Posts Tagged ‘suspense’

Haunting Refrain ~ Giveaway & Review

Posted: January 23, 2013 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, Mystery, Psychic, reviews, suspense, thriller, Uncategorized
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The amazing Ellis Vidler is one of my featured authors this month. Each Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing one of her fabulous books. There will be giveaways and guest posts, a whole lot of fun!

First, I reviewed Time of Death, her newest release.

Time of Death

goodreads-badge-add-plus .
While visiting near Charleston, South Carolina, an artist draws scenes of murder she can’t explain. Alex. The artist. After a tree falls on her house, she joins her aunt on an unspoiled island, but something wakens her family psychic streak. She draws eerily accurate scenes of violence, but she knows nothing about them.
Connor. The prosecutor. He’s building a case against a drug lord one piece of evidence at a time. For him it’s personal, and he can’t risk a relationship with a witness, especially a psychic who’ll blow his case out of the water.
Rollins. The killer. He’s a cog in a much bigger wheel, and the witness to his acts of violence threatens his operation and his life. He’ll do anything to see that doesn’t happen.

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Ooh, there are some really great characters in Time of Death. I think my favorite is Alex, no, Jax, no, Jelly. Oh, I love them all! Can’t wait for you to meet them. Go here to read my review.

Next, I reviewed Cold Comfort.

The giveaway ends Jan. 29th. Still time to enter here.

Cold Comfort

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After being dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer has abandoned her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she’s plotting her solo course and settling for a quiet life as an independent Williamsburg shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, disillusioned, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill the friend of a friend, the woman winds up in his arms, and all Riley’s plans go to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, he can’t walk away.

While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.

Opposites do attract.

Now I’m reviewing Haunting Refrain.

There’s also a giveaway. Read on to learn more.

Haunting Refrain

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I just love the cover art for this book. The choice of blue is perfect and the scene evokes the same feelings I got from reading the story.

She doesn’t want to touch it again. But she has to. Kate can’t ignore what she’s seen.

Hands, cold and hard, tightened around her throat, choking her. Long fingers encircled her neck, and fingernails cut into her flesh. Strong thumbs pressed into her windpipe, forced her head back. She clawed at them, tried to free herself. Blinded by the rain and the curtain of hair that covered her eyes, she couldn’t see the face above her. She fought, desperate for air. Those powerful fingers squeezed harder. The world around her dimmed. She was dying.

Kate’s always been good at finding things, seeing glimpses of where something was. She never dreamed she’d see a murder.

At the urging of her friend, Venice, she joins a parapsychology study. She needs to learn more about her gift anyway. She picks up an item and the vision takes hold.

Now she’s a witness to murder. She refuses to go to the police. They wouldn’t take her seriously.  When Venice suggests they tell a friend, she reluctantly agrees, never dreaming he was a reporter.

John Gerrard smells a good story. He meets with the two women and subsequently prints his story, including Kate’s name in the article.

When the killer reads the paper, he’s stunned. After the panic subsides, he begin’s to make his plans.

He began thinking of ways to get to the women. First he would watch them, learn their habits. He wouldn’t mind watching Kate. She had a tight, sexy little body that had always appealed to him. And that hair – he bet she was a tiger.

Having no way of knowing how much Kate’s seen, he sets his plan in motion.

I really like Kate. She’s not wishy-washy and has a good head on her shoulders. She’s not like the femme fatale in the movies who ignore the warnings and go blithely on their merry way. She heeds the warnings and takes precautions. She’d better if she wants to keep that pretty head,

Her friend Venice is a riot. She’s clutzy and forgetful but she’s also caring and quirky. Though they are years apart, her and Kate are good together. It’s like they fill each others gaps. The author made Venice authentic for me. I’d like to meet her.

The suspense builds, you know it’s going to get worse, and you brace for the final confrontation. Ellis is a master at this. I found myself leaning forward towards my Kindle, like I could see ahead. I kept checking the battery to make sure there was enough juice left to finish the story.

Haunting Refrain is suspenseful, fraught with danger, and races to the finale.

4 Stars

Giveaway

I have two e-books to offer for the giveaway.

Entry is easy peasy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “Have you ever had a psychic experience?”

This is an International Giveaway. Everyone can enter.

Contest ends Feb. 2nd.

Thank You and Good Luck!

About the author and where to find her.

Ellis Vidler

Ellis Vidler is a writer and editor. She and her guests talk about whatever comes to mind at her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com Ellis’s new suspense novel, Time of Death, will be released November 18th. Artist Alex Jenrette shares the psychic streak that runs through the McGuire family. Just as it does her cousin Kate (Haunting Refrain), that ability gets her into trouble when she draws a scene she never imagined–murder. The killer she can’t identify wants to eliminate her, but maybe help from unlikely sources will come in time. Cold Comfort, suspense with romantic elements, is set in December during the long nights before the winter solstice.  Claire Spencer owns a Christmas shop in the charming town of Williamsburg, VA. Her quiet life is turned upside down when she becomes a killer’s target. Everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is cold comfort. Her first novel was Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery set in South Carolina, now out on Kindle. It has a touch of paranormal, and reviewers described the characters as “delightful.” Ellis published The Peeper with Jim Christopher, a retired law enforcement officer. The Peeper is a police procedural/suspense novel set in the South Carolina upstate. Tea in the Afternoon is a collection of three short Southern stories, not her usual suspense stories. Ellis is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her home is in the South Carolina piedmont with her husband, two dogs, and a collection of wildlife that shows up for breakfast.

Links

Website. http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog. http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisVidler

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4054785.Ellis_Vidler

Click on the covers to purchase her books.

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Winners of Time of Death

Posted: January 22, 2013 in giveaways, Winners!
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Time to announce the winners of Time of Death by Ellis Vidler!

TimeofDeath-lo res

The winners are?????

 Paperback:  Sherry

 E-book: BrazGirl

Congratulations!

All winners have been notified.

Thanks to everyone for your comments.

I do love reading them and hope you continue to visit fuonlyknew!

Thanks so much to Ellis Vidler for her wonderful book and for letting me host her giveaway.

Go here to enter for a chance to win Cold Comfort!

Cold Comfort

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*****For all of my giveaways go here*****

I’d love to keep telling ya’ll about some really great books.

Subscribe by email and lets talk!

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Giveaway! Cold Comfort leaves you gasping.

Posted: January 16, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Adult Fiction, giveaways, Humor, Mytery/Thriller, reviews, suspense
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The amazing Ellis Vidler is one of my featured authors this month. Each Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing one of her fabulous books. There will be giveaways and guest posts, a whole lot of fun!

Last week I reviewed Time of Death, her newest release.

Time of Death

goodreads-badge-add-plus
.
While visiting near Charleston, South Carolina, an artist draws scenes of murder she can’t explain. Alex. The artist. After a tree falls on her house, she joins her aunt on an unspoiled island, but something wakens her family psychic streak. She draws eerily accurate scenes of violence, but she knows nothing about them.
Connor. The prosecutor. He’s building a case against a drug lord one piece of evidence at a time. For him it’s personal, and he can’t risk a relationship with a witness, especially a psychic who’ll blow his case out of the water.
Rollins. The killer. He’s a cog in a much bigger wheel, and the witness to his acts of violence threatens his operation and his life. He’ll do anything to see that doesn’t happen.

.

Ooh, there are some really great characters in Time of Death. I think my favorite is Alex, no, Jax, no, Jelly. Oh, I love them all! Can’t wait for you to meet them. Go here to read my review and enter the giveaway  to win a print copy(US/Canada Only) or an e-book(International). Ends Jan. 20th.

Today I’ll be reviewing Cold Comfort.

Read on to learn about this thrilling book and to enter the giveaway.

Cold Comfort

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After being dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer has abandoned her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she’s plotting her solo course and settling for a quiet life as an independent Williamsburg shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, disillusioned, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill the friend of a friend, the woman winds up in his arms, and all Riley’s plans go to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, he can’t walk away.

While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.

Opposites do attract.

My Thoughts

My thoughts are all over the place. The beginning of this story hits the ground running and never slows down.

In the opening scene, Claire is fighting for her life when an unknown attacker tries to kill her. If not for her neighbor and his son, he may have succeeded. Claire is a petite woman and her attacker was large and determined. He only relented when he heard the neighbors rushing to her aid. His parting words, “I’ll be back, sweetheart.”

She thought she was safe. The car with the mismatched headlights wasn’t behind her. She pulled into her driveway and while climbing out of her car, the attack occurred.

After a ride in an ambulance and three stitches in her scalp, Claire is released from the hospital. She’ll have some sore muscles, a headache and some bruising. She tells the police officer that she’s seen the car following her for the last three days. She’s also had the hairs stand up on the back of her neck like someone was watching her, and she can’t shake the feeling someone’s been inside her home. Nothing is missing but her bedspread has been disturbed and she smelled traces of cigarette smoke. She thought maybe she was imagining things. She’s been through a lot.

Her mother died recently and her ex-fiancee ran off with his secretary two weeks before they were to be married. It’s not like she isn’t stressed.

The officer tells her it sounds like someone is trying to scare her, maybe a stalker. He drives her home and makes sure the house is secure before leaving. Claire hits the sack but sleep is a long time coming.

She arrives late to her Christmas shop, Mistletoe. There’s a police car out front and Mary , her assistant, rushes over to explain. Someone has been in the shop and they left something on Claire’s desk.

Who is doing this? On her desk is a dismembered doll, its little arms and legs scattered across the top and it’s head off to the side. Out of the limbless body protrudes a pencil. This is not the act of a stalker. This is something else entirely.

At Mary’s insistence, she calls Ben Riley for help. He’s what you’d call a problem -solver. At first he refuses to take her case, brushing her off as a hysterical female. Then Mary’s brother, Ray, calls and urges him to reconsider.

“”I’m asking you, Riley.”

So Riley is standing in the dark outside of Mistletoe, waiting for Claire to leave. She locks up and walks to her car, but before she can get there a car comes racing towards her. Riley tackles her out of its path and the car rushes off.

“Okay, lady. I’ll take your case.”

“The reluctant detective, I presume.”

And so it goes. The attacks keep coming, each one more serious.

Who wants her dead and why? Claire hasn’t a clue and it’s Riley’s job to find out.

Riley didn’t expect to like her, and he was damn sure she wouldn’t like him.

He was wrong on both counts. He knew he should have stayed away, but it’s already too late. He’s emotionally involved now, and he’ll protect Claire or die trying.

The mystery builds and builds as does the attraction between Claire and Ben.

I love a romance where the relationship starts out bumpy and the attraction catches the characters by surprise. These two are so different yet so perfect for each other.

The author had me hanging on every word, excited to see what would happen next. I couldn’t read fast enough. Don’t worry, I didn’t miss a thing.

Looking for a story that’ll leave you breathless? Cold Comfort barely gives you time to come up for air.

Five deep breaths for Cold Comfort!

5 Stars

Giveaway

I have one print book(US/Canada Only) and one e-book(International) to giveaway.

*To enter please leave your email address and answer this question, “Have you ever felt like someone was secretly watching you”

Giveaway ends Jan. 29th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

And on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd I’ll be reviewing Haunting Refrain and hosting yet another giveaway!

Haunting Refrain

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Good intentions go awry and a newly discovered psychic gift becomes life-threatening in Ellis Vidler’s debut, Haunting Refrain. After a psychometric photographer touches a headband and witnesses, in her mind’s eye, a missing coed’s murder, and a reporter hard up for news mentions the mystery vision, the girl’s killer embarks on a new homicidal mission: he’ll do anything to keep Kate McGuire from getting him caught.

Make sure you mark your calendar. You won’t want to miss these! And don’t forget to enter the giveaways!

About the author and where to find her.

Ellis Vidler

Ellis Vidler is a writer and editor. She and her guests talk about whatever comes to mind at her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com Ellis’s new suspense novel, Time of Death, will be released November 18th. Artist Alex Jenrette shares the psychic streak that runs through the McGuire family. Just as it does her cousin Kate (Haunting Refrain), that ability gets her into trouble when she draws a scene she never imagined–murder. The killer she can’t identify wants to eliminate her, but maybe help from unlikely sources will come in time. Cold Comfort, suspense with romantic elements, is set in December during the long nights before the winter solstice.  Claire Spencer owns a Christmas shop in the charming town of Williamsburg, VA. Her quiet life is turned upside down when she becomes a killer’s target. Everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is cold comfort. Her first novel was Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery set in South Carolina, now out on Kindle. It has a touch of paranormal, and reviewers described the characters as “delightful.” Ellis published The Peeper with Jim Christopher, a retired law enforcement officer. The Peeper is a police procedural/suspense novel set in the South Carolina upstate. Tea in the Afternoon is a collection of three short Southern stories, not her usual suspense stories. Ellis is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her home is in the South Carolina piedmont with her husband, two dogs, and a collection of wildlife that shows up for breakfast.

Links

Website. http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog. http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisVidler

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4054785.Ellis_Vidler

Click on the covers to purchase her books.

Related articles

Time of Death Giveaway and Review

Posted: January 10, 2013 in Adult Fiction, giveaways, Guest Post, Mytery/Thriller, reviews, Romance, suspense
Tags: , , , , ,
68

The amazing Ellis Vidler is one of my featured authors this month. Each Wednesday, I’ll be reviewing one of her fabulous books. There will be giveaways and guest posts, a whole lot of fun!

I’m going to start with Time of Death, her newest release.

Time of Death

.
While visiting near Charleston, South Carolina, an artist draws scenes of murder she can’t explain.
Alex. The artist. After a tree falls on her house, she joins her aunt on an unspoiled island, but something wakens her family psychic streak. She draws eerily accurate scenes of violence, but she knows nothing about them.
Connor. The prosecutor. He’s building a case against a drug lord one piece of evidence at a time. For him it’s personal, and he can’t risk a relationship with a witness, especially a psychic who’ll blow his case out of the water.
Rollins. The killer. He’s a cog in a much bigger wheel, and the witness to his acts of violence threatens his operation and his life. He’ll do anything to see that doesn’t happen.
 

.

Ooh, there are some really great characters in Time of Death. I think my favorite is Alex, no, Jax, no, Jelly. Oh, I love them all! Can’t wait for you to meet them.

Alex is clutzy, funny, a bit naive and like a momma bear when someone she cares about is threatened.

After a tree smashes in her roof, Alex comes to stay with her Aunt Isobel on Chicora Island. While up a tree taking photographs she sees something she shouldn’t. Nothing that stands out, just two men talking.

This scenario is very believable. Think about it. We go about our normal life seeing hundreds of things every day. You see two people talking, then it’s out of your mind.  When weird things start happening to you and those around you, when someone tries to kidnap or kill you, those two people don’t just pop instantly  into your mind. You’d be trying to rehash anything that stands out, not something so ordinary.

That’s why Alex can’t figure out why someone is trying to kill her.

Enter tall drink of water Prosecutor Connor Moran and his faithful companion Jax. He’s been after Rollins for a long time. He just hasn’t been able to pin anything on him. When he realizes that’s who’s after Alex, he does everything in his power to keep her alive. She’s a witness to a murder and doesn’t even realize it.

Rollins is a gangster personified. He kills without remorse, sometimes for the littlest things. If he’s after you, you better start praying. The people he sends don’t always kill you right away. Sometimes they like to play with you, like a cat does with a mouse. If they’re after you, they won’t stop coming until they get you. They’re after Alex and will mow down anyone standing in the way.

A story inside this story that I’d like to read more about is Isobel, Alex’s aunt. She made a big impression with her throwback hippy style. She’s very self-aware and intelligent and I’d like to get to know her better.

There are two characters that kind of stole the show and my heart. Jelly and Jax. Jelly is a giant of a man, with a simple mind. Jax is a three-legged retired military working dog. Both have handicaps and both shine from the pages. They added a special seasoning to the story.

There’s mystery, humor, murder, mayhem and some romance in Time of Death. Something for all of you. If you’re like me, after reading this book you’ll be wanting more. You won’t want to say goodbye.

Five Jax for Time of Death.

       

Please welcome Ellis!

We’ve had many dogs, some smart, some not so much, some gentle, some wild. But all were loving and wonderful companions. I consider dogs the greatest gift to mankind. Cats are good friends too, but not in the same way.  Dogs will lay down their lives for you. And they have a strong sense of a person who’s a threat. (We did have a cat who attacked a peeping Tom once, but we later found it was a man the cat hated anyway.)

When I was writing Time of Death, I felt it lacked something. After weeks of struggling with characters and the plot, I stumbled across Kevin Hanrahan’s blog about military working dogs. The dogs saved many lives and gave so much, often their own lives. That’s where I found the story of Anax and Marc. Read it. Both are heroes.

Anyway, Anax immediately leapt into my story. He added that one missing ingredient that brought it all to life. I fell for Jax, as I named him, and he took on his own personality and injected himself into many scenes. I found a picture of a German shepherd with the perfect expression. He’s photographer Sergey Kamshylin’s Zakhar, but he’s my Jax. Here’s Connor Moran, the prosecutor, explaining to Alex about his dog’s behavior around Merlin, her cat.

10944046_s JAX for ellis vidler review

“Jax?”

“My dog. He was a military service dog, very well trained, and he won’t bother Merlin. How does the cat feel about dogs?”

“He’s been around them, but he’ll be cautious.” Military? She hoped he was right that the dog was well trained. They’d be in someone else’s house, and she didn’t want to worry about Merlin. “Tell me about Jax. What kind is he?”

“German shepherd.”

Images of lunging, snarling dogs flew through her head. She straightened, wide awake now. “Go on.”

As if reading her mind, he said, “He was trained for explosive detection. He’s not an attack dog.” His eyes held a faraway look.

The other character I found especially interesting to write was Jelly Biggs, a retired heavyweight boxer who’s taken a few too many blows to the head. Here’s the bad guy watching Jelly, his bodyguard:

Movement caught his eye, and Rollins spotted the big man running across the sand. Jelly’s thoughts might tumble like lottery balls in a bin, but the former heavyweight still floats like a butterfly.

Thanks so much for the wonderful guest post Ellis.

GIVEAWAY

I have one print book(US/Canada Only) and one e-book(International) to giveaway.

*To enter please leave your email address and answer this question, “Are you a dog person or a cat person or both?”

Giveaway ends Jan. 20th.

Thank you and Good Luck!

Next Wednesday, Jan. 16th I’ll be reviewing Cold Comfort and hosting another giveaway!

After being dumped by her faithless fiancé, Claire Spencer has abandoned her dreams of a family of her own tucked neatly inside a picket fence. Instead, she’s plotting her solo course and settling for a quiet life as an independent Williamsburg shop owner. So how does she become a killer’s target?

Sometime security consultant Riley, burned out, disillusioned, and haunted by a young girl he couldn’t save, vows never to work with women again. But when a thug tries to kill the friend of a friend, the woman winds up in his arms, and all Riley’s plans go to hell. Knowing she’s in danger, he can’t walk away.

While dodging speeding cars, ducking bullets, and escaping through murky swamp waters, conventional Claire and freewheeling Riley struggle against their powerful chemistry—if she’s picket fences, he’s barbed wire.

Opposites do attract.

And on Wednesday, Jan. 23rd I’ll be reviewing Haunting Refrain and hosting yet another giveaway!

Good intentions go awry and a newly discovered psychic gift becomes life-threatening in Ellis Vidler’s debut, Haunting Refrain. After a psychometric photographer touches a headband and witnesses, in her mind’s eye, a missing coed’s murder, and a reporter hard up for news mentions the mystery vision, the girl’s killer embarks on a new homicidal mission: he’ll do anything to keep Kate McGuire from getting him caught.

Make sure you mark your calendar. You won’t want to miss these!

About the author and where to find her

Ellis Vidler

Ellis Vidler is a writer and editor. She and her guests talk about whatever comes to mind at her blog, http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com Ellis’s new suspense novel, Time of Death, will be released November 18th. Artist Alex Jenrette shares the psychic streak that runs through the McGuire family. Just as it does her cousin Kate (Haunting Refrain), that ability gets her into trouble when she draws a scene she never imagined–murder. The killer she can’t identify wants to eliminate her, but maybe help from unlikely sources will come in time. Cold Comfort, suspense with romantic elements, is set in December during the long nights before the winter solstice.  Claire Spencer owns a Christmas shop in the charming town of Williamsburg, VA. Her quiet life is turned upside down when she becomes a killer’s target. Everything she believed is a lie, but the truth is cold comfort. Her first novel was Haunting Refrain, a romantic mystery set in South Carolina, now out on Kindle. It has a touch of paranormal, and reviewers described the characters as “delightful.” Ellis published The Peeper with Jim Christopher, a retired law enforcement officer. The Peeper is a police procedural/suspense novel set in the South Carolina upstate. Tea in the Afternoon is a collection of three short Southern stories, not her usual suspense stories. Ellis is a member of Sisters in Crime. Her home is in the South Carolina piedmont with her husband, two dogs, and a collection of wildlife that shows up for breakfast.

Links

Website. http://www.ellisvidler.com

Blog. http://theunpredictablemuse.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllisVidler

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4054785.Ellis_Vidler

The original blog about Anax. http://khanrahan.com/2012/01/25/marc-and-anax/

Click on the covers to purchase her books.

Related articles

Gone is Free!

Posted: January 7, 2013 in Adult Fiction, Book Promos, Freebies!, horror, reviews, Short stories and collections
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I’m keeping my word. I said I’d be back to tell you about more of Adam Light’s books and I’m here with some great news.

GONE is free to download from Amazon from Jan. 7th thru Jan 11th.. Go here to get yours.

Gone

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Greg awakens with a sense of urgency. A quick glance at his clock confirms it. He’s overslept and it’ll be a mad dash to get to work on time. He forgoes breakfast, figuring he’ll grab a java at Starbucks and throws on the cleanest clothes he can find.

He spots one of his shoes but for the life of him, can’t find the other. Where is it? With no time to search any longer, he throws on a dirty pair of tennis shoes and heads out the door.

A quick glance at his living room gives him a sense that it’s different, empty somehow.

Traffic isn’t too bad until he gets close to Starbucks. Cars are lined up around the block. A huge SUV gives up its spot and he squeezes into line.

Crushing pain seizes his chest. Oh God, not a heart attack. As the pain subsides and leaves completely he has to give up his place in line or he’ll be late for work.

Just a few minutes late, he sneaks to his desk while no ones paying attention. Before he knows it, it’s time for lunch. How could that be?

Why the feelings of dread, the panic attacks, the missing time? What is it about today?

While not as polished as his later works, I still had a great time reading Gone, Adam’s first published book.

The suspense builds, you feel Greg’s confusion and panic, and then the twist is revealed.

Anyone who likes short stories with a feel of The Dark Side or The Twilight Zone will like this.

     

About Adam Light and where to find him.

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

Goodreads

Amazon

To purchase Adam’s books, click on the covers.

Books written with Evans Light

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Blood is Heavier #First Giveaway and Review in 2013

Posted: January 1, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Adult Fiction, crime thriller, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, reviews, Series, suspense
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70

I am doing some author spotlights this month and one of them is the amazing Ella Medler. Each week I’ll be doing a review for one of her books and there will also be a guest post and some giveaways.

Blood Is Heavier

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Nick is living the American dream. He has a successful business, a beautiful home, he’s married to the love of his life, Maxi,  and has a 4-year-old son, Cameron, who steals his breath when he hears his laughter.

He never dreamed he’d settle down and be in such a rush to get home every day. It was his whole world now.

Then, it was all gone in an instant. With one phone call, his world comes tumbling down.

His wife calls him on his cell to remind him to pick up their son from a birthday party. She tells him his friend JB is at the house with her, waiting for him to return.

JB is a bad man, one he never hoped to meet again. He’s a part of Nick’s past. A past filled with killing. That JB was there with his wife sent chills down his spine. Nick knew him for what he was. Killers always recognize each other.

Nick wrestles with whether to pick up his son first or rush home to deal with JB. In the end, his decision doesn’t matter. It’s been taken out of his hands. The trap was too well set.

In a blinding flash of light, his hopes and dreams explode. One moment he sees Maxi waving at him in the window. In the next, the house disintegrates with a loud whoomp.

This scene made me think of the movie The Punisher. The part where they come and kill his whole family. The scenes don’t read the same but the feelings I had were as powerful. First there’s the shock and horror. Then there’s disbelief and sadness. Who could do such a thing?

I could see this scene play out in slow motion, like tunnel vision, Nick racing to his house, but there’s nothing left of it but a fiery pile.

The sharks from Nick’s past have caught up with him, and this is their warning to him. They now have his son, and he’ll do what they want or he’ll never hear his sons laughter again.

The last time Nick saw his wife she was smiling and waving to him, right before the house exploded. This vision would replay over and over in his mind, fueling the fires for the reckoning to come.

“What becomes of one half when the whole gets ripped to shreds? When you have no hope, how do you continue to exist?”

They murdered his heart and now they’ve stolen his soul, his son. You know what follows. Rage and a deep, aching need to spill blood. And blood will be spilled.

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[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyZS0wYCYzo]

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I loved the pacing of this book and how the author flashed back to different times in Nick’s past.

It was fun to read about how Nick and Maxi met and the pickle they got in. Their connection was quick, but that’s only natural when you might be about to die.

The author takes you to the past and back again, keeping the story flowing smoothly and filling in the details. She keeps you entertained and builds the mystery, dropping in hidden clues, making you go this way and that way like weaving through heavy traffic.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time before you settle in. You’ll have a hard time stopping before you reach the end.

Five smoking guns for the thrilling action and tantalizing suspense of Blood is Heavier.

       

Giveaway

Ella is graciously offering 5 e-books of Blood is Heavier for the giveaway!

Entry is easy. Just leave your email address and answer this question, “What would you do to protect your loved ones?”

Good luck!

Contest ends January 15th.

You will be seeing a lot more about Ella and her books here on fuonlyknew!

About the author

Ella Medler

I live in Cornwall with my husband and our two teenage daughters. Together, we care for a large assortment of pets, some small enough to fit in a fish tank, and some capable of causing you significant injury on impact. I was born in Transylvania but got chucked out due to my inability to grow fangs and reluctance to sleep in coffins.

My first book, MARTIN LITTLE, RESURRECTED is a lighthearted fantasy novel full of action and unique takes on life. It’s total escapism. Heartened by positive reviews on my first book, I published BLOOD IS HEAVIER, an action thriller, which is an explosive and emotional struggle to save a father’s most treasured possession. ETERNAL ISLAND, a paranormal romance, is now live. I have co-written it with a brilliant American author, Kristie S. Haigwood. My next release is book two in the Hunter Series, BLOOD IS POWER, which should be out before the end of the year. In the pipeline are sequels for all of the above and a spin-off from Blood is Heavier – Tequila’s story.

Future works

Blood is Power (Book Two in the Hunter Series)

Martin Little Takes Epic Action (Book Two in the Martin Little Series)

Deal With It – Tequila’s story

In collaboration with Kristie.S. Haigwood

Eternal Immorality

Eternal Inception

Contacts

Blog

Website

Goodreads

Facebook

Twitter

To purchase these books, click on the covers.

Books by Ella Medler

Books written with Kristie .S. Haigwood

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Teaser Tuesday #5 Aye! Aye! and Aargh!

Posted: January 1, 2013 in Action/Adventure, Book Promos, suspense, Teaser Tuesdays
Tags: , , ,
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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

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!
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My teaser for today is from Swords & Sails
The Legacy of the Red Lion by David McAvoy II
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Swords & Sails: The Legacy of the Red Lion
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“Edward.” The Pirate Hunter said, glaring at him. “A shame for such a promising young man to throw in his lot with pirates. I will get out of this Edward, and believe me, when I do I’m going to make sure you hang right beside Wolfgang.”
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Having a great time reading this one! I can smell the briny scent of the ocean and taste the salt from the water’s spray on my lips. A good thing I don’t get seasick!
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Free Horror Anthology by the Light Brothers

Posted: December 28, 2012 in Adult Fiction, Book Promos, Creatures, Dark Fantasy, Freebies!, giveaways, horror, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Series, Short stories and collections, suspense
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Most of you know how much I like collections and short stories. Corpus Corruptum is an anthology with something for everyone.

I’m a huge fan of Adam and Evans Light and have read and reviewed many of their stories. These two brothers write horror like it’s meant to be written. Their short stories and collections leave you shaking in your boots.

I’m currently reading this anthology and will be reviewing it soon.

Now for the good stuff. It’s free to download from Amazon now until midnight on December 30th. Go here to get your free copy.

The Corpus Corruptum

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These stories are our mutant children, fever dreamed hallucinations that don’t necessarily fit into any particular genre – no matter how weird they are, we love them anyway.
THE CORPUS CORRUPTUM collection peeks into what happens when the body goes bad, the most universal of all human fears. We hope you enjoy it.

About the authors

About Adam Light and where to find him.

I have spent the better part of my life in northeast Florida, but I was born in West Virginia. I was consumed at an early age by an unquenchable thirst for the written word. Words, in general, when I think about it.

I was a quiet bookish kid, but after moving down south I grew into a wild and rebellious teenager. I grew my hair long, became enthralled with heavy metal music, and all the rest.

I’ve mellowed somewhat, but I love life, I love my family, and I love to write stories. I have a mad passion for it.

I am proud of the stories I have written and sincerely hope that readers like myself have enjoyed reading them as much as , and plan to continue tapping away at this keyboard until my fingers won’t move anymore.

Thanks to everyone who has supported my madness so far; I look forward to sharing much more of my mind’s crazy ride with you.

Goodreads

Amazon

To purchase Adam’s books, click on the covers.

Books written with Evans Light

About Evans Light and where to find him

Evans Light has lived here and there across the United States, from the mountains to the beaches to the desert, and currently chooses to reside in a warm, southern state where the living is easy.

Frequently drawn to uncommon experiences, Evans has thrown himself headfirst into a wide range of unusual situations, from testing low-level-entry parachutes with British Army Airborne units to travelling the vast reaches of inner space using sensory deprivation tanks. He is the proud father of fine sons and the lucky husband of a beautiful wife.

Evans Light has been in love with the written word from an early age, and works in a wide variety of genres, including horror, thrillers, sci-fi and humor – but stories of the “Weird Tales” variety still remain his favorite. Evans is currently hard at work completing a collection of short stories entitled “Obsessive Deceptions”. Each story from this compilation is being released as a stand-alone title on Amazon as it is finished. The first five have been collected in the anthology “Stories, Inc.”.

Evans is also writing his first full-length novel, which is expected to be released sometime before his death.

Author contacts

Goodreads

Facebook

You can find all of Evans Light’s books here.

Evans Light

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Fanged Mania #5 Spotlight on Taylor Dean

Posted: December 28, 2012 in Fanged Mania, fiction, Mystery, otherworldly, Paranormal or fantasy, Series, suspense, Vampires
Tags: , , , , , , ,
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To join in, copy and paste these rules and the above banner into your Fanged Mania post and add your link to this week’s Fanged Mania post at Elisabeth Wheatley’s Blog. Fanged Mania is a Friday meme counting down to the release of Fanged Princess and displaying all things vampire and awesome. Fanged Mania posts can be a review of a vampire book, a quote from the latest Vampire Diaries episode, a showcase of a cool vampire book’s cover, or whatever you like so long as it is vampire related. Don’t forget, participants will be entered in the drawing to win a fanged-abulous prize pack!

The prize pack I mentioned includes Vampire Diaries and Breaking Dawn posters as well as a paperback copy of Erica Steven’s Captured (my review here) and the complete collection of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter stories by Jennifer Malone Wright, in paperback, too! =D

Oh, and the contest is international. And the more Fanged Mania posts you have, the more entries you get! So what are you waiting for? Hop on the bandwagon!

This weeks spotlight shines on Taylor Dean and her awesome series, Lancaster House!

Lancaster House

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Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard?

The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.

I recently entered a contest for these books at fundinmental and I won! Man, the pictures here do not begin to show how beautiful the cover art is in print. I can’t wait to read these.

Here’s what Sherry @ fundinmental has to say.

“This was definitely a different twist on a vampire (?), ghost (?) or madwoman (?) story. I got about halfway through and thought WT. Never saw that coming. Now I get it, or do I?

A psychological thriller that will keep you guessing. The minute you think you have the answer, you better think again.”

Check out Sherry’s full review of Lancaster House here.

The Middle Aisle (Lancaster House)

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The Sequel to Lancaster House

Zoe Grayson is back in Lancaster House, ordered to bed rest for the duration of her unexpected pregnancy. Doctor Wade Channing, her overzealous psychiatrist, is living in Lancaster House, taking care of her, waiting on her, and tending to her every need. It seems to be the perfect arrangement.

There’s just one catch.

She has to tell him her story—everything that has happened in her life since the moment she escaped from Serenity Hills. It’s been quite an adventure to include renovating another home and a walk down the middle aisle.

But, that’s all over now. Nothing is real. It never was.

How did she end up in this miserable situation?

And here’s what Sherry has to say about The Middle Aisle.

“The ending left me stunned, I smiled as tears ran down my face. It was one of the best endings of any book I have read and left me with a warm, fuzzy feeling that lingered long after I had finished the book.”

For her full review go here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Taylor Dean

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Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding that she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense-you’ll find all sub-genres of romance in her line-up.

To find out what Taylor Dean is up to, follow the links below:

Website

Goodreads

To order any of the books below, simply click on the cover.

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Teaser Tuesday #4

Posted: December 25, 2012 in Adult Fiction, crime thriller, reviews, suspense, Teaser Tuesdays
Tags: , , ,
6

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

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!
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My teaser for today is from Wicked Wives by Gus Pelagatti
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The Wicked Wives
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Reggie’s body went still. Lillian placed her hand on his neck and felt for a pulse as she had done every night for weeks on end. Nothing. She leaned in toward his face and listened for any signs of breathing. Again, nothing. Lillian slumped to the floor and cried. But her tears were not for Reggie and they weren’t tears of madness. She smiled at Reggie’s corpse.
You fought the good fight Reggie. But as always, you lost the war.
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This is going to be fun to review. Did I tell you it’s based on true events?
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 Go here to learn about the author and his book.
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