Archive for October 9, 2026

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #9 ~ Horror Library, Volume 9

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Anthology, horror, reviews
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2026! I’m so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

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Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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

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 Horror Library, Volume 9

Editor Eric J. Guignard

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Genre: Horror / Adult

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MY REVIEW

I was so lucky to be introduced to this Horror Library back at the beginning. Appreciating how difficult it must be to tell a story in fewer words, put you in that story, develop characters and move the plot quickly has made me a huge fan.

I also love finding new authors in genres I love. I’ve sure found so many, and including new ones in this volume. And there are some familiar names in the lineup too.

With 30 stories it would take up so much space to review them individually.  So, while I’m not one to mention favorites, I’m making an exception. Here are my top five in no particular order. Found You, Before His Time, Third Floor Windows, The Drowning Kind and I don’t Wanna Go To Mexico No More, More, horror,More.

So many stories. So much individuality. So many chills and thrills. Fans of the unexpected and fearful will enjoy these sips of the known and unknown. I sure did.

5 STARS

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Synopsis

The +Horror Library+ anthologies are internationally praised as a groundbreaking source of contemporary horror short fiction stories–relevant to the moment and stunning in impact–from leading authors of the macabre and darkly imaginative.

Filled with Fears and Fantasy. Death and Dark Dreams. Monsters and Mayhem. Literary Vision and Wonder. Each volume of the +Horror Library+ series is packed with heart-pounding thrills and creepy contemplations as to what truly lurks among the shadows of the world(s) we live in.

Containing 30 all-original stories, read Volume 9 in this ongoing anthology series, and then continue with the other volumes.

Shamble no longer through the banal humdrum of normalcy, but ENTER THE HORROR LIBRARY!

Included within Volume 9:

–  In “Head Over Heels,” a sentient unicycle enacts long-sought revenge against those who have wronged it.

–  In “Eyes Without Their Lids,” a couple with no memory of their prior lives, awaken in a doorless room and in full sight of a camera that watches all they do.

–  In “False Witness,” a man whose life was saved by a mysterious voice finds himself in the midst of a worse fate.

–  . . . and more!

–  Also including a special guest-artist’s gallery of Michael A. Livolsi!

Amazon

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Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Charred By G.P. Gottlieb ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
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Charred by GP Gottlieb Banner

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CHARRED
by G.P. Gottlieb
October 5 – 30, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
A WHIPPED & SIPPED MYSTERY

  Alene Baron is already juggling frustrated employees, closed schools, and a beggar who harasses customers outside her café. Then two dead bodies are discovered in the charred remains of buildings owned by the husband of her pastry chef, Ruthie Rosin. The mystery deepens when both victims are found wearing jackets stamped with the name, “Rosin,” and crumbled in the pockets are the Whipped & Sipped café’s distinctive wrappers. As if that weren’t enough, Alene’s uncle, a convicted felon who vanished 22 years ago, suddenly appears in Chicago. With suspicion and chaos mounting, it’s all too much for the owner of the Whipped & Sipped Café.

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Praise for Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery:

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“Peopled with tons of quirky characters and loaded with family drama, Charred is so much more than the average cozy culinary mystery.” ~ Donna Thompson “The Whipped and Sipped Mystery Series is a delectable treat.” ~ Julie Ditton “Gottlieb packs a lot into this third book Charred… murder, arson, identity theft, gambling, kidnapping, destruction of property, tax evasion, uncovering a hidden basement under the cafe with tins with treasures in them, family drama, secrets, the pandemic, trying to stay healthy, learning how to live a new life in semi-quarantine….” ~ Missi Martin (Stockwell) Charred “had just enough flavor to make it delicious, and just enough mystery to keep me guessing the whole way through!” ~ Bettybee306 “This series is right up my alley, and if you love cozy mysteries with a little romance and baked goods, it will be right up your alley, too! … This is a five-star book in a very neat little package!” ~ Suzie Mumba

 

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Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery

Published by: Anamcara Press Publication Date: May 30, 2026 Number of Pages: 260 pages, Paperback ISBN: 9781960462824 (ISBN10: 1960462822) Series: A Whipped & Sipped Mystery, Book 3

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press

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The Whipped & Sipped Mystery Series

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Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery, 2
Battered
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press		   Smothered: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery, 2
Smothered
Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Anamcara Press		  

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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It was warming up inside the car. Alene searched for Kacey and Kofi through the car window and the construction fence, but there was a jungle of trees and bushes lining the sidewalk. The post-fire building site was probably soggy and disgusting. If only she’d thought of bringing an old blanket to protect the back seat from burnt wood. Kacey startled Alene by opening the passenger door and jumping back in. “He doesn’t need my help,” Kacey said as she used her shirt to clean her glasses. “We were looking for a way to get into the site and my glasses got too smudged for me to see. I’ll stay in here with you.” Kofi had probably circled the tall fence surrounding piles of wet, muddy, and burned wood, trying to get inside. Moments later, they heard an owl hoot, and Kacey whispered it was Kofi letting them know that he’d gotten past the fence. What if tromping through the remains of the fire exposed Kofi to toxic materials? He wore gloves and a mask, but it wasn’t an N95 with protection against particulates. If paper masks didn’t protect against airborne particulates, how could they protect against a cunning virus? The sun had risen, but a scrim of humidity diffused the light. Alene thought she saw Kofi alternating between moving and crouching. She figured he was trying to be invisible. He was lanky, his legs bulging with muscles from years of riding his bicycle for miles through and around the city. They both lost sight of him for about ten minutes, but suddenly he rushed back to the car and jumped into the back seat. He hadn’t taken a single piece of wood. “How was it?” Kacey asked. Alene heard Kofi’s jagged breathing and turned around to watch him pull off his gloves and hat. “It was, um, weird and chilly,” he said, haltingly. “And there wasn’t anything I could use.” His focus was sideways, out the window, and he seemed tense. Alene turned away, imagining one of Frank’s police friends driving by and stopping to ask what she was doing. They drove home in silence and trudged to the elevators. Kofi, usually cheerful after an expedition to find materials, was unreadable and oddly stone-faced as he thanked Alene for the ride. Kacey mouthed her thanks as she unlocked her door, and Alene held her hand to her ear in a sign for Kacey to call later. Alene unlocked her own door, wondering why Kofi hadn’t found even one usable piece of wood. Before she could take off her jacket, her phone rang. “Kofi wants you to promise not to tell Frank about this morning,” Kacey said in a whisper. It seemed unnecessary; it wasn’t as if Kofi had started the fire, and Frank was a homicide detective, not a cop on the lookout for arsonists. “I can’t promise that. We tell each other everything,” said Alene, “But there’s nothing to tell, because Kofi came up empty.” “He’s worried that someone saw us there and the police will get him for trespassing,” said Kacey. Alene could hear her sniffling. Alene had already frittered away forty-five minutes driving them over there and waiting for Kofi to hunt for wood. “Come on, Kacey,” she said. “We didn’t see anyone, and no one saw us.” “But are you going to tell Frank that we were there?” Kacey asked. “Kacey, Frank would never do anything to hurt me or the people I love.” Being with Kacey had always required patience. “And I’m driving the getaway car, so if we were committing a crime, I’d be just as guilty.” Kacey said, “I hope you’re right.” She sounded more than a little paranoid. *** Excerpt from Charred by GP Gottlieb. Copyright 2026 by GP Gottlieb. Reproduced with permission from GP Gottlieb. All rights reserved.

 

 

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About Author G.P. Gottlieb:

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GP Gottlieb

G.P. Gottlieb is the author of the Whipped & Sipped Mysteries (Battered, Smothered, and Charred, Anamcara Press). She is on the board of Sisters in Crime Chicagoland and a member of SinC Colorado, MWA, and Blackbird Writers. As host of New Books in Literature, a podcast channel on the New Books Network, she has interviewed over 280 authors.

Catch Up With G.P. Gottlieb:

gpgottlieb.com Substack Amazon Author Profile Goodreads – G.P. Gottlieb BookBub – @gpgottlieb Instagram – @whippedsipped Threads – @whippedsipped X – @GottliebGp BlueSky – @gpgottlieb.bsky.social Facebook – @authorgottlieb

 

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Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Take a Whisk and Enter!
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Charred. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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CHARRED by GP Gottlieb | 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.

The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor By Michael Mizov ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, horror
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Suthor Michael Mizov will be awarding a $10 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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The Last Heir Of Bradbury Manor

By Michael Mizov

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Genre: Gothic Psychological Horror

Synopsis

The Last Heir of Bradbury Manor is an atmospheric gothic horror novel of haunted inheritance, family curses, and the terrifying secrets buried beneath a crumbling Yorkshire estate.

Lottie Bradbury has not set foot in Bradbury Manor for twelve years. Sent away as a child following her mother’s tragic death, she is summoned home in 1919 by the estranged father she barely knows. The once-great estate is failing, burdened by debt, decay, and generations of neglect. Her return comes with a price: an arranged marriage intended to save what remains of the Bradbury legacy.

But Bradbury Manor is not merely old.

At night, the house makes itself known. Strange sounds echo through the corridors. Rooms refuse to stay still. Moments slip out of place. The past refuses to remain buried.

As Lottie is drawn deeper into her family’s history, she uncovers a pattern stretching back centuries, one marked by unexplained deaths, buried betrayals, and a curse that never truly ends. It simply passes from one generation to the next. Everyone expects her to take her place. To continue what came before.

Caught between the expectations of her father, the promise of a future beyond the estate, and the growing realization that something is terribly wrong within Bradbury Manor, Lottie must decide how much of the truth she is willing to uncover and what it may cost her when she does. The closer she gets to the answers, the harder it becomes to tell whether she is exposing the darkness surrounding her family or being led deeper into it.

Perfect for readers of Mexican Gothic, The Silent Companions, and Rebecca, The Last Heir of Bradbury Manor blends haunted houses, family secrets, supernatural mystery, psychological tension, and the enduring power of the past.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

She didn’t remember falling asleep, only waking to the creak of floorboards outside her door.

For a strange moment, she felt as though she had surfaced from deep water, everything out of focus, too loud, the world arriving a heartbeat later than it should. The curtains were drawn. No moonlight. True dark.

The rumbling of her stomach reminded her that dinner was promised, but the footsteps continued down the hall. Her father, perhaps, finally going to bed.

The footsteps stopped. Turned. Marched back to her door. Was he coming to check on her?

She waited.

No knock. No motion. Stillness. She waited until waiting felt worse than opening the door. Creeping toward it, she listened.

Silence.

Lottie opened it.

No one. The hallway stretched empty in both directions.

“Father?” she called into the hallway, so softly she could barely hear herself.

No reply. But she was certain someone had been standing outside. She told herself it was the wind. Or the floor settling. But she didn’t believe it. The hairs on her neck rose. She slammed the door harder than she meant to.

Footsteps approached the moment it shut. Clapping a hand over her mouth, she stifled a scream.

The silence was worse than the steps. Something on the other side was listening too. Backing away from the door, she bumped into a serving cart she hadn’t seen. The silver lid of a covered dish fell to the floor with a crash. The tea beside it was still steaming.

Heart pounding, she turned on the light. The clock read half past one.

Morning was a long way off. She wasn’t sure what frightened her more: that the hallway had been empty, or that it hadn’t.

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About Author Michael Mizov:

Michael writes dark fiction that explores psychological breakdowns, fractured identity, and the strange absurdities of life. When not writing, he works in B2B marketing, renovates a possibly haunted Victorian house, and wrangles twin daughters with his wife in New Jersey.

Accolades:
2025 Top 100: Cheshire Novel Prize National Flash Fiction Day 2025: FlashFlood: Debut Flash: ‘Nobody’s Home’ by Michael Mizov Festivals: Michael Mizov – Awards – IMDb

Website / Instagram / Twitter / BlueSky / TikTok / Goodreads

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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.

Lunar Seductions Limited Edition ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
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When the moon rises, desire follows.

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Lunar Seductions

A Limited-Edition Collection of Paranormal and Fantasy
Romance Stories

Including stories by:

Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author

Charmaine Louise Shelton

Nadine D. Price

Danika LaRue

Kiera Rose

Peyton Lawson

Celia Breslin

Ravyn Wilde

Ryan L Reeve

When the moon rises,
desire follows.

Some lovers are chosen.

Some are destined.

And some are the kind you should run from, but where would be the fun
in that?

Lunar Seductions brings together nine steamy tales of supernatural
desire, dangerous attraction, and romance that refuses to play by mortal rules.

Lose yourself among shifters, monsters, psychics, goddesses, and other
creatures of the night. Meet lovers bound by fate, trapped by circumstance,
divided by old grudges, or drawn together despite every reason to stay apart.

There are secrets to uncover, enemies to tempt, boundaries to cross,
and more than a few teeth and claws waiting in the dark.

Give in to temptation.

The moon won’t tell.

Including stories by:

Stephanie Morris – USA Today bestselling author

Charmaine Louise Shelton

Nadine D. Price

Danika LaRue

Kiera Rose

Peyton Lawson

Celia Breslin

Ravyn Wilde

Ryan L Reeve

 

Amazon
* Apple
* Google
* Kobo
* Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Diamond Moon Rising

by Celia Breslin

(included in Lunar Seductions anthology)

 

Her wolf wants him. Her human side wants out.

After her last shift nearly kills her, human-wolf hybrid Darci has had
enough—it’s time to stop shifting once and for all. Armed with a cryptic note
from her dead shifter dad, she sets out in search of his mythical hometown in
the wilds of Rogue Valley, Oregon, hoping Dad is right, and the shifters there
might help.

As a dominant beta and pack protector, Ross is never taken by
surprise…until a half-wolf half-human pixie with the biggest green eyes he’s
ever seen lands on his doorstep. It’s rare for strangers to venture into their
world—rarer still for a fated mate to literally fall into your arms. But she
did, and he recognizes her immediately as his one and only.

Darci isn’t sure about the whole mate business. She just wants a normal
human life, free from shifting. Ross won’t give up on her wolf and tries to
help her accept her true nature and their mate bond. But the Full Moon is three
days away, threatening Darci with a potentially deadly shift, and certain pack
members would rather kill a human than help one. Darci might not survive long
enough to trust Ross with her heart.

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A thump from outside on his deck,
heavier than the staccato taps of the hail, halted him in his foyer. More
offbeat thuds sounded near the front door.

Company
in this weather?

No
one would venture up his private road uninvited…

He
stalked to his door and released a bit of power in warning. If they were a
shifter, they would likely take the hint. And if they didn’t… Well, he was a
dominant wolf, a Beta, and one of the alpha’s enforcers.

They
don’t stand a chance.

The
feedback froze his fingers on the doorknob.

Female.

He
inhaled. Damn, she smells good.

Human.
Wolf.

Wait…both?

The
copper tang of blood hit his nose. She’s injured.

He
flung open the door and caught his visitor off guard, one small, white fist
raised to knock. The woman startled then fell forward. Ross caught her in his
arms then pulled her inside, kicking the door shut with one booted foot.

The
petite female sagged against him, a shivering bundle of sopping wet woman.
Underneath the dampness, her scent drop-kicked his gut.

Fresh
and sweet, like apples dipped in cinnamon and honey.

His
body perked up, taking extreme notice. A growl of possession threatened to tear
out of his throat, and an ancient, primal energy stirred to life inside him,
accelerating his pulse.

Holy
hell, she’s my potential mate.

The
scent of her blood spurred him into action. He lowered her gently to the floor.
“Are you okay?”

His
instincts urged him to check her for wounds everywhere, but he was a stranger
and didn’t want to spook her. But goddamn, he wanted to touch her. Peel off her
wet clothes. To see all of her and warm her with his body.

With
a jacket covering her torso, baggy jeans hiding her legs, and a ball cap pulled
low over her face, all he could see so far was her quivering pale chin, full
red lips, and delicate, trembling fingers peeking out from her coat sleeves.

“S-s-sorry,
d-dripping all ov-v-ver your f-f-floor,” she said, her teeth chattering.

Her
snow-white fingers curled into fists, her arms trembling with the effort to
keep herself upright. Blood droplets dotted the floor plank near her hip.

To
hell with propriety.
“You’re injured. Let me help you.” He pulled up her cap and damn near swallowed
his tongue.

Big
green eyes blinked up at him from a face so pale it made him think of
moonlight. Drenched, short black hair lay plastered to her head, the ends
framing features reminiscent of the fairies his sister loved to draw.

Ethereal
beauty. Want her to be my beauty.

She
flinched and batted his hand away. “Stop,” she rasped before listing to her
side, her body trembling.

With
the cold or fear?

He
desperately didn’t want her to be afraid. “Sorry. Please, let me help you. I’m
Ross. You’re safe here. I promise.”

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Celia Breslin lives in San Francisco, California, USA, with
her family, including three feisty felines who like to stalk across her
keyboard while she’s hard at work crafting urban fantasy, sci-fi and paranormal
romances. When not glued to her laptop, Celia likes to work out, read books (of
course!), hang with her family, and binge-watch sci-fi and fantasy TV shows and
movies. Matcha lattes keep her fueled for All The Life Stuff!

Website * Facebook *Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon
* Goodreads

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Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a giveaway!

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.