Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Murder Under a Cold Moon (Mona Moon Mystery, #13) by Abigail Keam

 

Murder Under A Cold Moon

A 1930s Mona Moon Historical Cozy Mystery

by

Abigail Keam 

Historical Cozy Mystery 
13th in Series 
Setting - at Blackhaven Hall in England 
Publisher: Worker Bee Press (September 30, 2024)
Number of Pages: 230
Digital ASIN: B0CSXV3J1N

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About Murder Under A Cold Moon

 

Mona Moon and her new husband, Robert Farley, Duke of Brynelleth are on their honeymoon at last. They are invited to a weekend party by an old friend of Robert’s family—Lady Eustacia. Mona and Robert arrive in a substantial downpour to find several other couples awaiting the appearance of their hostess.

When Lady Eustacia fails to come downstairs, Mona and Robert search the manor house only to find the lady missing. It is then they discover the telephone wires have been cut and none of the cars are able to drive into town due to the storm. Mona and Robert believe the invitation was a ruse, but for what purpose? And how do they help Lady Eustacia?

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Character Guest Post

Please welcome guest poster, Mona Moon, heiress, amateur sleuth, and title character of the Mona Moon Mystery series, to the blog today!

Greetings Readers,

Let me introduce myself.  My name is Mona Moon.  I am in my late twenties and the daughter of Mathias Milton Moon, heir to the Moon fortune until he was disowned because he married the gardener’s daughter, my mother.  They fled to New York and had me, their only child.  Life was sweet until my father died.  After his death, my mother struggled to put food on the table.  When she reached out to the Moon family for help, we were rebuffed.

However, I didn’t know my uncle, Manfred Michael Moon, feeling guilty about his father’s betrayal of his brother, secretly sent my mother financial help when he became the heir after my grandparents’ deaths.  He also paid for my college education which I thought my father had provided for.  College for women is rare indeed, especially for the subjects I majored in—anthropology and geography.

After college I became a mapmaker and surveyor in Mesopotamia and supported myself until Uncle Manfred died and unexpectedly made me heir to the Moon fortune.  I went from having $300 to my name in the middle of the Great Depression and bunking in a flea infested, dust-covered tent in the desert to becoming one of the richest women in the United States and living in a mansion on a Kentucky horse farm.

Fortune took a turn when I had the good luck of meeting an Englishman, Robert Farley, a handsome rake whom I married.  It didn’t hurt when he became Duke of Brynelleth.  Oh, I love that rascal, so when he suggested we visit Lady Eustacia, an old family friend of his during our honeymoon—I agreed.  “It will be fun,” Robert said.  “Another adventure,” Robert said. 

It was fun until it wasn’t.

Lady Eustacia lived in a derelict Norman castle which William the Conqueror had built.  She sent Robert an urgent message saying she needed help with an issue.  It was a great surprise upon our arrival when Robert was not admitted to see the elderly woman.  In fact, we were kept at bay by an overly protective housekeeper until we finally discovered Her Ladyship was missing.  That’s when you-know-what-hit-the-fan.

I was angry because we were due to catch a ship for our honeymoon cruise in the Mediterranean Sea, but now we were stuck at Blackhaven Hall as the phone line was cut and all the cars were disabled.  We couldn’t even walk into nearest village due to a horrific storm.  What was going on?

Were these just harmless pranks or something foreshadowing deeper mischief and evil?

Things came to a head when a stranger broke into Blackhaven Hall with a severe head wound.  He died right before my eyes on the cold stone floor.  There was nothing I could do to help the man except find his killer.

But the question remained—where is Lady Eustacia?

And is she alive?

And what did the dead man have to do with her?

I think the man was murdered.

Before I leave this pile of decaying rocks, I’ll sleuth out the culprit or my name is not Mona Moon!

About Abigail Keam

Award-winning author Abigail Keam writes the Mona Moon Mystery Series—a rags-to-riches 1930s mystery series, which weaves real people and events into the story line. “I am a student of history and love to insert historical information into my mysteries. There is an addendum at the end of the mystery to give more information. My goal is to entertain my readers, but if they learn a little something along the way—well, then we are both happy.”

Miss Abigail currently lives on the Palisades bordering the Kentucky River in a metal house with her husband and various critters.

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AWARDS

2010 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By A HoneyBee

2011 Gold Medal Award from Readers' Favorite for Death By Drowning

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By Drowning

2011 USA BOOK NEWS-Best Books List of 2011 as a Finalist for Death By A HoneyBee

2017 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Death By Design

2019 Honorable Mention from Readers' Favorite for Death By Stalking

2019 Murder Under A Blue Moon voted top ten mystery reads by Kings River Life Magazine 2020 Finalist from Readers' Favorite for Murder Under A Blue Moon

2020 Imadjinn Award for Best Mystery for Death By Stalking

2022 Finalist in Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A Full Moon

2022 Finalist the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Best Historical Category - Murder Under A New Moon

2022 Death By Chance: A Josiah Reynolds Mystery Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Finalist for Best Cozy Mystery

2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A Bridal Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery

2022 Top Ten Mystery Novel by Kings River Life Magazine for Murder Under A British Moon: A 1930s Mona Moon Mystery

Mona Moon Series

Murder Under A Blue Moon

Murder Under A Blood Moon

Murder Under A Bad Moon

Murder Under A Silver Moon

Murder Under A Wolf Moon

Murder Under A Black Moon

Murder Under A Full Moon

Murder Under A New Moon

Murder Under A British Moon

Murder Under A Bridal Moon

Murder Under A Western Moon

Murder Under A Honey Moon

Murder Under A Cold Moon

Murder Under A Mystic Moon

Tour Participants

September 30 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST

October 1 – Mystery, Thrillers, and Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

October 2 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

October 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

October 3 – Christy's Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 3 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 3 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

October 4 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

October 5 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT

October 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST

October 6 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

October 6 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

October 7 – Maureen's Musings - SPOTLIGHT

October 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

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Book Teaser: In His Dreams by Lacey Savage

Paranormal Romance, LGBTQ

Date Published: October 4, 2024

 

 

 

For three centuries, Nara's existence has revolved around providing sexual gratification to men not of her choosing. As a concubine enslaved by a brutal master she knows only as the Conqueror, Nara can do nothing but obey his every cruel whim. But a hundred years ago, Nara discovered where her real talents lie. She can invade dreams; and in those dreams, she's the one in control. Not the men whose thoughts she pervades. Not the Conqueror. Just her.

Rafe Osmond is a Dream Walker committed to eradicating every last trace of dream ragers, those whose dark arts not only terrorize, but also kill innocent dreamers. After he watches Nara terrifying a man she's recently serviced, Rafe sets off after her -- with a vengeance. But when he finds her, he also stumbles upon a long-forgotten temple steeped in ancient mystery, and a terrifying evil.

Together, Rafe and Nara must destroy a power darker and deadlier than either of them imagined. But first, Rafe must convince Nara that there is more to dreams than ravages of pain and whimpers of terror... and to do that, he has to show her unbelievable pleasure...

 

 

EXCERPT

 

"You think you're ready for this?"

Rafe Osmond took a deep, steadying breath and closed his eyes. The pillow beneath his head felt soft and inviting, but his body hummed with anticipation. How could Master Choeki expect him to fall asleep? He licked his suddenly dry lips. "I'm ready."

He felt the dip in the mattress as the Master sat down beside him and leaned over to light a candle on the nightstand. "Good. Remember what I've taught you."

"Patience, kindness, strength," Rafe repeated for the thousandth time. "We are dream walkers. People count on us to dispel dark dreams, to preserve their sanity. I won't forget."

"And if you encounter a rager?"

"I'll stop him. At any cost."

Master Choeki grunted his approval and rose from the bed. "Sleep. I'll be here when you return."

Rafe folded his hands across his chest and waited for sleep to come. He'd been training at the Dream Academy for three years. Since the day he'd first presented himself to the Master, they'd entered dreams together, rescued dreamers from themselves countless times, but they'd never encountered a rager. Sometimes, Rafe wasn't sure whether the stories of powerful creatures who killed humans in their dreams were even true. He'd never seen one. The Master had told him that when his abilities became strong enough, he'd be able to sense a rager from a distance, without even having to enter a dream.

If his current abilities were any indication, it would be a long time before that happened.

* * *

Rafe didn't remember falling asleep. One moment he was lying on the training bed in the Dream Academy, and the next, he was here, standing in a brightly lit restaurant.

White linen tablecloths, napkins and pristine table settings awaited patrons, but the place was empty. Crystal glasses caught the light from the overhead chandelier and fragmented it in a rainbow of colors that splashed over the pale walls, leading Rafe's gaze to the large window overlooking the street. Outside, the city looked deserted. Moonlight played in puddles, and rain fell with heavy drops on the pavement, but there were no people huddled under umbrellas, no cabs honking as they sped down city streets.

A soft moan caught his attention, and he spun around quickly, scanning the restaurant. "Hello? Anyone here?" Another groan echoed through the room, followed by a giggle and a soft gasp.

Rafe's pulse raced as he moved forward. Just his luck to stumble into an erotic dream on his first night alone. He'd encountered a few when accompanied by Master Choeki, but they'd never lingered long. Sensual dreams rarely turned into nightmares.

He spotted the couple at last, in a corner booth at the back of the restaurant. He walked toward them slowly, trying to stay in the shadows as much as possible. There had to be a reason his dream talent led him here. Sometimes, his ability to sense nightmares was triggered by a false alarm, nothing more than a rough edge to sex play. Other times, the possibility of a nightmare was real. Dreams could turn dark in the blink of an eye, often without the dreamer's knowledge or consent. That's why he was here. To watch over the dreamer and protect them.

And to destroy dream ragers. The Master's voice echoed in Rafe's head, and he waved it away. He didn't sense a dream rager. Not that he knew what sensing one was supposed to feel like, but he assumed it had to be hostile, dark, powerful. A strong sensation of malevolent evil would crawl up his spine. There was none of that here. Just two lovers indulging in a little fun.

He inched closer to get a better look. What could it hurt, lingering for a moment or two? He'd move on soon. The Master would never know he dallied here.

He stopped breathing when he caught sight of a woman's shapely behind. His cock stiffened instantly as he took in her long legs, wide hips, slender waist, and smooth coppery skin. Hair the color of dark, rich honey had been swept into an untidy heap on top of her head. He took another step forward, hoping for a glimpse of her face. He wished she'd turn around, but she was busy sucking a stiff cock.

Her lover lay on his back on one of the white linen tablecloths Rafe had admired earlier, hands folded behind his head, eyes closed, mouth parted in ecstasy.

Rafe's hand moved to his cock. He palmed the stiff length, hoping for a little relief. He knew he should leave, but couldn't. Not yet. How often would he have a chance to witness something like this?

The woman released her lover's cock. It slid from her mouth with a loud pop, and she turned to face Rafe. Her features were even more beautiful than he'd expected. Long, black lashes framed gold-rimmed dark eyes. High cheekbones and full lips suggested an exotic background. He expected ire, or shock at the very least, but got neither. Instead, she moved forward and grasped his hand, tugging him close to her. "Are you here to stop me?"

Rafe's mouth was suddenly dry. "I'm here to save you."

She laughed, the sound low and sensual. "Really? My hero." Her tone held neither sarcasm nor anger. "I hope you can stay a while."

"Who are you?" His thoughts felt sluggish as she pressed her naked body against him. He felt her hard nipples graze his chest even through the shirt he wore and he stifled a groan.

"I'm Nara. This is Vince."

"Vinny," the man corrected. He sat up, casting a bewildered stare at Rafe. "Who's this?"

"Our rescuer, apparently," Nara said before Rafe could reply. "Though I'm not yet sure what he's supposed to be saving us from."

With quick, expert motions, she unzipped his jeans and slid them over his hips. His briefs followed. "I really can't stay."

"Sure you can." She gripped his hand and placed it over her sex. Shaved bare, her skin felt deliciously warm and all too inviting. His cock pulsed. A shudder trembled through his body.

It's only a dream.

Dreams were as real as the dreamer made them. This wasn't his dream, but it didn't mean he couldn't share in the dreamer's delight.

Only a dream, he repeated to himself. What can it hurt?

 

 

About the Author

Award-winning author Lacey Savage loves to write about her dreams -- or more specifically, she loves to breathe life into her steamy fantasies (and she's got plenty!). She pens erotic tales of true love and mythical destiny, peopled with strong alpha heroes and feisty heroines. A hopeless romantic, Lacey loves writing about the intimate, sensual side of relationships. She currently resides in Ottawa, Canada, with her mischievous husband and their loving cat.

 

Changeling Press

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Book Review: The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell

The Curse of the Dead Man's Diamond by Christyne Morrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Delightful middle-grade book featuring a haunted house, humor, and finding out home is where the heart is.

The Curse of the Dead Man’s Diamond by Christyne Morrell is a delightful new middle-grade haunted house story featuring an engaging 12-year-old protagonist and the surprise inhabitants of her new home in Florida. There’s so much to enjoy: a mystery, a search for a fabulous but cursed diamond, and a young girl’s discovery that home is where the heart is.

Charlotte “Charlie” Hess is such a delightful character. While grieving the loss of her beloved grandmother, her father buys a fixer-upper home in a small coastal Florida town, uprooting her from her friends’ group and all that was familiar. The story unfolds from Charlie’s first-person point of view, and her voice is relatable and delivered with wit. I was on board and behind this character from page one and completely engaged with her feelings. The same goes for Charlie’s dad, who is trying to fit in in his new town. I laughed out loud at his Pig Latin! The three spirits are as well-developed, and their tragic backstories are sad and preventable. While they are ghosts and do ghostly things, as a parent, I was more frightened by the idea of an unsupervised 12-year-old with a box of hair dye. (So, not too scary for sensitive young readers.)

The plot moves quickly, with convenient-length chapters creating good logical stopping points for reading aloud or on one’s own. Chapters relating how the curse came to be are interspersed with Charlie’s narrative of the present. Young readers should have no trouble following the shift in perspective or time frame. The descriptions of the house, the town, and the landscape are vivid, and I felt as if I was experiencing the scenes firsthand.

I recommend THE CURSE OF THE DEAD MAN’S DIAMOND to readers of middle-grade fiction who enjoy a paranormal aspect in their stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Book Review: Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig

Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A great mix of bad dreams and self-discovery.

Sixth-grader Ethan Pitowski, the only child of very cautious parents, has taken on their anxiety and fearfulness (about everything), overthinking each and every daily movement and decision until he’s almost paralyzed from actually living. When his two best friends run into trouble at a clandestine house party thrown by the most popular kid in class, he must overcome his fears to save them. Readers will enjoy his lively inner monologue and pep talks in which he convinces himself to forge on as everyone else around him is losing their heads.

Monster Movie! by Chuck Wendig, a new upper middle-grade horror story, is a great mix of bad dreams and self-discovery. While eluding a horrifying TV-headed monster, the product of a cursed videotape of the “SCARIEST MOVIE EVER MADE,” the main character’s greater challenge is overcoming his fears to be himself (and save his friends and family in the meantime.) This unusual monster tale was mesmerizing, hitting many universal fears, some from daily life and others from the horror film genre, and I could easily relate to the young protagonist’s struggles easily relatable.

The monster of the story is a large, older-model television set that moves about on spindly, insectile legs. The television’s screen changes from a blue screen to white crackly static to an enormous eye to a maw that bloodlessly removes the heads of its hypnotized victims: nightmarish images, perhaps, for more sensitive younger readers. Besides the frighteningly unstoppable monster, there is a villainous movie theater manager behind the monster’s release into Ethan’s community to best. The plot includes exciting rescues and escapes, movie-making action, and facing and overcoming one’s fears, and while scary, the story is easy and engaging to read. Thumbs up as a possible choice to entice reluctant readers.

I recommend MONSTER MOVIE! to upper middle-grade readers who enjoy scary stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel

 

BURNT ENDS

by Laura Wetsel

September 23 - October 18, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Murder is juicier with a side of barbecue sauce.

Private Investigator Tori Swenson gets a strange accidental death case that looks like murder at one of her uncle’s drive-ins and decides it’s time to get revenge on her estranged family. Pretending to want a reunion, she appears at her uncle’s party to secretly investigate them. When her uncle suddenly dies, Tori’s case takes a sinister turn that makes her a suspect in her uncle’s death and the killer’s next target. To uncover who dethroned the barbecue king, Tori will have to face her own fiery demons while pursuing a killer who wants to make dead meat out of her.

For fans of Knives Out and the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Praise for Burnt Ends:

"Quirky and entertaining, this book and its unforgettable characters, tight plotting, and clever twists make for a reading experience as suspenseful as it is satisfying. A toothsome treat of a book by a debut mystery writer."
~ Kirkus Reviews

"Fire up the grill! Laura Wetsel serves up a delicious debut of grills, thrills, and chills."
~ Riley Adams, author of the Memphis Barbeque Series

"Jessica Jones meets Succession with a side of coleslaw, this is the kind of book you want to sink your teeth into and not let go. Laura Wetsel bursts onto the scene with a mouthwatering mystery that will have readers begging for more."
~ Moriah Richard, Writer’s Digest

"Charred and bloody to perfection, Laura Wetsel's Burnt Ends is smoking hot!"
~ Jamie Stachowski, Meat America

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery (private investigator)
Published by: CamCat Books
Publication Date: September 24, 2024
Number of Pages: 320
ISBN: 9780744311211 (ISBN10: 0744311217)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | CamCat Books

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

There it was—smoking meat, the sweet stench of my childhood. Hickory, molasses, tomato, brown sugar. Kansas City’s love letter to everyone but me.

Darnell, my best friend from our early rehab days, drove us into the parking lot of Rocky’s BBQ Smokehouse, and I gagged on the meat-thickened air. Don’t toss your waffles, Tori. The giant statue of Rocky the Pig— “Rocky the Cannibal”—smiled down at me in his chef hat and apron, holding a platter of ribs like he was trying to turn my stomach.

Darnell parked his truck with a displeased grunt. “Seriously, Tor,” he said, wiping the sweat from his bald head. “I said I’d help you move, not run a stakeout in a hundred degrees.”

“Don’t worry.” I took a gulp of Topo Chico to help settle my queasy gut. “My target should be here soon. Then you can help me move into my aunt’s place.” I twisted the zoom lens onto my digital camera and aimed it at a family tottering out of the restaurant with sauce-splattered shirts.

“Fine, then I’m running in for some brisket,” Darnell said. “At least, assuming they’ve got any with the meat drought they’ve been—”

“Hold up,” I cut him off and nodded at a green sedan rolling into the lot. “That’s her.” I pointed my lens at the driver’s door, getting ready to fire away. When a woman stepped out with crutches, I groaned.

“Guess she wasn’t lying.” Darnell shifted the car out of park. “The brisket will have to—”

“Wait.”

Darnell hit the brakes, jerking us forward. “Now what?”

“I want to see if she uses them inside. It would be hard in a buffet line.”

“You’re kidding, right?” He raised his brows at me. “If you go in there with that huge camera, there’s no way she’s ditching her crutches.”

“That wasn’t what I was thinking. I only knew to come here because my target’s sister posted this online.” I pulled out my phone to show Darnell the selfie post of Sasha Wolf with the caption, Waiting for @GinnyWolf. #RockysBBQ #SisterLove.

“Okay,” Darnell said. “Am I supposed to be seeing something here?”

I tapped on Sasha’s photo, zooming in on her sunlit head. “See that sunlight shining on her ponytail?”

“Yeah, and?”

“She’s under an atrium, which means I’d have a great shot from the roof.”

“The roof? You’re not seriously thinking of climbing Rocky’s, are you?”

“Why not?” I said, tying my blonde curls into a fist of a ponytail. “You’ve seen me scale walls and trees before. I’m a nimble little freak.”

“I meant about trespassing.” Darnell pointed to his police badge like he might arrest me.

“You know us private eyes don’t have to follow your rules.” I gave him a reassuring smile. “Just have a smoke, and I’ll be back before you’ve even put your butt out.”

“One cig, Tor,” Darnell warned, tapping a pack of Marlboro Lights on the face of his watch. “Otherwise, have fun moving by yourself.”

For a recovering addict, Darnell was a horrible liar. I knew he’d never abandon me, not for anything. Hanging my camera around my neck, I hopped out of the truck into the afternoon sun, where I already felt like I was sucking meat-flavored steam through a cocktail straw. I’d just have to deal with the nausea. I hustled toward the black and orange pavilion, noting its unclimbable plastic siding and security cameras mounted at the entrance. Maybe I’d have better luck in the back.

I circled around and found luck in the form of a supply truck parked right beside the restaurant. No driver, no cameras, no people. This was my way to the roof.

I hoisted myself onto the hood and made my way up the windshield to the top of the truck. The gap between the truck and building was only two feet, so I made the easy jump. Soon as I hit the roof though, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. This wasn’t an ideal time to take calls, so I let it ring out while I got on my hands and knees to crawl toward the atrium.

When I got to the glass, I peered down below at a buffet hall where six dozen carnivores were dressed for the upcoming Fourth of July weekend and savagely stuffing their smeared, sticky faces with brisket, thighs, and ribs. My stomach surged at this familiar scene. I’d been avoiding the barbecue world for nearly fifteen years, and now that I was looking down on it like some floating deity, I remembered why I’d stayed away. Barbecue didn’t just upset my stomach. From my head to my chest to my teeth, it made me mad everywhere. But I didn’t want to think about why. Not after what I’d done last night.

As I searched the crowd of meat-eaters, I found Ginny, my target, at a table with her sister, her crutches against the wall. I raised my camera to my eye and focused on Ginny’s face. She was teasing Sasha, lifting her brows and puckering her lips, and as she stuck out her tongue, a memory flashed in my head—I was a fourteen-year-old again in an inflatable pool of barbecue sauce with my cousin Annie. My hands shook, releasing the camera, but I jolted my neck back before the camera hit the roof.

That memory was another reminder why I avoided meat, but it made sense why the past was on my mind when Annie was the reason I was on this stakeout. She’d filed her case to investigate Ms. Wolf with my agency yesterday afternoon.

I had no idea though who this Ginny Wolf was to Annie as I placed the burning hot camera back on my face and snapped pictures of Ginny, her crutches, her gold pendant and butterfly tattoo, all material things identifying her.

When she stood up for the buffet, leaving her crutches behind, I videoed the fraudster walking free and easy without them. As I’d thought, another liar.

***

Excerpt from Burnt Ends by Laura Wetsel. Copyright 2024 by Laura Wetsel. Reproduced with permission from CamCat Books. All rights reserved.

 

 

Review:

5 stars!

Fascinating debut! 

Burnt Ends is a fascinating new mystery by debut author Laura Wetsel and introduces readers to a female gumshoe with characteristics reminiscent of a damaged and troubled old-school private eye. With its intriguing premise, complex plot, and surprising resolution, I was glued to this story from start to finish. 

Victoria “Tori” Swenson is the aforementioned protagonist: a private investigator with a drug problem and a long-simmering desire for revenge against the uncle and cousins who may have caused her father’s death and then taken his successful BBQ business for their own. Having recently gone through another stint in rehab to clean up, the story unfolds from Tori’s OxyContin-impaired viewpoint as she quickly relapsed. Driven by her rage, Tori investigates the suspicious death of a cook at one of Uncle Charlie’s restaurants, hoping to parlay her findings into destroying their business and grand lifestyles that should have been hers. She continually lies to herself and others that she will stop using as soon as the case is completed. The subterfuge, the lies, the fixation and substitution of Topo Chico for what she craves all ring true, making her actions almost painful to watch at times. I wondered throughout the book whether she would be able to hold it together long enough to achieve her goals. 

The fast-paced story involves multiple deaths, intense family drama, jealousy – personal and professional, and, of course, drug addiction. Each time Tori gets close to discovering a piece of the puzzle, a surprising plot twists alters the course of the investigation. Consequently, I didn’t guess the ending ahead of the reveal. In addition, the descriptions of the Kansas City, Missouri setting, renowned for its barbeque, were vivid and tempting. 

I recommend BURNT ENDS to traditional private eye mystery readers.

Author Bio:

Laura Wetsel holds bachelor’s degrees in Russian and English literature from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a master’s degree in Russian literature from Northwestern University. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her two cats, Sasha and Ginny Wolf.

While this story is fictional, Burnt Ends was inspired by Laura’s uncle, who ran a successful burger drive-in chain in Ohio, as well as her experience living in Kansas City, Missouri.

Catch Up With Laura Wetsel:
www.LauraWetselBooks.com
Goodreads
Twitter/X - @LauraWetsel

 

 

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Essentials of Murder (Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery, #1) by Kim Davis

 

Essentials of Murder

An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery

by

Kim Davis

About Essentials of Murder

 

Essentials of Murder: An Aromatherapy Apothecary Mystery 

Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting - California
Publisher: Harbor Lane Books, LLC. (September 24, 2024)
Print length: 283 pages
Digital ASIN: B0DD3W1XPJ

After a scandalous arrest in San Francisco, Carissa Carmichael has moved back to her small Southern California hometown to start over as she opens her Aromatherapy Apothecary shop and reflexology services. A tourist destination, Oak Creek Valley, seems the perfect place to put the past behind her, but it seems no one will let her forget. When she finds the man who threatened to drive her out of business murdered in her shop, Carissa becomes the primary suspect, especially when her fingerprints are found on the murder weapon. Despite her father’s position as Oak Creek Valley’s chief of police, most townspeople assume she’s guilty.

Refusing to run again, Carissa knows she must prove her innocence to save her shop and save her father’s career when the investigating detective turns his focus on her. With suspects acting as slippery as the essential oils she distills, it’s up to Carissa to apply pressure and sniff out the truth before it’s too late.

Includes essential oil and reflexology tips. 

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Character Guest Post

Karen: Please welcome a special guest today on Guatemala Paula Loves to Read - 

Kim Davis,

the author of ESSENTIALS OF MURDER!

Kim: Thanks so much for hosting me today, Karen! I appreciate the opportunity to introduce my new release and my character, Carissa Carmichael, to readers!

Carissa: I’m having a hard time accepting the fact that I’ve had to slink back to my hometown of Oak Creek Valley after having my face splashed all over the national news. How did those San Francisco reporters catch me doing a perp walk? Who tipped them off? To make matters worse, there were handcuffs involved and two scowling officers of the law escorting me to the backseat of their patrol car. Despite the charges against me being dropped, few folks believe in my innocence. It’s especially embarrassing because my dad is Oak Creek’s chief of police, the small tourist town in Southern California where I grew up. People think I should have known better than to get involved in something shady. After returning, I’ve hidden out at the farmhouse I inherited from my grandmother for the past few months. Tucked in the middle of an avocado orchard, I’ve felt safe from prying eyes and nosy reporters. 

That’s all about to change. Thanks to the encouragement provided by my San Francisco mentor and friend, Mari, I’m gearing up to open Aromatherapy Apothecary, an aromatherapy and reflexology shop. in downtown Oak Creek Valley. With tourists flooding our town, especially from those in the Los Angeles area looking for a close getaway, I should have plenty of business. Nestled between the Topatopa Mountains, our town has much to offer. There are wineries, art galleries, spas, monthly festivals, outdoor adventures, and, frequently, Hollywood studio film shoots. In the meantime, I’m learning the retail side of running an aromatherapy shop plus distilling essential oils from locally sourced flowers and herbs. 

I love spending time in my shop with the soothing fragrance, the way the sunlight filters through the front window, catching the colorful bottles on the shelves. The only fly in the ointment, so to speak, is my next-door shop neighbor’s son. Mystic Candles and Aromatherapy Apothecary should complement each other’s businesses, and the owner, Victoria, and I have already discussed collaboration. However, her son, Russ, thinks I’m going to put his mother out of business. It’s caused many arguments between them, and I get pulled in trying to defend my shop. After Russ pulled a stunt trying to get my shop closed by the city, several townspeople witnessed me yelling at Russ that karma would catch up to him. It was embarrassing letting my emotions get the best of me like that, but it’s what I believed. 

And now, a few days later, I find myself standing over his dead body in my shop. The murder weapon lying next to him belongs to me. I’m terrified no one will believe I’m innocent. Will my dad think I could have done this? Will he step aside in the investigation and bring an outsider in to interrogate me? There’s only one thing I can do, and that’s call my dad and then hope I can find the killer before cold steel handcuffs are slapped on my wrists again. 

About Kim Davis

Kim Davis writes the Aromatherapy Apothecary cozy mystery series, the award-winning Cupcake Catering cozy mystery series, and the middle-grade fantasy adventure The Board Game Chronicles series. She has also written several children’s nature articles published in a variety of magazines. 

Kim Davis is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and rambunctious mini Goldendoodle, Missy, who has become an inspiration for several plotlines. When she's not spending time with her granddaughters or chasing Missy around, she can be found either writing on her next book, working on her blog, Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder, or in the kitchen baking up yummy treats to share.

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Tour Participants

September 24 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Deal Sharing Aunt – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT

September 24 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 25 – Christy's Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT

September 25 – Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense – SPOTLIGHT

September 25 – Sarah Can't Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

September 25 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

September 26 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 26 – Guatemala Loves to Read – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 26 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

September 27 – Angel's Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

September 27 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 27 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

September 28 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

September 28 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

September 28 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

September 28 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

September 29 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

September 30 – Boys' Mom Reads! – REVIEW

September 30 – Reading Is My SuperPower – AUTHOR GUEST POST

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Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: Lethal Standoff by DiAnn Mills

LETHAL STANDOFF

by DiAnn Mills

September 2-27, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Justice can be elusive.
Family secrets can be deadly.

The stakes are high, and the clock is ticking in a volatile criminal case filled with unanswered questions. And Carrington Reed is running short on time to piece together clues that will solve the puzzle.

Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is called to the scene when reports come in that fifteen hostages are being held by the Kendrix brothers in an abandoned house in south Texas. When she arrives on site, Carrington quickly learns that the brothers are armed and refuse to release their victims, a group of undocumented immigrants, until the local police identify their father’s murderer.

Working closely with Levi Ehrlich, a handsome investigative reporter who has covered some of Carrington’s negotiations in the past, she finds herself being undeniably drawn to him. Carrington digs deeper into the death of the Kendrixes’ father and begins to notice that some details surrounding his death aren’t adding up.

As Carrington investigates the brothers’ claims and tries to piece together their motive for taking innocent people captive, it soon becomes clear that they are trying to hide something and that revenge for their father’s death may not be what they’re really bargaining for after all. To protect the hostages and ensure the brothers don’t carry out the rest of their sinister plot, Carrington must get to the bottom of one family’s secret and the truth they’re trying so hard to hide before time runs out.

Award winning author DiAnn Mills delivers pulse-pounding romantic suspense about secrets, betrayal, and finding a path to forgiveness.

Praise for Lethal Standoff:

"DiAnn Mills delivers another pulse-pounding thriller you’re going to love. Lethal Standoff combines gripping tension with a captivating mystery, skillfully woven by DiAnn’s signature storytelling. She navigates the high-stakes world of hostage rescue, proving once again why she’s a master of the genre."
~ Jerry B. Jenkins, author of the Left Behind series and The Chosen novels

"In Lethal Standoff, DiAnn Mills works magic―weaving suspense and intrigue into a heart-pounding hostage thriller. Hostage negotiator Carrington Reed is a hero with heart who refuses to quit even when it means risking her own life for strangers. Don't miss this high-stakes gambit set in south Texas that will keep you flipping pages to the very end."
~ Andrews & Wilson, bestselling authors of Dark Intercept

"Warning: do not start this book if you intend to put it down any time soon. This is a roller-coaster ride. A bullet-biter. A heart-thumper. This is DiAnn Mills at her best."
~ Eva Marie Everson, bestselling author and CEO of Word Weavers International

"Lethal Standoff has everything I look for in a great novel! Alongside a heartwarming romance, the plot and themes of this page-turner are pulled from current events and offer a hopeful, triumphant message for readers. Highly recommended."
~ Deborah Raney, author of Breath of Heaven in the Camfield Legacy series

Lethal Standoff Trailer:

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 3, 2024
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781496485106 (ISBN10: 1496485106)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | Tyndale House Publishers

Read an excerpt:

Chapter One

SEPTEMBER - CARRINGTON

My role as a hostage negotiator often plunged me into the evil designs of the human mind. I embraced the responsibility and possible danger because it’s my identity— a one-woman battlefront determined to free others from victimization.

The challenge excited me, but fear of failure stalked me, and respect for human life was my constant companion. Too often innocent lives depended on my ability to negotiate their safe release without anyone getting hurt. The demands, rewards, and sometimes the defeats with tragic outcomes kept me awake at night. How could I have done things differently? My apprenticeship began when I was eight years old, but thinking about those days didn’t change the past. Right now, lives were in jeopardy. . . .

I’d driven ten minutes out from a critical situation on a Wednesday afternoon when my cell phone rang. My contact, a detective from the Houston Police Department, had spent several hours talking to an angry man who held his wife and son hostage.

“Carrington, we have the information you requested,” Detective Aaron Peters said. “The man inside the home is the owner, Nick Henderson. Age thirty-five. Married to Christine. He’s holding his wife and eight- year- old son at gunpoint. Yesterday, he was served divorce papers, and we believe this is in retaliation.”

Hurt. Rejected. Probably a lit stick of dynamite. “You talked to him from the outside?”

“We’ve routed his calls through our mobile command center. I tried talking to him. Got nowhere. He hung up on me.” Aaron blew out his frustration.

Domestic calls were the most dangerous, often violent, causing me to appreciate my Kevlar vest. I had a handgun in my purse, but I could count on one hand the times I’d pulled it. Never used it. “All right. I’m nearly there. SWAT in place?”

“Yes, two have clear shots. Not an action I want to take unless necessary.”

“Me either. What are Henderson’s demands?”

“Just to leave him alone or he’ll pull the trigger on his family.”

Cool, calm focus settled on me. My ability to mediate critical discussions depended on my wearing emotional blinders to the outside world. “When did the problem start?”

“The wife phoned 911 at 8:00 a.m. today. I don’t know how long he was there before she reached out to us. We’ve been called here twice in the past month for domestic abuse.”

I glanced at my watch, and it neared 4:00 p.m. “Have HPD negotiators been talking to him?”

“Yes. Henderson hung up on them too. He’s drinking. Slurring his words. Seems to have trouble concentrating.”

Alcohol could make him more volatile. Flashing lights appeared on the residential street ahead. “I’m parking now. Give me five minutes.”

“I’m standing beside my car in front of the house.”

“Aaron, do you have Henderson’s work history?”

“Fired three months ago from Home Depot, where he held a management role. They walked him out of the store in front of his employees.”

The man definitely had nothing to lose.

Phone in hand, I hurried from my parked truck and raced to where police cars barricaded the entrance to the street where Henderson held his family. A reporter blocked my way between vehicles. She rammed a mic in front of my face.

“Carrington Reed, do you think this standoff will have a peaceful resolution?”

My blood boiled. The last time I had verbally unleashed on her aggressive means to get the best story, she lied in her article about my concern for those in danger. I paused long enough to give her eye contact. “My goal is always a peaceful solution. Excuse me, I need to talk to HPD.”

“Are the police advocating a violent takedown?”

“No.” I sidestepped around her and ignored her shouts.

Aaron stood in front of the home and waved. He had the appearance of average—average height, weight, gray eyes, brown hair, and shoulder span— but nothing about his physical appearance showed his intense scrutiny of a crime scene. His rating as one of HPD’s finest hit my respect button.

“Good to see you. I’d like the man’s cell number,” I said. “I assume my cell phone is routed through the command center too?”

“Sure thing.” He gave me the information. “The wife’s name is Christine, and the son’s name is Rand.”

I nodded my thanks and pressed in the digits. A man answered on the second ring.

“Nick, this is Carrington. I’m standing beside a police car outside your house, and I’d like to help you.”

“I . . . leave me alone.” He spoke fast and loudly. “I’m busy.”

“What do you need?”

“You can get rid of all those cops. I can’t breathe.”

I expected a more belligerent response. “Nick, I can’t do that. These officers are here to protect you in case someone tries to break into your home and hurt you.”

“I’d kill my wife and kid first.”

“Tell me why you feel that way.”

“They deserve it for the way they’ve treated me.” He stumbled over his words. “I’m a good husband and dad.”

“I’m sure you’re great at both. Tell me what’s hurting you.”

***

Excerpt from LETHAL STANDOFF by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2024 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels with threads of romance. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, Selah, Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on:

diannmills.com

Goodreads - @diannmills

BookBub - @diannmills

Instagram -@diannmillsauthor

YouTube - @diannmills

Twitter/X - @diannmills

Facebook - @diannmills

Pinterest - @diannmills

LinkedIn - @diannmills

 

 

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Book Blitz: Somewhere Along the Way by Anna Gomez

Somewhere Along the Way
Anna Gomez
Publication date: September 24, 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Charlotte “Charlie” Hastings never missed her mother. But when Charlie’s late father visits her in a dream and reveals the letters her mother had written to him over the years, she begins yearning for a connection she never desired to make. Reeling from a mix of emotions, Charlie embarks on a soul-searching cross-country journey to California to find the mother she thought she never needed.

Along the way, she stumbles upon Graham Mead, a mysterious stranger with a secret identity, who becomes her unexpected travel companion. Each pit stop reveals new truths from her mother’s letters, unveiling a poignant love story and the reasons behind her departure. From state to state, Charlie and Graham unravel their pasts, confront their fears, and discover a love that goes beyond their personal journeys.

But as they reach their destination, they must face the harsh reality of their separate lives: Charlie needs to find her mother, and Graham needs to rebuild his life. Pulled in different directions, can they find each other in the right place and at the right time, twice?

——

SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY is a must-read for anyone who believes in the magic of unexpected encounters and the healing power of love.

Goodreads / Amazon / Kobo

—

Author Bio:

Anna Gomez is a hopeless romantic who writes about real life, flawed characters and the saving grace of unconditional love. Her experience of living and growing up in a foreign country plays a large part in her stories. Her full-time career and ability to travel extensively also add flair and individuality to the vividly written settings in her books. They transport the reader to faraway places and make them feel like they’ve been there before. Anna’s inspiration stems from the people she meets and the places that she’s seen. Her stories are realistic and honest, thought-provoking and impactful. Her love for poetry is evident in her writing style. Prior to writing this book, Anna wrote under the pen name Christine Brae, with six books which have won literary awards and ranked as bestsellers upon release.

Anna is Partner and Chief Financial Officer of one of the world's largers global advertising agencies. She lives in Indiana with her husband and sheepadoodle, Izzy.

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Oldest Mom on the Playground by Judy Haveson

 Essays & Collections, Parenting Humor, Women's Non-fiction

Date Published: 09-24-2024

 

 

Judy Haveson always believed she would one day “have it all.” Then she turned forty and wondered if she had waited too long. After countless failed first dates and fewer second ones, she finally found love, got married, and became a mother at forty-three.

Oldest Mom on the Playground is a collection of relatable, heartwarming, and humorous essays. Written in her signature conversational style and with a touch of sarcasm, Judy takes readers on her journey of getting pregnant after forty (and delivering the baby during a full moon), raising a child in New York City (including the time she lost him in a grocery store and found him standing on Broadway), leaving the career she spent decades building to volunteer as a preschool class rep, to becoming a card-carrying member of the sandwich generation.

Judy offers no parenting advice, only personal reflection. And she takes nothing in her life for granted. Her message to other midlife mamas is this: trust your gut, let your life experience guide you, and pray no one ever mistakes you for the grandmother.

About the Author

Judy Haveson is the award-winning author of Laugh Cry Rewind—A Memoir. She is known for her sarcastic humor and enjoys sharing stories about her life experiences and observations. Her fascination with storytelling comes from her decades-long career in public relations. Judy once had a boss tell her that there are two types of people: those who know and those who want to know. That boss fired her, but his words became a valuable lesson to always aim to be the one who knows. Judy lives in Hampton Bays, NY, with her husband, Adam, son, Jack, and adorable Yorkie, Toby.

 

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