Karen Docter's Blog, page 159

Congratulations Week 02-19-18, 02-26-18, 03-05-18 & 03-12-18 Blog Giveaway Winners!

[image error] CONGRATULATIONS WEEK

02-19-18, 02-26-18, 03-05-18 & 03-12-18

BLOG GIVEAWAY WINNERS!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Sundari Venkatraman…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Sundari is giving away an ebook copy of THE MARRIAGE PREDICAMENT to TWO lucky readers who comment on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Sundari, for sharing your book with us!

WINNERS: BN100 & Eileen AW!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Anna L. Walls…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Anna is giving away a signed copy (U.S. Only) of HALF-BREED to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Anna, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: LORIH824!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Kit Frazier…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Kit is giving away an ebook copy of HARD SCOOP to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Kit, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: LINDA B!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Charmain Zimmerman Brackett…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Charmain is giving away an ebook copy of FIXED IN THE TEMPEST to one lucky reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Charmain, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: SHARON GREENE!!

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[image error] [image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Kelle Z. Riley…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: One lucky commenter will be eligible for a custom “Grab N Go” bag. (Sorry, continental U.S. only.)

Grab & Go Bag

Be ready to go at a moment’s notice whether you’re leaving for:

A critical mission
A weekend with the girls
An escape to your own tub with a book and a cool beverage

Each gift contains spa goodies and assorted travel essentials, tucked into a one-of-a-kind package. May contain surprises like hand-crafted sewing/jewelry boxes!

No two exactly alike!

Thanks, Kelle, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: NICOLE LEIREN!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Shanon Grey…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: The winner gets the choice of one of three print books, The Shoppe of Spells, Meadow’s Keep, or Glynda’s Dare, signed by Shanon Grey.

Thanks, Shanon, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: ELF!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with RM Alexander…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: RM is giving away an ebook copy of NEVER AGAIN to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs.

Thanks, RM, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: BONNIE GONZALES!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Artemis Milchon…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Avalerion will give away an ebook copy of CHRISTMAS WITH THE DRAGONS to one lucky commenter who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Artemis, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: KATHLEEN BYLSMA!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Paty Jager…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Paty is giving away an ebook of Artful Murder to one person who comments on her **Author Peek** Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs.

Thanks, Paty, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: SARAH BUTLAND!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Patricia Gulley…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Patricia is giving away a Kindle copy (U.S. Only) of BROWNSTONE BURIAL to one lucky person who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Patricia, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: LINDA MOFFITT!!

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Book Bench with Caroline Clemmons…

**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY**: Caroline is giving away an ebook copy of TEXAS LIGHTNING to two readers who comment on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.

Thanks, Caroline, for sharing your book with us!

WINNER: COLLEEN C & GLENDA M!!

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 [image error] [image error]THERE ARE STILL 3 DAYS LEFT TO ENTER!! You can still win a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card from Jami Gray!!

Enter Here:

http://www.karendocter.com/author-peek-interview-with-lying-in-ruins-fates-vultures-1-beg-for-mercy-fates-vultures-2-author-jami-gray.html

Thanks, Jami, for sharing your books with us!

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DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THESE BOOKS!!
[image error] KILLING SECRETS, Thorne’s Thorns Book 1
By Bestselling Author K.L. Docter

Blurb: Some secrets are better left dead.

Rachel James’ ex-husband is released from prison determined to reclaim her and her little girl — the child is his key to controlling the James fortune. Frightened, Rachel flees to Denver with the child who hasn’t uttered a word since her daddy went to prison.

Contractor Patrick Thorne wants nothing to do with another of his parents’ charity cases. He failed his own wife so abysmally she took her own life as well as his unborn son’s. After two years, it’s time to concentrate on the bid he’s won and the saboteur trying to destroy his construction firm.

There is no room for trust in either of their hearts. But trust is all that will untangle the secrets that dominate their lives, free a little girl of her silent prison, and save them all from a serial killer who stands too close.

(All Karen/K.L. Docter novels have HEAs, no cliffhangers.)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2iFFWmg

B&N: http://goo.gl/wsqVxB

Kobo: http://goo.gl/KM563U

Google Play: http://goo.gl/mogQqs

iTunes: http://goo.gl/pg58wN

[image error] COP ON HER DOORSTEP, True Love In Uniform Book 1
By Bestselling Author Karen Docter

Blurb: In the six years since her husband was killed by S.W.A.T., Carrie Padilla has spent long hours at work, rebuilding a life for herself and her son. The little time she has at home is spent keeping her eight-year-old son out of trouble, but he is all too eager to try to be the man in the house. When a handsome cop shows up on her doorstep, her errant son in tow, Carrie’s heart stutters. The sexy Italian cop sets off all kinds of bells in her system, and she knows there’s only one thing she can do to save what is left of her family, her husband’s memory, and her heart…avoid her new neighbor at all costs.

S.W.A.T. officer Jake Stefani already lost one little boy to gang violence, the dead boy’s older brother is missing, and Jake’s not about to let the same thing happen to a neighbor’s son. He drags the youngster home only to discover much more than a passing interest in the boy’s beautiful, but wary, mother. Forced to take a leave of absence after a bust goes awry, Jake can think of nothing better to occupy his time than to keep Carrie and her son safe, and locate the missing teen who holds the key to taking the gang off the streets, once and for all.

But Jake doesn’t count on his stubborn, intriguing neighbor distracting him from his job, or the passion that flares between them. He doesn’t expect her amazing son to steal a piece of his heart. Jake is ready to risk everything for Carrie, body and soul. But it’s not all up to him. If their new love is to survive, Carrie will need to be strong enough to see the man’s beating heart behind the badge, to look beyond the pain of her past, and decide that loving again is worth the risk.

[All of Karen/K.L. Docter’s books are HEA. No cliffhangers.]

Buy Links:

Amazon US: http://goo.gl/bUHNMu

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cop-Her-Doorstep-True-Uniform/dp/0988258668/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497628797&sr=8-1&keywords=cop+on+her+doorstep

B&N: http://goo.gl/6uoZTd

Kobo: http://goo.gl/fd92aB

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26183834-cop-on-her-doorstep

HAPPY READING!

All giveaway winners chosen by random.org from reader comments with the exception of Rafflecopter giveaways which are determined and announced offsite by publisher/authors. Thank you!

Congratulations MARCH Blog Subscriber Giveaway Winner!!

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Time to announce the MARCH 2018 #WINNER of my Monthly Blog Subscriber Giveaway, where special readers can win a read or coffee – two of my favorite things—on me!!!

And the winner is…

GRANDMABKR…

Congratulations! You have won a $5 gift card from Amazon or Starbucks (your choice)! I’ll contact you privately to arrange for delivery of your gift.

Dear Readers,

If you missed this month’s giveaway, you can still subscribe to my blog at http://www.karendocter.com/ to get my blogs delivered straight to your email and be entered EACH MONTH into a random drawing for #FREE $5 gift card. On the first of each month, I’ll draw one name at www.random.org from all of my subscribers to receive the card.

More wonderful perks to subscribing to my blog? The blogs, when they appear in your Inbox, are pretty and easy to read. You can discover new authors, recipes and reader fun…and many of the authors sponsor GIVEAWAYS just for commenting!

If you’re only in the mood to receive my Special Release Alerts, you can subscribe to my mailing list instead. This is NOT a newsletter, but the occasional Karen/K.L. Docter news release.

Thanks for joining me on Karen’s Killer Book Bench!!

Karen/K.L.

To avoid SPAM filters, I’m announcing this random giveaway on the blog so that all current subscribers will know who won. If your name is announced and you don’t hear from me and can’t find an email in your SPAM folder, please contact me at kldocter@yahoo.com. Thank you!
Winners selected by random.org.

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with TEXAS LIGHTNING (Texas Time Travel Book 1) by Caroline Clemmons #recipe ~ Southwestern Salad

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Fixin’s

**AUTHOR SPECIAL**

with Caroline Clemmons!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, CAROLINE CLEMMONS, and her favorite recipe for SOUTHWESTERN SALAD!!

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NOTE FROM CAROLINE: Thanks to Karen Docter for hosting me on her blog today!

Travel through my latest release on a surprising journey. At least, it was a surprise for Penny Terry. She hit her head in 1896 and woke up in 2017. Imagine her surprise when she arrived home and found other people living there. Imagine how Jake Knight felt when a soaking wet woman came in and told him to get out of his home because it was hers.

TEXAS LIGHTNING

Texas Time Travel Book 1

BY CAROLINE CLEMMONS

BLURB

How can two people from different eras own the same ranch?

Penelope Jane Terry knows everything about ranching in spite of being a lone woman. She is determined to send to jail the rustlers who believe they can steal what is hers… until she is caught spying on their dirty works and must ride for her life. A lightning strike near her horse results in Penny being thrown and rolling into a small ravine. What Penny doesn’t count on is being hurtled over a 120 years into the future.

Jake Knight believes the attractive woman who stumbled into his home one rainy evening either has amnesia or is certifiably insane. Unless, that is, she is in league with whoever is trying to drive him out of business. Someone is trying to force him to sell his ranch by staging a string of damaging incidents. Jake’s been kept so busy making repairs that he can’t run his ranch. Even if he were stupid enough to wish to sell, the ranch is so firmly entailed that no one can break the conditions.

Jake gradually learns Penny is who she claims, no matter that time travel is supposed to be impossible. They’re locked into a clash that it seems only one of them can win. If an outsider weren’t trying to kill Jake as well as bankrupt him, perhaps he and Penny might be able to reach an agreement. But, there is that treasure….

TEXAS LIGHTNING

Texas Time Travel Book 1

BY CAROLINE CLEMMONS

EXCERPT

She should have gone around to the back door, but she couldn’t walk another step. Weariness and sore muscles overwhelmed her and she wanted nothing more than to shuck out of her wet things and lie in her nice bed—if she could summon the energy to walk upstairs. She heard footsteps approaching and raised one foot. Eyes closed, she leaned back against the stairs.

“Had me a passel of trouble. Help me get these danged boots off, would you? Then I’ll tell you all about it.” A dog’s cold nose pressed against her cheek. She jumped and pushed her hair out of her eyes. A black and white dog stared at her. “Who are you?”

“His name’s Rascal.” An unfamiliar baritone said, “He’s mine.”

She looked up.

Whoa! The man who faced her wasn’t Jake. In spite of her wariness, her mouth dropped open in awe. Instead of her arthritic middle-aged cook, this man was young and tall and definitely fit. And handsome. Unbelievably, mesmerizingly handsome.

He might be as comely as a fairy tale prince, but the regal disapproval on his face appeared anything but friendly.

Energized by fear, she jumped to her feet and grabbed her rifle. “Who the heck are you?”

He crossed his arms and ignored the Winchester pointed at his middle. His dark hair glistened in light that seemed too bright. Dark blue eyes had tiny creases at the corners, as if he laughed a lot.

He sure wasn’t laughing now.

“I might ask you the same question. And what are you doing tracking in mud and dripping water all over my foyer?”

“Your foyer? This is my house, and it’s been my house since my daddy and I built it six years ago. Don’t you think for one minute I’ll let you steal my home.”

The dog growled, the fur of his ruff bristling.

The man snapped his fingers. “Quiet, Rascal.”

Who was this man? He didn’t look the type but maybe he was one of the men stealing her cattle. Could he and his dog have been waiting for her? She gripped the rifle with all her strength. Why hadn’t her cook shown up to help her?

Oh, no, had they killed him?

He glared at her. “Lady, I don’t know who you are, but this is my house, get it? I grew up here. My daddy grew up here. My granddaddy grew up here.”

Penny’s knees trembled, but she fought fear to appear strong. “Don’t try and trick me. The Double T ranch was started by my granddaddy in 1836. No con man is going to steal it from the Terry family, and you can take that to the bank.”

“The Terry family hasn’t owned this since Penelope Terry died in 1896. Knights have owned it since then.” He threw up his hands. “Hell, why am I arguing with a crazy woman?”

“Crazy?” She was about to light into him when the first part of his statement hit her. “Hey, what do you mean, I died? I’m as alive as you, whoever you are.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I see you’re alive. I said Penelope Terry died. Are you hard of hearing as well as nuts?”

Increasing fear spiraled inside Penny, knotting her stomach. How could this man think her dead? What kind of trick was he working? Had she been conked out long enough that her cook sent men out to look for her and they decided she’d died?

Forcing herself to appear calm when she shook inside, Penny stood erect. “I’m Penelope Jane Terry and you can see I’m very much alive…”

[image error]Meet Author Caroline Clemmons…

Through a crazy twist of fate, Caroline Clemmons was not born on a Texas ranch. To make up for this tragic error, she writes about handsome cowboys, feisty ranch women, and scheming villains in a small office her family calls her pink cave. She and her Hero live in North Central Texas cowboy country where they ride herd on their rescued cats and dogs. The books she creates there have made her an Amazon bestselling author and won several awards.

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Links to Caroline’s website, blog, books, etc.

Amazon: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B6R1K44?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660

Find her on her blog, website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Google+, and Pinterest.

Click on her Amazon Author Page for a complete list of her books and follow her there.

Follow her on BookBub.

Subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you?

She loves to hear from readers at caroline@carolineclemmons.com

Thanks again to Karen Docter for hosting me on her blog today!

I hope you enjoy the recipe Caroline is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 365 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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SOUTHWESTERN SALAD

This easy recipe works as a salad or relish and has received rave reviews from our guests. May be used with lettuce to fill a fried tortilla bowl.

1 (10 oz.) box of frozen corn kernels

1 (16 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 (28 oz.) can chopped tomatoes, drained

1 can canned or jar salsa

1 bunch scallions, chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

Optional: shredded cheese, avocado slices, or sour cream.

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SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!! Caroline is giving away an ebook copy of TEXAS LIGHTNING to two readers who comment on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.

Thanks, Caroline, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: BROWNSTONE BURIAL, Paulette Palinsky Travel Mysteries Book 2 by PATRICIA GULLEY

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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BROWNSTONE BURIAL

Paulette Palinsky Travel Mysteries Book 2

BY PATRICIA GULLET

Blurb

1947 murders come to haunt Paulette Palinsky in 1963 when she leaves her small town home for the big city of New York to escape her reputation of cavorting with spirits. She starts a new career as an airline reservations agent when she finds herself falling in love with those wonderful old New York houses: Brownstones. Thrilled when she finds a small studio apartment in one, she forgets how old they are and the secrets they may hold.

The first ghost to make contact used to be a NYPD detective and knows exactly what she needs to do to get the case reopened. Reluctantly, Paulette agrees, and learns that three murders happened that day in 1947, and that her landlord is the son of one of the ghosts and the nephew of the other two. He isn’t happy with her poking her nose into his family affairs. Pauly finds herself sandwiched between the living and the dead, finding clues that soon involve the airline she works for.

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[image error] BROWNSTONE BURIAL

Paulette Palinsky Travel Mysteries Book 2

BY PATRICIA GULLET

Excerpt

Prologue

Rachel and Herman Helenko/1947

CENTRAL PARK gleamed in a vivid display of emerald, copper and gold tones under the clear fall sky. The sun warmed her cheeks and children with their mothers or nannies eagerly returned her happy smile. Or did everything just feel brighter and happier to her now? The idea to walk home across the Park instead of taking the subway was a good one–a way to expend some of the energy that embraced her after hearing the blessed news from the doctor. And yet, like so many other days over the last few months since Herman had arrived with his terrifying stories and distrustful, anxious ways, a hazy fear lurking near the surface of her consciousness welled up and she again felt watched, even followed.

She shook herself. Time, the poor man needed time to get over his terrible ordeal in the camps, stop his over-cautious watchfulness and return to being the man she fell in love with before the war. Surely, her wonderful news would cheer him up and bring some of the old Herman back to her.

She ran the remaining distance out of the park and across Central Park West to 76th Street trying to dismiss the fear and cling to the good news. Halfway down the block she turned up the stone steps of their beautiful home. Well, theirs and five, soon to be six, other tenants whose rent would pay the remainder of the mortgage. When she reached the front door, Rachel couldn’t stop herself from looking back the way she had come to see if anyone looked suspicious. So many people on the street, many looking quite odd from those she had grown up with, how would she know for sure who was suspicious and who was not? She and Herman had to get out from under this cloud of fear he had brought with him from Europe. This new country, nothing like the old, had everything to make a better life for them. She forced a smile, and shook herself while inserting her key in the brand new lock on the very old, but sturdy door.

They lived in the first floor apartment of this old New York brownstone. She rented out the basement unit–which technically should be, but was not, the first floor because it was at street level–and the upper two floors. One day they would occupy the top two floors and have enough bedrooms for their children and maybe one for Tuti Sophie, if they ever found her in the ravaged Ukraine.

Rachel, mama and papa had come just before the war started during those terrible times in Italy, and were lucky to have her sister Joanie and her husband here to sponsor them. But the new world had not brought joy to her parents. Papa had been overwhelmed by the size of the city and not watching traffic, carelessly walked in front of a taxi and died. His death and the knowledge that her home village had been totally destroyed during the war, and no news of her sister Sophie, had really caused mama’s death.

She stamped her foot to stop the tears she felt heat her eyes, and forced her thoughts to her remodeling plans. She wanted to decorate traditionally, but also to add all those modern appliances Americans believed they could not live without. The money Herman had given her before she left Milan had allowed her to buy the brownstone, and the rents would pay off the mortgage, but it still required a good salary to purchase everything Rachel dreamed about.

Herman still hadn’t found a job, but she was sure that with his knowledge of Italian, German, Ukrainian, and Polish, he would soon find work. He was so restless, with dark moods she did not recognize and he never seemed to want to go out and look. She didn’t even want to think of how angry he was and how he reacted when he found out she had spent their money on the brownstone. Time would settle him, she reassured herself. The war had done terrible things to him, and friends and family were now talking about this new thing called survivor guilt. She didn’t expect him to forget, but she did pray that he would heal. She would have to keep her job as long as possible. The store she worked for didn’t even know she was married—they expected married women to give their jobs up to men returning from the war—so they didn’t have to know anything about her blessed event.

She opened the door to their apartment with her key and called his name. No answer gave her the hope that he was out job hunting. The silence brought back that shadowy feeling of gloom she experienced back in the park. It seemed to absorb the noise from outside and cut her off from the world. Her whole body shuddered.

Again, she stomped her foot to rid herself of the feeling. The war is over! She told herself, sternly. You and Herman are safe. ‘Go with your parents, Rachel, I’ll be along as soon as I liquidate the business. We’re very lucky Joanie has married an American and can sponsor us.’ He had said these words with so much assurance in his light hearted and jovial way. Would that Herman ever return to her?

She shook herself for good measure and ran her hand lovingly over her belly before removing her good, wool coat and scarf and hung them in her modern, newly built-in closet. The construction work to cut the huge parlor in half and make the front into an efficiency apartment was progressing, but not quickly enough for Rachel. She wanted it finished so she could rent it out, but there was always some problem according to the workers. Tearing out huge areas of brick from old fireplaces scared Rachel into believing the house might fall down. It wouldn’t they told her, but to save her money, they would leave in the chimney walls and plaster around it to make it look like part of the wall between the apartments. Unfortunately, that wall was too thin, so they came up with the idea of putting in this wonderful closet near the front door. It cut into part of her space and caused more delays, but she loved the built-in closet. So much more modern than coat trees or a wall rack with hooks, even old fashioned wardrobes. And she’d never have to worry about noisy neighbors or them complaining if the baby cried.

On that happy note, she headed to the kitchen to start dinner. She wanted something special tonight for when she told Herman the good news.

Stepping into the kitchen and flicking on the light stopped her dead in her tracks. Shocked senseless by what she saw, she grabbed for the doorframe to support herself and to keep from falling. Sprawled face down on the kitchen floor laid the body of a man. Herman! Half his head was an open wound of matted hair and bone lying in a pool of blood. A large, red spot with a black hole in the middle of it also stained the back of his coat over his heart.

Terror enveloped her and froze a scream in her throat while paralyzing her limbs until a small voice within her shouted to move, to run, to do something, but be sure to get away. Light headed and gripping the doorjamb to steady her shaky legs, she turned her head, and came face to face with a leather-gloved hand lifting a huge black gun up to right between her eyes. A finger moved backwards on the trigger and a soft clicking sound followed by a short rush of air made her think that nothing had happened. Her hands gripped her belly as a wave of relief washed over her, all the way down to the floor and into oblivion.

[image error] Meet Author Patricia Gulley …

I was born in Wilkes Barre, PA, and did go off to New York to be an airline res agent. I was a res and fares agent for a domestic airline, met my husband there, then moved to an international airline to be a refunds and fares agent. Codes: EA and BA. When I became pregnant, we moved to Portland, OR, where I became a travel agent. I live on a floating home on the slough side of an island in the Columbia River. Not a boat house or a houseboat, it is like any land house but floats on logs and wrapped foam. I love to travel, especially cruises because I want my hotel to move.

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Links to Patricia’s website, blog, books, etc.

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1BTZ6Fy

Print: https://www.createspace.com/5289338

Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com/book/89357

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[image error]**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY: Patricia is giving away a Kindle copy (U.S. Only) of BROWNSTONE BURIAL to one lucky person who comments on her Karen’s Killer Book Bench blog.

Thanks, Patricia, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: ARTFUL MURDER (Shandra Higheagle Mystery Book 10) by Paty Jager

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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ARTFUL MURDER

Shandra Higheagle Mystery

BY PATY JAGER

Blurb

Secrets… Scandal… Murder…

An autistic boy and his brother need potter Shandra Higheagle’s help when a teacher’s body is found after a confrontation with the older brother. Shandra knows the boy is innocent. Digging into the teacher’s life, she and Ryan turn up scandal.

Detective Ryan Greer has believed in Shandra’s dreams in the past, but she can’t always be right. When his investigation uncovers a principal on the take, females being harassed, and parents kept in the dark, he discovers more suspects than the brothers. Shandra’s time at the school is coming to an end, and the killer has struck again.

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[image error] ARTFUL MURDER

Shandra Higheagle Mystery

BY PATY JAGER

Excerpt

“I’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll be there sometime this morning, won’t you? To talk to Jennifer?” Shandra buttered her toast and tossed half the slice to Sheba. Having a large dog made it easier to eat foods she shouldn’t. She could take a few bites of the forbidden food and then toss it to her furry companion.

“Yes. I’ll head there after I go by the department and fill in Sheriff Oldham. After the school, I’ll catch up with Mrs. Lawrence at her work. Someone, somewhere is bound to slip up and give me a detail that will give me a foothold on some information.” Ryan set his coffee mug in the sink and stopped beside her. “Please be careful.”

Shandra stared into his pleading eyes. He knew her well enough by now to not tell her what to do. But his caring always did more to shake her need to find the truth anyway.

“I’ll be careful. I just want to make sure the real killer is found.” She hugged Ryan, wondering how she’d been so lucky to have found him.

“Good. We have a wedding to plan for and it’s hard to do that without a bride.” He kissed the top of her head and walked into the living room.

The wedding! She still needed to get the invitations sent out. In all the hubbub the last week or so, she’d forgotten they were in a box in her suitcase in the bedroom. Sheba rose up off the floor as Shandra headed out of the kitchen. Before she crossed the living room, Sheba woofed and pounced on the door.

“You have to go out the back door.” Shandra pivoted toward the kitchen.

Sheba woofed and pounced on the front door again.

Shandra spun around. “You can’t go out there unless I watch you.”

The dog pounced at the door and dug at the floor.

“Okay. I get the point. You want to go out the front door.” Shandra snagged her coat from where it lay across the back of the couch and walked to the door.

Sheba whined and plopped down on her furry backside.

“What is wrong?” Shandra looked out the peephole on the door before opening it. All she spotted were kids headed to school. To avoid one of them getting knocked down by her overgrown puppy, Shandra grabbed the leash by the door and clicked it to the collar.

“Let’s go.” She opened the door and Sheba refused to move. “You’re the one who had to go out this door.” Shandra glanced down and found a shoebox.

She shoved back into the house and closed the door.

Phone.

Where had she left her phone this morning? A quick look through the living room and kitchen didn’t find it. The second she stepped into the bedroom her gaze landed on the object of her search. She crossed the room, grabbed the cell phone, and hit Ryan’s speed dial number.

“You have reached Detective Ryan Greer—”

“Voicemail!” She hung up and dialed the Sheriff’s Department.

“Weippe County Sheriff’s Department this is Deputy Davis. How may I help you?”

“Cathleen! This is Shandra.”

“Hi Shandra. Ryan is in with the Sher—”

“I know. He’s not answering his phone. Someone left a shoebox on the front porch.” She knew there could be something innocent in the box, but given someone followed her last night, she really didn’t need to find a harmful surprise.

“I’ll alert Ryan and send a deputy over. Don’t touch it and stay to the back of the house.” The line went dead. Shandra held the phone for several minutes before she sank down onto the bed and wrapped her arms around Sheba’s neck.

[image error]Meet Author Paty Jager …

Paty Jager is the award-winning author of the Shandra Higheagle Mystery series. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Paty and her husband raise alfalfa hay in rural eastern Oregon. Riding horses and battling rattlesnakes, she not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it. This is what Mysteries Etc. has to say about her Shandra Higheagle mystery series: “Mystery, romance, small town, and Native American heritage combine to make a compelling read.”

~~~

Links to Paty’s website, blog, books, etc.

Universal link  Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: INNER SANCTUM (Dystopian Novel) Book One by Darlene Oakley

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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INNER SANCTUM

Dystopian Novel Book One

BY DARLENE OAKLEY

Blurb

The underground city of Egerton has a sinister secret, one that threatens the survival of 4000 people. The only home they’ve ever known is slowly killing them all. Family Control Officer Aurora Cassle knows there is only one option – to return to the surface. A maniacal, power-hungry mayor and his supporters believe their fate is to die. Aurora challenges the mayor and wins over a majority of the people, but never imagines the lengths to which he would go to maintain their way of life – and to which previous mayors had gone in the secret bowels of the city. Her determination to save her people forces her to choose between death below and life above. A new life and a new world awaits, if only Aurora can survive the old one. 

~~~

[image error] INNER SANCTUM

Dystopian Novel Book One

BY DARLENE OAKLEY

Excerpt

Aurora sat back in her chair with a yawn and rubbed her eyes as she laid her head against the headrest. They burned and felt like they were going to pop out of her skull.

The overhead lights had cycled down long ago, and she’d been left with her windup desktop lamp which provided just enough light for her to see the screens of her stacks of pads, but little else. She’d spent many nights with this light since babies arrived whenever they decide to arrive, whether light or night cycle and recordkeeping was required regardless.

This night cycle, however, she was record keeping for a different reason. On the floor to her right stood several piles of Notepads containing birth ledgers and death ledgers – 400 annums’ worth of numbers and names, and she’d just counted them all. What Den had suggested was true. Egerton’s numbers were, in fact, not growing – the full accounting and comparison of numbers from the First Ones down to Baby Marshall clearly showed that.

The amount of births was no longer offsetting the number of deaths. Not only that, but most couples now had only one baby, not two, and there was a growing divide between the number of girl babies and the number of boy babies being born, so much so that it was impossible for each person born to find a mate with which to help the population along. It explained why there were so many singles like Dom, and so many empty residence units.

With her numbers done, she felt confident she could convince City Council that the city’s population was shrinking, but she still couldn’t tell them why. That part of the mystery could only be solved by looking back at annual medical scans and EOLs. She doubted she would be able to look at any of the results of the annual medical scans. Her position as FCO allowed her certain freedoms with information sharing, but not the annual medical scans. Although, if she could find sufficient reason through the results of the EOLs, she might be able to convince Dom to look back at those specific people or families to look for trends. She wouldn’t have to describe which families had which trends to City Council. She just needed to know what kinds of things had been developing over the generations that posed a threat to their society.

She still didn’t have an answer for her question about whether allowing more births would ultimately improve the health situation for Egertonians, or if going to the surface would provide any increased benefit aside from theoretically solving the vitamin D deficiencies. Going to the surface would give them the space they needed to accommodate bigger families, but that didn’t mean the resources – food, shelter, medical supplies – for dealing with the increased population and burden would be there. And there was no telling how long it would take before their bodies started reaping any benefits to being on the surface. Like it took generations for the effects of lack of vitamin D to appear – and Aurora assumed other medical conditions she hadn’t uncovered yet – it would likely take generations for the society’s genetics to work these conditions out of the population. The deterioration hadn’t happened overnight and it wouldn’t be solved overnight either.

She’d have to find pretty significant evidence that going to the surface would be the right and best option for managing the medical and genetics conditions already affecting them to counter the possible arguments from City Council that they’d be no better off than if they stayed in Egerton. To do that, she’d have to prove that living underground as long as they had that resulted in the increased incidents of these ailments.

That thought brought forward another question – what had the plans been for the First Ones? When the builders contemplated, planned and built Egerton, had they intended for people to live in it for 400 annums? The only way she’d be able to answer that question would be go back through the city’s history in the archives. She suspected the answer to these two questions would form the heart of her argument.

Aurora’s eyes shot open. When had she started seriously considering the option of going to the surface? Perhaps it had something to do with Den’s revelation that as a boy, he’d gone looking for the door. Even though they’d hung out together as children, she never knew of his searching. She certainly had never thought of going to the surface. At the moment, all the surface had going for it was the possible solution for the vitamin D deficiency.

There could be a whole host of other unpredictables that the surface could present, particularly re-establishing a civilization up there. What had happened to send them all into the inner sanctum of the earth? What had happened to the people of Upper World Earth since? Were there people still living up there? Would they remember Egerton? Would they welcome them if they suddenly appeared after twenty generations? Would any of the families from which the First Ones were chosen still exist?

As her fatigued mind played with all these ideas, it became clear to her that having more babies and going to the surface would need to be done together. If the UWE light source provided the nutrients they needed to keep babies and adults healthy, that’s what they needed to do. And clearly more births were necessary to bring their population back up to sustainable levels. But, it was also clear that her research wasn’t over.

She had half a mind to go home to bed, now. She knew she would need a clear mind to take in all the information she was about to unearth. And she knew there were a few babies due in the next few days, as well as a few finals.

She closed her eyes again. Perhaps just a few moments here. She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep when a triple-beep emanated from the cabinet. Mrs. Terrence’s final genetic scan results. Aurora was suddenly wide awake. It took a few moments for sensation to return to her legs after sitting for so long, but she made it to the cabinet, unlocked it, and retrieved the genetic scan unit. She returned to her desk and set it on top. With a deep breath of anxiety mixed with anticipation, she sat down and flipped up the digital display:

Name: Sharon Terrence (nee Solomon)

Age: 50.3 annums

DOB: Night Cycle hour 5, Week 25, Annum 351

DOD: Light Cycle hour 2, Week 37, Annum 401

Hair color: Brown; no anomalies found

Eye color: Blue; no anomalies found

Hearing: No anomalies found

Brain: No anomalies found

So far, pretty standard.

Bone density T-score: -2.0; diagnosis preliminary osteopenia; minimal but increasing risk of fracture

That one was interesting.

[image error]Meet Author Darlene Oakley…

Darlene Oakley is a freelance writer, editor, and transcriptionist. She has written over 200 articles that have been published online, and edited over 25 books. Her first title, Inner Sanctum (Dystopian Fiction) was released in 2014. Her second fiction title, Voices of Angels (Romantic Suspense), was released December 2016. She is currently working on Book 2 of Inner Sanctum.

~~~

Links to Darlene’s website, blog, books, etc.

Author of Inner Sanctum & Voices of Angels

Amazon & Amazon.ca

www.darsbooks.ca

Darlene Oakley, Author on Facebook

~~~

Thanks, Darlene, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

**Author Peek** Interview with ARTFUL MURDER, Shandra Higheagle Mystery Book 10 Author Paty Jager

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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[image error]INTRODUCING AUTHOR PATY JAGER…

Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

I’m Paty Jager, I live in eastern Oregon in what they call the high desert. My husband and I grow alfalfa for hay. I help drive the farming equipment to cut, bale, and haul the hay. We are forty miles from the nearest town and I enjoy the solitude. I like to hike the hills around us, photograph nature, and work on sewing projects. We have 10 grandchildren who come visit often. I like when they come because I have horse riding partners. I’ve been writing most of my life but didn’t decide to try and make money by writing until the early 1990s. I first wrote human interest stories for the local newspapers before actively seeking to get my novels published.

1. What genre(s) do you write and why?

I write historical and contemporary western romance and murder mystery. My first love was mystery but I couldn’t find a mystery writing group that took newbies back when I first started writing, before computers.  I did, however, find, RWA, Romance Writers of America and I ended up writing western romance. I was published with a small press and then the wave of Indie authors started and I was swept up in the wave and started writing murder mysteries and really, really love writing them..

2.  If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?

Hmmm… A superpower. It would be to make everyone get along no matter their race, religion, political leanings. I have always hated conflict and the world would be so much better if we all learned to get along.

3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?

There are times I get stuck because I’ve usually not listened to the characters or tried to take the story in a direction that it wasn’t set up to go. When that happens, because at the time, I can’t think straight, I go for a walk, or take a whole day off from writing and do something fun. And usually when I’m not thinking about it, the reason for my being stuck will pop into my head.

4. What is your least favorite part of writing?

My least favorite part of not writing but being an author is the promotion. I don’t like spending time I could be writing, pushing my books. But I like getting paid, so I must push the books.

5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?

My signature company meal is homemade lasagna, garlic bread, green salad, and depending on the time of year, angel swirl roll (angel food cake with sherbet rolled up in it) or Deadly Chocolate cake- all homemade from scratch.



6. What is your typical day like?

I wake up between 6-7am. Drink a cup of hot chocolate and visit with my hubby. I make his breakfast, he goes outside and I hop on the computer to check emails, Facebook and do promoting for my book. About 8:30-9 I make the bed, get dressed, and have my granola and yogurt. Some days I go for a walk and some I do the Body Groove workout.  Then I sit down and write until my hubby comes in for lunch. I give myself a full hour lunch even though it doesn’t take that long to eat.

Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special** with HOOKED ON A PHOENIX (Phoenix Brothers) by Ashlyn Chase #recipe ~ The Other White Meat, Apples & Leeks

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[image error]Karen’s Killer Fixin’s

**AUTHOR SPECIAL**

with Ashlyn Chase!

Welcome to my Friday bonus feature called Karen’s Killer Fixin’s **Author Special**!! Today, in lieu of one of my own recipes, I’m going to introduce you to a new author who will share one of her favorite recipes. Not only will you and I occasionally learn how to make something new and delicious, but we’ll get a chance to check out some wonderful authors. Introducing author, ASHLYN CHASE, and her favorite recipe for THE OTHER WHITE MEAT, APPLES & LEEKS!!

~~~

HOOKED ON A PHOENIX

Phoenix Brothers

BY ASHLYN CHASE

BLURB

Misty Carlisle works as a bank teller in Boston’s financial district. She’s had more rotten luck in her life than most, except when her childhood crush shows up to cash his paycheck. Then her heart races and her mouth goes dry.

Gabe Fierro is a firefighter—and a phoenix. Like his brothers, his biggest challenge is finding a woman open-minded enough to accept a shapeshifter into her life. When his boyhood friend asks him to watch over his little sister, Misty, he reluctantly agrees. But when the bank she works in gets held up, Gabe does everything he can to protect her. The two of them wind up locked in the bank’s vault… where things get steamier than either of them ever imagined.

HOOKED ON A PHOENIX

Phoenix Brothers

BY ASHLYN CHASE

EXCERPT

Prologue

Strolling down Massachusetts Avenue, she found herself actually looking forward to visiting with Gabriella Fierro. The woman had been like a second mother to her.

When she arrived on the doorstep and rang the bell, the diminutive matriarch opened the door and almost threw herself at Misty, giving her a huge hug. “Come in, come in! It’s cold out tonight, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. It’s always freezing on my birthday.”

Gabriella Fierro gasped. “It’s your birthday? Today? I thought it was… Never mind. Happy birthday, my sweet girl!” After another tight hug, she released her. “Let me take your coat.”

“I hope I’m not imposing. I was supposed to meet Gabe at his station, but they’re out on a job.”

“Oh, yes. We heard about a big fire in South Boston. Antonio thought he’d go watch for a while.” She chuckled. “You’d think he might have had enough of fires after thirty-two years.” She hung up Misty’s coat and led her to the kitchen. “I was just wishing I had some company. Have you had dinner yet?”

“Not yet. I have plans with Gabe, but I guess they’ll have to wait.”

Gabriella sighed. “Ah, yes. Plans need to be somewhat flexible when you’re involved with a firefighter. It’s a shame they don’t work regular hours, but fires can be very inconsiderate.”

Misty smiled. The woman had such an easy way about her. She wondered if she’d ever be able to take things so calmly. Misty tended to be “wound a little tight,” or so she’d been told.

“Can I get you some coffee and a small piece of cake? I imagine Gabe was taking you out to dinner, and I don’t want to spoil your appetite.”

“Coffee, yes. But no thank you to the cake. It might be easier if I just get takeout and save him the trouble of going out to dinner at this point.”

“Tsk tsk.” Gabriella shook her head as she gathered the cream, sugar, and spoons. “You can’t always make everything easy on them, especially when the relationship is new. They might grow to expect it.”

“Oh. I don’t think we have what you’d call a relationship.”

Gabriella was quiet until she sat down with two mugs of coffee and set one in front of Misty. Then she took a deep breath and held Misty’s gaze. “Be patient with him. He needs you. He just doesn’t know it yet.”

Misty didn’t quite know what to say to that. Gabe needing anybody or anything seemed implausible. He was always so self-sufficient.

Leaning back, coffee mug just below her lips, Gabriella smiled. “He’s a good boy. They all are. But Gabe is the one who… Well, I worry.”

“Worry? Why would you worry about Gabe? Is something wrong?”

“Oh, honey, it’s not that. He’s just a little stubborn. He thinks he doesn’t need anybody, but he couldn’t be more wrong.”

“I see.” She didn’t see. She didn’t have a clue.

“So, how are things with you? Have you found any leads on a new job?”

“Um, no. I don’t think I’m going to look for a new job right now. I kind of need the insurance.”

Gabriella’s eyebrows raised. “Health insurance? Are you all right?”

“Yeah. Well, no. Um, maybe.”

Gabriella gave her an indulgent look. “You know you can tell me anything, right? I won’t divulge any secrets.”

“I know. It’s just that I need to have some tests first. I won’t know if there’s anything wrong or not until next week at the earliest.”

“What makes you think there might be a problem?”

“Between you and me, I’ve been having trouble with my balance. I was afraid it might interfere with my dancing, so before quitting my job to find something in the dance community, I thought I’d better get it checked out.”

“That’s wise.”

The phone rang, and Gabriella rose to answer it. They had one of those old-fashioned phones on the wall. It even had a dial instead of buttons. The Fierros were complete Yankees. What was that saying? Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without.

“Hi, honey. Yes, she’s here. We’re having a lovely chat.” Gabriella smiled slyly. “There’s no need to rush. We’re fine.”

As she replaced the receiver, she chuckled. “My son will be here in about five seconds.”

“Oh no. Is he worried about being late? It’s no big deal. Really.”

Gabriella grinned. “No, darling. He’s afraid of my talking to you.” As Gabriella sat down, she chuckled and shook her head. Apparently she wasn’t going to explain anything further. She just took a sip of her coffee and looked pleased with herself.

Misty couldn’t imagine why Gabe would be afraid of his mother having a conversation with her. Was there something he didn’t want her to know?

It took more than five seconds, but not much. Gabe strode through the front door and entered the kitchen. He was covered in soot.

“Hello, darling.” Gabriella rose and strolled to her son. He towered over her, but she grasped his broad shoulders and pulled him toward her for a kiss on his cheek.

“Mom, I’m filthy.”

“No kidding. I thought you’d take a shower at the station, but I guess you didn’t want to let Misty wait any longer than necessary. That was sweet. Why don’t you run upstairs and shower? I can find an old pair of your jeans and a sweater or something to change into…unless you need a suit. I don’t know what your plans were.”

Gabe focused on Misty for a moment. “I, uh… We were just going to get Chinese food and go back to your place to watch a movie, right?”

“Yeah. We never did decide what movie we wanted to see.”

Gabriella set her hands on her hips. “Is that the best you can do, Gabriel? Takeout food and a movie at her house?”

“Butt out, Mom.”

Misty had never heard him speak to his mother that way. It would have bothered her except that Gabriella was smirking. It was as if the older woman was in on some kind of private joke neither Misty nor Gabe understood.

“I really didn’t want anything fancy. Takeout food and a movie sounds perfect.”

Gabriella shrugged. “Well, if that’s what you really want…”

“It is. I never do anything much for my birthday.”

“I see. If you’ll excuse me for a minute, I’ll go get some fresh towels and set those out for you, Gabe.”

“I’d rather shower at my place. I have something for her birthday there, and I’d feel more comfortable in jeans that fit. Not something I wore in high school.”

“Okay, honey. I’ll just get Misty’s coat then.”

When Gabriella had left the room, Gabe looked over and gave Misty a smile. “I’m sorry I’m late. It couldn’t be helped.”

“Oh, I know. The dispatcher told me about the fire. Saving lives is a little more important than one person’s birthday.”

“Well, I’m glad you feel that way. Because about a dozen people are going to be able to celebrate another birthday because of us.”

Misty rose and strode over to him. She placed her hands on his dirty coat, looked up at him, and said, “My hero.”

Gabe leaned down and gave Misty a quick peck on the lips.

Gabriella cleared her throat, then breezed into the kitchen, carrying Misty’s coat, grinning from ear to ear.

[image error]Meet Author Ashlyn Chase…

Ashlyn Chase describes herself as an Almond Joy bar.  A little nutty, a little flaky, but basically sweet, wanting only to give her readers some great entertainment.

She holds a degree in behavioral sciences, worked as a psychiatric RN for 15 years and spent a few more years working for the American Red Cross.

Most authors, whether they know it or not, have a theme—something that unifies their whole booklist. Ashlyn’s identified theme has to do with characters who reinvent themselves. After all, she has reinvented herself many times. Now she is a multi-published, best-selling, award-winning author of humorous paranormal and contemporary romances, represented by the Seymour Agency.

She lives in beautiful New Hampshire with her true-life superhero husband who looks like Hugh Jackman if you squint. She and Mr. Amazing have been adopted by two beautiful shelter cats.

 ~~~

Links to Ashlyn’s website, blog, books, etc.

Where there’s fire, there’s Ash.

Amazon: http://amzn.to/2FODKUb

Sign up for my newsletter right from my home page:

www.ashlynchase.com While you’re there check out my news and reviews.

Facebook fan page:

Twitter: 

Amazon Author Page:

I hope you enjoy the recipe Ashlyn is sharing today on Karen’s Killer Fixin’s. Happy Eating!

Karen

P.S. We’re at 364 recipes and counting with this posting. Hope you find some recipes you like. If this is your first visit, please check out past blogs for more Killer Fixin’s. In the right hand column menu, you can even look up past recipes by type. i.e. Desserts, Breads, Beef, Chicken, Soups, Author Specials, etc.

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THE OTHER WHITE MEAT, APPLES & LEEKS

NOTE FROM ASHLYN: Since I ‘doctored’ this recipe (wink) I’ll call it my own.

The other white meat, apples and leeks. That’s not only the title, but also the ingredients!

Just season the pork to taste (I like garlic and pepper,) lay it on top of sliced apples and leeks, (cut the white part of leeks in 2 inch pieces, then slice in half, lengthwise.)

Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 – 40 minutes.

~~~

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SPECIAL GIVEAWAY!! Ashlyn is giving away a signed paperback copy (U.S. Only) of HOOKED ON A PHOENIX to one reader who comments on her Karen’s Killer Fixin’s blog.

Thanks, Ashlyn, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: HIS SCANDALOUS LOVE (Cuffs and Spurs Book 1) by Anya Summers

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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HIS SCANDALOUS LOVE

Cuffs and Spurs Book 1

BY ANYA SUMMERSBlurb

Carter Jones is a fairly simple man. He loves his ranch, his horses, and dominating women in the bedroom. He’s the owner and founder of the exclusive Cuffs and Spurs Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, yet for the past year Carter has achieved something of a monk’s status within the ranks of his club. And all because of Jenna, a woman he had an unforgettably sensual week with a year ago, who then vanished from his life without a trace and left him reeling.

When he discovers Jenna practically on his doorstep, Carter moves heaven and earth to draw her back into his life. Only she has a scandalous secret, one that upends his life completely. Can he forgive her for the secrets she kept? Or will the mistrust tear them apart – forever this time?

Purchase His Scandalous Love by 3/17/18 & get the FREE full-length ebook novella His Unexpected Love delivered to your email! Discover where Carter & Jenna’s sinfully erotic love story began.

Email the proof of purchase (receipt or screenshot) to anya@anyasummers.com.

[image error]His Unexpected Love

A Cuffs & Spurs Prequel Novella

Blurb

Carter Jones is the owner and founder of the exclusive Cuffs and Spurs Club in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He’s been invited to Pleasure Island, a lifestyle themed resort on a private island in the Bahamas, to experience what the all-inclusive getaway has to offer. His plans for the week include indulging in the finer points of life – mainly sex, and lots of it. He’s a man used to dominating a woman in every way imaginable, and then receiving praise and thanks from his selected bed mate for his prowess.

That all changes when he literally runs into Jenna. She’s beautiful and headstrong, and turns his world upside down with merely a pout of her gorgeous lips. Lips he can imagine on various parts of his body. Carter devises a plan to claim the feisty woman. But will he be able to keep it strictly physical, or will her surrender to his touch affect him in unexpected ways?

~~~

[image error] HIS SCANDALOUS LOVE

Cuffs and Spurs Book 1

BY ANYA SUMMERS

Excerpt

Her steps segued away from the main hub of town into the more residential section. Not that Jackson Hole was an overly large city by any measure. It was really more of a blip, nearest large city was Cheyenne a few hours south. On their trek, not once had she turned or looked over her shoulder in his direction. Like she was in her own little world. Hefting two reusable grocery bags from Lucy’s Market.

He just hoped like hell it wasn’t a case of mistaken identity.

She stopped at a duplex building. Really the structure was nothing more than an oversized home that had been split into two residences. So clearly, if it was Jenna, she was living here in Jackson Hole. Why? Not that he was one to complain if it was her. If it was he’d be elated for the chance to get some answers. Like why she’d fallen off the face of the earth only to end up in his town. The exterior of the duplex was finished in a deep, dark cherry colored wood, much darker than his ranch house but with the log cabin rustic theme that a majority of the homes in the area tended to have. His intended target climbed the wooden set of stairs up to the second-floor dwelling.

Gotcha!

She was no sooner inside the front door when Carter took the wooden stairs two at a time. At the top of the stairs he drew in a deep, calming breath. To be this close after so much despair these past months. This was what he’d been waiting on for almost a year. A chance to see her again, hold her, paddle her butt for ever leaving him and bury his aching member inside her welcoming heat.

Or he was mistaken and had just followed a strange woman, who could have passed for Jenna’s twin, all the way home. If so, he would apologize profusely and leave at the soonest.

Lifting his hand, his fingers curled around the brass knocker and he banged it twice. If it was Jenna, what was she doing here? Why hadn’t she sought him out? How long had she been in Jackson? A myriad number of questions ran through his mind as he waited for her to answer the front door.

The oaken door opened, the hinges creaked in protest at the movement. Sunlight from the setting sun basked her visage in gold. And the pent-up breath he’d been holding expelled in a rush.

Jenna.

A smile spread over his face and a part of himself that had been missing these long months slid back into place. His eyes roamed over her, drinking in the sight of her standing so close.

“Well, well, darlin’ fancy seeing you here.” Carter purred. Stunned at finding Jenna in his own backyard.

[image error] Meet Author Anya Summers …

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy and paranormal romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

Don’t miss these exciting titles by Anya Summers and Blushing Books!

Dungeon Fantasy Club Series

Her Highland Master, Book 1

To Master and Defend, Book 2

Two Doms for Kara, Book 3

His Driven Domme, Book 4

Her Country Master, Book 5

Love Me, Master Me, Book 6

Submit To Me, Book 7

Her Wired Dom, Book 8

Pleasure Island Series

Her Master & Commander, Book 1

Her Music Masters, Book 2

Their Shy Submissive, Book 3

Her Lawful Master, Book 4

Her Rockstar Dom, Book 5

Duets & Dominance, Book 6

Her Undercover Dom, Book 7

Ménage In Paradise, Book 8

Her Rodeo Masters, Book 9

Cuffs & Spurs Series

His Scandalous Love releasing March 8, 2018

His Wicked Love releasing May 8, 2018

His Untamed Love releasing July 9, 2018

His Tempting Love releasing September 6, 2018

His Seductive Love releasing November 8, 2018

His Secret Love releasing January 8, 2019

His Cherished Love releasing March 8, 2019

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Links to Anya’s website, blog, books, etc.

Amazon https://goo.gl/4ysu8P

Nook https://goo.gl/u9vDsW

Kobo https://goo.gl/XZq4p5

iBooks https://goo.gl/S51TKo

Website: www.anyasummers.com

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/AnyaSummersAuthor

Twitter: @AnyaBSummers

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15183606.Anya_Summers

Anya Summers Newsletter

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Anya-Summers/e/B01EGTVRKC/

Bookbub:

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/anya-summers

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/anyasummersauthor/

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Thanks, Anya, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!

Karen’s Killer Book Bench: NEVER AGAIN: A Prequel Short Story (Dangerous Secrets Book 1) by RM Alexander

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 [image error]KAREN’S KILLER BOOK BENCH: Welcome to Karen’s Killer Book Bench where readers can discover talented new authors and take a peek inside their wonderful books. This is not an age-filtered site so all book peeks are PG-13 or better. Come back and visit often. Happy reading!

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NEVER AGAIN

A Prequel Short Story (Dangerous Secrets Book 1)

BY RM ALEXANDER

Blurb

Failure isn’t an option …

Ken Capewell’s witness is murdered in front of him, leaving him to want more than just to arrest criminals and walk away. A career change to the Witness Security Program gives the opportunity to help people who made bad decisions. But will high expectations lead to happiness or is death lurking around the corner? Never isn’t as far as it seems in this action-packed prequel to the Dangerous Secrets series.

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[image error] NEVER AGAIN

A Prequel Short Story (Dangerous Secrets Book 1)

BY RM ALEXANDER

Excerpt

Rush hour. Why did it have to be rush hour?

Ken Shepherd groaned as he darted and zagged through the Denver traffic, horn blaring as he screeched by passing cars. Nearby drivers swerved in a panic as he tore past, but they didn’t have a reason to be afraid. Specialized training taught him how to drive, and how to stay cool under pressure.

He zipped in between a gray sedan and navy van. No problem with the driving although he felt anything but cool. Instead, perspiration beaded his forehead as Ken checked the time. It’d been ten minutes since the call came through, and every passing second could be the difference between life and death for the witness.

How things got so out of control… Local patrol had been assigned to keep Nate Dunnican safe. If he died, someone would have to answer for the failure.

Ken’s eyes narrowed, questions playing over in his mind. Why he got the call was a mystery, and how Nate got the private number a bigger one. Ken wasn’t the man’s attorney or his protector. As an FBI agent, Ken’s job had been arresting Nate, bringing him in to face the charges. From there, Nate’s case had been turned over to other agents who arranged for him to rat on his organized crime buddies. So why would he come back to Ken?

Ken’s jaw set in a cold, hard line. It didn’t matter. The call didn’t bother him nearly as much as the fear in Nate’s voice.

“I’m going to die,” he had said, “I’ll die if you don’t come here now.”

[image error] Meet Author RM Alexander…

RM Alexander is a best-selling romantic suspense author. With driven characters who suffer the worst kinds of betrayals, RM’s novels promise a good read with unexpected twists and turns. When she’s not writing, RM spends time with her husband and two children. She loves to travel, especially to Walt Disney World, and is addicted to orange juice and Ghiradelli chocolate. She is often found on Twitter and Facebook chatting with other authors and readers.

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Links to RM’s website, blog, books, etc.

Website: http://www.rmalexanderauthor.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/RM-Alexander/e/B00HY5U1N0

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

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/rmalexanderauth

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[image error]**SPECIAL GIVEAWAY: RM is giving away an ebook copy of NEVER AGAIN to one lucky reader who comments on her **Author Peek* Interview or Karen’s Killer Book Bench blogs.

Thanks, RM, for sharing your book with us!

Don’t miss the chance to read this book!