Posts Tagged ‘review’

Teaser Tuesday #227 ~ The Dark Man ~ Free Book and Review

Posted: December 19, 2017 in horror, Meme, Paranormal or fantasy, reviews
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Welcome to Teaser Tuesday hosted by Ambrosia  @ The Purple Booker.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read.
• Open to a random page.
•Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

 

My Teaser for this week is from

The Dark Man

The Graveyard: Classified Paranormal Series #1

by Desmond Doane

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Genre: Horror / Paranormal

 My teaser from page 63 in the eBook.

 Things that go bump in the night have terrified people since we had to look out for nocturnal predators, praying that our campfires didn’t burn out. No matter how many times you’ve flipped off the last switch and encased yourself in darkness, daring or begging something to show itself, there are times when you’ll get spooked.

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Read on if you want to know more.

My Review

 It’s always a good thing when I grab a free book and wind up really enjoying it. This is one of those books.

I like a good ghost haunt. Or in this case, a demon one. Ford Atticus Ford did one thing. One very big thing. Live. On television. And it ruined him. The famous paranormal investigation show was cancelled. His marriage fell apart. And his best friend will never forgive him.

Now, Ford does private investigations. Working with police departments to delve into cases and maybe find those answers they can’t get in conventional ways. When he comes across a particularly dangerous haunting, he begs his best friend, Mike Long, to help him just this one time. But getting rid of a top tier demon is no mean feat and if they aren’t careful, they could become possessed or the demon could latch on to them, bringing danger home to their loved ones. That’s if they don’t die trying to send it back to Hell.

The story starts out with the event that destroyed Ford. Then moves forward to his present situation. I was a fly on the wall, wishing I could yell at Ford, “Don’t do it!” Yet, he risked a little girls life and sanity, and he was lucky she wasn’t killed. I felt outrage and disgust for his actions, understood it when many, along with his best friend, shunned him. But I also came to know Ford, and he won me over. I ended up hoping he’d find his way back to favor.

I particularly enjoyed it when Ford’s friend, Mike, grudgingly agrees to help him. He has a very interesting way of accepting, much to Ford’s discomfort and pain. Yet, Ford takes it in stride. As they work the case, despite their best efforts, they quickly fall back into old routines, and find themselves enjoying it. Desmond did such a great job of making his character’s genuine and often laughable.

And the author has a talent for writing scenes that chill you, fill you with foreboding, and down right scare you. He gives a satisfying ending to this case while adding curiosity about the next one, plus leaves you wondering when Atticus will finally face his demon.

Feel like going ghost hunting? I recommend you give this a go. And the other two books in the series are already released, so no waiting when you finish this one.

4 Stars

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, it’s free on Amazon right now! Just click on the cover to grab a copy.

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Synopsis

Ford Atticus Ford, former host of the hit ghost-hunting reality show Graveyard: Classified, has more than a few regrets—especially after young Chelsea Hopper was attacked by a demon.

Assisting police departments by conducting paranormal investigations and uncovering buried clues now provides Ford with an ounce of redemption, but it will never be enough.

What occurred on that long-ago Halloween night was unforgivable, and Ford, chasing ratings and stardom, let it happen. With Graveyard cancelled and his reputation destroyed, Ford sets out to avenge little Chelsea, and to save his own soul—if he can.

Amazon

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Other books in the series.

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And the collected edition containing all three books.

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How about you? Got a tease? Tell me!

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

This series is still going strong! Twofer Murder by Lauren Carr ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: December 14, 2017 in giveaways, Mystery
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Twofer Murder by Lauren Carr

A Mac Faraday Mystery #13

Category: Adult fiction, 400 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: November 17, 2017
Tour dates: Dec 4 to Jan 19, 2018
Content Rating: PG + M (Please be aware that TWOFER MURDER is a murder mystery. There are depictions of murder and some violence–though easy on the gore contents. No f-words but there may be some mild profanity, and mild religious expletives such as “damn”, “hell” and “Oh God!”. Some depictions of brief sexual content (kissing). No drug use or underage drinking among the protagonists.)

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My Review

We’re back with the usual suspects, er, I mean characters, but where are they? Well, the men are all going fishing, spending some male bonding time. No crying allowed. And the women are attending an authors award ceremony at a posh hotel, being pampered, wined and dined in the presidential suite.

The pets, you ask? Oh yes, they’re along for the adventures. Gnarly and Storm are with the men.  There are a couple of scenes where I laughed out loud. One is an incident with a door that involves Mac and Gnarly. Another is the fishing contest where the only ones who caught any were Gnarly and Storm. And I must share one more. There’s the case of the vanishing cheese balls. If you’ve met these canines before, I think you can guess who the culprit is. Then again…maybe not. My son came in my room to see what was so funny.

And Spencer and Monique are with the women, being spoiled rotten. Spencer has their intimidating looking private concierge, Garth, wrapped around her little paw with just a wag of her tail. And Monique! Oh yes. I finally get to know her personality. You wouldn’t expect one for her species, but she brings her own brand of mischief.

The guys are busy solving a murder, the women are trying to prevent one, and the critters…. they’re probably laughing at the silly humans.

Can you read this without having read the other books? I’d encourage you to start at the beginning so you don’t miss out on the fun, but yes, you can. Each story has a different plot and Lauren provides a break down list of all of the character’s and how they connect.

Once again, I’m charmed and in love with this series. Keep bringing them, Lauren.

5 Stars

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Book Description:

Twofer murder? What’s a twofer murder?

Twofer Murder is a treat for fans of best-selling author Lauren Carr’s fast-paced mysteries! Lauren’s latest novel contains the main characters from her three successful series: Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose mysteries. The guys go away for a fishing weekend only to get caught up in the murder of a journalist investigating fraud at a timber company. Meanwhile, the ladies are spending the weekend in the presidential suite at a posh resort where Jessica Faraday is to accept a lifetime achievement award for her late grandmother at a murder mystery writers conference. But before they have time to get their facials, they get wrapped up in their own real mystery when an up and coming author ends up dead!

Lauren Carr’s Twofer Murder is a 2-for-1—making it a must-read for any mystery fan!

To read more reviews, please visit Lauren Carr’s page on iRead Book Tours.

Buy the Book:
 
Watch the trailer:
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Meet the Author:


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Lauren Carr is the international best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty titles across three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!

Book reviewers and readers alike rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include mystery, suspense, romance, and humor.

Lauren is a popular speaker who has made appearances at schools, youth groups, and on author panels at conventions. She lives with her husband, and three dogs on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.

Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram

 

What are readers saying about Lauren Carr’s mysteries?
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Enter the Giveaway!
Ends Jan 27
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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

Shadow Of Danger by Kristine Mason

Posted: December 8, 2017 in reviews, Romance, suspense
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I’m tearing through the CORE Shadow Trilogy and want to share my review of the first book, Shadow Of Danger, while the feels are still fresh in my mind. Kristine Mason has now become one of my go to authors for romantic suspense.

Shadow Of Danger

The CORE Shadow Trilogy #1

by Kristine Mason

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Genre: Romantic Suspense

 My Review

I won this book in a giveaway a while ago. Kristine also sent me a gnome. You’ll learn his significance further into my review. He sits in my front garden protecting my home. He’s been joined by several others and I suspect I’ll be seeing more. Knowing how much I enjoy this genre and upon some trusted recommendations, I went ahead and grabbed the three book boxed set before I even began reading Shadow Of Danger. I’m now into the second book, Shadow Of Perception, which introduces some new character’s while some favorite ones from the first book make brief appearances.

Celeste is plagued by horrific nightmares and visions of torture and death. A clairvoyant, she sees four women brutally attacked and murdered.

The local sheriff believes in Celeste’s abilities and calls on a trusted friend from a private agency, CORE, to send assistance. The man he sends, John Kain, is having none of it. He’s a former FBI agent, relies on facts and the rest is just nonsense. But before long he witnesses one of Celeste’s trances. The information she provides is vital to the investigation and John comes to accept her abilities.

Reminiscent of shows like Criminal Minds, Karen takes you on a dark journey into the mind of a killer. You get insight into what feeds the need for insatiable blood lust. Gruesome scenes provide a high level of suspense and create empathy for the victims and all of the character’s involved in the case. Kristine does this very well and it’s something I need in a suspense romance.

The suspense builds as the author drops in some twists about the killings and some intriguing side stories.

As for the romance. I had a lot of good times reading about Celeste and John and their instant attraction. It was very believable. Especially when the danger ramped up and the character’s emotions were heightened. And the author provided some much needed comic relief in the form of Celeste’s gnome collection. It started as just one gnome and quickly grew to dozens of them in all shapes and forms.

This book has it all. Suspense that keeps you glued to the book, anxious to see how it all plays out. Anxiety over whether more will die and if they’ll catch the killer or killers before they kill again. And excitement and amusement as Celeste and John fall hard for each other and work through the instant attraction and lusty thoughts.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Four women have been found dead in the outskirts of a small Wisconsin town. The only witness, clairvoyant Celeste Risinski, observes these brutal murders through violent nightmares and hellish visions. The local sheriff, who believes in Celeste’s abilities and wants to rid their peaceful community of a killer, enlists the help of an old friend, Ian Scott, owner of a private criminal investigation agency, CORE. Because of Ian’s dark history with Celeste’s family, a history she knows nothing about, he sends his top criminalist, former FBI agent John Kain to investigate.

John doesn’t believe in Celeste’s mystic hocus-pocus, or in her visions of the murders. But just when he’s certain they’ve solved the crimes, with the use of science and evidence, more dead bodies are discovered. Could this somehow be the work of the same killer or were they dealing with a copycat? To catch a vicious murderer, the skeptical criminalist reluctantly turns to the sensual psychic for help. Yet with each step closer to finding the killer, John finds himself one step closer to losing his heart.

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Audible

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ABOUT KRISTINE MASON

AuthorPhoto_PerfectlyToxicKristine Mason is the bestselling author of the popular romantic suspense trilogies, C.O.R.E. Shadow, and Ultimate C.O.R.E. She is currently working on her next trilogy, C.O.R.E. Above the Law, along with a series of Psychic C.O.R.E. novellas.

Although Kristine has published a few contemporary romance novels, she focuses most of her energy on her romantic suspense stories, which she loves for their blend of dark mystery/suspense and sexy romance. She is fascinated with what makes people afraid, and is famous for her depraved villains whose crimes present massive obstacles for her heroes and heroines to overcome.

Kristine has a degree in journalism from Ohio State University and lives in Northeast Ohio with her husband, four kids, and two dogs. If she’s not writing, she’s chauffeuring kids, gardening, or collecting gnomes. Oh, and she makes a mean chocolate chip cookie!Connect with Kristine on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/kristinemasonauthor, Twitter https://twitter.com/KristineMason7 or email her at authorkristinemason@gmail.com. You can also find out more about Kristine’s books at http://www.kristinemason.net

Blog /  Facebook /  Twitter  /  Goodreads /  Pinterest

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Hunting Hour by Margaret Mizushima ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: December 4, 2017 in giveaways, Mystery, reviews
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Hunting Hour: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
by Margaret Mizushima

I loved this book. I loved the twists and turns this book took you on. The characters are well developed and the story is well written.
~Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting

The writing keeps the reader hooked and the mystery kept me guessing with a few surprise twists along the way just to make it even more interesting. I am fully invested in the characters now and am looking forward to future installments to see what happens next.
~Books a Plenty Book Reviews

Hunting Hour, a combination of police procedural and suspense, is an outstanding murder mystery – atmospheric, fast-paced, haunting, a clean read that was downright hard to put down.
~The Power of Words

Hunting Hour: A Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Mystery/Police Procedurals/Woman Sleuths
3rd in Series
Crooked Lane Books (August 8, 2017)
Hardcover: 320 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1683312772
E-Book ASIN: B06XWFGDY5

My Review

I enjoy crime fighting and search and rescue teams that include dogs as partners. Having enjoyed James Rollins’ Tucker Wayne series, Katie Ruggle’s Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series and another dynamite duo from Iris Johansen’s Eve Duncan series, I’m thrilled to say Hunting Hour is every bit as good.

  Margaret’s characters stand out and compliment each other to make the concern for them stronger. Her talent for putting words together makes the mystery deeper. And reading about the human and canine team at work is very powerful.

How the author shows me what’s happening instead of telling me is awesome. There’s a scene where Deputy Mattie Cobb and her dog, Robo, are setting out on a search and he is overly excited. She describes how he hover sits. Bam, that hit me. Never thought of putting it that way, but my dog does the same thing. He sits on command but his rear end never quite touches the ground. I’ve seen military and police dogs do it too. It takes patience and trust to control an excited dog with tons of energy to burn. I’d love to see this team in action.

She portrays Mattie as strong, owning her flaws and vulnerabilities and trying to deal with them. This makes Mattie good at her job, and it’s going to take everything she has to give to stop a killer. One girl is dead. And now another girl has gone missing, and this one is personal.

Loving a good mystery with lots of curve balls thrown at me, the author took me to another level. I never could figure out the motive behind the killings and who was doing them until right near the end. It’s nail biting suspense all the way.

This is the third book in the series. Not wanting you to be turned off by that, I’m telling you it doesn’t matter if you haven’t read the other books. You won’t be lost as this is a different case. Sure, there are some things I want to know about. The history between some characters, for one. I’ll be exploring that when I read the other books.

If you love a taut mystery loaded with suspense, and enjoy human/canine teams in action, do yourself a favor and grab this one. Or grab any of the others. You just need to have some reading time set aside as you won’t be able to put the book down.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

Deputy Mattie Cobb is in a dark place and has withdrawn from Cole Walker and his family to work on issues from her past. When she and her K-9 partner Robo get called to track a missing junior high student, they find the girl dead on Smoker’s Hill behind the high school, and Mattie must head to the Walker home to break the bad news. But that’s only the start of trouble in Timber Creek, because soon another girl goes missing—and this time it’s one of Cole’s daughters.

Knowing that each hour a child remains missing lessens the probability of finding her alive, Mattie and Robo lead the hunt while Cole and community volunteers join in to search everywhere. To no avail. It seems that someone has snatched all trace of the Walker girl from their midst, including her scent. Grasping at straws, Mattie and Robo follow a phoned-in tip into the dense forest, where they hope to find a trace of the girl’s scent and to rescue her alive. But when Robo does catch her scent, it leads them to information that challenges everything they thought they knew about the case.

Mattie and Robo must rush to hunt down the kidnapper before they’re too late in Hunting Hour, the third installment in critically acclaimed author Margaret Mizushima’s exhilarating mystery series.

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Author Margaret Mizushima

Margaret Mizushima is the author of the Timber Creek K-9 mysteries, which includes Killing Trail (Crooked Lane Books, 2015) nominated for an RT Reviewer’s Choice award for best first mystery, Stalking Ground (Crooked Lane Books, 2016) a finalist in the Colorado Book Awards mystery category, and Hunting Hour (Crooked Lane Books, 2017). She has a background in speech pathology and practiced in an acute care hospital before establishing her own rehabilitation agency. Currently, she balances writing with assisting her husband with their veterinary clinic and Angus cattle herd. She enjoys reading and hiking, and she lives on a small ranch in Colorado where she and her husband raised two daughters and a multitude of animals.

Facebook / Twitter / Website 

Purchase Links:

Amazon: Barnes and Noble: Booksamillion:  Indiebound:

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Tour Participants

November 24 – Books,Dreams,Life – SPOTLIGHT

November 24 – Because I said so – Adventures in Parenting – REVIEW

November 25 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 26 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

November 27 – Brooke Blogs – GUEST POST

November 28 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

November 29 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW, GUEST POST

November 30 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

December 1 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

December 2 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – INTERVIEW

December 3 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 4 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

December 5 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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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

Something Down There ~ Review, Fun Facts and Two Giveaways

Posted: November 30, 2017 in giveaways, reviews, thriller
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Check out this special feature from Something Down There by Nancy Widrew!
Something Down There Tour Graphic
SOMETHING DOWN THERE
Nancy Widrew
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Azure Spider Publications
Publication Date: November 15, 2017)
Something Down There
My Review
There was supposed to be four of them, but when one couple cancels, Jeremy and his wife, Karen, go spelunking anyway. They decide to go to any easier cave so there is less risk of injury. Then, Jeremy doesn’t show up for work. There’s no evidence they ever returned home. Months go by, and they’re assumed dead.
I’m not crazy about confined spaces so I don’t get the desire to crawl into caves. The thought of tons of earth above me makes me shiver. And having a wacky cult kidnap me, dragging me deep into the cave system, is the stuff of nightmares.
This thriller wasn’t packed with action. It was subtle, just like the cult was with luring the happy couple into their trap. The tribe thought cutting themselves off from humanity was a good thing. But they couldn’t hide from it. It came with them. The jealousy, insecurity, anger. All of it followed them down the hole.
And  the bad times grew for Kate and Jeremy as time blurred their past lives and they started to succumb to life in the cave. It was almost like brain washing. Sooner or later they would give in and accept their fate. The author did this part really well. It felt so real as both of them caught themselves falling for the fantasy, shook it off, and fell for it again. It was becoming easier for them to forget their past than to hope for escape.
Somewhere Down There reads at a steady pace. It’s a solid psychological thriller that grows on you, keeping you eager to find out who would survive and how it would end.
4 Stars
Not all caves are uninhabited
Horror erupts when newlyweds, Karen and Jeremy, cross paths with members of a diabolical cult inside a West Virginia cave. Living below the earth’s surface has triggered mutations, rendering the cult members nearly infertile. Their leader, a wild-eyed, cunning brute, refuses to let the couple leave, believing they and their potential offspring hold the key to surviving underground. Are Karen and Jeremy doomed to spend their lives inside this sunless, subterranean wasteland, or do they escape before their minds shatter and their bodies betray them?
[Praise]
– [Name], Goodreads Reviewer

Purchase Links

Available now $3.99 only. Grab your copy today.

Blog Tour Schedule

Ongoing till December 2, 2017.
Get behind the scenes on Something Down There.
Visit each stop daily and iscover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and other extras.
To check the latest schedule, visit the Something Down There Book Page at Book Unleashed.
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Check Out These Fun Facts:

  1. My description of the protagonists, Karen and Jeremy, descending into the cave is based on my own spelunking experience in W. Va. After crawling snakelike on my belly, I was linked by a rope to a boulder, then slid down a ledge with a silent scream and swung like a pendulum for touchdown.
  2. A “boohoo” fun fact: Because it didn’t advance the plot, I deleted a scene where two especially unsavory characters begin falling in love. I still regret having to obliterate their blossoming romance.
  3. The protagonist’s name was Michael in the first draft. I switched to Rahm (short for Abraham) since he was the patriarch of the underground group.
  4. I originally wrote this book a long time ago but decided it wasn’t good enough. Years later, on one of those nothing-better-to-do days, I began rewriting it. By the time I reached page thirty, I knew I wouldn’t stop until it was done.
  5. Although she’s not the “star” of the book, Helene is my favorite character. I love her screwball, passive-aggressive nature.
Something Down There Tour Graphic

Giveaway

WIN A PRINT COPY OF
SOMETHING DOWN THERE *
Something Down There Giveaway Graphic
* Available for US Residents Only
Contest runs from November 1 – December 2, 2017.
Additional Giveaway
Join the Goodreads Giveaway and win a print copy of Something Down There (US Residents only).
Contest runs from September 19 – November 15. Click here to enter.

About Nancy Widrew

Nancy Widrew

Nancy Widrew was born and raised in NYC before settling in New England with her husband. She has two grown children and two four-legged furry ones, always a source of amusement. She has had short stories published in webzines and a print anthology. This is her first novel.
Follow Nancy Widrew on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nancywidrew
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

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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

She’s out there…..The Death Doll by Brian P. White ~ Review

Posted: November 30, 2017 in apocalypse, horror, reviews, Zombies
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I can’t ever resist a zombie horror book. Got a good one to share with you today.

The Death Doll

by Brian P. White

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Genre: Horror / Apocalypse / Zombies

 My Review

The Death Doll takes place two years after the zombie apocalypse went down. Now, bands of survivors struggle to survive the desolation.

One band is lead by Didi. In her previous life she was a porn star and looks the part. Statuesque and voluptuous, don’t let her looks deceive you. She’s a force to be reckoned with. Her mission. Provide for the community and keep everyone alive, at all costs. And the costs are high. The zombies aren’t the only thing they have to worry about. Other survivors want what they have. And the Death Doll stalks the unwitting.

I love Didi. She never shies away from danger. In fact, she steps right up to it. And her steadfast efforts to keep her band of survivors safe is incredible. Especially when there’s grumbling in the ranks and many aren’t so sure about their leader. And maybe they have reason to worry.

Right from the beginning you know Didi has secrets. The author peels them away slowly, surprising you in ways you never suspected. As the group learns her secrets, things go sideways and this is the part I loved the most. Group dynamics are fascinating. Put a bunch of people together, scare them, and you discover who steps up and who throws the monkey wrench in the works.

There’s plenty of action and intrigue to keep the story rolling in The Death Doll. And a lot of surprises await you. A fast read for me and one I’m glad I read.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Didi was once the darling of the porn industry, baring it all for the world on the silver screen. Then came the zombie apocalypse. Two years later, she’s killing every flesh-eating corpse in her path to protect a group of unlikely survivors in northwest Iowa. Unfortunately, she hides a terrifying secret that threatens every life she defends. For nothing left on Earth that creeps or crawls is as lethal as The Death Doll.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

The Kid’s Korner #23 ~ Win a signed set of the complete Captain No Beard Series!

Posted: November 29, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, giveaways, reviews
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Welcome to The Kid’s Korner.

I decided to do this feature as I have so many great children’s books to share. From picture books, to books for beginning readers, to middle graders, I have plenty of fun ones.

Today I’m sharing my reviews for the last two books in the Captain No Beard series by Carole P. Roman.

Be sure to check out the interview.

And there’s a giveaway for a chance to win signed print copies of the complete 10 book set of the Captain No Beard Series! So don’t forget to enter.

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Enjoy my interview with Author Carole P. Roman

Of all the themes you could have chosen for your series, why pirates?

I love pirates. I used watch swashbucklers with my mom and was surprised how easily the story came to me. I have always been attracted to sailing ships and seaports. I’m a big Mystic Seaport fan. Just seemed there was a lot of things I could do on the high seas!

I adore the zany crew of the Flying Dragon and especially enjoy meeting each new character. Where did the idea for each of them come from?

Each of the human characters are based on my grandkids. I was surprised at how well Bonnie Lemaire captured their personalities. Alexander was just over two when we started, Hallie a few months old. Then when Cayla and Zach came along, I added them to the story. The stuffed animals in the story have some traits of various members of my family. I’m not telling who- but they’ll recognize themselves, I’m sure.

Could you share with us about the delightful illustrations in your books?

Createspace had four or five illustrator and I chose Bonnie because she had the whimsy I was looking for. We’ve never met, or spoken on the phone and all our notes were done through emails in the beginning. I think she is a genius. She took my descriptions and really captures the fun of the book.

Each of the adventures in your series teaches a valuable lesson. Did the ideas for the stories come first or the lessons?

The first book was simply a reflection of playtime with the kids. It’s sort of how we used to make up a story as we played. The rest of the books evolved from a conversation with someone in my family, Snake Island started with the most beautiful sunrise. I may have written the first line, but the characters took over from there. They really do speak to me.

Is there anything else you’d like to share about writing your series?

I had a great time doing it. I love reading the books to kids and watching them enjoy the “drama” of the story. I think there is not enough adventure in kids books today.

Five fun short questions.

Favorite holiday? Thanksgiving.

Sweet or salty snacks? Both!!

Hot or cold beverages? Hot- coffee.

If you could be any animal, what would you be? Probably a dog. A really cute one.

Early riser or repeatedly hit the snooze? Oh, crack of dawn for me. I hit the floor running and don’t stop until midnight.

Thanks for the thoughtful and fun questions!!!

And thank you, Carole, for this wonderful interview.

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A Flag For The Flying Dragon

A Captain No Beard Story #9

by Carole P. Roman

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Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

 My Review

Oh boy. There’s a new crew member aboard the Flying Dragon and Mongo the monkey isn’t happy about it one bit. Zachary is too young to do most jobs and a whole lot of trouble to look after. When Captain No Beard decides the ship needs a flag, maybe Zachary has an idea for that? And Maybe he’s found his place on the ship.

I love this problem solving gang of pirates. And how Carole introduces the lesson to be learned and the solution to the problem is always a fun, delightful adventure.

It’s never too late to join the crew. Welcome aboard, Matey.

5  Stars

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Synopsis

It’s business as usual on the Flying Dragon. Their mission is to find a flag for the ship. Captain No Beard sighs, “Being a captain is hard work,” as he watches the busy crew preparing the vessel for their next adventure. Polly is giving out pretzels; Linus is polishing a lamp. Matie is cracking coconuts, Cayla is stuffing holes, and Hallie is swabbing the deck. High overhead, trouble is brewing, and it is not the weather. Mongo does not want any help from the newest crew member, and it is creating a hurricane of a mess on board. The team must come together and find a task that will fit Zachary without interfering with their own fun. On the way, they acquire a flag that will unite them as both friends and crew. Join the problem-solving crew of the Flying Dragon as they find a flag for their ship and a job for Zach.

Amazon

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Being A Captain Is Hard Work

A Captain No Beard Story #10

by Carole P. Roman

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Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

 My Review

The last book in the series and it’s another fun adventure.

As the title says, being a captain is hard work. Capatin No Beard says this in all of his books. What he doesn’t realize and learns from his crew is that he makes it harder on himself.  Sometimes, listening to others and not always insisting his way is the only right way means smooth sailing.

Once again I’m taken away by the vivid, exciting illustrations. Carole has some fun, lovable characters in her band of pirates and it’s always fun to see how they work together to solve problems and help each other. How Captain No Beard learns to listen to others and comes to understand that being stubborn has consequences for his crew too is cleverly blended into another exciting adventure on the high seas.

I’ve loved all of the books in this series and can’t recommend them enough. They will make reading time such fun for parents, teachers, and kids and the life lessons are invaluable.

5  Stars

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Synopsis

Captain No Beard is determined to travel to Dew Rite Volcano. He won’t listen when Mongo predicts a storm or Linus indicates they are headed in the wrong direction. He insists Polly cook in the galley even though the seas are getting rough. What’s a crew to do with a stubborn, know-it-all captain? Will they convince the captain he is barreling headlong into danger, or will Captain No Beard jeopardize both his safety and the crew’s with his single-minded determination to go where he wants?

Amazon

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Author Carole P. Roman

Carole P. Roman

Named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best of 2012 for her first book, award winning author Carole P. Roman started writing as a dare from one of her sons. Using an imaginary game she played with her grandson as a base, Captain No Beard was born.”Captain No Beard- An Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life” has not only been named to Kirkus Best of 2012, it received the Star of Exceptional Merit, and won the Pinnacle Award for 2012. “Pepper Parrot’s Problem with Patience” Book 2 in the series, received 5 Stars from The ForeWord Review The Clarion Review. Strangers on the High Seas has won second place in the Rebecca’s Reads Choice Awards 2013. It has followed with six more books to the series. This year, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis was named to Kirkus Best 2015. The entire cultural non-fiction series If You Were Me and Lived in… was named Best Series by Shelf Unbound. She has begun work on two new series that will be released in early 2016.
Motivated by her love of yoga, Roman has written a book that not only teaches four poses, but shows how easy and accessible yoga can be.
Her nonfiction series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…” combines her teaching past with her love of exploration and interest in the world around us. The debut book in the series, “If You Were Me and Lived in…Mexico” has won the Pinnacle Award for Best in Children’s Non Fiction 2012. France, South Korea, and Norway. Rebecca’s Reads has given If You Were Me and Lived in…Norway an honorable mention in the 2013 Choice Awards. If You Were Me and Lived in …France won second place. ForeWord Review has nominated If You Were Me and Lived in…France for best in children’s non fiction literature 2013. They will be followed with Kenya, Turkey, India, and Australia. She plans to do Portugal, Greece, and Argentina next year. There are now 22 books in the series and include a trip to Mars in 2054.
Carole was recently featured in a two part article on Forbes.com where her book, Navigating Indieworld was discussed along with her self-publishing success.
Writing for children has opened up a whole second act for her. While she is still working in her family business, this has enabled her to share her sense of humor as well as love for history and culture with the audience she adores. Roman lives on Long Island with her husband and near her children.

Goodreads / Website / Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Carole has a wonderful giveaway! One person will win signed print copies of the complete Captain No Beard series!

US Only.

I like to keep the giveaways easy so all you need to do is leave your email address so I can contact you and leave your answer to this question in the comment section:

What’s the first book you remember reading?

Giveaway ends December 6th.

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And here are my reviews for the other books in the series. Just click on the covers to read my reviews.

   

   

 

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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

My Monday Minis #33 ~ It’s not easy being a pirate

Posted: November 27, 2017 in Action/Adventure, Children's books, reviews
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Welcome to my Monday Minis where I share shorter reviews of books I’ve read.

I’m once again sharing some fun adventures with Carole P. Roman’s Captain No Beard series.

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The Crew Goes Coconuts!

A Captain No Beard Story #6

by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

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My Review

It’s not always smooth sailing on the Flying Dragon and a storm is brewing aboard ship. All of the juice is gone and no matter where they search, none is to be found. When Matie the goat is blamed for their plight, the crew learns an important message about bullying and casting blame.

This was such a fun new adventure. And I loved the lesson to be learned. We all find it easy to cast blame, especially when it’s many against one. It’s our job to protect the underdog, not bully them. Matie was an easy target, being new to the crew, but soon proves her worth.

As with the previous books, I delighted in seeing the crew again. the illustrations were pure fun, and I was left smiling and feeling lighter at the end.  Perfect for the young pirates in the classroom or at home.

5 Stars

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Description

There is a storm brewing on the Flying Dragon, and it’s not about the weather. When the crew finds themselves parched and not enough juice to go around, blame falls on Matie the goat, Hallie’s friend. Divided, they square off, ready for a fight and Captain No Beard must teach his crew that not only is bullying wrong, they must learn to value and respect each and every member of the crew. Watch the crew of the Flying Dragon learn an important lesson about being a true friend.

Amazon

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Captain No Beard And The Aurora Borealis

A Captain No Beard Story #7

by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

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My Review

Has Captain No Beard gone to the dark side? The crew learns he’s using the North Star to track a coarse to the Arctic, where he plans to steal the Aurora Borealis. But the gang need not fear as the captain listens to reason, admitting it’s wrong to steal no matter what. Besides, you can’t steal the northern lights, silly pirate.

I enjoyed learning about navigation by stars. And I’ve only caught a glimpse of the northern lights before and imagine it’s quite a spectacle to behold. The illustrations in the book are spectacular. Bold and bright. Your kids will be astounded by them and have so many questions. All easily answered by reading the story.

Another charming learning experience with the Flying Dragon gang.

5 Stars

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Description

Captain No Beard and his crew of loyal pirates heave anchor for another adventure, this time in the icy waters of the Arctic. Captain No Beard’s steering a course due north, sailing by the light of the North Star. Everyone on the crew wonders what the captain’s up to, especially as he gets embarrassed when they ask. When the captain finally admits his plan, the crew discovers he plans to steal the aurora borealis, the beautiful northern lights that brighten the arctic sky. They’re all shocked. They may be pirates, but even they know stealing is bad. Besides, how can anyone steal the lights from the sky? A charming, engaging tale about doing what’s right, Captain No Beard and the Aurora Borealis is the latest installment in Carole P. Roman’s award-winning pirate series. The first book, Captain No Beard-an Imaginary Tale of a Pirate’s Life, received the Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012 award and the Star of Remarkable Achievement. The series presents real-life problems in an imaginary setting and encourages discussion with both parents and educators.

Amazon

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Fribbet The Frog And The Tadpoles

A Captain No Beard Story #8

by Carole P. Roman

Genre: Adventure / Children’s Book

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My Review

It’s a rocky boat for the crew of the Flying Dragon and hard work for Captain No Beard. Cayla is getting bigger and that means getting into more trouble, And Fribbet the frog is crying puddle of green.

The captain has his hands full with Cayla and the crew are wringing theirs over Fribbet. But No Beard and Fribbet come to realize that families will grow and that’s a good thing as they’ll never be alone.

You’re children will be delighted to learn about Fribbet and how tadpoles become glorious green frogs. I loved the subtle narrative about new siblings in a household and how frightening that might be for kids.

Carole once again shows that learning and fun can be one and the same.

5 Stars

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Description

Fribbet the Frog and the Tadpoles is another great voyage into problem solving and friendship, as well as an adventurous trip into the imagination.

Join the Captain No Beard and his friends as they learn the value of sharing our troubles with others and that help is always there when we need it.

Amazon

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE

Saturday Screams #43 ~ Passing Strange: The Well

Posted: November 25, 2017 in Mystery, reviews, thriller, YA
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Welcome to my Saturday Screams where I share books that, well, make you scream!

I’ve got a creepy little story to share today. Caught me by surprise.

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Passing Strange: The Well

by P.W. Creighton

36186960

Genre: YA Mystery / Thriller

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My Review

Aidan is spending his summer break volunteering at the archaeological dig located on the Parish Cove Historical Society property. Some interesting things are being discovered, especially in the well that was uncovered, and it beats sitting home. One night while walking past the property he catches sight of a light prowling around the site and that’s when he first meets Maddie. She’s a bit odd, but he can’t resist her attempts to draw him into the mystery of the towns dark history. And soon the entire town is in danger. Something has awoken in the well and it’s very, very angry.

I love stories about archaeology and couldn’t resist reading this book. Learning about the towns history and the evil that dwells in the well was exciting and got the creepy vibes going.

Aidan and Maddie are like oil and water. Their personalities don’t really mix. But they soon become friends and get themselves into the pickle of all pickles.

The author never once missed a step with his character’s. The young teens acted their age and as they dealt with the creeping horror from the well, I thought their actions were quite genuine. Their curious nature and acts of heroism rang true. No one can know how they’ll react to situations like this and I’d like to think I would act half as brave as these kids did.

I felt a sense of mystery right from the beginning of the story and once Aidan and Maddie started digging into past events the story flew by. I read it in one sitting, feeling the sense of adventure, the glee of discovery, and the terror of a threat that seems unstoppable.

The ending was an exciting showdown and leaves things somewhat open to interpretation. I went with my first impression.

While I think this might be aimed at a younger reading audience, it still managed to give me the willies. And if the ending is any clue, I’m sure we’ll be seeing more Passing Strange mysteries in the future.

5 Stars

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Synopsis

For Fourteen-year-old Aidan Reynolds, the archaeological dig at the Parrish Cove historical society is the only thing making the summer interesting.

That is until he meets Maddie, an unusual girl who has just moved to town and is convinced that there is more to the local legends surrounding the historical society than even he knows. While Aidan may not believe her, the strange artifacts that are recovered from the dig force them into exploring the dark, twisted history of Parrish Cove and its strange doctor…a man who vanished over a century ago.

Together, they uncover a town secret that has been forgotten for centuries, and discover that there are some things that should stay buried.

Amazon

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Can they…….Steal The Stars ~ Review and Giveaway

Posted: November 22, 2017 in giveaways, reviews, Science Fiction
Tags: , , ,
10

Steal The Stars

by Nat Cassidy

based on the dramatic podcast by Mac Rogers

Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Tor Books (November 7, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250172624
ISBN-13: 978-1250172624

Genre: Science Fiction

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My Review

When I realized this was based on a podcast series I thought I’d listen to them first. Glad I didn’t so I can compare them now.

This is a very different take on discovering aliens exist. They’ve had Moss, the alien, hidden away for a long time. If you are chosen to work at the facility, you are an employee for life. No quitting allowed. And just going to work each day is a whole bunch of weird, complicated check points.

Dak won me over right away. She’s something else. You wouldn’t want to get on her bad side. But she’s also vulnerable, lonely. When Matt, a handsome, eager younger man joins her security team, she’s immediately smitten, as is he. But fraternizing between employees in any way is expressly forbidden and could get them sent to the far corners of the planet, or worse.

I know, sounds like insta love. Sure, they fall for each other quickly, but working for such a secretive project doesn’t allow you many opportunities to connect and the mushy stuff isn’t a focal point in the story.

Their decision to run away and take Moss with them isn’t as simple as it sounds. I got nervous just reading how they had to plan and sneak and lie. I felt for sure one or both would trip up.

Very suspenseful reading. And the ending isn’t anything I was prepared for. All I could think was I liked how it concluded and, it figures.

Great science fiction and now I must listen to the podcasts.

4 Stars

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THE NOVEL BASED ON THE DEBUT SCIENCE FICTION PODCAST FROM TOR LABS

Dakota “Dak” Prentiss guards the biggest secret in the world.

They call it “Moss.” It’s your standard grey alien from innumerable abduction stories. Moss still sits at what looks like the controls of the spaceship it crash-landed twenty-five years ago. A secret military base was built around the crash site to study both Moss and the dangerous technology it brought to Earth.

The day Matt Salem joins her security team, Dak’s whole world changes.

It’s love at first sight—which is a problem, since they both signed ironclad contracts before joining the base security team, vowing not to fraternize with other military personnel. If they run away, they’ll be hunted for the secret they know. So Dak and Matt decide to escape to a better life on the wings of an incredibly dangerous plan: They’re going to steal the alien body they’ve been guarding and sell the secret of its existence.

And they can’t afford a single mistake.

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Listen to the rest of the EPISODES HERE!
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Nat Cassidy is an actor, director, musician, and playwright. He has appeared on shows such as The Following (Fox), The Affair (Showtime), Red Oaks (Amazon), High Maintenance (HBO), Law & Order: SVU (NBC), as well as on stage in numerous productions and workshops both Off- and Off-Off-Broadway. Nat’s plays have been nominated for a combined total of 17 New York Innovative Theatre Awards, including 3 times for Outstanding Full-Length Script (which he won in 2009, and in 2011 for Outstanding Solo Performance for his one man show about H.P. Lovecraft). In 2012 Nat was commissioned by The Kennedy Center to write the libretto for a world-premiere opera, and in 2014 his play Any Day Now was chosen to be part of Primary Stages’ ESPADrills (The Duke Theatre, directed by Tony-nominee Moritz von Stuelpnagel). He is also thrilled to be writing the novelization of Steal the Stars, which will be published by Tor Books in November 2017.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOODREADS | WEBSITE | 

Mac Rogers is an award-winning audio dramatist and playwright. His audio/podcasts dramas The Message and LifeAfter have been downloaded over eight million times. His stageplays include The Honeycomb Trilogy (winner of the New York Innovative Theatre Award for Outstanding Premiere Production), Frankenstein Upstairs, God of Obsidian, Ligature Marks, Asymmetric, Viral, Universal Robots, Hail Satan (Outstanding Playwriting Winner at FringeNYC 2007), and Fleet Week: The Musical (co-written with Sean Williams and Jordana Williams; winner of Outstanding Musical at FringeNYC 2005). He has earned acclaim from The New York Times, The Guardian, Backstage, The Wall Street Journal, Time Out New York, New York Post, Flavorpill, io9, Fangoria, Tor.com, Show Business Weekly, New York Press, and many others.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Go HERE to follow the tour.

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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

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