smaller locations. The author put me in their shoes as they despair, grow weaker and weaker. Crammed together, they wait for the night shift to end.

 The issues that kept me from loving this book weren’t major, yet, they did add up. I can say I never wanted to stop reading and I did enjoy it.

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Synopsis

Antarctica. A mining base at the edge of the world. Anders Nordvelt is over-promoted and he knows it. Arriving at Australis base on the last transport before the long night falls, he is to take over as Chief of Security. It should be an easy job. The crew have all been rigorously psychoanalysed and he’s there only because the rulebook says the position must be filled. The biggest challenge Anders anticipates is to find his place within an established group. But shortly after his arrival communications to the outside world are cut. Suspicion immediately falls upon Anders. It’s his job to uncover the culprit – but how can he find answers when the rest of the crew, bound by relationships, resentments and passions he knows nothing about, see him as the threat? Surely no-one can have crossed thousands of miles of wasteland – the sabotage must have been an inside job. But how could a criminal have got past the screening process? Then the commander’s body is found in the ice. The running of the base falls to the senior staff, Anders included, but there is open hostility towards him. Only the uncertain support of the engineer, Max, gives any hope. But can he trust her? Is he giving her too much leeway as it is? Amidst the fear the work must continue. In a world where every last scrap of fuel is precious, the minerals must keep flowing. But the attacks continue, leaving them with no heating and little food. As they shelter in a basement room, claustrophobia, starvation and madness become as big a threat as a murderer. Will Anders live long enough to find the killer? Will anyone survive the night shift, or will future explorers find only ice and frozen corpses in the last remaining wilderness on the planet? FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway for Winning The Cowboy’s Heart

Posted: February 9, 2019 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: ,
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On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

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Winning the Cowboy’s Heart

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By Karen Rock

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you’ll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch – Note from the Author

The Cade and Loveland family drama continues with the fifth book in my Rocky Mountain Cowboys series! The Cade and Loveland ranching families, neighbors who’ve been feuding for over a hundred years, are full of such interesting and complicated characters who face, and overcome, personal challenges in unique and inspiring ways to find true love and happiness. . . . I hope you enjoy this long awaited love story where opposites truly attract and learning to love yourself is the first step to truly loving another.

— Karen

Rockin’ Book Reviews – Review

“This is an entertaining tale of two “sworn enemy” families who were forced to look “deep within themselves and in others”. This story is somewhat predictable, yet, keeps the reader interested until the very end.

This will surely inspire all who read it. The characters are very realistic and the scenes easily visualized.”

Britt Reads Fiction – Review

“What a great story! This book is part of a series, yet I had no trouble jumping in and understanding some of the backstory between the two main families that was established in previous novels.

I really liked Heath and Jewel and wanted things to work out for them. They had such great chemistry . . . . I really liked this story and hope to read future books in this series.”

Hallie Reads – Review

“Another delightful cowboy story from Karen Rock, Winning the Cowboy’s Heart puts Jewel Cade and Heath Loveland at the forefront of the action. Their families may be feuding, but the chemistry and attraction they share is undeniable—and seeing their romance unfold is well worth the read. . . . If you love cowboy romances, definitely check out Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. It reads well on its own, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the rest of the series yet (but those books are wonderful, too!).”

The Power of Words – Review

“Winning the Cowboy’s Heart is an excellent story, as is the whole Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. It’s well written, highly entertaining, almost impossible to put down, engages the emotions, and is clean. . . . Woven throughout this story is the off-the-charts chemistry between Heath and Jewel, with some kissing scenes guaranteed to leave you weak at the knees, but there’s also tons of atmosphere, character depth and relational drama. . . . I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this series and hope for more stories to come. Highly recommended.”

Getting Your Read On – Review

“This has been such a fun series so far. I am loving it. Finally we get to Jewel, one of the rare women in the midst of this family of mostly men. . . . I really loved Jewel. . . . One thing I love about this book was Heath’s perspective. . . . The family dynamics continue to play a large role in the book as with all the other books in this series. The bigger story is playing out and shifting with each of the main characters from previous books contributing their part. I love the ongoing feeling of family and, well, the drama that only family can bring.

I can’t wait for the next book which is coming soon!”

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review

“Karen Rock does a fantastic job of portraying her character’s feelings with vivid imagery that completely sings to my soul. . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the small-town, cowboy feel to the story and loved the grit and determination of both Heath and Jewel, as they work hard to prove themselves and to follow their individual dreams. . . . The chemistry simmers from the start and the gradual release was well worth the wait. I think this one is my favorite of the set so far! I loved every juicy minute of this book and I can’t wait for more.”

Jorie Loves A Story – Review

“The beauty of this installment is not just keeping the continuity in tact for the Loveland/Cade adverse relationship stemming from water rights but for giving us a glimpse into how hard it is to recognise needing the time to learn “who you are’ before you can consider becoming a ‘partner’ with someone else. . . . Rock hasn’t disappointed me – she’s crafted together a wicked lovely fifth installment of a series that is enduring as it is nurturing . . . its a series that once it grabs your emotional bookish hearts, your not going to want to ‘let it go’ until you get the chance to read the next story!”

Deal Sharing Aunt – Review

“This is a great book inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It has the arts in it (music) and it has a family rivalry. . . . Even though their families are feuding, they are thrown together. As they work side by side they start to fall for each other. . . . I am giving this book a 5/5.”

Faithfully Bookish – Review

“This is a great book for readers who enjoy clean romance, big families, ranching, music, and happily ever afters. Although I’m sure the previous books in this series are equally enjoyable, this story can be read independently and I definitely recommend it!”

Remembrancy – Review

“With the pull of attraction getting stronger between Heath and Jewell, a looming lawsuit between the families, and discovering what’s most important in their lives, Karen Rock gives readers another thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling story. Winning the Cowboy’s Heart one is the best in the series yet!”

onemused – Review

“#WinningTheCowboysHeart is a Romeo and Juliet style cowboy romance. . . . Heath and Jewel are a great, complimentary couple. Notably, as a heartwarming book, you won’t find more than a kiss in the book- but boy, are there some kisses! I highly recommend!”

EmpowerMoms – Review

“This story was really fun to read! I enjoyed the characters, family dynamics and reading about daily life on the ranch. I can’t wait to read more books in this “Rocky Mountain Cowboys” series! . . . Highly recommend this book and series-it’s a lot of fun to read!”

Harlie’s Books – Review

“Okay, I still haven’t told you why I loved the book. Simple. Ms. Rock wrote it and I love the Cades and Lovelands, warts and all. With this story, my emotions and reactions were all over the place and I love her for it. She made me stop and think about it. I’m writing this review the night before its due and I finished the book over a week ago. Yes, I’m still thinking about it and my emotions are still strong.”

Janice’s Book Reviews – Review

“Since I read the first book in the series and then ones after that I have looked forward to Jewel’s story. This book did not disappoint. . . . I am enjoying this series. They can be read as a stand alone but I recommend the whole series, they are all great.”

Two Girls and a Book – Review

“This has been a fun series so far and I have to admit that I’ve been anxiously waiting to read, Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. . . . Ms. Rock certainly made the wait worthwhile by focusing on Heath and Jewell. I absolutely loved the banter between them . . . I love novels that focus on family, friends and hard work something the author covers so well throughout this series. . . . It’s a fast-paced story filled with sweet and loveable characters, Although this is the 5th book in the series it can be read as a standalone but I recommend you read them in order so that you can follow the families and their history.”

Locks, Hooks and Books – Review

“I loved Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. Heath and Jewell were fun together. The chemistry between the two was undeniable. I never knew what would happen with them and had to keep turning the pages to find out. . . . I highly recommend it for readers who love a well written, clean and heartwarming romance. “

Thoughts of a Blonde – Review

“It’s like coming home again! Every time I open the latest book in Karen Rock’s Rocky Mountain Cowboy’s series, it’s like being among family. . . . I loved the complexity of their situation, and getting to catch up with news from how our favorite past couples are doing. Great characters, compelling drama and a sweet happily ever after … loved Jewel & Heath!”

Splashes into Books – Review

“This is a story of learning to trust yourself and to do things that will benefit yourself rather than striving always to please others. It is an exploration of how expectations and dreams can be revised, especially when you discover what your thought were facts really aren’t. . . . I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. They probably work well as standalones but they are about the same families and relate to events in chronological order – I highly recommend them all and can’t wait for the next one, A Rancher to Remember, to be released in April!”

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader – Review

“Winning The Cowboy’s Heart by Karen Rock is absolutely amazing. I don’t know how but Rock always makes me feel like I am right there with her characters as I am reading. . . . I hope you are ready for a modern day Romeo and Juliet.”

Reading Is My SuperPower – Review

“I have been waiting for Jewel and Heath’s story since book one and boy howdy it did not disappoint. With one party already in full crush mode and the other party pretty much oblivious at first, it makes for some interesting tension in close quarters. But whew – once Heath figures things out he’s a man on mission. And since some of that mission involves sizzling kisses, you know I’m on board!”

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven’t already…

Winning the Cowboy’s Heart
(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #5)
By Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 379 Pages
February 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Jewel Cade wants two things—

One is Heath Loveland

The Rocky Mountain cowgirl has her heart set on becoming range boss of the Cade ranch. But first she has to accompany the son of her family’s longtime enemy—and her off-limits secret crush—on a cattle drive across Colorado. Discovering Heath shares her attraction only makes for a rockier road. Because Jewel has a sneaking suspicion that if she drops her guard, the cowboy might ride off with her heart.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│iBooks│Kobo│Harlequin

Other Books in the Series

And coming in April 2019…

About the Author

Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes sexy suspense novels and small-town romances for Harlequin and Kensington publishing. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Google+│Tumblr│Pinterest│BookBub│Amazon

Tour Giveaway

– 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card – Open Internationally
– 1 winner will receive signed, print copies of the first four books in the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series (Christmas at Cade Ranch, Falling for a Cowboy, Bad Boy Rancher & A Cowboy’s Pride) – US Only
– Ends February 13, 2019

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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The Friday 56 #198 ~ My Hungry Friend

Posted: February 8, 2019 in horror, The Friday 56
Tags: ,
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Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from:

My Hungry Friend

  by Daniel Barnett

37762565

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Horror

From page 56 in the paperback.

“Oh, I found this in my my mom’s bedroom. I was wondering if it might be poisonous.”

Cassie stared down at the arachnid – if it could be classified as that with twelve legs – and said, “What might be poisonous?”

I’d expected Cassie not to see the spider just as the people in the park hadn’t seen the maggots….

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Synopsis

When Mike Roberts kicks over a homeless woman’s cup of change, she whispers a cryptic warning:

“Mind the cracks . . .”

Now the Boston he knows and loves is unraveling around him. But his life is not the only thing at stake. His mother, a once acclaimed writer lost in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, depends on him to have a home. And then there’s her caretaker, Cassie, who might want something more from Mike than the friendship they’ve long shared.

As his city balances on a razor’s edge, Mike will have to hunt down the daughter of the woman he wronged and uncover their terrible family secret . . . or be plunged into a world of crawling horrors and unspeakable hunger.

A world from which no one has ever returned.

Amazon

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Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Ghosts Of Thores-Cross ~ Series Tour and Giveaway

Posted: February 8, 2019 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, suspense
Tags: , ,
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The Haunting of Thores-Cross
Ghosts of Thores-Cross Book 1
by Karen Perkins
Genre: Paranormal Suspense
 
“The ghost of a wronged young woman in the village of Thores-Cross waits
230 years to have her story told in Perkins’s suspenseful and
atmospheric first Yorkshire Ghost novel” –
BookLife by Publishers Weekly
*Silver Medal Winner, European fiction – 2015 IPPY Book Awards
*#1 Bestseller in 6 Amazon Categories, including Ghost Suspense, British
Horror and Gothic Romance
*Top 10 Bestseller in 8 more, including Historical Thrillers and Occult Horror
*Over 100 5-STAR reviews on Amazon.com
Likened by independent reviewers on Amazon to the Brontë sisters, Edgar
Allen Poe, Barbara Erskine and Nathaniel Hawthorne, Karen Perkins’
novels are filled with unflinching honesty and an acute understanding
of human nature. She explores not only the depths of humanity, but
the depths of human motivation behind the actions and pain people
inflict upon each other, as well as the repercussions of these
actions not only in the short term, but also the later generations
who live with the implications of the past.
Emma Moorcroft is still grieving after a late miscarriage and moves to her
dream house at Thruscross Reservoir with her husband, Dave. Both Emma
and Dave hope that moving into their new home signifies a fresh
start, but life is not that simple. Emma has nightmares about the
reservoir and the drowned village that lies beneath the water, and is
further disturbed by the sound of church bells – from a church that
no longer exists.
Jennet is fifteen and lives in the isolated community of Thores-Cross, where
life revolves about the sheep on which they depend. Following the
sudden loss of both her parents, she is seduced by the local wool
merchant, Richard Ramsgill. She becomes pregnant and is shunned not
only by Ramsgill, but by the entire village. Lonely and embittered,
Jennet’s problems escalate, leading to tragic consequences which
continue to have an effect through the centuries.
Emma becomes fixated on Jennet, neglecting herself, her beloved dogs and
her husband to the point where her marriage may not survive. As
Jennet and Emma’s lives become further entwined, Emma’s obsession
deepens and she realises that the curse Jennet inflicted on the
Ramsgill family over two hundred years ago is still claiming lives.
Emma is the only one who can stop Jennet killing again, but will her
efforts be enough?
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Cursed
Ghosts of Thores-Cross Book 2
 

Jennet’s here. No one is safe.

A skeleton is dug up at the crossing of the ways on Hanging Moor,
striking dread into the heart of Old Ma Ramsgill – the elderly
matriarch of the village of Thruscross. And with good reason. The
eighteenth-century witch, Jennet, has been woken.
A spate of killings by a vicious black dog gives credence to her
warnings and the community – in particular her family – realise they
are in terrible danger.
Drastic measures are needed to contain her, but with the imminent flooding of
the valley to create a new reservoir, do they have the ability to
stop her and break her curse?
 
 
Jennet
Ghosts of Thores-Cross Book 3
 
‘Jennet will have your heart and your fear in equal measure’
‘Through Jennet we see how cruelty can drive even the most ordinary people to hatred
and, in Jennet’s case, evil’
Yorkshire is in the grip of a heatwave, and Thruscross Reservoir has dried up
to reveal the remains of the drowned village of Thores-Cross beneath.
Playing in the mud which coats the valley floor, four-year-old Clare
Wainwright finds an old inkpot, and can’t wait to show it to her
best friend, Louise. But when Louise’s mother, Emma, sees it, her
reaction is shocking, and both families are plunged into their worst
nightmares.
Emma knows what the inkpot portends:
Jennet has woken.Now she wants the children.
This is not a gore-ridden, jump-scare horror story. This is more real than
that. Jennet is a story about the horrific things that people do to
each other, and the way we react to that maltreatment – which does
not always end with death.
Jennet’s story is a horror story because it’s not necessarily fiction. It
reflects the way women were treated in the time that Jennet lived. It
reflects the psychology of the abuse cycle. And it reflects real
life. All of it.
If, as I believe, the spirit does not die when the physical body dies,
then how many spirits are looking for vengeance today?
What wrongs will you want to right when you pass through that veil? What
will I?
This is the conclusion of Jennet’s story, which began in The Haunting of
Thores-Cross. I hope she finds peace. I really do.
 
 
 
Karen Perkins is the author of eight fiction titles: the Yorkshire Ghost
Stories and the Valkyrie Series of historical nautical fiction. All
of her fiction has appeared at the top of bestseller lists on both
sides of the Atlantic, including the top 21 in the UK Kindle Store in 2018.
Her first Yorkshire Ghost Story – THE HAUNTING OF THORES-CROSS – won the
Silver Medal for European Fiction in the prestigious 2015 Independent
Publisher Book Awards in New York, whilst her Valkyrie novel, DEAD
RECKONING, was long-listed in the 2011 MSLEXIA novel competition.
Originally a financial advisor, a sailing injury left Karen with a chronic pain
condition which she has been battling for over twenty five years
(although she did take the European ladies title despite the
injury!). Writing has given her a new lease of – and purpose to –
life, and she is currently working on a sequel to Parliament of
Rooks: Haunting Brontë Country.
When not writing, she helps other authors prepare their books for
publishing and has edited over 150 titles, including the 2017 Kindle
UK Storyteller Award winner, The Relic Hunters by David Leadbeater,
and has also published a series of publishing guides to help aspiring
authors realise their dreams.
Karen Perkins is a member of the Society of Authors and the Horror Writers
Association.
 
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Murder, She Meowed ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Posted: February 7, 2019 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Murder, She Meowed

A Pawsitively Organic Mystery

by Liz Mugavero


Murder, She Meowed (A Pawsitively Organic Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Kensington (January 29, 2019)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 1496717589
ISBN-13: 978-1496717580
Digital ASIN: B07CWDC8G9

Kristan “Stan” Connor loves concocting tasty organic treats for dogs and cats—and she also loves her fiancé, pub owner Jake McGee. But she’s not so enthusiastic about finding a dead body at her own bachelorette party . . .

Stan and Jake’s wedding will soon take place on the town green in Frog Ledge, Connecticut, followed by a reception at their beloved Irish pub filled with friends, family, and their four favorite canine companions. Stan just has to endure the traditional girls’ night out first. Male strippers jumping out of gigantic cakes aren’t her preferred entertainment. But the hired hottie never gets around to taking it all off . . . because someone takes him out first with one of Stan’s kitchen knives. A heartbroken Stan recognizes the victim as one of the delivery men from the local farm—who must have been moonlighting for some extra cash. Now the guest list has turned into a suspect list—and Stan’s making a vow to find the killer . . .

Includes Gourmet Pet Food Recipes!

Author Liz Mugavero

Liz Mugavero has been writing stories since she could hold a pen. Before that, she would tell them to anyone who would listen (not many at the time). After deciding early on she would write books for a living, she practiced by writing bad, angst-filled poems, short stories and even a storyline for a soap opera–all by age 15. She never wavered from her goals despite all the usual questions including, “So are you going to be an English teacher with that degree in English?” or, “That writing thing sounds nice, but how are you REALLY going to make a living?”

She went on to get a master’s in writing and publishing and spent time in journalism, PR, and presently, corporate communications. And she’s confident this writing thing IS the way to make a living.

Aside from writing, she loves animals (has a houseful), the beach, reading other writers’ masterpieces and Starbucks coffee.

Author Links

Webpage / Twitter / Goodreads / Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon – B&N  – Kobo – Google Play – IndieBound

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

February 4 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 4 – Reading Authors – REVIEW

February 5 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW

February 6 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

February 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

February 6 – Valerie’s Musings – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 7 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 7 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – View from the Birdhouse – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

February 9 – Sapphyria’s Books – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – The Montana Bookaholic – REVIEW, RECIPE

February 9 – I’m All About Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 10 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 10 – Laura`s Interests – REVIEW

February 10 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – Cinnamon, Sugar and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

February 11 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 11 – Here’s How It Happened – GUEST POST

 

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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Mars Wars ~ Detonation Event ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: February 6, 2019 in giveaways, Science Fiction
Tags: ,
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Detonation Event
Mars Wars #1
by John Andrew Karr
Genre: Science Fiction
Pub Date: 2/5/19
 
For decades the Space Consortium of America has searched for new ways to
harvest resources beyond an increasingly depleted Earth. The ultimate
plan is about to be ignited. So is the ultimate threat to humankind. . .
Detonation Event
Battle-hardened Captain Ry Devans and his crew of the Mars Orbiting Station-1 are
part of a bold plan: resurrect the once-active molten cores of the
Red Planet with synchronized thermonuclear explosions, and terraform
the hell out of that iron-oxide rock for future generations. It’ll
change history. So will the strands of carbon-based Martian cells
that have hitched a ride on the ship.
Dr. Karen Wagner knows the microbes’ resistance to virus is incredible.
It’s the unknowable that’s dicey. Her orders: blow them into
space. But orders can be undermined. Two vials have been stolen and
sent hurtling toward the biosphere. For Devans and Wagner, ferreting
out the saboteurs on board is only the beginning. Because there are
more of them back on Earth—an army of radical eco-terrorists
anxious to create a New World Order with a catastrophic gift from Mars.
Now, one-hundred-and-forty-million miles away from home, Devans is feeling
expendable, betrayed, a little adrift, and a lot wild-eyed. But space
madness could be his salvation—and Earth’s. He has a plan. And
he’ll have to be crazy to make it work.
“Detonation Event starts with the unusual proposition that the
greatest difficulty in terraforming Mars will be not geophysics but
Earth politics–rising quickly to open warfare. Interesting and
intelligent.” –Dave Drake Author of Hammer’s
Slammers
 
 
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Detonation Teaser
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Prologue

2228 AD

The abyss and its twin gape at the Martian sky as if aware of the pain to come.

One in daylight, the other night, they disrupt a global desert. The tunnels thrust to the very heart of the planet, as if the God of War had twice speared his namesake and wrought its demise. Mars was never a kind deity, and while he is no longer capable of violence, his blood-colored world remains just as hostile to life.

Here the sun rises and sets without mortality to mark the passage of time. The thin air constricts no lungs. The cold bites neither flesh nor frond. Beds of ancient waterways gather dust, indistinguishable from surrounding barrens. Volcanoes stand as slowly withering ghosts. The underground reservoirs that once supplied them with magma cooled to rock millennia ago. Deeper still, the once-molten outer core endured the same fate, entombing the mass of solid iron, nickel, and sulfur that had been its heat source: the radioactive inner core. Both are cold now, and there is no geologic activity throughout the entire planet.

Mars orbits the sun—half again beyond Earth’s orbit—as a rocky corpse.

But perhaps not eternally doomed.

The tunnels are the first phase of a mission where the odds are seemingly light years long and without historical precedent. Even if the mission is initially successful, the duration is unknown. Something killed Mars before and can do it again. But a chance at life has arrived where there was none. An opportunity to restore the vibrancy of the planet’s youth, now only hinted at with subterranean ice and mysterious impressions upon the withered husk of the surface.

In its first billion years, the red planet may not have appeared red at all, but purple or even blue like Earth, depending on the ratio of breathable air to iron oxide particles spewed from volcanoes and lifted by wind from mountains and deserts. Surface water existed in the form of streams and lakes and perhaps even seas. Clouds of water vapor circled the globe. Lightning flashed and thunder boomed.

Rain fell on Mars.

And it was no coincidence that the planetary cores were active and “alive.”

Radioactive heat loss and convective currents of magma produced a magnetic field that bound the atmosphere to the planet in a geologic dynamo, the like of which still functions on Earth.

What killed Mars?

Perhaps its smaller size limited the amount of radioactive supply, and it simply ran out of energy. Or massive impact with an asteroid ejected the charged particles out to space. Whatever the case, death arrived soon after the Martian inner core went cold. Having lost its heat source, the molten outer core turned to stone as if succumbing to the Hydra’s gaze. The dynamo failed and its magnetism all but vanished. Gravity alone was too weak to hold the atmosphere. Air and water molecules escaped into space. Without a magnetic shield and atmosphere to deflect them, solar winds and radiation further stripped the surface dry.

Mars lost the means to support life beyond a microbial level.

Now temperature fluctuations spawn the only weather events. Night and polar regions regularly plunge two hundred degrees below zero Fahrenheit; cold enough to freeze its most abundant gas—carbon dioxide—into dry ice, though at times the equator at full sun can reach as high as sixty degrees. Far less drastic temperature swings combine with the weak gravity in a near vacuum to spawn frequent dust storms. The greater the temperature difference, the larger the storm.

Dust, prevalent everywhere, is lifted rather than scoured from the surface. Storms of it can be monstrous, at times engulfing the entire planet except for the gargantuan Olympus Mons. Far more common are the dust devils that waltz through a desolate Hell.

Some of the rust-hued particles fall into the open maws and down the tunnels.

No twists or turns arrest their journey. They gain no purchase along laser-bonded walls. Down they drift like mineral snowfall, passing signal relays at every mile. The dust falls for weeks toward the core. Recent inductees will never reach bottom before Detonation Event.

Electronic relays form a spiral pattern and flash in sequence for two thousand miles, down and back again, each briefly illuminating a section of tunnel along the way. Constantly monitored by satellites positioned above, the relays are members of a large supporting cast.

The lead roles belong to the hydrogen (thermonuclear) megabombs residing at the base of the each tunnel. These are cutting-edge nuclear fusion explosives; the latest in the class of Asteroid Busters.

Ever silent, Mars awaits its chance at resurrection.

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~~~~~
John Andrew Karr writes of the strange and spectacular. He enjoys
creating fantasy, paranormal, horror, and science fiction, having
self-published novels in all these genres. He’s a North Carolina
resident, IT worker, and all-around family guy.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

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