Posts Tagged ‘mystery’

A Cryptic Clue by Victoria Gilbert ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 12, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery
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A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case

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A Cryptic Clue

A Hunter & Clewe Mystery Book 1

by Victoria Gilbert

Genre: Mystery

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A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.

Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.

Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.

Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * BooksaMillion * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Thinking this offered a good opening to further prove my worth as an employee, I slid to the front edge of my chair. “I know the cataloging comes first, but I’d be happy to help any of your guests with research, since that’s another one of my skills.”

Cam drummed his fingers again, this time against the other sleeve of his ivory sweater. “Thanks. I’m not sure that will be necessary, but I’ll keep it in mind. Anyway, I’m sure you won’t get any requests for research assistance this weekend. Everyone’s focused on the fundraising gala happening on Sunday evening.” Perhaps sensing my surprise, Cam added, “Two friends of mine are actually hosting it. I’m just supplying the space, because their homes aren’t big enough. It will be rather a large crowd.” Cam grimaced, as if the thought pained him. “Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll have Lauren give you a tour of the house and property.”

In other words, I was being dismissed. I rose to my feet and crossed to him, extending my hand. “I really am delighted to be here, Cam. It’s a librarian’s dream to get to work with such fascinating materials.”

Cam examined my outstretched fingers for a moment before placing his own hands behind his back. “I’m just glad you’re so enthusiastic about the job. I hope that attitude won’t change when you have to dig through stacks of dusty boxes.”

“You really think I haven’t done that before?” I dropped my hand and offered him a rueful smile. “As I mentioned in my cover letter, we took in a lot of gifts at the library, and one of my duties was to examine and inventory those materials. Trust me, I’ve dealt with dust. Mold too,” I added, wrinkling my nose. “I doubt your collection is in as bad shape as many of those donations.”

Cam stared down at his expensive leather loafers. “That’s right. It’s one reason I put your résumé on top of my consideration pile. Along with your knowledge of cataloging and research, of course.”

I tugged down my slightly rumpled jacket. “I hope I can live up to your expectations.”

As he raised his head to meet my gaze, the ghost of a smile flickered over Cam’s handsome face. “Honestly, that would be a first,” he said.

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Raised in a historic small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria Gilbert turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. Now retired, she’s worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and university library director.

Victoria writes the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Booklover’s B&B Mystery series, and the Hunter and Clewe traditional mystery series for Crooked Lane Books. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching TV and films, gardening, or traveling. A member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers, Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and two very spoiled cats.

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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$10 Amazon – 1 winner

Hardcover of A Cryptic Clue – 2 winners!

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Catawba Falls by W. F. Ranew ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 12, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Catawba Falls organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author W. F. Ranew will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B&N Gift Card 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.

Catawba Falls

by W. F. Ranew

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Genre: Mystery

Synopsis

PI Red Farlow travels to Camp Ridgemont for Boys for a reunion with his summer camp friends. On arrival, he discovers two camp counselors in the woods, hacked to death. Red’s investigation soon widens with more mysterious deaths, one of them a close friend.

Far-right extremist Troy Unsworthy knows the hills and hollows after a lifetime of growing up in these mountains. Red soon learns all the victims are connected to Unsworthy in the years leading up to a deadly auto accident.

When he learns Unsworthy was released just before the counselors’ deaths, Red goes into the mountains. His trek requires sure-footedness over rocky terrain and old-growth forest as he explores caves with endless tunnels, shafts, and deep-water pools searching for his suspect.

But, did Unsworthy really murder these people, or should Red turn his attention to other suspects?

Red treads a treacherous path on his quest to find the killer and bring him to justice.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Death visited late in the day. I came upon the human tragedy the following morning.

 

Near Kitsuma’s summit, a steady breeze rustled trees and bushes hugging the mountainside. Spring in North Carolina meant comfortable temperatures during daylight. Standing there, I felt the night’s lingering chill.

 

Years had passed—fifty or more—since I’d tramped the mountain’s footpaths.

 

Two dozen of us searched the area late the previous evening but had gotten nowhere near the summit. We resumed our task along the rigorous trail on the Old Fort side well before dawn. . .

We covered areas unreachable in the previous night’s outing. Two hours later, I came upon the campground, forty yards down a side trail and near a cove of rhododendron and mountain laurel.

 

The scene’s horror struck deep, painted in strokes of surreal hues. The blood, in the dim light, bore a black pigmentation. One young man’s skin tone paled to a faint glow reflecting his orange rain parka.

 

Two light-green pup tents stood side by side. One caved in toward the back; the other seemed undisturbed.

 

I looked around for the second camp counselor. Raking the mountainside, my gaze focused on something resembling a yellow night safety vest. I made my way downhill.

 

Soon enough, I came across another grisly scene. The young man’s head cocked at a strange, unnatural angle as he sprawled belly down in the bushes and leaves. The blood wasn’t as apparent with him as the fluid had seeped into leaves and pine needles beneath him.

 

Something tilted out of his left hand—a cell phone.

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About Author W. F. Ranew

W.F. Ranew is a former newspaper reporter, editor, and communication executive. He started his journalism career covering sports, police, and city council meetings for his hometown newspaper, The Quitman Free Press. He also worked as a reporter and editor for several regional dailies: The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle, The Florida Times-Union, and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

 

Ranew has written two previous novels: Schoolhouse Man and Candyman’s Sorrow.

 

He lives with his wife in Atlanta and St. Simons Island, Ga.

 

Purchase link: Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Savior by Christopher Flory ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: June 30, 2023 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller
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I’m excited that THE SAVIOR by Christopher Flory is available now and that I get to share the news!

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

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

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THE SAVIOR

 by Christopher Flory

 

 

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Pub. Date: June 27, 2023

Publisher: Torchflame Books

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 260

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Find it:  Goodreads, https://books2read.com/THE-SAVIOR-Flory

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“Sure to engross fans of Connelly, Patterson, and Coben.” – Dave Edlund, USA
Today best-selling author of the Peter Savage novels

Paul Dodge is ready to return to his normal job as a Parole Agent in Virginia after a
much-needed-and not very restful-personal hiatus. When a local street woman is
found dead, he’s assigned to work the case despite his personal objections.

Working outside his normal expertise under a boss he isn’t sure he can trust, and with
a new team, Dodge tries to make the best of the bad situation. The sooner the
case is closed, the sooner he can get back to his parole work rather than
poking his nose into the life of a serial killer.

With the killer growing in confidence and an old flame back in town, Dodge’s personal
and professional lives get tested and tangled. When accusations fly and
tensions rise, time is running out for Dodge to find justice for the victims
and stop a psychopath before the body count rises again.

The Savior is the third book in the Paul Dodge series, however, each book in this thrilling detective series can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone as well as in publication order.

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

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Sarah’s eyes looked down at the table. The corners of her lips turned down; frown wrinkles exposed. He couldn’t blame her for the indignation in her tone. The man was a first-class
mope. Not too many, if anyone, would lose sleep over his demise. But that
didn’t matter. It was the task force’s job, therefore Dodge’s job, to find out
what happened and bring justice to the victims, no matter how despicable the
dead may have been in life.

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“May I have some water, please?” she asked.

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Dodge nodded and stepped out into the hall, leaving the door wide open, and filled a paper cup from a water cooler parked outside in the hall. He handed Sarah the cup and she took a long
drink. Then another. The disgust eased its grip on her face. The frown lines
diminished. She was becoming more comfortable with him.

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“Let’s continue from when you entered the office. What did you see? Was the door open?”

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“At first, I couldn’t see anything. It wasn’t open, just cracked a little. Just enough to show where it
was in the wall. I tried to peek through the slit but couldn’t see anything. So, I pulled a little more. Real slow. I didn’t want to wake him if he was sleeping in there.”

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“Once you were able to see in, what is the first thing you noticed?” Dodge asked.

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“There was a smell in the air. It was heavy. You could taste it when you breathed in,” she said. “Have
you ever put a penny in your mouth?”

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“No,” Dodge answered.

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“When I was younger, some of the girls I used to hang out with said you could beat a breathalyzer test if you put a penny in your mouth right before blowing in the tube. So, I tried it once,” Sarah said.

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“Did it work?”

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“No.”

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Dodge paused for a second before continuing. Not wanting to get off subject, but also trying to keep her talking. “Did you get a ticket?”

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The young girl’s head dropped, and her eyes settled on the table in front of her. She rung her hands.

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“No. He wasn’t interested in giving me a ticket.”

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As an experienced law enforcement officer, Dodge knew well that sometimes officers take advantage of young women in trouble. Renquest worked a case once where the suspect turned out to be a sheriff’s deputy from a neighboring county. He had been forcing young girls to sleep with him instead of giving them tickets for minor traffic violations and misdemeanor drug possession. Sexual misconduct among officers was something he had no patience for. But that was for another day.

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“You were talking about the smell in the air?”

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“Yeah. It was like having that penny in my mouth again.”

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Dodge pressed on. Diverting the conversation back to the case.

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“What did you see next?”

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“Him lying on the floor. His eyes stared at me. Through me. Then I saw her. It looked like she was sleeping. But her eyes. Her eyes were almost purple. It was haunting. That’s how I knew she was dead.” 

 

About Christopher Flory:

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Christopher (Chris) Flory was
raised in Indiana and now lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and dog Shadow. He spent ten years with various correctional departments as a probation
and parole officer, specializing in the supervision of sexually based offenders and criminal street gang members. He is currently employed as a contractor for
the federal government as an intelligence analyst. Trust Misplaced: A Paul Dodge Novel is Chris’ first published novel, though he has been featured in academic journals and professional conference papers while attending
undergraduate (BA Indiana-Purdue University Fort Wayne 00′) and graduate school
(MA Purdue University 15′). He is currently working on the second book in the
Paul Dodge series and has ideas for several more installments. Chris enjoys
spending time with his family, baking and outdoor activities.

Subscribe to Christopher’s newsletter!

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Friday 56 #247 ~ Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards

Posted: June 30, 2023 in horror, Mytery/Thriller, The Friday 56, YA
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Welcome to The Friday 56 hosted by Freda’s Voice.

 

This is a really fun meme!

The only rules are to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader and find a sentence or a few (no spoilers) that grabs you and post it.

Then go over to Freda’s Voice and leave your link so we can visit your 56!

My 56 for this week is from

Four Found Dead

  by Natalie D. Richards

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Genre: YA / Mystery / Thriller / Horror

From page 56 in the paperback.

When the lights went out, the darkness itself was the monster I feared. But now I know there are real monsters in the theater.

There is a faint, rapid tapping beside me. It’s confusing until I see her chin trembling.  Summer’s teeth are chattering in the quiet.

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Synopsis

At the movie theater where Jo works, the last show has ended. But the nightmare is just beginning.

Tonight, Tempest Theaters is closing forever, the last remaining business in a defunct shopping mall. The moviegoers have left, and Jo and her six coworkers have the final shift, cleaning up popcorn and mopping floors for the last time.

But after an unexpected altercation puts everyone on edge, the power goes out. Their manager disappears, along with the keys to the lobby doors and the theater safe, where the crew’s phones are locked each shift. Then, the crew’s tension turns to terror when Jo discovers the dead body of one of her co-workers.

Now their only chance to escape the murderer in their midst is through the dark, shuttered mall. With its boarded-up exits and disabled fire alarms, the complex is filled with hiding places for both pursuer and pursued. In order to survive this night, Jo and her friends must trust one another, navigate the sprawling ruins of the mall, and outwit a killer before he kills again.

Amazon

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Ooh, this sounds creepy and intriguing! Makes me want to go to the movies. LOL

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Spotlight Is On…. A Final Farewell by Marilyn Meredith

Posted: June 26, 2023 in Mystery
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The discovery of a body in a neighbor’s pond piques retired deputy Tempe Crabtree’s curiosity, and she begins her own investigation…

Title: A Final Farewell
Author: Marilyn Meredith
Publisher: Independent
Pages: 227
Genre: Mystery

A woman’s body found in a neighbor’s pond piques Tempe’s curiosity. It isn’t long before she is enmeshed in the intrigue and gossip surrounding the mystery.

Miqui Sherwood has two handsome suitors both wanting to marry her. Does either one have any ties to the murder victim?

Tempe’s life is threatened, and the health of Tempe’s friend and mentor, Nick Two John, is failing.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/40YLA5V

Book Excerpt

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“Oh, my goodness. Jerod Garfield drained his pond and found a body.” Tempe had been reading the local news on her phone while her husband read the Dennison Banner.Hutch folded the Banner and put in on the kitchen table where they’d been drinking their morning coffee. “Nothing in here about it.”

“I don’t know why we bother with the paper. Now that it’s delivered by mail, the news is at least a day late.”

“I like it because it has positive articles about the schools, sports, and kids as well as others’ achievements. And I’ve always read the paper with my morning coffee.”

True, and Tempe once had done the same, but these days, it was easier and quicker to check her phone.

Her husband clung to his habits of the past. He refilled his mug from the coffee pot on the table. “Who is the deceased?”

“Authorities don’t know yet.”

“You have any idea who it might be?”

She shrugged. “If I were still on the job, I’d find out who has gone missing in the past few years.” Tempe had recently retired as the resident deputy of Bear Creek. She hadn’t been replaced. Instead, deputies from Dennison were assigned to patrol Bear Creek on different shifts, or were sent to respond in the case of an emergency.

These days, unless they planned to do something special, Tempe’s daily attire during the cooler fall temperatures consisted of a sweater, good jeans, and a comfortable pair of sneakers. Like she’d always done, she wore her still all-black hair in a long, thick single braid. Hutch usually donned his favorite well-worn Levi’s, a long-sleeved flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. 

More…
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About Author Marilyn Meredith:

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Marilyn Meredith is the author of over forty published novels, including the award-winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of the Public Safety Writers Association. She’s taught writing in many venues and appeared on numerous panels at mystery cons. Her home is in the foothills of the Southern Sierra, a place much like the fictional Bear Creek of the Tempe Crabtree mysteries. When not writing, Marilyn enjoys spending time with her large family.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

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Sponsored by:

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Entheophage by Drema Deoraich

Posted: June 13, 2023 in Excerpt, Mystery
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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour organized for Entheophage by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Drema Deoraich will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card 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.

Entheophage

by Drema Deoraich

Genre: Medical Mystery / Ecofiction

Synopsis

Dr. Isobel Fallon thinks she’s found a treatment that will help her son and others suffering from Milani Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder.  What she doesn’t realize is that harvesting the source of this treatment in the only accessible place on earth it grows, a coral reef in the Nlaan Islands, is going to have consequences far beyond the disruption of the fragile ecosystem on one small reef.

CDC researcher Nadine Parker and her team are baffled.  Lukas Behn’s daughter Kyndra has contracted a bizarre new virus that leaves her screaming in pain.  But they can’t identify any physical, biological source for that pain, not in Kyndra, nor in the dozens, then hundreds, and finally millions of children worldwide succumbing to the same virus.  And no one seems to have made a connection between what’s happening with the infected children and the events on a small coral reef in the South Pacific.

Eventually, Nadine has to face the unlikely truth, and the enormous implications of it.  The children aren’t sick. They’re changing.  But will anyone else believe her?

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Enjoy this peek inside:

T’nei translated for Isobel. “Why are you here?”

Isobel fought the urge to look at Travis. “To harvest a special coral from the reef.”

“No,” T’nei snapped. “Anyone could do that. Your men could do that. Why are you here?”

Isobel’s mind raced. What was Mtuji after? “I’m the lead scientist. I know which coral to harvest, and how it’s processed. Only I can do that.”

“Only you? Among all your people?”

Isobel pursed her lips. “No. But I’m the one who began this research in search of medicine for a very rare disease. I found what we needed in a special coral. I learned that coral grows here.” She paused. “I started this project. I came here to finish it.”

T’nei translated her words for Mtuji.

The other women murmured among themselves, staring at Isobel as if they could see through her, see the truth of the matter. The elders among them wavered. Some argued. The younger ones held their ground.

Isobel’s stomach knotted.

At length, the crone spoke aside to T’nei, who turned to Isobel.

“And if we say no, go home?”

Isobel’s jaw tightened. “Then we’ll go home, and I’ll start again. Find another way. But it took me years to find this coral. Thousands of children are born with this illness. None survive it.”

Mtuji absorbed her words in silence.

“What would you do,” Isobel went on, “if your children were born this way and I could save them? If you had to watch your children die because another nation’s leader denied me access to their reef?”

T’nei hesitated, then translated Isobel’s words.

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About Author Drema Deoraich

 

Drema Deòraich is a writer of speculative fiction that asks big questions. Her short stories have been published in numerous online journals, as well as a few semi-professional zines. Her debut novel “Entheóphage,” a medical mystery/climate fiction novel released in October of 2022, has been nominated for the 2023 Ursula Le Guin prize. Drema is still hard at work on her science fantasy trilogy, “The Founder’s Seed,” with plans to release book one in late 2023.

When she isn’t writing, Drema helps her legal-eagle boss to save the world one case at a time, pets her husband’s cats, watches the starlings mob her birdfeeders, or spends time in Nature, surrounded by flora and fauna.

Buy Entheóphage here: Paperback on Amazon / Or read free on Kindle Unlimited

Visit Drema’s websites at: Drema Deoraich / Niveymarts

Follow Drema on: Twitter / Instagram / Facebook

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~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Chris Crossed Murder by Lauren Carr ~ Audio Book Tour And Giveaway

Posted: May 24, 2023 in audible, giveaways, Mystery
Tags: ,
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Chris Crossed Murder

(A Chris Matheson Cold Case Mystery #4)

by Lauren Carr


Narrator: Mike Alger
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +), 10 hours, 13 minutes
Genre:  Mystery
Publisher:  Acorn Book Services
Release date:   Mar 21, 2023
Content Rating:  PG-13 (Lauren Carr’s books are murder mysteries, so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!

Neptune’s Window by L. L. Lewin ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: May 22, 2023 in giveaways, Mystery, YA
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Neptune’s Window: First Glance

by L.L. Lewin

 

(Neptune’s Window, #1)
Publication date: November 25th 2020
Genres: Mystery, Young Adult

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What if you had a glimpse into what others are oblivious to? According to the zodiac, the planet Neptune represents illusions, mystery, and the unconscious mind. Aries Dade is a teenage medium who has the ability to look inside those illusions and speak to the afterworld. But for some reason, she can’t communicate with her recently deceased mother. With the help of a few spirits, she tries to discover the truth behind her mother’s death. But can she trust the spirits? Aries and her father move to Newport Beach, California to start over. Little do they know they are unlocking a world of lies, betrayals, and deception. And everyone they come in contact with is somehow intertwined with her mother’s death. When the star quarterback and a bad-boy senior vie for her attention, Aries senses something isn’t right. Meanwhile, the rich, popular girls make her life a living hell to keep her from finding out the truth. First Glance is the first novel in the Neptune Window’s trilogy. Do you dare to glance inside the window?

The complete trilogy

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Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside Book 1:

Demanding spirits barged their way into Aries’s mind, each voice trying to outdo the other.
“Please stop,” she said through clenched teeth.

For a moment they went away, allowing her to bask in the silence. But as soon as she took a step toward the school, their clamor started back up.

Aries ran behind a row of palm trees, shielding herself from streams of cars and pedestrians as the high-pitched aggravation attacked her senses.

“Not today…please not today,” she begged no one in particular.

Out of sight, she dropped to her knees and picked at the grass as the noise escalated.

“Dammit. I said stop.”

Giving in, she put her hands in her lap. With her index finger, she wrote the alphabet on her leg. She needed deep concentration to make the connection. She waited for a clear voice to come through, dreading – yet at the same time accepting – communication with the dead.

After tracing a Z on her leg, she started over with A as a faint whisper formed. Unable to make out any words, she slowed her pace and drew the letter B. She kept repeating this action, taking deeper breaths each time, trying to match the frequency of the spirit.

She’d almost given up when a clear voice said, “You need to find out the truth, Aries.”

Author L. L . Lewin:

LL Lewin is the author of Neptune’s Window Trilogy. A native of Southern California, she was born in Los Angeles County and grew up in Orange County. She graduated from the University California, Irvine with a degree in psychology and social behavior, and holds a Masters in Social Emotional Learning. After teaching for several years and interacting with the youth almost daily, she was inspired to write a young adult mystery novel, which morphed into a little more. Since things happen in threes for her (her initials, triple Sagittarius, the third born) the novel turned into a trilogy and reaffirmed her belief that three’s a charm.

She loves all things astrological, metaphysical, and spiritual. With her Sun, Moon, and Rsing all in the sign of Sagittarius, She’s as Sagittarius as they come, optimistic, freedom-loving, and ever so tactless.

Her three passions in life are writing, traveling, and soccer. You’ll either find her writing at the beach, on an island somewhere, or on a soccer field. And her three vices are chocolate, pizza, and champagne, and not necessarily in that order.

For more updates, photos, and videos follow LL Lewin on Twitter or Instagram @LLLewin3

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Salt Island by Lisa Towles ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: May 12, 2023 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, suspense
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Salt Island

E&A Investigations Thriller Series Book 2

by Lisa Towles

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

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At the request of an old college chum, former CIA operative and private investigator Mari Ellwyn investigates the blackmailing of a CEO amid a high-profile IPO deal and a motivated witness determined to expose him for corruption and fraud. Mari’s new partner, Derek Abernathy tries to help uncover the truth behind the accidental death of two farm workers in the Central Valley, only to discover that they weren’t accidental and they’re connected to a seamy underworld of illegal drug manufacturing and toxic chemical dumping. Lured by compassion and ties to their former lives, Ellwyn and Abernathy leverage their collective experience in the biggest challenge of their lives – bringing justice and staying alive in the process.

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​What readers are saying:

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“ An intricate, gorgeously written, character-driven page-turner with some shocking twists”

– Prairies Book Reviews

​“An Intoxicating read, hugely entertaining”

– The Book Commentary​

​“An exceptional thriller and a riveting work of espionage, wrongdoing, and discovery”

– Midwest Book Review

​“Towles is a master when it comes to parallel storylines. Readers will love the quick pace and snappy dialogue of this thriller, and Mari is a character who jumps off the page and into your heart.”

– Literary Titan

​”Likeable, interesting characters and a confident narrative keep the pages turning of this crime thriller, in a series that harkens Evanovich, Grafton, and Millhone.”

– RECOMMENDED, The US Review of Books

“Highly recommended for fans of intricately plotted mystery tales, high-stakes action, and dynamic detectives”

– Reader’s Favorite

“Powerful and entertaining, a harrowing journey into the heart of corporate greed”

– Book Viral Reviews

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Amazon * B&N * Goodreads

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**Don’t miss Book 1!**
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Hot House

E&A Investigations Book 1

Who killed Sophie Michaud? Stay up all night reading this award-winning psychological thriller that has readers obsessed.

Shot in the line of duty, ex CIA operative Mari Ellwyn is again chasing adrenaline, when she reinvents herself as a private investigator on a quest to find the killer of college student Sophie Michaud. Every door Mari opens proves to be more perilous than the last, but she’s hell bent on bringing the killer to justice—for Sophie, students, and all women.

Teaming up with seasoned investigator and former detective, Derek Abernathy, the crime-savvy pair discover Sophie’s journal, which is filled with names and controversial secrets—listed among them is Mari’s own father.

What secrets was Sophie hiding?

As they connect the dots leading to Sophie’s death, the blackmailing of a federal judge, and Mari’s own family, Sophie’s murderer is closing in for the next kill. Facing an adversary like none she’s ever experienced before, Mari must find her missing father and reconcile her broken past before she becomes the killer’s next victim.

A multiple award-winning novel, Hot House is a page-turning psychological thriller packed with tension, secrets, suspense, and surprises. If you like Blake Crouch, Harlan Coben, and Lisa Gardner, discover Lisa Towles’ E&A Series today.

First Place Winner of The Book Fest 2022 Literary Award, Mystery & Crime category

Literary Titan Gold Award for Fiction

Escape into this devious mind mystery by getting your copy of Hot House now, so you can solve the puzzle of who killed Sophie Michaud.

What readers are saying:

“A dark, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Highly recommended!”Chanticleer Reviews

“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… I recommend this for fans of crime fiction writers Baldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review

“Award-winning author Lisa Towles delivers again and again with her gripping thrillers…” Sarah Lovett, Bestselling author

“The plot is propelled forward by the clever use of suspense, measured action, and ingeniously written conflict. It is a moving and delightful read with cinematic scenes and characters that will stick with readers for a long after they turn the last page.” – The Book Commentary

“Hot House is an intricate maze of blackmail, surprise and suspense delivered by quirky characters, pithy dialog and LOL humor. Another hit by my favorite thriller writer, Lisa Towles.” – Ana Manwaring

“Fans of investigative thrillers and mysteries will be the audience for Hot House, but its ability to craft a sassy, fun series of dialogues and inspections… creates an exceptional read with a powerfully unexpected conclusion... This will attract audiences both within and beyond the thriller and mystery genres.” – Midwest Book Review

“Towles has produced a knockout novel with Hot House. Towles’s plot is as twisted and unpredictable… Nowhere will thriller fans find a more engaging keep-you-on-your-toes read.” – Literary Titan

“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

“Hot House is one of those books that pries your eyelids open and doesn’t relent until you’ve reached the end. Good luck getting Mari out of your head!” – Benjamin Bradley

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Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has nine crime novels in print with a new title, Salt Island, forthcoming in June of 2023. Her latest thriller, The Ridders, was an Amazon #2 Kindle Bestseller and won an American Fiction Award. Her psychological thriller, Hot House (June, 2022) was an Amazon #1 Bestseller (Kindle version) the first place Winner of the 2022 Book Fest Literary Award in Mystery & Crime. 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 IPPY 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 full-time in the tech industry.

Read more about Lisa’s book on her publisher’s website.

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Review And Giveaway ~ Deep Blue Murder by C. S. McDonald

Posted: April 24, 2023 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, reviews
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Book Title:  Deep Blue Murder (A Fiona Quinn Mystery)
by C.S. McDonald
​Category:  Adult Fiction, 268 pages
Genre:  Cozy Mystery
Publisher:  McWriter Books
Release date:  Nov 2022
Content Rating:  G. C.S. McDonald’s books are appropriate for YA readers as well as adults–no bad language or sexual content.

Book Description:

Fiona is delighted when her new mother-in-law, Rita Landry invites her and Nathan to a private island in the Bahamas owned by a US ambassador. Sun, sandy beaches, and romantic tangerine sunsets await the newlyweds, but for Rita and her executive assistant, Hal Underwood the trip to Deep Blue Isle is a working vacation. Ambassador Taslow has summoned them to the island to discuss a scandal he has fallen victim to. However, when the Landry’s and Hal arrive, they find less than welcoming circumstances: no internet or Wi-Fi, mischievous monkeys, a dangerous tenant, and then there’s that pesky dead body.

​A storm is brewing on Deep Blue Isle, and it has nothing to do with wind and rain.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads
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MY REVIEW

I’m known to jump into a series anywhere and I’ve been wanting to try this one for a while. I did struggle a bit to get each character straight on who they were and how they related to each other as I’d not read any of the other books. Once I got that, it was an exciting mystery upon mystery right up to the end.

You know that saying, “If it sounds too good to be true…it is?”  That holds up here. Rita and Nathan are tagging along with her mother-in-law, Rita and her assistant, Hal, for a short vacation on a private, tropical island. Sounds great, right? But, there’s the less than welcoming staff, monkeys bombarding you with coconuts ad stealing your lobster and……. murder.

With several mysteries and a bunch of suspects, I was hard pressed to sort things out. And that’s how the author sprung her surprise on me. I really didn’t see some things coming. And thinking back on all I’d read, I couldn’t recall any missed clues. She sold me on this one and now I want to go back and read all of the previous books and get to know the characters better. I bet there’s more twisty mysteries to solve too.

4 STARS

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