Author Archive

One Night Stands And Lesson Plans by M. Jane LaDow ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 9, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for One Night Stands And Lesson Plans organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author M. Jayne LaDow will be awarding 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.

One Night Stands And Lesson Plans

by M. Jane LaDow

 

 

Genre: Romance

Synopsis

In the close-knit town of Marchfield, where gossip spreads faster than a teenager’s texts, English teacher Audrey Fremont and Algebra instructor Oz Taylor find themselves at the center of a scandal—and a romance neither saw coming.

A few too many drinks at Happy Hour and a glimpse of his infuriatingly sexy shoulders lead to a one-night stand that should have ended there—but didn’t. Relentlessly organized and a bit of a perfectionist, Audrey is horrified to discover that Oz is one of her new coworkers. Yet, stolen glances in the hallway, moments in the copy room, and snarky banter make keeping it “no strings attached” nearly impossible to maintain.

With meddling friends and nosy colleagues already placing bets on their romance, Audrey and Oz can’t ignore the chemistry simmering between them. But just when Audrey thinks she’s got everything under control, a surprise confession from Oz leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about love.

In a town where everyone’s watching, Audrey and Oz must decide: will they keep playing it safe, or risk their hearts on a love that could change everything?

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 Enjoy this peek inside:

The wind turned, and the warm night air chilled. Clicking open the locks on my car, I tried to get in and drive away. Slowly, I turned to scan the area for Oz. He stood by his truck, watching me with his hands in his pockets. His eyes were dark, and I could feel the heat of his stare.

I should have waved goodbye, hopped into Green Lightning, and headed home. I should have taken a cold shower and written in my journal all the reasons why we should Never Ever, Get Back Together. Thanks, Taylor Swift.

I should woman up.

But there he was, giving me sexy, smoldering eyes as he leaned against his truck. He looked like a modern-day cowboy, all hard and rugged after a day on the ranch. I have always had a thing for cowboys. They were hard, tough, weather and work-worn on the outside but warm and loyal on the inside.

The logical side of my brain warned me to stay away, but he’d lassoed me with an invisible rope. I stepped toward him and watched his eyes widen, and his chest rise as he drew in a deep breath. It was all the encouragement I needed to close the space between us.

I stood inches from him, staring into his eyes, searching for a sign. His mouth hitched up on the right side, and I felt myself rise up on my toes, my hands on his wide shoulders, and kiss him.

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About Author M. Jane LaDow:

M. Jayne LaDow is a playwright and author who leapt into writing romance after spending thirty-three years wrangling middle school English students. Her rom-coms are hilariously inspired by her years in education, where she was regularly pied in the face, sang classroom karaoke, and dressed up like characters from novels. She resides with her very patient husband, two brilliant yet snarky children, three cuddly rescue cats, a toe-biting tortoise, and a bearded dragon who judges her life choices from his terrarium.

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Substack

Instagram / BookBub / The Story Graph / Goodreads

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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.

Like It’s Christmas By Diana A. Hicks ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: December 9, 2024 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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Like It’s Christmas

by Diana A. Hicks

 

(Winterstorm Village, #1)
Publication date: October 29th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Historical, Romance

At Winterstorm Village, a record-breaking blizzard always ends in a wedding before the season is over. This year promises to bring the mother of all snowstorms, and the residents couldn’t be more excited to see who’s next to tie the knot…

Rhett Parker hates Christmas. When the Mayor of Winterstorm has an unfortunate accident and ends up in a coma, Rhett is left hanging with the proverbial Santa Gift Bag. To make matters worse, the only one who can help him save their money-making tourist season is his office nemesis, Ms. Christmas cheer in a bottle, Parker Cruz.

Parker Cruz, the Mayor’s daughter, is determined to save Christmas now that her dad isn’t there to make it all happen. The only person standing in her way is the town’s Scrooge, the newly appointed Mayor, Rhett Parker.

She’s willing to do whatever it takes to make good on her promise to her dad. So, when a series of unlucky events strike, and the residents start talking about canceling Christmas, Parker does the unthinkable. She agrees to a fake date with her new boss.

Love is always in the air during the holidays at Winterstorm Village. So what if this year it’s all pretend? Or is it?

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Jesus, a date?” Rhett reached over and yanked the pen out of my hand.

“Hey.” I turned to glare at him.

“You need to slow down.” He tossed the pen over his shoulder. “What are you going to do when people want us to kiss?”

“Why would they even ask? That would be creepy. Relax, it’ll never come to that. At most, we’ll have to hold hands.” I stopped to inhale and give him a chance to catch up.

He rubbed the creases on his forehead as he paced to the fireplace and back. Every time, he glanced up at me, his intense gaze would settle on mine. He was really considering all the angles. How about that? We actually made a good team. I was the idea instigator. He was the executor.

“Proximity.” He finally said.

“What does that mean?”

“Can you handle it?” He cocked his head.

“What?”

He prowled toward me as his eyes darkened. Was he mad now? No, that wasn’t it. Rhett was doing the smoldering thing on me. Shit, I swallowed to ease my dry throat. Okay, I could do this. I was a professional. He stopped a mere two inches from me. We’d never been this close before. Oddly enough, I wasn’t repulsed by it. It was nice.

“I’m not nauseous.” I lifted my head to look at him. “You?”

He jaw clenched, then released, his gaze never leaving mine.. “It’s doable.” He nodded then reached behind me.

I glanced over my shoulder and followed his line of sight. “What are you doing?” I asked when he pressed the intercom button.

“Lila, can I see you in my office, please.” He released the button and turned to me. “Getting the ball rolling.”

“Lila is Mrs. Birdwhistle’s God daughter. She’ll be Lila’s first call. And then…”

“And then, the whole town will know.” He brought his hand up to my waist. “Last call to back out, Cruz. It’s now or never.”

“Never.” I placed my hand on his chest just as he leaned in to press his forehead to mine.

My heart drummed so hard, I swore I heard its echo against the walls. Once Lila barged in on us, we would have to follow through on our lie, all the way to New Year’s eve. How hard could it be?

“Omigod.” Lila dropped her iPad. “I’m sorry.” She bent down to retrieve it then fell to her knees while trying to reach for her Mac pen. “I’m sorry. I didn’t meant to…um, the door was opened.”

“It’s fine. I was just leaving.” I tentatively stepped away from Rhett. I hadn’t considered how much touching we needed to do to convey our message. As it was, it already felt like I’d been in Rhett’s arms for a very long time.

For his part, Rhett slowly released my waist and let his fingers skim the length of my arm until they landed in my palm. Our bodies moved with such synchronicity, I didn’t have time to react to the goosebumps fluttering my skin or jerk away from him. I just stood there, spellbound.

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About Author Diana A. Hicks:

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X / TikTok

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Moldy Orange Bandage By Lirio Blanco Show ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 8, 2024 in Uncategorized
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As much as we may love our families and friends, they
possess the ability to drive us crazy!

The Moldy Orange Bandage:

Playbooks and Short Stories

by Lirio Blanco Show

Genre: Literary Fiction

As much as we may love our families and friends, they
possess the ability to drive us crazy!

In this pair of theatrical playbooks (with a few short
stories as an added bonus), two family-friendly plays for tweens and up
showcase two different dramas.

In The Moldy Oranges, married life between an
American husband and his Latin immigrant wife never proves dull . . .
especially when the mother-in-law lives under the same roof. And then, when
their trusted neighbor requests a mysterious brown bag be hidden in their
closet, it provides the trigger for family secrets, suspicion, and intrigue.
What is in the brown bag? A diary? Stolen jewelry? A secret detonator for a
kitchen stove, perhaps?

Based on the events of Atlanta’s 2014 ice storm, a group of
middle school girls are trapped in their after-school classroom, seemingly
abandoned by the last faculty member, who flees to protect her own family
during the crisis. Three girls and the class bully must learn to cooperate for
survival until help arrives in The Box of Bandages.

From architect/author Lirio Blanco Show, these stories
provide a peek into family life with an in-law, stranded girls struggling to
cope with a bully, as well as a handful of short animal stories . . . some
based on true events, some completely fiction. Who dares to say which is which?

The answers lie within…

Amazon
* BookLogix
* B&N
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

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(All four adults begin arguing incoherently with one

another. CARMEN begins pacing around the room,

watching with a suspicious look in her eyes. She kneels

down and picks up the oranges, one by one, from the

floor and carefully places them on top of the dining table. Calmly watching the argument as it escalates, she

then glances at the audience and rolls her eyes, sighing

heavily. She picks up a single orange and begins to peel

it, then begins to eat it. After a few bites, CARMEN begins coughing hard, puts her hands on her chest, as her

face begins to turn red. She motions to her throat, trying to signal the others that she’s choking. Suddenly,

CARMEN collapses on the floor and stops moving.

ALEXA turns toward CARMEN with a shocked realization that her daughter is lying on the floor.)

 

ALEXA:

Carmen! (Shrieking) Carmen?

 

(A deep silence overtakes the room, the lights dim, and

a spotlight on CARMEN starts to brighten.)

 

(ALEXA and KIRA kneel down next to CARMEN in

complete silence.)

 

ALEXA:

Mom, is she okay?

 

KIRA:

Oh God, she is alive, but her pulse . . . it’s so weak. She is purple. Oh God! What happened?

 

ALEXA:

(Crying) I don’t know! Mom! What are we going to do?

What are we going to do?

 

(REGINA pushes the two aside and kneels down over

CARMEN.)

 

REGINA:

Get out of my way, you two!

 

DONOFRIO:

Yes, let Regina check Carmen! She’s a nurse!

 

REGINA:

Her face is purple . . . blue . . . She must have eaten or swallowed something that has blocked her airway.

 

DONOFRIO:

But what?

 

(DONOFRIO begins walking, looking around, and notices the orange peels on the table.)

 

DONOFRIO:

She ate oranges! She ate oranges, but how could that

cause her to choke?

 

REGINA:

The seeds! The seeds, Donofrio . . . Come on . . . Help

me lift her. We need to proceed with the Heimlich

maneuver!

 

(DONOFRIO lifts up CARMEN while REGINA supports her from behind and then presses her chest to forcefully eject the seed. REGINA makes several attempts to no avail while ALEXA and KIRA are desperately crying in the background.)

 

REGINA:

Oh no! Oh no, Carmen! This . . . is not your day, sweetie, no . . . Not today. C’mon, Donofrio, lay her on the floor again . . . Come on!

 

(DONOFRIO follows her directions, and REGINA

starts thrusting her fists against CARMEN’s chest, al-

ternating with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. After

three attempts, CARMEN starts coughing and spits

out the seeds. All surround her and give a collective

sigh of relief.)

 

CARMEN:

(Still coughing) What happened?

 

REGINA:

If it wasn’t for your little choking scene here, I was about to lay someone ELSE out in this room. Anybody

want to guess who?

 

(REGINA stares down ALEXA, who backs away.)

 

REGINA (CONTD.):

Or why?

 

CARMEN:

(Coughing less) No! No idea . . .

 

REGINA:

Because your mother started talking to me the same

way you talk to each other in this house—with dis-

respect to me and total disregard to my feelings.

That is why . . . and that my girl, that is not going to

happen . . . again!

 

ALEXA:

But Regina . . .

 

REGINA:

Oh no! No, Alexa . . . This time, you . . . and the rest of you . . .

 

(REGINA points accusingly at KIRA and DONOFRIO.)

 

REGINA (CONTD.):

. . . are going to be quiet . . . and listen to what I have to say. Get that child some water.

 

(DONOFRIO nods meekly and fetches a glass of water

for CARMEN, who is still lying on the floor. He kneels

down and gives it to her.)

 

REGINA:

Do you see this girl lying on the floor? She is the victim here! Yes . . . she is.

 

KIRA:

How dare you, Regina, talk to us like that?

 

REGINA:

My question to you, Kira . . . is how dare you talk to

your family the way you do? You talk to neigh-

bors . . . strangers on the street you never laid eyes

on in your life . . . with more respect than you talk to

your family. Why is that?

 

(KIRA tilts her head down meekly, in tears.)

 

REGINA (CONTD.):

I have been visiting this house for more than fifteen

years, and I know more than anybody else the great

love that bonds this family together. You all have

been through hardships and joyful events, but always

bickering about the most miniscule things . . . While

doing so, today, all of you might have lost the most

precious thing in all your lives . . . Carmen, this

sweet girl . . . who never harms anybody, a creature

full of love and innocence.

 

(REGINA pauses briefly, and silence envelopes the  room.)

.

 

Albalis Vargas-Smith, a.k.a. Lirio Blanco Show, is an architect, painter,
muralist, and writer from Panama. She received her undergraduate and graduate
degrees in architecture from Universidad Autonoma de Centroamerica in San Jose,
Costa Rica. In addition, she received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from
Auburn University, Montgomery. She has more than twenty years of experience in
architecture, having worked both in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Atlanta area.
She has done theatrical scene and set design as volunteer work for community
theatre groups. Back in July 2016, Albalis went solo as an entrepreneur,
architect, and painter, founding the Vargas-Smith Studio. The reason? To spend
more time with her daughter. In 2020, she decided to finish a series of backburner
short stories and theatrical plays. One of the theatrical plays is presented in
this book. Currently, Albalis lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her daughter,
husband, her dog, Toni, and a precious bird, Ruperta.

Website * X * Instagram * TikTok * Etsy * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Murder At The Painted Wings Cafe ~ A Seneca James Mystery By Ruth J. Hartman

Posted: December 8, 2024 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe
by Ruth J. Hartman

 


Murder at the Painted Wings Cafe: A Seneca James Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Indiana
Level Best Books (November 19, 2024)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 281 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DLCSLW3R

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Seneca James’ cousin, Evie, ends up in hot water, when she’s accused of stealing a wallet from an angry customer in Seneca’s Painted Wings Café. The customer also happens to be the local bank manager, who Evie pleads with for a much-needed loan, resulting in a public spectacle as the bank manager refuses, and ridicules Evie. When the manager later turns up dead inside the cafe, and Evie is the most likely suspect, it will take all of Seneca’s sleuthing and help from her best friend, Sheriff Cody Bales, to get Evie out of trouble.

About Ruth J. Hartman

Ruth J. Hartman spends her days herding cats and her nights spinning mysterious tales. She, her husband, and their cats love to spend time curled up in their recliners watching old Cary Grant movies. Well, the cats sit in the people’s recliners. Not that the cats couldn’t get their own furniture. They just choose to shed on someone else’s.

Ruth, a left-handed, cat-herding, farmhouse-dwelling writer uses her sense of humor as she writes tales of lovable, klutzy women who seem to find trouble without even trying.

Ruth’s husband and best friend, Garry, reads her manuscripts, rolls his eyes at her weird story ideas, and loves her despite her insistence all of her books have at least one cat in them. See updates about her cozy mysteries at Ruthjhartman.com.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / X / Facebook Author Page

Purchase Link – Amazon

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December 4 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW  

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December 10 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

December 11 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 11 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

December 12 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Made To Last By A. S. Kelly ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 7, 2024 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Made To Last

by A.S. Kelly

 

(Love At Last, #5)
Publication date: December 4th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Tommy O’Doherty, and I’m madly in love.

Too blunt, you say? Seriously, why lie?
Everyone seems to know about it already. The gossip about my major crush on my best friend’s neighbour has spread like wildfire.
And I have to admit, I didn’t do anything to stop it.

Not everyone is as good at pretending to be a playboy—even if the most they can handle is a PlayStation—like my weird colleagues and messy friends. Not everyone can keep it together when they meet the sweetest, most sensitive, and most wonderful creature on Earth.

Too bad she doesn’t see herself that way. Too bad she doesn’t believe my words, my kisses, my caresses, or my romantic gestures. Too bad she’s not ready to believe that what we have is real and that I’m not just her backup boyfriend, but the man who truly wants to be with her.

Even though I keep telling her that we are made to last, I’m starting to think she will never believe me unless I am willing to show her in a dramatic and obviously questionable way that I’m serious and that there is no better man for her than me.

Each book in the Love At Last Series is standalone:

– Last Call
– About Last Night
– One Last Kiss
– The Last One
– Made To Last

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I walk into her place and shut the door, but I linger in the doorway as Ivy heads to the kitchen. She returns two minutes later with a vase full of flowers. She places them on the coffee table next to the couch and then looks at me.
“Did you really say you’re into me?”
“Totally. I said I’m totally into you.”
Ivy bites her full red lip, her eyes bright, emotional, and surprised. The perfume she’s wearing wafts through the air, making me lose my lucidity for a moment, and…
And she’s already messed up my head.
You know that, right?
All I need is that twinkle in her eye, that slight flush on her face as she realises I can’t take my eyes off her. All I need is that anxious breath that seems to be a reflection of my own. All I need is this silence, filled with images to capture and moments to write about. All I need is to know that she wanted this as much as I wanted it.
I don’t know how long it takes to realise that the person in front of you is the one you want next to you. I’m already there.
Am I completely insane, or am I unexpectedly wise?
Only time will tell.

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About Author A. S. Kelly:

A. S. Kelly writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.
Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X / Bookbub / Newsletter

 

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For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

New Beginnings In Twinkle Falls By Freda Ann ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 7, 2024 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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New Beginnings in Twinkle Falls

by Freda Ann

 

(A Twinkle Falls Novel)
Publication date: December 12th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

A sweet, inspirational, small town romance with holiday cheer and a happy ending.

Kylee Croft is a single mom to the sweetest little girl anyone could ask for. Growing up in Paris, the most romantic city in the world, to Kylee it felt like a rite of passage to one day marry the man of her dreams.

Now living in Twinkle Falls, she appreciates the ease of small town life and how people look out for one another, though getting to know the sister and father she never knew existed is the icing on the cake.

Trace Holburg was one happy man after marrying his first love seven years ago. Soon after, his family felt complete with the birth of their twins. But he received a rude awakening when his soon to be ex-wife left him and the boys for a life of alcoholism. After the divorce and getting sole custody of his boys, he swore he’d never marry again.

Kylee has been dating Trace for over a year but worries the man she’s fallen madly in love with is pulling away from her. To complicate things even more her daughter’s biological father shows up in Twinkle Falls.

Can this couple make peace with their past and find a future together, or does their fate lie elsewhere?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Man, I suck at this,” I blurt out, while on a jog around the perimeter of the Fall Fair with Jesse. We started hanging out years ago after our sisters became BFFs.

“O-kayyy…” He elongates the word, briefly cutting his eyes in my direction. “Do you care to elaborate?”

“Ugh, at romancing a woman. It’s like I forgot how to do it, since I haven’t dated for years. Before Kylee, Roxanne was the only woman I’d ever loved. Actually, now that I think about it, I’m sure Roxanne put the moves on me first. Which means, I have no game. Dang, I’m doomed.”

“I assume you’re talking about romancing Kylee? Tell me what happened before I give my opinion on the situation.

Shaking my head as we run past a seven-foot scarecrow and two smaller ones along the jogging trail, I try explaining. “It’s bad; really bad,” I huff. “One minute, we were sipping wine and cuddling on the sofa after an amazing French meal she made, and the next, something completely different than what I had planned to say came pouring out of my mouth.”

“Oh, gosh, what’d you say?”

“I said something like… if it’s not clear that I want us to have a future together and to, uh, share a house so we can do more stuff like this—”

“Stop!” We quit running as Jesse steps to the side of the trail. “You’re right, you do suck at this.” He chuckles. “That’s the worst thing I’ve ever heard a guy say to the woman he loves. What was her response?”

“It wasn’t great. She didn’t say anything at first, so I added, unless it’s not something you want. Finally, she grabbed my hand and said she’d love for us to live in the same house, but then she looked confused after she said it.”

“Man, I can definitely see why. You need to watch some romance movies or something because you’re right, you have zero game with the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with.”

“Geez, thanks for the vote of confidence, buddy,” I quip. As we resume running, I’m suddenly feeling worse than I did before.”

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About Author Freda Ann:

Freda Ann is fondly known for her sweet/clean, HEA RomComs. Her loyal fans and reviewers have compared several of her books to Hallmark movies. Many have hit #1 in multiple categories after release.

She writes relatable, faith and family based love stories which include kids and adorable dogs. Her writing style appeals to people of all ages. Her books will take you on an emotional journey with likable characters, and dreamy settings you’ll wish you could visit.

After retiring from a career in the law enforcement field, Freda feels blessed to be able to write and self-publish her stories for everyone to read. She adores her large family, 5 children and 9 grandchildren, and hosts monthly family gatherings.

To hear about new releases, please follow her on Amazon and also on Goodreads.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X

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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.

A River Of Resentment ~ A Hollow’s Glen Coven Mystery By Kristen King

Posted: December 7, 2024 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: , ,
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A River of Resentment (A Hollow’s Glenn Coven Mystery)
by Kristen King

 


A River of Resentment (A Hollow’s Glenn Coven Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting: A small mountain town with elemental magic
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Silvester & Eve Publishing (December 18, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 392 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1963304993
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1963304992
Digital Print length ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CPQX5BHJ

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When dangerous black magic surfaces, only the strength of a powerful coven can contain it.

With winter coming quickly to Hollow’s Glenn, the town anxiously prepares for the annual Night of Lights event. But planning gets disrupted when water witch Simone discovers the body of a local businessman in the icy town river. She and her cousin, Autumn, must figure out how the mysterious murder connects to the dark vines of magic seeping through the cold waters.

As they bring the founding families together for the first time in decades, the girls try to fight the growing black magic while uncovering who is to blame for the most recent death. Will they find the killer before more accidents claim the lives of others in Hollow’s Glenn, or will the girls themselves become victims to the dark waters?

A River of Resentment contains tropes such as:

– a cozy mountain town
– craft shop owners
– local coffee shop that everyone loves
– a coven of amateur sleuth witches
– elemental magic
– a cat familiar
– founding magical families banding together
– seasonal events happening around town
– a budding side romance
– mysterious red herrings

This is the second book in the paranormal Hollow’s Glenn Coven Mystery series, and it can be read as a stand-alone mystery. If you love Iris Beaglehole, Nancy Warren, and Ellie Alexander, then you’ll love this series that blends cozy mountain magic and small town amateur sleuths.

Entangle yourself in the power of water energy with this captivating story of family ties, spellbinding witches, and the strength of a small town overcoming all that threatens it. Grab your copy today!

About Kristen King 

Kristen King is an Amazon bestselling author of paranormal cozy mysteries. After many years blending project management, art/design, and coaching, she now lets her water energy lead the way through creative fiction writing. She finds that a good dose of magic sets the coziest tone for any day. When not channeling her writing muse, Kristen spends time snuggling in her mountain home next to a cozy fire and her calico cat. She loves to lose herself in taking photos, baking for her family, and pulling tarot cards or charging crystals by the light of the moon.

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

Purchase Links: Amazon – Audible – B&N – Bookshop.org – Series on Amazon

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December 6 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

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December 10 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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December 16 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

December 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ All The King’s Men By Empress Chang

Posted: December 6, 2024 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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All the King’s Men

by Empress Chang

 

(Kingdom of Lies & Truths, #2)
Publication date: December 4th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance

I married him for safety.
He married me for love.
That is where our problems lay.

He thought he knew me. He didn’t.

Our love was never a fairy tale. Our stories were dark and twisted and morally gray, with survival being our motive.

That meant watching out for myself first and last. But being Marcello’s wife is harder than I thought. In our story, I am the villain, while he played the knight, my protector.

*All The King’s Men is the second book in the Kingdom of Lies & Truths series and can be read as a standalone. It is a dark new adult mafia romance that includes scenes that may be disturbing to some. Recommended for readers 18+.

Goodreads / Purchase

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“The house is being sold.”

“Excuse me!” Shocked, I spun around.

“Be careful.”

“My house! You put my house up for sale?! My family possessions. My things!”

“Your things are here, Eden. I had them moved here, and I had your family things moved to storage until you decide what to do with them.”

“I want them in the fucking house I grew up in! Who the fuck told you to move my things and sell my home!”

“Your grandfathers and I agreed that now that you are a married woman, the house was not needed.”

“You mean, they told you to get rid of it and you agreed? Without consulting me!”

“Pussyc ¾”

“Do not call me that!” I snapped, pointing at him.

As if weighing me and my anger, Marcello nodded. “They thought it best that we get rid of it because it represents the house of a traitor to this family, and your grandfathers do not want that shame to follow you. That is why I agreed, Eden.”

Shame. That was what would follow me forever. Shame and being the daughter of a traitor. The only thing saving me was my mother’s side of the family, and Marcello, whether I liked it or not.

How did everything go to shit? Bending to hug my knees, I hid my face to hide my tears. How did I go from being free and running one of the biggest businesses in the underworld to being a traitor’s daughter and jobless.

I had been so careful in my life. Only for it all to be fucked up by someone else and their mistakes.

“Eden,” Marcello whispered my name, crouching on the floor.

Allowing the comfort of his hand rubbing my shoulders, I sniffed and wiped at my tears before facing him “Sins of the father, right…”

“I’ll carry your sins for you.”

Huffing a chuckle, I pressed my forehead to the side of his face. “If only you could.” As I pecked his kiss, I was reminded of the sweet boy I had taken advantage of.

I gave in to the distraction he offered and opened my lips, melting into our first kiss in years.

He tasted of coffee or chocolate, I couldn’t tell. Only that the second I gave permission, his tongue swept over mine in a slow, cautious dance, and we stared at each other, measuring and deciding if it was safe to continue or stop.

But stopping was not an option. I didn’t want to stop. His mouth felt too good, too warm, too familiar to stop, and I knew he felt it too. The fire that blazed in his eyes told me as much, and I tilted my head for him and closed my eyes.

As our slow, sensual kiss deepened, Marcello’s fingers tangled in my hair, pulling me closer. Our tongues slid together, lips pressing and nibbling, igniting a yearning that pulsed through me. Overwhelmed, I shifted, straddling his lap, his growl vibrating against my lips as he pressed me down onto his arousal.

“No,” I whispered, breaking away abruptly. “We are still fighting.”

His frustration was palpable as he gripped the back of my neck. “We’re not fighting now, are we?”

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About Author Empress Chang:

Writing under the pen name Empress Chang, she is referred to as an overly dramatic, outgoing yet shy individual by her friends and family. Half Chinese Jamaican, Chang was born and raised in Jamaica.
Writing stories about her dogs and princesses at a young age, Chang discovered romance books in high school and started writing her own believing that romantic happy ever afters are necessary for a healthy and happy life.
She is a huge believer in the simple things in life, and her life’s main goal is to be happy. This includes sunny beaches and junk food (of course)!
When Chang is not writing, she is usually reading, watching a series that has hooked her attention and demands to be binged, or is spending time with her supportive, loving husband.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter

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Mistletoe, Mutts And Murder ~ A Samantha Davies Mystery by S.A. Kazlo

Posted: December 6, 2024 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries)
by S.A. Kazlo

 


Mistletoe, Mutts, and Murder (Samantha Davies Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
6th in Series
Setting – The series takes place in Wings Falls, New York, a small town in upstate New York about 45 minutes north of Albany
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gemma Halliday Publishing (December 3, 2024)
Digital ~250 Pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0D9ZKS19S

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Christmas is coming and children’s book author, Samantha Davies, and her lovable dachshund, Porkchop, are caught up in the holiday festivities in beautiful upstate New York. Sam’s parents, Chuck and Barbara, who have been enjoying their retired life in sunny Florida, have flown into Wings Falls to spend the holidays with Sam and meet her new boyfriend, Detective Hank Johnson. Sam is also busy hosting this year’s Christmas party for the Loopy Ladies, Sam’s rug hooking group.

The Loopy Ladies know how to party and are enjoying an evening eating, drinking, and making merry… until Santa crashes the party. Unfortunately, this Santa is Sam’s next-door neighbor who her parents have had a long-running feud with. When not playing the local mall’s not-so-jolly old St. Nick, Leo Sayers is a newspaper reporter, and he announces to the group that he’s written a damning article accusing Sam’s dad and his close friend, Herb Feinstein, of some very shady dealings in their past. To preserve peace on earth—and among the Loopy Ladies—Chuck and Herb escort Leo from the party.

Only, not long after being sent on his way, Santa is found dead—lying in the snow, run over by a plastic reindeer, with a string of Christmas lights around his neck! Are Sam’s father and Herb now on the naughty list? If Sam can’t prove them innocent of murdering Santa, she’s afraid their stockings will contain handcuffs and a one-way ticket to prison this year!

About S.A. Kazlo

Syrl, a retired teacher, lives in upstate New York with her husband and two lively dachshunds. She writes the Samantha Davies Mystery series, featuring Samantha Davies and her loveable dachshund, Porkchop. When not writing she is busy hooking, rug hooking that is, and enjoying her family. Her newest book, number six in the series is, Mistletoe, Mutts and Murder. 

Author Links: Website / Blog / Twitter / Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Smashwords – Kobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 2 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

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December 3 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

December 4 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Sought By Destiny By Monica Ageno

Posted: December 6, 2024 in Excerpt, Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
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Sought By Destiny

by Monica Ageno

 

(CHRONICLES OF THE FATES, #2)
Publication date: December 1st 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

A Betrayal
Forced to betray her fated mate—a man she despises as much as she craves—Feylin is thrust into a world where dark magic is used without restraint and her survival depends on her cunning alone. As she struggles to guard her secrets, the new mate bond begins to fracture her resolve, threatening to tear her apart from the inside.

One truth remains: nothing is more dangerous to her than him. Olron, The Dark Mage. The exiled King of Gravindale. He has plans of his own for Feylin, twisted ambitions that go far beyond the bond they are forced to share. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

Olron

She was supposed to be a pawn, she has turned herself into a Queen. An important piece in a dangerous game. A choices that he intends to take full advantage of. After all, he is best known for capitalising on his opportunities.
He has plans for her. Ones that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that their enemies are not prepared for.

Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Blood and Ash” series, Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses”series. This fantasy romance will captivate readers who crave stories of enemies-to-lovers, fated mates, strong heroines, slow-burn tension, and dangerous, seductive anti-heroes

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Storm stood at the edge of Skyreach, his eyes scanning the charred landscape. The ground, once lush and green, was now a scorched black sea. The air was thick with the acrid smell of burnt wood. The ruins before him stood as silent witnesses to the battle’s wrath, skeletal remains stark against the early morning sky.

Every crack in the earth, every smouldering ember, was a testament to the destructive power he had wielded. For weeks he had been consumed by a rage so intense it charred him from the inside out, a bitterness that pulsed in his veins like a poison. Never had he felt this hollow in his life. An emptiness so profound it had taken control of his mind.

The betrayal of his mate that had ripped his heart in a million pieces. Ever since he had met Feylin, he had kept her at arm’s length simply to prevent this kind of attachment to her. It would seem that she did not need the mate bond consummated to have control of his heart.

Feylin…

Just the thought of her name had his anger steaming as he recalled the moment he had realized that by some fate-cursed magic, she had discovered a way to break their bond. That was bad enough, but then the same cursed magic had bonded her to Olron, for a reason only she understood.

Storm steeled his heart at the thought of her. It was not merely her betrayal that fuelled the flames within him; it was her choice, even if it was a choice that consumed his mind in scorching fury. She had chosen Olron. His once best friend. Someone who had once been so close they had been like brothers.

“Storm.” Alaric approached cautiously, sensing his state of mind. His friend had been handling him with gloves lately. Storm knew he had been volatile, and Alaric had given him more leeway than he would have any other mage.

“Why are you still out here? It has been a hard-fought victory. You have earned a rest.”

“Victory?” Storm chuckled bitterly. They had won Skyreach back from Olron after weeks of Storm ploughing through enemy troops with his magic unleashed at its fullest potential.

He had been single-minded. Kill, destroy, get to Olron…but the bastard had not been at the battlefield. He had not shown up for weeks. He had left the trolls, dark Fae and the undead to fight his battle. Was he too occupied with his new mate to remember that they were at war? Storm punched a tree in frustration as he began to pace, the red haze starting to rise in his mind. He knew what it was. The mate madness.

This was one of the reasons he had not wanted to consummate his bond with Feylin. He had never wanted to ever be controlled by the whims of the Fates.

His father had suffered the mate madness after his mother had died. Very few resisted it. Even fewer survived it. Olron was the one person in recorded history to have survived it without a tether, but even then, he was barely sane. Those that survived with their minds intact had important tethers, like children or other loved ones. Clearly his feelings for Irina had not been as strong as he had thought if he was being driven to the brink of insanity.

Irina had been his long-time companion, since childhood. He had thought he was in love with her, one of the reasons why he had rejected his mate bond with Feylin. Now he had no choice of what to feel—jealousy was a living flame in his chest.

Last night he had felt her, Feylin, and for the first time in a long while, his soul had calmed.

Storm had been in the middle of battle, and it had woken him up like a jolt of pure lightening straight to his veins. He had no idea how she had so easily broken their bond and in the same manner, restored it.

The madness was slowly receding with every beat of his heart as he felt her warm, fresh presence down the bond. She was pure and clear like dew in the morning. He had missed her anchoring him.

He had never wanted this weakness. Never wanted to be shackled by bonds beyond his control. Yet, here he was. Storm lifted his face to the smoke-stained sky and roared, the sound carrying the potency of his fury.

He had tried to prevent this. Had refused to make her his weakness, but none of it mattered. He now understood what the bond was. The mate bond was not just some magic that linked them together. Rather, she was the other half to his soul, blackened though it was.

“Storm, old friend,” Alaric said calmly. “Steady your heart. We will find her.”

“I will know no rest while my mate lies beside another man,” Storm snapped. He couldn’t dwell too much on that imagery. He had already put Alaric through enough as it was.

It had been this way ever since he had first discovered that Feylin was missing.

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About Author Monica Ageno:

MONICA AGENO is a Melbourne based Author and illustrator.

She has a genuine love for life, and her passion, drive, and wild imagination seep onto every written page. She also paints in her spare time.

She writes both childrens’ books under the pen name Ageno H Monica and New Adult romance books under her name Monica Ageno.

She believes in the importance of reading to children from an early age to help build their confidence and her children’s books are both imaginative and lesson based.

When it comes to her New Adult books Monica writes with such a ferocity that once you enter her world, you never want to leave.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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