Archive for the ‘thriller’ Category

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Eternal Ashes By Janelle Marie

Posted: January 25, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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Eternal Ashes

by Janelle Marie

 

(Ash & Rage, #1)
Publication date: January 21st 2025
Genres: Adult, Thriller

One night. One moment. One mistake.
Now life will never be the same.

In her hometown of Auburn Village, Sofie Collins has built a good life for herself and her teenage daughter, April.

Sofie’s business is growing, and they are both happily in love, with April about to graduate from high school in only a few weeks.

Life – although far from perfect – is good. But one moment is all it takes.

Just one moment and now Sofie’s world will never be the same again.

Instead of building a brighter future with each passing day, Sofie suddenly finds the happiness she found slipping further and further through her fingers.

And it seems as though all the blame and guilt lies with her…

Or does it?

This mesmerizing drama is the compelling first chapter of a story of heartbreak, betrayal and cold revenge. When her world breaks, will Sofie find the strength to rebuild the pieces? Or is she about to send it crashing down?

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Sofie stared out the window of Chief Edison’s unmarked police car, a cold sense of dread spreading through her chest as she awaited her daughter’s fate. The local hospital wasn’t far, but the ride felt like it was hours. They had left immediately after throwing on some clothes. Sofie wasn’t sure what she had grabbed, or if she should bring anything for April. What had happened? What could’ve possibly happened? Why hadn’t she come home?

The night was still and silent. Everything was so quiet and peaceful, in such stark contrast to the turmoil raging through Sofie’s whole body.

Please, let my baby girl be okay. The thought repeated itself in her head, right along with the last image she had of April walking hand-in-hand out of the pub with Drew. April’s last words to Sofie had been “I love you.” But Sofie couldn’t remember if she’d said those all-important words back to her.

Sofie’s breath clutched in her chest, her gasp disturbing the silence inside the car. Chief Edison glanced back at her through the rearview mirror, concern in his eyes despite his blank expression. Beside her, Parker took Sofie’s hand, interlocking their fingers.

Chief Edison hadn’t given them many details beyond the fact April and Drew had been in an accident. He’d shared no insight into their condition. He didn’t need to though. Sofie could read between the lines. If the kids were okay, they would have been driven home.

April would have called.

If the kids were okay, Chief Edison would have said so instead of staying tight-lipped. His silence was a red flag. A bad omen.

Please, let my baby girl be okay…

Sofie’s vision blurred and she blinked back tears, refusing to let any fall yet. She was convinced crying prematurely would only bring bad luck. Sofie was fearing the worst, but she needed to hold on to some kind of hope. At least now, before she knew for certain how bad it was.

Maybe the kids were banged up and in shock. Maybe there were some broken bones. Maybe some concussions. Scrapes and scratches. Bruises. A bunch of stuff would heal quickly…

And maybe one day, a few weeks or months from now, they would remember this incident as a scary close-call they’d overcome. A minor setback.

Someday in the future, April and Drew would be married and in their forties, telling their kids about the bad crash they had weeks before graduating high school. Their yearbook would have pictures of all the signatures they’d gotten on their matching casts.

There was no need to panic.

No need to panic. Sofie let these words replace the chant in her head, wanting so badly to believe them. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to cling to some optimism, the prolonged drive provided ample time for dread to take hold again.

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About Author Janelle Marie:

Janelle Marie is a distinguished voice in the realm of thriller-suspense fiction. Residing amidst the towering evergreens and cascading mountains of the Pacific Northwest, she infuses her stories with the essence of her surroundings, creating a unique and immersive experience for her readers.

With a talent for weaving tales, Janelle embarked on her writing journey, driven by a love for a great book. She discovered her passion for crafting stories that send shivers down the spine, skillfully spinning narratives that are tapestries of suspense, where unexpected twists and turns keep readers guessing until the final, gripping conclusion.

Janelle Marie invites readers to join her on a journey into the heart of suspense, where the landscapes are as unpredictable as the twists in her tales. Through her evocative prose, she aims to transport readers into a world where danger lurks in the shadows and the only way out is to keep turning the pages.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

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Deadly When Disturbed By DM Barr ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: January 23, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, suspense, thriller
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Deadly When Disturbed by DM Barr Banner

DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED
by DM Barr
January 13 – 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:

Deadly When Disturbed follows the journey of leading Realtor and philanthropist Dara Banks. When Dara searches for an assistant, finding someone as resourceful as Meryl “Merry” Rafter seems too good to be true. So good in fact, she neglects to run a reference check. Bad move. Before she knows it, Merry, a former “actress” trying to be “helpful,” has insinuated herself into Dara’s business, family, and charity, and may be the only person saving her from prison. Dara becomes suspicious and begins snooping into Merry’s past. Feeling cornered, Merry reciprocates by launching an investigation of her own and realizes—too late—that she may have picked the wrong mark to con. These women’s unsettling discoveries, and their desperate efforts to safeguard their skeleton-filled closets and fragile self-images, lead to an explosive confrontation certain to destroy the lives of everyone in their midst.

Praise for Deadly When Disturbed:

“Two women. Friends? Hardly. They’re both after the same thing. And as the stakes get higher, the mind games get uglier, until—well, I’m not going to give away the killer ending. D. M. Barr’s latest domestic thriller is a total rush. It’s like being back with Betty and Veronica all over again—only this ain’t high school, and these women (like the title says) are DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED.” ~ Marshall Karp, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the NYPD RED series

“Who’s the hunter and who’s the hunted in this taut domestic thriller? Don’t even try to guess. Just relax, enjoy, and hang on as DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED takes you on a wild ride.” ~ Brad Parks, international bestselling author of THE BOUNDARIES WE CROSS.

“Tense, well-written, and surprising—Liane Moriarty meets Gillian Flynn by way of John Lutz in D.M. Barr’s latest domestic thriller, DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED. Gaslighting and suburban intrigue abound in this carefully crafted tale, guaranteed to keep you in suspense all the way to the final chapter. Put this one at the top of your to-be-read pile!” ~ Richard Helms, Thriller, Macavity, and Shamus Awards winning author of 22 RUE MONTPARNASSE.

“DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED is a superb dark thriller that offers a brilliantly written bizarro take on the classic All About Eve. Shifts in reality and twists of the plot keep the reader on edge until the stunning and unexpected climax. Fasten your seatbelt and hang on. It’s a great ride.” ~ S. Lee Manning, award-winning author of TROJAN HORSE, NERVE ATTACK, BLOODY SOIL, and DEADLY CHOICE.

“DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED by D.M. Barr is a clever psychological thriller reminiscent of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, updated for today’s culture and with a superior narrative.… With a steady and increasingly intense pace, [it] is a hypnotic read of insanity and wretchedness that will stay with you long after the last page.” ~ Gaius Konstantine for Readers’ Favorite

Deadly When Disturbed Trailer:

 

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Suspense, Domestic Thriller

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: January 2025 Number of Pages: 310

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

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MY REVIEW

Two female characters starring in a thriller. Sounds good to me.  So I dove in.

When Dara’s work load becomes too much for just her to handle, she searches for someone to help. She finds Merry, who quickly becomes indispensable. And then, like a leech, she gets under Dara’s skin, inserting herself into all aspects of her life.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? It does, doesn’t it? But, the author puts an intriguing twist on this. Dara wants Merry gone. Merry wants to step into Dara’s shoes. So, in order for either of them to get what they want, they’ll have to get to know everything about each other. And, boy, does it get suspenseful when the closet doors are flung open and the skeleton’s that were hiding there are revealed.

Talk about an ending you won’t see coming. A humdinger, indeed. For me. For you. And probably for the two women who lived it in these pages.

4 STARS

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Enjoy this peek inside:
Prologue
She stood at her dining room table and calmly fingered through the cardboard box, double-checking that the paperwork was in chronological order. Even now, no one could accuse Samantha Ellingsworth of being anything but organized and precise. For nearly forty years, it had been both a gift and a curse. First the letters from Harry, professing his incendiary ardor during their abbreviated law school courtship. The GIA certificate for the diamond, his glittering promise of passion extending through eternity. The deed to their Upper West side condo. A copy of her resignation from Davis & Milliken, where she’d been on the fast track to partner. The birth certificates for her daughter, dated a year later, and the surprise twins, ten years after that. Next, the children’s coveted acceptance letters from Harrison—Manhattan’s most elite private pre-school and elementary—followed by every one of the glowing report cards she’d worked with them so diligently to earn. Campaign flyers she’d created for Harry’s run for state senate. Her passport opened to the page containing the stamp from that fateful trip to Aruba. The letters she’d written, refuting everything he’d accused her of as lies—all unopened and marked “Return to Sender.” The prescription for Prozac, unfilled, as if any pharmaceutical could rescue her from this pit of depression. Finally, the divorce papers she’d received a few weeks ago, still unsigned. A lifetime of aspirations, misunderstandings, and betrayals, all encapsulated in a pile of paper less than an inch thick. She affixed the cover to the box and took a long, wistful look at the “perfect” apartment they’d been so ecstatic about buying, beating out several competing bids thanks to the lingering cachet of the Ellingsworth name and its clout in political circles. Confident that the condo was spotless, with everything in its place, Samantha slowly donned her hooded sheepskin coat, grabbed the box, and headed out. The elevator operator nodded as she entered, but Gloria from the floor above murmured a curt hello and diverted her gaze as they descended from the seventh floor. Samantha had grown used to the frostiness over the past few weeks. Did the other tenants fear it was catching, that they too might be abandoned by their spouse and children, their lives reduced to rubble, if they inched too close? Whatever. She trudged southbound through the early morning wintery mix; package still cradled to her chest like a newborn. Frigid raindrops grazed her eyelashes before cascading downward and stinging her cheeks as she passed the signs in Zabars’ windows, reminding patrons to purchase their Thanksgiving turkeys. The holiday was only days away. The irony did not escape her. Shivering as much from the weather as from what lay ahead, she descended the subway staircase at 72nd Street, pushing against the throngs headed toward the sidewalk. She had someplace to go too and nothing—not crowds nor apprehension—was going to delay her. Today was the day, a chance to have her say. Finally, she’d make him understand. Samantha ran her MetroCard through the turnstile and headed toward the stairway leading to the uptown train. She positioned herself as close as possible to the opening of the tunnel and stood by the edge of the platform, resummoning her fleeting courage as the crowds swelled behind her. Commuters too involved with their phones to notice the determined woman beside them whose breathing had quickened and whose face had grown hot. She hugged the box even tighter to her fidgeting body and waited. And waited. A collective sigh arose from the crowd as the loudspeaker announced that the next train was going out of service and wouldn’t be stopping. She saw the light in the distance and heard the clunk-de-clunk and whirl—a deafening gale descending onto the tracks, drowning out the murmur of the passengers. Her ride to the most important meeting of her life. And it was the number 2 train. How appropriate. Just like her, relegated from number one. Timing was everything, the oncoming gleam only yards away. She tightened her grasp on what was left of her world, recalling the face of the bitch who’d laughed as she’d stolen it all away. Then she took one last breath and jumped onto the tracks. *** Excerpt from Deadly When Disturbed by DM Barr. Copyright 2025 by DM Barr. Reproduced with permission from DM Barr. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Dawn M. Barclay:

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DM Barr

Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who writes psychological and romantic suspense as D.M. Barr and non-fiction under her own name. Her eight other published books include Expired Listings, Murder Worth the Weight, and Saving Grace: A Psychological Thriller. Along with Deadly When Disturbed, in February LBB will also publish the first of her multi-volume series, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide. Dawn recently completed her second stint co-editing a Sisters in Crime NY/Tri-state anthology. New York State of Crime, published by Down & Out Books in the fall of 2024, which includes her third published short story, “Orchestral Removals in the Dark.” She is currently editing an anthology of crime fiction for Down & Out Books inspired by the music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Dawn offers developmental and copy editing through SuggestedDevelopment.com, and ghostwrites personal histories and corporate profiles through LegacyQuest.net. A member of ITW, she has served as president of Hudson Valley Scribes, vice president of Sisters in Crime-NY (still a board member), and the newsletter author/board member of the NY chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Catch Up With DM Barr: www.DMBarr.com Goodreads – @DMBarr BookBub – @DMBarr Instagram – @AuthorDMBarr Threads – @AuthorDMBarr YouTube – @BarrSinister-m7u Bluesky – @AuthorDMBarr YouTube – @BarrSinister-m7u Facebook – @AuthorDMBarr TikTok – @AuthorDMBarr

 

 

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

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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The Russian Orphan By Deede Blake ~ Author Interview And Giveaway

Posted: January 20, 2025 in giveaways, Interview, thriller
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​The Russian Orphan: They Call Him the White Stallion (World Changers Book 1) by Deede Blake
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  628 pages
Genre: Assassination Thrillers, Conspiracy, Espionage
Publisher: World Changers Publishing, LLC
Release date:  October 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. Mild language, sex innuendos, mild violence. 

Book Description:

From the cold, haunting alleys of Russia’s orphanages to the grandeur of the Kremlin, The Russian Orphan: They Call Him the White Stallion unveils the enigmatic life of Commander Sergei Radkov. He’s not just any man; he’s a symbol, a force, a leader. Known as the White Stallion, Sergei’s journey from an abandoned child to the President of Russia is riddled with espionage, warfare, and undeniable charisma.

But beyond the shadows of Spetsnaz and the intrigue of the GRU lies a heart that yearns for connection. Enter Dr. Selena Frederick, a brilliant American physician.

Their unexpected romance isn’t just a tale of two hearts colliding, but a testament to the power of love in the face of geopolitics and looming danger.

  • A Tale of Power: Witness the rise of a boy from the depths of abandonment to the pinnacle of global influence.
  • Espionage & Action: Dive into the covert operations of Spetsnaz and the GRU, where every decision could be deadly.
  • Forbidden Romance: Amidst political turmoil, a heart-stopping romance between two unlikely souls blossoms. But at what cost?
  • World Changer: Join Sergei on his quest to reshape the world, battling internal demons and external threats, especially those that target his beloved Selena.

The stakes are high. The challenges, formidable. The passion, undeniable. Every page is a journey, every chapter an emotion. Do you dare to ride alongside the White Stallion?

BUY THE BOOK
Amazon ~ B&N
add to goodreads
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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEEDE BLAKE:
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On writing: 

How did you do research for your book?

     Initially research began with reading and more reading. I read the full catalogs of all the Russian Greats. I think I might be the only person on the planet who’s actually read all three volumes of Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Then I moved to reading books on Russian history by folks like Robert Massey. Also, whatever I could find on Russian culture. I hit the internet when I needed to expand searches for information. Then I jumped on an airplane to Russia. Today, I’m writing two sequels, so I still read things like Patriot, the memoir by Alexei Navalny, prior to his death in prison as Putin’s opposition. I’ll be dedicating my next book, We Were Lost, to Navalny.

 Which was the hardest character to write? 

     I think trying to get Sergei right as the main protagonist was hardest. Especially with him coming from such a vastly different background than those living in the Western world.

As the easiest? 

     I think Ivan was the easiest in this novel. He was a quiet commando who didn’t talk much. He’ll be harder to define and more complicated in the sequels.

In your book you make a reference to….how did you come up with this idea?

     Actually, the idea of the book came from watching a documentary about Putin. I began to wonder what our world would be like if we had leaders who defined it differently. I didn’t know if I was up to the task of writing something like The Russian Orphan. It took me ten years, but today, I have a completed novel.

        What made you write a book about…?

     Like many Americans, I was beyond disgusted with American politics and media. So, I decided to create a character who was thrown into the political area as a patriot because of his country’s turmoil. Sergei Radkov is a solution driven guy who doesn’t miss a whole lot in the form of under currents in his nation and speaks truth to corruption.

       Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

     Anywhere. The first novel I ever wrote was called Tatesville. I didn’t publish it, but I wrote it in a couple of composition books by hand while in a hospital. My son was in a coma in PICU after a seizure. I heard a nurse’s shoes squeak as she was talking to a visitor across the hall. They were both saying they grew up near a town that I was familiar with. I changed the town’s name to Tatesville, add a little Peyton Place, and there you have it. A novel about southern American towns in the 1970’s and 80’s.

       There are many books out there about…What makes yours different? 

     Honestly, I don’t know of any books exactly like mine. Most novels about Russia that I’ve read are more in the spy genre. But who knows? Maybe there are some and they haven’t come across my reading list.

       What advice would you give budding writers? 

     I explain as best I can about the hardships of a novelist. However, I try to tell them what little I know about other writing markets. Everybody thinks they can write the all-American novel. If it’s in your soul to do so, then you must. It will take more dedication than you’ve given any other task in your life.

        Your book is set in Russia. Have you ever been there?

     Since I was still working full time as a licensed pharmacist, I could only go to do research for a month. I had to make it count and planned my itinerary very tightly. After more than forty years of service, I retired from pharmacy on Jan 1 of 2025.

        If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?  

    Well, who wouldn’t want to be the lovely Dr. Selena Frederick, a physician that the world can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have her skill set, her charisma, nor her beauty. Most of us are frogs, and many of us have warts. Ribbit.

        Do you have another profession besides writing? 

     Yes, a licensed pharmacist working fulltime.

        How long have you been writing?

     Before I knew the alphabet. I loved to make up stories when I was very young. I was writing all sorts of stuff at a very young age. Singing a silly song was my way of processing my life experience.

        Do you ever get writer’s block? 

     Never.

       What helps you overcome it? 

     I think having so many diverse activities keep me away from writer’s block. It’s not unusual for me to wake up in the middle of the night from a deep sleep. Sometimes I’ll jot down a poem or write down the bones of a scene that I want in my current work, or even a future novel. Solutions literally come to me in my sleep.

       What is your next project? 

     I’ll write the next two sequels for the trilogy of World Changers. Then I’m going to recreate some old writings like Tatesville.  I have a few children’s books that I hope to bring to market. As well, I’m working on historical novels about my family’s experience in America since 1640. That’s probably a ten-year project.

       What genre do you write and why?

     As you can see, I have no genre. I write what is put into my head or laid upon my heart. Folks can call it what they like.

       What is the last great book you’ve read?

      Actually, I’m reading Patriot by Navalny for the second time. I’m in love with the guy.

       On rituals: Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

      When I immerse in writing, I like to close the world off. I once sat in a chair and didn’t move for 36 hours. My favorite snack is food. I barely notice it.

       Where do you write? 

     Usually, one of several places. On the balcony of my condo at Myrtle Beach. At the pier or on the beach in Ocean Isle, NC where my partner lives. I’ve made friends down on the pier with a dolphin named Beautiful, because that’s the only word I can speak when she comes by. But my favorite place is to go somewhere far away and shut the rest o

f the world down. No phone. No internet. No problems. Just create. I’m considering a few months in Zanzibar to finish We Were Lost.

       Do you write every day? 

     No, But I try.

       What is writing schedule? 

     Before I retired from pharmacy last week, I wrote mainly in the morning and worked at night as a pharmacist.

        Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time? In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper? 

     I write a lot of bones on paper. I keep a writing pad beside the bed. Then I start plugging it into my MAC. Then, I’ve written complete novels by hand, but that was before such things as home computers. I actually ended up putting Tatesville in my home computer and printed it out on a dot matrix printer.

        If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?

     I have been a mom writer and full-time pharmacist. I wrote at night when the kids went to bed.

 Fun stuff:

        If you could go back in time, where would you go?

     That’s a fun and fanciful thought. I’ll have to think about that one.

        Favorite travel spot? 

      Anywhere with a beach. I love traveling the world and have found many great places. I love Edinburgh, Scotland. Anywhere in England is fantastic but I love London for all of the museums. Soon I’ll be going to Mongolia on the Russian border for research since Russia isn’t available to me. After all, I did knock off Putin in the second chapter. I hope to spend a few months in Africa soon, so stay tuned.

        Favorite dessert? 

     Put chocolate in it. I’ll like it.

        If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you? 

     Oh, man that’s cruel. But if you’re going to allow me three in my despair, let’s see. Definitely on of the Russian classics. One of the British classics. Then something like The Elephant’s Child by Kipling. Look I didn’t tell my parents what I wanted for Christmas until Christmas Eve when I was six years old. It was the new age of this thing called television and I was enchanted with all those boxes with those huge pretty bows on the Christmas commercials. All I wanted was a big box with a bow. My mom kept saying, “you’re not getting a box with a bow for Christmas.”
So on Christmas Eve, I decided I wanted a Chatty Cathy, a tea set, a table and chairs, and one of those new baker’s ovens. Just three books? Can you just put three good ones in a big box with a pretty bow?

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       What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? 

     When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I had gone out to eat with some friends at what was known in the south as a “fish camp”. So here goes Ms. Pregnant, having to pee. The bathroom was really a converted closet. The sink was outside of the toilet area. I literally had to back into the toilet area with my big stomach to sit on the toilet and close the door. I came out, and priss back to my table on the other side of the establishment. I looked up after sitting down and wondered why everybody in the whole place was laughing at me. Then I saw it. Yep, I had gotten the toilet paper stuck in my underwear and unrolled a Mega size Charmin on my way back to the table.

        The scariest? 

     The night my husband and I had to  do CPR on our son.

        The strangest?

      Many of those. Probably need to just put those in a big box and wrap them with a big bow as well.

        What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? 

     Not sure. But whatever it was, I’m sure I’d never talk about it. Just the way I was raised.

        Any hobbies? 

      Always writing. Counting the stars over the ocean. Wrapping Christmas presents with big bows. I mean, I make ridiculous art scenes on a package. Move over emerging TV.

        Name a quirky thing you like to do.

     Watch birds in the bird feeders at my partner’s house. Exciting right?

        If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

     I would want them to believe that I tried to find the tenderest fiber of human threads that bind us all together. That’s memorable.

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Meet Author Deede Blake:

Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy, Deede Blake distinguished herself early on by winning the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for humanitarian contributions and the Bristol Achievement Award.

Though rooted in science, Deede’s heart beats for storytelling. Her diverse portfolio boasts poems, songs, essays, and novels that echo her global adventures. The Russian Orphan, her riveting tale, is slated to become a TV mini-series, the first in the anticipated World Changer Trilogy.

As Deede crafts her sequels, she immerses herself in the cultures of Mongolia, Africa, and the Philippines to bring authentic depth to her tales. She’s also launching a clothing line, and writing music for the television screenplay.

When she’s not traversing uncharted terrains, Deede enjoys the comforts of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her two children and feline companions, and occasionally retreats to her partner’s abode in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Dive into her world, where science meets boundless imagination.

Connect with the author: Website  ~ Facebook ​~ Goodreads

 
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THE RUSSIAN ORPHAN by Deede Blake 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.

Lethal Impulse By Steve Rush ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 8, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance, suspense, thriller
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Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for Lethal Impulse organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Steve Rush will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Lethal Impulse

by Steve Rush

 

 

Genre: Crime Thriller / Romantic

Suspense

Synopsis

He’s riddled with guilt. She’s annoyed with the status quo.

The death of a crime boss’s daughter forces Detective Neil Caldera to leave NYC. He seeks refuge in the tranquil embrace of a small town, where he finds himself entangled in the labyrinth of a teenage girl’s murder.

Tess Fleishman’s pale skin and extreme weight loss portrays a disease she wants others to see. While inside, a compulsion for Neil fuels her passion to have him or destroy him.

As Neil delves into the heart of the town’s secrets, will truth deliver solace? Or will Tess prevail?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Happenstance played no role in the display now before him. The artist’s rendition displayed evidence of a warped mind. Malevolence flaunted in the form of a portrait painted with blood.

Neil widened the beam of light with a left twist of the flashlight’s head. Shock jolted him. The likeness on the barn wall stared back at him with remarkable resemblance.

“Holy mother of Moses. I understand why you didn’t want to come back.”

Neil looked at the front and rear doors. Light from an approaching vehicle rose on the front of the barn. Gaps around the door allowed enough streaks of light through to make shadows look as if the light infused them with life. The vehicle continued onward. Every shadow around Neil returned to stationary ominous forms. He half-turned toward the front and listened. The whine of tires on pavement diminished. Silence again filled the barn.

The hinges squawked against Neil’s shove on the right-side door. Chad turned his head in Neil’s direction. He was sitting on the ground with his back to the weathered wood. Knees drawn up, arms wrapped around them and his right hand clamped on his left wrist.

“It’s you.” Chad shuddered, tilted his head toward the barn. “In there. The picture on the wall looks like you.”

Neil glanced inside. The image renewed in his mind. “Is that the reason you called me? To have me look at someone’s depravity smeared on a barn wall?”

Chad shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Then why?”

“I know what you did.”

~~~~~

About Author Steve Rush:

Steve Rush is an award-winning author whose experience includes tenure as homicide detective and chief forensic investigator for a national consulting firm. He worked with the late Joseph L. Burton, M.D, under whom he mastered his skills, and investigated many deaths alongside Dr. Jan Garavaglia of Dr. G: Medical Examiner fame. His specialties include crime scene reconstruction, injury causation, blood spatter analysis, occupant kinematics, and recovery of human skeletal remains.

Steve’s book Kill Your Characters; Crime Scene Tips for Writers was named finalist in the 2023 Silver Falchion Award for Best Nonfiction and Honorable Mention in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Awards. Lethal Impulse won the 2022 Public Safety Writing Association’s Writing Competition for an unpublished novel, longlisted in the 2022 Page Turner Awards and joint first prize in the 2020 Chillzee KiMo T-E-N Contest.

Publishing credits:

Kill Your Characters; Crime Scene Tips for Writers, Genius Books, June 2022
Blood Red Deceit, Wings ePress, (thriller) September 2023
After Her Deceit, Wings ePress, (thriller) October 2024
Lethal Impulse, The Wild Rose Press, (romantic suspense/crime thriller) October 2024
Upcoming 2025 releases:
The Shocking Truth (crime thriller) presale 02/15/25, and Deadline 4:59 (crime thriller), Wings ePress

Purchase links: Amazon / Wild Rose Press / B&N / iTunes / BooksAMillion

Author links: Website / LinkedIn / Substack / Goodreads / Amazon

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Voices From Beyond By Fran Lewis ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: December 11, 2024 in giveaways, thriller
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Voices from Beyond by Fran Lewis Banner

VOICES FROM BEYOND
by Fran Lewis
December 9-13, 2024 Book Blast

 

 

Synopsis:
As the book unfolds, each person you meet is given a chance to repent or suffer the mirror’s unique form of hideous justice. Be careful doing wrong because the mirror waits for you…

Here are seven stories that will bring chills down your spine and make you wonder: what lies behind the stones? Who lives here? Each voice you will hear has been silenced by the evil of others. Rosie and many others in the camps were tortured and enslaved, and not allowed to speak out at all. Bertha’s voice was never heard by her aunt, who used her for cooking, cleaning, and even servicing men for money. Next is a teacher who believed that children should be seen and not ever heard, and their opinions were off limits. Sarah Jones knew the secret that her cousin Benita was hiding, and what she had done to her mother. Sarah would bide her time and take on not only Benita but others, too. This is the story of how Sarah Jones decided to fight back. But did she succeed?

Finally, there are several who have wronged so many, and these last three remain behind stones that barely stand straight, where their names are engraved but covered with mud and soil so that no one will ever give them the honor of saying a prayer over them or mourning their deaths. These three come from different walks of life: one is a lawyer, another an accountant, and the third a judge. What are they guilty of? Read their stories as they tell them, and you decide if their fates were just or not, as they blackmailed and threatened so many whose voices, you’ll learn, were silenced in fear.

Within this world, many gain wealth by taking what belongs to others. There is a catch to this, as I will decide the fate of each person as they spend time in my special mirrors facing what they have done. If they show remorse, they have one fate. If not, they will belong to me!

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Published by: Royal Flush Publishing Publication Date: October 28, 2024 Number of Pages: 60 ASIN: B0D1QM7Y9Z

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

 

About Author Fran Lewis:

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Fran Lewis

Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge.‬‬ ‬ Fran is the author of more than 14 titles including three children’s books. She has written several books on Alzheimer’s disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. These include Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s Story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain?. She also wrote A Daughter’s Promise about her walk through the disease with her mother. ‪Fran is the author of the Faces Behind the Stones series, a middle school series featuring stories growing up in the Bronx with her sister and MJ magazine. Voices from Beyond is her latest book which was preceded by Mirror Image, What If?, Population Zero, and Accusations.‬

Catch Up With Fran Lewis: Just Reviews Book Talk with Fran Lewis Radio Show Goodreads BookBub Instagram – @ferndine49 X – @franellena Facebook

 

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Mindcraft – The Educational Singularity By Darryl Vidal

Posted: December 5, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, Science Fiction, thriller
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MindCraft-The Educational Singularity

by Darryl Vidal

 

Publication date: December 10th 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller

Active gamer Justin Turner and his friends- avid climbers Drew and Jon, mystically-sensitive LilyBelle, experienced surfers Brad and Shaina, puzzle master April, and outdoorsman Lisa-are masters at MindCraft, a global virtual reality gaming phenomenon that immerses its users in incredibly realistic environments. When the MindCraft Corporation CEO announces the Global MindCraft Universe Challenge, where the winner would become a worldwide superstar, these eight friends, also known as the Digital Mavericks, are excited to push the boundaries of the virtual gaming experience to prove to themselves they are elite Mindcraftians-all of this while also representing the United States on the global stage and acting as influencers dedicated to fostering unity and inclusion.

But as the team participates in regional and national challenges on their way to the global championship, Justin finds a backdoor into the MindCraft database, accidentally discovering a sinister underbelly within the MindCraft Universe. The deeper he digs, the more he finds out that something-or someone-may be planning to use the MindCraft Global Challenge to enact a plan for world domination. As he continues to poke around, MindGuide, a new artificial intelligence setup as a chatbot in the MindCraft Universe, begins to target the Digital Mavericks with virtual manipulation and real-world threats.

Now, as the bridge between virtual and reality collapses, Justin must carefully unravel this nefarious scheme and protect those who are clueless to the impending danger, all before the Digital Mavericks-and the world as we know it-are defeated once and for all.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

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Enjoy this peek inside:

A neon blue sky with puffy white cumuli-nimbus clouds provided the background for a grassy landscape speckled with pastel flowers. Eucalyptus trees lined the sides of some sort of football or soccer field. In the distance, hundreds of armored medieval warriors came thundering down the hills, shields and swords in hand.

They were storming toward a massive medieval castle of limestone and granite stretching across the near end of the playing field; a vast mote surrounding it. The massive walls stretched twenty to thirty feet high, which normally provided sanctuary from siege. But in this instance, a large hole had been blown through the castle walls with granite boulders, near the gates and bridge that secured entry into the castle.

A closer group of workers and warriors, commanded by the screaming artillery master and aided with oxen, moved giant catapults away from the castle walls to expose the holes for the armored warriors coming down the hill. Next, they started loading giant balls of pitch, a thick black tarry substance, to be set on fire and launched over the castle walls.

Justin Turner, in full VR regalia, used his hand controllers to assemble 3D blocks to repair the wall before the hordes of warriors arrived. The glow of the forty-two-inch curved gaming monitor cast an illuminating light on his determined expression. In the virtual realm of MindCraft, Justin went by the handle ByteMaster, due to countless strategic victories and an uncanny ability to outsmart opponents.

His hands flew around, directing the giant claw of the manipulator to replace the blocks that had been blown out of the wall. His hands wet with sweat slipped off the controls, causing the claw to falter and drop the building blocks needed to repair the wall and keep the castle secure from the approaching army.

“Mom!” Justin called out, not able to tear his eyes away from the screen. “Have you seen my lucky gaming gloves?” These would be the key to mastering the controls of the giant manipulator. But alas, he was running out of time—he had to go to school.

The foray into EduNex’s Curriculum base unfolded like a treasure trove of knowledge, offering a profound depth of data and information across every conceivable discipline and subject. In the core of his academic pilgrimage lay a technological marvel that wove the fabric of education and technology into an academic spider’s web—EduNex. The school’s Learning Management System stood as the bedrock of educational efficacy. A ubiquitous platform that boosts every student’s aptitude in every aspect of their learning experience.

EduNex wasn’t just an LMS; it was an educational ecosystem that had become the standard across all schools in the state. Its influence extended far beyond the confines of a traditional learning management system. When Justin navigated its intuitive VR interface, he often found himself immersed in a world where every nuance of the learning process was invisibly aided. It wasn’t a cheating platform—more of a virtual world book encyclopedia—without the book.

The scope of EduNex was staggering. It served as the central repository for student information—a digital canvas where class syllabi, schedules, grades, and academic reports coexisted. But it went further, seamlessly integrating the intricacies of remote and hybrid learning. Voice and video conferencing brought the classroom to life, transcending physical boundaries and fostering an environment where learning knew no limits and no borders.

Everything on EduNex is collaborative. Whether with peer students, teachers, subject- matter-experts, researchers, or anyone else with an Internet connection—every module within the EduNex suite offered the ability to collaborate.

Message boards buzzed with intellectual discourse, becoming virtual arenas where ideas were exchanged and discussions thrived. Document boards housed a treasure trove of resources, making information accessible at the click of the mouse. Homework submission and plagiarism checking became streamlined processes, integrated into the underpinnings of the system, enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the educational process.

Yet, the true marvel lied in EduNex’s adept utilization of artificial intelligence. Beyond the Adaptive Learning algorithms powering TarotTutor, Justin discovered that EduNex’s advanced AI wasn’t just a passive observer; it was a dynamic orchestrator, composing a symphony of personalized learning experiences for each student based not only on their stated interests, but also to tangential subjects and disciplines seemingly unrelated to academics and personal success. The system, virtual companions that enhanced and integrated disparate information bases, ensured a fusion of academic discourse and knowledge.

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About Author Darryl Vidal:

Darryl Vidal has been consulting for schools implementing technology for over 20 years. His projects include district-wide implementations of VoIP, Wireless, Data Center Virtualization, and Video Security. His primary instructional focus for over 15 years has been the ever evolving technology classroom. Mr. Vidal has developed the formal strategic planning and project management methodology known as MapIT. He is currently Principal Consultant for Tier 4 Tech – Education Services and Sr. Project Manager.

 

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Remembering Demons By J. Cornelius

Posted: December 2, 2024 in Dark Fantasy, Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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Remembering Demons

J. Cornelius

 

(The God Cycle, #1)
Publication date: May 9th 2024
Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller

Have you ever wondered what lurks in the mirrors?

Daryl doesn’t have to wonder… he knows.
But why do they stalk him? Why can’t he remember anything?
It’s enough to drive a guy crazy!

Meanwhile, the eerie asylum seems to know more than an old pile of rock and mortar has any right to and his therapy is uncovering a blood-stained past of pain and death, alongside something dormant within him of disturbing power. When Dr. Walker teaches him how to face his demons, the psychoses and dreams conspire to warn him of something even worse stalking him. Something ancient and evil.

To survive, Daryl must confront the repressed memories that drove him insane.

For madness—is a blunt instrument.

This dark fantasy epic and paranormal thriller with a Shutter Island’esque vibe will have you questioning what is real. The story mixes dark and traditional fantasy with horror and science fiction elements to explore mental health, guilt, and a world where the physical realm of our experience blends seamlessly with the fantastical realm of monsters and gods. Perfect for fans of The Gunslinger, The Dresden Files, and the TV series Black Mirror.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Dad,” she said imploringly, “please don’t make me show you again.”

A shiver ran down his spine. “No, of course,” Daryl said quickly. “No need for that.”

“Why did you go?”

“I . . .” he halted, unsure. “I thought I could have both.”

“And then what happened?”

“I . . .” His mind blanked, and he looked out the window, petrified.

“You have to face this, it’s not—” The pitch of her voice rose in alarm. “The butter is burning!”

Daryl whipped around, depositing the smoking skillet at the back of the stove before cranking up the extractor hood.

“Thanks,” he said, about to turn back around.

The sound of small feet pattered across the floor, coming for him.

“This is not how it happened,” she said from right next to him, the accusation in her voice like a discordant note, slashing the air. He knew what was coming, fearing it with every fiber of his being. Still, her voice ignited a deep ache to turn around and hold her, but he knew that was impossible.

The smoke from the burned butter grew in intensity, and he looked down. The tabletop was beginning to char. Wisps of smoke were gently rising from the crack where the counter met the wall. She jumped onto the tabletop, bringing herself level with him, reaching out for him with arms starting to blister from the heat.

His vision was blurring, as if sweat was dripping into his eyes, and his mind reeled. She grabbed him, causing him to stumble and seize hold of the now smoldering counter.

“Dad,” she said softly.

He tried to resist, but she forcibly turned him around, facing her. Facing those terrible eyes . . . eyes which held the truth.

“No,” he muttered.

“Listen.”

“Please no,” he repeated meekly.

She leaned in as if to speak, but instead opened her mouth wide and screamed. It tore through everything, cutting at his very soul. He knew why she screamed. He knew . . . Daryl felt a sudden sharp pain in his mouth, followed by a jolt as the dream receded. His surroundings grew foggy, her face retreating down a well. The dream dwindling, dwindling, gone.

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About Author J. Cornelius:

J. Cornelius is a medical researcher of pathogenic viruses by day and a writer of fantasy/sci-fi fiction by night. He is also: An equal responsibility father of three, a loving husband, an avid lover of many types of mountaineering, especially rock climbing and snowboarding, and a DIY maker of herb and fruit flavored spirits.

Sign up to his newsletter on his website to get a free copy of the God Cycle short story, ‘Catching Spiders’.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

 

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Enter here!

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ How Well Do You Know Your Husband? By M. Q. Webb

Posted: November 28, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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6

 

How Well Do You Know Your Husband?

by M.Q. Webb

 

Publication date: November 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller

Aria’s seemingly perfect life begins to unravel when she suspects her husband, Ethan, is having an affair.

As she navigates her feelings of betrayal, Aria starts to notice someone is following her. When her best friend Isla is murdered in a dark bar bathroom, Aria is left grappling with the chilling possibility that Isla’s death was meant for her.

Amidst the police investigation, rising paranoia, and Ethan’s increasingly suspicious behavior, Aria is forced to question everyone around her, including herself.

In this gripping psychological thriller, the lines between trust and deceit blur, leaving you wondering: how well do you really know the people closest to you?

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I’ve been watching her for three weeks now. She hasn’t noticed, perpetually focused on herself, lost in her thoughts. Not for the first time, I struggle to understand what he loves about her. I suppose it could be the obvious things. Anyone can see she’s beautiful, but so are a million other women in New York City. She’s caring, but everyone cares about something. What makes her so special?

Her gray knit dress moves with her as she walks, accentuating the way her slim waist curves into round hips. He wasn’t supposed to fall for her, but I think he has. She was supposed to be temporary, a fleeting chapter in his life, but she has become a permanent fixture.

I watch her as she lines up at a street vendor and orders a pretzel, refusing the change offered by the mustached man who delivers the freshly baked knot with a smile that reaches his eyes. She doesn’t appreciate the life she has been given. She spends his money as if it’s hers to waste, buying new things for their home. Treating herself to expensive clothing.

People who do bad things shouldn’t get away with it. There are meant to be repercussions. I’m not superstitious enough to expect justice, but she did what she did, and now there should be consequences. Order maintained. Rules followed.

Tonight may be the night I end her life, like she ended mine.

I slip a hand into my pocket and feel the smooth metal, imagining what it would be like to sink it into her side. I would leave her there for everyone to see who she really is instead of the perfect avatar of a loving wife she’s created. She’s hiding her true self now, but all she needs is a nudge for her real nature to surface. He won’t love her once he sees that.

The smell of unemptied trash in the alleyway fills my nostrils, growing more pungent, but I press on. I curl my fingers around the knife and increase my pace to catch up. She’s fast, but I’m taller, lengthening my strides so I don’t lose her.

I’m close now. Much closer, and I risk being noticed. I promised myself that if that happens, my choice will be made, and I will kill her.

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About Author M. Q. Webb:

M. Q. Webb writes psychological thrillers and suspense novels, including the Oscar de la Nuit series. Her books have hit the Amazon best seller chart in the US. She studied psychology and business.

How Well Do You Know Your Husband is a stand alone psychological thriller, and her third release.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / X / Instagram

 

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The Crushing by Kerry Peresta ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: November 11, 2024 in Excerpt, reviews, suspense, thriller
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1

The Crushing by Kerry Peresta Banner

THE CRUSHING
by Kerry Peresta
October 21 – November 15, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

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Synopsis:
OLIVIA CALLAHAN SUSPENSE

  The victim of a vicious assault six years ago that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, Olivia Callahan is now a private investigator with her own firm. The assault that almost took her life resulted in a spectacular metamorphosis. No longer the shy, passive introvert she once was, she’s become a driving and determined force. However, the lack of impulse control caused by her rewired brain causes her to run toward trouble instead of away from it. When Olivia sends her colleague, Sherry, to the Florida panhandle to find a missing friend, Hannah; the search takes Sherry into the dark heart of an abusive, hostage situation. The man Hannah married is cruel, dangerous, and well-connected. Olivia reels in her favorite cop—Sergeant Hunter Faraday—for a discreet assist, and it soon becomes clear that Hannah’s new husband is adept at waging war against anything that blocks his way.

While rescuing Hannah is Olivia’s primary goal, her incarcerated ex-husband has other plans. He’s collected friends who support his obsessive need to punish her for her role in his murder conviction, and a time bomb is ticking.

As Olivia and Sherry battle to save Hannah, try to neutralize the fiendish plan of an ex bent on revenge, and endure a terrifying race for their lives through the Florida wetlands; a final betrayal waits patiently in the dark. Smiling.

Praise for The Crushing:

“Fans of Frieda McFadden and Lisa Jewell will stay up past their bedtimes devouring the latest thriller from Kerry Peresta! Haunted by her abusive ex-husband, P.I. Olivia Callahan had better keep her friends close and her enemies closer. Now, if she could only tell them apart. When one of her best friends goes missing in a Florida swamp, the clock is ticking. The suspense winds tighter on every page!” ~ Kelly Oliver, author of the Jessica James Mysteries

“The tension in Kerry Peresta’s The Crushing is off the chain. Chilling! ‘I can beat this,’ the captive whispers from her locked room. ‘I will escape.’ Taut. Gripping. Engrossing. Highly recommended!” ~ Tracy Clark, award-winning author of the Cass Raines Chicago mysteries and the Detective Harriet Foster series.

“Rich details, a strong, character-driven plot, and enough snaky twists and turns to give you vertigo – this fourth entry in Kerry Peresta’s Olivia Callahan series will have you sweating bullets and turning pages like a tornado, leaving you as breathless as a mile sprinter. There’s nothing less simple than a simple missing-persons case, and there are far worse things than gators in the dark, dank Florida boonies. Don’t believe me? Read The Crushing.” ~ J.R. Sanders, Shamus Award winning author of the Nate Ross novels.

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: October 15, 2024 Number of Pages: 310 ISBN: 978-1-68512-770-1 Series: Olivia Callahan Suspense, Book Four

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Level Best Books

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MY REVIEW

After suffering a serious Brain injury six years ago, Olivia is back on her feet and running her own private investigations firm. She’s good at it and senses something is wrong when she can’t get in touch with her friend, Hannah. Along with her partner, Sherry, she sets out to find her missing friend. The way is fraught with danger but she’s not one to run away. She’s brave and a loyal friend. She’ll not stop until she finds Hannah.

Well, talk about suspenseful. This story is like a runaway train. The characters are so genuine, the good and the bad. And there’s not much down time to catch your breath. The plot powers along, and you’ll need to hang on for the ride.

Suspense, mystery, romance. This book has it all. And you get multiple points of view so you don’t miss a thing. Being the fourth book in the series, I do want to go back and start Olivia’s story from the beginning. She’s such an intriguing personality. What a thrill this was to read.

5 STARS

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Enjoy this peek inside:
PROLOGUE

Sherry crammed the phone against her ear as she dashed through the thick undergrowth, trudged across boggy marshes, and arrived at a feeder stream.

“Olivia! Olivia?”

Nothing.

“Dammit!” she muttered, shoving her cell back into her pocket. She calculated that the nearest town rested fifteen miles down the highway out here in Florida-cracker country, and holing up until the shooter emerged seemed the best option.

She should’ve known there’d be no service out here.

Where did he go? She scraped mud off her face and rubbed her sunburned cheeks. He actually fired a weapon. On no planet had she ever thought this little trek would become a fight for her life, yet here she stood, hands glued to the trunk of a huge palm, eyes darting back and forth across the marshy, pancake-flat wastelands of inland Florida. Behind her lay a wide body of water surrounded by suspicious-looking marsh grass and, she suspected, alligators…and in front of her lay miles of marshland and bedraggled palms spearing the sky.

Why had she volunteered for this assignment, again? “I just had to get my investigator’s license,” she muttered. “Maybe I should’ve stayed put as Olivia’s assistant instead of private investigator. This isn’t quite how I envisioned the job.” She rubbed her calves. How long had she been running? Fifteen minutes? Twenty? An hour? Where was Olivia? The distant blast of gunfire reached her ears. A bullet sliced through the air and hit the tree she’d wrapped herself around, missing her hand by inches. Sherry felt her stomach freeze into a block of ice. Wiping the sweat from her eyes, she slid her hand to the paddle holster on her belt, gripped her Smith & Wesson revolver, and released the safety strap. Another crack of gunfire erupted closer this time. She swallowed, hard. A whoosh of air zipped past a mere twelve inches in front of her nose. Sherry dropped to the ground like a stone. The spikey bushes on the ground dug into her arms, her chest, her legs. She located a slight rise about ten feet away, and hastily low-crawled through the weeds on her stomach, edged to the top of the incline, and threw herself over the top. Breathing hard, she peeked out above the edge. The crack-crack-crack of shots fired caused her to dive for cover. She took a deep breath, wiped the sweat off her palms, and fired back a volley of her own. When silence fell, she relaxed against the incline and tugged out her phone. A signal! With fumbling fingers, she pressed in Olivia’s number. She waited through one ring, then two, before her call was answered. “Where are you?” Olivia’s anxious voice demanded. “Are you okay?” Tears of relief trailed down her cheeks. She rattled off a description of her location. Her gaze trained on the best-case origination of shots fired, she whispered, “Olivia! I found Hannah. She’s exhausted and weak, but I’ve got her.” Sherry listened to Olivia’s instructions. “Okay. I’ll meet you at the airport, but…wait. I hear something,” she whispered, and stuck the phone back in her pocket. She gripped her weapon with both hands. Minutes passed. Sherry tried to breathe. Something shuffled through the grass. Her eyes sliced left, right. The shuffling stopped. The hum of cicadas intensified. She swatted at mosquitoes. Sweat trickled down her face. Sherry adjusted her grip on her sidearm. She strained to hear more footsteps, but only heard the faint squawk of herons and hoot of owls. The setting sun left a red slash on the horizon. Bats dipped and swooped above her. She lowered her weapon, puzzled. Had one of her prior shots wounded her target? Taking her time, she rose from her niche behind the incline. A single shot burst from her adversary’s weapon and sizzled through the air. She cried out in pain. The bullet had nicked her, the sting of a monster wasp. She groped her waist with her free hand and lifted it away wet with blood. Rage rushed through her chest and down her arms. She planted her legs wide and emptied her weapon in the direction of the shooter. The phone in her pocket vibrated with a text as she reloaded. Another bullet clipped her in the shoulder. The sound of sirens wailed in the distance. She collapsed. *** Excerpt from The Crushing by Kerry Peresta. Copyright 2024 by Kerry Peresta. Reproduced with permission from Kerry Peresta. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Kerry Peresta:

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Kerry Peresta

Kerry Peresta is a suspense novelist, and her releases include The Deadening, The Rising, The Torching, and The Crushing, books one-four in the Olivia Callahan Suspense series; and Back Before Dawn, a standalone thriller, all published by Level Best Books Publishing. Her magazine articles have appeared in Hilton Head’s Local Life Magazine, The Bluffton Breeze, Lady Lowcountry, and Island Events Magazine. She spent twenty-five years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, editor, and copywriter. She is past chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association and a current member and presenter of Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network, South Carolina Writers Association, Pat Conroy Literary Center, International Thriller Writers, and the Sisters in Crime organization. Kerry is the mother of four adult kids, a flock of grandkids, and three cats. She and her husband moved to Hilton Head Island in 2015.

Catch Up With Kerry Peresta: kerryperesta.com Goodreads BookBub – @kerryperesta Amazon Author Page Instagram – @kerryperesta Twitter/X – @kerryperesta Facebook Author Page Facebook Personal Page

 

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ If You Lie By Caleb Stephens

Posted: November 3, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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3

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If You Lie: A Thriller

by Caleb Stephens

 

Publication date: November 1st 2024
Genres: Adult, Thriller

A buried past. A new-age cult. A floating prison with no way off.

Seven years ago, Olivia woke up in the trunk of a stranger’s car—and barely escaped with her life. She’s been looking over her shoulder ever since.

Now, Olivia is a true-crime podcaster on a mission to help other women avoid her fate. But years spent covering violence and crime have left her burned out. So when Olivia’s estranged sister Quinn invites her to reconnect on an exclusive cruise, she jumps at the chance for a break…only this trip won’t be the relaxing vacation she’s hoping for.

The ship is elegant, the meals are divine, and the people are friendly—maybe too friendly. But Quinn isn’t the sister Olivia remembers. And strange things are starting to happen that echo Olivia’s past in unsettling ways.

When someone on the ship goes missing, Olivia realizes she’s playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Only this time, she might not survive.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Sounds came.

The steady ping of rain drumming against steel.

The muted whoosh of wind. The high whine of rubber kissing asphalt.

I was moving.

Why am I moving?

Air clawed up my throat and slid back down again—slowly, painfully—my lungs pulling harder than my esophagus would allow, my chest rising and falling in uneven shifts. I couldn’t breathe.

I should be able to—

My eyelids snapped open to darkness. Pure black. I tried to scream and couldn’t. My voice was gone, lost in my burning throat. Another sound came instead—this one closer, directly overhead.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

I raised my hands and brushed a loose rod, then pushed past it and felt cool metal press against my palm. I followed it lower, the metal curving behind my head until it terminated in a rubber seal.

A car, I thought. I’m in a trunk.

Oh, God …

Oh, fuck.

It’s why my knees were jammed in a fetal position, why a rough pad of carpet burned against my cheek and scratched my neck. A shot of cold panic swam down my spine. Time stuttered, and I wheezed for oxygen. It felt like I was breathing through a straw. I was going to pass out if I didn’t get it together and fast.

Focus, Olivia. Stay calm.

And then: He thinks I’m dead.

It’s why my hands weren’t bound, why my mouth wasn’t gagged. It’s why my ankles weren’t slung in an interstate of knots. The man who’d done this to me thought I was dead. I could still feel his fingers squeezing, digging into my neck, could still hear his voice burning hot in my ear.

Fucking die, already!

Those words pouring over me in a shower of sour breath.

Clack. C-Clack. Clack.

Think, Olivia! You have to think!

I slowed my breathing and forced my mind to calm. There had to be a way to open the trunk or signal another car. A wire to rip free from the brake lights or a latch to pop. Didn’t all the newer cars have those specifically for situations like this? For women who, like me, simply disappeared?

And I would disappear if I didn’t find a way to get out.

My heart sloshed in my chest, and I rolled to my right, toward the sidewall of the trunk, and extended an arm. My fingers brushed over objects I recognized. Jumper cables, and a can of gas. Coiled rope and boxes. A hard plastic case. Duct tape. Nothing else.

Jesus, no latch.

I tried the other side, muttering a prayer as my hands crawled through a graveyard of clinking bottles, my fingers scraping over the dry brush of cardboard and through the crinkle of plastic sacks. Dust tickled the back of my nose, and I nearly unleashed a sneeze before I bit it off. Don’t! He’ll hear you. Then I tried again, moving slower this time, feeling for what had to be there.

And it was—nestled a few inches above the floor of the trunk.

A trunk release. A lever to pull.

Reality wobbled. My heart fluttered and crashed.

Work, I thought. Please, God, work.

I pulled.

There came a click, and the world exploded into a fireball of light. A gray sky moved above me, swollen with thunderheads, trees sweeping past on either side. Headlights coasted behind the car in a sea of rushing metal. Cold rain lashed against my neck. I forced myself upright, and the brakes slammed and sent me hurtling backward as the car screeched to a stop.

Move! Move! Move!

I scrambled from the trunk.

One foot connected with the ground. The other slipped. I crashed to the road, and the sound of rain filled my ears along with the heavy thunk of a door opening. Two boots hit asphalt.

His boots.

Air scabbed over my lips. The world swam.

Go! I pushed myself upright—and I ran. Across the white line on the shoulder of the road and into traffic with brakes shrieking all around me. Horns tearing past. Rain pelting my face. Wind hissing in my ears. Behind me came a full-throat roar.

“Stop, you fucking bitch!”

My lungs burned for air, everything smearing to a blur.

“I said, stop!” Louder this time. Closer.

But I didn’t stop, couldn’t stop. I kept running—pushing through the fire in my chest, ignoring the pain in my throat—until I stumbled off the road and tumbled down a grass-slicked descent.

Rolling now. Everything spinning. Gasping for air.

I splashed into a pool of muddy water and came up coughing, wiping my eyes to a sight that filled me with terror. The man stood above me on the hill, looking down with one hand balled into a fist and the other holding a knife.

You’re dead, I thought. He’s going to kill you.

A cloud of blue and red light rose behind him followed by a voice. “Remain where you are! Drop the knife!”

But the man didn’t. He just stared down at me with his breath turning to mist.

And took a step. Took another.

Then the gunshots rang out.

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About Author Caleb Stephens:

Caleb Stephens is an award-winning author writing from Denver, Colorado. His novels include the thrillers If You Lie, The Girls in the Cabin, and Feeders, as well as the darkly humorous urban fantasy novel, Soul Couriers, which is forthcoming in 2025. His fiction collection If Only a Heart and Other Tales of Terror includes the short story “The Wallpaper Man,” which was adapted to film by Falconer Film & Media in 2022. He’s hard at work writing his next thriller.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / TikTok

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