Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 53

December 3, 2024

Blog Tour: BOOTY IN THE BACKSEAT by Karen C. Whalen


BOOTY IN THE BACKSEAT

Karen C. Whalen

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GENRE
:  Cozy Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

High-heeledtow truck driver, Delaney Morran, is shocked to discover bags of money in thebackseat of a Volvo she was hired to tow. She’s even more amazed to find asevered hand in one of the bags. She learns the car belongs to the aunt of herfriend, Rory. The booty in the backseat, amounting to half a million dollars,raises questions, but more mysterious is the disappearance of Rory’s uncle.Spruce Ridge, Colorado is home to the rich and famous, and the uncle is awell-known movie producer. With that much money…and a severed body part…and theuncle gone AWOL…Rory fears a kidnapping. When his aunt finally admits toreceiving a ransom demand but was warned against calling the police, Delaneyagrees to help. Is the kidnapper a drug kingpin seen with the victim? Hisneighbor who has reckless parties? Someone connected to his new film? Or,perhaps the victim’s spouse trying to cover up the murder of her husband? Whena dead body turns up next, and it’s not the kidnapped victim, Delaney has twocrimes to solve.

 

 

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ExcerptThree:

 

My palms were sweating so I ran them down my jeans.

 

“Lance, how do you think this is going to go down?” I neededsome reassurance.

 

“We need to see to it those two don’t act stupid.” His eyesscoped out the parking lot with people queuing up for the next bus.

 

“Act stupid? What do you mean?”

 

“Iceman could snatch those two along with the wad.” Thegangster gazed straight ahead, immobile, looking calm, while I stifled thescream at the back of my throat, ready to explode from the tension.

 

“So, you think Iceman’s the kidnapper?”

 

“Don’t you?”

 

A Chevrolet Suburban, rear-wheel drive, stopped in front ofus, obstructing our field of vision. An attractive blonde my mom’s age got outand strode in our direction. Wait, it was Mom.

 

Mom?

 

My mom? Good. God.

 

I shot out of my Fiat and ran towards her. As I approached,she grabbed both of my arms. “Laney, I’m so glad I spotted you. I have a realcrisis on my hands. I need—”

 

“—Not now, Mom. Now’s not a good time.”

 

“When I saw your car, I just had to tell you—”

 

“—Mom, not now. Wait, how’d you notice my car?”

 

“I’d recognize your tiny silver Fiat anywhere.” She gave mean up and down look. “You all right?”

 

“No.” When I saw her blanch, I changed it to, “Yes, I’mfine. Mom, you need to leave.” I glanced over at the gangster in my Fiat. Hewas flailing his arms around, then stopped and patted his jacket, mouthing,“You need help?”

 

There was no doubt about it, I totally needed help.

 

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

 


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Karen C. Whalen is the author of two mystery series for The WildRose Press: the Dinner Club Mysteries featuring Jane Marsh, an empty nester whohosts a gourmet dinner club, and the Tow Truck Mysteries starring DelaneyMorran, a super feminine shoe-a-holic who drives a tow truck. Both are cozymysteries about strong friendships and family ties set in Colorado. The firstbook in the Dinner Club series tied for First Place in the Suspense Novelcategory of the 2017 IDA Contest sponsored by Oklahoma Romance Writers ofAmerica. In the Tow Truck series, Eyes on the Road was a Second Place winner ofthe 2023 Firebird Book Awards in the Cozy Mystery category. Whalen worked formany years as a paralegal at a law firm in Denver, Colorado and was a columnistand regular contributor to The National Paralegal Reporter magazine. Whalenloves to host dinner parties, entertain friends, ride bicycles, hike in themountains, walk on the beach, and read cozy murder mysteries. Murder at SeaOats Beach is her first book published as an indie author.

 

Website: http://www.karencwhalen.com/

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/karen-c-whalen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/whalenkc

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karen_c_whalen_author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whalencozyauthor

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Booty-Backseat-Truck-Murder-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0DGQS1W1R/ref=sr_1_1

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Theauthor will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 


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Published on December 03, 2024 00:30

December 2, 2024

Blog Tour: THE MYSTERY OF LOVE'S MANOR by D.W. Thompson

 

THE MYSTERY OF LOVE'S MANOR

D.W. Thompson

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GENRE
:  Cozy Mystery

 

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BLURB:

 

EmmaLove never thought she'd return to her hometown after years away from herestranged family. But when her sister-in-law is kidnapped, Emma puts her lifeon hold to help an old flame, Deputy Sam Mattingley, solve the case and bringGwen home. With a degree in Criminal Justice and part-time experience workingat a detective agency, Emma's skills are tested. As the layers of secrecy arepeeled back, Emma realizes the mystery shrouding Love's Manor and her brother'smarriage is more intricate than anyone could have fathomed. Can she navigatethe convoluted trail of clues and locate Gwen before it's too late? And what ofher long-suppressed feelings for Sam Mattingley…are they merely a product ofnostalgia…or something more?

 

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

 

 

ExcerptThree:

 

While we waited for our food, Sam started the same game weenjoyed together years ago.

 

“What about the lady with the blue windbreaker, Emma?”

 

“Hmm, let’s see. She’s a practical woman judging by thewindbreaker over the dress clothes she has on under it. It is a brisk daytoday. I think she is having marital problems or thinks her husband ischeating. She keeps twisting her wedding band around her finger. She may beplotting an indiscretion of her own by the way she keeps looking nervously overher shoulder at the entrance. She’s expecting someone she probably shouldn’t beseen with. That’s why she picked the shadowed booth in the corner.”

 

“Not to mention the sunglasses worn inside?”

 

“Exactly. How about that guy across from us with thepin-striped suit?” I whispered.

 

“Despite the cheater’s ring around his finger, I don’t thinkhe’s cheating, but the lady with him isn’t his wife. I’d say a first or seconddate after his divorce, perhaps. Wearing a suit, even a threadbare one, in avery casual restaurant, he’s trying to impress her, and she’s laughing tooheartily at his jokes. She’s nervous as well. I’d bet she’s been on too manycrappy dates since her divorce. They’re both trying too hard.”

 

We both laughed when a man entered with dark glasses, duckedhis head, and made his way to the first lady’s booth.

 

It was a good lunch. There’s nothing quite as satisfying assharing a meal with a good friend.

 

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

 

What was your writing process like when writing this book?

WhenI’ve written my historical fiction novels, I’ve been more of a plotter. I havethe facts, pertinent dates, and the established events I want to write about(or manipulate for my evil purposes). There’s still leeway (you know—thefiction part), but a general timeline is set, and often, known entities are inplay.

“TheMystery at Love’s Manor” did not fall into this category and was new territoryfor me—the mystery genre. Although I had a general feel for the story’sdirection and the important scenes I wanted to convey, I was more of a “pantser”with this story than any I’ve written before.

Mymain character, Emma Stone, was determined to thwart my understanding of her. (Andshe didn’t mind waking me in the middle of the night to insist she would nothave said something or acted in a particular way. I spend much time with thecharacters in all my books, though. A story isn’t relatable if the charactersare not. I think Emma is a character a reader will get behind and cheer for.

Ido much of my writing perched behind floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking anOld Order Mennonite farm. Horse-drawn plows and old-school buggies provide aunique background and a peaceful space to conjure my tales. Most of my stories(including this one) are set in mythical towns in Southern Maryland, a place Iknow and love.

WhenI’m most pleased by my efforts as a storyteller, I find myself surprised atcertain events and by my characters doing the unexpected. This seemedespecially important to me while creating a mystery. I hope the reader finds itworthwhile and is enthralled by the characters as I am.




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

D.W.Thompson is the mystery genre pen name for award-winning author David W.Thompson. As a multi-genre author, he's been awarded membership in the HorrorWriter's Association, The Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association andthe Mystery Writers of America. David lives in picturesque Southern Marylandwith nearby family and dear old friends.

 

Whenhe isn't writing, Dave enjoys time with his family, kayaking (flat water,please), fishing, hiking, archery, gardening, winemaking, and pursuing hisother "creative passion"- woodcarving.

 

He'dlove to hear your thoughts on his tales that he describes as occasionallytwisted, but always honest and original!

 

 

https://www.david-w-thompson.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15425511.David_W_Thompson

https://www.instagram.com/dwthompson1/

https://www.facebook.com/davidw.thompson.1238/

 

https://www.amazon.com/stores/D.-W.-Thompson/author/B0DHY6G5FM

 

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

 

GIVEAWAY 

Theauthor will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


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Published on December 02, 2024 00:32

Blog Tour: CHILD PROTECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS by Jo Cooling

 

CHILD PROTECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Jo Cooling

 

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GENRE
:  NonFiction

 

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

 

BLURB:

 

Inthe beginning, a tragic event started me on my journey to a destination and mylove for helping children of all ages and their families.

 

However,what I was not prepared for was that the people who assisted me and paved theway for my advancement in my chosen career in Child Protection were the samepeople who tried to bring me down.

 

Thisbook will give you insight into what it is like to work in Child Protection. Itwill show you the difficulties and sometimes dangers workers face on a dailybasis. Furthermore, the novel will also highlight the satisfaction you get whenyou can assist a child and their family through a traumatic event.

 

Mycareer at Child Protection spanned nearly a decade, and during that time, I wasbullied by management. I observed management bully other workers; I was alsoaware of workers consuming drugs, both outside work hours and during workhours.

 

Thisnovel is a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens at Child Protectionwhen the public is not watching or listening.

 

ChildProtection is not an easy career path, but it can be a good job if you likelong hours, have a thick skin, keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, andabide by everything that management wants you to do, even when you know it iswrong or unfair.

 

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

 

Becausethis book contains content that is 18+ with various trigger warnings, we do notfeel excerpts will be applicable. It discusses Jo’s time as a child protectionworker and features substance abuse, sexual assault and various othertriggering topics.

 

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

 

Why did you decide to write this book?

A: Initially, I waswriting my story as a mental health exercise until I received a phone call froma retired Child Protection Supervisor. They informed me that after I left work,Management directed my colleagues to cease all contact with me. I couldn’tbelieve what I was hearing. I had left work for medical reasons, having beendiagnosed with epilepsy three years earlier. My condition involved full-bodyseizures where I stopped breathing, which posed a danger to others and thechildren I worked with as the seizures became more frequent.

When I left work, I was at my lowest pointmentally. I had lost my job, my independence as I could no longer drive, and Ibecame depressed. Discovering that Child Protection Management had furtheradded to my suffering by taking away my lifeline was devastating. Myexperiences of bullying and other systemic issues within Child Protection—notonly in Australia but worldwide—motivated me to write this book. These issuesincluded a lack of support from Management, drug abuse, overworked staff, andpoor decision-making by both management and workers.

My personal experiences and the harsh realitiesof the child protection system drove me to address my own mental health andexpose the bullying and loss I faced. Writing this book allowed me to grow as aperson and stand up against what has become acceptable behaviour in this field.My goal is to address these issues and bring about change in an industry thathas long plagued our society, and hopefully prevent others from going throughwhat I endured.

Child Protection Behind Closed Doors is a novelthat provides readers with a bird’s eye view of the process of how the systemdoes and does not work. I have tried to give insight into bullying, drugtaking, and bad decision-making, which ultimately affects our most vulnerable.If you look at some of the issues on the internet today, they are still thesame as they were back when I was a Child Protection Worker —lack of support bymanagement, bad decision-making. You are sometimes talking about life and deathdecisions.

While the workload may never change, as it isan industry that requires long hours, work-life balance is something thatshould be prioritized in all jobs.

 

There have been many articles and many concernsraised about Child Protection. Furthermore, there have been many whistleblowersin the past, but for obvious reasons, they have kept their identities a secret.I wanted to write a book and own it, I wanted to set off a fireworks display, puta bomb under a system that needs to be blown up and rebuilt to ensure thesafety of our most vulnerable.

I also wanted to write a book that wasavailable for everyone to read; you would be surprised how many people have hadexperiences or know someone who works with Child Protection but do not reallyknow what goes on behind closed doors because workers are forced to keep theirmouths shut.

We need to support those families who arecaring for our most vulnerable and support the workers who are supposed tomanage the system. However, how can they do that when senior management is notsupporting them?

What the public doesn’t see is that ChildProtection impacts so many other important services, for example, MentalHealth, Domestic and Family Violence, Drug & Alcohol, Juvenile Justice,Homelessness—the list goes on. When you look at those agencies that rely on aseamless approach and partnership with Child Protection to care for our mostvulnerable, what service delivery are they going to get when they are dealingwith a broken Child Protection System? What hope do our most vulnerable membersof society deserve? It’s about time somebody asked the question.

 

For Whom This Book Is Written:

This book is for everyone who cares about childwelfare—parents, educators, social workers, policymakers, and the services thatinteract with Child Protection. and concerned citizens. It is for those whobelieve in the power of truth to drive change and are committed to creating asafer and more just world for our children. Whether you are directly involvedin the Child Protection sector or simply want to understand more about thechallenges faced by those who are, Child Protection Behind Closed Doorsoffers invaluable insights and a call to action that cannot be ignored.

This book is also for anyone looking for acompelling read they can’t put down. Comprised of short stories, it’s an easyand engaging read. To counterbalance the weight of the content, each storyconcludes with a positive affirmation, ensuring that readers finish eachchapter with a sense of hope and encouragement.

 

 


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Thelife of Jo Cooling is like living in a theme park: one minute, it's like ridinga roller coaster, baking cupcakes, cookies, and slices. With a kitchen coveredwith chocolate, flour, and cooking utensils. Also trying to develop new tastesand ideas for her growing baking business.

 

Sometimes,she feels like she travels through life in a Dodge 'em car. All the while, sheworks to complete two novels while caring for two Cavoodles, who believe theirmother was placed on this earth purely to play with them 24 hours a day.

 

Butno matter how out of control her life can be at times, eventually, she ends upsailing around on the Walt Disney teacup ride on top of the world. However,when she relaxes, the Cavoodles see this as an opportunity to snuggle on Mum'slap.

 

Jo'swork career has been just as colorful as her current life. She has worked inhorse and car racing, sold lingerie, designed websites, been a PersonalAssistant, and worked as a Law Clerk.

 

Jolooks at life like a box of chocolates: each day unwraps a new layer, revealingunexpected flavors and textures.

 

CONNECTWITH Jo Cooling

 

WEBSITE: www.jocooling.com

 

INSTAGRAM:@jocoolingauthor

 

 

PURCHASELINKS Child Protection Behind Closed Doors 

 

AMAZON.COM:https://amazon.com/dp/1779418698

 

AMAZON.AU:https://amazon.com.au/dp/1779418698

 

INDIGOCHAPTERS:https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/child-protection-behind-closed-doors/9781779418692.html

 

BOOKTOPIA:https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779418692

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Theauthor will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


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Published on December 02, 2024 00:30

November 30, 2024

Review: STAR MAKER by Jessa Nevins

 


Do any of these young musicianshave what it takes to be a star? That’s evidently what it’s all about in StarMaker. Among them are Kit and Joe, best friends since childhood with rock n’roll dreams. Kit was a hot red-head studying entertainment law and looking forthe next top band to manage while Joe was a lead guitarist for a popular group.Because she got Joe where he was, Kit was deemed the Star Maker by her friends.

It was interesting to dive intothe Hollywood music scene in this book. The whole thing was basically awhirlwind lifestyle of studying law, managing a band, and partying in L.A. Theread was much longer than it should’ve been, but it was still nice and easy.There’s definitely a nice romance that slowly develops, which was the huge drawfor this book. I’d be interested to see what this author comes up with next. JessaNevins is definitely a star!

 

Rating:4 stars

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Published on November 30, 2024 13:32

Review: THE HORROR AT CHILLER HOUSE by R.L. Stine

 


It’s time to pay back JonathanChiller for the horrors these kids took home in the previous books. In order toleave Chiller House, they must play a game in the park. The dangerous part ofthe game was that Chiller would be hunting the kids with a crossbow. Oh snap!

 

The kids go from one horror toanother in this scary fun tale! A good read!

 

Rating:4 stars

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Published on November 30, 2024 13:30

Review: TRUST CAN BE DEADLY by Cindy Bell

 


Someone in SageGardens died from a blow by a candlestick. It was another gripping case for thesenior detectives here. It’s another mystery you quickly fall into. Such spry seniors!

 

A clevermystery!

 

Rating:5 stars

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Published on November 30, 2024 13:30

Review: DOODLEVILLE: WHEN ART ATTACKS by Chad Sell

 


Nice art, but the storyline is alittle confusing. For some reason, the art was coming alive and attacking. Ithought it was a little silly, but it had nice action scenes.

 

An okay read.

 

Rating:3 stars

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Published on November 30, 2024 13:28

November 29, 2024

Blog Tour: TELL NO ONE by Donna Zadunajsky

Some secrets are not meant to be kept...


Tell No One 

by Donna M. Zadunajsky

Genre: Psychological Thriller 


Mia Barnes rubbed her fingers across the scars on herwrists. No matter how hard she tried, she would never forget what happened toher. The night her whole life changed. The night he took everything from her.

Judith Barnes couldn’t shake the vivid memories of that night. The night shefound her daughter near death. Since that day, all she wanted was to know why.Why her daughter thought her life wasn’t worth living.


A story of family, love, and grief. How far will a mother go to find out thetruth? How far will a daughter go to hide it? What happens when the truth comesout?

 

Amazon * Bookbub* Goodreads



Review: It all began with an attemptedsuicide of a mother’s teen daughter. How could a certified psychiatrist nothave seen the signs? That was the first part.

In part 2, we get the story fromMia and her attempted suicide. She mentions something about being told to “tellno one.” The whole time Mia was hoping to hide from “him.” Right away, we get amystery right here.

Whatever intrigue I had for thestory, however, quickly settles to a slow crawl in part 3, which re-hashes thefamily dynamic about 3 months in the past. It’s quite a long part, too. Whilereading this part, I kind of made a guess of who the “him” might be…and itturned out that my guess was right. Something did happen on that familyvacation with “him.” After that, Mia couldn’t tell anyone what happened,especially her mom whom she was sure wouldn’t believe her. For a long whileafterward, we deal with both mother and daughter battling with what they knowand with their crushing guilt. It all boiled down to a sad, tame, andrelatively satisfying conclusion.

It was a pretty good read, and Iliked it.

Rating:4 stars




Donna M. Zadunajsky started out writing children’s booksbefore she wrote and published her first novel, Broken Promises, in June 2012.She since has written several more novels and her first novella, HELP ME! Book1 in the series, which is about teen suicide and bullying.

Her third novel Family Secrets, “Secrets and SecondChances”, which is first in a series she is writing, was given a publishingcontract through California Times Publishing.

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon


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Published on November 29, 2024 00:33

Blog Tour: I'M BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE I AM by Azizi Tuere






 

Because I Am Series


Children's Picture Book

Date Published: 07-09-2024

Publisher: Let Your Light Shine Press


 

Join our hero as they discover the wonder hiding in everyday moments. From planting seeds to chasing butterflies, each page bursts with colorful surprises that will make you giggle, gasp, and go "Wow, that's beautiful!"

But wait, there's more! This book doesn't just show beauty – it helps you find the beauty in YOU. Because guess what? You're not just beautiful, you're beautifully YOU!

So, are you ready to uncover the real meaning of beauty? Grab this book and let the adventure begin! Who knows what amazing things you'll discover about yourself along the way?

Remember, true beauty isn't just skin deep – it's YOU deep!

 





Other Books in the Series

 


I’m a Genius Because I Am


Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere


An adventure that shows possibilities are endless when you believe in yourself.

Being a genius is more than just knowing the right answers. It’s having imagination, seeing opportunities, trying new things, and being curious. Being a genius isn't about being the smartest or getting everything right, it's about treating each day as an adventure to explore, dream, create, and make a difference in the world.

A story to ignite the innate creativity and limitless potential within every child.

 

 


I’m Grateful Because I Am

 

Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere

 

An adventure that shows appreciation for life’s daily offerings.

Every day is a brand new opportunity to be happy and feel good about the world. Being thankful isn’t only for big things like vacations and parties, it’s being thankful for the birds in the sky, a meal prepared with love, a warm bath, and laughing with friends. Having gratitude is appreciating how beautiful life is and being thankful for being YOU!

An inspiring story that celebrates the quiet beauty in everyday moments and the joy in expressing gratitude.

 

 


I’m Patient Because I Am

 

Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere

 

An adventure that grows kindness, strength, and understanding.

Being patient isn’t just about waiting around—it gives us new challenges to grow kindness, strength, and understanding. Patience helps you to be kind to yourself when you don’t get something right the first time around, or when you need to listen to a friend’s long story that they are excited to share with you. Patience allows you to discover more about yourself and the world around you, one calm moment at a time.

An inspiring story that shows the magical moments that patience brings to each day.

 

 


I’m a Winner Because I Am

 

Because I Am… series written and illustrated by Azizi Tuere

 

An adventure to remind every child of their inherent worth.

Being a winner is not just about winning trophies or never making mistakes. You’re a winner when you face challenges, when you get up after falling down, when you have courage to try something new, or work to overcome your fears. Winning is when you get better at being the best version of yourself every day!

An inspiring story about the victories in everyday moments.

 


Review: “I know I’m more beautiful thanwhat’s in the mirror.”

In this delightful tale, onelittle girl goes on a quest to find out what makes her beautiful.

“Now I know…I am beautiful becauseI am…I am me!”

A beautifully illustrated andpoetic rendition of the true beauty of yourself. A nice read!

Rating:4 stars



About the Author

Azizi Tuere is a vibrant storyteller on a mission to empower families through heartwarming tales. As a homeschooling mom of two, she transforms everyday experiences into adventures that nurture emotional intelligence and self-worth. Her "Because I Am" series sprung from a desire to help children embrace their unique beauty and potential. When not weaving words, Azizi hosts "Tiny Green Chef," an online cooking program that brings families together through plant-based cuisine. Her work is a testament to her belief that every child is a masterpiece waiting to be discovered. Connect with Azizi's world of wonder at AziziTuere.com.

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

"X"

Blog

Goodreads

Instagram

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

 

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Published on November 29, 2024 00:30

November 26, 2024

Blog Tour: LOVING LIZZIE FINN by Tamara Hughes


LOVING LIZZIE FINN

Tamara Hughes

 

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GENRE
:  Historical romance

 

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

 

BLURB:

 

LizzieFinn grew up in a brothel, and she’s reminded of that fact every day. Shedreams of finding a job and becoming independent. Only then can she be free ofher aunt’s disdain. First, she must find an employer who won’t turn her awaybecause of her past.

 

ByronGreeley is determined to save his family’s business after Lizzie’s unclefalsifies the amount Byron owes on a loan from the bank. Determined to findproof of Teague’s perfidy, Byron slips into the banker’s house and rummagesthrough the study only to be discovered by Lizzie, a red-haired beauty whoutterly captivates him.

 

Byronoffers Lizzie a job in exchange for information about her uncle, and becauseshe believes her uncle is innocent, she agrees. When Teague discovers Lizzieand Byron’s growing affection, he threatens to destroy Byron and his family,insisting Byron is exploiting her. Is Teague’s warning well-founded? AreByron’s feelings for Lizzie true, or is Byron using her for his own gain?

 

 

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


ExcerptThree:

 

Shecrossed her arms over her chest. “You’re right on that count. I won’t let myaunt force me into anything I don’t want to do.”

 

Heclosed the distance between them. “If she gives you too much pressure, my offerstill stands.”

 

“Youroffer?”

 

Hesmiled. “You can always marry me.”

 

Shesmiled back and rolled her eyes. “My uncle would have no issue with that.”

 

“Sowhat if he does?” In his heart, he wouldn’t marry anyone except Lizzie.

 

“Areyou forgetting about the threat to your business?”

 

“Ah,yes, that does make things a bit more difficult. Our wedding will have to waituntil after matters are settled with your uncle.”

 

Shelaughed. “Our wedding will have to wait?” She shook her head and strode closer,her gaze meeting his.

 

Wasthat challenge he saw in her eyes?

 

“Areyou sure you want to brave all the gossip and censure that comes with me?”

 

Whenshe would have moved away, he stopped her with his hands gently holding herarms. “As long as we’re together, I’d brave anything.” He grazed his lips alongher cheek and felt her shiver.

 

Thecorner of her mouth curved upward. “Are you sure you know what you’re saying?”

“I’venever been more sure of anything.” He cradled her head in his hand and angledher face toward his.

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

 

Review: Lizzie Finn yearned forindependence and did not want the burden of marriage. She absolutely refused tosuffer at the hands of an abusive husband just like her mother and most of thegirls at the brothel, where she was raised most of her life. However, heruptight aunt insisted on matching her up.

Soon, Lizzie meets Byron, who wasindebted to her banker uncle, and helps him on his failing business. Together,they try to figure out the loan papers with Byron trying to prove fraud andLizzie trying to prove her uncle’s innocence. But could they fight theirattraction for each other? Could Lizzie keep Byron from learning about hersordid past?

I honestly wasn’t expecting muchwhen I first started reading this, but I was pleasantly surprised on how fast Igot into it. I enjoyed the romance between Lizzie and Byron. But it wasn’t justthe romance that made this story good. It was also the tension and the drama,especially when Lizzie gets coerced into marrying whoever her aunt saw fit inorder to keep her uncle from further ruining Byron and his family business.Lizzie had beauty, brains, and nobility. The narrative was simple and engagingeven though there were slight inconsistencies in it. In addition to the romanceand drama, there was also the mystery of finding out Lizzie’s true father thatmade this read even better.

A good read worth a try!

Rating:4 stars




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Asmall-town girl with a big imagination, Tamara Hughes had no idea what to dowith her life. After graduating from college, she moved to a big city, starteda family and a job, and still struggled to find that creative outlet shecraved. An avid reader of romance, she gave writing a try and became hooked onthe power of exploring characters, envisioning adventures, and creating worlds.She enjoys stories with interesting twists and heroines who have the grit tosurmount any obstacle, all without losing the ability to laugh. To learn more,stop by her website: www.tamarahughes.com.

 

 

Youcan also find her on:

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

BookBub:https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tamara-hughes

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tamara.hughes2/

Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7738043.Tamara_Hughes

AmazonAuthor Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/tamarahughes

 

Buylink for Loving Lizzie Finn: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFMQ4X1H

 

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GIVEAWAY 

Theauthor will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Published on November 26, 2024 00:35