Archive for the ‘urban fantasy’ Category



,

 

Spellcaster Wild Card

by Nikki Jefford

 

Publication date: October 1st 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

.
Win the game. Change the world.

Winning the show means living forever. It is the golden ticket to fame, fortune, and a place among the vampire elite.

Being remade isn’t on my wish list. I like being me, and with nearly a million online followers, it’s working. My parents and big sister are the do-gooders in our family who want to make the world a fair and just place for all humans and paranormal creatures. I just want to finish high school and keep doing what I do best—sharing hair and beauty tips while discussing Spellcaster and how the show’s vampire judge Malachi Rayne is the hottest male on the planet.

Then, life as I know it ends. There are evil forces who will stop at nothing to maintain world dominance—indefinitely.

It’s hard to care when I’ve become dead inside and out.

After my family is violently attacked, the host of Spellcaster insists I audition for Season 13. For the first time in the show’s history, they want to represent every species of paranormals. That’s me now. Not human. Not vampire. Not the class of creature anyone EVER cheers for.

This season’s prize is power beyond anyone’s imagination. It is the kind of reward that contestants and their sponsors would kill to possess.

Let the other contestants and judges underestimate me. They can gossip all they want about the hotshot wizard and the alpha werewolf behaving as though I’m another prize to be won. And if Coach Malachi can’t handle a bold influencer with abilities, then he can suck it. I preferred watching him from the other side of the screen. He’s about to discover that Haylee Hutchins is a force to be reckoned with. The whole world will.

Someone thought they could silence my family for good. Instead, they created a monster. I’m still here, and I am much harder to kill.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Everything is spinning. My body. My vision. My brain. I clamp my mouth shut to keep from vomiting. The cleaning crew just got the stage cleaned. Then there’s the second reason I keep my lips pressed tight. I refuse to beg Malachi for mercy.

My hands flail and grasp for something to hold on to, but the wind rushing between my fingers is no help. If this is what flying feels like, then it’s highly overrated. I lean forward in an attempt to go vertical, which has the ill effect of pitching me forward so I catch a brief view of how far I am from the stage. My body flips around another time. I don’t want to land on my feet and crush my ankles. I certainly don’t want to land on my head and shatter my skull. I don’t want to break anything on my body!

If I won this season’s prize, I could defend myself instead of swirling helplessly like the roof of a house caught in a tornado.

The wind rips out my hair tie and blows my braid out in an instant. Blond hair whips me in the eyes. My body begins to descend slowly, while the spinning continues in full force. The tornado fades little by little into the stage until I am set down gently and it disappears altogether. I try to remain standing while the theater seats and stage continue to spin, but I tilt to one side and misstep. Thump. I fall to the stage, sprawled out on my side. It could have been worse, though. Way, way worse.

It’s a little hard to feel grateful as partially digested lunch rushes up my throat. I swallow it down.

Malachi stomps over. “What the hell was that, Hutchins?”

Great. He’s using my last name. The coaches never use contestants’ last names. I must be in trouble.

It’s a serious effort to get to my feet, which takes outstretched arms to keep my balance, but I’m not about to listen to this lecture in a crumpled heap on the stage.

My loose hair tickles my cheeks. I swallow again and cover my mouth with my hand. Malachi’s not in my face, but I don’t want him scenting my vomit breath. Well, not technically breath, but whatever foul waft might originate from the leftover taste on my tongue.

Malachi doesn’t wait for me to answer his question before drilling into me. “First rule of magical combat—never lose hold of your wand.”

“You lost yours,” I mutter, which is the wrong thing to say.

.

About Author Nikki Jefford:

Nikki Jefford is a third-generation Alaskan nomad married to an amazing Frenchman. She loves fictional bad boys and heroines who kick butt! Books, travel, TV series, hiking, writing, and motorcycle riding are her favorite escapes. The dark side of human nature fascinates her, so long as it’s balanced by humor and romance.

To get in on the fun and adventure, visit Nikki at her website for release alerts, updates, exclusive giveaways, and a free story when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://nikkijefford.com/newsletter/

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

.

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

.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.

 

.Today SamiJo McQuiston and Rockstar Book Tours are
revealing the cover & trailer for THE HAUNT, her new cozy urban fantasy
with humor which releases October 8, 2024! Check out the awesome cover and
enter the giveaway!

 

On to the reveal! 

.

.

.

THE HAUNT

.

Author: SamiJo McQuiston

.

Pub. Date: October 8, 2024

Publisher: Hats Off Imaginarium

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 253

.

Find it: Goodreadshttps://books2read.com/THE-HAUNT

 

My name is Hecate Grimm, and I own a
bookshop. It’s pretty average as far as bookstores go. Nothing special to see
here, or at least that’s what my regulars believe. They also think I’m a
ventriloquist, special effects guru, and dedicated actress.

.

Clearly, when it was raining brains,
the vast majority went out with umbrellas. I’ve told them, time and time again
that I’m a witch, and this is a haunted bookstore, which is why it’s called The
Haunt.

.

But no, it’s much easier to believe I
wasted time learning to throw my voice and hanging invisible wires all over the
place. After all, you’re modern people. How could anything supernatural be
going on right under your noses?

.

Maiden, Mother, and Crone—the
stupidity of it makes me sick. I guess you can come in if you must. Look around
and actually buy something since you’ve had the audacity to interrupt my book.
Just don’t wear out your welcome or waste my time with your idiotic questions.
I have fictional characters to get back to, and they’re all more interesting
than you.

 

 

.

,

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

My name is Hecate Grimm, and I own
a bookshop. For those of you not into myths and legends, you pronounce my name,
Hecka (like we’re going to have a hecka of a time) and Tea (Like that ambrosia
from the gods that keeps me kicking). Heh-kuh-tee. I have two sisters, Eos and
Nyx, who are also named after Greek deities. What can I say? My parents love
their mythology.

.

   Now, the shop is
fairly normal, as far as bookstores go. Nothing special to see here, or at
least that’s what my regulars believe. They also think I’m a ventriloquist,
special effects guru, and dedicated actress. No one said they were the brightest
crayons in the box. After all, they’re modern people. How could anything
supernatural be going on right under their noses?

.

   We call the store, The
Haunt. I inherited it from my grandmother, but it’s not one of those family
things. Sometimes it works out that way, but The Haunt must be inherited by a
witch or warlock and, hopefully, one who’s interested in books, though that
hasn’t always been the case either.    

.

   “Come on, Hecate,”
Jason whined. “They’re in good shape. Just give me two credits for the lot.”

.

   “No,” I said without
looking up from the newest Harry Dresden novel. “That box smells like cigars
and unwashed genitals. I’ll never be able to flip them.”

.

   “I’ll admit I should
have ditched the box, but the books are solid. Look, they don’t stink at all.”
He said, taking a big whiff of a paperback with a black and orange cover. I
moved my head to the side as he shoved it under my nose. There was no
noticeable smell, but I disliked anyone in my bubble.

.

   “Jason, you have two
seconds to vacate my personal space before you’re banned for life,” I said. He
backed up quickly.

.

   “Sorry, Hecate. They
really are good books, though. Come on, just one credit, then? That’s a
bargain. All these for one measly credit.”

.

   I glared at him and
glanced into the box. There were likely a few salvageable items, but he was
being pushy, and I couldn’t reward that type of behavior. 

.

 

About SamiJo McQuiston:

.

 

SamiJo is a first-class shenanigator, decorated coddiwompler,
narrator, creator, and author of The Abney Kelly series and The Haunt (coming
October 8th). She also has a short story, One Samhain Night, published in the
UJ Plainsong literary journal in April 2024, and a poem, The Bottom, coming out
in collaboration with other North Dakota authors in late 2024. She lives in
North Dakota with her husband (Andy), dogs (Puck, Enzo, and Bailey), and three
cats (Horus, Anubis, and Snow Kitty). In her spare time, she reads, writes,
listens to audiobooks, plays video games, and enjoys D&D on the weekends.

.

On a more serious note, writing is everything to SamiJo. As a
sickly child, she often spent her time indoors or at the hospital before they
figured out she had asthma. At that time, books were her best friends. Without
fairy tales, the Dear America Books, and authors like Diana Wynne Jones, Jim
Sukach, Anne Martin, and Richard Peck, she would have been unthinkably lonely.
She aims to write stories that give people a much-needed escape from reality
and create places to go when getting out the front door is too much to bear.
 

.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Bluesky | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

.

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

.

1 winner will  receive
a tote, water bottle, hardback copy of THE HAUNT, and a $25 Amazon gift card, US
only.

.

.

Ends November 5th, midnight EST.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Seeing Gray

by C.E. Brown

 

(Secrets of the Sight, #1)
Publication date: August 7th 2024
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult

Celestials have been killing Seers for centuries, as prophesy states that a Seer will overthrow Celestial rule. Worried for Zoey’s safety, her parents forbid her from registering as a Seer and interacting with the Celestials, Fae, and Demons who hide among humankind. Zoey is forced to wear a necklace that hides magic from her and conceals her magic from them.

Witness to her mother’s murder at the hands of a Demon, Zoey vows to track down her mother’s killer and make him pay. Embracing her magic, Zoey is brought deeper into the mythical world by an unlikely ally and wonders if perhaps her parents were right to keep her out of it.

Will she avenge her mother’s death, or will she meet the same untimely fate?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

~~~~~

.

.

.

.

About Author C.E. Brown:

C.E. Brown has lived most of her life in the Pacific Northwest, close to family and friends. She loves to travel, always searching for magical places to help inspire creativity. C.E. attests that she has a very patient and understanding husband, a wildly creative son, and three crazy cats—one steals her shoes, another steals her food, and the third is a sweetly neurotic old man who can’t decide if he’d prefer to be pet or left alone. C.E. didn’t find her passion for writing until she began wrangling kids as a school counselor, but then the writing bug bit and she’s been writing ever since.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram

 

.

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

.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Helluland organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author C.R. Lindstrom will award a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card. randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Helluland

by C.R. Lindstrom

.

 

Genre: Geo Political Thriller crossed with a Young Adult Urban Fantasy

Synopis

A GIFT AWAKENING. A LEGEND REVEALED.

In a remote corner of the Arctic, unexplained phenomenon haunt an isolated community. Several people have disappeared, and somehow young Erika Holstrom knows why. Still reeling from the loss of her mother, she escapes to university, only to be followed by unsettling visions of the future.

When a Russian submarine vanishes in the far North, Erika’s nightmares suggest the answers lay buried deep in her family history. Now, just as the melting polar ice releases its sinister secrets, Erika and her friends are in a race against time to convince the sceptical authorities what is really happening in her Arctic homeland, before it’s too late.

Will they succeed, or is the frozen North lost forever…

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Katherine was staring down the Russian defence attaché when her intelligence officer burst in the room. Realising Katherine was not alone, the J2 covered his mouth while whispering to her. “General, the USS Samuel Ronaldson is reporting they’ve lost contact with their helo.”

Damn.

“Colonel Borishov,” she breathed, “you’ll have to excuse me for a moment.”

The attaché started to protest before Katherine closed the door behind her, leaving the Russian with her chief of staff.

The Arctic headquarters in Pond Inlet’s community centre was already alive with activity. Katherine took her position at the head of a series of flat screens and looked to her J3 operations officer. “Report, please.”

“Ma’am, at approximately 20:44 Zulu, the USS Samuel Ronaldson, operating in the south-western search zone, dispatched one of its helos to act as overwatch due to deteriorating sea ice conditions.” The J3 pointed to the electronic map to his front. Katherine mentally deducted five hours from the reported time, since Zulu was based on Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT in England. The operations officer continued. “General, roughly thirty minutes later the Russian frigate Nikolay Khabalov entered the Ronaldson’s search area from the south and dispatched its own helo.”

Katherine’s face was tense. She could tell where this was leading, but hoped she was wrong. The J3 pressed on.

“Though there was considerable electronic interference at the time, at roughly 21:20 Zulu, radar contact was lost with the Khabalov and Ronaldson helos. From what we gather, they were both within the same grid square when this occurred. Ma’am, at this point we are assuming a midair collision between the helicopters. The Ronaldson has undertaken its search and rescue procedures, and we believe the Khabalov is doing the same.”

Katherine looked about the room. All eyes were on her.

“Any survivors, J3?” she asked quietly.

“Unknown at this time, ma’am, though no emergency beacons have been detected.”

Katherine pulled a notepad from the right cargo pocket of her pants and scribbled down several points before directing the operations officer.

“Engage the search and rescue protocols if not already done, and request SAR aircraft to support us from Goose Bay and Thule. Open up a secure line to both Ottawa and Washington.”

The headquarters staff started carrying out her orders when Katherine glanced grudgingly at her closed office door.

“J3, please ask Colonel Borishov to join me. He deserves to know what has happened.”

~~~~~

About Author C.R. Lindstrom:

C.R. Lindström is a debut author with a passion for lore and history.

Amazon / Goodreads / Books2Read

~~~~~

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.

Love Never Dies

.

.

The Undead Wars

.

A Cry in the Moon’s Light Book 2

.

by Alan McGill

.

Genre: Horror Romance, Dark Fantasy

.

A LEADER WILL RISE AND A KINGDOM WILL FALL.

.

The former Duchess of Harcourt lives a quiet life. The events of the Dark Forest are a distant memory. But evil does not forget so easily. The sinister Witch King has sent new creatures to find the remaining witches.
Gruesome murders plague the land as eerie Wolf Song echoes from the mountains. Is this the return of Seth? Or something else?

.
Alessandra de Moreau must decide if she can work with those who killed her love, for only together will they be able to stop the Undead Army. But first, she will have to find the Dagger of Dark Silver and unravel the Mystery of the Wolf, if they are to survive The Undead Wars.

.

**Get it for Only .99cents until March 6th!!**

.

Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

The men and women of the East Side watched in horror. It was devastating to see creatures they thought destroyed come back to life. What hope did they have if something can bring the dead back to life again and again?

But worse than that, they watched the Phoenix bring their dead neighbors back to life. Only they returned as undead. The resurrection bird would swoop in tight to a dead corpse, use its wings to sprint straight up and pull the body back as a member of the Undead Army.

The charred corpses of those who died by fire would rise with amber eyes that shined against blackened skin. They all moved in jerky motion like the Skeletons, stumbling along and picking up weapons. The peasants were horrified and reluctant to fight someone they once knew.

Those who didn’t run or fight were cleaved to death. The Phoenix wasted no time bringing them back to fight. Their wounds were still fresh and oozing blood. As with the burnt corpses, they picked up weapons and attacked in those weird jerky movements.

The Phoenix passed over the areas where the Skeleton Soldiers had concentrated first before it made its way to Alessandra. The bird swooped down over the Skeleton she dropped. Its wings flapped hard, climbing high into the air, but nothing happened.

The puzzled demon looked confused. This was not something the Phoenix had encountered before. Determined to carry out its master’s order, the creature made another pass but still nothing happened. An eerie cry of frustration erupted from its beak.

The Witch King watched but was not surprised. The black glow intensified as he recalled his flaming pet. The Phoenix immediately looked at him and with a blood-curdling caw, swooped down angrily toward Alessandra.

Alessandra rolled out of the way as the flaming bird tried to ram her. It flew past, going straight into her home. The creature then burst through the roof, engulfing the entire structure in flame. This was the most searing heat she’d ever felt. It was so intense she had to step back.

She returned home to help her neighbors, but she also wanted to retrieve the dreamcatcher. It was the one thing the Drabarni gave her to commune with Seth. Everything she owned, including that, was now lost.

As she stood helplessly watching her house burn, a singular blue flame materialized in the middle of the blaze. The light was so bright she used a hand to cover her eyes. The color was very distinctive, unlike the other flames around it.

The heat from the fire subsided. It was still too hot to approach, but not as before. Her eyes adjusted, allowing her to see. The blue flames center now turned white.

A shadow figure appeared in the flame. The figure of a man slowly came into focus. It was Seth! The only man she’d every loved. The man she’d grown up with from Parlimae village. How was he here? He died on that beach nearly fifteen years ago.

He wore a long dark coat, knee-high boots, and grey pants. His long blonde hair was tied in a ponytail. His blue eyes took in the surroundings before turning to her.

Then she heard his voice. It seemed to echo in her mind. “You must find the Drabarni” then a pause. “Do not blame him. You must work together.”

“Seth! Who? Don’t blame who?” She yelled.

Seth voice distorted, “Go to the Red Door.” The last sounds began to fade as the image disappeared. Within seconds, he was gone. The blue flame consumed the white, then diminished leaving only the blaze that consumed the house.

Alessandra wiped the tears from her eyes. As the shock wore off, she picked up a sword next to the pile of bones. Her mind ran through memories of Seth. His face at the Abandoned Church. Her stitching his wounds after the battle with the Black Wolf. And she remembered the kiss just before they had to flee.

The warm remembrance went away as her thoughts turned to anger. Right after that kiss they had to flee. They ended up on that beach surrounded by an angry mob from Mercel. That was when the Hessian shot and killed Seth in front of her.

Thoughts of the Dreamcatcher filled her mind. She looked at her home crumbling under the fire, that very Dreamcatcher somewhere inside. It was gone.

Her eyes moved over the entire area. Buildings were on fire, the whole neighborhood in turmoil, and people desperately tried to escape. Skeletons chased many across the Stone Bridge. Not all were fast enough and died horribly.

She looked again at the road north next to the river. There were two Romani wagons leading a group away. With the hordes of skeletons on the Stone Bridge, she thought it best to join the Romani.

The Phoenix was now perched on the Witch King’s pike. Its flames subdued as it rested. The Witch King had observed the blue flame. He didn’t see Seth, but he knew magic when he saw it. Now he watched as Alessandra went north to catch the caravan of people fleeing.

His eyes glowed black again as he instructed his forces to cut off her escape. The Witch King was ordered his minions to bring her to him, alive. The silver dagger and the blue flame convinced him she was the witch he sought.

.

.

A Cry in the Moon’s Light

.

A Cry in the Moon’s Light Book 1

.

In a time of castles, muskets, and hideous creatures of the night, a beautiful woman travels across the treacherous Dark Forest to be by the side of her dying grandmother. With only a young carriage driver to protect her, she must use her wits and all of her courage to cross the wild country—and to evade the mysterious beast who stalks her.

What follows is a tale full of horror, mystery, and romance: gruesome murders at a village hidden deep in the forest, a castle that holds dark secrets, and a black wolf leading a deadly pack. Nothing is as it seems, and this journey has only just begun. The beautiful lady in the carriage will learn that only love can defeat evil, but is it love or danger that cries out to her in the deceitful light of the moon?

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

A peek inside Chapter 3 – The Horror Begins

Several Minutes passed before the beast turned his gaze from the forest, satisfied the black wolf and his pack were gone. The air calmed, and the clouds moved away. The moon’s light returned, and the forest brightened. It was as if the beast had somehow cleared the sky when he defeated the pack.

He looked up at me with those glowing blue eyes. Large teeth still gleamed from behind a slight snarl. Saliva continued to drip from the edges of his mouth.

It was hard to catch my breath. The beast could easily reach up and yank me off the roof of this carriage. My musket still lay on the ground at his feet.

But just as the sky had changed, so did the beast. His snarl faded and his eyes softened. The look of rage left his face. After a few moments, he looked almost peaceful.

His gaze dropped from me to the carriage, where he no doubt found mi Lady. He didn’t approach her, though. Instead, the beast walked past the horses to the fallen tree. Each step shook under his weight and power. Not one of the horses moved. They still had whale eye, the whites visible beyond the black. But they had settled and started to calm. It was as if they understood him. Somehow, they sensed the danger had passed.

He walked to the giant tree that blocked the road, looked back at me, then pressed his shoulder against it. Battered and bloody, he pushed the massive tree aside. It took a few attempts, but he finally shoved the tree far enough out of the way that the carriage could pass. Then he stood up and looked back at the carriage.

I came down from the roof and picked up my musket. I pulled it to my shoulder, slowly taking aim at him. I was going to kill this thing before he decided to attack us.

Before I could pull the trigger, I heard the carriage door open and mi Lady step out. Soft footsteps slowly approached. As she passed me, she placed a hand over the barrel of my musket, lowering it to the ground. The whole time, she kept her eyes on the beast. He didn’t take his eyes off her either.

She let go of the musket once it was pointing down and started walking toward him. I whispered, “Mademoiselle, no!”

She slowly raised her hand and motioned that it was OK. In an expression of disbelief, I heard her whisper softly to herself, “It can- not be.”

She moved alongside the horses as he took a couple of steps back. She placed a calm hand over Arca’s mane then turned to face the beast as she removed her hood. I watched as they stood there facing each other. Her eyes moving slowly over his battered and bloody body, examining every wound. She winced at some of the tears in his flesh.

She reached out, with slight hesitation, to touch his face. A clawed hand met hers. Tears began to well up in her eyes.

He stepped back, pausing before taking off into the woods. She watched as he faded from sight. A teardrop fell from her eye. It slowly rolled across her cheek, finding its way to the ground. I could see it falling as if in slow motion. It landed in a puddle at her feet with a small splash.

The moment the tear hit the ground, a deep howl sounded in the distance. It was a cry of sorrow. A look of pain crossed her face, as if she felt the anguish in that sound.

The mood was somber. An immense sadness hung in the air.

Everything was quiet. The forest was still.

She turned, slowly walking back to the carriage. “We need to go.” Without another word, she stepped inside, shut the door, and dis-appeared into the shadows.

.

**Don’t miss the companion books!**

.

.

Red Door

.

A Cry In the Moon’s Light Novella

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

.

Father Daniel’s Compendium of the Undead

.

A Companion Novella to A Cry in the Moon’s Light

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Goodreads

.

.

Alan McGill is an American author who lives in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a clowder of cats. Alan was close to his grandparents who grew up in the Great Depression. They were married young and remained together until his grandmother’s passing. His grandfather served in the Navy during WWII and was a gifted storyteller who weaved humorous tales about tough events. Alan grew up with these stories of right and wrong along with watching fictional heroes such as The Lone Ranger, Adam West’s Batman and Captain America. Heroes who stood up to bullies and protected those who could not protect themselves. This made an impression on the author to always do what was right in his own life and shaped his love for storytelling. He is a multi-genre author with his debut novel being A Cry in the Moon’s Light which is a horror romance and mystery series. As with all his books, one of the primary themes involves characters who strive to do the right thing regardless of the adversity they face. The second theme present in all his books is love. A pure and deep love that defeats all evil.

.

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

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

.

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.

Welcome to the world of Allie Nighthawk, corpse whisperer and bad ass zombie hunter.

.

The Corpse Whisperer

.

An Allie Nighthawk Mystery Book 1

.

by H.R. Boldwood

.

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Mystery

.

Zombie hunting just got wicked fun!

.

Welcome to the world of Allie Nighthawk, corpse whisperer and bad ass zombie hunter.

.

“If you raise deadheads, you’d better be able to put ‘em down. Nobody said it was pretty. But in this day, when vampires aren’t just for breakfast anymore, and the dead are disposable pawns for necromancers, someone has to ante up. Looks like I won the lotto. Imagine my delight. You should thank me, really, because the world is batshit crazy.”

When the zombie population spikes and no one knows why, it’s up to Allie to solve the mystery. But there’s a hitch. She’s stuck babysitting Leo Abruzzi, a zombie-bitten gangster who’s turning state’s evidence. But the mob and a powerful necromancer will stop at nothing to take Leo and Allie down.

Allie Nighthawk is Anita Blake on steroids, with a fondness for leather and Jack on the rocks. She has a healthy dose of Stephanie Plum and Rachel Morgan in her, too, though she’d never admit it. The battle between good and evil just got wicked fun.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

.

What advice would you give new authors? What are common traps for aspiring authors?

 

From a technical perspective, I encourage new authors to tighten their writing, tighten it again, and then tighten more. Readers want a page-turning pace, but be careful to not edit the voice out of your characters or your narrator.

 

It’s common for new writers to “info dump,” which means plopping too much exposition or backstory upfront. Use a deft hand when splicing those all-important facts into your story. Too much exposition slows the pace of the narrative.

 

Find an online or in-person writing group where the participants have at least your level of experience (preferably more experience than you.) Check your ego at the door. Listen and learn. If one reader has an issue with a specific area of your story, it may or may not be a matter of personal preference. If multiple people give you similar feedback, they are probably on to something. Keep in mind that the story you wrote belongs to you. You can choose which feedback suits you and which doesn’t.

 

Don’t get attached to your words. Sometimes, I have a passage I love, but it doesn’t work where I’ve placed it. Rather than discard the passage, I move it to a “keep file” where I can access it again at another point in time.

 

There is a world of online writing information at your fingertips. Educate yourself, whether it’s learning how to format a manuscript, create compelling three-dimensional characters, pace your story, or outline a novel. There are also excellent online and in-person seminars on every writing-related topic imaginable. The more you know and the more professional your manuscript appears, the better your chances of seeing your work professionally published.

 

Find an experienced mentor to help guide you through the writing process if you can. Let them read your work and provide feedback. Soak up their words of wisdom!

 

Use an editor. There are millions of authors out there, all seeking publication. Don’t let punctuation errors, wonky sentence structure, or plot holes kick you to the curb before an agent or publisher gets to the meat of your story.

 

Once you think your manuscript is polished, forward it to experienced beta readers, not just your mom or Aunt Sally. Good beta readers help you spot logic errors, inadvertent name/time frame changes, and typos that have magically survived your own editing process.

 

Once you send your manuscript out into the world, be aware that the publishing industry moves at the speed of molasses. Have patience when it comes to expecting responses. Expect a ton of rejections before you receive an acceptance. And when you do get an acceptance, read the publisher’s contract very carefully. Have a professional look it over before you sign. You don’t want to be locked into an agreement that isn’t mutually satisfying.

.

Corpse Whisperer Sworn

.

An Allie Nighthawk Mystery Book 2

.

Zombies, Voodoo, and Hoodoo-what would you do?

.

Follow Allie Nighthawk to exciting New Orleans where she raises the dead, puts down rotters, and dabbles in the mystical world of hoodoo. She’s on the trail of an evil necromancer who will stop at nothing to rule the world with his army of deadheads. Is her magick strong enough to save the day? Or will this necromancer from her past kill her before she gets the chance? She figures she’s got a fifty-fifty shot. Make that forty-sixty.

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

.

Life Among the Tombstones

.

An Allie Nighthawk Mystery Prequel

.

Freelance zombie hunter seeking full-time employment-benefits required.

.

In this prequel to The Corpse Whisperer series, financially challenged zombie hunter, Allie Nighthawk, returns to her hometown of Cincinnati and finds herself knee-deep in murder, mayhem, and zombies. Can she solve not one but two murders, and get away unscathed — when the good guys might not be so good, and a presence from her past returns for revenge?

.

**Get it FREE!**

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

Corpse Whisperer Torn

.

An Allie Nighthawk Mystery Book 3

.

Zombie hunting 101: Never tell your neighbors what you do for a living.

.

Just after sunrise, I jumped on my Harley and hurtled toward Templeman’s Funeral Home, packing Hawk, my custom 9mm, a backup Glock, and a seven-inch Ka-Bar knife—the standard-issue zombie-hunter’s tool kit. Not that I’m standard-issue, by any stretch. I was born with the ability to raise the dead. It’s a genetic thing. Don’t ask me how it works. I didn’t write the playbook. I’m just living the dream.”

Allie Nighthawk faces a ghost from her past as she explores the fascinating and historic world of Cincinnati’s underground. When the Z-virus threatens world-wide contamination, it’s up to Allie to save the day. Is her magick strong enough to turn the tide? Or will doubt and inner demons stand in her way? And will those she loves survive?

.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

.

H.R. Boldwood, author of the Corpse Whisperer series, countless short stories, and Imadjinn Award finalist, is a writer of horror and speculative fiction. In another incarnation, Boldwood is a Pushcart Prize nominee and winner of the 2009 Bilbo Award for creative writing by Thomas More College. Boldwood’s characters are often disreputable and not to be trusted. They are kicked to the curb at every conceivable opportunity when some poor unsuspecting publisher welcomes them with open arms. No responsibility is taken by this author for the dastardly and sometimes criminal acts committed by this ragtag group of miscreants.

.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

.

.

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Seduction in Blood

by Kim Allred

 

(Of Blood & Dreams, #1)
Publication date: March 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

.
A thief. A vamp. A walk on the wild side.

Cressa Langtry is the best cat burglar on the west coast. But she owes a large debt to the wrong kind of people. Her only way clear is to steal something for the city’s notorious and ancient vampire – Devon Trelane.

Devon can’t forgive the one man who cost him a seat on the Council. But fate is on his side. For the price of a debt owed, he can have his very own thief. A woman with the skills to take down his greatest enemy.

It should be easy. A simple business arrangement—until it’s compromised by shared dreams. Dreams that turn dangerously prescient.

OF BLOOD & DREAMS is a slow-burn paranormal series filled with mystery, suspense, and a bit of lusty romance.
This series has a continuing storyline with light cliffhanger endings.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Devon.

His shirt was open halfway, revealing a smooth, powerful chest, and I remembered the feel of his pecs, his ridged stomach. Thick, wavy hair hung to his shoulders, giving the impression he’d just woken or had been caught in a summer breeze on his way here. His eyes didn’t glow the pure silver of his nature but the silver-blue of his heightened passion, and they caught me in their snare. I ran a tongue over my lips, pleased to see his fierce smile widen to reveal the tips of fangs. His hands balled into fists. He was never as patient as he claimed to be. Not when he knew what he wanted.

I waited. Let him come to me. I was surprised by his careful control as his steady march clearly shouted his intentions. The goosebumps raced across my flesh, and I felt myself grow wet. He knew how to tease. But still, I remained seated.

When he stood in front of me, I lifted my head and lost myself in his gaze. How many times had we played this game? And I never tired of them. Almost wept with the sweet promise of pleasure, the easing of the ache between my legs, and the strength of his arms as he held on tight.

Devon held out a hand, and I took it. He brought it to his lips, his fangs brushing against the warm skin. Then, he pulled me up, wrapping an arm around my waist as he slid his fingers down my neck, making me shiver. He bent down, burying his nose in my hair while his lips nibbled my ear.

“Cressa.”

The way he said my name never failed to heat my blood, full of desire and hunger with that touch of impatience. I smiled and wrapped my arms around his shoulders, feeling his muscles bunch as he lifted me so I could wrap my legs around his waist with my dressing gown hiked to my hips.

His body molded to mine, wrapping me in his spicy scent and making my skin glow with equal need. I ran a hand over his hair, grasping a handful to pull his head back so I could see the need in his gaze as I kissed him. His lips were molten hot, and he found no impediment as his tongue pushed through to meet mine, branding me.

I pulled him closer, wishing we were skin-on-skin and wondering why not. I tugged at his shirt as his lips moved to my neck. The scrape of his fangs re-energized the goosebumps, and I shivered.

He pulled back, and his eyes bored into mine, hot and greedy. “Are you sure, Cressa?”

My eyes popped open, and I jumped out of bed, tripping over the sheets and falling to the floor.

What the hell just happened?

Was that a dream? I sat on my ass and recalled the entire scene. It was so real. I touched my lips. They were damp, and I still smelled the roses and his spicy scent.

I dragged myself up and stumbled to a chair, not ready to return to bed. The whole dream, and yes, it had to have been a dream, was the most realistic and erotic I’d ever experienced. And with a vampire? Where had that come from?

.

.

About Author Kim Allred:

Kim Allred lives in an old timber town in the Pacific Northwest where she raises alpacas, llamas and an undetermined number of free-range chickens. Just like her characters, she loves sharing stories while sipping a glass of fine wine or slurping a strong cup of brew.

Her spirit of adventure has taken her on many journeys including a ten-day dogsledding trip in northern Alaska and sleeping under the stars on the savannas of eastern Africa.

Kim’s series involve fantasy and romance in various flavors from her time travel Mórdha Stone Chronicles series to her paranormal romance Of Blood and Dreams series. And on the horizon…a new time travel series, Time Renegades mixing futuristic setting with medieval pasts…and Druids!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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

 

.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

.
If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
.

Ashes

by Laura Bickle 

.

.

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Urban Fantasy 

Synopsis

With “Ashes,” Laura Bickle revisits Detroit arson investigator and powerful spirit medium Anya Kalinczyk as she, her five-foot-long salamander familiar Sparky, and Hades’ Charon pursue a destructive fire elemental named the Nain Rouge through the city’s festival in his dubious honor.

~~~~~

I added this back in November 2017.

I’ve enjoyed many of er books and forgot about this one.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

In The Moment During

by C.G. Coppola

 

(The Coyote And The Claw Companion Series, #2)
Publication date: June 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

After an unexpected hookup, I end up dating Grayson Knight—my former mortal enemy. We still argue constantly, and I’m sure we’ll break up at some point, but after a family dinner goes well with Dad—the city’s Police Sergeant—I have hope.

Then I start noticing things. Like how Grayson gets called away at odd times, or how skilled he is with gymnastics. Then there was the fight at school—the one where he dominated his opponent. None of it seems important until we’re attacked by a monstrous creature—and Grayson springs into action. It’s almost like he knows what to do…like he’s done it before.

Knowing something is off, I confront him about his unusual behavior, but he dismisses it. Not satisfied, I decide to discover the truth for myself. Because Grayson has a secret—and I’m going to find out what.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside

Grayson looks at me, gesturing for me to sit.

I pull out my chair and take my seat, and he does the same across from me. Scooting in, I glance around the restaurant, scanning the other diners. All are in their thirties and older, most in their forties and fifties. We’re definitely the youngest patrons here.

“Stop staring.” He pushes the menu in front of me. “Pick out something to eat. Get whatever you want.”

Encouraged, I look down, scanning the prices first like I’ve always done.

Whoa.

Everything is in the double digits, and most start with three. I feel weird.

“Stop looking at the prices and get whatever you want, okay? This is our one big date, so make it count.”

Our one big date? I thought he was joking about making this stretch, but was he? Maybe that wasn’t a joke at all. I’m sure this will work itself toward an argument, but I need to understand what he means. Setting the menu down, I look up. “You’re saying I don’t get any more after this?”

“Until prom?” He thinks about it, tilting his head. “Eh. Probably not.”

“That’s in like, six months.”

“Which is why you should make this one count.”

“Grayson.”

“What?”

I narrow my eyes at him, but he only stares back. Oh, no. He’s not getting by with this one. “I didn’t ask you to roll all our dates into one big-ass crazy one.”

“Is that what I’m doing? I said big dates—not all dates. This is our first official one, hence it’s a big one.” He picks up his menu with both hands, his eyes already dipping back down the paper. “You really got to pay attention.”

I replay his words, trying to find what I missed. Oh. Tilting my head, I lock onto his eyes, holding him accountable. “So that means I get more dates then?”

“How many dates am I supposed to take you on?”

“I don’t know…twice a month?”

“Twice a month?” He thinks. “So, according to your math, you’re owed twelve dates over a six-month period?”

“Uh, sure—yeah.”

He nods to himself. “Think I can handle that. Just don’t expect each date to be up to this caliber, okay? Again, this one is a big deal. A special situation since it’s our first official date. After this, it’s fast food and streaming services. Completely downhill from here.”

I stare at him a long moment, wondering how his weird little brain works. “You know sometimes, I still think about strangling you.”

“Are we naked when you imagine it?”

“Hello.” A black lady stops at our table, her arms behind her back. She’s wearing the same thing as the other servers—a white blouse with black slacks and shoes. Her hair is pulled into a braid down her neck, and unlike some of the other servers, she’s wearing very little makeup. “And welcome to Donald’s. My name is Latoya. Have you dined with us previously?”

“No ma’am,” Grayson answers for us.

“Well, welcome. I’ll give you a moment to look over the menu, but first, let me tell you about today’s specials…” Latoya prattles off her rehearsed description, and it actually sounds delicious—grilled salmon in butter herb sauce with rice pilaf and cherry tomatoes.

So good.

Once she’s done, she leaves us with a smile and promises to return shortly with two waters and a basket of warmed bread.

Grayson is back to staring at his menu, his eyes pouring over each option. “What’re you thinking about getting? The salmon sounds good, but I haven’t had lobster in fucking ever.”

Author C.G. Coppola:

C.G. Coppola is the author of the sci-fi adventure series, Arizal Wars, and the contemporary romance series, Better Than This. In addition to stories that explore magic and the paranormal, she writes realistic fiction set in fantastical universes, usually with a lot of kissing. Married with two fur-babies she spoils rotten, C.G. Coppola lives in Florida where she grew up and attended college. When not writing, she can be found decorating the house, bantering with her husband, or dancing to Meghan Trainor–sometimes all at once.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Today we’ve got a peek at K. N. Smith’s audiobook Urban Boys: Discovery of the Five Senses. This young adult urban fantasy tells the story of five friends who discover heightened senses in a forbidden preserve. Check out the audio teaser & enter giveaway before grabbing your headphones and copy today!

Discovery of the Five Senses

 

Amazon Audible Universal Links | Goodreads

Narrated by: Glenn Steinbaum

Listening Length: 8 hours and 10 minutes

A suspenseful incident in a forbidden preserve heightens the senses of five friends. Sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell become super-gifts that forever change the world. But furious battles confront the boys as they try to understand their sensory super powers in a race to save mankind. With light beings and mysterious strangers complicating their plight, can the boys defeat the evil Druth before it’s too late? Get prepared for the twisting and grinding of this award-winning, action-adventure story—an edge-of-your-seat narrative for young and mature listeners alike.

About Author K.N. Smith

K.N. Smith was awarded “Best of” in the category of “Outstanding Young Adult Novel” at the 10th Annual Leimert Park Village Book Fair’s Jessie Redmon Fauset Book Awards. She is a Readers’ Favorite “Gold Medal” honoree for “Young Adult – Mystery”, the Royal Dragonfly Book Awards “1st Place Honoree” for “New Author: Fiction” and “Science Fiction/Fantasy”, and a Book Excellence Award Winner for “Young Adult Fiction”. Her lyrical flair sweeps across pages that twist and grind through action-adventure and urban fantasy in edge-of-your-seat narratives. She is an advocate of literacy and arts programs throughout the world. K.N. has over twenty-five years’ experience in communications and creative design as an award-winning consultant, and is the founder of Mental Health California™, her signature nonprofit community initiative. Reading is still her foremost hobby.

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Newsletter

Amazon Audible Universal Links | Goodreads

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

 

Enter to win a $50.00 US Visa Gift Card. International winner will receive a gift card with an equivalent amount of $50. Ends June 22, 2023. May the odds be forever in your favor.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.