Posts Tagged ‘thriller’

Deadly When Disturbed By DM Barr ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: January 23, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, suspense, thriller
Tags: , ,
1

 

Deadly When Disturbed by DM Barr Banner

DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED
by DM Barr
January 13 – 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

 

Synopsis:

Deadly When Disturbed follows the journey of leading Realtor and philanthropist Dara Banks. When Dara searches for an assistant, finding someone as resourceful as Meryl “Merry” Rafter seems too good to be true. So good in fact, she neglects to run a reference check. Bad move. Before she knows it, Merry, a former “actress” trying to be “helpful,” has insinuated herself into Dara’s business, family, and charity, and may be the only person saving her from prison. Dara becomes suspicious and begins snooping into Merry’s past. Feeling cornered, Merry reciprocates by launching an investigation of her own and realizes—too late—that she may have picked the wrong mark to con. These women’s unsettling discoveries, and their desperate efforts to safeguard their skeleton-filled closets and fragile self-images, lead to an explosive confrontation certain to destroy the lives of everyone in their midst.

Praise for Deadly When Disturbed:

“Two women. Friends? Hardly. They’re both after the same thing. And as the stakes get higher, the mind games get uglier, until—well, I’m not going to give away the killer ending. D. M. Barr’s latest domestic thriller is a total rush. It’s like being back with Betty and Veronica all over again—only this ain’t high school, and these women (like the title says) are DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED.” ~ Marshall Karp, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the NYPD RED series

“Who’s the hunter and who’s the hunted in this taut domestic thriller? Don’t even try to guess. Just relax, enjoy, and hang on as DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED takes you on a wild ride.” ~ Brad Parks, international bestselling author of THE BOUNDARIES WE CROSS.

“Tense, well-written, and surprising—Liane Moriarty meets Gillian Flynn by way of John Lutz in D.M. Barr’s latest domestic thriller, DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED. Gaslighting and suburban intrigue abound in this carefully crafted tale, guaranteed to keep you in suspense all the way to the final chapter. Put this one at the top of your to-be-read pile!” ~ Richard Helms, Thriller, Macavity, and Shamus Awards winning author of 22 RUE MONTPARNASSE.

“DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED is a superb dark thriller that offers a brilliantly written bizarro take on the classic All About Eve. Shifts in reality and twists of the plot keep the reader on edge until the stunning and unexpected climax. Fasten your seatbelt and hang on. It’s a great ride.” ~ S. Lee Manning, award-winning author of TROJAN HORSE, NERVE ATTACK, BLOODY SOIL, and DEADLY CHOICE.

“DEADLY WHEN DISTURBED by D.M. Barr is a clever psychological thriller reminiscent of The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, updated for today’s culture and with a superior narrative.… With a steady and increasingly intense pace, [it] is a hypnotic read of insanity and wretchedness that will stay with you long after the last page.” ~ Gaius Konstantine for Readers’ Favorite

Deadly When Disturbed Trailer:

 

Book Details:

Genre: Domestic Suspense, Domestic Thriller

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: January 2025 Number of Pages: 310

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

.

MY REVIEW

Two female characters starring in a thriller. Sounds good to me.  So I dove in.

When Dara’s work load becomes too much for just her to handle, she searches for someone to help. She finds Merry, who quickly becomes indispensable. And then, like a leech, she gets under Dara’s skin, inserting herself into all aspects of her life.

Does this scenario sound familiar to you? It does, doesn’t it? But, the author puts an intriguing twist on this. Dara wants Merry gone. Merry wants to step into Dara’s shoes. So, in order for either of them to get what they want, they’ll have to get to know everything about each other. And, boy, does it get suspenseful when the closet doors are flung open and the skeleton’s that were hiding there are revealed.

Talk about an ending you won’t see coming. A humdinger, indeed. For me. For you. And probably for the two women who lived it in these pages.

4 STARS

.

Enjoy this peek inside:
Prologue
She stood at her dining room table and calmly fingered through the cardboard box, double-checking that the paperwork was in chronological order. Even now, no one could accuse Samantha Ellingsworth of being anything but organized and precise. For nearly forty years, it had been both a gift and a curse. First the letters from Harry, professing his incendiary ardor during their abbreviated law school courtship. The GIA certificate for the diamond, his glittering promise of passion extending through eternity. The deed to their Upper West side condo. A copy of her resignation from Davis & Milliken, where she’d been on the fast track to partner. The birth certificates for her daughter, dated a year later, and the surprise twins, ten years after that. Next, the children’s coveted acceptance letters from Harrison—Manhattan’s most elite private pre-school and elementary—followed by every one of the glowing report cards she’d worked with them so diligently to earn. Campaign flyers she’d created for Harry’s run for state senate. Her passport opened to the page containing the stamp from that fateful trip to Aruba. The letters she’d written, refuting everything he’d accused her of as lies—all unopened and marked “Return to Sender.” The prescription for Prozac, unfilled, as if any pharmaceutical could rescue her from this pit of depression. Finally, the divorce papers she’d received a few weeks ago, still unsigned. A lifetime of aspirations, misunderstandings, and betrayals, all encapsulated in a pile of paper less than an inch thick. She affixed the cover to the box and took a long, wistful look at the “perfect” apartment they’d been so ecstatic about buying, beating out several competing bids thanks to the lingering cachet of the Ellingsworth name and its clout in political circles. Confident that the condo was spotless, with everything in its place, Samantha slowly donned her hooded sheepskin coat, grabbed the box, and headed out. The elevator operator nodded as she entered, but Gloria from the floor above murmured a curt hello and diverted her gaze as they descended from the seventh floor. Samantha had grown used to the frostiness over the past few weeks. Did the other tenants fear it was catching, that they too might be abandoned by their spouse and children, their lives reduced to rubble, if they inched too close? Whatever. She trudged southbound through the early morning wintery mix; package still cradled to her chest like a newborn. Frigid raindrops grazed her eyelashes before cascading downward and stinging her cheeks as she passed the signs in Zabars’ windows, reminding patrons to purchase their Thanksgiving turkeys. The holiday was only days away. The irony did not escape her. Shivering as much from the weather as from what lay ahead, she descended the subway staircase at 72nd Street, pushing against the throngs headed toward the sidewalk. She had someplace to go too and nothing—not crowds nor apprehension—was going to delay her. Today was the day, a chance to have her say. Finally, she’d make him understand. Samantha ran her MetroCard through the turnstile and headed toward the stairway leading to the uptown train. She positioned herself as close as possible to the opening of the tunnel and stood by the edge of the platform, resummoning her fleeting courage as the crowds swelled behind her. Commuters too involved with their phones to notice the determined woman beside them whose breathing had quickened and whose face had grown hot. She hugged the box even tighter to her fidgeting body and waited. And waited. A collective sigh arose from the crowd as the loudspeaker announced that the next train was going out of service and wouldn’t be stopping. She saw the light in the distance and heard the clunk-de-clunk and whirl—a deafening gale descending onto the tracks, drowning out the murmur of the passengers. Her ride to the most important meeting of her life. And it was the number 2 train. How appropriate. Just like her, relegated from number one. Timing was everything, the oncoming gleam only yards away. She tightened her grasp on what was left of her world, recalling the face of the bitch who’d laughed as she’d stolen it all away. Then she took one last breath and jumped onto the tracks. *** Excerpt from Deadly When Disturbed by DM Barr. Copyright 2025 by DM Barr. Reproduced with permission from DM Barr. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Dawn M. Barclay:

.

DM Barr

Dawn M. Barclay is an award-winning author who writes psychological and romantic suspense as D.M. Barr and non-fiction under her own name. Her eight other published books include Expired Listings, Murder Worth the Weight, and Saving Grace: A Psychological Thriller. Along with Deadly When Disturbed, in February LBB will also publish the first of her multi-volume series, Vacations Can Be Murder: A True Crime Lover’s Travel Guide. Dawn recently completed her second stint co-editing a Sisters in Crime NY/Tri-state anthology. New York State of Crime, published by Down & Out Books in the fall of 2024, which includes her third published short story, “Orchestral Removals in the Dark.” She is currently editing an anthology of crime fiction for Down & Out Books inspired by the music of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Dawn offers developmental and copy editing through SuggestedDevelopment.com, and ghostwrites personal histories and corporate profiles through LegacyQuest.net. A member of ITW, she has served as president of Hudson Valley Scribes, vice president of Sisters in Crime-NY (still a board member), and the newsletter author/board member of the NY chapter of Mystery Writers of America.

Catch Up With DM Barr: www.DMBarr.com Goodreads – @DMBarr BookBub – @DMBarr Instagram – @AuthorDMBarr Threads – @AuthorDMBarr YouTube – @BarrSinister-m7u Bluesky – @AuthorDMBarr YouTube – @BarrSinister-m7u Facebook – @AuthorDMBarr TikTok – @AuthorDMBarr

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Don’t Miss Your Chance to Win! Enter Today!

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

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!  

 

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 Russian Orphan By Deede Blake ~ Author Interview And Giveaway

Posted: January 20, 2025 in giveaways, Interview, thriller
Tags: , ,
9

 

 

 

​The Russian Orphan: They Call Him the White Stallion (World Changers Book 1) by Deede Blake
Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  628 pages
Genre: Assassination Thrillers, Conspiracy, Espionage
Publisher: World Changers Publishing, LLC
Release date:  October 2023
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. Mild language, sex innuendos, mild violence. 

Book Description:

From the cold, haunting alleys of Russia’s orphanages to the grandeur of the Kremlin, The Russian Orphan: They Call Him the White Stallion unveils the enigmatic life of Commander Sergei Radkov. He’s not just any man; he’s a symbol, a force, a leader. Known as the White Stallion, Sergei’s journey from an abandoned child to the President of Russia is riddled with espionage, warfare, and undeniable charisma.

But beyond the shadows of Spetsnaz and the intrigue of the GRU lies a heart that yearns for connection. Enter Dr. Selena Frederick, a brilliant American physician.

Their unexpected romance isn’t just a tale of two hearts colliding, but a testament to the power of love in the face of geopolitics and looming danger.

  • A Tale of Power: Witness the rise of a boy from the depths of abandonment to the pinnacle of global influence.
  • Espionage & Action: Dive into the covert operations of Spetsnaz and the GRU, where every decision could be deadly.
  • Forbidden Romance: Amidst political turmoil, a heart-stopping romance between two unlikely souls blossoms. But at what cost?
  • World Changer: Join Sergei on his quest to reshape the world, battling internal demons and external threats, especially those that target his beloved Selena.

The stakes are high. The challenges, formidable. The passion, undeniable. Every page is a journey, every chapter an emotion. Do you dare to ride alongside the White Stallion?

BUY THE BOOK
Amazon ~ B&N
add to goodreads
;
INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR DEEDE BLAKE:
.

On writing: 

How did you do research for your book?

     Initially research began with reading and more reading. I read the full catalogs of all the Russian Greats. I think I might be the only person on the planet who’s actually read all three volumes of Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Then I moved to reading books on Russian history by folks like Robert Massey. Also, whatever I could find on Russian culture. I hit the internet when I needed to expand searches for information. Then I jumped on an airplane to Russia. Today, I’m writing two sequels, so I still read things like Patriot, the memoir by Alexei Navalny, prior to his death in prison as Putin’s opposition. I’ll be dedicating my next book, We Were Lost, to Navalny.

 Which was the hardest character to write? 

     I think trying to get Sergei right as the main protagonist was hardest. Especially with him coming from such a vastly different background than those living in the Western world.

As the easiest? 

     I think Ivan was the easiest in this novel. He was a quiet commando who didn’t talk much. He’ll be harder to define and more complicated in the sequels.

In your book you make a reference to….how did you come up with this idea?

     Actually, the idea of the book came from watching a documentary about Putin. I began to wonder what our world would be like if we had leaders who defined it differently. I didn’t know if I was up to the task of writing something like The Russian Orphan. It took me ten years, but today, I have a completed novel.

        What made you write a book about…?

     Like many Americans, I was beyond disgusted with American politics and media. So, I decided to create a character who was thrown into the political area as a patriot because of his country’s turmoil. Sergei Radkov is a solution driven guy who doesn’t miss a whole lot in the form of under currents in his nation and speaks truth to corruption.

       Where do you get inspiration for your stories?

     Anywhere. The first novel I ever wrote was called Tatesville. I didn’t publish it, but I wrote it in a couple of composition books by hand while in a hospital. My son was in a coma in PICU after a seizure. I heard a nurse’s shoes squeak as she was talking to a visitor across the hall. They were both saying they grew up near a town that I was familiar with. I changed the town’s name to Tatesville, add a little Peyton Place, and there you have it. A novel about southern American towns in the 1970’s and 80’s.

       There are many books out there about…What makes yours different? 

     Honestly, I don’t know of any books exactly like mine. Most novels about Russia that I’ve read are more in the spy genre. But who knows? Maybe there are some and they haven’t come across my reading list.

       What advice would you give budding writers? 

     I explain as best I can about the hardships of a novelist. However, I try to tell them what little I know about other writing markets. Everybody thinks they can write the all-American novel. If it’s in your soul to do so, then you must. It will take more dedication than you’ve given any other task in your life.

        Your book is set in Russia. Have you ever been there?

     Since I was still working full time as a licensed pharmacist, I could only go to do research for a month. I had to make it count and planned my itinerary very tightly. After more than forty years of service, I retired from pharmacy on Jan 1 of 2025.

        If you could put yourself as a character in your book, who would you be?  

    Well, who wouldn’t want to be the lovely Dr. Selena Frederick, a physician that the world can’t get enough of. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have her skill set, her charisma, nor her beauty. Most of us are frogs, and many of us have warts. Ribbit.

        Do you have another profession besides writing? 

     Yes, a licensed pharmacist working fulltime.

        How long have you been writing?

     Before I knew the alphabet. I loved to make up stories when I was very young. I was writing all sorts of stuff at a very young age. Singing a silly song was my way of processing my life experience.

        Do you ever get writer’s block? 

     Never.

       What helps you overcome it? 

     I think having so many diverse activities keep me away from writer’s block. It’s not unusual for me to wake up in the middle of the night from a deep sleep. Sometimes I’ll jot down a poem or write down the bones of a scene that I want in my current work, or even a future novel. Solutions literally come to me in my sleep.

       What is your next project? 

     I’ll write the next two sequels for the trilogy of World Changers. Then I’m going to recreate some old writings like Tatesville.  I have a few children’s books that I hope to bring to market. As well, I’m working on historical novels about my family’s experience in America since 1640. That’s probably a ten-year project.

       What genre do you write and why?

     As you can see, I have no genre. I write what is put into my head or laid upon my heart. Folks can call it what they like.

       What is the last great book you’ve read?

      Actually, I’m reading Patriot by Navalny for the second time. I’m in love with the guy.

       On rituals: Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack?

      When I immerse in writing, I like to close the world off. I once sat in a chair and didn’t move for 36 hours. My favorite snack is food. I barely notice it.

       Where do you write? 

     Usually, one of several places. On the balcony of my condo at Myrtle Beach. At the pier or on the beach in Ocean Isle, NC where my partner lives. I’ve made friends down on the pier with a dolphin named Beautiful, because that’s the only word I can speak when she comes by. But my favorite place is to go somewhere far away and shut the rest o

f the world down. No phone. No internet. No problems. Just create. I’m considering a few months in Zanzibar to finish We Were Lost.

       Do you write every day? 

     No, But I try.

       What is writing schedule? 

     Before I retired from pharmacy last week, I wrote mainly in the morning and worked at night as a pharmacist.

        Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time? In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper? 

     I write a lot of bones on paper. I keep a writing pad beside the bed. Then I start plugging it into my MAC. Then, I’ve written complete novels by hand, but that was before such things as home computers. I actually ended up putting Tatesville in my home computer and printed it out on a dot matrix printer.

        If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time?

     I have been a mom writer and full-time pharmacist. I wrote at night when the kids went to bed.

 Fun stuff:

        If you could go back in time, where would you go?

     That’s a fun and fanciful thought. I’ll have to think about that one.

        Favorite travel spot? 

      Anywhere with a beach. I love traveling the world and have found many great places. I love Edinburgh, Scotland. Anywhere in England is fantastic but I love London for all of the museums. Soon I’ll be going to Mongolia on the Russian border for research since Russia isn’t available to me. After all, I did knock off Putin in the second chapter. I hope to spend a few months in Africa soon, so stay tuned.

        Favorite dessert? 

     Put chocolate in it. I’ll like it.

        If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you? 

     Oh, man that’s cruel. But if you’re going to allow me three in my despair, let’s see. Definitely on of the Russian classics. One of the British classics. Then something like The Elephant’s Child by Kipling. Look I didn’t tell my parents what I wanted for Christmas until Christmas Eve when I was six years old. It was the new age of this thing called television and I was enchanted with all those boxes with those huge pretty bows on the Christmas commercials. All I wanted was a big box with a bow. My mom kept saying, “you’re not getting a box with a bow for Christmas.”
So on Christmas Eve, I decided I wanted a Chatty Cathy, a tea set, a table and chairs, and one of those new baker’s ovens. Just three books? Can you just put three good ones in a big box with a pretty bow?

.
       What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? 

     When I was pregnant with my first child my husband and I had gone out to eat with some friends at what was known in the south as a “fish camp”. So here goes Ms. Pregnant, having to pee. The bathroom was really a converted closet. The sink was outside of the toilet area. I literally had to back into the toilet area with my big stomach to sit on the toilet and close the door. I came out, and priss back to my table on the other side of the establishment. I looked up after sitting down and wondered why everybody in the whole place was laughing at me. Then I saw it. Yep, I had gotten the toilet paper stuck in my underwear and unrolled a Mega size Charmin on my way back to the table.

        The scariest? 

     The night my husband and I had to  do CPR on our son.

        The strangest?

      Many of those. Probably need to just put those in a big box and wrap them with a big bow as well.

        What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? 

     Not sure. But whatever it was, I’m sure I’d never talk about it. Just the way I was raised.

        Any hobbies? 

      Always writing. Counting the stars over the ocean. Wrapping Christmas presents with big bows. I mean, I make ridiculous art scenes on a package. Move over emerging TV.

        Name a quirky thing you like to do.

     Watch birds in the bird feeders at my partner’s house. Exciting right?

        If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be?

     I would want them to believe that I tried to find the tenderest fiber of human threads that bind us all together. That’s memorable.

.
.

Meet Author Deede Blake:

Graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy, Deede Blake distinguished herself early on by winning the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for humanitarian contributions and the Bristol Achievement Award.

Though rooted in science, Deede’s heart beats for storytelling. Her diverse portfolio boasts poems, songs, essays, and novels that echo her global adventures. The Russian Orphan, her riveting tale, is slated to become a TV mini-series, the first in the anticipated World Changer Trilogy.

As Deede crafts her sequels, she immerses herself in the cultures of Mongolia, Africa, and the Philippines to bring authentic depth to her tales. She’s also launching a clothing line, and writing music for the television screenplay.

When she’s not traversing uncharted terrains, Deede enjoys the comforts of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, with her two children and feline companions, and occasionally retreats to her partner’s abode in Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Dive into her world, where science meets boundless imagination.

Connect with the author: Website  ~ Facebook ​~ Goodreads

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

THE RUSSIAN ORPHAN by Deede Blake 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.

Cover Reveal And Giveaway ~ The Perfect One By Shelly M Patel

Posted: January 15, 2025 in Cover Reveal, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, suspense
Tags: , , , ,
0

 

THE PERFECT ONE
by Shelly M Patel
January 14, 2025 Cover Reveal

 

 

Synopsis:

Lyla and Jack seemed to have it all. A picture-perfect marriage, thriving careers, and a future brimming with promise. Lyla, an ambitious District Attorney, earned accolades in Virginia Beach, while Jack, the town’s steadfast sheriff, stood as her most powerful ally. Their close bond with the Davidsons—Riya, a celebrated author, and Brent, a cunning defense attorney—added a touch of warmth to their seemingly idyllic lives. But perfection is often a mirage. The illusion shatters when Brent Davidson is found savagely murdered at Lyla and Jack’s remote cabin. Suspicion immediately falls on Lyla, the last person to see him alive. The once-solid foundation of her life begins to crumble as whispers of guilt grow louder, threatening to destroy everything she holds dear. Removed from the investigation due to his connection to the suspect, Jack is forced to watch helplessly as the case is handed to Detective Aiden. Aiden is a relentless investigator with a personal vendetta against both Jack and Lyla. He is determined to see Lyla behind bars, no matter what the cost. When the body of Lyla’s stepfather—missing for fifteen years—is discovered, the investigation takes an even darker turn. Lyla is entangled in a web of lies, betrayals, and deadly secrets as her past collides violently with her present. With mounting evidence tying her to not one but two murders, she faces the terrifying possibility that she may never clear her name. Paranoia takes root, and Lyla and Jack begin questioning everyone, even each other. Is this the work of a bitter adversary from Lyla’s courtroom victories? Or is the actual threat lurking much closer—someone they once trusted implicitly, now bent on tearing their world apart? With her career, marriage, and freedom at stake, Lyla must race against time to untangle the twisted threads of deceit and unmask the real killer before it’s too late. How well do we truly know anyone?

 

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery, Thrillers, Suspense, Womens Fiction

Published by: Indie Scheduled Publication Date: March 21, 2025 Number of Pages: 269

 

About Author Shelly M. Patel:

.

Shelly M Patel

Shelly M. Patel enjoys writing mystery books. Her first Children’s book, Jake has Dyslexia, entered the Reader’s Choice award in 2021. In 2023, she won second place in CloutBooks for the Reader’s Choice Award for her novel When Secrets Kill. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, three beautiful children, and their dog, Teddy

Catch Up With Shelly: BooksByShelly.com Amazon Author Profile Goodreads BookBub – @shellymauthor Instagram – @shellympatel Threads – @shellympatel Facebook

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these sites to play along in the cover reveal and follow them for more reviews, excerpts, and release info for The Perfect One by Shelly M Patel! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

Don’t Miss Out! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Shelly M Patel. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!  

 

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.

Double Takedown by Kevin G. Chapman ~ Author Interview And Giveaway

Posted: January 10, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller
Tags: , , ,
13

.

What happens when a closed case cracks wide open?

.

Double Takedown

A Mike Stoneman Thriller #6

by Kevin G. Chapman

Genre: Mystery, Thriller

What if everything you thought you knew was wrong?

The glittering lights of Broadway are just a cover for the
dark secrets hidden behind the curtains. NYPD homicide detectives Mike Stoneman
and Jason Dickson are about to find out how many layers one story can have in
their latest case. As they prepare to testify in a high-profile murder trial,
they begin to question if they got it wrong. The Broadway director claims
evidence was planted to frame him and that Mike and Jason developed tunnel
vision. If they did, can they live with themselves, knowing that an innocent
man might be convicted . . . and that someone else got away with the perfect
crime?

With orders to stay away from the closed case, Mike and
Jason are plagued by doubts and can’t let it go. When new evidence leads to
even more questions, the detectives race to put the pieces together and uncover
the whole truth. But their unauthorized investigation could lead to
catastrophic collateral damage, could cost them their badges, and the director
may still be guilty.

For fans of intense crime thrillers and complex
characters, Double Takedown is a must-read.

What readers are saying:

“A fantastic story with delicious plotting! A crime
thriller that’s more than a cut above the rest.” ~Anna Willett, author of
the Cold Case Mysteries featuring Detective Inspector Veronika Pope.

 

“The sixth installment in the Mike Stoneman Mystery
series, Double Takedown is a mind-blowing and perfect detective mystery read.”
~Feathered Quill Reviews https://featheredquill.com/double-takedown/

 

“Mike and Jason are probably my two favourite detectives.
Their side stories with their wives and families enhance what is already sure
to be a great read. Another page-turner, you won’t put this down till the end,
I promise!” ~@Roxxisreading

 

“A compelling mixture of mystery, police procedural, and
thriller. I couldn’t put it down.” ~ Guy Wheatley author of From the Delta Mud.

 

“As a retired Homicide Investigator after thirty years,
trust me when I tell you that Double Takedown reads as real and as gritty as
any case that I ever worked. A mystery tour de force for the ages.” ~ Frederick
Douglass Reynolds, Award Winning author of Saint Bloodbath, and Black, White,
and Gray All Over. 

 

“In this gripping installment to the Mike Stoneman
detective series, we dive into the underbelly of the theatrical world where
drugs are routine and the line between accident and foul play blurs. I couldn’t
put it down.” ~Daniel V. Meier Jr., Award winning author of the Sam Adams
Investigator series.  

Amazon
* Audible
* B&N
* BookShop.org
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

.

.

FORTY-FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FIRST ACT of the ballet, Rachel pulled down her sparkling purple facemask and whispered into Jason’s ear, “What’s going on down there?”

They were seated in the next-to-last row of the orchestra level. At the front of the house, partially illuminated by the stage lights, someone was standing. Rachel could not see who it was, but could hear the buzz of people talking. Then, a woman’s scream attracted everyone’s attention. Necks strained to see. More people stood.

The music stopped in the middle of the piece. The performers continued dancing for several seconds on a silent stage. The conductor, standing on a raised podium so she could see the stage and the orchestra pit, turned toward the audience. She was talking into her headset microphone. There was another scream. Then the conductor’s voice boomed over the sound system.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please remain in your seats. We have a medical emergency in the front row. If there are any doctors in the house, we need assistance right away.”

Rachel’s EMT training kicked in before the conductor finished saying “emergency.” She leapt over Jason’s lap, then kicked off her heels as she sprinted barefoot down the long, sloping path toward the stage. Dozens of people began filming on their phones. Despite the conductor’s instruction, half the house seemed to be standing.

Mike jumped up as soon as he saw Rachel leave her seat. He grabbed Jason’s sleeve. “Let’s go, we need to work crowd control down there. Michelle, call 9-1-1.”

Jason and Mike were forty feet behind Rachel. When they reached the front of the theater, a small group of gawkers had already gathered in the aisle.

“NYPD! Please take your seats and keep this aisle clear for emergency services!” Jason shouted, his baritone carrying throughout the auditorium.

Mike gently eased several men in formalwear away from the space between the front row and the orchestra pit. Jason did the same. The two detectives took up positions on either side of the aisle, casting authoritative glares at anyone who seemed interested in venturing toward the commotion in front of the stage.

Jason glanced down the front row and saw Rachel’s bare back hunched over someone lying on the floor. The straps of her purple dress flashed in the house lights, which had come on. Rachel and two men worked together to drag a figure on the floor toward more open space. Jason saw black shoes and pants, but could not see the man’s face. An usher ran down the aisle, holding a small red case that Mike assumed was an automated external defibrillator. He dashed past the two cops and handed the device to Rachel, who had taken charge of the emergency situation.

Rachel barked instructions while prepping the AED, then administered an electric charge to the victim’s now-bare chest. On the elevated stage, twenty dancers leaned over the edge to watch.

One minute later, an actual EMT team barreled down the aisle with a gurney on wheels carrying their own equipment. Rachel remained on her knees, working on the supine man, while the two tuxedoed doctors stepped back. The public address system announced that there would be an intermission in the performance due to the medical emergency and asked everyone to calmly return to the lobby. As the crowd slowly rose and meandered to the exit, those still filming remained standing until Mike, Jason, and several ushers shouted them into submission and herded them toward the doors.

On the floor, the EMT crew loaded the unconscious man onto their gurney, then hustled out an emergency exit door at the left corner of the stage. As soon as the crew passed them, Jason and Mike rushed toward Rachel. Jason gently pulled her to a standing position. She hugged Jason in her bare feet as Mike stood back. Before Jason and Rachel disengaged, a tap on Mike’s back caused him to spin around. Michelle held out Rachel’s sparkling heels with a concerned expression.

“Don’t like following instructions, huh?” Mike said.

Michelle flashed a tiny smile. “I told the usher I’m a doctor and he let me stay.”

“Thanks,” Rachel said, slumping into a front-row seat and working to slide back into her shoes.

“Do you know who that was on the floor?” Michelle asked.

Rachel stood. “Oh my God. You couldn’t see, could you? It was Alex Bishop.”

“The lead in Godfather? He was just nominated for a Tony!” Michelle grabbed Mike’s sleeve.

“He was,” Rachel said, “but unless the EMT crew works a miracle, he won’t be there to win it.”

.

**Don’t miss the rest of the series!** 

Find them on Amazon! 

.

.

How did you get started writing this crime-thriller series? 

A long time ago, in the mid-90s, I wrote my first novel, which was a mystery starring a New York Private Investigator named Rick LaBlonde. It was fun and a good try at a first novel. But it was before Amazon and before self-publishing was really a thing. I put it aside in about 1996 when I couldn’t get any interest from a publisher. Then, in 2002, my wife told me that for our 20th wedding anniversary, she was going to pay to have the book published by a new company that had come into existence called Xlibris, which was a division of a big publishing house and which was an early “vanity publisher” that would essentially allow you to self-publish a book. In those days, you had to order a minimum number of copies for printing. It was a lovely present, and I still have a few copies of that first book left on my basement shelves.

But by then I had a new job and three kids and I didn’t do any more real writing for many years. Then in the mid-2000s (the aughts?) as my kids were getting older, I got the itch again and I started working on my version of The Great American Novel. It was very, very loosely based on some autobiographical events in my life, but was mostly pure fiction. It’s about a conservative Senator who has to confront his past and make hard decisions about his future. It’s about morality and politics and self-determination and identity. It’s a very serious book, but with some interesting characters and, I think, a compelling story line. It’s called A Legacy of One. It got some great reviews and some book award recognition, but didn’t sell. Part of that was my own lack of understanding about how marketing a self-published book, but it’s also because the subject matter isn’t particularly popular unless you’re already a well-known author or celebrity.

I spent 10 years off and on working on that and finally published it in 2016. When the dust cleared from that project, I decided I still wanted to write, but I needed to get into something more fun, less serious, and hopefully something more marketable. Along the way, in 2012, I had written a short story for a writing contest where the subject had to be crime or law. I had created a character named Mike Stoneman, an NYPD homicide detective. The short story, called Fool Me Twice won first prize in the contest. So, in 2016, I decided to take that character from the short story and work him up into a full-blown crime fiction novel. The short story is now available for free on Amazon and other sales platforms, and I included it as an extra feature at the end of the first book in the novel series, Righteous Assassin.

Can you describe your main characters?

Mike Stoneman is a veteran homicide detective in the New York Police Department.  In addition to being the senior detective on his team, he also teaches classes at the police academy and separate night classes for cops studying for the detectives exam.  His classes are on things like evidence handling, crime scene protocol, witness interrogation, and how to testify in court.  He typically gets assigned the new detectives so he can show them the ropes.  He likes that work – teaching the younger cops and passing down his wisdom.  He loves it when other cops come to him for his opinion on a tough case.

He’s also a Mets fan and likes classic rock music.  He wears plain slacks and sports jacket combos with non-descript ties and comfortable (old) shoes.  He’s not flashy – he’s not trying to impress anyone.  He’s just turned 50 and is a little overweight, but trying to work out more and get into better shape, especially since he has become romantically involved with Michelle McNeill, the county medical examiner.  But, he likes his pasta. He also appreciates a fine single-malt scotch.

Mike’s partner, Jason Dickson, is an African-American detective with a military background.  He’s young and smooth and confident – but a little too cocky sometimes for Mike’s liking.  There is some tension between them in book #1 (Righteous Assassin), but by book #2 (Deadly Enterprise) the partners fully have each other’s backs. In book #3 (Lethal Voyage), Jason takes more of the spotlight along with his girlfriend, Rachel Robinson. Their romance, which was briefly mentioned in book #2, becomes the emotional core of book #3. Then, in book #4 (Fatal Infraction), Jason decides to propose. In book #5 (Perilous Gambit), Jason and Rachel travel to Las Vegas to get married, with Mike and Michelle along as their friends and witnesses.

The dynamics between Mike and Jason and their relationship, as well as the relationship between Mike and Michelle and between Jason and Rachel, are the heart of the stories.

What makes them original?

Mike and Jason are both complex and “real” people.  Neither is a super hero who takes on multiple attackers barehanded or outthinks an evil mastermind, or smoothly seduces the female spy.  They are vulnerable and awkward and emotional.  Their comrades in the precinct are similarly “normal” people who banter and argue and yell.  They are very much New York-based people and I try to give an authentic feel to their surroundings and stories.  Mike’s status as the mentor and senior detective give him a unique persona and perspective.

The relationship between the middle-aged couple, Mike and Michelle, starts out slow and then settles into a very comfortable ongoing romance, but they deal with their own issues. Jason and Rachel are younger and the discussion about whether to get engaged is a big topic, along with what it means to be married to a cop – and what it means for Jason to be a cop and also a husband and father. They are murder mystery stories, but the characters draw the reader into a real world, not a big-budget movie fantasy.

What makes them tick? 

Mike is a very by-the-book guy for the most part, but we learn in all the stories that he’s willing to bend the rules when he feels that it’s necessary or justified.  He also is concerned about his relationship with Michelle and how to keep that going, without putting her in danger.  He’s also (surprisingly) concerned about Jason and his future and well-being.  So, he’s both a crusty jaded cop and a sensitive, concerned person.  He’s also now concerned about his own mortality and his own future to a degree that’s new to him, after 24 years on the force.

Jason has a chip on his shoulder about being a Black detective. He demands respect, although he comes to understand that he has to earn it. He’s also facing a cross-roads in his life where he must decide if he wants to be a career cop. He’s not sure he wants to be like Mike at age 50 – single. But, if he and Rachel get married, will he want to continue his rather dangerous occupation. And what if they have kids? Those questions are central to his story.

What is their biggest fear?

Now, Mike’s biggest fear is that something bad will happen to Michelle because of one of his investigations.  It nearly happened in “Righteous Assassin,” and it became an issue between them in “Deadly Enterprise.”  Unfortunately for Mike, there is more peril ahead for Michelle.

Is there a consistent bad guy in the books?

No. Each book has its own villains and challenges. Not every situation is clear-cut, which makes it fun. There is no super-villain who keeps coming back to terrorize the City. Each story is very unique. There is an organized crime family in New York – the Gallata family – that shows up a few times. And in Las Vegas there is a different organized crime boss named Freddy Costanzo, who has a link back to the Gallatas, but they are not consistent villains.

Can the books be read in any order?

Yes. Each book is a fully stand-alone story. I’ve had many readers pick up the series at each point and nobody has had any problems enjoying the books separately without having read the earlier ones. But, there is some development of the characters going on, and there are references in each book to events that happened in the earlier books. Some are necessary for later readers, and some are Easter eggs for readers who will get the “inside” jokes. There’s not much of that, but enough to make my audience happy. But they definitely can be read in any sequence. I would not recommend reading book #5 (Perilous Gambit) before reading the first four, since there will be some spoilers about what is going to happen to the man subplots.

What is Double Takedown about?

Two investigations that test the detectives’ sense of justice. In the spring of 2022, at their first big public event in the post-COVID times, Mike, Jason, Michelle, and Rachel attend a charity ballet gala at Lincoln Center. The ballet is more exciting than anyone wanted when a Broadway actor collapses and dies, despite Rachel’s EMT efforts to save him. It turns out that the actor was murdered. Mike and Jason investigate and quickly identify the director of the actor’s show (Godfather: The Musical) as a suspect. When they find incriminating evidence on the deleted files on the director’s laptop computer, the case wraps up quickly. The director is arrested and indicted for first degree murder.

More than a year later, the detectives are prepping with the prosecutor for their testimony at the murder trial. When an ex-cop PI tells Jason that the director is innocent, that the evidence was planted, and that the real killer got away with the perfect crime, nobody wants to hear about it. Least of all Mike and Jason. But the more they think about the PI’s information and the way the investigation played out, the more they worry that they might have developed tunnel vision and arrested the only suspect they ever truly looked at. When other evidence comes to light, they need to figure out how to find the real killer without violating ever rule in the cop book.

Meanwhile, a new body in a swanky apartment seems like a simple drug overdose, but the beautiful internet influencer might have been murdered. And there may be a connection between the new case and the Ballet Murder.

See what happens and how Mike and Jason walk a very thin line between duty and justice, in book #6 – Double Takedown.

If you and your character met in real life, do you think you’d get on?

Oh yes!  I have given Mike many character traits from my own backstory. We would definitely go to a Mets game together and then share a high-end single malt.  Mike’s a little younger than I, but we are both Boomers and share a lot of common experience.  I’m not a cop, but that wouldn’t stop us from being friends.

Who would you like to see play them if your books were made into a film or TV show?

In the movie version of Righteous Assassin, if it were made soon, Michael B. Jordan would play Jason.  For Mike, I think John C. Riley would be perfect.  Maybe Brad Pitt.  The casting director would have fun with the rest of the characters. I personally want Annaleigh Ashford to play Mrs. DiVito.

How many books do you have in the series so far?

Books 1-6 are now published and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook editions. I narrated the audiobooks myself.  That makes it a 6-book series plus two stand-alone mysteries (Dead Winner and The Other Murder) in just about six years. Not bad for somebody with a day job.

What’s in store for them next?

After a two-year lull in the story. Double Takedown picks up our characters in the spring of 2022, then jumps to the fall of 2023. Book #7 (tentatively titled Treacherous Hack) will follow-on immediately after the time setting of Double Takedown. Mike and Jason investigate a murder that draws them into an international data hacking ring, while Rachel branches out in her television news career, which creates some conflicts of interest. Book #7 should be out by the end of 2025.

 

C:\KGC\KGC Writing\MST #6 – Double Takedown\Double Takedown Marketing\Interview w Kevin G. Chapman – Mike Stoneman Series and DT.docx

.

 

 

Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and
employment law. In 2021, Kevin finished the first five books in the Mike
Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (Kindle Book Award
semi-finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal
Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE
finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year –
CLUE Award), and Perilous Gambit. In late 2022, Kevin published a
stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best
Suspense/Thriller of the year). Then, in 2024 came The Other Murder,
winner of the CLUE Award Grand Prize (best suspense/thriller of the
year) and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award. Now, in 2025, Mike
Stoneman is back in book #6, Double Takedown. Kevin is a resident of
Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University
School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.

Website * Facebook * FB Group * Twitter * Instagram  

Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Hardcover copy of Double Takedown (US only),

$20 Amazon giftcard – (WW) – 1 winner each!

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.

Lethal Impulse By Steve Rush ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 8, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance, suspense, thriller
Tags: , ,
23

.

Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for Lethal Impulse organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Steve Rush will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lethal Impulse

by Steve Rush

 

 

Genre: Crime Thriller / Romantic

Suspense

Synopsis

He’s riddled with guilt. She’s annoyed with the status quo.

The death of a crime boss’s daughter forces Detective Neil Caldera to leave NYC. He seeks refuge in the tranquil embrace of a small town, where he finds himself entangled in the labyrinth of a teenage girl’s murder.

Tess Fleishman’s pale skin and extreme weight loss portrays a disease she wants others to see. While inside, a compulsion for Neil fuels her passion to have him or destroy him.

As Neil delves into the heart of the town’s secrets, will truth deliver solace? Or will Tess prevail?

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Happenstance played no role in the display now before him. The artist’s rendition displayed evidence of a warped mind. Malevolence flaunted in the form of a portrait painted with blood.

Neil widened the beam of light with a left twist of the flashlight’s head. Shock jolted him. The likeness on the barn wall stared back at him with remarkable resemblance.

“Holy mother of Moses. I understand why you didn’t want to come back.”

Neil looked at the front and rear doors. Light from an approaching vehicle rose on the front of the barn. Gaps around the door allowed enough streaks of light through to make shadows look as if the light infused them with life. The vehicle continued onward. Every shadow around Neil returned to stationary ominous forms. He half-turned toward the front and listened. The whine of tires on pavement diminished. Silence again filled the barn.

The hinges squawked against Neil’s shove on the right-side door. Chad turned his head in Neil’s direction. He was sitting on the ground with his back to the weathered wood. Knees drawn up, arms wrapped around them and his right hand clamped on his left wrist.

“It’s you.” Chad shuddered, tilted his head toward the barn. “In there. The picture on the wall looks like you.”

Neil glanced inside. The image renewed in his mind. “Is that the reason you called me? To have me look at someone’s depravity smeared on a barn wall?”

Chad shook his head. “No, sir.”

“Then why?”

“I know what you did.”

~~~~~

About Author Steve Rush:

Steve Rush is an award-winning author whose experience includes tenure as homicide detective and chief forensic investigator for a national consulting firm. He worked with the late Joseph L. Burton, M.D, under whom he mastered his skills, and investigated many deaths alongside Dr. Jan Garavaglia of Dr. G: Medical Examiner fame. His specialties include crime scene reconstruction, injury causation, blood spatter analysis, occupant kinematics, and recovery of human skeletal remains.

Steve’s book Kill Your Characters; Crime Scene Tips for Writers was named finalist in the 2023 Silver Falchion Award for Best Nonfiction and Honorable Mention in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Awards. Lethal Impulse won the 2022 Public Safety Writing Association’s Writing Competition for an unpublished novel, longlisted in the 2022 Page Turner Awards and joint first prize in the 2020 Chillzee KiMo T-E-N Contest.

Publishing credits:

Kill Your Characters; Crime Scene Tips for Writers, Genius Books, June 2022
Blood Red Deceit, Wings ePress, (thriller) September 2023
After Her Deceit, Wings ePress, (thriller) October 2024
Lethal Impulse, The Wild Rose Press, (romantic suspense/crime thriller) October 2024
Upcoming 2025 releases:
The Shocking Truth (crime thriller) presale 02/15/25, and Deadline 4:59 (crime thriller), Wings ePress

Purchase links: Amazon / Wild Rose Press / B&N / iTunes / BooksAMillion

Author links: Website / LinkedIn / Substack / Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

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.

Voices From Beyond By Fran Lewis ~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: December 11, 2024 in giveaways, thriller
Tags: , ,
0

Voices from Beyond by Fran Lewis Banner

VOICES FROM BEYOND
by Fran Lewis
December 9-13, 2024 Book Blast

 

 

Synopsis:
As the book unfolds, each person you meet is given a chance to repent or suffer the mirror’s unique form of hideous justice. Be careful doing wrong because the mirror waits for you…

Here are seven stories that will bring chills down your spine and make you wonder: what lies behind the stones? Who lives here? Each voice you will hear has been silenced by the evil of others. Rosie and many others in the camps were tortured and enslaved, and not allowed to speak out at all. Bertha’s voice was never heard by her aunt, who used her for cooking, cleaning, and even servicing men for money. Next is a teacher who believed that children should be seen and not ever heard, and their opinions were off limits. Sarah Jones knew the secret that her cousin Benita was hiding, and what she had done to her mother. Sarah would bide her time and take on not only Benita but others, too. This is the story of how Sarah Jones decided to fight back. But did she succeed?

Finally, there are several who have wronged so many, and these last three remain behind stones that barely stand straight, where their names are engraved but covered with mud and soil so that no one will ever give them the honor of saying a prayer over them or mourning their deaths. These three come from different walks of life: one is a lawyer, another an accountant, and the third a judge. What are they guilty of? Read their stories as they tell them, and you decide if their fates were just or not, as they blackmailed and threatened so many whose voices, you’ll learn, were silenced in fear.

Within this world, many gain wealth by taking what belongs to others. There is a catch to this, as I will decide the fate of each person as they spend time in my special mirrors facing what they have done. If they show remorse, they have one fate. If not, they will belong to me!

Book Details:

Genre: Psychological Thriller

Published by: Royal Flush Publishing Publication Date: October 28, 2024 Number of Pages: 60 ASIN: B0D1QM7Y9Z

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

 

About Author Fran Lewis:

,

Fran Lewis

Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently, she is a member of Who’s Who of America’s Teachers and Who’s Who of America’s Executives from Cambridge.‬‬ ‬ Fran is the author of more than 14 titles including three children’s books. She has written several books on Alzheimer’s disease in order to honor her mom and help create more awareness for a cure. These include Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey; Ruth’s Story and Sharp as a Tack and Scrambled Eggs Which Describes Your Brain?. She also wrote A Daughter’s Promise about her walk through the disease with her mother. ‪Fran is the author of the Faces Behind the Stones series, a middle school series featuring stories growing up in the Bronx with her sister and MJ magazine. Voices from Beyond is her latest book which was preceded by Mirror Image, What If?, Population Zero, and Accusations.‬

Catch Up With Fran Lewis: Just Reviews Book Talk with Fran Lewis Radio Show Goodreads BookBub Instagram – @ferndine49 X – @franellena Facebook

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN:

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

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

 

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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Mindcraft – The Educational Singularity By Darryl Vidal

Posted: December 5, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, Science Fiction, thriller
Tags: , ,
10

 

MindCraft-The Educational Singularity

by Darryl Vidal

 

Publication date: December 10th 2024
Genres: Science Fiction, Thriller

Active gamer Justin Turner and his friends- avid climbers Drew and Jon, mystically-sensitive LilyBelle, experienced surfers Brad and Shaina, puzzle master April, and outdoorsman Lisa-are masters at MindCraft, a global virtual reality gaming phenomenon that immerses its users in incredibly realistic environments. When the MindCraft Corporation CEO announces the Global MindCraft Universe Challenge, where the winner would become a worldwide superstar, these eight friends, also known as the Digital Mavericks, are excited to push the boundaries of the virtual gaming experience to prove to themselves they are elite Mindcraftians-all of this while also representing the United States on the global stage and acting as influencers dedicated to fostering unity and inclusion.

But as the team participates in regional and national challenges on their way to the global championship, Justin finds a backdoor into the MindCraft database, accidentally discovering a sinister underbelly within the MindCraft Universe. The deeper he digs, the more he finds out that something-or someone-may be planning to use the MindCraft Global Challenge to enact a plan for world domination. As he continues to poke around, MindGuide, a new artificial intelligence setup as a chatbot in the MindCraft Universe, begins to target the Digital Mavericks with virtual manipulation and real-world threats.

Now, as the bridge between virtual and reality collapses, Justin must carefully unravel this nefarious scheme and protect those who are clueless to the impending danger, all before the Digital Mavericks-and the world as we know it-are defeated once and for all.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

—

Enjoy this peek inside:

A neon blue sky with puffy white cumuli-nimbus clouds provided the background for a grassy landscape speckled with pastel flowers. Eucalyptus trees lined the sides of some sort of football or soccer field. In the distance, hundreds of armored medieval warriors came thundering down the hills, shields and swords in hand.

They were storming toward a massive medieval castle of limestone and granite stretching across the near end of the playing field; a vast mote surrounding it. The massive walls stretched twenty to thirty feet high, which normally provided sanctuary from siege. But in this instance, a large hole had been blown through the castle walls with granite boulders, near the gates and bridge that secured entry into the castle.

A closer group of workers and warriors, commanded by the screaming artillery master and aided with oxen, moved giant catapults away from the castle walls to expose the holes for the armored warriors coming down the hill. Next, they started loading giant balls of pitch, a thick black tarry substance, to be set on fire and launched over the castle walls.

Justin Turner, in full VR regalia, used his hand controllers to assemble 3D blocks to repair the wall before the hordes of warriors arrived. The glow of the forty-two-inch curved gaming monitor cast an illuminating light on his determined expression. In the virtual realm of MindCraft, Justin went by the handle ByteMaster, due to countless strategic victories and an uncanny ability to outsmart opponents.

His hands flew around, directing the giant claw of the manipulator to replace the blocks that had been blown out of the wall. His hands wet with sweat slipped off the controls, causing the claw to falter and drop the building blocks needed to repair the wall and keep the castle secure from the approaching army.

“Mom!” Justin called out, not able to tear his eyes away from the screen. “Have you seen my lucky gaming gloves?” These would be the key to mastering the controls of the giant manipulator. But alas, he was running out of time—he had to go to school.

The foray into EduNex’s Curriculum base unfolded like a treasure trove of knowledge, offering a profound depth of data and information across every conceivable discipline and subject. In the core of his academic pilgrimage lay a technological marvel that wove the fabric of education and technology into an academic spider’s web—EduNex. The school’s Learning Management System stood as the bedrock of educational efficacy. A ubiquitous platform that boosts every student’s aptitude in every aspect of their learning experience.

EduNex wasn’t just an LMS; it was an educational ecosystem that had become the standard across all schools in the state. Its influence extended far beyond the confines of a traditional learning management system. When Justin navigated its intuitive VR interface, he often found himself immersed in a world where every nuance of the learning process was invisibly aided. It wasn’t a cheating platform—more of a virtual world book encyclopedia—without the book.

The scope of EduNex was staggering. It served as the central repository for student information—a digital canvas where class syllabi, schedules, grades, and academic reports coexisted. But it went further, seamlessly integrating the intricacies of remote and hybrid learning. Voice and video conferencing brought the classroom to life, transcending physical boundaries and fostering an environment where learning knew no limits and no borders.

Everything on EduNex is collaborative. Whether with peer students, teachers, subject- matter-experts, researchers, or anyone else with an Internet connection—every module within the EduNex suite offered the ability to collaborate.

Message boards buzzed with intellectual discourse, becoming virtual arenas where ideas were exchanged and discussions thrived. Document boards housed a treasure trove of resources, making information accessible at the click of the mouse. Homework submission and plagiarism checking became streamlined processes, integrated into the underpinnings of the system, enhancing the efficiency and integrity of the educational process.

Yet, the true marvel lied in EduNex’s adept utilization of artificial intelligence. Beyond the Adaptive Learning algorithms powering TarotTutor, Justin discovered that EduNex’s advanced AI wasn’t just a passive observer; it was a dynamic orchestrator, composing a symphony of personalized learning experiences for each student based not only on their stated interests, but also to tangential subjects and disciplines seemingly unrelated to academics and personal success. The system, virtual companions that enhanced and integrated disparate information bases, ensured a fusion of academic discourse and knowledge.

.

About Author Darryl Vidal:

Darryl Vidal has been consulting for schools implementing technology for over 20 years. His projects include district-wide implementations of VoIP, Wireless, Data Center Virtualization, and Video Security. His primary instructional focus for over 15 years has been the ever evolving technology classroom. Mr. Vidal has developed the formal strategic planning and project management methodology known as MapIT. He is currently Principal Consultant for Tier 4 Tech – Education Services and Sr. Project Manager.

 

.

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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Remembering Demons By J. Cornelius

Posted: December 2, 2024 in Dark Fantasy, Excerpt, giveaways, thriller
Tags: , , ,
0

 

Remembering Demons

J. Cornelius

 

(The God Cycle, #1)
Publication date: May 9th 2024
Genres: Adult, Dark Fantasy, Fantasy, Paranormal, Thriller

Have you ever wondered what lurks in the mirrors?

Daryl doesn’t have to wonder… he knows.
But why do they stalk him? Why can’t he remember anything?
It’s enough to drive a guy crazy!

Meanwhile, the eerie asylum seems to know more than an old pile of rock and mortar has any right to and his therapy is uncovering a blood-stained past of pain and death, alongside something dormant within him of disturbing power. When Dr. Walker teaches him how to face his demons, the psychoses and dreams conspire to warn him of something even worse stalking him. Something ancient and evil.

To survive, Daryl must confront the repressed memories that drove him insane.

For madness—is a blunt instrument.

This dark fantasy epic and paranormal thriller with a Shutter Island’esque vibe will have you questioning what is real. The story mixes dark and traditional fantasy with horror and science fiction elements to explore mental health, guilt, and a world where the physical realm of our experience blends seamlessly with the fantastical realm of monsters and gods. Perfect for fans of The Gunslinger, The Dresden Files, and the TV series Black Mirror.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

“Dad,” she said imploringly, “please don’t make me show you again.”

A shiver ran down his spine. “No, of course,” Daryl said quickly. “No need for that.”

“Why did you go?”

“I . . .” he halted, unsure. “I thought I could have both.”

“And then what happened?”

“I . . .” His mind blanked, and he looked out the window, petrified.

“You have to face this, it’s not—” The pitch of her voice rose in alarm. “The butter is burning!”

Daryl whipped around, depositing the smoking skillet at the back of the stove before cranking up the extractor hood.

“Thanks,” he said, about to turn back around.

The sound of small feet pattered across the floor, coming for him.

“This is not how it happened,” she said from right next to him, the accusation in her voice like a discordant note, slashing the air. He knew what was coming, fearing it with every fiber of his being. Still, her voice ignited a deep ache to turn around and hold her, but he knew that was impossible.

The smoke from the burned butter grew in intensity, and he looked down. The tabletop was beginning to char. Wisps of smoke were gently rising from the crack where the counter met the wall. She jumped onto the tabletop, bringing herself level with him, reaching out for him with arms starting to blister from the heat.

His vision was blurring, as if sweat was dripping into his eyes, and his mind reeled. She grabbed him, causing him to stumble and seize hold of the now smoldering counter.

“Dad,” she said softly.

He tried to resist, but she forcibly turned him around, facing her. Facing those terrible eyes . . . eyes which held the truth.

“No,” he muttered.

“Listen.”

“Please no,” he repeated meekly.

She leaned in as if to speak, but instead opened her mouth wide and screamed. It tore through everything, cutting at his very soul. He knew why she screamed. He knew . . . Daryl felt a sudden sharp pain in his mouth, followed by a jolt as the dream receded. His surroundings grew foggy, her face retreating down a well. The dream dwindling, dwindling, gone.

.

About Author J. Cornelius:

J. Cornelius is a medical researcher of pathogenic viruses by day and a writer of fantasy/sci-fi fiction by night. He is also: An equal responsibility father of three, a loving husband, an avid lover of many types of mountaineering, especially rock climbing and snowboarding, and a DIY maker of herb and fruit flavored spirits.

Sign up to his newsletter on his website to get a free copy of the God Cycle short story, ‘Catching Spiders’.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

 

.

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

.
Enter to win a paperback copy of Remembering Demons + a short story set in the same world

Enter here!

.

~~~~~

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.

Burn This Night by Alex Kenna ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: November 29, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, Mytery/Thriller, reviews
Tags: , , ,
1
BURN THIS NIGHT
by Alex Kenna
November 4 – December 6, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

.

 

Synopsis:
The Kate Myles Detective Series

 

Told in alternating timelines, this gripping mystery about a PI and her quest for answers is full of twists and turns, perfect for fans of Allison Brennan and Gytha Lodge.

Struggling private investigator Kate Myles is shattered to learn her late father isn’t her biological dad. She’s still reeling when she discovers that an unknown distant relative is the prime suspect in a decades-old murder investigation. Trying to convince her to take on the case for free, an old colleague recommends her as an investigator for a recent arson murder in the same small town.

After giving up on a failed acting career, Abby Coburn is starting over as a promising social work student. With her life on the right track, she’s determined to help her brother, Jacob, whose meth addiction triggered a psychotic break and descent into crime. But when Abby dies in a fire that kills two other people and destroys part of the town, the police immediately suspect Jacob.

As the Coburn family grapples with the tragedy, Kate begins unraveling the cold case but finds herself caught in the middle of an emotional minefield. Pretty soon, she discovers that this town is full of dark secrets, and as she comes closer and closer to figuring out the truth, Kate must solve both murders before she becomes the next victim.

Praise for Burn This Night:

“The twists keep coming in this devilish PI mystery . . . Lisa Unger fans will devour this.” ~ Publishers Weekly

“Solid, heartfelt spadework into an alarming range of graves.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“A true page turner . . . Full of twists, turns, and suspects.” ~ Book Review Crew

“Burn This Night is a fast-paced thriller that masterfully utilizes alternating perspectives to tell an absorbing, character-driven mystery. This is an electrifying read that had me engaged and on the edge of my seat until the very end!” ~ Elle Grawl, Amazon Charts bestselling author of One of Those Faces and What Still Burns

“An absorbing read told from multiple layered perspectives, Kenna ranges from finely observed domestic scenes to adept portrayals of grimy addicts living on the ragged edge. Burn This Night is smart and satisfying.” ~ Adam Plantinga, author of The Ascent

“Burn This Night is an utterly-absorbing mystery. Alex Kenna skillfully weaves a tale of two women who both face emotional and physical danger as they fight for truth and family love. Kenna masterfully draws the reader into the dark exploration of the secrets hidden in small towns and the depths some will go to hide the truth. With fiendishly smart dialogue, a captivating setting and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Burn This Night is absolutely fantastic!” ~ Elise Hart Kipness, author of Lights Out

“A dark, lyrical crime novel, Burn This Night weaves a complex and twisty spell about addiction, family ties, and how sins of the past can’t stay buried. Kate Myles is a great addition to LA’s canon of troubled PIs—real, flawed, smart, and very human—and I can’t wait to see what’s next for her.” ~ Halley Sutton, USA Today bestselling author of The Hurricane Blonde

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery/Thriller – Private Detective Published by: Crooked Lane Publication Date: November 12, 2024 Number of Pages: 256 ISBN: 9781639109371 (ISBN10: 1639109374) Series: Kate Myles private detective series, 2

Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Penguin Random House Books

.

MY REVIEW

You might think it would be confusing to read this story as it’s written in multiple points of view in two separate time lines. The author made it easy to follow. And her choice to tell the story this way was a good one. There are two crimes to solve. One recent and one cold. And many characters involved, whether as suspects, those connected to the victims, or the person who’s charged with solving both crimes. Getting separate points of view invites you to get to know the characters. Get to know what they are thinking. And this makes the story move forward and keeps you invested in the conclusion.

Kate Myles, a private investigator is hired to investigate an arson case which resulted in two people’s death. The brother of one of the victim’s is accused of the crime and she’s tasked with finding out whether the clues lead to his innocence or guilt. She’s also assigned a cold case that, while investigating, seems to point to a dark secret.

There is a lot going on in this book and I appreciated the slow build up. I was able to easily follow both time lines and the characters of each. And I liked having more than one mystery to solve. Did I guess who did it? Not the first time. The second time I tried? Nope. At the end? Again, nope and nope. But, I sure enjoyed getting to the answers.

4 STARS

 

.

Enjoy this peek inside:
PROLOGUE
Eight Months Ago—Grace

My eyes shot open when I heard the yelping. Barney was going to wake the baby. I dove toward the old dog, grabbed his snout, and held it closed with both hands. “Shh,” I pleaded.

I lowered one hand and rubbed Barney’s back, trying to calm him. He let out a whine, and like clockwork, Liam started to cry. I closed my eyes, sucked in a deep breath, and braced myself for another late-night nursing session. My body felt heavy with milk and stress and exhaustion.

Carefully, I scooped up the howling baby, carried him over to the rocking chair, and lifted my T shirt to feed him. Liam quieted down and nestled against me. I sniffed his hair and stroked his cheek as we rocked back and forth. Part of me wanted to stay like this all night. But a bigger part of me longed to be under the covers, passed out in a warm oblivion.

I heard the shower turn on down the hall. Ted must be back from serving his warrant. A few months ago, he’d gotten smart with a lieutenant, who then started feeding him late-night assignments. These frequent absences were brutal now that I was back from maternity leave and needed sleep to function at work.

Barney whined again and clawed at the bedroom door. Clutching Liam, I rose to let the dog out of the room.

I looked down at the baby, who was asleep and making little catlike snores. With slow, deliberate steps, I made my way toward the crib and lowered him until his back rested against the fabric. But the change in angle caused his eyes to open and his lungs to inflate. Then came the cry—and Barney ran back to the bedroom, joining Liam in a horrible wailing duet. I reached out toward the dog and felt wet fur. Damn it—Barney must have peed in the house. Hot tears ran down my cheeks. What I wouldn’t give for one night’s sleep.

The door opened and Ted walked in with a towel around his waist. “I need help,” I snapped. “What?” asked Ted, surprised by my tone. My eyes were closed, and I was crying. But Ted couldn’t see that in the dark. He just sensed the anger in my voice. I knew it wasn’t his fault that the baby wouldn’t sleep, that the dog couldn’t hold it, and that his boss was a jerk. But I’d reached my limit, and Ted was the only living being in earshot who understood human language. “Barney peed in the house. Take Liam so I can let the dog out before he does it again. Just try to get him back to sleep.” I placed the screaming, wriggling infant in Ted’s arms before either of them could protest. Flipping on the hall light, I made my way to the kitchen. Barney scampered ahead of me, spinning in circles. I threw on Ted’s faded hoodie. It reeked of old sweat, but I was too tired to care. I hooked Barney’s leash to his collar, and bracing myself for the cold, I unlocked the back door and stepped outside. The Santa Anas blew hard, and I shivered as cold air soaked through the hoodie’s weave. I could hear the Jeffrey pines rustle in the wind. Thrusting my hands into the central pocket, I rubbed them together for warmth. A smoky odor hung in the air—maybe the residue of a neighbor’s barbecue dinner. But the wind should have blown away the scent by now. Barney tugged at his leash. I let him drag me toward the street. Now that we were outside, he wouldn’t be satisfied without a walk, and it might clear my head as well. The sky was lighter than I’d expected. Idlewood doesn’t have streetlights. It’s a conscious decision to preserve the log-cabins-in-the-woods feel of the place. Darkness adds to the storybook charm, and it can be hard to find your way on moonless nights. But the sky had an orange-gray glow that reminded me of LA smog. Maybe it was later than I thought, almost morning. Barney tugged on his leash, half-dragging me up the road toward the intersection. He seemed agitated, and I wondered what had gotten into him. As we passed the Hernandez’s place, our footsteps activated the motion sensor, and the automatic light above their garage snapped on with an electric hum. I noticed something floating in the air. Tiny particles, like gray snow or dryer lint. The flecks danced in the air, and Barney snapped at one as it fluttered toward his jaws. The smell of smoke was growing stronger. Oh my god. Clutching Barney’s leash, I ran the rest of the way to the cross street, which cut straight to the mountain. High in the pines, I saw an orange glow—luminous against the dark sky. My vision tunneled, and all I could see was the fire on the hillside. The light was near Abby’s cabin. But I couldn’t tell how near. I grabbed my phone and scanned my recent calls, but it had been weeks since I’d spoken to my sister, and her name didn’t pop up. I pulled up my contact list and clicked on her name. After four rings, a cheerful recording prompted me to leave a message. Maybe she’s already fled. No, Abby would’ve called if she were awake. She might hate me, but she’d warn me about a wildfire. I called back, praying that her cell wasn’t on silent. Come on Abby, answer the phone. When I heard the prerecorded message again, I started to panic. I left a voicemail: “Abby, it’s Grace. There’s a fire by your cabin—you need to leave now!” The orange glow was getting bigger as the Santa Anas blew the flames toward Idlewood. It was how I’d always imagined an erupting volcano would look, with lava flowing down its sides. I called Abby a third time, cursing under my breath. Across the street, a door opened, and an old man stepped outside, holding a little white dog. “There’s a fire!” he shouted. I looked at him and then back at the mountain, ringing phone pressed against my ear. Dammit, Abby, pick up! “My son works at the fire station,” said the man. “They’re about to put out an alert. We have to evacuate. The whole town could burn.” “My sister’s cabin is on the hillside, and she’s not answering,” I shouted. “Can you call your son and tell him someone’s up there?” I heard a chime and looked down at my phone. It was a text from the fire department, ordering us to leave Idlewood. But my feet stayed planted. My sister was on that mountain, with nothing but a narrow dirt road leading down to safety. If the fire overtook the path, she’d be trapped. “Jeffrey, it’s Pop,” I heard the old man say. “There’s a lady here whose sister has a cabin near the fire.” Hearing those words unleashed a fresh wave of panic. Abby’s cheerful answering machine message sounded for a fifth time in my ear. “Abby, get out of there!” I screamed into the phone. “We have to go,” said the neighbor. “This thing could spread faster than they can contain it.” My phone chimed and I looked down at the screen, hoping to see Abby’s name, but it was a voicemail from Ted. Before I could call him back, a text flashed across my screen: FIRE—COME HOME NOW I looked back and forth from my screen to the mountain. My sister was up there. But my husband and son were at the house. I couldn’t wait any longer. I tugged at Barney’s leash and ran home. *** Excerpt from Burn This Night by Alex Kenna. Copyright 2024 by Alex Kenna. Reproduced with permission from Alex Kenna. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Alex Kenna:

,

Alex Kenna

Alex Kenna is a mystery writer, prosecutor, and amateur painter. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, son, and giant schnauzer. Alex’s first novel, WHAT MEETS THE EYE, was a 2023 Shamus Award Finalist for best first P.I. novel. Her second novel, BURN THIS NIGHT, is coming November 12, 2024.

Catch Up With Alex Kenna: www.AlexKenna.com Goodreads BookBub – @akenna Instagram – @alexkennabooks Twitter/X – @AlexKenna9 Facebook

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

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

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

 

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 Crushing by Kerry Peresta ~ Review And Giveaway

Posted: November 11, 2024 in Excerpt, reviews, suspense, thriller
Tags: , , ,
1

The Crushing by Kerry Peresta Banner

THE CRUSHING
by Kerry Peresta
October 21 – November 15, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

.

 

Synopsis:
OLIVIA CALLAHAN SUSPENSE

  The victim of a vicious assault six years ago that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, Olivia Callahan is now a private investigator with her own firm. The assault that almost took her life resulted in a spectacular metamorphosis. No longer the shy, passive introvert she once was, she’s become a driving and determined force. However, the lack of impulse control caused by her rewired brain causes her to run toward trouble instead of away from it. When Olivia sends her colleague, Sherry, to the Florida panhandle to find a missing friend, Hannah; the search takes Sherry into the dark heart of an abusive, hostage situation. The man Hannah married is cruel, dangerous, and well-connected. Olivia reels in her favorite cop—Sergeant Hunter Faraday—for a discreet assist, and it soon becomes clear that Hannah’s new husband is adept at waging war against anything that blocks his way.

While rescuing Hannah is Olivia’s primary goal, her incarcerated ex-husband has other plans. He’s collected friends who support his obsessive need to punish her for her role in his murder conviction, and a time bomb is ticking.

As Olivia and Sherry battle to save Hannah, try to neutralize the fiendish plan of an ex bent on revenge, and endure a terrifying race for their lives through the Florida wetlands; a final betrayal waits patiently in the dark. Smiling.

Praise for The Crushing:

“Fans of Frieda McFadden and Lisa Jewell will stay up past their bedtimes devouring the latest thriller from Kerry Peresta! Haunted by her abusive ex-husband, P.I. Olivia Callahan had better keep her friends close and her enemies closer. Now, if she could only tell them apart. When one of her best friends goes missing in a Florida swamp, the clock is ticking. The suspense winds tighter on every page!” ~ Kelly Oliver, author of the Jessica James Mysteries

“The tension in Kerry Peresta’s The Crushing is off the chain. Chilling! ‘I can beat this,’ the captive whispers from her locked room. ‘I will escape.’ Taut. Gripping. Engrossing. Highly recommended!” ~ Tracy Clark, award-winning author of the Cass Raines Chicago mysteries and the Detective Harriet Foster series.

“Rich details, a strong, character-driven plot, and enough snaky twists and turns to give you vertigo – this fourth entry in Kerry Peresta’s Olivia Callahan series will have you sweating bullets and turning pages like a tornado, leaving you as breathless as a mile sprinter. There’s nothing less simple than a simple missing-persons case, and there are far worse things than gators in the dark, dank Florida boonies. Don’t believe me? Read The Crushing.” ~ J.R. Sanders, Shamus Award winning author of the Nate Ross novels.

Book Details:

Genre: Thriller, Suspense

Published by: Level Best Books Publication Date: October 15, 2024 Number of Pages: 310 ISBN: 978-1-68512-770-1 Series: Olivia Callahan Suspense, Book Four

Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads | Level Best Books

.

MY REVIEW

After suffering a serious Brain injury six years ago, Olivia is back on her feet and running her own private investigations firm. She’s good at it and senses something is wrong when she can’t get in touch with her friend, Hannah. Along with her partner, Sherry, she sets out to find her missing friend. The way is fraught with danger but she’s not one to run away. She’s brave and a loyal friend. She’ll not stop until she finds Hannah.

Well, talk about suspenseful. This story is like a runaway train. The characters are so genuine, the good and the bad. And there’s not much down time to catch your breath. The plot powers along, and you’ll need to hang on for the ride.

Suspense, mystery, romance. This book has it all. And you get multiple points of view so you don’t miss a thing. Being the fourth book in the series, I do want to go back and start Olivia’s story from the beginning. She’s such an intriguing personality. What a thrill this was to read.

5 STARS

.

Enjoy this peek inside:
PROLOGUE

Sherry crammed the phone against her ear as she dashed through the thick undergrowth, trudged across boggy marshes, and arrived at a feeder stream.

“Olivia! Olivia?”

Nothing.

“Dammit!” she muttered, shoving her cell back into her pocket. She calculated that the nearest town rested fifteen miles down the highway out here in Florida-cracker country, and holing up until the shooter emerged seemed the best option.

She should’ve known there’d be no service out here.

Where did he go? She scraped mud off her face and rubbed her sunburned cheeks. He actually fired a weapon. On no planet had she ever thought this little trek would become a fight for her life, yet here she stood, hands glued to the trunk of a huge palm, eyes darting back and forth across the marshy, pancake-flat wastelands of inland Florida. Behind her lay a wide body of water surrounded by suspicious-looking marsh grass and, she suspected, alligators…and in front of her lay miles of marshland and bedraggled palms spearing the sky.

Why had she volunteered for this assignment, again? “I just had to get my investigator’s license,” she muttered. “Maybe I should’ve stayed put as Olivia’s assistant instead of private investigator. This isn’t quite how I envisioned the job.” She rubbed her calves. How long had she been running? Fifteen minutes? Twenty? An hour? Where was Olivia? The distant blast of gunfire reached her ears. A bullet sliced through the air and hit the tree she’d wrapped herself around, missing her hand by inches. Sherry felt her stomach freeze into a block of ice. Wiping the sweat from her eyes, she slid her hand to the paddle holster on her belt, gripped her Smith & Wesson revolver, and released the safety strap. Another crack of gunfire erupted closer this time. She swallowed, hard. A whoosh of air zipped past a mere twelve inches in front of her nose. Sherry dropped to the ground like a stone. The spikey bushes on the ground dug into her arms, her chest, her legs. She located a slight rise about ten feet away, and hastily low-crawled through the weeds on her stomach, edged to the top of the incline, and threw herself over the top. Breathing hard, she peeked out above the edge. The crack-crack-crack of shots fired caused her to dive for cover. She took a deep breath, wiped the sweat off her palms, and fired back a volley of her own. When silence fell, she relaxed against the incline and tugged out her phone. A signal! With fumbling fingers, she pressed in Olivia’s number. She waited through one ring, then two, before her call was answered. “Where are you?” Olivia’s anxious voice demanded. “Are you okay?” Tears of relief trailed down her cheeks. She rattled off a description of her location. Her gaze trained on the best-case origination of shots fired, she whispered, “Olivia! I found Hannah. She’s exhausted and weak, but I’ve got her.” Sherry listened to Olivia’s instructions. “Okay. I’ll meet you at the airport, but…wait. I hear something,” she whispered, and stuck the phone back in her pocket. She gripped her weapon with both hands. Minutes passed. Sherry tried to breathe. Something shuffled through the grass. Her eyes sliced left, right. The shuffling stopped. The hum of cicadas intensified. She swatted at mosquitoes. Sweat trickled down her face. Sherry adjusted her grip on her sidearm. She strained to hear more footsteps, but only heard the faint squawk of herons and hoot of owls. The setting sun left a red slash on the horizon. Bats dipped and swooped above her. She lowered her weapon, puzzled. Had one of her prior shots wounded her target? Taking her time, she rose from her niche behind the incline. A single shot burst from her adversary’s weapon and sizzled through the air. She cried out in pain. The bullet had nicked her, the sting of a monster wasp. She groped her waist with her free hand and lifted it away wet with blood. Rage rushed through her chest and down her arms. She planted her legs wide and emptied her weapon in the direction of the shooter. The phone in her pocket vibrated with a text as she reloaded. Another bullet clipped her in the shoulder. The sound of sirens wailed in the distance. She collapsed. *** Excerpt from The Crushing by Kerry Peresta. Copyright 2024 by Kerry Peresta. Reproduced with permission from Kerry Peresta. All rights reserved.

 

 

About Author Kerry Peresta:

.

Kerry Peresta

Kerry Peresta is a suspense novelist, and her releases include The Deadening, The Rising, The Torching, and The Crushing, books one-four in the Olivia Callahan Suspense series; and Back Before Dawn, a standalone thriller, all published by Level Best Books Publishing. Her magazine articles have appeared in Hilton Head’s Local Life Magazine, The Bluffton Breeze, Lady Lowcountry, and Island Events Magazine. She spent twenty-five years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, editor, and copywriter. She is past chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association and a current member and presenter of Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network, South Carolina Writers Association, Pat Conroy Literary Center, International Thriller Writers, and the Sisters in Crime organization. Kerry is the mother of four adult kids, a flock of grandkids, and three cats. She and her husband moved to Hilton Head Island in 2015.

Catch Up With Kerry Peresta: kerryperesta.com Goodreads BookBub – @kerryperesta Amazon Author Page Instagram – @kerryperesta Twitter/X – @kerryperesta Facebook Author Page Facebook Personal Page

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

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

 

Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

 

 

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.

Older Entries
Newer Entries