Giveaway – Conecuh by Herb Hughes @ireadbooktours




Book Details:

Book Title:  CONECUH (A Civil War Novel) by Herb Hughes
Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  340 pages
GenreHistorical Fiction 
Publisher:  Books From The Pond
Release date:  April 2019
Content RatingPG-13 + MThere is mild profanity. There is a rape scene that is handled without vulgarity.
 


Book Description:

Bronze Medal winner, 2020 eLit Literary Awards, Historical Fiction.

Emily Rose roams through a country ravaged by war, a damaged land where the very grass blades drink the blood of brothers, cousins, and friends. Protected only by her wits and Nathaniel Whiteeagle, a slave with Cherokee blood, Emily swears she will find her fiancé and buy his freedom. Facing danger at each turn, every clue she follows leaves her another step behind. Will she ever find Caleb? Can Caleb endure the unthinkable cruelty of civil war prisons long enough for her to rescue him? Or will she and Nathaniel meet a violent end?

Conecuh (Cah-NECK-ah ) is a story woven around and through the actual events in the mysterious and ironic life of Private Caleb Garner, CSA, during the most tumultuous time in American history. Whatever happened to Caleb? History has left us blind, but there are clues. Conecuh explores one very real possibility.

Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads


Meet the Author:

Author Herb Hughes worked in the computer industry for over two decades and then built a successful private business before retiring to write novels.

“I write in the present, but my stories are about the past and the future: historical fiction and science fiction. I find both fascinating.”

connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ goodreads
Tour Schedule:
Sep 5 – Stephanie Jane – book spotlights / guest post / giveaway
Sep 5 – Locks, Hooks and Books – book review / giveaway
Sep 6  Rockin’ Book Reviews – book review / guest post / giveaway
Sep 6 – 
JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder – book review / giveaway
Sep 11  fundinmental – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 12  Gina Rae Mitchell – book review / guest post / giveaway
Sep 12 – Bigreadersite – book review
Sep 13 – Pick a Good Book– book spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Sep 14 – Leanne Bookstagram – book review
Sep 15  The Sexy Nerd Revue – book spotlight
Sep 19 – Book Corner News and Reviews – book review / giveaway
Sep 20 – Cover Lover Book Review – book spotlight / giveaway
Sep 22 – Bound 4 Escape – book review / giveaway
Sep 25  Liese’s Blog – book spotlight
Enter the Giveaway:

CONECUH Book Tour Giveaway




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Giveaway & Review – DiAnn Mills’ Facing The Enemy @partnersincr1me @diannmills

Facing The Enemy by DiAnn Mills Banner

Facing The Enemy

by DiAnn Mills

September 4 – 29, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

I was so excited to get a signed copy of Facing The Enemy by Diann Mills for the tour. It was and great adventure and all I had hoped for in a mystery novel.

MY REVIEW

I love the cover and title for Facing The Enemy by Diann Mills. This is my first novel by Diann Mills, but now she is on my radar.

Ya gotta have a good bad guy to have a good good guy 🙂 and Risa fits that good guy bill, along with her partner/boyfriend, Gage.

Her troubles begin when her brother, Trenton, is killed by a hit and run driver. She learns the kill was meant for her. She has been estranged from her drug addicted brother, but he wanted to meet her to begin over. His life would be ended before he had the chance. Because of a warning left for her, she begins to work undercover, letting everyone think she has left the FBI and is now a college professor. That is where she meets Carson, and everything begins to come together.

In the beginning, Gage doesn’t know she is working undercover, but when he finds out, they team up to chase the leads supplied by Carson. More FBI agents will fall. It takes a brazen villain to take out FBI agents, as if they are gang bangers or cartel members.

Risa and Gage work in the violent crimes against children division of the FBI. They complement each other, her being a bit headstrong and him more down to earth. She is reminded of that when they travel together to track down Carson.

It is not her fault that men do wrong and she it takes some time for her to accept that God gives man free will. It is up to them what they do with it.

Her dad was a race car driver and taught her how to drive. She is Speed Racer and leaves Gage white knuckled. I love that about her. I used to be a bit of a Speed Racer in my younger years and love that I can relate to a character in a personal way. It adds that little bit extra that makes me like the character more.

As the good guys fall and the body count rises, it’s obvious that someone with an awful lot of power, untouchable, is at the head of the organization. Is it one person? Is it a syndicate?

A problem, for me, started in Chapter 62. I wasn’t surprised by it. It seems to be a common occurrence in romantic suspense novels and hard to get around.

The action and adventure travels throughout the country as they dodge bullets, cars and those that want them dead. It becomes difficult to tell who are the good guys and who are the bad guys. Innocent lives are sacrificed, stolen. It’s disgusting when defenseless children, and women who cannot defend themselves, are used for someone’s monetary gain. They are some of the most despicable people in the world and my feelings toward them, fictional or otherwise, get my blood boiling. We can only hope that Karma comes back to bite them!!!!!!!!

I do love that a piece of the author’s personal life is the start of Risa’s story. Will it end here? Will there be a sequel? Is this a series? As far as, will it end here, I think one story is told and one is open ended. As far as a sequel or series, I think the answer could be yes.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Facing The Enemy by Diann Mills

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

Synopsis:

For the past five years, FBI Special Agent Risa Jacobs has worked in the violent crimes against children division of the Houston FBI. She’s never had reason to believe there’s a target on her back . . . until now.

When the long-awaited reunion between Risa and her brother, Trenton, ends in tragedy, Risa is riddled with guilt, unable to cope with the responsibility she feels over his death. On leave from the FBI, Risa returns to her former career as an English teacher at a local college, only to see her past and present collide when one of her students, Carson Mercury, turns in an assignment that reads like an eyewitness account of her brother’s murder, with details never revealed publicly.

Alarmed by Carson’s inside knowledge of Trenton’s death, Risa reaches out to her former partner at the FBI. Special Agent Gage Patterson has been working a string of baby kidnappings, but he agrees to help look into Carson’s background. Risa and Gage soon discover their cases might be connected as a string of high-value thefts have occurred at properties where security systems were installed by Carson’s stepfather and children have gone missing. There’s a far more sinister plot at play than they ever imagined, and innocent lives are in danger.

DiAnn Mills delivers romantic suspense fans a heart-pounding thriller about loss, betrayal, and finding the strength to trust again!

Praise for Facing The Enemy:

“Riveting! In her signature style, Diann Mills expertly weaves a gripping tale of ever-increasing danger. Captivating, authentic characters along with surprising twists and turns drew me deeper into this engrossing thriller and kept me on the edge of my seat until the last page. I still can’t stop thinking about it!”
~ Elizabeth Goddard, bestselling author of COLD LIGHT OF DAY

“I’m a longtime reader of suspense thrillers, but DiAnn Mills’ latest, FACING THE ENEMY, made me gasp with surprise. The issues involved in the story—adoption and the families who long to love children—are close to my heart, and that emotional connection held me by the heartstrings. Not to be missed! ”
~ Angela Hunt, author of WHAT A WAVE MUST BE

Facing The Enemy Trailer:

Book Details:

Genre: Romantic Suspense
Published by: Tyndale House Publishers
Publication Date: September 2023
Number of Pages: 352
ISBN: 9781496451941 (ISBN10: 1496451945)
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | ChristianBook

Read an excerpt:

Chapter 1

Houston, Texas
July 29
Risa

Twelve years ago, my younger brother fell into an abyss of drugs and alcohol. He chose his addictions over Mom and Dad—and me. Prayers for healing fell flat, but none of us gave up, proving our belief in unconditional love. Then yesterday he called, and my hopes skyrocketed. Trenton said he missed me and wanted to make amends with his family, beginning with his older sis. We chose to meet at a popular restaurant for a late dinner within walking distance of my apartment.

A knock on my cubicle jolted me back to reality. Gage, my work partner, towered in the entryway and grinned. “Hey, what’s going on?”

The sound of his voice caused me to tingle to my toes. “Thinking.”

“Obviously, you were a million miles away.” His blue-gray eyes bore into mine, the intensity nearly distracting me.

I leaned back in my comfy, ergonomic chair. “My brother called.”

“Trenton? The guy you haven’t seen in years?”

“The same.”

“And?”

“He wants to meet tonight for dinner, to talk about making amends.”

Gage shook his head. “Risa, he has a record a mile long. He’s planning on manipulating you, squeezing every penny he can get.”

I picked up an old photo of Trenton and me as kids. Dad had snapped it while we were in our tree house. I swiped at a piece of dust, then replaced it beside my photo of Mom and Dad. “I must give him a chance. He’s my brother.”

“What if he’s gotten himself in over his head and needs his FBI agent sis to bail him out?”

I bit into my lower lip. Gage’s words had a level of truth, even if I didn’t want to admit it. “I want to hear him out.”

Gage stepped closer. “I don’t want to see you hurt. Remember three years ago when he called you from a bar demanding money, cursed you until you hung up?” The soft gentleness in his whispered tone said more than friend to friend. “Think about canceling the dinner or let me go with you.”

Emotion rose thick in my throat. “You mean well, and I—” Catching myself, I nearly said love. “I appreciate your concern. But I’ll be fine. Want me to call you afterward?”

He nodded. “I can run by if you need to talk.”

I peered into the face of the man I adored. “I will. Promise.”

#

I arrived early at the restaurant to meet Trenton, anticipating his contagious smile perfected by an overpaid orthodontist. The phone attempted to keep my attention, but my mind swirled with how I wanted tonight to move forward against the reality of what had happened in the past.

The host approached me. Trenton walked behind him, towering several inches above the short man. I held my breath and stood, not feeling my legs, only my pulse speeding at the sight of my brother.

Trenton chuckled low, the familiar, dazzling, heart-crunching expression that had always touched me with sibling love. Clear brown eyes captured mine. Gone were the dilated pupils and bone-thin body. My brother held out his buff arms, and I rushed into them.

“Risa, you look amazing,” he whispered. “Thanks for seeing me on such short notice.”

“Nothing could have kept me away.” I stepped back, noting the miracle before me. Telling Mom and Dad wasn’t a part of tonight’s plan, but I wished they were here. We’d all be blubbering. I swiped at a tear and feared a humiliating sob would replace my already-fragile composure. “I want to remember this moment forever.” Please stay strong this time.

“Me too, Sis.” He gestured to the booth. “Sit, and let’s talk and eat.”

I slid in and he took the opposite side of the table. A server presented us with menus and asked for our drink order.

“We’ll have two Dr Peppers,” Trenton said.

He remembered my favorite drink. No mention of alcohol. I breathed in deeply to steady myself. I wanted our reunion to be special, not me a weeping mess. “I’ve missed you.”

Trenton cocked his head, and the mischievous brother from days gone by appeared. “I’ve been clean for four months. Working steady and enrolled in night school for the next college term.” He took my hands, and his features grew serious. “But before I say another word, I’m sorry. I promise you, I’ll never hurt you, Mom, or Dad again. Please forgive me for the mess I made of my life and dragging my family through the stench of it.”

I’d heard this before, from his teen years into his twenties. Dare I believe our prayers had been answered? “I forgave you years ago. All we ever wanted for you is a healthy body and mind.”

“Thanks, Sis. I know you’ve heard this ‘I’m sorry’ junk before, but I’m well on my way.”

His words warmed me like a quilt on a chilly night. “I can see it, feel it. Why tell me first instead of Mom and Dad?”

“Great times with you growing up that never left me.”

Memories rushed over me . . . The time we went camping by ourselves and it snowed. Birthdays. Christmases. All the treasured times I believed had vanished into the chasm of addiction.

The server returned with our drinks, and Trenton released my hands.

“Have you decided on your order?” the server said.

Neither of us had picked up our menus, but I often frequented the restaurant and ordered a vegan dish. Trenton opted for their pork chop and fixings.

“And I’ll take the bill.” He pointed at me. “No arguments.”

“My treat when we have dinner again.”

“Got it.”

“You were about to tell me something about us.”

He rubbed his palms on the thighs of his jeans. “Two things stand out. The first one happened when I was four, so that made you ten. You were watching me trying to climb an oak tree in the back yard. I was crying because my short legs couldn’t swing high enough. Then I felt your hand on my shoulder. You boosted me up onto the branch. Climbed up with me. No long after that, Dad built us a tree house.”

“I loved that tree house. You had your space and I had mine.”

“What I’ll always remember is what you said to me. ‘Trenton, I’m your big sis. I’ll always help you. I promise.’”

I blinked back the ocean of hopeful tears. “Thanks. I remember our times in the tree house, our private little world.”

“One more reason I contacted you. I was six and you were twelve. For three summers, Mom and Dad put me in swimming lessons, but I couldn’t put my head underwater. Not sure why. You convinced Mom and Dad that you could teach me how to swim. So every day we went to the neighborhood pool, and at the end of two weeks, I was swimming. I trusted you.”

I took a deep breath. Be aware of manipulation, Risa. “Thanks.” I raised a finger. “I remember being a high school junior and this jerk of a guy followed me home. Wouldn’t leave me alone. You punched him in the nose.”

Trenton laughed. “My voice hadn’t changed yet, but I wasn’t going to let him bother you.”

“That’s love, Brother.” Oh, Trenton, let this be for keeps. I’m afraid to believe the nightmare is over.

“And we’ll make many more crazy times together. Do you have plans for Saturday morning? I volunteer at a community center for kids at risk. We have a mixed basketball team, and I could use some help with the girls.”

I shivered. What a blessing to have my brother back. “All I need is a time and place.”

“You never fail me, Sis.” He took a long drink of his Dr Pepper. “Are you writing?”

I grinned. “Dabbling here and there.”

“I never understood why you left a safe job as a college prof and writer to the dangers of the FBI?” He shrugged. “Other than your wild side that you kept more in check than I did.”

“Teaching and writing short stories with a few successful publications failed to fill my adventure deficit. Every time I read about a crime, I wanted to be the one working the case. Dad said I couldn’t create a crime and solve it—I had to be actively involved.”

“Your personality better fits law enforcement. Still married to the FBI?”

I wiggled my shoulders. “Of course. Five years ago, I moved to the Violent Crime Division, specifically Crimes Against Children. It’s stressful and emotional, but protecting children suits me.”

He frowned. “Because of me?”

I blinked. “A little. My main reason is what happened to the little girl who lived across the street from us.”

“Right.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry her death still bothers you. Isn’t there a special team for finding missing kids?”

“Child Abduction Rapid Deployment or CARD. They’re an elite, specialized team, and that’s all they do. That’s not my role, but we often work together.”

“What do you investigate?” Trenton seemed interested in my job, another first.

“My partner and I investigate kidnappings, pedophiles, pornography, online predators, human trafficking, involuntary servitude, parental kidnapping, and any other situation that fell into the ‘violent crimes against children’ bucket.”

“I remember you were the neighborhood babysitter.” He gave me his unforgettable impish grin. “And I also remember how much fun you had learning how to handle a car at high speeds.”

I couldn’t conceal my laughter. “Guess I’m part daredevil. Blame Dad for that. I remember loving to watch him race cars.”

“He’d still be at it if Mom hadn’t insisted his speed-loving days were over.”

“When he taught me to drive, I learned a lot of tricks,” I said.

“He already knew I was danger on wheels and asked Mom to teach me.” He laughed. “Any potential brothers-in-law?”

I waved off his remark. My thoughts swept to Gage. Maybe I had found him, but that was a future conversation. “Nope. My job scares them off. I had more dates during my stint as a dull college professor.”

“You dull? Never. You just haven’t found the right guy. Pray about it, and if there’s a guy good enough for my sis, he’ll appear.”

I startled. “Did you say pray?”

“Think about it. Who but God could have turned me around? Helped me walk away from drugs, alcohol, and so-called friends?”

Even in his good days, Trenton had steered away from mentions of faith. Maybe he had changed. “I don’t know what to say.”

“That’s a first.” He chuckled. “You always had more words in one day than I had in a week. But honestly, no more jail. No more being tossed out of an apartment because I couldn’t pay the rent. No more waking up and not remembering the night before.”

Wow. A true miracle. I swiped at happy tears. “I can’t wait to tell Mom and Dad.”

He leaned over the table as though to tell me a secret. “I’ll do the honors very soon.”

When our food arrived, he asked to say grace. I was so glad our eyes were closed, or he’d have seen a leaky faucet. We chatted through dinner. Laughed about some of the goofy things we’d done as kids. Time seemingly stopped, and my half-full cup of blessings spilled over with joy.

“Will you tell me about your healing journey?” I said.

“You can hear for yourself when I talk to Mom and Dad.” He moistened his lips. “Do you trust me enough to walk you back to your apartment and call them from there? I mean, does your building have a lobby area with a little privacy?”

“It does, but you can call from my apartment. Trenton, they will be incredibly happy.”

“I hope so.”

I was so focused on our conversation that I didn’t think I tasted my favorite dish. We finished and he paid the bill. Outside the restaurant, a few people mingled, and the night sky hosted a half-moon, alerting me to how long Trenton and I had talked. I breathed in thankfulness and expectations for a positive tomorrow. At the crosswalk, we waited for the pedestrian sign to signal our turn.

“How long have you lived in this fancy high-rise?” he said as we ambled across the street.

“Two years. I like the busyness and excitement.”

“It must be in your DNA. One day, I want a small place in the country where it’s quiet.”

“Never for me. I’ll visit you though.” The humid heat mixed with exhaust fumes spiraled around us. “What are you taking in college?”

“Psychology. See if I can’t help a few kids understand life and avoid pitfalls.”

“Incredible. I’m so pro—”

Trenton grabbed my shoulders and thrust me several feet ahead next to the curb. I landed on my side and rolled over. What—?

A horrible thud.

A woman screamed.

Tires squealed.

Horns blew.

Stinging pain radiated up my leg, side, arm, and head. In agony, I managed to roll over and glance at the street.

My brother’s body lay in the intersection, a twisted mass of flesh and blood.

***

Excerpt from FACING THE ENEMY by DiAnn Mills. Copyright 2023 by DiAnn Mills. Reproduced with permission from DiAnn Mills. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She is a storyteller and creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. 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; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Jerry Jennings Writers Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers. 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:
DiannMills.com
Goodreads
BookBub – @DiAnnMills
Instagram – @diannmillsauthor
X – @diannmills
Facebook – @diannmills
YouTube – @diannmills

 

 

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JOIN IN ON THE GIVEAWAY:

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

 

 

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

 

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Giveaway – Business & Personal Secrets For Getting Unstuck by Frank Zaccari @partnersincr1me

Business & Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck by Frank Zaccari Banner

Business & Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck

by Frank Zaccari

June 19 – July 14, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

Business & Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck by Frank Zaccari

At times we all get stuck. Maybe you feel stuck in a dead-end job; your job was a victim of COVID; you live in an area you do not enjoy; your personal relationship is floundering; the life that you want is moving further and further from reality, you can’t “catch a break,” or maybe you never got the right opportunity. Does any of this sound familiar? Be honest! We have all been there. “Things we didn’t expect!” “We weren’t prepared for this.”

Getting stuck is inevitable – staying stuck is a choice

Praise for Business and Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck:

“Your go-to book for the details on getting unstuck”
~ Joanne Victoria, Life Coach and author of Vision With a Capital V – Create the Business of Your Dreams

Business and Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck “is an excellent read that is full of practical advice for business professionals and entrepreneurs”
~ Debra Holz

“You will not walk away from this book without relevant and practical tips and techniques you can use immediately to get your life unstuck. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book”
~ Amazon Reviewer

” It’s the right book at the absolute right time. Frank has a way of breaking things down while lifting you up and getting you unstuck. A pivotal read for me right now.”
~ LE Gray

Did You Know This Secret for Getting Unstuck?

Book Details:

Genre: Business & Money, Personal Transformation
Published by: WeBe Books
Publication Date: May 2022
Number of Pages: 177
ISBN: 978-1955668231
Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

Who needs this book?

We all get stuck, frustrated, depressed, anxious, frustrated, and disappointed. This book is for everyone who has ever felt stuck. If we are honest, that includes everyone over the age of thirteen. We are like the car stuck in the mud or a snow bank at times. We keep pushing on the gas, but the wheels just keep spinning. The rut we are in gets deeper until we feel we are running in quicksand. It seems the harder we try, the more stuck we become, and like quicksand, we sink until we simply give up.

Very often, being stuck in an internal issue. It is something we create and allow to occur. Wow! That’s a harsh statement. You should be saying, “You are crazy, Frank. Why in God’s name would I ever create and allow a situation where I am stuck and unhappy to exist.” Well, news flash, folks, it happens every day.

Maybe you feel stuck in a dead-end job; your job was a victim of COVID; you live in an area that you do not enjoy; your personal relationship is floundering; that life that you want is moving further and further from reality; you can’t catch a break, or maybe you never got the right opportunity. Does any of this sound familiar? Be honest! We have all been there. Now the question is, are you going to stay there?

Let’s look at another quote from Mel Robbins:

When you are stuck, the primary task is deciding if you’re going to change at all. The challenge is finding the ability to create a slight change in your life and build on it in the face of an overwhelming amount of resistance. – Mel Robbins – The Five-Second Rule

The magic words are “IF you’re going to change.” Getting unstuck, moving forward, and achieving a positive and productive life is in your hands. Greatness is not primarily a matter of circumstance; greatness is a matter of conscious choice and discipline. Staying stuck is a choice. Justifying that you never had the right opportunity is not a reason or an excuse. It is a choice. Where are you stuck in life, and what choices will you make? Are you going to fall apart? OR are you going to pick up the pieces and start moving forward?

***

Excerpt from Business & Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck by Frank Zaccari. Copyright 2023 by Frank Zaccari. Reproduced with permission from Frank Zaccari. All rights reserved.

 

 

Author Bio:

Frank Zaccari

Co-Founder of Trust the Process – Book Marketing Program; keynote speaker; Business Adviser; TV Show Host, 5x Best-Selling and Award-Winning Author

As co-founder of Trust the Process – Book Marketing Program 22 months ago, we have created and executed marketing/promotion plans that achieved 11 consecutive #1 bestselling new releases in multiple categories.

A native of western New York, Frank Zaccari served as a military medic in the U.S. Air Force before spending over 20 years in the high-tech industry. His experience included senior positions with Fortune 50 organizations “re-launching” small and mid-size companies.

Frank is a 5X bestselling and award-winner author who has written and published nine books based on life altering events. The last four books Business Secrets for Walking on Water, Business & Personal Secrets for Avoiding Relationship Landmines, Business & Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck, and Business Secrets from the Battlefield to the Boardroom, were awarded Amazon #1 Best-Selling new release status in multiple categories. They are part of a four-book series. He was just awarded 1st place by The Authors’ Zone for nonfiction business (Business and Personal Secrets for Getting Unstuck) – 1st place for Nonfiction Business for 2022.

He led a workshop for aspiring entrepreneurs at Arizona State University; is a mentor with the Veterans Treatment Court; a mentor and judge with the University of California Entrepreneurship Academy and is an accomplished speaker. Frank hosts a Roku TV and youtube show which, has 235,000 listeners in 42 countries.

Education

  • UCLA Anderson School of Business – Management Development for Entrepreneurs Certification Program
  • California State University at Sacramento – Bachelors of Science – Finance
  • Catch Up With Our Author, Frank Zaccari:
    FrankZaccari.com
    Goodreads
    YouTube – @frankzaccari
    LinkedIn
    Facebook

     

     

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    Don’t Miss This Opportunity to GET UNSTUCK!

    This is a giveaway hosted by Providence Book Promotions for Frank Zaccari. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

     

    Find Your Next Great Read at Providence Book Promotions!

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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    • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
    • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
    • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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    Happy Book Birthday for Celia Bonaduce’s Smooth @pumpupyourbook @CeliaBonaduce

     


    We’re thrilled to announce the release of Celia Bonaduce’s new book, SMOOTH: LIFE HACKS TO GET YOU SMOOTHLY THROUGH CHEMO today! To help celebrate, we are asking our readers if you can please pretty please pick up a copy at Amazon and come back and tell us how you liked it? Or, leave a review while you’re there! 
     

    Congratulations, Celia, on your new release, Smooth: Life Hacks to Get You Smoothly Through Chemo!






    Is Now Available in Paperback!
     




    Title: Smooth: Life Hacks To Get You Smoothly Through Chemo
    Author: Celia Bonaduce
    Publisher: BookBaby
    Pages: 100
    Genre: Nonfiction

    When cancer got in the way of Celia traveling for her day job as a field producer on the hit HGTV show, House Hunters, she did not let it stop her creativity. While the road to her first nonfiction book was anything but SMOOTH, it was a path that Celia felt compelled to explore. This collection of life hacks comes from Celia’s own experiences living through chemo.

    Amazon: https://amzn.to/3pmQoFa

     


    One test had led to the next and then the next. I’d had two mammograms, an ultrasound, and a biopsy. So when the call came, I was ready.

    “Hi, Celia…” my doctor said, her voice trailing off. “It’s cancer.”

    “Yeah,” I said, picturing my life as a novelist and a TV producer grinding to an immediate halt. “My village would have to be missing its idiot for me to not have suspected this.”

    So then I did the breast cancer thing—lumpectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. I learned a lot about breast cancer (for example, that mine was Stage 1-B triple-negative breast cancer). But here’s a secret: while there are lots of books out there about women’s personal stories during their breast cancer journeys, when you’re going through it, you don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone else’s story. You just want to know how to get through it yourself.

    This isn’t a personal retrospective, nor is it a medical journal. But I do have some recommendations I’d like to pass along—just some ideas that might make your life easier during this most stressful of times. All the products mentioned are my personal favorites from my own chemo adventure. No company has endorsed, sponsored, or bribed me. The photographs of the products are beautiful and professional looking because my beautiful and professional friend Justine shot them.

    As you start your journey, you will wonder where you will get the mental as well as physical strength to voluntarily show up for chemo month after month. But you will find that strength or that strength will find you. I hope these tips will make your trip easier.

    Because it’s all about you.

    As it should be.

     

    About Celia Bonaduce



    Celia Bonaduce is an award-winning novelist, podcast writer, and television producer. Celia spent fifteen years as a producer-director in lifestyle programming on shows that include ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and HGTV’s House Hunters and Tiny House Hunters. As a novelist with Kensington Publishing, Celia has written three trilogies: the Venice Beach Romances, the Fat Chance, Texas series, and the Tiny House Novels. The Tiny House Novel series won top honors with a Grand Finalist nod from the New Apple Official Selection, first place in the Book Excellence Awards and Gold from both the National Federation of Press Women and the Elite Choice Awards. Celia is also a co-author of A Texas Kind of Christmas, an Amazon #1 Best Seller in Historical Romance that took Gold from the National Federation of Press Women.

    Website: https://www.celiabonaduce.com

    Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CeliaBonaduce

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

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celiabonaduce

    Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/celia-bonaduce
     
     


     




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    Giveaway & Review – Call Her Janie by S R Fabrico @ireadbooktours @StacyRowe1


     
    Book Details:
    Book Title:  Call Her Janie: A scintillating romantic suspense with a shocking twist by S.R. Fabrico
    Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  350 pages
    GenreRomantic Suspense
    Publisher:  S.R. Fabrico
    Release date:  June 27, 2023
    Content Rating PG-13+M. it does have some cursing not much but some. There are some intimate scene, mostly left up to the readers imagination.

    MY REVIEW

    I immediately relaxed into the book, like a calgon bath, I let it take me away. I loved the small moments of peace and wonder. S R Fabrico’s writing style flows smoothly, making Call Me Janie by S R Fabrico easy reading.

    I was already curious about what drove her to the small town of Southport, North Carolina, but when she described the scars, I became even more curious about what happened to her. Her brother, Randy, and his wife, Renny have settled in Southport, so… here she is.

    Running from her past, she stumbles into Josh, or should I say, he stumbled into her. She tries to resist a persistent and charming Josh, because the Cinderella story rarely comes true. She had learned that the hard way, and wasn’t ready to let any man into her heart.

    “You don’t want to hop on my crazy train…” “My heart is hurt, and I need to heal it first.”

    When Lizzie’s sister in law describes her day teaching kids about family genealogy, I laughed out loud.

    ” ‘Wow, Jameson, you have a large family. Why aren’t you in the picture?’ He blurts out, ‘I was still swimming in my daddy’s balls.’ “

    Lizzie and Helen are fabulous characters. Of course, I would be enamored with Lizzie, she is the main character. But when she gets a job at Helen’s book store, they wrapped me up in their world, making me feel sad, happy, warm and cozy, frightened and hopeful.

    If a Hallmark card were a town, this would be it.

    S R Fabrico took me in deeper and deeper with each page I read. I wanted to see Lizzie’s happy ever after, but kept telling myself to slow down and enjoy the journey.

    I had my suspicions about HER, but I never saw THAT coming. The pace and tension ramped up, making me ‘flip the pages’ faster.

    Call Her Janie by S R Fabrico was an emotional read that I couldn’t put down…But the story isn’t finished. We stopped at a good place and I can hardly wait for Keeping Janie.

    I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Call Me Janie by S R Fabrico.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars



    Book Description:

    Are you ready for a heart-pumping, page-turning journey of love, loss, and suspense? Look no further than S.R. Fabrico’s latest masterpiece, filled with gripping twists and turns that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
     
    Meet Lizzie Levine, the unstoppable female executive at a top NYC marketing firm. Driven by the tragic loss of her parents, Lizzie refuses to let anything stand in her way – until a handsome, enigmatic billionaire named Gray Stone enters the picture. But when Lizzie discovers she’s pregnant with Gray’s child, she learns there’s more to him than meets the eye.
     
    Desperate for a fresh start, Lizzie escapes to the serene coastal town of Southport, NC. There, she meets Josh, a charming local determined to help her heal and move on from her troubled past. But as Lizzie begins to rebuild her life, she soon realizes that her past is not so easily left behind. Someone with a sinister agenda lurks in the shadows, and Lizzie’s life is in grave danger.
     
    With a writing style, that’s both eloquent and engaging, S.R. Fabrico takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you journey with Lizzie through the twists and turns of her life. Whether you’re a fan of suspenseful thrillers or heartwarming love stories, this book is a must-read. Don’t miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world of passion, intrigue, and danger.

    Buy the Book:
    Signed Copy
    Amazon
    add to goodreads




    Meet the Author:

    S.R. Fabrico is a 16-time award-winning author. Her debut novel The Secrets We Conceal was published in March 2022. She has also written a series of sports journals for athletes, including the Amazon best-selling My Dance Journal.

    A 25-plus-year professional in the business, marketing, and sports world has taken her to numerous places throughout the course of her life and provided countless life experiences. She is a World Champion Dance Coach, coach of the year recipient, and speaker and various conferences across the United States.

    S.R. Fabrico works and writes from her home in Knoxville, TN, where she lives with her husband and two children. She appreciates the beauty of the mountains, but her favorite place to visit is the beach. She is a lifelong math nerd and enjoys good puns. When she isn’t writing, she likes to read books, wife hard, and mom hard.


    connect with the author: website ~ twitter facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads

    Enter the Giveaway:


    CALL HER JANIE Book Tour Giveaway



    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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    • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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    Review – The Savannah Project (Jake Pendleton #1) by Chuck Barrett @chuck_barrett

    I have had The Savannah Project by Chuck Barrett on my TBR since 2012, but didn’t pick it up until 2014. I was so excited to grab it and don’t know why I waited so long to read it.

    Amazon / Audiobook / Goodreads

    MY REVIEW

    I cracked the book open and didn’t realize it was St Patrick’s Day…here and in Savannah Georgia. The Prologue socked me in the gut and I braced myself for what was to come. I have had my eye on The Savannah Project and The Toymaker since 2012, so it is high time I Knocked them off my reading list.

    Jake Pendleton will meet Ian Collins, an assassin that will change his life forever. A man who vowed an eye for an eye, a blood vengeance.

    I have never really understood all the IRA, Sinn Fein issues, but I have read and continue to read novels about them, trying. An eye for an eye is never enough. I can never understand sacrificing innocent lives. How can that be right?

    As I read along, the story grew deeper, more desperate and dangerous. Jake scrambles to understand what is happening. The action is non stop as they travel the globe creating devastation wherever they go. Bodies will fall and I wonder who will be left standing.

    The story doesn’t end here and I eagerly begin The Toymaker. The characters have captured my curiosity and I have to know what will become of them, whether they are the worst villains imaginable or persons who will sacrifice their life for others.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    GOODREADS BLURB

    The truth can be a dangerous thing.

    Terrorism, duty, and personal safety collide when Jake Pendleton, an investigator for the NTSB, is called to investigate an aircraft accident in Savannah, Georgia during the St. Patrick’s Day celebration. The accident, which at first appears to be quite run-of-the-mill, turns out to be anything but. Since Jake is not willing to pretend there are no suspicious circumstances and more than the usual share of rather unlikely “coincidences,” he sets off a veritable avalanche of secrets, violence and treachery. Aided by an unlikely partner, Gregg Kaplan, the air traffic controller who was the last person in contact with the airplane that crashed, Jake sets out to untangle the webs of deceit and to find a vicious killer.

    Nothing is as it seems, nobody is who you thought them to be.
    Nothing is sacred.
    Nobody is safe.

    The Savannah Project is an action packed political thriller with a twist around every corner. If you like thrillers by great authors like David Baldacci, Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and others, then you’ll enjoys this book as the author incorporates his 3M formula for his novels: Murder, Mystery, & Mayhem.

    His books have reached Amazon Bestseller status in the following categories:
    • Espionage & Spy Thrillers
    • Political Thrillers
    • Political Thriller & Suspense
    • Action & Adventure
    • Terrorism Thriller

    • Action and Adventure, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction

    336 pages, Kindle Edition

    First published March 9, 2010

    ABOUT CHUCK BARRETT

    Chuck Barrett is the award-winning author of The Savannah Project, The Toymaker, Breach of Power, and Disruption of his Jake Pendleton series, and Blown, and Last Chance of his blockbuster Gregg Kaplan series. He is a graduate of Auburn University and retired air traffic controller. He also holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate.

    He and his wife, DJ Steele (also an author) currently reside in Northern Colorado.

    Awards:
    —BLOWN
    2016 Writers Digest Self-Published Book Awards

    —Breach of Power
    Winner of the 2013 Indie Excellence Award in Political Thrillers.
    Finalist in the 2013 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure category.

    —The Toymaker
    Finalist in the 2013 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure & Mystery/Suspense categories.

    —The Savannah Project
    Finalist in the 2011 International Book Awards Thriller/Adventure category.
    Second Place in the 2011 Reviewers Choice Awards Mystery/Thriller/Suspense/Horror category.
    Honorable Mention in the 2011 ForeWord Reviews Book-Of-The-Year Awards Thriller/Suspense category.

    Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube

    MY CHUCK BARRETT REVIEWS

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
    • You can see my Reviews HERE.
    • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
    • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
    • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
    • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
    • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!

    Giveaway – Copper Waters by Marlene M Bell @ewephoric @partnersincr1me

    Copper Waters by Marlene M Bell Banner

    Copper Waters

    The Annalisse series, Book 4

    by Marlene M. Bell

    May 29 – June 23, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

    Synopsis:

    A rural New Zealand vacation turns poisonous.

    Annalisse Drury and Alec Zavos are on opposite sides when an ex-lover from Alec’s past introduces him to his alleged son. With Alec’s marriage proposal in limbo, Annalisse accepts a key to her dream cottage—an invitation to a sheep station on South Island, New Zealand—only this time, she travels alone.

    Unbeknownst to her, a mutual friend follows on the flight, and together they are confronted by two peculiar deaths—either accidental, or the deliberate acts of a psychopath.

    Temuka police investigators are closing these cases too quickly. They want Annalisse to exit their country before she reveals the town’s darkest secrets. Will she return to Alec, or sacrifice their future together to expose it all?

    Praise for Copper Waters:

    “Marlene M. Bell’s COPPER WATERS is a well-written murder mystery with descriptive scenes, an intriguing setting, and enough push and pull between the characters and within the plot to keep readers engaged.”
    ~ IndieReader

    “Marlene M. Bell is a master storyteller when it comes to the cozy mystery genre.”
    ~ Book Review Directory

    Copper Waters is an entertaining and fast-paced mystery, where small-town intrigue, family drama, and a high-stakes whodunit will deepen readers’ affection for the tenacious Annalisse.”
    ~ Self-Publishing Review

    Copper Waters is emotional and thrilling, surprising and life-changing.”
    ~ Review by Book Excellence

    Copper Waters Trailer:

    Book Details:

    Genre: Mystery (cozy type)
    Published by: Ewephoric Publishing
    Publication Date: December 2022
    Number of Pages: 342
    ISBN: 978-0999539491
    Series: The Annalisse series, Book 4
    Book Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

    Read an excerpt:

    Chapter Five

    Homicides R Us

    “Bill, get left!” I yell while checking for oncoming traffic. That’s when I notice a group standing in a semicircle near a driveway—around limbs. From here, it looks like a person’s body.

    “Oh no.” I stare through the windshield.

    We slow to a stop and park near the curb of a strip shopping area, leaving our engine running.

    “We should help.” I jump out to investigate. Women wearing rompers and a guy in greasy mechanic’s overalls are standing over someone on the pavement.

    “What happened?” I ask Bill, jogging to the scene and scanning the narrow two-lane road where no other vehicle has pulled over other than us. A familiar beige fishing hat lies a few feet from the victim.

    “A mad driver went on a strop!” a female screams from the gawking crowd.

    “It’s Alastair,” Bill mutters, his words loud enough for me to catch them. “Did he have a heart attack or did someone hit him?”

    Bill reaches the bystanders on Main Street before I do and throws his arm out, blocking me with his body and a stern glare.

    “Annalisse, would you please wait in the car?”

    “Can’t someone help him?”

    “It’s too late for that.”

    I change my mind about approaching Alastair. He’s in a bad way if Bill wants to shield me from viewing him. Travelers like us from the US who allow a local to drive their rental car will shoot us to the top of the authority’s suspect list—even if Ethan sent Alastair to pick us up at the airport. Our first day in Temuka and a nice old man is sprawled out dead on the road less than an hour after he stepped out of our vehicle. We’re so naive when it comes to learning the customs of another country before making the trip. Why didn’t I research this?

    I can’t help but think of the police encounters we’ve participated in and the hours of interrogation that happened not too long ago. This time we aren’t witnesses to the crime and weren’t in close proximity of Alastair when he was hit.

    Who is Alastair McGregor, really? A chilliness penetrates my hands. Why did he insist on walking along the roadside? Did he want to throw himself in front of a moving car, or is this just an accident?

    I wave Bill over at the same time one of the women throws up what appears to be her luncheon salad near Alastair’s prone body. I’ve seen no movement and try not to think about what’s staring me right in the face.

    Bill speaks to the male witness and returns to the car. “I hope you didn’t see him like that. According to one of the witnesses, Alastair was strolling his usual path. He takes this walk each day, rain or shine, and his reputation precedes him. They all know him well―a businessman and an environmental activist from their community.”

    “Was he hit by a car, or did he collapse in front of traffic?”

    “He was struck from behind, then the car came back around to finish the job.” Bill shudders.

    “Not an accident?” I’m in utter disbelief. “Activists make enemies. Alastair mentioned a protest next week at Bluebasin Lake. I hope someone didn’t do this on purpose to keep him from the protest.”

    “His cranium was crushed. Brain matter everywhere. The crime appears to be more deliberate, according to the ladies who saw the whole thing.”

    My fish and chips crawl up my throat where I can taste them again. I close my eyes to Bill’s description of the crime scene and try not to relive it in my mind.

    “There’s no chance he could survive?” I ask.

    “No way. His head was mashed under the tires. Once struck, he didn’t have a chance to get out of the way. Per the eyewitnesses, the driver sped through like a crazy person in a rage.” He verifies the navigation while we’re stopped and makes his U-turn in the road.

    “Shouldn’t we wait around for the police?” If we take off, won’t that look like we showed up to make sure—”

    “This country has a constitutional monarchy where England runs the show here. I’m not familiar with how a monarchy works, not yet anyway―homework for later. Let the police interview witnesses who saw the incident as it happened. We’ll go down to the precinct and tell them how we met Alastair and when we saw him last.” Bill glances into his rearview mirror. “I should also bone up on the local government in Temuka. We’re tourists in their country and should understand our rights before going to the police.”

    “The cottage is that way.” I point over the seat.

    “We’re taking the scenic route. I don’t want to drive past that crowd with police on the way and remind them we could’ve staged this. It’s not like they know us.”

    Poor Alastair. If he didn’t meet us, he might still be alive. “I wish he wasn’t sent to the airport to pick us up.” I say what Bill could be thinking.

    “We didn’t do this to him. A person in a dark Land Rover did,” Bill announces without warning.

    “They saw the car? I hope the driver gets what’s coming for murder. Knowing the make of the car will narrow down the suspects. How many Rover models can there be in a town of a few thousand people?”

    “Land Rover has an entire line. Remember, we’re in a British Commonwealth, and Land Rover is a UK company. You might not have noticed how many Brit vehicles we passed leaving Christchurch. Tons. They aren’t all the boxy type we think about,” Bill says. “The police will have their work cut out finding the hit-and-run driver if witnesses didn’t get a license.”

    My heart sinks for Alastair’s daughter. “Whoever gets the nasty job of notifying Alastair’s daughter, I pity that person. Before you returned with the rental car at the airport, I spoke to a woman named Jenny at the sweet shop. She may hear about it first.”

    “Immediate family notification isn’t going to be a problem.”

    “Why?”

    “The women had strange expressions when I brought up his family in a general way. It seems that Sidney and her son died two years ago, with Alastair at the wheel of their car.”

    My hand flies to my mouth. “You’re kidding.”

    “According to them, Alastair’s alone and has no living relatives.”

    The ache in my heart increases, as does the sadness.

    “The family were in a car accident together, and he was the sole survivor? That’s painful just thinking about it. Why did he tell us that his daughter owns, present tense, the shop on Whaler’s Street? I thought Jenny was an employee.”

    “Jenny could’ve stepped in to take over the shop for Sidney, and Alastair might’ve been so lonely after her death that he took on the taxi service to give himself purpose.”

    “Whoa. It takes a story like Alastair’s to remind us not to squander our time with friends and family.”

    “So true.”

    “I’m glad we ate when we did because there’s no way I could handle food after all this mess. Who ran Alastair down in broad daylight—without fear of being seen and then drove away?”

    Bill’s detour takes us to the cottage cutoff from the opposite direction. It’ll add a few extra miles, but I don’t mind when we have so much breathtaking countryside to absorb. I power the window down as we pass gigantic, smooth-barked, native trees filled with noisy birds that include hooked beaks and fat little bellies. Purple wildflowers that look like asters dot the meadows, and plants shaped like Scheffleras grow from the bases of those big trees.

    A faded green sign marks the dirt road to Woolcombe Station’s cottage on an idyllic triangular property marked by old fence posts. Pristine hedges and more flowering shrubs in pinks and yellows line the wooden porch to the main entrance. Shed dormers break up the A-frame roof, a dead giveaway for their heavy snows during winter. As per Ethan’s description, weatherworn gray planks in vertical lengths give the home a rustic, country feel. Crisscross windows in washed-out white casings add to the ambiance, but the most glorious part of this little house is the pond and stepping stones that wind to the rear. Water spilling over rocks nearby from a stream to our left pulls me in to its sound. The trickle and movement of water is so calming.

    We park next to clumps of small pampas-like grass finely maintained by a groundskeeper, I suspect. Not a blade of ground cover is out of place. Mowed volunteer grass on the outer yard matches what’s near the porch—a landscape that looks utterly natural and not at all commercially grown.

    “The cottage is larger, and the outside is cleaner than I expected. Quaint and pretty. Ready to check out the inside, or would you rather get some exercise?” I ask Bill.

    “Inside first.”

    Bill’s standing behind me as I dig into my tote compartment that holds Ethan’s box with the key. I slip the key into the slot and the door opens to a spacious world of twenty-by-twenty neutral tile and monochromatic sage-green area rugs. Two leather armchairs side by side and an exquisite nubby sofa crowd a large, calf-height, wooden coffee table similar in color to the gray exterior of the home. A vaulted ceiling adds size to the space, an illusion of a much larger dwelling than it is.

    “Chic. Someone has a knack for decorating.” I glance into the ugly mustard-tiled kitchen. “Ugh. Spoke too soon. We have early seventies over there.”

    “Not a guy’s pad, that’s for sure.” Bill wanders past me, leaving the vast room for a short hallway. “Looks like two bedrooms and a main bath,” he remarks loud enough for me to catch his remark from the end of the hall.

    The kitchenette is cubbyhole small, as if it’s been left that way from a modern renovation of the living room. One bright window has a view to the pond from booth seating made from the same nubby fabric as the couch. The stove and oven are a single-unit throwback from the Nixon administration, with electric elements and a tea-stained, harvest gold range top.

    “Not exactly gourmet cooking appliances.” My fingernail scrapes off some of the old grease. “I see a lot of takeout in our future. Are the bedrooms nice?” I stroll to the hall and smell the pungent odor of fresh paint.

    “Rooms are clean. Dresser, mirror, and a queen-size bed in each.”

    “I believe we’ve solved our travel problems, having only one car between us. Since the cottage is in the boonies, if you’d care to use the other bedroom, I’d like you to stay here. Having someone in the house will distract me from noticing paranormal activity at night.” I’m holding a straight face but about to burst from his expression. It’s priceless.

    “Is that right? Alec didn’t mention that you see ghosts.” Bill settles himself against the wall, with wide eyes and hands hidden behind him.

    “Drake, lighten up already. I’m kidding. We have enough to worry about without people in the hereafter joining our vacation.”

    “If you’re sure you don’t mind?” Bill’s lips flatline. “I don’t want to impose.” He hesitates as something stirs behind his eyes.

    “I’ll let Alec know the arrangements, don’t worry. Unless he plans on showing up unannounced? I don’t know what the two of you talked about.”

    “He knows he’s being slightly overprotective, but it’s well-founded. Trouble seems to like you… a lot.” Bill shoves a hand in his pants pocket and twists his mouth into a pucker.

    Alec does the same pocket thing when he’s frustrated with me.

    “Come on.” I bump him on the elbow. “I want you to camp here. Alec trusts you, as I do.”

    Bill’s serious nature is absorbing everything I say as truth. I’ll have to be careful teasing him. He hasn’t crossed any line since we met last year, so I feel protected in his presence, as if Alec were here. “I hereby promise not to make a nuisance of myself. Cross my heart.” I cross myself and hold up the Boy Scout salute. “Scout’s honor.”

    He looks at the sofa and touches it as if soothing the fabric. “Considering the incident with Alastair, it’s a good idea not to hang around town for lodging until we talk with police and explain how he showed up at the airport.”

    “I agree. The last time you spoke to Alec, what was his general mood?”

    “Crazy worried,” Bill says. “In his shoes, I’d be the same way.”

    I drop my gaze to the floor and consider how I left Alec with Noah. “He put you on the flight because you’d keep me from harm. You can’t do that from a motel in town. I’ll call Alec and give him the details about Alastair and tell him you’re staying at the cottage. I considered keeping the hit-and-run from Alec, but he should be told everything.”

    “I’ll bring in our things. Thank you for taking pity on a detective out of his element.” He’s outside before I can thank him for his mediation.

    Homicides R Us is back in business.

    ***

    Excerpt from Copper Waters by Marlene M. Bell. Copyright 2022 by Marlene M. Bell. Reproduced with permission from Marlene M. Bell. All rights reserved.

     

     

    Author Bio:

    Marlene M. Bell

    Marlene M. Bell is an eclectic mystery writer, artist, photographer, and she raises sheep on a ranch in wooded East Texas with her husband, Gregg.

    Marlene’s Annalisse series boasts numerous honors including the Independent Press Award for Best Mystery (Spent Identity,) and FAPA— Florida Author’s President’s Gold Award for two other installments, (Stolen Obsession and Scattered Legacy.) Her mysteries with a touch of romantic suspense are found at her websites or at online retail outlets.

    She also offers the first of her children’s picture books, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! Based on true events from the Bell’s ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of compassion and love between a little girl and her lamb.

    Catch Up With Marlene M. Bell:
    www.MarleneMBell.com
    Goodreads
    BookBub – @dorsetgalwrites
    Instagram – @marlenemysteries
    Twitter – @ewephoric
    Facebook – @marlenembell
    YouTube – @marlenebell4960

     

     

    Tour Participants:

    Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and giveaway entries!

     

     

    JOIN IN ON THE GIVEAWAY:

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

     

     

    Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

     

    MY MARLENE M BELL

    MY REVIEW LINKS FOR MARLENE M BELL

    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
    • You can see my Reviews HERE.
    • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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    • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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    Giveaway & Review – The Torching by Kerry Peresta @kerryperesta @partnersincr1me

    The Torching by Kerry Peresta Banner

    The Torching

    by Kerry Peresta

    May 8 – June 2, 2023 Virtual Book Tour

    MY REVIEW

    I think the title and cover will tell us what’s going to be happening in The Torching, the third book in the Olivia Callahan series. I have loved the covers for the entire series. I have loved watching Olivia struggle through her recovery of an assault that led to her having amnesia. She slowly pieces together her life, her personality taking a three hundred and sixty degree twist. I really like her new self and watching her come into her own.

    Trouble seems to be her middle name, because it follows her wherever she goes, through no fault of her own. Her group of friends are loyal and have their own baggage to share.

    We start with her beloved Maryland house being torched. Accident? Arson?

    The Wine, Whine, & Win group is missing one of their gal pals, Hannah. She had found her true love and moved to Florida. Why isn’t she answering their calls? Hmmm……

    It took me a while to put the mystery together. I was surprised at first, but it makes so much sense. Ya never know where greed will take someone, how far they will go to accomplish their mission? goal?

    Romance is in the picture, but Olivia is not ready to commit. I love how Kerry Peresta handled their relationship. She has been through, and continues to go through so much, how can she trust a man, or even herself, to make the right choice.

    There is so much going on, so many players in The Torching by Kerry Peresta, that my mind was spinning, at times. Seems I would turn around and another villain popped up. No one was safe. Olivia’s search for a purpose has found her a career and answers from her past. I love that Kerry Peresta has created such fabulous characters that I do want to see more from them…and I think I know where we will be going next.

    I had so many highlights in my ereader, that I had to pick and choose what I would share. Seeing this is a series, I don’t want to spoil any of the previous books for you, which I do highly recommend reading.

    I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Torching by Kerry Peresta.

    Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
    4 Stars

    Synopsis:

    Mysterious fires. A haunting past. A secret file.

    Three years ago, Olivia Callahan endured an assault that resulted in a devastating brain injury. She survived, but she couldn’t remember anything about her life or who she was. Now, she’s determined to build a bridge between the past she lost and the life she must reclaim.

    When Olivia crosses paths with PI Tom Stark, she is drawn to the investigative field, and becomes his intern. She finds a heavily redacted, forty-five-year-old file locked in his desk drawer that mentions her mother as a young woman. Why had her mentor hidden the file from her, and why had he never mentioned a case involving her mother?

    As Olivia moves forward with her fledgling career, a string of mysterious fires moves through the community, puzzling the Baltimore Arson Investigative Unit. One of the fires strikes Olivia’s beloved farmhouse in rural Maryland. Now, in addition to uncovering the secrets bound within the redacted file, she becomes convinced that the fires happening around the area are disturbing calling cards…and they’re meant for her.

    The Torching Trailer:

    Book Details:

    Genre: Traditional mystery or Suspense
    Published by: Level Best Books
    Publication Date: March 2023
    Number of Pages: 323
    ISBN: 978-1-68512-323-9
    Series: The Olivia Callahan Suspense series, 3 | Each is a Stand Alone Novel
    Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

    Read an excerpt:

    Smoke assailed us halfway up my long, winding, driveway. A dingy, gray film coated my windshield. I jabbed the brake to slow down, but my trembling foot slipped off the brake. Lilly gave me a look that broke my heart.

    The surging, ballooning smoke hurled itself at us like angry fog. Visibility fell to near-zero the longer I drove. I slowed to a crawl. We inched along the lane until the strobing white-and-red lights cut through the smoke. I counted two fire engines and one black SUV on the lane as I approached. A couple of firefighters raced into my house. My door lay on the porch in three pieces, and an axe was propped against the wall. Each firefighter wore oxygen tanks attached to large, anteater-shaped masks. With their cumbersome, reflective-striped protective gear and masks, they looked more suited to step on the moon than inside my beloved Maryland farmhouse.

    I brought my car to a shuddering halt.

    We stepped out. I put my arm around Lilly.

    Vaporous clouds of smoke cloaked my house. A couple of firefighters worked with giant, yellow firehoses. The men had divided themselves into teams, and the muted shouts told me some of them were behind the house. Flames leapt toward the sky from the backside of the roof. I counted six firefighters working on the house that I could see—plus the ones in the back. Tears trickled down my cheeks, and a terrifying thought struck—what about my cat?

    “Lilly,” I said, my voice shaky, “Where was Riot when you last saw him?”

    Lily’s face went white. “Mom…”

    I grabbed her by the shoulders. “No, no…Riot’s smart. He will have found safety. I’ll find him. Stay here.”

    I ran across the yard to a woman dressed in navy slacks and a white shirt with metal glinting on the front and official-looking patches on the arms. “I’m the owner,” I yelled over the whump of igniting flames, batting my way through smoke.

    She shook my hand and identified herself as the public information officer. “Sorry to meet under these circumstances, but glad you were out of the home. We have it controlled. The team inside is checking to make sure it was contained. As far as we can tell, the seat of the fire is in the attic. Give us thirty minutes, okay? But ma’am, I’ll need you to stay back. Our investigator will be here soon. She’ll let you know when it’s safe to go inside.”

    “My cat’s in there,” I yelled. “Can you have someone look for him?”

    She spoke into a radio.

    The smoke started to let up. Three hoses trained on the roof gushed out torrents of water. The huge flames stretching into the sky began to shrink. Radio chatter stuttered around the space. The firefighters stayed in constant contact, radios slung across their chests with a strap that held a mic.

    These guys would not know where to look for Riot.

    With an apologetic glance at Lilly, I skirted around the trucks, avoided the PIO, and dashed across the yard, up the front porch stairs, and into the house.

    “MOM,” Lilly wailed through the billowy smoke.

    Coughing, I ran inside. “Riot,” I screamed. “Riot, I’m here, buddy.”

    I looked behind the couch. Underneath the dining room table. On top of his cat tree. Underneath the wingback chair. He wasn’t in any of his favorite spots. I plowed through the murkiness and melting sheetrock.

    A bullhorn blared, “Ma’am. We need you to exit the building.” “Now!”

    My throat was closing. My eyes stung like crazy. I needed to find him and get the heck out.

    I scrambled into the kitchen and opened the lower cupboards, then the uppers. Searched the seats of the barstools, underneath the kitchen table. My heart thrashed like a wrecking ball in my chest. “Riot? I’m here, boy. Come on out,” I begged. A timid sound reached my ears. I waited. I heard it again, louder.

    A shaggy, orange head appeared on top of the cabinets. I climbed up, grabbed him, and raced out the back door. The backyard firefighter team made group gestures that I interpreted as ‘get the hell out of here and let us do our job, ma’am’.

    I zigzagged through the first responder obstacle course to my car, blinded by the strobing lights. Lilly spurted fresh tears and held out her arms for Riot. We watched in silence as the flames soared into the sky.

    ***

    Excerpt from The Torching by Kerry Peresta. Copyright 2023 by Kerry Peresta. Reproduced with permission from Kerry Peresta. All rights reserved.

     

     

    Author Bio:

    Kerry Peresta

    Kerry Peresta is the author of the Olivia Callahan Suspense series. “The Torching,” book three, releases March, 2023, and books four and five in 2024 and 2025. Her standalone suspense thriller, “Back Before Dawn,” releases May, 2023. Additional writing credits include a popular newspaper and e-zine humor column, “The Lighter Side,” (2009—2011); the short story “The Day the Migraine Died,” published in Rock, Roll, and Ruin: A Triangle Sisters in Crime Anthology, articles published in Local Life Magazine, The Bluffton Breeze, Lady Lowcountry, and Island Events Magazine. She is past chapter president of the Maryland Writers’ Association and a current member and presenter of the Pat Conroy Literary Center, Hilton Head Island Writers’ Network, South Carolina Writers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. Kerry is the mother of four adult children, and spent thirty years in advertising as an account manager, creative director, copywriter, and editor. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her working out, riding her bike or kayaking, enjoying the beaches of Hilton Head Island, or cuddling her two cats, Agnes and Felix. She and her husband moved to Hilton Head Island in 2015.

    Catch Up With Kerry Peresta:
    www.KerryPeresta.net
    Goodreads
    BookBub – @kerryperesta
    Instagram – @kerryperesta
    Twitter – @kerryperesta
    Facebook – @klperesta

     

     

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    Giveaway – The Old Dragon’s Head by Justin Newland @JustinNewland53 @iReadBookTours

     


    Book Details:

    Book Title:  The Old Dragon’s Head by Justin Newland
    Category:  Adult Fiction (18 +),  257 pages
    GenreHistorical Fantasy, Supernatural Thriller 
    Publisher:  Troubador Publishing Ltd.
    Release date:  November 2018
    Content Rating: PG-13 +M. Mild sex and cruelty. Mature themes.


    Book Description:

    The Great Wall of China may be constructed of stone and packed earth, but it is home to a supernatural beast – the Old Dragon. Both wall and dragon protect China’s northern borders from Mongol incursion. Just beyond the fortress of Shanhaiguan, the far eastern end of the wall protrudes into the Bohai Sea – that’s the Old Dragon’s Head.

    Bolin, a young man working on the Old Dragon’s Head, suffers visions of ghosts. The local seer suspects that he has yin-yang eyes and other supernatural gifts. Bolin’s fief lord, the Prince of Yan, rebels against his nephew, the Jianwen Emperor. In the bitter war of succession, the Mongols hold the balance of power. While the victor might win the battle on earth, China’s Dragon Throne can only be earned with a Mandate from Heaven – and the support of the Old Dragon. In every era, a man endowed with the powers of heaven – the Dragon Master – is born. Only he can summon the Old Dragon, providing he possesses the dragon pearl. It’s the year 1402, and neither the Old Dragon, the dragon pearl, nor the Dragon Master, has been seen for twenty years. Bolin’s journey of self-discovery is mirrored by that of old China, as both endeavour to come of age. When Bolin accepts his destiny as the Dragon Master, heaven sends a third coming of age – for humanity itself. But are any of them ready for what is rising in the east?





    Meet the Author:

    JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres from historical fiction and crime, to supernatural thrillers and mystery. His stories deal with the themes of war, religion, and evolution and speculate on the human’s spiritual place in the universe.

    Undeterred by the award of a Doctorate in Mathematics from Imperial College, London, he found his way to the creative keyboard and conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies.

    Next came the historical fantasy, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.

    His next historical fantasy, The Coronation (Matador, 2019), speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution.

    His fourth, The Abdication (Matador, 2021), is a supernatural thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.

    His work in progress is a two-book series, The Island of Angels, set in Elizabethan England, and is an epic tale of England’s coming of age. The first novel, The Mark of the Salamander, travels with Sir Francis Drake across the wide open seas of discovery from 1577-1580 and is due to be published in September 2023. The second, The Midnight of Eights, culminates in the repulse of the Spanish Armada in 1588.

    He regularly gives talks to historical associations and libraries and enjoys giving radio interviews and making podcasts. Born three days before the end of 1953, he lives with his partner in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.


    connect with the author: website twitter ~ facebook instagram pinterest bookbub goodreads

    Enter the Giveaway:

    THE OLD DRAGON HEAD Book Tour Giveaway



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    Giveaway – She Who Rides Horses by Sarah V Barnes @ireadbooktours


    Book Details:

    Book Title:  She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) by Sarah V. Barnes
    Category:  Adult Fiction (18+),  267 pages
    Genre: Historical Fiction 
    Publisher:  Lilith House Press 
    Release date:  March 2022
    Content RatingPG.  It contains two kissing scenes and the death of an animal.
    Book Description:

    Set more than 6,000 years ago, She Who Rides Horses: A Saga of the Ancient Steppe (Book One) begins the story of Naya, the first person to ride a horse.

    Daughter of a clan chief, bolder than other girls but shunned by the boys because of her unusual appearance, Naya wanders alone through the vast grasslands where her people herd cattle and hunt wild horses for their meat. But Naya dreams of creating a different kind of relationship with the magnificent creatures.

    One day, she discovers a filly with a chestnut coat as uncommon as her own head of red hair. With time running out before she is called to assume the responsibilities of adulthood, Naya embarks on a quest to gallop with the red filly across the boundless steppe.

    Unwittingly, she sets in motion forces and events that will change forever the future of humans and horses alike.


    Meet the Author:

    Sarah V. Barnes, Ph.D. is both an historian and a horsewoman. When Sarah is not writing stories, she practices and teaches riding as a meditative art. She also offers equine-facilitated coaching and wellness workshops.

    Sarah holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and spent many years as a college professor before turning full-time to riding and writing. She has two grown daughters and lives with her husband, her dogs and her horses near Boulder, CO.


    connect with the author: website facebook ~  goodreads




    Enter the Giveaway:


    SHE WHO RIDES HORSES Book Tour Giveaway




    • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
    • You can see my Reviews HERE.
    • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
    • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
    • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
    • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
    • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!