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Archive for the ‘giveaways’ Category

Uncle And Ants ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: November 8, 2018 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: cozy mystery, giveaway, review

Uncle And Ants

A Silicon Valley Mystery

by Marc Jedel

Uncle and Ants: A Silicon Valley Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
BGM Press (October 11, 2018)
Print Length: 287 pages
ASIN: B07H68L6XR

My Review

I’m always excited when I start a new cozy series and Uncle And Ants tickled my fancy on so many levels. Picture it. A man kind of full of himself and sure he’s the be all of investigations takes it upon himself to solve the mystery of who tried to kill his sister. She’s a widowed mother of two teenage girls and doesn’t seem likely to be on someone’s hit list.

Marty was determined to solve the mystery and protect his family. If only he had the slightest clue what he was doing. Good thing he didn’t take himself too seriously. I can’t count on two hands how many times I laughed out loud at his fun incompetence. And don’t even get me started on him coping with two teenage girls. The horror. LOL

Fun at every turn, a convoluted mystery with quite the list of suspects and characters you can’t get enough of. You can bet I’ll be following this series.

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Synopsis

Protect his sister. Solve a murder. Get his eye-rolling, pre-teen nieces to school. And that’s just how Marty Golden’s crazy week begins to unravel.

A mysterious crash hospitalizes Marty’s sister and a nearby murder puts her in deadly danger. Too bad Marty isn’t exactly hero material.

Working in Silicon Valley, Marty’s skills lie more in navigating technology and telling dad jokes than playing an amateur sleuth. Armed with special powers of self-delusion and the inability to leave a coherent voicemail message, Marty bumbles through investigating his sister’s zany HR clients, exposing dangerous secrets and suspects, all while becoming attracted to a suspect.

In the process, Marty stumbles into a drug gang, impersonates an IRS agent, tangles with an assassin, dodges a cantankerous school secretary and is frequently outsmarted by his two sly, yet vulnerable, nieces. This quirky, fashion-backward uncle must save his sister, solve the mystery and get his life back to normal — before it’s too late.

As his eight, or maybe nine, year-old niece would say, “Betcha, you’ll like it.”

Author Marc Jedel

In my family, I was born first — a fact my sister never lets me forget, no matter what milestone age she hits.

For most of my life, I’ve been inventing stories. Some, especially when I was young, involved my sister as the villain. As my sister’s brother for her entire life, I’m highly qualified to tell the tale of the evolving, quirky sibling relationship in Uncle and Ants: A Silicon Valley Mystery.

My writing skills were honed in years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley. While my high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, we called these marketing collateral, emails, and ads.

My family and friends would tell you that Marty’s character isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination for me, but I proudly resemble that remark.

Author Links – Coming Soon

Purchase Link

Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 5 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

November 6 – Babs Book Bistro – GUEST POST

November 6 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 7 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 9 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 10 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 10 – Mysteries with Character – GUEST POST

November 11 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

November 12 – Readeropolis – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 13 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

November 14 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

November 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 16 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST

November 17 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

November 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Yeast of Eden by Sarah Fox ~ New Release and Giveaway

Posted: November 5, 2018 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: cozy mystery, giveaway

Yeast of Eden

A Pancake House Mystery #4

by Sarah Fox

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pub Date: 10/30/2018

In USA Today bestselling author Sarah Fox’s delicious new Pancake House Mystery,

it’s up to Marley McKinney to discover the waffle truth behind a rival’s murder . . .

Winter has come to Wildwood Cove, and riding in on the chill is Wally Fowler.
Although he’s been away for years, establishing his reputation as
the self-proclaimed Waffle King, the wealthy blowhard has returned to
the coastal community to make money, not friends—by pitting his hot
and trendy Waffle Kingdom against Marley McKinney’s cozy pancake
house, The Flip Side. Wally doesn’t see anything wrong in a little
healthy competition, until he’s murdered in his own state-of-the
art kitchen.

Marley isn’t surprised when the authorities sniff around The Flip Side for a
motive, but it’s her best friend Lisa who gets grilled, given her
sticky history with the victim. When a second murder rocks the town,
it makes it harder than ever for Marley to clear Lisa’s name.
Marley’s afraid that she’s next in line to die—and the way
things are looking, the odds of surviving her investigation could be
stacked against her.

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Sarah Fox is the author of the Music Lover’s Mystery series and the USA
Today bestselling Pancake House Mystery series. When not writing
novels or working as a legal writer, she can often be found reading
her way through a stack of books or spending time outdoors with her
English Springer Spaniel. Sarah lives in British Columbia and is a
member of Crime Writers of Canada.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #285 and The Sunday Post

Posted: November 4, 2018 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

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Some chit chat.

Halloween has come and gone and now we’re heading into the second week of November. Crazy how time flies! Not much new for me this week. I did finish Hill House. My son and I broke it up into two episodes each viewing, at night…..in the dark. LOL Every time someone said that in the movie I grinned. Spooooky!

We finally got some cool weather here. It dipped down below 50 last night. The house didn’t feel cold though. The heat from the sun during the day keeps it pretty warm in the evenings. I did spend some time getting out the cold weather clothes, washing them, and putting them in easy reach.

I also took a walk around the house, enjoying all of the plants before winter does set in and they die off til next year. Here they are now. All of these grew bigger this year than any other year.

20180904_132159

If we don’t get and freezing temps this winter, they’ll stay green. But the almanac says we are going to have brutal cold after the first of the year. I’m hoping its wrong!

Today my boss and his son are going to try to come by and help build me a fire pit. I get so many limbs and cuttings that I want to be able to sit outside on cool nights and burn them, enjoying the fire and relaxing with a hot cuppa.

Have a fabulous Sunday and brand new week!

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My new books this week.

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And here are some FREEBIES for ya.

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

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Click on the covers to check out this weeks reviews.

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I just wrapped up my 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

Click HERE to check out all of my reviews.

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Thread Herrings by Lea Wait ~ Cozy Review and Giveaway

Posted: November 3, 2018 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: cozy mystery, giveaway, review

Thread Herrings

A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery

by Lea Wait

Thread Herrings (A Mainely Needlepoint Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Kensington (October 30, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 149671671X
ISBN-13: 978-1496716712
Digital ASIN: B079KSZ92D

My Review

I’ve dipped my toes into this series in more than one place. I’m known for jumping in anywhere. It’s good to be back, seeing what Angie and the inhabitants of Haven Harbor have been doing.

Not having read a few of the previous books, I felt like I’d been away for a while and arrived back in town, among friends, learning what all had happened while I’d been away. I could picture us sitting at a cafe table and everyone rushing to tell me all the latest news.

So what’s happening now…. Angie is at an antique auction. While perusing the offerings, she comes across a tattered embroidery of a coat of arms. She bids on it and wins. Taking it home, she discovers something hidden in it’s frame and soon after someone is dead and she’s smack in the middle of the investigation. Sorting out the clues is like finding a needle in a haystack, but that doesn’t stop Angie.

I admit I was expecting a quick mystery with some fun dialogue and a bit of romance. The author surprised me and took this a step further. There’s a mystery in a mystery, danger around every corner and she really tested the boundaries of her characters.

A bit more dark and more suspenseful, this is still a cozy mystery with the quirky characters, small town ambiance and sweet romance that comes with it. I was swept right up, ushered in, offered a chair, and settled myself in for an exciting story.

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Synopsis

Angie’s first auction may turn out to be her last—when she bids on a coat of arms that someone would literally kill to possess . . .

Tagging along to an estate sale with her fellow Needlepointer, antiques shop owner Sarah Byrne, Angie Curtis impulsively bids on a tattered embroidery of a coat of arms. When she gets her prize back home to Haven Harbor, she discovers a document from 1757 behind the framed needlework—a claim for a child from a foundling hospital. Intrigued, Angie is determined to find the common thread between the child and the coat of arms.

Accepting her reporter friend Clem Walker’s invitation to talk about her find on the local TV news, Angie makes an appeal to anyone who might have information. Instead, both women receive death threats. When Clem is found shot to death in a parking lot, Angie fears her own life may be in jeopardy. She has to unravel this historical mystery—or she may be the next one going, going . . . gone . . .

About Author Lea Wait

Lea Wait lives on the coast of Maine. A fourth-generation antique dealer and the author of the Agatha-nominated Antique Print Mystery series, she loves all things antiques and Maine. She also writes historical novels for young people set in (where else?) nineteenth-century Maine. Visit her at leawait.com.

Follow Lea on Facebook and GoodReads

Purchase Links – Amazon – B&N – Kobo

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 1 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

November 1 – Cozy Up With Kathy -SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 2 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW

November 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

November 3 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, EXCERPT

November 5 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 5 – The Montana Bookaholic – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 6 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

November 6 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 7 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

November 7 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

November 8 – My Reading Journey – REVIEW, EXCERPT

November 8 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 9 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 9 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW

November 10 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

November 10 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 11 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

November 12 – The Ninja Librarian – REVIEW

November 13 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 13 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

November 14 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Forever Found and Forever Home by Allyson Charles ~ Tour and Giveaway

Posted: November 3, 2018 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: contemporary romance, giveaway

Forever Found

Forever Friends #2

by Allyson Charles

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pub Date: 10/9/2018

Head vet at the Forever Friends animal rescue shelter, Gabriel Moretti is
known as the Dog Whisperer because of his gift for soothing
rambunctious patients. But it’s the two-legged species that has
him, and his libido, working overtime. Marla Popov single-handedly
saved the shelter from financial ruin. But the bossy trust funder is
even more irritating than her snooty Standard Poodle. You’d think
keeping his attraction on a short leash would be a no-brainer for
Gabe. Unfortunately, Marla is also smart, beautiful, and intriguing . . .

Most of her life, people have been eager to tell Marla just what she

wants to hear. So now that she’s nearing forty, she doesn’t expect to be
refused—especially by a sexy younger man like Gabe. She also
doesn’t expect it to sting so much. But when she discovers a scheme
involving illegal dog fights, she gets a chance to show what she’s
truly made of. And as she and Gabe team up to fight it, they discover
a surprising respect for each other—and passion that might just
grow into love. . .

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

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Forever Home

Forever Friends #1

LOVE UNLEASHED

Isabelle Lopez has never been a dog person. Raising her daughter alone and
building a real estate career leaves no time for four-legged
furballs. When she finds an abandoned mutt and litter of pups in a
foreclosed apartment, Izzy intends to drop them off at a shelter and
walk briskly away. Instead, her “heroic” deed makes her a local
celebrity. Her boss is thrilled. Commissions are up. And thanks to
gorgeous shelter owner Bradley Cohen, Izzy’s disciplined life is
suddenly much, much more complicated.

He’s got a sexy smile, a wicked sense of humor, and a big, noble heart.
Even as Izzy tries to get her libido to heel, boy, Bradley
sets out to convince her there’s more to life than padding her bank
account. But Izzy knows a trade secret that puts Brad’s beloved
shelter at risk, and she can’t warn him.

Their relationship was barely getting started; suddenly it’s in the dog
house. Now Izzy and Brad need to figure out what matters most, and
whether this could be much more than animal attraction…

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Allyson Charles isthe author of humorous, small-town contemporary romance,

including the Forever series and the Pineville Romance series. Born in
California, Allyson now happily resides in Colorado in order to avoid
the outrageous gas prices and the soul-sucking traffic of the Golden
State (although it really does have the best weather). She worked as
an attorney for over a decade before deciding that writing about
men’s briefs was a lot more fun than writing legal ones. To find
out what she’s up to next, visit her website at allysoncharles.com.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Book Blast and Giveaway ~ Just A Name by Becky Monson

Posted: November 3, 2018 in comedy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: giveaway, romantic comedy

Just a Name

by Becky Monson

Synopsis

Holly has a plan for everything. But she never could have planned for this.

If there’s one thing Holly Murphy loves, it’s a solid plan. She has her entire life figured out—or so she thinks. But when life pulls the rug out from under her, she’s left to deal with a canceled wedding—hers, to be precise. And the promotion she’s worked toward for years is now in jeopardy because the team she supervises doesn’t like her management style.

Thinking that Holly is too tightly wound and needs a break from everything, her boss demands she take a vacation. But how can she take a vacation when her promotion is on the line? Trying to help out, her best friend, Quinn, suggests she still go on her honeymoon and conduct a nationwide search to find a man with the same name as her ex-fiancé to use his plane ticket. Leaving Holly to wonder if she’s the only sane person left on the planet.

Yet when her boss gets wind of the idea and loves it, Holly finds herself in a corner she can’t get out of. And when handsome Nate Jones from Newport Beach gets picked to go with her, she wonders if this whole thing won’t be so bad after all.

Can Holly learn to let go? Or will this crazy adventure send her running right back to her safety net?

Get your copy on Amazon

Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Praise for Just A Name

“Just a Name is a delicious escape! I devoured every character, every moment, and every quirk and couldn’t get enough. This book is Becky Monson at her finest!” -Author Whitney Dineen

“Becky Monson has outdone herself with Just a Name. It’s FANTASTIC! I’m still swooning.” -Author Jennifer Peel

“Fans of romantic comedies should grab a copy of Just a Name; it has the perfect balance between sweet and sassy.”-Readers’ Favorite

“Full of fun, swoon, and humor, all topped with unexpected twists. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in these pages!” -Katie’s Clean Book Collection

“I loved it. Becky Monson is so good at writing humor into her books. Sarcasm and wit reign supreme right along with a slow growing romance.” – Aimee Brown from Getting Your Read On

Enjoy this peek inside

I hate today.

Which doesn’t bode well, since it’s only eight thirty in the morning.

This is par for the course with my life right now, since the past three weeks haven’t particularly been my favorite either. Before that—which feels like ages ago—I was feeling like I was on the right path. Like everything I had planned for myself was happening. And I actually remember thinking, “Life can’t get any better.” Clearly, I jinxed myself.

Because my life is not on track. Not even close.

Lately, every morning I wake up with hopes that this will be the day when things will look up for me. The day my life will take a turn for the better and I’ll get myself back on track. Apparently, today is not that day.

Right now, I’m sitting in an air-conditioned office, holding a piece of paper in my hands, staring at the words in front of me and trying to make sense of it all. The top of the paper, in bold lettering, says, “CT Anderson Bank,” and underneath it, “Holly Murphy—Supervisor Assessment.”

Under that are a whole bunch of words I can’t believe I’m reading. Words like “too controlling” and “micromanaging” and “not a team player.” It’s all there, in Times New Roman, eleven-point type. Coincidentally, these are some of the words Nathan—my ex-fiancé—used when he called off our wedding nearly three weeks ago. He even used the words “not a team player”—whatever that’s supposed to mean. And this was all only a little over two months before we were to marry.

Way to kick me when I’m down, Life.

Author Becky Monson

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in Paypal Cash

Ends 11/27/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

When The Night Comes Out ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Posted: November 2, 2018 in giveaways, horror, Short stories and collections
Tags: giveaway, Horror, Short Stories

When the Night Comes Out

by Bryan Alaspa

Genre: Horror, Short Stories

What happens when the night comes out? When the darkness comes in from the
sides and closes in all around, what lurks within?

BONUS: Foreward by Patrick C. Greene, author of Progeny and The Crimson
Calling

An elevator in a high-rise building becomes a gateway for terror and madness

A German U-Boat during World War I becomes a haunted nightmare

A radio signal in the middle of the night reveals the horrors lurking
beneath a simple, small, peaceful town.

A little girl with a best friend you would NOT want to cross finds
herself in mortal danger.

And a couple moving into a new house discovers an old abandoned well that
may have no bottom, or it may just be a portal into Hell itself.

These are tales of unrelenting horror and terror from the mind of Bryan W.
Alaspa, author of RIG, Sapphire, Storyland, S.P.I.D.A.R. and other
tales of horror, terror and suspense. Five stories that will make you
wonder what lurks – when the night comes out.

Goodreads * Amazon

Bryan W. Alaspa is a Chicago born and bred author of both fiction and
non-fiction works. He has been writing since he sat down at his
mother’s electric typewriter back in the third grade and pounded out
his first three-page short story. He spent time studying journalism
and other forms of writing. He turned to writing as his full-time
career in 2006 when he began writing freelance, online and began
writing novels and books.

He is the author of over 30 books of both fiction and non-fiction

and numerous short stories and articles.

Mr. Alaspa writes true crime, history, horror,
thrillers, mysteries, detective stories and tales about the
supernatural.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Death, Diamonds And Freezer Burn ~ Cozy Review and Giveaway

Posted: November 1, 2018 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: cozy mystery, giveaway, review

Death, Diamonds and Freezer Burn

A Grime Pays Mystery

by Tricia L. Sanders

Death, Diamonds, and Freezer Burn (Grime Pays Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Soul Mate Publishing, Inc.
Release Date – October 24, 2018
Approximately 254 pages
.

My Review

From cleaning crimes scenes, CeCe is now tidying up condos. She’ll do whatever it takes to get her bills paid now that her divorce is looming ever closer. While having a girls night out, one of her friends has to rush home for a family emergency and CeCe offers to help clean out Carla’s mothers house while she’s gone. She didn’t take Carla’s comments about her mother being a hoarder that seriously. First big mistake. The second was opening the old freezer. Inside is a frozen body. Now Cece puts on her sleuthing cap and butts heads with her boyfriend, a detective that wants her to mind her own business.

Other character’s I came across were CeCe’s cheating ex to be and his spying mother. Sheesh, what a pair. And CeCe’s former co-worker who bulls her way into becoming an unwelcome house guest and kind of drove me nuts. She seemed so clueless, but then I began to wonder if that was an act. Especially when some Jade elephants that CeCe rescued from Carla’s mothers house get broken and out spills a shocking surprise.

I was new to this series and hadn’t read the first book. Kind of worried me whether I could hop in here. The good news is I quickly got the gist of things and easily came to recognize the characters. I then settled in for a fun cozy, a twisty mystery and some sweet brushes with romance. Now I want to go back and read the first book and find out how it all began.

Synopsis

.
An unwelcome visitor, an unrequited love, and a dead body create chaos in a middle-aged woman’s plan for a productive summer.

Despite a looming divorce, an empty checkbook, and a struggling cleaning business, Cece Cavanaugh is determined to land on her own two feet. Adamant about staying a safe distance from the handsome detective who has her fantasizing about violating the morals clause in her prenuptial agreement, Cece dives headlong into her work.

Even though she has no free time to spare, Cece finds herself guilted into cleaning a hoarder’s home. Her discoveries in the condemned house are too shocking to ignore. Diamond-laden pachyderms, a secret cache of money, and a dead body lure Cece into launching an investigation that places her in direct contact with the one person she’s desperate to avoid–hunky Detective Case Alder.

With clues in hand, Cece runs down leads and eliminates suspects one by one. Her conclusion and brave accusation put a friend’s life in peril forcing Cece to hatch a plan to outsmart the killer. A daring move could either save Cece and her friend or lead to their demise.

Author Tricia L. Sanders

Tricia L. Sanders writes cozy mysteries and women’s fiction. She adds a dash of romance and a sprinkling of snark to raise the stakes. Her heroines are humorous women embarking on journeys of self-discovery all the while doing so with class, sass, and a touch of kickass.

Tricia is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, so don’t get between her and the television when a game is on. Currently, she is working on a mystery series set in the fictional town of Wickford, Missouri. Another project in the works is a women’s fiction road trip adventure.

A former instructional designer and corporate trainer, she traded in curriculum writing for novel writing, because she hates bullet points and loves to make stuff up. And fiction is more fun than training guides and lesson plans.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

YouTube / Newsletter Sign Up

Purchase Links: Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 24 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 24 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 25 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 28 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

October 28 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Valerie’s Musings – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 30 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

October 30 – Laura’s Interests – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 31 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 31 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 1 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 1 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

November 2 – The Book Diva’s Reads – GUEST POST

November 3 – That’s What She’s Reading – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 3 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW

November 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 4 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

November 5 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

November 5 – The Avid Reader – SPOTLIGHT

November 5 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

November 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 6 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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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

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The Devil’s Fingers by Hunter Shea ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: October 31, 2018 in giveaways, horror, reviews
Tags: giveaway, Horror, review

The Devil’s Fingers

One Size Eats All #3

by Hunter Shea

Genre: Horror

My Review

The story goes like this, a group of friends go camping in the woods. One of them is a botanist and she thinks she knows what the field of foul smelling pods are that they come across. Mind you, she thinks. When a couple slip off during the night to get freaky, they do their thing too close to the pods. Now they them growing on their bodies. And they’re about to hatch.

Ah, Hunter has found a devilish fungus to deter us from ever going in the woods again. It’s always a trip how he uses something genuine and then starts killing off his characters in the most creative, and often times revolting, ways.

I always like how the author gives me character’s that I get frustrated with. Then I don’t feel so bad when they’re killed off. I want to ask them if they ever watched a horror movie. They should know not to go off alone in the dark. And especially not to have sex. But, that’s what they do and that’s when the fun begins.

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Well, take a gander at the cover for The Devil’s Fingers. Getting the picture yet?

Once again Hunter Shea shocks and awes me with another deliciously horrific tale. I’ll never pass up one of his books. Out of the park with this one, Hunter. Keep em coming.

Hunter shared this video on Twitter. Did you know Devil’s Fingers are real!

Enjoy this glimpse inside:

Carrie’s screams rocketed Autumn’s heart into her throat. A crow big enough to carry a cat in its talons leaped from its perch above their heads, screeching across the blue sky.

“Carrie!” she shouted.

Her friend had forged ahead to take pictures, her passion du jour of nature photography separating her from the group. Autumn Winters had wondered where she’d gone. Now, she just hoped she wasn’t in a ditch or hanging off a cliff.

Like that time in Mexico, she thought, the heavy pack on her back thumping the base of her spine with each footfall.

“Over here,” Carrie called back, her voice coming from a copse of spruce trees to their left.

Latrell sped ahead of Autumn, letting his backpack slip from his shoulders so it wouldn’t hold him back. Carrie’s longtime boyfriend, Dan Waverly, was right behind him. Autumn’s much shorter legs couldn’t keep up with the former college athletes.

She followed their path, branches and weeds swaying from their passing. Veering from the official trail worried Autumn, but nowhere near as much as Carrie’s peal of terror. The gradual uphill climb had seemed so easy, the late spring air just cool enough to make it one of the more pleasant hikes she’d been on. It was amazing how arduous and stifling things got the second they had to sprint like madmen, thorny weeds scratching their legs.

The toe of her hiking boot caught on the underside of an immovable stone. Arms flailing, she twisted her body so she wouldn’t fall on her face.

“Got ya!” Brandon barked as he grabbed hold of her backpack. He held on until she steadied herself. He coughed up half a lung while she caught her breath.

There was no time to thank him. Carrie had grown frighteningly silent and there hadn’t been a peep out of Latrell or Dan.

“Come on,” she said.

“I’ll catch up,” Brandon wheezed.

There were heavy footsteps behind him. He’d be okay.

Autumn weaved her way around the closely packed trees, careful not to clip her shoulders on the sturdy trunks.

“Where are you?” she shouted.

“Over here,” Latrell answered.

Honing in on her fiancé’s voice, she stumbled out of the tree line and into Dan’s wide back. She caught an unwelcome whiff of sweat, her face smooshed into his moist shirt.

Regaining her balance—not that she had any to begin with—she stepped back, noticing that Carrie, Dan, and Latrell were standing alongside one another, hands on their hips, staring at something she couldn’t see thanks to being dwarfed by Dan’s massive shadow.

Latrell took her by the hand. “Look at this.”

Carrie sounded close to tears.

“Are…are they alive?”

Autumn looked across the meadow and fought a sudden wave of dizziness. As far as she could see, the ground was littered with shattered white pods. Sprouting from each pod were thick, pink tentacles. It was like looking at a sea of squid, the underside of each tentacle dotted with wet olive and black spots. Interspersed within them were deathly pale limbs, four or more to a pod, looking too much like severed baby arms for Autumn’s taste.

Autumn hated calamari.

She took a step toward the edge of the meadow. Latrell held her back.

“Don’t go near them.”

“Whatever the fuck they are,” Dan said, putting a protective arm around Carrie.

Crashing in the brush announced the arrival of Brandon, Tina, and Seth.

“That is wild AF. And I haven’t even smoked yet,” Brandon said, peering at the field as if his eyes were deceiving him.

Autumn let go of Latrell’s hand, crouching close to the nearest cluster of skyward-reaching tentacles. It was hard to believe that Autumn, the girl they all called Mighty Mite because her genetics refused to allow her to pass the five-foot mark, was out macho-ing her alpha male of a fiancé. Then again, this was kind of her specialty.

Or it would be in a couple more years.

“Jesus, don’t touch it!” Tina yelped.

Autumn turned to her friends, all of them looking as if they were standing on the precipice of untold horrors. Latrell’s smooth, shaved head ran with rivulets of perspiration. Seth’s hand went to the machete secured at his hip.

“It’s all right,” Autumn said.

“That does not look all right,” Carrie said, her hand on Dan’s chest.

A breeze whispered over the meadow, animating the tentacles as they swayed back and forth. Tina yipped. Brandon pedaled backwards, falling on his ass.

The only thing worse than fried calamari was living calamari. Blinking hard, Autumn willed her mind to just shut up and deal with what was in front of her.

You’re not at Nicky’s Fish Box or lost at sea, dummy.

Autumn reached into her pocket for the little baggie of nuts she’d packed for quick snacking. Dumping the nuts on the ground, she inverted the bag over her hand.

She reached down, fingers grazing the papery flesh of the tentacle. She plucked it free from the pod. It was almost as long as her forearm, yet weighed next to nothing.

“Don’t bring that thing near me,” Carrie said, cringing.

Latrell’s eyes grew wide. The wind changed direction, blowing Autumn’s long honey hair into her face.

Hands flew to mouths as everyone started choking, Tina making tiny retching sounds.

Uh-oh, Autumn thought. I should have known better.

The stench rolling off the meadow was impossible to ignore. It hijacked their lungs, nestled into the membranes of their noses, coated their tongues.

A fetid redolence encompassed the campers, the presence of death too much for Autumn to handle. Eyes watering, she dropped the tentacle, hands grasping her knees, stomach heaving.

“Oh my God,” Carrie gasped between gouts of vomit splashing her and Dan’s boots.

She was the first to pass out.

But not the last.

“Old school horror.” —Jonathan Maberry

WHAT HAS LONG PINK FINGERS AND SMELLS LIKE ROTTING FLESH?

It is a slime-covered fungus known for its pinkish red tentacles and
pungent odor. It is indigenous to Australia but has spread to North
America. Its Latin name is Clathrus Archeri,
also known as Octopus Stinkhorn. Most people call it The Devil’s Fingers . . .

I DON’T KNOW BUT IT’S GROWING ON YOUR NECK.

Deep in the woods of Washington, botanist Autumn Winters stumbles onto a
field of the luridly colored fungi. Two of her fellow campers make
the mistake of touching it. Now it’s growing on them. Fleshy
gelatinous pods. Sprouting from their skin. Feeding on their blood . . .

AND IT’S STILL GROWING.

Autumn watches in horror as her friends are transformed into
monstrosities—grotesque, human-fungal hybrids as contagious and
deadly as any virus. Autumn knows she must destroy these mutations
before they return to civilization. But if there’s one thing that
spreads faster than fear, it’s The Devil’s Fingers . . .

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Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo

Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary
movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot would walk past
his house. He’s the author of over 17 books, including The
Jersey Devil (Pinnacle 2016)), Tortures of the
Damned (Pinnacle 2015), and We Are Always
Watching (Sinister Grin). Hunter’s novels can even be found on
display at the International Cryptozoology Museum. The Montauk
Monster (Pinnacle 2014) was named one of the best reads of the
summer by Publishers Weekly. He was selected to be part of the
launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line in 2011 alongside
legendary author Ramsey Campbell. His video podcast, Monster
Men, is one of the most watched horror podcasts in the world. Living
with his crazy and supportive family and two cats, he’s happy to be
close enough to New York City to see the skyline without having to
pay New York rent.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon * 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.

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Wicked Harvest ~ Michigan Monsters & Macabre

Posted: October 31, 2018 in giveaways, horror, reviews, Short stories and collections
Tags: giveaway, Horror, review, Short Stories

Why Fall? Why Halloween? Why Michigan? And what does this have to do with these stories and books?

Let’s start with the great state of MICHIGAN. I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised in Michigan; a state I consider to be the absolute best in the country. I was born in Hastings in the early 70s, and then when I was about 18 months old, my mother, sister and I moved to the charming small town of Ionia. My mother was originally from Ionia; in fact, my grandparents owned and operated a locksmith and bicycle business there, started in the 1940s. My child-rearing years were spent living in town, living on a farm and living in a trailer park until I graduated high school. I had a good childhood, a typical childhood where my imagination was able to run wild.

Once I became an adult, I moved around quite a bit; Kalamazoo, Lake Odessa, Grand Blanc, Pewamo, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Middleville and on and on. I’ve had the pleasure of driving all over the state visiting beautiful and wonderful towns like Petoskey, Holly, Munising, Harbor Springs, Mackinac City, Lexington, Flint, Fenton, Port Austin, and Grand Haven to name a few. All of these towns have left lasting memories, thoughts and ideas for me because they each offer unique sights, architecture, people and history.

Living in Michigan my whole life not only have I seen some amazing cities, towns, parks and beaches, but I have also heard many of its spooky legends, ghost stories and tales about its many haunted locations. I thought to base a series of spooky stories and books that included actual Michigan locations would be an excellent way for me to pay tribute to the people, places and things. As I said, it is the greatest state in the nation!

Nothing on earth gets my mind, body and soul aroused like the season of FALL. I get excited about the three months of September, October and November more than a person probably should (But I know I’m not alone). I look forward to the fall season every year and have since I was very young. And every year and I get asked, “What is it about fall you love so much?”

First, I call it fall; always have, always will. Some people call it autumn. I guess it depends on who you ask or where they’re from. I love the word autumn, but most people I know say fall. I guess for me, it doesn’t really matter what you call it, what matters is all that comes with it. It’s a laundry list of things that come with the season that gets me excited and makes everything in the world seem…right.

It’s the chill in the air and the crisp clean cool breeze, wearing warm cozy sweatshirts or my favorite flannel shirts, making s’mores over a bonfire with family and friends, drinking cider and eating donuts from a visit to the local cider mills and orchards, picking out those perfect pumpkins at the pumpkin patch to carve Jack O‟ Lanterns or just place as decorations, driving around taking in the sights of the beautiful colored leaves, drinking hot flavored coffee or hot cocoa on the porch, tasting all of the fall seasonal craft beers and hard ciders, the smell of burning leaves and wood burning in fireplaces, not having to deal with those pesky summer bugs, crock pot slow roast dinners, chili cook-offs, and yes, even the pumpkin spice everything!

To me, there’s no emotion and sensation like what I get and feel during the fall months. Even though I know the dreaded winter will soon follow. Still, I embrace the season for all it’s worth and bask in the pure comfort on how everything about it makes me feel. I could go on, but I’m sure you understand.

Everyone has their favorite holiday. Sure, I love Thanksgiving for the bounty of delectable food and watching the traditional football game. Christmas with the pretty lights, gifts and more delicious foods and even St. Patrick’s Day isn’t too bad with a cold Guinness in hand. But, for me, hands down, the best holiday is HALLOWEEN.

For starters, it’s smack dab in the middle of my favorite fall season. Second, it’s just so much fun, has so much tradition and you get to dress in costume to become anything and anyone you want…even if it’s for just one night. Oh, then third; the candy. Lots and lots of candy!

Yes, even as an adult I like, nope, love the candy.

Granted, I don’t go Trick-or-Treating anymore, but I thoroughly enjoy decorating the house and handing out candy to all the little ones in the neighborhood. And if I have candy left in the bowl at the end of the night…so be it. Halloween is just fun and it can make us all remember what being a kid is all about.

I have enjoyed celebrating Halloween since I was a toddler. I love and appreciate the folklore behind it, the traditions, the parties, and the creatures and costumes. I’ve always admired and respected the classic tales of Dracula, Frankenstein and the myths and legends told by friends and family…especially real-life ghost stories. I look forward every year to watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and movies like Sleepy Hollow, Trick R Treat, Hocus Pocus, Young Frankenstein, Underworld, Zombieland, The Lost Boys and so many others. So bring on the bats, skeletons, black cats, witches, Jack O‟ Lanterns, ghosts, ghouls and goblins, and creatures and monsters of all kinds!

So why this book? Why now?

When I started writing articles and stories years ago, I never envisioned myself as a horror writer or any kind of scary story writer. Then one day in the fall of 2017 I was talking to my wife and kids about scary stories and then immediately got an idea in my head for one. That idea eventually became the Stone Hollow story. Funny enough, written about the very subdivision that I live in.

Once I wrote that first one I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing. The ideas and thoughts were pouring out of my head faster than I could type. I had notepads and pieces of paper strewn everywhere with ideas. I finally created a document called Ideas and it was just that; all kinds of story ideas, characters, partial paragraphs, locations, dialog…everything to keep my thoughts together so I wouldn’t lose them. There’s nothing worse than having a great idea and then forgetting it later.

Once I had a dozen full stories together, I wondered what to do with them. I thought about trying to enter writing contests and submit some to anthology books (which I did a few), but then I thought maybe I would just put them in book form and do things my way. My hope was that people would read them and enjoy them as much as I do.

Heck, I know there are hundreds of horror writers out there and I know my stories may not be made into blockbuster movies, but I’m going to let my imagination run wild and do the best I can. The plan is to make Michigan Monsters & Macabre a series of books; perhaps 5 to 10…if I’m lucky.

…add now it has really got my gears moving and I’m excited not only to write scary stories but to write other short stories and books as well. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me. I better make a few pots of coffee…it’s going to be a long year!

Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre

Book One

Jerrod S. Smelker

Genre: Fiction, Horror

Publisher: Last Leaf Publishing

Date of Publication: Sept 24th, 2018

ISBN:1720157022

Number of pages: 193

Word Count: 36,600

Cover Artist: BookDesign

My Review

Being born in Michigan, how could I not try these stories. I’ve always found urban legends fascinating and reading about some centered around cities I’m familiar with was sure to be fun.

There are many stories to savor, from macabre to harrowing. While none of them truly scared me, I pictured a few of these in my mind and wouldn’t want to be in those character’s shoes.

Being brief stories, I liked how they ended. The author introduced his character’s. Set up the why of how they ended up where the were, and then showed how they paid the piper. A few I felt sorry for. Some I felt got what they deserved. And then there were some I thought should have known better. You know those. The ones that go in the basement when they shouldn’t. The one’s that ignore warnings from those who know the skinny. Yep, the ones we call victims.

The author gave me some tasty nibbles and if you like short stories with a few twists, I recommend you take a bite.

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Book Description:

Welcome to the Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre spooky short stories books.

Inside you will read 10 chilling haunts of encounters with terrifying creatures, cursed fountains, the undead, an abandoned asylum and other creepy and frightening things.

All stories take place in and around Michigan cities and towns and transpire during the delightful season of fall and the greatest holiday of Halloween.

These startling tales are fictional stories of course…or are they?

Amazon

About the Author:

Jerrod S. Smelker is the owner/operator/writer for Last Leaf Publishing, Our Michigan Travels and Wicked Harvest MI. Author of “Vigilant in Today’s World” series of crime prevention books, “Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre” series of spooky short stories and books and numerous other short stories. He is a proud member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. He grew up in Ionia, a quaint small town smack dab in the middle of Michigan between Grand Rapids and the state’s capital, Lansing. He enjoys history, writing, reading, fine cigars and pipes, craft beers and hard ciders, coffee, and Michigan road trips. He currently lives in Grand Blanc Michigan with his wife, kids and cats.

Website / Blog / Wicked Harvest / Facebook / Amazon

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Wicked Harvest ~ Michigan Monsters & Macabre