Fabulous and Brunette: April 2019

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Joy After Noon by Debra Coleman Jeter - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Debra Coleman Jeter and her new book, “Joy After Noon”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Debra and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Joy After Noon

by Debra Coleman Jeter

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GENRE: Contemporary Romance

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BLURB:

Joy marries a widowed bank executive caught in an ethical dilemma and misreads his obvious frustration while struggling to integrate into her new family. Inspired in part by Love, Come Softly, this novel explores the challenges of second marriages and dealing with step-children during the crucial years of puberty and teenage angst. A college professor coming up shortly for the huge tenure decision, Joy finds herself falling apart as her career and her home issues deteriorate and collide.

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EXCERPT TWO:

Joy opened a cabinet door to gaze at the rows of hand-painted spices, little bottles labeled in delicate, loopy cursive and decorated with yellow daffodils, each flower unique. What kind of woman would take the time to transfer store-bought spices into hand-crafted containers? The same woman who painted the daffodils? As a teacher of finance, Joy would question whether she could sell the hand-painted jars for enough cash to compensate for the materials and labor.

In this new universe, the question was altogether different. What was the question? Joy felt lost.

The jars appeared to be aligned in alphabetical order, and she checked to be sure. Coriander seed, cumin ... tarragon, turmeric. They probably hadn’t been used since Carolyn died. Either that, or Carolyn had trained Ray and the girls to keep them in their proper sequence.

The phone rang, startling Joy in the unaccustomed setting. She recognized the voice at once. Her colleague and coauthor Natalie. Yes, the honeymoon was wonderful, Joy told her. She elaborated on the brilliant turquoise of the water, the amazing world she and Ray explored together beneath the sea. She couldn’t tell Natalie the real wonder. To be held, to be nurtured, to feel cherished for the first time in so many years. For the first time ever by a man. She flushed at the thought of confessing as much, at her age.

“I haven’t forgotten our paper,” she said instead. “I know I’ve been negligent lately. But I’ll get on it. Right away.”

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AUTHOR BIO:

Debra Coleman Jeter has published both fiction and nonfiction in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her first novel, The Ticket, was a finalist for a Selah Award, as well as for Jerry Jenkins’ Operation First Novel. Her story, “Recovery,” was awarded first prize in a short story competition sponsored by Christian Woman; and her nonfiction book “Pshaw, It’s Me Grandson”: Tales of a Young Actor was a finalist in the USA Book News Awards. She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several domestic and international awards.

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CONNECT WITH DEBRA:

Website:

www.debracolemanjeter.com

Blog:

http://www.debracolemanjeter.com/blog

Newsletter:

http://www.debracolemanjeter.com/about-the-author.html

Email:

http://www.debracolemanjeter.com/contact.html

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/debra.c.jeter

Twitter:

https://www.twitter.com/DebColemanJeter

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/njjeter/the-ticket-a-novel

Vimeo – The Ticket Book Trailer:

https://vimeo.com/50187275

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-coleman-jeter

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/539783.Debra_Coleman_Jeter

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44257127-joy-after-noon

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2DFPMzp

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2PDud7w

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/2GQNDms

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/joy-after-noon-debra-coleman-jeter/1131286449

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Joy-After-Noon-Debra-Coleman-Jeter/9781948888974

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Joy-After-Noon/Debra-Coleman-Jeter/9781948888974

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Debra will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

**This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase is made, I may receive a small commission to help support this blog. This does not cost you anything, it just helps pay for all those awesome giveaways on here.**

This contest is sponsored by a third party. Fabulous and Brunette is a registered host of Goddess Fish Promotions. Prizes are given away by the sponsors and not Fabulous and Brunette. The featured author and Goddess Fish Promotions are solely responsible for the giveaway prize.

Cakewalk to Murder by M. K. Scott - Blurb Blitz - Book Sale - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host M. K. Scott and their new book, “Cakewalk to Murder”! For other stops on their Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with M. K. Scott and to increase your chances of winning!

This book is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!! See below for more details.

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Cakewalk to Murder

by M. K. Scott

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GENRE: Cozy Mystery

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BLURB:

Bake-off fever is in full-swing and Donna can’t help but have visions of becoming the next great baking star, but the competition is stiff, and someone is willing to kill to win.

When one of the contestants is found dead, a twist of fate puts Donna at the center of the competition. That’s the perfect position to unravel the mystery, but only if she doesn’t get caught in the crosshairs.

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EXCERPT TWO:

The bell rang as two jean clad men entered, toting duffels and wearing backpacks. One had a ballcap on backward while another one had a scruffy beard similar to Ten’s. The younger one, with the cap, bent slightly to put down his duffle, the word CREW spelled out on his t-shirt.

“Hello. Can I help you?”

The second man ran his hand through his thinning hair and smiled, causing his crows’ feet to fan out attractively. “Thornton Ames. We’re with the Bake-off. I think we have rooms here?”

The younger guy grumbled as he tied his athletic shoe. “We didn’t get in with the rest of the crew. They’ll be partying every night.”

Donna pretended not to hear. She reached for their key and readied her welcome speech, tweaking it the tiniest bit. “My husband, who happens to part of Legacy’s fine police department, welcomes you to The Painted Lady Inn, your peaceful haven. I was just getting ready to put your gift baskets in your room, but I can show you the room and leave the basket. Multi-tasking,” she told them with a smile.

“Much obliged,” Thornton commented with a slight drawl to his words.

“Carolinas?” Donna asked with interest. She should have guessed it with a dignified name like Thornton. She loaded one arm with gift baskets and gestured toward the stairs with her free hand. Their room was on the second floor, and they both looked capable of walking.

“No, ma’am. Georgia. Atlanta is becoming quite the production place. Cheaper than Hollywood.” Thornton fell in step beside her.

“So, is t bake-off show from Atlanta or Hollywood?” She hoped Hollywood. That would sound much more glamorous in the retelling.

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AUTHOR BIO:

M. K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries and The Talking Dog Detective Agency. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands-on approach. Morgan’s daughter, who manages a hotel, provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple’s dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna’s dog. Overall, both are fun series to create and read.

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CONNECT WITH M. K. SCOTT:

Website:

http://www.morgankwyatt.com

Email:

morgankwyatt@juno.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMorganKWyatt

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/morgankwyatt

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/morgankwyatt

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826299.Morgan_K_Wyatt

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2863959.M_K_Scott

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44079400-cakewalk-to-murder

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2DABfVB

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BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO:

**Cakewalk to Murder is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2J5R3DE

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/2XUeeVy

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cakewalk-to-murder-m-k-scott/1131093459?ean=2940156034710

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cakewalk-to-murder-m-k-scott/1131093459?ean=9781944712495

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/cakewalk-to-murder

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Cakewalk-Murder-M-K-Scott/9781944712495

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Cakewalk-Murder/M-K-Scott/9781944712495

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

M. K. Scott will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 29, 2019

Justice Gone by N. Lombardi Jr. - Book Blast - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host N. Lombardi Jr. and his new book, “Justice Gone”! For other stops on his Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Nick and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Justice Gone

by N. Lombardi Jr.

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GENRE: Thriller (Legal)

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BLURB:

When a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by the police, stormy protests ensue, engulfing a small New Jersey town. Soon after, three cops are gunned down.

A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. And Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran's counselor, is caught up in the chase.

Donald Darfield, an African-American Iraqi war vet, war-time buddy of the beaten man, and one of Tessa's patients, is holed up in a mountain cabin. Tessa, acting on instinct, sets off to find him, but the swarm of law enforcement officers gets there first, leading to Darfield's dramatic capture.

Now, the only people separating him from the lethal needle of state justice are Tessa and ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. Can they untangle the web tightening around Darfield in time, when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge?

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EXCERPT ONE:

Justice Gone

In memory of Kelly Thomas, who was beaten to death by members of the Fullerton Police Department on July 5, 2011.

Chapter 1

Bruntfield, New Jersey, just another banal town in a part of the country that nobody thinks about, was about to become famous; or rather, more aptly put, infamous. People sauntered past lackluster shops unaware that in a few days, the lackadaisical streets would bear the rabid frustrations that divided the nation; a pus-like bitterness that was held in check by the demands of everyday survival and the distractions offered by obsessive consumerism and brazen media.

Some would inevitably blame the cascade of events on the weather, since the origins could be found on a hot summer day in 2006. Sure, just about all summer days are hot, but this one was close to the record, and humid to boot. By the end of July, the Northeast coast was suffering under a sweltering heat wave. Despite the humidity, no one could remember the last time it had rained. A hundred-year drought was predicted, they’d said.

Bruntfield, among the many places under this curse, had its water supply so severely depressed that the city authorities were forced to impose water rationing. As if that wasn’t enough, the excessive load on air conditioners led to incessant brownouts. With the weather nothing less than insufferable, suffocating, oppressive, even provoking, tempers flared along with the temperature. But the local situation, as bad as it was, was about to get worse.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book was such an intriguing, suspenseful, thriller read that is truly ripped straight from the headlines!

This book is thought-provoking, compelling, well-researched, with complex characters, elaborate plot points, and touches on multiple topics including real-world issues.

I found myself thoroughly invested in the storyline and totally caught up with the character’s outcomes.

This book hit on one of America’s toughest tragedies that we are still working through today – the homeless population, especially that of our war vets vs. the police. It’s a very ugly battle and this book spares no detail on its case featuring this particular dilemma.

I liked the main characters, Dr. Tessa Thorpe, Donald Darfield, and his brilliant, witty lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. It was not hard not to get wrapped up and invested in these characters, especially that of Donald and wanting to make sure he is treated fairly, and that the actual guilty person goes to jail not just the convenient or most obvious person. I enjoyed the feisty lawyer, Mr. Bodine. I was curious to see what he had up his sleeve next. I couldn’t help but wonder if him being blind was a play on justice. I liked Tessa, but I wanted more from her. I felt she could be this strong, fierce character and I am hoping in her upcoming books she takes on a more powerful role.

I really like that this book takes real-life issues head on and allows the reader to easily connect with the characters and explore their take on the case. This would be a great book for book club as it would easily spark over many intriguing debate topics!

This book has a great storyline that flows, terrific writing style with detailed scenes, well-developed characters, is fast paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page.

I really liked the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear Mr. Lombardi Jr. was very familiar and well-versed on criminal procedures, legal procedures, war veteran disabilities, mental health difficulties, PTSD, police brutality cases, mass media, etc. The author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.

There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!

I enjoy police procedural books and I have to say this book did seem to fall into that genre too, while still staying true to its legal thriller category. Since this book spends almost half of its pages inside the courthouse there is still quite a bit of legal jargon, but thankfully it’s done in an entertaining, tasteful, and understandable fashion, and without being overly dumbed down.

Warning! There are some very intense, graphic detail scenes in this book. I have to admit it was a bit hard to read some of those passages, as they were quite dark, and I’ll be honest I did skim past a few of those lines here and there.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all legal thriller, mystery, suspense, police procedural readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!

**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**

Did you find this review helpful?

If so, please, please, please mark it as helpful on Amazon here:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/review/R1HN1579KU7V3P

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AUTHOR BIO:

N. Lombardi Jr, the N for Nicholas, has spent over half his life in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, working as a groundwater geologist. Nick can speak five languages: Swahili, Thai, Lao, Chinese, and Khmer (Cambodian).

In 1997, while visiting Lao People's Democratic Republic, he witnessed the remnants of a secret war that had been waged for nine years, among which were children wounded from leftover cluster bombs. Driven by what he saw, he worked on The Plain of Jars for the next eight years.

Nick maintains a website with content that spans most aspects of the novel: The Secret War, Laotian culture, Buddhism etc. http://plainofjars.net.

His second novel, Journey Towards a Falling Sun, is set in the wild frontier of northern Kenya.

His latest novel, Justice Gone was inspired by the fatal beating of a homeless man by police.

Nick now lives in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

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CONNECT WITH NICK:

Website:

http://www.plainofjars.net

Email:

nick@plainofjars.net

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/nick.lombardi.9400

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/justice-gone-by-n-lombardi-jr

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6982373.N_Lombardi_Jr_

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40398725-justice-gone

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2X9XVn3

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2KE7V6A

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/2KDPuz9

Amazon UK eBook:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Justice-Gone-N-Lombardi-Jr/dp/1785358766

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/justice-gone-n-lombardi-jr/1129942645?ean=9781785358777

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/justice-gone-n-lombardi-jr/1129942645?ean=9781785358760

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ww/en/ebook/justice-gone

Apple iBooks eBook:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/justice-gone/id1450319598

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/N_Lombardi_Jr_Justice_Gone?id=YMuEDwAAQBAJ

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Justice-Gone-N-Lombardi-Jr/9781785358760

BAM! Books-A-Million eBook:

https://www.booksamillion.com/product/Q703949203

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Justice-Gone/N-Lombardi-Jr/9781785358760

Waterstones Paperback:

https://www.waterstones.com/book/justice-gone/n-lombardi-jr/9781785358760

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Nick will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exile in Darkness by Annalisa Carr - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Annalisa Carr and her new book, “Exile in Darkness”! For other stops on her Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tour, please click on the banner above or any of the images in this post.

Be sure to make it to the end of this post to enter to win a $30 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Annalisa and to increase your chances of winning!

Thanks for stopping by! Wishing you lots of luck in this fabulous giveaway!

Exile in Darkness

by Annalisa Carr

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GENRE: Paranormal Urban Fantasy Romance

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BLURB:

Heritage and magic matter to the London covens.

Aristocratic witch, Isabella Pethany, has heritage but not magic.

Underworld powerbroker, amnesiac vampire Maldit, has magic but no heritage.

Lukas Sindis, coven sorcerer and famous psychopath, has both.

Isabella’s null magic status makes her an embarrassment to her family, but since her sister was murdered, she is all they have left. Guilt makes her willing to do almost anything to compensate for her lack of value, but her grandmother’s proposal to match her with Lukas, in a bid to bring strong magic back to their bloodline, is a step too far.

When Maldit rescues a strange witch from hunting vampires, his main concern is to limit trouble in his territory. Witches are notoriously troublesome, and this one is no exception. Her proximity slashes through his damaged memory, allowing him to catch glimpses of his forgotten past.

Drugs have suppressed Lukas’s magic for almost twenty years, filling him with a reservoir of trapped power. When he escapes, his magic bursts free, falling like a tidal wave on Maldit and Isabella, sweeping away the spells paralysing both of them.

The dark secrets of the London coven are about to explode into the light of day.

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EXCERPT ONE:

Maldit woke from his day sleep with a feeling of displacement. He sat on the edge of his luxurious hand-carved bed and contemplated his bare feet.

I dreamed.

He remembered snatches from his dreams, something that had never happened to him before. Vampires didn’t dream.

He wasn’t a typical vampire; he’d known since shortly after his birth, when he heard the sound of his own heartbeat, that he was different. Vampires had no heartbeat.

My heart beats. I have a heart.

He rested one protective hand on his chest.

He couldn’t remember his making. Vampires lived with their makers, in the original nest, until they were ready to move on and create their own territory. His memory stretched back only so far. After that, the past was a high impenetrable wall.

I have no maker.

He lived alone, except for Sandro, and vampires were social animals. If he was a normal vampire he would have his own nest by now.

I have no nest.

Loneliness bothered him for a single beat of his aberrant heart.

He was nearly three hundred years old (as far as he knew), and powerful enough to maintain a number of blood slaves, fledglings and young vampires. He had been born with power. If he was a typical vampire there would be a blood slave waiting in his bed when he woke; he would be able to feed without having to leave his home. But he wasn’t a typical vampire, he had never had a fledgling, he wasn’t a Maker, he couldn’t create new vampires. His blood was warm and now he had dreamed, and there were no blood slaves in his home.

Who am I?

He wanted to scream the words through his city and wake the entire population.

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AUTHOR BIO:

Annalisa Carr lives in the English Lake District with her two cats. She writes in multiple genres, but has a weakness for paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

As a child Annalisa wanted to be a scientist, wear a white coat and explore outer space. She worked as a scientist for a very long time, but never got to fly a spaceship or even travel beyond the solar system. This was a huge disappointment given the reasons for her career choice, so eventually she made up stories instead. Probably just as well, as she is claustrophobic.

Exile in Darkness is set in the same world as the Children of Poseidon series; a slightly skewed version of London.

Annalisa also writes dystopian science fiction under the name ‘Anne Cleasby’.

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CONNECT WITH ANNALISA:

Website:

https://annecleasby.com

Website:

http://www.annalisacarr.com

Newsletter:

https://annecleasby.com/newsletter-signup

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Annalisa-Carr-1626840070925992