Posts Tagged ‘mystery’

Worse Than Any Bullet By Felicia Watson ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 25, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery/Thriller
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Worse Than Any Bullet

By Felicia Watson

 

(Fidelia Mysteries, #2)
Publication date: August 25th 2026
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Everyone thinks their mother is murder but for mafia-family renegade Lucia Scafetti, that’s the literal truth.

When she laid her hitman father to rest, PI Lucia Scafetti thought she’d finally escaped her family’s criminal clutches. Ten years later, her estranged mom blows into Philly for a short visit and within days a friend’s dad is brutally murdered and Lucia is being menaced by her cousin and his fellow mafiosi. After her mother disappears, everyone: foes, friends, and free agents, descends upon Lucia in search of the thumb-drive her mom stole from a Caribbean drug lord. Lucia learns the hard way that the criminals besieging her will gladly kill to get their hands on that thumb-drive.
With the help of an intriguing ex-soldier, Lucia employs her skills, both detective and deadly, to solve the murder and unlock the secret of that enigmatic thumb-drive before it claims another life, be it her own – or that of her recently re-discovered son.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Someone’s in there.”

Lucia snapped into action, ordering Robbie to stay in the car with the dogs and retrieving her Glock from the secret compartment in the back seat of the Chevelle SS 454. She shook her head, indicating to Robbie he wasn’t getting an immediate explanation about the compartment and then stealthily approached the house.

Lucia decided to go around back and enter from the kitchen. The deadbolt had been defeated and there was no sound from the alarm system. This was no ordinary burglar.

Weapon ready, she crept into the living room where she could discern the muffled footsteps of someone descending the stairs. Lucia pointed her gun at the source of the noise and at the opportune moment, flipped on the lights. A hefty, masked and armed man froze on the fourth step as he realized he was facing a cocked gun.

Lucia warned, “If you’re thinking of trying anything, you better be a better shot than I am. Which is…unlikely.”

The man held his right hand out to his side, his gun loose. In a weirdly thick voice, he rumbled, “Hey, I’m not looking for trouble.”

“Breaking into my house armed with a military-grade semi is a really strange way to prove that.”

He chuckled and moved the gun slightly in a non-threatening manner. “Military grade? Nah, this is just a—”

“A Beretta Cx4 Storm. Which means you are definitely prepared for trouble.”

Rather than refuting her point, he urged, “I just want the thumb-drive, the real one. The one your mother stole from me.”

Not recognizing the term ‘thumb-drive’, Lucia silently contemplated whether this guy could possibly be looking for a body-part from someone her mother had killed. “You worked with my mom? Who are you?”

“I’m not wearing this mask ’cause I’m ugly. Who I am is none of your business. Just hand over the drive and no one gets hurt.”

“Seeing as I have the drop on you, that’s a toothless threat,” Lucia declared. “And I don’t know what it is you’re looking for, but you’re not gonna find it here.”

“For your sake, lady, I hope you’re lying.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’m not the last person who’s gonna come looking for that thumb-drive. And I’m sure as hell not the most dangerous.”

Nodding at his gun, she countered, “Hard to believe. And I don’t even know what a thumb-drive is let alone—”

“It’s a computer thing,” Robbie announced from somewhere behind her back, his presence until that moment completely undetected. “You use it to—”

“Robbie?!” Her eyes remained trained on the masked man as Lucia barked, “What the hell! What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you so I came to check. Don’t worry, I left the dogs in the car. You know, so they won’t get hurt.”

“But it’s okay if you get hurt?!”

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction this argument provided, the man on the stairs suddenly leapt over the banister and dashed towards the kitchen.

Lucia followed but he was too quick for her. Standing on the back deck, listening to his footsteps retreating into the darkness, Lucia briefly considered giving chase. She quickly discarded the idea. Not only was there Robbie to think of, but Lucia was loathe to incite a gunfight that might frighten Mrs. Schwartz, the elderly widow who occupied the twin house attached to her own.

When she got back in the house Robbie held up his backpack. “I got it.” He took a deep breath and then said, “Wow, that was….”

“Terrifyingly dangerous?” she offered, while surveying the wreckage around her. The intruder had obviously conducted a very thorough search.

“Nah, exciting! I knew it was safe when I heard you handling that guy like a pro. Otherwise, I would’ve stayed in the kitchen. I swear.”

Lucia sighed heavily and impulsively put her free arm around his shoulder. “Rule number one, Rob? When guns are drawn? The situation is never, ever, safe.” She pulled him to face her and stared intently into his eyes. “Capish?”

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About Author Felicia Watson:

Felicia Watson started writing stories as soon as they handed her a pencil in first grade. She’s especially drawn to character driven tales, where we see people we recognize, people who struggle with their mistakes and shortcomings, acknowledge them, and use that knowledge to grow into wiser human beings.

When not writing, Felicia spends her time chasing after her not-so-brilliant, but darling and beloved dogs, is chased by her truly brilliant, darling and beloved husband, is known to friends and family as an amateur pastry chef, and still finds time for swimming and her day job as a scientist.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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The Reed Lavender Series By Ashley Capes ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: August 13, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy
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If you love snarky heroes, twisty mysteries and plenty of
magic,

delve into this urban fantasy series set in Melbourne, Australia!

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Graves Robbed,

Heirlooms Returned

Reed Lavender Book 1

by Ashley Capes

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Mystery

 He can speak to the dead. But will giving them justice get him killed?

Reed Lavender lives two lives—one as a detective and another as a reaper.
Hearing the last words of the dead is a handy skill in his line of work, but
magic can’t solve all his problems. While investigating the case of a teen
runaway, he learns his cousin is missing. Racing against the clock, Reed soon
finds himself trapped in a vast conspiracy.

A cult is capturing reapers to siphon their powers and his current case is
somehow connected. But the deeper he digs, the more dangerous and convoluted
the trail becomes. As his two lives get tangled, Reed realizes if he can’t
solve the case and save his cousin, the man who listens to the dead will end up
joining them.

Graves Robbed, Heirlooms Returned is the first thrilling urban
fantasy novel in the Reed Lavender series. If you love snarky
heroes, twisty mysteries and plenty of magic, delve into Graves Robbed,
Heirlooms Returned!

 

**Get it FREE!**

Amazon * Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Graves Robbed, Heirlooms
Returned (Reed Lavender: 1)

 

Chapter 1

 

In the bright moonlight, Reed Lavender inserted his best
crowbar into the pine box where the top met the sides and wrenched the steel
down. Wood squeaked and he shuddered. Worse
than fingernails on a blackboard. He lifted the lid free, resting it
against the freshly turned earth – which, unlike the sound of an opening coffin
– was an almost pleasant thing. A pungent scent, but real. Honest. Worms and
bugs, minerals and secrets lived in the earth; when you got right down to it,
grave dirt wasn’t really any different to regular dirt.

And he was certainly down to it now, about to be elbow-deep in a coffin.

Again.

But for what they’d given Elise, the word ‘coffin’ was a stretch. A pine box wasn’t
much of a final resting place – dignity hardly came cheap in Rikerton’s funeral
home and unclaimed bodies were lucky to avoid the incinerator. Or maybe that
would have been better. Dust to dust and
all that.

“But then you’d be out of work,” he told himself.

Elise the runaway – that’s what the police thought she was – lay in her dirty jeans
and the same faded Pink Floyd t-shirt she wore when she walked into the cafe
two days back. Her arms lay at her sides, cuts on her palms mostly hidden. Her
face had been covered… by a used napkin. “Jesus, Jennings, that the best you
could do?” Reed growled. At least the napkin was in one piece; the undertaker
had been known to be far more slipshod at times.

Reed lifted the napkin… and ground his teeth.

She’d been beaten blue. Deep bruises swam across her cheeks, one eye swollen shut and
the other just as blackened, torn skin at her temple. Jennings had cleaned her
face up well enough but there were still leaf fragments and dried blood in her
hair. The pallor of death had washed out Elise’s freckles, mere suggestions
crossing her bent nose. God, what is she,
fifteen? She looks so small.

Reed tossed the napkin aside and unwound his scarf, folded it and placed it over her
face, standing still a moment, shaking as he blinked. The night air ran chill
fingers across his now-exposed throat and the back of his neck. Finally, he
took a breath and leant over the coffin, where he lifted her arm. “Sorry,
sweetheart,” he said softly, twisting her silver bracelet up to the moon. Only the
letters ‘Elise’ engraved there. Really, there was little he could learn from a
perfunctory glance at her clothing and jewellery that the police wouldn’t have
already catalogued. He’d check that later, of course – but Elise deserved more.

No, he’d have to wake her up – sort of.

Her last words would maybe be enough of a clue. Most folks didn’t have much to say,
right before the end. Sometimes it was a scream or a grunt if he was unlucky.
Other times, they addressed their killer. Or a loved one, perhaps, if the death
was peaceful. Not that I’ve heard a lot
of those in my time.

There’d been a man out west, he couldn’t recall where – so many cities and towns
blended together – whose last words had been an apology for burnt toast. After
that, the poor guy hadn’t said a thing before being t-boned at an intersection
by a bus an hour later, two blocks from his office.

But sometimes, a person’s last sentence held a clue.

“Come on, Elise, tell me something I can use.”

If she didn’t, he had no other supernatural tricks up his sleeve either, since he
couldn’t simply call upon her spirit. It would have made things much easier and allowed him to stop violating peoples’ graves but sadly, he wasn’t that lucky.

Reed removed the scarf a moment, took her cold hands and closed his eyes, sending
his awareness down through her mute fingertips, pushing his way along quiet
veins until he reached her chest, still echoing with the memory of a million
heartbeats, then at last up the throat to the tongue; the tongue which
remembered everything.

But it would move only once more.

“In the name of Mors, speak any that you might,” he whispered. “I’ll help you if
you can.”

Her body resisted.

Not unusual. It meant reliving the pain and shock – why wouldn’t her body want to
fight that? It was at rest now, if not at peace. But he had to know. Reed
pushed harder, pouring both his hope and anger into the request. “Please,
Elise.”

A flicker, a tiny sound as her jaw shifted.

He opened his eyes and leant close. Would it be a scream? A clue? Nonsense? Her
voice was little more than a rasping whisper, such as might easily be mistaken
for a breeze, but he caught the words.

“Wow, what a beautiful view. This is some place; you can see half the city from
here.”

Then silence.

“Shit.”
Poor girl, she probably never saw it coming.

Reed lowered Elise’s hands. Half the city.
That hardly narrowed things down – there were only hundreds of such high points available. But it probably put the owner in a certain tax bracket at least. He shook his head. No assumptions. It was his first rule.
And that went for murder too – maybe it was an accident. Still, something happened to bring Elise’s life
to an unjust end.

He had to find out; no-one else was looking and Elise’s grandmother deserved
answers. Even unpleasant ones, he supposed.

Reed placed the scarf back over the girl’s face and reached for his shovel.

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The Radiant King

Reed Lavender Book 2

Things aren’t exactly
getting easier for Reed Lavender.

Old obligations and new cases are piling up but in the aftermath of Feronia’s
defeat, answers are still too thin on the ground. But one clue – his father’s
knucklebone – might just lead to something big.

To learn the truth about his parents’ disappearance, Reed
will have to take the fight to whoever is behind the growing turmoil in his
city. And if the rising number of Spirit-Worms, needy Gods, vindictive lawmen
and only somewhat-helpful cousins don’t stop Reed, then his sense of duty might
do what the others cannot.

Because Reed now finds himself caught between two goals –
solving the murder of Elise or chasing down whoever stole the Goddess’ hand, an
unfathomable thief who might hold answers about his parents…

Amazon * Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Summer in the City

Reed Lavender Book 3

Reed is about to snap
– and this time, nothing is going to stand in his way when it comes to getting
answers for Elise, not even a supposedly long-vanished Sumerian God.

Or so Reed thinks.

But summer in the city isn’t going to be like the others.
The city itself isn’t quite the same either, and even if you’re lucky (or
cursed) enough to count the children of Gods among your friends, nothing is
ever simple…

Amazon * Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Ashley is a poet, novelist and ex-teacher living in
Australia.

He taught English, Media and Music Production, he ‘sang’ in
a metal band, worked in an art gallery and for a few years, slaved away at
music retail. (For a few years, he was also a legal secretary).

Aside from reading and writing, Ashley loves (indoor)
volleyball, Studio Ghibli and Magnum PI.

Website * X
* Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon
* Goodreads

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Follow the blitz HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Enter the Reed Lavender Series Giveaway Here

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ The Case Of The Red Flame By Lila Fogle

Posted: August 3, 2026 in comedy, Excerpt, giveaways
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The Case of the Red Flame

By Lila Fogle

 

(Tristan Beaufort Humorous Mysteries, #1)
Publication date: August 1st 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Mystery

Lucy is an apathetic young woman who is hired to assist eccentric private detective Tristan Beaufort, a man whose wildness, endless optimism, and occasional naiveté seem at odds with his chosen career. Her job is to keep a written account of his cases, to play the Watson to his Holmes.

They are hired by a woman who suspects her wife, Professor Jennifer Darvis, is having an affair. What begins as a simple investigation of adultery soon spirals into a case of conspiracy, arson, and murder.

Professor Darvis is a delusionally self-assured academic whose writings regarding the existence of a shadowy organization known only as The Quadrette have failed to find an audience outside of her students, for whom she has made her book assigned reading. However, an FBI agent shows up on her doorstep, insisting that her theories have spawned a series of murders, and requesting her help in preventing further deaths.

Soon, Tristan and Lucy find themselves unravelling a plot surrounding Darvis which seems as though it could not exist, despite the evidence they encounter at every turn. Their adventures will bring them up against the police, the enigmatic FBI Agent, and the leader of The Quadrette herself.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The following is not a tale for the faint-hearted.

I wish I could say we all made it out alive, but this is not the case. Some languish behind prison bars and some rest beneath the dirt. Others have returned to the comforts of home.

I escaped with my life, though you have likely guessed as much.

What follows is a humble account of my time with Tristan Beaufort. Looking back, I would say he is best described as a man who would place himself among the Philip Marlowes and Sam Spades of the world, but was far too kindhearted to be hardboiled, and too distinct to be discreet.

The rest must be read to be believed.

I was in my twenty-seventh year, when I first met Tristan Beaufort. My life had been shaping up to be less than ideal, though perhaps of some interest to one of the more burned-out existentialists. While others settled into their careers and families, I passed from one temporary job to the next, never in one workplace for long.

I had resigned myself to this fate: this life of endless, stalling distraction. I accepted my lot with the kind of stoicism Marcus Aurelius himself would envy. At least, this is what I told the few who asked.

I am aware that a clinician might have known my distraction by another name, but that is neither here nor there. Out of respect for the reader, I shall elaborate no further.

My practiced resignation experienced a subtle shift when, one day, I received a phone call. The woman on the line thought she had a job that would suit me well. She recalled my interest in the written word, and thought I might make good use of it in this position.

Her voice droned through the finer details, barraging my ears with her anesthetic. From amidst the tide of useless words and mundane utterances, I picked up the heart of the message towards which she uneconomically wandered: I would become the assistant to a famed private detective, Tristan Beaufort.

Famed. If the name sounded familiar, the reason escaped me.

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About Author Lila Fogle:

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Lila Fogle lives in Connecticut, where she writes humour.
Author Links: Website / Newsletter / BookBub

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Peek Inside And Giveaway For Illusionist By Laurie Buchanan

Posted: July 31, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, suspense
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A Sean McPherson Novel, Book 5

 

Mystery & Suspense

 

Date Published: 04-15-2025

Publisher: SparkPress

For fans of Louise Penny and Robert Dugoni, Illusionist is a
contemporary crime thriller where PI McPherson must choose between killing an
author at a writing retreat in the Pacific Northwest or letting a college
student die.

When an illusionist joins the Pines & Quill writing retreat, one of the
owners vanishes without a trace in the middle of everyone, but the surrounding
would-be witnesses don’t see or hear a thing. That’s when crime
boss Georgio Gambino makes a checkmate move against his nemesis, Sean
McPherson. He forces a writer in residence to kill another writer and frame
McPherson. In a video call, Gambino warns the writer, “If you
don’t follow orders, your daughter will die.” Then, he pans the
camera to prove access to her college dorm room.

McPherson discovers that Carmine Fiore, Gambino’s second in command,
covets his boss role and is staging a coup. As Gambino’s soldiers
traffic drugs, weapons, and humans, Fiore plants incriminating evidence
against the notorious Sureños gang. Can McPherson leverage that
knowledge for a temporary truce and the gang’s help?

The writers in residence—a former NASCAR driver, a professional
triathlete, an architect turned house flipper, and a world-renowned magician
who may not be who she appears to be—band together with McPherson to
create the illusion of a lifetime.

 
Enjoy this peek inside:

 

Gambino picks up his cell phone and makes another call. His heart races with
anticipation. When the recipient answers, he says, “If you hang up,
I’ll kill your child. Do you understand?”

“Is this some kind of sick joke?”

“I assure you this is no joke. When I disconnect, you’ll receive a video
call from my associate. He’s visiting your child’s class—Market
Power in the New Economy. If you don’t do what I say, it will cost the
life of the person you love most.”

“Who is this? What do you want from me?”

“I’m the person who’s going to kill your child if you don’t
do what I say. In two days, you’re heading to Pines & Quill writing
retreat. While there, you will frame Sean McPherson for murder.”

“Frame someone for murder? What do you mean?”

“No, not just someone. You’re going to frame Sean McPherson.
You’re going to kill one of the other writers in residence. I
don’t care which one, nor do I care how you do it. You’re a crime
writer. Figure it out. You arrive at Pines & Quill on October first and
leave on the twenty-first. You have three weeks to accomplish the task.”

 

 

About Author Laurie Buchanan:

A blend of Dr. Doolittle, Nanny McPhee, and a type-A Buddhist, Laurie
Buchanan is an active listener, observer of details, payer of attention,
reader and writer of books, kindness enthusiast, red licorice aficionado, and
lover of the Oxford comma.

As a novelist, photographer, and voracious reader, she never travels without
three essentials—a laptop, a camera, and a book.

Growing up, she dreamed of being a magician, an international spy, and a mad
scientist. There’s still time!

Her writing studio is the hayloft of a historic carriage house in the Pacific
Northwest, where creativity thrives. Her husband, Len, a private pilot, and
Henry, their not-so-standard Standard Poodle, join her on daily walks. She
always carries a camera because sometimes, the best word choice is a picture.

A journey that left an indelible imprint on her was a 20-day, 211-mile trek
across the majestic landscapes of Scotland. She, her husband, and their son
hiked from the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, with the pinnacle being the
climb of Ben Nevis at the midpoint of their adventure, the highest point in
the British Isles.

“My writing goal is simple: to leave you wanting more.” —Laurie Buchanan

 

Contact Links

 

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

 

Purchase Link

 

Amazon

 

RABT Book Tours & PR

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Tell-Tale Art ~ A Tri-Star Investigation By Lawrence E. Rothstein

Posted: July 31, 2026 in giveaways, Mystery/Thriller
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The Tell-Tale Art (Tri-Star Investigations)
by Lawrence E. Rothstein


The Tell-Tale Art (Tri-Star Investigations)
Mystery – Thriller
3rd in Series
Setting – Chicago, Provence
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wild Rose Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 13, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1509264876
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509264872
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509264889
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0GHZNJ17T

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After a Chicago gallery owner’s apparent suicide is unmasked as murder, brilliant Marko Korb, intrepid Kelan Su, and dauntless Desmond St. Clair of Tri-Star Investigations hunt a killer. A tense stakeout, twin break-ins, and two brutal murders propel them into deciphering an artistic code, battling an international gang, rescuing a kidnapped colleague, and uncovering a cache of Nazi-looted art. With help from an old ally of Korb, the chase hurtles from Chicago’s mean streets through the countryside, culture, and cuisine of Provence—and back again. Every clue is a brushstroke; every step could be their last.

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About Author Lawrence E. Rothstein

Writing mysteries is my third career. In all of my careers as a lawyer, a university professor, and now as an author of novels, finding the right words to present an idea was always important and enjoyable. As an academic, I wrote many published scholarly pieces, including a book and book chapters. I started writing mystery/legal scenarios as hypothetical cases for law courses I taught. I get my ideas from the news, particularly legal news, my previous legal work, areas of academic research, and other detective stories. With regard to The Tell-Tale Art, I used my experiences living and working in Aix-en-Provence. My detectives are based in Chicago, where I was born and raised.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Instagram / BlueSky 

Purchase Links: Amazon   Barnes & Noble 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

July 29 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT  

July 29 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

July 30 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

July 31 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

July 31 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 2 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

August 3 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 3 – Book Hookup – REVIEW

August 4 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 4 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 5 – deal sharing aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Purebeck Mysteries By Gillian Calvin Thomas ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 21, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy
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The Dorset coast holds its
secrets tight—

and the dead won’t stay quiet.

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Vex Not Her Ghost

The Purebeck Mysteries Book 1

by Gill Calvin Thomas

Genre: Paranormal Mystery

A quirky detective tackles a haunting family mystery.

Caitlin was four years old when her mother died in
mysterious circumstances. Thirty years later she comes into possession of her
family home in Dorset. As she slowly recovers memories of her past, she becomes
convinced that her mother’s ghost is warning her of impending disaster.

Aided by Charlie Bond, a private investigator, an enthralling story of deceit
and deception unfolds as Caitlin and her friends expose the ultimate truth.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Sister Olive Wouldn’t Hurt a Fly 

The Purebeck Mysteries Book 2

Fleeing to Dorset traps a mother and son between a cult
and a killer waiting in the shadows…

If this whole saga was a fight between good and evil, then
who had won? As far as Miriam could work out, neither good nor evil had
triumphed yet. Now she was having to confront the grim consequences of Will’s
behaviour, and she was mortally afraid. Maybe he and his darkness would win
after all.

The tragic suicide of a young student starts a shocking chain of events for
William Marshall, his wife Miriam and their son, Ollie. As Will descends into
madness, a ghostly presence appears in their old house to protect Ollie.
However, when two strangers threaten Miriam and an attempt is made to snatch
Ollie, mother and son are forced to flee.

Amidst ever-present danger, they shake off pursuers to seek sanctuary in Rock
House in Dorset, where they meet Caitlin and her friends. Twenty years have
passed since Charlie Bond helped Caitlin solve the mystery of her mother’s
death. Now, it is the turn of Charlie’s sidekick, Sam Haskell, to investigate a
mysterious cult and unmask a killer.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Gill Calvin
Thomas is a retired academic who lives with her husband in Swanage , UK.  She finds inspiration in the landscape around
her – the Isle of Purbeck has a spectacular coastline and beautiful beaches,
and it is whilst walking here, that Gill develops characters and plots the
twists and turns you will find in her books.

 Gill’s life
experiences have informed her writing.
For example, her mother’s death when she was a small child, influenced
her first book, Vex Not Her Ghost, where the heroine has to delve into the past
to uncover the real circumstances of her mother’s death, the cover up and the
ongoing corruption.  Her experiences as a
social work academic governs the plot of her second book, Sister Olive Wouldn’t
Hurt a Fly.  In this book the fatal
combination of a researcher’s mental collapse and a sociopathic opportunist
give rise to a cliffhanging finale.

 Reviewers
have said that Gill writes the sort of books in which you find yourself racing
to the end, whilst not wanting to finish.
Her characters are compelling, well-drawn and sensitively portrayed.  In her books bad people get what they
deserve, but it is never quite what it seems.

 She is
currently writing her third book.

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour  HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Enter The Purebeck Mysteries Tour Here

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Death Takes A Holiday By Tammie Painter ~ Cover Reveal And Giveaway

Posted: July 17, 2026 in Cover Reveal, Excerpt, giveaways, Humor, Mystery, Paranormal or fantasy
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Death needed a vacation.

What he got was a
murder, a demon, and a 73-year-old detective with no time to kill.

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Death Takes a Holiday

The Mortimer & Mrs Morris Trilogy Book 1

by Tammie Painter

Genre: Humorous Dark Paranormal Mystery

 

Death is bored.
Immortality will do that to you.

** A hilarious new series from the author of The Cassie Black Trilogy! **

After an eternity of escorting souls to the afterlife, Death
— who really prefers you call him Mortimer — is bored. There’s been
departmental divisions, technical developments, and fitness crazes that mean
people just aren’t dying like they used to.

What’s worse… He’s running low on romance novels to keep
himself occupied.

His solution: a working holiday to Top World, where he
expects room service, infinity-high thread counts, and an easy solution to get
business booming again.

What he doesn’t expect is Mrs Morris, a
seventy-three-year-old detective with a tightly packed schedule that leaves no
room for an immortal assistant.

But Mortimer refuses to go away. After all, detectives find
murderers, and having his very own killer would be the perfect way to nudge up
those mortality rates.

Luckily, someone’s just been murdered — and Mrs Morris has
been hired to find the culprit. The only trouble? The victim reeks of demons,
turning Mortimer’s perfect opportunity into a great deal of trouble that could
end his career. Oh, and the human race.

Death Takes a Holiday is a humorous fantasy
novel about the most inconvenient partnership in the history of the afterlife,
where a pair of unlikely allies are thrown together by broken bones, murder
mysteries, pesky demons, and the deadliest cup of coffee in Portland.

Like Terry Pratchett joining the Thursday Murder Club, Death
Takes a Holiday is perfect for fans of wry humor, paranormal mystery,
and unforgettable characters forming reluctant bonds.

**Releases August 18, 2026 – PreOrder Now!**

Amazon * Author’s
Site * Apple
* Google
* Kobo *
Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Author of humorous fantasy whodunits full of mythical
misfits and magical mishaps

Many moons ago I was a scientist in a neuroscience lab where I got to play with
brains and illegal drugs. Now, I take wickedly strong tea and turn it into
comic fantasy whodunits full of mythical misfits and magical mishaps that I
hope give you a giggle.
My tales run the gamut from the ever-expanding Cassie Black Trilogy with its
wryly humorous paranormal mysteries to the comical fantasy whodunits in The
Circus of Unusual Creatures, and from light-hearted novellas celebrating my
love of books to short fiction in which I really flex my myth-loving and
humor-craving muscles!

When I’m not creating worlds or killing off characters, I can be found
gardening, planning my next travel adventure, concocting some sort of mess in
the kitchen, or working as an unpaid servant to one very spoiled cat and some
very demanding squirrels.

Website * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the reveal HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Enter the Death Takes a Holiday Giveaway Here

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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.

Have You Seen Him By Kimberly Lee ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 14, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery/Thriller, suspense
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Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee Banner

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HAVE YOU SEEN HIM
by Kimberly Lee
July 6 – 31, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?

For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple. Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle’s help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

Have You Seen Him is a story of lost identity, dangerous secrets, and a deeply personal pursuit of the truth.

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Praise for Have You Seen Him:

Next Gen Indie Gold Award winner and IBPA Silver Award winner, Have You Seen Him has earned praise from readers and reviewers alike. “Lee debuts with a dazzling maze of courtrooms, kidnappers, and unsolved mysteries in this substantive thriller, boasting a rich ensemble cast.…Have You Seen Him is consistently sincere, never losing sight of its spirit, and always ensuring readers are both challenged and charmed right up to the final page.” ~ BookLife “…a slow-burning, emotional thriller that explores identity, trust, and the ripple effects of secrets long buried….This is a debut worth reading!” ~ Natasha Reed “I loved the numerous reveals, and some made me gasp out loud! I won’t give any spoilers, so I won’t ruin it for you. If you love to be kept guessing until the end…give this book a try.” ~ Julie Kodama “…delivers enough action to trigger a fight-or-flight response. The sparse touch heightens suspicion, palpable dread, and tension, fueling the overall pace….[E]veryone will stay engaged.” ~ C. Elyse, A Sip, A Shout Out, and a Sentence “Cleverly written and thoughtfully crafted, Lee’s debut is action-packed and entertaining with enough emotion and depth to hook you. Gayle was my favorite character—she kicks ass.” ~ Mystery Manon, The Cluesletter “…an impressively engaging, cleverly scripted, and simply riveting read from start to finish. Especially recommended for fans of unique suspense thrillers….” ~ Midwest Review “The plot contains action, mystery, murder, secrets, and lies. There’s potential here for a sequel, and I’ll be one of the first in line to read it.” ~ Stephen Christopher, Readers’ Favorite “The action and the mystery kept me reading. I had to know why he was missing.” ~ Briana Fitzpatrick “This book was one that definitely pulled me in as twists and turns unravelled. Overall it was a twisty search for truth, tangled in corporate secrets, buried trauma, and family drama.” ~ A.D. “I really enjoyed the author’s style of writing, the chapters were short and to the point and even though the storyline was intricate and multi-dimensional, it all came together.” ~ Jameelah Deleon​​​​​​​ ​

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HAVE YOU SEEN HIM Trailer:

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Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

Published by: Butterfly Effect Press Publication Date: July 1, 2025 Number of Pages: 270 ISBN: 9798991867214

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub | Powells

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Enjoy this peek inside HAVE YOU SEEN HIM:

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About Author Kimberly Lee:

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Kimberly Lee

Kimberly Lee, JD, is a versatile writer, workshop facilitator, and editor with a passion for nurturing the imaginative spirit and helping others reveal their creative gifts. Kimberly holds degrees from Stanford University and UC Davis School of Law, along with certifications from Amherst Writers & Artists, SoulCollage®, Guided Autobiography, and the Center for Journal Therapy. Recent collaborations include Esalen Institute, Omega Institute, Hollyhock Retreat Center, and The Huntington. Kimberly’s stories and essays have appeared in numerous publications and anthologies, and she has served on the staffs of Literary Mama, F(r)iction, and Carve magazines. She lives in Southern California with her husband and three children.

Catch Up Kimberly Lee:

KimberlyLee.me Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @kimberlyylee Instagram – @klcreatrix

 

Tour Participants:

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

 

Have You Seen Him… And This Giveaway?
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Kimberly Lee. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

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HAVE YOU SEEN HIM by Kimberly Lee | Gift Cards Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Lady Petra And The Wolf By Anna Valleria ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 3, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, historical romance, Mystery
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0

 

 

Lady Petra and the Wolf

By Anna Valleria

 

(Lords Fall First, #2)
Publication date: July 2nd 2026
Genres: Adult, Gothic, Historical, Mystery, Romance

In Victorian London, Lady Petra, the daughter of the powerful and manipulative Earl of Kemberley, has spent her life as a silent pawn in her father’s political games. While the ton sees a perfectly poised debutante, Petra is secretly a woman of industry who runs a sanctuary for abused servants in a derelict London theatre.

Julian, the Viscount Wolfridge, known to the world as Wolf, is a cynical rake with a secret heart of gold and a childhood spent on the Bristol docks. When he proposes a fake courtship to Petra to stir her indifferent betrothed into action, he doesn’t realize he is stepping into a web of secrets far deeper than his own. As Petra’s world of mystery and Wolf’s path of redemption collide, they must decide if a marriage born of a trap can ever survive the truth.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

She shut her mouth abruptly, the sparks in her eyes extinguished as she retreated once more into the mask of a composed, distant lady. He despised when this happened, as it did ever so often when he approached her. He lived for the moments he could tease her, to break her composure, to see those eyes light up, even if it was in disdain or scorn.

Wolf knew himself to be an unrepentant rake, undeserving of John’s friendship or loyalty. Despite this self-knowledge, a fierce, uncharacteristic longing arose in him at that moment: he wished for someone to argue so passionately on his behalf, to proclaim him a good man.

Remembering himself, Wolf discarded such a maudlin thought.

“I am not obligated to explain my motivations to you, Lord Wolfridge.” Her tone was meticulously polite, yet beneath the kindness, he detected a veiled reproach that ignited his blood.

“And yet…” he went on as if he had not heard her. “Your white knight is not here. Nor has he been here in a very long time.” In her eyes, a battle of pride, hurt, and anger raged, and for a moment, he nearly regretted his casual cruelty. Yet, there was a purpose behind his malice.

“You more than anyone know he is busy.” Petra spoke quietly, her words clipped. “I have long wondered why you do not share the same sense of industry as Lord John.”

Indolent. The word lurked in their conversation and Wolf again regretted pushing this issue to the surface. A lord does not dirty his hands with work. He takes what he wants and leaves the work to others.

Ignoring his father’s tedious voice, which always stirred a confusing mix of feelings, he redirected his thoughts to his best friend, John Longley. John possessed all the virtues he lacked: he was honorable, kind, and diligent. He would despise him if John weren’t like a brother to him. Why did the notion of Lady Petra marrying John trouble him so much? It was none of his concern.

Yet, he couldn’t let it go.

“Has he not communicated that to you himself, Lady P?” he asked, relishing the way his lips popped on the P. He could swear he almost saw a tick of her jaw at his use of the sobriquet bestowed upon her by the gossip rags.

“As we have established, Lord John is very busy, my lord. He does not have time for frivolous goings on of the ton,” she said more firmly this time.

“And yet, my lady, I can see the small seed of doubt this might cause you.” He watched her jaw almost tick again, and for a brief moment, savored the victory of being right. “Does his absence not pain you, Lady P?” He wasn’t entirely certain of the outcome he wanted from his teasing, but he relished the rare opportunity to be able to read her expression.

Her eyes met his, and he was struck again by the intensity of her gaze as it searched his face. He felt her assessing his intent, seeking any hint of malice or desire to hurt her. In that moment, he understood that such an aim was entirely absent from his heart. Wolf could not quite articulate the purpose of his banter, but an instinct told him Petra and John would not suit. It was patently clear that John possessed not the slightest inkling of the gravity with which Petra had regarded their supposed understanding.

John’s ignorance was not due to neglect; in fact, he was one of the few gentlemen who didn’t seem inclined to constantly leave his wife behind. Rather, he had been distracted by some persistent, unspoken melancholy, as though his mind and heart were fixated entirely on someone or something else. Wolf suspected, however, that the cause of this melancholy was not Lady Petra, given that the look of longing vanished whenever her name was mentioned.

Staring into Petra’s mahogany eyes, a plan came to him. Devious, perhaps, a bit underhanded, but one that would prove to Petra that she and John would not suit.

“Let me court you,” he blurted out.

For once, Lady Petra’s entire face showed what she was thinking as her mouth fell into an almost perfect “O.”

She really was rather adorable. Where did that thought come from? “Adorable” was not in his lexicon. As she began to regain her composure and start to form a reply, Wolf followed his initial, impulsive request before she could respond. “Not a real courtship, mind you, just something to shake Lord John into the parson’s trap. Fearing he might lose you should hasten the nuptials, yes?”

In truth, this ruse would not hasten the betrothal, but help free John, and ultimately free Petra.

Why he wished her to be free, he was not going to examine too closely.

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About Author Anna Valleria:

Anna Valleria is an award-winning historical romance author who believes that everyone deserves to see themselves on the page. Her mission is to write steamy Regency and Victorian stories featuring socially active heroines and devoted heroes that reflect windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for all readers, including characters of different sizes, backgrounds, abilities, and neurodiversities. Her novel The Baron Takes a Wife was the 2025 winner of the Hearts Through History Romance Through the Ages Contest in the published Georgian/Victorian category.

Currently residing in a beautiful, historic city in the southeastern U.S. with her family and a rescue pup. If she’s not writing, she’s likely in a coffee shop, walking with her son or dog, or trivia with her team, Stone Cold Jane Austen.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

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Lady Petra and the Wolf Blitz

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Midas Touch By Gary Grossman, Oren Aviv & Charles Segars ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 2, 2026 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mystery, suspense
Tags: , , ,
1

 

The Midas Touch by Gary Grossman, Oren Aviv, & Charles Segars Banner

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THE MIDAS TOUCH
by Gary Grossman, Oren Aviv, & Charles Segars
June 29 – July 24, 2026 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:
National Treasure meets Jack Ryan in THE MIDAS TOUCH

July 19, 1799. Napoleon’s armies advance into Egypt. In the steaming desert sands, his explorers unearth an astounding discovery: The Rosetta Stone. The tablet, cracked and incomplete, will eventually answer mysteries about ancient Egyptian history, culture, and science. But in the years since its partial excavation, world leaders, historians, scientists, and adventurers have speculated that the missing fragments could answer another age-old mystery.

THE MIDAS TOUCH is a globe-trotting adventure that follows CIA cryptologist/puzzle solver/savant Brady Donovan as he investigates the murder of his beloved mentor Dr. Hastings Kaufman, only to find that it leads to a search for the missing pieces of the famed Rosetta Stone and the secret it holds: The Alchemist Gold Theory – how to turn ordinary metals into gold.

Protagonist Brady Donovan partners with British archeologist Teppy Flynn and conspiracy theorist Avery Prophet. Only a heartbeat away is a diabolical Silicon Valley tech giant, D’Arcy Lauren Granier, and her henchmen.

The quest takes them through Napoleonic history and into a contemporary race through the streets of London, America’s backroads, the Caribbean, New Orleans’ French Quarter, Napoleon’s last island prison in the Atlantic, the Louisiana Bayou, and a massive, abandoned salt mine where pirate Jean Lafitte hid his treasures.

History, told in vivid flashbacks, jumps back to 1799 Egypt, and forward through the hundreds of years since, with pirates and presidents on the search for better or worse. Now Brady Donovan fights against the fast- ticking clock, relentless bad guys, and a Category 5 hurricane to where past meets present and greed and betrayal become deadly partners.

THE MIDAS TOUCH is written by international award-winning thriller writer Gary Grossman with Charles Segars and Oren Aviv, the creators of the billion-dollar National Treasure movie franchise.

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Praise for THE MIDAS TOUCH:

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“A perfect piece of entertainment with characters and a story that never disappoints. Poignant in places, nail-biting in others, the plot is accentuated by a take-no-prisoners attitude, similar to speeding down a slalom course with all its twists and turns. It’s quite a ride!” ~ Steve Berry New York Times best-selling author

“The Midas Touch is a thrilling ride through history and modern-day, tantalizing the reader with intrigue, action, and adventure across a labyrinth of archaeological secrets and danger.” ~ Raymond Benson, New York Times best-selling James Bond novelist

“Fans of The DaVinci Code will love The Midas Touch. Grossman, Segars, and Aviv have created an iconic character in Brady Donovan, a CIA cryptologist who trades in his pen for tradecraft to protect the world from a devastating economic weapon. Gripping prose, unforgettable settings, and non-stop excitement. A real page turner!” ~ K.J. Howe, international bestselling author of Skyjack writes

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THE MIDAS TOUCH Trailer:

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Book Details:

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, History Fiction, Globe-Hopping Intrigue

Published by: Fayetteville Mafia Press Publication Date: June 2, 2026 Number of Pages: 334 ISBN: 9781949024999 (ISBN10: 1949024997)

Book Links: Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads | BookBub

 

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Gary Grossman:

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Gary Grossman

THE MIDAS TOUCH is written by international award-winning thriller writer Gary Grossman (OLD EARTH, the EXECUTIVE ACTIONS and RED HOTEL series) with Charles Segars and Oren Aviv, the creators and executive producers of the exciting and popular Nicholas Cage NATIONAL TREASURE movie franchise.

Catch Up With Gary Grossman:

garygrossmanbooks.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub Instagram – @garygrossman1 X – @garygrossman1 Facebook – @AuthorGaryGrossman

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Charles Segars:

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Charles Segars

CHARLES SEGARS has served as a senior executive at Viacom, CBS, The Walt Disney Company, DreamWorks Pictures, and DreamWorks Animation. Segars is also known as Creator and Executive Producer of the Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures hit movie franchise, National Treasure and National Treasure: Book of Secrets. Currently, Segars enjoys a dual role as CEO of Ovation TV, the only multi-platform program service dedicated to the Arts and as President of Segars Media. Segars is a respected global safety and security analyst. He advises a number of national security-related technology startups and is actively involved in governmental affairs.He has served as a White House Associate as an Advance Team leader for the Office of the President and Vice President of the United States of America, leading a number of secretive domestic and international trips. .

Oren Aviv:

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Charles Segars

OREN AVIV ran Disney Studios from 2006-2010, after heading Disney Marketing for eight years. He became Disney’s first Chief Content Officer, and after leaving Disney he became CMO for 20th Century Fox Studios. In addition to executive producing a dozen films, he also co-created and was Executive Producer of Disney’s National Treasure film franchise. Aviv was named “Marketer of the Year” three separate times by Advertising Age Magazine. He created breakthrough campaigns for the studio’s NARNIA, STEP UP, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the National Treasure franchises, and launched memorable campaigns for many of Pixar’s animated hits, including Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc., The Incredibles and Cars. He also launched blockbusters such as The Sixth Sense; Pearl Harbor; Ransom; The Rock; Signs; The Waterboy; Armageddon; Unbreakable; 101 Dalmatians; Con Air; Crimson Tide; Freaky Friday; and Father of the Bride, as well as hundreds of other films under the Disney, Touchstone and Hollywood Pictures banners. As CMO at 20th Century Fox, Aviv created the campaigns for Rise of the Planet of the Apes; X-Men: First Class; Ridley Scott’s Prometheus; The Wolverine starring Hugh Jackman; and Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning Life of Pi. As head of production at Disney, Aviv was responsible for greenlighting such hits as THE PROPOSAL starring Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds; Tim Burton’s billion-dollar-grossing Alice in Wonderland; Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; National Treasure: Book of Secrets; and the Amy Adams musical-comedy Enchanted.

Tour Participants:

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

 

 

History, Suspense, & Gift Cards – Enter To Win
This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Gary Grossman, Oren Aviv, & Charles Segars. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

. THE MIDAS TOUCH by Gary Grossman, Oren Aviv, & Charles Segars

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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