Archive for the ‘Historical’ Category

Lizzie Borden by Elizabeth Engstrom ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: July 26, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, Mystery, reviews, thriller
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Lizzie Borden
by Elizabeth Engstrom
Genre: Historical Mystery, Thriller
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lizzie review
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I’ve always been fascinated about Lizzie Borden. People are divided on whether she did the crimes or not. I’m no expert so I cant decide either. It took place so long ago we’ll never know. That’s why I grab books about her whenever I come across them. I immediately snatched this up without even reading the synopsis. If I had, I might have realized this was more of a fictional character study on the Borden family than much to do with the crime itself and the trial.

It got off to a slow start and I pushed on to see where the author was taking the story. What I got was a peek through the keyhole to what the Borden’s family dynamics might have been like. Dark and disturbing indeed.

The story may have been different from what I was expecting, but I did enjoy reading about Lizzie and her family from a different angle.

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Did she do it?
A hundred years ago, it was the Trial of the Century. A young woman
stood accused of brutally murdering her father and stepmother in a
crime so heinous that it became a benchmark in human tragedy.
A hundred years later, the Lizzie Borden case still resounds in the
imagination. There are those who staunchly defend Lizzie’s
innocence while others vehemently declare that she did it, and that
the murder was justified.
In Elizabeth Engstrom’s brilliant novel, the dark psychology of the
Borden household is laid bare. Lizzie, her sister Emma and their
parents Andrew and Abby Borden, are sharply illuminated—as are the
paranoia and concealed hatred that secretly ruled the family.
Domestic violence and dysfunctional families are not inventions of
modern times.
“Every door in the Borden house is metaphorically locked, and each room holds
the terrible secrets of its occupant…Engstrom skillfully and subtly
builds a psychological plot, moving the reader inexorably toward the
anticipated savage denouement.” —Publishers Weekly
 
 
Elizabeth (Liz) Engstrom grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois (a Chicago suburb
where she lived with her father) and Kaysville, Utah (north of Salt
Lake City, where she lived with her mother). After graduating from
high school in Illinois, she ventured west in a serious search for
acceptable weather, eventually settling in Honolulu. She attended
college and worked as an advertising copywriter. 
After eight years on Oahu, she moved to Maui, found a business partner and
opened an advertising agency. One husband, two children and five
years later, she sold the agency to her partner and had enough seed
money to try her hand at full time fiction writing, her lifelong
dream. With the help of her mentor, science fiction great Theodore
Sturgeon, When Darkness Loves Us was published.
Engstrom moved to Eugene, Oregon in 1986, where she lives with her husband Al
Cratty, the legendary muskie fisherman, and their Duck Tolling
Retriever, Jook. Liz holds a BA in English Literature and Creative
Writing and a Master of Arts in Applied Theology, both from
Marylhurst University. A recluse at heart, she still emerges into
public occasionally to speak at a writers conference, or to teach a
class on various aspects of writing the novel, essay, article or
short story. An avid knitter and gardener, she is on faculty at the
University of Phoenix and is always working on the next book.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

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Blurb Blitz and Giveaway for Where Demons Dance by Emma Briedis

Posted: April 23, 2019 in giveaways, Historical
Tags: ,
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demons dance banner

Hi y’all! Thanks for visiting my stop on the virtual book tour for Where Demons Dance organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Emma Briedis will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

And be sure to click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Where Demons Dance

by Emma Briedis

demons dance cover

Synopsis

A desperate widow…

It’s 1874 in Cedar City, Utah Territory, when Penelope Cavey finds her beloved husband, Henri, dead from a gunshot wound and the mysterious phrase, “demons dance” carved into the parlor mirror. Despite her brother’s attempts to dissuade her, Penelope is determined to find Henri’s killer and sets out alone for St. Joseph, a rural town in Utah—following the only clue Henri left for her.

A lying father…

Ava Patton is haunted by dreams of another life. Her nightmares give way to reality when her caring stepmother, Nellie, confirms her rising suspicions that the man who claims to be her father is only pretending to be, and that her real parents are dead. Astounded by this revelation, Ava sets out to uncover what became of her parents and in doing so, stumbles upon a heartbreaking tragedy. She is forced to stop her quest when her brother, Lawrence, falls seriously ill.

A labyrinth of a mansion…

Lawrence finds himself trapped within the winding halls of a large house, plagued by taunting voices as he struggles to escape. Unable to distinguish reality from the imaginary, Lawrence doesn’t know who or what imprisoned him there, nor to whom the house belongs. Lawrence realizes he holds the key and must find Ava and Penelope before another person is silenced.

Check out this peek inside:

“Henri?” she called out but received no response. The rhythmic ticking of the clock in the next room taunted her.

Where is he?! she thought with resentment.

She stepped into the parlor and froze. Her blood turned to ice as her stomach dropped, and a cold wave of fear washed over her.

Henri lay across the room on the floor, his lifeless eyes staring at the ceiling. A large puddle of blood had seeped from the bullet hole in the side of his head. His black hair was soaked in blood, and his hands lay limp at his sides.

She rushed to his side and embraced him, his head lolling.

“Henri!” she screamed, pulling him close to her. “Henri, what happened to you?!”

Tears began to run from her eyes as she grasped him, the warm blood soaking the dress she wore.

“Darling, come back to me,” she cried, her voice quivering.

She began to shake with tears as she rocked back and forth, gripping her dead husband to her chest. Unable to contain it, she let out a gasp of grief, shocked at the very circumstances she found herself hurled into. Their useless argument from earlier that day was forgotten as she grasped his lifeless body. She fervently prayed that he would wake as thousands of memories flashed before her eyes. Rocking on her knees, the pain inside of her chest only increased. Time seemed to stand still as she held him, unwilling to let go.

About  Author Emma Briedis:

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demons dance author

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Emma Briedis has written six books in multiple genres, including fantasy, romance, and historical fiction with Where Demons Dance being her debut novel. After reading Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables at the age of thirteen, she decided to write a book of her own, and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Southeastern Wisconsin with her dog, Chewie.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Josephine Baker’s Last Dance ~ Excerpt and Review

Posted: April 18, 2019 in fiction, Historical, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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JOSEPHINE BAKER’S LAST DANCE

by Sherry Jones, Biography/Historical

304 pp., $11.00 (paperback) $11.99 (Kindle)

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JOSEPHINE BAKER’S LAST DANCE
by Sherry Jones
Publisher: Gallery Books
Pages: 304
Genre: Biography/Historical
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My Review
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 I’d only known Josephine Baker as a famous Parisian singer and dancer. Then I happened to watch the movie which revealed her life from her desperate, dark beginning to her triumphant final scene, sharing her many romances, her fight for equal rights and the oppression of the Nazis, along with her drive to affect change, leaving me breathless and in tears. Sherry Jones managed to do the same in her novel, adding her own touches to make the story even more in depth and thrilling. You may know the singer and dancer, but this slightly fictional account of her life reveals insights into her thoughts and feelings and I found it fascinating.
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From the author of The Jewel of Medina, a moving and insightful novel
based on the life of legendary performer and activist Josephine Baker,
perfect for fans of The Paris Wife and Hidden Figures.
Discover the fascinating and singular life story of Josephine Baker—actress, singer, dancer, Civil Rights activist, member of the
French Resistance during WWII, and a woman dedicated to erasing
prejudice and creating a more equitable world—in Josephine Baker’s Last
Dance.In this illuminating biographical novel, Sherry Jones brings to life
Josephine’s early years in servitude and poverty in America, her rise to
fame as a showgirl in her famous banana skirt, her activism against
discrimination, and her many loves and losses. From 1920s Paris to 1960s
Washington, to her final, triumphant performance, one of the most
extraordinary lives of the twentieth century comes to stunning life on
the page.

With intimate prose and comprehensive research, Sherry Jones brings
this remarkable and compelling public figure into focus for the first
time in a joyous celebration of a life lived in technicolor, a powerful
woman who continues to inspire today.

Purchase Josephine Baker’s Last Dance in paperback,  ebook,  and  audiobook  formats on  Simon and Schuster’s website (available on Amazon,  Barnes and Noble,  BooksAMillion,  Indiebound,  Kobo,  and  other sites). Learn more about Sherry’s books  at  www.authorsherryjones.com

Just before she entered the stage door, a
drop of rain hit her on the head. No, that was not a bad omen, only a
reminder to do her best, to shine like the star she was, or would be.
Wilsie came running up—Mr. Sissle was there, but Mr. Blake had yet to
arrive. “You’ll knock ’em dead, Tumpy. Just do your dancing and forget
the rest.” Josephine didn’t need to be told that. She was ready.
She flexed and stretched her arms as she
walked with Wilsie across the stage, past the musicians gathering,
trumpets and saxophones and drums and a clarinet, down into the
auditorium, where a slender man spoke to a white-haired man at his side.
He turned his head very slightly and looked her up and down from the
corners of his shrewd, hard eyes. His mouth pursed.
“How old are you?” he’d said before Wilsie
had even introduced them. The stage door opened, and a very
dark-skinned man with a bald head hurried in, talking about “the damned
rain,” scampering down the steps, striding up the aisle, shaking water
from his clothes.
“Eubie Blake,” he said, smiling, holding out his hand to her.
“This is Tumpy, Mr. Blake, the one I told you about,” Wilsie said. “She’s here to audition for Clara’s spot in the chorus.”
The man with Mr. Sissle—the stage
manager—motioned to her and she followed him up the stage steps. Did she
know the songs? Could she dance to “I’m Just Wild about Harry”?
Josephine wanted to jump for joy. She pretended to watch as Wilsie
showed her the steps, which she already knew as if she’d made them up
herself. Josephine stripped down to her dingy leotard, tossed her
clothes on a chair, then ran and leaped to the center of the stage. This
was it. She bent over to grasp her ankles, stretching her legs, then
stood and pulled her arms over her head.
“Ready?” Mr. Sissle barked. The music
started, and she began the dance, so simple she could have done it in
her sleep. Practicing in the Standard, she’d gotten bored with it and
had made up her own steps, throwing in a little Black Bottom, wiggling
her ass and kicking her legs twice as high as they wanted to go, taken
by the music, played by it, the instruments’ instrument, flapping her
hands, step and kick and spin and spin and squat and jump and down in a
split, up and jump and kick and spin—oops, the steps, she didn’t need no
damn steps, she had better ones—and kick and jump and wiggle and spin.
She looked out into the auditorium—a big mistake: Mr. Blake’s mouth was
open and Mr. Sissle’s eyes had narrowed to slits. Don’t be nervous, just
dance. Only the music remained now, her feet and the stage.
When she’d finished, panting, and pulled
on her dress and shoes, Wilsie came running over, her eyes shining. “You
made their heads spin, you better believe it,” she whispered, but when
they went down into the aisle Josephine heard Mr. Sissle muttering.
“Too young, too dark, too ugly,” he said.
The world stopped turning, then, the sun frozen in its arc, every clock
still, every breath caught in every throat. Mr. Blake turned to her,
smiling as if everything were normal, and congratulated her on “a
remarkable dance.”
“I can see that you are well qualified for our chorus, Tumpy,” he said, and on his lips, the name sounded like a little child’s.
“You have real talent, and spark, besides. How did you learn to do that at such a young age? You are—how old?”
“Fifteen,” she said.
Mr. Sissle snorted, and cut Wilsie a look.
“Wasting my time,” he said. Mr. Blake looked at her as if she’d just
wandered in from the orphanage.
“I’m very sorry, there’s been a mix-up,” he said. “You must be sixteen to dance professionally in New York State.”
“I’ll be sixteen in June,” Josephine said. Her voice sounded plaintive and faraway.
“We need someone now.” Mr. Sissle folded
his arms as if she were underage on purpose. Mr. Blake led her toward
the stage door, an apologetic Wilsie saying she hadn’t known. Mr. Sissle
followed, talking to Mr. Blake about adding some steps to “I’m Just
Wild about Harry,” saying they should put in some kicks, that he’d been
thinking about it for a while. Uh-huh.
“Come and see us in New York after your
birthday, doll,” Mr. Blake said. “You never know when we might have an
opening.” He opened the door and let the rain pour in before shutting it
again. He looked at Josephine’s thin, optimistic dress. Where was her
umbrella? She hung her head. He stepped over to retrieve a black
umbrella propped against the wall and handed it to her. She took it
without even knowing, her thoughts colliding like too many birds in a
cage. She would have to stay in Philadelphia, she had failed—too young,
too dark, too ugly—she should have lied about her age, what had gotten
into her? Showing off, that was what.
And now Mr. Sissle disliked her, and she
would never get into their show; it didn’t matter how many times she
went back. As she stepped out into the rain with that big umbrella in
her hands unopened and felt the rain pour down her face; she was glad,
for now they would think it was water instead of tears, but when she
looked back, Wilsie was crying, too, in the open doorway.
Seeing the men watching from a window, she
stopped. They wouldn’t forget her; she’d make them remember. She walked
slowly, her silk dress dripping, while Mr. Sissle gesticulated with
excitement as he stole her ideas—authentic Negro dancing were the last
words she’d heard—and Mr. Blake looking as if he wanted to run out
there, scoop her up, and carry her back inside.
( Continued… )
© 2018 All rights reserved. Book excerpt
reprinted by permission of the author, Sherry Jones. Do not reproduce,
copy or use without the author’s written permission. This excerpt is
used for promotional purposes only.

 

 

 

Author and journalist Sherry Jones is best known for her international bestseller The Jewel of Medina. She is also the author of The Sword of Medina, Four Sisters, All Queens, The Sharp Hook of Love, and the novella White Heart.  Sherry lives
in Spokane, WA, where, like Josephine Baker, she enjoys dancing,
singing, eating, advocating for equality, and drinking champagne.Her latest novel is Josephine Baker’s Last Dance.Website: http://authorsherryjones.com
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http://www.pumpupyourbook.com

 

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How it all began…. Blackwell ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: March 28, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, Mystery, reviews, Supernatural
Tags: , , , ,
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Blackwell

Magnus Blackwell 0.5

by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

Historical Mystery with Supernatural Elements
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication Date: January 17th 2017
Number of Pages: 295
ISBN: 1944109242 (ISBN13: 9781944109240)
Series: A Magnus Blackwell Novel 0.5
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

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My Review

I knew I had to read this after my eyes settled on the magnificent cover art and I read the blurb. I’ve also read other books by this writing team and enjoyed them.

How would I classify this? Historical thriller with a twist of naughty. It goes beyond the bedroom door a bit and I read those parts really fast. LOL They were necessary to really get to know Magnus.

Magnus? I wanted to like him in the beginning. Didn’t take long for that to change. He wouldn’t let me. Wouldn’t let anyone care for him. His own worst enemy. While in New Orleans, he meets the wild and somewhat depraved Oscar Wilde and thus begins his undoing. A warning to change his ways from a woman who practices voodoo doesn’t slow him down and his path is set.

Who I did like? Jacob. He was from the other side of the tracks. Not wealthy or privileged. His friendship with Magnus was a challenge. They couldn’t be more different and I hoped some of the goodness of Jacob would rub off on him. But, something came between their friendship and it was not to be.

As I drew closer to the end of the story, the tension grew, my dread of what might happen built. I wanted to slow things down, urge the two men to think first. They teetered on the brink of no return.

An explosive ending to a highly entertaining reading experience. Will I be continuing with this series? Surely.

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Synopsis

“… an intriguing, dark tale complete with vividly drawn characters, and a uniquely compelling character in Magnus … seamlessly blends mystery, magic and matters of the heart to create an enthralling read. Readers will be engaged from the start of the story to its climactic ending.” ~Melanie Bates, RT Book Reviews

“A dark story of passion and revenge … A guilty-pleasure read that kept me captivated knowing something sinister is looming in the plot and over the characters.” ~New Orleans Magazine

In the late 1800s, handsome, wealthy New Englander, Magnus Blackwell, is the envy of all.

When Magnus meets Jacob O’Connor–a Harvard student from the working class–an unlikely friendship is forged. But their close bond is soon challenged by a captivating woman; a woman Magnus wants, but Jacob gets.

Devastated, Magnus seeks solace in a trip to New Orleans. After a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde, he becomes immersed in a world of depravity and brutality, inevitably becoming the inspiration for Dorian Gray. Armed with the forbidden magic of voodoo, he sets his sights on winning back the woman Jacob stole from him.

Amid the trappings of Victorian society, two men, bent on revenge, will lay the foundation for a curse that will forever alter their destinies.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTOpaO6eaGk

Enjoy this peek inside:

“Last night, I saw someone or something coming out of that bayou. Madam Simone stopped it from getting close to me. I remember she said something about the creature I saw being a messenger of the dead.”

“When did this happen?”

“When I left the bonfire and went to the water’s edge, I thought I saw a woman. Madam Simone claimed it was a spirit.”

His eyes lit up, and Oscar edged forward to the table. “What do you think you saw, Magnus?”

Magnus tried to picture the woman he had seen, her tattered nightdress and her empty eyes, but the only image he could conjure was that of smoke and dust. “What do you think happens to us when we die, Oscar?”

Oscar tossed up his hands, appearing as if he were at a loss for words. “I wish I knew, my friend.”

Magnus ran his finger around the rim of his coffee cup. “I know where we go, and it isn’t heaven or paradise.”

“What kind of end do you envision?”

Magnus raised his green eyes to Oscar, grinning with a profound certainty. “That’s just it. I don’t see death as an end. For me, it’s turning into a whole new beginning.”

About the Authors

Alexandrea Weis

Alexandrea Weis

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, CRRN, ONC, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Weis rescues orphaned and injured animals. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans. Weis writes mysteries, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, action, historical, and romance. She is a member of the Horror Writers Association and the International Thriller Writers Association.

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Lucas Astor

Lucas Astor

Lucas Astor is from New York, has resided in Central America and the Middle East, and traveled through Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight.

He is an author and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

Photography, making wine, and helping endangered species are just some of his interests. Lucas is an expert archer and enjoys jazz, blues, and classical music.

One of his favorite quotes is: “It’s better to be silent than be a fool.” ~Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird)

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour.

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Damned ~ A Magnus Blackwell Novel #1 ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: March 16, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, Mystery, Supernatural
Tags: , , ,
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Print Length: 427 pages
Publisher: Vesuvian Books (October 3, 2017)
Publication Date: October 3, 2017
Language: English
ASIN: B073QYW64Y


Praise for DAMNED


“… seamlessly blends mystery, magic and matters of the heart to create and enthralling read.” ―RT Book Reviews

“Damned is absolutely riveting, an absolute page turner. Just when you think the carnival ride is over you discover it’s barley begun… If you only read one book, this should be it.” ―Tracy Riva, Midwest Book Review

“Damned is full of intricate characters, voodoo, and a luxurious setting that will steal your breath away. You’ll want to follow Magnus and Lexie to Hell and back, and that’s stunningly likely.” ―Mercedes B. Yardley, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author of Little Dead Red

Over a hundred years after the death of Magnus Blackwell, Altmover Manor sits abandoned.

Lexie Arden and her fiancé, Will Bennett, are determined to rescue the neglected Mount Desert Island landmark. They want to make Altmover Manor their home. But Magnus has other plans.

A spirit bound to his former residence, Magnus finds himself inexplicably drawn to the young woman. She has a supernatural gift; a gift Magnus wants to exploit.

As Lexie and Will settle in, secrets from Magnus’s past begin to surface. Compelled to learn all she can about the former owner, Lexie becomes immersed in a world of voodoo, curses, and the whereabouts of a mysterious dragon cane.

Magnus’s crimes won’t be so easily forgotten, and what Lexie unearths is going to change the future … for everyone.

Check out this peek inside:

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Inside the master bathroom, Lexie closed the door and switched on the light.
What is going on?
At the vanity, she fought to find a rational explanation for the change in Will.
“He’s worried about the money, and this house is zapping his energy. Get a grip.”
She flipped on the cold water, splashed her face, and reached for her toothbrush when a chill entered the room.
“Not again.” She squeezed the toothbrush.
Her reflection clouded over as smoke obscured her bathroom mirror. She gasped as the smoke turned into the face of a man.
Lexie wanted to scream for Will, but the face changed. This wasn’t Magnus Blackwell, but someone else. With black wavy hair, warm brown eyes, and a pleasing curve to his chin, he looked at Lexie and smiled.
“Hello, Frances.”
Lexie dropped her toothbrush and ran from the bathroom.
“What’s wrong?” Will asked as she entered the bedroom.
He’d changed into his blue pajama bottoms and thrown his jeans and briefs on the floor. Will seemed so normal, so calm, she didn’t have the heart to upset him.
“I saw a big spider.”
“Yeah, getting the exterminator out here to spray is on my to-do list.” Will pulled back the covers on the bed. “I’ll call him this week. Be careful rummaging around the attic. I don’t want you to get bit by anything.”
She jogged around to her side of the bed. “I’ll keep an eye out.”
Once settled under the covers, Lexie cuddled against him.
Will wrapped an arm around her. “You’re shivering.”
She nuzzled her head into his chest. “It was a really big spider.”
“You want me to go in there and kill it for you?”
She sighed, calming down. “No, Will. This one may already be dead.”

Copyright © 2017 by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

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You can purchase Damned at the following Retailers:
       
Photo Content from Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author of over twenty-seven novels, a screenwriter, ICU Nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective and began writing at the age of eight. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable. A member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers Association, Weis writes mystery, suspense, thrillers, horror, crime fiction, and romance. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

Lucas Astor is a multi-award-winning author from New York. He has resided in Central America, the Middle East, and traveled throughout Europe. He lives a very private, virtually reclusive lifestyle, preferring to spend time with a close-knit group of friends than be in the spotlight. He is a writer and poet with a penchant for telling stories that delve into the dark side of the human psyche. He likes to explore the evil that exists, not just in the world, but right next door behind a smiling face.

 
Weis and Astor’s first collaboration was the multi-award-winning Magnus Blackwell Series.
        

PART ONE

MARCH 11th MONDAY BookHounds EXCERPT
MARCH 12th TUESDAY Random Bookish Banter REVIEW
MARCH 12th TUESDAY Bookriot REVIEW
MARCH 13th WEDNESDAY Sabrina’s Paranormal Palace REVIEW
MARCH 14th THURSDAY A Dream Within A Dream EXCERPT
MARCH 15th FRIDAY Casia’s Corner REVIEW 

PART TWO
MARCH 16th SATURDAY Insane About Books REVIEW
MARCH 16th SATURDAY FUONLYKNEW EXCERPT
MARCH 16th SATURDAY Kelly P’s Blog REVIEW
MARCH 17th SUNDAY Movies, Shows, & Books EXCERPT
MARCH 17th SUNDAY Stephanie’s Life of Determination REVIEW
MARCH 17th SUNDAY Lisa-Queen of Random EXCERPT

 
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damned giveaway
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*JBN is not responsible for Lost or Damaged Books in your Nerdy Mail Box*
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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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Blood & Whiskey by Meredith Allison ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: March 9, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, thriller
Tags: ,
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Blood and Whiskey
A Scalisi Family Novel #1
by Meredith Allison
Genre: Historical Thriller
 
1924 Chicago is a turf war: the North Side against the South Side. Booze,
guns, money, and blood are all currency here.
Prohibition is a breeding ground for the rise of organized crime in
America, and for the ambitious, it means building a fortune.
Mia Scalisi, a street-smart showgirl, has big dreams of leaving behind
the small-time supper club she performs at night after night. She
wants to see her name in lights—and maybe even on the silver
screen. And her brother Nick, an ambitious Mafia capo determined
to be the next underworld prince, promises to use the spoils of his
new liquor deal to make it happen.
With the career of her dreams within her reach and friends like Al Capone
and Johnny Torrio, Mia’s future has never looked brighter, and she
turns a blind eye to Nick’s criminal activities and morally
bankrupt ways…until it all catches up with them.
Too late, Mia discovers ambition always comes with a price,
and that price must be paid—in blood.
When her world implodes, there’s only one thing she cares
about after the dust settles.
Revenge.
**On Sale now for only $2.99!!**
 
 
 
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blood and whiskey excerpt
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Deft fingers rolled a jazzy minor scale on a grand piano, the melody distantly reaching up to the second floor of Stems Supper Club in the Levee District of Chicago.
Mia Angela Scalisi, a New York Sour in one hand and a tube of lipstick in the other, cocked an ear to the tune. It was the start of the lengthy introduction to her first number, “Everybody Loves My Baby,” and she was late—which meant she was right on time, though her brother Nick might disagree. He’d given her strict orders to turn the place upside down tonight, and he’d probably be sore at her if he found out she was still preening in front of the mirror in her dressing room and drinking cocktails instead of getting her ass on stage.
Though tonight was meant to be a birthday party for Nick’s boss, Sal Bellomo, who also owned the supper club, it was really about her brother. He was riding high after securing quite the birthday gift for Sal, in the form of a two-million-dollar investment from Hyman Goldberg, a Manhattan businessman of questionable scruples but untold wealth. The investment would allow them to finance a major liquor distribution operation in not only Chicago and New York, but Omaha, Philadelphia, Atlantic City, and Canada, with plenty of opportunity for expansion.
Nick and Sal, and everyone else involved in the deal, would be very rich men inside of six to nine months. The money would be rolling in fast, and in huge quantities, according to her brother. Nick’s successes meant more power and influence for him, which meant better things for Mia.
Like moving pictures. And maybe even sooner than she’d hoped.
Mia cast one more glance at herself in the mirror and tossed back the rest of her drink. Even Lillian Gish had to start somewhere. One day, Mia would tell the story of how an orphan girl of immigrant parents had grown up on the rough streets of New York City’s Lower East Side, become a child vaudeville performer, then moved to Chicago, where she’d become a cabaret princess at Sal Bellomo’s Stems Supper Club, before one day transforming into a silver-screen starlet.
That’d make for a pretty good feature in someone’s gossip rag, she reasoned. And, hell, it was even true. For color, she might pepper in the fact that her brother was a gangster and a veteran of the Great War, and that she had done six months in a miserable dress factory while he was in France killing Jerries to make ends meet.
Nah. He’d kill me if I told anybody he’s a gangster.
.
Meredith Allison has embraced her nerdiness from youth, with minor jaunts of
attempting to be “cool” during high school and college.
Spoiler alert: she was unsuccessful at fooling anyone. After this
dark period, she returned to the light, embracing her bookish nature
and penchant for action and horror films, bloody survivalist video
games (she’s looking at you, Resident Evil and Call of Duty)
interspersed with the occasional sweeping fantasy adventure RPG
(Final Fantasy, anyone?). Along the way, she developed her knack for
storytelling, which began when she was a mere child-person many moons ago.
Meredith is a writer (and reader) of many kinds of fiction, but in particular
spy thrillers, military-esque suspense, and historical crime. A
native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she is by proxy a Huskers fan (GO BIG
RED!), as UNL is her undergraduate alma mater, and moonlights as an
obligatory Blue Jays fan due to completing her graduate MFA studies
at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska.
When she emerges from her writing cave, blinking in dismay at having to be
exposed to the cruel light of day yet again, she can be found romping
with her two Pomeranians, serving her overlord cat, hanging with her
husband, battling it out with the undead or practicing a new kind of
magery on her PlayStation, or simply huddled in a dark corner
somewhere with just enough light to read a favorite book. Other
interests include baking, cooking, and blogging about new restaurants.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 
 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Chef’s Secret by Crystal King ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

Posted: February 12, 2019 in giveaways, Historical
Tags: ,
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​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time.
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The Chef's Secret by Crystal King

The Chef’s Secret

by Crystal King

Category: Adult fiction,  352 pages
Genre:  Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Atria/Simon & Schuster
Release date: Feb 12, 2019
Tour dates: Feb 11 to 28, 2019
Content Rating: R (for a couple of explicit, but loving, sex scenes (no abuse or rape) and minor curse words)

Synopsis

​A captivating novel of Renaissance Italy detailing the mysterious life of Bartolomeo Scappi, the legendary chef to several popes and author of one of the bestselling cookbooks of all time, and the nephew who sets out to discover his late uncle’s secrets—including the identity of the noblewoman Bartolomeo loved until he died.

When Bartolomeo Scappi dies in 1577, he leaves his vast estate—properties, money, and his position—to his nephew and apprentice Giovanni. He also gives Giovanni the keys to two strongboxes and strict instructions to burn their contents. Despite Scappi’s dire warning that the information concealed in those boxes could put Giovanni’s life and others at risk, Giovanni is compelled to learn his uncle’s secrets. He undertakes the arduous task of decoding Scappi’s journals and uncovers a history of deception, betrayal, and murder—all to protect an illicit love affair.

As Giovanni pieces together the details of Scappi’s past, he must contend with two rivals who have joined forces—his brother Cesare and Scappi’s former protégé, Domenico Romoli, who will do anything to get his hands on the late chef’s recipes.

With luscious prose that captures the full scale of the sumptuous feasts for which Scappi was known, The Chef’s Secret serves up power, intrigue, and passion, bringing Renaissance Italy to life in a delectable fashion.

Buy Links:

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Indiebound
Books-a-Million ~ Kobo ~ iTunes
Google Play ~ Book Depository
​
Add to Goodreads

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Enjoy the interview with author Crystal King

What did you like most about writing The Chef’s Secret?

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I love writing about food and Bartolomeo Scappi was one of the most fascinating culinary characters I could have chosen. I loved exploring the cookbook he wrote in 1570 and learning all the regional food traditions. The Renaissance is also such a fun time in history to research–there are so many colorful, artistic characters that lived during that time whom my main character may have known. I loved that I could add famous artists like Benvenuto Cellini and Michelangelo as characters–it’s very probably that Bartolomeo had cooked them a meal at some point in his life.

Do you ever cook any of the recipes described in your book?

Yes! That’s one of the most exciting things to me about exploring the lives of Italian culinary heroes. I think to really know my characters I have to cook the foods that they would have cooked or at least make a grand attempt to. The recipes aren’t always easy to decipher, and many of the ingredients are not as familiar today to a modern palate. Or they are things we just don’t eat any more. For example, peacock, crane, calves eyeballs, hedgehog, or porcupine. But there are many things.There are many things in the 1570 cookbook that Bartolomeo Scappi wrote that we would find delicious, including apple crostata, braised beef, mushroom soup, fritters, and so much more. I include many of these recipes in The Chef’s Secret Companion cookbook, which can be found here. And if you are interested in ancient Roman food, check out my page all about the cuisine of that time, and you can also download the Feast of Sorrow companion cookbook too.

If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?

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This is hard because I don’t think of myself like my characters. Maybe Stella, Bartolomeo’s great love. Although, it’s funny, when I wrote Feast of Sorrow, my husband said, “oh you are  just like Thrasius,” who was one of the main characters in that book. I was floored, because I think I’m nothing like him, but apparently my subconscious is! When I finished The Chef’s Secret, I asked him if I was like Giovanni and he said absolutely not, so I think I might have successfully taken myself out of the book which is good.

Do you have another profession besides writing?

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I do. I work as a social media professor for a technology company. I develop video lessons on how to use all the social media platforms. Eventually I hope that I am only writing books, but it’s hard for authors to make a living today. Until I’m able to do that, I am lucky to have a day job that I also really love.

Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it?

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I don’t. If anything, I get stopped by not having enough time or I don’t feel motivated–which is different than being blocked. I don’t think I would ever be somebody who could suffer from writer’s block–knock on wood. I went to school for my M.A. in critical and creative thinking, and as part of my thesis, I developed writing exercises for authors in progress– authors who are stuck with parts of their plot. And if I ever feel stuck, I go to one of those exercises to unstick myself. I also spend a lot of time talking to myself and working through plot problems. This sounds funny but it’s super helpful for me. I’m the person that you might be next to at a stoplight in your car, and you look over and that woman is just talking away to herself. That would be me asking myself questions. What if this happened? How do I get this character to do that? And I just explore all those ideas and questions out loud. It’s amazing how often answers will come to me when I’m talking to myself.

If you could go back in time, where would you go?

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This is a hard question because I have studied several different time periods, and while I would love to go back and be a fly on the wall in them, I think it would be difficult to want to live in those time frames, particularly as a woman. If I had to say, I would like to visit ancient Rome and see it in all of its beautiful splendor, and I would, of course, love to see Rome in the Renaissance, but well after the sack of Rome.

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​

Crystal King

About Author Crystal King

​Crystal King is an author, culinary enthusiast, and marketing expert. Her writing is fueled by a love of history and a passion for the food, language, and culture of Italy. She has taught classes in writing, creativity, and social media at several universities including Harvard Extension School and Boston University, as well as at GrubStreet, one of the leading creative writing centers in the US.

A Pushcart Prize–nominated poet and former co-editor of the online literary arts journal Plum Ruby Review, Crystal received her MA in critical and creative thinking from UMass Boston, where she developed a series of exercises and writing prompts to help fiction writers in medias res. She resides in Boston but considers Italy her next great love after her husband, Joe, and their two cats, Nero and Merlin. She is the author of Feast of Sorrow.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~~

Spotlight Tour Schedule

Feb 11 – Working Mommy Journal – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 11 – Essentially Italian – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 12 – Viviana MacKade – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – A Fountain of Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 12 – FUONLYKNEW – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 13 – Elizabeth McKenna Romance Author – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – A Mama’s Corner of the World – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 13 – 100 Pages A Day – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 14 – Falling Into A Good Book – book spotlight
Feb 14 – Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 14 – Lukten av trykksverte – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – Paulette’s Papers – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 15 – It’s All About the Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 15 – Cat’s Corner – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 15 – Amy’s Booket List – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Haddie’s Haven – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 18 – Just One More Chapter – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 19 – Icefairy’s Treasure Chest – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 19 – A Madison Mom – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 20 – A Holland Reads – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 20 – Svetlana’s Reads and Views – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – Celticlady’s Reviews – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 21 – Rainy Day Reviews – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 21 – The Book Girl – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 22 – Hopelessly Devoted Bibliophile – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 25 – Literary Flits – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Lisa-Queen of Random – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 25 – Corinne Rodrigues – book spotlight / giveaway
Feb 26 – Laura Reading – book spotlight / guest post / giveaway
Feb 26 – Within The Pages Of A Book – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Feb 27 – My Devotional Thoughts – book spotlight / author interview
Feb 28 – Books for Books – book spotlight
Feb 28 – Dab of Darkness Book Reviews – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Teaser Tuesday #250 ~ Blackwell

Posted: January 29, 2019 in Historical, Mystery, Supernatural, Teaser Tuesdays
Tags: , , , ,
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Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by Ambrosia  @ The Purple Booker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser for this week is from

Blackwell

A Magnus Blackwell Novel #0.5

by Alexandrea Weis and Lucas Astor

32312194

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Genre: Cozy Mystery

  Teaser from page 63 in the hard cover.

Magnus confronted the stranger’s dark brown eyes. “Thank you, Mr…?”

“Wilde, Oscar Wilde.”

“You must call me Magnus, Oscar. Like you, I am looking for some new experience to distract me….”

“Experience is the name men give to their mistakes.” Oscar returned.

Oscar raised his glass. “Then I am here to, hopefully, make a great many mistakes. ”

~~~~~

Synopsis

Hell has a new master

In the late 1800s, handsome, wealthy New Englander, Magnus Blackwell, is the envy of all.

When Magnus meets Jacob O’Conner—a Harvard student from the working class—an unlikely friendship is forged. But their close bond is soon challenged by a captivating woman; a woman Magnus wants, but Jacob gets.

Devastated, Magnus seeks solace in a trip to New Orleans. After a chance meeting with Oscar Wilde, he becomes immersed in a world of depravity and brutality, inevitably becoming the inspiration for Dorian Gray. Armed with the forbidden magic of voodoo, he sets his sights on winning back the woman Jacob stole from him.

Amid the trappings of Victorian society, two men, bent on revenge, will lay the foundation for a curse that will forever alter their destinies.

Amazon / B&N

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Here Walk The Dead ~ Tour Grand Finale and Giveaway

Posted: January 21, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, Romance, suspense
Tags: , , , ,
14


On tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for
Here Walk the Dead
By Brynn Chapman

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch – Note from the Author

The year is 1910, and Arabella Holmes has met her lifelong dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science for the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Philadelphia. But academics and forensics were never a problem for Bella. People. Navigating people and the nuances of relationships is far more vexing than any anatomical puzzle or mystery…

Mythical Books – Review

“…the author succeeded to get my attention with the main plot but also with the romantic aspects well embedded in the general flow of the story. . . . The pace is an allegro, but there are also scenes in adante and presto tempos, depending on their nature and purpose. As the whole, they support the increasing tension that culminates in a life and death situation. Casualties? Yes. The possibility of a new chapter? Yes, and I cannot wait to read it!”

Oh Hey! Books. – Interview

Did you ever have a rough patch in writing, where nothing in the story seemed to fit or make sense?

Writing, is rough. Period. I’ve never met a writer who didn’t have periods of extreme productivity, and then periods of desolation. For me, the words are never the issue, its whatever extraneously may be happening in my life that whisks me away from my inner vortex.

Lukten av trykksverte – Review

“It goes deeper into the relationship between Arabella and Henry and the book is also generally a bit darker with lunatic asylums, social darwnism and shady medical practices. . . . I might add that it’s also a bit refreshing seeing characters with Aspergers written in a “proper” way and not being a comic stereotype.”

Adventures Thru Wonderland – Review

“I enjoyed the banter/romance between Bella and Henry, and can see readers really enjoying this! . . . I’m so happy that I read this series!”

Kimber Li – Guest Post

For Fans of the BONESEEKER SERIES, Why the wait?

BONESEEKER was released several years prior, with accolades from NY TIMES BEST SELLER Grace Burrowes, “Meticulously researched and terrific fun!” and was that years winner of the Young Adult Golden Leaf Award. Then…..several years past….

Wishful Endings – Excerpt & Review

“Frostbite can occur at zero degrees within five minutes for the first stage, which results in pain and tingling and most likely a full recovery. The second degree, the body pulls blood away from the extremities, resulting in blisters that may harden and blacken.”

I then recall the moulages he crafted of stage-four frostbite. My heartbeat goes wild. “Find! Newton! Find!”

He yips.

Newton bounds out of sight, and we all stumble forward, awkwardly plowing through the gathering mounds of snow.

“HERE WALK THE DEAD is a thrilling ride as Bella and Henry try to fit into society’s expectations while also trying to figure out why girls keep disappearing and where they go. Recommended to readers who enjoy gritty Gothic mysteries with sizzling romance.”

My Life, Loves and Passion – Guest Post

A Visual Tour of Here Walk the Dead

In case you’re new to the series…here’s where we are.

Arabella Holmes—yes, daughter of that Holmes—wants to return to her job as a purveyor of abnormal science. She has temporarily been demoted to a botanist, until her love interest, Henry Watson—yes, that Watson—can help her get her less-than-professional outbursts in check. Henry is tired of his new role as doctor, tired of the lack of adventure, and tired of keeping Bella’s escapades out of the papers. Five girls are missing. Gone from locked rooms in their own houses. Arabella and Henry are called upon to help solve the kidnappings, but all they unearth is more danger…

SilverWoodSketches – Review

“a spellbinding adventure, with friends and fiends both old and new, embroiled in one over-arcing sinister plot. . . . Filled with thrills and chills and let’s not forget about romance, fans of Sherlock Holmes will love the world this talented author has expanded upon. I adored the development of these characters and the way the plot echoed the struggles our heroes were going through. Excellently paced and rife with wit and charm, Boneseeker is a historical suspense series you will gladly sink your teeth into.”

Reading On The Edge – Excerpt

Prologue

The Lost

The reek of chloroform.

I thrash, instinctively wrenching away from the stench of the cloying rag, but too late. There is a simultaneous prick and burn as a needle jabs the crook of my arm.

I’ve had too many inhalations. I battle my eyes open.

Two men rummage through my personal effects.

The carriage—gone. In an instant, I am slung over one of their backs, dangling limp as a child’s rag- doll.

Hearts & Scribbles – Excerpt

Oliver

I leave The Bell in Hand and stand stock-still in the middle of the road. The moon is white and full as a pearl, suspended in the black, sooty sky. I cannot go home and face my dreary one-room solitary confinement at the boarding house. Staring at the ceiling as the uninvited images of Arabella enter my weary mind.

That ruddy Englishman. He has ruined every plan I made. All I needed was time, first to befriend her. Then…

Sleep will not come, regardless, but…

Baroness Book Trove – Review & Interview

“Boneseeker: Here Walk the Dead by Brynn Chapman is a compelling novel. Very different from the first one but still very Sherlock Holmesy. His daughter though is at it again and getting things done her way. . . . I am still in love with Holmes and Watson the next generation. . . . I recommend this book to fans of Sherlock. It is a good read.”

What was your favorite character to write and why?

Henry and Bella have been living in my head for a very long time now…so, just like my children, I love them for different reasons.

I love Henry for his heart, his compassion, and his fearlessness under fire. And his uncompromising love for Bella, no matter what the rest of the world thinks.

I love Bella for her complexity. Her innocence, and her pain, and her courage to continue to try to connect with Henry and others she loves, despite it being nearly unnatural for her.

Rockin’ Book Reviews – Reviews

“This is an eerie, compelling tale. . . .The characters are diverse, intriguing and the reader will feel involved in their lives. . . . it was a very captivating tale.”

“Book two of the Booneseeker is even better than the first book! . . . The added characters are [just] as diverse and interesting as those in the previous novel. . . . The tale ends solidly, leaving the reader eager for more.”

Locks, Hooks and Books – Review

“This is one suspense filled and fun read. I had to have it read in one sitting. . . . I hope there will be another book in The Boneseeker Chronicles series. I enjoy catching up with Arabella and Henry and seeing what adventure they will get into next. They are quite the pair and I love how they interact with one another. . . . I recommend Here Walk the Dead, as well as, the beginning to this series, Boneseeker. “

Colorimetry – Guest Post

WHERE ARE WE?

Setting. It matters.

As I write historicals, I do my utmost to visit if not the actual place, then a facsimile of it. There is not a substitute for experiencing the sights, smells and sounds of wherever a book takes place.

That goes for readers and well as writers. For HERE WALK THE DEAD, I toured an asylum in the state of West Virginia, twice…

Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review

“Here Walk the Dead is a wonderful follow-up to Boneseeker. . . . you are going to love Here Walk the Dead. . . . I love this story because it is super suspenseful, and much of the plot is historically accurate. . . . I highly recommend Here Walk the Dead and Boneseeker!”

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven’t already…

Here Walk the Dead
(The Boneseeker Chronicles #2)
By Brynn Chapman
Historical Romantic Suspense, Gothic
Paperback & ebook, 250 Pages
January 14th 2019 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc

Arabella Holmes—yes, daughter of that Holmes—wants to return to her job as a purveyor of abnormal science. She has temporarily been demoted to a botanist, until her love interest, Henry Watson—yes, that Watson—can help her get her less-than-professional outbursts in check.

Henry is tired of his new role as doctor, tired of the lack of adventure, and tired of keeping Bella’s escapades out of the papers.

Five girls are missing. Gone from locked rooms in their own houses. Arabella and Henry are called upon to help solve the kidnappings, but all they unearth is more danger.

Bella ventures undercover into a lunatic asylum, where a mute woman assaults her and scrawls the chilling words—Here the dead wake. Plus, a vial of Bella’s research poison has gone missing. Bella and Henry must find it, and the missing girls, before charges can be brought against her.

Praise for HERE WALK THE DEAD:

“Dark twists and turns abound in this fast-paced and riveting gothic thriller. I consumed it in one sitting!” ~USA TODAY BESTSELLER, Lea Nolan

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Wild Rose Press

Other Books in the Series

Boneseeker
(The Boneseeker Chronicles #1)
By Brynn Chapman
Historical Romantic Suspense, Gothic
Paperback & ebook, 213 Pages
January 10th 2018 by The Wild Rose Press, Inc

Aspiring scientist Arabella Holmes doesn’t fit the role of a 1900s lady. Her father, Sherlock, landed her a position at the Mütter Museum to pursue her dream of becoming a purveyor of abnormal science, or what her father calls a “Boneseeker.”

Henry Watson’s two-fold mission at the Mütter Museum is to join their team of forensic anthropologists in unearthing unusual antiquities and to watch over Arabella. If only he could get her to speak to him, instead of hurling knives in his general direction. Assigned to a most secret expedition to investigate a mysterious skeletal hand discovered in upstate New York, Arabella and Henry are soon caught in a scientific debate, and the search for the truth may have deadly consequences for those involved.

Are the bones from a Neanderthal? Or are they living proof of fallen angels known as Nephilim?

Watson and Holmes must put aside their differences, trust their instincts, and rely on one another to survive to uncover the truth.

*This is a new version of a previously published edition

Praise for BONESEEKER:

Winner of the New Jersey Romance Writers Golden Leaf Contest

“Creative, meticulously researched, and terrific fun!” ~Grace Burrowes, NY Times Best Selling Author

“The characters, the setting, the descriptions and the mysteries and relationships all work together seamlessly to create a truly wonderful story that I completely adored.” ~Best Books Ever Blog

“The settings are intriguing and the way they are described make you feel as if you are immersed in the story. I could feel the gloom and damp. That is rare in so many books! Boneseeker is a book I highly recommend, and I give it 5 stars!” ~Christy’s Cozy Corners Blog

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Wild Rose Press

About the Author

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love–not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger’s syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society’s downtrodden. In fiction, she’s a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. Her ancestry tree claims she’s a descendant of the House of Stuart.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest

Tour Giveaway

– GRAND PRIZE: One winner will receive a $10 Amazon eGift Card and a Print Copy of BONESEEKER
– Two winners will receive an Audiobook of BONESEEKER
– One winner will receive a Print Copy of BONESEEKER
– Open internationally
– Ends January 23, 2019

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Grab Our Button!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

A Pirate’s Calling by Darren Simon ~ Tour and Giveaway

Posted: October 27, 2018 in Fantasy, giveaways, Historical, YA
Tags: , , ,
10
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The Dangerous Legacy
A Pirate’s Calling Book 1
by Darren Simon
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
 
Thin, pale, awkward, bullied, Sam Every is a thirteen-year-old who finds
comfort among his friends and his days at the beach. The ocean
beckons to him. It is where he feels safest. Fitting in no longer
matters when he is near the Pacific’s rolling waves. Gazing toward
the endless blue where it touches the horizon, he imagines the ports
he might someday reach and ponders his future.
Little does he know an apparition—a hauntingly beautiful girl from the
sea—will lead him farther from his home than he could ever dream,
for destiny has given him a dangerous legacy
 
 
Deadly Waters
A Pirate’s Calling Book 2
 
Thirteen-year-old Sam Every has traveled back in time to the Golden Age of Piracy to
face Captain Jem Slayer, master of the dark arts. Deceived into
handing Slayer the ultimate weapon, the Sword of Zel-Kar, Sam has
lost his hands, sliced off in his first clash with the evil pirate.
But all is not lost.
Sam’s friends have found their way back in time, and with the help of the
pirate hunter, Benjamin Hornigold, have rescued him from the island
where Slayer marooned him. Now, aided by a new band of rogues and a
mystery friend, Sam must rise above his injuries and find the
strength to again face Slayer before it is too late—before the
future is forever shattered. ​
 
 
 
 
Darren Simon is a former longtime newspaper journalist who now works in
government affairs on California water issues and teaches college
English. In his spare time, he is a freelance magazine writer.
Guardian’s Nightmare is his first novel. The second book in the
series is also under contract with Divertir Publishing. He resides in
California’s desert southwest with his wife, two sons and two crazy dogs.
 
 
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