Archive for December, 2023

Santa’s Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals by Michele Monaco ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: December 6, 2023 in Children's books, giveaways, Guest Post, Holidays, reviews
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Book Details:

Book Title:  Santa’s Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals by Michele Monaco
Category:  Children’s Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 38 pages
Genre:  Children’s Book
Publisher:  Mascot Kids
Release date:   Nov 7, 2023
Content Rating:  G.  Suitable for everyone.

Book Description:

Right after Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for Santa and his crew of eight famous reindeer! Every year, the Famous Eight sleigh team from the North Pole eagerly helps Santa by going on a quest to find kids who believe in Christmas magic. In Santa’s Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals, Prancer, Vixen, and Dasher go on an adventure in search of eager pen pals. On their journey, they find three rambunctious girls who eagerly exchange letters with them and become lifelong friends.

Buy the Book:
Mascot Books
Amazon ~ B&N
add to Goodreads
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MY REVIEW

It’s the busiest time and the happiest time of the year. Santa and his eight reindeer are hard at work to be sure all the boys and girls have a wonderful Christmas. For three lucky young girls this year will be extra special. Prancer, Dasher and Vixen have chosen them to be their Pen Pals. What starts as a magical holiday adventure becomes one that lasts their whole lives.

What could be more fun than having one of Santa’s reindeer as your Pen Pal. I sure would have loved it when I was a young girl. What made this even more fun was reading the letters they exchanged. Kylie, Kenna and Rinnie were delightful young girls and their excitement was contagious. I got a feel for each girl’s personality and the same with each of the reindeer.

The illustrations are so colorful and there is a lot to see. Even the little details offer so much to the story.  As does the last pages which have questions you might want to ask your own special reindeer.

A wonderful, magical story that I highly recommend you add to your holiday reading list. I’m sure it will become a part of your Christmas tradition.

5 STARS

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Guest Post from Author Michele Monaco
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The inspiration for the story stems from my children Corryn, Kylie and McKenna. With my love of Christmas, I wanted to bring a whole different magical component to Christmas. I wanted my girls to be so enveloped in the magic of Christmas.  We lived in an area that had woods behind it and deer would be a common sighting on our lawn. I got the idea of these deer coming and watching my kids and reporting back to Santa. Before I knew it, it evolved into me playing the role of these reindeer and writing letters to my kids. My kids loved it and they were immersed in the idea and they were waiting in anticipation for their next letter so I encouraged them even before they could write to draw letters to their reindeer.  In a flash of an eye, my kids were writing letters back and forth to their reindeer

There are so many family traditions that I have integrated into my own family. One of them is going to cut down our own Christmas tree. This is quite an event that happens after Thanksgiving. Everyone must put on a Santa or elf hat.  It is the mandatory uniform for going out and seeking out a tree. We go out to a tree farm where you get a steaming cup of hot chocolate and we take a wagon ride out to where the Christmas trees are located and get our saws. Then the search begins, and when we find the perfect tree. Everyone takes part in using the saw to cut down this tree, and everyone helps carry the tree back to get wrapped up and loaded on the car!

I have two Christmas trees in my house one is the traditional tree that goes up in the living room and then I also have another tree that usually has a theme for the year one of my favorite trees was when I scoured photo albums Facebook Instagram to get pictures that included everyone in my family. I collected pictures from when people were small kids during their lifespan special moments. I decorated them with ribbon and hung them all over the Christmas tree so that when people came to my home they were immersed and fascinated by walking around the tree and seeing pictures of themselves and extended family and friends throughout their lives. It brought on memories, conversation, laughter, and tears. For me, this tree unified the meaning of Christmas.

Another tradition is that we start off  Christmas Eve morning with a large cup of hot chocolate and we pile into the car with snuggly blankets and we drive through Valley Forge Park where there are a lot of deer in the open lands and people walking on the open trails. My girls and I play Christmas music and we wish the reindeer good luck as they prepare for Christmas. Next year’s book will reveal why we wish the reindeer good luck!

Merry Christmas!

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Meet Author Michele Monaco:

Michele Monaco has a great love for the Christmas season. She embraces the Christmas spirit all year round by remembering to look at life through the eyes of a child. As a mother of three beautiful and exuberant daughters, she believes in the magic that the holiday brings. Michele lives in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and enjoys traveling, reading, running, and enjoying the outdoors.

connect with author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram 

 

 
 
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Santa’s Magical Reindeer: Becoming Pen Pals 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

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Good Elf Gone Wrong by Alina Jacobs

Posted: December 6, 2023 in comedy, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, Holidays
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Good Elf Gone Wrong

by Alina Jacobs

 

 

Publication date: November 14th 2023
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

When you catch your fiancé cheating on you with your sister on Christmas Eve, the elf hat comes off.
I’ve always been the good girl—the anti Scrooge—the one who sacrifices for her guests, bakes cookies for her neighbors, and stays late after a party to clean up.
I don’t mind. I like being on the nice list.

I kept smiling when I caught my fiancé coming down my sister’s chimney on Christmas Eve.
I gave polite congratulations when they got engaged on Christmas morning.
And I even offered to help decorate for their holiday wedding despite the fact that was supposed to be my dream wedding.

But when my sister cuts up our great-grandmother’s one-hundred-year-old wedding dress and turns it into a skank show, even though that was the dress I was going to wear on my wedding day?
Well, this elf is torching down the North Pole.

And what better way to get revenge than giving those cheaters a taste of their own medicine?
This good elf is bringing the bad boy home for Christmas.
Hudson is a six-foot-five, coldhearted, tattooed bad elf with a perpetual sneer and washboard abs.
He’s exactly my sister’s type.
And he’s going to help me nuke her wedding from orbit on the night before Christmas.

What he is not supposed to do is grab my ass in the kitchen while I bake gingerbread.
Or crawl in my bed half naked.
And he’s definitely not supposed to smirk and tell me to commit to our fake relationship right before he goes down on me.

Guess there’s a reason the good elves stay far away from the bad.

Good elves of Christmas unite! We’re ogling the tattooed chests of shirtless bad boys, baking massive amounts of cookies, drinking all the wine, and trying to survive recently divorced grandmothers who have a pathological obsession with our love lives. This standalone holiday romantic comedy has all the Christmas cheer you can fit in your stocking and a happily ever after, guaranteed!

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Knitting clutched in my hands, I turned to the bad boy sitting next to me.

“Do … um …” I cleared my throat. “Do you have a girlfriend?”

His finger paused on the page he was turning. He fixed those pale-silver eyes on me, a dusty gray like the winter sky.

“No. Why? Are you offering?”

“Sort of. See, I kind of need to break up my sister and her boyfriend. She’s dating my ex. He’s a jerk. It’s complicated. But I need you to be my boyfriend so I can ruin her wedding. I don’t know if you do that type of work?”

I smiled hopefully.

The book closed with a loud thud.

He looked angry.

“Er, never mind,” I squeaked and held up my knitting. “I’ll get started on those baby socks. Forget I said anything.”

But he didn’t go back to his book.

“So you want a fake boyfriend.”

“Um, yeah. I mean that was the plan. But plans change …”

Those ghostly eyes still locked on mine, he leaned over, his huge body crowding my space.

I scrunched against the window.

“You sure you can handle it?” he asked in a deep, gravelly voice. He smelled like leather and the winter wind.

No. No, I don’t think I can.

I swallowed. The empty Advent calendar was digging into my side.

“Yes,” I squawked.

“Prove it,” he said, his breath cool on my cheek.

He twisted out of his jacket, the ridges of muscle under the tight gray T-shirt flexing and rippling as he shrugged off the garment.

“Give me a hand job.” The baritone voice deepened. “I have my jacket on my lap. No one will know. Just go for it.”

My eyes were about as big and round as Pugnog’s and ready to pop out of my head.

“Unzip my fly,” he breathed against my mouth, “and stroke my cock.”

My stomach was flip-flopping. The air between us was supercharged, and my skin felt tight and prickly.

“I-I can’t,” I stammered.

He huffed out a laugh, smirked, and pulled his jacket back on, the leather creaking.

“Thought so.” He sat back in his seat and opened up his book. “You’re weak. You have an elaborate revenge plan all mapped out, yet you clearly can’t handle having a fake boyfriend.”

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About Author Alina Jacobs:

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I’m your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

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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.

 

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Next Stop, Boston by Iris Dorbian

Posted: December 5, 2023 in Contemporary Literature, Excerpt, giveaways
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Next Stop, Boston organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Iris Dorbian will be awarding a $25 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.

Next Stop, Boston

by Iris Dorbian

 

 

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Geri Randall’s life is turned upside down when her late sister’s fiance, Dez Deacon, a washed-up rock star, is named her guardian. Whisked away from the only life she knew and taken on a rock and roll tour, Geri is initially desperate to win Dez’s approval. That desire hits a sour note when Dez’s treatment of her becomes too much to bear. What ensues is a battle of wills between her and her temperamental guardian, a collision course that will push Geri to do the unthinkable to get what she wants.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

If there was one thing she’d learned with this tour, it was that time operated on a whole other scale. It wasn’t weird to go out and have a burger at two in the morning, or stay up until five, eat an early breakfast, and then crash until noon.

 

At first, she’d felt like a vampire, but after a month of this nocturnal schedule, she’d gotten so acclimated to the lifestyle, she wondered how she would ever be able to go back to a daily schedule that consisted of her going to sleep at ten o’clock at night, waking up at seven o’clock so she could arrive at school by 8:30, and be in classes until 2:30 in the afternoon. Then do it all over again the next day. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

 

“It’s a soulless existence,” Dez said to her a week into her attempt to adjust to life on the road. He was opining about the nine to five normies. “Absolutely brain-atrophying. These poor people are like ants. Hamsters on a wheel, doing the same thing over and over again. That’s why what we do is so important to these people. For two hours, Ger, we bring them the excitement and adventure that’s missing in their dull, defeated lives. We’re like saviors to them.”

 

Geri clicked on her personal photo gallery. She pored through an unending succession of shots of Dez, as well as shots she never would post on her account: various hotel rooms, desk clerks on phones or dealing with customers, piles of suitcases gathered in a mound in lobbies, regular people sharing drinks at a bar, working on their laptops. She loved the simplicity of these images, which captured life in hotels with an organic detail and vibrancy. She stopped at the bar shots, then zoomed in to snag a clearer view at the people in them. The barflies seemed to be swigging whiskey or scotch, she wasn’t sure—an alcohol connoisseur, she was not; however, she’d seen so many adults in her young lifetime down gallons of liquor, she might as well be.

 

She studied their features to see if Dez was right about these normies. No, he wasn’t. They didn’t look defeated at all, only tired.

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About Author Iris Dorbian

Iris Dorbian is an arts and business journalist whose bylines have appeared in a wide array of outlets that include Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Crain’s New York Business, Business Insider, Buyouts, Venture Capital Journal, Investopedia, Playbill, Backstage, Dance Magazine, Theatermania and Stage Directions, where she served as editor-in-chief for eight years. Her personal essays have been featured in HBO’s Inspiration Room, Boomer Magazine, Jewish Literary Journal, Diverse Voices Quarterly, and Gothesque Magazine. Having previously published “Great Producers: Visionaries of the American Theater” (Allworth/Skyhorse) “An Epiphany in Lilacs: In the Aftermath of the Camps” (original publisher: Mazo Publishers) and “Sentenced to Shakespeare” (Sunbury/Milford House Prss), “Next Stop, Boston” is her fourth book.

 

Book links: Amazon / B&N

 

Social Media Links: LinkedIn / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Muckrack / Website

 

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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.

Killing Grinds ~ An Orchard Hollow Mystery by A.N. Sage

Posted: December 5, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Killing Grinds (Orchard Hollow Mystery)
by A.N. Sage

 


Killing Grinds (Orchard Hollow Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Oliver-Heber Books (November 28, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1648395147
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1648395147
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CF2S4LH7

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Piper Addison is in it deep. Turns out, finding out how your ghost familiar met her doom is not as easy as it sounds…

Tourist season is over and Orchard Hollow is as peaceful as ever. Piper Addison, the town witch and cafe owner, finally gets to kick back her sneakers and relax. The weather is glorious, her dusty love life has been resurrected, and she’s all caught up on binge watching shows. Nothing can be better!

Well, except for one slight problem.

Piper promised her ghost familiar she’d help find out what landed her in the land of the non-living.

It wouldn’t be so bad if the ghost didn’t have a case of amnesia and a serious need of an attitude adjustment. One thing is for certain, Piper’s familiar didn’t kick the bucket by choice.

Between figuring out the mystery of Stella’s demise, battling a raccoon for cookies, and tracing her mom’s steps hoping to reunite with a father she never met; Piper has her hands full. And this time, even her strange magic might not be enough to get her out of this bind.

Killing Grinds is a paranormal cozy mystery complete with an unlucky witch, a ghost familiar, and a feisty raccoon with a talent for getting into sticky situations.

About A.N. Sage

A.N. Sage is a bestselling, award-winning author of young adult fantasy and mystery. She has spent most of her life waiting to meet a witch, vampire, or at least get haunted by a ghost. In between failed seances and many questionable outfit choices, she has developed a keen eye for the extra-ordinary.

A.N. spends her free time reading and binge-watching television shows in her pajamas. Currently, she resides in Toronto, Canada with her husband who is not a creature of the night and their daughter who just might be.

A.N. Sage is a Scorpio and a massive advocate of leggings for pants.

Author Links: Website / Instagram / Facebook / YouTube / TikTok

Purchase Link – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 4 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

December 7 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

December 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

December 9 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 11 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

December 12 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 13 – Angel’s Book Nook – 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.

A Felonious Finale by C.S. McDonald ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: December 4, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
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 Join us for this review tour from Nov 6 to Dec 8, 2023!

Book Details:

  A FELONIOUS FINALE (The Owl’s Nest Mysteries)
Author:  C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 268 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  April 2023
Tour dates:  Nov 6 to Dec 8
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:

Alexa Owl has one burning question: Who killed Bobby Starr?

Out of the blue that ornery angel, Detective Bobby Starr, shows up at The Owl’s Nest Couturier Shoppe. Much to Alexa Owl’s surprise, Bobby doesn’t need her help. Rather, he’s brought along someone else who wants to qualify for Saint Peter’s Guardian Angel Squad. Saint Pete has delegated this new inductee to solve a murder to get into the group, and it’s a doozie: Who killed Detective Bobby Starr? How can Alexa turn this assignment down?
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Back in the 60s, Bobby’s fifth wife, Katherine was a diva in a community operetta company. During a performance of The Merry Widow, Bobby was forced to stand-in for a member of the chorus who fell ill. Only, Bobby’s first performance would be his last! The suspects are hitting all the notes as this mystery comes to crescendo!

Buy the Book:
Amazon ~ Audible
BookBub
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MY REVIEW

I  have a big fondness for cozy mysteries. There’s always quirky, fun characters. Some temperamental and smart animals. And small town settings where everyone knows your name. Sounds like where I live now.

It’s always an added pleasure when there’s something in the paranormal department thrown in. That’s what you get in A Felonious Finale. An amateur sleuth, Alexa Owl, who isn’t so amateur as she’s got several cases solved. And Detective Bobby Star, an angel who returned to Earth to solve his own murder.  He’s back, but not to solve his case.. It’s about who he brought back with him. They want to earn a place of their own on the Guardian Angel Squad and they’ll be working Bobby’s case.

This was such fun. I enjoyed jumping back and forth in timelines. Got some much needed info on the characters, and that was needed as I jumped into this series feet first without reading previous books. After spending time with these characters and laughing at their antics, I’m curious to go back and start at the beginning of the series. I bet I missed a lot of fun and I want to read about the first encounter between Alexa and Bobby. That had to be a hoot.

4 STARS

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Knitmare On Beech Street ~ A Knit & Nibble Mystery by Peggy Ehrhart

Posted: December 4, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Knitmare on Beech Street (A Knit & Nibble Mystery)
by Peggy Ehrhart

 


Knitmare on Beech Street (A Knit & Nibble Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
10th in Series 
Setting – Charming fictional town of Arborville, in northern New Jersey
Kensington Cozies (November 28, 2023)
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496738861
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496738868
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BZBM8P55

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Knit and Nibble member Pamela Paterson, and her best friend, Bettina, stumble on a body in a once grand Victorian house when they join a group welcoming new residents to Arborville—and must figure out if old secrets killed the new neighbor . . .

When Pamela, Bettina, and their friends show up at the Voorhees House to greet its new owner, they’re met with a most unwelcome sight: a dead body on the kitchen floor. Tassie Hunt just inherited the old Victorian, which had been occupied by a reclusive widow for many years and had a reputation for being haunted. But Tassie would have been unlikely to be spooked since her career involved debunking such paranormal phenomena.

Her demise sets off a new flurry of gossip and ghostly speculation in the New Jersey town, of course—and it’s tempting to think spirits were indeed involved considering there’s zero evidence so far of foul play. A nosy neighbor reports strange lights and sounds, and a man obsessed with the Victorian era starts photographing the place from the street. But it won’t take long before Pamela and Bettina are moving in on a killer . . .

Enjoy this peek inside:

Pamela led the way down the steps, down the narrow concrete path, and along the sidewalk, until they reached another concrete path. From this path, steps led up to another porch, smaller and with a plainer railing, onto which the back door opened.

Saying “I’ll try again,” Marlene hefted the gift basket and headed up the steps. As she pressed the doorbell, the rest of the group joined her on the porch one by one.

Marlene turned away after a few minutes and much enthusiastic pressing of the doorbell. “No answer,” she murmured. “And I was sure ANGWY was clear about the date and time.”

She shrugged, edged past the others, and started down the steps. Bettina, however, stepped closer to the door and tipped her head to peer at the doorframe. “I’m not sure it’s closed all the way,” she said and gave the door a tentative push.

The door swung open easily. After a shrug and a glance at the other women, Bettina raised a stylishly shod foot and stepped over the threshold.

“Tassie?” Her voice rang out with a cheerful lilt. “Hello? It’s the ANGWY committee.”

She disappeared inside, but a moment later she was back in the doorway. Her cheer had vanished, leaving her face a wan canvas that made her careful makeup appear garish.

Ignoring her heart’s sudden lurch, Pamela took a few quick steps and joined her friend in the doorway. Bettina backed up against the door, anchoring it in a fully open position, and Pamela slipped past her into the kitchen.

A woman lay sprawled on the ancient linoleum, a slender blonde woman wearing a light cotton robe printed with small flowers in shades of blue and lilac . . .

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About Peggy Ehrhart

Peggy Ehrhart is a former English professor with a doctorate in Medieval Literature. Her Maxx Maxwell mysteries, Sweet Man Is Gone(2008) and Got No Friend Anyhow (2011), were published by Five Star/Gale/Cengage and feature a blues-singer sleuth.

Peggy is currently writing the Knit & Nibble mysteries for Kensington Books. Her amateur sleuth, Pamela Paterson, is the founder and mainstay of the Arborville, New Jersey, knitting club, nicknamed Knit and Nibble. Knitmare on Beech Street is book #10 in the series. Peggy herself is an avid crafter, dating from her childhood as a member of the 4-H Club in rural Southern California.

Peggy is a longtime member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She regularly attends mystery-writing conferences and participates in conference panels. She also gives talks on mystery fiction at libraries and other venues in New York, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Author Links: Website / Yarn Mania Blog / Goodreads

Purchase Links – Amazon – Barnes & Noble     Bookshop.org      Kobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 28 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Cozy, Suspenseful, and Sweet – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 29 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – AUTHOR GUEST POST

November 30 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Diane’s Book Journal – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 2 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 3 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 4 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 5 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW

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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.

Secrets Don’t Sink ~ A Chattertowne Mystery by K. B. Jackson

Posted: December 3, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery
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Secrets Don’t Sink: A Chattertowne Mystery
by K. B. Jackson

 


Secrets Don’t Sink: A Chattertowne Mystery
Traditional Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Chattertowne, Washington- a small riverfront community in the Pacific Northwest
Level Best Books (July 4, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 308 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685123899
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685123895
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0C83SGJ23

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Loose lips may sink ships, but bodies and secrets will always float to the surface.

Audrey O’Connell has returned from Portland to her hometown of Chattertowne, Washington, a place where gossip is currency but knowing when to stay tight-lipped is priceless. Procuring a part-time job at the local newspaper to keep an eye on her impetuous sister following Vivienne’s latest romantic scandal, Audrey is assigned a feature series for the upcoming festival which has her digging through the town archives in search of anything interesting. When her former boyfriend Marcus is found floating dead in the marina not long after reaching out to her in hopes of utilizing her research skills, her investigation reveals his conspiracy theories about Chattertowne and corruption within its leadership might not have been so crazy after all.

As she plumbs the depths of the town’s 150-year history, she discovers that beneath the façade of this idyllic hamlet lie secrets long-submerged–including within her own family–and finds herself in the crosshairs of those who guard them.

Now with three dead bodies, an intense case of aquaphobia, and a narrow window before her deadline, Audrey looks to City Manager Holden, octogenarian historian Mildred, and her enigmatic almost-boyfriend Darren to help her discover the truth that will forever change her and Chattertowne.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I stepped into the chilly air and scanned the boardwalk. A small crowd had gathered just beyond the Port Authority building. I couldn’t see much from my vantage point, but it looked like someone was lying on the ground.

I groaned. On the one hand, it was my job to investigate the goings-on in Chattertowne. On the other hand…water.

I blew a resigned sigh.

Shimmying along the building to gain a better view, my initial thought was it was it must be a CPR training doll, but as I edged closer there was no mistaking the long-legged figure for a mannequin. Kelp vines snaked around wet jeans and bruised hairy ankles protruded from scuffed black leather work boots.

I counted to three and lunged for one of the support beams, clinging to it like I’d done with mama on my first day of kindergarten. A woman standing nearby jumped at my sudden intrusion and glared at me.

“Is that person okay?” I asked in an exaggerated whisper.

“No.” She pulled her tan trench tighter and pursed her lips. “He’s not okay.”

“Do you know what happened?”

She grimaced. “They pulled the guy out of the river. What he was doing in there, I have no idea.”

I hugged the post and tried to calculate how close I’d need to get for a better look while still keeping a safe enough distance from the edge of the dock. It was important to factor the sturdiness of each of the looky-loos into the equation. One klutz with flailing arms was all it would take to send me into the river. Not only didn’t I know how to swim, but as soon as I hit the water, I’d have a panic attack and sink straight to the bottom.

A Port Authority officer attempted to control the crowd, but they’d encroached, disregarding his attempt at a perimeter.

I glanced at the woman in the trench coat. “Could you do me a favor?”

She eyed me through a narrow gaze. “Depends.”

“I’m a reporter for the Coastal Current. Any chance you’d be willing to take my phone and snap a photo of the victim?”

“Why can’t you? It’s your job.”

“I have a slight fear of water. More than slight. Debilitating would be more accurate.”

She pursed her lips. “Do I get credit if you print it?”

“Sure.”

I had no intention of submitting the picture to my boss. I only wanted to be able to write an accurate story.

I watched as the woman dodged a rotund man as he swayed back and forth, and a little boy darting around like a pinball. She stood on her tiptoes and held my phone aloft to get a better view of the scene.

After a few minutes, she returned and handed the phone to me.

“I took video instead.”

“Thanks so much.”

“Caroline Gates.” She pointed at the phone. “Caroline with a C.”

I nodded, and pressed play on the video.

As I watched the camera zoom in on the face of the man lying on the docks, a tidal wave of grief crested over me. My lungs struggled to catch a breath and I felt like I was drowning myself. A strangled cry lodged in my throat. I stumbled backward and fell onto the splintered planks.

The woman rushed over to me. “Are you okay?”

I shook my head.

“Did you know him?”

I nodded. I tried to swallow but gurgled instead.

Time might change a person, but familiarity always remained.

“Marcus. His name is–was–Marcus.”

~~~~~

About K.B. Jackson

Kate B Jackson (KB Jackson) is an author of mystery novels for grownups and mystery/adventure novels for kids. She lives in the Pacific NW with her husband and has four mostly grown children. A part-time genealogist, she loves to craft stories with elements of history and family dynamics.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter – X / Goodreads

Purchase Link – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 27 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

November 27 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 27 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 28 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 28 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

November 29 – Cozy, Suspenseful, and Sweet – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

November 29 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 30 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

November 30 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 1 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

December 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

December 3 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

December 4 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 4 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

December 5 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 5 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

December 6 – Lady Hawkeye – SPOTLIGHT

December 6 – Rebecca M. Douglass, Author – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

 

 

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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.

My Big Heart-Shaped Fail by Cindy Callaghan ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: December 2, 2023 in Contemporary Literature, giveaways, middle grade, YA
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A tween comedy-of-errors that chronicles the most cringe-worthy day of 13 year-old Abby Gray’s life.

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My Big Heart-Shaped Fail

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by Cindy Callaghan

Genre: Tween, Upper Middle-Grade Contemporary Fiction

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Award-winning middle-grade novel from the author of Just Add Magic and Saltwater Secrets . . . .

In this hourly time-stamped, action-packed tween comedy of errors, Abby Gray, feeling weighed down by her secrets and lies, lets five balloons float into the sky with her deepest secrets attached to them in a desperate attempt to clear her conscience. Her relief is short-lived, though: the next day, those balloons start dropping one by one at her school, revealing Abby’s innermost thoughts to both friends and frenemies and creating hilarious misinterpretations of crushes amongst her peers.

This is the worst day of her life . . . or is it? Before the last bell rings, Abby manages to integrate the oddball who is blackmailing her into her friend group and to fix the mix-ups the notes have caused—not only getting couples back together but also making a few new love matches—and finally comes clean as the author of the notes that have created such chaos.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

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The Girl Who Ruined Christmas

by Cindy Callaghan

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Award-winning middle-grade Christmas novel from the author of Just Add Magic and Saltwater Secrets . . . .

Imagine you’re a tween visiting a small town that loves nothing more than its prize fir—a perfect Christmas tree destined for the White House. Now picture yourself accidentally destroying that tree, making you public enemy number one. Lastly, imagine that to repay your debt, you have to remain in said town for the Christmas season.

That’s what happens to Brady Bancroft.

When Brady ruins Harper Hollow Fall’s prize tree, she’s sentenced to stay in the holiday-festooned town for the month of December. At first, she couldn’t be more depressed about the whole situation; but during her month there, she is surprised to discover that there’s much more than pine needles to the little town holding her captive. In the end, Harper Hollow Falls reminds Brady of the true meaning of Christmas—and she, in turn, saves the town.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Cindy Callaghan is the award-winning author of eleven MG novels including JUST ADD MAGIC and JUST ADD MAGIC 2: POTION PROBLEMS, which were made into an Emmy-nominated Amazon Original series now in its fifth season and distributed world-wide via Nickelodeon. She’s well-known for the best-selling Lost In… books: LOST IN LONDON, LOST IN PARIS, LOST IN ROME, LOST IN HOLLYWOOD, and LOST IN IRELAND. Her Agatha award-winning stand-alone SYDNEY MACKENZIE KNOCKS ‘EM DEAD sells out every year around Halloween.

Her 2020 book SALTWATER SECRETS, which is nominated for an Agatha Award, won Delaware Press Association and National Federation of Press Women’s awards, and two International Book Awards, is set up by a major studio.

Triple-award-winning THE GIRL WHO RUINED CHRISTMAS, (October 2021) sold out its first print run before Thanksgiving. MY BIG HEART-SHAPED FAIL has won three awards since it’s 2022 launch. These books along with original concepts are actively being shopped to producers, networks and streamers along with Cindy’s robust portfolio of original features and series.

A Jersey girl at heart, Cindy lives in Delaware with her family and rescued-pets.

Website * Facebook * X * 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.

The Dolphin Dentist: No Sharks Allowed by Cheryl DaVeiga ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: December 1, 2023 in Children's books, giveaways, reviews
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Book Details:

  The Dolphin Dentist: No Sharks Allowed by Cheryl DaVeiga
Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  44 pages
Genre:  Children’s Picture Book
Publisher:  Waterhole Productions LLC
Release date:   November, 2023
Content Rating:  G. This children’s book is for everyone.

Book Description:

​COMING SOON! A “Fin-tastic” adventure Like No Other!

Fearless Flossy, a mighty great white shark, has a secret—she’s terrified of going to the dentist.  Dr. Dribble, the big-hearted dolphin dentist, has a jaw-dropping fear of his own, and a strict “No Sharks Allowed” policy.  When Fearless Flossy makes an unannounced visit to Dr. Dribble’s office, it’s the start of an underwater adventure like no other!  This ‘fin-tastic’ story is must-read for kids and parents alike. Young readers will be immersed in a tale of courage, compassion, and conquering fear, while giggling and cheering for these unlikely friends along the way.

Dive in with a big Biff Bam Booza smile.

Buy the Book
Biff Bam Booza
Amazon
add to goodreads
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MY REVIEW

I found myself checking all the boxes when reading this adventure.

Fun, witty characters that charm me. There’s Fearless Flossy Fin. A young Great White shark that’s scared to go to the dentist.  She’s not living up to her title of Queen Of The Sea.

Mama Fin, who’ll not here another word about it. It’s off to the dentist.

 Dr. Dribble the dolphin. Known as The Gentle Dentist Of The Sea who will not treat sharks. No way.

And his assistant, an Octopus named Ms. Oops, who shames Dr Dribble into examining Flossy’s BIG teeth.

And there are so many quirky, silly descriptions that made me giggle. Yes, giggle.

Mama Fin finding Dr. Dribble on the fin-ternet.

And Flossy’s jaggedy, snaggedy, zig-zaggedy bad teeth. It’s so fun to say out loud.

And all those extras. So many adorable creatures. A fun waiting room at Dr. Dribble’s office. And some of his dental tools, such as the Barracuda Drill. Yes, it’s a barracuda.

Must not forget the illustrations. They are so colorful and the characters are so fun and cleverly drawn. I loved them all!

I thought this was a super fun way to ease a child’s fear of the dentist. If Fearless Flossy can do it, so can they.

5 STARS

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Meet the Author:

Cheryl DaVeiga is an award-winning children’s book author and singer/songwriter residing in New Jersey. After a career in business, Cheryl’s passion for music caught up with her, and she began writing and recording children’s songs as her alter ego, CADi Grace. She then moved on to adult songs, including an ASCAP award-winning veteran’s anthem, the featured song for the State of Alabama Bicentennial Celebration, the theme song to the philanthropic Where Angels Play Foundation, and a NJ Arts’ pick for top NJ summer songs. She’s also written songs for artists on critically acclaimed albums.

You can find her books and animated sing-along song videos on her website for kids and kid-lovers– BiffBamBooza.com.

Biff Bam Booza books have received numerous awards and acclaim, including Mom’s Choice Gold, Purple Dragonfly, Eric Hoffer, and Literary Titan book awards, a Readers’ Favorite 5-star rating, and a Kirkus Review Magazine feature.

Cheryl lives in Tucson, Arizona, and spends summers in her native New Jersey.

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

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THE DOLPHIN DENTIST: NO SHARKS ALLOWED 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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Spread: Tales Of Deadly Flora Edited by R. A. Clarke ~ My Review

Posted: December 1, 2023 in Anthology, horror, reviews
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Spread: Tales of Deadly Flora

Edited by Rachel Clarke

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Synopsis

Green thumbs beware. Plants are beautiful, peaceful, abundant, and life-sustaining. But what if something sinister took root in the soil, awakening to unleash slashing thorns, squeezing vines, or haunting greenery that lured you in? Perhaps blooms on distant planets could claim your heart, hitch a ride to Earth on a meteor, or simply poison you with their essence. Imagine a world where scientists produced our own demise in a lab, set spores free to infect, even bred ferns to be our friends only to witness the privilege perverted. When faced with botanical terror, will humanity fight to survive, or will they curl and wither like leaves in the fall? Read ten speculative tales ripe with dangerous flora to find out.

Includes stories by: Alyssa Beatty, Katie Ess, Jen Mierisch, Josephine Queen, Lisa Fox, Katie Jordan, Melissa Mendelson, Andrea Goyan, Alex Grehy, and R.A. Clarke.

Foreword by: Holly Rae Garcia.

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MY REVIEW

The first thing I want to say about this anthology is brilliant. Positively astounding. The prose is excellent. The stories read like an artist painting on canvas. I was astounded by how compelling these tales were. Even though the subject might be dark, it felt like a light was shining when I read some of the passages.

I live in Alabama and we have this vine called Kudzu. It was brought in to help with erosion on the bluffs. They must not have done their research because the invasive species took over. It simply can’t be killed. Just keeps coming back. I often thought it would be great for a horror story. Something along the lines of The Ruins. That movie was terrifyingly brutal.  That said, I wanted to mention that while some of these tales are dark, they aren’t necessarily gory. It’s more of a let your imagination take you there, wherever that is.

Being a collection, I usually have a favorite. Though I don’t usually single it out in my review. I was hard pressed to choose just one this time. All of them blew me away. The forward by Holly Rae Garcia was equally captivating. As were the illustrations spreading between the stories.

I love anthologies. Especially in a genre I read voraciously, such as horror. They’re such a fun way to discover new authors, and I found several. Each of these author’s are true storytellers and I’d love to sit around a campfire and let them spin me a tale. Feel those icy fingers creeping up and down my spine.

5 STARS

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Edited by Rachel Clarke

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Purchase Link: Amazon

 

Social Media Links: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook

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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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