Archive for the ‘Cozy Mystery’ Category

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Pleats & Poison: A Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery Series)
by Lucinda Race


Pleats & Poison: A Craft and Ghost Cozy Mystery (A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Coastal Town of Drakes Bay
Publisher ‏ : ‎ MC Two Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 6, 2025
Digital
Print length ‏ : ‎ 222 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966424376
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FBX7PJKS

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Enjoy this humorous, small-town, psychic, cozy mystery by best-selling and award-winning Lucinda Race.

A fashion-savvy psychic, one haunted Thanksgiving, and a pleated skirt that’s dressed to kill.

Hosting Thanksgiving dinner for seven guests—and one ghost—is all in a day’s work for Claudia Grant. Between whipping up her famous mac and cheese and debuting her boutique’s latest fall fashion, Claudia’s ready to impress her visiting mom and stylish grandmother. Her cozy coastal town of Drakes Bay is the perfect backdrop for family, food, and fresh starts—especially when Gram falls in love with a pleated skirt and sweater ensemble from Claudia’s shop.

But when a spilled glass of orange juice leads to a shocking discovery—a guest at the neighboring Whistlers Inn is found dead, and the very same pleated skirt wrapped around her neck—Claudia’s holiday cheer unravels fast.

Now, with her best friend Beth and a ghostly sidekick in tow, Claudia must piece together a tangled mystery before the killer skips town… and before the secrets hidden in the folds come back to haunt them all.

She’d rather be sewing hemlines than following clues—but if Claudia can’t stitch together the truth in time, someone else might be the next to check out… permanently.

Pleats & Poison is the third book in the A Dress Designer Cozy Mystery series from award-winning author Lucinda Race. Cozy up, settle in, and prepare to be haunted… in the best possible way!

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About Lucinda Race 

Award-winning and best-selling author Lucinda Race is a lifelong fan of fiction who fell in love with cozy mysteries and romance novels as a young girl. While her childhood friends dreamed of becoming doctors and engineers, Lucinda was already dreaming of crafting captivating novels filled with heart, hope, and happily ever afters.

Though her writing journey began with nonfiction, her passion for storytelling never wavered. She returned to her true calling—creating the beloved McKenna Family Romance series and the Paranormal Cozy Nook Bookstore Series—writing the kinds of stories she loves to read. Whether she’s weaving a heartwarming romance or a cozy mystery, her fingers practically fly across the keyboard.

Lucinda lives in the rolling hills of western Massachusetts with her little dog— a shih tzu mix rescue—who is always by her side. When she’s not immersed in writing mystery, suspense, or romance, she’s curled up with a book, devouring everything she can get her hands on.

Social Media Links: Twitter/X / Website / Facebook / Instagram 

Goodreads / YouTube / Pinterest / BlueSky / Universal Link

  BookBub / Amazon / LinkedInLucinda’s Heart Racers Reader Group

 

Purchase Links
Amazon     Kobo    Barnes & Noble Smashwords     Google Play    Goodreads    BookBub

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 26 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 26 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 27 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Deal Sharing Aunt– AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 31 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

September 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

September 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 2 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 3 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 3 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

September 4 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 5 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 7 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 8 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Murder at Leisure Dreams: Galapagos
(Giovanna Rogers Mysteries)
by Sharon Marchisello


Murder at Leisure Dreams: Galapagos (Giovanna Rogers Mysteries)
Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Galapagos
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Milford House Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 26, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FFR9Y2GW

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Giovanna Rogers restarts her career as expatriate manager of the new Leisure Dreams resort hotel on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Due to her youth and limited proficiency in Spanish, she struggles to gain the respect of her staff and the company’s executives. She has to prove to them that she got the job because of merit, not because the CEO is a family friend. And prove to herself that she can overcome a past business failure and make the hotel a success.

When the story opens, Giovanna and her staff prepare for the hotel’s grand opening. Friends, family, and corporate bigwigs fly in for the event. Renowned documentary producer Claire Costello and her film crew have arrived; Giovanna has the staff send a bottle of champagne to Claire’s room to welcome the VIP guest. The next morning, Claire is found dead in her bed; the cause of death is apparent poisoning. Now Giovanna must work with her boyfriend, local police detective Victor Zuniga, to solve the case while juggling the details of the grand opening and controlling the narrative around the mysterious demise of a VIP guest on the property.

Complications in her relationship arise when Giovanna’s ex-boyfriend decides to join her family to attend the grand opening. Her best friend and several of her employees have a history with Claire. And Claire’s team is somewhat dysfunctional, keeping secrets and telling contradictory stories. Despite Giovanna’s efforts to maintain normalcy and apprehend the culprit, things continue to worsen.

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About Sharon Marchisello

 

SHARON MARCHISELLO is the author of two other mysteries published by Milford House, the fiction imprint of Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014) and Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), which is the prequel to Murder at Leisure Dreams – Galapagos. She also writes the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mysteries from Level Best Books. Besides novels, Sharon has published short stories in anthologies and online magazines; one was a 2022 Derringer finalist. She has written travel articles, training manuals, screenplays, book reviews, and a nonfiction book (Live Well, Grow Wealth – 2018). She earned a Bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Houston and a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Hometown Novel Writers Association. Retired after 27 years with Delta Air Lines, Sharon now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia. She serves on the boards of the Fayette Humane Society, Hometown Novel Writers Association, and the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.
She loves to travel, including a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2014.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter/X / Goodreads

LinkedIn / Instagram / BookBub

Purchase link:  Sunbury PressAmazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 25 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – SPOTLIGHT  

August 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 31 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 1 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 1 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 3 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 5 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

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Die, Die, Birdie (Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series)
by Joanna Campbell Slan


Die, Die, Birdie (Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
19th in the Series
Setting – Missouri
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spot On Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 230 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8289334954
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8349429880
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FDT3Q8C9

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When her son’s new pet becomes evidence in a murder case, scrapbook store owner Kiki Lowenstein-Detweiler discovers that some family secrets are worth killing for.

All eight-year-old Erik wanted for his birthday was a bird. What he got was Solo-a traumatized lovebird whose mate was recently devoured by a boa constrictor at a local pet shop.

But when Kiki learns that Solo originally belonged to Ruthie Goldman, a beloved member of their temple community who died after a brutal home invasion, she realizes this is no ordinary rescue pet.

Solo may be small, but he’s carrying big secrets-literally. X-rays reveal the tiny bird has swallowed several diamonds from the robbery that killed his previous owner. Now someone is desperately trying to track down Erik’s feathered friend, and Kiki’s family is in danger.

As Detective Chad Detweiler investigates the diamond theft that triggered Ruthie’s fatal stroke, Kiki uncovers a web of family betrayals, frozen embryos, and twisted ideas about genetic purity.

With her trademark blend of humor, heart, and small-town Missouri charm, Kiki must protect her family while helping to solve a murder that hits frighteningly close to home. Because when inheritance, infertility, and identity collide, even the most loving families can harbor deadly secrets.

“Fans of cozy mysteries will delight in this charming blend of family drama, small-town secrets, and feathered friends. Kiki Lowenstein-Detweiler proves once again that the most dangerous mysteries often begin with the most innocent questions.”

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About Joanna Campbell Slan

Joanna is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author

who has written more than 70 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Currently, she writes four ongoing mystery series: the Kiki Lowenstein cozy mysteries (Agatha Award finalist/first novel/contemporary); the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence winner/historical); the Cara Mia Delgatto mysteries (contemporary); and the Friday Night Mystery Club mysteries (set in 1980s). She’s also the editor and co-author of the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy books.

Her publication career began as one of the earliest Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors, and her stories appear in five of those New York Times bestselling books. Joanna’s first non-fiction book, Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience (Simon & Schuster/Pearson), was endorsed by Toastmasters International and lauded by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter. Her books on scrapbooking have won fans all over the world, and she has taught scrapbooking techniques in Europe and on cruise ships, as well as in the United States.

When she isn’t writing, Joanna is an avid crafter. Contact Joanna at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com.

Follow her on social media by going HERE

Author Links: Newsletter / Street Team / Website / Facebook / Facebook Group / Twitter/X

Amazon / Instagram / Goodreads / BookBub / LinkedIn / Pinterest

Purchase Link – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 25 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 25 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 26 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 28 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 29 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 29 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 31 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

August 31 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

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Murder, Mystery and Misdirection

by Pamela McCord

 

(An Erin Baily in Franklin Paranormal Mystery, #3)
Publication date: August 21st 2025
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

Hold onto your coffee and get ready to dive into the charmingly quirky world of Franklin, Tennessee. Erin Bailey never expected her new Southern estate to come with a talking cat named Peekaboo and a parade of ghostly visitors, giving her life a supernatural twist beyond even her wildest imaginings.

In “Murder, Mystery and Misdirection,” Erin becomes embroiled in yet another haunting mystery when her neighbor, Derek, vanishes under suspicious circumstances. As she delves into the secrets surrounding Derek’s disappearance, Erin must navigate the demands of an irate spirit who wishes she’d mind her own business, and the wife he left behind who would prefer that Erin not meddle in her personal life. Despite her initial distaste for Derek, an admittedly abusive husband, Erin is determined to help his pesky ghost cross over—all with her signature wit and relatable charm.

With the assistance of her best friend Susie, a podcast-loving sidekick, Detective Ryan Cahill, the handsome detective who has captured Erin’s heart, and DC, a private investigator and Susie’s boyfriend, Erin faces breathtaking revelations and dangerous discoveries. Add in an unexpected visit from Susie’s all-knowing Italian mother, bringing her own mix of culinary talents and psychic insight, and Erin’s world becomes as dizzyingly delightful as it is unpredictable.

Immerse yourself in a tale where cozy meets paranormal, filled with laughter and suspense. When your closest advisor is a snarky orange cat and your sleuthing targets the world of the dead, nothing is off-limits.

Perfect for fans of mystery interwoven with humor, “Murder, Mystery and Misdirection” promises a journey that’s both heartwarming and hilariously unpredictable—because unraveling a murder mystery is just another day in the life when your companions are as spectral and sassy as the enigmatic Peekaboo.

Join Erin as she dances through danger, one ghostly encounter at a time!

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Peekaboo!”

I burst through the front door, Ryan in my wake. I stopped in the hallway and looked for any sign of the orange cat who was currently on my sugar (I don’t like to swear) list. It only took a moment before the little creature stepped primly into the hall.

“I was napping,” the grumpy feline said, shooting me a gold-eyed glare. She waited for me to continue.

“I acknowledged them,” I said, deadpan. Just what my cat warned me not to do.

“Oh.” Peekaboo’s snooty manner fell away, and she lowered those gold eyes.

“That’s all you have to say?” I stood, arms crossed, my eyes shooting daggers. Ryan, my boyfriend, stood mutely watching. He couldn’t hear Peekaboo.

But I could. Oh, boy, could I. My sweet little inherited orange cat bestowed on me, by way of tripping me on my way down the front porch steps, the “gift” of being able to communicate with her. Oh, and see ghosts. To be fair, her motives were pure. She needed me to have a near-death experience so I’d wake up and be able to listen to her.

Maybe I should back up, so you know what I’m talking about.

I used to live in Los Angeles. When I was twenty-one, I broke up a mugging and saved a dear little old lady. She was so grateful that seven years later she left me her estate in her will.

In addition to a house, an SUV and a large amount of money, I inherited Peekaboo, the talking cat. Of course, I didn’t know she was a talking cat at the time. After glaring at me for a few days, she apparently thought I was hopeless and pushed me down the stairs. So, I woke up in the hospital and saw a doctor with a clipboard walk through a wall. But that’s really immaterial to my story. My neighbor, who found me splayed out on the porch steps, called 911. When I was released from the hospital, Elsie, the neighbor, told me I’d flatlined and it took ten minutes of the paddles to bring me back to life.

As I hobbled into my house after Elsie brought me home from the hospital and made sure I was all right to be left alone, subject cat started talking to me. I thought I must have a brain tumor…somebody get me back to the hospital! I grabbed the fireplace poker and used it to keep her at bay. I think she may have rolled her eyes at me.

Then, before I was comfortable that she was talking…and I could understand her…she trotted out the ghost of Alice, the sweet little old lady who’d left me her house. Apparently, this whole episode was so I could see Alice and solve her murder.

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About Author Pamela McCord:

A Mom’s Choice Awards® Recipient, Pam started writing later in life when an author friend challenged her to create a book from his story idea. Being a never-say-never person, she met the challenge and managed to finish an entire novel, much to her surprise. Since that beginning, she’s written several books, in several genres. Romance, middle grade and paranormal comprise most of her work. Her first published book, The Haunting of Elmwood Manor, A Pekin Dewlap Mystery, is a Mom’s Choice Award Winner! Several of her books have also earned that award. Pam lives in Tennessee, where she shares a home with her My Cat From Hell TV star, Allie, who manages to exude just enough affection to make her scary feral ways tolerable.

Website / Facebook / Instagram

 

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Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library
(Mrs. Christie Series)
by Amanda Chapman


Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Greenwich Village in New York City (primarily near Washington Square)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 26, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593818814
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593818817
Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593818831
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DP3R1Q9G
Audiobook ASIN B0DPJK5BPS

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Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman.

Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she’s left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she’s not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library’s Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she’s there to help solve a murder— that has not yet happened.

But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.

Aided by an unlikely band of fellow sleuths —including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits—Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer’s devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, “murder is never simple.”

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About Amanda Chapman 

Amanda Chapman (aka Amy Pershing) is a lifelong mystery lover and wordsmith. Under the name Amy Pershing, she is also the author of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries. An enthusiastic fan of traditional mysteries and of New York City, she found herself wondering, “What if someone recreated Agatha Christie’s personal library -– even to the furnishings and architecture — in New York City? What would happen in that space?” And thus MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY — the first in a new series — was born.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads

Purchase Links
PenguinRandomHouse  – AmazonB&NBookshop.orgKobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – Salty Inspirations – COCKTAIL RECIPE

August 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 22 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 25 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 27 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

August 28 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 29 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

August 30 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

August 31 – From the TBR Pile – REVIEW

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Dog of Deliverance: A Golden Retriever Mystery
by Neil S. Plakcy


Dog of Deliverance: A Golden Retriever Mystery
Cozy Mystery
21st in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8287443207
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FCD4DRD2

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When his golden retriever Rochester discovers a body behind the bounce house at Stewart’s Crossing’s first Purim carnival, Steve Levitan finds himself juggling two dangerous investigations that will test both his computer skills and his courage.

Eastern College President Babson asks Steve to use his hacking expertise to investigate Austin Graynor, a star academic whose impressive credentials might be hiding a darker past. What Steve discovers about the professor’s history with female colleagues creates an urgent dilemma about academic power and deadly consequences.

He’s distracted, though, by the murder of Yakov Shmerler, a diamond dealer who was supposed to marry eighteen-year-old Hadassah Schildkraut. Hadassah fled her restrictive Orthodox community to stay with friends of Steve’s. As he helps his detective friend Rick Stemper investigate Yakov’s murder, they uncover secrets that reach from Pennsylvania to the isolated community of Kiryas Lev in New York’s Catskill Mountains.

Hadassah’s escape has made her a target. Her blog exposing corruption in her hometown threatens powerful men who’ve built their authority on others’ silence. As both investigations converge on themes of hidden identities and the courage to challenge corrupt authority—echoing Purim’s ancient story of Queen Esther—Steve must protect those speaking truth to power while helping bring dangerous men to justice.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The Summons

“What can I do to help you?” I asked.

“This is delicate, and I don’t want you to think that I always consider your past when I think of you.”

Uh-oh. My past not only included a degree from Eastern and an MA in English from Columbia, but that pesky conviction for computer hacking.

“The candidate I’m considering is Austin Graynor from Eliot College. His latest book on colonial politics was a bestseller—crossed over to mainstream audiences—and he has another coming out this fall that’s already generating buzz.”

He swiveled his chair to look out the window at the sprawling Eastern campus below. “I met him a year ago at an academic conference, and he expressed an interest in coming to Eastern. He said that the Maine winters were getting too hard for him as he aged.”

I only knew Eliot College by reputation. It was a small, academically demanding institution often mentioned in the same breath as Eastern and the group of colleges known as the Little Ivies.

Babson turned back to me. “Three board members have been pressing me to bring in a top scholar to improve our profile among the very good small colleges we compete with. Graynor’s name and publication record could boost our ranking, pushing us up into the top 25 colleges in the country.”

I understood immediately. Eastern had been struggling with enrollment in the liberal arts disciplines, and the latest ranking by one of the major college review publications had pushed us to number 27. A star professor could make a real difference.

“My discipline is English, not history. But I could read his books, if you want.”

“There has been some buzz that he’s made disturbing comments online in the past,” Babson said. “I have this on the authority of a colleague at Eliot. He was up for censure at one point but apparently, he took down all those negative posts and had his online reputation scrubbed, so no charges were filed.”

“There are companies that will do that,” I said. “Remove negative content from the web or at least post enough positives that anything bad is buried below an avalanche of good press.”

“That’s where you come in,” Babson said. “If Graynor has said the kinds of things he’s been charged with, then he’s not someone I’d want to hire at Eastern.”

“And if you do hire him, and those comments come out, it could reflect negatively on the college.”

“Exactly. I know you have excellent computer skills and I’d like you to dig around and see what you can find on Professor Graynor. The good, the bad and the ugly. I need a full profile of him before I make a decision, a much fuller one than I can find on my own.”

I felt my fingers tingling with anticipation. It was the kind of request I loved to get. Usually, they came from my friend Rick Stemper, who was one of the police detectives in our home town of Stewart’s Crossing, when he was trying to solve a complicated case and needed computer help.

“If what I’ve heard is true, I can’t have him here, no matter how many books he sells or students he attracts.” Babson drummed his fingers on the desk. “But I need evidence, not rumors. The Trustees will push for him unless I can prove he’s the wrong candidate.”

I owed President Babson a lot, and I was happy to accommodate him. “It would probably be best if I did my searching on my personal laptop,” I said. “And I’ll print out whatever results I find and hand-deliver them to you. That way we can avoid a digital trail that might be subpoenaed by attorneys, if Graynor ever chose to sue.”

“Excellent thinking.” Babson stood up. “We need to move quickly on this. Graynor’s told us to give him an answer within two weeks. Thanks for taking this on, Steve. I appreciate your help.”

Author Bio The Dog Walker’s Inspiration

Neil Plakcy began writing his beloved Golden Retriever Mystery series because he spent so much time walking his golden retriever, Samwise (yes, he’s a Tolkien geek!) The walks gave him plenty of time to dream up mysteries, though fortunately Sam never had a habit of finding dead bodies. Now living in Hollywood, Florida, with his husband and their golden retrievers Brody and Griffin, Neil draws daily inspiration from his furry companions, who provide love, entertainment, and endless piles of fur on the floor. Long walks with the dogs give him plenty of time to think up new crimes and solutions, making every dog walk a potential plotting session. When he’s not following his dogs’ lead to new story ideas, Neil enjoys his morning café mocha and the occasional chocolate martini at mystery conferences. His website is www.mahubooks.com.

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About Neil S. Plakcy

Neil S. Plakcy is the author of over 70 novels in mystery, romance, and adventure. His golden retriever mysteries are inspired by his English Cream goldens, Brody and Griffin, who are constantly sniffing around for food or affection.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest 

Twitter / Instagram / BookBub / LinkedIn / Amazon

Purchase Links – Books2Read  – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 20 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 20 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

August 21 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 25 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 26 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 26 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Axes and Alchemy (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery)
Willowmere Mysteries
by Carmen Radtke


Axes and Alchemy (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery) Willowmere Mysteries
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Oregon
Independently Published
Publication Date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2025
Number of Pages: ~230
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F897P74L

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Pirate loot and deadly feud …

So much for a peaceful next chapter: Novice witch Bex Merriweather has her hands full running a leading library and secretly studying magic under the critical eye of her opinionated familiar and mentor, cat Cosmo.

The last thing newly divorced perimenopausal Bex needs is more tasks needing her attention. But when a podcast connects a pirate treasure and voodoo magic with tranquil Willowmere and treasure hunters as well as occultists flock to the town, feuds erupt.

When a dead body is found, Bex and Cosmo can’t discount the idea that greed and black magic had something to do with the murder. But can she protect her secret and the town without exposing the truth about her inheritance? And is somebody already on her trail – somebody wishing her ill? With only her cat and her trusted circle of friends, Bex sets out to catch a killer before the treasure of a long dead pirate claims another victim.

Axes and Alchemy is the second case in this fun-filled series. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mayhem, and heroines who believe it’s never too late for a new chapter—or a little witchcraft!

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About Carmen Radtke

Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books and newspapers by her side.

She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.

When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.

The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries, including the Genie and Adriana Darling ghost mysteries and the Jack and Frances series set in the 1930s.

Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family. Although she possesses no witchy powers, she’s known to be easily held spellbound by animals.

Author Links: Website / Facebook

Purchase Link – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 18 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 22 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

August 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 27 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Lost Heart in King Manor: Mysteries of a Heart Series
by Celeste Fenton

Lost Heart in King Manor: Mysteries of a Heart Series
Romantic Suspense/Edgy Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting –  Dost Island (fictional) off the coast of Massachusetts
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 24, 2025
Hardcover
Print length ‏ : ‎ 347 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8280471207
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8280071773
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F2ZML3M9

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LOST HEART IN KING MANOR
Book One in the Mysteries of a Heart Series

At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead.

But can she trust her instincts before it’s too late?

★ A slow-burn romantic suspense with an edgy cozy mystery twist peppered with humor, Lost Heart in King Manor is perfect for fans of strong women over 40, amateur sleuths, brooding men with buried secrets, and small seaside towns hiding deadly truths. ★

Because some secrets are worth killing for.
And some hearts don’t break quietly.

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Companion Guide to Lost Heart in King Manor: An inside look (Mysteries of a Heart Series)

Companion Guide to Lost Heart in King Manor
Step deeper into the secrets of Dost Island with this richly illustrated companion to Lost Heart in King Manor, the first book in the Mysteries of a Heart series.

Explore the island’s storm-swept cliffs, charming village life, and shadowy past through exclusive character profiles, behind-the-scenes insights, maps, photographs, and bonus content that brings Gabby Heart’s world to life. Meet the unforgettable residents—from the sharp-witted Jay Laird and enigmatic Rick Payne, to the wise and mysterious women of the Heart family—each with their own stories, scars, and secrets.

This companion is your invitation behind the curtain.
But be warned…
On Dost Island, even the quietest corners have something to hide.

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About Celeste Fenton 

I have an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and have worked in higher education for over thirty-years. A former educator and lifelong reader, I began writing seriously at age 60. No one is more surprised than me, that in retirement, I found reward and occupation as an author.

My writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery and a fascination with the complexities of the human heart. As a widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired educator, I believe I have enough real-world experience to weave imagination with insight to create stories rich with emotion and suspense. My work blends romance, mystery, and heart—with healthy doses of humor and hope. I feel passionate about helping others realize that creativity doesn’t have an expiration date.

When I’m not writing, reading, or plotting another plot twist, I like to explore small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of family and friends. My latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, training my cavalier spaniel to do a high five, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

Website / Facebook

Purchase Links 
Amazon  
IngramSpark 
Barnes and Noble

Companion Guide Purchase Link
Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 11 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 11 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 12 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 12 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

August 13 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

August 14 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 15 – FUONLYKNEW– SPOTLIGHT

August 16 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 17 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

August 21 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 22 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 23 – Deal Sharing Aunt – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 24 – Salty Inspirations – REVIEW

 

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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A Dish Best Served Dead: A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery
by T. C. LoTempio


A Dish Best Served Dead: A Tiffany Austin Food Blogger Mystery
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Georgia
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Beyond the Page
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 5, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 258 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FGDRQQ81


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When a food convention turns fatal, Tiffany Austin will have to cook up a scheme to catch a killer . . .

The national Foodie Fest is in town and food blogger Tiffany Austin is thrilled to report on the event, even if it means crossing paths with an arrogant and annoying chef from her past. The man can’t help boasting of his success, but he also lets slip to Tiffany that he’s publishing a tell-all memoir that will be filled with scandalous secrets about many people in the food industry. It’s a risky career move, and maybe just plain risky, as Tiffany discovers later that day when she finds the chef’s dead body mere steps from the convention center.

With any number of reputations and careers at stake if the chef’s memoir were ever published, Tiffany realizes virtually everyone at the event is a suspect. Wending her way through the convention crowd in her guise as a reporter, she cautiously questions as many of the participants as she can, hoping to unearth a telling clue or a false alibi. Because while everyone has a skeleton or two in the closet, Tiffany knows someone at the food fest has a secret they’d kill to protect—and would kill for again if she gets too close to the truth . . .

Includes scrumptious Foodie Fest recipes!

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About T. C. LoTempio 

T.C. LoTempio is the award-winning, nationally bestselling author of the Nick and Nora Mysteries, the Urban Tails Pet Shop Mysteries, and the Cat Rescue Mysteries. Born in New York City, she now resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her two cats, Maxx and Rocco. Rocco prides himself on being the inspiration for her Nick and Nora series! For more information, check out her and her cat Rocco’s blog at www.catsbooksmorecats.blogspot.com and visit her website at www.tclotempio.ne

Author Links: Facebook / Twitter/X / Website

Purchase Links – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 11 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 11 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – RECIPE

August 12 – Deal Sharing Aunt – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 12 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

August 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 13 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 14 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

August 14 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

August 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 17 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Salty Inspirations – RECIPE

August 18 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW

August 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT


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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Death at Rock Bottom: A Paranormal Mystery
(Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery)
by Kris Bock


Death at Rock Bottom: A Paranormal Mystery (Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New Mexico
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tule Publishing
Publication Date ‏ : ‎ July 30, 2025
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966593997
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F2KN4ZSB

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She can touch an object and sense the emotions of the people who’ve held it before…

After solving the mystery of her predecessor’s death, geologist Petra Cloch wants to focus on her new job as the rocks and minerals curator at a quirky, small-town New Mexico museum. But her friend and colleague Liberty is suspicious of the “accidental” death of Frank Underwood, a retired petroleum engineer and rockhound who unexpectedly died while hiking. Frank acted odd and secretive in his last weeks—mumbling about an incredible find in the desert and aliens. Was he showing the first signs of dementia, or were more sinister forces at work?

Petra agrees to help excavate the truth, and soon, instead of meeting for book club, she and her friends become amateur investigators. Petra uses her gift and her brains to sort through the contradictory stories and confusing clues as she and her friends dig for answers.

Did Frank’s heirs decide to hasten their inheritance? Or did his rock shop business partner decide to go solo? Petra joins the local geological club to discover whether someone there acquired a taste for murder, because they’ll need rock solid evidence to catch a killer.

Perfect for fans of Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild Mysteries and Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters!

If you love supernatural sleuths, small-town intrigue, and mysteries with a geological twist, Death at Rock Bottom is your next must-read! Grab your copy today!

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About Kris Bock

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble’s list of “Handpicked Favorites You’ll Love!” Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

Learn more about Kris’s books or sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more. As for Kris’s romance stories, the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves.

Author Links: Website / Newsletter / Goodreads

BookBub / Amazon / Mastodon / BlueSky

With hotlinks:

Website

Author newsletter signup

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Mastodon

BlueSky

 

Purchase Links: Publisher / Amazon / B&N / Apple / Kobo / Google Play

With hotlinks:

Publisher

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Kobo

Google Play

GoodReads

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 31 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 1 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

August 2 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 3 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 4 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 4 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 7 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 9 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 11 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.