Archive for June, 2022

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Violet’s Voice organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Annee Jones will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Violet’s Voice

The Reclusive Man

by Annee Jones

Genre: Christian Historical Western Romance

Synopsis

Her voice saved him once…. Is he strong enough now to return the favor?

Following the mine’s collapse, Damien Cross lay between life and death, drifting in and out of consciousness in the makeshift hospital bed. Suddenly a voice captured his attention – a woman was singing. It was the most beautiful song he’d ever heard. The lyrical notes stirred something deep inside of him, willing him to live. If he could just hang on to the angel’s voice a little longer…

Five years have passed since that fateful day, and Damien can no longer stand to be confined anywhere – or beholden to anyone. He much prefers the company of horses to humans. However, in his dreams he still hears the voice of the angel, like a salve for his bitter, broken heart. One day as he is walking past the town’s saloon on his way to the bank, the sounds of music within drifts outside, and a woman begins to sing. Shocked, Damien recognizes her voice – his angel.

Violet Lovelace is struggling to make ends meet following the carriage accident that claimed the life of her father and left her mother in a wheelchair. Teaching voice lessons to children isn’t enough to pay for the pain medication her mother so desperately needs. When Violet is offered a job singing at the local saloon, she accepts despite her misgivings. But what other choice does she have?

Join Damien and Violet on their journey of discovering the light of hope in the throes of darkness and the triumphant power of love.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The late summer breeze felt wonderful against his heated face. He paused at the hitching post to take a deep breath.

 

“Well, Bluebell,” he said to the dappled mare as he unhooked the horse’s worn leather reins, “Guess that’s what I get for coming into town. A reminder that I’m not welcome here.”

 

Even the steady clip-clop of his beloved horse and the peaceful landscape around him did little to soften the constricted feeling around his heart as they made their way home.

 

That night, Damien lay in bed, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in his low back and hip. It was always present. Thankfully during the day when he was working on the ranch with the yearlings he was too occupied to notice. However, it seemed the minute he walked indoors at suppertime he turned into a decrepit old man, limping around the house, fumbling at the stove, and angry at everything and nothing at the same time.

 

Punching his pillow, he rolled over onto his side. From this vantage point, he could see out the window, realizing he’d forgotten to pull the drapes before blowing out the light. He didn’t feel like going to the effort of rising to cover the glass now. Outside, the night was clear, and the sky was full of stars. They were clustered together in small groups. Were they mocking him with their twinkling? Perhaps even the stars didn’t want him.

 

He rolled onto his back and stared up at the darkness of the ceiling instead. His eyelids began to droop. As he sank into that space between wake and slumber known as the land of dreams, he heard the voice of the angel again, singing her same beautiful song. Having realized long ago that the voice probably just belonged to some nurse or caregiver at the hospital who helped tend to the injured miners after the mine’s collapse, he still felt grateful for the gift of her voice. He’d never forgotten it, and it continued to soothe him during lonely nights like this one. Relaxing into the music in his memory, sleep at last overtook him completely.

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About Author Annee Jones

Author Annee Jones loves to write all things romance, fantasy, cozy mystery, & more. She is passionate about writing stories where dreams come true, and love wins in the end!

Professionally, Annee works as a disability counselor where she helps her clients navigate through complex medical and legal systems while rediscovering their wholeness in Spirit.

 

Subscribe to Annee’s newsletter to stay up to date on new releases, sneak peeks, author parties, and exclusive giveaways HERE.

 

Find Annee’s books here: Website / Amazon / Goodreads / BookBub

 

Want to join Annee’s private Facebook reader group, Annee’s Angels?  Request your spot now HERE.

 

You can also connect with Annee on her FB author page HERE.

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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.

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Death At Fair Havens

by Maria Mankin & Maren C. Tirabassi

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Death at Fair Havens
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Massachusetts
Brain Mill Press (April 26, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 318 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 194855965X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1948559652
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09NCJDRCS

Wanda Duff is an unconventional New England clergywoman, addicted to chicken wings, high-octane ice cream, and saying yes to anyone in need of a prayer, even the folks her town might think don’t deserve one.

 

When parishioner Niels Pond dies unexpectedly at the Fair Havens assisted living facility, Wanda’s duty to minister to his family is beset by her suspicions about the circumstances of his abrupt passing. Wanda finds an unexpected co-detective in high school vice principal Prudence Rye, who fled town on graduation night a decade ago and returned only recently.

 

Rye puts her job on the line to investigate the mourning Ponds with the surprisingly edgy Wanda. As they expose difficult family truths and uncover a dangerous conspiracy operating out of Fair Havens, Rye and Wanda discover curiosity has an unanticipated cost.

 

Comfortably gossipy, with a fresh take on the characters and ethos cozy mystery fans will love, Maria Mankin and Maren C. Tirabassi’s Death at Fair Havens launches a series that celebrates intergenerational women’s friendship and the power of inclusion, curiosity, and love.

 

“Here’s small town life portrayed with humor and affection, peopled with quirky characters you’ll care about.”
—James Patrick Kelly, winner of the Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“How many creepy single men can there possibly be in a twenty-five-mile radius?”

Wanda addressed the spiked heel of the cute but cruel shoe whose partner she had kicked to the other side of the room. Partner. There was something she wasn’t going to find anytime soon. As her thick hair grayed and the wrinkles, of which she was quite fond, deepened, much of the charm seemed to be stripped from the men who queued up to take her to dinner.

Age aside, her magnetism for unbalanced singles in her area had increased exponentially with the addition of one word to her dating profile—clergy. Wanda guessed it was a major deterrent to many men who might reach out, to whom the words “Open and Affirming” meant little. Her church, with its oversized justice-seeking heart and passion for combating climate change—even if it might be one compostable roll of toilet paper at a time—was her first love. She couldn’t romantically connect with someone who didn’t get that the path she walked took her on Jericho walks to protest deportation and into prisons to give voice to the angry and forgotten.

“Divorced twice,” of course, made her more approachable but also, it seemed, less lovable. Several particularly unpleasant dates had the audacity to compare her to a used car—most likely sound under the hood, but suspect due to past experiences.

Not this one though. John had been earnest, aged, and eager to share about being “born again.” He’d shown up with photos of twenty grandchildren (or possibly twenty photos of one) and a long list of complaints about the neighbors he was supposed to love. Wanda wasn’t sure which of them had left more disappointed, though she suspected him, what with her foot lodged so well up his righteous…well…

Time for comfort food.

She looked longingly at a leftover container half full of diablo wings and soggy French fries, but at nearly eleven p.m. frozen yogurt would be less likely to invite heartburn as company. Ben and Jerry’s Half Baked or Cherry Garcia? Cherry Garcia, she decided. The container felt fuller.

Wanda took the pint to the bedside table to soften up. She shed her cute skirt and the black sweater that wore well for both bad dates and the office for soft flannel pajamas. Christian Century or the new N. K. Jemisin? The magazine followed her shoes into the corner, and only then did the Jack Russell raise a sleepy eyelid.

“Some watchdog you are, Wink.”

Wink didn’t lift his snout from his paws. He could smell the difference between his fifty-three-year-old Beta and a stealthy, fear-sweating burglar. He was only waiting till she finished throwing things-that-were- not-balls and was ready to climb into bed and warm it up. Only then would he deign to join her.

Wanda’s cell rang. That was bad news this time of night. Sick, dying, traffic accident, house fire, kid missing. “Hello?”

“Reverend Duff?”
Nice voice. “Yes?”
“This is—”
“Luke? Luke Fairchild.” “You’re good.”

“I compensate for crap hearing with careful hearing. Makes folks forget my designer hearing aids. And you’ve got that gorgeous tenor. Unforgettable.” Wanda would love Luke Fairchild to call her late at night and ask her to come over. All six feet of dark Italian good looks in a package that announced, “I work out,” and that smile…

“Well, thank you. Sadly, this isn’t a social call. I have a pickup at the Fair Havens memory loss unit, and I think the family could use some support. The Ponds are on your church rolls?”

Luke was the director of Fairchild Funeral Home, the most entrenched funeral service in the area. His great-grandfather, Francesco Fraticelli, had purchased the home, then reinvented himself as Francis Fairchild and expected his descendants to follow suit in accommodating themselves to fit New England styles and sensibilities of grief.

Luke was respectable by day (and by night when he was on call), but Wanda had stumbled onto his alter ego. Before she had decided online dating screened creeps better than bartenders, she’d tried the music scene for late-night company, driving far enough to avoid encountering parishioners. One night, she’d discovered Luca Fraticelli and his fabulous band. They kept each other’s secrets.

“Niels Pond? I was there Sunday doing my rotation for afternoon devotions, and I remember seeing him jogging around the keyhole drive, picking flowers, and tossing them in the little fountain. He was actually jogging!”

“It seems to have caught people here by surprise, too …

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About the Authors

After teaching and working in early education for a decade, Maria Mankin has published six books with Pilgrim Press and has contributed to several anthologies. She is also a co-author of Circ, a mystery set in Skegness England, published by Pigeon Park Press, and Pitching Our Tents: Poetry of Hospitality. She is a regular contributor to Living Psalms, a collection in which the Psalms are reinterpreted in poetry and art as a reflection of God’s work of justice and compassion. She is currently working on a book of poetry and the third novel in the Rev and Rye Cozy Mysteries.

After trouping the country in the 70s as assistant manager of theatrical tours for choreographer Agnes de Mille, The National Theatre of Great Britain, The Royal Shakespeare Company and the Black Broadway production of ‘Guys and Dolls,’ Maren Tirabassi changed careers, to the surprise of everyone, to study at Union Theological Seminary in New York City and later Harvard Divinity School. Ordained in the United Church of Christ, she served as a bi-vocational pastor to seven churches in Massachusetts and New Hampshire while developing her writing career. Maren is the author of twenty-two books, fiction, non-fiction and poetry, the majority published by The Pilgrim Press.

A former Poet Laureate of Portsmouth, NH, and LAMDA Prize nominee for Transgendering Faith, Identity, Sexuality and Spirituality she currently facilitates programs for the NH Humanities Council with New Americans and people with cognitive difference and leads poetry and memoir workshops in prisons, recovery groups, churches and synagogues, hospice and survivor groups. She blogs at giftsinopenhands@wordpress.com.

With frequent writing collaborator, Maria Mankin, she is currently editing Death in the Woods, the sequel to Death at Fair Havens, as well as plotting the third novel.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter

Purchase Links

Brian Mill Press – Powell’s – Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Indiebound – Indigo 

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 21 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

June 21 – Cozy Up With Kathy -AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 22 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST  

June 23 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 24 – Readeropolis – GUEST POST

June 25 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 26 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT  

June 26 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 27 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 28 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 29 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

June 30 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

June 30 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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I am so excited that I get to spread the love for the SUNSET RISING SERIES by S.M. McEachern!

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If you haven’t yet heard about these wonderful books, be sure to check out all the
details below.

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This blitz also includes a giveaway for 2 eBook sets of the complete series from S.M.
&
Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

About the Books:

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Title: SUNSET RISING, WORLDS COLLIDE, NEW WORLD ORDER (Sunset Rising
Series)

Author: S.M. McEachern 

Pub. Date: Final book was published in 2015

Publisher: Clownfish Publishing

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 284

Find them: 

Book 1 FREE with a Kindle Unlimited membership: GoodreadsAmazonKindle

Book 2: GoodreadsAmazonKindleB&NiBooksKobo

Book 3: GoodreadsAmazonKindleB&NiBooksKobo

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From Book 1:

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“This book has it all—love story,
good vs evil, drama, and suspense. Definitely a book you can’t put down!”
 – Midwest Book Review

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“I’ve seen it compared to The Hunger Games and I’d have to agree. I can already see the movie version
becoming a hit!” 
Amazon Reviewer

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2015 Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for best YA Dystopian

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Deep inside a mountain in what used to be North America dwells the last of humanity. Welcome to the Biodome, where steel, rock and armed guards separate the privileged from the slaves.

Born and raised a slave in the Pit, Sunny O’Donnell has always accepted that she’ll spend her life working to keep the Dome running and, if she lives long enough, willingly meet her end in the
annual Cull when she reaches the age of thirty-five. This was the price her ancestors paid for their place inside the Biodome, the only safe haven from the global nuclear war of 2024. But when Sunny’s mother is killed in the Cull, the hopeless reality of her future becomes painfully clear.

Bereft and disillusioned, she heads down a reckless path that sets off a deadly riot in the Pit and leaves her accused of treason. Her only way of escaping public execution is to make a truce with her prison mate, who happens to be the heir to the dictatorship and hated enemy of the Pit. Now caught between two worlds on the brink of war, Sunny must weigh her own survival against risking everything to save the Pit.

S.M. McEachern delivers the action and adventure of The Hunger Games, the intrigue of The City of Ember, and the romantic notes of Les Misérables in her debut novel set in a future that is
disturbingly plausible.

G Rating: no foul language, no explicit sex, some mild violence.

 

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What Readers are Saying:

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“One of THE BEST dystopian books I’ve ever read!!
If/when this becomes a movie … I will be the first in line!”
 – Midwest Book Review

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“Romance, intrigue, and action all come together
beautifully here to create an experience that will leave anyone asking for more.” 
– Readers Favorite Gold Medal Award for best YA Dystopian

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“… a romance straight out of a Shakespearean play, with the
action of Katniss and Peeta.”
 – Amazon Reviewer

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“I might even love this more than I loved Hunger Games
(and that’s saying a lot!)”
 – Goodreads Reviewer

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“I’ve seen it compared to The Hunger Games and I’d have
to agree. I can already see the movie version becoming a hit!”
 – Amazon Reviewer

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“I was a huge fan of the Hunger Games series and I
actually loved Sunset Rising more! I am putting it on my top 10 list of most
favorite books.”
 –
Amazon/Goodreads Reviewer

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“FABULOUS!!! I fricken loved this story! If you love
Dystopian YA novels, READ THIS BOOK!” 
– Goodreads Reviewer

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“This book truly blew my mind. It is pure GENIUS …
(it’s) as good, if not BETTER, than the Hunger Games.”
 – Amazon Reviewer

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“If you like Veronica Roth, you’ll like this. I’m glad I
tried a new author!”
 – Amazon Reviewer

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“Let me start off by saying this novel stole hours of my
sleep. I could not put it down.”
 – Goodreads Reviewer

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Excerpt From Book 1, SUNSET RISING:

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I found the rope and gave it a good tug to make sure it was secure. Here. Use this to rappel down. Ill go first and guide you along as best I can.” I scrambled over the side and began my descent.

Wait!” Jack’s face appeared above me, terrified. “Arent you going to use the rope too?”

I dont need it. Ive been doing this since I was five. And besides, I dont think that old rope is going to hold two of us.”

I climbed down about ten feet to give him room. I heard him double- checking the rope. Come on.”

I cant even see!”

I rolled my eyes. At this rate we were going to get caught for sure.

Finally, he lowered himself over the side, tentatively feeling around with one foot. I descended another ten feet and looked up to see if he was following, but he hadnt made any progress. Jack, youre taking too long. Trust the rope.”

You mean this old rope, Sunny?” he snapped. I bit back a laugh.

I heard him take a deep breath and watched him lean out. He lowered one foot, then the other, and again. He continued to rappel in a slow and steady rhythm. I descended another ten feet, thinking I probably shouldnt be this close. If he fell, he would take us both down.

We continued on, me staying ten feet below Jack and encouraging him to keep going. He was painfully slow, but I tried not to get frustrated. I remembered it was hard the first time I did it, too.

Finally, we arrived at the sixth level and I pulled myself onto the landing. Almost there, Jack.”

When his feet dangled just above my head, I gave them a little tug to help him along.

Stop!” Jacks voice was edged with panic. Ill do it myself.”

I let go of him. I didnt need him screaming and bringing the guards in here. He lowered himself far enough to reach over to the landing. I grabbed him by the elbow and pulled him in. He hugged the side of the wall, testing to make sure his feet were firmly on the ground.

That was the scariest thing Ive ever done in my life.”

Scariest? He had no idea. “Welcome to the Pit, Jack.”

 

 

About S.M. McEachern:

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S.M. McEachern (who also writes new adult as Susan
McEachern) comes from the rocky shores of Canada’s East Coast. She is a
graduate of Dalhousie University, with an honors degree in International
Development Studies with a focus on ocean development. Throughout her academic
studies and early career, Susan had the privilege to study and work with
Elizabeth Mann Borgese, daughter of nobel prize winner, Thomas Man). An author
in her own right and a political activist for world peace, Mrs. Mann Borgese
played a significant influence on Susan’s view of the political world stage.

Visit Susan’s website at smmceachern.com for free short stories and updates on
new releases.

Sign up for S.M.’s Newsletter!

 

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

Giveaway

2 winners will win eBooks of the SUNSET RISING series, International.

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.

The Right Kind of Unexpected
Rayna York
Publication date: June 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Tess hasn’t experienced many kindnesses in her eighteen years. When her boyfriend abandons her at a small-town gas station, it’s just one more crappy event to add to the pile. Without a car, money, or cell phone, her options are limited, and calling her parents isn’t one of them. So when the family that owns the business throws her a lifeline, she grabs hold. Because even the worst situations can have a silver lining, and this one is a town called Jasper Creek, a diner everyone calls Earl’s, and a young mechanic named Colten Reed.

Rayna York’s standalone novel gives readers the small-town romance they crave with enough feels to make the heart sing. It’s the perfect feel-good, summer romance.

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Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I rush to the bathroom at the side of the building and lock the door behind me. I can’t deal with this anymore. I grip the sides of the pedestal sink and drop my head, breathing deep. In, out, in, out, fighting for calm.

Why? Why did I think this was a good idea?

Three days ago, Dax and I were on our way to a gallery opening when I mentioned I’d never been to Disney World. He said he hadn’t either. I commented on how it would be fun to jump in the car and go. High school graduation was over, my parents were in Europe, I didn’t have any plans for the summer, so the next afternoon we were on the road.

Bad idea.

Horrible.

The worst.

I lift my sunglasses to the top of my head and startle at the red-rimmed, brown-eyed zombie staring back at me. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since we left, and I forgot to take my makeup off last night, then Dax was in such a hurry this morning.

Maybe our relationship was always a mess. I don’t know. We’ve only been together for six months. In New York, Dax and I got along great. There were parties, restaurants, people, and places to fill our time. Now, without the distractions and being stuck together in mostly confined spaces, I realize we don’t have as much in common as I thought. But it’s more than that. He needs to be right about everything and nags me until I concede to his views. I never noticed him doing that before. There are a lot of things I didn’t notice before.

I use a little soap and water on a paper towel and clean the black smears from around my eyes. It cleans the makeup off perfectly, but the dark circles and puffiness remain. I slide a hair elastic from around my wrist and pull my brown mop of humid-induced frizz into a messy bun.

With a deep sigh, I slide my glasses back over my eyes and push the door open into the bright sunlight. I take in the beautiful field dotted with wildflowers behind the gas station, then close my eyes and lift my face to the sun, disregarding the intensity on my pale skin. I breathe in the fragrant smell of green that only a sweltering heat can produce.

It’s time to put an end to this impromptu adventure. It ceased being fun after the first five hours. And it’s my car, my time, my money. With renewed strength, I turn on my heels, ready to confront Dax and get my car keys back. I’m heading home with or without my soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. I can drop him off at a bus station if he wants to continue the trip.

I round the corner of the building. Wait, what? Where is it?

I walk to the two ancient gas pumps and turn in a circle, taking in the white building with peeling paint, and everything else in the three-hundred-and-sixty-degree radius, but the car is nowhere in sight. I walk to the other side of the building, thinking he might have parked in a different location while getting something from inside, but the car isn’t there either.

About Author Rayna York:

Rayna York grew up with hippie parents that liked to adventure. Where change was the norm, books were her constant—a way to escape. As an adult, many careers came and went, but writing has always been her passion. Everything I knew to be true is her first published novel.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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GIVEAWAY!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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The Overlook Murder

A Wintergreen Mystery

by Patrick Kelly

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Cozy Mystery/Police Procedural 
2nd in Series
Setting – Virginia
Chaparral Press LLC
• Number of Pages 320

It’s a short walk to the overlook but a long way down.

 

The rich entrepreneur Damian Susskind has recently survived a heart attack and quintuple bypass surgery. Suddenly aware of his own mortality, Damian summons his family and friends to Wintergreen to share the latest plans for his will. Unfortunately for Damian, one of those in attendance bears him malicious intent, and by the end of the day, Damian is dead.

 

Retired police detective Bill O’Shea is asked to help the short-staffed Wintergreen police department investigate an accidental death. Forensic evidence soon convinces Bill that this was no accident. There is plenty of motive to go around and more than a few suspects–the difficulty is tying a single killer to the crime. Will Bill and his friends solve the case, or will a Wintergreen murderer go free?

If you love beautiful mountain settings, a charming cast, and intriguing plot twists, you’re going to love the Wintergreen Mystery Series!

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Meeting the First Suspect

Cindy drove Bill down Laurel Springs Drive to a point where a uniformed officer directed traffic around a growing number of vehicles parked on the side of the road. Two Wintergreen police squad cars were already there, along with Evan Hale’s Land Rover, a Ford Escape, and Alex Sharp’s pickup. Cindy stopped her SUV briefly, and Bill hopped out. Interim Chief Alex Sharp had just arrived, and the two men met at the trailhead.

The Old Appalachian Trail branched from the road in a southwesterly direction. Speckles of sunlight broke through the forest canopy high above them. The air smelled lightly of decaying leaves from prior seasons. Lichen-patched boulders the size of cars and tiny houses lay on the mountainside, discarded carelessly by an ice age’s retreating glaciers.

Obviously anxious, Alex set a quick pace on the trail. He wore khakis and a light jacket, making Bill feel self-conscious in his catering outfit. The trail followed the contour of the mountain on a generally upward slope. The overlook was a little more than half a mile from the road, and they covered the distance in ten minutes. As they drew nearer, sunlight from the right brightened the forest.

Damian Susskind’s guests—Tanya Stafford, Lacey Akin, and Evan Hale—stood in a quiet cluster forty feet from the overlook with an officer named Rodríguez. Their faces were drawn. Lacey looked pale.

Alex waved Rodríguez over.

“What’s the story, José?” said Alex.

José pointed to where the trail continued south. “Officers Gentry and Hill went to search for a way to the bottom to see what can be done. EMS is on the way—should get here soon.” José consulted notes on his phone. “It’s not exactly clear what happened. The victim fell off the cliff—they all agree on that. But they were not together when he fell. The man—Hale—was standing back in the woods with Lacey Akin. Everyone agrees that Tanya Stafford and Susskind were out there on the rock.”

An offshoot from the main trail broke through the trees and met the solid rock at the mountain’s edge. The overlook itself was a ledge that ended abruptly in the open air. It stood alone now and peaceful, as if to proclaim its innocence—gravity deserved the blame. Wind blew up the mountainside and rustled the treetops.

“Here’s the real problem,” said José. “According to Lacey Akin, Tanya Stafford pushed Susskind off the cliff.”

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About Patrick Kelly

Pat Kelly was raised in Yorktown, Virginia, graduated from UVA, and left the state to pursue a corporate career. After settling in Texas, Pat married Susie, and together they raised two daughters in the awesome city of Austin. With the girls now grown and gone, Pat has pursued a lifelong love of writing stories.

Pat has written eight novels–books one and two in the Wintergreen Mystery Series, the Joe Robbins Series of five suspense thrillers, and one standalone novel of historical fiction (The Sheila Stories)

Pat is the winner of a Beverly Hills Book Award and a silver medalist for the Wishing Shelf Book Awards for adult fiction. He serves as Membership Chair of the Heart of Texas Chapter of Sisters in Crime.

Author Links

Webpage      Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads   Instagram

Purchase Links – AmazonKoboB&N

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 15 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 16 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 17 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

June 18 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

June 19 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 20 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

June 21 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

June 22 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

Reading, Read, Peaceful, Woman, Dusk, Outside, Outdoors

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

Sunday Post

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

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Some chit chat.

It’s been so long since I’ve shared a Sunday Post. Life has been strange since Covid entered my world. Took a long time to feel myself again and then it was back to work, work, work. The saddest part is being so tired I can’t stay awake to read a book, or several. Miss those nights where I stayed up too late reading. Now my eyes droop after a few pages, even if the book is super good. I made myself make a schedule for blogging and have actually got a huge bunch of review drafts waiting to be polished a bit and then posted.

I sure have missed talking about books and life with all of you and plan to be back in the swing of things now!

Stay safe and have a great new week!

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Some of my new books.

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Dark Reign (The Collector Book 1) by [Amelia Wilde]  Horror Library, Volume 7 by [J. Guignard, Eric]  The Last Keeper (The Warminster Series Book 1) by [J.V. Hilliard]

The Thief's Relic by [Angela Knotts Morse]    Ratstrike by [Jools King]

I have a bunch more and will share them next time.

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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.

Murder at Mile Marker 18 (A Mallory Beck Cozy Culinary Caper Book 1) by [Denise Jaden]  Bodies, Baddies, and a Crabby Tabby (A Bliss Bay Village Mystery Book 1) by [Sherri Bryan]  Birkin Bags & Red Flags: A Hood Love Edition by [Theresa Reese, Mz. Biggs, Yasauni, Celeste Moore, Tosha Lavette, Myeisha Newton, Dejah Rice, J. Dominique, Miss Jazzie]

Little Lost Secrets (Georgiana Germaine Book 2) by [Cheryl Bradshaw, Cheryl Bradshaw ]  No Way Out (A Carly See FBI Suspense Thriller—Book 1) by [Rylie Dark]  Fireball - A gripping crime thriller (Mac McRyan Mystery Thriller and Suspense Series Book) (McRyan Mystery Series Book 8) by [Roger Stelljes]

Manhunt (A Rocky Mountain Thriller) by [Ann Voss Peterson]  SEAL of Approval (SEAL Series Book 1) by [Jack Silkstone]  Never Is A Very Long Time: A Romantic Comedy About Dating After 40 (The Perfect Date Book 1) by [Donna McDonald]

Dinosaur Lake by [Kathryn Meyer Griffith]  Twisted Reunion: 28 Terrifying Tales by [Mark Tullius]  The Survivors Book I: Summer by [V. L. Dreyer]

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Murder Is No Picnic

Valued For Murder

Bayou Book Thief

Boondocks: Survive The Doom 

Death Of An Heiress

Awakenings

Mysteries, Midsummer Sun And Murder

The Case Of The Cat Crazy Lady

Dare To Call Me Vampire

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Five Belles Too Many

A Sarah Blair Mystery

by Debra H. Goldstein

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Five Belles Too Many (A Sarah Blair Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in the Series
Setting – Alabama
Kensington Cozies (June 28, 2022)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496732235
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496732231
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09HRCV4TN

When Sarah Blair’s mother participates in a reality show competition for brides in Wheaton, Alabama, things get a little too real as a murderer crashes the wedding party . . .

 

Sometimes Sarah’s mother, Maybelle, can be higher maintenance than her Siamese cat RahRah. Maybelle and her friend, Mr. George Rogers, have been chosen to be one of five couples competing for a small-town “perfect” wedding and dream honeymoon on a Southern Belles reality show—and guess who has to be chaperone. Even more vexing, the producers have decided to put up the crew and participants at the restaurant/bed and breakfast owned by Sarah’s nemesis Jane Clark.

 

But when someone turns up dead with Jane kneeling by the body with blood on her hands, she goes from being Sarah’s chief rival to the police’s chief suspect. Neither Sarah nor her twin, Chef Emily Johnson, can stand Jane—still, they don’t think she’s a murderer. The producers vow the show must go on, but to protect their mother and the other contestants, Sarah vows to find the true killer before someone else gets eliminated . . .

 

Includes quick and easy recipes!

About Debra H. Goldstein

Many, Four Cuts Too Many, Three Treats Too Many, Two Bites Too Many, and One Taste Too Many). Her novels and short stories received an IPPY award and have been named Agatha, Anthony, Derringer, and Silver Falchion finalists. Debra served on the national boards of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America and was president of the Guppy and SEMWA chapters. Find out more about Debra at https://www.DebraHGoldstein.com .

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / BookBub / Goodreads

Purchase Links – Amazon KindleAmazon PaperbackNookB&N

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 17 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

June 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

June 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 18 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 19 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

June 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 19 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 20 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 21 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 22 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

June 22 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Mysteries with Character – REVIEW

June 23 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

June 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 26 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

June 27 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

June 28 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 28 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

June 29 – My Journey Back – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE  

June 29 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST

June 30 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT

June 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

 

Dare to Call Me Vampire
by Tamara Grantham

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(Legends of Crimson Hollow, #2)
Publication date: May 24th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal

Synopsis

They called us vampires. If only that were the truth.

My name is Amaya De la Vega. I’m a former patient at Crimson Hollow, an institute for those infected with the vampire virus. After the virus was cured, we thought our problems were over. Now we realize they’re just beginning.

Lucian Vidraru was branded with many labels. But he’s desperate to save me—and everyone once infected with the virus. The cure wasn’t what we’d expected. We need a solution before our newfound powers possess us. People fear us—and for good reason.

They called us vampires. Now, the world will finally know the full extent of our abilities, which could destroy us all…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

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About Author Tamara Grantham:

Tamara Grantham is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series and the Shine novellas. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first place for fantasy in INDIEFAB’S Book of the Year Awards, a RONE award for best New Adult Romance of 2016, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon with over 200 five-star reviews.
Tamara holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Lamar University. She has been a featured speaker at multiple writing conferences, and she has been a panelist at Comic Con Wizard World speaking on the topic of female leads. For her first published project, she collaborated with New York-Times bestselling author, William Bernhardt, in writing the Shine series.
Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. She rarely has any free time, but when the stars align and she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, taking nature walks–which fuel her inspiration for creating fantastical worlds–and watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made. You can find her online at www.TamaraGrantham.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

GIVEAWAY!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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The Case Of The Cat Crazy Lady

A Buttercup Bend Mystery

by Debbie De Louise

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The Case of the Cat Crazy Lady: A Buttercup Bend Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Buttercup Bend, a fictional town in the Catskills, New York State
Next Chapter Publishing
• Number of Pages Est. 275 pages

After Buttercup Bend’s “Cat Crazy Lady,” Maggie Broom, is smothered to death in her home, Cathy Carter is stunned to learn that the animal shelter and pet cemetery she co-owns with her brother Doug is the recipient of the bulk of Maggie’s estate.

When Maggie’s estranged brother and sister come to town and are upset with the terms of their sister’s will, Sheriff Leroy Miller is convinced one of them killed Maggie.

At a baby shower Cathy’s grandmother holds for Doug’s wife, one of the guests turns up dead, and Cathy and her reporter friend, Nancy Meyers, set out to solve the murders.

About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is an award-winning author and a reference librarian at a public library on Long Island. She is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, the Long Island Authors Group, and the Cat Writers’ Association. Her novels include the five books and four stories of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series, a comedy novella, When Jack Trumps Ace, a paranormal romance, Cloudy Rainbow, and the standalone mysteries; Reason to Die, Sea Scope, and Memory Makers. Debbie has also written a time-travel novel, Time’s Relative, and a non-fiction cat book, Pet Posts: The Cat Chats, written from the points of view of four of her cats and has also published articles in online and print pet magazines including Catster.com. Her latest book, Meows and Purrs, is a poetry collection of cat poems that includes photos and notes about her cats.

Debbie’s stories and poetry appear in the Red Penguin Collections, What Lies Beyond, ‘Tis the Season, Stand Out, Volumes I and II, Until Dawn, Treat or Trick, and Pets on the Prowl. Her poems are also featured in the Nassau County Voices In Verse 2020 anthology and the 2020 and 2021 Bards Annual. She lives on Long Island with her husband, daughter, and three cats.

Author Links: Website/Blog/Newsletter Sign-Up / Facebook / Twitter

Goodreads / Amazon / All Author / Instagram / LinkedIn / BookBub / Pinterest

Debbie’s Character’s Chat GroupSneaky the Library Cat’s blog

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NKoboBooks2Read

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 14 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 15 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – GUEST POST

June 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 16 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

June 17 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 19 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT  

June 20 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

June 21 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 22 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 23 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

June 24 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 25 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 26 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

June 27 – BookishKelly2020 – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Mysteries, Midsummer Sun And Murders

A Cozy Mystery Anthology

by Hillary Avis, Benedict Brown, Catherine Coles, Paula Darnell, Connie B. Dowell, Ellen Jacobson, Joann Keder, Patti Larsen, Cate Lawley, Gayle Leeson, Daisy Linh, Rimmy London, R.B. Marshall, Megan Mayfair, Wendy Meadows, Phillipa Nefri Clark, Michele Pariza Wacek, Erin Scoggins, Cathy Tully, Victoria LK Williams and Carly Winter

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Mysteries, Midsummer Sun and Murders: A Cozy Mystery Anthology
Aye Alba Publishing (June 21, 2022)
Number of Pages ~1600
Digital B09K9NN64X

Poisonous picnics, burgled barbeques, deadly deckchairs… and midsummer mayhem!

From a brilliant bunch of amazing authors, including multiple prizewinners and USA Today best sellers, comes this wonderful collection of 21 summer-themed cozy mysteries.

Featuring peril at the pool, blood on the beach, and felony at the festival, these fabulous stories—21 brand new and exclusive tales—will keep you entertained until long after the sun has set.

With stories from Hillary Avis, Benedict Brown, Catherine Coles, Paula Darnell, Connie B. Dowell, Ellen Jacobson, Joann Keder, Patti Larsen, Cate Lawley, Gayle Leeson, Daisy Linh, Rimmy London, R.B. Marshall, Megan Mayfair, Wendy Meadows, Phillipa Nefri Clark, Michele Pariza Wacek, Erin Scoggins, Cathy Tully, Victoria LK Williams and Carly Winter, you’ll surely find some of your favourite authors and discover some great new writers within the ~1600 pages of this set.

This collection will only be available for a limited time so don’t miss out – grab yourself a bargain today!

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Title: Farmer, Flip-Flops and Felony

By: Wendy Meadows

 

“Good morning, Leo,” she called back. Leonard Nestle was her old farmhand who had come with the farm when she’d bought it. He had been on this land for decades.

“How are you this morning, Miss Vera?” he asked, tipping the straw hat on his head.

A true Southern gentleman, Vera thought with a chuckle. “I’m doing well. How are you doing?”

“I’m just dandy, but my left knee keeps locking up. It’s the darnedest thing.” He bent over and tapped his knee with his hand. “Hear that? Sounds like a walnut rattlin’ aroun’ in a cigar box.”

Vera cocked an eyebrow. “Is that some old Southern saying that I don’t know?”

“Naw, that’s a Leo-ism.” He pointed to himself. “Straight from th’ horse’s mouth.”

She grinned, then motioned to his knee with a nod. “So what does that mean? Bad weather rolling in?”

He shook his head. “Worse,” he said. “It means that some crazy stuff is about to go down. Non-weather-related shenanigans.”

Vera couldn’t help the smile from escaping her lips as she stared at him. His face held steady—furrowed brow, pursed grimace, narrowed eyes—and she realized he was serious.

“Your knee is psychic?” She chuckled. “I had no idea body parts could tell the future.” She looked down at his knee, and then at Leo’s eyes, which finally twinkled—just a little.

“Some people have a trick knee. I have a…magic knee.” The sides of his mouth turned upward, revealing his yellowed teeth as he smiled from ear to ear. “It tells the future. Well, the bad future.” His smile went away.

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About The Authors

About Ellen Jacobson

Ellen Jacobson is a writer, cat lover & obsessed with chocolate. She writes cozy mysteries and romantic comedies including the Mollie McGhie Mysteries and the Smitten with Travel Rom-Coms.

You can find out more on her website (ellenjacobsonauthor.com), sign up for her newsletter (https://www.subscribepage.com/m4g9m4).

About Patti Larsen

I’m a multiple award-winning writer with a passion for the voices in my head. With many (many!) titles across many (many!) genres, all in happy publication, there’s no end in sight…

That being said, I’m short (permanent), happy (I have the best life ever) and blonde (for ever and ever). I love to talk one on one about the deepest topics and can’t seem to stop seeing the big picture. I happily live on Prince Edward Island, Canada, home to Anne of Green Gables and the most beautiful red beaches in the world, with my multiple cats, pug overlord and lady and Gypsy Vanner gelding, Fynn.

About R.B. Marshall

Like my amateur sleuth, Izzy, I’m a dressage-riding computer geek who loves coffee – but there the similarity ends. She is far smarter than me, and a lot younger! I hope you’ll join me in discovering where her curiosity leads to next…

Pretty much all my books are set in my native Scotland, and my mystery stories are no exception. You’ll meet colourful characters solving perplexing puzzles in the most glorious landscape imaginable. Throw in a castle or two, the occasional royal, and maybe even a delicious cake shop, and you’ll have the recipe for my new series.

I also write fantasy and clean romance/women’s fiction, as Roz Marshall: http://viewAuthor.at/RozMarshall

and Historical Romance telling the story of Mary Queen of Scots, as Belle McInnes: http://viewauthor.at/BelleMcInnes

About Hillary Avis

Hillary Avis writes cozy mysteries about smart women who persist until they uncover the truth—about themselves, about their communities, and of course about any unsolved murders.

She grew up in a small town on the west coast, went to college in a small town on the east coast, and now lives in beautiful Eugene, Oregon. She has two charming children, three fluffy dogs, and two practically perfect felines named Mystery and Intrigue. She also has too many chickens and one very patient husband.

When Hillary’s not reading, writing, or editing, she bakes bread, makes pottery, drinks coffee, and streams The Great British Bake-Off, but not all at the same time.

About Cate Lawley

Cate Lawley writes humorous, action-filled mysteries that frequently contain a paranormal twist.

When Cate’s not tapping away at her keyboard or in deep contemplation of her next fanciful writing project, she’s sweeping up hairy dust bunnies and watching British mysteries.

Cate is from Austin, Texas (where many of her stories take place) but has recently migrated north to Boise, Idaho, where soup season (her favorite time of year) lasts more than two weeks.

She’s worked as an attorney, a dog trainer, and in various other positions, but writer is the hands-down winner. She’s thankful readers keep reading, so she can keep writing!

Paranormal cozy mystery series:

-Vegan Vamp Mysteries

-Night Shift Witch Mysteries

-Death Retired Mysteries

-Cursed Candy Mysteries

Cozy mystery series:

-Fairmont Finds Canine Cozy Mysteries

Cate’s sweet romance series:

-Love Ever After

-Lucky Magic

For bonus materials and updates, visit her website to join her mailing list: www.CateLawley.com

About Rimmy London

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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.