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Wednesday, January 31, 2024

SWAT for Dummies by Gail Koger - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


SWAT for Dummies
by Gail Koger

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GENRE:   Action / Adventure / Comedy / Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Just call me Calamity Jane, wherever I go, trouble soon follows.  Which makes my job as a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy a bit hazardous. From chasing down a bank robber to dealing with a cat burglar, or handling Sun City’s seniors who are crazy as June bugs and horny as hell.  

My personal life is complicated.  Off-duty I’m a ballroom dancer. Detective Sergeant Dante Delgado is my new dance partner. My relationship with him puts me in the crosshairs of a dirty cop with homicidal tendencies. Can we stop him, or will we become his next victims?  

Law enforcement isn’t for the fainthearted. Are you brave enough to enter my world?

Author’s note: I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for way too many years and this novella contains some of the wilder incidents that occurred.  Yes, sex on the sidewalk is based on a true incident.

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EXCERPT ONE:

I took his hand. I was curious to see how well we danced together. I smiled as energetic salsa music filled the club.

Dante spun me around him and pulled me into a tight embrace. My skin heated wherever he touched me, and my girly parts were yelling yee-haw. One moment, we were doing the Cuban salsa, and the next, the Texas two-step. I was amazed at how perfectly we moved together.

A light touch and we were dancing the tango. Dante’s large hands skimmed down my back, grabbed my hips and up I went. He twirled me around his shoulders and lowered me down his body.

I rubbed against his crotch in a sinuous slide.

“Minx,” Dante whispered and promenading me to the right, then the left.

I focused on the slow, delicious glide of his body against mine, on the sensual havoc he wreaked with a single touch as we switched to the Texas two-step, then back to the tango.

Dante dipped me. The carnal need in his eyes instantly made my panties wet. I watched in delight as he lowered his head until our lips met. 

One second his lips brushed against mine. The next, Dante slid me between his legs and slowly pulled me back up. The bulge in his pants got bigger. I danced backward, tapping my heels on the floor, and breaking into the flamenco. 

Without hesitation Dante did the flamenco too. His every movement was elegant and sensual as his boots drummed a primeval rhythm. Feeling sexy as hell, I clapped my hands rhythmically and joined him.

Dante wrapped an arm around me, pulled me close and ended the dance with a kiss.

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AUTHOR BIO:


Author bio: I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.

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CONNECT WITH GAIL:

Website:

Twitter:

Facebook:

Instagram:

BookBub Author Page:

Goodreads Author Page:

Amazon Author Page:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Gail will award a randomly drawn winner a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) 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 fabulous community outreach projects and 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.

Scorn of Secrets by B. Truly - Book Tour - Exclusive Excerpt - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Scorn of Secrets
by B. Truly

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GENRE:   Young Adult Urban Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Flowers in the Attic meets The Family that Preys

Madison

When the rising tides of my life peak, I’m left struggling with the currents of the storm. My dad is a gambling addict, and it costs him everything. Mama bounces back quickly from the havoc Dad’s addiction causes. She proves this by getting a new man. Her Rico Suave is just the tip of the iceberg—she moves us across state to live with him and his two sons.My older sister has no problem fitting in. Although I'm the total opposite—I am not a social butterfly. Taught to make the best of even the worst situations, maybe I should give my new family a chance.

My life finally seems to be back on track until a dreadful night, shatters my dreams. My world is flipped upside down because of the consequences I must now bear. Thinking about that night torments me. For my sanity, I must keep the door to my darkest memory locked. No one will believe me if I set the truth free—not even my own sister.

Justin

After the heartbreak my future stepsister has suffered, I understand Madison being skeptical of her ready-made family. As we get to know each other better, we learn were two birds of the same feather. Our chemistry is undeniable, but if we tempt fate, will our relationship oscillate in the balance?

Life seems to be falling into place until one night changes everything. What happens to her that she can’t even look me in the eyes. It’s like somehow, my face has scorned her. I want to be the key to her secret. But Madison won't confess—desperate to keep her darkest secret locked away.

Recommended for 16+ due to sexual content and language. Some content dealing with sexual assault may be disturbing.

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EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT:


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AUTHOR BIO:


B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old, and she’s grateful to have accomplished this dream. She has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She is addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of suspense. She writes YA and New Adult and Adult Romance, Urban, Dystopian, Sci-fi, Post-Apocalyptic, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal genres.

B. Truly has three wonderful children and a husband who defines the person she today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Sugarland, Texas.

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BOOK BUY LINKS:


Smashwords:

Amazon Buy Link:


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GIVEAWAY INFO:

B. Truly will be awarding a $10 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

I Survived by Celisha J - Book Tour - Spotlight - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


I Survived
by Celisha J

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GENRE:   Memoir

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BOOK BLURB:

In “I Survived” the author’s journey through a life marked by hardship, pain and resilience. From the devastating loss of a mother at a young age to abusive relationships and a harrowing escape, this gripping memoir unveils the story of survival, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With unwavering determination, the author overcomes the shadows of her past to forge a path toward self-discovery, healing, and hope.

I Survived is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering belief that no matter the obstacles, one can triumph over adversity and ultimately thrive.

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EXCERPT ONE:

Introduction

My name is Celisha J. I have been through a lot, learned, and am better because of it. I am a firm believer that every lesson is a blessing. God has saved me so many times. I know he did this because he has something bigger planned for me.

My prayer for this book is that it helps women and children who have gone through the same or similar situations to know that they don’t have to allow the traumas of their past to keep them from being successful. I believe that God has a plan for our life, but we did something to alter that plan along the way. He did not intend for us to struggle or have a hard life. He allows us to choose the path we want to go on. The good thing is he is that he is Always there to pick us up when we fall. We were born for greatness.

Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and forgive yourself and those who hurt you. Forgiveness is for you. I want people to know you can be the best you that you allow. No one says it will be easy, but the main thing to remember is that you are responsible for you. I believe that the only person you can truly believe in life, who won’t let you down, is God and yourself. In order for you to crawl out of the slump of being abused, hurt, let down, controlled, and battered is, your faith in God and the belief that he has better for you. He does not want us to live in our past. He intended for us to learn from it and allow our past to help other people gain strength, but if we tell our stories and we have not grown from what happened to us, then who can we really help?

I have done some things in my past that I am not proud of, and this book tells you my story and how I remember it. No, it is not everything, but the book will tell you the things that stood out the most to me. I have learned a lot and grown from my mistakes, and I have decided not to allow the embarrassment, pain, and struggles from my past to hold me back, so I am releasing it in this book.

This is my Ugly Truth!

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SPOTLIGHT:

Exploring “I survived” – a post about the setting of my book. (~ 300 words)

“I Survived” – the name tells you what I did during this phase of my life. This is the story about my early childhood and adolescent days. Since this is about me and my life, the setting is centred around me, my family, and my house (rather, the places where I lived). This book is set to walk you through my life as it unfolds, with details at a few places, where I deemed necessary. Overall, this book talks about me living through and exploring life as it comes. Hence, this is set in my early childhood, youth, and adolescent days.

I felt that these times of my life are the best settings for my book as these were eventful phases of my life in which I went through several ugly and torturous moments at the hands of people that I had trusted the most or did not expect to. To summarize, I was molested, raped, abused, beaten, tortured, and more by people around me. I was subject to this treatment by people who I knew or who knew me. I was taken advantage of by people who I thought were my family members.

Considering these factors, I thought the setting of my personal life through my golden or peak years was the best setting for my book. It sets the stage beautifully considering the sequence of events that I lived. This also sets the stage for my second book, which will be part of two of my first book. I would rather not reveal the name at this time. Read my book, “I Survived” on Kindle or order your copy from Amazon today. In my book, you will realize that this is centred around the people in my life, and the places where I have lived. 

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AUTHOR BIO:


Born in Michigan now living in Atlanta Celisha J. is an Actress and Author all in one, landing a role in a movie and a lead role on a TV Series.

She currently has a book entitled “I Survived”. It is a chilling story about her life from losing her mom at an early age and all the things that she has endured in her life, that should have broken her but she uses her pain as motivation to continue on her journey to following her dreams of being an actress, author and motivational speaker. She is currently pursuing more roles in acting.

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CONNECT WITH CELISHA J:

Website:

Instagram:

Facebook:


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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:


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GIVEAWAY INFO:

One randomly drawn winner will win a $25 Amazon OR BN Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) via Rafflecopter.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rocketship Ride by Franco D'Auria - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


 

Come for a journey through the minds of two loving brothers as they explore the world around them using their imagination!

Join them in their rocketship as they barrel through space, meet with remarkable aliens, get in and out of extraordinary situations, and find the time to enjoy the company of amazing friends and family.

Let them take you on this incredible journey, and hopefully they inspire you to have your fantastic adventures too!




About the Author: Franco D'Auria discovered a passion for writing and world-building through his long career as a game designer for HitGrab Labs. Lending his voice to the game MouseHunt and its whimsical fantasy world of Gnawnia, his imagination was bursting for new creative outlets.

What started as an innocent request from his children to sing a bedtime song about rocketships gradually evolved into this book. It celebrates the boys' love of books, their special relationship as brothers, their adventures with family, and the spark of imagination that they share.

Buy Link: https://amazon.com/dp/1779412479

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, January 29, 2024

Kitchen Matches by Marianne Arkins - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Marianne Arkins and her new book, “Kitchen Matches,” here on FAB!!  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 Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Marianne and to increase your chances of winning!!

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

Kitchen Matches

The Matched Series

Book 1

by Marianne Arkins

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GENRE:   Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

A feisty auto mechanic and a hunky chef cook up chaos!

Cori Weathers is a wizard with a torque wrench, but the moment she lays eyes on her cooking teacher, Micah DePalma, her lessons turn into a klutzy symphony of flying poultry and burning aprons. It makes no sense. He couldn't be less her type: tall, skinny, and born with a silver spoon in his mouth. So why is her heart sputtering like a badly tuned engine?

Despite family pressure to date only women of his own social class, something about the cooking-challenged spitfire lights all Micah's burners. Cori's a complex dish inside a deceptively simple coating, one he's willing to risk tackle football and jealous ex-boyfriends to sample.

His every attempt to crack her stubborn heart strikes sparks. Will they ignite the flame of love or explode into just another kitchen disaster?

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EXCERPT ONE:

Corinne Weathers, Cori to her friends and family—but not to her very proper cooking class teacher, Micah DePalma—gave a squeak of fear at the flames creeping up her apron. She slapped at them with her potholder, but it didn’t help. Her throat was so tight with panic, she couldn’t cry out for help. With one last futile whack at the growing fire, and desperately trying to remain calm, Cori reached behind her neck to untie the apron straps. Her trembling fingers fumbled with the bow and pulled it into a good, solid knot.

A brief hissing sound was the only warning she got before clouds of whatever white stuff lurked inside a fire extinguisher smacked into her gut like a fist and drifted in a halo around her head.

She coughed and waved a hand in the air in an attempt to clear it. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” A familiar male voice threaded through the cloud.

Cori grimaced. Ack. Saved by Micah DePalma, her handsome-but-cranky cooking teacher. Why couldn’t it have been someone—anyone—else? She closed her eyes for a moment and prayed for something to rescue her from his wrath. She knew a lecture was on its way, knew she deserved one for setting herself on fire, but she really didn’t want to hear it.

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MY BOOK REVIEW:

Another top-notch read from Marianne Arkins!!!  "Kitchen Matches," is a fun, entertaining, romantic read filled with genuine characters, creative storylines, and amusing plot points!!

I could not put this book down!!!  I quickly devoured “Kitchen Matches,” in just one sitting!!

I really enjoyed the author’s unique ability to thoroughly describe scenes filled with realistic themes and relatable characters, therefore, allowing for the reader to stay fully immersed in the story.

This book is an extremely fast read, comprised of seven super short chapters spanning across 76 eBook pages.

Currently this book, “Kitchen Matches,” is listed as Book One in Marianne’s exciting new series, The Matched Book Series.

All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it!!  I think all romance readers will be sure to 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**

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AUTHOR BIO:

Marianne is originally from California but currently living in the lovely state of Utah with her daughter, two dogs, two cats and one adorable foster hamster. She can’t imagine a world without romance or not having stories rattling around in her brain. There are nights when she dreams a complete story and watches it acted out in her head. Those are the times she wakes up and grabs for a notepad to jot down the important parts – without turning on the light – and hopes it’s coherent in the morning. She’s a member of the Romance Writers of America and heavily involved and indebted to her group of writing friends.

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CONNECT WITH MARIANNE:

Website:

https://mariannearkinsauthor.com

Facebook – Author Page:

https://www.facebook.com/Author-Marianne-Arkins-111996717795365

Facebook – Personal Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mariannearkins

X:

https://twitter.com/MarianneArkins

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1452737.Marianne_Arkins

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202135751-kitchen-matches

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/3FNG263

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BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3vTCI7A

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Kitchen-Matches-Matched-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0CNBGT4CM

Universal – Books2Read:

https://books2read.com/b/KitchenMatches

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Marianne will be awarding a $10 Amazon Gift Card 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 fabulous community outreach projects and 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, January 25, 2024

Return to Lerici by Rachel Dacus - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rachel Dacus will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


A suspenseful, uplifting story of second chances, family bonds, and redemption.

Sisters Elinor and Saffron rarely see eye-to-eye, but they agree that an unknown half-brother appearing in their lives can only spell trouble. The Greene sisters want to support their ailing mother, Betsy, as they gather in their cottage in Lerici, Italy. But they don’t want Betsy to keep searching for Baby Boy, the only name they have on faded adoption papers.

While the Greenes debate, Baby Boy finds them. A rough childhood has led Daniel to a life as a thief. When he learns of his connection to the wealthy Greenes, he decides to scam them. He goes to Italy and using a fake identity observes them at close range. Watching these people makes him ache for what he never had—a loving family.

Betsy is touched by the young man’s story and guesses their hidden connection. Discovering his true identity, she asks the family to help him. But Daniel’s shady past is catching up and putting the Greenes at risk. Should they bring their lost lamb into the fold—and can he claim his heritage if it endangers his family?


Read an Excerpt:

April in Lerici was blossoming like the paradise it was. Elinor knelt over her tomato plants pulling weeds on a fine, cool morning. Whenever she had troubles, she turned to her plants, and today she had a basketful of troubles. Bushels and bushels, and they all revolved around her mother. Betsy said she was ailing, but she was being vague about the specifics of her illness. And she’d written Elinor to say she was searching for their missing family member, Baby Boy, as he was listed on the adoption papers they’d discovered in an old drawer. Best left at the back of that drawer, Elinor thought. An unknown quantity could only be another basketful of problems.

She dug harder to loosen the weeds. Her tomato plants had to have room to breathe, though soon Elinor wouldn’t have much room. Because Betsy was coming here to stay with them, and bringing her larger-than-life personality with her, and who knew what else, packed in that huge tapestry purse of hers.

Elinor bent closer to her plants, her babies that would later this summer be ready for farmer’s market. Italy was renowned for the quality of its tomatoes, and in this fine, coastal soil they grew bigger and more flavorful than almost anywhere else. In a couple of months, hers were going to be a hit.

A sudden pain stabbed her stomach. She sat up and put her hand on her abdomen, where her sister’s transplanted kidney rested, filtering her blood. Nothing had hurt for months. Why should she have a sharp pain now, two years after the surgery?

Getting to her feet as if to escape the sensation, she stood looking out over the trees to the sea. The pain still throbbed, but was now ebbing. Years of practicing to calm the PTSD she’d had after the explosion that injured her, Elinor couldn't help picturing the worst—losing her life here in her lovely garden, before she could fully grab her amazing second chance at love.

About the Author
Rachel Dacus is the author of six novels, four time travel books in the Timegathering Series and two books of women’s fiction. She has also published four poetry collections. Rachel’s work has appeared widely in print and online, in journal that include Boulevard, Gargoyle, and Prairie Schooner. Her poetry is in the anthologies Fire and Rain: Ecopoetry of California and Radiant DisUnities: Real Ghazals in English. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Website: http://www.racheldacus.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelDacusAuthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/racheldacusauthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Return-Lerici-heartwarming-siblings-Invisibles-ebook/dp/B0CBY5PQSH/ref=sr_1_1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cerys: Valkyrie Earth by Merrin Slade - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Merrin Slade will award a $50 Kobo gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In a world where perfection is demanded of its citizens, one imperfect woman may be the only person who can save humanity.

One thousand years in the future, humans have developed the ability to alter their genes to create a perfect version of themselves, but not all are so fortunate. Cerys Skye is a Wild Type, genetically unaltered and forced to live in the Refuge—a place for Wild Types and the unlucky citizens whose genetic modifications society has deemed as imperfect.

All the fiery tempered young woman knows is how to fight. Using her wits and skills, Cerys must compete in brutal prize fights if she is to bring food to the table for her younger sister. But, she is always aware that the next fight could her last—she must find a way out of this life.

Leaving behind all that she knows, the last place the tempestuous Cerys expects to find herself is joining the United Planet's Space Force Academy, where she battles prejudice and intolerance in a world run by genetically modified humans.

As the new recruit discovers, not all is as it seems at the Academy with a shadowy cyber-evil seeking to threaten humanity. But, when loyalties are tested and the stakes are high, can Cerys rely on newfound allies and her unshakeable courage to stop the impending catastrophe?

Contains mature themes.


Read an Excerpt

“You’ve got the wrong Wild Type—sir.” Cerys stood straighter.

“There is no mistake.” His eyes narrowed.

“I haven’t done anything, and I’m already late for training.”

“I have my orders to ship you out. We’ve spent a lot of time finding you, Cerys Skye.” The secofficer glanced into the sky, searching for something.

“Let me explain.” Her pulse throbbed in her temple. “I’ve done nothing illegal. If this is about the protests, I’m not involved and I’m not with Rebels. You’ve got the wrong person.” She gritted her teeth. “You can’t send me to jail if I haven’t done anything, sir.”

“Jail?” His brows shot up. “Oh, no. Not jail. You’re going to the Space Force Academy.”

Cerys’s mouth opened, but no sound came out.

“Space Force?” she finally stuttered. “That test was over a year ago. In the border settlements… We never heard...” She had buried the dark day of the exam; remembering brought back humiliation and failure. She didn’t want to think about what happened ever again.

“You never answered our messages. You’ve been impossible to find, Skye.”

“You were trying to find me? This dump is a technical wasteland—messaging is impossible.” Cerys’s mind spun. When she lived with her father, the space academy in Annapol had been her dream, but the chance of getting a scholarship was almost impossible because GMs were doing their best to keep Wild Types out.

“You’re lucky we finally located you.” The secofficer tapped his foot. “A random biometric scan of the fighters in the arena yesterday picked you up. Orders from the top were to bring you in immediately.”

“Space Force?” This could be a chance to make a better life for her and Starla. Her heart pounded.

“Well, are you coming or not?”

“It’s just…” She would have to leave Starla, and how would her sister survive on her own? Cerys shuffled, not knowing what to do.

“You are rejecting your place at the academy?” he scoffed. “Wild Types are such a waste of time.” He waved his hand. “Step aside, then.”

She dug her nails into her palms. If she stayed, death in the arena was certain. If not tomorrow, it would be soon. No future for her, no future for Starla. If she went, she could send Starla money and save the rest to make a new life for them.

“I accept.”

About the Author: Merrin Slade is a science fiction writer who transports readers to alternate futures and faraway universes.

Connect with Merrin Slade:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@merrinslade
Website: https://merrinslade.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/merrinslade
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merrinslade

The book is discounted for a limited time in NZ, Australia and the UK. https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/cerys-valkyrie-earth

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Monday, January 22, 2024

Outlaw's Lady by Bobbi Smith - Book Tour - Blurb Blitz - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Outlaw's Lady

by Bobbi Smith

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GENRE:  Historical Romance

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BOOK BLURB:

Wrongly Accused

When Pinkerton detective Slade Braxton went undercover to infiltrate the notorious Dakota Kid’s gang, he became one of the most wanted outlaws in the West. Now, set to stand trial for murder and robbery, he realized his ruse had been all too convincing—especially when the judge at his hearing turned out to be the woman of his dreams—the woman he’d shared a kiss with before sinking back into the shadows.

Out for Justice

Alyssa Mason was shocked when the mystery man who swept her off her feet at the town dance strode into her courtroom, accused of killing her father. Something about the handsome, arrogant Braxton disturbed her usually calm resolve. Though not easily distracted from her moral duties, Alyssa soon found herself fighting a forbidden attraction—and wondering if she’d have no choice but to abandon the law…and become the Outlaw’s Lady.

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EXCERPT TWO:

“It’s not much farther,” Slade told Ken and the others as they neared the entrance to the canyon and the Kid’s campsite. 

“You’re sure about this?” Ken asked.

“It’s the only way to get to Alyssa. There’s no telling what the Kid might to do her.”

Slade sent Ken to the south rim of the canyon and Hawkins to the north. Brown stayed back out of sight near the entrance with the horses, just in case Alyssa somehow managed to escape on her own. If she did, he could stop her there and protect her until they returned.

Slade slowly made his way on foot through the rocky terrain, staying off the main trail and avoiding places where the Kid might be able to catch sight of him. But when the sound of Alyssa’s scream came echoing through the night to him, the unrelenting terror of it pierced him to the depths of his soul.

No longer able to restrain himself, Slade charged forward. He had meant to be cautious in his assault. He had meant to outsmart the Kid, to outmaneuver him and trap him before he could hurt anyone else, but Alyssa’s cry erased any intention he’d had of moving slowly. There was no time. She was in danger. He had to save her.

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AUTHOR BIO:

After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi Smith gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982. Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and several short stories. To date, there are more than five million of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller of the Year Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on numerous bestseller lists. When she's not working on her novels, she is frequently a guest speaker for writer's groups. Bobbi is mother of two sons and resides in St. Charles, Missouri with her husband and three dogs.

Website: https://bobbismithauthor.com


Read on Kindle Unlimited or buy for only $0.99 during the month of January.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Outlaws-Lady-Bobbi-Smith-ebook/dp/B00FQOAP64

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Bobbi Smith will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.



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 fabulous community outreach projects and 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.

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Fashionista's Playbook by Candi Scott - Book Tour - Book Blast - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Candi Scott will award a randomly drawn winner a $50 Amazon GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The door to the New York fashion world shut firmly in her face, Moriah Stanhope’s only option seems to be to return to her small-town home as a failure. At least, she would go home in disgrace, but her car was just repossessed. In front of the hottest guy she’s ever seen.

Travis Madera is supposed to hire an assistant. One with qualifications and experience. Someone who won’t be starstruck by the fact he’s a professional football player. But he never could resist a damsel in distress, especially one with all those curves.

Moriah’s been humiliated in front of guys like Travis before. But as his assistant, she has access to every moment of his day-to-day life, so surely she can stay ahead of any potential problems.

Until the past comes rushing into the present.
Read an Excerpt:

“Travis…” I whispered, half questioning-half pleading.

He jerked his hand away and sat up straight on the couch. “I’m sorry, Moriah. I didn’t even realize—”

I placed my fingers against his mouth, the heat of his breath rushing across the digits. My touch was so sudden, it surprised even me. His lips were warm and oh so kissable. My pulse hammered away against my ribs, desire blazing through me. I would have kissed him, but Travis was completely still, his face an unreadable mask.

When he didn’t react, I pulled away. I’d made a mistake, misread his touch, something. Panic turned to sheer horror. “Oh my God, I’m sorry.”

His hard exterior softened and he grabbed my hand. He sighed a bit, half-closed his eyes, then brushed his lips across the tips of my fingers in the softest kiss.

I relaxed a little.

“When you touch me, it makes me want things I can’t afford.” I offered weakly, not trusting myself to say much more.

From behind thick lashes, his eyes darkened; an intimate change of his features that spoke to me in a truly primal way. He kissed my fingertips, stroked his hand down my wrist and back up before rubbing small circles against the beat of my pulse.

About the Author:




Candi Scott is the spicy contemporary pen name for award winning author of Two Hearts, One Stone and the Arkadia Fast Series, Leslie Scott. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. The happier the ending, the better. Currently, she lives and writes amidst her own happily ever after with her soul mate, son, and domestic zoo.


Thursday, January 11, 2024

Western Justice by Dean L. Hovey - Book Tour - Guest Post - Giveaway - Enter Daily!


Hi, lovelies!!  It gives me great pleasure today to host Dean L. Hovey and his new book, “Western Justice,” here on FAB!!  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 $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!!  Also, come back daily to interact with Dean and to increase your chances of winning!!

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

Western Justice

Doug Fletcher Book Series

Book 14

by Dean L. Hovey

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GENRE:   Mystery

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BOOK BLURB:

When human remains are found at the Vore Buffalo Jump, the short-staffed local sheriff’s department requests assistance from Park Service Investigators Doug and Jill Fletcher.

ATV tracks lead the investigators to the victim’s boots and a hunting blind constructed on the edge of the Black Hills National Forest. With more questions than answers the Fletchers find themselves pulled into the community dynamics of tiny Aladdin (population 15) where the café and general store are the hub of information for the county.

The surprising identification of the victim only opens more questions about him, and his connection to the location of his murder. When the Fletchers follow up on the few leads provided by John Doe’s identification, they unwittingly open a can of worms.

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EXCERPT TWO:

“I don’t know if you remember me, but this is Hank Stoddard. I’m the Crook County sheriff, in Wyoming.”

“I remember you, Sheriff. Have you had any shootouts lately?”

After a chuckle, Stoddard replied, “Well, we haven’t had to shoot anyone, but a body was found on a National Park Service site. I was wondering if you happened to be in the neighborhood and would be willing to take a look at it.”

“I’m in Texas right now. But you’ve intrigued me. Did you have another person fall at Devils Tower?”

“A volunteer found a body in Vore Buffalo Jump when they were cleaning up for the tourist season opening.”

I searched the recesses of my mind and vaguely remembered seeing a sign for the historic site but couldn’t recall the location. “Where is the buffalo jump?”

“It’s just west of Beulah, within sight of I-90.”

“That’s just across the border from South Dakota, right?”

“That would be the spot. I was hoping you were visiting your South Dakota in-laws and might be willing to take a peek at the mess that was once a person.”

“Let me make a couple of calls, Sheriff. We may need to make an unexpected trip to Spearfish.”

“I’d be mighty appreciative if you could make that happen. This death is strange. The coroner and I have stewed over this a lot. It appears the victim was dragged across the prairie like a horse thief, then dumped at the buffalo jump site at some point over the winter.”

“Dragged like a horse thief?”

“Dragging a horse thief across the prairie was called western justice.”

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GUEST POST:

The Craziest Things I've Done for Research

Wow! You've given me so many possible topics, and I'd like to respond to each of them.

Let's talk about the craziest things I've done for research: 

First of all, let me say that I'm a science geek. I love doing research and including tidbits of scientific detail in my books.

The most unusual research is probably my visit with the FBI tape expert. Yes, the FBI has a person whose entire job is understanding and analyzing the adhesive tape found at crime scenes. It was a fabulous afternoon and I learned that criminals prefer duct tape to almost any other variety of tape. Because of that, the expert, who is a Ph.D. chemist, had samples of duct tape mounted on Plexiglass sheets. She explained that each manufacturer has their own proprietary design, fiber pattern, and adhesive formula, which makes them identifiable. With that knowledge, she can analyze a piece of tape from a crime scene and tell the investigators which company manufactured that piece of tape. Beyond that, most manufacturers use natural rubber to make the adhesive. Being an agricultural product, natural rubber takes on the characteristics of the area where the rubber trees grow, the soil composition, the weather while it grows, and particulate contamination unique to the places it was processed, stored, and manufactured. Because of those things, the adhesive on a roll of tape is as unique as a fingerprint, and often allows the analyst to differentiate rolls of tape from different manufacturing runs.

During my discussion, I saw a "stadium" blanket mounted in a frame. The expert explained that an entire murder case had been proven based on the evidence collected from that blanket. They'd found DNA from the murderer and victim, fibers from the trunk of the murderer's car, fibers from the murderer's and victim's clothing, mud unique to the site of the murder, and other trace evidence linking the murderer to site and victim. 
I've used bits of learning from that tour in at least half a dozen books.

In "Western Justice", the most recent of my Park Service mysteries, I used trace evidence recovered from the victim's body to help the investigators identify the victim, whose body had been dumped months before its discovery, at the Vore Buffalo Jump. My visit with Jackie Wyatt, the president of the Vore Buffalo Jump Foundation, provided additional details about the site, a potential location for the discovery, and additional background information about the history of the buffalo jump archaeology. I had discussions with the local coroner, a man who'd hunted in the Black Hills National Forest, a rancher who lives nearby, and the people working in the nearby Aladdin (Wyoming) General Store. Each of those discussions provided details that were salted into the book to give the story reality and "texture". My readers enjoy learning detailed tidbits about the Park Service locations I chose, and the scientific details behind the investigation.

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AUTHOR BIO:


Dean Hovey is a Minnesota-based author with three mystery series. He lives with his wife south of Duluth.

Dean’s award-winning* Pine County series follows sheriff’s deputies Floyd Swenson and Pam Ryan through this police procedural series.

Dean’s Whistling Pines books are humorous cozy mysteries centered on the residents of the Whistling Pines senior residence. The protagonist is Peter Rogers, the Whistling Pines recreation director.

In Dean’s latest series  his protagonist, a retired Minnesota policeman, is drafted into service as a National Park Service Investigator after a murder at a National Monument.

* “Family Trees: A Pine County Mystery” won the 2018 NEMBA award for best fiction.

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CONNECT WITH DEAN:

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AMAZON BOOK BUY LINKS:

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GIVEAWAY INFO:

Dean will be awarding a $20 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner's Choice!!!) 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 fabulous community outreach projects and 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.