Archive for the ‘Paranormal or fantasy’ Category

Titanian Warrior by Victoria Saccenti ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 31, 2023 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Titanian Warrior organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Author Victoria Saccenti will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Titanian Warrior

by Victoria Saccenti

Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy / Romance

Synopsis

One woman holds the key to his destiny—and his people’s salvation. Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.

Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious, cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange, suffering man. Then the master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire racing through her body.

When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.

Enjoy this peek inside:

Faiza hopped to her feet. She joined the trio outside, pretending she didn’t notice Hagen’s hawkish stare. That was foolish, impossible to do, and insensitive to him. He’d done nothing except protect her. His thorough gaze burned wherever it fell on her, and his scent enfolded her like a mantle. She stopped resisting, glanced into his sad face, and her heart broke in pieces.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered.

Grasping her hand, he pressed her fingertips to his lips as if this would be their last time together. She’d seen this gesture before and had been moved to the core. Now she was the recipient and had no words. Hagen dropped her hand and turned away. Separation anxiety was instantaneous. The distance was short, yet his absence was unbearable. Faiza felt more alone than she ever had in her life. She couldn’t handle the emptiness and sense of loss.

Following her heart’s desire, she bolted after him. “Hagen, wait.”

He paused at the end of the hallway. “Sweetheart?”

His murmur was gentle, his expression was hopeful, and she crashed into the comforting strength of his chest. Lacing her arms around his waist, she held on as tightly as she could. His essence surrounded her, and the world was perfect again. She was complete.

“I don’t understand what I’m feeling or what’s happening. Please, don’t go.”

“We’re at the inevitable crossroads,” Hagen said. “The universe has ordained you choose. Freely. With no pressure. Our future depends on it. Know this, no matter which way you go, I’ll always be close by. I’m yours to keep, little Faiza. That’s my vow. Till the end of my days.” When he pushed her back, his sparkling gaze mesmerized her. “Before you decide, you need information. Maya and Talaith will answer all your questions. If at the end you still have doubts, come to me and I’ll answer from my perspective. All right?”

“Okay.”

He kissed her forehead, then gently turned her around. “Go. They’re waiting for you.”

About Author Victoria Saccenti:

Award-winning, multi-genre author Victoria Saccenti writes romantic women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. Not one for heart and flower stories, she explores the edgy twists and turns of human interaction, the many facets of love, and all possible happy endings. After thirty years of traveling the world, she’s settled in Central Florida. She splits her busy schedule between family and her active muse at Essence Publishing. However, if she could convince her husband to sell their home, she would pack up her computer and move to Scotland, a land she adores. On a side note, in one form or another, Scotland appears in most of her stories.

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Ever After by Kate SeRine ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: January 16, 2023 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
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Today I am excited to join the Transplanted Tale 10-Year Anniversary Blog Tour. Ever After by Kate SeRine is the fourth novel featuring Robin Hood in this Grimm Fairy Tales twist. Check it out, read an excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway…

EVER AFTER

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A beautiful Robin Hood reconnects with her love Little John after transporting to the real world in this “paranormal romance filled with suspense” (SmexyBooks).

For centuries, Gideon Montrose has mourned the loss of his true love. Throwing himself into his work, he has served the King of Fairies without question—and, often, without mercy. So when the King orders him to apprehend a notorious thief, Gideon obeys. But this time, Gideon is on for a shock when he finally gets his hands on the beautiful culprit.

Arabella Locksley is none other than the spirited, unpredictable woman he knew back in Make Believe. As Robin Hood, Arabella stole from the rich and gave to the poor with Gideon—then known as Little John—by her side.

Believing that she had fallen to her death five hundred years ago, Gideon naturally has some questions. But Arabella has secrets she must keep even from him. Now Gideon faces an impossible choice: he must either betray the woman he once loved, or the king he’s bound to serve.

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Transplanted Tales Series

 

Red

Grimm Consequences

The Better to See You

Along Came A Spider

Ever After

Better Watch Out (coming 2023)

 

Excerpt from Ever After (Transplanted Tales #4)

 

“This was a mistake.”

            “Well, I guess that’s the theme of our relationship,” I mumbled. “And I made the biggest mistake of all, believin’ y’ever cared for me.”

            The sting of her open palm connecting with my cheek caught me off guard.

            “Say what you want about the mistakes I’ve made,” she raged, her cheeks growing red with indignation. “There’s certainly no shortage of them. But don’t you ever question how much I loved you! By doing so you insult us both.”

            I stared at her, literally struck mute.

When I didn’t speak, she swallowed a sob and turned away. “I have to go,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ve already stayed too long.” Her hurried steps carried her a few yards before I blew out a harsh sigh and let fly a stream of juicy curses, knowing I was a glutton for punishment even as I went after her.

            “Arabella! Wait!” I grabbed her arm, bringing her to a stop but releasing her when the wounded look in her eyes cut me to the core. I put my hands on my hips, staring at my feet as I debated what to say, not willing to look her in the face, afraid that if I met the eyes I adored, I’d lose myself in them.

I’d never stopped loving her, had never stopped thinking about her. As ridiculous as it seemed, some part of me had always held out hope that she’d somehow miraculously return. And here she was, right before me. She said she didn’t know what had happened to her, what had kept her away . . . And I wanted to believe it. My long-broken heart whispered bitter words, telling me to walk away and never look back, that that part of my life was over.

But it was a lie. That part of my life would never be over. She’d filled my heart in a way no woman ever had or would again. And I wasn’t about to piss on that by turning her away when she clearly needed me.

“What trouble are y’in?” I asked, forcing my voice to be gentle.

            “It’s my concern,” she said with a sniff, making me feel like an irredeemable jackass for bringing her to tears. “I didn’t come here to beg you to help me or to drag you into my mess. I just . . . I just wanted to see you again. I dream of you, of us, every night, Gideon. When I close my eyes, your face is all I see. I know you don’t believe me, but I did love you—I still do. I always will.”

            I felt my chest tighten at her words, wanting so desperately to believe her. I risked raising my gaze to hers, gauging her sincerity. To my surprise, she actually seemed to be telling the truth.

            Damn me to hell, but I was gonna fall for her all over again. Even though I was furious and hurting and knew with certainty that I was bound for heartache again, I was powerless to stop it. But she didn’t have to know that. And I’d make sure she didn’t. I’d managed to keep my emotions in check all these years, had learned to maintain the stoic silence that was required of my servitude to the king. I never imagined I’d need those skills to guard my heart. And when she left again—as she’d already admitted she would—I’d at least be able to maintain my dignity.

In the meantime, I couldn’t abandon her now any more than I could the day we’d met. What nobility remained a part of me forbade it. I’d be a friend to her. Just a friend. I owed it to what we’d once shared to at least try to accept that whatever had happened to her, whatever mysterious force had kept her from coming to me, she was here now. And she needed my help.

I smoothed my hand down her arm, drawing her closer, shoving aside all my feelings of anger and betrayal to focus on quieting the fear I saw in her eyes, on being the friend she needed me to be at this moment. “Tell me what’s happened to you, lass. Let me help you. I’ll talk to my king. I’ll do whatever I can. You know I will. Just tell me what you’ve done.”

            The look she gave me was agonized, torn. Finally, she nodded and slipped her hand into mine, little sparks of desire firing off in my blood at the touch of her skin. “Let me show you.”

 


About Author Kate SeRine

 

Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it’s no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after. She’s the author of the award-winning TRANSPLANTED TALES paranormal romance series as well as two romantic suspense series: PROTECT AND SERVE and DARK ALLIANCE.

Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project — probably while consuming way too much coffee.

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Enter to win a $25.00 egift card. Winner’s choice of Amazon, iBook, Kobo or B&N. Giveaway ends January 27, 2023.


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Innocence by Adrienne Woods ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: December 22, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
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Innocence

by Adrienne Woods

 

(Beaumond, #1)
Publication date: December 20th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Welcome to Beaumont Academy! We’re here to mold your supernatural abilities into the best they can be. Remember to submit your abilities test results, or we will deny your application.

After Maxima Lane turns into a bat, her acceptance into Beaumont Academy was a given. It means freedom from her horrid stepmother and equally terrible stepsisters. However, her freedom isn’t long lived as her stepmother claims she doesn’t have the x-gene and if Max can’t turn into a bat before the Magic Sector comes, she might get expelled from school.

Gabriel Hendrix’s life is simple. Capture the villains and don’t fall for a witch. Until he meets Maxima Lane. She has an X-gene that allows her to turn into a bat. Meaning she can follow the falcon, and he can put a stop to the Shadowed—if only it was that simple. The girl comes with a lot of secrets, and it drives Gabriel insane. Why is her stepmother obsessed with her? Why is there yellow in her eyes when it’s supposed to be red and why can’t she activate her bat?

When people die and Max gets kidnapped from the academy, time is running against Gabe. He needs to find answers and Max before it’s too late.

If you are fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Bella Forrest, you don’t want to miss out on this new paranormal/fantasy series by Adrienne Woods. Scroll up to order your copy!

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Enjoy this peek inside:

My gaze searched the treetops where it came from, and the falcon was jumping from branch to branch. Something hung from her claw.

She stared straight at me as if she were begging for help.

I lifted my arm, and she dove from the branch. Her talons pierced into my skin as she landed on my arm. The blood seeped through the jacket that Maria had lent me.

My gaze flickered from the blood on the jacket toward the blinking red button on a metal sphere hanging from the leather laces.

My fingers worked fast, untangling the leather strings around her leg.

The magic pricked and burned the tips of my fingers, but I pushed through that too. The only thing that drove me through the pain was that someone had forcefully used magic to put this tracker on her. Someone nasty and that they wanted to hurt her beyond my understanding.

It wasn’t the first time that the falcon had crossed paths with me. We were old friends. Met on previous occasions, usually in this forest. Sometimes I gave her berries or took her to Maria if she had a broken wing or something that needed attention. She would stay until she was ready to go on her way.

“Again? How do you always get into trouble?”

She kacked softly. As if she was telling me ‘I don’t know.’ I finally got the string off. The magic died as I shoved the tracker inside my pocket. I inspected her wing, pulled it softly open. She let me. There didn’t seem to be any other wounds.

She kacked her thank you.

“Don’t!” a man’s voice yelled, and the falcon pushed herself off my arm and darted through the trees. My arm throbbed where her claws had pierced into my skin.

Arrows whooshed after her, and my teeth ground on each other as the guy was relentless, trying to kill something as beautiful as that bird. She didn’t do anyone harm.

I didn’t think; I just charged.

My body connected hard with his, and we both tumbled to the ground. Grunts left him and complaints left me as we rolled a couple of times.

Rocks and pinecones pressed into my back, and something sharp on this guy nipped at my hip-bone. The scent of sandalwood mixed with a sweet manly fragrance spread through my nostrils and clouded my mind.

My head bumped against something hard bringing me back to reality.

His weight worked in his favor. My boney ass might have knocked him to the ground, but it wouldn’t get the upper hand in this struggle.

My back connected hard with the ground as he pinned me there. He forced my hands above my head, grasping both my palms with one of his giant ones. An arrow pointed into my cheek.

Author Adrienne Woods:

Adrienne Woods is a USA Today Bestselling author, living in South Africa.

She’s been in love with books all her life and knew at the age of 13 that she is going to be a writer one day.

That dream happened ten years ago and she started to pen her stories down on paper. Firebolt, her debut novel, were released 4 years after that, and she hasn’t stop since.

Now she almost have 15 novels under her belt, and it doesn’t look like she is going to stop soon.

To find out more about Adrienne and her books, please visit her website at www.adriennewoodsbooks.com.

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Hunted by V. M. Nelson ~ Sneak Peek And Giveaway

Posted: November 24, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
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Hunted

by V.M. Nelson

 

(The Dhampyr Series, #1)
Publication date: October 25th 2022
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Tasi, an eighteen-year-old, head-strong, blood-drinking, dhampyr, has been hidden away in a small town in Maine since the death of her parents. Though she had trained to fight and kill vampires, she never believed those skills would be useful in her mundane life. That’s where she’s wrong.

In one moment, her life changes forever, and her aunt’s final words ring in her head.

They want your blood.

Now orphaned and charged with protecting her sister, Emily—a sister who doesn’t know what they are or that she’s about to endure a life-threatening change—Tasi has no other choice but to follow directions left for her. She is to find an ally who lives in New York City. This is the only way Tasi will figure out why she and Emily are being hunted before they end up drained of their blood.

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SNEAK PEEK:

What started out as a routine task to find blood turned into an onslaught of pain. I rubbed my eyes, allowing the darkness that filled my head to fizzle away. My hands, tender from scraping against the gravel, grasped at the cold metal fence. I flinched as my cuts burned against the steel. I’d done this to myself. The thumping under my skin and my lack of balance were all a result of ignoring my need to feed.

Now here I sat, watching my blood as it dripped down my leg and pooled onto the sidewalk. A tingling sensation ran through me as I flicked out the tiny shards that had embedded themselves in my skin. My body helped to push them out in an effort to heal itself. This was not part of tonight’s plan. I stared back up at the fence—my nemesis. Razor-sharp wire wrapped itself around the top of the rusty, twelve-foot-high chain-link barricade.

Take the shortcut, Tasi. It’ll be quicker and safer, Tasi. What a stupid idea.

Under normal circumstances, I could dart up the fence, hop over the barbed wire, and gracefully land on my feet. My overall dexterity might have won me a gold medal in gymnastics, but that was so not happening in my current condition.

An ache thundered through my body as I reached for the fence again. I hoisted myself up for the first time since tumbling off. With one last labored breath, I ran my hands down my pants, dislodging the remaining rocks from my newly healed skin. Nearby, a rustling sound echoed through the alley. My breath caught. The metal garbage cans clanked together as if they were being tossed around. If I were human, I wouldn’t think twice about the commotion. Lucky for me, I knew better. It was probably setting up to kill its next victim. There were a few shady-looking dive bars and run-down nightclubs in this area. The repetitive pounding of music stemming from different directions would drown out all screams. This was a perfect feeding ground.

Over the past few months, these creatures had become my reality. Since I was thirteen, I’d known of their existence, but only recently had I been in the same vicinity as them. And when they were around, you didn’t want to be, so it was time to go.

With a quick pivot in the opposite direction, I ran. I didn’t get farther than a few feet before my shoelace caught in the grate and my chin scraped against the ground. More blood dripped from my body.

Tasi, seriously—what else can go wrong?

Wrapping the shoelace around my fingers, I yanked until it released itself. By the time I tucked it into my shoe, it was too late. It had heard me. The pounding in my ears was no longer from the nightclubs but the pavement, and it was getting louder. I’d piqued its interest. Rather, my blood had piqued its interest.

Author V. M. Nelson

V. M. Nelson is the author of The Dhampyr Series. She writes upper young adult paranormal, urban fantasy with a touch of romance thrown in. When she isn’t writing, you can find her playing video games.

Virginia resides in Minnesota with her partner and three children. She has always had an obsession for myths, legends, and fairytales. If asked, she would prefer to live in an alternate universe with vampires and fairies.

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A Raven Remix ~ A Paranormal Penny Boxset By Sarah Hualde

Posted: November 15, 2022 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
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A RavenRemix

Paranormal Penny Box Set 
Books 1, 1.5 and 2 
by Sarah Hualde
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A Raven Remix: A Paranormal Penny Boxset (Paranormal Penny Boxsets Book 1) by [Sarah Hualde]
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Genre: YA Paranormal Cozy Mystery
Date of Publication: 11/15/22
ISBN:  9781736756645
ASIN:   B0BKFLD85D
Number of pages: 550
Word Count: approx 80,000
Cover Artist:  OlivaProDesign
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Book Description:  
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Most people run from death,
But not Penny.
She chases it down.
Penny’s premonitions put her friends in peril. Join her as she stalks the bird of death by following the musical clues he leaves behind.
Will she and her cheeky cat, Spades save the day?
Or will the Raven be one step ahead?
This Paranormal Penny Boxset features books 1, 1.5, and 2 in the Paranormal Penny Mystery Series.
Join Penny and Spades as they thwart murderers before they strike.

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

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It wasn’t life that flashed before my eyes as Betty Fae thwacked me between the
shoulder blades. It was death and disaster—replays of all the faces of shock and sadness worn by acquaintances of my past. Death of one sort or the other followed that stupid Raven.

.

I remembered them all. Vividly. The writer, the homeschool mom, the surfer, the politician. They were among the near-strangers I’d encountered and endangered.

.

Following their faces came the really painful pictures. The friendly child advocate, the sweet boy next door, and losing my aunt and uncle. After them, but always above
them, followed the loss of my sister and father.

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All because of the same intolerable bird. Gracious enough to give me a glimpse of
their perils before nudging them to the brink. Impending doom sat, staring at me, from the cup of the only friend I had in town- Janice Rockland. It lingered there amid the froth bubbles, telling me Janice Rockland had twenty-four hours, at most, left to live.

.

My eyes watered. My throat closed all the tighter. Even after it dislodged my
Belgian waffle. Air battled past my suffocating emotions. I gulped it down, despising myself and fearing for my boss.

.

Janice and Betty Fae offered me a glass of water and napkins, thinking they’d saved the day. Little did they know. Trouble had just landed in their small town.

.

Janice watched me through the rest of the meal. If I told her she was about to die, would she be able to eat? I sipped my coffee and avoided conversation.

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Long ago, I’d explained my weird glimpses to one of the Raven’s victims. Instead of
believing me, my friend grew increasingly sarcastic about my confession. He mocked me. I didn’t blame him. I’m not sure I would’ve believed me, either. In the end, his sarcasm killed him.
Laughing and gesturing like a mad bird to make fun of my premonitions, he’d
lost control of his bicycle and collided with a garbage truck just as it was lowering
its load.

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No, I wasn’t about to tell Janice about her Raven. I’d keep watch. Stay sharp. Once
the bird made an appearance, he wouldn’t leave until his prey was dead. Accidentally or with malice aforethought.

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The next song, movie quote, television commercial, or anything ominous could clue me in on how to save her. At least I could give it a shot. If I didn’t keep a constant eye on Janice, her death would be on my head.

 

 

About Author Sarah Hualde:

Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She loves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who scowls at her condescendingly.
Her mother raised her on Mary Higgins Clark, Diane Mott Davidson, and Remington Steele. Her grandmother shared True Crime stories with her as they plotted how to get away with the perfect murder. It’s no surprise that Sarah became an award-winning spinner of suspenseful tales brimming with quirky characters. Mysteries are in her blood. Not that she could survive one of her own stories. She confesses, “I’d be snuffed out by chapter two.”
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Author Contacts: Website / Twitter / Facebook / Newsletter / YouTube
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Emporium Of Superstition ~ An Anthology Of Superstition, Suspense, Horror And More

Posted: October 31, 2022 in Anthology, giveaways, horror, Paranormal or fantasy
Tags: , , , ,
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EmporiumofSuper copy

No plans for Halloween? How about reading Emporium of Superstition, a chilling collection by some of your favourite authors!

Emporium-of-Superstition-Kindle

Emporium of Superstition

Publication Date: October 5th, 2022

Genre: Anthology/ Horror/ Supernatural/ Fantasy/ Mythology/ Folk Tales

Publisher: Midnight Tide Publishing

Heed the warnings, or you could be next.

A society of Old Wives’ comes together in this collection of suspenseful stories. In between these pages, twelve authors draw on ancient tales your grandmothers warned you about. From demons living amongst humans, to ghosts lurking in the shadows, and even gods looming above, these recountings will surely inspire a fright.

Open the book, turn the page, for it may be the last thing you do.

Emporium of Superstition is an anthology full of superstition, suspense, and horror. If you love Survive the Night by Riley Seger, Stephen King, Joe Hill and American Horror Story, then you’ll not want to miss this thrilling collection.

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PROLOGUE

This couldn’t be what her grandma had warned her of . . . It wouldn’t hurt to read just a few pages, right?

Melissa opened the dusty book. The first page had been written on. A single inscription ran across the page in red ink.

They are real.

“Melissa, honey,” her mom said, coming into the room with a teacup in hand. “I made you some . . . ” She paused near the door, eyes rounding. The cup tumbled from her hand, shattering on the wooden floor.

And an inhuman cry erupted from her mom’s mouth.

Available on Amazon

Authors in Order of Appearance

3D Mock

Candace Robinson:

Candace Robinson spends her days consumed by words and hoping to one day find her own DeLorean time machine. Her life consists of avoiding migraines, admiring Bonsai trees, watching classic movies, and living with her husband and daughter in Texas—where it can be forty degrees one day and eighty the next!

C. Vonzale Lewis:

My name is Carla Vonzale Lewis and I like my martinis shaken . . . never stirred.

Carla was born in Georgia, but please don’t mistake her for a Georgia peach. She’s more like a prickly pear. Speaking of being born, someone asked her recently if she remembered her birth. And she had to say, “Yes, I do remember that handsy doctor pulling me out into the cold. Right Bastard!!!”

Despite being born in the South, she grew up in California. Every once in a great while, she gets to experience all four seasons. But mostly, it’s just heat.

When not writing, Carla enjoys reading, binge watching shows on Netflix, and trying to convince her husband that getting a dog is a wonderful idea.

And one day, she will discover how many licks it actually takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

 

Christis Christie:

Christis Christie lives on the east coast of Canada, in Nova Scotia. She gets most excited about diving into a new fantasy world while writing, but also loves a good supernatural plot. Tiss, as she is affectionately called by her friends, enjoys being creative in any way she can, so if she’s not writing, then she’s crocheting or she’s embroidering. Her favorite animal is the sloth, and her favorite retellings are anything Beauty and the Beast related.

Katya de Becerra:

Katya de Becerra is the author of genre-bending, critically acclaimed speculative novels, What The Woods Keep and Oasis. Her next book, When Ghosts Call Us Home, is forthcoming in 2023 with Page Street. Her short fiction appeared or forthcoming in various anthologies and literary magazines. She is currently co-editing a curated horror anthology This Fresh Hell (Clan Destine Press, 2023) which reimagines old horror tropes in new and unexpected ways. Katya has a PhD in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Melbourne, and for the past ten years she’s been working in academia as an educator and researcher. You can keep up to date with Katya’s writing and updates through her website.

Elle Beaumont:

Elle Beaumont loves creating vivid fantasy and science fiction worlds. She lives in southeastern Massachusetts with her husband and two children. When not writing or chasing around her children, she enjoys making candles. More than once, she has proclaimed that coffee is lifeblood, and it is how she refrains from becoming a zombie.

Jessica Cranberry:

Jessica Cranberry lives in the Sierra Nevada foothills with her family and spends days striking a balance between parenthood, teaching, editing/proofreading, and writing—suspense novels and eclectic short stories mostly. When she’s not doing those things, she’s reading, attempting to garden, or hiking around town. Her novel, IN THE TRAP, was published in the spring of 2022 with book two scheduled for release in 2023.

Kristin Jacques:

Kristin Jacques is an award-winning author of speculative fiction for teens and adults. She currently lives in small town Connecticut with her partner, sons, and two gremlins who think they are cats. When not writing, she is usually chasing her boys around or catching some excellent B horror movies. She is currently working on projects full of magic, mystery, and delight.

Marlena Frank:

Marlena Frank has always been fascinated by monsters, and now gets to write about them. She is the author of young adult fantasy and horror novels, short stories, novellas, and series. Many of her books have hit the Amazon bestseller charts, including her debut novel, Stolen, and her first short story collection, The Impostor and Other Dark Tales. In 2022, she will be kicking off her young adult dark fantasy series, The Wolves of Kanta, featuring mad scientists, hunters, and werewolves.

Although she was born in Tennessee, Marlena has spent most of her life in Georgia. She lives with her sister and two spoiled adopted cats. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Atlanta Chapter of the Horror Writers Association and is an avid member of the Atlanta cosplay community.

She is an INFJ, a tea drinker, and a wildlife enthusiast.

Meg Dailey:

Meg has been editing independently for more than 10 years. She’s been a member of the Editorial Freelancers Association since 2017 and spent two years as Lead Editor of Anthologies with a small-press publisher. She is now an affiliate editor for the growing co-op Midnight Tide Publishing.

She’s an avid reader, self-diagnosed YA addict, and strong believer in the NA genre. Her TBR is ever-growing.

She also writes! Just . . . very slowly . . .

D.M. Siciliano:

DM is a lover of all things creative. A storyteller by nature, she first pursued her young dream of becoming a singing diva while living in Arizona. She soon found that stage life wasn’t the only form of storytelling she craved, so she dropped the mic and picked up a pencil instead. She still hasn’t given up on her diva-ness, and hopes her pencil stays as sharp as her tongue.

A dark sense of humor and curiosity for haunted houses and things out of the ordinary led her down the path of completing her first novel, Inside. Several other projects are constantly floating around in her head and her laptop daily, and sometimes keeping her up much too late at night. Occasionally, those projects are so dark and twisted, she needs to leave a nightlight on.

Originally from Massachusetts, she now lives in Northern California with her two fluffy furbabies, Cezare and Michaleto.

Leslie Rush:

Leslie Rush grew up near Philadelphia, spending much time at the Jersey Shore. She moved to El Paso and fell in love with the desert Southwest. Disguised as a history teacher, she spent years eavesdropping on her future readers. When she’s not in her classroom, Leslie can be found on the road with her husband, exploring the desert and the world of dreams.

Theresa Braun:

Theresa Braun has a Master’s degree in English literature and lives in South Florida where she has taught literature and writing for over 20 years. Traveling, ghost hunting, and all things dark are her passions. In 2018 Unnerving released her horror novel Fountain Dead, a coming of age ghost story. Her short works have appeared in The Horror Zine, Sirens Call, Hardened Hearts, Best Indie Speculative Fiction: November 2018, and Double Barrel Horror, Volume 3.

Book Tour Schedule

October 31st

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off) http://rrbooktours.com

@thechronicfangirl (Review) https://www.instagram.com/thechronicfangirl/

Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.com/

@mels_booksandhooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/mels_booksandhooks/

FUONLYKNEW (Spotlight) http://fuonlyknew.com/

November 1st

@beastreader (Review) https://www.instagram.com/beastreader/

The Faerie Review (Review) https://lshadowlynauthor.com/

Ecce.Libri (Review) https://eccelibri702630676.wordpress.com/

Book Reviews by Taylor (Review) https://www.bookreviewsbytaylor.com/

@calmstitchread (Review) https://www.instagram.com/calmstitchread/

November 2nd

@caffeinatedbibliophilia (Review) https://www.instagram.com/caffeinatedbibliophilia/

Jennifer Mitchell, Bibliolater (Review) https://www.jennifermitchellbooks.com

@better_0ff_read (Spotlight) https://www.instagram.com/better_0ff_read

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November 3rd

@aliciareviewsbook (Review) https://www.instagram.com/Aliciareviewsbooks/

@ems_literarycorner (Review) https://www.instagram.com/ems_literarycorner/

@sofia_the_scholar (Review) https://www.instagram.com/sofia_the_scholar

Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com

November 4th

@books_inthecity (Review) https://www.instagram.com/books_inthecity/

@books.and.salt (Review) https://www.instagram.com/books.and.salt/

@itsabookthing2021 (Review) https://www.instagram.com/itsabookthing2021/

@wolfesbooks (Review) https://www.instagram.com/wolfesbooks/

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Ghost Hunters Series by Susan McCauley

Posted: October 2, 2022 in giveaways, middle grade, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy
Tags: , , ,
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Bones In the Wall

Ghost Hunters Book 1

by Susan McCauley

Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Mystery

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Twelve-year-old Alex may have lost his ability to play sports, but he gained the ability to see ghosts. Now he must figure out how to put a malevolent spirit to rest — or die trying.

Once an athlete and popular kid, Alex is in a terrible car accident that severely injures his hip and leaves him with a rare power: he can hear and see ghosts. All Alex wants is to be normal. But when a vicious spirit begins haunting him, Alex must accept his unwanted psychic powers and work with his best friend and his paranormal investigator cousin to solve the mystery of bones in the wall and put the ghosts in the house to rest. If he fails, he’ll lose his family and friends to a gruesome fate.

Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall is the first novel in the heart-pounding Ghost Hunters middle-grade horror series.

PRAISE FOR GHOST HUNTERS: BONES IN THE WALL:

“Young readers should find themselves deeply engrossed. . . (an) absorbing supernatural tale of change and coping.” – Kirkus Reviews

“McCauley puts forth a fascinating premise that will captivate readers. . . a creative and highly original new work. . .”
– BookLife Prize

“Unique and imaginative, Ghost Hunters: Bones in the Wall blends middle grade angst with a big helping of the heebie jeebies. A sure hit for fans of R.L. Stine.” – James R. Hannibal, award-winning author of The Lost Property Office

“An inventive, fast-paced tale brimming with chills, thrills, and heart. Perfect for fans of Lockwood & Co.”– Henry H. Neff, author of The Tapestry series

**On Sale for Only $1.99 September 13th – 19th!!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Pirate’s Curse

Ghost Hunters Book 2

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In this ghostly and fast-paced adventure, twelve-year-old Alex must use his psychic gifts to speak with pirate ghosts to solve the curse of an old pirate hangout—if he fails, his best friends could be trapped there forever.

Ghosts are commonplace in this dark and exciting world, and the psychics who deal with “the Problem” are rare. Apprentice psychic investigator Alex and his two best friends embark on their first solo case to discover who’s haunting an old New Orleans pub. They battle ferocious winds, driving rain, and raging spirits to put a pirates’ curse to rest.

Ghost Hunters: Pirates’ Curse (Book 2 in the Ghost Hunters series) is filled with rich characters, spooky moments, and lots of action-packed fun. Perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, and Stranger Things.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Spirit Fire

Ghost Hunters Book 3

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Who—or what—is causing the fires in the French Quarter? A little girl? A long-dead prisoner? An evil presence calling to those beyond the grave?

In this spooky, fast-paced adventure, twelve-year-old Alex must fight smoke, flames, and ghostly prisoners to stop whatever’s causing the blazes—before more lives are lost.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Swamp Witch

Ghost Hunters Book 4

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In this spooky-fun mystery, thirteen-year-old psychic Alex and his paranormal investigator friends face their biggest challenge yet: the hospital haunting. The friends are convinced that this surge of ghostly activity is far more devious than the “experts” suspect—and that only the ancient magic of an elusive swamp witch can put the ghosts to rest. Finding the witch means braving the Louisiana swamps full of gators and snakes, but if Alex and his team fail, New Orleans could become a realm of the dead.

Book 4 in the paranormal mystery Ghost Hunters series is perfect for fans of Lockwood & Co. and Stranger Things.

**Available September 20th!!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Susan McCauley is a screenwriter and award-winning author of books for adults, young adults, middle grade, and young readers. Susan fell in love with writing, theater, and film when she was eight-years-old. That passion inspired her to receive a B.A. in Radio-Television with a minor in Theater from the University of Houston, an M.F.A. in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California (USC), and a M.A. in Text & Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and King’s College in London. Susan also studied acting at Playhouse West with Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park, Independence Day) in Los Angeles.

Susan has several short stories published, one of which, “The Cask”, was made into an award winning short film. “The Cask” was published in the Camden Park Press anthology Quoth the Raven, which won Best Anthology of 2018 in multiple reader polls. In addition to her short stories, Susan has one novella and four novels in print, as well as a feature length film in development. Many of her books have appeared on the Horror Writers Association Recommended Reading List.

Susan loves travel, animals, movies, theatre, taekwondo, her family, and books (of course!)

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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$20 Amazon giftcard,

Swag Pack

– 1 winner each!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Magicals Boxset by Maya Tyler ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: September 30, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
Tags: , ,
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I am so excited that THE MAGICALS
BOXSET by Maya Tyler is available now and that I get to share the news! 

,

If you haven’t yet heard about this
wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below. 

.

This blitz also includes a giveaway
for a $25 Amazon GC courtesy of Maya & Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d
like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

.

 

THE MAGICALS BOXSET

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Author: Maya Tyler

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Pub. Date: September 27, 2022

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing

Formats:  eBook

Pages: 1007

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Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo

.

This box set includes:

.

A Vampire’s Tale

.

The best laid plans… Corgan Halton
was tired of human misconceptions about vampires so he plans on hiring his
neighbor, writer Marisa Clements, to write his story. When he begins caring for
her, he tells her his truths, but it puts them in grave danger from
revenge-seeking vampires. For her own protection, he must claim her and make
her his own. But will this be enough?

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A Wizard’s Choice

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Making The Choice, whether or not to
become a wizard, doesn’t feel like a choice at all to Kurtis Warde. Leaving The
Circle would give him the freedom to pursue vampiress, Dee. But there is unrest
in the magical world. The long-time feud between wizards and fairies threatens
everyone he cares about. Will Kurtis choose to follow his heart or risk his own
happiness for peace in the magical world?

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A Fairy’s Quest

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A century ago, the fairy crown was
stolen from Alina Lehrer’s clan, but now the usurper is dead and it’s time to
reclaim what’s theirs. Rylan Jackson, codename Orion, is The Court’s most
trusted assassin who always gets the job done. Until his target is Alina, the
one woman he can’t resist. Fate has placed them on opposing sides for the crown,
but Alina soon learns Fate isn’t set in stone.

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A Fairy Godmother’s Redemption

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College bound Drew discovers he’s now
the legal guardian of his two half-sisters, Madison and Mackenzie. Singer
Seraphina thinks she’s finally made it big until photo-shopped nudes of her
appear in the tabloids. When Seraphina’s manager notices their instant
attraction, she capitalizes on it for some PR events. Will a little nudge from
a Fairy Godmother help them realize what’s really important?

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A Magical’s Gift

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Peace between fairies and wizards is
possible. The child of a fairy and a wizard could reunite the factions of The
Annunaki and end the unrest. But fairy Amelie knows her people don’t want
peace, and the son she and wizard Niall created puts them all in danger. Is
love enough for Niall and Amelie to have a future, and will their son unite
their people in peace?

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

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He didn’t have a name yet, but
he had a face. A dark, mysterious face with a century’s worth of secrets.
Secrets he would tell her, only her, if she would listen.

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Marisa took a deep, calming
breath. “I’m listening.” She closed her eyes, waiting. A cool breeze shifted
her hair and her eyes popped open. The old floorboards creaked, and she spun
her chair around. “Who’s there?” The candle blew out. “What the—”

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Time—and her heartbeat—stood
still. Paranoia set in, the consequence of writing too many vampire stories.
She must’ve left a window open. Or something. She re-lit the candle and turned
her attention back to her laptop, staring at the last words she’d typed.

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Corgan Halton.

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She didn’t remember typing
that.

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“Corgan Halton.” She said the
name slowly. “I like that.” She’d written a dozen vampire stories and this
would be her best name yet. It had an old-worldly feel to it. Like a real name.
She’d better look it up to make sure it wasn’t a real name; she didn’t need a
lawsuit. Did people sue for name infringement?

.

“Okay, Corgan Halton. Are you
real?” She typed the name into a search engine.

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“As real as you are.” The
distinctive male voice resonated in the otherwise quiet room.

.

Marisa froze. She didn’t dare
turn around. It was her overactive imagination at play. There was no one there.
She hoped. Maybe one of her friends? Is
this a joke?

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“Not a joke, Marisa.”

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Gasping, she stood and spun
around toward the sound of his voice.

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As he stepped out of the
shadows, she took in the man before her. Pale with black, curly hair, dressed
in an impeccable suit. Dark and intimidating, he stood in her living room,
shrinking the already small space. 

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Exactly as she’d imagined. She
conjured him from her imagination? No…
This is not happening.

 

About Maya Tyler:

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Maya Tyler is a multi-published author of
paranormal romance novels and blogger at Maya’s Musings. An avid reader, Maya
writes the books she loves to read—romances! Her paranormal romances come with
complex plot twists and happily-ever-afters.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, listening to
music (alternative rock, especially from the 1990s), practicing yoga, and
watching movies and TV.

Subscribe
to Maya’s Newsletter!

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

 

 

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, International.

Ends October 4th, midnight EST.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Meld: Magic, Please by Kelley Kay Bowles

Posted: September 13, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
Tags: , ,
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The Meld: Magic, Please

by Kelley Kay Bowles

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The Meld: Magic, Please
Young Adult Paranormal
1st in Series
Setting – The fictional Mountain West town of Pinewood, Colorado
All Things That Matter Press (July 3, 2022)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 143 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8986288529
Kindle ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B5RZPXCX

The Meld, an otherworldly group of six, has gathered in the past millennium to bestow gifts on the most interesting of all populations: adolescents. The Meld members comprise a yin/yang of deadly behaviors which qualified their membership: half took lives for noble reasons, half for selfish ones. They completed their circle with Delilah Mackley in 1962 and have since been operating at full strength to give a supernatural gift to their chosen charges. This time, they choose Colorado sophomore Millie Mahoney.

The murder of Millie’s mother and the resultant self-destruction of her father have rendered her life chaotic, which Millie fights by immersing herself in her great passion: words and their power. The Meld gives her the ability for her words to become real:
Everything she writes comes true.

While she’s too smart to bring her mother back to life, Millie does look for a way to heal her family … and maybe catch the loving attention of Derek Samson while she’s at it.

About Kelley Kay Bowles

Kelley (Kelley Kaye, Kelley Kay Bowles, Kelley Gusich) taught High School English and Drama for twenty years in Colorado and California, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions for her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created around her Barbie and Ken. A 1994 MS diagnosis and many years of fertility struggles have (circuitously) brought Kelley, finally, to the life of writer and mother, both of which she adores. Death by Diploma, released by Red Adept Publishing in February 2016 and #1 for cozy mystery on Amazon in August that same year, is her debut cozy mystery, first in the Chalkboard Outlines® series. Book 2, Poison by Punctuation, was released on April 24, 2018, and the latest, Strangled by Simile, was released in March 2022. Her debut Young Adult Paranormal, Down in the Belly of the Whale, received the 2017 Indie Book of the Year from Aionios Books, which published the book on May 5, 2018. The first of The Meld YA Paranormal series: Magic, Please, was released July 3, 2022.

She’s also working with her husband to raise two active and busy teenage sons.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter / YouTube / Goodreads

Purchase Link – Amazon 

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BOOK BLAST PARTICIPANTS

September 12

Elizabeth McKenna – Author       

StoreyBook Reviews      

Socrates Book Reviews 

Celticlady’s Reviews       

Cozy Up With Kathy       

Christy’s Cozy Corners   

Maureen’s Musings       

Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

 

September 13

Ruff Drafts         

FUONLYKNEW  

Books a Plenty Book Reviews     

Lady Hawkeye  

Reading Authors Network           

Readeropolis    

#BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog      

Sapphyria’s Book Reviews           

.

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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.

Ask The Girl by Kim Bartosch ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: September 9, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, thriller
Tags: , ,
3

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I am so excited that ASK THE GIRL by Kim Bartosch is available now and that I
get to share the news!

.

If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the
details below.

.

This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC’s courtesy of Kim & RockstarBook Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below.

 

Ask The Girl

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by Kim Bartosch

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Pub. Date: September 6, 2022

Publisher: Woodhall Press

Formats: Paperback, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 110

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Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks audio, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org

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Nobody believes sixteen-year-old Lila Sadler, who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

Nobody believes that Lila’s sister Rose is possessed by the ghost of Katy Watkins. As Rose’s health worsens each day, the only way to save her is to uncover the awful truth of Katy’s death so many years ago.

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And nobody knows what happened to Katy on October 31, 1925. Not even Katy. Unaware that she was murdered, Katy has wandered for a hundred years in complete ignorance, until the day she meets Rose and Lila.

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Together Lila, Rose, and Katy must confront their demons to escape this hell. But will they be able to escape? Can they forgive the unforgivable?

 

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Excerpt:

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PROLOGUE

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Katy

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THE EARTHY AROMA of decay nestles in her nose. She spits out a mouthful of soil. Her teeth are gritty and  she grinds her jaw as she digs in the dirt with a stick.  Digging deep so the message will
remain until next  time. The stick breaks. 

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“Damn!” She throws the stick. Her companion, a  black dog with a white star patch, sniffs the air then  growls. 

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Katy stops. “Coyote, are they here?” 

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The dog whines, stands, and begins to pace. The  leaves whisper as a cool breeze passes through. High pitched screeches and the click of gnashing teeth echo  in the distance. 

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Coyote barks.  

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Katy’s heart drops in her chest. She doesn’t have  much time. She claws at the ground; her nail tears off  and blood mixes with the dirt, but she does not stop. 

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Coyote barks and barks and barks. Katy digs and  digs and digs. 

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  She needs to finish. She needs to make sure the message remains so that it will be here for her next  time. So she will find it and remember. 

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Coyote barks. Katy digs. The wind howls. It whips around her. The loose dirt stings her face and eyes.  Tears stream down and she chokes back a sob.

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Time freezes into silence. Nothing moves. 

.

The wind stops. 

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Coyote stops barking.  

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Katy stops digging and looks up.

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A loud thump shakes the ground, followed by a low watery growl. The smell of rotten eggs linger. “Come, Coyote!” Katy’s foot slips in the loose soil as  she pulls herself up and runs. Coyote bolts
ahead. The creature chases her and the dog.  

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  It flies over her message but does not disturb the soil. 

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Ask the girl.

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CHAPTER 1

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Lila

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I WAS TOLD every person experiences three deaths.   The first is when the body stops working. The second is when you’re sent to your grave. The third is in the future, when the last person  who remembers you dies, and speaks your name no  more. 

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My father has died twice but still lives on in my heart. But this doesn’t comfort me. 

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I pressed my forehead against the cold glass as  I stared out the car window. Trees and buildings  whizzed by, sending a wave of nausea through my  body. I inhaled deeply, pushing it back along with a  deep ache of loss. No more late-night movies. No more  corny jokes about how I’m not allowed to date. No  more childhood home as the car pulled onward to our  new lives in Missouri with my aunt and uncle. 

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A furry black blur dashed out from behind a  billboard sign. “Mom, watch out!” 

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The car lurched as Mom and Rose jumped from my outburst. “Lila, what is it?”

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I waited for the thump, but instead only heard the steady rhythm of tires on pavement. I whirled around,  expecting to find a flattened animal out the back window—but nothing. “Didn’t you see it?”

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“See what?” Rose asked, peeking out the back. “I think it was a cat or dog?” 

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“I don’t see anything.” Rose turned back around.  Her head was shaking as she nestled her earbuds into  her ears. She thinks I’m making things up, again. I  know she thinks I’m being the dramatic,
unreliable  older sister. The sister she can’t count on, who stirs up trouble and starts fires. But I didn’t start the fire. No one believes me that I didn’t do it. I was just at the  wrong place at the wrong time. I
tried to explain that  to Mom and Rose, but they didn’t believe me. But it’s  been that way ever since I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. When people know, they treat you differently,  even your
family. 

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“Whatever it was, I missed it,” Mom said. Her eyes  met mine in the rearview mirror. “Lila, are you okay?”   “I’m fine.” She thought I made it up too. “Sure?”

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  “Mom, I’m fine,” I said. 

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Mom held up her hands. “Okay, okay.” 

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The car went silent. 

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Rose turned up her music, blocking me out. Mom  gripped the steering wheel so tight her knuckles  were white as sun-bleached driftwood. She mumbled  to herself, sighed, and clicked on the car’s
blinker.  It ticked loudly, announcing our descent onto the Parkville exit. 

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The car turned down Main Street, lined with old Western-style brick buildings. Ancient homes perched  on the bluffs and cliffs above the town. On the other  side, a muddy, choppy river flowed a
few hundred feet from the road.

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“This place hasn’t changed much,” Mom said. Rose squirmed in the front seat as she stared wide eyed out her window, her phone held up as always,  recording a video. “I can’t wait to do my documentary.  I found out that this town has a ghost!” 

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“Well, there’s a lot of history in this town. That’s for sure.” Mom drove the car slowly up Main Street.  “Too much history,” she mumbled. Mom caught her  reflection in the rearview mirror and fixed
her hair frantically. She had the same blonde hair as I did, but  her eyes were a brighter green.

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Aunt Theresa and Uncle John are nice but a little  different. They’re complete opposites—my aunt, a true  Midwest lady who hugs, kisses everyone, and makes the  best baked goods ever; my uncle, a rough, tattooed, bald  biker who tells long stories about his good old days. We  only saw them once a year, which was enough for me.  Now I have to figure out how to live with them. 

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We drove through downtown Parkville and entered  a subdivision of colonial-type homes sitting high on  steep hills above the road. Tall oaks and maple trees  shaded the street and sidewalk where
families in  shorts and T-shirts walked their dogs, rode bikes, and pushed baby strollers. Eventually the houses became  fewer and Mom turned onto a small gravel road with  a sign that read, “Cooper’s Inn.” The road wound up,  and our small car groaned as it climbed the steep hillside. The trees closed in around the driveway but  soon opened up to a grand three-story Victorian home  with a broad wraparound porch and four spiraling  pillars, much like Juliet’s tower. 

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“Wow!” Rose was gazing out of her window. The  house rested on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River,  rolling hills, bluffs, and some of the town. “I always  love the view here.”

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My aunt waited at the back door with a warm  smile and waved as we pulled up. Her long dark  hair sprinkled with gray blew into her face when she  stepped outside. She wiped her hands on an apron
dotted with flour and dough before tucking her hair behind her ears. Mom and Rose went to greet her,  but I walked to the back of the car to get my bags to  avoid the hugs and pinched cheeks. A flash of bright light appeared out of the corner of my eye. Near the  forest, small globes of light
floated around the trees. I squinted to get a closer look. 

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“Yoo-hoo, Liiilaaa!” My aunt walked toward me,  arms wide open. My heart dropped and my chest  tightened, bubbling up against the urge to scream or  cry uncontrollably, but I knew I had to get this
part  over. So I closed my eyes and let my aunt drown me in  her arms.

.

  It will be fine, Lila. 

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Relax.

.

Breathe.

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About Kim Bartosch:

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Kim is a young adult writer of
paranormal mysteries and thrillers. She is fond of ghost stories and has experienced many hauntings during several paranormal investigations. She has contributed many articles regarding travel, hauntings, and more on various sites. Kim has been on several ghost hunts across the U.S. with her sister. She photographed a
ghost at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

As an advocate for Autism and Bipolar Disorder, Kim offers her support to many charities and programs, such as Joshua Center and Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA). Kim feels
there aren’t enough programs for mental disabilities. Her goal is to give as much help to set up these organizations for success so individuals, such as her autistic son and bipolar sister, will have the support they need.

Kim is an avid member of the Society of Children Book Writers & illustrators (SCBWI.org) contributing her time to many events and conferences.

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