Infotriguing – The Story That Made Us Stronger by Iris March #IrisMarch

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MY REVIEW

It’s funny, not funny ha ha, but that odd kind of funny. I woke up at 4:30 this morning, writing the review for The Story That Made Us Stronger by Iris March, in my head. That happens sometimes, seeing my major activity these days is reading.

Most times cozy mysteries are fun, for me. A relaxing read to give me a rest from the dark and dangerous, sometimes gruesome stories I love the most. A palate cleanser, if you will. Most of the time, I give them a three rating. Not because anything is really wrong with the story, just that it is ‘sorta’ skimmed over, light, not enough meat on the bones kind of story.

Then, I read a story like The Story That Made Us Stronger by Iris March, and all the ‘events’ she hit on had me thinking, thinking so much, I found myself surfing, looking for more information, loving the way she wove the elements into the story.

We have running, cancer, stem cell replacement, a male nurse, ham radios, the Underground railroad, a message in a bottle, and a group of people brought together through unusual circumstances. I found myself unable to put the book down, and, at times, was waiting for that proverbial ‘other show to drop’, which really doesn’t happen for me in cozy mysteries. Iris March has a way of writing that gave me a suspenseful feeling, highly unusual for me in a cozy mystery.

I quickly became involved with the characters, Connor and Katie, especially, but his nieces who are soooo adorable, and the peripheral characters had such large personalities and added that extra bit, that everyone of them added those extra feels that mean to so much to us readers.

Well, this was one of those rare reviews, for me. One where I never went to my notes. I got up at 5:00 am and immediately wrote it. The story wouldn’t let me go back to sleep, soooo here we are. Maybe now, I can put the story to rest…until my next visit to an Iris March adventure that I feel sure will be an entertaing one.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

An abandoned building. A motivated runner. A Hodgkin’s Lymphoma cancer survivor.

Connor Jackson has been training for a half marathon for the past six weeks. Katie Brandt has been training to beat cancer for the past 50. When Connor discovers an intriguing secret in a tiny, abandoned building on his running route, Katie finds that the mystery is what she needs to help her get through her three-week stem cell replacement procedure. Together, Conner and Katie must find the strength to achieve their personal goals and, in the meantime, expose the many past lives that the tiny building led.

  • Genre: Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Mystery
  • 236 pages, Paperback
  • Published September 27, 2002 by Wandering Ginkgo Press
  • ISBN
  • 9798985918236
  • Language: English

ABOUT IRIS MARCH (from Amazon)

Iris March has a reputation for killing house plants and now she’s killing people off in books? Coincidence? Perhaps not. Iris has spent two decades working in the sustainability field and is usually either reading a book or on a trail. She lives in Ohio with her husband, son, and three cats. Learn more about upcoming books and sign up for her newsletter at irismarchbooks.com.

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Giveaway – Realm Of Midnight: A Limited Edition Fantasy and Paranormal Collections @XpressoTours

Realm of Midnight: A Limited Edition Fantasy and Paranormal Collection
Publication date: October 17th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

At the stroke of midnight, creatures of the realm come out to prowl.

Beyond the witching hour, darkness and light collide in this limited edition paranormal and fantasy romance collection. These sweet to spicy stories will sweep you off your feet and sate your fantasy cravings. Gods, shifters, fated mates, enemies-to-lovers, alpha heroes, angels, demons, and so much more.

Gargoyles watch silently over the realm where alpha shifters hunt, mighty dragons soar, dark fae wreak havoc, and powerful witches own the night. Enjoy numerous full-length novels, filled with paranormal creatures and fantasy romance. Heart-stopping heroes and alluring anti-heroes rule the land of midnight.

You won’t find these exclusive novels anywhere else, so don’t miss your chance. These USA Today and international bestselling authors as well as up and coming authors bring you more than 10,000 pages at less than a dime per book. This collection is a steal, but it will only be available for a limited time. Don’t miss your chance to enter the Realm of Midnight.

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Giveaway – Veils and Vampires by Cee Bee @XpressoTours @CB_Bauer

Veils and Vampires
CEE BEE
(Vampires of the Daemonverse, #2)
Publication date: October 14th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

***By popular demand! New launch date of Fall 2023 across all retailers!***

Highlander meets Twilight with a dash of Fifty Shades of Grey in this vampire romantasy… Caelin MacGregor is an ancient king with a new love Ages ago, I ruled a clan of vampire raiders. We were allies to the Vikings and enemies of the Rus. That life ended when the bloodkin plague wiped out all our women, including my beloved vampire bride, Elisava. A thousand years have passed. My heart remains empty. Then I see a human woman named Lexa. For the first time in ages, I feel true desire, respect and love. Could Lexa actually be a lost bloodkin lady … or is she a horrible trick from Pyri, the ancient fire goddess of the Rus raiders? Lexa Uznetsov has a plan To save my sister, Sash, I took on my father’s debt to Konstantin the Rus, leader of the New York Bratva. As a result, my life became a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the mob. After years of scheming, I’ve finally come up with a solid escape plan: find all three pieces of the infamous Veil Pendant. Once I reassemble this magical item, I’ll have the power to cure my sister … as well as the ability to say buh-bye to Konstantin. Sure, legends warn that reforming the Veil Pendant may bring about some nastiness called Pyri’s doomsday. Yet if it saves Sash, I’m willing to risk anything. “Veils and Vampires is amazing! It has action and adventure and a little spicy. Enough that it makes you drool and want more. Honestly a totally different take on modern day vampire soulmates. I devoured this book in one sitting.” – Teresa, Goodreads Vampires of the Daemonverse 1. Violins and Vampires 2. Veils and Vampires 3. Vixens and Vampires

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EXCERPT

Caelin

Dniper River, Russian Lands, 1000 AD

Dniper River, Russian Federation

One Thousand Years Ago

Every summer, I sail for the village of Staraya Ladoga to kill the evil vampire warlord, Fyodor the Rus. Over the centuries, one fact has become clear.

Fyodor the Rus is verra good at hiding.

A few months ago, I became king of my clan, the MacGregors. As such, I face a number of painful tasks, such as the pressure to choose a bride and quickly. But leading our yearly mission to try and kill Fyodor? ‘Tis always a pleasure.

To this end, I now stand on the prow of my longboat, the Diamond. On either side, the great fleet of clan MacGregor stretches out across the Dniper River. Thirty-four ships in all—that’s a record. Fresh gusts of wind churn all around, creating a mosaic of white peaks on dark waters. I inhale, catching the far-off scent of pine needles and campfires.

‘Twould be a fine night for battle. Too bad Fyodor never gives us one.

My second-in-command, Hunter, steps to my side. He’s a tall man with golden hair, green eyes, and all the body strength of the Shelterstone Crag.

“The wind is strong and steady,” announces Hunter. “Perhaps we should strike up a song. The warriors seem …” He leaves the thought unfinished.

I scan the crew. Since there’s still some daylight, all those now on deck are born vampires. Bloodkin. Men and women sit on their rowing benches, their bodies taught and voices silent. Like me and Hunter, they all wear ceremonial battle leathers. Their garb is to be expected. What I notice next is not.

Normally, the crew is glassy-eyed and lax by this point in the journey. After nearly a millennium of trying, our annual attacks on Staraya Ladoga are more ceremony than anything else.

So why does the crew twitch with every bird’s caw or odd wave?Something is wrong.

I cut a glance toward Hunter. “Does your departure worry them?”

Bloodkin magic draws us to a fated mate, meaning someone who matches our heart and enhances our powers. Hunter recently found his fated mate, Fifeur, in the land of the Francs. After months of debating, Hunter has finally resolved to move to Gaul and marry Fifeur. This voyage marks our last journey together.

Hunter sighs. “Nae. ’Tis something else.”

A thread of unease winds inside me. “It has been a thousand years, hasn’t it?”

“That it has.”

Fyodor originally invaded our realm exactly one thousand years ago. On that raid, Fyodor killed my great-grandfather, King Caethur. Why? Fyodor thought my relation was the so-called bloodkin spark, meaning that Caethur’s death would release a horde of fire demons and destroy life on earth.

“There was a red moon a few nights ago,” I state. “That’s her sign.”

There’s no question who I mean here. Pyri, the fire elemental. Fyodor and his people worship her in a death cult where the deceased are burned in longboats. I scan the crew once more. They’ve every right to be concerned.

“Perhaps a song would help the crew,” I tell Hunter. “Rouse the bard.”

–END OF SAMPLE–

Author Bio:

Author Christina “CEE BEE” Bauer has sold more than 1M copies across her 45+ epic fantasy books for young adults. She’s recorded (and narrated) eight of her books into audiobooks, as well as led the translation of her novels into four different languages. USA Today has called her work “must-read paranormal fantasy.” Bauer is an autism advocate and quirky loudmouth whose writing style really isn’t for everyone. But if you like stories with complex worlds inhabited by chicks who kick ass and take names, then read on!

Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. She loves to connect with her fans at ChristinaBauerAuthor.com.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

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  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!