Daily Archives: October 3, 2022

Early Review – Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold @Carolyn_Arnold @HibbertStiles

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Anyone that has been hanging around fundinmental knows that I am a huge fan of Carolyn Arnold and her police procedurals. She always has great covers to go with the wonderful stories inside.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Hibbert & Stiles Publishing for the advance copy.

You can preorder Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold, which will be released 10.6.22

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I am always excited to read another Carolyn Arnold novel. She manages to hook me early and keep me flipping pages. I am just along for the ride, eager to go wherever the story takes me.

Amanda came home with more than fun after a night’s out. Too bad the romantic night she had anticipated is brought up short when a dead body is found on the bed they planned to use. Guess that would bring anyone up short. 🙂

Amanda is a detective , working homicide for the Prince William Sound County Police Department. Her first call is to dispatch, the second to her partner, Trent Stenson. Poor Trent. I feel the both have feelings for each other, but because they are partners, they fight the attraction.

Even though Logan is a suspect and Amanda is too close to be working the case, I know that won’t stop her.

The crime scene is too neat, too simple, all the clues lined up for them to see. They know crime is messy, complex.

Amanda is like a bulldog. She doesn’t give up until the case is closed. She may WANT to find the killer, but Trent NEEDS to solve the mystery. He has to find the answers, solve the puzzle.

Last Seen Alive is another success story for Carolyn Arnold.

I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of Last Seen Alive by Carolyn Arnold.

4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

The woman lies so still as her blood soaks into the soft bedcovers beneath her. A tear runs down her face as she looks at the wedding band on her finger. She had loved her husband so much…

When Detective Amanda Steele unexpectedly reconnects with an old boyfriend, the last thing she expects to see lying on his bed is the dead body of his wife, Claire, who walked out on him four years ago.

Logan begs Amanda to believe he’s innocent. But she doesn’t miss the gun on a nearby table, and she’s torn when forensics reveal that not only was this the murder weapon, but Logan’s fingerprints are all over it… Could he have been framed? Or is he using his connection to Amanda to get away with murder?

Determined to uncover the truth, Amanda retraces Claire’s last steps and finds that she visited her best friend the day before her death. But Amanda is devastated to discover that the friend died in a car accident just hours after meeting with Claire. What deadly secret connected them, and could more women be in danger?

But the killer is closer than Amanda realises, and when her beloved daughter, Zoe, is threatened, she’s suddenly in a race to find the final clue before the person she loves most pays the price…

ABOUT CAROLYN ARNOLD

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

Carolyn Arnold

Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives north of London, Ontario, with her husband and two beagles and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.

Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:  Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram

And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.

MY REVIEWS FOR CAROLYN ARNOLD

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Giveaway – Kingdom Of Acatalec by S M McCoy @XpressoTours

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Kingdom of Acatalec
S.M. McCoy
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: October 3rd 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction

I work with aliens, my best friends is held hostage, and everyone wants to murder me before the Lord Prince can magically bond to share my power? If I had known an illegal drone race would lead to murder, kidnapping, and lies, then I might have thought better about the giant prize of credits, and the dream of walking again.I never met my best friend in person until a drone race gone wrong had both of us vying for our lives against a secret alien society. To make matters worse… my boss was one of them, and I couldn’t decide if he was trying to save my life, or the reason I was in trouble to begin with.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Audible

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EXCERPT:

He sighed. “The less you know about these people the better.”

So they were mobsters, I confirmed to myself. I mean, anyone hosting an illegal drone race couldn’t be considered a quote unquote good guy, but I hadn’t really thought about it before. I merely liked the extra cash that most of these races provided, but this race was much more risky than anything I’d ever been involved with.

“Got it.”

“If we win the race, you can get through this whole thing without anyone knowing who you are. You keep your mask on, and you stay in the drone assigned to you. It isn’t uncommon for winners to take on a persona, but if you lose you will be forced to pay off your debt, and we don’t want to owe these people, they don’t take credits. You will be forced to join the Drone Guard, as you are now considered one of the top pilots, and that is more valuable than credit.”

“Like indentured service? They can’t do that… can they?”

“They can, and they do, though most are more than happy to devote themselves to the cause.” He smirked at me. “I don’t see you as being a follow orders kind of pilot,” he joked, “If you were, we wouldn’t be here.”

I glared at him. “This isn’t funny. You could have been more upfront and said, ‘Tyler, I know you’re a sucker for illegal drone races, but you’d been getting yourself involved with gangsters. Please sit this one out.’ Would have been a nice heads up.” I lowered my voice and did a horrible impression of his silky deep tone that sounded more like a gruff cartoon character.

He leaned forward and grabbed my hand in his then smoothly said, “Tyler, don’t get involved with illegal drone races. Being as they are illegal, they are usually run by powerful overlords that don’t care about your wellbeing. Please listen to me next time.”

I pulled my hand from his and swatted at him. He laughed, and leaned back into his seat, and this was the most relaxed I’d ever seen him. Which was surprising considering we were going to an evil overlord’s lair and trying to win a drone race to save my friend Kelly from financial ruin, and now make sure I didn’t become an indentured pilot to amoral goons.

“Would that have made a difference,” he asked seriously to me.

I frowned and shook my head. “Probably not. I wouldn’t have believed you.”

“And you believe me now?” He quirked a brow. He was quite handsome when he wasn’t reprimanding me.

“After the cutthroat race to even be here right now, unfortunately yes. Plus,” I stopped and shook my head, changing my mind about telling him how much I was worried that I still hadn’t heard from Kelly. She was the one who even signed us up for this race, and it made me nervous knowing who we were racing for was dangerous. What if she didn’t make it through the first race, and was lying in a ditch somewhere, or worse at the hospital because another racer crashed her into oncoming traffic? Picking at my nail cuticle I flexed my fingers and then dug them into my pant legs to stop myself from picking until I had no more skin to pick.

He watched me expectantly, waiting for me to finish. The way his eyes tore into my soul made me want to tell him all of my secrets, my lip quivered because my insides hurt thinking about anything happening to Kelly. She was all I had when this was all over, at least I hoped I still had her after this was over. Misinterpreting why I was so emotional he nodded and tried to reassure me, “You’ve far surpassed most pilots I’ve seen in this race during training, but fear will help you stay sharp. Let your instincts help protect you when the time comes.”

“My instincts are what I fear most right now.”

Author Bio:

Stevie Marie is the author of young adult paranormal fantasy, The Divine Series, and The Acatalec Series. Born within the apex of another universe, where magic flows like leaky faucets, and forged from the fires of the Underrealm she dug her way to Earth and reluctantly participates in human society, secretly returning to her home world to relay the stories of her monsters, and the troubled love of her people. When she isn’t writing she’s designing clothing, momming it up with her tiny monsters, or narrating audiobooks in the rainy city of Seattle, Washington.

Grab your first free book when joining the fantasy romance newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/pzx6j7x29n

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub / Facebook


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Win a signed copy of Kingdom of Acatalec ($17.99+S&H Value) (kingsumo.com)

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Giveaway – Vampire Musings @RoxanneRhoads

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Consumed by Carrie Rogers 

1909

In late March London, I decided to begin a new life. All of the people who I cared for were gone. Headed off to find something new, I made my way through the busy streets. Beggars lined the route to the Atlantic transport.

Stepping to the ticket window, I asked, “where is the boat headed?”

“America,” He answered.

“One, please!” I said, handing the man my money. He gave me a ticket and asked my name.

“Randis Blackburn.” He wrote my name along with the other ship passengers.

“Age?”

“22.” seems like a good number. After all, my age was unbelievable.

I was waiting for my turn to board the ship. Watching the ship’s two giant smokestacks as they puffed angrily. Parents said goodbye to their children, knowing they might never see them again. A child smiled, waving frantically. I waved back. Her smile was sweet, intentions pure. The feeling of life surged through me. Would I have the strength to leave if I had a child?

“Excuse me,” a  quiet voice said, breaking me from my thoughts. I stepped to the side, apologizing for being in her way. “Is that yours?” she asked, looking down at an old worn brown trunk that sat at my feet.

“No,” I answered, gazing into her deep green eyes. I was frozen in place by the depth of her stare. There was something familiar about her; I couldn’t say what. She bent down, picking up the lock in her hand. She turned the key, opening the lock. She let out a sigh of relief as she pulled open the trunk.

The smell of wild roses filled the air around me. She turned and smiled at me quickly before shutting the lid. The scent of roses hit me once again. Locking the trunk and standing to her feet, she held her lacey gloves that she had taken from the chest in her pale hands. With a smile, she said,

“Good day, sir.”

“Please, Call me Randis,” I stuttered out.

“You are?” I asked as I took her hand, slowly lifting it to my lips and kissing her warm hand gently. I looked up to see her rosy cheeks. I had made her blush.

“Sarah.” She said in a nervous voice.

“Nice to make your acquaintance, Sarah.” Holding her hand in mine, I said, “Safe journey.”

“Same to you, Randis,” she said, pulling her hand from mine.

As she walked away, I felt that a part of me was now missing. I felt so alone, more alone than I ever had, as she disappeared into the crowd.

 



Vampire Musings
Articles and Short Stories 
Compiled by Bertena Varney

ASIN ‏: ‎B0B2QJ5FQC
Publication Date: ‎May 29, 2022
Print Length: ‎259 pages

Book Description:

Join 16 vampire fans and writers from around the world for their musings on vampire music, movies, fun facts, and even mesmerizing short stories. This book will make you feel like you are in a room with friends discussing the various vampires that each of you love spanning from aristocratic vampires, to primal monsters, to the Twilight vamps. So, sit down in your comfy chair, turn on the vampire music provided in this book, pick up that Bloody Mary, and escape to a world full of vampires. 

There is a recount of the life of Anne Rice, reviews of books, movies, and television shows, a look at vampires as religious figures, romantic stories, and traditional stories of the vampire. 

Each of these stories holds intrigue for fans of creatures of the night. 

Contributors include: Audrey A’Cladh, Azurdee Garland, Bitten Twice, Bertena Varney, Carrie Rogers, Isabella Gibbons, Jacqueline Gibbons, Kathryne LeFevre, Kyle Germann, Mary Jackson, Matthew Banks, Phaedra Walker, Roxanne Rhoads, Selah Janel, Simon Bacon, and Stavros Cockrell.

These contributors range from a 12-year-old actress, to college professors, librarians, paranormal romance authors, and even those that live the life of a vampire.

The cover art was created by Stavros while showcasing the model Xamie wearing fangs from Kaos Kustom Fangs, LLC. The model is both alluring but dangerous. She is a great representation of the book and the various stories that are told within.



Other eBook outlets https://books2read.com/u/4jg5lZ 




About Bertena Varney:

Vampire Musings is the 11th vampire book written, compiled, and/or published by Bertena Varney, M.A., M.Ed. This book is an anthology of articles and short stories from academics and fans from around the world. The topics range from Anne Rice’s Life Chronology, vampire detectives, vampire art, vampire films, modern short stories of vampire romance and traditional gothic reads of tortured souls. 

Bertena is a former Assistant Professor of Sociology and is still working in higher education. 

She has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Morehead State University in sociology, criminology, history, and education. She spent these educational years studying pop culture. 

She has been a guest speaker for multiple conventions including:
– Pop Culture Association National Conference in Washington DC
– Pop Culture Association Regional Conference in New Orleans
– Conjuration- A Harry Potter Convention in Atlanta, GA




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