Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category

Dog Duty

by Bobby D. Lux

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Genre: Crime / Mystery

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My Review

A cop is forced into retirement. His last case left open and haunting him. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Fritz will show you different.

Such a fun story and told from a dog’s point of view. Fritz is a police dog. He’s seen a lot. Taken down some nasty criminals. But an injury while on the job forces him into retirement, his last case left open. He’s determined to close the case and enlists some eager canines to sniff out leads.

I loved Fritz right out of the gate. So brave and dedicated and he just wants to keep doing his duty. I felt so sad for him when he was forced to retire. But the story shifts quickly as he goes on the hunt to track down the nasty rottweiler that injured him and helped a villain escape. Calling all dogs. It’s time to do your duty.

This book was a blast. I got so caught up in Fritz and the other character’s that I almost forgot they were dogs. The investigation leads them on a merry chase and I happily scampered along with them.

If you’re a dog lover and enjoy a good mystery, this is one for you. Don’t forget to hug your dog. He’s always on duty.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Dog Duty is the debut novel from Bobby D. Lux. It tells the tale (or “tail”) of Fritz, a German Shepherd who was once the top dog of the Grand City Police Department . . . literally. There’s police dogs and then there’s Fritz. A true dog’s dog. A dog neither afraid nor jaded by the streets he patrols and the criminals he chases.

But all that changes in a moment. On another routine late-night foot pursuit, Fritz is confronted by Clay, an ex-military Rottweiler custom built with one-syllable efficiency. Bite. Maim. Kill.

Fritz’ injuries force him into a retirement of backyard boredom surrounded by suburbanite hounds of all shapes and sizes. That won’t do for a dog like Fritz. There’s a reason why you don’t see retired K-9 dogs laying around.

Fritz narrates his quest for revenge and redemption in this adventure that takes him through the seedy canine underworld of cat-races, underground clubs, back alleys, and dog parks. Along the way, he encounters criminals of all breeds, derelict mutts, beauty queens, and a hotshot young K-9 hungry for publicity. At the end of that road is where Fritz will find Clay. That’s the only way Fritz will ever get his life back.

Amazon

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This counts towards my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge.

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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.

This has been such a fun series to listen to. Riley and her pack have become very dear to me. Now I’ve reached the end, but maybe not the end.

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The Book Of Riley #4

by Mark Tufo

 

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My Review

So much fun. So much action and fun scenes along with tie-ins to Tufo’s Zombie Fallout Series. Now I have to read those too.

The author brought his character’s a long ways. Breathed them to life, put them through the wringer, and now brings them to the end of their story. I approached this final chapter with trepidation. If I were a nail biter, my finger tips would be bloody. Thankfully, Tufo gives some comic relief at times to ease the suspense.

Love you Riley. Such a brave good girl. There’s an endless supply of bacon at the end of the rainbow for you.

Being the end of the series, I was hoping for a lot. But, it felt a bit loose and turned me inside out. Wait, though. There is one more book, written some years later. If I have the courage to try this one more time, maybe the end won’t be so haunting.

4 Stars

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Read by Sean Runnette

Sean is the voice of these character’s. I can easily tell them apart and his inflection brings out the feels. Well done.

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Thanks so much to Tantor Audio and the author for the complimentary copy.

My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

Mark Tufo, the author of the popular Zombie Fallout and Indian Hill series, presents the latest entry in the Book of Riley series.

When the zombie apocalypse strikes without warning one dog will hold the fate of her pack in her paws. This is the story of Riley, an American Bulldog, follow along as she tries to keep her pack safe from a zombie apocalypse. Traveling with her are Ben-Ben the high strung Yorkie, her favorite two-legger Jessie, Jessie’s younger brother Zachary and Riley’s arch-enemy Patches the Cat. They are a rag-tag group of survivors who when pushed to the limit realize that they are all each other has.

Amazon / Tantor

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This counts towards my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge.

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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.

Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

I ‘ve got the next zombie tale in The Book Of Riley Series to share today.

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The Book Of Riley #3

by Mark Tufo

 

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My Review

Riley, an American Bulldog, and her pack, consisting of Ben Ben, the Yorkie, Patches, the cat, and the two humans, Jessie and her baby brother, struggle to find safe haven from the zombies.

A huge surprise in the last book provided the pack with a secret weapon. I was skeptical about it at first, then rolled with the idea.  But even that might not be enough as Icely is dogging their trail. He’s such a sick twist. Made me hate like the Governor did in The Walking Dead. I longed for him to die, horribly. So the race is on and there’s no guarantees who will still be standing once the dust settles.

Things are really getting dicey in this third book and I’m worried about the pack. I’ve become quite fond of these character’s and that attachment sure kept things edgy.

This is the most intense yet in the series and I can hardly wait to see how events unfold in the next book.

4 Stars

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Read by Sean Runnette

Sean continues to rise to the challenge of being the voice for all of these characters. Nice to hear him again.

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Thanks so much to Tantor Audio and the author for the complimentary copy.

My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

During the highly improbable zombie uprising of 2013, the fearless American bulldog Riley quickly discovered that it was up to her to keep the pack safe. Together with Yorkshire terrier Ben-Ben and former archenemy Patches the cat, Riley struggles to keep the zombies at bay while helping her favorite human, Jessie, as they travel cross-country, dodging pepper paint balls and taser blasts from the evil, misogynistic Icely and his band of thugs.

Now this motley mishmash of mammals are running for their lives. The wicked Icely has picked up their scent and is now chasing them across the badlands of Colorado in hopes of seeking revenge—a painful one at that—on the dog that tried to kill him, as well as on the “bitches” who got away.

Seen through the eyes of a random narrator and Riley, we have to wonder: will Icely and his men chase them down and zap them into oblivion, or will the zombies finally win and get the brains they desperately crave?

Amazon / Tantor

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This counts towards my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge.

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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.

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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.

Sunday Post

Some chit chat.

Whew. It was so busy at work. I have a very physical job and I came home late every day, exhausted! One thing I do enjoy is seeing the results of my work. I detail the interior of autos and some of them are downright disgusting when they are brought in. It’s so rewarding to see them when I’m finished. I know many owner’s are shocked by how good they look. LOL

And the weather was perfect for work and for reading outside. In the low 80s and plenty of sunshine. All sorts of green is showing up and the birds are flocking. Problem with that is the bird poo on my car. LOL

Remember this from last week. The first bits of green poking through.

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Look at it now! It’s growing so fast!

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I plan to spend today on the back porch, reading and sunning. Have a fabulous Sunday!

*****

My new books this week.

The Hammer: Why Dogs Attack Us and How to Prevent It by [Bailey, Bryan]  The Picture Frame: An Occult Horror Novel by [Wright, Iain Rob]

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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.

Cry of the Firebird: A Nordic Paranormal Fantasy Series (The Firebird Fairytales Book 1) by [Kuivalainen, Amy K]  The Lady of the Lake: The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries by [Nortman, Karen Musser]  Primal Fear by [Diehl, William]

The Chair (Complete: Parts 1-3) by [Sechi, R. R.]  Interest (Final State Book 1) by [Gaughen, Kevin]  Principal (Final State Book 2) by [Gaughen, Kevin]

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This weeks reviews. Click on the covers to view them.

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Other posts on my blog this week.

Romance Is In The Air ~ Jen Geigle Johnson ~ Showcase and Giveaway

Shattered Destiny by Yumoyori Wilson & Tamara White ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Hero by Boyd Taylor ~ Review and Giveaway

Romance Is In The Air ~ Becky Monson ~ Showcase and Giveaway

The Antelope Play by Boyd Taylor ~ Review and Giveaway

The Monkey House by Boyd Taylor ~ Review and Giveaway

Romance Is In The Air ~ Donna Weaver ~ Showcase and Giveaway

Necessities by Boyd Taylor ~ Review and Giveaway

Romance Is In The Air ~ Kimberley Montpetit ~ Showcase and Giveaway

Tag Team Review and Giveaway ~ Egyptian Heart By Kathryn Meyer Griffith

The zombies are coming! AM13 Outbreak Series by Samie Sands ~ Tour and Giveaway

Saturday Screams #48 ~ The Book Of Riley 2

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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.

Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that, well, make you scream!

Today I’m back with zombies and quite a different viewpoint about the apocalypse. I’ll be reviewing several books in this fun series. And great news! The first book is free on Amazon. Click HERE or on the cover to grab your eBook copy!

The Book Of Riley #2

by Mark Tufo

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My Review

Book Two starts up immediately where it left off in the first book. The character’s are in a tight spot, needing gas for the vehicle but zombies surround the gas pumps. They need out, the zombies want in. It gets messy.

It’s not just zombies the pack has to worry about. Society breaks down and so does humanity, bringing out the dark in many. I am an animal lover and feel I should warn you about a scene where Riley is forced to fight another dog. Eben animals have to do unspeakable things to survive. Given how the story is told from her point of view, it was scary and heart wrenching.

But the story also has some lighter moments. Especially with Ben Ben, the little ankle biter, and his frequent bowel releases and Patches, the cat, with her superior snarkiness.

Plus there are a couple of surprises that have me so curious about the next installment in the series. Moving on to it now.

The Book Of Riley is a unique view on a zombie apocalypse and I’m still having fun with it.

  4  Stars

 Read by Sean Runnette

Sean continues to make this a horrific yet fun listen. I’ve come to recognize his different voices for the character’s human or animal and I’m glad he’s still narrating these.

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Thanks so much to Tantor Audio and the author for the complimentary copy.

My review is voluntarily given.

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Synopsis

When the zombie apocalypse struck, intrepid American bulldog Riley quickly discovered it was up to her to keep the pack safe. Together with Yorkshire terrier Ben-Ben and former archenemy Patches the cat, Riley helped to keep the zombies at bay while favorite human Jessie traveled cross-country to find safety for herself and her baby brother, Zachary.

But after a long journey, Riley and the gang arrive in Las Vegas—one of the few remaining inhabited cities—only to find that it has been taken over by a group of thugs who rule through fear and brutality. Making matters worse, ruler Icely and his gang have taken to staging dog fights as popular entertainment, and Riley catches their eye. With Riley forced to fight for her life and Jessie locked up in the home of Icely himself, the future is uncertain. Will Riley save the day once more and help her pack escape to safety?

Amazon / Tantor

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This counts towards my They Call It Puppy Love Challenge.

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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

A Tag Team Event egyptian heart

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 Egyptian Heart.

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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Egyptian Heart

by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

6401174

 

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Genre: Time Travel / Romance

My Review

Having read so many books by this author, most of them horror and thrillers, I was wondering how she’d do with a romance novel. She did beautifully.

Kathryn swept me back in time right along with Maggie Owen, an Egyptologist. The unearthing of Ramose Nakh-Min’s tomb is a significant find and she never could have imagined the mysterious event that catapulted her back to 1340 A.D. Egypt, right in the middle of an escaped slave round up. Her knowledge of this period saved her from death and since she didn’t know when or if she’d ever return to her time, she did her best to blend in and soak up the culture. She never planned to fall in love. And never suspected it could cost her everything.

Kathryn writes a compelling story. She knows her stuff. I could see everything. Ever wondered what Egypt was like way back when? You’ll know after reading Egyptian Heart. I was quickly wrapped up in Maggie’s adventure, wondering whether she would ever get back home and if she would even want to. How would it work if she stayed? What was waiting for her if she made it back to present day?

So many possibilities and the author weaves her spell so well.

  4  Stars

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Synopsis

Maggie Owen is a beautiful, spirited Egyptologist…but lonely. Even being in Egypt on a grant from the college she teaches at to search for an undiscovered necropolis she’s certain lies below the sands beyond the pyramids of Gizah doesn’t give her the happiness she’d hoped it would. There has always been and is something missing. Love.
Then her workmen uncover Ramose Nakh-Min’s ancient tomb and an amulet from his sarcophagus hurls her back to 1340 B.C–where she falls hopelessly in love with the man she was destined to be with, noble Ramose, who faithfully serves the heretic Pharaoh Akhenaton and his queen Nefertiti.
She’s fallen into perilous times with civil war threatening Egypt. She’s been mistaken for one of Ramose’s runaway slaves and with her blond hair, jinn green eyes and fair skin she doesn’t fit in. Some say she’s magical and evil. Ramose’s favorite, Makere, attempts to kill her.
The people, angry the pharaoh Akhenaton has set his queen Nefertiti aside and he’s forced them to worship his god, Aton (instead of their many Egyptian gods), are rising up against him.
Maggie’s caught in the middle of it in a dangerous land and time she doesn’t belong in.
In the end, desperately in love with Ramose, will she find a way to stay alive and with him in ancient Egypt–and to make a difference in his world and history?
Because Maggie has finally found love.

Purchase on Amazon

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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
Kathryn Meyer Griffith

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

 

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GIVEAWAY
Five winners!
 
Up for grabs:
Five winners will receive an eBook copy in mobi, ePub, or PDF format. Or Audible codes.
(Winner’s choice)

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

“Where would you choose to go if you were able to go back in time?”

Giveaway ends March 7th.

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.

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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

Today I’m sharing my review of Necessities by Boyd Taylor. The fourth book in his Donnie Ray Cuinn Series.

Click on the titles to read my reviews for his previous three books Hero, The Antelope Play and The Monkey House.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Necessitites

The Donnie Ray Cuinn Series #4

by Boyd Taylor

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Category:  Adult Fiction,  225 pages
Genre:   Suspense Crime Fiction
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press
Release date:  December 5, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (There is a murder and elusions to sex. Some mild cursing.)

My Review

This is the most convoluted of the books in the series. You don’t even get to Donnie until about halfway through the book. He’s requested to defend a war hero in a murder case. David lost his legs in Iraq and has overcome a lot. He boxes and runs marathons and winds up marrying into a very rich family. But he might not get his happy ever after.

He can’t outrun the murder charge and remembers Donnie from another case. Donnie’s reluctant to take it on as he doesn’t do criminal cases but he can’t refuse after hearing David’s story. An innocent man must be kept out of jail.

While different from the previous books because it’s actually David’s story you read first, Donnie rises to the occasion in the second half. And he’s still dealing with some smaller cases. How he handles them is always a hoot. I like the way the man thinks.

And I got tricked this time. I thought I knew what really happened. Then I didn’t. Then I did. Kept me on my toes throughout and I’m still liking this author’s style. I hope there will be more.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Donnie Ray Cuinn returns to Austin to defend a war hero accused of murder. David Lewis lost both legs in Iraq, but he has overcome his nightmares and his disabilities by sheer willpower. He has learned to run and to box and is a successful newspaperman with a beautiful wife and son. Now the nightmares have returned and he must stand trial for murder. With twists that never seem to end, this gripping legal thriller is filled with suspense and indelibly drawn characters dealing with love and betrayal.

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Watch the book trailer for Necessities (Book #4 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn Series)

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Meet the Author:
 

BOYD TAYLOR lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their Havanese dog Toby. Necessities is the fourth novel in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series. In a former life, Boyd was a lawyer and a corporate officer. A native of Temple, Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in government and an LL.B. from the law school.

Boyd’s first novel “Hero” was prescient in its story about fake news. His second novel, “The Antelope Play,” dealt with drug trafficking in the Texas Panhandle, an unfortunately accurate forecast. The third, “The Monkey House”, involved commercial development of a large green space in the center of Austin, all too familiar to Austin residents. Whether his upcoming novel “Necessities” predicts future events with the accuracy of the earlier books remains to be seen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook

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Enter the Giveaway!
Ends March 7, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To read reviews, please visit Boyd Taylor’s page on iRead Book 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

Welcome to my stop on the tour for Boyd Taylor’s Donnie Ray Cuinn Series. Today I’m sharing my review for his third book, The Monkey House.

Click on the titles for my reviews of the previous two books Hero and The Antelope Play and stop back by tomorrow for my review of the fourth book, Necessities.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

The Monkey House

The Donnie Ray Cuinn Series #3

by Boyd Taylor

26048365

Category:  Adult Fiction,  212 pages
Genre:   Political Suspense
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press
Release date:  May 29, 2015
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some adult language and elusion to sex.)

My Review

Nothing like some madcap monkey escapes to start the story. Donnie’s Papa used the escaping monkeys to help in his endeavors to shut down a research lab. Now he wants the property turned into a park for children and a nice green sanctuary for people to enjoy. But a low down dirty dog throws a wrench in those plans and Donnie is up to his eyeballs in dirty deals trying to fix everything.

It was good to get back to this series. There were more big changes for Donnie, personally and career wise. along with his struggling love life. I really do like Donnie, but I find him too forgiving sometimes. What his long time best friend does is beyond forgivable to me.

It’s never dull in Donnie’s life either. So much scheming and back door deals, the corruption and action is alive and well, keeping his practice afloat. Some of these character’s are so maddening and some so delightful, it’s always fun to read what they are up to.

Still enjoying the heck out of this series and the ending has this super surprise. I had been wondering what happened to a certain something, and it was crazy fun when I found out.

  5 Stars

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Synopsis

This, the third Donnie Ray Cuinn book, pits Donnie against the old friends and new enemies guilty of land fraud and corporate greed. Donnie returns to Austin from his law practice in the Texas Panhandle to confront All-American football player Wesley Bird, his former best friend. In the company of beautiful, athletic Anna Kaye Nordstrom, Donnie experiences the “new” Austin of glitzy condos, trendy restaurants and social media. He also revisits the “old” Austin of barbecue, power politics and greens versus developers. Donnie finds that not much has changed.

Amazon / B&N

Add To Goodreads

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Watch the book trailer for Necessities (Book #4 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn Series)

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Meet the Author:
 

BOYD TAYLOR lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their Havanese dog Toby. Necessities is the fourth novel in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series. In a former life, Boyd was a lawyer and a corporate officer. A native of Temple, Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in government and an LL.B. from the law school.

Boyd’s first novel “Hero” was prescient in its story about fake news. His second novel, “The Antelope Play,” dealt with drug trafficking in the Texas Panhandle, an unfortunately accurate forecast. The third, “The Monkey House”, involved commercial development of a large green space in the center of Austin, all too familiar to Austin residents. Whether his upcoming novel “Necessities” predicts future events with the accuracy of the earlier books remains to be seen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Enter the Giveaway!
Ends March 7, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To read reviews, please visit Boyd Taylor’s page on iRead Book Tours.

~~~~~

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’m thrilled to be sharing a review for The Antelope Play, Boyd Taylor’s second book in his Donnie Ray Cuinn Series.

You can read my review of the first book HERE.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for my review of the third book, The Monkey House and on Thursday for the fourth book, Necessities.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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The Antelope Play

The Donnie Ray Cuinn Series #2

by Boyd Taylor

23993617

Category:  Adult Fiction,  260 pages
Genre:   Political Suspense
Publisher:  Katherine Brown Press
Release date:  July 25, 2015
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some minor cursing.)

My Review

It’s some time later and so much has happened to Donnie. After leaving Texas and pursuing a possible career in historical studies, he’s back in Texas, a damaged man. His wife and her family were gunned down by a drug cartel and his guilt weighs heavy on him.

Now a lawyer and associate in a Texas law firm, he marks the passing of time, hating the small town of Velda and losing all sense of direction. Fed up with his job he quits and sets up shop in his own office in an even smaller town, Antelope City, population: 1004. Things change quickly when a seemingly trivial case lands him in the middle of a water right’s case.

I’m not really sure how much time passed between the first book and where we are now. A lot has happened and the author provided the information in just the right places. My curiosity grew as I learned why Donnie left Mexico and what occurred to send him, tail tucked, back to Texas. He’s different. More mature, yes. But bitter, disillusioned. I missed his easy ways and humor. As he digs into the new case, he starts to come out of his miasma. I caught glimpses of the character I was so fond of.

This book isn’t fast paced. More like steady until you get near the end. It’s not packed with action. What makes it so hard to put down is the author’s writing. The descriptions of the towns, the diverse character’s and their antics,  it all reads so easy. It’s fun reading even when not much is happening.

It was like coming back home as I read this. Not sure quite what it was, but something had me loving this even more than the first book. There’s more intrigue, more scheming, sadness and humor. But, I’m thinking it’s Donnie. He’s the something extra. And what might happen to him is why I can’t stop reading this series.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

When Austin native Donnie Cuinn accepts a job as an associate in a Texas Panhandle law firm, his boredom and disdain for Velda, a sleepy Texas town, is forgotten when he gets caught up in a struggle over water rights, possible radioactive contamination of the nation’s largest underground fresh water supply, and the violence of an invading Mexican drug cartel. Along the way, Donnie learns to respect the local rancher, whose brother is at the center of the troubles, and to come to terms with the violent death of his young Mexican wife.

Amazon / B&N

Add To Goodreads

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Watch the book trailer for Necessities (Book #4 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn Series)

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Meet the Author:
 

BOYD TAYLOR lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their Havanese dog Toby. Necessities is the fourth novel in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series. In a former life, Boyd was a lawyer and a corporate officer. A native of Temple, Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in government and an LL.B. from the law school.

Boyd’s first novel “Hero” was prescient in its story about fake news. His second novel, “The Antelope Play,” dealt with drug trafficking in the Texas Panhandle, an unfortunately accurate forecast. The third, “The Monkey House”, involved commercial development of a large green space in the center of Austin, all too familiar to Austin residents. Whether his upcoming novel “Necessities” predicts future events with the accuracy of the earlier books remains to be seen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Enter The Giveaway!

Ends March 7, 2018

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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To read reviews, please visit Boyd Taylor’s page on iRead Book 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

Finally, it’s time for me to share my review for Hero by Boyd Taylor. This is the first in his Donnie Ray Cuinn Series.

Make sure you stop back by tomorrow for my review of the second book, The Antelope Play. On Wednesday I’ll be reviewing the third book, The Monkey House and on Thursday I’ll be reviewing the fourth book, Necessities. Be sure to stop back by.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Hero

The Donnie Ray Cuinn Series #1

by Boyd Taylor

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Category: Adult Fiction, 180 pages
Genre: Political Suspense
Publisher: Katherine Brown Press
Release date: November 9, 2015
Tour dates: Jan 3 to Feb 28, 2017
Content Rating: PG-13 + M (Some slight cursing.)

My Review

Donnie Ray Cuinn Is nobody special. Just a humble historian. Until the day he uncovers a startling document and writes about. Then he lands smack dab in the middle of a gubernatorial race in the mighty state of Texas.

You see, Sam Eben Payne V, is one of the candidates and that article Donnie wrote shed a rather ugly light on Sam’s ancestor, creating a bit of a scandal. He claims the document was a fake and brings the full force of his power down on Donnie. Now Donnie must choose, retract the story or stand by what he believes to be true.

This is very much a character driven story. Something I happen to love. And there’s such a fun cast. It makes everything outrageous. And the author writes these scenes that make you wish you were a fly on the wall. Like when Sam Payne, running for governor and with deep roots in the state, demands the story be retracted and just can’t believe it when a nobody like Donnie refuses to obey. He has a hissy it. He huffs and he puffs but Donnie won’t back down.

It took some time for me to warm up to Donnie. In the beginning he’s not got much ambition or focus. But Sam Eben’s threats put a burr under his saddle and he gets fired up. Plus, he’s finally found a girl he can love and shes’ no shrinking violet. There’s a scene in a hotel room where some Republic Militia bust in, catching them naked and unprepared, and Cecilia shows her Texan upbringing. Donnie sums it up eloquently, “My God, you’re wonderful!” LOL

What I thought might be a snooze turned out to be one heck of an entertaining read. My excitement built as Donnie evolved, became someone I liked, and opened his can of whoop ass on those who thought him ignorant and lazy. I have the next three books waiting to be read and I just know it’s going to be more crazy fun.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

When budding historian Donnie Ray Cuinn stumbles upon an old letter in the musty bowels of the Texas State Archives, he believes he has uncovered the true story of Sam Payne’s valiant, or perhaps not so valiant, capture of Mexican leader Santa Anna during the Battle of San Jacinto. Cuinn’s findings are published in a local magazine. But the article eventually becomes fodder in the gubernatorial race between Democratic upstart Bob Braeswood and Republican favorite Sam Eben Payne V, the great-great-grandson of the Texas hero. Braeswood is intent on exploiting the past, while Payne will do anything to suppress it. In the ensuing battle, Donnie finds his beliefs, not to mention his relationships, stretched to the limit in the first novel of the Donnie Ray Cuinn series.


Buy the Books:
 
Watch the book trailer for Necessities (Book #4 in the Donnie Ray Cuinn Series)
.

Meet the Author:
 

BOYD TAYLOR lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and their Havanese dog Toby. Necessities is the fourth novel in the Donnie Ray Cuinn series. In a former life, Boyd was a lawyer and a corporate officer. A native of Temple, Texas, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in government and an LL.B. from the law school.

Boyd’s first novel “Hero” was prescient in its story about fake news. His second novel, “The Antelope Play,” dealt with drug trafficking in the Texas Panhandle, an unfortunately accurate forecast. The third, “The Monkey House”, involved commercial development of a large green space in the center of Austin, all too familiar to Austin residents. Whether his upcoming novel “Necessities” predicts future events with the accuracy of the earlier books remains to be seen.

Connect with the Author: Website ~ Facebook

Enter the Giveaway!
Ends March 7, 2018

~~~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

To read reviews, please visit Boyd Taylor’s page on iRead Book Tours.

~~~~~

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