The Spotlight Is On Covalence By Andie L. Smith

Posted: April 25, 2025 in Dystopian, YA
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Welcome to the tour for Covalence, the first book in a new YA Dystopian series by Andie L. Smith! Fans of Divergent, The Giver, and The Uglies will love this one!

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Covalence (The Bonded Series #1)

Publication Date: October 2024

Genre YA Dystopian

  • Enemies to lovers
  • Forced proximity
  • Forbidden romance
  • He fell first
  • Ensemble cast
  • Girls in STEM
  • Strong FMC

​Seventeen-year-old Mineral Vyotto always planned on running away from the City and its annual Covalence Ceremony-a tradition forcing her to Bond with another of her Kind. In a hidden cavern outside the City gates, she starts collecting parts and Building a plane so she can bolt before the Ceremony takes place.

But when Covalence is moved up and she’s almost caught by the Officials, Mineral finds herself and her fate at the hands of Amory Thames-an arrogant, opinionated Orderly with powerful parents who could ruin her chance at freedom. With only four weeks to escape the City before the Ceremony, Mineral and Amory must work together to find a way out-even if it means keeping Society’s biggest secret to themselves and putting the lives of everyone they love at risk.

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON & OTHER FINE RETAILERS

BOOK TOUR ORGANIZED BY:

R&R BOOK TOURS

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

My Big Fat Beach Wedding By Melanie Summers ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 25, 2025 in comedy, Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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My Big Fat Beach Wedding

by Melanie Summers

 

Publication date: April 24th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

The plan was simple: fake the wedding, save her career. Then she met the best man.

Vivian Whitlock’s social media empire is about to crumble. She’s closing in on thirty, and her fans are moving on to their ‘weddings and babies’ era. About to be dropped by her management team, she pretends she and her secret boyfriend are ready to take the plunge.

There’s just one problem: he doesn’t exist.

Enter Dominic James, a charismatic actor working at the idyllic Paradise Bay Resort. He’s got Broadway dreams and the perfect cover story. The two strike a deal—he’ll play her doting fiancé, and she’ll launch him into New York stardom.

But Vivian’s picture-perfect plan takes an unexpected turn when she moves into the beachside bungalow Dominic shares with his brother, Ben—an intense, fiercely-devoted single dad with no time for romance.

Surrounded by swaying palms, ocean breezes, and a precocious five-year-old who steals her heart, Vivian starts to wonder if she’s been chasing the wrong dream all along.

Is she about to lose everything she built—or finally find something that lasts?

My Big Fat Beach Wedding is a STAND-ALONE laugh-out-loud, banter-filled tale of two people who can’t fall in love but do anyway. It’s the perfect heartwarming, feel-good escape from the real world.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

Single Dad who would do anything for his young son

Opposites attract
Living in the Same House

World’s most adorable 5-year-old (with cute red glasses)

Loads of witty banter
A slow burn, plenty of steam, and a hint of spice

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Okay, so slight problem. Dominic left for work early for a pre-show meeting, and Josephine has gone to the other side of the island for a two-day solo hiking trip up a mountain (of course she did). I agreed to go for a sunset dip in the ocean with Henry and Ben this evening, which means we’re all frolicking around playfully in the water in our swimsuits, and Mr. Not-Dad-Bod is in a pair of black trunks that are leaving very little to my imagination. And I know I shouldn’t be looking. Like, I actually do know it, okay. No one has to tell me that it’s completely inappropriate to be ogling my future BIL. But at the same time, my eyes are drinking in the sight of him right now as he gets Henry set up on a surfboard laying on his stomach and sends him back toward the shore. Ben’s arms and chest flex as he pushes the board, and I can’t seem to look away. Also, he’s laughing and smiling, and dear God, but he’s got the best smile I think I’ve ever seen. Better than Giancarlo by about ten million percent. I’m in the water up to my ankles so I can catch Henry if needed, but honestly, he doesn’t need my help. The kid is a total pro, and I’m pretty sure he’s been riding a surfboard since he could walk.

Other than us and the odd seagull, the beach is empty. The waves roll gently in toward the shore in white foamy swirls that disappear into the sand. Behind Ben, the sun is about to dip down to reach the horizon, and the only sound competing with the lapping water is that of Henry’s irresistible little giggle. He reaches the shore and I put my foot out to hold the board steady while he gets off, his life jacket clearly making the task a little more difficult. He adjusts his prescription goggles, then grins up at me. “Come on, Auntie Viv, you’ve got to try it!”

“Oh, no, you keep going. You’re having so much fun,” I tell him, picking up the board and holding it under my arm like the real surfers do.

“I get to do this every day. I want you to try it,” he says, taking my hand while we wade back out to Ben against the gentle surf.

Ben grins at me and lifts Henry up onto his hip. “Yeah, why don’t you give it a try? I bet you’ll love it.”

“Do it! Do it!” Henry chants.

Blushing a little, I say, “All right, but I’m not exactly sporty, so try not to laugh.”

Ben takes the surfboard from me with his free hand, his fingers touching mine as he does, sending a thrill right through me to my toes. “I’m sure you’ll be fine. You’ve laid on your stomach before, yes?”

“Yes.”

“Then you can do this.” He holds the board in place for me while I climb on, trying my very best not to think about the fact that he’s so close to my bikini-clad bottom right now. God, I hope she looks good like this. Be perky, bottom.

No, don’t worry about that, silly beans! He’s not looking. He’s a gentleman.

I grip the board with both hands and hold on.

“You ready?” he asks in his deep voice.

“Yup,” I squeak out, even though there’s nothing scary about what I’m about to do.

“Away you go!” he says, pushing the board toward shore.

I squeal and hold on, feeling like a kid again as I zip toward the beach. When I get there, I quickly stand, then turn to Henry and Ben, who are cheering mightily as if I’ve just done something spectacular. I give them a deep bow.

“Again! Again!” Henry says as I walk back to them.

(Okay, so I’m not walking like I normally do. I may or may not be striding toward them with a little extra hitch in my hips and my shoulders back a wee bit more than normal. Bad Vivian. Bad. And yet, still doing it.)

“You know who hasn’t had a turn?” I ask Henry.

“My dad?”

“Yup! Your poor dad, right? I bet he wants a turn.” I give Ben a smile and I have to say, I don’t hate the look on his face right now. All that hip swaying might not have gone unnoticed.

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About Author Melanie Summers:

Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.

Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.

In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally – then she’ll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for ‘K’ Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn’t require makeup and/or nylons).

Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she’s not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken ‘from above’. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something–more like just staying until they turn the lights off.

She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

I Can’t Get No Satisfaction By Teresa Trent ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways, Historical, reviews
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I Can't Get No Satisfaction by Teresa Trent Banner

I CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION
by Teresa Trent
April 7 – May 2, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
The Swinging Sixties Mystery Series

 

After finding herself in the middle of murder investigation in her last two secretarial jobs, Dot finds the only place that will hire her is her local funeral home.

Why not? At least there all the clients are safe from what the town calls her murderous “Curse of Camden”. It is 1965 and Dot is planning her wedding with a Twiggy like mini-bridal gown, but secretly she’s not so sure it’s a good idea. If she really is cursed, what might happen to the one she loves? Is she willing to put him in danger? She and Ben put wedding planning on the back burner when one of the town’s teenage girls gets hit by a drunk boater who gets away. The closer they get to the answers, the more Dot feels the curse is coming for Ben.

Book Details:

Genre: Cozy Historical Mystery

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: February 2025 Number of Pages: 215 ISBN: 978-1-68512-870-8 Series: The Swinging Sixties Mystery Series, Book 4 | Each is a Stand Alone Novel

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

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MY REVIEW

I’ve never been one to shy away from jumping into a series without having read some of the previous books. Especially if I’ve enjoyed other books from an author. Teresa Trent is one of those authors.  She writes fun cozies with characters that are so genuine I feel like I recognize them. So, being the fourth in the series, I had no hesitation on taking that leap.

This is a Swinging Sixties Mystery series. I was just a young lass in the sixties and lots of memories came flooding back. Teresa put me in the era. I remembered metal cups that had that metallic taste when you drank water from them. The big hair-dos, the bold colored clothes, and don’t get me started on the music.

Dot was a woman after my own heart. She had a mind of her own but had lots of thoughts in her head. She really did think things through. Especially since she’s earned the moniker, ‘the Curse of Camden.’ She seems to attract dead bodies through no fault of her own. Figuring if you can’t beat em, join em, she becomes something of a detective.

Starting her new job at a funeral home, the curse rears it’s ugly head. Lo and behold, another dead body. Time to put on the sleuthing hat, and this time Dot’s not going it alone. Her fiancee is right in the thick of things and this puts both of them in the killer’s crosshairs. Cross your fingers that they make it to the altar alive.

4 STARS

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Enjoy this peek inside:

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After leaving Oliver, I decided to speak to the marina owner one more time to try to figure out who took the boat used in Henry’s murder. Grabbing a sandwich at my apartment, I called Ben to see if he would like to go along with me. He was covering court this week for a reporter on vacation, so I was lucky to catch him at his desk.

“Yes, I’d love to go with you, and as luck would have it, the judge rescheduled the court case.”

Even though some people might think a reporter’s life is glamorous and full of intrigue, Ben was covering a case of stolen pigs for The Camden Courier. Shorty Wyckoff, a pig farmer, claimed Bill Wheeler, another pig farmer, snuck up in the cloak of darkness and loaded up an 1100-pound sow into the back of a pickup truck. What made her so valuable was her nickname, Fertile Myrtle. It was reported that she could get pregnant with only one try, and the results were dozens of little piggies. The newspaper had dubbed the case “Makin’ Bacon Caper.” It was a popular series of articles, considering it was one step up from the farm report and featured the sex lives of pigs.

“I’ll pick you up, but I have to warn you, ol’ Bernice isn’t doing too well. I think she’s on her last breath.” “Ol’ Bernice, a 1955 Oldsmobile, had several dents, bald tires, and a constant wheezing coming out from under the rusty brown hood. “Should we take my car?” “Nice of you to offer, but I want to take Bernice today. I have plans for her.” Besides setting her on fire or pushing her off the nearest cliff, I wasn’t sure what he had in mind. I knew Ben had arrived when I heard the familiar wheezing and sputtering of Bernice in my driveway. Ben and I returned to the marina, but this time the marina owner was nowhere to be found. The marina office and residence stood atop a small hill overlooking the glistening waters of the bay. Selma, the guard dog Shep had praised, did not bark or even growl, but playfully nudged her snout against my hand, her tail wagging vigorously in excitement. We knocked on the glass panes of the marina office, and after not getting an answer, I clasped my hands around my eyes and, leaning on the glass, looked inside. As I drew closer, I could hear the low rumble of jazz, heavy on the bass. It created a melodic backdrop with the gentle lapping of the waves. “I think he must be farther back in the house. I hear a stereo.” Ben put his ear to the glass and then turned around to face the parking lot. “Hmmm. How many cars do you see parked here?” I turned back and scanned the parking area. “Three.” “Right. Ours, his, and whose is that?” He pointed at a wood-paneled station wagon. It was the kind of car a family with children would use. “I don’t know. I didn’t see anyone else around here. Maybe someone has taken their boat out.” “Maybe, but when we were here last, there were twelve boats in twelve boat slips. Today I only see eleven. Considering Bubba Jenkins’s boat – was just impounded for a murder investigation. I would say all the remaining boats are here.” “Which means whoever is driving that station wagon is inside, listening to jazz with Shep. Let’s try knocking at the backdoor,” I said. We made our way around, and as we did, the sound of the music grew louder, along with a few other sounds. Ben smiled and blushed a little as we heard rhythmic moans coming from an open window. “They must be big music lovers.” I giggled. “Regular jazz nuts.” There was no doubt about what they were doing, and from the sounds of it, things were going quite well. Ben raised his hand to knock, but then stopped. “Not the best time.” “Yeah. Maybe we can figure this out on our own. I don’t think I could erase a memory of hot and sweaty Shep, but I am curious about who he has in there with him.” “Let’s go look at the boats.” We walked around the house to the parking lot. Selma followed along, her tail still wagging. As the jazz and the sound of other things faded in my ears, I asked Ben, “What exactly are we looking for?” “I’m not sure, just something out of the ordinary. Maybe Henry’s killer left something important on the dock.” “You mean like his I. D.? That would make things easier. Do you know a lot about boats? We didn’t do much boating at our house, although I have been waterskiing with friends.” “A little.” He shrugged. “Not much. We need to concentrate, and hearing about you in a bathing suit is not making my thoughts flow.” I giggled. “Billie Holiday will do that to a person.” We walked on the wooden pier as the surrounding water was still. There was little call to take a boat out on a weekday. The boats were in a variety of sizes, but most were small speedboats, with a pontoon moored at the end. Inside a few boats, there were remnants of beer bottles and sandwich wrappers. “Not very tidy, these boat people, and from the looks of the empty beer bottles, there are several drunk drivers out on the lake at the same time. No wonder Betty Weaver got hit,” I said, walking to the end of the pier. The pontoon was covered with a canvas drape. Looking underneath, the insides were as neat as a pin. “Look at this,” Ben said, crouched down by the tip of a small speedboat. “It looks like they’ve sustained some damage here.” On the side of the boat, a scrape had cut through the sleek paint, making a line through the boat name, Lucky Me. Not as lucky as the boat owner might have thought. “So, somebody isn’t very good at putting the boat back into the dock. I hardly think that has anything to do with boat thefts.” Ben nodded. “You’re probably right, but we know there has been a boat thief out here. What’s to say this person only used one boat?” “You mean like a serial boat thief?” Could a person get away with stealing different boats periodically from the marina? Was starting one boat as easy as starting another? “Think about it,” Ben said. “Just how many days a week are Romeo and Juliet in there playing Billie Holiday on the stereo?” The boat dock was at least fifty yards from the combined house and office. Someone could be out here starting a boat, and if the marina owner was busy, he would hear nothing. “He wouldn’t hear it, and Selma, the guard dog, gets put outside on occasions, so happy for a visitor, she doesn’t even bark.” Ben snapped his fingers. “Bubba Jenkins is Al’s friend, right? We need to talk to him. He might be sitting on information.” “You know, Al has mentioned him, but I’m not sure what he does.” “Then we’ll have to ask him.” As we turned to head back to Ben’s car, the sound of a screen door opening peeled through the air. Shep, his cheeks rosy and his shirt half on, edged around from the back of the house and immediately spotted Ben’s car. His gaze shifted to the dock. “Can I help you, folks? How long have you been standing out here?” I walked forward. “We tried knocking, but there was no answer.” “Yes, you must have been busy,” Ben said. Shep lifted his chin slightly. “Working on the books. Guess I got involved. Numbers are not my thing.” We knew just what his thing was. Ben walked forward and extended his hand. “Ben Dalton, Camden Courier.” Shep reached out with a measured amount of enthusiasm. “I remember you. What can I do for you this time?” “We were wondering if you could provide a list of the boat owners here at the marina. I would also like to get in touch with Bubba Jenkins. Ben said this with such efficiency. Shep let go of his hand and stepped back. “Why would I do that?” Ben swept his hand back toward the boats. “In the interest of the investigation. Two deaths on the water don’t exactly put the security of your marina in a good light.” Shep raised a single finger in the air and shook it at Ben’s face. “Lookie here, son. If I hand over a list like that, it will be to the police, and only the police will get it. Hear me? You and your lady friend need to quit nosin’ around here. If I see you again, I’ll call the cops on you for trespassing. Get me?” “This is public property. There’s not much you can do.” “Watch me.” “You seemed more than willing to let people nose around and steal other people’s boats. I think you’re a little late with your righteous indignation,” I said. “Yeah, well, a tiger can change its spots. I don’t need a lot of folks here getting into my business.” He glanced up at the house. “Talking to you has been a mistake, and now I’m fixing it. Out with you.” As we made our way to the car, Ben turned and spoke. “We’re leaving, but remember, if you ever want to talk…” “Out!” *** Excerpt from I Can’t Get No Satisfaction by Teresa Trent. Copyright 2025 by Teresa Trent. Reproduced with permission from Teresa Trent. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Teresa Trent:

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Teresa Trent

Teresa Trent started out teaching English in Colorado, but life and children intervened, and with all that new spare time, she began writing. Besides The Swinging Sixties Series, Teresa has penned the Pecan Bayou, Piney Woods and Henry Park Mystery Series and always has a little idea in the back of her mind for the next one. She is also the author of several short stories and is teaching writing at her local library encouraging new writers. Teresa lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and son. Her podcast, Books to the Ceiling, features authors with new mysteries on the market.

Catch Up With Teresa Trent:

TeresaTrent.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @TeresaTrent Instagram – @teresatrent_cozymys Threads – @teresatrent_cozymys X – @ttrent_cozymys Facebook – @teresatrentmysterywriter

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

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

 

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Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Last Door, Ajar By Michael Holly Barrett ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Historical
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Last Door, Ajar organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Michael Holly Barrett will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

The Last Door, Ajar

By Michael Holly Barrett

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Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

It is 1945. The infamous Max Smartz, superspy; Eva Braun, wife of Adolf Hitler; Joseph Goebbels, propaganda minister; and Otto Klugg, intelligence officer, do not die at the end of World War II, but trick the guards in the Fuhrerbunker tunnels, allowing them to make their escape. Their escape plan is to reach war-neutral Southern Ireland, where Maxwell Smartz has an established base and is familiar with rural south Kerry and its people. They evade capture and eventually reach France. Here, they meet with a good friend and colleague, an undercover agent called Maurice Le Blanc, who asks them to assist him in retrieving some stolen gold bars.

After finding the fortune, the friends attempt to retrieve it in an old Dutch van but are continually thwarted and risk losing everything. To complicate matters, they learn that Max’s brother, Victor, has been incarcerated in the notorious Spandau prison and is being tried for Nazi war crimes. They hatch a plot to save him, but is it worth the danger of going back to Berlin and being caught?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Just the week before, her own death rehearsal, the one she secretly vowed not to carry out. There will be no stage debut for this actress, she kept telling herself. Hitler returned to their sitting room in a fit of giggling uncontrollably, dribbling at the same time; she hadn’t seen him like that in a very, very long time. “What, pray tell, is the matter with you?” she wanted to know, and he tried to tell her between fits of coughing and laughing; the more he recalled the more he laughed at his own recollection of what just happened. “Sit down,” he ordered her. “That Goebbels, he is a dummy and a genius at the same time. Both in equal parts. I told him what I was about to do, using my own German Shepherd dog, Blondi.” Blondi was given to him by Martin Bormann in 1941, as a gift. “Joseph knows I loved Blondi, I told him I was testing the efficiency of the cyanide tablets given to me by Doctor Shultz. He understood, as I thought, because he turned to me and said, ‘I’ll take care of it for you, as I know of your fondness for Blondi. OK, Mein Fuhrer, just go, leave it to me’. I thanked him, I went for a walk upstairs to the Reich Chancellery, and sat down and took in some fresh air. It must have taken at least a half hour before I decided to return downstairs again, and who came charging out of the guest room — only Blondi jumping all over me, so glad to see me. Then Joseph must have heard the commotion and he came bounding out too, all smiling and happy with himself.

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About Author Michael Holly Barrett:

My humble beginnings in a terrace house with an outdoor toilet and indoor rats. The drinking water was got from a public pump in the street. We were all sailing in the Titanic,Third Class, but we were not aware of anything better. We had so much fun, swimming in the river. As kids we had wonderful imaginations.The only luxuries we ever saw were in the Cinema, usually American films, people smoking and drinking alcohol.

Everyone in the town of County Cork, Ireland seemed to be in the same boat; we made the best of it until the swinging sixties came along and changed everything. In spite of our poverty, I managed to get a College education. But opportunities were as scarce as rich Uncles. The Christian Brothers were brutal, and handy with the cane, in National School. I was lucky like many fellows my own age to get an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic. Soon developed a taste for Alcohol, and got into trouble pretty soon, was lucky again to find A.A. and get my act together in 1978.

My hero died in 1977, Elvis Presley, the music stopped, the sixties was over, the Beatles were broken up, CCR, too. So getting sober was the best thing to do, under the miserable circumstances. I got a job as a Pipe Welder with ASME 1X certificate and began working around Europe, finally settling in warm Spain, Barcelona and met a Catalunya woman. Started writing for the first time, mostly comedies, Peter Sellers style, another hero of mine.

This is my second published book, I also self published earlier works Like ,’Gorilla Days in Ireland’ by Michael Barrett, on Amazon. The Frankie Stein Enigma, and others, I paint oil and acrylic pictures, write mountains of poetry, sing and play the guitar.

‘ I do just about everything, that doesn’t make any money for me.’ But love doing what I do, writing poetry is mind stimulating, energising.

My favourite actors are William Holden, Warren Oates, Gregory Peck, and favourite detective the great Peter Falk in Columbo, a genius and Clouseau, Peter Sellers, and Peter Ustinov.

Facebook / LinkedIn / Amazon / Amazon CA / Booktopia / Abe Books / Betterworld Books

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Harrowing Adventures Of New Eden By Dell Vans ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 24, 2025 in Excerpt, Fantasy, giveaways, middle grade
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I am so excited that THE HARROWING
ADVENTURES OF NEW EDEN by Dell Vans is available now and that I get to share
the news!

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If you haven’t yet heard about this
wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.

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This blitz also includes a giveaway
for a $10 Amazon Gift Card courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours and a finished
copy of the book. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info
below.

 

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THE HARROWING ADVENTURES OF NEW EDEN

by Dell Vans

 

 

Pub. Date: April 22, 2025

Publisher: Phoenix Moirai

Formats: Hardcover, eBook

Pages: 360

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Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/u/3JwpBQ

Buy direct from the publisher! 

 

Judy is a quiet young girl who tries
to avoid her father’s frequent outbursts. After a particularly abusive episode,
her brother Josh reveals a secret: he’s been communicating with their older
brother, Danny, through a special rock outside their neighbor’s home. Danny also
sent Josh a map to a location in the woods outside their home, which he is
gung-ho at finding. But the woods are supposed to be off-limits! What should
Judy do? Eager to see their brother again, Judy reluctantly agrees to follow
Josh to the location, if only as an escape from their home. Upon leaving the
next morning, their father chases after them. When they arrive at the location,
Danny is nowhere to be found. Instead, they find a hole. To escape their father
once and for all, they jump into the hole, only to realize it’s actually a
portal to Eden. Yes, that Eden! 

Luckily, Josh and Judy run into a
couple of elves named Robin and Joralf. Judy and Robin are excited to meet each
other, but Josh has his doubts. Meanwhile, Joralf feels the children’s sudden
appearance will have dire effects throughout the land. Evel threatens to enter
the land and cause an imbalance throughout the garden, which would lead to
Eden’s complete desctruction. Joralf encourages the children to return home
immediately, but Judy doesn’t want to go home. However, she doesn’t want to be what
kills all of Eden’s inhabitants—mermaids, jackalopes, kalavinkas, Nephilim, and
so much more—either. There’s a problem, though: Judy accidentally broke the
crystal that operates the portal! There’s only one other option; the group must
find the Archangel Uriel before Eden collapses. It’s going to take a lot of
determination and resolve to fight through roaring rivers, major lightning
storms, deception, killer birds, and mutinies to get there. 

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Can Josh and Judy find Uriel before
the building natural disasters tear Eden apart? Follow Judy through the portal
and find out!

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

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Meet the Protagonists by Dell Vans

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I was recently asked to share an excerpt
from The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden to introduce readers to the
characters Judy and Josh. It took me exactly 3 hot seconds to open the
manuscript, hold ctrl F on the keyboard, and type the words, “Don’t look at
her. She’s not gonna save you.” There was no doubt in my mind which scene would
give readers a glimpse into the world of Judy and Josh.

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The following is an exchange between Judy
and her father, Carl. He’s been told by Judy’s mother, Jenna that Judith has
been working overtime trying to make their family look bad, as if Jenna herself
hadn’t been doing a fine job of that all on her own. The altercation that
followed is the moment Judy and Josh decide to leave. This scene was the
catalyst that exploded into their harrowing adventure. Enjoy!

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His rage grew in response to Judy’s blank expression. “You
think you can make your mom look bad in front of that teacher?” he asked.

Ah, thought Judy. The bush-hiding incident. She
wondered what creative edits her mother had made when relaying the story to her
father this time.

“You hide in the bushes and scare your poor mother half to
death. Then you cry to your teacher that she forgot you? She’s been home the
past two days waiting on your poor, sick brother hand and foot, and you decide
to pull a stunt like that?”

Anger slammed into the back of Judy’s teeth again. She looked at
her mother once more, who sat smugly satisfied in her favorite chair.

“Don’t look at her. She’s not gonna save you,” growled
her father. 

Yeah, no kidding, thought Judy. “Dad, I didn’t…” Judy tried to
defend herself—or at least try to diffuse the situation. However, her efforts
were cut short by the sound of a beer can whizzing past her head. It exploded
against the wall behind her. The frothy contents splattered in Judy’s hair,
dripping down her neck and the side of her face. Her father clenched his fists
and took a stumbling step toward her. Judy stood frozen in shock. He’d never
done anything like this before. Yell, scream, cuss, punish, sure, but this…
never.

She flinched as Josh came whirling around the corner, jumping in
front of her and grabbing the first thing he saw that could be used as a
weapon: a pink polka-dotted umbrella sitting on the shelf by the front door.

Carl was startled at first, then tickled by the sight of his son
carrying a pink umbrella like a weapon. Then he noticed something he hadn’t
before. Thirteen-year-old Josh had gotten quite tall and had shed the look of a
child. He was becoming strong and formidable. Carl stared into his son’s eyes.
Josh didn’t appear the slightest bit afraid, though he almost certainly was.

“You two get out of my sight. You disgust me,” their
father said, finally breaking eye contact with his son. Josh stood his ground a
moment longer, reveling in this subtle shift of power.

Judy pulled on his arm. “Let’s go, Josh. Josh! Let’s get
out of here!”

“Yeah,” said Josh, his jaw remaining tightened. “Let’s get out
of here.”

************************************************************

 

About Author Dell Vans:

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Dell Vans is
an American author best known for her whimsically grounded approach to
storytelling. Her debut novel, The Harrowing Adventures of New Eden,
released in March of 2025, is her siren song to the dreamers and high school
zine poets of the world. While she continues work on the next harrowing
adventure, Dell resides with her husband and four children in Madera, a city in
central California known for its agriculture and everyday heroes. Dell credits
the teachers at Madera Unified School District for encouraging her passion for
writing and giving her a life-long love of learning.

Twitter (X) | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon

 

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1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card, courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

1 winner will receive a finished copy of THE HARROWING ADVENTURES OF NEW EDEN, US Only.

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Only In September By Cynthia Flowers ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 23, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, women's fiction
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Only In September organized by Goddess Fish Promotions to celebrate the release day of ONLY IN SEPTEMBER by Cynthia Flowers.

Author Cynthia Flowers will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

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When Jacqueline follows her trusty Labrador Bailey down a hidden path to the beach, she’s unaware that her vacation plans on a small island off the New England coast has already taken her life in a new direction. Running into an unassuming local beach comber stirs new thoughts, desires, and a self-determination she never knew she possessed. Jacqueline will need to trust her instincts and make the most of what fate has in store if she wants the future that, until now, she has only dared to dream of.

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Hours later, the sound of clanking wine bottles in Jacqueline’s beach bag announced her arrival. Michael turned to her with feigned surprise.

“Fancy meeting you here,” he teased.

She raised her beach bag. “Where should I put these ladies?”

“Under the deck next to the cooler should be fine,” he directed.

Everything seemed set up. A blanket laid with plates, flatware, wine glasses, and nearby a cooking fire pit.

“It looks like you’ve been here for a bit. Is our sumptuous gourmet meal in there?” She pointed to the soft-pack cooler tucked under the deck.

“Oh yes, our Michelin three-star gastronomic feast awaits!” he announced with a wink.

Little was spoken while they ate. Instead, they each emitted sounds of contentment with every other bite.

“Well, I can’t say that you outdid yourself because this is the first meal of yours that I’ve eaten. However, I can say that it outdoes anything I ever made for a picnic dinner.” She raised her empty glass of Sancerre.

He acknowledged the praise with a humble nod and reached to refill her glass.

She pulled her glass away before he could pour. “I think I’ve reached my limit. Even though it’s a small island and I know my way home, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Besides, where are the pooches?”

“Oh, they’re at the beach just below us.” He motioned as he helped Jacqueline up, so she could see.

“Wow, a full moon. Look, it’s lighting up the ocean all the way out to that small fishing boat.” She pointed. “I could sleep out here all night.”

“Funny you should mention it. I did bring two sleeping bags just in case. They’re stowed under the deck,” he said with a bashful grin.

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About  Author Cynthia Flowers:

Cynthia Flowers, a recently retired advertising professional, now grant writer, resides with her husband and four-year old Labrador named Eddie, at their “sanctuary” in Upstate New York, Although previously published, this is Cynthia’s first book of fiction. Early on in grade school, Cynthia looked forward to creative writing class and enjoyed reading her stories aloud to her eager classmates.

Amazon

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Risky Pursuit By Nancy G. West ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 23, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways, YA
Tags: , ,
1

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Risky Pursuit
by Nancy G. West


Risky Pursuit
Young Adult/Cozy Mystery
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fire & Ice Young Adult Books (March 25, 2025)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 330 pages
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8886533804
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F285GVPD

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High school senior Decker Savage, burdened by his baby brother’s death and dreading his parents’ impending divorce, sees his mother with a scruffy stranger and follows him to a dark house. He hears shouts upstairs, a man hits the floor, and the culprit escapes. Decker follows the victim’s ambulance. Through their mutual love of baseball, they become friends; but the elderly man can’t remember who attacked him, and Decker fears the assailant will return. His grades crater, his relationships go south, his baseball skills are erratic, and by entering the man’s house, he broke the law.

He suffers anonymous attacks and receives threatening notes. If he doesn’t forget the man and the house, he, his family, and his friend will be the next victims. Will Decker be able to uncover the culprit’s identify, solve the mystery, and stop the attacks?

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Decker Savage’s unstable world gets worse . . . .

 

Chapter One

Decker Savage entered the dimly-lit Broadway Café and made his way to the back. He settled in a worn booth, unable to tell where the depressive gray bubble around him ended and the dreary diner began. His family was disintegrating.

      His last high school semester started mid-January, but Christmas lights still hung from the muddy-orange ceiling. A waiter sauntered up.

      “Get you something?”

      Revive my baby brother? Make Dad move back home? Ease Mom’s stress? “A Coke, I guess. Thanks.” He pointed at the ceiling. “Celebrating?”

        “Manager left them up for the 2012 Super Bowl on February 5th.”

        Just before his nineteenth birthday. Whoopee. Frigid wind whistled outside through leftover holiday decorations. They’d probably stay up through February, too. The 1950s Schwinn bicycle hanging from the ceiling added rusty chrome to the dinge. Interesting touch. Lyrics from Katy Perry’s “Fireworks” blasted through corner speakers, “…like a plastic bag drifting through the wind. …” Trapped inside that bag, drifting, he lacked energy to punch his way out. “…one blow from caving in…”

            Empty tables squatted around, but anonymous men drank in somber booths planted at the side of the room under dim bulbs strung from the ceiling. A couple guys from school slouched in a booth. He had no desire to socialize and didn’t know them anyway. They weren’t baseball players. With their hoodies up, cell phones highlighting their shrouded faces, they resembled thirteenth-century monks. Nobody came here but kids and losers. He didn’t know why he came.

The front door creaked open periodically, the weak light inside barely enough to reorient patrons who came in from the suburban business corridor and melted into the dark, seeking solace. A man in the front booth nearest the door crouched in the corner of his booth, stringy hair lapping over his collar, his fedora stretched down over his forehead. Each time the door opened, the scruffy man cringed lower, pulled the hat over one eye and stared warily at the door. Who did he fear? The drug lord he owed money? A cop?

           A woman entered, her shadow backlit from outside. The man in the booth sat straighter. Decker squinted, wondering who she was. When a sliver of light crossed her face, his breath caught. It was his mother.

            Decker slid lower, chest tight, and followed her with his gaze as she made her way to the stranger’s booth. Wide-eyed, he watched her lower herself into the seat across from him. When her mouth curved into a hesitant smile, his jaw dropped. Why would she meet this disheveled man who didn’t bother to get up when she approached? They talked intently, the man curving toward her, his bulk blocking his mother’s face from Decker’s view. With Adele belting out “Someone Like You,” he couldn’t hear a word they said. Heads down, they concentrated on each other. He couldn’t stretch to catch more of her expression or she would see him. He thought she smiled once. She hadn’t done that in a long time. Why would she meet a strange man in this murky place? Was he the cause of their crumbling family? He sat frozen, unable to decide what to do.

             He could confront them but what would he say? Ask Mom why she was there? Storm up like her silly-ass protector and ask the guy point-blank who he was and what he was doing with his mother? Right. He hated confrontation. He always had. He despised his trait of hanging back. Dad got pissed off when he didn’t act. He’d never been adept at hand-to-hand combat; the guy might rear up and clock him.

            Breathing fast, his jaw tense, confusion and anger pulsed through him. He knew he was a factor in his parents’ probable divorce. If this character was involved, it was even worse. Could his mother be so fickle? So disloyal to his father to take up with this lowlife? His stomach knotted. He compared the man’s head and shoulders to Dad’s. The guy appeared solid, but not that great a specimen. He squinted daggers at the back of his stupid hat. She’s not your girlfriend, creepo. She’s Dad’s wife.

           What could she possibly have in common with this man? Did she think Dad was having an affair, and this guy was some PI she hired to track him? They were strategizing? His head started to ache. The scumbag shifted his weight in the booth like he was about to stand. Decker tensed. The snake might be about to leave.

           Before Decker could make a move, two girls bounced into the diner laughing—buddies of Ashley, the girl he liked and had just gotten to know. If they spotted him, they’d give him away. It’d be hard to explain why he sat in a dingy diner spying on his mother. He had to get out of the booth before anybody recognized him. He slouched farther down, raised his arm to cover his face, and squirmed toward the edge of the seat. From the corner of his eye, he saw the stranger with his mom spring up and shoulder his way toward the front door. He caught surprise on Mom’s face. She pressed back against the cushion, looking perplexed. Her lips thinned and quivered. Then her eyes filled and she banged her fist on the table. She slipped from the booth, stood straight, took a deep breath, and followed the man outside.

            Decker slid his feet outside the booth. As soon as his body cleared the table, he doubled over and headed for the back of the diner. The waiter hollered at him. “You all right?” Thank God he didn’t use Decker’s name. He pointed to his stomach and gestured with a circular hand motion. “Oh, yeah,” the man said. “Nothing worse. Bath room is back there. Hope you make it.”

            He crossed the room stretched across the back of the diner past the U-shaped booth with its plastic covered table. Covers of albums he used to like shone through scratched laminate. He swiveled between the table and a pool table and headed for the bathroom, trying not to draw attention. He spotted a third door on the back wall near the restrooms. If it was an exit he could get through, he could ease around the side of the building and catch the man before he took off in his car. What if his mom caught up to the guy? What if he grabbed her? His stomached roiled. It wouldn’t take much for him to throw up. He slipped into the bathroom, made a retching sound and struggled to quell his nausea. He flushed the toilet and ran water, the force clanging rusty pipes. He thought he made enough racket but should wait a few seconds before opening the door. What if one of the girls decided to use the adjacent bathroom? Hearing no footsteps, he cracked the door. Ashley’s friends perched in a booth toward the front of the diner, engrossed in conversation. He had to make a move. He inched toward the third door hoping it was an exit, leaned against it, and squeezed through.

     Moist frigid air attacked his lungs. The man had trekked from the front of the diner around the side of the building and plodded steadily uphill. He saw no sign of his mother.  If he raced across the vacant lot behind the diner toward the dense wall of trees marking the property line, moonlight shining off the diner roof would highlight him. He slipped off the back steps, crouched to the right and held his breath, hoping the overhang hid him in darkness.

            Between the church on the left and houses on the right, the man leaned up the hill with purposeful strides. Decker picked a moment he thought was safe, sprinted across the vacant lot, hid in a thicket of trees near the street, and watched the man tromp up the steep hill in freezing weather. Nobody walked in San Antonio’s slushy winters if they didn’t have to. Why would he try to escape on foot? Didn’t the creep drive a car? Did he ask Mom to meet him?  He obviously upset her. Was this creep going to meet her somewhere else?

     Could he be one of Mom’s clients? His type wasn’t usually interested in design or decoration. He didn’t bother to fix himself up. His heart beat wildly. Should he follow the burly man no matter what? Despising himself for vacillating, he took a deep breath and made a dash to the next thicket. He watched the stranger trudge farther up the dark street and forced his body to move after him.

~~~~~

About Nancy G. West

 

Nancy West is a recovering business major who discovered that creating stories is a lot more fun than accounting. Her novel of psychological suspense, Nine Days to Evil, won the Clue Award, and The Plunge, a mystery/suspense novella, was a June 2019 selection for ALA’s book club and is Book 1 of the spinoff series, Aggie Mundeen Lake Mysteries. Her Aggie Mundeen Rom-Com Mysteries included a Lefty Award Finalist, Chanticleer Awards, and a Raven Award from Uncaged Book Reviews. She loves writing stories about ordinary teens and adults thrown into dangerous, suspenseful situations…a literary thriller, like Risky Pursuit.

Author Links: Contact Nancy / Website / Facebook

Purchase Link – Amazon /

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

April 22 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

April 23 – FUONLYKNEW – EXCERPT

April 23 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST

April 24 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

April 25 – Frugal Freelancer – EXCERPT

April 26 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

April 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

April 28 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

April 29 – Boys’ Mom Reads!  – EXCERPT

April 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

May 1 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

May 2 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR GUEST POST

May 3 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Warrick By Liza Bee ~ Release Blitz And Giveaway

Posted: April 22, 2025 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
Tags: , ,
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Will she give him another chance, or will she reject her
mate for good?

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Warrick

Rocky Mountain Pack #2

by Liza Bee

Genre: Small-Town Paranormal Romance

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Will she give him
another chance, or will she reject her mate for good?

 

Aspen

Every chance that I give him, he only shows me that I’m the
fool. Fate might have paired us together, but only one of us wants a chance.
After coming home from college, I opened my very own bookstore, built a home,
and found Chase, the mountain lion shifter. It might be against the rules for
us to mate, but they never said we couldn’t be in a situationship.

 

Warrick

After watching Silas claim his mate and tackle the Ghost
River Pack dilemma, I decide there isn’t any reason that I shouldn’t claim what
Fate bestowed upon me. If only I hadn’t been an idiot before and ruined all my
chances. I’ll do anything I can to win my mate over, but first I have to get
Chase out of the way.

Rocky Mountain Pack is a cozy shifter romance with spice.
The series is full of cozy warm feelings and a meddling grandmother. Each book
features a new couple that are interconnected to the other books in the series.

** Only .99cents! **

Amazon * Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

 

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Silas

Rocky Mountain Pack #1

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She thought moving
to a small town would be easy until she met Silas.

 

Nova

I have lived my entire life in New York City, dreaming of
the day I could move to a small mountain town. A new job in Jasper, CO,
launched my new life, only to be met by Silas, the grumpiest person ever. He
won’t be able to prevent me from fulfilling my dream of living here. His hatred
fueled a fire in me, a defiant joy in proving him wrong.

 

Silas

The day the city girl moved to town, my life was ruined. Not
only is she new here, but she is my mate. The problem? She is human. I don’t
have time to deal with the upcoming mating heat when I have to worry about the
debt to the Ghost River Pack. Now, if I could only stop the meddling of Gail,
the matriarch of our pack, I would be golden.

 

Rocky Mountain Pack is a cozy shifter romance with spice.
The series is full of cozy warm feelings and a meddling grandmother. Each book
features a new couple and is interconnected to the other books in the series.

Amazon * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Liza Bee is a debuting paranormal author with a love for all
things that go bump in the night. Her obsession with monsters started as a
young child when she fell in love with the Beast.

When she became an adult and was introduced to Monster
Romance and all the spicy things that can come from that, she fell in love even
more with the genre. This inspired her to write her own stories and share her
love for these stories!

 

LinkTree * Facebook *Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Hall Of Shadows By Mariah Stillbrook ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 22, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, horror
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for Hall Of Shadows organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Mariah Stillbrook will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

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

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Hall Of Shadows

By Mariah Stillbrook

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Genre: Horror

Synopsis

In the quiet life of Tess Moreau lies a remarkable power-her touch revives ashes, defying nature’s laws. When she uncovers a mysterious book linked to her grandmother and a witch’s coven, her journey begins. Guided by a cursed deck of oracle cards, Tess delves into The Hall of Shadows, a realm crafted by her ancestors. With each dimension traversed, she uncovers her true lineage-a descendant of mythical beings. As Tess’s humanity wanes, her destiny beckons. At journey’s end, she faces a choice: preserve or destroy the hall. In a tale of magic and identity, Tess’s odyssey may end, but her legacy is just beginning-a testament to the power within us all.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The thing about being a smudge of darkness against a black backdrop is that no one ever sees you. That is until there’s smoke. I’ve always been a creature of the night. Not like a vamp—although that would be kind of badass. I wouldn’t ever want to be like the sparkly ones, but I wouldn’t have an aversion to the cult classic: razor sharp fangs with no morals kind. Like They Thirst or Salem’s Lot, but maybe with a little more humanity left inside the creatures. I could totally rock alongside The Lost Boys.

I’ve always clung to the shadows. It’s safe there. You know, like the night sky, or the stars. The twinkle of just that small bit of light breaking through this world. It knows me, unlike this place. This place is crawling with filters that no one else seems to notice—colored lenses that sharpen the edges of what most people, if given the chance, wouldn’t want to see. My Grandma Reanin used to say the same things. I guess that’s why I make so many people uncomfortable. I look for the details most people find cringy. Imagine if they knew the truth about me.

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About Author Mariah Stillbrook:

Mariah Stillbrook is the witchy author of In the Pines, Hall of Shadows, and The Lost Erwain. Originally from Iowa, she lives in Colorado with her white German shepherd, husband, and little girl. She spends most of her days writing, reading, and enjoying the occasional hike. In her late twenties she realized that her writing was missing something, magic. She now focuses her writing on urban fantasy and horror in both adult and young adult genres.

Social Media: Linktree / Instagram / Facebook / TikTok 

Threads / Bluesky / Twitter / Website

 

Buy On Amazon

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

A Dead Man Speaks By Lisa Jones Gentry ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 22, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, Paranormal or fantasy
Tags: , , ,
0

 

 

A Dead Man Speaks

by Lisa Jones Gentry

 

(The Clive January Mystery Series, #1)
Publication date: November 29th 2024
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Paranormal, Thriller

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Introducing the first in a new paranormal crime mystery series set in 1980s, New York City on Wall Street

Clive January is a driven, self-made Black man, a ruthless, wildly successful investment banker who had it all – until he is shot and killed from behind by an unknown assailant. As Clive lies in a pool of blood, his life slowly ebbing away, he hears voices, unearthly beings tormenting him, telling him that he will burn in hell, unless he finds out who killed him. Now before it’s too late, his ghost must solve the crime of his own murder and his only choice is to work with the white racist cop assigned to his case, Detective Bob Greene.

Their relationship begins in hate and distrust, but soon they each realize that they have more in common than they could ever believe. And in the wrenching ending, they discover the truth that frees them both.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Lisa will be at the LA Times Festival of Books on Saturday April 26th at 12 noon!

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Enjoy this peek inside:

I slipped into my car, the creamy leather seats enfolding me as I whizzed down the expressway…the smell of the ocean filled the car…an aphrodisiac, teasing my senses. I thought about her waiting for me…opening the door…And then I saw her face, the light green eyes clouded against her golden, taffy-colored skin, the thick mop of dark, curly hair framing her face. How often had I held her, how often had I seen her lips part in that same half-teasing, half-defiant smile…

“Hi…”

I grabbed her, wanting to make love to her before I told her. But she smiled playfully, pushing me away. “Look what I got.”

She pulled out a gram of icy, white coke, licking the edge of the paper hungrily. “To celebrate.” Would she still want to celebrate when I told her that I’m leaving, but not with her? All the years between us, but I still can’t do it; I still can’t surrender my soul to her. Would she understand this time, too?

“Here, Clive. It’s good…” A sucking noise. The dull light glinted against the pipe, trembling ever so slightly. She must really be fucked up.

“Almost as good as the first time…remember…”

That’s what she always said. Ssssssssssssss, a nice long one. My eyes shut tightly, letting the feeling curl over me like a woman’s touch, soft, seductive, and always so deadly.

“I’m gonna get some champagne.” She leaned down over me, kissing me slowly. I could taste the coke on her lips. Her hand rubbed my cheek. Tiny, soft hands.

My eyes followed her small body weaving out of the room, down the hallway, and into the kitchen. I closed my eyes again, going over every detail of my plan in my mind for the hundredth or maybe thousandth time; I’d lost track now. Every step sharpened by time and urgency. One more week, and I’d have the final payment and my freedom from a life that was no longer mine.

I was finally starting to relax; the blow was starting to kick in. It always took longer when I was tensed up, but now the tingly feeling was rushing through me. A sharp, searing pain was suddenly tearing through my back, ripping the breath out of me. I doubled over. It felt as if someone had taken a thousand knives and exploded them in me. And it was all a blur, except for blood everywhere: on my chest, covering my hands, the white carpet, and the room’s empty.

And I realize, I’d been fuckin’ shot…somebody’s…but now the room was spinning. I knew this was it. The dark curtains were enveloping me and then the light…like the light at home, soft…beckoning…taking me to the place I thought I’d forgotten. And then I smiled, I understood now, all the years, all the money…the lies, but you could never escape, it would always pull you back…

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About Author Lisa Jones Gentry:

People would consider Lisa Jones Gentry, the author of “Forbidden Love” a true renaissance woman, because the former entertainment attorney, became an artist, author, creative executive, and writer-producer for film, television and digital content…

Lisa discovered her passion for the creative side of the business while serving as broadcast counsel at CBS in New York City, where she was the lead attorney on deals ranging from multi-millions to billions, such as the Olympics and Major League Baseball deal. But her Hollywood calling changed from “behind-the-deal” to “behind-the-laptop”, and ultimately moved to LA to break into the business as a writer-producer. As luck would have it, the first film script that she and her writing partner wrote was optioned by Paramount.

For the next four years they had several screenplays and teleplays optioned and set up at networks and studios, including development deals. She then took that creative experience and brought it to her position as EVP of Development for the stalwart Western International Syndication, formerly a division of renowned Western International Media, once the largest media buying entity in the world. Charged with expanding the company’s traditional roster of syndicated programming into network and cable, she executive produced over 100 hours of television in various formats and genres, airing on broadcast and cable. She also structured a joint venture between French broadcasting giant TF-1, Stephen J. Cannell Productions and Western for the international distribution of a one hour dramatic series.

Though “behind-the-deal: again, she didn’t stop her work behind-the-laptop and during that time wrote her first novel, “A Dead Man Speaks.” It garnered her an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Debut Author, followed by a Literary Critics Award nomination for best general fiction. And her creative roll continued with a First Look Deal for Lisa and her writing partner at Sony Pictures under their Screen Gems banner.

With the cataclysmic changes in the “business,” like many other writers and producers, it wasn’t long before Lisa expanded her focus to digital media and due to her writing and executive experience was recruited to be the CEO of Comedy Express, a start-up broadband network targeting the young adult male demo. Ultimately, Comedy Express was acquired by the famed National Lampoon.

Following the acquisition of Comedy Express, Lisa not only managed to write another book – this time as a co-author of the nonfiction, “So You Want to be A Lawyer,” now in its second printing –she continued her expansion into digital media and technology and worked as Co-CEO of another early stage start-up company that launched two 24/7 television networks on cable, IPTV and satellite networks outside the US in Europe and Asia. Today, Lisa is a frequent speaker on technology and digital media, at the Tribeca Film Festival, the FCC start up conference and many other venues.

As if all that she’s done isn’t enough, Lisa is also an accomplished artist, and has been exhibiting and selling her work for several years. She has had worked featured in television series and TV Movies and buyers of her work have included on air talent, Arthel Neville and television Executive Producer, Samm Art Williams.

And while she loves exploring her artistic side, Lisa has no intention of slowing down her writing, as she continues to flex her creative muscle with several TV and film projects that she’s developing as well as her current book, “Forbidden Love,” the true love story of a white nun and a black priest in the segregated fifties as told by their son Joe Steele.

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