Archive for October, 2025

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Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries)
by Paty Jager

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Merry Merry Merry Murder (Cuddle Farm Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Oregon
Publisher: Windtree Press
Publication Date: October 10, 2025

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940064093

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In the close-knit town of Auburn, Oregon, Andi Clark’s therapy animals bring comfort to the community, especially during the holiday season. As the annual Christmas Craft Bazaar draws near, Andi agrees to set up a Petting Zoo with her beloved animals, bringing smiles to the faces of children and adults alike.

But when a young girl seeks solace from Athena, Andi’s therapy dog, after witnessing an unsettling scene behind the sleigh, it marks the beginning of a much darker holiday. As the town gathers for the Tree Lighting Ceremony, a scream shatters the festive atmosphere. Cocoa, Andi’s loyal Border Collie, pulls her toward a chilling sight: a woman standing over the lifeless body of the girl’s mother, strangled with Christmas lights.

Determined to help the grieving girl and her town recover from the shock, Andi, her therapy animals, and her niece, a county deputy, take it upon themselves to investigate. As they uncover secrets and untangle clues, they stay one step ahead of the new sheriff and worry that the killer lurking in their midst could be someone they know.

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About Paty Jager

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of murder mysteries, western romance, and action-adventure. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes in eastern Oregon, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Amazon / Pinterest / Goodreads 

Newsletter / BookBub / Instagram / TikTok

Purchase Links – Amazon – Coming Soon – B&N

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 10 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 10 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 11 – Jemima Pett, Author – REVIEW

October 11 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

October 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 12 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW 

October 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 16 – Angel’s Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 17 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

October 17 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 18 – Storybook Lady – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 18 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

October 19 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 20 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

October 21 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 22 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 23 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW 

October 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

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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.

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!

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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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 Predatory Animals

by Gabriel Beyers

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

After reading the synopsis, I knew I had to read this book. A near death experience and psychic connection to three mysterious dogs. A haunted forest where strange things stir. Disappearing people. And something evil in the mix. Right up my alley.

The mystery and magic behind the three dogs was probably my favorite part. When Casper Brown nearly drowns, he suddenly has a psychic connection to three dogs that mysteriously happen to follow each of his three children home on the same day. How strange! And these dogs are smart. They can do all kinds of things a dog shouldn’t be able to.

It’s simple for Casper to be curious about the recent disappearances. His life is already strange and he’s formed a bond with the two men who rescued him, one being a police officer. Not wanting to go into a lot of details, I’ll just say the two guys made this story even more entertaining.

And what’s a good horror story without some villains. This has some character’s you’ll love to hate. The Pummel family is the town’s staunchest benefactors and their large cat sanctuary is very popular, but they have some secrets. When Casper and his two friends threaten their nefarious endeavors,they show their true colors.

I want to talk about the cover art for this story too. The vibrant colors and shadowy figures are spectacular. Once you read this book, you”ll see how much the picture tells the story.

I could go on and on. What’s with the weird stand of pine trees and the strange noises heard there? And just who or what is Uriah? So many questions and so much nerve wracking suspense and action. There are so many things I wish I could share. You are in for some scary and amazing surprises in the town of Shadeland.

4 STARS

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Synopsis

IN THE TOWN OF SHADELAND, PEOPLE ARE VANISHING.

After suffering a near-death accident, Casper Brown awakens with a strange new connection to three stray dogs recently adopted by his family. Casper’s nights are filled with dreams of the dogs’ activities; at times he can even see through their eyes. And what he witnesses has him worried for his family’s safety.

AN ENIGMATIC EVIL IS HIDING, WAITING TO STRIKE.

The Pummels are the most beloved family in town. Though their wealth, philanthropy, and charisma form a cloud of mystery about them, their work with the town’s exotic cat rescue center has captured the heart of the people. But the Pummels are guarding a secret. One they will kill to keep quiet.

ITS HUNGER IS INSATIABLE.

Shadeland is a town of shadows, where hunters hide in plain sight and prey scurry about unaware. But a new predator has been unleashed. One unlike any this world has seen.

ITS SURVIVAL IS OUR DOOM.

Amazon

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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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What would you do if you woke up a different age and gender?

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Switched

by Angela Lam

Genre: Dystopian Cyberpunk SciFi Fantasy

A global phenomenon is rewriting the laws of biology,
causing men over fifty-five and women between eighteen and forty to suddenly
and inexplicably switch their ages and genders. No one understands it, and no
one can stop it.

Maxine thinks she can stay on the sidelines, supporting her brilliant
boyfriend-turned-girlfriend Jo—an audacious biotech pioneer, who’s breaking new
ground with brain-to-brain communication. But when the transformation strikes
Maxine, her reality is flipped upside down.

Now facing an unexpected future, Max must grapple with their identity,
struggling to align who they were with who they have become. Can they reclaim
control over a life that’s no longer theirs, or will they be swept away by the
changes they never asked for?

Amazon *
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That night, Maxine could not sleep. She lay next to Jo and rubbed a suddenly rough, large hand over her five-o’clock shadow. Her chest and back strained against the seams of her nightshirt. She sat up and tugged the shirt over her head. Through the slats in the plantation shutters, the moonlight illuminated the fact that her breasts had hardened and flattened. A few gray hairs sprouted around the nipples. When her toes pinched against her socks, she removed them too.

“Can’t sleep?” Jo rolled over and gasped. “Oh my.”

The shock in her voice propelled Maxine out of bed. Her legs had thickened, and her center of balance had shifted with the adjustment of the contours of her body. If she moved too quickly, she felt the strain in her muscles. Every motion existed in two timelines—the one in which she imagined the movement and the one in which the movement was accomplished. The discordant space between thought and action unsettled her. Her body no longer responded with ease, but inched along with mysterious aches and pains, much like she’d experienced during adolescence when she could not sleep because her bones were growing.

In the bathroom, Maxine flicked on the lights and grabbed the edge of the sink. Her broad hands were speckled with age spots. Feeling an urgency to urinate, she sat on the toilet seat. Something dangled between her legs, but she was too groggy to care. She released the stream until it tinkled to a stop. With an unsteady hand, she dabbed herself down there before she realized she no longer needed the tissue. Just a shake of her new penis, and she was clean.

Standing, she flushed the toilet and washed her hands. Catching her reflection in the mirror, she understood why Jo had gasped. She looked just like her father before he had died. A wizened old man with a crinkly face; beady, dark brown eyes beneath bushy gray eyebrows; and a bulbous nose. Turning away from her reflection, she dried her hands.

Back in the bedroom, she struggled to get into bed. Her knees were locked.

Jo rushed out from under the covers and padded around the mattress. “Let me help you.”

She told Maxine about the time her mother had been ill and how the in-home health aide had shown her how to get her mother to sit on the edge of the bed first before swinging her legs onto the mattress. The two-step process was odd and cumbersome, but with Jo’s assistance, Maxine was able to lie down again.

“I look like my dad,” Maxine said, her hands folded over her chest. She closed her eyes and whispered, “Dad.”

If only she could talk to her father, then maybe everything would be all right.

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How long have you been writing?

 

I started writing professionally at sixteen years old when I went to work for the San Jose Mercury News.

 

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? 

 

I am a voracious reader. Before my concussion, I read 75 books a year in every genre, from nonfiction to fiction. My favorite genres are romance, women’s fiction, thrillers, science, humor, memoir, literary, and current events.

 

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? 

 

I prefer listening to music when I write. Most of my novels have a soundtrack. Switched includes the songs, “This Little Life” by Cordelia and “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Ellish among others.

 

Pen or type writer or computer?

 

I write my notes in a notebook by long hand, but I write the first draft on a computer.

 

What made you want to become an author and do you feel it was the right decision?

 

Having a voice was important, and when I wrote, people listened. Of course, I feel it was the right decision. Everyone needs to have a voice.

 

Advice you would give new authors? 

 

I teach writing through Gotham Writers Workshop, and I always tell my students to write from their hearts without caring about the market. Some authors are good at pandering to the market, and others are better at creating a market for their unique style. But if you aren’t writing what you want and need to say, who cares if anyone is listening?

 

What makes a good story? 

 

I’m an old-fashioned Aristotelian and believe in a beginning, middle, and end.

 

What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? 

 

I follow the principle of cause and effect based on character which allows me the freedom to write without an outline. I outline after the first draft to shape the story as needed in subsequent drafts.

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Angela Lam writes across all genres, from romance (The Women
of the Crush series) to memoir (Red Eggs and Good Luck) to thrillers (No
Amends) and science fiction (Switched). Sometimes, she writes under a pen name
to keep things interesting (The Heroic Adventures of Madame X). The rest of the
time, she is busy exploring mixed-media art and teaching others what she knows.

Website *
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Bookbub *
Amazon *
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Follow the tour HERE
for special content and a $10 giveaway!

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Switched

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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.

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Murder in Matrimony (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
by Mary Winters


Murder in Matrimony (A Lady of Letters Mystery)
Historical Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – London, 1860
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 7, 2025
Hardcover Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1448315492
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448315499
Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 248 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448315505
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F4XCY2RX

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Countess-turned-advice columnist Amelia Amesbury has a wedding to plan alongside a new murder in this charmingly deadly historical mystery.

Countess Amelia Amesbury has her work cut out. As well as balancing her alter ego—secret advice columnist, Lady Agony—and the blackmailer threatening to reveal her real identity, her sister has also announced she’s getting married. It’s joyous news, but places all the planning for a high society wedding firmly at Amelia’s door.

Luckily, her good friend and local vicar Mr. Cross has agreed to the expedited nuptials, so that’s one less thing to worry about. Until Cross is found dead at the church. Now in between bridal arrangements, Amelia must follow the clues Mr. Cross left behind.

Clearly, he’d made some enemies during his parishioner work, as strange mishaps begin to occur wherever Amelia goes. But when the danger becomes all too real, Amelia must rely on her friends and the handsome Simon Bainbridge to help solve the murder, save the wedding, and Amelia’s life too . . .

Perfect for fans of witty historical mystery and Regency romances with a similar feel to Verity Bright and T.E. Kinsey.

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About Mary Winters

© Julie Prairie Photography 2016

Mary Winters is the Edgar Award-nominated author of the Lady of Letters historical mystery series. Book one, Murder in Postscript, was a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. Mary is also the author of two cozy mystery series and writes short fiction. Her stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine and Black Cat Weekly. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching, reading, or spending time with her family. She lives with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets in the Midwest. Find out more about Mary at MaryWintersAuthor.com.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Instagram

Purchase Links
Amaz0n
Barnes & Noble
Bookshop

 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 7 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

October 8 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

October 8 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 9 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 9 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 10 – My Books and Crafts – SPOTLIGHT

October 11 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

October 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

October 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – Sarandipity’s – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Wine Cellar Library – SPOTLIGHT

October 14 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT

October 15 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

October 17 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – The Mystery of Writing – REVIEW

October 19 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

October 20 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

 

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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.

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

.

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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 Into The Mist

by Lee Murray

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

A hot, steamy jungle. people with their own agenda’s, and something big and ravenous stalking them. Sure does sound fun. And it was.

The author’s descriptions immediately put me in the jungle with the character’s. All of them have to deal with the harsh environment. But, that’s not the only problem. Something huge, primordial stalks all of them, and it’s right at home in the jungle. Perfect camouflage until it strikes, leaving not much more than blood splatters to show someone was ever there.

I’m always looking for stories where the character’s have to struggle against the environment as much as the creature stalking them. And I liked the mythical aspect when the local legend comes into play. Made for a deeper, more thrilling reading experience for me.

This would be great to see on the big screen. I’d have to buy the DVD. It’s a keeper.

4 STARS

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Synopsis

When NZDF Sergeant Taine McKenna and his squad are tasked with escorting a bunch of civilian contractors into Te Urewera National Park, it seems a strange job for the army.
Militant Tūhoe separatists are active in the area, and with its cloying mist and steep ravines, the forest is a treacherous place in winter.
Yet nothing has prepared Taine for the true danger that awaits them. Death incarnate.
They backtrack toward civilisation, stalked by a prehistoric creature intent on picking them off one by one. With their weapons ineffective, the babysitting job has become a race for survival.
Desperate to bring his charges out alive, Taine draws on ancient tribal wisdom. Will it be enough to stop the nightmare? And when the mist clears, will anyone be left?

Amazon

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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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Thanks for Muffin: A Merry Muffin Mystery
by Victoria Hamilton


Thanks for Muffin: A Merry Muffin Mystery
Contemporary Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Setting – Wynter Castle, Western New York State
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 14, 2025
Number of Pages: 211
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1966322240
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322245
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966322238
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FMY9PQ2D


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When Merry Wynter’s festive gala takes a fatal turn, she’ll have to grill her guests to catch a killer . . .

After years of planning and hard work, Merry Wynter was finally ready to host the grand opening gala of the Wynter Woods Center for the Performing Arts. With musicians, entertainers, members of the media and even influencers on the guest list, the event went off without a hitch—until a particularly nasty journalist posted a criticism of the gala and everything Merry was trying to accomplish. Still reeling from the review days later, Merry wasn’t sure what to feel when she discovered the reporter’s dead body on the grounds of Wynter Castle.

With many of her guests staying on at the castle for the weekend, Merry realizes they’ve got a murderer in their midst. Going from celebrating to sleuthing, she discreetly questions each of them, trying to weed out the culprit. She quickly learns that the victim had heated arguments with several of the people at the gala, and it turns out those people were all connected by a tragedy in the past. Certain the killer is among them, Merry will have to unearth the final clue that nails the killer—before the killer decides she’s getting too close .

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I Say Bru-shetta, You Say Bru-sketta!

By: Victoria Hamilton

 

I love growing herbs. I have, in the garden: sage, thyme, lemon thyme, lemon balm, summer savory, oregano, chives and others. Lately I have moved to growing annual herbs in a pot. I have marjoram, rosemary (a tender perennial that doesn’t fare well this far north) and a couple of types of basil.

 

However… the basil really takes over potted herbs! What to do with all that luscious basil? Bruschetta is something many enjoy only in the restaurant as an appetizer, but I often make it, topped with cheese, for lunch, or a meal side dish.

 

Now, as to the title… well, I started seeing it long ago on menus and so pronounced it my own way, as bru-shetta, only to learn it should be pronounced bru-sketta. But it’s hard to break old habits, right? Ask me, the gal who still pronounces ‘mandarin’ with the emphasis on the middle syllable, man-DAR-in, because that’s how I thought it sounded.

 

Enjoy my bruschetta, delicious any way you say it!

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Ingredients

Two or three tomatoes

Generous handful of fresh basil, whatever kind you have.

¼ cup finely diced sweet or red onion

2 – 3 garlic cloves

2 – 3 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic butter

2 – 3 panini rolls (or whatever kind of roll or bun you like)

1 cup grated cheese – I used extra old cheddar, but use whatever you like! Mozzarella or Monterey Jack would be perfect!

*Some people use balsamic vinegar; I’m not a fan, but go ahead if you like it, a tablespoon or so!

Freshly grated sea salt and pepper.

 

Directions

Do this part a few hours before you plan to make the bruschetta:

1 – Chop tomato to a medium dice, discarding seeds and excess liquid. Throw in a bowl, and add: chopped or chiffonade of basil, finely chopped onion, chopped or grated garlic.

2 – Add olive oil and balsamic vinegar (if you’re using it) the fresh ground sea salt and black pepper to taste – not too much – and mix it all up.

3 – Set aside in a jar or covered bowl so the flavors marry. You can hold a ceremony if you like, but don’t expect the garlic to obey. It’s more strong-willed than that.

Just before meal:

4 – Split your rolls. (Don’t get confused and roll your splits). You can spread a good commercial garlic butter on the split rolls, or just brush olive oil and rub a garlic clove over it.

5 – Broil until the top is crusty but keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn!

6 – Take buns out of oven (you should never leave a bun in the oven too long!) and pile the bruschetta mix on – I use a slotted spoon so the mixture drains and I don’t soak the buns with too much of the liquid – top with grated cheese, and broil again until bubbly and melted, or even until the cheese is browned a little on top.

 

This is a versatile dish, as you can tell by my ingredients list, and easy to stretch. It can be an appetizer, but I call it lunch!

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About Victoria Hamilton

Victoria Hamilton is the pseudonym of nationally bestselling romance author Donna Lea Simpson. Victoria is the bestselling author of three mystery series: the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries, the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries, and the Merry Muffin Mysteries. She also wrote a Regency-set historical mystery series, starting with A Gentlewoman’s Guide to Murder.

Social Media Links: Website / Facebook / BlueSky / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon 

 Purchase Links: 
Amazon.com – Amazon.ca – Barnes & Noble – Kobo – Smashwords

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 10 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

October 10 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

October 10 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

October 11 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

October 11 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW

October 11 – FUONLYKNEW – RECIPE

October 12 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 12 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 13 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

October 13 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – RECIPE

October 13 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

October 14 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 14 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

October 14 – Bigreadersite – REVIEW  

October 15 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 15 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW, RECIPE

October 15 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 16 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

October 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 17 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 17 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 18 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 18 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 19 – Teatime and Books – SPOTLIGHT

October 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews  SPOTLIGHT

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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.

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

.

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!

.

 The Haunted Forest Tour

by James A. Moore And Jeff Strand

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

I had to catch my breath after reading this one.

Want some thrills? Take a tour of the haunted forest. It’s perfectly safe. Are the monsters real? You’ll soon find out.

The ride begins. Of course, one of the trams breaks down. I couldn’t wait to keep reading and my face grew a maniacal grin because I knew this was where the monsters would come creeping in. I swear, I will never go into the woods again without thinking of this book. It’s creepy, then it’s suspenseful, then it’s creepier, then more suspenseful, and so on. It doesn’t slow down but ramps up and up.

Every kind of creeping, crawling, flying thing you can imagine and then some are prowling the forest. Some want to bash you. Some want to eat you or drain your blood. Some just want to rip you to pieces. All of them want you dead. The party has begun and the lookie loos are the favors.

This was fodder for my horror appetite. I wanted crazy bloody mayhem and I got it. Did I love this book? Yes. Would I recommend it? Most definitely.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Haunted Forest Tour! Sit back and enjoy a smooth ride in air-conditioned comfort as your heavily armored tram takes you through nature’s most astonishing creation. The forest is packed to capacity with dangerous and terrifying creatures of all shapes, sizes, and hunger levels, and you’ll get to observe these wonders in complete safety.

Howl with a werewolf! Gaze into the glowing eyes of a giant spider! Look right through a spooky ghost! See horrific monsters you couldn’t even imagine, only inches away from you! Things with fangs, things with claws, things with dripping red jaws — you’ll see them all!

Not thrilling enough? Well, it’s Halloween, and so we’re offering a very special tour through the Haunted Forest. The new route goes deeper into the woods than any civilians have ventured before, and you’re guaranteed to get a good scare! Rest assured that every possible security precaution has been taken. The Haunted Forest Tour has a 100% safety record, and technical difficulties are unheard of. You will be in no danger whatsoever.

We promise.

Bram Stoker Award-nominated authors James A. Moore and Jeff Strand have teamed up to take you on an action-packed, monster-laden adventure that will make you laugh, scream, and think twice before going near ghastly oversized beasts that want to devour you.

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

 

 

Book Details:

Stones River: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love

by M.F. Jones

Category:  Adult Fiction (18 yrs +),  302 pages
Genre: Historical fiction with a supernatural love story at its heart.​
Publisher:  Fieldwood Books
Release date:   Sep 27, 2025
Content RatingPG-13 + M: The novel has a married sex scene that is intimate though does not have explicit details. There is no profanity in the book, except for mild curses like “damn” and “hell.”

Book Description:

When Jessie Gibbs meets Lemuel Sanders, she thinks she has finally found her ideal man—until she discovers that he is the ghost of a Civil War soldier. For 144 years, Lem has kept vigil at his unmarked battlefield grave, seeking someone to complete a personal mission so he can go to his final rest. As love grows between them, Jessie is torn. If she succeeds in fulfilling Lem’s wish, she’ll lose him when he passes into the afterlife. But if she fails and he remains in the world, she’ll never be free to find intimacy with a living man.

​A riveting story of faith, passion, and selfless devotion, STONES RIVER shows the power of love to overcome all obstacles—even death itself.

STONES RIVER is Book I of The Sentinel Heart Trilogy, with Book II, SOLDIER’S JOY, coming out in 2026!

Buy the Book:
Amazon
B&N BAM ~ Indiebound 
add to Goodreads
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Interview With Author M.F. Jones
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Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have loved stories and books my whole life, and in college I studied fiction writing with E. L. Doctorow and other celebrated writers. But self-criticism and a fear of failing at what I most desired blocked my efforts.

Still, wanting to make literature my career, I became an editor. I loved working with writers, though I always felt a yearning to be one of them. In 2005, in a wave of corporate downsizing throughout publishing, I was laid off. I told myself the time had come to try to make my writing dream a reality.

What was the inspiration for Stones River and its sequels?

My husband, a professional trumpeter, played in a Civil War-style band in the early 2000s and I went along with him to events. One night at a reenactment of the Battle of Gettysburg, I walked around the vast Union camp and marveled at the authenticity of the scene— white tents glowing throughout the forest, firelight and candles the only illumination, horses and mules tied among the trees, groups of “soldiers” chatting or playing fifes around campfires. No modern technology spoiled the 19th century illusion.

I suddenly had an inspiration: What if a young woman at an event like this wandered away from camp, and met someone she took to be a fellow reenactor–handsome, with an old-fashioned courtesy, in every way the kind of man she had almost given up hope of finding? And then she discovered that he was the spirit of a Civil War soldier who had died 144 years earlier.

It was a huge risk for Jessie to enter into a relationship with a ghost. Likewise, it was a huge risk for me to confront my fear of failure and commit myself to writing Jessie and Lem’s story. But once I began, the novel flowed. I was compelled to follow the lovers, and other characters in Stones River, in two sequels, Soldier’s Joy and Bright Canaan.

Is there a theme that unites all three books in the series?

All the books in my Sentinel Heart Trilogy have one theme at their heart: that death is not the end. It doesn’t end relationships, in that we continue to feel the presence of those we’ve loved and lost. We remember them at every milestone in our life, and we may even seek their guidance when faced with important choices.

Because of the early, shocking loss of my beloved father, I found consolation in imagining a world in which the spirits of the dead can actually be present with those who loved them. In Stones River, Jessie finds a passionate love with Lem, and helps to free him from his earthly vigil even though it means losing him to the afterlife. Or so she thinks–but in Book II of the trilogy, Soldier’s Joy (to be published in early 2026), Lem is still watching over Jessie and his newly-discovered 21st century relatives from the spiritual realm. At great risk to himself he can even re-enter the mortal world to protect them. His main mission is to help his great-great-great nephew, Avery Gowan, recover from the trauma of the Iraq war, and to bring Avery together with the woman whose love will help him fully heal. Book III, Bright Canaan, (Spring 2027) tells the stories of the five women who have loved Lem—his mother, sister, and 19th century sweetheart, and, in the 21st century, Jessie and Sally Gowan, Avery’s mother. One of them enables Lem to find eternal peace at last.

What’s your definition of success?

My definition of success is to keep on writing, and to give readers the same experience of losing themselves in a story that has made reading my lifelong joy.

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Meet Author M.F. Jones:

Before beginning to write full-time in 2008, M. F. (Mimi) Jones was an editor at Viking Press, where she discovered Judith Guest’s bestseller ORDINARY PEOPLE in the slush pile and became its editor. She went on to senior editorial positions at Redbook, Family Circle, and Reader’s Digest magazines. In addition to writing, she’s a devotee of reading, knitting (while listening to audiobooks), choral singing, and hiking with her rescue dog, Ruby. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, composer Douglas Hedwig.

Connect with the author:   Website  goodreads


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STONES RIVER by M.F. Jones Book Tour Giveaway

 

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Jane Austen’s Dowries and Dalliances: A Literary Card Game
from Samantha L. Hastings

Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th Anniversary!

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Jane Austen’s Dowries and Dalliances: A Literary Card Game
Format: Games
Publication Date: 10/7/2025
ISBN: 9781797235578

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Hours of fun for Jane Austen fans of all ages: This literary card game features simple and satisfying gameplay with a beautifully illustrated deck full of favorite characters from all of the novels.

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Hold on to heroines like Emma Woodhouse and Anne Elliot to win the highest dowry as you gossip with Mrs. Bennet to gain insight into another player’s hand, send an opponent’s card eloping with John Yates to remove it from play, or use Mr. Darcy’s refusal to dance to skip the next player’s turn. Whether you steal, snub, trade, or quadrille your way to the end of the round, try not to be left with the Old Maid!

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LITERARY TWIST ON CLASSIC CARD GAME: Marriage is the name of the game in this Jane Austen-inspired game of trading, stealing, and claiming cards. Never be satisfied with less: Claim the highest dowry to win!

JANE AUSTEN FOREVER: Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th anniversary with this unique homage to her beloved novels. Illustrations by Meghann Rader bring each character to life, capturing the romance and eccentricity that make Austen’s books stand the test of time.

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GREAT FUN FOR LITERATURE LOVERS: This smart, elegant card game has Jane Austen trivia built in, with Dowry cards and Action cards inspired by each character’s role in Austen’s literary universe and a booklet full of character fun facts. Endeavor to keep company with the likes of Elizabeth Bennet, Elinor Dashwood, or Fanny Price to gain access to a valuable dowry sum. Border on rudeness with Frank Churchill, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, or John Thorpe to shake up the gameplay. Or fan the flames of scandal by ‘eloping’ with another player’s card, in the vein of George Wickham or Penelope Clay. There’s endless fun to be had.

BRILLIANT GIFT: This card game is easy enough to play with the whole family or as a book club diversion, and it makes a charming present for Janeites and other book lovers in your life.

Perfect for:

  • Jane Austen fans
  • Bibliophiles and bookworms
  • Family game night group play
  • Card game enthusiasts of all ages
  • Anyone looking for unique and beautiful literary gifts for any occasion

Purchase fromChronicle Books

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Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, having tea parties, and chauffeuring her four kids. She teaches World Literature at Brigham Young University. Her young adult fiction books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections and her historical romances are published around the world. She also writes murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen that Publisher’s Weekly called “wildly enjoyable.”

Author Links 
Website   Instagram   Facebook   X   BookBub 

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Title Blast Participants

 October 8

Jemima Pett, Author              

Books, Ramblings, and Tea               

Jody’s Bookish Haven           

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Books1987    

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October 9

Cozy Up With Kathy

Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books

Maureen’s Musings 

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Wine Cellar Library 

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

Sapphyria’s Book Reviews                

October 10

Ruff Drafts     

Baroness Book Trove             

FUONLYKNEW            

StoreyBook Reviews

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Rebecca M. Douglass, Author        

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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!

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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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 Animal Kingdom

by Iain Rob Wright

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Genre: Horror

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MY REVIEW

With Animal Kingdom I got everything I was expecting and more!

It was supposed to be a special day. Since the divorce, Danny really missed his dad and had ants in his pants when he found out Joe was taking him to the zoo. Joe was just glad to have his son with him. It didn’t matter what they did but he knew Danny would love the animals.

Everything is great until the reptile show starts. The handler has a giant boa constrictor wrapped around his body. While he tells the gathering crowd about the snake it suddenly begins to wrap its thick coils around his neck, constricting and crushing the man. Joe does his best to help him, but the snake is too strong and time runs out for the handler.

The crowd panics and runs in all directions, horrified by the grotesque killing. As Joe grabs Danny and rushes to get help, he notices people are screaming and running from all directions. They couldn’t all have been at the exhibit. Then all of the animals start making a racket. Something bad is happening elsewhere in the zoo.

Deciding to get inside, away from whatever is occurring, Joe ducks into the new visitor’s center. Most people were running for the exits, but Joe had to get Danny to safety quickly. There were several people inside, along with the zoo’s curator. The curators protestations that an animal attack couldn’t be happening are cut short. When Joe turns to see what he’s looking at, he can’t believe what he’s seeing. There in the doorway are four massive lions, snarling and revealing their thick fangs, dripping with blood.

This is where the story really cranks up. The animals, for some unknown reason, have gained intelligence and have turned on mankind. From the lowly spiders to the gigantic elephants, they all want everyone dead.

The diverse group of people trapped in the visitor’s center are safe for the moment, or so they think. The animals won’t be denied, and find ways to get in. How the individual characters react to this is very interesting. As you’d expect, there are the one or two bad apples that think their way is the only way, you have an older woman spouting prophecy, a young girl without her medication, Joe, whose main concern is his son Danny, the curator, not much help there, and an older man with some fight in him. It’s up to them to work together. Otherwise, no one will get out of this alive.

Except that the story takes place in a zoo with animals from all over the world, it reminded of a book I read years ago. I also watched the movie and really enjoyed both. It was Day of the Animals.

The author gave me the same sense of dread and gut-wrenching fear with Animal Kingdom. You just knew people were going to die and die horribly. The animals are too many to fight off.

Reading scenes about the group dynamics was very real. People react differently when their lives are at stake. Some step up, some cower, and some act like blustering buffoons. I can’t figure out why some people can’t see past their own arrogance, or should I say ignorance.

This is a book about a war we may not be able to win. About surviving minute by minute and always looking for the way out.

At the end of the book there are some short Bonus stories. They all tie into the Animal Kingdom book and the one by Eric. S. Brown, Night of the Squirrels, is very interesting!

5 STARS

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Synopsis

WELCOME TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FOOD CHAIN!

Aside from being freakishly tall, Joe is just an ordinary divorcee taking his son, Danny, to the zoo for his weekend of custody. Everything is going great until a bizarre snake attack sends everybody in the zoo running for cover. It isn’t long before Joe realizes that there is a lot more going on than a simple snake attack – and if the hungry lions, roaring gorillas, and rampaging elephants have anything to do about it, there will be more bloodshed to come.

All of the world’s animals are attacking and no one knows why. The only thing that is certain is man has fallen to the bottom of the food chain.

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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