Author Archive

Books From The Backlog #1 ~ Kin by Kealan Patrick Burke

Posted: February 14, 2019 in horror, Meme
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If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
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Kin

  by Kealan Patrick Burke

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Genre: Horror

Synopsis

On a scorching hot summer day in Elkwood, Alabama, Claire Lambert staggers naked, wounded, and half-blind away from the scene of an atrocity. She is the sole survivor of a nightmare that claimed her friends, and even as she prays for rescue, the killers — a family of cannibalistic lunatics — are closing in.

A soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder returns from Iraq to the news that his brother is among the murdered in Elkwood.

In snowbound Detroit, a waitress trapped in an abusive relationship gets an unexpected visit that will lead to bloodshed and send her back on the road to a past she has spent years trying to outrun.

And Claire, the only survivor of the Elkwood Massacre, haunted by her dead friends, dreams of vengeance… a dream which will be realized as grief and rage turn good people into cold-blooded murderers and force alliances among strangers.

It’s time to return to Elkwood.

In the spirit of such iconic horror classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Deliverance, Kin begins at the end and studies the possible aftermath for the survivors of such traumas upon their return to the real world — the guilt, the grief, the thirst for revenge — and sets them on an unthinkable journey… back into the heart of darkness.

Amazon / B&N

I’ve read several of Kealan’s books and for some reason, I overlooked this one. It’s been on my shelf since October 2012. I think it’s time to give it a go. Have you read it?

The above cover is a new version. Here’s the one I added back in 2012 released by Cemetery Dance Publications.

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Which do you like better?

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

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Queen To Ashes ~ Pre-Order Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: February 13, 2019 in giveaways, YA Fantasy
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Today Mallory McCartney and Rockstar Book Tours are happy to announce that QUEEN TO ASHES, is available for pre-order! Check out all the book info and enter the giveaway!


Title: QUEEN TO ASHES (Black Dawn #2)
Author: Mallory McCartney
Pub. Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Clean Reads Publishing
Formats: eBook
Pages: ?
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Amazon Canada

“You lived your entire life feeling like half of you was missing. Fight for the missing part. Fight for this.”

Emory Fae has abandoned everything she thought she knew about her previous life on Earth. Stepping up to her role as Queen of Kiero she makes a startling sacrifice- feigning her allegiances to Adair Stratton, the man who murdered her parents and casted Kiero into ruin. Emory’s memories slowly piece together, and she soon realizes the Mad King may not be all he seems— and the man who was once best friend, may be fighting beneath the surface.

With the King’s attention on her, can she buy Black Dawn Rebellion enough time to recuperate their forces? And when the times comes, will she be able to kill Adair, ending his tyranny and rising herself as the rightful Queen? Fighting to hide her secret, Emory navigates the brutal trials of the Mad King, trying not to lose herself in the process.

Sequel to Black Dawn, now a bestselling series, the sparks are ignited, as Emory learns the cost of freedom, and her title. Will the rebels unite in time? A sinister force has spread across the land, stripping everyone bare- their betrayals, their secrets, their intentions. But above all, what will their decisions cost? By refusing to give in to the darkness, will Emory rise as Queen?

Renegade and Black Dawn will be available in the following #Vancouver area locations : Chapters Burnaby, Indigo Surrey, Chapters Coquitlam, Indigo West Vancouver, Indigo Granville (2505 Granville St) and Indigo Robson (1033 Robson St) in December!


Title: RENEGADE (Black Dawn 0.5)
Author: Mallory McCartney
Pub. Date: July 3, 2018
Publisher: Clean Reads Publishing
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Pages: 274
Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, Goodreads

“The time for Kiero’s reign in prosperity is over.”

Six years before the Black Dawn Rebellion, Adair Stratton and Emory Fae are following in their parent’s footsteps and living at The Academy, a home for those who are gifted. The pressure to uphold the future of their parent’s dream falls on them. An outcast and feared by most, Adair longs to break away from the expectations dictating his future. Even if Emory tries to make him see differently. An unexpected group of friends keep him there, but as whispers of unexplained disappearances start reaching from the capital, Adair starts to doubt The Academy is all it seems.

An unexpected visit ignites new tensions as the roguish king from across the Black Sea, Tadeas Maher of the Shattered Isles, and his heir, Marquis Maher sail to Kiero. Notorious for their pirating and wrath- for the first time in years, they demand the Fae’s listen to their proposition for a new treaty, holding the news of Nei’s father’s abrupt death over them. Caught in the middle of politics- Adair and Emory, with the help of their best friends Brokk and Memphis search for the one thing that matters most- finding out the truth.

In this gripping prequel to Black Dawn, their world is tipped upside down as unlikely alliances are made. War ravages through Kiero and is torn apart by acclaimed Kings. Through the throes of betrayal, lies, hidden magic and love, Adair is faced with a life changing decision- to fight or to bow to the darkness within him.


Title: BLACK DAWN (Black Dawn #1)
Author: Mallory McCartney
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Publisher: Clean Reads Publishing
Pages: 352
Formats: Paperback, eBook
Find it: Amazon, B&N, TBD, Goodreads

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life. That is until two mysterious, and handsome soldiers show up at her apartment, and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Memphis Carter and Brokk Foster come from the magical and war ridden world of Kiero, and bringing Emory back she will discover she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line and is thrown into the Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne.

With both men being darkly woven in her past Emory uncovers hidden secrets, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.

Some things are better left in the shadows.

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About Mallory



Mallory McCartney is the author of the bestselling Black Dawn series. She currently lives in Sarnia, Ontario with her husband and their three dachshunds Link, Lola and Leonard. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found day dreaming about fantasy worlds and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads

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a Rafflecopter 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Adventures With Annabelle And Maisie ~ Delightful Excerpts and Giveaway

Posted: February 13, 2019 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, Excerpt, giveaways
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The Day Annabelle Was Bitten By a Doodlebug
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children’s Rhyming Picture Book
 
When pre-schooler Annabelle awakens one morning,
she has a strange urge to start doodling.
She calls for paper and pen and begins doodling continuously, unable to stop—
even for meals! Her concerned parents take her to the doctor, who discovers a
doodlebug bite on her neck.
He assures them her doodling urges will end when the bite fades away.
Annabelle gets so good at doodling she opens a shop to sell her work and even travels
the world to share her art.
Then one day the bite fades and so do her uncontrollable urges.
 
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Doodlebug Excerpt 5_600x600
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The Day Maisie and Annabelle Got the Giggles
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children’s Rhyming Picture Book 
 
After sisters Annabelle and Maisie meet the gigglepuss outside on the
trampoline, they suddenly can’t stop giggling. Their dad has a hard
time believing they met a gigglepuss, calling it “mythical
nonsense.” But as time passes and they giggle harder and harder,
there’s no choice but to take them to the doctor, who provides an
unpleasant but effective remedy. Wonder who else in the family will
encounter that rascally gigglepuss?
 
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Giggles Excerpt 2_464x600
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The Day Maisie Picked a Daisy
by Julie Wenzlick
Genre: Children’s Rhyming Picture Book 
 
When big sister Annabelle decides to go against Mom’s rules and take
little sister Maisie Grace for a ride in her pink Barbie Corvette,
she has no idea of the adventure that lies ahead!  Join these
wandering sisters as they explore Miss Millie’s garden and fail to
obey the sign: Do NOT pick the Daisies!  What will happen when
Maisie unknowingly plucks one daisy from the garden?
 
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Julie Wenzlick is a retired English teacher who loves to rhyme. She began
writing poems and stories in second grade, and she loves to share her
books with elementary students in hopes of inspiring them to write
their own stories. Three of her books were inspired by her
granddaughters Annabelle and Maisie. She often gets the question from
her young audiences, “Did this REALLY happen?” Her book
“The Day Annabelle was Bitten by a Doodlebug” was chosen as
Honorable Mention in the Writer’s Digest Children’s Book category for
2017. Julie, who also writes songs to go with her books, produced her
original full-length musical comedy “Singles File,” in the
early 90s at three venues. You can find out more about her at
juliewenzlick.com
 
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ Strange Blood

Posted: February 12, 2019 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, horror, movies, Vampires
Tags: , , ,
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I’m thrilled to share the cover reveal for Strange Blood. I’ve watched so many vampire movies. Have a fondness for those old black and white ones. But I also love the new ones with all the special effects. Strange Blood is a collection of essays about vampire movies. Some you may have seen. Some you might never have heard of. And some contain vampires in guises you probably never imagined. I’ll be reading this and sharing my review and am excited to share the fabulous cover art for this collection!

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STRANGE BLOOD: 70 ESSAYS ON OFFBEAT AND UNDERRATED VAMPIRE MOVIES

EDITED BY VANESSA MORGAN

Genre: horror, vampires, movies, non-fiction

Cover design: Gilles Vranckx

Release date: April 2019

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Blurb

This is an overview of the most offbeat and underrated vampire movies spanning nine decades and 23 countries. 

Strange Blood encompasses well-known hits as well as obscurities that differ from your standard fang fare by turning genre conventions on their head. Here, vampires come in the form of cars, pets, aliens, mechanical objects, gorillas, or floating heads. And when they do look like a demonic monster or an aristocratic Count or Countess, they break the mold in terms of imagery, style, or setting.

Leading horror writers, filmmakers, actors, distributors, academics, and programmers present their favorite vampire films through in-depth essays, providing background information, analysis, and trivia regarding the various films. Some of these stories are hilarious, some are terrifying, some are touching, and some are just plain weird. Not all of these movies line up with the critical consensus, yet they have one thing in common: they are unlike anything you’ve ever seen in the world of vampires.

Just when you thought that the children of the night had become a tired trope, it turns out they have quite a diverse inventory after all.

 

Publisher: Moonlight Creek Publishing

Author Vanessa Morgan

Vanessa Morgan is the author of several fiction and non-fiction books in the horror genre. Three of her stories (The Strangers Outside, Next to Her and A Good Man), have become movies. When she’s not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching horror movies, digging through flea markets, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats (www.traveling-cats.com).

Social media links

Twitter / Amazon / Newsletter / Bookbub

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

Posted: February 12, 2019 in giveaways, Historical
Tags: ,
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​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time.
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The Chef's Secret by Crystal King

The Chef’s Secret

by Crystal King

Category: Adult fiction,  352 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Atria/Simon & Schuster
Release date: Feb 12, 2019
Tour dates: Feb 11 to 28, 2019
Content Rating: R (for a couple of explicit, but loving, sex scenes (no abuse or rape) and minor curse words)

Synopsis

​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncle’s secrets—including the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate—properties, money, and his position—to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi’s dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni’s life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle’s secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi’s journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder—all to protect an illicit love affair.

As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi’s past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces—his brother Cesare and Scappi’s former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef’s recipes.

With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chef’s Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indiebound
Books-a-Million ~ Kobo ~ iTunes
Google Play ~ Book Depository
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Add to Goodreads

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Enjoy the interview with author Crystal King

What did you like most about writing The Chef’s Secret?

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I love writing about food and Bartolomeo Scappi was one of the most fascinating culinary characters I could have chosen. I loved exploring the cookbook he wrote in 1570 and learning all the regional food traditions. The Renaissance is also such a fun time in history to research–there are so many colorful, artistic characters that lived during that time whom my main character may have known. I loved that I could add famous artists like Benvenuto Cellini and Michelangelo as characters–it’s very probably that Bartolomeo had cooked them a meal at some point in his life.

Do you ever cook any of the recipes described in your book?

Yes! That’s one of the most exciting things to me about exploring the lives of Italian culinary heroes. I think to really know my characters I have to cook the foods that they would have cooked or at least make a grand attempt to. The recipes aren’t always easy to decipher, and many of the ingredients are not as familiar today to a modern palate. Or they are things we just don’t eat any more. For example, peacock, crane, calves eyeballs, hedgehog, or porcupine. But there are many things.There are many things in the 1570 cookbook that Bartolomeo Scappi wrote that we would find delicious, including apple crostata, braised beef, mushroom soup, fritters, and so much more. I include many of these recipes in The Chef’s Secret Companion cookbook, which can be found here. And if you are interested in ancient Roman food, check out my page all about the cuisine of that time, and you can also download the Feast of Sorrow companion cookbook too.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

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This is hard because I don’t think of myself like my characters. Maybe Stella, Bartolomeo’s great love. Although, it’s funny, when I wrote Feast of Sorrow, my husband said, “oh you are  just like Thrasius,” who was one of the main characters in that book. I was floored, because I think I’m nothing like him, but apparently my subconscious is! When I finished The Chef’s Secret, I asked him if I was like Giovanni and he said absolutely not, so I think I might have successfully taken myself out of the book which is good.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

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I do. I work as a social media professor for a technology company. I develop video lessons on how to use all the social media platforms. Eventually I hope that I am only writing books, but it’s hard for authors to make a living today. Until I’m able to do that, I am lucky to have a day job that I also really love.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

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I don’t. If anything, I get stopped by not having enough time or I don’t feel motivated–which is different than being blocked. I don’t think I would ever be somebody who could suffer from writer’s block–knock on wood. I went to school for my M.A. in critical and creative thinking, and as part of my thesis, I developed writing exercises for authors in progress– authors who are stuck with parts of their plot. And if I ever feel stuck, I go to one of those exercises to unstick myself. I also spend a lot of time talking to myself and working through plot problems. This sounds funny but it’s super helpful for me. I’m the person that you might be next to at a stoplight in your car, and you look over and that woman is just talking away to herself. That would be me asking myself questions. What if this happened? How do I get this character to do that? And I just explore all those ideas and questions out loud. It’s amazing how often answers will come to me when I’m talking to myself.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

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This is a hard question because I have studied several different time periods, and while I would love to go back and be a fly on the wall in them, I think it would be difficult to want to live in those time frames, particularly as a woman. If I had to say, I would like to visit ancient Rome and see it in all of its beautiful splendor, and I would, of course, love to see Rome in the Renaissance, but well after the sack of Rome.

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Crystal King

About Author Crystal King

​Crystal King is an author, culinary enthusiast, and marketing expert. Her writing is fueled by a love of history and a passion for the food, language, and culture of Italy. She has taught classes in writing, creativity, and social media at several universities including Harvard Extension School and Boston University, as well as at GrubStreet, one of the leading creative writing centers in the US.

A Pushcart Prize–nominated poet and former co-editor of the online literary arts journal Plum Ruby Review, Crystal received her MA in critical and creative thinking from UMass Boston, where she developed a series of exercises and writing prompts to help fiction writers in medias res. She resides in Boston but considers Italy her next great love after her husband, Joe, and their two cats, Nero and Merlin. She is the author of Feast of Sorrow.

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

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GIVEAWAY

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Spotlight Tour Schedule

Feb 11 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 11 – Essentially Italian – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 12 – Viviana MacKade – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – A Fountain of Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – FUONLYKNEW – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 13 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – 100 Pages A Day – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 14 – Falling Into A Good Book – book spotlight
Feb 14 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 14 – Lukten av trykksverte – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – Paulette’s Papers – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – It’s All About the Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 15 – Cat’s Corner – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 15 – Amy’s Booket List – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Haddie’s Haven – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Just One More Chapter – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 19 – Icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 19 – A Madison Mom – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 20 – A Holland Reads – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 21 – Rainy Day Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – The Book Girl – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 25 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Lisa-Queen of Random – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Corinne Rodrigues – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 26 – Laura Reading – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 26 – Within The Pages Of A Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – My Devotional Thoughts – book spotlight / author interview
Feb 28 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Feb 28 – Dab of Darkness Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Two Witches And A Whiskey ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: February 11, 2019 in giveaways, New Adult, urban fantasy
Tags: , , ,
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Two WitchesAndAWhiskeyBlitzBanner-1

Two Witches and a Whiskey
by Annette Marie
(The Guild Codex: Spellbound, #3)
Publication date: February 8th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
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Two Witches cover
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Synopsis:
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Three months ago, I landed a job as a bartender. But not at a bar—at a guild. Yeah, the magic kind.

I’m not a badass mage like my three smokin’ hot best friends. I’m not a sorcerer or an alchemist, or even a wussy witch. I’m just a human, slinging drinks like a pro and keeping my non-magical nose out of mythic business. Seriously, I know my limits.

So why am I currently standing in a black-magic ritual circle across from a fae lord?

Somewhere behind me, my three mage friends are battling for their lives. Somewhere near my feet is the rogue witch I just knocked out with a stolen spell. And I have about five seconds to convince this very angry sea god not to shmoosh me like a bug.

I’m pretty sure this wasn’t part of the job description.

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THE GUILD CODEX: SPELLBOUND
Three Mages and a Margarita (#1)
Dark Arts and a Daiquiri (#2)
Two Witches and a Whiskey (#3)

Purchase: Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Shouts burst from Aaron’s table in a mix of triumph and dejection. Half the table lifted their shot glasses and tossed them back, Aaron included. He slammed his glass down and growled.
“That one wasn’t fair,” he complained. “Lyndon, your turn.”
Surveying the gathering, I counted most of our top combat mythics—from mages like Aaron, Kai, and Laetitia, to sorcerers like Andrew, Lyndon, Gwen, and Zora. Even Girard, the first officer, had joined in. This was the elite faction of the guild—the ones who claimed the toughest jobs and took on the deadliest opponents.
Ezra was part of the circle too, but he’d slid his chair back and didn’t have a glass. He never drank much, stopping long before he got tipsy.
Whiskey bottle in hand, I leaned against his chair. “What’s going on?”
“Drinking game,” Ezra replied with a grin. “Going around the circle, each person shares something they’ve done or experienced on a job. Anyone who hasn’t had a similar experience has to drink.”
“Since Darius covered it so thoroughly,” Lyndon declared, “I want to know. Who’s been bitten by a vamp? If you haven’t, cheers!”
Groaning, Aaron downed his refilled glass. Wasn’t he happy to be vamp-bite-free? Or maybe he was so many shots in that he’d prefer pointy fangs over more liquor. Laetitia, Gwen, Andrew, and two others drank as well, but Kai didn’t.
Zora pushed her sleeve up and displayed an ugly half-circle scar on her forearm. “The bastard nearly ripped a chunk out of me. It happened back at my old guild and their healer wasn’t top- notch.”
As various mythics whistled appreciatively, Lyndon pulled his shirt collar aside. A similar scar marked the spot where his neck and shoulder joined. “She drained a solid pint before my team caught up. I don’t normally relish a kill, but that one didn’t bother me.”
They passed the whiskey around, refilling their shot glasses.
Andrew, a skilled defensive sorcerer and frequent team leader, leaned back in his chair. “I want to see who hasn’t tripped and fallen on their face in the middle of a fight. And when you drink, we’ll all know you for the liar you are.”
As everyone laughed, Kai alone lifted his shot and downed it. Smacking it on the table, he raised his chin in challenge. “Who’s calling me a liar?”
I snickered when no one said a word. If there was ever a mythic who hadn’t wiped out in a battle, it was super-ninja Kai.
Girard stroked his beard. “My turn, isn’t it?”
Aaron and Kai exchanged despairing glances.
Smirking, Ezra half-whispered to me, “Girard will try to make everyone drink.”
The officer shot him a grin, then lifted his glass in a mocking toast. “Not to get too macabre, but Lyndon brought up kills, so. If you haven’t seen at least six bodies in one place, drink.”
“What?” Gwen pointed accusingly. “What kind of horrific shit have you been sticking your greasy beard in, Girard? Who stumbles across six piss-reeking corpses?”
Ah, Gwen. Every time she opened her foul mouth, I had to fight the urge to laugh. With her sleek blond ponytail and penchant for designer business attire, she looked like a high-end executive— an impression she ruined whenever she spoke.
Girard wagged a finger. “Drink, Gwen.”
Scowling, she tossed back her shot. Everyone else lifted theirs—except Aaron and Kai. Their smiles had vanished, their expressions grim as they stared at their shots like they wished they could drink too.
An uncomfortable silence settled over the table, then Zora grabbed my arm and pulled me in front of Ezra’s chair. “Tori, you do one!”
“Uh, me?”
His drunken grin back in full force, Aaron took my replacement whiskey bottle and stuffed a full shot into my hand in its place. “Give us a good one, Tori!”
I blinked around the table, packed with the guild’s best warriors. What could little ol’ human me say? What had I done that none of them had? Well, there were a few contenders. Flown with a dragon? Made a darkfae scream like a sissy girl? Punched a rogue druid in the nose? Problem was, I couldn’t talk about any of that.
My gaze dropped to Aaron. “Who here has thrown a drink on three mages at once?”
Laughing groans circled the table. Even Girard had to take a shot.
“Wait!” Laetitia lowered her whiskey. “I spilled a coffee across Darius, Tabitha, and myself once. Does that count?”
The table debated, then decided it counted. Zora gave me a commiserating slap on the hip, making me stumble backward into Ezra, still seated in his chair. He steadied me with a hand on my waist.
“Good try!” Zora exclaimed. “You almost had it, but no one’s managed to make everyone drink yet.”
“Tori could have,” Kai interjected. “All she had to do was say ‘kissed Aaron.’ Then we all would have lost.”
The guys howled with laughter and Aaron snorted.
Zora turned to Alistair, an older man I knew only as the most powerful mage in the guild. He was rarely here, too busy hunting the scariest bad guys both in the city and outside it.
“Last round, Alistair,” she said. “I can’t handle any more whiskey, so this is your final chance to claim ultimate victory. Go big or go home.”
Alistair tugged thoughtfully on his snow-white beard. Deeply tanned and weathered, with full- sleeve tattoos on his sinewy arms, he oozed badass-ness. I leaned forward, eager to hear his challenge.
“Hmm. All right, this is mine: Who among us has fought the ultimate opponent?” His dark stare roved around the table. “Who’s fought a demon mage?”
No one moved. A wordless ripple passed among the mythics as they assessed their comrades’ reactions. Cold, tangible fear crawled through the eerie silence. Then, in near perfect unison, they lifted their shots and drank.

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Author Annette Marie

Annette withces

Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

Author links:  Website /  Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

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Grand Slam Murders by R.J. Lee ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Posted: February 11, 2019 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Grand Slam Murders

A Bridge To Death Mystery

by R. J. Lee

40179509

Grand Slam Murders (A Bridge to Death Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher: Kensington (January 29, 2019)
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 149671914X
ISBN-13: 978-1496719140
Digital ASIN: B07CWF82MH

After four bridge players are poisoned, newspaper reporter Wendy Winchester sets out to catch a killer who’s not playing with a full deck . . .

When the four wealthy widows who make up the venerable Rosalie Bridge Club never get up from their card table, this quiet Mississippi town has its first quadruple homicide. Who put cyanide in their sugar bowl? An aspiring member and kibitzer with the exclusive club, Wendy takes a personal interest in finding justice for the ladies.

She also has a professional motivation. A frustrated society columnist for the Rosalie Citizen, she’s ready to deal herself a better hand as an investigative reporter. This could be her big break. Plus, she has a card or two up her sleeve: her sometimes boyfriend is a detective and her dad is the local chief of police.

Partnering up with the men in her life, Wendy starts shuffling through suspects and turning over secrets long held close to the chest by the ladies. But when a wild card tries to take her out of the game, Wendy decides it’s time to up the ante before she’s the next one to go down . . .

Author R.J. Lee

R. J. Lee follows in the mystery-writing footsteps of his father, R. Keene Lee, who wrote fighter pilot and detective stories for Fiction House, publishers of WINGS Magazine and other ‘pulp fiction’ periodicals in the late ’40’s and ’50’s. Lee was born and grew up in the Mississippi River port of Natchez but also spent thirty years living in the Crescent City of New Orleans. A graduate of the University of the South (Sewanee) where he studied creative writing under Sewanee Review editor, Andrew Lytle, Lee now resides in Oxford, Mississippi.

Author Link – Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon  –  B&N – Google Play –  IndieBound  – Kobo

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GIVEAWAY

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 4 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

February 4 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 5 – Here’s How It Happened – GUEST POST

February 6 – Christa Reads & Writes – REVIEW

February 6 – Readeropolis – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 7 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 8 – Jody’s Book Reviews, Book Tours & Giveaways – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 8 – T’s Stuff – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 9 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

February 10 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 11 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – Laura`s Interests – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 13 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

February 13 – Valerie’s Musings – 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #299 and The Sunday Post

Posted: February 10, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: ,
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bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

This is my own version of a weekly book haul and all things new on fuonlyknew.

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

The weather was so nice this week. Warm and… warm. LOL It did take a dip back to cold on Friday. But Saturday I got up to sunny skies and it warmed up quite nicely around lunch time. Supposed to stay high sixties to seventy all next week. Spring is in the air and I can’t wait!

Nothing much else to report. So I’ll just say……..

Have a lovely Sunday.

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My new books this week.

My Hungry Friend by [Barnett, Daniel]  Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors by [Griffith, Kathryn Meyer]

Murder Between the Pages (The Nina Foster Mystery Series Book 1) by [Lee, Linda Hope]  Into the Darkness: A Taine McKenna Adventure (Taine McKenna Adventures) by [Murray, Lee]

Traveler in the Dark (Ex Situ Book 1) by [Gould, Deirdre]  Isle of Savages by [Briar, T.]

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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

His Hand In the Storm: Gray James Detective Murder Mystery and Suspense (Chief Inspector Gray James Detective Murder Mystery Series Book 1) by [Sethi, Ritu]  The Last Call (The Bill Travis Mysteries Book 1) by [Wier, George]

Morning Glory Murder: A Pleasant View Estates Mystery by [Randall, Jessica L.]  The Ruth Valley Missing (Jameson Quinn Mysteries Book 1) by [West, Amber]

SHADOW PACK: An Urban Fantasy Mystery (Michael Biörn Book 1) by [Daniel, Marc]  Messenger (The Shifter War Book 1) by [Ness, K K]

Broken Doll (Broken Doll Series Book 1) by [Blake, Zoe]  Grave Girl by [Cross, Amy]

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Click on the covers for this week’s reviews.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Are You Ready For …… The Novel Art Of Murder ~ Tour and Giveaway

Slime Spewing Vampire Velociraptors & Flying Mutant Zombie Rats ~ Reviews and Giveaway

Imani Unraveled ~ Release Day Blitz and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #251 ~ Moses & Mac

Mars Wars ~ Detonation Event ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Murder, She Meowed ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Ghosts Of Thores-Cross ~ Series Tour and Giveaway

The Friday 56 #198 ~ My Hungry Friend

Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway for Winning The Cowboy’s Heart

Who will survive the Night Shift

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Who survives the Night Shift

Posted: February 9, 2019 in reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: ,
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Got a chilly one for you today. Thanks to Flame Tree Press I received this beautiful paperback ARC of Night Shift by Robin Triggs and I’m happy to share my review with you.

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 Night Shift

  by Robin Triggs

39654846

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Genre: Science Fiction

 My  Review

I was really wanting to love this. Stories that are set in Antarctica are a big draw for me. The harshness of frigid temps and the isolation from society. It brings group dynamics into play. Another favorite aspect for me.

It was fascinating to see how this group of miners would handle the challenges that were thrown at them. The long night is coming. A new Chief of Security, Anders Norvekdt, arrives. The crew lacks confidence in his abilities as the winter over starts. His own self doubt is evident and when the commander’s body is found frozen outside and communication with the outside world goes down, he’s the likely suspect. But, trust is in short supply, and the crew also turn their suspicions on each other.

Who would fall to the hunger, fear and isolation and who would rise to lead was the best part of this story. I can’t say it was the character’s personalities. I didn’t warm up to any of them. And I was disappointed in the world building. I gathered it was in the near future as the mining operation was a last ditch hope to discover a new energy source to keep society alive. But it was never really explained. You’re left to draw your own conclusions.

The last quarter of the book was pretty thrilling. As the last remaining crew members have to rely on each other to survive, despite their mistrust, their situation gets more dire. Lack of food and water and a way to stay warm force them into smaller and smaller locations. The author put me in their shoes as they despair, grow weaker and weaker. Crammed together, they wait for the night shift to end.

 The issues that kept me from loving this book weren’t major, yet, they did add up. I can say I never wanted to stop reading and I did enjoy it.

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Synopsis

Antarctica. A mining base at the edge of the world. Anders Nordvelt is over-promoted and he knows it. Arriving at Australis base on the last transport before the long night falls, he is to take over as Chief of Security. It should be an easy job. The crew have all been rigorously psychoanalysed and he’s there only because the rulebook says the position must be filled. The biggest challenge Anders anticipates is to find his place within an established group. But shortly after his arrival communications to the outside world are cut. Suspicion immediately falls upon Anders. It’s his job to uncover the culprit – but how can he find answers when the rest of the crew, bound by relationships, resentments and passions he knows nothing about, see him as the threat? Surely no-one can have crossed thousands of miles of wasteland – the sabotage must have been an inside job. But how could a criminal have got past the screening process? Then the commander’s body is found in the ice. The running of the base falls to the senior staff, Anders included, but there is open hostility towards him. Only the uncertain support of the engineer, Max, gives any hope. But can he trust her? Is he giving her too much leeway as it is? Amidst the fear the work must continue. In a world where every last scrap of fuel is precious, the minerals must keep flowing. But the attacks continue, leaving them with no heating and little food. As they shelter in a basement room, claustrophobia, starvation and madness become as big a threat as a murderer. Will Anders live long enough to find the killer? Will anyone survive the night shift, or will future explorers find only ice and frozen corpses in the last remaining wilderness on the planet? FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.

Amazon / B&N

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway for Winning The Cowboy’s Heart

Posted: February 9, 2019 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: ,
2


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

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Winning the Cowboy’s Heart

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By Karen Rock

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you’ll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch – Note from the Author

The Cade and Loveland family drama continues with the fifth book in my Rocky Mountain Cowboys series! The Cade and Loveland ranching families, neighbors who’ve been feuding for over a hundred years, are full of such interesting and complicated characters who face, and overcome, personal challenges in unique and inspiring ways to find true love and happiness. . . . I hope you enjoy this long awaited love story where opposites truly attract and learning to love yourself is the first step to truly loving another.

— Karen

Rockin’ Book Reviews – Review

“This is an entertaining tale of two “sworn enemy” families who were forced to look “deep within themselves and in others”. This story is somewhat predictable, yet, keeps the reader interested until the very end.

This will surely inspire all who read it. The characters are very realistic and the scenes easily visualized.”

Britt Reads Fiction – Review

“What a great story! This book is part of a series, yet I had no trouble jumping in and understanding some of the backstory between the two main families that was established in previous novels.

I really liked Heath and Jewel and wanted things to work out for them. They had such great chemistry . . . . I really liked this story and hope to read future books in this series.”

Hallie Reads – Review

“Another delightful cowboy story from Karen Rock, Winning the Cowboy’s Heart puts Jewel Cade and Heath Loveland at the forefront of the action. Their families may be feuding, but the chemistry and attraction they share is undeniable—and seeing their romance unfold is well worth the read. . . . If you love cowboy romances, definitely check out Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. It reads well on its own, so don’t worry if you haven’t read the rest of the series yet (but those books are wonderful, too!).”

The Power of Words – Review

“Winning the Cowboy’s Heart is an excellent story, as is the whole Rocky Mountain Cowboys series. It’s well written, highly entertaining, almost impossible to put down, engages the emotions, and is clean. . . . Woven throughout this story is the off-the-charts chemistry between Heath and Jewel, with some kissing scenes guaranteed to leave you weak at the knees, but there’s also tons of atmosphere, character depth and relational drama. . . . I don’t think I’ll ever tire of this series and hope for more stories to come. Highly recommended.”

Getting Your Read On – Review

“This has been such a fun series so far. I am loving it. Finally we get to Jewel, one of the rare women in the midst of this family of mostly men. . . . I really loved Jewel. . . . One thing I love about this book was Heath’s perspective. . . . The family dynamics continue to play a large role in the book as with all the other books in this series. The bigger story is playing out and shifting with each of the main characters from previous books contributing their part. I love the ongoing feeling of family and, well, the drama that only family can bring.

I can’t wait for the next book which is coming soon!”

Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review

“Karen Rock does a fantastic job of portraying her character’s feelings with vivid imagery that completely sings to my soul. . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the small-town, cowboy feel to the story and loved the grit and determination of both Heath and Jewel, as they work hard to prove themselves and to follow their individual dreams. . . . The chemistry simmers from the start and the gradual release was well worth the wait. I think this one is my favorite of the set so far! I loved every juicy minute of this book and I can’t wait for more.”

Jorie Loves A Story – Review

“The beauty of this installment is not just keeping the continuity in tact for the Loveland/Cade adverse relationship stemming from water rights but for giving us a glimpse into how hard it is to recognise needing the time to learn “who you are’ before you can consider becoming a ‘partner’ with someone else. . . . Rock hasn’t disappointed me – she’s crafted together a wicked lovely fifth installment of a series that is enduring as it is nurturing . . . its a series that once it grabs your emotional bookish hearts, your not going to want to ‘let it go’ until you get the chance to read the next story!”

Deal Sharing Aunt – Review

“This is a great book inspired by Romeo and Juliet. It has the arts in it (music) and it has a family rivalry. . . . Even though their families are feuding, they are thrown together. As they work side by side they start to fall for each other. . . . I am giving this book a 5/5.”

Faithfully Bookish – Review

“This is a great book for readers who enjoy clean romance, big families, ranching, music, and happily ever afters. Although I’m sure the previous books in this series are equally enjoyable, this story can be read independently and I definitely recommend it!”

Remembrancy – Review

“With the pull of attraction getting stronger between Heath and Jewell, a looming lawsuit between the families, and discovering what’s most important in their lives, Karen Rock gives readers another thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling story. Winning the Cowboy’s Heart one is the best in the series yet!”

onemused – Review

“#WinningTheCowboysHeart is a Romeo and Juliet style cowboy romance. . . . Heath and Jewel are a great, complimentary couple. Notably, as a heartwarming book, you won’t find more than a kiss in the book- but boy, are there some kisses! I highly recommend!”

EmpowerMoms – Review

“This story was really fun to read! I enjoyed the characters, family dynamics and reading about daily life on the ranch. I can’t wait to read more books in this “Rocky Mountain Cowboys” series! . . . Highly recommend this book and series-it’s a lot of fun to read!”

Harlie’s Books – Review

“Okay, I still haven’t told you why I loved the book. Simple. Ms. Rock wrote it and I love the Cades and Lovelands, warts and all. With this story, my emotions and reactions were all over the place and I love her for it. She made me stop and think about it. I’m writing this review the night before its due and I finished the book over a week ago. Yes, I’m still thinking about it and my emotions are still strong.”

Janice’s Book Reviews – Review

“Since I read the first book in the series and then ones after that I have looked forward to Jewel’s story. This book did not disappoint. . . . I am enjoying this series. They can be read as a stand alone but I recommend the whole series, they are all great.”

Two Girls and a Book – Review

“This has been a fun series so far and I have to admit that I’ve been anxiously waiting to read, Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. . . . Ms. Rock certainly made the wait worthwhile by focusing on Heath and Jewell. I absolutely loved the banter between them . . . I love novels that focus on family, friends and hard work something the author covers so well throughout this series. . . . It’s a fast-paced story filled with sweet and loveable characters, Although this is the 5th book in the series it can be read as a standalone but I recommend you read them in order so that you can follow the families and their history.”

Locks, Hooks and Books – Review

“I loved Winning the Cowboy’s Heart. Heath and Jewell were fun together. The chemistry between the two was undeniable. I never knew what would happen with them and had to keep turning the pages to find out. . . . I highly recommend it for readers who love a well written, clean and heartwarming romance. “

Thoughts of a Blonde – Review

“It’s like coming home again! Every time I open the latest book in Karen Rock’s Rocky Mountain Cowboy’s series, it’s like being among family. . . . I loved the complexity of their situation, and getting to catch up with news from how our favorite past couples are doing. Great characters, compelling drama and a sweet happily ever after … loved Jewel & Heath!”

Splashes into Books – Review

“This is a story of learning to trust yourself and to do things that will benefit yourself rather than striving always to please others. It is an exploration of how expectations and dreams can be revised, especially when you discover what your thought were facts really aren’t. . . . I’ve enjoyed every book in this series. They probably work well as standalones but they are about the same families and relate to events in chronological order – I highly recommend them all and can’t wait for the next one, A Rancher to Remember, to be released in April!”

Inside the Mind of an Avid Reader – Review

“Winning The Cowboy’s Heart by Karen Rock is absolutely amazing. I don’t know how but Rock always makes me feel like I am right there with her characters as I am reading. . . . I hope you are ready for a modern day Romeo and Juliet.”

Reading Is My SuperPower – Review

“I have been waiting for Jewel and Heath’s story since book one and boy howdy it did not disappoint. With one party already in full crush mode and the other party pretty much oblivious at first, it makes for some interesting tension in close quarters. But whew – once Heath figures things out he’s a man on mission. And since some of that mission involves sizzling kisses, you know I’m on board!”

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post, if you haven’t already…

Winning the Cowboy’s Heart
(Rocky Mountain Cowboys #5)
By Karen Rock
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 379 Pages
February 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

Jewel Cade wants two things—

One is Heath Loveland

The Rocky Mountain cowgirl has her heart set on becoming range boss of the Cade ranch. But first she has to accompany the son of her family’s longtime enemy—and her off-limits secret crush—on a cattle drive across Colorado. Discovering Heath shares her attraction only makes for a rockier road. Because Jewel has a sneaking suspicion that if she drops her guard, the cowboy might ride off with her heart.

Goodreads│Amazon│B&N│iBooks│Kobo│Harlequin

Other Books in the Series

And coming in April 2019…

About the Author

Award-winning author Karen Rock is both sweet and spicy—at least when it comes to her writing! The author of both YA and adult contemporary books writes sexy suspense novels and small-town romances for Harlequin and Kensington publishing. A strong believer in Happily-Ever-After, Karen loves creating unforgettable stories that leave her readers with a smile. When she’s not writing, Karen is an avid reader who also loves cooking her grandmother’s Italian recipes, baking and having the Adirondack Park wilderness as her backyard, where she lives with her husband, daughter, dog and cat who keep her life interesting and complete. Learn more about her at http://www.karenrock.com or follow her on twitter at http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Google+│Tumblr│Pinterest│BookBub│Amazon

Tour Giveaway

– 1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card – Open Internationally
– 1 winner will receive signed, print copies of the first four books in the Rocky Mountain Cowboys series (Christmas at Cade Ranch, Falling for a Cowboy, Bad Boy Rancher & A Cowboy’s Pride) – US Only
– Ends February 13, 2019

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

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