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Archive for the ‘giveaways’ Category

A Dish Best Served Cold ~ My Cozy Review and a Giveaway

Posted: August 10, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: A Dish Best Served Cold, An Italian Kitchen Mystery #3, Author Rosie Genova

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A Dish Best Served Cold
by Rosie Genova

This is an enjoyable, fast summertime read, which takes you to the jersey shore and beyond.
~Mystery Playground

If you’re a beach lover, and especially if you’re an aficionado of Italian cuisine, you’ll love this book (and the Italian Kitchen series) with the delicious recipes, busy kitchen, wonderful characters, and of course the Jersey Shore and Boardwalk! I highly recommend A Dish Best Served Cold by Rosie Genova, and grant it our highest rating of Five Kitties.
~Jane Reads

A Dish Best Served Cold:
An Italian Kitchen Mystery

23591053

Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: NAL (August 4, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0451415165

My Review

First I want to mention that this is the third book in this series. Don’t let that stop you from reading this out of order. The author smoothly provided back story in the right places without slowing down the story and I easily became familiar with the characters and previous events.

Now to the book. How could I pass this up? A cozy mystery with the main character being a successful mystery writer.

Victoria Rienzi, or Vic, returned to Oceanside on the Jersey shore a few months ago. She’s trying to write the next book in her mystery series while working in the families Italian restaurant, Casa Lido.

The restaurant is preparing for it’s 70th anniversary, but it’s not looking to good. A storm is barreling down on New Jersey. Vic’s grandmother, Nonna, isn’t going to let a little ole hurricane ruin the outdoor dining and festivities. When the winds begin to bluster and the rain starts to fall, everyone is hustled inside to continue the celebration.

Like all hurricanes, it blows through and the morning is bright and clear. There’s lots of power outages along with some damage, but it looks like everyone came through it okay. Until they find the body.

Stinky Pete, the resident homeless man, is found dead at the historical carousel ride on the boardwalk. He was last seen after he stumbled into the restaurant celebration. Nonna gave him some food and water and guided away from the guests, sending him on his way.

Vic isn’t convinced it’s an accidental drowning and she just can’t help herself. She has to stick her nose in the investigation, drawing Nonna’s wrath. It’s not the first time Casa Lido has been at the center of a murder investigation.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the research. The research done by the characters. Vic and her sister-in-law, Sophie, dig deep and stumble upon a connection to Vic’s great uncle, Roberto. He was the black sheep in the family and thought to have died in Italy a long time ago.

They make a list of suspects and the list keeps growing. I tell you, these ladies left no one off that list.

And I have to hand it to Vic. I don’t know how she kept going. A deadline is looming on her new release, and she needs to get cracking on the next book. She ‘s dealing with issues at the restaurant and at home due to lack of electricity. And she’s having to work alongside the man who broke her heart and sent her running away many years ago.

Vic is persistent and starts asking questions, angering some people and setting herself up as a target.

Love lost and found, people who want to keep their skeletons in their closets, and a possible mob connection kept this mystery rushing forward and kept me on my toes, right along with Vic. That, and her Nonna, who brooks no slacking and no nonsense.

Good clean fun with lots of laughs and some intense scenes as the mystery unravels. Everything you need for a good cozy read.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

The national bestselling author of The Wedding Soup Murder returns to the Jersey Shore where a killer is stirring up trouble during a hurricane…

At the Casa Lido, the end of summer means a party, and hit whodunit writer Victoria “Vic” Rienzi and her family are cooking like crazy for the restaurant’s seventieth anniversary celebration. As they chop onions and garlic, old family friend Pete Petrocelli stops by, saying he knows something that would make for a good mystery novel. Curious, Vic asks Nonna to elaborate on Pete’s claim and learns of a relative who mysteriously disappeared back in Italy…

The night of the party brings a crowd—and a full throttle hurricane. When the storm finally passes, everyone thinks they’re in the clear—until the first casualty is found, and it’s Pete. Remembering his visit, Vic isn’t certain Pete’s death was an accident and decides to dig deeper into his story. What she finds is meatier than Nonna’s sauce…

~~~~~

About The Author –

A Jersey girl born and bred, national bestselling author Rosie Genova left her heart at the shore, which serves as the setting for much of her work. Her new series, the Italian Kitchen Mysteries, is informed by her appreciation for good food, her pride in her heritage, and her love of classic mysteries from Nancy Drew to Miss Marple. Her debut novel, Murder and Marinara, was named a 2013 Best Cozy by Suspense Magazine and is a finalist for a 2014 Daphne Award. An English teacher by day and novelist by night, Rosie also writes women’s fiction as Rosemary DiBattista. She still lives in her home state with her husband and the youngest of her three Jersey boys.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Links
Amazon B&N INDIE BOUND

~~~~~

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Rosie Genova has an awesome giveaway for you.

Check out what you can win!

Genova prize offering

Enter the rafflecopter below for your chance at the goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow the tour for more fun posts!

August 4 – Mystery Playground – Review, Interview

August 5 – Jane Reads – Review

August 6 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Review

August 7 – Melissa’s Eclectic Bookshelf – Guest Post

August 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review

August 9 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review

August 10 – fuonlyknew – Review

August 11 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Guest Post

August 12 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – Review, Interview

August 13 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review

August 14 – A Blue Million Books – Interview

August 15 – Kimberly’s Bookshelf – Review

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

Mage Assassin by K R Yaddof ~ Book Blast and Giveaway

Posted: August 10, 2015 in Book Blast, Dystopian, giveaways, urban fantasy
Tags: Author K R Yaddof, dystopian, Mages Assassin #3, series, urban fantasy

A little magic.

A little danger.

Some villains.

Some romance.

A great time to be had by all!

Mage Assassin

Mages #3

by K R Yaddof

Synopsis

Lauren Trinidad is the best private security money in the League of European Nations can buy. She’s been trained by her father for her entire life to protect the good guys from the bad. But when the good guys seem to be working for the mad man responsible for blowing the world into chaos and her family is suddenly the bad, she is forced to choose between what she is taught to do and what she thinks is right.

Captain David Trinidad is the best soldier the New Republic of Texas can find to pull off a secret mission that will decide the fate of the small country. He’s been raised in his military family to do anything to help his homeland. But when he discovers he is the only chance at saving someone he loves, he has to choose between the only two things in his life that he’s never doubted.

Meagan Trinidad is the best assassin the United Countries of America has for hire. She has walked the tightrope between making her father proud and protecting those she cares about for a while. But when her work threatens to destroy her friends, she must choose between the familial loyalty that has guided her whole life and the promise of being loved for who she is and not what she does.

~~~~~

Enjoy the excerpt.

“I did, but I saw a few suspicious characters before I left, so I stopped them from killing everyone.”

“Oh, you did, huh?” He smiled that charming grin that made her forgive him for anything.

“Yeah, because I’m smooth like that.” She couldn’t help but smile back.

“Sure you are.” He laughed and crossed the room to her. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing,” she lied. Even her teeth hurt.

“Here.” He gently took her face in his hand. He blew a thick lock of her chestnut hair back. He ran his finger over the bruise and whispered, “Curatio.”

White-hot magic radiated from his thumb into the center of the pain and slowly flowed over her face, leaving cool relief in its wake. Her hand joined his as she felt her healed face. Her skin was smooth and no longer sore.

“Thanks.” She kissed him softly. His lips felt warm, soft, and familiar. His hands immediately pulled her to him. She stopped him by putting her hands on his chest. “I need a shower.”

“Shall I join you?” He cocked a platinum eyebrow.

~~~~~

AUTHOR Bio and Links

K R Yaddof was lucky enough to take a few writing classes at the University of Iowa Writer’s Workshop when she was there as an undergrad getting her degree in cinema. Now she lives in Denver, CO with her husband, two kids, and one fat cat.

KR is currently finds time to write while staying home with her two small children. If you want more MAGES, cross your fingers for her children to start sleeping through the night!

Author Links

Website / Amazon / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Pinterest

Buy Links

Amazon / B&N

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Click on the banner below to follow the tour and comment.

The more you comment, the more chances to win!

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

What’s New On My Bookshelf #120 and The Sunday Post

Posted: August 9, 2015 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: my weekly book news, The Sunday Post

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

Another fun way to share your book news and enjoy others is The Sunday Post hosted by

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Head on over and leave a link to your Sunday Post and hop around to visits others.

~~~

Some chit chat.

I have been so frustrated this week. I was without my car for three days and finally got it back. Needed a new radiator. Only one day later, I watched it being towed out of my driveway. Back to the shop for a leak. I think it’s a small hose. Crossing fingers!

Needless to say, I was boiling over as was my car!

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It made me think what it would be like to not have a car. How would I get to work? To the vet? To buy groceries? So many things that you need a car for. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy. Well, maybe I would. It’s not very fun.

My car is well over ten years old. I should be looking for a new one. But I’ve already put a lot of money in it. Much of the parts are new. The engine has been rebuilt. Which brings up the question, when do you stop pouring money into your car and go get another one.

There’s a hitch to that, though. I don’t have the money to buy another car. So it looks like for now I’ll be spending more money. I just want my baby back!

Something else new this week. The police have been out in force. They have cops dressed in plain clothes stand on the side of the road with cardboard signs. People think they are homeless men, begging for money. They don’t even read the signs that state they are cops and you’ll be ticketed for not wearing a seatbelt or for texting while driving. One lady was pulled over after she drove by a cop without her seatbelt on, putting on her mascara, and texting while driving with her knee.

I usually know when someone in front of me on the road is texting. They swerve all over the place, speed up and slow down, and drive me crazy. I stay way back from them so I won’t get caught up in the wreck if it happens. I tried one time to text and almost hit a mailbox. I was on an empty back road and just seeing what would happen. Are people nuts?!!!!

I’ll be hopping over to check out your Sunday posts so be sure to leave me your link!

~~~

Here are my new books for review.

A Big Fat ZERO!

I can’t believe it. It’s been so long. If you saw my schedule for now through the end of September, you’d understand why I didn’t take in any new ones. I even have some for October and November but trying hard to cut back and review books that I’ve won or was gifted or downloaded for free.

Not sure how long it’ll last, but we’ll see. LOL

~~~

And here are some freebies for ya!

Click on the covers to get yours and remember to make sure they’re still free before you click that buy button.

~~~

Books I reviewed this week. Click on the covers for my reviews.

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Books I’ll be reviewing next week

I have a couple more to choose from too. Trying to catch up on long overdue reviews.

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What I won.

eBooks

Print books

Huge thanks to the blog hosts, authors, and tour organizers for these wonderful prizes

~~~

A YA Sci-Fi Dystopian ~ Shadow Of Deception by Sophia L. Johnson ~ My Review and Giveaway

Posted: August 7, 2015 in Blog Tour, Dystopian, giveaways, reviews, Science Fiction, YA
Tags: Author Sophia L. Johnson, Science Fiction, Shadow Of Deception, The Kazumi Chronicles #1, YA Dystopian

SHADOW OF DECEPTION

(The Kazumi Chronicles #1)

by Sophia L. Johnson

YA Dystopian/Sci-fi

Published on April 19^th, 2015

My Review

Kazumi should feel lucky. She’s the only survivor of a plane crash that had over five hundred passengers. But she doesn’t. She feels lost, scared, hopeless. She’s lost her sense of self. Has no memory of who she is, where she comes from.

A nurse at the hospital tries to help her. She senses Kazumi is more than she appears. When it’s time for her release from the hospital, Linda sneaks her away to some people who might be able to help her. With nothing left to lose, Kazumi, though scared, goes along with it.

Deep inside the Rocky Mountains is a secret society of super humans, genetically advance people called Sarcomeres. Their enhanced strength and high tech toys fascinate Kazumi and she quickly becomes a part of the society.

Quick to learn, she trains diligently, preparing for the daunting tests to come.

She’ll need to learn quickly as the Sarcomeres old enemy, the Neuronics, are plotting world supremacy over humans and all other beings. Subterfuge, attacks, and Kazumi’s own hidden memories could bring about a catastrophe.

I should mention that Kazumi is referred to as Gabi for much of this book. The name was chosen for her in the hospital as she couldn’t remember her real one.

This books is intended for young adult readers, and as I’m much older, I worried if I’d appreciate it. I sure did. I enjoy science fiction and dystopian stories and this is a bit of both.

Kazumi is a scrappy young gal. She’s a quick study, bold, and still a bit girly. Especially around Finn.

The Sarcomeres stay hidden from society. Not because they are bad, but because of what they are and what they fight.

The Neuronics. Nasty beasts for sure. They can envelop you with their tentacles, reach into your mind and body, and control what you see and do. Quite creepy, indeed. And what’s a good villain without a plot to take over the world.

There’s lots of world building, but it flows easily in the story. The characters come to life with some well written descriptions. And the action is fast and furious.

Almost forgot. There are some sub plots too. A big one is about Kazumi’s past.

Young and mature fans of these genres will enjoy this new series.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

2153, Toronto, United Nation of North America (UNNA)

A horrific plane crash kills all five hundred and forty-two passengers except one. Kazumi emerges from the wreckage physically unscathed but has lost all her memories. Her miraculous survival has the whole city buzzing but all she wants is to go home, wherever home is.

After waiting a month in the hospital with no one to claim her, Kazumi is deemed homeless. She is about to be sent to a nearby teenage shelter when the nurse she grew to trust ushers her down a mysterious path, one that promises safety and maybe even the chance to recover her memories. With no better options available, Kazumi takes her chance and finds herself in the headquarters of the Sarcomeres, a secret society of genetically advanced humans hidden deep inside the Rocky Mountains. The Sarc’s heightened physical abilities and high-tech gadgets are not the only things that fascinate Kazumi. Finnegan O’Riley, a fellow Sarc she meets along the way also gets her heart racing. When Kazumi discovers that she possesses the genetic potential of a Sarcomere, she jumps at the chance to train with them, not knowing the death defying tests that are involved.

Meanwhile, a centuries-old nemesis of the Sarcomeres begins to stir in the dark, setting their dark plans in motion. Just when Kazumi thinks she can help protect her new found home, past memories surface to threaten her new identity. She soon realizes that layers of deception run deep and everyone has a secret agenda, including herself.

Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself? One wrong decision could bring forth consequences worse than death.

Amazon – Barnes & Noble – Indigo – Google Play
Add it to your Goodreads list!

_________________________

All royalties made in the first year will go to a charity

called Covenant House, to help homeless youth.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With a degree in International Business Management, Sophia has worked in a major marketing firm where she realized the corporate world isn’t one she wants to be in. She then made the switch into the healthcare industry as a Registered Massage Therapist by day and a writer by night. She is now a Massage Therapy instructor and a published author living with her husband and daughter in Toronto. Her go-to genres are science fiction, fantasy, and dystopian; or anything that sweeps her away into a foreign world that promises adventure.

Website – Twitter – Facebook

~~~

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International Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Shadow of Deception by Sophia L. Johnson is now on tour!
Check the hosts and join the International giveaway running here and on each stop.

Shadow of Deception Tour schedule:

July 20th | Life of a Bookworm (Excerpt)
July 21st | The Tale Temptress (Review)
July 22nd | The Writing Greyhound (Review, Author Interview)
July 23rd | Happy Tails and Tales (Review, Excerpt)
July 24th | Darkest Sins (Guest Post)
July 27th | Mind Reader (Author Interview)
July 28th | Justified Lunacy (Review)
July 29th | Jody’s Book Reviews (Excerpt)
July 30th | Sapphyria’s Book Reviews (Guest Post, Excerpt)
July 31st | The Avid Reader (Review, Excerpt)
August 3rd | The Reader and the Chef (Review)
August 4th | White Sky Project (Review)
August 5th | Reader Girls (Excerpt)
August 6th | Much Loved Books (Guest Post)
August 7th | Fuonlyknew (Review)

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About ~ A Cozy Review and Giveaway

Posted: August 6, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, New Release
Tags: Authors Joyce and Jim LaVene, cozy mystery, Give 'Em Pumpkin To Talk About, new series release

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Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About

By Joyce and Jim Lavene

These skilled writers have done it again. They’ve penned a book that had me completely transfixed. Their style of writing feels as though it was so effortless to them. (I bet they would say different). It just flows across the pages.
~Lisa K’s Book Reviews

Well-tuned, with plenty of romance, mystery, suspense, history, legend–and some just plain ornery people. The book became a really fast read, because I couldn’t bear to stop before finishing!
~Mallory Heart Reviews

This is a great read, with wonderful characters and a great plot. You’ll want to read it all in one sitting. If you are looking for a great new mystery series then I highly recommend this one. I’m really looking forward to book two.
~Booklady’s Booknotes

With a romantic interest, a murder, lost gold and missing grandparents, not to mention a hard to deal with mother, this cozy mystery has all of my ingredients for a great read!
~Book Splurge

It is Amazing!…Each character brings something unique and has a charm about them that really bring this story to life.
~Shelley’s Book Case

Give ‘Em Pumpkin is a superb beginning to a new series. It’s cozy mystery; and it’s written by the Lavenes. What else could it be but great?
~Back Porchervations

This is a good cozy with a couple of mysteries. Lots of drama, treasure hunters, murders and talk about ghosts and Aliens.
~readalot

Give Em Pumpkin To Talk About
(Pumpkin Patch Mysteries Book 1)

25726901

Cozy Mystery
Print Length: 199 pages
Publisher: J. Lavene (August 4, 2015)
ASIN: B00Z7LUVZQ

My Review

I was so excited to read this book. I’ve read many books by these authors and have always started each series somewhere besides the beginning. This is the first time I’ve started one at the beginning! Now I don’t have to go backwards to go forward.

I’m beginning to suspect Joyce and Jim Lavene have special powers. How else can they write so many books so fast and make me fall in love with their characters so easily?

I loved Sarah Tucker. She’s a successful lawyer working for a senator. Rising up the ladder quickly. When her mother decides it’s time to sell her grandparents abandoned farm, Sarah takes time off to seal the deal.

Off she goes to Misty River, Virginia, and right into her childhood memories. Sarah loved her grandparents and cherished every minute she spent on their farm. From swimming naked in the river, to watching the pumpkins grow huge, she knew every inch of those acres.

Her analytical mind says seal the deal when a buyer offers a huge amount of money for the farm. Her whimsical mind says don’t do it. You love this place. It could be brought back to it’s former glory.

And what about her grandparents. They vanished without a trace many years ago, food still on the table, no signs of violence. If she sells the farm, she might never know what happened to them.

And where will Jack go. Her former childhood playmate, the boy who gave her her first kiss, lives on the farm. He’s been there for years, a squatter you could say, protecting the place and keeping it from falling to ruin.

Digging into the old investigation stirs up a hornets nest. Sarah and Jack arrange a meeting with a man who says he has a lead on her grandparents. Once they reach the farm, bullets fly and they find the man dead.

Sarah, along with Jack and many of the town folk, better dig faster for clues if they don’t want more bodies piling up.

Speaking of digging. There’s also the mystery of the buried Confederate gold somewhere on the farm. The plot thickens.

This is the type of writing that keeps me reading for hours, reading from beginning to end. Pausing to laugh. Diving back in. Wanting to know what happens. Not wanting it to end.

The romance is sweet and funny. Sarah is attracted to Jack in spite of herself. He loves to keep her off balance. These two are made for each and I crossed my fingers for a happy ever after.

The mystery is a good one. I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it totally caught me by surprise.

The characters were wonderful. So many of them, yet it was easy to remember who was who.

The community is close. Everybody pitches in to help each other. And a bear can’t poop in the woods without someone knowing about it. You know those kind of towns.

The writing. How to describe it. These two authors have a way of keeping me engrossed even when they’re writing about something as mundane as walking from the farmhouse to the barn. No wasted word, just the right ones to show you the scene.

I loved every word. Can’t wait for more. And knowing how fast these two write, it probably won’t be a long wait.

5 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis:
Richmond attorney Sarah Tucker returns to sell her family’s abandoned farm in Misty River, Virginia despite unanswered questions about her grandparents’ disappearance sixteen years earlier. Sarah was only twelve when she went to visit and found her grandparents had vanished. No amount of searching has brought answers.
Now Sarah is faced with other issues when a man is killed who claimed to have information about what happened to her grandparents. She learns of a Confederate chest of gold that is said to be buried on the property, and treasure hunters who are willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Were her grandparents murdered for the gold? Sarah can’t sell the land and go back to her life until she has answers. But the cost of the answers may be her life.
Includes farm-fresh recipes!

~~~~~

About These Authors

Joyce and Jim Lavene write award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Amazon / Twitter

Purchase Link
Amazon

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Check out the other stops on the tour for more fun posts!

August 3 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review

August 3 – Mallory Heart Reviews – Review

August 3 – Books and Authors – Review

August 4 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Guest Post

August 4 – Kimberly’s Bookshelf – Review

August 4 – Book Splurge – Review

August 5 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post

August 5 – Back Porchervations – Review

August 5 – readalot – Review

August 6 – fuonlyknew – Review

August 6 – Girl with Book Lungs – Review

August 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review

August 6 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – Spotlight

August 7 – A Blue Million Books – Interview

August 7 – Queen of All She Reads – Review

August 7 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – Spotlight

August 8 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post

August 8 – MysteriesEtc – Review

August 8 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Interview

August 9 – Community Bookstop – Review

August 9 – cuppa Tea With G – Review

August 10 – View from the Birdhouse – Review

August 10 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – Review

August 10 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too ! – Spotlight

August 11 – Babs Book Bistro – Review

August 11 – Mochas, Mysteries and Meows – Review

August 12 – A Chick Who Reads – Review

August 12 – Book Babble – Review

August 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review

August 13 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review

August 14 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Guest Post

August 14 – Moonlight Rendezvous – Review

August 15 – deal sharing aunt – Interview

August 15 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review

August 16 – Laura’s Interests – Review

August 16 – Brooke Blogs – Review

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

The Fall Of Icarus ~ My Review and A Giveaway

Posted: August 5, 2015 in Blog Tour, Fantasy, giveaways, reviews, Short stories and collections
Tags: Author N.R. Bates, fantasy short stories, The Fall Of Icarus

N. R. Bates is on Tour

July 31 thru August 9

with

The Fall Of Icarus

25357738

(Fantasy/Magic Realism/Short Stories)

Release date: March 31, 2015 at NR Bates Publishing

65 pages

ISBN: 978-0-9931905-6-8 (mobi)
ISBN: 978-0-9931905-7-5 (epub)
ISBN: 978-0-9931905-8-2 (print)

Website | Goodreads

***

My Review

An errant elevator, Greek myth, and a girl who can fly. Each of these stories can stand on their own. Together they make a strong statement for making our own choices, seizing opportunities, and following our own paths.

As these are short stories, I can’t give much more description.

I did get a feeling that some of these stories were left unfinished. Could have been given a real ending. That brought me back to their messages which I mentioned in the beginning of my review. Maybe leaving an open ending was so I could choose how it would go.

What I enjoyed was putting myself in each character’s shoes. What would I do? Would I succeed? Could I have done something different?

When a book can make me do that. Make me pause, think, ask questions, I know I’ve been reading some strong writing.

4 Stars

***

Synopsis

Three interconnected short-stories set in Paris explore the issue of choice, survival and transformation. In the first story, a young man on his first business trip is waylaid by an aberrant elevator. In the pivotal tale, a young scientist re-imagines the Greek myth of Icarus and his fall to earth. In the final story, a young woman who cannot recall her own name relates the fantastical tale of a girl who can fly.

***

Here’s a glimpse inside!

Fall of Icarus Excerpt two

***

About The Author

NR Bates was born in London, grew up in Wales, and lived in Canada and Bermuda. He shares his life with his wife and his house with seven cats, one dog and the subtropical wildlife of lizards, wolf spiders and ant colonies that seek out a better life indoors. He is an oceanographer and scientist, and has published more than one hundred and thirty scientific papers on ocean chemistry, climate change and ocean acidification. He is a Senior Scientist at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences and Professor of Ocean Biogeochemistry at the University of Southampton, UK. His novels focus on epic fantasy and magic realism, and inspired by his deep love of the ocean and environmental sciences.

Visit his website

Follow him on Twitter | on Facebook

Buy the book | on Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk

***

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You can enter the global giveaway here
or on any other book blogs participating in this tour.
Be sure to follow each participant on Twitter/Facebook,
they are listed in the entry form below.

Entry -Form

Visit each blogger on the tour:

Tweeting every day of the Tour will give you 5 extra entries each time!
[just follow the directions on the entry-form]

Global giveaway open internationally:
5 participants will each win a digital copy of this book

***

Click On The Banner Below

To Read Other Reviews And An Excerpt

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

Who invited the ex ? Killer Wedding Cake ~ Cozy Mystery Review and Giveaway

Posted: August 4, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery, Author Gayle Trent, Killer Wedding Cake

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Here I am with another new cozy series to share with you!

Killer Wedding Cake is the fifth book in the Daphne Martin Cake Mystery Series.

A yummy cozy with a colorful cast of characters.

Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway to win a copy of this book!

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Killer Wedding Cake

A Daphne Martin Cake Mystery

by Gayle Trent

25770456

My Review

I’ve read several of The Embroidery Shop Mystery books under this author’s pseudonym of Amanda Lee and really enjoyed them. So I couldn’t pass up a chance to try this series too.

I felt for Daphne. Her wedding to the man of her dreams is only weeks away. She’s an award-winning cake decorator and has lots of orders to fill. On top of that she has a lot of last minute issues to take care of before the big day.

What she doesn’t need is a surprise visit from her ex-husband, Todd. After seven years in prison for shooting at her, he surprises her at her doorstep, professing his undying love and begging for a second chance. He hustles her inside her house and when she sees her chance, she rushes out and over to the neighbors to call the police.

Upon their arrival, Todd is gone and the police do what they can, getting her a temporary restraining order and making sure she gets to a safe place for the night.

Worried he might come back, she’s stunned when the police come to her door, telling her they found Todd dead in his hotel room.

Why did Todd wait months after his release from prison to come to her door? Who wanted him dead? Was she next? Daphne needs answers quick or she just might be the next dead body found.

This was a super fast read for me. The author gave me so many fun characters to love. I’d like to share something about all of them with you, but that would take a lot of words. Young and old. Friend, neighbor, or family. All of them don’t hesitate to jump in and help Daphne with her wedding and the investigation.

There’s more than one murder and I had Todd’s figured out rather easily. What I didn’t see coming was who was behind all of it. The author was sparing with her clues and it came as a surprise.

I wish I could say what hooked me the most, but not being a writer, I’m stumbling here. Everything worked to keep me reading one more page, one more chapter, until I reached the end.

While this is the fifth book in the series, you don’t have to have read the other books to enjoy this one. It reads well as a stand alone.

Make sure you check out the recipes too. Some delicious ones.

4 Stars

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Synopsis:

Daphne Martin’s wedding to Ben Jacobs is only a couple of weeks away. An award-winning cake decorator, Daphne is busy designing their wedding cake. Her twin nephew and niece, Lucas and Leslie, are excited about being in the wedding party. And Daphne’s brother-in-law Jason is planning a bachelor party for Ben. Everything is going beautifully until Daphne’s ex-husband Todd shows up. Just released from prison after serving a sentence based on his shooting a gun at Daphne, Todd comes to Brea Ridge to profess his undying love for her.

Despite Daphne’s attempts to make Todd leave town, he insists on hanging around to reconnect with people he used to know. When he’s found murdered, Daphne finds herself at the center of the investigation. Now she must track down Todd’s killer before she becomes the next victim. Can she still make it to the church on time?

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About The Author

Gayle Trent (and pseudonym Amanda Lee) writes the Daphne Martin Cake Decorating series and the Embroidery Mystery series. The cake decorating series features a heroine who is starting her life over in Southwest Virginia after a nasty divorce. The Embroidery Mystery series features a heroine who recently moved to the Oregon coast to open an embroidery specialty shop.

Author Links:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

Purchase Links –

Amazon B&N

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

I have one eBook copy of Killer Wedding Cake to give away!

Entry is easy.

Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and leave some comment love. Ask the author a question, comment on the cover or synopsis. Just say something!

Ends August 17th.

~~~~~

Follow the tour for more fun posts and chances to win!

Tour Participants

August 4 – fuonlyknew – Review

August 5 – Melina’s Book Blog – Review, Guest Post

August 6 – Queen of All She Reads – Review

August 6 – Moonlight Rendezvous – Review

August 7 – Shelley’s Book Case – Review, Guest Post

August 8 – Christa Reads and Writes – Review

August 9 – Chloe Gets A Clue – Interview

August 10 – Back Porchervations – Review

August 11 – MysteriesEtc – Review

August 12 – Community Bookstop – Review

August 13 – readalot – Review

August 14 – Bunny’s Review – Review

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

August 15 – LibriAmoriMiei – Review

August 16 – dru’s book musings – Guest Post

August 16 – A Cozy Girl Reads – Review

August 17 – Babs Book Bistro – Review

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

Fudging The Books ~ My Cozy Review and Two Giveaways!

Posted: August 3, 2015 in Blog Tour, Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: A Cookbook Nook Mystery, Author Daryl Wood Gerber, Fudging The Books

fudging the books large banner640

I have another fun cozy mystery to share with you.

Check out Fudging The Books, A Cookbook Nook Mystery.

It’s got chocolate and kitties. How can you resist?

Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaways!

Yep, there are two awesome giveaways today!

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Fudging the Books (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Series: A Cookbook Nook Mystery (Book 4)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (August 4, 2015)
ISBN-13: 978-0425279403
E-Book ASIN: B00QH8320E

23659155

My Review

It’s Pirate Week in Crystal Cove and it looks like one has already struck. Coco Chastain won’t be making an appearance as guest of honor at the Chocolate Cookbook Club. She might just land behind bars. Her editor, Alison, is found slumped over her computer, scissors stick out of her back, and Coco is the prime suspect.

Now, on top of decorating The Cookbook Nook and setting up festivities for Pirate Week, Jenna Hart also steps up to prove her friend, Coco, couldn’t possibly be the killer. Just what she needs. Another dead body.

I haven’t read the other books, but that didn’t hinder me a bit in enjoying this 4th book in the series. The author sprinkled bits of back story throughout while keeping the story flowing smoothly and the mystery deepening.

There were lots of suspects to choose from. I’d narrow it down to two, then had to rethink it as I was lead down some false trails, and the author added in some new bread crumbs.

Cozies are one of my favorite reads. I enjoy them in cool weather, snuggled up with a cuppa hot tea and a snuggie blanket. I also enjoy them in the summer, reading outside by the pool. They are fast, easy reads and I love a good mystery, or two, or three. LOL

A few other things I enjoy are the colorful quirky covers. Look at the sweet little kitty in the hammock. Tigger is prominent on all of the covers for this series.

The title is also fun. And it has chocolate in it. That’s a main staple for me to snack on while reading. So many yummy recipes are included at the end of the book too.

And the cast. Lots of colorful characters. Some more fun then others. That’s how I’m best entertained. Give me a bunch of new characters to get to know and I’m a happy camper.

While I don’t feel I have to go back and read the other books in this series to continue on to new ones, I will. I’d like to meet these characters fresh from the beginning and see what they were into before.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

The Agatha Award–winning author of Stirring the Plot returns to the Cookbook Nook in Crystal Cove, California, where February brings Pirate Week, National Chocolate Month—and bitter murder…

Pirate Week is sweeping through Crystal Cove and keeping Jenna Hart and her bookstore, the Cookbook Nook, plenty busy. But she’s not too swamped to also host the local Chocolate Cookbook Club’s meeting—especially because the guest of honor is her friend, candy maker and cookbook author Coco Chastain.

Jenna whips up a delicious event amidst the rowdy festivities, but the mood is soon broken by robberies, simmering tempers, and a dead body—Coco’s editor, Alison. The suspects turn out to be more plentiful than a pot full of gold doubloons, so to prove Coco isn’t responsible for the dastardly deed, Jenna will have to stir up some clues and figure out who’s the real sticky-fingered killer…

INCLUDES RECIPES!

About This Author

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California. As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more.

Author Links

Visit Daryl or Avery atwww.darylwoodgerber.com.

“They” blog on www.mysteryloverskitchen.com as well as www.killercharacters.com

http://www.darylwoodgerber.com

http://www.averyaames.com

http://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com

http://killercharacters.com

Facebook: Daryl / Avery

Twitter: Avery / Daryl

Goodreads: Daryl / Avery

Purchase Links

Amazon / B&N

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

There are Two Giveaways!

First Giveaway

One winner gets their choice of a print copy of any book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery Series.

I know! It’ll be hard to choose from all of these fun books.

15808868 18342313

20949454 23659155

Entry is easy peasy.

Just leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and tell me why you love cozy mysteries!

Giveaway ends August 7th.

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Second Giveaway

Check out what you can win!

prize

Awesome isn’t it?

Use the rafflecopter below to enter.

RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the links below to follow the tour for more fun reviews and chances to win!

Tour Participants

August 1 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review

August 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – Review

August 3 – fuonlyknew – Review

August 4 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review

August 5 – Griperang’s Bookmarks – Review

August 6 – Babs Book Bistro – Review

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

What’s New On My Bookshelf #119 and The Sunday Post

Posted: August 2, 2015 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: my weekly book 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.

Another fun way to share your book news and enjoy others is The Sunday Post hosted by

Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Head on over and leave a link to your Sunday Post and hop around to visits others.

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Some chit chat.

I’m still funnin and sunnin. Not much new in my life. Just enjoying the summer and doing a bit less on my blog.

Not that I’m not blogging, as you’ll see. Just trying to keep my commitment to review the books that I host tours for. That was something I decided to do this year. I still host book promos, but I felt I needed to limit the tour posts mostly to books I’ll read and review.

It’s killin me! LOL I’ve been reading like crazy and have found so many wonderful new authors and great reads.

That’s my intro to this post. I have a ton of books to share with you today.

I hope you see some you like!

I’ll be hopping over to check out your Sunday posts so be sure to leave me your link!

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Here are my new books for review.

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And here are some freebies for ya!

Click on the covers to get yours and remember to make sure they’re still free before you click that buy button.

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Books I reviewed this week. Click on the covers for my reviews.

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Books I’m reviewing next week.

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What I won.

eBooks

I won all 43 of these amazing books from the Winner Takes All Giveaway on Rainy Of The Dark!

the-forever-girl summoned_cover_final_bigger-640x1024 the-curate-s-brother-book-cover-blog td-intimatedetails3141023_0347 shade510 sacrifice_ebook_20141203 powerofsix500 nzkebl nogooddeed newprecovertitledsmall1 necklace-of-athena533x800 finalcoverwnewestseal4kindle frontcover heartsongebookusatoday hell_is_coming_front hwall i99967155_szw1280h1280_ lady-of-the-pier-ebb-no-strap-533x800 md-bs-atn-smashwords1 mutationz-510 eaf-ebook-187x300 dissidentsmallercover descent-ebook-202x300 dark-before-dawn-600x900-ecover-200x300 cover black-harvest-kate-porter-author a1lpsum9n1l_ux250_ 16308788686_422bf81b41_z 25120762 548031 10462767_1036551449694739_13494262244470023_n 18174548 18476431 001 Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000037_00026] 22468338 23651235 23676181 24269614 17c0c5f48615794ca70805052a676ada 41i9uhg1skl 88e079915c01612ffba74093f08c170e55c988b7 513e8gvs0ml_sy344_bo1204203200_

Print books

9640626

Huge thanks to the blog hosts, authors, and tour organizers for these wonderful prizes

~~~

There Are No Vampires In This Book ~ Blurb Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: July 31, 2015 in Blog Tour, giveaways, YA Fantasy
Tags: Author Megan Bailey, There Are No Vampires In This Book, YA Fantasy

So, there are no vampires in this book? Now I’m very curious. Such an intriguing title.

Wait til you see the cover!

Come on in and learn more about this exciting book.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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There Are No Vampires In This Book

by Megan Bailey

Synopsis

TARYN HAD NEVER BEEN NORMAL.

She wasn’t like other girls- not after that night, that thing, took her parents from her. She made it through hospitals, doctors, and therapy by playing by their rules and saying all the things they wanted to hear. But, inside, she held on to the truth.

She knew what she saw.

SHE SPENT HER TEEN YEARS PREPARING IN SECRET

With her two closest friends at her side, she dedicated herself to a mission. She would train and she would hunt. When the time came, she would be ready. No one she loved would be hurt by one of those monsters ever again

But with high school behind them, new found freedom comes with new responsibilities and new problems. Instead of weapons and self defense classes, she now has jobs and bills. The relation-ship with her best friend was suddenly shifting into new, scary territories. How could she take down bad guys if she couldn’t get her own life in order?

AND THEN THERE WAS HIM.

A mysterious stranger who pops up in suspicious places and throws off all sorts of bad vibes. His face now starred in her regular nightmares and plagued her thoughts in the day. Was she overreacting? Or, was this finally the monster she had been waiting for? As the scars of Taryn’s past rise up to haunt her, she begins to question herself. With her mission faltering and her friendship off kilter, would life ever be the same again? Would she ever be the same?

~~~

Enjoy the excerpt

It’s late. I have school in a couple hours, and I should be asleep. I had the nightmare again. The blood. The scream. The chill of my skin. It comes in parts, like flashes in a movie. It’s the same, but then it’s not. It doesn’t make sense, how it feels so real but looks so different. Every time, I wake up sweaty and shaking like it’s cold.

I saw him again. The one I shouldn’t talk about. The one who isn’t real.

That’s what they tell me. That’s what I tell them back.

But I know better and I’m done pretending. I’ll play their games and smile, but I won’t lie to myself or these pages anymore.

I know there is something evil out there. I have seen it with my own eyes. I have faced it. I know what walks around in the dark. And I am done being afraid.

I am done.

Now, I am going to do everything I can to get ready. Because whatever that was, monster, vampire, whatever, I am going to find it.

And it is going to be afraid of me.

~~~

About Author Megan Bailey

Megan Bailey is a novelist and short story author. When not writing, she loves playing video games for way too many hours and reading everything she can get her hands on. Megan is married to her own wise-cracking, romantic hero. They live in Central Illinois with their two devious/darling daughters and three furbabies: Minna the boxer dog, Logan the black cat, and Gimli the dwarf bunny. You can keep up with Megan at www.MeganBaileyBooks.com

Links:

Facebook / Goodreads / Twitter

Buy links

Amazon / Smashwords / B&N / Kobo

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour and comment.

The more you comment, the more chances to win!

~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

To see all of my giveaways click on the lucky horseshoe below!

fuonlyknew

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Archive for the ‘giveaways’ Category

A Dish Best Served Cold ~ My Cozy Review and a Giveaway

A Dish Best Served Cold
by Rosie Genova

Mage Assassin by K R Yaddof ~ Book Blast and Giveaway

What’s New On My Bookshelf #120 and The Sunday Post

A YA Sci-Fi Dystopian ~ Shadow Of Deception by Sophia L. Johnson ~ My Review and Giveaway

Shadow of Deception Tour schedule:

Give ‘Em Pumpkin To Talk About ~ A Cozy Review and Giveaway

The Fall Of Icarus ~ My Review and A Giveaway

Entry -Form

Who invited the ex ? Killer Wedding Cake ~ Cozy Mystery Review and Giveaway

Fudging The Books ~ My Cozy Review and Two Giveaways!

What’s New On My Bookshelf #119 and The Sunday Post

There Are No Vampires In This Book ~ Blurb Blitz and Giveaway