Archive for the ‘Mystery’ Category

Murder on Olympus ~ They’re all jerks! ~ Paperback Giveaway

Posted: April 9, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, giveaways, Mystery, New Release, otherworldly, Series, urban fantasy
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Murder on Olympus Blog Tour Banner

I love greek mythology. So many fascinating beings and stories.

I just had to read this book and when I spotted the tour, I signed up immediately.

While I haven’t read the book, YET, I will be soon and I’ll be telling you all about it!

Murder on Olympus (Plato Jones #1)

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Description

At first glance, the Gods of Olympus are as different from one another as salt is from sugar. Despite their bickering, they share a universal bond, a thread of commonality that unites them.

They’re all jerks.

After a stint with the Olympic Bureau of Investigation, Plato Jones is through with the Gods and their political games. Against his protests, he’s drawn into a murder investigation, where the murderer’s targets are the Gods themselves.

Plato has cracked some tough cases: exposing cheating spouses, capturing treasonous heretics, hunting three-headed dogs. But this time he’s in over his head. How can he solve a crime that’s impossible to commit? And what chance does Plato—a mere mortal—have against something powerful enough to kill a God?

A Character Profile

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Zeus:

Zeus is the King of Olympus, and President of the Olympic World Council. Ageless and wise, he has brought about a golden age for mortals and immortals alike.  Along with his brothers, Poseidon and Hades, Zeus is one of the most powerful beings in existence, if not the most powerful. He possess a plethora of superhuman abilities, which include immense strength and speed, invincibility, flight, enhanced senses, astral projection, regeneration, telethapy, telekinesis, shape-shifting, mind-control and  teleportation. But most notable is his ability to wield lighting. Having defeated the Titans thousands of years ago, Zeus believed that no one would ever become strong enough to challenge his rule. But when a God of Olympus is slain, Zeus and his fellow Olympians must face the most dangerous enemy they’ve ever known: mortality.

Giveaway

I have one paperback copy of Murder on Olympus to give away!

Us/Canada Only ~ Sorry to my International friends.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question –

“Who is your favorite mythological being?

Giveaway ends April 14th.

Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter to win an e-book.

It’s an International Giveaway.

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Thank you for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

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About the author

A fan of thrillers, fantasy, and science fiction, Robert B. Warren has been writing stories ever since he could hold a pencil. In 2009, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and creative writing from the University of Alabama—Roll Tide! He currently lives in the South.

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Giveaway ~ H.D. Gordon’s Shooting Stars ~ A Surah Stormsong Novel

Posted: March 29, 2013 in Blog Tour, Creatures, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, New Release, otherworldly, reviews, Romance, Series, Witches, wizards
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Shooting stars Book tour Banner

This is so exciting. I was so thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for H.D. Gordon’s newest release, Shooting Stars. Not really knowing what the story was about, I was happy dancing when I saw the cover!

Now I’ve read the book and I’m here to tell ya, you get excellent writing, characterization and world building in Shooting Stars.  I wouldn’t expect anything less from H.D.

Make sure you enter the awesome giveaway following my review!

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Title: Shooting Stars (A Surah Stormsong Novel #1)

Author: H.D. Gordon

Publisher: ShareAread

Release Date: March 15th, 2013

Formats:  E-book

Cover Artist: Regina Wamba

 Shooting Stars Synopsis

Once upon a time, a common boy fell in love with a princess. It was a hopeless, forbidden love, grown in a world where sorcery and magic rule over all. Now, dark times are brewing, and destiny will bring them together, while fate works to keep them apart. Extraordinary battles will be fought, and extraordinary choices made. Join the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga for the beginning of a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss, of desperate wishes made on stars.

Enjoy this excerpt

He spoke first, and Surah found herself listening carefully to the way a slight twang rode his words, she had never heard such an accent before. “You plannin on skewerin sumthin with those?” he asked, eyeing the silver sais still clutched in her hands.

Surah watched him closely, wishing she had mastered teleportation for what seemed like the billionth time, so that she could just take herself out of here. She didn’t think that the boy meant her any harm, he was obviously just a common Sorcerer, not a spy for the Vampires or Fairies or any of the other races currently feuding over the Territories, but in the past two days the young princess had learned a very important lesson, one that she would carry with her for hundreds and hundreds of years.

You couldn’t really trust anyone.

She gave a slight shrug, held his gaze, which was somehow very penetrating. “I was thinking about it,” she said, hastily brushing the tears from her face that she just remembered were there.

The boy approached the lake slowly, giving Surah a wide berth, his dirty hands raised at his sides, dark hair falling into his face. Then he plopped down on the shore of the lake and stared out over it. He settled his arms on his knees and put a hand over his chest were his heart was. “Alright,” he said, “right here, then. Put er right here.” He looked at her now, his eyes burning with the same amount of grief Surah felt burning in her own soul. A piece of her broken heart went out to him then, even though she tried with all her might to call it back. She felt broken, but he looked broken.

“And don’t miss,” he added.

My Review

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I’ve never read a book By H.D. that I didn’t love.

I first met Surah Stormsong in Redemption, an Alexa Montgomery Saga novel. She was much more impetuous and looking for a fight. Now she has matured and has been forced to take on a heavy mantle in being the Keeper for her kingdom.

Surah acts like a princess, looks like a princess, and fulfills her duties to her people. But she’s tired of the pomp. Tired of people never saying what they mean, only what they think she wants to hear. Tired of the rigid behavior expected of her. She has a desire. A desire to be free from it all, from the cold walls of the castle, to breathe the fresh air, to be ordinary. Just be…

“Someday I will shed the mask, she thought. Someday.’

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Until then, she will do whatever she must to serve and protect her people in a world torn asunder.

I didn’t know what to expect when I received this ARC. I was surprised to learn it was about sorcerers, witches, and supernatural creatures. How exciting. And there is romance, a gentle romance that starts as a flicker and becomes a beautiful flame.

I really like Surah. She’s stuck, but she doesn’t whine. And her partially shaved purple haircut and the combat boots she wears makes her normal, gives her attitude. I like my protagonists to have some quirks.

Charles. Now there’s someone I could fall in love with. He’s quite, introspective, slow to rile, and still carries a torch for the young girl he met for only a brief moment a thousand years ago. That’s what I call a love that endures, that lasts a lifetime! You’re gonna love him.

Samson is Surah’s best friend. She saved him when he was but a cub. That’s right, he’s a tiger. I like when an animal gets a major role in a story. I feel a bond. I imagine that’s how man felt when a wolf came in to share his fire.  Samson won me over instantly and made me wish we could all have a friend like him. Who wouldn’t love a giant tiger of their very own.

There are some bad guys too. There’s no way H.D. wouldn’t give us some characters to loathe and where would we be without some action. One character was a mystery to me right from the beginning and I’m sure he was intended to be. All through the book, I wondered what his story was and whether he would turn out to be the villain or the good guy. Definitely kept my curiosity ramped up.

Shooting Stars is something different from H.D. Gordon. It’s romance, adventure, and magic with a lighter touch. Not quite as kick-ass as The Alexa Montgomery Series. They were more violent, darker, and while that’s the stuff that gets my endorphins pumping, I really loved Surah’s story.

Five Stars for the beginning of a new, addictive series!

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Giveaway

Don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Prizes include:

$50.00 Adopt a Tiger package from WWF

Baby Samson Plush

5 e-copies of Shooting Stars.

Ends April 15th.

Click on rafflecopter link below to enter.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

About the Author

H.D author pic shooting stars

H. D. Gordon is the author of The Alexa Montgomery Saga. Blood Warrior, the first book of the Alexa series was her debut novel and has held a spot in the top 100 fantasy bestsellers for over a month. Half Black Soul is the second book in this series and H. D. plans to complete Alexa’s tales by the end of 2012. In June of 2012, Joe, a fantasy novel about a young clairvoyant, was released as well. H. D. is a lifelong reader and writer, a true lover of words. When she is not reading or writing she is raising her two daughters, playing a little guitar, and spending time with her family. She is twenty three years old and lives in the northeastern United States.

You can follow H.D. Gordon at:

Blog

Author Facebook Page

Twitter

Goodreads Author Page

H.D.Gordon Facebook page

Webpage

Goodreads Fan Club

 H.D. Gordon’s Books

The Surah Stormsong Series

The Alexa Montgomery Saga

       

JOE

 

                       

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Freebie Alert! Four Tales for Midnight by Lee Enderlin

Posted: March 9, 2013 in Alert!!, Freebies!, giveaways, Mystery, Short stories and collections, suspense, thriller
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I just love short stories and collections. They are a challenge to review!

Lee Enderlin has his collection Four Tales for Midnight free to download from Amazon March 9th thru March 13th.

Go  here to get it now. Got mine!

Four Tales for Midnight

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Four tales of extreme suspense and mystery aimed at getting the heart pumping. Hard. A soldier on D-Day finds an enemy soldier acting very strangely indeed; a jilted husband creates a grisly scavenger hunt; a marriage reconciliation service ABSOLUTELY guarantees positive results—the question is, how? And more!

Turn out the lights and enter a bizarre world, but remember—don’t go in the basement!

At only around 57 pages it should be a fast and fun read!

Psst!  Scary Sherry, it has a tree on the cover:)

For more about Lee Enderlin and his books you can find him here:

Blog

Goodreads

Amazon

To purchase the books, click on the covers.

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Giveaway ~ Kindle Fire,$$$ & Books! Sacrifice by Coral Russell Tour

Posted: March 4, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Blog Tour, crime thriller, giveaways, Guest Post, Mystery, New Release, Uncategorized
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Welcome to my stop on The Indie Exchange Book Release and Tour for Sacrifice by Coral Russell sponsored by The Bunny’s Review and The Indie Exchange.

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Now available on Amazon
Sacrifice book blurb
When Mexican drug cartels fight for control along the border, Juarez becomes the murder capital of the world. In El Paso, Texas it’s drug business as usual: a grifter sets out to buy her freedom, a car salesman runs drugs to make his fortune, a gang leader battles to rise among the ranks of the cartel, and a detective and his wife are ripped apart by a family secret. Everyone’s fate lies in the hands of an old woman. Will she let the past die with her or take revenge the only way she knows how? Sacrifice is a fast-paced, gritty story that’ll keep you guessing, gasping, and gripping your eBook.
Check out the trailer. See what it’s all about!

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YJySHIC48k]
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Makes you want to read it, doesn’t it?!

I want to know more about the old woman and, who is the grifter?

She looks double-tough!

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Enjoy this intriguing guest post by Coral.
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This is an interview with author, Elijah Wald, from NPR news. In it, he speaks about narcotraficante music. For more information, check out his book; “Narcocorrido: A Journey into the Music of Drugs, Guns, and Guerrillas.” In the first full-length exploration of the contemporary and controversial Mexican corrido, award-winning author Elijah Wald blends a travel narrative with his search for the roots of this genre — a modern outlaw music that fuses the sensibilities of medieval ballads with the edgy grit of gangsta rap. From international superstars to rural singers documenting their local current events in the regions dominated by guerilla war, Wald visited these songwriters in their homes, exploring the heartland of the Mexican drug traffic and traveling to urban centers such as Los Angeles and Mexico City. The corrido genre is famous for its hard-bitten songs of drug traffickers and gunfights, and also functions as a sort of musical newspaper, singing of government corruption, the lives of immigrants in the United States, and the battles of the Zapatista rebellion in Chiapas. Though largely unknown to English speakers, corridos top the Latin charts and dominate radio playlists both in the United States and points south. Wald provides in-depth looks at the songwriters who have transformed groups like the popular Tigres del Norte into enduring superstars, as well as the younger artists who are carrying the corrido into the twenty-first century. In searching for the poetry and social protest behind the gaudy lyrics of powerful drug lords, Wald shows how popular music can remain the voice of a people, even in this modern world of globalization, electronic media, and gangsters who ship cocaine in 747s. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zjyDGnDUXs&feature=share&list=LPaagCbB6fU_g This opened up a whole new world to me when I was doing research for my book. I knew a little about the gangster rap out of Los Angeles but not that Mexico had it’s own version and that singers were killed as well when they squared off against a rival gang. And yes, it does sound like polka music.
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About the author
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Coral Russell runs the blog http://alchemyscrawl.com where she reviews Indie books/authors. “By the end of 2013, I will have read close to 300 Indie titles. I can vouch that the quality and diversity of Indie authors is worth investing in.” On the blog you can find links to her on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Google+ and email. The Indie Exchange is a group of authors, readers, and book bloggers who post reviews, articles, and giveaways. Listen in Fridays to our radio show at http://blogtalkradio.com/alchemyofscrawl Ms. Russell won the 2003 McCaleb Peace Initiative which produced the non-fiction articles Peace on the Peninsula. All profit from the sale of that eBook goes to rebuilding Joplin, MO. Titles available: Amador Lockdown, Playing with Fire (Devil of a Ghost Tour and Key to a Haunting), Peace on the Peninsula, The DIY Guide to Social Media Marketing and eBook Publishing, and Twelve Worlds (profit goes to Reading is Fundamental).

Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway!

You have a chance at some awesome prizes. Check these out!

10 Sacrifice eBooks ~ Kindle, ePub, PDF (Int’l)

2 $10 Amazon Gift Cards (Int’l)

$159 Kindle Fire (US Only) or Paypal Cash (Int’l)

Click on this rafflecopter link to enter

FUONLYKNEW is NOT responsible for distributing the prizes. All prizes will be distributed by Coral Russell at alchemyofscrawl@yahoo.com

Go here for the complete schedule.

Good Luck and enjoy the tour!

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Giveaway and Secret Guest ~ Shhh! Did you hear that?

Posted: February 18, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Creatures, giveaways, horror, Humor, Mystery, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews, Series, Short stories and collections, YA
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Today’s post is going to be a little different!

I won Shadow of the Oak by Eric Edstrom from a giveaway on Sherry’s blog fundinmental.

I’ve read his Undermountain Saga and this is a bit different.

Young folks and us older folks will love this first chapter in the Sal Van Sleen Series. I did!

For today I am doing an interview with Cole, my son. He read the book and we had a lively discussion about it. He’s 18 years old and I thought it would be fun for you, the readers, to get both of out thoughts about it.

To add to the fun, Eric is offering three paperbacks to three lucky winners! You can enter the giveaway at the bottom of the post. But don’t skip ahead. This interview is fun!

Shadow of the Oak (A Sal Van Sleen Adventure)

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Mushkobewun, WI, 1986

My name is Sal Van Sleen. I live in Boringsville, Wisconsin, also known as Mushkobewun. To give you an idea of how little is going on in this town, consider that my friend Billy and I pretty much spend our summers messing around at the Little Hickory dam.

Exciting, huh?

That was until my girlfriend’s little sister, Chrissy, got abducted by a nasty, supernatural … thing.

I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t just let something like that go…

My Review

I felt like a kid again! Eric’s written a story that takes you back. For me, way back! I used to hang out at a decrepit bridge on the bank of a creek near my house when I was young.

I still remember the sounds of water tumbling over rocks, seeing butterflies and dragonflies flitting through the tall reeds. And the cattails, oh those glorious cattails. We couldn’t wait to get our hands on those. Used to whack each other with them and come home with fluffy white seeds all in our hair.

What we didn’t have was the thing in this book. It’s mean and nasty and not to be toyed with.

When it attacks Chrissy, she ends up contaminated by it and is lying in the hospital.What started as a fun day at the dam, discussing comic book strategies, becomes a journey to capture or kill the creature, and hopefully find a cure for Chrissy.

I really enjoyed the interaction between Sal, Billy, and Becca.They are very different from each other, and while that causes friction at times, they do stick together where it matters. True friends through thick and thin.

Once Billy and Becca believe Sal’s story of the creature, they put their heads together and come up with a plan that lands them in the pickle of all time!

I loved this story. I want more!

And now, enjoy the interview!

So tell me Cole, how did you like Shadow of the Oak?

Cole:  I thought it was great! It read really fast and felt like I was watching a movie, something like Goose Bumps.

Me:  I loved it too. I could see it all so clearly. Wish you could have seen the creek where I grew up. You’d really get a sense of the area these guys hung out at and how easily you could believe in this creature being there.

Is there a character you liked the most and why?

Cole:  Yes, Billy. He felt like the most complex of the trio. Liked his view of Becca changing, changing…throughout the book.

Me:  I’d have to say Sal. He stuck to his guns about the creature, even when his friends didn’t believe him. Also, I had fun watching him fumble around with his crush on Becca.

What made you laugh?

Cole:  Billy, when he was designing the dresses instead of working on the comic books.

Me: That was funny. What made me laugh was Becca and how she knew these two boys way better than they thought.

Was it a fast read? Easy to follow?

Cole: Yes, very fast and creative. Read it in about an hour and didn’t want it to end yet.

Me: Yeah, took me about that long too. It just flew by and now I wish I could rush over to Amazon and get more!

What was your favorite part?

Cole:  When the monster started to go up…oops, can’t tell you that.

Me:  I know! That was crazy. I remember you saying how hopeless the situation was.

Would you read more of this series?

Cole:  Yep. I’m curious as to what could possibly happen after the Chupacabra incident.

Me:  Me too. Wonder what kind of pickle they could get into next.

What would you like to see happen in the next book?

Cole:  I would like to see how Sal’s dad could be thrown into the mix.

Me:  Good one. He does seem to share something special, almost secret, with Sal. As for me, I’d like to see something happen at the dam again, maybe some kind of sea monster the next time.

Cole’s rating ~ 5 Chups!

       

My rating ~ 5 Chupies!

       

Well, there you have it folks! We both agree on some things and definitely agree that we loved the book!

Giveaway

Eric has offered three paperbacks for my giveaway!

US Only. Sorry to my International friends.

To enter, please leave your email address and answer this question, Can you remember the first book you read?”

Giveaway ends Feb. 28th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Wait a minute!

This just in!

Eric has a sale going on right now on Amazon!

You can purchase Undermountain, the first book in The Undermountain Saga, for 99 cents right now on Amazon!

And another thing!

He’s also having a giveaway on Goodreads!

 Book Giveaway

Winners will get all three books!

UndermountainCover

The UndermountaiN Saga by Eric Edstrom

Giveaway ends March 18, 2013.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

About the Author

Eric Edstrom

Eric is an author, songwriter, husband, father, and guitarist. He is the author of Undermountain, Afterlife and Starkiller, the YA science fiction series The Undermountain Saga.

Eric loves working out with kettlebells and eating pretty much anything with peanut butter.

Eric has a featured article just published: http://www.kalkion.com/news/1736/scie…

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5408492.Eric_Edstrom

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ekedstrom

Facebook.com/erickentedstrom

www.ericedstrom.com

Books by Eric Edstrom.

Click on the covers to purchase.

Sal Van Sleen Series

Undermountain Saga

Shattered Edge ~ Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

Posted: February 15, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Humor, Mystery, New Release, Release day, reviews, Series, Steamy Romance
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A.M. Hargrove’s brand “spankin” new release!

Shattered Edge

An Edge Novel

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I don’t normally use the descriptions for a book. I prefer to write my own. In this instance, I’m going to because I want to spend more time telling you about how I felt after reading Shattered Edge.

Description from Goodreads

Their trial relationship was meant to last six months, but things didn’t quite work out the way they planned…

Justin Middleton, who has left a string of broken hearts across the state of South Carolina, has only one thing on his mind, and that’s winning Terri Mitchell’s heart in six months. That’s all the time she’s given him…six short months.  If he can’t do it by then, they’ll go their separate ways.

Terri Mitchell knows she’s lost her mind when she even suggested this harebrained scheme.  She finally thinks her heart is on the mend from her past encounter with Justin. However, when he shows up at her house late one night looking deliciously sexy and irresistible, her iron will to fight him vanishes and the words tumble from her lips before she’s barely aware of what she’s done.

Within weeks, both of them find themselves passionately involved, but when Terri’s brother, Preston, shows up, mysterious things begin to happen, turning their blissful world into something dark and dangerous.

Lets talk.

I hope you like your romance hot and steamy, cause that’s what you’re going to get in this book.

In the first Edge Novel, Edge of Disaster, the heart came first and the racy sex scenes came later.

Not so in Shattered Edge. Once Terri decides to give Justin another chance, it’s right to bed!

I have a fan attached to the top of my headboard for my bed and it came in handy. Not in the way you think! It put the flames out when the hot bedroom scenes set fire to my Kindle.

I felt so sad for Terri. Recovering from her car crash has taken a long time and she still has a ways to go. Her beautiful leg is so scarred and battered. It’s really knocked her for a loop. And then to have Justin do the dirty with two bimbos just shattered her.

Taking Justin back was a big risk, but I was so happy she did. I felt they belonged together, if they could just move on from the past and forgive.

Justin really screwed things up. He wallowed in self blame and did some stupid crap. Thank God Alexia let him have it and set him on the straight and narrow.

He’s now determined to win Terri back and goes to some really daring lengths to do so.

The author’s writing is so visual, I could see him sneaking into Terri’s house, tiptoeing to her bedroom and softly lying down beside her in the bed.

She bolted up into a sitting position and started yelling.

“Sshh, it’s me, Justin,” I said as I sat up and tried to assure her she was safe.

“No it’s not.”

She swung her fist and hooked me in the jaw. Damn that hurt too.

Good for her. He deserved it. He’s real lucky she didn’t have time to grab the pepper spray hidden under her pillow!

They talked, they haggled, and finally Terri proposed a six month trial period. Justin will have to prove himself or it ends. And with the many following pages, they made up for lost time.


When Terri’s brother, Preston, arrived on the scene, this story took a dark and scary turn. Weird things started happening and it became a mystery to me.

So, we have a hot and steamy romance, a chance to patch things up, and now, a mystery. This is a recipe for a thrilling, hold on to your boot straps, new chapter in The Edge Novels.

I’d hurry up and get your copy! It just released today and you can start reading it tonight! Just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Keep a fan nearby:)

Five Steamy Stars!

You can read about Alexia and Pearce in Edge of Disaster.

Edge of Disaster

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Description

Alexia Hammond, broken and destroyed by a tragedy she can’t seem to recover from, is on a downward spiral toward destruction. A life of partying, alcohol, drugs and men has brought her near the edge of disaster. That is until one night while at work as a waitress in an upscale restaurant, she falls under the spell of one of her customers, Pearce Middleton. Once she gazes into his smoky gray eyes, her life takes on new meaning. But can she put her past behind her and allow herself to fall for the exciting and gorgeous Pearce, or will her lewd behavior come back to haunt her and ruin her chances of happiness forever?

Go here to read my review.

About the author and her books.
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A.M. Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life.  So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase.  Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head.  Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window.   She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.

“Hello.” “Boss, is that you?” “Why yes, A. M., who else would be answering my phone?” “Er… right.  Well, I’m calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.” “Why ever would I want to do that?” “Because I quit you idiot!”

A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

“Hi hubs, can you pick me up at Starbucks?” “Sure… Having some car trouble?” “Not at all.  I don’t have a car to have trouble with because I just quit my job.” “WHAT?!” “It’s time for a new career and I am going to be a very famous novelist.”

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a young adult paranormal romance author of self-published ebooks.  Her series, The Guardians of Vesturon, centers around a family of six siblings and is a mix of humor, mystery, suspense and of course, love. If you’re wondering, it didn’t happen EXACTLY that way, but….

Author links:

   Blog        http://www.amhargrove.blogspot.com/
   Twitter      http://www.twitter.com/amhargrove1

Goodreads   http://www.goodreads.com/amhargrove1

Click on images to purchase the books

 The Guardians of Vesturon Series

The Praestani Novels

More books by A. M. Hargrove

 

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Entangled is Free ~ Plus a Giveaway!

Posted: February 2, 2013 in Freebies!, giveaways, Mystery, Romance, Series, suspense
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How can you resist. Entangled (A Fredrickson Winery Novel, Vol. 1) is free to download!

Entangled

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Goodreads blurb for Entangled (A Fredrickson Winery Novel, Vol. 1)

A Minneapolis attorney inherits a small California winery, reawakening memories that have lain dormant for twenty years. One summer of her childhood is a mystery she intends to solve. But digging up her past also lays bare the skeletons of others, including her mother’s. Entangled between what she once believed and a new reality, will she be able to live with the consequences of full disclosure?

Get your free copy here.

Check out the next chapter in the Fredrickson Winery series.

Crushed

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Goodreads blurb for Crushed (A Fredrickson Winery Novel, Vol. 2)

Creating the perfect wine can sometimes be murder…

When Adam Fredrickson shows up at his sister’s California winery, footloose and carefree, looking for a temporary job and a chance to play his music, he doesn’t expect to find the winery struggling financially, or that the girl next door might just be the girl of his dreams.

Margaret Parker, a single mom, newly hired as Chief winemaker at Fredrickson’s, finds her simple world put to the test when her father is unexpectedly released from prison, and the man who got her pregnant at fifteen, shows up from Italy wanting to play daddy nine years too late.

It’s crush time at Fredrickson Winery and everyone is working feverously to get the grapes in and ensure a great vintage. No one expects murder to be part of the joyous harvest season.

You can find out more here.

A little birdie told me Barbara is working on the third book in this series!

Giveaway

I’m hosting a giveaway for Barbara Brink’s The Amish Bloodsucker Trilogy right now!

Go here to enter for a chance to win the entire series!

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A YA vampire slayer story with a new twist. The vampires have come to the Amish.

About the author

Barbara Ellen Brink

I’m the author of eight novels, with another always on the way. I grew up on a small farm in Washington State but now live in the mean “burbs” of Minnesota with my husband and our dogs, Rugby and Willow. With our kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, I spend much time reading, writing, collecting books, riding motorcycles with my husband, and keeping one step ahead of AARP. I’m a member of the Christian Writer’s Guild and try to attend a writer’s conference somewhere each year. At the 2006 Pacific Northwest Writer’s Conference I was a finalist in the mainstream novel category with “Time in a Bottle.” (Now published  under the title: “Entangled”) In 2007 I was once again a finalist, but in the mystery/thriller category, with…moreI’m the author of eight novels, with another always on the way. I grew up on a small farm in Washington State but now live in the mean “burbs” of Minnesota with my husband and our dogs, Rugby and Willow. With our kids now pushed out of the nest and encouraged to fly, I spend much time reading, writing, collecting books, riding motorcycles with my husband, and keeping one step ahead of AARP. I’m a member of the Christian Writer’s Guild and try to attend a writer’s conference somewhere each year. At the 2006 Pacific Northwest Writer’s Conference I was a finalist in the mainstream novel category with “Time in a Bottle.” (Now published  under the title: “Entangled”) In 2007 I was once again a finalist, but in the mystery/thriller category, with “Sense of Danger.” (now published under the title: “Split Sense”) My new young adult Amish Bloodsuckers Trilogy is now available: Chosen, Shunned, & Reckoning. I also really like black licorice.

Author Website/blog: http://www.barbaraellenbrink.com

Amish Bloodsuckers website: http://www.amishvampireslayer.moonfruit.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BarbaraEllenBrink

Goodreads

Twitter

To purchase The Amish Bloodsucker novels, just click on the images below.

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For more books by Barbara Brink click on these images.

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Haunting Refrain ~ Giveaway & Review

Posted: January 23, 2013 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, Mystery, Psychic, reviews, suspense, thriller, Uncategorized
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The amazing Ellis Vidler is one of my featured authors this month. Each Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing one of her fabulous books. There will be giveaways and guest posts, a whole lot of fun!

First, I reviewed Time of Death, her newest release.

Time of Death

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While visiting near Charleston, South Carolina, an artist draws scenes of murder she can’t explain. Alex. The artist. After a tree falls on her house, she joins her aunt on an unspoiled island, but something wakens her family psychic streak. She draws eerily accurate scenes of violence, but she knows nothing about them.
Connor. The prosecutor. He’s building a case against a drug lord one piece of evidence at a time. For him it’s personal, and he can’t risk a relationship with a witness, especially a psychic who’ll blow his case out of the water.
Rollins. The killer. He’s a cog in a much bigger wheel, and the witness to his acts of violence threatens his operation and his life. He’ll do anything to see that doesn’t happen.

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Ooh, there are some really great characters in Time of Death. I think my favorite is Alex, no, Jax, no, Jelly. Oh, I love them all! Can’t wait for you to meet them. Go here to read my review.

Next, I reviewed Cold Comfort.

The giveaway ends Jan. 29th. Still time to enter here.

Cold Comfort

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After being dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer has abandoned her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she’s plotting her solo course and settling for a quiet life as an independent Williamsburg shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, disillusioned, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill the friend of a friend, the woman winds up in his arms, and all Riley’s plans go to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, he can’t walk away.

While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.

Opposites do attract.

Now I’m reviewing Haunting Refrain.

There’s also a giveaway. Read on to learn more.

Haunting Refrain

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I just love the cover art for this book. The choice of blue is perfect and the scene evokes the same feelings I got from reading the story.

She doesn’t want to touch it again. But she has to. Kate can’t ignore what she’s seen.

Hands, cold and hard, tightened around her throat, choking her. Long fingers encircled her neck, and fingernails cut into her flesh. Strong thumbs pressed into her windpipe, forced her head back. She clawed at them, tried to free herself. Blinded by the rain and the curtain of hair that covered her eyes, she couldn’t see the face above her. She fought, desperate for air. Those powerful fingers squeezed harder. The world around her dimmed. She was dying.

Kate’s always been good at finding things, seeing glimpses of where something was. She never dreamed she’d see a murder.

At the urging of her friend, Venice, she joins a parapsychology study. She needs to learn more about her gift anyway. She picks up an item and the vision takes hold.

Now she’s a witness to murder. She refuses to go to the police. They wouldn’t take her seriously.  When Venice suggests they tell a friend, she reluctantly agrees, never dreaming he was a reporter.

John Gerrard smells a good story. He meets with the two women and subsequently prints his story, including Kate’s name in the article.

When the killer reads the paper, he’s stunned. After the panic subsides, he begin’s to make his plans.

He began thinking of ways to get to the women. First he would watch them, learn their habits. He wouldn’t mind watching Kate. She had a tight, sexy little body that had always appealed to him. And that hair – he bet she was a tiger.

Having no way of knowing how much Kate’s seen, he sets his plan in motion.

I really like Kate. She’s not wishy-washy and has a good head on her shoulders. She’s not like the femme fatale in the movies who ignore the warnings and go blithely on their merry way. She heeds the warnings and takes precautions. She’d better if she wants to keep that pretty head,

Her friend Venice is a riot. She’s clutzy and forgetful but she’s also caring and quirky. Though they are years apart, her and Kate are good together. It’s like they fill each others gaps. The author made Venice authentic for me. I’d like to meet her.

The suspense builds, you know it’s going to get worse, and you brace for the final confrontation. Ellis is a master at this. I found myself leaning forward towards my Kindle, like I could see ahead. I kept checking the battery to make sure there was enough juice left to finish the story.

Haunting Refrain is suspenseful, fraught with danger, and races to the finale.

4 Stars

Giveaway

I have two e-books to offer for the giveaway.

Entry is easy peasy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Have you ever had a psychic experience?”

This is an International Giveaway. Everyone can enter.

Contest ends Feb. 2nd.

Thank You and Good Luck!

About the author and where to find her.

Ellis Vidler

Ellis Vidler is a writer and editor. She and her guests talk about whatever comes to mind at her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com Ellis’s new suspense novel, Time of Death, will be released November 18th. Artist Alex Jenrette shares the psychic streak that runs through the McGuire family. Just as it does her cousin Kate (Haunting Refrain), that ability gets her into trouble when she draws a scene she never imagined–murder. The killer she can’t identify wants to eliminate her, but maybe help from unlikely sources will come in time. Cold Comfort, suspense with romantic elements, is set in December during the long nights before the winter solstice.  Claire Spencer owns a Christmas shop in the charming town of Williamsburg, VA. Her quiet life is turned upside down when she becomes a killer’s target. Everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is cold comfort. Her first novel was Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery set in South Carolina, now out on Kindle. It has a touch of paranormal, and reviewers described the characters as “delightful.” Ellis published The Peeper with Jim Christopher, a retired law enforcement officer. The Peeper is a police procedural/suspense novel set in the South Carolina upstate. Tea in the Afternoon is a collection of three short Southern stories, not her usual suspense stories. Ellis is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her home is in the South Carolina piedmont with her husband, two dogs, and a collection of wildlife that shows up for breakfast.

Links

Website. http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog. http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisVidler

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4054785.Ellis_Vidler

Click on the covers to purchase her books.

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Book Blitz – Just Breathe by Kendall Grey

Posted: January 12, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Book Promos, Freebies!, Mystery, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Series, suspense
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Book Blast: Just Breathe by Kendall Grey 

He made a deal with the devil to save the woman he loves…
After a terrible accident rocks the foundation of their relationship, Australian Sentinel Gavin Cassidy and whale biologist Zoe Morgan call it quits. Gavin can’t forgive himself for shattering her trust, and being with the sexy rock star is killing Zoe. Literally.
But love—and duty—are powerful motivators, and alliances are forged in the most unlikely places. With the key to salvation locked inside the mind of an unconscious child, Gavin must find another way to snuff out the Fyre Elementals before millions of humans die, or make good on his deal with the devil and lose the one he loves. Again.
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Today is the book blast for Just Breathe by Kendall Grey.  I’m reading Inhale right now and then it’s on to Exhale.  I’ll be doing my reviews in February.

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CLICK THIS LINK TO VISIT KENDALL’S SITE AND ENTER TO WIN A KINDLE FIRE HD!!

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Buy Links
*All profits from the sales of INHALE, EXHALE, and JUST BREATHE will be donated to whale education.
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If you haven’t started this series yet, you can read INHALE for free on Kindle!  Just click this link and check it out!
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Word diddler and whale warrior, Kendall was born without an off-switch between her brain and mouth. She’s been called the “Flux Capacitor of Twitter” and “A little package of love all wrapped up in F-word paper,” but she’s really just a maniacal writer relaying eyewitness accounts of the rave inside her head. She writes urban fantasy romance and dabbles in erotica and horror on occasion. Kendall lives off a dirt road near Atlanta, Georgia, but don’t hold that against her.
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She’s Giving Away Bad Juju

Posted: January 5, 2013 in Alert!!, Freebies!, horror, Humor, Mystery, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, suspense, Zombies
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Dina Rae is giving away Bad Juju for free right now. Get it now. I don’t know how long it’ll be free.

Go here to get yours.

Bad Juju

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A Haitian bokor mentors two teens in the dark arts. Their spells backfire.

Lucien Nazaire flees his Haitian homeland and meanders around the United States for decades. He settles in a Wisconsin trailer park filled with elderly tenants. He meets Jake and hires him for odd household jobs. As their relationship progresses, Lucien invites the boy into the world of Voodoo.
Jake LaRue lives in foster care with his abusive uncle. The Voodoo lessons give him a sense of power within an otherwise helpless situation. Despite his loner status, he instantly connects with Henry, his only friend in high school.
Henry Novak has Asperger’s Syndrome. He fixates on historical events, most recently the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Like Jake, he becomes passionate about the dark side of Voodoo. They learn how to cast spells on those they hate and lust, leading up to dire consequences.
Months after the Haitian earthquake, Henry convinces his family to volunteer for the island’s reconstruction. Their mission turns into a nightmare when he mysteriously walks off of the campsite.
Bad Juju is a balance of horror, romance, and literary fiction intended for adults and mature teens. The plot uses research involving the Voodoo religion.

This is a great book. You can read my review here.

Other books by Dina Rae

I really enjoy Dina’s writing and I’m working my way through her books. Right now, I’m reading Halo of the Damned. As soon as I’m finished I’ll be back here to tell you about it.

Click on the covers to purchase the books.

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