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Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

What’s New On My Bookshelf #308 and The Sunday Post

Posted: April 14, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

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Some chit chat.

Last week I was talking about how I’m working two jobs while finishing out my notice. Well, they talked me out of not quitting my old job. I know. I know. I’m easy. LOL But, I choose which days I can work as my other job will keep me pretty busy. I work weekends there though so I have some week days off. Why not make some money. LOL This is a trial basis though. My new job is most important and if I find I’m too tired or stressed trying to do both, I’ll quit the old job. Or just not work shifts there every week. Maybe every other. We’ll see.

Now, I’ve started hands on training. I’m working and learning at the same time. I’m not a spring chicken. Have had plenty of jobs. Why do I feel so nervous? I’m thinking that I THINK too much. LOL Worry too much. The job isn’t that difficult, it’s just learning the proper way to do it. Do you feel nervous when starting something new?

On a brighter note. The Prairie Voles are back. I used to feed them on my back deck, but then a hawk figured it out and I won’t be offering up easy prey anymore. Now I feed them out along the fence line where they nest and hide in the tall grass. They don’t run so much as hop and bounce. The babies look like furry popcorn, hip hopping along. I’ll try to get some pics, but they are quick! I was looking them up on the internet and discovered that they mate for life. The male bonds with a female and they are exclusive. If the female dies, he doesn’t seek a new mate. I’ll be extra careful to feed them in a safe place so they don’t lose their partners.

rodent,cute,little,nature,animal,pest,mouse,grass

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

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My new books this week.

And I couldn’t resist these deals on the boxed sets!

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And 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.

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Books reviewed this week. Click on the covers to read them.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Blitz and Giveaway ~ Monsterland Reanimated by Michael Okon

Extinction Of All Children by L.J. Epps ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Mischief And Mayhem ~ Author Interview and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #256 ~ Let There Be Light

Lawrence In The Fall ~ New Release Blitz and Giveaway

The Kid’s Korner #36 ~ The Krampus

The Talented 2 ~ New Release Blitz and Giveaway

Murder At The Marina by Janet Finsilver

Isle Of Savages by T. Briar ~ Review and Giveaway

Tag Team Review and Giveaway ~ Survivors: A Dinosaur Lake Novel by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Blitz and Giveaway ~ Spin by K.J. Farnham

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Tag Team Review and Giveaway ~ Survivors: A Dinosaur Lake Novel by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Posted: April 12, 2019 in giveaways, horror, reviews, suspense
Tags: giveaway, Horror, review, suspense, tag team event

This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry.

It’s always a pleasure to share more books by Kathryn Meyer Griffith. I’ve read many of her books and plan to read everything she writes.

For today, I’m sharing my review of the latest book from Kathryn’s Dinosaur Lake Series.

After reading my review, head on over to Sherry’s blog at fundinmental to check out her review and enter another giveaway!

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Survivors

Dinosaur Lake #5

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

43783886

Genre: Horror / Suspense

My Review

It’s been a long time since the dinosaurs ran amok. Only an occasional sighting, and they’re dispatched quickly. But when the mysterious little dinosaur shows up, retired Chief Park Ranger, Henry Shore , knows something is happening again. So he joins forces to face another deadly threat.

Once again, Kathryn drops you into the action quickly as the team hunts for a dinosaur. The hunt doesn’t last long as the dinosaur finds them. Henry is injured and laid up, hoping this is the last of them. But then the little dinosaur, a mystery, as it seems to show up to warn them rather to cause harm, returns, more frantic than ever. And I knew, as did Henry, that the fight wasn’t over.

I was very curious about the little dinosaur before. Just what was he? Where did he come from? What was his purpose? I got those answers and they caught me by surprise. Didn’t see the angle coming and it sent my mind racing, exploring what was and could be.

This was another fun read in the Dinosaur Lake series. It’s a faced pace race to the finish as humans go up against giant dinosaurs, some favorite characters return, and a new mystery is added to the mix. Leave it to Kathryn to keep me questioning what this series is really all about.

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Synopsis

The predatory dinosaurs, amphibious, land-crawlers, air flyers, small and large, were dead; dead in all the forests, mountains, deserts, towns and cities of America and across the planet. They were still hunted, sought and exterminated when found, and these rogue beasts were becoming rarer every day. The humans’ dinosaur killing serum and extermination practices had worked far better than anyone had prayed and they had eventually freed the planet of its primordial scourge. The earth belonged to the humans once more and all its lands were safe–or so the world, Henry Shore, former Chief Park Ranger at Crater Lake National Park, and his wife, Ann, had believed…until one day years later two new dinosaurs, craftier than any the earth had ever seen, appeared. One of them was benevolent, a friend to mankind, and the other was not. It was blood-thirsty, eerily intelligent and unbelievably vengeful. This dinosaur wouldn’t be so easy to kill. *** Dinosaur Lake V: Survivors is the fifth book in the Dinosaur Lake series by Kathryn Meyer Griffith.

Amazon / B&N

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DinosaurLakeSeries Banner_updated

In exchange for an honest review on Amazon and Goodreads, Kathryn will send a free eBook copy of any of her other 26 books. You can find the complete list of her books in her author bio below. Just send your request to this link HERE.

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About the Author

Since childhood I’ve been an artist and worked as a graphic designer in the corporate world and for newspapers for twenty-three years before I quit to write full time. But I’d already begun writing novels at 21, over forty-five years ago now, and have had twenty-six (six romantic horror, four thrillers, three horror novels, two romantic SF horror, one romantic suspense, one romantic time travel, one historical romance and eight murder mysteries) previous novels, two novellas and twelve short stories published from many traditional publishers since 1984. But since 2012 I’ve gone into self-publishing in a big way; and upon getting some of my older books’ full rights back for the first time in 33 years, have self-published all of them along with my newer novels. My four Dinosaur Lake novels and four Spookie Town Mysteries (Scraps of Paper, All Things Slip Away, Ghosts Beneath Us and Witches Among Us) are my best-sellers. Once branded a horror writer, these days I consider myself a storyteller.

I’ve been married to Russell for thirty-nine years; have a son and two grandchildren and I live in a small quaint town in Illinois. We have a quirky cat, Sasha, and the three of us live happily in an old house in the heart of town. Though I’ve been an artist, and a folk/classic rock singer in my youth with my brother Jim, writing has always been my greatest passion, my butterfly stage, and I’ll probably write stories until the day I die…or until my memory goes.

2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS *Finalist* for her horror novel The Last Vampire ~ 2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDS * Finalist * for her thriller novel Dinosaur Lake.

*All Kathryn Meyer Griffith’s books can be found HERE.

*All her Audible.com audio books HERE.

Novels and short stories from Kathryn Meyer Griffith:

Evil Stalks the Night, The Heart of the Rose, Blood Forged, Vampire Blood, The Last Vampire (2012 EPIC EBOOK AWARDSFinalist in their Horror category), Witches, Witches II: Apocalypse, Witches plus bonus Witches II: Apocalypse, The Nameless One erotic horror short story, The Calling, Scraps of Paper (The First Spookie Town Murder Mystery), All Things Slip Away (The Second Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Ghosts Beneath Us (The Third Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Witches Among Us (The Fourth Spookie Town Murder Mystery), Egyptian Heart, Winter’s Journey, The Ice Bridge, Don’t Look Back, Agnes, A Time of Demons and Angels, The Woman in Crimson, Human No Longer, Four Spooky Short Stories Collection, Forever and Always Romantic Novella, Night Carnival Short Story, Dinosaur Lake (2014 EPIC EBOOK AWARDSFinalist in their Thriller/Adventure category), Dinosaur Lake II: Dinosaurs Arising and Dinosaur Lake III: Infestation, Dinosaur Lake IV: Dinosaur Wars, Memories of My Childhood (short story collection) and Christmas Magic 1959 short story.

Author Links

Twitter / Blog / Author’s Den / Facebook / Goodreads / Amazon

Smashword / Pinterest

Giveaway

Three winners!

Up for grabs:

Three winners will receive an eBook copy in any format for any of her 28 books. Even a free Audible code for any of the first 27.

(Winner’s choice)

To enter, please leave your email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question:

What’s your favorite dinosaur book or movie?

Giveaway ends April 22nd.

This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry at fundinmental.

Now hop on over and check out Sherry’s review, and enter for another chance to win HERE.

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Other books I’ve read by the author.

Click on the covers for my reviews.

Full length novels.

Short stories.

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Isle Of Savages by T. Briar ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: April 11, 2019 in giveaways, New Adult, reviews, suspense, thriller
Tags: giveaway, NA suspense, review, thriller

Isle of Savages by T. Briar

Isle of Savages

by T. Briar

Publisher: MuseItUp Publishing (June 15, 2017)
Category: Thriller/Suspense, New Adult, Sub-Human Cannibals
Tour dates: Mar-Apr, 2019
ISBN: 978-1771279277
Available in Print and ebook, 220 pages

My Review

I admit, the great cover art was the first thing that peaked my interest in reading Isle Of Savages. I had fun trying to spot all of the jungle creatures and the skull was creepy. The title was a close second. And anything to do with being stranded on an island also pings my radar.

A ruthless captain and his nasty henchman terrorizes a group of students on a chartered sailing trip. A savage storm causes the ship to crash and it might be the groups chance to escape a dangerous outcome. But they might not be the only ones on the island they look to as their safe harbor until they are rescued.

So, the plot might not be that original. And I really couldn’t like any of the characters. But, that doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book. I did have fun. Especially over some intense scenes with a great white shark. And once the survivors came face to face with the island’s inhabitants, things got nasty and suspenseful. I imagined the ending would be one of two things and one of those was right. For this reading experience, it worked just fine.

Isle Of Savages was fun and I’d recommend it if you aren’t looking for something too serious or in depth. And I would like to read more by the author.

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Synopsis

Eleven souls are shipwrecked on an island teeming with sub-human cannibals. Who will survive to tell the tale?

On July 20, 20— a charter school’s sponsored sail from San Diego to Hawaii hits a reef during a violent storm. Sixteen souls abandon ship. Nine students, along with the hated captain and first mate, wash up on what they believe is a deserted island.

Separated into three groups by circumstance and mutual distrust, treachery and death lurk for all. Over the course of a single day, one student betrays all the others. Another drowns. Two others get ambushed by a great white shark. And, like falling dominoes, the captain, first mate, and six students fall prey to a tribe of bloodthirsty cannibals.

In the face of almost certain death, who will escape the isle of savages to tell the tale?

Praise for Isle Of Savages

“Freaking Amazing! This books was such a wild ride from page one. So many twists and turns that you just can’t figure out what the hell is going to happen next! It was so hard to put down and very, very well written. I am very picky with the books I read, I know I say that a lot, but it’s true. This book met every single one of my expectations and then some.

With the characters, you either really felt for them, or you held seething hatred for them. It was like the main characters couldn’t seem to catch a break and the villains of the story kept getting a leg up. It was driving me crazy! I was found yelling at my kindle, cursing, clenching my fists, all because this story was so easy to get into! In fact, it was hard NOT to!

This is not a happy story, by any means. There is so much death and destruction and it’s written in great detail. So if you get wigged out easily, this might not be the book for you. Me, I love this kind of stuff. The blood, the gore, the chaos, this book had it all! Definitely 5 out of 5 stars for me!”- Amanda, Rabid Readers Book Blog

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About Author T. Briar

Briar spent his formative years in the treacherous worlds of The Savage Sword of Conan, The Warlord, and Jonah Hex comics. So he’s been fascinated with action adventure stories for most of his life. From there, he eventually discovered Jack London, Louis L’amour and Jack Higgins. These days he’s devouring thriller novels by James Rollins, Clive Cussler and a host of other adventure writers.

This led him to start writing at an early age and he didn’t stop until he saw his name in print. Although, it wasn’t in the thriller genre. Not at first. But it was always a given that he’d eventually write and publish a thriller. It just took him a few extra years to get around to it.

He lives in South Georgia with his wonderful wife of 25 years.

Purchase links:

Amazon
BarnesandNoble
Indiebound

Isle Of Savages on Netgalley

For those who can’t join the tour but would like to review the book, the ebook is available to download on Net Galley. It is available from February 11-May 11th. Click HERE to request your copy.

Giveaway

This giveaway is for 3 winners choice of one print or ebook copy of the book. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is available worldwide. This giveaway ends May 10, 2019, midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter onlly.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow The Tour

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Mar 22 Kickoff & Interview

Jody Amazon Mar 25 Review

Shannon Muir – Infinite House of Books Mar 27 Guest Review & Excerpt

Victoria ILoveReadingUK Apr 1 Excerpt

Nancy The Avid Reader Apr 5 Review

Lisa’s Writopia Apr 8 Review & Guest Post

Jennifer Book Junkiez Apr 9 Excerpt

Laura FUONLYKNEW Apr 11 Review

Susan Dab of Darkness Book Reviews Apr 15 Interview

Amber Imaginative Mama’s Dragonfly Reads Apr 17 Review & Flash Fiction

Carole Rae’s Random Ramblings Apr 19 Review

Dee Amazon May 1 Review

Kathleen Celticlady’s Reviews May 3 Guest Review

Amber Rose Reviews May 6 Review, Guest Post, & Excerpt

Jessica JBronder Book Reviews May 8 Review

Nicole Willow’s Thoughts & Book Obsessions May 10 Review & Flash Fiction

Aparna Amazon May 10 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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Kid’s Korner #36 ~ The Krampus

Posted: April 10, 2019 in Children's books, horror, middle grade, reviews
Tags: Horror, middle grade, review

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today I’m sharing another spooky tale from Nancy Gray’s Spine Chillers!

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The Krampus (Spine Chillers)
by Nancy Gray

The Krampus

Genre: Horror
Age category: Middle Grade
Release Date: December 12, 2018

My Review

Nick was a good kid. He stayed out of trouble. But then he gave into the urging of his friends and got caught skipping school. He got way more punishment than it called for and now Krampus has him in his sights. And he isn’t the only thing Nick has to worry about. He’ll need help to survive Christmas.

I could feel Nick’s confusion. He hangs out with the bullies so he won’t be bullied. He doesn’t do anything bad except for skip classes and refuses to have anything to do with what they’re cooking up next. But something has been watching him. Now he’s in a big pickle. Krampus is a scary creature and he’s hungry. I was pulling for Nick. Hoping he would see the right path and not get eaten.

There’s a part in this book that made me wonder if their was more than one fairy tale going on. A strange girl that was much more bad than Nick. It felt connected to another dark tale, and the more I read, the more sure I became. Though the author gave it her own spin.

One of the best things about this series is that the kids can’t rely on the adults to save them. They would brush off their claims of monsters as too much imagination. So, the kids have to think and solve on their own. And they do get creative!

Another scary good story in this series.

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Synopsis

Christmas is a time of peace and good dreams, but for Nick it would soon become a nightmare. When he starts skipping classes to hang with the bullies at school, strange things begin to happen.

A horrifying apparition haunts his dreams and tears his Christmas stocking into shreds! Finally, the beast crashes through Nick’s bedroom window, throws him in a sack, and spirits him away to its lair.

Nick finds himself in a world of perpetual twilight where he will have to find his way home before becoming trapped forever, or worse. THE KRAMPUS is hungry, and the oven awaits a fresh meat pie!

You can find The Krampus on Goodreads

You can buy The Krampus on Amazon

About the Author:
Nancy Gray has published a number of works including her young adult fantasy series Blood Rain. Her short story “Chosen” appeared in Jim Henson’s The Dark Crystal Author Quest: a Penguin Special from Grosset & Dunlap. Her work also appears in various anthologies.
Nancy Gray has been writing for over ten years. Gray lives in South Carolina with her husband and two daughters. She enjoys books, video games, anime, manga, and horror.

Other Works by Nancy Gray:
Blood Rain
Blood Moon
Blood God
Spine Chillers: The Scarecrow
Spine Chillers: Big Bad Wolf
Spine Chillers: The Beast of Black Pond
Spine Chillers: Empty Eyes
Spine Chillers: The Firefly

You can find and contact Nancy Gray here:
– Website
– Blog
– Facebook
– Goodreads

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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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Book Shelf #307 and The Sunday Post

Posted: April 7, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

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Some chit chat.

What a whirlwind this week has been. I’m working out my notice at my old job while also doing training at my new one. One good thing is I’ll love getting two paychecks. LOL With this going on for another week, I won’t have time or energy for much else, so I’m working hard on getting some posts ahead and writing some upcoming reviews so I don’t fall behind. Busy, busy, busy!!

So, Sunday is my day. No work and all play! I’m making myself ignore chores and just reading and watching the telly. Might sneak in a nap too:)

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

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My new books this week.

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And 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.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Trapped forever in…… The Basement ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Teaser Tuesday #255 ~ The Jade Rebellion

Cover Reveal and Giveaway ~ Hunt Of The Gods by Amy Braun

Darkness Falls by A.E. Faulkner ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

The Shifters Of Africa ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Revelations by Robert Sells ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

The Friday 56 #203 ~ Sit… Stay… Beg

Spotlight and Giveaway ~ Once Upon A Murder by D.E. Dennis

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Book Shelf #306 and The Sunday Post

Posted: March 30, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

~~~~~

Some chit chat.

It’s been hectic around here recently. I just got hired to a new job and going through the orientation and training process. I’m excited and still a bit nervous until things feel more comfortable. I do like my co-workers and the position I got. It’s taking up more of my time so I’m sorry if I’ve been somewhat absent with visiting and commenting. Things will settle down shortly and I’ll be back on my game!

I did manage to read a few more books and finished watching Gilmore Girls and The Umbrella Academy. And I watched a favorite romance movie, The Notebook. I cried and cried. Such a wonderful story.

Why do I love books and movies that make me cry? Crying, the really deep down kind, is actually physically painful for me. It’s like I try so hard not to cry that it hurts. I was thinking about this and the different ways I cry. There’s the nostalgic, my eyes water a bit. There’s the slow building, my face gets warm, my chest gets tight, and the tears well up and overflow. Then there’s the real thing. I feel like I can’t breathe, the tears pour down my face, and my nose runs before sobs burst out. To think that this can be evoked by a powerful story, whether read or watched, is amazing! Do you love it when a story makes you cry?

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

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My new books this week.

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And 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.

~~~~~

Books reviewed this week. Click on the covers to read them.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

A Tale Of Two Houses ~ Blitz and Giveaway

What will it be? Pinot Red Or Dead? ~ Spotlight and Giveaway

Spotlight and Giveaway ~ Chutes And Ladder by Marc Jedel

Books From The Backlog #6 ~ The Deep

How it all began…. Blackwell ~ Review and Giveaway

Lowcountry Incantations by C.J. Geisel ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Excerpt and Giveaway ~ Louisiana Latte by Rebecca Henry

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

How it all began…. Blackwell ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: March 28, 2019 in giveaways, Historical, Mystery, reviews, Supernatural
Tags: giveaway, historical, mystery, review, Supernatural

Blackwell

Magnus Blackwell 0.5

by Alexandrea Weis & Lucas Astor

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

My Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

Synopsis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Enjoy this peek inside:

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

“When did this happen?”

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

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

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

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

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

“What kind of end do you envision?”

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

About the Authors

Alexandrea Weis

Alexandrea Weis

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

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

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

Lucas Astor

Lucas Astor

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

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

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

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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

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Spotlight and Giveaway ~ Chutes And Ladder by Marc Jedel

Posted: March 27, 2019 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
Tags: cozy mystery, giveaway, review

Chutes and Ladder

Silicon Valley Mystery by Marc Jedel

Chutes and Ladder: A Silicon Valley Mystery
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
BGM Press (March 12, 2019)
Print Length: 195 pages
ASIN: B07NFDYZX8

Dead friend. Free fall. Girl Scouts. Can Uncle Marty untangle the mystery before things really get out of control?

Juggling a budding relationship, demanding job, and mischievous nieces, Marty Golden struggled to keep his head above water — even before his friend’s death. Trying his best to be a good boyfriend and fun uncle, Marty had his own ideas for the weekend until his cunning sister tricked him again.

Convinced his friend’s death was no accident, Marty tries to summon superhero powers but merely manages to bumble along as an amateur sleuth. When Marty’s cousin shows up, she wreaks havoc with his plans and pulls him into yet another mystery.

As threats blossom, Marty doubles down now that his family’s involved. Besides, it’s poor manners to let your friend’s death go unsolved.

Can Marty figure out what happened before a killer, or his imagination, gets to him?

Chutes and Ladder is the second novel in a refreshingly modern mystery series set in Silicon Valley. If you like clever humor and wacky side characters, you’ll love this twisty mystery.

Amazon

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Uncle And Ants

A Silicon Valley Mystery

by Marc Jedel

Uncle and Ants: A Silicon Valley Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
BGM Press (October 11, 2018)
Print Length: 287 pages
ASIN: B07H68L6XR

My Review

I’m always excited when I start a new cozy series and Uncle And Ants tickled my fancy on so many levels. Picture it. A man kind of full of himself and sure he’s the be all of investigations takes it upon himself to solve the mystery of who tried to kill his sister. She’s a widowed mother of two teenage girls and doesn’t seem likely to be on someone’s hit list.

Marty was determined to solve the mystery and protect his family. If only he had the slightest clue what he was doing. Good thing he didn’t take himself too seriously. I can’t count on two hands how many times I laughed out loud at his fun incompetence. And don’t even get me started on him coping with two teenage girls. The horror. LOL

Fun at every turn, a convoluted mystery with quite the list of suspects and characters you can’t get enough of. You can bet I’ll be following this series.

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Synopsis

Protect his sister. Solve a murder. Get his eye-rolling, pre-teen nieces to school. And that’s just how Marty Golden’s crazy week begins to unravel.

A mysterious crash hospitalizes Marty’s sister and a nearby murder puts her in deadly danger. Too bad Marty isn’t exactly hero material.

Working in Silicon Valley, Marty’s skills lie more in navigating technology and telling dad jokes than playing an amateur sleuth. Armed with special powers of self-delusion and the inability to leave a coherent voicemail message, Marty bumbles through investigating his sister’s zany HR clients, exposing dangerous secrets and suspects, all while becoming attracted to a suspect.

In the process, Marty stumbles into a drug gang, impersonates an IRS agent, tangles with an assassin, dodges a cantankerous school secretary and is frequently outsmarted by his two sly, yet vulnerable, nieces. This quirky, fashion-backward uncle must save his sister, solve the mystery and get his life back to normal — before it’s too late.

As his eight, or maybe nine, year-old niece would say, “Betcha, you’ll like it.”

Amazon

Author Marc Jedel

In my family, I was born first — a fact my sister never lets me forget, no matter what milestone age she hits.

For most of my life, I’ve been inventing stories. Some, especially when I was young, involved my sister as the villain. As my sister’s brother for her entire life, I’m highly qualified to tell the tale of the evolving, quirky sibling relationship in Uncle and Ants: A Silicon Valley Mystery.

My writing skills were honed in years of marketing leadership positions in Silicon Valley. While my high-tech marketing roles involved crafting plenty of fiction, we called these marketing collateral, emails, and ads.

My family and friends would tell you that Marty’s character isn’t much of a stretch of the imagination for me, but I proudly resemble that remark.

Author Links :

Website / Facebook / LinkedIn / Goodreads / Bookbub / Email

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GIVEAWAY

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

March 25 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

March 25 – The Journey Back– REVIEW

March 25 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

March 26 – My Reading Journeys – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 26 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

March 26 – Teresa Watson – REVIEW

March 27 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

March 27 – Jane Reads – GUEST POST

March 27 – Here’s How It Happened – GUEST POST

March 28 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 28 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

March 28 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – REVIEW

March 29 – I’m Into Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST

March 29 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

March 30 – 4covert2overt ☼ A Place In The Spotlight ☼ – SPOTLIGHT

March 31 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

April 1 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

April 1 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 2 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 2 – Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW

April 3 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

April 3 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 4 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

April 4 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

April 5 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

April 5 – Literary Gold – REVIEW

April 5 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

April 6 – ❧Defining Ways❧ – GUEST POST

April 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

April 7 – Readeropolis – GUEST POST

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #305 and The Sunday Post

Posted: March 24, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

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Some chit chat.

I’m sure most of you have noticed how much I love horror, whether reading the books or watching the movies and shows. And I bet I catch you by surprise when I share a chick lit comedy or some romance. LOL The thing is, I love words. I love how an author puts them together and takes me away to places I’ve never been. I can time travel, venture into the future and outer space. Fly with dragons, and run with a pack of shifters. I can feel the first blush of romance and the agony of heart break. I could go on and on. To sum things up, no matter the genre, I’m always happy to be reading.

I spent this weekend outside. It was 70s and blue skies. No humidity and so glorious! I read 5 books! And got a little sunburnt. LOL I then continued reading inside and finished two more. I can see the numbers growing now that spring and summer are in the air. I will spend more time outside and less time watching the telly. Sounds fun, doesn’t it!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

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My new books this week.

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And 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.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Blitz and Giveaway ~ Immerse by Tobie Easton

Teaser Tuesday #254 ~ This Story Is A Lie

The Next To Last Mistake by Amalie Jahn ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

The Gimmal Ring by Karen Koski ~ Exclusive Excerpt and Giveaway

Books From The Backlog #5 ~ WBI: Witches Bureau Of Investigation

The Friday 56 #202 ~ Wicked Innocents

Urban Fantasy Collections ~ Trifles and Folly ~ Excerpts and Giveaway

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Leave your link and I’ll come visit you.

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

What’s New On My Bookshelf #304 and The Sunday Post

Posted: March 17, 2019 in Freebies!, giveaways, reviews, What's New on My Bookshelf
Tags: fuonlyknew, my weekly news, The Sunday Post

bookshelves photo: Bookshelf bookshelves.jpg

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

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

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Some chit chat.

I mentioned last week that I knew spring was here to stay when my pecan trees started to bud.

Guess what! They have!

I’m so excited! Spring is very brief here, then is gets sweltering hot. I do love hot though and can’t wait to get in the pool. I’ll try to remember to capture a photo of my first dip of 2019.

What else is happening? Not much, really. Enjoying some good books. I finished binging Gilmore Girls. Gonna miss that show. And now I’m looking for some new shows. Got any suggestion? Let me know!

Have a lovely Sunday everyone.

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My new books this week.