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:

https://www.teresamathews.com

Blog:

https://www.about.me/a.c.melody

Email:

Teresamath62@gmail.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/TeresaMathewsAuthor

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/teresamathewsauthor

Tirgearr Publishing Author Page:

http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Mathews_Teresa

Tirgearr Publishing Book Page:

http://tirgearrpublishing.com/authors/Mathews_Teresa/13-steps-to-the-cellar.htm

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/teresa-mathews

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/13-steps-to-the-cellar-by-teresa-mathews

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19344784.Teresa_Mathews

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46837304-13-steps-to-the-cellar

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/2YWHVWe

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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:

https://amzn.to/2GZFcF7

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/13-steps-to-the-cellar-teresa-mathews/1132385917

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/13-steps-to-the-cellar

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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.

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.