Author Archive

 

THE PERFECT ONE
by Shelly M Patel
January 14, 2025 Cover Reveal

 

 

Synopsis:

Lyla and Jack seemed to have it all. A picture-perfect marriage, thriving careers, and a future brimming with promise. Lyla, an ambitious District Attorney, earned accolades in Virginia Beach, while Jack, the town’s steadfast sheriff, stood as her most powerful ally. Their close bond with the Davidsons—Riya, a celebrated author, and Brent, a cunning defense attorney—added a touch of warmth to their seemingly idyllic lives. But perfection is often a mirage. The illusion shatters when Brent Davidson is found savagely murdered at Lyla and Jack’s remote cabin. Suspicion immediately falls on Lyla, the last person to see him alive. The once-solid foundation of her life begins to crumble as whispers of guilt grow louder, threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. Removed from the investigation due to his connection to the suspect, Jack is forced to watch helplessly as the case is handed to Detective Aiden. Aiden is a relentless investigator with a personal vendetta against both Jack and Lyla. He is determined to see Lyla behind bars, no matter what the cost. When the body of Lyla’s stepfather—missing for fifteen years—is discovered, the investigation takes an even darker turn. Lyla is entangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and deadly secrets as her past collides violently with her present. With mounting evidence tying her to not one but two murders, she faces the terrifying possibility that she may never clear her name. Paranoia takes root, and Lyla and Jack begin questioning everyone, even each other. Is this the work of a bitter adversary from Lyla’s courtroom victories? Or is the actual threat lurking much closer—someone they once trusted implicitly, now bent on tearing their world apart? With her career, marriage, and freedom at stake, Lyla must race against time to untangle the twisted threads of deceit and unmask the real killer before it’s too late. How well do we truly know anyone?

 

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Thrillers, Suspense, Womens Fiction

Published by: Indie Scheduled Publication Date: March 21, 2025 Number of Pages: 269

 

About Author Shelly M. Patel:

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Shelly M Patel

Shelly M. Patel enjoys writing mystery books. Her first Children’s book, Jake has Dyslexia, entered the Reader’s Choice award in 2021. In 2023, she won second place in CloutBooks for the Reader’s Choice Award for her novel When Secrets Kill. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, three beautiful children, and their dog, Teddy

Catch Up With Shelly: BooksByShelly.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @shellymauthor Instagram – @shellympatel Threads – @shellympatel Facebook

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these sites to play along in the cover reveal and follow them for more reviews, excerpts, and release info for The Perfect One by Shelly M Patel! 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 Shelly M Patel. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!  

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Book Details:

  The Axe by Linda Griffin
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  66 pages (1 hour, 46 minutes)
Genre: Mystery, Suspense
PublisherACX (ebook edition by The Wild Rose Press)
Release date:  July 2024 (ebook edition September 2023)
Content Rating:  PG-13A few f-words. Sexual violence that is not depicted, but is described by the victim (not explicitly) and may trigger some listeners. ​

 

Book Description:

Sweethearts Eric Leidheldt and Desiree Chauveau are spending a weekend at his uncle’s cabin when they encounter two strangers cutting wood. Eric is knocked unconscious, and Desi is viciously attacked. The following day two police officers come to their apartment to arrest Desi. Her assailants are dead, murdered with an axe, and her fingerprints are on it. She confesses but is she really guilty? Eric is determined to stand by her, but the physical and emotional effects of the attack severely challenge their relationship. ​
 
BUY THE BOOK:
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​add to goodreads
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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR LINDA GRIFFIN:
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Want to know more? Let’s talk to the characters, starting with Desiree:

What draws you to Eric?

Are you kidding? Have you seen his eyes? No, seriously, he’s a really nice guy. He’s very smart too, and not just brainy, but down-to-earth common-sense kind of smart. The most important thing though is that he lets me be me. I never feel like he’s competing with me or condescending to me. He came from a fancy, rich family, and I was just a kicked around foster kid, so you’d think he’d be all superior and stuck up, but he’s not. We’re more alike than we’re different. In the beginning, he made me feel safe…but now nothing makes me feel safe.

Tell us how you came to be in your current dilemma.   

We just wanted to have a nice weekend, and Eric’s uncle has this great cabin in the woods over near Nickels, in the back country. There was somebody cutting wood on the property without permission, and Eric told me to go on up to the cabin while he talked to them, but of course I didn’t. I was afraid he’d start a fight. And those bastards…They deserved it…I don’t want to talk about it.

Why do you turn to Eric for help?  

Honestly, I tried not to. He’s too good a guy to be dragged down with me, and I know he can’t really understand what I’m going through. But damn it, he wants to help, and he tries so hard, and for some strange reason he loves me. He still loves me. He’s all I have.

And now, let’s hear from Eric:

What draws you to Desi?  

You mean aside from how pretty she is? From the first time I saw her I couldn’t get enough of that smile. She had a rough start in life, and I admire the way she overcame it. I love her sense of humor and even her stubborn streak. She isn’t like anybody else I ever met. I never believed in fated love or any of that nonsense, but when I met Desi I knew I was done for. She’s the person I want to share the rest of my life with.

Why do you agree to help her?  

I can’t imagine not wanting to help her. I love her. We’re a great team. Even if we have to fight or wait a long time to be together, I don’t think we can give up on that. She thinks this has changed her, but I know everything I love about her is still there.

What is your biggest fear?  

That what happened to her will come between us and destroy our relationship. I can deal with anything else.

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Meet Author Linda Griffin:

Linda Griffin knew she wanted to be a “book maker” as soon as she learned to read and wrote her first story at the age of six. Her passion for the printed word also led her to a career with the San Diego Public Library. She retired to spend more time on her writing and has had stories published in numerous literary journals The Wild Rose Press has published nine of her novels. In addition to the three R’s—reading, writing, and research—she enjoys travel, movies, Scrabble, and visiting museums and art galleries. .

connect with the author: website ~X ~ facebook ~ instagram ~  goodreads


 
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THE AXE by Linda Griffin Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

 



THE SUN’S SHADOW by Sejal Badani
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 331 pages
Genre:  Literary
Publisher:  Lake Union
Release date:   January 28, 2025
Content Rating:  PG: Has 2 sex scenes with subtle descriptions. No bad language.

 

Book Description:

“A captivating story… richly woven narrative with vivid characters. A perfect story.”

From the bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret comes an unflinching exploration of betrayal, forgiveness, and the healing power of a second chance.

Celine’s life is spiraling out of control. She’s in danger of losing the beloved equestrian farm that was her childhood home. Her distant husband, Eric, is devoting a suspicious amount of time to a stunning new colleague. Then her young son, Brian, receives a devastating cancer diagnosis. How much worse can things get?

Felicity has uprooted her career and her teenage son, Justin, to get closer to Eric. She’s tired of keeping his secrets―that Eric’s frequent “business trips” have been spent playing family with them. Felicity is determined to get her happily ever after, even if it means confronting Celine at a delicate time.

​But when Brian’s prognosis worsens, and a transplant from Justin becomes his best chance at survival, Felicity must make a wrenching decision about her son’s well-being―and Celine must accept that the “other woman” is her only hope. In another life Celine and Felicity might have been friends. Can they put aside the pain between them to do what’s best for their families―and their own futures?

 
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GUEST POST
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I Didn’t Know Being a Bestselling-Selling Author Meant

I had no idea that becoming a bestselling author would mean enduring hundreds of rejections before even scratching the surface of success. One of the most common questions I’m asked is what it felt like to have overnight success. The truth? I wouldn’t know.

Writing has been my dream for as long as I can remember. As a child, I devoured every book I could get my hands on and dreamed of one day seeing my name on a cover. At ten years old, I wrote my first novel—a story I cherished like a prized jewel. It was a perfect reflection of all my creativity and ambition. Looking back, though, I’m sure any editor would have had plenty to say about it.

As I grew older, my father had a different vision for my future. He often told me I could be anything I wanted—so long as it was either a doctor or a lawyer. So, I put my dream aside and followed the traditional path. I graduated from law school and began working as an attorney. But the pull of writing never left me. Eventually, I decided to take a leap of faith and return to my first love.

I poured my heart into writing—screenplays, short stories, drafts of novels—and submitted my work to agents with unshakable optimism. I was certain they would see the brilliance I felt in my own words. But instead of the validation I craved, I received rejection after rejection. Some of my proudest pieces didn’t even make it past the first gatekeepers. Each “no” chipped away at my confidence, leaving me questioning my talent and whether this career was meant for me.

Still, I refused to let doubt win. Every rejection letter became an opportunity: I gave them to my five-year-old daughter, who gleefully cut them up with her little scissors. It became a strange sort of ritual—turning discouragement into something lighter. And I kept going. I wrote more, refined my craft, and pitched my work to agents and publishers I had no business reaching out to. I was determined to see my dream through.

After years of perseverance, the tide finally turned. My debut novel, Trail of Broken Wings, was published—and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Meet Author Sejal Badani:

Sejal Badani is the Amazon Charts, USA Today, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Storyteller’s Secret and Trail of Broken Wings. She is also a Goodreads Best Fiction award and ABC/Disney Writing Fellowship finalist whose work has been published in over fifteen languages.

Connect with the author: Website  ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest
Instagram ~ Goodreads


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THE SUN’S SHADOW by Sejal Badani Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Costume Box organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Peter Hynes will award 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.

The Costume Box

by Peter Hynes

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Genre: Poetry

Synopsis

This is the second edition of poetry written by Peter Hynes, after Under the Oak. I hope you enjoy reading these poems, and perhaps I can make you think about things you might not ordinarily think about.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

fame and fortune

 

his voice insinuates itself

to repeat his songs

in your loving ears,

so that wherever you go

you see him in your mind

and hear his love returning yours

as the refrain echoes

in your lonely heart,

making your empty head think,

inspiring the realisation

that for all his supposed success

he’s still not really satisfied

nor immensely happy

 

that’s because he recognises

that fame and fortune

have led to old friends

turning their faces away

when they see him on the street

because they can’t stand to hear

how he’s eclipsed them—

not what he thinks,

but which they believe

in their dreamless,

too-frequently jealous minds,

 

all of them evidently incapable

of comprehending,

or perhaps conveniently forgetting,

the sacrifices he’s had to make

to achieve this level of celebrity,

or that he’s serious when he says

that he’d gladly chuck the lot

if only he could go back

to the days when he was poor,

struggling and sleeping on floors

and have his friends’ love again

 

which I would think

is probably what explains

the sadness which has crept

into so many of the songs

he’s writing nowadays

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About Author Peter Hynes:

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Peter Hynes is a Canadian. He began writing poetry many years ago, in high school. His poetry has been published in various anthologies and elsewhere since. This is his first book of poems. He was born in southwestern Ontario. He still lives in the province with his wife and their small menagerie.

 

Website / Instagram / Goodreads / Bookfunnel

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / Walmart / Booktopia

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Where the Road Ends

by Kathryn Beck

 

 

Publication date: January 13th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

 

Bartender Mara Sawyer has sixty days to turn her life around. If she can’t, Mara will lose the chance to regain custody of her daughter. Never having envisioned her life as a living, breathing, public service announcement for the Wyoming judicial system, Mara embraces the judge’s harsh rebuke. Finding a steady job will be easy, finishing school will be easy. Eluding the distraction of the new swaggering Texan, Luke Whitten, will be anything but easy.

With all her cards on the table, Luke and Mara build a strong friendship and along the way, she gives herself permission to fall in love again. When Mara’s ex offers up full custody in exchange for betraying Luke, Mara must choose — her daughter’s happiness, or her own.

Goodreads / Amazon / Wild Rose Press

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Enjoy this peek inside:

New guy held up his finger for the fourth time in an hour.

She swept his plate and silverware into the dirty dishes bucket and pulled the handle to deliver him another beer. “Are you sure you don’t want a shot of something?” She waved at the collection of liquor bottles behind her. “Your something unpleasant is going to get expensive at some point.”

He ran his finger along the grain of the wood, up the condensation of the glass. His hands were large and calloused. Workingman’s hands.

Refusing to bite, or speak apparently, he looked up and smiled.

Twisting around, she grabbed up one of their generic, bar-grade bottles. “You look like a tequila man.”

“A tequila man, huh?” He raised one eyebrow, motioned with his finger for her to pour. “Sure, you want to call that tequila?”

She glanced at the bottle, thought again, and grabbed up a bottle of Sagebrush, her mid-grade agave tequila, and held it up for inspection. “Better?”

“I’m impressed.” He nodded as she was poised to pour.

“So, a man who knows his tequilas. A man not in his element with this weather.” She glanced at his ambiguous touristy ball cap. “You’re from Texas.”

He extended a killer smile that swept all the sharpness away in an instant. “And how would you know that?”

“Simple.” She looked at his hands, at his chest. “We get a lot of oil guys in here. But oil guys in Wyoming are different.”

She nodded at a customer a couple of bar stools down, held her finger up to new guy.

He shot down his tequila and winced, looped his finger as she got back to him. “You realize you’d be laughed out of the Lone Star State with your tequila selection.”

“Maybe, but that means I’m right about the Texas part though.”

He rocked his head from side to side. “Perhaps.”

“Ball cap is a dead giveaway.” She floated her head sideways to indicate the packed bar. “Wyoming boys wear them backward, trying to look cool, or what they think is cool. Texas boys are already confident, wear their caps like grown men should.” She was flirting, but he was a safe sort. The kind just passing through on their way somewhere else. Not like he’d be interested in her anyways. Since the courtroom visit—her sweet and salty explosion of junk food continued, ending last night with an entire key lime pie. Instinctively, she glanced down the counter to Angela. But here new guy sat, had sat. She knew better than to read anything into that.

After three shots, he slowed down, nursing his beer, staring so intently at the coaster, there had to be something unpleasant and deep going on. There was no way one night on her barstool would touch his problems. No matter how many shots he did.

But in an instant, his buzzed ass stared at her with blue eyes, glacier blue, burning straight to her insides. She liked to think she could hold her own looking someone in the eye, but she was the first to look away. She didn’t need anyone trying to analyze her lengthy list of problems.

“Do you have family here?” she asked, trying again. She’d never worked so hard for a conversation. Two nights off diminished her let-me-into-your-world vibes.

“Huh?”

“Mom, brother, sister? What you Texas boys may call kinfolk?”

She didn’t miss the flinch when she said brother. She also didn’t miss his eyes lighting up and the bite at his lip when mentioning a sister. Within ten short seconds he pulled out a photo of not only his sister, but two adorable nephews, in full cowboy attire.

He put his credit card on the bar and returned the pictures to their sleeves. After he signed the receipt, he hitched his hip and jammed his wallet into the back pocket of well-worn, faded-to-soft jeans.

He tipped his cap, looking over the crowd for a minute, and turned his hat around backward, making her laugh. “Does that make me blend better?”

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About Author Kathryn Beck:

Kathryn is a transplanted Canadian who now calls Texas home. She loves writing strong, morally gray women tackling complex relationships and their messy lives. Kathryn enjoys road trips, spa weekend getaways, and spending time with family and friends.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / X

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

 

 
The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City by Sofie Wells & Ali Barclay
CategoryChildren’s Fiction (Ages 3-7), 32 pages
GenreChildren’s Picture Book.
Publisher: Kendam Press
Publication Date: January 6, 2025.
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

Charlie Wags is a seemingly ordinary pup. He sits on command, is appropriately needy, and only sometimes begs for treats.

But Charlie has an extraordinary secret. He loves to travel the world and has a special trick to do so: his wagging tail can whisk him away to far-off places.

This time, he’s off to the Big Apple!

Embark on a panoramic tour of New York City led by ever-curious pup, Charlie Wags! From the serenity of Central Park to the dazzling lights of Times Square, Charlie explores the city that never sleeps before returning home for bedtime.

Wherever you may be, The World Is Just a Wag Away ™

BUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON 

add to goodreads
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Meet the Authors:

Sister-author duo Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay form the writing team behind The Tales of Charlie Wags picture book series. The series offers young explorers a baseline introduction to the world’s most famous cities. As daughters of immigrants, their family heritage exposed the sisters to the importance of cultural diversity early on. Their parents prioritized showing them the world, even on a tight budget. This instilled in them the idea that travel is one of the best forms of education.

​Knowing that not all children had the chance to explore the world firsthand, Sofie and Ali decided to put pen to paper and create a story they had in their minds for many years about a globetrotting dog. Their series mission is simple: provide a conversational understanding of the world’s most famous cities through charming stories that make far-off places accessible to every child and family.

connect with the author: website instagram facebook goodreads


 
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THE TALES OF CHARLIE WAGS: NYC by Ali Barclay and Sofie Wells Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Passions

by Sheritta Bitikofer

 

 

Publication date: January 10th 2025
Genres: Adult, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

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His world was dark until she brought the light…

Chloe Kaspin has two dreams. Find a quiet place to recover from an abusive ex-boyfriend, and to make a living as a writer. The first dream is fulfilled when she inherits her beloved aunt’s cabin in the Georgia mountains. Now the second dream is up to her. Then she finds mysterious notes critiquing her work. Has a dangerous stranger managed to invade her refuge? Or is her cabin as haunted as the townsfolk say it is?

Gavin Caras immigrated from England to Georgia in 1733. While pursuing his dream of being a writer, his entire family is wiped out by a mysterious infection. Only Gavin survives, not only alone, but with a hunger that can only be satisfied by blood. For generations, he’s managed to hide in the basement of the cabin he built. But now his cabin is occupied by a woman who shares at least one of his passions: the world of the written word. Late one night, he finally reveals himself to her, not a ghost, but a man driven by an unholy hunger, a passion he would die to end if he could.

The autumn winds may be chilly but Gavin warms Chloe’s heart. Then children go missing in the nearby town. Has Gavin been lying to Chloe? She’s willing to help him find a way to end his blood-lust, but the cost may be too high. Chloe and Gavin can’t rewrite the past. Can they survive to write a new future together?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Her eyes shifted toward her desk on her way to the kitchen, and her heart jumped against her ribcage as she saw more writing on her notepad.

Another letter. This one was longer.

Chloe was jolted awake once more, just as she had been the day before. The disquieting thought rammed through her sleepy head that the locks hadn’t worked. Without taking the time yet to read the letter, she checked the windows and the doors. Again, there was no sign of forced entry.

Chloe’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought it over. With the locks on the two doors, there was no way the intruder could have broken in, written that note, and then returned the locks to their original positions on their way out. The same went for the windows. How were they getting inside?

She sighed heavily and ran a set of long nails through her dark wavy hair, snagging on a few tangles at the back of her head. There was nothing she could do about it now. Perhaps there was nothing she could do to prevent this from happening time and time again.

Shuffling to her desk, she sat down and read the perfect cursive writing, feeling mixed emotions as her eyes followed the words.

I thought you would never go to sleep. I do not appreciate waiting. Next time, do us both a favor and get to sleep at an earlier time.

Chloe’s jaw dropped. Had they been watching her the whole night? They knew when she was still up writing? A cold chill ran up her spine at the thought of someone spying on her. Wrapping the robe around her chest a little tighter, she continued.

As for your manuscript, I noticed you made the changes I suggested. Excellent work. You have a firm grasp of dialogue composition. Their conversations are believable. But, I do suggest that you avoid writing from the male point of view. This is not meant as an offense to you, but you obviously do not understand the inner workings of the male mind. As a writer, if you narrate strictly from the female’s perspective, you will sound more competent in the genre you have chosen. Nonetheless, your story is coming along just fine. I look forward to reading more. Yours sincerely – G

Chloe was stunned. She leaned against the slatted back of the chair and stared dumbly at the wall.

She didn’t know what to think. Whoever this was had noticed the changes as well as read through the additions she made the day before. Not only that, but they commended her for it and exonerated her dialogue style. She took no offense to their comment about writing from the male point of view. It was difficult and uncomfortable to put herself inside the male brain and try to figure out how their thought process worked. It had always been something of an impossible task, and she took no joy in it.

Deducing from that comment alone, she assumed her mystery correspondent must be a man. Why else would he be so knowledgeable on how the male mind does or does not work?

If she adhered to this instruction, there were many changes she’d have to make to the story. There were several scenes with only her male protagonist present and his thoughts on the female. She’d have to change the whole book to an omnipresent perspective if she wanted to keep those scenes. But wasn’t that pretty much the same thing she was already doing?

Chloe groaned and held her head in her hands, propping her elbows on her closed laptop. She hated herself for taking these notes so seriously. The thought that a complete stranger was somehow breaking into her home, just to write these silly critiques, was far from her mind. All she could think about was obeying the suggestions as if his opinion was valid and worth her consideration.

Then it occurred to her that she wasn’t writing for this stranger. She was writing for herself. Why did she have to change her entire story just to accommodate him, of all people? A stranger she had never met and was forcing his way into her home somehow without any trace or reason.

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About Author Sheritta Bitikofer:

An author of paranormal and urban fantasy fiction, Sheritta Bitikofer lives for the deep, engaging stories that enthrall readers from cover to cover. As a wife and fur-mama of eclectic tastes, she can be found roaming Civil War battlefields, perusing the romance section of the bookstore, or relaxing with a plate of chili cheese fries.

Take a look at the books she has available and stay tuned for new releases.

Also visit her official author website at: www.sherittabitikofer.com and her writing blog at www.moonstruckwriting.wordpress.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X / Blog / Newsletter

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Deadly Performance: A World War II Mystery
(Deadly Series)
by Kate Parker

 


Deadly Performance: A World War II Mystery (Deadly Series)
Historical Cozy Mystery
12th in Series
Setting -West End of London, Summer, 1941
Publisher ‏ : ‎ JDP Press (December 9, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 303 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DNNQ23F4

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Behind the spotlights and glamour lurk secrets and murder.

Amid the grim realities of wartime Britain, inside during the blackout hidden from the tatters left by the Blitz, glitz and glamour live onstage in the West End. But at one theater, The Regent, a malevolent force is causing escalating problems. Sabotage, damage and injury feed mistrust among the cast and crew.

Then during opening night, the hated director drops dead from poison, and Olivia Redmond’s colorful, kindly editor is arrested for murder. Determined to investigate, Olivia finds secrets piling up among the bodies. But which secret leads to a crafty killer who won’t hesitate to remove anyone in their way, including Olivia.

About Kate Parker

Kate Parker has long wanted to build a time travel machine. However, after several false starts, she gave up and created time travel by going back in time inside her books. Since she’s fond of murder mysteries, it is probably best that all of her travel is inside books or police from various ages would be hunting her. When not recreating old time buildings and fashions, she can be found with a modern computer and modern air conditioning in North Carolina with her daughter and a 115 lb. puppy who could just crash through any time barrier.

Author Links: Website / Facebook

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NAppleKobo 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 6 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

January 6 – Frugal Freelancer – AUTHOR GUEST POST

January 7 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

January 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 8 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

January 9 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

January 9 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

January 10 – Cozy Up WIth Kathy – REVIEW

January 10 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

January 11 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

January 11 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

January 12 –  FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

January 13 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

January 14 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 15 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Things to be happy about:

Rereading your favorite book

Putting on fluffy socks and a warm bathrobe

Doing crossword puzzles until 3:00 AM

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver

by D. Wallace Peach

 

 

Publication date: January 9th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

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“Already the animals starve. Soon the bonemen will follow, the Moss Folk and woodlings, the watermaids and humans. Then the charmed will fade. And all who will roam a dead world are dead things. Until they too vanish for lack of remembering. Still, Weaver, it is not too late.”

In the frost-kissed cottage where the changing seasons are spun, Erith wears the Weaver’s mantle, a title that tests her mortal, halfling magic. As the equinox looms, her first tapestry nears completion—a breathtaking ode to spring. She journeys to the charmed isle of Innishold to release the beauty of nature’s awakening across the land.

But human hunters have defiled the enchanted forest and slaughtered winter’s white wolves. Enraged by the trespass, the Winter King seizes Erith’s tapestry and locks her within his ice-bound palace. Here, where comfort and warmth are mere glamours, she may weave only winter until every mortal village succumbs to starvation, ice, and the gray wraiths haunting the snow.

With humanity’s fate on a perilous edge, Erith must break free of the king’s grasp and unravel a legacy of secrets. In a charmed court where illusions hold sway, allies matter, foremost among them, the Autumn Prince. Immortal and beguiling, he offers a tantalizing future she has only imagined, one she will never possess—unless she claims her extraordinary power to weave life from the brink of death.

In the lyrical fantasy tradition of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, D. Wallace Peach spins a spellbinding tale of magic, resilience, and the transformative potency of tales—a tapestry woven with peril and hope set against the frigid backdrop of an eternal winter.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

A wicker basket of colorful spools rested at my feet. I picked through the bewitched thread my mother had hand-spun long before my birth. No matter how many seasons passed, the spools unwound and unwound, and I no longer fretted about reaching their ends. There was no end to magic, no end to the seasons, no end to my place on the cusp of two worlds.

A delicate pink caught my eye, a color crafted from the cherry blossoms bordering my garden. I held it against the tapestry, testing its suitability for flowering plum trees and coral bells I’d stitch into the meadows and along the forest’s edge.

“Should you desire my opinion, Erith,” a small voice piped up, “it requires a touch of carnation and a shimmer of sunshine. On the dogwood blossoms as well.”

“I wondered about those.” My gaze rose to my knee-high hospet. He sat cross-legged on the hearthstone in front of our shrinking fire, cracking walnuts with his sharp teeth. The creature blinked at me with eyes as clear as spring water, his waistcoat buttoned, cheeks rosy, and cinnamon hair parted in the middle like a magistrate. Nobbin kept my wood and moss cottage tidy, expecting little beyond customary respect and an occasional outfit when his garments aged past mending.

He also took it upon himself to offer artistic advice since my mother had chosen to join my father in the underworld.

“I might leave them as they are,” I said. “Dogwoods are white.”

Nobbin’s eyebrows tilted up in an expression of devilish skepticism. “Spring’s princess will agree with me. Give it a brush of magic. I know you dabble when I’m otherwise occupied.”

“You spy on me?”

“I’m observant. And I’m charmed.” He flicked his handcloth at the window. “Snow doesn’t glitter like that without your touch, my girl. You added that sparkle to your mother’s tapestry, and it impressed the Winter King.”

“Do you think so?” A blush heated my cheeks. “From what I’ve gathered, he’s not one to dole out compliments.”

“None of them are.” Nobbin held up a nut as if inspecting a precious gem. “Such is the nature of immortals. Add a layer of royalty on top, and we are lucky they don’t dismember anyone or anything tarnishing their crowns.”

“Dismember?” I cringed at the grisly thought and drew my black shawl around my shoulders. “My mother told me the courtiers are kind and cruel in equal measure. Without good reason for either.”

Not one to speak with his mouth full, Nobbin raised a finger and swallowed a morsel of walnut. “Indeed, they’re notoriously whimsical. But you are their weaver, and every artist must begin somewhere. You will earn your place, Erith, though it is no simple task to prove your power and demand respect. Spring is the first tapestry you may claim as your own creation, and it is a glorious start. I have untold faith in you.”

I smiled gratefully and stifled a shudder at the challenge ahead. Despite Nobbin’s trust in me, my confidence wavered like a weathervane on a gusty day. I’d done my best, and it would have to serve. The seasons’ rulers wouldn’t dismember me on a whim. I hoped.

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About Author D. Wallace Peach:

Best-selling author D. Wallace Peach grew up surrounded by her father’s well-loved paperback books. Fantasy was a staple, but it was Tolkien’s The Hobbit that planted the seeds which would grow into a passion for writing.

Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.
In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.
Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Myths of the Mirror

 

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A Perilous Premiere (Stone & Steele Mysteries)
by Gail Meath

 


A Perilous Premiere (Stone & Steele Mysteries)
Historical Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Cranberry Pond Publishing (November 15, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 182 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8227660671
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CZS3J93M

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Solving their own murders is the least of their problems…and the beginning of Stone & Steele, a reluctant yet surprisingly skilled investigative team.

The Golden Age of Hollywood, 1938

Vivian Steele moved to California to start a new life. She opened a fashion boutique in Beverly Hills, befriended Carole Lombard, the actress, and married a successful banker. But when her husband is murdered, Vivian discovers she isn’t the only one hiding a few secrets.

An anonymous phone call lures Vivian to a plush hotel room where she stumbles upon the dead body of a beautiful young actress – her husband’s mistress. To add fuel to the fire, she’s not alone.

Preston Stone, her adversary and Hollywood’s notorious playboy, is standing beside her. Suspiciously, they part ways only to find themselves alone again at a movie premiere two days later, and the message becomes brutally clear. They’re both the next targets of a cold-blooded killer.

Together, Vivian and Preston are thrown into a deadly race to find a missing collection of valuable coins and stop a vicious killer before they become the next murder victims. But first, they need to stop pointing their fingers at each other.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Finally, the elevator doors opened.  Two people got off, and Vivian stepped inside.  She pushed the fourth-floor button.  It was a good minute before the doors began closing, but just before they touched, a large hand slid in between, stopping them.

The doors slowly opened again, and Preston Stone stood there with an annoying twinkle in his dark eyes and his lips curled into a pompous grin.

“Hello, Vivian.  You’re looking well.”

She nodded her head in return and moved to one side of the elevator.

He got on and deliberately stood in the center.  “How is business at your fashion boutique?”

She glared at him.  “I don’t see any reason for us to make small talk.”

He tipped his head sideways, pretending to look hurt.  “I was hoping after all this time we could bury the hatchet.  It’s been close to a year now, hasn’t it?  I admit I behaved badly.”

Vivian thanked the powers above that the doors finally closed, and the elevator started moving.  “If that’s an apology, I’m not the one you should be talking to.”

His grin widened.  “Does Patricia still work at your shop?”

“No, after you broke my sister’s heart, she moved to the east coast.”

“Aw, poor kid.  Well, in my defense, I told her straight up that I wasn’t the type to settle down.”

Ooh, he really got under her skin.  “Don’t worry your swelled head about it, Preston.  You didn’t scar her for life.  She’s already engaged to a wealthy stockbroker.”

“Good for her!  See?  Sounds like she let bygones be bygones.  I think you should, too, Vivian.  After all, I didn’t break your heart…did I?”

If she were a man, he’d be lying on the floor right now with a black eye.

Luckily, the elevator slowed to a stop on the fourth floor.  The bell rang once, and Vivian impatiently waited for the doors to open just far enough for her to slip through them.  Once done, she saw the small sign hanging on the wall that gave the direction of the room numbers, and she quickly headed down the hall to her left.

Yet, she heard someone walking behind her and glanced around.  Preston had gotten off the elevator, too, and he was trailing her.  She picked up her pace.  “Don’t you have anything better to do than follow me?”

He chuckled.  “As much as I enjoy sparring with you, it just so happens that I’m meeting someone who is staying on this floor.”

Vivian reached room Forty-Four and waited for Preston to pass by her before she knocked on the door.  Instead, he ended up standing beside her.  She let out an exasperated groan.  “What are you doing, Preston?”

“Okay, now I have to agree with you that this is a little awkward.  The person I’m meeting is staying in room Forty-Four.”

Vivian flashed her eyes at him.  “You’re kidding me?”

“I wish I was,” he said.  “I’ll let you have the honor of knocking on the door.”

She had half a mind to walk away and forget about all this, but she was even more curious than before.  She lifted her hand and knocked.

The door fell open.

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A Perilous Premiere is the first book in this exciting new 1930s Stone & Steele mystery series starring a great cast of characters ranging from the rich and famous to Bella, a Boston Terrier, her new friend, Boris, a Saint Bernard, and a few other endearing folks. (A pretty clean read)

About Gail Meath

Gail Meath is the author of the multi-award-winning Jax Diamond Mysteries, the fun series about of a wise-cracking PI, his sweet German Shepherd partner, Ace, and his Broadway singing heartthrob, Laura, as they solve crazy crimes during the Roaring Twenties. She’s currently working on the first book in her exciting new 1930s mystery series, Stone & Steele Mysteries, takes place during the glamorous Golden Age of Hollywood. As always, she blends the most loveable characters with a good, solid mystery.

Gail also has a growing list of other award-winning historical romances, mysteries, westerns, and fictional biographies of true heroines. She lives in a small village in Upstate New York with her husband and their sweet, little Boston Terrier, and she spends loads of time with her grandchildren.

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

Purchase Links – AmazonB&NKoboBookshop.org 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

January 8 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

January 8 – Frugal Freelancer – SPOTLIGHT

January 9 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

January 9 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

January 10 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

January 10 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

January 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

January 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

January 12 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

January 13 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT 

January 13 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 14 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

January 14 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

January 15 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

January 15 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

January 16 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

January 16 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

January 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

January 17 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.