Friday, August 30, 2019

WALKING WITH ELEPHANTS -- A LIGHTHEARTED SLICE OF LIFE!



Don't miss the Rafflecopter Giveaway at the end of the post!


Walking With Elephants
by
Karen S. Bell

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction

Suze Hall is at a crossroads. Her nemesis at work, Wanda, has been
promoted and now will be her boss. Her husband, Bob, is leaving her
and the three kids for a six-month sabbatical down under. To top it
off, her best friend, Marcia, is missing in action—playing footsie
with some new boyfriend!


Adding to this disaster stew, David, the gorgeous hunk who broke her
young-girl's heart has coincidentally popped back into her life and
has something she desperately needs to keep her job.

Walking with Elephants, a lighthearted slice-of-life story, brings to the
table the serious work/family issues facing women today. It explores
the modern dichotomy of a workplace that is filled with homemakers
who still must cook, clean, carpool on nights and weekends, shop for
prom dresses, and "create" the holidays—such as Suze. But
it also is filled with women who have the same drive as men, have no
family responsibilities, and will do whatever it takes to get ahead.

So step into the shoes of Suze Hall and commiserate over workplace
politics, titillate your sexual fantasies, ride the wave of a working
mother, and fall-down laughing.






Karen S. Bell, Author

I get so much satisfaction in the writing process. I take care to
choose just the right word, to make sure each sentence has the right
cadence. I appreciate other writers who respect the craft in this
way, and I hope my readers do so with me. Writing is a need, a desire
for expression, and springs from well within my subconscious mind.
Thoughts rise up, scenes rise up and blend in with the over-arching
story. These thoughts emerge whenever they want to and wherever I am
and probably not when I am at the computer. The computer is for the
craft, the technique. The thoughts come during walks, or while
driving the car, or at the grocery store. I am the willing recipient
of these thoughts and so they seek me out. It's a mystery this
business and art of writing and it keeps me enthralled.




Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!



Wednesday, August 28, 2019

SILICON VALLEY MYSTERY SERIES


Don't miss the giveaway at the end of the post!


Chutes and Ladder

A Silicon Valley Mystery Book 2
by
Marc Jedel


Genre: Cozy Mystery 

When a camping trip uncovers a murder, this amateur sleuth is stuck
putting out the fire …

Marty Golden enjoys time with his nieces, but he wanted to spend the
weekend with his new girlfriend — not chaperone a Girl Scout
camping trip. Once he stumbles upon the corpse of a friend in the
woods, the outdoors adventure becomes an open-air disaster. When the
police label it an accidental death, the meticulous Marty vows to
investigate the murder. After all, it’s poor manners to let your
friend’s death go unsolved.
On the hunt for clues the cops ignored, Marty uncovers a disturbing
connection to himself. And as he digs deeper, a misbehaving pup, a
kooky cousin, and a maniacal ninja put his survival skills to the test.
Will Marty unravel the mystery before the killer, or his imagination, gets to him?


I raised a hand to stop the waitress. “Excuse me. I was wondering if you know someone named Fernando Hernandez?”

She froze, her smile immediately disappearing as her eyes widened and her mouth opened. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” She bolted back to the kitchen.

Skye looked at me. I could feel the eye roll getting queued up. “Why did you scare away the waitress?”

“I just asked her if she knew someone who your mom was going to talk to on Monday.”

Before Skye could reply, a stocky, older lady stalked out of the kitchen carrying an industrial-sized, wooden stirring spoon in her hand like a sword. She advanced on our table. In what felt like an instant, she stood in front of me with a stern look on her face and her weapon pointed right at my face.


“Why you talk about SeƱor Hernandez? You scare Gabriela.” She spoke with a thick accent.

Surprised, I was more than a little concerned that her stirring spoon might have a hidden sword blade ready to flick open. “I’m sorry. My sister, their mother, was going to meet Fernando Hernandez but she wasn’t able to keep her appointment because she got hurt.”

“She hurt? You should learn not to talk about him here.” She leaned in closer until I could smell the garlic on her breath. She lowered her voice as she spoke again in a voice roughened by smoking or, perhaps swordplay. “Do you want girls to get hurt, too?”

At this threat, the girls paled and huddled together. None of us had expected to be accosted by an intimidating chef wielding a scary wooden spoon with unknown, possibly dangerous properties that could hurt us.

I tried to keep my voice from squeaking. “I only wanted to find out if he was a frequent customer here or, maybe, owned the restaurant?”

“Stop foolish questions. You leave now and don’t come back.” Even though she spoke in a low voice, her command struck me like a blow.

Megan overcame her fear. “What? But, Uncle Marty … I like the black bean volcano.” Her voice came out with an odd combination of anger and whimper.

The chef calmed a bit as she glanced at the girls. “Girls. You come back another time. Maybe when your mother is better. Do not bring him.” She thrust the spoon at me to make sure everyone understood who she meant.

But, I liked the black bean volcano too.

Chutes and Ladder is
the side-splitting second novel in the Silicon Valley cozy mystery
series. If you like quirky sleuths, wacky side characters, and
laugh-out-loud moments, you’ll love this offbeat whodunit.
Buy Chutes and Ladder to
decode a great mystery today!
* Amazon



Uncle and Ants
A Silicon Valley Mystery Book 1

Mysterious attacks. Mischievous nieces. Can
a clueless uncle catch a tech-savvy killer … and be home before bedtime?

When a freak accident hospitalizes Marty
Golden’s sister and condemns him to
babysitter duty, he thinks it’s just another case of hardwired bad
luck in Silicon Valley.
Until a suspicious murder suggests the mishap was no mere
coincidence. Something must be done.
Too bad this quirky, fashion-backward
uncle isn’t exactly hero material.
Convinced his sister is in mortal danger, this
amateur sleuth follows clues to an
oddball array of suspects. Armed with nothing but an eye for detail
and powers of self-delusion, Marty
tangles with gangsters, a cantankerous school secretary, and a
perplexing woman he can’t help but fall for. Glitches in his
investigation seem like a piece of cake compared to dinner-prep and
bedtime stories with his two precocious, pre-teen nieces.
Can Marty catch the culprit, save his sister, and get his life back in
order before he gets unplugged?
Uncle and Ants is the first novel in
a refreshingly modern mystery series set in Silicon Valley. If you
like clever humor, sassy side characters, and average Joes facing
extraordinary circumstances, then you’ll love this twisty mystery.
Buy Uncle and Ants to login to a fresh,
funny mystery today!

**Only .99 cents!!**



Marc Jedel, Author

Marc Jedel writes humorous murder mysteries. In his high-tech marketing
roles, he's also written fiction. These are just called emails, ads,
and marketing collateral.

In his family, Marc was born first — a fact his sister never lets him
forget, no matter what milestone age she hits. For most of Marc’s
life, he’s been inventing stories. Some, especially when he was
young, involved his sister as the villain. As his sister’s brother
for her entire life, he feels highly qualified to tell tales of the
evolving, quirky sibling relationship in the Silicon Valley Mystery series.

Family and friends would tell you that the protagonist in his stories, Marty
Golden, isn't much of a stretch of the imagination for Marc, but he
proudly resembles that remark.

Like Marty, Marc lives in San Jose, the heart of Silicon Valley, where he
writes within earshot of the doppler effect of the local ice cream
truck. Unlike Marty, Marc has a wonderful wife and a neurotic but
sweet, small dog, who much prefers the walks resulting from writer’s
block than his writing.

Visit his website, http://marcjedel.com, for free chapters of upcoming novels,
news and more.



Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
Enter the giveaway here:



Tuesday, August 27, 2019

FINALLY HOME, ALPINE VALLEYS SERIES



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. L. Simpson will be awarding $10 Boroughs Bucks to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.



HEART AND SOUL

Ben McTavish is besotted when he sees a vixen in striped leggings own a cringe-worthy moment and turn it into a hilarious bit. He can’t stop thinking about her even though he puts his foot in his mouth every time he tries to get to know her. Ben would love to spend some time with this woman who has captivated him, but he needs to get his farm established before the bank takes back the land.

Kate Bloomington is all about whipping her life into shape, including getting to know her grandmother who she is now caring for. When she meets Ben, also known as Saint McT since he helps all comers, she pushes him away. Somehow, he shows up at every inopportune moment, mortifying her and enticing her at the same time. She learns that he needs help as much as she does, and together they create a love that is unbreakable.

Read an Excerpt

True to his word, Ben was at my door right before eight in the morning. I was running a little late because I was struggling to focus. My emotions were a tumble, and while I was unable to deny my excitement at seeing him despite the fact he was Saint McT and I was a hot mess, I was still trying to bury the events of Friday night. Images of Frank would pop up, and I questioned my decision to do nothing. But the system wasn’t fair. I needed to move on. I had just started to get my life back, to feel like I belonged, and after being alone for so long, I simply couldn’t go back. It wasn’t right, but I couldn’t see any other option.

“Do we have time for coffee?” he asked as I got into his truck.

“Of course,” I said trying not to turn into mush as I took him in. He was dressed casually again, and while I missed the suit I’d caught a glimpse of, his navy woolen jumper and fitted, faded jeans had my mouth watering.

“Great,” he said and drove us straight to the bakery. While we ordered coffees, every local in the place stared at us. Their gazes sharpened when Ben put his hand on the small of my back as we walked out. I wanted to tell them all he was just being Saint McT, but it was hard to concentrate because my body came alive at his touch and I was within smelling distance. Yes. That’s right. The pastries held no sway now. I was all about Ben and his sexy, fresh soap smell. This trip was going to be a nightmare. Would it be easier or harder on the back of his bike?

“Do you not ride your bike often?” I found myself asking, trying not to sound hopeful.

“Not as often as I’d like. I didn’t think you’d appreciate it in that skirt,” he said grinning wickedly at me. I blushed.

“Have you ever been on one?”

“No way, my mother forbade them.”

“Well, anytime you want a ride…” he trailed off and I laughed, blushing.


About the Author 

As a girl growing up in Australia, Laura Simpson was lost in the world of Anne of Green Gables and Little Women. During high school, volleyball dominated her life. There had to be something positive about being 6’1” with red hair. Representing Australia from a young age she eventually took a scholarship at the University of Iowa. Living in America and being a full time athlete in a college town was an eye-opening experience and lots of fun (from what she can remember). #gohawkeyes

Returning from the States, her career took a different turn as she started working at the Red Cross and completed her Masters of Law in Human Rights. As one of the few non-lawyers in the class, her essays were far more floral than the rest, something that caused the discerning professors to shake their heads. Through working and studying, she realised there are other ways to win hearts and minds.

While she’s spent the last 14 years as an advocate against poverty and homelessness, the desire to change the world through storytelling has only got stronger. She now lives in the Alpine Valleys of North East Victoria, Australia with her husband, daughter, son, two dogs and seven chooks. When she’s not doing the whole mum thing, working at a homelessness agency, renovating her farmhouse, or trying to do laundry bleary-eyed at midnight, she is writing.

Say G’day to Laura:


website: http://www.lsimpsonauthor.com

facebook: http://www.facebook.com/l.simpson.romance

twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lsimpsonauthor

instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lsimpsonauthor

linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-simpson-47278971



Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finally-Home-Alpine-Valleys-Simpson/dp/1951055020/ref=sr_1_1



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, August 26, 2019

MICHAELA McPHERSON MYSTERIES TOUR AND GIVEAWAY


Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!



The Case of Dr. Dude

Michaela McPherson Mysteries Book 1
by
Judith Lucci

Genre: Mystery, Thriller 

Someone Is Kidnapping And Trafficking Women

When a young woman disappears after a job interview at a well-known
dentist’s office in Richmond, Virginia, retired homicide detective
Michaela McPherson and Angel her retired police dog are pulled into a
crime that goes far beyond a missing person case. With the help of
her close friend, the aging Countess Dorothy Borghase, and Richmond
police, McPherson dives in.

Could Human Trafficking Really Be A Problem In The United States?


This case pits McPherson and her companions against evil and greed armed
with tentacles that span continents and generations. Russian mobsters
are in America, kidnapping girls to auction off to the highest bidder
in the international black market. Is there any hope of stopping an
underground operation that extends so far and wide?

The Case of Dr. Dude is a thrilling ride that will keep you hooked from
beginning to end.





The Case of the Dead Dowager
Michaela McPherson Mysteries Book 2

A Team Of Serial Killers Is On The Loose, Hunting Children, Women And
The Elderly

Retired homicide detective Michaela McPherson and the aging Countess Dorothy
Borghase team up again”"this time to match wits with two
serial killers stalking children, women and the elderly.
When Dottie Borghase's friend Camilla Rothrock collapses at a lunch
gathering of old friends, the countess's only concern is to dial 911
for help. But Camilla's subsequent death has authorities buzzing
about international safety and retaliation, because her son is
decorated U.S. Army General Stuart Rothrock.

What Price Must The City Pay To Keep Its Citizens Safe?

As other restaurant patrons in Richmond meet similar fates, Michaela and
Dottie join forces with the Richmond Police and the FBI to track down
the pair of heinous murderers. But in order to catch the killers,
they will put their own lives and the lives of others in in serious jeopardy.

Will McPherson and Borghase make it out of this one alive?





The Case of the Man Overboard
Michaela McPherson Mysteries Book 3

Two Murders, A Man Overboard, And A Run-in With Big Pharma And Organised
Crime

After an intense year of solving crime in their home town of Richmond,
Virginia, Michaela, Dottie and retired canine Angel, travel to Europe
to spend much needed leisure time at the Borghase Estate outside of
Rome. Unfortunately, their plans are upended by a series of catastrophes.

A Vacation From Hell

A luxury cruise around the Mediterranean culminates their trip and
becomes a nightmare as Mic and Dottie investigate an American
pharmaceutical company's release of a 'dirty' drug. The threesome
meet up with lethal, dangerous and heinous criminals from their past
and the cruise becomes a living hell.
How do you commit murder on a cruise ship while at sea and get away with
it when there's nowhere to run?
Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Judith Lucci does it again with
this third installment in the Gold-Medal Winning Michaela McPherson
Crime Series! There is something for everyone in this story. Murder,
mystery, humor---another great read by Judith Lucci!


The Case of the Very Dead Lawyer
Michaela McPherson Mysteries Book 4

A Dead Lawyer’s Body is an Instrument of Terror

Michael St. John never lost a criminal case. He wasn’t a nice guy. He
cheated his clients, destroyed criminal evidence, paid off judges,
and ran around on his wife. He was an albatross around the neck of
the Richmond Police Department. The District Attorney’s office
loathed him until they found his mutilated corpse – one lovely fall
morning - after an unusual outburst in Court the day before. Little
did they know that Attorney St. John’s body was key evidence in far
more heinous crimes.




The Case of the Missing Parts
Michaela McPherson Mysteries Book 5

GRIPPING, SUSPENSEFUL & CHILLINGLY REAL

Michaela's love interest and Dottie's nemesis, Lieutenant Slade McKane, and the
Richmond Police are puzzled by multiple murders where young victims
are missing parts of their body. When a beautiful young mother turns
up dead at a downtown hotel, the action escalates. Meantime, Michaela
and Dottie, along with wonder dog Angel, investigate funeral home
fraud only to learn more about mortuary science that they ever wanted to know

Missing Parts may be the best Michaela McPherson yet! It’s a powerhouse read!”

**Pre-order for only .99 cents!!**


Judith Lucci is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Amazon Best Selling
author who loves to kill people - which is totally opposite what
she's spent her life doing. "I love to think of heinous ways to
dispose of people - sometimes a lot of people- but it must be
creative. I don't use guns very often but rather rely on my medical
background and research to figure out the best way to get the job
done. Bullets are just too easy. I'm sure a psychiatrist would have a
ball trying to figure out why someone who spent her life caring for
people and saving lives, now spends hours each day in the creative
pursuit of murder."


Dr. Lucci is a Gold Medal Winner for Best Sleuth 2017 for The Case of Dr.
Dude, the first book in the Michaela McPherson Series and another
Gold Medal for Best Political Thriller in 2017 for Viral Intent, the
third book in the Alexandra Destephano medical thriller series. Her
third Michaela McPherson mystery won a silver medal in 2018 for Best
Sleuth. She's has contributed to numerous anthologies, some of which
are currently available on Amazon. She has recently claimed the
prestigious status of a Wall Street Journal best selling author. She
is also a USA Today best selling author. Her Cozy Mystery series,
Artsy Chicks, is set at Massanutten Resort in the Virginia mountains
where she and several other artists and the local medical examiner,
solve mysteries of deaths that occur at the resort.

Lucci's thrillers are a fast-paced, riveting reads that offer readers
believable drama, memorable characters and true suspense. Her books
are described as 'unputdownable."

Judith was born and educated in Virginia where she holds graduate and
doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the
University of Virginia. She is also the author of numerous academic
and health-related articles and documents.



Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!



Friday, August 23, 2019

INTERVIEW WITH CYNDI RAYE!


Dear Readers, please welcome Cyndi Raye to the blog. She and I are in a multi-author project, the Pinkerton Matchmaker Series. Her book, AN AGENT FOR CARI, releases today.

Please tell us about growing up.

I grew up in a small town called Denver, but not in Colorado. It’s located in Denver, Pennsylvania. I think there was one barber shop and a cut rate at the time. It was quiet and friendly and like all small towns back then, everyone knew your business. I had 4 brothers and 2 sisters. We lived in a farm house that was built in 1772. If you are wondering if it was haunted, the answer is yes. I heard noises and saw ghosts many times throughout my childhood. One night I woke up in the middle of the night. My two sisters and I shared a bed and I looked at them and there were three bodies in the bed not including myself. Who was the other body? I remember throwing the blanket over my head and praying like crazy until I fell back to sleep.

Were you the shy kid or the tomboy? Married, single? Children?
  
I was kind of in between shy and talkative in school. I definitely was a tomboy. My favorite thing to do was hang upside down in the big tree on our property. It didn’t take much for me to go fishing with my brothers or find nightcrawlers after a storm. I was quiet in elementary school, but I still have lifelong friends I went to school with. I  kept in my own circle in high school. I did love being the president of the library club. I know, I was a bit nerdy in some areas even though I hung out with the cool kids in school. I loved writing poems and tried to draw and paint at times. 

Cyndi's two eldest grandchildren


Cyndi's youngest grandchild


I have been married now for 40 years with three kids and 3 grand children. We’ve raised German Shepherds over the years and had to say goodbye to some as well. 

Rowdy, the German Shepherd

When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

 I love being around my family and since we have two acres and a firepit, we have plenty of room for family and friends and plenty of cookouts over the warm months. Being with my family is my idea of relaxing even if they do get loud sometimes.

How long have you been writing?

 I feel like I’ve always been writing. In my teen years, I loved writing poems and over the years I’ve put together some short stories. It wasn’t until the early nineties when I wrote a book, tried to get it published and was rejected by the big publishers. So, when I started again in 2014 and found indie publishing, I haven’t stopped since.

Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude? PC or laptop?

I like writing at my desk on my computer. Sometimes if I hear outside noises (meaning my hubby has the tv up too loud) I’ll put on classical romance music to drown out the noise.

Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily? 

I write every day. I have to have my coffee first so I have a set routine. First, it’s coffee, checking email and facebook. I am in an accountability group where we check in each morning. After I wake up I get right down to business and set a timer for 45 minute intervals. It’s important to get up and stretch, so I try to do that. 

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers.

I have my motorcycle license. Most people don’t know that about me. 

What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

Don’t fall into the trap of buying every piece of advice out there. Write, edit, publish and repeat. Build a backlist of books and don’t try to do everything at once. Learn your craft. Relax and enjoy the journey, but make sure to write a good book.

What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

 Many times a reader will email me and tell me how my book gets them through something tough they are going through. Many of my readers are older or disabled and reading is very important to them. They love that I take the time to answer them back when they write. I guess I hope to bring a smile to my readers face. It’s just as important for me to put out books that they love as much as it is for them to read a good book. They bring out the best in me. I hope that I’ve made a difference.

Tell us about your latest release.

I’m in a multi-author project called The Pinkerton MatchMakers. It’s a fun serious with a bit of mystery and romance.

In this book, I dedicated it to my dear friend, a young lady who is battling colon cancer. A portion of the profits will be going to help her through this rough time. Not only do I want to help her and her young family, but I also want to bring awareness to this terrible disease.



Give us the summary:

A woman who breaks all the rules - A man who lives by them - Can opposites attract while bringing down a notorious swindler before he kills again?

Cari Kyllikki won't allow her disability to hinder her dream of becoming a Pinkerton Detective. She has become a master of hiding her daily struggles. What she didn't count on was the Pinkerton Agent who is determined to uncover her secrets. All of them!

Michael Durango works strictly by the book; there is no deviating even a little bit. When he finds out what his new wife is hiding, he has a decision to make -- tell the agency and risk her losing her job or keep her secret and complete the case. If only he could tear his thoughts away from her long enough to decide.

What does Michael do to protect his partner and solve the case? Will their suspect kill again, or turn his attention to the Pinkertons on his trail? Will Michael and Cari find love along the way, or will her secret tear apart everything they believe?

Where can readers find more about you? 



My website is www.cyndiraye.com
P.S. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll automatically get a free short story. It’s a historical western romance.