A Venomous Love by Chris Karlsen

 

 

A Venomous Love

by Chris Karlsen

Synopsis:

The killer whispered-“A pretty damsel...worth a pretty risk."

A veteran, Detective Rudyard Bloodstone has fought a brutal battle and witnessed war horrors that haunt his nightmares. Now one of those horrors has followed him home from Africa.

A vicious predator, the Cape cobra, can kill a man in thirty minutes. A suspect using the snake as a weapon in robberies is terrorizing London.

When the crimes escalate into murder, a victim’s daughter, Honoria Underhill, becomes the focus of the killer. After several attempts on her life, Scotland Yard threatens to take over the high profile case. With few leads to follow, Bloodstone and his partner must now fight department politics and catch the killer before Underhill becomes another murder victim.

Book Details:

Genre: Historical Suspense
Published by: Books to Go Now
Publication Date: February 28, 2020
Number of Pages: TBD
ISBN: 979-8600864139
Series: Bloodstone Series, #3
Purchase Links:

Amazon.com

Amazon.ca

Amazon.co.uk

BN.com

Kobo.com

Apple.com

Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Puzzled, Ruddy asked, “You say the body is still in the chapel? Couldn’t the nurse bring an exam table to put him on and start treatment?”
“She did. Young and I attempted to help but he suffered violent convulsions. Because the hospital is for children, they don’t have restraints. The head nurse instructed us to leave him back on the floor. She was afraid he’d fall off the table.”
“Makes sense.” The timeframe of Underhill’s death didn’t make sense. At minimum it usually took an hour and more often, hours for the venom to kill. A horrible thought occurred to Ruddy. What if it was a different suspect with a different lethal snake? “But he died while you were still here?”
“Yes. He convulsed brutally hard a few more times and an excessive amount of drool came out his mouth. Then he lost consciousness. A nurse put a blanket over him and a pillow under his head. He died as she was making him comfortable.”
“Strange. This is abnormally fast even for cobra venom.” Flanders stepped up on Ruddy’s right. “What is it, constable?”
“Shall I leave you to start my search?” Flanders asked.
“Yes. Collect anything, and I mean anything, you find that looks out of the ordinary,” Archie told him. “This case is so unusual we can’t be sure what is important and what isn’t.”
The nurse led them to the curtained-off bed. Honoria Underhill lay on her side softly sobbing. Her legs were curled up so she fit on the short bed meant for a child. The nurses had covered her with a blanket. When she saw Ruddy and Archie, she sat up and swung her legs down to the side of the bed.
“Yes. We know this is traumatic for you but we need to ask you to repeat what happened with as much detail as you can recall,” Ruddy told her.
“I understand.” Her shoulders trembled. She buried her fists in her skirt and kept her head down as she fought to control her emotions.
Ruddy brought the conversation back to the crime. “Did the suspect say anything when he attacked?”
“’A pretty little damsel, worth a pretty risk,’ he said as he rushed toward us. Then he leapt at me with the snake in hand inches from my face. Father pushed me out of the man’s reach and stepped between us. My father tried to knock the man’s hand away and swatted at the animal.”
She dabbed at her nose again and then offered the handkerchief back to Archie who waved off the return. “It happened so fast,” Honoria continued. “In the time it took me to blink, the snake’s throat blew outward, like a fan opening.” She demonstrated the action with her hands. “A second later it lunged and struck.”
***
Excerpt from A Venomous Love by Chris Karlsen. Copyright 2020 by Chris Karlsen. Reproduced with permission from Chris Karlsen. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.
My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.
I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream. I write three different series. My paranormal romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters. The newest is The Bloodstone Series, which is historical suspense with romantic elements. Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.
I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and four wild and crazy rescue dogs.

Catch Up With Chris Karlsen On:
ChrisKarlsen.com, Goodreads, BookBub, Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook!

Enter Now!!!:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Chris Karlsen. There will be Three (3) winners. One (1) winner will receive an Amazon.com Gift Card and Two (2) winners will each receive A Venomous Love by Chris Karlsen (eBook). The giveaway begins on April 1, 2020 and runs through May 2, 2020. Void where prohibited.

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Shakespeare Burning by Charisse Moritz

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charisse Moritz will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

He’s the boy who wants to disappear.

One mistake and seventeen-year-old Shake LeCasse lost everything. Now there’s no going back and no way to move forward. The once-popular Varsity hockey captain is living in the basement of a grandmother he barely knows, ditching school, avoiding friends and working hard on self-destruction.

She’s the girl nobody sees.

Cleo Lee survives however she can. Lie, cheat, steal, whatever it takes, and saving Mr. Popular isn’t part of the plan. Telling him the truth about the night that destroyed his life is downright dangerous. She needs to keep quiet, be smart and let the guy she’s been half in love with since middle school throw away a future she’d do anything to have. Too bad she sucks at playing it safe.

Read an Exclusive Excerpt

Why would she give me another chance?

I can’t come up with the last time I cared what a girl thought. Maybe never. But right now, I’m so nervous I’m chewing my thumbnail like it’s a competitive sport.

I don’t know how long Cleo works, so I wait. And sweat. It’s hot as balls outside, and I’m dying a slow painful death.

Leaning against the brick wall of a hardware store, I lurk in a narrow strip of shade. I’m not sure if I’m loitering, stalking, trespassing, or just plain creepy, but I grab more attention than Batman in drag. Apparently every car needs to slow down and confirm I am totally pussywhipped.

This is why I’ve kept to myself. Not the pussywhipped part. The part where I keep screwing Cleo over. Not literally screwing. If that were the case, you wouldn’t hear me complaining. But well, shit, I totally messed everything up.

Anyway, my point is … yes, there is a point. If I’m not making sense, blame my hangover. My points are about as sharp as a kindergartener’s crayon this morning. Right. The point, the point … Cleo doesn’t need to witness or participate in the shitshow I starred in last night. I am an ass. A moron. A lifeform lower than a worm. A selfish worm who deserves to be ripped in half by a pair of starving robins.

Yup. My teammates knocked some sense into me. But that’s not what has me taking a hard look at myself. The thought of Cleo going back to the yellow house, because I am too far up my own buttcrack to take care of her, is worse than an acid enema.

Cleo Lee actually needs me, looks at me with something besides pity, and I blew it. If I sucked any harder, I could vacuum the carpets. So why would she give me another chance?

About the Author:Emily Award Finalist and Melody Of Love Award Finalist, Charisse M Moritz divides her life between upstate NY and northern Florida. When not barricaded inside her writing cave or enjoying every possible minute with her husband and three kids, you’ll find her listening to 60’s music, singing offkey and looking for new reads.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19420257.Charisse_Moritz
Website: https://charissemoritz.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/charissemoritz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/charissemoritz

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Burning-Charisse-Moritz-ebook/dp/B07VWCXSQ2/

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False Light by Claudia Riess

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Claudia Riess will be awarding a $50 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawan winner via rafflecopter and a set of Art History Mystery Books, Stolen Light and False Light (US only) to three randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.

Academic sleuths Erika Shawn, art magazine editor, and Harrison Wheatley, a more seasoned art history professor, set out to tackle a brain teaser. This time the couple—married since their encounter in Stolen Light, first in the series—attempt to crack the long un-deciphered code of art forger Eric Hebborn (1934-1996), which promises to reveal the whereabouts of a number of his brilliant Old Master counterfeits. (Hebborn, in real life, was a mischievous sort, who had a fascination with letters and a love-hate relationship with art authenticators. I felt compelled to devise a puzzler on his behalf!) After publication of his memoir, Drawn to Trouble, published in 1991, he encrypts two copies with clues to the treasure hunt. On each of the title pages, he pens a tantalizing explanatory letter. One copy he sends to an art expert; the second, he releases into general circulation. The catch: both books are needed to decipher the code.

When the books are at last united 25 years later, Erik and Harrison are enlisted to help unearth their hidden messages. But when several research aides are brutally murdered, the academic challenge leads to far darker mysteries in the clandestine world of art crime. As the couple navigate this sinister world, both their courage under fire and the stability of their relationship are tested.

Read an Excerpt

“You must try a crostini,” came a vaguely familiar voice from above. Harrison looked up, surprised to encounter the striking figure of Aldo Fabbri pressing forward a fair young tray-bearer, his hand at the small of her back.

Harrison’s love fest with Florence was instantly tarnished. “Good to see you,” he said nevertheless, extending his hand to Aldo before plucking an hors d’oeuvre of bread and chicken liver pate from the waitress’s tray. “Come sit down,” he suggested with a near-genuine smile.

“Certamente,” said Aldo. “But first we must request the wine—from the Fabbri vineyard, of course.” Aldo turned to the waitress. “Per favore, a bottle of the Chianti Classico riserva,” he slickly commanded, with a proprietary ogle. “As you might recall,” he said, turning back to Harrison, “it’s our signature wine, made from the Sangiovese grape. This year’s crop”—he glanced heavenward—“supremo!” With a nod, he dismissed the waitress, then pulled out a chair.

“I didn’t see you at the conference,” Harrison said, trying not to recollect in vivid detail Aldo’s play for Erika’s affections at their encounter in Tuscany over a year ago. The seduction attempt had taken place when he and Erika had visited the Fabbri estate as part of their art recovery mission. Erika had not succumbed to Aldo’s efforts, but her moment of hesitation had caused Harrison great consternation. What a presumptive asshole! he silently hurled at himself. Erika had been in the initial stages of breaking free of her mistrust in men because of what she was beginning to see in Harrison, and he had not shown her the least bit of empathy in response. “The lecture hall was rather crowded,” he said, thrusting his attention to the subject at hand. “Perhaps you were hiding in the rear?”

“Alas, I arrived too late to attend the talks,” Aldo said, smoothing back his coal black mane.

He’s lost the golden highlights, Harrison realized. Gives the bastard a less flighty look.

“However, I did hear your talk on Gericault was admirable—ah, here’s our wine,” Aldo noted, at the waitress’s approach.

The wine was uncorked; the glasses filled; hearty samples downed; Harrison’s authentic praise begrudgingly delivered.

“To a successful book tour!” Aldo sang, raising his glass. “Salute!”

As they clicked glasses, Aldo cocked his head, as if at a sound in the distance. “I’m wondering. Whatever became of that woman you were with—Erika Shawn was her name, una donna molto bella e special! As I recall, a free spirit finding herself tethered to Puritanism, or merely conflicted by it. Either way, a pity.”

“Tethered to me, if you must know,” Harrison said, as coolly as his clenched jaw would allow. “As my wife.”

“Ah, lucky man to have tamed her!” Aldo looked about. “But where is she? Another toast is in order!”

“Back home, in New York. Working.”

“Yes?” Aldo gave him a bemused smile. “Quite a long tether, I’d say.”

About the Author:

Claudia Riess, a Vassar graduate, has worked in the editorial departments of The New Yorker and Holt, Rinehart, and Winston and has edited several art history monographs.

https://www.amazon.com/Claudia-Riess/e/B001KHYQK2
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3052782.Claudia_Riess
https://twitter.com/ClaudiaRiess
https://claudiariessbooks.com/
http://www.facebook.com/ClaudiaRiessBooks
https://www.pinterest.com/claudiariessbooks/
https://www.instagram.com/claudiariessbooks/

Buy the book for only $0.99.

https://www.amazon.com/False-Light-Art-History-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07ZPBRF2G

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Vengeance of Grimbald by Richard Hacker

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Richard Hacker will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Welcome to It's Raining Books. Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

Vengeance of Grimbald falls into slipstream—in my book, a combination of speculative, sci-fi, and historical fiction with a fantastic element. My novel edges toward science fiction with what appears to be time travel and yet uses the fantastical element of alchemical ink to transport a character’s consciousness into the mind of someone who has died in the past. It allows me to write speculative historical and future oriented fiction and it puts my characters in contexts similar to our world and yet slightly different. I have to admit that I’m a fan of this type of story that messes with your mind by breaking through barriers of time and space and mind.

What research (or world-building – for fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?

The story goes all over the world, past, present, and future such as ancient Egypt; 19th century Alexandria; WWII Belgium; an altered present-day Seattle and Tokelau Atoll in the Pacific; 1940’s Padang, West Sumatra; 17th century Delft, Dutch Republic; and Cromwell’s England. As the story in Book 2 unfolds the time continuum once again shifts, sometimes with subtle changes and sometimes with radical shifts in culture and technology. And my characters have to play on this multi-dimensional chessboard.

In VENGEANCE OF GRIMBALD, among other things, I visited the Washington D.C. for the scene in 1960’s Washington Monument. I read first-hand accounts of Spanish envoys to the the 14th century Mongal warlord, Tamerlane, and researched the Der Delftse Donderslag—when an ammunitions stockpile in the 1654 town of Delft in the Dutch Republic, exploded, destroy a quarter of the town and killing many of its inhabitants. I studied architecture, armor, armaments, cuisine, clothing, among other things from the 15th to the 20th century in the Middle East, Far East, Europe, South America, and North America. So, for example, when Nikki Babineaux inks into the mind of Oliver Cromwell, the buildings and rooms of Whitehall are based on my research of the buildings and surrounding grounds at the time. I found the setting for an alternate world Tempus Refugium portal in Tokelau, by using Google maps to search the Pacific for an isolated atoll. And I researched future thinking to create the speculative futures in the book.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

Courage and perseverance are not for the chosen few. Those are qualities all of us exercise in our lives. When life looks hopeless, when everything seems to be turned upside-down, the people who make a difference are not superheroes, but people like Addison and Jules, people like you and me, who persevere in spite of the odds.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I know folks who have to be in certain places or eating certain foods or drinking a double latte. I’ve made a conscious effort to write anywhere at any time. I suppose the quirk would be that I will write anywhere at any time. I’ve written on trains, planes, cars, buses; in coffee shops, restaurants, malls, churches, park benches, bathrooms, stadium stands; at all times of day and night. There’s a thing with urban sketching that you always carry a pencil and sketchbook with you so you’re always ready to draw. I try to keep the laptop close. You never know when an idea will come to you.

Are you a plotter or pantser?
,br> I’ve been both and I think it depends on the book. The Alchimeia books, because of the complexity of the plot and the depth of the historical elements, requires some structure and organization. Otherwise, I’d spend several hours just figuring out where I was before I sat down to write each time. The Nick Sibelius crime stories (Kill’t Dead or Worse, Buzzard Bait, All Hat No Cattle) were all written panster style. A sci fi novel I’ve been working on for a number of years started out panster, but then had to be plotted so the story would make some sense. LOL

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

My dear friend, Jazz. She’s 10 year old Springer Spaniel.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently working on the third book in the Alchimeia series—untitled at this point. And I’ve got another project I’ve worked on and off over several years, I mentioned above. It’s a humorous science fiction story along the lines of Tom Holt’s novels, called THE BIFURCATION OF DUNGSTEN CREASE. The initial draft with a different title was selected as best science fiction novel by the Texas Writers League way back in 2010. So, I’ve come back around to it and will publish this year. Hopefully, Book 3 of the Alchimeia will be out in 2021.

Do you have a question for our readers?

What’s the best thing you’ve read in the last twelve months? The book you couldn’t put down and will probably read again.

Thanks for having me on the blog. And thank you readers for being here! I hope you’ll check out DIE BACK and now book 2 of the Alchimeia, VENGEANCE OF GRIMBALD. Both are available on Amazon.

Addison and Jules, members of the League, a secret alchemist society of Inkers who protect the time continuum, believe they defeated their enemy, Cuthbert Grimwald, known to them as Kairos. When he resurfaces filled with vengeance, intent on destroying the League, and acquiring the Alchimeia, a book of such power the League has hidden it for millennia, Grimwald leaves a path of destruction across centuries. As he quests for absolute control of reality, Addison and Jules pursue him through time and death in a desperate struggle to save the world from his vengeance.

Read an Excerpt

The concussive force of the explosion scrambled the pod’s nav system, her pod, wobbling, flipping and twirling out of control. Jules fought to override the navigation controls, but the G-forces whipped her around viscously, her vision narrowing until she finally lost consciousness altogether.

Blackout.

With a start, she took in a deep breath, the ocean moving swiftly toward her. She reached for a manual control, something like a gaming control she once to use in a life that seemed so very far away. She pulled back on the stick, the water still rushing toward her.

“Come on. Come on, dammit.”

Without warning, the pod leveled out.

“Thank god.” Her heart pounded, but she took in another deep breath, grateful to survive. The moment didn’t last.

Like being caught in a Tilt-a-Whirl, the pod spun around as if top heavy, then crashed into the ocean like a stone skipping across a pond. Once, twice, three times, then hitting hard enough to submerge completely under the water. For a moment, disoriented, Jules sat frozen in place. Then survival instincts set in, holding fear back long enough to find a way out, a lever, a release button, something. She knew the pod was in motion, but she wasn’t sure in which direction–floating to the surface and light and life, or sinking to the bottom and darkness and death.

A sudden burst of morning light confirmed the former, the pod bobbing in the ocean. She scanned the surface. Addison. Come on, Addison. Where are you? But she couldn’t find another pod bobbing in the water. Meili had given her life to get them to Tokelau. Against her will she let the possibility enter her mind that Addison may have died as well. Rising and falling with the swells, Jules held her face in her hands and wept.

About the Author:

Richard Hacker, lives and writes in Seattle, Washington after living many years in Austin, Texas. In addition to the science fiction/fantasy novels of The Alchimeía Series, his crime novels ride the thin line between fact and fiction in Texas. Along the way, his writing has been recognized by the Writer’s League of Texas and the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. As a judge in literary contests shuch as PNWA and ChicLit, and as a freelance development editor, he enjoys the opportunity to work with other writers. In addition, he is the Sci-Fi/Fantasy editor for the Del Sol Review. DIE BACK was his first novel in the Alchimeia series.

Del Sol Press books by Richard Hacker are available at Amazon

The Alchimeía Series

DIEBACK: Book One
VENGEANCE OF GRIMBALD: Book Two

Other books by Richard Hacker:

Nick Sibelius Crime Series

KILL’T DEAD OR WORSE
BUZZARD BAIT
ALL HAT AND NO CATTLE

Follow the author at http://www.richardhacker.com
Or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RWHacker

Amazon buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Vengeance-Grimbald-Alchime%C3%ADa-Richard-Hacker/dp/0999842595/

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Flight Risk by Cara Putman

It's Raining Books welcomes Cara Putnam who is celebrating yesterday's release of Flight Risk. Enter the rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win a set of print books from the author.

Synopsis:

Bestselling author Cara Putman returns with a romantic legal thriller that will challenge the assumptions of truth tellers everywhere.

Savannah Daniels has worked hard to build her law practice, to surround herself with good friends, and to be the loyal aunt her troubled niece can always count on. But since her ex-husband’s betrayal, she has trouble trusting anyone.

Jett Glover’s father committed suicide over a false newspaper report that ruined his reputation. Now a fierce champion of truth, Jett is writing the story of his journalism career—an international sex-trafficking exposé that will bring down a celebrity baseball player and the men closest to him, including Savannah’s ex-husband.

When Jett’s story breaks, tragedy ensues. Then a commercial airline crashes, and one of Savannah’s clients is implicated in the crash. Men connected to the scandal, including her ex, begin to die amid mysterious circumstances, and Savannah’s niece becomes an unwitting target.

Against their better instincts, Jett and Savannah join ranks to sort the facts from fiction. But can Savannah trust the reporter who threw her life into chaos? And can Jett face the possibility that he’s made the biggest mistake of his life?

Book Details:

Genre: Political/Romantic Suspense
Published by: Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: April 7th 2020
Number of Pages: 336
ISBN: 078523327X (ISBN13: 9780785233275)
Series: This is a Stand Alone Novel
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

The conversation flowed over the antipasti course and into the pasta della casa. Every bite of Savannah’s manicotti alla fiorentina was wonderful, the ricotta and spinach blending perfectly. Just when she knew she couldn’t take another bite and get anything done afterward, thanks to the food coma, a waiter came out with a slice of cheesecake. Her mouth watered as she took in the raspberries atop the homemade delight. She put a hand on her stomach and then smiled. “I hope you brought fresh forks for everyone.”
The handsome waiter flashed a bright smile. “Whatever the birthday donna wishes is my command.” He gave a slight bow and turned away. A moment later when he returned, a fist of forks at the ready, his demeanor had changed.
Emilie watched him a moment. “What’s wrong, Antonio?”
“There has been a horrible accident. It is on the TV in the office.”
“What kind of accident?” Savannah leaned toward him. “Does it involve someone you know?”
“No.” The man shook his head, and not one of his dark hairs moved. Yet his eyes were weighted with sadness and the shadow of something more. “It is a plane. It looks bad.”
“Oh no.” The memory of a plane careening by as she looked out a courtroom window in downtown Washington, DC, years earlier flashed through her mind. Savannah fought a shudder as she withdrew a credit card from her phone case and placed it on the bill, only for Hayden to slide it back to her and replace it with her own.
“Thank you.”
Please let this be a terrible accident and not the beginning of another 9/11.
Jaime’s head was bowed over her phone as she clicked the screen. “Looks like an isolated crash.”
All Savannah could think was that Jaime should add so far to her sentence. “That’s what we all thought on 9/11 too.”
Then a second plane careened into the Twin Towers. She saw the plane that hit the Pentagon, and a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania, killing one of her fellow law students. She cleared her throat and stood, motioning the gals to join her.
“Let’s get back to work and see what we can learn.”
As they left her favorite restaurant, her phone buzzed and she paused to pull it out of her pocket. She glanced at the text message on the screen and her blood froze.
911. From Addy. Their emergency code.
***
Excerpt from Flight Risk by Cara Putman. Copyright 2020 by Cara Putman. Reproduced with permission from Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

Author Bio:

Cara Putman is the author of more than twenty-five legal thrillers, historical romances, and romantic suspense novels. She has won or been a finalist for honors including the ACFW Book of the Year and the Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Cara graduated high school at sixteen, college at twenty, completed her law degree at twenty-seven, and recently received her MBA. She is a practicing attorney, teaches undergraduate and graduate law courses at a Big Ten business school, and is a homeschooling mom of four. She lives with her husband and children in Indiana.

Visit her at:
CaraPutman.com, Goodreads, BookBub, Instagram, Twitter - @Cara_Putman, & Facebook - Cara.Putman!

Enter To Win!!!!:

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Cara Putman and Thomas Nelson. There will be 2 winners. Each winner will receive a set of three (3) print copies by Cara Putman. The giveaway begins on April 1, 2020 and runs through May 2, 2020. Open to U.S. addresses only. Void where prohibited.

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No Stone Unturned by Andrea Kane

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Partners in Crime Tours. Enter the Rafflecopter at the end of the post for a chance to win an Amazon gift card or a copy of the book.

WHAT IF YOU FOUND YOUR FRIEND DEAD AND FEARED YOU'D BE NEXT?

Jewelry designer Fiona McKay is working on her latest collection of Celtic-inspired jewelry. She's excited by the possibilities uncovered by Rose Flaherty, the antiquities dealer helping her research the heirloom tapestries inspiring her new collection. So when Rose calls to tell her she has answers, Fiona hurries to meet her. But her artistic world is shattered when she finds the lifeless body of the elderly woman.

Why would anyone kill such a harmless person? And what if Fiona had arrived just a few minutes earlier? Would she have been killed as well? Unnerved, she heads for her brother's Brooklyn apartment seeking advice and comfort.

Ryan McKay, Forensic Instincts' technology wiz is not amused by his little sister interrupting his evening with his girlfriend and co-worker, Claire Hedgleigh. But when Ryan and Claire hear the details of Rose's murder, they fear that Fiona could be next, and quickly assume the role of her protectors. What they're unaware of is how many people are desperately seeking the information now buried along with Rose.

A former IRA sniper. A traitorous killer who worked for the British. Two vicious adversaries taking their epic battle to America. A secret Irish hoard as the grand prize in a winner takes all fight to the death.


As the story woven into the tapestries passed down from McKay mother to daughter unravels, Forensic Instincts realizes that Fiona and her family are in grave danger. Together, the team must stay one step ahead of two rival assassins or risk Fiona's life and the McKay family tree.

Read an excerpt:

Slowly, Rose Flaherty made her way over to the front window of her Greenwich Village antique shop, leaning heavily on her cane as she did. Preoccupied with the ramifications of her research findings, she barely took note of the passersby on Bedford Street, most of them headed home for the evening. A few of them glanced in her window, their unpracticed eyes seeing none of the beauty attached to the treasure trove of antiques and antiquities, instead seeing only the dusty surfaces, the random pieces, and odd assortment of furnishings that bespoke unwanted junk from the past.

At seventy-nine years old, Rose had long ago stopped caring what people thought. She knew who and what she was. And she knew it was no accident that her established clientele, many of whom were wealthy and educated in the realm of ancient civilizations—including Egyptian, Etruscan, Roman, Byzantine, Greek, and her beloved Celtic—came to her for her expertise as well as her one-of-a-kind offerings. Her knowledge was vast, her list of contacts vaster still.

The levels of research she performed were always a labor of love. However, her current project was even more than that. It was a thrilling adventure, a fascination of possibilities that transcended anything she’d dealt with in the past.

She couldn’t wait to delve deeper.

Impatiently, she squinted at her watch, barely able to make out the hands without the aid of her glasses, which she’d left somewhere. Ah. Five fifteen. Forty-five minutes to go.

Given the magnitude of her findings, there was just one way to pass the time.

She limped her way over to her Chippendale desk, sliding open the bottom drawer and pulling out the bottle of rare, old Irish whiskey she kept on hand for special clients. It was sinfully expensive. How fortunate that one of her prominent clients, Niall Dempsey, was a wealthy real estate developer who also appreciated fine Irish whiskey and who had been kind enough to gift this to her.

She poured the whiskey into a glass, making sure to put out a second for her client. They certainly had something to toast to. She would just get a wee bit of a head start.

“Rose?” Glenna Robinson, Rose’s assistant, poked her head out of the back room. Glenna was studying archeology at NYU and thoroughly enjoyed her part-time job at the shop. The fragile, white-haired owner was an intellectual wonder. Learning from her was an honor—even if she was becoming a bit more absentminded as she neared eighty. Absentminded about everything except her work. In that precious realm, her mind was like a steel trap.

“Hmmm?” Rose lifted her lips from her glass and turned, initially surprised to see Glenna was still here. Ah, but it wasn’t yet five thirty, and Glenna never left before checking in, so she should have expected to see her shiny young face. Such was the level of Rose’s absorption with the task at hand. “Yes, dear?”

Glenna’s gaze flickered from the glass in Rose’s hand to its mate, sitting neatly beside the whiskey bottle on the desk. “Do you need me to stay late? You mentioned an evening appointment, obviously an important one… even if it’s not in the calendar.”

“It was last minute.” Rose smiled, giving a gentle wave of her hand. “There’s no need for you to stay. This is a meeting, not a transaction. If you’d just collect the mail and drop it off, you can go and enjoy your evening.”

Glenna smiled back, trying not to look as relieved as she felt. Her friends had invited her to join them for pizza and beer. After a long week, that was exactly what she needed. But she wouldn’t leave Rose in the lurch.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“Positive. Now run along.”

“Thank you. See you tomorrow afternoon.” Glenna blew Rose a kiss, then retraced her steps into the small back room—the business office, as she and Rose laughingly called it. It was barely larger than a closet, but it served its purpose. Glenna used it to answer phone calls, schedule appointments, email invoices, do reams of paperwork, and keep track of the countless Post-its Rose stuck on every inch of available surface space. She called it Glenna’s to-do list, but Glenna was well aware that the reminders were really for Rose, not for her. All part of Rose’s charm. The Post-it-spotted room contained a jam-packed file cabinet, a rusty metal desk, an on-its- last-legs photocopier, and a computer that Glenna had nicknamed Methuselah because it was older than time. Still, it was enough for their needs and Rose didn’t know how to use it anyway. That was part of Glenna’s job. She’d been doing it since she was sixteen, and she had no desire to go elsewhere.

She scooped up the stack of mail and was about to leave when she spotted a manila envelope propped up against the outbox with the name of the addressee penned on it in Rose’s neat hand. No street address. No postage.

Typical forgetful Rose.

Recognizing the client’s name, Glenna quickly scanned their contacts list, found the requisite address, printed it on a label that she adhered to the envelope, and carefully marked the parcel: hand cancel. She’d take care of the postage at the post office. Jimmy would move the process along. He was an efficient postal worker with a wild crush on her. She’d be in and out in a flash.

After tucking the envelope beneath the rest of the mail, she shut down Methuselah for the night, then grabbed her lightweight jacket and left the shop.

The tinkling sound of the bells over the door echoed behind her.

Twenty minutes later, they tinkled again.

Rose had been sitting in a chair midway in the shop, her back turned to the entrance as she sipped her whiskey and stared idly at the marble fireplace that stayed lit year-round to ward off dampness and mildew. Hearing the bells, she reached for her cane and came to her feet, surprised but delighted. Her client was early.

She turned, a greeting freezing on her lips.

It wasn’t a client who had come for her.

***
Excerpt from No Stone Unturned by Andrea Kane. Copyright 2019 by Andrea Kane. Reproduced with permission from Andrea Kane. All rights reserved.

About the Author:

Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of thirty novels, including sixteen psychological thrillers and fourteen historical romantic suspense titles. With her signature style, Kane creates unforgettable characters and confronts them with life-threatening danger. As a master of suspense, she weaves them into exciting, carefully-researched stories, pushing them to the edge―and keeping her readers up all night.

Kane’s first contemporary suspense thriller, RUN FOR YOUR LIFE, became an instant New York Times bestseller. She followed with a string of bestselling psychological thrillers including NO WAY OUT, TWISTED and DRAWN IN BLOOD.

Her latest in the highly successful Forensic Instincts series, NO STONE UNTURNED, showcases the dynamic, eclectic team of maverick investigators as they solve a seemingly impossible case while narrowly avoiding an enraged law enforcement frustrated over Forensic Instincts’ secretive and successful interference in a murder case. The first showcase of Forensic Instincts’ talents came with the New York Times bestseller, THE GIRL WHO DISAPPEARED TWICE, followed by THE LINE BETWEEN HERE AND GONE, THE STRANGER YOU KNOW, THE SILENCE THAT SPEAKS, THE MURDER THAT NEVER WAS, A FACE TO DIE FOR, and DEAD IN A WEEK.

Kane’s beloved historical romantic suspense novels include MY HEART’S DESIRE, SAMANTHA, ECHOES IN THE MIST, and WISHES IN THE WIND.

With a worldwide following of passionate readers, her books have been published in more than twenty languages. Kane lives in New Jersey with her husband and family. She’s an avid crossword puzzle solver and a diehard Yankees fan.

Catch Up With Andrea Kane: AndreaKane.com, Goodreads, Twitter, & Facebook!

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for Andrea Kane. There will be 6 winners for this tour. One winner will receive (1) Amazon.com Gift Card and 5 winners will receive No Stone Unturned by Andrea Kane (eBook). The giveaway begins on March 16, 2020 and runs through April 19, 2020. Void where prohibited.
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The Epic Fantasy Birthday Deal from Toni Cox

The Epic Fantasy Birthday Deal from Toni Cox 2nd to 8th April 2020

It is my birthday month and to celebrate I am putting my most popular series on special. Grab it between the 2nd and 8th of April 2020 and dive into some epic fantasy with elves, dragons, and magic to make you forget your quarantine blues.

Elemental Rising at $ 2.99 - $ 0.99
Elemental Betrayal at $ 3.99 - $ 1.99
Forbidden Elemental at $ 4.99 - $ 2.99

Trilogy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078MLMX83

ELEMENTAL RISING
*** The epic fantasy trilogy is now complete. Start your magical journey with Elemental Rising. ***

A threat older than time threatens the nation and only one can prevent annihilation.
All her life, elven princess Maia trained to become an Elemental - a Prime Elemental.
After completing her final test, life was supposed to return to normal and she was supposed to find her place in society as their new Prime.
Fate has other ideas.
A threat older than time is at the Gate of Grildor
An enemy fiercer than any they’ve faced before.
Grildor prepares for war, but the nation looks to Maia as their Prime Elemental to protect them.
Hiding her fears and insecurities, Maia prepares her dragon Midnight for battle. When the Omen of Death starts appearing to her, Maia is certain it’s a sign of their impending defeat.
Can Maia become the Prime Elemental her people need?
Find out now in this magical fantasy of an elven princess and the journey to become who she was meant to be. Toni Cox grabs you from the first page and takes you on a rollercoaster through a magical kingdom and the evil one princess must stop to save a nation.

“Cox has created characters; a world; a story that is Tolkien worthy. She has developed something unique and rich in imagination.” ~Sian B. Claven (Author of The Butcher books)

ELEMENTAL BETRAYAL
*** The epic fantasy trilogy is now complete. Continue your magical journey with Elemental Betrayal. ***

They claimed victory during the War of Greystone, but will magic be enough a second time?

Still reeling after the war of Greystone, the nation of Grildor spend the winter moons mourning. Maia is in despair because of their losses and the absence of Blaid, but her position as princess and Prime Elemental demands that she tour the country as ambassador. Accompanied by Riker, Maia travels to assure her people they are safe.

But things are not as they appear.

This time, Grildor has been betrayed by one of their own.

There is a traitor amongst them with a weapon more powerful than they could imagine.

With her nation weak and decimated, Maia must once again lead them to war.

Will Maia’s magic be enough this time?

Find out now in the second installment of the Elemental Series. Toni Cox takes things to the next level with unexpected twists and an enemy they never expected to face.

“Maia is an incredible character to follow. Toni Cox has managed to bring something new, exciting, and seriously addictive to the fore.” ~Robyn Victoria Castles (TBB) 

FORBIDDEN ELEMENTAL
*** The epic fantasy trilogy is now complete. Continue your magical journey in the exciting conclusion in Forbidden Elemental. ***

Twice they have won the battles at Greystone, but will the war ever be won?

Princess Maia is restless while the nation of Grildor tries to recover from the last battle they faced.

A strange whisper calls to her on the wind and she cannot find peace within the beautiful city of Shadow Hall.

The king worries that the Vampyres will strike as soon as the winter is over. While he prepares his armies, Maia steals away under cover of darkness, leaving everything she knows behind.

With her dragon, Midnight, Maia embarks on a journey to find the one person who might be able to help them win this war – Death. What she finds, is more than she bargained for, and to save her people, Maia must first lose herself.

Will Maia be able to make the sacrifice and return to Grildor in time before the enemy attacks again?

The third and final installment of the Elemental series takes you on a fast-paced magical adventure to learn the fate of Grildor. Will this be the war that ends the elven Kingdoms forever?

“I fell in love with this world and its characters and became utterly invested in their trials and tribulations. Toni Cox has a wonderfully rich imagination and brings Elveron and the Elves, and Midnight the dragon, to glorious life. Utterly entrancing.” ~Elaina J. Davidson (Author of the Lore of Sanctum Series)

Elemental Rising: https://www.amazon.com/Elemental-Rising-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B073XKRMF5
Elemental Betrayal: https://www.amazon.com/Elemental-Betrayal-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B073XL76NZ
Forbidden Elemental: https://www.amazon.com/Forbidden-Elemental-Trilogy-Book-ebook/dp/B07H74PHM5

About the Author:

Born in Germany in 1976, International Bestselling Author Toni Cox moved to South Africa in 1991. Although she has spent much of her working career in the timber wholesale business, she is also an accomplished horse rider, has a diploma in project management, photography, and nutrition, and has a passion for books and all things fantasy.

From a young age, her dream had always been to put her imagination into words. When she was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2013, she decided life is too short not to follow her dream. With the support of her husband and three children, she began writing book 1 of the Elemental Trilogy in January 2015.

Toni Cox writes Epic Fantasy, YA Fantasy, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Dystopian Fantasy, Paranormal Fantasy, and Dark Fantasy. She is a firm believer in dragons.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ToniCoxAuthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tonicoxelemental
BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/authors/toni-cox
WordPress: http://www.tonicoxelemental.wordpress.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/tonicoxauthor/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authortonicox
FB Group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/toniselementals
Website: http://www.tonicoxauthor.com
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/tonicox
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/tonicoxauthor
Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/tonicoxauthor/
Newsletter: https://www.tonicoxauthor.com/subscribe

Dog Town by Debbie L. Richardson

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Debbie L. Richardson will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Harry loves to race around the streets of Dog Town. When he stumbles upon the lost city of cats, he finds himself in a race against Dog Town’s fastest canine, Grizzly.

The winner of this race will have the power to save Cat World, or destroy it.

Harry wants to win, but there is one small problem. The race is in the ocean, and Harry is terribly afraid of water.

Can Harry overcome his fear of the water and save Cat Town?

Read an Excerpt

Harry spied the bell of the clock tower over the treetops. He heard the bell strike the first of twelve chimes.

“First place, here I come,” he whooped with delight.

“First to the finish line has to take a bath,” Fleabag shouted, right on his tail.

“Stop changing the rules, Fleabag,” he barked.

“At least we can tolerate a bath,” Junior cried out, though from further away.

Junior was talking about Harry’s phobia – called ablutophobia, a fear of water. Harry suffered terribly from it. He was even afraid to get too close to his water bowl in case it tipped over. And he never bathed. His brown coat could very well have been white underneath the dirt for all anyone knew.

He could see no point in bathing anyway, because he often rolled in something filthy afterwards.

Even now, the thought of water made Harry look up at the sky. Above was a wide expanse of blue without a cloud in sight. Just the way he liked it.

Sneaking a look behind him, he saw Junior trailing behind in third place. Junior’s attention was more on the traffic than on the race. But Fleabag, who was in second place, was gaining on him. She was competitive, probably more competitive than Harry, yet something other than competitiveness propelled Harry forward. Harry was the champion racer, and he’d been the champion racer for two years. He wasn’t about to quit and give up the title.

About the Author:

Debbie L. Richardson has published fiction novels as D L Richardson. She has published three young adults supernatural fiction novels, and science fiction and supernatural thrillers for adults. This is her first children’s book.

She was born in Dublin, Ireland and grew up in Australia. It was always crowded and noisy in the family home. At one stage there were also three dogs, a cat, a budgie, and three mice living with seven people the same house.

Debbie learned to find a quiet space within books.

She now lives in the south coast of New South Wales with her husband and a small dog named Teeka.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DogTownKidsbook
Website: http://www.dlrichardson.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Town-Debbie-L-Richardson-ebook/dp/B085466GS7/ref=sr_1_1
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dog-town-debbie-richardson/1136477371
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1005300

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Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Paddy Tyrrell will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five Things We Might Not Know About Paddy Tyrrell

While most parents like to show off their children’s graduation photos, my mother hid mine in the bottom of a drawer! It was taken in the late 60’s and my dress was so skimpy and the skirt so short that the weight of the graduation gown threatened to lift it up to a cheeky level. So I had to hold the gown down with one hand while clamping the other hand on the mortarboard to stop it slipping off my long hair. A couple of years ago my husband found the photo and now has it as his avatar!

I attended the premiere of the Rocky Horror Show which was held at midnight at the Royal Court Theatre in London and loved it but when I recommended it to an American colleague he and his wife were thoroughly shocked by the experience. The following year it premiered in Los Angeles but it took a good few years to achieve the cult status that the film version has now.

My dad was in a tank regiment in Europe towards the end of World War 2 and responsible for signals. I have the original radio text he received announcing that a representative of the German High Command had signed the unconditional surrender of all German land, sea and air forces in Europe. It’s an emotional read even today – it must have been overwhelming for the soldiers at that time.

I was checking out of a hotel in Cairo in the early hours of the morning when the building rocked and the chandeliers above me swayed. By the time I realized it wasn’t a hangover but an earthquake the danger was over but half the management team were in the foyer in their pajamas.

I’m writing this on International Women’s Day and it made me remember that when I started work I wasn’t paid as much as a man, couldn’t do the same jobs as a man and wasn’t allowed on the male career path. But later I became Vice-President of a world-wide hotel chain and when I retired was on the Board of a hotel technology company. How much life for women has changed but sadly we still have so far to go.

A generation designed by sorcery to destroy your people. Two races mired in conflict. Can a pair of outcasts unite them against an enemy who would enslave them all?

The birth of ‘bronzite’ babies in Lumina heralds the onset of war. The people take fright at the golden children and banish them from the land. A dangerous move. King Zheldar, commander of the black dragon, is attacking Luman borders. If he wins bronzite support for his army of monsters, Lumina is lost.

Davron Berates cannot share his people’s hatred of the children and, on discovering he has a bronzite brother, sets out to find him. At his side travels Chrystala. A bronzite, she has twice his strength and three times his determination.

When the black dragon kidnaps Chrystala, Davron is faced with a terrible choice: save his friend or save his nation.

Read an Excerpt

She ducked her head to protect herself – in the nick of time. Black clouds erupted from the dragonrock, awakened by their arrival. A host of vampire bats swooped in a blur upon the convoy, webbed fingers acting as wings. In their thousands, they streamed towards the Kuhlans. Courtiers and servants alike screamed in terror and ran for cover. The bats swarmed after them. They landed on heads and shoulders and hair, and clung with their claws. They spread their wings across the faces of their prey and blocked every orifice in a suffocating grip. The victims thrashed and struggled and gasped for breath. When their strength failed they collapsed onto the sand. With tiny teeth, sharp as spear points, the bats tore at Kuhlan skin and lapped up Kuhlan blood until they were satiated.

Salazai jumped down from Argentia and crouched against her flank, searching frantically for shelter. Bodies were strewn over the sand, and carts turned on their sides, dragged over by the horses in their panic to escape.

So that was how it would end. She would die here in the desert, her blood sucked dry. She shielded her face with her hands and peeked through her fingers, unable to stop herself from watching the slaughter. Lord Cantrek stood alone amidst the destruction and, arms outstretched, he chanted words of magic, his voice pounding the sands in time to the beat of her heart. Transfixed, she watched a twisting funnel of wind appear in answer to his call, sucking up sand and dust as it whirled over the desert.

About the Author

I was raised in Kent, the garden of England, and lived in an Oast House whose round rooms were once used for drying hops. Must be why I’ve enjoyed a drink ever since!

At university, I fell in love with medieval French writing, discovered The Gormenghast Trilogy, and became hooked on fantasy.

I have sailed down the Yangste, survived an earthquake in Cairo, and picnicked in the Serengeti. My travels for work and pleasure have inspired my fantasy world. I now live in France with a naughty Australian Labradoodle, a jealous cat and a squash mad husband. Our two huskies, Ice and Sapphire, are sadly now gone but are transformed into wolves and immortalised in my book. Lumina is my debut novel and the first in a trilogy.

The book is $0.99 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/LUMINA-Dragonlite-Legacy-Paddy-Tyrrell-ebook/dp/B0827TDXQM
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/LUMINA-Dragonlite-Legacy-Paddy-Tyrrell-ebook/dp/B0827TDXQM/
Amazon FR: https://www.amazon.fr/LUMINA-1-Dragonlite-Legacy-English-ebook/dp/B0827TDXQM/

Facebook: http://facebook.com/thedragonlitelegacy
Website: https://www.paddytyrrell.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paddyty
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paddy-Tyrrell/e/B08284GP1Q

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Diamond at Midnight by J.A. Jackson

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. J. A. Jackson will be awarding a $15 Amazon GC + 8 kindle versions of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Growing up on the mean streets of Chicago prepared Diamond Dunbar for almost anything. With her sights set on a college education, she’s ready to live the dream. Her boyfriend, Allen built his reputation on ruthlessness. After making a questionable business arrangement with Diamond, he pulls the rug right out from under her. Diamond finds herself in a hopeless situation. Caught in a train wreck of heartbreak and betrayal, she couldn’t believe this was happening to her. With her future on the line, enter, Max, he’s enthralled with Diamond. Diamond can’t resist the attention of Max. Yes, he’s tall, dark and handsome but can she trust him with her secret? Can Max help her navigate through her complicated world of secrets, lies, and betrayal? When trust is an option. Trust no one!

Read an Excerpt

Blame it on the drugs…

Ever since that night Cupcake had promised Allen, she’d help him, she regretted making him that promise. She’d also started to have a sense that something was basically wrong with Allen. She couldn’t believe he summoned her to meet him at this place.

A cloud of Chanel perfume floated on the air just as a woman walked up to Cupcake and placed her hand on her arm. “Welcome to my home,” she said, in a syrupy country drawl.

It took effort to conceal the shock of seeing Devine Corea. She was the daughter of a famous local sweet-talking criminal, Stanley Core, who was nicknamed “Stan, the main man,” her father had a reputation on the Southside of Chicago.The story went that her father had discovered that he had mistakenly sweet talked the fifteen-year-old virgin daughter of a brothel into bed with him? The girl had only been in the brothel to pick up the cash receipts. When she failed to bring them back to her father. He had sent out a searcher for her who had discovered the girl in bed with Stanley Corea. In that heated moment, Stanley was persuaded to marry Devine’s mother. Now standing in front of Cupcake was the offspring of that union.

Cupcake considered the woman standing in front of her. She knew her well. Devine was territorial. She ruled the Southside of Chicago when it came to gambling, prostitution and doing favors for powerful people. Devine was famous for the taking care of private matters. One thing about the women who worked for Devine. They were all considered a class act, and all were over eighteen. It was said you couldn’t work for Devine if you couldn’t produce your birth certificate to prove your age. Cupcake was glad she wasn’t into that career choice. Lap dancing and stripping but she wasn’t into selling her ass. She cleared her throat thankful for her career choices and said. “Hi Devine. I’m supposed to meet Allen here.”

Devine’s face lit up with an evil, conniving grin. “Yes, I know. When I heard, you were at the front door, I had to come greet you personally, Cupcake. I’d love to have you come dance for my guest, someday, soon.”

Devine’s house wasn’t a home, but a nightclub slashed drug-den, slashed house of prostitution. Anything you wanted could be brought there. If you had the money.

About the Author:

J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym for an author, who loves to write deliciously sultry adult romantic, suspenseful, entertaining novels with a unique twist. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home in the Northern California foothills.

J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym for an author, who loves to write deliciously sultry adult romantic, suspenseful, entertaining novels with a unique twist. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home in the Northern California foothills.

She spent over ten years working in the non-profit sector where she wrote grants, press releases and contributed many stories to their newsletter. She was their Newsletter editor for over ten years. She loves growing roses, a good pot of hot tea, chocolate, magical stories, suspense stories, ghost stories, and reading Jane Austen again and again in her past time.

Email Address: jerreecejackson@gmail.com or jerreecejackson@yahoo.com

Contact: Jerreece A. Jackson Author Pseudonym: J. A. Jackson
P.O. Box 1494
Clovis, CA 93613

Social Media:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jerreece
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jerreece-Ann-Jackson/204377496289139
Blog: http://jerreeceannjackson.blogspot.com
Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/jajackson
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jerreece1/boards/
Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/2d8305e6675a/jajacksonnewrelease
RSS: https://jerreeceannjackson.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default?alt=rss

Buy links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082CVSJVD
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B082CVSJVD
Amazon DE: https://www.amazon.de/dp/B082CVSJVD
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B082CVSJVD

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Learning to Bend by Michelle Davis

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Jenna Moore's flawlessly orchestrated life and engagement to Ben Kelly, “the perfect man,” vanish when she discovers a controlling side of her fiancé. Confused and unsure of who she is without Ben, Jenna decides to uproot from her safe, predictable life in Boston and move to Bend, Oregon, hoping to find her answers there. It’s when she meets Jackson, a former Navy SEAL who battles demons of his own, that Jenna finds the courage to let go of being perfect and embrace uncomfortable risks, transforming her life through forgiveness, compassion, surrender and acceptance. Yet the rewards from discovering her true self exceed Jenna’s expectations – not only does she find the greatest love of her life, but she also understands what’s kept her from learning to bend.

Read an Excerpt:

Twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four... one more, I think to myself, straining to finish the final pull-up. Twenty-five. Done. I then grab a thirty-five-pound kettlebell and begin the first of three sets of twenty swings. The clock on my nightstand says 4:41. I spend the next half-hour hammering my muscles with weights, knowing that is not the end of my morning workout – I still have a run. Welcome to my world. This is my daily practice, my religion. It’s the only stable aspect of my life. But I need it, crave it actually. It’s what helps me counter the nightmares and the pain.

It’s been over a year now. My thirty-four-year old body hasn’t physically changed since I left the SEALS. At six feet two, discipline and hard work have kept me at a steady weight of 197 pounds. In fact, my only variance from years of following the SEAL’s strict codes is that I grew out my hair. Now, it’s almost at my shoulders. I think letting it grow was symbolic at first, representing a departure from my former life as a Navy Commander. Yeah, those were the best years of my life. I loved what I did, and my guys were freakin’ awesome, totally dependable and loyal as dogs. But afterward, it was impossible to stay. I couldn’t trust myself.

About the Author:

Michelle Davis, whose career path includes banking, teaching, and college admissions consulting, holds a B.S. in Finance from Lehigh University and a M.S. in Education from St. Joseph’s University. Through her blog, elevate, Michelle’s goal is to inspire others to shift their perspectives and welcome change as they realize their life purpose. A Pennsylvania native, Michelle and her husband enjoy visiting their sons in Boston and spending time in Bend, Oregon, the settings of her debut novel, Learning to Bend. To learn more about Michelle and how to elevate your life, visit her website.

Website: https://www.michellemdavis.net
Book Website: https://www.learningtobend.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LearningtoBend
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michellemillerdavis/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Davis/e/B083ZLXBXS/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Bend-Michelle-Davis-ebook/dp/B083L5HM7G/
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-bend-michelle-m-davis/1136004857

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Paragon by Shauna Alderson

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Shauna Alderson will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stopson the tour.

Now that high school is over, Randi just wants to live her quiet life in her little town, but it doesn’t feel right without her friends there. Ever the daredevils, they’ve gone to seek adventure in the capital city of Grandin, and Randi can’t help but feel left behind. Not to mention she definitely can’t stop thinking about that kiss she and Eddy shared before he left.

When Randi discovers a mysterious mark on her skin that matches an illustration in “A Handbook on Paragonhood”, she’s thrown into a world of powerful gods and ancient magic that she thought only existed in the myths. She’ll have to step out of her comfort zone—and into the dangerous streets of Grandin—to find a way to protect herself and the people she loves.

Randi’s not the only one with a secret, though, and she finds herself questioning who she can trust. Randi will have to wrestle with what it means to be a Paragon and how far she’s willing to go to do what’s right.

With the fate of the world on the line, can she live up to being one of the chosen?

Read an Excerpt

Louis comes into view as I round the corner of the restaurant into the simple, well-kept yard. He's facing the other way, holding a wooden staff, not even wearing a coat. I'm about to call out and let him know I'm there, but before I can, he spins in a circle, extending the stick as gracefully as if it were a part of his arm. His movements are soft and flowing as he twists around a large cobbled circle in the middle of the yard. It looks like a gentle dance, but it's evident from the way he maneuvers the stick and guards his torso that it's also a fight.

Louis comes back to a neutral position and bows to an invisible adversary before him. “That was the swan,” he says, making me jump. “And this is the dragon.”

He steps aggressively, each strike hard and fierce. He jabs the staff out before him and twirls, nearly horizontal with it. A few stances later, he accidentally whacks himself in the shoulder with the practice weapon.

He bursts out laughing. “It’s not my best form.” He approaches me while massaging his shoulder. “Good thing you’re not my grandma, or you’d make me practice until I got it right.”

“I like the swan better, anyway.”

“Me too.” He blinks as a raindrop falls on his cheek. We both turn to the sky as thunder rumbles in the distance. “Looks like it’ll be a downpour.”

About the AuthorShauna Alderson began writing teen fantasy even before she was a teen. After she “grew up", she completed creative writing courses (and a BA in Development Studies) at the University of Calgary. When not reading or writing, she can usually be found teaching ESL, composing on the piano, creating art, or volunteering abroad. She also enjoys dessert, Studio Ghibli films, and being the silliest person she knows.

Website: https://shaunaalderson.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AldersonShauna

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