Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

Reckoning by Baron Birtcher ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: September 19, 2023 in giveaways, reviews, thriller, Western
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RECKONING by Baron Birtcher Banner

RECKONING
by Baron Birtcher
September 4 – 29, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

 

RECKONING by Baron Birtcher

 

Synopsis:
Ty Dawson is a small-town sheriff with big-city problems, in this riveting crime thriller from the award-winning author of Fistful of Rain.

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As lawman, rancher, and Korean War veteran, Ty Dawson has his share of problems in the southern Oregon county he calls home. Despite how rural it is, Meriwether can’t keep modernity at bay. The 1970s have changed the United States—and Meriwether won’t be spared. A standoff looms when the US Fish & Wildlife Service seeks to separate longtime cattleman KC Sheridan from his water supply—ensuring the death of his livestock. If that’s not enough trouble, a Portland detective is found dead in a fly-fishing resort cabin. Though the Portland police, including the victim’s own partner, are eager to write off the tragedy as a suicide, Ty has his own thoughts on the matter—as well as evidence that points to murder. His suspicions soon mire him in a swamp of corruption that threatens nearly everyone around him. Turns out that greed and evil are contagious—and they take down men both great and small . . .

Praise:

“Combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson’s Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character.” ~ Sheila Deeth, author of John’s Joy “A masterful work of a time gone by . . . Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other.” ~ Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times–bestselling author of The Burden of Proof “Outstanding… Readers will crave more from Dawson.” ~ Publishers Weekly

 

Book Details:

Genre: Neo-western crime thriller

Published by: Open Road Integrated Media Publication Date: June 2023 Number of Pages: 300 ISBN: 978-1-5040-8280-8 Series: Sheriff Ty Dawson Series, #3

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Open Road Media

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MY REVIEW

Corruption, murder and a standoff. Reckoning is just what the title says. And local rancher and sheriff Ty Dawson plans to deliver.

Ty did what I call ‘stand tall” against the powers that be that want to take, take, take. His conviction and honesty stood out among the wicked and he was going to make sure the innocent were protected and the guilty would face their comeuppance.  Every time he “spoke” in the book I perked up and paid attention. His voice was strong and he stood by what he said.

When a book gets me all riled up and I myself want to see justice done, that’s when I can’t recommend it enough.

5 STARS

 

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Enjoy this peek inside:
Prelude:
A TRANSITIVE NIGHTFALL
NO CHILD IS brought into this world with any knowledge of true evil. This they learn over the passage of time. In my experience as a Sheriff, and as a rancher, I have found this precept to be true. Time passes nevertheless, even if it passes slowly. Here in rural southern Oregon, sometimes it seemed as if it hadn’t moved at all, advancing without touching Meriwether County, except with glancing blows. That is, until the day it caught up with us all, and came down like a goddamn hammer.

CHAPTER ONE

ORDINARILY, AUTUMN IN Meriwether County would come in hard and sudden, like a stone hurled through a window. But this year it snuck in slow and mild, lingered there deceitfully while we waited for the axe to come down. The sky that morning was turquoise, empty of clouds, the altitude strung with elongated V’s of migrating geese and a single contrail that resembled a surgical scar, the narrows between the high valley walls opening onto a broad vista of rangeland some distance below. I had expected ice patches to have formed on the pavement overnight, but the weather had remained stubbornly dry, even as temperatures closed in on the low thirties. I tipped open the wind-wing and let the chill air blow through the cab of my pickup as I stretched, and drank off the last dregs of coffee I had brought for the long southward drive from the town of Meridian. I had received a phone call at home the night before from an unusually distressed KC Sheridan. I had known KC for as long as I can remember, a pragmatic and taciturn cattleman whose family history in the area dated back to the late 1800s, much like that of my own. Three generations of Sheridans had stretched fence wire, planted feed-grass and run rough stock across deeded ranchland that measured its acreage in the tens of thousands, and whose boundaries straddled two separate counties, one of which was my jurisdiction. But the decade of the ’70s thus far had not been any kinder or gentler to cowboys than to anyone else, and KC and his wife, Irene, had found themselves increasingly subject to the fulminations and intimidation of both local and federal government. While the Sheridan ranch had once numbered itself among a dozen privately held agricultural properties in the region, KC now found himself surrounded on three sides by a federally designated wildlife refuge that had swollen to encompass well over three hundred square miles; a bird sanctuary originally conceived under the auspices of President Theodore Roosevelt’s white house. All of which would have been perfectly fine and acceptable to the Sheridan family, given the understanding that the scarce water supply that ultimately fed into the bird sanctuary belonged to the Sheridans by legal covenant, as it had for nearly a century. I turned off the paved two-lane and onto a gravel service road, headed in the direction of the ridgeline where KC sat silhouetted against the bright backdrop of clear sky, mounted astride his chestnut roping horse. KC climbed out of the saddle as I parked a short distance away, switched off the ignition and stepped down from my truck. KC trailed the horse behind him as he moved in my direction, took off his hat and ran a forearm across his brow, then pressed it back onto his head. His hair and his eyes shared a similar shade of gunmetal grey, and the hardscrabble nature of his existence as a rancher had been recorded in the deep lines of his face. “What the hell am I supposed to do about these goings-on, Sheriff?” KC asked, and cocked his brim in the general direction of a reservoir that was the size of a small mountain lake. Two men wearing construction hardhats were surveying a line on the near shore where a third man studied a roll of blueprints he had unfurled across the hood of his work truck. “Is that who I think it is?” I asked. “They aim to fence off my water. My cows won’t last a week in this weather.” “Have you talked to them, KC?” He nodded. “’Bout as useful as standing in a bucket and trying to lift yourself up by the handle. It’s the reason I finally called you, Ty. I didn’t know what else to do.” The vein on KC’s temple palpitated as he cut his eyes toward the foothills and spat. “I’ll have a word with them,” I said. “You wait here.” A wintry wind had begun to blow down from the pass, pushing channels through the dry grass and the sweet scents of juniper and scrub pine. A harrier swept down out of a cluster of black oaks and made a series of low passes across the flats. I averted my eyes as the sun glinted off the US Department of Fish & Wildlife shield affixed to the driver side door of a government-issue Chevy Suburban. The man studying the blueprints didn’t bother to lift his head or look at me as I stepped up beside him. “Care to tell me why you and your men are trespassing on private ranch land?” I asked. The man sighed, scrutinizing me over the frames of a pair of steel-rimmed reading glasses. He had a face that put me in mind of an apple carving, and a physique that resembled a burlap sack filled with claw hammers. “Who the hell are you now?” he asked. “Ty Dawson, Sheriff of Meriwether County. That’s the name of the county you’re standing in.” He took off his reading glasses and slipped them into his shirt pocket, hitched a work boot onto the Suburban’s bumper and offered me an approximation of a smile. “Well, Sheriff, I’m with Fish and Wildlife—that’s an agency of the federal government, as I’m sure you’re aware—and I have a work order that says I’m supposed to put up a fence. And that’s exactly what me and my crew are doing here.” I gestured upslope, where KC Sheridan stood watching us, his arms crossed in front of his chest. “You’re on that man’s private property,” I said. The government man made no move to acknowledge KC. “I don’t split hairs over those types of details, Sheriff. The work order I’ve got lays out the metes and bounds of the line, and me and my crew just install the fence where it says to. It ain’t brain surgery.” “Scoot over and let me have a look at that site map.” “I oughtta radio this in.” “You do whatever you think you need to,” I said. “But do it while I’m looking at your map.” He lifted his chin and looked as though he was conducting a dialogue with himself, then finally stepped to one side. I studied the blueprint for a few moments, looked out across the rock-studded range and got my bearings. “Looks to me like the boundary line for the bird refuge is at least a hundred yards to the other side of this reservoir,” I said. “Your map is mismarked.” “The agency doesn’t mismark maps, Sheriff.” “They sure as hell mismarked this one. You need to stop your work until this gets sorted out.” “That’s not going to happen.” “Care to repeat that? There’s clearly been a mistake.” “No mistake. You need to step away, Sheriff.” “Let me explain something to you,” I said, removing my sunglasses. “It’s the law in the State of Oregon that the water that comes up on Mr. Sheridan’s property belongs to Mr. Sheridan. Period. If you fence off his reservoir—especially this late in the season—you’re not only stealing his water, you’re murdering his herd.” The agency man lifted his foot off the bumper, set his feet wide and faced off with me. He slid both hands into the back pockets of his canvas overalls and rocked back on his heels. “Now it’s my turn to try to explain something to you, Sheriff: I been given a job to do, and I intend to do it. If you don’t walk away right this minute and leave me to it, I will be forced to radio this in. Long and the short of it is, the guys who will come out here after me will have badges, too. And their badges are bigger than yours.” “I won’t allow you to trespass onto private property, steal this man’s water and kill his livestock.” He glanced at his two crewmen staking the line then turned his attention back to me. “You going to arrest us?” he asked. “What is it with you agency people? Why is it that your first inclination is to slam the pedal all the way to the floor?” “When me and the boys come back out here, it won’t just be the three of us no more.” “I’m finished talking about this,” I said. “Pack up your gear and go.” I could feel his eyes boring holes into the back of my head as I picked my way back up the incline where Sheridan stood waiting for me. “I can tell by your stride that you had the same kind of dialogue experience I had with that fella,” KC said. “Bureaucrats with hardhats.” “I ain’t no cupcake, Dawson. But, you know that those sonsabitches have been tweaking my nose for years.” “Those men are part of a federal agency, KC, make no mistake. If you’re not careful, they’ll try to roll right over the top of you.” “What do you call what they’re doing right now? I don’t intend to lay down for it.” “I’m not saying you should.” “What, then?” “Get on the phone and call Judge Yates up in Salem,” I said. “Ask him if he can slap an injunction on these clowns until we get it sorted out.” Sheridan’s horse pinned back his ears and began to shuffle his forelegs, responding to the tone our conversation had taken. KC calmed the animal with a caress of its neck, dipped into the pocket of his wool coat, snapped off a few pieces of carrot and fed it to the gelding from the flat of his palm. “I’ll do it, Ty, but I swear to god—” “KC, you call me before you do anything else, you understand?” *** Excerpt from RECKONING by Baron Birtcher. Copyright 2023 by Baron Birtcher. Reproduced with permission from Baron Birtcher. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Baron R. Birtcher:
Baron Birtcher

Baron R Birtcher is the LA TIMES and IMBA BESTSELLING author of the hardboiled Mike Travis series (Roadhouse Blues, Ruby Tuesday, Angels Fall, and Hard Latitudes), the award-winning Ty Dawson series (South California Purples, Fistful Of Rain, and Reckoning), as well as the critically-lauded stand-alone, RAIN DOGS. Baron is a five-time winner of the SILVER FALCHION AWARD, and the WINNER of 2018’s Killer Nashville READERS CHOICE AWARD, as well as 2019’s BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR for Fistful Of Rain. He has also had the honor of having been named a finalist for the NERO AWARD, the LEFTY AWARD, the FOREWORD INDIE AWARD, the 2016 BEST BOOK AWARD, the Pacific Northwest’s regional SPOTTED OWL AWARD, and the CLAYMORE AWARD. Baron’s writing has been hailed as “The real deal” by Publishers Weekly; “Fast Paced and Engaging” by Booklist; and “Solid, Fluent and Thrilling” by Kirkus. “YOU WANT TO READ BIRTCHER’S BOOKS, THEN YOU WANT TO LIVE IN THEM” — Don Winslow, NYT Bestselling author “BIRTCHER IS PART POET, PART PHILOSOPHER, AND A CONSUMMATE WRITER” — Reed Farrel Coleman, NYT Bestselling author “REMINISCENT OF THE LATE, GREAT ELMORE LEONARD” — Shots Magazine (UK)

Catch Up With Baron Birtcher: Instagram – @baronrbirtcherauthor Facebook

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!  

 

JOIN IN ON THE GIVEAWAY:
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Baron Birtcher. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.
 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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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.

10 Dogs by Emily Gravett ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: September 18, 2023 in Children's books, giveaways, reviews, Uncategorized
Tags: , ,
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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the 10 DOGS by Emily Gravett Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

Check out my review and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: 10 DOGS

 by Emily Gravett

 

 

Pub. Date: September 19, 2023

Publisher: Boxer Books

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 32

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/10-DOGS 

 

Award-winning, bestselling author and
illustrator Emily Gravett delivers a hilarious tale of mishap and mayhem as ten
dogs pursue a chain of sausage links in this early-learning picture book,
perfect for anyone looking for books for 3-year-olds and up.  

From dachshund to dalmation, every dog wants a piece of the prize. Follow this
high-stakes adventure as the scales tip from one dog with all the sausages and
nine dogs with none to nine dogs with all the sausages and one dog with none.
Will ten hungry dogs ever find a way to share ten tasty treats?

Gravett’s playful art and clever plot twists create page-turning suspense,
making this dog book perfect for repeat read-aloud fun.

This charming counting book is perfect for helping young readers learn about
sharing as well as how to countn to ten. Emily Gravett’s adorable dog art
makes 10 Dogs just as appealing to those looking for funny dog
books as it is for anyone searching for kids books for ages 3—5.

 

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MY REVIEW

Oh, what a fun book about counting!  I love dogs and sausages and the book is filled with fun, cute illustrations of dogs and what they do with the sausages. Ten sausages sitting on the kitchen table, unsupervised. Ten hungry dogs, drooling. As you can imagine, they cause a mess.

It’s all about counting and is such a delightful way to learn as your child finds which dogs have sausages, how many and which have none. Warning: some sausages are hidden by sneaky dogs. And so many different dogs too.

Picture you and your family huddled together as you count along. I was grinning ear to ear while turning each page and very much recommend this book to all families.

5 STARS

 

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About Author Emily Gravett:

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Emily Gravett is the two-time winner of the Kate Greenaway Medal
for Wolves and Little Mouse’s Big Book of Fears.
Her internationally award-winning picture books include Meerkat Mail, Tidy, and Old
Hat. She has illustrated bestselling fiction, including Matt Haig’s Evie
and the Animals and a recent full-color edition of Quidditch
Through the Ages.

Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

 

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1 winner will receive a finished copy of 10 DOGS, US Only.

Ends September 26th, midnight EST.

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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.

Things That Go Jack In The Night by TG Wolff ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: September 15, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery, reviews, Short stories and collections
Tags: , , ,
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Things That Go Jack In The Night
by TG Wolff
September 11-15, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

 

Things That Go Jack In The Night by TG Wolff

 

Synopsis:
Mysteries To Die For: Season 6

In the English language, there are a few, very special words that can function as nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs. One word goes further, creating new words from old. That word is JACK. The brandy distilled from hard cider was the first applejack, the word now synonymous with a children’s cereal. There is the nefarious one-eyed jack of playing card fame. Animals from the jackdaw to the jackrabbit to the elusive jackalope roam all the ranges. There are the ever growing number of people named Jack, birth named or nicknamed, heroes to villains. The way the word “jack” is used in the English language is truly unique, inventive, and too numerous for us to count. For your puzzle solving pleasure, Mysteries to Die For presents: Things That Go Jack in the Night. Pepper jack cheese. Lumberjack. Wolfman Jack. Jack be Nimble. One-eyed Jack. Jackass. Jacking Off. Jackalope. Jack-in-the-box. Jackknife. Jackpot. Audio jack. Twelve stories arranged for you to deduce the truth. Twelve “jacks” that should definitely not be taken at face value. It’s a race between you and the detective to find the killer amid the jack in the night.

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MY REVIEW

I love a good mystery and there were many good ones in Things That Go Jack In The Night. And collections are a fun way to discover new authors, as are short stories. The author’s are challenged to develop their characters and plot in a limited amount of words.

I zipped through these. What I found most fun was the opportunity to try the solve each case myself. There’s a recap provided giving you the list of suspects and why they might have come under suspicion. Most of the time I chuckled and shook my head. I was wrong the majority of the time. I did manage to guess one right and came close a couple more.

If you like to test your brain pan and try to solve a mystery, there’s plenty to go around in this collection. You can read a few and take a break, or read them all in one sitting, which is what I did. Was having such fun trying to guess the villains that I didn’t want to stop.

4 STARS

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Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Short Story

Published by: Mysteries To Die For Publication Date: September 2023 Number of Pages: 288

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | Mysteries to Die For

 

About Our Authors:

TG Wolff and Jack Wolff co-host the podcast Mysteries to Die For. This storytelling podcast combines with original music to put you in the heart of a mystery. All stories are structured to challenge you to beat the detective to the solution. Each season, authors craft whodunnit mysteries around a theme. Season 6: Things that Go Jack in the Night features: KM Rockwood, Chuck Brownman, Nikki Knight, Ed Teja, Erica Obey, Kyra Jacobs, Ken Harris, Susan Wingate, TG Wolff, and Jack Wolff.

Get More Mysteries to Die For: Mysteries to Die For Goodreads BookBub – @TG_Wolff Instagram – @tg_wolff Twitter – @tg_wolff Facebook – M2D4Podcast

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!  

 

JOIN IN ON THE GIVEAWAY:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for TG Wolff & the Mysteries to Die For crew. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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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.

Rainbow Days by Valerie Bolling ~ Reviews And Giveaway

Posted: September 15, 2023 in Children's books, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , ,
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I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the THE GOLD BOWL by Valerie Bolling & Kai Robinson Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours.

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Check out my reviews and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: THE GOLD BOWL (Rainbow Days #2)

Author: by Valerie
Bolling & Kai Robinson (Illustrator)

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Pub. Date: September 5, 2023

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 48

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-GOLD-BOWL

 

Zoya makes Coco a golden birthday
present in this full-color book perfect for beginning readers!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic’s
early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With
easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color
artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency.
Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow!

It’s Coco’s birthday and Zoya wants
to give her pup the perfect present. She tries out a few ideas — including a
yarn necklace and colorful frosted treats. But she finally decides to paint
Coco’s bowl gold. With some paint and LOTS of glitter, Zoya creates a gift Coco
is sure to love!

With Kai Robinson’s vibrant,
full-color artwork and Valerie Bolling’s engaging, easy-to-read text
throughout, this sparkly series is perfect for beginning readers!

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MY REVIEW

Zoya wants to make her beloved puppy, Coco, a birthday gift. She tries several ideas until her mother helps her settle on the perfect one.

I’d recommend this to kids around 6 or 7 years old. The story is sweet and fun and inspires expressing yourself with art. The illustrations were colorful and made me want to get out my paints. Zoya toyed with several fun ways to make her puppie’s gift sparkle.

5 STARS

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The Gray Day

Synopsis

In this sparkly, full-color early reader series, Zoya and her puppy, Coco, love to make art — even on a rainy day! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic’s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency. Acorn books plant a love of reading and help readers grow! Zoya loves to make art with her puppy, Coco. It is a perfect day to paint outside — until it begins to rain! Zoya and Coco rush back inside with their art supplies. But together — and with a splash of glitter — they find creative ways to brighten the gray day. With Kai Robinson’s vibrant, full-color artwork and Valerie Bolling’s engaging, easy-to-read text throughout, this sparkly series is perfect for beginning readers!

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MY REVIEW

It’s a beautiful day and Zoya takes her puppy, Coco, outside to do some painting in the sun. But clouds roll in and rain falls on her artwork so she’s forced indoors. It’s now a gloomy day and there’s nothing bright to paint.

I loved how the author turned Zoya’s gloomy day into one filled with color and sparkle. Yes, everything is better with a sprinkle or two of glitter. A perfect book for the budding little artist in your family.

5 STARS

 

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About Valerie Bolling:

 

Valerie
Bolling is a graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University, Teachers
College and has been an educator for over 25 years. Her debut picture
book, Let’s Dance! is a 2021 Crystal Kite Award winner.
Rainbow Days, illustrated by Kai Robinson, is her debut early reader series.
Bolling and her husband live in Connecticut.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
| Goodreads

 

 

 

About Kai Robinson:

Kai Robinson is a digital illustrator and designer with a BFA
in Illustration from Montserrat College of Art. Rainbow Days, written by
Valerie Bolling, is their debut early reader series. Kai is based in New
England.

Website | Instagram
| Goodreads

 

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1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE GOLD BOWL, US Only.

Ends September 19th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

9/4/2023

A Blue Box Full of Books

IG Post/TikTok Post

9/4/2023

@enjoyingbooksagain

IG Review

9/5/2023

Character Madness and Musings

Guest Post

9/5/2023

Rajiv’s
Reviews

Review/IG Post

9/6/2023

YA Books Central

Guest Post/IG Post

9/6/2023

@katherinebichler

TikTok Post

9/7/2023

Two Chicks on Books

Excerpt/IG Post

9/7/2023

Destiny_Path

Review/IG Post

9/8/2023

Country Mamas With Kids

Review/IG Post

9/8/2023

evergirl200

IG Review

Week Two:

9/11/2023

Sandra’s Book Club

Review

9/11/2023

@dharashahauthor

Review/IG Post

9/12/2023

avainbookland

IG Review

9/12/2023

@froggyreadteach

IG Review

9/13/2023

The Momma Spot

Review

9/13/2023

Meet
The Fultons

Review/IG Post

9/14/2023

@aportaltomagic

Review/IG Post

9/14/2023

Gryffindorbookishnerd

IG Review

9/15/2023

OneMoreExclamation

Review/IG Post

9/15/2023

FUONLYKNEW

Review

 

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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.

Dead West by Linda L. Richards ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: September 14, 2023 in giveaways, reviews, suspense, thriller
Tags: , , , ,
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Dead West by Linda L Richards Banner

Dead West
by Linda L Richards
September 4 – 29, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

 

Dead West by Linda L Richards

 

Synopsis

Still struggling towards the light, this time the assignment is to save, not kill.

Taking lives has taken its toll. Her moral justifications have faltered. Do any of the the people she has killed — some of them heinous, but all of them human — deserve to die? Her next target is Cameron Walker, a rancher in Arizona. When she arrives at his remote desert estate to carry out her orders, she discovers that he is a kind and beautiful man. After a lengthy tour of the ranch, not only has she not killed him, she’s wondering who might want him dead. She procrastinates long enough that a vibe grows between them. At the same time, she learns that he’s passionate about wild horses and has been fighting a losing political battle to save the mustangs that live on protected land near his property. He’s even received death threats from those who oppose him. She finds herself trying to protect the man she was sent to kill, following a trail that leads from the desert, to the Phoenix cognoscenti, to the highest offices in Washington, DC. Along the way she encounters kidnappers and killers, horse thieves and even human traffickers. Hopefully she can figure out who ordered the hit before they hire someone else to execute the assignment.

Praise for Dead West:

“Linda L. Richards delivers yet another riveting entry in her hired killer series. Set mostly in Arizona desert country, Dead West is a dust devil of a story, twisting in wildly unpredictable ways and with a powerful emotional center. But this book isn’t just a marvelously compelling thriller; it also cries out passionately for protection of the endangered wild horses of the West. Kudos to Richards for seamlessly weaving an important message into the fabric of a terrific tale.” ~ William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author “When a contract killer’s wounded conscience begins to awaken, it only heightens the dangers of her profession. In Dead West, the incomparable Linda L. Richards poses the possibility of redemption and recovery for her tragic heroine, all while sending her – and us – on a deadly thrill ride through the stunning Arizona wilderness.” ~ Clea Simon, Boston Globe bestselling author

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MY REVIEW

Cameron is a kind and honest man who wants nothing more than to save the wild horses of Arizona from being killed off. Many other rancher’s say the horses are causing permanent damage to the environment, threatening the grazing ranges of their cattle. He says differently. The battle to save the horses has been ongoing but now someone wants him out of the way, for good.

Enter, Katherine Eveline Ragsdill, the woman hired to silence Cameron. She needs to get close to her target. To study his patterns. Her dilemma. She could be getting too close. She could be falling for him. Who knew she could love. Katherine sure didn’t before now.

I had no idea this was the third book in a series when I started reading. Don’t know how I missed that. The author put me in Katherine’s head and I could understand why she was who she was and did what she did so I didn’t feel lost or left wondering. What really had me going was how she would be able to have a relationship with Cameron. No way could she hide her occupation and have a truly honest and happy one. Would the couple ride off into the sunset? I wanted to see how the author could or would pull that off.  The answer was….. not something I can tell you. The no spoiler thing and all. I can tell you the answer was quite satisfying and made sense.

I’d made note of a couple of bread crumbs the author sprinkled in the story and they became apparent in the ending. I’d almost forgot about it and it was a great conclusion for me.

5 STARS

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Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Noir, Suspense

Published by: Oceanview Publishing Publication Date: September 2023 Number of Pages: 320 ISBN: 9781608095124 (ISBN10: 1608095126) Series: The Endings Series, Book 3

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Oceanview Publishing

Enjoy this peek inside:
CHAPTER ONE
I’m sitting on a beach. It’s a ridiculous proposition. Fluffy white clouds are scudding through a clear, blue sky. Surfers are running around carrying boards, often over their heads. Then they plunge into a sea that looks deadly to my non-surfing eyes. Palm trees are waving, and the air is so neutral, you don’t have to think about it. Soft, welcoming air. You just float right through. The view is beautiful. It’s like a movie backdrop. A painting. Something skillfully manufactured to look hyper-real. Textbook paradise, that’s what I’m talking about. I’m sitting on this beach, trying not to think about the reason I’m here. But it’s hard. Difficult. To not think about it, I mean. I’m here, in paradise, because someone has to die. Someone will die. I got the assignment a few days ago. I flew to this island to pull it off. My target is a businessman who lives on this island in the South Pacific. He is the kind of self-made guy who has achieved every goal in life and would seem to have everything to live for. Only now, apparently, someone wants him dead because here I am, ready for business. So I stake him out. You need to understand at least the basics of who someone is before you snuff them out. This is the idea that I have. I’m not going all sensitive on you or anything, that’s just how it is. In order to do the best possible job in this business, you need to understand a little about who they are. It’s not a rule or anything, it’s just how I feel. His name is Gavin White, and I researched him a bit before I got here. He made his fortune in oil and wax, which is an odd enough combo that you perk up your ears. Only it doesn’t seem to matter: the source of the income would seem to have nothing to do with the hit. Would seem to, because there is only so much I can learn about that, really. On the surface, anyway, I can find no direct connection between Gavin White’s livelihood and the death that someone has planned for him and that I am now further planning. I follow him and his S560 cabriolet all over the tropical island. He makes a few stops. I watch what he does, how he moves and who he interacts with. Some of it might matter. I’m not doing it for my health. I’m watching him so I can determine when I might best have advantage when I go to take him out. There are always multiple times and different places to fulfill my assignment and usually only one—or maybe two—that are virtually flawless. Sometimes not even that. So I watch. And it’s more than an opportunity I’m looking for, though that can play a part. It’s also a matter of identifying what will make my job not only easier, but also safest from detection. And so I watch. And I wait. As I follow him, he stops first at a bank. Does some business— I’ll never know what. After that he visits his mom. At least, I guess it is his mom. An older woman he seems affectionate with. From my rental car, I can see them through a front room window. There is a hug and then a wave. It could be a bookkeeper for all I know. But mom is what I guess. After a while he heads to the beach. He sits on the sand, contemplative for a while. I think about taking him there; full contemplation. But it is crude and much too exposed. More time passes before he takes off his shoes, leaves them on the beach, and walks into the surf. I leave my car and take up a spot on the sand, just plopping myself down not far from his shoes. I watch him surreptitiously. It is obvious he did not come to the beach to swim. He is fully clothed and he hasn’t left a towel behind there with his shoes. There is none of the paraphernalia one associates with a visit to the beach, even if this were one that is intended for swimming, which it is not. Signs warn of possible impending doom for those who venture into the water. “Strong current,” warns one sign under a fluorescent flag. “If in doubt, don’t go out.” “Dangerous shore break,” warns another. “Waves break in shallow water. Serious injuries could occur, even in small surf.” I don’t know if Gavin White read the signs, or noticed them, but even though he is still fully clothed, he steps into the water anyway. First, he gets his feet wet. Not long after, he wades in up to his knees. He hesitates when the water is at mid-thigh, and he stops there. For a while, it seems to me, it is like a dance. He stands facing the horizon, directly in front of where I sit. His shoulders are squared. There is something stoic in his stance. I can’t explain it. Squared and stoic. Waves break against him, push him back. He allows the push, then makes his way back to the spot where he had stood before. Before long, he ventures deeper still. The dance. I watch for a while, fascinated. I wonder if there is anything I should do. But no. The dance. Two steps forward, then the waves push him back. And now he is in deeper still, and further from shore. I see a wave engulf him completely, and I hold my breath. He doesn’t struggle, but then I see him rise, face the horizon, square his shoulders. The waves are strong and beautiful. And they are eerily clear, those waves. Sometimes I can see right inside them. Careful glass tubes of water, I can even observe that from shore. For a while he stands like that, facing the horizon—a lull in the action of the waves. And then he is engulfed once again. I hold my breath, but this time he doesn’t rise. I sit there for a long time, considering. And waiting. My breathing shallow. But he doesn’t reappear. After half an hour, I text my handler. “It is done,” is all I say, just as I know she will expect. It was not my hand, but the mission has been accomplished regardless. No one knows better than me that there are many ways to die.

CHAPTER TWO

There are many ways to die. I think I have died many times. Certainly, I’ve wanted to. I died when I lost my child. Died later when I lost my husband, even though by then there was little love left between us. Still. I died. I died the first time I took someone’s life. At the time it felt like living, but I didn’t yet know the difference. And then there was the time I had to kill someone I loved. I died that time, too. Sometimes I believe I have died so much that I’ve forgotten how to live. That I should most correctly walk into a waiting undertow just like Gavin White did. I don’t know what stops me, honestly. I don’t. Though there are days when it’s a very close thing. This isn’t one of those days. When my phone rings, it tells me the call is coming from Kiribati, a place I’ve barely heard of before. All of her calls are like that. Routed through some other place. They might be chosen for their convenience, but I think they are also selected for the mirth they might provide. I’m not certain she has a wicked sense of humor, but I suspect it, pretty much. She never used to call me. For a long time, it was text and email only, secure channels always. And then the calls began. I imagined that it meant we had developed some sort of connection. I no longer wonder about that now. Whatever the meaning, the calls have never been from normal places; they don’t come from the places one might expect. And none have been from the same odd place twice. They are chosen for some reason I don’t understand. Some inside joke I stand outside of. She can be cryptic that way. Another reason I guess I imagined for a while that we belonged. “That was efficient,” is what she says by way of greeting. “What do you mean?” I figure I actually know, but it makes no sense to admit that going in. “He walked into the sea,” she says. How does she know that? It makes me wonder, but not deeply. It would not be the first time I’ve wondered if there is someone who watches the hunter. It would even make a dark sort of sense. “Yes,” I say, unquestioning. She has her ways. “That’s right. He did.” “Hmmm,” she says. And then again, “Hmmm.” “There are many ways to die,” I say, and by now it feels like gospel. Something sacred. And more true than true. “What I really don’t understand,” I say, sailing into a different direction, “is that you said things weren’t going to be like this anymore.” “Excuse me?” I am put off by her tone. Surprised. It comes to me from a new place. Unexpected. And she doesn’t back away from it. Goes on just as strongly, instead. “What do you mean by that?” It’s a challenge. “I’m trying to think how you put it,” I say. “Something about how things have been wrong with the world. How we could . . . how we could make it right.” “Did I say that?” “You did,” I reply. “I do maybe remember something like that. Maybe.” I feel my heart sink a bit at her words. And why? I can’t even quite put my finger on it. It felt, maybe, like I might be part of something. Again. And now? Now I’m not. “You did say that,” I say it quietly though. Almost as an aside. “These things take time, as it turns out. One can’t just flip a switch.” I can hear her pushing on, rushing through. “Meanwhile, I’ve got another one for you,” she says, and I’m relieved that she has tacitly agreed to leave the drowned man to sink or swim. Disappointed by how easily the hopeful words she’d fed me not so long ago could be pushed to one easy side. Disappointed and relieved all in one gulp. It’s an odd thing to feel. I find I don’t like it. “So if you’re ready,” she says. “Another what?” I ask it, but I suspect I know. “Job,” she replies, and I wonder why I wasted breath. “I’m ready enough,” I say, though I’m struggling. I struggle every time. “Good,” she says. “I’ll send you the details, but I think the juxtaposition of these two will amuse you.” “How so?” And I try not to digest the irony around any aspect of a contract killing being amusing. “Well, you’ve just been in the Pacific. Water, water everywhere. And now you’re heading for the desert.” “I am?” “You are. Right out into it, in fact. The target is in Arizona.” “Phoenix?” Which is all I really know of Arizona. “You’ll fly to Phoenix, but, no: the target is near a national park. Rural. A place you won’t have heard of before, I’m betting. I’ll send the details once I’m off this call.” When I first get off the phone, I try not to think about it too much. It’s like my brain doesn’t want me to pay attention. Or something. But I put off checking my email. I’ll do it later. Right now, there are things that need my attention. Okay. “Need” would be an overstatement. There are things. I choose to give them my time. Walks in the forest with the dog. Cooking succulent meals for one. And recently, I have taken up plein air painting, simply because it was there. When I want to paint, I take the dog and my gear and we hike out to some remote spot and I set up my stuff and I paint what I see. Try to paint what I see. The dog meanwhile amuses himself— chasing squirrels, digging holes, sniffing his own butt. He’s very skilled at self-amusement. I’ve never seen anything like it. In less clement weather we hunker down and brave it out. I make a fire in the fireplace because it’s beautiful, not because we need the warmth. There is something idyllic to this life. Easy. After a while it gets even easier to forget . . . forget what? Everything, really. It gets easier to forget to remember. I paint the dog. My online classes have gone well enough, and I have proven to be a good enough student—and the dog a good enough subject—that I end up with a pretty credible representation of him; something I am proud to hang. And even if I wasn’t, it’s not like anyone is ever going to see. *** Excerpt from Dead West by Linda L Richards. Copyright 2023 by Linda L Richards. Reproduced with permission from Linda L Richards. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Linda L. Richards:
Linda L Richards

Linda L. Richards is the award-winning author of over a dozen books. The founder and publisher of January Magazine and a national board member of Sisters in Crime, she is best known for her strong female protagonists in the thriller genre. Richards is from Vancouver, Canada and currently makes her home in Phoenix, Arizona. Richards is an accomplished horsewoman and an avid tennis player. She enjoys yoga, hiking, cooking and playing guitar, though not at the same time.

You can find her at: LindaLRichards.com Goodreads BookBub – @linda1841 Instagram – @lindalrichards Twitter – @lindalrichards Facebook – @lindalrichardsauthor TikTok – @lindalrichards

Learn More about Linda in this #AuthorInterview!

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!  

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Linda L Richards. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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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.

My Review ~ If I Were Invisible by Lily Lawson

Posted: September 12, 2023 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, reviews
Tags: ,
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If I Were Invisible

by Lily Lawson

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Think of all the things we could get away with if nobody could see us! But how long would the fun last, if we had to do it all alone?

Purchase Link

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MY REVIEW

I’m sure many of you have wished you could have the power of invisibility. I did.

This delightful book told in poetry has boldly colored illustrations filled with fun ideas about what a young boy would do if he were invisible. There is so much to see on each turn of the page. The author posed some interesting question that made me wonder about the good and bad of being invisible.

I’d recommend this as a family read so you and your young ones could ask each other what you’d do if you could be invisible.

5 STARS

 

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About Author Lily Lawson:

Lily Lawson is a poet and fiction writer living in the UK.She has poetry, short stories, and creative non-fiction published in anthologies and online in addition to her poetry books My Fathers Daughter, A Taste Of What’s To Come, and Rainbow’s Red Book of Poetry and her kids’ books Santa’s Early Christmas,The Palm Tree Swingers Island Band and If I Were Invisible…

You can find out more about Lily and read more of her work on her blog.

Subscribers to Life with Lily are the first to hear all her writing news.

You can sign up here.

Social Media Links: Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads / Bookbub / AllAuthor

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

What’s New On My Book Shelf #409 And The Sunday Post

Posted: September 10, 2023 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: ,
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Reading, Read, Peaceful, Woman, Dusk, Outside, Outdoors

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

Sunday Post

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

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Some chit chat.

Fall is inn the air. While we’re still in the 90s, the evenings are cooler and there’s less humidity. This got me inspired and I got my fall and Halloween decorations. Got a surprise when I found some I’d bought last year. Can’t wait to get started. I put out fall decorations first and add in the spooky stuff when October rolls around. Do you decorate for the seasons and holidays? Which holiday is your favorite?

I have some exciting reviews and giveaways to share. And some free books! Check it all below.

Looking forward to chatting with you and have a great new week!

~~~~~

Book News.

What I just finished. I’ll be sharing my reviews soon.

   

What I’m reading now.

   

What I’ll be reading next.

   

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This week’s reviews.

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Here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

Purr Purr Purloin: A Cozy Animal Mystery (Ruff McPaw Mysteries Book 6) by [Max Parrott]  Death Walks a Dog: A Penelope Standing Mystery (Penelope Standing Mysteries Book 1) by [Tess Baytree]  Golden Retriever Mysteries 4-6: Dog Bless You, Whom Dog Hath Joined & Dog Have Mercy by [Neil Plakcy]

The Life She Wants: A totally unputdownable psychological thriller by [J.M. Hewitt]  Involuntary Turnover (Kat Voyzey Mysteries Book 1) by [Cheri Baker]  Black Diamond Rattlers MC: The Complete Collection by [Noah Maddix]

Hold Me Tight-North Pole Anthology 1: Holiday Romances Set in Alaska-Books 1-3 (North Pole, Alaska Anthology) by [Noelle Fox]  Stone Cold Kiwi (New Zealand Ever After Book 2) by [Rosalind James]  The Second Chance Inn: A Sweet Small Town Romance (Blue Moon Bay Book 1) by [Susan Hatler]

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Excerpt And Giveaway ~ Happiness Mountain by Amal Indi

The Prime Suspect by Lauren Carr ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Sammy And Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventures by Robert Andrew Provan ~ Review And Giveaway

The Pumpkin Pact by Charlie Dean

Toes In The Tulips ~ Adventures Of Gladys by Katherine H. Brown

Books From The Back Log #85 ~ Ashes by Laura Bickle

A Peek Inside Precious Burdens by Avery Sterling

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Sammy And Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventures by Robert Andrew Provan ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: September 6, 2023 in Children's books, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , ,
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Book Details:

Book Title:  Sammy & Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure by Robert Andrew Provan
Category:  Children’s Fiction (ages 3 to 7), 46 pages
Genre:  Children’s Book
Publisher:  Archway Pub
Release date:  May, 2023
Content Rating:  G.  This children’s book is for everyone.

Book Description:

Sammy, a sergeant major fish, and Scarlett, a yellowtail snapper, are best friends who have found safety in a mangrove forest after being washed out of a tidal pool in a large wave. But they’ve decided to leave the mangroves and their friend Manny and journey across the sea-grass meadows to the barrier reef of the Florida Keys, the place that will be their home in adulthood.

​Along the way, they make a new friend, a hawksbill sea turtle named Howie. Howie is a kind sea turtle who gives the young fish the guidance they need to get where they’re going and stay safe. The three quickly become fast friends and learn that they can trust one another through thick and thin. Howie protects the little fish from predators, and in return they help keep the turtle safe from the dangers of human litter such as plastic bags. Join Sammy, Scarlett, and new friend Howie as their epic journey continues through the magnificent Florida Keys.

Buy the Book:​
Amazon ~ B&N
BookBub
add to goodreads
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MY REVIEW

I learned so much following Sammy and Scarlett, two small fish, as they join up with Howie the turtle, traveling from their tidal pool to the Florida Keys and the barrier reef. The beautiful illustrations made me feel like I was under the sea with them, learning about other sea creatures, such as which ones are safe and which are dangerous. And about the perils created by human’s throwing their trash in the sea.  Scarlett saved Howie from certain death when he mistook a plastic bag for a jellyfish.

I love being around and in the water and enjoy the creatures of the sea when I come across them. This book was a learning experience as much as an adventure and with each turn of the page I was more and more captivated.

5 STARS

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Author Interview
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Question #1: What made you decide to focus your children’s books upon the environment?

Answer: In my opinion the human race has more than demonstrated their inability to protect this planet and the irreplaceable animal lives and resources within the natural world. Influential voices such as the late great Jacques Cousteau and Sir David Attenborough have been raising concerns about environmental protection for half a century. Still humanity forges ahead.  Education of the younger generations is vital to making a difference because it is not too late to save the planet.

Question #2: Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

Answer: Inspiration for my stories comes from spending time out in the environment and observing the dynamics of what’s happening all around us. Whether you are hiking through the desert, a great forest or down the beach, just stop and see what’s around you. Nature is everywhere. The greatest show on earth.

Question #3: Do you ever get writers block?

Answer: Yes, like all writers I do. My approach to this occurrence is rather unusual though. When I get a block, I simply relax a bit and move onto another activity. People eat when they are hungry and sleep when they are tired because their inner voice directs them to do so.  My inner voice also tells me when it’s time to write. I largely adhere to the phenomenal advice of Stephen King in his best-selling book “On Writing”’.  One of his tips that works for me is if I have an idea even a fleeting one during my busy day when not writing, I write it down for later reading. This absolutely works.

Question #4: Do you believe that your books could positively influence children?

Answer: Absolutely. My books are intended to be a multi-generational call to arms on environmental protection. Meaning that younger children can have the books read to them by family members and once the children can read themselves, perhaps they will read the books for the enjoyment of themselves and others. The stated goal therefore is “To help inspire children and their families to put down the electronics, get off the couch and learn how to make a difference in protection of the natural world”. Small steps in the right direction can be as simple as recycling properly, leave no litter after family picnics and cookouts…  Bigger steps could include donate time and money to local cleanup activities, become active in coral and or forest restoration volunteer activities…

Question #5: What is your next writing project?

Answer: My fourth children’s book will be in stores this fall. It’s a fun story set in the ever-stunning Florida Keys. I am well into the writing of my first novel for adults. More to come.

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Meet Author Robert Andrew Provan:

Robert Andrew Provan is the author of three children’s books Ronnie the Raindrop, Sammy & Scarlett’s Mangrove Adventure, and Sammy & Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure.

​Born and raised in Vermont, he has lived most of his adult life in the Sunshine State of Florida. When not writing, he is often to be found in the Florida Keys snorkeling or scuba diving as he conducts research for the next book in his children’s series. You can learn more about Robert at www.robertandrewprovan.com.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram~ goodreads

 
Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

Sammy & Scarlett’s Coral Reef Adventure Book Tour 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.

What’s New On My Book Shelf #408 And The Sunday Post

Posted: September 3, 2023 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: ,
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Reading, Read, Peaceful, Woman, Dusk, Outside, Outdoors

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

Sunday Post

I’m also linking up with The Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

~~~~~

Some chit chat.

I haven’t got to bed before 3 A. M. all week. Mind you, I’m a night owl by nature, but I also wake up around daylight whether I want to or not. That’s not enough sleep. My reading time is taking a hit. I think it’s time for a little staycation. Now to see if I can get any time off of work.

I have some exciting reviews and giveaways to share. And some free books! Check it all below.

Looking forward to chatting with you and have a great new week!

~~~~~

Book News.

What I just finished. I’ll be sharing my reviews soon.

   

What I’m reading now.

   

What I’ll be reading next.

   

~~~~~

Newly added to my pile of books.

   

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This week’s reviews.

   

   

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Here are some FREEBIES for ya.

Click on the covers to get your copies. Remember to make sure they’re still free before you hit that buy button.

The Mystery at Belle Magnolia (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 3) by [Madison Kent]  The Ghosts of Minera Springs: A Thriller by [Charles Franklin]  INTO THE STORM: Aliens Among Us by [D. J. Adamson]

Reunion (Las Vegas Mystery Book 10) by [Rex Kusler]  Heard It Through the Grapevine (A Garcia Girls Mystery Book 1) by [Lizbeth Lipperman]  Sewing Suspicion: A Quilting Cozy Mystery (Quilting Cozy Mysteries Book 1) by [Kathryn Mykel]

Shadow Magic: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Magic Happens Series Book 1) by [Yasmine Galenorn]  Pitch Black: A Romantic Thriller (Blackwood Security Book 1) by [Elise Noble]  Kellie's Diary #1 by [Thomas Jenner, Angeline Jenner]

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Beerfest by Lilo Moore

Nether After by Jodi L. Cox ~ Favorites List And Giveaway

My Review Of Rebellion In The Stones Of Fire ~ The Adversary Chronicles by Randy C. Dockens

Nonbinary, Trans, Pan, And Lovesick by E.S. Corby ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

My Review Of The Holy Grail Of Babylon ~ The Adversary Chronicles by Randy C. Dockens

Monster Max: This Time It’s Sirius by Robbin Bennett ~ My Review

My Review Of The Defining Curse ~ The Adversary Chronicles by Randy C. Dockens

Smash, Smash, Smash by Philip Fairbanks ~ Review And Giveaway

My Review Of The Luciferian Plague ~ The Adversary Chronicles by Randy C. Dockens

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Moccasin Trace by Hawk MacKinney

Love Deleted by Paul Indigo ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

In The Midnight Hour by Lori Handeland ~ Author Guest Post And Giveaway

Wedding Bells Brew Murder A Sara And Sean Cozy Mystery by Carolyn Arnold

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

My Review Of The Luciferian Plague ~ The Adversary Chronicles by Randy C. Dockens

Posted: August 31, 2023 in reviews, Science Fiction, Series
Tags: , ,
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See the excitement behind the scenes of how Lucifer became the Adversary and the part he has played in the affairs of man since the creation of Adam and Eve, including the creation of the Nephilim causing the implementation of the worldwide flood, his influence on the construction of the Tower of Babel, his involvement in the curse of king Jehoiachin, and even how he interferes in modern times in our day-to-day activities…

 

 

Title: The Adversary Chronicles
Author: Randy C. Dockens
Publisher: Carpenter’s Son Publishing
Genre: Christian / Scifi

He has many names: Lucifer, Satan, Devil, Adversary. Through the eyes of
Mikael, the Captain of the Lord’s hosts, understand the conflict that
starts in Heaven and how it extends to Earth. Get a different
perspective on earthly events that will help you rediscover the awe of
age-old Bible stories and give you a new perspective for you to ponder.

Read how Lucifer prepares for his rise to power on Earth through his deceit
causing the fall of Adam and Eve, his engineering the Nephilim which God
ended with the worldwide flood, how he attempted to use the Tower of
Babel to prepare a superhuman off world using a time dilation field to
speed up his work for world dominance, how he utilizes a curse the
prophet Jeremiah gives to king Jehoiachin to try and change mankind’s
history by preventing the prophecy of the coming Messiah, to how he
attempts to hijack new technology today to create a plague that will
target those of Jewish descent and thereby change biblical prophecy and
attempt to turn it into a mere fairytale.

Title of Series: The Adversary Chronicles

Book 1: Rebellion in the Stones of Fire

Book 2: The Holy Grail of Babylon

Book 3: The Defining Curse   

Book 4: The Luciferian Plague 

Publication Date:

Rebellion in the Stones of Fire: 01-Feb-2022    

The Holy Grail of Babylon: 06-Jul-2022     

The Defining Curse: 04-Oct-2022    

The Luciferian Plague: 01-Feb-2003

# of Pages: 

Rebellion in the Stones of Fire: 320   

The Holy Grail of Babylon: 300   

The Defining Curse: 300    

The Luciferian Plague: 368

Purchase On Amazon:

Rebellion in the Stones of Fire

The Holy Grail of Babylon

The Defining Curse

The Luciferian Plague

Also available for sale HERE

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The Luciferian Plague

MY REVIEW

It’s the twenty-first century and a new assignment for Mikael and Raphael. They’re sent to a lab where research is being done using nanobots to find a way to make us live healthier and longer. There’s no evil agenda until Lucifer and his minions kidnap a dog from the clinical testing trials.

I immediately liked Kaityln Sheridan, the doctor conducting the trials. Her objective was pure. Curing cancer and other life ending diseases. She had no idea of Lucifer’s plans. No idea angels were watching. She was confused about the theft of her research subject and when cancer patients in human trials show something that shouldn’t be there, she’s horrified. She’s worried they’ve taken their research to far, not knowing who’s hand is behind it. Lucifer vowed he’d never stop and the final battle is happening now.

I’m no scientist but I’ve heard about nanobots. The author explained the research focused in this story in a nanobots for dummies kind of way. I easily got it and knew things would be getting dicey. Not sure if it’s because the book takes place in the present and here on Earth but I found this to be my favorite in the series. Author Randy Dockens is a prolific writer and I’ve got my eye on a couple of his other series. They sound equally as intriguing annd exciting as The Adversary Chronicles.

5 STARS

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Book Excerpt  

 

 

 

Rebellion in the Stones of Fire: Chapter 1: Disturbance in the Force

Mikael approached two of his fellow warriors who were engaged in animated conversation. His left hand rested on the bejeweled hilt of his sword to keep the weapon from impeding his quick gait. He nodded to both as he came to an abrupt halt. Both stopped their conversation in mid-sentence and looked at Mikael expectantly.

“Raphael, have you or Uriel seen Ruach today?”

Raphael gave a wry smile as he brushed his golden[1]colored hair over his shoulder. His blue eyes twinkled with amusement. “Seen? Is that a trick question?”

Uriel chuckled but then stopped when he saw Mikael’s extremely serious expression. Mikael didn’t crack a smile.

“Mikael,” Raphael said. “What’s wrong?”

Mikael shook his head slightly. “I’m not sure.” He too brushed his long blond hair, which was somewhat darker than Raphael’s, over his shoulder. “Last time I saw him, he looked . . . different.”

Raphael and Uriel looked at each other. Both gave a slight shrug.

Raphael turned back to Mikael. “I’m not trying to be anything but serious. But how can you say he looks different? We can barely see him as it is. He’s Ruach HaKodesh, Elohim’s Spirit. He has a form, but he is transparent for the most part.”

Mikael sighed. They were taking him too literally. “Yes, Raphael. But he produces a feeling, a presence, an aura . . . that is powerful yet calming.”

Raphael nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”

“His aura, as we sometimes say, felt different . . . troubled. Unlike any time before.”

“Well,” Uriel said, “he does have a great deal of stress to unite both the love and justice of our Creator so they can both exist within him.” He shook his head. “Such stress likely takes its toll on him now and again. That’s a lot of tension to keep harmonious.”

Mikael rubbed his chin. “Maybe. This . . . this felt different, though.”

Uriel shrugged and patted Mikael on his shoulder. “We’ll keep our eyes out for him and let you know if we find out anything or hear anything.”

Mikael nodded to his friends. “Thanks. I’ll let you know what I find as well.”

Mikael walked on, wondering where to look, when he suddenly got the idea to head to the throne room. Ruach.

Ruach HaKodesh often sent telepathic messages to these warriors to let them know the will of their Creator. Going to the throne room sounded serious— definitely not a place to approach lightly. There were only a few select cherubim and seraphim, special angels, who had access to the Creator in his throne room. Mikael wondered: Why does Ruach want me there?

The throne room was not hard to miss. Since the place contained the Shekinah glory of the Creator, his brilliance was so bright the light would penetrate any crevice existing in a structure. In addition, with the throne room composed of various types of colored crystals, the place gave off a magnificent glow that could be seen from extremely far away. Not only was the throne room colorful, the area also sat on the highest place in the middle of the kingdom, a dimension in and unto itself. Mikael looked up and followed the path upward toward the glow—a glow he had always considered comforting knowing his Creator’s presence was always with him. Now he would enter his Creator’s dimension. That, he thought, was not as comforting.

As Mikael neared the throne room, he paused. Am I supposed to enter? There would be grave consequences if he entered uninvited. He looked around. His eyes caught a slight blur of something against the glow of the throne room. He approached.

“Ruach. I received your message. What is wrong?”

Only a vague outline of a Person could be observed. Although transparent, he appeared like heat waves between an observer and an object. “Thank you for coming. I didn’t want to alarm the others. You’re the archangel, the leader of our Creator’s heavenly host.”

Mikael often wondered why he was the leader of an army. Shouldn’t an army have an enemy? They certainly trained as if there was one. But everything here was so perfect. What was the need for such a force? Unless . . . Ruach was about to now tell him.

Mikael took a step closer to Ruach. He lowered his voice. He was unsure why he did, but doing so seemed the appropriate thing to do. “Ruach, tell me what’s going on.”

Ruach shook his head. “Mikael, I can’t yet reveal what is going on. All I can say is, I have felt a change, and it’s not a good change. There is a disturbance brewing. I can’t tell you what it is or who it is, but . . . ” His voice trailed off.

Mikael cocked his head. “But what? You can at least tell me where this disturbance is originating from, can you not?”

Ruach nodded.

“Okay. So, where?”

“That’s why I called you here.” Ruach’s form turned toward the throne room.

Mikael looked from Ruach to the throne room and back, realization slowly dawning. In almost a whisper he said, “What? Here? But . . . why? How?”

Ruach turned back to Mikael. “That is why I need your help.”

Mikael put his hand to his chest. “My help? But you’re the one who can sense all. What do you need with my help?”

Ruach put his hand on Mikael’s shoulder. Mikael could not see his hand, but he could feel it, as well as the warmth now radiating from his shoulder down through his very being. “That’s the point, Mikael. The time of choices is approaching. I need you to question the cherubim to see what they know. If a rebellion is brewing, I don’t want them to think I know.”

Mikael’s eyes widened. “Rebellion? Here? How—” He paused, his mind trying to catch up to such a thought. “How is such a thing even possible?”

Ruach shook his head. “It is a mystery. But a mystery you need to get to the bottom of.”

Mikael nodded slowly, then stopped. His heart sank. “Wait. You said ‘them.’ Why did you make this plural?”

Ruach seemed to look down and then back to Mikael. “It is plural, I’m afraid. The feeling I’ve received has gotten stronger over the last several days.”

Mikael took a step back in shock. “I can’t comprehend even one of us rebelling, much less several. Are you sure?”

Ruach slowly nodded. “Yes. I am certain.”

Mikael glanced back at the throne room. “And you think the rebellion is from one of the cherubim?” He shook his head. “They are the closest to our Creator. They reflect his glory back to him. How could rebellion be in one of them?”

“It is either one of them, or one of them knows something. You must find out what they know.”

“But how do I do that? They are in the throne room almost constantly. They come out only rarely, and for short periods of time.”

Ruach nodded. “Yes, that is true. And that is why you have my permission.”

Mikael cocked his head slightly. “Permission? For what?”

“To enter.”

Mikael’s mouth fell open. “The throne room!?” His voice was one of disbelief. “But won’t they know something is amiss if they see me in the throne room? Only the cherubim and seraphim are allowed.”

“Others are allowed with permission.”

Mikael swallowed hard. As far as he knew, no one— at least as yet—had ever entered the throne room except for select cherubim and seraphim.

“The glow of one has faded,” Ruach said. “Likely almost imperceptible, but perhaps you can notice so you will know where to direct your questioning. Don’t approach directly. Not yet at least. Let’s talk after your visit. Don’t engage. Just observe.”

Ruach stretched out his transparent arm and directed Mikael’s attention toward the entrance of the throne room.

Mikael’s eyebrows raised. “You mean, now?”

“Is there any better time?”

Mikael knew the answer was no, but he wasn’t sure he was ready for this step without further preparation. He started to ask if the Creator was expecting him but caught himself as he realized Ruach HaKodesh was one component of the Creator-Trinity. Ruach giving permission was the same as the Creator giving permission.

Mikael slowly walked toward the entrance of the throne room. Two large angels with broad shoulders and a muscular build stood next to the doorway. Each had blondish-colored hair and blue eyes that highlighted their tanned appearance. Both wore a sky[1]blue robe that contrasted with the golden sash around their waist and the other across their chest that was in place to hold a large, sheathed sword along their back.

“Hello, Azel,” Mikael said.

Azel nodded. “Ruach has already informed me to allow your entrance.”

Mikael nodded. “Thank you.” He paused briefly at the entrance. Would the portal to this dimension open?

He briefly glanced at Azel, who merely smiled.

The entrance seemed to simply fade, revealing a myriad of colors within. Mikael swallowed hard and stepped through the opening and into a dimension few—if any—had ever been invited into.

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 

Dr. Randy C. Dockens
has a fascination with science and with the Bible, holds Ph.D. degrees
in both areas, and is a man not only of faith and science, but also of
creativity. He believes that faith and science go hand in hand without
being enemies of each other. 

After completing his
bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Auburn University he went on to
graduate school at Auburn and completed his first doctorate degree in
Pharmaceutics. He began his scientific career as a pharmacokinetic
reviewer for the Food and Drug Administration and later joined a leading
pharmaceutical company as a pharmacokineticist, which is a scientist
who analyzes how the human body affects drugs after they have been
administered (i.e., absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted). 

Through the years, he
has worked on potential medicines within several disease areas,
including cardiovascular, fibrosis, and immunoscience to see and develop
new and novel medicines in these therapy areas. 

He has also had his
attention on the academic study of the Bible. He earned a second
doctorate in Biblical Prophecy from Louisiana Baptist University after
receiving a master’s degree in Jewish Studies from the Internet Bible
Institute under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Congdon. 

Randy has recently
retired from his pharmaceutical career and is spending even more time on
his writing efforts. He has written several books that span dystopian,
end-time prophecy, science fiction, and uniquely told Bible stories. All
his books, while fun to read, are futuristic, filled with science to
give them an authentic feel, have a science fiction feel to them, and
allows one to learn some aspect of Biblical truth one may not have
thought about before. This is all done in a fast-paced action format
that is both entertaining and provides a fun read for his readers. 

Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / Instagram

 

 

 

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