Fabulous and Brunette

Email:

linda.griffin.50702@facebook.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

https://www.pinterest.com/lgriffin08392487

Pinterest:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/lindagriffinauthor

BookBub Author Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-griffin-20be6ac5-19d4-4c89-9205-2d372a485a32

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/reluctant-hearts-by-linda-griffin

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18396185.Linda_Griffin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75381678-reluctant-hearts

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2VXVkBS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3LAN8NI

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3NHwU85

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Reluctant-Hearts-Linda-Griffin-ebook/dp/B0BW2FQXNW

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Reluctant-Hearts-Linda-Griffin/dp/150924882X

Apple Books eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/reluctant-hearts/id6445743648

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reluctant-hearts-linda-griffin/1143041313?ean=2940186765806

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reluctant-hearts-linda-griffin/1143041313?ean=9781509248827

Bookshop/IndieBound Paperback:

https://bookshop.org/p/books/reluctant-hearts-linda-griffin/19721906

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/reluctant-hearts-4

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/reluctant-hearts-4

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Linda will be awarding a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) 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 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.

Monday, May 2, 2022

Bridges by Linda Griffin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hello, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Linda Griffin and her new book, “Bridges,” 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 $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Linda and to increase your chances of winning!!

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

Bridges

by Linda Griffin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: 20th Century Historical Romance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

In 1963, Neil Vincent, a middle-aged World War II veteran and “Christian atheist,” is working at Westfield Court as a chauffeur. He spends most of his spare time reading. Mary Claire DeWinter is a young, blind Catholic college student and reluctant heiress. To secure her inheritance, she has to marry within a year, and her aunt is pressuring her to marry a rich man who teased and bullied her when she was a child. Neil and Mary Claire shouldn’t even be friends, but the gulf between them is bridged by a shared love of books. Can they cross the bridge to more?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT ONE:

When the train rumbled in, he got out of the car. He stood patiently on the platform as the passengers disembarked, holding up a small slate on which he had chalked DEWINTER in large capitals. There weren’t many passengers, but they were briefly delayed while the conductor helped a blind woman navigate the steps. Neil’s gaze fell expectantly on a woman in her thirties, with an awful hat, but she was immediately met by a portly man and a teenage boy. No other likely prospects appeared, and he waited for someone to respond to the sign. No one did.

Finally, only two passengers were left on the platform—a small, homely man and the blind woman. Blind girl, really. She couldn’t be more than twenty. She had a jointed white cane, and her large sunglasses didn’t cover the edges of the scars on her face. She would not have been beautiful even without the scars—too thin, for starters, of average height but with small bones. On the other hand, her face might once have been pretty, and her hair was clean and shining, raven black, and well brushed. She was too pale, and the scars around her eyes were red and ugly. She looked a little lost.

Feeling foolish, he lowered the slate. “Miss DeWinter?” he asked as he approached her.

“Yes,” she said, turning toward his voice with a smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY BOOK REVIEW:

This book is an interesting and intriguing 20^th Century historical romance read!!

This is the third book I have had the pleasure and privilege of reading and reviewing from Linda Griffin. I really enjoy her unique ability to blend multiple genres together in a smooth transition and flowing story line design, and her latest book is no exception.

This book starts out with the recent arrival of the main character, Mary Claire, a young, blind, Catholic college student who is in town to visit her grandfather, who is near his death. Neil, the family’s chauffer picks Mary Claire up from the train station and begins an instant click friendship with her as they bond over their love of books, reading, movies, and their different beliefs on religion and faith.

While Mary Claire had only planned her visit for a few days, things quickly change after the reading of her grandfather’s will. In a shocking twist, Mary Claire, is left her grandfather’s house and all his remaining possessions and assets. However, there were two stipulations, Mary Claire, must allow her Aunt Edna, her mean, rude, demanding, and unaffectionate aunt, to remain a resident at the house for the rest of her life, and that she must marry within one year of her grandfather’s passing. If she fails to do so the entire inheritance will be bequeathed to the state of Massachusetts.

As Aunt Edna clearly thought she would be the main beneficiary, she, Mary Claire, the workers, and everyone else at the reading became quite shocked and alarmed about Mr. St. James’s decision to leave everything to his young, blind, 18-year-old granddaughter. While Mary Claire seems overwhelmed by her newly discovered inheritance, she contemplates just walking away from it all, going back home and back to school; but that would mean her aunt would have no place to live, the horses would be sold off, the workers would all lose their jobs, and so on. After much reluctance, Mary Claire agrees to start considering a marriage to fulfill her inheritance agreement, with her aunt begins creating a list of her idea of suitable candidates, someone from a good family with old money, including one suitor in particular, Drake Whitman, the boy who teased and bullied Mary Claire when they were kids, the exact type of guy Mary Claire doesn’t want to be around let alone actually marry.

As Mary Claire fears any suitor would most likely be in it for the money, not her, she starts to give up the idea of being able to actually find a decent husband, when her friend Neil, convinces her that she just needs to find someone that will agree to marry her on her terms and someone that meets the inheritance requirements, that she doesn’t have to love that person or stay married to them forever. Can Mary Claire actually find such a person in time? Is it possible she already knows this certain someone who would be the perfect pretend husband for her? Could Neil be that someone? No spoilers here, but you will definitely want to read this book to find out what happens!!!

Neil seems to be the first guy who sees Mary Claire as just Mary Claire – not the helpless, blind girl, not some “cripple,” as she puts it, not someone needing constant supervision or babying. Mary Claire quickly takes to Neil as she’s impressed by his readings and intrigued by his philosophy on religion. While Neil does find Mary Claire as intelligent, compassionate, soft-spoken, and after learning she’s not of wealth or entitlement, but actually on a college scholarship, his friendship with her only grows. While Neil does look past Mary Claire’s disability, he does still see her as young, juvenile, and naïve - and young enough to be his daughter!!

I have many mixed feelings about this book. I enjoyed reading this book and as always with Linda Griffin’s writing, I remained intrigued by her talented story telling. This book was able to hold my attention to the last page and I was able to quickly finish it in just a mere few hours. I enjoyed the story line, the plot points, the writing style, the smooth and steady writing flow, etc., - all good!! I just am not quite sure how I feel about it in an overall sense. For example, I wasn’t a huge fan of the characters, namely Neil. I liked Mary Claire for the most part, but found her to be a bit awkward, clingy, immature, insecure, and at times annoying. It seemed strange that she quickly became so obsessed with Neil, consistently seeking him out and arranging it so he had to spend time with her as it was his job to drive her and make sure she got around safely. Plus, her trusting him so quickly and completely after she just met him felt odd. I understand that this is a short read, so things happen quickly, they have to, but there’s a difference between moving the story along and creating an unrealistic immediate bond between two unlikely characters. Yes, I think Mary Claire was maybe a bit nervous and feeling vulnerable being away from home and somewhat (but understandably so) emotional after her grandfather’s passing, so she grabs on to the first person she meets which happens to be the chauffer. However, Neil, didn’t seem like the type of guy who would go out of his way to socialize with his employers or his employer’s family members, especially at the chance of risking his job. I think I just felt Mary Claire was this young, sweet, innocent, vulnerable girl that got put in a difficult and tricky situation, but it still felt like Neil took advantage of that and her. Maybe it’s the fact that I’m more old-fashioned and seeing an 18-year-old girl with a disability following a 38-year-old man around like a puppy just feels wrong. A twenty-year age gap is huge, especially at eighteen when your life is truly just beginning. Yes, there is more to the story and Mary Claire’s grandfather is the one who put her in an unfair situation requiring her to marry for the inheritance. But what’s interesting is that his reasoning for the marriage is so she will have someone to protect her, lookout for her, and help her manage her accounts, etc., yet this whole marriage idea does the complete opposite. Either she marries someone who will steal all the money, order her around, and do as he pleases with her; or she marries someone twenty-years her senior, someone old enough to be her father, and who has inappropriate thoughts and feelings for her, which honestly felt a bit on the pedophile side. I feel like she was in a lose-lose situation, neither choices were ideal.

I rated this book on the excellent writing style, the creative story line, intriguing plot points, well developed scenes, steady writing flow, etc. My own personal distaste for the characters and their intentions were not included in the score as they don’t factor into the quality of the book or the author’s writing ability.

This book is a super-fast read with only ten short chapters, plus an epilogue, over the course of only 116 eBook pages.

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

This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can easily be read as a standalone.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all historical romance readers, historical fiction readers, and sweet romance book 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**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO:

Linda Griffin is a native of San Diego and has a BA in English from San Diego State University and an MLS from UCLA. As soon as learned to read, she knew she wanted to be a “book maker” and wrote her first story at the age of six. She retired from a position as fiction librarian for the San Diego Public Library to spend more time on her writing. Her stories have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, Thema, The Binnacle, Orbis, and mostly recently The Adirondack Review. Bridges is her fifth novel published by the Wild Rose Press, following Seventeen Days (2018), The Rebound Effect (2019), Guilty Knowledge (2020), and Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking (2021).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

Website:

Email:

linda.griffin.50702@facebook.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-griffin-20be6ac5-19d4-4c89-9205-2d372a485a32

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/bridges-by-linda-griffin

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18396185.Linda_Griffin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60121342-bridges

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2VXVkBS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/3kB93ac

Amazon US Paperback:

https://amzn.to/3KBCuDE

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Bridges-Linda-Griffin-ebook/dp/B09QXQJFNT

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Bridges-Linda-Griffin/dp/1509241817

Apple Books eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/bridges/id1606565402

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bridges-joy-griffin/1102348389?ean=2940160796581

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bridges-joy-griffin/1102348389?ean=9781509241811

Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Bridges-Linda-Griffin/9781509241811

Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Bridges/Linda-Griffin/9781509241811

Bookshop Paperback:

https://bookshop.org/books/bridges-9781509241811/9781509241811

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Linda_Griffin_Bridges?id=lrNrEAAAQBAJ

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/bridges-42

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/bridges-42

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Linda will be awarding a $25 Amazon OR Barnes and Noble Gift Card (Winner’s Choice!!!) to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Love, Death, & the Art of Cooking by Linda Griffin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hey, lovelies!! It gives me great pleasure today to host Linda Griffin and her new book, “Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking,” 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 $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble Gift Card!! Also, come back daily to interact with Linda and to increase your chances of winning!!

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

Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking

by Linda Griffin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

Software engineer Reid Lucas loves to cook and has a history of falling in love with married women. When he leaves his complicated past in Chicago for a job in California, he runs into trouble and must call a virtual stranger to bail him out of jail. Alyssa Knight, a tough street cop waiting for a church annulment from her passive-aggressive husband, is the roommate of the woman Reid calls for help, and she reluctantly provides bail for Reid. He falls for her immediately, and cooking for her is an act of love. She just wants to be friends, but they keep ending up in bed together. When his boss is murdered, Reid is a suspect—or is he the intended target?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT ONE:

Alyssa was patting down a suspect, checking for weapons, a task that called for her full attention, but she was a little distracted. Last night’s events had seemed natural at the time, but now she couldn’t imagine what she had been thinking. She had taken an enormous leap of faith—or else she had taken leave of her senses.

At first sight she had dismissed Reid as harmless, not sexy, not her type, but he had been a surprisingly physical presence as he escorted Paul out of the apartment. Nothing had changed, but maybe he was a little less harmless than she had thought, a little more interesting? He did have very nice eyes, even if they reminded her of a cocker spaniel’s, and he was a fabulous cook.

She had images of him now that she didn’t want to have, sense memories, as her actor friends would say. His body was not as soft as she had expected. He was pretty fit compared to the skinhead slob she was frisking and other guys she had been seeing all day. She had wanted to direct him and then hadn’t needed to. The way he touched her had made her feel soft and warm, as if her flesh was melting under his hands.

She tugged the suspect’s right hand behind him and snapped on the cuff. She remembered Reid’s mouth on hers. There was more tenderness in his kisses than she would have expected him to show this soon, if ever. Could he honestly feel that…for her?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY BOOK REVIEW:

Warning!! Do NOT read this book on a diet or an empty stomach lol!!

This book was an interesting, intriguing, suspenseful read filled with delicious, mouthwatering cooking that is sure to leave your tummy growling and your mouth drooling over the pages lol!!!

This is the second book I have had the pleasure and privilege of reading and reviewing from Linda Griffin. I really enjoy her unique ability to blend multiple genres together in a smooth transition and flowing story line design.

Now, I have to admit, I may be a bit biased in my review, as Linda used my name (Alyssa) as the main characters lol. Okay, I’m sure it’s all a coincidence, but growing up no one shared my name or even knew how to pronounce it. My grandparents would go on vacations and try to bring me back those personalized souvenir gifts and they NEVER would have my name. It was always Allison or Alice or Alex even. Never Alyssa. Usually I’d get “Granddaughter,” or “Princess,” on those travel tags, mini license plates, stickers, notepads, pens, etc. So, anytime I see my name, which surprisingly is becoming a bit more common these days, I truly get sooooo excited!!! So, thank you Linda for throwing spotlight on a name that often gets left out and overlooked for the more common, popular names!!!

I think one of the best features of this book, is definitely the food and Reid’s cooking skills!!! There were many delicious meals that had me fantasizing about cheating on my diet lol!!! I think Linda could easily follow this book up with a fun, recipe book – “Love, Recipes, and the Art of Cooking with Reid Lucas.” I’ve known many authors that have successfully published short recipe eBooks inspired by their books and/or main characters. Or at the very least include a recipe section at the end of the book!! Readers like me get so invested in connecting with characters that this would really help connect the dots and allow for more personal interaction. PLUS, we all want these recipes!!! LOL!!!

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was how it started out. Right away the reader is swept into the excitement, intrigue, and suspense when Reid is arrested for a DUI. Now, if you’ve only read the title, this seems like out of left field. However, this start is the most important as it sets up the meet cute for Reid and Alyssa, the two main characters. When Reid calls Jane (Alyssa’s roommate and the only person he sort of knows in town) to bail him out of jail, he reaches Alyssa, who informs him that Jane is not home. Reid, completely alone and lost in a new city, begs Alyssa to come down and bail him out. This is quite hilarious as Alyssa is a police officer!!! How many people would seriously ask a cop to bail them out of jail?!?! LOL!!! So already this book starts out with lots of fun, LOL moments!!!

There is definitely a mutual instant attraction between Reid and Alyssa. I absolutely believe in love at first sight, that people can fall in love multiple times throughout their lives, and even have more than one soulmate. However, did this seem true of Reid and Alyssa? I honestly have to say no. Yes, there were sparks and passion – but it felt more like lust than love. And it definitely felt wayyyyy more one-sided with Reid excessively chasing Alyssa. Perhaps that’s because Alyssa was just getting out of a difficult and complicated marriage and was still in the process of finalizing her annulment. She often voiced that she wasn’t looking for a relationship or anything “heavy,” right now, especially not wanting to start a new relationship without understanding why the first one failed. Which let’s be honest, is completely understandable – a girl needs space.

I really liked Alyssa as she was smart, strong, fierce, kick-*ss, determined, and a bit stubborn. She was a very likable character and was easy to connect with – and not just because we share the same name lol!!

I found Reid a bit off-putting. Perhaps because he reminded me of someone? The way he just continued to repeatedly pursue Alyssa, felt needy, overly persistent, inappropriate, and almost stalkerish. I also found his love for only dating married women on the more distasteful, unappealing characteristic side.

He did, however, occasionally have at times, a more charming, compassionate side. And of course, a strong passion for cooking – especially for those he identified as love interests, like Alyssa. Whenever he was in the kitchen cooking or talking about all thing’s food, you could feel the warmth, sincerity, and excitement of his true passion come alive.

The murder plot point was a valuable (and quite important!!) ingredient to this book. I think that this additional element to the story line really helped round out the book giving it balance. I enjoyed getting to see the tough street cop side of Alyssa and watch her in action!!! When Reid’s new boss is murdered, he immediately becomes a suspect, even though he may have a solid alibi. Could he still be the killer? Can he be trusted? New developments may indicate Reid was the real target. Regardless, a killer is on the loose and quickly closing in. Alyssa must determine if Reid is guilty or innocent – a killer or a victim.

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

This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can be read as a standalone. This book does have a satisfyingly tidy ending with loose ends thought-out and neatly tied up in a bow.

All things considered, there were many things I enjoyed about this book. I love that Linda’s books always contain so many components and this book is no different. This book is filled with romance, friendship, murder, mystery, suspense, intrigue, scrumptious meals, and so much more!!!

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it!! I think all romantic suspense readers, mystery romance readers, cooking fans, amateur chefs, and home cooks 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**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO:

Linda Griffin is a native of San Diego and has a BA in English from San Diego State University and an MLS from UCLA. She retired from a position as fiction librarian for the San Diego Public Library to spend more time on her writing. Her stories have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, Thema, The Binnacle, Orbis, and The Nassau Review. Love, Death, and the Art of Cooking is her fourth romantic suspense novel published by the Wild Rose Press, following Seventeen Days (2018), The Rebound Effect (2019), and Guilty Knowledge (2020).

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

Website:

Email:

linda.griffin.50702@facebook.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-griffin-20be6ac5-19d4-4c89-9205-2d372a485a32

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking-by-linda-griffin

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18396185.Linda_Griffin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58441773-love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking

Amazon Author Page:

http://amzn.to/2VXVkBS

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon US Kindle eBook:

http://amzn.to/3nP6UKZ

Amazon US Paperback:

http://amzn.to/3hRUmyH

Amazon CA Kindle eBook:

https://www.amazon.ca/Love-Death-Cooking-Linda-Griffin-ebook/dp/B09827RTP2

Amazon CA Paperback:

https://www.amazon.ca/Love-Death-Cooking-Linda-Griffin/dp/1509237771

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking-linda-griffin/1139749608?ean=2940162343059

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking-linda-griffin/1139749608?ean=9781509237777

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Love-Death-Art-Cooking-Linda-Griffin/9781509237777

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Love-Death-Art-Cooking/Linda-Griffin/9781509237777

The Bookshop Paperback:

https://bookshop.org/books/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking/9781509237777

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Linda_Griffin_Love_Death_and_the_Art_of_Cooking?id=_Hs8EAAAQBAJ

Kobo US eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking

Kobo CA eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/love-death-and-the-art-of-cooking

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

Linda will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Guilty Knowledge by Linda Griffin - Book Tour - Book Review - Giveaway - Enter Daily!

Hi, lovelies! It gives me great pleasure today to host Linda Griffin and her new book, “Guilty Knowledge”! 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 Linda and to increase your chances of winning!

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

Guilty Knowledge

by Linda Griffin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Mystery/Romantic Suspense

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BLURB:

He's a witness. She may be lying. And he's falling in love with her.

Detectives Jesse Aaron and Camille Farris have no leads in the murder of Rosa Logan when pretty blonde Sariah Brennan claims to have seen the killer—in a vision. Unfortunately the man she identifies is dead—or is he?

Sariah is an unsophisticated small town girl, but her background and her motives are mysterious. Jesse is increasingly convinced that she has guilty knowledge of the crime, even as he finds himself more and more attracted to her. Can he and Camille unravel the web of secrets before the killer strikes again?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT TWO:

“But it came to you that she was killed by a man with a scar on his neck?” He still had a nagging feeling that she knew something, but surely this wasn’t how.

“Yes. I know how it sounds, but I had to tell you, because there’s another one. If you don’t stop him, he’ll kill her too.”

“Who? Is it you?” She gave a short, surprised laugh. “If it is, we can protect you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

“What are you going to do—to find him?”

He gave her the standard answer: “We’re following up a lot of leads,” and added, “I’ll run this description through the local and NCIC databases and ask her associates if they recognize it.” He picked up his pen again. “Can you describe the scar?”

“A red mark about an inch high.” She touched the left side of her neck. “Here. It was like a C, a backwards C.”

Jesse wrote that down. “Okay. Thanks.” He handed her a card from the holder on the desk. “If you think of anything else, you can call me.” He meant it as a dismissal, but she didn’t leave.

“He…He took one of her fingers in his mouth. After she was dead.”

The hair on the back of his neck prickled, but he remained expressionless. “In his mouth? Which finger?”

“I’m not sure. I think it was her left hand.”

“Were you there?” She must have been. Unless she had a source inside the investigation, in which case someone should be fired, she was an eyewitness. How else could she have known Rosa Logan’s ring finger had teeth marks on it?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY BOOK REVIEW:

I love a good mystery book and this book totally fits the bill!

This book is full of intrigue, mystery, suspense, excitement and with just a dash of romance.

I have always been somewhat interested in psychics in books and movies. It’s the unknown factor that really makes it difficult to decide whether these people are credible, deceptive, or suffering from a mental illness. I want to believe these people really want to help and are not looking for their fifteen minutes of fame or trying to throw off the investigation.

This book starts off with Sariah arriving at the police station, meeting with Detective Jesse Aaron, and telling him about a vision she just had. Sariah states that she saw the murder of Rosa Logan and provides knowledgeable intel that matches the crime he is currently working on. Sariah knows details about the investigation that haven’t been released. Jesse takes down the information, as he is required to follow up on any leads, but seems doubtful and suspicious about Sariah’s gift. Even though he’s not sure he trusts her, he continues to keep her close by as he knows there is something she is keeping from him. Is Sariah telling the truth? How could she possibly know so much about the murder unless she was there? Could she be a witness? What is Sariah holding back? No spoilers here!! But you definitely will want to read this book and find out!!

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of this book. It was suspenseful, exciting, and climactic.

This book has exceptional mystery crime solving structure with enough clues and excitement to keep you guessing, but still practical and realistic in police procedures.

The only dig I have is the romance angle between Sariah and Jesse. It felt awkward, uncomfortable, and forced. Jesse seemed more like a professional that wouldn’t cross that line and get involved with someone in his investigation. Their flirty, witty banter was more stiff than playful. And I felt this really detracted from the story.

I enjoyed the main and supporting characters and felt they all were important to the story and played their roles well. I liked that Jesse was a smart, strong, protective, charming, and charismatic detective that cared about his job, his integrity, his honor, and the people he serves. I found Sariah to be quite mysterious, curious, secretive, and a bit strange. She definitely had her secrets and it was interesting to see how her cryptic knowledge played out over the course of the book. I couldn’t stand Jesse’s partner Camille. She was rude, callous, cold, insensitive, and unsympathetic. I get that the police world is still a boy’s club, but her attitude was annoying and over the top.

This book has a creative story line, intriguing plot points, excellent mystery structured scenarios, complex characters, and keeps you fully engaged through the last page!

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

This book is not currently listed as part of a book series. It can be read as a standalone. This book does have a tidy ending but leaves a wide opening for a follow up book.

All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would recommend it! I think all mystery fans and romantic 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/R1OB9I9Y0RBYR6

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR BIO:

My earliest ambition was to be a “book maker” and I wrote my first story, “Judy and the Fairies,” with a plot stolen from a comic book, at the age of six. I broke into print in college with a story in the San Diego State University literary journal, The Phoenix, but most of my magazine publications came after I left the library to spend more time on my writing.

My stories, in every length from short shorts to novellas, have been published in numerous journals, including Eclectica, The Binnacle, The Nassau Review, Orbis, and Thema Literary Journal. Guilty Knowledge is my third novel from The Wild Rose Press. Seventeen Days was published in 2018 and The Rebound Effect in 2019.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

CONNECT WITH LINDA:

Website:

Email:

linda.griffin.50702@facebook.com

Facebook:

Twitter:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/linda-griffin-20be6ac5-19d4-4c89-9205-2d372a485a32

BookBub Author Page:

BookBub Book Page:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/guilty-knowledge-by-linda-griffin

Goodreads Author Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18396185.Linda_Griffin

Goodreads Book Page:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50240655-guilty-knowledge

Amazon Author Page:

https://amzn.to/234567

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

BOOK BUY LINKS:

Amazon Kindle eBook:

https://amzn.to/2UOB1TB

Amazon Paperback:

https://amzn.to/37vT4De

Barnes and Noble NOOK eBook:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guilty-knowledge-linda-griffin/1136270983?ean=2940162971535

Barnes and Noble Paperback:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/guilty-knowledge-linda-griffin/1136270983?ean=9781509230457

Kobo eBook:

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/guilty-knowledge-4

Apple iBook eBook:

https://books.apple.com/us/book/guilty-knowledge/id1494641936

Google Play eBook:

https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Linda_Griffin_Guilty_Knowledge?id=8b3TDwAAQBAJ

The Book Depository Paperback:

https://www.bookdepository.com/Guilty-Knowledge-Linda-Griffin/9781509230457

BAM! Books-A-Million Paperback:

https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Guilty-Knowledge/Linda-Griffin/9781509230457

IndieBound Paperback:

https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781509230457

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GIVEAWAY INFO:

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