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Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Baptism of Fire by Virginia Crow - Book Tour - Book Sale - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hi, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Virginia Crow and her new book, “Baptism of Fire”!  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 $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Virginia and to increase your chances of winning!

This eBook 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!


Baptism of Fire
by Virginia Crow

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GENRE: Thriller

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BLURB:

Kevin gripped Jilly’s coat and his voice became little more than a whisper. “I’m cursed, Jilly. Everyone who looks after me dies in a fire, or someone they love does. I don’t know how to stop it.”

When Rev. Alastair Roberts adopts Kevin Alderman, he dismisses any reference to the boy’s curse. But, as the pair spend more time in each other’s company, it becomes apparent that Kevin is not the only one with a bitter past.

As the past continues to haunt them, can they hope to change their future?

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EXCERPT THREE:

“Was he really Alastair’s son, or was he like me?”

“He was really his son,” Jilly replied. “But you’re his son, too, Kevin.”

“No,” Kevin replied stoically. “I haven’t had a dad since Liam, and I don’t want the same thing to happen to Alastair that happened to him.”

“What did happen?” Jilly asked, holding the child to her as they both looked at the grave.

“He burnt to death in his car.” Kevin gripped Jilly’s coat and his voice became little more than a whisper. “I’m cursed, Jilly. Everyone who looks after me dies in a fire, or someone they love does. I don’t know how to stop it.”

“Well,” she said firmly, trying not to let her fear at his words show. “I don’t believe in curses, only bad luck. It sounds to me that you’ve had your share of that. But then, so has the vicar. Shall we go back home and try out some of those conkers?”

Kevin smiled slightly and nodded. “Who is Dawn Louise Roberts?” he asked as they turned away.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book is exciting, thrilling, gripping, engaging, and stimulating!!!

I honestly wasn’t quite sure what to expect with this book after reading the blurb.  I was definitely intrigued, but somewhat perplexed about the story line.  However, after reading this book I found that perhaps the author left so much out of the blurb as to impress and blow away the reader with such a captivating, thought-provoking, and compelling read that just completely embraced the reader without letting go until the last page.

I truly felt so immersed into the story as the author provided such significantly detailed scenes that allowed me to feel like I was actually there.

This book is hugely character driven – and emotionally character driven!!!  I could not help but completely fall in love with Kevin and just want to tell him that everything is going to be okay.  The heartbreak, torment, grief, and despair that that kid is going through is just unbelievable!!!  No kid, especially at 8-years-old should be going through anything like that – let alone even understand those kinds of adult topics like death, curses, hexes, etc.  I often choose to read books that have characters that I know I will be able to relate to as I find them more enjoyable.  I honestly didn’t think that would be possible with this book.  But I was pleasantly proved wrong as I was able to (easily!!) connect with Kevin.  I also want to mention Reverend Alastair Roberts as he too, was a very likable character.  He was (extremely!!) patient, kindhearted, caring, compassionate, respectful, protective, and nurturing.  These two characters were complex, well-developed, and brought so much to the story!!  Also, the supporting characters were amply represented and superbly played off the main cast.

It is clear from the get-go that both of these main characters are hurt, damaged, and struggling with their own secrets and baggage and just need to open up to each other.

I really enjoyed that the author created flawed and damaged characters that really showcased her writing style and ability to push her characters to reach their full potential over their arc.

A strong character development journey to root for and enjoy watching it unfold!

The love and devotion that just leaps off the pages is inspiring and encouraging!!  The way Kevin and Alastair come together and work through this mystery and confide in each other is just exhilarating!!  This book truly instilled love, hope, and faith and brought many raw emotions to the surface!!

Of course, this book is labeled as a thriller and there certainly are thrilling and mysterious scenes.  Not exactly scream-worthy – going to have bĂȘtes noires for a week!! But enough to get your pulse racing and keep you hanging on the edge of your seat!!  It’s hard not to divulge more, but no spoilers here!!  But you definitely will want to read this book and find out what happens!!

This book has a creative story line that evenly flows, superb writing style, strongly developed characters, is steady paced, and completely keeps you fully entertained!!

There are some predictable scenes.  However, this book is a mystery/thriller book so there are still a few unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!

At this time, it does not seem like this book is part of a book series.  This book can be read as a standalone.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!  I think all mystery readers and thriller fans 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/R2UVWJZH8JTBPR

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AUTHOR BIO:


Virginia grew up in Orkney, using the breath-taking scenery to fuel her imagination and the writing fire within her. When she's not writing, Virginia is usually to be found teaching music. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of music, especially as a tool of inspiration. She also helps out with the John o' Groats Book Festival which is celebrating its 4th year next April.

Virginia lives in the far-flung corner of Scotland, soaking in inspiration from the rugged cliffs and miles of sandy beaches.

She loves cheese, music and films, but hates mushrooms.

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CONNECT WITH VIRGINIA:

Website:

Blog:

Email:
daysdyingglory@gmail.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

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:

**The Baptism of Fire eBook is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**


Amazon US Kindle eBook:

Amazon US Paperback:

Amazon UK Paperback:

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

The Book Depository Paperback:

Crowvus UK Paperback:

Kobo eBook #1:

Kobo eBook #2:

Smashwords eBook:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Virginia will be awarding a $10 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.

Campaigning Can Be Deadly by Charlotte Stuart - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Charlotte Stuart and her new book, “Campaigning Can Be Deadly”!  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 Charlotte and to increase your chances of winning!

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

Campaigning Can Be Deadly

by Charlotte Stuart

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GENRE: Mystery, Female PI

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BLURB:

What begins as a prank ends in murder.

The campaign for the U.S. Congressional seat was referred to in the press as “Mr. Smith goes to Washington versus the carpetbagger.” The popular local candidate gets the majority of endorsements, but his opponent’s wealthy, out-of-state family is willing to do whatever it takes for him to win.

Penny-wise Investigations, a discount detective agency located in a mall, is hired to find out who is stealing the local candidate’s political signs. Two of their investigators, Cameron Chandler and Yuri Webster, not only catch the thieves in the act, they find a body next to a pile of stolen signs, proving that Campaigning Can Be Deadly.

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EXCERPT TWO:

Shortly after the evening news, it happened. An event that would change our lives.

A barking dog shattered the silence of early evening. It barked and barked, right outside our front door. Under normal circumstances I would have simply gone out to see what was happening. But for all we knew, it was a trap. What kind, I wasn’t sure. Jason and Mara both wanted to take a look. Then Mom came down to complain, and I finally got up the courage to see what the commotion was all about.

When I opened the door a crack, a black, moist nose tried to pry the door open more. The barking changed to whining.

“It’s a dog, Mom,” Jason said. “He wants in.”

That much was obvious, but why?

“Oh, just open the damn door,” Mom said. She grabbed the doorknob and a medium-sized black and white dog came bounding in and ran right into Jason’s outstretched arms. I was staring at Jason, trying to figure out what was happening, while he rubbed the dog’s head and buried his face in the dog’s neck fur. That’s why I didn’t notice the dark figure looming in our doorway until Mom said, “You might as well come in. The damage is done.”

When I saw Yuri standing there, all I could think of to say was, “You didn’t.”

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GUEST POST:

My Favorite Scene in Campaigning Can Be Deadly:

I’m going to take a few liberties with the “favorite scene” topic by showing how two different scenes capture what I think is the strength of my Discount Detective series.

Cameron Chandler is not only a PI, she’s a single mom. She and her two children live on the bottom floor of a carriage house with her mother on the top floor. It’s a good arrangement overall, but there are times when tempers fray and communication sinks to the level of a sitcom cliche. Still, the domestic scenes in the book show the softer side of Cameron and reveals a more realistic view of her life of a PI.

Here’s a short excerpt in which Cameron arrives home and has to cope with a minor family crisis:

“Anyone home?” I called as I reached the top.

“In here, Mom,” Mara called back. Her voice came from my mother’s compact kitchen. She and Mom were huddled over a recipe on the counter, their long, chestnut colored hair blending together in perfect harmony. Mara definitely had inherited her hair and eyes from my mother, her height and disposition from me.

“New recipe?” I asked, almost fearing the answer. I was hungry and wanted comfort food, not some gourmet meal designed to look good on the plate.

“We’re making a truffle risotto.”

That didn’t sound bad. Although we’d never had one before that I could recall.

“With edamame and shitake mushrooms.”

Hmmm. Not a Betty Crocker recipe then. “Is Jason okay with this?” He hates mushrooms.

“He needs to expand his palate,” Mara said, obviously quoting my mother.

Oh well, it sounded like something I could get into, and there was plenty of peanut butter downstairs for Jason. I went into the living room and found him reading the news on his computer. He looked up and said, “You do know they’re putting mushrooms in our food.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“I’m not going to eat it.”

“You can pick them out.”

“You can’t get the flavor out.”

“I’ll ask Mom to set some aside before putting in the mushrooms, okay?”

“Would you?” He looked so pathetic that I silently vowed to order a pizza just for him if he didn’t like the risotto.

In contrast, here’s an on-the-job scene that takes place in a mall parking lot:

Yuri turned toward me just as a shot rang out. I raced to a nearby car and dropped down behind it as a second shot split the air. Disoriented yet hyper-alert, my fight or flight response couldn’t quite make up its mind what to do.

“Cameron, are you okay?” Yuri yelled.

“Yes!”

“Stay down!” Did he think I was going to stand up and make myself an easy target?

As I crouched behind a silver Ford, all I could hear was my own ragged breathing. There were no more gunshots, no one talking or yelling, no cars moving, no animals skittering, nothing. Just silence.

There are a number of instances in Campaigning Can Be Deadly when Cameron or someone she knows is threatened or finds themselves in a dangerous situation. But even though my main character is a PI and some bad guys are determined to get their candidate elected by any means necessary, the tone overall is lighthearted. The agency Cameron works for is filled with quirky colleagues and an owner with a mysterious past and a secret home address who has an antique Faberge ashtray on her desk that always contains one Russian cigarette that is never smoked. In addition, the mascot for the agency is a bear dressed in a Sherlock Holmes outfit. How bad can things get when there is a Sherlock Holmes bear guarding the agency?

My hope is that readers enjoy the complexity of the plot as well as the humor and family warmth in the storyline. 

Since I write from my office on Vashon, I’ve included a few pictures taken to show the beauty of the view from my island home. I happen to like birds and sunsets, but I’ve thrown in one early morning scene.

 



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AUTHOR BIO:

In a world filled with uncertainty and too little chocolate, Charlotte Stuart has a passion for writing lighthearted mysteries with a pinch of adventure and a dollop of humor. Her first discount detective mystery, Survival Can Be Deadly, was a Foreward INDIES finalist. Why me? Chimeras, Conundrums and Dead Goldfish was a semi-finalist for the Chanticleer Murder and Mayhem contest before it was published. She began her career in academia with a PhD in communications. Then, she and her husband decided to build a commercial boat and go fishing for salmon in Alaska. Currently she is the VP for Puget Sound Sisters in Crime and lives and writes on Vashon Island in Washington State’s Puget Sound. She spends time each day entertained by herons, seals, eagles and other wildlife.

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CONNECT WITH CHARLOTTE:

Website:

http://www.charlottestuart.com

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.stuart.mysterywriter

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/quirkymysteries

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/clzstuart

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/charlotte-stuart

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/campaigning-can-be-deadly-a-discount-detective-mystery-book-2-by-charlotte-stuart

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19305587.Charlotte_Stuart

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51074737-campaigning-can-be-deadly

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3n2UsV4

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2HD9FvP

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/2S9yPnM

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/campaigning-can-be-deadly-charlotte-stuart/1136403993?ean=9781940442334

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/campaigning-can-be-deadly-charlotte-stuart/1136403993?ean=9781940442327

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Campaigning-Can-Be-Deadly-Charlotte-Stuart/9781940442327

IndieBound Paperback:

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781940442327

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/campaigning-can-be-deadly

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Charlotte 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.

Fly Twice Backward by David McCracken - Book Tour - Book Sale - Author Interview - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hi, lovelies!  It gives me great pleasure today to host David McCracken and his new book, “Fly Twice Backward”!

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 David and to increase your chances of winning!

This eBook 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!


Fly Twice Backward
by David McCracken

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GENRE: Alt-History/Sci-Fi

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BLURB:

You wake back in early adolescence, adult memories intact, including ones that could make you very wealthy now. Your birth family is here, alive again, but your later families are gone, perhaps forever. What has happened, what should you do about coming problems like violence, ignorance, pollution, and global warming? You realize one key connects most, the fundamentalist strains of all the major religions, disdaining science, equality, and social welfare. You see that there are some things you can change, some you can’t, and one you don’t dare to.

Fellow idealists help you spend your growing fortune well--such as an artistic Zoroastrian prince in the Iranian oil industry, a rising officer in the Soviet army working to find a way to destroy his corrupt government, a Bahai woman struggling against Islamic brutality, a Peruvian leader working for a liberal future, and a snake-handling Christian minister, grappling with doubts, sexuality, and destiny. They are supported by an ally who develops essential psychic powers. The group faces familiar-looking corrupt politicians, religious leaders, and corporate czars, but there is an ancient force in the background, promoting greed, violence, hate, and fear.

This exciting, emotional, thoughtful, humorous, and even romantic sci-fi novel weaves progressivism, music, movies, and literature into a struggle spanning the globe. Vivid characters propel the action back up through an alternative history toward an uncertain destination. Experience the unique story and its novel telling.

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EXCERPT ONE:

Waiting for breakfast, reading the Sunday paper at the table, I realize Mom’s not heading for the kitchen: Oh, oh! It’s church day. Mass. Fasting. Acolyting! What’m I going to do about that?

“Mom, am I supposed to serve today?”

“Of course!”

“Well, I can’t. I have no idea how to do that anymore. I guess we need to call Padre and tell him I’m sick.”

“No, David, we’re not playing that game today!”

“Mom, I hate to say this now, but I have no choice. I don’t know how to serve, so I can’t do it, and, frankly, I’m not ever going to do it. I’m an agnostic, a Unitarian, actually.”

She’s slamming the pots I washed and put in the drainer last night as she puts them into the cabinet under the counter. “That’s ridiculous. You don’t know enough to be an agnostic.”

Fortunately, Dad has come in and heard this exchange.

“Nev, whether his story is true or not, or he knows enough or not, he has a right not to go. He was old enough to be confirmed, so he’s old enough to choose. I’ll serve in his place.”

“Lie about being sick, on Sunday?”

“Mom, it’s a temporizer. I can’t reveal to him why I’m not going to today, much less why I’ll never again do it, and I know you wouldn’t want me to be open about it. I might not even be here next Sunday.” I chuckle. “Maybe I’ll have fallen back to age four, with Dad off in the Navy!” What a sharp look I get!

“We need a few days to sort this out, Nev.”

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

Good morning David!  Welcome to Fabulous and Brunette!  We are thrilled to have you here and can’t wait to learn more about you and your new book, “Fly Twice Backward.”

Tell us about your book cover and how it came about.

The cover, two eagles ambiguously lifting off or landing, was the best idea I could come up with showing twice backward, as the title promised. The execution of it I got done with the help of an artist at Fiverr.

What is your favorite scene in your new book?

I’ll pick when my Soviet general at last is reunited with his wife, which I made into a kind of dance, as he eagerly approached and she nervously resisted, torn with guilt over using him and leaving him. I could have also picked a firefight in Vietnam and a rescue of two women about to be burned as witches, both involving complex details. Actually, there’s another involving a discovery in a cave, but it would be too revealing to describe it here.

What has writing this book taught you?

Eventually I can write very well, but I must work very hard to do it, especially for such a complex novel. Next maybe I should try children’s books.

What is the craziest thing you’ve done in the name of research?

I drove around in West Virginia to get the feeling of  the place of a small but significant part of the story. I guess I should have faked it, fictionalized it. I also drove around my boyhood home back in Kentucky to refresh my memory. I would have loved to have done similar in-place research in Israel, Central America, and Peru. Sanity and finance prevailed. I might not have come back from Peru, an incredible place as I came to see.

What are your favorite memories spent at the local library?

Well, my research was done mainly with books ordered from Amazon, with Amazon Music recordings, and with Wikipedia articles, all while sitting comfortably at my computer. And going to my kitchen for fuel or distraction as needed.

How do you overcome writing obstacles?

My main obstacles were getting trapped in the fascination of researching, and there was a lot, and getting puzzled in writing a passage, unsure how to bring it off. The researching problem I handled many times by just stopping, by dropping the unknown that was vexing me or fictionalizing it, making it up. The puzzled problem I handled by trying to write through it or by shifting to another passage—sometimes permanently.

Thank you so much for spending time with Fabulous and Brunette readers and sharing your exciting new book with us!  We wish you all the best on your book tour!

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AUTHOR BIO:


David McCracken was born in Louisville, KY, in 1940. Raised mostly in Winchester, KY, he now lives in Northern Virginia, with his third and final wife. He has three children, two stepchildren, and six grandchildren.

After three years in the U.S. Navy following a lackluster academic start, he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1963, in Diplomacy and International Commerce. He then worked as a Latin American country desk officer in the U.S. Department of Commerce until he returned to school to earn an M.A. in Elementary Education in 1970 from Murray State University, having always been intending to teach. Eventually realizing his children qualified for reduced-price lunches based on his own teaching salary, he studied computer programming at Northern Virginia Community College and worked as a programmer until shifting back into elementary teaching.

He began working on what became Fly Twice Backward in 1983 and finally finished it in 2019! At 79, David strongly doubts he'll be doing another novel of such scope and complexity, but is preparing to work on a children's science fiction novel with a progressive bent, being a devout progressive in politics and religion, as well as a lover of learning.

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CONNECT WITH DAVID:


Facebook:

Goodreads Book Page:

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINK & BOOK SALE INFO:

**The Fly Twice Backward eBook is on SALE during the book tour for ONLY $0.99!!!**


Amazon:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

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


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.