Archive for December, 2024

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The angel who brought peace to my chaos.

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My Sweetest Temptation

Nico & Gigi Duet Book 1

by I.S.A. Bella

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance

Gigi
He was the devil I craved.

I knew I was screwed the moment I caught his eye.
He’s sexy, cunning, and cruel—a ruthless killer disguised as a prince.
Despite every warning sign and instinct telling me to stay away, I found myself
drawn to him in a way I couldn’t resist.
Our chemistry ignited a forbidden romance that simmered with intensity and
danger.
But then Nico shattered my heart, leaving me at the mercy of his enemies.
In the end, I was just another pawn in a deadly game.

Nico
She was the angel who brought peace to my chaos.

The first moment I saw her, she was mine—a soul to possess.
Innocent and beautiful… everything opposite in my world.
She held the power to unravel my defenses.
Until, through her deceit and betrayal, she shattered it completely.
And now, she has been snatched away from me, leaving me hollow and raging.
My enemies will face my wrath for taking what’s mine.
I will burn this world down and stop at nothing to bring my angel back home.

This is a dark romance that contains dark themes that may be triggering
to some. TWs listed inside the book and on my website.

 

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I lean in until my mouth hovers over her lips and say, “I’m going to fuck the

defiance out of you.” My voice is rough, and my dick is like steel rod.

Her eyes widen and a quick intake of breath escapes her lips.

Without a second thought, I crash my mouth down on hers. When she opens for

me, I shove my tongue down her throat, lapping every taste because one kiss isn’t

going to be enough.

The beast in me roars with glee when she moans into my mouth and wraps her

hands around my neck. My hands move down her back and hips, until they hit her

ass. I lift her and grind my hard cock against her core.

My heart races, pounding against my ribcage like a wild animal. She has an

innocence wrapped in an undeniable allure, and tonight, she was more captivating

than ever.

“Nico,” she breathes, her voice barely more than a whisper. I reluctantly pull back

and found her eyes gazing up at me, filled with desire and trust.

I lean closer, my breath hot against her skin, “You drive me fucking crazy. I can’t

help but feel… drawn to you.” I confess. My fingers trace the curve of her jaw,

and she leans into my touch, urging me to come closer.

“What…” She hesitates, as if unsure what to say. “What are you doing?”

“Whatever I want,” I tell her.

Then, as if struck by lightning, I close the distance, capturing her mouth with

mine. The kiss was a collision of souls, pouring out of all the unspoken words that

had built between us. In response, her hands weave into my hair, pulling me

deeper. Our kiss was frantic, hungry, and rough. There was nothing sweet about

  1. It was filled with passion and anger.

I deepen the kiss, tilting my head, wanting more and savoring the taste of her.

As the kiss rages on, I slip my arms around her waist, drawing her closer. My dick

begs to be let in.

The world outside fades into a distant memory, and all that mattered was her—the

way she made me feel, the way she responds to each stroke of my fingers. I feel

her body arch against me as if begging for something more.

“Fuck,” I moan into her mouth. The velvet softness of her skin beneath my hands,

the warmth radiating from her body, it was intoxicating.

When she starts to grind her hips against mine, all bets are off. My control snaps,

and with one arm holding her, I pull her pants off.

“What are you doing?” She gasps, pulling away.

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Meet i.s.a. bella – a young adult introverted romance writer
whose stories are so raw, emotional, and heart-wrenching that they’ll leave you
both vulnerable and hopeful. She weaves tales of redemption and second chances
with relatable, flawed characters yet so strong in their struggles.

Through her strong lead and side characters, i.s.a. bella
takes you on a journey of self-discovery and growth as they navigate through
the challenges of life. She aims to touch your heart and inspire you to believe
that even in the darkest times, there is always hope for a happy ending.

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Paperback copy of My Sweetest Temptation & character art image.

$10 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner each!

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An elf afraid of opening his heart, and a human who is heir
to an awesome power: Only by embracing their shared destiny can they save
Iceland…and each other.

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FalconSaga

by Robert Winter

Genre: Epic Fantasy

In modern-day Iceland, a place of glaciers, volcanoes, and
legends, the Norns have foretold a sorcerous invasion that could destroy
everything.
Magnús, an elf of the huldufólk, is driven by the murder of his human lover a
century ago to save those humans he can, and to figure out what is behind
recent troll attacks on tourists. But the Norns have spoken. He must protect
Altair, a young human from Boston, who is bringing a dangerous magical force to
Iceland. If Magnús fails to keep Altair safe, the country will fall to a
sorcerer called the Black Priest. Yet if Altair lives, Magnús will meet his
doom.
For his part, Altair is a graduate student bullied to visit Iceland by mentors
who seem to have their own agenda. He knows nothing of elves, sorcerers or
prophecies. Suddenly, the handsome, mysterious Magnús is guiding Altair around
Reykjavik and into danger. A witch, a berserker, and more elves are along for
the quest across Iceland’s forbidding landscape. And why does everyone keeps
calling Altair “the Falcon”?
An elf and a human with a shared destiny. Will they solve the mystery linking
their fates before it is too late for all Iceland?

**Releases
Jan 31st – Preorder Now!**

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Robert Winter is a recovering lawyer who likes writing about
love and adventure much more than drafting a legal brief. Once upon a time, he
went to Georgetown University law school. Upon graduation, he moved to New York
to work in a large law firm, but later returned to Washington, DC. The legal
work was entertaining and Robert spent a lot of time in bankruptcy court,
usually representing either groups of creditor or the debtors themselves. But
legal work didn’t satisfy the urge Robert felt to tell stories.

When he turned 50, Robert left behind the (allegedly)
glamorous world of international law firms and bankruptcy court to pursue his
real passion. Now he lives in Montreal with his husband, studying French
between trips to exotic locations.

When Robert isn’t writing, he loves to cook Indian food. The
aromas of the spice blends excite and challenge him. Although he’s never been
to India, the food seems comforting and home-like. Add a trip to the Golden
Triangle to the bucket list!

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This series is like a box of chocolates, each one has
delicious mystery, a sweet romantic filling, essential oils, and its own unique
flavor! From the big city of Raleigh, to the big sky of Montana, and all the
way to Buffalo, you’ll find laughter, sweet romance, and best of all, dogs!

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The Lavender Thief

Essentially Sweet Romance Book 1

by Elysian Hunt

Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy

 

When Stephanie Pierce got home from a long day with her
millionaire boss, nothing could prepare her for finding the apartment’s
caretaker dead in the hall or her extreme attraction to the hot detective
assigned to protect her and solve the case.

Still, she can’t help but notice that things in her overly organized life are
out of place, especially her beloved essential oils.

Was she the real target?

Can she let go of perfection and embrace real life and love? Is there any
chance she and her Goldendoodle catch the heart of the detective and survive
the thief lurking in the shadows?

This is a laugh out loud, cozy romance, with an amateur sleuth x hot
detective, and a heartwarming HEA ending! On a scale of 1 to 10 here is what
you’ll find inside…

Spice level: 2 (some sizzling kisses)
Thriller vibe: 4
Cute dog: 10
Clean romance: 10
Essential oil twist: 9

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The Peppermint Villain

Essentially Sweet Romance Book 2

Beck Graham is a city girl at heart, but her Montana roots
are calling her. But when she arrives, she finds her long lost Gran dead, with
a mysterious local legend to blame. Heading back to Raleigh would be the easy
thing, but the ranch catches at her heart. Determined to discover the actual
killer, Beck finds the one man she can’t seem to attract is the one with the
answers she seeks.

Can she survive Montana’s wilderness? Can she prove true Graham blood runs in
her veins? Not without the help of a tall, dark, and handsome Navy Seal who
knew Gran better than anyone else.

This is a laugh out loud, cozy romance, with an amateur sleuth x hot
detective, and a heartwarming HEA ending! On a scale of 1 to 10, here is what
you’ll find inside…

Spice level: 2 (some sizzling kisses)
Thriller vibe: 6
Cute dog: 9
Clean romance: 10
Essential oil twist: 7

 

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The Lemon Gunman

Essentially Sweet Romance Book 3

Wanted for assassination.

I’m the top female sharp-shooter in the US, so it makes sense, I guess. Only I
didn’t do it.

Running is my only option in order to figure who framed me, and exactly what
happened in that Cincinnati hotel room. But I’m trapped here in the city,
incapable of producing an alibi, when all I want is the wide-open fields of
Montana. Oh, and Harper Wasden, the Navy Seal who stole my heart the second I
laid eyes on him. But he’s off fighting a war somewhere, I’m alone, with only
an abandoned Pitbull to keep me from going crazy. When help arrives out of
nowhere, saving my neck from the FBI’s clutches, dare I trust it? Not when
every heart beat pounds out the name Harper Wasden.

The problem is, it looks like I did it. Even. To. Me.

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The Spearmint Spy

Essentially Sweet Romance Book 4

A dark anniversary looms over the most luxurious cruise
ship on earth.

Escaping myself in order to survive the date that almost killed me last year is
imperative. Daddy’s ship is the perfect place to do it, with no reminders of
the past or familiar faces. But finding a body in my car just before boarding
is no help at all. Especially since she’s dressed just like me, designer nails
and all.

To make things worse, an infuriatingly handsome passenger is determined to ruin
the entire trip, and besting him might be the only enjoyment I get. Except all
my usual tricks fall flat, and he seems impervious to my seething rebukes.

Finding a gun hidden in my room is the last straw; espionage surrounds me and I
haven’t got a clue how to survive it, or the anniversary I’ve never been less
prepared for. I’ll need all the brute force my protection dog can dish out,
and, I hate to say it, the help of the one man I can’t intimidate.

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The Myrrh Boss

Essentially Sweet Romance Book 5

Have you ever been deceived, hoodwinked, snookered?

Well, I have, by a man I once a looked up to and, it chokes me to say it,
dated. Turns out he runs the mob in Buffalo, NY, and I was 100% wrong about
him. One thing I’m not wrong about is that spurning him equals life
over
 for me. He has eyes everywhere, and the police force is wrapped
around his little finger too, which is why I’m also running from fake drug
charges.

But when I discover his under-ground dog fighting ring, something deep down and
red-headed flares up. One of us is going down, and it won’t be me, I’ve got
dogs to save.

A street-wise kid named Cooney hatches the craziest plan. He says the mob’s
second in command, Billa, will help me, but isn’t that jumping from the pan
into the fire? And a fire he is too. How can I keep from repeating my mistake
when Billa is stealing my heart piece by piece? Can a girl from the suburbs
take down a mafia boss?

In this sweet but sizzling mafia romance, you’ll laugh out loud all the way to
the feel good ending!

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Writing across multiple pen names, Elysian Hunt has sold
more than 1.4 million books, won multiple awards, and been a best seller many
times over. With over 35 novels in print, she enjoys many genres as long as
they are fast-paced and engaging.

She never wanted to be a writer, but she couldn’t ever find
that one book, the perfect one for her. So, she wrote it, and the rest is
history. With fresh story ideas churning and a deep love for sharpening her
writing skills, Elysian’s work gets better with time.

There are a few things you can count on with her rom com and
cozy mystery books: sweet romance, happily ever after’s, and don’t forget the
dogs! Fall in love with vivid characters, intriguing settings, and mysteries
that will keep you turning the pages.

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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.

Sizzling attractions and romance on the sands of Montauk

Jingle Bell Love

A Montuak Romance Book 2

By P.C. Zick

Genre: Contemporary Romance

A man in mourning for his dead wife. A woman unable to trust
the opposite sex. Blind date fiascos until they discover one another.
Denny’s wife—the only woman he’s ever loved—died the year before and his
friends are intent on finding him a new love. Jill’s first experience with love
in college left her skeptical that she would ever be able to find love. Both
the widower and the bachelorette hope for a second chance at love.
When Denny and Jill find themselves lustfully drawn to one another, they’re
ashamed of their secret encounters. When friends suspect there might be
something between them, they disapprove. Unsure of how they feel about one
another, the attraction continues. To keep things on the downlow, they hatch a
pact to be friends with secret benefits and embark on a hot sexy romance. When
those benefits explode into something more than primal urges, one of them
breaks the pact, and the whole affair and friendship ends up unraveling as the
holiday season approaches. This steamy romance jingles all the bells for the
Christmas season.
Denny, a contractor with a desire to become an architect, designs a home with
Jill foremost in his mind. Their love ebbs and flows in this Hamptons romance.

 

Jingle Bell Love is the second novel in the Montauk Romance series,
which feature novels filled with steamy passion, and always, everlasting love.

 

Buy your copy of Jingle Bell Love to begin reading about the
sexy men and beautiful women who seek meaningful relationships beyond lust at
first sight.

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THE MUSIC BLARED FROM the speakers when Denny entered Last Call. The pulsing beat perked him up and removed any regrets he’d had earlier about showing up. It would be good to see his friends. He needed a break from work and from missing Sara. And it would be nice to go out with friends rather than with a woman who couldn’t carry on a conversation. The date with Barbie lingered, and not in a pleasant way.

“We wondered if you’d make it,” Colt said when Denny joined him and Haley at the bar. “And you beat everyone else. Good job.”

Haley gave him a hug. “How are you, Denny? How did the date go the other night?”

Denny and Colt both groaned as an answer.

“I don’t understand. My cousin recommended her so highly.”

“She just wasn’t my type, Haley. I’m doubtful there’s anyone out there who’s my type, so I’m done.”

“But don’t give up, old man,” Colt patted him on the back. “You just haven’t met the right one yet.”

“I’m taking a break, remember? Even Jeff agreed to back off.”

Colt slapped his forehead. “I forgot, but just in case, I brought you something.” Colt reached into his shirt pocket and pulled out several small square packages. Denny stared at them and wondered why Colt was carrying around condoms.

“Why do you need those?” Denny asked.

“I don’t, but you do.” Colt put them in the pocket of Denny’s blue shirt. “We get these by the caseloads to take with us to the villages. A delivery came today, and I thought of you. No need to thank me.”

Denny laughed. “If I have to wait for my friends to fix me up with a worthwhile woman, I won’t need these for a very long time. And now that I’ve sworn off dating, these are going to rot.”

“Better to be safe,” Colt said. “You never know when something might happen. I’d hate for you to miss an opportunity just because you weren’t prepared.”

Denny turned to look at the woman who now stood next to him. Jill, Kiley’s friend and money handler. They had met only a few times before, but Denny had liked her immediately.

“Jill, I didn’t know you were in town,” Denny said. “Good to see you.”

“Hi there. I just got here today.” Jill greeted them all with a big smile. He’d never noticed what a lovely grin she had. But she looked different.

“Did you do something with your hair?” he asked.

Jill laughed. “You’re very observant. I guess it’s been a few months since we’ve seen one another. I’m letting it go back to my natural color. Platinum was too much. I’m almost thirty after all.”

Again, that smile as the rest of them laughed.

“I like it.” Then he turned to his beer. He hadn’t meant to say that. But she looked so damn sexy in a denim skirt a few inches above her knees and a red stripe top that outlined her breasts and dipped just enough to see her cleavage. He needed to get a grip before he lost his mind completely and kissed her.

“How have you been?” Jill asked quietly when they were settled. “It’s been almost a year, right?”

He nodded. “Next month. I’m surviving. The worst part has been the concern of my friends.” When Jill gave him a puzzled look, he plunged ahead. “They’re all intent on fixing me up on dates. So far, they’ve all been disasters.”

“I can relate to that. To avoid Kiley and my mother pestering me to get out more, I started online dating this past year. After my last date, I’ve sworn off it.”

“That bad? Same thing here. My last date did it for me, too. I didn’t realize there were so many empty-headed women out there. No offense because that certainly doesn’t fit you.”

“None taken, if you don’t mind me saying that there are some pretty lame guys as well. I think I’ve had a date with all of them.”

For the first time in more than a year, Denny felt as if a huge burden had been lifted from his shoulders. It would be all right. And suddenly, the woman next to him with the dark blonde hair curling softly around her jaw aroused in him feelings he hadn’t had since long before Sara died. He tried not to look at her chest as she leaned toward him. She gave his arm a squeeze, which sent a shiver down his spine.

When she rose and headed for the back of the bar, he followed her.

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Love On the Wind

A Montuak Romance Book 2

An uptight builder. A quirky reality TV travel show host.
An explosive passion that surprises them both in this sexy Hamptons romance.
Six years of traveling for her reality TV series has left Kiley Nelson, a
dedicated career woman, longing for a place to call her own. Spending a weekend
at her girlfriend’s beach house is the perfect reprieve, especially when she
purchases property to finally settle down. But her peaceful escape is shaken
when she smashes into a car containing the sinfully sexy and infuriated
passenger, Jeff Hammond, who immediately melts her heart.
Jeff, staying at his friend’s Montauk home to relax after a trying week of
building a home for a spoiled diva, doesn’t count on sharing his weekend with
the flaky, yet incredibly sexy, Kiley. He agrees to build her house, despite
the tug on his heart as Kiley turns him on in every delicious way.
Passionate weekends and shared dreams begin to shape the house they start to
build together as Jeff begins to realize his dream of becoming an architect. As
their relationship deepens, so do the wounds from past hurts, rousing ghosts
from Jeff’s traumatic past when his fiancé cheated on him with his brother.
When a summer storm rolls in at the nearly complete house, they’re forced to
deal with the past before it shakes and cracks the very foundation they’ve
built.
Misunderstanding and stubborn personalities threaten to rip apart the fledgling
relationship until both Kiley and Jeff learn to trust one another and are given
a second chance at love.

 

Love on the Wind is the first novel in the Montauk Romance series,
which feature novels filled with steamy passion, and always, everlasting love.

 

Buy your copy of Love on the Wind to begin reading about the
sexy men and beautiful women who seek meaningful relationships beyond lust at
first sight.

**On Sale for Only .99cents!**

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KILEY DROVE OUT TO Long Island on Saturday morning in the rental car the studio provided whenever she needed it. She put down the top on the BMW, excited to be driving on one of those rare, cloudless days of endless blue sky. At eight o’clock, the temperature was a lovely seventy degrees and rising steadily. She was glad she’d thrown in her new bikini at the last minute, along with a gauzy see-through sundress for wearing over the bathing suit. She loved to dress like an old hippie with lots of lace and wispy material that seemed to float on the air. When she worked, she mostly dressed down because her show took her on adventures not usually chosen by the average tourist. She hiked through rain forests, floated down crocodile infested rivers, and climbed rugged mountains free of cleared paths. She loved it, but she also liked taking off the hiking boots and thick protective socks and running barefoot on the beach. She wouldn’t mind racing naked over the dunes, but she’d heard the beaches on the eastern end of the island could be rocky. Not to mention, crowded.

So now she followed Route 27, the Sunrise Highway, to the eastern end of Long Island to East Hampton, where the community of Montauk plunked itself down right on the Atlantic Ocean as a hamlet on the dunes. The Montauk Lighthouse, still in operation as the fifth largest working lighthouse in the United States, dominated the end of Montauk Point, sitting high on a dune guarding and protecting the hamlet. She felt herself relax as the miles flew by, hoping to make it to Taylor’s well before noon.

She almost missed the turn off for the house and made a sharp right turn a little too fast. Her tires spun in the sand of the beach road, and she lost control as the BMW turned sideways. She worked hard to turn the wheel, not paying attention to anything else on the road. When she’d corrected it and straightened out the wheels, she looked up too late to see a Jeep Cherokee in front of her driving much slower than she was. She tried to brake, but it was too late. She barreled right into the back of the vehicle, bringing them both to a halt.

“What the hell are you doing?” a dude dressed in shorts and a tank top yelled as he jumped out of the Jeep. “You’re driving too fast down this road.”

She got out of the driver’s seat, afraid to look at the damage. Instead, she looked up into angry brown eyes as the man approached her. If he wasn’t so angry, he’d be handsome. But now she needed to focus.

“I guess I lost control.”

“Obviously.” He nearly growled at her.

“It was an accident,” she meekly offered as she approached the front of her vehicle.

“Again, obviously. I’d hate to think what might have happened if you’d meant to hit us.”

Her eyes filled with tears, but she fought them back. No need to give this guy any more ammunition.

“Is everyone all right?” she asked when she realized angry dude was a passenger in the backseat, which meant more people were riding inside.

“Yes, they’re fine.” As he spoke, the front doors of the Jeep opened. Another good-looking man jumped out of the driver’s side, and a female out the other.

“What’s the damage?” the driver asked as he approached the rear of his car.

“Not much that I can see,” angry dude said. “I think that we might have lucked out.”

“I’m so sorry,” Kiley said. “I was trying to get control of my car in this sand, and I didn’t see you in front of me.”

“Don’t sweat it. I’m Colt by the way. This is Haley, and this is Jeff.” He pointed his thumb at the one who’d been so mean to her.

“I’m Kiley.” She held out her hand to Colt and then Haley. She decided not to press her luck with the one called Jeff. He was still glaring at her.

“I know you,” Haley said. “I’ve seen your show, Aroma Roads.

“Yup, that’s where you’ve probably seen me.” She turned to Colt. “Your name is Colt? That’s funny because I’m visiting a friend here this weekend who has a brother named Colt—pretty distinctive name.”

He laughed. “It’s an unusual name, unless you’re a horse. I’m surprised there’d be another Colt out on this road, so who’s your friend?”

“Taylor Bennett.”

He laughed again. “Well, that is a coincidence, because I have a sister with the same name. You must be the friend she said was coming out this weekend.”

“That’s great—I mean, it’s not the best way to meet my weekend roomies, now is it?”

“Just be more careful next time,” angry dude said. “You could have done real damage.”

“Yes, sir.” She gave a mock salute hoping to be funny, but his scowl deepened. Too bad he was so damn attractive. She could tell he worked out because his tight tank only accentuated his broad shoulders and firm pecs, revealing arms that were muscular and thick. She almost licked her lips, but the disgust written across his face stopped her cold.

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P.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what
she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance,
contemporary fiction, and creative nonfiction. She’s won various awards for her
essays, columns, editorials, articles, and novels.

Zick offers a variety of nonfiction books, which include a
book on vegetable gardening, a compilation of her essays and short stories from
her decades-long career as a writer, and a primer for writers on taking an idea
and turning it into a published book. She has also published and annotated the
journal of her great-grandfather based on his experiences as a Union soldier
during the Civil War.

Her novels contain elements of romance with strong female
characters, handsome heroes, and descriptive settings. And all of her works
express her philosophy of living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter,
and passion.

She and her husband live in Tallahassee, Florida, where they
enjoy gardening, kayaking, golfing, hiking, and traveling.

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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.

1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos.

Her dream is him.

God’s plan is bigger than them both.

Vadom’s Journey

The Heart’s Journey Series Book 2

By Sara J. Walker

Genre: Sweet Historical Romance

This is a sweet,
Christian Historical Romance set in the same world as my characters in The
Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption.
1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos. Her dream is
him. God’s plan is bigger than them both.
Pennsylvania, 1925
Vadom Stancher travels to the Poconos with only his extraordinary gift for
working with horses and a dream of owning his own ranch. He finds his
chance—and his heart finds the daughter of a wealthy rancher. But when tragedy
strikes, his grief leads him down a path of poor choices that will echo through
years to come.
Amanda Devoe, the preacher’s daughter, sees past Vadom’s wounded spirit. One
night of comfort becomes a secret she’ll carry alone to Georgia, where she
builds a new life as a schoolteacher. But some secrets can’t stay hidden
forever.
With God’s guidance, can two hearts find their way back to each other? Or will
the past keep them forever apart?
Vadom’s Journey is a tale of second chances and the healing power of God’s
perfect timing—perfect for readers who enjoy historical romance with themes of
faith and forgiveness.

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* Goodreads

 

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“What’s going on?”

“It’s Lightning,” Shorty said, shifting so Vadom could see inside the stall. “This is her first foal, and it don’t look good. Walker isn’t happy.”

Donnel raised his voice. “Do you want me to ride for the veterinarian? I hear tell they have one in Sommerville.”

Walker shook his head. “That’s twenty-five miles away. This will be over before you get back. One way or another.”

The mare groaned in agony and tried to wallow in the straw, but Petey lay across her neck, holding her on her side. Walker had discarded his jacket and had his shirt sleeves rolled up.

Lightning moaned and thrashed.

Vadom’s heart clenched in sympathy for the mare. “Mr. Walker,” he said softly.

“Don’t bother me unless you can help,” Walker snapped.

“I can.”

Five sets of eyes turned to stare at him.

Walker pointed at Vadom. “Tell me what you can do.”

Vadom swallowed hard. He didn’t want to expose his talent, because he couldn’t explain what he could do with horses. He could be labeled a heathen. “My father was a horse master on the estate we served in London. He taught me a great deal, and I helped with many foalings.”

“We should get the boy’s father,” Petey said from where he crouched over the mare.

“No time.” Walker motioned for Vadom to enter the stall. “Her name is Lightning. I would choose her over the foal if it comes to that.”

“Shorty said it’s her first?” Vadom asked as he assessed the situation.

“Yes. By Duke, my Palomino stallion.”

“I haven’t met Duke,” Vadom said, not realizing that sounded odd.

The mare groaned, and he felt her pain to his bones. “You poor girl,” he murmured, pressing his hands to her cheeks as he attempted to quell her panic and help her find calm. The pain was another issue.

“What do you need?” Mr. Walker asked.

Vadom never took his eyes away from the mare’s wide gaze. “Does your wife have any willow bark? It would be good to dull the pain.”

“She does. I’ll get it.” Walker rushed from the barn to retrieve the painkiller.

“Shorty, will you do something for me?” Vadom asked.

“Sure thing.”

“Boil some water for the willow bark and steep a small amount. Put a generous amount of sugar in the water and bring it to me. She’ll take it better if sweetened, and she could use the energy,” Vadom instructed. “Petey, I need you to move to the other side and lean forward on her neck so I can reach her belly.”

“Why do you need to do that?” Donnel asked.

Vadom finally felt he had a connection with the mare and could look away from her eyes. He glanced at Donnel. “I will palpitate her side to see how the foal is positioned. I’ll show you.” Lightning was still in terrible pain but breathing easier. The willow bark would help if he could get her to take some of it.

Petey shifted above her, keeping pressure on her neck so she wouldn’t stand, and Vadom ran his hands over her belly, maintaining a steady stream of low whispers all the while, making sure she could hear him.

“She wants to stand,” Petey said, “but the pains were so bad her knees gave out the last time. She don’t need to be fallin’.”

Vadom nodded as he pressed on her belly with gentle fingers. The life inside was … two. “Twins,” he said aloud.

“Now, how would you know that?” Jacob asked, his voice thick with skepticism.

Vadom thought fast. “Hooves,” he quickly offered. He couldn’t tell them he knew any other way. “I feel more than four hooves.”

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The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption

The Heart’s Journey Book 1

The Grumpy
Guardian’s Redemption
,
a sweet, historical Christian romance
 

 

This is a heartwarming Christian tale of redemption and love that touches the
souls of two lonely people in the mountains of 1920s Tennessee.

 

Set in the mountains of Tennessee in 1925, Liam McCord treasures his solitary
existence until a chance encounter disrupts his peace. When he discovers a
battered young woman near his cabin, he’s compelled to shelter her until help
arrives. As a solitary fifty-two-year-old man, he can’t care for her alone, so
he enlists the help of a local spinster.
Enter Millie Norton, a resilient woman with a heart untouched by love. She can
see beyond the surface and realizes the patient in the house is not the only
person needing care. Together, Liam and Millie embark on a journey of shared
challenges as they care for the woman and work a change in their community.
Somewhere along the way, the English recluse and the mountain spinster forge an
unexpected bond of love.
This heartwarming Christian story of redemption, healing, and the
transformative power of love will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

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Liam walked home from the general store with only a few pieces of peppermint in his pocket. He hoped to sweeten Millie up a little with the candy.

When he got back to the house, he decided to draw up some of his plans to show Sheriff Smith. At the table, he spent the next few hours outlining everything he had in mind: the school building, housing for a teacher, school supplies, how to approach the people so as not to offend them, along with separate lists for each heading. By the time he finished his notes, he had a terrible headache.

“Millie,” he called.

“Yes?” She stuck her head out from the kitchen.

“Do you know what I should take to get rid of a headache?”

“You shouldn’t be working so hard with that pen. You aren’t accustomed to labor, so you must be exhausted,” she said, her scolding ruined by a teasing grin. “Let me get you some tea and a wedge of sweet cake. That will be just the thing.”

He chuckled, thinking he’d planned to sweeten her with peppermint, and she seemed to have the same idea. “Are you bribing me with sweets?”

She smirked and disappeared into the kitchen.

He checked the time on his pocket watch. Scooter should be returning soon.

Millie reappeared with a tray and deposited it on the table at his elbow. “There you go.”

He looked from her to the tray. “Tell me the truth. Will this help my headache?”

“Eat the cake, drink your tea, and get some rest in your chair. Take a little nap, so I can have some peace in the house.” Her tone was chiding, but she gently brushed some lint off his shoulder as she spoke. He enjoyed the contradiction. She fascinated him. 

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I’m here today with Sara J. Walker.  Can you tell us a little about yourself?

My name is Sara J. Walker, and I’ve been a First Coast Romance Writers (FCRW) member for eight years. It took me seven years to learn how to write Romance stories and publish my first books, “The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption” and “Scooter’s Heart.” I’m also published in seven FCRW Anthologies. My background is in Journalism, writing for newspapers and magazines. Before joining FCRW and enrolling in workshops and conventions like the one the Georgia Romance Writers put on in Atlanta, I had no idea how much I didn’t know about novel writing.

 

The monthly meetings with FCRW are educational, but working with the yearly anthology projects has taught me the basics of publishing a book. The members of our group encouraged and patiently helped me grow into becoming an author. I am grateful for their friendship and don’t believe I would be published today without them.

 

What kind of books do you write?

Most of my books are Sweet Christian Historical Romance. I also have a few anthology stories that are sweet contemporary. The stories I write come from my life’s journey. As a child, I idolized my father, Jeofry Jones, who the whole family called Papa. He loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of time studying the past and walking in the footsteps of Native Americans to learn how they lived. He spent several weeks living off the land in the Okefenokee Swamp and loved to tell stories about the snakes and alligators that ‘almost’ got him. Papa was a Boy Scout leader, and even though I was a girl, he let me tag along on some of the adventures when I was small. Papa also kept a small herd of eight or more horses just for pleasure riding.

 

My mother grew up in the depression, and she stressed the importance of education and faith in God. She also never threw any food away. Although my older sister, Linda Lou, was my idol, I might have been a thorn in her side growing up. We were close in recent years. Our little brother was Papa’s sidekick until he joined the Marines right out of High School. He was a great friend and treasured brother.

 

Why do you write historical romance?

I credit my mother with inspiring me to look to the past. She was native to the mountains of Tennessee, and every year, the whole family packed up and went on a relative tour near the homeplace in Pigeon Forge. She took us deep into the mountains, and we saw the struggles faced by those people we encountered. We traveled the winding roads to visit relatives whose lives had been affected by hard times. These trips gave me insight into how blessed I was. God had chosen my family, and I didn’t have those same struggles to survive.

 

Where did you get your education?

The University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!

Attending the University of Georgia was an eye-opener for this small-town girl. I had been a big fish in a small town and was now a tiny guppy on the vast campus in Athens, GA. I joined Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, which helped me adjust to being away from home. In my junior year of college, I discovered the School of Journalism and knew I’d found my calling. I was one of the first women’s editors for the Red and Black Newspaper while in school, and after graduation, I was hired to be the Woman’s Editor for The Macon News. A year later, I met my husband, Ray Walker, a local banker, and we’ve been married for over sixty years.

 

Why wait all this time to start writing?

I didn’t wait, actually.  I’ve been writing since grade school; I just had no idea how to publish anything. Also, I put my writing goals aside to raise a family and ended up with various office manager jobs.

 

I’m eighty-four years old and fulfilling my dream of being an author. I have stories to tell and love to hear from readers who enjoy my writing and offer suggestions for individual characters. I have three books planned for next year—two are completed and need editing, and the third will combine all my short stories from the anthologies I’m published in.

 

My daughter, Leah Miles, is my champion for writing. We joined FCRW when her youngest child went to college to give us a challenge in life. She excels at writing, editing, and correcting mistakes like timelines, descriptions, etc.  I wouldn’t be writing if she wasn’t here to encourage me. She writes Romantic Suspense using a lot of Navy SEALS. I thank God for her.

 

God has blessed me all through my life. I know He’s laughing at this older, small-town girl with big ideas and goals.

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Longtime
puppeteer and dramatic story teller, Sara loves both the spoken and the written
word. She has two grown children and resides with their husband of 57 years in
a small Georgia town.

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Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will their
holiday get plowed away?

 

A Buckeye Falls Christmas

A Buckeye Falls Novel

by Libby Kay

Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance

On the first day of Christmas, Buckeye Falls gave to me…

A snow storm…

Uninvited dinner guests…

A Christmas pageant…

And a friends’ reunion dinner to warm your heart.

It’s been ten years since five couples found love in this charming small Ohio
town. Families and careers have grown, but the love remains the same.

Max is hosting Christmas at the diner, a final sendoff before the beloved
hangout gets a facelift. But the risk of a snow storm and a few uninvited
guests threaten everyone’s plans. Will it be a Christmas to remember, or will
their holiday get plowed away?

Revisit your favorite couples in this holiday novella, which includes favorite
recipes from the series. Warning: this story will make you hungry and may cause
uncontrollable swoons.

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Ginny kissed Max’s cheek, tasting his tears on her lips. “Max, honey. This rarely happens. C’mon, Henry’s going to be the lead in the Christmas pageant. He’s a tough kid, just like his father.” She punctuated her statement with another kiss.

Max coughed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. “Oh yeah, I’m a real macho man.”

“Yeah, because you know they’re my type.” Ginny theatrically rolled her eyes.

“I shudder to think of what your type is,” Max said, gesturing at his current state. His eyes were red, he was covered in dirt and dog kibble, and he probably could stand another few hours of sleep.

Ginny leaned back, tapping her chin. “Well, let’s see. I like a man who can take care of me and my children. Someone who can cook, like really well. And it would be nice if he was a small business owner and took care of my father like his own. Oh, and if he’s also best friends with my best friends, that would be perfect.” Ginny huffed and pulled herself to her feet. “Looks like that’s a pretty tall order.”

Max snatched Ginny’s hand and pulled her onto his lap. “Okay, Mrs. Sanchez. Point made.” He kissed his wife, relishing in the fact they were still together after all these years. Life wasn’t always perfect, but it was from where he sat. “I need to get to the diner and start working on the menu for Christmas.”

Ginny kissed him one more time before pulling back. “And I’m needed in the office.”

“Love you, Gin.”

“Love you more.”

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Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with
her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any
kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or
Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!

When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in
her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband,
traveling as far as their bank account will allow.

Libby cohosts the Romance Roundup podcast with Liz Donatelli
on the Reader Seeks Romance Channel where they recommend romance books and
interview authors, influencers, and publishers. Check it out for your weekly
dose of romance!

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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A heart-pounding adventure, and a conflict that could
shatter worlds.

When science and magic collide so do two realms that were
never meant to meet. When a connection is created between the human and fae
kingdoms, both races must learn to work together to restore the balance.

A Kingdom of Water and Destiny

Portals of Science and Magic Book 4

By Liz Cain

Genre: Urban Fantasy Adventure Romance

Destinies combined. A goddess freed. The possible end of
two worlds lies at their feet.

war that began thousands of years ago is brewing once more. Sacrifices made by
the ancients, and millennia of planning, all comes down to a group of
‘outcasts’ amongst the fae. The fate of the worlds lies with a lower fae
treated as less than simply for being born, twins raised by humans, and a
prince. If the fae refuse to follow them, then their world will perish. A life
of a seer is in the shadows, not interfering with those you love. But Silene
has spent decades preparing for a war that could destroy the world she loves.
Her power has taken a toll, and with the end in sight, she musters her
remaining strength to help her friends and family survive.

Silene will give up everything to ensure the fae world is saved. Even if in the
end it costs her everything.

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A Kingdom of Fire and Delight

Portals of Science and Magic Book 3

A lost fae princess. A family united. A world on the
brink of war.

Rebecca works with her colleague to fix the equipment that
can send all the fae home. While Alexy searches for the lost princess, the two
worlds are soon to be torn apart, and something doesn’t feel right. Will Kaval
have to leave behind the love he’s found?

When the dark fae finally break into the lab, all chances of escape to the fae
realm hangs on the brink of collapse. Rebecca and Kaval must fight to survive,
there is little hope they will make it out alive.

Rebecca must dig deeper than ever before to find the strength to save herself,
and the fae she loves. Even if she is only human.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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A Kingdom of Earth and Devotion

Portals of Science and Magic Book 2

Forgotten on Earth . A chance to return home. A love she
never expected.

Abandoned on Earth for over a century, Alexy has yearned for
a chance to return home. However, her duty to safeguard the fae world’s secrets
kept her tethered to Earth. Everything changes when she unexpectedly befriends
Rebecca, the co-worker of a brilliant physicist who is on the verge of
unraveling the secrets of interdimensional portals.

An accident transports a fae from Alexy’s homeland to Earth,
endangering his kingdom’s very existence. Alexy must help her friends return
him before his kingdom falls. As unimaginable powers surge through her, Alexy
grapples with the truth she has concealed from her friends. With betrayal and
peril lurking in every shadow, she finds herself standing at a crossroads.

To preserve everything she holds dear and expose her true self, or doom the two
realms. She must decide.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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A Kingdom of Air and Duty

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Portals of Science and Magic Book 1

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A scientist’s assistant. A
portal to a new world. A strange male she never should have met.

Venture into the unknown with
Rebecca, the brilliant assistant to renowned physicist Howard Bristol, as they
open a portal to the fae realm. When the portal explodes and leaves behind a
mystery creature, Rebecca must shelter this unusual being, known as Kaval.

In a race against time, Kaval and Rebecca desperately seek a way to send him
back before he attracts dangerous attention. As a malevolent presence hunts the
newcomer, threatening their every move, Rebecca finds herself entangled in a
battle not only against their adversaries but also against the irresistible
pull of this enigmatic stranger. Journey through a spellbinding urban fantasy
where the lines between science and magic blur, and the power of friendship and
love become the ultimate weapons against the encroaching darkness.

Prepare to be swept away by an epic tale of two beings who should never have
met.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

Liz Cain is an urban fantasy writer and NHS frontline staff.
She was born in East Yorkshire in the UK and grew up near the sea with her
parents and two sisters. She moved to the midlands, which was much too far
south for her, graduating from Leicester University with a degree in Physics
and going on to complete an MSc in Medical and Radiation Physics. She has
worked in the NHS since 2008 as a Nuclear Medicine Clinical Scientist, helping
with cancer treatment and diagnosis.

She has traveled at every opportunity from Thailand and
Australia to touring national parks in North America. Liz has done lots of
crazy things for charity, including skydiving, running, swimming, and even
cutting off her hair. While out on adventures she finds herself weaving
intricate tales in her head which one day she had to write down.

Liz has loved reading her whole life, growing up with Anne
McCaffrey, Mary Stewart, and Terry Goodkind. Becoming an author happened by
chance when she jumped at the opportunity to help a friend tell a story that
deserved to be told. It inspired her to follow her lifelong dream and now she
has published books with her coauthor Anne K. Whelan in the fantasy romance and
paranormal romance genre, finally taking that last step and publishing by
herself in 2023.

Website
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Shards of Secrecy

by N.D. Testa

 

(The Sapphora Series, #1)
Publication date: December 18th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

 

Disguised as a mortal and robbed of her memory, an Egyptian sorceress is thrust into a daring quest to reclaim her fate or suffer at the hands of those who want her dead.

When a mummy attack at the city museum shatters the illusion of her ordinary life, twenty-year-old Noellia Taviani discovers a shocking truth: her entire life has been a lie. She isn’t a normal adolescent born into a Connecticut family. She is Sapphora, a princess with magical powers from the realm of Avogadro, a parallel universe to Ancient Egypt. Framed for treason against the crown and failure to fulfill a prophecy, she’s exiled to the harsh prison of Salutem. There she must relearn her craft to protect herself from those who seek to destroy her.

However, time is running out. The Nefarious Pharoah has escaped the underworld and threatens to not only conquer both realms, but to destroy everyone she loves. To stop him, Sapphora must overcome deadly challenges created by the Ancient Gods to recover a stolen spellbook before her birthday on the Winter Solstice. As she navigates this treacherous path, she’s drawn to a forbidden love with an Egyptian god, a dangerous temptation that could be her undoing.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

I enter the dim oppressive atmosphere of the Mummy Tomb, and stare at the stark glow of the glass box that houses the three-thousand-year-old sarcophagus. My breath catches in my throat when I see Alex, unconscious on the cold stone floor.

“Alex!” I sprint forward and crouch by his side. I turn him over to his back. Taking my phone I dial 911, but there is no service. Within seconds, the screen goes black, and the icon indicating the need to charge appears. I could have sworn my battery was a hundred percent a few minutes ago.

I reach forward, and place my hand against the wrinkled skin on his neck. A faint pulse kisses my fingers. Relief floods through me that Alex is still alive. But that reassurance is short-lived as a crackling sound fills the room. Turning to the glass display, my jaw drops as cracks weave through the clay sarcophagus. The case shakes violently, then the lid explodes. Pieces of the tomb smack against the plexiglass, forming chips and small cracks. My stomach twists into knots as a bandaged arm rises from inside the sarcophagus. The mummy has come back to life.

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About Author N.D. Testa:

N.D. Testa is a fantasy author who conjures immersive worlds filled with magic, mystery, and adventure. With a focus on inspiring hope, her stories transport readers to realms of wonder and possibility. When not lost in the pages of her imagination, she’s an avid fitness enthusiast, fashion lover, and animal advocate. From snowboarding the slopes to exploring new cultures, N.D. Testa finds inspiration everywhere. She believes in the power of books to change lives and is committed to crafting tales that resonate with readers of all ages. At night she enjoys being by the fire with a cup of tea in her hands.

Goodreads / Facebook

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THE SALLY WITHERSPOON MYSTERY SERIES
by Erik S. Meyers
November 11 – December 20, 2024 Virtual Book Tour
DEATH IN THE OZARKS

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  A cross between Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and a Cheers bartender, Sally Witherspoon, a 50-something accountant turned biker-bar owner, loves solving puzzles. Up to now, she has focused on helping neighbors and friends find lost jewelry, lost pets, and lost loves. But when she finds her best friend and business partner, Bill Arnold, dead in a dumpster behind her bar on a Saturday night, she needs all her wits and grit to find out who did it. And she won’t stop until she does.

Links: Amazon / B&N / BookShop.org / Goodreads

Praise for Death in the Ozarks:

“Christie meets Cornwell in this vivid mystery, by Erik Meyers. I found myself investigating the story, lending a hand to Witherspoon but never quite unravelling the threads, and in the end experiencing a satisfying read that provoked everything from anxiety to relief.” ~ Callan J. Mulligan, Bestselling Sci-Fi/Fantasy Author “Move over, Jessica Fletcher and Agatha Christie. Here comes Sally Witherspoon, a small-town bartender with mad skills as an amateur sleuth. Determined to discover who murdered her best friend and co-owner of Sally’s Smasher. Experienced in solving minor mysteries, the community isn’t surprised when Sally launches herself into the murder investigation, frustrating the local authorities, but they aren’t the only ones. Some secrets should stay secret or should they? Follow Sally and find out.” ~ Wendy Bayne, 5-Star Goodreads Review “I loved this mystery! Suspenseful and a real page turner. The main character Sally Witherspoon, the owner of a biker bar, is a gutsy, intelligent, likeable woman determined to find out who killed her business partner and this leads the reader on an exciting adventure. Thought I had it figured out but was surprised at the ending. Highly recommend!” ~ Lillian M. Finn, 5-Star Amazon Review

 

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MY REVIEW

I love a good mystery and it’s even more fun when there’s more than one. And more than one murder. I know, doesn’t sound so good. But, it’s fiction. This book has a pile. The small Ozarks town of Berry Springs has a pile of bodies and no suspect in sight. Or maybe too many to choose from. Enter Sally Witherspoon. She owns Sally’s Smasher, a local biker bar. When a connection between the victim’s and her club is discovered all eyes to turn to her and her clientele.

I really like Sally. It’s nice to have an amateur sleuth that’s a bit more mature. Doesn’t mean she’s that much wiser in  figuring out the who, what and why. But she’s determined despite warning from the police to mind her own beeswax and maybe drawing attention from the killer or killers. Oh yes, who says there can’t be more than one.

When I reached the end I realized I’d read the book straight through. It was that fun. And if I’d had the next one, I’d have picked it up and continued reading.

4 STARS

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Murder on the Mississippi; The Sally Witherspoon Mystery Series by Erik S. Meyers
MURDER ON THE MISSISSIPPI

  Six months after the events in Death in the Ozarks, Sally Witherspoon is trying to put that terrible time behind her. She books a river cruise down the Mississippi to get away and relax. Unfortunately relaxation is not to be as as she’s called on to get to the bottom of a mysterious death that occurs on board. A combination of Cheers bartender and Miss Marple, Sally Witherspoon is as determined as ever to solve it.

 

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Book Details:

Genre: Traditional Mystery, Cozy Mystery

Published by: Level Best Books

Series Links: Amazon | Level Best Books

Read an excerpt from Death in the Ozarks:
Chapter One
Sally Witherspoon dropped onto the sofa in her office with a sigh, the cracked brown leather groaning as she settled herself, and ran her hand through her graying chestnut ponytail. What a night. The fights in the bar on Saturday nights were getting worse. Sally loved her bar, Sally’s Smasher, and her adopted town of Berry Springs, but the violence was getting to her. She had come to live in the small town fifteen years ago. An old college friend, Bill Arnold, was from there, and he had always urged her to come for a visit. With a population of two thousand, one hotel, two bars, two diners, and a few arts-and-crafts shops, it was very different from her high-powered life in finance in Atlanta, but now it was definitely home. A home that didn’t include her husband, mind you. They had divorced soon after the trip to Berry Springs. Putting her life’s savings into buying an old run-down bakery—with a lot of financial help from Bill—and turning it into Sally’s Smasher had been quite a gamble, but life here was different. The thought of living in the beautiful Ozark mountains in Arkansas and still sitting in an office like back in Georgia hadn’t been an option for her, and the bar seemed like the perfect alternative. Running it meant she had more time to explore and hike the local area. Yes, the nights were long, but the town had come to love Sally and her biker bar, and she’d made many friends. With only two bartenders, Jay and Magda, to help, it took a lot to run the place. Most Saturday shifts were hard slogs, but that night had been an especially long evening, as she had to deal with three bar fights, each uglier than the last. First, her business partner, Bill Arnold, had gotten into a heated argument with his biker club, The Mountaineers, over who would get to ride Bill’s vintage Vincent Rapide next. As it was on display at the bar in a large metal cage, it was often a topic of contention. Bill was always worried it would be stolen, it was worth a lot, or worse, one of his buddies would ruin the perfectly restored and polished leather seat and shining metal. Then Bethany Wells, the school assistant, had accidentally stumbled into Mayor Jennifer Milkowski on her way to the bathroom. Bethany did love her wine, and there had been a bit of a misunderstanding. Bethany got easily annoyed when she had had too much to drink. Jennifer was not the easiest to get along with, for sure, but she was always watching her image, and being involved in a bar fight would certainly not fit her mayoral brand, and she quickly defused the situation. The third fight almost resulted in Sally calling the police. Her friend Jeff Bartholomew, a teacher at Clinton High School, was sitting with their local Catholic priest, Father O’Malley, and had become pissed off by the bikers yelling at each other next to their table. Jeff stood up, his fists at the ready. One of The Mountaineers lobbed him in the jaw, and Jeff swung in return. Jeff had had too many beers to be in top form, and his swing missed. As he swiveled around, he fell hard, knocking over a table full of glasses and falling on a metal chair in the process, which his broad six-foot-two frame bent out of shape. If it weren’t for Bill stepping in and throwing Jeff out of the bar at that moment, Sally’s Smasher would have been truly and royally, well, smashed up. Unfortunately, this was not something completely unusual; the rough-and-ready people living in the remote town rising to conflict more than she’d seen in the city, but the fights that night had been more violent than normal. They’d completely torn up one corner of the place. Her insurance would pay for now, she hoped. She didn’t really have the funds to fix it up herself. But reviewing the events of the evening wasn’t going to change matters, nor was it helping Sally relax. She pushed herself up from the couch to finish cleaning up and readying the place for the next night. She’d sent Jay and Magda home at half past twelve, not needing their help in finishing off the last of the jobs. Plus, she didn’t want to overwork them. If they quit, she would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Sally went over to her desk to tally up the night’s receipts, making a note of the amount of cash in the drawer and putting all of it in the safe. While the overall accounting at the bar wasn’t as perfect as she wanted it to be—far too much red ink for her finance background’s liking—she always made sure the cash drawer was perfect. She then headed back out into the bar to put the glasses away she had washed before closing for the night. Pushing all the tables and chairs back in their proper places, Sally made one final sweep of the bar before checking all the windows and doors. Casting her eyes over the decorations around the bar always made her smile. The deer antlers above the door came from one of her hunting trips. Bill’s vintage bike was a real pull. And the red wooden paneling had been specially made by the local lumberyard. She was so proud of what she had accomplished, though it wouldn’t have happened without Bill’s help, and his money. As she did every night, she went to each window from left to right, making sure the catches were secure. Then she locked the front door. Back in her office, she grabbed her backpack and shut off the lights. Just before leaving through the back door, she set the alarm. The reassuring red light always calmed her nerves. After four break-ins in one month the previous year, she finally broke down and bought an alarm, a huge expense, but so far, worth it. In the parking lot, she headed to her car, looking forward to falling into bed. She threw her red backpack in the back of her old blue Datsun and started the engine. Damn, I forgot to put out the trash. She turned off the car and reluctantly headed back across the parking lot. Looking up, she frowned. Bill’s fiery-red Harley-Davidson motorcycle was still parked in the back of the building near the trash bins. Bill didn’t have a car, so he couldn’t have taken that. And she had definitely checked everywhere inside to make sure no one was passed out in one of the bathroom stalls. Maybe someone had given him a lift home. Bill was her business partner, but he acted like a very loyal customer most nights, drinking up the Murphy’s stout imported from Ireland for him. She walked over to the motorcycle and was surprised to find the engine warm to the touch. That’s strange, she thought. She glanced around the parking lot and the woods behind for Bill. Though, why would he be waiting outside? At that point, she was too tired to think about the motorcycle any further. Bill was a big boy, and he’d make his own way home, and she went to get the trash bags. She stomped back inside. Annoyed with herself, she had to switch the alarm off. She’d left the damn things by the door but must have walked straight by them. There were three huge bags, so she would have to make two trips. To make it easier for herself, she moved the bags outside before locking up and turning on the alarm again. She then grabbed two of the bags and lugged them across the lot. Why hadn’t she put the trash bins closer to the door? This was one of her many to-dos that never reached the top of the priority list. She should get Jay to do it for her next week. At the dumpster, she opened the lid and threw the bags in without looking, brushing her jeans against some grease on the side. Jeans were pretty much her go-to outfits, or sweatpants at home. Everything else was a waste of money, as it got dirty so easily at the bar. And she didn’t do much beyond hiking, working, sleeping, and eating. She went back and grabbed the third bag from the door, and returned to the dumpster. Her long night would finally be over. As she opened the lid again, she realized the bags she had just thrown in were too close to the top. The dumpster had been emptied the day before, so what was under the bags? If someone else was dumping their rubbish in her bin, she’d be having words. Sally fumbled in her pocket for her cell, switched on the flashlight, and peered inside. Waving the flashlight, the light landed on something that was definitely not trash. She brought her hands to her mouth, dropping the trash bag, and screamed. Staring back at her were the gray, unseeing eyes of Bill Arnold. *** Excerpt from Death in the Ozarks by Erik S. Meyers. Copyright 2023 by Erik S. Meyers. Reproduced with permission from Erik S. Meyers. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Erik S. Meyers:

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Erik S. Meyers

Currently in Austria, Erik S. Meyers is an American abroad for years and years who has lived or worked in six countries on three continents, the longest in Germany. He is an award-winning author and communications professional with over twenty-five years of expertise in a variety of corporate roles. Reading and writing are his passions, when he is not hiking one of the amazing trails in Austria or elsewhere.

Catch Up With Erik S. Meyers: www.ErikMey.com Medium – @erikmey Goodreads – @erikmey Instagram – @erikmeyauthor Facebook – @ErikSMeyersAuthor

 

 

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The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist
by Debbie De Louise

 


The Case of the Reptile Rescuing Receptionist (Buttercup Bend Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published (November 19, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 230 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8300479671
Digital : Next Chapter (November 18, 2024)
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DNJD7RTM

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Murder seems to follow Cathy everywhere – even on her honeymoon. The new Mrs. Jefferson discovers a body in the woods outside her honeymoon cottage. The victim is identified as Brenda Parkins, a hotel receptionist and reptile rescue volunteer. Her cause of death is a blow to the head and venomous snake bites.

When the hotel manager enlists Cathy’s aid in catching the killer, she accepts despite her groom’s concern. As her investigation proceeds, Cathy meets the victim’s ex, a wildlife photographer; two men who volunteered with Brenda at the reptile rescue center; a snake-charming woman; and three other hotel employees. If that isn’t enough to keep her busy, Cathy is also asked to foster a bearded dragon lizard.

About Debbie De Louise

Debbie De Louise is a retired librarian. She’s the author of 16 novels including the six books of the Cobble Cove cozy mystery series featuring Alicia the librarian and Sneaky, the library cat, and the Buttercup Bend cozy mysteries featuring Cathy Carter, the owner of a pet cemetery and rescue center. Debbie’s other books include standalone mysteries, a paranormal romance, a time-travel novel, and a collection of cat poems. She also writes articles for Catster.com and has published dozens of short stories and poems in anthologies. She’s a member of the Cat Writers’ Association, Sisters-in-Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Long Island Authors Group. She’s recently moved from Long Island to South Carolina with her husband, daughter, and two cats. Learn more about her and her books by visiting https://debbiedelouise.com.

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Purchase Links – Amazon  

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