Posts Tagged ‘cozy mystery’

Murder At Leisure Dreams: Galapagos ~ A Giovanna Rogers Mystery By Sharon Marchisello

Posted: August 28, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Murder at Leisure Dreams: Galapagos
(Giovanna Rogers Mysteries)
by Sharon Marchisello


Murder at Leisure Dreams: Galapagos (Giovanna Rogers Mysteries)
Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Galapagos
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Milford House Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 26, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 340 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FFR9Y2GW

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Giovanna Rogers restarts her career as expatriate manager of the new Leisure Dreams resort hotel on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos. Due to her youth and limited proficiency in Spanish, she struggles to gain the respect of her staff and the company’s executives. She has to prove to them that she got the job because of merit, not because the CEO is a family friend. And prove to herself that she can overcome a past business failure and make the hotel a success.

When the story opens, Giovanna and her staff prepare for the hotel’s grand opening. Friends, family, and corporate bigwigs fly in for the event. Renowned documentary producer Claire Costello and her film crew have arrived; Giovanna has the staff send a bottle of champagne to Claire’s room to welcome the VIP guest. The next morning, Claire is found dead in her bed; the cause of death is apparent poisoning. Now Giovanna must work with her boyfriend, local police detective Victor Zuniga, to solve the case while juggling the details of the grand opening and controlling the narrative around the mysterious demise of a VIP guest on the property.

Complications in her relationship arise when Giovanna’s ex-boyfriend decides to join her family to attend the grand opening. Her best friend and several of her employees have a history with Claire. And Claire’s team is somewhat dysfunctional, keeping secrets and telling contradictory stories. Despite Giovanna’s efforts to maintain normalcy and apprehend the culprit, things continue to worsen.

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About Sharon Marchisello

 

SHARON MARCHISELLO is the author of two other mysteries published by Milford House, the fiction imprint of Sunbury Press: Going Home (2014) and Secrets of the Galapagos (2019), which is the prequel to Murder at Leisure Dreams – Galapagos. She also writes the DeeLo Myer Cat Rescue Mysteries from Level Best Books. Besides novels, Sharon has published short stories in anthologies and online magazines; one was a 2022 Derringer finalist. She has written travel articles, training manuals, screenplays, book reviews, and a nonfiction book (Live Well, Grow Wealth – 2018). She earned a Bachelor’s degree in French from the University of Houston and a Master’s in Professional Writing from the University of Southern California. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime, the Atlanta Writers Club, and the Hometown Novel Writers Association. Retired after 27 years with Delta Air Lines, Sharon now lives in Peachtree City, Georgia. She serves on the boards of the Fayette Humane Society, Hometown Novel Writers Association, and the Friends of the Peachtree City Library.
She loves to travel, including a trip to the Galapagos Islands in 2014.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Twitter/X / Goodreads

LinkedIn / Instagram / BookBub

Purchase link:  Sunbury Press – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 25 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – SPOTLIGHT  

August 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 31 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 1 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 1 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 3 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 4 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 5 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Die, Die, Birdie ~ A Kiki Lowenstein Mystery By Joanna Campbell Slan

Posted: August 26, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Die, Die, Birdie (Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series)
by Joanna Campbell Slan


Die, Die, Birdie (Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series)
Cozy Mystery
19th in the Series
Setting – Missouri
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spot On Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 1, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 230 pages
Paperback
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8289334954
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8349429880
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FDT3Q8C9

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When her son’s new pet becomes evidence in a murder case, scrapbook store owner Kiki Lowenstein-Detweiler discovers that some family secrets are worth killing for.

All eight-year-old Erik wanted for his birthday was a bird. What he got was Solo-a traumatized lovebird whose mate was recently devoured by a boa constrictor at a local pet shop.

But when Kiki learns that Solo originally belonged to Ruthie Goldman, a beloved member of their temple community who died after a brutal home invasion, she realizes this is no ordinary rescue pet.

Solo may be small, but he’s carrying big secrets-literally. X-rays reveal the tiny bird has swallowed several diamonds from the robbery that killed his previous owner. Now someone is desperately trying to track down Erik’s feathered friend, and Kiki’s family is in danger.

As Detective Chad Detweiler investigates the diamond theft that triggered Ruthie’s fatal stroke, Kiki uncovers a web of family betrayals, frozen embryos, and twisted ideas about genetic purity.

With her trademark blend of humor, heart, and small-town Missouri charm, Kiki must protect her family while helping to solve a murder that hits frighteningly close to home. Because when inheritance, infertility, and identity collide, even the most loving families can harbor deadly secrets.

“Fans of cozy mysteries will delight in this charming blend of family drama, small-town secrets, and feathered friends. Kiki Lowenstein-Detweiler proves once again that the most dangerous mysteries often begin with the most innocent questions.”

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About Joanna Campbell Slan

Joanna is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author

who has written more than 70 books, both fiction and non-fiction. Currently, she writes four ongoing mystery series: the Kiki Lowenstein cozy mysteries (Agatha Award finalist/first novel/contemporary); the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence winner/historical); the Cara Mia Delgatto mysteries (contemporary); and the Friday Night Mystery Club mysteries (set in 1980s). She’s also the editor and co-author of the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy books.

Her publication career began as one of the earliest Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors, and her stories appear in five of those New York Times bestselling books. Joanna’s first non-fiction book, Using Stories and Humor: Grab Your Audience (Simon & Schuster/Pearson), was endorsed by Toastmasters International and lauded by Benjamin Netanyahu’s speechwriter. Her books on scrapbooking have won fans all over the world, and she has taught scrapbooking techniques in Europe and on cruise ships, as well as in the United States.

When she isn’t writing, Joanna is an avid crafter. Contact Joanna at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com.

Follow her on social media by going HERE

Author Links: Newsletter / Street Team / Website / Facebook / Facebook Group / Twitter/X

Amazon / Instagram / Goodreads / BookBub / LinkedIn / Pinterest

Purchase Link – Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 25 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 25 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 26 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 28 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 29 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 29 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 31 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

August 31 – Infinite House of Books – SPOTLIGHT

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Murder, Mystery And Misdirection By Pamela McCord ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 24, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
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Murder, Mystery and Misdirection

by Pamela McCord

 

(An Erin Baily in Franklin Paranormal Mystery, #3)
Publication date: August 21st 2025
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

Hold onto your coffee and get ready to dive into the charmingly quirky world of Franklin, Tennessee. Erin Bailey never expected her new Southern estate to come with a talking cat named Peekaboo and a parade of ghostly visitors, giving her life a supernatural twist beyond even her wildest imaginings.

In “Murder, Mystery and Misdirection,” Erin becomes embroiled in yet another haunting mystery when her neighbor, Derek, vanishes under suspicious circumstances. As she delves into the secrets surrounding Derek’s disappearance, Erin must navigate the demands of an irate spirit who wishes she’d mind her own business, and the wife he left behind who would prefer that Erin not meddle in her personal life. Despite her initial distaste for Derek, an admittedly abusive husband, Erin is determined to help his pesky ghost cross over—all with her signature wit and relatable charm.

With the assistance of her best friend Susie, a podcast-loving sidekick, Detective Ryan Cahill, the handsome detective who has captured Erin’s heart, and DC, a private investigator and Susie’s boyfriend, Erin faces breathtaking revelations and dangerous discoveries. Add in an unexpected visit from Susie’s all-knowing Italian mother, bringing her own mix of culinary talents and psychic insight, and Erin’s world becomes as dizzyingly delightful as it is unpredictable.

Immerse yourself in a tale where cozy meets paranormal, filled with laughter and suspense. When your closest advisor is a snarky orange cat and your sleuthing targets the world of the dead, nothing is off-limits.

Perfect for fans of mystery interwoven with humor, “Murder, Mystery and Misdirection” promises a journey that’s both heartwarming and hilariously unpredictable—because unraveling a murder mystery is just another day in the life when your companions are as spectral and sassy as the enigmatic Peekaboo.

Join Erin as she dances through danger, one ghostly encounter at a time!

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Peekaboo!”

I burst through the front door, Ryan in my wake. I stopped in the hallway and looked for any sign of the orange cat who was currently on my sugar (I don’t like to swear) list. It only took a moment before the little creature stepped primly into the hall.

“I was napping,” the grumpy feline said, shooting me a gold-eyed glare. She waited for me to continue.

“I acknowledged them,” I said, deadpan. Just what my cat warned me not to do.

“Oh.” Peekaboo’s snooty manner fell away, and she lowered those gold eyes.

“That’s all you have to say?” I stood, arms crossed, my eyes shooting daggers. Ryan, my boyfriend, stood mutely watching. He couldn’t hear Peekaboo.

But I could. Oh, boy, could I. My sweet little inherited orange cat bestowed on me, by way of tripping me on my way down the front porch steps, the “gift” of being able to communicate with her. Oh, and see ghosts. To be fair, her motives were pure. She needed me to have a near-death experience so I’d wake up and be able to listen to her.

Maybe I should back up, so you know what I’m talking about.

I used to live in Los Angeles. When I was twenty-one, I broke up a mugging and saved a dear little old lady. She was so grateful that seven years later she left me her estate in her will.

In addition to a house, an SUV and a large amount of money, I inherited Peekaboo, the talking cat. Of course, I didn’t know she was a talking cat at the time. After glaring at me for a few days, she apparently thought I was hopeless and pushed me down the stairs. So, I woke up in the hospital and saw a doctor with a clipboard walk through a wall. But that’s really immaterial to my story. My neighbor, who found me splayed out on the porch steps, called 911. When I was released from the hospital, Elsie, the neighbor, told me I’d flatlined and it took ten minutes of the paddles to bring me back to life.

As I hobbled into my house after Elsie brought me home from the hospital and made sure I was all right to be left alone, subject cat started talking to me. I thought I must have a brain tumor…somebody get me back to the hospital! I grabbed the fireplace poker and used it to keep her at bay. I think she may have rolled her eyes at me.

Then, before I was comfortable that she was talking…and I could understand her…she trotted out the ghost of Alice, the sweet little old lady who’d left me her house. Apparently, this whole episode was so I could see Alice and solve her murder.

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About Author Pamela McCord:

A Mom’s Choice Awards® Recipient, Pam started writing later in life when an author friend challenged her to create a book from his story idea. Being a never-say-never person, she met the challenge and managed to finish an entire novel, much to her surprise. Since that beginning, she’s written several books, in several genres. Romance, middle grade and paranormal comprise most of her work. Her first published book, The Haunting of Elmwood Manor, A Pekin Dewlap Mystery, is a Mom’s Choice Award Winner! Several of her books have also earned that award. Pam lives in Tennessee, where she shares a home with her My Cat From Hell TV star, Allie, who manages to exude just enough affection to make her scary feral ways tolerable.

Website / Facebook / Instagram

 

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Murder, Mystery and Misdirection Blitz

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Mrs. Christie At The Mystery Guild Library By Amanda Chapman

Posted: August 23, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library
(Mrs. Christie Series)
by Amanda Chapman


Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Greenwich Village in New York City (primarily near Washington Square)
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Berkley
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 26, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593818814
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593818817
Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0593818831
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DP3R1Q9G
Audiobook ASIN B0DPJK5BPS

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Book conservator Tory Van Dyne and a woman claiming to be Agatha Christie on holiday from the Great Beyond join forces to catch a killer in this spirited mystery from Amanda Chapman.

Tory Van Dyne is the most down-to-earth member of a decidedly eccentric old-money New York family. For one thing, as book conservator at Manhattan’s Mystery Guild Library, she actually has a job. Plus, she’s left up-town society behind for a quiet life downtown. So she’s not thrilled when she discovers a woman in the library’s Christie Room who calmly introduces herself as Agatha Christie, politely requests a cocktail, and announces she’s there to help solve a murder— that has not yet happened.

But as soon as Tory determines that this is just a fairly nutty Christie fangirl, her socialite/actress cousin Nicola gets caught up in the suspicious death of her less-than-lovable talent agent. Nic, as always, looks to Tory for help. Tory, in turn, looks to Mrs. Christie. The woman, whoever or whatever she is, clearly knows her stuff when it comes to crime.

Aided by an unlikely band of fellow sleuths —including a snarky librarian, an eleven-year-old computer whiz, and an NYPD detective with terrible taste in suits—Tory and the woman claiming to be her very much deceased literary idol begin to unravel the twists and turns of a murderer’s devious mind. Because, in the immortal words of Miss Jane Marple, “murder is never simple.”

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About Amanda Chapman 

Amanda Chapman (aka Amy Pershing) is a lifelong mystery lover and wordsmith. Under the name Amy Pershing, she is also the author of the Cape Cod Foodie mysteries. An enthusiastic fan of traditional mysteries and of New York City, she found herself wondering, “What if someone recreated Agatha Christie’s personal library -– even to the furnishings and architecture — in New York City? What would happen in that space?” And thus MRS. CHRISTIE AT THE MYSTERY GUILD LIBRARY — the first in a new series — was born.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads

Purchase Links
PenguinRandomHouse  – Amazon – B&N – Bookshop.org – Kobo

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 19 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – Salty Inspirations – COCKTAIL RECIPE

August 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 22 – Hall Ways Blog – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 25 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 27 – Storybook Lady – REVIEW

August 28 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 29 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

August 30 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

August 31 – From the TBR Pile – REVIEW

 

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Dog Of Deliverance ~ A Golden Retriever Mystery By Neil S. Plakcy

Posted: August 22, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
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Dog of Deliverance: A Golden Retriever Mystery
by Neil S. Plakcy


Dog of Deliverance: A Golden Retriever Mystery
Cozy Mystery
21st in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 30, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 246 pages
Paperback ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8287443207
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FCD4DRD2

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When his golden retriever Rochester discovers a body behind the bounce house at Stewart’s Crossing’s first Purim carnival, Steve Levitan finds himself juggling two dangerous investigations that will test both his computer skills and his courage.

Eastern College President Babson asks Steve to use his hacking expertise to investigate Austin Graynor, a star academic whose impressive credentials might be hiding a darker past. What Steve discovers about the professor’s history with female colleagues creates an urgent dilemma about academic power and deadly consequences.

He’s distracted, though, by the murder of Yakov Shmerler, a diamond dealer who was supposed to marry eighteen-year-old Hadassah Schildkraut. Hadassah fled her restrictive Orthodox community to stay with friends of Steve’s. As he helps his detective friend Rick Stemper investigate Yakov’s murder, they uncover secrets that reach from Pennsylvania to the isolated community of Kiryas Lev in New York’s Catskill Mountains.

Hadassah’s escape has made her a target. Her blog exposing corruption in her hometown threatens powerful men who’ve built their authority on others’ silence. As both investigations converge on themes of hidden identities and the courage to challenge corrupt authority—echoing Purim’s ancient story of Queen Esther—Steve must protect those speaking truth to power while helping bring dangerous men to justice.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The Summons

“What can I do to help you?” I asked.

“This is delicate, and I don’t want you to think that I always consider your past when I think of you.”

Uh-oh. My past not only included a degree from Eastern and an MA in English from Columbia, but that pesky conviction for computer hacking.

“The candidate I’m considering is Austin Graynor from Eliot College. His latest book on colonial politics was a bestseller—crossed over to mainstream audiences—and he has another coming out this fall that’s already generating buzz.”

He swiveled his chair to look out the window at the sprawling Eastern campus below. “I met him a year ago at an academic conference, and he expressed an interest in coming to Eastern. He said that the Maine winters were getting too hard for him as he aged.”

I only knew Eliot College by reputation. It was a small, academically demanding institution often mentioned in the same breath as Eastern and the group of colleges known as the Little Ivies.

Babson turned back to me. “Three board members have been pressing me to bring in a top scholar to improve our profile among the very good small colleges we compete with. Graynor’s name and publication record could boost our ranking, pushing us up into the top 25 colleges in the country.”

I understood immediately. Eastern had been struggling with enrollment in the liberal arts disciplines, and the latest ranking by one of the major college review publications had pushed us to number 27. A star professor could make a real difference.

“My discipline is English, not history. But I could read his books, if you want.”

“There has been some buzz that he’s made disturbing comments online in the past,” Babson said. “I have this on the authority of a colleague at Eliot. He was up for censure at one point but apparently, he took down all those negative posts and had his online reputation scrubbed, so no charges were filed.”

“There are companies that will do that,” I said. “Remove negative content from the web or at least post enough positives that anything bad is buried below an avalanche of good press.”

“That’s where you come in,” Babson said. “If Graynor has said the kinds of things he’s been charged with, then he’s not someone I’d want to hire at Eastern.”

“And if you do hire him, and those comments come out, it could reflect negatively on the college.”

“Exactly. I know you have excellent computer skills and I’d like you to dig around and see what you can find on Professor Graynor. The good, the bad and the ugly. I need a full profile of him before I make a decision, a much fuller one than I can find on my own.”

I felt my fingers tingling with anticipation. It was the kind of request I loved to get. Usually, they came from my friend Rick Stemper, who was one of the police detectives in our home town of Stewart’s Crossing, when he was trying to solve a complicated case and needed computer help.

“If what I’ve heard is true, I can’t have him here, no matter how many books he sells or students he attracts.” Babson drummed his fingers on the desk. “But I need evidence, not rumors. The Trustees will push for him unless I can prove he’s the wrong candidate.”

I owed President Babson a lot, and I was happy to accommodate him. “It would probably be best if I did my searching on my personal laptop,” I said. “And I’ll print out whatever results I find and hand-deliver them to you. That way we can avoid a digital trail that might be subpoenaed by attorneys, if Graynor ever chose to sue.”

“Excellent thinking.” Babson stood up. “We need to move quickly on this. Graynor’s told us to give him an answer within two weeks. Thanks for taking this on, Steve. I appreciate your help.”

Author Bio The Dog Walker’s Inspiration

Neil Plakcy began writing his beloved Golden Retriever Mystery series because he spent so much time walking his golden retriever, Samwise (yes, he’s a Tolkien geek!) The walks gave him plenty of time to dream up mysteries, though fortunately Sam never had a habit of finding dead bodies. Now living in Hollywood, Florida, with his husband and their golden retrievers Brody and Griffin, Neil draws daily inspiration from his furry companions, who provide love, entertainment, and endless piles of fur on the floor. Long walks with the dogs give him plenty of time to think up new crimes and solutions, making every dog walk a potential plotting session. When he’s not following his dogs’ lead to new story ideas, Neil enjoys his morning café mocha and the occasional chocolate martini at mystery conferences. His website is www.mahubooks.com.

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About Neil S. Plakcy

Neil S. Plakcy is the author of over 70 novels in mystery, romance, and adventure. His golden retriever mysteries are inspired by his English Cream goldens, Brody and Griffin, who are constantly sniffing around for food or affection.

Author Links: Website / Blog / Facebook / Goodreads / Pinterest 

Twitter / Instagram / BookBub / LinkedIn / Amazon

Purchase Links – Books2Read  – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 20 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 20 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

August 21 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 22 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 25 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 26 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 26 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

Axes And Alchemy ~ A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery By Carmen Radtke

Posted: August 20, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Axes and Alchemy (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery)
Willowmere Mysteries
by Carmen Radtke


Axes and Alchemy (A Cozy Midlife Witch Mystery) Willowmere Mysteries
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Oregon
Independently Published
Publication Date ‏ : ‎ August 15, 2025
Number of Pages: ~230
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F897P74L

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Pirate loot and deadly feud …

So much for a peaceful next chapter: Novice witch Bex Merriweather has her hands full running a leading library and secretly studying magic under the critical eye of her opinionated familiar and mentor, cat Cosmo.

The last thing newly divorced perimenopausal Bex needs is more tasks needing her attention. But when a podcast connects a pirate treasure and voodoo magic with tranquil Willowmere and treasure hunters as well as occultists flock to the town, feuds erupt.

When a dead body is found, Bex and Cosmo can’t discount the idea that greed and black magic had something to do with the murder. But can she protect her secret and the town without exposing the truth about her inheritance? And is somebody already on her trail – somebody wishing her ill? With only her cat and her trusted circle of friends, Bex sets out to catch a killer before the treasure of a long dead pirate claims another victim.

Axes and Alchemy is the second case in this fun-filled series. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mayhem, and heroines who believe it’s never too late for a new chapter—or a little witchcraft!

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About Carmen Radtke

Carmen has spent most of her life with ink on her fingers and a dangerously high pile of books and newspapers by her side.

She has worked as a newspaper reporter on two continents and always dreamt of becoming a novelist and screenwriter.

When she found herself crouched under her dining table, typing away on a novel between two earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand, she realised she was hooked for life.

The shaken but stirring novel made it to the longlist of the Mslexia competition, and her next book and first mystery, The Case Of The Missing Bride, was a finalist in the Malice Domestic competition in a year without a winner. Since then she has penned several more cozy mysteries, including the Genie and Adriana Darling ghost mysteries and the Jack and Frances series set in the 1930s.

Carmen now lives in Italy with her human and her four-legged family. Although she possesses no witchy powers, she’s known to be easily held spellbound by animals.

Author Links: Website / Facebook

Purchase Link – Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 18 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 22 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews

August 23 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 25 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

August 26 – Ruff Drafts – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 27 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

 

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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.

Death At Rock Bottom ~ A Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery By Kris Bock

Posted: August 9, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Death at Rock Bottom: A Paranormal Mystery
(Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery)
by Kris Bock


Death at Rock Bottom: A Paranormal Mystery (Reluctantly Psychic Murder Mystery)
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – New Mexico
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tule Publishing
Publication Date ‏ : ‎ July 30, 2025
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1966593997
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F2KN4ZSB

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She can touch an object and sense the emotions of the people who’ve held it before…

After solving the mystery of her predecessor’s death, geologist Petra Cloch wants to focus on her new job as the rocks and minerals curator at a quirky, small-town New Mexico museum. But her friend and colleague Liberty is suspicious of the “accidental” death of Frank Underwood, a retired petroleum engineer and rockhound who unexpectedly died while hiking. Frank acted odd and secretive in his last weeks—mumbling about an incredible find in the desert and aliens. Was he showing the first signs of dementia, or were more sinister forces at work?

Petra agrees to help excavate the truth, and soon, instead of meeting for book club, she and her friends become amateur investigators. Petra uses her gift and her brains to sort through the contradictory stories and confusing clues as she and her friends dig for answers.

Did Frank’s heirs decide to hasten their inheritance? Or did his rock shop business partner decide to go solo? Petra joins the local geological club to discover whether someone there acquired a taste for murder, because they’ll need rock solid evidence to catch a killer.

Perfect for fans of Paige Shelton’s Alaska Wild Mysteries and Heather Graham’s Krewe of Hunters!

If you love supernatural sleuths, small-town intrigue, and mysteries with a geological twist, Death at Rock Bottom is your next must-read! Grab your copy today!

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About Kris Bock

Kris Bock writes mystery, suspense, and romance, often with Southwestern landscapes. In the Accidental Detective humorous mystery series, a witty journalist solves mysteries in Arizona and tackles the challenges of turning fifty. This humorous series starts with Something Shady at Sunshine Haven, which made Barnes & Noble’s list of “Handpicked Favorites You’ll Love!” Kris’s romantic suspense novels include stories of treasure hunting, archaeology, and intrigue. Readers have called these novels “Smart romance with an Indiana Jones feel.”

Learn more about Kris’s books or sign up for the Kris Bock newsletter and get an Accidental Detective short story and other freebies. Then every two weeks, you’ll get fun content about pets, announcements of new books, sales, and more. As for Kris’s romance stories, the Furrever Friends Sweet Romance series stars the employees and customers at a cat café. Watch as they fall in love with each other and shelter cats. In the Accidental Billionaire Cowboys series, a Texas ranching family wins a fortune in the lottery, which causes as many problems as it solves.

Author Links: Website / Newsletter / Goodreads

BookBub / Amazon / Mastodon / BlueSky

With hotlinks:

Website

Author newsletter signup

GoodReads Author Page

BookBub

Amazon US page or Amazon UK page

Mastodon

BlueSky

 

Purchase Links: Publisher / Amazon / B&N / Apple / Kobo / Google Play

With hotlinks:

Publisher

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Kobo

Google Play

GoodReads

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

July 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

July 31 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 1 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

August 2 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 3 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

August 4 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 4 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 7 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 7 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 8 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 9 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 9 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 11 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

Solid Gold Murder ~ A Golden Motel Mystery By Ellen Byron

Posted: August 3, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries)
by Ellen Byron


Solid Gold Murder (Golden Motel Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – California
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington Cozies
Publication date ‏ : ‎ July 29, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496745388
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496745385
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DLR3TVJP

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Dee Stern’s Golden Motel-of-the-Mountains promises a tranquil getaway for outdoor lovers in the scenic Californian village of Foundgold. But when Dee accidentally triggers a modern gold rush, she suddenly turns her peaceful retreat into a hotspot for mayhem and murder . . .

With the summer season looming, former Hollywood sitcom writer Dee Stern has one small goal—scrubbing her motel’s unflattering moniker as the “Murder Motel.” Dee and ex-husband-turned-business-partner Jeff Cornetta are excited to introduce a family-friendly panning activity complete with fool’s gold just in time for the peak tourist months. Except neither could have anticipated the discovery of a real gold nugget or the ensuing social media frenzy. In a flash, the viral sensation draws grizzled prospectors, wide-eyed adventurers, and trend-chasing thrill seekers to the abandoned mines scattered around the woods . . .

The instant popularity proves great for business, but it also attracts a group of out-of-touch Silicon Valley techies with dreams of striking it rich—again. Dee finds herself particularly annoyed by the insufferably smug Sylvan Burr, a retired CEO who sold his startup before age 30 and won’t let anyone forget it. But things take a sinister turn when Sylvan meets a grim fate at the bottom of a mineshaft, leaving Dee at the center of a deadly mystery that could end her days as a motelier. And while Sylvan had plenty of enemies, Dee suddenly faces adversaries rooting against her own success. Now, with her life and the future of the Golden Motel hanging by a thread, Dee must unearth a minefield of suspects and outwit a greedy killer before she finally digs herself too deep . . .

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About Ellen Byron

Ellen is a bestselling author, Anthony nominee, and recipient of multiple Agatha and Lefty awards for her Cajun Country Mysteries, Vintage Cookbook Mysteries,  Catering Hall Mysteries (as Maria DiRico), and Golden Motel Mysteries. She is also an award-winning playwright and non-award-winning writer of TV hits like Wings, Just Shoot Me, and Fairly OddParents, but considers her most impressive achievement working as a cater-waiter for Martha Stewart.

A native New Yorker, Ellen is a graduate of Tulane University and lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband, daughter, and a rotating crew of rescue pups. Visit her at http://www.ellenbyron.com/.

Author Links: Newsletter / Facebook / Facebook / Instagram

BookBub / BookBub / Goodreads 

Purchase Links – Amazon – Kensington – Bookshop.org – B&N – Hudson Books – Target – Walmart 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 30 – The Plain-Spoken Pen – REVIEW – RECIPE

July 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

August 1 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT 

August 2 – The Mystery of Writing – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 3 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

August 3 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 4 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

August 4 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 5 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 6 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

August 7 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

August 8 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

August 9 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 9 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

August 10 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

Willowcroft Cozy Mystery Series By Fran Heap ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 31, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, Excerpt, giveaways
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Murder, Mystery & Mothers

by Fran Heap

 

(A Willowcroft Cozy Mystery, #1)
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

“You’d better leave town or else”.

After a devastating betrayal mystery writer Tammy Rumbelow flees LA for a charming blue cottage in Willowcroft, Michigan. But when a yellowed letter in the attic reveals an unsolved 70-year-old locked room murder in her living room, her peace is shattered.

Determined to start fresh, Tammy enlists the help of a ragtag group of locals:

Bookstore owner Olivia Huddlestone offers a sanctuary for clandestine conversations and genealogical sleuthing among her shelves.

Eccentric Mrs. Hazel Temperance mines her knitting circle for gossip.

Retired detective “Wally” has contacts at the sheriff’s department.

Tech whiz kid Xander Simmons hasn’t met a computer he didn’t like—or a website he can’t hack.

And a stray cat with a nose for clues…

As threatening letters appear and break-ins escalate around town, Tammy must prove to herself—and her inner critic—that she’s capable of solving a murder, or will that be two?

Perfect for fans of multi-generational mysteries filled with quirky characters like Only Murders in the Building and crime-solving writers like Castle.

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The complete series:

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Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

At three in the morning, with her cursor blinking on an empty page, Tammy Rumbelow stumbled upon an online listing in rural Michigan. For the First time in months, a flicker of hope sparked.

The realtor’s photos of the little blue cottage with its front porch and white picket fence, had set her heart alight. The interior was as enchanting as the exterior, featuring an antique writing desk where inspiration could strike.

On a whim—or perhaps out of desperation—she’d picked up the phone and bought it based on the pictures alone. She had never even visited the state before. Had fate handed her a lifeline, or had she made the biggest mistake of her life?

Now, six weeks later, Tammy’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel; nerves and fanfare clashed in her stomach. This was it—her fresh start. But a familiar undercurrent of doubt threatened to bubble to the surface. She turned off the highway. The country roads, flanked by dense forests of oak, maple, and pine, marked the last stretch of her six-day drive from Los Angeles to Willowcroft.

She rolled down the window. The crisp breeze tousled long, wavy strands of brown hair over her face. Tammy inhaled, savoring the clean air. It reminded her of childhood summers—when life was untangled.

As the miles stretched behind her, the hum of the tires a constant companion, fragments of her former life in LA surfaced. Tammy’s chest constricted at the memory of her best manuscript—a boundary-pushing idea. But she’d never seen it in print, at least not under her name. Instead, her rushed, uninspired replacement made it to the shelves, the one cobbled together in the aftermath, her creativity fractured and trust shattered.

The book reviews rang in her head. “No emotional depth.” “Lacked soul.” Tammy winc ed, acknowledging their bitter truth. But the one that stung the deepest: “She’s not just over forty, she’s over, full stop.” They don’t know the real story behind those pages.

“You can never do anything right,” her mother’s sneer boomed, reopening old wounds. It had taken years to quiet the nagging doubts from her childhood, but the betrayal let those words flood back stronger than ever. The steering wheel grew slick under her clammy palms.

A road sign came into view, providing a diversion. “Welcome to Willowcroft. Township Population 999. Greater Willowcroft Population 5,124.”

Will I tip the scales to an even thousand? Any distraction helped. Was two thousand miles far enough away to break free?

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About Author Fran Heap:

I am based in Melbourne, Australia but have lived in London, Copenhagen and New Jersey. I’ve been to 61 countries but want to visit over 190.

I’m a poor excuse of a redhead who loves ancient ruins and drains, hates dusting, revels in going behind the scenes, can’t smile in photos and detests selfie sticks (though I now own one).

I have a penchant for collecting quirky data and my favourite saying is: curiosity killed the cat, but information brought him back.

I have wanted to be a writer since I was nine but also had aspirations of being a famous actress, an astronaut, owning a department store and opening up a youth hostel. I became a career Nanny and Neonatal Nurse instead.

Now I am an author of cozy mystery novels (and travel books).

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook

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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.

A Poetic Pox ~ A Lady Librarian Mystery By Samantha Larsen

Posted: July 26, 2025 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Historical
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A Poetic Pox: A Lady Librarian Mystery
by Samantha Larsen


A Poetic Pox: A Lady Librarian Mystery
Historical Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – 1786, England
Publisher: Dreamscape First
Audible.com Release Date: July 22, 2025
Listening Length: 8 hours and 18 minutes
Author: Samantha Larsen
Narrator: Marni Penning
ASIN: B0FBBG4GZC

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1786, England

It is the twelve days of Christmas, and Mrs. Tiffany Lathrop is happily juggling her duties as a new mother and a librarian to Catharine, the Duchess of Beaufort. Her employer receives a mysterious letter from an old paramour, the Marquess of Harwood, who is the biological father of Catharine’s son. He promises to leave his estate and fortune to Beau if he can see the boy before he dies.

Her elder son, Thomas Montague, has a terrible cold, so Catharine asks Tiffany to accompany her and Beau. When they arrive at the dilapidated abbey, they discover a dead body—only it isn’t the marquess, but his valet! Lord Harwood is alive, but unconscious with suspicious-looking pox marks on his hands. Tiffany wonders if the marquess is really dying, or if it is all poetic revenge? Especially when she discovers the secrets that haunt Rosedean Abbey.

Between breastfeeding and dirty diapers, Tiffany must discover who killed the valet and attempted to murder the marquess before anyone else dies.

©2025 Samantha Larsen (P)2025 Dreamscape First

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About Samantha Larsen

Samantha Hastings met her husband in a turkey sandwich line. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she spends most of her time reading, having tea parties, and chauffeuring her four kids. She teaches World Literature at Brigham Young University. Her young adult fiction books are Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections and her historical romances are published around the world. She also writes murder mysteries under Samantha Larsen that Publisher’s Weekly called “wildly enjoyable.”

Author Links: Website / Instagram / Facebook / X / Bookbub

Purchase Links – Amazon  B&N  

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 21 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

July 21 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

July 22 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 23 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

July 24 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 25 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 26 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

July 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 27 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

July 28 – Review Thick And Thin – REVIEW

July 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR GUEST POST

July 30 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW  

July 31 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 1 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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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.

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