books

Cover Reveal: The Rise and Ruin of Everwood – Alicia Morgan

We are thrilled to present the cover of The Rise and Ruin of Everwood by Alicia Morgan!

EBOOK COVER PNG 3

The Rise and Ruin of Everwood

Expected Publication Date: May 14, 2024

Genre: Dystopian Romance/ Low Fantasy

In a merciless world, deep in the Adirondacks, where Mother Nature rules the land–Eva vowed two things: to protect the people of Everwood and never fall in love. Love in these dangerous times is a liability, one she can’t afford to risk.

When fate intervenes, and she meets a mysterious man who has lost his memory and his way, her heart slowly begins to betray her promise. As tensions rise and secrets are revealed, Evangeline Wolf is faced with a decision. One that could not only affect her settlement but the rest of her life.

In this post-apocalyptic era, where perils are hidden around every corner, this handsome stranger may be Eva’s only hope to save Everwood—forcing her to reevaluate who the true enemy is and what lengths she is willing to go to establish peace.

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About the Author

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Alicia Morgan grew up in a small town not far from the Adirondack Park— where she lives with her husband and three fur babies. When she’s not writing, she is spending time in the outdoors with her dogs, or snuggling up with a good book. Being an avid reader of all things fantasy, paranormal and dystopian, she is excited to bring her own flavor to the genre.

Alicia Morgan

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Blog Tour: A Deadly Portrayal – L.M Milford


When local crime reporter Emma Fletcher is asked to help identify her friend’s blackmailer, she discovers a link to the recent death of a teacher at Allensbury Dance and Drama School.
Meanwhile, a police investigation is uncovering some dark secrets, and it is clear that someone is seeking revenge for past wrongs.
As Emma’s list of suspects continues to grow, the discovery of a second body puts her in the killer’s sights.
Warned off the investigation by the police for her own safety, Emma decides the best way to save herself is to find the culprit first.
With the help of fellow news reporter Dan Sullivan, Emma must work out who is targeting Allensbury Dance and Drama School before the killer strikes again.

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LM Milford is a crime fiction author who writes the Allensbury mysteries, covering the exploits of local newspaper reporter Dan Sullivan.
A former newspaper journalist, Lynne’s experience has influenced her work, although her stories were never as exciting as Dan’s.
Lynne was born and brought up in the north-east of England, but now lives in Kent with her husband and far too many books. She loves cooking, baking and holidays in Spain. She’s partial to a good red wine and plates of cheese.

Website Twitter Instagram Facebook Bluesky – @lmmilford.bsky.social

My thoughts: ballet school has never been so dangerous. Blackmail, murder, and secrets lurk in the halls of Allensbury Dance and Drama School.

Journalist Emma is digging into the situation and turning up some dark and worrying things buried beneath the elegant facade of ballet. With the help of colleague Dan, she’s determined to find the truth.

A smart and enjoyable crime novel, with lots of twists and some pretty unpleasant people, they can’t all be suspects but it’s hard to parse the truth from the lies.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Death Flight – Sarah Sultoon

Argentina. 1998. Human remains are found on a beach on the outskirts of
Buenos Aires – a gruesome echo of when the tide brought home dozens of mutilated bodies thrown from planes during Argentina’s Dirty War.
Flights of death, with passengers known as The Disappeared.
International Tribune reporter Jonny Murphy is in Buenos Aires interviewing families of the missing, desperate to keep their memory alive, when the body turns up. His investigations with his companion,
freelance photographer Paloma Glenn, have barely started when Argentina’s simmering financial crisis explodes around them.
As the fabric of society starts to disintegrate and Argentine cities burn
around them, Jonny and Paloma are suddenly thrust centre stage, fighting
to secure both their jobs and their livelihoods.
But Jonny is also fighting something else, an echo from his own past that he’ll never shake, and as it catches up with him and Paloma, he must make choices that will endanger everything he knows…

Sarah Sultoon is a journalist and writer, whose work as an international news executive at CNN has taken her all over the world, from the seats of power in both Westminster and Washington to the
frontlines of Iraq and Afghanistan. She has extensive experience in conflict zones, winning three Peabody awards for her work on the war in Syria, an Emmy for her contribution to the coverage of Europe’s migrant crisis in 2015, and a number of Royal Television Society gongs. When not reading or writing she can usually be found somewhere outside, either running, swimming or throwing a ball for her three children and dog …

Her debut thriller The Source is currently in production with Lime Pictures, and was a Capital Crime Book Club pick and a number one bestseller on Kindle. The Shot (2022) and Dirt (2023) followed, with multiple award longlistings, including the CWA Daggers.
Sarah currently works for Channel 4 News and lives in London.

My thoughts: I read an article about the Disappeared not that long ago, so I was really intrigued to read this book, Death Flight, which follows an investigation into the Argentinian government’s dark past and the Dirty War against its own people. 

Sarah Sultoon draws on her long experience as a journalist to create a suspenseful, intelligent and gripping thriller.

Johnny Murphy is the International Tribune’s man on the ground in South America, as long as he gets his stories in fast and before his opposition. However as he, and photographer Paloma, dig deeper into the Disappeared and the mothers and grandmothers who gather to protest the ongoing silence around their children, he stops reporting on the financial crisis and ends up in trouble. 

Reporting to Allen in DC, he goes off with Paloma to investigate further but both women have secrets and as Johnny continues on his search for the truth, he is drawn into dangerous waters by the mysterious Paloma and Allen’s own agenda.

This twists and turns, taking the reader into the dark heart of Argentina and the terrible things carried out by the military on the government’s orders.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour,but all opinions remain my own.

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Cover Reveal: The Rabbit Man – T.R. Slauf

The Fanciful, The Terrible, & The Macabre

We are thrilled to present the cover for The Rabbit Man: A Collection of Short Terrors & Flash Fiction by T.R. Slauf! How great is this cover?!

The Rabbit Man Front

The Rabbit Man

Expected Publication Date: June 18, 2024

Genre: Horror/ Paranormal/ Short Stories

🩸Paranormal Horror

🐰Hauntings

🩸Magic Cats

🐰Guinea Pig Monsters

🩸Witch Hunting

🐰Serial Killers

🩸Unexplained Disappearances

The Fanciful, The Terrible, & The Macabre

From killers in masks, to a haunted car wash, to a demon hunting cat, The Rabbit Man is a collection of short terrors and flash fiction. Come along to hunt witches, stalk killers, and exact vengeance in a web of tales befitting your worst nightmares and most haunting daydreams.

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About the Author

T.R. Slauf was born and raised in Michigan, originally studying and working in the field of Biochemistry. After having an open-heart surgery for congenital heart disease, Slauf changed career paths to pursue the passion of storytelling and published their debut novel, Hidden Realm two years later. Slauf now lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with their spouse and two cats.

T.R. Slauf

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Blog Tour: Death on the High Seas – Anna Legat


Maggie and Sam take a break from the murder and mayhem of Bishops Well and embark on a relaxing mid-winter cruise across the northern seas. The brochure promises smooth sailing, good food and dazzling entertainment. Sam is hoping to sprinkle the mix with romance.
But nothing goes to plan.
Maggie runs into an old lover, the mesmerising Benedict Rawbotham, who goes out of his way to sweep her off her feet. Sam is left seething with jealousy.
A mayday signal sent by a fishing boat forces the cruise liner off course. But there is something fishy about the rescued crew and Maggie insists that two young women have died on that boat. Alas, no one believes her.
Soon one of the alleged fishermen is also dead and so is one of the cruise passengers. Cordelia Conti Lang, nicknamed the Bitcoin Queen, with links to London’s criminal underworld, is found in her cabin, stabbed to death.
In pursuit of the killer, Maggie hurtles from one disaster to another and Sam begins to fear for her life. Has he taken her on a cruise to hell?

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Although she writes in a wide range of genres, Anna Legat is best known for her DI Gillian Marsh detective series and The Shires, her cosy murder mysteries. Anna is also the author of the historical thriller, Buried in the Past. She lives near Bath.

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My thoughts: another cracking case for the Bishops Well duo of Maggie and Sam. At least, Maggie is keen to investigate and all Sam wants to do is declare his love for her, and it’s a winter cruise to St Petersburg, not the village this time.

I went in April and it was cold then, I can’t imagine how unpleasant it must be in December, beautiful yes, but horribly cold. Sam would rather have gone to the Caribbean, but Maggie has her heart set on this one. Unfortunately there’s a murderer on board.

Maggie herself almost becomes a victim after being taking hostage, except that her kidnapper is a drug runner, not a killer, except in self defense, but it throws the other murderer a clever defense. If it isn’t the bewildered Latvian in Maggie’s cabin, then who could it be?

The victim isn’t a very nice or popular person, widow of a gangster, Bitcoin millionaire, even her own son isn’t keen. And it seems there’s a few people on board with reasons to want her dead. Maggie struggles to make sense of it all. Was it the son? His girlfriend? The ship’s security chief? It’s all a bit confusing, and she seems to be losing time and it’s a bit foggy. 

Sam is exasperated as ever, Maggie on a ship is almost more chaos than Maggie at home, and he can’t seem to find the right moment to tell her how he feels.

Tremendously fun and very tangled, takes the amateur sleuths a while to figure it all out, and put the pieces together, all while exploring wintry Europe from sea.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Blog Tour: Heir to Murder – Tony Bassett


When a neighbour from hell comes to a sticky end, a plucky cop refuses to accept the obvious. Miles Kenworth loves to play his rock music at a deafening volume. The other residents of his apartment block are not so keen.One day, after hearing a commotion, Miles’ next-door neighbour discovers his body lying in a pool of blood. Standing next to the corpse is Jake, the man who lives upstairs. It should be an open and shut case for DS Sunita Roy. But with Jake vehemently protesting his innocence, she decides to dig deeper.Most of the residents wanted Miles shut up for good. But was it really Jake who flipped, or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Amazon UK  Amazon US 

Tony is a former Fleet Street journalist.

SEAT 97 is his fifth novel to be published by The Book Folks, an independent London publisher specialising in crime fiction. The previous four books were all part of Tony’s Midlands series which feature Detective Chief Inspector Gavin Roscoe, an experienced detective and family man, and his sergeant, law graduate and resourceful problem-solver Sunita Roy.

The most recent book in this series, Out For Revenge (Book 4), was published in October 2022. It concerns notorious gangland boss Tadeusz Filipowski – a man with numerous enemies who plans to expand his Midlands drug empire on his release from jail. Among his detractors is a corrupt detective who has in the past helped the drug baron keep one step ahead of the law. When Filipowski is found dead, it presents DS Sunita Roy from Heart of England Police with a tough case to crack. For so many had a grudge against the dead man that she is overwhelmed by suspects. She could normally count on the full support of her boss, DCI Gavin Roscoe, in her investigation into the criminal life of Filipowski. But he has been tasked with an equally crucial investigation – gathering enough evidence against the corrupt detective to bring him to justice. Eventually, it becomes clear the two inquiries are inextricably linked. But, as the two detectives pursue events, they realise someone has been plotting a brutal revenge. A revenge that threatens to put the lives of one of the detectives in great peril.

The previous novel, Murder Of A Doctor (Book 3), was released in May 2022. It was the third mystery tale in the series.
This book concerns a well-respected family doctor who sets off on a morning run and is later discovered dead in woods near his home in Warwickshire. Ambitious young detective DS Roy is determined to solve the case. But the only clues are an expensive necklace and a bus ticket, andthere are many suspects.

Murder On Oxford Lane (Book 1) and The Crossbow Stalker (Book 2) were published in the spring of 2022. Murder On Oxford Lane is about the disappearance of a property tycoon from a sleepy Warwickshire village. Middle-aged DCI Roscoe and his sergeant, DS Roy, are confronted by suspicious deaths as they struggle to uncover what has happened to the businessman.

The Crossbow Stalker concerns a man being targeted in a hate campaign who begs police for help.Then he is shot dead with a crossbow bolt and a handkerchief embroidered with the letter C found stuffed in his mouth. The detectives face an uphill battle to catch the killer.

Tony is currently working on a fifth book in the Midlands series which concerns a man from a wealthy family found dead in his flat after a row with neighbours over his loud music. Tony decided to set this string of novels in Warwickshire and Worcestershire after spending many happy years working as a newspaper reporter in Worcester.He first developed a love of writing at the age of nine when he and a friend produced a magazine called the Globe at their junior school in Sevenoaks, Kent. When he reached his teenage years,growing up in Tunbridge Wells, his local vicar staged one of his plays about Naboth’s Vineyard.

Tony was named student journalist of the year in 1971 in a competition run by Time-Life magazine and went onto become a national newspaper journalist, mainly working for the Sunday People in both its newsroom and investigations department. His very first book to be published, the crime novel Smile Of The Stowaway, was released in December 2018. It concerns a Kent couple who harbour a stowaway and then battle to clear his name when he is charged with murder.

Then, in March 2020, the spy novel The Lazarus Charter was released. It involves foreign agents operating in the UK. The book has kindly been endorsed by Marina Litvinenko, widow of themurdered Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, and by Stan and Caroline Sturgess, parents of the innocent mother-of-three poisoned with novichok in Salisbury in 2018.Tony, who has written several other novels which are as yet unpublished, has five grown-up children. He is a Life Member of the National Union of Journalists. He lives in South-East London with his partner Lin.

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My thoughts: We’ve probably all had nuisance neighbours who play their tvs, or in this case, music too loud. However I’ve never gone storming round with a cricket bat in hand to sort it out. The neighbour who does in the opening of this book, definitely regrets it when he finds the nuisance downstairs dead in his flat with an axe in his head.

But he’s not the killer, and the murder case is much more complicated than it might seem, it takes in another murder (or possibly two), blackmail, secrets and a nasty attempt to steal a fortune.

Luckily the team under the leadership of DCI Roscoe, and especially clever DS Sunita Roy, don’t go for the obvious and keep digging, though their boss might not be impressed by the cost of this investigation as it includes a trip to Spain to get some very useful answers.

A clever and knotty case with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader hooked.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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Double Cover Reveal: Murder at Raven’s Edge/Murder at Ravenswood House – Louise Marley

Murder at Raven’s Edge

(An English Village Mystery Book 1)

When Milla Graham returns to her childhood home of Raven’s Edge after eighteen long years away, she finds the perfect English village looks much the same – all rose-covered cottages, nosy neighbours, and quaint teashops full of scones and gossip.

 But her nostalgic visit takes a dark turn when the body of a local woman is discovered in an abandoned manor house on the edge of the forest. The murder scene is chillingly close to that of Milla’s own mother, whose death was never solved. As she begins to investigate the connection, Milla realises this adorable village is guarding some dark secrets.

 Handsome, grumpy local police detective Ben Taylor doesn’t believe in coincidences, and he doesn’t think mysterious newcomer Milla Graham is as blameless as she seems. Why is she really here in Raven’s Edge, and how come she keeps turning up at his crime scenes, causing trouble? Can he solve this murder case without losing himself – or his heart – to the rather distracting Ms Graham?

 When another body is found, everyone becomes a suspect – from the barmaid at the local pub to Milla Graham herself. It seems that in Raven’s Edge, not everybody is as friendly, or as innocent, as they first seem.

 This picture-perfect English village is full of rumour, romance… and murder! A gripping, funny, absolutely unputdownable murder mystery, which is perfect for fans of Faith Martin, Fiona Leitch and M.C. Beaton.

 Pre-order Links

Publication Date: 7th May 2024

 

Murder at Ravenswood House

(An English Village Mystery Book 2)

 A gruesome murder in charming Raven’s Edge sends Milla Graham sleuthing to catch a killer, win back her detective ex, and dig up a decades-old secret along the way…

 When a shocking murder rocks the picture-perfect English village of Raven’s Edge, erstwhile amateur detective Milla Graham finds herself right at the centre of the mystery. Still reeling from her recent breakup with local police officer Ben Taylor, Milla sets her sights on solving the case, hoping to win Ben back.

 But when the evidence begins to point to Milla’s old friend and former paramour Lorcan Black, she must choose between her loyalties to the past and the possibilities of the future. Meanwhile, Ben is on a different trail – he’s begun to suspect that the murderer could be someone from his own family’s dark history.

 Further complicating matters are Milla’s meddling grandmother, Ben’s no-nonsense police partner Harriet, and David the surprisingly young and sexy new vicar. With shocking twists around every cobblestone corner, the truth refuses to stay buried for long in this quaint village, whose picture-postcard façade hides decades of buried grudges, plots, and betrayal.

 Will Milla solve the mystery in time to rescue her relationship with Ben? Can Ben face the skeletons in his family’s closet before one of his own relatives meets the same bloody end?

 Brimming with drama, intrigue, romance and quirky characters, this addictive tale will have cosy mystery fans racing through the pages long into the night. Fans of M.C. Beaton, Faith Martin and Fiona Leitch will love this book!

 Pre-order Links

 Publication Date: 7th May 2024

 

Louise Marley writes murder mysteries and romantic comedies. She is lucky enough to live in a village where there is a famous library and TWO ruined castles. (Her husband still thinks they moved there by accident.)

 Her first published novel was Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, which was a finalist in Poolbeg’s ‘Write a Bestseller’ competition. She has also written articles for the Irish press and short stories for women’s magazines such as Take a Break and My Weekly. Previously, Louise worked as a civilian administrative officer for the police.

Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Bluesky Threads Blog

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Blog Tour: When the Red Bird Flies – Courtney Reames Haydell

Synopsis (from Amazon):George and Murphy are two brothers who share everything-toys, secrets, and especially the love for their sweet grandmother. But one day, she goes to Heaven, and the brothers miss her alot.Then, something amazing happens. Bright red birds start showing up wherever they go. These aren’t just any birds; they seem special. Following these birds, George and Murphy go on a big adventure. Along the way, they learn that these birds have messages from their grandmother!The story of When the Red Bird Flies is like a big, warm hug. It tells us that even when someonewe love goes away, they’re still with us in different ways. Sometimes, they might send signs to let us know they’re watching over us. All we have to do is pay attention and believe. So, join George and Murphy as they learn about love, memories, and the magical ways the world tells us that we’re never truly alone. With every chirp and flutter of the red bird’s wings,they find a little more happiness and remember all the fun times they had with their grandmother.

Excerpt
On a cold night in November, a loving grandmother had gained her heavenly wings — this left all
her family in tears but especially George. George said “How will we go on without her? I will miss her so terribly much, Mommy.”
His parents told him that he would never be alone, that his grandmother may have left but she is still here — right here.
“You can feel her, but you can’t see her. If we believe enough and ask her to send us signs to let us know she is watching over us, she will do just that — always look for the signs when you need them most.”
Shortly after his grandmother’s passing, George celebrated his seventh birthday. His parents tucked him into bed on the evening of his birthday. As his mom closed his door, she whispered:
“Close your eyes and make a wish.”
So, he did — he wished for his grandmother to send him a sign to let him know she is still with him.

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Giveaway – win one of three signed copies of When the Red Bird Flies (US Only) http://tinyurl.com/redbirdprize

Courtney Reames Haydell, born to Bonnie Carville Reames and Michael Wilks Reames, is theyoungest among six siblings. Hailing from a small town in Louisiana, she’s an author deeplyrooted in familial ties and the wonder of nature. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences and surroundings, her stories often touch upon themes of love, loss, and healing. Courtneycurrently resides in Texas, where she finds joy in the company ofher husband and two sons.Through her writing, she hopes to touch young hearts, helping them navigate through life’sprofound moments.


Hi, I am Courtney Reames Haydell, author of When the Red Bird Flies. I wrote my book through personalexperience. I lost my beautiful parents, my two boys’ grandparents, within four years. This took a hugehit on myself as a new mother and on my two sons as we are learning to navigate life without them.When the Red Bird Fliestakes place anywhere there is the grieving heart of a child missing someone theylove. I take great joy in being able to help other parents help their children cope with great loss.This is my first book. It has had many vulnerable moments, to say the least. It’s like putting your personal diary out into the world for everyone to read and judge. It can also be very liberating as well.The smiles and hugs from friends and strangers make me happy and so fulfilled when they tell you howmuch yourstory has helped them, their children, and their grandchildren, and they cannot recommendyour book enough to all they know.A little behind the scenes ofWhen the Red Bird Flies: My son, Maxwell (11 years old) wrote thejournaling questions in the back of the book. He wanted other kids to be able to write their feelings, and by doing so, it would help them stay close to the person or people they are missing. This was a proudmoment for me as a mother and for Maxwell. Getting to see how much his questions are helping other kids has brought him tremendous joy.This book really is a big warm hug. I am just so proud of it.When the Red Bird Flies has brought my family many smiles and loads of comfort.

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Blog Tour: Awoke – K.T. Conte

We’re celebrating the release of Awoke this week with a book tour! Read on for more details!

Awoke (The Unseen War Book 1)

Publication Date: February 1, 2024

Genre: NA Paranormal Fantasy

Grim Reaper Forbidden Romance
Black Bad-A%$ FMC
Black, Scottish MMC
Dystopian World Building
Malcontent Spirits
Anime Vibes

When the Veil between the Living and the Dead Shifts…

Turning eighteen is more than just a rite of passage for Katya Stevens; it’s a chilling awakening. Suddenly thrust into a world she’d believed was a mere figment of childhood nightmares, she finds herself where the dead refuse to rest, and the balance of life teeters perilously.

Her once-hidden ability to see the departed reveals not only the world’s deadly mysteries but also the depths of her soul. Gregor, an enigmatic Grim Reaper, isn’t just a harbinger of death but a symbol of the battling forces at play—especially The Want, spirits distorted by their defiance against the natural transition to the beyond.

But Katya’s destiny is larger than she ever imagined. A beacon in legends, she stands between hope and havoc. As she delves deeper into the ethereal realm of Ager, she confronts not just the malevolent Wanters but the shadows of her own heart and the complexities of early adulthood.

If the spiritual battles of ‘Bleach’ and the transformative journeys of ‘Sailor Moon’ captivated you, and if you’ve been enthralled by novels like ‘City of Bones’, ‘Daughter of Smoke and Bone’, and the dark supernatural realms of ‘Angelfall’, then ‘Awoke’ is your next adventure. Explore a universe where Grim Reapers serve as the staunch defenders against malevolent spirits, and where a profound forbidden romance unfolds between a mortal with unparalleled power and a Reaper. ‘Awoke’ weaves a tale inspired by the depth and drama of beloved fantasy tales and the intricate story lines of notable anime series, promising a world where every decision echoes with universe-altering consequences.

Get it on Amazon!

About the Author

K.T. Conte, a devotee of the written word and all things wild and fascinating, first discovered her passion for books at the tender age of two. Even then, as an avid reader, her journey to becoming an author was already on the horizon. An African-American author with a flair for breathing life into stories, K.T. holds a B.A. in English from Boston College and a law degree from Suffolk University Law School.

While she is a licensed and practicing attorney, K.T.’s first love has always remained books. The enchanting dance of words across a page and the powerful narratives they weave continues to captivate and inspire her every day. Over the years, she has shared her Massachusetts home with a delightful blend of characters – the enchanting specters in the closet, her loving husband Everett, a couple of mischievous building fairies, and her beloved daughter, Ella.

K.T. Conte

 My thoughts: even before her powers kick in and the world goes a bit weird, Katya is a pretty kickass person, she stands up for her friends and tries to be on the side of right.

Once she starts seeing the recently departed, yes it all gets a bit strange, but she’s still herself and discovers she can use those new powers to change things. She must wrestle not only with good and evil but also with her own life and the tumult of being a young person today.

Really interesting, fun, anime inspired fantasy that makes you think but also keeps you entertained.

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#rrbooktours #rrbtawoke #awoke #theunseenwar #newadultfantasybooks #blackfmc #diversebooks #paranormalfantasy #romantasy #blackbooks #paranormalfantasy #paranormalbooks #fantasyromance

 

 

Book Tour Organized By: @rrbooktours

 

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Blog Tour: Last Seen in Havana – Teresa Dovalpace


A Cuban American woman searches for her long-lost mother and fights to restore a beautiful but crumbling Art Deco home in the heart of Havana in this moving, immersive new mystery, perfect for fans of Of Women and Salt.

In 2019, newly widowed baker Mercedes Spivey flies from Miami to her native Cuba to care for her ailing paternal grandmother. Mercedes’s life has been shaped by loss, beginning with the mysterious unsolved disappearance of her mother when Mercedes was a little girl. Returning to Cuba revives Mercedes’s hopes of finding her mother as she attempts to piece together the few scraps of information she has. Could her mother still be alive?

33 years earlier, an American college student with endless political optimism falls deliriously in love with a handsome Cuban soldier while on a spontaneous visit to the island. She decides to stay permanently but soon discovers that nothing is as it seems in Havana.
The two women’s stories proceed in parallel as Mercedes gets closer to discovering the truth about her mother, uncovering shocking family secrets in the process . . .

Amazon US Amazon UK


Writer, translator and college professor, Teresa Dovalpage is a Cuban transplant firmly rooted in New Mexico. She is the author of twelve novels, among them the Havana Mystery series, three short story
collections and four theater plays. She lives with her husband, one dog and too many barn cats.

Blog in English Blog in Spanish

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My thoughts: This was a really interesting and moving story about family secrets and finding the truth of who you are and where you come from.

Mercedes travels back to Cuba, where she grew up, to see her grandmother, who raised her after her mother disappeared and her father died. There has always been questions about what happened to her parents but her grandmother never answered them before.

This time she is determined to get her answers, the family home is falling apart and her grandmother isn’t doing well. She’s invited her friend along for the trip and she’s going to track down her extended family to see what they know too.

As the story unravels, we learn not only what Mercedes finds, but also the story of American Sarah Lee, who falls in love with Cuba and Joaquin, but starts to see through the socialist paradise she’s supposedly living in. Mercedes learns some hard, sad truths, and struggles with them. Ultimately her quest for the answers she’s needed her whole life is redemptive and bittersweet. A moving, intelligently written story.

*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.

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