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Monday, September 30, 2019

Gore in the Garden by Colleen J. Shogan - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hey, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Colleen J. Shogan and her new book, “Gore in the Garden”!  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 $50 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Colleen and to increase your chances of winning!

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


Gore in the Garden
by Colleen J. Shogan

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GENRE: Mystery

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BLURB:

After her boss narrowly escaped political defeat, Kit Marshall is settling into life as a busy congressional staffer. While attending an evening reception at the United States Botanic Garden, Kit’s best friend stumbles upon the body of a high-ranking government official. The chairwoman of a congressional committee asks Kit to investigate, and she finds herself once again in the thick of a murder investigation. The complications keep coming with the unexpected arrival of Kit’s younger brother Sebastian, a hippie protestor who seems more concerned about corporate greed than the professional problems he causes for his sister. To make matters even worse, the romantic lives of Kit’s closest friends are driving her crazy, diverting her attention from the mystery she’s been tasked to solve. The search for the killer requires her to tussle with an investigative journalist right out of a noir novel, a congresswoman fixated on getting a statue of James Madison installed on the Capitol grounds, and a bossy botanist who would do anything to protect the plants he loves. When the murderer sends a threatening message to Kit via a highly unusual delivery mechanism, Kit knows she must find the killer or risk the lives of her friends and loved ones.

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EXCERPT TWO:

Sebastian, Doug, and I drifted back to the sidewalk outside the butterfly garden. “Tell me more about your friend Meg,” said Sebastian. His eyes sparkled with interest.

“She’s not dating these days,” I said quickly. “Let’s not go there.”

“Meg is attractive,” said Doug. “But I’m not sure she’s your type. I don’t see her taking to the streets anytime soon to protest the world’s injustices.”

“Not unless the protest was taking place inside Nordstrom’s,” I said. “If you could arrange that location for a demonstration, then you persuade her to make an appearance.”

Doug and Sebastian both chuckled. But their laughter was interrupted suddenly by a bloodcurdling scream from inside the conservatory.

“That sounds like Meg!” I exclaimed. “Come on.”

We rushed over to the entrance, pulled open the door, and entered the garden court. Meg was standing next to the blooming corpse flower. I didn’t even notice the odor because I was fixated on her terrified face.

I ran to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “Meg, what’s wrong? It looks like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

“Worse than that,” she sputtered, gesturing wildly behind her.

“Is something wrong inside the tropical rain forest?” I asked.

“You could say so,” Meg gasped. “Someone’s dead.”

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MY BOOK REVIEW:


Another exciting, intriguing, and enjoyable read in the Washington Whodunit Cozy Mystery Book Series!!!

This is the third book I’ve read in this book series.  I previously read, reviewed, and blogged about Colleen’s third book in this series, “Calamity at the Continental Club,” a couple years ago and Colleen’s fourth book in the series, “K Street Killing,” last year so I was very excited to read her latest installment in the series, “Gore in the Garden.”

I really enjoyed teaming up with Kit again and solving another mystery!

Kit has become one of my favorite amateur sleuths!!!

Again, I really liked the main characters!  I was so excited to see the whole crew back together!  I enjoyed Kit, her husband Doug, their adorable dog Clarence, her BFF Meg, her boss Congresswoman Maeve Dixon, and her interesting hippie younger brother Sebastian that creates some interesting and uncomfortable situations for her lol!!  I really get so invested in characters sometimes – especially in a book series, so it’s great to see them happy and still all together!  Also, the supporting characters were well-developed and amply played off the main cast.

This book has a creative story line, intriguing plot points, excellent mystery structured scenarios, fantastic writing style, well-developed characters, and keeps you fully engaged through the last page!

Without giving too much away, there is a scene in the book at the United States Botanic Garden in D.C. where the characters are gathered at an event and are awaiting a special viewing of the blooming of a corpse flower.  Now, the author does a great job at describing the details, however, I was very intrigued and just had to Google this flower.  Very interesting!  I read a couple articles and watched a few YouTube videos that showed that actual blooming which apparently it takes this flower 7-10 years to bloom!!!  And it’s named a corpse flower because it actually smells like decomp right as it’s about to bloom.  I LOVE books that teach me new things and this book not only educated me about this really intriguing flower, but it sparked my curiosity to even take it one step further and research it online!  Now I actually want to find a garden and attend such a viewing!

Again, I loved the D.C. backdrop in this book series that continued into this fifth book as the author shows her D.C. roots by throwing in so many references throughout the book since the book does take place there.  I have been to D.C. a few times and loved it.  So, I really enjoy when I read a book from there that the real D.C. is found in the pages – and it sure was!

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

This is the fifth book in the Washington Whodunit Book Series.  Although, this book is part of a book series, it can absolutely be read on its own as a standalone.  As you can see, I started in the middle of the series, with book three, four, and now five and haven’t got lost yet lol!

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend this book to anyone interested in an intriguing, suspenseful, exciting, and enjoyable cozy mystery book.

**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/R87I7M0V14Q7C

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AUTHOR BIO:


Colleen J. Shogan has been reading mysteries since the age of six. She conceived of the plot of her first novel one morning while taking a walk in her suburban Washington, D.C. neighborhood. A political scientist by training, Colleen has taught American politics at numerous universities. She previously worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative staffer in the United States Senate. She’s currently a senior executive at the Library of Congress.

Colleen lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Rob and their beagle mutt Conan. She is a member of Sisters in Crime. "Stabbing in the Senate" was awarded the Next Generation Indie prize for Best Mystery in 2016. "Homicide in the House" was a 2017 finalist for the RONE Award for Best Mystery. “Calamity at the Continental Club” was a 2018 finalist in the “best cozy mystery” at Killer Nashville.

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CONNECT WITH COLLEEN:

Website:

Email:
washingtonwhodunit@gmail.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

BookBub Author Page:

Goodreads Author Page:

Goodreads Book Page:

Amazon Author Page:

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BOOK BUY LINKS:


Amazon Kindle eBook:

Amazon Paperback:

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

Kobo eBook:

The Book Depository Paperback:

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

Smashwords eBook:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Colleen will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.


**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.

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Lone Survivor by Anya Summers - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hello, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Anya Summers and her new book, “Lone Survivor”!  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 Anya and to increase your chances of winning!

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


Lone Survivor
by Anya Summers

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GENRE: Contemporary Erotic Romance

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BLURB:

She needed a fresh start…

ICU Nurse Sadie Montgomery moved to New Orleans after her entire world fell apart. The idea was borne of desperation as she sank further into a depression so deep and dark, she had stopped feeling. It isn’t until she crosses paths with Ram that she finally feels a spark of life return. The only problem is, she doesn’t want to be dependent upon anyone. The pain of losing it all is still too fresh. Not to mention, in Ram’s world, the women submit themselves body and soul.

He wasn’t looking for love…

Former Army Ranger, Ramsey O’Malley, is not looking for a long-term commitment from a woman beyond a scene or two at Club Underworld. He doesn’t have the time nor the inclination to begin something he cannot finish, not as a single dad with a thriving psychology practice. Except, he is drawn to his newest patient. She’s forbidden, like the apple in the garden of Eden, and all he wants to do it take a bite.

But they could not deny their desire…

When Sadie makes a surprise appearance at Club Underworld looking to take a walk on the wild side, Ram knows he cannot let another man have her. He wants to be the one to introduce her to submission. But can he convince her to submit to his brand of lovemaking? And will just one night be enough?

Publisher’s Note: This steamy contemporary romance contains elements of power exchange.

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EXCERPT THREE:

Later that afternoon, Ramsey was at home putting together a lasagna for dinner.

“Dad.” Rocky sat at the kitchen table, a pack of colored pencils beside him as he worked on his latest comic book sketch. His dirty blond hair had grown in the two months he had been in New Orleans. Ram added getting him to the barber to his mental to do list before taking him and his sister back to Dallas.

“Yeah?” He slid the pan into the oven and then turned, leaning against the counter to look at his teenage son. Jesus, how could he be thirteen already? Ram could still remember how tiny he’d been, and just how terrified he’d been of taking care of a toddler on his own after he and their mom had split when Rocky was two. It did something to him, staring at the boy on the cusp of manhood, and thinking back over the years. He would hit a growth spurt in the next year or so and be as tall as Ram.

“Do you think it’s possible that aliens exist?” Rocky asked, never looking up from his drawing. Ram had no idea how the kid came by his artistic talent. Certainly not from him. Although Rocky’s Aunt Becca, Ram’s baby sister, was an artist. So it was definitely there in the family tree.

“I think it’s a distinct possibility.” This planet had enough problems without adding aliens to the mix. Talk about throwing the world into a panic.

“Then why haven’t they come to Earth yet?” Rocky asked, lifting his face. It always filled Ram with wonder when he looked at Rocky and saw a younger version of himself in everything but eye color. Rocky’s eyes were a clear jade, just like his mom’s.

“And how do you know that they haven’t?” he teased his son.

“Because we would know. With technology the way it is, someone would have gotten a picture or video that proves their existence.”

“Have you considered the possibility that if they flew billions of lightyears to get here, it’s more likely that their technology is much more advanced than ours and they would be able to hide from detection?” Ram said with a smile hovering over his lips.

“Yeah, for all we know, the aliens left you with us at birth. It would explain a lot.” Hurricane Angela waltzed into the kitchen, her smartphone in her hand, and grabbed an apple from the fruit basket on the counter. Ram sighed. His daughter was fifteen going on twenty-five, with enough sass to outlast Satan.

“Then you should watch yourself. We like to suck out human souls at night. It would explain a lot about you,” Rocky countered.

Angela rolled her eyes. “You’re such a dork.”

“Ang, watch it. You can talk to your friends for an hour and then screen-time is done for the night,” Ram stated, hearing echoes of his own dad as he said it. Ram didn’t know how, but he had turned into his father. He’d like to think of himself as much cooler, down to earth, and more level headed. But yeah, it had happened. And the thing was, Ram loved being a dad—although the teenage years were going to give him a head full of gray hair.

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AUTHOR BIO:


Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

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CONNECT WITH ANYA:

Website:

Newsletter:

Email:

Facebook Personal Page:

Facebook Fan Page:

Twitter:

Instagram:

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

Goodreads Author Page:

Goodreads Book Page:

Amazon Author Page:

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

Kobo eBook:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

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


**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.

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

13 Steps to the Cellar by Teresa Mathews - Book Tour - Book Sale - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hello, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Teresa Mathews and her new book, “13 Steps to the Cellar”!  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 $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Teresa 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!


13 Steps to the Cellar
by Teresa Mathews

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GENRE: Mystery

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BLURB:

There were thirteen steps to the cellar. They were steep and they were narrow—but was a fall down them enough to have caused the twenty-seven deep lacerations to her aunt’s head?

Callie Harris travels from her home in Alabama to her aunt’s former mansion in Maine to unravel the haunting forty-year-old mystery of Dr. Laverne Harris Doss’ brutal death.

Why wasn’t a murder weapon found? Was her uncle justly convicted of the killing? Was his mistress involved? Or was the murderer the bearded stranger rumored to have arrived by train that night?

In the charming town of Richmond, located on the banks of Maine’s historic Kennebec River, Callie uncovers the community’s darkest secrets—a botched police investigation, a betrayed widow’s lie, a dead woman’s blackmail, and a wealthy philanthropist’s shame. The web of intrigue extends far beyond Callie's suspicions and its connection to her personal story pierces her to the core.

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EXCERPT THREE:

Three weeks after her father’s funeral, Callie stood in front of the Richmond, Maine house where her aunt had lived, worked, and died. She took one picture after another, even crossing the street to capture the full view of the magnificent three story home. The stately, red-brick Colonial mansion still looked much like the pictures from the old newspaper article she’d found in the drawer. Four chimneys rose above the roof, and modillion cornice adorned the overhanging eaves. A white portico covered the front entrance. Zooming in, she could even see the shiny brass knocker on the red door.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:


New author Teresa Mathews’ first book is a total home run!!!

This book is filled with such intrigue, mystery, suspense, and adventure that keeps your heart racing as you try to solve this brain-twisting whodunit puzzle!!!

This book is truly riveting!!!  It lures you in with secrets, lies, and betrayal, but then a murder happens while a cold case murder is being investigated and then you’re hooked and fully immersed into the story – but that’s not all as a dash of conspiracy, blackmail, affairs, and so much more are tossed in!!!  Don’t make any plans, because if you’re like me for the next few hours you will not be able to put this book down!!!

This book has a creative story line, fantastic writing style with meticulous and vivid scenes, well-developed characters, is fast paced, and keeps you completely entertained through the last page.

This book featured many main and supporting characters.  It wasn’t overwhelming keeping everyone straight, but there were a few times here and there I had to flip back and go who are they again?, etc.  I really liked Callie!!  She was easy to connect with.  She was realistic, kind, and likable.  It wasn’t hard to get emotionally invested and hope that she is able to find the answers to her aunt’s death, get closure, and solve the new murder.

I loved the characters and the small-town vibe!!  I was completely wrapped up with the character’s story lines!!

I really enjoyed the small-town setting of Richmond and how the town itself is almost like a character and an underlying theme as well throughout the book.

There is so much going on in this book there literally is no time to catch your breath as we go from scene to scene and plot point to plot point!  This book completely grabs hold of you and it is impossible to walk away until you’ve turned the last page!!

The author’s writing is strong and eloquently detailed.  She really provided so much detail in her writing that it was easy to picture – especially the adorable small town of Richmond and the beautiful picturesque and historic Kennebec River.  I have never been to Maine before and didn’t know much about the area before reading this book, but now it is definitely on my bucket list!

I was truly impressed with the amount of in-depth research the author provided in this book.  It is clear she was well-versed and familiar with Maine and Alabama.  I really liked that she included real historical facts and real venues.  It made the story feel more genuine and authentic.

I also enjoyed the style of writing and that there were several, but short chapters.  It really helped keep the story on point, provide smooth scene transitions, and allow for the overall story line to flow.

There are some predictable scenes.  However, there are quite a few unexpected twists and turns and misdirection’s that you won’t see coming!  I am quite a mystery buff and it is rare that I don’t solve the crime before the ending, but I’ll be honest even this book threw me for a loop!!!

And wow – what an ending!!!  I’m still in shock and re-playing it lol!!!

At this time, this book is not part of a book series and can be read as a standalone.  However, without saying too much I think there could be a possibility that the author could follow this book up with a sequel.

For me, this book absolutely worked!!!  It hit everything I look for and need when I am reading and reviewing a book!!!  And that’s really high praise for someone just starting out in the business, but this book and author truly earned every ounce of that acclamation!!!

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!  I think all mystery and suspense 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/R3AFJIAXJNDGQ4

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AUTHOR BIO:


Teresa Mathews is a graduate of The University of South Alabama. She’s a member of the Mobile Writers Guild and serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association.

An avid gardener and artist, she has multiple book covers to her credit. Several years ago after visiting the site of her real-life aunt’s murder, Teresa discovered another passion–storytelling. Although inspired by an actual tragedy, Thirteen Steps to the Cellar is fiction.

Raised on the Gulf Coast, Teresa, her husband, and son now live on a farm with a second home on the sparkling white sands of Fort Morgan, Alabama.

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CONNECT WITH TERESA:

Website:

Blog:

Email:
Teresamath62@gmail.com

Facebook:

Instagram:

Tirgearr Publishing Author Page:

Tirgearr Publishing Book Page:

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

Goodreads Author Page:

Goodreads Book Page:

Amazon Author Page:

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BOOK BUY LINKS & BOOK SALE INFO:

**13 Steps to the Cellar is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**

Amazon Kindle eBook:

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

Kobo eBook:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

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


**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.