Posts Tagged ‘review’

iRead Website new logo

 It’s time to see what the girls have been up to since they first appeared in Over Easy.

Check out Fresh Brewed.

Enjoy my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

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Fresh Brewed

The Continental Breakfast Club #2

new Fresh Brewed_R17

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My Review

I had such fun with Allie, Bree, and Megan in the first book, Over Easy. It was Allie’s story we got there. Now the gal pals are back and it’s Bree’s turn to find the man of her dreams.

Bree’s plans of a romantic seaside vacation go flying out the window, quite literally, when a tropical storm forces her to change her plans. And this is where she finds herself in a heck of a pickle.

A word or warning here. It’s not just the hangover you have to be worried about after imbibing in too much of the grape.

I swear, I snorted and giggled my way through the first book, and here I am doing it again. These girls may sound desperate for love. Who isn’t when you’re young and single. But they aren’t dumb, just do some dumb things. That’s where I actually laugh out loud.

Fun is to be had as The Continental Breakfast Club strikes again. Expect for things to sideways as these gals get up to their shenanigans once more. A clean, humorous romance. Perfect for a summer read.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she’ll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner’s heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won’t even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she’s ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

Buy the book: Amazon  4dc48-nook-button2bsmall

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Over Easy

The Continental Breakfast Club #1

by Pamela Ford

new OverEasy_R19

Genre: Chick Lit / Romance

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Click Here For My Review

Synopsis

Allie Parker’s had enough. Just because she’s a dog groomer, her overachieving family of doctors and lawyers treats her like a child. She’s convinced that a successful husband is all she needs to change their attitudes. So when she and her friends come up with a brilliant new way to meet eligible men, Allie squeezes into her sister’s stylish clothes and sneaks into continental breakfast at an upscale hotel to find herself the perfect guy.

Before Allie has taken her last bite of syrup-laden waffle, she’s met the man of her dreams. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s a jewel thief who mistakenly thinks she’s his contact—and so does everyone else who’s after his stash of diamonds.

Suddenly Allie’s world is crazily upended. And as she scrambles to prove her innocence and get back to her old life, she discovers happily ever after sneaks up when you least expect it.

Buy the book: Amazon  4dc48-nook-button2bsmall

~~~~~

Author Pamela Ford

Pamela Ford

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot – and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer – and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Five winners total:

2 winners will get a print copy of Over Easy + a $10 Starbucks gift card,

2 winners will get a print copy of Fresh Brewed + a $10 Starbucks gift card,

1 winner will get a print copy of both books + a $25 Starbucks gift card

Ends Sept 17

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Follow The Tour

Aug 1 –   Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 1 –   All the Doodles ‘n Scribbles – review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 1 –   XoXo Book Blog – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 1 –   Working Mommy Journal – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 –   Bookishly Devoted – review of Over Easy

Aug 2 –   Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 –   Room With Books – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 3 –   Library of Clean Reads – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 3 –   XoXo Book Blog – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 3 –   Room With Books – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 4 –   Sahar’s Blog – review of Over Easy

Aug 4 –   Laura’s Interests – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 5 –   Working Mommy Journal – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 5 –   Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 8 –   Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine – review of Over Easy

Aug 8 –   A Wondrous Bookshelf – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 9 –   Writing Pearls – review of Over Easy

Aug 9 –   Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian-review of Over Easy/ giveaway

Aug 10 – Being Tilly’s Mummy – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 10 – Writing Pearls – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 – Sahar’s Blog – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 – Laura’s Interests – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 12 – Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine – book spotlight / author interview

Aug 12 – Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 15 – Wondrous Bookshelf – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 15 – The Travelogue of a book addict – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 15 – The Writing Garnet – review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 16 – Bound 4 Escape – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 – A Bookaholic Blog – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 – A Splendid Messy Life – review of Over Easy / giveaway / author interview

Aug 17 – A Holland Reads – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 17 – Library of Clean Reads – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – review of Over Easy

Aug 18 – fuonlyknew – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 19 – Fascinating Quest – review of Over Easy

Aug 19 – Readers Muse – review of Over Easy

Aug 22 – The Travelogue of a book addict – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 22 – A Bookaholic Blog – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 23 – Corinne Rodrigues – review of Over Easy

Aug 23 – A Splendid Messy Life – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 24 – Pause for Tales – review of Over Easy

Aug 25 – Bound 4 Escape – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 25 – Fascinating Quest – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 25 – fuonlyknew – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 26 – #redhead.with.book – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 29 – A Holland Reads – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 29 – Genuine Jenn – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 30 – Corinne Rodrigues – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 30 – Bookaholic Banter – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 31 – Pause for Tales – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 1 –  Thoughts on This ‘n That  – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 1 –  Fantastic Feathers – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 2 –  Thoughts on This ‘n That  – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 2 –  Book and Ink – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 5 –  Book and Ink – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 5 –  #redhead.with.book – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 –  Bookaholic Banter – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 –  Genuine Jenn – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 7 –  Bookishly Devoted – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 7 –  Readers Muse – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 8 –  Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 9 –  The Writing Garnet – review of Fresh Brewed

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

tag you're it photo: Tag! You\'re It! AnyOccasion-TagYoureIt-May2007.jpg

This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry.

Read on to learn how you can win some great prizes!

After reading my review, head on over to Sherry’s blog at fundinmental. Check out her review and leave a comment for an additional entry!

~~~~~

Deadly Catch

A Mac McClellan Mystery #1

by E. Michael Helms

17737094

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Genre: Mystery / Thriller

My Review

Take a dip into southern waters. And watch out for dead bodies.

Mac McClellan has just retired after 24 years as a U.S. Marine . He hits the road, next stop the Florida panhandle, figuring to drop a line in the water and see what he’ll catch. What he doesn’t expect is a dead body on the end of the hook.

This puts him on the suspect list. Years in the military help Mac maintain his cool, but then a bag of marijuana is found on his boat. Now they add drug smuggling to his crimes and he’s hard pressed to explain it. The local authorities don’t take his claim of being framed too seriously. Looks like Mac will have to do his own digging to get to the bottom of it and clear his name before more bodies pile up, including his own.

Mac has easily found a spot on my list of favorite characters. He’s smart, yet he fumbles with the females. Tough, yet he has a soft side. I bet he cries at sad endings in movies. Intuitive, probably from all those years in service. Charming, without realizing he is. And dedicated. He will not stop when injustice stares him in the face.

This has everything you want in a good mystery. A character at loose ends who finds a purpose and can easily move into and around the law. A potential romance with fun and snarky encounters. The good cop/bad cop thing going on. It seems the law enforcement officials switch roles as needed.

And last but not least, some darn good writing. The author puts you on the southern coast. You’ll smell the fishy odor of the wind off the ocean. Squint your eyes from the suns glare off the placid surface of the water. And feel the sweltering humidity that’s so heavy the air is hazy with moisture.

Any mystery lover will enjoy this one. And there’s two more adventures with Mac. Also, a little birdie told me there’s more coming. Get started now so you’ll be ready.

  5 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

“The first cast of the day turned my dream vacation into a nightmare. . . .”

After twenty-four years in the U.S. Marines, recently retired Mac McClellan is happy to be a civilian again. He is enjoying a leisurely fishing vacation in the Florida panhandle when he hooks a badly decomposed body.
Then, when a bag of rare marijuana is discovered stashed aboard his rental boat, he realizes someone is setting him up to take the fall for murder and drug smuggling. Mac’s plans for a more laid-back life must be put on hold while he works to clear his name as the number one suspect.
Mac launches an investigation with the help of Kate Bell, a feisty saleslady at the local marina with whom he has struck up a promising relationship. Along the way he must butt heads and match wits with local law enforcement officials, shady politicians, and strong-armed thugs from the Eastern Seaboard to sniff out and bring the real smuggler and killer to justice.

Amazon

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Author E. Michael Helms

E.Michael Helms

I was born in Georgia way back in the last century but grew up and lived most of my life on the Gulf Coast of Florida in Panama City (beautiful beaches, girls galore–ah, the memories!). In 2004 my wife and I moved to the Upstate region of South Carolina in the shadows of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, a land of stunning vistas and numerous waterfalls.
I’ve been traditionally published since 1990 when my Vietnam War memoir, The Proud Bastards, launched. TPB chronicles my time as a combat U.S. Marine in 1967-68. It’s still in print after all these years, currently with Simon & Schuster/Pocket. I’ve since written a few novels in different genres. I’m also working on a collection of “Dinger, PI” short stories that are being published on Motive Means Opportunity, a crime/mystery blog I share with two other writers of the same ilk. Currently I’m writing the Mac McClellan Mystery series which is set along the coast of the Florida Panhandle where I grew up.
 
Links:
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giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

E. Michael Helms has a fantastic giveaway for you!
.
A $20 Amazon Gift Card (International, where allowed)
Four pdf eBook copies of Deadly Catch (International)
and two print copies of Deadly Catch (US ONLY)
.
All you need to do to enter is answer the question below, also let us know if you are US or International, and leave your email so I can contact you if you win.
“Do you read books because of the setting?”
.

Giveaway will run from 8/23/16 – 8/31/16

This is a Tag Team Event hosted by myself and Sherry at fundinmental.

Now hop on over and check out Sherry’s review and leave a comment for an additional entry  HERE.

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Other Books by E. Michael Helms

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319249  17239254  18007062

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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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

iRead Website new logo

What a fun series.

Be sure to stop back by on September 25th for my review of Fresh Brewed.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway.

~~~~~

Over Easy

The Continental Breakfast Club #1

by Pamela Ford

new OverEasy_R19

Genre: Chick Lit / Romance

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My Review

Such fun. This was a mad dash from beginning to end.

Allie comes from a family of over achievers. She’s just a lowly dog groomer. Feeling pressured by her family, Allie, along with her two best friends, come up with a plan to meet the man of her dreams. Surely that will impress her family.

They crash the continental breakfast at a fancy hotel and, sure enough, Allie finds a handsome, successful man who shows an interest in her. Sadly, she doesn’t know he’s a jewel thief and has mistaken her for his contact.

Now the sparkly poop is about to hit the fan as the thieves realize they gave the jewels to the wrong person, and they come to collect.

I remember how tight I was with my best friends. How we did some really crazy things to help each other. It’s one laugh after another with these three.

I was hoping that Allie would find herself. Realize she didn’t have anything to prove to her family. And I hoped her family would realize that too. I couldn’t help but think this madcap adventure would do just that. And maybe, just maybe, Allie would find the right guy for the right reasons.

Right from the start, I enjoyed the easy flow of this story. I settled in for the fun and read it straight through, snorting and giggling all the way.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

Allie Parker’s had enough. Just because she’s a dog groomer, her overachieving family of doctors and lawyers treats her like a child. She’s convinced that a successful husband is all she needs to change their attitudes. So when she and her friends come up with a brilliant new way to meet eligible men, Allie squeezes into her sister’s stylish clothes and sneaks into continental breakfast at an upscale hotel to find herself the perfect guy.

Before Allie has taken her last bite of syrup-laden waffle, she’s met the man of her dreams. But what she doesn’t know is that he’s a jewel thief who mistakenly thinks she’s his contact—and so does everyone else who’s after his stash of diamonds.

Suddenly Allie’s world is crazily upended. And as she scrambles to prove her innocence and get back to her old life, she discovers happily ever after sneaks up when you least expect it.

Buy the book: Amazon  4dc48-nook-button2bsmall

~~~~~

 Fresh Brewed

The Continental Breakfast Club #2

new Fresh Brewed_R17

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Synopsis

Breanna Mitchell is on her way to a relaxing vacation at the ocean. Maybe she’ll even have a beachside fling to help her get over a recent breakup.

But when a tropical storm makes her destination hotel uninhabitable, a chance encounter at continental breakfast delivers a fabulous option—with a catch. She and her friends can stay at a privately-owned, three-story oceanfront home—if she pretends to be the girlfriend of the owner’s heartbreaker grandson, Ethan. Since he won’t even be there, how hard could it be?

Everything is going swimmingly until Bree drinks too much wine and regales the family with romantic tales about her relationship with Ethan. His adorable brother Adam gets suspicious. His marriage-minded grandma gets engagement fever. The beautiful woman next door gets teary-eyed.

And then, Ethan unexpectedly arrives. Suddenly Bree is about to get everything she’s ever wished for—but is it what she really wants?

Buy the book: Amazon  4dc48-nook-button2bsmall

~~~~~

Author Pamela Ford

Pamela Ford

Pamela Ford is the award-winning author of contemporary and historical romance. She grew up watching old movies, blissfully sighing over the romance; and reading sci-fi and adventure novels, vicariously living the action. The combination probably explains why the books she writes are romantic, happily-ever-afters with plenty of plot – and often lots of laughter.

After graduating from college with a degree in Advertising, Pam merrily set off to earn a living, searching for that perfect career as she became a graphic designer, print buyer, pantyhose sales rep, public relations specialist, copywriter, freelance writer – and finally author. Pam has won numerous awards including the Booksellers Best, the Laurel Wreath, and a gold medal IPPY in the Independent Book Publisher Awards. She is a Kindle Book Awards finalist and a two-time Golden Heart Finalist. She lives in Wisconsin where she is working on her next novel.

Connect with the author:  Website   Twitter   Facebook   Goodreads

~~~~~

giveaway photo: Giveaway Banner for 42nd giveaway.png

Five winners total:

2 winners will get a print copy of Over Easy + a $10 Starbucks gift card,

2 winners will get a print copy of Fresh Brewed + a $10 Starbucks gift card,

1 winner will get a print copy of both books + a $25 Starbucks gift card

Ends Sept 17

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Follow The Tour

Aug 1 –   Library of Clean Reads – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 1 –   All the Doodles ‘n Scribbles – review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 1 –   XoXo Book Blog – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 1 –   Working Mommy Journal – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 –   Bookishly Devoted – review of Over Easy

Aug 2 –   Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 2 –   Room With Books – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 3 –   Library of Clean Reads – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 3 –   XoXo Book Blog – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 3 –   Room With Books – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 4 –   Sahar’s Blog – review of Over Easy

Aug 4 –   Laura’s Interests – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 5 –   Working Mommy Journal – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 5 –   Rockin’ Book Reviews – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 8 –   Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine – review of Over Easy

Aug 8 –   A Wondrous Bookshelf – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 9 –   Writing Pearls – review of Over Easy

Aug 9 –   Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian-review of Over Easy/ giveaway

Aug 10 – Being Tilly’s Mummy – book spotlight / author interview / giveaway

Aug 10 – Writing Pearls – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 – Sahar’s Blog – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 11 – Laura’s Interests – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 12 – Jaquo Lifestyle Magazine – book spotlight / author interview

Aug 12 – Tragically Dull Adventures of an Almost Librarian – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 15 – Wondrous Bookshelf – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 15 – The Travelogue of a book addict – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 15 – The Writing Garnet – review of Over Easy / author interview

Aug 16 – Bound 4 Escape – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 – A Bookaholic Blog – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 16 – A Splendid Messy Life – review of Over Easy / giveaway / author interview

Aug 17 – A Holland Reads – review of Over Easy / author interview / giveaway

Aug 17 – Library of Clean Reads – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 18 – Christa Reads and Writes – review of Over Easy

Aug 18 – fuonlyknew – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 19 – Fascinating Quest – review of Over Easy

Aug 19 – Readers Muse – review of Over Easy

Aug 22 – The Travelogue of a book addict – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 22 – A Bookaholic Blog – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 23 – Corinne Rodrigues – review of Over Easy

Aug 23 – A Splendid Messy Life – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 24 – Pause for Tales – review of Over Easy

Aug 25 – Bound 4 Escape – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 25 – Fascinating Quest – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 25 – fuonlyknew – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 26 – #redhead.with.book – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 29 – A Holland Reads – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Aug 29 – Genuine Jenn – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 30 – Corinne Rodrigues – review of Fresh Brewed

Aug 30 – Bookaholic Banter – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Aug 31 – Pause for Tales – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 1 –  Thoughts on This ‘n That  – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 1 –  Fantastic Feathers – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 2 –  Thoughts on This ‘n That  – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 2 –  Book and Ink – review of Over Easy / giveaway

Sept 5 –  Book and Ink – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 5 –  #redhead.with.book – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 –  Bookaholic Banter – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 6 –  Genuine Jenn – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 7 –  Bookishly Devoted – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 7 –  Readers Muse – review of Fresh Brewed

Sept 8 –  Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers – review of Fresh Brewed / giveaway

Sept 9 –  The Writing Garnet – review of Fresh Brewed

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

horseshoe photo: Horseshoe horseshoe.jpg

I’m thrilled to unveil the trailer for book two in Donna Galanti’s fantasy adventure Lightning Road series,  JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM, arriving August 30th. The Midwest Book Review calls book one, JOSHUA AND THE LIGHTNING ROAD, “a heart-pounding thrill ride full of unexpected twists and turns from start to finish.”  Grab book one for just $.99cents now through September 20th.

Be sure to enter the fun giveaway package at the bottom of this post that includes a paperback of book one, poster of the Lost Realm, bookmarks, and a $25 B&N gift card (U.S. only). Sign up for Donna’s Thunderclap book release campaign and help her zap the world through social media with her lightning message!

Joshua and the Arrow Realm ebook

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My Review

After having thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Joshua and the Lightning Road, I held my breath as I started reading this second book in the series. You just never know if you’ll enjoy it as much as the first one, if what you want to happen will happen, or whether it evokes the same emotions.

My worries were unfounded. This is every bit as good as the first book. Maybe even better, as I was already familiar with many of the character’s and this author’s world.

The action is all over the place, the character’s as engaging as ever, and adventure, danger, and intrigue abound.

Joshua is an amazing boy. He’s not fearless and that’s where his bravery and loyalty to his friends shines.

A spectacular next chapter in Joshua’s story. I’ll be watching for more.

This book is intended for a younger, middle grade audience. Don’t let that stop you mature readers from reading it and going back to your younger days, when all seemed possible and magical.

5 Stars

~~~~~

ABOUT JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM:

On August 30th take the lightning road back to a world of beasts, bandits, and heroes in book two of the Lightning Road series. Join Joshua in a new fight for power in the Arrow Realm. Can Joshua and his friends conquer an unstoppable evil?

Joshua never thought he’d return to the world of Nostos but is soon called to the Arrow Realm to free his imprisoned friend, King Apollo, kidnapped as a power pawn in Queen Artemis’s quest to conquer every realm. With his loyalties divided between our world and theirs, Joshua wonders whether he alone can restore magic to the twelve powerless Olympian heirs and save all those enslaved. But when he finds himself abandoned in his quest, he fears he cannot only save those imprisoned—but himself as well.

“Fast-paced and endlessly inventive, Joshua and the Arrow Realm is a high-stakes romp through a wild world where descendants of the Greek gods walk beside you, beasts abound, and not everything—or everyone—is as it seems.” ~ Michael Northrop, New York Times bestselling author of the TombQuest series

JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM BOOK TRAILER:

EXCERPT:

A faint rumble groaned through the whistling wind.

Boom!

Thunder ripped the sky overhead.

Charlie reached the frozen pond, spinning across it. “Woohoo! I win! You Americans can’t beat us at speed!”

Lightning flashed. It zinged across the pine trees like brilliant sunlight. A seed of terror flickered inside me.

Boom! Boom!

Another flash scorched the sky.

Charlie’s smile fell to a frown as he raced across the ice, peering up into the swirling clouds.

We both knew what lightning could do.

Suddenly, sneaking outside for a moonlit sled ride before Bo Chez got home from his monthly poker game didn’t seem so smart.

The sleet turned to snow. Icicles flew off trees like glass splinters, shattering on the hard snow. As I shot toward the pond, a tree on the edge moved. Its branches swayed in the swirling snow.

It wasn’t a tree, but a girl! She stumbled through the mad flurry, arms outstretched.

“Charlie, look!”

Gusts snatched the words away as my sled hit the ice and careened out of control on the bumpy surface. The girl staggered and fell onto the pond. I twisted my sled away to avoid hitting her and smashed right into Charlie. With a yelp, he pulled me up, and we clumped toward the girl. We lifted her up, half dragging her back up the hill to the house in the pelting snow and sleet.

“Who is she?” Charlie yelled.

“No idea,” I yelled back.

He said more, but his words were lost in the wind.

My lungs burned with the cold and effort. There was only one reason someone would appear with lightning—to steal us. This girl might appear like a waif unprepared for a storm but I couldn’t trust that’s all she was.

PRE-ORDER JOSHUA AND THE ARROW REALM:

Amazon / B&N

MEET DONNA GALANTI:

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Donna Galanti is the author of The Element Trilogy (Imajin Books) and The Lightning Road series (Month9Books). She attended an English school housed in a magical castle, where her wild imagination was held back only by her itchy uniform (bowler hat and tie included!). There she fell in love with the worlds of C.S. Lewis and Roald Dahl, and wrote her first fantasy about Dodo birds, wizards, and a flying ship. She’s lived in other exotic locations, including Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer. She lives with her family and two crazy cats in an old farmhouse, and dreams of returning one day to a castle. Donna is a contributing editor for International Thriller Writers the Big Thrill magazine and blogs with other middle grade authors at Project Middle Grade Mayhem. You can find her at www.donnagalanti.com.

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Check out my review of Joshua And The Lightning Road, the first book in this fun adventure, by clicking on the cover below.

20983429

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Synopsis

Stay away from the window, don’t go outside when it’s storming and whatever you do, do not touch the orb.

Twelve-year-old Joshua Cooper’s grandpa has always warned him about the dangers of lightning. But Joshua never put much stock in his grandpa’s rumblings as anything more than the ravings of an old man with a vast imagination. Then one night, when Joshua and his best friend are home alone during a frightful storm, Joshua learns his grandpa was right. A bolt of lightning strikes his house and whisks away his best friend—possibly forever.

To get him back, Joshua must travel the Lightning Road to a dark place that steals children for energy. But getting back home and saving his friend won’t be easy, as Joshua must face the terrifying Child Collector and fend off ferocious and unnatural beasts intent on destroying him.

In this world, Joshua possesses powers he never knew he had, and soon, Joshua’s mission becomes more than a search for his friend. He means to send all the stolen children home—and doing so becomes the battle of his life.

Amazon / B&N

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Partners In Crime Tours

I’ve read several of Wendy’s books and she’s always given me mysteries not easily solved and thrills to keep me awake.

And so it goes with….

Blue Moon

by Wendy Corsi Staub

Genre: Thrillers, Suspense
Published by: William Morrow, Mass Market
Publication Date: July 26th 2016
Number of Pages: 448
ISBN: 0062349759 (ISBN13: 9780062349750)
Series: Mundy’s Landing #2

My Review

Chaos descends on Mundy’s Landing.

Annabelle starts to wonder if buying one of the notorious Murder houses was such a good idea. Sure, it was cheap, but with a socially challenged son and all of the lookie loos gathering outside, it’s not such a good deal.

One hundred years ago, three young girls, the Sleeping beauties, were murdered. Their bodies dressed in white nightgowns, arms crossed, and left in three different houses. They didn’t live in them. In fact, their identities were never discovered. And their deaths remain unsolved.

Now, the town overflows as people from all over crowd the streets during Mundypalooza, the 100th anniversary of the murders, hoping to solve the crime and win the large reward.

When Annabelle spies a stranger lurking in her back yard, she’s hesitant to report it as she fears the police will brush it off as just another snoop. Perhaps they’re right. But what if they’re not?

Told from several different perspectives, this was a chilling mystery and not easily solved. I had no idea who the killer was, past or present, until the author revealed it.

How Wendy told the story was a good choice, giving us insights from the killer of a hundred years ago through his diary entries, thoughts from the present copycat killer, and the desperate sleuthing of Annabelle.

Sure keeps you guessing as you flip through the pages. I watch a lot of crime shows and Criminal Minds came to mind while I read this. I used it to visualize scenes and that made it especially creepy.

Good stuff for mystery, suspense, and thriller readers. Wendy never fails to get your heart pumping and your body jumping at those strange noises outside.

4 Stars

~~~~~~~~~

Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Wendy Corsi Staub returns to Mundy’s Landing—a small town where bygone bloodshed has become big business.
Hair neatly braided, hands serenely clasped, eyes closed, the young woman appeared to be sound asleep. But the peaceful tableau was a madman’s handiwork. Beneath the covers, her white nightgown was spattered with blood. At daybreak, a horrified family would discover her corpse tucked into their guest room. The cunning killer would strike again . . . and again . . . before vanishing into the mists of time.

A century ago, the Sleeping Beauty Murders terrified picturesque Mundy’s Landing. The victims, like the killer, were never identified. Now, on the hundredth anniversary, the Historical Society’s annual “Mundypalooza” offers a hefty reward for solving the notorious case.

Annabelle Bingham, living in one of the three Murder Houses, can’t escape the feeling that her family is being watched—and not just by news crews and amateur sleuths. She’s right. Having unearthed the startling truth behind the horrific crimes, a copycat killer is about to reenact them—beneath the mansard roof of Annabelle’s dream home . . .

Purchase Links:

Amazon  Barnes & Noble  Goodreads

~~~~~

Author Wendy Corsi Staub

Wendy Corsi Staub

USA Today and New York Times bestseller Wendy Corsi Staub is the award-winning author of more than seventy novels and has twice been nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She lives in the New York City suburbs with her husband and their two children.

 Catch Up:

Website

Twitter / Facebook

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Click here to view the ‘The Veritas Deception by Lynne Constantine’ Tour Participants

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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13553378  13569242  23365281

I can’t wait to share this fabulous series with you today.

R.E. Sheahan’s Storm Of Arranon books are a blend of YA Fantasy and Science Fiction. The worlds are fantastical and filled with wonderous creatures and genuine characters.

Come on in. Check them out.

Enjoy my reviews.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

~~~~~

Allies And Enemies

Storm Of Arranon #3

by R.E. Sheahan

23365281

Genre: YA Fantasy / Science Fiction

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My Review

It’s always difficult to review a next book in a series, but here goes!

What a rush. The suspense starts right from the get go. A key character is attacked and lies in a coma, slowly dying from a mysterious poison. The only one who can save him is their most dangerous enemy.

Both worlds are threatened by one beings arrogance and lust for power.

Trust is in low supply and appearances aren’t what they seem.

Friends will betray friends and some enemies will become allies.

Not everyone will survive the war to come.

A compelling story line and taut writing drive this action packed story to a fast and furious ending. I can’t count on two hands how many times I held my breath as I read on, worried about what would or wouldn’t happen next.

The blend of fantasy and science fiction lends much to this story of two worlds, fantastical creatures, mysterious forces, and danger around every corner.

Love, loyalty, and honor keep these character’s going when it looks like all hope is lost. Many of my favorite ones are back in this third chapter and some new ones appear to love or loathe. All have a strong presence and feel genuine, flaws and baggage included.

I should tell you that you can read this third story without having read the first two. The author easily fills in most of previous events fluidly and in the right places to keep you from becoming confused and the story flowing smoothly. That being said, I’d recommend you read the others first. Why miss all the fun!

And the ending. It was so good, but I warn you, while it’s not a cliffhanger, the author drops in a “what the ? just happened” that will have you anxiously wanting the next book. A little birdie told me it’s in the works and shouldn’t be too far away.

5 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

A vicious attack on life and love. A race to deny death. Trust blurs and alliances break. The chase begins.
A powerful evil threatens the natural balance of Arranon, endangering all that lives. No less important to Captain Erynn Yager, a life treasured above her own hovers in a coma, close to death.
In a race to uncover a cure and stop the mounting peril, Erynn risks everything—becoming the hunted. She challenges authority and allies herself with a being others believe a mortal enemy. In pursuit of the true evil, Erynn finds the line blurred between those they trust and those set against them.
Answers remain beyond reach.
Erynn embraces her abilities, joining her will with the living consciousness of Arranon. Her authority and confidence rises, and she strikes out against a murderous cruelty—becoming the hunter.

Amazon / B&N

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Storm Of Arranon #1

by R. E. Sheahan

13553378

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My Review

The story takes place in the future. The daughter of a famous general, Erynn is in training to be an interceptor fighter pilot. A sudden betrayal reveals an alien species has infiltrated the government at its highest levels. They want to harvest the planets of Korin and Arranon for their resources, which means total annihilation. With betrayal everywhere Erynn and her friends are not sure who to trust anymore.

Forced to flee Korin and seek safety on Arranon, Erynn learns about the mystery of her origins and her ability of Prophesy. She begins to understand her connection to the planet. A secret forced upon her since childhood may hold the key to saving both planet if only she can unlock it in time.

What an adventure! It is fantasy and science fiction all rolled up in one.

I really enjoyed reading Storm of Arranon. All of the characters are well-developed and understandable and the world building is almost visual without being too complicated and overshadowing the plot.

Erynn’s connection to the animals on Arranon was fun to read. I kept trying to envision what a Capora looked like – maybe a cross between a yak and a horse? And the Maejen, maybe a giant species of timber wolf?

R.E. Sheahan does a superb job of world building. She shows you the planets, their inhabitants and their cities, revealing an earnest desire for you to easily understand and enter these worlds.

If you have seen Avatar and remember how the flora and fauna all glowed with iridescent,brilliant colors, that is how I picture the Anim Blath.

They are alive, sentient, and they speak to Erynn, sing to her. Like the living voice of Arranon.

There is a budding romance between Jaer and Erynn, but the author kept it in its place. It was not the focal point of the plot but did add to my interest.

Storm of Arranon has magic, action, good and evil, friendship and romance, with an out of this world flavor. I think young readers and adults will enjoy this story. So well written, I was surprised that this was R.E. Sheahan’s debut novel. This story can stand alone and the ending is very satisfying. I am happy to hear there will be more. A great beginning to a series.

4 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

Beneath Erynn’s petite build, curly red hair, and startling blue eyes, lies a deeply hidden secret.If the truth about her were revealed, her life would be in danger. Her dream to be a fighter pilot would tailspin, crash, and burst into flames.

Jaer’s wise brown eyes reflect his smoldering strength. An enigma, charismatic and moody, he is a physically powerful warrior who defends his world. A warrior afraid to love because of mistakes in his past.

When the presence of a marauding alien society is discovered on their planets, a struggle of life and death begins. Both Erynn and Jaer’s worlds face annihilation.

A mysterious force plunges Erynn into Jaer’s cold, dangerous, and beautiful world with its magical essence and living consciousness. Both the alien enemy and this strange inexplicable power purse Erynn.

Amazon / B&N

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Fire And Ice

Storm Of Arranon #2

by R.E. Sheahan

13569242

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My Review

I’m going to do my best to tell you about Fire and Ice, Book Two, without giving any spoilers. You’ve been warned:)

How about I give you a taste of the opening to this awesome sequel!

“A high piercing scream ripped through the icy air and echoed along the dark intersecting tunnels. The shrieking faded and died.”

Right away I’m entranced! Read on.

“Possession was a painful adjustment.

For the one being possessed.

Dhoran smiled. He felt the corners of the host’s lips jerk in a reluctant response.

Resistance is useless.

Dhoran stared down at his new body. Sensations dead for nearly two decades rushed through him. ….A light sweetness lingered in his mouth and he licked full lips, finding more of this spicy syrupiness. His tongue darted across even teeth blunted with flat surfaces for grinding. He frowned.

There will be no rip and tear to this bite.

Dhoran raised his hands and glared down at the shape and size of them….he missed the thick claws and taut muscles that had rippled under the glossy red-gold scales of his body.”

The evil Dhoran is back and up to some new tricks.

I was introduced to the world of Arranon in Storm of Arranon, Book One. I made many friends and was fascinated by the world R.E. Sheahan built.

The first book won my heart and imagine how happy I was to find Fire and Ice was even better. The author’s writing is tighter, more showing then telling. This is excellent as I would love to be able to see Erynn’s world of Arranon. You almost can.

I love the world beneath the surface of Arranon, the soul of the planet. Yes, the planet is alive, and the connection to Erynn is strong. The exotic visual descriptions of flora and fauna had my imagination spinning.

One of my favorite creatures are the wolves. I have a thing for the beautiful creatures and I could just see them so clearly.

My favorite characters, Erynn and Jaer, along with some others, are back. And there’s a new one that will keep you guessing. I’d like to know more of this one’s story.

If you haven’t read the first book, the good news is you will still love this one. The author gives you enough background to fill you in.

There’s more danger, action, and suspense too. Erynn’s determination to protect Arranon has made her mature and step up her game, keeping you so wrapped up in Fire and Ice. Dhoran’s lust for power, to rule the world, is formidable. The many characters enrich the story and bring it all to life.

The battles are intense, but not too graphic, and the romance is light, with no sexual scenes. I would recommend this to everyone.

A wonderous continuance in the addictive story of Arranon and it’s fate.

5 Stars

~~~

Synopsis

Newly commissioned Interceptor fighter pilot, Erynn Yager, knows sacrifice. Her battle against a brutal alien enemy intent on destroying her two worlds set her on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment, all while struggling to gain control of her secret abilities. With the alien threat crushed, Erynn believes the worst is behind her. She settles in to experience first love and a changed life on a hidden military base deep inside a glacier covered mountain on Arranon.

Her peaceful existence can’t last.

Dhoran, the evil sovereign of Arranon’s underworld has risen from the dead to possess an unwilling human. Dhoran’s powers grow while he plots a war that may plunge Arranon onto a path of destruction neither realm will survive. Arranon is pulled into chaos as violence spreads across the planet.

Drawn first in visions, Erynn enters a diverse world beneath Arranon’s surface, a realm teeming with danger, mystery, and beauty. The battle thrusts her into an uncharted kingdom, intensifying her connection to the heart and soul of the living Arranon.

Amazon / B&N

~~~

Author R.E. Sheahan

R.E. Sheahan

Before I wrote, I read. Voraciously. When I wasn’t able to read, I listened to audio books on tape or CD. Still do.
Hi. My name is Robynn E Sheahan and I live and write from the Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

I started to dabble in writing while working as a Paramedic/Firefighter in Northern California. Trust me, it’s not like it appears on TV. There was plenty of time for books.
Ideas from dreams follow me into warm sunny days or the quiet of falling snow. What ifs feed a vivid imagination. Even miss-typed phrases may lead to an aha moment. Brain storming sessions standing in windy, dark parking lots with fellow writers release thoughts that pry at the corners of my mind, grasping for purchase. Sometimes the ideas pursue me, with persistence.
About three years ago the dabbling became serious when worlds and characters screamed for, no, demanded attention. So I wrote my first manuscript. Critiques and rewrites filled the next two years.
I now had STORM OF ARRANON, the first book in the series.

Contact links

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon

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The author is letting me give away three print copies of Allies and Enemies. US ONLY. Sorry to my International friends.

Entry is easy. Just leave an email address so I can contact you if you win and answer this question: 

“What do you love most about science fiction or fantasy stories?”

Giveaway ends August 23rd.

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Address To Die For

by Mary Feliz

Right off the bat, I enjoyed the tempo of author Mary Feliz’s writing. No wasted words or dragging scenes. Just a fast paced story both well written, and thought out.
~Lisa K’s Book Reviews

The author did a great job with the characters and setting you can easily imagine you are a part of the story.
~Sleuth Cafe

Ms. Feliz’s writing style is engaging and made for a most enjoyable read.
~Back Porchervations

With fresh new characters and a strong story, you won’t be able to put this one down.
~Shelley’s Book Case

Be sure and get yourself comfortable as you read this hard to put down book.
~Texas Book-aholic

The plot was interesting and developed at an even pace, with a few unexpected twists leading up to the story’s resolution. All in all, a nice light read.
~Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes

I thought this book had some really interesting characters and it was different from other cozies I have read…
~Storeybook Reviews

Rich in detail and vivid descriptions, the story takes place in the small town of Orchard Valley, in the hills above Silicon Valley. This captivating and fast-paced whodunit tale has enough quirky characters, witty humor, drama, intriguing twists and turns, and conspiracy theories that will keep you guessing.
~Jersey Girl Book Reviews

I thought this was a well written book with a good plot. It kept me turning pages and guessing up until the end.
~Melina’s Book Blog

ADDRESS TO DIE FOR

New Series
Cozy Mystery
Lyrical Underground (July 19, 2016)
E-book – 320 pages
ASIN: B01B0KK5P8
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My Review

Maggie has a lot on her plate right from the beginning. Her and her husband and two sons have just arrived at their new home and it’s turned out to be much more of a project to get ready to live in than they thought. While doing a run through to see what needs to be done, they find a dead man in their basement. What a way to say hello to your new neighbors. Their front lawn is soon filled with emergency vehicles and flashing lights.

I’m huge on making lists and enjoy checking it and crossing off the items I’ve accomplished. I need those lists to keep from spinning in circles. Now to remember to take them with me. LOL To say Maggie makes lists is a huge understatement. Her business, Simplicity Itself Organizing Services, is making lists for clients and organizing everything for them. Who would have thought, with so much going wrong right from the first day in their new home, that she might need help herself.

I better not forget to mention the vandalism. It seems someone has targeted Maggie’s new home and is trying to either drive her family out, or burn the place down. The vandalism spreads to her son’s school and it seems to be connected. All trails lead back to home.  As vandalism turns to violence, fear and danger escalate. More than hopes of a new life are at stake.

 I enjoyed the tips for organizing that Maggie offers at the beginning of each chapter. Not sure I’d ever be that organized, but I’ll be using some and there are others I already do. Good to know I’m not the only one who thinks and thinks again.

There are lots of characters to meet, and while you don’t get to see some of them that often, they are easily recognizable. The author really does a great job of fleshing them out with just a few words here and there about their attitudes and the way they carry themselves. That was wonderful, because I’m huge on character driven stories.

It took me a bit to start adding some people to my own suspect list. One was fairly obvious pretty quickly, but I had a feeling that one was too obvious. I had lots of fun getting to the end and especially enjoyed reading about how the family adjusted and settled in to a new way of life while coping with one thing after another that obstructs their efforts.

Almost forgot to mention, many of the character’s have pets and I found it fun to see what kind each one had. My home is a mix of cats, dogs, and a parrot, and is quite lively and loud.

I’m a quick reader and read this in about two hours. I’d suggest you set aside some time when you start it. You’ll find it quite hard to stop when you do.

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

For professional organizer Maggie McDonald, moving her family into a new home should be the perfect organizational challenge. But murder was definitely not on the to-do list . . .

Maggie McDonald has a penchant for order that isn’t confined to her clients’ closets, kitchens, and sock drawers. As she lays out her plan to transfer her family to the hundred-year-old house her husband, Max, has inherited in the hills above Silicon Valley, she has every expectation for their new life to fall neatly into place. But as the family bounces up the driveway of their new home, she’s shocked to discover the house’s dilapidated condition. When her husband finds the caretaker face-down in their new basement, it’s the detectives who end up moving in. What a mess! While the investigation unravels and the family camps out in a barn, a killer remains at large—exactly the sort of loose end Maggie can’t help but clean up . . .

~~~~~

Mary Feliz Photo Credit Dylan Studios

About The Author

Mary Feliz has lived in five states and two countries but calls Silicon Valley home. Traveling to other areas of the United States, she’s frequently reminded that what seems normal in the high-tech heartland can seem decidedly odd to the rest of the country. A big fan of irony, serendipity, diversity, and quirky intelligence tempered with gentle humor, Mary strives to bring these elements into her writing, although her characters tend to take these elements to a whole new level. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and National Association of Professional Organizers. Mary is a Smith College graduate with a degree in Sociology. She lives in Northern California with her husband, near the homes of their two adult offspring. Visit Mary online at MaryFeliz.com, or follow her on Twitter @MaryFelizAuthor.

Purchase Links

Amazon –  B&N

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Follow the tour

 July 19 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, INTERVIEW

July 19 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

July 20 – Back Porchervations – REVIEW

July 20 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &,Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

July 21 – Sleuth Cafe – REVIEW

July 22 – Shelley’s Book Case – REVIEW

July 23 – Texas Book-aholic – REVIEW

July 23 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

July 24 – Cassidy Salem Reads & Writes – REVIEW

July 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

July 25 – Jersey Girl Book Reviews – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – INTERVIEW

July 26 – Tea and A Book – REVIEW

July 27 – Melina’s Book Blog – REVIEW  

July 28 – Community Bookstop – REVIEW

July 28 – Bookjunkie’s Book Blog – INTERVIEW

July 29 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

July 29 – Booklady’s Booknotes – REVIEW, GUEST POST

July 30 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

July 31 – Book Babble – REVIEW

August 1 – The Book’s the Thing – REVIEW

August 1 – fuonlyknew – REVIEW

August 2 – The Girl with Book Lungs – REVIEW

August 2 – Queen of All She Reads – REVIEW

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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From my list of fun things:

when you build a fire outside and it pops

“Have a nice day” from a checkout person

tiny tomato juice cans

water’s shiny surface

tabby cats

Partners In Crime Tours

Hidden Truths & Lies

by Fran Lewis

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My Review

I enjoy short stories and collections, especially creepy ones.  And I take into account that they are just nibbles, not complete stories.

Some of these were great. They gave me the shivers and I truly thought the characters got what they deserved. And a couple had me a bit confused. Perhaps because the dead were too.

The dead speak from their graves in Golden Stone Cemetery. They have some ghastly tales to tell. Just how wicked were they to be buried and forgotten?. Would they repent if they could? Do they lust for revenge? Are their souls worth saving?

The answers lie in these pages. It takes talent to spin good tales using so little words, and this author passed my test. While the stories are short, they leave a lasting impression.

This is one that I couldn’t stop reading until I read the last word. Several of the stories had me thinking long afterwards. That’s why I’ll be reading more from this author.

To quote R.L. Stine: “Beware, you’re in for a scare!”

4 Stars

~~~~~

Synopsis

Each story in this series teaches a lesson the person behind the stone should have learned before committing crime, hurting someone else, or generally failing at life.

We’re about to enter Golden Stone Cemetery, where these unfortunate people are buried so deep you can barely find their markers. Their crimes are so heinous and their deeds so cruel that family members buried them here because they want to forget they ever existed.

Enter at your own risk.

Genre: Horror; Paranormal Suspense
Published by: Fideli Publishing Inc.
Publication Date: April 7th 2016
Number of Pages: 98
ISBN: 1604149124 (ISBN13: 9781604149128)
Series: Hidden Truths and Lies is the 4th book in Fran Lewis’s FACES BEHIND THE STONES series of stand alone novellas.
Purchase Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords Goodreads

More Reviews:

“The stories in this collection by Fran Lewis are gripping in suspense and demonstrate a vivid imagination. I picked them up planning to read for a few minutes and couldn’t stop until I had finished the last story. Fran understands well and expresses the dark side that many people have. Motivated by greed or self-interest, some in these stories who seem like people we encounter every day are willing to undertake terrifying actions. It makes for an excellent read.” — Allan Topol, author of !e Italian Divide and The Washington Lawyer

Hidden Truths and Lies is a compilation of stories told from beyond the grave each one filled with terror as the character faces his or her own fate. The final two stories are pure science fiction and will hopefully allow readers to see the magnitude of this talented writer.” — Susan Ross, Board Of Education, NYC

Read an excerpt:

Introduction

Each story in this series teaches a lesson the person behind the stone should have learned before committing crime, hurting someone else, or generally failing at life. We’re about to enter Golden Stone Cemetery, where these unfortunate people are buried so deep you can barely find their markers. Their crimes are so heinous and their deeds so cruel that family members buried them here because they want to forget they ever existed.

Welcome to Golden Stone Cemetery, where the voices of these unfortunates can be heard loud and clear. Learning what they did and what their fates became will make you shudder. When you find out just how cruel they were in life, you’ll be glad they’re gone. You’ll be relieved that their families made sure the spirits of each of these nefarious characters will never rise again.

Who lies behind these unmarked stones? Let their stories unfold…

© Copyright 2016 Fran Lewis All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

Author Fran Lewis

Fran LewisFran Lewis: Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters Degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge. In addition, she is the author of three children’s books and a fourth that has just been published on Alzheimer’s disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. The title of my new Alzheimer’s book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain? Fran is the author of 13 titles.

Catch Up:
Fran Lewis's website Fran Lewis's twitter Fran Lewis's facebook

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Follow The Tour

Click here to view the ‘Hidden Truths and Lies by Fran Lewis’ Tour Participants

~~~~~

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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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I’ve enjoyed other books in Daryl’s Cookbook Nook Mystery series and am happy to be visiting her characters and Crystal Cove again. I’ve also read a book from her Cheese Shop Mystery series written as Avery Ames. Another fun series.

Check out my review.

Enjoy the short guest post and delicious recipe Daryl is sharing with us.

And don’t forget to enter the awesome giveaways!

GRILLING THE SUBJECT

Grilling the Subject (A Cookbook Nook Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
5th in Series
Berkley (August 2, 2016)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0425279410
E-Book ASIN: B017SCQLSW
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My Review

I’ve read one other book in the Cookbook Nook series, Fudging The Books, and really enjoyed it. Good to be back with these characters again along with meeting some new ones.

One of those characters is Sylvia Gump, local business owner and town bully. You know the type, puts on airs, looks down her nose at you, her needs come first. Well, it should come as no surprise that, when fireman report to a brush fire, the dead body they discover is Sylvia’s. And, since Jenna’s father has been in several very public arguments with her, he’s in line as suspect #1.

So many suspects. It seems like when Jenna clears someone from her list, something else pops up and they’re back on it. Not an easy one to solve, which keeps Jenna hopping and those pages turning.

And there’s a humdinger of a surprise too. I kind of suspected it a time or two, but then I got caught up in the mystery again, and forgot about it, so I was eventually caught unaware.

Last time I visited Crystal Cove it was Pirate Week. This time it’s the Wild West Extravaganza. Living on the Gulf Coast, we have lots of fairs and summer events and it always feels like my home town when somethings cooking at Crystal Cove.

Lots to entertain in this next book in the series. I’ll be following to see what happens next in this delightful community.

And there’s some yummy recipes to try too. I always enjoy checking them out.

4 Stars

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Synopsis

Things heat up for bookstore owner Jenna Hart in the latest Cookbook Nook mystery from the Agatha Award-winning author of Fudging the Books.

As the Wild West Extravaganza rides into Crystal Cove, California, Cookbook Nook store owner Jenna Hart is ready to indulge her appetite for grilled and barbecued treats and maybe even try the Texas skip. But when the body of one of her father’s neighbors is found the next morning smoldering in a bonfire, the rodeo revelry is extinguished.

Sylvia Gump had acquired plenty of enemies with her practice of illegally encroaching on her neighbors’ properties—including Jenna’s dad, who was off fishing by himself and has no alibi for the murder. Now it’s up to Cary Hart’s dutiful daughter to clear his name before the real killer turns up the heat and rakes someone else over the coals…

INCLUDES RECIPES

And here’s one of those yummy recipes!

Okay, here’s a little health lesson for today. Don’t moan! This will be quick and painless. Promise. LOL

There are good foods and super foods; good fats and bad fats. I’ve been reading up on this. Why? It turns out my body is producing cholesterol. I’m eating right and I’m fairly thin. I exercise, and I don’t smoke. But darn it, I have to take medicine to keep my cholesterol low.

Do you know your HDL and LDL and triglycerides numbers? You should. Ask your doctor.

Anyway, let’s get to some technical stuff:

To lower cholesterol eat:

Oats, red wine, salmon, nuts, green tea, beans (or legumes, especially kidney beans and black beans), dark chocolate, garlic, olive oil.  (Yes, you read that right. Red wine and dark chocolate!) Blueberries are good for you, too!

What are some good fats?

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) help reduce visceral fat, the type of fat that promotes cardiovascular health.  An avocado fits into this category. Yay for me! I love avocados.

And now that the lecture is done, fix this yummy recipe, grab some low-salt tortilla chips, pick up a good book, and dive in!

PS You all know I love cookbooks. I write about them in the Cookbook Nook Mysteries. I found this recipe in Food & Wine Best of the Best 2012: the Best Recipes from the 25 Best Cookbooks of the Year–inspired by a version from Truly Mexican by Santibañez, Goode & Wiseman. I tweaked it and tell you how I did so at the end.

 

AVOCADO AND BLUE CHEESE GUACAMOLE

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Ingredients:

(Serves 4)

1 avocado, large

2 tablespoons chopped white onion

2 jalapeño chiles, diced fine

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon Meyer lemon juice

3 ounces Point Reyes Blue cheese, crumbled

Mash avocado.  Chop the onion and mince the chiles. Add to the avocado. Add the salt, the lemon juice, and half of the crumbled blue cheese.  [This is one of the richest blue cheeses I’ve ever tasted. Yum!] Whip together.

Set in a serving bowl. Top with more blue cheese.

*The recipe from Truly Mexican included ¼ cup chopped smoked almonds. They used lime juice instead of Meyer lemon juice. And they added cilantro. They used a total of 3 tablespoons of the cheese. I doubled that.

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About This Author

DARYL WOOD GERBER writes the nationally bestselling Cookbook Nook Mystery series featuring a cookbook store owner who is an avid reader and admitted foodie, set on the coast of California.  As AVERY AAMES, she pens the Agatha Award-winning, nationally bestselling Cheese Shop Mystery series featuring a cheese shop owner amateur sleuth, set in the fictional town of Providence, Ohio. Daryl’s short stories have been nominated for the Agatha, Anthony, and other awards. Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl has appeared in “Murder, She Wrote” and more. In addition, she has jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and hitchhiked around Ireland by herself. She absolutely adores Lake Tahoe, where GIRL ON THE RUN is set, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky.

Author Links

Daryl’s Blog / Avery’s Blog

Mystery Lover’s Kitchen / Killer Characters

Facebook: Daryl / Avery

Twitter: Avery / Daryl

Goodreads:  Daryl Wood Gerber / Avery Ames

Purchase Links

Amazon –  B &N 

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There are two giveaways today!

Today Daryl is giving away one copy of your choice of a print copy 0f any of her books. Leave a comment and tell her what your favorite snack food is.

Then enter the rafflecopter below for more prizes!

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Follow the tour for more fun posts and reviews and delicious recipes!

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July 27 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – Review, Interview, Recipe

July 28 – fuonlyknew – Review, Recipe

July 29 – Brooke Blogs – Review, Recipe

July 29 – Cozy Up With Kathy – Review, Recipe

July 30 – Booklady’s Booknotes – Review, Recipe

August 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – Review, Recipe

August 2 – A Holland Reads – Review, Recipe

August 3 – Back Porchervations – Review, Recipe

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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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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Welcome to my stop on the tour for Special Levels Of Earthly Hell.

Special thanks to Author Merry Freer for answering my question.

Enjoy her guest post and my review.

And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

Now. let see what Merry has to say!

 “Why did you choose this event to write about and have you ever experienced a paranormal experience?”

The events in “Special Levels of Earthly Hell” are inspired by actual events that occurred to members of both my nuclear family and my extended family. There is something cathartic about writing about experiences that are either frightening, unexplainable, or horrific. The protagonist in the story is my son. I feel that through reliving these unbelievable events it helped him to bring up buried feelings and deal with them.
We were never a family who gave much thought to paranormal activity until my son was married and began to experience the demonic possession of his wife in a very personal manner. It was all the more disturbing to him because he is not a religious person and he had a great deal of difficulty reconciling his experience with his belief.
I have never had a personal paranormal experience, but I was certainly  affected by the unworldly events seemed to precede the horror documented in this book. People were killed. Children were murdered. Like I said…..cathartic.

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Special Levels Of Earthly Hell

by Merry Freer

SpecialLevelsOfEarthlyHell cover

Genre: Supernatural Horror

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My Review

What a sad, creepy story. It reads like a family saga, going from sister to sister, country to country, following them as their lives intersect and slowly crumble.

What made this especially chilling to read was realizing that, while fictionalized, this story was inspire by actual events.

Something is tearing these families apart, right down to their foundations. Possession is often scoffed at, but not by me. Nothing chills me more than to think of something taking over my body, controlling me, trying to kill me.

I could understand the hesitation and disbelief. But I wondered why they didn’t get the hell out. It turns out the outcome wouldn’t have changed. What happened was far removed from their focus.

Knowing something terrible will happen doesn’t make it any less scary when it finally does. The author does a good job of putting you in the character’s shoes. And when the entity shows itself, you’ll be glad you’re just reading about it, not there facing it.

The ending was rather abrupt for my taste and left me with a few unanswered questions. But it did have one of those ‘finally’ moments where the characters finally did what they should have done a long time ago

Disturbing and realistic. Not one for the faint of heart. And one I recommend for mature readers.

4 Stars

Synopsis

Drew Collins experiences the world in black and white. As an educated man of science, he rejects belief in the paranormal and the existence of demons. Until an evil energy he calls “The Beast” repeatedly enters his bedroom at night and takes possession of his wife’s body.

What he witnesses at night in his own bedroom cannot be reconciled with science. And yet he sees it with his own eyes, feels its presence, ominous and evil, with his entire being.

Against every instinct, Drew reaches out for help. It is not just his marriage that’s at stake. The evil force has invaded his wife’s family, tearing them apart and culminating in bloodshed and murder. Drew must face a stark choice: sacrifice his belief that the world is a rational place and fight an entity he doesn’t understand and is reluctant to label, or abandon his wife and her family.

Author’s Note to the Reader: Sadly, the most frightening and brutal events in this book are factual. The story is loosely based on one family’s experience with multiple tragedies, some of them “ripped from the headlines.” It is also an excruciatingly factual account of one man’s experience with a loved one who is possessed by a demonic presence. However, it transcends genre and is as much a tale of romance, of cultural barriers, of abuse, and of family drama, as it is of demonic possession.The link between the introduction of an evil spirit and the heartbreaking misfortunes that are visited on the family is left for the reader to decide.

Enjoy the excerpt

It was 3:00am, though Drew didn’t notice the time. He was startled into a state of complete consciousness by a feeling of intense dread and fear. Had he been sleeping? Had the feeling returned because he let go – drifted off and let down his guard? Terror ripped through him when he sensed a malevolent force above him. Slowly, he opened his eyes. Even in the pitch darkness of the room, he could see that a dark silhouette straddled him, standing upright, and as he recognized the form, he knew, with a lightning fast certainty he didn’t yet understand, that it only appeared to be his Adriana, her body inhabited by the evil force, her spirit squeezed from her helpless body and now possessed by whatever energy had terrorized them. He brought his eyes to meet those of the adversary that stood above him, silently begging to find recognition, but its black, dead eyes rolled back in their sockets and he realized instantly, as though by telepathy, that it intended to attack him…to fall on him! The form became completely rigid, falling straight forward like a stone slab toward his prone body, with no regard to how it might land. He let out a scream of primal fear that came from the depths of his being. Some kind of demonic beast was hurtling toward him and, throwing up his arms and hands to protect himself from its fall, he instinctively pushed at the foreign creature and threw it from his body, his hands burning with the contact. The creature’s head took the force of the fall, cracking into the heavy nightstand beside the bed.

Sitting up in the bed, shaking, perspiration dripping from his pores, he reached for the lamp on the nightstand and reluctantly turned the switch, terrified of what he might find, knowing he had no choice.

On the floor beside the table lay Adriana, his wife, in a fetal position, holding the back of her head, crying and confused. Drew climbed from the bed, taking her in his arms.

“What happened to me?” she whimpered, still rubbing the growing bump on her head.

“You don’t remember anything?” Drew whispered, carrying her limp body back to the bed.

“I think I hurt my head,” she said.

“You climbed over me to turn on the light and you fell,” Drew lied.

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Author Merry Freer

SpecialLevelsOfEarthlyHell author

Merry Freer is an author of memoir and fact-based fiction. “Special Levels of Earthly Hell: The Story of One Family’s Chilling Struggle with Demonic Possession”  was inspired by actual events that were experienced by her nuclear and extended families, tearing relationships apart and making national news headlines. This book comes on the heels of her first book, a memoir named “Doctor, Doctor.”  While “Doctor, Doctor” is her debut novel, she has been a writer and editor for many years, including work with the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Hall of Champions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from San Diego State University and has been a featured speaker for classes dealing with medical ethics.

Her controversial memoir, “Doctor, Doctor,” topped the Best Seller List in True Crime/White Collar Crime for 10 months and received a “Best Books of 2014” award from “Suspense Magazine.”

Visit her Facebook Page

Purchase On Amazon

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Click on the banner below to follow the tour and comment.

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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 click on the lucky horseshoe below!

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