Posts Tagged ‘thriller’

Books From The Back Log #80 ~ The Wild Inside

Posted: July 13, 2023 in horror, thriller
Tags: , ,
3
.
If you’re like me, you have a pile of books beckoning to you from your lists. Carole hosts this fun feature where you can share some of those older books and perhaps nudge you to finally read them. If you want to join in on the fun, head over to Carole’s Random Life In Books and leave a link to your post.
.

The Wild Inside

by Jamey Bradbury

.

.

c8df8-add2bto2bgoodreads2bblack

Genre: Psychological Thriller / Horror

Synopsis

A promising talent makes her electrifying debut with this unforgettable novel, set in the Alaskan wilderness, that is a fusion of psychological thriller and coming-of-age tale in the vein of Jennifer McMahon, Chris Bohjalian, and Mary Kubica.

A natural born trapper and hunter raised in the Alaskan wilderness, Tracy Petrikoff spends her days tracking animals and running with her dogs in the remote forests surrounding her family’s home. Though she feels safe in this untamed land, Tracy still follows her late mother’s rules: Never Lose Sight of the House. Never Come Home with Dirty Hands. And, above all else, Never Make a Person Bleed.

But these precautions aren’t enough to protect Tracy when a stranger attacks her in the woods and knocks her unconscious. The next day, she glimpses an eerily familiar man emerge from the tree line, gravely injured from a vicious knife wound—a wound from a hunting knife similar to the one she carries in her pocket. Was this the man who attacked her and did she almost kill him? With her memories of the events jumbled, Tracy can’t be sure.

Helping her father cope with her mother’s death and prepare for the approaching Iditarod, she doesn’t have time to think about what she may have done. Then a mysterious wanderer appears, looking for a job. Tracy senses that Jesse Goodwin is hiding something, but she can’t warn her father without explaining about the attack—or why she’s kept it to herself.

It soon becomes clear that something dangerous is going on . . . the way Jesse has wormed his way into the family . . . the threatening face of the stranger in a crowd . . . the boot-prints she finds at the forest’s edge.

Her family is in trouble. Will uncovering the truth protect them—or is the threat closer than Tracy suspects?

Amazon

~~~~~

I added this back in March 2018.

This has my kind of read written all over it!

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

You can find a list of my reviews HERE.

For a list of free eBooks go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Carolina Variant by Brooke L. French ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: July 11, 2023 in giveaways, thriller
Tags: , ,
1
The Carolina Variant
by Brooke L. French
July 11, 2023 Book Blast

 

 

Synopsis:
Tess Oliver’s memory is a killer.

When the lead that could save her law practice is destroyed in a suspicious fire, only her recollection of it remains. Tess can relive memories, but her gift comes at a cost. The last time she used it, she nearly died. This time, she only takes a peek. A single moment spent in her memory of the defendant’s encoded document gives her a brutal migraine and a phone number. Luke Broussard answers her call from the wreckage of his downed plane. His charter passenger is dead. And a mutated virus seeps from the man’s broken cargo, making Luke an unknowing carrier. When rescuers take Luke to an Atlanta hospital, the virus comes with him. Tess follows her lead to Luke’s bedside, where she finds an instant connection. As they try to outrun a psychopath who’ll stop at nothing to retrieve the document, the city falls apart around them. The code hidden in Tess’s mind may be the only thing that can keep the outbreak contained, but using her gift to decipher it could kill her. If the virus — or whoever engineered it — doesn’t get to her first.

Praise for The Carolina Variant:

“Filled with compelling characters fighting not only for their lives, but humanity itself, you won’t be able to put it down.” ~ Jeffrey Jay Levin, author of Watching, Volume 1, The Garden Museum Heist

“The Carolina Variant is a taut thriller that terrifies with a too damned frightenedly plausible story about what happens when a deadly virus escapes. It’s the kind of book that makes you afraid to turn the page, but you will. You definitely will.” ~ Christopher Amato, author of Shadow Investigation and A Letter from Sicily

“What a ride! The Carolina Variant is Blake Crouch’s Upgrade with the pacing of Fox’s 24.” ~ Cam Torrens, author of STABLE

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Medical and Conspiracy

Published by: Black Rose Writing Publication Date: June 2023 Number of Pages: 347 ISBN: 9781685132187 (ISBN10: 1685132189)

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

Read an excerpt:

Prologue:

September 13, 2018
The girl on the video monitor stared up at the ceiling as blood trickled from her eyes and nose. Her only movement an occasional spasm of coughing. Nothing unexpected, given the progression of the disease. Dr. Edmund Haley shut off the overhead fluorescent lights and let himself adjust to the dim glow of the screens lining the back wall of the office. Only the girl’s monitor still played a live feed, but it lit the room well enough. And, either way, darkness suited him fine. He’d spent so much time stuck in this tiny godforsaken place, he could’ve found the desk and computer with his eyes closed. Haley dropped into a chair and adjusted his glasses, trying to ignore the sharp tang of antimicrobial soap that clung to his hands. It smelled like life in the hospital. Like the servitude of medical practice. He hated it as much now as he had before he’d lost his license. But at least this time, he’d be well paid for his efforts. And soon, it would be over. He refocused on the girl’s image. The only question was when. Light sliced into the room behind him as Margaret bumbled inside. He made no move to acknowledge the nurse, even as she pulled up a chair beside his. As idiotic as she otherwise seemed to be, she’d know by now not to bother him. He shifted his attention from the video monitor to the computer, where he pulled up the patient’s chart. Patient: Octavia MILLS, 18 yo, Af-Am, F, #4 Vitals: 5’5”, 110 lb. updated (9-10) 108.8 lb. updated (9-11) 106 lb. updated (9-12) 104.1 lb. Provider Notes: Click to open He scrolled to the section for his notes and, after a click of the mouse, entered the details of that day’s exam. “9-13-18; Liver and kidney function both continue to decline. Discrete purpuric patches expanding from face and trunk now merging. BSA involvement approximately 80%. Note third spacing.” The third spacing, a condition where the skin separated from the tissue beneath and filled with blood, was something new. Margaret’s report of it had been the primary reason he’d put himself through the nightmare of protective gear and protocol it’d taken to do a physical exam himself. He wasn’t going to let it be said that he hadn’t been thorough. Haley glanced back up at the monitor in time to see a bubble of blood form between Octavia’s lips. The thing grew with each shallow breath. When it reached the size of a small orange, it burst, splattering more droplets of blood onto her face and neck. Octavia made no move to wipe them away. He’d given her enough morphine. She would be long past caring. And, more importantly, the extra dosage meant she’d finally quit staring out at him with that awful, confused look on her face. He didn’t care. Not really. Except that it had been distracting, and he needed to focus. Needed to understand why was she still alive. What had he missed? Perhaps another round of blood work would— The blare of an alarm sounded over the video feed and, more faintly, from the hall. Three more followed. Octavia’s body spasmed, convulsing again and again as she vomited up a grainy black-red mix of blood and tissue. The progression was as repulsive as it was now familiar. The vomit mixed with the brighter red flowing from her eyes and nose as the virus moved into its final stage. Blood, still unable to clot, flowed until it covered her face and chest. Until the bedsheets were saturated and no longer white. Octavia’s muscles tensed, seizing all at once before releasing. Her body too gruesome to look peaceful, even as she finally came to rest. Neither he nor Margaret moved from their chairs. The alarms echoed unanswered down the empty hall. Haley clicked off the monitor and most of the noise with it. “That’s better.” God knew it had taken long enough. He turned back to the computer, closed Octavia’s chart, and opened another document saved to the desktop as “Subject Outcomes.” He scrolled down, missing Octavia’s name the first time, then tapped the cursor back up until he found it. She’d been number four of twenty-five subjects, and hers was the last empty field in the column marked TPOI for Total Period of Infection. From the time she had been exposed, it had taken four days for the disease to take its course. At least a full day longer than any other subject. “About fucking time.” He spoke under his breath as he typed the final entry in with one finger. He still didn’t know why the girl had survived so long, but it was no matter. By any measure, his work there had been an overwhelming success. Haley pulled off his glasses and tapped them against Margaret’s shoulder. “Get me a copy of the subject files, including all of the relevant video footage.” Margaret flinched away from him. “Yes, doctor.” She pulled a thumb drive from a desk drawer and plugged it into the video system. The system — which had been his idea — had not only allowed them to observe the patients from a safe distance but also recorded the progress of the disease in each subject. Having such an accurate, time-stamped record of their experiments would be invaluable to his employer. As he had been. Haley cleaned the lenses of his glasses with the edge of his lab coat. Knowing what was coming, it didn’t hurt to have insurance. Which was why he had contingency plans stashed in safe deposit boxes across the city. It was a point he would be sure to make when he and his employer spoke. No matter what, he wouldn’t end up like the others. He pointed to Margaret as she collected the files. “Once you’re done, wipe the system clean.” She looked at him, her eyes a question. What happens now? He didn’t bother responding. Some part of her had to know already. Stupid. The kind of people who would hire her to do what she’d done weren’t the type to assume money would be enough to keep her quiet. She was a loose end who — unlike him — had no continuing value. Not that what happened to her mattered. And if she hadn’t been smart enough to see that going in… Well, she’d as much as made her bed, hadn’t she? He put a layer of steel in his voice. “Do it.” Margaret’s gaze flicked away. She pressed a few buttons on the keyboard and waited for the computer to comply, removed the thumb drive, and dropped it into his waiting hand. He turned the small device over in his palm. Amazing that so many lives could be held in such a small device. But then, these lives weren’t the kind anyone cared about. Nobodies and throw-aways. The kind of people who would volunteer for a drug trial for pennies and not be missed when they didn’t come back. He’d done the world a service, really. Haley slipped the thumb drive into a padded envelope, scrawled the address he had memorized at the outset of the project on the front, checked twice to make sure he’d stuck on enough postage, then slid the envelope into his briefcase. “Take care of that, won’t you?” He tilted his head toward the hallway leading to the patient rooms, where the girl’s body lay waiting. Margaret didn’t look up from the computer. “Of course, sir. Same as with the others.” Haley tucked the briefcase under his arm, whistling as he left the facility for the last time. With his part done, the rest could finally could begin. *** Excerpt from The Carolina Variant by Brooke L. French. Copyright 2023 by Brooke L. French. Reproduced with permission from Brooke L. French. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Brooke L. French:
Brooke L. French

Brooke L. French is a recovering lawyer turned author. Her debut novel, Inhuman Acts, came out in 2022, and her second thriller, The Carolina Variant, came out on June, 22 2023. Brooke lives between Atlanta and Carmel, California with her husband and sons.

Catch Up With Brooke L. French: BrookeLFrench.com Goodreads BookBub – @brookelfrench Instagram – @brookelewisfrench Facebook – @brooke.l.french

 

 

.

.

Tour Participants:

Don’t miss out! Visit these other hosts for more great features!  

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Brooke L. French. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

.

 

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

The Savior by Christopher Flory ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: June 30, 2023 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller
Tags: , ,
15

.

I’m excited that THE SAVIOR by Christopher Flory is available now and that I get to share the news!

.

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

.

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

 ,

THE SAVIOR

 by Christopher Flory

 

 

.

Pub. Date: June 27, 2023

Publisher: Torchflame Books

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 260

.

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

.

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

,

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

.

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

.

“No,” Dodge answered.

.

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

.

“Did it work?”

.

“No.”

,

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

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

.

“What did you see next?”

.

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

 

About Christopher Flory:

.

 

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

Subscribe to Christopher’s newsletter!

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

 

 .

Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Bomb Blast ~ A Thriller by Solange Ritchie

Posted: June 21, 2023 in giveaways, thriller
Tags: , ,
5

.

Bomb Blast: A Thriller
by Solange Ritchie

 


Bomb Blast: A Thriller
Thriller
4th in Series
Middle River Press (February 24, 2023)
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 206 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1946886432
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1946886439
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BWZH8M65

In the fourth novel in the Dr. Catherine (Cat) Powers series, top FBI forensic pathologist and special agent Dr. Cat Powers is called as two Syrian-born bombers wreak havoc on “soft targets” in the United States.

Starting with the New York Stock Exchange, these bombers are intent on causing as much murder and mayhem as they can. As their bombing spree takes them cross-country, Cat is appointed the eyes and ears of the president of the United States. Teamed with Special Ops and bombing expert Sam Patterson, Cat must figure out who these bombers are, what their motives are, who is funding them, and ultimately, if they can be caught. As the bombings become more violent and deadly, Cat and Sam are in a race against time to catch these savage killers before they kill again.

Will they succeed or will the bombers avoid detection and escape?

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

FROM PROLOGUE:

 

March 13.

Conrad thought how well things had gone yesterday–both the

bombing and at his apartment. Saafia made him smile. They have

shared so many memories. Each time he was with her, it was like it was

new again. He didn’t love her, and yet he did, in his own way.

Conrad turned his attention to the things he must accomplish today.

It will be like yesterday.

Smooth as silk.

Listening to the sheer chaos yesterday felt good. It was familiar to

him. Growing up in Syria, he had grown used to chaos at an early age.

Sounds from explosions. The sound of funerals. The sounds of tears,

sorrow, and grief.

All music to my ears.

Now, just as when I was a boy.

Today, the air in New York was clear. This morning, the streets

were cluttered. In the financial district, people were going to work as if

everything was fine, but there was an unspoken feeling of fear on the

streets. Most people didn’t look him in the eye as he walked by. For

those that did, their faces were filled with anticipation of what the day

would hold.

Fear does funny things to people.

Conrad walked down Wall Street with a spring in his step, looking

like a young trader going into work. He had the photograph with him, as

he always did, tucked in his breast pocket. It was his talisman. A reminder

that what he was doing now was right and just. In his right hand, a burgundy

attaché case and over his left shoulder, slung a black computer bag.

Neither of these items seemed out of place, nor did they draw attention.

It was eleven forty-five in the morning as he strolled into a Subway

shop for a sub and soda. Soon, he was seated on one of the Exchange’s

steps, next to the statue of George Washington, taking in the

sights. Just after noon, the street in front of the NY Stock Exchange

—Wall Street—was filled with people. Secretaries, traders, lawyers, and

businessmen. Tourists found the façade of the famous exchange a fascinating

place. They stopped to take photos and videos posing with

the iconic Charging Bull Statue and newer Fearless Girl Statue. The

New York Stock Exchange Building was a symbol, a bastion of the free

world market economy. A symbol of capitalism in all its infinite glory.

No one figured today would be any different than any other day in the

financial district. They all thought at the end of the day, they would go

back to their simple suburban lives or apartments. Tourists would go

about their vacations, more sights to see.

Conrad knew it would be different.

Conrad closed his eyes, taking in the city’s sounds and smells before

he blew it all to hell. Chatter, laughter, horns honking, exhaust fumes

from traffic. New Yorkers on the move. As a young woman walked

by, he caught the slight scent of her perfume with a name he couldn’t

place. He finished his lunch. His work always made him hungry, but

more so today. He didn’t know why. But there didn’t have to be a reason

for the things that he did.

He took the black computer bag off his shoulder and placed it

next to the statute—at George Washington’s feet. Then, he placed the

attaché case leaning against the statute. He didn’t linger. With the remnants

of his lunch in hand, he walked away. Not at a fast clip. Just a

regular stroll. His long legs moved with confidence. He held his head

high. His chin up. Enjoying New York. His city.

No one noticed what he had left behind until they detonated in

unison.

The blast was even bigger than the one yesterday.

~~~~~

About Solange Ritchie

BORN ON THE BEAUTIFUL TROPICAL ISLAND of Jamaica to a Jamaican father and a French mother, Solange Ritchie (then Solange Levy) immigrated to the United States at age eleven. Since then, she has become a dynamic force for change. Fed up with thrillers that start with a fizzle and longing to see more powerful women as lead characters, Solange decided to create her own characters. Despite the demands of a busy legal career, she accomplished her ambitious goal by rising each morning to write before work, dedicating her weekends to writing, and even spending her vacation time writing. Solange is fortunate to have traveled to over 19 countries in her lifetime.

Words have always been Solange’s passion – now so more than ever.

Solange achieved a successful writing career while doing “last minute trial,” mostly in Southern California. Dubbed “the Case Saver,” Solange handled intense legal motions that either make or break a case, especially in the areas of business, labor, and employment law. In 2014, she received the State Bar of California’s Solo and Small Firm’s Section’s highest award, the Myer J. Sankary Attorney of the Year Award. It is given to only one attorney each year in California.

When Solange was just thirty-seven years old, her first husband, John, died due to gross medical negligence at a leading Southern California hospital. This life-altering experience helped shape her into the person she is today. She began writing creatively to deal with the stress of his hospitalization and his death.

Solange’s first psychological thriller, The Burning Man, featuring FBI forensic pathologist Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers was published in 2015. Her second novel in the series, Firestorm, was released to critical acclaim, on May 15, 2018. Dying Declaration is the third novel in the Dr. Catherine “Cat” Powers series. Bomb Blast is Solange’s fourth novel in the series. Solange plans at least two more books in the Dr. Catherine Powers series. A fan of things that go bump in the night, Solange has also penned a Southern Gothic novel called Fiona’s Box, which will be released shortly.

Solange lives in Southern Florida. She enjoys traveling, writing, gardening, time with her family, as well as good food and conversation. Solange is available for speaking engagements. She especially enjoys talking with book clubs. To receive her Sunday blog post, Notes from Solange, just go to her author website, www.solangeritchie.com, and leave your e-mail address. Nothing negative or political is ever posted. Her author website, www.authorsolange.com, includes a blog, reviews, recipes, events, and the latest on Solange’s adventures. Solange welcomes your comments, reviews, and suggestions, and invites you to contact her at:

Author website / Legal Website

  Facebook / LinkedIn / Solange Ritchie Twitter / Solange Author Twitter

Purchase Link – Amazon  

~~~~~

Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

TOUR PARTICIPANTS

June 19 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

June 20 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

June 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

June 21 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 22 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

June 23 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

June 24 – Indie Author Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 25 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 25 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

June 26 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 27 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT

June 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH EXCERPT

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Fateful Connections by Karen Charles ~ Review And Excerpt

Posted: June 20, 2023 in reviews, thriller
Tags: ,
1

Fateful Connections follows a group of four CEO’s as they gather for an executive conference in Seattle on September 11, 2001, attempting to reach home following the day’s catastrophic events, besieged by terrorists of a different kind…

 

 

 

Title: Fateful Connections

Author: Karen Charles

Publisher: BookBaby

Pages: 91

Genre: Thriller

 

Fateful Connections tells the story of four people brought together by the tragic events of 9/11 in the United States. These four individuals were attending a conference in Seattle, Washington, and found it nearly impossible to make it back to their homes, which were scattered across the country. They decide to rent a car and drive together, as they cannot get any flights home. As rental cars are also impossible to come upon, they find a friend who has access to a repossessed car, which he is willing to rent out. Unbeknownst to the friends, the rightful owner of the car wants his car back, and as they find out, hidden inside the car are drugs and guns. What ensues is a dangerous journey which impacts the four friends’ lives forever. The story follows them on their harrowing journey home, then one and two years later as they meet up for an annual reunion.

The strengths of this story are the easy-to-read narrative and compelling plot. The author introduces four intriguing main characters, as well as a number of antagonists, who hunt down the friends and engage in dangerous and illegal plans to not only recapture their guns and drugs, but also kill the friends so there are no witnesses to their illegal activities. The reader is instantly drawn into the storyline, and moves along with the characters as they experience fear, joy, love, and relief. The plot is compelling, and the reader cannot help but become invested in the lives of these four main characters.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41WDECT

.

MY REVIEW

This wasn’t a very long book so it was a quick read.  The thrilling plot made it even faster. Four ordinary businessmen, on a day that shocked everyone around the world, get tangled up with some nefarious criminals through no fault of their own. When they finally arrive home they think it’s all over. But, not so fast. They were followed.

I enjoyed Fateful Connections. I found myself connecting with the characters. Even connecting a bit with the big, bad wolf. Though I wasn’t pulling for him to succeed. This was indeed a thriller. There was a whirlwind of action. And what a crazy ending.

4 STARS

.

Book Excerpt  


President Bush was making another announcement. The Federal Aviation Administration had issued the first national ground stop in US history, prohibiting departures for all civilian aircraft. After the third hijacked plane struck the Pentagon, all aircraft were ordered to land at the nearest airport. Three and a half hours after the first plane hit, all US airspace was clear.

Suddenly, Ethan, who had been unusually quiet, jumped to his feet. “Our flights!” he yelled. “We don’t have any way to get home!”

The room was silent. “Maybe we could rent a car,” Harper suggested.

Henry sprang into action, calling every car rental agency in Seattle. Nothing was available. Dismayed, he sank into his chair. “What are we going to do now?”

After thoughtful silence, Owen spoke up. “I have a friend over on Yesler Way who repossesses cars. Maybe he might have an idea what we could do.”

Everyone agreed, hoping for a solution to their transportation dilemma. Ethan had to get home to San Jose, California; Owen to Santa Clarita, California; Harper to Phoenix, Arizona; and Henry to Austin, Texas. All of them, industry-leading CEOs of No. 1 ranked companies, had flown in to attend this elite executive conference.

Owen interrupted a conversation about the ramifications of air travel being halted. “My friend Jimmy says he has a car we can use. They don’t usually rent them, but in these unusual circumstances, he doesn’t see any problem. It was repossessed a while ago, so the guy has had lots of time to make up his payments. Jimmy said we can pick it up anytime.”

“Wait a minute,” objected Ethan. “Are you sure it’s legal?”

“We don’t have any other options,” confirmed Owen.

“Let’s pack, get some sleep, and leave in the morning,” instructed Henry, always the leader.

Jimmy had the car ready for them early the next day.

“What happens if that guy gets the money and comes back for his car?” asked Ethan, still worried about this being a smart idea.

“He’s probably got another set of wheels by now,” answered Jimmy. “Don’t think we’ll ever see his ugly face again!”

 

 

More…

 

 

 

About the Author

 

 

 

 

Karen Charles is a children’s book author and educator. She lives with her husband on a beautiful bay in Washington State. Her latest book is the thriller, Fateful Connections.

Website / Twitter

 

 

 

Sponsored By:

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Salt Island by Lisa Towles ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: May 12, 2023 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, suspense
Tags: , , ,
10
.
.

.

Salt Island

E&A Investigations Thriller Series Book 2

by Lisa Towles

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense

.

.

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

.

​What readers are saying:

.

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

– Prairies Book Reviews

​“An Intoxicating read, hugely entertaining”

– The Book Commentary​

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

– Midwest Book Review

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

– Literary Titan

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

– RECOMMENDED, The US Review of Books

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

– Reader’s Favorite

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

– Book Viral Reviews

.

Amazon * B&N * Goodreads

.

.
**Don’t miss Book 1!**
.

Hot House

E&A Investigations Book 1

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

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

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

What secrets was Sophie hiding?

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

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

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

Literary Titan Gold Award for Fiction

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

What readers are saying:

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

“Memorable characters make for a winsome, absorbing detective tale.” – Kirkus Reviews

“Towles does a fantastic job of pacing the storyline so that the reader hangs on to every clue… I recommend this for fans of crime fiction writers Baldacci, Slaughter, and Gardner.” San Francisco Book Review

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

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

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

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

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

“This meticulously constructed, remarkable mystery deftly explores people’s darkest flaws while revealing hard truths about the hidden workings of the world. A fast-paced and psychologically astute thriller.” Prairies Book Review

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

.

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

.

Lisa Towles is an award-winning, Amazon bestselling crime novelist and a passionate speaker on the topics of fiction writing, creativity, and Strategic Self Care. Lisa has nine crime novels in print with a new title, Salt Island, forthcoming in June of 2023. Her latest thriller, The Ridders, was an Amazon #2 Kindle Bestseller and won an American Fiction Award. Her psychological thriller, Hot House (June, 2022) was an Amazon #1 Bestseller (Kindle version) the first place Winner of the 2022 Book Fest Literary Award in Mystery & Crime. Her thriller Ninety-Five was released in November 2021 and won a Literary Titan Award for Fiction. Her 2019 thriller, The Unseen, was the Winner of the 2020 NYC Big Book Award in Crime Fiction, and a Finalist in the Thriller category of the Best Book Awards by American Book Fest. Her 2017 thriller, Choke, won a 2017 IPPY and a 2018 NYC Big Book Award for Thriller. Lisa is an active member and frequent panelist/speaker of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She has an MBA in IT Management and works full-time in the tech industry.

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

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

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Cover Reveal And Giveaway ~ Girl On Trial by Kathleen Fine

Posted: May 9, 2023 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, thriller
Tags: , ,
8

.

Today Kathleen Fine, CamCat Books, and Rockstar Book Tours are
revealing the cover for GIRL ON TRIAL, his new Urban Fantasy which releases October
24, 2023! Check out the awesome cover and enter the giveaway!

 

On to the reveal!

.

.

 

.

GIRL ON TRIAL

.

 by Kathleen Fine

.

Pub. Date: October 24, 2023

Publisher: CamCat Books

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 304

.

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Bookshop, Indigo, BAM 

 

Does doing one bad thing make you a
bad person?

.

Sixteen-year-old Emily Keller, known
by the media as Keller the Killer, is accused of causing the deaths of four
family members, including young children. Emily is one of the youngest females
to be accused of a crime so heinous, making this the nation’s biggest trial of
the year. But what really happened that fateful night―and who’s responsible―is
anything but straightforward.

.

Living in a trailer park in Baltimore
with her twin brother and alcoholic mother, Emily’s life hasn’t been easy.
She’s had to grow up fast, and like any teen, has made questionable decisions
in a desperate attempt to fit in with her peers. Will her mistakes amount to a
guilty verdict and a life in prison? It’s up to the jury to decide.

.

For readers who enjoy Luckiest
Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll, 13 Reasons Why by Jay
Asher, and One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus.

 

 

Enjoy this peek inside:

 

1

Trial Day 1: January 7, 2019

.

The alarm on Emily’s phone chimed just as Sophie whispered in
her ear, “Wake up, Emawee. Wake up.” She opened her eyes widely, her body
covered in sweat, her sheets soaked yet again. “Time to wake up.” She
heard Sophie’s whisper get farther away, humming distantly from somewhere in
her dreams.

From somewhere in her nightmares.

As she turned off the alarm, she tried to overlook the
numerous text messages that’d surfaced from numbers she didn’t recognize.

“Die, killer”

“You’ll pay in hell for what you did.”

“Murderer”

How can people I don’t even know want me dead?

With shaky hands, she deleted the texts as a CNN report
popped up on her screen, updating her on the “Trial of the Year,” that was
beginning that day:

CNN Breaking News

The Biggest Trial of the Year Begins Today, January 7, 2019.
Emily Keller, also known by the media as Keller the Killer, is accused of
causing the deaths of four family members, two of them small children. Only 16
years old, Emily is one of the youngest females to be accused of a crime so
heinous.

Emily buried her face in her pillow, taking a deep breath.
She tried to hold back the habitual tears that were creeping out from the
corners of her eyes. I have to be strong today; no crying, she told
herself as she rubbed her temples slowly. I need to put on my protective
armor, or I’ll never make it through today alive. She reached under her
mattress, grabbed her orange pill bottle and gave it a shake, the rattling
sound of the tablets comforting her. She poured two pills onto her clammy palm
and placed them gently on her tongue. Protective armor.

“Emily?” her brother, Nate, quietly inched open the bedroom
door, “You awake? It’s time to start getting ready for court.”

Without looking up at him, she nodded as she rolled out of
bed, trying not to think about how wrong the prosecution had the facts and how
she could be sent to prison because of it. As she attempted to walk toward the
door, her ankle monitor snagged on her lavender bedsheet. She yanked the sheet
off in frustration and dragged her feet to the bathroom to prepare for the
first day of her new life.

Debbie and Nate were already waiting for her in Debbie’s
rumbling Toyota Camry when she stepped out of the trailer.

“It’s your turn for shotgun.” Emily opened the door to the
backseat where Nate was already buckled in.

“You can take it today,” he muttered, avoiding eye contact
with her.

“I don’t need pity shotgun just because I’m on trial for
murder, Nate,” Emily replied curtly as she reluctantly sat down in the front
seat. As she buckled her seat belt, she already regretted scolding Nate for
doing something kind. I’ll apologize to him later, she told herself.
Nate had been up with her until three o’clock that morning, listening to her
cry and consoling her. I don’t deserve him, she thought, squeezing her
eyes shut.

She rolled down her window and took a deep breath of fresh
morning air as her mom lit a Virginia Slim, her hands trembling. “Morning vodka
shot hasn’t kicked in yet?” Emily muttered under her breath as she turned on
the radio. Or maybe one shot doesn’t cut it anymore, Emily thought.

“What hasn’t kicked in?” Debbie asked as she ashed her
cigarette into an empty coke can, oblivious to Emily’s disrespectful comment.

“Coffee hasn’t kicked in yet?” Emily corrected herself as she
investigated her face in the cracked side mirror of the car. The face staring
back at Emily was swollen from weeks of nonstop crying. Although she’d put on
some of her mom’s waterproof mascara, she still looked like someone had run her
over with a truck. You’re so repulsive, she thought as she tried to comb
her drab chestnut hair with her fingers, squinting at her image through the
cracked glass. She wanted to disappear. Sink down into the seat of the car and
disappear forever.

As she pinched her upper cheekbones to give her face some
color, she glanced at Nate through the corner of the broken mirror, hoping he couldn’t
tell she was staring at him through the mosaic lens. Since he had headphones in
his ears, she assumed he was listening to a news podcast about the trial. The
expression on his face looked like it was straining to stay calm, but she could
read his emotions no matter how hard he tried to hide them. When you shared a
womb with someone, you knew everything they were feeling.

There was actually supposed to be three of them. Her dad had
left when he’d found out Debbie was pregnant with triplets. He’d said since he
didn’t want one baby, he definitely didn’t want three. Emily used to sometimes
think about how different her life would’ve been if their other brother hadn’t
died at birth. Maybe he would’ve punched Tom Swanson for dumping her two years
ago since Nate didn’t do a thing about it. Maybe he would’ve taught Emily to
throw a football since Nate was anti-athletics.

Maybe he could’ve stopped Emily before she lost herself.
Maybe he could’ve stopped this whole situation. Maybe no one would have died.

“Valerie told us to meet her around back when I spoke to her
on the phone last night,” Emily directed her mom as they pulled up to the
courthouse. Debbie nodded as she navigated her ancient car around to the back
of the building, avoiding the crowd hovering at the entrance.

“Shit, look at all of the people,” Nate announced as he
stared at the crowd and cameras surrounding the front of the building. No one
seemed to notice their rickety car escape past the swell to the rear parking
lot. Maybe they were expecting some sort of official-looking black SUV like
you see in crime movies and not our pathetic piece of tin, Emily
speculated, thinking about how some seniors at her school owned nicer cars than
her mom’s. She peeked down at her gray dress and nervously picked little lint
balls off it as her mom parked the car.

“You look fine, Em,” Debbie insisted as she opened a mini
bottle of vodka from her purse and took a swig, “That dress looks lovely on
you.” Debbie had spent her tip money to buy Emily “new” thrift store clothes
for the trial. Emily was now pulling at a seam on the edge of the dress, making
it unravel.

As she waited for her mom to finish her shot, she felt around
for the phone in her purse to make sure it was turned off. She’d turn it on
later that night once her mom and Nate were sleeping so she could read through
her texts and the news in privacy. That way, if she cried, no one would see
her. Strong people don’t cry, she told herself.

 

 

About Kathleen Fine:

 

Kathleen
Fine received her Master’s in Reading Education from Towson University and
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from University of Maryland, College Park.
She is a member of the Maryland Writers Association, International Thriller
Writers, and Author’s Guild. When she’s not writing and selling real estate,
she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling to the Outer Banks, and of
course, reading anything she can get her hands on. She currently lives in
Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, three children, and Sussex Spaniel. Her
debut novel, Girl on Trial, will be released in the Fall of 2023. 

Sign up for Kathleen’s newsletter! (Scroll to the bottom of the page)

Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Goodreads
| BookBub

 

 

 

Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

 

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

Ends May 12th, midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Giveaway And Peek Inside ~ Stars Like Gasoline by Jessika Grewe Glover

Posted: April 25, 2023 in giveaways, thriller
Tags: , ,
2

 

Stars Like Gasoline

by Jessika Grewe Glover

 

Publication date: April 24th 2023
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Synopsis

When Celia, a Florida art curator, purchases the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiancé, the spirits threaten her life and her career. To rid the home of the malevolent ghosts, she enlists the help of her brother, Oscar, and Adrian, the best friend of Oscar’s late fiancé, who’d been killed as an Afghanistan veteran. The three are about to be thrown into a chasm of events involving a dead French artist, a Dutch aerospace heiress, and a missing Japanese painter who is presumed to be dead. Not to mention a stalker that begins to threaten Celia and Oscar.

The link between these events appears to be a hidden journal from the 1980s Celia discovers in the home, belonging to a dead, but revered French artist. As Adrian helps decipher the clues, an attraction burns between him and Celia, raising the stakes of the game someone is playing. A game that no one might make it out of alive.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

“The blisters hurt like the devil when the water hit them, and the open sores on my ankles were screaming demons at me. The night was the kind of heat the air conditioning doesn’t quite hold the upper hand over. Every window was fogged over with moisture. A 2019 Kikumoto painting with no title was a rare find indeed. If I could only get the release for the other piece I’d found, I could bet the gala would draw art dealers and patrons from much farther than our usual guests. Strange that the Cesar acquisition had come from Fort Pierce. While it had a small arts community, the town just south of us wasn’t known for the careful upper-middle-class and bourgeois lifestyle of Vero Beach. Maybe I was tired, but it felt like I was missing vital puzzle pieces here. An anonymous donation of a huge Cesar collection, Kikumotos appearing out of nowhere, seemingly belonging to no one, and a Cesar having once been in my house but now missing.

Cabinet doors slammed in the kitchen, and a thump preceded the sound of running water. I jumped in my seat, leaving my laptop open on the small writing desk, which sat facing the front window. Goosebumps ran a race up my legs and arms, chilling every inch of me. Clenched fingers opened and closed over my phone. Screw it. I texted Oscar.

Something is in here. Don’t call Adrian. If you’re already home, no worries. Just letting you know.

As I raised my eyes from the phone screen, a reflection caught in the fogged window. Silhouetted against the arcing bougainvillea was a man, standing directly behind me. The chair crashed to the floor as I stood like a jack-in-the-box. An icy touch reached out. I grabbed at the salt from the windowsill and tossed it at the shape, watching as the aberration in the room broke apart momentarily. A Spode Blue Italian salt bowl sat on the corner of the black spindle-legged desk. I cupped my fingers into the salt granules, pulled a handful, and spun in a quick circle, entrapping myself within the purported protection circle. I chanted an old Wiccan protection spell I’d found in an eighteenth-century grimoire in Boston and watched the spirit come closer and closer to the circle.

“Elements of Day,

Rays of Sun,

Hear what I say

“Goddess of Night,

Strength of Other,

Goddess of Light,

Protection of Mother.”

God only knows why I had that memorized when I’d only seen the piece a handful of times. The Catholic side of the family would be appalled by my use of a Wiccan spell, but La Madre María hadn’t been working so far. ”

Author Jessika Grewe Glover:

Jessika Grewe Glover is the author of Another Beast’s Skin, the first book in a contemporary fantasy trilogy. She grew up in Miami dreaming of magic and other realms in which to escape the heat. She currently resides in the Los Angeles area with her British expat husband, two kids, and the world’s fastest bulldog.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok

.

.

.

Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Sweet Whispers Of The Devil by Sierra Kay ~ Excerpt And Giveaway

Posted: April 5, 2023 in giveaways, Mytery/Thriller
Tags: , , ,
18
.
.

.

Sweet Whispers of the Devil

by Sierra Kay

Genre: Mystery, Psychological Thriller

.

Victoria Hill’s son is missing—her worst nightmare realized. A nightmare made even more terrifying because, he’s in the hands of her father, a bounty hunter intent on connecting with his relations regardless of their attempts to escape his grasp. While Victoria’s mother, Honey, had changed their identities and moved from place to place to stay safe, she couldn’t prevent Victoria’s own kidnapping. Instead, she was forced to sacrifice everything she had to keep Richard at bay.

Now Honey’s dead. And daddy’s come calling. Again. With the help of an ex-lover and his mother, it’s Victoria’s turn to make the decisions that could mend her family, save her son, or send Richard over the edge. One problem. The decisions could also force Victoria to change the game in a way that sends them all on a slide straight down into her father’s particular brand of hell.

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

.

.

Her son was gone.

Victoria Hill raced past the four-bedroom gray- and black-trimmed house, located in Naperville, Illinois, as fast as her well-worn, three-inch heels would allow.

She wished she had worn trainers today. She’d already split her pencil skirt rushing to get out of the car. Navigating the brick path leading to the two-bedroom guest house she rented, the familiar face of her best friend—whose light brown skin appeared even paler than usual–– stared back at her. The pain resonated in Antoine’s cinnamon eyes and punched her in the gut.

His stiff six-foot-tall stance was the opposite of his normal loose-limbed slouch. Maybe she’d misread his expression. Maybe any second he’d break out into laughter, and Luke would run from behind the maple tree. Maybe this was some cruel practical joke. Maybe. When ten-year-old Christian arrived home without his brother, who was a year older, Antoine sent her a text, “Luke made Chris drag home his backpack. Guess he decided to walk again.”

But after the time he should have arrived came and went, Antoine called. “Luke didn’t come home.”

“I’m on my way,” Tori responded. She sprang from her desk and shouted, “Family emergency,” as she ran out of the door.

The fifteen-minute drive home condensed into ten. Stop signs, to a worried parent, became merely places to pump the brakes and pray that no one dashed in front of a moving car. She arrived home, and her eyes zeroed in on the black picture frame Antoine clutched. As she came closer, the words “Daddy” appeared down the side, and the connection became clear. Her father, Richard, had given her a similar frame when she laid eyes on him for the first and last time. She froze. Her mind raced back nineteen years, when her father slithered into her life and shattered all sense of peace, like a bowling ball through a plate-glass window.

At the end of the next block, a tall shadow emerged, pausing her in her tracks. “You know who I am?”

The March sun obscured her view a bit, but squinting she could make out light brown eyes, light brown complexion, and sandy brown hair that matched her own. She saw that face in a frame on her bedside table every night before she closed her eyes to sleep.

“You’re my dad Richard. Mom said you died.”

He leaned back into a hearty laugh. “Wishful thinking on her part.”

.

.

Award-winning author Sierra Kay has an M.A. in Writing from DePaul University, won a Nuyorican Poets Cafe Short Story Slam, and participated in comedy fests as a member of the writing teams for Spankx, N20 Comedy and Suspicious Package. She loves writing poetry and suspense novels.

Obviously, she’ll try anything at least once. It’s a reaction to growing up with brothers that liberally challenged her at every turn. She’s seeking help, but would appreciate all friends and fans to abstain from using the words, “Double dog dare you.”

Her most recent novels, From Behind the Curtain, In the Midst of Fire, which was a 2017 Book Excellence Award Finalist for suspense, and At the Touch of Love are available online. Learn more at sierrakay.com

.

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

.

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

.

.

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Fade To Blue by Hank Scheer ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: March 31, 2023 in giveaways, Guest Post, thriller
Tags: , ,
4

 

 

Book Details:

​Book Title:  FADE TO BLUE by Hank Scheer
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  288 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher:  Top Reads Publishing
Release date:  Mar 2023
Formats Available for Review: print-softback (USA), and ebook (MOBI FILE (FOR KINDLE), EPUB, PDF).
Tour dates: Mar 14 to Apr 3, 2023
Content Rating: ​PG-13 for some bad language

“Fade to Blue kicks off with shocking twists and attention-grabbing characters. The ongoing discussions between cat and mouse are tense, especially as the lines between terrorists and anti-terrorists working undercover become blurred. The stakes are high but also personal—Marcel’s monologues, while not likely realistic, are a lot of fun. Filled with vivid characters and a fast moving plot, Scheer has written a winning page-turner.” -BookLife, Editor’s Pick
​
“Hank Scheer’s debut novel offers readers an engaging medical mystery, after which the plot becomes a swiftly paced thriller. Sarah is a capable and appealing protagonist, and a canny plot twist gives the narrative geopolitical heft and spurs interest in what might happen next.” – Kirkus Reviews

“The secondary cast is vibrant and varied; their personalities are distinctive, and their conversations have a charming effect. Sarah’s combative exchanges with René, a French inspector whose penchant for sarcasm matches hers, add particular color. And the well-described settings further flesh out and ground the otherwise dizzying, swift-moving story. Working toward an open-ended but triumphant conclusion, Fade to Blue is an exciting thriller in which a scientist tries to stay alive after creating a brain-destroying drug that others want.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews

“The strong characters, fast-paced action, and ethical dilemmas create thought-provoking reading suitable for book club discussion, contrasting nicely with other standout medical thriller genre reads.” – Midwest Book Review

.

MY REVIEW

Character driven stories are a favorite of mine and I really liked Sarah. I’m also a fan of suspense that builds in intensity and endings that aren’t clear and worry me about the outcome. In Fade To Blue I got all of that.

Sarah thought she was an ethical researcher and person. Not one to break the rules. But she gives in to temptation and that’s where the trouble really begins. The author showed me a clear picture of how this could happen to Sarah. Why she did what she did and thought the ends justified the means. But what comes next is something else entirely. This is where Sarah’s true colors show and she uses that talent for seeking answers to solve her own dilemma. I enjoyed how she thought out different scenarios, sometimes acting too quickly and trying again and again.

The opening scene had quite the hook and the plot rolled out quickly .I had to know how it ended and read the book straight through. A very satisfying ending and I’ll definitely be watching for more books by this author.

4 STARS

 

.

Book Description:

Will Dr. Brenalen’s unauthorized experiment lead to a cure for Alzheimer’s, or will it be used for bioterrorism?

Biotech researcher Sarah Brenalen is frustrated by her boss’s dismissal of her controversial theory, so she secretly injects lab mice with experimental Alzheimer’s drugs of her own design. Sarah is stunned when one of her experiments goes horribly wrong. But Marcel and his international cabal are intrigued. Sarah’s brain-destroying T-3 formulation could be just what they need.

Fade to Blue is a high-tech, fast-paced, cat-and-mouse game played for keeps. What Marcel didn’t count on is that two can play this game.

BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon ~ B&N
add to goodreads
.
Author Guest Post:
.

Fade to Blue trims down and gets a new ending

My first version of Fade to Blue featured a 37-year-old man who’s diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. I liked the eighty pages I’d written about him, but realized his saga was a diversion from the main story. I deleted his character altogether (a year’s worth of writing), came up with a new motivation for Dr. Sarah Brenalen to create an Alzheimer’s drug, and finished another version of my novel. It was time to solicit a critique.

I called author/editor Leslie Schwartz and asked her to give Fade to Blue a read. She agreed. I printed out the 327 pages, sent them to her, and waited with bated breath.

Leslie called me two weeks later.

“Did you like it?” I asked.

“When I finished reading it, I was so mad I threw the entire manuscript against a wall,” she replied.

I took that as a “no.”

“Sarah dies halfway through the book! And it has a dystopian ending. You can’t do that. She has to survive and beat the bastards.”

“Thrillers don’t require a happy ending,” I countered.
We debated for twenty minutes, neither of us budging an inch.

Just before ending the call, Leslie said, “I don’t understand why you hate Sarah.”

I was incredulous. “What are you talking about? I really like Sarah.”

“Then why do you want her to die?”

Her question shook me. I had no answer, and realized I didn’t want Sarah to die. “But . . . for her to survive and beat Marcel, I’ll have to rewrite a hundred and fifty pages of the book.”

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Do it!”

.

Meet Author Hank Scheer:

Hank Scheer’s writing journey began during a work break when a coworker said, “Hey, let’s write a short story.” They were working for a steel mill in Pittsburg, California, so brainstorming ideas became a fun way to pass the time.

At one point the following week, after the manufacturing process caused a computer to crash, Hank had his idea: an evil scientist creates a drug that destroys a person’s brain.

Now it was a simple matter of plotting the story and writing it. Fade to Blue is the result of three trips to Paris, France, and long weekends spent driving around the San Francisco Bay area.

It doesn’t involve steelmaking, but the science is just as real and the potential for trouble exponentially more terrifying.

Hank is now retired and lives in Martinez, California. He enjoys writing and recording music, world travel, biking, downhill skiing, and supporting other working people fighting for a better world.

connect with the author: website ~ goodreads

.
Giveaway contest ribbon promo label prize. Vector giveaway banner badge design template

FADE TO BLUE by Hank Scheer Book Tour Giveaway

 

~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Older Entries
Newer Entries