Archive for March, 2023

Reinventing Rita ~ A Midlife Moxie Novel by Nancy Christie

Posted: March 14, 2023 in Excerpt, giveaways
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Reinventing Rita

A Midlife Moxie Novel #1

by Nancy Christie

Genre: Women’s Fiction

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Is fifty too old to start over and reinvent yourself?

Rita Reynolds is an empty nester with a second shot at life. Her college-age son is spending the summer with his new girlfriend instead of at home with Rita as she had hoped. Her part-time job might be ending, which will toss her back into the job market. Underscoring it all is the realization that since her divorce, she’s been coasting on the highway of life. Now, the bumps in the road are too big to ignore.

A chance to teach a six-week baking class brings Rita’s almost-forgotten dream of becoming a professional baker back to the surface. Can she overcome her fear that it might be too late for a fresh start? With the help of two friends—Donna, her employer, and Karen, her ex-husband’s second wife—she’s about to find out.

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From Chapter 12

“Ta da!” said my son, coming into the kitchen with a box labeled Harry’s Frozen Custard. “I knew better than to get you a regular cake, you being the baker and all, but I figured an ice cream one would be safe.”

He opened the lid with a flourish. There, in bright red cursive letters were the words “Happy 50th birthday, Mom!”

“Bet you thought I forgot,” he added smugly, while Angie stepped forward and handed me a small package.

Candy? A scarf? I wondered as I pulled off the wrapping paper. But I was wrong. It was a book: Finding a Career When You’re Over 50—You’re Never Too Old to Have a Future.

“Thanks,” I said, giving them each a hug while wondering if they noticed my lack of enthusiasm. “This was so sweet.”

I took a quick glance at the chapter headings—“No skills? No worries,” “What to do when you can’t do anything,” and “Back-to-school tips for the 50-plus student”—before closing the book. “Really, thanks so much. Now let’s have some of this delicious cake, shall we?” hoping to forestall any further conversation about my future. But if I thought that food would distract my son, I was sorely mistaken.

“I talked to Dad about you teaching a class and he thinks it’s a great idea,” said Zack, as he wolfed down a slice of cake—pistachio ice cream sandwiched between two dark fudge layers. “He said if you do it, let him know, and he’ll have Karen sign up. He said she can’t bake—not even slice-and-bake cookies.”

Hmm, just for a moment, I lost myself in imagining what it would be like to have Karen—perfect, polished, professional Karen—in my class. Telling her what she was doing wrong—“No, Karen, first you have to sift the flour”—while I was placing perfectly sliced apples into my apple tarte tatin. Karen, pulling her burned oatmeal-raisin bread from the oven—“You really need to watch the timer, Karen”—while I sliced through my perfectly baked light brown loaves. Karen—

“Hey, Mom, are you paying attention?”

My son’s voice broke into my fantasies. Really, what was wrong with me anyway? I didn’t harbor any animosity toward Karen, did I? After all, Paul hadn’t even met her until after we were divorced. And just because she was a successful career woman while I was a stay-at-home mom… But I wasn’t really that anymore, was I? Unlike Karen, who still had an active career, I had been effectively retired once Zack headed off to college. Now I was—what was I, anyway? A not-very-successful salesperson in a store that might be destined for closure.

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Nancy Christie has been making up stories since she learned how to write, and she plans to continue as long as her fingers can work the keyboard. She can often be found walking the streets of her neighborhood, reciting lines of dialogue or recording plot ideas on her cell phone before they escape her mind.

Reinventing Rita (the first in her Midlife Moxie novel series) is Nancy’s sixth book. Her other books include The Gifts of Change, Rut-Busting Book for Writers, Rut-Busting Book for Authors, Traveling Left of Center and Other Stories and Peripheral Visions and Other Stories. Mistletoe Magic, her third fiction collection, will be released late 2023. Her books and short stories have won awards and earned contest placements.

Nancy is the creator and host of the Living the Writing Life podcast and founder of the annual “Celebrate Short Fiction” Day. She’s a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, and the Florida Writers Association. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Goodreads. For more about Nancy, visit her website at www.nancychristie.com.

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Paperboy by Dan Romanello ~ Author Interview And Giveaway

Posted: March 13, 2023 in giveaways, thriller
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Book Details:

Book Title:  PAPERBOY (A Dylan Tomassi Novel) by Dan Romanello
Category: Adult Fiction (18+), 332 pages
Genre: Coming of Age Contemporary Thriller
Publisher: Sanitas Publishing, Inc.
​Publication Date: August, 2022.
Content Rating: R: A series of explicit sex scenes, minimal bad language and drug use are utilized for character and plot development.

Book Description:

Abandoned by his father as an infant and raised by a single mother among the wealthy and privileged in Fairfield County, Connecticut, Dylan Tomassi grew up poor. As a boy he is befriended by a mysteriously reclusive widow he meets on his paper route. She mentors him with sage advice on matters facing a young man growing up without a father. She never pays for her newspapers, and he never asks for the money because of all the good advice she dispenses. When she finally does square up, it changes his life forever.

Dylan relocates to Florida and becomes a successful private investor, wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. His newfound socioeconomic status introduces him into the upper echelon of Florida society where he finds many things going on in the world simply don’t make sense. With the help of his old friend and mentor, he navigates life in a turbulent modern-day society and vows to use his wealth to make a difference when he’s not sidetracked running into nefarious characters or busy keeping his best friend, wealthy playboy Alex Malloy, out of hot water. With corruption, debauchery, deception, and murder swirling around him, Dylan proves nice guys can finish first.

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Interview with Author Dan Romanello:
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Were any of the characters in PAPERBOY based upon real life people you have known?

The short answer is no. All the characters were derived from my wildly vivid imagination, although some of the book’s villains share characteristics with people you may be reminded of and that was done intentionally as part of the extrapolation feature of the writing.

Are you sure Dylan Tomassi is not based on you?

That’s probably the most frequent question I get from readers, and the answer is a resounding no. Dylan is tall, handsome, smart, and extremely well-grounded. He came from a hardscrabble background and became incredibly wealthy and successful. Along his journey, he is guided by an unrelenting work ethic and strong moral compass and his somewhat naïve outlook allows him to view the ways of the world through an apolitical perspective of common sense and reasonableness. He’s almost too good to be true, and I am far from that.

Is there anything that you and Dylan have in common?

We both grew up in Connecticut, had paper routes, and relocated to Florida after graduating from college. We also both enjoy sports and fitness. The similarities pretty much end there.

The central characters in the book, Dylan, Alex Malloy and Esther Lott are all very different but equally likeable and relatable. How did you go about creating such awesome characters?

My primary objective in writing the book is to entertain readers and provide them with an escape. When I read fiction, particularly a series, I am always drawn to books where I develop an affinity for the recurring characters, and so I tried to do the same. Additionally, the three you mentioned all play very different roles in the story and their personalities and character lend credibility to the situations they find themselves in.

At times the book goes into terrific detail on the background of various subjects, including the college sports recruiting process, the state of the newspaper industry, and the criminal justice system. Where do you get that information and is it all fact based?

Regarding the subjects you mentioned, it’s no coincidence that I have, at various times in my life, coached college athletics, worked in the newspaper industry, and served as an assistant state attorney. So much of the detail regarding the inner workings is drawn from real life experience. The story lines themselves are fictional, but I do try to be factually accurate when describing the fundamentals of the various institutions.  

What can we expect to see from Dylan in the future?

You won’t have to wait much longer. He will be back soon in the second book in the series, BLINDSIDED JUSTICE. As of now, no release date is set, but it will be sometime in the spring. For a preview, you can go to my website at authordanromanello.com.

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Meet the Authors:

DAN ROMANELLO began his career working for a large Florida newspaper before attending law school at the University of Florida. After serving as an assistant state attorney, he entered private practice where he spent more than 20 years as a civil trial lawyer litigating cases in courtrooms throughout Florida. He retired from the active practice of law in 2017 and, before writing PAPERBOY, spent four years coaching college athletics. He lives in St. Petersburg, Florida.

connect with the authors: website ~facebook ~ twitter ~ bookbub ~ goodreads

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PAPERBOY Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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The Way Home Saga by Bobbi Groover ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: March 13, 2023 in giveaways, Guest Post, historical romance
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Inside the Grey

The Way Home Saga Book 3

by Bobbi Groover

Genre: Historical Romance

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Brayden Wakefield is quickly losing faith that hostilities between the states will end peaceably. He and his neighbors, Fletcher Stedman and Royce Carlyle, seems to be in the minority in their belief that a war would not end in a few months. They know any clash would be long and brutal. But their loyalty to one another supplants their reluctance, and they are drawn into the politics and atrocities of war to save their kidnapped comrade, Caleb Jenkins.

Nothing is as it seems, however. The gentlemen, turned raiders, squirrel behind enemy lines. Brayden uncovers lies and intrigue on both sides but as he and his fellow raiders execute their audacious plan, as they torch the layers of the conspiracy, Brayden finds love hidden among the ashes.

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The Inn at Little Bend

The Way Home Saga Book 2

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A DAZZLING BEAUTY…
In antebellum America, life for an abandoned woman was difficult at best. But when young Grayson escapes her sadistic guardian, she finds freedom just as hostile. The lonesome, starving wanderer flees straight into the path of vicious marauders. Only one thing keeps the rustlers from violating the curvaceous, dark-haired beauty but the punishment they intend to mete out for her crimes borders on insanity.

A SURLY COWBOY…
Not far away a lone rover hears the screams, yet continues down the road. He wants nothing more of life than to be left alone. He has his own debts to account for. Once a headstrong irresistible rakehell, the drifter had bolted, shuttered his heart and retreated deep within himself. But now the wafting agony tears at him–his own and the wails of another. Swearing under his breath, he whirls the horse around.

A SIMPLE INN…
Grayson Ridge struggles to survive her fated trials and conceal the secrets that plague her. Her exploits collide with the life of Drake Somerset, a scraggly yet oddly dashing drifter besieged by dark shadows. Neither realizes their chance encounter could free them both. Their wrangling ignites a turbulent journey and sets their worlds on fire.

2012 First Place in the Published Beacon Awards (Historical Category)

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.Season of the Shadow

The Way Home Saga Book 1

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It was a time of chivalry and grace but also a time of turmoil in antebellum America. Fletcher Stedman is the crown prince of Virginia’s famous Seabrook Plantation. The handsome rakehell is a man of dreams with headstrong passions and an ingenious mind. Suddenly his dreams are shattered and his life ripped from him by a jealous cousin, and Fletcher is put to the test fighting for his life and his sanity.Kyndee Brock always dreams of marrying her handsome Fletcher–her kindred spirit and dearest love. One day, however, Fletcher mysteriously disappears. Kyndee must spend the next decade defying fate, following her heart to reunite them and recapture the love that they had been denied.

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How to find time to write as a parent.

I can’t say I have a set schedule for writing. I have a set schedule for riding and that is truly where the ideas flow. There’s something about the rocking of my horse’s gait that takes me back to another time and another place.  Once the inspiration hits and the characters become real in my head, I can write for hours or days.

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Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reins of the story?

When I say my characters become real people, I really mean it.  They wake me up at night.  I can see them sitting across the room, and they blab until I ask them to kindly disappear so I can get some sleep.  When they refuse, I sneak into my studio and, like a court reporter, record everything they are saying.  I must admit most times they are heading me in the right direction.

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What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?

Since the mid 1800’s is the timeframe for all my romances, many years ago my mother and I took the dog and travelled to the states where the scenes happened. We visited county seats and perused old newspapers, walked historical areas and graveyards. Of course, with the internet today, all that traveling and reading can be accomplished with the slash of a keystroke (although not half as much fun). Sometimes I can’t achieve the feel of some scenes from the internet though.  For example, I had a fire scene to write and I visited the local fire marshall. Once I had convinced him that I was not an arsonist and really did write romance (and he and the other firemen stopped laughing), we had a great discussion of how the fire scene could be accomplished with accuracy.  As I left, I heard him telling the other firemen I was definitely going to be dinner conversation with his wife that night.  I just smiled.

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What is your writing process?  For instance do you do an outline first?  Do you do the chapters first?

Every writer has their own unique writing process. I search the public domain and find pictures of what my hero and heroine look like in my head.  Then I frame their faces and place the frames on my desk as I write.  When I am in the hero’s head, I stare at the heroine’s face and vice versa. For me this helps the dialogue flow naturally. I write down a general idea of how the plot will move forward from beginning to end, but I must say I do not rigidly adhere to an outline, not do I write the chapters consecutively.  The reason for this is because once my characters come alive in my head, scenes have a tendency to change.  For example, as I wrote my first romance, Season of the Shadow, I knew exactly what would happen when the hero entered the barn.  However, when he arrived I was shocked at how the hero and heroine had rearranged the scene.  I liked what they had done and  wrote the scene their way.  Hearing about this 3am occurrence, my husband often taps my shoulder while I write and asks, “Anybody talking to you yet?”

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Advice you would give new authors.

Storylines can spring from anywhere…a song on the radio, a conversation at a dinner party, or the view from a ski lift chair.  Best advice I could give is…just write.  Write for yourself.  Write for the sheer joy of creating something from nothing.  Remember, as the writer, you are omnipotent and that’s a powerful feeling.  When you are feeling sad, use that emotion to write sad scenes.  Do the same with happiness.  Those emotions will flow into your words and make scenes truly believable.  Write the ideas that pop into your head.  Don’t worry about the grammar or the spelling or searching for just the right word.  All those things will come later.  Don’t allow any of those things to stop the flow of ideas because, at least for me, if I don’t scribble the ideas I lose them and many times they don’t come back.  Then I’m left saying, “What was that thought I had? Geez…and it was such a good idea.”  Keep pencil and paper by your bed for those magical ‘ah hah’ moments when your characters come alive and tell you how they want their story written.  In the car or on my horse I simply use my voice recorder.  Just scribble whenever the ideas flow and, before long, those ramblings will take shape.

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Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?

Before pen to paper…Inside The Grey…This novel was composed entirely on horseback.  The ideas flowed, and I bounced portions of the plot with my fellow riders as we galloped through the fields.  Jumping fences dressed in our finery to keep up with thirty hounds on the scent, transported us back in time. When I returned to present day, I simply wrote about my day in the past.

Before pen to paper…The Inn At Little Bend…Within one year I lost three people I loved dearly, and I retreated to my studio.  It seemed only there could I make sense of things and force the capricious fates to bend to my will.  Drake and Grayson are struggling with their own losses, searching for the realization that they, too, can survive the anguish.

Before pen to paper… Season of The Shadow…I was recovering from a serious neck and head injury when these characters came to life.  I have since learned to compensate but the injury severely affected my inner ear and my balance for years.  Fletcher’s affliction intrudes on his life as it did mine.  Other parts of the storyline are based on actual happenings in my life as are the surroundings.  My grandmother’s home (since demolished) had been built by a bootlegger with hidden compartments, peepholes, and tunnels leading to the river.  The home’s uniqueness was our parents’ nightmare but a child’s delight.

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What can we expect from you in the future?

A new story is on the computer with the working title, ‘TruDeceit.’ The blurb is on my website.

www.Bobbiscorner.com   Readers will recognize several previous characters entering and exiting as the time frame has progressed twenty years into the late 1860’s.  The beginning chapter has been written, and I know the general plotline. However I am still searching for images to frame so my new hero (Rafe) and new heroine (yet to be named) can develop into real people.   Once that happens, the three of us will be off and running.

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I’m a wife, a mother, a writer and an equestrienne. I’ve been composing stories as long as I can remember and have been putting stories to paper ever since I could hold a pencil. I have a vivid memory from age five where I sat alone in the stall of my father’s horse and traced the hood prints in the dirt. An entire story swirled about in my head…who, what, where, when? My family often grew weary of my constant ramblings about my characters. As a result, my drawers were stuffed with stories, finished and unfinished. It wasn’t until my two wonderful boys were born that I finally had the nerve to submit my first book. Fun In The Yellow Pages, a juvenile coming of age novel, was my first publication. It was well received and actually utilized in several school districts. I even had the compliment of being ‘visiting author’ which was very enjoyable. The students constantly asked me to write a sequel.

I actually switched to romance writing on a dare from my husband. I completed Season Of The Shadow. The characters were so popular that they wormed their way into my second romance, The Inn At Little Bend, and played key roles in my latest romance, Inside The Grey. Each romance can stand alone, but my readers will recognize several characters.

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Every Bit A Cowboy by Jenny Marts ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: March 12, 2023 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
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Every Bit a Cowboy

by Jennie Marts

 

(Creedence Horse Rescue, #5)
Publication date: March 7th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

“Filled with humor, heart and real love.” —Michelle Major, USA Today bestselling author

USA Today bestselling author Jennie Marts proves there’s nothing quite like a cowboy.

No matter how swoony the cute cowboy is, romance is the last thing on Carley Chapman’s mind. But it’s hard to ignore Knox Garrison and the spark of attraction she feels every time he’s near. When a water line break floods her building, she’s forced to move her salon out to the Heaven Can Wait Horse Rescue ranch, and Knox shows up to help. But things get even more complicated when Carley’s no-good ex comes sniffing around and Knox “fixes” the problem by telling him they’re engaged…

Praise for Jennie Marts’s cowboy romances:

“Funny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isn’t perfect but you got to love him anyway.”—JODI THOMAS, New York Times bestselling author, for Caught Up in a Cowboy

“Full of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.”—A.J. PINE, USA Today bestselling author, for How to Cowboy

“Deliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.”—JOANNE KENNEDY, award-winning author, for Wish Upon a Cowboy

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Carley gestured to the kitchen island where she’d set out mini quiches, fruit, yogurt, and a mimosa bar. “Before we get started, you all make yourselves some plates. And I’ve orange juice and champagne if you all want mimosas.”

“I’m down for that,” the third bridesmaid, who Carley didn’t recognize, said, as she strode into the kitchen and grabbed the bottle of alcohol. Already gorgeous, with her long blond hair pulled up in a ponytail, she wore a bright teal Western-cut shirt, jeans tucked into tall, embroidered cowboy boots, and a rhinestone-studded belt held together by a large, shiny rodeo championship buckle. “I may not be able to make fancy invitations or frost a million cupcakes, but I make a mean mimosa that will either land you on your butt or in the lap of a hot cowboy, and I’m making one for all of you.”

Chloe nudged Carley. “That’s Stacey, Colt’s cousin. She’s a barrel racer, and the rumors you’ve heard about them are true.”

“But you love me anyway,” Stacey said then let out a whoop as she popped the champagne cork.

“Yes, we do,” Chloe agreed, laughing with her. “But I’ve already got my cowboy, and the last thing I need is to land on my tush at the wedding tonight, so make mine light on the champagne.”

Carley laughed, even as she couldn’t help thinking about how she wished all it would take was a mean mimosa to land her in a certain hot cowboy’s lap. “I want you all to have a good time this morning. I’ll do Quinn’s and Tessa’s hair first, then work on the bride’s, and then finish with Stacey’s.”

“Perfect,” Chloe said, accepting one of the mimosas Stacey was handing around.

“Here’s to the bride,” Stacey called out, holding up the last glass. “Now, let’s get this party started.”

An hour later, Carley was just starting on Chloe’s hair when the front door opened, and Knox walked in. He held up two boxes of Twinkies. “Who needs a little sugar?”

“Oh my word,” Stacey squealed as she bolted off the sofa and charged towards him. “Chloe, you little devil. You got us a stripper.” She circled around Knox looking him up and down as she went. “And da-amn, is he ever a good-looking one.” She gestured to his service weapon. “Hey handsome, are you going to show us your big gun? Is it already cocked?”

“What? No…I mean…this is a real gun,” Knox sputtered, putting his hand protectively over his holster.

“I’m sure it is, baby,” Stacey crooned, leaning forward and giving him a little shimmy. “How much extra for a lap dance? Because I’ve got an hour still to get my hair real mussed up, and I’ve got money to burn.”

“Stacey. Stop it,” Chloe said. “He’s not a stripper.”

“Good try,” Stacey said. “Look at those muscles. I know a stripper when I see one.” She gave Knox the “Matrix come forward” gesture with her fingers. “Come on, baby, show us what you got.”

Knox looked at Carley, as if hoping she’d save him. She’d never seen the deputy so tongue-tied, but he seemed completely flummoxed as he held up the cardboard boxes. “I just brought some Twinkies.”

“We know. And we want to see ’em.” Stacey hooted then let out a long wolf-whistle.

“Listen now,” Knox tried again. “I’m a deputy sheriff, and this is my official uniform.”

“Great,” Stacey said. “Now take it off. Then can I touch your gun?”

“What did I tell you?” Chloe said, shaking her head. “Barrel racers. You can’t take ‘em anywhere.”

“Sorry ladies,” Carley heard herself say as she stepped around Chloe and in front of Knox. “This one’s mine.”

Mine? Since when did she consider this man hers? Apparently as soon as some hot barrel-racer started flirting with him.

Knox stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist. Either her declaration or the steadiness of his hand holding her hip must have given him some of his composure back because his voice changed back to his normal charming tone. “Yep, that’s right. I belong to this one. Sorry ladies. Carley’s the only one I’m stripping for.” He grinned down at her. “Too much?” he asked quietly, before turning back to Stacey. “And she’s the only one who gets to touch my gun.”

Carley barked out a laugh then covered her mouth. “I knew I shouldn’t have had a mimosa.”

“I haven’t had nearly enough,” Stacey said, heading toward the kitchen. “I’m making another round. You in for one, Mr. Official Deputy Sheriff?”

Knox shook his head. “No thanks. I just stopped by to bring you all some snacks and to offer to help.”

Carley’s heart melted a little. “Aww. That’s so nice of you.”

“I was worried you would be having a rough time being out of your normal element and thought maybe I could do something. You already know my skills at washing hair. Do you need me to shampoo anyone?”

“No thanks,” Carley said. “I appreciate the offer, but updos work best when you start with dirty hair.”

“I’ve got dirty hair,” Stacey piped up. “In fact, I’m real dirty. So, you can shampoo all of me.”

“Stacey, seriously dude, you have to stop,” Chloe scolded. “Knox is Carley’s fiancé. He is not a stripper.”

“What?” Aunt Sassy asked from behind them as she pushed through the door of the bunkhouse. “You all got a stripper? I didn’t know you were getting a stripper. I would’ve skipped my dentist appointment entirely and come straight here if I’d known. Did he start yet?” She snapped open her handbag. “I know I have some cash in here. Do I need one-dollar bills, or do you think he can make change?”

Chloe raised an eyebrow at Stacey. “See what you started?” Then she called out to the other woman. “Sorry, Aunt Sassy, there is no stripper.”

“Dang,” she said, snapping closed her purse. “Is it too late to get one?”

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Author Jenny Marts:

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”

She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.

Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

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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.

Far Out by Khaled Talib ~ Cover Reveal And Giveaway

Posted: March 11, 2023 in giveaways, thriller
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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: Goodreads, https://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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Candy, Cigarettes, and Murder ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: March 11, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Guest Post
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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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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.

When The Smoke Cleared by Bill Powers ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: March 10, 2023 in giveaways, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Book Details:

Book Title:  When the Smoke Cleared (A Murder Mystery in Malden) by Bill Powers
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18 +),  400 pages
Genre:  True Crime
Publisher:  PowersCourt Press
Release date:  Oct, 2022
Content Rating:  PG-13 Some violence some profanity

Book Description:

There is no greater distinction or responsibility for a law enforcement officer than to be selected to investigate homicides. The same is true for a prosecutor. It is analogous to a call up to the big leagues where the curveballs or slapshots are frequent and more challenging, the lights are brighter, the audience larger and louder, and the scrutiny and demand for perfection can at times be a bit overwhelming.

This story follows an extraordinary murder investigation from the crime scene through to the arrest and into the courtroom. It is narrated by retired Detective Lieutenant Bill Powers, the former commander of the State Police Detective Unit for the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts:

“When the smoke from the fire cleared and the water level receded, it was visually evident that a violent struggle, quite possibly a homicide, had preceded the fire. But where was the victim? The waterlogged bloodstains in the function room told us it wasn’t likely they stood up and walked out the door. We were confronted with an unusual dilemma. We not only had to investigate what happened and develop probable cause to make an arrest, but we also had to locate the poor soul who had spilled so much of their blood.”

​Walk the path of the investigation with Bill and his team, and then follow in ADA Adrienne Lynch’s footsteps as she guides the trial from opening statements through to the final verdict; a truly unique accounting with a bird’s eye view.

Beyond a police and courtroom procedural, this story is about the personal struggles in the victim’s life and how her death impacted her family’s lives in ways no one could have foreseen. It is a love story that grew from unspeakable tragedy.

​Bill Powers writes from the heart because he spent twenty years living the life of a homicide investigator. He went to literally hundreds of death scenes and, while each made its mark, none had more of a personal effect on him than this case.

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
​add to goodreads

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MY REVIEW

I enjoy streaming crime shows like CSI: Las Vegas and Criminal Minds. It’s a challenge for me to guess how the crime occurred and who did it and why. I’m also big on true crime shows. Following the detectives as they also follow the clues leading to the capture of their suspect. I know catching their culprit doesn’t happen in an hour or two like it does on the shows. It takes hard work, intuition and luck.

Reading When The Smoke Cleared didn’t take just an hour or two. The suspect wasn’t easy to recognize. The reason for the crime wasn’t either. From when the fire department put out the fire and realized they were standing in a crime scene until the verdict was read in the courtroom also didn’t happen in an episode or two. The author took me through it step by step. I don’t think I’ve ever read a true crime book where there was so much detail and it was so captivating. The way Bill Powers showed me the inner workings of solving the crime, through the trial and finally the sentencing was so thorough and never boring, I didn’t feel an urge to skip ahead. I read it straight through. I wanted every detail.

5 STARS

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Meet the Author:

​Bill Powers has been active in the Massachusetts law enforcement community since he joined the Massachusetts State Police in 1974. Over time he rose through the ranks and was promoted to the rank of Detective Lieutenant. He commanded the State Police Detective Units (SPDU) in both Middlesex and Suffolk Counties, where he had direct oversight and involvement in more than one hundred homicides. His State Police career came full circle when he was named Commandant of the Recruit Training Academy. He retired as the director of the Media Relations Section. Following his retirement, Bill was appointed as an Assistant Professor in the graduate program for forensic sciences at the Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM). For the next seven years he lectured on criminal investigation and expert testimony to the graduate students. In addition, he produced training seminars for police investigators covering a wide variety of topics. Following his tenure at the BUSM he returned to the law enforcement profession as the Director of Public Safety at Wentworth Institute in Boston. Bill earned an undergraduate degree from Northeastern University with a major in Criminal Justice and a Juris Doctorate degree from the New England School of Law.

He resides South of Boston with his wife Jane. Their two daughters and their families live nearby. He has been blessed with five remarkable grandchildren who sparkle like bright stars in the night sky.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

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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.

Cover Reveal ~ Far Out by Khaled Talib

Posted: March 10, 2023 in Cover Reveal, thriller
Tags:
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​**Check out the cover for the upcoming release Far Out!**
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Far Out

by Khaled Talib

Genre: Thriller

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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.

“The action is addictive.” – Josie Brown, author of the Housewife Assassin’s Handbook series.

“The twists and turns are shocking and fun and endlessly surprising.” – Haris Orkin, award-winning author of The James Flynn Escapade series.

“In FAR OUT, Khaled Talib weaves together a unique premise, a likable heroine with a 60’s vibe, and a twisty, satisfying narrative to give the reader a fun ride.”

— Dennis Palumbo, author of the Daniel Rinaldi mysteries.

**Preorder Now – Releases Jan 2, 2024!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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.

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.

He has authored four thrillers since 2014. His next novel, Far Out, will be released in 2024 by Running Wild Press in California.

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

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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.

Chris Crossed Murder by Lauren Carr ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: March 9, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Book Details:

Book Title:  Chris Crossed Murder (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +)
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Feb 22, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

“Carr is a master at creating unique, complex plots and colorful characters, both evident in her latest cold case mystery featuring  Chris Matheson and the geezer squad. The plot is twisted, the mystery unique and the ending a surprise. A must-read!” – Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Marilyn R. Wilson, Author, Speaker, Book Reviewer

“Lauren Carr is among my favorite mystery writers. She knows how to write a fun tale while keeping readers engaged. …I would give Chris Crossed Murder one hundred stars if I could. I believe readers who enjoy reading well-written and clean cozy mysteries will most definitely want to read it. I have no doubt they will enjoy it as much as I did. The fifth installment from A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery series is on my radar for when it releases.” – Review of CHRIS CROSSED MURDER (A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery, Book Four) by Amy Campbell, Locks Hooks and Books

Book Description:
​It proves to be a Christmas to remember when the Matheson family receives the horrendous news that Chris Matheson’s body has been found in the woods near an international airport.

Everyone is stunned—especially Chris Matheson.

The mystery deepens when they discover the victim has Chris’s federal agent badge and appears to have been investigating one of his old cases.

The Geezer Squad’s latest case is not only a whodunit but who-got-dun. Is this a case of mistaken identity? Was Chris the intended victim? If not, then they must identify the murder victim to find his killer.
​
With Christmas days away, join the Chris Matheson and the Geezer Squad as they race to piece together the clues to their most puzzling case yet.

Buy the Book:
Amazon.com
B&N ~ BAM
BookBub
add to goodreads
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MY REVIEW

Chris is dead. What? That sure caught my attention. I was very relieved to find out it was a case of mistaken identity. But why did the dead guy have Chris’s identification? And why is the suspected killer leaving bread crumbs for Chris to follow? Crumbs that lead to an old unsolved murder case? I was hooked.

The troops rally to get to the bottom of things. And their are plenty of suspects who want Chris dead, including the Russian Mafia and a Mexican drug cartel.

The Geezer Squad. They might not be in their prime physically anymore, but their combined intellect and skills at deduction are phenomenal.

The family and close friends. Most are connected to law enforcement in one way or another and when one of their own is threatened they combined their talents and get to work.

And lets not forget our furry friends. They seem to have a knack for pointing out clues the humans might have missed. I love how Lauren can use just a couple of words in a sentence and give you a fully fleshed out personality for each of the animals in her books. And they are every bit a part of the story.

It was a late night of reading for me as I couldn’t stop reading and the book was over 400 pages of intrigue and fun. It had been a while since I read the last book in this series. Lauren managed to draw me right back in and my worries about not remembering who was who were for nothing. I hardly needed to use the cast of characters list she conveniently provides in each of her books. They were still clear in my memory. Chris Crossed Murder was a thrilling read and well worth the wait for it’s release.

5 STARS

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Race Against Time by Claire Eckard ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: March 8, 2023 in giveaways, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Book Details:

​Book Title:  Race Against Time by Claire Eckard
Category:  Adult Non-Fiction (18+),  192 pages
Genre: Creative Non-Fiction 
Publisher:  Cedar Fort Press
Release date:  Jan 10, 2023
Content Rating: G for all readers 
 
 

Book Description:

Flash was a pony that had fallen between the cracks-too small for most to ride, even for a Hackney pony, and too feral to be shown. What he needed was a person as small as he was-who had the guts and the patience to give a wild pony a chance. Then along came a little girl with a sensitive soul and a big heart.

Kyla Law was just nine years old when she met Flash, and neither of them could have anticipated that their partnership would make history.

In an inspiring true story of family, faith, and perseverance, Kyla and Flash’s relationship mirrors the journey we must all take in life: one of highs and lows, successes and failures-theirs just happens to be along a hundred-mile historic trail in the Sierra Nevada mountains-the setting for the most famous endurance race in the world. From the moment they met, to the moment they crossed the finish line, their tenacity exhibits pure spirit: the human spirit, the Holy Spirit, and the fire-in-the-soul kind of spirit that helps us climb mountains and cross rivers, literally and figuratively.

This story is about a girl and her pony, and how in one amazing day they inspired an international community, as Flash became the smallest horse to ever finish the Western States One-Hundred-Mile, One-Day Ride-the Tevis Cup.

 
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MY REVIEW

Doesn’t every young girl dream of having their very own pony? I sure did. My walls were covered with images of horses. I drew them from every angle. I had my own herd of statues. And my imagination took me on many adventures with my equine friends.

Now, imagine a young girl, a confused pony and a daunting opportunity to grow together and overcome their obstacles. The biggest being a 100 mile trail ride in the Sierra Nevada mountains to be completed in one day. The Tevis Cup.

This is a true story of strength, courage and trust between a girl and her horse. Flash was small, even for a Hackney pony. Kyla was only nine when she first met Flash. What they did for each other was a true success story. I read this book from start to finish without a break. And I was so inspired by it that it had me wondering what I could do. What dreams I’d shelved as not attainable. It’s never to late. You’re never too young or too old.

  I have so many books. They are crammed in everywhere I can fit them. Race Against Time is one I plan to read again and it will be placed prominently on my bookshelf for easy access.

5 STARS

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Meet the Author:

Claire Eckard is an award-winning author and songwriter who lives in Arizona. Claire loves to write inspirational stories, both fiction and non-fiction that have an impact on the reader. Often her books revolve around the amazing bond between animals and humans. She grew up in England and is obsessed with clotted cream teas and the tranquil English countryside of her youth. Claire is a frequent speaker at schools, events, bookstores and on various podcasts. More information on Claire and links to her latest projects can be found at www.claireeckardauthor.com.
​
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~instagram ~ goodreads ~ bookbub
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RACE AGAINST TIME Book Tour 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

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