Drop Dead Handsome by M.K. Scott

Tags

Amazon, Book tours, cozy mystery, gift card giveaways, giveaways, mysteries, writing teams

The author will be awarding a prize to multiple winners such as $50 Amazon Gift Cards, $15 Target or Groupon Gift Cards and other GCs and books to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.

GENRE: Cozy Mystery

*******

BLURB:

The Painted Lady Inn is open for business and limping along in the B and B world. A high school reunion package assembles Donna’s least desirable classmates, including the backstabbing cheerleader, her narcissistic high school crush, and Arnie, whose cheesy poem had everyone calling her, hot mama. It’s all something she liked to forget. These are the normal guests.

An octogenarian self-proclaimed sleuth, Father Christmas, a dognapping couple, and a pair who is copying everything in the Inn to set up their own competitive establishment rounds out the group. Maria, the sister-in-law, has a matchmaking agenda for Donna. Daniel, her brother, finds himself serving as a referee with one guest’s multiple wives.

High school reunions can be murder. Detective Mark Taber is on the trail of the murderer, when he isn’t interfering in a smitten Arnie’s determined bid to woo the no nonsense innkeeper.

Dilapidated Victorian house appears “haunted”

Excerpt:

The last thing she needed was a one-star review about no elevator. As for the lack of an

elevator, she got around it by designating the bedroom she used as a handicapped suite. There was a ramp to the side door, since there was no easy way to put one to the front door without making it an eyesore. She had explained to the inspector that it made a shorter distance between the parking lot and door. The inn wasn’t big enough for a

person to become lost. All the public rooms were on the first floor, too. “Room C4 is on the top floor. I could change the rooms around where you wouldn’t have to trot up steps.”

Eunice boosted herself up onto one of the tall stools surrounding the island. “Could you?”

Donna gave her a forced smile as she considered what she’d have to offer Arnie to get him to move up to the top floor. “I’ll go take care of it. Maria could make you some tea.”

“That sounds lovely.” Eunice placed her hands in a prayer position as she spoke. “I’d love some little finger sandwiches. Haven’t had a bite to eat.”

“Sure.” She agreed, anxious to get the room switch done. Good chance she’d have to clean the room. A prolonged tea might do the trick.

“I can’t wait.” Eunice’s excitement fizzled as she asked with a plaintive expression, “Do you have any of those delicious looking scones or pastries featured on the website?”

The woman was determined to wiggle high tea out of her while she changed her room. “I’m sure Maria can find some for you.”

Her hand was on the door when Eunice asked, “Clotted cream?”

“Yes. Perhaps you’d be more comfortable in the dining room.”

The woman spun her stool to rest her hands on the island countertop. “No thank you, I prefer the kitchen, which is where everything happens.”

****

AUTHOR Bio and Links: M.K. Scott is the husband and wife writing team behind The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries. Morgan K Wyatt is the general wordsmith, while her husband, Scott, is the grammar hammer and physics specialist. He uses his engineering skills to explain how fast a body falls when pushed over a cliff and various other felonious activities. The Internet and experts in the field provide forensic information, while the recipes and B and B details require a more hands on approach. Morgan’s daughter who manages a hotel provides guest horror stories to fuel the plot lines. The couple’s dog, Chance, is the inspiration behind Jasper, Donna’s dog. Murder Mansion is the first book in The Painted Lady Inn Mysteries. Overall, it is a fun series to create and read. Drop Dead Handsome is the second book in the series. Killer Review should be out in October 2016.

Social Media

Website    http://www.morgankwyatt.com/

Facebook   http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMorganKWyatt

Twitter  http://www.twitter.com/morgankwyatt

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5826299.Morgan_K_Wyatt

Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/morgankwyatt/

 tsu  http://www.tsu.co/MorganKWyatt

Buy Links

 Amazon US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EQML0RO

Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01EQML0RO

Amazon Canada https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01EQML0RO

Amazon Australia https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01EQML0RO

Amazon Mexico https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B01EQML0RO

Smashwords https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/639885

Forthcoming on KOBO, iTunes & Barnes and Noble

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

The author will be awarding a prize to multiple winners such as $50 Amazon Gift Cards, $15 Target or Groupon Gift Cards and other GCs and books to randomly drawn winners via rafflecopter during the tour.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

FOR MORE CHANCES TO WIN, FOLLOW THE TOUR:  http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2016/06/book-blast-drop-dead-handsome-by-mk.html

 

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Glimpses into my June Garden

Pink Fuzzy Slippers Authors

A June morning in the dewy garden, with the birds singing, is a delight to the senses and the soul. I was up before the bees today. I’m no great photographer, but the garden calls, so I must go forth. My talented daughter Elise is not always here to take the images for me.

Breadseed poppies from seed I got at Jefferson’s beloved Monticello years ago in their gift shop after touring the wonderful gardens there.

“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” — Alfred Austin

Evening Primrose bloom at dusk, attract hummingbird moths, and fade with the day.  These flowers are the delight of children. My five-year-old nephew was so excited by the magical unfolding that he ‘helped’ the blossoms open even faster.

“A garden is a…

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THE SUNDAY MAN by Toni V. Sweeney

Tags

family saga, Ireland, Nebraska, romance, Western

Class Act Books and Toni V. Sweeney present:

The Sunday Man – (Book 5: Liam, in the McCoy Family Saga) – 19th century romance

BLURB:

Like his uncle Padraig, Liam McCoy is the black sheep of the McCoy family’s third generation.  Unlike his uncle, he has no intention to change. Being the owner of some questionable businesses suits him just fine.

Unfortunately Liam never fully recovered from the shoot-out saving his cousin’s life, and if he doesn’t change his way of living soon…he may not be living much longer.

When his father demands he return to Ireland, Liam has to again become the gentleman he was raised to be. A devastating rainstorm and a spirited Irish lass will definitely change the way he thinks about a lot of things.

EXCERPT:

“What do you want, Walters?” Liam’s greeting was anything but friendly as he approached the table by which the gent from Omaha stood. “I’m not going to ask you to sit because you aren’t going to here that long.” He gave Walters a baleful stare.

The man represented Painted Lady Enterprises, one of the largest and most

successful establishments in Omaha, comprised of four saloons, three casinos, and two brothels. Walters was a gambler in one of the casinos, and also the legman for the owner, Carleton Troy, someone as accustomed to getting his way as Liam was.

“Just stopping by to see if you’d thought over my boss’ offer,” the gambler ignored Liam’s statement. “I hear you’re going to Europe. That’s a long way from Nebraska. A good many things could happen here and you’d never know. Some things might happen there, too.”

“That sounds like a threat.” Liam walked to the bar. “Your boss got contacts in Europe?”

Behind him, Kelly went around it and reached for a bottle under the counter. He poured two fingers into a shot glass, offering it to Liam and ignoring Walters who glanced longingly at the label.

“No threat,” Walters denied. He turned his attention from the bottle resting on the bar to Liam again. “Just stating a fact.”

“I’m not planning on staying away long.” Liam raised the glass, tossing down the whiskey. He set it on the bar.  “My trusted employees will be taking care of business while I’m gone.”

“You never can tell,” Walters went on. “Someone might come in here and convince those trusted employees to double-cross you, sell you out. While the cat’s away, the mice have been known to change sides.”

“I doubt that’s going to happen.” If anything, Liam appeared amused by Walters’ oblique threat. “Do you, Kelly?”

“Can’t think o’ any reason why it should, boss,” the Irishman answered.

“You see, Walters, I trust my people.” Liam leaned against the bar, one booted foot resting on the brass rail. “More than I trust some of my competitors, and if anyone dares try taking over while I’m gone…” He glanced at Kelly. “What would happen?”

“I imagine that someone would meet up with an accident in a dark alley somewhere,” Kelly didn’t have to think of an answer. “Like that tinhorn you caught dealin’ off th’ bottom o’ th’ deck that time.” He shifted his weight and reached for a polishing cloth.

“Hard to deal cards with broken fingers,” Liam said. He gave Walters a direct stare. “Never did find out who put him up to cheating my customers.” Liam knew exactly who’d sent the cardsharp to his casino. He was gratified to see Walters pale slightly. Like most tinhorns, he wasn’t much with a gun and the reminder how the gambler in question had looked when he stumbled into one of Troy’s saloons, with fingers bandaged and splinted, made him lose color fast.

BUY LINKS:

http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/component/virtuemart/romance/the-sunday-man-detail?Itemid=0

https://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Man-McCoy-Book-ebook/dp/B01H2O3PEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466095545&sr=1-1&keywords=Toni+V+Sweeney

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sunday-Man-McCoy-Book-ebook/dp/B01H2O3PEO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466098163&sr=1-1&keywords=The+Sunday+Man+by+Toni+V.+Sweeney

https://www.amazon.fr/Sunday-Man-McCoy-Book-English-ebook/dp/B01H2O3PEO/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1466098340&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Toni+V+Sweeney

https://www.amazon.de/Sunday-Man-McCoy-Book-English-ebook/dp/B01H2O3PEO/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1466098428&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Toni+V+Sweeney

FACEBOOK LINK: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10154330318766108&set=a.102286001107.90612.613616107&type=3&theater

Check out the glowing 5-Star Review:  https://www.amazon.com/Sunday-Man-McCoy-Book-ebook/dp/B01H2O3PEO/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466557497&sr=1-4&keywords=Sunday+Man

THE ROYAL NANNY by Karen Harper

Tags

Duke and Duchess of York, historical fiction, Nanny, NY Times Best Seller, royalty, the Windsors, USA Today best seller, William Morrow

The publisher will be awarding a copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

GENRE: historical fiction

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BLURB:

In 1897, a young cockney nursemaid takes her first train ride, leaving London for the lush and sprawling Sandringham Estate, private home to Britain’s royal family. Hired by the Duke and Duchess of York to help rear their royal children, Charlotte Bill is about to become privy to all the secrets families hide, and caught between the upstairs and downstairs worlds.

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

Excerpt:

Truth was, I used to wish the widowed Dr. Edwin Lockwood, my former employer,  would marry me, though I knew that was quite out of the question.  But when I first went to work at his house as nursemaid, I was only thirteen and such a dreamer.  People think I’m a no-nonsense person, but I still harbor flights of fancy in my head and heart, and to mean something to someone else is one of them.

But in the nearly ten years I worked in London, I knew it was not that I loved the doctor, but that I did love his two little daughters and hated to leave them, especially after I’d been promoted to nurse after five years there.  Now his new wife didn’t want me about because her stepchildren doted on me.  But the doctor gave me a good character, which the Duchess of York’s friend, Lady Eva Dugdale, had somehow seen.  So here I was, headed to the Duke and Duchess of York’s country house to help the head nurse of two royal lads, one called David, nearly four years of age, the other, Bertie, a year-and-a-half; and a new baby to be born soon.

Beat down the butterflies in my belly and practiced saying, “Your Grace, milord, milady, sir, ma’am,” and all that.  What if Queen Victoria herself ever popped in for a visit, for the duke was her grandson—well, there were many of her offspring scattered across Europe in ruling houses, but he was in direct line to the British throne after his father, the Prince of Wales.  And since the Prince and Princess of Wales often lived on the same Sandringham Estate, so Lady Dugdale said, I wager I’d see them, right regular too, that is if the head nurse, name of Mary Peters, let me help her with the royal children when their kin came calling.

“Ticket, please, miss,” the conductor said as he came through the carriage.  I had a moment’s scramble but handed it to him and had it marked.  When he passed on, I put it as a keepsake in my wooden box of worldly goods, which sat on the floor next to my seat.  The carriage wasn’t too full, not to Norfolk with its marshy fens and the windy Wash my papa had described to me.  Oh, I was so excited I could barely sit still.  I was to disembark at a place called Wolferton Station where someone was to meet me.  I was just so certain everything would be lovely, and fine and grandly, royally perfect.

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

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Karen Harper is a former university (Ohio State) and high school English teacher. Published since 1982, she writes contemporary suspense and historical novels about real British women. Two of her recent Tudor era books were bestsellers in the UK and Russia. A rabid Anglophile, she likes nothing more than to research her novels on site in the British Isles. Harper won the Mary Higgins Clark Award for DARK ANGEL, and her novel SHATTERED SECRETS was judged one of the Best Books of 2014 by Suspense Magazine. The author and her husband divide their time between Ohio and Florida.  For more information please visit: http://www.karenharperauthor.com

 GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 A randomly drawn commenter will receive a digital copy of the book.

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The Healer’s Rune by Lauricia Matuska

Tags

amazon Kindle, book series, fantasy, gift cards, giveaways, new release

 

Lauricia will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour!!

GENRE: Fantasy

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BLURB:

Three hundred years after a great war shattered the Council of Races, the warriors of Rüddan have all but eradicated their cousins, the faerie Aethel. In so doing, they decimated the Dryht sages and enslaved mortal Humanity. Now a voice rises above the chaos and calls her people to rebel. Young Sabine, one of the Human slaves, must learn to overcome centuries of lies and prejudice to forge an alliance between four enemy races. But what chance does she stand to overthrow the Rüddan with her dangerous secret, a secret that threatens not only her own life but the existence of all the races on the planet?

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

Excerpt

Excerpt Two:

A tall, slender figure stood before the wall, a dim shadow outlined in sharp angles by the golden light. Prompted by some silent cue, it stepped into the light and seemed to shrink, as if walking away. Suddenly, it disappeared, and the yellow light began to fade. Before Sabine knew what was happening, the glow winked out so abruptly that bright spots danced through her vision. She waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness.

When she could see once more, the wall looked normal, each brick placed upon another in its ordinary manner.

Magic! Sabine began to tremble.

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Lauricia Matuska has taught high school literature and creative writing classes for more than ten years. She first discovered the realm of fantasy by traveling with Lucy through the wardrobe to Narnia. Since then, she has established dual-residency between that world and this one, and she currently serves as an ambassador to contemporary youth and young adults. The Healer’s Rune is the first novel in her Ceryn Roh trilogy.

Contact Info. –

Web Page: Lauricia-Matuska.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauriciamatuska
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauricia.matuska
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LauriciaMatuska/

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Futuristic-Fantasy-Healers-Metaphysical-Novel/dp/1938499182/

BN: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-healers-rune-lauricia-matuska/1123277362
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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Lauricia will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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New Release on Monday! Get Yours First!

Tags

new releases, romance

Monday’s release of Charity for Nothing by A.J. Downey!

Shadows of the Past

Tags

paranormal romance; mysteries, reincarnation

Thank you Linda for inviting me to your blog, today. Your question is one that  people often ask me  – where I get my ideas for my stories.

First of all,  I read a lot and learn from other writers. Authors can spin ideas from just about anything.

 I also think, in my humble opinion, that writing, whatever its influences, comes naturally and as a result of accumulating life experiences. We don’t create from nothing. Life touches us and our writing reflects this. So, life is the most valuable source of inspiration, my muse whispering into my ear. Truth is, my ideas come from all over the place – weird dreams, conversations I overhear, song lyrics. I find inspiration in the strangest of places. You never know where an idea may come from, just have to keep an open mind. And then spin them into wonderful novels.

Today, I want to talk about the inspiration for Shadows of the Past, my first released novel. Shadows of the Past is a paranormal, light romance. I read a small article in a Romanian newspaper about a haunted mountain in England. The souls of two sinners, a nun and a priest who break their vows and elope, can’t find their rest. The moment I put down the newspaper, I knew that I had to write the story of the two unfortunate lovers. I wrote a poem first, a ballad. Later, I considered that a poem wasn’t enough.  I felt that Genevieve’s story must be told in detail. This is how Shadows of the Past came to life. It’s about Genevieve and Anne, focusing on the lows and highs of the two, alternatively revealing the hardships, passion, truth or betrayal they meet. 

EXCERPT:

No sooner had Andrew swung off his horse and tied the reins of both horses to a tree than Genevieve, managing to break out of her petrified state, hurried from behind the gates.

A warm smile brightened his face upon seeing her.  His smile melted away. Something about her expression must have warned him all wasn’t well. His gaze, worried and questioning, lingered on her face.

“What’s wrong, my darling? Have you changed your mind? Why are you here by the gate? I thought I’d find you in the old man’s house? Someone could have seen you and alerted the Abbess,” he said.

He pulled an ivory wood anemone from his saddlebag and gave it to Genevieve. “I picked this along the way. It looks like you: pretty and delicate.”

She heaved a sigh and accepted the flower. “Oh, Andrew, how sweet of you.” She managed a smile.

“Come, we should leave at once,” she said and glanced nervously over her shoulder. “Something terrible happened after you left for town. I think the Abbess found out about us. Our meeting in Uncle Ryan’s cabin is no longer a secret. We have been overheard. For all I know someone spies on us even as we speak. I think the Abbess, or one of her ‘friends,’ is hovering somewhere nearby and listening to every word.”

Andrew pulled her into his arms and tightened her in his embrace. “Calm down, please. Tell me what’s wrong.”

“No, please, let’s leave. There’s danger all around us. I know what I’m saying.”

“Then you can tell me what happened along the way.” Andrew took hold of her hand as if trying to instill courage and confidence in her. He untied the reins of the horse he’d brought for her.  Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, he helped Genevieve up and then swung himself into the saddle. He turned his head as if to hide the worried frown across his face. “A scorned woman is worse than an unleashed hurricane,” he said. Then he addressed Genevieve, “We’ll follow the most direct route through the forest.”

Genevieve flinched.

The forest. The very cursed forest. The main reason for the tragedy in her family.

He nodded, saying, “Don’t worry. We’re together. Have faith my love.” He led the way into the forest.

Genevieve wrapped the dark mantle covering her shoulders more tightly around her and swallowed her fears as they began the cautious ride through the silent forest, through the silent night, enveloped by their own silent guilt.

* * * * * * *

Tears welled in Anne’s eyes, blurring her vision. She couldn’t explain them, or the sudden sadness seeping into her heart. This should’ve been a moment of happiness or, at least, contentment. She was with Neil again, and the outcome of their trip together should, very likely, bring their reconciliation. Why then did she seem detached from where she stood?

Anne shivered. Why the deep feeling of having seen this place, this forest before? And why the eerie sensation of being present here only in the body, while her mind was far away?

Away from the forest.

Away from Neil, the man who’d betrayed her trust and her love.

An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her.

Anne edged cautiously closer to the rim of the bare cliff. Her foot tapped the edge. It seemed solid. She stared into the darkness of the abyss at her feet. It echoed the shadows in her heart.  An unusual curiosity took hold of her. Should she step ahead? What was down there? Other human bones? Another mystery? The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. The vines of fog folded around her, dragging her to the depth. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.

Megan’s face contorted, the voice no longer pleasant. A hoarse gurgle, spluttering distorted words, “Yes, come… I’m waiting… I’ve been waiting for you for such a long time…”

My review of Shadows of the Past:

5.0 out of 5 stars  Forbidden Love…or Not?

By Linda B. Nightingale on May 19, 2016

Shadows of the Past presents a story of forbidden love, yet it feels more like true love. The story is told from alternate viewpoints of women who may be one soul reincarnated. From page one to the last page, I never wanted to put the book down and turn out the light—not because it was scary but it was an interesting read. Ms.Stefanescu makes good use of secondary characters and develops them well. All her characters are well-developed. This is not a simple love story. Without giving away any plot spoilers, I can say that the author touches on many metaphysical points. Shadows of the Past is deep and intriguing and a definite recommended read. The description is excellent, and she can create a real sense of foreboding.

Our author”