Archive for October, 2025

Predestined By Rachel Byrne ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 23, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, Science Fiction
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Predestined organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Rachel Byrne will be awarding a $20 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.

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Predestined

By Rachel Byrne

 

 

Genre: SciFi / Mystery

Synopsis

In a place where nothing is as it seems, who can be trusted?

Mysteriously invited to attend the elite Haverford Pines Academy, sixteen-year-old Lina Jamison feels out of place. With mediocre grades and no special talents, she questions why she was chosen to be among her generation’s brightest and most promising teens. Only after Lina saves a fellow trainee’s life does she begin to glimpse her own potential.

Settling into the academy’s training, she starts to uncover secrets and question Haverford Pine’s motives. Why is HP monitoring its trainees’ conversations? How were they selected? And what’s behind the alarming rumors of former trainees meeting dark fates?

As the term progresses, Lina realizes that her presence there may not be a coincidence. With danger lurking around every corner and her own destiny hanging in the balance, Lina must uncover the truth before it’s too late.

Gold Award, Independent Publisher Book Awards – Young Adult Fiction

Gold Award, Readers’ Favorite Book Awards – Young Adult Mystery

2024 Colorado Public Radio “Books We Love”

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Enjoy this peek inside:

In the back of the rental SUV, my stomach burned, and a sour taste flooded my mouth. One week into summer break and my family was dumping me at this strange academy. While I struggled to find my purpose, they would be in Aspen, Emma Claire enjoying a ballet workshop while my parents lounged at the pool.

I had planned to hold my ground and insist on the rec center job, but then Dad got the red-light ticket. As I heard him slam his way through the front door, I raced to intercept him before he could start yelling.

I had briefly debated telling the truth—my anger at the stricken look on Noah’s face as pee ran down his legs and puddled on the floor. I imagined Dad puffing up with pride that I had stood up for a boy being bullied. That fantasy was discarded because I knew Dad wouldn’t get it. He and Mom had never experienced classmates jeering at them and the way it made you curl up inside and want to die.

I then considered accepting the consequences he started listing—no screens, no permit or license until I was seventeen, no allowance, etc. I could handle those but DJ wouldn’t stop until she knew why I had taken the car out in the first place. And that couldn’t happen if I wanted to survive the rest of high school.

Instead of an explanation, I offered him a deal. If I agreed to go to Haverford Pines, he wouldn’t punish me, tell DJ, or ask any questions.

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About Author Rachel Byrne:

Rachel Byrne, a Colorado native, is inspired by her state’s majestic landscapes. With a BA in psychology from Dartmouth College and a master’s in physician assistant studies from the University of Colorado, Rachel has forged a career in psychiatry and addiction medicine. Her role as an educator has fueled her passion for teaching and understanding human behavior.

Driven by a lifelong fascination with the complexities of human nature and a love for American history, Rachel enjoys a career that explores the depths of the human psyche. As a devoted mother and dog lover, she treasures family moments and indulges in hobbies like reading, writing, tennis, and travel. Rachel’s commitment to literature stems from her childhood as a shy bookworm, aiming to create engaging stories that resonate with readers and leave a lasting impact.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

What It’s Like to Be Me By Elizabeth Ann O’Handley ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway ~

Posted: October 23, 2025 in Children's books, Excerpt, giveaways
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Arabesque organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Elizabeth Ann O’Handley 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.

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What It’s Like To Be Me

By Elizabeth Ann O’Handley

 

 

Genre: Children’s Book

Synopsis

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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This is my journey about being me.

I often wonder what others see.

Do they see me as kind,

or maybe carefree?

Or fearlessly brave? Hmmm, is that what they see?

I was not quite sure,

so, I wanted to see,

what is it that others think about me.

I hope they see truth to the fullest

degree,and a heart filled with love,

for all those to see.

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About Author Elizabeth Ann O’Handley:

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What It’s Like to Be Me is Elizabeth Ann O’Handley’s second book. It was inspired by a visit to her hometown of Glace Bay, in the province of Nova Scotia.

Elizabeth graduated from Cape Breton University with a B.A. in 2005, and received a diploma in Acupuncture from the College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners & Acupuncturists of British Columbia in 2011.

In realization of many things, Elizabeth is forever grateful for the love she continues to receive from her family and friends. She reflects on her experiences with a humble heart, and is very emotional about being true to oneself.

Elizabeth is convinced that storytelling can be an effective tool in helping anyone find their path.

Elizabeth is committed to creating positive content, in hopes that it will have an impact on all readers of her work.

 

Goodreads / Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Magical Christmas Cottage By Aimee O’Brian ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 23, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Holidays, Romance
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The Magical Christmas Cottage

Aimee O’Brian

 

(Charmed Love, #3)
Publication date: October 23rd 2025
Genres: Adult, Holiday, Romance

In the small town of Hazard, sometimes love is the greatest Christmas miracle.

Alina McAllister is starting fresh in the charming town of Hazard, Rhode Island, with a simple plan: take a docent job at the Historical Society and embrace the magic of the season. But when her landlady Hazel suffers a stroke, everything changes. Hazel’s grumpy yet undeniably handsome grandson, Carter Bestwick, swoops into town determined to sell the cottage and move on with his corporate life. He needs Alina to leave—immediately.

With nowhere to go and a snowstorm trapping them together, Alina and Carter are forced into close quarters. What starts as a tense, begrudging arrangement soon sparks undeniable chemistry. As they clear out the attic, they discover Hazel’s magical wedding bands—heirlooms passed down through generations since the Revolutionary War—and find that sometimes, the magic of love is closer than they think.

In this heartwarming, opposites-attract holiday romance, Alina and Carter may just find that the greatest gift of all is an unexpected love.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

With a playful glance at Carter, Alina slipped the small gold ring on her finger. It fit perfectly. She admired the filigreed design of clasped hands and held up her own. “What do you think?”

Carter frowned at her. Of course he did. His voice was rough when he spoke. “What are you doing?”

Alina shrugged. “Having some fun. You could try it. You do know what fun is?”

His frown lines deepened into furrows. If he wasn’t careful, he’d look old before his time.

Determined to help him avoid that fate, Alina teased, “Don’t you ever have fun? Here.” She held out the larger ring to him. It too, had a design of clasped hands.

He raised a disapproving brow. “You want me to put on some old wedding band.” It wasn’t a question and the censure in his voice was obvious.

“Sure, why not? What are you afraid of?”

He tilted his head. “I’m not a commitment-phobe if that’s what you’re implying.”

“So, put it on.” She issued the challenge to see if he’d accept.

“We are not making a commitment.”

“No, we are playing. Fun, remember?”

When he just stared at the ring, she added, “I dare you.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed. “You dare me?”

“That’s right, I dare you.” She was back to playground taunts, but this time Alina didn’t care because it really was fun. And he needed to lighten up.

Carter tilted his chin up for a moment before he narrowed his eyes at her and slipped the ring on the third finger of his left hand.

It went on easily like hers had. “See, perfect fit. I wonder where they came from.”

“They’re old, I’m certain.” Carter gazed down at the ring on his finger. “I’ve seen pictures of this type of ring somewhere. Traditional workmanship but surprisingly comfortable. Okay, time to get back to work. Fun’s over.”

“Fun should never be over.”

Carter tugged on the ring to take it off. He blinked, tugged harder. “That’s odd. It went on so smooth, and now it’s stuck.”

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About Author Aimee O’Brian:

Having lived in both California and Texas, award-winning author Aimee O’Brian now resides in the beautiful wine country where she writes dark, sexy, funny romance. With her three children grown and experiencing their own adventures, she and her husband are free to explore the world. When she’s not reading, writing, or planting even more flowers in her garden, she can be found stomping through ancient ruins and getting lost in museums.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook / X

 

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The Magical Christmas Cottage Blitz

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #22 ~ Razorbacks By George S. Mahaffey, Jr.

Posted: October 22, 2025 in horror, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2025! I’m so excited to be doing this again!  I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

 

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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 Razorbacks

by George S. Mahaffey, Jr. 

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

A long time ago I watched a movie called Razorback. It was about a killer wild boar. If you’ve never seen one, I can tell you from experience, having been treed by one, that they can get up to 500 lbs or larger, with huge tusks, the better to gore you with.

A man and his son risk driving through a dust storm and wind up in the middle of a huge pileup. Dead and injured people are strewn around and blood is all over the place. As the storm worsens, it brings something with it. A pack of wild boars, with an uncommonly large leader. They smell the blood and close in for the easy pickings. There’s no place to hide, so the survivors must get creative. As if they really stand a chance against these killing machines.

The author wastes no time, putting you right in the middle of a bloody hunt. From there you go on to meet a father and his son. They have quite a twisted story of their own. Once things got bad, the boy really stepped up but I had doubts about the father. Soon it doesn’t matter, as they can’t find these things off by themselves.

One plan after another goes wrong. It gets pretty gory, I’m telling you. Sad that some characters I thought a lot of were killed off quickly. Others took a while to meet their bloody ends.

And the wild boar. Whoa…were they something else. Ever seen the movie Hannibal? That scene with the man eating pigs gives you a good picture of what they can do. No cute little piggies in these pages.

Great start, genuine characters, and some mean ass animals. It’s all good. And I liked the ending. Kind of a nod to into the sunset.

 4 STARS

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Synopsis

A terrible pile-up on a deserted West Texas highway. A massive dust-storm cutting off communications and obscuring visibility. A father, his estranged son, and a small band of survivors marooned, waiting for help, unaware of the things that are out in the dust, waiting, watching, drawn by the scent of blood.

Amazon

 

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

   

     

      Dust Devils Cover

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

One Foot In The Ether By Kayleigh Kavanagh ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: October 22, 2025 in giveaways, Historical, Paranormal or fantasy
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Book Details:

​ONE FOOT IN THE ETHER: Whispers of the Pendle Witches

by Kayleigh Kavanagh

Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 400 pages
Genre: Historical paranormal fantasy
Publisher: Oriana Neoma
​Publication Date: September 29, 2025.
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: Things are alluded to, not directly shown. one of the fmc is a midwife so these themes come up​

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Book Description:

​Death wasn’t the end.

More than two hundred and fifty years after the infamous Pendle Witch Trials, the spirits of rival witches Demdike and Chattox remain tethered to their bloodlines—watching, waiting, and bound by unfinished business.

Now, in the late eighteen hundreds, a pragmatic midwife and a troubled young psychic—descendants of the two witches—are drawn into a haunting legacy. An ancient being is stirring—an angry god of the old world, hungry for vengeance and ready to consume the future.

​To stop it, the living and the dead must unite, recovering the lost knowledge of their craft. Whilst facing age-old problems and new foes. Some spirits don’t rest easy, and in Pendle, they’re clawing their way back from the past.

BUY THE BOOK:
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GUEST POST
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Haunted Inspiration

I grew up in Lancaster, a historic city in northern England. It’s where the trials for the Pendle Witches were held, and where they eventually lost their lives. They’re known as the Pendle Witches locally, but in the UK, they’re more broadly known as the Lancashire witches. These trials were the largest witch trials in England, even though they happened decades before Hopkins, who is very well-known for his association with witches and trials in England.

Lancaster has always been popular with occultists, paranormal investigators, and those who believe in spiritual powers. I fully believe it is haunted. Many locals and investigators believe they’ve encountered witches. In my first book, I had Demdike describe how many ghosts linger in the city. Using personal experience to describe how some places feel.

When I decided to write this second book, One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches, I really didn’t want to cover the trials. I did have a title (Trials and Tribulations), but every time I stared at the blank page, I couldn’t force the words. I knew how it ended, and I didn’t want to cover their deaths. My love for the characters left me wanting to give them a more optimistic ending.

During this time of constantly thinking about what I could write, I saw a post on social media. It featured another group of people talking about the castle and how the witches were still there, and my first thought was, “Why would they stay where they died?”

My brain then fell down a rabbit hole. I focused on the idea, ‘If they were still here, why would this be?’. I did consider having them tied to the castle through the trauma of their death, but then they’d only be able to contact (attack) investigators and those who came to see them. I believe a book like this already exists from the lead of ‘Most Haunted’. But this also wouldn’t have fit how I described my characters. They weren’t evil; they were simply spiritual women who became victims of politics.

Therefore, I knew I needed a way for them to still be here and bound to our plane, but also able to move around. The spell they performed in the first book (Whispers of the Pendle Witches) turned out to be the solution. They cast a spell to keep their bloodlines alive; they just didn’t expect to be bound to them.

The witches are then forced to watch over their descendants. To help while being unseen and rejected by the very people they’re meant to protect. Until now, when two descendants seem unusually connected to them. Both women have fire in them, and their souls are strangely familiar… As things start heating up in the ether, the deceased witches are finally needed, but will they be prepared to fight against an ancient being with the powers of a god?

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Meet Author Kayleigh Kavanagh:

Kayleigh Kavanagh is a disabled writer from the North-West of England. Growing up in the area, she learnt a lot about the Pendle Witches and launched her debut novel around their life story. Her main writing genres are fantasy and romance, but she loves stories in all formats. Kayleigh hopes to one day be able to share the many ideas dancing around in her head with the world.

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

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ONE FOOT IN THE ETHERS by Kimberly Kavanagh Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Winter In The High Sierra By Robert Brighton ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 22, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, historical romance
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Winter in the High Sierra

Robert Brighton

 

Publication date: October 1st 2025
Genres: Adult, Historical, Romance

November 1899. New York society belle Louisa MacGregor, heartsick after a broken engagement, flees her old life aboard the last westbound train of the season, whose track cuts through the very heart of the steep and forbidding Sierra Nevada Mountains.

When an early blizzard traps her train in a remote mountain pass, Louisa is fast asleep in her luxurious palace car. The big train proves too heavy to make it over the snow-covered summit, and the engineer makes a fateful decision: to lighten the load, he crowds all his passengers into the first two cars and leave the rest of his train behind to the mercy of the elements.

Asleep, Louisa does not hear the conductor’s urgent cries, and she and her palace car are left behind. When she awakens, she finds herself cold, alone, and deserted in the most rugged wilderness on the continent.

She is near despair when a solitary mountain man—whom she comes to know only as ‘Bandit’—locates her abandoned train. The handsome, mysterious Bandit—who seems to carry with him a deep sadness of his own—leads Louisa over the mountaintops and down to his tidy cabin, nestled in a secluded valley surrounded by the towering peaks of the High Sierra.

With no prospect of rescue until spring, Lou and Bandit must find a way to survive the deadliest winter in fifty years. Trapped in a wild mountain paradise that is by turns unspeakably beautiful and utterly terrifying, these two lost people must learn to trust each other—and, perhaps, find the true meaning of life, love, and redemption.

Rich with historical detail, wilderness adventure, and heartfelt romance, Winter in the High Sierra is a sweeping, inspirational, clean love story perfect for readers who enjoy:

Heartfelt clean romances
Nature and healing journeys
Inspirational love stories with grace
Snowbound survival stories
Western mountain wilderness stories
Historical fiction with emotional depth

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

★★★★★ A beautifully written romance where love, trust, and survival intertwine. Absolute must-read!

What if your second chance came in the form of a snowstorm and a stranger who help you to see your worth before you did?

That’s the heart of Winter in the High Sierra, a powerful, clean historical romance set in the remote Sierra Nevada in 1899.

Louisa MacGregor is used to wealth, comfort, and being told what’s proper, until a broken engagement sends her fleeing west, heart in pieces. Boarding the last train out of New York, she hopes to disappear into the wilderness and leave her pain behind.

But when an unexpected storm traps the train in a mountain pass, Louisa’s car is quietly abandoned. She wakes to an empty train, deep snow, and no hope of rescue.

Then she meets Bandit, a quiet, deeply kind mountain man who offers her shelter in his isolated cabin. With no way out until spring, the two must face the elements, and their own guarded emotions.

Unlike the gruff, brooding heroes found in many survival stories, Bandit is gentle and introspective. He listens more than he speaks, and his kindness runs deep. As Lou finds her footing in this strange, wild world, she begins to rediscover her strength — and see herself through Bandit’s eyes.

Set against breathtaking landscapes and rich historical detail, Winter in the High Sierra blends survival, heartache, faith, and emotional redemption into a story that will leave you deeply moved and enjoying every word. Funny, moving, and a real page-turner. You won’t want to put it down, trust me.

you’ll love this clean, character-driven romance with a slow burn and a strong sense of place.

Don’t miss this unforgettable journey. Grab your copy of Winter in the High Sierra today and let it carry you away to a cozy escape.

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About Author Robert Brighton:

Acclaimed author Robert Brighton is an authority on the Gilded Age, and a great believer that the Victorian era was anything but stuffy. In his immersive fiction books, Brighton exposes the turbulence of the era – its passions, dreams, and disasters – against a backdrop of careful research on the places, sights, sounds, and smells of the time.

When he is not walking the streets in the footsteps of the Avenging Angels, sniffing out unsolved mysteries, Brighton is an adventurer. He has traveled in more than 50 countries around the world, personally throwing himself into every situation his characters will face – from underground ruins to opium dens – and (so far) living to tell about it.

A graduate of the Sorbonne, Paris, Brighton is an avid student of early 20th Century history and literature, an ardent and relentless investigator, and an admirer of Emily Dickinson and Jim Morrison. He lives in Virginia with his wife and their two cats.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Newsletter

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #21 ~ River Of Teeth By Sarah Gailey

Posted: October 21, 2025 in Historical, horror, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2025! I’m so excited to be doing this again!  I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

 

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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 River Of Teeth

by Sarah Gailey 

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Genre: Historical / Horror / Adventure

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MY REVIEW

Being a southern gal, I’m always looking for stories set in my neck of the woods. The author did a superb job describing the bayous and the muddy Mississippi. I heard the rising shrill of the cicadas, the buzz of the annoying mosquitoes, and the grunt of alligators. Caught a glimpse of huge alligator gars as they rolled on the surface, while being lulled by the back and forth swaying on top my hippo. Yes, I said hippo.

The US Government came up with the idea of importing hippos into Louisiana for a much needed food supply. Sounded like a good idea, but didn’t happen. Except, in this book it did. And now the hippos are feral and eating everything, including humans, making the river a dangerous place. A ragtag group of hippo wranglers enter the swamp to round them up. All is not as it seems.

I read somewhere that in Africa more people die from hippo attacks than any other animal. They hide under the water, move at tremendous speeds, and their teeth are gigantic. In this book you have hippos that the wranglers bond with from birth, making them safe to ride, most of the time. Then there’s the feral ones. No one wants to encounter them. When some of these characters come across a feral, it’s bloody mayhem.

The characters you meet are varied and odd. One of my favorites is Winslow Houndstooth. He’s usually somber and withdrawn, until you shake his hornets nest. Then he’d as easily kill ya as step on an ant. He’s a charmer and I loved how he could make men preen and blush from his attentions.

The writing is haunting, powerful, and visual. Such a superb job for this author’s debut. The good guys aren’t all good and some bad guys aren’t all bad. Action, intrigue, and betrayal keep you glued to the story. And the hippos, I just couldn’t get enough of them.

Do I recommend this book? Most definitely. Will I be reading the second book? He!! yes!

5  STARS

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Synopsis

In the early 20th Century, the United States government concocted a plan to import hippopotamuses into the marshlands of Louisiana to be bred and slaughtered as an alternative meat source. This is true.

Other true things about hippos: they are savage, they are fast, and their jaws can snap a man in two.

This was a terrible plan.

Contained within this volume is an 1890s America that might have been: a bayou overrun by feral hippos and mercenary hippo wranglers from around the globe. It is the story of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. It is the story of their fortunes. It is the story of his revenge.

Amazon

 

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

   

     

      Dust Devils Cover

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Mayhem On Mulberry By Vincent deFilippo ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 21, 2025 in Uncategorized
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Mayhem on Mulberry by Vincent deFilippo Banner

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MAYHEM ON MULBERRY
by Vincent deFilippo
October 12 – November 21, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

CHINESE GANGS CLASH WITH THE OLD-SCHOOL ITALIAN “FAMILIES.” It’s 1990 in New York City. The AIDS pandemic is raging, murder is at an all-time high, an arsonist burns 87 people to death in a Bronx social club, and garbage and graffiti overwhelm the city. Though a sense of lawlessness pervade the city, being a gangster just isn’t the same anymore. In fact, it may be the twilight of the Italian mob: Under pressure from the feds and their loss of new recruits, the real menace facing them is the other ethnic gangs that are encroaching on their territory—in particular the Chinese.

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BOOK ONE: RISE OF THE EAST

 

What if the only way to protect the one you love is to destroy everything you’ve ever known?

New York City, 1990-a city teetering on the brink of chaos. The AIDS pandemic is ravaging communities, crime is at an all-time high, and the streets pulse with the tension of gang warfare. The once-dominant Italian mafia, now in its twilight, faces a new threat: the rise of ruthless ethnic gangs determined to carve up their territory. Enzo DeCarlo, heir to a fading mob empire, is caught between two worlds. His father, the old-school Don Vincenzo, clings to the traditions of the past while the DeCarlo family crumbles under pressure from the feds and encroaching Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean gangs. Enzo’s loyalty to his family has always been unwavering-until he meets the captivating Jen Mo Li, a woman with secrets as dangerous as her beauty. Jen, the daughter of a powerful Chinese crime family, is no stranger to the brutal world of organized crime. Overlooked and undervalued by her own family, she fights to prove herself in a male-dominated world, growing colder and more ruthless with each passing day. But when her brother is murdered, and the blame falls on Enzo, Jen’s desire for revenge spirals into something far more deadly-especially as her heart betrays her by falling for the enemy. With tensions between their families at a boiling point and betrayal lurking at every turn, Enzo and Jen’s forbidden love becomes a ticking time bomb. When Jen takes control of the notorious Black Dragon gang, the violence escalates to all-out war in Chinatown, with blood flowing in the streets and power shifting hands. But Jen’s bold moves come at a terrible cost, and when a tragic mistake links her to a human trafficking operation, she finds herself hunted by both the law and her enemies. As their worlds spiral out of control, Enzo and Jen are forced to make impossible choices. Can Enzo defy his father and the mafia’s brutal code to save Jen and their child? And can Jen survive long enough to claim her throne in the criminal underworld-or will the betrayals she’s suffered drive her to a darker fate? In this explosive tale of love, betrayal, and survival, nothing is certain, and no one is safe. Dive into the pulse-pounding world of gangland New York, where power, loyalty, and love collide. Will Enzo and Jen escape the deadly shadows of their families-or be consumed by them? The streets are unforgiving. Are you ready to find out who survives?

Praise for Mayhem on Mulberry: Book One: Rise of the East:

“Mayhem on Mulberry is a fast-paced page-turner that readers will not soon forget, and that will appeal to fans of hard-boiled stories and more grounded crime novels alike.” ~ Jo Niederhoff, San Francisco Book Review

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BOOK 2: FALL OF AN EMPIRE

 

How far would you go to destroy the ones who wronged you?

In Mayhem on Mulberry: Book Two, the ruthless battle between the Chinese mob and the Italian Mafia rages on—but this time, vengeance runs deeper than blood. It’s 2020, and Jen Mo Li, presumed dead for decades, is very much alive. Back in New York under an assumed identity, Jen has one goal—to annihilate the DeCarlo family. She’s spent years plotting her revenge, using her beautiful daughter, Julia, as the perfect weapon to tear them apart from the inside. Nicky DeCarlo, son of Enzo, is determined to break free from the fading mob legacy and start fresh. But when Julia, under Jen’s manipulation, seduces him and lures him into a dangerous heist, Nicky’s dreams of escape turn into a nightmare. Unbeknownst to him, Julia is not just an enemy—she’s his sister. As the Chinese mob tightens its grip on New York, the Italians plan one last high-stakes score, setting the stage for a dramatic showdown. Betrayal, forbidden love, and shocking family secrets collide in a deadly game where no one is safe, and loyalty could prove fatal. Will Nicky uncover the truth before it’s too late? Or will Jen’s plan for vengeance destroy everything he holds dear? Dive into this pulse-pounding sequel that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Get your copy today and find out who survives the mayhem!

Praise for Book Two: Fall of an Empire:

“Vincent deFilippo masterfully weaves a tale of power, betrayal, and survival, where every choice cuts deep. With characters who are fierce, flawed, and navigating a world where morality collides with necessity, this isn’t just a story; it’s a riveting, adrenaline rush.” ~ Kathryn Dare, San Francisco Book Review

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Book Details:

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Crime, Action

Published by: ViennaRose Publishing Series: Mayhem on Mulberry

 

About Author Dr. Vincent deFilippo:

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Vincent deFilippo

Dr. Vincent DeFilippo, an international financier and former CEO of a private equity fund in Hong Kong, where he aided numerous executives and businesses in raising billions of dollars in capital. Currently residing in New York, he is a Professor at Monroe College, where he mentors and teaches young people to achieve their goals. Driven by his passion for writing and storytelling, he captivates readers with his fiction works and provides practical business and financial advice through his non-fiction books.

Catch Up With Vincent deFilippo:

VincentdeFilippo.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub Instagram – @vincedefilippoauthor LinkedIn – Vince Defilippo X – @DefilippoAuthor Facebook – @vincedefilippoauthor

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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  

 

Don’t Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

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

MAYHEM ON MULBERRY by Vincent deFilippo [Gift Card] Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!  

 

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.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Coming Up For Air By Jessica Natalie Reino ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 21, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
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Coming Up for Air

Jessica Natalie Reino

 

Published by: Fire and Ice YA
Publication date: October 20th 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

As if the rumors and whispers from the people of her seaside town, Oceanbrook, weren’t bad enough, 17-year-old Sarah D’Antonio is troubled by the whispers from the forest. It’s not her fault that she hears voices, that she sees auras, and that she has been sleepwalking along the shore. The townspeople, and Sarah’s parents among them, claim that it is all in response to stress, including her chronic migraines and panic attacks. They believe that she can’t come to grips with the fact that her cousin, Lena, is dead. But Sarah knows that the things she is experiencing are real and not something she is bringing on herself. She also knows that Lena is not dead, only missing. She believes that there is something more supernatural going on and that the town is hiding secrets.

Sarah’s feelings are validated when she suddenly becomes thrust into a world in which she has always sensed but never seen. A world of fairy witches, shape-shifters, and legendary creatures. The world of the astral plane. And now, it will be up to her to form alliances to save the magic, fix the astral plane, and most importantly, to bring her cousin home.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I had lost so much over the span of the last few years. Second-guessing everything but still trying to find a reason behind why bad things happen. It’s not like I didn’t know that life wasn’t fair, but living with chronic illness and how everyone reacted differently to Lena’s disappearance really drove home the fact that I would never be able to fully trust my relationships, my health, or even my beliefs. I think that’s what scared me the most. Everything that I had believed was shaken, and I had to build a new normal. I had to build myself back up. Only, I didn’t have a solid foundation on which to do it.

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About Author Jessica Natalie Reino:

Jessica Natalie Reino is a multi-genre author with a soft spot for sweet romance and the supernatural. Inspired by her Italian heritage and growing up in New England, she is constantly developing new story ideas that not only raise awareness for those with invisible illnesses, but also promote kindness and the importance of physical and mental health. When she is not working on her own writing, Jess can be found helping other writers achieve their goals, spending time with family and friends, or out on the Zumba® dance floor.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / X

 

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Coming Up for Air Blitz

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #20 ~ Dust Devils By Jonathan Janz

Posted: October 20, 2025 in horror, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2025! I’m so excited to be doing this again!  I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

 

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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Dust Devils

by  Jonathan Janz

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Dust Devils Cover

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

I’ve been a huge fans of western’s since I was a young girl and stayed up late watching movies with my dad. He introduced me to some great western authors too. Then, I discovered horror and it became my new favorite genre. Imagine my excitement to find these two genres combined. Bliss!

Sure, I enjoy the less horrific vampires. But the truly nasty ones always win with me. Janz serves up the most evil of vampires. They’re sadistic and cunning. They have this rather creative cover to hide what they are and lure their victims to them. And once they decide it’s time to feed, heads will roll and blood will splatter. Egads, some scenes were almost too visual in my head.

I know when reading horror not to become too attached to the characters. Most have a bad outcome. There were a few in this book that I couldn’t help but connect with. Wish for their happy ending. This added to the suspense, and when I reached the end and the dust settled, I was sad about some that didn’t make it and happy for those that lived to fight another day.

If you like your vampires vicious and enjoy a rollicking, fast paced western, look no further. Grab your copy and dive in.

5  STARS

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Synopsis

It is 1885 in the wilds of New Mexico and Cody Wilson and Willet Black are
bent on revenge after their loved ones are slaughtered by a group of
traveling actors, but neither of them suspects what they’re really up against.
For the actors are vampires. Their thirst for human blood is insatiable. The
two must battle the vampires—alone—or die trying.

Amazon

 

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

   

     

   

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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