Jailbird ~ A Sound Of Silence Novel by Taylor Dean ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: December 2, 2017 in giveaways, New Release, Romance
Tags: , , ,
2

BOOK TWO IN THE SOUND OF SILENCE SERIES IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!

 

JAILBIRD

by

TAYLOR DEAN

 


My hometown decided to rename me Jailbird.

Every day I silently scream out, “My name is Mia Faraday!” My time in jail does not define me. I am so much more than one heated mistake.

And yet, my slip-up weighs on me. There’s so much more to the story than anyone realizes. I must face Stony, my ex, and confess everything.

I don’t want to. I’d rather have five teeth pulled. While I’m awake. Without anesthesia.

But this is something I have to do, something I need to do. Not just for Stony. I need to do it for me. Especially for me. I can’t move forward with my life until I gain closure from the past.

When I meet Grayson Elliott, I am easily pulled into his orbit and it’s exactly where I’d love to stay. He makes me laugh and not take life so seriously. He makes me want to live again.

But I don’t love me right now, and that healing needs to come first. I’m not relationship-ready or marriage material. My mind is focused on redemption. I want it. I need it.

Besides, when Grayson hears about my colorful past, I’m sure he’ll be gone before I have time to utter the word goodbye.

After all, who could ever love a jailbird?

 

 

The Sound of Silence Series is a three book series.

Book One: Stone Silence, Spencer’s Story

Book Two: Jailbird, Mia’s Story

Book Three: Hothouse Flower, Shay’s Story

 

Each book has a happy ending and there are no cliffhangers.

They are not standalones and should be read in order.

 

Did you miss Book One, STONE SILENCE?

Grab it on AMAZON

Great big beautiful love.

Does it really exist?

Everyone tells me it does. They say, “Spencer Elliott, don’t worry, you’ll find it one day. You just have to find the right man and when you do, it will surprise the heck out of you.”

I’m still waiting for that heck of a surprise to hit. It has proven to be elusive thus far. I’m pretty sure the entire world is lying about love and the joke is on me.

I know I want a man in my heart and in my life. Unfortunately, most men immediately push my OFF button and I lose interest quickly.

Feeling pressure to prove I’m trying to find my soulmate, I finally give in and agree to a date. Huge mistake. Afterward I find myself abandoned in the middle of nowhere, in desperate need of help.

That’s when I meet Stony by chance.

He’s a silent and unsmiling man who intrigues me with his ability to keep going after life has knocked him down. Suddenly the abstract notion of love becomes tangible and within my reach. Once I experience it, I wonder how I ever lived without it.

That’s when I stay with Stony by choice.

But when Stony’s hidden past and present-day reality collide, his silence is broken. And the truth about his life nearly brings me to my knees. I can’t compete with ghosts from the past.

I refuse to fight for a man’s love. He either loves me or he doesn’t. It’s as simple and as complicated as that.

My only hope is . . . he does.

 

Praise for STONE SILENCE:

Oh. My. Gosh! I absolutely LOVE Stone Silence! Talk about swoony! This book is AMAZING! I was sucked in from the very beginning and found myself lost in the journey of Spencer and Stony. I laughed out loud, got teary eyed, let out little dreamy sighs and refused to put this book down until I finished it! I devoured it! -KJ’s Book Nook

Oh man. I will always read everything Taylor Dean writes with no hesitation. I LOVE Taylor Dean books. If you have never read anything by her, you really must. -Aimee, Getting Your Read On

 

Hothouse Flower, Book Three will be released on January 1st, 2018

 

 

 

Read an excerpt from Jailbird:

Excerpt

Stony and Spencer’s Place.

Ugh. It’s magical inside the fenced-in property, as if I just walked into a secret garden. Stony always said he was going to build himself an oasis in the middle of the prairie land, and he did it. I didn’t expect it to be quite this beautiful. Green grass covers small rolling hills. Sidewalks meander the property. Flower beds bloom madly with all the colors of the rainbow. It’s almost like being inside of a Thomas Kinkade painting.

I want to run. I want to turn around and erase this serene picture from my mind. I’m not sure I want to witness Stony’s happily-ever-after. The consolation is that now I know I didn’t ruin his life. I should feel grateful for that knowledge. I kind of do and I kind of don’t. My emotions are a tangled mess when it comes to Stony. I’ve had two years in jail and a little over a year in Galveston to think about this moment, to anticipate exactly what I want to say to him. Now that it’s upon me, I can feel my mind going blank.

But I’m doing it anyway.

I march forward with determination in every step and I push on the doorbell before I can change my mind. I hear a Windsor chime echo through the house in a majestic sort of way. A little more cringing goes on inside of me at the perfection of it all.

The seconds before the door is answered seem interminable. I’m a hot mess.

Lock me in a tank with hungry—no—starving sharks. Put me in a lion’s den and let them have me for dinner. Make me appear on that dumb TV show, Naked and Afraid.

Anything but this. I don’t want to face Stony. I don’t, I don’t.

~~~~~

 

Author Taylor Dean

Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up.

Website * Twitter * Facebook * Goodreads * Newsletter

~~~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

 

Blast Giveaway Details
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 12/22/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

 

 

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

12 Days Of Fantasy For Christmas ~ Fire Tablet and ebooks Giveaway

Posted: December 1, 2017 in giveaways, Mystery, Supernatural, YA
Tags: , , ,
12


On Tour with Prism Book Tours

 

12 Days of Fantasy for Christmas
.
Day 1: Deep Dark Secrets by Sarra Cannon
.
Deep Dark Secrets
(The Spiritwalkers #1)
by Sarra Cannon
Young Adult Supernatural Mystery

ebook, 321 pages
August 23rd 2017 by Dead River Books, LLC

The deadliest secrets are the ones we keep from ourselves…

One year ago, seventeen-year-old Marayah Freeman nearly died in a tragic car accident that also took the life of her best friend, Hailey.

Memories of the accident plague Marayah, but no one believes they’re real. They say there was no shadowy figure on the bridge that night. No oil-black tears running down Hailey’s face. No guy who appeared from a bright light in the forest.

Frustrated, Marayah locks those memories away and tries to focus on the future, but the past keeps pulling her back. A guy who looks like the stranger from the forest enrolls in her school, and her nightmares are getting worse. But when she finds a note in her locker, the mystery of the accident becomes more terrifying than ever. The note is from Hailey.

“Marayah,

If I’m dead—

it wasn’t an accident.”

Excerpt
.

He was real.And he was gorgeous.

I straightened and walked toward him, but the closer I got, the more I realized that he wasn’t quite the guy from my dreams. I shook my head, unable to make sense of it. He had the same tall, muscular build. The same copper skin and dark eyes. The braid running down his back was exactly the same as the one I’d seen in my dreams.

But his face was slightly different. Younger with higher cheekbones.

Those eyes, though.

The way he stared at me sent shivers across my skin. His eyes were the same.

“Did you follow me?” he asked, glancing toward the school.

“Yes,” I said, working to catch my breath and still my heart. “Sorry, I can’t explain it. I thought you were someone else.”

My hand raised to the medallion at my throat, and his eyes followed. His gaze narrowed. Darkened. His jaw tensed.

“Who?” he asked.

“What?” He had me completely frazzled. There was something incredibly intense about him, and it turned my brain to mush.

“Who did you think I was?”

I shook my head and my cheeks warmed. He looked angry, and I guess I couldn’t blame him. We were complete strangers, and I’d just chased him down.

“I don’t know,” I said, letting my hand drop to my side. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bother you.”

I turned to head back to the school, embarrassed and confused. Maybe I was going crazy.

“Wait,” he said. “You’re her, aren’t you? The girl from the accident? You’re Marayah?”

I stopped and turned back slowly. Something about the way my name sounded on his lips was so familiar, it made me dizzy.

“How do you know about me?” I asked.

He shrugged, but his dark eyes stayed sharp as he stared at my face. “A lot of people have been talking about you,” he said. “Wondering if you would be coming back to school this year.”

“Do you go to school here?” I asked.

“I just transferred,” he said, not offering any further information.

“Oh.” If he’d just moved here, he couldn’t possibly have been there that night a year ago. Still, this couldn’t be a coincidence. “Well, I’m sorry I chased you down.”

I wanted to turn and walk away, but something about the way he looked at me held me to the spot. He was a stranger, but I felt he knew a lot more about me than he was saying.

“I have to go,” he said finally. His eyes dipped again to the medallion at my throat, but he didn’t say another word. He simply got into his truck and drove away.

“Who are you?” I whispered, but he was too far away to hear.

 
About the Author
.

Sarra Cannon writes contemporary and paranormal fiction with both teen and college-aged characters. Her novels often stem from her own experiences growing up in the small town of Hawkinsville, Georgia, where she learned that being popular always comes at a price and relationships are rarely as simple as they seem.

Sarra recently celebrated seven years in indie publishing and has sold over half a million copies of her books. Her most popular series is The Shadow Demons Saga.

She is a devoted (obsessed) fan of Hello Kitty and has an extensive collection that decorates her desk as she writes. She currently lives in Charleston, South Carolina with her amazingly supportive husband and her adorable son.

 .
~~~~~
.
Tour Schedule
November 30th: Launch
December 1st: Sarra Cannon
December 2nd: W.R. Gingell
December 3rd: Nikki Jefford
December 4th: K. D. Jones
December 5th: M. L. LeGette
December 6th: Belle Malory
December 7th: Melissa McShane
December 8th: Sara C. Roethle
December 9th: R.K. Ryals
December 10th: Jennifer Silverwood
December 11th: Melissa Wright
December 12th: Morgan Wylie
December 13th: Grand Finale

 

Tour Giveaway


1 winner will win a FIRE HD 8 TABLET from Amazon along with the following ebooks:
.

– TRITON’S CURSE by Sarra Cannon
– MASQUE by W.R. Gingell
– AURORA SKY: VAMPIRE HUNTER by Nikki Jefford
– A WHITE SO RED by K.D. Jones
– THE TALE OF MALLY BIDDLE by M.L. LeGette
– THE TWELFTH KEEPER by Belle Malory
– SERVANT OF THE CROWN by Melissa McShane
– THE XOE MEYERS TRILOGY by Sara C. Roethle
– TEMPEST by R.K. Ryals
– CRAVING BEAUTY be Jennifer Silverwood
– THE DESCENDANTS SERIES by Melissa Wright
– REAWAKENED by Morgan Wylie

Open to US residents or those who are eligible for the Fire Tablet in their area (those who are not, can receive cash value through PayPal)
Ends December 17th
.
Click on the rafflecopter link below to enter.

.

~~~~~

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

12 Days Of Clean Romance ~ $100 Kick-Off Giveaway!

Posted: December 1, 2017 in giveaways, Romance
Tags: , ,
4

* $100 Kick-Off Giveaway *

12 Days of Clean Romance!

This promotion is hosted by Kathy from I Am A Reader and features 12 of her favorite authors whose books you can trust to be clean, fun and 100% worth reading!

Just look at this great list of Participating Authors!!

12 Days of Clean Romance Schedule

Jennifer Peel – December 4th
Taylor Hart – December 5th
Rachael Anderson – December 6th
Josi S. Kilpack – December 7th
Janette Rallison – December 8th
Jennifer Griffith – December 9th
Taylor Dean – December 11th
Sheralyn Pratt – December 12th
Heather B. Moore – December 13th
Annette K. Larsen – December 14th
Lucy McConnell – December 15th
Cami Checketts – December 16th

In total $500 will be given away as part of this promotion so be sure to sign up for email updates so you don’t miss any of these giveaways!

If you have a blog and want to help promote these authors for the chance to win additional gift cards you can sign up here.

 

Now on to what you are here for

The $100 Giveaway!!

 

Giveaway Details

$100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 12/17/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. 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. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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

Smothered by M.C. Hall ~ Blitz and Giveaway

Posted: December 1, 2017 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, Mystery
Tags: , , , ,
19



.

Smothered
M.C. Hall
Publication date: December 1st 2017
Genres: Adult, Mystery

Fifteen years ago, Kitty Holbrooke was set to be the greatest child star since Shirley Temple. Days after completing her debut film, the young girl was kidnapped from her home in the middle of the night. The next day, a rambling ransom note appeared in the family’s mailbox, but as the family scrambled to gather the money, police discovered Kitty’s body. Due to the media circus surrounding the case, changing testimony from key witnesses, and police missteps, lead detective Andrea Bennett was never able to bring Kitty’s killer to justice, and the case that rocked a nation went cold.

Today, an online tabloid has uncovered Kitty Holbrooke’s shocking case files including never-before-seen police interviews, confidential emails, secret text messages, and sealed grand jury transcripts. The Internet explodes as fans devour and comment on each piece of new evidence, desperately hoping that they, too, can help solve the mystery.

Loosely inspired by the Jon Benet Ramsey case, this unique, thrilling mystery is told through police transcripts and documents, and will keep readers guessing until the very end.

 

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Check out the excerpt

DAY 1—THE ANNOUNCEMENT
July 2, 2017

Hollywood Inquirer, your daily online source for celebrity gossip and entertainment has recently come into possession of crucial evidence in the unsolved murder of child star Kitty Holbrooke!

For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past fifteen years, or for those too young to remember the tragedy, Kitty was set to be the next big thing in Hollywood before her tragic death at the tender age of nine. Years later, and the debate over the identity of her killer still rages on!

Kitty was discovered by an agent while picnicking with her mother and sister at a local park. She was immediately hired to star in a national campaign for Sunny Orange Juice and became an overnight sensation. A year later, days after Kitty completed filming for her debut appearance in the remake of Shirley Temple’s Curly Top opposite A-listers Ashley Maddox and Tyrese Jones, the brilliant star disappeared from her home.

Kitty lived in the small community of Elmhurst, California, just north of Los Angeles County, on a quiet cul-de-sac where no break-ins or thefts had ever been reported. There had not been a murder in the town for several years, and police were used to the cozy small-town atmosphere, where neighbors knew each other’s names and friendships were formed over block parties and barbecues. No one could have expected such a horrific crime to happen in such an idyllic setting.

On the night in question, Mr. and Mrs. Holbrooke claimed they put their daughters Kitty and Allison to bed around 8pm. Kitty’s disappearance was supposedly discovered the next morning when Mrs. Holbrooke woke to take her daughter to an audition.

Police were called in, but first believed the young girl had run away. Tragically, this was not the case. The next day, the family received a bizarre, rambling ransom note asking for over $200,000 in non-sequential unmarked bills. An Amber Alert was issued, and police set off on a nationwide manhunt for anyone transporting a girl matching the child star’s description.

Strangely enough, law enforcement failed to properly search the entirety of the Holbrooke estate for nearly two days. When the search finally took place, Kitty’s body was discovered in a shed on the edge of the Holbrooke property.

The darling girl had been smothered by a small, white pillow, duct-taped over her face. There were cuts and bruises scattered across her broken body, and investigators put her time of death somewhere around 3 o’clock in the morning on the day she was discovered missing.

Through a series of missteps on the part of both the police and the district attorney’s office, the case went cold and the murderer was never brought to justice.

Today, that may all change. We’ve finally broken through the wall of silence surrounding Kitty’s murder!

An inside source has given Hollywood Inquirer a complete copy of audio files recorded during the days and weeks after Kitty’s disappearance and death. We have authenticated these tapes as the original police interviews with family members, witnesses, and other suspects. The source has also provided us with copies of emails, phone calls, and brand-new evidence never before seen by the public or any other media agency.

On our website, and only our website, you can have an exclusive insider look at one of our nation’s most talked about unsolved mysteries. Hopefully, we will find answers and justice will prevail! It’s time Kitty’s spirit finally finds peace.

Tomorrow, we kick off our explosive thirteen-part Kitty Holbrooke series. We have transcribed and pieced together the police recordings to give readers a clear picture of the suspects and their stories. Because of the scope and length of these interviews, we’ll be releasing a few each day… allowing plenty of time for you to comment, discuss, and come up with your own theories!

As most of you know, charges were never formally filed against any one suspect, and the case never went through for an actual trial. However, in proceedings closed to the press and public, the grand jury met and heard evidence from the prosecuting attorney, including testimony from forensic experts, eye-witnesses, and law enforcement.

The grand jury proceedings were sealed, but the judge in the case is now processing our request that they be unsealed and released for their substantive value in the public interest. After covering the police investigation, we will focus on these transcripts, as well as emails and phone calls between the district attorney and the police, showing just where their case went wrong.

Finally, we’ll present exclusive statements from the major players in the case, fifteen years later, as they reflect upon Kitty’s death, answer all our burning questions, and perhaps reveal the truth about their involvement.

We promise this will be the story of the summer! Stay connected with us on social media for updates as we try to solve America’s most heartbreaking mystery. This was the case that shocked the nation, so comment below. Let us know whose testimony you want to hear most!

Comments
Lonelyguy518: Holy crap! Happy 4th of July, everybody! Can’t believe they dug this stuff up. Was obsessed with this case back in the day. Hope they catch the bastard.

NOYB1: The bastard? More like the bitch. Everyone knows the mom did it.

Rush2Judgement: NOYB1, I totally agree. Mom was a nightmare. Complete stage mother fixated on her daughter’s career when she couldn’t make it as a star herself. Bet the girl wanted to quit the biz after the movie, and mom snapped.
afight4justice: No way. Dad did it. That ransom note was obvi. written by him

98DegreesofCooper: this is cray. Never heard bout this b4. Cant wait 2 read bout this little girl got 2 c her movie asap

Outtamyface21: Yeah. I still can’t believe they released that movie. I realize she finished filming it, but they should have held off on it out of respect for the family.

Daddysgrlll: Out of respect for the family? You mean the people who murdered her? Right. *Rolls eyes.

 

Author Megan Cassidy

Megan Cassidy Hall writes books for adults under the name MC Hall, and writes books for children and young adults under the name Megan E. Cassidy. In addition to writing, Megan works as an English professor teaching a variety of courses including Creative Writing and Children and Young Adult Literature. Megan’s novels include Always, Jessie, The Misadventures of Marvin Miller, and Smothered. Her poetry and short stories have been featured in numerous publications including Bete Noire, Pilcrow & Dagger, and Centum Press’s 100 Voices. All of her short work can be found on her website: www.megancassidyauthor.com

In 2016, Megan co-founded 50/50 Press with her husband Stephen Hall. You can visit their website at www.5050press.com or follow them on Twitter @FiftyFiftyPress

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

~~~~~

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

Something Down There ~ Review, Fun Facts and Two Giveaways

Posted: November 30, 2017 in giveaways, reviews, thriller
Tags: , , , ,
4
Check out this special feature from Something Down There by Nancy Widrew!
Something Down There Tour Graphic
SOMETHING DOWN THERE
Nancy Widrew
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: November 15, 2017)
Something Down There
My Review
There was supposed to be four of them, but when one couple cancels, Jeremy and his wife, Karen, go spelunking anyway. They decide to go to any easier cave so there is less risk of injury. Then, Jeremy doesn’t show up for work. There’s no evidence they ever returned home. Months go by, and they’re assumed dead.
I’m not crazy about confined spaces so I don’t get the desire to crawl into caves. The thought of tons of earth above me makes me shiver. And having a wacky cult kidnap me, dragging me deep into the cave system, is the stuff of nightmares.
This thriller wasn’t packed with action. It was subtle, just like the cult was with luring the happy couple into their trap. The tribe thought cutting themselves off from humanity was a good thing. But they couldn’t hide from it. It came with them. The jealousy, insecurity, anger. All of it followed them down the hole.
And  the bad times grew for Kate and Jeremy as time blurred their past lives and they started to succumb to life in the cave. It was almost like brain washing. Sooner or later they would give in and accept their fate. The author did this part really well. It felt so real as both of them caught themselves falling for the fantasy, shook it off, and fell for it again. It was becoming easier for them to forget their past than to hope for escape.
Somewhere Down There reads at a steady pace. It’s a solid psychological thriller that grows on you, keeping you eager to find out who would survive and how it would end.
4 Stars
Not all caves are uninhabited
Horror erupts when newlyweds, Karen and Jeremy, cross paths with members of a diabolical cult inside a West Virginia cave. Living below the earth’s surface has triggered mutations, rendering the cult members nearly infertile. Their leader, a wild-eyed, cunning brute, refuses to let the couple leave, believing they and their potential offspring hold the key to surviving underground. Are Karen and Jeremy doomed to spend their lives inside this sunless, subterranean wasteland, or do they escape before their minds shatter and their bodies betray them?
[Praise]
– [Name], Goodreads Reviewer

Purchase Links

Available now $3.99 only. Grab your copy today.

Blog Tour Schedule

Ongoing till December 2, 2017.
Get behind the scenes on Something Down There.
Visit each stop daily and iscover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and other extras.
To check the latest schedule, visit the Something Down There Book Page at Book Unleashed.
.

Check Out These Fun Facts:

  1. My description of the protagonists, Karen and Jeremy, descending into the cave is based on my own spelunking experience in W. Va. After crawling snakelike on my belly, I was linked by a rope to a boulder, then slid down a ledge with a silent scream and swung like a pendulum for touchdown.
  2. A “boohoo” fun fact: Because it didn’t advance the plot, I deleted a scene where two especially unsavory characters begin falling in love. I still regret having to obliterate their blossoming romance.
  3. The protagonist’s name was Michael in the first draft. I switched to Rahm (short for Abraham) since he was the patriarch of the underground group.
  4. I originally wrote this book a long time ago but decided it wasn’t good enough. Years later, on one of those nothing-better-to-do days, I began rewriting it. By the time I reached page thirty, I knew I wouldn’t stop until it was done.
  5. Although she’s not the “star” of the book, Helene is my favorite character. I love her screwball, passive-aggressive nature.
Something Down There Tour Graphic

Giveaway

WIN A PRINT COPY OF
SOMETHING DOWN THERE *
Something Down There Giveaway Graphic
* Available for US Residents Only
Contest runs from November 1 – December 2, 2017.
Additional Giveaway
Join the Goodreads Giveaway and win a print copy of Something Down There (US Residents only).
Contest runs from September 19 – November 15. Click here to enter.

About Nancy Widrew

Nancy Widrew

Nancy Widrew was born and raised in NYC before settling in New England with her husband. She has two grown children and two four-legged furry ones, always a source of amusement. She has had short stories published in webzines and a print anthology. This is her first novel.
Follow Nancy Widrew on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancywidrew
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

~~~~~

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

She’s out there…..The Death Doll by Brian P. White ~ Review

Posted: November 30, 2017 in apocalypse, horror, reviews, Zombies
Tags: , , , , ,
6

I can’t ever resist a zombie horror book. Got a good one to share with you today.

The Death Doll

by Brian P. White

32442883

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Horror / Apocalypse / Zombies

 My Review

The Death Doll takes place two years after the zombie apocalypse went down. Now, bands of survivors struggle to survive the desolation.

One band is lead by Didi. In her previous life she was a porn star and looks the part. Statuesque and voluptuous, don’t let her looks deceive you. She’s a force to be reckoned with. Her mission. Provide for the community and keep everyone alive, at all costs. And the costs are high. The zombies aren’t the only thing they have to worry about. Other survivors want what they have. And the Death Doll stalks the unwitting.

I love Didi. She never shies away from danger. In fact, she steps right up to it. And her steadfast efforts to keep her band of survivors safe is incredible. Especially when there’s grumbling in the ranks and many aren’t so sure about their leader. And maybe they have reason to worry.

Right from the beginning you know Didi has secrets. The author peels them away slowly, surprising you in ways you never suspected. As the group learns her secrets, things go sideways and this is the part I loved the most. Group dynamics are fascinating. Put a bunch of people together, scare them, and you discover who steps up and who throws the monkey wrench in the works.

There’s plenty of action and intrigue to keep the story rolling in The Death Doll. And a lot of surprises await you. A fast read for me and one I’m glad I read.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

Didi was once the darling of the porn industry, baring it all for the world on the silver screen. Then came the zombie apocalypse. Two years later, she’s killing every flesh-eating corpse in her path to protect a group of unlikely survivors in northwest Iowa. Unfortunately, she hides a terrifying secret that threatens every life she defends. For nothing left on Earth that creeps or crawls is as lethal as The Death Doll.

Amazon

~~~~~

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

The Kid’s Korner #23 ~ Win a signed set of the complete Captain No Beard Series!

Posted: November 29, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
Tags: , , , ,
25

Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

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

Today I’m sharing my reviews for the last two books in the Captain No Beard series by Carole P. Roman.

Be sure to check out the interview.

And there’s a giveaway for a chance to win signed print copies of the complete 10 book set of the Captain No Beard Series! So don’t forget to enter.

~~~~~

Enjoy my interview with Author Carole P. Roman

Of all the themes you could have chosen for your series, why pirates?

I love pirates. I used watch swashbucklers with my mom and was surprised how easily the story came to me. I have always been attracted to sailing ships and seaports. I’m a big Mystic Seaport fan. Just seemed there was a lot of things I could do on the high seas!

I adore the zany crew of the Flying Dragon and especially enjoy meeting each new character. Where did the idea for each of them come from?

Each of the human characters are based on my grandkids. I was surprised at how well Bonnie Lemaire captured their personalities. Alexander was just over two when we started, Hallie a few months old. Then when Cayla and Zach came along, I added them to the story. The stuffed animals in the story have some traits of various members of my family. I’m not telling who- but they’ll recognize themselves, I’m sure.

Could you share with us about the delightful illustrations in your books?

Createspace had four or five illustrator and I chose Bonnie because she had the whimsy I was looking for. We’ve never met, or spoken on the phone and all our notes were done through emails in the beginning. I think she is a genius. She took my descriptions and really captures the fun of the book.

Each of the adventures in your series teaches a valuable lesson. Did the ideas for the stories come first or the lessons?

The first book was simply a reflection of playtime with the kids. It’s sort of how we used to make up a story as we played. The rest of the books evolved from a conversation with someone in my family, Snake Island started with the most beautiful sunrise. I may have written the first line, but the characters took over from there. They really do speak to me.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about writing your series?

I had a great time doing it. I love reading the books to kids and watching them enjoy the “drama” of the story. I think there is not enough adventure in kids books today.

Five fun short questions.

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

Sweet or salty snacks? Both!!

Hot or cold beverages? Hot- coffee.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Probably a dog. A really cute one.

Early riser or repeatedly hit the snooze? Oh, crack of dawn for me. I hit the floor running and don’t stop until midnight.

Thanks for the thoughtful and fun questions!!!

And thank you, Carole, for this wonderful interview.

~~~~~

A Flag For The Flying Dragon

A Captain No Beard Story #9

by Carole P. Roman

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

 My Review

Oh boy. There’s a new crew member aboard the Flying Dragon and Mongo the monkey isn’t happy about it one bit. Zachary is too young to do most jobs and a whole lot of trouble to look after. When Captain No Beard decides the ship needs a flag, maybe Zachary has an idea for that? And Maybe he’s found his place on the ship.

I love this problem solving gang of pirates. And how Carole introduces the lesson to be learned and the solution to the problem is always a fun, delightful adventure.

It’s never too late to join the crew. Welcome aboard, Matey.

5  Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

It’s business as usual on the Flying Dragon. Their mission is to find a flag for the ship. Captain No Beard sighs, “Being a captain is hard work,” as he watches the busy crew preparing the vessel for their next adventure. Polly is giving out pretzels; Linus is polishing a lamp. Matie is cracking coconuts, Cayla is stuffing holes, and Hallie is swabbing the deck. High overhead, trouble is brewing, and it is not the weather. Mongo does not want any help from the newest crew member, and it is creating a hurricane of a mess on board. The team must come together and find a task that will fit Zachary without interfering with their own fun. On the way, they acquire a flag that will unite them as both friends and crew. Join the problem-solving crew of the Flying Dragon as they find a flag for their ship and a job for Zach.

Amazon

~~~~~

Being A Captain Is Hard Work

A Captain No Beard Story #10

by Carole P. Roman

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

 My Review

The last book in the series and it’s another fun adventure.

As the title says, being a captain is hard work. Capatin No Beard says this in all of his books. What he doesn’t realize and learns from his crew is that he makes it harder on himself.  Sometimes, listening to others and not always insisting his way is the only right way means smooth sailing.

Once again I’m taken away by the vivid, exciting illustrations. Carole has some fun, lovable characters in her band of pirates and it’s always fun to see how they work together to solve problems and help each other. How Captain No Beard learns to listen to others and comes to understand that being stubborn has consequences for his crew too is cleverly blended into another exciting adventure on the high seas.

I’ve loved all of the books in this series and can’t recommend them enough. They will make reading time such fun for parents, teachers, and kids and the life lessons are invaluable.

5  Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won’t listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What’s a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew’s with his single-minded determination to go where he wants?

Amazon

~~~~~

Author Carole P. Roman

Carole P. Roman

Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born.”Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life” has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. “Pepper Parrot’s Problem with Patience” Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca’s Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series. This year, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis was named to Kirkus Best 2015. The entire cultural non-fiction series If You Were Me and Lived in… was named Best Series by Shelf Unbound. She has begun work on two new series that will be released in early 2016.
Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.
Her nonfiction series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…” combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico” has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca’s Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in…Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and Lived in …France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in…France for best in children’s non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year. There are now 22 books in the series and include a trip to Mars in 2054.
Carole was recently featured in a two part article on Forbes.com where her book, Navigating Indieworld was discussed along with her self-publishing success.
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Goodreads / Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon

~~~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Carole has a wonderful giveaway! One person will win signed print copies of the complete Captain No Beard series!

US Only.

I like to keep the giveaways easy so all you need to do is leave your email address so I can contact you and leave your answer to this question in the comment section:

What’s the first book you remember reading?

Giveaway ends December 6th.

~~~~~

And here are my reviews for the other books in the series. Just click on the covers to read my reviews.

   

   

 

~~~~~

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

The Golden Series by Kathryn Celeste ~ Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted: November 29, 2017 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
Tags: , , ,
2
 .
Unicorn Gold
The Golden Series Book 1
by Kathryn Celeste
Genre: Paranormal Romance
 
Rourke is a unicorn shape shifter and a virgin. Sent back from Alter Earth
to rescue the paranormal beings who were left behind when magic left
this world he is forced to confront the fact that unicorns seem to
have vanished from the world.
Kaitlyn is a veterinarian with healing abilities. Unaware of the origin of
her gifts she tries to live life under the radar.

Then she meets Rourke. For the first time in her life sparks fly. But
Rourke has his own secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten to turn
Kaitlyns world upside down.
Hunted by those who fear their gifts will Rourke and Kaitlyn be able to
overcome everything trying to tear them apart? Or in the end will the
hunters steal the choice from them?
 
 
 
 
Dragon Gold
The Golden Series Book 2
 
A year ago David met his mate. It should have been the happiest day of
his life. Instead, it was the worst. Emma ran from him. Only his
ability to touch her mind keeps him sane but how long will that be
enough?
Hunted and alone Emma hasn’t stopped running since she left Haven. David’s
presence in her mind brings her comfort in the hardest times. When
she returns to Haven will Emma be able to face David in person or
will fear keep them apart?
With hunters after David and Emma’s ex stalking her is there any way
this mating stands a chance?
 
 
 
Kathryn Celeste has been a programmer, a security specialist, a bookseller, a
reviewer and a secretary. Through it all she has written. Pushed hard
by a relentless muse to give life to a world unseen by others.
She lives in Queensland Australia with her husband, three sons, dog, cat,
ducks and chickens where she continues to write about the paranormal
folks that poke around in her head.
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

The After Series by Traci L. Slatton ~ Book Tour and Giveaway

Posted: November 28, 2017 in Dystopian, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , , , ,
11
 ,
Fallen
The After Series Book 1
by Traci L. Slatton
Genre: Dystopian Romance
 
As chaos descends on a crippled Earth, survivors are tormented by
strange psychic gifts. In this time of apocalyptic despair, love is
put to the test. One woman with mysterious healing power guides seven
children to safety. Charismatic Arthur offers her a haven. Slowly
Emma falls for him. But at the moment of their sweetest love, his
devastating secret is revealed, and they are lost to each other.
 
 
Cold Light
The After Series Book 2
 
The end of the world brings chaos, madness, and psychic powers. For Emma
and Arthur, separated by an ocean, it brings a love that demands
everything. Emma’s beloved daughter is kidnapped by vengeful raiders,
and Emma embarks on a soul-crushing journey to rescue her. When
Arthur finds Emma, can she trust him? Against impossible odds, Emma
draws near the rogue camp, where she also confronts the deepest
choice of her heart….
 
 
Far Shore
The After Series Book 3
 
An old enemy wreaks new havoc at the end of the world…
After the mists’ lethal apocalypse, mankind’s only hope for survival
lies broken and battered, the prisoner of a ruthless sociopath who
will stop at nothing to hurt him. Emma sets out to rescue him. She
faces an ultimatum and must relinquish everything she holds dear. As
Arthur teeters on the brink of life and death, Emma’s healing
ability fails. Her own despair tests her, and she must grow stronger
than she ever dreamt possible as she confronts the truth of her own
heart.
In a time of apocalyptic despair, love is put to the test…

A mystical odyssey, a haunting love…
 
 
Blood Sky
The After Series Book 4
 
In a time of apocalyptic despair, love is put to the test… Deep in the
badlands of Outpost City, in the Dark Horse saloon, a poker game is
being played. The stakes are life and death—for the world. What can
Emma afford to lose? Will she gamble on herself, or on Arthur? Will
love find a way when the apocalypse closes in? A mystical odyssey, a
haunting love….
 

 

 
Traci L. Slatton is the international bestselling author of historical,
paranormal, and romantic novels, including IMMORTAL (BantamDell) and
BROKEN; the award-winning dystopian After Series which includes
FALLEN, COLD LIGHT, FAR SHORE and BLOOD SKY; the bittersweet romantic
comedy THE LOVE OF MY (OTHER) LIFE; and the vampire art history romp
THE BOTTICELLI AFFAIR. She has also published the lyrical poetry
collection DANCING IN THE TABERNACLE and THE ART OF LIFE, a
photo-essay about figurative sculpture through the ages. Her book
PIERCING TIME & SPACE explores the meeting ground of science and
spirituality. Her latest novel THE YEAR OF LOVING follows an art
gallerist through a steamy love triangle and a challenging year of
love and travail. This story seeks to answer the question, What
sustains you when all else falls apart?
 
 
Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive 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

Teaser Tuesday #226 ~ Ring In The Year With Murder

Posted: November 28, 2017 in Cozy Mystery, Teaser Tuesdays
Tags: , , ,
18

Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by Ambrosia  @ The Purple Booker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser for this week is from

Ring In The Year With Murder

by Auralee Wallace

33574272

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Cozy Mystery

 My teaser from page 50 in the paperback.

 “What do you mean where’s Stanley?”

I looked down at the empty floor.

Uh-oh.

“Erica, where is my dog?”

Oh boy. Losing someone’s dog is a major no-no!

~~~~~

Read on if you want to know more.

Synopsis

It’s been a tough year for Erica Bloom. And with hours left on the clock and a killer crashing the party, it’s not over yet…

This New Year’s Eve, Erica’s resolution is to have a great night―even if it kills her. She is, after all, at the party to end all parties: a Great Gatsby–themed gala sure to be the talk of Otter Lake, New Hampshire. With her perfectly finger-waved hair, borrowed pearls, and scarlet flapper dress, Erica is determined to be unflappable, despite the presence of her ex, Sheriff Grady Forrester, and his hot date, a bubbly blonde who has a hard time holding her drink. Literally. . .

In a plot twist as bizarre as a game of Clue, Grady’s girlfriend almost drops dead after her drink is poisoned. Who put the killer ingredient in her appletini? Suddenly the tables have turned and the sheriff has become the prime suspect. Now Erica has until midnight to clear the man she still loves―and in so doing just maybe win him back. That’s if the killer doesn’t pop the cork again… and turn a New Year’s smooch into a kiss of death…

Amazon

~~~~~

How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

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

Older Entries
Newer Entries