.
Forever Found
Forever Friends #2
by Allyson Charles
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub Date: 10/9/2018
Head vet at the Forever Friends animal rescue shelter, Gabriel Moretti is
known as the Dog Whisperer because of his gift for soothing
rambunctious patients. But it’s the two-legged species that has
him, and his libido, working overtime. Marla Popov single-handedly
saved the shelter from financial ruin. But the bossy trust funder is
even more irritating than her snooty Standard Poodle. You’d think
keeping his attraction on a short leash would be a no-brainer for
Gabe. Unfortunately, Marla is also smart, beautiful, and intriguing . . .
Most of her life, people have been eager to tell Marla just what she
wants to hear. So now that she’s nearing forty, she doesn’t expect to be
refused—especially by a sexy younger man like Gabe. She also
doesn’t expect it to sting so much. But when she discovers a scheme
involving illegal dog fights, she gets a chance to show what she’s
truly made of. And as she and Gabe team up to fight it, they discover
a surprising respect for each other—and passion that might just
grow into love. . .
 .
forever found tease 1
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Forever Home
Forever Friends #1
 
LOVE UNLEASHED
 
Isabelle Lopez has never been a dog person. Raising her daughter alone and
building a real estate career leaves no time for four-legged
furballs. When she finds an abandoned mutt and litter of pups in a
foreclosed apartment, Izzy intends to drop them off at a shelter and
walk briskly away. Instead, her “heroic” deed makes her a local
celebrity. Her boss is thrilled. Commissions are up. And thanks to
gorgeous shelter owner Bradley Cohen, Izzy’s disciplined life is
suddenly much, much more complicated.

 
He’s got a sexy smile, a wicked sense of humor, and a big, noble heart.
Even as Izzy tries to get her libido to 
heel, boy, Bradley
sets out to convince her there’s more to life than padding her bank
account. But Izzy knows a trade secret that puts Brad’s beloved
shelter at risk, and she can’t warn him.

 
Their relationship was barely getting started; suddenly it’s in the dog
house. Now Izzy and Brad need to figure out what matters most, and
whether this could be much more than animal attraction…

 
forever home tease 1 
Allyson Charles isthe author of humorous, small-town contemporary romance,
including the Forever series and the Pineville Romance series. Born in
California, Allyson now happily resides in Colorado in order to avoid
the outrageous gas prices and the soul-sucking traffic of the Golden
State (although it really does have the best weather). She worked as
an attorney for over a decade before deciding that writing about
men’s briefs was a lot more fun than writing legal ones. To find
out what she’s up to next, visit her website at allysoncharles.com.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

~~~~~

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Just a Name

by Becky Monson

Synopsis

Holly has a plan for everything. But she never could have planned for this.

If there’s one thing Holly Murphy loves, it’s a solid plan. She has her entire life figured out—or so she thinks. But when life pulls the rug out from under her, she’s left to deal with a canceled wedding—hers, to be precise. And the promotion she’s worked toward for years is now in jeopardy because the team she supervises doesn’t like her management style.

Thinking that Holly is too tightly wound and needs a break from everything, her boss demands she take a vacation. But how can she take a vacation when her promotion is on the line? Trying to help out, her best friend, Quinn, suggests she still go on her honeymoon and conduct a nationwide search to find a man with the same name as her ex-fiancé to use his plane ticket. Leaving Holly to wonder if she’s the only sane person left on the planet.

Yet when her boss gets wind of the idea and loves it, Holly finds herself in a corner she can’t get out of. And when handsome Nate Jones from Newport Beach gets picked to go with her, she wonders if this whole thing won’t be so bad after all.

Can Holly learn to let go? Or will this crazy adventure send her running right back to her safety net?

Get your copy on Amazon

Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Praise for Just A Name

“Just a Name is a delicious escape! I devoured every character, every moment, and every quirk and couldn’t get enough. This book is Becky Monson at her finest!” -Author Whitney Dineen

“Becky Monson has outdone herself with Just a Name. It’s FANTASTIC! I’m still swooning.” -Author Jennifer Peel

“Fans of romantic comedies should grab a copy of Just a Name; it has the perfect balance between sweet and sassy.”-Readers’ Favorite

“Full of fun, swoon, and humor, all topped with unexpected twists. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in these pages!” -Katie’s Clean Book Collection

“I loved it. Becky Monson is so good at writing humor into her books. Sarcasm and wit reign supreme right along with a slow growing romance.” – Aimee Brown from Getting Your Read On

 

Enjoy this peek inside

I hate today.

Which doesn’t bode well, since it’s only eight thirty in the morning.

This is par for the course with my life right now, since the past three weeks haven’t particularly been my favorite either. Before that—which feels like ages ago—I was feeling like I was on the right path. Like everything I had planned for myself was happening. And I actually remember thinking, “Life can’t get any better.” Clearly, I jinxed myself.

Because my life is not on track. Not even close.

Lately, every morning I wake up with hopes that this will be the day when things will look up for me. The day my life will take a turn for the better and I’ll get myself back on track. Apparently, today is not that day.

Right now, I’m sitting in an air-conditioned office, holding a piece of paper in my hands, staring at the words in front of me and trying to make sense of it all. The top of the paper, in bold lettering, says, “CT Anderson Bank,” and underneath it, “Holly Murphy—Supervisor Assessment.”

Under that are a whole bunch of words I can’t believe I’m reading. Words like “too controlling” and “micromanaging” and “not a team player.” It’s all there, in Times New Roman, eleven-point type. Coincidentally, these are some of the words Nathan—my ex-fiancé—used when he called off our wedding nearly three weeks ago. He even used the words “not a team player”—whatever that’s supposed to mean. And this was all only a little over two months before we were to marry.

Way to kick me when I’m down, Life.

 

Author Becky Monson

By day, Becky Monson is a mother to three young children, and a wife. By night, she escapes with reading books and writing. An award-winning author, Becky uses humor and true-life experiences to bring her characters to life. She loves all things chick-lit (movies, books, etc.), and wishes she had a British accent. She has recently given up Diet Coke for the fiftieth time and is hopeful this time will last… but it probably won’t.

 

Giveaway Details

$50 Amazon Gift Code or $50 in Paypal Cash

Ends 11/27/18

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal or gift codes via Amazon.com. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

.
When the Night Comes Out
by Bryan Alaspa
Genre: Horror, Short Stories
 
What happens when the night comes out? When the darkness comes in from the
sides and closes in all around, what lurks within? 
BONUS: Foreward by Patrick C. Greene, author of Progeny and The Crimson
Calling
An elevator in a high-rise building becomes a gateway for terror and madness
A German U-Boat during World War I becomes a haunted nightmare
A radio signal in the middle of the night reveals the horrors lurking
beneath a simple, small, peaceful town.
A little girl with a best friend you would NOT want to cross finds
herself in mortal danger.
And a couple moving into a new house discovers an old abandoned well that
may have no bottom, or it may just be a portal into Hell itself.
These are tales of unrelenting horror and terror from the mind of Bryan W.
Alaspa, author of RIG, Sapphire, Storyland, S.P.I.D.A.R. and other
tales of horror, terror and suspense. Five stories that will make you
wonder what lurks – when the night comes out.
 
 
Bryan W. Alaspa is a Chicago born and bred author of both fiction and
non-fiction works. He has been writing since he sat down at his
mother’s electric typewriter back in the third grade and pounded out
his first three-page short story. He spent time studying journalism
and other forms of writing. He turned to writing as his full-time
career in 2006 when he began writing freelance, online and began
writing novels and books.
He is the author of over 30 books of both fiction and non-fiction
and numerous short stories and articles.
Mr. Alaspa writes true crime, history, horror,
thrillers, mysteries, detective stories and tales about the
supernatural.
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts 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.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

The Friday 56 #191 ~ Fairest

Posted: November 2, 2018 in The Friday 56
Tags: , ,

Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

I missed doing this meme in October and it’s good to be back!

My 56 for this week is from:

Fairest

The Lunar Chronicles #3.5

Levana’s Story

  by Marissa Meyer

25332074

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Genre: YA / Fantasy

From page 56 in the paperback.

She was beautiful in a way that all members of the queen’s entourage were beautiful, but there was also something admirable in the way she held herself. A confidence that glimmered.

Levana liked her immediately

~~~~~

Synopsis

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

Amazon / B&N / Kobo

~~~~~

Leave your link and I’ll drop by your 56.

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

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018! I did this last year and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

~~~~~

It’s over and I made it. LOL I had so much fun this year. Found some great books and new authors. Below are 31 reviews for the month of Boo. Click on the covers to read them. And thanks to all who have stopped by!

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The Beast of Black Pond  39218159  40033777

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40016193  34822490  34730753

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  20940640  39703500

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28420496  42376142

32937814  39785780

Next up is Cozy November. I’ll be sharing some fun reviews and also some giveaways. I hope you’ll stop by!

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

.

Death, Diamonds and Freezer Burn

A Grime Pays Mystery

by Tricia L. Sanders


Death, Diamonds, and Freezer Burn (Grime Pays Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Soul Mate Publishing, Inc.
Release Date – October 24, 2018
Approximately 254 pages
.

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My Review

From cleaning crimes scenes, CeCe is now tidying up condos. She’ll do whatever it takes to get her bills paid now that her divorce is looming ever closer. While having a girls night out, one of her friends has to rush home for a family emergency and CeCe offers to help clean out Carla’s mothers house while she’s gone. She didn’t take Carla’s comments about her mother being a hoarder that seriously. First big mistake. The second was opening the old freezer. Inside is a frozen body. Now Cece puts on her sleuthing cap and butts heads with her boyfriend, a detective that wants her to mind her own business.

Other character’s I came across were CeCe’s cheating ex to be and his spying mother. Sheesh, what a pair. And CeCe’s former co-worker who bulls her way into becoming an unwelcome house guest and kind of drove me nuts. She seemed so clueless, but then I began to wonder if that was an act. Especially when some Jade elephants that CeCe rescued from Carla’s mothers house get broken and out spills a shocking surprise.

I was new to this series and hadn’t read the first book. Kind of worried me whether I could hop in here. The good news is I quickly got the gist of things and easily came to recognize the characters. I then settled in for a fun cozy, a twisty mystery and some sweet brushes with romance. Now I want to go back and read the first book and find out how it all began.

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Synopsis

.
An unwelcome visitor, an unrequited love, and a dead body create chaos in a middle-aged woman’s plan for a productive summer.

Despite a looming divorce, an empty checkbook, and a struggling cleaning business, Cece Cavanaugh is determined to land on her own two feet. Adamant about staying a safe distance from the handsome detective who has her fantasizing about violating the morals clause in her prenuptial agreement, Cece dives headlong into her work.

Even though she has no free time to spare, Cece finds herself guilted into cleaning a hoarder’s home. Her discoveries in the condemned house are too shocking to ignore. Diamond-laden pachyderms, a secret cache of money, and a dead body lure Cece into launching an investigation that places her in direct contact with the one person she’s desperate to avoid–hunky Detective Case Alder.

With clues in hand, Cece runs down leads and eliminates suspects one by one. Her conclusion and brave accusation put a friend’s life in peril forcing Cece to hatch a plan to outsmart the killer. A daring move could either save Cece and her friend or lead to their demise.

Author Tricia L. Sanders

.

Tricia L. Sanders writes cozy mysteries and women’s fiction. She adds a dash of romance and a sprinkling of snark to raise the stakes. Her heroines are humorous women embarking on journeys of self-discovery all the while doing so with class, sass, and a touch of kickass.

Tricia is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, so don’t get between her and the television when a game is on. Currently, she is working on a mystery series set in the fictional town of Wickford, Missouri. Another project in the works is a women’s fiction road trip adventure.

A former instructional designer and corporate trainer, she traded in curriculum writing for novel writing, because she hates bullet points and loves to make stuff up. And fiction is more fun than training guides and lesson plans.

Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest

YouTube / Newsletter Sign Up

Purchase Links: Amazon

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

October 24 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 24 – Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 25 – A Blue Million Books – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 25 – Handcrafted Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – SPOTLIGHT

October 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

October 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 28 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

October 28 – Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Here’s How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT

October 29 – Valerie’s Musings – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

October 30 – Mallory Heart’s Cozies – REVIEW

October 30 – Laura’s Interests – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

October 31 – The Montana Bookaholic – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 31 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 1 – Island Confidential – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 1 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

November 2 – The Book Diva’s Reads – GUEST POST

November 3 – That’s What She’s Reading – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 3 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – REVIEW

November 4 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 4 – That’s What She’s Reading – REVIEW

November 5 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST

November 5 – The Avid Reader – SPOTLIGHT

November 5 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

November 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 6 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018! I did this last year and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

day of the dead photo: Dancing Skeleton dancing_skeleton.gif

I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

~~~~~

 Hunter

by James Byron Huggins

39785780

Genre:  Horror / Thriller

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My Review

When will they learn. In the quest to have a longer life, perhaps even immortality, a scientist uses himself as a test subject. It all goes so horribly wrong and now something is out there, threatening all of humanity. A special team of military killers is put together to hunt it down, led by a legendary hunter and tracker, Nathaniel Hunter. Along with his gigantic black wolf, Ghost, they set out to find and destroy a creature that won’t go down without a fight.

I devoured this book in huge gulps. Only stepping away from it to sleep. And then immediately picking it back up to continue. I had to know who would survive. Who wouldn’t. And if they could bring down this monster.

The author gave me this awesome group of characters. Each had their own special hunting skills, from huge guns with grenade launchers and flame throwers to a man wielding a katana with a blade so sharp it could split a hair. But, the creature is force to be reckoned with. He’s come packing too, armed super human strength, long sharp claws to rend you with, a need to kill, and he’s driven by an ancient memory. There’s something he needs and he’ll go through everything to get it. You wouldn’t want to be standing in it’s way.

Egads. There are so many encounters with this creature. It saddened me that so many died heroically while trying to take it down. While I really liked the team, I loved Hunter and his wolf companion, Ghost. They had a special connection ever since he rescued Ghost as a pup. They work as one, always knowing what the other needs. It was glorious. And terrifying. Ghost would do anything for Nate and it scared me to think what would happen when the two huge predators clashed.

I loved Leviathan, another book by this author. It is one I’ve read over and over. Hunter is every bit as good. If you love tons of action, great characters, and a beast that walked out of a nightmare. you’ll want to read this one.

symbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,sign

I happened to catch this eBook on sale for just 99 cents! It’s back up to $6.99 now. What a steal, but I would have gladly paid the full price. I loved it so much I’m going to get the paperback too. It will be a book I return to often and I like those on my bookshelf.

Synopsis

In yet another experiment to extend human life, scientists accidentally tap into the deepest recesses of the human mind and unleash a force that might well be a terrible curse. For in their desire to use a power they did not understand, they unintentionally unleash a force that will spell the end of Mankind if it cannot be destroyed.

Now an infected creature is loose in the Alaskan wilderness, and the America military is forced to ask the world’s greatest tracker, Nathaniel Hunter, to locate the beast and destroy it before it reaches a populated area.

Hunter can track anything, anywhere, anytime. But he is both horrified and shocked as he begins to follow the creature’s bloody path leading directly toward a city. For the beast is both more powerful and more merciless than any animal Hunter has tracked before. In fact, it seems to embody the most ancient and darkest heart of Man – a power that Mankind has always feared as the greatest Beast of Prey.

And as Hunter closes on the beast and the final, bloody battle approaches, he frantically realizes that the scientists may have succeeded all too well in their experiment to extend human life …

For it may have become unkillable.

Amazon / B&N

~~~~~

The above cover is the one I own.

Here are some versions.

355383  1765916

19092249  17345661

Which do you prefer?

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.

.
The Devil’s Fingers
One Size Eats All #3
by Hunter Shea
Genre: Horror
.
My Review
.

The story goes like this, a group of friends go camping in the woods. One of them is a botanist and she thinks she knows what the field of foul smelling pods are that they come across. Mind you, she thinks. When a couple slip off during the night to get freaky, they do their thing too close to the pods. Now they them growing on their bodies. And they’re about to hatch.

Ah, Hunter has found a devilish fungus to deter us from ever going in the woods again. It’s always a trip how he uses something genuine and then starts killing off his characters in the most creative, and often times revolting, ways.

I always like how the author gives me character’s that I get frustrated with. Then I don’t feel so bad when they’re killed off.  I want to ask them if they ever watched a horror movie. They should know not to go off alone in the dark. And especially not to have sex. But, that’s what they do and that’s when the fun begins.

They say a picture paints a thousand words. Well, take a gander at the cover for The Devil’s Fingers. Getting the picture yet?

Once again Hunter Shea shocks and awes me with another deliciously horrific tale. I’ll never pass up one of his books. Out of the park with this one, Hunter. Keep em coming.

symbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,signsymbol,star,disjunct,shape,image,recycling,design,sign
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Hunter shared this video on Twitter. Did you know Devil’s Fingers are real!
.

 .
Enjoy this glimpse inside:
.
Carrie’s screams rocketed Autumn’s heart into her throat. A crow big enough to carry a cat in its talons leaped from its perch above their heads, screeching across the blue sky.
“Carrie!” she shouted.
Her friend had forged ahead to take pictures, her passion du jour of nature photography separating her from the group. Autumn Winters had wondered where she’d gone. Now, she just hoped she wasn’t in a ditch or hanging off a cliff.
Like that time in Mexico, she thought, the heavy pack on her back thumping the base of her spine with each footfall.
“Over here,” Carrie called back, her voice coming from a copse of spruce trees to their left.
Latrell sped ahead of Autumn, letting his backpack slip from his shoulders so it wouldn’t hold him back. Carrie’s longtime boyfriend, Dan Waverly, was right behind him. Autumn’s much shorter legs couldn’t keep up with the former college athletes.
She followed their path, branches and weeds swaying from their passing. Veering from the official trail worried Autumn, but nowhere near as much as Carrie’s peal of terror. The gradual uphill climb had seemed so easy, the late spring air just cool enough to make it one of the more pleasant hikes she’d been on. It was amazing how arduous and stifling things got the second they had to sprint like madmen, thorny weeds scratching their legs.
The toe of her hiking boot caught on the underside of an immovable stone. Arms flailing, she twisted her body so she wouldn’t fall on her face.
“Got ya!” Brandon barked as he grabbed hold of her backpack. He held on until she steadied herself. He coughed up half a lung while she caught her breath.
There was no time to thank him. Carrie had grown frighteningly silent and there hadn’t been a peep out of Latrell or Dan.
“Come on,” she said.
“I’ll catch up,” Brandon wheezed.
There were heavy footsteps behind him. He’d be okay.
Autumn weaved her way around the closely packed trees, careful not to clip her shoulders on the sturdy trunks.
“Where are you?” she shouted.
“Over here,” Latrell answered.
Honing in on her fiancé’s voice, she stumbled out of the tree line and into Dan’s wide back. She caught an unwelcome whiff of sweat, her face smooshed into his moist shirt.
Regaining her balance—not that she had any to begin with—she stepped back, noticing that Carrie, Dan, and Latrell were standing alongside one another, hands on their hips, staring at something she couldn’t see thanks to being dwarfed by Dan’s massive shadow.
Latrell took her by the hand. “Look at this.”
Carrie sounded close to tears.
“Are…are they alive?”
Autumn looked across the meadow and fought a sudden wave of dizziness. As far as she could see, the ground was littered with shattered white pods. Sprouting from each pod were thick, pink tentacles. It was like looking at a sea of squid, the underside of each tentacle dotted with wet olive and black spots. Interspersed within them were deathly pale limbs, four or more to a pod, looking too much like severed baby arms for Autumn’s taste.
Autumn hated calamari.
She took a step toward the edge of the meadow. Latrell held her back.
“Don’t go near them.”
“Whatever the fuck they are,” Dan said, putting a protective arm around Carrie.
Crashing in the brush announced the arrival of Brandon, Tina, and Seth.
“That is wild AF. And I haven’t even smoked yet,” Brandon said, peering at the field as if his eyes were deceiving him.
Autumn let go of Latrell’s hand, crouching close to the nearest cluster of skyward-reaching tentacles. It was hard to believe that Autumn, the girl they all called Mighty Mite because her genetics refused to allow her to pass the five-foot mark, was out macho-ing her alpha male of a fiancé. Then again, this was kind of her specialty.
Or it would be in a couple more years.
“Jesus, don’t touch it!” Tina yelped.
Autumn turned to her friends, all of them looking as if they were standing on the precipice of untold horrors. Latrell’s smooth, shaved head ran with rivulets of perspiration. Seth’s hand went to the machete secured at his hip.
“It’s all right,” Autumn said.
That does not look all right,” Carrie said, her hand on Dan’s chest.
A breeze whispered over the meadow, animating the tentacles as they swayed back and forth. Tina yipped. Brandon pedaled backwards, falling on his ass.
The only thing worse than fried calamari was living calamari. Blinking hard, Autumn willed her mind to just shut up and deal with what was in front of her.
You’re not at Nicky’s Fish Box or lost at sea, dummy. 
Autumn reached into her pocket for the little baggie of nuts she’d packed for quick snacking. Dumping the nuts on the ground, she inverted the bag over her hand.
She reached down, fingers grazing the papery flesh of the tentacle. She plucked it free from the pod. It was almost as long as her forearm, yet weighed next to nothing.
“Don’t bring that thing near me,” Carrie said, cringing.
Latrell’s eyes grew wide. The wind changed direction, blowing Autumn’s long honey hair into her face.
Hands flew to mouths as everyone started choking, Tina making tiny retching sounds.
Uh-oh, Autumn thought. I should have known better. 
The stench rolling off the meadow was impossible to ignore. It hijacked their lungs, nestled into the membranes of their noses, coated their tongues.
A fetid redolence encompassed the campers, the presence of death too much for Autumn to handle. Eyes watering, she dropped the tentacle, hands grasping her knees, stomach heaving.
“Oh my God,” Carrie gasped between gouts of vomit splashing her and Dan’s boots.
She was the first to pass out.
But not the last.
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Old school horror.” —Jonathan Maberry
WHAT HAS LONG PINK FINGERS AND SMELLS LIKE ROTTING FLESH?
It is a slime-covered fungus known for its pinkish red tentacles and
pungent odor. It is indigenous to Australia but has spread to North
America. Its Latin name is
Clathrus Archeri,
also known as Octopus Stinkhorn. Most people call it The Devil’s Fingers . . .
I DON’T KNOW BUT IT’S GROWING ON YOUR NECK.
Deep in the woods of Washington, botanist Autumn Winters stumbles onto a
field of the luridly colored fungi. Two of her fellow campers make
the mistake of touching it. Now it’s growing on them. Fleshy
gelatinous pods. Sprouting from their skin. Feeding on their blood . . .
AND IT’S STILL GROWING.
Autumn watches in horror as her friends are transformed into
monstrosities—grotesque, human-fungal hybrids as contagious and
deadly as any virus. Autumn knows she must destroy these mutations
before they return to civilization. But if there’s one thing that
spreads faster than fear, it’s The Devil’s Fingers . . .
 
 
 
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Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary
movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot would walk past
his house. He’s the author of over 17 books, including The
Jersey Devil (Pinnacle 2016)), Tortures of the
Damned (Pinnacle 2015), and We Are Always
Watching (Sinister Grin). Hunter’s novels can even be found on
display at the International Cryptozoology Museum. The Montauk
Monster (Pinnacle 2014) was named one of the best reads of the
summer by Publishers Weekly. He was selected to be part of the
launch of Samhain Publishing’s new horror line in 2011 alongside
legendary author Ramsey Campbell. His video podcast, Monster
Men, is one of the most watched horror podcasts in the world. Living
with his crazy and supportive family and two cats, he’s happy to be
close enough to New York City to see the skyline without having to
pay New York rent.
 
 
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Why Fall? Why Halloween? Why Michigan? And what does this have to do with these stories and books?
 
Let’s start with the great state of MICHIGAN. I consider myself lucky to have been born and raised in Michigan; a state I consider to be the absolute best in the country.  I was born in Hastings in the early 70s, and then when I was about 18 months old, my mother, sister and I moved to the charming small town of Ionia. My mother was originally from Ionia; in fact, my grandparents owned and operated a locksmith and bicycle business there, started in the 1940s. My child-rearing years were spent living in town, living on a farm and living in a trailer park until I graduated high school. I had a good childhood, a typical childhood where my imagination was able to run wild.
 
Once I became an adult, I moved around quite a bit; Kalamazoo, Lake Odessa, Grand Blanc, Pewamo, Lansing, Grand Rapids, Middleville and on and on. I’ve had the pleasure of driving all over the state visiting beautiful and wonderful towns like Petoskey, Holly, Munising, Harbor Springs, Mackinac City, Lexington, Flint, Fenton, Port Austin, and Grand Haven to name a few. All of these towns have left lasting memories, thoughts and ideas for me because they each offer unique sights, architecture, people and history.
 
Living in Michigan my whole life not only have I seen some amazing cities, towns, parks and beaches, but I have also heard many of its spooky legends, ghost stories and tales about its many haunted locations. I thought to base a series of spooky stories and books that included actual Michigan locations would be an excellent way for me to pay tribute to the people, places and things. As I said, it is the greatest state in the nation!
Nothing on earth gets my mind, body and soul aroused like the season of FALL. I get excited about the three months of September, October and November more than a person probably should (But I know I’m not alone). I look forward to the fall season every year and have since I was very young. And every year and I get asked, “What is it about fall you love so much?”
 
First, I call it fall; always have, always will. Some people call it autumn. I guess it depends on who you ask or where they’re from. I love the word autumn, but most people I know say fall. I guess for me, it doesn’t really matter what you call it, what matters is all that comes with it. It’s a laundry list of things that come with the season that gets me excited and makes everything in the world seem…right.
 
It’s the chill in the air and the crisp clean cool breeze, wearing warm cozy sweatshirts or my favorite flannel shirts, making s’mores over a bonfire with family and friends, drinking cider and eating donuts from a visit to the local cider mills and orchards, picking out those perfect pumpkins at the pumpkin patch to carve Jack O‟ Lanterns or just place as decorations, driving around taking in the sights of the beautiful colored leaves, drinking hot flavored coffee or hot cocoa on the porch, tasting all of the fall seasonal craft beers and hard ciders, the smell of burning leaves and wood burning in fireplaces, not having to deal with those pesky summer bugs, crock pot slow roast dinners, chili cook-offs, and yes, even the pumpkin spice everything!
 
To me, there’s no emotion and sensation like what I get and feel during the fall months. Even though I know the dreaded winter will soon follow. Still, I embrace the season for all it’s worth and bask in the pure comfort on how everything about it makes me feel. I could go on, but I’m sure you understand.
Everyone has their favorite holiday. Sure, I love Thanksgiving for the bounty of delectable food and watching the traditional football game. Christmas with the pretty lights, gifts and more delicious foods and even St. Patrick’s Day isn’t too bad with a cold Guinness in hand. But, for me, hands down, the best holiday is HALLOWEEN.
 
For starters, it’s smack dab in the middle of my favorite fall season. Second, it’s just so much fun, has so much tradition and you get to dress in costume to become anything and anyone you want…even if it’s for just one night. Oh, then third; the candy. Lots and lots of candy! 
 
Yes, even as an adult I like, nope, love the candy.
Granted, I don’t go Trick-or-Treating anymore, but I thoroughly enjoy decorating the house and handing out candy to all the little ones in the neighborhood. And if I have candy left in the bowl at the end of the night…so be it. Halloween is just fun and it can make us all remember what being a kid is all about.
 
I have enjoyed celebrating Halloween since I was a toddler. I love and appreciate the folklore behind it, the traditions, the parties, and the creatures and costumes. I’ve always admired and respected the classic tales of Dracula, Frankenstein and the myths and legends told by friends and family…especially real-life ghost stories. I look forward every year to watching The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and movies like Sleepy Hollow, Trick R Treat, Hocus Pocus, Young Frankenstein, Underworld, Zombieland, The Lost Boys and so many others. So bring on the bats, skeletons, black cats, witches, Jack O‟ Lanterns, ghosts, ghouls and goblins, and creatures and monsters of all kinds!
So why this book? Why now?
 
When I started writing articles and stories years ago, I never envisioned myself as a horror writer or any kind of scary story writer. Then one day in the fall of 2017 I was talking to my wife and kids about scary stories and then immediately got an idea in my head for one. That idea eventually became the Stone Hollow story. Funny enough, written about the very subdivision that I live in.
 
Once I wrote that first one I got hooked and couldn’t stop writing. The ideas and thoughts were pouring out of my head faster than I could type. I had notepads and pieces of paper strewn everywhere with ideas. I finally created a document called Ideas and it was just that; all kinds of story ideas, characters, partial paragraphs, locations, dialog…everything to keep my thoughts together so I wouldn’t lose them. There’s nothing worse than having a great idea and then forgetting it later.
 
Once I had a dozen full stories together, I wondered what to do with them. I thought about trying to enter writing contests and submit some to anthology books (which I did a few), but then I thought maybe I would just put them in book form and do things my way. My hope was that people would read them and enjoy them as much as I do.
 
Heck, I know there are hundreds of horror writers out there and I know my stories may not be made into blockbuster movies, but I’m going to let my imagination run wild and do the best I can. The plan is to make Michigan Monsters & Macabre a series of books; perhaps 5 to 10…if I’m lucky.
 
…add now it has really got my gears moving and I’m excited not only to write scary stories but to write other short stories and books as well. Looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me. I better make a few pots of coffee…it’s going to be a long year!
 
 
 
 
Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre
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Book One
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Jerrod S. Smelker
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Genre:  Fiction, Horror
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Publisher: Last Leaf Publishing
Date of Publication: Sept 24th, 2018
ISBN:1720157022
Number of pages: 193
Word Count: 36,600
Cover Artist: BookDesign
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My Review
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Being born in Michigan, how could I not try these stories. I’ve always found urban legends fascinating and reading about some centered around cities I’m familiar with was sure to be fun.

There are many stories to savor, from macabre to harrowing. While none of them truly scared me, I pictured a few of these in my mind and wouldn’t want to be in those character’s shoes.

Being brief stories, I liked how they ended. The author introduced his character’s. Set up the why of how they ended up where the were, and then showed how they paid the piper. A few I felt sorry for. Some I felt got what they deserved. And then there were some I thought should have known better. You know those. The ones that go in the basement when they shouldn’t. The one’s that ignore warnings from those who know the skinny. Yep, the ones we call victims.

The author gave me some tasty nibbles and if you like short stories with a few twists, I recommend you take a bite.

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Book Description:
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Welcome to the Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters and Macabre spooky short stories books.
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Inside you will read 10 chilling haunts of encounters with terrifying creatures, cursed fountains, the undead, an abandoned asylum and other creepy and frightening things.
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All stories take place in and around Michigan cities and towns and transpire during the delightful season of fall and the greatest holiday of Halloween.
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These startling tales are fictional stories of course…or are they?
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About the Author:

 

 

 

Jerrod S. Smelker is the owner/operator/writer for Last Leaf Publishing, Our Michigan Travels and Wicked Harvest MI. Author of “Vigilant in Today’s World” series of crime prevention books, “Wicked Harvest: Michigan Monsters & Macabre” series of spooky short stories and books and numerous other short stories. He is a proud member of the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers. He grew up in Ionia, a quaint small town smack dab in the middle of Michigan between Grand Rapids and the state’s capital, Lansing. He enjoys history, writing, reading, fine cigars and pipes, craft beers and hard ciders, coffee, and Michigan road trips. He currently lives in Grand Blanc Michigan with his wife, kids and cats.
 
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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2018! I did this last year and so excited to do it again. I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

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I’m sharing all kinds of books, movies, and other spooky stuff for every day in October. Gots to get those scares on for the 31st!

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Short Tales Of Horror III

by Regina Puckett

32937814

Genre:  Horror / Short Stories

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My Review

I’d read another collection Of Regina’s and really enjoyed them so I was quick to grab this one when I came across it.

There are fifteen stories here and I liked every single one. Some were scary. Some were very twisted. And some even made me laugh at their wickedness.

In these pages you’ll come across a possessive ghost with deadly intent, creepy dolls that have a few tricks up their sleeves, homeless people that should be wary of a helping hand, a husband who won’t be raising a hand to his wife again, a hitchhiker with a twist, an inheritance with strings attached, a re-encounter with the possessive spirit, a resentful new father, thirteen black cats who might not add up to a lucky number, how being late for school can have dire consequences, what happens when a miracle diet pill comes with side affects, why imaginary friends can feel all too real, what occurs when an alien spacecraft brings nothing good and what a vampire does when you don’t clean up after yourself.

I’d be hard pressed to choose a favorite. The author penned some creative and curious tales and they were well executed. All of these were either 4 or 5 star reads. I devoured them in one sitting and could have read more. It’s like tiny horror M&Ms. I couldn’t read just one, or two….

If you enjoy horror collections, you’ll certainly enjoy these. I sure did.

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Synopsis

My collection of short stories of ghosts, evil spirtis, werewolves, a few mentally ill people and I’ve even thrown in a few zombies and vampires into the mixture.

I’ve taken your every fear and written a story about it, so they can be examined in the bright light of day. Of course if your prefer, you’re welcome to read them at night too. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you want your horror now or later.

Amazon / B&N

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The cover above is from Goodreads.

Here is the one I own.

Short Tales of Horror Part III by [Puckett, Regina]

Which do you prefer?

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I am an Amazon Affiliate. Product images are linked.