Saturday, October 26, 2024

BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - MYSTERY SUSPENSE - KILLER MOTIVES by Bonnie Traymore

Killer Motives
by Bonnie Traymore
Publication date: April 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Suspense



BLURB

“A riveting, pulse-pounding, adrenaline rush of a thriller. Do not miss this book!” – Noelle W. Ihli, author of Gray After Dark

Readers’ Favorite 2023 Silver Medal Award Winner, Mystery-Murder
Audiobook Reviewer 2023 Best Mystery Award

Victoria’s life isn’t as perfect as it seems. But with two homicide detectives on her doorstep, it’s about to get a lot worse.

Still reeling from the shocking discovery that her husband is having a passionate affair with his real estate client, Victoria struggles to process the mind-blowing news that Nick’s lover is dead—brutally murdered in cold blood on the very same evening she uncovered the truth.

And now two detectives are on her doorstep, waiting to question both of them. Is she a suspect?

With little hard evidence and no shortage of suspects with “killer motives,” Detectives Jack Stark and Lexi Sanchez are under intense pressure to solve the high-profile murder case that rocks the picturesque village of Tarrytown just as the town is gearing up for the area’s annual Halloween festivities and an influx of tourists.

As Victoria sets out to clear herself and find out the truth, she’s faced with two terrifying possibilities—either her husband is a murderer or someone is out to get them.

Conflicted about her marriage and emotionally raw, she sets out to find the truth about what happened that night.

But does she really want to know?

Perfect for fans of Shari Lapena, Jeneva Rose, Sarah Pekkanen, Kaira Rouda, or Shalini Boland.

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EXCERPT:

Victoria was home working off some nervous energy as she put the dishes away and wiped yesterday’s smudges off the white Shaker cabinet doors. Out the kitchen window, the sun sparkled magically on the Hudson River reflecting the scarlet and gold of the fall foliage clinging to its steep banks. Her melancholy mood from the evening before had turned to excitement, bolstered by a bit too much caffeine on an empty stomach and her Alanis jams playing in the background. She had already called her attorney and had an appointment for next week. She would put all that out of mind until then. Today, she had a meeting scheduled at her office at eleven this morning, an important one, and her benefit dinner tonight. It was now half past nine and she needed to get going. She was almost finished emptying the dishwasher in her methodical manner–only a few cups were left–when her cell phone vibrated against the granite island countertop, its dark surface blending in with the stone. She reached over to grab it. There was a text from her husband: It’s an emergency. Call me.

There were also three missed calls from him and a voicemail. Nick was not given to hyperbole. Quite the opposite. He was actually a bit too laid back, never worrying much about anything. He had never sent a text like that before. She called immediately, not bothering to check her voicemail, putting it on speaker as she finished her chores.

“Vic?” His voice was soft, almost apologetic. He didn’t seem hurt or in danger.

“Nick. What is it?” She felt mildly annoyed, already.

“I have something to tell you, and I’m warning you it’s pretty shocking.” Was he actually going to confess about the affair now? Over a cell call? That was totally unlike him.

“I have to get to work, Nick. What’s so urgent?” She was starting to wish she’d ignored his text.

“My client. From the Shady Hill property. The one I went to see last night? The police called me. She was found dead. At her house. This morning.”

Victoria placed the last clean mug on the counter. Dead? A heart attack or something? No. The police wouldn’t call Nick for something like that. There had to be more to it. She picked up the phone and took it off speaker.

“What happened?” She wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer.

“I don’t know, but a homicide detective is meeting me at the house any minute now. They called and wanted to meet with me in person. ‘See if I could shed some light on it,’ was how he put it. Jeff told me to meet them at our house, not at the station.”

“Homicide? She was murdered?” Victoria had to hand it to Nick. This certainly reached the bar of ‘emergency.’

“They didn’t say that, exactly. He said he’d tell me more in person. I don’t know much more than you do at this point. What if I was the last person to see her alive, Vic?” Nick’s voice was shakier now, almost panicky.

“So? You’re certainly not responsible for her death?”

“That’s what Jeff said.”

“What does Jeff have to do with this? You called Jeff before you called me?” She thought that sounded like the actions of a guilty person, reaching out to your attorney friend. But guilty of what?

“He’s an attorney! And he knows her! I told you, remember? They had that law suit going. Let’s not do this now. Please!” His tone was harsher now, devoid of sentimentality. “I just wanted to give you a heads-up. The detective might get there before I do. They’ll probably want to question you too. Tell them I’m on my way. I’d appreciate some support. I’m your husband, Victoria, please try to remember that.” He hung up.

She picked up the mug she’d left on the counter, looking out to the sun’s rays sparkling on the Hudson, her thoughts suspended in the timeless currents of the flowing river. It was all starting to hit her now, just what a disaster this was. The photos that were supposed to liberate her from the marriage were now a liability, potentially placing her at a crime scene. What do detectives look for? Means, motive, and opportunity? She had two out of three for now. Should she be worried? And what about Nick? He was acting strangely last night, and she’d attributed it to a guilty conscience. The affair, she assumed. But could it have been more? She knew Nick wasn’t overtly violent, but anyone could commit murder given the right circumstances. What if the woman had gotten pushy? Demanding? Threatening? How far would Nick go to protect what was his? She needed time to think, consult with an attorney. But she didn’t have the luxury of time.

The gate buzzer sounded, jolting her out of her stupor, and the mug slipped from her hand, shattering into pieces on the travertine tile floor. She quickly picked up the big chunks, but the shards of porcelain would have to wait.


 

Author Info

Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon Bestselling author of seven domestic/psychological thrillers. Her thrillers feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She's an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Bonnie has a doctorate in United States history and has taught at top independent high schools as well as Columbia University and the University of Hawaii. Originally from the NYC area, she resides in Honolulu with her family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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SPOTLIGHT - PARANORMAL MYSTERY -UPAS STREET: Shocking Specter (The Botanic Hill Detective Mysteries, #6) by Sherrill Joseph


Do you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree? 



Upas Street: Shocking Specter
The Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries, #6
by Sherrill Joseph
Genre: Middle Grade Paranormal Mystery

Do you dare enter Dr. Frankenstein’s la-BOR-uh-tree? 

 A fearless quartet of teen sleuths, the Botanic Hill detectives, travel to Llanfair, a fictitious Welsh village in present-day California, to solve the mystery of the Shocking Specter.

The green-glowing apparition reportedly roams the countryside, setting fire to buildings and meadows during the new moon. The occurrences began shortly after a motion picture stagehand Scotty Roberts’s accidental death by electrocution in this case inspired by the filming of Universal Pictures 1931 classic horror movie Frankenstein.

Supernatural?

Coincidence?

Or is criminal activity at work?

And why, nearly a century later, has the Shocking Specter returned?

 

Readers will enjoy learning about real-life horror film star Boris Karloff, Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, other key players in the movie’s production, and some early Hollywood cinematic history. Our fabulous four might need to kick some monsters to the curb to solve this challenging mystery!

 For ages 9 to 14. Adults like this series, too! My present-day Middle-Grade mysteries have a twist of history, this time, harking to the filming of 1931's Universal Pictures classic horror movie Frankenstein. It is not within the Young-Adult genre that serves ages 14 to 18. 

What readers are saying:

 “Follow our detectives to the fictitious Welsh settlement of Llanfair, California, as they chase a green-glowing specter and get caught up in a riveting mystery that will introduce young readers to the magic of old Hollywood horror movies. Kids will stay intrigued from start to finish.”

--KIMBERLEY KRAMER, Literacy Specialist, Saint Katharine Drexel Academy, San Diego, CA

  

“I loved this book and could not put it down! I loved learning about the Hollywood monsters from the old-time days and meeting the people of Llanfair. You will not be sad that you chose this book to read.”

--SOPHIA O., age 10, San Diego, CA

  

“As a professor of History of Film and Monster and Character Makeup Design, I was intrigued from the first page of this book! The Golden Age of Hollywood is brought to life in the eyes of the young protagonists through their exploration of Universal Studios’ Frankenstein franchise. Joseph not only captured my attention with the charm and intelligence of her four detectives but had me searching for clues and secret messages (Easter eggs) to unravel this horror-movie-inspired mystery. Joseph includes facts about Boris Karloff that I did not know, which delighted me to no end. Jack Pierce may have never received an Oscar for his iconic makeup designs, but he gets a wonderful tribute through this exciting story. A must-read for mystery lovers and film buffs of all ages.”

--SHARON LYNN, award-winning author of A Cotswold Crimes Mystery series; aka SHARON BOLMAN, Senior Professor of Digital Video and General Education, University of Advancing Technology, Tempe, AZ

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Author’s Site 

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**Don’t miss the rest of the series!**

Find them on Amazon


Sherrill Joseph was a shy kid whose BFF was Nancy Drew. From her, the author learned to seek adventures, be kind and fair, help others everywhere, and become a mystery author someday.

Convinced early on that she was an architect in a former life, Sherrill was receptive to the magic of her Southern California neighborhood’s historic houses. To this day, she dramatizes those old “castles,” filling them with mysteries, staircases, a ghost or two, and exaggerated occurrences.

The author graduated Phi Beta Kappa and summa cum laude from San Diego State University. Once retired in 2013 after teaching kids for thirty-five years in the San Diego public schools, the inner child in Sherrill created the multi award-winning Botanic Hill Detectives Mysteries series so her grandkids and all kids can gallop with her and her four forever-thirteen-year-old sleuths in their standalone cases after clues to nab the bad guys. 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon


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SPOTLIGHT - COZY MYSTERY - THE MYSTERIEOUS CASE OF THE MISSING MOTIVE (Redemption Detective Agency, #1) by Michele Pariza Wacek

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive
The Redemption Detective Agency, #1
by Michele Pariza Wacek
Genre: Cozy Mystery

  

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or maybe a gin and tonic.

Emily Hildebrandt has run into a bit of a rough patch. She's lost her job, her fiancé and her apartment. Still, she never expected to be desperate enough to accept an invitation to live with her eccentric Aunt Tilde in Redemption, Wisconsin.

But, beggars can't be choosers. Even if part of the deal is she has to pretend to work at her aunt's latest hair-brained scheme, The Redemption Detective Agency.

Seriously, the woman is a retired nurse. Why does she think she's remotely qualified to run a detective agency, especially in a creepy little town like Redemption?

But, when a strange phone call suddenly thrusts them into an actual case, Emily finds herself hoping her aunt really does know what she's doing ... or an innocent person may be the one to suffer the consequences.

A spin-off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series! The Redemption Detective Agency is a funny, twisty cozy mystery series set in the 1990s featuring silver sleuths solving cold cases. Great for fans of the Thursday Murder Club.

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads


A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but now she does spend much of her time writing stories. Mystery stories, to be exact. They're clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she's not writing, she's usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she's an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she's not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Print Copy of The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive – 2 winners, US only,

$20 Amazon giftcard – 1 winner, WW

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Friday, October 25, 2024

BOOK BLITZ w/EXCERPT - URBAN FANTASY - CHASE THE DARK (Steel & Stone, 31) by Annette Marie

Chase the Dark
Steel & Stone, #1
by Annette Marie
Publication date: October 25th 2024
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Urban Fantasy




BLURB

Piper Griffiths wants one thing in life: To become a Consul, a keeper of the peace between humans and daemons. There are three obstacles in her way.

The first is Lyre. Incubus. Hotter than hell and with a wicked streak to match. His greatest mission in life is to annoy the crap out of her, but he isn’t as harmless as he seems. The second is Ash. Draconian. Powerful. Dangerous. He knows too much and reveals nothing. Also, disturbingly attractive — and scary. Did she mention scary?

The third is the Sahar Stone. Top secret magical weapon of mass destruction. Previously hidden in her Consulate until thieves broke in, went on a murder spree, and disappeared with the weapon.

And they left Piper to take the fall for their crimes.

Now she’s on the run, her dreams of becoming a Consul shattered and every daemon in the city gunning to kill her. She’s dead on her own, but there’s no one she can trust — no one except two entirely untrustworthy daemons … See problems one and two.

Goodreads

Kickstarter

About the Kickstarter campaign

Celebrate the 10th anniversary of Annette Marie’s gritty epic urban fantasy universe, Steel & Stone, with luxurious collector’s editions. The first of two campaigns, this one will feature the Spell Weaver trilogy and the first book in the Steel & Stone series, Chase the Dark.

The Steel & Stone universe encompasses the Spell Weaver Trilogy (three books) and the Steel & Stone Series (five books). These 10th anniversary special editions include:

  • The first book in the Steel & Stone series: Chase the Dark including all-new scenes and POVs
  • All three Spell Weaver titles: The Night Realm, The Shadow Weave, The Blood Curse
  • Iridescent foil stamping on faux-leather hardcovers
  • Four different double-sided and embossed dust jackets
  • New interior design
  • Hand-signed by Annette
  • Colored & textured endpapers
  • Sprayed/printed edges
  • Unique metal bookmark, stickers, and more! (More via stretch goals)


EXCERPT:

Piper dropped to her knees beside the vent and listened to the sound of claws on metal. A soft thump came from the other side of the wall.

She looked up. She was sitting right outside Ash’s room. The dragonet had run straight to Daddy.

Unmoving, Piper contemplated the door. Ash was somewhere behind it. Was he asleep? What were the chances she could sneak in and retrieve the ring box without him noticing?

She considered it for half a second. Yeah, zero.

Before she could come up with a better plan, the door popped open. Framed in the threshold, Ash looked toward the sitting room. Then he glanced down, saw her sitting at his feet, and blinked.

Piper shot up, struggling to keep her gaze on his face. He wore a loose, sleeveless shirt that clung to the planes of his chest and left the sweep of heavy muscles on his arms bare, his fair skin flawlessly smooth in the shadows. The only other thing he wore was black cotton pants.

With a soft chirp, the dragonet hopped off the doorframe and landed on his shoulder, its golden eyes trained on Piper.

“What are you doing?” Ash asked, breaking the oh-so-awkward silence.

Piper shivered as his deep tones slid through her. How did his voice do that? Fear tickled her stomach, reminding her that she’d never been alone with him before.

Drawing herself up, she looked him square in the eye. “Your dragonet snuck into my room and stole something from me.”

His eyes held hers, and his gray irises dimmed to the color of storm clouds. Piper was abruptly aware of how dangerously close she was standing, barely a foot of space between their bodies. She was also aware of how much taller he was, the top of her head barely reaching his chin, and how his biceps were double the circumference of her arms.

The air felt hot and electric, the hallway darker than it’d been a moment before, and adrenaline flooded her bloodstream.

She was an idiot. Such an idiot.



 

Author Info

Annette Marie is the best-selling author of The Guild Codex, an expansive collection of interwoven urban fantasy series ranging from thrilling adventure to hilarious hijinks to heartrending romance. Her other works include YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter.

Her first love is fantasy, while fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.

To find out more about Annette and her books, visit www.annettemarie.ca

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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RELEASE BLITZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPORARY - RUNNING ALONE (Mayhem Makers-MMM, #2) by D.M. Earl

Running Alone 
Mayhem Makers-MMM, #2 
by D.M. Earl 
Release Date: October 25th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense MC Romance 

Letting him in means telling the truth…

KITTY

Crazy. Chaotic. and Carefree. That's how I presented and seemed at the signing. No wonder he fell for me, Wanted me; I was the perfect package. But now, back home, in the real world, I can't pretend to be that girl. My life isn't as it seems, There are demons from my past, Secrets that I hid, Stories I never told. Now, Malachi wants answers, Truths that I can't admit. We may be heading to MMM25, Yet he can't come, can't know the reality. It's all fun and games, When it's Motorcycles, Mobsters, and Mayhem. But this is my life, And I'm used to RUNNING ALONE.

AMAZON

“You hurt her son, and I promise after Shadow and Wrench get down you’ll be begging to be put down. She’s like another daughter to me so remember that. Look around this table and when you leave most of my brothers from the Intruders are out there waiting on their orders. They would die for this one, well actually for all of the Devil’s Handmaidens. You hear me?”

Lachi never takes his eyes from Tank. He nods then gives it right back.

“Sir if I hurt her then I deserve whatever you and your brothers think is fair. I have nothing but honorable intentions that I can promise. She too precious to fuck with and I know that. You have my word Tank.”

Excerpt Running Alone (Uncorrected Proof) by DM Earl This material may be protected by copyright.

D.M. Earl is a U.S.A. Today Bestselling Author who spins stories about real life situations with characters that are authentic, genuine, and sincere. Each of her stories allow the characters to come to life with each turn of the page while they try to find their HEA through much drama and angst. D.M. finds ideas for her next story from within those around her and what she experiences in daily life. Each book has a part of her left behind in it. She lives in Northwest Indiana married to her best friend who was instrumental in the start of her writing career in 2014. When not writing D.M. loves to read, play with her seven fur-babies (yeah crazy) and ride her Harley Dyna Lowrider.

“Enjoy this Ride we call Life.” Remember we only get one chance.


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