Archive for October 21, 2024

A Hush At Midnight by Marlene M. Bell ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: October 21, 2024 in giveaways, Mystery, reviews
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A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell Banner

A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT
by Marlene M. Bell
October 7 – November 1, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

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Synopsis:
From the award-winning author of the ANNALISSE MYSTERY SERIES.

THE VISIT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING. Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered. She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state. When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation. Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.

 

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuth/Mystery/Cozy Mystery

Published by: Ewephoric Publishing Publication Date: October 1, 2024 Number of Pages: 368 ISBN: 979-8-9863409-6-8

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

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MY REVIEW

I do like my mysteries and the author had me coming and going, at a loss as to the who or why in this one.

I like a strong female protagonist and Laura fits the bill. She has a protective instinct along with some stubbornness. When she visits her mentor and friend, elderly Hattie, she notices something’s off. She seems so frail. She knows something is very wrong when she discovers Hattie dead. What killed her? Why was she in the grounds keeper’s house? These are some of the questions she asks herself and she smells a rat.

I mentioned the author was adept at keeping me guessing. There were plenty of false trails and suspects. I’d love to say I had it all figured out. Not the case and I enjoyed how it all wrapped up.

4 STARS

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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About Author Marlene M. Bell:

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Marlene M. Bell

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter. Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels of her creativity. Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series. She offers her children’s picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written primarily for younger kids based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.

Catch Up With Marlene M. Bell: www.MarleneMBell.com Goodreads – @dorsetghal BookBub – @dorsetgalwrites Instagram – @marlenemysteries Twitter/X – @ewephoric Facebook Facebook – @marlenembell Amazon Author Page

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Marlene M. Bell. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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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.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #21 ~ Horrorstor By Grady Hendrix

Posted: October 21, 2024 in horror, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2023! 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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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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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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 Horrorstor

by Grady Hendrix

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13129925

Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

As I work in a huge retail store and work lots of night shifts, it was a no brainer that I would read this book. I also knew I had to have a physical copy and it sure added to the fun and creepiness. A glossy cover with chilling images captured in the frames promised scary fun. I loved how the book was designed like a catalog, the start of each chapter offering an advertisement for goods sold in the store. As the story plays out the ads get more and more ominous.

Some people may not enjoy the slow start as it’s all about the store, how it works, and the employees who work at Orsk. I’ve always liked that. I like to envision the location and picture the characters. One or two in this story were very similar to people I work with. At my job, I’m often staying past closing and it gets really creepy without people around and noises seem to come from nowhere. I felt that when Amy and her coworkers stayed after closing to try to catch whoever had been damaging and moving products around after hours. Gave me the heebie jeebies. Once things started happening, it got more and more creepy and I ate it up.

4 STARS

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Synopsis

Something strange is happening at the Orsk furniture superstore in Cleveland, Ohio. Every morning, employees arrive to find broken Kjerring bookshelves, shattered Glans water goblets, and smashed Liripip wardrobes. Sales are down, security cameras reveal nothing, and store managers are panicking.

To unravel the mystery, three employees volunteer to work a nine-hour dusk-till-dawn shift. In the dead of the night, they’ll patrol the empty showroom floor, investigate strange sights and sounds, and encounter horrors that defy the imagination.

A traditional haunted house story in a thoroughly contemporary setting, Horrorstör comes packaged in the form of a glossy mail order catalog, complete with product illustrations, a home delivery order form, and a map of Orsk’s labyrinthine showroom.

Designed by Andie Reid, cover photography by Christine Ferrara

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

     

     

     

     

     

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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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Bowling Bodies At Spare Lanes Alley by Laura Hern

Posted: October 21, 2024 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
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Bowling Bodies at Spare Lanes Alley

by Laura Hern

 

(The Lainey Maynard Mystery Series, #5)
Publication date: August 20th 2023
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

“What a fun and exciting read! Humor and suspense kept me engaged, and it was hard to put down! Looking forward to the next book in this series!!” Bobbi

When planning a murder, practice makes perfect…or does it?

Super sleuth Lainey Maynard and the Whoopee group are preparing for the bowling tournament fundraiser to save Spare Lanes Bowling Alley. Until an envelope arrived during their practice game that caused more excitement than a scored card filled with strikes. Why hadn’t Gerry Hayward been more concerned?

Spare Lanes Alley had been the hot spot where local celebrity bowlers and newbies gathered. Even framed and signed photos of professional bowlers lined the trophy wall. Now, threats of foreclosure loomed over Gerald and Phoebe Hayward, the owners, and the entire bowling community. More than bowling balls are crossing the foul line.

Gerald and Phoebe Hayward purchased the alley to start fresh after the Professional Bowling Association banned him. Past suspicions of murder, accusations of impending revenge, and enormous gambling debts don’t exactly stop the gossip mongers’ embarrassing rumors.

Lainey and the Whoopee Pin-Slayers will need more than gutter bumpers, shoe covers, and shammy rags to solve the unfolding mysteries.

A fun and intriguing cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. You’ll love the delightful characters, and the twists will keep you turning the pages!

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“What crazy weather! I’ve been running all over town in this icy rain!” Della shivered as she hurried through the door of Babe’s House of Caffeine and toward the Whoopee’s regular table.

“Mother Nature must think it’s March, not October.” Francy grinned and pulled out the chair between her and Lainey. “Sit down and dry out. Mom’s running a bit late, too.”

“Are you still trying to figure out a costume for the bowling fundraiser?” Lainey asked. “I think I’ve decided on mine!”

“Didn’t Francy tell you? We’re going as the Blues Brothers!” I’m Jake and she’s Elwood.” She leaned closer to Lainey and, looking at Francy, pretended to whisper. “She’s jealous of my dancing abilities!”

“Absolutely not!” Francy smirked. “I have dance moves that make Elwood look like a beginner!” She stood up, pushed her chair from the table, and began stomping her feet, shaking, and wiggling her body, waving her hands in the air while shouting ‘Hallelujah’!

Everyone in the cafe laughed. Some clapped and chanted, “Go Francy. Go Francy. Go Francy.” “Okay, okay! You can dance, but I’m still the lead singer,” Della chuckled.

Francy stopped, turned to the cafe patrons, and took a bow while they applauded. She pretended to blow kisses to thank them, then turned to sit down at the table again.

“Whew! That’s hard work. I should have done more of Mom’s ‘Sweating to the Oldies’ workout videos!” she said breathlessly. “I’m going to need a large Caramel Macchiato.”

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About Author Laura Hern:

Laura Hern is an author who writes Cozy Mysteries and Romance novels.

She loves cats, charred brussel sprouts with bacon, and romantic murder mysteries!

Laura grew up in Texas and lives in Minnesota. She loves to ride motorcycles, and is an avid domino and card player. Music and traveling are her passions.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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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.