Archive for March 11, 2023

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Today Khaled Talib and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for FAR OUT, his new Thriller which releases January 8, 2024! Check out the awesome cover and enter the giveaway!

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On to the reveal! 

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FAR OUT

by  Khaled Talib

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Pub. Date: January 8, 2024

Publisher: Running Wild Press

Formats:  Paperback, eBook

Pages: 324

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/FAROUT

 

 

 

Screenwriter Blake Deco’s life is upended when his Hollywood movie-star wife, Goldie Saint
Helen, comes out of a coma after a car accident with a makeshift identity. Her lawyers see her condition as an opportunity to swindle her.

 

 

Teaser Trailer:

 

 

 

 

Enjoy this excerpt:

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Chapter One

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            As she lay on the verge along the Pacific Coast Highway under a starless April sky, a faint bleat caught Goldie’s lips. Her heart pounded irregularly as her breath whizzed in and out of her mouth. Blurry faces swam in her vision, and obfuscated voices floated through and lingered in her distorted senses. She heard maybe six; maybe more, maybe less. Her fading bleariness made it hard to tell.

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Out of the corner of her eye, Goldie noticed the coils of steam spewing from the hood of an overturned Lexus underneath the mountain incline on the other side of the road. The red car had
smashed into a barrier.

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How did it happen?

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She sucked in the salty breeze, struggling to refocus despite her discombobulation. As she writhed in pain, she felt her eyelids flicker, pulled down by her mortality.

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Is it time to go?

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Too soon to die.

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At least let me say goodbye to…who?

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Why can’t I remember anyone?

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A hand repeatedly patted Goldie’s cheek, pulling her out of her stupor.

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“Stay with me, okay? Don’t sleep. Help is on the way.” The soothing feminine voice kept Goldie in a state of equanimity. Her gaze strayed toward its owner, a young woman with long, dark
hair bracketing a set of angelic eyes within a pale, long face etched with concern and worry.

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Angel Eyes leered down at Goldie. “Do you feel pain anywhere? Blink once for yes, and twice for no.”

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Goldie blinked once.

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“Don’t move.” Angel Eyes gleamed with emotion. “An ambulance will be here shortly.”

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“She sure looks like Goldie Saint Helen, the movie star,” came from another, astonished voice, this one belonging to a plump curly-haired girl with ringlets across her forehead. “Hey, wait a
minute―it is her!”

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Movie star? Who? Me?

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“You sure?” Goldie heard another voice ask, this one from a man. Moments later, he inched forward, revealing himself: A blond with a surfer haircut.

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“Remember Gun Kiss? We watched the movie last year,” said the curly-haired
girl.  “Goldie Saint Helen. She was kidnapped by a Mexican drug lord. Her husband saved her, and he wrote the original screenplay inspired by the incident.”

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Mexican drug lord? Husband? What’s my husband’s name?

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A chilly breeze carrying the salty air swept over Goldie’s warm body, and she shivered involuntarily.

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“Someone get her a blanket from the van,” Angel Eyes demanded.

 

About Khaled Talib:

 

Khaled Talib
is a former journalist with local and international exposure. His articles have
been published and syndicated to newspapers worldwide, and his short stories
have appeared in literary journals and magazines. Khaled is a member of the
International Thriller Writers.  He
resides in Singapore.

Sign up for Khaled’s newsletter!

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

 

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder

A Chocolate Martini Sisters Mystery Book 1

by Joyce Proell and Brenda Whiteside

Genre: Cozy Mystery

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It’s a birthday weekend with the gift of murder.

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Recently widowed, Emma Banefield looks forward to a getaway birthday weekend with her free-wheeling sister, Nicole Earp, sipping chocolate martinis at the peaceful, historic Dulce Inn. When a rude stranger, a nasty food critic, and a madhouse of temperamental artists greet them, all hope for a tranquil weekend evaporates faster than dew on a hot desert morning.

Overlooking the riotous atmosphere is doubly hard after Em discovers the body of a hotel guest, and a second murder affects Nic personally. Now, entrenched in a caper that pits them against a surly detective, they cozy up to a hotel staff hiding dangerous secrets to uncover clues to the killer.

Using their smarts and love of all-things mystery, will the Chocolate Martini Sisters solve the crime ahead of the obstinate Chief Detective or find themselves trapped in the middle of a third murder?

**NEW RELEASE!!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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A Cozy Mystery Setting

by Brenda Whiteside

 

The inspiration for the setting of Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder is a real-life historical western town, Prescott, Arizona, and a decades old hotel called the Hassayampa Inn. What fun it’s been having the Martini Sisters frequent this colorful spot. The names have been changed to protect the not so innocent. Here’s a peek into where the murder and mayhem happen with the sisters solving the capers.

 

WYATT, ARIZONA, formerly Juniper until 1880, is located at the base of the Bradshaw Mountains, two hours north of Phoenix, and named for Wyatt Earp who frequented the historical Azul Restaurant and Saloon located inside the Dulce Inn. The town hall sits in the middle of the town square. The dated building displays white pillars and dozens of steps. Festivals and art fairs are held in the town square. The town has a slight old west feel with turn of the century buildings. Arizonans don’t consider Wyatt high desert because it is lush with ponderosa pine and juniper. Gold Creek runs through the west side of town two blocks from the town square. After a rain, you might actually be able to pan small gold nuggets.

 

THE DULCE INN, a 150-year-old establishment, is situated on Dry Gulch Avenue, the main road through town, and is across the street from the town square. The inn is ranked as the oldest and classiest boutique hotel in Wyatt, Arizona. Brass and glass double doors enter off the street. Rich jewel colors of gold, deep sage green, burgundy, rust, and purple can be seen throughout the lobby, restaurant, and saloon. On the thick ceiling beams, gold and deep sage green are gilded in an interlaced pattern.  Painted wall murals echo images of nearby rugged mountains, and tall, arched doors lead to a pretty patio and garden. The hotel resonates taste and southwestern charm. Leather chesterfields in the center of the room, invite you to curl with a cup of coffee in hand, while the soft glow from the brass Stiffle lamps on the end tables toss light across the open book in your lap. Above the enormous fireplace, a pastoral desert painting looms large over the oak mantel. A huge block of carved oak forms the reservation desk.

 

THE AZUL RESTAURANT AND SALOON is located within the Dulce Inn. The one great room is divided by a half-wall topped with a glass partition to separate the dining tables from the bar. The effect allows both sections their own ambience and patrons seated at the bar to enjoy the beautiful stained-glass windows on the far side of the restaurant as well as the stamped copper ceiling from the 1800s. In the restaurant, gold-colored cloths cover the tables with chairs covered in a striped pattern of gold, burgundy, and rust. Wait staff wear black slacks and sage green tailored button-down shirts.

 

That’s just a taste of where murder, mayhem, and amateur sleuthing happens for the lively and enjoyable Chocolate Martini Sisters. Come join them there and enjoy the rest of the setting:

*Semi-secluded patio attached to the inn, with a decorative Japanese maple tree, cedar, lounge chairs, a pergola covered with wisteria vines and a black iron bench for sitting

*The police station dating back to the early 1900s

* Jen’s Java Café, Peace Out Bookstore, and Murder & Mayhem Bookstore

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**Coming Soon September 2023!!**

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Joyce Proell is the award-winning author of Amaryllis, Eliza and the Cady Delafield mysteries: A Deadly Truth, A Burning Truth and A Wicked Truth. Along with her husband and little dog, Nellie, she lives in Minnesota in her very own little house on the prairie. She loves to hear from readers.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Brenda Whiteside is the award-winning author of romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have settled in Central Arizona. They admit to being gypsies at heart and won’t discount the possibility of another move. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW fishes, Brenda writes.

Website * Blog * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a 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.