Debra L. Martin's Blog, page 16

#Review: BEGUILING THE DUKE by Darcy Burke

 

3 of 5 stars
This was a quick regency read that I was able to finish in one sitting. I liked that Sadie was a strong young woman, although her family constantly took advantage of her with their demands for her help. When a duke lands on her doorstep because of a carriage accident, Sadie feels it just means more chores for her. I found it a little odd that the author chose to describe Law as 'tall and white.' That shouldn't have made difference to the story. I really didn't feel the chemistry between the duke and Sadie, and the fact that her father and brothers kept pushing her toward the duke was so annoying. No one in her family ever bothered to ask what Sadie needed or wanted, especially her father, who was the worst one for taking advantage of Sadie by refusing to hire more staff. 

There are a couple of graphic sexual scenes so readers beware of that, especially if you'd prefer no sex scenes. While I enjoy Ms. Burke's books, this one fell a little flat for me, but I'll still read more in the series.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

#Excerpt: LOVE YOU NOW by Julia Kent

Love You Now
Julia Kent
(Love You, Maine, #4)
Publication date: February 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Ana DaSilva is looking for a palate cleanser. A one night stand. A reboot.

Instead, she got fireworks, sparks, chemistry, and the perfect guy. No one wants to meet Mr. Right when he should just be Mr. Rebound, but Mr. Right is so, so right.

But then he went from Mr. Right to Mr. Never, because when she learns she’s pregnant three days after that wonderful night with Dennis, she realizes her sleazy drug dealing ex not only left her with the legal mess she knew about, he gave her a life-long present.

One that means ignoring Dennis’ texts and phone calls, no matter how much she wants to answer.

Dennis Luview wants to escape his pain. Coming back to his hometown of Luview, Maine – the cheesy tourist trap where every day was Valentine’s Day – means facing a past he left behind twenty-four years ago.

Yes, his family is loving, and sure, he has roots that go bone-deep in the small town community where people step up for each other.

But the naive eighteen-year-old who left to serve his country is now a retired Special Ops vet with a heavy entourage of ghosts and PTSD. No woman deserves all the baggage he’s lugging around.

Including Ana, who clearly wants nothing to do with him, no matter how intense their one haunting encounter really was.
It’s one thing to have ghosts, and quite another to be ghosted.

Which is why six months after that hot night, he’s stunned to find her in his hometown, at a bridal shower, her ripe, pregnant belly swelling under a gorgeous yellow sundress.

A public confrontation turns into a very private reunion, and as Dennis pursues Ana she opens up, but is he crazy to want her — and what turns out to be another man’s baby — to settle down and find stability and love?

Or is he deluding himself that he’s remotely worth the happiness an instant family could offer, after his terrible past?

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EXCERPT:

“If I thought you’d say yes, Ana, I’d ask you to come back to my hotel room and finish what we’re starting here.”

“What makes you think I’d say no?”

The way he laughed, a gentle huff through his nose, made a piece of her heart melt a little more.

“Most women would say yes or no to that. Instead, you open the question wide and give it nuance.”

“What’s wrong with nuance?”

“Never said there was anything wrong with it.”

“From what I’ve seen, you are a crystal-clear man, Dennis. Why don’t you try the direct approach?”

Inching closer, his inhale like the rush of a conch against her ear, Dennis smiled, his grin broadening, genuine happiness filling his features in a way that made her feel pride.

Pride that she could elicit that from him.

“Come to bed with me, Ana. I love the feel of you in my arms on the dance floor. Your kiss tastes so good, I want to taste all of you. My room or yours?”

Pure energy shot through her, most of it between her legs, coalescing into a throb. Fire lit up her skin, his caress as he cupped her jaw and kissed her again so anchoring.

And so damn hot.

Few moments in life call for complete abandon, but for Ana DaSilva, this was one of them.

Without question.

Without hesitation.

And without regrets.

Author Bio:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future. 

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).

She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by email at julia@jkentauthor.com, on Twitter @jkentauthor, on Facebook at @jkentauthor, and on Instagram @jkentauthor. Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

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#Excerpt: THE MENAGERIE by Judy Willmore

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

FranÇoise-AthÉnaÏs de Rochechouart de Mortemart had to have Louis, King of France, but his other mistresses stood in the way. Then she meets the very helpful sorceress and AthÉnaÏs gets her wish. But soon Louis hears tales of witchcraft and poison, a conspiracy spreading through his court—like the beasts in the Versailles menagerie, courtesans are clawing their way to his favor, and his bed. He orders Lieutenant General of Police Gabriel-Nicolas de la Reynie to investigate. Mysterious deaths mount while La Reynie presses on, hauling in witches, charlatans, and the nobility alike. Grimy fingers point to AthÉnaÏs, the King's mistress, with whispers of a black mass celebrated over her naked body. Then La Reynie discovers a plot to kill her.

Excerpt:

For Gabriel-Nicolas de La Reynie, the Poisons Affair began in such an ordinary way, routine. Or it should have been routine. La Reynie had been Lieutenant-General of Police exactly one day and here was a body. His first.

And he really had no clue what to do.

“Zut alors!”

La Reynie had been a judge with quiet chambers and a library filled with the classics, Greek and Roman philosophers always there to calm his mind and steady his hand. But then he was appointed to the newly created post by His Majesty, charged with transforming Paris from a wretched, stinking, dangerous place into a modern city. He had been studying, planning for weeks: clean the garbage out of the streets, catch the criminals, install lanterns to chase away the shadows and make the night safe. La Reynie’s predecessor, the Criminal Lieutenant, had been killed by robbers; then the Civil Lieutenant also died, quite possibly by poison. Now La Reynie had to replace both.

He was meeting with Sergeant Dupont to discuss the street lanterns when they were urgently summoned. “Poison!” cried the citizens, who led them to a scene of tangled bedclothes, stench of vomit and bloody diarrhea, the corpse’s face grimacing in agony. The black robed doctor was putting away his implements preparing to leave.

La Reynie glanced at the door—the weeping family had been exiled from the room—and asked, “Doctor, we were summoned here with a claim this death is suspicious. Do you believe that to be the case?”

The doctor gazed at the body, his wrinkled face a puzzle. “The symptoms are consistent with arsenic poisoning, but—”

“But?”

He sighed. “If it was arsenic, the poisoner was very careless.”

“Monsieur?”

“It could be arsenicum, rat poison. If arsenic is consumed on an empty stomach, symptoms are immediate and death soon. If taken with food, the signs are less immediately apparent and death delayed, but inevitable. I have heard that to avoid suspicion, arsenic should be administered over several weeks. The victim grows ill, and weak, and finally succumbs. The symptoms are not as obvious and the cause difficult to detect.”

La Reynie turned to Dupont. Surely, he would know how to handle this. “Sergeant? Your opinion?”

Dupont, portly and stolid, shrugged. “The relatives claim the widow was unfaithful, and besides, she detested her husband.”

“And that is all? No other proof?”

“This is the third suspicious death this month. Same symptoms.” He looked at La Reynie with an inquiring eyebrow as if to say, don’t you know what to do?

La Reynie turned to the doctor. “Is it at all possible to prove it was poison?”

The doctor sighed and looked at La Reynie with a condescending smile. “No, monsieur, not conclusively.” He shut his little bag and walked out.

La Reynie looked back down at the body. Merde. Should he warn the King?

About the Author: Judy Willmore is a former journalist, then private investigator, and now a psychotherapist who practices in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her historical mystery The Menagerie was published in 2021 by Artemesia Press, and she is now working on a sequel.

The book is on sale for only $0.99.

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#Review: THE WOLF AND THE WILDFLOWER by Stacy Reid

 

 5 of 5 stars

James Winters, the Duke of Wulverton returns to London and his family after being lost for 10 years in the Yukon wilderness. What he had to do to survive was completely close off all emotions of hope and love, and his family does not understand his refusal to be touched or his nighttime wanderings in the woods. James is lost in this entirely new environment until he meets Jules Southby, a young gentleman who accompanied his father, a distinguished doctor of the mind. The minute he meets Jules, he sees right through her elaborate disguise, and he slowly begins to trust Jules. For her part, Jules is overwhelmed with the powerful emotions the duke elicits from her. How can she keep her heart safe when faced with such masculine beauty and intelligence while keeping her feelings under wraps and her true identity a secret?

This was such a unique storyline, and it pulled me right in from the beginning. The raw emotion Ms. Reid is able to convey to the reader about James's feelings, or lack thereof, is stunning. The senses play a big part in this story, and it was those senses that allowed James to survive in the icy wilderness. The torment that Jules feels about her growing feelings for James and trying to keep her dark secret from the world is nothing short of spectacular. Through a few twists and turns, James and Jules finally get their HEA. I adore Ms. Reid's books, and I'm looking forward to reading more from this masterful storyteller.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.

#Review: THE DUKE'S THE SECRET CINDERELLA by Eva Devon

 

4 of 5 stars

Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has always done everything the proper way. He's an honorable man and takes his responsibilities very seriously. When he literally runs into Charlotte in a seedy part of town, he's pleasantly surprised that she has no qualms about telling him exactly what she thinks about his "help." He's intrigued with the young woman and goes with her to help release a friend from prison. Rafe doesn't want the encounter to end and asks her name. Charlotte doesn't know what made her lie about her identity to the handsome duke except for the fact she panicked and never thought she'd see him again.  When Rafe appears at her door, she's in for the shock of her life. Now, what should she do?

This story was loosely based on the fairytale, with the stepfather/guardian being the villain in the story instead of a wicked stepmother. While I understood Charlotte's reasoning for lying about her identity, the fact that she kept up the pretense for so long instead of confessing the truth was a little irritating. Rafe was a duke and could certainly protect her from her stepfather, but she never trusted him enough. There are a couple of good twists and turns in the book before the couple has the HEA. One criticism is the fact throughout the book, Charlotte's love for the servants in the household is demonstrated over and over again, but in the epilogue, there isn't even a mention of them. That was definitely a misstep, in my opinion. However, I look forward to reading Francesca's story next.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy, and all opinions are my own.

#SALE .99 Regency Romance: THE DUKE AND THE BLUESTOCKING by Debra Elizabeth

 

Can the duke convince the one young lady who doesn't want to marry that he's perfect for her?

Miss Emma Bainbridge is in danger of being labeled a bluestocking much to her mother's horror. With her love of reading and outspoken opinions, her views on marriage are not hard to predict. The last thing she wants is to give up what little independence she enjoys to the whims and demands of a husband. She'd rather be a spinster.

William Davies, the Duke of Richmond, met Miss Bainbridge when he escorted her and her sisters to the British Museum. He was intrigued with her intelligence and zest for learning. She's a stunning beauty and would make a perfect duchess. But there's a big problem, Miss Bainbridge does not want to marry anyone, not even a duke. Somehow he must convince her that she's the perfect woman for him. Will she finally relent and let him ignite the passion lingering just below the surface?

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Duke-Bluestocking-Age-Innocence-Book-ebook/dp/B0B3Z2K7MR

Excerpt:

“Thank you for escorting us to the museum, Your Grace,” Emma said as Richmond handed her down from the carriage.

“It was my pleasure. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know my sister did,” he said, holding her hand a moment longer than necessary before handing Ava down.

Just then, Akers opened the door to the townhouse, and Emma was grateful for the butler’s promptness.

“Good day, Your Grace,” Emma said with a quick curtsey, then ran up the stairs and into the foyer without a backward glance. Tea was over, but her mother would still be in the parlor, and Emma hoped to slip past without being noticed and grilled on the outing. She’d started up the stairs when she heard her mother call to her from the parlor.

“Emma, is that you?”

“I’ll see you later, miss,” Ava said as she continued up the stairs.

Emma rolled her eyes but knew she had no choice but to answer her mother, so she handed her bonnet and gloves off to Akers before walking into the parlor. “Mama, do you wish for something?”

“Not at all. I merely wanted to hear about your outing with the duke.”

“It wasn’t an outing with the duke. He merely escorted Lady Charlotte and me," Emma said.

“My darling girl, I do believe the duke is showing an interest in you.”

Emma sighed. “Mama, trust me, he’s not. I went to the museum with my friend, and since her aunt wasn’t in London yet, the duke stepped in to chaperone us. That’s all there was to the outing. Nothing more.”

“Did he ask to see you again?”

“No, Mama. If that’s all, I’d like to go to my bedchamber now and rest before dinner.”

Lavinia nodded, and Emma wasted no time exiting the parlor and running up the stairs. Her heart was pounding by the time she reached the solitude of her bedchamber. Why did her mother have to push the idea that the Duke of Richmond was interested in her? She’d been wrong when she pushed Violet toward him, and now she was trying the same matchmaking scheme on her. Mama would be severely disappointed when she realized the duke had no interest in her whatsoever. 

Why would he want a bluestocking like her when he could have any woman in Society as his future duchess? He was wealthy, handsome, and a duke—the perfect combination for a nobleman. Many young women aspired to become a duchess, and Richmond would have no lack of candidates for the position.

Emma had been hoping for a lovely leisurely summer and fall without her mother pushing suitors her way, but that peace seemed in jeopardy now. Violet had successfully married a viscount; why couldn’t her mother be satisfied with that for a few months? 

Emma already had enough of her mother’s matchmaking schemes, and Lavinia hadn’t even started in earnest yet. 

She hoped Edgerton would take the family back to the country soon. She was tired of London and couldn't wait to breathe the fresh country air again. Perhaps then, her mother would stop pushing suitors at her for a few blessed months so she could enjoy the leisure of the country. She planned to ask Edgerton about the summer plans after dinner.

#Excerpt: THREE TO GET READY by Skye Warren

Three to Get Ready
Skye Warren
(One for the Money, #3)
Publication date: February 16th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

There’s a ticking time bomb in Finn Hughes’s head.

That means he has to prepare everyone. Eva. The baby. The company, which is in an uproar after the announcement. He needs to get them ready. Because when the curse hits, it will be too late to say goodbye.

Welcome to the Midnight Dynasty… The warring Morelli and Constantine families have enough bad blood to fill an ocean, and their brand new stories will be told by your favorite dangerous romance authors.

WARNING: This book is intended for readers eighteen years old and over. It contains material that some readers could find disturbing. Enter at your own risk…

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Author Bio:

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

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#Excerpt: DEADLY BETRAYAL by Sheila Kill

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sheila Kell will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When trusting the wrong person can be deadly.

From Romantic Suspense BEST-SELLING and AWARD-WINNING Author • What happens when a former FBI analyst quits her job to become a PI and ends up partnering with the man who left her fourteen years earlier? In Sheila Kell’s riveting novel of secrets, deceit, and romance, two people rush to find a killer while reckoning with their growing attraction.

Cassie McKay was tired of being passed over as a FBI field agent. She quits her job as a FBI analyst, moved back home with her mother, and takes a job as a PI. Only she hadn’t expected her partner to be the one man who’d left her years before.

Jack “JD” Walker had done a lot wrong in his life, but he hadn’t killed the mother of his child as the police believed, nor had he expected the only women he’d ever loved to come to his rescue. The two work diligently to prove JD’s innocence while someone is determined to make JD pay.

Deadly Betrayal is the first book in the Coastal Investigations series. If you enjoy a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read, you’ll love this installment of Sheila Kell’s new romantic suspense series.

Excerpt:

“Well, it’s late. I’m going to get some sleep,” Cassie said.

Sleep? What? He planned to seduce her, and here she was kicking him out before he even had the chance. So, he did the only thing he could. He stood and strode toward his room. “Goodnight, my sweet Cassie.” He left the double doors separating their rooms open.

He listened to her shower, wishing he could jump in there with her and soap her body down. Thoughts whizzed through JD’s head as he clenched his eyes shut: 60.2 average passes per game, 328.2 average passing yards, second in the season, twelve weeks in. 52.9 average—he looked down. His erection still hadn’t subsided.

When she climbed into bed, he couldn’t take it anymore. He walked to the door separating their rooms and asked, “Are you coming to my bed, or am I coming to yours?”

About the Author: Sheila Kell writes about the romantic men who leave women’s hearts pounding with a happily ever after built on memorable, adrenaline-pumping stories. Or, (since her editor tries to cut down on her long-windedness) simply “Smokin’ Hot Romance & Intrigue.” Her debut novel, His Desire (HIS Series #1), launched as an Amazon #1 romantic suspense bestseller and Top 100 overall, later winning the Readers’ Favorite award for best romantic suspense novel.

As a Southern girl who traveled the world with the United States Air Force, she remembers all the embarrassing moments of her fellow veterans to include in her books and laughs every time she does it. Having left behind her days as a College President, she can usually be found nestled in the Mississippi woods, where she lives with her cats and all the strays that magically find her front door. When she isn’t writing, you can find Sheila with her nose in a good book, dealing with the woodland critters who enjoy her back patio, or wishing she had a genie to do her bidding.


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#Excerpt: LIPSTICK DIARIES by Tiye

Lipstick Diaries: Chemical Reaction
Tiye
Publication date: February 17th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

LIPSTICK DIARIES…WHERE KISS AND TELL ARE REQUIRED.
FOUR SINGLE VIBRANT WOMEN. ONE PACT. FOUR SENSUAL LOVE STORIES.

Chemical Reaction: Second Chance Romance

Five years ago, Simone Austin walked away from Chris Alexander, the possible love of her life. Their mad chemistry still haunts her, and no other man has been able to live up to the man she left behind. Tired of being single, Simone, two of her cousins, and her best friend make a pact. They vow to be sexually fierce, completely open, and purposeful in getting what they each want from men.

Even second chances.
After a thirst-trapping pic of Simone is posted on IG, she receives plenty of male attention, including a private message from Chris. Simone can feel the heat through his words and decides to reconnect. Soon old insecurities seep in, and Simone questions if she’s too afraid to get burned again to take another risk on Chris.

**This is a follow-up to Chemistry and the beginning of Lipstick Diaries**

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EXCERPT:

“What do you want?”

“I don’t know,” I answered quickly.

Chris sighed. “You know what you want. Still the same frustrating Simone. Too afraid to live. To enjoy the here and now. It’s a Friday afternoon, and I’m here for the weekend. Can we be real for once?”

Incensed at his bite, I hit back. “Really? From what I remember, I was always real. You were the one pretending.” I pushed my chair back. “If I’m so frustrating, you can take your tired ass back to New York. Sorry for wasting your time.”

He quickly put his hands up. “Simone, calm down. Please. Sorry. Guess I’ve been wishing so long to talk to you, I’m about to blow it because I am demanding and determined when I want something.” Chris admitted sheepishly, “Might even be a little aggressive when it comes to wanting you.”

I ducked my head slightly to hide my blush at his honest admission about still wanting me. “Let’s not forget impatient.”

“Oh no, that’s you.” He pointed with his fantastic smile, softening his retort. “I would’ve waited forever to be with you.”

Not quite able to meet his eyes, I replied quietly, “Sometimes I wonder if we confused lust for love. Everything escalated so fast for us.”

“Never for me. I wanted you since that first day of class. I’ve been with women, been in love a time or two, even had a wife, but you affect me like no one ever has.” He placed his hands under the table but not before I caught the trembling.

“Affect? Not affected? Not past tense?” I shook my head and moved my cup to the side. “After all these years, you can’t possibly still feel the same?”

He searched my face earnestly. “Why is that hard for you to believe? You wouldn’t have asked to see me if you didn’t feel something for me. Like you said, it’s been years.”

“Do you have a girlfriend?”

Chris grinned. “I plan to after this weekend.”

I wagged my finger. “You’re not going to get me caught up anymore.”

“Then why am I here?”

Thinking of the Lipstick Diaries and what they would tell me to do, I inhaled deeply and glanced around the half-empty coffee shop. I knew exactly what I wanted when I noticed he liked my pic.

“Why am I here, Simone?” His brow furrowed deeply. “Did you ask me here to tell me you’re getting married or some crazy shit? If that’s the reason, you didn’t have to bother. Figured that would happen for you sooner or later since that’s all that seems to fucking matter to you.”

“Who’s the one still mad, now?” I leaned closer, his anger making me even hotter for him. “I want you one last time. This weekend. You and me. Nothing but sex.”

Author Bio:

I recalled reading romance ever since I was a young child and would sneak and read the Western love stories my grandmother kept on her bedside table. Although I didn’t understand half of the words I read at the time, something about those books captured my attention. As I grew older, my love of romance expanded to other genres, and I became a fan of anything remotely related to reading and books, such as libraries, bookstores, and the coffee shop around the corner. I love to travel and have lived in several cities, including New Orleans, Washington D.C., and Houston, and continue to find inspiration for my stories from every place I’ve had the fortune to visit or inhabit.

I want my readers to escape their realities and embark on a journey of self-exploration and love when they delve into my books. I’ve loved reading fiction, thrillers, and romance for years. Although my original (and still) writing interest was YA and self-help books, I received a surprise text one Valentine's Day, and wrote the very first chapter of a romance novel that day. And I became forever inspired to write spicy love stories - with a twist.

Please take a ride with me, Tiye Love, and hold on to your hearts! I invite you to check out my website and join my newsletter at
www.tiyelovebooks.com.

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#NEW Fantasy: BLOODY CHORUS by John Marco

 

Amazon link:  https://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Chorus-John-Marco-ebook/dp/B0BRTHJ768

Blurb:

A murdered ruler. Magic on the march. Can a band of avenging misfits save their homeland from a ruinous war?

Upon his father’s mysterious assassination, young Haru reluctantly becomes ruler—Tain—of his once-fearsome island nation. Threatened by a world they once dominated, Haru’s people, the Cryori, struggle with the peace the old Tain championed, nostalgic for the violent glories of their past. But across the ocean, an alliance of old enemies has formed, led by a madman bent on righting old wrongs. Enigmatic and fanatical, Reius decries the Cryori and their living gods, determined to erase their influence and beliefs.

Now Haru must get justice for his murdered father and defend his people from the coming scourge over the sea. Promising his ancient, grieving goddess to kill Reius, he reunites his father’s failed circle of protectors—a band of magical misfits known as the Bloody Chorus.

"No one can write epic fantasy as masterfully as John Marco...He will be remembered as one of the best fantasy authors of the era."

Author bio:

Hello. I'm John Marco and I'm a fantasy writer. I've written eight books so far, including the Tyrants and Kings trilogy and the books of the Bronze Knight, Lukien. 

Some of you may know that I've been absent from publishing for a long time. Thankfully, we now live in the age of the creator, a time in which artists of every kind can produce their own work and share it with the world. So it makes me very happy to tell you that my next book, THE BLOODY CHORUS, will be out in February 2023! It's an epic tale and is available for pre-order here on Amazon right now. Head over to my website, johnmarco.com, to read an excerpt. Hope to see you there!