Category Archives: BOOK BLITZ

by | November 10, 2016 · 9:49 am

A Killer’s Guide to Good Works BLITZ

A Killer's Guide to Good Works banner

A Killer's Guide to Good Works cover
A Val Cameron Mystery, Book 2
Mystery
Date Published:  September 2016
photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png
Publisher: Henery Press
Senior Editor Val Cameron is back at her desk in New York. When her curator best friend returns from an abbey in England, she invites Val to see a priceless relic that has mysteriously found its way into her carry-on.
But by the time Val arrives at the museum, her friend has been murdered — and the relic is gone.Val soon learns that a young monk at the abbey has also been murdered. What dark purpose is attached to the relic that has led to two murders? When Val discovers her apartment has been broken into, her native New York feels like a place she no longer knows. Now she has to unmask a killer who will stop at nothing to fulfill an ambitious plan– and Val Cameron is just the latest person to stand in the way.
Praise for A Killer’s Guide to Good Works:

 

“In her second adventure (after Practical Sins for Cold Climates), feisty, intrepid Val balances her publishing and sleuthing lives with verve. Dan Brown fans will enjoy this puzzler.” – Library Journal

“A smart, even sly, tale of relics and rituals, truth and lies, prophecy and forgery that will keep you turning pages late into the night.” — Leslie Budewitz, Agatha Award-Winning Author of the Seattle Spice Shop Mysteries

“It’s a pleasure to see Shelley Costa, master of the taut, evocative short story, expand her range with this complex, multi-layered thriller.” – Linda Landrigan, Editor, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine

“A fascinating, if sobering look into the world of stolen antiquities, a black market that makes billions of dollars every year, and that many have indeed killed for.” – For the Love of Books

“In this edgy first in a new cozy series from Costa, Val Cameron, a senior editor at a New York publishing company, travels to the tiny town of Wendaban, Ontario…A strong plot and engaging characters make for a well-crafted mystery, and Val’s humorous attempts to cope with the wilderness do much to lighten the tension. The core of the story is Val’s discovery of her own self-worth.” – Publishers Weekly (on Practical Sins for Cold Climates)

“If you want to read a beautifully written story with a twisting and turning plot, this book is for you. Five stars out of five.” – Examiner.com (on Practical Sins for Cold Climates) 

Other Books in the Val Cameron Mystery Series:
A Val Cameron Mystery, Book 1
Published: January 2016
When Val Cameron, a Senior Editor with a New York publishing company, is sent to the Canadian Northwoods to sign a reclusive bestselling author or risk losing her job, she is definitely out of her element. Val is certain she can convince Charles Cable, but first she has to find him.
Aided by a float plane pilot whose wife was killed two years ago in a case gone cold, Val’s hunt for the recluse becomes even more muddled. When all signs point to Cable as the killer, she must work to clear his name before the scandal sinks her career.
Trapped in a wilderness lake community where livelihoods collide and a killer lurks, the prospect of running into a bear could be the least of Val’s problems.
 
Praise for Practical Sins for Cold Climates:

 

“A strong plot and engaging characters make for a well-crafted mystery, and Val’s humorous attempts to cope with the wilderness do much to lighten the tension. The core of the story is Val’s discovery of her own self-worth.” – Publishers Weekly

“An engaging, deftly-plotted mystery with a smart, tough-minded heroine. Shelley Costa delivers a terrific series debut.” — Daniel Stashower, Author of The Hour of Peril

“Costa hits all the right notes—vulnerable but likable characters, a compelling plot, a clearly drawn setting, and a tangled web of past and present events.” – Sheila Connolly, New York Times Bestselling Author of A Gala Event

“Taut, well written and suspenseful, Practical Sins for Cold Climates draws readers into a community where the past haunts the present and residents’ motives are buried deep…just like the truth.” – Kylie Logan, Author of And Then There Were Nuns

“What a terrific surprise! Shelley Costa is a contender… a terrific book in which to bury oneself on a long, cold weekend. Not a bad beach read, either for that matter. Just buy it. Just read it.” – Seattle Book Mama

“Very well-written…this book reads as longer than typical cozies because it needs to, for honest character evolution. The mystery has a very satisfying conclusion…This is the first book I have read by Shelley Costa, and I am very impressed.” – Librarian at Jefferson-Madison Regional Library System 

 About the Author
A 2004 Edgar nominee for Best Short Story, Shelley Costa is the author of A Killer’s Guide to Good Works, Practical Sins for Cold Climates, You Cannoli Die Once (Agatha Award nominee for Best First Novel) and Basil Instinct. Shelley’s mystery stories have appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, Blood on Their Hands,The World’s Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, and Crimewave (UK).  She teaches fiction writing at the Cleveland Institute of Art.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
photo readingaddictionbutton_zps58fd99d6.png

Comments Off on A Killer’s Guide to Good Works BLITZ

Filed under BOOK BLITZ, BOOKS

Tagged as , , ,

by | November 9, 2016 · 5:00 am

DON’T MESS WITH MRS. SEDGEWICK – PROMO BLITZ

don't mess with mrs. sedgewick banner

don't mess with mrs. sedgewick cover
Cozy Mystery
Date Published:10/11/2016
Publisher: 4-D Publishing
photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png
Roberta Sedgewick is stuck in a house that is too empty without her beloved Burton—the rat died and left her with his dog and rooms that rattle. She convinces her three golfing buddies, all in their seventies, to sell their homes and buy adjoining condos. The widows intend to spend the rest of their days golfing, gambling at the casino, and having fun. Oh, the heaven of it. But then they all hire the same maid who uncovers long-hidden criminal secrets kept by each woman. Oh, the horror of it. The reputations of their deceased husbands, a banker, a minister, and a respected farmer, will be tarnished forever. Three of the widows could face jail time, and the fourth fears for her life. Whatever will they do with the conniving, blackmailing maid?
EXCERPT
I catch my breath. This could be it. To make sure, I draw the newspaper almost to my nose and read the listing again. Right here in the real estate section of the Vista Harbor Chronicle is the answer. The date in the corner reads July 7, only four days ago. A happy dance springs within me, but I control the urge. No customer sitting at a high table in a bistro needs to witness a lady past her prime make a fool of herself. Instead, I jig my fists below the table in a silent yes, yes, yes. I’ve found the condos. Life at age seventy-two is about to change. I slide from the stool and head for the door, hoping no one notices the newspaper tucked under my left arm.
“Thank you, Mrs. Sedgewick,” the coffee gal calls after me. She saw the paper, and that’s her way of letting me know. Without looking back, I waggle my right hand above my shoulder and push open the door.
Outside, I dig through my Gucci for my phone. I love my hobo bag, but don’t like searching for whatever drops to the bottom. I need to figure that out. I also don’t like the dark face of the phone in the bright sunlight. Phone people need to figure that out.
I move under the umbrella of a red maple. In filtered light, I send a text to my three buddies. Meet me at the clubhouse. I have a surprise. I shuffle a little smart-step, unable to hide my joy. I’m still light on my feet even though my hair has turned soft white. I avoid coloring it but fight other signs of aging with a diet pill once in a while and wrinkle cream rubbed in nightly. Like most Pisces, I’m proud, a bit vain, and not afraid to admit it. I hop into my reliable Subaru.
A hand grabs the top part of the car door.
I gasp and brace against the seat.
A careworn woman stands there like a waif. “I did naught mean to startle you. I noticed you did a jig step before getting into your car and wondered if you are from Scotland. I’m so homesick for the heather.” She’s medium height, medium weight—medium all the way around. Her flyaway hair is sandy, and her sad eyes show more burnished gold than green. She removes her hand from the top of the door. “I’m sorry for intruding.”
“No need to be. I’m not from Scotland, but some distant relatives were. They mixed with my English ancestors, so I’m blessed with a good dose of Highland merriment and English good sense that battle each other. I hope you find your way back to the heather.” I close the car door. It thuds softly, not a hard slam to show dismay. So often anymore I’m prone to sharpness and a quick tongue, followed by guilt. Or else I rattle on about nothing and don’t worry about it.
The Scottish woman walks away, spine stiff, head high. An odd, lonely woman, but likable.
A sense of uncertainty chases around my shoulders. I banish it with a glance at my watch. There’s enough time to run by Jones Realty and arrange for a showing of the condos this afternoon. I tilt the rearview mirror and apply a boost of blush, lip gloss, and a dab of liquid concealer by my left eyelid—the dang droopy thing. There. All is repaired well enough to see Ned Jones, the realtor.
Before I swing into the late morning traffic on Harbor Drive, a white-knuckle thought smacks into my gray matter. The newspaper is only a few days old, but what if someone already bought one of the units? What a terrible thought. I press harder on the accelerator and zip through Vista Harbor, the alpine resort community I call home. It’s a small town compared to Aspen or Big Sky, but it’s more than big enough to accommodate tourists and newcomers. I don’t mind sharing the beauty of my valley, my mountains, and my lakes. Sure, there’s room for all, and yes, I claim ownership. This part of Montana belongs to me.
Ten blocks later, after having to slam on the brakes to avoid the rear end of a showoff car, I park next to a chalet-style house with a readerboard announcing homes or acreage for folks to buy. Big black letters read, New on the Market. Four Single-Story Condominiums in the Harbor Hill Area. Perfect. And no more stairs to climb.
I straighten my skinny jeans, smooth my top, and walk inside the office. A clock chimes the half hour . . . plenty of time before lunch.
Behind a glass counter, inlaid with prize listings and a Sold banner across each, a young man thumbs through a stack of listings and thoroughly ignores me. He must be the new assistant, and the talk of the town, like any new buck. No cure for small towns and gossip.
“Is Ned in?”
“No.” The young squirt doesn’t bother to look up and continues to scan a paper, nimble finger flying down the page.
I lean a little onto my right side and place my jewel-covered fingers on the counter, thrumming them on the most expensive listing. “Just tell your boss our mom called from the nursing home and wants more money.”
The kid makes eye contact. “You’re his sista?”
“No, but you should treat me like I am. Do I hear Boston in your accent?”
“Yah.”
“Moving to a small town is an adjustment. Attitude counts.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
 Satisfied I have his attention, I say, “I would like to see those newly listed condos at 2:00 this afternoon.”
“The ones out on Harbor Hill?”
I nod. “The ones with the same name as the golf course, ski mountain, and every other place that isn’t called Alpine or Vista. What’s the street number?”
“101. Ned is showing a unit now.” The kid tries not to smirk. He doesn’t make it. His brown-flecked eyes shine with mischief. They probably always do. He’s a young devil, I can tell, and figure he’s teasing me.
“Please inform him Roberta Sedgewick will be at the condos at 2:00 this afternoon. If he can’t make it, have him call me. He has the number.” Halfway out the door, I lean back inside. “Oh, by the way, I’m interested in buying all four and may be interested in listing four pieces of prime property. Like the kind you have there under glass on your counter. Tell him not to sell any of the units until we talk. Understood?”
I chuckle to myself as the door closes. I’m bad.
About the Author

Marie F. Martin is the author of an intense vow in MATERAL HARBOR, surprising twists of a family’s past in HARBORED SECRETS, a grizzly attack and lover’s spat in RATHAM CREEK. Together her three thriller, mystery, or suspense novels have over 250,000 Kindle downloads and 613 five star reviews.
She now adds DON’T MESS WITH MRS. SEDGEWICK to her list of books.
Marie lives in a fertile valley at the base of the Rocky Mountains. She enjoys a quiet life where laughter comes easy, love easier. She invites you to join in her rich, rural memories on her website where she has posted a memoir of her early childhood and raising her family of four children.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
Sale Price – $1.99!
photo readingaddictionbutton_zps58fd99d6.png

Comments Off on DON’T MESS WITH MRS. SEDGEWICK – PROMO BLITZ

Filed under BOOK BLITZ, BOOKS

Tagged as , ,

by | November 8, 2016 · 5:00 am

HIGH HOPES – PROMO BLITZ

high hopes banner

high hopes cover
Contemporary Romance
Date Published:  August 2016

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

Grace, Sam and Dixie have known each other forever. But Grace has a secret. Pregnant and penniless after one drunken night with Sam, she gave up her baby for adoption without telling him. And condemned herself to twenty years of guilt.
When her daughter traces her, out of the blue, Grace longs to meet her. But she’s asking about her father and if Grace confesses to Sam after all these years, it will surely wreck his marriage to Dixie. How can their friendship survive such a betrayal? Yet does Grace have a choice?




Excerpt
Grace glared at them. Sam didn’t bother to move his hands. If anything, he pulled the girl harder against him, a defiant glint in his eye. Grace had never seen Sam look like that. He looked hungry. And strangely sexy in his own dishevelled way.
The girl kissed him, her lips deliberate as she kept her eyes on Grace. Grace wanted to slap the smirk from her face but when Sam made no attempt to kiss her back, the girl shrugged and eventually slunk away.
“Why did you tell her you’d been dumped?”
Sam grabbed at the bottle precariously balanced on the fruit machine. “What would you call a dirty weekend with your ex?”
“That’s stupid,” Grace laughed. “Dixie went to his twenty-first party.  Big deal. It’ll be your turn next year. Who will you invite from school?”
“That’s easy.” He combed his fingers through his untidy shock of black hair. “I was the school odd-bod, remember? There was only you.”
She remembered, even through the drunken haze of too much vodka and champagne. It had always been the two of them. Until Dixie. And then there were three.
“Here you are, like a mermaid in your sexy see-through top.”
His hand was on her arm, the heat of him, next to her breast, the nipple poking through the thin fabric of her top. It was suddenly hard to breathe.
“Dance with me?”
It was a slow number, barely recognisable over the raucous beat of the party. Sultry, though, throbbing through the wooden floor, up through the soles of her feet to thud against her heart.
“Our song,” he whispered against her hair.
Black Velvet, she recognised it now. Remembered Sam’s crush on Alannah Myles. Felt strangely thrilled that Sam had called it their song. They’d always had each other. And Sam was right here, kissing her for the first time, an intense meeting of lost souls. It had always been their destiny to be together.
***
Danny was strangely riveted. “What happened next?”
“I can’t blame Sam. I totally seduced him.”
“You’d be pretty hard to resist, twenty years ago. Not like now, with your puffy red face and mascara filling your wrinkles.”
“How can you make me laugh at a time like this?” She fished another tissue out of her bag. “I need to start buying waterproof mascara.”
“Here, let me.”
He licked the tissue and applied it to the streaks on her face. For once, she was too exhausted to care what she looked like as she snuggled into the warmth of his shoulder, staring at the gulls as they wheeled and whooped above the harbour.
“I’m guessing you got pregnant? What did he say?”
“He didn’t know. But now I have to tell him everything because his daughter wants to meet him.” Another tear escaped down her cheek. “Everybody’s going to hate me.”
***
They’d loved each other all through that one stolen night, right until the first glimmer of watery daylight. Even drunk on vodka and champagne, Grace had never felt more alive. Sam was her soul mate. How had she never known that before?
When she woke up, Sam had gone out. He stayed out for hours and when he came back, he turned on the TV without saying a word.
“I made chilli. Something to do, left here on my own.”
“I already ate, thanks. Hangover munchies, you know how it is?”
She sat on the arm of the sofa, sick with dread. “What’s wrong?”
“You know what’s wrong. Listen, I’m sorry. But please can we not talk about it again?”
Still, he didn’t look at her. He couldn’t be sorry. He must see they were meant to be together. She stroked his arm but he shrugged her off, leaning as far away from her as he could get.
“Look Grace, stuff happens. I’m not sure how I ended up in your bed but the sooner we can forget about it the better. When Dixie comes back, Christ! This would kill her. Don’t even think about telling her.”
“But last night you said she’d dumped you.”
“Well today, I know I was being a tit. I’ve spoken to her. She’ll be back tomorrow, as planned. We’re fine.”
“What about me? Should I just disappear? Everything hunky-dory because you and Dixie are fine?”
The sarcasm bounced off him. He’d reduced their connection to a drunken fumble. A mistake he didn’t want to pick over. Dixie returned to claim Sam’s bed as well as his heart and nobody noticed how distraught Grace was. She’d never been more lonely.
By Christmas she knew she was pregnant.
About the Author

 

Sue Lilley lives in the north east of England, when she isn’t escaping somewhere else in her imagination.  She loves a good story, especially feel-good escapism that makes you miss your stop and be late for work because you can’t put the book down.  Her practical exterior hides the soul of a daydreamer and compulsive people watcher.  She has been writing as a hobby for years, eavesdropping on people’s conversations on the Metro for inspiration.
She’s been married to Michael, an artist and fellow creative spirit, for more years than they’re brave enough to count.  They have one grown-up daughter who’s far more sensible than either of them.  ANOTHER SUMMER was Sue’s first published novel. Her latest, HIGH HOPES is also available on Amazon. Now she’s forced herself out of the closet, there will be other novels coming soon.

Contact Links
Purchase Link
photo readingaddictionbutton_zps58fd99d6.png

 

Comments Off on HIGH HOPES – PROMO BLITZ

Filed under BOOK BLITZ, BOOKS

Tagged as , , , ,

by | November 7, 2016 · 5:00 am

WAITING FOR RIO – PROMO BLITZ

waiting for rio banner

Contemporary Romance
Date Published:  October 2016
photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png
Rio Levant growing up had a normal loving family. But one fateful night his mother was killed and the life he knew was gone. His father committed an unforgivable act and Rio blames himself for the outcome. Now, a recovering alcoholic, Rio is still struggling to piece himself back together. Nothing and no one has been able to help him.
Until her.
Growing up, Stacy Hammond was taught that the best way to survive was to latch onto a man and hope he never let you go. Stacy is determined not to follow in her mama’s footsteps and is committed to making a life for herself without a man by her side. But a drunken one-night stand pushes Stacy towards a man who she never would have picked out for anything other than his hot body and his bad boy attitude. He seems like the wrong choice but she can’t seem to get enough of him.
Rio and Stacy are going to find out that sometimes what you believe is completely and totally wrong.
Excerpt

 

“How old were you when you lost your virginity?”
I held back a chuckle. This game of war was starting to get serious. “Sixteen. How about you, Princess?”
She slapped a queen on top of my jack and pulled the pair towards her. “Fourteen.”
Fourteen? That was the same age my sister had been when–
“Did you love her?”
“Uh…” She interrupted my thoughts and threw me for a loop with that question. What had we been talking about? Right, virginity. “No. I thought I did at the time. Did you love him?”
“I thought I did at the time but he broke my heart.” She tossed a two in my direction and I scooped up the small win.
“What’s his name? I’ll kill him.”
She smiled, her eyes twinkling softly as she met my gaze. “Garret Sothers. He’s in Boyd County jail. Protected.”
“For now,” I said with a wink. We both set down a pair of aces and then proceeded to have a war.
“One, two, three. War!”
“Oh, come on!” she shouted as my other ace kicked her king’s ass. I grinned as she settled herself back down and we proceeded to play. “Who broke your heart?”
My dad.
I glanced up, her gaze was down on the cards. Thank God I didn’t say that out loud.
“Britney.”
“You don’t know her last name?”
“I do. Spears. She broke my heart when she started dating that asshole Justin Timberlake.”
The front door slammed shut as James and Elly came back inside effectively cutting off Stacy’s laughter. I was a little disturbed that I’d forgotten that they had been out there. No doubt James was near frozen. I swallowed back my unease and stood up from the table as they both entered the kitchen. Stacy looked at me with big, worried eyes. I offered her a smile which seemed to ease her tension a bit. She turned her in her chair, her eyes on James.
“So,” James said, looking down at his feet. He looked every bit like a little boy who’d just told his mother to go screw herself. “I overreacted a little bit and I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you, of course. I’m sorry too, for being such a klutz and ruining your drums.”
She nibbled on her lower lip for a moment before she stood up and extended her arms towards him. I felt jealousy burning in my gut as James arms wrapped around her and pulled her body close to his.
“Okay,” he said, ending the hug as quickly as it had begun. He stepped back and glanced between all of us. “There is more good news on top of that apology. The roads have been plowed and we are all free to get out of each other’s hair.
I felt the snap of disappointment at the news. Stacy was more fun than I thought she’d be sober and although the sexual tension between us was high we were still able to hold a conversation. Perhaps we could make a go of things once my sobriety was under control and steady. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to try.
I shoved my hands into my jean pockets and nodded. “Awesome. Let’s all get showered and then we can go back to the bar.
“Dibs!” James practically pushed Elly out of the way as he ran towards the bathroom. I sighed heavily.
“We’re not going to be getting any hot water, are we?” Stacy asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
I shook my head. “No. Probably not.”
Elly shrugged innocently. “I already had one. I’m gonna go watch some TV. Wanna join?”
I looked between the two girls who were staring at each other. Stacy shrugged her shoulders. “Sure.” And then they both looked at me.
“Uh, yeah, sure.”
About the Author

Marie Cole lives in GA and spends her days writing romance books, dreaming of new book covers and waiting for her two girls to get home from school.
Contact Links
 Purchase Links
photo readingaddictionbutton_zps58fd99d6.png

Comments Off on WAITING FOR RIO – PROMO BLITZ

Filed under BOOK BLITZ, BOOKS

Tagged as , , ,

by | · 5:00 am

99¢ Sale Blitz – November 7 – 11

ourforever_blitz

Our Forever

by Elena Matthews
Publication Date: September 27, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Second Chance, Romance

Our Forever ebook

Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

When you fall in love with your best friend, it’s the kind of love that’s supposed to last forever.

Jo Donovan was a true believer of happily ever afters—until her best friend, Christopher, was killed in Afghanistan, destroying her belief that fairy-tale endings existed.

Destroying her. Destroying her world.

Five years later…

Jo finds herself still stuck in the past, unable to find closure with Christopher’s death.

When she moves to Austin, Texas, with her son, Junior, she’s finally given the fresh start she’s been desperately seeking.

What she doesn’t know is that the fresh start comes in the form of her sexy neighbor, Drew Greyson.

Their friendship starts off rocky, but eventually, a spark between them ignites. It isn’t long before that spark turns explosive, and she finds herself falling for him.

Drew wants to be her everything, her forever, but will Jo’s pain from losing Christopher stop her from following her heart?

Warning: Recommended for ages 18+ due to explicit language and sexual situations.

goodreads-badge-add-38px

About Elena Matthews

OurForever_Elena

Receptionist by day, author by night, Elena Matthews is from Manchester, United Kingdom, the home of Manchester United, MediaCity and of course, Coronation Street. When Elena isn’t writing, she can be found with her nose in a book or watching guilty pleasures such as Grey’s Anatomy. And when she isn’t doing any of those things, you can often find her on Facebook, obsessing over Kellan Kyle, book boyfriend extraordinaire.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Instagram | Newsletter

a Rafflecopter giveaway

IndieSageBlogger

Comments Off on 99¢ Sale Blitz – November 7 – 11

Filed under BOOK BLITZ, BOOKS

Tagged as , , , , ,