Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 44
February 16, 2025
Review: JEWELRY CAN BE DEADLY by Cindy Bell
Someone had just killed the newneighbor in the retirement community. All that was there was a half-eatenmuffin and a missing necklace. It took an ex-criminal to figure out the valueof that necklace and the real possibility that it was stolen. I liked that Jotook the reins on this case. She’s such a feisty and limber fighter. Seriously,you don’t want to mess with her. Can a band of thieves lure an old thief backto the life? It seemed that the team suspected any one of the master thieves.But thieves weren’t murderers…right?
It takes a thief to catch a thief(or, in this case, a murderer.)
Not only do you need to figure outwho the killer was, but you also need to find out who stole the necklace. So,there were two mysteries to solve here.
A good read!
Rating:5 stars
Review: BLUSH, A BRIDE, AND A BODY by Cindy Bell
Bekki was finally getting marriedto the love of her life. It’s been hectic planning a wedding, packing up herhouse, and running the beauty salon. The one thing she didn’t have time for wasfinding a dead jeweler and being accused of his murder. As Bekki was goingthrough the last-minute wedding preparations, she was trying to solve a murderand clear her name. I love seeing Bekki kick some tail, too!
A good mystery!
Rating:5 stars
Review: DODGY DEALINGS by Cindy Bell
A married couple checked into theB&B, but they don’t check out. Instead, the ladies find the husband dead onthe road with the wife missing. What happened? Turns out the husband wasactually murdered. Was the wife another victim or the murderer? An interestingcase, for sure! Perhaps this had to do with the dodgy dealings in the husband’sbusiness?
A good mystery, for sure!
Rating:4 stars
February 14, 2025
Spotlight: ALL MONEY AIN'T GOOD MONEY by Tracey Lampley
Genre: Mystery
Summary: The Private Investigator
As a novice private investigator, Jinx Curry could f*ck up a wet dream. But as an experienced PI, she hates her job. The single mom spends her days spying on cheating wives and husbands, but she aches for more importance.When her boss, Capricorn Hayes, finally assigns Jinx a missing persons case involving a congressman's missing granddaughter, Jinx jumps at the chance. Not only to solve it, but to earn the fifty-thousand-dollar bonus that would pay her bills, and get a menacing creditor off her back.
But the investigation proves more dangerous and costly than Jinx believes. After an unknown individual in a black Corvette nearly runs Jinx down and begins stalking her, Jinx has to sacrifice her relationship with her daughter by sending Arielle to live with her father. Can Jinx find the congressman's daughter while surviving her stalker? Or will this job be her last?
The Players
Deebo: He’s the scintillating rapper who may be secretly married to the missing teen. A marriage revelation infringes on the rapper's rising-star status. Did Deebo off his wife to preserve record sales?
Bam: He’s Jinx’s childhood friend who loaned the sleuth a boatload of money. With Jinx unable to repay the loan, has Bam decided to make an example out of Jinx for lack of repayment?
Elena: She’s the missing person. Perhaps Elena doesn’t want to be found. Will she kill Jinx to prevent the sleuth from exposing her location?
Young Calloway: He's the Georgetown Law School dropout and only grandson of Congressman Calloway. After Jinx discovers the rivalry between Elena and Young Calloway, Jinx also uncovers Young Calloway's dark past. Has Young Calloway decided to eliminate Jinx to cover up his crimes?
Congressman Calloway: Up for re-election, the congressman cannot afford a family scandal. Did he hire Jinx to find Elena to coverup the young teen's possible murder? If so, has he decided to eliminate Jinx to clean up the family mess?
~~~
Author Bio: With three classes remaining, Tracey Lampley is currently completing her MA in Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University. She holds an MS in Publishing from Pace University, and she holds a BA in English/Technical & Scientific Communication from Miami University of Ohio, which is located a few miles from where she grew up in Hamilton, Ohio.
She enjoys watching basketball on all levels. She also watching college football and the NFL. She resides in northern Georgia with her pooch, Neo.
She is the author of the upcoming August 2, 2024 release All Money Ain’t Good Money, the first novel in the Jinx Curry Mystery Series. She also authored the romantic thrillers Kept and Kept: Book 2
Purchase Links:
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/All-Money-Aint-Good-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0CW1DW3SX/
Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/all-money-aint-good-money-tracey-lampley/1145537634
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.traceylampley.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tracey.lampley.12
Twitter: https://x.com/Bookmistress1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tralam4156/
February 13, 2025
Blog Tour: A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE by Leslie Wolfe
Her husbandkilled someone.
She’s the only witness.
A BeautifulCouple
by Leslie Wolfe
Genre:Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Her husband killed someone. She’s the only witness.
Amanda Davis has it all: a beautiful home, a thriving career, and a charismatichusband who is the darling of television news. But when Paul kills someone in adisturbing accident, Amanda’s perfect world shatters. Pulled into a webof manipulation, deceit, and dark secrets, she becomes hisunwilling accomplice, trapped in a twisted, dangerous existence thattests the limits of love and loyalty.
As the weight of the secret bears down, Amanda begins to see a side of Paulshe’s never known—cold, manipulative, and dangerously unpredictable. Hischarm fades, replaced by a chilling determination to keep their secret at anycost. The walls are closing in: the police are investigating,strange events unsettle her, and Paul’s behavior grows more menacing by theday.
Trapped and isolated, Amanda realizes she’s not just covering up anaccident—she’s become a prisoner in her own life. With her sanity andsafety on the line, she must decide: How far will she go to escape the web oflies? And who can she trust when the one person she thought she knew bestbecomes a threat?
In this gripping, twisty psychological thriller, Amazon Charts andKindle #1 best-selling author Leslie Wolfe masterfully crafts a tale ofchilling deception, dangerous secrets, and the terrifying lengths we go to inorder to keep up appearances. Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, LisaJewell, and Jeneva Rose, A Beautiful Couple willleave you breathless and questioning everything you thought you knew aboutlove, loyalty, and trust.
Whatreaders are saying:
“This is a stay up allnight or get nothing done all day kind of book. Leslie Wolfe hassuch an amazing talent that will keep you in suspense until the veryend. I've read all her books and each one has been phenomenal. Don'thesitate to read. It is truly one of the great ones.” Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Leslie Wolfe isbrilliant in her character development and detailed storytelling. ABeautiful Couple is one of her best. I love her for strong,compassionate female leads and you will not see Amanda coming. Do yourselfa favor and savor this book and then binge-read her other books!” AmazonReviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Any book by LeslieWolfe is an unstoppable, unable to put down book. She always has a surpriseand I don't generally guess it!!!” Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I got to hand it toauthor Leslie Wolfe. She has a knack for painting characters thatmake you see them in your mind. Some you love. Some you hate. But they aresomehow familiar as if acquaintances over many years.As is Paul and Amanda Davis. Enjoy” Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Great book and youwon't want to stop reading. Amanda will surprise you in the end.” AmazonReviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I always look forwardto this authors books. They have good flowing plots, great characters. Theycatch me from the first pages, as they build to the final pages. Irecommend this books as well as all of hers. Well written and I enjoyed.”Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Another good read by LeslieWolfe. A very surprising ending. But so very satisfying. I am lookingforward to the next book.” Amazon Reviewer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Review: “Is there a crack in the beautifulcouple’s façade?” Yes, there most certainly was. But Paul and Amanda were notto let anyone else see it. It was the night they hit and killed the pedestrianthat ruined everything. Now, the beautiful couple must contend with the guiltand anxiety.
Amanda totally screwed herself bynot going to the cops right away. Would she get blamed for her husband’smistake now?
I thought this sounded like aninteresting premise. The storyline does take a while to get through with thevarious character perspectives. I kind wished this would’ve moved a lot faster.It just seemed like these characters were bogged down by their own personaldramas and it wasn’t even entertaining drama. I don’t know why the couple wasfreaking out so much. It was an accident after all and they certainly didn’tmean to kill her. And why were we getting a story from a cop?
This was a fairly nice read, butit could’ve been better.
Rating:3 stars
Leslie Wolfe is abestselling author whose novels break the mold of traditional thrillers. Shecreates unforgettable, brilliant, strong women heroes who deliver fast-paced,satisfying suspense, backed up by extensive background research in technologyand psychology.
Leslie releasedthe first novel, Executive, in October 2011. Since then, shehas written many more, continuing to break down barriers of traditionalthrillers. Her style of fast-paced suspense, backed up by extensive backgroundresearch in technology and psychology, has made Leslie one of the most readauthors in the genre.
Reminiscent ofthe television drama Criminal Minds, her series of books featuring the fierceand relentless FBI Agent Tess Winnett wouldbe of great interest to readers of James Patterson, Melinda Leigh, and DavidBaldacci crime thrillers. Fans of Kendra Elliot and Robert Dugoni suspensefulmysteries would love the Las Vegas Crime series, featuring the tension-filledrelationship between Baxter and Holt.Finally, her Alex Hoffmann series of political and espionageaction adventure will enthrall readers of Tom Clancy, Brad Thor, and Lee Child.
Leslie enjoysengaging with readers every day and would love to hear from you. Become aninsider: gain early access to previews of Leslie’s new novels.
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$20 Amazon
February 12, 2025
Blog Tour: PICTURE A GARDEN by Linda Hornberg
Book Details:
Book Title: Picture A Garden by Linda Hornberg
Category: Middle-Grade Non-Fiction (Ages 8-12), 160 pages
Genre: Children's Non-Fiction.
Publisher: Peanut Butter Publishing
Publication Date: January 28, 2025.
Content Rating: G: Topics only include gardening and being outdoors. Book Description:
What springs to mind when you hear the word GARDEN? Would it surprise you to learn that the world just outside your door is overflowing with art, science, humor, drama, intrigue, and colorful personalities? Nature has you surrounded. It's time to come out with your hands gloved and your feet galoshed, ready to sow some spinach, pick a peony, mulch a maple, root a rose, graft a grape, stake a spruce, water a walnut, and hug a hemlock.
Set down your screens and take up your trowel.
Adventure awaits!
The stories inside this book are nearly all true. I have never actually seen a chorus line of worms decked out in feather boas, but I can guarantee that there are plenty of real-life larvae out there merrily chewing up the scenery. You can turn orange from eating too many carrots, and there really is a tiny plant island called a liverwart--although there probably are no tiny castaways living on it. Welcome to gardening for smarties. Never stop thinking, wondering, and digging, and you’ll never be bored. Have fun.BUY THE BOOK:
AMAZON ~ B&N
add to goodreads
Review: A funny illustrative guide onplants and how to garden for kids. I liked the pictures, which were verykid-friendly, and I liked how informative it was. However, there was so muchinformation written inside the pictures that I’m not sure how much of it a kidwould actually read. Perhaps this book was intended for an older age group ofkids. Nonetheless, kids will surely enjoy the pun and humor in the tinypictures. Kids can definitely learn with this. A good book!
Rating:4 stars
Meet the Author:Linda Robin Hornberg grew up in New York, drawing endless paper dolls and adventure comics with her sisters, Brenda and Heidi. She also enjoyed collecting shiny mimosa seeds in little bottles, nibbling parsley from Mom's tomato patch, sword fighting with Iris leaves and flipping cicadas back onto their feet. Her incessant doodling landed her at the Hartford Art School. She received her BFA in Printmaking from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Further formal studies led to classes in children's illustration and certification in landscape horticulture.
Linda is a permanent transplant to Seattle, where she remains an enthusiastic gardener, insatiable reader, unapologetic punster, and incurable cat lady. Please do not offer her your strays.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreadsTour Schedule: PICTURE A GARDEN by Linda Hornberg Book Tour Giveaway
February 11, 2025
Book Blast: INN THE DEAD OF WINTER by Rhonda Blackhurst
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Rhonda Blackhurst will be awarding a free e-book of Inn the Dead of Winter or book one, Inn the Spirit of Murder to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Welcome to Spirit Lake in the dead of a Minnesota winter, where the brutally cold temp isn't the only thing to fear.
Andie Rose Kaczmarek, a six-year sober life coach and owner of the haunted Spirit Lake Inn, has learned the hard way that the living are far more dangerous than anything in the spirit world.
When a controversial guest fails to return to her room on the same night a body is discovered in a fish house on Big Spirit Lake, Andie Rose teams up with her sponsor and sidekick, Sister Alice, and her emotional support red retriever, Aspen, to solve the case.
After Andie Rose discovers illegal activity on the inn’s property that ties to the murder, the investigation shifts into high gear. As she uncovers shocking secrets of those she thought she knew, someone is intent on keeping her quiet at any cost.
Can the inn’s resident ghost save her from impending harm when it seems the ones closest to her pose the greatest threat?
Read an Excerpt
We were in the dead of winter in Spirit Lake, Minnesota, a town dubbed the paranormal capital of the nation. I gazed through the frosted windowpane at the ominous fog that hung low over Whisper Lake.
I crossed my arms in front of me, briskly rubbed my biceps, and shivered. It was a brutal cold that seeped deep into the bones and seemed to even send the inn’s resident ghost into hibernation.
The library’s gas fireplace clicked off by itself, the dancing flames disappearing. I guess I wasn’t in the room alone after all. I shuddered and glanced down at my feet where Aspen, my red retriever emotional support animal, stretched lazily on his side, eyes half closed, unfazed.
Since the 1940s, guests of the Spirit Lake Inn, home to the famous apparition, have heard a woman’s whispers on the lake, earning its name, Whisper Lake, the fireplace in the library turned off and on by itself, the espresso machine in the coffee bar hummed to life, and many other unexplainable incidents, all while no one else was present.
The old grandfather clock in the corner of the room ticked methodically as the pendulum swayed back and forth. When the clock’s St. Michael chime announced the top of the hour—and fifteen minutes until teatime downstairs—Aspen rolled onto his stomach and pushed himself up onto all fours.
“Come on, boy,” I said, ruffling the fur on his neck. “Snack time.”
Abut the Author: Rhonda is an avid reader, writer, coffee and dark chocolate connoisseur, and certified life coach. She has 10 independently published novels: The Inheritance, a contemporary fiction novel; seven books in the Melanie Hogan Mysteries; and Finding Abby and Abby's Redemption in the Whispering Pines Romantic Suspense duology. She was awarded the 2022 Master of Literary Arts Award from the Brighton Chamber.
Website: http://www.rhondablackhurst.com
Personal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.blackhurst.1
Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rjblackhurst/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonda.blackhurst
BookBub: https://partners.bookbub.com/my_books
TWRP Buy Link: https://wildrosepress.com/product/inn-the-dead-of-winter/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Blog Tour: FINDING HIS WYOMING SWEETHEART by Virginia McCullough
FINDING HIS WYOMING SWEETHEART
Virginia McCullough
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Sweet Western Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Whenit comes to his seven-year-old son, new lodge owner Mack Fisher has a lot tomake up for. Fortunately, the small Wyoming town of Adelaide Creek provides theperfect fresh start—that is, if he can avoid the distraction of ErinHunnicutt’s warm brown eyes. The free-spirited musician has a way of bringingout the best in everyone—especially Mack. When they're thrown togetherunexpectedly to help their town, sparks fly and a dangerous secret isuncovered. But searching for the answers only leads them to fall deeper for oneanother…and starts Mack wondering if there’s room for one more in his newfamily.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptThree:
The familiar and happy sounds of a baby attempting to talkpulled Erin out of her reverie and back into the noisy party as Quincyapproached with her niece Naomi in his arms. Erin looked past him to the otherend of the room where she spotted her brother Tom following Willow out one ofthe side doors. Secure in Grandpa Quincy’s arms, Naomi was happy, at least forthe moment.
“Are you sure you’re ready to take the baby home?” Quincyasked. “If you’d like, I could take babysitting duty for the first couple ofdays of Tom and Willow’s trip.”
Erin reached for Naomi. “Not a chance, Grandpa. I’ve beenlooking forward to this.” She turned one way and then the other as she said,“I’m ready to roll, raring to go.” She gave the baby a quick kiss on theforehead. That was the truth.
Holding Naomi, Erin did little dance steps in a circle todistract the baby from Grandpa Quincy leaving to go back to the party. “We’regoing to have so much fun at my house. You’ll be my Valentine and eat cookies Imade especially for you.” She touched the tip of Naomi’s nose, making the babylaugh, so she twirled again and gave the baby’s nose another quick tap.
After making a third full circle, she came face to face witha tall man and a small boy standing in front of her. The man looked slightlyfamiliar, but she couldn’t quite place him. Whoever he was, she’d recognize himthe next time. He was studying her through his unforgettable bright blue eyes.
“You don’t know me,” the man said, “but I know a littleabout you.” He looked down and spoke to the boy. “This is Ms. Erin Hunnicutt,the woman with the pretty voice who sang for us at the Halloween party with Dr.Tom.”
With a jolt of pleasure in her chest, Erin held out her handto the boy. “And what’s your name?”
“Liam, uh, Liam Louis Fisher.” He pointed to the baby.“That’s Willow’s baby, huh?”
“Right you are. Aren’t you the smart one? I happen to beNaomi’s very proud aunt.” Erin couldn’t place the name Fisher and why it wasfamiliar. Then she remembered. Still addressing the boy, she pointed to theman. “Is his name Mack? Is he your dad?”
“Uh huh.” The boy gave her a shy smile. “My dad owns theTall Tale Lodge.”
Mack grinned at Erin. “Admittedly, an awkward introduction.But you’ll have to overlook it.” He put his hand to the side of his head. “Ican barely think straight.”
Erin frowned. What did that mean?
“I’m awestruck,” he explained, his grin widening. “It’s notevery day I come face to face with a woman who’s a talented musician and also arestoration expert who brings battered and charred wood back to life.”
Without thinking, Erin returned the smile. “Now you’remaking me blush.” It was true what he said. She’d built her work life aroundwood restoration, but making music was her favorite hobby. Although thosethings weren’t making her cheeks heat up. That had more to do with Mack’s deep,smooth voice and how her stomach fluttered looking into those amused blue eyes.She’d always had a soft spot for a neat—but not too neat—beard.
“As I recall, Mack, you don’t live in Adelaide Creek, buthere you are, celebrating the grand opening of the restored town hall with therest of us. And on Valentine’s Day, too.”
“We do too live here.” Liam stood up a little straighter andlifted his chin a notch. “In a bunkhouse. Real cowboys lived there a long, longtime ago.”
“That’s right, kiddo.” Mack spoke to Liam with a laugh inhis voice before turning to Erin.
“I’ve heard all about that bunkhouse. Very cool, Liam,” Erinsaid. “My house is a big cabin. It’s pretty cool, too.”
A sly smile tugged at the corners of Liam’s mouth. “Is thebaby going to your house? Do you have Valentine cookies there?”
Obviously not expecting that question, Mack laughed a littlenervously. “Uh, I think we’ve had our share of cookies, Liam.”
Erin made a quick decision to keep Mack engaged and maybesurprise him a little. “As a matter of fact, the cookies I made are shaped likehearts. Why don’t you and your dad come over to my house and have a treat ortwo?
“Do you mean it?” Liam’s eyes widened. A deeper shade ofblue than Mack’s, the boy’s eyes were every bit as distinctive.
Mack shifted his weight from one foot to the other. “Ididn’t have any idea…I mean I wasn’t fishing for an invitation.”
“I know,” Erin said. “But I have a ton of cookies, and I’mtaking the baby home.” She glanced at Liam. I share the house with Neptune.He’s a golden retriever and he likes kids.”
Liam lifted himself onto the balls of his feet. “Can we go,Dad? Can we?”
Mack looked at Liam and then at Erin. His curious frown madeit clear she’d thrown him off kilter.
Erin flashed Mack a look intended as a friendly dare. Herquick invitation flustered him, and her devilish side enjoyed it, perhaps alittle too much.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Awardwinning author, Virginia McCullough writes romance for the HarlequinHeartwarming line, and FINDING HIS WYOMING SWEETHEART is Book 4 of her AdelaideCreek series. She also writes women’s fiction and nonfiction on a variety oftopics. Virginia’s characters could be your family, friends, or neighbors, andall her stories offer hope, healing, and plenty of second chances. Drawn towater, she almost always sets her stories on a body of water, from oceans,lakes, rivers, and the winding Adelaide Creek.
Aghostwriter, book doctor/editor, coach, and experienced workshop presenter,Virginia is a wanderer, but currently lives in Northeastern Wisconsin. Whenshe’s not writing, she’s walking on trails near her home or in some farawayplace. She reads, streams series, hangs out with other writers, and daydreamsabout her next adventure.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/virginia.mccullough.7
Readers’Group: Our Book Buddies: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2699129450293155
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/virginiaauthor47
Newsletter:https://www.virginiamccullough.com
BookBuy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Finding-His-Wyoming-Sweetheart-Uplifting/dp/1335051384/
AppleBooks: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/finding-his-wyoming-sweetheart/id6479752823
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/finding-his-wyoming-sweetheart
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
VirginiaMcCullough will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawnwinner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
February 10, 2025
Blog Tour: CHRONOS WARLOCK by Shami Stovall
CHRONOS WARLOCK
Shami Stovall
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Urban Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
AdairFinch, the most powerful warlock in the world, is back in business!
Butfirst he must complete his pact with a mischief spirit by finding her a humanbody. Seemingly no easy task, as the mischief spirit is beyond picky about herfuture body. But on his way to Oakland, Finch stumbles upon the dead body of asocial media star—both a solution and a major problem.
Oaklandis teeming with werewolves, full moon witches, vampires, and redwood elves,most of whom aren’t on good terms with Finch. Navigating the supernatural worldto gather clues about the murder is hard enough, but now Finch must also dodgeold enemies and rivals. And to make matters worse, the murderer just might betrailing Finch, now that he’s found the body.
Goodthing Finch has a pact with Chronos. With time on his side, perhaps he can dothe impossible…
Continuethis urban fantasy series in the second book of the Chronos Chronicles!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ExcerptTwo:
The apartment was a cavern of chaos.
Piles of newspapers and magazines created extra walls in thealready tiny space. Broken appliances, stacks of chairs, and fourteen coffeetables had been hoarded with the frantic energy of a mind seeking solace inthings rather than thoughts.
As Enzo went into the living room, he flashed his light overa mattress that had been gutted for its meager contents. Nearby, thehollowed-out television sets and dismantled radios spoke of a desperation thatwas not confined to collecting but extended into destruction.
Whoever had lived here—or did live here—was not well in thehead.
“Stay vigilant,” Finch whispered.
Enzo darkly chuckled. “And here I was just gettingcomfortable.”
Andre braved the rubbish and sniffed the air. He pointed toa door. “There.”
They all kept close as they walked over yellowed papers,fast food wrappers, and a dozen toilet seat lids. When Enzo opened the door, heheld his breath.
An overpowering wall of rot and decay washed over Finch. Hecouldn’t breathe. He shook his head, held his breath, and stepped inside.
It had once been a master bedroom.
Now it was a graveyard.
Finch only glanced around the room for a moment, but hecounted seven bodies. They were all men, their corpses shoved up against thewall like a pile of dirty laundry. When Finch took a second look, he noted somewere more decayed than others.
But they all had the same injuries. Their faces had beentorn open and ripped apart, to the point there was no skin left.
Each of the bodies had holes in their stomachs, with alltheir insides missing. No other parts of their body seemed harmed, except forwhat the maggots had done in order to drill out of their hosts.
All of them were still fully clothed, though their shirtswere pulled up to expose the hole in their guts. Two of them wore suits, onewore a casual T-shirt and shorts, and the others were so rotted and decaying,it was difficult to make out their outfits. Finch couldn’t see any similaritiesbetween them, other than the fact they were men.
The faces, though—they had been clawed off so thoroughly,the skulls were damaged.
Kull stepped in, and then immediately jumped back out of theroom. “Oh, no.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
ShamiStovall is a multi-award-winning author of fantasy and science fiction. Beforethat, she taught history and criminal law at the college level, and loved everysecond. When she’s not reading fascinating articles and books about ancientChina or the Byzantine Empire, Stovall can be found playing way too many videogames, especially RPGs and tactics simulators, or hugging John.
Ifyou want to contact her, you can do so at the following locations:
Website:https://sastovallauthor.com/
Twitter:https://twitter.com/GameOverStation/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SAStovall/
Email:s.adelle.s@gmail.com
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY
ShamiStovall will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
Book Blast: BAD GUY by Ana Diamond
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ana Diamond will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Luke Daniels has done his fair share of bad things. But when the FBI offers him a deal in exchange for infiltrating the local Mafia’s infamous Costa Crew, Luke has no choice but to accept the challenge.
Beautiful, smart and tough, Sophia Costa wants out of the Crew. Appointed boss by her brother after he’s sent to prison, she wants no part in the murder, deceit and secrecy typical of Mafia life.
Just as things heat up between Luke and Sophia, a mysterious hitman targets Sophia, and Luke’s handler starts to wonder if Luke is up for the task.
As the lovers face the possibility of losing everything in order to be together, the line between loyalty and betrayal blur.
Read an Excerpt
At the entrance, a burly guy with a pug nose and dressed in a long black trench coat scanned the bar, like he was looking for someone. Kid turned toward the other end of the bar, signaling to a guy wearing a black fedora, who then promptly disappeared into the back room.
Pug Nose took notice of Kid’s intervention and barreled toward him with gritted teeth. But before he could get his hands on Kid, Luke elbowed him right in the center of his face. He fell back, clutching his bloody nose, while Luke continued the onslaught until he sensed surrender. Then he jumped off him while the others in the crowd lifted Pug Nose off the floor. Blood ran down his face and soaked his shirt. The room fell quiet as the sound of stilettos clicking on the floor became louder by the second.
Luke shook off the pain in his knuckles as he watched the dark-haired beauty approach.
She stopped and stared at Pug Nose’s injuries, quickly glanced at Luke, then back at Pug Nose. “Take this message back to your boss. We’re not afraid of you and if you come back, we’ll kill you one by one.” She nodded at her crew to take Pug Nose away, then turned to Luke.
A nervous tickle made him clear his throat as she stared up at him with deep sapphire-colored eyes. He couldn’t imagine what role she played in this dirty game full of thugs and thieves.
“I have to personally thank you for stepping in for Kid. What’s your name, Fighter?” she asked with a tiny smirk on her full red lips.
“Luke Daniels. May I ask who you are?”
“My name is Sophia Costa. I’m the boss.”
About the Author: When Ana Diamond isn't writing about tough gals finding love in unexpected places, she’s at work by day in the medical field. She writes romantic mystery novels with feisty strong women and alluring men who can’t resist them. Her books are fast paced, entertaining and heartfelt all at once.
Ana is a 2020 Tara Contest Finalist for Body Conscious and 2015 Melody of Love contest finalist. She lives in New York with her husband, two children and two needy but wildly entertaining kitty cats.
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AuthorDiamond
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/anadiamondauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/anadiamondauthor
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/anadiamondauthor
Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.com/anadiamondauthor
Threads: http://www.threads.com/anadiamonauthor
Bluesky: http://www.bluesky.com/diamonda.bsky.social
Website: https://www.anadiamondauthor.com
Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/bMqAQa
a Rafflecopter giveaway
