Author Archive

Join us for this tour from Oct 21 to Nov 15, 2024!

 

MY WAY HOME

by Holly Heaton

 

MY WAY HOME by Holly Heaton

Category:  Children’s Fiction (Ages 3-7),  32 pages
Genre: Children’s Fiction
Publisher: Holly Heaton
Release date:  August 11, 2024
Formats Available for Review: print-softback (USA and Canada) and ebook (MOBI for Kindle and PDF) internationally.
Tour dates: Oct 21 to Nov 15, 2024
Content Rating:  G: The book follows Kit on a whirlwind of an adventure trying to reclaim a precious item and return it home all while facing external dangers.

Book Description:

​Enter the hidden realm of the Little Folk and follow Kit on a thrilling adventure. Can he reclaim an object precious to his people and return home to the Hollow Chestnut? Using his wits and environment, Kit embarks on this miniature odyssey through a lushly illustrated world.

Buy the Book:
Amazon 
add to Goodreads
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MY REVIEW

Kit is one of the Little Folk, tiny people who live in the forest. One day a fox attacks their home, Chestnut Hollow, and runs off with the tribes sacred crystal. The crystal provides bountiful harvests. Can a tiny boy go up against such a large adversary and retrieve the crystal? I couldn’t wait to find out.

This was a tale of bravery. Of ignoring your fear and persevering. It was also a grand adventure. And the beautiful illustrations added to my enjoyment. I’m sure young ones will be as enchanted as I was.

5 STARS

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Author Guest Post
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Public Speaking for the Introvert

Have you ever acted? Felt the hot light, cold sweat, heard the creak of an ancient stage under your hesitant foot, and the cough of the guy in the audience who’s already bored? You’re ready to break. Ready to run, ready to melt into a puddle of embarrassment right there in front of everybody. But instead, you speak. Yet you’re not you. You’re somebody else. With a giddy tremor, you suddenly relax as your character takes possession and the performance begins.

Writing fiction is a lot like that. As you develop your character, you find her voice. And with that voice you can do or say anything. You ease back from the computer and look at what you’ve written so far. Is it shocking? Tantalizing? Thrilling? Wonderful? How liberating, knowing her actions in no way reflect on you. You’re just the author, not the character.  It’s almost as delicious a feeling as pretending was when you were a child.

But again, that’s writing fiction. It’s an entirely different affair to write as oneself: to find your author’s voice.

“Well,” one shrugs, “not to worry. I’m not writing a chronicle or memoir”.  But what about your book’s forward? Afterward? Interviews? Guest posts? Ah, now the cold stone of fear settles in your stomach.

Remember those comparison questions from school: orange is to hobbits as dog food grease is to what?  Didn’t you hate those?  I loved them and offer this one: writing fiction is to acting as writing nonfiction is to public speaking.  And according to a source I didn’t fact check, 75% of people are terrified of addressing the public.

So, what’s a diffident author to do when the mic is leveled in her face?  Panic a little, then— like Kit in My Way Home— think.

Think of all the books, shows, blogs, and podcasts I read/watch/listen to. Am I not nearly as interested in the presenters as I am the material? Are their personal experiences enlightening and even helpful?

Perhaps relating my own tentative steps out of the comfort zone will encourage others grappling with their own discomfort.

If I’ve learned anything from stepping into Kit’s tiny moccasins, it’s just stop, assess, and take head-on the challenge before me.

I hope that Kit’s adventure will delight and encourage all of you, too.

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Meet Author Holly Heaton:

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Author Holly Heaton

Whether through pictures, words, or her dad’s castoff camcorder, Holly has spent her life telling stories. She can usually be found chasing exciting bits of history and spending time with her husband, sons, and dog, Wesser, in metro Atlanta.

connect with author: instagram goodreads

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MY WAY HOME by Holly Heaton Book Tour Giveaway

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Tour Schedule:

Oct 7 – @michellegodardricherauthor – book shout out
Oct 21 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Oct 21 – @this.human.reads * – book review
Oct 21 – @savor.your.reads * – book review
Oct 21 – @acourtofspinesnpages *- book review
Oct 21 – @book_withquotes * – book review
Oct 21 – @adriftinfictionalworld – book review
Oct 22 – Faith And Books – book review / giveaway
Oct 22 – @adeela_books * – book review
Oct 22 – @bearyintobooks * – book review
Oct 23 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 24 – @bookscape__ * – book review
Oct 24 – My Reading Getaway – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Oct 25 – Library Lady’s Kid Lit – book review / author interview / giveaway
Oct 25 – @bookameme * – book review
Oct 25 – @enjoyingbooksagain – book review
Oct 28 – Books for Books- book spotlight
Oct 29 – Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Oct 30 – Cheryl’s Book Nook – book review / giveaway
Oct 31 – @thisreadergirl * – book review
Nov 1 – Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
Nov 4 – @Leannebookstagram – book review
Nov 5 – @onceuponamaltesereader * – book review
Nov 6 – Reading is My Passion – book review / giveaway
Nov 6 – @michellegodardricherauthor * – book review
Nov 7 – @nissa_the.bookworm * – book review
Nov 7 – Older & Smarter?- book review / author interview / giveaway
Nov 7 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book review / giveaway
Nov 8 – FUONLYKNEW – book review / guest post / giveaway
Nov 9 – @jilljemmett * – book review
Nov 10 – @readsandmusic * – book review
Nov 11 – Sandra’s Book Club – book review
Nov 12 – China Sorrows – book review / giveaway
Nov 12 – @kiv_coffeeandpages * – book review
Nov 13 – Kim’s Book Reviews and writing Aha’s – book review / giveaway
Nov 13 – @mariareadsfiction * – book review
Nov 14 – @onceuponafrida * – book review
Nov 14 – @alwaysreadingxo * – book review
Nov 15 – icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book review / giveaway
Nov 15 – @whatsenalireads * – book review
Nov 15 – @speedreadstagram * – book review

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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.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Flamingo Cafe organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Jackie Kang will award a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Flamingo Cafe

by Jackie Kang

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Genre: Women’s Fiction

Synopsis

A storm is brewing off the coast of Florida, but chaos has already made landfall for four women of Palm Beach society. Abigail, a self-appointed Cuban princess and queen of the WAGs, suddenly finds herself penniless and on the streets. Claudia, a Greek entrepreneur and CEO of a prestigious international clothing line, is entering her golden years only to realize secrets can weigh you down. Cassy, a barista and owner of the Flamingo Cafe, is doing her best to recover from a tragic past. Meanwhile her best friend, Bri, also harbors a secret: a romantic tet-a-tet with Cassy’s brother Nick. Each woman has played her part in a society obsessed with appearances and secrecy for years. So, when Hurricane Odette blows through town, exposing those secrets, it’s no surprise their lives collide like a clap of thunder. Only one thing is certain: if they don’t work together, Mother Nature will teach them the hardest lessons of their lives.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I make my way into the bathroom, intending to splash some water on my face, but as soon as I flip on the light, I am confronted with the little pink box I picked up earlier—and all that it represents.

The circle of life.

The result is one of nature’s most rudimentary phenomena. For a species to be born, create a genetic replica of themselves, and leave behind indisputable proof they existed in the first place.

I study these miracles daily, from phytoplankton to marine mammals. But if it’s the backbone of our species, why then do I feel nauseous at the mere vision of pink?

Never once, until this very moment, have I felt the elusive “biological clock” ticking inside me. And even now, I’m not confident it’s the ticking clock I’m feeling. But rather a certain pulsing inside my body as adrenaline is released by intense fear, not a maternal yearning.

I try to control my rapidly increasing heart rate while contemplating what a positive result would mean. It would mean the responsibility of keeping another human being alive. A tiny entity that would rely on me to feed, bathe, love, and keep it safe. It would mean any semblance of my independence would be gone. A baby would forever link me to an endless stream of car seats, baby food, diapers, play dates, homework, and after- school activities.

I step forward and place my hands on the counter, not daring to pick up the box. As I avoid the mirror in front of me and stare at the accusing piece of cardboard, I search my memory for a reason or some traumatic event to connect me to my lack of maternal instincts. It would be so much easier if I had some obvious explanation for not having the desire to replicate my genetic code. But try as I might, I can’t come up with a single justification.

I was blessed with a loving family. I’m a product of two well-adjusted, mature parents. High school teachers by profession, who were dedicated not just to each other but to me, their only daughter. Whose only crime was providing me with a comfortable life and encouraging my love for learning. There wasn’t a book I couldn’t ask for my parents wouldn’t get for me. They always told me, “knowledge is power,” and “science holds all the answers to what we humans seek to understand.” If only they could give me a book to answer my concerns now.

At least they had each other when they were raising me—working as a tag team, they passed the baton seamlessly between work and life. I’m not so sure Nick and I will be able to recreate that kind of baton passing. I try to imagine Nick as a father. Nick, as the father of my child.

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About Author Jackie Kang:

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When not spending her time creating make-believe people and places, Jackie Kang lives in Kirkland, WA with her very real family of 1 husband, 2 dogs, and 3 children. In her past life, Jackie has held jobs as a personal trainer, a spa manager, a dental assistant, and an office manager, but her true love is writing and sharing a well-crafted story. Jackie is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram 

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Cadieux Murders by R.J. Koreto Banner

THE CADIEUX MURDERS
by R.J. Koreto
November 4-29, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:

The ink is still wet on the contract, but Wren Fontaine is already running into trouble as she renovates Cadieux House, a modernist masterpiece on Long Island’s exclusive Gold Coast. The home’s architect was the brilliant and eccentric Marius Cadieux, her father’s mentor, and Ezra doesn’t want Wren to change as much as a doorknob. And the home itself comes with a dark past: In 1955, it was the site of the never-solved murder of its owner, Dennis Blaine. Cadieux himself was alleged to be having an affair with Dennis’s wife, the stunningly beautiful Rebecca. It seems like yesterday’s headlines, but then someone starts killing people with a connection to the house. The home’s new owner—bestselling novelist Bronwyn Merrick—may be using the house to launch a fictionalized account of the 1955 crime. But someone may not want to her to. Just how far will Bronwyn’s armed bodyguard go to protect her? As Wren untangles the threads, she finds they all lead back to the house. Rebecca apparently inspired the strange, yet alluring residence, and both the home and its mistress may have caused uncontrolled emotions that led to tragedy. Wren uses all her architectural skills to decipher the hidden message Cadieux cunningly wove into the home’s design. She must think back 20 years to when, as a little girl, she met Cadieux. Deeply impressed with Wren, he gave her a clue about the house—and his unusual friendship with Rebecca. With her girlfriend Hadley at her side, Wren eventually solves the mysteries of the home and the people who lived there, develops a grudging respect for modernist architecture—and learns something about the difference between love and obsession.

 

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: October 15, 2024 Number of Pages: 237 Series: The Historic Homes Mysteries, 3

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Audible | Goodreads | Level Best Books

Enjoy this peek inside:
From Chapter 1
Wren stood on the shore and stared, trying to sort out her feelings about the ineffable house in front of her. She was only vaguely aware that while she looked at the house, her companion looked at her. “So, Ms. Architect—what say you?” Bronwyn finally asked. Wren saw her wry smile. She knew she’d have to answer, and Bronwyn would expect it to be clever. “Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness,” Wren said. “Is that an original observation?” asked Bronwyn. Wren laughed. “You flatter me. It’s the great modernist architect Frank Gehry. This house is very much of its time and place. Look at the white stucco walls, the glass and steel, the absolute cleanliness of lines. The geometric arrangement of the layers is mathematically perfect.” “Why do I sense a ‘but’ coming?” asked the woman, arching an eyebrow. Wren knew there could be no softening the message. “I don’t find it welcoming. There is something very self-aware about modernist homes. A look-at-me arrogance about them, as if they are doing you a favor of letting you inside.” She paused, wondering if she had gone too far. “But maybe I’m being unfair. I haven’t been inside it yet. And there’s no doubt that it’s stunning.” She looked at Bronwyn, waiting for her reaction. “Are you saying I may have made a mistake buying it?” asked Bronwyn. Wren heard the teasing in her voice. “No. Nobody ever made a mistake buying a house that spoke to them.” Yes, even if they spent $30 million for it. “If you are honest with yourself about what you want, you will be happy here. And if you are honest with me, I guarantee I can give you what you want with the renovation.” “Fair enough,” said Bronwyn. “Was that Frank Gehry again?” “No, that was entirely me.” “Ah. But as Gehry said, it should yearn for timeliness. Has this succeeded in that?” “We’ll need to give it another century.” Bronwyn nodded. “Maybe it’s because I’m a writer. I become obsessed in making sure my books, the plots and subplots, are exciting. This house looks exciting. I was happy in my nice, simple co-op, and then my financial advisor told me I could do better. Much better. I fell in love with this right away. The more I walked through it, the more I liked it, the idea that I will be able to stay in it a long time, and keep finding something new about it.” “Then you absolutely did the right thing. Indeed, that is the very purpose of a house like this,” said Wren. She mulled over her next statement. “When I was a girl, however, I wanted to live in a Victorian manor house, with a great hall with a huge hearth and handmade wooden furniture. I’d wear long dresses and be attended to by maids in starched uniforms.” Did I just sound silly? “That’s very romantic,” said Bronwyn, and Wren wondered if that was a criticism, a put-down for a flighty young girl. “But then again, I feel romantic about this, about men in classic tuxedos and women in Chanel dresses, with cigarettes and dry martinis and Dave Brubeck playing in the background. I guess we’re both emotional that way, so despite our differences about favorite eras, I’m thinking hiring you is going to turn out to be a good decision as well.” Wren felt relief wash over her. She felt confident building houses but closing a deal—that involved people. She still didn’t trust her abilities when people were involved. Of course, there was still one more feature of the house they needed to discuss: The “tragedy.” That’s how the papers had described it. But Wren wasn’t going to bring it up first. Bronwyn hugged her leather jacket. “It’s a great view, but it’s getting cold. Let’s go inside.” Yes. Wren always looked over the outside first, but she was especially excited about seeing the interior. Until Bronwyn had bought it a few weeks ago, no one had been inside the house since the 1950s, except for the caretaker staff. The house overwhelmed Wren despite herself. Oh yes, she thought, Marius Cadieux knew it would. He would be so amused. So very proud. No—smug. Even if it wasn’t to her taste, there was no denying what Cadieux had achieved here: the soaring ceiling, the clever use of windows filling the house with light even on a dreary day, the unexpected curves and angles, the steel staircase, which also served as a sculpture. Wren just stared. There really was nothing to compare it to—a Cadieux house was always unique. She could see him standing over her, “Very nice, isn’t it, little one? And of course, your client is overwhelmed by it, as she should be.” “I’m glad I bought a house that even knocks the socks off another architect,” said Bronwyn, grinning. “It certainly does,” said Wren. “I’ve seen pictures, but they’re not the same as really being inside it.” Wren took in Bronwyn, with her attractive, angular face and the matching pixie haircut. Did the author indeed have a modernist personality, a match for this home, a connection with Cadieux? Indeed, did Bronwyn know how perfect she looked in her new house? Wren walked among the rooms, taking note of the artful ways Cadieux had divided the house—very few true walls and doors, just a series of levels and passages, rectangular pillars clad in stone. Cadieux loved granite and marble, quartzite and sandstone, and merged them with oak and walnut, teak and lyptus. Wren saw Bronwyn marveling over it, even though she had already visited her new home several times. That was the thing about a Cadieux home, that Bronwyn had already realized: You could live there 40 years and marvel over it every day for the rest of your life. “I’d like to see upstairs.” Wren smiled. “But as you no doubt noticed, ‘upstairs’ is relative in a Cadieux house, with its intersecting layers. It just flows. That was a hallmark of Cadieux, but none I’ve seen are quite as…” She let her voice trail off. “You can’t find the word?” said Bronwyn. “You’re the writer—can you? Architectural journalists struggled to describe him. But here we go…’intriguing.’ No other Cadieux house is as intriguing as this one. It may take me a while to figure it out.” “You mean, how it’s put together?” asked Bronwyn. “Oh no. That’s easy. I meant what is its personality? Marius Cadieux stamped a personality on this house. It has a reason, and I will find out what that is. For now, we look at it: See the extraordinary flow of the house, the ways the rooms are separate and yet merge into each other, the way the light plays along the floors and walls. The materials blend into each other, and Cadieux is taught in every architecture school—as if you could teach this.” “It sounds like you studied him,” said Bronwyn. “It sounds like you knew him. Did you?” She fixed her eyes on Wren, who gave that question some thought. She didn’t want to go there, not yet. *** Excerpt from The Cadieux Murders by R.J. Koreto. Copyright 2024 by R.J. Koreto. Reproduced with permission from R.J. Koreto. All rights reserved.

 

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MY REVIEW

I love cozy mysteries. They have fun covers and titles, they focus more on solving murders than describing the gory details and they have colorful characters that often feel familiar. Adding adorable critters and paranormal elements is always a bonus. And discovering something new is an even bigger attraction.

In the case of The Cadieux Murders it’s a house. The house is a character in itself, an important element as it provides clues needed to solve the many events that occurred.

Another bonus was strong female characters. I genuinely liked Wren Fontaine, the architect hired to renovate the house, and novelist Bronwyn Merrick, the owner. There were several other characters that helped these women sift through clues the house provided and eventually get much needed answers.

The book was a straight through read for me and I enjoyed this original, fun and busy cozy.

4 STARS

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Don’t Miss The Previous Historic Homes Mysteries

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The Greenleaf Murders by R.J. Koreto

The Greenleaf Murders

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads
The Turnbull Murders by R.J. Koreto

The Turnbull Murders

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

 

 

 

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About Author R.J. Koreto:

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Over the years, R.J. Koreto has been a magazine writer, website manager, textbook editor, novelist and merchant seaman. He was born and raised in New York City, graduated from Vassar College, and has wanted to be a writer since reading The Naked and the Dead. In addition to his novels, he has published short stories in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, the 2020 Bouchercon Anthology and Paranoia Blues: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Paul Simon. His current series features Wren Fontaine, an architect who finds mysteries in the historic homes she renovates. He and his wife have two grown daughters, and they divide their time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Catch Up With R.J. Koreto:
www.RJKoreto.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @rkoreto1
Instagram – @RJKoreto
Threads – @RJKoreto
Twitter/X – @RJKoreto
Facebook – @RJKoreto

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Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

 

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

 

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Alone with a Tasman Tiger (Chic Charlie)
by Jane Ellyson

 


Alone with a Tasman Tiger (Chic Charlie)
Australian Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Settings – Where does your book take place? Brisbane, Sydney, Tasmania and London
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Stanley Press (September 23, 2024)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 398 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0648660788
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0648660781
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D6Z31ND7 (314 pages)

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A high stakes race. A missing friend and a search for the impossible.

In the Tasmanian wilderness six contestants battle it out to win $250,000. Only five finish.

In Bass Strait the Blue Gazelle yacht tackles fierce winds, huge waves and a phantom vessel, in its race to win the Tattersall Cup.

In London a fashion designer learns about a Belarussian scientist, possibly involved with a deadly technology.

In Hobart a search party is launched for a missing sailor.

At the centre of investigations are two feisty sleuths, Galina Ivanov and Charlotte Harmon, who are looking for clues which could save their partners and stop the spread of a devastating weapon.

Can they find them before all hope is lost?

About Jane Ellyson

Jane Ellyson has written six novels across the action, adventure and romance genres. Having lived in Europe and Asia, in addition to her native Australia, her stories frequently visit beautiful locations. She currently lives at Possum Creek, just out of Bangalow in northern New South Wales, Australia – well she would if she was real – rather than being the pen name of someone who would prefer to remain anonymous.

Previous novels include:

  • Over Byron Bay
  • Substitute Child
  • Roman Roulette
  • Missing in Myanmar
  • Nonsense in the North
  • An Extraordinary Wedding

Link to promotional video below.

https://youtu.be/ihonaYdKZDY?si=ml8a_AQ0tQ0witHQ

And interview with my husband

https://youtu.be/yX0g_Ta_ALY?si=0FkZBulw-r6neiaY

Author Links: Twitter/X / Facebook / Threads / LinkedIn

Purchase Links
Amazon US   Amazon AU   Apple    Tolino/Thalia    Vivlio    Kobo      Barnes and Noble

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 1 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

November 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW  

November 3 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 4 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

November 6 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

November 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, GUEST POST

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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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What started off as a simple book blog that posted the personal reviews of the site owner has grown into a site where authors and readers can connect. Since then Sandra’s Book Club has given away books, gift cards, done reviews, tours, and offered free promotion to authors.

To celebrate all the readers and authors that have been a part of our blog, we’re throwing everyone a Reader and Author Blog Party! We’re also including one prize for readers and one prize for authors.

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READER GIVEAWAY

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WRITER GIVEAWAY

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Runaway Hearts: Seduced by Danger

by Elsa Jacobs

 

 

 

Publication date: November 1st 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Have you ever wished to run away from your life?

Start anew and leave everything bad behind…

Marianne, a young woman hungry for a fresh start, can’t wait for her beach house getaway. But her plans take an unexpected turn when she picks up a mysterious hitchhiker on the way.

The irresistible stranger is the sole heir of a Japanese *organization*, and despite Marianne’s own anxiety struggles, she can’t say no to someone in need. As they travel together, swapping past traumas and dreams, love sparks. To heal her troubled mind, she must embrace her true desires, no matter how twisted they seem.

But as love deepens, an enemy from the man’s past threatens to pull them apart. In the midst of looming danger, Marianne must choose between sticking to her anxious ways or diving into the unknown for true love.

Get ready for a wild ride where each page brings new revelations and perils, leading to a destination unlike any other.

Runaway Hearts is a slow burn, steamy, contemporary romantic suspense with morally questionable characters. HEA.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

As I return to my car, a painful golden gaze greets me. The second I pull out of the alley, tires screech in the distance, a silver SUV closing in on us at great speed.

Stranger Danger turns his head when he sees my wide eyes. “Drive!” he yells with desperation.

And just like that, I’m thrown into a heart-pumping car-chase scene.

My hands grip the steering wheel with an iron resolve.

The engine roars as I speed through the city streets, determined not to be caught by my pursuers.

I’m not on the menu tonight!

My mind races, searching for an escape route. The unfamiliar streets of the city blur past me as I navigate through the labyrinth of alleys and side roads.

“Wow…” the wounded stranger says in the back.

I burst into a weird cackle. “Glad you’re enjoying the ride! Buckle up, it might be a rocky road.” Mm. Ice cream.

“Just try not to kill us both,” he replies, amusement and genuine concern in his voice.

Each turn is calculated, each maneuver executed with precision. I can’t afford a single mistake. It’s easier than the go-karts!

And I love it.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I catch a glimpse of the pursuer’s SUV closing in. Their dark, tinted windows hide their identities, but their malevolent presence creeps like a shadow up my spine. A sentiment I can’t recognize fuels my every move, pushing me to the limits of speed and agility.

“Who’re they? Why’re they chasing you?” I shout, teeth clenched as I drift a tight turn.

“Not now! Just fucking drive!” he snaps, tension radiating from him like heat.

The answer should scare me, but instead, it ignites something within. A reckless defiance maybe. I punch the gas harder. The SUV fades in the distance.

Where’s the police now?

As I navigate through the streets, the city becomes a haze. The thrill of the chase is intoxicating, but the danger is very real.

“Just one more crazy move and I’ll lose them,” I say, pulse thudding hard in my throat as adrenaline spikes through my system.

I need to shake them off for good. Ahead lies a narrow alleyway, barely wide enough to fit my car. Shit. My fingers grip the wheel tighter. The alley is empty. On an impulse, I slam the gas, my heart drumming as I squeeze through the tight space. The pursuers hesitate, thrown off by the daring move. I bet their SUV is too large to come in here.

I cackle, my breath hitching with the rush, as I put distance between us and the furious men. The sharp sting of sweat trails down my spine, but relief crashes through me.

“Ha! Suck on that, you oversized tin cans!” I yell, voice ragged, throat dry from the wild tension that’s been gripping me.

It’s been ages since I’ve felt truly alive. I rush with abandon, the music blasting. Nothing can touch me at this moment of pure euphoria.

As the sky turns shades of pink and orange, I finally reach the outskirts. The energy from the chase has left me breathless yet exhilarated. With every turn, the weight of my life lifted off my shoulders, replaced by a newfound sense of freedom. I bite back the “whoop!” threatening to escape my mouth.

I didn’t even know I could drive like that. I slide the sun visor’s mirror to look at myself and burst out laughing. My cheeks are a deep pink, my eyes have an electric gleam, and my lips are stretched into the most wicked smile I’ve ever seen on myself.

“That was wild,” I whisper to myself.

Stranger Danger shakes his head with amusement and worry. “You drive like a maniac.”

“Maniac but living!” I reply, a wild grin on my face.

But the adrenaline surge recedes, leaving my heart rate back to normal and my heart empty. A quick look to the rearview mirror shows me an empty road.

Phew.

Stranger Danger has changed his clothing, but he remains lying across the back seat. I didn’t even see him change his underwear, and that’s a disappointment. A car chase will do that to you.

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About Author Elsa Jacobs:

I’m Elsa Jacobs, an indie author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense/thriller. I write unique love stories with a substantial amount of twists, turns, and spices.

Let me tell you how it all started. A few years back, I was battling brutal insomnia that just wouldn’t quit. Nights were a blur of characters and plots swirling around in my head, refusing to let me catch some shut-eye. It was maddening. Writing became my escape hatch—I had to get these stories out of my head.

In less than a year, I wrote four drafts, all because I needed an outlet for the chaos that was keeping me up at night. Publishing wasn’t even on my radar; I just needed some peace of mind. But then, something unexpected happened. I sent a chapter to an editor, not really expecting much to come of it.

But instead of a brush-off, I found myself teaming up with that editor to bring my first novel to life.

It was a game-changer. That’s when I decided to take the plunge and share the rest of my drafts, bit by bit, with the world.

My stories might have been born out of sleepless nights, but they’ve become my sanctuary, and I hope they become yours too.

Cheers,

Elsa.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook

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

Giveaway for 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 Poseidon Project

by E. William Podojil

 

 

Genre: Mystery / Suspense / Thriller

Synopsis

The Poseidon Project is an international suspense thriller and the first book in The Herb Society Mysteries series

Molly Halloran and her friends have a secret past.  Their bucolic retirement is suddenly upended when Molly’s husband is abducted and held for a steep ransom.  Now she, her friends, her tech executive son, Lukas and his Air Force pilot boyfriend must race against the clock and travel halfway around the world to meet the kidnappers’ demands.  But when they learn why her husband has been abducted, they realize how high the stakes truly are.  Molly and her friends now must face their past in order to save the future.  But not only their futures; the world’s.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The explosion was deafening. A huge fireball engulfed the Iveco box truck with a force that knocked Molly, Donna, Linda, and John off their feet. Having been already seated, Lukas instinctively shielded Taylor from the force of the blast that was over one hundred feet away. The explanation of the Hindenburg explosion his mom had referenced two days ago flashed through his mind. The hydrogen collection tank must have had a leak or breached from being overfilled. But unlike the Hindenburg, there was not a zeppelin-sized supply of hydrogen on the Demeter unit, or what was left of it. The explosion was sudden, strong, and brief. The flames quickly burned through the truck’s cargo area, then slowly burned the embers of what little was left. The truck was destroyed, as was Demeter. Zip- Tie’s blackened remains smoldered on the ground, about ten feet from the blast.

Betty and Patrick stood at the top of the terrace waving their arms and appeared to be yelling something. Lukas could not hear much other than the ringing in his ears, and he assumed the rest of the group was partially deaf as they struggled to get to their feet. Lukas had shielded Taylor’s body, and his hearing appeared to be unaffected. Taylor kissed Lukas on the cheek and mouthed Thank you. Or at least Lukas thought he said it silently.

Betty held the fourth Glock in her hand and ran toward the group to help them ascend the terrace. “We’ve gotta get out of here!” she yelled, hoping their damaged ears could hear her. She knew it was only a few minutes before the Dubai police came to investigate the source of the explosion in the city center.

“Where is Malik?” Betty asked as John, Donna, and Molly rubbed their ears, hoping to regain their hearing.

“He ran that way.” Taylor pointed in the direction of the Burj Khalifa. “I saw him for an instant right after the blast.”

Patrick raced toward the group. “Police are on their way. I hear the sirens. Let’s go, everybody!” Patrick and Taylor, both injured, were able to shepherd the group up to the Sprinter van, get in, and buckle up for what was going to be a quick getaway.

Betty slammed on the accelerator, and the van lurched forward. She could see the flashing police lights about a quarter of a mile to her right. She turned left, hoping to avoid them. “Patrick, I need you to navigate! I don’t know where I am!” Betty yelled with a tinge of panic in her voice. Patrick stood up and sat in the passenger seat to help navigate.

Taylor quickly dialed his daughter. She answered on the first ring tone. “Dad, where are you?”

“Get the Goose ready. We’ll be there in—” He looked at Patrick, who held up his hands with fingers extended. “—ten to fifteen minutes. Please clear a take- off slot for us in twenty-five minutes from now.”

“Got it, Dad. Drive safely.”

Tory hung up as Betty slalomed quickly through.

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About Author E. William Podojil:

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Edited in Prisma app

  1. William Podojil has worked as a writer, advisor and  international business executive while living in the Netherlands and the United States. He studied screenwriting at UCLA. His first novel, The Tenth Man, was published in 2004, by Haworth Press.  His latest novel, The Poseidon Project, will be published by Wild Rose Press in August, 2024 as the first book in the Herb Society Mysteries series.

Podojil currently resides in Northeast Ohio with his husband and three sons. He travels extensively and writes about his experiences on his website www.ewpodojil.com.

Author Links: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
by Susan Count

 


Hannah’s Pony Twist (Dream Pony Riders)
Middle-Grade Horse Novel
Reading age ‏ : ‎ 8 – 12 years
6th in Series
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hastings Creations Group (October 8, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 190 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1952371201
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1952371202
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DGS287C7

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Will what the pony needs break Hannah’s heart?

Freckles can’t be convinced to trot sometimes, and even though that’s fine with Hannah, she suspects something must be wrong with the pony. The barn manager thinks it’s time to retire him, so the vet is called and tests are run.

But Hannah enjoys being with Freckles even if they only walk down the trails.
She ignores the facts. When all her efforts to help him fail, she tries desperately to write a happy ending to her pony story.

Will she have to put on her big girl breeches and let Freckles take his own trail, or is she the real problem?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Riding into the forest was like stepping into a magical wonderland. Hannah tilted her head back to enjoy the activity in the tree canopy. A cardinal family chattered and fluttered through the branches. “What’s your story today? Do you worry about anything? Life for you is finding something to eat and not get eaten.”

“You talking to me ’cause I can’t hear you?” As Grace trotted up beside them, her ponytail bounced on her back.

“Just wondering if the birds could write a story, what it would be.”

“They spend their day hunting for food. It would be a boring story. Imagine—I flew to the ground and ate a bug. Then I flew to my branch and looked for another bug.” Grace used her most dramatic voice.

“But then! A mean cat leapt from the brush, and I narrowly escaped with my life.” Hannah wiggled about in the saddle. “Now, it’s not boring.”

“No. It’s still boring and very short.” Grace urged Preacher to walk out, and in two strides, he was in the lead.

“I signed up for writing composition this term, so maybe I’ll learn how to write more interesting stories.”

Grace called over her shoulder. “You’re going to make me read them all, aren’t you?”

“Oh, would you?” Hannah mocked. A moment later, she felt herself falling. She threw her arms around her pony’s neck. She heaved a deep breath and righted herself in the saddle. Were her eyes closed just now? Did Grace notice? Grace seemed occupied with her pony.

“He’s too nervous up front. I’m going to put him back behind Freckles again. Summer is just too short. I’m sad school is starting already.”

“It was our best summer ever. Me and Freckles. You and Preacher. I should write a story about our summer.”

“It would make a journal entry, but not a story. You know why?”

“You’re going to tell me so, go ahead.” Stopping short of rolling her eyes, Hannah repositioned the ball of her foot in the stirrup.

“Because nothing bad happened all summer—everything was perfect, great, wonderful, the best.”

“I get the idea, but I like good stories.”

“You mean, you like happy endings. Without terrible, bad things happening to your character, a story is boring.”

“I don’t see it that way. Anyway, I had no idea you knew so many story-writing rules.”

Grace puffed up her lungs with hot air. “I’m talented!”

“And humble.”

“Want to trot?”

“I’ll ask Freckles, but he’s not been wanting to lately. I’m happy to just walk.” Hannah gathered her reins and squeezed her legs against his side. When Freckles ignored her, she heaved a deep breath as she lightly flicked the persuader strap from one of his shoulders to the other. His head came up, and he began to trot without enthusiasm or energy.

Grace kept Preacher behind Freckles, but the trot faded away after a few strides. “Can’t he go any farther? This slow trot is so smooth. It’s great for Preacher to learn to trot that slow.”

“I don’t think he can. He can walk if he wants—I’m okay with it. I don’t feel like trotting either. Guess I’m kinda tired anyway.”

“Makes you wonder if he doesn’t feel good or if he hurts somewhere.”

“He’s fine. He’s never had much go. Remember when Abby told us about the time Glory disappeared? She tried to follow Glory but couldn’t get Freckles to trot for anything. Boy, was she mad. But that’s who he is.”

“Guess you’re right.”

“Isn’t that the best sound ever?” Hannah twisted in the saddle so she could see Grace.

“Sound?”

“You know. The ponies’ hooves on the ground. I love the thud they make. I love it on concrete too.”

Grace pulled on one rein and circled Preacher when he got too close to Freckles. “He’s going slower and slower. Let’s head back before Freckles needs a nap. Maybe I’ll ride Preacher in the round pen.”

Freckles wasn’t the only one who needed a nap. Hannah needed one too. She’d been asking and asking the pony to walk out, and he was having none of it. At least they were almost back to the barn. She was exhausted from pumping her legs and actively asking him to please walk. Then he stopped completely, and none of her urging could get him to take another step.

She slipped from the saddle and laid her head on his neck. “It’s okay, boy. I understand. I’m tired too. What do you say we just walk together?”

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About Susan Count

Susan Count writes for the joy and entertainment of young readers. She is an Amazon best-selling, award-winning author of the Dream Horse Adventures Series, Dream Pony Riders Series, and Texas Boys Adventures.

She prefers to create stories in a quiet zone. Out her window, her mind wanders through the forest and keeps her in a grateful, contented state of being. Susan writes at a fabulous antique desk that has secret compartments filled with memories, mysteries, and story ideas. As a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, American Christian Fiction Writers and Alliance for Independent Authors, she takes studying the craft of writing seriously.

Susan confesses to being overly fond of brownies, and horseback riding on forest trails. She is a lifelong equestrian and is owned by a Rocky Mountain Horse.

You are invited to saddle up and ride along. www. susancount.com

E-mail a comment: susancountauthor@yahoo.com Hearing from readers is a great delight and encourages
me to keep writing.

Please like Susan Count at https://www.facebook.com/susancount where I post only horse-related videos.

I’m also on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/susancountauthor/

And Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/susancount/

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Purchase Links – Amazon     B&N  

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

October 30 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

October 30 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 1 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

November 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

November 3 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

November 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

November 7 – Reading Authors Network – SPOTLIGHT

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SUNNY DALE: A NOVEL by Jamie Lisa Forbes

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SUNNY DALE (A NOVEL) by Jamie Lisa Forbes

October 21 to November 8, 2024

Book Details:

 SUNNY GALE: A NOVEL

by Jamie Lisa Forbes

Category:  Adult Fiction 18+, 268 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction, Literary Novel
Publisher:  Pronghorn Press
Release date:   May, 2024
Formats Available for Review: print-softback (USA only) and ebook (PDF, NetGalley download)
Tour dates: Oct 21 to Nov 8, 2024
Content Rating: PG-13 +M: There is no profane language. There are some sexual scenes, non explicit. There is one instance of sexual abuse that is more recollected than described. My specific reason for giving this rating was two scenes where animals are harmed intentionally.

Book Description:

It’s 1895 and fourteen year old Hannah Brandt is struggling with the hard life on a new Nebraska homestead. When her imagination is captured by a wild filly she becomes obsessed with horses, which opens the door to her destiny. Just four years later she enters the first Cheyenne Frontier Day rodeo where she wins the relay race and her fate is sealed. She gives herself a new name, Sunny Gale, and pursues a rodeo career, much to the disgust of her young husband and her very proper mother. Sunny defies convention with every move as the drive to compete takes over her life, leaving everything else behind, including husbands and children. It is a rough life she has chosen, but she craves the glory of the spotlight and refuses to bow to the expectations for a woman in her time.

​Award winning author Jamie Lisa Forbes has once again brought us complex characters in a story based on real women and the early days when rodeo was wide open for them to become stars. It is a story of the social mores of the times and of a woman determined to defy them no matter how high the personal cost or where that choice might take her.

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MY REVIEW

I’m always excited when I see a confident, strong female as the main character. Hannah may not have been so strong when, at the age of 14, her family moves to Nebraska. It’s 1895 and you can imagine how the family struggled to make a go of it on the brutal frontier. Winter was almost their undoing. Something awful happens and Hannah can never forgive her stepfather. But that doesn’t stop her from pursuing her dream of learning to ride a horse. In fact, when she becomes a woman and starts calling herself Sunny Gale, the rodeo is her passion.

This book really grabbed hold of me. I’ve always loved horses and easily empathized with Sunny. Though I never pursued a career in the rodeo, I was enthralled as Sunny shared her journey.

A most excellent historical adventure. I’m excited to try the author’s other books now.

5 STARS

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Author Guest Post:
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WANNA OLSEN

I became the Forbes family member designated to visit Wanna Olsen when we put up hay next to her ranch. She would have preferred my father, who she adored, but if he had gone, he would have only stood there chafing at her ramblings while the hay waved in the breeze, unmowed. My father hated diversions, especially when they involved unending conversation.

Mrs. Olsen loved my father because he had kept her out of prison. In 1956, she was charged with thieving water for irrigation. That is a crime in Wyoming. The one use my father made of his Yale law degree was to represent Ms. Olsen pro bono. And he won, endearing him to Ms. Olsen forever.

Of course, she had committed the crime as had every other rancher on the Little Laramie River, including my father, in that drought year.

She spoke with a thick Swedish accent, and I was never sure that I understood her or that she understood me. She lived in a tight little cabin with giant cottonwoods all around. And when I visited, she showed me the photos that she had showed me the year before of her childhood in Sweden, her husband who had died back in the 1940’s, her daughter who had been killed in a plane crash.

She had no telephone, no running water, no electricity. This was how she had begun her life in Wyoming, she said, and this is how she would end. She had fed her cattle, irrigated her meadows, chopped her water holes in the winter for years and years. No question, as she abided season by season that she loved the river murmuring outside her door, the breezes in her cottonwoods.

In my senior year in college, I heard she had been found comatose outside the cabin and then she was moved to a nursing home in Laramie. On a bright summer morning in 1977, the nursing home brought her out to us. She had asked to see my father. She wept to see him.

We all stood there in the barnyard on our way out to the hayfields: my father, the hay crew including me, the van driver looking uncomfortable and Wanna Olsen, leaning on her walker.

She grabbed my father’s hand and said, “Jimmy, let me stay.”

My father said, “I can’t.”

“I’ll stay in your bunkhouse,” she said. “I won’t be any trouble. I’ll look after myself.”

I felt her heartbreak as sure as if it were my own. Don’t let them tear me away from the trees, the river, the wind, the sky.

All of us were half-hoping my father would give in. The van driver said, “C’mon now, Wanna. These people have their work to do. Let them be.” And he shuffled her off, but not before she looked back over her shoulder, her blue eyes taking in one last look at what, she and I had mutely agreed, was the only heaven we would ever know.

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Meet Author Jamie Lisa Forbes:

Jamie Lisa Forbes

Jamie Lisa Forbes was raised on a ranch in the Little Laramie Valley near Laramie, Wyoming. She attended the University of Colorado where she obtained degrees in English and philosophy. After fourteen months living in Israel, she returned to her family’s ranch where she lived for another fifteen years.

In 1994, she moved to Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2001, she graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Law and began her North Carolina law practice.

Forbes’ first novel, Unbroken, won the WILLA Literary Award for Contemporary Fiction in 2011. Her collection of short stories, The Widow Smalls and Other Stories, won the High Plains Book Awards for a short story collection in 2015.

Forbes’ novel of rural North Carolina in the segregation era, entitled Eden, was published in 2020. Her historical novel about women bronc riders in the early days of rodeo, entitled Sunny Gale, was published in May 2024 by Pronghorn Press.

Ms. Forbes continues to live—and write—in North Carolina.

Connect with the author:   website  ~ facebook ~ pinterest ~ X ~  goodreads 


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Autumn Embers by Tina deBellegarde Banner

AUTUMN EMBERS
by Tina deBellegarde
October 14 – November 8, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
A Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery

  Bianca St. Denis travels to Kyoto to return a priceless artifact recovered in Batavia-on-Hudson during last summer’s flood. It’s late October and the city of 2,000 shrines is in full autumn splendor. While she’s in Japan’s ancient capital, Bianca visits with her son, a student at Kyoto University. Ian shows her the sights and introduces her to his circle of friends—his chosen family. On the night of her welcome party, Bianca thinks she witnesses a struggle in the garden, perhaps even a murder. When the police investigate and find no body, she is stumped yet alarm bells won’t stop ringing. She knows she’s witnessed something. When a dead body surfaces and suspicion falls on her son, Bianca’s maternal instincts spring to action to protect Ian and clear his name. Meanwhile, things in Batavia-on-Hudson are tense. Sheriff Mike Riley is losing his re-election while tackling devastating news about his dead partner, and wavering about his troubled marriage.

Autumn Embers explores the malleable nature of our identities and reminds us that chosen families can be stronger than we think, and that true friendship can bridge any distance.
Praise for AUTUMN EMBERS:

“A beautiful novel that seamlessly embraces past and present, east and west, mystery and resolution, all the contradictions that make us human. This is the rare book that leaves its reader feeling balanced and whole.” ~ Carol Goodman, two-time winner of the Mary Higgins Clark prize and author of Return to Wyldecliff Heights “Tina deBellegarde expertly captures the details of two very disparate worlds, reminding us that at the heart of these experiences is our shared humanity. I’ve become a new fan!” ~ Naomi Hirahara, Edgar Award-winning author of the Mas Arai mystery series and the Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning Clark and Division “Get ready for another thrilling ride with Tina deBellegarde’s mystery series, this time in our own Kyoto backyard.” ~ Amy Chavez, Author of The Widow, the Priest and the Octopus Hunter “Fans of Louise Penny and Crazy Rich Asians will adore Autumn Embers…Heartful and human, an intriguing mystery, and filled to the brim with rich descriptions, this love letter to Japan is Tina de Bellegarde at her finest.” ~ Jen Collin Moore, Author of the captivating Roman Holiday Mysteries ‘This is a scrumptious book…Autumn Embers will have you reaching for your passport and booking a ticket to “the land of the rising sun.”‘ ~ Carol Pouliot, Author of the Blackwell and Watson Time-Travel Mysteries “Like a richly woven tapestry, this immersive tale has it all…With vivid descriptions and an unhurried writing style, Autumn Embers is thoroughly engrossing!” ~ Lida Sideris, Author of the Southern California Mysteries

 

Book Details:

Genre: Female Amateur Sleuth

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: September 17, 2024 Number of Pages: 321 Series: A Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery, 3

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop | Goodreads

Enjoy this peek inside:
CHAPTER SEVEN
Bianca removed her shoes and found a pair of slippers approximately her size. She tucked her shoes in a cubby and followed Ian up the stairs of the ramen house. They settled into a spot at the counter in the far corner. She looked at the menu out of habit, but knew she couldn’t read it, nor did she need to. This was her favorite ramen place, and she knew exactly what she wanted. In fact, tired or not, this place had been on her mind all day. If she couldn’t sleep, she could at least have her black sesame ramen. Across the counter, the server brought them each a small beer and took their orders. Bianca looked around and realized that nothing had changed at all. It was as if she had never left. She wondered what it must be like to live in a world where the movement of change could be at once imperceptible and monumental. Kyoto was remarkable in its ability to modernize dramatically while remaining steadfastly traditional. Bianca’s mouth watered as a steaming bowl was placed before her. The handmade noodles beckoned, submerged in a rich dark broth of spicy black sesame. “Itadakimasu,” they said before they started their meal. She took a slurp of broth first, the spice clearing her sinuses immediately, then with her chopsticks she gathered up some long strands of ramen and did her best not to make a mess. They barely spoke as they ate. The food was too delicious and demanding of their attention, and they had talked for hours already. They were content in the sounds of their eating and the sounds of the fellow diners having a fun night out. When Ian excused himself to find the men’s room, Bianca continued spooning the last of her broth then was surprised by a nudge. She opened her eyes and slowly realized that she had nodded off to sleep at the counter with her spoon still resting in her hands. The last strands of noodles had never made it to her mouth. “Time to go, Mom.” Bianca used all her energy to stand up with some dignity and followed him back to the shoe cubby and then out the door, but not before they called out to the ramen chefs to thank them for the meal. “Gochisousamadeshita!” Once outside, they lingered briefly at the window watching as the chefs rolled and cut the fresh noodles. Bianca was mesmerized by their actions. They worked so effortlessly as if they had no need to think about these motions. Bianca leaned on Ian as they made their way through the alley known as Ponto-chō, the traditional bar district. Too small for cars, the cobble- stone walkways were lined with tiny restaurants and clubs, their entrances illuminated by glowing paper lanterns. A different aroma escaped each establishment. Some scents Bianca could identify—ginger, garlic, grilling meats. Other delectable fragrances she couldn’t. Despite having eaten enough, her appetite was reawakened. They walked slowly, enjoying the cool autumn night. Just as they were leaving the quiet street, they saw a geisha walking beside a businessman. The rich fabric of her amber kimono shimmered in the light of the lanterns and her hair was perfectly coiffed with a burgundy hairpin. As the lovely girl passed them, Bianca turned to catch a better look. She admired the elaborate knot of the brocade obi belt and the delicate end points of the white makeup on the young woman’s neck. Bianca considered it a good omen to spot a geisha on her first day in Kyoto. They were a rare sight. Some tourists could spend their entire vacation in Kyoto and never see one. Arriving at the apartment close to 9:30, Ian unlocked the gate and led her to the front door of the guest house. As he opened the door to the darkened room he whispered, “Tadaima.” I’m home. He showed Bianca to her room where Jiro had already deposited her bags. She hugged Ian, turned to her futon, and crawled into it without changing into pajamas. Ian turned to close the door. “Ian, wait.” He turned back. “You’re happy here.” He nodded. “You feel at home, don’t you?” He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. He nodded again. She closed her eyes and fell asleep. *** Excerpt from Autumn Embers by Tina deBellegarde. Copyright 2024 by Tina deBellegarde. Reproduced with permission from Tina deBellegarde. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Tina deBellegarde:

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Tina deBellegarde

Tina deBellegarde’s debut novel, Winter Witness, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Dead Man’s Leap, her second book in the Batavia-on-Hudson Mystery series, was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel. Reviewers have called Tina “the Louise Penny of the Catskills.” Tina also writes short stories and flash fiction. Her story “Tokyo Stranger,” nominated for a Derringer Award, appears in the Mystery Writers of America anthology When a Stranger Comes to Town edited by Michael Koryta. Tina co-chairs the Murderous March Conference and is a founding member of Sleuths and Sidekicks, where she blogs, tours virtually, and teaches writing workshops. She is a member of Writers in Kyoto and reviews books for BooksOnAsia.net. She lives in Catskill, New York with her husband Denis and their cat Shelby. She travels frequently to Japan to visit her son and daughter-in-law and to do research. Tina is currently working on a collection of interconnected short stories based in Japan.

Catch Up With Tina deBellegarde: www.TinadeBellegarde.com www.SleuthsAndSidekicks.com Goodreads BookBub – @tinadebellegarde Instagram – @tdb_writes Threads – @tdb_writes Twitter/X – @tdbwrites Facebook – @tinadebellegardeauthor

 

 

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