Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2024! I missed doing this the last couple of years due to Covid and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!
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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!
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Snowblind II
The Killing Grounds
by Michael McBride
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Genre: Horror
MY REVIEW
I loved Snowblind so it was an easy decision to read the second book, Killing Grounds. First off, take a gander and the freakin’ cover. I love it.
Second. It’s a found footage story. John missed the ski trip and his buddies and girlfriend disappear. Seven years later the footage is discovered and points him in a direction to search for them.
Third. There are some interesting characters helping John in his search, including a tracker and her dog, a technician, and Sheriff Dayton. The footage was found at a cabin and the Sheriff has a connection with it. Something that occurred in the past.
Then things start to really ramp up. A snowstorm is on the way. They’re miles from help. And whatever caused the group’s disappearance seven years ago is now hunting them. Curious what it is. Take a look at the cover again. Bloody mayhem is fast approaching and I loved every word of this story.
5 STARS
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Synopsis
There are some places man was never meant to go.
For the past seven years, John Avery has been combing the wilderness for any sign of his missing girlfriend, who set out upon the ski trip of a lifetime and was never seen again.
Regions utterly isolated by geography and time.
The discovery of a video camera prompts Sheriff Wayne Dayton to dispatch a search party into one of the most remote areas of the Rockies in hopes of learning her fate.
Where few species can survive.
When a freak blizzard strikes, they find themselves wandering blindly into the killing grounds of a predator they can’t even see.
Warm your heart with nine enchanting tales of love.
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For the Love of Winter
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Volume Two
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Genre: A Collection of Holiday Romances
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with stories by
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Leah Miles, Vickey
Wollan, C.L. Hart, Sara J. Walker, Erika Kilmer Freidly,
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Marie Morton, Sally
Ann Murphy, Elizabeth Edgar, Vanessa Victoria Kilmer
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Warm your heart with nine enchanting tales of love. From historical winter
celebrations to modern sizzling New Year’s Eve encounters, this
anthology spans sweet to spicy romance across different eras and
realms. Whether you prefer gentle courtship or steamy embraces, this
collection has something for every romance reader.
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Mistletoe Magic, by Leah Miles:
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A holiday romance rekindles when Navy SEAL Michael
Rodriguez runs into his old flame, Nora Geller, and invites her to
his family gathering. Will they mend old wounds and find love again,
or will misunderstandings leave their hearts out in the cold?
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Happily Ever After, Take Two, by Sara Walker:
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Will Dino and Hilde’s second chance love
overcome family doubts and past mistakes for a lifetime of happiness?
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Love Under the Cold Moon, by Vanessa Kilmer:
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A headstrong Celtic woman and a reluctant Roman
heir clash and connect in an arranged marriage during the Alpine
winter festivals of 193 AD.
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Finding a Date for Christmas by Vickey Wollan:
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Joan’s going to a Christmas gala and
hires Mack on Rent-A-Date. If he reveals his secret, will he get a
second date? Can two lonely hearts find romance in time for
Christmas?
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Snowbound Hearts, by C.L. Hart:
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When a divorced couple ends up stuck in a snowbound lodge
in the Sierra Nevada mountains, it could either be the worst
Christmas ever or a second chance to make things right.
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A Fluffy White Christmas – A Tail of Love, by Sally Murphy:
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Can a half-starved stray dog help a lonely woman open up her frozen heart to a new love this
Christmas?
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Glancing over, Elizabeth saw Izzy in the window, her smile beaming out at the three of them. Then she looked at Elizabeth as if to say “It’s okay, Mom. It’s okay to love.” A shout brought her attention back to Ian and Agnes. With a surprisingly swift grace for such a large animal, Agnes had rolled to her feet and knocked Ian down. He could only laugh helplessly as Agnes settled on his back and smiled at Elizabeth, her tongue lolling.
“You two are a sight.” Elizabeth ran forward and dove at the two of them, and all three were rolling in the snow, laughing uproariously. Agnes recovered quickly and dashed away, bouncing back to playfully “boof” Ian with one large paw before racing away again to run in circles. Ian lost his balance and Elizabeth could not stop laughing.
“You’ve been ‘boofed’,” she told him, dipping her hands into the snow and throwing it at him. He ducked and returned the favor, but before Elizabeth could gather enough snow for a snowball, she was also boofed as Agnes’ affectionate pat sent her sprawling. They both lay in the snow and took turns throwing snow at Agnes, who thought this was hilarious and ran about wildly each time the cold spray hit her face. Finally, Ian rolled to his feet and helped Elizabeth to hers. Agnes promptly gave up the game and came to lean affectionately against the two of them.
“What a beauty,” Ian breathed, but he looked up and met Elizabeth’s eyes as the words left his mouth.
“She is, isn’t she?” Elizabeth said, and Ian nodded.
“Yes.” He leaned in and kissed her, a soft, friendly kiss, and when Elizabeth did not protest, he stepped closer and kissed her again. His arms went gently around her, and Elizabeth slipped her own around him, standing in the cold snow, kissing him as if in a dream.
Excerpt 2
December first. Elizabeth Jordan opened the last box of Christmas ornaments with a heavy heart, trying not to pretend she had been putting off this box on purpose. This box was a very special one, holding the ornaments of every pet she had had since she was a child: a Maltese, three Shelties, two tiny birds, and a Golden Retriever. All had lived long happy lives except one, Sam, her faithful Golden Retriever.
Sam had been lost to cancer, suddenly, painfully, and though two years had passed she still missed him very much. Her twelve-year-old daughter, Izzy, longed for another dog, but Elizabeth knew she would never be able to survive the pain of losing another dog like that. Life had no guarantees, she knew, but having also lost her husband to cancer, she felt safer keeping her heart closed.
“Mom!!” Izzy had a note in her voice that Elizabeth didn’t understand, but the high-pitched cry brought her running. Izzy stood by the French doors, staring in amazement.
“It’s Sam! Look, it’s Sam!”
Elizabeth knew it could not be Sam, but the sight of the large white dog gracefully clearing their fence to run through the backyard certainly made her think it was. Without thinking, she pulled open the doors and ran outside, Izzy on her heels, carrying the boots Elizabeth had forgotten as she raced across the yard.
“Here boy!” Elizabeth called, and the dog paused and turned back. Even as their eyes met Elizabeth knew this wasn’t Sam; this dog was either very pregnant or had recently whelped. Elizabeth had zero experience in those matters, but she clapped her hands and called. “Here! It’s okay.”
The dog loped toward her and allowed Elizabeth and Izzy to pet her majestic head as Elizabeth felt for a collar or a chip beneath her white fur. Which, upon a closer look, was matted and filthy.
“No collar,” she told Izzy, and then the dog turned away and crossed the yard, leaping into the neighbor’s yard behind them.
Not sure why, Elizabeth followed, but not before she pulled on the boots Izzy handed her. She watched curiously as the dog went up the neighbor’s front steps and tried to peer inside. Looking for her puppies? Elizabeth wondered. She didn’t know these neighbors well, only that they weren’t friendly, and their dog was a Coon Hound, who began to bark frantically at this intrusion.
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Maiya’s New Year’s Wish, by Marie Morton:
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Maiya Collins finds herself swept into an
unexpected holiday romance in the sun-kissed paradise of St. Croix.
Yet, a misunderstanding threatens to shatter her dreams. As the New
Year’s countdown approaches, she must confront her doubts. Can love
prevail, or will her island romance become another broken resolution?
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The Naughty List Nightmare, by Erika Kilmer Freidley:
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Love, traditions, and a mythical menace
collide as Thea and Bash get involved in a festive fight to save
Pittsburgh’s children.
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Winter Wonderland by Elizabeth Edgar:
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Cinderella made her own gown and found her
Prince Charming, but will they get their fairy tale ending?
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Don’t miss your chance to purchase this collection while it is available.
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Proceeds benefit First Coast Romance Writers, an independent non-profit organization that
helps writers hone their craft and expand their knowledge of the
publishing industry.
The authors participating in this anthology are members of First Coast
Romance Writers (FCRW), and proceeds from this anthology benefit
their organization. FCRW is a non-profit that welcomes both published
and unpublished authors, as well as any individuals involved in
writing and publishing. The chapter is dedicated to promoting
excellence in romantic fiction through monthly meetings and workshops
in a comfortable forum. They strive to help writers establish careers
by providing innovative programs, networking opportunities and
pertinent information on effective marketing techniques. Learn more
about FCRW online at https://www.firstcoastromancewriters.com
Meditation and Mischief: Magical Mystery Book Club by Elizabeth Pantley
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Meditation and Mischief: Magical Mystery Book Club Paranormal Cozy Mystery 8th in Series Setting – A resort on a tropical island Better Beginnings, Inc. (September 15, 2024) Print length : 327 pages Digital ASIN : B0CVW72ND4
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When this club selects a book, magic happens!
This book club does more than read their books – they are absorbed into them to become the amateur sleuths! In order to leave the book, they must solve the mystery and reach The End.
In this journey they travel to The Golden Island Wellness Retreat for yoga, meditation, workshops, and spa treatments. They’ll bond with nature and improve their spiritual wellbeing. They’ll find their inner peace – and a dead body, of course.
Graduates from an acting college have gathered at the retreat for their ten-year reunion. Old friends reconnect, but apparently, so have old enemies. The book club must evaluate the attendees to determine whose baggage has led to murder.
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Enjoy this peek inside:
Frank strolled into the room, hopped up on the counter and stretched. His nose and whiskers twitched. “Ahhh, the life enriching aroma of fresh coffee. Which of my dear friends can I count on to prepare me a bowlful?”
“I gotcha, Frank,” said Forrest.
“While you’re at it, can you pour me a cup?” asked Sebastian, who was busy at the griddle whipping up a stack of pancakes.
“And me, please,” called Valeria over her shoulder as she took stacks of plates and bowls out of the cabinet.
The bustle of the kitchen continued until the counter was loaded with food and a second fresh pot of coffee was brewing. The peacefulness of last night had morphed into the high energy of anticipation that buzzed through the air. Today we’d pick a new book and embark on an unknown journey into a cozy mystery book. It was funny to think that in the old days a trip to the theater in the city, or a hike through the park were the only journeys I took. Now I knew I could land anywhere in the world – this world or another one – and I’d meet some kind of paranormal beings and be instrumental in solving a mystery. All with this motley group of people who’d become like family to me. Well … people, a talking cat, and a friendly ghost. My life had certainly changed.
Brunch was served and we sat around the table chatting and eating.
“I know your library has only cozy mysteries,” said Valeria. “But wouldn’t it be great to go into other kinds of books, too?”
“No,” said Zell, wrinkling up her face. “Cozies are all I ever read.”
“Wouldn’t you like to venture into a nice romance story?” Sebastian made kissing noises.
“Heaven forbid,” chortled Zell. “Any men my age would be wrinkled old prunes.”
Sebastian spit out his coffee, and several of us laughed along with him, including Zell.
“What about biographies about famous people, then?” asked Valeria.
“Boring.” Frank gave an exaggerated yawn.
“I’d enjoy a travel book,” said Moonbeam. “It would be fun to explore a new place without having the added stress of a mystery to solve.”
“If you mean tour groups and taking pictures of old cathedrals, count me out,” said Sebastian. “We get to travel to places not on any map or globe and meet paranormal beings! That’s far more interesting to me. I mean, we got to visit a sprite kingdom, Moon! How much better does it get than that?”
Moonbeam smiled. “I did love the fairies.”
By the time we dilly-dallied over our meal, caught up with everyone’s news, and had taken our time cleaning the kitchen, over two hours had passed. People were already filling small plates of food to carry downstairs to our book club meeting. We rarely had leftovers with this group.
Zell didn’t even wait for us to leave the kitchen before she pulled out her drum and slung it around her neck. She handed her plate to Sebastian and began tapping out a drumroll as she marched toward the basement door. Everyone followed her in a parade of excitement.
Forrest, Valeria, and Atticus had grabbed pairs of chopsticks and were tapping out rhythms on the end tables and coffee table. The fact that all of them were playing different rhythms didn’t seem to bother them at all.
Moonbeam began her ritual chant asking for the spirits of exploration and adventure to fill the room, and Sebastian joined her, while tapping out his own rhythm with a pair of spoons. Mollie swooped up to blow gently on the chandelier which added a pleasant tinkling to the diverse orchestra.
I made my way to the front and put my hand on the doorknob. All the tapping, chanting, and tinkling came to a halt, and an air of expectation surrounded us. I began the countdown, and everyone joined in.
“Five … four … three … two … one!”
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About Elizabeth Pantley
Elizabeth writes well-loved cozy mysteries in two series: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Mystery Book Club series.
Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona, two very different places. Both are rich, gorgeous, natural places, and inspire the settings in many of her books.
