Freebie and Review for Dark Deeds by Susan Fleet

Posted on June 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Dark Deeds: Serial killers stalkers and domestic homicides (Book 2)

by Susan Fleet

Stranger than fiction, a collection of 13 true crimes: the victims, the criminals, the bloody consequences. “Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. Well researched and well written. A 5 star recommend!” Art Smukler, psychiatrist & author

Dark Deeds (Book 2) is FREE June 23 through June 27, 2014.

Susan Fleet manages to weave her love of music into her suspense/thrillers novels.

Susan also investigates the dark side of human nature world wide. I think she is as curious as I am to know what makes these people tick.

Be aware, be vigilant , because sometimes the monster is right next door.

I love her website, so if this sounds like something you are interested in, check her out at Susan Fleet or Renzi’s Rants.

MY REVIEW

Each chapter features one true crime case – 4 serial killer cases, four stalker cases and four domestic homicide cases, with a special case in Chapter 13 that Susan found difficult to categorize.

Susan tells their life story, including where they are now. At least these ones you don’t need to worry about any more. If they are not dead, they will never walk the streets again.

No one knows how many serial killers are active in the US. Some people think as many as one hundred people are murdered by them each year, but that is not accounting for the ones never found.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

There are many more stalkers than serial killers and domestic homicide is a horrendous problem with most victims being women and children.

In the early years, before special investigation units, computers connecting similar cases in different states and advanced police techniques, who knows how many people could have been saved. We can see the advancement in police procedure has jumped by leaps and bounds.

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

Serial killers often have a signature, something that stamps their name on a killing,. It can be how they kill or the trophies they take.

Stalker assassins attack celebrities, presidents and others because they believe they can get away with it. How does a man’s mind work, when he believes, in this day and age, that he can pull a gun on the president and walk away? They are obsessed and believe they are in love. They will become violent when confronted and rejected. California was the first state to pass anti stalking laws in 1990. Looking back, it’s hard to believe we waited so long and why did we? That may be a story in itself.

(Photos courtesy of Susan Fleet’s blog)

I read these type of books, because man’s cruelty and depravity heaped on others for pure enjoyment is very disturbing and I am fascinated (is that the proper word) by the question, why. What makes them tick?

I can never understand how a nurse could kill her patients. The bigger question is how can hospitals and medical management allow it to continue to happen. I think most of us have heard a story or two about a criminal having a long rap sheet and question why nothing was done sooner.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

I watch TV shows, like Criminal Minds (my personal favorite) and CSI, and see where they get their inspiration. I also watch a lot of the true crime shows, like Forensic Files and Cold Case. I have a morbid fascination with murder.

I do believe there is something wrong with these people, but I do not believe an insanity plea should get them off. They know the difference between right and wrong, they just don’t care. Sometimes, I think the justice system is skewed too much in favor of the accused and his rights and the victim is forgotten. After all, they can’t speak for themselves – because they are DEAD.

I cannot understand the binge killings, especially the ones committed by younger people. All the school shootings….I don’t even know what to say. It stuns me. Who are these “people”?

(Photo courtesy of Photobucket)

In some cases, I believe the murders could have been avoided. Some criminals have a rap sheet a mile long and are walking around and breathing air, just like you and me. Is it because we don’t believe anyone is capable of doing something like that or they are as bad as they are. or is the justice system overwhelmed with criminal cases?

Susan has done her research. Each story is told from beginning to end, telling us where these killers are today. She satisfied my curiosity about that. I still wonder, and probably will forever, HOW CAN THEY DO THAT AND WHY?

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received Dark Deeds, Book II from Susan Fleet, the author, in return for an honest and unbiased review.

~~~~~~

SYNOPSIS

Dark Deeds-Volume Two contains 12 new true crime cases about serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides.Once again, Susan Fleet has researched, written and compiled detailed accounts of twelve true crime cases: four serial killers, four stalkers and four domestic homicides. Chapter 13 involves a case that defies categorization. Some examples …

• Serial killers: The Candy Man loves little boys to death.
• Stalkers: Arthur Bremer and John Hinkley Jr. stalk Presidents.
• Domestic Homicide: A rabbi pays a man to murder his wife.

No one knows how many serial killers are roaming the United States. Some experts believe they murder as many as 180 people each year. Others say the count may be much higher because some serial killers hide the bodies and they’re never found. Stalkers far outnumber serial killers. Each year they threaten and intimidate 3.4 million people in America. Although stalkers may profess love for the objects of their obsession, many seriously injure or kill their “love object.”

Domestic homicide is rampant in the United States. Women and children rarely kill family members; men commit the majority of domestic homicides. Some are crimes of passion. Others are carefully calculated. Why bother with a divorce when you can kill your spouse?

Here’s what Arthur Smukler, MD, psychiatrist and author of Chasing Backwards, a psychological mystery, said about Dark Deeds, Volume One: “In Dark Deeds, Susan Fleet immerses us in the world of serial killers, stalkers, and domestic homicides. An inveterate fiction enthusiast, I found her real-life tales obsessively haunting and educational.”

~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Midway through her successful career as a professional trumpeter and music professor, Susan Fleet discovered her dark side and began writing crime fiction. New Orleans is the setting for her award-winning Frank Renzi mysteries, Absolution, Diva and Natalie’s Revenge. The Premier Book Awards named Absolution Best Mystery-Suspense-Thriller of 2009.

Susan lived in New Orleans for nine years and now divides her time between the Big Easy and Boston. Visit her website and send her an email. She’d love to hear from you! http://www.susanfleet.com

Her other passion is promoting talented women musicians. While teaching at Brown University and Berklee College of Music, she created a course about female musicians, jazz and classical. Read about them at http://archives.susanfleet.com/

Susan also blogs about crime on DARK DEEDS: serial killers, stalkers and domestic homicides. http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog_1.php
And don’t miss RENZI’S RANTS! NOPD Detective Frank Renzi rants about whatever is on his mind! http://darkdeeds.susanfleet.com/blog/renzirants.php

Some of her favorite authors are: Lisa Gardner, Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford, Elmore Leonard, Thomas Perry and Martin Cruz Smith.

~~~~~~

To get your Amazon US copy of Dark Deeds, Book 2, or any other book by Susan Fleet, click on the cover.

Click her for all other Amazon and book buy links or just to say hi to Susan Fleet.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

5 Star Review – Is Winning the Lottery a Curse or a Blessing – Jackpot by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Diva by Susan Fleet plus a Free Thriller

5 Star Review – Absolution by Susan Fleet

5 Star Review – Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mini Review – Kingdom by Anderson O’Donnell

Posted on June 22, 2014 by fundinmental

Everything about Kingdom by Anderson O’Donnell made me want to read the book. The cover hints at dystopia, but the story goes even deeper – can bioengineers discover and use the soul gene for their own nefarious means? This is a horror story about man’s inhumanity towards mankind. I had a hard time with the book. I could not get invested with the rich druggie, Dylan, nor the scientist looking for redemption, Campbell. The mix of science and religion is one that will probably go on forever as we push the boundaries of morality and ethics. Is the good of many worth more than the life of one when it is your life on the line? Kingdom is a Kirkus Reviews Top 25 Indie Book of 2012, but I could not get into the book and would not recommend it, however, I did like the ending. Maybe it was just me and the moment, so if this sounds interesting to you, be sure and check it out further. Just because it didn’t grab me, doesn’t mean it won’t grab you.

You can pick up your copy or learn more about Anderson O’Donnell by clicking on the cover above.

I won this signed paperback in a giveaway by Fighting Monkey Press. Thank you to the publishers and the author, Anderson O’Donnell. It holds a place on my bookshelf.

2 Stars – I finished the book, but would not recommend it

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mini Review – Twilight Hunter by Kait Ballenger

Posted on June 11, 2014 by fundinmental

Jace is a Hunter of the paranormal kind, but when he runs into Frankie his life is changed forever. Isn’t that how it usually goes? She is Alpha to the Rochester Pack, so the last thing he needs to do is get involved with a were. I lived in Rochester for ten years, so I was very familiar with the territory, but I never did run into a were or a hunter. Drat, I wouldn’t have minded running into Jace myself. He’s a good guy that gets a bad rap and a great example for the all males. I love books about serial killers and this had twists and turns that kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning. Romance, lust, murder, jealousy and so much more abound in this novel of the paranormal.

I am looking forward to reading more about The Execution Underground. Rated for adults.

I won this signed first edition paperback on Dark Faerie Tales.

To get your copy of Twilight Hunter or learn more about Kait Ballenger, click on the cover above.

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend to Others

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Monday Mini – Review – Children of the Revolution by Peter Robinson

Posted on June 9, 2014 by fundinmental

I have read several books by the prolific writer, Peter Robinson – Playing With Fire, Friend of the Devil and All the Colors of Darkness – so I was very happy to have won Children of the Revolution. The cover led me down a path to murder and wicked political machinations. They do make, to me, not such strange bedfellows. If you want a detailed, step by step, approach to an investigation of a murder, this is the book for you. Children of the Revolution is a convoluted tale that drives Banks decades back into the past to find the answers. I do like knowing the process of an investigation, but I am an action junkie and needed more mayhem with my murder. I enjoyed the journey and I am sure I will travel through the pages of another Peter Robinson novel in the near future. I love this quote:

Hell is other people.

I won the ARC paperback on Goodreads First Reads.

To get a copy or learn more about Peter Robinson, click on the cover above.

3 Stars – Would Recommend To Others

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cozy Mystery Review and Giveaway – Death on Eat Street by JJ Cook

Posted on April 1, 2014 by fundinmental

Death On Eat Street by JJ Cook has an awesome cover. I looked at it and felt that it would be a fun read and I was not wrong. The chuckles and laughter are free.

It takes place in Mobile, Alabama. I lived in Mobile some time ago, so I am able to walk the streets with Zoe. It brought back some great memories and books that do that for me make them even more enjoyable.

The cover alone is enough to draw me in. How about you?

Death on Eat Street (Biscuit Bowl Food Truck)
BRAND NEW SERIES
COZY MYSTERY
Series: Biscuit Bowl Food Truck (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (April 1, 2014)
ISBN-13: 978-0425263457
E-Book ASIN: B00F9EZAUW

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SYNOPSIS

.
Zoe Chase always wanted to own her own restaurant—but first, she’ll have to serve up a heaping helping of meals on wheels, with a side of mystery. When she’s once again passed over for a promotion at work, Zoe decides to take the big leap and go for her dream. She quits, gives up her fancy digs, and buys a fixer-upper diner in a shady part of town. To keep above water during the renovation, she buys a used food truck to serve the downtown and waterfront of Mobile, Alabama. Zoe starts to dish out classic Southern food—but her specialty is her deep-fried biscuit bowls that blow traditional bread bowls away. After a promising start, things start to go downhill faster than a food truck without brakes. First, someone tries to rob the cash register. Next, Zoe is threatened by the owner of a competing food truck for taking their spot. And when the owner ends up dead inside Zoe’s rolling restaurant, Zoe and her sole employee, Ollie, find themselves hopping out of the frying pan into the fryer. They need to find the real killer, before both of them get burned.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review of Death on Eat Street by J J Cook

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Death on Eat Street has all the elements for a top notch beach read or just a book to relax with and enjoy. Full of plenty of mystery that kept me guessing who is the killer.

Zoe’s passion for cooking drives her, regardless of whatever her rich family and friends think. She doesn’t want the easy life that comes with money. She is determined to follow her dream.

When Terry is found dead in her food truck, she feels it’s her duty to follow proper procedure and do the right thing. Sooo, she calls the cops, because that’s the kind of girl she is.

The colorful cast of characters is fantastic, covering all classes. Her snooty controlling mother, her father who just wants to get along, her eccentric Uncle Saul, who they called in to help them with Zoe and he sure did. LOL Tommy lee, her jerk boyfriend, who doesn’t live in the real world. Ollie, from the homeless shelter, is a fantastic and tragic character that I am sure has a story to be told. He seemed to adopt her and was fast becoming her greatest ally. She would take the leftover food from the day to the guys at the homeless shelter, so they were always happy to lend her a hand. Miguel became her lawyer, when she was accused of the murder, but would he become more than that? Delia is her employee and friend and I can’t forget Creme Brulee, a sassy cat with a superior attitude. He snores and takes no guff from anybody. the I love them all, even the rich snobby ones.

JJ talks about Wintzell’s and I couldn’t help but smile. Wintzell’s is a seafood restaurant that is a staple of downtown Mobile, Alabama. Oliver Wintzell opened the restaurant in 1938 and the walls are covered with his sayings. I must confess, I have a couple.

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend To Others

“Don’t worry. It will never happen again,” says Zoe.

I burst out laughing. This is the first book in the series and I feel she will be getting in much more trouble in the future. I am ready for the adventure.

I received a paperback copy of Death on Eat Street by JJ Cook for tour review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

About J.J. Cook

J.J. Cook writes award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, Joyce and Jim Lavene, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley, Amazon, and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.jjcook.net.

Blog / Website / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads

Purchase Links.

.
AMAZON B&N Book World

~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

It hadn’t been more than thirty minutes or so since I’d climbed out of the food truck. How did Terry get there after me? And what was he doing here? Had he followed me back to give me more grief over parking in “his spot” on Dauphin Street?

“What’s up out here, young ’un?” Ollie came out of the diner, still holding the sword.

“I don’t know. This is Terry.”

He nodded. “From the infamous tacky taco truck?”

“Yes. I don’t know what he’s doing here. I think he may be drunk or something.”

Ollie bent down and put his hand on Terry’s neck. “I don’t know either, but he ain’t goin’ no place else.”

“What do you mean? I can call him a taxi or something.”

“No, Zoe. You don’t get it. The man’s dead. A taxi won’t do him any good now.”

Dead? That made even less sense to me. Maybe I was too tired to think straight.

Why was Terry—alive or dead—in my food truck?

“We gotta hide him somewhere.” Ollie glanced around. “We gotta get rid of him before someone sees him here.”

“We can’t do that. We should call the police. That’s what you do when you find a dead body.”

“Oh? ’Cause you’ve got so much experience finding dead people?” He chuckled. “You better believe me, Zoe. You think you got trouble now, tell the police there’s a dead man in your food truck. You’ll be in for a heap more trouble.”

I knew he was wrong. If something had happened to Terry, regardless of how he got into the Biscuit Bowl, the police needed to be informed. If there was one thing I knew besides cooking, it was the law.

My mother was one of the most prominent attorneys in Mobile. There was even some talk of her getting a judgeship. She’d fed me the law with my pureed carrots and pears when I was a baby. She’d hoped I was going to follow in her footsteps someday.

I was kind of a disappointment in that area.

I took out my cell phone. “I’m sorry, Ollie. I have to call. If you’re worried about being here, you should go to back to the shelter. I can handle this.”

“I ain’t worried about me, Zoe. It’s you I’m concerned for. What do you think the police will make of you having a dead man in your vehicle?”

I thought about it. “What can they make of it? I didn’t do anything. Someone must have put him here. Or he climbed in and died. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”

Famous last words.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

JJ Cook is giving away 1 (one) print copy. Just leave your email and answer the question:

What is your favorite tasty treat from a food truck?

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To get your copy of Death on Eat Street by J J Cook, click on the cover below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Muller – Review & Giveaway

Posted on March 23, 2014 by fundinmental

Voodoo and the Louisiana Bayou, how could I pass this up?

BLURB

A frantic phone call leads Detective Remy Steinberg racing through the night toward the one place he vowed never to return. With the life of his kidnapped daughter at stake, he willingly faces shotgun-wielding drug dealers, corrupt law-enforcement officials, and a raging hurricane.

Scouring the seedy back alleys of New Orleans for information, he goes undercover at a sinister voodoo ceremony, and struggles to understand the forces of black magic that hold his daughter hostage.

With time ticking down, he battles for his life against a high voodoo priest, but can he face the two things he fears most: the swamp that terrorized his childhood, and the ex-wife he’s never stopped loving?

Buy it Here

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

Detective Remy Steinberg glared at his phone. No good could come from answering this late on a Friday afternoon, but he still had ten minutes left on his shift. It was one thing to slip out when you finished your work, but to turn his back on a ringing phone . . .

“Homicide, Steinberg.” Maybe it was one of the guys in the back, playing a joke on him.

“Remy?”

Shoot. Ball Breaker Number One. What could she want? He’d mailed his child support payment in plenty of time.

“Gabrielle, what is it? I’m just leaving the office.”

“Adrienne didn’t come home from school today.”

“She’s sixteen, Gabby. She can’t be more than an hour late. Cut the girl some slack.”

“She’s seventeen, which you’d know if you paid her any attention. And she hasn’t been missing for an hour. She’s been missing for over thirty hours.”

His heart caught in his throat and he couldn’t speak for several seconds. In his job, he’d seen what could happen to a young girl in that length of time. He might not be the world’s best dad, but he was her dad just the same.

He tightened his grip on the phone. What had happened to his daughter? He wanted to believe she was getting into the same sort of mischief he was at that age, but something in his gut told him her disappearance was far more sinister.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review of Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte by Susan C Miller

The title gripped me from the very beginning. I love reading about the Louisiana bayou and voodoo. Nice cover, too. The swamp, gators and snakes – I can smell the rot of vegetation, hear the slaps of the gators tails and the hissing of the snakes. I feel anticipation as I pick up the book and begin to read, knowing the story to be told is dark and horrific.

Adrienne would be kidnapped, drugged and used in a voodoo ritual, all the while Hurricane Addie is heading straight for them all. She struggles to survive, believing her father will save her. Why did they want her? What evil do they have planned for her?

Remy is a cop in Texas, not Louisiana, but when his seventeen year old daughter goes missing, someone will have to pay.

Remy describes himself as a Yankee, coon-ass, redneck cop. He has an issue with his lack of height and assumes a persona for whatever locale he lives in (in Texas he’s a cowboy, in Louisiana he’s a bayou boy). His awful experience as a child in the swamp has never left him. He wanted nothing to with Louisiana and felt the people were backward, poor and superstitious.

He knew the small town cops with their bayou attitude would be hard to work with, but it was even worse than that. Every time he turned around in his investigation he ran into a Guidry. Did they control everything? Would they even look for her? Are they corrupt? Are they involved with the drug gang, or worse – dark voodoo? With no skills and terror dogging his steps, I know he will have to go into the swamp to get her back.

Gabby’s Grandmere had practiced good voodoo, but there was dark magic taking over the swamp. Gabby felt a sense of relief when Remy arrived, knowing he would stop at nothing to get there daughter back. They both carried guilt and blame for the events that tore them apart, but she began to see him in a new light as he investigated Adrienne’s disappearance. Would this bring them closer together? Could this be their second chance? Do you believe in second chances?

They had a failure to communicate. Maybe if they talked about it things would have been different. Their thoughts go back and forth as they try to figure out what when wrong. It made Remy and Gabby seemed so real to me. How often do we keep out thoughts to ourselves, our fears and insecurities making us afraid of what may happen if we put our feelings out there, showing our vulnerabilities.

I fell in love with Reuben. He had a sixth sense or is it more? If he believed Adrienne was alive, then Remy did too. He’s a Romanian Gypsy fortuneteller. I would love for him to have his own book. What do you think Susan?

I was shaking in my boots, just like Adrienne. The stagnant, rotten smells and the sounds of tails slapping on the water, the slithering of the snakes and being all alone in the dark. I can only imagine the terror she must have felt, afraid to even step outside, especially at night. The gators are out and they are hungry. And it’s hot, so hot.

I loved what happened to Sebastian, the High Priest of dark voodoo. I laughed out loud and thought, well done. I became so proud of Adrienne and Gabby. When push came to shove, they both stepped up and showed how people can do what is necessary when they feel they must.

Even though I know how it will end, I have tears in my eyes as I read it. I do so love a happy ending.

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend To Others

Quotes

“It’s easy to sit here and laugh at ideas you don’t understand, but I have to believe there are things in this world that defy logic.”

The gun might be more useful where he was going than a cookie.Throwing a cookie at an alligator wouldn’t be much help.

“He has to look out his window for the weather rock, tied on a string. If it’s wet, it’s raining. If it’s swinging, the wind is blowing.”

I received an ARC ebook in return for an honest review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan C. Muller is a fourth generation Texan. She attended Stephen F. Austin State University where she majored in Business Administration. She started her first novel at age eleven, but it wasn’t until after she had worked many years and raised a family that she returned to her first love, writing. She is a member of Northwest Houston RWA, Kiss of Death online RWA, and The Houston Writers Guild. Her novel, The Secrets on Forest Bend, has won several awards.

Susan and her husband, Sid, live in Spring, Texas with their rescue dog, Buster, a 120 pound black lab of advanced age. They have two children and four grandchildren. They love to travel and have been fortunate to see much of the world. Her favorite places include Kenya, New Zealand, and the Galapagos Islands. When not writing, she can be found doing volunteer work at a local hospital. She loves to read, travel, snorkel and take long walks.

Website / Twitter / Facebook

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To get your copy of Voodoo on Bayou LaFonte or learn more about Susan C Miller, click on the cover below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

Susan will be awarding a $20 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

“Do you believe in Voodoo?”

Follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Click on the image below to follow the tour.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Austin Carr is at it again – Big Money by Jack Getze – Giveaway and Review

Posted on March 12, 2014 by fundinmental

Jack Getze and Austin Carr had me laughing so hard……..

His colorful and eye catching covers only hint at the gut busting hilarity inside.

Big Money (An Austin Carr Mystery)
Publisher: Down & Out Books (January 12, 2014)
E-Book File Size: 884 KB
ASIN: B00HHAOZN4
Paperback: 218 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1937495671

SYNOPSIS

In this jaunty follow-up to Big Numbers, a scruffy stockbroker returns to tangle with mobsters, women and his own big mouth. The good news, as the story opens, is that the hero is in the company of a gorgeous naked lady. The bad news is that she’s pointing a shotgun at him. It’s a typical predicament for Austin Carr, a semi-shady New Jersey financial professional temporarily in charge of Shore Securities…He’s being extorted into opening a money-laundering account for local crime boss Bluefish; an auditor who was investigating his company has turned up murdered; a fetching state police captain figures he’s the key to her organized-crime probe; and his boss’s mother has been picked up for fixing her church bingo game.

Carr is continually getting into trouble over his weakness for breasts, his penchant for self-incriminating statements and his vestigial moral sensibility, which, like an appendix, makes itself felt at inconvenient times. — Kirkus Indie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Former Los Angeles Times reporter Jack Getze is Fiction Editor for Anthony nominated Spinetingler Magazine, one of the internet’s oldest websites for noir, crime, and horror short stories. Through the Los Angeles Times/Washington Post News Syndicate, his news and feature stories were published in over five-hundred newspapers and periodicals worldwide. His two screwball mysteries, BIG NUMBERS and BIG MONEY, are being reissued by DOWN & OUT BOOKS, with the new BIG MOJO to follow. His short stories have appeared in A Twist of Noir and Beat to a Pulp. Getze is an Active Member of Mystery Writers of America’s New York Chapter.

Author Links

Blog / Goodreads

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review of Big Money by Jack Getze

I found Big Money a light, humorous and entertaining read. Not only did I laugh with Austin, I laughed at him. Jack Getze and Austin Carr have a rather perverted sense of humor and I love it. There is more mystery and thrills going on than first meets the eye. It seems like a simple little story, but keeps spreading out, drawing in characters you wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley, or anywhere for that matter. So, don’t blink. You may not see it coming.

Let’s see what kind of mayhem Austin Carr is up to today. I’m sure we can find him at his usual haunt, Luis’s Mexican Grill.

A naked lady is pointing a shotgun in Austin Carr’s face. I am not surprised that the book starts out this way. It is par for the course in Austin Carr’s world.

Austin is a hard drinking, margarita loving kinda guy that seems to attract trouble just by breathing. I would like to compare him to some noir character, but he is so low, I don’t think there is another one like him. When I think he can’t get any lower, he digs the hole deeper. Morals and ethics are nonexistent when the femme fatale walk into the room. He’s a horny, seat of your pants kind of guy.

Austin’s stockbrokers license has been suspended, so he joined forces with Vic and some other pals at Shore Securities.

There is no lechery too base in the pursuit of love or big commissions.

Humor and mayhem rule Austin’s life. I can’t help but laugh at the messes he gets himself into, mostly because of women. He tends to think with the wrong brain. He has a bad habit of opening his mouth and inserting his foot.

All that being said, I love him. Just can’t help myself. So join me while we see how he gets out of another fine mess.

4 STARS – Would Highly Recommend To Others

I received a signed paperback from Jack Getze in return for an honest and unbiased review. I have reviewed another books of his, Big Numbers (see the review link below) so I was happy to oblige.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Big Numbers by Jack Getze

Stop in and meet Austin Carr. You’ll be glad you did.

Review for Big Numbers by Jack Getze

SYNOPSIS

Root for divorced dad Austin Carr, a funny, oversexed scamp who’ll use anything and everything to get his kids back.

Divorced father Austin Carr wakes up every day in a beat-up camper, parked on someone else’s private property. Why? Because his alimony and child support payments were established by New Jersey’s family court system when his income was double, and for the last two years he has failed to earn the legally mandated monthly nut. He’s had his savings drained, his Maxima repossessed, his salary attached, and his visiting rights suspended. He bought the twelve-year-old Chevy pick-up with the rusty camper for $800 last month because another landlord tossed his butt in the street. Will stretching the rules, his own morals, and the boundaries of common sense raise the cash needed to get his kids back? Or will his big mouth and bad behavior set him up for a nasty double-cross? Find out if Austin can redeem himself and win back his children.

Praise For Big Numbers

It’s a good, funny story filled with suspense and adventure.
~Socrates Book Reviews

…quite a bit of action, drama and intrigue to balance out all the hilarious trouble Austin seems to bring with him wherever he goes.
~Turning The Pages

If you like your mysteries with plenty of thrills with a side of crazy these pages will be flying.
~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

I was definitely surprised at some of the twists that occurred.
~Storeybook Reviews

I was hooked. I like an early hook in books. It grabs me and sucks me in quickly.
~fundimental

I love the character that is Austin Carr…
~Shelley’s Book Case

Big Numbers was a great read.
~Kaisy Daisy’s Corner

This book is so f*&%*&g funny, I read it right through in one sitting.
~Rantin’ Ravin’ and Reading

The book is full of nonstop humor, lots of violence, sex and enough bad guys and other quirky characters to keep the pages turning.
~Celtic Lady Reviews

The twists and turns that happen are not predictable, and the writing is superb. I’m definitely a fan of this series!!!
~Reviews by Karen

The story is dramatic and funny.
~Brooke Blogs

A well developed main character, good dialogue and colorful secondary characters kept me turning the pages to discover what could possibly happen next.
~Queen of All She Reads

…very entertaining, quick to read, and though it is a mystery – it also has a light hearted feel to it.
~Books and Needlepoint

Getze has combined humor, action, and quirky characters to keep the story going!
~Author Rosalee Richland

I think a lot of people will love the situations that Austin gets himself into and watching him wiggle his way out of!
~Community Bookstop

Austin reminds me of Charlie Brown. You keep hoping things will workout for him. But you know that Lucy will jerk the ball out from under again.
~readalot

I recommend Big Numbers to mystery fans, especially those who like their mystery splashed with a dash of noir, a pinch of zany, some thrilling, and a lot of funny.
~Jane Reads

… this mystery/thriller is filled with edgy humor and sharp dialogue.
~The Self Taught Cook

~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY

taiwan flag smiley animated gif Pictures, Images and Photos Jack Getze is offering for the giveaway, 2 ebooks. Enter now to get one for your very own. Easy entry. Just leave your email and answer the question:

“What attracts you to a mystery novel?”

~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you just can’t wait, grab your copy of a Jack Getze novel by clicking on the cover below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Freakin Friday #17 – Oh the horror…….Frostwalker by Brandon Luffman

Posted on February 21, 2014 by fundinmental

Freakin Friday!

Freakin Fridays is a meme brought to you by fuonlyknew. We will be posting about books, movies, and all things scary.

Feel free to join in and do your own Freakin Fridays posts!

Tune in Friday and get your scare on!

Let’s have some fun!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Frostwalker by Brandon Luffman

Did you just glance at the cover and think, yeah a little spooky, feeling like the trees could reach out and touch you, but the deer is not afraid. The deer is………..

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth – If They Live Long Enough

Grab a Free short story from Brandon Luffman (be sure and check for “0”)

For five nights in a row, Jake had seen the light, felt it calling him.

Tonight, he crossed into the forest.

It had called him and he was determined to solve the mystery.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I knew something was coming just from the eerie cover. That was no bullet hole in that thar deer. And Dan. Poor Dan. That is when I was drawn in so deep, I had to know – what in the hell happened to him in the woods? I knew it was something bad just by the description of the gruesome, bloody and savage attack. Brandon Luffman did an excellent job of creating a feeling of impending doom in this horror novel of the creepiest kind.

There is an isidiuous evil worming its way through the people in town.

Have you ever approached something and balked at going through with it? A sense of something, intuition (?), saying it wasn’t right, that something was very wrong? That’s how Jake felt when he would approach the woods. His foot would not cross that barrier.

When the shit hit the fan, it did it with a vengeance. Every opening door, every creak of the floor, I thought something was going to jump out at me.

Jake and Eric are best friends. They are just regular Joes, nothing special about them. The evil they face will prove the lengths they will go to for each other.

I liked Nancy right off the bat. A no nonsense, do what must be done kind of gal. There wasn’t no monster gonna scare her away. She was strong and not a screamer. I hate those horror movies where all the women can do is cry and scream. Wendy is one of them. Will she step up when the time comes? Or Regina?

John Birdsong is a Shaman. He is Tsalagi, now known as the Cherokee. He is Frostwalker. As soon as John and his grandmother entered the story, I liked where it was heading even more, a twist that would make the story even deeper. I like the spiritual elements of the Native Indians sprinkled into the story.

The Grandmother is the the storyteller. The story she has to tell is almost beyond belief.

I always wonder how I would perform in such situations. I guess that means this is a good story, because it actually had me asking myself – what would I do?

Brandon did an excellent job in creating a tremendous amount of tension through anticipation. I knew it was coming, but he strung me out for so long, I couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief when we finally got there. And it wasn’t where I thought I was going. Great ending!

4 Stars – Would Highly Recommend To Others

“Sounds like something’s gone bad wrong.” Boy was that an understatement.

‘I know I’m going to sound crazy, but they’re not just plain people any more, Sheriff.”

I received Frostwalker from Brandon Luffman in return for an honest and unbiased review.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Brandon R. Luffman Born in Statesboro, Georgia in 1976, Brandon Luffman was raised in rural North Carolina from the time he was old enough to walk. In the sixth grade he discovered “The Chronicles Of Narnia”. Soon after that, he was on to Stephen King and Arthur C. Clarke. At the same time, he was making his first forays into writing fiction. After creating a series of short fantasy pieces for a class assignment that were received with praise, he was hooked on writing fiction for the entertainment of others. Now Brandon writes supernatural horror as well as fantasy, science fiction, and other genres. His short fiction is available online in various formats. Brandon still lives on the family farm in northwestern North Carolina with his wife and family. Taking inspiration from his homeland, he brings southern sensibilities and a modern flair to these classic genre themes. His first novel, Frostwalker, was released in May of 2013.

Stalk Brandon here

Blog / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Grab a Free short story from Brandon Luffman (be sure and check for “0”)

To grab your copy of Frostwalker by Brandon Luffman, click on the cover below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Natalie’s Revenge by Susan Fleet Wins Award

Posted on February 20, 2014 by fundinmental

“Natalie’s Revenge” has won the Gold/1st Place award in the 2014 Feathered Quill Book Awards Program for the Mystery category! Congratulations, Susan!

Natalie’s Revenge is Book III in the Frank Renzi series. These books stand alone.

Natalie’s Revenge is still my favorite, maybe because it was the first book of Susan Fleet’s that I read. I have become a big fan and look forward to more of her award winning murders and serial killers.

Check out my 5 Star Review:

Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie – Review

BLURB

1988: Ten-year-old Natalie is devastated when police find her call girl mother brutally beaten to death in a New Orleans hotel. Like the dragon tattoo girl, Natalie wants revenge. She vows to find the man who killed her mother and punish him. After her unhappy teen years in Texas, her hunt for the killer takes her from dancing in New York City strip clubs to working as a call girl in Paris. And back to the Big Easy, with a gun.

2008: New Orleans Police Detective Frank Renzi investigates the murder of a VIP businessman in a French Quarter hotel. Is it revenge for the 1988 murder? When the killings continue, Renzi pursues the elusive Natalie. Is she the killer? Or just another call girl?

Don’t miss the exciting showdown between Natalie (armed, dangerous and determined) and NOPD detective Frank Renzi.

This is volume 3 in the Frank Renzi mystery series, each book stands alone.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Reviews for Natalie’s Books

Dragon Lady Step Aside For Natalie – Review

Is Winning the Lottery a Curse or a Blessing – Jackpot by Susan Fleet

Review of Diva by Susan Fleet

Review of Absolution by Susan Fleet

~~~~~~~~~~~

To order Natalie’s Revenge or to learn more about Susan Fleet, click on the cover below.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

To see all my Reviews, go HERE.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?

Look below or on the right sidebar at Home and let’s talk.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mermaids walk among us – Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton

Posted on February 19, 2014 by fundinmental

Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton left me gasping for breath. It seems like I have been waiting forever for an excellent mermaid story like this. Demelza Carlton says you will never look at mermaids the same way again and she is so right.

I shared Ocean’s Gift on my Tuesday Teaser post (below) and am now happy to share my review. I don’t think I can do this book justice, but here goes……

I feel as if this book was written especially for me – Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton

Be sure and check out Demelza Carlton’s bio. I couldn’t help but smile as I read it.

Book Description

Sirens don’t fall in love with humans. For centuries it has been so…

But Sirena is different. She lost her first love to sharks and a storm, cursing the islands that stole him from her.

Times have changed and she must swim ashore once more, to the islands she once cursed.

Gone are the boats powered by sail and steam – jet boats with GPS are now the order of the day.

Enter Joe, the deckhand on the Dolphin. A handy man to have around when the lights go out. He’ll fix your generator and have the lights back on in no time, no worries.

But can he seduce a siren?

Or will she swim away before he can uncover her secret?

A book about lobsters, beer and boobs, on some cursed islands off the coast of Western Australia. At least, that’s how Joe tells it.

For Sirena, it’s a very different story.

Amazon / Apple / Barnes and Noble / Diesel / Kobo / Sony / Smashwords

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT

A tiny taste of what’s in store

The boat was almost full of water now, I realized in panic, as I groped for a bucket to start bailing. Throwing bucket after bucket overboard, I couldn’t tell if I was making any difference to the water level in the boat.

One moment I was holding the bucket, about to scoop up more water, the next I was flying through the air. Immersed in cold, black water, I couldn’t see the surface. I struggled, kicking in the direction I thought was up, and hit a rock. I jerked back reflexively and my head cleared the water. I gulped a huge lungful of air and grabbed for the rock. I had to hold on ’til daylight.

Another big wave broke. I tried to keep hold of the slimy rock, but I was pushed out of reach, drifting in the current. I tried to kick my legs, but I wasn’t sure if I did. I couldn’t feel my feet and the numbness was creeping up my legs.

I could hear the breakers on the outer reef, louder than they were from shore. I could feel the spray on my face. A wave washed over me and I was under the water again.

I thought I could feel someone beside me, rolling me over so my face was at the surface, pulling my body through the water.

All I could hear was an unearthly singing, high and sad, like some kind of suicidal dolphin. I could say I blacked out, but everything was already so black I wouldn’t have noticed the difference.

I checked out of Hotel Consciousness. At least I got to dream of Vanessa naked.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My Review of Ocean’s Gift by Demelza Carlton

The cover for Ocean’s Gift had me stopping in my tracks. I knew I was going to read this book without looking any further. Mermaids, romance and a subtle ecological warning are some of the things to look forward to in this amazing novel. Demelza writes as if mermaids are real and they could be your next door neighbor. Her characters come alive on the pages as the fascinating story develops.

As soon as I hit 7%, I felt like jumping up and down for joy. I love mermaid stories and the writing and plot have me super excited to read more about Sirena and Joe. Will I be able to put down the book or will I have to read straight through? Curiosity makes me read on – what is the ocean’s gift?

Carved Wood Mermaid (c) Sherry Fundin

The more I read, the more excited I became. I feel as if the book was written especially for me. Demelza Carlton writes with a light and comical air at times that made me smile and feel as if I was a part of their conversations as they puzzled over us humans actions and interactions.

Ocean’s Gift is written from three points of view, Joe’s, Sirena’s and Belinda’s. At first, I wasn’t sure I was going to like this, but I began to look forward to what each person would think and feel about the occurring events. I seemed to relate to each character on a deeper level when I read their viewpoint.

Joe – I fell for him and I was only 5% into the story. He made me smile and he looks pretty good too. He’s a sparky, an electrician. He lives with his folks and owns nothing. He works setting up remote mining camps and loves fishing. His biggest goal is to make enough money to buy his own home. He loves beer and boobs, no doubt about that.

His mining coworker asks him, “How’d you like to fish for two months and get paid for it?” My mind is spinning as different scenarios play out. Will there be a shipwreck? Will he almost drown and Sirena save him? How he will meet Sirena? Will they hook up?

Painted Mermaid (c) Sherry Fundin

Sirena (Vanessa) – a super hot babe and a bit of a hussy. She is the leader of the Elders and is determined to warn the humans of what is to come, but she still has time to play with Joe.

She was an elder among our people, but today she sounds as silly as the sixteen year old child who dared defy the entire Elder Council.

Belinda – Sirena’s daughter. I related to her easily. She is quick to anger and has a mouth like a sailor. She doesn’t hesitate to speak her mind. She keeps watch over Sirena, especially when she is with Joe.

Maria – a gay mermaid, not understanding humans at all and just wants to go home. I mean how real is that? A gay mermaid. I busted out laughing, loving it.

Demelza Carlton’s description of Belinda and Maria frolicking with the dolphins, had me wishing I was a mermaid too. Their version of fishing is so much different than ours. I would love to fly through the ocean with them, leaping and twisting in the wind, feeling the sea wash over me.

Joe threw his empty beer bottle into the ocean and it came back to him. I had to crack up laughing over this. How do you think that happened?

“Have you been playing with dolphins?”

The trio is there to warn the humans about the dire ocean conditions before it is too late. By saving humankind, they would be saving themselves. They are all females and need human males to perpetuate their species.

The ecological warning is very subtle and woven into the story in excellent fashion.

I thought I would be let down when the book was done, but I know another book is waiting to be read. An awesome ending that put a smile on my face, making me want to read the next book right now.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think this is a true story.

My favorite part????? I cannot pick just one.

5 STARS – Would Buy It For Them (lol)

I received this book in return for an honest and unbiased review. I am eager to read the next book in the series, Ocean’s Infiltrator.

Demelza Carlton has upcoming tours for Ocean’s Infiltrator and Water and Fire, but I am unable to participate, sooooooo I am buying the boxed set today! Only $4.99 on Amazon.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ocean’s Gift series

This is the first book in Demelza Carlton’s Ocean’s Gift series, which currently includes (click on the cover to get your copy from Amazon):

Ocean’s Gift (Book 1)
Ocean’s Infiltrator (Book 2)
Water and Fire

Check out these gorgeous, breathtaking covers and feel free to paddle your way over to Amazon and pick up your copy of the Ocean Gift’s series by Demelza Carlton.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE OFFICIAL BOOK TRAILER

~~~~~~~~~~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkeling trip she found she was afraid of fish.

She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.

Sensationalist spin? No – Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.

Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.

The Ocean’s Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / YouTube / Amazon

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Check out these gorgeous, breathtaking covers and feel free to paddle your way over to Amazon and pick up your copy of the Ocean Gift’s series by Demelza Carlton.