Posts Tagged ‘Adventure’

The Kate Preacher Thriller Series By Michael Maloof ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: April 27, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
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The Kate Preacher Thriller Series by Michael Maloof Banner

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THE KATE PREACHER THRILLER SERIES
by Michael Maloof
March 30 – June 5, 2026 Virtual Book Tour
RELENTLESS
Kate Preacher thought she had left the CIA—and that life—behind. She was wrong.

When a devastating terrorist attack rips through Paris, Kate is pulled back into a deadly game she never agreed to play. The attack makes international headlines. Someone wants the truth buried. And the closer Kate gets to it, the clearer one thing becomes: She is no longer just investigating the conspiracy. She is part of it. As powerful enemies close in, Kate becomes the target—hunted by forces that know how to erase anyone who asks the wrong questions. Every answer tightens the noose. Every move brings the cost closer to home. And stopping what’s coming may demand more than she can survive.

Relentless is a ripped-from-the-headlines thriller and the explosive first book in the Kate Preacher Thriller Series. Featuring a fiercely intelligent female lead, white-knuckle action, and emotional stakes that linger long after the final page.

If you like smart, fast-paced thrillers with heart, danger, and a heroine who refuses to break, this is your next late night.
Praise for RELENTLESS:

“I was on edge reading this book. I cried reading this book. I can’t get the characters out of my mind.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“What a Debut! As one who devours books in this genre, I am thrilled to say this one seems more like a bestseller by one of your favorite authors.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“Taut and energetic, Relentless lives up to its name in action and suspense. An engrossing first-rate thriller.” ~ DIRK CUSSLER, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

“Michael Maloof’s RELENTLESS is a heart-pounding thriller that grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the explosive conclusion.” ~ Ryan Steck, The Real Book Spy and author of OUT FOR BLOOD

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UNSTOPPABLE
Betrayal in Paris. Survival in Africa. The world’s deadliest game has a new player.

Former CIA analyst Kate Preacher returns to Paris searching for answers to the terrorist attack that shattered her world—only to find herself in the crosshairs of a sniper who is always one step ahead. Every move she makes is anticipated. Every escape feels temporary. And the deeper she digs, the clearer it becomes that the conspiracy she uncovered is far larger—and closer—than she ever imagined. ​

When a trusted ally is ambushed and left for dead, Kate realizes she is no longer chasing the enemy.

She is the target.

Her pursuit of the elusive sniper draws her across borders and into Africa’s most dangerous battlegrounds, where warlords, mercenaries, and corrupt powers collide over the fate of a fragile nation. Loyalties shift. Truths fracture. And survival depends on knowing who is lying—before it is too late.

Every enemy hides a secret. Every ally has an agenda. Every move Kate makes risks igniting a firestorm that could topple an emerging democracy.

With seconds to spare and a sniper locked on target, Kate faces an impossible choice—risk everything to stop what’s coming or walk away and let a nation fall.

Unstoppable is the pulse-pounding sequel to Relentless—a globe-spanning thriller of betrayal, survival, and high-stakes deception.

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This is where Kate learns how far her enemies will go. And how much it will cost to stop them.
Praise for UNSTOPPABLE:

“Wow, what a sequel to Relentless! Non-stop action and plenty of unexpected plot twists.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“This thrilling and intricate follow-up to the series debut will keep readers glued to their seats and begging for more!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“The plot is fast-paced as the story hits the ground running, and the action and intrigue are unrelenting and non-stop. Dangerous secrets, hints of unknown agendas, and shocking plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat as Kate got ever closer to her goal, and those working against her tried to stop her or, at a minimum, manage her discoveries and limit the consequences.” ~ Karen Siddall, for Reedsy Discovery

“The Kate Preacher Thriller Series has everything fans of this genre expect: genuinely compelling characters, a solid fast-paced storyline, unexpected twists, bad politicians, and some seriously high stakes. There may even be a touch of the paranormal, as a Maasai named Nuru and a prowling lion leave their marks.” ~ Reviewed by Terri Stepek for Reader Views

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DEFIANT
A Funeral in Paris. A Reckoning in Russia. An Endgame in Davos.

Former CIA analyst Kate Preacher has tracked the cabal that shattered her world across continents—but only now does she glimpse the true enemy behind the curtain. A new leader has stepped from the shadows to seize control of the Coalition—and a weapon that could reshape the balance of power forever. “Sometimes,” Jake warned her, “the only way to win is to sacrifice everything.” Kate’s hunt races from the rain-soaked boulevards of Paris to Beslan, a Russian city haunted by unanswered questions—where memories she buried long ago surface with deadly force. In New York, a trusted ally is killed. Another vanishes. ​

High in the Swiss Alps, Kate undertakes her most dangerous mission yet— infiltrating the labyrinth beneath Davos—before world leaders walk blindly into a trap from which there may be no escape.

A bioweapon counts down to catastrophe. Her team is scattered and fighting to survive. And Kate is one move away from exposing the conspiracy that took everything from her—if she is willing to pay the ultimate price.

Defiant is the explosive finale to the Kate Preacher Origin Trilogy—a globe-spanning, high-stakes thriller for fans of Jack Carr, Gregg Hurwitz, and Mark Greaney.

This is where Kate’s story comes full circle. And where the final move changes everything.
Praise for DEFIANT:

“Your heart will pound… your eyes will mist”

“You’ve created a compelling world for the Preacher, Trident, Bella, and Ronin characters.”

“Jack Reacher used to be my favorite hero. Now it’s Kate Preacher.”

“DEFIANT by Michael Maloof delivers exactly what its title promises, a heroine who refuses to back down… It’s a satisfying, adrenaline-fueled conclusion that will resonate with readers who enjoy intelligent, character-driven suspense.” ~ IndieReader

Details:

Genre: Action-Adventure, Thriller, Terrorism Thrillers, Conspiracy Theory, and Global/International Crime

Published by: Golden Oak Writer’s Guild, LLC Series: Kate Preacher Thriller Series | Amazon & Goodreads

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Enjoy this peek inside Relentless:
FRIDAY, APRIL 17, THE PRESENT 6:15 AM EDT UNDISCLOSED LOCATION

Nomad flexed his right wrist, and with the palm of his hand, eased the joystick forward. The motor on his wheelchair hummed, and he maneuvered toward the center of the workstation. This environment was his creation. The height set to accommodate his chair with room beneath to manipulate the joystick. With subtle right or left pressure on the stick, he could navigate the full semicircle desk and jump between clients and projects.

There were traditional keyboards and mice, but the layer of fine dust revealed little use. Nomad’s world was one of proprietary speech recognition technology and the pressure-sensitive controls he designed and added to his chair. His forearms, wrists, fingers, head and voice all served as system navigation and command-and-control interfaces.

A matrix of monitors, stacked three high and eight across, spanned the arc of the desk and formed his window on the outside world. As a C6 quadriplegic, what he lost in physical mobility he regained in the virtual world. He chose the name Nomad for the irony, and believed his world offered freedom, control, and safety. Nomad scanned the monitors. His building’s security cameras, global news feeds, random engineering musings of a few MIT grads on Slack. Another monitor was hammering away on a client’s file with one of his decryption algorithms. No challengers yet on any of his virtual chess boards, and that brought him to the Frenchman, his favorite opponent. The central monitor was a live, split-screen camera feed from the Frenchman’s Paris apartment. One feed came from the Frenchman’s laptop, and the other from the camera embedded in the smart TV. It was Nomad’s practice to plant malware on the systems of anyone in his inner circle. What began as a safety protocol became something more, and he watched and lived vicariously through his contact’s living rooms and their digital and social media lives. Nomad glanced at the camera feed’s system clock. Twelve-fifteen. It was almost time. He hoped the apartment would be empty, but saw Francois scurrying about, preparing for the meeting. Nomad knew it was pointless, but he had to try one more time. Francois’s laptop rang with Nomad’s encrypted call request. He watched the Frenchman approach the laptop and press cancel. Nomad tried again, and this time he watched Francois accept the call. “I admire your determination,” Francois began, “but there’s nothing left to discuss.” “Look, I know how it sounds, but I’m begging you to trust me,” Nomad said. “You need to leave.” “You ask for trust, but hide in the shadows.” “Who I am is not important. All you need to know is that your life is in danger.” “Nonsense,” he said. “For one thing, I know who you are, but rest assured, your secret is safe with me. Why you’ve chosen this life, I will never understand, but that is your business and now you must leave me to mine.” “Is that a threat?” “No, no, my friend. You misunderstand,” Francois said. “This is just a promise that I will keep you out of the discussion, but Moore Industries needs to know what you found. They believe the device is impenetrable, exceeding even the capabilities of quantum computing, and with millions relying on this technology, I have no choice. There is no room for debate.” “You’re missing the point,” Nomad said. “Tens of millions of customers is exactly why Moore will do anything to protect the NanoVault’s reputation.” “Again with the conspiracy theories,” Francois said. “You watch too much American TV. I am a respected academic meeting with a representative of a major corporation, not the KGB.” “I pray I’m wrong,” Nomad said. “Au revoir, my friend.” “Wait,” Nomad said. “Before you hang up, what makes you think you know who I am?” “I understand some hackers have a signature, patterns of behavior, code or techniques they use, that help identify the author.” “Yes, that’s true.” “So do chess players.” Nomad heard the knock at the Frenchman’s door. Francois called out to his visitor, and the call ended. * * *
FRIDAY, APRIL 17 12:17 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time) PARIS, FRANCE
Francois LeGrande imagined his meeting with the Moore Industries representative. They’ll want to see my research and review my findings. A lucrative offer for my work would be nice, but it would be an honor to receive one of Moore’s Distinguished Fellowships. Francois rushed to answer the door. He never saw what the masked man pressed into his side, but the effect was immediate. His body convulsed, knees buckled, and his head struck the floor. Next came the duct tape over his mouth and around his wrists and ankles. He lay on the floor of his apartment, dazed and in pain, only half-aware of the large black boot that passed over his face. Adrenaline surged. His heart raced. He fought to focus his thoughts. Blinked and squinted to clear his vision. He squirmed and wrestled against the restraints. Tried to call out, to scream. Nothing worked. In the futile struggle to free himself, his breathing was rapid and shallow. His vision blurred, and the room spun. Don’t pass out, he thought. Just breathe. Slow down. Listen. From the hallway, it was difficult to know what the stranger was doing. Was Nomad right? No. Can’t be. If he was here to kill me, I’d be dead already. Then what? What does he want? His head throbbed as he thought back to the fleeting image of opening the door and looking up at the face. There was no face. Just a blur of gray and white rectangles. The man’s ball cap and hoodie obscured any chance of street cameras catching his approach to the building, and the camouflage mask stretched tight from his forehead to his neck prevented facial recognition. Francois tried to follow the sound of the stranger’s steps. The attic apartment, converted from an 18th-century mansion, was elegant but small. While it suited the Frenchman, it took only moments to explore. He heard the wheels of the office chair as they rolled across the hardwood floor. He’s in the bedroom. The bedroom served as his home office. Stacks of books and papers shared his bed, and most of the floor. He pictured the stranger seated at his laptop and cursed his decision to close the connection with Nomad. If he knew, if he saw, he would call the police. There was an odd sound. An electronic chirp beeping slowly at first, then faster and louder, then slow again. Finally, a solid tone for a moment, then silence. Francois heard the tones of a cell phone. Too many digits, he thought. Not a local number. “I have it,” the man said. “No, it has to be tonight. And count yourself lucky I could make this work on short notice.” There was another brief pause and then the call wrapped up. “Yes. Yes. I’ll keep it safe. Now, send me the drop site.” American, Francois thought, and at that moment, all hope vanished. The businessman he thought might still arrive, might somehow intervene. The man he was expecting was already here. Despair wrapped him in an ice-cold blanket and he trembled. He stopped fighting back the tears and sobbed. The American dragged Francois down the hallway and into the living room, and the tears gave way to terror when he surveyed the room. A chair from the small kitchen table was in the center. A rope stretched over the ancient oak beam that framed the ridge-line of the apartment’s ceiling, and a noose hung above the chair. The duct tape muffled his attempts to cry out, and the masked man had little trouble setting the slight Frenchman on the chair. He slipped the noose over Francois’s head and pulled on the rope. Francois stiffened his back, lifted his chin, and gasped for air. The man kept one hand on the rope and the other drew a knife. With a flick and click, the blade locked into place, and in one sudden move he cut the tape binding Francois’s feet. He pulled the slack from the rope and Francois’s only escape from suffocation was to climb up on the chair. The American tied the rope to the radiator, then stood directly in front of Francois and stared. The mask was disorienting, and Francois found it difficult to focus. He saw a black leather jacket and a gray hoodie. He saw dark blue jeans, and the boots. Large black boots. He could be anyone on the streets of Paris, even one of my students. What is he waiting for? What does he want? “Let’s talk.” The words startled him and Francois wobbled atop the wooden kitchen chair. The noose made it difficult to breathe, much less answer questions. When he raised up on the balls of his feet, he could almost take a full breath, but the old chair flexed and creaked when he moved. He knew at any moment it might collapse and he would hang. “I’m going to remove the duct tape,” the masked man said. “I suggest you remain still. And quiet,” and he gave the rope a slight tug. “Understand?” Francois nodded, and the stranger ripped the duct tape off the old man’s face. The Frenchman scrunched his eyes, gritted his teeth, and wrinkled his nose. Tears and snot seeped into his mustache. The American balled up the tape and noticed the collection of gray hair. “Trust me,” he said. “Faster is better.” And then he reached into his jacket, fished out the shiny black device, and held it out for the Frenchman to see. “Did you crack it?” Laying in the palm of his glove was a Moore Industries NanoVault. The polished black onyx device, about the size of a woman’s lipstick, was ringed with seven combination dials that controlled access to the device’s unique properties. For the first time since the masked man crashed through his door, Francois thought he understood what was happening. He thinks I’m after the bounty. He thinks I’ve cracked the encryption. The offer of a bounty, paid in anonymous, untraceable, and tax-free Bitcoins, intrigued cryptographic researchers and enticed the hacker denizens in every corner of the Darknet. Crack the encryption on a Quantum NanoVault, known affectionately as a portable Swiss Bank account, and you’d learn the location of 1,000 Bitcoins. What started as a clever promotional stunt became a worldwide phenomenon when Bitcoin values rose exponentially, and the bounty, still unclaimed, grew to tens of millions of dollars. “No. No, Monsieur. I assure you, this device is worthless.” “My client insisted I retrieve this specific device,” he said. “And paid handsomely to recover it immediately. I’d like to know why. What makes this device so valuable?” “Please. Just take it and go.” Francois imagined his ordeal might soon be over. He has what he came for. He can just leave. The American slipped the device back into his pocket and glanced at his watch. “What’s the combination?” “It’s not locked.” “What’s on it?” “Nothing. I assure you, it’s completely blank,” and Francois nodded toward the laptop. “Go. See for yourself. You will see. It’s empty.” The American took the device back to the desk, and the NanoVault connected automatically. He returned moments later. “You’re right, it’s blank,” he said. “But if you’re not using it, why have one?” “Research,” and Francois nodded toward the back wall. The American turned to see a lifetime of achievement and accolades. Among the faded degrees hanging on the wall were journal clippings, edges curled and fraying, a small shelf of dusty mathematics awards, and a handful of student group photos. Missing was any semblance of a life outside of academia. No wife. No family. “Then, tell me Professeur,” he said, exaggerating the Frenchman’s academic position. “What makes this device so special?” “Oh, but it’s not. It’s like any other. Available at any—” The slap caught him before he could finish. *** Excerpt from Relentless by Michael Maloof. Copyright 2023 by Michael Maloof. Reproduced with permission from Michael Maloof. All rights reserved.

 

 

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About Author Michael Maloof:

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Michael Maloof

Michael Maloof is the author of the Kate Preacher Thriller Series—Relentless, Unstoppable, and Defiant—known for its global scope, emotional intensity, and hard-won authenticity. His novels draw readers into high-stakes worlds where intelligence, courage, and consequence collide. A lifelong adventurer, Michael has traveled to more than forty countries across six continents, experiences that deeply inform his writing. His real-world pursuits have ranged from gold dredging in Honduras and artifact hunting in Guatemala to acquiring uncut diamonds in Liberia and surviving an elephant charge in Kenya. He has also trained alongside Navy SEALs, Marine Raiders, Army Rangers, Green Berets, and the CIA—firsthand insights that lend his fiction uncommon realism and respect for the craft of service.

Catch Up With Michael Maloof:

www.MichaelMaloof.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads – @MichaelGoWrite BookBub – @MichaelMaloof Instagram – @MichaelGoWrite X – @MichaelGoWrite Facebook – @MichaelGoWrite YouTube – @MichaelGoWrite

Tour Participants:

Click through the other tour stops for can’t-miss reviews, insider interviews, exclusive guest posts, and more chances to win! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

 

A Global Conspiracy, A Final Mission… And A Giveaway
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Michael Maloof. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

. THE KATE PREACHER THRILLER SERIES by Michael Maloof || Gift Card Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Liars Treasure By Connie Mann ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: March 30, 2026 in Action/Adventure, giveaways
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 THE LIAR’S TREASURE

(A Speranza Team Novel) by Connie Mann

Category:  Adult Fiction (18+), 360 pages
Genre:  Action-Adventure
Publisher:  Tyndale House Publishers
Release date:   March 10, 2026
Content Rating:  G/PG

Book Description:

Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.
Camille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and deathCamille Abernathy ignored rumors of The Liar’s Treasure and her family’s connection to it . . . until someone put a target on her daughter’s back. Growing up in New Orleans, such tall tales were as common as beignets and gumbo. But when Camille’s teenage daughter, Cass, posts pictures of a centuries-old diary her uncle gave her, she unwittingly attracts dozens of treasure hunting fanatics who are convinced Cass and the diary can lead them to a valuable cache.

To keep her daughter safe, Camille enlists the help of Speranza, a secret society always ready to help women in need. Together, they set out on a globe-trotting journey to find The Liar’s Treasure while also investigating a suspicious death related to Camille’s childhood friend. The deeper they dig, the more they suspect it’s all connected.

Chasing clues from New Orleans to Italy to the Bahamas, Camille and her friends receive unexpected assistance—and unwanted competition—from a handsome treasure hunter from Camille’s past. Then Cass is kidnapped, and finding the treasure truly becomes a matter of life and death.

Buy the Book:
Tyndale
Amazon ~ B&N ~ BAM
Bookshop ~ IndieBound
add to Goodreads
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Meet Author Connie Mann:

Connie Mann loves taking readers on heart-pounding, suspense-filled adventures featuring strong, determined women who fight for what they believe—and for those they love. When those stories take place in exciting locales and include a tempting hero, so much the better. Her Speranza Team novels center around a modern-day secret society of resourceful, talented women who travel the globe helping other women, especially those trying to make the world a better place. Connie is also the author of the Florida Wildlife Warriors series, the Safe Harbor series, Angel Falls, and Trapped. She has won several writing awards, and Amazon declared Beyond Risk an Editors’ Pick. Through mentoring and teaching writing workshops, Connie is delighted to encourage other writers on their journey.

Connie has been a USCG-licensed boat captain for almost twenty years, and when she’s not writing, “Captain Connie” gets to introduce Florida visitors to dolphins, manatees, and other coastal creatures, which is as much fun as it sounds. She is also passionate about helping women and children in developing countries break the poverty cycle through education and entrepreneurship so they can build a better future for themselves and their families.
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She and her husband love spending time with family and friends and heading off to explore new places, especially if they involve water and boats. Visit Connie online at conniemann.com and sign up for her newsletter for all the latest news.

​connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
Enter the Giveaway:
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GIVEAWAY

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liar’s treasure Spotlight Book Tour Giveaway

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Invasion By J. Taylor ~ My Review

Posted: November 5, 2025 in Dystopian, middle grade, reviews, suspense
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Book Details:

​SURVIVAL (Book Two The After series)

by J. Taylor

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  January 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kiss​

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Book Description:

In the wilderness of Nova Scotia, Charlotte and Anna confront the formidable challenges of survival such as finding food, building a shelter, and establishing a new life. Their bond is tested, however, when an unknown individual enters the scene, potentially driving a wedge between them. As tensions rise, a catastrophic event further complicates their situation, leading to a separation that leaves them struggling to reunite.

Book Two of The After Series explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the harsh realities of survival, highlighting both the strength of Charlotte and Anna’s connection and the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.

Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org
add to Goodreads
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Next in This Continuing Series:

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Book Details:

​THE INVASION (Book Three The After series)

by J. Taylor

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  July 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kiss​

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Book Description:

With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.

Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
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Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.

Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo
add to Goodreads
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MY REVIEW

It’s such great fun when you find a series and it keeps getting better book by book. How does that happen? Maybe it’s your attachment to the characters. Maybe it’s what events are focused on. Or, perhaps it because you begin to grasp the author’s vision. Begin to see where she’s taking you. Or, maybe something else entirely. Regardless, The After series is one of those that gets better and better.

The After, the first book, was the introduction to a dystopian way of life. Then the characters start to take hold of you. That’s where the anxiety sets in. Will things get worse? They do. How will two young teenage girls manage to survive? Can’t tell you that. The spoiler thing. But you’ll be wanting to reach the end and find out. Then you’ll be wanting more. Relax. The second book, Survival continues the series.

And then theirs the third book, Invasion. I think it’s the most intense in the series. Things get harder, darker, more serious. But the characters shine light through all that. Sometimes hope builds. Faith in humanity rises. I love character driven stories and these characters will stay with me.

5 STARS

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Interview With Author J. Taylor
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1) There are many books out there written for teenagers and featuring teenagers. What makes yours different?

As a teacher, I often struggled to find clean adventure reads (for 10-14 year olds) featuring strong female protagonists. Don’t get me wrong, Hatchet and Percy Jackson are fantastic reads, but I wanted an adventure series centered on two teenage girls who problem-solve—embrace adventure, show compassion while remaining strong, balance humour with seriousness, take risks, and ultimately act heroically. Those types of series are hard to find.

I also believe the Canadian setting is one of the elements that truly sets my series apart from many others.

2) If you were a character in your series, who would you be?

Ha, ha! I love this question. No doubt about it, I would definitely be Anna. I’m an action oriented problem solver who speaks her mind (sometimes without thinking—my husband would say) and jumps in feet first!

3) Do you have another profession besides writing?

Yes, I’m a teacher. I entered the profession excited about teaching and after 30+ years I still love what I do! Not many people can say that about their career!

4) What is the last great book you’ve read?

I am obsessed with my latest read:

    What She Said 

by Elizabeth Renzetti 

(Conversations About Equality). 

A snippet from the book:

“The fight for women’s rights was supposed to have been settled. Or, to put it another way, women were supposed to have settled—for what we were grudgingly given, for the crumbs from the table that we had set. For thirty per cent of the seats in Canada’s Parliament; for five per cent of the CEO’s offices; for a tenth of the salary of male athletes; for the tiny per cent of sexual assault cases that result in convictions; for tenuous control over our health and bodies. “Aren’t we over it yet? No, we’re not,” Elizabeth Renzetti writes.”  

 

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

Although my five children are now adults, my youngest has Prader-Willi Syndrome, lives at home and requires 1:1 support 24/7, so my writing is often in fits and starts. It does make it a bit tricky when I have an idea or feel the urge to write, so I keep a notepad in the kitchen to scribble down ideas when I can’t get to my computer.

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Meet Author J. Taylor:

J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories. 

Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
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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.

Survival By J. Taylor ~ My Review

Posted: November 3, 2025 in Author Interview, Dystopian, middle grade, reviews, suspense
Tags: , ,
1

 

 

 

Book Details:

​ SURVIVAL (Book Two The After series)

by J. Taylor

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  January 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kiss​

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Book Description:

In the wilderness of Nova Scotia, Charlotte and Anna confront the formidable challenges of survival such as finding food, building a shelter, and establishing a new life. Their bond is tested, however, when an unknown individual enters the scene, potentially driving a wedge between them. As tensions rise, a catastrophic event further complicates their situation, leading to a separation that leaves them struggling to reunite.

Book Two of The After Series explores themes of resilience, friendship, and the harsh realities of survival, highlighting both the strength of Charlotte and Anna’s connection and the obstacles that threaten to tear them apart.

Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo ~ B&N ~ Bookshop.org
add to Goodreads
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MY REVIEW

I really enjoyed After, the first book in this series. I had fingers and toes crossed that I’d enjoy the second book too. I did. Actually, I enjoyed it even more. Especially the continued friendship between Charlotte and Anna. The two young teens were there for each other when the pandemic swept across the globe. Now they’re back.

Charlotte and Anna are homeless now so they search for a new place to live. They find one, but soon have to leave it too. Times just keep getting tougher for the girls. But, they’re getting tougher too. Every day is a new test. For Shelter. For food. For their very lives.

This series is a story of two young girls trying to survive a pandemic. To me, it’s also an extreme test of courage and compassion.  Whether your a young teen or an adult, this story will make you feel all the feels. I’m excited to read the next book, Invasion. The title alone makes me think the two brave girls will be put to the ultimate test of survival. I hope they come through it and can’t wait to find out.

5 STARS

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Next in This Continuing Series:

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Book Details:

​THE INVASION (Book Three The After series)

by J. Taylor

Category:  Middle-Grade Fiction & Juvenile Fiction (10 to 15 yrs old),  198 pages
Genre: Adventure, dystopian, suspense
Publisher:  FriesenPress
Release date:  July 2025
Content Rating: PG. I would have chosen G because there is no swearing or graphic scenes; however, based on the definitions given by ireads, the two teenage characters do kiss​

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Book Description:

With no central government to support Canada, chaos reigns as invaders seek control, and the Resistance rises to challenge them. Charlotte and Anna find themselves entangled with those protecting their country, desperate to prevent the intruders from seizing power and dismantling what remains of their nation.

Fleeing through unfamiliar territory, Charlotte and Anna’s resolve is tested as they evade relentless pursuers determined to capture or eliminate them. Although hopeful they can make a difference, every step forward is fraught with uncertainty, the looming threat of captivity pushing them to their limits.
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Despite fear and exhaustion, the determination to protect Canada’s future keeps the girls moving, even as the shadows of war close in around them.

Buy the Book:
FriesenPress
Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca
Indigo
add to Goodreads
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INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR J. TAYLOR
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1) There are many books out there written for teenagers and featuring teenagers. What makes yours different?

As a teacher, I often struggled to find clean adventure reads (for 10-14 year olds) featuring strong female protagonists. Don’t get me wrong, Hatchet and Percy Jackson are fantastic reads, but I wanted an adventure series centered on two teenage girls who problem-solve—embrace adventure, show compassion while remaining strong, balance humour with seriousness, take risks, and ultimately act heroically. Those types of series are hard to find.

I also believe the Canadian setting is one of the elements that truly sets my series apart from many others.

2) If you were a character in your series, who would you be?

Ha, ha! I love this question. No doubt about it, I would definitely be Anna. I’m an action oriented problem solver who speaks her mind (sometimes without thinking—my husband would say) and jumps in feet first!

3) Do you have another profession besides writing?

Yes, I’m a teacher. I entered the profession excited about teaching and after 30+ years I still love what I do! Not many people can say that about their career!

4) What is the last great book you’ve read?

I am obsessed with my latest read:

    What She Said 

by Elizabeth Renzetti 

(Conversations About Equality). 

A snippet from the book:

“The fight for women’s rights was supposed to have been settled. Or, to put it another way, women were supposed to have settled—for what we were grudgingly given, for the crumbs from the table that we had set. For thirty per cent of the seats in Canada’s Parliament; for five per cent of the CEO’s offices; for a tenth of the salary of male athletes; for the tiny per cent of sexual assault cases that result in convictions; for tenuous control over our health and bodies. “Aren’t we over it yet? No, we’re not,” Elizabeth Renzetti writes.”  

 

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

Although my five children are now adults, my youngest has Prader-Willi Syndrome, lives at home and requires 1:1 support 24/7, so my writing is often in fits and starts. It does make it a bit tricky when I have an idea or feel the urge to write, so I keep a notepad in the kitchen to scribble down ideas when I can’t get to my computer.

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Meet Author J. Taylor:

J. Taylor leads a fulfilling life balancing her roles as a mother, teacher and author. Creating memorable experiences for her family and loved ones brings her joy. Large family dinners filled with lively conversation and great food are a cherished tradition. These aspects of her life contribute to her personal fulfillment as well as inspire her writing and the themes of connection and family in her stories. 

Taylor’s upbringing in Nova Scotia notably influences her storytelling, as she incorporates elements of the region’s culture and environment into her narratives. This background enriches her characters and the overall themes of her stories, making them relatable and inspiring.

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
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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.

31 Days Of Thrills And Chills #21 ~ River Of Teeth By Sarah Gailey

Posted: October 21, 2025 in Historical, horror, reviews
Tags: , , ,
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Welcome to My 31 Days Of Thrills And Chills 2025! I’m so excited to be doing this again!  I’ll be sharing reviews and lots of extra spooky stuff every day leading up to Halloween. I hope you’ll join me!

 

Free Computer Seeks photo and picture

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

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 River Of Teeth

by Sarah Gailey 

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Genre: Historical / Horror / Adventure

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MY REVIEW

Being a southern gal, I’m always looking for stories set in my neck of the woods. The author did a superb job describing the bayous and the muddy Mississippi. I heard the rising shrill of the cicadas, the buzz of the annoying mosquitoes, and the grunt of alligators. Caught a glimpse of huge alligator gars as they rolled on the surface, while being lulled by the back and forth swaying on top my hippo. Yes, I said hippo.

The US Government came up with the idea of importing hippos into Louisiana for a much needed food supply. Sounded like a good idea, but didn’t happen. Except, in this book it did. And now the hippos are feral and eating everything, including humans, making the river a dangerous place. A ragtag group of hippo wranglers enter the swamp to round them up. All is not as it seems.

I read somewhere that in Africa more people die from hippo attacks than any other animal. They hide under the water, move at tremendous speeds, and their teeth are gigantic. In this book you have hippos that the wranglers bond with from birth, making them safe to ride, most of the time. Then there’s the feral ones. No one wants to encounter them. When some of these characters come across a feral, it’s bloody mayhem.

The characters you meet are varied and odd. One of my favorites is Winslow Houndstooth. He’s usually somber and withdrawn, until you shake his hornets nest. Then he’d as easily kill ya as step on an ant. He’s a charmer and I loved how he could make men preen and blush from his attentions.

The writing is haunting, powerful, and visual. Such a superb job for this author’s debut. The good guys aren’t all good and some bad guys aren’t all bad. Action, intrigue, and betrayal keep you glued to the story. And the hippos, I just couldn’t get enough of them.

Do I recommend this book? Most definitely. Will I be reading the second book? He!! yes!

5  STARS

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Synopsis

In the early 20th Century, the United States government concocted a plan to import hippopotamuses into the marshlands of Louisiana to be bred and slaughtered as an alternative meat source. This is true.

Other true things about hippos: they are savage, they are fast, and their jaws can snap a man in two.

This was a terrible plan.

Contained within this volume is an 1890s America that might have been: a bayou overrun by feral hippos and mercenary hippo wranglers from around the globe. It is the story of Winslow Houndstooth and his crew. It is the story of their fortunes. It is the story of his revenge.

Amazon

 

Click on the covers for more Thrills And Chills reviews.

    

    The Night of the Beasts 

   

     

      Dust Devils Cover

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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.

 

The Star Writers Club By Mary K. Savarese ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 10, 2025 in Excerpt, Fantasy, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , , ,
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For it is written in the stars…

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The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper

The Star Writers Trilogy Book 1

by Mary K. Savarese

Genre: Fantasy Adventure, Romance

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Spring into
Fantasy Adventure intertwined with Romance!

Enjoy the breakout novel, Book I of The StarWriters Trilogy, The
Girl in the Toile Wallpaper.Continue the adventure with The
StarWriters Club Book II (2024) and Return the Girl In The
Toile Wallpaper, Book III coming 2025.

Want Fantasy, Adventure, Romance?

Lyly’s heart yearns for true love until family loyalty is betrayed by a greedy
Noble.

Imprisoned by the evil Wizard, she became The Girl in the Toile
Wallpaper.

That is, until fate beckons…

Will the young American tourist Tyler Charles remember his class physics in
time to reverse the ancient curse and save the love of his life?

Or will Lyly be doomed forevermore?

The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper is the break out novel and Book #1
of The StarWriters Trilogy by Author Mary K. Savarese. The
Girl in the Toile Wallpaper explores the fantasy genre, with
mysterious worlds, magic cats and romances through the ages. Set in the
medieval Tuscan cities of Siena and Florence, Italy, readers will relish in the
rich detail and beautiful scenes presented by Savarese.

Royal Dragonfly Book Award (20022) Winner in Science
Fiction / Fantasy & Young Adult Fiction

NYC Big Book Award (2022) Distinguised Favorite in Fantasy

Chanticlear International Book Awards (2022) First Place & Grand Prize
Finalist

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Prologue

 

It is said, “Where evil rages, hope prevails.” This is not about evil for hope shall find a way …

 

He watched as the dark shadows swirled across the room. A wind, as strong as a summer tornado, spun and yet moved nothing. Dante hid in the shadows and the sound of squalls raged through his ears. He inched his way toward the massive windows and darted behind the heavy drapery. His heart raced and he gasped when shards of light flashed through the room and threatened his reality. When a lightning bolt shattered, he winced and stepped deeper into the folds of the fabric. Standing in the middle of the study, a boy held tightly to a girl in his arms. Dante wanted to help them but how? The evil man’s robe glimmered with each wave of his arm. Dante watched in horror as the man threw the sheets of paper onto the floor. His long, golden fingernails glowed in the dim light. As the pages floated, each piece crawled toward the couple as if alive. Awkward sounds filled Dante’s ears as ghost-like buildings hovered through the air as if they were nothing more than a whisp of smoke. Now, a medieval scene flashed before his eyes, and the curtains vibrated in his hands. A flicker of an olive tree and then a farmhouse and then a vineyard … are those sheep? Dante tried to inch closer but his feet refused to move. He was glued in place behind the drapes. The ghostly objects disappeared into the paper and he trembled in terror. The shadows formed into a miniature print, each arranging itself according to the direction of the evil man. The man was painting a distressing scene through the movements of his symphonic hands. The wizard swiped along the floor and the girl was jerked into the air. She hovered for only a moment before spinning as easily as a spinning wheel. Then as if no friction ever existed, the girl screamed and the wind sucked her into the cloth paper … the girl was gone…

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The Star Writers Club

The Star Writers Trilogy Book 2

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Spring into Fantasy Adventure!

Enjoy Book II of The StarWriters Trilogy, The StarWriters
Club; following the 2021 release of the award winning
fiction novel, The Girl in the Toile Wallpaper (Book I). The
Girl in the Toile Wallpaper explores the fantasy genre, with
mysterious worlds, magic cats and romances through the ages. Set in the
medieval Tuscan cities of Siena and Florence, Italy, readers will relish in the
rich detail and beautiful scenes presented by Savarese.

The StarWriters Club follows twelve new arrivals to the band that
surrounds Heaven. Together, they must train to deliver His Plan to the stars.

But when the evil Beck decides otherwise, the StarWriters are called into
action to save three members who were just sucked through the gates and into
the pits of Hell.

Follow our StarWriters as they trek across the villages of the band and learn
how His Plan is distributed by those working in His Plan room. Will the
good/evil clocks continue to click toward evil, or will our StarWriters prevail
and turn the fate of time?

It is only by combining their strengths and wisdom not yet learned that they
just might succeed. Perhaps by accepting their last few moments on Earth, they
might endure what awaits. For it is Written in the Stars!

 

 Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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**Coming Soon!**

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Return of the Girl In the Toile Wallpaper

The Star Writers Trilogy Book 3

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I was born and
grew up in Brooklyn, New York, going on to earn a business degree in accounting
from City University, NY. Soon after I found myself working in insurance and
financing and went on to marry my wonderful husband. We moved to New England.

I have spent
thirteen years as a religious education teacher and have lived and worked in
New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. For the past decade, I have served as
a Eucharistic minister at my local Catholic church, bringing the Eucharist to
community nursing homes. After raising a family in CT, my husband and I became
Florida Residents though continue to spend time in CT where I continue in my
ministry

My debut novel is
a contemporary Spiritual Mystery that transcends three genres: Mystery,
Spirituality, and Romance. I love to write imaginative stories for all ages! I
hope you enjoy this story and look out for more to follow! Tigers Love Bubble
Baths & Obsession Perfume (who knew!)has received 5 Stars from Readers’
Favorites and global award from Royal DragonFly.

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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a Rafflecopter 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.

Samson And The Charleston Spy By Paul A. Barra ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: May 24, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Guest Post, Historical, middle grade, Mystery
Tags: , , ,
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Experience the mysterious start of the Civil War through a
young boy’s perspective in this historically accurate and action-packed
adventure/mystery.

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Samson and the Charleston Spy

A Lowcountry Adventure Book 1

by Paul A Barra

Genre: Middle Grade Historical Adventure Mystery

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The protagonist of SAMSON AND THE CHARLESTON SPY may be the
definitive underrepresented voice in middle-grade fiction today: he’s a boy and
a Southerner, confronting the Civil War from the Confederate perspective.

When Samson Collier and three sixth-grade friends witness
the bombardment of Ft. Sumter offshore from their homes, they decide that the
Yankee soldiers at the fort must have been forewarned about the attack-since no
one was killed although the structure appeared to be wrecked. They set off to
find the spy who told secrets.

During their escapades, they confront slavery (one of the
four is the son of a freedman), nativism (another of them is the daughter of a
prominent Catholic family), zealotry (a man forming a brigade to fight the
North appropriates Sam’s beloved horse) and evil (they are attacked by a
highwayman in The Devil’s Hole). Eventually, the children discover a shocking
plan to undermine their homeland.

The book is an historically accurate and action-packed
adventure/mystery.

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Amazon * Apple * B&N * Bookshop.org * Bookbub * Goodreads

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After his visit he headed home, slipping silently under grey Spanish Moss hanging in stringy curls from the live oaks like dead men’s beards. That’s what his friend Sidney always called them when he was telling his scary stories out at the clubhouse on the eve of All Hallows: “Dead men’s beards dancing like devils in the moonlight.” That’s what ol’ Sid said all the time.

Samson shivered a little and moved faster. It was coolish out. He left the cemetery and ran along the hard-packed dirt streets of Charleston. Even when he ran his feet were pretty quiet, so he had no trouble hearing something in the night that stopped him cold. He hunkered down in the shadow of a brick wall that ran around one of the houses coming up on Meeting Street and tried to figure out what was making the slow creaking noises that seemed to be coming down the peninsula from the direction of Calhoun Street. There was nobody around, no candles lit in any windows. Except for the creaking noises the night was ghostly silent. Even the slight breeze that made the Spanish Moss dance in the graveyard had died down.

He tried to slow his breathing; he didn’t want whatever was coming to hear him panting like a hound dog in August. His thumping heart almost stopped when he made out a quivering light in the road. It was moving slow-like, coming closer. The creaking got louder. What could it be? Samson wanted to close his eyes and sink into the bushes beside the wall he was hard up against, but he forced hisself to look at the creature that was approaching. If it was some kind a ghost from the grave, he wanted to see it before it picked him out. He didn’t believe in haints, but his leg muscles was tense anyway, ready to tear outta there.

As the noise drew near, Samson realized it was being made by a dray, a heavy work wagon, being pulled by two black mules who were straining to keep the wagon in motion. Down Meeting Street it come, going so slow that three figures were able to walk alongside it like old, tired men, shuffling along, not talking, heads down. One held a pitch torch that smoked and barely lit them enough for Samson to make them out. He was close enough to smell the burning tar of the torch but he couldn’t tell what was in the dray. He knew it had to be heavy because the animals were breathing hard and leaning into their traces. The wooden wheels squeaked as they turned.

What could the wagon be carrying through the empty city in the black of night? Samson never found out.

The procession groaned past his hiding place, going toward the harbor like a lumbering giant insect. When he reckoned it was far enough by, Samson got to his feet and crept home. Coming up on his house without anyone noticing, he nipped in with a sigh of relief. That daggum ol’ squealing wagon done put the fear of God in him, he had to admit. No one else in the house seemed concerned. They was all sleeping like babies, far as he could tell. There weren’t a sound to be heard.

Upstairs, Samson dressed for bed. He could still feel his heart fluttering and thought he’d have a hard time falling asleep after that fright on the dark street, but his eyes were gritty by then and closed the minute his head sank into the feather pillow. He was still trying to figure out what the creepy wagon was hauling when sleep overtook him.

Five hours later, a crash of thunder over White Point Battery shook the shutters against the window, waking Samson out of a sound sleep. He would a gone back to that sleep ‘cept that he figured it was about time to get up anyway since he could see a blink of the morning sun trying to rise up over the Atlantic out yonder. Since he didn’t hear any rain, what was that thunder he heard?

Samson kicked off the feather comforter and padded across the floor to the window, feeling the dry planks under his feet. When he drew open the shutters a puff of breeze ruffled the loose cotton of his nightshirt. Samson could smell jasmine and the sea. But he couldn’t see them. It was still dark out.

He squinted at a reddish glow in the sky down at the harbor as he yawned and absently scratched the tangle of curls on his head, but he realized it didn’t look like the early sun. Samson couldn’t figure out what caused the mysterious light. It was odd standing there in the cool early morning air, as though the darkness held some secret that was beyond him. He felt a little fluttering in his belly, the feeling he got right before school began each fall. Samson wasn’t afraid exactly—since nothing much had happened except that strange thunder—but he was a little nervous for some reason. The air was dry and it was too early in the year for heat lightning or summer thunderstorms; that was odd too.

He didn’t even know what time it was. Since he wasn’t too tired considering his adventure earlier in the night, Samson figured it might be right before the sun came up, even if he couldn’t see it yet. Maybe that strange light in the sky over the harbor was the sun after all. His window faced east and the water was to the east of his father’s house, he knew that much. While he was contemplating these things and standing by the open window in a sort of foggy state of mind, he heard people moving around downstairs. Maybe they knew something of what was happening outside. He yanked off his nightshirt and pulled on the clothes he wore last night.

Samson’s father was in the kitchen, dressed to go out. He was blowing across a cup of something hot and taking small sips. Tea, he assumed. His father always drank Charleston tea in the morning.

The man smiled without showing his teeth when he saw Samson and nodded. His son replied to his nod, “‘Morning, Daddy.” His daddy was not a big morning person, so that exchange was normal.

Despite the normalcy of the scene in the kitchen, something was wrong down there too, Samson could tell, even if he couldn’t put his finger on exactly what was different. Maybe it was going to be one of those days when he went around not quite understanding what the world was all about.

With a little jolt of surprise, the boy realized it was the first time he could remember being in the kitchen on the morning of a school day when the room wasn’t warm. And there was no smell of bacon frying. Darlene was bent over the cookstove stoking up the fire. When she heard Samson greet his father, her shining face broke into a smile.

“I’ll have some warm milk up right quick, Master Samson.”

Before he could reply, his father said, “Don’t bother, Darlene. We’re going out. We’ll be back for breakfast at the regular time.”

“Yessir, Mr. Collier.”

Samson and the slave exchanged a glance. Both of them lifted their eyebrows, but neither spoke. Not only did Mr. Collier speak a full sentence in the early dark, but the boy and his father never left the house without breakfast. Even when the red drum was running in the harbor he ate before they went out fishing. Samson got the distinct impression this was not going to be a normal day.

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Should writers pay to play?

Paul A. Barra

 

The Historical Novel Society of North America, our version of the original HNS in the UK, has announced its first-ever short story contest. Your submission must be no longer than 4,000-words and must be set in or around historical Las Vegas (i.e. before 1975). Sin City is the site of the 2025 HNSNA conference.

Those are easy parameters to digest and opens the contest to everything from Wild West gunfights to mobster influence in casinos to desert life to the tragedy of gambling addiction. It promises to be a popular contest, especially since HNS is a venerable organization. The winner gets $250 plus free registration at the conference (value: $550).

A couple of things about the announcement caught my attention. One, the rising date of a story considered historical. Most book publishers want to label any fiction setting in the 1960s or earlier as historical. As we get further into the 21st century, the date will continue to rise, but the HNS may be already moving the standard up by capping their eligible submissions setting at 1975. It was not unexpected.

After all, Americans alive today who can reasonably be expected to remember 1975 in a first-hand manner would have to be at least 65 years old. That age would make them a mid-teen when the dismaying videos of the fall of Saigon showed up on our TV sets, or when Margaret Thatcher rose to political prominence in Britain. Folks who are at least 65 today probably recall the first breakfast burrito, Billy Jean King’s 6th Wimbledon title, Billy Martin’s move from punching other players to creating great havoc as a manager, or even the founding of Microsoft. Too bad hardly any of them will recall buying any Microsoft stock in those days, although their memory banks will contain many interesting tidbits about life back then.

If you writers want to mine those memories for your stories, you had better get a move on. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 55 million of those geezers are still alive. That’s 16.8% of the U.S. population. And they’re dying fast.

The second thing about the HNS announcement that interested me was the cost to enter the contest: $25. There will undoubtedly be hundreds of entries, so the organization will bring in thousands of dollars—and will award $800 in cash and attendance fees. They will also produce an anthology of the top stories and will award the writers of those published stories “a small honorarium.”

That honorarium could be your entry fee returned, or it could be 50 bucks. I could even be as much as $100. If it is $100, that would be a gratifying figure for a short story writer to earn on one story. The best mystery magazines pay twice that amount for a story, but the competition for sales in those few existing magazines is fierce. Most members of the Short Mystery Fiction Society sell their work for a wretched $25 or $50, hoping for recognition and/or evolving quality of sales in the future. It takes hours to write a 4,000-word short story, hours more to edit it and tighten the prose, hours more to rewrite portions of it and to submit it until it sells. Fiction writers don’t get paid on an hourly basis; we should know how much our work pays compared to other vocations.

But that’s the theme for another blog. What concerns me most about the HNS writing contest is that it’s a money machine for the conference; is it also a worthwhile investment for the writer?

The Historical Novel Society has many expenses, as do all writing organizations, and those organizations do a lot of good for the writers of our country. They support and defend novelists and short story writers, promote the work of their members, educate them, sometimes insure them, and offer them an opportunity for fame in their annual award presentations. Writers’ organizations are an integral part of a writer’s career path. They are supposed to support themselves by the annual dues paid by members.

Other writing conferences besides HNS make money by charging for award competitions. Crime con Killer Nashville, for instance, charges a writer $80 to enter a book for a Silver Falchion, although if he or she attends the conference itself, the award fee is included in the tuition charge. For his $80, the winning writer gets a plaque.

Promoters who organize and produce a conference deserve to make money for their efforts. That’s not the question, not for writers. The question for writers is: should I pay to have my work judged by someone?

Prestigious writing contests, such as the Edgars offered to members by the Mystery Writers of America, charge nothing to enter. Besides the Edgars, others that charge nothing include the Thriller awards from the Thriller Writers of America and the Hammett Prize from the International Association of Crime Writers (North America branch). Publishers who wish to enter their authors’ works send copies of novels to the judges of a contest category. That’s it. No fee. No money-making. It’s a service.

The value of a writer’s work is marked by the awards it wins, the reviews it receives, and the money it makes. It shouldn’t rely on the writer buying a chance to win a prize. Writing fiction is a gamble where you wage your time and effort and talent; it should not be a lottery where you pay to play.

—END—

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While taking the reader through enticing mysteries, Barra
shares a sense of history and thrill in his works. Using his experiences as a
naval officer, writer, and educator, Barra brings the reader a unique
perspective on fictional mysteries in a very real and different time.

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content
and a $10 giveaway!

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

.

~~~~~

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.

PJ And The Paranormal Pursuers By Jacqui Dempster ~ Guest Post and Giveaway

Posted: May 5, 2025 in Action/Adventure, Excerpt, giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, YA
Tags: , , , ,
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When PJ and his team of Paranormal Pursuers unearth the
sinister secrets of the Scottish village of Pittenweem’s witch-hunting past,
they must confront the malevolent spirit of a young boy to save the villagers
from chaos and terror.

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The Phantoms of Pittenweem
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PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 2

by Jacqui Dempster

Genre: YA, Teen Paranormal Adventure

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After moving from New York to Edinburgh to live with his
aunt, PJ very quickly discovered the parallel worlds of the living and the dead
when he was forced to battle the evil Mackenzie Poltergeist at Greyfriars
Kirkyard.

Now, PJ and his fellow ghost-hunting friends are invited to
stay in the picturesque fishing village of Pittenweem in Fife, a place which,
unbeknown to them, has haunting echoes of its witch-hunting past.

However, their holiday promises to be anything but peaceful,
as witchcraft and superstition threatens to bring terror and chaos to the
villagers and the Paranormal Pursuers must face off with the malevolent spirit
of a young boy, Patrick Morton. Can they find a way to prevent him from
reviving the dark and sinister past of Pittenweem before it’s too late?

Amazon * B&N * Waterstones * Bookbub * Goodreads

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School’s out and The Paranormal Pursuers, PJ, Freya, Shuggie and Sunny  catch up at Starbuck’s. Things suddenly take an unexpected and spooky turn, however…

 

“Good to see you both.” Sunny smiles. “Sit down. Here, PJ, hot chocolate for you and Freya, a vanilla Frappuccino.” Sunny never changes – always polite and concerned for everyone else’s comfort. I give him a fist pump.

“Just what the doctor ordered, Sunny, after a day worse than being trapped in Mackenzie’s tomb!”

Everyone laughs. The smile is quickly wiped from my face, though, when I catch some familiar faces in my peripheral vision. They’re tucked away in the corner, their heads together, looking like they’re plotting something evil. It’s Heather who sees me first. She kinda gives a look of disgust and tuts audibly. I don’t know why, but they’re always huddled together in the school yard, giving me dirty looks, or pointing and sniggering whenever they see me and Freya. I give Freya, who’s absorbed in lively banter with Shuggie and Sunny, a nudge, and tilt my head surreptitiously in their direction.

“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they were stalking us.” Freya snorts and shakes her head disdainfully. She gives the girls defiant side-eye, as if to say, you lot don’t worry me, but just as she does, there is a whoosh, followed by the clattering of breaking crockery and the three girls are screaming in horror, coffee dripping from the table and staining their clothes, a mass of broken plates and glass mugs lying in pools of milky liquid on the floor surrounding them.

Other customers are looking on in shock as one woman stands up, clutching her beads and says, “Did you see that? Those plates and coffee glasses shot up in the air of their own accord!”

“I saw it too!” A young woman in distressed jeans and white t-shirt is standing open-mouthed. “It… it’s like a ghostly hand tossed everything up from the table!”

My heart flutters wildly with excitement. Maybe I don’t have to look too far for a new investigation, after all? I’m brought back to earth with a bump as things take an unpleasant turn.

The three girls are sobbing hysterically, and a barista comes running over to see what all the commotion is about. He gives them a bunch of napkins to wipe themselves down. Heather, who is gulping in air, looks aghast and shrieks, “It’s her! Freya!” She points at Freya, whose face is ashen. “She did it. The witch! Nothing like this happened to me until she stayed with us at our other house last year. Her and her mother. They’re evil, I tell you. They make stuff happen. Her and those – those – others! They were summoning up the Mackenzie Poltergeist last year! She’s a witch, I tell you.” Heather now is gurning and wailing uncontrollably.

“Now just wait a minute! That’s not fair, Heather…” I stand up to defend Freya, but almost instantly I’m aware of my cheeks reddening in embarrassment as it’s all eyes on us, the silence deafening. “So just leave Freya alone,” I say, self-consciously sitting back down. Now I’m beginning to understand why Heather’s been so off with us. Freya has paled in open-mouthed horror, her hand shaking as she puts down her cup. Shuggie and Sunny look at each other, eyebrows raised in shock at the sudden fracas that’s developing in the far corner, which also seems to involve them.

The woman with the beads pipes up. “Now, now, dearie. Those young people over there were minding their own business. They did nothing that could have caused this.”

“Are you not listening to me?” Heather is insistent and is not backing down. “Of course she didn’t move. But she gave me the evil eye! I saw it.”

“Well, she did give you a sideways glance,” the younger woman in jeans agrees, “but I wouldn’t say it was the ‘evil eye’, as such. Anyway, there’s no such thing as witches and ghosts,” she adds definitively.

Heather is puce with anger and determination.

“Do none of you recognise them? They’re that bunch of ghost hunters that found Sophie McGregor in the Mackenzie Tomb last year. I know that Freya one! Her mum runs Magickal Moments in the Grassmarket. They’re all into witchcraft and spirits and she’s put the evil eye on me. This isn’t the first thing that’s happened!”

The barista is now looking very worried. I guess he’s thinking that business could be affected if people think there’s a poltergeist in Starbucks. Freya is shaking and looking really upset.

“Och, c’mon, guys,” says Shuggie. “Ah’m no sitting here listenin’ tae that daft girl insultin’ oor Freya and the rest of us any longer. Let’s get oot of here an’ find somewhere else tae talk.”

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The Mackenzie Poltergeist

PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers Book 1

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After his mom dies, PJ reluctantly leaves his New York home
and everyone he loves, to live with his Aunt Katie in Edinburgh. A series of
strange events begin when his aunt’s elderly neighbour and her cat Azrael
convince him that his mom, weirdly, is still very much with him.

At a bereavement counselling group, PJ makes a new group of
friends, all of whom have lost loved ones. Drawn together by their shared
experiences, they soon discover they have something else in common; an interest
in the supernatural. Freya is the daughter of a white witch, Sunny has a
scientific and enquiring mind and Shuggie, a superfan of ghost hunting
programmes. Led by PJ, they try to prove that there is life after death and
that their loved ones are still with them. The team receives strange messages leading
them to investigate Greyfriars Kirkyard where they experience terrifying
paranormal activity and PJ is drawn into the clutches of the evil Mackenzie
Poltergeist after reciting a famous rhyme that invites the restless spirit to
draw back the bolt of his scary mausoleum to allow him entry. There, he finds
himself in a fight of good against evil with the ghost of Sir George Mackenzie.


“If you are, or know someone who is a teenager with a newfound interest in the
supernatural and paranormal, this is the book for you.” The Courier and Advertiser (Fife Edition)

“PJ and his friends make a great group of characters, and there’s lots of
laughter to be had as well as scares, while ‘auld reekie’ provides the perfect
backdrop for these ghostly goings-on.” LoveReading4Kids & LoveReading4Schools

“This is a terrific story for teen readers to devour on a spooky autumn
evening.” The School Librarian
(TSL)

Amazon * B&N * Waterstones * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Who are the Dogs on the Cover of PJ and The Paranormal Pursuers – The Phantoms of Pittenweem?

 

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Well, the small white dog, who appeared on the cover of my first PJ book, The Mackenzie Poltergeist, was designed from a photograph of my beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge. Sadly, at the time the first book went to print, Smudge, who was almost 17 had been terribly ill for a while. The book has a dedication to him but he went to the Rainbow Bridge before publication and I wanted his memory to live on. He does so as ‘Dug,’ Shuggie’s JRT in the book and as the motif on the covers. The other dog, added for the Phantoms of Pittenweem is modelled on Gus, another family dog. He was a Schnauzer who was also a lovely soul. When he wasn’t freshly groomed, he was a shaggy dog on whom I modelled Buddy, PJ’s dog. Gus had also travelled the Rainbow Bridge by the time the new book was published and he joins Smudge on the cover of my second book.

As many people will understand, the grief of losing a pet, who is very much a family member, friend and companion is hard – often just as hard as losing a human. I was devastated at the loss of Smudge and resolved never to have another dog of my own because the pain and trauma was too great. I know that many people say that you should offer another dog a happy home and believe me, I have been tempted – until that wave of grief crashes over me and reminds me of what we went through. I have written about Smudge extensively on my blog; one part (For the Love of Smudge) telling his story and the second part (I’m only talking to my dog today) which explains the strange events after his death which convinced me he was still around and sending messages to say he was OK. These can be found here: Jacqueline Dempster – Medium. I hope that the articles help those of you who find themselves grief stricken after the loss of a beloved pet.

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My days of doggy love are not over, however. Although we don’t have any of our own, we did join an organisation called ‘Borrow my Doggy,’ which offers just what it says on the tin! For a small annual fee, you can offer to borrow other people’s doggies when they need company during the week or a place to stay when their people want to go on holiday. It’s worked out brilliantly for us and we’ve had the joy of looking after Winnie, a Jack Russell Terrier (who looks remarkably like Smudge) and Arlo who is a very cheeky little JRT/Shih Tzu cross. We also look after our grandpups, Willow (guess what – a JRT whose arrival as a pup was accurately predicted by one of the animal psychics I consulted after we lost Smudge) and Pepper, a Poodle/Bichon Frise cross. We have a new boy, Joe, (JRT) coming to visit and stay for holidays very soon! I am certain that Smudge knows that we’ll never replace him but has a hand in bringing all these perfect friends into our lives. It is very strange how all of the borrowed doggies who’ve arrived on our doorstep have been JRTs and I am certain our boy has a hand in it. To be honest, I love each one of them dearly and while they are not our dogs, the grief of losing any of them will be hard. I can console myself, however, knowing that we’ve been able to give them a welcome and the comfort of a loving home from home whenever their mums and dads need a holiday, or just to stop them getting lonely while their people are working. They return the love in spades and I wouldn’t be without them. They’ve also been very willing to read my books as you might gather from the photographs!

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Jacqui Dempster
qualified as a solicitor in 1999 but now works as a malpractice investigator
for an education and qualifications organisation. She lives in Dunfermline,
Fife, with partner, Andrew, and various ‘borrowed’ doggies who visit regularly.
Jacqui loves dogs, especially Jack Russell Terriers and thinks if they ruled
the world, it would be a better place! The doggy motifs on the cover of her
books represent Dug and Buddy who belong to the characters, Shuggie and PJ. Dug
is based on Jacqui’s own beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Smudge, and her
grandpup, Gus, both of whom have sadly passed over the Rainbow Bridge.

Jacqui loves
theatre and ran performing arts schools for young people in Fife. She produced
and directed various shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. When not either working or
writing, she loves to paint and crochet, and of course, read books.

Her first
children’s book in this series, PJ and the Paranormal Pursuers– The Mackenzie
Poltergeist, was published by The Book Guild in 2021.

Jacqui explains:
“The supernatural has featured in my life since I was young, with a grandfather
who saw ghosts regularly and other members of the family, on my Welsh side,
having strange experiences and even dabbling in magic! I studied on the
Edinburgh University Koestler Parapsychology course to learn about the science
of the Paranormal. I have also been on a few ghost investigations with mixed
results.

I live in Fife
nowadays and often visit the beautiful towns and villages within the county.
Fife was one of the famous areas where ‘witches’ were persecuted, and the story
of the Pitteweem Witches is particularly well known. In my book, the story is
told for a younger reader involving a contemporary allegory about one of the
young characters, Freya, who is a Wiccan. The subject of Scotland’s witches
came up in 2022, when an apology was issued by the then First Minister of
Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon to those persecuted, tortured and executed, and MSPs
were invited to consider legislation to pardon them.

I enjoy writing
about various places we’ve visited, and especially about any with spooky
stories attached on my Medium Daily Digest blog.”

Jacqui loves
history and enjoys embracing fact with fiction in her books which she hopes
encourages not only a love of reading in young people but also the desire to
learn about events of the past which often influence the present and the
future.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * TikTok * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

.

a Rafflecopter 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.

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

Posted: April 24, 2025 in Excerpt, Fantasy, giveaways, middle grade
Tags: , , ,
11

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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:

.

 

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

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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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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

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.

Imaginary Heroes By Michael Seidelman ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: April 14, 2025 in Action/Adventure, giveaways, Guest Post, middle grade
Tags: , ,
7

 

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His friends may be IMAGINARY… but the danger is REAL!

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Imaginary Heroes

by Michael Seidelman

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure

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His friends
may be IMAGINARY… but the danger is REAL!

Twelve-year-old Matthew’s life has been incredibly challenging because of his
Tourette Syndrome, a disorder which causes uncontrollable movements and sounds.
Isolated and tormented by bullies at school, Matthew finds solace in the
company of his lifelong imaginary friends, a lovable green monster and a
tough-as-nails little girl.

On his way home from school one day, as Matthew is pursued by his relentless
tormentors, they all crash into a mysterious underground lair. At first, it
seems that being trapped with the bullies who make his life miserable is his
biggest problem. That is, until he and the others discover that they are not
alone.

Hunted by a menacing presence lurking in the depths, Matthew and the bullies
must confront a threat to their very existence. Their desperate mission becomes
clear: put their differences aside and work together to find a way to safety
before they are all consumed by the darkness.

Although
fictional, the book is inspired by the author’s own childhood experiences with
bullying, loneliness, and Tourette Syndrome. He set out to craft an engaging
story while exploring issues many kids can relate to—told from the perspective
of someone who has lived them firsthand.

Amazon
* Bookbub * Goodreads

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Can you tell us what your book is about?

Imaginary Heroes follows twelve-year-old Matthew, who struggles with Tourette Syndrome and relentless bullies. He finds comfort in his imaginary friends—a tough girl named Nabie and a lovable green monster named Garby. But when Matthew and his tormentors become trapped in a mysterious underground lair, they must work together to escape before the darkness consumes them all.

 

What inspired you to write this story?

I wanted to dedicate my next book to my nephew, who’s an avid reader, so I decided to write something for his age group. I was working on the final book in my young adult Garden of Syn trilogy when I heard a radio segment about the host’s imaginary friends—and that sparked something in me. I began thinking about my own imaginary friends from childhood and the challenges I faced, like bullying and Tourette Syndrome. From there, the story came together naturally.

 

Are any parts of the story based on your real-life experiences?

Very much so. While the book is fictional with elements of fantasy and adventure, Matthew—the protagonist—is similar to me when I was his age. Like me, he has Tourette Syndrome and is bullied at school. Because of his isolation, he still talks to the same imaginary friends I once had: Nabie & Garby. Although I left my imaginary friends behind in kindergarten, I brought them back for this story. The bullies, especially Declan, are inspired by the real ones I encountered growing up.

 

What was your favorite scene to write?

While the fantastical parts were a lot of fun, my favorite scene to write was when Matthew finally snaps and tells his main bully, Declan, how the constant bullying has impacted his life. It’s everything I wish I could have said to my bullies but never did. Writing that moment was incredibly cathartic.

 

Did any other books or authors influence your writing?

Absolutely. Growing up, I loved Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. Their creativity and heart have definitely influenced my own writing style. I also drew inspiration from a few other authors I’ve read over the years who know how to mix humor, suspense and imagination.

 

Are there any hidden details or easter eggs in the book that readers should look for?

So many! While most might go unnoticed, I’ve included the names of businesses my great-grandparents owned, a former teacher’s name, and references to historic Vancouver companies—even though the story is set in Washington State. It’s a little way for me to honor my roots.

 

What was the most challenging part of writing the book?

Writing kids wasn’t too difficult—I was one, after all! But writing kids in a different era than the one I grew up in was definitely a challenge. I had to do quite a bit of research to make sure it felt authentic. My nephew and my sister, who’s a teacher, were incredibly helpful in that process.

 

Do you plot out your stories in advance or make them up as you go?

I’m definitely a “Plotter.” While some authors are “Pantsers” who write by the seat of their pants, I outline everything in advance. I map out the details for each chapter before I even start writing. Sure, some things change along the way, but the major plot points are always planned out from the beginning.

 

What do you hope kids take away from your book?

First and foremost, I hope they have fun reading it. Above all, I aim to entertain. But I also hope the story encourages empathy—that kids will come away understanding that people who are different from them deserve kindness and compassion just like anyone else.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I just want to thank everyone for checking out my books—whether it’s Imaginary Heroes or The Garden of Syn trilogy. If you read the book and want to share your thoughts or ask me anything, feel free to reach out on social media or through my website. I’d love to hear from you!

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When Michael
Seidelman was growing up, his passions were reading, watching movies, enjoying
nature and creative writing. Not much has changed since then.

 Working in
Online Marketing for over ten years, Michael felt it was time to pursue his
passion and began writing The Garden of Syn trilogy.

 His latest
Middle Grade book, Imaginary Heroes, is personal for Michael. While fiction,
the book is inspired by his own childhood experiences with bullying,
loneliness, and Tourette’s Syndrome. He set out to tell an entertaining story
while delving into issues many kids can relate to, told by someone who has
experienced them firsthand.

 Michael was
born in Vancouver, BC Canada where he continues to reside.

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

.

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 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.

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