Archive for April, 2025

Someone Had To Lie By Jacl Luellen ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 2, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery
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Someone Had to Lie by Jack Luellen Banner

SOMEONE HAD TO LIE
by Jack Luellen
March 31 – April 25, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
THE JAMES BUTLER MYSTERIES

 

Some cases never let you go.

Reeling from the sudden death of a close friend, James Butler and Erica Walsh are pulled back into the shadow world of Mexican cartels and the CIA. Seeking to avenge the murder of their friend with only his haphazard notes to guide them, they puzzle through the possible connections searching for anything concrete. As they investigate his murder, and his notes, they find unsettling links between drug trafficking, American gangs, the CIA, and the opioid epidemic. Determined to find the truth hidden among cases they thought were long closed, Butler and Walsh call on friends and colleagues to help them survive the crosshairs that got their friend killed. With the threat spreading across more of their contacts, they must uncover the truth before they are buried in lies.

The James Butler mysteries from Jack Luellen seamlessly weave fact with fiction, introducing nonfiction material in the midst of fast-paced murder mysteries.

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Praise for Someone Had to Lie:

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“Jack Luellen crafts an intriguing tale, interwoven with proven facts about the deadliest drug in our society, Fentanyl. Someone Had to Lie takes the reader on an educational journey into the biggest cartels and Narcos in the world and provides a behind the scenes glimpse of cartel operations through his lead character James Butler. Gripping storytelling! A must read!” ~ Leo Silva, Author of Reign of Terror, Former DEA Supervisory Special Agent

Book Details:

Genre: Crime; Mystery

Published by: Torchflame Books Publication Date: March 11, 2025 Number of Pages: 294 ISBN: 9781611533705 (ISBN10: 1611533708) Series: The James Butler Mysteries, Book 2

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Torchflame Books

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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“Is that music playing in your office? You never listen to music at work?”

“I do on rare occasions.”

“That’s Alice Merton. How are you even aware of her music?” Erica asks, gobsmacked.

“I’m not, but I met Detective Torres at a Starbucks this morning and it was playing, and I liked it. I asked a Gen Z barista who the artist was and played it when I got in,” James says.

“I’m in shock.”

“I’m evolving,” James says, his words interrupted by the playing of the Johnny Rivers hit “Secret Agent Man” from his cell phone. “Alexa, off. Tim, hi, thanks for calling back. Erica is here with some information to share.” “Hi, Erica. What’s going on?” Tim says. “After we left the jail today, I went back to the office to work, and a few minutes ago, Belmonte called me to tell me that the DEA had been quote, ‘Requested,’ end quote to refrain from investigating or prosecuting Javier and that Javier was being moved to a different facility. Belmonte said the directive apparently came from the DNI. He called me from a burner phone and suggested we keep the circle of information as small as possible,” Erica explains. “Holy crap,” Tim says. “Any idea who could have that kind of juice?” James asks. “None in particular,” Tim says. “You didn’t tell anyone about meeting Javier?” Erica asks. “Of course not,” Tim replies. “Then how did anyone—” Erica begins. “I have no idea,” Tim interrupts. “One thing seems certain,” James says. “Aguilar was spot on. It is bigger than we knew.” *** Excerpt from Chapter 24 of Someone Had to Lie by Jack Luellen. Copyright 2025 by Jack Luellen. Reproduced with permission from Jack Luellen. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Jack Luellen:

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author

Jack Luellen is a Denver, Colorado, attorney with more than 30 years of experience. In practice, Jack has tried cases to courts and juries, and has written hundreds of briefs, motions, and memoranda, to state and federal courts, including federal courts of appeal and the United States Supreme Court. In 1990, Jack first started working on cases related to the 1985 kidnapping and murder of DEA Agent Enrique Camarena and has investigated the case in the years since that time. Jack’s investigations have taken him to foreign countries and included interviews with witnesses both notorious and infamous. This work has been the background to Jack’s upcoming novel Someone Had to Die. Jack is the proud parent of an amazing daughter and is a weekend warrior on the tennis courts.

Catch Up With Jack Luellen:

LuellenWriting.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub Instagram – @luellen_writing Threads – @luellen_writing X – @jack_luellen Facebook – @Luellen Writing

 

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

 

 

JOIN IN ON THE GIVEAWAY!

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

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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.

Guest Post And Giveaway ~ Tickled To Death By Laura DeLuca

Posted: April 1, 2025 in comedy, Erotic, giveaways, Guest Post, Mystery
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She’s got the whip, he’s got the cuffs—

solving murders has
never been this kinky

… or this complicated.

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Tickled to Death

A Domme Mom Murder Mystery Book 1

by Laura DeLuca

Genre: Murder Mystery, Erotic Comedy

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Crime was yesterday’s kink… until it came crawling back.

Former paralegal Rhonda Campbell left the law behind when
she swapped legal pads for latex. Now, as Mistress Kali, she runs the most
exclusive BDSM dungeon in Atlantic City, where pleasure pays the bills and
fantasy is always in play—until a longtime client is smothered with a French
tickler. Talk about a safe word fail.

Enter newly relocated Detective Jason Dee, fresh off the
gritty streets of Philly and itching for a real case—because so far, New
Jersey’s biggest offense seems to be overpriced cocktails. When he finally
lands a murder investigation, his prime suspect is a whip-smart, leather-clad
domme who’s as infuriating as she is intriguing.

With a killer on the loose and tensions rising, Rhonda and
Jason must combine their expertise in sex and homicide to crack the case—before
another victim is tickled to death.

**New Release!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Serving Up Suspects in Tickled to Death—A Murder Mystery with Extra Spice

 

You’ve already been introduced to the whip-smart  doms and cops with a firm grip on justice who’ll be making regular appearances in the Domme Mom Murder Mysteries. Now, it’s time to meet the prime suspects in Tickled to Death—the first in a series of kinky crime capers where the safe word is alibi and everyone’s got something to hide (besides their usual handcuffs and blindfolds).

Before we dive into this whodunit, let’s take a moment to meet our dearly departed—or should we say sensually silenced? Kirk Amenhauser was the executive chef at the Roman Casino, a well-known philanthropist, and three-time reigning Sexiest Man in Atlantic City. A hard-nosed businessman by day, Kirk preferred being tied down in his downtime rather than tying up loose ends. His kinks? Bondage, nipple clamps, and his personal favorite—being tickled until he was gasping for breath. Unfortunately, someone took that a little too literally. No laughing matter.

When it comes to suspects, Detective Dee is convinced the wife is the guilty party—because, well, it’s always the wife, right? Never mind that she happens to be on a first-name basis with the domme who discovered her husband’s bound-and-gagged body. Snooty, condescending, and with an air of someone who corrects your grammar mid-argument, she insists she and Kirk were in an open relationship. But maybe, just maybe, she didn’t find his tickling fetish all that funny—especially when the joke was on her.

Seventeen-year-old Kirk Amenhauser Jr. inherited his father’s taste for variety, but when he thought his dad was cheating on his mom, he wasn’t having any of it. A student at Newman Prep, Kirk Jr. is entitled, athletic, and probably hungrier for power than he lets on. Maybe he was just cooking up a plan to cash in on his inheritance a little sooner than expected. After all, who wouldn’t want to get their hands on the family recipe for success?

Kara Amenhauser is sixteen and usually the tag-along to her older brother.  A model student with straight A’s and the quietest voice in the room, she seems like the picture of innocence—but sometimes the sweetest apple has a bitter core. As the mystery unfolds, her shock and confusion could just be a well-seasoned act, hiding a more sinister side. After all, the quiet ones are often the ones cooking up the juiciest secrets.

Lisa Dunn is the hostess of the Emperor’s Casino, a lavish, Roman-themed restaurant Kirk oversaw—where the servers wear togas, but the real action happens off the menu. While officially dating the fiery head chef, Gino, Lisa also moonlighted as Kirk’s personal amuse-bouche—and if the gossip is true, she was part of the all-you-can-eat buffet for a few others as well. Did she serve up revenge because Kirk was helping himself to too many free samples? Rhonda is willing to bet her entire whip collection that this two-timing tart is the main course in this murder mystery.
Gino Mancino is the head chef at the Emperor’s Table, specializing in seafood—and, if you ask the health inspector, extra grease. A walking stereotype of an old-school Italian chef, he sports a wife beater under his chef’s coat, smells perpetually of garlic and bad decisions, and runs his kitchen with all the finesse of a late-night diner after a bar rush. Kirk constantly clashed with him over his slovenly attire and less-than-spotless kitchen, but if Gino found out Kirk was digging into his daily special—aka Lisa—it’d be a recipe for disaster and more than enough reason to turn the boss into the catch of the day.
Blake Freeman is the union rep whose chronic asthma forced him out of the kitchen and into a desk job—because nothing kills the mood in fine dining like a guy wheezing over your filet mignon. Blake was steamed when Kirk blocked his new contract, but that’s not his only beef. The detectives suspect he knew all about Kirk’s off-the-menu specials and, given how jumpy he is, this balding bundle of nerves might have a few kinks of his own—ones he was willing to snuff out the competition to keep under wraps. After all, in both the restaurant business and the dungeon, the wrong exposure can spoil the meat.
Carol Rogers is—well, was—Kirk’s longtime secretary. On the surface, she’s the typical conservative old maid, but don’t let the bun fool you; twenty years ago, she was a spicy redhead and Kirk’s very first side-dish. These days, Kirk’s taste has shifted to fresher entrees, and Carol seems fine with her status as the leftovers. But maybe this simmering vendetta has been cooking for two decades, just waiting for the right moment to spice things up. Mrs. Amenhauser  hasn’t forgotten the indiscretion that nearly destroyed her marriage and hopes Carol will take the fall for her husband’s well-seasoned demise.

Leo Cramer drove the rideshare for a sinister delivery, dropping off a package that wasn’t exactly on the menu.  This shaggy college kid confesses to everything but the murders when the detectives drag him in. From dropping the ball to spilling the beans, Leo seems like a clueless driver—but is he really as dumb as he looks, or is his submissive act just a clever ploy to wiggle out of the mess? After all, sometimes the best getaway drivers are the ones who play innocent.

So there you have it. One of these eight flavorful characters did it in the hallway with the French Tickler—but who’s the guilty party? Was it the spicy seductress, the greasy chef, the union rep with a sneaky kink? To find out, grab a copy of Tickled to Death and be sure to savor the subtle clues sprinkled throughout. After all, a mystery is like a fine dining—it’s only fun if you have a real chance to savor the clues and whip up the right answer. Bon appétit!
**Images generated by Microsoft Copilot AI**

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Laura “Luna” DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with
her four children and multiple cats. Her works include romantic thrillers,
paranormal fiction, contemporary romance, and young adult.

Website * Blog * Facebook * X * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a $10 Amazon 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.

A Murder Of Convenience By Kathleen Buckley ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 1, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Historical, Mystery
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for A Murder Of Convenience organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Kathleen Buckley will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A Murder Of Convenience

By Kathleen Buckley

 

 

Genre: Historical Mystery

Synopsis

Ellen Cuthbert’s husband, Randolph, is now the Earl of Keswick’s heir. Their marriage is a sham, and Randolph’s mistress, Lydia, is present at the house party. When she is found murdered in a locked room, all the evidence seems to point to Ellen. And how could the murderer have escaped the locked room except by witchcraft? Sir Hugh accompanies his cousin, a magistrate, to the scene of the murder. They investigate, appalled to find their childhood friend Ellen appears to be the chief suspect. Hugh’s lack of prospects years ago prevented their marriage. Now if he cannot find the real murderer, there may be only one final service he can perform for Ellen to spare her a slow death at the end of the hangman’s rope.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

At the inn, they found the doctor had confiscated the landlord’s keys to the unused cellar storeroom “by order of the magistrate.” His sharp eyes twinkled as Seaton had given no such order.

“Otherwise the servants would be taking the customers down for a look at the poor lass at a penny a head, no doubt.” He had sent for his oil lamp to give enough light.

 “I will do surgery by candle if I must, but for something like this, there’s nothing to match whale oil.”

 “Excellent, Doctor, when even a small detail may matter.”

On a long table, wide enough to allow the oil lamp to be moved around Lydia Forsyth’s remains, the body lay curled in the same posture in which she had been found. Hugh and his cousin stood on either side of Lockhart. The woman might have been vivacious in life.

Death had wiped away every sign of intelligence, wit, and kindness.

The doctor ran his fingers over the right side of her skull. He took longer about it than many would have thought necessary, given that the blow had clearly been fatal. Hugh needed no medical training to know that.

 “She was struck at least several times with the candlestick, the blows not having fallen all in the same place. The murderer meant to make sure of her.”

“Do you mean to perform an autopsy?” The foreboding in Wallace’s voice made it plain he hoped the answer would be negative.

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About Author Kathleen Buckley:

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One day after coming home from first grade, Kathleen Buckley set about writing her own dictionary but quickly realized it would take too much time, so she read a book instead. Possibly Space Cat.

After a career which included customer service, light bookkeeping, working as a paralegal, and a stint as a security officer, she began to write as a second career, rather than as a hobby. Her first historical romance was written after re-reading Georgette Heyer’s Georgian/Regency romances for the tenth or twelfth time and wondering if she could do something like that. Apparently she could, as her eleventh will be released on 3/24/2025. As a change of pace, it’s a murder mystery, but still set in the mid-1700s (but still with some romance).

Warning: no bodices are ripped in her romances, which might be described as “powder & patch & peril” rather than Jane Austen drawing room. They contain no explicit sex, but do contain the occasional den of vice and mild bad language, as the situations in which her characters find themselves sometimes call for an oath a little stronger than “Zounds!”

Author Links: Website / Instagram / Facebook / Goodreads / BookBub / Blog / Amazon

Universal Buy Link

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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.