Archive for the ‘Guest Post’ Category

Mirrored Wounds by Rebecca Christo ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: July 11, 2024 in giveaways, Guest Post, Mystery
Tags: , , ,
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 When the present mirrors her past wounds, Laura begins to unravel.

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Mirrored Wounds

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by Rebecca Christo

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Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction, Psychological Mystery

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 Laura’s life was finally good. She’d freed herself from the clutches
of an abusive partner, left an unrewarding career as an interior
designer to follow her dreams of becoming a writer, and was finally
happy. And things were only getting better. Her very first novel had
struck a chord with readers and become a bestseller, but when the
murder she’d described in its pages suddenly gets played out in real
life, with her beloved husband as the victim, it is obvious to her
that she looks guilty, despite having an alibi that would have been
difficult to fake.

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As the investigation proceeds, with
little or no progress being made, bizarre happenings in the
security-protected home she’d shared with her husband have her
questioning her own sanity, despite the reassurance of her therapist.
Could she have murdered the first man to ever make her feel truly
loved and secure and then just … forgotten somehow? Surely not. But
as even more troubling events come to light, with no logical
explanation besides her own guilt, she finds herself questioning
everything she knows to be true … including her own innocence.

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I sat back on my patio chair and closed my eyes towards the sun. The temperature had reached record breaking highs for September and I wanted to soak it all in. I took a sip of my iced coffee and dialed Cassie’s cell.

 

“Hey you!” She said in a cheery voice.

 

I smiled. Cassie was the manager of a new five- star hotel in the city and she was usually too busy to take personal calls, but she loved her job.  “Do you have a second to chat?”

 

“Surprisingly for a change, yes!” Cassie said. She worked non-stop, so our conversations were usually through text message.  It was nice to hear her voice.

 

“How are things Cas?” I asked.

 

“You, know.  Work keeps me so busy I barely have time for a social life, and when I do go out, all the guys I meet are assholes.” She said with a laugh. “How are you doing Laura?”

 

“So good.” I told her.  “Matt is back next week so I’m just enjoying this beautiful weather!”

 

Matt and I had been married for nine years now.  The day I left the city, he had met me at the new house to sign the lease and give me the keys. He was good-looking with a quirky smile.  I remember being incredibly self-conscience about the scar on my face, but he didn’t seem to notice.  He just chatted politely about the house and his renovation ideas like we had known each other for years.

 

“Awe, I’m so happy for you Laura” Cassie said, “we should all go away for the weekend soon.”

 

“I’m not sure we’ll ever be able to pry Amy away from her kids!” I said and we both laughed.

 

We had been planning a weekend away for a while but Amy and Sam had two kids now that were their entire lives.  After they got married, they had tried for years to get pregnant, and finally gave up on the idea. After they stopped trying, she got pregnant right away and had two boys back- to- back. Elliot is ten years old, and Oliver is nine and they are her everything. Amy was born to be a mother.

 

“I’m writing a book,” I told Cassie hesitantly “I’ve been working on it for a few months.”  This wasn’t the first time I had tried to write a book, and I was starting to feel like no one would take me seriously.  After I left the city, I had tried to write several books on interior design but I always ended up hating them and had never finished.  I enjoyed journaling everyday though, and I wanted something creative to focus on so a few months ago I had decided to start a fictional novel.

 

“Is it about……..what happened?” She asked hesitantly.  Paul Johnson was about to be released from jail.  Apparently, he had stabbed another inmate while serving his time and the judge had thrown the book at him.  During the trial, I had been contacted and asked to do a victim impact statement for court.  Now that he was finally being released, my therapist had suggested journaling my feelings about it as a coping mechanism but it was still difficult to think about even after all this time. The thought of him being out made me cringe.

 

“No, I’m still not ready to write about that nightmare,” I said “My book is fiction.” I told her, “you will love it because it’s about a woman who kills her husband.” I said giggling.

 

“Ha! I can’t wait to read it.” Cassie said, “Sounds fantastic!”

 

“I don’t know if it will be any good, but it will keep me busy while Matt is at work.” I chuckled.

 

I hadn’t worked since I left the city years ago, and Matt managed remote projects so he traveled for work.  He was often gone for weeks at a time. It was the only thing that I didn’t love about Matt. I hated being alone so much, but I was getting better at it. I no longer called him at work panicking if the house creaked or if I heard a noise outside.

 

When Matt asked me to marry him, I happily accepted the proposal and he immediately took a job working locally.  He insisted that if we were going to be a family, part of that meant him being home every night.  Initially, I loved the idea, but within a couple of months the spark disappeared from his eyes. He didn’t find his new job challenging and he often returned home at the end of the day in a bad mood. It didn’t take me long to see that he was unhappy with his new career choice, and I hated to see him sacrifice what he loved for our marriage.  The day I told him he should return to remote building projects I could see the relief in his eyes. I didn’t want him to ever have to choose between me and the career that he loved.

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I have always wanted to be a writer.  It has been my dream to write a book for as long as I can remember. However, I have also always had an exaggerated list of excuses as to why I didn’t write a book.  Raising my three amazing children, a stressful career, and a hectic lifestyle always on the go.  When Covid shut a lot of the world down, I was still an essential worker in the health care field working insane shifts. When I approached my husband about taking a year off to finally write a book now that the kids are adults, he was completely on board and Mirrored Wounds was born.  I’ve learned so much about my writing style and the “behind the scenes” stuff that goes along with having a book published.  I’m currently working on my second book and I’m excited to share it soon!

 

What are some of your pet peeves?

My biggest pet peeves are when people say: “I seen that”, rude people, huggers, people that judge you based on what you’re doing when they’ve never done it themselves – it’s easier to criticize than do.

 

What are you passionate about these days?

My second book Jill and Jack.  It’s a story about a woman named Jill who is dealing with transitioning her father into a nursing home and cleaning out his brownstone in Brooklyn.  She discovers clues and solves an old mystery that contains many twists and turns.

 

Do you have a favorite movie?

The Great Gatsby

 

Describe yourself in five words or less!

– Creative

– Witty

– Introverted

– Book worm

– Sincere

 

What book do you think everyone should read?

Pride and Prejudice, Wuthering Heights, The Great Gatsby

 

A day in the life of an author?

I always set up my next scene at the end of my day for the next day when I’m writing.  I find this really helpful because it gives me the evening to consider the scene and really give some thought to how the character will react to whatever is about to take place.  It also gives ne something to look forward to the next morning.  Generally, I’m awake before my alarm and settled with a coffee in my office by seven am.  (Sometimes much earlier) my days don’t always look the same, but the ones that I am able to dedicate to writing are my favorite.

 

What is your writing Kryptonite?

I think my biggest Kryptonite when writing is having to stop to answer the phone or the doorbell or any other mild inconvenience while I’m on a roll.

 

If you could tell your writing self anything, what would it be?

Just keep writing – don’t give up!  It’s too easy to shelf a book because life gets busy.  Carve time away everyday for your passion.

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 Avid dog lover and Author Rebecca Christo was born in Toronto,
Ontario, where she developed an early love of both reading and
writing. Of particular interest to her was creating a story with
emotionally mature content that was still entertaining enough to be
read for fun on a relaxing vacation. She hopes she’s succeeded with
her very first published novel: Mirrored Wounds.

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When she’s not travelling with her husband, Darcy Christo, Rebecca
enjoys spending time with him, her children Ali, Brittany and
Maxwell, and her puppies (Lucy and Winston) in Wasaga Beach, Ontario
where she currently lives.

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Tribes by Mia Frances ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: July 10, 2024 in Dystopian, giveaways, Guest Post, Romance, suspense
Tags: , , ,
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 A dark, gritty post-apocalyptic tale of love, loathing, & survival!

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Tribes

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by Mia Frances

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Genre: Post-Apocalyptic Dystopian, Dark Romantic Suspense

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A dark, gritty post-apocalyptic tale of love, loathing, &
survival!

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 Alex, her
sisters, and their kids are on their way to her camp in the
Adirondack Mountains for the Columbus Day weekend when the
unthinkable happens. A voice on the radio warns the country is under
attack! Greeted by guns and bullets when they try to seek shelter,
they’re forced to hide in a cave to wait out the fallout.

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After two weeks in
their dank hole, Alex wakes up one morning to discover her sisters
gone. They’ve taken the rented minibus and returned to the city to
search for their husbands, leaving Alex to care for her 7 nieces and
nephews. It’s an arduous 35-mile hike through the mountains to her
camp…a journey through hell!

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Society is
devolving. The strong: looters, murderers, and rapists; preying on
the weak. The small hamlets and villages they pass through have
become killing fields, as survivors battle each other for the few
remaining supplies. Above them, the skies are growing darker every
day, blocking out the sun. Temperatures are plummeting. Winter is
coming early.

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Along the way, Alex
rescues two starving orphans whose mother was murdered by marauders.
In her struggle to keep the children alive, Alex stumbles on a hidden
cache of food only to discover it’s guarded by a man who’ll haunt her
nightmares. Half guardian angel, half demon. Both barbarian and
benefactor. A strange mixture of brutality and gentleness, cruelty
and caring. A man named Wolf!

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This book
contains explicit, non-consensual sexual scenes, spankings, and
elements of power exchange, which may offend or trigger some readers.
If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book. For readers
ages 18+

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**On Sale Now!!**

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Alex was trying not to hate them for what they’d done. But it was hard! She told herself she should pity them for their stupidity and cowardice. Unable to cope with reality, it was easier for them to retreat into their fantasies: where the dead were alive and the world was as it once was; or, better still, the saved were carried away in the rapture on heavenly escalators bound for eternal paradise. The past belonged to Victoria and the future with its promise of a glorious hereafter to Cat. But Alex? Alex could find comfort in neither. She was stuck here in this living hell, overwhelmed by the shit, and the stench, and the responsibility! How could they do this to her? They were her sisters; yet they’d betrayed her. Worse still, they’d betrayed their children. Narcissistic bitches! Cunts! Alex sat in silence, listening to the strained sound of her own breathing, stoically resigned to her fate.

“What do we do now?” Deana asked, plaintively.

Without saying a word, Alex got up, and walked from the cave. There was nothing to say. No words of hope. No reassurances that all would be well. The truth was they were going to die; their existence would come to a miserable end. It was only a matter of time.

Alex wanted to feel alive again, breathe fresh air, see the sky, let the wind blow through her hair, marvel at nature’s beauty, before those simple pleasures were taken from her. She wandered over the rocks, peering into the crevices. They reminded her of the world, the way it was now: barren and pockmarked. Alex stared across the river to the place where the minibus had been parked.

They were 35 miles from the camp. Sick and weak from hunger, there was little chance they could make it on foot. How could she expect children to endure such an arduous trek when they were starving? Even if they did have the strength to begin the journey, how many of them would survive it? In their present condition, making the trip across the mountains with its exhausting, steep climbs would take them six days at least. Six days of freezing cold nights, of possible rain, and wind. If hunger didn’t kill them, then exposure to the elements certainly would…not to mention the fallout still drifting down from the skies. She drew her knees up to her chest and, placing her arms across them, rested her head, wearily shutting her eyes. Alex was at a loss to know what to do: stay here in the shelter of the cave and starve to death or begin the odyssey through the wilderness on the slim chance that they might somehow survive it? Alex was tired, and weak from hunger. She wasn’t sure she could survive the journey, let alone the kids. Death seemed inevitable.

She lifted her head and looked around, surveying the cliff below. There was something black and tan resting on the rocks. Alex strained to see what it was. It appeared to be a short length of discarded rope. Near it, some 10 feet away, was another piece, thicker than the first. She made a mental note that they might want to retrieve them to use on their trip back across the river. Alex was turning away when she caught sight of movement down below. It was hard to tell, swaying trees and branches were casting shadows on the rocks. Curiosity aroused, she continued to watch the objects. There it was again. She stood up slowly and began making her way over the rocks. Halfway down, she realized they weren’t pieces of rope at all; they were alive. Snakes! Two big ones! What were they doing here? It was cold. Too cold for snakes to be out and about. They should be hibernating, yet here they were. Alex inched her way closer, eyes glued on the creatures. She’d never thought of reptiles as anything but revolting before, nevertheless, she suddenly found her mouth watering, visions of sizzling meat dancing in her head. Though torpid, they looked healthy and well fed. She wasn’t going to turn her back on good fortune. She intended to put them to good use.

Smiling at her prey, Alex picked up a stone and with as much stealth as she could muster, approached them, hoping they wouldn’t notice her and try to escape. The one on the left was the fattest. He’d be first. Clutching the stone tightly in her hand, she crawled to within two feet of him, then, lifting her weapon, brought it crashing down on its head, smashing the skull. Wriggling, even in death, she grabbed it and quickly turned her attention to the other one. Aware of the danger, it was slithering away. Scrambling over the rocks, Alex saw its head disappear into a crevice. Lunging for it, she managed to wrap her fingers around its tail. Tugging with all her might, she extracted the squirming snake from its hiding place and beat it against the rocks until it stopped moving. Today they’d eat! With just her two hands and a bit of luck she’d managed to stave off starvation, at least for the moment. Perhaps tomorrow they’d go hungry, but even that frightening prospect couldn’t dampen her elation. She looked out over the interminable expanse of green, stretching as far as the eye could see. It seemed less foreboding than it had a few minutes ago. Holding a dangling snake in each hand, Alex headed back to the cave, the tiny ember of hope she’d thought extinguished, glowing brightly once more.

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I did 2 full years of research on the book, taking tons of notes, learning everything I could about wild edibles, native animals, and survival skills before starting it. Every locale mentioned in the story is a real place that we’ve explored and it has the type of plants mentioned in the book. I am a real research freak.

I love the mountains so many of my stories are set in the Adirondacks. We were going to visit my sister-in-law one time and decided to take a 20+-mile shortcut as the crow flies and found ourselves driving along a secluded, unpaved, seasonal, Adirondack logging road. No houses, no people, nothing but miles and miles of trees and spooky shadows. The forest was so thick, so dark, and foreboding, that it gave me goose bumps. I feared we’d get stranded and be eaten by bears never to be seen again. I kept imagining the murders and mayhem that might take place in such a desolate place. By the time we reached civilization and paved roads in the village of Number Four, yes it’s a real place, I had the entire plot of  WORSHIP THE NIGHT worked out: a homicidal librarian who goes on a killing spree, hoping to bring her demon lover to life.

The idea for my IN HIS KEEPING series came from another trip my husband and I took through the Adirondacks. We spent a lot of time there: camping, fishing, and just driving around looking at the scenery. That day we happened on the Westport, NY railroad station, near the banks of Lake Champlain. It’s quaint and  looks like it was built in the 19th century. The train station is where the first book in the series, IN HIS KEEPING: TAKEN,  begins and ends. It’s off the beaten track so I couldn’t help wondering what kind of people would get on and off at a station stop like that. I could see a young woman, down on her luck, who’s circumstances are so dire she’s willing to take a train up from the City and work for someone she’s never met, who she knows nothing about, and live with him in a remote mountain house. As I took pictures of the station, the story  blossomed. I knew I wanted my heroine to be nerdy and smart. I’d met a woman at a writer’s conference a few months earlier whose name was Sylvie. It clicked with me. It sounded spunky and sassy, just like the character I was envisioning. A girl who’s poor but proud,  an innocent who  grew up on a farm in western NY and went to the big city to work in publishing. She’s unemployed, homeless, and on the verge of starving. She needs a job and she’ll take anything she can get. That’s why she gets off the train in Westport. She has no other options. At that point, I had a heroine I liked, but no hero. I knew I wanted him to be a strict, rich alpha male. Dark, sexy, and with a hint of danger. At the time, I had no idea just how dangerous I was going to make him. I also wanted him to be a writer. We left Westport and  headed into the mountains. We drove down back roads and passed secluded log mansions perched on the slopes and dotting the lakeshores. I could see my guy living as a recluse in one of them. I picked his last name first:Hudson. I named him after the river, which originates in the Adirondacks and is 5 miles from my house. I came up with the first name Connor a few days later. That same day I heard something that made me decide to make it a threesome. I added a serial killer to the mix. It happened quite by accident. I was checking out Trans Siberian Orchestra’s holiday concert schedule, then went to YouTube to view videos of their past performances. O Fortuna from Carmina Burana popped up. I’d been to their concerts and heard them play it before. I listened to several  other versions of the piece that day and happened on one by  conductor André Rieu  André Rieu – O Fortuna (Carl Orff – Carmina Burana). It gave me an eerie feeling. The drums, the crashing cymbals, the staccato rhythm, the raised voices of the chorus, it sounded violent,  almost frightening. I could visualize an attack, knives, blood,  and a life and death struggle. The song provided the final elements of the plot and the most affecting scenes of the series when Sylvie comes face to face with the killer. In His Keeping Trailer

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Mia Frances is the pen name of author Mary Vigliante Szydlowski. As
Mia, she’s the author of the dark, gritty post-apocalyptic romance,
TRIBES; steamy romantic suspense novel, Little Girl Lost; and the
erotic romance, murder mystery series: IN HIS KEEPING: TAKEN, IN HIS
KEEPING: BANISHED, and IN HIS KEEPING: CLAIMED.

Her Science Fiction/Fantasy works
include novels: The Ark (Jarl Szydlow), The Colony (Mary Vigliante),
The Land (Mary Vigliante), Source of Evil (Mary Vigliante), and
novella, The Hand of My Enemy. She’s also the author of horror novel,
Worship the Night; and Dark Realm, the tale of a dystopian world
ruled by Satan. In addition, she’s the author of mainstream novel
Silent Song.

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She’s also published 11 children’s book: There’s A Mouse In The
House,  Are We There Yet?, Little Sowbug & the Big Flood,
Ghoul School, Millie Muldoon & the Case of the Halloween
Haunting, Millie Muldoon & the Case of the Thanksgiving
Turkey-napper, Millie Muldoon & the Christmas Mystery, A Puddle
for Poo, Kia’s Manatee, The Duck in the Hole, and I Can’t Talk I’ve
Got Farbles In My Mouth.

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Her short stories, articles, children’s stories, essays, and
poems have appeared in books, magazines, newspapers, and on the web.
She’s also a contributor to the Chicken Soup for the Soul
anthologies: The Dog Did What?, Volunteering and Giving Back, Merry
Christmas!, Mom Knows Best, and Life Lessons from the Dog.

She’s a member of the Authors’ Guild, SCBWI (Society of
Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators), SFWA (Science Fiction &
Fantasy Writers of America), and RWA (Romance Writers of America).

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Website
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Amazon
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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Devil’s Spies by K.C. Sivils ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: June 30, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, Guest Post, Historical
Tags: , ,
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 The devil has eyes and ears everywhere!

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The Devil’s Spies

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by K.C. Sivils

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Genre: Historical Fiction

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 Needing to stop the flood of humanity fleeing communist oppression by
making it to the divided city of Berlin, the communist government of
East Germany took drastic measures. In August of 1961, construction
of the Berlin Wall began.

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Two young lovers, an American
refugee worker, and an East German seminary student, find themselves
separated by the wall. Desperate to be reunited and build a life
together, Angela Wettin and Michael Dieterich, with Michael’s
brother Joseph, set in motion a dangerous plan to escape by tunneling
under the Berlin Wall.

Determined to stop any hope of
gaining freedom, the East German Stasi, the dreaded secret police of
the communist state, formed Department XX/4 to infiltrate and spy on
the Church in East Germany.

Faced with betrayal, dangerous
cave-ins, and family conflict, the trio enters a life-and-death race
against the Stasi and Department XX/4.

Can they gain their
freedom before they are caught by the Devil’s Spies from the Stasi?

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**On Sale for Only .99cents June 30th – July 6th!!**

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“It’s after two in the afternoon,” Angela complained to the nearby soldier. The GI studiously ignored Angela. He’d learned the hard way to ignore pretty girls when on duty. Hating the fact time moved so slowly, Angela decided the best course of action was to get a cup of tea before making her crossing into East Berlin. She’d expected to at least see Michael on the other side of the checkpoint, and if not Michael, then her fiancée’s partner in crime, Werner.

Shouting, followed by the sound of gunfire, jarred Angela out of her pique. A hundred or so yards from Check Point Charlie, a young man appeared at the top of the wall, caught in the wire. Spellbound, Angela watched as the man made no effort to free himself from the wire, simply rolling off the top of the wall and falling, taking several feet of barbed wire with him.

The bark of gunfire stopped, and a West Berlin police officer pulled himself up to the top of the wall and peered over, looking down. Screams from the onlookers propelled Angela forward. Sprinting towards the chaos, she could hear the cries of a man in pain, begging for help.

Another West Berlin police officer reached the wall as the first dropped down from it. They spoke, and the second officer climbed the wall and shouted to the man on the other side. Angela watched in horror as the second officer produced bandages and dropped them over the wall.

“Murderers!”

“Criminals!”

As an angry crowd gathered, Angela took notice of the escapee who had made it over the wall. He was cut and bleeding and clearly stunned by what had happened.

“You! You’re an American!”

Turning to the voice, Angela stared at the red, angry face of a young Berliner.

“Neither side will do anything to help him! Get the American soldiers!”

The sound of tear gas canisters being launched could be heard from somewhere on the other side of the wall. In seconds, tendrils of the greyish-white gas and its pungent smell began to reach across the wall.

The Berliner covered his face and pushed Angela. Shouting, “Go! Now, while there is still a chance to help him!” Angela nodded, relieved to suddenly find herself useful. She turned and ran as fast as her feet would take her to Check Point Charlie.

“Someone’s been shot trying to escape,” Angela panted as the Lt. in command of the detail came out to meet her. He said nothing, instead looking up in the sky at the helicopters that had suddenly appeared.

“We have our orders, Ma’am.”

“Your orders?!”

“Yes, Ma’am. We contacted General Watson for instructions.”

“Good, do something.”

“Ma’am, our orders are to stand down.”

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How did you come up with name of this book? 

 

More people had died under the rule of communist governments than any other form of government or ideology in human history. Something the devil himself would be proud of.

 

Throw that in with the fact the Church in East Germany was the target of the Stasi Department XX/4, it seemed like an appropriate name for a story set in East Berlin that involved the Communists infiltrating and spying on the East German Church and Christians.

 

The exact name came about after writing down about ten combinations of the words devil, spies, and some other topics related to Cold War Berlin. Once I wrote down The Devil’s Spies the title simply made complete sense to me.

 

Perhaps it should be noted I always come up with the title of the book I am writing before starting the first chapter.

 

What is your favorite part of this book and why? 

 

The different levels of conflict found within the story. Conflict is a part of life.

 

If you could spend time with a character from The Devil’s Spies, who would it be? And what would you do during that day? 

 

Joseph Werner. I would love to sneak around with him and see how he goes about running his assorted black-market enterprises. It would be interesting to see who his customers are as well.

 

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? 

 

In the case of The Devil’s Spies, many of the characters are fictionalized versions of real, historical figures who are well known such as President Kennedy, Vice President LBJ, and Mayor Willy Brandt. Others are obscure and sadly, often forgotten today. For example, Peter Fechter, the youth who was shot trying to climb the Berlin Wall and died in the attempt, is largely a footnote in history today.

 

The remainder are figments of my imagination who decided to take part in the telling of the story that became The Devil’s Spies.

 

Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? 

 

My characters like to tell me their story. Especially if I know them well. Periodically, I have to set them straight and control what they say and do. But, by and large, they inspire the story. It’s just a matter of knowing and understanding your characters.

 

Convince us why you feel your book, The Devil’s Spies, is a must read. 

 

It’s a cautionary tale based on historical events. Humanity has an infinite capacity for both evil and stupidity, both of which are driven by laziness or greed of the worst kind. Despite having a historical record to show us the folly of our choices, we will repeat the same mistakes of the past over and over.

 

People seem to have this blind willingness to “let the government do it.” It’s a dangerous thing to trade freedom of choice and personal liberty for a promise of security. Small people will seek out the positions of power over others and once they have that power, they will do whatever it takes to extinguish the slightest hint resistance or individual free thinking.

 

The great lie of communism is that it promises equality. It doesn’t. Lenin believed in the need to create an elite, intellectual ruling cadre that controlled the masses, the same masses he promised to elevate and set free from the chackles of oppression.

 

How well did that turn out?

 

What’s even worse, is that if you rob one man to pay another, you make both of them poor, if not in terms of actual poverty, then in poverty of life and the ability to create and make things prosper. People don’t grasp the fact that government, any form of government, doesn’t create anything.

 

Now, people will say, “look at all the jobs the government created.” Those are government jobs, paid for by the money of the taxpayers, who happen to be the ones who take all the risks, do all the innovating, and do the real work of building an economy. Government merely acts as a conduit to transfer the wealth and economic prosperity created by others to whatever group or individual the government sees fit.

 

History shows us the Berlin Wall wasn’t built to protect East Berlin. It was built to keep the citizens of East Germany and other parts of the Eastern Bloc from fleeing communism. Economics were a consideration as well as the Soviet Union and East Germany were losing the very individuals necessary to produce economic activity so the communists could redistribute the products those with education and skill would produce.

 

The Stasi spied on everyone. The organization kept records on everyone. The driving force behind Department XX/4 was the fact the Church was the one place where people had some small degree of freedom and within the confines of the church body, people would speak freely about things they dare not whisper anywhere else.

 

Throw in the fact that communism cannot tolerate any social force that dictates what is morally right and wrong and will often protest the excesses of the government and you have an institution that must be destroyed. It was surprising the Church and Christianity was allowed to exist at all.

 

As I take in the news on a daily basis, I find it disturbing how intrusive government has become. Not just the United States government, but the so-called democracies of the West. London is the most surveilled city in the world. The FBI has gone on record, begrudgingly, as having deliberately infiltrated the Catholic Church in the United States and placing believers who attend traditional Latin mass on lists of possible domestic terrorists.

 

Each day, the government seems to be encroaching more and more into the lives of citizens. Many welcome this encroachment. They feel it makes their life safer and the government will provide for them. They don’t realize they have made a deal with the devil.

 

So, if you want to read it that way, The Devil’s Spies can be seen as a cautionary tale. That government should be kept as far away as possible from certain aspects of people’s lives. Freedom to speak what is on one’s mind as well as the choice to worship the God one believes in, or not, are fundamental human freedoms that are not granted by government.

 

Or you can simply read it as a story. A story I hope every reader finds entertaining and engaging.

 

Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?’-type tidbits about the author, the book, or the writing process of the book. 

 

The Devil’s Spies was not written in chronological order. I wrote the first few chapters in order to introduce the primary characters. Then I moved on to the actual events that were included in dramatized form in the book. Once those segments were finished, I worked on different storylines that made up the story as a whole. Finally, I pieced everything together and worked to make the story an integrated whole as far as the big picture story went.

 

I have a general idea when I sit down to tell a story how I want it to start and how I want it to end. In general, I have some ideas of what goes in the middle. As the characters develop, they seem to sort of take on a life of their own and tell me the remainder of the story. Of my seventeen novels and novellas, none of them were written from start to finish in chronological order.

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 U.S.A. Today and Amazon Best-Selling author is the creator of the
scifi crime noir series of Inspector Thomas Sullivan novels as well
as the southern noir series of stories centering around the private
investigator James Benoit “Heat” Heatley.

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A longtime fan of
crime noir and science fiction, director Ridley Scott’s adaptation
of Philip K. Dick’s sci-fi classic Do Androids Dream of Electric
Sheep into the masterful Harrison Ford vehicle Bladerunner encouraged
Sivils to consume as much of both genres as possible in his younger
years.

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A fan of past noir
masters such as Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, Sivils also
enjoys the current generation of storytellers like Sandra Woffington,
Tom Folwer, Jeff Edwards, Renee Pawlish, and James Scott Bell.

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In addition to his
aforementioned series, Sivils is also the creator of the Agent Nelson
Paine Historical Mystery series set during WW II and the early years
of the Cold War.

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In a previous life,
Sivils was a varsity basketball coach and high school history
teacher. He and his wife, Lisa, have three adult children, seven
grandchildren, and two four legged furry children who still live at
home, Bella and Mr. Darcy.

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Enter to win a  $10 Amazon giftcard,
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ebook of The Devil’s Spies,

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Lady Anne And The Haunted Schoolgirl by Victoria Hamilton ~ Author Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: June 12, 2024 in giveaways, Guest Post, Historical, Mystery
Tags: , , ,
19
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When a childish prank is linked to murder, Lady Anne Addison must investigate the death
of a young woman at the hands of a ghoulish fiend . . .
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Lady Anne and the Haunted Schoolgirl

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Lady Anne Addison Mysteries #5

by Victoria Hamilton

Genre: Historical Paranormal Mystery

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When a childish prank is linked
to murder, Lady Anne Addison must investigate the death of a young
woman at the hands of a ghoulish fiend . . .

As her
wedding to Lord Darkefell approaches, Lady Anne is summoned by a
local girls’ school to help them with a young student troubled by
ghostly apparitions. She’s quick to respond, and quick to discover
the trickery behind the so-called ghosts. But despite her efforts to
demonstrate to the student that she’s been the victim of a cruel
hoax, the young woman apparently jumps to her death the very next
night. Stunned and saddened by the turn of events, Lady Anne soon
realizes that what she thought was a prank was a dark precursor to
foul play.

Certain that someone closely connected to the
school murdered the young woman, Lady Anne promptly begins
questioning students and staff alike to root out the culprit.
Confronting calculating young classmates, pompous instructors, and
even the shockingly callous relatives of the victim, she still feels
no closer to exposing the killer. Then a pattern emerges suggesting
exactly who was behind the foul deed, and Anne will put her life on
the line to find justice for a young woman who lost her own life too
soon . . .

Praise for the Lady Anne Addison
Mysteries:

“If you are looking for a historical
mystery with romance, suspense, and a suggestion of paranormal, then
read Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark.” —Fallen Angel
Reviews

“[Hamilton] excels at imbuing her realistic
characters with subtle depths . . .” —American Library
Association

“[The author] has set up a well-drawn Gothic
horror setting here, so the atmosphere is fantastic, what with it
being chilling, mysterious, and menacing all at once.” —Mrs.
Giggles

Amazon
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**Don’t miss the rest of the series!**

Find them on Amazon

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Behind the Scenes: A Writer’s Day

By: Victoria Hamilton

It’s a glamorous life, filled with champagne, strawberries, writer’s retreats, galas, and award ceremonies. Most authors have little time for the mundane details of life, between traveling to New York for meetings with their agent, top level talks with movie directors wanting to option their book, and hobnobbing with celebrity pals.

It’s exhausting, all that dining in fine restaurants and jetting around the world for research to far flung exotic locales.

That’s my daydream. The reality? I’ll tell you about it.

7 AM. Wake up. Cat barfed and I slipped in it and fell, so I have to clean that up even before coffee, limping from my twisted ankle… not a good sign of what the day will be like.

7:10 – Coffee made, head to computer. Cat whining for breakfast in kitchen. Okay… fill bowl, make it back to the computer and hear the unmistakable sounds of the cat barfing again. Let him out and clean up.

7:20 – Head back to computer. Coffee is cold. Go back and zap it in the microwave. Yuk… okay…

7:25 – Make a fresh cup of coffee because nuked coffee is awful.

7:30 – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, newsletter, emails, etc. Get lost in the latest online controversy, madly typing pithy remarks, and just as quickly erasing them in case they get me in trouble. I’m a writer; if people don’t like my opinions I could easily end up in the hinterlands of publishing, boycotted for an unpopular stance.

9:00 – Work! Need to write. Start, then realize that there is nothing for supper and the laundry is waiting, so I put in a load, go on Instacart, order groceries, change laundry to dryer and put another load in the washer, receive Instacart order and put it all away.

12:00 – Lunch. Read articles while eating at the computer.

12:30 – Write, goldarnit. Gotta get down to it! Reread what I wrote yesterday and go back, editing that much. Try to plan ahead so I won’t end up in the plotting blackhole like the last book, when it took three bottles of wine and an intervention to get past the mid-plot slump. Realize that I hate plotting; writing is where it’s at. So… dive into writing. I’m headed for trouble and I know it, but have given up caring. I’ll muddle through somehow. So… write on. And… this is how I finally get my 1,000 word quota for the day done. Yes, I have a quota… it keeps me on task. Thank heavens for that or I’d never type ‘The End’.

3:45 – Squint out the window… it is daytime, right? Yes… there is light, so it’s day. And… dang it… there’s still laundry in the dryer and wet clothes in the washer. And what’s for dinner? Darn; I put everything away from the Instacart order but didn’t take anything out of the freezer. Maybe pizza?

3:47 – Oops… last minute query from editor. There’s a problem with the last manuscript, the one that is supposed to go to print in a week. A software issue has popped up and suddenly spaces are wandering off, going missing, and words are being smooshed together. This is not good, especially when the two words are ‘an’ and ‘ally’. (True story.) This is going to require a complete read through of the manuscript. It’s due three days from now if I have any hope of getting it published in time.

And my next book (the one I just started) is due in two months. I’m behind, and I’ll never ever catch up.

But… the very next morning I get a lovely letter from a reader that makes me cry. It’s the best job in the world, and I love it, and it’s a wonderful life.

~::~

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Victoria Hamilton is the national
bestselling author of four mystery series: the Vintage Kitchen
Mysteries; the Merry Muffin Mysteries; the Lady Anne Addison
Historical Mysteries and the Gentlewoman’s Guide Regency Mysteries.

Victoria
loves to read, especially mystery novels, and enjoys good tea and
cheap wine, the company of friends, and has a newfound appreciation
for opera. She enjoys crocheting and beading, but a good book can
tempt her away from almost anything… except writing!

She
now happily writes about vintage kitchen collecting, muffin baking
and dead bodies – among other mysterious topics – for publisher
Beyond the Page.

Visit
Victoria’s website and sign up for her newsletter!

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Peek Inside And Guest Post ~ Urbex Predator by Jens Boele

Posted: June 5, 2024 in Guest Post, horror, thriller
Tags: , ,
0

 

Lost in the wilderness, a desolate barracks becomes a perilous attraction for risk-seekers drawn to the heart of nowhere, as a ruthless gang turns the abandoned settlement into a deadly trap with escalating provocations and brutal violence.

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Urbex Predator

by Jen Boele

Publication Date: February 4, 2024

Pages: 394

Genre: Horror / Thriller

A relic from
the Cold War, the old barracks beckon photographers, influencers, and
adventurers, shrouded in secrets and peril. Nela and Tess dare the eerie
ruins for their photography thesis, while Zander, Yelka, Vivien, and
Damon embark on a simultaneous shoot. Amid the abandoned shadows,
Yelka’s group runs into Steven and his ruthless gang, initially
outsmarting them. Yet, Nela and Tess fall victim to a nightfall ambush,
escaping but torn apart. As adrenaline courses through the gang, they
stalk Yelka and her friends, unleashing a relentless manhunt. Vivien
becomes their captive, setting off a chain reaction. Tess encounters
Damon and Yelka, while Nela, guided by Ben, the barracks’ security
manager, races to find Tess. Yelka strives to rescue Vivien, trapped in
an abandoned outdoor pool. On his lone pursuit, Zander witnesses the
gang’s brutality, delving into a darker realm within himself, spurred by
the horrifying thrill of Steven’s actions. The scene propels Yelka,
Damon, and Tess into a frenzy, unleashing chaos to liberate Vivien. Nela
and Ben, attempting to overpower the gang, witness Yelka and Vivien’s
escape as the gang closes in. With the arrival of Steven’s older
brother, Henry, the stakes are set; the old military hospital transforms
into a battleground. No one is to leave alive, and a matter of life and
death ensues. In the ruthless clash, Nela and Yelka emerge as the lone
defenders, while Zander pursues a mission for his own catharsis. In
Henry’s basement, dubbed his Hades, the teams converge for a
pulse-pounding final duel, where survival is the ultimate prize. 

You can pick up your copy at Amazon.

 

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AUTHOR GUEST POST
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Can you tell us what your book, Urbex Predator, is about? 

Absolutely! ‘Urbex Predator’ is a heart-pounding thriller that takes readers on a gripping journey into the depths of horror and suspense. Set against the eerie backdrop of abandoned Cold War-era barracks, the story follows two groups of urban explorers whose innocent photo shoots quickly turn into a fight for
survival. As they navigate through the desolate ruins, they encounter a gang of depraved hoodlums whose menacing presence escalates into brutal violence. What unfolds is a relentless battle, where the boundaries between life and death blur, and the characters are forced to confront their deepest fears.

 

It’s a pulse-pounding narrative filled with unexpected twists, sinister secrets, and unforgettable characters. Get ready for an adrenaline-fueled ride that will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last page!

Can you tell us a little about your main and supporting characters?

Absolutely, that’s a fantastic inquiry, delving into a crucial aspect of the book. The issue of character count has been raised by some readers, prompting me to create a comprehensive character cheat sheet available for download on my website. However, I respectfully disagree with the notion of an excessive character count. In a horror novel with a high body count, each character serves a purpose, contributing to the intricate tapestry of the narrative.

Let’s zero in on the key players: Nela and Tess, inseparable friends embarking on a journey to document the abandoned barracks for Nela’s photography thesis. While Nela exudes focus and determination, Tess dreams of a glamorous modeling career, their dynamic akin to yin and yang, revolving around their differing perspectives on photography’s significance.

Enter Yelka and Zander, childhood companions drawn to urban exploration for the sheer thrill of discovery. Yelka radiates warmth and curiosity, relishing in the exploration of abandoned sites, while Zander harbors unspoken affections for Yelka, channeling his expertise in urban exploration to fuel her passion. Accompanying them are Vivien, Yelka’s sister, an emerging social media influencer, and her manager Damon, solely focused on bolstering Vivien’s online presence.

When faced with the menacing gang of hoodlums, our protagonists find themselves navigating a perilous struggle for survival, prompting reflection on who will survive and, as a famous quote suggests, what will be left of them. Prepare for a riveting exploration of friendship, survival, and the shadows that lurk within the abandoned corridors of the human psyche.

Your book is set in abandoned Cold War-era barracks. Can you tell us why you chose this location in particular?

“Urbex Predator” is fundamentally grounded in the realm of urban exploration, making the selection of an abandoned locale as the primary setting a natural choice. I envisioned an isolated, secluded world nestled amidst the wilderness, drawing inspiration from my personal experiences in urban exploration. Old military compounds emerged as the quintessential backdrop, offering vast expanses far removed from urban hubs.

These compounds, apart from the barracks themselves, encompass a myriad of structures including housing, medical facilities, sports arenas, and even entertainment outlets like cinemas and theaters. Exploring these vast expanses is akin to stepping into a time capsule reclaimed by nature, evoking sensations reminiscent of an apocalyptic film set, albeit grounded in reality.

The compound depicted in “Urbex Predator” is entirely fictional, crafted as an amalgamation of various abandoned barracks I’ve encountered. Adhering to a cardinal rule of urban exploration, disclosing the exact location of these sites to the public is strictly forbidden. While real-world locations akin to those in the book exist, their anonymity must be preserved to uphold the integrity of the urbexing community.

And let’s not forget a cardinal rule of horror storytelling: transgression invites peril. In “Urbex Predator,” as in any horror narrative, defiance of established norms invariably leads to dire consequences. It’s a chilling reminder that in the realm of horror, breaking the rules comes at a grave cost.

How long did it take you to write your book?

Absolutely, each book I embark on brings its own unique journey, and “Urbex Predator” was no exception. The genesis of this tale began with a burst of inspiration in October/early November, with the first threads of the narrative taking shape by the dawn of the new year, 2022. It was a swift process, as I delved into the story’s intricacies, spending the following four months weaving together its tapestry.

However, the trajectory of my writing journey encountered an unexpected pause in late February, prompted by the onset of the conflict in Ukraine. The chilling realities of the abandoned Cold War-era barracks mirrored the unfolding horrors of the real world, causing a momentary hesitation in my creative process. Yet, I resolved not to succumb to the shadow cast by Russian aggression, both in Ukraine and across the global consciousness, and persevered in bringing this tale to fruition.

By autumn of 2022, the manuscript stood complete, poised for the scrutiny of test readers whose invaluable feedback shaped its final form. Following a series of reviews and revisions, “Urbex Predator” made its debut in Germany by the year’s end, marking the culmination of one phase of its journey. The subsequent translation into English unfolded across the expanse of 2023, a testament to the meticulous care invested in ensuring its accessibility to a broader audience.

In hindsight, while the act of writing itself spanned a mere four months, the entirety of the creative process encompassed a year-long odyssey. Each moment, each pause, and each revision bore witness to the evolution of “Urbex Predator” from a mere concept to a tangible reality, poised to enthrall and captivate readers across borders.

What has been the most pivotal point of your writing life?

Let me take you back to a pivotal moment in my writing journey—one that forever altered the course of my storytelling. It all began with my debut book, “Sunshine,” a crime thriller sparked by the adrenaline of TV’s “Breaking Bad.” Excitedly, I handed it over to friends for their honest feedback, expecting accolades and applause. Instead, I received a bewildering response: “Jens, that’s a nice short story.”

Confusion swept over me. How could my magnum opus be dismissed as a mere short story? As we delved into the narrative together, their insights unveiled a critical truth: storytelling isn’t just about pace; it’s about depth and development. “Why does the drug dealer suddenly turn into a psychopath?” they queried, prompting a deeper reflection on character motivation and narrative arcs.

In that moment, I realized the power of structure and attention to detail in crafting compelling tales. Our drug dealer wasn’t just a villain; he was a complex soul wrestling with his demons. His struggles with substance abuse, compounded by toxic relationships, laid bare the fragility of his existence. Beneath the facade of bravado lay a man clinging desperately to his last shred of identity—the business he built from the ground up.

As we journeyed alongside Mr. White Junior, witnessing his rise amidst the unwavering support of friends, we simultaneously mourned the tragic descent of our flawed antihero—the bad boy drug dealer. It’s moments like these—moments of introspection and revelation—that shape the very essence of storytelling, inviting readers to immerse themselves in worlds both familiar and fantastical, where every character, every twist, holds a piece of our collective humanity.

What kind of advice would you give up and coming authors?

Ah, now that’s a question that cuts to the heart of the matter—the business of writing. It’s not just about crafting compelling plots or spinning tales; it’s about mastering the art of selling your story to the world. Picture this: You’re a brilliant wordsmith, armed with plots that could rival Shakespeare, but without the know-how to market your masterpiece, you’re a ship lost at sea.

Welcome to the world of modern publishing, where authors are not only writers but also savvy marketers. Gone are the days of relying solely on publishers; today, you’re the CEO of your literary empire. You’ll find yourself donning multiple hats—graphic designer, editor, SEO analyst, social media guru—the list goes on. It’s a daunting prospect, I won’t sugarcoat it. But here’s the reality: Either invest your time or your money, because there’s no shortcut to success.

Lesson number two? Brace yourself for the rollercoaster ride of defining success and weathering disappointments. Even with meticulous planning and stellar execution, there’s no guarantee of overnight fame and fortune. But amidst the uncertainty lies the beauty of the journey. It’s a test of resilience, a testament to your unwavering commitment to the craft.

So, gear up, my fellow wordsmiths. Arm yourself with discipline and determination, for the road ahead is anything but smooth. But remember this: Amidst the challenges lie moments of unexpected triumphs—cherish them, for they are the fuel that powers your writer’s soul.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

We better find a way out quickly. The editorial’s deadline is getting close, we can’t afford any further delay.

Damon’s words lay upon the group like a heavy burden. He was good at making his personal problems everybody’s business. When he felt spoiled, he meant business. And Damon wasn’t done yet.

“Moreover, we have no Wi-Fi here. Zero, nada, not a bit.”

He let the words sink in, then added, “Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t post anything out here.” He put his phone away and joined Zander.

“Here’s how it’s going down: While the girls are taking photos, you’re looking for an exit that will get us out of here A–S–A–P. Get it?”

“We’ll take the pictures, don’t worry about it” Yelka hooked in from behind. “And tonight, from our hotel, we’ll be able to watch your follower numbers skyrocket in no time.”

“I assume so,” Damon replied curtly. “The sore point in the planning is the way back. But Zander will take care of that. And I know for sure he’ll find a really fast way out for us.” Appreciatively, he patted his shoulders.

“Damon, when do you think we will break the 30,000 mark? I really want that to happen by this weekend.”

“Yes, starlet, we can definitely do that. Your pretty sister will do a fantastic job and Zander will get us back to the hotel in no time.”

Zander wasn’t concerned about Damon’s problems at all. If it were up to him, Vivian should just do blunt erotic shots on the beach or in a studio. Or better, shoot soft porn. That was what it was all about, after all. Maybe he would watch that too. Vivian naked in the sand. Hmm … Anyway, none of this had anything to do with the fascination of abandoned places. And this barracks had so much of it to offer.

“If we continue along this path through the forest, we will soon reach the residential block. From there, another path leads to the recreational facilities. There is a pool, a sports field and a theater, but it could also be used as a cinema. In parallel …”

“Sis, shouldn’t we take a picture of me in this outdoor pool?” Lasciviously, Vivian played with the strap of her top.

“Absolutely” laughed Yelka.

Why wasn’t she actually on his side? After all, he had planned the whole trip just for Yelka. Zander wanted everything to be perfect today. Yet, that wouldn’t work with Vivian and Damon. Honestly speaking, they shouldn’t have joined in the first place. When the forest suddenly opened up to reveal a settlement, Zander’s heart began to pound faster.

Weathered multi-story apartment blocks rose into the sky, overgrown with birch and fir trees. Moss clung to the entrance areas; ivy sought its way upwards. The scenery looked like a modern Sleeping Beauty castle, sprung from the premonition of a sinister dystopia.

For a moment, the group stopped and let themselves be captivated by the magic of the place. Speechless, their eyes wandered up the multi-story buildings, lingering on the dark building openings and absorbing the surreal atmosphere.

“This is incredible,” Yelka was the first to return to her words. She put an arm around Zander and hugged him. “Just incredible.”

Zander felt overwhelmed. His excitement was looking for a channel. “Considering that the residents lived here for 40 years, and nature has taken over for 30 years, then … well …” He didn’t know how to finish the sentence. Zander was overwhelmed, both by the place and by Yelka’s closeness.

“Darling sister, you can start thinking about whether you want to be photographed on the steps or the old climbing frame” Yelka indicated as she dug her camera out of the small backpack.

“The steps are great!” exclaimed Vivian, settling down on the moss-covered steps.

“Perfect,” Damon joined in again as well. “That looks excellent, starlet! Lie back, let your hair fall to the right.”

Zander walked thoughtlessly over the moss that covered the former street. Here, families must have once walked home, children played on the sidewalk, and vehicles drove north to the barracks. With a kick, he plucked the green from the ground and looked at the dark asphalt. This was how the place had been left nearly three decades ago.

He squatted down and let his fingers slide over the old pavement. A shiver came over him. At that moment, he felt the same fascination for these places as Yelka. Stealthily, he glanced over at his secret love as she took photos of her hot sister.

Vivian had leaned back dramatically, her chest up, her hair hanging down behind her. Her belly was exposed, her breasts pressed against the top. She stretched her long legs, like she was riding a bicycle.

Zander’s gaze drifted off to Yelka, who held her camera with both hands. She was shifting positions from time to time. Although she was wearing cargo pants, boots and gloves, she didn’t look one bit less sexy than her younger sibling.

He averted his eyes and let them roam over the facade of the apartment block again, only to look back over at the sisters.

“So, now …” Damon was about to intervene in the shooting when heavy dog barking made their blood run cold.

Yelka stopped her shots, Vivian lost body tension and Damon turned his head.

The big, short-haired yapper hung on the leash of a young guy in his early 20s. His tattooed arms were pumped up, stretching a red shirt. His chest jutted out as he stood wide-legged, holding the dog. A sharply cut face framed his full lips. He wore a gold necklace, his hair was shaved short. Behind him, four boys and a girl had set up. Two of them held metal pipes in their hands, brandishing them menacingly.

“Good day to you all!” The words didn’t sound like a greeting, but more like a threat. “This is private property. No trespassing!” As if to underline his words, the dog growled insistently. The group slowly approached. Those two men carrying the batons grinned menacingly. “The whole compound is surrounded by a concrete wall.”

Yelka was the first to speak up, “Hey, we’re just taking pictures, we’re not destroying or stealing anything.”

“So what?” told Ryder Yelka. “Fuck it, you guys are still illegal. There are signs on the outside walls and gates that state that this place is off limits.”

“Yeah, but you’re still coming here,” the dark-haired boy with the scratched forearm shouted.

“Even though it’s forbidden.”

The group had surrounded the four, leaving no way out. Gazoo barked at Vivian, tugging at Ryder’s leash.

“What you are doing here is forbidden, you know that.”

“Okay, we made a mistake,” Yelka tried to concede. “How about we pack up and get out of here?” Seeking help, she looked over at Zander, but he was transfixed.

“Yeah, you just thought so.” A grim smile played around Ryder’s face. “I want to see everyone’s IDs!”

“IDs out!” repeated Jesse, roaring.

Yelka looked at Zander first, then at Damon. “Please, let us just go our merry way and everything will be cool,” she offered the boys.

Damon had regained his composure and was surveying the situation. Yelka and Zander getting married would be more likely than these guys being security guards. There was danger in the air. They were in the middle of nowhere and were being threatened by a gang of rednecks, carrying a loose dog.

Dave lifted the steel pipe and touched Yelka’s chin. “Ain’t nothing cool here,” Ryder told them. “Either you show us your IDs or else.”

As if to make an example, Dave hit the ground with his club.

Yelka flinched. Gazoo jumped up at her, held back only by Ryder’s leash. “Chop, chop, IDs out!”  Ryder roared indignantly.

“I think we need to make a cut here!” With a brisk step, Damon put himself between Yelka and Ryder. “To me, it seems like a misunderstanding.”

For a moment, there was silence. Gazoo stopped barking, Dave’s steel pipe hovered in the air, and Ryder waited to see what Damon would say.

“My name is Duke. Damon Duke, of Duke Executives.” He spread his arms and stood between Ryder and Yelka.

“We rented this location today to hold a photo shoot.”

He pointed to Vivian, who was still sitting on the steps. “This is Vivian Donahue, one of our most important models, known as Violet-D.”

Damon waited a moment, watching the gang as they stared over at Vivian. He could see the aggression draining from the young men’s faces. Desire appeared in their eyes.

“We are taking pictures for the centerfold today. Vivian’s work needs a relaxed atmosphere. So, I’d be grateful if we could do the shoot without any further disruptions. Later, I’m sure she’ll have time for a short meet and greet with autographs. If you have any further questions, please contact Councilor Wilbanks. Please carry on, we don’t have any time to lose. Hush, hush!”

A stunned silence hung over the scene. The gang hadn’t quite taken their eyes off Vivian when it dawned on them that they had just been set up. Yelka and Vivian were already preparing to resume the photo shoot when Ryder suddenly straightened up again. “Are you kidding me? I want to see your fucking IDs–no photos until I say so!”

“Good,” Damon turned abruptly and held out his ID to Ryder, “that’s me, Damon Duke.” He gave him a moment to compare ID photo and face, then pulled out his cell phone. “And now I’d like to know what company you’re with.”

Damon held the phone to his ear and waited for Ryder’s answer. But he remained silent.

“Mr. Wilbanks, this is Damon Duke speaking. I apologize for the interruption. Contrary to our agreements, we were evicted from the place by security.” His and Ryder’s eyes met. “They didn’t hire any security at all? Then I assume this is a misunderstanding.”

Dave looked at Ryder, waiting for any reaction. But he just stared at Damon indecisively.

“No, I don’t think we need police here. Thank you very much, and again, I’m sorry to bother you.”

Damon dropped the phone into his purse, then pulled out a slew of business cards. “Here you go.”

First, he handed Ryder his card, then to the rest of the gang. “We’re still looking for security employees. If any of you want to make money, you’re more than welcome to contact me.”

Dazzled, the gang looked at each other. “Have a nice day! Now, starlets, we’ll move on to the next location.”

Ryder looked grimly after the Urbexers as they walked on. Soon they would find out what kind of a nice day they were going to have.

 

,
About the Author

 

 

Jens Boele, a veteran media designer in
the entertainment industry, brings over two decades of cinematic
expertise to his writing. Born in Germany in 1975, Jens embarked on his
writing odyssey in his youth, culminating in the publication of his
debut book, “Sunshine,” in 2015. This was followed by “Hurensohn,” and
his latest spine-tingling creation, “Urbex Predator.” Jens is a
genre-bending author, specializing in horror and crime thrillers. His
narratives often blur genre lines, weaving intricate tales that plunge
readers into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Jens’s
storytelling brilliance lies in his fascination with the criminal mind;
his villains are always profoundly human, offering readers a chilling
examination of the psychological aspects of the criminally insane. Jens
sets himself apart by seamlessly integrating classic horror with the
gritty authenticity of the present day. This innovative fusion imbues
his narratives with a dynamic quality, seamlessly blending archaic
thrills with contemporary intrigue, resulting in an immersive reading
experience that resonates with both vintage enthusiasts and present-day
readers alike. Jens Boele’s latest endeavor takes his work across
borders, as “Urbex Predator” becomes his first book to be translated
into English. A globetrotter with deep connections to the United States,
Jens’s passion for exploration and his international perspective,
nurtured by family and friends in the US, shine through in his writing,
offering readers a captivating blend of horror and cultural diversity.
Visit Jens’ website at https://jensboele.com/.

.

 

 

Sponsored By:

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Ghosts Of Rathalla by Matthew K. Perkins ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: June 3, 2024 in Fantasy, giveaways, Guest Post
Tags: ,
2

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Book Details:

​Book Title:  The Ghosts of Rathalla by Matthew K. Perkins
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  200 pages
Genre: Epic fantasy
Publisher: Resource Publications
Release date:  February 2024
Content Rating:  PG-13: Some swearing and violence. ​

Book Description:

Set in a world that is dominated by a vast desert, two friends are caught in the middle of a civil war. She’s a warrior. He’s a musician. When they discover that the crux of the war is a prophesied newborn baby that one side will do anything to destroy, they become the only people capable of saving the child’s life—all that stands in their way is an active volcano, a barbarian army, and a cunning assassin with motives of his own.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ B&N
​add to goodreads
 
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Guest Post From Author Matthew K. Perkins:
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Here’s something I’ve been struggling with as a writer: I strongly prefer to write my novels linearly (from beginning to end) and, even when I have great ideas for later in the story, I like to make a few notes about the ideas (so that I don’t forget them) and then put them on the backburner until I’m writing that part of the book.

I would really like to stop doing this! My advice to myself, and to anybody reading this is: WRITE IT WHEN YOU GET THE IDEA.

  1. You’re going to write it best when it’s fresh on your mind and you’re most excited about the idea.
  2. If you write it, and it turns out really well, it acts as a motivator to get you to that point in the story (i.e. I’m halfway through writing my book and having some writer’s block, BUT I wrote that one scene near the end that is AWESOME, and I need to get the story there.)
  3. Just because you write it down now, doesn’t mean it’s written in stone. You can get the full idea down and still make changes later!
  4. Having different portions of your novel written at the same time can help solidify themes/motifs that you’re trying to carry throughout, and it can also improve your organization as a writer.

Happy writing to everybody out there!

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Meet Author Matthew K. Perkins:

Matthew K. Perkins is a proud Wyoming native, where he completed an MA in English Literature from the state’s lone university. He currently lives in Denver, Colorado, with his wife, three sons, and two dogs. He is the author of two novels, ‘Saint in Vain’ (2018) and ‘The Ghosts of Rathalla’ (2024).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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THE GHOSTS OF RATHALLA by Matthew K. Perkins Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Guest Post And Giveaway ~ The Body At Back Beach by KJ Sweeney

Posted: June 2, 2024 in giveaways, Guest Post, Mystery
Tags: ,
10
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 Helena has never dreamt of becoming an amateur detective. But when
she finds the body of a young woman while on a walk, she can’t help
but try and discover who she was and how she got there.

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The Body at Back Beach

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by KJ Sweeney

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Genre: Murder Mystery

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 Helena Statham never imagined herself as a sleuth. But when she
stumbles upon the body of a young woman while on a walk, she can’t
resist the urge to discover who she was and how she got there. Even
if it means upsetting the tight-knit community of the small New
Zealand town she lives in, and uncovering secrets that have long been
buried.

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Thirty years ago, a young woman went missing, but no one
tried to find out what had happened to her. As Helena investigates
deeper, she learns more about what took place back then, putting
herself in danger now.

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Join Helena on her journey as she becomes
an unlikely amateur detective, determined to uncover the truth and
bring justice to the long-forgotten young woman whose story has been
buried in silence for far too long.

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Amazon
* The
Wild Rose Press *Apple
* B&N
* Google
* Kobo
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? 

Like many authors, I’ve always written. In my teenage years it was angsty poetry and a daily diary that I kept for about fifteen years (before I had children and hadn’t got the energy for that anymore!) I’ve also written lots of short stories and started books; I can’t seem to not write really. I’d never actually managed to finish a novel though, that seemed to be the hard bit. A few years back I was getting close to turning forty and I thought that it was about time I actually finished one of my ideas. I didn’t quite complete it by my birthday, but I finished the first draft of The Body at Back Beach about a month or so later. Since then, I’ve actually managed to finish three other books. This is the first one that’s ready for the world to share though!

 

Where were you born/grew up at? 

I was born and grew up in Derbyshire England. I lived in the UK until I was thirty and had my first two babies there. My husband is from New Zealand and we decided to move there with our young family. Fifteen years and two more babies later and we’ve recently moved home to the UK. I loved living in New Zealand and it’s where The Body at Back Beach is set. I’ve tried to capture some of the New Zealand that I loved while I lived there in the pages of the book.

I moved back to Britain to be close to my family. I think that there will always be a part of me that has a connection to New Zealand though. I lived there for fifteen years and the decision to come back home wasn’t an easy one. We have family back in New Zealand so no doubt we’ll be back to visit in the future.

 

What inspired you to write this book? 

The Body at Back Beach was very much inspired by the landscape around the area of New Zealand that I lived. I used to walk around Back Beach in Port Chalmers two or three times a week, much like Helena, the main character does. One day I was walking around there after there had been some really bad storms. The rain had caused some land slips and I started to imagine what I would do if it had uncovered something unexpected, like a body that had been buried years before. The story grew from there.

I’ve always really enjoyed murder mysteries, both in books and on television. This was the first one that I tried to write myself though, the other books that I’ve tried to write before have been different genres. I think that a mystery book fits my style better than other things that I’ve tried.

 

What can we expect from you in the future? 

Helena already has a second adventure lined up. I’ve written the first draft but have some editing to do. I hope to write a whole series following Helena where she’ll find herself solving more mysteries. I’ve also got a couple of other books in the works, one set in medieval times, a half-written mystery in a large Victorian mansion and something completely different set in 1980’s Britain, They’re all quite a way off being ready for the rest of the world to share as yet, but hopefully I’ll have something for you all soon.

I just need to find some time to really get my teeth into things and get things edited and polished first. Hopefully after the launch of The Body at Back Beach I’ll have a bit more time to get on with that.

 

Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? 

I read lots and lots, I always have done. My perfect idea of some ‘me’ time is peace and quiet, a nice cup of tea and a good book; bliss! I like to read lots of different types of books, I particularly like murder mysteries or romance though. My all-time favourite books tend to be historical murder mysteries and if there’s a little bit of chemistry between the lead characters then all the better. I do really enjoy ‘classic’ murder mysteries too, either older ones by Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers or modern whodunits that follow the same kind of format. I think that The Body at Back Beach would fit in well with that kind of book and be in good company.

Like many avid readers, I have a shelf and kindle full of more titles than I have time to read. That doesn’t stop me from buying more and I’m always on the lookout for recommendations for new books to check out.

 

Pen or typewriter or computer?

I love writing by hand with a nice pen and brand-new notebook. When it comes to writing a book though, it has to be my laptop. I make far too many mistakes to manage with a typewriter and I find that I can write quicker on keyboard than on paper. I’m dyslexic, so using a keyboard (and spell check) makes the whole process much easier for me. I’ve also managed to reach the point where I can type much faster than I can write by hand, at least with it all being legible at the end! I also like to be able to back everything up on the computer. It makes it easier to edit and make changes when I come back to work on a draft too.

 

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in The Body at Back Beach? 

My main character is Helena, she’s in her early 50’s and works as a counselor at Otago University in Dunedin New Zealand. She has two grown up sons who have left home in the last few years and she lives with her husband in the family home overlooking Otago Harbour. Until recently, she’s been working full-time, but decided to take a bit of a step back and spend some more time in the local community. She loves where she lives and although she travelled quite a lot in her younger years, she wouldn’t live anywhere else.

The other characters in this book are residents of Port Chalmers and the surrounding area. Helena knows some of them before the book starts, but others are people that she comes across as she starts to investigate the murder. We don’t meet Helena’s sons in this book, but they will appear in future titles.

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 Kelly Jo Sweeney grew up in England before moving to New Zealand
where she lived for 15 years with her kiwi husband and four wonderful
children. An avid reader from an early age, crime novels have long
been a favourite. She always likes to work out whodunnit before the
big reveal and writing her own novels means that there’s at least
one that she’ll always get right. Her debut novel is set in and
inspired by the unique scenery of New Zealand, infusing her stories
with a wonderful sense of place and atmosphere.

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Website
* Facebook
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* Amazon
* Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries Series by M.K. Graff ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: June 2, 2024 in giveaways, Guest Post, Mystery
Tags: , ,
9

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 Nurse Trudy Genova mixes her movie studio consulting work with her
nose for murder!

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Death in the Orchard

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The Trudy Genova
Manhattan Mysteries Book 3

by M.K. Graff

Genre: Mystery,
Police Procedural, Amateur Sleuth

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The
third Trudy Genova mystery from award-winning author M. K. Graff
brings Trudy home, leaving her New York City studio consulting job to
visit her rural hometown of Schoharie, three hours north. NYPD
detective Ned O’Malley accompanies Trudy, primed to meet her family,
but with a secret mission to find out what really happened when her
father died eleven years ago.

Mario Genova’s death was deemed
a tragic accident, but Trudy feels there was more to her beloved
father acting out of character the day before he died. After years of
hard work building a successful apple orchard business with her
mother, Mario cleaned out their bank accounts. No reason-and no
money-was ever found. As Trudy and Ned try to investigate without
informing her family of their actions, a new death occurs on Genova
Orchards property, and once again Trudy’s family is under scrutiny.

“A welcome and forceful
return of MK Graff’s Trudy Genova, Death in the Orchard is a well-
crafted and thought-provoking story of unexplained death and
cold-blooded murder, as Trudy sets out to solve the death of her
father with her NYPD boyfriend Ned O’Malley. The couple return to the
Genova family orchards to dig into the past as the present threatens
to shake the family to their very core.

Graff deals us a cold case of
family intrigue, a small-town conspiracy, and a terrifying leap into
the unknown, as her heroine comes face to face with a secret she
thought would never be told, a case impossible to solve, and a dogged
determination to finally get to the truth.

A masterclass in laying the
threads bare and knitting them together in a satisfying conclusion.”

Mandy Morton, Author of The
No. 2 Feline Detective Agency series.

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Amazon
* BridlePathPress
* Goodreads

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Dru Ann Love:              A DAY IN MY LIFE: TRUDY GENOVA                   For April 2024

 

“CUT! That’s a wrap!” With a loud thunk, the Klieg lights dim and I pick my way over heavy cables by the remaining dim light and follow the cast and crew out the studio door., eyes blinking after the darkness inside.

My name is Trudy Genova, RN, and my work as a medical consultant for a New York movie studio is over for this week. I feel like a puppy who’s found the gate left open, freedom beckoning, as I’m cut loose for a week’s vacation with my boyfriend, NYPD detective Ned O’Malley.

This job is any nurse’s dream. I wear jeans to work, no one is puking on my shoes, and best of all, no one is really ill or dying. Of course, there were those murders last spring at the soap opera, but I helped Ned to figure that out, despite his annoyance at me insinuating myself into his investigation. And then there was the case earlier this month at the Dakota building, where we filmed a made-for-TV movie and an actor was killed. By then, Ned was reconsidering my ability to figure out human nature and unravel puzzles as we started our relationship. I guess I do have a nose for murder, but that’s a good thing for someone who has always read and adored crime fiction, and now plans to write her own mystery.

The perks of this job include days when there’s not a medical scene filming, and I can lounge at home in my yoga pants. I may have to correct script pages of medical scenes the studio faxes over, but this schedule gives me plenty of time to work on my NYU course and fledgling writing.

Today is very different, when reality will supplant my fictional world. I run to the production office to pick up my rolling suitcase, backpack, and laptop bag, then rush outside to wait for Ned to pick me up. I have ten days off and we are heading north to my family home in the Catskills on an apple orchard, ostensibly for him to meet my family. My oldest brother and his wife are expecting their first baby, and there will be a shower to attend before Ned and I knuckle down to the bigger reason I’ve asked him to come home with me: I want to finally find out what really happened when my father died eleven years ago.

It was deemed an accident at the time, but there are circumstances around it that have never been explained, including my father draining my parents’ pension fund, with the money never found. I’ve always felt deep down that my father was murdered, but I have no idea if either of my brothers or my mom feel the same way.

All I do know is that it’s time for me to dig deeply into Mario Genova’s death, whether my family is happy about resurrecting the past or not. At least I’ll have Ned and his expertise at my side. What could possibly go wrong?

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Death at the Dakota

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The Trudy Genova
Manhattan Mysteries 2

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 Nurse Trudy Genova is making plans to take her relationship with NYPD
detective Ned O’Malley to the next level when she lands a gig as
medical consultant on a film shoot at the famed Dakota apartment
building in Manhattan, which John Lennon once called home. Then star
Monica Kiley goes missing, a cast member turns up dead, and it
appears Trudy might be next. Meanwhile Ned tackles a mysterious
murder case in which the victim is burned beyond recognition. When
his investigations lead him back to the Dakota, Trudy finds herself
wondering: how can she fall in love if she can’t even
survive?

Readers of Death Unscripted, the first book in
the Trudy Genova Manhattan Mystery series, will find the same
pleasures in this sequel: fast pacing, engaging characters, twists
and turns on the way to a satisfying close. Once again M.K. Graff
reveals her talents in crafting this delightful mix of amateur sleuth
and police procedural.

Part procedural, part cozy, Death
at the Dakota is a well-crafted and highly entertaining mystery.-
Bruce Robert Coffin, #1 bestselling author of the Detective Byron
mysteries.

I fell in love — not only with
co-protagonists, Trudy and Ned, the richly detailed and historic
setting of The Dakota, and the unique cast of characters, but with
the unusual plot of Death at the Dakota. Sherry Harris, Agatha Award
nominated author of the Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mysteries.

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Amazon
* BridlePathPress
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Death Unscripted

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The Trudy Genova
Manhattan Mysteries Book 1

..

 Trudy Genova has the best job any nurse could want, working on set as
a medical consultant for a NY movie studio. No more uniforms, bedpans
or emergencies, until at the actor whose overtures she’s refused dies
suddenly while taping a hospital scene–but not before pointing his
finger accusingly at Trudy. When detectives view Trudy as a suspect,
she sets out on an investigation to clear her name. Then a second
death occurs, and Trudy realizes she’s put herself in jeopardy.

A
new mystery from the award-winning author of the Nora Tierney English
Mystery Series, DEATH UNSCRIPTED is based on the authors’ real work
experience during her nursing career and is the mystery series
British Queen of Crime P. D. James insisted she write. A mix of
amateur sleuth and police procedural, the story is told in first
person from Trudy’s point of view, and in third from NYPD Detective
Ned O’Malley

Marilyn Chris, Obie and Drama Desk
Award-winning actor who played Wanda Wolek on ABC’s soap “One
Life to Live” notes: “Graff gets behind the scenes of soaps
just right, as well she should–she was there!”

Edith
Maxell, national bestselling author of multiple mystery series says:
“Your blood pressure will soar during M. K. Graff’s new
Manhattan Mystery, as nurse Trudy Genova takes the pulse of a killer
during a soap opera filming in Death Unscripted. You won’t even think
about changing the channel during this smart, suspenseful
mystery.”

And Triss Stein, author of the Erica Donato
Mysteries, has this to say: “Soap opera drama is as intense on
the set as it is on the screen. Sometimes Trudy Genova, consulting
nurse, feels like the only sane person in the room. Join her as she
copes with huge ego, daily melodrama, an attractive detective, and
life in New York . . . plus murder. The city and the studio provide
intriguing backgrounds for this entertaining mystery.”

Helen
Smith, UK author of the The Emily Castle Mysteries, agrees that Death
Unscripted is “an engaging story featuring a charming amateur
sleuth. A great start to a mystery series.”

Amazon
* BridlePathPress
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

 

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 Marni Graff is the award-winning author of The Nora Tierney
English Mysteries and The Trudy Genova Manhattan Mysteries.
Her stories are in several anthologies, including the Anthony
Award-winning Malice Domestic’s Murder Most Edible. She is
Managing Editor of Bridle Path Press, a crime book reviewer, and
blogs for Miss Demeanors. Graff is a member of Sisters in Crime,
Mavens of Mayhem SinC, Triangle SinC, Mystery People UK, and the
International Association of Crime Writers. She lives in eastern NC
with her husband and two Aussiedoodles.

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Website
* Facebook
* X * Instagram
* Bookbub *
Goodreads

.

 

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content 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.

The New Rules Of Attachment by Dr. Judy Ho ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: May 4, 2024 in giveaways, Guest Post
Tags: , ,
5

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Book Details:

The New Rules of Attachment: How to Heal Your Relationships, Reparent Your Inner Child, and Secure Your Life Vision

 by Dr. Judy Ho


Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 350 pages
Genre: Mental Health, Self-Development, Self-Help, Relationships, Motivation
Publisher: Hachette
​Publication Date: March 26, 2024
Content Rating: G: No bad language or adult themes

 

Book Description:

Discover a revolutionary approach to attachment theory that teaches readers how to heal their inner child to change their anxious, avoidant, or disorganized attachment style in relationships, friendships, at work, and home—perfect for readers of How to Do the Work, Polysecure, and Amir Levine’s Attached. Did you know that attachment style impacts more than romantic relationships? As it turns out, most of us are thinking about Attachment Theory all wrong, and triple board-certified clinical and forensic neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho is here to set the record straight.

Grounded in the science of attachment, Dr. Judy’s game-changing approach shows that our attachment style impacts every aspect of our lives: friendships, career, goal setting, and, critically, our sense of self. Moreover, we can all learn to become securely attached—no matter what attachment style we developed in childhood—meaning that we can reclaim our ability to feel safe, loved, and capable of achieving the life we’ve always wanted.

Through Dr. Judy’s innovative program, readers will learn to identify their attachment style, recognize their core needs and wounds, and implement evidence-based practical tools to heal their inner child as they develop the secure attachment we all need to thrive.

Readers will also benefit from:

  • A new attachment style quiz to identify your attachment style in all areas of life.
  • A personalized approach that allows you to start making positive change today.
  • More than two dozen transformative exercises to support your journey to healing.


With warmth, authority, and a bias to action, The New Rules of Attachment is a call to achieving unconditional self-love and a meaningful, joyful life.

 
BUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON ~ Hachette
Dr. Judy Ho Website
add the goodreads
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GUEST POST
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Are you an extreme perfectionist or a chronic workaholic?

In our hustle and bustle culture, these seem like the quintessential characteristics everyone wishes they had, but some high achievers might put too much stock in their achievements—so much that their self-esteem is often predicated on what they do. When they reach a goal, they immediately start planning for their next one. They can become prone to workaholism, as their relationships fall to the wayside.

If this sounds like you, it’s possible that the roots of these behaviors come from an avoidant attachment style!

By turning down the volume on that part of you that’s fixated on your next goal—harshly prodding you to do more, better, and faster—you can make room to see that you are worthwhile, lovable, and deserving of care from others even without any accomplishments. You can hold space for your emotions, both positive and negative, and become more mindful of all of your experiences in the process.

Divesting yourself of the armor of your achievements can feel terrifying, but it is one of the most transformational opportunities for your healing.

Check out the graphic below. Which of these traits do you exhibit, and how will work on balancing your life in some small way today?

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Dr. Judy Ho

Meet Author Dr. Judy Ho:

Dr. Judy Ho, Ph. D., ABPP, ABPdN is a triple board certified and licensed Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychologist, a tenured Associate Professor at Pepperdine University, and published author. She penned Stop Self-Sabotage (published by HarperCollins in August 2019), a book detailing a scientifically driven six-step program which has been translated into 7 additional languages around the world. Her second book, co-authored with Max Dubrow, titled I’ll Give it to Your Straight-ish: What Your Teen Wants You to Know, was published by Flashpoint in November 2021 and contains Dr. Judy’s evidence-based tips to help parents raise healthy and resilient teenagers. Dr. Judy’s third book, The New Rules of Attachment, which focuses on healing insecure attachment styles at any age to optimize well-being, career, goal attainment, and relationships with family, friends, and colleagues, will be published by Hachette Book Group in March 2024.

Dr. Judy maintains a private practice in Manhattan Beach, CA where she specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and expert witness work. She regularly appears as an expert psychologist on television, podcasts, radio, and contributes to other media including print and electronic periodicals. She was a co-host on the syndicate daytime television talk show The Doctors, co-host of CBS’s Face the Truth, and host of The SuperCharged Life podcast.

Dr. Judy Ho is an avid researcher and a two-time recipient of the National Institute of Mental Health Services Research Award. She teaches masters and doctoral level psychology students, hosts an active research program to improve mental health care for high-need populations, and is the chair of the Institutional Review Board at Pepperdine University. Her treatment approaches integrate the scientific principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. She is a sought after keynote speaker and educator for national and local events including research, clinical, and corporate conferences and workshops for businesses, organizations, and schools. Dr. Judy received her bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Business Administration from University of California Berkeley and Haas school of Business, and her masters and doctorate from the San Diego State University/University of California School of Medicine’s Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health sponsored fellowship at UCLA’s Semel Institute. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology, and National Board of Forensic Evaluators. Dr. Judy resides in Los Angeles, CA and enjoys snowboarding, writing music, singing, running, biking, cooking, playing video games, and dabbling in the art of flying trapeze during her time away from work. Her favorite pup is the Border Collie, and most memorable places to travel include Greece, Italy, and Sweden.

​connect with the author: website ~X/twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ youtube ~ goodreads

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.

The New Rules of Attachment by Dr. Judy Ho Spotlight Book Tour 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.

A Court Of Broken Promises & Nightmares by Michelle Helen Fritz ~ Guest Post and Giveaway

Posted: May 1, 2024 in Dark Fantasy, giveaways, Guest Post, Romance, YA
Tags: , ,
4
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Once upon a time, an evil faerie queen traveled through the looking-glass with the cruelest of intentions…to curse a baby.

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A Court of Broken Promises & Nightmares

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Courts & Curses Book 2

by Michelle Helen Fritz

Genre: YA Dark Fantasy Regency Romance

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Once upon a time, an evil faerie queen traveled through the looking-glass with the cruelest of intentions…to curse a baby.

When Alora meets her prince at a masquerade and shares a moonlight dance, her life is forever changed. As her heart longs for his promised return, she can’t get his amber gaze far from her mind.

The Faerie Prince of the White Kingdom doesn’t remember the night he fell in love with his true mate. Debauchery and unrest are twisting the subjects of Wonderland into sinister faeries, and the prince is suffering right alongside his people. With time ticking down to preserve the wonder of his land, he’ll need to battle his greatest foe and regain his lost memories or risk sacrificing everything.

With the help of the Resistance and a tutor with style and sass, Alora is destined to save the two kingdoms, but she’ll need to embrace the darkness in order to fulfill the prophecy. What Wonderland needs most is a savior. But she’s only ever been a simple English girl. No pressure there.

This is book two in a Regency fairytale re-telling mash-up series Courts & Curses with guaranteed happily ever afters and surprising twists to the tales you thought you knew. Adventure through the six Courts of Faerie in this shared universe as they battle the darkness that seeks to destroy their existence. Each book is written as a standalone with interconnecting characters and themes.

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Horrifying beasts that used to exist only in nightmares now freely roamed the dark lands. Those who were once gentle and kind had been either devoured or forced to become cruel and twisted, re-created into something sinister, something truly terrifying. A Resistance was formed to fight against the swelling tide of evil, one which would need a savior, a leader who could take all of the unrest and debauchery and vanquish the very heart of evil, making something wonderful from its ashes. One who could take the darkness and embrace it as they conquered the false queen.

 

Cheshire was in pursuit of a grimoire chasing a hobgoblin. The grimoire was spitting black, inky liquid at everything it passed by. It was a nasty, horrid little creature, as all the grimoires were.

 

The tabby ran with a delighted look upon his whiskered face. Alora caught his notice by wavering her hand in the air.

 

“Nothing to fear, Curious One! We shall soon have this all settled. There is nothing quite like a good mad dash around the library.” The feline winked at her, then took off again.

 

“Mad, you’re all raving mad,” she whispered. “Everything anyone does is mad!”

 

“Who are you?” came a raspy voice to the side of the pathway. Alora cast her gaze in the direction from where the voice had come, noting the various shapes and heights of the mushrooms standing erect just beside the pathway.

 

“I inquired who you are, you daft girl,” seethed the voice with unguarded irritation.

 

“Why is everyone so unbearably rude?” Alora had had her fill with ill-mannered faeries and took angry steps until she halted before the mushroom where the tiny creature reclined. She staked her hands onto her hips in umbrage.

 

Resting atop the largest brown and white mushroom was a tiny cyan caterpillar puffing out tiny rings of smoke. In one of his many grubby hands rested the mouthpiece of a hookah. He wasn’t wearing any practical clothing, yet there were minuscule sky-blue slippers on ten of his miniature feet.

 

“Perhaps you’re the rude one, you unwelcomed interloper!” the insect snapped before taking another drag on his instrument.

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Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author? 

I think I was always writing. I wrote my first Regency Romance when I was an early teenager. I still remember it and wish that I had held onto it. That was my first official book and Love At Last was my next. I couldn’t imagine writing another book and not publishing it.

 

What are you passionate about these days? 

Writing and reading and learning new ways to express the written word. Also, my daughter’s artistic skills have really soared! She’s surpassed everything that I ever taught her and that is such an awe inspiring moment when you watch your little one take flight. I love watching her paint. It’s the coolest thing to express yourself on a canvas. There’s a piece of beauty in each brushstroke. And painting beside my daughter is faetastic. I love that we can be so creative and just have such a marvelous time together.

 

What do you do to unwind and relax? 

Read! I really do enjoy books. I want to be whisked away and surprised and fall in love.

 

What inspired you to write this book? 

The idea of a Wonderland where the heroine chooses Hatter and he falls for her, deliciously. I wanted one that was gruesome with battles but also with such a sweet wholesome romance. I think the idea of the Regency era where manners mattered and mayhem ruled was fascinating. And the young adult genre has my heart. Fairytales were my first love, what better way to honor that then to create my own worlds?

 

Where did you come up with the names in the story? 

Alora is our heroine. When I considered Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Aurora from Sleeping Beauty, I merged them together and Alora was born. I think it’s the perfect way to mash-up my heroines, and I enjoy taking the fairytales and creating these names. The other names were seamless. These characters appeared on the pages and there was never a doubt as to who they were.

 

Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book? 

I certainly did. So much of the Regency genre is telling, not showing. With the first book in this series, I didn’t show enough and some readers pointed out that they would have enjoyed it more if I had shown more things. My editor was meticulous in pointing out when I needed to show more. I’m a very descriptive writer, so I loved having things be noted that I could bring to life in a different way. I think it’s so much more magical than my first book and I really hope that it presents well to the young adult audience. This book owns my heart.

 

How did you come up with the name of this book?

Well, the Lunar Court is a wondrous place filled with nightmares as it’s heavily tied to dreaming and curses. The idea of our hero making a promise that he couldn’t keep intrigued me. So I knew that nightmares and promises had to be in my title.

 

 

If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day? 

That’s very easy to answer. Cheshire of course would be my choice. He’s so funny and says things that others might not, he just doesn’t have a filter and I love that most about him. He’s honest and raw and doesn’t apologize for being himself one bit. I would love to sit down over a tea table and hear the gossipy tales from all the Courts. Mostly, I dream of the idea of giving him a hug. Can you imagine how soft his fur would be!?

 

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story? 

Before I even began writing this book, Femfaeascent was fuming with formidable rage, pacing back and forth in my mind. She was quite irate with her son and wanted to make sure that her vengeance was legend. Once the prologue was written, she calmed down. But I usually have characters talk to me and Alora was also very vocal. I had an idea of where we were going and reached chapter three and she was like, nope. We’re redoing this because this isn’t how this is suppressed to go. I was so upset because I didn’t want to lose my words but you know what? She was absolutely right, the book is better because she was so insistent.

 

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

It would be a mix of Hatter’s and Remius’s scents. Wonder what those are? Read their story.

 

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Obviously I had a pretty good handle on the main characters. Usually when I’m writing things are happening and bam, there’s a new character. Sometimes it’s surprising and other times it’s a good compromise to making a scene or a book flow better. Usually I won’t know who they really are until there is dialogue happening. That’s when any character really comes to life. I never imagined that Fleur, who was in the first book, would be such a huge part of the second book. But she showed up in a big way and stole it away.

 

Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? 

Always in silence or as much as I can manage! I want to be in the moment with my characters and not miss any of what’s taking place on the page. I often will read lines aloud when it’s dialogue to hear how it sounds, what I could add more to, or what could be tweaked.

 

Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?

Usually it’s two at a time. One to be working on full-time and one to slip into when I need a change or to let one rest to come back to it in a few days.

 

Pen or type writer or computer?

Computer. I need to see the words flowing on the screen. I would never accomplish much if I was concentrating on my handwriting and whether it was legible enough to read later.

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Several very wise persons have said to write for yourself the stories that you want to read. And that’s exactly what I do. I really hope others enjoy my words, and if not excuse me while I weep away. Kidding…mostly. Most authors want their books to resonate with their readers. That’s the ultimate goal.

 

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

It really varies. My second book was a co-write with the amazing E.A. Shanniak. We wrote that book in three weeks because it just flowed. It was an amazing experience. Other times it’s taken longer. I think the longest was a year, but I wasn’t consistently writing it. Usually if given the proper time, three months is my time-frame.

 

Do you believe in writer’s block?

I do! Sometimes the muse just isn’t there. That’s when you need to take a step back and just do something else that inspires you. Go to a museum. Go for a walk. If you’re crafty, create something. Paint, listen to music or spend time with your family. When your mind resets, the muse will begin to whisper in your ear. It’s magical when suddenly those words start to flow.

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Michelle Helen Fritz began her literary career as a personal assistant to Indie authors. She enjoys being immersed in the process of turning an idea into a complete and published book. Michelle loves to write about dashing heroes and the compelling women that tempt them with a bit of intrigue and an abundance of romance, creating swoon-worthy characters and stories for her readers to enjoy. Occasionally, her characters talk to her and change the entire plot. Maryland is where her humble abode resides, housing her four home-schooled children along with her jaunty hero-husband who makes all her dreams come true. Michelle fully believes in happily-ever-afters and wishing upon stars.

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