Posts Tagged ‘giveaway’

They Had Eyes Of Silver by S E Davis ~ A Peek Inside and Giveaway

Posted: June 6, 2022 in giveaways, Paranormal or fantasy, Romance
Tags: , ,
22

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for They Had Eyes Of Silver organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author S E Davis will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

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

They Had Eyes Of Silver

by  S E Davis

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Synopsis

A secret lineage. A family cursed. A forbidden love that can’t be denied.
Veterinarian Reina Kirke is exhausted. So, when her best friend suggests a European vacation, she doesn’t hesitate. A much-needed break and a chance to investigate her mysterious family tree sound perfect. Too bad she’s in no way prepared for what she finds. The fairytale town in Belgium hides family secrets grounded in the supernatural. Legends of werewolves and witches surround her, and a taboo love affair threatens to pull her into a danger she might not be able to handle.
What seems like a chance encounter with Blaise Woodward, a brooding hunk with his own secrets, sets up a sequence of events that could unravel both of their families as they realize their deep connection to each other is generations old. But only one thing is certain.
Their lives will never be the same…

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

To call them wolves was a disservice. They were something… more. An image of a dire wolf flashed in her mind, as did a hellhound. It took all she had not to bolt. Then her restlessness reared up and demanded she join the pack and race them into forever.

 

The largest stepped ahead of the others. His silver eyes gleamed intensely. Reina couldn’t tear her eyes away from his, her emotions overwhelming her. She was the chosen heir to wield the knife that could supposedly destroy his wonderful family. She was who she was, not who her ancestors meant for her to be. And yet, deep down, Reina wasn’t completely certain who she was. No matter what, she would be true to herself.

 

He approached with slow, determined steps. When he stopped a few paces in front of her, she fell to her knees, dragging the blanket with her.

 

Although his eyes reflected silver in the faint light, they were Blaise’s eyes. His massive paws stepped closer, and she reared up on her knees, reaching with both hands to the beast. She ran her hands through his thick mane and down his neck, where she tangled them into the hair on his shoulders. The wolf bowed his head and leaned forward, and she rested her forehead against his.

 

“You are breathtaking,” she murmured. Her hands massaged his shoulders, something she automatically did when giving affection to a dog, and she felt the low rumble both in her forearms and in her chest. It sounded like a soft growl. Disentangling her fingers from his hair, she sat back on her heels.

 

Blaise, in his massive, stoic wolf form, loomed over her. His mouth opened and, tongue lolling, he licked her cheek. She giggled and pushed him away, but he grabbed her hand between his teeth. His hold was gentle and didn’t break skin, even though his teeth were sharp. Then he released her and stuck his nose into the crook of her neck and inhaled, nipping her once before retreating. The pack melted back into the trees, their silver eyes dissolving into the shadows.

 

Then the howling began.

~~~~~

Author S E Davis

S E Davis is a veterinarian and advocate for werewolf health. She lives on the North Dakota prairie with her family and a Weimaraner who understands shifting into human form is not necessary for being part of the pack.

 

Links: Website / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads / BookBub

Buy link: Amazon

~~~~~

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.

Half Moon Bay Series by Erin Brockus ~ Excerpts and Giveaway

Posted: June 5, 2022 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: , ,
13
.
.

.

Finding Hope

Half Moon Bay Series Book 1

by Erin Brockus

Genre: Contemporary Beach Romance

.

Take one island paradise and add two wounded hearts, afraid to love.
Will their pasts be too much to overcome?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “I completely fell head over heels for both Hope and Alex in this story. My heart is still melting. I seriously couldn’t put this book down.” Goodreads reviewer

After her predictable and carefully ordered life is upended,Hope Collins is desperate for a change. This comes when she unexpectedly wins a scuba diving resort on the Caribbean island of St. Croix. But when she arrives to complications, her determination is immediately tested.

Enigmatic dive instructor Alex Monroe is trying to forget the past and only wants a quiet life. But that’s turned upside down when Hope arrives and he finds himself drawn toward her.

Both have their reasons for avoiding a romantic entanglement, but a series of mishaps throws them together and their resolve is challenged. Even paradise can have a dark side. Hope has learned never to trust a man. Alex has closed himself off, existing but not living.

When two pasts collide, their scars overlap. Can two damaged souls find hope in each other?

Finding Hope is the first novel in the enthralling Half Moon Bay series. It is a slow-burn, sensual contemporary beach romance featuring compelling, realistic characters and an irresistible tropical setting!

**Get it FREE!!**

Goodreads * Amazon

.

.

Hope awoke the next morning with a terrible, gnawing kink in her neck from sleeping upright in the lounger.

“Oh God. Ouch. Oh, hell.”

“Did you sleep there all night?” Alex walked up the beach toward her.

Surprised, she darted her eyes to him, causing her neck to spasm again. “Ow—goddammit! Yes, apparently. Though I didn’t mean to.” She rolled her neck, and it began to loosen up. Pale pink streaked the sky to the east and a soft light grew around them.

“I woke up early and was heading into the dive shop when I noticed someone in the chair, so I came over to make sure everything was ok.” He stopped in front of her. “Is everything ok?”

“Except for my broken neck, yes.” She was still rubbing it.

“I can come back later if you’d prefer. When you’re not cussing at me.”

He was smiling, and she couldn’t help but return it. “I can’t believe I slept all night like this.”

“I can. You must have been exhausted after yesterday.”

That brought it all back, and she turned to sit sideways on the lounger. “I’m sorry I bolted off the boat when we returned to the dock—that wasn’t fair to you. I needed some time alone.”

Alex sat down next to her and pressed his leg against hers. Her stomach tightened, and she shifted her eyes to him, but there was no sign of teasing or flirting. He was simply offering comfort. Hope relaxed and leaned against him as Alex put his arm around her shoulders.

“Don’t apologize,” he said. “Sometimes I need to go off by myself too. And I meant what I said yesterday—you did great down there.”

A warm light spread inside her at his closeness. “Thank you. I’m determined not to let this beat me.”

“No one would expect you to get over something like that in a day, but I’ve got an idea. There’s an afternoon trip scheduled for today, but why don’t we dive the house reef here tomorrow afternoon? Just you and me. You had a great time when we dove it on your check-out.”

Hope drank in his face. His morning stubble was much darker than the hair on his head. She focused on his chin—there was gray mixed in, too. Alex wasn’t some boy pretending to be a man. He was so different. “I’d like that.”

“Good. I’ll keep you safe.” He pressed his leg tighter against hers. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes.”

Their eyes locked and held, and Hope became aware of everywhere their bodies touched, even more so than when they were on the boat yesterday. She dropped her gaze to his mouth, yearning for his kiss, and aching for his touch. Stunned senseless at her intense response to him. His lips were full and slightly parted as he moved them toward her. Time seemed to slow as she leaned toward him, their lips only inches apart. He’d closed his eyes, his breathing much deeper.

Then it was as if someone poured ice-cold water over her head. How incredibly different it was this time with this man. Yesterday, they’d shared an experience like very few others and come out the far side. Together. A roaring sound thrummed in her ears as her heart pounded and she wrenched herself back, standing on shaky legs.

“No! I can’t do this, Alex. I’m sorry!” She turned and started running back to her house.

“Hope! Don’t go.”

Tears flowed as she ran. How could she tell him he hadn’t done anything wrong? That he’d been everything she’d ever wanted since she met him?

.

.

Defending Hope

Half Moon Bay Series Book 2

.

Hope Collins struggles to succeed in her new life. Alex Monroe begins to face his greatest tragedy. Can their love withstand the strongest of storms?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This book should be a ten-star book it was so great! I did not want it to end.” Amazon reviewer

Half Moon Bay Resort owner Hope is settling into her new life in St. Croix when disaster strikes. Dive guide and former Navy SEAL Alex must act when the woman he loves and the resort they are both part of become imperiled.

As a new couple, both must make a stand. Hope finds her hard-won success tested, then must face an unthinkable betrayal. Alex is coming to grips with his darkest memories when his life is upended and he realizes some battles cannot be fought alone.

Together, they must fight to save what they’ve worked so hard to accomplish. Will Hope and Alex be able to face their pasts and triumph over the ultimate danger?

Defending Hope is the second installment in the Half Moon Bay series of sensual contemporary romances which feature mature, compelling characters and an irresistible setting!

**On Sale for Only .99 cents!!**

Goodreads * Amazon

.

.

The night air was warm, and a scattering of stars lit the sky as Alex led Hope down the stairs to Strand Street, then took the first left into a small alley. He continued until they came to a cross street. Alert, he quickly scanned the area, but everything was deserted this late.

This will work. 

He turned down the cross street, which was the back-facing entrance of the shops on either side. Kissing her, he walked her backward until she was pressed against the brick wall and brushed his tongue over her upper lip.

“What are you doing?” She peered over his shoulder, her eyes darting about.

He moved her head back to his. “What it looks like.” Then he broke off to meet her gaze. “It’s ok, baby. We’re safe here.”

He lifted her arms above her head while lightly tracing down the inside of her arm with his other hand. Gooseflesh appeared on her skin as her breath deepened.

“We can’t do this here! What if someone sees?”

“Let ’em.” He pulled her shirt out of her jeans, and she sighed as both his hands found what he was looking for. He smiled against her mouth, desire coursing through him. As he started to unbutton her jeans, she grabbed his hand.

“Alex! We could get arrested for this.”

He laughed but didn’t lift his hand. “This alley is deserted. No one’s gonna see us.” The smile faded, and he breathed into her ear, then flicked it with his tongue as she shuddered. “Why?” he breathed. “You don’t you like what I’m doing to you?”

He had her zipper down now and sent his hand to investigate. “Liar.”

She moaned against his neck. He pulled back, watching her face as he stroked her.

“Oh, my.” Her eyes were closed, and she was nearly gasping.

He moved to his knees and slowly pulled her jeans down, inhaling deeply. He removed one shoe, then the pant leg, before replacing the shoe. Looking up, he said, “The shoes stay on.” Alex repeated the maneuver with her other leg. Her chest heaved, and she pressed both hands against the brick wall.

Then it became very obvious where he was.

Well, I might as well enjoy myself while I’m down here. 

He hadn’t even gotten started when she hissed down at him, “Alex! Don’t you dare!”

Alex had to laugh, but obediently returned to his feet.

He kissed her again as he ran his hands down the outsides of her bare hips. She was groaning now, and he was ready to explode. “I don’t think I can be gentle with you right now.”

Hope broke away and leveled a direct gaze at him. “When a woman wears four-inch red pumps, gentle is the last thing she wants.” She gave him a sultry, throaty laugh he’d never heard from her before, and it seared through him.

“Oh God, do that again.”

“What? Do what ag—”

He closed her mouth with his.

She opened his pants, and he picked her up in a single movement as her legs wrapped around his waist. Alex entered her and slammed her into the wall, then did it again. He broke the kiss to watch her face carefully, but she was enjoying herself completely, her eyes closed. He continued, every nerve in his body alight.

Some time later, Alex regained enough of his sensibilities to see puffs of dust being expelled from the wall every time Hope’s back hit it and became concerned he was hurting her. He gentled his motion, and in response she raked her fingernails down his back under his shirt, saying, “Don’t stop. Alex, please don’t stop.”

“Ok. You asked for it.”

 

The next thing he was aware of was standing with his hands underneath her, holding her against him as they both shuddered, breathing in gasps. She was kissing his neck, so he angled his head around. Her legs were crossed at the ankles behind him, the red shoes hanging from her heels, and his entire body jolted again.

.

.

Rising Hope

Half Moon Bay Series Book 3

.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Rising Hope is a resounding success . . . absolutely stunning.” Goodreads review

Half Moon Bay Resort owner Hope uncovers an incredible opportunity. Dive guide and former Navy SEAL Alex recognizes its potential and understands better than most the associated peril. They must overcome their pasts if they are to look toward any future together.

As a couple, both must learn to confront the unknown and explore new territory. Hope has proven her success with the resort and must learn to trust her own strength. Alex struggles to reconcile the man he used to be with the one he is now.

Together they embark on a high-stakes adventure that could end in an unbelievable prize. It could also be fatal. And when Hope faces the ultimate danger, can she help Alex to face his greatest fear? Can they rise together?

**On Sale for Only $2.99!**

Goodreads * Amazon

.

.

Hope and Alex relaxed as the boat slowly motored to the second dive site. Their wetsuits were pulled down to their waists and they were sitting on the side bench of the boat in front of their tanks. Alex leaned against his tank and pulled Hope back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She melted into him with a happy sigh.

Alex stroked her hair and kissed her temple. “This is great,” he murmured in her ear. “Sitting here with you in my arms right now.”

She rubbed her foot against his, smiling at the deep rumble in his chest. “Calm down, sailor. We still have to set an example of professionalism, you know.”

“Screw the professionalism. It’s my day off. I can do whatever I want to.”

“Oh? And do you usually speak to your bosses like this, Mr. Monroe?”

“I have a special arrangement with my current supervisor.” He was kissing her ear, making her squirm. “Are you getting flustered, Ms. Collins?”

“Oh, stop it or I’ll move to the other side of the boat.” His mouth retreated as he laughed quietly. Alex shifted position and leaned his head against hers as they watched the wake behind the boat.

Hope had mixed feelings about their just-finished dive. Now back on the surface and basking in the sun, she couldn’t understand why she’d been so frightened.

“Thank you for telling me you were uneasy down there. I’m proud of you for not wanting to quit the dive, but remember that’s always an option.” He stroked her hair, and she closed her eyes, leaning further back into him. “You looked like you enjoyed the rest of it—I did too. Except the last part where you thought I was lost, of course.”

Hope laughed without opening her eyes. “I’m sorry. I had no idea the boat was right above my head. I’d been wondering for the last ten minutes of the dive how we were going to get back to it.”

He kissed her temple before leaning his cheek against the side of her head. “You know, you’re a real challenge for me as an instructor.”

“Oh? How so?” It was wonderful being wrapped up in his arms. Right now, she’d be happy to skip the second dive and stay where they were.

“Well, we should do some more deep and current dives so you can get more experience, which will lead to more confidence in the water. Especially with current, there are some techniques I can teach to help you negotiate the reef.”

He tightened his arms around her for a moment. “But as a man who loves you, the last thing I want is to see you scared. I want to protect you from anything that might cause you fear or harm.”

She put her hands over his. “You can’t protect me from everything, you know. I am a fairly capable person.”

“I know you are. Believe me, I do. That current was a little stronger than usual. I’m sorry—I probably should have picked another dive.”

“Don’t apologize. I’m the one who feels dumb now.” She heaved a big sigh. “If anyone should be sorry, it’s me. I could see how excited you were during that dive, and I’m pretty sure I ruined it for you.”

Without warning, Alex leaned forward and sat upright with Hope slightly bent forward in front of him, his arms still around her. His chest moved behind her with the force of his deep inhalations, and his eyes were closed behind his sunglasses.

“Hope, I have spent a lot of years now guiding people on dives. Leading a lot of couples. I make a point of watching them underwater.” A faint smile crossed his face. “It’s usually similar to how they act above the water. Some bicker and fight, and some pay no attention to each other—if one got into trouble, the other wouldn’t even know.”

The smile faded, and he rested his chin on her shoulder, tightening his arms around her with his eyes still closed. “And there are the couples who stay near each other. They make sure the other is ok and show each other the stuff they find. I’d watch them touch each other during the dive, hold hands sometimes, and just enjoying being together. I’ve always thought that was so cool, so special—to have someone you can love and trust so much. To be excited with.”

Taking a deep breath, he spoke next to her ear, barely above a whisper. “And now I’ve got that. I have been alone for so long.”

Alex’s arms gripped her, his chest moving with emotion. “You never have to apologize to me about ruining a dive. You can’t imagine what it means to me to be down there with you. Every day you make my dreams come true.”

,

.

Forever Hope

Half Moon Bay Series Book 4

.

Hope Collins inches toward her greatest dream, while Alex Monroe grapples with one last ghost from his past. Can they make the ultimate decision—one which will affect the rest of their lives?

Hope never thought she would get married, yet her date with destiny draws ever closer. Alex must face one last test in facing his trauma, but he could never have imagined who this final piece of the puzzle would be.

Together, they uncovered a great secret, which will now cause danger for both. It also has the potential to change their lives forever, as well as those they love. Since Hope moved to St. Croix, strangers have become friends and are now family. Alex has learned his purpose will always be within a team, and he isn’t meant to live a solitary life.

Can Hope finally achieve her highest wish? Will Alex triumph over the past at last and face the future? Is their fortune to stand together forever?

Forever Hope brings Hope and Alex’s story to its incredible, emotional culmination, and lays the foundation for the next installment in the Half Moon Bay series.

**New Release!**

Goodreads * Amazon

.

.

Dive into a romantic escape!

Erin Brockus writes sensual contemporary romances set in exotic, tropical locales. She features mature, realistic characters you actually enjoy getting to know. Count on plenty of adventure with a focus on the ocean, especially scuba diving.

She was born in 1969 in Washington state. A great love of creative writing as a child got pushed aside by the expectations of Real Life and she went to college to become a pharmacist. After practicing pharmacy for over 25 years, it was time for a change. So, she reduced her hours as a practicing pharmacist to devote more time to writing.

She was introduced to scuba diving in 1998 by her husband. They have since traveled worldwide enjoying diving, and the breezy locales they visited formed the ideas for her characters and stories. Erin has even been known to don a drysuit and explore the cold, murky waters of the Pacific Northwest. She is also an avid runner and cyclist.

Erin lives with her husband (a scuba instructor) in eastern Washington state. She is currently at work on the next Half Moon Bay installment.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Hot House ~ E&A Investigations by Lisa Towles ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: June 4, 2022 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, suspense
Tags: , , ,
6
.
.

.

Hot House

E&A Investigations Book 1

by Lisa Towles

Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Suspense

.

Awarded FIRST PLACE WINNER of the 2022 Spring Book Awards by The Book Fest

Mystery / Murder & Crime Category

Private investigator Mari Ellwyn brings on a partner to investigate the blackmailing of a federal judge

When a former CIA operative and private investigator Mari Ellwyn starts digging into the blackmail case of a federal appellate judge, she becomes targeted by a van following her, threatening notes in her mailbox, and a breach of her home. Teaming up with seasoned investigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pair begin looking into the wrongful death of a mentally-ill college student, Sophie Michaud, as well as two journalists – one dead, one missing, who were writing a story on the dead college student with allegations of her connection to the federal judge. The two investigators must uncover the truth about Sophie Michaud before her killer makes them their next target. But more importantly, Mari needs to find her missing father and reconcile her broken past and family.

Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale. – Kirkus Reviews

Towles does a fantastic job of pacing the storyline so that the reader hangs on to every clue as it is discovered. I recommend this for fans of crime fiction writers Baldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner. – San Francisco Book Review

It is no surprise that Towles has won recognition with numerous awards bestowed upon her work. The novel is masterfully crafted with well-defined characters and an engaging plot. Towles is a gifted writer with a real talent for building suspense. – US Review of Books

This meticulously constructed, remarkable mystery deftly explores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hidden workings of the world. A fast-paced and psychologically astute thriller. – Prairies Book Review

A dark, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended! Chanticleer Reviews 5-Star Review

Add to Goodreads

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords

.

.

CHAPTER ONE 

 

6 months later

 

Nothing good ever happened on a day you spilled black coffee on a white silk shirt. I jerked upright at 7:55 a.m. having missed a seven o’clock meeting with a prospective buyer, still plagued with the thought of the dark gray van tailing me again last night. Sure, I could tell myself fairy tales about how prosaic gray was for an automobile color, or how Ocean Park was a suburban neighborhood with lots of kids that required transport. But that was no soccer mom in the van.

The first note arrived with uncanny speed, almost too soon when you consider how many steps are involved in investigating a murder. I mean, I’d barely scratched the surface when I came home and found an index card in my mailbox. Handwritten in tall thin letters with a fine, red Sharpie, “STOP”. And back then, I’d barely started. I thought it was some kind of joke instigated by my senile neighbor who digs up objects from her front yard and delivers them to our front porches.

By the time I’d taken the judge’s first two blackmail notes to the forensics team I contract work out to, a second card arrived—this time in a plain, white business envelope, no return address, same message. This told me two things: whomever was threatening Appellate Court Judge Conrad McClaren was somehow threatened by my investigating the matter, and that finding the “who” and “why” now held more significance than I thought. But there was a third reason, one I’d barely even acknowledged to myself, about why I had to find these answers. The fate of my family and my heart depended on it.

.

.
.

Lisa Towles is an award-winning crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has eight crime novels in print, including Hot House, Ninety-Five, The Unseen, Choke, and under the name Lisa Polisar Escape, The Ghost of Mary Prairie, Blackwater Tango, and Knee Deep. Her next title, Salt Island, is the second book in her E&A thriller series and will be forthcoming in late 2022. Her thriller, Ninety-Five, was released in November 2021 and won a Literary Titan Award for Fiction. Her 2019 thriller, The Unseen, was the Winner of the 2020 NYC Big Book Award in Crime Fiction, and a Finalist in the Thriller category of the Best Book Awards by American Book Fest. Her 2017 thriller, Choke, won a 2017 IPA Award and a 2018 NYC Big Book Award for Thriller. Lisa is an active member and frequent panelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT Management and works fulltime in the tech industry in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * TikTok * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Signed Paperback of Hot House (US only),

$20 Amazon giftcard (WW)

-1 winner each!

.

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.

When Earth Shall Be No More by Paul Awad and Kathryn O’Sullivan

Posted: June 3, 2022 in giveaways, Science Fiction
Tags: ,
8

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for When Earth Shall Be No More organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Authors Paul Awad and Kathryn O’Sullivan will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

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

When Earth Shall Be No More

by Paul Awad and Kathryn O’Sullivan

Genre: Science Fiction

Synsopsis

Environmental scientist Constance Roy is one of forty-nine refugees rescued from Earth’s destruction and transported to the ark spaceship Orb by an automaton race called the Curators. Twelve months have passed since their rescue. But now, with the ship’s orbit decaying, the refugees seem doomed to crash into Jupiter’s fiery belly.

In a parallel universe on present-day Earth, another version of Constance seeks answers to the questions that have haunted her since childhood: How and why did her mother die? The head of a mysterious corporation housed at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility can give her the answers, but not without a price.

Two timestreams collide when the Constance on Earth discovers that Nicolas, her son, has the ability to save the Orb and its inhabitants. Now she must battle treacherous Curators wishing to destroy Nicolas, while on the Orb, another Constance must fight to save the ship from Jupiter’s fatal pull. Only together can they save their son – and future generations of humankind.

Enjoy this peek inside:

She glanced at a rocket on the flight pad, barely discernible in the distance, and stepped back from the window. She assessed her reflection, tugged at her suit jacket, and pushed aside red tendrils that had escaped from the ponytail tied at the nape of her neck. After five years as a professor of environmental science, this was the look she had cultivated for the classroom. She hoped it would be appropriate for tonight’s meeting with her benefactor.

“Ms. Roy?” a man said.

Constance spun around, startled. She scanned the room. It was grand in size and outfitted with high-tech monitors. A dozen gray mesh chairs surrounded a glass conference table. The decor was the obvious influence of corporate investors. The stainless steel elevator doors at the end of the conference room were closed. The room was empty.

“Ms. Roy?” the voice said again in a smooth tone that seemed to emanate from the walls.

“Yes?”

“Dr. Malic is finishing his treatment. He will be with you directly. Are you enjoying the view?”

“Yes.” She studied the ceiling for hidden speakers. “You mentioned treatment. Is Dr. Malic sick?”

There was a pause before the voice said, “Dr. Malic will be right with you.”

She found the lack of specific answers and the mysterious voice’s dulcet tone disconcerting. Was the voice human? Or artificial, like Siri?

About the Authors:

Paul Awad and Kathryn O’Sullivan are an award-winning husband and wife writing and filmmaking team. They have collaborated on feature and documentary films, screenplays, and a web series. WHEN EARTH SHALL BE NO MORE is their first book collaboration. Paul is a cinema professor and Kathryn is a theatre professor at Northern Virginia Community College. Kathryn is also the author of the Colleen McCabe mystery series.

Paul Awad
Kathryn O’Sullivan
Goodreads

BUY LINKS

Amazon
Book Sirens
Secant Publishing

~~~~~

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.

Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls by KE Strand ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: June 2, 2022 in comedy, giveaways, Romance, YA
Tags: , ,
11

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author KE Strand will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls

by KE Strand

Genre: YA Romantic Comedy

Synopsis

When the school’s bad boy infiltrates her shelter, will she lose her sanctuary or her heart?

Hopelessly clumsy Ava, is too focused on graduation and keeping both feet on the ground to have a boyfriend. She has enough to worry about with a less than ideal home life.

Bad boy Dylan can’t help but find Ava’s klutziness entertaining. That doesn’t mean he wants to date her.

When court-ordered community service forces them together at the animal shelter, Ava fears she’s lost her refuge. Dylan’s arrogance gets under her skin. And she finds it unforgivable the dogs prefer him after everything she’s done for them. A spontaneous water fight heats things up and suddenly she anticipates each meeting. But his reputation might be too much for her to overlook.

Will Ava be forced to find a new escape? Or will she stumble her way into his heart?

Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls is a light-hearted, clean young adult romantic comedy. The first book in the Oak Grove High series by KE Strand. It will make you cringe, cry, and cackle.

Buy Bad Boys Don’t Date Clumsy Girls for your latest binge read today.

Enjoy this peek inside:

There must be something I can talk to Rex about. He likes baseball, but I don’t know what position he plays or who the local professional team is. That’s out. He’s in my Bio II class, I could ask about the homework. Yeah, that’s lame. We both know I get a better grade in the class than he does.

“Aren’t you eating?” I blurt. “I could get you a refill on my fries if you’re hungry.” I’ll have to thank Bek for the inspiration later.

“No, I ate, thanks.”

I wilt. That’s the extent of my small talk. I should just shut up and listen to Sam too. I reach for my iced tea. At least I can stick a straw in my mouth and pretend that’s the reason I can’t chatter merrily with the hot baseball player. Unfortunately, the cup catches the lip of my plate and slips from my hand. I jerk to recover it, but only manage to nudge it and change its trajectory so that it splats to the table and spills its entire contents down Rex’s shirt and into his lap. He leaps backward out of the chair, tea soaking the front of his pants as well.

The room burst into laughter and applause.

I want to slink under the table. Instead, I grab Sam’s napkin and blot at Rex’s leg.

He grabs the napkin from my hand. “I’ll do that.”

Only then do I realize where I’d been blotting. I turn seven more shades of red. Honestly, I’m probably purple by this point. I’m surprised the heat of my embarrassment doesn’t instantly dry Rex’s clothes.

About Author KE Strand:

KE Strand escapes within the pages of a book when real life thwarts her own outdoorsy adventures. But her favorite escape is into a story about young love. KE Strand writes clean teen romance because she loves those heart pounding moments of having a crush. The excitement, fear, and confusion of falling in love for the first time. And the relief and thrill of the first kiss. Each time you pick up a KE Strand book you’ll fall in love for the first time. You can find her on the following social media

Facebook
Instagram
Newsletter
Amazon Author Page

Amazon

~~~~~

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.

Chasing Ghosts ~ A Grace McKenna Mystery by Kate Anslinger

Posted: June 1, 2022 in Mytery/Thriller, New Release
Tags: , ,
1

ChasingGhosts copy

Happy publication day to Kate Anslinger!

Check out her new book Chasing Ghosts (A Grace McKenna Mystery Novel)!

FINALDIGITALCOVER

Chasing Ghosts (A Grace McKenna Mystery Novel)

Publication Date: June 1st, 2022

Genre: Mystery/ Thriller

What would you do if you could see haunting images in a criminal’s eyes?

Detective Grace McKenna’s mother has always told her that she has a gift.

When she looks into a criminal’s eyes she can see haunting images of victims who have been wronged.

One of those visions is the face of Jenny Silva, a high school art teacher who has gone missing from the small town of Bridgeton, Massachusetts, where Grace works.

When she makes eye contact with the possible suspect, Jenny’s tortured face flashes before Grace, leaving an unsettling imprint on her.

Grace finds herself making tough decisions to solve a case on her own, where she stumbles across town secrets and gets mixed up in an unlikely love affair.

Sometimes a wrong can find a way to be righted all on its own!

Will Grace be able to solve this case on her own?

A set of beady blue eyes overpowering the face of a teenage girl tore Grace from the present moment. The girl’s mouth was contorted into an angry frown emphasized by black lipstick that matched her shoulder-length straight black hair. The skin on her chin and right cheek was dotted in bumps and covered in varying shades of red as if she had tried to cover up teenage acne. Her neck and collar bone area were covered in blue and red blotches that looked like fingerprints pressed into her skin. A black winter hat with a white bat was pulled down to her eyebrows, enhancing the eyeliner that dipped in smudges beneath her eyes. The dead ends of her hair sprouted out the bottom of the hat and hit the collar of a black and white flannel shirt. Her face, filled with fright, transformed into an Edvard Munch Scream print upon an orange and red wavy background.

A new instinct kicked in and without thought, Grace’s hand went straight to her stomach, holding it like she was protecting a glass snow globe from falling to the floor and shattering. And as soon as she recognized how she had executed a mama bear’s intuition naturally and without a second thought, it dawned on her just how challenging motherhood would be. The baby that was rapidly growing in her womb would always come between her and the victims.

If Charlotte noticed alarm on Grace’s face, she didn’t show it. Instead, she smiled and tilted her head to the side, introducing the woman next to her. “Amy, this is Grace, we met by the bathroom. And we just happen to be a couple weeks apart in our pregnancies.”

A marked pause interrupted the space between them before Amy spoke. With a shifty gaze, Amy’s eyes rose from Grace’s shoes all the way up to her hairline. “It’s nice to meet you, Grace.” Her words ended in a hiss as she dropped a pair of crossed hands on a set of crossed legs decorated in pressed khaki pants. A pale blue cashmere sweater held tight to her perky breasts and was offset by a crisp white collar that peeked out the top like bird wings. Her posture was awkwardly erect, as if she was one of those mannequins strategically placed in department stores, free of any natural slump.

Naturally, Grace was inquisitive about the connection between the two women. Amy looked too young to be Charlotte’s mother, but too old to be a supportive friend accompanying her to her appointment. An older sister? A cousin? Whoever Amy was, Grace was now aware that the woman was responsible for the harm of the teenage girl who showed herself in the vision. Just as the conspicuous silence following the introduction was about to get awkward, a nurse emerged from the hallway and called out a name. Grace turned to see an older woman in the pale pink scrub uniform, haircut and highlighted in a style that was popular in the mid-nineties, when Jennifer Aniston set the example with long, face-framing layers. The nurse scanned the room, and with some force behind her voice she tried again. “Charlotte Anderson.”

“Well, that’s me.” Charlotte started to push herself up off the chair, until Amy hopped up and reached an arm across her back, guiding her to an upright position until she was face to face with Grace.

“Easy there, Charlotte. Precious cargo.” Grace stepped out of the way as Amy guided Charlotte to the nurse, like a mother ushering her toddler. As the connected duo passed by, Grace recognized the embarrassment that had come to the surface on Charlotte’s face.

“I’ll see you around and if I don’t, good luck with your pregnancy.” Charlotte swiveled her head, locking eyes with Grace as Amy continued to shepherd her down the hall, keeping the two of them at a snail’s pace.

“You too.” Grace waved a hand, committing Amy’s silhouette to memory.

Available on Amazon

About the Author

BooksHeadshot

Kate Anslinger is the author of the McKenna Mystery novels, a series that follows Detective Grace McKenna on her spree of secretly solving crimes with the help of her gift to see clues in the eyes of criminals. In addition to her life as a novelist, Kate is a ghostwriter, editor, freelance writer and a veteran of the United States Air Force. Her debut novel Saving Jason, touches upon the struggles of PTSD, a topic that is near and dear to her heart. Kate lives on the North Shore of Boston with her husband, two daughters, and Newfoundland pup.

Kate Anslinger | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Book Blitz Organized By:

R&R Button

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Murderous Interruptions by C.J. Carson ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: May 31, 2022 in giveaways, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy
Tags: ,
15

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Murderous Interruptions organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author C.J. Carson will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Murderous Interruptions

by C.J. Carson

Murderous Interruptions (The Veils of Parallel Times Book 2) by [CJ Carson]

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

Synopsis

The paranormal mystery The Veils of Parallel Times continues with “Murderous Interruptions”. Allie Callahan’s nemesis is a challenging and formidable adversary.

Travel with Allie as she finally accepts and embraces her ancestral gifts to stop her archenemy who would have her destroyed for his own lust of power. Explore the depths of her relationship with this rival in this life and beyond the veil.

Enjoy this peek inside:

When I turned from the fire to respond, the woman hushed me. “You have much work to do, my dear, now rest.” She held me in her arms, swallowing me up in the most comforting sleep I could remember for a very long time, maybe ever.

Hours later, the warm glare of the sun’s first light sliced through the trees of the forest, waking me from a sound sleep. The air was cool and crisp, and I was laying next to the fire that had burned down to smoldering coals. Suddenly, realizing I wasn’t dreaming, I was in unfamiliar surroundings. I remembered the woman I had met the evening before, but she was not within eyeshot. Glancing around to get my bearings, it was shocking to be sitting in the middle of a small clearing of the woods. Several teepees made of tall tree branches wrapped in animal skins sat along the edge of the clearing. Standing and sliding out from under the animal skin blanket, I looked down to see myself dressed in unfamiliar clothes, and leather moccasins covering my feet. I had the strange sensation I was in a familiar place, but still not where I belonged.

Before I took one step, I scanned the area. Then something compelled me to approach one of the dwellings. As I drew closer, an Indian brave stepped out. Grabbing me by the arm, he pulled me into the teepee and shoved me to the ground. Walking to the edge of the space, he retrieved a large round basket and shot it at me with such force I thought it might fray. Shocked, I gazed up at him, he looked oddly familiar, but it was his eyes that gave him away. These new experiences were teaching me that the eyes were indeed the window to the soul. Those dark brown eyes were those of a man I knew all too well. Makya! Could this be Makya? Had I known him through other lifetimes? Although he spoke in a different tongue, it somehow translated perfectly for me.

He was angry and started barking. “You are a lazy dreamer. Why you insist on leaving our dwelling and choose to lay with the fire in place of me is a mystery. You need to do your gathering, and you are late in starting your day. I am off to hunt. You will obey me and begin behaving like a squaw worthy of me.”

I heard footsteps outside as someone was approaching. “Calian, are you coming? We are late; the morning is half over.”

Stunned, my eyes widened. Makya? Although the man called him Calian, the spirit was too familiar. It was the evil spirit I’d come to know as Makya! It didn’t look like him, but it was his temperament.

As I pushed up to my knees, Calian glared down at me, striking out in my direction. Although his hand never touched me, a force knocked me back to the ground. As I raised my hand to him, he grabbed my wrist, twisting it, and forced me back to the ground.

“You know better. Do not use your powers on me. I will strike you down every time. You are no match for me!”

Panic rose in me as I struggled to understand what was happening. If this brave was indeed Makya by a different name, how did we get here?

Pushing through the opening in the structure, he paused without turning to me. “Do not return this afternoon unless you have filled that basket with berries and some healing herbs. You must learn your place and mind your responsibilities. Do not make me the laughingstock of this tribe one more time!”

I listened to his footsteps as he jogged off, mounted his horse, and rode away before I got up from the ground.

About Author C.J. Carson:

CJ Carson was inspired by a great story from a very early age. What brought her to this juncture in life and encouraged her to put pen to paper are the many rich experiences and opportunities of her life’s journey.

While working in the medical field, she explored energy work and became a Polarity Therapist and Reiki Therapist.

Exploring acting brought her into the theatre world both on the stage and behind the scenes.

Painting introduced her to a group of artists that shared her passion for bringing a scene to canvas.

Her love of singing allowed her to travel twice to Europe as a soloist with conductor Sonja Dahlgren Prior, who inspired her to do something, she never dreamed possible.

CJ Carson has always wanted to write. Now she is introducing to the world her second published book, “Murderous Interruptions,” from her trilogy, Veils of Parallel Times.

Website

Audible

Amazon
Barnes and Noble

~~~~~

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.

Violins And Vampires by CEE BEE ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: May 30, 2022 in giveaways, Romance, Vampires
Tags: , ,
9

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Violins And Vampires organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A Cee Beeuthor will be giving away a $20 Amazon/BN GC via Rafflecopter. Don’t forget to enter!

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

Violins And Vampires

by CEE BEE

Genre: Vampire Romance

Synopsis

Lexa Kozlov must pay off her family’s massive debt to the mob… all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? A never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. Lexa barely has time to sleep, let alone find love.

Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isn’t sure. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are alone. The energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming.

Is Lexa leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one… or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more?

***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave***

Enjoy this peek inside:

I’ve never wanted anyone more than Caelin Vass.

Never hated a man so much, either.

Vass looms before me right now. He’s all broad-shoulders, brown hair, and searing dark eyes. Imagine a Celtic god in a three-piece suit; that’s the general idea. We stand in his office—a place that’s all plush leather chairs and heavy wooden furniture.

Sadly, Vass and I aren’t alone. Some chick in a kimono kneels before him. She toys with his belt buckle with ill intent. And by ill intent, I mean she’s about to give my potential employer a blow job.

In his fancypants office.

Right in front of me.

Wish I could say this is the first time something like this happened. It isn’t. I also wish I didn’t want to punch Kimono Chick in the throat and take her place.

Yet I do.

Still, I must stay away from Vass’ pants and get this gig. Why? It pays one hundred grand a month. For someone like me, that money’s literally a life-saver.

Across the room, Kimono Chick smirks so hard, it’s a wonder her face doesn’t get stuck that way. “Join in or get out.”

Meanwhile, Vass stares at me with a smoking hot look that makes my thighs clench. He knows the affect all this has on me.

Stupid Vass.

Stupid thighs.

Which leads to a big decision: do I go for the job, the belt buckle, or the door?

Tough call.

About Author CEE BEE:

CEE BEE writes stories that blend epic fantasy, steamy romance, and lots of sass. If you want immersive tales that transport you to fresh worlds (and new book boyfriends) then you’ve come to the right author. To learn more about CEE BEE, please visit www.ceebeeauthor.com. Her new book, VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES, is available on Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZYVCNC3

CEE BEE also writes young adult fare under the name Christina Bauer. Check out Christina’s books at her website. There’s a literal sh*t ton of them.

Stalk CEE BEE/Christina on Social Media

Website

Blog

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Vlog

Vampires of the Daemonverse Series
1. Violins and Vampires – now on Kindle Unlimited: Amazon ONLY $0.99
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Valor and Vampires

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Double Exposure Murder by Jeanne Quigley ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: May 30, 2022 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
2

.

The Double Exposure Murder

A Robyn Cavanagh Mystery

by Jeanne Quigley

.

.

The Double Exposure Murder (A Robyn Cavanagh Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Garland, a fictional town in Orange County, NY
TouchPoint Press
Number of Pages: 270

Robyn Cavanagh enjoys a thriving second career as a portrait photographer in her beloved suburban hometown of Garland, New York. Having built a large portfolio of high school senior photos and family portraits, Robyn is thrilled when math teacher Brooke Gibson hires her to take photos of a different subject: 16 Clover Lane, the house Brooke has recently inherited from her late great-aunt. Brooke will soon put the home on the market and wants Robyn to take the photos for the real estate listing. Robyn thinks the cozy house will attract prospective buyers—until she finds bride-to-be Brooke’s battered body in the garden shed.

 

When Brooke’s mother asks her help in canceling the wedding plans, Robyn plays amateur sleuth and gathers clues while also collecting refunds from Brooke’s wedding vendors. With help from her friend Will Vonderlin, Robyn assembles evidence of a possible love triangle, financial indiscretions, and neighborhood feuds and builds a suspect list that includes Brooke’s fiancé, a jealous relative, a longtime rival, and a shady bartender. The clues lead Robyn to the killer and a spectacular July Fourth finale complete with a marching band and a parade of howling dogs.

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

Yogi and I arrived at 16 Clover Lane a couple of minutes before 10:30. Brooke’s Ford Focus was parked in the carport.

Brooke didn’t respond to the first ring of the doorbell. I pressed the button again and waited a few seconds. The front door was open several inches, so I called to Brooke through the screen door. When she still didn’t answer, I assumed she was either in the bathroom or the backyard. I opened the screen door and entered the house, Yogi at my heels. The door to the powder room was open, and Brooke wasn’t in any of the first-floor rooms.

“Brooke! It’s Robyn.” I yelled up the staircase opposite the front door. I listened for a few seconds then headed into the kitchen. “Let’s go out back.”

The mystery deepened when I didn’t find Brooke on the patio. More possibilities ran through my mind. Brooke could be on a stroll around the block or in a neighbor’s house for a quick visit.

I called Brooke’s cell; when it went to voice mail, I ended the call without leaving a message. I’d text her, but before I started the message, a breeze blew open the shed door. The creaky door closed with a soft thud; then, another puff of wind urged it open again.

I spotted a can of paint on the ground outside the shed. “I should’ve known Brooke would fix the shed.”

Curious about the paint color Brooke had selected, I crossed the yard and bent over the paint can. I thought Brooke might have selected sunny yellow to match the house, but she had purchased a dark green shade. New paintbrushes and a drip pan lay on the grass next to the can. Did she plan to enlist me to help with the shed’s facelift?

The shed’s door creaked open and closed a third time. I moved to secure the door shut, but first I peeked inside and experienced an adrenaline rush like I’d never had. Fighting a growing sense of panic, I wrapped a length of the leash around my hand and pulled Yogi away from the supine form on the shed’s floor.

I took a second look at the still figure, clad in cut-off jeans and a white tank top. “Brooke!” Brooke’s mouth was open, and her eyes stared at the roof. Her nose was bloodied, and scratch marks stretched from her shoulders to her wrists. Her collarbone jutted out at a sickening angle.

I pushed back the door and told Yogi to lie down, making him a makeshift doorstop. He obeyed and watched me check Brooke for a pulse and breath.

It was a futile attempt, I knew, but a necessary one.

I stepped into the doorway and called 9-1-1, my glance fixed on the steel-blade shovel on the ground next to Brooke’s body.

About Jeanne Quigley

Jeanne Quigley is the author of the Veronica Walsh Mysteries and the Robyn Cavanagh mystery series. Unlike her fictional sleuths, she has never been a soap opera star or an accountant (though she was an accounting major for a few minutes in the spring of 1985), but she has worked for an educational publisher and in the music industry. A lifelong New Yorker, Jeanne lives in her native Rockland County.

Author Links: Facebook / Blog / Goodreads / Amazon

Purchase Link: Amazon

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS 

May 30 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog – SPOTLIGHT

May 30 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

May 31 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST

June 1 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 2 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

June 3 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 3 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

June 4 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

June 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy  – REVIEW

June 5 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW

June 6 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – The Mystery Section – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 8 – Girl with Pen – SPOTLIGHT

June 8 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Burly-Que Girls: The 6 by Linda Hughes ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: May 29, 2022 in giveaways, historical romance
Tags: , ,
6

The Burly-Que Girls: The 6
Linda Hughes
Publication date: December 26th 2021
Genres: Historical, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Get a front-row seat to classic striptease during the heyday of burlesque.

When former burlesque dancers Dolly O’Dare and her friends discover that their manager, Ballard “Balls” Benedict, has skipped town with their retirement funds, there’s no stopping the irate troupe from converging on Las Vegas to track down the scoundrel. But to rack up enough dough to hire a private dick, the six dames must sell their life stories in a steamy, hilarious, and – yes – sweet tell-all book.

They’ll do whatever it takes to find Balls and get their money back. After all, at this point in their lives, they’ve got nothing to lose. But along the way they discover that the real treasures are in zany old friendships, quirky new acquaintances, and maybe even a second-chance romance or two.

Join the fun and fall in love with these wildly wonderful women in this first book in the Burly-Q Girls series. You may end up doing a little hoochie-coochie dance to become a Burly-Q Girl yourself.

This work of fiction was inspired by real-life stories told to the author by her burly-que friends.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Suddenly, an impatient knock from outside assaulted the apartment door like a mobster’s Tommy gun. Rat-a-tat-tat. Rat-a-tat-tat.

“Who in hell …?” Ginger got up and opened the door.

Annie Fannie stood there in all her hoity-toity glory.

Ginger glared up at the tall, svelte woman, her shock evident. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Dressed in a designer outfit that no doubt cost more than Ginger’s entire wardrobe, hell, probably her entire apartment, the uninvited guest pressed the back of her hand to Ginger’s shoulder to nudge her aside. “Let me in. The heat out here is insufferable.” She came to an abrupt halt just inside the door, leaving Ginger stuck in the open threshold to deal with the heat. “Well, well, well. Look … at … this,” Annie snarled as she sauntered into the room and stood like a queen looking down her nose at her peons. “The whole gang is here. Hello, girls. It’s been a long time.”

Dolly huffed. “Not long enough.”

“Aren’t you going to invite me to sit down?”

“No, Annie, we’re not,” Ginger stated flatly.

“I haven’t gone by Annie since I quit performing. It’s Anastasia now.” She patted her dyed blond hair, making certain they noticed she had a chichi coif.

“I’m guessing you’ve never quit performing, one way or another.” Dolly stood up to face the interloper mano a mano.

Merry hopped up to join the line of defense.

“My, my. What hostility. What did I ever do to make you all so rudely hostile toward me?”

“Gee, Annie, I’m surprised you ask, because we know you don’t give a rat’s ass what we think.” Dolly balled up her fists and ground them into her hips, at the ready.

“As for the hostility,” Ginger seethed, thirty years of hot anger boiling up unexpectedly, “how about the fact that you lied to my boyfriend about me and stole him away? Huh? How about that?”

“Pfft. Please. He wasn’t worth having. I only dated him a few times. You could have had him back. Oh wait. I remember now. He went on to Pussy Willow after me. I guess he liked her … willow.” She smirked, amused at her supposed wit.

“You treated us like shit,” Dolly growled. “You insulted our costumes and our acts and even our bodies. Like you thought you were so much better than us.”

“Well …” Annie made the mistake of throwing her arms out wide and looking around the room. “I’ve certainly never lived in a hovel like this.”

That did it. Ginger flung herself at their tormenter, clawing at the viper’s haute couture dress and tearing it down to her waist.

“You little bitch!” Annie Fannie, once the most elegant of exotic dancers, turned out to be a formidable foe. She grabbed a handful of Ginger’s hair and with that they hit the floor, rolling around and throwing punches as best they could. Arms and legs flailed about at random, like a game of Whack-a-mole gone bad.

Dolly and Merry jumped into action, each snatching a brawler and yanking her away. Everybody got roughed up in the process. The Women’s Wrestling Association had nothing on them.

“Girls! Girls!” Dolly hollered. “This isn’t going to change anything.”

“Stop! Stop!” Merry yelled at the same time. “You’re both acting like Neanderthals.”

Once separated and on opposite sides of the room, the brutal enemies tried to kill each other with laser stares.

“Look at what you did to my dress. It’s ruined.” Annie slung the comment across the room. Her pink, embroidered, lacy, padded, underwire bra poked out at them.

“Yeah. Well, that’s nothing compared to what you did to my life. I loved Harold!” Ginger’s lower lip quivered as she shook a quaking finger at her nemesis.

Annie frowned, paused, then said, “His name was Howard.”

“No, it wasn’t! He was my Harold.”

“Ah, Ginger, honey.” Dolly’s gentle tone caused Ginger to look at her friend. “I remember him.”

They watched as awareness clicked in on Ginger’s face.

“As much as I hate to admit that Annie is right, his name was Howard,” Dolly reminded her.

Ginger looked to Merry for support, but all Merry could offer was a helpless shrug.

“Oh. Oh. Well. Yeah, sure. Now I remember.” Ginger straightened herself, patted her mussed up hair, casually sat down at the table, and calmly clasped her hands. “I knew that.”

“Now that we’ve done a brawling bump and grind down memory lane,” Annie chided, stuffing the torn edge of her dress up into her bra straps, “I’d like to get to the reason for my visit and then get out of this dump as quickly as possible.”

“Do tell,” Dolly said. “Why in hell are you here?”

 

Author Linda Hughes

Happy endings and new beginnings – but not as you expect. Even better. That’s what Linda Hughes’ books are all about, whether historical romantic suspense, mystery, or second chance romance.

When Linda was 12 years old she wrote in her diary that she would be a “writter” when she grew up. With 20 books and a passel of writing awards, her dream has come true. She is a #1 bestselling co-author.

So browse around on her page. Find something that’s just right for you. That 12-year-old with big dreams, who still lives within Linda, is delighted.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

 

GIVEAWAY!

.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:
XBTBanner1

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Older Entries
Newer Entries