Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 73
June 15, 2024
Review: SINS OF THE FATHER by Caroline Fardig
Ellie Matthewswas back…and so was her sadistic stepfather, who was responsible for hertraumatic childhood and a prime murder suspect in her mother’s death. Funnything was that he swore he never killed anyone and he needed Ellie’s help toprove it. In any other universe, Ellie wouldn’t even have considered helpinghim, but since he ended up overdosing, the decision was pretty much taken outof her hands. That is until we get to the newest murder victim—a hit-and-runand the stepfather’s ex-wife. Additional clues reveal that Marcus could nothave killed her. Now, the team was on a hunt for a serial killer.
The sins of thefather have returned and it was bringing Ellie back to people and memories shethought she buried a long time ago.
As always, weget knee-deep into the criminalistics and the investigating, which can be alittle long but still enticing. There are several victims and suspects at playhere. The read keeps you riveted until the very end. I tell ya, you won’texpect that shocking conclusion.
A great readand a wonderful end to the series!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE REALTOR by Sonya Bateman
This is the story about a realtorwith a secret—a secret that somebody knows. After closing on the biggest saleof her career, the threats start coming in. Additionally, the father of her kidhas just woken up from a coma and the death of her friend may have been murderand not a suicide.
This one definitely grabs you asyou follow the realtor through all her fears, trauma, and suspicions.Seriously, what was with that client she sold the house to? She was showing upeverywhere she went, wanting to be best friends. And then suddenly she wantedto be a realtor just like her, too? What was going on?
I really got into the mystery ofwho was behind all this. Even though the events sort of led to a predictableending, I was still somewhat surprised. The end scene was quite suspenseful.
A good read! Will definitely checkout the author’s other books.
Rating:4 stars
Review: WANTON REGARD by Geoffrey Neil
A man was stalking a beautifulwoman, who was contending with a jealous and possessive husband. What harmcould there be from a little flattery from an admiring stranger?
This one sounded interesting. Thenarrative was nice, but the point of the story was taking a while to getthrough. Was this guy a kidnapper or a killer? Why was he watching these women?Was that all he did was watch them?
The read was okay, but it wasrather long and not that exciting. I expected a lot more to be honest. It wasokay.
Rating:3 stars
June 14, 2024
Blog Tour: SHAKTI OF THE ILLUMINATED LOTUS by Luki Belle
SHAKTI OF THE ILLUMINATED LOTUS
Luki Belle
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GENRE: erotic supernatural dark fantasy
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BLURB:
Ina fictitious, mysterious, and futuristic Earth, the Western and Easterncontinents are poised to become entangled in an ancient holy rivalry and epicbattle.
Theenigmatic and powerful king of Asukhas rules over the technologically,scientifically, and militarily advanced Western Continent, closely guarding hisblissfully ignorant population of captive humans.
Thegolden-haired spirit, Ahankara, is suddenly released from captivity in the voidand unleashes a powerful reptile upon the world's oceans.
Associateprofessor of philosophy Anjali Valpolicella seeks psychotherapy from renownedWestern psychologist Dr. AlexanDRA, and their therapy sessions may reveal animportant secret to possessing the much-coveted Trident of Kumarun.
InShakti of the Illuminated Lotus: A Dark, Erotic & Futuristic Fantasy forAdults oceans roil as factions doggedly compete in a dark and erotic quest tofind the Trident, hidden by the Eastern continent's divine panthers forcenturies. The fate of the World teeters on the brink. Who will possess theTrident? Do they want to use it to gain access to the holy realm of Juwala, orwill they use the Trident to destroy the realm and take command of militaryforces of unimaginable power?
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ExcerptThree:
“I have found the gateway to Juwala in the womb of theocean! The path created by the Spirits of Illumination when their leadersHimayiel and Gimael came to Earth” Jashmitha paused intentionally.
A deep frown appeared on the king’s forehead as he unclaspedhis arms slowly, his mouth opened to speak but words could not be expressed, hewas in utter disbelief of what he had just heard.
Mother Balaktaan nodded convincingly “It does existAlexanDRA!”
The king shook his head vigorously “No! My father dispelledthose rumors! There is no such gate only a void between Earth and theunderworld of Jackal King Vihaan, where Ahankara has been exiled!! You couldnot have found something that never existed! My father would have never keptsomething like this from me!” he said earnestly and walked to her, holding hershoulders firmly to look into her languid eyes.
“AlexanDRA…listen to me…the path and gate to Juwala wereprotected by the kingdom of Nakandas” she said in her shrill voice withoutshrinking away from him.
“NO! No! No! You are lying…you are mistaken!! He would havetold me!!” he clenched her shoulders, her body starting to writhe beneath fromthe pain.
“AlexanDRA…thekingdom of Nakandas, divine serpents of the ocean, their kingdom hasdisappeared, the path and the gate have been left unprotected! You must call agathering with the Spirits of Illumination!”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
LukiBelle works in the media industry. Listening avidly to stories from diversecultural fiction books read to her by her extended family, storytelling was afixture from early childhood. Pouring over magnificent and enchantingillustrated books in her family's library, Luki was drawn to the mythology ofSouth Asian Indians, Greeks, and Romans. These diverse mythologies were herstrongest inspiration when, many years later, she started penning the firstoutline for her debut novel, Shakti of the Illuminated Lotus.
https://twitter.com/lukibelleauthor
https://www.instagram.com/lukibelletheauthor/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL2NPXs_9LTiNkgqN29SI6A
https://www.facebook.com/people/Luki-Belle/100090188427853/
https://www.amazon.com/Shakti-Illuminated-Lotus-Futuristic-Fantasy-ebook/dp/B0CKD1V9HN/ref=sr_1_1
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GIVEAWAY
LukiBelle will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveawayJune 12, 2024
Blog Tour: MURDER AT THE COLLEGE by P.H. Turner
MURDER AT THE COLLEGE
P.H. Turner
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GENRE: Mystery
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BLURB:
Adetective has a smooth-talking heartbreaker for a client, but there’s aproblem.
Quinnhas scorch marks from her last relationship and plenty of chemistry with Ben,but he could have killed his twin brother. He demands to work the case withher, claiming it’s his life on the line.
Apartner is the last thing Quinn wants. What she wants is to prove him innocent.But she’s finding plenty of evidence he isn’t.
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ExcerptThree:
The Starlight bar’s back door was unlocked, and the old doorcreaked like a rusty garden gate. If Kat was already there, she knew someonehad arrived. Quinn ran through the corridor and past Ben’s dark office toward alight burning over the mixologist workstation. Ben was dropping orange peelsinto a steaming pot of water and wearing earbuds. He was humming softly tohimself.
“Ben,” she yelled as she raced up the steps to join him.
He turned around and jerked out the earbuds. “What’s goingon?”
Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the bar into thedark. The only light came from the gas flame flickering under the bubbling pot.“Call the police,” Quinn said.
“It’s okay. It’s the storm. I have a flashlight around heresomewhere.” Ben bent over and pulled a light out from under the counter.
Quinn whirled around to stare into the back hall. She’dheard something, but it was black as pitch, and she couldn’t see.
Ben must have heard it, too. He aimed the powerfulflashlight into the hallway. “Who’s there?”
The overhead light flickered once and came on, and the hairson the back of Quinn’s neck rose.
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Review: A dead college professor. Whomurdered him? It was up to P.I. Quinn Kane to figure it out.
The investigation into the casewas rather interesting from the start. Even though she had zero suspects, Quinncouldn’t help but suspect the victim’s twin brother, whom she was physicallyattracted to. As she keeps on asking questions, she realizes that the deadprofessor led a fast and swinging lifestyle, which made him unpopular with hisother colleagues and students. The suspect list was indeed growing. There wasso much scandal and corruption happening at that college. The question was: whokilled the professor? You just can’t wait to find out.
I love a good murder mystery andthis was definitely a good one! I like a mystery that grabs me and makes methink. This was easy to read and easy to fall into. There were a few typos hereand there that were a nuisance, but they did not deter from the compellingstory.
A solid good read from beginningto end.
Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
P.H.Turner (Pat) writes contemporary mysteries spiked with long-held grudges,secrets, and murder. With roots in a Texas farm homesteaded in the 1850s, shecalls Austin home. When she's not writing, she's cooking for family, or takingcare of a pair of hairy mutts, or in her garden coaxing roses to bloom in theTexas heat.
Patis a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and RomanceWriters of America.
AmazonAuthor Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/P.H.-Turner/author/B00NZ8RW0K
Website:https://www.phturner.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/P.H.TurnerAuthor
Twitter:https://twitter.com/pht97
Pinterest:https://www.pinterest.com/pathturner/
AmazonBuy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Murder-at-College-P-H-Turner-ebook/dp/B0CW1MQLWG
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GIVEAWAY
P.H.Turner will award a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner viaRafflecopter.
Blog Tour: ROCK, CRUSH, AND ROLL by Hunter Snow
ROCK, CRUSH, AND ROLL
Hunter Snow
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GENRE: Contemporary Romance
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BLURB:
TylerRobertson is a music manager. Cary Kingston is the biggest rock star in theworld. She's sworn off dating musicians. And he's a confirmed bachelor.
Butwhen their working relationship turns into something more, she wonders if she'sfalling for the rock star or the person.
Youcan't always get what you want... but sometimes you can.
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ExcerptThree:
What the hell had happened with Tommy? He’d practicallyaccosted his girlfriend while Sebastien sipped on champagne. He should havesaid something, but she’d told him not to fight her battles, and stupidly he’dlistened. How could he get her to leave SDM? It was time for them to move.Toronto was close to Winnipeg and central enough for him to travel, so that wasan option. He’d be closer to his family, and she to the Robertsons. And she’dinvited his folks! It blew him away, really. She was the most thoughtful womanhe’d ever dated. But girlfriend sounded stupid, considering the way he felt.No. He needed, not wanted, needed her to be his wife.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
After(barely) surviving a career in the music industry, Hunter Snow now lives totell its tales. She writes contemporary romances from her home in the PacificNorthwest. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, orlocales is entirely coincidental.
CONNECTWITH Hunter Snow
WEBSITE:https://huntersnowbooks.com/
TIKTOK:https://www.tiktok.com/@huntersnowbooks
TWITTER:https://twitter.com/HunterSnowBooks
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/huntersnowbooks
INSTAGRAM:https://www.instagram.com/huntersnowbooks/
GOODREAD:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/47422492.Hunter_Snow
PURCHASELINKS Rock Crush and Roll
KINDLE
https://amazon.com/dp/B0CQGT6ZPX
RAKUTENKOBO
https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/rock-crush-and-roll
APPLEBOOKS
https://books.apple.com/us/book/rock-crush-and-roll/id6474580248
AMAZON
https://amazon.com/dp/1739047605
INDIGOCHAPTERS
https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/rock-crush-and-roll/9781739047603.html
BARNES& NOBLE
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/rock-crush-and-roll-hunter-snow/1144506856
BOOKTOPIA
https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781739047603
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will award a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn host viaRafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveawayJune 11, 2024
Blog Tour: DOUBLE DELIGHT by Julie Castle
The instant connection and electrifying chemistry send the wheel of love spinning, but who'll come out on top? 
Double Delight
The Complete Series
by Julie Castle
Genre: ContemporaryRomance
Julie Castle's sexy Double Delight Complete Series
APRILLOVE:
April Brooks is a twenty-eight-year-old virgin.Fresh from a breakup with her cheating ex-fiancé, she bumps into theman of her teenage erotic dreams. Deciding he's the perfect candidatefor her deflowering, she promptly asks him if he'd like to take herto bed.
Reformed bad boy Will Shepard can't believe his luck,but when they get between the sheets, he quickly realizes April isn'tall she seems. For instance, she doesn't even know how to kiss, muchless make love. He decides he's the guy to educate her on the eroticarts, and talks her into a series of love lessons.
Will April beable to put aside her distrust of men to find pleasure in Will'sarms, and can he teach her all his favorite tricks without falling inlove?
Tropes: one night, virgin, fling, afraid to commit,opposites attract
MONICA’S MANHUNT:
Asher friend’s nuptials approach, Monica Landers’s biological clockis ticking. It's time to find a real man, and she enlists April'shelp to compile a list of perspective mates. She’s a sexuallydeprived woman and aching for someone who can see past herprovocative profession and savor her wares.
Matt Shepard isoverworked and obsessively trying to clear his boss, Will's, schedulefor his honeymoon. All while being sexually frustrated, and bummed hehas to escort Modest Monica on a duty date. As Best Man, it's his jobto make sure things go smoothly.
But when they meet at Spice,Monica literally falls into his arms, and Matt decides his date isheaven in three-inch heels. The instant connection and electrifyingchemistry send the wheel of love spinning, but who'll come out ontop?
Tropes: wallflower, best man, bridesmaid, wedding hookup,fling, blind date, opposites attract
Double Delight(series) Reviews
"APRIL LOVE is a romanticand sensual love story. [Castle] has written a lovely book with twocharacters who are not only believable, but that are specialindividuals." -Fallen Angel Reviews, 5 stars
"Ifyou are looking for a story with endearing characters, hot sex, and aHEA ending, pick up APRIL LOVE." -Enchanted InRomance
"[Castle] writes a book that will keep you upuntil all hours of the night. This book is so hot, you will need icewater to cool down. It's a keeper." -Coffee Time Romance, 5cups
"A charming tale sure to capture your heart.This is a book definitely well worth reading." -RomanceJunkies
“MONICA’S MANHUNT is beautifully intense.”-The Romance Studio
Amazon* Apple* B&N* Kobo* Smashwords* Books2Read * Bookbub* Goodreads
The 4 R’s: Roped, Rescued, Risked, Romanced
The Complete Series
by Julie Castle
Genre: ContemporaryRomance
4 R’s Complete Series
"[Castle] writes a bookthat will keep you up until all hours of the night." -CoffeeTime Romance, 5 cups
ROPED:
Sarah Halliday hasreturned to Wyoming on a mission—to save the reputation of the manshe left behind. Deep in her soul, she knows she has to set thingsright between them. She can't let the man she loves lose hisbirthright just because he didn’t love her back, and their marriagecame with too many strings attached. She offers him a deal. She'llstay on a temporary basis until the gossip mill dies down, thenshe'll be on her way.
Rafe Halliday has cooked up the perfectscheme to get his runaway bride back where he wants her—in his armsand in his bed. Permanently. He messed things up the first time, andhe won’t make the same mistake again. He isn't above telling a fewwhite lies to achieve his objective, either. If only she’dcooperate.
Sarah and Rafe are about to set off on a rocky road,but is their love 24 carat or Fool's Gold?
Tropes: marriagepact, runaway bride, second chance, reunion romance, oppositesattract
RESCUED:
Samantha Logan is arunaway bride. Escaping a mistaken marriage, she flees to herfamily’s supposedly vacant cabin for some peace and to regroup,only to be wrestled to the floor upon arrival. Jake Ramsey is a PI ona stakeout. He’s shocked hiTropes: runaway bride, old enemies, lsemployer’s daughter is the feisty intruder interrupting his job.Every time they meet, it's explosive. Literally. This instanceappears no different. Together, they must battle her dangerousex-fiancé, espionage, and each other to solve a crime. And somehowcontain the passion between them.
Will Jake be able to savehimself from her charms, and will Samantha capture Jake's love—HerHeart's Desire?
Tropes:love/hate, damsel in distress, protector, boss’s daughter
RISKED:
Serena McClain’sfather has been kidnapped by the mob, and she’s determined torescue him. Except her only attempt fails when her PI is gunned down,and she barely escapes amidst a hail of bullets, thanks to FBI AgentMark Riley. Forced to take her and her son into protective custodybecause of her meddling, Mark is not happy. He’s more than aglorified babysitter. Still, he can’t help being drawn to thefeisty blonde and her cute kid. They’re evoking feelings in himhe’d rather ignore. Even though agents promise to make finding herfather a priority, Serena doesn’t quite trust them, especiallyMark, yet the more time they spend together, the deeper theirconnection grows.
Will they find her father alive, and is reallove worth the risk of Serena’s Web?
Tropes: forcedproximity, single mom, damsel in distress, protector, men inuniform
ROMANCED:
Candy Blake hasn'tset foot in Morris Point since she roared past the graduationceremony on the back of her Harley. Now, she’s begrudginglyreturned to launch her catalog and help her former foster mother withrehab. Pestered into attending her ten-year high school reunion, sheisn’t looking forward to rubbing shoulders with the snobs she leftbehind, especially the Morris family. Six months ago, when herbusiness proposal hit Greg Morris’s desk, he knew he had to getCandy for himself. It was his opportunity to catch the one that gotaway, but if she had any inkling a Morris was at the helm of PinnaclePublishing, he’d be left behind in a cloud of dust. He’s countingon one magical night to make her see him in a new light.
Willthey both come to realize It Had To Be You?
Tropes: enemiesto lovers, old enemies, love/hate, reformed bully, last to know,wrong side of the tracks
Amazon* Apple* B&N* Google* Kobo* Smashwords* Books2Read * Bookbub* Goodreads
Julie Castle has always had a love affair with the written word. As achild growing up in a small town, she loved visiting the locallibrary, a converted gilded age mansion, and getting lost between thepages of a book. The drafty old mansion could be a spooky place, butshe still loved it. She enjoyed poking into behind the scenes areasshe wasn't supposed to venture into. She's still the same way, whichis why she loves writing romance with an edge, paranormal,suspenseful, super sexy, or just laugh your pants off funny. She isan award-winner, and resides in Wisconsin with her family.
Website* Facebook *X * Instagram* Bookbub* Amazon* Goodreads
Followthe tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
$10 Amazon
June 8, 2024
Review: DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL by Mary Higgins Clark
**2ND TIME REVIEW **
23 years ago, Ellie’s oldersister—Daddy’s Little Girl—was found murdered. Now, her killer was coming upfor parole and the young journalist wouldn’t stand for it.
Story re-lives what happened afterthe murder in Ellie’s diary voice. To help keep the killer in jail, Ellie hopedthat writing a book on her sister’s murder would strengthen the case andopinions. You’re immediately drawn to the story and the case even though it’sall told in a single-person perspective.
In this book, Ellie sifts throughmemories, clues, and eyewitnesses to get to the truth about her sister and whatreally happened. The whole time we take a ride on the investigative reporterwagon. Will she re-convict a killer? Or will the killer be after her now?
A compelling read that was worthanother try.
Rating:4 stars
Review: DEADLY GAMBLE by Connie Shelton
The case: finding a lost watch.Not exactly exciting, was it?
Then it goes on describingAlbuquerque and all its dry wonders. Again, not exciting.
The diary narrative of the MC wasokay, but, again, not exciting. When do we get to the dead body already? Wasthere even a dead body? There didn’t seem to be one, not unless you werecounting me, who was getting bored to death with this book.
Just that bad!
Rating:2 stars
Review: SAFE HARBOR by Rosemary McCracken
A woman bursts into your officewanting you to protect her son. But why? After all, you were just a financialadvisor and you had no connection to her son…except this boy was your husband’sson. Huh…
Suddenly, Pat was in charge ofsomeone else’s son. Now, how to get rid of him? Was there a grandma somewhere?Aunts? Uncles? Imagine having to take care of a strange kid. Talk about BabyBoom!
This was certainly an interestingdilemma, but it really wasn’t too fresh. You can just the movie, Baby Boom, forthe same general idea. The diary narrative was nice, but it wasn’t anything toogrand. I was kind of hoping for something a little more exciting and this justwasn’t it.
Eh, it was okay.
Rating:3 stars
