Teaser Tuesday: Violet Souls by Abbey MacMunn @abbeymacmunn #teaser #excerpt #giveaway #fantasy #romance

Fantasy Romance

Release Date: 5th September 2018

While searching for clues to her past, shy single mum, Bree Mills discovers a subculture of aliens with supernatural abilities living on Earth.

And she’s one of them.

Finding herself hurled into a world of possibilities, it’s made more alluring by Quinn Taylor, the violet-eyed Evoxian from her childhood dreams.

324-year-old Quinn knows his destiny is entwined with Bree’s, but before he can confess his love, he must wait for her to sense the Akui, a mysterious force tied with ancient Evoxian law.

At a Cotswolds country manor, passions awaken and ignite a love more magical than the once-Utopian planet, Evox. Then Fate delivers a cruel and heart-breaking blow when Bree is kidnapped by a malicious alien who wants her and her power.

Will Quinn still love her when she’s faced with protecting her half-human daughter… whatever the cost?

Excerpt

“I know it must seem impossible to believe, but please give me a chance to explain.” Quinn’s amethyst gaze never left hers. “Haven’t you always felt different to everyone else? Did you ever wonder why your eyes are an unusual colour?”

Bree blinked like a stupid airhead.

“I know you sensed the connection to your talisman; surely you can’t deny that?”

Something tugged inside. Despite her fear, her confusion, and the craziness of what he’d told her, she controlled the impulse to run.

She could answer yes to every question, hell yes, but it didn’t mean she came from another planet…did it?

Her head spun. Erratic thoughts swirled like dust motes caught in a breeze. She was a single mum, slightly odd maybe, but living an ordinary, uneventful life, or at least trying to. How could this be happening? Beads of sweat dampened her brow, her neck. Could it be true?

“Let me show you something, then you can decide. Would you give me your talisman, please?”

With no idea why, Bree took off the pendant and handed it to him, flicking her tongue across lips that were drier than the Sahara.

He tilted his head in the direction of the small table. “Sit down and I’ll prove it to you.”

With her legs buckling at the knees, she had no choice but to do as he asked.

Quinn closed the curtains, blocking the bright shaft of sunlight, then sat in the seat opposite. His intoxicating scent, sandalwood, soap and the faintest whiff of zesty orange shampoo filled her senses, made her insides fizz with anticipation. “Hold both hands out, please, palms upwards on the table.”

Bree wiped her clammy palms on her jeans. Yep, I’m the crazy one here.

“Okay, try to relax.”

Un-bloody-believable. How the hell was she supposed to relax? Not to mention the touch of his hot, dry hand was playing havoc with her pulse rate.

***

About the Author

Abbey MacMunn writes paranormal and fantasy romance. She lives in Hampshire, UK, with her husband and their four children.

When she’s not writing, she likes to watch films and TV shows – anything from rom-coms to superheroes to science fiction movies.

She is a proud member of the Romantic Novelists' Association.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

Instagram

Tirgearr Publishing

Purchase Links

Amazon US 

Amazon UK

Smashwords

Apple 

Kobo

Nook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Kick Off: Dark Ride by Angela Smith @angelaswriter #giveaway #romanticsuspense #suspense

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: 8/7/18

Adrienne Fuller is used to working late hours and long nights. As a nurse, her job is to save people, but when she witnesses a wreck on the road in front of her home and sees the men involved leave a dead body in a crumpled car, saving anyone is the last thing on her mind. This was no accident, and she’s already learned a hard lesson about the criminal justice system. She vows to tell no one what she saw, even the cops who come knocking on her door the next day.

Henry “Zan” Duncan is deep undercover investigating a human trafficking ring, and in his line of work he has to pretend to be the bad guy. During a horrendous car chase, it’s either kill or be killed. When he spots a woman with fiery red hair hiding in the bushes, he goes back the next day to save her life, unaware he just raised the stakes on his mission, blew his cover, and failed in his effort to never fall in love.

Dodging bullets, fights, and explosions, Adrienne must learn to trust the man who claims he wants to protect her, and Zan must open his heart to the woman he is starting to love.

Angela Smith is a Texas native and was dubbed most likely to write a novel during her senior year in high school since she always had her nose stuck in a book. Although high school was decades ago, the dream began when her mom read ‘Brer Rabbit’ to her and her sister so often they could recite it back to each other before ever learning to read. Research is one of her favorite parts of piecing together a story, and she loves creating new characters. Angela started with writing romantic suspense and is branching into other genres, but she hasn’t been able to write one yet where falling in love doesn’t come into play. She works as a certified paralegal and office manager at her local District Attorney’s office and spends her free time with her husband and the animals on her small farm. Although life in general keeps her very busy, her passion for writing and getting the stories out of her head tends to make her restless if she isn’t following what some people call her destiny.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Pinterest

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

August 13 - Laurie's Thoughts and Reviews - Guest Post

August 14 - Romance Novel Giveaways - Excerpt

August 14 - Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

August 15 - Valerie Ullmer - Excerpt

August 15 - Nerdy, Dirty, and Flirty - Excerpt

August 16 - Mythical Books - Guest Post

August 17 - Book Junkiez - Excerpt

August 18 - Momma Says to Read or Not to Read - Review

August 19 - The Avid Reader - Interview

August 19 - Dani the Bookaholic - Excerpt

August 20 - Book Lover Blog - Excerpt

August 21 - Texas Book Nook - Review

August 22 - The Bookworm Lodge - Spotlight

August 23 - Indie Ink - Interview

August 23 - Just Books - Spotlight

August 24 - The Indie Express - Review

August 24 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up

a Rafflecopter giveaway

PROMO Blitz: The Mortician's Wife by Maralee Lowder #mystery #suspense

The Mortician Series, Book One

Mystery Supense

When Horace Carpenter begins to court plain looking and painfully shy Ada Hawkins she can't believe her good fortune.  He is handsome, charming, and owns his own thriving business - the town's mortuary.  After the wedding she learns that he expects to gain even more respect by being the son-in-law of the richest and most respected man, Dr. Hawkins.  But when the doctor is discovered performing illegal surgeries he looses everything - including his life.

Horace takes his anger out on Ada with abuse and inforced isolation

When Ada discoveres that she is pregnant she hides it from her husband, fearing he might cause her to have a miscarriage.  When the baby is born his first reaction is rage.  But he quickly realizes that if he appears to be a wonderful father the townspeople will think even higher of him.

Horace tells Ada that they must celebrate their son's second birthday by having a huge birthday party.  The party is great success.  After the guests leave, Horace directs Ada to clean the kitchen while he takes care of the baby.

Ada hears her son scream, and she rushes to the stairwell where his voice had come from.  When she get there she sees him lying at the bottom the stairs - he turns his head and looks up at his mother.  Horace tells her to call the doctor.  When she returns after making the call she sees that the baby is no longer looking up.  His head is now in an awkward position.  He is no longer moving

Horace taunts his wife that he has killed the "bastard" and there's nothing she can do about it.  If she calls him a murderer he will tell everyone that she has lost her mind, that it was her fault the child died.  He then tells her he has murdered before and always got by with it.

Ada begins plotting how she can get revenge for the horible things he has done, and also keep him from killing others.  It takes her many months to do it, but eventually she kills him in a way that is most painful to him, yet also undectable as a murder.

When Ada is an old woman reunites with Emily, a woman who she had befriended when Emily was a child.  While Emily cares for her, Ada tells her the secrets of her life.  She explains that she stayed living in the mortuary even after Horace died because his evil spirit still lingered there and that it was her duty to protect others from him.

After Ada dies Emily is shocked to learn that Ada left her the mortuary and all of her other assetts.  In the will Ada stated that Emily would know what she must do with the old, haunted, building. Emily isn't so sure that she does.

Other Books in The Mortician Series:

The Mortician's Revenge

The Mortician Series, Book Two

Ada Carpenter went to her grave knowing that, although she had killed her husband, Horace, his malicious spirit still lingered on in the mortuary, where she and her mortician husband had lived throughout their marriage. As she left her earthly body behind, she went with the prayer on her lips that Emily, her dearest friend, would find a way to protect others from his wicked intentions.

Horace had other plans. The longer his spirit remained trapped in the mortuary, the angrier he became. His hatred began with his wife, the woman who had taken his life in the most gruesome way possible. But it grew to include everyone who thought they could make his home their own.

As the years passed, Horace found ways to vent his anger by attaching himself to others, using their bodies and their minds to do his bidding. The moment the leader of the Sisters of the Zodiac entered his home he knew he had finally found the perfect tool with which to fulfill his most monstrous dreams.

Amazon

The Mortician's Legacy

The Mortician Series, Book Three

Terrible things seem to happen to people who frequent the old mortuary in Dunsmuir, CA. Ever since the first mortician's death by his own wife's hand, the old building has been filled with darkness.

The woman who befriended the mortician's wife was dismayed when she inherited the building, knowing what she did about the dark spirit that lurks there. No one believes her when she says that evil hides within the walls of the Julia Morgan designed house.

In spite of her warnings a young couple convince her to sell them the building. They see the beauty in its design and plan on turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately, although they are able to turn the building into a showplace and are eager to open its doors to overnight visitors, the evil spirit of the long dead mortician has ideas of his own.

Amazon

About the Author

Maralee Lowder is a writer of many genres - romance, historicals, humorous, and metaphysical fiction.  While living in Dunsmuir, California, she heard stories of the haunted old mortuary on Sacramento Street, down by the railroad tracks.  The writer part of her brain could not dismiss the stories she was hearing.  Was the old building truly haunted?  And if it was, who was haunting it - and why?  She learned that yes, it is haunted, even to this day.  The Mortician's Wife was inspired by the old building - and the current haunts.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Promo Link

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

IndieBound

PROMO Blitz: Death of a Sacristan by Paul A. Barra @PaulABarra4 #historical #mystery

Historical Mystery

A Rebel Bishop Mystery

Publisher: Black Opal Books

Published: April 2018

Paul A. Barra’s latest historical novel features a real-life Catholic bishop who owned slaves and was such a fervent and effective anti-abolitionist that Horace Greeley called him The Rebel Bishop. His name was Patrick N. Lynch, a polymath who was a linguist, scholar, geologist, preacher and writer. Lynch also ran the Union blockade on a commission from President Jefferson Davis. He was the ordinary of both Carolinas from 1859 to 1882, but he was extraordinary in many ways. Here’s the perfect way to be entertained while learning about the Rebel Bishop and Southern Catholicism.

In Barra’s novel, Lynch’s aide rushes to investigate the murder of a wealthy sacristan at the altar rail of the cathedral in the Spring of 1861. Father Tom Dockery rushes because war is about to light off and investigates because the victim was having an affair with the wife of the police chief, who becomes the first suspect. The wife becomes a suspect soon after when she seduces Dockery into believing her alibi. Besides seduction, there’s a beating on a side street south of Broad, a hanging on the banks of the Ashley River and a shootout in Devil’s Hole before the killer is exposed and brought to justice.

That’s the framework of the book, but slavery is the subtext that adds texture to the tale. Dockery’s journey toward understanding his mentor’s defense of the South’s favorite institution is the real story of  “Death of a Sacristan.” He is surprised to find the Rebel Bishop’s arguments thoughtful and compelling.

Death of a Sacristan was vetted by the eleventh Bishop of Charleston and by the historian of the diocese. It also received a review from a well-known Catholic publisher:

“With a spicy dash of murder, two heaping tablespoons of savory Old South ambiance, and three cups of boiling mystery, author Paul Barra cooked up a tasty whodunit, in Death of a Sacristan. On the eve of civil war, Charleston is rocked by an unspeakable crime: a killing at the altar of the cathedral. What follows is an entrancing tale of historical fiction in which unlikely sleuths investigate a colorful cast of southern characters. Like a feast of low-country shrimp and grits, Death of a Sacristan is deliciously satisfying!” - Kenneth E. Nowell, Author of the best selling travel guide: Rome and the Vatican – Guide 4 Pilgrims Publisher, Vero House Publishing

About the Author

Paul A. Barra, a former naval officer who was decorated for his work on the rivers of the Mekong Delta, including Republic of Vietnam medals, the Bronze Star with Combat “V” and the Combat Action Ribbon, worked as a reporter and chemistry teacher after the war. He was the senior staff writer for the Diocese of Charleston, the director of religious education at a Charleston parish and an award-winning freelance magazine writer who graduated with a BS from Niagara University and an MS from Loyola University of New Orleans. Barra was Teacher-of-the-Year at Greenwood District 52 and at St. Joseph’s Catholic School before becoming a full-time novelist.

His previous publications include four science readers with Houghton-Mifflin (2006); the true story of a Catholic high school that succeeded despite diocesan opposition, St. Joe’s Remarkable Journey (Tumblar House, 2010); a juvenile adventure called The Secret of Maggie’s Swamp (Brownridge Publishing, 2012); and the mysteries A Death in the Hills (Argus Books, 2014), Astoria Nights (Black Opal Books, 2017), and Death of a Sacristan; a Rebel Bishop Mystery (Black Opal Books, 2018). The Permanent Press will release his hardcover thriller Westfarrow Island in early 2019.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Promo Link

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

iTunes

IndieBound

BlackOpalBooks

Smashwords

PROMO Blitz: The Murder of Paolo Mancuso by Owen Parr @owenparr #crime #mystery

A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book Five

Crime Mystery

Publisher: Sand in My Shoes

Release Date: August 4, 2018

This time is personal, very personal. Paolo Mancuso was killed in a bar in Little Italy 20 years ago. To this day, his murder has gone unsolved. A cold-case The NYPD has not paid much attention to in all these years. Enter Antonino "Tony The Hammer" Falcone. Paolo's best friend and co-mafia family member. Tony, in his death-bed, reveals to Joey that the mafia had nothing to do with his dad's murder. Something Joey always believed it had. Instead, with his last breath, Tony whispers only three words to Joey - Barcelona, Wetherly, Stevens. With just those three words, Joey sets off to Barcelona. Is it justice or revenge, Joey seeks? Will he learn things about his dad's past, he wished he hadn't? Is Joey about to go up against one of New York's five mafia families? Will he solve Paolo Mancuso's murder?

Now retired, former NYPD Homicide Detective, with the Midtown South Precinct, Joey Mancuso, had looked at the murder book many times during the time he was with the NYPD. Lacking clues and any evidence, he was never able to pursue the perpetrators responsible for his father's death. Currently a licensed private detective in New York City and half-owner of an Irish Pub in New York's Financial District with his half-brother, Father Dominic O'Brian, the pastor at Saint Helen's Catholic Church in Brooklyn, also a licensed private detective, they set out to solve the murder of Paolo Mancuso.

The brothers, Mancuso and O'Brian have been called by the New York press; - "The Last Advocates of the Victims," for the relentless pursuit of the perpetrators, they exemplified in their last cases, working as consultants for the NYPD or as investigators for criminal law firms.

But, this time is personal, very personal. And, Joey's determination in solving this case, his dad's unsolved murder, could make him do things outside the bounds of justice. Is it justice or revenge he seeks?

Other books in the Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery Series:

A Murder on Long Island

A Joey Mancuso Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book Two

Published: May 2017

Amazon

The Manhattan Red Ribbon Killer

A Joey Mancuso - Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book 3

Published: November 2017

Amazon

The Case of the Antiquities Collector

A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book Four

Published: April 2018

Amazon

A Murder On Wall Street

A Joey Mancuso, Father O'Brian Crime Mystery, Book One

Published: January 2017

Amazon

About the Author

Everyone loves to solve mysteries, and Multi Award Winning Author, Owen Parr is no different. Taking a page from Agatha Christie's -Poirot series and Conan Doyles' - Holmes series, Parr infuses his thirty years of Wall Street experience into his crime mysteries and exposes its underbelly. His characters come to life in the vividly described locations of his novels. And, you'll need to look beyond the obvious, if you want to solve the crimes.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Promo Link

Purchase Link

Amazon

PROMO Blitz: Days of Reign by Elisa Hansen @ElisaHansenAU #dystopian #fiction

Dystopian Fiction

Date Published: June 29, 2018

Described as Dune meets The Hunger Games, this epic narrative of survival will have you in suspense and intrigue. Set in the futuristic world of Eldon, our hero, Zelenka, is forced to abandon everything she loves for a chance at freedom.

With parallels to today’s global crises, this book will have you questioning; would you risk it all?

It is year 2107 and the planet which was once called Earth (now Eldon), is ruled by a single, oppressive government.  Many of those who suffered under the tyrannical rule of Eldon, have fled to a neighbouring planet, Amaryllis, and attempted to grow a utopian society.

Relations between the two worlds are fraught.  Each believe the other to be evil.  Each believe it is their responsibility to save humankind from the other.

Within this interplanetary political backdrop, lives Zelenka.  The Eldonian teenager is forced to hide her intelligence and knowledge.  Naïve and idealistic, she has never fitted into Eldonian life.  She longs to openly be herself but is terrified of the government’s harsh rules and punishments.

“Zelenka is a true hero to me,” says the author, Elisa Hansen. “She has a strength of character that I see in many women facing similar fates today. Facets of the Eldon society mirror the present. Our heroes should not always the ones who succeed, but the people with true intent, and drive, to change.”

About the Author

Growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Elisa Hansen was curious about other worlds. The travel bug bit her young, and she spent her early years with a pack on her back and hiking boots on her feet. Beyond exploring she loves to dance, cook, eat, learn other languages and paint.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Goodreads

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

PROMO Blitz: Bound to Morocco by Leslie Hachtel @lesliehachtel #historical #romance #excerpt

The Morocco Series, Book One

Historical Romance

Date Published: June 2018

What if your family sold you to a Sultan's Harem?

Drugged and kidnapped, Shera finds herself on a ship to Morocco to serve the Sultan. Abandoned and alone, Shera must find a way to escape and confront the people who betrayed her. She gets help from an unlikely source: the man who kidnapped her. But, he has his own secrets. And, when their partnership turns to love, the two must face constant danger to endure. But will they ever be free?

Excerpt

Spring, 1713

            The throbbing was relentless. Shera, Lady Edgerton, squinted and reluctantly peeked out from beneath her eyelids. She immediately regretted it. A thousand needles of light stabbed her with brutal fury and she quickly closed her eyes again to ease the misery. She drew in a deep breath, trying to quell the pounding in her head. Mindful of the pain, she very slowly opened her eyes again, fighting the agony of vicious brightness that assailed her. Sunlight pierced the room through a narrow slit in the wall high up in the small space and pooled about her. Nausea threatened but she swallowed hard and stiffened her spine.

            Gathering her senses and forcing herself to focus, she looked around. Where was she? A small room made of wood? The walls were bare except for four sets of chains attached to the wood by rings hanging a few inches from the floor. Was this an area used to confine prisoners?  But that did not answer why she was here. She was an innocent. Her being here must be a terrible mistake.

          She heaved in a deep breath and listened carefully. Naught but a kind of creaking. Raising herself gently, she sat up. Her head spun and she took in a few shallow breaths to ease the dizziness. The space around her gradually took shape. She was indeed in a small room with walls of horizontal planked wood. Beneath her, the floor swayed gently back and forth. And the smell? It was the scent of despair. Someone had been held here before her. Or many someones. And there was also the unmistakable odor of the sea. I am aboard a ship? How is that possible? A slither of terror crawled up her back. Had she been kidnapped? Was her life at risk? Who did this and what did they want? The lack of answers was tormenting.

            Shera soothed herself by inhaling and exhaling slowly, then took an inventory of her body. Her back ached and her arms and legs felt heavy. She was most likely bruised, but overall, she was intact. She was still dressed in her beautiful crimson velvet ball gown from the night before, but now it was dirty and the skirt was torn at the hem and along the seams. Her bracelets were missing, as were her rings. But, when she felt for her necklace, she realized it had slipped down into her bodice. She lifted it out and breathed some relief. Set with diamonds and rubies, it was worth a small fortune. She replaced it between her breasts and patted her chest. It could certainly be used as a bribe, but to whom? If she revealed it under the wrong circumstances, it could be taken from her. No, she must be careful to conceal it until the time was right.

            She felt her earlobes. The left earring was gone, but the one on the right had become tangled in her hair. It, too, was set with rubies and diamonds and worth much. She extracted it and slipped it into her bodice with the other piece. Just knowing she had some wealth gave her options and more chances, perhaps, to resolve this situation, whatever it was. The possibilities went from the ridiculous to the unthinkable. It could be this was a simple prank, but the clawing in her stomach told her it was no such thing. But, she must control the terror that threatened to confound her thinking. 

She had been laying on a mattress of sorts, although it was long overdue for re-stuffing. She refused to even think about the stains or what loathsome tiny creatures might reside within its depths. Looking around again, she realized there were three other such pads lined up in the room. Were others to join her? It certainly appeared as if this cabin was used to secure many more. More what? Captives?

Shera squeezed her eyes shut. This was merely a nightmare. She would open her eyes and be in her own bed in the manor house waiting for a servant to come and help her bathe and dress. Yes, that was it. Upon opening her eyes again, this was indeed still a nightmare, but it was real.

About the Author

Leslie Hachtel was born in Ohio, raised in New York and has been a gypsy most of her adult life.  Her various jobs, including licensed veterinary technician, caterer, horseback riding instructor for the disabled and advertising media buyer have given her a wealth of experiences.

However, it has been writing that has consistently been her passion. She sold an episode of a TV show, had a screenplay optioned and has so far produced eleven novels, including eight historicals and three romantic suspense.  Leslie lives in Cordova, Tennessee with a fabulously supportive engineer husband and her writing buddy, Jakita, a terrier.

Contact Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Instagram

Promo Link

Purchase Links

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

iTunes

IndieBound