. Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of adailyrhythm.
Anyone can play along! Just do the following: Grab your current read. Open to a random page. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
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I have read and reviewed The Woman in Crimson by Kathryn Meyer Griffith and my sister and I have a Tag Team Event in progress with a fabulous giveaway. Check it out and see if this is for you, then look for the link to the giveaway to win a copy of your own.
MY TEASE
“My mother’s dead? How can that be?” His voice rose the same time as his shotgun.
Sometimes love lasts forever…but maybe it shouldn’t. Willowwind, a beautiful Civil War era bed and breakfast, is run by a loving couple, Adrian and Caroline Stone, but it’s also haunted by a long-dead Civil War era vampiress, Lilith, who believes the man, Adrian, is her reincarnated soldier/lover and will do anything to have him, body-heart-and soul, for her own again, no matter how many she must kill. But Adrian’s wife, Caroline, along with the help of the ghost of her dead father, will do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
“The Long Way Home began germinating in my mind after I visited the Andrew Wyeth exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and studied the paintings on display about which I would write a review in my weekly fine arts column in the Times of Trenton newspaper. The image of Christina Olson dragging herself uphill in Wyeth’s painting Christina’s World haunted me. I saw it as a figurative painting and yet as a still life. Her life had been stilled by her unexplained disability.”
Callie screamed and jumped back. She ran out of the room, slammed the door and, with all her weight against it, looked frantically around for some way to keep it shut. There was nothing. The door didn’t have a lock and there was no furniture close enough to push against it.
“Time passing is something that is an integral part of the story in ‘Someday, Maybe’ and in ‘Moving On’, too. We never know what is going to happen to us. Everything changes – or does it?”
When he’d first seen her, a neat, spriggy little thing, she had worn her hair in tight, dark pigtails, and he’d liked that. When she had grown up and had it cut in a fashionable sort of style he’d been a bit disconcerted, but as time had gone on she had let it grow a bit and some- times put it up so that it sat on her head like a plump, soft, scented cloud, and he had loved it. Today, so early in the morning, it was tousled, unwashed and unbrushed and smelled of the cold morning and of chicken feed, but he didn’t care. He adored it.
WATERY WAYS is also on sale for 99¢ through February 13th and BRIDGE BEYOND BETRAYAL is on sale for 99¢ from February 20th through March 5th.
Grab a copy of one or all while you can during the sale!
The Long Way Home by Janet Purcell
Adult Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 237 pages
April 7th 2015 by Sunpenny Publishing
When Callie Vinerelli gives refuge in her Cape Cod home to a storm ravaged stranger, the hidden secres of her house on the dunes begin to emerge. She becomes enmeshed in the violence and tragedy of the past that left accomplished artist Christina Burroughs a paraplegic and stole her beloved daughter from her. Those still unresolved events invade Callie’s life, causing chaos and intrigue, life changing relationships, justice and peace to Christina’s descendants -and new love to herself.
Someday, Maybe by Jenny Piper
Adult Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 306 pages
November 6th 2013 by Sunpenny Limited
In a ramshackle old cottage with an outside lav, and a rickety ladder up to a draughty attic bedroom, Jim and Mary Norris slog in all weathers to make a living from their market garden, and to bring up their little girl, Patsy. But at times Jim’s guilt is overwhelming as he watches his beloved Mary working her frozen fingers to the bone, almost dropping with weariness – not exactly what she’s been used to in her genteel upbringing as the niece of well- off local gentry, who cut her off when she married “beneath her”. But she never complains; she loves Jim madly and they are blissfully happy together.
Until her accident – and the nightmare that follows them all through the next 30 years. Mary’s gradual descent into madness overshadows even Jim’s second marriage and children, but the shocking climax is something no-one could have foreseen.
Janet Purcell is a professional artist and writes a weekly fine arts column and feature articles for The Times of Trenton (NJ). Her interior design features appear regularly in DesignNJ magazine. Her articles have appeared in Woman’s Day Special Interest Publications, Bridal Guide, American Spa, and many other magazines and travel guides. Her travel stories have frequently been published in the New York Post, Country Discoveries, and in Princeton, New Jersey’s Packet Publications’ community newspapers. Her previous novel, Singer Lane, was published in 2008 and her third novel, Rooster Street, is awaiting publication. Though not a trilogy, many of the same characters are found continuing their lives in each of the three books. Her paintings can be seen at www.janpurcellart.com;.
Deeply thought-provoking, Jenny Piper is a wonderful author who makes no bones about her handling of delicate subjects . Her skill as a story-teller is a delight to the heart and soul, and is right up there with the best of them. She lives with her husband in rural Hampshire, and has been variously an actress, an artist, a teacher and a psycholo- gist, but has had a lifelong love of books and nowadays spends much of her time writing.
When Seattle yoga teacher Kate Davidson agrees to teach doga (yoga for dogs) at a fundraiser for a local animal rescue, she believes the only damage will be to her reputation. But a few downward-facing dogs are the least of Kate’s problems when an animal rights protest at the event leads to a suspicious fire and a drowning.
The police arrest a woman claiming to be Kate’s estranged mother and charge her with murder. To prove her innocence, Kate, boyfriend Michael, and German shepherd sidekick Bella dive deeply into the worlds of animal activism, organizational politics, and the dangerous obsessions that drive them. All while discovering that when it comes to murder, there’s no place like hOMe.
About The Author
Tracy Weber is the author of the award-winning Downward Dog Mysteries series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible. Her first book, Murder Strikes a Pose won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and is a 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel.
Tracy and her husband live in Seattle with their challenging yet amazing German shepherd Tasha. When she’s not writing, Tracy spends her time teaching yoga, walking Tasha, and sipping Blackthorn cider at her favorite ale house.
Choosy Bookworm has partnered with eNovel Authors at Work to bring you a month long celebration with great books, great book deals, and let’s not forget the great giveaways!
Check out today’s featured authors and books, then head on over to the event page and enter to win one of two$250 Amazon Gift Cards or Paypal Cash!
Be sure to check out the featured books and the awesome author sponsored giveaway below!
Death by Romance
by Anne Kennison
Genre: Mystery
When prominent businessman Gordon Taylor is murdered, the case falls in the lap of Detective Ryan Hamlin. He has no clues and no leads until a chance conversation leads him to a long list of suspects, most involved in a “perfectly legal” scheme to get rich by tapping into the fortunes of others—so long as none of them is convicted. That’s when the deception and finger-pointing begin. Full of twists and turns, this clever whodunit will keep you guessing until the very end.
With more than 30 years of lawyering under her belt, and now retired from the practice of law, Anne describes herself as a “recovering attorney.” Anne’s unique plot twists, however, come from a fertile imagination honed by those long years of experience.
A novel told in short stories, follow young protagonist Ellen as she narrates each story of love, loss, longing, friendship, and entrapment. Inspired by the artistry of the Beatles, each story is framed by a Beatles song or Beatles event. Follow Ellen’s journey from 1976 to 1990: Her beloved brother’s disappearance from the family, her navigation through high school, her loss of innocence, her challenges in the 1980s workplace, and her growth as a young woman taking charge of her life. Ellen injects insight, wisdom in hindsight, and humor into these slice of life stories.
Piper Templeton lives in a New Orleans subdivision with her three feathered friends. A Liberal Arts graduate from the University of New Orleans, Piper earns a living in the Louisiana Judiciary System while pursuing her passion for writing fiction.
When Lisa Williams returns to her hometown of Victory, Florida, with a reality TV show crew, not everyone is happy to see her. Lisa finds herself at odds with everyone in town, even her close friend Tommy.
When Tommy is assigned to cover the show’s filming as a reporter for the Tampa Tribune, he finds himself at odds with Lisa who he’s beginning to think of as more than a friend. He struggles to remain her friend, hoping she’ll realize that her actor boyfriend Jet isn’t any good for her. Then maybe he can win her fragile heart.
P.C. Zick writes contemporary fiction and romances. She describes herself as a storyteller no matter the genre.
All of her novels contain strong female heroines who live by their convictions and love with passion. Her heroes find themselves unable to resist the allure of intelligence wrapped in beautiful packages.
When Murder Calls by Emelle Gamble is a cozy mystery that twists and turns and kept me guessing, my curiosity rising as the suspense builds. Who is the Grim Reaper?
Megan is a single parent with two small children and with a serial killer on the loose she is concerned for her children’s safety. Dead bodies are piling up around her and she should be more careful about who she trusts.
I think Jack is in for a surprise when he meets Megan. They are drawn together, but Jack is hiding something. She has freed herself from a bad marriage and does not want to go down that road again.
As if a serial killer and a questionable man in her life aren’t enough, her ex husband and his fiance appearing on her doorstep is the last thing she needs. I can imagine how the anger threatened to overwhelm her, but she would not break down in front of her children. I love that Megan put them front and center.
Dean, the on again off again dad, suddenly appearing pissed me off more than the Grim Reaper. He thought he could drop in and play dad in complete disregard for Megan, not even giving her a heads up. I was super ticked and I couldn’t help but laugh at myself.
Mystery, murders, a single woman with two small children struggling to finish school and create a better life for her and her kids, a hot looking man wanting to share that life, what more could we want in a cozy?
A serial killer is on the loose from the opening pages. I love serial killers. Several suspects pop up early, but I keep thinking they are too obvious. The suspense was slow boiling, but Emelle kept me guessing and the pacing picked up as I neared the end.
When Murder Calls by Emelle Gamble is one of those of books where I would think it’s over, then something else would happen, then I would think it’s over, then something else would happen…The action and suspense continued into the last pages. I would have liked to have more of an ending, but I know all I need to know and I am good with that.
4 Stars
SYNOPSIS
From Goodreads: Megan Summers, TV-ratings coordinator and single mom to two, was just getting her life in order when a killer – dubbed the Grim Reaper by the media – donned a badge and caused chaos in the cozy ocean side hamlet.
Everyone one she knows feels like a suspect, except for attractive new employee Jack Gallagher. Despite his odd obsession and his hidden agenda, he gave Megan support, shelter, and some romance she didn’t think she wanted.
But was the haven of his arms enough to shield her from the Reaper?
This cozy romantic suspense was originally published by Harlequin Intrigue in paperback.
ABOUT EMELLE GAMBLE
From Goodreads: Emelle Gamble was a writer at an early age, bursting with the requisite childhood stories of introspection which evolved into bad teen poetry and attempts at ‘real literature’ all copies of which she has since, very sensibly, shredded. She took her first stab at romantic fiction in an adult education writing class when her kids were in bed, taught by fellow writer Carolyn Haines, in Mobile, Alabama. As M.L. Gamble, she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin. She is now contracted with Soul Mate Publishing for Secret Sister, summer of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, an early 2014 release.
Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’, Emelle’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation. She most enjoys reading stories that surprise and amaze her, and hopes her readers will enjoy the challenging and exciting journeys her characters take.
Emelle lives in suburban Washington D.C. with her husband, Phil, her hero of thirty years, and two orange cats, Lucy and Bella. Her daughter, Olivia, and son, Allen, are happily launched on their own and contributing great things to society, which has always been their mother’s fondest wish.
13 tales that will have you reaching for the nightlight before you go to bed tonight.
If you want to be afraid, I mean very afraid, of the night, a dark country road, a drag race, vampires and werwolves, the beach…well, Anthony Renfro covers them all.
Don’t turn out the lights, do snuggle up with a friend and get ready for a wild ride.
The following are three of the horror shorts that I had not reviewed.
The Man From The Road by Anthony Renfro
The man was curious. Too curious. This three page horror short (in paperback) took me from, “You should have known better,” to “Whew, that was a close one,” to “Most excellent. You got me Anthony.” LOL Love it. 4 Stars.
Sandy and the Stranger by Anthony Renfro
Who doesn’t love a fast car, great music and the ghost of a legend, such as James Dean. A glimpse into people’s true character. If you could get away with embellishing the outcome of an event in your life, would you? 3 Stars
Need To Feed by Anthony Renfro
Think you know all about vampires and werewolves, think again.
The sheriff met the Lizard brothers on the street at high noon. He had no fear. He is faster and has won all the duels so far, but tomorrow would be different.
Living on the coast of California was a brutal life. The remaining residents, survivors of battles fought, were preparing for the ultimate showdown. The first full moon in June would test the heroic sheriff when the bloodthirsty and savage monsters Need To Feed brought them to Saltwater Junction.
I love the original and fresh look at vampires and werewolves. The attacks are brutal and nothing is held back.
I felt like I was there, shooting vampires, watching heads explode and blood and guts spatter, wondering who would be left standing. 4 Stars
Excerpt from Need to Feed:
The house appeared to be silent, but he thought he heard something, something low and almost inaudible coming from one of the bedrooms.
It was a sucking sound, like something feasting.
He made his way towards that sound, boots clicking on the uneven hard wood floor, spurs jingling, hoping he wasn’t right, but pretty sure he was.
He stopped at the door that led into the Master Bedroom, and listened again. Sure enough, the sound he was hearing was coming from this room. He held the holy water vial up, and popped the lid off with his thumb. He aimed his gun forward, and slipped into the room.
The first person he saw was Bob, lying on his back on the floor, and on top of him was a Vampire, fangs sunk into the man’s neck, sucking him dry. The Vampire was so engrossed in his feast that he didn’t hear the sheriff move in behind him.
While this Vampire fed on Bob, the sheriff looked across the room, and sure enough Linda was lying on her back with another Vampire on top of her, fangs sunk into her neck.
The sheriff was surprised to see these two out so late, because night weakened them considerably; it didn’t hurt them or stop them, but it was sunlight that truly gave them strength.
#eNovAaW Women of Words Multi-Author Book Blitz ~ September 23 – 27 Saturday, September 26
A DEAD RED MIRACLE by R.P. Dahlke (Mystery, Women’s Sleuth, Humor)
GOODY ONE SHOE by Julie Frayn (Psychological Suspense)
A Dead Red Miracle
by R.P. Dahlke
Series: Dead Red Mystery, #5 Genre: Mystery, Women Sleuth, Humor
Thinking to jump start their careers as private investigators in Wishbone, Arizona, cousins Lalla and Pearlie Bains buy into it with a local P.I.
But their nifty plan starts circling the drain when his unscrupulous business practices end in his untimely death and they discover that he’s been stealing clients and two-timing everyone else.
With only a week before the state pulls their business license, Lalla and Pearlie will have to corral a wall-climbing Apache ninja, pacify their former boss’s greedy ex-wives and nail a killer. Sure Lalla and Pearlie are in a really tight spot, but all they need is a miracle or two.
I write humorous mysteries about an annoyingly tenacious tall, blonde and beautiful, ex-model turned crop-duster who, to quote Lalla Bains, says: “I’ve been married so many times they oughta revoke my license.” I wanted to give readers a peek at a not so-perfect life of a woman who is not afraid of chipping her manicure because she doesn’t have time for a manicure, what with herding a bunch of recalcitrant pilots and juggling work orders just to keep her father’s flagging business alive.
Beginning with #4 in the series, A Dead Red Alibi, Lalla and her family will reside in South East Arizona where she will divide her time between a fledgling P.I. business with cousin, Pearlie Bains, and volunteering as a team member with Cochise County Search and Rescue.
I also write a romantic sailing mystery trilogy: A Dangerous Harbor and Hurricane Hole.
Billie Fullalove witnesses the murder of her parents at the hands of a gun-wielding thug. In the melee, Billie loses a leg. But her Batmanesque beginnings don’t turn her into a superhero. Yet. Billie survives her lonely childhood and settles into a solitary life, pursuing her dream of being an editor in a top publishing house. Unable to avenge her parents’ unsolved murder, she is accosted by news stories of bad guys going free thanks to an inept court system. She wields her red pen and edits the newspaper to fight evil forces, right wrongs, and bring justice to victims. When her edits come true, and criminals start dying, Billie must discover the vigilante’s identity before they act out more of her revenge fantasies.
Bean counter by day, Julie Frayn spends her off hours penning award-winning novels and short stories that pack a punch. And a few stabs. When not working or writing, Julie spend as much time as possible with her babies. Well, they’re grown adults now, but they still think she’s cool. Right kids? Right? Hello?
In grade school, Julie was a math whiz, loved to write stories and poems in English class, and had an artistic flair for pencil drawings and pen and ink pointillism. When it came time to choose a career, she was torn between three loves. Her artistic brain ached to create. But her practical side, and the need to eat, won out. Though she’s devoted her career to numbers, she revels in the written word.
**all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**
**The small amount helps keep my blog running**
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Class Heroes: Young Adult Thriller Books
Stephen Henning is the author of Class Heroes, a wonderful story about superheroes.
He has created these videos, mini movies, if you will, and I wanted to share them with you. What do you think? Is this something you would read?
James Blake has a tough choice to make. His life should be easy. He has extraordinary abilities and a hot girlfriend. Does it get any better than that for a teenage boy?
But where do his loyalties lie? With his twin sister Samantha? Or with his new girlfriend, Lolly Rosewood?
Here’s another one I picked up on an Amazon free day that I learned about through Michael Phillip Cash. I found this author through my sister, Laura, at fuonlyknew.
I found this free on Amazon through Book Bub. Do you follow them?
I found this for free from Masquerade Tours.
I subscribe to Joanna Slan’s newsletter and received notification that this was free on numberous platforms. Be sure and check for the “0”. B&N / Kobo
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NEW to fundinmental
I learned of this on a free Amazon day by subscribing to Harman Cooper’s newsletter. It sound right up my alley.
This is the second book in the Forever Girl series. I am familiar with Rebecca Hamilton and love her work. I’m not sure if these stand alone or not. I’ll have to check them out further.
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FOR REVIEW
I signed up to review Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin. Cypress, Florida, suspense, thrills, how could I possibly resist.
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WINNINGS
I won Donna Galanti’s Hidden Element, but I already have a copy and have read it, so I passed it on. Happy reading to the second chance winner. This is the second book in a trilogy that is a MUST READ for me. Just need to get my review written. Bad blogger. How about you? Are you current on your reviews? LOL
I was so excited to win Midnight on the Mississippi through Fresh Fiction and the author, Mary Ellis. Everything about this books screams, READ ME.
I love to read and review books and have a simple question.
I have always cross-posted my reviews after they were published on my blog, until recently.
I love to be the first person to review a book, but the main reason I have started doing it is because I can do it at my leisure.
I used to scramble to get them posted to Amazon and Goodreads the day the review was published on my blog. Then I found myself losing track and sometimes forgetting about it and not posting for days or longer.
.
I post to Amazon, Goodreads, Library Shelf, Shelfari and B & N as soon as the review is scheduled on my blog.
After publishing the review on my blog, I then add it to Booklikes, Tumbler and Literary Addict.
When do you post your review?
I would love to hear your thoughts. Please share them here, so everyone can benefit.
**all images are linked to Amazon (I am an affiliate)**
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Mr. Wonderful is working a Wahoos baseball game here in Pensacola, while I am watching Lavatrantula, blogging and playing some games on Facebook. We have a good life and truly appreciate where we are now. All our hard work is paying off.
During the Wahoo baseball games, they have quirky fun games to keep the kiddies happy, with some unlikely stars. Everyone begins early in the morning…
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FREE BOOKS
Still free at time of posting, but check for the “0”.
I subscribe to Julia Crane’s newsletter and this one was short and sweet.
I subscribe to Joanna Slan’s newsletter and she shared the following two freebies, A Kiki Lowenstein Christmas Anthology and Seaside Secrets by Cindy Bell.
Marily Peak announced in her newsletter that THE FISHERMAN’S SON TRILOGY is free for a limited time. Check out this children’s fantasy. I couldn’t resist, just by looking at the covers.
I spotted this gem on Alex J Cavanaugh’s twitter feed.
Then I hopped over to Katie Dolye’s website and grabbed the buy links.
A J Cosmo’s children’s books are amazing. The beautiful pictures will grab anyone’s attention and the lessons shown to the younger can still refresh the older…us.
I am behind on reviews, so I told myself, “Self, NO!”
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WINNINGS
I won both these books through Booklikes.
Thanks to Bird St Books and the author, Hope Chenk-de Michele, for a signed copy of Devil’s Daughter.
Thanks to Quirk Books and Mary Higgins Clark for my copy of Manhattan Mayhem.
I am so excited to have won the Circus Mirandis Giveaway from Penguin Random House and the author, Cassie Beasley.
Hardcover copy of Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley. The creative cover made to look like a bag of popcorn is so simple, yet intriguin…I love it. Check out the book itself, a white background, with colorful critters and so much more.
A poster announcing the opening date of the Circus.
A package of animal crackers.
An audiobook.
A bookmark.
How OVER THE TOP is that! So, let’s head to the circus, shall we?
I won the Kittens Can Kill Giveaway, which included this fantastic stack of novels. Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and all the wonderful authors.
Titles are linked to Amazon. Authors are linked to Goodreads.
Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of adailyrhythm.
Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
series featuring yoga teacher Kate Davidson and her feisty German shepherd, Bella. Tracy loves sharing her passion for yoga and animals in any form possible. Her first book, 
won the Maxwell Award for Fiction and is a 2015 Agatha award nominee for Best First Novel.
Add me to Goodreads now.
4 Stars
From Goodreads: 
